The Daily Briefing Monday, April 4, 2022

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com on the Packers’ wide receiver corps with WR DAVANTE ADAMS gone:

When the Packers opted to trade receiver Davante Adams to the Raiders, an obvious question arose. What’s their plan at the position without him?

By failing to get Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed before trading Adams, MVS saw his stock increase. After the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill, Valdes-Scantling found a new home and a very healthy payday.

So what’s next? Randall Cobb continues to be the most accomplished receiver under contract for the Packers. Allen Lazard has a restricted free agency tender. Even if no one signs him to an offer sheet, he has leverage. The Packers currently need him more than he needs them; he can sit out until they offer what he views to be a fair long-term deal.

Many assume the Packers will draft one or more receivers, especially with an extra first- and second-round pick from the Adams trade. But even with more and more young receivers getting it done at a high level from the outset of their NFL careers, it’s hardly a sure thing that whoever they pick will hit the ground running — and catching.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looms over the entire situation. How quickly will he warm up, if at all, to rookie receivers? How long will it take him to trust them?

The Packers would be very wise to involve Rodgers in the scouting they’re doing. Give him a role. Let him watch film. Let him spot strengths and weaknesses. Give him a voice now, because he’ll definitely have a voice later.

Green Bay also could consider making a trade. With that may come an obligation to pay the player. That’s likely why they never got involved in the Tyreek Hill trade discussions. Thus, while some think maybe the Packers will make a run at Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, if they wouldn’t pay Adams or Hill, why would they pay Metcalf? (If they do, will that be something that happens at the behest of Rodgers?)

A more intriguing option resides in Pittsburgh. Chase Claypool remains a year away from becoming eligible for a second contract. Claypool, who has shown some flashes of being a handful for the Steelers, may not be thrilled about the quarterback situation. Given the team’s uncanny ability to find mid-to-late-round receivers, why not flip Claypool for the first-round pick the Packers picked up from the Raiders?

It’s just a thought. An idea. The Packers will need one (or more) if they hope to be as good without Adams as they would have been with him.

NFC EAST

WASHINGTON

The next scheme to get rid of Daniel Snyder is an allegation that he cheated his partners, the fellow owners, out of ticket revenue.  A.J. Perez of FrontOfficeSports with a leak from the House Oversight Committee.

The House Oversight Committee received information that alleges the Washington Commanders kept ticket revenue that is supposed to be shared with other NFL teams, sources told Front Office Sports.

According to NFL bylaws, all teams are required to pass along 40% of ticket sales from each home game — minus ticket handling charges and taxes — to the league, which then disperses the funds to visiting teams. At least one person gave information in recent weeks to Congressional investigators that alleges the Commanders didn’t pass along the full 40%, two sources with knowledge of the investigation told FOS.

It is not clear how long this alleged scheme ran for or who authorized it.

The Commanders and the NFL learned about the allegations in recent weeks, one source told FOS.

An NFL spokesperson declined comment when reached by FOS. The Commanders did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

FOS reported on Thursday the House Oversight Committee had expanded its investigation beyond allegations the Commanders fostered a hostile workplace environment to include an examination of the finances of the team and owner Dan Snyder.

Sources told FOS that the person who gave the information to the Democrat-led Oversight Committee was the one referenced in the following statement by GOP Oversight Committee Spokesperson Austin Hacker:

“The leak of one-sided, unconfirmed, unsupported allegations from a disgruntled ex-employee with an ax to grind is just further proof the Democrats’ investigation is a waste of Congress’ time. Nothing the Committee has heard from any credible witness points to any financial improprieties; in fact, the only credible witness in a position to know the facts the Democrats have heard from has denied any such improprieties.”

Sources with knowledge of the information given to Oversight Committee staffers told FOS that it went beyond first-person testimony.

Ticket sales are the only part of local revenues that have to be shared among NFL owners. Teams don’t share other revenues — from parking to local sponsorship deals — with the other teams.

Ticket sales not only impact other teams, but also the players since ticket revenue is factored into overall league revenues that are used to come up with each year’s salary cap.

The 2022 season’s salary cap is $208.2 million, a $25.7 million increase. The cap dipped for the first time last season since it was implemented in 1994, largely due to the pandemic that limited fan attendance during the 2020 season.

The Green Bay Packers, the only publicly owned team in the NFL, took in $77 million in ticket sales in 2019, the most recent data available for a season not impacted by the pandemic.

The Commanders reported the second-lowest attendance last season.

“My understanding is that the early returns of ticket sales are going very well in Washington,”  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters at the owners’ meetings on Tuesday.  “They are making a lot of progress. We are very optimistic going into the season.”

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com thinks it is serious:

Saturday night’s bombshell could indeed be the last straw for the NFL and Daniel Snyder.

As a league source with knowledge of the dynamics among owners told PFT, this would become Snyder’s “death knell” as an owner, if it’s proven to be true.

There also would be an effort to force Snyder to make his payments, whether through the court system or an internal arbitration.

