The Daily Briefing Tuesday, December 14, 2021

W-L     Div     Conf.

Green Bay            North         10-3       1        8-2

Tampa Bay           South         10-3       1        6-3

Arizona                  West          10-3       1        6-3

Dallas                    East             9-4       1        7-1

LA Rams               WC1            9-4       2        6-3

San Francisco       WC2            7-6       3        5-5

Washington           WC3            6-7       2        5-3

Minnesota                                 6-7       2        4-4

Philadelphia                               6-7       3        4-4

Atlanta                                       6-7       2        3-6

New Orleans                             6-7       3        4-5

Carolina                                     5-8       4        3-6

Seattle                                       5-8       4        2-6

All but three teams appear on our list confined to those within one game of the playoff line.

The WFT stayed in the playoffs for now despite their loss to Dallas, but they travel to Philly for a big showdown this week.  And Atlanta can mire things up further with a win at San Francisco this week.

– – –

The NFC has three teams tied atop the conference with 10-3 records.  The AFC has three teams tied atop the conference with 9-4 records.  It is the first time both conferences have had a three-way tie for best record after Week 14.

The last complete year without a team with three or fewer losses or 13 or more wins was 2014 with five teams finishing 12-4.

– – –

Las Vegas will host its first Super Bowl in 24 months if this report is true!

Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Las Vegas will play host to Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024 after its relocation from New Orleans due to Mardi Gras conflicts.

According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the move to Las Vegas is expected to be approved by the league at this week’s owners’ meetings in Dallas.

New Orleans was originally the host venue for the game before the league expanded its schedule to 17 games beginning this season. The extra week bumped the championship game into conflict with Mardi Gras festivities. New Orleans will now host Super Bowl LIX in 2025 instead.

The move to Las Vegas means the next three Super Bowls will all be in the westernmost third of the United States. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host this year’s game, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. will host in 2023 with Las Vegas getting the 2024 event.

Las Vegas will also host next year’s NFL Draft. The 2020 draft had been scheduled to be hosted in Las Vegas before the event moved fully virtually in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 Pro Bowl will also be held at Allegiant Stadium.

Why can New Orleans host the game in 2025, but not 2024?

Well, the date of Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) is dependent on Easter Sunday which can vary between late March and late April.  Easter is early in 2024 and so is Mardi Gras.

The 2022 Super Bowl is scheduled for February 11.

Here are 12 years of Mardi Gras dates for your planning purposes.

2022    March 1

2023    February 21

2024    February 13

2025    March 4

2026    February 17

2027    February 9

2028    February 29

2029    February 13

2030    March 5

2031    February 25

2032    February 10

2033    March 1

Red years would not seem to work for the SB.

DALLAS

Those Cowboys benches in Washington?  There is a history.  Jori Epstein of USA TODAY:

Gold and burgundy stands encircle FedEx Field. But ahead of the Cowboys’ 1 p.m. kickoff at Washington, four “COWBOYS” logos on the Dallas sideline stirred conversation.

The story: The Cowboys imported their own customized sideline benches to the division contest, the benches conspicuously bearing the team’s name and star logo. Fans wondered whether this was Cowboys owner Jerry Jones further flexing the deep Cowboys presence at the game.

To some degree, yes. But alas: This decision was practical.

The Cowboys equipment team spoke with equipment staffers from the Seattle Seahawks, who played at Washington Nov. 29. Dallas learned that Washington’s benches, and particularly the heating function that teams find at the outdoor venue, “weren’t in great working order,” a person with knowledge of the conversation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly disclose the information. The Cowboys were advised to rent benches more effective than Washington’s older equipment.

The Cowboys reached out to Cleveland-based Dragon Seats, who supplied their latest model of benches with both heating and cooling functionality, Dragon Seats COO Franklin Floyd confirmed to USA TODAY Sports by phone Sunday afternoon. Floyd said the company has long serviced the NFL, including Washington’s FedEx benches that he estimated were more than 10 years old. Dragon Seats supplies customized benches at home for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. Dragon Seats has also supplied a visiting team with benches: The Ravens utilized the company at Buffalo last season during the playoffs, Floyd said.

But a customized bench…for the visitor at an NFL stadium? Dragon Seats had not debuted that before Sunday at FedEx.

“We wanted to bring the latest and greatest, our newest and best, to the Dallas Cowboys organization,” Floyd told USA TODAY Sports by phone. “We were excited to, for the first time, bring a branded set of benches to a road stadium.”

The benches were designed this week, the customization process taking two to three days, Floyd said. Dragon Seats had actually met with the Cowboys last summer to discuss how their latest cooling function could benefit domed teams; it was during that meeting that the company also displayed what a logoed bench would look like. “The NFL refers to it as their beachfront real estate,” Floyd said of how much attention the custom benches generated.

Dragon Seats delivered the Cowboys’ benches to FedEx Field on Saturday. When the benches arrived bearing Cowboys logos, “I think they were surprised,” Floyd said of the stadium employees’ reactions.

No doubt, Cowboys management enjoyed the chance to further highlight the team in a stadium that perennially draws a deep Cowboys fan base. The more attention, the merrier, Jerry Jones says.

“We as a franchise, we as the Cowboys, we put it out there,” Jones told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan on Friday. “We know we do. We ask folks to look at us, be interested in us, follow us. We know a bunch of people look at us because they’d like to see us lose. That’s sport. That creates excitement.

“I like all this kind of additional color to the interest in this game.”

And the NFC East contest already had plenty of reason to draw attention, the 8-4 Cowboys currently leading the division with 6-6 Washington second. The teams’ coaches traded jabs during the week when Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said “we’re going to win,” a move Washington coach Ron Rivera called a “big mistake.” Jones said Friday that he loved McCarthy’s assertion and would be “shocked” if his coach couldn’t assert the team would win.

Dragon Seats and the Cowboys both highlighted the benches’ functionality as the primary reason for the import. Floyd said safety is their number one goal, while the person with knowledge of the Cowboys’ strategy said most of their players prefer heated benches “even when it’s not super cold” to keep their muscles warm. For a team with deep playoff hopes, the more methods of injury prevention in December, the better—even in the 48-and-sunny FedEx climate at kickoff.

USA TODAY Sports asked running back Ezekiel Elliott on Wednesday how outdoor conditions affect the knee injury that Elliott has battled since Oct. 3. With stiffness a primary symptom of the ailment, would outdoor games pose more challenges?

