The Daily Briefing Tuesday, May 3, 2022
THE DAILY BRIEFING
Out of 32 first round picks in 2019 – 19 are rewarded by having their fifth year option exercised. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:
Monday was the deadline for teams to exercise their fifth-year options on the contracts of 2019 first-round picks and 19 of those options wound up being exercised.
That group includes first-overall pick Kyler Murray, who may land a long-term contract extension before the start of the 2022 season. All the players in the class are now eligible to sign such deals and the Cardinals said that they plan to work toward an agreement in the coming weeks.
All players who had their options exercised now have fully guaranteed salaries for the 2023 season.
Three players picked in the top 10 — Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, and Steelers linebacker Devin Bush — did not have their options exercised. Two first-round picks — the late Dwayne Haskins and Chiefs cornerback Deandre Baker — did not have options to pick up because they were released by their original teams.
A full list of the option decisions, along with the salary they will make or would have made in 2023, appears below:
1. Quarterback Kyler Murray, Cardinals: $29,703,000 – Exercised 2. Defensive end Nick Bosa, 49ers: $17,859,000 – Exercised 3. Defensive end Quinnen Williams, Jets: $11,500,000 – Exercised 4. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: $11,500,000 – Declined 5. Linebacker Devin White, Buccaneers: $11,706,000 – Exercised 6. Quarterback Daniel Jones, Giants: $22,384,000 – Declined 7. Defensive end Josh Allen, Jaguars: $11,500,000 – Exercised 8. Tight end T.J. Hockenson, Lions: $9,392,000 – Exercised 9. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, Bills: $10,753,000 – Exercised 10. Linebacker Devin Bush, Steelers: $10,892,000 – Declined 11. Tackle Jonah Williams, Bengals: $12,604,000 – Exercised 12. Linebacker Rashan Gary, Packers: $10,892,000 – Exercised 13. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: $10,753,000 – Exercised 14. Guard Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: $13,202,000 – Exercised 15. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins: No option because he was released by the Commanders. 16. Defensive end Brian Burns, Panthers: $16,012,000 – Exercised 17. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, Giants: $10,753,000 – Exercised 18. Center Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: $13,202,000 – Declined 19. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Titans: $10,753,000 – Exercised 20. Tight end Noah Fant, Broncos: $6,850,000 – Exercised by Seahawks after being traded. 21. Safety Darnell Savage, Packers: $7,901,000 – Exercised 22. Tackle Andre Dillard, Eagles: $12,604,000 – Declined 23. Tackle Tytus Howard, Texans: $13,202,000 – Exercised 24. Running back Josh Jacobs, Raiders: $8,034,000 – Declined 25. Receiver Marquise Brown, Ravens: $13,413,000 – Exercised by Cardinals after being traded. 26. Defensive end Montez Sweat, Commanders: $11,500,000 – Exercised 27. Safety Johnathan Abram, Raiders: $7,901,000 – Declined 28. Defensive end Jerry Tillery, Chargers: $11,500,000 – Declined 29. Defensive end L.J. Collier, Seahawks: $11,500,000 – Declined 30. Cornerback Deandre Baker: No option to pick up after being released by the Giants. 31. Tackle Kaleb McGary, Falcons: $13,202,000 – Declined 32. Wide receiver N’Keal Harry, Patriots: $12,425,000 – Declined
So 7 of the first 10, 8 of the next 10, and just 4 of the last 12.
The 2018 draft saw 22 of 32 options exercised (including one contract extension).
The 2017 draft saw 18 of 32 options exercised or contracts extended.
The 2016 draft saw 17 of 31 options exercised or contracts extended (that included JARED GOFF and CARSON WENTZ and you know how that has worked out).
NFC NORTH
GREEN BAY The DB has seen a lot of comment about the Packers passing on a first round receiver as if it was a crime. This from Adam Schein is typical:
Four receiver prospects in this draft class stood out from the pack: Jameson Williams, Drake London, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Seemingly everyone knew this, except for the Pack.
After London and Wilson came off the board in the top 10, the Saints traded up to get one of the fab four. So did the Lions. The Packers? Nope. Despite entering the draft with two first-round picks, they went yet another year without getting Aaron Rodgers a first-round receiver. Inexplicable. Yes, Green Bay traded up to select Christian Watson in Round 2. Do we really think the FCS wideout is going to be an immediate contributor, like the Packers need in this depleted receiving corps?
But the DB saw the name Christian Watson in plenty of Mock Drafts as a late first round option. He was a popular choice to go the Chiefs at 29 or 30.
So the Packers could have satisfied the FIRST ROUND demands by taking Watson at #28. No one would have batted an eye.
Instead they get the exact same player six picks later at #34 – and these critics feel they didn’t address their need.
The key is whether or not Watson is a good pick. If he proves to be a comparable player to DRAKE LONDON who went to the Falcons at #8 – which could happen, then the Packers are to be commended for getting good value.
And if he can’t play, then they wasted a second round pick just like they would have wasted a first round pick at #28. The key is how good a player Watson turns out to be, and he looked plenty good at the Senior Bowl, not whether he was taken at #28 or #34. – – – And Watson wasn’t the only receiver Green Bay drafted. Zach Kruse of USA TODAY:
The Green Bay Packers granted Matt LaFleur’s request for speed at wide receiver during the 2022 NFL draft.
At the NFL Annual Meetings last month, LaFleur said the Packers needed to add speed to help replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the offense’s top deep threat. A month later, Brian Gutekunst obliged, taking two of the fastest on-field players at the Senior Bowl in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
“Certainly, if you look at our roster right now, we definitely need to get some speed in that room,” LaFleur said. “We need a legit guy that can take off the top of the coverage. We lost a guy that was pretty good at doing that.”