NFL teams don’t keep all of their ticket revenue, and they don’t directly share any of the money from each given game with the opponent. Instead, 40 percent of the gate from every game goes into a league-wide pool that goes in equal portions to all teams. (Home teams deduct 15 percent of the total ticket revenue for expenses, making it basically a 66-34 percent share of the gross and a 60-40 split of the net.)

So, if this is true, Snyder got 1/32nd of the 40-percent payments generated by the other 31 teams — and he failed to pony up all of the 40-percent chunk that should have gone to his partners.

His partners have protected him when it comes to the investigation regarding workplace misconduct because, indirectly, they are protecting themselves from having similar allegations threaten the hold on their franchises. If it can be proven that he has been picking his partners’ pockets, his partners quite likely will be kicking his ass out of the house.

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY

Peter King broke the Bruce Arians tale on Arians’ terms, but in his Monday Morning in America column, he doesn’t doubt the possibility that the coach was thrown overboard by TOM BRADY:

Four points about Bruce Arians handing the Tampa Bay coaching job to Todd Bowles:

• What’s the biggest issue in the league right now? It’s the one “that hung over the league meetings” last week, per one high-ranking club official, the paucity of minority head coaches and top assistants. As Arians departs, he leaves behind a Super Bowl contender with a coaching staff that has its top six coaching posts filled by Black men—head coach, offensive coordinator, special-teams coordinator, two co-defensive coordinators, assistant head coach. There are six other Black assistants on the Tampa Bay coaching staff, and two full-time female assistant coaches. The NFL, at its owners meetings last week, continued high-level talks to figure out ways to legislate chances for more minority coaches. The NFL ordered every team to have at least one minority coach on the offensive side of the ball. The Bucs have four of them.

• He didn’t leave Todd Bowles in the lurch. He left him with Tom Brady and a Super Bowl roster. “I’d rather leave Todd in possession to be successful and not have to take some [crappy] job.” Arians told me and Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. A back-pat, to be sure. But it’s the result of Arians leaving.

• What really happened at the end of the Arians era? Was he pushed overboard by Tom Brady? We don’t know. All parties deny it, but because associates of Brady said Brady was beginning to chafe at Arians after two seasons with him, a level-jump has been made. The jump: Brady said he’d come back if Arians was gone, and then Arians was gone, and so Brady must have done it. I don’t doubt the friction, and I don’t know if Brady acted on the friction. Anyone got the facts to support it? If so, let’s hear them.

• Let’s talk about great quarterbacks who had major problems with their coaches. Terry Bradshaw hated Chuck Noll. Phil Simms and Bill Parcells had some major battles, one on Monday Night Football in Indianapolis. John Elway chafed at the controlling Mike Shanahan. Joe Montana had big issues with Bill Walsh. Mike Holmgren had some with Brett Favre in Green Bay. Troy Aikman thought Barry Switzer was a clown. Russell Wilson butted heads with the Seattle coaches. That’s life in the NFL. Strong-willed people slap each other around sometimes.

I believe, regardless how the end happened, it’s a good thing to acknowledge a retiring head coach who saw coaches for who they are and how well they could coach, and who won 29 games and a Super Bowl with a great quarterback and those coaches over a two-year period, and who left a championship contender in the hands of a Black coach who is—as close as I can tell—universally respected in the sport.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

RB MARLON MACK is a Texan.  Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com:

The Houston Texans have signed running back Marlon Mack, a source told ESPN.

Mack, 26, spent his first five seasons with the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts. His best season came in 2019, when he ran for 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns on 247 carries.

Mack joins running backs Rex Burkhead, Royce Freeman and Scottie Phillips on the Texans’ roster. Houston kept five running backs on the 53-man roster to start the 2021 season, but the unit struggled in Tim Kelly’s offense. The Texans finished the season last in the NFL in Football Outsiders’ rushing DVOA.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

Sheil Kapadia of The Athletic explores how the Bills came to sign EDGE VON MILLER:

Von Miller was an out-of-character signing for the Buffalo Bills. Von Miller could be the final piece of the Bills’ championship puzzle.

Both can be true. That’s the hope, anyway, for general manager Brandon Beane.

“You’re right,” Beane told The Athletic at the owners’ meetings this week. “I generally try not to do a lot of splash moves. But (Stefon) Diggs was a splash move. It worked out. And this was another one. Time will tell if it was the right move.”

Beane has made a living on shrewd, under-the-radar roster-building tactics. Last year, we noted that he led the league in MTMS: Moves That Make Sense. Josh Allen’s development is the number one reason for the Bills’ success. But Beane has consistently made smart decisions with the rest of the roster. The Bills have built through the draft, rewarded their own players and sought out undervalued options with upside in free agency. The combination has resulted in one of the most impressive rebuilds in recent NFL history.

