The Daily Briefing Thursday, August 25, 2022

AROUND THE NFL

Don Coryell has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

He spent 14 seasons as an NFL head coach with the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Cardinals and owned an overall record of 114-89-1. His San Diego teams were known for their “Air Coryell” offense that led the league in total offense five times and passing yards seven times during his nine seasons as the franchise’s head coach.

Coryell was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1974. He died in 2010 at 85 years old.

The Hall of Fame’s coach/contributor committee selected Coryell from the group of 12 coach/contributor candidates, and the full 49-person selection committee will consider Coryell for election when it meets in January to vote on the 15 modern-era players and three seniors committee candidates under consideration for the Class of 2023.

Coryell, who was previously a finalist in 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2010, needs at least 80 percent approval in the up-or-down balloting next year to be selected to the Hall of Fame.

DALLAS

The first report was that Dallas T TYRON SMITH has a torn hamstring.  Now, it’s an “avulsion fracture” of his knee.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The news isn’t getting any better about Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith.

Wednesday brought word that Smith tore his left hamstring during practice and will miss months while he recovers. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports on Thursday that Smith actually suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee.

An avulsion fracture occurs when a tendon or ligament tears a piece of bone away from the main piece. Jets tackle Mekhi Becton suffered one earlier this month and has been placed on season-ending injured reserve.

The Cowboys have not made any move like that with Smith at this point, but Rapoport reports that he won’t be able to return until December if he is able to return at all. The Cowboys could keep the door open by waiting until after the cut to 53 players to put Smith on injured reserve, but any move before that would eliminate the chance of playing again this year.

Todd Archer and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com report on the new state of the line.

The loss of Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowler and protector of Dak Prescott’s blind side, creates a gaping hole on an offensive line that was already dealing with questions before the Sept. 11 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dallas drafted Tyler Smith in the first round to be the left tackle of the future and has used him exclusively at left guard during training camp and the first two preseason games. Smith is also dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out of the past two practices.

The Cowboys have played Josh Ball, who was selected in the fourth round last year but did not play as a rookie because of an ankle injury, at left tackle with the first team when Smith has taken breaks. They also drafted Matt Waletzko in the fifth round this year, but he only returned to practice this week after dealing with a shoulder injury for most of training camp.

Coach Mike McCarthy has singled out Aviante Collins’ play during camp, but Collins has not played in a game since 2019. He spent most of last season on the Cowboys’ practice squad.

The Cowboys could look for veteran help either in free agency or the trade market to replace Smith. Eric Fisher, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2013, is unsigned after starting 15 games last season for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Cowboys have more than $20 million in salary-cap space, according to NFL Players Association figures, but a good portion of that is scheduled to be directed to the practice squad and in-season call-ups.

Dallas is already breaking in a new right tackle with Terence Steele replacing La’el Collins, who was cut in the offseason. Tyler Smith and McGovern have been in a competition to be the left guard, and McCarthy said McGovern would be the starter if the season started today.

Tyler Smith took snaps during organized team activities and minicamp at left tackle. He started 12 games at left tackle last season at Tulsa and nine in his redshirt freshman season in 2020. The Cowboys like his strength and makeup but wanted him to focus on one position during training camp.

Necessity could change things with less than three weeks before the Buccaneers opener.

As for Tyron Smith, this continues a string of injuries in recent years. He has not played a full season since 2015 as he has dealt with knee, ankle, neck and elbow injuries. He missed 14 games in 2020 because of neck surgery. He missed six games last season due to an ankle injury and a stint on the COVID list.

Smith, who is the longest-tenured Cowboy, turns 32 in December. He is signed through 2023.

– – –

The Cowboys have figured out what they are going to do with WR MICHAEL GALLUP.  Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News:

Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup won’t start the 2022 regular season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gallup has been making progress in his rehabilitation after tearing his left ACL and MCL on Jan. 2. He ran routes and caught passes from Dak Prescott and Will Grier in the Cowboys’ second joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 18.

