DETROIT

WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN is “embracing the hype” surrounding the 2023 Lions.  Christian Gonzales of NFL.com:

After going 9-8 and nearly missing the playoffs in 2022, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is embracing the “hype” surrounding the team heading toward the start of the 2023 season.

“My rookie year, we went 3-13-1, [Lions fans] were still there for us,” St. Brown told Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated. “And now the hype is crazy. When I go back for OTAs and whatnot, you go to the grocery store, you go to the restaurant, whatever you’re doing that day. If a fan sees you, they’re super excited.

“They have big expectations, but I feel like no matter what, they’re always going to be there for us. That’s something, as a player, I really appreciate, because there’s definitely those bandwagon fans that you see with the big teams that win a lot.”

St. Brown has been a part of a three-win season and recently a 9-8 squad this past year. Now, heading into the 2023 campaign with expectations, the third-year wide receiver is striving to make a postseason run after a career year in which he set new highs with 106 receptions, 1,161 receiving yards and six touchdowns and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

The last time Detroit made a playoff appearance was in the 2016 season when it had Matthew Stafford under center. The team’s most recent playoff victory was in the 1991 season with a win over the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions haven’t won the NFC North since 1993. Detroit is entering perhaps its best chance to make a playoff appearance with Aaron Rodgers leaving division rival Green Bay for the Big Apple.

During the offseason, the Lions have had some key players depart in free agency, including Jamaal Williams, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2022, signing with New Orleans, and wide receiver DJ Chark heading over to Carolina. Detroit also moved on from its young talent by trading Jeff Okudah to Atlanta and shipping D’Andre Swift to Philadelphia. However, the team did add experienced veterans with playoff experience, signing former Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and bringing back wide receiver Marvin Jones to Detroit.

With new pieces added to the puzzle, St. Brown will look to develop chemistry with his new teammates when the Lions kick off training camp on July 22 for the veterans.

DALLAS

This will be QB DAK PRESCOTT’s 8^th season, yes, his 8^th.  He hears the clock ticking according to Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com:

It seems like just yesterday that Dak Prescott was taking over for the injured Tony Romo as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback.

Since that fateful offseason in 2016, Prescott has enjoyed a successful career under center for America’s Team, earning Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year honors, reaching two Pro Bowls and making the postseason four times in seven years.

But cut to July 2023, and Prescott and the Cowboys are nearing a crossroads. Dak is turning 30 years old at the end of the month and entering his eighth year in the pros, and Dallas under Mike McCarthy is still trying to get over the hump in the head coach’s fourth season at the helm.

Prescott is aware of the rising stakes as his career at The Star progresses.

“One thousand percent,” Dak responded Saturday when asked by Nick Eatman of the team’s website if he feels an urgency to win. “Just understanding injuries and what I’ve been [through] throughout my career and understanding that you don’t have forever to play this game. I’m blessed for every moment that I get. Just trying to take it with a sense of urgency.”

The Cowboys have enjoyed consecutive 12-win seasons under McCarthy — winning a division title in 2021 — and reached the postseason in back-to-back campaigns. But an NFC Championship Game berth still eludes the franchise; Dallas hasn’t played for a Super Bowl berth since the 1995 season. It’s a frustrating shortcoming for arguably the league’s most popular franchise and its most demanding owner in Jerry Jones.

Despite all the pressure, Prescott, hosting his annual football camp this weekend, has perspective. As he approaches his age-30 season, the Cowboys’ star quarterback is taking it all in, on and off the field.

“I’ve always felt older I guess. Just being 30 doesn’t necessarily bother me,” Prescott told Eatman. “Knowing that I am the old guy, going into Year 8, seeing some of the young guys, some of the rookies and seeing the difference in eight years. It’s fun and challenging at times, knowing that I stay connected and stay in the now with what’s cool and whatnot. But this game is beautiful. It doesn’t matter how old you are because you play this game like a kid.”

Prescott and the Cowboys will get back to work on playing like kids on July 25, when Dallas’ players report for training camp.

ATLANTA

The 2023 numbers were uninspiring, but the Falcons did not sway from making QB DESMOND RIDDER their clear #1 QB for 2023.  Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com:

Desmond Ridder lingered on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium field late on a Friday afternoon. His team — now his team as the starting quarterback — had finished up a public practice about a half-hour earlier. He’d gone to sign autographs with his teammates and take pictures with fans.

And now, he hung out around the 20-yard line with his wife, Claire, and daughter, Leighton. A year ago, everything was new. He hadn’t thrown a professional pass in a game here. He was the backup trying to navigate the speed, footwork and everything involved with transitioning from a college quarterback to a professional one.

There’s still a lot to learn now, to get comfortable with. Still so much new, like being the player the team looks to in the offseason; the one leading the off-site sessions with the quarterbacks and pass-catchers. He’s settling in to becoming the starting quarterback he always believed he could be.

