NFC EAST

DALLAS

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is not a fan of how Jerry Jones handled QB DAK PRESCOTT:

Jerry Jones didn’t have unique information about the money that was coming from the TV networks. The real question is whether he had any idea that the broader free-agency market would be as soft as it has become.

Reflecting on the first eight days of free agency and, seven days before that, the Cowboys’ decision to give a record-shattering four-year, $160 million contract to a quarterback recovering from a badly-broken ankle, it’s fair to ask whether the Cowboys could have gotten a better deal if they’d simply waited.

Their problem, of course, came directly from waiting. Waiting to make Prescott an offer he couldn’t refuse immediately after the end of his third NFL season. Waiting to make Prescott an offer he couldn’t refuse during his fourth NFL season. Waiting to make Prescott an offer he couldn’t refuse before his $31.4 million franchise-tag salary for 2020 locked in.

The irony may be that, if they’d simply waited another week, the Cowboys may have been able to get Prescott for less than the massive contract they paid when the challenge was to get Prescott to take something other than $37.68 million in 2021 under the tag and, most likely, a shot at free agency in 2022.

It would have been the ultimate cowboy move for the Cowboys organization. An all-in, calculated risk that another team wouldn’t have offered more than whatever the Cowboys wanted to pay — and they surely didn’t want to pay $42 million per year over the next three years under a deal that forces them back to the table after 2023.

In this market, with the cap $25 million less than it would have been but for the pandemic, who would have offered him that kind of money? Throw in the questions about his ankle, and it would have been very difficult for any other team to outbid the Cowboys on the open market. And the top bid for Dallas in an auction for Prescott surely would have been far less than $126 million over three years, all of it guaranteed for injury and $95 million of it fully guaranteed at signing.

Yes, the Cowboys would have assumed the risk that Prescott would have taken less to play for another team. He wouldn’t have done it. Although his agent, Todd France, steadfastly refused to give the team financial credit for the tangible and intangible benefits of being the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Prescott knows that it means more to quarterback the Cowboys, and if the Cowboys were offering as much or more than the next team, Prescott would have stayed.

Two weeks ago, Jerry justified overpaying for Dak. The reality is that the Cowboys grossly overpaid because they waited too long to do it — and then they didn’t wait long enough.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA

RB MIKE DAVIS, who did some good things for the Panthers while RB CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY was out, has signed with the Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons and running back Mike Davis have agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $5.5 million with $3 million of it guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Davis shined last season playing for the NFC South rival Panthers. Carolina coach Matt Rhule and his staff quickly fell in love with Davis, who immediately was inserted into the offense this past season when Christian McCaffrey suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Without offensive coordinator Joe Brady having to drastically adjust the game plan, Davis went on to start 12 games for McCaffrey, who missed 13 games with injuries (ankle, shoulder, quad). Davis finished the 2020 season with a career-high 642 yards rushing and six touchdowns and a career-best 59 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns.

Davis, who turned 28 in February, said after the season it would be enticing to go to a team where he was the starter but reminded that didn’t happen in other situations and “the grass isn’t always greener.”

The Panthers claimed Davis off waivers from the Chicago Bears during the 2019 season after the running back had spent two seasons each with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. The 2015 fourth-round pick has rushed for 1,531 yards and 11 touchdowns in 62 career games. He also has caught 125 passes for 803 yards and three touchdowns.

The Falcons have also agreed to a one-year contract with linebacker Barkevious Mingo worth $1.25 million that includes $1.1 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.

NEW ORLEANS

QB JAMEIS WINSTON gets emotional and uplifting talking about DREW BREES and the rest of his friends with the Saints.  Mike Triplett of ESPN.com:

An emotional Jameis Winston fought back tears Tuesday while talking about how much it meant to work closely with Drew Brees last year. And Winston said he would “love to carry that torch from him” as the New Orleans Saints’ next quarterback.

Winston is expected to compete for the job with Taysom Hill this summer after Brees announced his retirement and Winston re-signed on a one-year deal with the Saints last week.

“Being able to have an entire season with Drew Brees was a dream of mine,” said Winston, who started to get choked up during a videoconference with the New Orleans media after he was asked about an intimate conversation he was spotted having with Brees on the sideline during the final minutes of New Orleans’ playoff loss in January.