By being on the 53-man roster, the receiver will be eligible to play at some point during the regular season’s first four games. The Cowboys are scheduled to take on Tampa Bay on Sept. 11, Cincinnati on Sept. 18, the New York Giants on Sept. 26 and Washington on Oct. 2.

Despite the steady progress after his offseason surgery, Gallup acknowledged earlier in training camp that he wouldn’t be ready to play in Week 1. The deadline for teams to cut their rosters down to 53 players in Aug. 30.

NEW YORK GIANTS

A torn Achilles in Giants camp.  Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com:

The New York Giants lost wide receiver Collin Johnson for the season Wednesday on the same day that veteran Sterling Shepard returned to the practice field.

Johnson tore his Achilles tendon during Wednesday’s practice, per the team. The big receiver (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) out of the University of Texas had been receiving first-team reps in recent weeks at practice with Kadarius Toney and Shepard among those on the sideline.

Coach Brian Daboll had noted earlier in the week that Johnson and fellow wide receiver David Sills were making a strong impression. Johnson started Sunday’s preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals and had three receptions for 41 yards; Sills had five catches for 56 yards, with most of the damage coming with the first-string offense.

“Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their game up,” Daboll said. “And they’re right in the mix, not just to make a team but to play.”

The Giants’ opener is in 18 days in Tennessee. Toney (right leg), C.J. Board (ribs) and Darius Slayton are also dealing with minor injuries.

Shepard, meanwhile, was making his way back from a torn Achilles suffered last December. He returned to practice for the first time Wednesday since the injury.

“It felt great, man,” said Shepard, who snuck in some reps during live drills and even caught a 20-yard pass from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. “Just being back on the field, it’s a blessing. Especially when you go through an injury like that and you’ve been on the sidelines for so long watching those guys get after it. You have to take every day and cherish them because you never know when you’re going to have to sit out that long.”

It had been eight months and five days since Shepard tore his Achilles.

SEATTLE

QB GENO SMITH will make his third straight preseason start this week, but he is not yet the confirmed Kickoff Weekend starter against Denver.  John Boyle of Seahawks.com:

The Seahawks quarterback competition remains undecided, but Pete Carroll did announce on Wednesday that Geno Smith will start Friday night’s preseason finale against the Cowboys.

In an interview on Seattle Sports 710AM, Carroll clarified the plan for the two quarterbacks competing for the starting spot, saying Smith will start, but Drew Lock, who missed last week’s preseason game due to COVID-19, will get the bulk of the playing time.

“(Smith) is going to start this game,” Carroll said on the Mike Salk Show. “He’s going to go in there first, he’s going to play a little bit, then Drew is going to get to play most of the game for us—just give him a lot of playtime and leave him out there, let him play football, because of what we missed last week.”

Heading into last week, the plan was for Lock to start Seattle’s second preseason game after Smith had started the opener, but a positive COVID test for Lock derailed those plans. Now the Seahawks will try to get a long look at Lock to see if he can move past Smith on the depth chart before the regular-season opener on September 12.

“We’re going to keep evaluating and keep watching and make the right decision for us,” Carroll said. “We need as much information as possible, so that’s what I’m going to try to create.”

Asked if Smith starting the final preseason game was a sign he is in line to start against the Broncos in Week 1, Carroll said it was only the next step in the evaluation process of a still-undecided battle.

“This is the next step,” he said. “Remember, it was going to be different going into this game by what we learned last week, so we didn’t get that information. So I just need to gain information, I need to give Drew every chance to show who he is and what he’s all about.

“Geno has not done anything to take a step backwards. He has been on it throughout. He has done a great job, so we’re really excited that he has been able to be that for us. But the other side of it is that Drew is a very exciting football player too, and he’s what keeps this thing alive. It’s fun watching him practice and we’ll see what he does.”