When Atlanta inserted Ridder as the starter in place of Marcus Mariota for the final four games of the 2022 season, he completed 63.5% of his passes and threw for two touchdowns. More importantly, Ridder threw no interceptions — a streak of 115 attempts and counting — and gained experience he couldn’t have in his first 13 games watching from the sideline.

“Those four games for me, and then obviously, coming into the offseason was crucial for me,” Ridder said. “It would be completely different if I hadn’t played one single snap last year. And then coming into this year and being named the starter.

“So having those four games under for me, just to get the feel, the speed, how it is. It was crucial for me.”

It gave him an understanding of what he needed to do and allowed him to approach the spring and summer differently.

Ridder has adjusted before, including midseason last year when he realized his learning strategy wasn’t yielding the best results. He began using Quizlet and play recitation repetition with Claire, helping him eventually become the starter.

In his studying, he learned ways to be more efficient, both on the field and in his preparation. He realized he didn’t need to be there all day, every day to accomplish everything, something echoed by his coaches in working smarter, not necessarily longer.

“Just to get up, get in early, knock it out, get everything that you need done,” Ridder said. “And then go to work.”

Ridder picks something in his game to pick at day by day. Last year, for instance, he knew he needed to know everyone’s job along with his own. This year, he has to know where each person should be on each play. Last spring, he might have worried about every pass he threw. This spring, he was more concerned with the process and whether the decision and footwork were right.

Another day, he’ll look at his stride — was it short enough or was he overstepping — and then try to alter it. He’s continuously focused on his footwork and making sure his reads are correct.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Ridder made “daily improvements,” although he knows Atlanta won’t know Ridder’s exact growth until training camp, joint practices and preseason games, where there’s more contact and hitting than 7-on-7 and light 11-on-11 work with no contact.

But the Falcons saw enough in Ridder last season to make him the starter instead of pursuing other options. They liked how he adapted throughout games, how he handled critical situations like third down and red zone. Smith liked his leadership and his anticipation, comparing it to a highly skilled point guard who can see where things develop before they do.

“I think he’s got that,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of things that we may ask him to anticipate, or wait a tick, and not everybody can do that, but he can. He’s shown that so far. That gives us a lot of hope, and every system is a little bit different, too.”

The feedback Ridder gives during meetings inside the quarterback room, offensive coordinator Dave Ragone said, and the types of questions he asks, matter. It shows he’s understanding the information, another point of promise for the second-year quarterback.

“The better the questions that are coming back and the more understanding they have,” Ragone said. “The further that you can go with it.”

Last year, Atlanta went with Ridder in an offense built around a different quarterback. This year, the offense will be different, more catered to what Ridder can do. The Falcons had a plan for him from the time they drafted him: Give him a lot and see what he can handle, but don’t rush him into playing before they felt he was ready to do so.

It’s part of why the 23-year-old Ridder didn’t start until the last month-plus of last season. Atlanta built confidence. It might show dividends now.

“I would say I’m pretty comfortable,” Ridder said. “Overall, way more comfortable than last year.”

CAROLINA

Two new members for the Panthers Hall of Honor, both extremely worthy.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Panthers will be adding two former players to their Hall of Honor this season.

The team announced on Monday that Julius Peppers and Muhsin Muhammad will be inducted into the group at halftime of their October 29 game against the Texans. They will be the eighth and ninth members of the Hall.

Peppers was the second overall pick of the 2002 draft and he was named the defensive rookie of the year that season. He spent eight seasons with the team and was a two-time All-Pro before moving on for stints in Chicago and Green Bay. He returned in 2017 and spent the final two seasons of his career with the team.

Peppers ranks first in franchise history with 97 sacks and 107 tackles for loss during his time with the Panthers.

The Panthers selected Muhammad with the 43rd pick of the 1996 draft and he spent the first nine seasons of his career in Carolina. He played three seasons with the Bears and then returned for two seasons before retiring.

Muhammad is second behind Steve Smith on the franchise’s list of career catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He had 696 catches, 9,255 yards, and 50 touchdowns while making one All-Pro team and two Pro Bowls during his time with the team.

The other members of the Panthers Hall of Honor are Smith, Mike McCormack, Sam Mills, Jake Delhomme, Jordan Gross, Wesley Walls, and the team’s PSL owners.

NEW ORLEANS

Will WR CHRIS OLAVE and QB DEREK CARR make beautiful music together?  Larry Holder of The Athletic:

After being arguably one of the greatest units in NFL history under Sean Payton and Drew Brees, the Saints haven’t been the same kind of offensive juggernaut the past two seasons. So it’s not as if wide receiver Chris Olave was entering a pillar of offensive stability last season after New Orleans selected him at No. 11 in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Still, Olave managed 1,042 receiving yards and four touchdowns within the Saints’ 19th-ranked total offense and 22nd-ranked scoring offense.

