Prepare to have your mind blown – this stat from Warren Sharp (scroll down to the bottom):

@SharpFootball

average length of TD passes (air yards):

18.8 – Derek Carr

18.5 – Jalen Hurts

16.4 – Josh Allen

16.0 – Geno Smith

14.1 – Tua Tagovailoa

13.1 – Justin Fields

12.9 – Aaron Rodgers

11.8 – Russell Wilson

11.7 – Joe Burrow

11.5 – Davis Mills

11.5 – Andy Dalton

10.9 – Lamar Jackson

10.6 – Justin Herbert

10.0 – Trevor Lawrence

9.4 – Dak Prescott

8.5 – Marcus Mariota

8.1 – Kirk Cousins

8.1 – Tom Brady

7.7 – Daniel Jones

7.2 – Jared Goff

6.3 – Jimmy Garoppolo

4.5 – Patrick Mahomes

(2022, min 15 TD passes)

It’s not the same as average length of the TD pass, but still crazy that Mahomes didn’t reach the end zone on many downfield throws.

NFC NORTH

MINNESOTA

Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com thinks the Vikings will still have a strong offense despite the dismissal of RB DALVIN COOK and other changes:

Kirk Cousins could see it coming. At several points last season, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback said he was anticipating a potentially significant level of personnel turnover in 2023.

Two players he frequently mentioned were center Garrett Bradbury and backup running back Alexander Mattison, both of whom were eligible for unrestricted free agency.

“Some of these guys, we’ve played together for a while,” Cousins said in December, “and you realize it won’t last forever.”

As it turns out, Cousins was right about the Vikings’ offseason plans. But he was pleasantly surprised at the degree to which the offense was spared. The team did release two long-tenured skill players, receiver Adam Thielen and tailback Dalvin Cook, but it re-signed both Bradbury and Mattison to keep the rest of the offense essentially intact. And after the Vikings signed free agent tight end Josh Oliver and drafted USC receiver Jordan Addison at No. 23 overall in April, it’s difficult to look at their offense as anything other than potent — even amid a widespread narrative that they are in rebuilding mode.

“[Losing] people you’ve played a lot of snaps with, like a Dalvin or an Adam, can be a little more difficult,” Cousins said in June. “But you can also point to some guys who may not have been back that are, like a Garrett or an Alex. So that’s also exciting to have a lot of stability there, too. The O-line is a group I’m very familiar with. Even losing Adam, you look at the receivers and you feel like you’re throwing to guys you know. With the tight ends [also]. So there’s some consistency there, too, and it’ll always be that way. But I think we’ve got an experienced group on offense, which is a real positive.”

After an offseason dominated by talk of personnel transition, particularly surrounding the Vikings’ defense, let’s take a step back and assess what we know about their offense. The following points are based on interviews and observations during the course of rookie minicamp, mandatory minicamp and three OTA sessions that were open to reporters.

Mattison really is going to be the top guy

Sometimes, the simplest explanation is correct. The Vikings really did swap out Cook for his longtime understudy, and to this point, all evidence suggests they will use Mattison in the same every-down role that Cook performed last season in coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

Cook played roughly 75% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps last season, with Mattison getting about 25%. No other tailback received playing time except in mop-up situations.

O’Connell was fairly direct about the situation this spring, saying he had seen Mattison “really show that all-three-down kind of ownership that he’s been capable of for a long time.” After Cook’s release was official, O’Connell added: “The next step in [Mattison’s] career is obviously just a little bit more consistent opportunities, which obviously we hope to provide for him.”

But there is one significant difference between Mattison and Cook: explosiveness. Mattison has one NFL carry that has gone longer than 24 yards, making the competition for the No. 2 job a bit more interesting.

Ty Chandler appears the favorite at No. 2 RB

The two returning tailbacks who received the second-team reps this spring — Chandler, a fifth-round pick last season, and third-year Pro Bowl kick returner Kene Nwangwu — have one attribute in common: speed.

Chandler ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 combine, and Nwangwu ran a 4.32 at his 2021 pro day. Testing times don’t always translate into explosive plays on the field, but both players’ speed gives them a chance to be natural complements to Mattison.

With that said, it looks from the outside that the Vikings want Chandler to win the role, even if the competition ultimately expands to include seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride, whom O’Connell referred to during minicamp as “the rookie.”

The Vikings drafted Chandler in large part because they were excited about his versatility in the passing game, but he was a surprisingly effective inside runner during the 2022 preseason. When asked this spring if Chandler was ready to ascend the depth chart after spending most of his rookie season on injured reserve, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said: “I think he’s going to have to be.” Phillips went on to add: “Ty is obviously a great athlete. [That’s] the reason why we brought him here. … Ty’s a guy that we’re continuing to give opportunities in both the run game and the pass game. … He’s getting better every day.”

TE Josh Oliver will have a passing game role

Don’t be fooled by the presumption that the Vikings signed Oliver solely as a blocking tight end behind starter T.J. Hockenson. Yes, Oliver has a massive frame for the position. Although his listed weight is 258 pounds, his actual weight is more than 270 pounds, according to Phillips.

Oliver proved to be a pretty significant mismatch in the passing game during OTAs, especially in the red zone. When asked what Oliver could bring to the offense, Phillips laughed and said: “Have you seen the guy?”

On one occasion, Phillips said, Oliver turned a red zone target into basketball, boxing out a linebacker, extending his 33½ inch arms and snagging the ball with his 10¾-inch hands.

“The interesting thing is that coming out [in the draft], he was more of a pass-catcher,” Phillips said. “It was like, ‘Oh, he’s got the size and we’re going to have to teach this guy how to block if we were to bring him in.’ When he gets that train rolling, he’s just a tough cover due to his size and the length of his catch radius.”