“I would say it’s probably a little bit harder to warm up outside, but outdoor games you get those heated benches so it kind of actually is a little bit warmer on the sideline than in indoor ones,” said Elliott, whom the Cowboys expect to rely on even more with running back Tony Pollard (torn plantar fascia) inactive for the first time all season. “So at the beginning it might be a little more stiff. But once the game starts going and those benches are on, there’s plenty of heat over there.”

A source tells the DB that the Washington benches are 18 years old and not something WFT management has been concerned with.

NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants medical staff continues to keep QB DANIEL JONES on the sidelines (which is not to imply that is the incorrect decision).  Chris Pflum of SBNation:

Dan Duggan of The Athletic and Ryan Dunleavy of the NY Post are reporting that New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is not expected to play in this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

As Duggan reports, this is Jones’ second visit with a neck or spine specialist in as many weeks. Last week, Jones flew to Los Angeles ahead of the team for an MRI and second opinion on his injury from a specialist in LA.

This week, Jones and head trainer Ronnie Barnes (who has been the Giants’ head trainer since 1981), went to the Hospital for Special Surgery for another MRI. So far, Jones remains “week-to-week” in his return from a neck injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. It remains to be seen if the Giants will keep Jones on the active roster beyond this week with the season, and hope for the playoffs, winding down.

If Jones misses his third straight game, as seems likely at this point, that would make back-up quarterback Mike Glennon the likely starter against the Giants’ division rival.

WASHINGTON

It turns out TE LOGAN THOMAS did tear his ACL after all.  John Keim of ESPN.com:

Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas faces a longer recovery after further tests revealed a torn ACL, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Thomas is expected to undergo surgery this week and be ready for the start of the 2022 season.

Washington initially feared that Thomas had torn the ACL and MCL in his left knee in a Dec. 5 game vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. However, more tests the following week revealed knee damage — but not to his ACL. The organization breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing his recovery would be a lot easier without a torn ACL.

But even last week, after Thomas was placed on injured reserve, coach Ron Rivera said doctors were going to “keep an eye on it. They’re going to have one more doctor look at it.”

Before putting him on IR, Washington had debated keeping Thomas on the active 53-man roster in case the team made the playoffs and could use him at some point in the postseason. Because it was his second stay on IR, it ended his season. At the time, Rivera said they didn’t want to rush Thomas back.

Thomas had signed a three-year extension worth up to $24.065 million in August. He caught a career-high 72 passes for 670 yards and six touchdowns in 2020 and became one of the NFL’s best red zone targets at tight end. This season, Thomas was limited to six games — he missed five games with a hamstring injury — and caught 18 passes, three for touchdowns, and 196 yards.

ATLANTA

Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com notes:

@MichaelDavSmith

The Bills are 7-6 and the Falcons are 6-7. The Bills have outscored their opponents by 134 points this season. The Falcons have been outscored by their opponents by 108 points this season.

The Bills +134 point differential is 2^nd in the entire NFL – and one of the reasons they ranks so high in things like the Aikman Ratings.

The Falcons -108 point differential ranks 28^th

– – –

So far, the details of the problems of WR CALVIN RIDLEY have remained under wraps.  An update that is no update.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

At 6-7, the Falcons are still in the scrum for a Wild Card spot in the NFC but there’s no sign that wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be back to help them make a push in the final weeks of the regular season.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said last month that there was no update on Ridley, who is on the non-football illness list after stepping away from the team to deal with mental health issues. On Monday, he said things remain status quo when it comes to Ridley.

“As soon as we get an update, we’ll give you an update,” Smith said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I understand that you’ve got to ask, but there is no update there.”

Ridley only played five games for the Falcons this year and the Falcons’ lack of depth at wideout is illustrated by the fact that Russell Gage is the only receiver with more catches than Ridley had before leaving the team.

– – –

The Falcons have lost S ERIK HARRIS with a torn pectoral muscle. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

It appears Falcons safety Erik Harris suffered a torn left pectoral muscle that will require surgery and lead to him missing the rest of the season.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith declined to update Harris’ injury status on Monday a day after the injury. The NFL Network reported that Harris suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season. The same conclusion was made by Dr. David Chao in a video review on Sunday.

Harris’ injury was announced as a “chest” injury with his return to the game questionable in the win over the Panthers Sunday. He never returned after six plays.

Harris (chest), outside linebacker Dante Fowler (calf) and backup linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee (knee) were all injured against the Panthers. Fowler played 42 of 64 plays (50%) and Ellerbee played 12 plays on special teams.

“Injuries, we are still waiting for the medical experts,” Smith said on Monday. “On most Mondays in the NFL, MRIs, the doctors and making sure that we get it right so we don’t … we know exactly what we are dealing with.”

TAMPA BAY

QB TOM BRADY has rushed for 68 yards in 2021, up from 6 yards rushing for all of 2020.  It is his best single-season rushing total since he had 109 in 2011.  The only better season for Brady than 2011 was his 110 in 2002.

Knowing how Brady thinks (and if you have seen this video, we think we know how he thinks), we would bet he knows the first paragraph too.

So on his checklist of things to do to prove the haters wrong, we would think that getting his career high in rushing at age 44 is on that considerable list.

Brady has however denied this quest for public consumption.  Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com:

On Sunday, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians had a simple description of his reaction to quarterback Tom Brady taking a big hit while trying to run the ball: “That’s enough of that shit.”

Brady agrees.

During his latest installment of the Let’s Go! podcast with Jim Gray, Brady responded to the pointed criticism from Arians.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard him swear,” Brady said, laughing. “He’s right. He’s right. I agree with B.A. ‘Get my ass on the ground.’ That’s what I deserve. That’s where I should be. They’re trying to put me on the ground pretty tough, and they took some good shots yesterday. I think my days of running, they’ll be only if necessary at this point going forward.”

Arians separately said on Monday that the hits Brady took early in the overtime win over the Bills did not affect his accuracy in the second half.

Regardless, it’s important that Brady avoid contact. At the age of 44, it won’t take many hits to affect his ability to play. We’ve seen him do whatever he has to do to get rid of the ball before getting hit in the pocket. He needs to avoid it wherever and whenever he can.