With 119 targets, Olave was one of only three rookies to be targeted at least 100 times. The Jets’ Garrett Wilson (147) and the Falcons’ Drake London (117) stood with Olave in the 100 club. Among the three, Olave ranked the best in expected points added per target last season at 0.20, ahead of Wilson (0.19) and London (0.14).

In terms of ranking among every player with 100 targets, Olave’s EPA per target ranked 22nd among 39 qualified pass catchers. That placed him above the likes of wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Ja’Marr Chase and DK Metcalf, as well as tight end Mark Andrews and running back Christian McCaffrey. Olave also ranked No. 1 in air yards per target (14.17) and eighth in yards per reception (14.5) among this group.

That’s certainly a good start for his career.

It also makes one wonder how much better Olave could have been with more consistent play at quarterback last season.

The Saints started Jameis Winston for three games to open the 2022 season, followed by Andy Dalton the rest of the way. Olave hauled in only 60.5 percent of his targets (72 catches on 119 targets) and was tagged with only three drops, via TruMedia. Olave’s reception percentage ranked 32nd among the 39 qualified pass catchers.

Dalton actually ranked second in “on target” percentage last season at 79.9 percent and 11th in “catchable” percentage at 87.7 percent, via Sports Info Solutions. So, where was the disconnect? Olave yielded only a 61.1 reception percentage during Dalton’s starts and dropped only two passes.

Maybe with a different quarterback in 2023, we might find Olave more consistently productive.

That will depend on what Derek Carr brings to the table in New Orleans.

Carr ranked 22nd in “on target” percentage last year with the Raiders at 73.8 percent and 32nd in “catchable” percentage at 82.9 percent.

The former Raiders quarterback watched his good numbers in some advanced metrics, via TruMedia and Sports Info Solutions, drop in 2022. Below is an outlook from the past five seasons on Carr using these metrics (rankings based on a minimum of 100 dropbacks):

• Expected points added per dropback (EPA/DB on the below chart)

• Passer rating (Rating)

• Catchable pass percentage (Catchable%)

• On-target percentage (On target%)

Carr went from having some of the better numbers in the league in recent history to a noticeable drop (league ranking in each season in parentheses):

                               EPA                          PR                  CP%                 ONT%

2022                     0.04 (15)                  86.3 (28)           82.8 (32)           73.9 (22)

2021                    0.06 (14)                   94.0 (14)           87.1 (11)            79.7 (3)

2020                    0.08 (16)                 101.4 (10)          86.5 (12)           80.2 (9)

2019                    0.14 (9)                   100.8 (9)            87.0 (4)             81.6 (3)

2018                    0.01 (25)                   93.9 (18)          87.8 (3)             83.7 (3)

Carr’s 86.3 passer rating and 60.8 completion percentage were the second-lowest rates of his career, with only his 2014 rookie season being worse. Was this a one-year blip under coach Josh McDaniels?

Was Carr leaning on Davante Adams too much given Carr targeted Adams 180 times, resulting in only 100 receptions? Adams’ 55.6 percent reception rate when targeted ranked 136th in the league (minimum of 40 targets).

That might be plenty of info on Carr for a story on Olave. But there’s no doubt Olave will go as far as Carr can take him.

Is Olave built to be a No. 1 receiver? The Saints probably have to assume he will be, given the uncertainty within their receiving corps.

You can’t assume Michael Thomas will return to his prior form of three years ago, or even early last season, given his sparse playing time after years of injuries. Rashid Shaheed was a nice surprise as an undrafted rookie last year, but he remains far from proven. You have to wonder how Tre’Quan Smith is still on the roster. The Saints added veteran Bryan Edwards this offseason and selected Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry in Round 6 of this year’s draft.

The Saints also saw an uptick from Juwan Johnson at tight end, and Taysom Hill still lurks. Alvin Kamara wasn’t the force he used to be at running back in either offensive phase. Plus, a possible suspension looms for Kamara, stemming from battery charges in a February 2022 incident.

There’s little doubt Olave can be an explosive player, and yet the circumstances around him might make relying on him as a fantasy player a dicey proposition.

DENVER

A favorable medical report on RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS from Ryan Young ofYahooSports.com:

Javonte Williams expects to be good to go for training camp later this month.

The Denver Broncos running back, who tore his ACL in the early weeks of last season, said Sunday at a youth football camp he hosted in the Denver area that “the plan” is for him to be fully cleared by the time training camp starts on July 25.

“I mean, that’s the plan,” Williams said when asked if he’d be medically cleared, via ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “I feel like I’m ready to go … It’s just all about the evaluation, how the Broncos feel about it.”

Williams went down in the third quarter of the Broncos’ Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last season. He was carted off the field, and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Williams was becoming an integral part of the Broncos’ ground game before he went down. He put up 903 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season in 2021 while splitting time with Melvin Gordon. He had 207 rushing yards on 47 carries and caught 16 passes for 76 yards before he went down last season. The Broncos went just 5-12 last season.

