NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA

Eagles exec Jake Rosenberg is leaving.  It is said to be his choice as he feels stifled working for longtime friend Howie Roseman.  ESPN.com:

Jake Rosenberg, the Philadelphia Eagles’ longtime salary cap executive, is leaving the franchise in hopes of furthering his career in the NFL.  This according to the Philadelphia Inquirer in a story published Wednesday.

Rosenberg, a friend of general manager Howie Roseman since both were in elementary school, has been with the Eagles since 2012, joining the team after working as a trader in bonds and commodities. His official title with the Eagles is vice president of football administration.

“Over a pretty extended period of time I have just thought to myself that if it doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for me to advance in this league, and have a chance to keep pushing and growing, that at the end of the day, what is involved to do this in terms of a life perspective, it’s not going to be worth it,” Rosenberg told the newspaper.

Roseman confirmed this week at the NFL’s league meetings in Orlando, Florida, that Rosenberg was leaving the team.

“Over the last 12-plus years, Jake has been so important to our team and a big part of our success,” Roseman said, according to the Inquirer. “More importantly, he’s a true friend who has built lifelong relationships here, throughout this league and beyond. While I hate to lose him, I wish him nothing but success going forward.”

Rosenberg, 48, told the Inquirer that, “I don’t hesitate to tell people I work for the best general manager in the NFL.” His goal is to one day become an NFL general manager himself, touting his involvement in player evaluation and analytics with the Eagles in addition to his salary cap role.

“I’ve seen team building, I’ve seen turnarounds, I’ve seen just about every single thing that would be asked of somebody to do in terms of running a team. And Howie makes all the decisions and is the decision-maker, but I would love an opportunity to continue to grow, to see if I could execute in my own way,” he told the newspaper.

Agent Mike McCartney told the newspaper that he sees Rosenberg’s exit “as a loss for the Eagles, and if another team were to work with Jake it would be a great benefit to them.”

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

Joseph Person of The Athletic on the to-do list of new coach Dave Canales vis a vis QB BRYCE YOUNG:

A couple of weeks after Dave Canales was hired, the Carolina Panthers coach went to dinner with Bryce Young in Charlotte. It lasted three hours.

The two talked about football, with Canales asking Young to recap his quarterback story beginning from when he was 15 or so. They also talked about life, including an appreciation of the weather in southern California where both grew up.

They learned a lot about each other over those three hours that night and the two months since. Among Canales’ takeaways: Young isn’t as amiable as he often came across during a difficult rookie season.

“Everyone says he’s such a nice kid. He’s such a nice guy and all this. And it’s like, yeah, but there’s an edge,” Canales said Tuesday at the NFC coaches breakfast at the owners meetings.

“You don’t play at the level of football that he has played without having an edge, having that confidence in yourself to be introspective, to learn the hard lessons and be able to communicate it and see it with a hopeful mindset,” Canales added. “He’s like, ‘I’m glad I went through this last year. I’m glad I had the challenges of this because this is very different than anything I’ve experienced up to this point.’”

Canales has begun building relationships with many of the players and coaches he hasn’t worked with previously. None will be as important as the bond he forges with Young, last year’s No. 1 pick who experienced his first prolonged taste of adversity during a 2-15 season that cost Frank Reich and his offensive assistants their jobs.

Enter Canales, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator who was hired after coaxing quarterbacks Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield to their best seasons. Canales has watched the tape of the Panthers’ NFL-worst offense in 2023. He has thoughts on how Young can improve.

But before Canales starts the on-field work with Young during OTAs this spring, the upbeat, 42-year-old coach wants to build “emotional currency” so those teaching points go down a little more smoothly. Thus, the conversations about Newport Beach, Calif., where Young spends a lot of time and which Canales described as unbelievable.

“We just try to connect on a personal level,” Canales said. “I think the more that we can create a relationship, it really softens the message. Versus when it’s just like player-coach, it’s kind of clunky and it’s a little bit abrasive when you’re constantly just correcting these football things but you don’t have the basis of a relationship to lean on.”

Young had a lot of voices in his ear as a rookie, as former tight end Hayden Hurst said. The Panthers cycled through play callers like a round of speed dating. Reich was fired in November, along with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and running backs coach Duce Staley.

Everyone had an opinion on how to get Young and the offense untracked. Some in the organization believed Young wasn’t getting deep enough on his dropbacks, causing some of the pass protection issues that resulted in a mind-boggling 62 sacks.

Canales said Young’s drops played “a little bit” of a role in the protection woes.

“Nothing too alarming,” said Canales, who had to remind Smith, Mayfield and Russell Wilson at various times how their depth would change based on the call and the routes.

“Those conversations in general will happen,” he added. “But I didn’t see that as a specific problem.”

The bigger problems were receivers who had trouble getting open and offensive linemen who struggled to keep the rush off Young, particularly at the revolving-door guard spots following season-ending injuries to starters Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen.

The Panthers addressed both areas in free agency, spending major money on free-agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and trading for Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson. Canales said those moves weren’t made solely for Young’s benefit, part of Canales’ offseason motto to “get the football right.”

Still, it’s hard to imagine anyone in the organization being more pleased than Young with the addition of Johnson, even if it means Young enduring the occasional screaming fit from the mercurial wideout with a history of diva antics.

“It’s a dream for any quarterback, really,” Canales said. “To have that type of dynamic player, you think about guys like Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs and their ability to separate on the first level and the second level. It really is cool to add him to what we’re doing.”

The Panthers have more to do this offseason to help Young. It would qualify as somewhat shocking if general manager Dan Morgan doesn’t use one of his two second-round picks on another receiver with playmaking potential. Morgan and Canales seem content with the tight end group. They could draft a center as insurance for Corbett, who is switching positions after undergoing two knee surgeries last year.