“For him to put his arm around me — or just give me any encouraging words — after I saw the resilience, the passion, the way that he approached every single day; for that to even be a story, I was touched by that,” Winston said. “Because he doesn’t even know how much he means to me and my family. For real. …

“Like, I love football. That’s all I’ve done my entire life. And someone that I look up to, that I admire, that I actually could touch, was my teammate and I had a chance to serve him … like, man, I’m speechless. That really gets me emotional. Because I really love Drew Brees, like I don’t think he even understands. …

“Y’all don’t understand the impact that him and a lot of other quarterbacks had on me as a quarterback growing up in Bessemer, Alabama. And a lot of people don’t understand that human aspect to an athlete. But just know I love Drew Brees for real. Like I really do. And I was just happy that I was able to witness what he did and how he persevered last year.”

Winston, who turned 27 in January, originally signed a one-year deal with the Saints last summer to try to revive his career and get a “Harvard education in quarterback school” under people like Brees, coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. Although Winston played sparingly last season, he did get the chance to complete a 56-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in the Saints’ playoff loss to his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And he enjoyed the experience enough to come back to the Saints as a free agent this year on a one-year deal that includes $5.5 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $12 million based on playing time and achievements.

Winston acknowledged that replacing someone like Brees comes with a “tremendous amount of responsibility. But I embrace that.”

“You just learn from his methods and you be the best version of yourself. That’s what Drew Brees would tell me,” Winston said. “‘You be Jameis Winston; you don’t have to be Drew Brees.’

“And I would love to carry that torch from him. I would love to be able to provide the excitement and joy and resilience that he provided for this city.”

When asked how he thinks Payton’s offense could evolve with him at quarterback, Winston said, “I’m excited to discover that same thing with you.”

“One thing I know about Coach Payton, he enjoys challenges and he enjoys new beginnings,” Winston said. “And I think he’s looking at this opportunity, kind of like how I view it, is how when he got a young quarterback from San Diego, right? When he got Drew from the Chargers [in 2006] and they exploded together.

“Like, I love football. That’s all I’ve done my entire life. And someone that I look up to, that I admire, that I actually could touch, was my teammate and I had a chance to serve him … like, man, I’m speechless. That really gets me emotional. Because I really love Drew Brees, like I don’t think he even understands.”

“So I know that his arsenal is filled with a lot of things. When you see what he was able to do with Taysom last year, how he completely kind of changed our offense and we had great success. It was incredible just watching a guy work like that, and that’s why I say, it was that room [of Saints coaches and quarterbacks]. It was that entire room creating something to come out as a masterpiece, and that’s what I really loved about Sean and Pete and Taysom and all the guys that were in that room.”

Winston’s career has been filled with highs and lows on the field since he won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State and was selected with the first overall draft pick by the Buccaneers in 2015. He went 28-42 as a starter and led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards in 2019. But he has infamously struggled with turnovers and became the first player in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in the same season in 2019.

The Buccaneers decided to move on to Tom Brady when Winston became a free agent, and they wound up winning the Super Bowl.

Winston made several changes over the past year, including having LASIK surgery to correct his vision and improving his diet and fitness. And he said the LASIK was “an excellent idea” since “I enjoy seeing things clearly.”

But he said those things pale in comparison with the value of being in a room with all the Saints’ coaches and quarterbacks, whom he listed by name.

When asked what he learned last year that could help improve with the turnovers, Winston said, “one of the greatest things I learned from Drew was, you know, ‘Jameis, we are making decisions based on it being the right decision. We’re not concerned about the result, right? Because over time the right decision is going to get us to where we want to be.'”

“And I bought into that,” Winston said.

Winston also stressed that above all else, one of the biggest things he learned about himself last year was “how to be a father and a man for my wife and my son … and how we will persevere no matter what.”

“Because me and my wife were in New Orleans and she was pregnant at the time [and] with a 2-year-old during this pandemic,” Winston said. “So it was just us for the first time in our life and we’re going through this, us having a humbling part in our life. She’s my high school sweetheart, so she’s been through the ups and downs with me. So I think learning how to be a father and persevere during those trying times, and also grasping this excellent opportunity that was in front of me …

“And that’s why I’m really in a good mood right now. My trainer always said being a good quarterback won’t make you a better man, but being a better man will make you a great quarterback.”

