The Daily Briefing Thursday, March 3, 2022

@LATimesfarmer

NFL is dropping all COVID protocols. Teams just got the memo. No more mandatory testing, Kinexon devices… masking on a team-by-team basis.

GREEN BAY

Coach Matt LaFleur is not bothering QB AARON RODGERS.  Rob Demovsky ofESPN.com:

Matt LaFleur won’t blow up Aaron Rodgers’ phone with calls, texts, emojis and GIFs telling his quarterback how much the Green Bay Packers want him back for another season.

LaFleur knows Rodgers has plenty to ponder.

But the Packers’ coach also wants to keep the lines of communication open while Rodgers goes through his decision-making process.

“I told him, I don’t wanna be overbearing and tell him every day how much we love him and how much we want him back,” LaFleur said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “So you just wanna be respectful of his space and allow him to think through everything clearly without being annoying, I guess.”

However, LaFleur made it clear how involved Rodgers was in the hiring of his new quarterbacks coach after Luke Getsy left to become the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator. It was no coincidence that LaFleur lured Tom Clements, one of Rodgers’ original coaches in the NFL, out of retirement.

“He had a significant role,” LaFleur said when asked what part Rodgers played in the hire.

“I would say that in terms of just our conversations over the last couple years and how much he credits Tom for his development, it was very intriguing when we had an opportunity.”

Yet LaFleur wasn’t willing to make the connection that Clements’ return meant a Rodgers’ return was imminent even though those familiar with the process don’t believe Clements, 68, came out of retirement to coach Jordan Love.

“Well, I don’t want to get into those conversations too much, but certainly when you have a player of that caliber, as important as he’s been to this organization, and then when he credits and gives somebody like that so much praise, to me you’d be foolish not to listen to that,” LaFleur said. “So that’s why I wanted to go sit down with Tom, and he’s a very impressive guy.”

LaFleur had never before worked with Clements, who was on previous coach Mike McCarthy’s staff from 2006 to 2016, and the two had never spoken before they met over lunch in Los Angeles during Super Bowl week.

“I think we interviewed each other to some level, but just the conversations we had, it’s pretty easy for me to see why he is such a great quarterbacks coach and developer and such a great communicator,” LaFleur said. “He’s got such a great even-keel demeanor and just really excited to sit in a room with him and start to go through our process, really evaluate everything that we’ve done, or done on film and learn from him, because I know he’s been coaching this game a lot longer than I have. So, I just think his ability to develop quarterbacks no matter who’s in the room is going to be very beneficial to the Green Bay Packer organization.”

LaFleur’s comments came a day after Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters at the NFL scouting combine that he has not fielded any trade offers for Rodgers and that he believes the two-time reigning NFL MVP will make a decision before free agency opens on March 16.

Rodgers said last week during an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” that he had “a few more things to contemplate but it won’t be long” before he decides whether to play in 2022 and if so, if it’s for the Packers.

“You always want to be respectful,” LaFleur said. “I know it’s a lot to take on, he’s got a lot to think about, and certainly I’m making sure that I’m consistently communicating with him but also want to be respectful of his time and the process that he has to go through.”

Even as Rodgers stays silent, the Packers say other NFL teams are also keeping their distance. Demovsky again:

Brian Gutekunst walked the halls of the Indiana Convention Center uninterrupted on Tuesday, and the Green Bay Packers general manager said it’s the same when he runs into GMs from the other teams at the NFL scouting combine.

He claimed his phone isn’t constantly buzzing, either, with teams calling to inquire about quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ availability via trade.

“Not at all,” Gutekunst said. “Not at all. Not a single person.”

Perhaps they’re just waiting for Rodgers to inform the Packers of his decision — whether he wants to play in 2022 or retire — and then submit the trade offers they’ve no doubt been formulating in case Rodgers tells Gutekunst he wants to continue his career elsewhere.

Rodgers has not informed the Packers of his intentions, but Gutekunst believes the team will know before free agency opens on March 16.

“I would hope so, yeah,” Gutekunst said. “That’s obviously the start of the new league year. There’s a lot of decisions that have to be made before that. So that would be helpful. I would think we would know something before then.”

In the meantime, the Packers are planning for multiple scenarios.

“It’s really no different than every year, because as you get into this time there’s just a lot of unknowns,” Gutekunst said. “You always have free agents you’re trying to bring back. You don’t know how that’s going to go. You gotta kind of have Plan B, Plan C and those things. It’s really no different. [It] garners a lot of attention because of the player and his status, but really no different.”

PHILADELPHIA

Coach Nick Sirianni talks up QB JALEN HURTS.  Myles Simmons ofProFootballTalk.com:

The Eagles made the postseason in Nick Sirianni’s first year as a head coach and quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ first year as a full-time starter.

They didn’t fare well against the Buccaneers in the wild card round, looking overmatched in the 31-15 playoff loss. But Hurts still helped Philadelphia make it to postseason football with his progress throughout the season.

The 2020 second-round pick ended the year completing 61 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 784 yards with 10 TDs.

Much like G.M. Howie Roseman, Sirianni praised Hurts for his 2021 performance at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

“As you watch more and more and as you think about it more and more, you’re just pleased with the progression that Jalen has made [in 2021],” Sirianni said, via Dave Zangaro of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “I think that’s [representative] of who Jalen Hurts is as a player and as a quarterback. He just continues to get better. Whether that’s from Alabama to Oklahoma, Oklahoma to his first year in the NFL or from his first year in the NFL to his second year. We just know that progression is going to continue.

“And it’s not just because we’ve seen the progression go like that, it’s because of the person that he is. He loves football. This guy loves football and he’s just willing to do the things that he needs to do to get better and that’s why he does continue to get better.”

In theory, the Eagles could still be in the quarterback market if a can’t-miss opportunity comes up. But it appears more and more likely that they’re going to ride with Hurts as their QB1 in 2022.

