AROUND THE NFL

Daily Briefing

With July 28 still two weeks away, the NFL and NFLPA got together, virtually.  If Richard Sherman is to be believed, per Mike Florio, it sounds like an uncomfortable conversation where the players talked and the league’s representatives nodded: The NFL continues to be a deadline-driven business, and with no immediate deadline for striking a deal as to the various issues lingering between the league and the NFL Players Association on the COVID-19 rules, the two sides did not strike any deals during a bargaining session on Monday.   Per a source with knowledge of the discussions, they proceeded “as expected” without “not really” any news coming from the conversations.   NFLPA Executive Committee member and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman shared this upate on Twitter: “Good meeting today with management. We were blunt and honest with them we will not compromise our players health in these discussions.”   Again, the league has no obligation to agree to anything when it comes to the protocols for pro football in a pandemic. The league can implement rules, and the players can challenge the overall safety of the workplace via a non-injury grievance filed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.   For now, the league is refraining from playing hardball, presumably because it wants the players to fully and completely buy in. If the players don’t agree with the procedures, maybe they become less diligent about avoiding the virus and maybe they secretly root for the kind of outbreak that would shut football down without the players doing something they will not do — launch a wildcat strike.   At some point, decisions will nevertheless need to be made. The league’s patience and cooperation therefore will not be unlimited. Eventually an impasse will be declared and rules will be implemented, if an agreement can’t be reached. – – – Let it be said that S JUSTIN REID was the first, in this wave, to make the suggestion that the NFL season be delayed.  The DB suspects he won’t be the last.  Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle: Texans safety Justin Reid is watching closely as the NFL and the NFL Players Association haggle over safety guidelines along with the timing and length of the preseason. Given how many key issues remain unresolved and the serious health risks involving the coronavirus pandemic, Reid believes the league should delay the start of training camp and the regular season to have more time to iron out the details.   The league and the players’ union are discussing that potential scenario along with major issues involving COVID-19 testing and the salary cap in future years given the reduced revenue anticipated this year and other financial issues.   The majority of the NFL teams’ training camps are scheduled to start July 28th. The Texans are currently scheduled to begin full-team practices on July 25. Rookies for the defending AFC South champions and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to report Saturday. Many around the league believe these reporting dates will be pushed back.   “I think it would be beneficial to delay the season two or three weeks, so that way we can answer a lot of those questions that, us as players, people as far as the fans and the coaching staff, just procedurally questions on how the season is going to happen,” Reid said during a press conference Monday at the InterContinental Hotel to award Microsoft Surface tablets to area medical students in partnership with H-E-B and Microsoft.   “I think it would be beneficial to delay the season a couple of weeks. I think that will be good. I’m not confident that we will start on the 28th, but I am prepared because it is my job. I will be ready under the scenario, if it does happen on the 28th, it’s my job to be ready whenever we’re called to play.”   Whenever camp starts, Reid, ‘1000 percent’ plans to play and isn’t contemplating opting out. Reid added that he would understand if any player decides not to play due to health and family concerns.   “Yeah, I’m 100 percent going to play,” Reid said. “I don’t feel as intimidated that I would be putting family members in harm’s way the same way that I feel some other guys might view it because they might have little ones. I support those guys in those decisions, if they did not want to play, 100 percent. Speaking for me, myself, I 1000 percent will be playing.   “Some of my teammates do have little ones and family members that are under a year old that they are actually worried about and rightfully so about maybe bringing that back to their families. So, we’re all excited to work. I think lot of us are waiting to see those questions be answered for how we’re going to keep everything safe. If those questions are answered the right way, then guys will be confident about coming back. That remains to be seen.”  If there were no preseason games, do teams really need six weeks of training camp? – – – Another J. Reed/Reid also in the news with a tweet from Ian Rapoport: @RapSheet One name to watch as teams gear up for training camp: FA TE Jordan Reed. The former Washington play-maker has three teams interested and plans to play in 2020. A potential low-risk, high-reward signing. This on Reed’s oft-concussed career: Head injuries have kept Reed from ever completing a full campaign in his career, setting a single-season high of 14 games in 2015. His best year came in that same season in which he caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns, lighting up defenses as part of an offense coordinated by Sean McVay.

NFC EAST

DALLAS With time running out, ProFootballTalk.com doesn’t think the Cowboys and QB DAK PRESCOTT are going to get a long term deal done.  Josh Alper: The deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign multi-year contracts with their teams is on Wednesday and that leaves the Cowboys with a couple of days to strike a deal with quarterback Dak Prescott.   It doesn’t sound like anyone should be holding their breath for news of such an agreement over the next 48 hours or so. According to multiple reports, the Cowboys and Prescott are not close to finding the common ground that’s eluded them for quite a while now.   Deadlines can sometimes make deals happen after they looked unlikely a couple of days earlier, but there’s not much reason to think things are going to go the other way in Dallas. The two sides have engaged in conversations about a contract extension since Prescott became eligible for one last year and they haven’t been able to seal the deal.   Word has been that the length of the contract has been one of the sticking points as the Cowboys would like more years than Prescott. The quarterback is due to make $31.4 million this year under the tag and that number would go up to $37.68 million if he’s tagged again in 2021

