The Daily Briefing Thursday, August 4, 2022

AROUND THE NFL

GREEN BAY

QB AARON RODGERS opens up about some of his mysterious methods for achieving physical and mental health.  Madison Williams at SI.com:

Aaron Rodgers opened up about his journey to self-love and how ayahuasca, a psychoactive tea containing the hallucinogenic drug DMT, helped him reach the point he’s at now.

The tea has been used for thousands of years for traditional healing purposes in Central and South America.

The Packers quarterback joined Aubrey Marcus, the founder of supplement company Onnit, on his podcast this week to discuss what this mental health journey has been like for him.

“To me, one of the core tenets of your mental health is that self-love,” Rodgers said. “That’s what ayahuasca did for me, was help me see how to unconditionally love myself. It’s only in that unconditional self love, that then I’m able to truly be able to unconditionally love others. And what better way to work on my mental health than to have an experience like that?”

The four-time NFL MVP went on to explain that he wanted to better his self-love so that he could give “unconditional love” to his teammates. This, in turn, would help better the relationships on the team.

“The greatest gift I can give my teammates, in my opinion, is to be able to show up and to be someone who can model unconditional love to them,” Rodgers said. “I mean obviously it’s important I play well, and show up and lead and all that stuff. They won’t care about what you say until they know how much you care.”

Ever since the 38-year-old admitted he was unvaccinated for COVID-19 back in November, Rodgers has been open about using more natural remedies for illness and now for mental health purposes. Back in February, for example, the quarterback revealed that went through Panchakarma, a 12-day cleansing and healing method.

CAROLINA

David Newton of ESPN.com thinks the Panthers QB competition favors BAKER MAYFIELD:

Wide receiver Rashard Higgins held tightly to his 11-month-old son in the back of a golf cart while discussing the “open” competition between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold for the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback job.

He joked young Sevin got his name — with a tweak to the spelling — because seven follows six, the uniform number of Mayfield, his teammate and friend in Cleveland the past four seasons.

In other words, if anyone has reason to pull for Mayfield, it’s Higgins.

But when asked who he believes will start Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, the player nicknamed “Hollywood” didn’t offer clarity.

“Whoever makes that decision, it’s going to be a good one, so we’ll see,” he said with a smile.

That’s the company line.

Whether it’s Mayfield, acquired last month in a trade with the Browns, or Darnold, acquired last year in a trade with the New York Jets, the Panthers believe the competition between the No. 1 and No. 3 overall picks of the 2018 draft will make them better.

Whether you believe the competition is truly “open” or this is Mayfield’s job to lose — as many around the league believe — doesn’t matter, particularly to third-year coach Matt Rhule, whose future might depend on the outcome.

He states almost daily this isn’t a one-day competition and it likely will take time to decide.

“I’ve been on record with what I think,” said Rhule, who opened training camp saying performance will decide the outcome. “I’ve just got to worry about the guys, and hopefully they feel good about the way we’re doing it.”

They seem to, and so far, neither has performed well enough to distance himself from the other.

“Everything is extremely transparent,” Mayfield said. “They’re telling us together how they’re handling it. It’s not being said to one person and Sam’s hearing other things. It’s right there in front of us, clear and concise.”

The preseason competition plan

You know the routine if you’ve followed the first week of camp. Darnold works with the first team one day while Mayfield works with the second. The next day, they flip-flop. The next, they split time with the starters. It’s about as 50-50 as you can get.

As Rhule explained to his quarterbacks, “We can’t necessarily always be fair, but we have to be just.”

Fans already have a favorite. Before the first practice, as Mayfield and Darnold walked together to the Wofford College fields, the chants overwhelming were in Mayfield’s favor.

Since then, they’ve arrived separately, but Mayfield still gets more chants, and louder.

For now, neither seems concerned. Each is focused on getting a better grasp of offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system and fixing flaws that have them competing for a job instead of owning one.

Rhule likes what he’s seen, particularly from Mayfield after only two weeks in the system.

“We test guys every day,” he said. “His tests come back in the hundreds. He’s a pros pro.”

The missing link to becoming a contender?

The last time the Panthers had this kind of an audition was 2003, when longtime backup Jake Delhomme was brought in to compete with veteran Rodney Peete. Peete started the opener, but Delhomme took over in the second half and led the team to the Super Bowl.

New Panthers guard Austin Corbett understands what it means to solidify the quarterback position, having won a Super Bowl last season with the Los Angeles Rams after they traded for Matthew Stafford. He also knows the potential of Mayfield, since he played with the quarterback in Cleveland his first season and a half as a pro.

Corbett believes whoever emerges between Mayfield and Darnold has the potential to make Carolina a contender.

“Their level of competition is going to push each other to the next level of performance,” he said.

While not playing favorites, Corbett said the energy Mayfield brings is “truly unmatched.”

“A true love of competition that he pours out into everything,” he said. “He beats himself up over minor mistakes.”

Darnold, Corbett said, is more laid back. He seldom seems upset.

“But they’ve been gelling together so far, helping each other out and getting along just fine,” he said. “They just both want this team to be the most successful it can be.”

Red zone success the key to starting?

Winning is what Rhule wants more than anything after going 5-11 and 5-12 his first two seasons. Inconsistent quarterback play (2020 with Teddy Bridgewater and last season with Darnold and Cam Newton) is a big reason he hasn’t won.

Much of that inconsistency has been in the red zone, as only 42% of their red zone plays have been passes in two seasons under Rhule, which ranks 31st in the NFL. Mayfield seemed to create the first separation in the battle on Monday when he threw three touchdown passes to none for Darnold inside the 20.

Mayfield continued to impress Tuesday with his willingness to take shots downfield, something Darnold hasn’t done well as a pro (his 27% completion rate on throws at least 20 yards downfield ranks last in the NFL over the past four seasons; Mayfield ranks 18th at 42%). Mayfield’s 50-yard completion to Robbie Anderson drew applause from teammates and fans.

That Mayfield led the Browns to an 11-5 record and a playoff win in 2020 also gives him more credibility. Darnold has gone 6-17 the past two seasons and is 17-32 as the starter overall.

But so far in camp, Rhule has treated both quarterbacks like they are 0-0, and they are helping each other out in meetings and on the field.

“Obviously, we both want to be the starting quarterback for this team,” Darnold said. “That’s apparent. But at the end of the day it’s not me or Baker making that decision.

“That kind of makes it easier for us to root for each other.”

NEW ORLEANS

Rookie T TREVOR PENNING is not making any friends in Saints camp:

@NFL_DovKleiman

#Saints rookie 1st round pick, OL Trevor Penning, has been kicked off OTAs on Wednesday after starting a fight at practice for 3 consecutive days.