WASHINGTON

Washington’s team is in the market for an on-field offensive commander, scouring every avenue.  John Keim of ESPN.com:

The Washington Commanders have let teams, and the world, know what they want most this offseason: A quarterback. There is no secret, not when coach Ron Rivera has hammered this quest home since the season ended.

Washington’s search to find a long-term solution has been decades in the making. The franchise has started 32 quarterbacks since it won the Super Bowl after the 1991 season and eight over the past three years. Rivera, entering the third year of his tenure, sees this as a time to be aggressive.

“They have a really good foundation,” said ESPN analyst and former general manager Mike Tannenbaum. “This is the time and the window to be slightly aggressive.”

Over the past four seasons Washington ranks last in total QBR. Not coincidentally, during that time Washington is 24-41 (26th in the NFL). Last season, with Taylor Heinicke starting, Washington (7-10) ranked 23rd in total QBR. Washington considers him a high-end backup or low-end starter.

All of this is why, according to a source, Washington has reached out to every team to inquire about a quarterback’s availability and the cost. The team started its search with a list of 42 quarterbacks. Here are some of the options:

Swing big

Rivera has laid out a sales pitch to entice quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and possibly Deshaun Watson, to consider Washington. Watson, who is facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct, and Wilson have no-trade clauses. The Commanders will definitely pursue Rodgers and Wilson.

Rivera will point to an offensive line that has good depth and should continue to be solid even if right guard Brandon Scherff leaves via free agency. There is also a 1,000-yard running back (Antonio Gibson) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Terry McLaurin), plus a talented and relatively young defense.

Rivera has said in multiple interviews that their roster is in a good spot to give up assets for a top quarterback.

“We set ourselves up to protect the quarterback; now you’ve got playmakers around him, so let’s see if we can find that [quarterback] and plug that guy in and see what happens,” he said.

Of this quarterback group, Wilson might be their best option. It’s hard to imagine the Packers trading Rodgers in the NFC, even if he would agree to the deal. Watson’s off-field situation remains unresolved, and the optics of acquiring him would be exacerbated by Washington owner Dan Snyder’s situation with former employees alleging sexual misconduct.

Seattle doesn’t have to trade Wilson and there might not be much desire from coach Pete Carroll, 70, to start over with another quarterback. But, for Washington, it’s a chance to be aggressive and dream.

“Their front seven is really good. McLaurin is a bit underrated,” Tannenbaum said of the Commanders. “They could use another piece or two — as could most teams — but with Russell they’re in that conversation for best team in the conference.”

The mid-tier trade

San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo might be the most accomplished quarterback traded this offseason, with Trey Lance ready as his 49ers successor. Garoppolo has started on two teams that reached the NFC Championship Game and led the 49ers to a Super Bowl (2019 season). But in his four full seasons in San Francisco, he’s played in 40 of a possible 65 games. That injury history will give Washington and other teams pause, considering they would have to give up a pick — or picks — to acquire him, plus sign him to an extension. Tannenbaum said he would give up a second-round pick for Garoppolo.

There is speculation about other quarterbacks being available, led by Derek Carr (Raiders), Kirk Cousins (Vikings) and Carson Wentz (Colts), but the question for the teams who would be trading those quarterbacks is this: What’s next? That’s why many sources don’t expect these quarterbacks to be traded unless their teams can acquire a clear upgrade.

That leaves Garoppolo. Washington and other interested teams must decide if it’s better to give up picks and money for him or just sign a lower-cost free agent. The team that acquires him probably wouldn’t draft a quarterback, and would evaluate its QB situation every couple years.

Free agency

There are expected be a few experienced quarterbacks available, notably Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Mitchell Trubisky. They likely wouldn’t cost more than $10 million, saving cap space and draft capital to keep building.

If Washington does sign a free agent, it most likely would pair him with a rookie, possibly a second- or third-round pick.

Of this group, Bridgewater and Trubisky would make the most sense for Washington, in part because of the staff’s familiarity with them.

Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner served as Bridgewater’s position coach for three years in Minnesota, and executive vice president of football/player personnel Marty Hurney was with Carolina in the 2020 offseason when it signed Bridgewater.

Washington’s new tight ends coach Juan Castillo was with Trubisky for one season in Chicago, and Rivera remains tight with Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott and Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane. They can provide good insight on Trubisky’s development after his one season in Buffalo. Washington left tackle Charles Leno played with Trubisky in Chicago.

ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky said he would pursue Trubisky because of his skill set “and his work ethic. And what he did in preseason under good coaching [in Buffalo] compared to Chicago.”

Opinions vary on Trubisky, but Orlovsky is not the only one pointing to how he was used in Chicago. He started 50 games and finished with 64 touchdowns to 37 interceptions with the Bears.

“Mariota and Trubisky are as good as Garoppolo, they just don’t have the body of work,” said former NFL general manager Randy Mueller. “I’d rather have my picks and build out the rest of my team. This team is not a quarterback [like Garoppolo] away from being a deep playoff team.

“Trubisky wasted his time in Chicago; they didn’t do him any service at all. He’s better than what we’ve seen, and I’d say that about Mariota as well. Both those guys are better than multiple starters playing right now.”

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said signing Trubisky should not stop the Commanders from considering a quarterback with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

“Trubisky is an interesting guy,” he said. “I’m sure he learned a lot [in Buffalo]. He had some success with the Bears. Do you still take a QB at 11 when you bring [Trubisky] in, because he’s no guarantee … You’re really speculative there. To think all of a sudden you can recreate the few glimpses of real good quarterback play we saw, I don’t know if you can go that route.

“You don’t need a backup plan for Jimmy G. … You’re getting a middle-of-the-road QB you can win with if the talent around him is good. The other guy you don’t know. You pair him with a rookie.”

The draft

While this class lacks the obvious top-end quarterback, there are intriguing options, including Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and Liberty’s Malik Willis. Among other on-field attributes, Pickett’s age (he turns 24 in June) and experience (52 games played) are appealing to Washington. Willis might offer a higher ceiling, but will it take him longer to develop after playing at a smaller school? Will Washington want to wait that long? If it has a strong option for a bridge quarterback then perhaps it might. In an ideal situation, Washington would pair quarterbacks of similar styles.