PHILADELPHIA T JASON PETERS returns to Philadelphia for 2020.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Jason Peters is returning to Philadelphia.   Peters, the 38-year-old offensive lineman who spent most of the last decade as the Eagles’ starting left tackle, is re-signing with Philadelphia, the team announced.   But Peters will not be returning to his old position. Instead, Peters is expected to play right guard, filling in for Brandon Brooks, who will miss the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.   According to NFL Network, Peters is getting a one-year contract with $3 million guaranteed and the opportunity to earn a total of up to $6 million.   If Peters can fill in admirably for Brooks, it would go a long way toward getting the Eagles’ offense going in the right direction as they attempt to repeat as NFC East champions.   Peters has been a big part of a lot of successful offenses in Philadelphia, and now he’ll try to keep it going from a new spot on the offensive line.

WASHINGTON The winds of change have blown Washington’s old name to history and beyond.  John Keim of ESPN.com with the story of the “retirement” of a name and the dictates of a Native-American activist: The Washington Redskins announced Monday that they will be retiring their nickname and logo after completing a thorough review that began on July 3.   “Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review,” the team said in a statement.   “Dan Snyder and Coach [Ron] Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition-rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years.”   Renaming the Redskins: Inside the process, hurdles and possible fallout It had been widely expected that Washington would change its name, and one source said Saturday night that an announcement of a new name would come soon.   Sports Business Daily reported that the announcement of a new name has been delayed because trademark issues are pending.   “The NFL and Dan Snyder have finally made the right call and Change the Mascot commends them for it,” Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation representative and head of the Change the Mascot campaign, said in a statement Monday. “This is a good decision for the country — not just Native peoples — since it closes a painful chapter of denigration and disrespect toward Native Americans and other people of color. Future generations of Native youth will no longer be subjected to this offensive and harmful slur every Sunday during football season.   “We have made clear from the start that this movement was never about political correctness, but seeking to prevent unnecessary harm to our youth, since we know from social scientists the many harmful effects this mascot has had on Native Americans’ self-image. Today marks the start of a new chapter for the NFL and the Washington franchise, beginning a new legacy that can be more inclusive for fans of all backgrounds.”   Last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the franchise would not use any Native American imagery. Washington’s logo of an American Indian chief was designed by a Native American in 1971.   Another source told ESPN that the plan, as of now, is for the franchise to retain its use of burgundy and gold colors. Rivera had said the team wanted to include the military in its new name.   Carla Fredericks, the director of the American Indian Law Clinic and director of First Peoples Worldwide, said she did not want to see the team pivot to a name such as the Warriors. She said it would be considered a tie-in to Native Americans.   “Mostly because we have this really unfortunate history and one thing the Washington team has to think about is not just a change, but also making it right, and that [name] doesn’t seem like it’s headed in that direction.   “There’s no other racial group in America that has endured what we’ve endured as Native Americans, that has had every Sunday when we turn on the TV and see what we’ve had to see and experience what we’ve had to experience, perpetuating that seems out of step with the broader discussion of racial justice in the current moment.”   Asked about the Golden State Warriors and whether their nickname was OK or somehow different because of the lack of Native American logos, Fredericks said: “We’re just taking a very hard line on all of this, that anything that relates to Native American people or is evocative of Native American people has no place in professional sports. The hard line is important because of the lack of understanding about Native American people in our communities, so the clarity would go a long way toward better behavior by sports teams and fans.   “This is the moment for the Washington team to step into a leadership role, and it could be really positive. If the Washington team says we get it now, we messed up and we’re going to change and we’ll change in such a way where we don’t impact Native American people in anything that happens, that would send a very clear message in professional sports, and even scholastic sports, that we’re in a new era. … As I understand it, franchise owners are a pretty headstrong bunch and certainly empowered on their own to do what they think is right. It’ll be an interesting couple of months in every respect.” But it’s not enough for Jay Busbee of YahooSports.com who wants Daniel Snyder also consigned to the scrapheap: Washington’s NFL team is about to get a new name. A new identity? That’ll take a little longer.   Changing the team’s name and expecting a franchise rebirth is like calling week-old dog food “filet mignon.” Washington’s problems run so much deeper than a name, and it will require a previously unseen pivot from team owner Daniel Snyder to get the Warriors/Red Tails/whatever pointed toward anything approaching success.   Let’s be honest. The name is only the most visible of this team’s many problems. And fans who have stopped coming to games aren’t doing it because they hate the team’s name.   Numbers don’t lie: Washington has finished third or last in the NFC East 16 of the past 20 years. The team has won only one playoff game since the 1999 season. One! And you know what else also happened in 1999? Snyder bought the team. These three facts are not unrelated.   Under Snyder, Washington has gone from one of the NFL’s elite clubs to a half-remembered joke. Snyder has fielded a succession of increasingly irrelevant teams, throwing money at big-name coaches (Marty Schottenheimer, Joe Gibbs, Steve Spurrier) and past-their-prime stars while meddling all the way up and down the organizational structure. (Our Frank Schwab pegs them at No. 31 of 32 teams coming into this season.)   FedEx Field, meanwhile, ranks as one of the worst stadiums in the NFL, a cramped mausoleum more dedicated to preserving the long-ago legends of Joe Theismann and John Riggins than taking care of whatever current fans remain. Difficult to get to before games, impossible to leave afterward, it’s such a thoroughly fan-unfriendly place that it’s no surprise the few fans at a November Jets game started up a chant of “SELL THE TEAM!”   It’s a stunning shift from the way fans once embraced this franchise … even though that love was commoditized and used against them. Remember the fabled Washington Season Ticket Waiting List? That, according to team lore, was a list so long that your grandkids couldn’t expect to get season tickets to games. The team was so popular it could sell out two stadiums, or so the legend went.   Like so much about Washington’s NFL team, the Mile-Long Waiting List was a sham. As for the depth of the team’s support in the DMV area?   Snyder has also been a remarkably fan-hostile team owner, charging for practices, suing critical journalists and season-ticket holders, jacking up prices for everything from drinks to parking, crafting a stadium experience that’s like trudging through one of the circles of hell. The name was pretty much the only thing keeping much of the fan base in Snyder’s corner. When he made his all-caps declaration to “NEVER” change the name, he spoke right to the hardcores. You may not like me, he was saying, but I’m the only one still standing up for the name.   Well, at least until the sponsors started clearing their throats. (You’ll note that in its statement announcing the change, the team twice thanked sponsors before “fans and community.” Again: not a coincidence.) When FedEx, Amazon, Nike et. al. decided the name had to go, well, Snyder bum-rushed it right out the door.   o is there any hope for longtime Washington fans whose closets are full of now-disavowed team gear? Or should they just cash out, scoot an hour up Interstate 95, and jump on the Ravens’ bandwagon?    Maybe. Snyder has owned the team for more than 20 years, and he’s 55. Neither of those elements bodes well for having the stomach for a complete makeover. Even so, Snyder and Washington have a rare opportunity here: a chance to hit reset on an entire franchise.   Rebranding not just the name, but the identity of a team synonymous with failed promise and incompetent operation will take a long time. It’ll be difficult for Snyder to put distance between himself and the carnage of the past two decades, considering that carnage was almost entirely of his creation.   But if you’re still a Washington fan — well, first, our condolences — there is some hope. Snyder had the foresight to hire Ron Rivera to coach the team, and Rivera had the guts to take a swing at saddling up for the league’s most dysfunctional franchise.   “What [Washington has] needed is a culture change,” Snyder said when introducing Rivera. “Someone that can bring a winning culture to our organization. That starts and ends with our head coach.”   Rivera isn’t the kind of coach to put up with executive-level interference, and there’s evidence he’s already remaking the team in his own image. His roster sports generational talent in defensive end Chase Young and untapped potential in quarterback Dwayne Haskins. If he can wrestle this team into something resembling competency, there’s a chance Washington can come out of 2020 with not just a new name, but a new identity.   Either way, Washington fans will learn once and for all whether their true blood rival is the Dallas Cowboys … or the guy up in the home team owner’s box. – – – Tough news for WR KELVIN HARMON.  Michael Baca of NFL.com: Washington wide receiver Kelvin Harmon is on the mend.   Sources tell NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport that Harmon suffered a torn ACL while preparing for training camp. The second-year WR will now have to wait until 2021 to follow-up on a solid rookie season.   Harmon revealed Tuesday morning that he had surgery last week.   Washington saw good production from its sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Harmon caught 30 passes for 365 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per reception. The rookie also managed to become reliable enough to start in eight games while appearing in all 16 for Washington.