The Bills had just one winning season from 2005 to 2016 and were in salary cap hell when Beane took over. Under Beane and Sean McDermott, they’ve produced a winning record four times in five seasons. They’ve now made the playoffs three years in a row, and their 34 regular-season wins over that span rank tied for third league-wide.

What makes the Miller signing so fascinating is that there’s nothing under-the-radar about it. Miller is a future Hall of Famer. But he’s also 33 years old. And Buffalo signed him to a six-year, $120 million deal with $45 million fully guaranteed. It’s essentially a three-year commitment that counts on Miller to be an impact player in his age 33, 34 and 35 seasons. Part of the job description for NFL general managers is deciding how to allocate resources. The Bills could have spread out the money they’re spending on Miller and used it towards building up different parts of the roster.

Instead, Beane decided the moment was right to take a big swing.

“You just have to look for where those opportunities are,” he said. “And we just felt it was worth the risk.”

It’s easy to envision the upside. Miller has a huge impact and becomes a Bills legend who helps them get over the hump and win the Super Bowl. The downside is that he shows signs of decline, and Buffalo never gets what it’s paying for.

The seeds for the signing were planted in early February. Beane and other Bills staffers went down to Mobile, Ala. to scout college prospects during Senior Bowl week. But the pro scouts had a different job back in Orchard Park, N.Y. They were tasked with meeting, breaking down film and narrowing the focus of the Bills’ free agency board.

Beane had given them parameters for what was possible financially, and they had specific areas of need to focus on. Pass rush was one of them. It’s not that the Bills were bad in that area last year. They finished seventh in adjusted sack rate, second in pressure rate and sixth in pass rush win rate. But in a conference loaded with top-level quarterbacks, Beane felt like the Bills could still use a boost.

When he returned from the Senior Bowl, the pro scouts presented him with their free agency board. Beane asked questions. Why was one guy ranked ahead of another? Was there someone who he thought might be too high or too low? Those questions led to discussions about injury histories, scheme fit and production.

As the scouts made their presentations, Beane could sense a buzz when Miller’s name came up.

“Our guys were excited about him in the process,” Beane said. “You can kind of hear the scouts when they talk… it was like, ‘This is a different player. We don’t have this player on our roster.’”

The Bills were enamored with how Miller performed once he joined the Los Angeles Rams last season. The film from the Super Bowl run showed a pass rusher who combined veteran savvy with an elite ability to bend and get around the edge. Miller had four sacks and six quarterback hits in four postseason games.

Meanwhile, Buffalo had received glowing reports about Miller’s leadership and his impact on younger players. The Bills have spent four first- or second-round picks on defensive linemen (Gregory Rousseau, Boogie Basham, A.J. Epenesa, Ed Oliver) in the last three drafts. They view Miller as a player who could help unlock the potential of that entire group.

Before free agency, Buffalo didn’t know whether Miller was a realistic option. Maybe he’d re-sign with the Rams or be priced out of their market. But on the first day of the negotiating window, Miller’s agent reached out to Bills vice president of football administration Kevin Meganck. The message: Miller was interested in the Bills. He wasn’t going to make a final decision on the first day but wanted to know if they had interest in him. They did.

On the second day of the negotiating window, the Bills got word that Miller had started to narrow his options, and Buffalo was still one of them. By that point, Miller’s agent had an idea of what the parameters of a deal would probably need to look like.

Wednesday, March 16 was the official start of the league year. The Bills had a meeting that morning, and Beane told ownership that he thought things could pick up that day. He still wasn’t sure which direction Miller would go, but he knew Buffalo was in it. It was a delicate dance because the Bills were still looking at other free agents while waiting on Miller.

“Once we started feeling like this could happen, we just kind of blocked out the noise of the other guys and focused on Von,” Beane said.

Beane wore out the carpet walking back and forth from his office to Meganck’s office for updates and to check in with Miller’s agent. First it was down to four teams, then three, then two. Finally, the Bills got word that Miller was coming to Buffalo.

“It had to be something special,” Miller said when he was later introduced. “It had to be the Buffalo Bills. What they’ve created here — it had to be the Bills Mafia. This environment that they’ve created here, it (drew) me away from that. It’s not gonna be the weather. The weather is gonna be the weather. But what they’re doing inside this facility, what they’re doing in this community, what they’re doing on the football field and off the football field, man, I had to be a part of that.”

Beane pointed out that there’s a history of Hall of Fame-caliber pass rushers still producing well into their 30s. He noted that the Bills will be mindful of Miller’s reps and usage and practice load. They obviously want Miller to have an impact in the regular season, but this move was made with the hope that it can carry Buffalo across the finish line in the postseason.

“We feel like if we can get him to the postseason healthy, you saw what he could do for the Rams,” Beane said. “And that’s part of the attraction.”

When teams make mistakes in free agency, one big reason why is they fail to take an honest assessment of where they are as a franchise. That’s not the case here. The Bills were second in Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric last season. They were 0-6 in games decided by 7 points or fewer. They were unlucky, and yet they were still just 13 seconds away from getting to the AFC Championship.