LAS VEGAS

The NFL now contends that Jon Gruden didn’t disparage NFL figures occasionally in his private emails, he did it a lot.  And that somehow makes his being persona non grata for what he says in private emails unearthed through an unrelated law suit even more justified.  David Charns of KLAS-TV:

Lawyers for the National Football League claim former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden “consistently” sent “derogatory emails” while he led the team, court filings the 8 News Now I-Team reviewed Monday indicate.

Gruden filed the lawsuit against the NFL and its commissioner, Roger Goodell, in November 2021, over what he called his “forced” resignation the month before. Recent court filings debate whether the issue should be settled in court or through arbitration.

Gruden resigned from the Raiders on Oct. 11, 2021, after emails surfaced showing he used racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments. A New York Times investigation revealed Gruden had not only used racist comments in an email in 2011, but had regularly used derogatory language in emails during his employment with ESPN.

The report specifically noted that for several years, Gruden “casually and frequently unleashed misogynist and homophobic language… to denigrate people around the game and to mock some of the league’s momentous changes.”

Lawyers for the NFL and Goodell write in court documents filed last week that Gruden was a league employee during the time when some emails were reportedly sent, indicating their push to settle the lawsuit through arbitration.

“In several places, Gruden’s proposed order states that the emails were ‘sent between 2011 and 2018, during which time Gruden was not working as a coach in the NFL but as an employee of ESPN,” lawyers for the NFL and Goodell said in a filing last week.

“Gruden’s claim (and purported finding of fact) on the timing of his emails is, in reality, very much disputed by the NFL parties and in fact false,” lawyers for the NFL write. “Discovery — necessary to make any finding of fact on this issue — will show that Gruden continued to send the same kinds of derogatory emails consistently following his start date with the Raiders.”

 “The NFL did not make these unsubstantiated arguments in the motions they already lost and will not be able to make them if they appeal,” Gruden’s attorney, Adam Hosmer-Henner, said in a statement Monday. “In fact, their own attorney conceded during the hearing that the emails were sent before Jon Gruden signed with the Raiders. The NFL has tried to avoid discovery from the start, not Jon Gruden. This is just another attempt by the NFL and Commissioner Goodell to save face by attacking Jon Gruden while still not owning up the truth of their actions. Jon isn’t going to try to hide from his deposition, is the commissioner?”

Gruden’s comments came under fire last fall after the first email was made public and revealed Gruden wrote emails complaining about then-head of the NFL’s Players Association, DeMaurice Smith, who is Black, to Bruce Allen, then with the Washington Football Team, that “Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of Michelin tires.”

“The complaint alleges that the defendants selectively leaked Gruden’s private correspondence to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times in order to harm Gruden’s reputation and force him out of his job,” Hosmer-Henner said in a statement to the I-Team last year. “There is no explanation or justification for why Gruden’s emails were the only ones made public out of the 650,000 emails collected in the NFL’s investigation of the Washington Football Team or for why the emails were held for months before being released in the middle of the Raiders’ season.”

Recent court filings indicate the NFL completed its investigation into alleged harassment in the Washington organization in July 2021.

Gruden and the NFL agreed to a confidential settlement when he resigned, court documents indicate.

Former Raiders head coach Gruden sues NFL, Goodell over ‘forced resignation’

Gruden signed a $100 million contract with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018. According to the lawsuit, he is not being paid the remaining balance on the contract, which runs through 2027. His lawyers also write Gruden is losing out on endorsement deals, including one with footwear company Skechers.

Legal analysis from Mike Florio:

In other words, it’s too late for the NFL to support the argument that the case should be sent to arbitration by pointing out that Gruden sent “derogatory” emails after returning to coach the Raiders. It’s possible that the NFL didn’t find the emails until after the court issued a verbal ruling in May that the case should not be sent to arbitration. It’s also possible, if not likely, that the league hopes to utilize this specific process to further smear Gruden in a semi-legitimate way.

