The Daily Briefing Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Can this possibly be true?  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

Once it became apparent that the current supply of potential starting quarterbacks may not meet the demand, Colin Kaepernick became more visible than he had been, as it relates to his desire to play football. Now, a trainer who has been working with Kaepernick claims that NFL teams are reacting.

“A few teams have reached out to me and asked how his arm looked,” private trainer David Robinson told TMZ.com. “They have reached out and asked about him.”

Robinson said “at least” five teams have contacted him.

Kapernick, who last played in the NFL on January 1, 2017, has been working out in various places over the past few weeks. He has been joined in at least one workout by Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett.

“[Kaepernick] definitely has the ability to play on somebody’s roster,” Robinson told TMZ.com. “Like, a couple of the guys that were in the session that were on NFL teams were saying that his arm is just as strong as guys that we got on our roster right now and can play.”

Any team can bring Kaepernick in for a workout, at any time. In five years, no one has. The Seahawks came the closest, hosting Kaepernick for a visit in the summer of 2017.

The current problem may be that every workout gets reported to the league and, in turn, to the public. No team wants the immediate blowback from a loud minority of the fanbase for simply flirting with Kaepernick.

So while five or 10 or 15 or 32 teams can inquire about Kaepernick, none of it matters until someone actually works him out and signs him. There’s still no reason to believe anyone will do it. As previously explained, the fact that the NFL’s teams successfully shunned Kaepernick for five years makes it much easier to ignore him now.

NFC NORTH

MINNESOTA

LB ZA’DARIUS SMITH moves from the Packers to the rival Vikings for a big contract.  Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

A couple years before Tuesday, when Za’Darius Smith agreed to a three-year contract to join the Vikings, he was a Pro Bowl pass rusher for the Packers when he connected with Danielle Hunter at the all-star game in January 2020.

Hunter had a premonition, signing a Vikings jersey for Smith that spelled out their futures.

“Hopefully we’ll be on the same team one day,” Smith recalled what Hunter wrote. “And that day has come.”

Smith joined the long list of former Packers standouts to cross the Wisconsin border and join the Vikings, agreeing to a deal worth up to $47 million, according to two league sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

During Smith’s nearly 24-hour free-agent visit at TCO Performance Center that started Monday afternoon, he reconnected with Hunter over the phone. They talked about the lofty standard that’s now expected of the Vikings’ new pass-rushing tandem before Smith put pen to paper.

“He’s like, ‘OK, now we can be one of the best duos in the league,'” Smith said.

Smith and Hunter combined for 28 sacks during the 2019 season before they talked at the Pro Bowl about teaming up. They’re expected to bookend the edges of coordinator Ed Donatell’s 3-4 scheme as the Vikings transition from the longtime 4-3 front under former coach Mike Zimmer.

While introducing his top addition of the offseason, Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said he sensed an “extra motivated” Smith, who was released from Green Bay last week following an injury-shortened season. The Vikings were motivated to fit Smith into their financial picture at $14 million per season with incentives that can add an extra $5 million, two league sources said. How much of that money is guaranteed remains to be seen.

According to OverTheCap.com and ESPN, the Vikings converted Hunter’s recent $18 million roster bonus into a signing bonus to clear $13.5 million in cap room.

Smith’s contract with the Vikings is an upgrade from the reported $12.5 million-per-year deal he agreed to with Baltimore, where he was a 2015 fourth-round pick out of Kentucky, and then reneged on last week.

“Love Baltimore, want to thank Baltimore for giving me the opportunity, but things didn’t work out,” Smith said. “In my heart, I just wanted to be somewhere I knew the coaching staff. Didn’t have to go that far, three hours down the road [from Green Bay].”

Smith, 29, follows new Vikings staff members Mike Pettine, the assistant head coach, and Mike Smith, outside linebackers coach, from Green Bay to Minnesota. He cited his relationships with those coaches as a big pull to join the rival Vikings.

Smith had 26 sacks in 32 games between the 2019 and 2020 seasons — tied with Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for third among defenders in that span. A back injury derailed Smith last year, when he played just 18 snaps in Green Bay’s opener before September surgery led to injured reserve. Smith said he had a bulging disc that was “a little bit bigger than normal.” He said he’s healthy and passed his physical with the Vikings on Tuesday.

“Felt something in the weight room,” Smith explained. “Completed the surgery. I don’t know too many people that come back from back surgery, came back in four months, got a chance to practice for three weeks [at the end of the season].”

Smith was asked whether staying in the NFC North and facing the Packers, who cut him to save more than $15 million in cap space, was also a pull for him.

“Little bit,” he said through a grin. “Like I said, I want to thank them, but I can’t wait, you know? That’s one game I’m looking forward to. All is well, they treated me nice.”

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he’s seen Smith “end a lot of games” with his ability to disrupt quarterbacks. During Smith’s visit, Vikings officials took him through the team’s museum at their Eagan headquarters, and he said he was awed by the fact that the famed Purple People Eaters were all Pro Bowl selections. He recited their motto.

“Meet at the quarterback,” Smith said. “That’s a slogan we can keep going here.”

NFC EAST

DALLAS

QB DAK PRESCOTT on having CEE DEE LAMB as WR #1 with WR AMARI COOPER in Cleveland.  David Moore of the Dallas Morning News:

The Dallas Cowboys’ receiving corps will look somewhat different this year with the trade of Amari Cooper to Cleveland, Cedrick Wilson signing in Miami while retaining Michael Gallup and signing free agent James Washington.

With these changes, CeeDee Lamb will be the number 1 receiver.  Quarterback Dak Prescott has no doubts that Lamb is ready to assume his new role.

“Yeah, there’s no doubt he is,’’ Prescott said. “I think that’s the best part of that move.

“You look at a guy like CeeDee and what he’s done in his first two years, it’s exciting. He hasn’t really scratched the surface. Just for him to be the one, to be the main guy, I know he’s going to be ready for it.

“I know he’s already doing the things he needs to do that are necessary to have a great season.’’

The Cowboys have come under fire in the opening days of free agency for losing more key players than they’ve been able to offset with outside signings. Prescott was asked if this roster is better than what was to start the month.

“I mean, things change,’’ he said. “I think it will be to that standard here soon.”