“There’s no real consensus on the quarterbacks in this draft,” Kiper said. “Is a quarterback worthy of being the 11th overall pick?”

Mueller believes Pickett will be gone before Washington picks: “My opinion of the quarterbacks is that he’s the only guy,” he said.

If Washington takes a quarterback after the first round, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder would be one option. Kiper said he would have elevated him to the first- or second-best quarterback in this group had he played better against Alabama in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal, instead saying Ridder looked “overwhelmed” in Cincinnati’s 27-6 loss.

However, Kiper said, “The talent is there. He gives you a dual-threat quarterback. He has as much talent as any quarterback in this draft. If you get him in the second or third round, he’s worthy of being a selection at that point. He’s a mature kid — first in, last out and works hard. There’s a lot to work with. He’s not a finished product.”

Regardless of which quarterback Washington ends up with, it will come after an exhaustive search. The Commanders’ hope? They don’t have to repeat it in 2023.

CAROLINA

Panthers LB HASSON REDDICK is headed to free agency. Jonathan Alexander of the Charlotte Observer:

When Haason Reddick agreed to the one-year, $8 million offer he got with the Panthers last offseason, he was essentially betting on himself that he could have another big season after a breakout year with the Cardinals.

That gamble paid off.

He led the Panthers with 11 sacks in 2021, and soon, Reddick will get a new contract with a lot more money.

Unfortunately, the contract he’s looking for likely won’t come from the Panthers. T

he top three highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL are Von Miller at $19 million per year, Chandler Jones at $16.5 million per year and Jason Pierre Paul at $12.5 million per year. Reddick is expected to command more than $15 million a year, which is far more than the Panthers are willing — or have — to spend on a free agent this offseason.

They also re-signed linebacker Frankie Luvu to a two-year, $9 million deal.

Not only is that starter money, but coach Matt Rhule said he views Luvu, who plays the same position Reddick does, as a starter.

“If you watch the Saints game, he had to go in there for Haason, he played that outside linebacker position, he was disruptive, he had 11 tackles, we put him at inside linebacker, he makes plays,” Rhule said. “I think he’s one of those guys who is the heart and soul of a team. Every guy on our team respects Frankie, loves Frankie. Loves the way he plays.

“I think Frankie is a guy who is going to start for us and play at a high level.”

The Panthers have about $12.3 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com. That number will change some as the Panthers continue to negotiate with other pending free agents and try to clear more cap space before free agency begins.

Some of that money will be allocated to the rookies they draft, some needs to be left for in-season spending and some money will be needed for other free agents.

Reddick came to their Panthers in the 2021 offseason after a stint in Arizona. Through his first few years with the Cardinals, they struggled to find the right fit for him, trying him out at inside linebacker before putting him at his natural spot on the outside. He had 7.5 sacks in his first three seasons combined with the Cardinals, but had 12.5 sacks in his fourth season.

The Cardinals declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract and let him walk. That’s what led him to the Panthers, where Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow reconnected with their former player from Temple.

Reddick was arguably the Panthers’ best defensive player for most of 2021. He led the team in sacks, was tied with two forced fumbles, and had the second-most tackles for loss. He was voted as a first-team alternate for the Pro Bowl.

At the end of the season, Reddick indicated that he’d like to return to Carolina if the opportunity presented itself. “Definitely would love to be back,” he said in January. “I’ve received so much love from teammates, coaches and fan base. I would love to be back.”

Fitterer said he’s had discussions with Reddick’s agent, Tory Dandy, over the last couple of weeks.

“Haason has earned the right to go out and see what he can get,” Fitterer said. “He’s got two years in a row with double-digit sacks. He’s going to command a lot of money on the market.

“I’m happy for him. We just want the dialogue to be open, give us a chance, and we’ll see where it goes.”

LOS ANGELES RAMS

After whatever happened around Super Bowl time between Sean McVay and TV networks, he is now all in on a Rampeat.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

Sean McVay is indeed staying with the Rams, spurning the advances of TV networks and renewing his vows (undoubtedly with a huge raise) as coach of the team has has led for five years. On Wednesday, McVay made it clear that he’s going nowhere, at least not for now.

“I finished this season probably as refreshed and as rejuvenated as I’ve ever been,” McVay said, via the Associated Press. “I think a large part of that is being around coaches and players that give you that energy and that excitement. I’m really excited about coaching.”

Amazon reportedly was ready to pay McVay $20 million per year. Rams owner Stan Kroenke will be (or at least should be) paying McVay something close to that amount.

McVay has been dealing with separate concerns. His fiancée, Veronika Khomyn, is Ukrainian. And while her family is safe, McVay and Khomyn have spent the past week concerned about the war launched by Russia.

“Just watching the grace with which she’s handled this, how strong her family’s been in the midst of this, I’m just so proud to be associated with that culture,” McVay said. “President [Volodymy]) Zelenskyy’s leadership has been incredible.”

The situation has given McVay a perspective unique to NFL coaches.

“I think about so many things that I get worked up about, and then you see real-life examples of what it’s like to experience real adversity, what it’s like to really unify and show real resilience and toughness, all the things you want your teams to embody, but in the midst of real-life experiences,” McVay said.

McVay will be using those lessons in 2022 as a coach, not as a broadcaster. However, the networks will still be there, providing an eight-figure alternative that high-end coaches previously never had. It gives McVay ever-present leverage to get more from Kroenke in exchange for working a lot harder and enduring much more stress than a career that hinges on the many things a coach can’t control.

How much longer will McVay coach, given the allure of the increasingly crazy broadcasting money? That remains to be seen. But it will likely be an annual exercise, unless and until all of the prime spots are filled in a way that prevents the networks from revisiting the possibility of breaking the bank for McVay.