ARIZONA

There is run of the mill, traffic cam speeding – and there is “criminal speeding.”  WR MARQUISE “HOLLYWOOD” BROWN is charged with the latter.  The Athletic:

Arizona Cardinals receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was arrested and charged Wednesday morning for criminal speeding, according to multiple reports.

Arizona state law defines criminal or excessive speeding as exceeding 35 mph approaching a school crossing, the posted speed limit by more than 20 mph or exceeding 45 mph when no speed limit is posted.

Brown is entering his first season with the Cardinals after being traded by the Baltimore Ravens along with the No. 100 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft in April to Arizona in return for pick No. 23.

Brown, who had 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns last season, began his first training camp with the Cardinals on the non-football injury list due to a hamstring injury. He was activated from the NFI on Tuesday.

The Oklahoma product was the No. 25 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

SEATTLE

Is RB RASHAAD PENNY ready to be a true RB1?  Brady Henderson of ESPN.com:

For the first time in his NFL career, running back Rashaad Penny began training camp as the Seattle Seahawks’ projected starter.

It didn’t happen as a rookie in 2018, when Chris Carson returned from his broken leg and reclaimed the job, even though the Seahawks had just drafted Penny No. 27 overall. It didn’t happen in any of the next three seasons, as Carson entrenched himself as Seattle’s lead back while Penny was sidelined by one injury after another, including a torn ACL in December 2019 that shelved him for almost all of 2020.

So only now, with Carson out of the picture following plans to retire due to a neck injury, Penny is heading toward the start of the season as the Seahawks’ clear-cut RB1, coming off a torrid five-game stretch at the end of last season in which he led the NFL with 671 rushing yards.

“I don’t think like that,” Penny said when asked about being the clear-cut RB1 last week after the first practice of camp. “I’ve got a lot of stuff to prove to myself. Again, I’ve still got to be healthy … I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder this year, so I really don’t see anything as far as that, but I’m excited about the opportunity and we’ll just see where it goes from here.”

Penny isn’t getting ahead of himself because he knows his spot on the depth chart doesn’t mean much unless he can stay on the field. So far, so good. His only injury hiccup this offseason was a brief absence in the spring to rest what coach Pete Carroll described as a minor hamstring issue. He’s taken part in all five practices of camp and closed out the second one with a long touchdown run in which he sprinted past Seattle’s defense.

“I think this is the best condition that he’s ever been,” Carroll said, “and I know he’s going to be flying.”

Interestingly, Carroll said the same thing last summer after Penny reported to camp on the leaner side of his weight range at 225 pounds. He came back this year at 237, which he’s played at in the past. Penny said some of that weight is muscle he’s added in his lower body but hinted that he wants to drop a few pounds this summer.

“Rashaad is in great shape,” Carroll said. “Two-thirty-seven he weighed. Just cut and sharp and fast and excited because he had such a great offseason. He looked terrific. He couldn’t wait to get out here and just run. He really wanted to show us that he could go, and he looked just like he did when we finished up at the end, so that was really fun to see that.”

That was a reference to Penny’s scorching finish to last season. With Carson on the sideline because of the neck injury — and with some motivation from Adrian Peterson — Penny ran for 208 more yards than the next-best rusher over the final five games. His six rushing touchdowns in that span tied for the league lead and were one more than he totaled to that point in three-plus seasons.

That stretch of brilliance earned Penny something that would have previously been hard to imagine — a second contract with Seattle. He tested free agency before returning on a one-year deal worth $5.75 million, all but $680,000 of which is guaranteed.

The Seahawks had added motivation to bring back Penny with Carson’s football future in doubt. The team released him a day before camp with a failed physical, a procedural move that makes him eligible to earn some of the non-guaranteed money he was set to make in 2022.

Penny, a close friend of Carson’s, called his retirement “heartbreaking.” Carroll did the same.

“I loved him on our team,” Carroll said. “It breaks my heart to not have him again, particularly with how we’re going about it.”

As in, with how much they’ve always liked to run the ball — Seattle has the NFL’s fourth-highest designed rush percentage since 2012 — and with how much of a focus that will be in their post-Russell Wilson offense. What other choice do they have than to lean on their revamped defense and run game and hope Drew Lock and/or Geno Smith can manage their way to victories?

That plan and their doubts about Carson gave the Seahawks more reason to reinforce their backfield by drafting Kenneth Walker III with one their two second-round picks. Walker has flashed his 4.38 speed and much better receiving skills than you might have assumed from a player who caught only 13 passes during his Heisman-finalist 2021 season at Michigan State.

“He’s fast,” Penny said of the 5-foot-9, 211-pound Walker. “This dude, he can play. He kind of reminds me of a smaller Chris. We’ll see when we get pads on … He fears nothing. I like the way he just wants to learn and wants to be great.”

DENVER

The DB saw a headline that the Broncos had lost a “major weapon” and we were confused that it referenced WR TIM PATRICK.  Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com explains that Patrick actually was a pretty important part of the Denver offense:

An MRI on the right knee of Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick has revealed a season-ending torn ACL, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Patrick caught a pass during team drills Tuesday in front of cornerback Essang Bassey, and as Patrick turned to run upfield, his leg buckled and he grabbed his knee as he fell to the ground. Several teammates, including wide receiver Courtland Sutton and quarterback Russell Wilson, immediately surrounded Patrick as he was examined by the team’s trainers.

Patrick, who led the team in touchdown receptions last season and was slated to be one of the team’s top three wide receivers in the rotation, was then helped onto a cart and taken to the locker room.

“Guy like Tim … it breaks your heart,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said before test results revealed the full extent of the injury. “The worst part of this game is when things like this happen.’

“Tim’s a guy that’s well respected across this team, across this league,” Hackett added.

The Broncos stopped practice until Patrick was helped from the field. Safety Kareem Jackson, who is in his 13th NFL season, said it was a testament to Patrick’s standing among his teammates that it was “the longest I’ve seen practice kind of held [up].”

Patrick was third on the team in receptions last season with 53 and led the team in touchdown catches with five. He has risen from being signed off waivers by the Broncos in 2017, having been waived by the Broncos as well later that year, to special teams stalwart in his early time with the team, to one of its key receivers in the offense.

He signed a three-year, $30 million deal last November.

“It hurts,” Sutton said Tuesday after practice. “To see a guy who works his butt off all offseason, his preparation is second to none. … [We’re] praying for the best … as we sit and wait.”

This will be the third consecutive season the Broncos have lost one of their top receivers to injury. Sutton suffered a torn ACL in Week 2 of the 2020 season, and KJ Hamler suffered a torn ACL as well as a hip injury in Week 3 last season.

