The Daily Briefing Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Former ESPN personality Hank Goldberg has passed away.  He was a good one. ESPN.com:

Hank Goldberg, who worked at ESPN as an NFL reporter and handicapping expert for two decades, died Monday on his 82nd birthday, his family confirmed.

Goldberg had been in treatment for chronic kidney disease in recent years.

Known as Hammering Hank, Goldberg was .500 or better in 15 of 17 NFL seasons while predicting games at ESPN. He made appearances on NFL Countdown and ESPN Radio and contributed to the network’s thoroughbred racing coverage.

Goldberg had also been a contributor on ESPN’s Daily Wager throughout the sports betting show’s existence, doing weekly hits during the NFL season and occasional appearances around the Triple Crown races. His last appearance on ESPN was in May, when he did a phone interview from the Kentucky Derby.

“Hank was a bigger part of ESPN’s soul than anyone will ever know,” said longtime ESPN anchor Chris Berman. “His information made us smarter. His insight made us wiser. His friendship made us better people. Rest in peace Hammer, and thank you from all of us.”

– – –

Matthew Berry on some off-season team bonding in Miami and Green Bay:

Last year Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp famously ate breakfast together most mornings.

Everyone knows what happened next: the Rams won the Super Bowl and Kupp led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

They say the NFL is a “copycat league” and it would appear that other teammate duos are trying to replicate the power of the Breakfast Narrative with various forms of off-the-field bonding.

First, we have a new Dishwashing Narrative emerging out of Miami:

Look, it’s going to be about 2 am one night and you’re gonna wake up, you’re gonna walk in your kitchen, I’m gonna be washing your dishes.

Tyreek Hill on his developing bromance with Tua

It doesn’t stop there, though. We also have a Book Club Narrative percolating in Green Bay:

AJ “The Sauce” Dillon

@ajdillon7

Very fitting I finish reading The Razors Edge on my flight to Paris! Shoutout @AaronRodgers12@PatMcAfeeShow ‘s book club – 3 books checked off so far this off-season!

In the new Top Gun (this isn’t a spoiler, R-E-L-A-X), Ed Harris’ character asks Maverick why he’s hosting a football game on the beach when there are more pressing matters at hand.

Maverick’s response: “You said to create a team, Sir. There’s your team.”

It worked for Top Gun. It worked for the Rams. You have my attention, Dolphins and Packers.

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

The end of the Mark Murphy Era as Packers CEO has a date.  Robin Adams of Sportsnaut:

Green Bay Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy has a monthly column that he writes and releases on the first Saturday of every month. In this column, he discusses the state of the Packers and answers some fan questions. The latest edition of his monthly release had something a bit heavier: his retirement date, Robin Adams of Sportsnaut reports.

One fan, a new Green Bay Packers stock holder, asked Mark Murphy when he plans to retire. In response to this question, Murphy wrote:

“I hope to see you at the shareholders meeting on Monday, July 25. You are right regarding our board members – they go to emeritus status when they turn 70. Since I am a member of the board, the policy applies to me and I will retire on July 13, 2025, when I turn 70. The organization’s executive committee has started to make plans for the process and timeline to find my successor. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Packers president. I plan on making the last three years as successful as possible, with multiple Super Bowl championships!”

Unlike many team presidents/CEOs, Mark Murphy has spent decades around football, and not just in the front office. Many fans today do not remember, but Murphy was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro safety with the Washington organization. He won a Super Bowl with the team in 1982, but had his best season in 1983.

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA

Bo Wulf of The Athletic looks at the arrival of WR A.J. BROWN in Philadelphia, including its Fantasy implications:

The Eagles hope A.J. Brown is the missing piece.

There are big-picture reasons why the Eagles surrendered the 18th overall pick and a third-round pick to the Titans for the opportunity to make the 25-year-old Brown their highest-paid player (they gave him a four-year, $100 million deal with $57 million guaranteed). For one, it gives them an opportunity to best evaluate whether Jalen Hurts is capable of being the team’s long-term quarterback.

But the crux of the Eagles’ pursuit of Brown is that, in the short term, they see him as something of a force multiplier for an offense that should now have answers for whatever questions an opposing defense presents. We saw in the second half of the 2021 season that the Eagles, with Hurts at quarterback, can run the ball as well as any team in the league. Now, with three high-level weapons in the passing game, the internal expectation is for the Eagles to have one of the league’s most efficient offenses.

In theory, a defense can account for only so much. Shade coverage toward Brown and all of a sudden DeVonta Smith has a one-on-one matchup to exploit. Try to force things over the middle of the field and now Dallas Goedert has room to roam. Try to take away all three and now you’re getting the ball run down your throat.

For the Eagles, the upside is obvious. For Brown, there’s an interesting possibility on the horizon. He might be better than ever but still see his raw numbers decline.

Think about it this way. Quez Watkins, the Eagles’ third-leading receiver in 2021, finished the season with 647 receiving yards. Only once in his three NFL seasons has Brown played alongside a teammate who topped that mark (Corey Davis in 2020). Even if the Eagles turn the dial more toward the pass than they did down the stretch in 2021, Brown will have more competition for targets than he’s ever had (at least as a pro). Last year, for instance, the Eagles had five different players lead the team in receiving fantasy points in a game. In Tennessee, Brown was either the Titans’ leading receiver or top fantasy producer in eight of his 13 games. After ranking fifth in the league last season in seeing a target on 30.3 percent of his routes, Brown will see that number drop in a more balanced Eagles offense.

Brown might be great. It will just be hard to discern when, which is why Brown told reporters this offseason he expects Smith to be the one “to dominate.”

Beyond the attention he commands from the opposing defense, Brown also brings a skill set needed in an offense that struggled to make plays after the catch in 2021.

“He’s a bigger guy with a lot of play strength,” head coach Nick Sirianni said of the 6-foot-1, 227-pound Brown on the night the team traded for him. “This is one of the stronger receivers in the NFL.”

Perhaps no wide receiver other than Deebo Samuel is more feared as an open-field runner than Brown. His 6.16 YAC per reception since entering the league in 2019 ranks fifth. Meanwhile, only 46.5 percent of Hurts’ passing yards came via YAC in 2021, the 22nd-highest percentage, according to TruMedia. And lest opposing defenses focus on Brown’s ability to get the ball early, they open themselves up to an offense with the potential to make significant strides downfield. Hurts’ completion rate on passes downfield ranked ninth in the NFL (Ryan Tannehill ranked 28th), while Smith, Brown and Watkins all ranked in the top 20 in average depth of target.