TAMPA BAY

Add T DONOVAN SMITH and DT NDAMUKONG SUH to the Buccaneers veterans who will be back and happy in 2021.

The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their busy offseason Wednesday, agreeing to a two-year, $31.8 million contract extension with offensive tackle Donovan Smith while finalizing a one-year, $10 million deal to bring back defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Smith’s extension runs through 2023 and includes $30 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, sources told ESPN.

The move helped the Bucs create more room under the salary cap for this season while still maintaining continuity on the offensive line to protect quarterback Tom Brady.

Suh has spent the past two seasons on one-year deals with the Bucs, playing an integral role in their transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense and helping mentor 2018 first-round draft pick Vita Vea after the departure of Gerald McCoy.

In 2019, his first year with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Suh had 2.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries — two of which were returned for touchdowns. Suh finished the 2020 regular season with 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 44 tackles. His 330 plays against double-teams was second only to the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald, who was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Bowles credited Suh for not allowing Patrick Mahomes to properly step into his throws in Super Bowl LV, during which Suh registered 1.5 sacks. Coach Bruce Arians credited Suh for the impact he has had on younger players and for helping them overcome the loss of Vea during the regular season.

Suh, who turned 34 in January, was the Detroit Lions’ pick at No. 2 in the 2010 draft, has been selected to five Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro. In 11 seasons with the Lions, Miami Dolphins, Rams and Buccaneers, he has 64.5 sacks and 563 tackles.

The moves are another in a busy offseason for the Bucs, who have now extended the deals of Brady and Smith, placed the franchise tag on receiver Chris Godwin and signed Suh, linebacker Shaq Barrett, linebacker Lavonte David, tight end Rob Gronkowski and kicker Ryan Succop to new deals.

WR ANTONIO BROWN and RB LEONARD FOURNETTE are still out there, but there could be other options as well including draft picks, in-house youngsters and RB JAMES WHITE or any of many veteran receivers.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

After a long career as a WR1, A.J. GREEN is actually quite happy to be a WR2.  Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com:

A.J. Green isn’t one to show a lot of emotion but one idea got him to chuckle and let out a half smile.

The Arizona Cardinals’ newest wide receiver — signed last week to a one-year deal with $6 million guaranteed — was talking about playing alongside Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins. It’s a situation Green has never been in before. He’s never lined up alongside another receiver who commands the type of attention Hopkins does.

For all of Green’s 10 years in the NFL — all of which were with the Cincinnati Bengals and included seven Pro Bowl selections — he was the guy defenses game planned around. The idea of not being that guy and seeing one-on-ones was enough to get even the slightest of smiles out of Green.

“I’m very excited about that,” Green said. “Ten years playing in an offense where I’m the focal point to take away every week, coming to this offense having all the other guys … it’s going to make my job a lot easier.”

And it’s not just some idea in Green’s head. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim is planning on Green primarily playing the “Z” receiver, which is the term for flanker. Green will play on the opposite side of the field as Hopkins, forcing teams to choose whose side to send extra defenders.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY

WR SAMMY WATKINS is drawing some interest on the secondary market.

@AdamSchefter

Free-agent WR Sammy Watkins is scheduled to visit the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday after Tuesday’s trip to Baltimore with the Ravens, per sources. Watkins also has drawn some interest from the Titans and Texans.

LAS VEGAS

QB MARCUS MARIOTA takes a cut to stay with the Raiders.

Marcus Mariota has agreed to a contract restructure to return to the Las Vegas Raiders as Derek Carr’s backup at quarterback, ESPN has confirmed.

Mariota, who signed a two-year, $17.6 million free-agent contract with the Raiders last March, was scheduled to make $10.625 million in base salary in 2021 while carrying a salary cap number of $15.35 million.

NFL Network was first to report the restructured deal, a one-year contract worth $3.5 million that could top out at $8 million if incentives are met.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 draft, Mariota dealt with myriad ankle and shoulder injuries in training camp and started the season on injured reserve.