NFC WEST

SEATTLE CB QUENTIN DUNBAR is no longer represented by his former lawyer, a Democrat member of the Florida House, who was caught bribing his witnesses not to testify on the armed robbery he committed (allegedly) with CB DeANDRE BAKER of the Giants (who says the bribes were all the idea of Dunbar and/or his counsel.  Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar has changed legal counsel after new information came to light late last week about a possible payoff that took place at the office of attorney Michael Grieco.   Grieco and Michael Weinstein have withdrawn as Dunbar’s counsel, according to court records. Andrew Rier and Jonathan Jordan of Rier Jordan will now represent Dunbar as he faces four counts of armed robbery from a May 13 incident in Miramar, Florida.   “We agreed that new counsel would allow for continued advocacy of Mr. Dunbar’s innocence without any collateral distractions,” Grieco told ESPN in a text message Monday about his decision to step aside in the case.   Dunbar’s new attorneys filed Sunday for a Notice of Appearance and Notice of Participation in Discovery requesting all the necessary information from the state for this case.   The switch was made just days after evidence obtained by the New York Daily News from a search warrant indicated that the witness in the alleged robbery, Dominica Johnson, oversaw a payout to the victims at Grieco’s office. The warrant noted video footage and direct messages as evidence. All four alleged victims signed affidavits shortly after recanting their original stories.   The Miami Herald then reported over the weekend that, as of last month, Grieco was under criminal investigation.   Grieco responded to the Daily News’ report over the weekend.   “Law enforcement, both local and federal, was advised from day one and beyond that the alleged ‘victims’ in this case were actively extorting [DeAndre] Baker and Dunbar,” he told The Seattle Times. “These men fabricated a robbery story after waiting an hour to call police and then immediately began contacting the players demanding money.   “My office obtained accurate and truthful affidavits consistent with the independent witness and my client’s account. These ‘victims’ are seasoned career criminals who have been arrested and/or convicted of crimes ranging from conspiracy to commit murder, to human trafficking, to filing a false police report. Mr. Dunbar took and passed a polygraph confirming that he did not participate or witness any robbery.”   Baker, a cornerback for the New York Giants, also faces four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm from the incident. His attorney, Bradford Cohen, told ESPN over the weekend that no payment or offer of money was made from Baker.