New Broncos head coach Sean Payton said in May he thought Williams was progressing well in his recovery and had similar expectations for his return.

“Our current starter is doing extremely well,” Payton said in May, via ESPN. “I would tell you we expect him to be ready for the start of training camp and that’s good news — [that’s] Javonte.

“His rehab is going well, and I don’t want to speak for him … or anybody else, but we get the daily reports … But I’ve read a lot [about Williams’ status], but I think his rehab is going well.”

Perhaps the biggest part of his recovery, Williams said Sunday, was simply in his head. He reached out to teammates Tim Patrick and Aaron Patrick, as well as former Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb for advice, as all three of them have torn ACLs in their careers.

“Just the mental part, being to be able to move like you have your whole life,” Williams said, via ESPN. “For the first two months, you’re just kind of sitting in bed trying to get it to bend all over again. That’s the hardest part. [But] that’s who I got to be, that’s who I’ve been my whole life. I don’t want to get back on the field playing scared or timid, so when I do get back out there, I want to be 100%.”

CINCINNATI

DE SAM HUBBARD thinks he has 10+ sacks to contribute in 2023.  Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com:

Sam Hubbard broke out on a national stage last season when his 98-yard scoop-and-score in the Wild Card Round propelled the Cincinnati Bengals past the rival Baltimore Ravens, cementing himself in Queen City and NFL lore.

But Hubbard has loftier objectives heading into the 2023 season, his sixth year in the pros.

“My main goal and only goal is to win the Super Bowl,” Hubbard said last month, via the team’s website. “This is the best I’ve felt in my whole career by a landslide physically.”

Cincy has been close to a title the last two seasons — falling just short in Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams and then losing late to the hated Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s AFC title game — but it’s been no cigar so far for Hubbard and Joe Burrow’s Bengals.

On a personal note, Hubbard is also close to breaking through. A 2018 third-round pick of the Bengals and a native Cincinnatian, Hubbard has already earned an extension — a four-year, $40 million deal through 2025 agreed to two years ago — but the Bengals pass rusher feels he can reach another level in 2023.

“I got double-digits in ’21 including playoffs, but I want regular-season double-digits,” Hubbard said of his sack totals. “I’ve been close. Last year I was on pace before I tore my calf … and slowed me up.”

Hubbard missed just one game in 2022 due to the calf injury and finished with 6.5 sacks. The defensive end’s career high is 8.5 sacks, set in 2019, and Hubbard has a regular-season total of 30.5 in five seasons, good for 39th in the league over that span.

In recent years, Hubbard has taken a back seat to Trey Hendrickson as Cincy’s top edge man — the big free-agent signing notched 14 sacks in 2021, his first season with the club.

While Hubbard has yet to lead Cincinnati in sacks in a single season, the Bengals stalwart is regarded as one of the top run defenders in the game, earning a 77.1 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus in 2022, the best mark of his career.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee is already a Cincy legend for his “Fumble in the Jungle,” as his epic touchdown has been monikered. But Hubbard, locked in on his mental and physical health after his recovery from knee and calf injuries over the past two offseasons, can’t wait for what’s next.

“My core discipline, my routine during the week, cold exposure, sauna, nutrition. It’s a little bit better in all areas,” Hubbard said. “I’m ready to put it all together.”

JACKSONVILLE

Doug Pederson is about to coach his son.  Kevin Manahan of NJAdvanceMedia.com:

Remember when the Dallas Cowboys decided to select Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the NFL Draft and they had his father, assistant director of college scouting Chris Vaughn, make the call? There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

“You want to come to work with me next week?” Dad asked.

“That wouldn’t bother me at all,” the son replied as the room erupted.

Well, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, who won a Super Bowl as Eagles head coach, has made the same call to his son: Tight end Josh Pederson, who is Doug Pederson’s son, appears on the verge of signing with the Jaguars.

Pederson, 25, played last season for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers, who announced that they have released him from his contract — because he is going to sign with an NFL team. While the Gamblers didn’t specify the team, Josh Pederson liked a tweet indicating he is signing with the Jaguars.

Josh Pederson previously has spent time with the 49ers, Saints and Chiefs, but he has never played in an NFL game. Pederson was second on the Gamblers with 24 receptions for 325 yards.

TENNESSEE

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, only the Patriots and Titans have shown interest in WR DeANDRE HOPKINS.  He has two offers, neither of which excites him.

D-Hop update: Key points on where things stand with free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins, according to sources close to the situation, are as follows: The Tennessee Titans and Patriots have made offers, the Titans have been more aggressive to this point and Hopkins hasn’t been in a rush to sign. One reason for Hopkins to wait a bit longer is to leave open the possibility of another team entering the mix, potentially increasing his market.

D-Hop’s incentive: If it remains between the Titans and Patriots, one question Hopkins might have to ask himself is which team gives him a better chance to cash in on incentives and maximize his earnings. Given his proven production in Bill O’Brien’s offense from their time together with the Houston Texans, perhaps that would give New England an edge.