He appeared in one game for the Raiders last season, replacing an injured Carr in a Week 15 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers while throwing for 226 yards and a touchdown, with an interception, in completing 17 of 28 passes. He also rushed for 88 yards and a TD (with eight first downs) on nine carries.

Mariota, 27, has been the subject of much trade and/or cut speculation this offseason, but the QB market seems to have dried up as of late.

“I’m just excited to be a Raider,” Mariota, a Hawaii native, told KHON-TV on Tuesday. “Everyone talks about Las Vegas being the ninth [Hawaiian] island and for me, this is the closest I can get to playing for my hometown. That in itself was just such a special opportunity and I’m just excited to come back and get ready to go.”

AFC NORTH

CINCINNATI

Well-traveled CB ELI APPLE makes his way to Cincinnati.  Ben Baby of ESPN.com:

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former first-round pick Eli Apple to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.

Apple, the No. 10 pick in the 2016 draft, was briefly with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 after previous stints with the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants, the team that drafted him out of Ohio State.

Apple, 25, signed with the Panthers on a one-year deal worth $3 million. Apple battled injuries during his lone season in Carolina and was active for only two games before the team released him last October.

Before joining the Panthers, Apple spent two seasons with the Saints after the Giants traded the cornerback to New Orleans after a rocky tenure with the club. At one point, Apple was suspended after just his second season with the club for conduct detrimental to the team. Apple started 25 games for the Saints over 2018 and 2019.

He joins a Cincinnati secondary that has been revamped the past two offseasons. After signing cornerback Trae Waynes and safety Vonn Bell in 2020, the Bengals signed cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie last week.

Apple wasn’t the only move the Bengals made Tuesday. The team also struck a one-year deal with Quinton Spain, the offensive lineman confirmed in a tweet on Tuesday. Spain was acquired in the middle of last season after he was cut by the Bills and started eight games for the Bengals in 2020.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

QB DESHAUN WATSON begins his defense, with his reps saying it is difficult to do so when the plaintiffs are cloaked in anonymity.  The Houston Chronicle:

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was the subject of a $30,000 blackmail attempt from one of the 16 massage therapists alleging sexual assault and harassment in civil litigation, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.  This according to a sworn affidavit released by his Houston-based attorney, Rusty Hardin.

Bryan Burney, the marketing manager for Watson, submitted in the affidavit that “Jane Doe” believed to be the third plaintiff out of of 16 civil lawsuits filed by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, stated that she wanted $30,000 for  her ‘indefinite silence’ regarding an alleged Dec. 28, 2020 encounter with Watson. The civil suit alleges that Watson “coerced and intimidated” her to perform oral sex on him at a Houston office building.

“I asked her what she would be silent about and whether anything had happened with Deshaun against her will,” Burney stated. “She confirmed that everything that occurred was consensual during her encounter with Deshaun. I asked Ms. Doe why Deshaun should pay for silence regarding something that was consensual — whatever it was. She said that it was a matter that both she and Deshaun would wish to keep secret and that she would need to be paid for her ‘silence.’”

Burney stated that after that conversation, he received a call from a man saying he was the alleged victim’s business manager, that the encounter would be “embarrassing” if Watson didn’t pay what was demanded.

“I told this individual that his demand to be paid for not revealing a consensual interaction between two adults was extortion,” Burney said. “He responded, “It’s not extortion, it’s blackmail. I informed this individual that Deshaun would not be paying the $30,000 requested.

“In the years that I have known Deshaun, I have known him to be a respectful, decent human being. I do not believe him capable of the conduct that ‘Jane Doe’ has anonymously accused him of in this case. This conduct is also completely inconsistent with multiple statements made by Jane Doe and by her ‘business manager,’ indicating that her encounter with Deshaun involved only consensual activity.”

In a statement, Hardin defended Watson, who is facing the lawsuits in Harris County District Court. Buzbee said during a Friday news conference that he is in contact with 22 alleged victims and that he may file additional cases.