SEATTLE

Even as Pete Carroll implies everything is hunky-dory status quo with QB RUSSELL WILSON, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com says the Seahawks are encouraging trade offers.

Nine years ago, then-Vikings G.M. Rick Spielman proclaimed at the Scouting Combine that the team had “no intent” to trade Percy Harvin. Within days, Harvin was gone.

Coincidentally, or not, Harvin was traded to Seattle. Coincidentally, or not, Seattle coach Pete Carroll used the same words when talking about the possibility of trading quarterback Russell Wilson.

Speaking at the Scouting Combine, Carroll told reporters as to Wilson, “We have no intention of making any move there.” If Wilson were untouchable, Carroll would have used broader language. By saying “no intention,” Carroll necessarily implied that intentions could change. That someone could make them an offer they wouldn’t refuse.

Obviously, Wilson could refuse it; he has a no-trade clause. But with the Seahawks surely realizing that they’re one year away from the next effort by Wilson to get a new contract (Wilson also pushes for a new deal with one year left on his current one), the Seahawks have to decide whether to move him now, or whether to kick the can.

Could they get more now? Probably. Next year, whoever trades for him would have to sign him to a new deal. A 2022 trade possibly would (or could) be accomplished without a long-term extension. The more a team has to pay the player as he walks through the door, the less the team will be inclined to give up in order to get him from his current team.

Wilson has done nothing to agitate for a trade in 2022. Last year, he spoke openly about his concerns with the team, and his agent eventually published an unprecedented statement that listed four teams to which Wilson would accept a trade — the Bears, Cowboys, Raiders, and Saints. The decks for those teams have been reshuffled since then, and Wilson may have a new list of franchises for which he’d waive the ability to veto a trade.

Still, none of it matters unless and until a team calls the Seahawks and makes an offer. Carroll’s use of the phrase “no intention” invites an interested team to try to change Seattle’s intention. Indeed, the Seahawks never said “no intention” in 2021; eventually, Carroll flat-out commented that Wilson “wasn’t getting traded.”

The difference is subtle, but significant. To best understand it, consider what the Bengals would say if someone asks whether they’ll trade quarterback Joe Burrow. No one from the team would say “we have no intention to trade him.” Instead, they’d laugh at the mere asking of the question.

Carroll didn’t laugh on Wednesday. The door is open to make an offer. With the right offer — from the right team — Wilson could indeed be on the move.

TENNESSEE

Add the Titans to the list of teams that might draft a QB early.  Turron Davenport of ESPN.com floats interest in Bearcat QB DESMOND RIDDER.

The Tennessee Titans have been very forward with their commitment to quarterback Ryan Tannehill in 2022 despite his three interceptions in their shocking divisional-round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Although the team is content with Tannehill as the quarterback, general manager Jon Robinson is well aware of the need to eventually draft a quarterback of the future.

The Titans have already met with Nevada quarterback Carson Strong and North Carolina’s Sam Howell at the NFL scouting combine. They also have a formal meeting scheduled with Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder in the coming days. This year could provide that future signal-caller for Tennessee.

“There’s some in certain drafts that are way out of our reach because they’re going to go in the top three or four picks and we pick in the back part of the first round,” Robinson said. “We are trying to find those guys that may be within striking distance that may not come in and unseat, but that we see a future for.”

The Titans got a first-hand look at Ridder during the week of Senior Bowl practices last month. Ridder is considered to be a late first-round to second-round prospect in this year’s draft.

Coincidentally, Ridder is a big fan of Tannehill’s game and sees similarities in their skill set.

“He’s a great game manager,” Ridder said. “His energy and passion that he brings to the game. I see a lot of similarities myself, being able to stay under control. His leadership and how he’s been able to bring teams together. Also, he’s able to extend plays. That’s huge in today’s game.”

Committing to Tannehill comes at a great cost as he will hold a $38.6 million cap number this season. Tannehill slightly regressed last season, especially when it comes to taking care of the football. His 14 interceptions in 2021 were more than the total (13) from his first two seasons combined as the Titans’ starting quarterback.

Titans coach Mike Vrabel mentioned Tannehill’s leadership and toughness as primary reasons why he believes in his current quarterback. Vrabel and the Titans are focused on being great around Tannehill. But they also want him to elevate the play of those around him.

“Any quarterback in this league has to be able to do that,” Vrabel said. “Get us in the right play and be decisive with the football. Deliver the ball under duress in the pocket and protect the football. Those are things that we’ll always ask of Ryan [Tannehill] or whoever is back there.”

The AFC is stocked with top-level quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. The Titans’ last two seasons ended with losses to Burrow and Jackson respectively.

Tannehill will turn 34 years old when he takes the field in training camp, and the Titans could get out of his contract after next season.

MIAMI

At Indy, Coach Mike McDaniel is more bullish on QB TUA TAGOVIALOA than GM Chris Grier.   Kevin Patra of NFL.com with McDaniel’s comments:

The Miami Dolphins shut the door on Deshaun Watson rumors, unequivocally thrusting their support to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Year 3.

Joining NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Thursday, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he sees parts of Tagovailoa’s game that have the makings of a franchise signal-caller.

“I’m really excited moving forward because the guy has some skills that I think are untapped,” he said. “I think it’s important that you empower the quarterback with the rest of the players around him and the scheme you bring forth. So, I think his best days are in front of him. And that’s a really cool piece of the process to be part of as a coach.”

In Year 2, Tua flashed the ability to make quick reads and accuracy over the middle, which mesh perfectly with McDaniel’s system. However, with offensive line struggles, the QB didn’t threaten deep much — 13 attempts of 20-plus yards — which is an area the Dolphins can grow in 2022.

McDaniel has been part of several coaching staffs that helped maximize quarterbacks in the past. He was in Washington when Robert Griffin III blasted onto the scene. He was in Atlanta for Matt Ryan’s MVP season. And he was in San Francisco for Jimmy Garoppolo‘s best season.

McDaniel said maximizing a player’s talents is the top priority of any coach in the NFL.