There are no guarantees, but the truth is that barring horrible injury luck, the Bills have the luxury of knowing they’re probably going to be in the playoffs. Teams that are close have to make tough decisions on when it’s the right time to be patient and when it makes sense to just go for it. Quarterbacks with Allen’s ceiling don’t come around often. And Super Bowl windows don’t stay open forever.

“It is taking a swing,” Beane said. “Sometimes you’ve gotta do that.”

MIAMI

All is well between CB XAVIEN HOWARD and the Dolphins.  Marcel Louis-Jacques ofESPN.com:

The Dolphins and cornerback Xavien Howard agreed to a five-year contract, his agent David Canter announced.

The deal is worth $50.6 million in new money and gives Howard the most guaranteed cash for a cornerback in NFL history.

Howard had three years and $39 million remaining on the five-year, $75 million contract he signed in 2020 but had grown discontent with the deal entering the 2021 season. The 2016 second-round pick requested a trade in July, saying he didn’t feel “valued or respected” by the organization that drafted him.

His request came during an offseason in which Miami signed cornerback Byron Jones to a five-year, $82.5 million contract, making Howard the second-highest paid cornerback on his own team.

To alleviate his concerns, the Dolphins had slightly restructured Howard’s contract after his trade request, which included rescinding his fines for skipping mandatory minicamp and promising to renegotiate his contract following the 2021 season.

“Xavien has done a lot of good things here for this organization,” Dolphins GM Chris Grier said at the NFL’s annual meeting last week. “I’ve known him for years. I was here when we drafted him. He was my second draft pick here. I’m looking forward to him being here and helping us win.”

Howard intercepted five passes in 2021 and forced a pair of fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Since he entered the league in 2016, no other player has more interceptions than Howard’s 27.

NEW ENGLAND

Matthew Fairbairn of The Athletic on the implications of the trade that brough WR DaVANTE PARKER to New England:

Bill Belichick has been patient this offseason, waiting for the right opportunities to add players to the Patriots’ roster. And on Saturday, one of those opportunities presented itself, as the Patriots acquired wide receiver DeVante Parker in a trade with the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots sent a 2023 third-round pick to Miami in exchange for Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick.

A third-round pick may seem steep for a player with sporadic production, but the pick doesn’t come until the 2023 draft, when the Patriots will likely have an extra compensatory pick for losing J.C. Jackson.

What’s more important is the Patriots addressed a glaring need on their offense for a physical boundary receiver with No. 1 potential. Parker comes with a reasonable $6 million cap hit and is under contract for the next two seasons.

How he fits: Parker should immediately become the Patriots’ top receiver. New England doesn’t have another receiver who is as capable of winning contested catches down the field as Parker is. Speaking about Parker prior to a 2020 matchup with the Dolphins, Belichick offered this scouting report: “He’s got a very, very good skill set. He’s a big athlete that runs well. Has good hands, good run after the catch ability, and good quickness for his size. So, he presents a lot of problems on deep balls. He’s a big target on the end of routes, in cuts and crossing routes, things like that. He’s strong and can break tackles as a catcher or run player. He attacks all three levels of the defense and can be productive at all three spots.”

Size and speed were two areas the Patriots needed at receiver, and Parker brings both. It’s worth noting he had one of the best games of his career against the Patriots in 2019 when he caught eight passes for 137 yards against Stephon Gilmore. That’s the type of performance that can leave an impression on Belichick.

2022 impact: If Parker can stay on the field in 2022, he has a chance to become New England’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2019. As Mac Jones enters his second season, he needs a receiver he could depend on in contested situations outside the numbers. Parker has the potential to be that player more than any other receiver on New England’s roster. After the Dolphins traded for Tyreek Hill and spent a first-round pick on Jaylen Waddle last spring, Parker became the odd man out. But he has a chance to revitalize his career in New England.

This addition should have a ripple effect on the rest of the depth chart, too. N’Keal Harry’s spot on the team now looks even less secure than it already was. And the Patriots can adjust Nelson Agholor’s snap count and role to reflect his skill set. They might consider getting him more involved in the slot. New England also isn’t as desperate for a receiver early in the draft now that Parker is on the roster. The Patriots could still add there, but other needs can take priority.

History: Parker’s production has been inconsistent throughout his career, but that’s been due to a combination of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. You could make an argument Jones will be the best quarterback he’s played with since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2015. His best season came in 2019 when he played every game and had Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing to him. Parker finished that season with more than 1,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. It was the only full season he’s played in his career. Last season, hamstring and shoulder injuries limited him to 10 games and he caught just 40 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns. Over the course of his career, Parker has caught a first down on 68.9 percent of his receptions, 25th in the league among receivers with at least 100 catches since he entered the league. Half of his targets have come on passes at least 10 yards down the field and he’s run the 15th most “go” routes in the NFL since he entered the league. That helps paint a picture of what Parker could bring to New England’s offense.