“I want to emphasize at the outset that we and Deshaun recognize that sexual assault and harassment are not only unlawful, but morally wrong,” Hardin stated. “It takes courage for women to come forward to report being mistreated, particularly when they attach their names to a lawsuit. We do not take these allegations lightly. However, fairness to the accused is equally as important.

“Opposing counsel has orchestrated a circus-like atmosphere by using social media to publicize 14 “Jane Doe” lawsuits during the past seven days in a manner calculated to inflame the public and malign Deshaun’s otherwise sterling reputation. In addition, the tactic of refusing our requests to confidentially provide the names of the plaintiffs so we can fully investigate their claims makes uncovering the truth extremely difficult. Anonymity is often necessary as a shield for victims but opposing counsel has used it as a sword to publicly humiliate Deshaun before the truth seeking process can even begin.

“I believe that any allegation that Deshaun forced a woman to commit a sexual act is completely false. And in the one case in which we have been able to identify a plaintiff, we have strong evidence showing the allegation is false. In January of this year, a woman attempted to blackmail Deshaun by demanding $30,000 in exchange for her ‘indefinite silence’ about what she stated was a consensual encounter. It is our belief this woman is the plaintiff in Cause No. 2021-15613.”

Advice from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com – settle now, no matter how bad that might look, it beat the alternatives:

In the week since Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson disclosed that he was facing a lawsuit that he refused to settle, I’ve been asked several times over the past few days how I would represent and/or advise Watson. I’ve thought about it a lot, reflecting on cases that I handled during a 18-year legal career before making this my full-time job in 2009.

Before representing Watson, I’d want him to pass a polygraph test, so that I could put my full effort and attention behind a cause that I believed to be right and just and proper. I wouldn’t want to attach my name and reputation to someone I didn’t fully believe. Based on the number of plaintiffs currently accusing Watson of misconduct, I would only fully believe Watson if he passed a polygraph test.

The advice I’d give him has nothing to do with his potential guilt or innocence. Regardless of whether he’s guilty or innocent or some of both, he should settle all pending and threatened cases, now.

He should instruct his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, to arrange a mass mediation session with attorney Tony Buzbee. They should hire a retired judge with the presence and demeanor to make all parties feel like their voices have been heard, and that their day in court has been realized. The retired judge would serve as a mediator, negotiating an agreement between Watson and each and every accuser for a dollar figure and other terms that would fully resolve the cases. Watson, for example, would seek a full commitment to confidentiality, which would prevent the plaintiffs from cooperating with the NFL’s investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy.

It may be too late for Watson to avoid an NFL suspension, however. The sheer volume of claims coupled with a fairly quick settlement could prompt the league to exercise its right to grill Watson about the cases and to conclude that, even though he admitted to no specific wrongdoing, he put himself in the kind of position that justifies punishment. That was the gist, for example, of the suspension imposed by the NFL on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2010.

Even if Watson still receives a suspension, it’s better than the alternative, which includes the reality of very expensive legal fees, the prospect of multiple verdicts against him, placement on paid leave by the league followed by a lengthy suspension, and potential incarceration.

Indeed, looming over the entire situation is the possibility that criminal charges will be filed. If Watson testifies in the civil lawsuits and invokes his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, he’ll lose every one of them. If he testifies in the civil lawsuits and if it goes poorly, he’ll provide the prosecutor with a potential roadmap for criminal charges.

Thus, as distasteful as it may be to him to settle these claims, he needs to realize that it’s the only way out of this problem that entails a minimal legal fees, minimal disruption to his football career, minimal payouts to the plaintiffs (in comparison to the potential verdicts), and minimal chance of a conviction.

The plaintiffs, of course, wouldn’t be required to settle. For some, it may not be about the money. They may crave their chance to obtain justice in a court of law. If so, that’s their absolute right. If so, that will become obvious through the mediation process.

Regardless, the best move at this point would be to have a mediation session aimed at trying to resolve as many of these claims as possible and, from Watson’s perspective, ideally all of them.

This is the advice that I’d give Watson if he were my client, son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, colleague, etc. Hopefully, someone in a position to influence Watson feels the same way, and will convince him to proceed with a strategy that involves trying to rectify these claims now, before irreversible damage is done to his career, his financial standing, and his image and reputation.