Then OTAs and minicamps will get rolling and Canales’ efforts to get the football right will begin in earnest. And while the Panthers don’t want to make it all about him, of course Young will be the focus. His success or failure will likely determine the fates and legacies of Canales, Morgan and many others in the organization.

Canales is hopeful that lengthy dinner and subsequent follow-up chats with Young will give both a running start.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

Kyle Shanahan reveals an epidemic of Achilles injuries on the Super Bowl sidelines.  David Bonilla of 49ersWebZone.com:

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is currently rehabilitating after undergoing surgery for the torn Achilles he sustained last month during Super Bowl 58. He’ll have a partner in his recovery, as he wasn’t the only member of the team to suffer that specific injury.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning at the NFL owners meetings and revealed that defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks also sustained a torn Achilles during the game.

“[It occurred] about five minutes after Dre’s,” Shanahan told reporters. “I think it was when [S] Ji’Ayir [Brown] got the interception, he just jumped up and cheered, very similar to Dre’s, and his Achilles went too.”

Bullocks remained on the sideline and continued coaching throughout the game. Shanahan wasn’t aware of the severity of the injury until his wife informed him the next morning.

“I just thought he hurt his ankle,” Shanahan shared. “But by the time the game was over, he could barely walk. … It was funny—the next morning, I woke up early, and my wife was telling me how Bullocks tore his Achilles. And I was like, ‘No, it was Greenlaw.’

“And I got into the biggest argument with her. And then Bullocks got on the bus in a boot, and she’s like, ‘I told ya.'”

When asked about the unusual injuries and whether there was any contributing factor, Shanahan simply smiled and stated, “Nothing I want to get into,” before acknowledging his frustration.

Bullocks has about the same recovery timeline as Greenlaw.

SEATTLE

While the Seahawks are saying all the right things about QB GENO SMITH, keep an eye on QB SAM HOWELL.  Brady Henderson of ESPN.com:

General manager John Schneider and new coach Mike Macdonald reiterated that Geno Smith is still the Seahawks’ QB1, but there’s a clear excitement in the organization about recent trade addition Sam Howell. Seattle beat out three other teams that also were negotiating with the Commanders for Howell, and the buzz in Orlando was that one of them was the division-rival Rams, who later signed Jimmy Garoppolo. Schneider said Howell could “absolutely” be a full-time starter again.

The feeling in Seattle is that Howell’s propensity to hold onto the ball — he was sacked a league-high 65 times last season — was partially a product of the quarterback becoming hesitant while playing behind a struggling O-line. The Seahawks have their own work to do there, with both starting guard spots unfilled. Look for them to sign a veteran with starting experience over the next week. Laken Tomlinson and Cody Whitehair are two names to keep in mind. –

AFC WEST

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Kris Rhim of ESPN.com on how and why WR KEENAN ALLEN was shipped to Chicago.  The short of it – he wanted to play for the Chargers AND make $23 in 2024.  He’s hurt he could not do both

CLAD IN HIS Chicago Bears gear at the University of Southern California’s pro day on March 20, Keenan Allen exchanged pleasantries with his potential future quarterback, Caleb Williams, and Bears personnel.

It was a moment that would have seemed implausible a week before. The 2024 season was supposed to be the final year of Allen’s contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Allen, who spent his entire 11-year career with the Chargers, made an effort at the end of last season to pledge his loyalty to the organization.

“I don’t want to go nowhere else,” Allen told reporters in January. “If it did come down to that, adios amigos.”

The 31-year-old was coming off the best season of his career. Despite being limited to 13 games after a heel injury ended his season, Allen finished sixth in the NFL in receptions (108) and 11th in receiving yards (1,243).

Because of several costly contract restructures last offseason, the Chargers were almost $20 million over the salary cap ahead of the start of the new league year. Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams and linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack had four of the five highest non-quarterback salary cap hits in the league for 2024. Allen’s $34.7 million cap hit made it likely that the Chargers would look to restructure his deal, trade him or release him.

League rules required the Chargers to be under the $255.4 million cap by 4 p.m. ET on March 13. They released Williams that day, saving $20 million in 2024, which made them cap compliant. Mack and Bosa agreed to take pay cuts that saved the Chargers nearly $24 million.

The Chargers were hoping Allen, who had been vocal about his desire to stay with the team, would also agree to a revised deal. But the two sides couldn’t agree on an adjusted contract, and the Chargers traded Allen to the Bears for a fourth-round pick (No. 110) on March 14. It was the most shocking move of coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz’s first month in their new roles and sheds light on their team-building strategy as they usher in a new era for the Chargers.

Allen has not publicly acknowledged his 11 years with the Chargers. He told reporters in Chicago that there was “no emotion” in his decision not to take a pay cut to remain in L.A. But sources close to Allen say the trade — and how the Chargers handled negotiations despite his allegiance to the franchise — stunned and hurt him.

“I obviously wanted to finish my career there,” Allen said, “but things happen, and you’ve got to keep on moving.”

IN THE DAYS following the NFL combine, the Chargers asked Allen to take a pay cut similar to that of Mack and Bosa, though Allen’s included a two-year extension with an average salary of less than his base $18 million, according to sources close to the negotiation.

Two days later, Allen’s team proposed a multiyear counteroffer that would have made Allen among the league’s highest-paid receivers, but it was summarily rejected, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations.

There were deals around the NFL that set a framework for what Allen could potentially net, such as 29-year-old Calvin Ridley, who signed a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.

