AROUND THE NFL
Daily Briefing
|
NFC WEST
|
|
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Will the Rams be inking former Seahawks LB BOBBY WAGNER? Josh Alper ofProFootballTalk.com:
Shortly after Bobby Wagner was released by the Seahawks earlier this month, word surfaced that other teams in the NFC West were interested in signing the veteran linebacker.
Nothing materialized immediately, but it looks like things may be developing with one of those teams. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Wagner is visiting the Rams on Wednesday. It’s the first known visit for Wagner since his release.
The report adds that there’s mutual interest in a deal that would fit with the Rams’ history of big-name additions to the roster in recent seasons.
Ernest Jones, Travin Howard, and Christian Rozeboom are the inside linebackers currently on Los Angeles’ roster. Troy Reeder remains a free agent.
|
|
AFC WEST
|
|
KANSAS CITY
Andy Reid on the departure of WR TYREEK HILL. Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com:
The Chiefs have traded wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for five draft picks, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid said in the team’s announcement of the move that adding draft picks and cap space was the right move for the team going forward.
“I am happy for Tyreek, he has grown as a man and player here in Kansas City,” Reid said. “Myself, my staff and our organization appreciate all he did for our team. This move will also benefit the Chiefs, we now have cap space and additional draft picks to grow as a football team. I wish him well as he moves forward.”
Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach called the decision difficult but ultimately correct.
“It’s hard to put into words what Tyreek has meant to Chiefs Kingdom over the last six years,” Veach said. “He’s a special player, one of the best in franchise history. He’s been a large part of our success, including our Super Bowl championship run. This decision was incredibly difficult, but we felt it was a necessary move in the best interest of the team, and also for Tyreek. We wish him the best as he continues his career.”
The Dolphins are sending the Chiefs first-, second- and fourth-round picks in 2022 and fourth- and sixth-round picks in 2023 for Hill.
A Tweet from Jordan Moore:
@iJordanMoore
Tom Brady didn’t sign an outrageous deal to limit how the Pats could build around him. He won 6 rings.
Tom Brady didn’t sign an outrageous deal to limit how the Bucs could build around him. He won a title in year 1.
Patrick Mahomes did sign an outrageous deal that limits KC.
Others, such as QB AARON RODGERS, haven’t left anything on the table either. Mahomes is not alone.
|
|
AFC NORTH
|
|
CLEVELAND
Former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com explains why QB DESHAUN WATSON’s contract is historic:
Deshaun Watson’s trade to the Browns has the potential to be the NFL’s most significant transaction during the salary cap era, which began in 1994. The draft capital in the trade won’t be the reason. The Texans dealt Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick for 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-round picks, a 2022 fourth-round pick, a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Nobody expected Watson to get a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in the process especially considering the sexual assault and misconduct allegations he’s still facing. The quarterback had four years worth $136 million remaining on the four year contract extension averaging $39 million per year he signed in September 2020.
The Browns “pulled a rabbit out of the hat” with the help of the new contract. Watson had narrowed the teams he was willing to waive his no trade clause for down to the Falcons and Saints. The Browns had barely missed the cut prior to the new contract entering the equation.
The record for guarantees in an NFL contract is shattered with Watson’s deal. He more than doubles the amount fully guaranteed at signing in Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ new contract, which is widely considered to be $150.815 million over three years, although there are two additional below market years in the deal.
Rodgers had set new standards for guaranteed money with football contracts in becoming the NFL’s first $50 million per year player. He has $150.665 million in total guarantees and $101.515 million fully guaranteed.
Watson has the type of guaranteed money typically reserved for the most lucrative NBA contracts. For example, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2019 and 2020 NBA MVP, signed a five-year extension in December 2020 that took effect this season worth a fully guaranteed $228,200,420.
The four-year extension Warriors All-NBA guard Steph Curry signed last August that begins next season is for a fully guaranteed $215,353,662. The five years, including the 2021-22 season, Curry is currently under contract total a fully guaranteed $261,134,628. Unlike the NFL, fully guaranteed contracts are the norm in MLB and the NBA.
The history of NFL game-changers
History can’t repeat itself in order for Watson’s contract to forever change the NFL’s economic landscape. The three-year, $84 million deal quarterback Kirk Cousins received from the Vikings in 2018 free agency was the NFL’s first lucrative fully guaranteed veteran contract.
Cousins set the stage for other high profile players to push for fully guaranteed contracts. Any momentum there could have been for additional fully guaranteed contracts stopped after Matt Ryan and Rodgers signed extensions in the following months in 2018. The Falcons made Ryan the NFL’s first $30 million per year player on a five year extension with $94.5 million fully guaranteed at signing. Rodgers surpassed Ryan as the league’s highest paid player at $33.5 million with his four year extension that preseason. He had $78.7 million fully guaranteed in the deal, which was less than the amount in Cousins’ contract.
Ryan held the mark for the most money fully guaranteed in an NFL contract for nearly three years. That was until Dak Prescott signed his four-year, $160 million deal with $95 million fully guaranteed at signing last March to remain the Cowboys’ quarterback.
Why NFL’s funding rules could be big obstacle
One potential obstacle to Watson opening the flood gates to fully guaranteed contracts is the NFL’s funding rules. The new NFL collective bargaining agreement ratified in 2020 modified the NFL’s archaic funding requirements which necessitated teams putting into an escrow account the amount of any guarantees in a contract other than those just for injury, including ones in future contract years. The new rules are as follows:
The NFL may require that by a prescribed date certain, each Club must deposit into a segregated account the present value, calculated using the Discount Rate, less $15,000,000 (the “Deductible”), of deferred and guaranteed compensation owed by that Club with respect to Club funding of Player Contracts involving deferred or guaranteed compensation; provided, however, that with respect to guaranteed contracts, the amount of unpaid compensation for past or future services to be included in the funding calculation shall not exceed seventy-five (75%) percent of the total amount of the contract compensation. The present value of any future years’ salary payable to a player pursuant to an injury guarantee provision in his NFL Player Contract(s), shall not be considered owed by a Club under this Section until after the Club has acknowledged that the player’s injury qualifies him to receive the future payments. The $15,000,000 Deductible referenced in the first sentence of this Section 9 shall apply to the 2020-28 League Years only. This Deductible shall increase to $17,000,000 for the 2029-30 League Years.
The funding issue will be most problematic for NFL teams with the poorest owners (among a group of the super wealthy). When I was an agent, I used to hear from team contract negotiators quite often that ideas I proposed couldn’t be done because of funding.
A conversation I had recently with a former team executive confirmed my suspicions about teams ability to fund guarantees. He said his owner had given him permission to blame his inability to do something contractually that an agent wanted on the funding problem at his discretion or whenever it suited him. Teams continuing to use the funding requirements as a convenient excuse is expected.
There will likely be teams insisting that Watson’s case is an outlier because of unique circumstances where multiple teams were recruiting him to waive his no trade clause. Some might try to take the position that Watson was more like a free agent than the typical contract extension candidate where there’s a closed negotiation only with the player’s team.
It wouldn’t be surprising for teams to try to entice players/agents to accept the traditional contract structure where the first two years (and possibly the third) are fully guaranteed in the most lucrative multi-year deals with a larger than normal signing bonus. Prescott’s $66 million signing bonus is the biggest ever in an NFL contract. Teams might be more comfortable with a dramatic increase in the top signing bonuses than fully guaranteeing contracts.
Two worth watching
Two situations worth watching this offseason are Lamar Jackson’s and Kyler Murray’s, since both quarterbacks are eligible to sign new contracts. Murray, who has two years left on his rookie contract, has been putting pressure both privately and publicly on the Cardinals about getting a new deal done as soon as possible. It’s conceivable that Murray could eventually request a trade if the Cardinals try to minimize the impact of Watson’s new deal in contract discussions.
Jackson is more of an enigma contractually because he doesn’t have an agent. Presumably, he has competent advisors to help with the process. Jackson tabled discussions last year during training camp to focus on football. 2022 is his contract year. Jackson is scheduled to play under a $23.016 million fifth year option.
There have been reports that Jackson isn’t afraid of playing the franchise tag game like Cousins did before getting his fully guaranteed contract in free agency. The Ravens believing the 2019 NFL MVP is willing to embrace franchise tags could lead to a Watson type deal this offseason or 2023.
… and a few others
Newly acquired Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has two years left on his contract worth $50 million. Mark Rodgers, Wilson’s agent, hasn’t been afraid to think outside of the box. He reportedly proposed tying Wilson’s compensation in the latter years of a contract to the growth in salary cap during previous negotiations with the Seahawks. A fully guaranteed contract might be particularly appealing to Rodgers because of his experience as a baseball agent where he’s accustomed to dealing with completely secure deals.
2020 first round picks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert could be the litmus test for fully guaranteed contracts in 2023 if nobody else has capitalized on Watson’s. In just two NFL seasons with the Bengals and Chargers respectively, Burrow and Herbert have entered into the elite quarterback discussion. 2020 first round picks will be eligible to sign contract extensions once the 2022 regular season ends next January.
One thing that seems destined to change because of the security in Watson’s deal, at least for Burrow, is Cincinnati’s antiquated contract structure. Bengals veteran contracts are vanilla.
The only true guaranteed money is in a signing bonus. A refusal to include traditional guarantees in any new contract will surely be a deal breaker for Burrow at this point.
|
|
AFC EAST
|
|
BUFFALO
DC LESLIE FRAZIER is ecstatic to add EDGE VON MILLER to his defense. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier couldn’t be happier to have Von Miller on his team.
Frazier told Katherine Fitzgerald of the Buffalo News that Miller is going to be a major piece of the puzzle for the Bills.
“Oh, you talk about excitement? Brandon Beane and Sean [McDermott] did a terrific job,” Frazier said. “He’s a Hall of Famer as a pass rusher, and he’s done a terrific job throughout his career. And now, for him to be able to come to Buffalo and help us to reach our goals as a team, it’s exciting, very exciting.”
Frazier said the Bills’ defensive staff will come up with a good plan for making the most of Miller’s talents.
“We’re looking forward to sitting down as a staff and just going through all the different ways we can utilize his talents,” Frazier said. “You want to get this right, because you don’t get a chance to coach a guy like this very often.”