“Obviously, things aren’t done. Free agency isn’t done. The draft isn’t done. A lot of the roster is yet to come.

“I’ll handle the things I can control, handle the guys that are in the locker room, make sure we’re growing and we’re starting our brotherhood and our culture and progressing to the place we want to be.’’

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY

DL WILLIAM GHOLSTON will be back to complete a decade with the Buccaneers.  Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times:

Bucs free-agent defensive lineman William Gholston confirmed Tuesday evening that he has agreed to a new deal that will keep him in Tampa Bay for a 10th season.

The deal is for one year, the Tampa Bay Times learned. Gholston announced the news on his agency’s Twitter account.

“Excited to be able to join the crew again for another season,” Gholston said.

“It’s really special for me to be able to say that, because next year’s going into my 10th season. Being here all my whole career, and being able to be a pillar in the community, help out, learn so much about the environment — it just means a lot to be able to stay home.”

The second-longest tenured player on the current roster behind linebacker Lavonte David, Gholston earned $5.5 million in 2021, the final season of a five-year deal. Details of the new deal weren’t available, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Gholston received overtures from a handful of other teams.

Just two months ago, however, he expressed a clear desire to finish his career as a Buccaneer.

“It would mean everything to be honest with you,” Gholston, who turns 31 this summer, told reporters in mid-January.

“I love it here. This is home for me. Even listening and talking to guys who come in from different teams or left to different teams — I really wouldn’t know what to do outside of this place. I know the community here, the community knows me. I know the building, I know the staff. It’s nothing I really even think about.”

The Bucs’ fourth-round pick in 2013, Gholston is coming off a resurgent season in which he totaled a career-best 4.5 sacks. He appeared in 44 percent of the defensive snaps in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme, recording 36 tackles, 11 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss.

His return helps fortify a unit partially in transition. The Bucs signed Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea to a four-year extension earlier this year, but 35-year-old free agent Ndamukong Suh remains unsigned, and the team isn’t expected to retain 36-year-old tackle Steve McLendon.

– – –

Another part of putting the band back together is signing RB LEONARD FOURNETTE.  Jenna Laine of ESPN.com on what strikes us as a generous deal:

Running back Leonard Fournette, who spent Monday visiting with the New England Patriots, is re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a three-year, $21 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

The deal includes $11 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Jenna Laine, and it could reach $24 million with incentives.

The Buccaneers are also nearing a one-year contract with defensive end William Gholston, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Gholston, who had a career-high 4.5 sacks last season, had interest from other teams but wanted to chase another Super Bowl with the Buccaneers.

Fournette ranked sixth among all NFL running backs with 1,266 yards from scrimmage, averaging a career-best 4.5 yards per carry, when the Bucs placed him on injured reserve with a hamstring injury after Week 15. He missed the wild-card game and returned for the Bucs’ divisional-round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

After signing his second one-year deal with the Bucs last offseason, Fournette, 27, rushed for 812 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns (eight in the regular season). He also caught 69 passes for 454 yards.

His best game came in Week 12, when Fournette, in addition to delivering a memorable halftime speech when the Bucs fell behind, rushed for 100 yards on 17 carries and had seven receptions for 31 yards against the Colts. The last of his four touchdowns in that 38-31 victory was a 28-yard run with 29 seconds remaining.

Fournette earned the nickname “Playoff Lenny” — and later, “Lombardi Lenny” — while leading the Bucs with 448 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in a postseason run to Super Bowl LV, where he rushed for 135 yards as Tampa Bay beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

Matt Maiocco of BayAreaNewsGroup expresses the whispers he is hearing from inside the 49ers Santa Clara complex.  KNBR.com:

The odds that the 49ers can get a decent return for Jimmy Garoppolo appeared to take a huge hit on Monday. The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints both went in a different direction on the QB front, trading for Matt Ryan and re-signing for Jameis Winston, respectively.

Now San Francisco has a list of suitors that might number zero and Garoppolo’s $26.9 million sitting on their books. So where do the 49ers go from here? Longtime beat writer Matt Maiocco broke down the situation with Papa & Lund, concluding they are pretty much out of good options.

“I don’t know what the 49ers can do other than get him healthy and then wait until training camp and see if any team wants him then, and then release him,” Maiocco said on KNBR. “I guess they could say ‘Hey, would you like to take a $18 million pay cut?’ Or I don’t know what the price would be. They’ve guaranteed $2 million to Nate Sudfeld, you don’t do that for a No. 3 quarterback. You’re convinced that you are moving on from an average NFL starting quarterback for a guy that you expect to be a superstar. That’s why you trade up to No. 3. Sure appears to me as if they’ve run out of options.”

The Panthers could be in play, but their situation is complicated by having to pay Sam Darnold north of $18 million in 2022. The Texans could also be in play, but they are far away from contending, and have young QB Davis Mills who impressed last season.

What about keeping Garoppolo? Maiocco doesn’t think that’s very viable either. For one, there’s a high likelihood he’d be a $26 million backup. Secondly, he doesn’t think Garoppolo would want to come back. Garoppolo talked about how difficult the 2021 season was for him after the 49ers were knocked out of the playoffs, and Maiocco doesn’t believe Jimmy G is open to another season either playing behind Trey Lance or starting while the fans call for Lance every week.

There’s also Monday’s bizarre report from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, who said that he’s been told John Lynch had a deal on the table from a team willing to give up two second-rounders for Garoppolo. This report came out just hours before the Wentz and Winston news stories broke.

Maiocco is as baffled as anyone by this report.

“We’re going to just run the gamut here,” Maiocco said. “Either John Lynch really has not been telling people that. That’s one. Or two, John Lynch has been telling people that and he’s bluffing or lying in order to try to get a little bit of action. Or it is true, and John Lynch made a horrible mistake.

“It’s one of those three. The absolute best value that the 49ers could have gotten for him, and this is pre-injury, and I’m sure I even said it here, is maybe a second-round pick that turns into a one with either playing time or number of wins the team gets, and a third or fourth-round pick. That report was two second-round picks. It defies logic that that could have been a real offer that a team made and the 49ers did not take it. I honestly do not know what the answer is but it’s got to be one of those three things.”