Gruden lawsuit arises from the fact that someone leaked the emails he sent to Allen when Gruden was working for ESPN. If someone were to leak emails Gruden sent while working for the Raiders, a new lawsuit would be filed. (Or, at a minimum, the current lawsuit would be expanded.)

But this is part of the defense-lawyer playbook in civil cases. Even though Gruden’s ouster had nothing to do with any emails he sent while working for the Raiders, the scorched-earth effort to win the case (and to make him regret even bringing it) includes looking for anything that can be used to make him look bad. And if it can be shown that Gruden sent similarly problematic emails while working for the Raiders, that definitely would make him look bad.

If the case ends up in arbitration, chances are those emails will never see the light of day. If the case remains in court, those emails likely will become a cornerstone of the league’s defense, under the clunky title of “after-acquired evidence.”

The argument goes like this: After the plaintiff sued us, we started looking for any and all dirt that we could find. And here it is, our after-acquired evidence. More commonly known as “f–k around and find out.”

INDIANAPOLIS

CB STEPHON GILBERT is now a Colt. Zak Keefer of The Athletic with a profile – some of which is below:

Gilmore says it’s been three years since he was fully healthy. He finished that season, 2019, as the league’s runaway defensive player of the year, becoming just the second cornerback to win the award over the last quarter-century. But elite corners don’t stay elite corners for long. Gilmore got hurt. He was traded. He’s on his third team in three years, waging two battles at once: He believes he can still be the best in the game at a position where longevity is increasingly scarce.

No cornerback above the age of 30 has earned a first-team All-Pro nod in six years. Gilmore, at 31, seeks to be the outlier. The Colts might need him to be.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, so I know what it takes to get back to that,” he says. “I think I can. There aren’t many guys out there who can do what I do.”

His visit to Indianapolis in the spring took him back to college, back to all those recruiting visits he made as a teenager. Three weeks into free agency and Gilmore still hadn’t made up his mind. Teams were calling, asking him to come for a visit; he was staying patient. He wanted to do what he hadn’t the first time he hit the open market — sit, wait, then find the best fit.

The Colts reached out, so Gilmore hit up an old teammate.

“What’s this team about?” he asked Kenny Moore II, who overlapped with Gilmore for a short stint in New England. “What’s it like there?”

Moore spelled it out. Gilmore was intrigued.

“Never been to Indy besides the combine (back in 2012) and the games I’ve played here, so I didn’t know a thing,” he says. “But I’ll be honest: This city is cooler than most people think.”

He agreed to a visit. The Colts flew him in. Over lunch at Rick’s Café Boatyard, defensive backs coaches Ron Milus and Mike Mitchell made their pitch.

Gilmore admits to having reservations, and he let them be known that afternoon. He’d spent the bulk of his 10-year career in heavy man-to-man schemes, often isolated against the opponent’s most lethal receiver. It’s what he built his name on, excelling at one of the most brutal positions in today’s game. He could shadow an elite wideout all over the field, all game long, often without help.

The Colts, meanwhile, were revamping their defense under new coordinator Gus Bradley and his three-deep zone scheme.

Milus’ response? It’s a blend of both.

“We’ve got a lot more man baked into this scheme than you think,” Milus told him. “But you’re also not going to be running and chasing a guy 65 plays a game.”

Milus pointed to Richard Sherman, who lined up for Bradley back in Seattle and grew into one of the best corners in the game. There was also this: Against the 3-by-1 sets that so many offenses prefer running in today’s pass-happy NFL — three pass catchers on one side, one isolated on the other — Gilmore would essentially be on an island, told to shadow the opponent’s No. 1 weapon.

In other words, what he’s done for most of the last 10 years.

“It’s a zone, but it’s not a true zone,” Gilmore says with a smile.

JACKSONVILLE

The Jaguars may have RB JAMES ROBINSON back from an Achilles tear for their opener at Washington.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson is on pace to return for Week 1 against the Washington Commanders after suffering an Achilles tear late last season.