Cap update: While Parker carries a modest $6 million cap hit in 2022 and a $6.3 million hit in 2023, the Patriots are now at close to zero cap space after this move. There are plenty of corresponding roster moves they can make to free up more space. They could also re-work Parker’s contract to free up room. But Parker is an affordable player that filled a need for this team. He was certainly cheaper than most of the receivers the Patriots could have signed in free agency. This won’t do much damage to their salary cap picture now or in the future.

Outlook: The Patriots needed another receiver and they found a proven veteran on an affordable contract. Belichick has past success when trading for veteran receivers, and this move has the potential to pay off for New England. This gives the Patriots some options in terms of how they construct their receiver depth chart and takes care of a major need before the draft. Parker needs to stay healthy to deliver results, but a change of scenery could do him some good. Jones, meanwhile, has to be happy to add another target to the top of the depth chart.

NEW YORK JETS

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com says the Jets are lurking, keeping an eye out for a top WR:

The ill-fated pursuit of Tyreek Hill revealed the Jets’ desire to make a bold move for a WR1, and team officials made no attempt at this week’s owners meetings to throw a wet blanket on that idea. As we told you last week in this space, they continue to monitor the wide receiver market.

“If the opportunity is right and the price is right, we’re going to strike,” general manager Joe Douglas said in Palm Beach, Florida.

The hot names are the Seattle Seahawks’ DK Metcalf and the Tennessee Titans’ A.J. Brown, both of whom have only one year left on their rookie contracts and are up for mega-extensions. The receiver market has exploded in recent weeks, prompting Seahawks GM John Schneider to express sticker shock. The Jets’ Twitter pounced on that, fueling its visions of Metcalf in green (meaning the Jets’ color, not money, although the latter would certainly apply).

Would it be wise for the Jets to make a blockbuster move? It takes two to tango, and the Seahawks are telling teams that Metcalf isn’t available, a source said. Brown is the name to watch, as mentioned two weeks ago, because of the Titans’ tight cap situation.

Let’s analyze:

The Jets are more than one player away from being a legit contender, and the cost of a trade (in money and draft picks) would impede their ability to address other needs. You have to believe Seattle, if it decides to shop Metcalf, would want back their first-round pick (10th overall) from the Jamal Adams trade — and then some. Tennessee also would figure to target that pick.

Asked if he’d be willing to part with one of his two first-round choices in any trade, Douglas was reluctant to comment on a hypothetical scenario. But he added, “If it’s the right opportunity, we’ll consider any package.” He acknowledged wide receiver is “definitely a premium position for us,” in large part because it would help quarterback Zach Wilson.

As usual, the draft is loaded with receivers, with six projected first-rounders in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft. The Jets could take Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson or Southern Cal’s Drake London with the fourth or 10th pick. A player drafted at 10 will cost $23.5 million over four years, while Metcalf and Brown — based on the escalation of receiver salaries — figure to command at least $25 million per year.

It’s more cost-effective to draft and develop, but — and this is a big “but” — the Jets have the benefit of a rookie quarterback contract. Basically, it’s a three-year window that affords them tremendous flexibility. For the Jets, that’s a game-changer. That’s why they were willing to splurge for Hill, and it’s why they would be interested in Brown, Metcalf or another contract-seeking marquee receiver if he becomes available.

Metcalf is only 24 and his best days are ahead of him. Ditto Brown, 24, who is on the same level as Metcalf from a production standpoint but is less durable. They’re four years younger than Hill, which adds to the allure of this potential trade. The Jets should go for it, as long as they don’t have to give up the fort. As Bruce Arians would say, “No risk it, no biscuit.”

THIS AND THAT

KAP AT MICHIGAN

The media and scouts flocked to Ann Arbor over the weekend, the former drawn by a Colin Kaepernick sighting.  Tom Van Haren of ESPN.com:

— Quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw to undrafted receivers at halftime of Michigan’s spring game for NFL scouts on Saturday.

Kaepernick was invited to Michigan by coach Jim Harbaugh, who mentored Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers, and was an honorary captain for the spring game. He was joined by producer Spike Lee, who is filming a documentary on Kaepernick as he navigates a job hunt for another spot on an NFL roster.

Kaepernick wasn’t made available to media, but Jeanna Trotman, a reporter for local news affiliate WXYZ, spoke with him on the field about his decision to throw on Saturday.

“We still get out there and sling it,” Kaepernick told Trotman. “Really, getting out here for the exhibition was to show that I can still do it. It’s one of the questions my agent keeps getting, so we want to make sure we can come out, show everyone I can still play, still throw it.”

He said he still believes he can make a team better and help a team win games. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported on Friday that Kaepernick is open to accepting a backup role if that’s what it takes to facilitate a return to the NFL.

While he was in Ann Arbor, Kaepernick spent time with the Michigan players and was able to throw with Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara during the week.