Rookie Montrell Washington and Kendall Hinton were among those who received some extra work in Tuesday’s practice after Patrick was injured.

CLEVELAND

As the NFL prepares to appeal to itself – an upcoming issue will be QB DESHAUN WATSON’s lack of remorse.

@MichaelDavSmith

Adam Schefter, who has a very direct line to Deshaun Watson’s camp, just said on ESPN, “He has been adamant and steadfast in his belief that he doesn’t believe he did anything wrong.” So much for Jimmy Haslam’s statement that Watson is “remorseful.”

Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com does not think that The Commish or his designee will just talk on a couple of games to the 6-game suspension handed out by Judge Sue L. Robinson:

The NFL announced Wednesday that it was appealing the six-game suspension of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, seeking a tougher penalty under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

Now comes word, via multiple reports, that the league wants an indefinite suspension of at least a year for Watson as well as a fine. Under the six-game suspension imposed by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson on Monday, Watson stood to lose $345,000 from the $230 million deal he signed with the Browns.

The NFL’s decision to appeal could prompt the sides to resume settlement talks, which previously went nowhere. The NFLPA, working with Watson’s camp, wasn’t willing to accept more than 6-8 games. The league would agree to 12 games plus a fine in the range of $8 million.

The NFL has not yet announced whether commissioner Roger Goodell or a designee will hear and decide the appeal.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com explains that while Robinson’s suspension length is in question, her determination of the facts is set in stone.

Because there’s no new evidence, there’s no reason for a new hearing. Neither the Personal Conduct Policy nor the CBA call for a hearing on appeal. Instead, it’s simply a matter of both sides submitting their paperwork to Commissioner Roger Goodell or whoever he designates to reach the same decision he would reach.

In this specific case, the factual findings and evidentiary determinations made by Judge Sue L. Robinson give the Commissioner or his designee all the ammunition needed to replace her six-game suspension with something more. She found that Watson violated three different provisions of the policy as to four different people. Nothing about her decision to suspend Watson six games limits the ability of Goodell or his designee to implement a much longer suspension.

That’s the most important thing to remember. Judge Robinson determined the facts. And the facts that she determined are exactly what the NFL wanted them to be. Although the NFL didn’t like her decision as to the length of a suspension, the NFL has the ability under the policy to appeal the decision to the NFL, and to replace her six-game suspension with whatever the NFL would prefer it otherwise be.

As we go to press, we learn that Watson’s appeal will be heard by a “designee” of The Commish.  Mike Florio with some guesses as to who that might be:

Commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to personally handle the Deshaun Watson appeal hearing. He will not be exercising it.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Goodell will not be handling the Watson appeal. He will designate the matter to someone outside the league office.

We don’t know who that is. A decent guess would be Mary Jo White, given that she has recently handled various “independent investigations” for the NFL, and in light of the fact that she does a very good job of giving her client that which it wants.

Regardless of the specific name of the person retained to handle the Watson appeal, the key to getting more such work is to give the client what it wants. Even if the league calls the person “independent,” they really aren’t. They’ll have some sort of hope for an ongoing business relationship with the league, and that will influence the decision-making process.

A separate source with knowledge of the process suggested that the designee for the appeal possibly will be Condolleezza Rice, who is slated to officially become a part owner of the Broncos next week. Again, she wouldn’t be truly independent; she’s about to become an equity holder in one of the league’s teams. Her reputation, however, would make it easier for the league to sell to media and fans the possibility that she will be able to set aside other interests and make the right decision.

That said, Rice is an admitted Browns fan. Recently, Rice commented on the disciplinary process, advocating the importance of keeping an open mind but acknowledging the serious nature of the matter.

PITTSBURGH

According to David Hookstead at Outkick.com, QB MITCHELL TRUBISKY has not seized the day in Steelers camp:

Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky is not off to a hot start in training camp.

The former second overall pick was brought into Pittsburgh to be a bridge QB until Kenny Pickett is ready, and it sounds like Steelers fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for this season.

At one point during a goal line drill, the former Bears starter went 0-16 and finished 4-23, according to The Athletic. Trubisky also leads all QBs in interceptions thrown.

Granted, several major offensive weapons are missing, but there’s still no excuse for that kind of pitiful performance.

If Trubisky – who is believed to be the leading man to be QB1 week one – is bombing this bad in practice, it could be Kenny Pickett time a lot sooner than expected.

All signs originally pointed to Pickett being glued to the bench for at least this season. With Trubisky in town, the veteran QB could manage the offense until the former Pitt star could go.

However, the dynamics are going to quickly change if Trubisky can’t get things figured out. If he can’t at least be steady, you might as well roll with Pickett.

There’s really no reason not to if that’s how things are playing out.

Welcome to training camp drama! It’s what fans love to see.

MIAMI

ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert walks us through the Dolphins disciplinary case:

What did the Dolphins do?

According to the investigation, the Dolphins spent two years trying to recruit Brady — first from the New England Patriots and later from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — to join the franchise. Much of the discussions focused on becoming a limited partner, a team executive and even its quarterback. Per the NFL’s anti-tampering policy, “no club, nor any person employed by or otherwise affiliated with a club, is permitted to tamper with a player who is under contract to or whose exclusive negotiating rights are held by another club.”

In addition, the investigation found the Dolphins spoke to Payton’s agent in January 2022, before Payton had resigned as the Saints’ coach. Even after Payton announced his departure on Jan. 25, the Dolphins would have needed permission from the Saints to talk to him. Per the policy: “An employee under contract (including a head coach, general manager, or other ‘high level’ employee) who voluntarily resigns or retires prior to the expiration of his contract is prohibited from discussing or accepting employment with another NFL club without the consent of his prior club.”

The Dolphins did ask the Saints for permission to speak with Payton after his resignation, the investigation found, but the Saints declined.

What are the penalties?

The Dolphins forfeited one of their two 2023 first-round picks, as well as a third-round pick in 2024. Ross was fined $1.5 million and suspended until Oct. 17, 2022. According to an NFL source, the discipline amounts to a six-game suspension. The Dolphins play their Week 6 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 16.

Ross has also been removed from all of his current committee assignments, which included the finance, media, international and legalized sports gambling committees.

Dolphins limited partner Bruce Beal, who was found to have conducted many of the discussions with Brady and his agent, was fined $500,000 and is prohibited from attending any league meetings through the end of the 2022 season.

Is this what Flores alleged?

Along with the accusations of sham interviews and incentivizing losing by offering monetary rewards, Flores said the Dolphins tried to draw him into the scheme to recruit Brady on multiple occasions. He declined.

Wait, so the Dolphins were trying to hire Payton and Brady for 2022?

That’s what the investigation found. Ultimately, the Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to replace Flores and stayed with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, NFL owners would have had to vote to approve Brady playing a dual role for the Dolphins as a player, executive and/or limited partner.