BUFFALO

WR STEFON DIGGS behaves like a good teammate for S DAMAR HAMLIN.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Stefon Diggs’ attendance (or lack thereof) at the Bills’ offseason work was the subject of much discussion last month, but Diggs showed up to one gathering of Bills players over the weekend.

Diggs was at the charity softball game organized by Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose foundation has pledged millions of dollars to improving safety in youth sports in the months since Hamlin collapsed on the field and was revived thanks to well-trained medical staff who had access to an automated external defibrillator.

According to the Buffalo News, Diggs appeared to be in good spirits and was playing with Hamlin’s little brother.

Many of Hamlin’s Bills teammates attended the event, as did other NFL players including Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

The game was in Pittsburgh, so Diggs had to make a special trip to be there.

NEW YORK JETS

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com sees another sign that the Jets are in the mix for RB DALVIN COOK:

During a recent edition of #PFTPM, the five-week hiatus answer to PFT Live, I mentioned the Jets are gaining momentum in the chase for running back Dalvin Cook. During a more recent interview with Jets reporter Paul Esden, Jr. Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, was asked to respond to my suggestion that the Jets are indeed picking up steam.

Hiller said nothing to contradict the notion that the Jets are very interested in Cook, or that Cook is very interested in the Jets. Cook has said he wants to win a Super Bowl, and Hiller’s comments make it very clear that Cook believes he could win one with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the other great players on the roster.

The key remains doing the deal. As with receiver DeAndre Hopkins, none of the interested parties have persuaded the player to accept an offer. Cook, like Hopkins, might be waiting for his market to heat up — possibly with the arrival of another team. Possibly due to a starting running back suffering an injury.

Regardless, three teams in the AFC East bear watching for Cook: the Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots. Whichever one gets him will keep him away from one of the other two. At some point, that could get an all-in owner to direct his football personnel to up the offer and get it done.

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com says that Cook wants to play for his hometown Dolphins, but their contract offer is too low:

It’s been a tough time for most big-name running backs seeking big-time money. But former Vikings star Dalvin Cook isn’t hurting for suitors. With multiple contract offers since his release from Minnesota, the Pro Bowler is fielding interest from nearly the entire AFC East division, according to ESPN.

However, Cook isn’t willing to accept his hometown Miami Dolphins’ current contract offer — though he does have interest in joining the Dolphins — and doesn’t see an urgency to sign with a team right now, according to an ESPN report. Cook is also reportedly looking for additional leverage in his contract negotiations by waiting to sign until after the July 17 deadline for teams to come to long-term contract agreements with their franchise-tagged players. Notable tagged running backs who could help reset Cook’s market include the Giants’ Saquon Barkley, the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, or perhaps the Cowboys’ Tony Pollard.

Other teams still believe Cook has the Dolphins atop his wish list, per ESPN, and the running back has all but confirmed as much. Aside from frequently sharing fans’ social media posts linking him to his hometown team, Cook recently called the Dolphins’ outside-zone running scheme a “perfect fit” for his skill set. Cook has also hinted he’d embrace the Jets, however, sharing reports of New York “doing their homework” on a move that would pair the ball-carrier with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

After releasing veteran James Robinson, the Patriots are “at least intrigued” by the possibility of adding Cook, Jeremy Fowler reported recently, specifically to pair with second-year back Rhamondre Stevenson. Head coach Bill Belichick, who reunited with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien this offseason, may be leading the charge, sensing “the urgency to improve that offense.”

Though they haven’t garnered as much attention in the Cook sweepstakes, the AFC East’s Bills could also be in the mix. Buffalo shuffled its RB room this offseason after losing starter Devin Singletary in free agency, and Cook’s younger brother, James, is currently poised to take over the lead role. Joining the Bills might lessen his brother’s responsibilities, but James has already hinted he’d embrace the opportunity to play alongside his sibling.   

THIS AND THAT

BROADCAST NEWS

RB Mark Ingram has retired to take a FOX college football offer:

Veteran NFL running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II is joining Fox Sports on its “Big Noon Kickoff” show beginning in the fall, the network announced Thursday.

“I can’t wait to feel the energy and excitement every Saturday, alongside some of the most talented and entertaining names in our sport, at the biggest games in college football,” he said in a statement.

Ingram, 33, played the past two seasons for the New Orleans Saints, his second stint with the franchise that selected him in the first round (28th overall) of the 2011 draft. He appeared in 10 games (three starts) and rushed for 233 yards and a touchdown.

He is the Saints’ all-time leading rusher with 6,500 yards and is also the franchise leader in rushing touchdowns with 52.

2024 DRAFT

Dane Brugler of The Athletic has spent his summer studying the QBs expected to be in the 2024 draft and here he shares his thoughts:

“Next year’s quarterback class will be better.”

I’m tired of saying it — and I know you’re tired of hearing it.