If it sounds like there’s no good answer on how to defend an Eagles offense with Brown in it, well, that’s the whole idea.

NFC WEST

SEATTLE

The U.S. Open, the tennis variety, took a shot at Seahawks QB DREW LOCK thru twitter.  Alex Evans of YahooSports.com:

The US Open Tennis Twitter account went viral Saturday for a joke at the expense of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock. Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf came to Lock’s defense.

After ESPN’s SportsCenter account posted a highlight from Saturday’s Wimbledon match between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas, a Twitter user with the username “seahawksfan2314” replied to the tweet by saying tennis was “not a sport.” The US Open Twitter account had a savage response, but took an unnecessary shot at Lock in the process.

@usopen

Replying to @seahawksfan2314  and @SportsCenter

Not a sport says the person about to watch 17 games of Drew Lock at QB

Metkalf, one of Lock’s new teammates, apparently didn’t like what he saw and responded to the US Open’s account.

“Aight Chill we get the point @usopen,” Metcalf tweeted.

The US Open Twitter account had a funny response to Metcalf that seemed like it was intended to defuse the situation.

“after reviewing your photo from before the draft… we agree,” the account wrote.

Metcalf has shown his support for Lock before, asking Metcalf’s followers to “chill on the Drew Lock slander” following the Russell Wilson trade.

Lock’s numbers in his three seasons with the Broncos weren’t great. He threw for 4,740 yards and 25 touchdowns to 20 interceptions in 24 games. Regardless, the Seahawks also seem to have Lock’s back, with head coach Pete Carroll offering up a big compliment to his potential starting quarterback.

“I think he’d have been the first guy picked, of quarterbacks anyway. He’d have been the first guy in this draft. I don’t have any hesitation saying that,” Carroll said during an appearance on KJR 93.3.

The Seahawks weren’t entirely sure what they were getting with Lock, but the early impressions are all positive. At least that is the case in Carroll’s mind.

“The first look at Drew, he’s really athletic, he’s really a confident athlete, you can see he’s got a lot of body control, he’s got quick feet, he’s got a quick arm, he’s got various ways he can release the football as his body’s in different positions,” Carroll added. “He’s got a real knack there. He’s got a strong arm, he can throw the ball a mile down the field. He compares to Geno, and Geno Smith has a great arm. He has a world-class arm, and all that. To match up with that, that’s saying a lot.”

There was more conversation with Lock getting into the fray, per Mike Florio:

The banter continued with the Open account posting a graphic of the Simms top-40 quarterback countdown. Lock finished dead last. Said the U.S. Open account: “aren’t there only 32 teams?”

Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf tried to take some of the steam out of the situation, eventually explaining “we get the point.”

Lock stayed silent until Monday, when he wished a happy Fourth of July “to all but especially to the intern at the @usopen.”

By the way, tennis is definitely a sport. If it isn’t, there are plenty of other sports that need to be exposed as not sports. (I’ll keep that list to myself, for a variety of reasons up to and including my wish to remain gainfully employed.)

That said, the Seahawks were apparently close to a trade for QB BAKER MAYFIELD per podcast host Michael Balko:

@MichaelBalkoJr

The #Seahawks and the #Browns are still in discussions regarding QB Baker Mayfield. A deal was close to done, but a new team has reportedly entered the Mayfield sweepstakes as well. Stay tuned.

We would say that the Panthers do not qualify as a “new team”.

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE

Dom Cosentinio of The Score looks at QB LAMAR JACKSON’s contract situation:

With the calendar now flipped to July and the start of training camp less than a month away, Lamar Jackson remains without a contract beyond the 2022 season. The situation isn’t as dire or as urgent as it might seem – both for Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. But the longer Jackson goes without a new deal, the greater the potential risks become for both sides.

Jackson is entering his fifth year in the NFL. According to Over the Cap’s database, he earned just $9.47 million in total during his first four seasons under his rookie deal. But even at his fifth-year, team-option rate of $23.016 million for 2022, Jackson is still an enormous bargain for the Ravens: 15 other quarterbacks currently earn more on an annual basis.

Performance

Jackson’s overall body of work is awfully impressive. His expected points added per play in his three full seasons as a starter was the fourth-highest in the league behind Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Ryan Tannehill. He was the league MVP in 2019 when he led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes in addition to rushing for 1,206 yards – a record for quarterbacks.

Jackson is 37-12 as a starter in the regular season. Last year, he even had the Ravens sitting at 8-5 even though they far and away led the league in adjusted games lost to injury. And then an ankle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

It’s true that Jackson’s performance in the last two seasons didn’t reach quite the same heights as his scintillating 2019 campaign. But some of his issues as a passer stem from offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme, which contracts the field and encourages defenses to stack the box. A video breakdown by Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner lays out how many of Roman’s route combinations are less than ideal at creating space for pass-catchers – a critique wideout Hollywood Brown hinted at after the Ravens honored his request for a trade by sending him to the Cardinals on draft night. Roman, for his part, adjusted the scheme for the upcoming season.

There’s no denying Jackson is due for a payday that’s going be ginormous. The questions are how and when.

What Jackson wants

One complicating factor is that Jackson does not have an agent; he’s instead bargaining for himself with the assistance of his mother. As a result, it’s impossible to know what his bargaining priorities might be, other than that he seems to be in no hurry to get a deal done. There have been no leaks. In fact, back in the spring, when some idle speculation started making the rounds that Jackson might be angling to leave Baltimore – a classic tactic of using the press in an attempt to gain leverage – Jackson was quick to shoot it down:

Similarly, while Jackson skipped the Ravens’ organized team activities, he hastily made it clear he only did so because OTAs are voluntary anyway. When it came time to report for mandatory minicamp two weeks ago, Jackson was present and accounted for.

At the league meetings in late March, team owner Steve Bisciotti was at a loss to understand Jackson’s negotiating strategy, which he characterized as “unique as hell because everybody expects you to say, ‘I’ve got to get mine now.'” Bisciotti also went so far as to speculate what Jackson’s motives might be in slow-walking the contract talks, adding that he’s not sure the two sides will even reach an agreement by the time the season starts.

“The kid is so obsessed with winning a Super Bowl, that I think deep down, he doesn’t think he’s worthy,” Bisciotti said. “I think he wants that to say, ‘Now, I deserve to be on top.'”