When the Chargers approached Bosa and Mack with pay cuts, saving a combined $24 million, sources close to Allen said he believed he would not be asked to take a pay cut coming off a career-best year. The Chargers still asked for the pay cut after getting well below the cap, which was a source of confusion and frustration for Allen’s camp, according to sources close to the negotiations.

What to know for the 2024 NFL draft

But Hortiz has since explained that Allen’s cap hit would have kept the Chargers’ brass from building the roster they envisioned. He also wanted the Chargers to have flexibility for in-season trades and signings.

“I know in the past there haven’t been a lot of additions during the season with trades,” Hortiz said, ” but that’s something I believe in.”

Allen was due a $5 million roster bonus on March 17, which set a deadline for when the Chargers needed to move him. Hortiz engaged with interested teams, including the Houston Texans — who offered a package that included a 2025 third-round pick and pick swap, according to a team source — and the New York Jets.

Allen’s contract was a hurdle in negotiations, and many teams didn’t engage in trade talks with the Chargers because of Allen’s age and salary, according to multiple league sources. Others, including the Bears, asked if he’d be willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the trade, which he declined. His salary, combined with the bonus deadline, limited the Chargers’ leverage. Ultimately, the Chargers settled on the Bears’ offer for a 2024 fourth-round pick, and Chicago took on Allen’s salary.

The Chargers’ unwillingness to negotiate is what stunned Allen, sources close to him said. He holds several franchise records for wide receivers, including career receptions and yards. After spending a decade with the Spanos Family ownership, he expected the team would be willing to meet somewhere in the middle, sources close to Allen said.

But the team felt the sides were too far apart on numbers as March 17 loomed, and further negotiating no longer made sense to the organization, according to multiple team sources.

“It’s the business part of it. And everybody does what is in their best interest,” Harbaugh said. “And Keenan, I mean, [you] make $23 million a year and play in Chicago, you know, who’s got it better?”

A DAY AFTER the trade, Allen was on a private jet with his family for the first time in his life. He was headed to Chicago to begin an unanticipated new chapter.

“I didn’t think about too much, man,” Allen said of the flight. “Just kind of sat back and took it all in and actually understand that this is all happening.”

For the Bears, an offense criticized for its lack of talent could now be among the league’s best. Allen joins receiver DJ Moore, running back D’Andre Swift, and tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett. The Bears also hold two first-round picks, including the No. 1 selection, with which they will likely draft Caleb Williams.

Allen will also have a familiar face in the receiver room in coach Chris Beatty, who was the receivers coach for the Chargers from 2021 to 2023. On Monday, Bears general manager Ryan Poles told reporters he expects to agree to an extension with Allen.

“I thought it was an absolute perfect fit,” Poles said. “I don’t think there’s a better receiver in the league that can be better for a young quarterback in terms of understanding the NFL, timing, space, reading defenses.”

A year ago, the Chargers’ offense had some of the league’s best skill position players. They have since parted ways with Allen and other regular contributors in running back Austin Ekeler, Williams and Everett, who played the past two seasons with the Chargers.

But Harbaugh and Hortiz have won this way in the past. Their teams have been buoyed by dominant rushing offenses and feared defenses.

Hortiz spent the past 26 years with the Baltimore Ravens — beginning as a football personnel assistant and taking over as director of player personnel in 2019 — an organization with a dreadful history with receivers but that won two Super Bowls during Hortiz’s tenure.

The Ravens have never had a player selected to the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver in team history — three of the top six players on the franchise list for most receiving yards play a different position.

They have drafted six wide receivers in the first round in franchise history, and only Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, taken No. 25 overall in 2019, has eclipsed 1,000 yards in a single season. They traded him to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2022 draft.

Hortiz has dismissed the notion that the Chargers chose defense over a receiver with their salary cap moves.

“It’s coincidence just how it worked out,” Hortiz said. “You don’t marry yourself to two players. You have to look at the value of all of them and the market out there and the opportunities.”

Still, a look at Harbaugh’s coaching history tells a similar story about how his teams have won.

The San Francisco 49ers, whom he coached from 2011 to 2014, totaled 12,270 yards passing over his four seasons, ranking 30th in the NFL. The rushing offense, meanwhile, ranked second in yards per game (139.6) over that span.

This trend was similar even last year for Harbaugh at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines’ offense ranked 81st nationally in passing yards per game (213.7) and sixth in the Big Ten, while the rushing offense was third in their conference (169.1) and 43rd nationally. Running back Blake Corum led the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (27).

Harbaugh won a national title at Michigan last season, where his defense allowed the fewest points in FBS on average (10.4). He also led the 49ers, which allowed the second-fewest points per game (17.4) during his tenure, to three NFC Championships and a Super Bowl appearance. During the Ravens’ Super Bowl appearances, Baltimore ranked first in opponents points per game in 2000 and 12th in 2012.

“We’re going to aspire to be a team that Vince Lombardi could be proud of,” said Harbaugh at his introductory news conference, “blocking, tackling, toughness, playing smart, playing fast, playing physical.”

That team Harbaugh and Hortiz envision began with an offensive overhaul, with new starters at receiver, running back, tight end and center, at least.

Allen was one of the team’s most admired players, but his departure isn’t expected to impact team morale or faith in Harbaugh, multiple team sources said, partly because of how much of the offense isn’t returning.

“I knew who I was trading,” Hortiz said. “That’s not a decision you make with no remorse — or remorse isn’t the word — but no acknowledgement of that.

“We’re going to win. That’s what we want to do. So we want guys that want to win and want to be here.”

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

The Texans would rather have two picks in the second round than one in the first.  DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com:

DeMeco Ryans explained why the Texans traded out of the first round, and it simply came to value. “There’s a really large amount of players in a second to third, fourth round,” Ryans said, adding that the range was viewed as the “sweet spot.”