“Growing up in Reno, I was a 49er fan. So I always watched Coach Harbaugh as the 49ers and Kap was always the QB,” McNamara said. “But I’ve thrown with him a couple times this week. He’s got a rocket and he can sling it for sure. He’s been nothing but respectful to me.”

Kaepernick told Trotman on the field that he would be willing to do sit-down interviews and a workout if an NFL team is willing to have him. He was hoping this workout would show some scouts that he has stayed in shape and can still play.

2022 DRAFT

Matt Bowen at ESPN.com tells us what each of the six top QBs in the draft does best:

As the 2022 NFL draft gets closer and teams finalize their quarterback rankings, I want to look ahead to what makes the top signal-callers in this class stand out. No, it’s not as talented as the 2021 class, which had five first-rounders. But this is still an intriguing group, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one snuck into the top five picks.

Let’s focus on the top traits for each of the top six quarterbacks in this class. From elite arm talent to a quick, compact release to the ability to go through full-field reads, these quarterbacks can check the critical factors needed to produce as starters in the NFL. That might not happened for all six in 2022, but each has something that teams love. We’ll also include six video clips that show off these traits and explain how each quarterback can reach his ceiling.

We’ll go in order of my ESPN draft colleagues’ consensus quarterback rankings, highlighting what each player does best. Let’s start with a super-talented thrower who needs some polish but has the skills to be a great player:

Malik Willis, Liberty

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 219 pounds

Consensus ranking: No. 1

Willis’ best trait: Arm talent.

Willis has the natural arm talent to attack all three levels of the field. He can make every throw. He had 12 touchdowns on throws of 20 or more air yards last season, and the ball explodes out of his right hand on tape. Willis can drive it from the pocket, attacking boundary voids in Cover 2, and he will rip the ball up the seams on middle-of-the-field stretch concepts. He can really dial it up on deep ball throws/

Expect a transition period for Willis as he makes the move to an NFL system, given what he was asked to run and execute at Liberty. He’s a high-upside prospect who can be schemed as a dual-threat quarterback, though. As Willis develops more pocket awareness with pro coaching, the ability to challenge opposing defenses with his arm remains a top trait.

Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 217 pounds

Consensus ranking: No. 2

Pickett’s best trait: Ability to isolate and eliminate on full-field concepts.

The tape shows that Pickett has enough juice in his arm to make third-level throws and hit out-breaking routes. He also layers the ball on leveled concepts, and he has the movement skills to escape the pocket and create plays off schedule. His top trait, however, is his ability to go through his progressions, which allows him to deliver the ball with both timing and anticipation.

With experience throwing NFL-style route concepts at Pitt — and taking an aggressive approach on vertical concepts — Pickett showed the ability to read out plays with speed and find the matchup or open window

Pickett needs to throw with more anticipation, and his tendency to drift off platform and leave clean pockets will need to be addressed. But he took a big jump in production in 2021 — when he threw 42 touchdown passes and put up top-10 QBR (81.2) — and he has pro-ready traits that mesh with the NFL passing game. Pickett has a shot to develop quickly into a starting role.

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 211 pounds

Consensus ranking: No. 3

Ridder’s best trait: Poise and composure.

Ridder is a pace-and-touch thrower who can generate velocity when he needs it. He also has detailed, efficient footwork. It’s clinic-worthy when you study his lower-body mechanics. Still, it’s the poise and composure, which coaches will tell you is a critical element to playing the position, that I focus on when watching his tape. That’s the ability to calmly move and reset the throwing window versus edge/interior pressure (see video below). The eye level in the pocket. The patience and awareness to work through his reads, while anticipating coverage voids.

Ridder has a narrow frame, which means he will most likely be deployed as a situational runner in the league. But he has the movement traits to attack the edge on boot concepts. His long release and low arm angle will need to be corrected to improve and create more consistent ball location. With his play style and demeanor, though, I see Ridder as an eventual starter in schemed passing game with play-action elements.

Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 212 pounds

Consensus ranking: No. 4

Corral’s best trait: Quick, compact release with short to intermediate arm strength.

Corral is a high-RPM thrower inside the numbers who can put juice on the ball in the short-to-intermediate pass game. He’s a rhythmic quarterback who can also throw with tempo and touch at the third level, and he creates consistent opportunities for his receivers to produce after the catch. That’s where he delivers a “runners ball” on in-breakers — crossers, shallows and over routes.

In the Ole Miss offense, Corral wasn’t asked to work through consistent full-field reads, as throws were defined by the play concept. He can improve with resetting his window in the pocket and throwing with better location when working to the edges. With that fast release on quick-game and play-action throws — plus the competitiveness he brings as a ball carrier — Corral can produce in a pro system that incorporates spread elements.

Sam Howell, North Carolina

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 218 pounds

Consensus ranking: No. 5

Howell’s best trait: Aggressive mindset as a thrower.

Howell has the arm talent to attack down the middle of the field from inside or outside of the pocket. He has some sandlot-ball tendencies to his game, too, as he looks to create as both a runner and a thrower on second-reaction plays, with the ability to deliver the ball from various platforms. Howell can work progressions, and he looks to the third level early in his reads due to that aggressive mindset. Take the shot when it presents itself, even when extending the play.

