The cap is shrinking, but it would have shrunk more but for an accommodation with the NFLPA.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

When the NFL and NFL Players Association agreed recently to increase the minimum salary cap from $175 million to $180 million, the adjustment sparked speculation that the final number would be higher than the previously-expected limit of $180 million. Per a league source with knowledge of the situation, it’s possible that the number will be more than $180 million — but the number most likely won’t reach $185 million.

The final number for the salary cap, per the source, could land in the range of $182 million to $183 million.

The adjustment from $175 million resulted from aggressive lobbying by teams that would have had a hard time getting their 2021 cap number down to $175 million. Although plenty of teams will be doing plenty of work to clear plenty of cap space even if it lands in the range of $182 million, the source said that a $175 million cap would have sparked much more activity — and would have flooded the market with veteran players released by teams desperate to comply.

The teams that would have benefited from the chaos resulting from a $175 million cap aren’t thrilled by the fact that it will be higher. Most of those teams anticipated the financial losses early in the pandemic and planned accordingly for the impact on the 2021 cap. They believe that the teams that failed to properly plan shouldn’t be given an escape hatch.

They’re instead getting partial relief, as the losses from 2020 are spread over multiple years. Per the source, the TV deals (if they’re finalized) won’t change much. Neither will full attendance at the 2021 games, because the 2021 cap calculations already will be based on the assumption that stadiums will be at 75-percent capacity for the season. If the number lands in the range of 90 or 95 percent, it won’t push much more money into 2021.

NFC NORTH

DETROIT

Lions OC Anthony Lynn is talking up TE T.J. HOCKINSON.  Adam Maya of NFL.com:

After registering a modest rookie season, tight end T.J. Hockenson produced this past season like everyone expected upon the Lions drafting him No. 8 overall in 2019.

The Iowa product caught 67 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns to earn a Pro Bowl selection.

His new offensive coordinator believes it’s just the beginning.

“T.J. did some nice things last year and I think his ceiling is even higher,” Anthony Lynn said, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions’ official site. “I know he made the Pro Bowl and all that, but he can play even better and that was the encouraging part. I like what I saw on tape. He’s a good football player.”

Lynn’s history with tight ends suggests Hockenson could soon become a great one. The former Chargers head coach and Bills OC manifested the talents of Hunter Henry and Charles Clay at his previous stops. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Hockenson is built similarly to Henry, only he’s more athletic and a superior blocker.

He presents a mismatch that Lynn is already looking forward to exploiting.

“It creates a very unique matchup because you have linebackers and safeties covering that guy and if he’s a stud, it’s going to be a long day for you,” Lynn said. “So if I force you to put a (defensive back) on that guy, then obviously you have a lighter box and you can run the football and you want to run the football into a lighter box.

“So, not only does it create matchups for you in the passing game but it also helps you in the run game.”

Hockenson’s versatility should also provide relief for new quarterback Jared Goff, who leaned heavily on his tight ends while with the Rams. The transition under center, on the coaching staff and in the front office marks a new era in Detroit. But the hope with Hockenson is that he builds on his formidable foundation.

GREEN BAY

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com on a pair of cap-related moves by the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers released a pair of veteran starters, offensive tackle Rick Wagner and linebacker Christian Kirksey, on Friday as they continued to shed salary-cap burdens.

Even if the Packers weren’t over the projected cap, both players would have been strong candidates for release considering their uneven performances last season. Wagner also informed the team that he is strongly considering retirement, sources said.

The moves created $10.25 million in salary-cap space for a team that was about $23 million over the projected cap for 2020, which will be no lower than $180 million plus the $3.7 million in unused cap space they carried over from last season.

Kirskey was due to count $6 million against this year’s cap and Wagner $4.25 million. Both were entering the final seasons of their contracts. The net savings will be around $9 million because the Packers will have to count two other players — likely minimum-salary contracts ($660,000 each) — when their top-51 contracts must count for cap purposes beginning on March 17.

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS

If QB DREW BREES is waiting for the spotlight, Peter King says this is a good week:

I think it’s good for Drew Brees to be in control of his fate and all that, but it’s Feb. 22. It’s been 36 days since Jay Glazer announced Brees would definitely be retiring after the Saints’ final playoff game, 36 days since that last playoff game. And crickets. It’s widely (overwhelmingly?) assumed Brees will retire and transition to broadcasting. Drew, you’ve got the stage to yourself this week. No quarterback trades likely. It’s all yours.

TAMPA BAY

In a good sign for fans at future sporting events, overall COVID cases are plummeting in Tampa, despite all the people out and about two weeks ago.  Sam Amico ofOutkick.com:

Everyone predicted two things when it came to Super Bowl LV — that Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady would find a way to get it done with his new team, and that the maskless Buccaneers victory celebration that followed would serve as a “super spreader” of COVID-19.

Only one of those things came true.

“Thousands of maskless Tampa fans flooded the streets, celebrating the Super Bowl win while risking a super spreader event,” read a headline from The Washington Post.

“Tampa’s maskless Super Bowl celebration leads to super spreader fears,” cowered The Huffington Post.

But two weeks later, there’s no evidence that any of that happened, as the data shows cases are actually down in Tampa and surrounding areas since the big game.

One reporter, from no less than CNN, actually asked police at the large gathering what they were going to do about those who celebrated without a mask. Just for effect, she wore two masks when posing her question.

So often the media has made these sorts of dire predictions, because we all know that fear sells. But when those predictions are proven wrong, those same outlets almost always resort to utter silence … often followed by more fear-mongering.

Truth doesn’t generally factor into the equation, and so far, the truth about the Super Bowl celebrations is it has resulted in a whole lot of nothing.

Meanwhile, in California, Max Homa wins a PGA TOUR event and not even his wife is allowed inside the deserted grounds at Riviera to see it happen.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY

Congratulations are in order on the birth of Sterling Skye Mahomes.  Adam Teicher ofESPN.com:

Patrick Mahomes and fiancee Brittany Matthews announced the birth of their first child on social media Sunday. Sterling Skye Mahomes, a 6-pound, 11-ounce girl, was born on Saturday.

Brittany Matthews

@brittanylynne8

Sterling Skye MahomesRed heart

2/20/21

@PatrickMahomes

Mahomes said the day after the Kansas City Chiefs lost Super Bowl LV to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers one of his offseason goals was to continue to make plans for fatherhood.

“I’ve got to work on becoming a better dad even though I haven’t become one yet,” Mahomes said at the time.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

Peter King does the work of Texans GM Nick Caserio for him, compiling a pile of trades for QB DESHAUN WATSON:

Over the weekend, two common themes emerged about Houston’s near future. One: The Texans have one untouchable player, Watson, as of now. Two: Houston is not only not interested in trading Watson but also not interested in listening to offers for him. At least two teams have given offers to Houston and gotten zero feedback. Like, no reaction, no “We’ll get back to you.” Nothing.