The Texans have two second-round picks in the upcoming draft and can address a couple of holes on the roster. Defensive tackle and cornerback are spots where the Texans could improve. But they want another offensive playmaker. Houston attempted to trade for Keenan Allen before he landed with the Chicago Bears.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

Decipher this, please.  Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini of The Athletic can’t:

Sean McDermott was asked about the Bills’ weapons. Can you understand his answer?

“It’s like wearing corduroys. Every couple years, it’s like, are corduroys in or are they not? And so actually, you should be wearing them when they’re not in, to really be ahead of the curve. Right?”

Buffalo added WRs Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins to a room that includes 30-year-old Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir. With a rich WR class in this year’s draft, Buffalo should add another. But hey, at least McDermott’s analogies have improved after the 9/11 fiasco.

NEW ENGLAND

Coach Jerod Mayo gushes over North Carolina QB DRAKE MAYE.  Mike Reiss ofESPN.com:

North Carolina QB Drake Maye, who is among those the Patriots could be considering with the No. 3 overall pick, impressed first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. He’s squarely on the team’s radar if he is available.

“Drake Maye had a fantastic interview at the combine. He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability,” Mayo said. “Also the exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that. In saying that, when we’re trying to put together this roster, I know a lot of people look at the ceiling. But you also have to look at how low is the floor. I would say a guy like Drake Maye — he has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys. So that’s definitely something we’ve looked at, but he’s definitely going to develop.” –

NEW YORK JETS

Did owner Woody Johnson and coach Robert Saleh have a “heated conversation” at a public event in Orlando?  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

It’s one thing for NFL Media, owned in equal parts by all 32 teams, to monger a rumor about the owner of one of those teams. It’s quite another for the rumor to end up being wrong.

That’s the next question, as it relates to the claim made by Colleen Wolfe on the Around the NFL podcast that a “very heated conversation” occurred between Jets owner Woody Johnson and Jets coach Robert Saleh at the league meetings in Orlando.

It’s not clear at this point whether the report is factually accurate. The Jets, we’re told, strongly believe it is not. (We’ve asked the team for an official comment.) To the extent, however, that some are pointing to an X post from Connor Hughes of SNY.tv as the definitive word on the matter, that’s not the smoking gun you think it is.

Here’s the Hughes post: “There was no verbal argument between Robert Saleh and Woody Johnson at the NFL’s annual meeting reception. I know because I was at the party where this apparently happened, feet from Saleh & Johnson, before Johnson & Jets contingent left. Woody took them out to dinner. Checked in with a two sources at the dinner. Confirmed nothing happened there, either.”

The threshold problem is that Wolfe, while initially saying that the “very heated conversation” happened at the Monday night reception, later said in the same clip that it happened on Sunday. Thus, to the extent Hughes is referring to the Monday night reception (the context of his post and other related posts makes it clear that he was), he’s got the wrong day.

Second, I’ve been at the Monday night event. Multiple times. It’s impossible to have eyes on the same two people the entire time. There are too many people and too much activity. Unless you park yourself next to them from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave, no one can conclusively say they saw everything that did, and didn’t, transpire between them during the party.

We initially covered this story as a rare if not unprecedented example of NFL Media, owned and operated by the NFL and its teams, deliberately, casually, and almost gleefully jumping on the third rail. Whether a “very heated conversation” between Johnson and Saleh happened isn’t the issue. The issue that the media company Johnson owns in equal measure was the one to report the story.

Watch the clip. This isn’t an example of a reporter at NFL Network embracing an in-depth journalistic project on a subject the league finds sensitive, like off-field owner misconduct or the issues for which Jim Trotter believes he was fired. (Sorry, his contract was not renewed. Which is a fancier way of saying he was fired, because he was.) This had a gossipy, jokey, almost game-show-y vibe to it.

The Jets aren’t happy about it. Especially since they believe the claim is incorrect. Again, we’ve asked the Jets for an official comment. Until then, the Hughes post on X should not be treated as dispositive, especially if (as it seems) he’s talking about something that happened on Monday, because the claim from NFL Media is that it happened on Sunday.

If it even happened at all.

THIS AND THAT

2024 DRAFT

Dan Graziano of ESPN.com on the whispers he heard in Orlando about the top of the draft:

The latest first-round QB buzz

Anybody who tells you they know how the quarterbacks are going off the board at the top of the draft is lying, but here’s some of the scuttlebutt I picked up in the Ritz-Carlton hallways: People still seem convinced the Chicago Bears will take Caleb Williams first overall, though it’s worth mentioning that he still hasn’t taken his pre-draft visit with them (GM Ryan Poles said that would be next week), he didn’t do medicals at the combine and they aren’t going to draft him without giving him a physical.

The Washington Commanders are still going through their process at No. 2 and being tight-lipped about it. Some people think they’ll take Jayden Daniels, others think Drake Maye, but I don’t think Washington even knows for sure yet. The New England Patriots at No. 3 are a mystery but open to trading down if they aren’t in love with whichever quarterback is there at No. 3.

The Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders both seem very eager to trade up, and it sounds like there could be a competition between those two, especially if Daniels is still there at No. 3 and the Patriots decide not to take him. A lot of people think the Giants’ guy is J.J. McCarthy, and if so, the question is whether they can sit at No. 6 and take him or whether they might need to trade up a spot or two. — Dan Graziano

Tom Pelissaro of NFL.com was whispering with a completely different group of execs per Jordy McElroy of YahooSports.com:

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that executives from other teams believe the Washington Commanders could be eyeing a quarterback projected to be further down the draft board with the No. 2 overall pick.