“As a coach, you’re sitting there looking at each individual player and regardless of what’s happened before or what’s going to happen after, as a competitor, you’re saying ‘I want your best year attached to a year that I’m coaching you,'” he said. “So that’s something that I think is a driving force really when you are able to get a player maybe a couple years into the league but his first year in the system. That’s something that our coaching staff is prepared to do and accepts that challenge and understands what it is, and can take complete ownership of it.”

The 2022 campaign is pivotal for Tua and the Dolphins. If McDaniel’s system highlight’s his strengths and builds on his weaknesses, Miami has the nucleus to be a contender. If the QB struggles, it’s likely back to the drawing board in 2023.

Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com with Grier’s perspective:

The Dolphins had interest in Deshaun Watson at the trade deadline in October. But General Manager Chris Grier said Wednesday “the door is shut on Deshaun.”

If Grier means what he says, the Dolphins are committed to Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa met with his new coaches — head coach Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell — at the team facility last month. Tagovailoa is working out in South Florida with his personal quarterbacks coach Nick Hicks.

“Mike and the staff have come in to do a lot of work, studied a lot of Tua, and they feel good about his developmental upside, what he can be and then the fit in the offense,” Grier said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I think we’re good with Tua.”

The quarterback drafted ahead of Tagovailoa in 2020, Joe Burrow, has played in a Super Bowl. The quarterback drafted immediately after Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, has made the Pro Bowl.

In two seasons, Tagovailoa has a 13-8 record as a starter. He has been up and down, with 27 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and an 88.8 passer rating.

Do the Dolphins believe Tagovailoa can become what the Bengals and Chargers already know their quarterback is?

“I can’t say he can’t be,” Grier said of Tagovailoa’s chance to become elite.

Maybe he will. Maybe he won’t. The Dolphins seem willing to give him another year to find out.

– – –

There was a story that Miami’s master plan for 2022 was Tom Brady at QB with Sean Payton as coach.  GM Chris Grier has confirmed the latter.  Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com takes a bow:

Yes, the Dolphins called the Saints about Sean Payton.

We reported it on Monday. Miami G.M. Chris Grier confirmed it on Wednesday.

Via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com, Grier said that the team did indeed call the Saints for permission to speak to Payton. The Saints, as Grier confirmed, declined to grant such permission.

The call was made, per PFT reporting, to assistant G.M. Jeff Ireland, who previously worked as G.M. of the Dolphins. Ireland spoke to Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis, before relaying this message to the Dolphins: “Don’t bother.”

As to the report that the Dolphins also had planned to target Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, Grier simply said that he had “no conversations” about Brady. Others did; Dolphins sources told PFT that the team had internal conversations about adding Brady as a minority owner.

THIS AND THAT

2022 DRAFT

A burning Combine question is answered by Adam Schefter:

@AdamSchefter

Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett’s hands measured 8.5 inches.

So what does that mean?  Well, they are indeed small per Warren Sharp:

@SharpFootball

perspective on Pickett’s 8.5 inch hands

of 663 QBs w measured hand sizes since 1987, only 9 had smaller than 8.5″ hands

there is no QB in the NFL with 8.5″ hands

there has been no QB to enter the NFL in at least 5 yrs w 8.5″ hands

last successful QB w 8.5″ hands was Mike Vick

Some perspective:

Joey Burrow

@JoeyB

 · Feb 24, 2020

Considering retirement after I was informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Please keep me in your thoughts.

Burrow’s hand size was 9 1/4.

– – –

Mel Kiper, Jr. used to eschew trades in his Mock Drafts.  Now, he is all over them:

My first mock for the 2022 NFL draft was all the way back in mid-January, before we knew the Bengals and Rams would shake up the first-round order and make it all the way to Super Bowl LVI. It was also before the Senior Bowl, where a few prospects dominated and impressed scouts.

Time for mock draft No. 2, where I project who each team will select based on a combination of my rankings — I have a new Big Board with updates at every position — pre-free-agency needs and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. Free agency kicks off in two weeks, which could shake up how we see the top of the board, so keep that in mind as you scan each selection. We’re still waiting for a few potential quarterback moves, too.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Offensive tackle or edge rusher here? I don’t think the Jaguars are set either way. Realistically, this is down to four prospects: Ekwonu, Evan Neal, Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux. New coach Doug Pederson and the Jags will get an opportunity to meet with each of them at the combine. They’ll get a front seat to all four on-field workouts, of course, but what goes on behind the scenes matters just as much.

Ultimately, I lean toward Jacksonville getting protection for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who struggled as a rookie. This could go the other way if the organization brings back Cam Robinson in free agency, but Ekwonu — who is a hot name among NFL teams — would be an immediate upgrade. If the Jags can protect Lawrence with Ekwonu on the left side and Walker Little on the right, they can begin to turn around the offense. As McShay mentioned in his latest mock, 2013 was the last time an offensive tackle went No. 1 overall (Eric Fisher to the Chiefs).

2. Detroit Lions

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

The Lions are in a great spot here, with a clear need at edge rusher and one of the best two prospects guaranteed to be available. Hutchinson is a local kid who just finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, racking up 14 sacks and 19 total tackles for loss and dominating Big Ten offensive tackles. This is not just a sentimental pick because he went to Michigan; Hutchinson is an elite defender.

Detroit’s defense is still a few pieces away from being average — there are big questions in the secondary, too — but this should be a rush-to-the-podium selection.

3. Houston Texans

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

This is an extremely tough pick to project before free agency, because the Texans have a barren roster with needs at most every position. And can you believe they have had only one first-round choice in the four drafts before this one? They have a long way to go to compete again in the AFC South.

If Houston really is tearing down its roster even further, that could mean trading a few key veterans, such as tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and trying to add more picks. That opens a hole on the left side for Neal, a physical blocker with great feet. I don’t think the Texans could go wrong with high-upside pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, either, but they have to hit on the top guy on their board here.