Surely rookie GM Nick Caserio is gathering said offers in a Stickie on his desktop, or in some encrypted Word file. He knows one day he might have to act on one of them. I’m told he’s categorically opposed to trading Watson, period—either in the next nine weeks before the draft (when he’d clearly get the best deal to start the Texans’ post-Watson lives) or ever. It’s easy to say that, of course, when the deadline is far away. It’s easy to say that too, when you know that trading a 25-year-old franchise quarterback is crazy, and when fresh in the memory of all Houston fans is the warm-and-fuzzy press conference just 24 weeks ago when a grateful and emotional Watson was so thrilled to sign a $156-million contract extension with the Texans.

No one knows who will fold, who will stay strong. Caserio and owner Cal McNair have never been in the eye of a storm like this one. Watson, the friendly and guileless great player, has never had to make a decision as weighty as sitting out an offseason and maybe a season.

I think Caserio is playing it right, at least for now. The message is out there: Houston’s not even listening to offers. Maybe they’re serious about sitting on Watson. But Caserio also has to be cognizant of asking 53 players he doesn’t know—perhaps prepping for the season in the same virtual and fairly impersonal world that 2020 was—to take the field in 2021 with the worst team in the league, perhaps quarterbacked by an A.J. McCarron type. The results would be disastrous and could rip the team asunder even worse than it is now. J.J. Watt’s already jumped ship. Who would be next? Who, I should say, of any value?

So if Watson continues to say he won’t play for the Texans, Caserio would be able to make his best deal in the days before the April 29 first round. Below are the best candidates, keeping in mind teams cannot trade draft picks beyond 2023 right now, and keeping in mind how draft-poor the Texans are. Houston has no first-round or second-round pick this year, and isn’t scheduled to pick till number 67 in round three.

• CAROLINA PANTHERS. I’d be surprised if the Panthers hadn’t made an offer by now, quite frankly. This is a fit in many ways. Very aggressive new owner (David Tepper), who would move mountains for a franchise QB. It’s not in the AFC, meaning Houston wouldn’t have to see Watson in the playoffs till the Super Bowl. (That would be a Belichick factor.) Because the Panthers are not flush with draft capital, I think they’d have to include a quarterback with some value and at least two very good veteran players. By the way: Cal McNair, I’m sure, would also love the fact that, if the NFL’s scheduling formula stays the same, Watson as a Panther would not play in Houston till the 2027 regular season. Cross-conference matchups happen every four years, meaning Carolina, which played at Houston in 2019, would host the Texans in 2023 and play at Houston in 2027. But that’s pretty low in the pecking order of factors in this trade. Very low.

Peter King Proposal: A 7-for-1 deal. Running back Christian McCaffrey, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, receiver Robbie Anderson and first-round and second-round picks in 2021 (eighth and 39th overall), a first-round pick in 2022 and third-round pick in 2023 in exchange for Watson. Houston might push for the inclusion of 22-year-old pass-rusher Brian Burns as a vital part of any deal, which would be a tough giveaway for coach Matt Rhule. Of course, McCaffrey would be tough too.

• NEW YORK JETS. GM Joe Douglas is a big home-grown advocate, and I believe New York would chafe at doing a mega-pick deal for Watson because too many dyed-in-the-wool scouts there believe in building the team through the draft. But so many of the ingredients are there. The Jets would be able to jettison a quarterback with some interesting value, along with the second overall pick plus a trove of draft currency.

Peter King Proposal: A 6-for-1 deal. Quarterback Sam Darnold, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, first-round picks in 2021 (second overall) and 2022 (the higher of New York’s two first-round picks), plus second-round picks in 2021 (34th overall) and 2023 in exchange for Watson. Caserio could turn the second overall pick this year into another ransom. But I’m just skeptical that Douglas would make this move. Obviously, he’d be thrilled to get Watson. But he knows he has a crummy overall roster and denuding his looming drafts I believe is too much for him to accept. One other factor here: With Houston in some cap trouble and the Jets with a monstrous $68 million in cap space per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, the Texans could ask the Jets to take the guaranteed $10.5-million 2020 contract of fading edge rusher Whitney Mercilus.

• SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS. San Francisco would be okay with entering 2021 with Jimmy Garoppolo as its starter. But no matter what Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch say, they can’t be totally comfortable with it. Garoppolo has missed 23 of the last 48 regular-season games with injuries. (Tom Brady has missed 15 games due to injury in 20 seasons.) And I’ll always wonder if the 49ers have the tiniest bit of buyer’s remorse for not putting the trigger on a deal with Brady last March. We’ll know when Brady (or Lynch or Shanahan) write a book in 15 years how close that came. But if the Niners could convince Garoppolo to waive his no-trade clause, I could see San Francisco being all in here, even though the Niners clearly would have to part with some major assets, perhaps including the young nerve center of their defense. Linebacker Fred Warner is such a rising star, however, that his re-signing in San Francisco in the next 12 months might affect the franchise’s ability to keep other great young players (Nick Bosa?) in house.

Peter King Proposal: Seven-for-1. Garoppolo, linebacker Fred Warner (that really hurts), tackle Mike McGlinchey, first-round picks in 2021 (12th overall) and 2022, plus a second-round pick in 2021 and third-round pick in 2022 for Watson. It’s a lot for the Niners to pay; of all the players in all the deals I’m proposing, Warner would be the most coveted one in my book. But he’s here because he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and would want a new deal. (McGlinchey is in exact same position, too.) Houston could view them as cornerstones for the rebuild.

Or . . .

• SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS/MINNESOTA VIKINGS. This is centered on the premise that San Francisco would not want to rip apart a team and a future, and might be willing to take a lesser deal for a quarterback Shanahan has long admired. And also that Caserio, in the heart of the draft room in 2014 when the Patriots made Garoppolo a second-round pick, would want to try again with Jimmy G. It’s a wing and a prayer, but fascinating to me.

Peter King Proposal: The Vikings send quarterback Kirk Cousins to San Francisco. The Niners send Garoppolo to Houston, if, of course, he’d waive his no-trade. The Texans send Watson to Minnesota. In return: the Niners send their first-round pick in 2021 (12th overall) to Houston, and they’re out. (So San Francisco would be trading Garoppolo and a one to Houston and getting Cousins with two years left on his contract.) The Vikings would send linebacker Anthony Barr and running back Alexander Mattison plus their first-round picks in 2021 (14th overall) and 2023, and second-round picks in 2022 and 2023 in exchange for Watson. Houston’s haul: Garoppolo, two ones this year, a one in 2023, and two second-round picks.