Mission accomplished. And we’re talking about play speed, not just 40-yard dash times, although they aren’t measurably slow, either. According to Jim Nagy, the Senior Bowl director, Doubs was clocked at 21.25 miles per hour during practices, while Watson was clocked at 20.71. Both times were among the five best. Watson was also clocked as the fastest on-field player during the actual game.
“I think all those guys can run,” LaFleur said. “Sometimes the 40 can be overvalued, you look at the playspeed on tape…I think the play speed of all those guys is pretty good.”
The Packers moved up in the second round to get Watson, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at 6-4 and 208 pounds. He can fly. So can Doubs, who didn’t perform at the combine but tested in the 4.47-4.50 range at his individual pro day last month. The Packers took him in the fourth round.
The speed translated into big-play production, which is what the Packers are hoping Watson and Doubs can provide at the next level. Watson averaged over 20 yards per catch for his career. In 2021, he caught eight passes thrown over 20 yards, with deep passes accounting for 395 of his 801 receiving yards, per PFF. He’ll be an immediate deep threat.
“He’s a big, fast, physical receiver,” Gutekunst said. “His athletic traits are off the charts.”
“He’s big, and he’s fast,” Packers director of football operations Milt Hendrickson said. “As fast as he is, his length, his stride, any type of vertical routes, it’s exponential what he can ultimately do for an offense.”
Don’t discount Doubs, who caught 12 deep passes for 444 yards last season. Every Carson Strong highlight is also a highlight of Doubs getting behind the coverage for an easy throw and catch. He’s an instant accelerator and long-strider who can win at the line of scrimmage, stack cornerbacks mid-route and separate late down the field.
“We liked his play speed,” Packers director of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said. “We thought he played fast on tape.”
Speed remains an important aspect of the LaFleur offense. Valdes-Scantling should get the assist for many easy throws and completions over the last few seasons because his speed threatened secondaries and forced help to stay over the top. And when the right opportunities arose, he used his 4.3 speed to cook coverages with explosive plays down the field.
In time, Watson and Doubs should provide a similar threat.
NFC EAST
NEW YORK GIANTS Joe Schoen is the latest first year GM to go through a draft with scouting executives from the prior regime – then jettison them shortly thereafter. Charean Williams of ESPN.com:
New Giants General Manager Joe Schoen kept most of the staff he inherited through the draft, but once the draft ended, he didn’t waste time making changes.
The Giants have fired Chris Pettit as the director of college scouting and senior personnel executive Kyle O’Brien, Neil Stratton of insidetheleague.com.
Former General Manager Dave Gettleman promoted Pettit to his position in 2018 after Pettit spent 13 seasons as an area scout. O’Brien arrived last spring after previously working with the Jaguars, Patriots and Lions.
Running back Saquon Barkley is the only player remaining from the 2018 draft class, and the 2019 choices weren’t much better. The Giants picked up Dexter Lawrence‘s fifth-round option from the 2019 draft class but declined Daniel Jones‘ option. Deandre Baker was cut after one season because of off-field issues.
Schoen already hired Brandon Brown from the Eagles to be his assistant General Manager, but more hires are coming as he remakes the front office. Schoen fired co-director of player personnel Mark Koncz earlier this offseason, and he reassigned former assistant GM Kevin Abrams to a new role as senior vice president of football operations and strategy.
NFC SOUTH
CAROLINA Here are the whispers that drove QB MATT CORRAL down in the draft. Someone called BSabitt of SideAction.com with the report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:
Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral tormented SEC teams all throughout the college football season, seemingly asserting himself as a top draft prospect. But during the NFL Draft this weekend, Corral fell far down the list as the days went on.
Now, we’re finding out part of the reason why.
After Matt Corral was selected in the later rounds by the Carolina Panthers, NFL insider Ian Rapport gave some insight on his past struggles.
“He dealt with a multitude of issues including alcohol and related issues,” Rapoport said on NFL Network’s broadcast. “He admitted publicly to battling depression. He has had ‘unreliable behavior’ off the field and he really, really struggled in some interviews with teams.
“That said, the talent is enough to make the Carolina Panthers take its shot with Corral.”
NEW ORLEANS WR CHRIS OLAVE comes to the Saints with quite a price per Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus.
@PFF-AustinGayle The New Orleans Saints essentially traded picks No. 98, No. 101, No. 120, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder for Chris Olave.
Mickey Loomis is a mad man. – – – Loomis also gives a big deal to S TYRANN MATHIEU. Grant Gordon of NFL.com:
It’s a homecoming for the “Honey Badger.”
Three-time All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu is signing with the New Orleans Saints, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per a source. Rapoport later reported that Mathieu will receive a three-year, $33 million contract from the Saints.
Mathieu, who played the previous three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, is moving on to his fourth NFL franchise but is heading home in the process. A New Orleans native, Mathieu also played his college ball at LSU.
The sixth-ranked free agent on NFL.com‘s top 101 list, Mathieu bided his time before settling in with the Saints days after the team bypassed the safety position in the draft. Rapoport adds that the Saints were always the favorite to land Mathieu, who also met virtually with the Eagles.
Mathieu, 29, heads to NOLA to play alongside Marcus Maye, who was signed to a three-year pact in March amid free agency’s first wave. Just a day prior to reports of Maye heading to New Orleans, it was reported that former Houston Texans safety Justin Reid was signing with Kansas City, effectively ending Mathieu’s days with the Chiefs. During his time in K.C., Mathieu went to two Super Bowls, won one and earned two of his three career Pro Bowl bids.
Heading into his 10th NFL season, Mathieu adds even more leadership to a veteran-heavy Saints defense. Mathieu also offers a boost in coverage on the backend and versatility with the Saints slated to have Maye at the other safety position and Marshon Lattimore, PJ Williams, Paulson Adebo and 2022 second-rounder Alontae Taylor at cornerback.
Selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Mathieu has developed into a top-tier defensive back year in and year out who’s regarded for his fierceness, resourcefulness and leadership qualities. He’s also developed a knack for winning. Beginning in 2018 with the Houston Texans, Mathieu’s been part of four consecutive division titlists.
NFC WEST
ARIZONA WR DeANDRE HOPKINS has been suspended for the first six games of 2022 due to a positive test for performance enhancing drugs. Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post:
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended by the NFL for the first six games of the 2022 season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
The ban seemed to catch the star wideout off-guard, with Hopkins saying in a statement he’s still looking into what may have caused a positive result in a November sample.
“In my 10-year NFL career, I have never tested positive for using performance enhancing drugs,” he wrote. “To learn that my November test came back with trace elements of a banned substance, I was confused and shocked. I am very mindful of what I put in my body and have always taken a holistic approach, so I am working with my team to investigate how this could’ve happened. But even as careful as I have been, clearly I wasn’t careful enough. For that, I apologize to Cardinals fans, my teammates, and the entire Cardinals organization. I never want to let my team down.
“I fully intend to get to the bottom of this. As soon as I have more information I will share it.”
According to the NFL, Hopkins is eligible to participate in preseason games and practice, and will be allowed to return to the team for its Week 7 game.
The Cardinals will have to survive until then. Hopkins’ suspension leaves a huge hole in Arizona’s offense and — if they had an inkling it was in the works — could explain their blockbuster draft night move.
The Cardinals acquired Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in a deal with the Ravens on Thursday night. Arizona sent the No. 23 pick in the first round of the draft to the Ravens for Brown and a third-round pick.
Veteran AJ Green and 21-year-old Rondale Moore are behind Brown on the Cardinals depth chart.
More on Hopkins being shocked and stunned from Mike Florio:
Once again, the NFL’s PED testing policy has failed to actually catch a deliberate cheater.
The “brand manager” of Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins has issued the perfunctory brand-managing statement indicating that, like pretty much every other player who is suspended for a PED violation, Hopkins didn’t deliberately take a PED.
“DeAndre and everyone who works with his is completely shocked by this finding because he is extremely diligent about what he puts in his body,” Doug Sanders said in a test message copied, pasted, and tweeted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The text from Sanders insist that Hopkins “is committed to demonstrating that he did not knowingly take a banned substance,” and that they are “currently testing every product he used to figure out how this could have happened.”
The “spiked supplement” defense is hardly uncommon. But the NFL and NFL Players Association have an approved list of supplements, with the goal of avoiding such mishaps. Players who want to refrain for possibility using spiked supplements can take supplements from the approved list.
Any player who ever tests positive for a PED can claim he took it accidentally. It’s one of the hidden benefits of the strict-liability rule for the presence of PEDs in a test result. It doesn’t matter if you took it accidentally, so a player can always say that he did.
With very rare exceptions, they almost always do.
This doesn’t mean that any one of them is lying. If they’re all telling the truth, well, that means there are plenty of guys who are deliberately taking PEDs and never getting caught.
SAN FRANCISCO GM John Lynch took to the airwaves of KNBR and here are his thoughts on WR DEEBO SAMUEL, QB TREY LANCE and QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO. David Bonilla of49ersWebZone.com:
What is happening with Deebo Samuel?
Lynch: “We’re trying really hard with Deebo to work through whatever the issues might be. I always have really believed that there is a sacredness to those conversations and that they remain private, especially with things like this. I think it’s in everyone’s best interest we don’t get into that. I don’t think [the obstacles] are insurmountable. I think we can find a way to resolution, and we’re hopeful for that because we know what he’s been to this organization. Thirty-sixth pick in 2019, and he’s been so good on and off the field. Obviously, a tremendous player. … He makes us better. I think we make him better. And we’re hopeful that we get everything right and that we’re rolling forward.”
Will Samuel be on the roster in 2022?
Lynch: “It’s a yes for me, and that’s our job. He’s too good of a player. We’ve got too good of a thing going, and we want to keep that going. That’s where I’ll leave that.”
What can you say about Trey Lance?
Lynch: “I can tell you this: We’re so excited about Trey and his development. We gave up a lot. We certainly did. Trey was out there today, and it was the first day coaches could be out on the field. It’s just really exciting to see the young man continue to grow. Now he’s got to go do it on the field. He’s got to go through those reps. There will be some learning lessons along the way, but he’s immensely talented, he has a tremendous amount of mental horsepower, he can handle a lot of information. You have to be able to do that to play for Kyle, and we’ll ask a lot of him. But he’s up to that task.”
What’s the plan for Jimmy Garoppolo?
Lynch: “I felt like we were close in some [trade] discussions, and then the decision was made to have surgery. That just brought things to a screeching halt. People just don’t do that, even with a likelihood that everything is going to be good. We continue to get calls about Jimmy, and we, as a group, got together and said he’s too good of a player. He’s got a lot of great tape out there. You don’t just let guys like that walk out the door, and we want to either want to have Jimmy playing for us, which we’re all right with, or we want him to get the value. … I think once he starts throwing, people will feel more comfortable. And then, obviously, you’ve got to let things play out for other teams. … Jimmy’s a part of us. We’re excited about that. But I think we all know that Trey’s going to get the opportunity to go out there and play. He’s got to earn that, but we believe he’s in the process of doing that.”
Lynch added: “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if both of them were still here, and we move forward, and … he is equipped to do that.”
AFC NORTH
CLEVELAND The NFL has cleared the Browns from the charges by former head coach Hue Jackson that he was instructed to lose. Or at least they say the charges are “unsubstantiated”, especially since Jackson declined to cooperate with the investigation he instigated. Jake Trotter of ESPN.com:
The NFL said Monday that an independent review found “no evidence” to substantiate allegations made by former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson that the the team intentionally lost games in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Jackson was fired by Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam eight games into the 2018 season with a 3-36-1 overall record in two-plus years.