AFC WEST

DENVER Denver’s old airport (and the neighborhood that has arisen atop its ashes in the last 35 years) was named after a Democrat Mayor of Denver, Benjamin Stapleton, who it turns out actively sought the support of Colorado’s Klu Klux Klan and probably was a member. So now, Stapleton, the neighborhood, will undergo a name change.  Kyle Newman of the Denver Post says plenty of Broncos-themed names were nominated, even if they didn’t make the final cut:   While residents of Stapleton can now vote on nine new names, there were a handful of Broncos fans in the neighborhood who wanted it renamed in honor of a Denver football great.   Among the 331 names inputed via a community straw poll from 3,422 people, there were seven Broncos-related names. None of those made the cut to be a finalist, but as the neighborhood moves forward with shedding the namesake of a former mayor who belonged to the Ku Klux Klan, it’s worth visiting what might have been.   Three ideas were centered around honoring the legacy of former Broncos owner and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Pat Bowlen: Bowlen Green, Bowlen Place and Bowlenville.   Denver’s Super Bowl-champion quarterbacks were also the recipient of name nominations — Peyton Place and Peytonville for Peyton Manning, and Elwayville for John Elway.   There was also a nomination to call the neighborhood Briscoe, in honor of former Broncos quarterback Marlin Briscoe. In 1968, Briscoe made five starts for Denver and thus became the first Black quarterback to start in the American Football League (and the first Black quarterback of the modern NFL era).   Of sports-related suggestions, there was also one for former Nuggets coach Doug Moe — Doug Moe Town. So what nine finalists could possibly be better than Bowlen Green. Central Park Concourse, Meadowlark Mosley Park Central Peterson Randolph Skyview Tailwinds

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS S RODERIC TANNER is suspended by NFL Justice. Chargers safety Roderic Teamer on Monday was suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season because of a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.   Entering his second year, he appeared in seven games as a rookie, including six starts when he filled in because of injury. He made the roster as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane.   Teamer, 23, can participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 5, following the Chargers’ Week 4 game at Tampa Bay.

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE He may be the reigning NFL MVP, but QB LAMAR JACKSON acknowledges the relative greatness of QB PATRICK MAHOMES. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Patrick Mahomes was a backup for most of his rookie season, won the league MVP in his second NFL season and won the Super Bowl MVP in his third season. Lamar Jackson wants to follow the same path.   Jackson, the Ravens quarterback who started off as a backup as a rookie in 2018, then won the league MVP in 2019, said he’s eyeing Mahomes and hoping his career follows the same trajectory.   “I’ve got win to the Super Bowl, I’ve got to get where he’s at,” Jackson said on ESPN.   Jackson and the Ravens entered last year’s playoffs as the Super Bowl favorites, but they were upset in the divisional round. Jackson said he has moved beyond that.   “It’s over. I don’t dwell on losses. That was in January,” Jackson said.   But this year, Jackson is hoping for a postseason that ends with a win, and a Vince Lombardi Trophy.

CLEVELAND WR ODELL BECKHAM, Jr. has changed hair color – and perhaps his attitude.  Jake Trotter of ESPN.com: Odell Beckham’s blond hair is back. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver said a different attitude is coming with it.   Beckham recently hosted a roundtable on his YouTube channel with Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, with whom Beckham has worked out this offseason; and former NFL receiver Victor Cruz, a former teammate of Beckham’s on the New York Giants. During the hourlong discussion, Cruz asked Beckham about his mindset for the upcoming season, coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued debut year with the Browns, which ended in a 6-10 record, then offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia.   Beckham initially answered the question by simply taking off his hat, revealing the blond locks that he featured throughout his tenure with the Giants but that were conspicuously absent in his first season with the Browns.   Immediately, Cruz and Newton both declared, “The blond is back!”   “This is how I feel,” Beckham said. “I’m tired of playing your game. Like me and Cam talk about, that humble s—, when you are inside, like, we are humble men … but they’ve taken that humbleness as a weakness and they s— on us. It’s crazy to me, because when you’re up and you’re talking, they hate it. And for me this year, I’m trying to kill. Like, that’s it.   “That’s why the blond is back. There’s nothing you can tell me.”   The discussion between the four also covered several other topics, including the Black Lives Matter movement and playing through the coronavirus pandemic. Beckham also admitted to dealing with “depression and mental health issues” while in New York. He said he even considered retiring after breaking his ankle in 2017.   Beckham, however, appears to have put this latest injury behind him, as evidenced by a series of workout videos he has posted to social media and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski recently saying that Beckham is “100 percent” again.   Newton said when working out with him this offseason that Beckham has his swagger back, even comparing OBJ to Simba in “The Lion King.”   “I was seeing this side, that it was just like, he believing in, like, himself,” Newton said. “And I’m like, ‘Bro, do you not know who you are, bro? You gotta roar, bro.'”