• MIAMI DOLPHINS. You’d hear a big, loud, “We’re not trading Tua if the Dolphins weren’t at least pondering Watson.” Why wouldn’t they be? It’s extremely hard, after seeing one year of Tua Tagovailoa, to think his mega-upside would equal the 2021 Watson. It’s logical to at least look into it.

Peter King Proposal: Miami trades defensive end Christian Wilkins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, first-round picks in 2021 (third overall) and 2023, and second-round picks in 2021 and 2022 for Watson. In essence, Miami is trading the 13th overall pick in 2019 (Wilkins) and the fifth overall pick in 2020 (Tagovailoa), plus two ones and two twos for Watson. Advantage for Miami is the deal would leave the Dolphins with first-round and second-round picks this year and their first next year while giving them a quarterback to play on equal footing with Josh Allen in the AFC East for the next decade.

• THE OTHERS: Denver does have the ninth pick plus some good young pieces (Garett Bolles?) to offer, and a quarterback with minimal value in Drew Lock, so don’t count new GM George Paton out . . . Chicago would certainly be interested, but drafting 20th this year is a big negative, with no QB other than Nick Foles to deal; the lack of significant young talent to package is a negative too . . . Washington is intriguing because of its strong young defense, but WFT might have to trade off too much of what makes it an attractive future team—Chase Young and another promising youngster—a well as its three or four very high picks. Not impossible, but a major challenge, and I bet Houston would have better offers.

I can hear many of you now: Price tag’s too steep! You’re crazy! I’m not. If Watson gets traded, it’s going to have to include a gigantic package, maybe the highest price ever paid for a player in league history. It’s justified. Twenty-five-year-old franchise quarterbacks never come on the market. But the price isn’t for everyone. It may not be for the Jets.

If I’m Caserio, calming the waters now is the best plan. Over the next two months, you want to try every way you think might work to rebuild a bridge with Watson. But if it gets to the point that you can’t by late April, that’s when the best offers will be out there. Carolina might be the best option, willing to do the most to get Watson. The Tepper factor tells me that. After the draft, if the Texans still have Watson, there’s a danger of sitting on him and having a nightmare cloud over the franchise’s head—as if there’s not already one there.

Does the NFL value Watson as highly as King does?  We shall see.

INDIANAPOLIS

Peter King approves of the Indianapolis side of the deal for QB CARSON WENTZ:

First let’s discuss the palomino in the room: Andrew Luck.

Remember a couple of weeks ago, when Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay said Luck “is more retired now than he was a year-and-a-half ago?” Why do you think he said that? My bet is that the Colts had plans to pursue Wentz this offseason, but before they’d trade for a player with four years and $96 million left on his contract, they had to be sure that Luck wasn’t having second thoughts about playing. So I’m assuming they heard either from Luck directly or someone very close to the quarterback that Luck doesn’t see himself playing football anymore. And once they felt sure Luck was ensconced in retirement, they moved full speed ahead on Wentz.

Regarding the deal: The trade was fair to both the Colts and Eagles. A third-round pick this year and a first-round pick in 2022 (if Wentz plays 75 percent of the snaps in Indy this year, or 70 percent and the Colts make the playoffs) means the Colts will hand the Eagles the 84th overall pick this year and more likely than not a pick in the range of 23rd overall next year for Wentz. Plus, Indy takes the risk of the contract: $96 million over the next four years, with $47.5 million guaranteed. Heck of a risk on a quarterback who failed so spectacularly, and in many ways, in 2020.

Wentz is 28. He was awful last season and justifiably was benched for the last four games in Philadelphia. But he looked like the long-term guy the previous three years (81 TDs, 21 interceptions), and if anyone can fix him after the 2020 debacle it’s probably Reich. “I’m extremely close with Carson Wentz,” Reich told me a month ago on my podcast. He called Wentz “a lifelong friend,” and said, “I felt for Carson this year.” No question Wentz felt the vibe; I’m told the Colts were his first, second and third choices in trade, mostly because of Reich and also because he’s a Midwest (North Dakota) guy, and Indianapolis has about 1 percent of the sporting venom of Philadelphia. The offensive line is significantly better in Indy than Philadelphia, the offensive weapons better, and the job security of Reich and GM Chris Ballard means the Colts will be a far more stable franchise than most spots where Wentz could have landed.

But the reason this deal took a while to come together is because finding a fair compensation package was tough. The Colts figured that, at 28, a quarterback three years removed from being a top-five QB and one year removed from still being considered a franchise player was worth a late-third and either late-first or second-round pick. With Indianapolis still in great cap shape even after committing to Wentz, it’s a smart risk—but a risk nonetheless.

This has been an absolutely bizarre period for quarterbacks with the Colts. Eighteen months ago today, Luck was the Colts quarterback. Two weeks prior to the 2019 season he retired. Jacoby Brissett was the 2019 guy, then Philip Rivers in 2020. With the January retirement of Rivers, Wentz takes his shot. It’s urgent that the Colts get this position right for the long haul. The scotch-tape job over the past two years has gone all right (the Colts are 18-15 since Luck walked away). But it’s been plenty costly: Ballard has spent $73 million at quarterback over the past two years, and gotten zero playoff wins out of it. He knows that has to change. The money Indianapolis has spent at quarterback over the past three years, with more to come this year:

2019: Brissett ($14.9 million), Luck ($12 million), Brian Hoyer ($5 million), Chad Kelly ($268,000). Total: $32.17 million

2020: Rivers ($25 million), Brissett ($14.5 million), Jacob Eason ($1.34 million). Total: $40.84 million.

2021: Wentz ($25.4 million), Eason ($780,000), TBD. Total: In excess of $26.18 million.

Three-year total (with one player to add): $99.19 million.

It’s easy to point to the reassuring presence of Reich and the relatively easygoing fan base of central Indiana to say Wentz will be back strong. As I’ve watched him and talked to those with knowledge of Wentz’s performance in 2020, I think three things went way wrong:

1) He saw ghosts; he often rushed throws even when he didn’t have to because he was used to heavy pressure from a line he didn’t trust anymore.

2) He didn’t respond well to hard coaching, tuning out much of what he was being taught. After the Eagles spent a 2020 second-round pick on a quarterback, Jalen Hurts, Wentz didn’t trust the front office either.

3) Wentz hurrying his drops and throws resulted in a crashing to earth of his accuracy, which declined from 69.6 percent in 2018 to 57.4 percent in 2020.

Reich, I’m sure, won’t stand for any “I got this” tendencies from Wentz—and I would be surprised if Reich hasn’t already communicated either directly or indirectly with Wentz that he’ll be coached hard in Indianapolis, and he’d better be ready for it. Wentz will have a fundamentals refresher course led by Reich, with further drill-down from coordinator Marcus Brady and QB coaches Scott Milanovich and Parks Frazier.