In February, Jackson indicated in a series of posts on social media that the team paid him bonuses incentivizing him to lose and that he was set up to fail. Jackson later softened those allegations.
The NFL announced that after a 60-day review, independent investigators led by former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White “determined that none of the allegations could be substantiated.”
The league said that Jackson initially agreed to meet with the investigators, but ultimately did not. Investigators, however, did have access to public statements and filings he had previously made, as well as his testimony in a prior arbitration proceeding.
The NFL also said Jimmy Haslam was interviewed, as were other current and former members of the organization. The Browns also provided documents to help investigators.
“We appreciate the independent investigation led by Mary Jo White and the Debevoise team which brings closure to these allegations that Hue Jackson publicly recanted shortly after they were made and that we’ve known all along are categorically false,” the Browns said in a statement. “As we’ve previously stated, we welcomed this investigation because the integrity of our game is something that should not be taken lightly and an independent review was crucial in bringing a conclusion to this matter.”
Jackson is now the coach at Grambling State.
PITTSBURGH The end of an era in Pittsburgh. Gerry Dulac in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Kevin Colbert’s final draft as general manager began and ended with taking a quarterback, the first time in 54 years the Steelers have selected two in the same haul.
It included drafting two wide receivers of drastically different body types to replenish a unit depleted by free agency and adding to their ever-growing fraternity of brother duos by drafting the younger brother of their All-Pro defensive end.
But, in the end, when the Steelers wrapped up the three-day NFL draft with five offensive and two defensive players, the most significant moment of all came when Colbert tried like heck to not reflect on 22 years of drafting players — and failed.
That’s when the emotion finally came pouring out.
When asked how he thinks he is leaving the franchise since his arrival in 2000, Colbert’s voice started to crack.
“Better than … It’s important that we added to that room.”
There was a pause. The reference was to the six Super Bowl trophies displayed in the glass-enclosed library room that abuts the media room where he and coach Mike Tomlin were sitting, conducting their annual post-draft wrap-up.
Then Colbert tried to start again.
“It was four trophies. … There were four when we got here and you knew the task,” he said, taking a deep breath and pausing even longer. At this point, Tomlin rubbed his hand on Colbert’s back to comfort him.
“You think about DMR,” he started again, a reference to late Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, who hired Colbert, a North Side native, to replace Tom Donahoe. “And being able to add to that room means a lot. It doesn’t mean it’s over. The next step, I mean, we’ve got to get more. We’ll never lose that. But it means a lot.”
For the past three months, Colbert had maintained a calm and steady demeanor every time he was asked about retirement and preparing for his final draft. He did admit he gave a brief thought at the time his final draft choice would be quarterback Chris Oladokun of South Dakota State — marking the first time since 1968 the Steelers had selected two quarterbacks in the same draft.
Of course, the most significant was Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, who was selected with the 20th overall pick — only the fourth time since 1970 the Steelers had drafted a quarterback in the first round.
“His contribution to this organization for 22-plus years has been exceptional,” Tomlin said of Colbert. “I’ve had the opportunity to come alongside this gentleman for 15 of those years and I just want to say it’s been an absolute pleasure.
“His mark and impact on us will continue to be felt, played out in the lives of the men we selected today.” – – – The Steelers have declined the fifth year option on LB DEVIN BUSH, a sensation as a rookie per The Athletic
The Steelers have declined the fifth-year option for linebacker Devin Bush, his agent announced on Monday. Pittsburgh selected Bush with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft
He led all rookies with 109 total tackles and became the NFL’s first rookie with at least 95 tackles, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble in a season since Minnesota’s Chad Greenway posted those numbers in 2007.
He appeared in just five games before a knee injury ended his 2020 season. Last year he posted 70 total tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in his 14 starts.
Bush is one of the more notable players to have his fifth-year option declined. The Chargers also declined the fifth-year option on 2019 first-round pick, defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, and the Vikings reportedly declined the option of center Garrett Bradbury, also a 2019 first-round pick.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON The Texans have shipped an underperforming draft pick of the Bill O’Brien Era to the Chiefs. Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle:
The Texans have traded cornerback Lonnie Johnson to the Chiefs for a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick. This according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The news was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The trade came days after the Texans used their No. 3 overall pick to draft LSU cornerback Derek Stingley. Johnson, the team’s 2019 second-round pick, rotated between safety and corner for three unstable seasons.
Johnson started 19 of 44 games in three seasons. Johnson recorded his three career interceptions in 2021, when he started seven of 14 games. – – – We are reminded that someone named T TYTUS HOWARD was once a first round pick. TheRedZone.org:
The Houston Texans have exercised the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Tytus Howard according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Taken No.23-overall out of tiny Alabama State in 2019, Howard has started multiple games at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard in his three seasons in the NFL but his natural position is right tackle. Howard is a weak run-blocker but offers above-average protection on passing reps. Houston drafting Kenyon Green, a guard from Texas A&M, in the first round all but ensures that Howard will move back to right tackle for the 2022 season. Though the 25-year-old Howard isn’t elite, he’s solid across multiple positions, making it worthwhile for Houston to guarantee him $13.2 million in 2023.
TENNESSEE WR A.J. BROWN demanded a massive contract from the Titans, then took a lesser deal with Philadelphia. Grey Papke of Larry Brown Sports:
AJ Brown’s reported contract demands add a bit more context to why the Tennessee Titans felt they had no choice but to trade the star wide receiver.
Multiple reports indicated that Brown had asked the Titans for more than he ended up getting from the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that Brown asked the Titans for close to $80 million in guaranteed money. A similar figure was cited by John Glennon of SI.
@glennonsports In the interest of two sides of the story, indications are that AJ wanted out from the #Titans, that he stopped communicating with the team weeks ago, and that what he was asking for was even more than the $25 million average he got from Eagles.