AFC SOUTH

TENNESSEE RB DERRICK HENRY will play for the franchise tag tender in 2020.  ESPN.com: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and the team are not expected to reach a long-term deal by Wednesday’s deadline for franchise players, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.   Henry, 26, signed his franchise tender in April is scheduled to make $10.27 million this season and become a free agent in the offseason.   The Pro Bowler rushed for a league-leading 1,540 yards last season with 16 touchdowns.

THIS AND THAT

BROADCAST NEWS As expected TE GREG OLSON has signed a futures deal with FOX, much like QB DREW BREES has inked with NBC Sports.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Seahawks tight end Greg Olsen has his post-football job lined up.   Olsen has signed with FOX to work as a color commentator during games whenever his NFL career ends, according to the New York Post.   If Olsen retires after this year he’ll pair with Kevin Burkhardt as the network’s No. 2 team in the 2021 season, but if Olsen decides to keep playing in 2021 or beyond, FOX is willing to wait for him.   Olsen and Burkhardt worked together in the XFL booth this year, and FOX likes their chemistry enough that the network wants to pair them in the NFL, whenever Olsen is ready to move from the field to the booth. This from Andrew Marchand of the New York Post on who will be Burkhardt’s partner in 2020 and other vacancies: For this year, the gap year between Davis’ departure and Olsen’s potential start, Fox has tapped Daryl (Moose) Johnston, a former No. 2 with the network, to be Burkhardt’s partner on its second game. Fox does have an extra playoff game this year. Johnston has been informed that Olsen is in the on-deck circle.   Johnston has been with the network since 2001. Last year, he worked with Chris Myers. Among others, Fox considered moving Brock Huard from the college game into the No. 2 slot, according to sources.   While Fox and NBC have made future plans, ESPN remains unsettled on what it will do for this year for its Monday Night booth as it waits to see if college football is played or not.   If there is no college football this fall, then the network would likely shift its National Championship-calling duo of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit to the NFL for this year.   If there are college games, then Herbstreit could be the analyst for ESPN’s top college game on Saturdays and the NFL on Mondays. This is not a done deal and ESPN is considering Louis Riddick, Brian Griese and Dan Orlovsky, as well.   Steve Levy is the leading candidate to be the play-by-player on “Monday Night Football” if Fowler is occupied with the college game.