Last point about Wentz’s 2020 season: He hasn’t done enough in the NFL to fuss about a backup quarterback being drafted, and he hasn’t done enough to bitch (quietly though it was) about being benched. What he should have done when benched, even though he’d been sacked 4.3 times a game at that point, is say, “When you throw multiple interceptions in half of your starts, it’s just not good enough. I’ve got to be more accurate, and I’ve got to work to be better than this. It’s on me.” Leaders say that. I can think of another guy who thought he was in his prime and seethed when his team took a quarterback in the second round. Tom Brady responded by winning the Super Bowl in Jimmy Garoppolo’s rookie year. Brady won the Super Bowl in Garoppolo’s third year. When Garoppolo was traded in the middle of his fourth year, Brady was on his way to winning the MVP. At 40. Brady didn’t ask for a trade when Bill Belichick drafted a quarterback in the second round. He said, I’ll show you the mistake you made, drafting a quarterback when I’m still in my prime.

So I like the trade for Indianapolis, as I said. But there’s one man who can make it a great trade, and one man only: Carson Wentz.

AFC EAST

MIAMI

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com drops some innuendo on Dolphins CB XAVIEN HOWARD:

NFL agent Damarius Bilbo and his family had a crime committed against them in June of last year. The crime remains unsolved, and the name of a former Bilbo client appears without explanation or context in the official incident report.

On June 29, someone fired shots into Bilbo’s home in Dunwoody, Georgia. Bilbo’s wife and their 12-year-old son were present during the shooting.

All information regarding the situation comes from the official incident report, which PFT obtained on Friday from authorities in Dunwoody.

On June 29, Bilbo called police at approximately 11:05 p.m. ET. Bilbo said that “someone shot through his home.”

The responding officer found that a 9 mm bullet had “traveled through the center window frame, through the home’s playroom drywall, through another wall in the 2nd floor hallway, and into the corner of a subsequent wall into the top frame.” Bilbo’s wife told the officer that “she had thought she had heard fireworks until she observed the bullet hole in the wall by the chandalier [sic] above the front door entrance.”

Bilbo’s son told police that he saw a four-door gold sedan pull up to the front of the yard, and that he saw a Black male in a gray hoodie walk onto the lawn. After Bilbo’s son heard the bullet go into the home, the person “jumped back into the vehicle and the vehicle immediately took off.”

The responding officer recovered a 9 mm shell casing from the scene.

Bilbo and his wife “advised that they have no known enemies or ongoing feuds with friends, acquaintances, neighbors, or co-workers.”

Flock cameras in the area spotted one vehicle entering the subdivision during the time that shooting happened. The vehicle, a KIA Optima LX, was registered to Angelica Tyese Brown.

The second page of the report contains an “Additional Name List.” In addition to Angelica Tyese Brown, five other persons are named: Ray Brian Gibson; Xavier Dewayne Howard-Arriola, Leonardo Kenyun Underwood, Deandre Jermaine Fluellen, and Calvin Eddie Booker. (Gibson is listed as having the same address as Angelica Tyese Brown.)

The name Xavier Dewayne Howard-Arriola won’t ring a bell. The first name was misspelled; it should be “Xavien.” And Xavien Dewayne Howard-Arriola is the full, formal name of Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard.

Bilbo previously represented Howard. Bilbo currently does not represent Howard. David Canter currently does.

The seven-page report provides no information as to the reason for Howard appearing in the list of additional names. The report likewise provides no information as to the reason for the presence of Gibson, Underwood, Fluellen, and Booker’s names.

The absence of an explanation for the presence of five additional names in the original incident report suggests that the investigative file contains other information explaining the connection. However, the City of Dunwoody provided only the incident report, with records clerk Eric Shealy explaining in an email to PFT that “[a]s this is an open case . . . I am unable to release anything beyond the initial incident report at this time.”

Shealy also pointed out in his email to PFT that “all sensitive information [in the incident report] has been redacted.” One specific redaction could be a clue that there’s more in the file that explains Howard’s potential connection to the case: Howard’s home telephone number in Davie, Florida appears in the report unredacted; his mobile number, however, was redacted. This suggests that someone possibly was calling or texting Howard at his mobile number, and that his mobile number was therefore regarded as sufficiently sensitive to be redacted. (That last part, obviously, is speculation based on the information that was, and wasn’t, redacted from the incident report before it was sent to PFT.)

Contacted by PFT on Friday night, the Dolphins had no comment on the matter. Howard’s lawyer, Darren Heitner, provided this statement to PFT: “Xavien was not involved in the incident. There’s absolutely no evidence to support otherwise.”

Again, the City of Dunwoody characterizes the case as “open.” Whether it will be closed with or without someone being arrested or charged for firing a gun into Bilbo’s house remains to be seen.

And Howard is acting like someone with something to hide.  More from Florio:

The incident report regarding a shooting at the Georgia home of NFL agent Damarius Bilbo, first reported on Saturday by PFT, raises plenty of questions regarding the potential involvement of Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard. A new report reveals that police have not been able to get answers from Howard.

According to the Miami Herald, police have requested an interview with Howard on multiple occasions. He has declined to speak to them, per the Herald. According to the Herald, the latest request was made in the last few weeks.

Attorney Darren Heitner reiterated to the Herald the same statement he provided to PFT, denying that Howard was involved in the incident.

Per the Herald, Howard initially declined to be interviewed in August, claiming that he was battling COVID-19. He has since declined to be interviewed, according to the Herald.

Police, per the Herald, interviewed Ray Bryan Gibson, one of five others named in the incident report. Police have not been able to reach Gibson since August, according to the Herald. He has denied involvement in the shooting, per the Herald.

Per the Herald, Gibson’s phone was off during the incident. However, police (per the Herald) have determined that another person named in the incident report — Leonardo Kenyun Underwood — twice called Gibson on the day of the shooting. Underwood is a friend of Howard’s, per the Herald.

THIS AND THAT

POSSIBLE CAP CUTS

From Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com:

In the AFC:

Strong candidates for release

1) Von Miller, OLB, Denver Broncos: The Broncos are in better salary cap shape than most, but this was always going to be an inflexion-point year for Miller, even if he wasn’t coming off a dislocated tendon in his ankle that forced him to miss all of last season, due to his contract’s club option for 2021. Miller’s performance had already dipped before the injury and the Broncos can save $18 million against the cap by declining the option. Also, news broke in January that Miller was under criminal investigation, with the team releasing the following statement: “We are aware of an investigation involving Von Miller and are in process of gathering more information.”

It’s hard to overstate Miller’s excellence or importance to the Broncos over the last decade. The Hall of Fame-caliber pass rusher could still have good years left, albeit at a reduced price. He could renegotiate a pay cut with Denver, but hitting the market is more likely.