Hockenson will be the Vikings’ primary tight end target, but Oliver should be far more than a designated blocker.

Wide receiver rotation seems obvious, but …

As the Vikings prepared to draft Addison, O’Connell referred to him as a “Day 1 starter,” as depicted in a social media video produced by the Vikings Entertainment Network. The expectation was that Addison would be part of the team’s extensive three-receiver sets alongside Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn.

Unfortunately, the Vikings never got a chance to see that arrangement during spring practices. Addison suffered what O’Connell termed a “minor” injury during rookie minicamp and sat out the remainder of the spring. As a result, it’s difficult to project whether Addison will be able to challenge Osborn for playing time in two-receiver sets.

What can be said is that in the absence of Addison and Jefferson, who skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason program, one player did catch a few eyes: 2022 sixth-round pick Jalen Nailor. There’s no reason yet to think Nailor will be part of any three-receiver sets, but he is a smooth route runner who benefited from what amounted to a redshirt season in 2022. He also happens to be the Vikings’ fastest receiver — Thielen nicknamed him “Speedy” last season — and if nothing else should provide competent depth in the event of injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS

Good news on the cancer front for TE FOSTER MOREAU.

Foster Moreau said Monday that his cancer is in full remission.

The veteran tight end made the announcement some three months after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma following a physical with the New Orleans Saints while he was visiting the team in free agency.

“After a few tumultuous months, I’ve been blessed with the news that I am in full remission from Hodgkin Lymphoma!” Moreau posted on Twitter on Monday. “I’m so grateful to everyone who reached out to offer their love and support; our prayers were answered. From here I will continue to live my life as God intended.”

In March, Moreau was considering the possibility of continuing his pro football career with his hometown Saints when Dr. John Amoss, the team’s physician, noticed an enlarged lymph node in the tight end’s left clavicle. Amoss’ discovery led to a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, and Moreau initially announced that he would pause his NFL career to focus on his health.

After further testing, Moreau said, doctors determined he had a rare — but very treatable — form of the disease, nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, or NLPHL.

His treatment consisted of six to eight hours of a drip infusion for one day initially, followed by several weeks of medication that was either ingested or injected into his stomach area. That treatment ended the day before he signed a three-year, $12 million contract with New Orleans in May.

He was able to participate fully in voluntary offseason practice later that month.

“I’ll continue to fight this as long as I need to,” Moreau said at the time. “As many times as I need to fight this and go back into remission, I will.”

Moreau, 26, played football at LSU from 2015 to ’19 and was a fourth-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019. He caught 91 passes for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns during his four seasons for the Raiders.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

RIP former Cardinals head coach (and Bears DC) Vince Tobin.  ESPN.com:

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Vince Tobin, who helped the franchise end a 50-plus year playoff victory drought, died Monday. He was 79.

A cause of death was not immediately known.

Tobin led the Cardinals to a playoff berth in 1998 and a 20-7 upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round. It was the Cardinals’ first postseason victory since 1947, when the franchise, then based in Chicago, defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21 to win the NFL championship.

The Cardinals lost to the Minnesota Vikings 41-21 in the divisional round in the 1998 playoffs.

Tobin was hired in 1996 to succeed Buddy Ryan as the team’s head coach and went 28-43 in parts of five seasons. He was fired after Week 8 of the 2000 campaign amid a 2-5 start.

“Our deepest condolences go out to everyone who knew and loved Vince Tobin, and in particular his wife Kathy and their family,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement. “As head coach of the Cardinals, his steady leadership was a constant and a big part of the success the team enjoyed during his tenure.

“His football legacy with us is highlighted by the thrilling 1998 season, return to the postseason, and upset playoff win at Dallas. He will also be remembered for his instrumental role in key decisions like drafting Jake Plummer and Pat Tillman. More than that, he was a consummate family man and always a class act who positively impacted everyone he encountered.”

Plummer expressed his condolences on Twitter, writing that he will forever be grateful for “the confidence he installed in me.”

Tobin was the defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears from 1986 to ’92. He took over under Mike Ditka when Ryan left to become the head coach of the Eagles.

He was also a defensive coordinator in the CFL and USFL and with the Indianapolis Colts (1994-95) and Detroit Lions (2001).

Tobin was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 along with his brother Bill. Vince Tobin was a two-year starter for the Tigers and later became an assistant coach from 1965 to ’76.

SAN FRANCISCO

FB KYLE JUSZCZYK is purdy darn happy with the play of last year’s rookie QB.  Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com:

The 49ers have all but said if Brock Purdy can return to health by the season opener he will start. The question is: Will he?

Purdy earned the right to start this season with the way he played in an emergency last season. Still, the 49ers have Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, and free agent signee Sam Darnold, a former first-round pick, standing by in case.

Quarterback is the biggest question for the 49ers as they head into training camp as one of the favorites in the NFC.

49ers players are as eager as everyone else to see what happens.

“At the end of the day, it’s up to [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan],” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said Friday on The Rich Eisen Show, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com, “and with Brock recovering from his injury, he can’t really be in a competition during OTAs and that sort of thing. We’ll see when we get back for training camp how much he can do. But from my understanding, it seems like Brock has the upper hand , and I don’t know if that’s the official word.

“At the end of the day, we all have to win our spots when you come into training camp. So I’m sure that’ll be the case, and we’ll see who can go out there and perform the best when we get back. And I think it’s really going to be as simple as that.”

Purdy took advantage of his playing time as a rookie after injuries to Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. He completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in seven games during the regular season. Purdy completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 569 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in three playoff games, injuring his elbow early in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Eagles.