It was true two years ago when looking at the lowly 2022 quarterback draft class. And even with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud leading the 2023 class, it was true last year when 2024 prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye separated themselves as two of the most exciting players in the sport.

The good news is I don’t think we’ll need that line of thinking for the upcoming draft cycle, especially because the Williams-Maye debate at No. 1 might get bloody. For me, those prospects are more 1a and 1b than either sitting as the clear top choice. Both are (currently) worthy of the No. 1 pick next April. Based on scheme and what each NFL team prioritizes at the position, I expect front offices to be split on them as well.

After Williams and Maye, there is a clear drop-off at the position, although the second tier of this high-profile QB class contains a good mix of talented up and comers and experienced passers.

An early look at the prospects to know …

(Note: Asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file — a “v” represents a verified measurement; all others are estimates.)

1. *Caleb Williams, USC (6-1, 215, 4.70)

What he does best: Poised playmaking

Lincoln Riley’s diverse scheme makes the USC offense tough to defend, but Williams’ poised playmaking is what makes it one of the best attacks in the country. For many of the same reasons why Young went No. 1 in April, Williams is the early favorite to be the top pick in 2024. The rising junior quarterback has rare awareness and vision to negotiate the pocket or deliver strikes off-platform, while always maintaining a strong throwing base. Williams might not have ideal height, but he has a bigger frame than Young and a more powerful arm.

On the six 2022 game tapes of Williams that I studied, I flagged numerous plays that had me laughing out loud because of their pure absurdity. Williams had flashier moments last season, but

Must improve: Progression timing

Williams has the scrambling ability that drives defensive coordinators mad. However, he can be guilty of relying too much on his legs at times and not enough on the efficiency of his progression reads. Some of that is by design — Riley’s scheme requires the quarterback to wait for the initial read to come open. But some of the controlled chaos is self-induced, because Williams’ timing tends to be inconsistent from read to read, which invites pressure in the pocket (just two FBS quarterbacks saw more defensive pressures than Williams in 2022).

Though his creativity gets Williams out of trouble time and time again, NFL evaluators will be looking for continued maturation in his field/coverage efficiency, which also would mean fewer hits on his body.

2023 season/2024 NFL Draft outlook

As a sophomore, Williams deservedly took home the Heisman Trophy after setting school marks for passing yards (4,537) and total touchdowns (52). USC ranked top three nationally in total offense and passing offense, and the Trojans would have been a shoo-in for a playoff spot last season if they’d had any type of defense — USC averaged 37.0 points per game in its three losses.

For the upcoming season, Williams loses a first-round wide receiver (Jordan Addison), but the Trojans’ depth chart at that position remains deep and the offense as a whole should be potent again.

Williams is a special player whose natural instincts can make the difficult appear easy. He has the arm strength and accuracy to deliver from the pocket but doesn’t sacrifice velocity or placement when throwing off-platform or changing arm angles. Although he doesn’t have prototypical size, Williams’ toughness and play strength make him a dangerous dual threat — his 36 missed tackles forced last season were only three behind Anthony Richardson. The intangibles part of his scouting report is still a work in progress, but Williams’ combination of football awareness and on-field talent makes him the projected No. 1 pick at this point in the process.

2. *Drake Maye, North Carolina (6-4, 225, 4.65

What he does best: High-level passing traits

Maye is incredibly impressive as a passer, both physically and mentally. He is well-built with a strong arm to fire the ball into tight windows. And he consistently stays poised and in rhythm, especially from the pocket, which allows him to change his ball speeds and throw with accuracy. I was pleasantly surprised by Maye’s efficient vision (both horizontally and vertically) and coverage reads (both pre- and post-snap). Despite having only one season as a college football starter, Maye has an advanced ability to process and execute.

Must improve: Lower-body mechanics

When Maye’s throws are off-target, his unbalanced footwork is usually to blame. He moves with quiet feet in the pocket and has the athletic movements to work outside of structure and make strong throws on the move. However, he tends to rely more on his upper half than on resetting his base and using his feet/hips to square and drive his throws. Nonetheless, his accuracy is more of a strength than weakness and should continue to improve as he pays more attention to his footwork.

2023 season/2024 NFL Draft outlook

In his first season as a starter, Maye impressed with a 66.2 percent completion rate, 4,321 passing yards and a 38-to-7 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio last year. (He also had seven rushing touchdowns.) The North Carolina offense will look different in 2023 as Maye loses his top two receivers, most notably Josh Downs and his 116 targets. The other major change for Maye in 2023 is that he’ll have a new play-caller after former OC Phil Longo left Chapel Hill for the same position at Wisconsin. While Longo has a history of productive offenses, NFL scouts are eager to see Maye in a more refined, balanced scheme.