There are some concerns about Howell on tape, including his elongated release, lower-body mechanics and the inconsistent ball placement when asked to throw with velocity on second-level concepts. There is a playmaking element to his game, however, and I believe Howell has coachable traits, which can be used in an offense that leans on schemed vertical throws off run action.

Carson Strong, Nevada

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 226 pounds

Consensus ranking: No. 6

Strong’s best trait: Drive and velocity.

Strong has special traits as a pure thrower. His arm strength pops, and he has the ability to vary the speed on his throws. That allows him to throw lasers inside the numbers or deliver passes with touch, dropping the ball over the top of second-level defenders. And he can challenge every area of the field. There are some big-time throws on the tape, with Strong delivering the ball from multiple platforms. He can hammer it on seams or make throws from the opposite hash to attack coverage That’s where we really see his ability to drive the football — with velocity.

Strong has had a couple of serious injuries to his right knee, so his medical reports will be important for teams. And his loose play style will create negative situations against pro defenses. With his lack of mobility, Strong projects as a pocket quarterback who can make second- and third-level throws as a developmental prospect in an NFL system.

– – –

But, in his latest Mock Draft, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes (as does NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund) that no NFL team will reach take any of the six QBs above in the first round.

Although the Tier 1 quarterbacks in this class are intriguing prospects with starting potential, the flurry of activity following the NFL Scouting Combine is likely indicative of how the NFL world views their talent and potential at this point. Sure, those opinions could change, but it is hard to ignore the game of musical chairs that we have witnessed this offseason.

With that in mind, I think we will not see a quarterback come off the board in the first round with teams resisting the urge to “push” quarterbacks up the board due to positional value. While I am ready for the host of barbs that will accompany a mock draft without a quarterback, this could be the first time since 1996 that Round 1 passes without a QB being picked.

Let’s get to it …

1  Jacksonville Jaguars

Aidan Hutchinson         Michigan · Edge · Senior

The high-motor pass rusher with freakish athleticism and refined technique is an ideal complement to Josh Allen on the edge.

2  Detroit Lions

Travon Walker              Georgia · DL · Junior

Adding a versatile front-line athlete with explosive speed, quickness and power will help the Lions create more pressure on passing downs.

3  Houston Texans

Kayvon Thibodeaux         Oregon · Edge · Junior

The ultra-explosive edge defender with outstanding first-step quickness and snap-count anticipation is exactly what coach Lovie Smith needs to add some sizzle to the Texans’ pass rush. 

4  New York Jets

Sauce Gardner                Cincinnati · CB · Junior

The long, rangy cover corner with a polished game will remind Jets fans of Antonio Cromartie in his prime.

5  New York Giants

Evan Neal                       Alabama · OT · Junior

New general manager Joe Schoen believes in adding prototypes at the marquee positions. Neal is an XXXL edge blocker with outstanding technique and tools.

6 Carolina Panthers

Ickey Ekwonu                  N.C. State · OT · Junior

If Matt Rhule wants to change the temperament of the Panthers’ offensive line, he could opt to add the big-bodied bully from N.C. State, who will pummel defenders at the point of attack.

7  New York Giants (from Chicago)

Jermaine Johnson II        Florida State · Edge · Senior (RS)

The Giants are at their best when they are able to harass quarterbacks while bringing just four defenders. Johnson is a dynamic pass rusher with the combination of speed, quickness and hand skills to whip opponents on the edge.

8 Atlanta Falcons

Garrett Wilson              Ohio State · WR · Junior

Adding a polished route-runner to the lineup to complement Kyle Pitts should help the Falcons’ passing game flourish with Marcus Mariota at the helm.

9  Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

Devin Lloyd                 Utah · LB · Senior (RS)

After releasing Bobby Wagner, the Seahawks could opt to add a versatile linebacker with impact potential as a pass rusher/playmaker/ballhawk from the second level.

10  New York Jets (from Seattle)

Kyle Hamilton           Notre Dame · S · Junior

It is hard to find safeties with both center-fielder skills and a linebacker mentality. Hamilton has superstar potential as a versatile chess piece with the capacity to play anywhere, from the deep middle to the box.

11  Washington Commanders

Derek Stingley Jr.          LSU · CB · Junior

As a five-star talent with the tools to play as a shutdown corner on the island, Stingley could take the Commanders’ defense to the next level if he locks in and performs to his potential.

12  Minnesota Vikings

Andrew Booth                Clemson · CB · Junior

The high-IQ technician is a scheme-friendly cover corner with the talent and tools to play at an all-star level from Day 1.

13  Houston Texans (from Cleveland)

Drake London                   USC · WR · Junior

Adding a No. 1 receiver is critical to the development of a young quarterback. Whether Houston sticks with Davis Mills, drafts a signal-caller this year or adds one down the road, London is a super-sized pass catcher with the length and leaping ability to expand the strike zone for a passer.