SEATTLE

Nick Shook of NFL.com on the divergent explanations for why the Seahawks and QB RUSSELL WILSON parted ways.

Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are taking divergent paths in 2022. So are their answers for why they parted ways.

During his introductory press conference in Denver last week, Wilson maintained the decision to send him to the Broncos was mutual between he and Seahawks management. Seattle took a different stance, and on Tuesday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll doubled down.

“There was so much compelling reasoning why he would stay because of all of the history and all the time spent. That was exactly where I was coming from, just to use the logic of it,” Carroll explained during an appearance on Seattle Sports 710. “When you’ve built a relationship over a long period of time, there’s great benefits to that moving forward and well beyond your career and stuff. Those are all parts of the conversation.

“What I continue to say, Mike, I had no intention of making a move at all while guys were under contract, and we were pleased with what was going on and all. So, I fought for the logic of that for a good while until it wasn’t meaningful anymore to stick with that.”

It’s not difficult to read between Carroll’s lines. Until it wasn’t meaningful anymore to stick with that indicates Wilson was no longer willing to entertain the idea of remaining with the Seahawks. Change was necessary, at least in his mind.

Seattle understandably didn’t want to part with the face of its franchise for the last decade, but left with no other option, Carroll and general manager John Schneider decided to do right by the quarterback who delivered a Lombardi Trophy and two Super Bowl appearances by trading him to the only place he wanted to go: Denver.

Wilson was all smiles in Denver last week, happy to display his new orange No. 3 Broncos jersey while his wife, Ciara, sported an appropriately styled orange pantsuit. They’re part of Broncos Country now. No more departures with the same trademark phrase: “Go ‘Hawks.”

Instead, the Seahawks were left to attempt to receive the largest haul possible for a quarterback who is still very much in his prime. They did that, but also have a question to answer at quarterback that starts with Drew Lock.

It might not end there. Viable options — Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield, for example — remain available in the trade market, and Seattle could consider drafting a quarterback in April.

“It’s the challenge, it’s the excitement, it’s the newness, it’s the sense of the return to the core of where we began putting things together when we really were wide open and really aggressive and all (that),” Carroll said. “As time goes (on) and you get kind of connected to the salary cap and the cash cap and all that, you get slowed down a little bit. You don’t have as much freedom and all that. So we feel the freedom of the draft picks, we feel the freedom of the financial situation, and the excitement of putting our team together again.”

As the dust settles and the two sides take their first steps into a new era of permanent separation, it has become increasingly clear that this was a product of Wilson’s desire to leave. Left with no choice but to honor his request, the Seahawks are now tasked with finding a quality replacement. We’ll see who emerges as the successor to Wilson.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY

Nick Shook of NFL.com reports that WR TYREEK HILL is likely to be on his way out of Kansas City – and Green Bay makes sense as the destination:

The dollars might end up being the divider between one of the NFL’s most explosive passing duos.

Despite an offer that would make Tyreek Hill one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers, talks on a contract extension have stalled and the Chiefs have given Hill’s agent permission to seek a trade, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday.

Multiple teams have already engaged the Chiefs in discussions regarding Hill, and the expectation is Hill would fetch a massive haul in a trade, per Pelissero. Among those teams: The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. Rapoport adds that Hill would receive a new contract extension wherever he lands.

Miami stands as the team displaying the most interest at this point, per Rapoport. The Dolphins have been remarkably aggressive during free agency, snagging former Cowboys receiver Ced Wilson on a three-year, $22.8 million deal, and scoring the best free agent in the entire class by signing tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year, $75 million contract this week.

Hill is a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro receiver who has made quite an impact on the NFL since arriving via the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Kansas City has used his speed as a weapon in the passing game, deployed him as a devastating gadget player and watched Hill rack up gaudy numbers — including four seasons of 1,100-plus receiving yards — with all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Breaking them up isn’t akin to the end of the Beatles, but the significance would resonate throughout the NFL — and especially the loaded-up AFC West.

Hill’s fit in Green Bay makes plenty of sense following the Packers’ decision to trade Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Aaron Rodgers needs a No. 1 receiver, and Hill would certainly take the top off defenses. He might also be a lonely target with the Packers, who have watched Equanimeous St. Brown leave for Chicago and have yet to retain Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is on his way to — surprise — Kansas City for a Wednesday visit with the Chiefs, per Pelissero.

The Jets haven’t been shy about making offseason splashes in the last year. New York signed Corey Davis to a three-year, $37.5 million deal in 2021 and have restocked their tight ends room with C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin this month. Hill would make one half of an ideal pairing with Davis in the Big Apple, and would prevent a division rival (Miami) from scoring a playmaker who would add to a suddenly deep receiving corps.

Hill’s impact on the game is easy to measure: Just scan a highlight reel at the collegiate or professional level to find a player throwing up the deuces as he crosses the goal line. Hill originated the celebration while racking up touchdowns with the Chiefs, who at their peak were nearly unstoppable thanks to Mahomes’ rare arm and Hill’s elite speed.

Moving from Kansas City would send shockwaves throughout the AFC West and well beyond it. We’ll stay tuned to see if this is truly the end of Hill’s time in Kansas City.

AFC NORTH

CLEVELAND

Loose lips devalue QBs.  TheRedZone.org:

Just about a week ago, somebody in the Browns organization leaked to veteran ESPN insider Chris Mortensen that they wanted an “an adult” at quarterback.  Since then they were able to swing a trade for controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson, leaving Baker Mayfield disgruntled.

Once that information was leaked, Mayfield asked the team for a trade.  Thus far they haven’t seem to find a taker.  The fact they leaked this negative information about Mayfield has made it difficult to trade the former first overall draft pick.

Mayfield indicated he wanted a trade to the Colts.  The Colts weren’t going to touch Mayfield after the disappointing Carson Wentz trade so they made the safe choice in trading for Matt Ryan.  Now Mayfield sits in limbo and there aren’t many options. After trading Ryan, the Falcons signed Marcus Mariota and the Saints re-signed Jameis Winston.

The Seahawks seem to be content at this point with Drew Lock and we’re unsure what the Panthers will do or if they will look to make a trade after failing to land Deshaun Watson. 