What Jackson deserves

Jackson’s been eligible for a second contract since the end of the 2020 season. He clearly could have secured a sizable payday with substantial guarantees at that time, but he’s also benefited tremendously by waiting. Heading into the 2021 season, Mahomes, Dak Prescott, and Josh Allen were the only quarterbacks with contracts averaging $40 million or more annually; Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, and Matthew Stafford have since joined them.

Watson’s deal, at five years and $230 million, all fully guaranteed, provides the most comparable benchmark. Bisciotti acknowledged that the structure of Watson’s deal “would make negotiations harder with others.” And you better believe Jackson is aware of that.

“If I were Lamar, I’m not going to take anything less than Deshaun,” former Jets general manager and Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum told theScore.

Tannenbaum acknowledged that Jackson’s mobile style of play, which results in him taking a lot of hits, might make the Ravens hesitant to commit to a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract. But the last four games of 2021 have been the only starts Jackson has missed with a non–COVID-related injury since he took over for Joe Flacco in Week 11 of 2018. And in a league in which quality QBs are in relatively short supply, Jackson has the leverage to demand a Watson-style deal.

“That would be a little bit of a concern, his durability,” Tannenbaum said. “But he’s played at a high level, and I don’t know if you have much of an option.”

The franchise tag

I wrote in May about how top quarterbacks can lead the way in establishing a trend of guaranteed contracts in the NFL. But if the Ravens refuse to budge, they can always apply the franchise tag to prevent Jackson from departing via free agency next year.

Since its creation as part of the 1993 collective bargaining agreement, the tag has been a mechanism that allows teams to restrict player movement and suppress their earning power. But it can sometimes benefit players, too. If Jackson were to get tagged, he would be one of those players who stands to gain.

There are two types of franchise tags: non-exclusive and exclusive. The rules governing them are laid out in Article 10 of the CBA. The non-exclusive tag number is determined by adding the amounts of the tags at a given position from the previous five years, dividing that total by the sum of the prior five salary caps, and multiplying that figure by the salary cap number for the year in question.

The 2023 cap is expected to increase substantially from 2022’s $208.2 million. Assuming it jumps to $230 million – a 10.4% increase, a conservative estimate – the non-exclusive QB tag number ought to come in around $31.2 million (fully guaranteed), which would still be well below the top of the market. If Baltimore used a second tag on Jackson in 2024, it would have to be 120% of the 2023 number, or $37.44 million.

But this is where the non-exclusive tag gets risky for the Ravens. Applying it would still allow Jackson to negotiate with other teams. And if he were to sign elsewhere, that team would have to give Baltimore two first-round draft picks as compensation. For many years, that compensation proved to be too prohibitive a cost, which is why a player with a non-exclusive tag has never signed with another team. But in the last two years, teams have been willing to deal multiple first-rounders to acquire players like safety Jamal Adams and QBs Stafford and Watson. It’s not hard to imagine another franchise would willingly part with two first-rounders to pry Jackson from Baltimore.

The Cowboys faced this dilemma two years ago when they tagged Prescott, which is why they applied the exclusive tag. The exclusive tag prevents a player from negotiating with anyone else, but it’s also far more expensive: the average of the top five 2023 cap figures at a given position, up to the end of the restricted free agency signing period. At the moment, those figures for Watson, Prescott, Mahomes, Allen, and Tannehill would come to $45.46 million, though that figure will likely change based on factors like restructures, releases, or the possibility that Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert sign new contracts by then.

The point here is that the Ravens could be on the hook to pay Jackson market-level money – all fully guaranteed – even by going the tag route. They can then tag Jackson again in 2024, but at 120% of his 2023 salary, which would come to $54.5 million. A third tag would then have to be 144% of the second tag, which would be $78.5 million.

Kirk Cousins forced Washington to tag him in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017, which then became the springboard for the fully guaranteed deal he signed with the Vikings in 2018. And when the Cowboys were faced with having to tag Prescott a second time, they were forced into giving him a mega-contract that paid top-of-the-market money. Remember: Good QBs are hard to find, so teams tend to move mountains to acquire or keep one. The Cousins and Prescott outcomes could certainly be influencing Jackson’s negotiating strategy with the Ravens.

The risks

Going the tag route has obvious advantages for Jackson since he would either make top-of-the-market money for one or two years or be exposed so another team can acquire him for a pair of first-round picks and give him the contract he desires.

The risk is that the tag goes year-to-year, with no future security whatsoever. A serious injury or a drastic performance drop would thus be big risks for Jackson, though Prescott still secured his monster deal from Dallas after breaking his ankle while playing on the tag.

If Baltimore winds up tagging Jackson, the Ravens might be willing to give him the non-exclusive tender and accept the two first-round picks they’d get in return if he were to walk. They then could start fresh with another QB on a rookie deal, but the uncertainty of an approach like that speaks for itself.

Giving Jackson an exclusive tender would be expensive – both in the short term and toward any possibility of a long-term contract solution. And in the end the Ravens could find themselves letting Jackson leave anyway, as Washington did with Cousins.

It’s still only July, and there’s still plenty of time to get something done. But for Jackson and the Ravens, things stand to get much more complicated soon enough.

CLEVELAND

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com put on his defense lawyer hat over the holiday weekend and looked at what fire the NFL might have to discipline QB DESHAUN WATSON over the smoke of 24+ accusers:

The NFL and the NFL Players Association spent three days last week submitting evidence and argument regarding the question of whether Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should be suspended to start the 2022 season and, if so, the number of games he’ll miss. Judge Sue L. Robinson eventually will issue a decision, subject to an appeal by either party (unless she finds that no discipline should be imposed at all).

So what was the NFL’s actual case against Watson? It’s one thing to repeatedly insist on a suspension of at least one year. It’s another to have the evidence that, when combined with the Personal Conduct Policy, will justify that kind of a punishment.

When considering the sheer number of accusations against Watson, it’s hard not to think something happened that would justify a suspension. With 24 lawsuits filed (20 have been settled) and, per the New York Times, at least 66 different women hired via social media for private massages — and given the admission that Watson had sexual encounters with at least three of the women who sued him — it seems reasonable to conclude that Watson had a habit of arranging private massages with strangers and trying to steer the massages toward consensual sexual encounters.

But that apparently wasn’t the evidence the league presented. After interviewing only 12 of the women who have made allegations against Watson, the league presented evidence as to five persons who provided massages to Watson. The 24 lawsuits, the 66 or more strangers who were retained for private massages, and the allegation made in at least one of the lawsuits that the actual number exceeds 100 apparently weren’t part of the case against him.