2) Jurrell Casey, DT, Denver Broncos: It was always going to be a challenge for Casey to reach the final season of a four-year, $60.4 million extension he originally signed with the Titans. Denver had high hopes for Casey after acquiring the five-time Pro Bowler via trade last March, but he missed most of the season with an injury. The Broncos can save $11.9 million in cap space by cutting the 31-year-old.

3-4) RB David Johnson and LB Benardrick McKinney, Houston Texans: New general manager Nick Caserio already released J.J. Watt. There will be less painful course corrections from Bill O’Brien’s personnel blunders to follow.

5) Trai Turner, OG, Los Angeles Chargers: General manager Tom Telesco has tried everything to fix the Chargers’ offensive line over the years, with last offseason’s Turner-for-Russell Okung trade the latest misfire.

6) Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals: Like Von Miller, Atkins is an All-Decade performer who now figures to be in the year-to-year trusty-veteran phase of his career.

7-9) DT Vernon Butler, DT Quinton Jefferson and DE Mario Addison, Buffalo Bills: I don’t think general manager Brandon Beane will move on from this entire trio of 2020 pickups. But the Bills are very likely to rebuild their defensive line and they’ll need to create space by cutting one or two of these veterans.

10) David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns: The 2017 first-round pick played his best game of the season in the Divisional Round against the Chiefs, which will not be forgotten in Cleveland anytime soon.

11) Adam Humphries, WR, Tennessee Titans: Concussions could jeopardize Humphries’ career. With Corey Davis hitting free agency, the Titans may have to re-work their receiver group beyond A.J. Brown.

Potential surprise cuts

1) Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Owner Art Rooney II made it clear back in January the Steelers are ready to release Big Ben if necessary. Teams do not ask players to take pay cuts — much less talk about it publicly — unless they are prepared to move on if the negotiations don’t pan out. Roethlisberger has also made it clear publicly he’s willing to take a pay cut, but general manager Kevin Colbert’s noncommittal words recently indicate that may not be enough.

Roethlisberger’s buddy, Maurkice Pouncey, has retired. The Steelers let go of offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, whom Roethlisberger was close to. JuJu Smith-Schuster may be next to go. It’s possible that Steelers brass view this offseason as the appropriate time to rebuild the machine, especially after the team’s 1-4 finish to the 2020 campaign. Cutting Ben, while painful, would save $19 million against this year’s cap. It may be the cleanest way to massage their difficult salary cap situation, currently projected to be $30 million over the cap.

2) John Brown, WR, Buffalo Bills: I wouldn’t make this move, because I am taking up the mantle from the late, great Chris Wesseling as this company’s foremost Smokey Brown believer. He’s a great No. 2 receiver!

I suspect, however, Bills general manager Brandon Beane wants to open up some cap flexibility and may view Brown’s $9.5 million cap hit as expendable. In the end, I’d guess this move won’t happen because Brown is too good when he’s healthy.

3) Casey Hayward, CB, Los Angeles Chargers: One of the better value free-agent signings of the last decade, Hayward is now at an age (32 next September) and a cap figure ($11.75 million) that could put him at risk after a down season.

4) Eric Fisher or Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Kansas City Chiefs: Cutting either tackle seems crazy after the offensive line meltdown the Chiefs just had in the Super Bowl, not to mention Andy Reid’s typical loyalty. Schwartz, perhaps the best right tackle of the last decade, is only listed if his back injury threatens to jeopardize his career. Otherwise, he’s not going anywhere.

Fisher is a more complicated case, with the Chiefs currently projected to be more than $20 million over the cap. Fisher’s cap hit is $15.2 million and the team could save nearly $12 million in cap space by cutting him. He’s been a good, not great, blind-side protector throughout his career. Some action here wouldn’t shock me, but it’s more likely Kansas City moves some money around in both players’ contracts rather than releasing them.

5) Marcus Cannon, OT, New England Patriots: The Patriots are one of the rare teams that don’t need salary cap room this offseason, so it would be more like Bill Belichick to evaluate Cannon in training camp before making any big moves. Still, the former second-team All-Pro had a so-so 2019 season before opting out of the 2020 campaign. His replacement, 2020 rookie Michael Onwenu, played terrific at right tackle. Cannon has the 4th-highest cap figure on the team.

6) Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets: I’ve read a lot of speculation that Crowder isn’t worth his $10 million base salary. As the most reliable receiver on a team short of them, I wouldn’t be so sure. The Jets have plenty of cap space to absorb his salary and worry about positions other than slot receiver.

7) Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans: This would be a tricky cut because Butler was the best Titans cornerback by far last year and the team is already shorthanded there. The Titans need flexibility, however, and could save $10 million against the cap by releasing Butler. That would make him a prime example of a player hurt by the reduced salary cap.

8-9) OG David DeCastro and CB Steven Nelson, Pittsburgh Steelers: This is going to be a challenging offseason for Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Big Ben is far from the only veteran whose current deal puts him in jeopardy. DeCastro is a franchise cornerstone whose play fell off dramatically last year, and now he holds a $14.3 million cap hit. It would be more typical of the Steelers to hang on to him for one more year, which may help put one of the team’s high-priced starting cornerbacks in trouble. My guess is that Joe Haden is a better bet to stay than Nelson, whose release would save $8.25 million against the cap.

Other players to monitor: Henry Anderson, DL, New York Jets; Adrian Clayborn, DE, Cleveland Browns; Brandon Dunn, NT, Houston Texans; Tyler Eifert, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars; Bobby Hart, OT, Cincinnati Bengals; Alex Lewis, OG, New York Jets; Bobby McCain, DB, Miami Dolphins; Eric Rowe, DB, Miami Dolphins; C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals; Greg Van Roten, OG, New York Jets; Vince Williams, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the NFC:

Strong candidates for release

1-3) WR Alshon Jeffery, DT Malik Jackson and WR Marquise Goodwin, Philadelphia Eagles:General manager Howie Roseman has a lot of pruning to do with an aging roster, even after offloading Carson Wentz on Thursday. Roseman already started by shuffling money around in Jeffery and Jackson’s contracts in anticipation of releasing them as June 1st cuts. (There’s always a way to find cap space!) Goodwin’s release would also save more than $4.2 million. These are relatively easy moves for a team expected to make tougher cuts.

4) DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: D-Jax is one of those tougher cuts. The Eagles don’t have a surplus of offensive firepower and Jackson caught an 81-yard touchdown as recently as Week 16, but he’s only been healthy enough to catch 23 passes in two injury plagued years. Even though he’s 34 years old, Jackson should get another chance. Perhaps it will be back in Philly for a much lesser price than his current $8.2 million base salary. (UPDATE: Jackson announced Friday on Instagram that the Eagles are releasing him.)