THIS AND THAT

FREE AGENCY REVIEWS

Thoughts from some ESPN.com experts:

What was the best overall free-agent move?

Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: The Patriots signing tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. With Henry and Smith now in the mix, look for the Patriots to create stress for opposing defenses out of two-TE sets. I see Henry as a seam stretcher and middle-of-the-field target in the New England offense, with coordinator Josh McDaniels utilizing Smith’s dynamic traits as a tough matchup in the game plan.

Mike Clay, NFL analyst: The Browns signing John Johnson III. Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald got all the headlines, but Johnson was a key component to the Rams’ strong defensive play during his four years with the franchise. One of the league’s elite safeties, Johnson is versatile and talented enough to dominate in coverage and against the run while aligning deep, in the box or even at corner. He could be the linchpin behind a breakout for the Cleveland defense in 2021.

Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: The Cowboys re-signing quarterback Dak Prescott. Viewed in the big picture, the Cowboys got a Pro Bowl quarterback locked in until he is 31. Including last season’s time on the franchise tag, the Cowboys will have controlled at least five of his seasons after the expiration of his rookie contract. Yes, they paid a premium to do it, but Prescott’s price only would have gone up in 2022 — and could possibly have been prohibitive.

Seth Walder, sports analytics writer: The Cowboys re-signing Prescott. It was the most consequential move. In a league of haves and have-nots at quarterback, Dallas was tiptoeing dangerously close to crossing that line in the wrong direction. In terms of expected performance over the next five years, Prescott is probably a top-six or seven QB. When you have that player on your roster, you pay him and are grateful that you have the chance to do so.

Which is the most improved team after free agency?

Bowen: Washington Football Team. The Patriots addressed multiple needs during free agency, but I’m looking at Ron Rivera’s team here. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Curtis Samuel will bring more juice and explosive play ability to D.C. And on the defensive side of the ball, cornerback William Jackson III is an upgrade in the secondary. He is a physical, press-man corner, which will allow Washington to play more Cover 1 in 2021.

Clay: Cleveland Browns. They were a contender in 2020, but keep in mind that of the 14 playoff teams, they were the only one with a negative scoring margin (minus-11). In order to avoid a crash back to irrelevance in 2021, there was work to do on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Mission accomplished. Star safety John Johnson III is a game-changer of an acquisition; Troy Hill upgrades the corner spot opposite Denzel Ward; Malik Jackson adds quality depth at defensive tackle; DE Takkarist McKinley helps replace Olivier Vernon; and Malcolm Smith and Anthony Walker improve the team’s shaky linebacker corps. Already loaded on offense, Cleveland now arguably has a top-10 defense.

Seifert: New England Patriots. I’ll choose the obvious answer and let the rest of our crew scramble for deeper insight. Their offense is now much more explosive, thanks to wide receiver Nelson Agholor and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, and their defense will get more pop up front from Matthew Judon and Kyle Van Noy. The departure of guard Joe Thuney is worrisome, but overall, the Patriots have unquestionably upgraded a half-dozen starting positions.

Walder: New England Patriots. There’s certainly reason to be skeptical of the value some of the moves bring — the Agholor signing stands out — but there’s no question that an influx of talent just flowed into Foxborough, Massachusetts, and New England will be better off for it in the short term.

What is the most underrated move so far in the free-agency period?

Bowen: Kevin Zeitler, G, Ravens. Zeitler is an upgrade on the interior of the offensive line, and his traits fit in Baltimore’s run-heavy system. He has the movement ability to pull on gap schemes, and he brings a physical approach at the point of attack. Plus, the veteran can establish his base in pass pro to hold off interior rushers.

Clay: William Jackson III, CB, Washington. Playing in Cincinnati during his first five NFL seasons, Jackson didn’t get a ton of attention. But the former first-round pick has emerged as one of the league’s top corners. Washington’s defense took a big leap in 2020, but it needed improvements on the back end to get to the next — and perhaps an elite — level. Teaming Jackson up with Kendall Fuller at corner gives Washington one of the league’s best CB duos and supplies it with a borderline top-10 overall roster.