The NFL’s case focused on five people. And, as PFT reported last week, that evidence included no proof of violence or threats or any type of physical conduct that would constitute actual assault.

The Personal Conduct Policy expressly prohibits “assault and/or battery, including sexual assault or other sex offenses.” If there’s no sexual assault, that specific provision of the policy hasn’t been violated.

And that’s the provision that creates a baseline suspension of six games per offense. Here’s the key language of the policy: “With regard to violations of the Policy that involve: (i) criminal assault or battery (felony); (ii) domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse and other forms of family violence; or (iii) sexual assault involving physical force or committed against someone incapable of giving consent, a first violation will subject the violator to a baseline suspension without pay of six games, with possible upward or downward adjustments based on any aggravating or mitigating factors.”

Without proof of “sexual assault involving physical force or committed against someone incapable of giving consent,” there’s no violation of that specific provision. (It’s possible that the league will try to argue that the circumstances suggest that the persons were not capable of giving consent, but that typically refers to someone who is underage or incapacitated in some way, for example, someone who is unconscious due to alcohol or drug consumption.)

Absent evidence of an actual sexual assault, the league’s case rests on two catch-all provisions at the bottom of a list of bullet points in the policy: (1) “conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person”; and (2) “conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.” The argument would be that Watson’s habit of trying to steer massages toward sexual encounters falls within either or both of these prohibitions.

But that’s where the lack of discipline for Patriots owner Robert Kraft complicates the league’s case. If no action was taken against Kraft for having a massage that allegedly became a sexual encounter, how can the league discipline Watson for the same thing?

The difference, of course, is that the evidence against Watson ultimately centers on the fact that he allegedly tried, repeatedly, to make massages into sexual encounters. Kraft was never accused of doing that, by anyone.

For the NFL, that may be the best, strongest argument to present to Judge Robinson in the written briefs due next week. Watson, they’ll argue, posed a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another and/or undermined or put at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel by repeatedly arranging private massages and trying to make them into sexual encounters.

It’s unclear whether this practice was firmly established in the evidence submitted at last week’s hearing. Although the NFL focused on five women, Watson could have been questioned at length on the full extent of his habit. Did he admit that he tried to make massages into sexual encounters? If he denied it, was his testimony credible?

Then there’s the question of whether the NFL may have deliberately scaled back the effort to create the impression that Watson’s behavior extended so broadly in light of the lawsuit filed Monday (the timing may have been not coincidental) against the Texans for allegedly knowing about Watson’s alleged habit and taking no steps to protect the women who eventually found out during the massages that he would try to make it something else.

While it’s impossible to know the specific extent of the league’s argument based on an alleged habit of making massages into something other than massages without seeing the full transcript of the hearing, that could be the key to determining whether Judge Robinson would have a way to distinguish Watson’s behavior from Kraft’s and to impose discipline based not on any actual assault but on the alleged practice of trying to make massages into sexual encounters.

The answers will appear in Judge Robinson’s written decision. She’ll need to craft a ruling that clearly explains her factual findings and that outlines in basic terms the way the Personal Conduct Policy applies to those facts to result in discipline. Absent proof of sexual assaults and given that the Kraft precedent makes it very difficult to punish Watson for engaging in massages that became consensual sexual encounters, Judge Robinson likely will be able to discipline Watson only if she finds that he was engaged in a habit of trying to make massages into sexual encounters, and if she believes that this behavior runs afoul of either or both of the two catch-all prohibitions of the Personal Conduct Policy.

That’s why the NFL’s effort to discipline Watson is so different from the criminal process (which resulted in no indictments) and the civil lawsuits that are still pending. For the league, the controlling principles appear in the Personal Conduct Policy. The facts will be determined by Judge Robinson, based on the evidence that was presented to her.

She’ll make the decision. If she chooses to impose any discipline at all, the league will have to decide whether to appeal to the Commissioner for a greater punishment. But the factual findings made by Judge Robinson are, by rule, binding on the Commissioner.

Whatever the final outcome, it will need to be explained in a way that that will be understandable and satisfactory to those who may have a hard time reconciling the 24 lawsuits and the evidence suggesting that Watson had a habit of arranging manages and trying to make them into sexual encounters with something less than a one-year suspension.

THIS AND THAT

DEMARYIUS THOMAS and CTE

ESPN.com:

Demaryius Thomas had the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, which is linked to repeated blows to the head, according to an announcement Tuesday by doctors from Boston University who had been studying the former NFL star’s brain.

Thomas was found dead in his Roswell, Georgia, home this past Dec. 9, just 15 days before his 34th birthday. At the time, his family believed seizures, which Thomas had battled since a 2019 car crash, may have led to his death. The coroner’s office in Fulton County, Georgia, has not yet ruled on the cause of death.

But neuropathologist Dr. Ann McKee, who was part of the Boston University research team, said Thomas most likely died after having a seizure — a condition not generally associated with CTE.

“CTE itself does not cause death. You don’t die from CTE,” McKee told ABC News. “What CTE does is it changes your behavior and your personality.”

Family members say that in addition to the seizures which began in 2020, Thomas also struggled with what has come to be known as common conditions associated with CTE: memory loss, paranoia and other erratic behavior, especially in the last year before he died.

“His mood would change, and he would also isolate himself sometimes,” Thomas’ mother, Katina Stuckey Smith, told ABC News. “He was, like, ‘Mom, I don’t know what’s going on with my body. You know, I gotta get myself together,’ and he said, ‘I don’t feel like myself anymore.'”

A first-round pick in 2010 out of Georgia Tech, Thomas played 10 seasons in the NFL. He spent 8½ seasons with the Denver Broncos, with whom he won two AFC championships and a Super Bowl. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver also played with the Houston Texans and New York Jets, finishing his career with 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.

Thomas retired from the NFL in June 2021.

TOP 10 EDGE RUSHERS

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com took a poll of NFL insiders to get the top 10 at 11 key positions.  First up is Edge Rusher:

We all love “best-of” lists, but what if people around the NFL created their own? To preview the 2022 NFL season, we surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from edge rusher to interior offensive lineman. This is the third edition of these rankings, and there are several players who moved up or dropped from last year’s lists. Today, we focus on the edge rushers.

Here’s how our process worked: Voters gave us their best 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, hundreds of interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 50 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. We had several ties, so we broke them with the help of additional voting and follow-up calls with our rankers. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy.

The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2022. This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who are the best players today? Pretty simple.