“When I’ve had conversations [at the NFL annual meeting] with executives from other teams, who know [Commanders general manager] Adam Peters well, know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they do at No. 2 is J.J. McCarthy,” said Pelissero.

The Commanders taking McCarthy with the No. 2 pick would shake things up drastically.

That would likely put the New England Patriots in a position of choosing between Maye and Daniels with the No. 3 pick, assuming they resist the urge to trade down.

McCarthy’s stock has slowly been on the rise with many projecting the Minnesota Vikings being a team to watch in a potential trade up scenario for the former Michigan quarterback.

Coach Dan Quinn pleads ignorance to what the Commanders are thinking at number two.

– Just because the Washington Commanders have the No. 2 overall pick doesn’t mean they have a clue what they want to do when it’s their turn. Despite Washington being in prime position to draft a quarterback, the Commanders still are evaluating whether to take one.

Heck, they may even trade out of the No. 2 spot and collect more draft assets. This is why head coach Dan Quinn wants someone to peek into the crystal ball and tell him how the pick will pan out.

“If somebody thinks they know, they’ll have to fill me in,” Quinn said with a laugh at the NFL Annual Meetings on Tuesday. “And so, with [general manager Adam Peters] and I, we’re not there yet.”

The Chicago Bears are expected to select Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall,  and then the Commanders will be on the clock. Quinn said he wouldn’t be giving away any secrets during the half hour roundtable discussion, not even admitting to reporters which quarterback he likes at No. 2.

One quarterback the Commanders did part ways with was Sam Howell, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month. In the deal, Seattle received a fourth-round draft pick (No. 102 overall) and a sixth-round pick (No. 179), while Washington received a third-round pick (No. 78) and a fifth-round pick (No. 152).

“I’ve said it before, how impressed I was as Sam as a competitive, tough guy,” Quinn said. “And I thought once in a while in our league there’s a good win-win that takes place.

“I think Sam heading to Seattle, they’re excited to have him. He’s got a great opportunity there with those guys. For us, you know, Marcus [Mariota] being here, you know, that was an opportunity that we want to do as well.

“So every once in a while, those win-wins happen, but I certainly respect who the player is. I got a chance to coach against him and that’s what I told him when we spoke.”

Mariota is the QB1 for the Commanders … for now, but whomever Washington drafts at No. 2 will be the future.

– – –

Danny Kelly of The Ringer offers this new Mock Draft:

1 – CHICAGO

CALEB WILLIAMS    QB USC

No change here, as it feels like Williams to the Bears is all but a lock. For a team that owns the first pick, the Bears have done a surprisingly good job setting their rookie quarterback up for early success. In addition to signing running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett in free agency, the team traded a fourth-round pick for veteran pass catcher Keenan Allen, giving Williams a trio of experienced playmakers who can help take some of the pressure off in year one.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Williams has top-tier arm talent and a natural feel for navigating the pocket to keep a play alive; when structure breaks down, he’s a special playmaker.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He doesn’t play on time consistently enough and leans too much on his improvisational talent.

2 – WASHINGTON

JAYDEN DANIELS     QB   LSU

The Commanders have taken a similar tack to the Bears in free agency, bolstering their skill position groups with experienced veterans who can ease the transition for an incoming rookie signal caller. Washington added running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Zach Ertz and signed a couple of offensive linemen, including center Tyler Biadasz, bolstering an offense that already included receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. That should help Daniels hit the ground running.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Daniels is a prolific, playmaking quarterback who is accurate and aggressive pushing the ball downfield; he’s a force multiplier in the run game.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He has a thin frame and opens himself up to devastating hits; he lacks elite arm strength and is already 23 years old.

3 – MINNESOTA

TRADE: The Vikings send the no. 11 pick, the no. 23 pick, the no. 108 pick, and a 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots for the no. 3 pick.

DRAKE MAYE            QB NORTH CAROLINA

There’s a ton of smoke around the Vikings and their supposed love for J.J. McCarthy, but those reports may simply be a well-orchestrated smoke screen. Minnesota makes a huge move here to move up to the no. 3 spot and take Maye. For the Patriots, it gives new de facto GM Eliot Wolf and first-time head coach Jerod Mayo some much-needed draft capital, from which that duo can start to rebuild its substandard roster. For the Vikings, the team lands its successor to Kirk Cousins. It’s a fantastic landing spot for Maye, too, who will be throwing passes to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and (eventually) T.J. Hockenson.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Maye is big, has a strong arm, and brings a playmaker’s mentality; he has the moldable traits to develop into a top-10 quarterback.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He plays out of control at times and tries to do too much.

4 – ARIZONA

MARVIN HARRISON JR.   WR OHIO STATE

Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Cardinals could have an opportunity to trade out of this spot, but with six picks in the first three rounds, GM Monti Ossenfort opts to not get too cute and stick here and select a blue-chip pass catcher in Harrison. Harrison is a massive boon for quarterback Kyler Murray and will be a force multiplier for the team’s pass-catching corps. The former Buckeyes star drops in alongside Trey McBride as another big-time go-to guy.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Harrison basically checks every box teams are looking for at receiver, combining elite speed and length with technical skill as both a route runner and catcher; it also doesn’t hurt that his dad is in the Hall of Fame.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He tends to play a little too tall and isn’t a big threat to break tackles in the open field. He dropped too many passes in 2023.