“When I describe Brock to people—and truly, this is the biggest compliment that I could ever receive—I say, ‘He’s a football player,’” Juszczyk told Eisen. “The guy has just played a lot of ball. He started since he was a freshman at Iowa State, so he played a lot of games. When you’re playing that position, especially a quarterback, you just need those reps. You need those live reps, those live bullets, and just certain little things, timing things, natural reactions, they just get ingrained in your head, and you’re just not thinking as much out there. You’re just reacting.

“And I felt like that’s what he was doing, is he was just going out there, and he was reacting. He didn’t have to think about it as much. It sounds so much easier than what it really is—to have the confidence to do that as the last pick of the draft, rookie, you’re in the first year in this offense, to have the trust in Kyle to [say], ‘All right, this is what Kyle told me to do during the week when we did the install. I’m just going to go do that, and I’m going to react. I’m not going to overthink it.’ And I felt like that’s what he really did. He was so well prepared that he didn’t have to overthink things, and he really just ran the offense. He didn’t try to do too much. He trusted in the playmakers that he had. He’s got a plethora of weapons in our offense, and he didn’t try to take on too much. He just went out there, and he reacted.”

AFC NORTH

CINCINNATI

RB Corey Dillon is campaigning hard for a spot in the Bengals fledgling Ring of Honor, as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Athletic is all in on his candidacies:

On June 5, I reached out to Corey Dillon for a story I was researching about one of his former teammates.

Dillon texted back to set up a phone call, and after a brief discussion of the topic I was calling about, the Bengals legend shifted to a message he wanted to deliver. An explosive one. About the Ring of Honor voting, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the inexplicable way he thinks his career has been viewed.

It was a message that put his famous “I’d rather flip burgers” rant to shame. He’s tired of being quiet. He’s tired of perception shaping reality. He’s tired of his undeniable numbers somehow not being enough to move the needle for season ticket holders voting in the Ring of Honor and beyond.

“You know the f—ery that’s going on,” he said. “We can shoot this straight. That’s the only way I like it.”

Toward the end of a 27-minute eruption of facts and frustration from the four-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champ and Bengals’ all-time leading rusher, I asked a simple question for extreme clarity.

Corey, what do you want me to do with all this? Do you want your voice out there?

“Man, you can quote me word-for-f—ing-word,” he said. “Print it. Because nobody gets this s—. I want it exactly how I told you. No spins. No nothing.”

Dillon sits as one of 10 running backs in the Super Bowl era whose career featured 4.3 yards per carry, 70 yards rushing per game and 10,000 total rushing yards. Eight are in (or will be first-ballot for) the Pro Football Hall of Fame; the others are Dillon and Fred Taylor.

Super Bowl era RBs: 4.3, 70, 10K club

Walter Payton                 4.4          88           16,726           Y

Barry Sanders                 5           100           15,269          Y

Adrian Peterson              4.6         81             14,918         N/A

LaDainian Tomlinson      4.3         81             13,684        Y

Eric Dickerson                4.4          91             13,259       Y

Tony Dorsett                  4.3          74              12,739        Y

Marshall Faulk               4.3          70             12,279        Y

Fred Taylor                    4.6           76            11,695        N

Corey Dillon                   4.3          75             11,241       N

O.J. Simpson                 4.7          83            11,236        Y

Dillon is one of just six running backs in the Super Bowl era with at least four seasons of 1,100 yards rushing and 4.6 yards per carry. Only Barry Sanders (seven) and Taylor (seven) have more.

Dillon began his career with six consecutive 1,100-yard rushing seasons, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and 80 rushing yards per game in that span. He did so with defenses consistently stacked against him as the Bengals quarterbacks struggled. Only 16 of those 84 starts featured a quarterback with even an average passer rating, and most ranked near the bottom of the NFL.

Dillon broke Jim Brown’s rookie rushing record that stood for 40 years with 246 yards (and four touchdowns) in a game in 1997. He broke Walter Payton’s single-game rushing record that stood for 23 years with 278 yards in 2000. He averaged more yards per carry that year than his quarterbacks’ yards per attempt.

He won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2004, racking up 1,635 yards and 109 per game, earning the nickname Clock Killin’ Corey Dillon at age 30. The only other running backs in history to post those numbers in a championship season were Terrell Davis (1997, 1998) and Emmitt Smith (1995).

His case lies with not only the rarified air of his stats but also running backs in the Hall, playing their entire career in the Super Bowl era without nearing his numbers.

• Fewer than 10,000 career yards (3): Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka, Davis.

• Under 4.2 yards per carry (6): Franco Harris (4.1), Marcus Allen (4.1), Edgerrin James (4.0), Curtis Martin (4.0), Jerome Bettis (3.9), John Riggins (3.9).

• One or zero seasons of 1,100/4.6 (8): James (1), Martin (1), Bettis (1), Allen (1), Harris (1), Csonka (1), Riggins (0), Floyd Little (0)

Yet Dillon has never been even a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame. As the Bengals’ Ring of Honor voting has begun in recent years, he’s been an afterthought in votes cast by season ticket holders. The next two inductees should be announced later this month, and the expectation is Dillon will be left off again, though he is one of 13 nominees.

His case speaks for itself. But that hasn’t been enough. So, he offered these thoughts on all of the above. Word-for-f—ing-word. No spins. No nothing.

(Note: Conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.)