4. New York Jets

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

I’m going to stick with Hamilton to the Jets, who were awful in the secondary in 2021 and could lose Marcus Maye in free agency. Because I know you’re thinking it: No, this is not too high to take a safety. Not a safety like Hamilton, who can make a massive impact against the run and pass. He had eight career interceptions at Notre Dame and could play multiple spots along the defense at the next level. Hamilton is a versatile playmaker who will make a defense better on Day 1. The Jets still have another first-round pick to try to improve their offense.

5. New York Giants

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

If the draft plays out like this and both of the top offensive tackles are off the board before the Giants pick, taking a defender makes the most sense. And if Thibodeaux is available, he’d be a perfect fit for a New York defense that needs to pair a true edge rusher with rookie Azeez Ojulari, who led the team with eight sacks last season. Thibodeaux has to improve his all-around game, but he has outstanding physical tools as a pass-rusher. He had seven sacks last season and put up the second-best pressure rate in the country (17.8%). If he comes close to his ceiling, he’ll make multiple All-Pro teams.

The Giants have some nice pieces to build around for new general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll, but they’re not going to be able to acquire an edge rusher like Thibodeaux anywhere other than the draft. We could look back at this pick in five years and consider it a steal.

6. Carolina Panthers

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

This is a tricky pick, especially since we don’t know yet whether the Panthers are going to acquire a veteran quarterback via trade or through free agency. Ultimately, this is a little too high for a quarterback based on my rankings because I don’t see any of them in this class as top-10 selections. So while I thought about a wide receiver to help Carolina’s offense — the 6-foot-5 Drake London could help any quarterback — let’s fill a need with an immediate starter.

Cross allowed just one sack in 2021, leveling up for a pass-happy Mississippi State offense that shows no mercy for opposing linemen. He is a stellar pass-blocker as a left tackle.

7. New York Giants (via CHI)

Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah

With the Giants’ second top-10 pick, I’m going all-in on improving the front seven of the defense. Lloyd is a middle linebacker, yes, but he does so much more. He had 111 total tackles, eight sacks, 20 tackles for loss, four interceptions and a forced fumble last season. He had 16.5 total sacks over the past three seasons. Lloyd (and No. 5 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux) can add some pass-rush upside to a team that desperately needs it. If New York does take Lloyd here, that probably means Blake Martinez, who tore his left ACL in September, will be a salary-cap casualty.

The Giants are going to have to address their offensive line at some point this offseason, and I also thought about center Tyler Linderbaum here.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

I’m going to stick with the same position for the Falcons at No. 8 but switch the prospect. Gardner is rising since the second half of the season and has a great shot at being the top corner in April’s draft. He allowed just eight catches for 60 yards in 13 games.

Why Gardner over Derek Stingley Jr.? NFL scouts just haven’t seen Stingley playing to his 2019 level over the past two seasons. He has a high ceiling, but he played in just three games in 2021 and was so-so in 2020. Stingley won’t work out at the combine, but he will have a chance to rise again if he puts up excellent testing numbers at his pro day. Gardner is a safer prospect at this point. This also is a spot to watch for an edge rusher, and the Falcons have an extra second-round pick because of the Julio Jones trade with Tennessee.

Projected trade: Browns move up to get the top wideout

With the Jets lurking at No. 10, I could see the Browns making sure they get the best receiver in this class. In this scenario, the Browns could give up a third-round pick to move four spots, which should be enough to get a deal done.

From Denver’s perspective, this adds a valuable top-100 pick and still keeps it in the discussion for the best edge rushers in the class.

9. Cleveland Browns (via mock trade with DEN)

Drake London, WR, USC

The Browns have a void at wide receiver and have to add better players around Baker Mayfield. He can be an above-average NFL quarterback when he has help around him, and Cleveland should prioritize a top-tier pass-catcher in this draft. The team had just one receiver with more than 35 catches last season (Jarvis Landry with 52).

London is a 6-foot-5 aerial threat with the traits to be an end zone weapon. He averaged 11 catches and 136 yards per game last season, before he broke his right ankle in late October. He would make Mayfield better.

10. New York Jets (via SEA)

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

This could be the sweet spot in the draft for Linderbaum, one of the best center prospects of the past decade. He’s a plug-and-play lineman who can do everything at a high level. The Jets have to get better in front of and around quarterback Zach Wilson, who didn’t have many bright spots as a rookie. Linderbaum is a step in that direction, though if wideout Drake London makes it to No. 10, he’d be a great fit.

I wouldn’t be shocked if New York added another defender here, too, particularly one of the edge rushers. With four picks in the top 38, general manager Joe Douglas should put multiple selections toward a D that had trouble at every level in 2021.

11. Washington Commanders

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

Washington’s defense took a step back in 2021, but it has a lot of talent invested on that side of the ball. That’s why I see the Commanders as the team most likely to target a quarterback in Round 1. Taylor Heinicke hasn’t shown that he can be a consistent, NFL-level starter; Pickett could be an upgrade.

This is still a little high for a quarterback based on my Big Board — I have Pickett and Malik Willis at Nos. 19 and 20, respectively — but the 24-year-old Pickett is ready to play in the NFL right now. I don’t think he’ll have to have the developmental time that Willis will need. Ron Rivera’s team could compete in the NFC East with competent quarterback play and Pickett could give them a chance. He’s going to be under the microscope at the combine, as we still don’t have an official hand size for him. He’s expected to have below 9-inch hands, which has been one of the benchmarks for quarterbacks. I’m curious to hear how he does in interviews with teams as well.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

New general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell inherit an aging defense from a front office that has had some notable first-round misses at cornerback in recent years, but that shouldn’t keep them from taking another swing. This is the position Minnesota needs most, and Stingley could be worth it.

Stingley needs to show NFL teams that he can get back to the way he played in 2019, when had six picks as a true freshman on LSU’s national title team. He won’t be working out at the combine, which means his off-field work there — interviews with teams — will be crucial.