@glennonsports In fact, the term “$80 million guaranteed” was apparently thrown around by Brown’s reps, who said he would “not be touching the grass” during the offseason until a new deal was done. 6:10 PM · Apr 29, 2022
Brown’s deal with Philadelphia ultimately pays him $57 million guaranteed. The wide receiver has publicly claimed that the Titans lowballed him in contract talks.
Brown is obviously telling a different story than the reported numbers here. The wide receiver seemingly wanted out amid reports that he essentially stopped communicating with the Titans. If true, that probably had much more to do with his exit than any financial demands, considering what he eventually accepted from the Eagles.
THIS AND THAT
2022 DRAFT Thoughts from Adam Schein of NFL.com on things he loved and loathed about the 2022 draft:
WHAT I LOVED
1) J!-E!-T!-S! Own! The! Draft! The Jets absolutely dominated this draft. I still cannot believe how brilliantly they navigated Round 1. Bravo, Joe Douglas!
First and foremost, I am obsessed with Sauce Gardner. The No. 4 overall pick is a rare specimen at cornerback, combining superb length (6-foot-3) with stellar speed (4.41-second 40-yard dash). Not to mention, he infuses the Jets with the kind of CB swagger that Jalen Ramsey brings to the table for the Rams. New York City is going to love this confident cover man. Meanwhile, I personally had Jameson Williams as the top wide receiver in this class, but I had no problem with the Jets taking Garrett Wilson at No. 10. Williams is coming off of ACL surgery, so he might not be active when the season kicks off. Wilson, on the other hand, is ready to rock right now. This is big for Zach Wilson, who’ll be able to foster the Wilson-to-Wilson connection in the coming months and hit the ground running in September. I’ve banged on Douglas and the Jets some in the past for kicking the can down the road and not being simply about winning games. Taking Wilson over Williams is a NOW move.
I still cannot get over the genius of trading back into the first round to nab Jermaine Johnson II. I warned everyone about sleeping on the talented pass rusher last week. Apparently, the league hit the snooze bar. Johnson is a top-10 player in this class; getting him at No. 26 is highway robbery.
But wait, there’s more! Douglas plucked the best back in the class (Breece Hall) at No. 36 overall. Then he grabbed the draft’s best tight end (Jeremy Ruckert) at 101.
What an all-around coup. It’s about winning. It’s about helping Wilson. Simply sensational.
2) New era for the New York Football Giants The Dave Gettleman era (error) is in the rearview mirror — and it’s quickly disappearing from sight, at least judging by Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll’s initial first-round haul.
The Giants haven’t had a legit dude on defense — someone the opposition fears — in years. Enter Kayvon Thibodeaux, who came off the board as the No. 5 overall pick on Thursday. All that talk about his personality being a negative? Hogwash. I interviewed him last week on my SiriusXM Radio show, “Schein on Sports,” and came away beyond impressed. That’s one intelligent, interesting 21-year-old! Giants fans will love his attitude — and most especially, his game-day domination. This cat’s explosive off the edge. And Big Blue didn’t just get a top-tier QB hunter in Round 1, but an elite QB protector, as well. Landing Thibodeaux and hulking OT Evan Neal? It was like a dream.
The G-Men haven’t won a playoff game since Eli Manning last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Over the past five years, they’re tied with the Jets for the worst record in the NFL (22-59). With that stuff in mind, it’s not hyperbole to say Thursday was the best day for the franchise in the past decade. I am so happy for longtime Giants fans. Welcome to football in 2022.
3) Another draft, another Ravens clinic Perhaps we should just change the name of the NFL draft to the Ravens Invitational, because nobody crushes this event — year in and year out — like Baltimore. Take a bow, Eric DeCosta — you continue to do the great Ozzie Newsome proud.
I was obsessed with Kyle Hamilton throughout this entire process. With a versatile game and a 6-4 frame, he has game-changing, All-Pro potential. Freaking out about a 4.59 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine was shortsighted. The Ravens predictably kept their wits about them, happily scooping up the Notre Dame product at No. 14 overall. In a passing league, Baltimore continues to wisely put a premium on defensive backs.
Moments after the Hamilton pick, Baltimore sent WR Marquise Brown and a late third-rounder to Arizona in exchange for the No. 23 overall pick. After another trade netted the Ravens an extra fourth-rounder, they took Tyler Linderbaum at No. 25. The draft’s best center has Baltimore stalwart written all over him.
And the hits kept coming on Day 2. You knew a smart team would draft and stash edge rusher David Ojabo, who looked like a top-15 talent before tearing his Achilles at Michigan’s pro day. Enter Baltimore, whose defense is now run by Mike Macdonald, the coordinator who cultivated Ojabo’s breakout season last year in Ann Arbor. Travis Jones, the dominant defensive tackle from UConn, was spectacular value in Round 3.
4) Steelers PICK winners Say what you will about this quarterback class as a whole, but Kenny Pickett was a steal at No. 20 overall. The Steelers searched far and wide for Ben Roethlisberger’s heir, but wisely came back to the signal-caller who played his college ball at Heinz Field. The Pitt product was always the perfect fit, and Kevin Colbert nailed it in his last draft as Steelers GM. As the most pro-ready passer in this class, Pickett’s going to beat out Mitch Trubisky and start for Pittsburgh in Year 1.
Colbert has an extensive history of finding stud receivers beyond Round 1 — SEE: Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, to name a few — and I think he did it again on Friday. I know George Pickens reportedly has maturity issues, but he flashed so much potential when healthy at Georgia. I’ll bet on Pittsburgh maximizing the immense talent in that 6-3 frame.