BUBBLE GUYS ESPN’s correspondents tag some veterans who may have trouble making the team if and when camp opens: AFC EAST   Buffalo Bills Stephen Hauschka, kicker The veteran kicker has been steady since arriving in Buffalo in b2017 but has made 78.6% of his field goals in each of the past two seasons — which ranked 28th and 21st among qualified kickers in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Bills signed Hauschka to a two-year extension last offseason but also selected kicker Tyler Bass in the sixth round of the NFL draft. The starting job is Hauschka’s to lose for now, but the rookie’s strong leg coupled with the veteran’s 1-for-5 performance from 50 or more yards last season makes this position battle intriguing. — Marcel Louis-Jacques   Miami Dolphins Julie’n Davenport, offensive tackle Sent to Miami as a part of the Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills trade, Davenport was immediately slotted in as a starting tackle and did little to help a bad Dolphins offensive line. A fractured leg and knee injury landed him on injured reserve in September. When he returned in November, he struggled, allowing sacks. The Dolphins added five new offensive linemen this offseason who could compete for starting jobs and should push Davenport out of the starting lineup, but it could knock him off the roster, too, if Miami feels comfortable with its depth. Headed into his fourth season, Davenport is running out of time to prove he can compete in the NFL. — Cameron Wolfe   New England Patriots Brian Hoyer, quarterback If Cam Newton emerges as the Patriots’ starter, with Jarrett Stidham entering his second year with the team, where does that leave Hoyer? The Patriots could always keep three quarterbacks, especially with COVID-19 considerations in mind, but coach Bill Belichick traditionally prefers to go with two. — Mike Reiss   New York Jets Avery Williamson, linebacker, Brian Winters, right guard Both players are coming off surgery, entering the final year of their contract and carry relatively high salary-cap numbers — $8.5 million for Williamson, $7.3 million for Winters. They also play positions at which the team has some depth. Williamson might have trade value if he proves in training camp that his surgically repaired knee is sound. Winters is respected because of his strong intangibles, but economics could get in the way if he fails to beat out Greg Van Roten at right guard. — Rich Cimini     AFC NORTH   Baltimore Ravens De’Anthony Thomas, wide receiver/punt returner The seventh-year veteran re-signed with Baltimore in the offseason, but that was before the Ravens drafted two wide receivers, including sixth-rounder James Proche, whose return skills have been praised by general manager Eric DeCosta. Unless Proche falters in fielding kicks as a rookie, Thomas will have a difficult path to making the Ravens purely as a receiver. Baltimore appears set with its top five receivers: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Willie Snead IV, Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay and Chris Moore. Thomas, a 2014 fourth-round pick by the Chiefs, received only $25,000 in guaranteed money when he rejoined Baltimore on a one-year deal. — Jamison Hensley   Cincinnati Bengals Alex Erickson, wide receiver The former undrafted player out of Wisconsin has been a great story since he made the team in 2016, but he’s in for a big challenge in 2020. The Bengals added rookie wide receivers Tee Higgins and Scotty Washington to what was already one of the deepest units on the team. Erickson’s value on special teams diminished last season when he was relegated to punt returner only. Erickson is in the last year of a two-year contract and represents cap savings of $1.9 million if he is released. — Ben Baby   Cleveland Browns Kendall Lamm, offensive tackle Lamm could’ve played an important role on an offensive line that desperately needed help at tackle in 2019. Problem was, he had a knee injury for much of the season. With the Browns adding two starting tackles in Jack Conklin and rookie Jedrick Wills Jr. — sliding last season’s starting right tackle, Chris Hubbard, into a potential swing tackle role off the bench — Lamm could become expendable. — Jake Trotter   Pittsburgh Steelers Ryan Switzer, wide receiver The veteran wide receiver and return specialist finished the season on injured reserve because of a back injury and lost his return spot to rookie Diontae Johnson. When he was healthy, Switzer had eight punt returns for 13 yards — averaging 3.6 yards per return — and nine kick returns that averaged 18.4 yards. Both were career lows. With Johnson taking over return duties and the addition of receiver Chase Claypool, Switzer’s role is evaporating. However, the wide receiver was one of three skill players seen in a video catching passes from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and the two are known to be close friends. — Brooke Pryor   AFC SOUTH   Houston Texans Senio Kelemete, offensive line Kelemete, who started at left guard for Houston in 2018, spent the majority of last season on injured reserve and is in the last year of his contract. The Texans found a capable replacement for Kelemete in Max Scharping, a second-round pick in 2019. Kelemete has a cap hit of $3.5 million and less than $1 million of dead money if Houston decided to cut him. The guard is versatile and has also spent time at both tackle spots, so he could make the roster in a reserve role if the Texans decide they don’t need the extra cap space. — Sarah Barshop   Indianapolis Colts Jordan Wilkins, running back Wilkins spent his first two seasons primarily as the third running back behind Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines. His role out of the backfield took a hit after the Colts selected Jonathan Taylor in the second round of this year’s draft. Taylor, who rushed for at least 2,003 yards in each of his final two seasons at Wisconsin, will get the first shot at being Mack’s primary backup, with Hines behind as the do-everything player because of his ability to play receiver and return punts. That could leave Wilkins, who has rushed for 643 yards (5.8 average) in two seasons, as the odd man out. — Mike Wells   Jacksonville Jaguars Dawuane Smoot, defensive end The Jaguars’ 2017 third-round pick made no impact in his first two seasons but finally found the field regularly in 2019 and responded with six sacks. Smoot played behind Calais Campbell the past three seasons, and he developed slowly and didn’t get much playing time until last season. With Campbell’s departure, however, the Jaguars are going with