13. Denver Broncos (via mock trade with CLE)

Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State

Johnson is one of the biggest risers of the past month; he dominated at the Senior Bowl, showing that his 12 sacks after transferring from Georgia weren’t a fluke. He destroyed offensive tackles in Mobile, Alabama. With Von Miller gone, this is a spot the Broncos can improve upon, especially with Bradley Chubb’s injury issues. They finished the season ranked last in the league in pass rush win rate. Johnson has a big frame (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) and can play with his hand in the dirt or on his feet in a 3-4 defense. I’m a fan.

Denver is a team to watch for the quarterbacks, but I still think it’s more likely that it adds one before the draft, either in free agency or via trade.

Projected trade: Saints make a jump for a pass-catcher

How about another trade here? We know the Saints are aggressive in the draft, as they once traded a future first-rounder to move up for edge rusher Marcus Davenport. This wouldn’t cost near that; it’d likely take a third-round pick to move up four spots, and New Orleans only has a compensatory selection in Round 3. The need at receiver is clear, however.

Baltimore loves to acquire extra picks and could stick to its board by moving down a few spots.

14. New Orleans Saints (via mock trade with BAL)

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

There are many questions around the post-Sean Payton era for the Saints, but it’s clear that the team has to add more weapons around whomever plays quarterback in 2022. Michael Thomas should be back after missing all of last season, and he could use a wideout to take some pressure off him. Wilson has the versatility to play in the slot or outside, and he can pile on yards after the catch. He had 113 catches and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons.

If the Saints keep the No. 18 pick, offensive tackle could be in play, especially if Trevor Penning is available. Quarterback Malik Willis could be an option, too, but the Saints are more ready to try to win in 2022, and I think Willis needs a little more seasoning before he’s thrown into the fire in the NFL.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA)

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Let’s fill some holes for Philadelphia, which has three first-round picks and problems at a few spots on its roster. The Eagles made a run to the playoffs last season, winning six of their final eight games, but their defense was exposed along the way. They allowed quarterbacks to complete a whopping 69.4% of their passes, which ranked last in the league.

McDuffie, who didn’t allow a single touchdown in coverage over the past two seasons, could play the spot opposite Darius Slay. He also has the ability to play out of the slot.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND)

David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan

The Eagles ranked 31st in the league with 29 sacks last season; they have to get better there. Getting pressure on the quarterback is a way to improve the entire defense. Ojabo is a pure pass-rusher who is still developing as a run defender. He had had 11 sacks and five forced fumbles, wreaking havoc opposite potential No. 1 pick Aidan Hutchinson. I’d feel better about taking Ojabo in the middle of Round 1 vs. the top 10 because he can get swallowed up in the run game, but his edge-rush upside is undeniable.

17. Los Angeles Chargers

Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

As I mentioned in my debut mock draft, the Chargers still haven’t fixed their yearslong issue defending the run, as they ranked 28th in the league in yards per carry (4.8). If you’re looking at a void to fill for a team that is right on the edge of playoff contention, this is a way to do it. The 280-pound Walker could be an ideal fit for L.A.’s 3-4 defense because he’s a good run defender who also has some pass-rush ability. He’s not a two-down player like his former Georgia teammate Jordan Davis; I think this is too high to take a nose tackle with a low ceiling for sacks. Walker had six for the national champs in 2021.

18. Baltimore Ravens (via mock trade with NO)

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

This should be offensive line all the way. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has played in just seven games over the past two seasons because of an ankle injury, and there’s no guarantee he is going to get back to his 2019 level. Penning played left tackle for the Panthers, but he could slide over to the right side if Stanley returns healthy. Penning had a great Senior Bowl; he is a road grader in the run game who can plow over defenders. We know the Ravens want to run the ball, so Penning fits their style of play. Center Tyler Linderbaum also could be an option, if he is on the board.

And if Baltimore goes defense, instead, keep an eye on end Travon Walker, a versatile and disruptive player.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

One more Round 1 selection for the Eagles, who I gave defenders at Nos. 15 and 16. This could be a spot to take another receiver, their third straight draft to take one in the first round. Jalen Reagor, the No. 21 pick in 2020, has underwhelmed — I thought it was a reach at the time — while DeVonta Smith, the No. 10 choice last year, had a good but not great rookie season.

I would get Jalen Hurts a different kind of receiver in Burks, who is big and physical (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and could complement Smith’s speed. Burks had 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Razorbacks last season. I’m really curious to see his athletic testing numbers at the combine; it’s not out of the question that he rises even farther up the board.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Here’s a nice landing spot for Willis, whom I’ve mentioned will need some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL. He didn’t have a ton of talent around him at Liberty and he was sacked an FBS-high 51 times last season. He shouldn’t be asked to play in Week 1 in September. If he goes to Pittsburgh, he’ll compete with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins (and potentially another short-term veteran) and won’t be pressured to play immediately, though the Steelers aren’t going to rebuild in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.

Willis is the most talented quarterback in this class, in my opinion, but he can be erratic with his accuracy. He has all of the tools to be successful, but he’ll need to be coached hard. If the Steelers don’t go with a signal-caller here, keep an eye out for offensive line.

21. New England Patriots

Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State

The Patriots got 12.5 sacks from free-agent pickup Matthew Judon last season, while Kyle Van Noy was second on the team with five. No other player had more than three. This front seven has to add an edge rusher, especially as it seems Bill Belichick & Co. don’t trust Chase Winovich, who played only 111 snaps last season, to take on a bigger role.

Ebiketie had 19 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season, his first at Penn State after transferring from Temple. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, he could put on a few more pounds and add the position versatility that New England loves, shifting all along the defensive line. He has extremely long arms and can create leverage on his pass-rush moves. The Patriots also need to invest again at wide receiver, so I thought about one with this pick.

22. Las Vegas Raiders

Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia

The Raiders have a new regime under coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, and they have a clear void in the middle of their defense. If Dean is still available at No. 22, this is a no-brainer. His coaches at Georgia rave about his leadership skills and he’s a dominant off-ball linebacker on the field, too. He stuffed the stat sheet with 72 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two picks last season.