What else did the investigation find?

The NFL said it looked into Flores’ allegation that Ross offered him $100,000 to lose games in 2019, his first season as Dolphins’ coach. It found Ross made a number of comments to multiple people in the organization, including Flores, that the 2020 draft should take priority over winning in 2019. Flores took those comments as a suggestion from his boss to lose, but the investigation found the team never intentionally lost a game.

As for the $100,000 offer, the investigation found “differing recollections about the wording, timing, and context.” Regardless, the NFL said: “[S]uch a comment was not intended or taken to be a serious offer, nor was the subject pursued in any respect by Mr. Ross or anyone else at the club.”

Ross said the investigation ‘cleared our organization on any issues related to tanking.’ Is that true?

It might be true that the Dolphins didn’t tank, but that’s not the same as saying Ross didn’t want them to, especially as it related to making draft position a higher priority than winning. The investigation also didn’t fully resolve whether Ross offered Flores a financial incentive to lose, instead noting the “differing recollections” about it. And even if it wasn’t intended to be a serious offer, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t taken as one.

In his own statement, Flores said: “I am disappointed to learn that the investigator minimized Mr. Ross’ offers and pressure to tank games, especially when I wrote and submitted a letter at the time to Dolphins executives documenting my serious concerns.”

Why would it have been a big deal if the Dolphins had been found to lose intentionally?

At its core, the NFL’s product is unscripted drama. In his statement, Goodell said that “every club is expected to make a good faith effort to win every game.” Anything short of that, he said, would undermine “the integrity of the game, and public confidence in professional football.”

Are these punishments unprecedented?

It is not the first time a team has forfeited a first-round pick for disciplinary reasons. The Patriots did it twice, in 2008 after “Spygate” and 2016 for “Deflategate.” In those instances, as in 2023, the first round will have 31 picks instead of 32.

The Saints, meanwhile, lost two second-round picks for “Bountygate” in 2013.

Owners have also been docked more than $1.5 million, most recently the Washington Commanders’ Dan Snyder ($10 million). There have also been suspended owners before. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, for example, was suspended six games in 2014 after he pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated.

Has there been much tampering identified in recent years?

Some, but nothing of this magnitude.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost a third-round pick in 2016 and a sixth-round pick in 2017 for talking to free agent receiver Jeremy Maclin before it was allowed. The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, lost a sixth-round pick in 2012 and were forced to swap fifth-round picks in 2011 with Kansas City for improper contact with Chiefs safety Jarrad Page.

Why weren’t Brady or Payton disciplined?

The anti-tampering policy is directed at clubs intervening into contracts of another club, not the targets of the attempted intervention.

It defines tampering as “any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with that club or with the NFL.”

In the case of Brady or any other player, discipline would be governed by the personal conduct policy, which makes no mention of tampering.

What does losing a first- and third-round pick do to the Dolphins’ ability to build their team?

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said it was a priority for the Dolphins to keep both of their first-round picks in 2023, as well as their second-rounder and two third-rounders. Why? In all likelihood, to hedge their bet on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins had five premium picks they could use to strengthen their roster if Tagovailoa developed, or to move up significantly in the first round and tap into what should be a strong quarterback class if he didn’t.

They lost a major asset in their first-round pick in 2023, but still have the San Francisco 49ers’ 2023 first-round pick, and they could package it with their own first-round pick in 2024, if necessary. Losing their 2024 third-round pick is not ideal, but should not have a major impact on their plans.

What’s next?

Flores’ lawsuit, which alleged violations of federal and state civil/human rights statutes that are intended to ensure equal rights, remains in the court system. The NFL filed a motion in June to move the lawsuit to its in-house arbitration process, but a ruling isn’t expected before late summer at the earliest.

Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports that Eric Studesville, a coach for Brian Flores, never heard about the unhappiness of owner Stephen Ross about the team’s late season success in 2019:

While an NFL-backed investigation found Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made it known he believed the team’s draft position should take precedence over winning games in 2019, those beliefs did not make it down to the football field.

Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville, who has held that title since 2018, said the team’s directive during the 2019 season was not questioned as far as he knew.

“From the top down, [the goal was] to win football games and prepare and get ready to go — that’s how it’s always been,” Studesville said Wednesday. “That’s how I think this game is right. That’s what we do, that’s what I owe the game, every time we get a chance to compete, we do our best. There was never anything other than that expressed to us or to me.”

In February, former Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the Dolphins, alleging racism in the league’s hiring practices. In the lawsuit, Flores claims that Ross attempted to incentivize him to “tank,” or purposely lose games, shortly after he was hired in 2019, with Ross allegedly offering Flores $100,000 for every loss that season. Flores says that as the team won games late in the season, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told him Ross was “mad” that the on-field success was “compromising [the team’s] draft position.”

The NFL looked into these allegations as part of its aforementioned investigation but found no evidence that the team intentionally lost games during the 2019 season. The investigation did, however, find that Ross made comments to team president and CEO Tom Garfinkel, general manager Chris Grier, senior vice president Brandon Shore and Flores that the team’s draft position should take priority over winning games. When Flores expressed his concerns in writing, he was assured that everyone wanted him to build a “winning culture in Miami” and Ross never again made those comments to Flores.

The investigation also found that Ross’ offer of $100,000 for every loss, of which there were “differing recollections about the wording, timing, and context … was not intended or taken to be a serious offer, nor was the subject pursued in any respect by Mr. Ross or anyone else at the club.”

Studesville insisted that the message to Flores did not trickle down into the locker room.

“That’s just not how we’re wired,” he said. “None of that was ever shared.”

THIS AND THAT

NEXT QB DEALS

Mike Florio did this during our vacay in late July, but nothing has changed since on the state of QB contracts:

With Kyler Murray becoming the latest quarterback to land a major contract, let’s take a look at who’s next to cash in, either this year or next. (Or, maybe, not at all.)

Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens quarterback spent months resisting the team’s overtures to do a long-term deal. Now, he wants to get his second contract. Complicating matters is that he has no agent. He has said that contracts signed by other quarterbacks don’t matter to him, which is a clear example of why he desperately needs an agent. Those other deals become precedent for his own, a bar that he should strive to meet or to exceed.

It’s a challenge to separate team from self when it comes to getting a fair contract. Some players get brainwashed by the idea that they owe it to the broader effort to leave extra meat on the bone. Other players recognize that their duty to themselves and their families is to maximize the value that they generate from playing football, because their time for doing so is extremely short. They have no equity in the business. They have only what they can squeeze from ownership and squirrel away in the bank.