ARIZONA

After Monday night’s loss, the Cardinals are 3-3 at home and 7-0 on the road (and likely to be 8-0 after Sunday at Detroit).  But RB JAMES CONNER, for one, says they should aspire to win the division and get homefield advantage at least in the first round.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Monday night’s 30-23 loss to the Rams means there’s a new No. 1 in the playoff pecking order in the NFC.

The Cardinals are out and the Packers are into position for the only first-round bye in the conference. They’re also in line to play all of their postseason games at home while the Cardinals are now the No. 3 seed, which would mean having only one home game guaranteed in the postseason.

Given their 7-0 record on the road, the Cardinals might be OK with that and head coach Kliff Kingsbury joked after the loss that he would be OK losing “every game and play on the road every week” in the playoffs. Running back James Conner took a more serious view of the team’s 3-3 record at home this season.

“We would like [home field],” Conner said, via the team’s website. “We haven’t played the best at home. We acknowledge that. Shame on us if we think like [we don’t want home field]. That’s not the case. We’re not thinking that at all. We still have to play better football. We have to play our best game, whether it’s on the road or at home.”

Next Sunday will have the Cardinals back on the road in Detroit, but they’ll need more than their own wins to move back up in the conference before the regular season is out.

LAS VEGAS

QB DEREK CARR was a sitting duck for the Chiefs pass rush – and now the Raiders face EDGE MILES GARRETT of the Browns.

Among the many things that went wrong for the Raiders in Sunday’s 48-9 loss to the Chiefs was Las Vegas’ pass protection.

Quarterback Derek Carr was sacked four times as Kansas City racked up 11 quarterback hits — four of which came from defensive end Frank Clark.

As the Raiders gear up to play the Browns on Saturday, they’re preparing to face one of the game’s elite edge rushers in Myles Garrett. The 2017 No. 1 overall pick set Cleveland’s franchise record in sacks last week when he brought down Baltimore backup Tyler Huntley, caused him to fumble, and returned the loose ball for a touchdown.

Las Vegas interim head coach Rich Bisaccia was asked in his Monday press conference if the team would consider inserting backup QB Marcus Mariota into the game more often to help protect Carr, if not also light a spark for the offense. Mariota played only one snap in Sunday’s loss.

But Bisaccia didn’t seem to have an appetite for creating any sort of quarterback controversy.

“Again, there’s been conversation all the time about what’s the plan for Marcus and when he comes in and what exactly he can do with it,” Bisaccia said. “I don’t think we’re real excited about taking No. 4 [Carr] out from behind the center when he can be a productive player for us. And I thought yesterday he gave us a chance with some of the balls that he delivered to put us in position to score some points and we turned the ball over.

“I don’t ever think that one particular thing is going to move you in one direction or the other. So, we’d like to do a better job, really, in everything that we’re doing.”

The Raiders are 1-5 since their Week Eight bye, failing to score even 17 points in each of the five losses. Their one win came at the expense of the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

Whether the Raiders decide to expand their Mariota package or not in the team’s remaining four games, Carr and the franchise’s next regime will have a lot to discuss about the quarterback’s future with Las Vegas in the coming offseason.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

It looks like RB AUSTIN EKELER will be available for your Fantasy Football first round playoff game this week.  Maybe.  Ian Rapoport with the tweet:

@RapSheet

#Chargers coach Brandon Staley was optimistic about RB Austin Ekeler’s ankle on Sunday, tellign reporters he looked “fine.” Sounds like Ekeler reaggravated the ankle from last week that put him on the injury report. With a quick turnaround vs. the #Chiefs, it’s one to watch.

CLEVELAND

The Browns will probably be without RB KAREEM HUNT Saturday against the Raiders.  Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a Zoom call with reporters on Monday running back Kareem Hunt (ankle) and cornerback Troy Hill (knee) are week-to-week and unlikely to make it to Saturday’s game against Las Vegas.

“That’s the nature of the beast,” Stefanski said of potentially not having Hunt after just getting him back two games ago. “Obviously, you hate injuries and the competitor that Kareem is, you hate that he’s going through this, but he’s got to rehab and get back as soon as he can.”

HOUSTON

LB KAMU GRANGIER-HILL, who has played with distinction for the Texans as others falter, was carted off the field Sunday.  And he’s not available to the team at the moment, but it is not because of the knee that appeared damaged.  Charean Williams ofProFootballTalk.com:

The Texans also announced they placed linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill on the reserve-COVID-19 list Monday. Grugier-Hill injured his right knee Sunday, but Culley said it was “not quite as bad as we thought” initially.

Grugier-Hill has 88 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six this season. Neville Hewitt replaced Grugier-Hill against the Seahawks and finished with three tackles.

TENNESSEE

And here is the news we’ve been looking for – an update on RB DERRICK HENRY that indicates he is somewhere between possible and likely to be back for the playoffs.  Casandra Negley of YahooSports.com:

Derrick Henry could return for the playoffs or even a potential Week 18 must-win situation following foot surgery that has kept him out since Week 8, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.

The Tennessee Titans were optimistic their star running back would return this season when they announced on Nov. 1 he would undergo surgery for a broken bone in his left foot. There has been no solid timetable for his return.

The rehab is going well enough that Henry could reportedly return if the Titans (8-4) make the playoffs or if they have a win-and-in game in Week 18.

Reports pegged his return as early as Week 16 and as late as AFC championship weekend, if the Titans were to advance. From injury to the final game of the season is 10 weeks.

The recovery time for surgery on a fifth metatarsal varies widely from person to person. The official estimated recovery time is six to 10 weeks.

Henry is working with Titans athletic trainers daily and wears a walking boot when away from the facility.

MIAMI

COVID, either through positive test, close contact or an actual affliction, has devastated the Dolphins backfield.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com:

He could be back, six years after he left.

Running back Lamar Miller, who played for the Dolphins from 2012 through 2015, worked out for the team on Monday. He was one of four running backs to get tryouts as the Dolphins deal with a COVID issue in the running back room.

Others getting a workout on Monday were Benny LeMay, Jordan Scarlett, and Dexter Williams.

The Dolphins added Williams to the practice squad. The Dolphins also elevated running back Duke Johnson as a COVID replacement.

Three Miami running backs are on COVID reserve: Phillip Lindsay, Miles Gaskin, and Salvon Ahmed.