5) Fly like the Eagles! I liked the Eagles draft the moment Howie Roseman plucked 6-6, 341-pound freak Jordan Davis at No. 13 overall. But to then flip the Nos. 18 and 101 picks for A.J. FREAKIN’ Brown? Well, that was a masterstroke. Sheer perfection, instantly making everyone around QB Jalen Hurts — as well as Hurts himself — better. Brown and DeVonta Smith dicing up secondaries together? Can’t. Wait.
Getting Nakobe Dean — the alpha dog on Georgia’s absurdly loaded defense — in the third round was an absolute steal. Even if health issues force him to miss a large chunk of the 2022 season, it’s well worth it. This is the kind of off-ball linebacker Philly has lacked for years.
WHAT I LOATHED
6) Strange times in New England Bill Belichick is the greatest coach in the history of sports. And yet, sometimes I have no idea what he’s thinking about in the draft. Is Nike the Dog making these picks?
Cole Strange? In Round 1?! Seems like everyone else in football — Sean McVay and Les Snead included — saw the guard as a middle-round option. And then, in the fourth round, Belichick took an Air Raid quarterback. What on Earth?
In the wake of this sloppy draft, the Patriots are my 13th-ranked team in the AFC.
7) Packers passing on receivers in Round 1 Four receiver prospects in this draft class stood out from the pack: Jameson Williams, Drake London, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Seemingly everyone knew this, except for the Pack.
After London and Wilson came off the board in the top 10, the Saints traded up to get one of the fab four. So did the Lions. The Packers? Nope. Despite entering the draft with two first-round picks, they went yet another year without getting Aaron Rodgers a first-round receiver. Inexplicable. Yes, Green Bay traded up to select Christian Watson in Round 2. Do we really think the FCS wideout is going to be an immediate contributor, like the Packers need in this depleted receiving corps?
8) Jags passing on the draft’s best player at Pick 1 With the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, the Jaguars took the No. 6 player on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board. To quote Dodgeball, “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for ’em.”
Did you notice how quickly the Lions got their Aidan Hutchinson pick in after Travon Walker came off the board? That was Detroit not-so-subtly telling the Jaguars — and the football-watching world — that they screwed up. The Lions got the draft’s best player at No. 2.
I feared this could happen last week before the draft. I warned against it for months. Jacksonville stepped up to the plate and massively whiffed like Rob Deer in his heyday.
9) The Malik Willis fall I predict many NFL teams are going to regret this. Willis has the intelligence, leadership, insane arm strength and swift running ability to succeed in today’s NFL. Seeing him slide all the way to Pick No. 86, midway through the third round — color me stunned. And disappointed. I love this kid. And felt horrible for him.
On the plus side: He landed in a great spot with the Titans, rightfully conjuring up images of the late, great Steve McNair. Willis needs time to marinate at the NFL level — that’s never been up for debate. Ryan Tannehill is solid, not superb. After Tennessee misses the playoffs this coming season, Tannehill’s seat is going to be ultra-warm, and the Titans will have the steal of the draft ready to take over at quarterback in 2023 or ’24. – – – Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks the teams work in the draft 1 to 32:
This is my spin on grading the 2022 NFL Draft hauls for each team. Instead of handing out letter grades, I power ranked the 32 clubs based on my favorite draft classes, from best to worst.
In all honesty, I like what most of these teams did. But somebody has to be 1, and somebody has to be 32.
This was a challenging, subjective exercise because there was something I liked about every draft class. But ultimately, the results came down to two categories: quality of talent added and the value of where players were taken.
Teams with more draft picks (especially in the top 100) had an obvious advantage while teams (like the Dolphins and Rams) without the draft capital are predictably toward the bottom of the list.
1. New York Jets Favorite pick: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Jets made seven picks in this year’s draft, and I think they nailed each one, making it tough to narrow down my favorite pick from the class. But I have to go with my top wide receiver and the new Wilson-to-Wilson connection for the Jets.
The top priority for the Jets this offseason was to add an offensive playmaker at receiver, and Wilson makes the playbook come alive. He plays much bigger than he looks with elite body control and catch point skills, while also creating space before and after the catch.
2. Kansas City Chiefs Favorite pick: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Not only did the Chiefs have plenty of draft capital, they also capitalized on their picks. This answer could easily be Trent McDuffie or George Karlaftis or Bryan Cook or Leo Chenal, but of the 262 total picks in this year’s draft, Moore to Kansas City was easily one of my favorites.
Moore is a different style of receiver than Tyreek Hill, so it isn’t an apples-to-apples replacement. But Moore is outstanding in the quick game to be a catch-and-run threat or can win vertically down the field. My No. 39 overall player, Moore has large, accepting hands with the speed and competitive profile to be a playmaker with Patrick Mahomes.
3. Baltimore Ravens Favorite pick: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
I feel like I say it every year — good players just fall to the Ravens, which isn’t a coincidence. Both Hamilton and Linderbaum were dinged by evaluators throughout the draft process for maybe not matching ideal position norms. But they are two of the best football players in this draft.
I expected Linderbaum’s lack of length and position flexibility to knock out him of the first round, but Baltimore didn’t let that happen. The Ravens want to be the best rushing team in the league, and it will be interesting to see if/how they adjust their blocking scheme to maximize the strengths of Linderbaum, who has the ceiling to be an elite run blocker in the NFL.
4. Detroit Lions Favorite pick: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Aidan Hutchinson, my No. 1 player in the draft, was a no-brainer pick and gives Detroit a pass rusher with double-digit sack potential. But my favorite pick is Williams, who has truly special speed and gives Detroit the big-play threat it has been missing since Calvin Johnson (with all due respect to Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and others).
Originally slotted to pick at No. 32, the Lions jumped up 20 spots to No. 12 to nab Williams, who was the fourth receiver drafted in a five-pick stretch. Coming off the ACL injury, he likely won’t be ready until mid-season, but the Lions aren’t in a position where they need to rush him back. I love the potential impact from Williams.