Dillon: I don’t pull no punches, and I’m not ducking anybody. I don’t have no friends I’m trying to protect, so I can speak freely about whatever I need to speak freely about. It’s damn-near criminal, what (Bengals Ring of Honor voters) are pulling off, to be honest with you. Did I not play for them? I don’t know, bro. I’m curious about that. Because it looks like they are glossing over me. For what reason? Because I left? That’s not a good enough reason. You are telling me there’s five other guys better than me — at my position? And trust me, this is no knock on whoever is getting in, who goes in, that’s not what it is about. It’s about what is your excuse going to be? I’m pretty sure they will put f—ing Jon Kitna in there before they put me. Matter of fact, Scott Mitchell will end up in that motherf—er before I do.

I think there are bigger things than that. I think you deserve to be in the Hall of Fame consideration.

I want it all. I am coming for it all. You know why? Because I earned it. I’m not one of these borderline guys sitting on my ass reminiscing, talking about, “Oh, if I had this, shoulda, coulda, woulda.” No. I’m justified. Why not? What it does, it breaks down to what I thought initially — which I hope it’s not true — I think they are mad at me for being vocal and going on to win a championship. That’s the only thing I can think of.

I have this stat I pull out about your career — how you have never been in the conversation for the Hall of Fame, one of 10 running backs with 4.3/10K/70. Eight are in the Hall or going to be. The others are you and Fred Taylor. And you did it with no quarterbacks, broke the rookie record of 246, broke the single-game record of 278 and have a massive role on a team that won a title. Your career checks every single box.

That’s why I resurfaced, man. Because there has been a lot of wrong that needs to be un-wronged. Nobody gets this. I don’t want to get into people’s personal business, but there are a lot of Hall of Famers that did far more worse s— than I did. We can cancel out that excuse. There is no excuse for that. On top of that, I thought the game was predicated on numbers. Are people looking at the numbers like, “Nah, nah”? I don’t think so. (Dillon was arrested twice in a matter of weeks in 2010, the first time for DUI, the second for spousal abuse, though criminal charges were dropped due to lack of evidence weeks later. The DUI was reduced to a reckless driving charge, and he paid a fine and served two years’ probation. He was also charged with fourth-degree assault in 2000 after an altercation with his then-wife that resulted in a diversion program and donation to a women’s shelter.)

To me, your career checks every box someone would value. Longevity? Check. Playing great on a title team? Check. High moments? Check. Check. Consistency? Check. It has everything — I don’t get it.

The real ones know. There’s a lot of real ones out here that really know, and we have the same question. Like, what’s the deal? I’m taking it as an organizational move. Nobody is pushing the envelope for these guys. I’m not even talking about myself — I’m trying to push the envelope for others.

I’m not down in Cincinnati, in the main office saying hello to Mike Brown every day. That ain’t going to happen. That shouldn’t negate my accomplishments on the field. Nothing should negate what you do on the field because that’s where it’s actually done. I don’t know where this thing got out of context to on-the-field work versus off-the-field work and being a latter-day saint. S—, none of us are. I’m a God-fearing, Christian man. And I got issues, and I know everybody else do, too. So, there’s nobody running around here perfect. Everybody has something they aren’t proud of. People are running out of excuses.

Season ticket holder voting ends up with a lot of votes from people who never saw you play, and it can become a popularity contest.

And that’s garbage. That’s garbage. This should be solely predicated on the authorities of the Bengals. The owner. The president. Whatever. There should be a special committee. This ain’t a popularity contest. This is football. You are going to put in somebody who is more popular than somebody who got stats?

Bengals are smart. I give it to them. We will put it in the hands of the season ticket holders so they don’t have to take that backlash over who the voters are picking. That’s bulls—. The s— should come straight from the team. Half these season ticket holder people never seen half of us play.

All you can do is put the numbers out there.

You know the f—ery that’s going on. We can shoot this straight. That’s the only way I like it. I don’t need no sympathy f—ing vote. I don’t want that s—. Not at all. This is just straight man-to-man conversation s—. Here’s the facts. Where are people glossing over the facts? Chad (Johnson) was popular? That’s bulls—, bro. There’s a thousand motherf—ers more popular than me in football. Are their stats like mine? No.

I never played this game for a popularity vote. Never have. I played the game to win. And win and win and win again. I don’t know how this came off about, “Oh, we like him more.” Who gives a f—? Go out there and win games. To be honest, to keep it real, I’m the most decorated Bengal, period, outside of Anthony Muñoz — much respect; that’s one of my idols. He put in the work. So did both Kens (Riley and Anderson). Other than that, I should have been the next dude on.

I think you have the most compelling actual Pro Football HOF case among all those former Bengals who are eligible. You don’t see a collection of stats and seasons like that together, but a lot of season ticket holders didn’t come along until 2005.

Whose fault is that? Not mine. I’m trying to keep it as simple as possible. There is no f—ing excuse for what they are doing. Should Chad be in the Ring? Of course he should. He’s the best at wide receiver. F—ing right. I’m not trying to put player versus player — that’s not where I’m going. I’m going to the whole structure of how they are putting people in. It’s f—ed up. I tell you what, man, I don’t like my career being in the hands of any-f—ing-body, to be honest with you. Who are they to say if I’m worthy or not? That’s where I’m at with stuff. If you’ve been in the trenches and know what (a) sacrifice (it) is playing hurt, playing when you didn’t want to play, you don’t know. You think that s— was easy, going out there every week with a nine-man, eight-man box and suiting up and saying, “F— it, it’s time to go”? Who wants that? Who would suit up for that? That’s where I’m coming from.

Your number of yards gained grinding out against heavy boxes is wild.

Let me break this down to you: Was Willie Anderson double-teamed all f—ing day? Was Chad Johnson double-teamed all f—ing day? I don’t think so. Was the defense altering their defense to stop that guy only?

They were for you.

Exactly. That’s what I’m saying. We’re different.