NEW YORK JETS

Somehow, it appears the Jets used the 2^nd overall pick in the draft on a QB who, at the moment, can’t pass the football very accurately (the talent some say, logically, is the most important one of all for a QB).  Conner Hughes of The Athletic:

It wasn’t an issue in college, nor when talent evaluators studied him further before the 2021 NFL Draft. Actually, most would tell you Zach Wilson was among the more accurate passers of all the quarterbacks available.

That early assessment seemed true when the Jets reported for the start of their offseason program, then training camp, with Wilson in tow. Seventeen Wilson-centered stories ran in The Athletic during that time about the No. 2 selection. So many focused on the ups and downs of the young quarterback’s development. Just one — off his first intrasquad scrimmage — mentioned an observational criticism of his accuracy. That’s because, aside from that day, Wilson hadn’t shown any signs of accuracy issues.

So … what the hell has happened?

“He has to be better,” coach Robert Saleh said.

Wilson’s accuracy deterioration has been among the more alarming aspects of his underwhelming rookie season. He has completed just 160 of 285 pass attempts through his nine starts. That’s a completion percentage of 56.1 — last among quarterbacks who have dropped back at least 289 times.

Wilson has completed better than 60 percent of his passes in games just twice this season, excluding New York’s loss to the Patriots on Nov. 24 when he left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury. Wilson has completed less than 55 percent of his passes three times (Carolina, Denver, New Orleans). He had the worst completion percentage of his young career on Sunday against the Saints, going 19 of 42 (45.24 percent) for 202 yards. He had a 39.4 completion percentage before the game’s final possession, when he completed four consecutive underneath passes against a prevent defense.

Pro Football Focus lists the Jets with 23 dropped passes. That plays a role in Wilson’s completion percentage. However, his adjusted completion percentage (which takes into consideration on-target passes that are not complete), per PFF, is still just 68.8. The Bears’ Justin Fields (63.8 percent) is the only quarterback with a lower percentage.

That’s not good. And it gets worse.

Wilson isn’t just not completing passes. He’s wildly missing them — a trait not correlated to Elijah Moore’s and Corey Davis’ placement on injured reserve last week. Against the Saints, Wilson bounced a bubble screen to Braxton Berrios. He short-hopped one to a wide-open Ryan Griffin in the flat. Even many of the passes Wilson did complete looked difficult — making the receivers twist and turn when they were open. The Saints game isn’t an outlier. Wilson has struggled with this all year. The league average for off-target passes is 15.8 percent, according to ESPN Stats and Information. Wilson has an off-target percentage of 25.1 — worst in the NFL.

Yes, Wilson is a rookie. Yes, bumps and bruises were to be expected as he acclimated to the NFL. Reading professional defenses isn’t easy. The speed of the game is far different. But throwing the football? That didn’t figure to be a problem.

So, again: What the hell happened?

“He’s in his own head, there’s no doubt about it,” Dan Orlovsky, the ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback, told The Athletic. “He’s trying to be too Aaron Rodgers-ish.”

Orlovsky is arguably the top quarterback analyst in the media today. He’s watched virtually every one of Wilson’s starts. He’s seen the accuracy flaws because it’s impossible not to. In his opinion, though, it’s not just one thing leading to the inconsistencies.

Example: Against the Falcons, Wilson wanted to connect with Keelan Cole on a corner shake route. The quarterback tried to rhythmically time everything, from his hitch, to his eyes, to his shoulder, in an attempt to get the corner to jump on the flat route in a Cover 2, while also, in the same movement, hitching to Cole. The result: Wilson threw 5 yards behind Cole for an easy interception.

That’s “football 601 stuff,” Orlovsky said — meaning, it’s only for the best in the NFL. It’s far too advanced for a rookie, because Wilson forgets the basics of playing quarterback while trying to put it all together.

Orlovsky sees other times when Wilson’s footwork deteriorates. He threw a deep crosser against the Texans where, at the time he released the ball, both his feet were off the ground despite standing in a clean pocket. There’s no need for that. On the short, gimme routes, Orlovsky sees a player volleying between the 180 of trying to guide the football — Wilson seems to want to call a Zack Morris timeout, then run the ball to where his guy is and put it right in his hands — but then also throwing 100 miles per hour to players less than 8 yards away.

The cumulative result is a mishmash of quarterbacking no-nos.

“He hears the noise,” Orlovsky said. “He hears the flaws. He hears the issues. When you think about that stuff in a game — when you’re facing pressure, the pocket is collapsing — it’s going to have a negative impact. It’s like a shooter being in an extended slump. You need to start seeing some go in. It’s like he’s thinking his way through the process of throwing, and not letting his body and arm be as natural as possible.

“He’s not throwing reactionary. He’s throwing precautionary.”

The Jets desperately need to find a way to change that. This offense works. Mike White, Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson all experienced varying degrees of success playing in it this year. Wilson, though, is struggling. Perhaps that’s due in part to the number of voices in his ear.

Greg Knapp was originally Wilson’s Jets quarterbacks coach. He died in July after being hit by a driver while riding his bike. Matthew Cavanaugh replaced him, but the Jets added Wilson’s personal quarterback coach, John Beck, to the staff midway through the season. They also have Rob Calabrese — the listed quarterbacks coach.

“They need to hammer home a full-time quarterback coach,” Orlovsky said. “It doesn’t matter who. They just need to find one.”

The 3-10 Jets were officially eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. That means these final four games — against the Dolphins, Jaguars, Bucs and Bills — are the last of Wilson’s rookie season. There hasn’t been much, other than blind faith, to make anyone believe the 22-year-old is set to break the Jets’ franchise quarterback draught. But, hope can come quickly.

Sam Darnold, the last potential savior, endured similar rookie-year struggles. Then, over the last four weeks, he threw for 931 yards, six touchdowns, one interception and had a quarterback rating of 99.1. His completion percentage his first nine starts: 55.02. In his last four: 64.1.

While the Jets won just one of those games, Darnold’s individual success sent the team into the offseason on a high. A similar strong finish for Wilson can do the same.

The best way to begin: Start completing passes.

“We’ve just got to execute,” Wilson said. “I’ve got to, obviously, be more accurate.”

THIS AND THAT

CORONA NEWS

The Rams were hit with a wave of players who were not allowed to play Monday due to positive tests (albeit few if any symptoms) for COVID.