We’ll roll out a position per day over 11 days. Here’s the schedule: edge rushers (July 5), defensive tackles (July 6), off-ball linebackers (July 7), cornerbacks (July 8), safeties (July 9), interior offensive linemen (July 10), quarterbacks (July 11), running backs (July 12), wide receivers (July 13), tight ends (July 14) and offensive tackles (July 15).

Age ain’t nothing but a sack total in the NFL pass-rush market. Several edge rushers in their 30s are holding down spots on this list because their games hold up, despite young stars pushing for supremacy. While the speed positions — corner and receiver, for example — can lean youthful, older pass-rushers can stay productive because they have a plan, they have savviness, and they can win when the game is on the line. Just look at Super Bowl LVI, where 11-year vet Von Miller turned up the heat on the Bengals to help secure a championship for the Rams.

It is youth, however, that dominates the very top of this list, including a pair of 26-and-under siblings jostling for position among the best edge rushers in the NFL. Let’s look at some of the game’s top game-wreckers as ranked by execs, coaches, scouts and players around the NFL.

1. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 3

Age: 27 | Last year’s ranking: 2

Watt claims his first-ever No. 1 ranking here, after jumping from No. 7 in 2020 to No. 2 last year. And his 22.5 sacks to tie Michael Strahan’s single-season record make his case for him. Watt was the unanimous AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. But his impact comes from the total package he brings to the field.

Watt’s 35.5 disrupted dropbacks — which include sacks, interceptions, batted passes and passes defended — ranked first in the NFL last season by a wide margin (Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was next at 32.0). Furthermore, his 23.1% pass rush win rate ranked seventh overall.

“Rare motor and quickness with his hands, has developed good power, and he can also dip and bend high side,” an AFC exec said. “Basically, he can beat you inside through you or outside. And [the Steelers] bring so much pressure typically that he’s able to add good chase production.”

Where is Watt truly elite? The exec pointed to his ability to locate the quarterback quickly and burst to him if his initial pass-rush move stalls. He’ll stop, look and then close.

As Watt keeps increasing his sack totals every year, the NFL record of 200 held by Bruce Smith is perhaps something he can chase. He is currently sitting on 72.0 takedowns through five seasons.

2. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 5

Age: 26 | Last year’s ranking: 1

Garrett made a compelling case for a second consecutive No. 1 ranking thanks to 16.0 sacks and a first team All-Pro spot. Plus, Garrett’s 26.5% pass rush win rate led all defensive ends in 2021. Simply put, he’s one of the best athletes on the planet, and everyone on the field feels it.

“He takes over a game,” an NFL coordinator said. “You build your entire defense around him and don’t look back.”

The knock on Garrett two years ago was that he could disappear at times during the season, failing to impose his will on some Sundays. But the Browns know he was facing double- and triple-teams back then. Having Jadeveon Clowney on the bookend is huge in keeping defenses honest and allowing Garrett to get after the QB.

“When he’s on, one-on-one, he’s unblockable,” an AFC offensive coach said.

“He still gets chipped and extra help/slides his way, but it’s not what it used to be,” an AFC front-office official said. “That helps explain his recent dominance.”

3. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers

Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 10

Age: 24 | Last year’s ranking: 8

When it comes to double-teams off the edge, there’s Bosa … and then there’s everyone else. Bosa was facing doubles on nearly 30% of his snaps in 2021 and still posted 15.5 sacks and a 23.0% pass rush win rate, eighth in the NFL. He finished the year at 26% double-teams, tops among this list.

“Consistent producer,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “A closer. Impact player at all times.”

Bosa logged an impressive third place here after his 2019 rookie year, then fell five spots due to a torn ACL in Week 2 of 2020. He returned to the lineup stronger, with a career-high 88.9 Pro Football Focus rating.

“He’s so compact and sudden that when he wins with his hands and technique, it’s going to be a long day for the defense,” an AFC scout said.

With Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald reworking his contract to surpass the $30 million-per-year threshold, don’t be surprised if Bosa signs a comparable deal this summer.

4. Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers

Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 9

Age: 26 | Last year’s ranking: 3

The elder Bosa didn’t earn enough top-three votes for a higher ranking, but he appeared on every single ballot. In five healthy seasons, Bosa has won Defensive Rookie of the Year and made four Pro Bowls. And he just produced his fourth double-digit-sack season (10.5) and a career-high seven forced fumbles in 2021.

“He always has a plan. He’s setting up his moves for later in the game, and he’s got great technique,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “He’s just a classic edge rusher. He’s a nightmare for a tackle because of the way he keeps you guessing.”

Bosa was double-teamed on 23% of his pass rushes last year, but that rate could decline with the arrival of Khalil Mack in Los Angeles via an offseason trade. That means potentially even more production for Bosa in 2022.

“Relentless effort,” an AFC offensive coach said. “He’s the guy you have to worry about on every snap.”

5. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10

Age: 24 | Last year’s ranking: Unranked

Teams demonstrate how much they value players by the money they pay, and Crosby, fresh off a contract extension, is now the second-highest-paid defensive end in the NFL on a per-year average at $23.5 million annually. He anchored the Raiders’ attack with 42 quarterback pressures, tied for ninth in the NFL last season, and a 21.4% pass rush win rate, ranking 12th.

“He’s not the most gifted on the list, but he’s so damn relentless, and he’s got great power [and] knows how to use it,” an AFC defensive coach said. “He’s a technician, too.”

Crosby has benefitted from good wingman help, to be sure. His game took off after the arrival of Yannick Ngakoue, who has since been traded to Indianapolis. His new running mate for 2022? Chandler Jones.

But an NFC defensive Pro Bowler says Crosby shouldn’t be knocked for that because “he’s still got moves and a knack for understanding the flow of the game, elevating his pass rush the last two years with adding his spin as counters, and his long arms set up more moves.”

6. Von Miller, Buffalo Bills

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10

Age: 33 | Last year’s ranking: 5

Miller is the kind of player who must be watched to be appreciated. The Rams acquired him via trade to help make key plays in the postseason, and he totally delivered with four sacks. Miller even made several splash plays in the Super Bowl — beating the right tackle inside for a pass deflection in the red zone, coming off a stunt to chase down Joe Burrow for a sack and spinning off the left guard for another sack late in the game.

“I bumped him up because of what he did in the postseason,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “Took over in critical moments.”

The only real issue with Miller is age. The Bills aren’t too concerned with that, having signed Miller to a massive six-year, $120 million deal, though they have a potential out after three years and $52 million. Regardless, that’s a huge investment for a player on the back nine of his career.

But as one general manager said, “He will age better than most. His explosiveness is still there.”