Yes, it’s a team sport. But there definitely is a “me” in team when it comes to ensuring that full and fair value is generated by a player who has earned every penny he makes, and who is entitled to pursue as many pennies as he can from owners who have money to burn — and to buy superyachts with.

Russell Wilson.

Deshaun Watson leveraged the quasi-free agency he finagled for himself into a brand-new, market-setting deal. Wilson, who had only one place he truly wanted to play if not Seattle, didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to ask for more on the way through the door.

And that’s a smart move, because he’ll get even more after the 2022 season.

With the richest owner by far poised to buy the team, and with the team giving up so much in trade assets to get Wilson, he’ll get a market-value deal after the season. It likely will be fully guaranteed.

Is there a chance that injury or ineffectiveness hurts his value? Yes, but it’s slim. The Broncos essentially accepted the fact that Wilson will get a monster deal the moment the trade happened. By not doing it now, they know they’ll be paying him even more later.

That said, there’s a chance that the Wal-Mart clan will decide to make Wilson an offer he can’t and won’t refuse before the start of the 2022 regular season. Again, it will be cheaper to do it now than next year, and the terms could be so good for Wilson that he won’t want to carry the risk of having injury or subpar play cloud his value come next year.

Joe Burrow.

His window on a new contract opens at the conclusion of the 2022 regular season. Burrow already has earned his second deal. And who knows? He could be the first young quarterback to get his second contract after the final game of the regular season and before the start of the postseason, if the Bengals qualify for the playoffs again.

Burrow may face local pressure to “take less.” Hopefully, he won’t. He has transformed that franchise. He deserves everything he’s able to get. If they want to keep him for the long haul, they need to change their ways — and they possibly already are, given that they’re finally selling stadium naming rights.

That said, it may be difficult to get a fully-guaranteed deal, if owner Mike Brown simply can’t put a giant pile of cash into escrow. Maybe Burrow will be the first quarterback to hinge his compensation to a specific percentage of the cap. Thus, as it goes up, he get more — and his contract never becomes obsolete.

Justin Herbert.

Two great years, no playoff berths. That doesn’t matter. He’s already regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. If the Chargers want to keep him, they’ll have to pay up. Presumably after the 2022 season ends. If they won’t, someone else gladly will, now or later.

Jalen Hurts.

The Eagles have sent mixed signals, publicly and privately, regarding their commitment to Hurts. The commitment to the 2020 second-round pick seemingly was made when the Eagles traded for receiver A.J. Brown.

Here’s the question. Will Hurts deliberately take a second-tier deal in order to ensure that the Eagles will always have a solid team around him?

The fact that he wasn’t a first-round pick will bring his long-term status to a head sooner than otherwise. He’ll be a free agent in March 2024, unless the Eagles apply the franchise tag. His performance this season will go a long way toward helping the Eagles peg his future value. The challenge then will be getting on the same page with Hurts.

Tua Tagovailoa.

He’s also entering his third season. After it ends, he’ll be eligible for a new deal. It’s the ultimate upside for delivering on his potential, and for taking full advantage of the help he’ll have around him.

If he doesn’t step up, however, he could end up looking elsewhere for his second NFL contract, either if he’s released after the 2022 season or if he becomes a free-agent when his four-year rookie deal expires.

Baker Mayfield.

He’s on a one-year deal in Carolina. If he performs well, the Panthers will surely want to keep him. Others will become interested.

Surprisingly, the multi-million-dollar haircut Mayfield took to grease the skids out of Cleveland didn’t include a promise from the Panthers not to apply the franchise tag next year. If he overachieves this season, he may find himself blocked from the open market by the tag.

Jimmy Garoppolo.

Unless he signs a long-term deal as part of a trade to a new team, Garoppolo will become a free agent in March. That makes it critical for him to find a place where he can play — and play well — in 2022.

Daniel Jones.

The Giants didn’t pick up his fiffth-year option. The 2019 top-10 pick enters a contract year. If he becomes the guy the Giants thought he’d be three years ago, he’ll get a long-term deal or the franchise tag.

Ryan Tannehill.

He’s got two years left on his current deal. He was absent from some of the voluntary offseason program, possibly in an effort to get an adjustment. After this season, the Titans may have to make a long-term decision. Which may be one of the reasons why they drafted Malik Willis.

Matt Ryan.

He has two years on his contract, as he enters his first season with the Colts. If he delivers, the team may want to give him a big pile of money in order to ensure that he’ll be around for a few more seasons.

Tom Brady.

The GOAT will be a free agent in 2023. He’ll be able to pick his next team, unrestricted and unfettered. And with $37.5 million per year waiting for him from Fox, he’ll be able to tell anyone who wants him to keep playing that, in order to get him, they’ll have to pay him more than what he’d be getting to not actually play.

SURVIVOR SQUAD

A team with one representative from each of the member clubs (and no one chosen in the last two years) from Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com:

In each of the last two offseasons, we have used this space to unveil our annual NFL Survivor Squad, representing our attempt to build the best possible roster using one representative and only one representative from each of the 32 NFL teams. Well, we’re here to do that again.

To make things more challenging on myself and avoid reprinting the same article year after year, I have once again unilaterally declared every player and coach who made either the 2020 or 2021 roster off limits for this year’s exercise.

That means none of Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, Greg Roman, Brian Daboll, Robert Saleh, Patrick Graham, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown, Michael Thomas, CeeDee Lamb, Zach Ertz, Darren Waller, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Kenny Golladay, Ja’Marr Chase, Jake Matthews, Laremy Tunsil, Quenton Nelson, Ali Marpet, Brandon Linder, Corey Linsley, Zack Martin, Brandon Scherff, Jack Conklin, Lane Johnson, Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Brian Burns, Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt, DeForest Buckner, Stephon Tuitt, Kenny Clark, Kyle Van Noy, Nicholas Morrow, Bobby Wagner, Eric Kendricks, Roquan Smith, Demario Davis, Tre’Davious White, James Bradberry, Xavien Howard, Kendall Fuller, Chris Harris Jr., Marlon Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Budda Baker, Jalen Ramsey, Tress Way, Logan Cooke, Randy Bullock, Younghoe Koo, Adoree’ Jackson or Gunner Olszewski were eligible for this year’s team.

In an exercise like this, it’s important to know exactly how you want to build your team. To compete in the modern NFL, you have to recognize that the passing game is king, and build the roster accordingly. So, in all toss-up decisions, the tiebreaker was whichever player would help our offense throw the ball efficiency and explosively or our defense stop the opposing offense from doing the same.

Once again, we wanted our team to be as flexible as possible — especially on defense, where the ability to disguise what you’re doing and have players fill multiple roles depending on the snap is paramount. So, pass-catching running backs, receivers who could play on the perimeter or in the slot, defensive linemen who could flex to the edge or inside, linebackers who excel against the run and the pass, and safeties who could drop down into the box, play up high, or slide to the slot were all things that we looked for in building the roster.