As usual, none of the afflicted appear to be seriously harmed and the biggest concern is when they might jump through the NFL’s protocols for return.

Clay Travis thinks it all is much ado about next to nothing.

@ClayTravis

Every sports league needs to start letting players who are healthy & test positive for covid — which is almost all of them — play with the virus if they want to play. Continuing to treat covid like a serious health issue for young, healthy athletes is patently absurd.

The seasonal flu is more dangerous to young, healthy athletes and players have been playing with the seasonal flu for decades. Players are still playing this year with the flu with zero issues. Nonsensical to continue to treat covid like a death sentence for athletes.

I mean, anyone who has the seasonal flu can transmit it too. Same with any virus. No coach or player has had a significant covid issue in the past two years. Football is FAR more dangerous to players than covid.

On the other hand, the NFL is following the belief that commanding a booster shot, with exceptions, for those it controls is the way to go.  The AP:

The NFL is requiring players, coaches and other team personnel to receive a COVID-19 booster by Dec. 27.

In a memo sent to teams on Monday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league said: “Given the increased prevalence of the virus in our communities, our experts have recommended that we implement the CDC’s recommendation.”

The league’s requirement extends to all Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals who have previously received the vaccine. The CDC recommends an individual who received a second Pfizer or Moderna shot to complete the primary vaccine series more than six months earlier should receive a booster shot. An individual that received the Johnson and Johnson shot more than two months earlier should receive a booster shot.

The following do not have to meet the requirement:

• An individual who is not eligible for a booster pursuant to the CDC definition.

• An individual who is in the 90-day test holiday after a confirmed positive COVID-19 test under the league protocols.

• An individual who received monoclonal antibodies within the immediately preceding 90 days.

• An individual whose “S” antibody level on an antibody test administered via BRL (BioReference Lab) at the club facility is 2500 or greater.

The league says any individual who is not currently subject to the requirement for boosters will be required to obtain the booster within 14 days of becoming eligible.

Teams were asked to provide booster shots to all eligible tiered staff as soon as possible, and to consider making booster shots available for player and staff families and cohabitants.

A season-high total of 37 players were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Monday.

Paul Mirengoff of Powerline points out that soccer in England has had some postponements in the frantic reaction to the Omicron Variant and wonders what might happen here:

We might see some in 2022, though. I base this concern on what’s happening with soccer in England right now.

The coronavirus has ripped through the squad of Tottenham Hotspur, one of the top English teams. It forced the calling off of a showdown between Spurs and Rennes, a French side that the Londoners were due to face in a play-in game for the Europa League — the second-tier European club competition.

The result was something of a “diplomatic” incident. Spurs tried to reschedule the game for mid-December, but Rennes refused. The Brittany team wanted to win by forfeit, thus securing advancement to Europa.

As I understand it, the powers-that-be have decided the game will not be played at all, but have not yet determined which team will be deemed to have forfeited. (Most likely it will be Spurs, whose supporters might not be too disappointed to exit a competition that stirs little passion and consumes energy that can be devoted to the EPL.)

Speaking of the EPL, Spurs also had to cancel their match scheduled for this past weekend against Brighton. And although I understand they have returned to training and now have enough cleared players to field a team against Leicester City this Thursday, that match looks to be in serious jeopardy, too. Among other concerns is the fact that the virus is now sidelining Leicester players.

Manchester United is also suffering from an outbreak. The club cancelled all first-team training and reportedly is negotiating with the Premier League about postponing its match against Brentford, which is scheduled for tomorrow in London.

The spread of the virus in soccer dressing rooms corresponds to an increase of new cases in the UK. On December 10, the number of new daily cases reached 57,000. The last time there were that many new reported cases in a day was in mid-January of this year.

Fortunately, the number of new deaths in the UK attributed to the virus hasn’t increased appreciably yet. This is also the case in South Africa, where the number of new infections soared due to the Omicron variant. (I take it that the spike in new cases in the UK is also due in part to that more easily transmittable variant.)

Given what is happening in England, there’s a good chance we’ll begin to see a disruption of sports in America. The new variant has made its way here and we’re seeing a pretty significant rise in new cases per day. However, unlike in the UK, our number hasn’t approached record highs.

The increase here might be due mainly to colder weather. But the weather isn’t going to get warmer for quite a while.

Cold weather plus the new variant might well lead to new daily cases in the U.S. approaching all-time highs, as they have done in the UK. If so, this could easily likely lead to significant disruptions in our sports — cancellations, postponements, and limitations on (or exclusion of) crowds.

Early indications are that a high volume of new cases isn’t likely to lead to deaths on anything like the scale of last winter. Most Americans are vaccinated now and there’s reason to think, tentatively, that the new variant is less deadly than the worst of its predecessors.

Thus, there’s no need to panic, even if, like me, you’re addicted to watching sports. But don’t be surprised if, for a while, our return to normal sports viewing is interrupted somewhat.

2022 DRAFT

We haven’t had a Mock Draft in a while.  Let’s see what Todd McShay of ESPN.com is thinking:

We’ve hit the final month of the 2021 NFL regular season, and college football’s bowls are ready to kick off. This is when we really start to heat up the conversations around the 2022 NFL draft, and I’m kicking it off with my first mock draft of April’s first round, predicting how the picks will fall and which teams land a potential franchise quarterback on Day 1.

It’s not going to be a typical draft. Quarterbacks have gone No. 1 overall in six of the past seven drafts, but we might not even see one in the top 10 in 2022 for the first time since 2013, when EJ Manuel led the signal-callers at No. 16 overall. That doesn’t mean there won’t be first-round QBs, though — I have a handful in this mock. But the defensive talent in this class is fantastic, and we could see edge rushers and defensive backs dominate the high picks. In all, 30 of the top 32 players in my rankings right now make the first-round cut.

Of course, it’s still early. Bowl season, the College Football Playoff, the Senior Bowl, the combine and all of the other pre-draft events lie in the coming months. There will be risers and fallers, and NFL teams’ needs will shift entirely. We don’t even have a final draft order yet. For this exercise, we used ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) to project the order of the picks, 1-32.

Let’s get to it. Here is my current prediction of how the first round of the 2022 draft will play out, beginning with a toss-up at No. 1 for the one-win Lions. (And be sure to check out our SportsCenter mock draft special on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. ET.)