5 – NEW YORK JETS

TRADE: The Jets send the no. 10 pick and a 2025 first-rounder to the Chargers for the no. 5 pickMALIK NABERS    WR LSU

The sensible thing for the Jets to do would probably be to keep the 10th pick and take the best offensive lineman left. The sexy move is to make this trade. In a move similar to the one the Dolphins made in 2021 to move up six spots for Jaylen Waddle, New York gives up their 2025 first-rounder to climb up to no. 5 and select Nabers. The former LSU star is explosiveness personified, giving the Jets a bona fide playmaker opposite Garrett Wilson. This team is all in this year, with Aaron Rodgers playing what may be his final season.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Nabers is a field-tilting speed merchant with big-play talent and elite production; he has rare, explosive traits that help him separate both before and after the catch.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s still raw and needs to develop more discipline as a route runner.

6 – NEW YORK GIANTS

ROME ODUNZE              WR  WASHINGTON  

With Nabers off the board, the Giants grab Odunze, who gives Daniel Jones (or Drew Lock) a prototypical no. 1 receiver to throw to. In a pass-catching group that features a field stretcher in Jalin Hyatt and a YAC-creator in Wan’Dale Robinson, Odunze is the perfect fit. He’s a ball-winner who is best in high-leverage situations like third downs and in the red zone.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Odunze is a hyperproductive pass catcher with the size of a no. 1 receiver in the NFL; he’s dangerous deep and wins at the catch point.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He needs to refine his route running; he lacks explosiveness after the catch and isn’t going to be a dynamic weapon there.

7 – TENNESSEE

JOE ALT                          T   NOTRE DAME

The Titans put a cherry on top of their fascinating offseason with this pick, bolstering the offensive line with a highly athletic tackle in Alt. Tennessee already added big-money playmakers in Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard, and dropping Alt next to last year’s top pick, Peter Skoronski, should give second-year quarterback Will Levis a legitimate chance to make a big jump.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Alt possesses top-tier length, nimble feet, and NFL bloodlines; he’s a day one starter at left tackle.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He gets caught leaning and falls off blocks; he’s so tall, he occasionally loses leverage.

8 – ATLANTA

TERRION ARNOLD      DB   ALABAMA

The Falcons revamped their offense this offseason, signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a big-money deal while adding receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. Now they turn to boosting the defense, grabbing an instinctive, ball-hawking corner in Arnold. The former Crimson Tide star pairs nicely with A.J. Terrell to create a shutdown cornerback duo for Atlanta.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Arnold’s a stingy defender who consistently makes plays on the ball; he has a tenacious on-field demeanor.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s very grabby in coverage and may need to play more disciplined downfield.

9 – CHICAGO

OLUMUYIWA FASHANU     T     PENN STATE

Braxton Jones has been solid at left tackle since the team drafted him in the fifth round in 2022, but the Bears have the chance to make a significant upgrade at that spot by drafting Fashanu—coincidentally, a former high school teammate of Jones—here. The former Penn State standout has an all-around skill set to dominate defensive linemen, and gives the team a long-term answer on Caleb Williams’s blindside.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Fashanu is a top-tier pass protector at left tackle who combines excellent length with nimble feet; he’s a plug-and-play starter on the offensive line.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He tends to lunge in the run game, causing him to fall off blocks.

10 – LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

TRADE: The Jets send the no. 10 pick and a 2025 first-rounder to the Chargers for the no. 5 pick.

TALIESE FUAGA                 T   OREGON STATE

After trading back and netting a future first, the Chargers do exactly what everyone expects a Jim Harbaugh-coached team to do here: Draft for the trenches. Fuaga is a plug-and-play brawler at right tackle and makes the perfect bookend to Rashawn Slater. The Chargers are looking to become a punch-you-in-the-mouth offense, and this pick is a nice start.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Fuaga is a smooth but powerful athlete who mirrors on the edge and employs a strong punch; he moves bodies in the run game and could offer the versatility to play on the interior at the next level.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He occasionally gets beaten to the edge and thrown off-balance trying to react; some teams may view him as a guard only.

11 – NEW ENGLAND

TRADE: The Vikings send the no. 11 pick, the no. 23 pick, the no. 108 pick, and a 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots for the no. 3 pick.

QUINYON MITCHELL          DB      TOLEDO

The Pats skip out on the quarterback carousel in this draft and instead look to bolster the secondary, grabbing an all-around playmaking talent in Mitchell. The former Toledo star has good size, elite athleticism, and excellent ball skills—many of the same traits as the team’s other potential shutdown corner, Christian Gonzalez. Together, that duo could develop into one of the top cornerback tandems in the league, giving the Patriots the ability to stifle opposing receivers and help get New England back into contention.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Mitchell is a good-sized, physical corner who plays with anticipation in coverage and has proven ball-hawking skills.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He played with a lower level of competition; it could take him a little time to adjust to a big jump in opponent talent.

12 – DENVER

J.J. MCCARTHY                QB   MICHIGAN

With the Vikings trading up to no. 3 to grab Drake Maye, the Broncos’ patience pays off and McCarthy falls into their laps. The former Michigan star is steely under pressure and athletic enough to make plays outside the pocket and outside of structure. He is comfortable ripping passes up the seam and has the skill set that Sean Payton can build his offense around.

WHY HE COULD RISE

McCarthy is a confident, aggressive passer who attacks the middle of the field and thrives out of structure; he’s clutch on high-leverage downs.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s thin framed and inconsistent with his ball placement; he was not a high-volume passer at Michigan.

13 – LAS VEGAS

JC LATHAM              T         ALABAMA

The Raiders add some real muscle to the trenches in Latham, a 6-foot-6, 342-pound people mover who can drop in at right tackle from day one. Opposite Kolton Miller, the former Alabama product gives Las Vegas the potential to bookend their offensive line with top-tier talent, which should help the team establish the type of smashmouth offensive identity that head coach Antonio Pierce surely wants.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Latham has a massive frame and plays with ruthless physicality; he’s got quick feet in pass protection and is a road-grading run blocker.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He can be susceptible to lunging and falling off blocks; he’s a right tackle with zero starts on the blind side.