5-6) OT Nate Solder and WR Golden Tate, New York Giants: Solder, who opted out of the 2020 season, could retire before the Giants cut him. That would possibly jeopardize some signing-bonus money he received in 2018, when general manager Dave Gettleman kick-started his struggling tenure by giving the left tackle huge money.

Tate, another Gettleman move, failed to top 400 yards in 15 games last season and the Giants can save over $6 million in cap space by releasing him. The 32-year-old’s colorful 11-year career could be nearing an end.

7-8) TE Jimmy Graham and OT Bobby Massie, Chicago Bears: Like the Eagles, the Bears have a raft of big-money veterans who could be at risk of being cut. Graham and Massie should be relative no-brainers despite all the snaps they took in 2020.

9-12) CB Desmond Trufant, CB Justin Coleman, TE Jesse James and QB Chase Daniel, Detroit Lions: No team is more clearly rebuilding than the Lions, so the first order of business for new general manager Brad Holmes will be to excise bad contracts.

13) Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings: Rudolph has mentioned not being thrilled about his role in Minnesota and has zero interest in taking a pay cut. Perhaps the Elder High legend could return home to Cincinnati for the final years of his career.

14) Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brate proved useful for Tampa this past season after O.J. Howard’s injury and the Bucs have plenty of cap room. Still, paying $6.5 million for a player with less than 600 yards combined in two seasons under Bruce Arians feels like an unnecessary luxury.

15-17) S Ricardo Allen, OG James Carpenter and DT Allen Bailey, Atlanta Falcons: Seven new general managers were hired this offseason, including Terry Fontenot in Atlanta. Each will want to bring in their guys, which can only happen by starting to get rid of the other guy’s guys. (UPDATE: The Falcons announced Thursday that they released Allen and Bailey.)

18-19) LB Kwon Alexander and DT Malcom Brown, New Orleans Saints: No team may look more different in 2021 than the Saints. These moves would only be the start of their offseason.

20-21) DE Dee Ford and C Weston Richburg, San Francisco 49ers: Both big-money signings by general manager John Lynch were all but absent in 2020 because of injuries. Richburg is almost certainly gone. Because of an injury guarantee in Ford’s contract, it’s possible the 49ers keep him around if only to spread financial pain into future years. The trade for Ford is quietly one of the costliest NFL acquisition misfires of the last few seasons.

22) OLB Preston Smith, Green Bay Packers: I don’t think general manager Brian Gutekunst regret’s the contract he gave Smith, who was a big part of the team’s 13-3 campaign in 2019. He was less effective this past season and now appears in the way of 2019 first-rounder Rashan Gary, who deserves more playing time.

Potential surprise cuts

1) Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: There has been trade buzz about Ertz, but a straight release wouldn’t be a huge surprise. He was not moving well last season on the way to 335 yards. With the 30-year-old due an $8.25 million base salary, it’s hard to imagine he’d get that much in free agency.

2) Kevin Zeitler, OG, New York Giants: Due a $12 million base salary with a $14.5 million cap hit, Zeitler is more likely to stay in New York because making the Giants’ offensive line worse on purpose would be taking a big risk. It would also qualify as Dave Gettleman giving up on part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.

3) Anthony Barr, LB, Minnesota Vikings: A favorite of Mike Zimmer, Barr would be a bigger lock to return in 2021 despite missing 14 games last season if his fellow off-ball linebacker Eric Kendricks weren’t also getting big money. The Vikings could earn over $7 million in cap space by cutting Barr, and I suspect he’d have some trade value.

4) Chandler Jones, DE, Arizona Cardinals: The category says “surprise” after all. Jones had a rough September before missing 11 games last season and has a cap figure ($20.8 million) that looks like he plays quarterback. He’s turning 31 later this month. His insane production in the desert would make this an upset, but the Cardinals could risk cutting him a year too early rather than waiting to see if he rebounds in 2021. (UPDATE: Cardinals GM Steve Keim said Friday that he would “reject” cutting Jones this offseason.)

5) Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys: Smith has struggled since signing a big extension in Dallas and has been discussed locally at length as a possible cut. Will he fit with new coordinator Dan Quinn’s scheme?

My guess is he stays. Smith got that extension because ownership loves him and the Cowboys don’t save much by cutting him until after June 1, which feels like a long time away. Admitting personnel mistakes and making moves expressly designed to help the cap in the future are not The Cowboys Way.

6) Landon Collins, S, Washington Football Team: I’m surprised this potential move hasn’t been bandied about. Need more bandying in general. Collins hasn’t lived up to the huge contract signing that was executed two personnel chiefs ago. He’s coming off a major injury (Achilles’ tendon) and his replacement, Kam Curl, was a standout under Ron Rivera. We’re hitting a lot of boxes on the surprise-cut bingo board.

7) Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team: No one wants this outcome, including Rivera. But the signing of Taylor Heinicke last week makes Smith’s return as a potential backup in Washington more complicated. If Smith wants to continue playing — and he proved he still deserves a roster spot in the league — he may have to do it elsewhere.

8) Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Atlanta Falcons: Fowler’s signing was part of the reason the last Falcons regime could never solve their pass-rush issues. The only reason Fowler isn’t listed in the category above is that cutting him would put a lot of dead money on Atlanta’s cap. The new staff could try to salvage his contract.

Other players to monitor: Robert Alford, CB, Arizona Cardinals; Jon Bostic, LB, Washington Football Team; Christian Kirksey, LB, Green Bay Packers; Rick Wagner, OT, Green Bay Packers; Stephen Weatherly, DL, Carolina Panthers. (UPDATES: The Packers announced Friday they’ve released Kirksey and Wagner, while the Panthers have cut Weatherly.)

2021 DRAFT

He doesn’t put them with specific teams, but Todd McShay has a list of the top 32 players in the draft and how they have risen and fallen recently:

The 2021 NFL draft is getting closer, and I’ll be spending most of my time over the next two months digging through tape and talking with NFL scouts as I begin to finalize my prospect evaluations for this year’s class. And what a talented class it is, starting with an elite quarterback prospect.

Of course, with numerous 2020 college football season opt-outs and uneven game tape across the class, the pre-draft process has been especially complicated this year. It gets more complicated without the traditional scouting combine, which has largely been disbanded this spring. Teams instead will fixate on pro days and player interview opportunities in the leadup to the draft. But even without the combine looming, our rankings are far from complete, and I expect the board to continue to shift as we near April 29, when the first name will be called.

But with that said, here is my most recent evaluation of the top 32 players in the class, updated from my Dec. 30 edition. We will provide updates right through until the week of the draft.

Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk, and grades are from Scouts Inc.