All that said, a few quick notes before you get to the reveal of the full roster:

The players (and coaches) selected at each position are not necessarily the best players (and coaches) at that particular position, but those who made the most sense on a roster where you can only (and must) take one representative from each team.

The same is true of the players (and coaches) listed in the “also considered” section. Those players are also not listed in any particular order.

Without further ado, let’s walk through our squad. 

Head coach: John Harbaugh (Ravens)

2021 (ineligible): Andy Reid (Chiefs)

2020 (ineligible): Bill Belichick (Patriots)

Harbaugh has had tremendous success in Baltimore, compiling a 137-88 record that is good for the fifth-best mark in the NFL since he took over in 2008. In 14 seasons, he’s taken the Ravens to the playoffs nine times, compiling an 11-8 postseason record and winning a Super Bowl with a quarterback who, to put it kindly, was not elite. Over the past few seasons, he has shown a willingness to adapt to his personnel that is likely unmatched by any other coach in the league. (The Ravens completely overhauled their offensive philosophy to mesh with Lamar Jackson’s talents in the span of one offseason.) He’s also consistently made aggressive decisions when it comes to things like fourth downs and two-point conversions, and as a former special teams coach, he’d likely make that a priority for our squad as well.

Also considered: Brandon Staley, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Kyle Shanahan, Frank Reich, Mike Vrabel, Mike Tomlin, Dan Campbell

Offensive coordinator: Shane Steichen (Eagles)

2021 (ineligible): Brian Daboll (Bills)

2020 (ineligible): Greg Roman (Ravens)

Steichen has only been an offensive coordinator for two seasons, but the way those two seasons have played out spark optimism for his future. He was at the helm in Los Angeles for Justin Herbert’s remarkable rookie season, helping him to one of the best debut years any quarterback has ever had — even though Herbert wasn’t supposed to start before Tyrod Taylor’s accidental collapsed lung forced him into action. Steichen was then part of the Eagles staff that did a hard pivot toward a run-heavy offense when it became clear that their pass-focused attack wasn’t working early on during the 2021 season. Philly emerged as the best rushing team in the league behind its powerful offensive line, and made a run to the playoffs. A willingness to try new things when it’s clear that Plan A will not be successful is a good quality to have, and Steichen’s history working with a huge, mobile, do-everything quarterback will serve him well with the signal-caller on our team.

Also considered: Byron Leftwich, Kellen Moore, Scott Turner, Pete Carmichael, Brian Callahan, Pep Hamilton, Eric Bieniemy

Defensive coordinator: Don Martindale (Giants)

2021 (ineligible): Patrick Graham (Giants)

2020 (ineligible): Robert Saleh (49ers)

This might be a little bit awkward, considering Harbaugh just fired Martindale from his Ravens post this offseason. But he landed in New York under new Giants head coach Brian Daboll, and the Giants not having many good candidates for the roster, combined with us wanting to use players from other teams who would help more than their respective defensive coordinators, led us to reunite Martindale with his former boss. Before last season, Wink ran one of the best defenses in the NFL, and his style will mesh will with the personnel we’ve collected on defense. His experience using players in hybrid roles and utilizing unorthodox personnel groupings should be especially helpful. Unless all of our defensive backs get injured like Baltimore’s did last year, Martindale’s aggressive, multiple scheme will work just fine.

Also considered: Dan Quinn, Jonathan Gannon, Aaron Glenn, Joe Barry, Phil Snow, Raheem Morris, DeMeco Ryans, Leslie Frazier, Lou Anarumo, Shane Bowen

Quarterback: Josh Allen (Bills)

2021 (ineligible): Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

2020 (ineligible): Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)

Allen is an outrageously talented player who over the last two seasons has blossomed into one of the most impactful players in the league. There is not a throw on the planet that he cannot make. Outside of Lamar Jackson, he is the best and most dynamic rushing threat at the position. He has shown a willingness — eagerness, even — to seek out big gains down the field, and to extend the play until the last moment, trying to see if an opportunity for such a shot opens up. There were versions of this roster where Justin Herbert was the quarterback, but the rest of the pieces didn’t quite come together the same way they do with Allen here.

Also considered: Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow

Running back: Jonathan Taylor (Colts)

2021 (ineligible): Dalvin Cook (Vikings)

2020 (ineligible): Christian McCaffrey (Panthers)

Behind our offensive line, Taylor should be able to find plenty of success on the ground. He’s not quite as good a pass catcher and someone like Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, or D’Andre Swift, but A: Allen doesn’t check down to his running backs that often because of his ability to make plays with his legs; and B: While leading the NFL in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns, Taylor also saw 51 targets last year after getting 39 as a rookie — and he looked more comfortable working in space. On screens and designed swing passes, he works just fine. Plus, if we really want to get the running back involved in the passing game in a big way, we’ve got other options. (More on that below.)

Also considered: Austin Ekeler, David Montgomery, D’Andre Swift, Aaron Jones, Nick Chubb, Najee Harris, Derrick Henry, Javonte Williams

Perimeter receivers: Davante Adams (Raiders) and Justin Jefferson (Vikings)

2021 (ineligible): DK Metcalf (Seahawks) and A.J. Brown (Titans)

2020 (ineligible): DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals) and Mike Evans (Buccaneers)

Good luck to the cornerbacks who have to cover this duo. Adams and Jefferson can move all over the formation, and they win at every stage of the route — from the release to the stem to the break to the catch point and then by creating yards after the catch. They are impeccable technicians and terrific athletes, and nobody has shown the ability to shut them down in any meaningful way. Adams’ ability to work the sidelines should mesh well with Allen’s rocket arm, and both his experience with Aaron Rodgers and Jefferson’s with Joe Burrow should help on scramble-drill-style plays where Allen makes something happen outside of structure.

Also considered: Terry McLaurin, Allen Robinson, Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, DeVonta Smith, D.J. Moore

Slot receiver: Cooper Kupp (Rams)

2021 (ineligible): CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)

2020 (ineligible): Michael Thomas (Saints)

Kupp was essentially uncoverable last season, as he went from being a close-to-the-line possession receiver to one of the most dynamic full-field threats in the league. Allen, like Matthew Stafford, can access just about any area of the field with his arm strength, so Kupp should be able to do many of the different things he did for the Rams last season. Allen’s experience working on choice routes with Cole Beasley should serve him well in the transition to Kupp, who is bigger, stronger, faster, and better after the catch than the former Buffalo slot man. We can also get creative by moving him into the backfield to really stress opponents who will have to decide whether to cover him with a linebacker or safety or have a corner move into an uncomfortable spot on the interior of the defense, as the Rams did on occasion last year.