5. Philadelphia Eagles Favorite pick: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Eagles drafted only five players, but they also used one of their first-rounders to trade for veteran receiver A.J. Brown, which is why they belong in the top five. In the second round, they were torn between Jurgens and Dean, and they went with the interior blocker, who was my No. 49 overall player and a good value there.
But to their surprise, Dean was still available in the mid-third round, and general manager Howie Roseman seized the opportunity. I was told by multiple teams that they dinged Dean for “minor knee and pectoral” issues, but neither were considered long-term problems. With his play speed and diagnose skills, Dean was more than worth the risk at that point in the draft.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars Favorite pick: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
I have been a Travon Walker truther since the fall so I had no issues with the Jaguars drafting him at No. 1 overall. But the value of where they landed Lloyd (my No. 9 overall player) makes him my favorite pick of Jacksonville’s haul. The Utah product is a true four-down player who can make plays in coverage, vs. the run and as a blitzer. After stealing Muma in the third-round, the Jaguars landed linebacker prospects with high-impact potential.
7. Seattle Seahawks Favorite pick: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
I really like what the Seahawks did at offensive tackle, landing their left tackle (Cross) and right tackle (Lucas) for the present and future. But my favorite pick was Walker, who was my top-ranked running back in this year’s draft class. As Seattle figures out the long-term vision at quarterback, they will be relying on the running game and Walker has the instinctive ability to create yardage and be a playmaker.
8. Atlanta Falcons Favorite pick: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
I really like what the Falcons did in the first three rounds. London and Kyle Pitts are athletic big men who will be tough to cover. Ebiketie gives the Falcons a legitimate pass rush threat. Andersen is raw, but a super athlete with a high ceiling once he develops. But I have to go with Ridder. The Falcons passed on the temptation to draft a quarterback in the first two rounds, but in the third round, the value was well worth the selection. And it doesn’t stop the Falcons from addressing the position in the early rounds next year if that is the best direction for the franchise.
9. Houston Texans Favorite pick: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Although there are youthful areas of his game that need cleaned up, Harris has the speed and multidimensional skill set to quickly develop into an impact starter. A high school defensive back, he started right away as a linebacker for Nick Saban and his intangibles and ability are what made him one of the best stack linebackers in this class.
10. New Orleans Saints Favorite pick: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Saints were hoping to leave the first round with a playmaking pass-catcher and left tackle of the future — and that is exactly what they did. After moving up for Olave, the Saints had to cross their fingers that Penning would last to No. 19, and he did. Though a few rough patches should be expected early, Penning has an outstanding combination of size, length, power, athleticism and intelligence — he just needs additional coaching to be more consistent with his technique and timing.
11. Los Angeles Chargers Favorite pick: Zion Johnson, OG/C, Boston College
Though I was a little surprised the Chargers passed on Penning, I had the Chargers nabbing Johnson in my final mock draft because the pairing makes perfect sense. After drafting one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL two years ago, the Chargers found their left tackle in the first round last year and now add a versatile guard-center. Johnson is plug-and-play thanks to his movements, play strength and intelligence.
12. New York Giants Favorite pick: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
I thought several of the Giants’ selections, especially on Day 2, were slight reaches, but they knocked it out of the park adding two cornerstone players in the top 10. My No. 3 overall player, Neal is a ready-made lineman with functional experience at left and right tackle, giving the Giants options as they find the best fits for him and Andrew Thomas.
13. Buffalo Bills Favorite pick: Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
Considered a borderline top-100 pick, Shakir slipped to the Bills in the fifth round and he should be an immediate contributor. He plays with outstanding gear-control to create pockets of separation, especially out of the slot where he can find open zones. Shakir will be tough to keep off the field and could share slot snaps with Jamison Crowder as a rookie.
14. Cincinnati Bengals Favorite pick: Daxton Hill, CB/S, Michigan
The appeal with Hill is his versatility to play anywhere in the secondary. He can attach himself to slot receivers as a nickel, play more of a two-safety look, and he could realistically line up outside with his above-average athleticism. One scout told me that Hill will be the best defensive back out of Michigan since Charles Woodson, and it is hard to disagree.
15. Denver Broncos Favorite pick: Nik Bonitto, Edge, Oklahoma
My No. 65 overall prospect, Bonitto went exactly where I think he should have and landed in a great situation. Though there are some questions about his ability to hold up vs. the run, there are zero concerns about his disruptive athleticism to force the quarterback to move his feet. Bonitto goes to a scheme where he won’t need to start, but can be productive as a subpackage player.
16. Dallas Cowboys Favorite pick: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
Tolbert fell almost a full round later than where I had him ranked and goes to a Cowboys offense where he could make an immediate impact. Though he doesn’t have elite breakaway speed, he has terrific tracking and adjustment skills to be a playmaker, not too dissimilar from Michael Gallup, another third-rounder of the Cowboys a few years back.
17. Carolina Panthers Favorite pick: Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State
The Panthers didn’t have many early picks, but landing my No. 2 overall player at No. 6 overall gives them a substantial boost. Ekwonu is a Charlotte native who gets to play in front of his home crowd and provides the Panthers with a Day 1 starter at left tackle who also has upside. It won’t take long for him to establish himself as one of the best offensive players on the Panthers’ roster.
18. Minnesota Vikings Favorite pick: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The Vikings traded away from an opportunity to draft Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, but they still landed one of the best safeties in the draft. Cine is a do-everything safety and on a loaded Georgia defense last season, he led the team in tackles and passes defended. I want to see him back more plays on the ball, but he is an enforcer vs. the run and an ascending talent in coverage.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Favorite pick: Logan Hall, DL, Houston
I love what the Buccaneers did in the first two rounds. Goedeke is an outstanding fit with his personality and on-field ability, giving Tampa position flexibility across the line. But I give the edge to Hall as my favorite pick for the Buccaneers. At 6-6 and 280 pounds, he provides inside-outside versatility on the defensive line and is just starting to scratch the surface of his immense potential.