14  Baltimore Ravens

Trent McDuffie                 Washington · CB · Junior

As a man-heavy team, the Ravens cannot resist adding a talented cover corner with outstanding instincts and skills.

15  Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami)

Chris Olave                     Ohio State · WR · Senior

Possessing multiple first-round picks, the Eagles could use one to upgrade their receiver corps with a polished route runner who boasts big-play potential.

16 Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis)

Kyler Gordon                   Washington · CB · Junior (RS)

The Eagles need more speed and athleticism in the defensive backfield to handle some of the explosive offenses and receivers around the league. Gordon is a technician with the athleticism, footwork and ball skills to thrive in a man- or zone-based scheme.

17  Los Angeles Chargers

Charles Cross                  Mississippi State · OT · Sophomore (RS)

This is all about building a fortress around Justin Herbert to help him flourish as a passer. Cross is a natural pass protector with the balance, body control and hand skills to stymie pass rushers on the edges.

18  New Orleans Saints

Trevor Penning                  Northern Iowa · OT · Senior (RS)

The loss of Terron Armstead, who signed in Miami after manning the left-tackle spot in New Orleans for the past several seasons, creates a void on the edges. Penning is a rock-solid offensive tackle with a nasty disposition and a grown man’s game.

19  Philadelphia Eagles

Tyler Linderbaum               Iowa · C · Junior (RS)

The question of how much longer four-time All-Pro center Jason Kelce will play could prompt the Eagles to add an insurance policy this season. Linderbaum is a technician with the footwork and hand skills to shine at the pivot as a pro.

20  Pittsburgh Steelers

Jahan Dotson                     Penn State · WR · Senior

The spectacular catch-and-run specialist is a big-play weapon with polished route-running skills and strong hands.

21  New England Patriots

Roger McCreary                  Auburn · CB · Senior

Bill Belichick has a knack for identifying and developing blue-chip cornerbacks. McCreary has a solid set of tools that should make him a strong fit in a versatile scheme that blends man and zone coverage.

22  Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas)

Bernhard Raimann              Central Michigan · OT · Senior

The Packers are not afraid to invest in their offensive line with top picks, having chosen two (Josh Myers and Elgton Jenkins) in Round 2 within the last three drafts. As a former tight-end turned offensive tackle, Raimann is a nimble athlete with the balance and body control to handle athletic rushers on the edges.

23  Arizona Cardinals

Jordan Davis                       Georgia · DT · Senior

The monstrous defensive tackle possesses the strength, power and explosiveness to create chaos between the tackles. Davis plays like a bull in a china shop at the point of attack and would give the Cardinals a disruptive defender in the middle of their front line.

24  Dallas Cowboys

Boye Mafe                         Minnesota · Edge · Senior (RS)

If defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants an energetic edge rusher to add to the rotation, Mafe might be the pick. The Minnesota standout is a Tasmanian devil off the edges, with a relentless playing style that wears down opponents.

25  Buffalo Bills

Zion Johnson                     Boston College · OG · Senior

Beefing up the offensive line is a top priority for a Bills team that is close to securing a crown. Johnson is a polished blocker at the point of attack, with the athleticism and movement skills to shine in a zone-based scheme.

26  Tennessee Titans

Kenyon Green                    Texas A&M · OG · Junior

Green is a bully-ball specialist with the movement skills and road-grading ability to clear the path for Derrick Henry between the tackles.

27  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Devonte Wyatt                  Georgia · DT · Senior

Adding a disruptive defender to play alongside Vita Vea at the point of attack could make the Buccaneers’ defense downright scary on early downs.

28 Green Bay Packers

Christian Watson               North Dakota State · WR

If the Packers break from tradition and add a pass-catcher in Round 1 for the first time since 2002, Watson could be the pick as a long, rangy player with speed and sticky hands.

29  Kansas City Chiefs (from SF thru Miami)

Skyy Moore                          Western Michigan · WR · Junior

There is not a single receiver out there who can replace all of traded-way veteran Tyreek Hill’s production, but Moore is a dynamic weapon with the explosiveness and versatility to pop in an Andy Reid offense.

30  Kansas City Chiefs

Dax Hill                              Michigan · S · Junior

Hill is a prototypical nickel defender with the kind of hit, run and cover skills that will make him a hot commodity for a team that loves to attack with pressure.

31  Cincinnati Bengals

Logan Hall                         Houston · DE · Senior

The Bengals’ workmanlike defensive front could use another interior disruptor with pass-rush skills. Hall’s energy and effort make him an intriguing option for a defense that wears opponents out with its physicality and relentlessness.

32  Detroit Lions (from LA Rams)

Arnold Ebiketie

Penn State · Edge · Senior (RS)

The Lions need more athletic defenders on the field to have a chance to close the gap on their rivals. Ebiketie flashes impressive first-step quickness and closing speed as a bend-and-burst rusher off the edge.