NFC EAST

WASHINGTON

QB ALEX SMITH does an interview with GQ – and it’s not all warm fuzzies about the WFT.  Chris Cwik of YahooSports.com:

When asked how the organization responded to Smith coming back, Smith said:

“So there was a very small group of people that actually thought that I could do this. I think the rest of the world either doubted me, or they patronized me. ‘Yeah, that’s really nice that you’re trying.’ When I decided to come back, I definitely threw a wrench in the team’s plan. They didn’t see it, didn’t want me there, didn’t want me to be a part of it, didn’t want me to be on the team, the roster, didn’t want to give me a chance. Mind you, it was a whole new regime, they came in, I’m like the leftovers and I’m hurt and I’m this liability. Heck no, they didn’t want me there. At that point, as you can imagine, everything I’d been through, I couldn’t have cared less about all that. [laughs] Whether you like it or not, I’m giving this a go at this point.”

Smith added that after he was back, he felt like he had to fight to get on the field.

“Well yeah. I mean, they tried to put me on PUP [Physically Unable to Perform] for two weeks, then they tried to high-arm me. I felt like I still hadn’t had my fair shake at that point. I wanted to see if I could play quarterback and play football, and I feel like I hadn’t been given that opportunity yet to find that out. It’s like getting this close to the end line of a marathon and they’re telling you that you can’t finish the race. It’s like, f*** that. I’m finishing this thing. At least I’m going to see if I can.”

As Smith noted, it didn’t help that a new regime took over after he was injured. Smith suffered his leg injury in 2018. At the time, Jay Gruden was the team’s head coach. Gruden was fired in 2019, and Ron Rivera took over in 2020. Rivera and the rest of his staff had no ties or loyalty to Smith, which made things more difficult for Smith.

Despite winning the Comeback Player of the Year award, Smith is unsure about his football future. He still believes he has enough talent to keep playing, and wants to push himself in the offseason, but admits he’ll sit down with his wife and talk about whether they want to endure another season.

Smith’s wife Elizabeth played a major role in Smith’s recovery — which was not easy — and Smith said she deserves “a ton of input” into whether he plays again.

This from Grant Paulsen on why Smith now has such an edge:

@granthpaulsen

Talked to several people in/around #WashingtonFootball team. I’ve come up with 2 primary things that may have frustrated Smith enough to say what he did to GQ.

1) Not getting to start the playoff game.

2) Rivera’s comment that Allen could’ve turned season around like Smith did.

Further sleuthing by Pete Hailey on item #2:

@PeteHaileyNBCS

Finally found the Ron quote @granthpaulsen is referencing on his TL, which Grant believes frustrated Alex Smith and could’ve contributed to today’s GQ comments. It came from Rivera on Dec. 30 in a presser, a few days before Week 17

Alex Smith unleashed his wrath on the Washington Football Team with a series of quotes on Tuesday that seem wholly uncharacteristic of the quarterback, taking aim at the organization for not being true believers in his comeback story.

In a Q&A with GQ Magazine, Smith said the Washington Football Team was surprised to hear he was ready to go last training camp, saying, “They were. They never thought I was coming back. No one there. I did all my rehab outside

“It sounds like there is something to, perhaps, him having been annoyed or frustrated, in terms of his relationship with the team most of the season or what have you,” Paulsen said Tuesday on 106.7 The Fan. “Not that it was contentious or awful, but that he did feel like they didn’t necessarily want him.”

The first was something head coach Ron Rivera said to reporters the Wednesday before Washington’s Week 17 regular season finale against the Eagles. Washington was 4-1 with Smith as a starter at that point, and soon to be 5-1.

Question: Could you have been in this position this year right now where you are before the playoffs without Alex?

“Well, if we had a healthy Kyle Allen, I think we could’ve. I really do,” Rivera said. “I think we could’ve. And a big part of the reason is because Kyle, he’s very similar to Alex in terms of his abilities. He’s got the same kind of arm. He makes good decisions like Alex does. He’s got good footwork. I think we could’ve been. I do.”

“Is he trying to build up Kyle Allen? What was the point of saying it? Is it a little bit of a jab maybe at Alex Smith inadvertently? I’m not really sure,” Paulsen said. “But Smith did not take well to that, from what I’ve been told.”

– – –

It really shouldn’t take more than a day to pick a new name, maybe a couple of weeks to design new uniforms (since the look and color scheme will be similar to that of the team who can’t be named).

But like a malignant lockdown, the Burgundy and Gold will troop on in at least 2021 as the WFT.  Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com spots this:

Washington won its first NFC East title in six years while debuting a new nickname in 2020, marking a victorious start to the franchise’s run as the Washington Football Team. That run is likely to last just one more season, however, thanks to an announcement from the club’s official re-branding website. Built in 2020 after the team retired its former moniker that was a slur used against Indigenous people — and the franchise nickname since 1933 — the site revealed this week that the Washington Football Team will keep its name through 2021, then unveil a new identity for the 2022 season.

“We’ve transitioned from our old name,” the site reads. “Now it’s time to write a new legacy. The future of Washington Football arrives in 2022.”

The team has been soliciting fan input since before the 2020 season regarding its new identity, and the club has outlined next steps for the renaming process: “We’ll run everything we hear through research to narrow down our choices and find the best approach for our new identity. … After reaching a decision, we’ll work with Nike, the NFL, and our internal team to start bringing that new identity to life on and off the field.”