1. Detroit Lions (1-11-1)

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

The Lions are a one-win team for a reason and have holes all over the place. The biggest concern long term, of course, falls at quarterback — Jared Goff joins four rookies at the bottom of Total QBR this season — but there isn’t one in this class worthy of the top pick. And you aren’t taking a receiver or cornerback here, also glaring issues. Detroit has another pick later on Day 1 to address one of those problems.

Instead, the Lions need to take the best player available, and right now, that’s Hutchinson. The production speaks for itself: He has 14.0 sacks, 73 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and a pair of forced fumbles, and he tends to play at his best in the biggest spots. Detroit is in the bottom five in yards allowed per play (5.9), points allowed per game (27.2) and sacks (20), and while Romeo Okwara, Julian Okwara, Trey Flowers and a host of others can be impact players, Hutchinson could be the guy on the edge for the Lions.

2. Houston Texans (2-11)

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon*

The debate between Hutchinson and Thibodeaux will continue over the four months of lead-up to the draft, and the Texans would be happy with whichever player the Lions don’t take here. Thibodeaux actually has the better skill set, but Hutchinson is just a consistent force on Michigan’s defense and plays with more fire. Thibodeaux had just one sack and one tackle for loss in a pair of ugly losses to Utah this season. But he is scheme versatile, rushes the passer with power and speed and can make plays in the backfield against the run. The Texans still need to replace J.J. Watt on the edge, and Thibodeaux can be a gamebreaker for them. It’d be the first time since 2000 that a pair of DE/OLB prospects went 1-2 in a draft (Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington).

Houston also has a quarterback conundrum. Will Deshaun Watson be traded? What will become of his 22 active civil lawsuits of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior? There isn’t a quarterback worthy of this top-two pick, but the need could absolutely be there, and QBs have been overdrafted before.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama*

The Jaguars are currently tasking two underwhelming offensive tackles — Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor — with protecting QB Trevor Lawrence, and as many as three of their starting linemen could be free agents in March. The offense has scored fewer than 20 points in seven straight games, and Jacksonville has been below average in both pass block win rate (56.3%) and run block win rate (69.3%) on the year. Neal, meanwhile, is the clear top tackle in the class, and he brings versatility, the ability to ride speed rushers past the quarterback and the range to help get running backs James Robinson and Travis Etienne Jr. (remember, the Jags’ other 2021 first-rounder returns next season) extra yards at the second level.

4. New York Jets (3-10)

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU*

The Jets went offense with their first four picks in 2021, but it’s time to address defense. This season, they are allowing a league-high 8.3 yards per pass attempt, have just four interceptions and are one of three teams allowing 70% completions. Stingley’s production dipped a bit after a six-INT freshman year at LSU, and he has been out because of a left foot injury, but he can absolutely be the kind of shutdown corner New York clearly has to find.

5. New York Giants (via 4-9 CHI)

George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue*

The Giants have a pair of early picks and could go a bunch of different ways. But they are no better than 25th in sacks (25), pass rush win rate (32.0%) and pressure rate (25.9%), despite some flashes from rookie Azeez Ojulari (7.5 sacks). Karlaftis wins with power and has proven disruptive even though he often sees double-teams for Purdue — and like Leonard Williams, he is versatile enough to rush from inside when needed.

6. Carolina Panthers (5-8)

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Yeah, No. 6 overall is still too rich for my blood when it comes to drafting a QB in this class. Plus, there are dominos that still need to fall with Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson in the offseason. And while Alabama receiver Jameson Williams is the better value here, Carolina can’t ignore the offensive line. Its 52.2% pass block win rate is 28th in the NFL. Cross is a patient pass-blocker who can recognize blitzes and disguises. That should come as no surprise, considering his experience: His 682 pass-block snaps this season rank No. 2 in the country, and his 1,238 over the past two years are by far the FBS’ most.

7. New York Giants (4-9)

Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia*

Cross could be a great option to shore up a brutal offensive line if he’s still available, and Alabama’s Jameson Williams would make sense. But I love Dean’s game, and he fits what the Giants covet — another three-down playmaking linebacker to line up with Blake Martinez, who will be returning from a torn ACL. Dean has sideline-to-sideline range and is an artist at slipping blocks, hunting down ball carriers and blowing up plays. Just look at this 13-game stat line for the season: 62 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and a touchdown.

8. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama*

Will the Falcons upgrade in the trenches on either side of the ball? Atlanta is by far the worst in the NFL with just 16 sacks, and its offensive line is allowing pressure at the NFL’s ninth-highest rate (31.7%). Could quarterback be the move after the Falcons opted to use the No. 4 pick on tight end Kyle Pitts in 2021, rather than get a QB of the future? It’s a tough call, but I see them riding Matt Ryan — who has played well — another year, adopting a “best available” strategy here for a roster full of holes and then addressing QB in a better-stocked 2023 class.

And best available right now might just be Williams, who has tons of speed, elusiveness as a ball carrier and sure hands. His 1,445 receiving yards, 15 TD catches and 21.3 yards per catch all rank in the FBS’ top five. Paired with Pitts and Calvin Ridley (who is out right now to focus on his mental health), Williams could do damage.

9. New York Jets (via 5-8 SEA)

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame*

I’d love to get New York some help at edge rushing or offensive tackle, but the top players at those positions are off the board. No team has ever used multiple top-10 picks on defensive backs in the same year, per ESPN Stats & Information, but did I mention how much work the Jets’ pass defense needs? Stingley and Hamilton would immediately elevate this unit. Hamilton — who I liken to Denver’s Justin Simmons — has an incredible combination of 6-foot-4 size and speed, plays with great instincts and demonstrates the leadership qualities you want from a high draft pick. And he hauled in three interceptions in seven games before a knee injury derailed his season.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via 6-7 MIA)

David Ojabo, DE, Michigan*

Philly jump-starts its three-pick Round 1 party with an explosive pass-rusher. Ojabo’s first step is lightning fast, and he closes on the QB extremely well — his 11.0 sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season prove it. Brandon Graham will be 34 years old and returning from an Achilles injury next season, and only two teams have fewer sacks this year than the Eagles’ 21. And while they would love see Hamilton fall to them, the Eagles get a defensive upgrade with Ojabo. Michigan has had multiple first-round defenders only three times (1972, 2017 and 2019), but here it sends two to the top 10.