7. Chandler Jones, Las Vegas Raiders

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10

Age: 32 | Last year’s ranking: 5

This is one of the tougher evaluations because Jones turned 32 in February and five of his 10.5 sacks in 2021 came in Week 1 against Tennessee. His 13.6% pass rush win rate ranked 43rd in the NFL, unspectacular for a player of his caliber.

But many voters are still partial to Jones’ all-around game. He has never really had a major weakness, playing the run and pass with fervor. Jones has seven seasons with double-digit sacks.

“Maybe he’s declined slightly, but he’s still really good,” an AFC scout said. “Always been a stiffer guy, but he’s got power and knows how to rush skillwise.”

Free agency also said Jones is still elite. The Raiders gave him a three-year, $51 million deal in March. Jones wanted to be traded last summer but played out the year in Arizona with plans of cashing in — which he did.

8. Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers

Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10

Age: 24 | Last year’s ranking: Unranked

Joining Crosby as another newcomer to the list, Burns doesn’t own a double-digit-sack season since entering the league in 2019. But evaluators say the numbers don’t tell the whole story with Burns, an explosive, rangy player.

“Rare athlete,” an NFC scout said. “Can be deployed any way in any scheme, and you have to know where he is. Can cover better than some stack linebackers. Commands attention every down for where he lines up.”

Burns made his first Pro Bowl after a second straight nine-sack season in 2021, and he ranked 15th in pass rush win rate (20.1%). And Burns can do much more — if he gets help.

That same NFC scout told me that Burns “still has huge upside, and while his production has been good, he would really take off if his offense scored more often, to where he could pin his ears back an extra 15-20 times per game.”

9. Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10

Age: 31 | Last year’s ranking: 4

Mack has slipped eight spots over two years, which is sort of understandable given the lack of raw production. His last double-digit-sack season came in 2018. But foot surgery that cost him 10 games last year masked solid play in limited action.

“Six sacks in [seven] games is pretty good,” an NFL scouting coordinator said.

Evaluators say you can’t overstate the impact of Mack playing alongside bookend Joey Bosa, and how the two can challenge each other. The Chargers acquired Mack in an offseason trade with Chicago.

“Major toughness and physicality,” a high-ranking AFC official said. “Football guy. Toughness. Playmaking.”

Detractors argue his 76.5 sacks over eight NFL seasons simply hasn’t been good enough, though. “Teams have always loved his potential, and he’s shown the ability to be great,” a veteran NFL defensive player said. “It just hasn’t always happened.”

10. Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10

Age: 32 | Last year’s ranking: 9

Jordan won a tight race with former teammate Trey Hendrickson for the last spot in our top 10. Some coaches and scouts are partial to Jordan’s all-around game. He ranked No. 2 among defensive ends in disrupted dropbacks (22.5), he has produced double-digit sacks in four of the past five years and he’s great against the run. In fact, Jordan’s 33.5% run stop win rate is the highest among players on this list.

“Until he shows tangible drop-off — like some of these younger guys who haven’t had nearly the production despite getting all the attention from protections like he does — I’d say he hasn’t fallen off,” an NFC scout said. “Still one of the best in the game.”

Jordan’s 9.7% pass rush win rate (No. 81 in the NFL) is unimpressive, but as one AFC defensive coach pointed out, the Saints move Jordan all over the defensive line, and he faced plenty of double-teams last season as New Orleans was depleted up front.

Honorable mentions

Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: He put together a massive two-year stretch with 27.5 sacks and 52 quarterback hits, and after he signed a four-year, $60 million deal with Cincinnati, he validated it in a big way by anchoring the Bengals’ front on the way to the Super Bowl. “Instinctive, tough and plays his ass off,” an NFC executive said. “Has rush savvy.”

Chase Young, Washington Commanders: Young won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 but struggled in Year 2 with 1.5 sacks in nine games. And now he is recovering from a torn ACL that could affect his early-season outlook for 2022. “He’ll be fine long-term,” an NFC front-office official said. “He’s best when he plays with power. He’s a power-first guy.”

Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings: Hunter is a top-10 rusher when healthy, but he has missed 26 games over the past two seasons. Still, he has 60.5 sacks in 85 career games. “A long-arm power guy. Greatest asset speed and length. Those things will always cause problems,” an AFC coach said. “I did not think he should be what he is. He certainly proved me wrong.”

Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He reinvented his career in Tampa Bay with 37.5 sacks and two Pro Bowls in three years. “Really good but different than some other rushers — great athlete, a run-around guy, can counter off the speed, makes plays all over the field,” an AFC defensive coach said. “Not a whole lot of power to his game, but he’s just dynamic.”

DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys: Lawrence made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2017-18, but his sack production stalled (14.5 since 2019), and he missed much of last season due to injury. “I watched him closely because we thought he could [be a] potential cap cut — they use him all over the place,” an NFL defensive coach said. “He’s kind of like Clowney was in Houston — all over, super dynamic. If he stays healthy, there’s a ton of production left. Joker plays super hard. King on the chessboard.”

Also receiving votes: Josh Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Robert Quinn (Chicago Bears), Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers)

2023 DRAFT

Matt Miller of ESPN.com offers his early 2023 draft:

Below is my first crack at projecting the top 32 picks, an extremely early evaluation based on 2021 tape, expected progression from prospects and expected NFL team needs. A lot should and will change once we get new information (from game tape to injuries) from each prospect. And with name, image and likeness (NIL) deals changing the landscape of college sports, it’s no longer a guarantee stars will leave early for the pros.

A few important notes before we get started: This Round 1 order is based on the 2023 projections from ESPN’s Football Power Index, which are different from what Todd McShay used on his early mock draft in May. Underclassmen in this projection are noted with an asterisk, and it includes the five first-round trades that have already been executed.

1. New York Jets

Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama*

Anderson is the unquestioned top player on my Big Board for next season. At 6-foot-4, 243 pounds, he has shades of Von Miller to his game. He’s not supersized like Joey or Nick Bosa or Chase Young in terms of his frame, but his quickness and power getting to the quarterback netted 17.5 sacks and 101 tackles last season.

Why not a quarterback for the Jets if they’re drafting No. 1 overall? Some teams might give up on quarterbacks early, but the Jets’ front office, led by general manager Joe Douglas, isn’t the type to panic. We’ve an seen example of this as the franchise has stood by left tackle Mekhi Becton after early struggles. Barring a complete unraveling by Zach Wilson — the No. 2 pick in 2021 who showed promise down the stretch last season — it’s unlikely the Jets would start over at quarterback.