Prior to unveiling its current name, the franchise reportedly narrowed its search to a handful of potential replacement names, including “Warriors,” “Red Tails,” “RedHawks,” and “Americans.” Washington Football Team was rolled out as a temporary replacement, but team president Jason Wright hinted during the 2020 season that it would be a stretch to completely finalize a new identity by 2021. That could be in part due to the fact Washington retained its original colors during its transition to the Washington Football Team, whereas an entirely new identity could feature a more substantial redesign.

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY

Once incomprehensible, it looks like QB TOM BRADY will have a reasonably big money contract for his age 45 season.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Before the Super Bowl, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said that he would not be surprised by quarterback Tom Brady signing an extension that would keep him under contract beyond the 2021 season.

Winning the Super Bowl would only seem to make it likelier that the two sides find a way to keep things going and General Manager Jason Licht was asked if an extension is in the cards when he made an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. Licht said he’d keep his conversations with Brady “under wraps right now” but signaled that something was in the cards.

“It’s a possibility,” Licht said. “He certainly didn’t look like he slowed down any this year. That’s a possibility and we’ll have to see how that goes. . . . It appears that he really had a good time this year winning the Super Bowl. Likes our organization, likes our coaches, likes our head coach and ownership and we certainly love him. Usually when you have those two things going for each other, it’s a match made in heaven so we’d like to keep this going.”

Brady is set to make $25 million during the 2021 season with a cap hit of $28.375 million after earning $3.375 million in incentives thanks to the Bucs’ run to the title.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

The 49ers and their fullback are working on a new deal.  This tweet from Josina Anderson:

@JosinaAnderson

My understanding is there’s been a few preliminary exchanges b/w the #49ers & impending free agent FB Kyle Juszczyk on a deal for his potential return. As of Mon. the wait continued to ascertain how K.J. fits into the team’s budget relative to the 2021 cap minimum of $180M (1/2).

(2/2 cont.) Juszczyk is happy to return to the #49ers, talks have been pleasant, meanwhile the opportunity to test the free agent market is there as well.

SEATTLE

LB K.J. WRIGHT like the Seahawks, but he likes his Benjamins more.  Brady Henderson of ESPN.com:

As much as linebacker K.J. Wright wants to return for an 11th season with the Seattle Seahawks and finish his career with the team that drafted him, he doesn’t want to do so on anything other than a market-value contract.

Wright made that latter point known in an interview with Jim Rome that aired Monday on CBS Sports Radio.

“I do way too much on the football field to take a discount,” said Wright, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. “It makes absolutely no sense. If you want to win all these championships and look good on Sundays, you’ve got to compensate your guys that are making plays. … I have a family and I’m trying to set up long, long-term success for my family.”

Wright noted that he was the only player in the NFL last season to hit double digits in both tackles for loss (11) and passes defensed (10). He also had a pair of sacks and an interception as he continued to play some of his best football at age 31. Wright set several career highs in 2019 after an injury-shortened 2018 season.

NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported last month that Wright was seeking a deal commensurate with his recent production. He made $6.75 million per season on his 2014 extension and $7.75 million APY on the two-year deal he signed after hitting free agency in 2019. Wright maxed out that deal by hitting a playing-time escalator and playing in every game over those two seasons.

Giving Wright a substantial raise won’t be easy for the Seahawks. Over The Cap and Roster Management System have them at around $4.4 million to $7.8 million below the salary cap (based on an estimated cap of $180.5 million) before cuts and any restructures or trades.

The Seahawks drafted Wright’s eventual successor last April when they took linebacker Jordyn Brooks 27th overall. Wright was coming off offseason shoulder surgery, but he recovered in time to begin the season at his usual starting spot at weakside linebacker. He moved to the strong side and thrived there after Bruce Irvin suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

The Seahawks will likely want to see more of Brooks in 2021 after using him in a part-time role during his strong rookie season. Brooks took over on the weak side when Wright moved over.

Wright, the Seahawks’ longest-tenured player as a fourth-round pick in 2011, is third on the franchise’s all-time tackles list. Teammate Bobby Wagner is first.

“That would just be a beautiful story, if I could just ride it all out with the Seahawks,” Wright said. “That’s some legendary-type stuff. And like I said before I left, I believe it would be a great investment for Seattle to keep me because as you’ve seen, since I’ve been here, we’ve been nothing but awesome — always making it to the playoffs, winning our division, so they know how much I want to be here. But at the end of the day, I get it. [Because of the salary cap], they’ve got to clear some space to make things happen, so they’ve got to get busy.”

AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH

QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER huddled with ownership on Tuesday.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Whether the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger can reach an agreement that will result in the team bringing him back this season remains to be seen. But they’re discussing it.

Roethlisberger and Steelers President Art Rooney II met today, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The meeting went well, according to the report.

The Steelers have said Roethlisberger will not be back on his current contract because they can’t afford his whopping $41.25 million salary cap hit for 2021. Roethlisberger has said he’s willing to take a pay cut to remain in Pittsburgh, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll take a pay cut as steep as the one the Steelers want him to take.

So only time will tell whether the Steelers and Roethlisberger can come to an agreement that will result in Roethlisberger returning for an 18th season in Pittsburgh.

His agent says the conversation stemmed from the Steelers desire NOT to get rid of Roethlisberger.