Don’t let this get to you …

I set out to accomplish what I really wanted to accomplish, and that was winning that Super Bowl. That meant every-f—ing-thing to me because now I can talk s— forever because it validates every-f—ing-thing I’m saying. Everything. Everything. So, in hindsight, I’m just coming from a place now — now that we’re talking about it — I want the whole pie.

We had not thought of Dillon as a Hall of Fame candidate – and now we do.  He’s hurt by playing for two teams.  Cincinnati is a small market, off the radar team.  And for all his numbers, Tom Brady was always the focus with the Patriots.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

QB JOSH ALLEN on why WR STEFON DIGGS is unhappy.  Steve DelVecchio atLarryBrownSports.com:

The drama between Stefon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills that began at the start of minicamp last month seems to have subsided, but Josh Allen shared an interesting new tidbit about the situation in a recent interview.

During an appearance on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, Allen said everything is fine between Diggs and the Bills and that the media “has blown this so far out of proportion.” However, the quarterback also shared an interesting piece of information about what happened. Allen said Diggs was at the Bills’ facility on the first day of minicamp but head coach Sean McDermott sent him home.

“We are in minicamp. We’re not playing a game for four months. He doesn’t show up one day. He’s still there. Coach asked him to go home. We were in talks and discussions of trying to resolve some things,” Allen said. “It wasn’t anything major, and the media blew it up. They’re still talking about. Let it go. There’s no reason to talk about it. He was on the field with us the next day. It was not a big deal.”

Allen may be right that the situation was blown out of proportion, but the Bills did not handle it very well with the media. McDermott is the one who told reporters on the first day of minicamp that Diggs was not there, and the coach said he was “very concerned” about the star wide receiver’s absence. If McDermott is the one who sent Diggs home, as Allen said, why would there be concern? And if McDermott meant he was “very concerned” about the situation in general, that would indicate it was a bigger deal that Allen claims.

Perhaps Diggs and the Bills have managed to work through things. Diggs supposedly has one major issue with the team, but there is plenty of time to sort that out. It is possible the two sides already have.

Commentary from Mike Florio:

Thanks to Allen, we’ve now got a pretty good idea. Diggs rightfully believed the team and its coach were mischaracterizing the circumstances surrounding Diggs’s departure from the building.

Why would anyone believe that everything is fine, based simply on the fact that Diggs was back the next day? (Coincidentally, or not, the Bills canceled the third day of the minicamp.) Beyond whatever damage needed to be repaired for whatever preceded McDermott telling Diggs to go home, there’s even more damage arising from Diggs being told to go home and then being painted as a guy who stormed out.

Allen has every reason to try to get the media to not pay attention to this. The issue won’t make the Bills any more likely to win a championship. If anything, having the story keep coming up and coming up will make it harder for the team and Diggs to get past the situation.

Still, it’s a story. It’s worth talking about. Allen’s desire to get the media to not talk about it makes it even more interesting to talk about, especially since Allen supplied a piece of news that wasn’t previously known.

Recently, baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays sent shortstop Wander Franco home – but they told everyone they had done it.  They didn’t act like Franco stormed out.

NEW ENGLAND

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com encourages the Patriots to make a run at RB DALVIN COOK:

After the Vikings released Dalvin Cook, dumping his $10.4 million salary for 2023, it seemed Cook was determined to go to a team that would give him the best chance to make back as much of that money as possible. Before long, however, Cook began talking about hoping to win a championship.

That’s when a sense emerged that the Dolphins and Jets had become the top contenders for Cook — especially when he was asked to elaborate on the teams that could help him get his hands on a Lombardi Trophy and he specifically mentioned those two teams.

The Dolphins are interested, at their price. The Jets have more interest than most realize, because of running back Breece Hall’s ongoing ACL recovery and because they’re already gone all in by trading for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And there’s a net gain to being the team that gets him, since that team keeps him away from the other.

Enter the Patriots, who could keep Cook away from both of them by signing him. While they have Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots have long favored having a stable of tailbacks. James Robinson, signed early in the offseason, didn’t work.

If the goal is to be the best team in the division, which could be critical to getting in the playoffs at all given the overall difficulty of the schedules for the four AFC East teams, the Patriots could be (perhaps should be) thinking about snagging a guy who otherwise will make one of two division rivals better.

New England’s pursuit of free-agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been open and obvious. If they’re considering Cook, they’re acting in more characteristic fashion, letting their plans not be known to anyone.

Owner Robert Kraft has made clear he wants to win a seventh Super Bowl, now . And to the extent that there’s an internal back-and-forth about spending , here’s a way to prove to everyone that the Patriots can spend, baby .

THIS AND THAT

2024 DRAFT

Jordan Reid of ESPN.com offers this 2024 Mock Draft which is filled with great names like CB KOOL-AID McKINSTRY from Alabama and WR XAVIER WORTHY from Texas.  Plus the namesakes of former NFL great Marvin Harrison and Jeremiah Trotter:

The 2023 college football season is fast approaching, so it seems like a good time to look at the 2024 NFL draft class and what Round 1 could look like in just under 10 months’ time.

Based on my summer scouting film work, the quarterback position looks loaded again, with two high-end prospects at the top of the class. Offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver also appear strong. The 2024 class has serious star power and is filled with players who could quickly become franchise building blocks. There’s still a lot of time — we are over a month away from any games, let alone the pre-draft process — but I wanted to do an early run through prospects who are already generating first-round buzz.

So here’s my summer projection for all 32 picks of next year’s first round. The draft order was determined by the ESPN’s Football Power Index, which is currently giving pick Nos. 1 and 2 to the Cardinals (one of which comes from Houston). Since the common draft era began (1967), the only team to pick 1-2 was the 1992 Colts. In addition to Houston, Carolina and Cleveland have also already dealt their picks, and we’re projecting the Jets’ selection to the Packers based on conditions of the Aaron Rodgers trade earlier this offseason.