more hybrid end/outside linebackers to be versatile in their scheme, and Smoot is going to have to fight for time behind Josh Allen, K’Lavon Chaisson, Yannick Ngakoue (if he plays) and Cassius Marsh. — Mike DiRocco   Tennessee Titans Reggie Gilbert, outside linebacker The Titans brought Gilbert back on a one-year deal after trading for him in 2019. Gilbert had a steady spot in Tennessee’s outside linebacker rotation, but he was a healthy scratch in the AFC Championship Game. The emergence of second-year outside linebacker Derick Roberson last season and return from injury of 2019 fifth-round draft pick D’Andre Walker could spell trouble for Gilbert. The Titans re-signed Kamalei Correa and agreed to a one-year deal with former Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley, who, along with Harold Landry, will take most of the snaps. — Turron Davenport   AFC WEST   Denver Broncos Jeff Heuerman, tight end Hey, Heuerman isn’t alone on the hot seat in the tight ends meeting room. This group has suddenly gotten crowded with the arrival of Nick Vannett in free agency and Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round of the draft. Those two and last year’s No. 1 pick — Noah Fant — make up the top three spots on the depth chart, with Andrew Beck, a fullback/tight end combo player who also played 45% of the team’s special-teams snaps last season, as the fourth. The Broncos kept three tight ends in addition to Beck coming out of training camp last season. It means Heuerman (third-round pick in 2015), Troy Fumagalli (fifth-round pick in 2018) and Jake Butt (fifth round in 2017) are in danger of being cut. Heuerman, Fumagalli and Butt have each spent at least one season on injured reserve, with Butt having spent two years there. Heuerman played no special-teams snaps last season, and Fumagalli played 35%. — Jeff Legwold   Kansas City Chiefs Breeland Speaks, defensive end Speaks, who missed all of last season with an injury, will be given the chance to make the roster, but the Chiefs have so much depth that a spot for their second-round pick in 2018 isn’t automatic. The Chiefs return starters Frank Clark and Alex Okafor and top reserve Tanoh Kpassagnon. They also added free agent Taco Charlton and draft pick Mike Danna. — Adam Teicher   Las Vegas Raiders P.J. Hall, defensive tackle Sure, the 2018 second-rounder played in all 16 games last season and started 12. But many in the organization wonder whether he has played up to his heady draft standing. Or did you miss Las Vegas raiding the Cowboys’ defensive tackle room to sign Maliek Collins and Daniel Ross in free agency within a week of each other this spring? And with veteran Johnathan Hankins entrenched as one starter and Maurice Hurst emerging as more of an interior pass-rushing threat (the 2018 fifth-rounder has 7.5 career sacks to Hall’s 1.5), warning signs are all around Hall. — Paul Gutierrez   Los Angeles Chargers Virgil Green, tight end The Chargers have more than eight veterans with at least eight seasons of experience, but Green is the only player among them who does not have a starting role. The Chargers placed the franchise tag on starter Hunter Henry at $10.6 million; Andrew Vollert returns from injured reserve; and Donald Parham signed in free agency after playing in the XFL. So as he enters his 10th season, Green could become expendable. — Lindsey Thiry   NFC EAST   Dallas Cowboys Chris Jones, punter A lot of folks would put veteran defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford in this spot, in part because of his $8 million salary, but Crawford is more valuable than people understand. That a punter is the pick speaks to the youth on the roster and maybe also to the talent. Jones struggled last season, averaging 41.6 yards per attempt because of injury. It was a near 3-yard drop over his worst full season with the team, in 2013. The Cowboys have not created a competition for Jones, but if he gets off to a slow start in training camp, they could look elsewhere. Jones, however, is a great athlete and can do some things new special-teams coordinator John Fassel did with Johnny Hekker on the Rams. — Todd Archer   New York Giants Aldrick Rosas, kicker His spot on the roster is tenuous at the moment after his recent arrest and his on-field struggles last season (70.6% on field goals and four missed extra points). Coach Joe Judge knows the importance of having a trustworthy kicker, but Rosas could be facing a league-imposed suspension for his actions regardless of how the legal process plays out. He has little room for error this summer. — Jordan Raanan   Philadelphia Eagles Rasul Douglas, cornerback Douglas is a big, physical corner who has stayed relatively healthy and has flashed potential at times during his three seasons in Philadelphia, accruing five interceptions and 25 passes defensed over that span. He is hurt by his lack of recovery speed, however, leaving him susceptible to big plays. With the organization committed to getting faster across the board, it’s fair to wonder whether Douglas remains a philosophical fit. — Tim McManus   Washington Josh Harvey-Clemons, linebacker Another option was wide receiver Cody Latimer because of multiple charges related to a gun incident. Harvey-Clemons is on the bubble because of the change to a 4-3 defensive set in addition to the possible return of Reuben Foster, the addition of Thomas Davis and the drafting of special-teamer Khaleke Hudson, among others. The team doesn’t have a lot of fat to trim, so there aren’t many veterans on the bubble. But, in his fourth year, Harvey-Clemons, a converted safety who has played a role in sub packages, is definitely one of them. — John Keim   NFC NORTH   Chicago Bears Adam Shaheen, tight end The Bears’ second-round pick in 2017, Shaheen has slogged his way through three unproductive seasons. Chicago attempted to upgrade at tight end in the offseason by signing veteran free agents Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris and spent a second-round draft choice on Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet. All these moves could make Shaheen the odd man out. — Jeff Dickerson   Detroit Lions Jamal Agnew, wide receiver/defensive back/returner It’s never a great sign when a player makes a position switch a few years into his career — let alone going from defense to offense, as Agnew is expected to do. Not only that but he’s headed toward a wide receiver position that’s crowded with Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola locked in as starters and draft pick Quintez Cephus likely taking a roster spot. So this leaves Agnew, who has a ton