Quarterback is obviously a question mark, too. If the Eagles decide to move on from Jalen Hurts, they could deal some of their first-round picks to upgrade. But I can’t see them gambling on a weak crop of QB prospects if they can’t solve the issue by trade or free agency.

11. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7)

DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M*

Las Vegas loves the versatile types up front, and Leal’s picture might as well be next to “versatile” in the dictionary. He can win inside with a quick first step. He can turn speed to power on the outside. He can make plays in run defense with excellent range. Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby are impact players off the edge, but the Raiders are overmatched on the interior every week. They have to nail this pick, and Leal — my No. 6 prospect — hits need and value here.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1)

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

The wait is over: A quarterback finally comes off the board, and Pittsburgh gets its pick of the top prospects. Ben Roethlisberger is likely in his final season, and his predecessor is not currently in the building. The Steelers’ offense has playmakers, but it needs someone who can distribute them the ball as the team tries to stay competitive in an AFC North division stacked with young franchise QBs. Pickett moves through his progressions and gets the ball out quickly, and he has the class’ best combination of pocket awareness, accuracy and decision-making — which I think are the three most critical traits when projecting a quarterback forward to the NFL.

13. Washington Football Team (6-7)

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss*

Taylor Heinicke has surprised this season, leading Washington to playoff contention after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Week 1 hip injury. But make no mistake: He is not the long-term answer. Corral has a smooth release and can make things happen with his feet. Perhaps he could sit and continue developing as a pocket passer behind Heinicke in 2022 before taking over. Regardless, Washington needs to find its future under center after striking out on Dwayne Haskins in 2019.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)

Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah*

The Eagles have taken just one linebacker in the first round over the past 40 years (Marcus Smith in 2014), but it’s obvious they could use a playmaker in the middle of that defense. Lloyd — who has 96 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and four interceptions for Utah this season — is rangy and moves around the field like a 235-pound safety. He could quickly become a QB on defense for Philadelphia. Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner and USC receiver Drake London might also be in play.

15. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)

Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati*

It’s hard to find another college corner who is trusted on an island in press-man coverage as much as “Sauce” Gardner. The 6-foot-2, 188-pounder’s 321 such snaps this season lead the nation by 61. And despite that big ask, Gardner has yet to allow more than 13 yards in a single game this year. (As an aside, I can’t wait to see his Cotton Bowl matchup with Jameson Williams, who averages 21.3 yards per catch.) Minnesota’s top three cornerbacks — Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland and Mackensie Alexander — are all on expiring deals, and Gardner’s speed, ball skills and lockdown traits would help address a pass defense allowing 8.9 yards per attempt (27th in the NFL).

16. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa*

No-brainer here. No quarterback has been sacked more than Joe Burrow (41), which of course isn’t what you want to see for your second-year franchise QB who already has a knee injury as a pro. Linderbaum anchors well and would help take the Bengals’ interior line from among the NFL’s worst to one of its best within a few years. Plus, he has good range at the second level, which would open things up more for running back Joe Mixon.

17. Denver Broncos (7-6)

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty*

In a division that includes Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, you need a QB who can create, push the ball downfield and win offensive shootouts. I’m not sure Teddy Bridgewater (a free agent after this season) is that guy. Like a handful of teams slotted above Denver here, the offseason will bring answers of whether Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and/or Deshaun Watson will be available, and the Broncos could certainly land one of those top-tier QBs. If not, Willis can extend plays, make tight-window throws with velocity and push the ball downfield. But there are some issues that require work in Willis’ game; he threw 12 interceptions and took 50 sacks this season.

Willis would be Liberty’s second-ever pick in the first three rounds (Pittsburgh took tight end Eric Green at No. 21 in 1990).

18. Cleveland Browns (7-6)

Drake London, WR, USC*

This is a steal. London had 130-plus receiving yards in six of eight games this season, and his 88 catches rank 12th in the nation — despite the fact a fractured right ankle has kept him out since October. He can line up all over, threaten defenses with vertical speed, find his way open and come down with contested catches. The Browns’ 59.0% completion percentage when targeting wide receivers is 28th in the NFL, and they have to get Baker Mayfield a playmaker to catch the pass game up to the run game’s prowess a bit.

19. New Orleans Saints (6-7)

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

The opinions on Ridder are all over the place. I’ve heard some scouts wonder if he is the best QB in the whole class, while others think he’s more of a second-rounder. But Ridder would be in the perfect spot in New Orleans, able to work with coach Sean Payton and develop his mechanics and ball-placement consistency. The Saints don’t necessarily have to go quarterback — they have Taysom Hill, and Jameis Winston could return to New Orleans on a new deal following his torn ACL — but Ridder would give them a guy to build around for the future. He has a strong arm and is a constant threat to tuck and run.

Alternatively, Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson or Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary would instantly boost lacking units.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (via 7-6 IND)

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State*

The Eagles are projected to have three picks in the top 20, and we used the first two on defense (David Ojabo and Devin Lloyd). An NFL team has gone to the WR well in the first round in three consecutive drafts just once in the common draft era, per ESPN Stats & Information (Lions, 2003-05), but let’s face it: Philadelphia still needs pass-catchers despite drafting Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith in the past two years. Wilson’s body control in adjusting to the ball in the air is incredible, he has the wheels to make the big play downfield and he shows a nose for the end zone (12 TDs this season). Cornerback is another position to watch, especially with Auburn’s Roger McCreary still out there.

21. Miami Dolphins (via 7-6 SF)

Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State*

Miami has used four Day 1 or 2 picks on the offensive line over the past three drafts. And yet, it is last in the league in pass block win rate by a good margin (44.6%). Ekwonu is a 320-pound mauler who is tough to get around and versatile enough to play tackle or guard. And his power would be welcomed by a run game that ranks 31st in yards per carry (3.3).

22. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa*

The Ravens’ identity is based on running the football and physicality up front, and Penning embodies that. He pushes defenders off the ball and moves well for a massive 6-foot-7, 321-pound tackle. The Ravens dealt Orlando Brown Jr. in the offseason, Alejandro Villanueva (his replacement) is 33 years old, and Ronnie Stanley has been limited to seven games over the past two seasons because of ankle issues. And Baltimore has given up an NFL-high 47 sacks this season.