20. Indianapolis Colts Favorite pick: Bernhard Raimann, OT/G, Central Michigan
Raimann is a developmental 25-year old blocker, so it isn’t a mystery why he fell on draft day. But several teams made a mistake by letting him fall this far, something the Colts aren’t disappointed about. Raimann has only been playing on the offensive line for two seasons and is still learning, but his coordination and movements are impressive for a man his size. It also helps that he has top-notch character and coachability.
21. Washington Commanders Favorite pick: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
It sounds hyperbolic, but Dotson has the best catch radius and ball skills of any sub-5-11 wide receiver that I have scouted in recent memory. He reminds me a lot of Diontae Johnson with his movements, except Dotson is much more reliable at the catch point. My only problem with this pick? They traded away from several higher-ranked receivers like Chris Olave and Jameson Williams because of their desire to add more draft capital in the third and fourth rounds. Time will tell if that was the right move.
Day 3 pick who could surprise: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Percy Butler was one of my favorite Day 3 safeties in this class, and he will provide immediate production on special teams. But I have to go Howell here because if the Carson Wentz experiment goes south quickly, the chants for Howell will become louder and louder throughout the season. And if Howell gets his chance, the might not give up the job.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers Favorite pick: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Pickens was considered a borderline top-50 prospect for most teams, although he was also off several other boards because of character concerns. But he landed in a great situation where he won’t be expected to be a starter from Day 1 and will be allowed to develop while also providing spurts of production. There is no franchise in the NFL with a better track record of turning Day 2 receivers into high-level starters.
23. Tennessee Titans Favorite pick: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Twitter’s love for Willis was way over the top throughout the draft process, but he became an intriguing value outside of the first round, and the Titans landed him in the mid-third round. He goes to a great situation where he won’t be expected to see the field in 2022 or even 2023. But Willis will be given the opportunity to develop at his own pace, which is exactly what he needs.
Day 3 pick who could surprise: Kyle Philips, WR, UCLA
The Titans drafted a pair of slot receivers in this class, albeit with very different play styles. Though the Titans are hoping that Burks grows into A.J. Brown’s role, Philips is strictly an underneath target who can find open zones for quick-hitters. What he lacks in long speed, he makes up with his electric footwork and short-area burst.
24. Chicago Bears Favorite pick: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
It is fair to criticize the Bears for not adding an offensive playmaker in the second round, but Chicago added a pair of promising defensive backs, and Brisker was outstanding value at No. 48 overall. Arguably the best all-around safety in the draft, Brisker has speed, toughness and smarts and can wear several different hats in the secondary.
25. San Francisco 49ers Favorite pick: Drake Jackson, Edge, USC
I have been singing the praises of (WR Danny)Gray (3rd round, SMU) the past few months — he will be the steal of this year’s wide receiver class. But I’m giving Jackson the edge here because of his upside rushing the passer for a scheme that prioritizes disruptive fronts. He will need some time to develop his body, but he is a loose, athletic player who can make plays vs. the run and as a rusher.
26. Cleveland Browns Favorite pick: Alex Wright, Edge, UAB
I sent Wright to the Browns in my third-round mock draft because he checks a lot of boxes that the Cleveland front office wants at that point in the draft. Though still a work-in-progress in several areas of playing the position, he is young (21 years old), long (34-inch arms) and athletic with impressive movement skills for his size. There is a good chance the Browns add a free agent edge rusher (Jadeveon Clowney?), and Wright is penciled in as the starter in 2023.
27. Green Bay Packers Favorite draft pick: Zach Tom, OT/C, Wake Forest
It will be interesting to see how the Packers’ offensive line comes together in training camp, especially with a versatile talent like Tom added to the mix. I don’t want to put too much expectations on him, but there are some similarities to David Bakhtiari when he was coming out of Colorado.
28. Arizona Cardinals Favorite pick: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The Cardinals’ first three picks were drafted almost exactly where I had them ranked in my top 100: McBride (drafted No. 55, ranked No. 62), Thomas (drafted No. 87, ranked No. 88) and Sanders (drafted No. 100, ranked No. 100). So I’ll stick with my highest-ranked of the group as my favorite pick. McBride doesn’t have true dynamic qualities, which is why I didn’t think he would be a top-50 pick. But he is dependable and will be a first-down machine for Kyler Murray and that offense.
29. Las Vegas Raiders Favorite pick: Dylan Parham, OG/C, Memphis
Despite not having a top-80 draft pick, the Raiders still came out of this weekend with a quality haul. Parham, who was my No. 72 overall prospect, reminded me a lot of Shaq Mason, a player with whom new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is very familiar. Parham logged double-digit starts at left guard, right guard and right tackle in college, but many believe center will be his best long-term position.
30. New England Patriots Favorite pick: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
I loved the Cole Strange pick, even if the Patriots reached and took him much earlier than they probably had to. But Jones was my favorite pick of New England’s class. The No. 70 overall player on my board, I was worried that he might freefall in the draft because he is small (5-8, 174 pounds) and is coming off double shoulder surgery. However, he still went in the third round, which is a testament to his talent as a cornerback and return man.
31. Los Angeles Rams Favorite pick: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame
An all-purpose weapon in college, Williams was one of the best third-down backs in this draft class, which is his projected role with the Rams as he shares time with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. Although he might not have elite long speed, Williams is dynamic in the passing game and will bring leadership to the Rams locker room.
32. Miami Dolphins Favorite pick: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
Tindall is still very much a work-in-progress and likely won’t make a substantial impact on defense as a rookie. But he should make an immediate impact on special teams and has the explosive speed to push for starting reps down the road.
|