“I’m so close. And I know I can do more and they know I can do more, but we’re just [gonna] keep taking it slow like I said before,” Robinson told John Shipley of Jaguar Report earlier this week. “I’m just itching to get out there. I mean, seeing everybody running around and knowing I’m there but not yet. I mean, I’m not allowed to right now, but it is just itching at me a little bit.”

Earlier this offseason, Robinson said he wouldn’t rush back from the Achilles injury. But as we get closer to the regular season, everything sounds like it will line up for the starting running back to be ready to ride.

“It has always been [my goal] since I got hurt. I mean, the timeline matched up so that was my goal to come back Week 1,” Robinson said. “I feel pretty good. I mean, obviously, we’re still taking stuff slow, got a little bit until the first game. So yeah, just doing what I can and doing what they’re letting me do, but I feel pretty good right now.”

Robinson is in a non-contact jersey in practice, but coach Doug Pederson noted this week the team wants to ramp up his reps as the season approaches.

Getting the starting back on the field for Week 1 would be a big boon for the Jags. The tandem of Robinson and Travis Etienne — coming off a season-long injury — provide Jacksonville complementary backs who can take pressure off Trevor Lawrence and the passing game.

Even if Robinson doesn’t get a full workload in Week 1, that he’s on track to play is an excellent sign for Jacksonville as they try to dig out of the mess that was 2021.

MIAMI

An epidemic of an illness, not COVID, causes the Dolphins to cancel their joint practice with the Eagles.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Dolphins released a statement cancelling Thursday’s joint practice with the Eagles out what they called “an abundance of caution” regarding a non-COVID illness.

A report from Mike Garafolo of NFL Media offers more details about the nature of that illness. Garafolo reports that a stomach bug has been making its way through the Dolphins and that a number of players were sick and vomiting overnight.

The Dolphins will be meeting virtually in hopes that keeping everyone distanced will keep the illness from spreading any further. The Eagles will practice on their own.

A game is scheduled between the two teams on Saturday and the plan is for that game to proceed as scheduled, although further spread of the stomach issues could lead to a reconsideration.

NEW ENGLAND

From his new home in Vegas, former Patriots OC Josh McDaniels endorses Patriots QB MAC JONES.

The Patriots have been in Southern Nevada this week to practice with the Raiders before the two teams play their preseason finale on Friday.

So it was inevitable that new Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels would be asked about his former pupil in New England quarterback Mac Jones.

McDaniels didn’t hold back in his praise of the young quarterback, who finished second in AP offensive rookie of the year voting in 2021.

“Love that kid. I really do,” McDaniels said on Wednesday, via Dakota Randall of NESN.com. “And spent a lot of time with him, obviously, last year. Great human being, got a bright future.

“Really competitive guy that wants to do it right — everything, wants to do everything right. Those are always things that are difficult, you know, when [coaches] leave and you go somewhere else, and there’s gonna be people that you miss maybe more than others, but you’re gonna miss them all.”

Jones and the New England offense reportedly struggled for much of the first joint practice between the two teams on Tuesday. McDaniels credited the QB for fighting through it to manage a solid finish to the session with a positive two-minute drill.

“Saw him yesterday, battling, and that’s basically what happens at this time of the year,” McDaniels said. “I thought he made some really good plays and there’s some other situations where we’re trying to make it as hard as we can on him.

“And they obviously got the better of us there at the end. Finishing practice was a huge point of emphasis for us, and we obviously didn’t finish it as well as they did on either side of the ball. But I think the world of the kid, I really do.”

Jones threw for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with McDaniels calling his plays last year.

THIS AND THAT

TRADE BAIT

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com has 12 players he thinks could soon be on the move (two former early Buccaneers draft picks make the list):

The 2022 NFL season is upon us. With just one week of preseason remaining, teams are nearing one of the busiest days on the annual calendar. All 32 clubs are required to cut their rosters to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 30, just over a week before the first game of the regular season. Before then, however, a number of teams will attempt to get last-minute returns on notable players, shopping potential cuts around the league.