The bottom line is the Browns devalued their asset and now they have a problem they created. 

And…based on his adventures in Houston, do we know that DESHAUN WATSON is an adult?

AFC SOUTH

JACKSONVILLE

A Jaguars insider, who otherwise expressed some empathy, told the DB that Urban Meyer just didn’t know football.  Details emerge in The Athletic from Mike Sando and Jason Jenks:

Urban Meyer burst into a room full of players at the Jaguars’ facility. He was furious.

One of his players had missed an assignment during a preseason game, leading to a busted play. Meyer was enraged when it happened. A day later, he was still fuming. If the mistake ever happened again, Meyer warned, he would cut every single one of them.

“And do you know what would happen if I cut you guys?” Meyer said, according to four people in the room. “You couldn’t get a job paying more than $15 an hour.”

The implication that his players were capable of little more than playing football left some angry, others offended. “I lost all respect for him after that,” a veteran player in the room said.

Meyer arrived in Jacksonville with a mixed resume. He had won national championships at Florida and Ohio State, but he brought plenty of baggage, ranging from harsh treatment of players and staff to mishandling domestic-abuse allegations levied against one of his longest-tenured assistants, Zach Smith.

Friends and family over the years have labeled Meyer a control freak and perfectionist, and as he climbed the ranks he developed a reputation as a tough, obsessive win-at-all-costs coach who, by his own admission, was “addicted” to victory. But according to coaches, players and staff in Jacksonville, Meyer crossed the line from tough and demanding to belittling, demeaning and leading by fear.

“The most toxic environment I’ve ever been a part of,” a veteran member of the football operations staff said. “By far. Not even close.”

Receiver D.J. Chark, who signed with the Lions last week after spending the first four years of his career with the Jaguars, said Meyer routinely threatened to fire coaches and cut players. “He feels like threats are what motivates,” Chark said. “I know he would come up to us and tell us if the receivers weren’t doing good, he wasn’t going to fire us, he was going to fire our coach. He would usually say that when the coach was around.”

Kicker Josh Lambo said last year Meyer kicked him during warmups — a fact Meyer’s lawyers reportedly conceded to Rick Stroud, the reporter who broke the story for the Tampa Bay Times. Lambo believed Meyer’s kick was an act of “intimidation,” a theme echoed by several people in the organization. One player described the year with Meyer as “mentally exhausting.”

The Jaguars replaced Meyer with former Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson in early February, but some who experienced Meyer’s brand of leadership want a fuller public accounting of his tenure. Meyer’s attorney said his client would not comment for this story.

Signs of dysfunction were apparent early on. Several sources said Meyer stepped into the job as if he had all the answers, even though he had never coached in the NFL.

Meyer said he conducted a six-month deep dive on the NFL that included interviews with his former Florida and Ohio State players as well as a study of the salary cap. But multiple sources said Meyer was unfamiliar with star players around the league, including 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, Seahawks safety Jamal Adams and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year.

“Who’s this 99 guy on the Rams?” Meyer asked one staffer during the season, according to a source. “I’m hearing he might be a problem for us.”

In his first staff meeting, Meyer criticized the way NFL teams operate, noting specifically that coaches failed to take proper care of players’ health. And then, according to multiple sources in the meeting, Meyer said: “I hate scouts. Scouts are lazy.” It was an especially jarring comment given that scouts were also in the room.

Chark said the year began with optimism; Jacksonville’s players turned out in high numbers for voluntary workouts, eager for the new season under Meyer. “But the way he was running the ship, it was impossible to succeed,” Chark said.

In training camp, Meyer pushed for live contact drills despite objections from veteran coaches. One of those drills fell on what Meyer called “Winner and Loser” days; two players would compete, and the winner would be announced over the loudspeaker. After one blocking drill, Meyer insisted Chark do extra reps; the receiver suffered a broken finger, underwent surgery and missed the preseason.

Meyer also forbade players from speaking with opponents on the field before games, once claimed the Jaguars lost because they dressed sloppily and told offensive players he wanted them to dunk the ball over the goalpost after touchdowns even though doing so would draw a fine from the league. But more than Meyer’s coaching quirks, the way he treated people particularly troubled some in the organization.

Not long after veteran receiver John Brown signed with the Jaguars as a free agent, he ran the wrong route in practice. To correct the mistake, Brown, who is from Florida, and rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence ran through the route again after practice. Meyer walked up to the pair.

“Hey, Trevor, you’ve got to slow it down for him,” Meyer said, according to sources. “These boys from the South, their transcripts ain’t right.”

Another time, during a meeting that also included members of the coaching and personnel staffs, Meyer berated a player so harshly that the player cried. According to two sources, Meyer slammed the door after departing the meeting, leaving others to console the player. The next day, one of the other staff members present confronted Meyer about the incident in what one source described as a tense exchange.

Sources said Meyer repeatedly belittled his staff to its members’ faces. He told his assistants he was a winner and they were losers, then demanded they defend their resumes. One player said it was coaches often looked “drained” whenever they left staff meetings with Meyer.

“The players got it bad when it came to him talking to us,” a veteran player said, “but I believe the coaches got it worse.”

“You’ve got players in fear that they’re going to lose their jobs,” Chark said. “You’ve got coaches who he belittled in front of us, and I can only imagine what he was doing behind closed doors. I’m surprised he lasted that long, to be honest with you.”

The most notorious incident of Meyer’s tenure came in late September when Jacksonville played a Thursday night game in Cincinnati. The Jaguars lost to the Bengals, 24-21, their fourth straight defeat. After the season opener, Meyer had confidently told his team he had never lost two in a row. But after the Cincinnati loss, one source said Meyer looked “shellshocked” in the locker room. He told players he had nothing to say.

Neither coaches nor players, however, realized that Meyer didn’t board the team flight that night. It wasn’t until a video emerged over the weekend showing Meyer dancing with a young woman in his Ohio steakhouse that players and coaches learned he had stayed behind. Multiple sources said Meyer went from position group to position group telling players that the woman in the video tried to lure him onto the dance floor despite Meyer’s refusal. But according to two sources, soon after he left one position group, a second, more provocative video became public, throwing everything Meyer said in doubt.

In late November, Meyer told reporters that receivers were running the wrong routes. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, the comment so enraged veteran receiver Marvin Jones that Jones left the team facility. He eventually confronted Meyer at practice but was diplomatic when he spoke to reporters about the incident.

“I’ll just say this: There was something that was brought to my attention that I didn’t like too well,” Jones said.

Once again, Meyer met with players and denied he made the comment about the receivers, even though, according to a source, a player in the room had video of Meyer’s press conference pulled up on his phone.

Meyer’s grip on the team continued to slip. In a December game against the Rams, second-year running back James Robinson fumbled on the opening possession, the second straight week in which he had fumbled.

“Get him out,” Meyer told his coaches during the game, according to two sources. “He’s done. Put Carlos Hyde in. He’s not playing anymore.”

Robinson did not touch the ball again for 26 plays but late in the game was put back in for three carries in garbage time despite the Jaguars trailing by 30 points.

“I’m not sure what the point of that was,” Robinson, who was dealing with injuries in the week leading up to the game, said later.

The decision also confused Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 pick, who said he discussed the situation with Meyer and the coaching staff. “Bottom line is James is one of our best players, and he’s got to be on the field and we addressed it,” Lawrence said.

Behind the scenes, the Robinson situation was even more divisive. After the game, Meyer told reporters he wasn’t aware of Robinson’s extended absence and put the benching on Robinson’s position coach, Bernie Parmalee.

“You’d have to ask Bernie,” Meyer said. “I don’t get too involved. I don’t micromanage that.”

In a staff meeting the next morning, according to multiple sources, Meyer denied ever telling his coaches to bench Robinson. He said his assistants had misinterpreted him.

“I feel like he put us in very bad positions and, when the questions came, he deferred the responsibility, which made it look like we were just out there being the worst team in the league,” Chark said. “But we weren’t put in position (to succeed).”

Chark and others agreed that Meyer hampered players, most notably Lawrence. “Trevor is a great quarterback,” Chark said. “He was not put in good positions.

“He told us from day one that he was going to maximize our value,” Chark added. “And I truly can’t tell you one player that maximized their value on the Jags this year.”

Meyer was fired for cause on Dec. 15, shortly after Lambo, the Jaguars kicker, accused Meyer of kicking him during warmups and saying, “Hey dipshit, make your fucking kicks.” Meyer admitted in an interview with Dan Dakich that he made contact with Lambo but denied kicking him.

Meyer, who still had four years left on his contract, seemed to blame his behavior on losing. It “eats away at your soul,” he told Dakich and said he “went through that whole depression thing to where I’d stare at the ceilings.”

On the day Meyer was fired, a veteran player on the Jaguars said the mood around the team was strange. Instead of the disappointment or concern that often accompanies a coach losing his job, the player sensed something else: relief.

AFC EAST

MIAMI

The Dolphins have landed a big money left tackle in former Saint T TERRON ARMSTEAD:

The top NFL free agent is off the market.

Former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead is signing a five-year, $75 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. The deal can reach up to $87.5 million with incentives, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported.

Ranked atop the NFL’s 101 free agents list, Armstead immediately bolsters the Tua Tagovailoa-quarterbacked Dolphins offense.

When he’s on the field, Armstead is one of the finest left tackles in the NFL. Heading into his age-31 season, Armstead should have plenty of good-to-great campaigns ahead of him to anchor a Miami offensive line that has been a weakness for the club in recent years.

Armstead’s major red flag is that he missed nine games last season and at least six games in four of the past six years. He still reeled off three Pro Bowl selections in that span, though.

With Armstead on board at left tackle, the Dolphins would likely move Liam Eichenberg, who struggled there in his rookie season after he was taken in the second round, over to the right side. Conceivably, Miami could also try Armstead at right tackle to protect the left-handed Tagovailoa’s blind side.

An exceptional pass blocker who more than holds his own in the run game, Armstead is a massive gain for the Dolphins in rookie head coach Mike McDaniel’s first season, but just as big a loss for the Saints.

Selected out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Saints, Armstead played nine seasons in New Orleans. While the Saints are set to have quarterback Jameis Winston, wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara back, the departure of Armstead is a major blow.

Hampered by salary cap issues, the Saints let Armstead get into free agency, but he was open-minded to a return.

Armstead didn’t find his way back to NOLA, though. Instead, he’s headed to South Beach.

THIS AND THAT

2022 DRAFT

In the aftermath of free agency, Mel Kiper, Jr. has an adjusted Mock Draft:

With the first wave of NFL free agency and a few league-shaking quarterback trades past us, team needs are becoming more clear ahead of the 2022 NFL draft. We’ve seen which teams have been aggressive in adding veterans and which have sat out free agency (and saved salary-cap space) while looking to a draft class deep with wide receivers and edge rushers.

Let’s get into a new post-free-agency first-round mock draft. I did my previous mock right before the combine earlier this month, so this one has some notable changes, with the Seahawks (No. 9) entering the first round and the Texans (No. 13) and Packers (No. 22) adding a second Round 1 selection. Where will the first quarterback go? Could the Lions shake things up at No. 2? And what’s the Falcons’ plan now?

As a reminder, I’m going to project the top 32 picks based on a combination of my rankings, team needs and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. Round 1 begins April 28, which means there’s plenty of time for more changes to come.

The order for all 262 picks is set, and check out our one-hour SportsCenter Special on ESPN+. Here we go:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

When I did my previous mock draft, before the combine, I started off my write-up for this pick with this: “Offensive tackle or edge rusher here? I don’t think the Jaguars are set either way.” Well, things change quickly in the NFL. Jacksonville decided to franchise tag left tackle Cam Robinson for the second straight year, taking away its need for a top-tier blindside protector (at least for a year) for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Now, Hutchinson is the heavy favorite to go to the Jags — barring a desperate team trading up.

Hutchinson, my top-ranked prospect in this class, could get double-digit sacks playing on the other side of Josh Allen in new coordinator Mike Caldwell’s defense. The Jaguars made a few big-money moves in free agency, but there’s still a huge hole at defensive end.

2. Detroit Lions

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux will be in play here, but the top offensive tackles aren’t an option; the Lions are set with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. There’s more risk with Thibodeaux than I’d like for a No. 2 pick, because there’s no guarantee he’ll grow into his immense upside. I’d prefer a safer pick here, and I’ve come around to the fit of Hamilton in Detroit, which my guy Todd McShay has pushed for a little bit.

Hamilton is a playmaking safety in a 6-foot-4 frame who would immediately raise the ceiling of a defense that has struggled for years. He can play in the box, out of the slot and as a center fielder. Normally I’d say this is too high for a safety, but Hamilton is a unique and special defender. Detroit brought back safety Tracy Walker, but he could play with Hamilton.

3. Houston Texans

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Deshaun Watson is gone, and it appears the Texans will move forward with Davis Mills as their quarterback. This team really just has to focus on adding talent around Mills and then see where it is in 2023. Houston is not going to compete in the AFC South this season but could be right back in the top five next year. With five picks in the top 80 in this draft — including the No. 13 selection from the Watson deal — it should take the best prospect available.

For me, that’s Ekwonu, an elite offensive tackle. Yes, Laremy Tunsil is returning on the left side, so put Ekwonu at right tackle and the Texans can have one of the league’s most talented bookend duos. This is a roster with several holes; this selection is another crucial step in a slow rebuild.

4. New York Jets

Drake London, WR, USC

The Jets have had a nice start to free agency, filling voids at tight end (C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin), safety (Jordan Whitehead), cornerback (D.J. Reed) and guard (Laken Tomlinson). They haven’t yet added an outside wide receiver to help Zach Wilson, though, which means they could be eyeing one with either of their top-10 picks. They could get their choice of the best receiver in the class here, and really, if they want to take one, there’s no need to wait.

London, 6-foot-4 and my top-ranked wideout, had 88 catches for 1,084 yards in eight games in 2021 before a broken right ankle ended his season. He can be a weapon in the red zone. With London and Corey Davis on the outside and Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios working out of the slot, New York would have a young and talented receiving corps for Wilson’s second season.

5. New York Giants

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Giants, the other team with two top-10 picks, haven’t been as active in free agency as new general manager Joe Schoen gets the team back into decent salary-cap shape. That doesn’t mean they don’t have needs, though, particularly at edge rusher and offensive tackle. With the way the board has fallen in this projection, they can get Day 1 starters at both spots.

Neal is a massive tackle who can overpower defenders in the run game and move his feet as a pass-protector. Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, looked much better in Year 2 and could stay at left tackle, pushing Neal to the right side. Neal also played some guard at Alabama, and he could be great there too. This is a big season for quarterback Daniel Jones, so the Giants have to keep him upright.

6. Carolina Panthers

Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

The Panthers have struck out in the quarterback trade market so far — although Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo are still available — but they are clearly trying to upgrade over Sam Darnold. Could they take Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett here? It’s possible. Coach Matt Rhule is on the hot seat, and this could be his attempt at a big splash for 2022. Still, if he wants to win now, he’s probably better off trading for a veteran and staying away from a rookie signal-caller. Carolina could instead take a sizable edge rusher who is still growing into his 6-foot-5 frame.

Walker just keeps rising in the pre-draft process, as tested extremely well at the combine. He didn’t put up “wow” numbers in college — he had six sacks for the national champs last season — but that’s because of how dominant the entire Georgia defense was around him. He could put up better numbers in the NFL, and he’s stout against the run too.

7. New York Giants (via CHI)

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

This pick is logical for the team and for the prospect. The Giants’ top pass-rusher last season was rookie Azeez Ojulari, who led the team with eight sacks, and they have to improve on the edge. This is their best chance to add a young, talented defensive end. They can afford to use this pick on Thibodeaux, who has a high ceiling but was inconsistent in 2021.

If Thibodeaux puts it all together, you’re talking about All-Pro-level talent. But if he doesn’t build out secondary moves and can’t improve his all-around game, he could struggle. He has the type of physical traits NFL teams love, but taking that guy in the top 10 is risky. If New York passes on Thibodeaux, keep an eye on cornerback or linebacker with this pick.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

So long, Matt Ryan. That means the Falcons will go with a quarterback here, right? Not necessarily. They have one of the league’s worst rosters and could try to get by with Marcus Mariota for a season before going all-in for a passer in the 2023 draft. There’s no guarantee they love Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett enough to take one of them with a top-10 pick. And based on where they are in my rankings — Nos. 19 and 20 — I wouldn’t, either. This is a team that is a long ways from competing, so it shouldn’t force the pick.

Atlanta could go with the best prospect available and fill a need position with Wilson, a field-stretcher who had 113 catches and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons. He ran a speedy 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine. With Calvin Ridley suspended for the season, the Falcons don’t have any starting-caliber receivers on their roster to catch Mariota’s passes.

9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

What’s the Seahawks’ plan for 2022? Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and D.J. Reed are gone. Quandre Diggs, Al Woods, Rashaad Penny and Will Dissly are back. They added Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Uchenna Nwosu, among a few others. So even after parting ways with two of the best players in franchise history, I don’t think coach Pete Carroll & Co. want to rebuild. It seems they want to give it a go with Lock at quarterback and try to win. That’s why I don’t see quarterback being an option here; Carroll and general manager John Schneider can instead use this pick on an early starter.

Cross could step in for veteran Duane Brown at left tackle. He’s a superb pass-blocker who dominated in the SEC. Seattle, which surrendered its original first-round pick in the Jamal Adams trade, has back-to-back Round 2 picks (Nos. 40 and 41) to add potential starters.

10. New York Jets (via SEA)

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

I think the Jets would be thrilled to get a shutdown corner with their second Round 1 pick, improving a secondary that allowed quarterbacks to put up a 53.5 QBR last season, which ranked 31st in the league. Signing D.J. Reed will help, but I still see cornerback as a need. They also need a safety, but I don’t have another one with a first-round grade after Kyle Hamilton.

Gardner is a shutdown corner with outstanding tools. He showed in the College Football Playoff against Alabama that he can hold his own against elite talent. I’m a huge fan.