14 – NEW ORLEANS

BYRON MURPHY II           DT       TEXAS

The Saints love to build in the trenches in the early rounds and follow that tack again here, grabbing an explosive and versatile interior pass rusher in Murphy. The former Longhorns star plays with immense power and twitchy movement skills, giving the team another disruptive force on the defensive line. He’ll pair well with last year’s first-round pick, Bryan Bresee, giving New Orleans a dynamic duo on the interior.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Murphy is an explosive interior rusher with good power and a nonstop motor; he’s a tone-setter on the defensive line.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s undersized and lacks length.

15 – INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

DALLAS TURNER              EDGE    ALABAMA

Turner is a little lighter than most of the edge players GM Chris Ballard typically looks at, but he’s an extraordinary athlete with rare length. The former Crimson Tide star gives the Colts some added juice off the edge, boasting a quick first step and a high-energy playing style. He’d be a good complement to DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye, and Samson Ebukam on the Indy defensive line.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Turner is an explosive edge rusher with three years of proven production; he’s capable of affecting all three downs.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s a little undersized and cedes ground at the point of attack; he may need to bulk up at the next level.

16 – SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

TROY FAUTANU                T     WASHINGTON

The Seahawks reinforce their trenches here with an athletic, easy-moving lineman in Fautanu. The former Huskies left tackle reunites with his college offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, meaning he’ll know the system, the verbiage, and the nuances of what he’s going to be doing—which should give him the chance to hit the ground running. Fautanu can line up at right tackle, fill in at guard if needed, and even take over at left tackle in a pinch.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Fautanu is tough and physical and has a versatile skill set; he has the quick feet and movement skills to play left tackle but the temperament and strength to play at guard.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He occasionally comes in too hot and falls off blocks; some teams may see him as only a guard.

17 – JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BRIAN THOMAS JR.             WR           LSU

After losing Calvin Ridley to the Titans in free agency, the Jaguars look to fill a need with Thomas, a lid-lifting speed demon who can line up all over the formation. Thomas complements Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram well, giving Jacksonville another deep threat who can get over the top of a defense but also brings the speed and elusiveness to take a simple slant route to the house.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Thomas is an explosive playmaker with the speed to take the lid off the defense; he scores a lot of touchdowns.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s unrefined as a route runner and operated mainly as a vertical threat; he posted just one season of top-end production.

18 – CINCINNATI BENGALS

LAIATU LATU                        EDGE    UCLA

The Bengals go with the Best Player Available strategy here, grabbing a pass-rushing technician in Latu. The former UCLA star is incredible with his hands, constantly swiping, chopping, and clubbing his way past offensive linemen and into the pocket. He’ll give a boost to the Cincy pass-rush rotation, and should look great out there alongside Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, and last year’s first-rounder, Myles Murphy.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Latu is a remarkably slippery pass rusher who consistently beats blocks with savvy hand-fighting techniques; he’s one of the most consistently disruptive defenders in the country.

WHY HE COULD FALL

Some teams may give him a medical red flag because of his history with a neck injury.

19 –  LOS ANGELES RAMS

CHOP ROBINSON                      EDGE               PENN STATE

With Aaron Donald riding off into retirement, the Rams look to add more pass-rushing talent to the defensive line here. Robinson’s an explosive athlete with an absolutely elite first step, and if he can add a few moves to his arsenal he may have Pro Bowl potential. L.A. struck gold last year with a super athletic rusher in Byron Young, and they look to do it again with Robinson.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Robinson has ludicrous burst and bend off the edge; he brings elite potential with some development.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He never posted high-end numbers at Penn State and could need a few years to develop his pass-rush plan.

20 – PITTSBURGH STEELERS

AMARIUS MIMS                  T                  GEORGIA

The Steelers are going to want to run the ball and throw off play-action under new OC Arthur Smith and new quarterback Russell Wilson (and/or Justin Fields). Getting their run game going will be the first priority, and Mims can help there. He’s a gargantuan right tackle who can drop in opposite last year’s first-rounder, another former Georgia tackle in Broderick Jones.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Mims has a rare combination of size, length, and movement skills; he flashes elite potential in both pass protection and run blocking.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s very inexperienced and will need time to develop at the next level.

21 – MIAMI DOLPHINS

JER’ZHAN NEWTON                 DT    ILLINOIS

After losing Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency, the Dolphins look to plug gaps in the interior defensive line by drafting Newton here. The former Illinois star is an absolute pocket-wrecker from the inside, using a great first step and tremendous upper-body power to toss aside hapless linemen and get to the quarterback. He’ll provide a much-needed boost at the defensive tackle spot.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Newton is a relentless and tone-setting interior pass rusher who consistently creates havoc in opposing backfields.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s undersized and may need to play with a little more discipline.

22 – PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

JARED VERSE                   EDGE            FLORIDA STATE

The Eagles do here what they always seem to do in the draft, gobble up value with a potential day-one contributor in Verse. The former Seminoles star is an explosive pass rusher who plays with a blend of speed and power. He’ll be a nice complement to Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, and Bryce Huff on the Eagles defensive line.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Verse is a powerful, twitchy pass rusher with proven production and a motor that runs hot.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s inconsistent in the run game. He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie; is he maxed out in his development?

23 – NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

TRADE: The Vikings send the no. 11 pick, the no. 23 pick, the no. 108 pick, and a 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots for the no. 3 pick.