If Baltimore tends to offensive line issues in another way, the defense could also use reinforcements. Perhaps Georgia’s Jordan Davis or Travon Walker would fit the bill.

23. Buffalo Bills (7-6)

Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

The Bills have one of the better pass defenses this season, but they still need cornerback depth beyond Tre’Davious White — whose absence has been felt since he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Levi Wallace and Taron Johnson are the team’s next-best options, and Wallace is potentially going to hit free agency in March. Another excellent press corner, McCreary has 15 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions this season. He would help keep Buffalo among the best in the league in generating takeaways (26, tied for third).

24. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)

Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

I originally looked at offensive tackle here. The Chargers aced last April’s Rashawn Slater pick, and they could still stand to improve the right tackle spot to better protect Justin Herbert. Ohio State’s Nicholas Petit-Frere is probably a bit too much of a reach, so L.A. might have to hold off until Round 2 there. Instead, let’s fix up an underwhelming defensive tackle group. The Chargers have allowed 4.67 yards per rush and 18 rushing TDs, which each rank bottom five in the NFL. Davis is a 6-foot-6, 340-pound space-eater who is nearly impossible to move off his spot. He demands double-team attention and would be an upgrade in the middle of the line.

25. Detroit Lions (via 9-4 LAR)

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina*

Four drafts have featured five first-round quarterbacks (1983, 1999, 2018 and 2021), but all four have included at least two top-10 picks. Here we have five Day 1 signal-callers for a second consecutive year, but all of them fall between picks Nos. 12 and 25. There will always be QB-needy teams, and while this class lacks a surefire franchise guy, it does have plenty of high-upside passers who could become just that. I actually like Howell a little more than Desmond Ridder. The UNC product reads the field well and shows good touch and timing on his throws.

Jared Goff’s dead money would fall from $30.5 million in 2022 to $10 million in 2023 and $5 million in 2024, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit drafts someone like Howell at the end of the first round to secure the fifth-year option and lets him learn behind Goff for a year before handing over the keys.

26. Tennessee Titans (9-4)

Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson*

Is Harold Landry III back next season? I can’t imagine the Titans let him go in free agency after 11 sacks in 13 games this year, but if they do, edge rusher has to be considered in this spot. Colorado State tight end Trey McBride also warrants attention for Tennessee. The Titans didn’t fully maximize Jonnu Smith in their system before letting him walk last spring, but quarterback Ryan Tannehill would love McBride if they looked his way.

Tennessee took Caleb Farley and Kristian Fulton with early picks in the past two years, but cornerback remains a bit of a weakness. The Titans have allowed 30 passing plays of 25-plus yards, tied for the sixth most in the NFL. Booth’s tape has impressed me, from his ability to run in phase with receivers to his excellent ball skills (three interceptions this year).

27. Dallas Cowboys (9-4)

Travon Walker, DE, Georgia*

Walker has been a big riser this fall, previously getting overshadowed by some of the other talents on Georgia’s phenomenal defense. But his tape is outstanding, and I expect him to wow scouts at the combine with his workouts. He is versatile with the ability to play off the edge or on the interior, and he possesses the power to walk blockers back. Randy Gregory has been excellent for the Cowboys this year, but he is a looming free agent due for a payday. DeMarcus Lawrence will be 30 years old next season. And words can’t describe the impact of rookie Micah Parsons, but remember that edge rusher isn’t even his primary position. Bringing in a defensive end with the ability to flip inside will free Parsons up to play all over and be an even bigger issue for opponents.

28. Green Bay Packers (10-3)

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The Packers’ offense could look very different in 2022. That’s not to say it will, but Aaron Rodgers has expressed the desire to move on from Green Bay, and receivers Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are primed to be free agents. Whether it’s Rodgers or Jordan Love under center, and whether Adams is there in that No. 1 receiver role, the Packers have to find more weapons on offense. We’ve been screaming it from the rooftop for years. If Olave falls to them this late in the first round, the Packers have no excuses. The smooth route runner is an explosive accelerator off the line and has high-end ball skills. He can break open a game, as he did in four 100-plus-yard, multiple-TD outings this season.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)

Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Dotson is undersized at 5-foot-11 and 184 pounds, but he is fast, crafty and sure-handed. Sound like anyone in the NFL? Kansas City has had plenty of success with 5-foot-10, 185-pound burner Tyreek Hill. The only Chiefs receivers currently signed past this season are Hill and Mecole Hardman, and considering the offensive drop-off this year, they could certainly look to replenish Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal. Dotson caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 scores this season.

Additionally, the offensive line rebuild has worked — the Chiefs have the league’s third-highest pass block win rate (67.5%) — but depth could be a problem going into 2022. Ohio State’s Nicholas Petit-Frere or Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann should get a closer look.

30. Arizona Cardinals (10-3)

Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida*

Robert Alford might not be back, and Byron Murphy Jr. had been more of a slot cornerback before this season. Elam’s track speed and high-level instincts would boost that cornerback group out of the gate. Plus, he is scheme versatile and brings on-ball production, with 19 pass breakups and six interceptions over three seasons.

31. New England Patriots (9-4)

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas*

Burks to the Patriots would make it six receivers in the first round. According to ESPN Stats & Information, we’ve seen back-to-back drafts with at least five first-round WRs four times (2000-01, 2004-05, 2014-15, 2020-21), but we’ve never had three straight occasions. While this class doesn’t match 2021’s group in elite talent, it certainly has depth.

New England signed Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency this year, but it’s hard to find a true No. 1 receiver on this roster. To help quarterback Mac Jones continue the impressive start to his career, the Pats should give him a big target outside who can come down with anything. That’s Burks, who is 6-foot-3 and can adjust to off-target throws and pluck them out of the air. He isn’t a burner, but he is a savvy route runner with 11 touchdown catches this season.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)

Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State*

ESPN’s Football Power Index likes the Buccaneers as repeat Super Bowl champions, which means they’d again play caboose on the first round. Thomas has 10.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss, and he’d help fill the void if the Buccaneers can’t re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul and/or William Gholston. Thomas can play in various roles and disrupts with quickness and power.

With Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones II and Giovani Bernard all on expiring deals, Tampa Bay could think about running back here, too. As it stands, there are no first-round running backs, something that has happened only twice before (2013, 2014). Iowa State’s Breece Hall is my highest ranked at the moment at No. 44 overall.