Cornerback and wide receiver are two other positions I considered for Las Vegas, which also has questions surrounding the future of quarterback Derek Carr, whose contract is up after the 2022 season.

23. Arizona Cardinals

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Sure, Arizona spent a second-round pick on Rondale Moore a year ago, but he’s more of a slot receiver who could be used in the run game, too. He averaged a staggeringly low 8.1 yards per catch on his 54 receptions, producing just 18 first downs. Think of Olave as more of a replacement for A.J. Green, who is a free agent. Olave can line up outside and run crisp routes to beat cornerbacks. He had 35 career touchdowns for the Buckeyes. This would be a selection to try to make Kyler Murray a little happier heading into an important season.

24. Dallas Cowboys

George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

As I mentioned in January when going through my first mock draft for this class, the Cowboys’ big list of free agents makes this a tough pick to project before April. They could have needs at all three levels of the defense depending on how free agency shakes out.

For now, let’s get them a defensive end who would allow Micah Parsons to play more snaps at linebacker. Karlaftis didn’t have eye-popping stats in 2021, but he is a good run defender who could get more sacks in the NFL than he had in college. He had just 4.5 last season. He’s tough and physical, though he doesn’t have the physical tools of a few other edge rushers in this class. Karlaftis’ athletic testing numbers at the combine will be closely watched.

25. Buffalo Bills

Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

Here’s the third member of Georgia’s defense in my first-round mock, and that doesn’t even include massive nose tackle Jordan Davis, who has a chance to go in Round 1 to a team that runs a 3-4 D. Wyatt is a hulking 310-pound tackle who really impressed NFL teams at the Senior Bowl last month. He could play next to Ed Oliver and eat up blockers, allowing the linebackers more space to get to the ball. Wyatt, my new top-ranked defensive tackle, went a little under the radar in college because of the talent around him, but he’s a really promising prospect.

26. Tennessee Titans

Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Julio Jones is 33, has played just 19 games over the past two seasons and has only four touchdowns over that span. Can the Titans really rely on him to be a great wideout next to A.J. Brown, who has had injury issues himself? I think they need to add an extra dimension for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and Dotson has the versatility to align out of multiple spots. He had 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and he could rack up yards after the catch to help Tannehill.

Another wideout to keep an eye on late in Round 1: Calvin Austin III, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound dynamo who could run a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash this week. He is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft, and I don’t think it’s that off the wall to put him to Tennessee here. He had 74 catches for 1,149 yards and eight scores at Memphis last season.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College

The Bucs entered the offseason with several free-agent decisions to make, and they just added another hole with the retirement of underrated guard Ali Marpet. They could go several ways here, from offensive line to defensive line to corner. Johnson would be a pick to start at either guard or center, where Ryan Jensen is among the players set to hit the open market in a couple of weeks.

Johnson played both guard and tackle for the Eagles, but he had a dominant season at guard in 2021, where he didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure, much less a sack. He took some snaps at center at the Senior Bowl and showed that he could make the transition.

28. Green Bay Packers

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The last time the Packers took a wide receiver in Round 1? It was Javon Walker all the way back in 2002. So why not another wideout 20 years later, one who could make Aaron Rodgers’ life easier (assuming he stays). Williams was my top-ranked receiver before he tore his ACL in the national title game in January, which means he might not be ready to play until late in the 2022 season. For a team expected to play well into January, though, he could be a great addition. Williams averaged 19.9 yards on his 79 catches last season and had 15 touchdowns. He’s super explosive. I love this fit both for team and player.

29. Miami Dolphins (via SF)

Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

Miami has a tackle problem. Austin Jackson, the No. 18 overall pick two years ago, had to move to guard because he couldn’t cut it outside. Liam Eichenberg, a second-round pick in 2021, was just OK as a rookie. The offensive line around Tua Tagovailoa just wasn’t good enough last season.

Raimann is a 6-foot-6, 305-pound former tight end who had a great 2021 season. He can move his feet in pass protection and anchor in the run game. He had some trouble at times with better prospects at the Senior Bowl, but I believe in his upside. He could play left or right tackle for Miami.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

Boye Mafe, OLB, Minnesota

I included Mafe (and Bernhard Raimann) on my list of potential first-round sleepers back in October, and he just keeps rising. He finished the season in a sack slump (one in his final five games), but he was phenomenal at the Senior Bowl, showing some power and finesse as an edge rusher. At 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, he can use his get-off speed to fly by tackles. Mafe has versatility as well, and he moved up to No. 3 in my outside linebacker rankings.

For the Chiefs, this is about getting younger and improving a pass rush that had only 31 sacks last season (29th in the league).

31. Cincinnati Bengals

Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

Why no offensive linemen here? Because the Bengals shouldn’t force it to try to fill their biggest need. In this scenario, I didn’t have another lineman with a Round 1 grade; Daniel Faalele (Minnesota) and Tyler Smith (Tulsa) are more likely to go in the first 15 picks in the second round. Cincinnati, which has salary-cap space, could also address the position in free agency.

Instead I went with a corner in Gordon who has the length and physical traits to be a No. 1 guy in the NFL. He had two interceptions last season and showed some high-end coverage traits.

32. Detroit Lions (via LAR)

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Let’s end this mock draft with another quarterback, because I’m not convinced Jared Goff will be Detroit’s long-term signal-caller. Corral could be, though, and in this scenario he could get time to learn behind Goff in 2022, when the Lions almost certainly won’t be contending in the NFC North. Yes, they have several needs, but if they can get a quarterback with a fifth-year option, they could continue the positive momentum of their rebuild.

Corral took a step forward in 2021, throwing 20 touchdown passes and just five picks. He’s a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his legs, but he ran an RPO-centric offense at Ole Miss, and he’s going to need to learn how to adapt in the NFL. He can spin the football, though. Corral won’t work out for NFL teams at the combine, which means all eyes will be on his pro day in late March.