Let’s dig in. With the first pick of the 2024 draft, my early prediction is …

1. Arizona Cardinals

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Cardinals are in clear rebuild mode with the league’s worst roster on paper. Quarterback Kyler Murray remains sidelined following a torn ACL, and with his timetable still uncertain and a new regime in place, Arizona could consider offloading his massive contract and selecting an elite QB prospect in the draft. It’s a tricky situation — Murray has a $51.9 million cap number in 2024, and the team would face a huge dead-money hit if it moved on — but Williams is special.

The junior is a problem-solver as a passer, seemingly always making the right play, even in adverse situations. And when playing within the confines of the offense, Williams has an explosive and compact release that enables him to make all types of throws. He threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdown passes last season.

Potential needs: QB, WR, DL

2. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

A strong argument could be made that Harrison is the best overall prospect in the 2024 class, and the Cardinals are starved for talent and lack a true go-to target in the offense. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he has an outstanding blend of size, reliable hands and body control. He finished last season with 14 touchdown receptions, the fourth-best mark in the FBS, and is now expected to be an even bigger part of the Buckeyes’ offensive attack in 2023. Harrison reminds me of A.J. Green when he came out of Georgia in the 2011 draft.

Potential needs: QB, WR, DL

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Buccaneers’ top two options under center are Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, so there’s a clear need. Maye (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) showed promise during his first year as a starter, winning ACC Rookie and Offensive Player of the Year honors.

He is an extraordinarily accurate deep passer, completing 63 passes thrown 20-plus air yards last year. Scouts want to see a stronger finish this year — Maye closed his sophomore campaign with six total touchdowns, four interceptions and 14 sacks in four consecutive losses — but he has clear next-level starter tools. His combination of deep-ball touch and mobility makes him someone the Bucs could build around.

Potential needs: QB, TE, OL

4. Indianapolis Colts

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

A major part of the Colts’ outlook hinges on the development of left tackle Bernhard Raimann. If he builds on his solid second half of the 2022 season and takes the next step, Indy could approach this pick differently. But for the time being, the Colts must add more protection for quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Many scouts believed Fashanu would’ve been the first offensive tackle taken in the 2023 draft, but he opted to return to Happy Valley for another season. He is an explosive and well-balanced tackle with the mirror-and-match ability to handle most edge rushers. He’s still filling out his frame, but Fashanu has the ideal length and strength to generate movement as a run blocker, too.

Potential needs: OT, EDGE, CB

5. Los Angeles Rams

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The Rams’ roster is undergoing a youth movement in multiple spots, and they are in dire need of playmakers at edge rusher. Verse is a heavy-handed and active rusher, and after transferring from Albany, he quickly became the centerpiece of the Seminoles’ 2022 defense. He created pressure on 17.1% of his defensive snaps and recorded nine sacks last season. Verse is a contender to be the first defensive player off the board.

Potential needs: CB, EDGE, OL

6. Tennessee Titans

JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Beyond wideout Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, the Titans severely lack targets on the outside. But because there isn’t another option worthy of a pick this early, I could see Tennessee looking at the trenches. Titans 2023 first-rounder Peter Skoronski has primarily been working at guard, and Andre Dillard was brought in to start at left tackle. But Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for gambling violations and hasn’t proven himself as a surefire starter when available.

Latham is a strong and physical presence, and though he has played only right tackle during his time in Tuscaloosa, he is expected to switch over to the left side this season. He is a bruiser in the run game and surprisingly nimble for a 6-foot-5, 330-pound blocker, but he must reduce the 11 penalties he took in 2022.

Potential needs: WR, EDGE, OL

7. Green Bay Packers

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Packers gave quarterback Jordan Love a one-year extension, meaning he could have more than just 2023 to prove he’s their starter. Now they need to get more help around him. At 6-foot-7 and 317 pounds, Alt is a well-built tackle with all of the tools to be a high-level starter, though his game is a little raw at the moment. He is a little more technically advanced at this stage, but he reminds me of Brian O’Neill as a prospect. The Packers haven’t drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since 2011 (Derek Sherrod), but Alt is the type of prospect who could push Green Bay to break that trend.

Potential needs: S, OT, WR

8. Washington Commanders

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

A lot of this hinges on the development of Sam Howell. But if Washington is picking inside the top 10 next year, it means the team fell well below expectations and will likely be searching for a long-term answer under center.

Ewers came to Texas with plenty of hype and looked the part before hurting his shoulder against Alabama in Week 2. He shows a smooth, effortless arm as a passer, but I’d like to see more urgency in the mental and physical parts of the game. Under the tutelage of coach Steve Sarkisian — who developed Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones — Ewers could be in store for a big season.

Potential needs: OT, EDGE, TE

9. Las Vegas Raiders

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Depending on what happens with Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders could be in on one of the quarterbacks in this class. For now, they should focus on adding to the other side of the ball. McKinstry is one of the most talented defensive players in the country and has all of the physical attributes of a CB1. At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, he allowed only 4.0 yards per attempt as the primary defender (tied for ninth best in the country), broke up 14 passes (tied for eighth best) and allowed zero touchdowns last season. He stands out in man coverage, but he’s also a savvy zone defender with the ability to quickly read and react.