Agent Ryan Tollner told NFL Network on Tuesday that the Steelers want his client to return for an 18th season. Roethlisberger, who turns 39 in March, is signed through the 2021 season, but the Steelers said the only way he could return this season is if his $41.25 million salary cap hit is reduced.

“They want Ben back and will contact me soon to address his cap situation,” Tollner told NFL Network. “As we’ve shared since the season ended, we are happy to creatively adjust his contract to help them build the best team possible.”

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wonders how much the 2021 version of Roethlisberger is worth?

It’s one thing for the Steelers to want to bring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back for another year. It’s quite another for the Steelers to want to pay him the full $19 million he’s due to make in 2021.

It’s currently unclear whether the Steelers will try to get Roethlisberger to take less money. If it’s simply a matter of moving money around, it’s an easy proposition: Reduce his total compensation from $19 million to the veteran minimum of $1.075 million and turn the rest into a signing bonus to be spread over multiple years. As explained last month, a new four-year deal with three dummy years and a $17.925 million bonus would drop Roethlisberger’s 2021 cap number from $41.25 million to $26.73 million.

That’s an easy approach, one that gives Roethlisberger every penny he’s due to make and that minimizes his cap burden. It’s not something that should require meetings and conferences and anything other than an email or two between team and agent.

Thus, it’s fair to wonder whether the Steelers want to reduce Roethlisberger’s compensation for 2021 below the $19 million he’s due to earn. Although Roethlisberger has said that he doesn’t care about his pay, he surely does. (He should.) So how less is he willing to take before drawing a line in the sand?

Another possibility would be to convert some of his 2021 pay into a so-called “not likely to be earned” incentive, allowing the cap charge to be pushed to 2021 — if Roethlisberger meets the trigger(s) for the payment. That could be a middle ground that gives Roethlisberger a way to make the full $19 million if he performs at a sufficiently high level.

Regardless of how it plays out, if it were easy to figure out a new contract for Roethlisberger, it already would be done. Until it is done, it’s fair to wonder whether an impasse eventually will be reached.

However it plays out, the clock is ticking. Roethlisberger is due to earn a $15 million roster bonus on March 19. Whatever team and player do, they need to do it before March 19.

Actually, they need to do it before 4:01 p.m. ET on March 17. That’s when the Steelers will be required to be under the 2021 cap (whatever it is), and when Roethlisberger under his current deal will count for $41.25 million.

AFC SOUTH

TENNESSEE

OT ISAIAH WILSON says he’s “done” with the Titans, even though some would say he never started.  Turron Davenport of ESPN.com:

Nearly a week after being put on notice by the team’s general manager, Tennessee Titans 2020 first-round NFL draft pick Isaiah Wilson wrote on Twitter on Monday night that he is “done with football as a Titan” before deleting the tweet soon after.

Wilson was the 29th overall selection in April’s draft but played only four snaps in his rookie season, which culminated in him being placed on the non-football injury list in December. Before that, Wilson found himself on the reserve/COVID-19 list twice last year, during training camp and in October.

The rookie right tackle also had a couple of run-ins with the law. The first incident came when Tennessee State University police broke up an off-campus party that Wilson had attended during training camp. In their report, the police documented that Wilson went to the second-floor balcony, where he appeared to briefly consider jumping. He received a trespass warning.

The second incident occurred when Wilson was arrested and charged with a DUI in September when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a concrete wall.

Titans GM Jon Robinson addressed Wilson’s status during a virtual news conference on Tuesday, telling reporters he had not spoken to Wilson since putting him on the NFI list and suggesting that Wilson “makes a determination on whether he wants to do what it takes to play pro football.”

The Titans signed Wilson to a four-year, $11.6 million contract in August. Tennessee would have a $5.4 million salary-cap charge if it releases him.

Wilson’s agency did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by ESPN on Monday night.

AFC EAST

MIAMI

If the Packers let RB AARON JONES hit free agency, the on-the-cusp Dolphins will be interested.  Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk.com:

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is expected to be the top running back on the free agent market when the new league year begins next month.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, when Jones hits the market the Miami Dolphins will be one of the teams pursuing him.

The report says the interest is mutual with Jones with the Dolphins among the teams he’d consider signing with this offseason

The Dolphins had five different runners start in the backfield last season with Myles Gaskin being the most productive. Gaskin had 584 yards and three touchdowns on 142 carries last year. Gaskin also caught 41 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns. Salvon Ahmed was second on the team with 319 yards and three touchdowns on 75 carries.

Jones is coming off a second straight 1,000-yard season in Green Bay with a career-best 1,104 yards in 2020. A productive rushing attack could be a nice boost for Tua Tagovailoa as he enters his second season in the NFL as the team’s presumptive full-time starter. Gaskin had a nice season for Miami but Jones would be a significant addition to the backfield.

Free agency is still multiple weeks away and Jones should have several teams interested in his services.

NEW ENGLAND

QB CAM NEWTON has some thoughts on Coach Bill Belichick.  Mike Reiss ofESPN.com:

Quarterback Cam Newton spent the 2020 NFL season with the New England Patriots, and he would like to return in 2021. What he experienced with coach Bill Belichick is a big reason why.

“I think Bill Belichick is the most misunderstood person in all of sports. He dope as s—,” Newton said on the “I Am Athlete” podcast.

“He is a cool dude who understands the game. He’s like a historian of the game. And for you to just sit down and chat with him, it’s like ‘Damn!’ He’s going back and he’s got film, literally teaching the game.”