Here are a dozen names to keep an eye on as possible trade targets ahead of cutdown day:

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo

He’s essentially been available for two years, so barring a major quarterback injury in practice or a preseason finale, the veteran is poised to be outright released, saving San Francisco $25.5 million. Odds are the proven but fragile signal-caller will still start games in 2022; it’s just a matter of where, and how soon.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt

The former Chiefs standout, a top-end complement to Nick Chubb, has reportedly requested a trade while seeking a raise. Due $6.25 million on the last year of his deal, he’d merely be a rental to anyone unwilling to immediately extend him, but his all-purpose abilities, including as a pass catcher, remain Pro Bowl-caliber.

Chiefs RB Ronald Jones

Two years removed from nearly a 1,000-yard season for the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, the former first-rounder is a forgotten man in Kansas City’s committee, and his paltry preseason work suggests he may well be cut. He’s been dinged for fumbling and mental miscues, but he remains a solid straightforward ball-carrier.

Browns RB D’Ernest Johnson

If Cleveland keeps the Chubb-Hunt duo intact, it could look to save a little cash by auctioning Johnson instead, especially after the former undrafted backup churned out 500 yards as an injury replacement in 2021. The team also has Demetric Felton Jr., who’s been getting lots of work as a pass catcher, on the roster.

Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne

He’s got a big fan in Mac Jones, he’s coming off an underrated 800-yard season, and he’s a cost-conscious option signed through 2023. But Bill Belichick held him out of both practice and preseason lately due to disciplinary issues, and New England’s receiver room is suddenly full with DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor locked into jobs.

Giants WR Darius Slayton

There are few, if any, players on the Giants’ transitioning roster who new general manager Joe Schoen wouldn’t be willing to deal, and Slayton, despite two straight 700-yard seasons to start his big-play career, has plummeted down the depth chart behind younger options like Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson. As a WR3/4 flyer, he might draw some looks.

Eagles WR Jalen Reagor

Most years, GM Howie Roseman might wait another season to see if such a big investment might still pan out. Reagor, after all, is just 23 after going 21st overall in 2020. But neither his top-end speed nor his hands have shown up on Sundays. A change of scenery feels more doable with A.J. Brown and Zach Pascal joining DeVonta Smith out wide.

Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

The former second-rounder feels like the kind of rugged chess piece who might appeal to new coach Doug Pederson, but not when the receiver room has been completely remade for Trevor Lawrence, with Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Marvin Jones all locked into top spots. Besides, Travis Etienne is on track to be the Swiss Army Knife.

Lions WR Quintez Cephus

Detroit’s receiving corps is quite underrated, with D.J. Chark and Jameson Williams joining Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds out wide. That leaves Cephus, just 24 and coming off an injury-shortened year, on the brink. It’s possible another team could have more use for his long-term upside as a reserve.

Bills TE O.J. Howard

The big man seemed like a natural fit for the Bills’ tough, high-octane offense when he signed a one-year deal in free agency, but the former Buccaneers first-rounder has been curiously uninvolved and/or unspectacular during the preseason. Buffalo could try to sell Howard’s upside in exchange for a late-round pick.

Bears LB Roquan Smith

The heart of Chicago’s defense, he requested a trade during camp but failed to get the team’s permission to seek suitors. It appears the All-Pro wrecking ball is set to suit up anyway, in hopes of getting a bigger contract in 2023 free agency. But if an interested party comes calling with a premium offer, the Bears would surely listen.

Ravens S Chuck Clark

The six-year veteran has finished the summer strong, staving off hype for rookie Kyle Hamilton to take over at safety. But Hamilton’s time will come, and with ex-Saints standout Marcus Williams also onboard for big money, Baltimore could look to capitalize on Clark’s value as an all-around defender before his second-to-last season under contract.

