Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com notes disapprovingly that teams are still greeting each other after games.

Much was made in July about the ban on post-game jersey swaps and then, eventually, a sponsorship-opportunity workaround. The document preventing players from lingering on the field to remove their jerseys, sign them, and trade them with a player on the other team has another important provision that routinely is being violated.

From the first half of the same sentence banning jersey swaps, there’s this: “Teams are prohibited from post-game interactions within 6 feet of one another.”

Anyone who has watched any NFL game this year has seen those interactions happening far closer than six feet apart. The lone exception? Last Thursday’s Broncos-Jets game, after which Denver coach Vic Fangio hustled his team to the locker room not to avoid infection but to avert an imbroglio.

The most alarming example of this provision being violated happened on Monday night. After the Patriots-Chiefs game, New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a facemask-to-facemask interaction, putting them as close together as two people in NFL uniform could be.

The following morning, a swab of Gilmore’s nose generated a positive outcome for COVID-19. It’s entirely possible that Gilmore was shedding virus while face to face with Mahomes.

At a time when the league seems to be doing a lot of huffing and puffing about COVID-19 protocols, what happened to the rule requiring players to stay at least six feet apart after games? Even if the league isn’t enforcing it, the teams should be.

Failure to respect that restriction on Monday night means that Mahomes, the Chiefs, and their fans will have to spend the next week or so worrying that the virus is incubating in Mahomes’ body, and that he too will eventually test positive.

Florio also hears that the NFL’s threats are not going over well.

Per multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, there’s a growing belief in the coaching community that the league is more concerned about blaming teams for outbreaks than preventing outbreaks from happening.

As one source explained it to PFT, Monday’s league-wide conference call included a presentation from NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills. He emphasized during the call that infections are inevitable but that if teams follow all protocols the infections will be contained. When the possibility of a team-by-team or regional bubble was mentioned, Sills argued that the league’s protocols, if followed, are superior to a bubble.

Most would disagree with that. Although Sills pointed out that pathways to infection would be created via housekeeping, janitorial, maintenance, and food-service staff, neither the NBA nor the NHL had outbreaks under identical circumstances. Moreover, severely limiting the off-duty movement of all players, coaches, and essential personnel would avoid the reality that everyone who leaves the facility every night has a unique set of facts and circumstances that could result in exposure to the virus via airborne transmission, which seems to be the most prominent way to catch it.

Some suspect that the league isn’t pushing a bubble approach because: (1) the NFL Players Association refuses to agree to it; and (2) the NFL doesn’t want to have to make the concession needed to secure the union’s agreement. Although the NFLPA should want to put players in a bubble in order to avoid the loss of game checks resulting from games that are canceled and not rescheduled, the union quite possibly believes that the league will do whatever it has to do to get the games played.

Some coaches believe that, indeed, the league will do whatever it has to do to get the games played — to the point that health and safety of players and coaches is taking a backseat to playing the games. They think that the league wants to be able to say, in the event someone gets sick or worse, that the problem wasn’t the protocols but the failure of one or more teams to follow them.

Coaches still haven’t universally accepted that proposition. Like a defense that isn’t performing well, coaches wonder whether the current struggles result from bad players or a bad plan. The league, obviously, believes its plan is fine. Some coaches have real questions about that.

However it plays out, some coaches believe that the league’s knee-jerk reaction to any outbreak will be to blame the team, fine the team mercilessly, and at all times claim that the league has zero responsibility for the spread of the virus in any team facility or during any game.

NFC EAST

WASHINGTON

Well, that wasn’t long.  It’s not like QB KYLE ALLEN has a great resume, but QB DWAYNE HASKINS heads to the pine.  John Keim of ESPN.com:

One week after saying he was sticking with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, Washington coach Ron Rivera pivoted in another direction. He benched Haskins, inserted Kyle Allen as the starting quarterback and elevated Alex Smith to the No. 2 role for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

It’s a surprising, but not shocking, development as Washington (1-3) abandoned patience with Haskins in an effort perhaps to contend in a weakened NFC East. Allen spent two years in Carolina under Rivera and current Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner.

In four games, Haskins ranked last in the NFL in total QBR at 30.6, 27th in completion percentage (61.0) and 26th in yards per pass attempt (6.43). He has the second-worst completion percentage over expectation this season at minus-6.6%, ahead of only the Denver Broncos’ Jeff Driskel (minus-8.9%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Haskins has started 11 games in the NFL after just 14 starts at Ohio State.

Washington had preached patience with Haskins from the moment the team drafted him with the 15th overall pick in 2019. There was a consensus of thought last year that he should not play as a rookie. Some felt his game needed work before he would be ready to help the team win. But after firing coach Jay Gruden and starting 1-7, Washington inserted Haskins.

Rivera made it clear after he was hired that he liked Haskins’ talent but wanted to see more — first in terms of leadership, but also on the field. Internally, one source said, the new staff liked Haskins’ arm talent and size and felt he would be a good fit in Turner’s system, which called for attacking down the field. But the lack of spring practices this year, no preseason games and a shortened training camp left little time for development.

Still, they were pleased with how Haskins approached the offseason, and he was eventually named one of the captains by a team vote.

Haskins entered training camp as the starter, and he was the only quarterback who took reps with the first unit. Rivera did say that if there had been a typical preseason, Haskins would have had a true competition and Rivera would’ve alternated his starting quarterback in exhibition games.