Newton’s appearance on the podcast, in which he sat down with former NFL players Brandon Marshall, Fred Taylor and Chad Ochocinco, has sparked numerous headlines — starting with his view of Belichick and the Patriots’ culture.

“Bill’s not cold. Nobody on that team [has] an aura where you don’t want to be around him,” Newton said. “Everything is geared to win, and if you’re not built for that, that’s not the place for you. That’s not the place you want to lose, either. I learned that the hard way.”

In addition to Newton raving about his time with Belichick as well as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, he left no doubt about his desire to return to New England in 2021 after an up-and-down season in which the Patriots went 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.

Newton is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, and when asked if he would be open to coming back on a one-year deal, he said, “Yes. Hell yes! I’m getting tired of changing [teams].”

Newton added that there’s “always a chance for everything,” but when pressed if the sides are talking, he responded: “I can’t say that.”

Newton also repeated remarks from a few months ago in explaining how disruptive it was for him to be sidelined with a positive COVID-19 test in early October.

“The offense kept going and I was stopped and stagnant for a week, two weeks,” Newton said. “Then by the time I came back, it was new terminology and it was like, ‘Hold on, go back to level one.'”

That’s why he thinks a return in 2021 would lead to a higher level of performance.

“I am at a point in my career where I know way more than I did last year,” he said. “You’re asking me, ‘Would I go back?’ Yes, I would go back.”

THIS AND THAT

FREE AGENT ACTIVISTS

NFL Network asks its experts who should break out the cash in free agency.

Which team needs to be most active in free agency?

JOE THOMAS: Typically, the most active teams in free agency check one of two boxes: They are either built to win now or have a lot of cap space. The Colts check both boxes and have the potential to be a championship-caliber team with the right aggressive moves. Now that Indianapolis has its quarterback (Carson Wentz) in place, GM Chris Ballard would be wise to add playmakers around him to take the Colts’ top-10 offense to the next level. The same goes on the defensive side of the ball, as Indy has the luxury of going after some top free agents at positions of need (defensive end and cornerback) to improve Matt Eberflus’ top-10 unit.

CHARLEY CASSERLY: I’m choosing the New York Jets because, unlike other rebuilding teams, they will have a quarterback (either Sam Darnold or a drafted QB with the No. 2 overall pick) to work with this year. In free agency, I would focus on bolstering up the front on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. With DT Quinnen Williams already in place, the Jets need a pair of aggressive defensive ends and another defensive tackle to give Robert Saleh a strong front four. Some defensive ends I would target are Trey Hendrickson, Shaquil Barrett, Yannick Ngakoue, Carl Lawson and Romeo Okwara.

BRIAN BALDINGER: It’s time for the Cincinnati Bengals to open the checkbook and build this team into a contender behind Joe Burrow. The Bengals showed last season that they could compete with AFC North teams, and having a talented quarterback on a rookie contract and big cash available (sixth-most cap space in the league, per Over the Cap) sets them up nicely to make a jump next season. Personally, I would start with locking up defensive end Carl Lawson, who has proven to be a core player for the defense.

MARC ROSS: While the other teams with more (or comparable) cap space are in developmental mode, the Colts are a playoff squad that needs to ensure this is a make — not break — year for newly acquired QB Carson Wentz. Much of Wentz’s struggles in Philly were blamed on the limited supporting cast, so Colts GM Chris Ballard must justify the trade and make sure Wentz’s performance is excuse proof by surrounding the quarterback with as much offensive talent as possible. Specifically, the Colts should target a left tackle (to replace the retired Anthony Castonzo) and a playmaking tight end, while also shoring up the wide receiver position.

DeANGELO HALL: The New York Jets are in perfect position to make a lot of moves this offseason with the second-most projected cap space (nearly $68 million, per Over the Cap) and the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. I think they’d be wise to keep their promising young quarterback Sam Darnold and trade back out of their No. 2 pick in an effort to acquire more picks and load up with young talent. In free agency, there are a ton of guys they should look to target, including wide receivers Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay (if the Lions don’t place the franchise tag on him). Defensively, safeties Justin Simmons and Anthony Harris could be good options, along with another pass rusher or fast, athletic inside linebacker. The Jets have a real opportunity to turn the franchise around this offseason.

BROADCAST NEWS

Some scuttlebutt has said that the new TV deals are close, but now comes word that the NFL and ESPN/Disney are still far apart.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

As the NFL works toward extending all TV deals for another 10 years, the network with which the league must do the most work is ESPN.

Disney, the parent company of ESPN and ABC, has balked at the NFL’s demands. According to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal, the NFL initially asked for $3.5 billion per year for Monday Night Football. That would represent a 75-percent increase over ESPN’s current annual average of $2 billion.

Per Ourand, ESPN offered $2.4 billion per year, a 20-percent bump over the current amount.

Common sense suggests that the two sides will meet in the middle, possibly at $2.95 billion per year. If, after all, ESPN put $2.4 billion on the table knowing that ESPN wanted $3.5 billion, it could easily be argued that ESPN knew or should have known that the two numbers would set up a final agreement at the midpoint.

But that’s hardly a hard-and-fast method for bridging a financial gap. ESPN may stop short of $2.95 billion, especially if no other network is ready to pilfer the rights to Monday nights. Then there’s the question of whether new Disney CEO Bob Chapek would walk away from NFL rights — and the question of whether Disney can make the NFL think that Chapek would.