Potential needs: CB, DL, QB

10. Chicago Bears (via CAR)

Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Even after rookie safety Jaquan Brisker led the team in sacks (four) and the team produced a league-low in sacks (20) in 2022, the Bears have made little improvement to their pass rush. Turner is raw and hasn’t quite figured out how to consistently string pass-rush moves together, but at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, he has impressive physical traits and upside. He enters the 2023 season as the key part of the Alabama defensive front after recording 35 pressures and four sacks last season.

Potential needs: EDGE, C, WR

11. Chicago Bears

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Another first-round receiver from Ohio State? Harrison receives most of the attention, but Egbuka looked great during his first season as a starter in 2022 (74 catches, 1,151 yards, 10 scores). He is a crafty and detailed route runner with a great feel for attacking creases against zone looks and the body control and instincts to create separation against man coverage. Even after adding DJ Moore and Chase Claypool, Egbuka would boost the passing game around Justin Fields — and give the Bears a security blanket in case Claypool (a free agent in 2024) doesn’t pan out for them.

Potential needs: EDGE, C, WR

12. New England Patriots

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Hunter Henry is entering the final season of his contract and Mike Gesicki signed for just one year this offseason, so the Patriots’ long-term outlook at tight end past this year remains unclear. Quarterback Mac Jones is in desperate need of pass-catching options, and Bowers would be a dynamic target. He is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound game-changer who is physical at the catch point. Bowers is also a run-and-catch threat, privy to turning short catches into explosive scoring plays. He led all tight ends in receiving yards (942) and yards after the catch (523) last season, and he has the ability to unlock another dimension of the playbook for any NFL offense..

Potential needs: OT, WR, TE

13. Atlanta Falcons

Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

The Falcons checked off a bunch of roster needs this offseason, but they had the least productive pass-rush unit in the league over the past two seasons. Atlanta has 39 sacks since 2021; every other team has recorded at least 62.

Trice would be a bit of a change-up for a team that has selected three consecutive offensive players in the first round. He is heavy-handed and explosive, traits that fit what coordinator Ryan Nielsen typically likes on defense. Trice finished last season with 16.7% pressure percentage (sixth best in the FBS) and nine sacks.

Potential needs: EDGE, WR, CB

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Maason Smith, DT, LSU

The Steelers don’t have many glaring weaknesses in their starting lineup, but they might be looking for succession plans in multiple areas at draft time next year. They value defensive line depth, and Smith brings high-end traits. There are big expectations for the 6-foot-5, 310-pound interior defender to rebound after he tore his left ACL in the season-opener last season. When healthy, Smith is agile and disruptive, and he can be moved around on the first level.

Potential needs: DL, LB, CB

15. New York Giants

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Giants made significant additions at wide receiver through both the draft and free agency this offseason, yet they still lack a true go-to option. And after making a significant investment in Daniel Jones — he signed a four-year, $160 million deal this offseason — it would be wise for New York to continue improving the supporting cast.

Scouts are excited about Odunze. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he’s sure-handed and has experience with every branch of the route tree. He is the top option in what’s expected to be among the most explosive offenses in the country this upcoming season, so he will have plenty of opportunities to prove that he’s a first-round-worthy prospect. Odunze had 75 catches for 1,145 yards and seven scores last season.

Potential needs: EDGE, S, WR

16. Denver Broncos

J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

The Broncos added Zach Allen this offseason, but the defensive line still lacks youth at multiple spots. Tuimoloau opened some eyes against Penn State last season (two sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a touchdown), but scouts want to see him flash more often throughout the course of the 2023 season. If he finds some more consistency, his strength as a run defender and his mature hands as a pass-rusher have many NFL teams excited about his future.

Potential needs: EDGE, IDL, WR

17. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State

The Texans need to keep adding talent all over the roster, and the defensive line remains a glaring weakness — even after Houston traded up for Will Anderson Jr. in April. Hall is a quick-footed interior defender who displays burst out of the starting blocks at the snap. He checks a lot of key boxes as a pass-rusher, but his early-down reps as a run defender must improve in 2023. He had 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss on only 290 defensive snaps last season.

Potential needs: WR, DL, CB

18. Miami Dolphins

Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Expectations are high for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa entering his fourth season, but the Dolphins’ offensive front remains in flux. Left guard and right tackle could have new starters in 2024, depending on the development of Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson. Donovan Jackson could help on the interior after he allowed just one sack on 796 snaps at left guard last season. He shows strong hands and solid foot quickness, helping him win in tight proximities. Jackson has the potential to be a plug-and-play starter at the next level.

Potential needs: OT, IOL, TE

19. Seattle Seahawks

Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois

At 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, Newton is a stout tackle who can lock out and shed blockers to make plays against the run. He is a pocket collapser and finisher, consistently making quarterbacks worry. Newton is at the center of one the best defensive units in the country and led Illinois in tackles for loss (14.0) and sacks (5.5) last season. He’d help Seattle continue to build up that defensive line.

Potential needs: IOL, IDL, LB

20. New Orleans Saints

Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College

Interior offensive line is a major question mark for the Saints, with their top three options — Andrus Peat, Cesar Ruiz and Calvin Throckmorton — all scheduled to become free agents following the season. Mahogany was getting early-round buzz before tearing his right ACL heading into the 2022 season, and now that he is healthy, scouts are watching to see if he can follow Chris Lindstrom (2019) and Zion Johnson (2022) as the next Boston College first-round lineman. Mahogany has spent time at both guard spots, and at 6-foot-3, 335 pounds, he is tough to beat.

Potential needs: IOL, WR, DL

21. Minnesota Vikings

Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Danielle Hunter’s future with the Vikings is still in question, but even if the two sides are able to come to terms on a restructured contract, Minnesota lacks dependable options off the edge. Marcus Davenport signed for just one year, and other players at the position have yet to develop into true starters.