Jeremy Fowler, national NFL writer: Gerald Everett, TE, Seahawks. Everett was considered the No. 3 tight end in free agency, and the two players who went before him — Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry — got a combined $32 million in first-year money. Seattle got Everett for $6 million. Smith and Henry are better players, to be sure, but the gap isn’t as big as you think. Many around the league believe Everett has top-10 positional talent if he can put it all together.

Seifert: Andy Dalton, QB, Bears. There is so much vitriol over this signing that its positives have been buried. (That’s my definition for “underrated” today, anyway.) Dalton is easily the best quarterback the Bears have trotted out over the past five seasons, from Mitch Trubisky to Mike Glennon to Nick Foles. He has taken five Bengals teams to the playoffs and could do the same for the Bears. He isn’t Russell Wilson, whom the Bears failed to acquire in a trade, but his upside has been ignored in the debate.

Walder: Daryl Williams, OT, Bills. He’s not a star, but you could do a lot worse at tackle than Williams, who had a slightly above-average pass block win rate last season. A three-year contract paying an average of $8 million per year is a nice deal for a 28-year-old solid tackle like Williams, especially considering Buffalo can get out of it for under $10 million after Year 1 if things go south.

2021 DRAFT

Today’s Mock Draft comes from Bucky Brooks of NFL.com who shakes things up by having the Jets not draft a QB, not trade to another team to draft a QB and not take a WR.  And it all shakes out to a QB going at #32.

With the first wave of free agency in the rearview and the 2021 NFL Draft approaching quickly on the horizon, here is my second crack at projecting how the first round will play out.

1 – Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence

Clemson · QB · Junior

It is the beginning of a new era in Duval, with Urban Meyer selecting Lawrence to be the franchise quarterback for the next decade-plus.

2 – New York Jets

Penei Sewell

Oregon · OT · Junior

If the Jets’ new coaching staff believes Sam Darnold is fixable, New York could opt for an edge blocker to complete an O-line rebuild and enable the team to become immediately competitive under Robert Saleh.

3 – Miami Dolphins

Ja’Marr Chase

LSU · WR · Junior

The signing of Will Fuller won’t prevent the Dolphins from adding another perimeter playmaker to the mix.

4 – Atlanta Falcons

Zach Wilson

BYU · QB · Junior

Matt Ryan‘s presence allows the Falcons to add a young quarterback without the pressure of putting him on the field in Year 1.

5 – Cincinnati Bengals

Rashawn Slater

Northwestern · OT · Senior

Upgrading the offensive line is a top priority, with Joe Burrow looking like a potential star in the making.

6 – Philadelphia Eagles

Justin Fields

Ohio State · QB · Junior

Are the Eagles really ready to hand the keys of the franchise to Jalen Hurts? If not, GM Howie Roseman shouldn’t turn down the chance to add a talented quarterback with franchise potential to the roster.

7 – Detroit Lions

Jaylen Waddle

Alabama · WR · Junior

The loss of Kenny Golladay makes finding a No. 1 receiver a top priority. Waddle is a game-breaker with the speed and explosiveness to create big plays in the passing game.

8 – Carolina Panthers

Trey Lance

North Dakota State · QB · Sophomore (RS)

The FCS star could take over in 2022, after serving an apprenticeship under Teddy Bridgewater.

9 – Denver Broncos

Caleb Farley

Virginia Tech · CB · Junior (RS)

The additions of Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller won’t stop the Broncos from adding a five-star cornerback to beef up a secondary that must defend a few high-powered WR corps within the division.

10 – Dallas Cowboys

Alijah Vera-Tucker

USC · OL · Junior (RS)

It might be wise for the Cowboys to find an insurance policy for the oft-injured Tyron Smith.

11 – New York Giants

Gregory Rousseau

Miami · Edge · Sophomore (RS)

Dave Gettleman can’t turn down a chance to snag a pass rusher with Jason Pierre-Paul-like traits.

12 – San Francisco 49ers

Patrick Surtain II

Alabama · CB · Junior

The likely departure of Richard Sherman could prompt John Lynch to prioritize finding a premier cover corner over draft weekend.

13 – Los Angeles Chargers

Kyle Pitts

Florida · TE · Junior

The ultra-athletic pass catcher would give Justin Herbert another weapon to target on the perimeter.