Also considered: Hunter Renfrow, Jerry Jeudy, Amon-Ra St. Brown

Tight ends: Travis Kelce (Chiefs) and Cole Kmet (Bears)

2021 (ineligible): George Kittle (49ers) and T.J. Hockenson (Lions)

2020 (ineligible): Zach Ertz (Eagles) and Darren Waller (Raiders)

Kelce is still the league’s best pass-catching tight end. He had a bit of a midseason dip last year, but so did the entire Chiefs offense, and he then exploded down the stretch and in the playoffs. (He was also dealing with a stinger around the time of that dip. It probably wasn’t a coincidence.) Playing with Allen also shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment after working with Patrick Mahomes over the past few years. Kmet is our representative for the Bears, mostly because he fit the roster better than guys like Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson. He flashed some chain-moving ability last year and he’s a huge target, so he can help in the red zone.

Also considered: Kyle Pitts, Mark Andrews, Dalton Schultz, Dallas Goedert, Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam, Dawson Knox, Mike Gesicki

Offensive Flex: Deebo Samuel (49ers)

2021 (ineligible): Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals)

2020 (ineligible): Kenny Golladay (Lions)

The NFL’s ultimate flex player takes up the same role in our offense. Samuel reportedly doesn’t want to be used as anything remotely resembling a full-time running back, and we don’t need him to be. But the threat of him in the backfield is hell for defenses, and he is one of the best in the league at creating yards after the catch on screens and jet sweeps. And that’s before you get to all that he can do as a regular ole wide receiver. Taylor-Adams-Jefferson-Kupp-Samuel-Kelce might be the best skill position group we’ve had in this exercise so far.

Also considered: Cordarrelle Patterson, Tony Pollard, Isaiah McKenzie, Elijah Moore, Antonio Gibson, Kadarius Toney

Offensive line

Left tackle: Rashawn Slater (Chargers)

2021 (ineligible): Laremy Tunsil (Texans)

2020 (ineligible): Jake Matthews (Falcons)

Slater earned his way onto this roster with a terrific rookie campaign. He was the offensive line equivalent of a Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase, immediately stepping in as one of the league’s best at his position. He was one of only four tackles with a Pro Football Focus grade of 80 or better as both a pass blocker and run blocker last season, along with Tyron Smith, Trent Williams, and Jordan Mailata.

Also considered: Tyron Smith, Andrew Thomas, Jordan Mailata, Trent Williams, Taylor Decker, Terron Armstead, Jedrick Wills Jr., Kolton Miller, Garett Bolles, Taylor Lewan, Charles Leno, Trent Brown

Left guard: Joel Bitonio (Browns)

2021 (ineligible): Ali Marpet (Buccaneers)

2020 (ineligible): Quenton Nelson (Colts)

Bitonio got off to a strong start to his NFL career but has finally begun getting recognized for his contributions over the past few seasons, making four consecutive Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams (three second, one first). He allowed just two sacks and 17 pressures all of last season, per PFF, and had arguably his best year overall.

Also considered: Justin Pugh, Laken Tomlinson, Joe Thuney

Center: Frank Ragnow (Lions)

2021 (ineligible): Corey Linsley (Chargers)

2020 (ineligible): Brandon Linder (Jaguars)

Ragnow is coming off an injury-ruined 2021 campaign but he was a Second Team All-Pro in 2020, when he ranked third in PFF’s grading and allowed only nine pressures all year. He’s a bit better in the run game than as a pass blocker, but given the makeup of the rest of our unit up front, that’s just fine.

Also considered: Jason Kelce, Ryan Jensen, Rodney Hudson, Mitch Morse, Creed Humphrey, Ben Jones, Bradley Bozeman

Right guard: Alex Cappa (Bengals)

2021 (ineligible): Brandon Scherff (Commanders)

2020 (ineligible): Zack Martin (Cowboys)

Cappa has turned into a very solid right guard over the past few seasons, and given his age (27) likely still has room for improvement. He was one of the key pieces of Cincinnati’s offensive line overhaul this offseason, and should team with Ted Karras and La’el Collins to dramatically upgrade the right side of the line in front of Burrow.

Also considered: Shaq Mason, Michael Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Kevin Zeitler, James Daniels, Trey Smith, Chris Lindstrom

Right tackle: Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers)

2021 (ineligible): Lane Johnson (Eagles)

2020 (ineligible): Jack Conklin (Browns)

Wirfs has been a star from the moment he stepped into the NFL. He was a deserving All-Pro a year ago, he’s heading into his age-23 season, and he’s already arguably the NFL’s best player at his position. One key note: he was called for just three penalties all of last season, playoffs included.

Also considered: Penei Sewell, Elgton Jenkins, Brian O’Neill, Taylor Moton, Morgan Moses, La’el Collins, Braden Smith

Edge rushers: T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Matthew Judon (Patriots)

2021 (ineligible): Brian Burns (Panthers) and Myles Garrett (Browns)

2020 (ineligible): Von Miller (Broncos) and Khalil Mack (Bears)

Nabbing the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is a pretty good way to start your defense. Watt is widely considered either the best or second-best edge rusher in the NFL, and he’s a lot more than just a sack master. He more than holds his own setting the edge against the run. Judon is more of a pure pass-rush type, but he’s coming off three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons and showed more flexibility in New England last year. Plus, our defensive coordinator (Martindale) has plenty of experience putting him in position to succeed, since he did just that in Baltimore for several seasons.

Also considered: Demarcus Lawrence, Rashan Gary, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Haason Reddick, Robert Quinn, Danielle Hunter, Cameron Jordan, Shaquil Barrett, Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Carl Lawson, Odafe Oweh, Harold Landry, Randy Gregory, Chandler Jones, Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson

Interior defensive linemen: Jonathan Allen (Commanders) and Jeffery Simmons (Titans)

2021 (ineligible): DeForest Buckner (Colts) and Stephon Tuitt (Steelers)

2020 (ineligible): Aaron Donald (Rams) and J.J. Watt (Texans)

While the rest of the defensive line disappointed, Allen bounced back in a pretty big way last season. He notched a career-high nine sacks and 30 quarterback hits, while adding 10 tackles for loss. According to PFF, he also had 32 run stops and a 1.9% missed tackle rate, the latter of which ranked sixth best among interior defensive linemen. Simmons had a true breakout year in 2021, and if you’re wondering what he can do, go turn on the tape of his total destruction of Cincinnati’s offensive line in the playoffs, which had to be replaying in the Bengals’ heads as they went on their offensive-line-focused spending spree this offseason.