11. Washington Commanders

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Circle April 6 on your calendar. That’s when scouts will get the chance to see Stingley on the field for the first time since he injured his foot in September. He had surgery on the Lisfranc injury and didn’t work out at the combine. It’s a crucial day for a corner once viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick. As a true freshman in 2019, he was one of LSU’s best players on the way to its national title. Stingley has played in just 10 games over the past two seasons and has some inconsistent tape. I’m still betting on his upside, but he could drop if he doesn’t test well.

Washington had major injury issues at corner last season, and it could upgrade its unit with Stingley. I also thought about a receiver to partner with Terry McLaurin for new quarterback Carson Wentz.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

The Vikings have used first-round picks on four cornerbacks since 2013. Can you name them all? (OK, fine: They are Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes and Jeff Gladney.) None of them are on their roster now, and the guys who drafted them — coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman — are gone, too. This is still a need position for new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell.

McDuffie is the real deal; the stat you’ll see most often is that he didn’t allow a single touchdown in coverage over the past two seasons, and he goes all out on every play. Expect him to be a Day 1 starter.

13. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

As I mentioned in my writeup for the No. 3 pick, the Texans aren’t in the position to target needs over talent. They have to get the best players they can and figure out the rest later, because this is not going to be a quick rebuild. So while I thought about edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II and a couple wide receivers, I decided to get Houston a massive defensive tackle who could make everyone around him better.

The 341-pound Davis can plug the middle of head coach Lovie Smith’s defense. He wowed at the combine earlier this month, and even if he doesn’t have stellar pass-rush upside, he’s going to dominate interior centers and guards on early downs. He’s a unique player who can be excellent if used properly, helping off-ball linebackers find space and getting in the face of quarterbacks.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

The Ravens would likely be thrilled with this scenario. They just let Bradley Bozeman, who started at center in 2021 and left guard in 2019 and 2020, walk in free agency, and they don’t have a replacement on the roster. Linderbaum would be an improvement, not just an instant replacement. As I’ve said a couple times, he’s one of the best center prospects of the past decade.

Defensive end is another position to watch here. Offensive tackle would have been in play, too, but Baltimore added right tackle Morgan Moses in free agency.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA)

Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State

The Eagles haven’t been super active in free agency, though they did add impact edge rusher Haason Reddick and bring back defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. I don’t think any of their needs have changed since my last mock draft. I’m looking at wide receiver, cornerback, safety, off-ball linebacker and defensive end — yes, they still need one — to fill out their three first-round picks.

That leads me to Johnson, a one-year starter who transferred from Georgia to FSU and had a stellar 2021 season. He was excellent at the Senior Bowl and has moved from a possible top-50 pick to likely landing in the top 20. NFL teams always want pass-rushers, and he could help immediately.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND)

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Olave can play early and often for a Philadelphia team that has to get more out of its passing game with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Olave is a speedster (4.39 40-yard dash at the combine) who had 13 touchdowns last season. This would be the Eagles’ third straight draft taking a wideout in Round 1, but it should be a priority if they want to get back to the playoffs.

17. Los Angeles Chargers

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

You’ve heard by now how bad the Chargers’ run defense was in 2021, and they’ve already taken steps to improve it, bringing in two defensive tackles via free agency in Sebastian Joseph-Day, whom coach Brandon Staley is familiar with from his time with the Rams, and Austin Johnson. That probably takes defensive tackle off the list of holes to fill in the draft.

So let’s turn the attention over to right tackle where Bryan Bulaga was just released. I don’t see Storm Norton as the answer there, but Penning can be. He’s fantastic as a run blocker, and offensive line coaches love him because he’s just plain mean and plays through the whistle. This would make back-to-back drafts with first-round tackles for the Chargers, and left tackle Rashawn Slater looked like a star as a rookie.

18. New Orleans Saints

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

The Saints tried and failed to add Deshaun Watson, so are they definitely committed to Jameis Winston now? I don’t think so. If the board shakes out this way — with all of the passers available — why shouldn’t they take Pickett? He’s the most NFL-ready of the bunch, leveling up last season with 42 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. He is super accurate. He understands how to run an offense and lead a team. He could be the Saints’ future.

This is a strange quarterback class, and the range on when Pickett and Malik Willis come off the board varies from everyone I talk to in the league. No one knows for sure. I would not be shocked if either of them fell into New Orleans’ lap here.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah

Here’s a spot to fill Philadelphia’s void at off-ball linebacker. Lloyd was one of the best all-around defenders in college football last season, racking up 111 total tackles, eight sacks, 20 tackles for loss, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He has some juice as a blitzer and can cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Lloyd’s 4.66 40-yard dash at the combine means he doesn’t have the straight-line speed of former top-five pick Devin White (a linebacker I’ve compared him to), but I don’t think he should drop past the Eagles.

That’s three early starters for the Eagles here, with Lloyd, Chris Olave and Jermaine Johnson II.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The structure of Mitch Trubisky’s new contract with Pittsburgh — just $5.25 million guaranteed over two years — means this organization absolutely could draft a quarterback here. Trubisky could be a bridge to Willis, who is raw but supremely talented. As I said when I projected him to the Steelers in my previous mock, he is the most talented quarterback in this class. Willis could compete with Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins in training camp, but he wouldn’t be under immediate pressure to start in Week 1. That would be crucial for him.

If the Steelers go a different direction, they still have holes to plug along the offensive line and in the secondary.

21. New England Patriots

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Unlike last year, the Patriots have been quiet in free agency, notably losing star cornerback J.C. Jackson to a huge-money deal while not adding any surefire starters. I see holes at right tackle, off-ball linebacker, defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver. They’ve also lost several coaches this offseason, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. And yet, Bill Belichick’s Patriots team won 10 games last season and still has a lot of really good players.

I projected Williams here in my debut mock in mid-January, and it is a nice fit. Williams, who tore his ACL in the national title game, had a tremendous season for the Crimson Tide, with 1,572 yards and 15 scores. He said at the combine that he’s ahead of his schedule in his recovery, but it’s possible he misses a chunk of the season while rehabbing. New England could afford to wait for a receiver with true No. 1 upside who could be a star for years to come. And we know Belichick has a history of taking Alabama stars.

22. Green Bay Packers (via LV)

Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M

OK, so this isn’t the sexy pick that Packers fans will love after acquiring this selection in the Davante Adams trade, but check out Green Bay’s other pick at No. 28 before you yell at me. Green could step into the right guard spot vacated by Lucas Patrick’s signing with the Bears in free agency. Josh Myers, a second-round pick last year, looked solid at center, but adding another O-lineman is important, too. Green also has some versatility, as he played both guard and tackle for the Aggies.

23. Arizona Cardinals

Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

Arizona let edge rusher Chandler Jones and wide receiver Christian Kirk leave for big deals in free agency, and it hasn’t added many external free agents so far. It could go a few different ways with this pick, including at wide receiver, which suddenly looks barren, and offensive line.

The Cardinals could be a fit for Jordan Davis if he makes it here, but his former Georgia teammate, Wyatt, could be a nice pick, too. The 305-pound tackle had a great workout at the combine, and he impressed impressed NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl. He had only five sacks in four seasons, but I think he could put up better numbers in the right pro scheme. He’ll help take some pressure off J.J. Watt.

24. Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Smith, OT/G, Tulsa

The Cowboys will look different in 2022, with Amari Cooper, Randy Gregory, Connor Williams, Cedrick Wilson and La’el Collins among the notable departures. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be worse, but they do have to plug a couple of holes. I’m not sure an edge rusher makes sense if this is the way the board shakes out — could Dallas take a flier on David Ojabo, who tore an Achilles at his pro day last week? — but there are a couple of offensive linemen who could play immediately. And with Tyron Smith and Zack Martin both over 30, the Cowboys should reprioritize the line.

Smith could play guard or tackle, and in this scenario he’d slot in to Williams’ left guard spot. Zion Johnson is the other possibility, and he could even play some center.

25. Buffalo Bills

Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Buffalo released Cole Beasley and brought in Jamison Crowder as an option out of the slot, but Crowder isn’t likely to be part of the Bills’ long-term plans. Dotson would be. Where would he help most? The Bills ranked last in the league in average yards after the catch (4.3) last season. Dotson is an explosive playmaker who is a threat to score on every touch. He had 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.

The Bills have had a great offseason so far, so this is a luxury pick. Dotson, though, could help as a rookie.

26. Tennessee Titans

Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College

If Tennessee wants to continue to pound the ball in the run game with Derrick Henry, it has to have a great offensive line. The Titans could upgrade at guard with Johnson, who spent time at multiple positions in college. He didn’t allow any quarterback pressures while playing guard in 2021, and he’s stout as a run blocker.

Even after adding Robert Woods, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans picked a wideout here. Treylon Burks and Jahan Dotson could be in play.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

I made this pick before the Bucs re-signed Leonard Fournette on Tuesday morning, but I’m not going to change it. Their running back depth chart is still barren, and Hall could really help. I don’t love taking backs in Round 1, but Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians could ensure that they get their choice of the entire running back class here.

Hall had 3,044 rushing yards and 41 rushing scores over the past two seasons, adding 59 catches. His 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine answered a lot of questions about his straight-line speed. He is the clear No. 1 back in this class. If Zion Johnson is available, he could be the pick, too, because the Bucs have a need at left guard.

28. Green Bay Packers

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Is this better, Packers fans? Burks will almost certainly have to get a ton of early snaps, helping to fill the void left by the stunning trade of Davante Adams. Burks is a bigger receiver (6-foot-2) who has some run-after-the-catch ability; he can break tackles and run past defensive backs, though he doesn’t have blazing speed. He put up 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

For Green Bay’s sake, it will have to hope Burks develops faster than Adams, who began his career with two up-and-down seasons before breaking out in Year 3. Aaron Rodgers needs help now. And I think the Packers could take multiple receivers with their picks in this draft.

29. Miami Dolphins (via SF)

Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia

This was a tough pick for me. It’s definitely a spot to watch for an offensive tackle, but if Miami pays up to sign free agent Terron Armstead (update — it did) it doesn’t have to take one here. I also thought about wide receiver Skyy Moore, who is rising after his performance at the combine and could sneak into Round 1. Ultimately, I see a hole in the middle of the Dolphins’ defense that could be filled by a really good every-down linebacker.

Dean was the leader of the national champs’ defense, racking up 72 tackles with six sacks, two forced fumbles and two picks. He has the ability to cover tight ends, and he can blow up backs in the run game. He’s tough. Dean could be a steal for an already solid defense.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

If the Chiefs want to keep Chris Jones at defensive tackle where he can wreck game plans from the interior, they have to add capable edge rushers. They ranked 29th in total sacks (31) last season and also 31st in rushing yards allowed per carry (4.8), even though they improved down the stretch. Karlaftis is an all-around defensive end who has some pass-rushing traits and can anchor down in the run game. He had only 4.5 sacks last season, but the tools are there.

You might have noticed that I haven’t projected David Ojabo, who tore his Achilles at the Michigan pro day last week, in Round 1. I love him as a prospect, but I think he’s more likely to go in the second round now. That’s a tough injury, and he might have to miss the entire 2022 season. The Chiefs need help right away.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut

The Bengals have significantly retooled their offensive line this offseason, adding four new starters in free agency. That takes some of the pressure off Joe Burrow (literally) in Year 3, as he was battered in his first two seasons. The Super Bowl runners-up can now afford to fill a different need with this pick, and I see Jones as a replacement for Larry Ogunjobi, who had a great 2021 season.

Jones is a 325-pound nose tackle with extremely long arms who can controls gaps with his strength. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl in January, boosting his stock into the top 50 picks. He could make sense for a Bengals team that is poised to compete for another AFC North title.

32. Detroit Lions (via LAR)

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

I’m going to stick with Corral to the Lions, but I keep hearing it’s not out of the question that he is the first quarterback off the board. He didn’t work out at the combine, so teams haven’t gotten a look at him since his ankle injury in early January. He’s going to throw for scouts at his pro day Wednesday, and he could create some buzz there. He throws a ball with some zip and is extremely tough, though he doesn’t have a huge frame (6-foot-2, 212 pounds). The biggest question revolves around the offense he ran in college; his coaches didn’t ask him to make many reads. There will be an adjustment in the NFL.

For the Lions, I just don’t see Jared Goff as the future. This allows them to get a potential quarterback of the future on a team-friendly five-year contract.