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson*

HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 220

Grade: 97 | Previous rank: 1

Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect I’ve seen come out of college since Andrew Luck was drafted by the Colts in 2012. Lawrence’s intangibles are high-end, and I love his huge arm and the mobility he brings at his size. He’ll need a little refining with his pocket presence, but this kid is the real deal. He had 24 passing touchdowns, 3,153 yards through the air and a 69.2% completion percentage while throwing only five interceptions in 10 games this past season. He also had eight scores on the ground. Lawrence is recovering from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder but is expected to be ready for NFL training camp this summer.

2. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU*

HT: 6-0 | WT: 208

Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 5

The 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner tallied 1,780 yards and 20 scores through the air for LSU during that season before opting out in 2020. He is explosive off the line, a smooth route runner and tough in the open field. His body control stands out, and his speed is solid.

3. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon*

HT: 6-6 | WT: 330

Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 2

Sewell gave up only one sack during 2018 and 2019 combined, starting 20 games along the way, but he opted out of this past season. Sewell is massive in pass protection and plays a disciplined game. He has the feet to excel as a zone blocker and the power to move defenders in the run game. Sewell has rare upside and can be a starter from day one in the NFL.

4. Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 244

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 3

Parsons had 109 tackles in 2019, including 14 for loss, and forced four fumbles. He’s long and is pretty good in coverage, with plenty of range. He is an above-average tackler and shows the burst to shoot gaps and be disruptive in run defense. Parsons also has the instincts and speed to blitz, tallying five sacks in 2019. Another 2020 opt-out, he will need work in getting off blocks at the next level, but consider him a day one starter in the NFL.

5. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 210

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 8

Wilson navigated his Cougars to an 11-1 record by completing 73.5% of his passes (second in the country) for 3,692 yards (third in the country), 33 touchdowns (third) and three interceptions. If that weren’t impressive enough, Wilson also had 10 rushing TDs. He threw for 425 yards and three scores in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl. I love Wilson’s competitiveness and toughness in the pocket, and he has a high-end ability to extend plays. His deep-ball accuracy is also outstanding.

6. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida*

HT: 6-6 | WT: 239

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 6

Pitts sets up as a versatile matchup in the NFL with great size, a big catch radius and the hands to produce. In only eight games this season, he had 770 receiving yards on 43 catches and found the end zone 12 times, tied for the third-most scores in the FBS. The junior amassed 170 yards and four end zone trips in the Gators’ opener in September, and he piled on three TDs in November’s meeting with Kentucky. And he went over 120 yards on seven catches in each of his final two games.

Pitts flashes as a route runner and possesses above-average separation skills for a tight end. He has some speed to be a threat downfield, and he figures to be a real coverage problem for opposing defenses in the NFL.

7. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

HT: 6-0 | WT: 170

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 4

Smith rarely drops anything in his vicinity and displays some jump after the catch, compiling 117 catches (most in the country) for 1,856 yards (also first) and 23 touchdowns (again, first) through 13 games this season. The Heisman Trophy winner had nine games with at least 130 receiving yards and eight with multiple scores. Smith explodes off the line, is crisp in his route running and tracks the ball well vertically.

8. Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

HT: 6-4 | WT: 308

Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 17

Slater had significant starting time at both right and left tackle before opting out of the 2020 season, but his frame and physical skills might lend themselves to a better trajectory inside. He gives up ground too much, and speed rushers cause him problems at tackle. But I really like his feel for angles, and he is smooth getting set. Power is there in the run game, and his body control in pass protection is strong.

9. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama*

HT: 6-2 | WT: 206

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 7

Surtain, a true shutdown cover corner, finished with a pick-six, 12 pass breakups (tied for third in the country) and 38 tackles in 13 games. I love his instincts and the way he quickly diagnoses wide receivers’ routes and funnels them where he wants them to go. He is also a natural playmaker, with good ball-reaction skills and soft hands. His father, Patrick Surtain Sr., was a Pro Bowl corner in the NFL and a second-round pick in 1998.

10. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech*

HT: 6-2 | WT: 207

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 18

The first high-end draft prospect to opt out of the 2020 college season, Farley broke up 12 passes and intercepted four in 2019. His blend of size, length and speed is rare, and he has burst to his game. A former wide receiver, he has strong ball skills and flashes the ability to recognize route combinations. Farley is still developing, but the toolbox is there.

11. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama*

HT: 5-10 | WT: 177

Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 11

Waddle returned from an ankle injury for the College Football Playoff national title game and finished his junior campaign with 28 catches for 591 yards and four TDs. His 21.1 yards-per-reception average stood at eighth in the country. Waddle’s game is all about elusiveness, part of the reason he also pops in the return game. Put the ball in his hands and let things happen. He tracks the deep ball well, explodes out of his breaks and shows excellent lateral agility and field vision.

12. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 224

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 22

Lance has size and toughness at quarterback. He played only one game in 2020, a win against Central Arkansas in which he completed half his passes for south of 150 yards. But he shined in 2019, when he didn’t throw a single interception, picked up 1,100 rushing yards and produced 42 scores in all. He has only one career game of 300-plus passing yards, and we never saw him in action against an FBS foe. But the third-year sophomore is effective dropping from under center and selling play-action, and his downfield touch is strong, despite some inconsistent placement on shorter throws.

13. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 228

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 9

Fields starred in 2019 with 41 touchdown passes and only three interceptions, and he really progressed under Buckeyes coach Ryan Day. In 2020, he had 22 passing touchdowns, a 70.2% completion rate (seventh best in the FBS) and 2,100 passing yards in eight games.

He is very accurate throwing downfield and throws effectively off-schedule and off-platform. There is some zip on his ball too, and he displays a quick release. Fields is mobile in the pocket and rushed for five scores. There might be some consistency concerns, but he is dynamic and grades out as a good NFL starting QB, as his 91.7 Total QBR (second in the nation) might suggest.

14. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame*

HT: 6-2 | WT: 220

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 12

I love Owusu-Koramoah’s tape. He is fast, he is instinctive and he is only getting stronger as he develops. His recognition skills are very good too, as he always seems to be around the ball. Owusu-Koramoah is fluid in coverage and even flashes the ability to get home on the quarterback, thanks to his suddenness. He does it all: In 2020, he had 62 tackles (11 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, a fumble-return TD, 3 pass breakups and an interception.

15. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU*

HT: 6-2 | WT: 208

Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 14

Moehrig is a playmaker. He breaks quickly on the ball, times his jump and has the ball skills to haul in interceptions — he had two through 10 games after grabbing four in 2019 and broke up nine additional passes this season. Moehrig is above average as a tackler (47 in 2020) and even has some return-game experience.

16. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (Fla.)*

HT: 6-7 | WT: 253

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 16

Rousseau is tall, long and quick off the edge. He has power to overwhelm blockers and works back inside once he is even with the quarterback. He opted out of the 2020 season, but he had 15.5 sacks in 2019 for the Hurricanes — which ranked him No. 2 in the country behind Chase Young — and he totaled 19.5 tackles for loss (tied for seventh). As a run-defender, Rousseau can set the edge and make plays. He has future Pro Bowl talent.

17. Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami (Fla.)*

HT: 6-5 | WT: 266

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 31

A transfer from UCLA, Phillips medically retired from football in 2018 after injury-plagued seasons with the Bruins. But he was able to return, deciding to join the Hurricanes. And wow, did he burst back onto the scene in 2020. In 10 games, Phillips had 8 sacks (tied for 13th in the nation), 15.5 tackles for loss (sixth), 45 tackles and an interception. I love his length and suddenness.

18. Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

HT: 6-3 | WT: 270

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR

Paye can slip blocks and make plays in the backfield. He is still developing as a pass-rusher — though he had 6.5 sacks in 2019 and 2.0 in four games this season — but the ceiling is high. I like his range, and he has a professional approach to the game. Paye is possibly a 3-4 OLB candidate in the NFL.

19. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

HT: 5-11 | WT: 199

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR

Toney isn’t the biggest receiver in the class, and he isn’t the most polished, but he is super versatile and very explosive. He will be very effective in the NFL with the quick game, screen throws and reversals. He is the kind of receiver with whom you just want to get the ball in his hands. He made 70 catches (seventh in the country) for 984 yards (13th) and 10 touchdowns (tied for seventh) this past season. Plus, he added 161 rushing yards and returned double-digit kicks and punts for the Gators.

20. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama*

HT: 6-2 | WT: 232

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 27

Harris has great size and good speed, and he has shown excellent ball security. He is strong on contact and slippery between the tackles. I was previously a bit concerned he danced too much, looking for the home run, but Harris was decisive in his final season at Alabama. His 26 rushing touchdowns ranked No. 1 in the country this past season, and his 1,466 rushing yards were No. 3. He looks improved in pass protection too and remains underrated as a pass-catcher.

21. Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC*

HT: 6-4 | WT: 315

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR

Vera-Tucker gets into sound initial position and has the strength to drive defenders off the ball. He has a good feel for angles in zone blocking, but he gets a little top-heavy and falls off blocks late. In pass protection, he gets his hands inside and anchors well. He allowed just four pressures and two sacks on 849 pass-block snaps over the past two seasons.

22. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson*

HT: 5-10 | WT: 212

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 19

Etienne has above-average speed with an explosive second gear when he hits daylight. He is a real home run hitter in space, breaking off 19 plays for 20-plus yards this season. I like his contact balance too. Etienne has 70 career rushing touchdowns, including 14 in 2020 (tied for seventh in the country). He bested 1,600 rushing yards for the second straight season in 2019 before gaining 914 through 12 games this past year. Etienne also had 588 receiving yards in 2020, better than the totals in his other three seasons combined, showing massive improvement on that front.

23. Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa*

HT: 6-4 | WT: 260

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 15

What a season for Collins. A 3-4 outside linebacker, he has great versatility and can bring a lot to a defense. In eight games, Collins had 53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 4 interceptions — two of which he returned for touchdowns — and a forced fumble. His closing burst to the quarterback and to ball carriers is tremendous.

24. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech*

HT: 6-5 | WT: 314

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 23

Darrisaw has been a mainstay at left tackle for the Hokies. Over the past two years, he has allowed just three sacks on 643 pass-blocking snaps. Darrisaw is powerful as a pass protector and smooth working to the second level as a run-blocker. His technique is a little inconsistent, but he has a high ceiling and the tools to be a starting left tackle from day one.

25. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington

HT: 6-4 | WT: 294

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR

A 2020 opt-out, Onwuzurike is a highly disruptive 3-technique with great quickness. He had a great week at the Senior Bowl in January, and in 2019, he had six tackles for loss with Washington.

26. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan*

HT: 6-5 | WT: 319

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR

Mayfield is a strong drive blocker who walls off defenders and gets good initial push, but there’s room for improvement when it comes to angles climbing to the second level. He gets set quickly and tends to stay in front once engaged in pass pro. But his hand placement is inconsistent. Mayfield has played both left and right tackle at Michigan.

27. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina*

HT: 6-1 | WT: 205

Grade: 90 | Previous rank: NR

The son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee is long and instinctive. And he tends to play his best in big games. Horn opted out in the middle of the 2020 season but not before hauling in a pair of interceptions and breaking up six more passes over the course of seven games.

28. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 214

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 32

I really like his touch and ball placement, and he anticipates really well, leading receivers and throwing them open. Jones also processes quickly and has really fast eyes in getting through progressions. In the pocket, he has poise and toughness, and though he isn’t a dangerous runner, Jones has a good feel for how to extend plays — all while keeping his eyes downfield. In 2020, he completed a nation-leading 77.4% of his passes, and he gained 4,500 yards through the air (first) and threw 41 touchdowns (second) with four interceptions. His 96.1 Total QBR was the best in the FBS.

29. Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 240

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: NR

Ojulari has good size, speed and bend. I really like his first-step burst when pass rushing, and his instincts are advanced. He is definitely better as a pass-rusher than in coverage, but he does have pretty good range underneath when asked to drop back. Ojulari’s 8.5 sacks tied for eighth most in the country in 2020, and his three forced fumbles were tied for fifth.

30. Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama*

HT: 6-5 | WT: 310

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 20

Barmore had eight sacks (tied for 13th in the FBS) and three forced fumbles from the interior of Alabama’s defensive line this season. He is still developing as a pass-rusher, but he can get home with quick hands. Against the run, Barmore locates the ball quickly, shows adequate change-of-direction ability and is stout against double-teams. As a bonus, he is versatile along the line. But keep in mind that Barmore was a third-year sophomore in 2020, and he entered this past season with only one career start.

31. Joe Tryon, DE, Washington*

HT: 6-5 | WT: 252

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 25

Tryon opted out of the 2020 season, but he tallied 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks for Washington in 2019. He has some versatility to his game, lining up as a 4-3 defensive end and a 3-4 outside linebacker. Tryon exhibits a quick first step as a pass-rusher, showing a fluid swim move and flashing a quick spin maneuver on blockers. And against the run, he is strong and can fight through double-teams, though he loses outside contain a bit too often.

32. Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri*

HT: 6-0 | WT: 232

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: NR

Bolton is a solid off-the-ball linebacker with great instincts and a good motor. He is very good in coverage, has pop at the point of attack and plays faster than his straight-line speed would suggest because he locates the ball quickly. Bolton is a bit undersized, but it hasn’t stopped the production. In 10 games, he had 95 tackles (tied for 18th in the nation), 8.0 tackles for loss, 5 passes broken up, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery.