AROUND THE NFL

Daily Briefing

So, on March 26, here is how we see the state of play at QB.

JAMEIS WINSTON and CAM NEWTON, are first overall draft picks who are unrestricted free agents who cannot find work.

JOE BURROW, TUA TAGIALOVA and JUSTIN HERBERT are first round QBs in waiting, maybe JORDAN LOVE.

Yet, the following are first on various depth charts –

JARRETT STIDHAM, New England

GARDNER MINSHEW, Jacksonville

TYROD TAYLOR, LA Chargers

ANDY DALTON, Cincinnati

Then there are these aging vets – in rough order of lack of remaining perceived remaining shelf life

RYAN FITZPATRICK, Miami

PHILIP RIVERS, Indianapolis

DREW BREES, New Orleans

BEN ROETHLISBERGER, Pittsburgh

TOM BRADY, Tampa Bay

And these three, also well on the wrong side of 30 –

MATTHEW STAFFORD, Detroit

AARON RODGERS, Green Bay

MATT RYAN, Atlanta

And some other young, speculative QBs that are maybe a step above Minshew –

DREW LOCK, Denver

DWAYNE HASKINS, Washington

DANIEL JONES, Giants

BAKER MAYFIELD, Cleveland

Another step closer to being proven –

KYLER MURRAY, Arizona

SAM DARNOLD, NY Jets

JOSH ALLEN, Buffalo

Starters in their prime –

PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City

RUSSELL WILSON, Seattle

DeSHAUN WATSON, Houston

DAK PRESCOTT, Dallas

LAMAR JACKSON, Baltimore

Maybe not prime, but with relatively new deals –

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, Carolina

KIRK COUSINS, Minnesota

RYAN TANNEHILL, Tennessee

CARSON WENTZ, Philadelphia

JARED GOFF, LA Rams

JIMMY GAROPOLLO, San Francisco

Not sure where to file these two, elements of several categories (both with veteran replacements waiting in the wings) –

DEREK CARR, Las Vegas                  (Marcus Mariota)

MITCHELL TRUBISKY, Chicago         (Nick Foles)

So two vets and four rookies looking for six spots.  The Bengals, Chargers and Dolphins seem likely for three of them, where do the other three end up?

– – –

Even as the NHL postpones its June draft, the NFL is all systems go for the last week of April.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

Multiple General Managers want to press pause on the draft. The NFL finds their position unpersuasive.

“We are moving forward with the Draft as scheduled,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told PFT via text message on Thursday morning.

The 2020 draft begins four weeks from today. The General Managers subcommittee recently voted 6-1 to recommend a delay in the draft, given the inability to gather information as usual, and in light of the potential competitive disadvantage arising from the fact that some facilities are shut down by local stay-at-home orders. The NFL responded by closing all facilities through April 8, giving all teams equal footing when it comes to the unusual posture of attempting to conduct draft meetings and other preparations from home.

Will the teams be less prepared than usual? Absolutely. As long as all teams face the same challenge, however, the league won’t be concerned about that.

Every year, teams make mistakes with their draft picks. Every year, players get drafted lower than perhaps they should have been drafted due to off-field concerns. This year, the risk of both dynamics playing out will become even more pronounced. From the league’s perspective, the fact that teams will be a little more nervous and players will be a little more nervous only adds to the reality of the NFL’s ultimate reality show about nothing.

Sure, the NFL’s ultimate reality show about nothing won’t happen in Las Vegas. No, there will be no human props in attendance. But the draft becomes the closest thing the sports world will have to actual sports for the foreseeable future, and it will generate record ratings.

The added twist of some teams not wanting the draft to proceed as scheduled becomes part of the natural drama, making the process even more interesting than it otherwise would be. And it will be very interesting, in many ways.

How will they announce the picks? How will ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC cover it? How many players will join via FaceTime or some other technology? What will coaches or General Managers have to say during the many interviews that unfold throughout the third day of the draft, after they’ve been forced to make multiple picks with minimal information?

Regardless, the draft is happening. And it’s going to be a big deal. It quite possibly will be a bigger deal than it’s ever been before.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO

A signing by the Bears. Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times:

The Bears went into the offseason needing to rework their offensive line, but it hasn’t been anything close to an overhaul. Instead, their first move came today.

They reached an agreement with fifth-year offensive lineman Germain Ifedi on a one-year deal, NFL Network reported. He started 60 games for the Seahawks the last four seasons and could get a chance to compete with left tackle Charles Leno and right tackle Bobby Massie for a spot in the starting lineup.

Ifedi, who will be 26 going into the season, was the No. 31 overall draft pick in 2016. He played every offensive snap for Seattle last season and had 14 accepted penalties.

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS

Nice going by QB DREW BREES.  Darin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees embedded himself in his adopted hometown after Hurricane Katrina.

Now, he’s giving back to Louisiana in another time of trouble.

Brees just announced on social media that he and his wife Brittany are donating $5 million to help people in Louisiana in 2020.

“The priority now is helping our communities get through this tough time,” he wrote. “After considerable research and conversations with local organizations, we will be mobilizing our partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank, Ochsner Health Systems, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Smalls Sliders and Waitr to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes to children on meal programs, seniors, and families in need.

“Let’s all do our part, maintain hope, and get through this together.”

It’s an admirable gesture for a player who has put down roots in New Orleans, since arriving in 2006.

TAMPA BAY

Bruce Arians is trying to find QB JAMEIS WINSTON a home.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Although Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians moved on from Jameis Winston and signed Tom Brady, Arians is trying to help Winston land on his feet.

Arians says he reached out to two other teams to tell them they ought to sign Winston.

“I’ve called a couple teams,” Arians told Rich Eisen. “You’re going to get one of the hardest workers you’ve ever had and a great young man. It didn’t work out for us only because Tom Brady was available and we had Teddy Bridgewater if that wouldn’t have worked out. We were going full steam ahead back with Jameis. He’s a great young man and no one is going to outwork him.”

Arians added, however, that he didn’t get the sense that either team was interested in bringing in Winston as a starter, suggesting that Winston might have to just satisfy himself with getting on a roster and working hard once he gets there. But Arians does believe Winston has more good football left in him.

And Arians has this to say about his new quarterback.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

In his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said that he thinks head coach Bruce Arians’ offense is great for quarterbacks and said he’ll be “throwing the ball to the guy who’s open” when asked about Arians-led offenses throwing a lot of deep balls.

Some have questioned Brady’s ability to consistently deliver such passes, but Arians isn’t among them. He said on Wednesday that “the perception is just wrong” and that Brady was “outstanding” in that area. According to ESPN, Brady completed 43 percent of his passes that went traveled more than 20 yards in the air.

That was good for seventh-best in the league, so it seems the team won’t be removing any plays from the playbook. Arians also highlighted that there’s other positives to having a quarterback with Brady’s philosophy about finding the open man.

“We do have reads that start deep and come in short, but I’ve had a couple quarterbacks that just keep looking deep — they won’t throw the check-down,” Arians said, via Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. “Tom Moore has the best saying in the world: ‘You don’t go broke putting money in the bank. Take the damn check-down.’ “We don’t have to teach Tom that. But I think the freedom of looking downfield on certain routes and in certain situations, when the matchup’s perfect — take it, don’t be afraid to take it — some quarterbacks are afraid to take it. I’m not looking for a ‘checkdown Charlie’ quarterback.”

Jameis Winston led the league in throws of at least 20 yards last season, but he also led the league in interceptions. If the latter number falls along with the former, it will likely suit Arians and the Bucs just fine.

Joe Montana understands what Brady was thinking – and not what was on the minds of the Patriots:

Joe Montana’s part of the very small group of people who can truly understand the situation Tom Brady is in.

And having been through it himself, he still can’t believe the Patriots let Brady leave.

The Hall of Fame quarterback was as surprised as most people were when Brady signed with the Buccaneers, and can’t understand why the Patriots allowed it to happen. Unlike his departure from San Francisco (when the 49ers had Steve Young ready to take over), the Patriots have no apparent succession plan.

“I don’t know what’s going on inside there, but somebody made a mistake,” Montana told Jarrett Bell of USA Today. “I think when you look at the whole situation, you try to figure out how you want to get away from things that are there.

“I had a different story, where they had made a decision. He, obviously, they never would have gotten rid of. I still don’t understand how New England let him get away. I don’t understand that.”

Montana believes that landing with the Buccaneers satisfied an obvious desire to have better offensive personnel around Brady, as receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are an upgrade over the guys he was throwing to in the best of times in New England.

He also thinks going from Bill Belichick to Bruce Arians will be a relief for Brady, saying:“Probably for the first time in a long time he’ll be having fun, if I understand what he’s been saying, or what I’ve been reading.”

That doesn’t mean it’s without pressure.

“What he wants is a bit more weapons,” Montana said. “But more weapons doesn’t always mean you’re going to continue to win. There were times we had a lot of weapons later in my career, but we had up and down years; Steve [Young] had up and down years with the same group. That’s not always the case that happens with it.

“I mean, you can go back at look at the Super Bowls that [the Patriots] won. They won a lot of close ones, but it’s still about the people, how they fit into that offensive system, how they’re doing in understanding each other. You go back and people probably can’t even remember my first two groups of receivers in those first two Super Bowls, other than Dwight [Clark].

“Sometimes you’ve got to be careful of what you wish for. Sometimes you get it and it becomes a little more pressure if they don’t perform. Those guys have put up some big numbers, but in a different style of offense. It’ll be interesting to see what they mix in with what they did in New England with what they’re going to do and continue to use and had success with in Tampa.”

But no matter what happens, it won’t be the same as anything that happened in New England. And like many of us, Montana is still trying to figure out how that came to be.

AFC NORTH

CINCINNATI

S VONN BELL is now a Bengal.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to remake the secondary and added a big get in the second phase of free agency.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday that the Bengals agreed on a three-year, $18 million deal with safety Vonn Bell, per sources informed of the pact.

A second-round pick out of Ohio State by the New Orleans Saints in 2016, Bell is a run-stuffing box safety, who can smash the hole and blitz with aplomb timing. In four seasons, the 25-year-old compiled 384 tackles, eight sacks, 14 passes defended and one interception. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top run-defending safety.

While he’s best as a box safety, Bell isn’t too shabby covering tight ends from his roving position.

Bell played himself out of New Orleans, hitting the market with his price range distancing what the Saints were expected to match. Sean Payton’s crew responded by signing veteran Malcolm Jenkins, signaling Bell would be headed elsewhere.

Bell heads back to the state of Ohio, joining a completely reworked defense. In addition to Bell, the Bengals signed corners Trae Wayens and Mackensie Alexander in the secondary and added defensive tackle D.J. Reader and linebacker Josh Bynes up front.

Bell should pair with third-year free safety Jessie Bates in the starting crew. Veteran strong safety Shawn Williams should shift to a third-safety role and/or nickel linebacker.

The Bengals set out to upgrade one of the worst defenses in the league last season. On paper, they’ve made improvements on each level thus far this offseason.

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND

Is this going to be one of those changes the casual fan won’t notice or will it be a significantly different look for the post-Brady era?  John Breech of CBSSports.com:

The New England Patriots have undergone some serious changes this offseason, and apparently, they’re not quite not done yet. Not only will the team have a new quarterback and a new kicker in 2020, but it appears they’re also going to have a new look. According to the Associated Press, the Patriots will be making some changes to their uniform this offseason, marking just the second time that the team has unveiled any sort of uniform change under Bill Belichick.

Over the past 20 years, the only time the Patriots changed their look came in 2016 when they unveiled their Color Rush uniform. The Patriots have also worn red jerseys under Belichick, but those were throwbacks and weren’t technically new uniforms. The Patriots have been wearing the current variation of their uniform since 2000.

Although change is coming, it won’t be anything dramatic. According to ESPN.com, the team’s logo won’t be changing and the changes to the actual uniform will be subtle. The new look is expected to be unveiled at some point in the coming months.

The Patriots aren’t the only team that will be rocking a new look this season and that’s because there’s a total of SEVEN teams that will either be changing their uniform or getting a new one in 2020. Besides the Patriots, the Browns, Falcons, Rams, Buccaneers all announced earlier this offseason that they would be unveiling a new uniform for 2020. According to the AP, the Chargers and Colts will also be unveiling a new look for the upcoming season. However, don’t look for a major change from Indy, as they’ll only be tweaking their classic blue-and-white uniforms.

The changes have already started in the NFL with both the Rams and Chargers unveiling new logos this week. You can see the Rams logo by clicking here and you can see the Chargers new logo by clicking here. If you only have time to click on one of those, definitely go with the Chargers, because their new logo is way cooler.

THIS AND THAT

SECOND WAVE FREE AGENTS

Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com touts these “second wave” free agent signings:

Last week, we used this space to highlight the best free agency deals made on each side of the ball, from a tactical perspective. Teams like the Dolphins, Chargers, and Ravens found ways to upgrade their defense without unloading their entire stock of ammo, while the Browns, Bills, Jets, and Cardinals upgraded the infrastructure around their young quarterbacks, giving them a better chance of hitting their respective ceilings.

But while the first week of free agency most often brings with it the splashiest of signings, it’s usually the second and third weeks where NFL teams find the best bargains. That’s why we’re here today. In the space below, we’re going to take a look at some of the best second-wave bargain signings, where teams found needed upgrades without needing to break the bank.

Jordan Phillips, Arizona Cardinals

Phillips did not exactly shine during his nearly four-year stint in Miami, but he looked like a much different player after arriving in Buffalo. Last year was his best season yet, as he broke out with 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits from his position along the defensive interior. He should fill a similar role in Arizona to the one he played with the Bills, providing interior pressure as a complement to Chandler Jones in much the same way he did while working alongside Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson. The deal Phillips signed with the Cards is sizable (three years, $30 million), but the guarantee structure essentially makes it a two-year, $16 million bet with only a $4 million dead money charge at the end if Arizona doesn’t like what it sees. And all that to cover the prime seasons (age 27-29) of Phillips’ career.

Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers

The 2020 wide receiver market was … not strong. Combine that with what many consider arguably the best wide receiver draft class in recent memory and it’s perhaps not surprising that outside of Amari Cooper, none of the free-agent wideouts really garnered all that much serious interest. That relative lack of interest is how the Panthers wound up landing Anderson on just a two-year, $20 million contract. His speed on the outside provides a strong complement to top options D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey, and should also help loosen things up for Curtis Samuel on the opposite side. Teddy Bridgewater is not the most aggressive downfield passer, but giving him multiple targets with dangerous speed to threaten the defense over the top or with catch-and-run abilities should help him succeed in his new role.

Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints

Speaking of affordable wide receivers, somehow, the Saints found a way to magic up the cap space to sign Sanders and give Drew Brees his most potent threat yet opposite Michael Thomas. Despite being mere months removed from Achilles surgery, Sanders had a strong season in Denver and San Francisco, looking like he still had plenty of gas left in the tank. He was a bit miscast as a true No. 1 option over the past couple years, but working as a complement to Thomas should give him more room to operate. Combining his precision route-running with Brees’ incredible accuracy should somehow make the New Orleans offense even more efficient. And they only had to give him $16 million over two years.

Eric Ebron and Stefen Wisniewski, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger recently started throwing footballs again. He’s always looked his best when well-protected by the offensive line, and when he’s had a viable tight end to target over the middle of the field. Wisniewski was pushed into the starting lineup in Kansas City last season by virtue of several injuries, and he acquitted himself quite nicely. The Steelers landed him at a steep discount and he should slide right in between Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva on the left side of the line. In Ebron, Roethlisberger is afforded a more dynamic target than Vance McDonald, who had a sneakily nice season when Roethlisberger was last healthy in 2018. Combining them both allows the Steelers to break out some more of the dual-tight sets they used before Jesse James left for Detroit last offseason.

Breshad Perriman, New York Jets

There was supposedly mutual interest between the Jets and Anderson in a return to New York, but he left for a deal that seemed like a steal. The Jets quickly bounced back by signing Perriman to a one-year, $8 million pact, with only $6.5 million guaranteed. Perriman has struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout his career but the final stretch of the 2019 season was the best he has ever looked. In the final five games of the year, Perriman totaled 25 catches for 506 yards and five scores. Granted, he was seeing the kind of target volume he seems unlikely to garner anywhere else (Jameis throwing a few picks a week certainly helped), but his speed helps replace what New York lost by letting Anderson leave. The Jets made it a priority early in free agency to give Sam Darnold better protection, but they badly needed to upgrade his weaponry. They probably still do, but this was at least a good start.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Dallas Cowboys

Clinton-Dix signed a deal that is equal in average annual value ($4 million) to the one the Raiders gave the guy he’s replacing (Jeff Heath). Even if you’re not the biggest Clinton-Dix fan out there, that’s a win for Dallas. The Cowboys still need to find a longer-term fit next to Xavier Woods at the safety position, but they at least have a starting-caliber player at that spot for next year, whether for a player they draft next year to develop behind, or as a place-holder until they find someone else next offseason. Finally making an investment at a position the organization ignored for far too long turns out to be a nice piece of business.

Andrew Billings and Karl Joseph, Cleveland Browns

I’m not entirely sure why the Bengals cast Billings aside. He’s been a solid rotational piece after missing his rookie season due to injury, taking on more and more playing time with each passing season. He’s not much of a pass-rush threat but in run-probable situations and/or early downs, he can take up space up the middle and make some plays in the backfield. He’s also a good athlete and only 25 years old. At $3.5 million for one year, he’s a bargain. The same is true of Joseph, who got $2.5 million for one year and should fit in nicely as a complementary piece in the team’s secondary after falling out of favor with the Raiders. The Browns, like the Cowboys, still need a longer-term solution at safety, but having Joseph buys them a bit of time to find it.

Jayron Kearse, Detroit Lions

There was far more attention paid to the Vikings’ other free-agent safety (Anthony Harris), and deservedly so. But Kearse fared well in his limited playing time last season, and looked like he may be able to handle a larger role if given the opportunity. He’ll probably get it in Detroit, where the Lions traded Quandre Diggs last season and seem like they might be comfortable letting Tavon Wilson leave. The Lions also acquired Duron Harmon in a trade with the Patriots, but only have Tracy Walker and Will Harris as other viable threats to Kearse’s potential playing time. He should be a solid piece, and the Lions only needed to pay $2 million for one year to find out whether he can be.

2020 DRAFT

A Mock Draft from Lance Zeurlein of CBSSports.com as he hypothesizes that the Bengals trade out of the top spot:

Before you get too worked up about this mock draft not looking like everyone else’s, it’s important to share my philosophy on these exercises.

First off, drafts almost never go the way we expect. In the first couple of mocks I put together, I always try to anticipate/create potential surprises and then see how my board begins to fall based upon those contingencies.

I believe that Joe Burrow is likely headed to the Bengals … but what if he’s not? Who might come up and make a run for Burrow, and how would a trade at the top impact the rest of Round 1? These are questions I like to ask and answer in early iterations of my mock drafts.

So, with the first wave of free agency in the books, here’s my updated mock for Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft:

1 – MIAMI (projected trade with Cincinnati)

Joe Burrow – QB

School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BENGALS. If there is any sense in Cincinnati that Burrow doesn’t want to be a Bengal long-term, then the team should listen to offers. An NFL executive I consulted with felt that including all three of Miami’s first-round picks in this deal would be too much, so I’m sending Cincy Pick Nos. 5 and 18, as well as second-round selections.

2 – WASHINGTON

Chase Young – Edge

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

Young’s physical makeup is rare, as is his junior-year production (16.5 sacks in 12 games). While defensive ends (and former first overall picks) like Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett had the physical tools coming into the league, Young has been out here eating on the field consistently.

3  – LA CHARGERS (projected trade with Detroit)

Tua Tagovailoa – QB

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH LIONS. The Chargers are headed into a new stadium without much fanfare at the QB position, unless they move up three spots and secure this talented lefty, who should become the face of their franchise by 2021.

4 – NY GIANTS

Mekhi Becton – OT

School: Louisville | Year: Junior

Massive and athletic are descriptors we don’t often see used in the same sentence, but the Louisville left tackle is that guy. The Giants could go with Isaiah Simmons or Jedrick Wills in this spot, as well.

5 – CINCINNATI (projected trade with Miami)

Justin Herbert – QB

School: Oregon | Year: Senior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH DOLPHINS. With the Bengals trading back in this scenario, it’s worth noting that head coach Zac Taylor and his staff should have a feel for Herbert after working with him at the Senior Bowl in January. If they liked what they saw, it might be enough to allow them to accept this trade and make this pick.

6 – DETROIT (projected trade with LA Chargers)

Jeff Okudah – CB

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH CHARGERS. With the trade of Darius Slay to the Eagles, the Lions will be ready to turn in the card for Okudah. He’s a talented, twitchy CB1 who has room to get even better.

7 – CAROLINA

Jedrick Wills – OT

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Wills is an instant plug-and-play starter at right tackle — and sources at Alabama believe he has the ability to switch to left tackle if called upon to help protect Teddy Bridgewater.

8 – ARIZONA

Isaiah Simmons – LB/S

School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)

The guess here is that Arizona won’t be expecting to see Simmons on the board, but if he is, he may be too enticing to pass up. Plugging in an OT here is an easy move, but Tristan Wirfs doesn’t offer the same potential impact as Simmons.

9 – JACKSONVILLE

Derrick Brown – DT

School: Auburn | Year: Senior

Selecting Josh Allen was a terrific move for the Jaguars last year. Following that up with a disruptive interior lineman would be a step in the right direction for a team looking to re-establish its defensive identity.

10 – CLEVELAND

Tristan Wirfs – OT

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

Athletic tackle who has experience on both the left and right sides. With Jack Conklin in the fold now, Wirfs gives the Browns a chance to protect Baker Mayfield with a pair of quality bookends.

11 – NY JETS

CeeDee Lamb – WR

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

Sam Darnold gets the top receiver on the board and a player who can line up inside or outside as he attacks on all three levels.

12 – LAS VEGAS

Jerry Jeudy – WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Pristine route runner with good speed and explosiveness. He can be a field stretcher or a volume target, depending on the matchup.

13 – SAN FRANCISCO (from Indianapolis)

Javon Kinlaw – DL

School: South Carolina | Year: Senior

DeForest Buckner is gone … and in his place steps another long-limbed, physical freak. Build the fronts and the rest falls into place.

14 – TAMPA BAY

Andrew Thomas – OT

School: Georgia | Year: Junior

Thomas has experience at both left and right tackle. He plays with a gritty demeanor while offering gets-guys-blocked value in pass protection.

15 – DENVER

Henry Ruggs III – WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Now Drew Lock has a legitimate field stretcher to back safeties up and create even more room for emerging WR1 Courtland Sutton.

16 – ATLANTA

C.J. Henderson – CB

School: Florida | Year: Junior

Henderson is a smooth outside cornerback with a tremendous combination of speed and fluidity to help bolster the Falcons’ coverage on Day 1.

17 – DALLAS

K’Lavon Chaisson – Edge

School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)

Dallas selects a slithery edge rusher who put together his best work over the second half of the 2019 season. He should inject some spice into the Cowboys’ pass rush.

18 – CINCINNATI (projected trade with Miami, originally Pittsburgh)

Kenneth Murray – LB

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH DOLPHINS. The former Oklahoma linebacker can play in the middle or outside. He’s fast, can cover and brings an alpha demeanor to the unit.

19 – LAS VEGAS (from Chicago)

A.J. Terrell – CB

School: Clemson | Year: Junior

The Raiders have done a nice job filling some of their holes via free agency, but they still need corner help and Terrell fits the winning culture that GM Mike Mayock covets.

20 – JACKSONVILLE (from LA Rams)

Jordan Love – QB

School: Utah State | Year: Junior (RS)

If Love is still on the board here, it might be hard for the Jaguars to pass on the boom-or-bust prospect with loads of talent.

21 – PHILADELPHIA

Justin Jefferson – WR

School: LSU | Year: Junior

Jefferson has excellent ball skills and was terrific when working from the slot in 2019. He can play inside or outside and offers an upgrade for the offense.

22 – MINNESOTA

Yetur Gross-Matos – Edge

School: Penn State | Year: Junior

With Everson Griffen exploring free agency, the Vikings could look to fill the void here. Gross-Matos is an ascending defensive end with traits and rush potential waiting to be developed.

23 – NEW ENGLAND

Patrick Queen – LB

School: LSU | Year: Junior

Figuring out what Bill Belichick is going to do isn’t getting any easier. However, Queen is tough and fast. He could become the new leader of the defense by next year.

24 – NEW ORLEANS

Denzel Mims – WR

School: Baylor | Year: Senior (RS)

With no second-round pick this year, the pressure will be on the Saints in Round 1 to find a wideout who can stretch the field and take pressure off of Michael Thomas.

25 – MINNESOTA

Ross Blacklock – DT

School: TCU | Year: Junior (RS)

The Vikings know they can find receiver talent outside of the first round, but finding an interior pass rusher like Blacklock won’t be as easy.

26 – MIAMI (from Houston)

Joshua Jones – OT

School: Houston | Year: Senior (RS)

Jones didn’t display the kind of athleticism I expected to see from him at the NFL Scouting Combine (he may have carried too much weight). He has legitimate left tackle upside but a lower floor.

27 – SEATTLE

Austin Jackson – OT

School: USC | Year: Junior

Athletic tackle prospect who is picking up steam in certain scouting circles, but he needs to get stronger and more consistent with technique.

28 – BALTIMORE

Zack Baun – LB/edge

School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)

Baun offers rare LB/edge versatility that will fit nicely with Baltimore’s needs. He’s fluid moving in space and has real edge-bending talent as a rusher.

29 – TENNESSEE

Jeff Gladney – CB

School: TCU | Year: Senior (RS)

The Titans must get better in the back end and there is no question that Gladney is one of the most tenacious ballhawks in this draft.

30 – GREEN BAY

Jalen Reagor – WR

School: TCU | Year: Junior

Reagor has explosive field speed and is a sudden target underneath. He could become an early favorite of Aaron Rodgers.

31 – SAN FRANCISCO

Trevon Diggs – CB

School: Alabama | Year: Senior

Diggs didn’t test at the combine, but his size, length and ball skills could still be enticing for the 49ers, even if they never get to time him in the 40-yard dash.

32 – KANSAS CITY

D’Andre Swift – RB

School: Georgia | Year: Junior

This is theft. Grabbing a three-down talent like Swift makes it even tougher to slow the champs.