It’s high-stakes poker, to be sure. The NFL always drives a hard bargain because it has a great product that gathers eyeballs like nothing else. And the NFL has always managed to have one other willing bidder to leverage all other networks to pay whatever the NFL wants.

Currently, which network would provide the NFL with the leverage needed to get ESPN to pay more than it’s willing to pay? If there isn’t one, ESPN could be in a position to get a deal closer to $2.4 billion than $3.5 billion.

2021 DRAFT

Here is a Mock Draft from the NFL writers of The Athletic:

The NFL Draft just more than two months away, on April 29-May 1. Free agency will shift the needs of many teams before then. But we’re kick-starting the run-up to the annual NFL Selection Meeting with a new mock draft from our writers at The Athletic who cover the league’s 32 teams.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

If it wasn’t obvious the Jaguars intended to take Lawrence before, it certainly was last week when new Jacksonville coach Urban Meyer spent the entirety of Lawrence’s pro day workout within hair-flip distance of the quarterback who has been projected to be the No. 1 pick in this draft since he played for Cartersville (Ga.) High.

This is a franchise that has been in search of a franchise QB since Mark Brunell’s departure 17 years ago. Blaine Gabbert (2010) and Blake Bortles (2014) couldn’t measure up. The free-agent signing of Super Bowl LII hero Nick Foles was a flop. No QB is a sure thing, but Lawrence is the closest thing to it. — Andy Staples

2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Things were so, so much easier for the Jets when it looked like they would go winless and land Lawrence. Now? Oh boy. General manager Joe Douglas must decide if Wilson or Ohio State’s Justin Fields’ upside is greater than that of incumbent Sam Darnold. The Jets genuinely like Darnold. They believe his play will improve with better coaching and a stronger supporting cast. But Darnold was the worst-rated passer in the NFL last year. Better doesn’t necessarily mean good. Through three years he hasn’t shown ability to make those around him better. His mechanics are a mess. His technique is bad. He’s turnover-prone and reads a defense like I’d read Mandarin.

It’s time to move on.

Wilson isn’t Lawrence — no one in this class is — but there’s an awful lot to like about him. He’s deadly accurate. He’s elusive in the pocket. He’s mobile. He has a cannon for a right arm. He’s tailor-made for coordinator Mike LaFleur’s offense. There are some rumblings of personality red flags — that’s a concern. But Wilson will have opportunities over the next few months to convince Douglas they’re overblown. If he can, he’s the pick. — Connor Hughes

3. Miami Dolphins: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

(Pick acquired from Houston)

Roll Fins? As the Dolphins aim to surround quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with more playmakers, this reunites him with his former Alabama teammate and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Smith left a lasting impression on Miami’s front office during his final collegiate game, when he caught 12 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the national championship game at … Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. — Josh Tolentino

4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Drafting Fields would mark a new era in Atlanta. Mired in a bad salary-cap situation, the Falcons do not have the means to part with Matt Ryan just yet. But Fields would allow Atlanta to build a bridge to a post-Ryan future. The problem is that Fields would likely sit a year which is not something you want to do with a someone picked fourth overall. Perhaps playing behind Ryan for a season would give Fields time to grow into his successor. — Tori McElhaney

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Drafting Chase not only addresses the only real hole we saw in Joe Burrow’s game as a rookie — the deep ball — it also reunites the Bengals quarterback with his favorite target from 2019 when he turned in the greatest single-season performance in college football history. It’s true the offensive line currently is the more glaring need, but the Bengals have the available cash to address that in free agency, freeing them to give Burrow another elite weapon, and established connection, in Chase. — Jay Morrison

6. Philadelphia Eagles: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

The Eagles would have likely pounced on one of the top three quarterbacks or top two wide receivers. In fact, they’d probably be a trade-down candidate at this point. But if this is what the board looks like at No. 6 and they’re making the pick, the Eagles would have a hard time passing up a potential blue-chip left tackle even though they have two options (Jordan Mailata and 2019 first-round pick Andre Dillard) at the position. The Eagles are a roster in transition, and the organizational priority is building along the lines. Sewell is the second-ranked player on the Big Board of The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler. Mailata and Dillard might be promising, but that’s not the reason to pass on Sewell. Trey Lance (yes, another North Dakota State quarterback) and Kyle Pitts (a Philadelphia native) were also under consideration. — Zach Berman

7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

A trade might be the most productive move here as the Lions are just starting this rebuild and don’t have to be in a rush to take a quarterback if they’re not 100 percent sure about him. It’ll be on the table, though. Overall, the Lions offense needs more speed. Waddle is as dangerous as it gets with the ball in his hands. He can be a threat over the top, underneath, maybe even a factor in the run game if new head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn want to get creative. — Nick Baumgardner

8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Predicting the Panthers’ pick here depends on whether you think they’ll win the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. Put another way: Just how far is owner David Tepper willing to go to get a franchise quarterback? For the purposes of this exercise, we’ll assume Watson goes elsewhere and the Panthers take a bit of a gamble on a developmental quarterback, albeit one with a diverse skill set and a high ceiling. Lance shined in a year-plus against FCS competition in an offense that also produced Carson Wentz, which is not the selling point it once was. Lance will have a season to get adjusted to the NFL and learn coordinator Joe Brady’s offense behind Teddy Bridgewater, and then head coach Matt Rhule and company hope their evaluations were on point. — Joseph Person