Also considered: Leonard Williams, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Grady Jarrett, Vita Vea, Quinnen Williams, Cameron Heyward, Folorunso Fatukasi, Chris Jones, Sebastian Joseph-Day

Defensive Front Flex: Micah Parsons (Cowboys)

2021 (ineligible): Nicholas Morrow (Raiders)

2020 (ineligible): Kenny Clark (Packers)

Parsons may not actually be a human man. After not playing at all in 2020 and not playing as an edge rusher since high school, Parsons was far and away the NFL’s best pass rusher last year — as a rookie. He notched a sack (13), hit (29), or hurry (40) on 22.4% of his pass-rush snaps last season, according to TruMedia. That led the league by such a wide margin that the distance between him and second-place Trey Hendrickson was equivalent to the one between Hendrickson and Mario Addison in 48th place. Before Parsons, nobody who had rushed the passer at least 200 times in a season since 2018 had topped 20%. Oh, and rushing the passer wasn’t even his primary job. He made outrageous plays against the run (credited with 58 stops by PFF, fourth most among all linebackers) and flashed high-level coverage ability at times, allowing only 7.6 yards per reception. He’s an absurdly talented player who will make life extraordinarily difficult for opposing offenses for a long time.

Also considered: Arik Armstead, Emmanuel Ogbah, Za’Darius Smith, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Back seven

Linebackers: De’Vondre Campbell (Packers) and Foyesade Oluokun (Jaguars)

2021 (ineligible): Roquan Smith (Bears) and Demario Davis (Saints)

2020 (ineligible): Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) and Eric Kendricks (Vikings)

Campbell finally put it all together last season, harnessing his elite athleticism to become a fantastic coverage player who also roamed sideline to sideline making plays against the run. That’s the player the Falcons envisioned when they drafted him; it just took a move to Green Bay to find it within him. Oluokun got a nice raise from the Jaguars this offseason after developing into a high-level starter for the Falcons. Whether or not it was wise to invest so much in an off-ball linebacker before using a high draft pick on two more (Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma) doesn’t change the fact that Oluokun is damn good. 

Also considered: Blake Martinez, Lavonte David, Devin White, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Shaquille Leonard

Outside corners: A.J. Terrell (Falcons) and Marshon Lattimore (Saints)

2021 (ineligible): Xavien Howard (Dolphins) and Kyle Fuller (Broncos)

2020 (ineligible): Tre’Davious White (Bills) and James Bradberry (Giants)

Speaking of the Falcons, how about A.J. Terrell? Arguably the single-best corner in the NFL last season, he was a true shutdown man. He allowed just 29 completions on 66 targets, an NFL-low (among corners who played 250-plus snaps) 6.9 yards per catch, and a hilarious 47.5 passer rating. And he doesn’t turn 24 until September. We will take that on our team all day. Lattimore has his ups and downs but has as high a ceiling as any corner in the league, and he always brings it when he’s up against high-level receivers. With our defensive coordinator wanting to bring a lot of pressure, we need physicality at the corner spot, and a willingness to play man on the outside.

Also considered: Trevon Diggs, Darius Slay, Jaylon Johnson, Jaire Alexander, Jaycee Horn, Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, Denzel Ward, Patrick Surtain II, J.C. Jackson, Derek Stingley Jr.

Slot corner: Byron Murphy Jr. (Cardinals)

2021 (ineligible): Marlon Humphrey (Ravens)

2020 (ineligible): Chris Harris Jr. (Chargers)

Murphy doesn’t have elite size, but he’s feisty and willing to stick his nose in to make plays. He faded a bit down the stretch of last season, just like the rest of the Arizona defense (and offense, and coaching staff), but if you can unlock what he had going early in the season, there’s a really nice player there.

Also considered: Rasul Douglas, Kenny Moore II, Elijah Molden

Deep safety: Justin Simmons (Broncos)

2021 (ineligible): Marcus Maye (Jets)

2020 (ineligible): Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers)

Simmons is a high-level coverage player on the back end, and he has no problem coming down into the box to make some hits. He’s made two All-Pro teams over the last three seasons, mixing in 14 picks and 35 pass deflections during that time. He’s even shown some ability as a blitzer on the rare occasions he’s been asked to go after the quarterback, generating eight pressures on just 18 pass-rush snaps over that three-year span. Plus, you can line him up in the box or over the slot and he can hold up just fine.

Also considered: Xavier McKinney, Eddie Jackson, Micah Hyde, John Johnson III, Julian Blackmon, Darnell Savage, Jessie Bates III, Marcus Williams, Antoine Winfield Jr.

Box safety: Jeremy Chinn (Panthers)

2021 (ineligible): Budda Baker (Cardinals)

2020 (ineligible): Jamal Adams (Jets)

Chinn’s off to a terrific start through his first two NFL seasons, and he made improvements in just about every area from Year 1 to Year 2. He’s a big (6-3, 220 pounds), physical presence who can deliver big hits and make plays against the run while using his body to affect the short passing game. Given his athleticism, there are few tight ends he can’t run with, and that should aid him as he develops as a coverage player.

Also considered: Adrian Amos, Harrison Smith, Jordan Fuller, Jordan Poyer, Chuck Clark

Back Seven Flex: Jevon Holland (Dolphins)

2021 (ineligible): Jalen Ramsey (Rams)

2020 (ineligible): Kyle Van Noy (Dolphins)

If Parsons didn’t exist, Holland would have been easily my favorite defensive rookie to watch last season. Miami moved him all over the formation, from free safety to the box to the slot and even weaponized him as a heavy blitzer. He finished with PFF’s third-best coverage grade among safeties, as well as top 20 grades against the run and as a tackler. His 16 pressures were second among safeties only to teammate Brandon Jones, and five more than any player not on the Dolphins. Having a chess piece like Holland to move around on the back end is just fun, more than anything else. 

Also considered: Jayron Kearse, Tyrann Mathieu, Derwin James

Specialists

Returner: Braxton Berrios (Jets)

2021 (ineligible): Gunner Olszewski (Patriots)

2020 (ineligible): Adoree’ Jackson (Titans)

Berrios was the All-Pro return man last season, averaging 30.4 yards per kick return and 13.4 yards per punt return. While the Jets have a bunch of intriguing young players whose futures could be bright, none of them made for very good fits for this type of team as they have yet to become star-level contributors. Therefore, Berrios (FROM? THE U!) was a fairly easy choice for this roster.

Punter: Michael Dickson (Seahawks)

2021 (ineligible): Logan Cooke (Jaguars)

2020 (ineligible): Tress Way (Commanders)

Kicker: Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans)

2021 (ineligible): Younghoe Koo (Falcons)

2020 (ineligible): Randy Bullock (Bengals)

The Seahawks and Texans were the last two teams with no representatives.