Evaluators don’t need to squint to see the parallels between Maye and Los Angeles Chargers star Justin Herbert as NFL prospects. Both have similar play styles and physical profiles with their size, arm and athletic body control. Scouts may even have some of the same concerns with Maye that they did with Herbert coming out of college, like bouncy feet and overconfident throws — although (as with Herbert) Maye’s mental make-up and package of traits are worthy of a very high draft pick.

For me, the gap is razor-thin between Williams and Maye in terms of who should be ranked as QB1 and stand as the favorite to be No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

3. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (6-3, 209, 4.55)

What he does best: Intriguing toolbox

McCarthy is far from a polished product, but his tools have scouts excited for his future. A fleet-of-foot athlete, he uses his quick acceleration to outpace pursuit when on the move. His arm strength is above-average and allows him to rip throws down the seam or into the void up the sideline. McCarthy is a tad lean, but the frame is there for him to continue filling out and adding functional bulk. Aside from the physical traits, his coaches also rave about his smarts and competitiveness — two non-negotiable qualities for the next level.

Must improve: Precise ball placement

McCarthy has the arm to make every throw on the football field, and though he is generally accurate with his passes, his placement is not consistently precise. He misses too many layup attempts underneath that force his targets to work for the grab and restrict them from running after the catch. Down the field, McCarthy needs to continue developing his touch to make it easier for his receivers — and tougher for defensive backs to obstruct the catch window.

By college football standards, McCarthy is an accurate quarterback. To be a first-round pick, though, he must show improvement in this area.

2023 season/2024 NFL Draft outlook

Ranked as a top-five quarterback recruit out of high school, McCarthy overtook Cade McNamara last season as a sophomore to become the Wolverines’ starter. Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards and the Michigan run game paced the offense, but McCarthy made plays when needed and helped his team reach the College Football Playoff. Several of his miscues in the playoff game (including a pair of pick sixes) contributed to the Wolverines’ loss to TCU, but McCarthy’s body of work as a first-year starter stood out to NFL scouts.

With his physical profile and intangibles, McCarthy — who won’t turn 21 until January — checks a lot of boxes needed to play the position at a high level. Corum and Edwards return for the 2023 season, and the run-first mentality still will be apparent in Ann Arbor, but Jim Harbaugh knows he has a revving Ferrari at quarterback. Michigan might not have many contests this season in which it needs to rely on McCarthy’s arm to win, but that doesn’t mean the Wolverines should hesitate to turn him loose.

There is no question McCarthy has the talent. Time will tell whether he translates his tools into more consistent production in 2023, but he could be one of the first three quarterbacks drafted if that happens.

4. Riley Leonard, Duke (6-3 5/8v, 211v, 4.52)

What he does best: Delivers a catchable ball

Given Leonard’s size, mobility and field vision, there are numerous reasons to feel optimistic about his projection to the NFL. For me, Leonard’s ability to throw accurate balls with placement and touch, especially downfield, is what stands out most. Leonard benefits from a scheme that helps create voids in the defense, but the junior quarterback does an outstanding job reading coverage, buying time and then accurately putting the ball on the right receiver.

Must improve: Youthful mistakes

As with most young quarterbacks, Leonard is still guilty of correctable mistakes like leading his receivers into contact or not manipulating defenders with his eyes. There are examples on tape of him making anticipatory throws, but other times he waits for the receiver to come open and is late pulling the trigger. Leonard doesn’t have an elite arm in terms of velocity, which makes his timing even more paramount. But with his field reading and confidence, I expect him to become more consistent in this area as he adds experience.

2023 season/2024 NFL Draft outlook

Duke managed just three wins in 2021 (zero in ACC play) and similar results were expected last season in Year 1 of the Mike Elko era. However, Leonard won the starting job as a sophomore and quickly established himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the conference, leading the Blue Devils to a nine-win season. He averaged 282.0 yards of total offense (third best in the ACC) and combined for 33 touchdowns (20 passing, 13 rushing).

Leonard might not have the same name recognition as the other quarterbacks on this list, but the tape says he belongs. I first noticed him when studying ACC defensive prospects last year, and I was even more impressed after studying the quarterback’s own film this summer. Though he might not have truly elite physical traits, he is a good-sized athlete who can be effective on the ground and has a strong-enough arm to win through the air. Most importantly, he is an accurate, efficient passer and plays with an instinctive feel for the position.

NFL scouts will be eager to see if he can build off his promising 2022 performance — and it will start in Duke’s season opener against a talented Clemson defense.

5. Quinn Ewers, Texas (6-2, 205, 4.75)

What he does best: Arm confidence

Although Ewers’ execution was erratic in his first season as a starter, his tape clearly shows that he has the arm talent and confidence to make the full inventory of throws. The ball jumps off his hand differently than it does for most quarterbacks, and he can attack every inch of the field because of his arm strength and touch.

Must improve: Staying on schedule

The above clip is a great example of what Ewers is capable of when he does stay on schedule. But too many other times, especially on deep throws, his passes sail or his placement is slightly off-target — common issues for a redshirt freshman. The key for Ewers moving forward will be getting his footwork, low release point and eyes on the same page, which should improve his overall decision-making.