9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

New general manager George Paton may be in the mix for a quarterback depending on whether he can pull off a Watson deal — oddsmakers seem to like the Broncos’ chances — but that’s not really an option in this scenario with the top four signal callers already off the board. Paton will gladly settle for a strong, physical, 6-foot-2, 207-pound defensive back who fits an immediate need. Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II may be more ready to step in right now, and he’d certainly be an option here, but Denver’s timeline would allow Farley to develop on the job while playing, at least next season, for a smart defensive head coach in Vic Fangio. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons could be a consideration here, too. — Nick Kosmider

10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys have many defensive needs, but cornerback is arguably the biggest. Starting corners Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are headed to free agency, and Dallas badly needs to upgrade the position. Surtain or Farley makes a lot of sense. Pairing either with Trevon Diggs, last year’s second-round pick, would have to excite new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. There are some concerns about Surtain’s overall speed, but his resume is just too impressive to pass on at this spot. It’s interesting to think the Cowboys might almost have their choice of the top defensive player in this draft class at pick 10. — Jon Machota

11. New York Giants: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

There would be some angst in the Giants draft room if the top three wide receivers were off the board by No. 11. Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater is intriguing because the Giants offensive line is far from a finished product and Parsons would be attractive as a potential game-changing defensive player. But owner John Mara and general manager Dave Gettleman have made no secret of their intention to add offensive playmakers. Pitts fits that profile. The 6-foot-6, 246-pound tight end/wide receiver is the matchup nightmare Evan Engram was supposed to be. An offense with Pitts, a healthy Saquon Barkley and a potential top free-agent wide receiver would be far more formidable than the unit that finished 31st in scoring last season. — Dan Duggan

12. San Francisco 49ers: Rashawn Slater, G/OT, Northwestern

With Nick Bosa coming off an ACL tear and Dee Ford’s future murky because of a back issue, the 49ers are badly in need of a defensive end. But taking one here might be a reach. Slater is the best player on the board at this point. The 49ers could insert him immediately at right guard, a problem area in recent seasons, with an eye on him moving to tackle in the future. A plausible alternate scenario: Another team looking for a tackle trades up to get Slater, the 49ers trade back, draft a defensive end and add several more picks in the process. — Matt Barrows

13. L.A. Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

The Chargers desperately need more offensive line talent to protect quarterback Justin Herbert and improve what was one of the worst rushing attacks in football last year. Vera-Tucker would slide in immediately as the starter at left guard. He also played left tackle last year for the Trojans after starting at guard as a redshirt sophomore, and that versatility is a bonus. The Chargers need to bolster all five positions up front, especially considering three of their starters — Sam Tevi, Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney — are set to hit free agency. — Daniel Popper

14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

Coach Mike Zimmer said after a disappointing season that the Vikings had to improve their pass rush. Paye provides a big help in that department. His three-cone drill was off the charts, which the Vikings love, a demonstration of the athleticism that made Paye the “freakiest” athlete in college football, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore was awfully tempting here considering how bad the Vikings’ interior defensive line was, and they surely would consider trading down with no defensive linemen off the board yet. But if we have to take someone at No. 14, we’re going with Paye to improve the pass rush. — Chad Graff

15. New England Patriots: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

This was a tougher decision than anticipated, as Parsons might be the best defensive prospect in the draft. Coach Bill Belichick would love the idea of injecting Parsons’ athleticism into the middle of his defense, and he has never been shy about spending quality picks at linebacker. The Patriots figure to add a few front-seven bodies through free agency and the draft, and Parsons should be a piece worth building around for the next decade. Add him into a young core with Josh Uche, Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings and Chase Winovich, and the future will look bright. As for the tough part of the decision, Miami pass rusher Gregory Rousseau and Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw were very tempting. — Jeff Howe

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

The Cardinals could go with an edge rusher here, but corner is the bigger need. Both of last season’s starters — Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick — can be free agents, and there’s little depth behind them. GM Steve Keim can be unpredictable with his draft selections, but this time he may have no choice. At 6-1, 205 pounds, Horn has great length and athletic ability. He also has solid ball skills and is physical enough to help stop the run. — Doug Haller

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

The Raiders were taking either Paye or Rousseau, forget this best-player-available nonsense. They need a pass rusher badly, and Rousseau is 6-foot-7, 265 pounds with speed, power, good hands and bend. He had 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2019 while learning a new position — he was a safety and receiver in high school and then put on 30 pounds — and his high motor shows on the tape. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus. He can line up immediately on passing downs opposite Maxx Crosby, with Clelin Ferrell moving inside. — Vic Tafur

18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Roll Fins, indeed! Besides adding an explosive playmaker at wideout, improving the rushing attack should be near the top of Miami’s list of priorities. Over the past two seasons, the Dolphins have ranked 32nd and 25th in yards per carry. Enter Harris, whom The Athletic’s Dane Brugler describes as quick and graceful, while displaying “athletic cuts, natural instincts, reliability as a pass-catcher and toughness to wear down defenses.” The additions of Smith and Harris will provide Tagovailoa with immediate familiarity and additional comfort as he prepares to enter his second season with the Dolphins after going 6-3 as the starter. Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari, both linebackers, were also considered. — Josh Tolentino