2. Chicago Bears

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State*

The Bears have not surrounded second-year quarterback Justin Fields with much in terms of a supporting cast, but that will change via free agency and the draft following the 2022 season, once they have more cap space. The electric Smith-Njigba left us with a statement game in the Rose Bowl when he caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns as the entire Utah defense failed to stop him. This would be the highest a wide receiver has been drafted since Calvin Johnson in 2007, but Smith-Njigba is the type of talent Fields needs.

Could the Bears go quarterback here? Again, it’s unlikely they would give up so soon, especially when Fields has so little around him this season. Chicago’s new regime has time to build this team, and it’s doubtful general manager Ryan Poles would have taken the job if he didn’t believe in Fields as a franchise quarterback.

3. Houston Texans

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia*

Some might argue for a quarterback to restart things in Houston — and we’ll have to see how second-year signal-caller Davis Mills plays after a promising first season — but it wouldn’t be a surprise for general manager Nick Caserio to give Mills more time to develop. Mills is on an inexpensive contract and has yet to play with much offensive support, and the Texans aren’t close to competing in the AFC South.

Carter was arguably the best prospect on Georgia’s national title team in 2021 when you talk to scouts and watch his disruptive ability as an inside or outside pass-rusher. He’s built (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) to produce from a 3-technique position and would make an instant impact in Houston.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama*

Ricks, who played two seasons at LSU before transferring to Alabama for the 2022 season, is as good as any cornerback prospect in the past few draft classes. At 6-foot-1, he has a big frame and a ball-hawk mentality. If he hits the ground running and takes another step in his play after working under Nick Saban at Alabama, a Thorpe Award and top-five pick are possible. Ricks was arrested in May on charges of speeding, driving without insurance and possession of marijuana, so he needs to handle his business off the field too.

5. Atlanta Falcons

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State*

The first quarterback comes off the board later than expected based on the draft order here, and remember that I’m not projecting trades in this mock draft. Make no mistake, though: Stroud is worthy of the No. 1 pick. The second-year starter battled through early adversity last season before finishing with a dominant win over Utah in the Rose Bowl; he had 573 passing yards and six touchdowns.

Stroud has ideal size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and a huge arm that opens up defenses. NFL scouts want to see him use his legs more, but Stroud’s trajectory points to him being an early pick.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia*

With rookie first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett on the roster, the Steelers could look to improve in other places. Ringo had eight pass breakups and two interceptions on a loaded defense last season, and you might remember his clinching pick-six in the title game. If the 6-foot-2 corner can make plays without 10 future NFL starters around him, his coverage ability and physical traits will put him in the running for CB1 in this class.

7. Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama*

The Panthers passed on taking a quarterback in Round 1 in April and instead drafted Matt Corral in the third round, but they should remain in the hunt for a long-term option at the position. Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, doesn’t have prototypical NFL size — he’s listed at 6-foot, 194 pounds — but he plays the position like a point guard with great field vision, touch and anticipation. Size will be the ultimate question for scouts, but Young enters the season in the conversation for QB1.

8. Detroit Lions

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Levis might no longer be a sleeper as he has entered the household conversation this summer. He has many fans in the NFL, thanks to his size (6-foot-3, 232 pounds), arm strength and gunslinger style of play. Of the top three quarterbacks, he might have the most well-rounded skill set as a thrower, scrambler and designed runner. Levis has to cut down on interceptions — he had 13 last season — but his 33 total touchdowns, including nine on the ground, have evaluators intrigued to see another season.

9. Seattle Seahawks

Jaren Hall, QB, BYU*

There is a lot of projection involved with a mock draft almost a year out from the real thing, but it shouldn’t be out of the question that Hall makes the leap into the top-10 discussion. He has big-play ability stacked on a 6-foot-1 frame and can produce with a whip-strong right arm or shifty mobility. His 20 touchdown passes to five interceptions point to his accuracy and smart decision-making. The Seahawks need a quarterback with Russell Wilson now in Denver, and they are a candidate to watch for a potential trade up.

10. New York Giants

Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami*

The new Giants regime didn’t draft Daniel Jones in the top 10 in 2019 and declined his fifth-year option, which means he’s likely in his final season in New York. That puts the Giants back in the quarterback market.

The 6-foot-4 Van Dyke flashed in nine starts last season (25 touchdown passes, six interceptions), and he could be even better in 2022 because of the staff and roster new coach Mario Cristobal has assembled. Van Dyke has the arm strength and mobility to become a star.

11. Miami Dolphins

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas*

Yes, Mel Kiper, I’m putting a running back in the top 15, but this one deserves it. Robinson is a game-changer with fantastic contact balance, power and speed, and he can even make plays in the passing game. He had 1,422 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns last season. He is a throwback to a player such as Curtis Martin or a souped-up Matt Forte. For a Dolphins team that wants to be a contender in the AFC East, Robinson represents a clear-cut answer to a problem that has existed for far too long.

12. Washington Commanders

Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern*

Will Carson Wentz make it to Year 2 as the Commanders’ quarterback, or will he be on the move again in 2023? If he plays well and avoids another late-season collapse, they can focus on a long-term rebuild of the offensive line. Skoronski has turned heads since he took over for 2021 first-rounder Rashawn Slater at left tackle for the Wildcats. Although slightly undersized at 6-foot-4, 294 pounds, he has the technique and agility teams fall in love with at the position.

13. Miami Dolphins (via SF)

Andre Carter II, DE, Army

It has been a long time since we’ve talked about a service-academy player in the draft, but Carter is a three-down menace to offenses. With a 6-foot-7 frame, he’s long, powerful and savvy in space. Don’t be shocked if he becomes the first Army player selected in the first round since 1947, two years after World War II ended. With 15.5 sacks last season to go with length and power, he has lived up to the hype so far.

14. Tennessee Titans

Jordan Addison, WR, USC*

Another receiver for Tennessee? The Titans traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles in April and used the first-round pick they got in return on Treylon Burks, but Burks struggled in offseason practices. He could still star as a rookie, but this team must keep improving its pass-catchers around quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The versatile Addison, who won the Biletnikoff Award at Pitt last season, transferred to USC, where he should become young signal-caller Caleb Williams’ go-to weapon in Lincoln Riley’s explosive offense.

15. Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame*

The tight end with the nickname “Baby Gronk” goes to a perfect situation, where he’ll team up with Joe Burrow and three outstanding wide receivers (Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins) to form the AFC’s best skill position group. The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Mayer is a throwback player who is a true in-line tight end prospect. Rob Gronkowski is the popular comp, but Mayer plays a lot like the Lions’ T.J. Hockenson, who was the No. 8 overall pick in 2019.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)

Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson*

Take a quick look at the Eagles’ defensive end depth chart and it’s easy to see the position becoming the top need next offseason. Murphy anchored the Clemson defensive line in 2021 with seven sacks while bouncing between end and tackle. With Bryan Bresee returning from injury, the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Murphy should see more action at end this season. He has a chance to dominate with his quickness off the edge.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson*

Bresee is returning from a torn left ACL suffered last September, but the flashes he has shown and his pedigree as a former top recruit should have scouts excited. He had four sacks and a forced fumble as a freshman in 2020. A return to form could push Bresee all the way into the top 10, though he has to prove he can return to his stellar level of play.

18. New England Patriots

Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU*

Let’s get quarterback Mac Jones some help in New England. Boutte had 38 catches last season, but coach Brian Kelly should usher in a more pro-style offense for the Tigers, in turn boosting Boutte’s numbers. At 6-foot, 190 pounds, his size and speed remind me some of Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith, who was the No. 10 pick in 2021. Boutte needs the on-field production to propel himself up draft boards in the same way Smith did when he won the Heisman Trophy in 2020.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina*

A big, 6-foot-1 cornerback with elite ball skills, Smith had 11 pass breakups and three interceptions last season. He’s also a willing and able tackler (41 total tackles). Ricks and Ringo get the most hype, but Smith might be the most well-rounded cornerback in the nation. For the Eagles, this is about putting premium capital to inject youth into their secondary.

20. Baltimore Ravens

Henry To’oTo’o, ILB, Alabama

The middle of the Baltimore defense could use a spark, and Alabama’s fast, instinctive To’o To’o could be perfect for that role. At 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, he’s a little lean, but his speed and instincts make him a threat in the run and pass games, as seen by his 111 tackles, four sacks and two passes defensed during his first year in the Crimson Tide scheme.

21. Minnesota Vikings

Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina*

How much longer will Adam Thielen be the running mate to Justin Jefferson? It might be time to start building out the wide receiver room, and Downs has the quickness and hands to be that guy. He’s not the biggest wideout (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), but he had 101 catches for over 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns last season, with all but one of his receptions coming when he was lined up in the slot. He’d be a great fit with Jefferson.

22. Arizona Cardinals

Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State*

We’re still waiting for the Cardinals to build an offensive line that can keep Kyler Murray upright. This would be a step in the right direction. Johnson is a former top high school recruit who spent last season at guard. He’ll kick out to tackle in 2022, and scouts believe he has the potential to develop into a starting NFL left tackle.

23. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Isaiah Foskey, OLB, Notre Dame

The Texans grabbed elite defensive tackle Jalen Carter earlier in this projection and now get him a running mate in the talented all-around end Foskey. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Foskey has a true 4-3 defensive end body but could still stand up and play in space because of his quickness. With 11 sacks and a whopping six forced fumbles last season, his numbers match his physical tools.

24. Kansas City Chiefs

Habakkuk Baldonado, DE, Pitt

Even after drafting George Karlaftis in the first round in April, Kansas City could use another end with the future of Frank Clark in question. Baldonado is one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects, and I’m projecting a big year for him in 2022. He had nine sacks and a forced fumble last season.

25. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Trenton Simpson, ILB, Clemson*

Simpson is a speedy outside linebacker with three-down ability as a run-stuffer, cover man and blitzer off the edge, which is exactly what the Seahawks need to continue a rebuild on defense. Simpson, one of three Clemson defenders in this mock draft, had 65 total tackles and six sacks last season. If he continues to thrive under a new scheme with defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin, he has the traits to be an early pick.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M*

Predicting what Tampa will do almost a year out is impossible without knowing if it will be rebuilding or reloading for another run with quarterback Tom Brady. Either way, one strength of this team during the Super Bowl run in 2020 was a young secondary that attacked offenses. Coach Todd Bowles could invest in the defensive backfield, and the versatile Johnson is exactly the kind of player Bowles has liked in his career. Johnson was Texas A&M’s second-leading tackler (79) last season, and he also had a sack and an interception.

27. Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida*

Richardson has received considerable hype this summer thanks to his big-time arm strength, mobility and 6-foot-4 frame. This is all a projection, however, as he has thrown 64 passes for the Gators — and six of those were interceptions. Richardson has the tools, but we have to see the production this season. If he puts it all together under coach Billy Napier, he could push himself way up the board.

28. Detroit Lions (via LAR)

Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama*

Burton is another transfer who is expected to star in 2022, as the former Georgia wideout could emerge as WR1 for Bryce Young in a pass-first offense at Alabama. He averaged 17 yards per catch and had eight touchdowns over the past two seasons. Watch his output soar for the Crimson Tide. Detroit, meanwhile, could pair Burton with former Bama star Jameson Williams, whom the Lions traded up for in Round 1 in April.

29. Los Angeles Chargers

Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor*

If you watched the Chargers in 2022, you know how important it is that their defense improves against the run. Ika would boost the interior immediately. The 6-foot-4, 350-pound tackle is an anchor in the middle, and he also has enough quickness to make an impact as a pass-rusher (he had four sacks in 2021). He’s not quite on the Jordan Davis level of speed and physical traits for a big man, but his NFL usage could be similar.

30. Dallas Cowboys

Noah Sewell, ILB, Oregon*

Sewell’s play at Oregon has been amazing to watch as he developed into a true three-down defender. The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder has elite size to go along with great quickness and processing speed. And we can’t forget to mention his versatility. As is becoming so important, he’s as good rushing the quarterback as he is playing in coverage.

31. Green Bay Packers

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State*

Here’s a name to file away for when the games start in September. Anudike-Uzomah pops off the tape and should be a first-team All-Big 12 candidate. With 11 sacks last season, the 6-foot-3, 252-pound end has the quickness and agility to play standing up, but he has flashed the power to play from a three-point stance. If you’re looking for an edge rusher who could shoot up draft boards, Anudike-Uzomah is a player to watch.

32. Buffalo Bills

Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M*

Let’s be honest: The Bills don’t have many needs on a Super Bowl-caliber roster. One area in which there could be a future opening is along the interior of the offensive line. Robinson is the top interior prospect in this class. A second-team All-SEC player in 2021, his dominance in the run game could make him the Bills’ Week 1 starter at right guard in 2023.