Miller has won a Super Bowl with the Broncos and with the Rams, and now the Bills will hope he can become the first player ever to win a Super Bowl with three different teams.
|
|
MIAMI
The Dolphins landed WR TYREEK HILL by giving the Chiefs five draft picks and Hill a lot of moola. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:
The Kansas City Chiefs traded six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks: a 2022 first-round pick (No. 29), second-round pick (No. 50) and fourth-round pick, plus fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2023 draft on Wednesday.
The trade is pending a physical, the Dolphins said.
The Dolphins also are giving Hill a four-year, $120 million extension, including $72.2 million guaranteed and also including $52.535 million at signing, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN.
The deal makes Hill the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. The $72.2 million total becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2023 league year. The three-year total of the deal is $72.5 million.
For Hill, who was already under contract for the 2022 season, the overall total value of the deal — including the $120 million in new money — is $141.685 million. It also includes $250,000 in Pro Bowl incentives each season.
Both the New York Jets and the Dolphins had trades in place for Hill, according to sources. The question became where Hill wanted to become the wide receiver with a record-breaking deal.
The Jets’ trade offer to the Chiefs for Hill — which Kansas City would have accepted if the wide receiver had opted for New York — did not include a first-round pick but rather multiple picks that were commensurate to the Dolphins’ offer based on the draft value chart that teams use, sources told ESPN. The Chiefs would have gotten picks No. 35, 38 and 69 while the Jets would have gotten Hill and pick No. 103.
Davante Adams was the highest-paid wide receiver for a week after he signed a five-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders that averages $28 million per season and includes $65.67 million fully guaranteed.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Hill wrote: “Today starts a new beginning. I’m very excited to be joining the Miami Dolphins and get to work, however it’s hard thinking about the memories, people and fans that made my time in Kansas City so great.”
He also thanked those who joined him in giving back to the community in Kansas City through his foundation and thanked the Chiefs “for believing in me.”
“I worked hard every day to show my appreciation for you taking a chance on me. To Coach (Andy Reid), Coach (Eric) Bieniemy and Coach (Greg) Lewis, thank you for what you have taught me not only about football but about life,” he wrote.
Finally, he thanked his now former Chiefs teammates and the fans, ending his message by writing, “Kansas City will always hold a special place in my heart!”
The Dolphins’ odds at Caesars Sportsbook to win the Super Bowl improved from 70-1 to 40-1 with the trade. Their odds to win the AFC improved from 35-1 to 20-1 and the AFC East from +675 to +400.
It’s the second major move made this week by the Dolphins to boost their offense that will be installed by new head coach Mike McDaniel. On Tuesday, the Dolphins agreed on a five-year deal with left tackle Terron Armstead that is worth up to $87.5 million, a source told ESPN, locking up the services of one of the top free agents of the 2022 cycle. That deal includes $43.37 million in guaranteed money, the source said.
Dolphins assistant general manager Marvin Allen was the Chiefs’ director of college scouting for five years, from 2013 to 2017, when Kansas City drafted Hill.
The addition of Hill gives Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a true No. 1 wide receiver to aid in his development. The Dolphins also added wide receiver Cedrick Wilson in free agency and have dynamic wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who had 104 receptions for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season. The Dolphins also return tight end Mike Gesicki, who received the franchise tag and was second on the team with 73 receptions and 780 yards.
The Dolphins have also added two new running backs in free agency in Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert.
Hill, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all six seasons of his NFL career, had a career-best and franchise-record 111 receptions for 1,239 yards and nine touchdowns for the Chiefs last season.
He has 479 receptions for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns in his career. He is one of four players since 1970 with at least six touchdown catches in each of his first six NFL seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The others are Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and Marvin Harrison.
Mike Florio on the money part:
Wednesday’s stunning news in the NFL arose from the Chiefs trading receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. Miami promptly gave Hill the kind of contract the Chiefs wouldn’t.
Initial reports regarding the new agreement included some discrepancies as to length and amount. We knew the truth eventually would become available. It has. Here are the actual details regarding the deal.
1. Signing bonus: $25.5 million.
2. 2022 base salary: $1.035 million, fully guaranteed.
3. 2023 offseason roster bonus: $10 million, fully guaranteed.
4. 2023 base salary: $16 million, fully guaranteed.
5. 2024 base salary: $19.665 million, fully guaranteed by March 2023.
6. 2025 offseason roster bonus: $1 million.
7. 2025 base salary: $21.835 million.
8. 2026 offseason roster bonus: $1 million.
9. 2026 base salary: $43.9 million.
10. 2022-26 workout bonuses: $100,000 per year.
11. 2022-26 Pro Bowl incentive: $250,000 per year.
The deal pays out $52.535 million fully guaranteed at signing, with another $19.665 million fully guaranteed by March 2023.
Described by some as a four-year, $120 million extension, the inflated compensation package of $45 million for the final year of the deal helps get the contract to a new-money average of $30 million. Remove that season (it undoubtedly will be removed), and it’s a three-year, $75 million extension. That equates to a new-money average of $25 million.
In all, it’s a five-year, $140.435 million deal but, as a practical matter, a four-year, $95.435 million contract. The first three years are essentially guaranteed; the only way to avoid paying him $72.2 million through 2024 would be to cut him after one season, at a total expenditure of $52.535 million.
It’s a deal the Dolphins were willing to do, along with giving up five draft picks to do it. The Chiefs were more willing to take the picks and keep the cash and cap space, even if it meant giving up one of the most dangerous non-quarterbacks in the entire league.
|
|
NEW ENGLAND
CB MALCOLM BUTLER has circled back to New England. Mike Reiss of ESPN.com:
Cornerback Malcolm Butler is returning home, agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $9 million with the New England Patriots, his agent, Derek Simpson, told ESPN.
Butler spent the 2021 season on the reserve/retired list after signing with the Arizona Cardinals and practicing with them throughout training camp and the preseason. At the time, Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said “personal” matters led to Butler being placed on the list.
The Cardinals released Butler from the reserve/retired list on Feb. 17, which freed Butler to sign with any team and ultimately led him back to New England, where he started his NFL career in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama.
Butler, now 32, was the hero of the team’s 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. His interception at the goal line in the final minute is one of the iconic plays in franchise and NFL history.
Then-Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores’ sideline call to insert Butler into the game for the play — “Malcolm, go!” — is also a signature part of New England sports lore.
Now, it’s “Malcolm, go home!” — with Butler having been one of several candidates to fill the void created by J.C. Jackson’s signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent.
Butler had departed the Patriots as a free agent after the 2017 season, signing a five-year, $61.25 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. His final game as a Patriot was notable, as he didn’t play a defensive snap in the team’s 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII despite the team struggling to slow down quarterback Nick Foles and the high-flying Eagles offense.
Coach Bill Belichick never gave a detailed explanation for why Butler — who had battled illness in the days leading up to the Super Bowl and flew separately to the Super Bowl at a later date — played only on special teams.
Butler lasted three seasons in Tennessee — playing in 42 games (including playoffs) and totaling nine interceptions — before moving on to Arizona.
|
|
THIS AND THAT
|
|
FREE AGENCY REVIEW
A host of ESPN experts offer their takes on the best individual signing of free agency so far, plus the team that collectively has done the best:
The 2022 NFL free agency deals are just now starting to slow down, but a handful of the top names are still on the market. Numerous playmakers and impact talents have agreed to terms for 2022 and beyond, and we’ve seen some wild movement on the trade market, especially under center. Which moves stand out so far, and what have we learned from a week of players headed to new teams?
The Jaguars came out of the gate with their wallet open. The AFC West turned into a race to the top with big-name signings and trades. Teams with glaring issues attacked their weaknesses with savvy deals. Some of the NFL’s top teams made moves that could put them over the top, while others quietly made smaller impact signings. Who is leading the way so far this offseason?
Our expert crew weighs in on free agency, including our favorite signings and the most improved teams. We will update this file all week with a new question each day, hitting top signings, biggest head-scratchers and top bargain deals. Let’s dive in on our reactions to this offseason’s free-agent frenzy.
What was the best overall free-agent signing?
Stephania Bell, fantasy football analyst: WR Allen Robinson II to the Rams. I love the improvements from the Bills and Bengals, and the Rams fall into that same bucket in rescuing Robinson from Chicago. It’s fair to say that despite the ultimate success of Matthew Stafford’s 2021 season, he wasn’t exceptionally precise when throwing the ball downfield (27th in deep pass accuracy). Enter Robinson, who dropped just one (one!) deep pass on his 128 deep targets in Chicago. He’s a player who will win 50-50 balls and is still in his prime (he turns 29 in August). The rich get richer, much to the dismay of the rest of the NFC West.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: OLB Haason Reddick to the Eagles. He can set the edge as a strongside linebacker in the Eagles’ base defense and then drop down to rush the passer in sub packages. Reddick has an electric first step, with the ability to bend/flatten off the edge. Philly landed a disruptor here.
Mike Clay, fantasy football writer: OT La’El Collins to the Bengals. The offseason doesn’t get much better than watching a team identify and successfully fill a clear problem area. After watching franchise quarterback Joe Burrow take 70 sacks in 20 games last season, Cincinnati was aggressive in upgrading a weak offensive line. That included a pair of solid interior players in guard/center Ted Karras and guard Alex Cappa, as well as Collins, the highlight of the group. Add in 24-year-old left tackle Jonah Williams and 2021 second-rounder Jackson Carman at left guard, and the Bengals’ line suddenly has a chance to be an asset rather than a major liability.
Tristan H. Cockcroft, fantasy football writer: OLB Von Miller to the Bills. Miller is coming off a strong bounce-back season, including a great showing during the playoffs. He might be the last piece needed to help push the Bills over the top to a Super Bowl win.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL writer: S Marcus Williams to the Ravens. It’s not hyperbole to say the Ravens haven’t had a ball-hawking safety like this since Ed Reed. They’ve had great overall safety play, to be sure, but Williams has elite ball skills with 38 pass deflections and 15 interceptions in five seasons in New Orleans. Williams paired with corners Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters will be a problem for AFC North quarterbacks.
Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: WR Allen Robinson II to the Rams. And they got him for less than the Jaguars are paying Christian Kirk! Robinson is basically the wide receiver version of what Matthew Stafford was last offseason — a guy we all feel pretty sure is very good but has been held back by his circumstances for way too long. The list of quarterbacks from whom Robinson has had to try to catch passes during his career is too depressing to get into right now, but it suffices to say he has never had a quarterback like Stafford. In Sean McVay’s offense, with Cooper Kupp drawing attention, Robinson could have a career year.
Eric Moody, fantasy football writer: WR Chris Godwin back to the Bucs. A knee injury prevented him from playing the final three games of the regular season and the postseason. Godwin posted 98 catches for 1,103 yards and six touchdowns before the injury. As one of the league’s best blockers, he’s an important part of the Buccaneers’ passing attack. His three-year contract reflects that.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: CB J.C. Jackson to the Chargers. If you’re going to play in the AFC West, you have to have a lockdown cornerback. Chargers coach Brandon Staley has his now with the ball-hawking Jackson. He’ll see plenty of one-on-one matchups against Courtland Sutton and Davante Adams, which is why L.A. spent big money ($82.5 million over five years) to lock up one of the NFL’s best corners.
Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst: OT La’El Collins to the Bengals. Even though the Bengals reached the Super Bowl, it was clear that the offensive line needed significant upgrades. The signing of Collins took their offseason upgrades over the top. Reuniting with Frank Pollack, his offensive line coach for the first three seasons of his career, Collins is the rock-solid starter at right tackle who Cincinnati sorely needed.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: CB Carlton Davis to the Bucs. With some patience, the Buccaneers got Davis back on their roster for significantly less than top cornerback value. They’ll pay him $30 million over the next two seasons, while the Chargers will pay J.C. Jackson $40 million over the same period. Jackson might make a few more splash plays, but you won’t find too many people in the NFL who think he’s worth 33% more than Davis in cash and cap value.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: OLB Chandler Jones to the Raiders. He immediately makes Maxx Crosby better, as it’s hard to double-team two edge rushers at the same time. For the Raiders to get to where they want to go, they have to beat Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert in the AFC West. Having two difference-making defensive ends is a great way to improve.
Seth Walder, sports analytics writer: OLB Haason Reddick to the Eagles. Reddick has a ton of green flags: back-to-back seasons of double-digit sack production, produced for multiple teams, a top-10 pass rush win rate last year, and he’s only 27. It made him, in my estimation, the top free-agent pass-rusher available. And while Reddick’s contract wasn’t cheap, it also wasn’t overly expensive at what could be either $30 million over two years or $45 million over three.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: G Alex Cappa and G/C Ted Karras to the Bengals. Cincinnati’s offensive line need was known to everyone entering the offseason, but it has been softened quite a bit by the additions of two rugged, dependable players in Cappa and Karras. While both project to slide in at the guard spots, Karras also can play center if ever needed. These two should be favorites of Joe Burrow sooner rather than later.
Which is the most improved team after free agency and other moves over the past two weeks?
Bell: Bengals. They might not have made the sexiest moves, but the offensive line was perhaps the main thing that stood between them and a Super Bowl victory. Quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked a league-high 51 times last season. Teams went 16-34 last season when pressured on at least 42% of dropbacks, and the Bengals’ Super Bowl loss was among them (42.9%). The addition of right tackle La’el Collins — Burrow’s new self-proclaimed bodyguard — and interior linemen Ted Karras and Alex Cappa might be just what’s needed to put them over the top in 2022.
Bowen: Bills. The Bills added a game-changer in pass-rusher Von Miller, while defensive tackles Tim Settle and DaQuan Jones bolster the interior of the front. Buffalo upgraded the defensive line here to keep the AFC’s top quarterbacks in check and make a Super Bowl run.
Clay: Chargers. There are plenty of good options here, but I’ll give the nod to the Chargers for their success in surrounding young QB Justin Herbert with a much better supporting cast. Cornerback J.C. Jackson and edge rusher Khalil Mack are among the best in the league at their respective positions. Los Angeles’ run defense was atrocious last season, so defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson were much-needed improvements up front. Re-signing receiver Mike Williams and adding tight end Gerald Everett help the cause on the offensive side.
Cockcroft: Chargers. They rolled on offense in 2021 but were severely lacking on defense, having surrendered the 10th-most yards and fourth-most points. It was probably the primary reason they just missed the playoffs. But the Chargers have done quite a good job upgrading that area, with the additions of Mack, Jackson, Joseph-Day and Johnson. And re-signing Williams and keeping the offensive parts in place certainly helps, too.
Fowler: Raiders. A team on the cusp just added the necessary players to make a serious run. The Davante Adams trade elevates the entire offense, and Chandler Jones is a Hall of Fame-level edge rusher. With Jones taking Yannick Ngakoue’s spot opposite Maxx Crosby, the Raiders flipped Ngakoue for Rock Ya-Sin, an intriguing 25-year-old corner with untapped potential. The Raiders got a lot better, and the AFC West will notice. Now, about addressing that offensive line …
Graziano: Jaguars. You can argue with some (if not all) of the contracts, but you can’t say the Jaguars aren’t working to get better in free agency. They landed a top guard in Brandon Scherff, a starting cornerback in Darious Williams, and two key defenders who drew interest from other teams in LB Foyesade Oluokun and DT Folorunso Fatukasi. I don’t know exactly how the pass-catcher situation shakes out with new guys Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram in the mix, but the receivers they had last year weren’t lighting the world on fire. Plus, factor in a dramatic upgrade at head coach. I don’t think the Jags are ready to compete with all of those AFC heavyweights, but after a 3-14 mess, I expect them to be at least a lot better than they were.