2023 season/2024 NFL Draft outlook

Between his perfect five-star high school rating and more than $1 million in NIL endorsements, Ewers entered college football with extreme levels of hype. After a year on the bench at Ohio State, he transferred to Texas, where he became the starter last season and showed just how young he is — but also displayed the raw talent that has the NFL interested.

If the draft were to happen tomorrow, I don’t think Ewers would be a first-round lock. He’s just not there yet. But the Longhorns’ QB, who recently turned 20, is on a promising trajectory and it will be interesting to see the jump he makes in 2023.

Despite losing RBs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson to the NFL, the Longhorns return their top three pass catchers (all of whom are future NFL draft picks) and one of the most promising offensive lines in the country. With an early September visit to Tuscaloosa looming (and QB Arch Manning waiting in the wings), NFL teams will be watching Ewers closely, because the potential is there for him to become a top-10 pick.

6. Bo Nix, Oregon (6-1 7/8v, 225v, 4.80)

What he does best: Accuracy between the hashes

Short, intermediate or deep, Nix does an outstanding job working the middle of the field with accuracy. He is comfortable using play fakes and then sliding/climbing in the pocket with the quick release to get the ball out before middle-field defenders can react. Nix completed 82.1 percent of his throws between the hashes in 2022, including 51.1 percent on throws of 20-plus yards (first in the FBS last season among quarterbacks with at least 40 deep attempts).

Of his 29 passing touchdowns last season, 24 came on throws in the middle of the field — including all five of 20-plus yards. Nix is an outstanding post-route thrower, especially off play-action.

Must improve: Eliminating YOLO plays

To be clear, Nix made major strides last season at Oregon compared to his years in the SEC. His ability to decipher and distribute the ball in a timely manner is much improved, but he is still guilty of more “YOLO” plays than you want to see. Though I love his urgency and command, some of his improper decisions stem from a tendency to breeze through progressions instead of patiently allowing routes to develop.

2023 season/2024 NFL Draft outlook

The narrative surrounding Nix as an NFL prospect is drastically different now than it was last summer. He arrived at Auburn as a highly recruited legacy quarterback, but his production over three seasons on The Plains was wildly inconsistent. Nix transferred to Oregon before the 2022 season and reinvented himself under offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham. He finished last season with career bests in passing yards (3,593), passing touchdowns (29) and total touchdowns (43).

Despite Dillingham leaving to become the head coach at Arizona State, Nix returns to Eugene in 2023 to build off last season and cement himself as a projected NFL starter. A natural thrower, he is accurate from different platforms and has no trouble driving the football. Nix is a terrific athlete for the position and consistently creates second-reaction plays by eluding pressure in small spaces and throwing on the move. Even if his production takes a minor dip from last season, Nix can put himself in the top-50 draft discussion with another strong season.

Preseason top 20 senior QBs

(Note: Heights and weights are verified for senior QBs listed below and estimates for underclassmen, unless otherwise noted.)

1. Nix

2. Jordan Travis, Florida State (6-0 7/8, 202)

3. Michael Penix Jr., Washington (6-2 1/2, 221)

4. Jayden Daniels, LSU (6-3 3/8, 205)

5. Joe Milton III, Tennessee (6-5, 236)

6. Austin Reed, Western Kentucky (6-1 1/4, 222)

7. Michael Pratt, Tulane (6-2 1/2, 219)

8. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina (6-0 1/8, 216)

9. Devin Leary, Kentucky (6-1, 217)

10. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas (6-3 1/8, 252)

11. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame (6-1, 210)

12. Kedon Slovis, BYU (6-2 3/8, 217)

13. Gavin Hardison, UTEP (6-1 1/2, 214)

14. Cameron Ward, Washington State (6-1 3/8, 216)

15. Cameron Rising, Utah (6-1 1/2, 216)

16. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (6-2 1/8, 207)

17. Carter Bradley, South Alabama (6-3, 217)

18. Collin Schlee, UCLA (6-3 1/2, 217)

19. Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh (6-5 1/8, 219)

20. Will Rogers, Mississippi State (6-1 1/2, 208)

21. DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State (6-4 1/4, 240)

22. Kurtis Rourke, Ohio (6-4 1/4, 230)

23. Will Howard, Kansas State (6-4, 244)

24. Brennan Armstrong, NC State (6-1, 210)

25. Jalon Daniels, Kansas (5-11 3/4, 211)

Preseason top 10 draft-eligible underclassman QBs

1. Williams

2. Maye

3. McCarthy

4. Leonard

5. Ewers

6. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (6-2, 215)

7. Carson Beck, Georgia (6-4, 215)

8. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (Fla.) (6-3 1/2v, 224v)

9. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (6-2, 220)

10. Kyle McCord, Ohio State (6-3, 215)