14 – Minnesota Vikings

Kwity Paye

Michigan · Edge · Senior

The Vikings need to find a dominant edge rusher to pair with (or replace) Danielle Hunter and help Mike Zimmer generate more pressure at the point of attack.

15 – New England Patriots

Micah Parsons

Penn State · LB · Junior

The explosive linebacker is arguably the best defender in the draft, offering a versatile game that makes him a perfect fit in Bill Belichick’s scheme.

16 – Arizona Cardinals

Jaycee Horn

South Carolina · CB · Junior

With Patrick Peterson now in Minnesota, the blitz-happy Cardinals need an athletic corner with man-to-man cover skills.

17 – Las Vegas Raiders

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Notre Dame · LB · Junior (RS)

The Raiders need an infusion of athleticism and playmaking ability on the second level. Owusu-Koramoah is a sideline-to-sideline defender with speed, instincts and big-hit ability.

18 – Miami Dolphins

Najee Harris

Alabama · RB · Senior

The addition of a big-time running back with dynamic skills as a runner and receiver would enable the Dolphins to take some of the pressure off Tua Tagovailoa. Harris is a Matt Forte-like playmaker with big-play ability out of the backfield.

19 – Washington

DeVonta Smith

Alabama · WR · Senior

The silky-smooth pass catcher would complete a WR corps that already features speed and explosiveness with Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel in place.

20 – Chicago Bears

Christian Darrisaw

Virginia Tech · OT · Junior

The Bears haven’t drafted an offensive tackle above the fifth round since 2011. Darrisaw is a plug-and-play prospect with all-star potential.

21 – Indianapolis Colts

Jaelan Phillips

Miami · Edge · Junior (RS)

The Colts must be able to generate pressure with a four-man rush to effectively run Matt Eberflus’ version of Tampa 2. Phillips is a skilled technician with a non-stop motor and a polished game.

22 – Tennessee Titans

Greg Newsome II

Northwestern · CB · Junior

After moving on from Adoree’ Jackson, the Titans could opt for a steady cover corner with a well-rounded set of skills.

23 – New York Jets

Travis Etienne

Clemson · RB · Senior

The Jets’ shift to a Shanahan offense could make Etienne the perfect fit as a one-cut runner with home run speed and acceleration.

24 – Pittsburgh Steelers

Nick Bolton

Missouri · LB · Junior

The heat-seeking missile out of Missouri is the perfect partner for Devin Bush between the tackles.

25 – Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevon Moehrig

TCU · S · Junior

Adding a ballhawk to a defense that struggled to generate turnovers in 2020 is a top priority for the Jaguars.

26 – Cleveland Browns

Joe Tryon

Washington · Edge · Junior (RS)

Adding a credible pass-rush threat opposite Myles Garrett would provide some needed pop to the Browns’ young, athletic defense.

27 – Baltimore Ravens

Azeez Ojulari

Georgia · Edge · Sophomore (RS)

Replacing Matt Judon with an explosive pass riser possessing A-plus athleticism tops Eric DeCosta’s to-do list.

28 – New Orleans Saints

Zaven Collins

Tulsa · LB · Junior (RS)

The ultra-versatile Collins would give the Saints a dynamic second-level defender with pass-rush skills.

29 – Green Bay Packers

Jalen Mayfield

Michigan · OL · Sophomore (RS)

The Packers’ lack of depth on the front line was exposed during the playoffs. Mayfield is a natural right tackle with the potential to play inside or outside at the next level.

30 – Buffalo Bills

Elijah Molden

Washington · DB · Senior

If the Bills want to add another Swiss Army Knife to the secondary, Molden could be the ideal pick as a hybrid safety/corner with a high football IQ and natural playmaking ability.

31 – Kansas City Chiefs

Teven Jenkins

Oklahoma State · OT · Senior (RS)

The recent releases of Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher make offensive tackle a top priority for the Chiefs. Jenkins is an athletic, big-bodied blocker with the length to stymie pass rushers off the edge.

32 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mac Jones

Alabama · QB · Junior (RS)

Tom Brady just signed an extension at age 43, but the Bucs could grab a successor to learn from the G.O.A.T. over the next few years.