Moody: Bengals. They added offensive linemen Collins, Karras and Cappa to help protect their franchise quarterback. And considering the other offensive playmakers on the Bengals’ roster, tight end Hayden Hurst — on a one-year deal — will be a mismatch for opponents.
Miller: Broncos. The trade for quarterback Russell Wilson will receive the most attention (and rightfully so), but adding to an already impressive defense by signing edge rusher Randy Gregory and defensive tackle D.J. Jones could make the Broncos a legitimate AFC West contender.
Reid: Chargers. Having a quarterback on a rookie deal, as the Chargers do with Herbert, is a big roster-building asset. It helped them sign Williams to an extension. But their most impressive moves mostly came on defense. Trading for Mack and signing Joseph-Day and Jackson provided upgrades in key spots. The AFC West is going to be a battle week in and week out, and the Chargers have improved significantly on the defensive side to help complement an explosive offense led by their ascending star under center.
Seifert: Ravens. I thought about the Browns but wondered how much quarterback Deshaun Watson will impact them considering he could serve a suspension. The Broncos made the Wilson deal but play in the toughest division in football. The Ravens, meanwhile, have addressed big needs with good players — safety Marcus Williams and right tackle Morgan Moses, among others — and should be right back in the AFC North mix this season.
Tannenbaum: Browns. The dramatic upgrade at quarterback overshadows everything else. Watson gives them a chance to meaningfully compete for a Super Bowl each year that he stays healthy. An improvement at receiver with Amari Cooper replacing Jarvis Landry makes Cleveland’s offense even more difficult to stop, considering that it already has playmakers around Watson and Cooper in tight end David Njoku, running back Nick Chubb and running back Kareem Hunt.
Walder: Broncos. The upgrade from Teddy Bridgewater/Drew Lock to Wilson outpaces any gains made by other teams and instantly transformed Denver from non-contender to contender.
Yates: Broncos. The additions of Gregory and Jones help fortify an already rock-solid defensive front seven, but the trade for Wilson is what cements Denver as the pick here. No team has been the subject of more “if only they had a quarterback” conversations than the Broncos. They should feel confident they now have one who can lead them to a Super Bowl.
|
|
FREE AGENT LANDING SPOTS
Nick Shook of NFL.com looks
After the first wave of NFL free agency, a number of impact players remain available on the open market. Where could they be headed? Nick Shook reveals the best team fits for nine notable remaining free agents.
Tyrann Mathieu
Safety · Age 29
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys entered free agency with safety as their greatest weakness, and after re-signing Jayron Kearse, Dallas should look outside Texas to find its next impact defender. The Cowboys have cap space, thanks to parting ways with Amari Cooper and La’el Collins, and would be wise to add Mathieu, a unique player who can make a difference all over the field. Add in his leadership and passion to a promising group that also features Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and DeMarcus Lawrence, and you have an exciting defense that could be even better than it was in 2021.
Odell Beckham
Wide receiver · Age 29
Los Angeles Rams
Because of his ACL injury suffered in Super Bowl LVI, Beckham won’t be available for a full season no matter where he signs. This lowers his value and the immediate interest in his services, making a return to the Rams at a friendly price the most ideal fit, even after Los Angeles added Allen Robinson. Half a season of Beckham already proved fruitful once for L.A., so why not run it back?
Stephon Gilmore
Cornerback · Age 31
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals list Chidobe Awuzie and Eli Apple as their current starting outside corners, but one (Apple) has attracted much more attention for his struggles (most notably in Super Bowl LVI) than the other. Why not use some of the estimated $23.6 million in available cap space to improve the position with Gilmore? The Bengals were arguably a better offensive line and a couple of lockdown snaps away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Joe Burrow is on a rookie deal. Go all in before it’s time to eat up a chunk of cap with a lucrative Burrow extension. If the Bengals aren’t just a flash in the pan, Gilmore could seriously pursue a title on the other side of 30 years old.
Duane Brown
Offensive tackle · Age 36
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have a clear need at left tackle and haven’t brought back Eric Fisher, who is currently a free agent after playing in 15 games in his first season in Indianapolis. Brown has chased a title in Seattle and come up short since forcing his way out of Houston in 2017. A return to the AFC South would mean two revenge games per year against his former employer, and with Matt Ryan now in the fold, a chance to again pursue a ring once he turns 37 in August.
Bobby Wagner
Linebacker · Age 31
Los Angeles Rams
Instead of spending a chunk of cap on retaining Von Miller, the Rams watched him choose Buffalo then diverted some of those funds to pay Allen Robinson. Let’s use the rest on Wagner, who is still playing at a Pro Bowl level and would immediately upgrade Los Angeles’ linebacking corps, the thinnest position group on the roster. Sure, the entire $9 million in remaining cap might be needed to get Wagner to join the Rams, but playing for the defending champions with a chance to help them repeat sure sounds nice for a linebacker who turns 32 in June. General manager Les Snead seems to agree, admitting Tuesday he and the Rams’ defensive staff have discussed Wagner and examined whether he’d fit in their defense. Make it happen, Les.