PROJECTING THE ROOKIES

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com assesses the 2023 projected contributions of some rookies:

PROJECTIONS: OFFENSIVE ROOKIES

Drake London

WR Atlanta Falcons

Drafted: Round 1, No. 8 overall

Best-case scenario: London was a high-volume pass-catcher at USC and he quickly picks up where he left off. He shows the ability to play outside and in the slot while teaming with Kyle Pitts to give the Falcons two mismatch players to build around.

Worst-case scenario: He starts off slow after missing time during training camp due to a knee injury and the offense fails to generate a lot of scoring opportunities. I still believe he will catch a lot of balls even if the red zone targets are limited.

Projected stats: 80 catches, 950 yards, 6 TDs.

Garrett Wilson

WR New York Jets

Drafted: Round 1, No. 10 overall

Best-case scenario: The Jets’ offense makes a major leap in 2022. Wilson receives more targets than teammate Corey Davis, and Elijah Moore’s presence creates a lot of friendly matchups on the opposite side of the field.

Worst-case scenario: Second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, currently recovering from knee surgery, fails to improve his accuracy and that causes the entire offense to sputter. I still believe the rookie will produce some “wow” catches, as he’s done throughout training camp.

Projected stats: 55 catches, 725 yards, 4 TDs.

Chris Olave

WR New Orleans Saints

Drafted: Round 1, No. 11 overall

Best-case scenario: Olave carries the positive momentum he’s generated during training camp to the regular season. Quarterback Jameis Winston stays aggressive and Olave emerges as the primary deep threat in the Saints’ offense.

Worst-case scenario: I don’t see much downside or risk here, outside of the possibility Olave suffers an unfortunate injury. Michael Thomas could re-emerge as a target hoarder if he can stay healthy, but I still believe there will be plenty of passes headed Olave’s way.

Projected stats: 70 catches, 900 yards, 7 TDs.

Jameson Williams

WR  Detroit Lions

Drafted: Round 1, No. 12 overall

Best-case scenario: Williams takes his time to return to full health after suffering an ACL tear in the national title game last January. That is the most important aspect of his rookie campaign. Upon his return to the field, he quickly provides a much-needed vertical element to the Lions’ passing attack. He flashes enough to get the organization enthused about his abilities heading into 2023. 

Worst-case scenario: It takes him a while to regain confidence in his knee and the offense remains too horizontal to feature his strengths once he’s back on the field. I still believe he’ll make an impact with his impressive run-after-catch tools.

Projected stats: 35 catches, 550 yards, 3 TDs.

Jahan Dotson

WR  Washington Commanders

Drafted: Round 1, No. 16 overall

Best-case scenario: Dotson displays exactly what evaluators loved during his collegiate career: exceptional hands and explosiveness. He has the upside to be the top producer in his draft class. He should see favorable matchups playing opposite Terry McLaurin.

Worst-case scenario: His lack of size (5-foot-11, 182 pounds) leads to some durability concerns. If he can stay healthy, I believe his floor is very high.

Projected stats: 75 catches, 1,000 yards, 5 TDs.

Treylon Burks

WR  Tennessee Titans

Drafted: Round 1, No. 18 overall

Best-case scenario: Burks has the frame and skill set to fill the A.J. Brown role in Tennessee’s offense. While it would be a major stretch to predict he’ll produce at a Brown-like level as a rookie, I do believe he’s capable of emerging as the Titans’ No. 1 target at some point this fall.

Worst-case scenario: Burks fails to stay in shape, which leads to inconsistent availability and production. He shows boom/bust qualities, which are equally exciting and scary.

Projected stats: 65 catches, 900 yards, 4 TDs.

Kenny Pickett

QB  Pittsburgh Steelers

Drafted: Round 1, No. 20 overall

Best-case scenario: Pickett wins the starting job early in the season and efficiently operates a balanced offense. He uses his athleticism to overcome shaky offensive line play and helps the Steelers return to the postseason.