At 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, Robinson is urgent and displays a variety of pass-rush plans. He didn’t start any games last season and didn’t record a sack, but he did get first pressure within 2.5 seconds on an FBS-best 12.1% of his pass-rush snaps, which shows his ability to create chaos. Robinson still needs to fill out his frame and show he can be relied on as an early-down run defender, but the potential is there.

Potential needs: EDGE, LB, CB

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

The Chargers’ run defense surrendered a league-high 5.4 yards per carry last season, and the front seven lacks depth behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Jenkins is expected to make a significant leap in his development, and while he is still filling out his 6-foot-3, 285-pound frame, his movement skills and first-step quickness are really solid. His performance against Ohio State (seven tackles, three pressures) provided a glimpse of his upside.

Potential needs: IDL, TE, RB

23. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ)

Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

Technically, this pick is still the Jets’ property, but we’re assuming here that Aaron Rodgers plays at least 65% of the snaps for New York this season — which would hand the selection to Green Bay. The Packers’ secondary has lacked a versatile safety who can patrol the third level of the defense for a while, and Kinchens is a rangy mistake-eraser on the back end. He has outstanding ball skills (six interceptions last year) and is a consistent wrap-up tackler.

Potential needs: S, OT, WR

24. Baltimore Ravens

Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State

All eyes are on Ben Cleveland at left guard entering a crucial final year on his contract. Is he the Ravens’ long-term answer? If not, Beebe is a physical interior blocker who embodies every trait the Ravens have gravitated toward in the past. With guard and tackle experience during his career, he best projects as a guard on the next level. Beebe generates movement with ease as a run-blocker and would be an ideal fit in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme. He allowed just one pressure last season, and he last allowed a sack in 2020.

Potential needs: CB, IOL, DL

25. Detroit Lions

Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Emmanuel Moseley, C.J.Gardner-Johnson and Jerry Jacobs (restricted free agent) are all only under contract for 2023, which means cornerback could quickly climb the Lions’ list needs. King is one of my favorite players to watch on tape — he is an easy mover. At 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, he will be labeled as undersized for some teams, but he reminds me of Denzel Ward as a prospect because of his ability to blanket receivers and slam throwing windows shut. He finished last season with 15 pass breakups, tied for fifth best in the FBS. It should not be surprising if King catapults up into the top half of the first round by next spring — or even ends up the first player selected at the position.

Potential needs: CB, DL, EDGE

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The Jaguars could use more cornerback depth after Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams. Lassiter began to display more comfort in the Bulldogs’ scheme throughout his sophomore campaign and is now expected to unlock another level of his development this season. Patience in press coverage and footwork repeatedly come up when discussing areas of improvement for him, but he must show more consistency with those traits. Lassiter had 44 tackles and four pass breakups last season but didn’t bring in any interceptions.

Potential needs: CB, DL, OL

27. Dallas Cowboys

Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida

Stephon Gilmore — who is turning 33 and entering the final year of his contract — doesn’t seem to be in the Cowboys’ long-term plans, and Trevon Diggs is likely to become expensive in the near future. That is to say the Cowboys may be relying on drafting well in the secondary behind Diggs. At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, Marshall’s length causes issues for opponents in man coverage. However, he lacks ball production (only two career interceptions), and scouts want to see him make a bigger impact on passes in the air next season.

Potential needs: OL, CB, RB

28. Buffalo Bills

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson

Trotter’s instincts, speed and feel for attacking downhill were consistent on tape during his breakout sophomore year (91 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions). At 6-foot, 230 pounds, he isn’t a big presence in the middle, but his foresight and reaction skills help him anticipate offensive concepts. The Bills found success in drafting an undersize but instinctive linebacker in Matt Milano in 2017. Pairing him alongside Trotter would provide the team with a really good duo in the middle of Sean McDermott’s defense.

Potential needs: DL, WR, OT

29. San Francisco 49ers

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

With Mike McGlinchey heading to the Broncos, the 49ers are pivoting to Colton McKivitz at right tackle — and they showed confidence in him by signing him to a two-year extension this offseason. But Suamataia would be an interesting addition to the mix if McKivitz doesn’t live up to the investment. He could be a star in a zone-blocking scheme, like what coach Kyle Shanahan runs in San Francisco. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, he has good movement skills but is still working to gain strength in his upper body.

Potential needs: OT, CB. EDGE

30. Cincinnati Bengals

Graham Barton, OT, Duke

With Jonah Williams requesting a trade and La’el Collins’ inability to stay healthy, right tackle is a concern for the Bengals. There will be debate over whether Barton is a guard or tackle, but the talent is there. At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, he spent his first season at center before transitioning to left tackle over the past two seasons. He now has 30 career starts, including 25 at tackle. Barton is a tenacious blocker in multiple phases and plays with plenty of poise.

Potential needs: OT, TE, DL

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

It’d be wrong to not put a Georgia player here, right? The Eagles have repeatedly drafted players from the Bulldogs’ loaded roster, and maybe Bullard is next. They haven’t found a solution to losing C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, but Bullard brings a very similar skill set to the slot. He primarily plays nickel and strong safety in Georgia’s defense, and he’s a physical tone-setter. Bullard had 50 tackles and two interceptions last season.

Potential needs: S, CB, EDGE

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Electing to take the non-pricey route at wide receiver paid off for the Chiefs last season, and drafting a pass-catcher in Round 1 next April makes sense. Worthy would bring an explosive skill set to Kansas City for Patrick Mahomes. He needs to gain mass at 6-foot and 160 pounds, but he plays the game in a different gear. He recorded 12 catches that gained 20 or more yards last season, and I could see him eventually taking over Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s role for the Chiefs.

Potential needs: S, WR, DL