19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

There’s a quarterback on the board in Alabama’s Mac Jones, and that’s Washington’s top need, but adding a veteran to the current mix is the more likely outcome. There’s a solid case here for a receiver (Florida’s Kadarius Toney) or left tackle (Darrisaw), and no doubt an offense that ranked 25th in scoring last season needs more oomph. However, the linebacking unit is the clear weak link defensively and a group coach Ron Rivera called out at times during the season. Owusu-Koramoah finished with 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles last season. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder brings needed speed and versatility to a defense lacking that element behind a loaded line. — Ben Standig

20. Chicago Bears: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Unless GM Ryan Pace lands Watson or Derek Carr from the Raiders, he has to consider using a first-round pick on a quarterback after not taking any since trading up for Mitch Trubisky in 2017. Four years ago, Pace said it was Trubisky’s accuracy that jumped out. Well, how about a 77.4 percent completion rate from Jones last season to go along with 41 touchdowns and four picks? Not to mention the fact that Jones has one-and-a-half seasons of tape as a starter and a national title, while Trubisky had one year and a loss in the Sun Bowl. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler refers to Jones as a high-floor, low-ceiling NFL starter. Based on the history of Bears quarterbacks, the franchise should be content with that. — Kevin Fishbain

21. Indianapolis Colts: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

This isn’t necessarily as simple as taking the top offensive tackle on the board. At the same time … the Colts take the top offensive tackle on the board. Keeping their first-round choice in the Carson Wentz trade allows the Colts to shore up their left tackle spot after the retirement of Anthony Castonzo, and that’s great news for Wentz after his league-high 50 sacks in Philadelphia last season. Darrisaw can play in space, but he brings a physicality that will serve him well in Indy’s power-run game. — Stephen Holder

22. Tennessee Titans: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia

Even if the Titans spend another chunk of money on the pass rush during free agency as expected, they’ve got to invest a high pick in someone who can complement — and ideally, exceed — 2018 second-round pick Harold Landry on the outside for the next few years. If Ojulari is still there at No. 22, he’d be an easy choice. That is, as long as Titans brass can forgive whoever from Georgia told them all they wanted to hear about Isaiah Wilson, last year’s disappointing first-round pick. Ojulari is a bit light at 240 pounds, but that also means versatility. He did some dropping in Georgia’s 3-4 scheme and took a big step forward as a pass rusher in 2020 with 8.5 sacks. Ojulari could fit in nicely as the third guy to support Landry and the free-agent signing TBD. — Joe Rexrode

23. New York Jets: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State

(Pick acquired from Seattle)

The Jets can’t make the same mistake they did with Darnold. They need to surround Wilson with talent. Good news: They’ll have nearly $90 million in salary-cap space and another three selections in the second and third rounds (which could increase if they trade Darnold) to do that. So while a receiver or offensive lineman might work here, Oweh fills a big need on defense. The Jets haven’t had an edge-rushing threat since trading John Abraham … in 2006. Oweh will join a defensive line that features Quinnen Williams, Foley Fatukasi, John Franklin-Myers and Jabari Zuniga. — Connor Hughes

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

The Steelers have neglected the offensive line for nearly a decade, and it has finally caught up with them with the worst running game in the league last year. A near-total rebuild is in order up front. It has already started with the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey and the likely departure of Alejandro Villanueva as well as new offensive line coaches being hired. The remake will continue with Mayfield — which would mark the Steelers’ first selection of a tackle in the first round since the colossal bust of Jamain Stephens in 1996. Mayfield will have an opportunity to play immediately at left tackle because he fits the criteria for what the Steelers look for in a first-rounder — Power 5 school (Michigan), underclassman (redshirt sophomore), young (won’t turn 21 until the end of May) and experienced (started 15 of 18 games). The Steelers haven’t taken a non-Power 5 player in the first round since Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. — Mark Kaboly

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

(Pick acquired from L.A. Rams)

The Jaguars will be thrilled if this is how the actual draft turns out. They need interior defensive line help, and even though they have abundant cap space, free-agent options on the inside of the line are limited and expensive. Barmore might be the only first-round-quality interior lineman in this draft, so they would happily scoop him up with this pick they received from the Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade. If Barmore plays the way he played at the end of the 2020 season, he could provide valuable push up the middle, which would only make Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson more effective rushers on the outside. — Andy Staples

26. Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

The Browns need help at every level of the defense. That means they have options, even at No. 26, and at this all-too-early stage, it’s hard to imagine Newsome not being near the top of their list. Even if Greedy Williams comes back from the nerve issue in his shoulder that forced him to miss all of last season, the Browns are still in need of cornerback help. Newsome, who’s just 21, is rangy and has the tools to eventually become a top-tier player alongside Denzel Ward, who’s in line for a big extension as the Browns go through a defensive remake in the coming months. — Zac Jackson

27. Baltimore Ravens: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

The Ravens are engaged in trade talks involving right tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who has informed the team that he’d like to be dealt to a team that will play him at left tackle. If the Ravens can get a first-rounder in return for Brown or perhaps two Day 2 picks, he’s likely gone and they’ll need to find a replacement. Jenkins is big, nasty and a strong run blocker, so he’d fit right in to a Ravens offensive line that figures to get some reinforcements this offseason. If the Ravens opt to hold onto Brown, I’d look harder at Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman, Alabama guard/center Landon Dickerson or TCU safety Trevon Moehrig. However, a Brown trade would leave a gaping hole at right tackle. — Jeff Zrebiec