Jadeveon Clowney
Edge · Age 29
Cleveland Browns
After spending a season in Cleveland, Clowney seemed destined for yet another prolonged free agency in which he attracted multiple suitors and weighed their offers. Then the Browns traded for Clowney’s former Texans teammate Deshaun Watson and immediately positioned themselves as a legitimate contender once again. Clowney could be convinced to return to again team up with Myles Garrett, which made for quite a menacing edge-rushing duo when both were healthy in 2021. Now that the Browns have upgraded at quarterback, why not run it back and see if Clowney can help Cleveland return to the playoffs?
Calais Campbell
Defensive end · Age 35
Baltimore Ravens
It seemed as if Campbell’s time in Baltimore was coming to an end following the Ravens’ agreement to bring back Za’Darius Smith, but after the edge rusher ultimately chose Minnesota, the Ravens have a clear need to bolster their defensive front. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound Campbell remains a difference-maker in the trenches and is already familiar with Baltimore, even if his defensive coordinator, Don “Wink” Martindale, has left the team. The Ravens don’t have a ton of cap space and tend to reload through the draft in situations like this, but it would be easier for Campbell, who turns 36 in September, to stay in Baltimore — if the price is right.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski
Tight end · Age 32
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady’s retirement was shorter than a fiscal quarter, and the Buccaneers are clearly attempting to get another title with most of their key players still on the team. Gronkowski has only played with Brady in his career, and if he wants to continue playing, it would only make sense to do so with the G.O.A.T. This should be an easy decision for the Bucs, provided they can make the financial details work.
Jarvis Landry
Wide receiver · Age 29
Cleveland Browns
Landry is another Browns player who seemed destined to move on from Cleveland following the 2021 season, so much so that the Browns tweeted out a thank you to a player who was pivotal to the team’s turnaround in recent years. But the acquisition of Deshaun Watson might change his mind, and the Browns know they’d be wise to explore bringing Landry back — at the right price. The Browns won’t rush to woo Landry, but if they can come to an agreement on money, it makes perfect sense to retain one of the toughest and most well-liked players on any team in the NFL.
|
|
2022 DRAFT
Let’s see what Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com has in his latest Mock Draft:
Thanks to the wildest free agent and trade carousel I can ever remember, we now have more clarity as to what teams will likely do in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in late April.
The veteran quarterback market is nearly dried up — outside of Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield — but there are still a few teams in need of young promising talent at that position.
Because we’re about a month away from the actual draft, I’ve included a trade in in this mock. The Chargers and Giants agree to a deal, one that I posited earlier this week in a separate article. Here are the details.
Chargers get: No. 7 overall, 2023 sixth-round pick
Giants get: Los Angeles’ 2022 first-round pick (No. 17 overall), 2023 first-round pick, 2023 fifth-round pick
For now, keep reading to see how the first 32 picks play out.
1 – JACKSONVILLE
Aidan Hutchinson EDGE MICHIGAN • SR • 6’7″ / 260 LBS
The Jaguars are going Hutchinson at No. 1 after franchising Cam Robinson. The Michigan star is an instant-impact type who can thrive on three downs.
2 – DETROIT
Malik Willis QB LIBERTY • JR • 6’1″ / 219 LBS
The Lions surprise the masses by picking a quarterback at No. 2. Willis can sit behind Jared Goff for a season then take over in 2023.
3 – HOUSTON
Travon Walker DL GEORGIA • JR • 6’5″ / 272 LBS
Walker is an all-upside selection for the rebuilding Texans.
4 – NY JETS
Ahmad Gardner CB CINCINNATI • JR • 6’3″ / 190 LBS
Robert Saleh gets his large, fluid, physical alpha cornerback in Gardner.
5 – NY GIANTS
Evan Neal OL ALABAMA • JR • 6’7″ / 337 LBS
Neal is a mammoth human who carries 337 pounds as well as any human on this planet. He has All-Pro upside.
6 – CAROLINA
Charles Cross OL MISSISSIPPI STATE • SOPH • 6’5″ / 307 LBS
We aren’t quite sure what the Panthers are going to do at quarterback, but the offensive line has to be better regardless.
7 – LA CHARGERS (Mock Trade from NY Giants)
Ikem Ekwonu OL NC STATE • SOPH • 6’4″ / 310 LBS
The Chargers can’t wait and hope a stud tackle falls to them, so they get aggressive and land Ekwonu to play right tackle for Justin Herbert.
8 – ATLANTA
Kyle Hamilton S NOTRE DAME • JR • 6’4″ / 220 LBS
The Falcons are ecstatic to add a big, multi-dimensional playmaker to their defense.
9 – SEATTLE (from Denver)
Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE OREGON • SOPH • 6’4″ / 254 LBS
The Seahawks can’t pass on the uber-talented Thibodeaux as he nearly falls out of the top 10.
10 – NY JETS (from Seattle)
Garrett Wilson WR OHIO STATE • JR • 6’0″ / 183 LBS
Wilson is the springy, well-rounded wideout the Jets have to add for Zach Wilson’s development.
11 – WASHINGTON
Chris Olave WR OHIO STATE • SR • 6’0″ / 187 LBS
Olave’s been on the draft radar for seemingly a decade, and he ran 4.39 at the combine. He’s going early, and the Commanders have to give Carson Wentz more help.
12 – MINNESOTA
Jermaine Johnson II EDGE FLORIDA STATE • SR • 6’5″ / 254 LBS
Johnson has had a fine pre-draft process and was super-productive at Florida State in 2021. The Vikings give Danielle Hunter a running mate on the outside.
13 – HOUSTON (from Cleveland)
Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU • JR • 6’0″ / 195 LBS
Walker and Stingley equate to quite a first-round haul for the rebuilding Texans. Marquee talents at premier positions.
14 – BALTIMORE
Jordan Davis DL GEORGIA • SR • 6’6″ / 341 LBS
Davis lands in a rightful place for him, Baltimore, whose defense is predicated on physically overwhelming its opponents.
15 – WASHINGTON (from Miami)
Trent McDuffie CB WASHINGTON • SOPH • 5’11” / 193 LBS
McDuffie is the perfect fit in the Eagles’ zone-heavy defense.
16 – PHILADELPHIA (from Indianapolis)
Devin Lloyd LB UTAH • JR • 6’3″ / 237 LBS
Lloyd is the missile the Eagles need at the second level of the defense.
17 – NY GIANTS (Mock Trade from LA Chargers)
Drake London WR USC • JR • 6’4″ / 219 LBS
After the trade back, the Giants get Daniel Jones a big-bodied wideout who wins down the field and after the catch.
18 – NEW ORLEANS
Treylon Burks WR ARKANSAS • JR • 6’2″ / 225 LBS
Burks would give the Saints offense a dynamic YAC complement to Michael Thomas.
19 – PHILADELPHIA
George Karlaftis EDGE PURDUE • JR • 6’4″ / 266 LBS
Karlaftis is ready to go on the edge in Philadelphia’s defense. Fun pairing with Haason Reddick.
20 – PITTSBURGH
Kenny Pickett QB PITTSBURGH • SR • 6’3″ / 217 LBS
The Steelers simply can’t pass on Pickett here given the positional value. He’ll be in a fun competition with Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph this summer.
21 – NEW ENGLAND
Nakobe Dean LB GEORGIA • JR • 5’11” / 229 LBS
Dean is the cerebral, athletic, coverage-based linebacker Belichick will love to add to his defense.
22 – GREEN BAY (from Las Vegas)
Jahan Dotson WR PENN STATE • SR • 5’11” / 178 LBS
Dotson is the downfield speedster who runs sharp routes and can thrive with Aaron Rodgers.
23 – ARIZONA
Kenyon Green OL TEXAS A&M • JR • 6’4″ / 323 LBS
The Cardinals have to make improvements up front. Green is legitimately versatile and was battle-tested in the SEC for years.
24 – DALLAS
Tyler Linderbaum OL IOWA • JR • 6’2″ / 296 LBS
Linderbaum is one of the best center prospects we’ve seen in a long time. He falls a bit because of his shorter arms and the fact he was under 300 pounds at the combine.
25 – BUFFALO
Jameson Williams WR ALABAMA • JR • 6’2″ / 179 LBS
With the Jamison Crowder signing, the Bills can afford to wait for Williams to fully recover. Then Buffalo’s offense will be loaded with receiving talent.
26 – TENNESSEE
Trevor Penning OL NORTHERN IOWA • JR • 6’7″ / 321 LBS
Penning is the mauling type the Titans will love up front on their physical offense.
27 – TAMPA BAY
Lewis Cine S GEORGIA • JR • 6’2″ / 199 LBS
Cine is the assert-his-will safety the Buccaneers prefer, and they just lost Jordan Whitehead in free agency.
28 – GREEN BAY
Tyler Smith OL TULSA • SOPH • 6’4″ / 324 LBS
With Smith, the Packers get a high-upside blocker who can be groomed under David Bakhtiari.
29 – KANSAS CITY (from Miami)
Kaiir Elam CB FLORIDA • JR • 6’2″ / 191 LBS
The Chiefs cornerback room is pretty barren right now beyond L’Jarius Snead. Elam has the length, speed, and SEC experience to be picked this high.
30 – KANSAS CITY
Boye Mafe DL MINNESOTA • SR • 6’4″ / 265 LBS
Mafe is a rising prospect with an ascending skill set. His athletic profile screams first-round pick, and he uses his hands like a first-round pick too. The Chiefs add to the defense first, then plan to go receiver with one — or both? — of their second-round selections.
31 – CINCINNATI
Andrew Booth Jr. CB CLEMSON • JR • 6’0″ / 194 LBS
Booth is a springy, ballhawking cornerback who can thrive in zone or man with the Bengals.
32 – DETROIT (from LA Rams)
Daxton Hill S MICHIGAN • JR • 6’0″ / 191 LBS
The Lions get a playmaking cornerback/safety for their secondary. Big need, and Hill is one of the most athletic players in the entire draft.
|
|