Worst-case scenario: If Mitchell Trubisky wins the job entering the season and plays well, 2022 could end up being a redshirt year for Pickett. That wouldn’t be a terrible thing because it would mean the offense is performing, and it would provide the Steelers with another offseason to upgrade the O-line before thrusting Pickett into the mix.

Projected stats: 960 passing yards, 7 TDs and 3 INTs in four starts.

Breece Hall

RB  New York Jets

Drafted: Round 2, No. 36 overall

Best-case scenario: I believe Hall could emerge as Pro Bowl performer in his rookie season. He has all of the tools to become a top-five running back in the league. Michael Carter plays a complementary role, as Hall is the bell-cow back from the start of the season to the end.

Worst-case scenario: The schedule looks very daunting and the offense could struggle until the competition lightens up a bit in the second half of the season. However, I believe in the Jets’ run-friendly system and Hall’s immense talent. Even if the group takes its lumps, he’ll still post solid numbers.

Projected stats: 250 carries, 1,150 yards, 8 TDs; 55 catches, 500 yards, 4 TDs.

Kenneth Walker III

RB  Seattle Seahawks

Drafted: Round 2, No. 41 overall

Best-case scenario: Walker quickly recovers from a hernia procedure and emerges as the leading force at running back for the Seahawks. He shows vast improvement in the passing game (he was very limited at Michigan State) and earns third-down opportunities as the season progresses.

Worst-case scenario: The Seahawks proceed cautiously (this might be the best thing for Walker in the big picture) as he returns from injury, placing him behind others at the position. The young offensive line shows tremendous upside, but it takes a while for it to jell and support an impactful rushing attack.

Projected stats: 175 carries, 700 yards, four TDs; 20 catches, 160 yards, one TD.

George Pickens

WR  Pittsburgh Steelers

Drafted: Round 2, No. 52 overall

Best-case scenario: Pickens lives up to the hype. I’ve made some comments about folks at Georgia comparing him to former Bulldog A.J. Green. Green began his NFL career with five straight 1,000-yard seasons. I won’t be shocked if Pickens joins the 1,000-yard club as a rookie. He has that type of upside.

Worst-case scenario: There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Steelers’ offense, starting with Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson. Pickens provides some splash plays, but the lack of targets impacts his overall production.

Projected stats: 65 catches, 845 yards, 6 TDs.

Skyy Moore

WR  Kansas City Chiefs

Drafted: Round 2, No. 54 overall

Best-case scenario: Moore gobbles up a lot of the targets that Tyreek Hill left behind when he was traded to the Dolphins. He quickly gains the trust of Patrick Mahomes and is featured in the middle of the field, working out of the slot. His depth of targets might be shallow, but it allows him to show off his excellent strength and make-you-miss ability after the catch.

Worst-case scenario: The Kansas City offense has a lot of new faces this season and the ball might get spread around, impacting the numbers of everyone not named Travis Kelce. I still believe Moore has a relatively high floor because Mahomes and Andy Reid have been so incredibly successful together.

Projected stats: 55 catches, 700 yards, 5 TDs.

James Cook

RB  Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills

Drafted: Round 2, No. 63 overall

Best-case scenario: Cook establishes himself as the primary third-down back and he’s utilized both out of the backfield as well as in the slot. Josh Allen’s vertical, attacking style creates a lot of room for Cook to operate when the QB decides to check the ball down. Big first-half leads provide more second-half carries for Bills running backs as the team looks to close out games.

Worst-case scenario: The Bills end up having more faith in their veteran backs to run the ball and Cook isn’t featured in a loaded passing attack. However, I think there will be enough touches to go around for all of their studs and plenty left over for Cook to have some special moments.

Projected stats: 130 carries, 585 yards, 2 TDs; 45 catches, 405 yards, 2 TDs.