28. New Orleans Saints: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

The Saints witnessed first-hand how well the Buccaneers fared with two stellar linebackers in Devin White and Lavonte David. New Orleans currently only employs one — Demario Davis. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler described the 6-3, 259-pound Collins as possessing the size of a defensive end with the athleticism of a safety offering every-down ability. New Orleans drafted Zack Baun in the third round last year with the hopes he’d become a middle linebacker. There’s no indication Baun can handle the transition yet after being more of an edge rusher at Wisconsin. The Saints could easily take the best player available regardless of position. At No. 28, this might be the best of both worlds. — Larry Holder

29. Green Bay Packers: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

With starting outside cornerback Kevin King likely to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Packers need someone to pair with second-team All-Pro Jaire Alexander. The NFC Championship Game served as a harsh reminder that no matter how much Alexander locks down one side of the field, a competent offense can exploit the other. Campbell stands 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, which if he starts from Day 1, would give Green Bay a nice contrast in body types between him and Alexander. Says The Athletic’s Dane Brugler of Campbell, “All the talent is there for him to grow into an NFL starter.” Campbell wouldn’t have to start right away if the Packers sign a veteran like Richard Sherman or Xavier Rhodes in free agency, but targeting a future starting outside cornerback is paramount in this year’s draft, nonetheless. — Matt Schneidman

30. Buffalo Bills: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

The Bills need offensive line help. Starting guard Jon Feliciano and right tackle Daryl Williams are both scheduled to become free agents. Given their tight cap situation, the Bills may have a hard time retaining both. Either way, Buffalo needs to get younger up front. In the four drafts since Sean McDermott took over as head coach in 2017, the Bills have drafted three offensive linemen and just two on the first two days of the draft. Cody Ford’s future appears to be at guard, so the Bills should invest in a young tackle to handle the right side opposite Dion Dawkins. Eichenberg was reliable throughout his career at Notre Dame, showing the type of power and nastiness in the running game the Bills love. This looks like it could be a sweet spot for offensive linemen in the draft order, but don’t be surprised if the Bills entertain trading back to get more picks on the second day of the draft. — Matthew Fairburn

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami (Fla.)

Based on the performance of their makeshift offensive line in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs are likely to prioritize protecting Patrick Mahomes by strengthening that group, especially with injuries to Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. But with the run on tackles late in the first round, the Chiefs can try to solve their pass-rushing issues by selecting Phillips. Even with star pass rushers in Chris Jones and Frank Clark, the Chiefs’ defensive line didn’t generate consistent pressure on quarterbacks when coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wasn’t blitzing. Adding Phillips, a quick, athletic defender with violent hands, gives the Chiefs a formidable trio to complement their strong secondary. — Nate Taylor

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas

With little depth behind Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, an outside pass rusher makes good sense for the Bucs, who would love for Phillips to fall to them. If free agency creates a more immediate hole to fill, they could turn to Iowa defensive lineman Daviyon Nixon here, but Ossai adds a much-needed dose of youth to Tampa Bay’s pass rush. — Greg Auman

Three teams — the Seattle Seahawks, L.A. Rams and Houston Texans — do not have first-round picks. So our writers projected picks for when they first come on the board.

56. Seattle Seahawks: Deonte Brown, G, Alabama

Seattle’s current goal is to put as many “grown men” in front of Russell Wilson as possible. All it takes is one look at the 6-foot-3, 364-pound Brown to see he fits that description. The team needs upgrades up front because Wilson is all over the airwaves saying his protection stinks, which means running it back with Mike Iupati or Jordan Simmons won’t cut it. Last year the team hit on an interior lineman from the national champs with its selection of LSU’s Damien Lewis, who turned out to be one of the league’s best rookie linemen. Taking another big, physical stud from another SEC powerhouse could pay dividends as well. — Michael-Shawn Dugar

57. L.A. Rams: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

This pick was made under the current assumption that the Rams will bring back outside linebacker Leonard Floyd in free agency or sign other edge-rusher depth in free agency to continue their streak of non-drafted investment there. Radunz gives the Rams a lot of options along the offensive line. They may decide to part ways with right tackle Rob Havenstein, and Radunz could be a replacement. He would then project to swing over to the left tackle spot once veteran franchise tackle Andrew Whitworth hangs it up. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler also said that Radunz could play either tackle or guard in the NFL, and that he “loves to get physical in the run game” — and that’s Rams coach Sean McVay’s music. It’s not the sexiest first pick of the draft for the Rams, but Radunz could be an answer to many long-term questions. — Jourdan Rodrigue

67. Houston Texans: Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

Even if the Texans eventually trade quarterback Deshaun Watson and have multiple picks before this one, there’s no bad time for this team to add a cornerback. Houston’s defense was painfully thin at corner last season and stands to lose most of its contributors there. Vernon Hargreaves, Phillip Gaines and Gareon Conley are all set to hit free agency. Bradley Roby is the only returning corner with much experience, and because he received a six-game PED suspension, the Texans could even void the guarantees in his contract and move on from him, too. Thomas, who opted out of the 2020 season, made just 13 starts on defense, so he is far from a finished project. But he has the speed to compete in the NFL, and the Texans aren’t in a position to contend next season anyway. At pick No. 67, Houston can’t ask for much better than a prospect ticketed by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as the 10th-best cornerback in the draft. — Aaron Reiss