of potential and skill, learning a new position while fighting for one of one or two roster spots. Plus, the Lions drafted Jason Huntley at running back, and he should push Agnew as a returner. There’s definitely a path for Agnew, who was an All-Pro returner as a rookie, to make the team. But it’s nowhere near a sure thing. — Michael Rothstein   Green Bay Packers Jamaal Williams, running back Although coach Matt LaFleur has said he’d like to have at least three backs at his disposal, Williams might not be worth his $2.133 million salary if he’s the No. 3 back behind Aaron Jones and second-round pick AJ Dillon. Perhaps the Packers could find a trading partner for Williams during training camp, but if not — and if they feel comfortable kick return specialist Tyler Ervin could be the No. 3 back — then they could move on from Williams one way or another before the season starts. — Rob Demovsky   Minnesota Vikings Pat Elflein, offensive line If we were answering this question a couple of months ago, I would’ve gone with Riley Reiff. The Vikings could have freed up $8.8 million in cap space by cutting Reiff to go after a veteran cornerback and allowed Ezra Cleveland to step in at left tackle in 2020. But, given the nature of the 2020 offseason and not knowing whether Cleveland is ready for that role as a rookie means Reiff is probably safe. Elflein, on the other hand, needs a strong preseason and must beat out the likes of Dru Samia, Dakota Dozier and potentially Reiff (were he to move inside in the case Cleveland starts at left tackle). Elflein’s transition to left guard in 2019 was rocky. He struggled in pass protection and allowed the ninth-most pressures (32) of any guard in the NFL. Both guard spots will feature a “wide-open competition” in camp, according to general manager Rick Spielman. — Courtney Cronin   NFC SOUTH   Atlanta Falcons Jamon Brown, offensive line The Falcons signed Brown to a three-year, $18.75 million contract last year ($12.75 million guaranteed) with hopes he would be a solid contributor. He became the starting right guard when rookie first-rounder Chris Lindstrom broke his foot. Brown didn’t perform up to expectations, dealt with injuries and illness, and got on the bad side of the coaches by being late to the team flight one road trip. He was inactive for a handful of games last season and might have gotten cut already had doing so saved the Falcons cap space instead of costing them $1.583 million against the cap. — Vaughn McClure   Carolina Panthers Graham Gano, kicker This likely will be as much financially driven as production driven. Gano missed last season recovering from knee surgery. He has a cap figure of $4.3 million this year and $5.2 million in 2021. Joey Slye, who was a more than adequate replacement last season, has a $675,000 cap hit in 2020. Slye was especially effective from 50-plus yards, making 8 of 11 kicks. With so many more needs for a rebuilding team, it makes sense to either trade Gano or move on from him. — David Newton   New Orleans Saints Patrick Robinson, cornerback Robinson, who turns 33 in September, agreed to a pay cut in March to stay with the team. But he still needs to secure a spot this summer. Robinson had established himself as one of the NFL’s best nickelbacks before signing a four-year, $20 million contract in 2018. But he has played sparingly since then, thanks to a broken ankle that season and losing the nickel job to fellow veteran P.J. Williams last year. — Mike Triplett   Tampa Bay Buccaneers M.J. Stewart, cornerback The Bucs have not been able to find a place for Stewart, who has not matched the production of draftmate Carlton Davis. They tried lining him up outside, tried to convert him to safety and tried him at nickelback. He played 23% of the Bucs’ defensive snaps last season and was a healthy scratch more than once. Ryan Smith hasn’t showed a lot as a corner, either, but he has carved out a nice role for himself as a gunner on special teams. — Jenna Laine   NFC WEST   Arizona Cardinals Haason Reddick, linebacker The career of this 2017 first-round pick has been a roller coaster, with him having moved positions four times. He thought he was settled at outside linebacker after last season, only to see the Cardinals sign Devon Kennard and draft Isaiah Simmons. Where Simmons eventually ends up on defense will dictate Reddick’s future with the Cardinals. If Simmons winds up playing more outside linebacker or edge rusher than initially expected, Reddick’s days in Arizona will be numbered. It was telling that the Cardinals didn’t pick up his fifth-year option, so Reddick is entering the final season of his rookie deal without a future secured. — Josh Weinfuss   Los Angeles Rams No one If there’s a roster that practically guarantees all veterans will make the final cut, it has to be the Rams’. Under massive salary-cap constraints, the Rams have only seven players with at least five seasons of experience. Each of those players fills a starting role, and two of them — left tackle Andrew Whitworth (15th season) and defensive lineman Michael Brockers (ninth season) — have signed new contracts. The Rams lack experienced depth on their roster and will need each veteran to play a crucial role. — Lindsey Thiry   San Francisco 49ers Dante Pettis, wide receiver Last year at this time, Pettis was considered a potential breakout star. But he didn’t add the strength the Niners hoped in the offseason, struggled to get going early, and then was a healthy scratch down the stretch as he finished with 11 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Now, Pettis returns to a crowded receiver room that expects to get Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd back from injury and adds rookies Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings and veteran signee Travis Benjamin. Pettis showed he can play in the league in 2018, but this is a pivotal moment in his career and now is the time to deliver if he’s going to be in San Francisco for the long haul. — Nick Wagoner   Seattle Seahawks Bradley McDougald, strong safety This would be as much about money as it would be about skill. McDougald has been an excellent player for Seattle and a steadying force as its secondary has transitioned from the Legion of Boom, but the Seahawks didn’t draft Marquise Blair in the second round last year to keep him on the bench. If Blair shows this summer that he’s ready to take over at strong safety, McDougald’s $5.4 million cap charge (versus $4.1 million savings) would give the Seahawks plenty of financial incentive to move on over keeping him as a high-priced backup. — Brady Henderson