BROCK BOWERS               TE         GEORGIA

The second of the two 2024 first-rounders that New England nabbed by trading the no. 3 pick, the Patriots grab a blue-chip talent all the way down here at no. 23. Bowers falls due to playing a non-premium position, but he’s a twitchy playmaker nonetheless, and immediately provides a boost to a talent-deficient group of skill players for this team. Expect a lot of two-tight-end sets with Bowers and Hunter Henry.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Bowers is an explosive vertical playmaker and a Mack truck after the catch, capable of creating chunk gains every time he touches the ball.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s a bit undersized and could be viewed as a tweener; he may need to land with a team that has a creative plan to use him in the offense.

24 – DALLAS COWBOYS

XAVIER WORTHY              WR     TEXAS

The Cowboys are relatively thin at the receiver position outside of CeeDee Lamb, and they’ve never been a team that’s afraid to make a big splash. Worthy lacks size at just 165 pounds, but he’s blazing fast and was extremely productive for the Longhorns over the past three seasons. Picture a Zay Flowers-type of playmaker in this Dallas offense; Worthy is elusive with the ball in his hands and thrives on short passes that get him yards-after-the-catch opportunities.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Worthy is a versatile playmaker with lid-lifting speed; he can line up everywhere in the formation and is highly elusive with the ball in his hands.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s thin-framed and plays like it at the catch point; he’s too easily knocked around in contested catch situations.

25 – GREEN BAY PACKERS

COOPER DEJEAN                   DB           IOWA

The Packers add talent to the secondary here, grabbing the uber-athletic DeJean. The former Iowa star brings size, physicality, and twitchy movement skills to the cornerback position and has experience playing both over the slot and at safety. Green Bay can drop him into their defense early on.

WHY HE COULD RISE

DeJean is an explosive athlete who is sticky in coverage and a tone-setter against the run; he has experience lining up at multiple positions in the secondary.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He doesn’t always find the ball on deep passes downfield; he’s coming off a broken fibula.

26 – TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

GRAHAM BARTON                    T          DUKE

The Bucs go with an unsexy but smart pick, adding a highly versatile, technically sound lineman in Barton. Barton played primarily at left tackle for the Blue Devils but has the body type and demeanor to thrive at any of the three interior spots–which is where the Buccaneers need the most help. The former Duke standout provides a nice boost in the form of clean pockets for Baker Mayfield, and he should help open up lanes for Rachaad White.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Barton is a steady, easy-moving technician on the offensive line who blocks with a feisty demeanor and fundamental positioning; he brings potential multi-position versatility.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He lacks the length to play at left tackle and is likely to be viewed as an interior lineman only.

27 – ARIZONA CARDINALS

KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY                DB         ALABAMA

The Cards added Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency but still need help at cornerback for 2024 and beyond. McKinstry has good size and excellent length and plays a physical style of football. He would bring some tone-setting tenacity to the Arizona secondary.

WHY HE COULD RISE

McKinstry combines good size with the versatility to play both press- and off-coverage looks; he’s a battle-tested two-year starter.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He struggles to turn his head and find the ball at times and produced just two picks in three seasons for Alabama.

28 – BUFFALO BILLS

TROY FRANKLIN                WR            OREGON

The Bills let Gabe Davis walk in free agency and 30-year-old Stefon Diggs isn’t getting any younger. And while the free-agency addition of Curtis Samuel is exciting, this team still needs guys who can win on the outside. Adding Franklin here is a nice start. The former Ducks star has incredible twitch in the short area, which helps him separate quickly, and he brings take-the-top-off-the-defense speed down the field.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Franklin is a field-tilting pass catcher who can create explosive plays both as a vertical route-runner and a YAC-creator.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s very skinny and lacks play strength; drops were an issue in 2023.

29 – DETROIT LIONS

DARIUS ROBINSON             EDGE              MISSOURI

The Lions added defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport in free agency, but that doesn’t stop them from selecting another hard-nosed pass rusher here in Robinson. The former Missouri standout can play all along the line and comes replete with a Dan Campbell type of playing style—the type of player who ups the intensity of the guys around him and plays with his hair on fire at all times.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Robinson has elite length and plays at multiple spots on the defensive line with power and tenacity; he’s an immediate, tone-setting contributor.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He needs to polish his pass-rush plan; he plays out of control at times.

30 – BALTIMORE RAVENS

TYLER GUYTON                  T            OKLAHOMA

The Ravens have always loved to build in the trenches and do so with this pick, adding a highly athletic and high-upside tackle in Guyton. The former Sooners standout can start his career on the right side and brings potential to slide into the left tackle spot if or when Ronnie Stanley leaves or retires.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Guyton has a long frame, good power, and a natural feel for hand-fighting; his tools should get him into the starting lineup early in his career.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He’s still raw and gets caught leaning and lunging; he has little experience on the blind side.

31 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

NATE WIGGINS                  DB             CLEMSON

After weighing in at 173 pounds at the combine, the super-svelte Wiggins bulked up a bit for his pro day, coming in at 182, per scouts. That was a big improvement for a guy whose main concerns center around his very thin frame; in any case, the former Clemson star is hyper-athletic and boasts excellent length, helping him make plays on the ball and dominate the sideline.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Wiggins is sticky in coverage and plays with ball-hawking instincts; he’s got great size and should start early in his career.

WHY HE COULD FALL

He doesn’t always get his head around at the catch point; he’s inconsistent playing the run, with missed tackles and a lack of effort getting off blocks.

32 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

KINGSLEY SUAMATAIA              T          BYU

The Chiefs desperately need to add depth and talent to their offensive line, and do so here with Suamataia. A former BYU standout, Suamataia has experience starting at both tackle spots and has the body type to fill in at guard in a pinch.