At one point this offseason, Rivera said Allen’s knowledge of the offense would give him an advantage in a shortened camp. That’s part of the rationale behind the move. There has been a feeling throughout the organization that Haskins needed to improve some of his decision-making and pocket awareness. Though not everyone is sold that Allen can be a quality starter, there is a belief that the team can get more from its offense because of his experience in the system.

Allen started 12 games for Carolina in 2019 and finished with the second-worst Total QBR (38.3) among quarterbacks with at least eight starts. Allen threw 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season. The Panthers won his first four starts but went 1-7 the rest of the way, including a loss to Washington in Rivera’s final game with Carolina.

The Panthers traded Allen to Washington on March 23 for a 2020 fifth-round pick.

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS

With Hurricane Delta a threat to the Bayou, the Saints may flee to Indianapolis.  Mike Triplett of ESPN.com:

Monday night’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers would be relocated to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium if needed because of Hurricane Delta, sources told ESPN.

The Saints could also move their practice operations to Indianapolis if needed — as they did for a week in 2008 when Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana. The Saints have long considered Indianapolis as a contingency option because of the ample hotel space and convenient location of the downtown stadium.

Delta is bearing down on the state of Louisiana and is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on Friday night. LSU already has moved its scheduled Saturday home game against Missouri to Columbia, Missouri, as a result.

The Colts, who play the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday, have been informed by the league that the Monday night game could be played at Lucas Oil Stadium, a source told ESPN.

The Athletic first reported the potential relocation of the game.

The NFL generally has weather-related contingency plans in place for games. The Saints are scheduled to hold their first practice of the week on Thursday since it is a Monday night game. They would likely leave town after that practice session, if needed, though no such decision has been made yet.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

The Cardinals will have S BUDDA BAKER back when they try to snap their 2-game losing streak at the Jets on Sunday.  Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com:

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker will return this week from thumb surgery to play against the New York Jets, coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday morning.

Baker missed Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers after having surgery earlier in the week. He played in Arizona’s loss to Detroit in Week 3 with a heavily wrapped right thumb.

“We feel good about Budda playing this week,” Kingsbury said.

Baker, who was named to his second Pro Bowl last season, will wear “some sort of apparatus on his hand to protect (it),” Kingsbury said.

The Cardinals have been hit hard by injuries at safety the past couple of weeks. Besides losing Baker for last week’s game, Arizona was also down fellow starter Chris Banjo, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury. Kingsbury wasn’t sure whether Banjo will be healthy enough to play in New York.

With their two starting safeties sidelined, the Cardinals had three safeties active against the Panthers: Curtis Riley and Deionte Thompson, who started, and Charles Washington. Arizona signed veteran safety T.J. Ward to its practice squad Thursday, but Ward has not played since 2017. The Cardinals released Riley on Monday.

“Budda being back this week will definitely make us all feel better,” Kingsbury said. “I mean, he’s one of the best players in the league and brings a lot of things on and off the field to our locker room.”

AFC WEST

DENVER

QB DREW LOCK has reached the point where it is news that he’s not practicing yet.  An update from Mike Klis:

@MikeKlis

In non-COVID news, Drew Lock has been progressing well in his shoulder rehab. He has been throwing a football the past two days. Lock doing all he can to get back on field for beat-up Broncos. #9sports

LAS VEGAS

A positive Covid test in Vegas.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst has tested positive for COVID-19, a league source told ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

The Raiders placed Hurst on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, but it was unclear whether he had tested positive for the virus.

The Raiders’ facility will be open Wednesday, according to Russini.

Being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list does not necessarily mean a player has tested positive for the coronavirus; it can also mean the player has come in close contact with someone who has the virus.

NFL teams are not allowed to disclose why a player was placed on the list.

Hurst wasn’t one of the 10 Raiders players fined a total of $165,000 by the NFL on Monday for violating coronavirus protocols at a charity event hosted by tight end Darren Waller, a source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Tuesday, confirming an NFL Network report.

AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH

QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER is chafing at the disruptions caused by the Titans.  Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com:

Coming off an unplanned bye week forced by a rash of positive COVID-19 tests in the Tennessee Titans organization, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was audibly frustrated with the ramifications to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule.

“Of course we got the short end of the stick,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday.

Though the possibility remains that the continuation of positive tests from the Titans could force the team to forfeit games, Roethlisberger said he doesn’t think “they’ll consider forfeiting our game.”

The timing of the bye week — which was just a three-day break after the Steelers obtained special permission from the league and NFLPA to resume practice Monday — was especially frustrating for Roethlisberger, who felt he was finally getting in a rhythm in the first three games after a year off following season-ending elbow surgery.

“It’s tough, especially for someone like myself who was just starting to get back into the flow of things,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s not easy, but you’ve got to adjust. You’ve got to adapt and do the best you can.”

Before the break, the Steelers were 3-0 and had momentum going into the Week 4 matchup against the also-unbeaten Titans. Roethlisberger was making strides each week adjusting to the offense and a new cast of weapons.

He was critical of himself after each game, but Roethlisberger took steps during the week to improve on his shortcomings, such as working on his footwork during a Wednesday practice — usually his day off.

“The league already tried to slow it down, so I guess I’m going to start back over from scratch and hope this week I didn’t take too many steps backwards,” Roethlisberger said of losing his momentum. “Just try to see how it goes this week, I guess.”

For Roethlisberger, adapting during the impromptu bye meant staying active at his home over the weekend — albeit with a different training partner.

“Well, I don’t just sit on the couch all day,” he said. “I throw every single day because my son won’t let a day go by without playing catch.”

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

We figured that part of Bill O’Brien’s abrupt departure from the Texans was his poor GM’ing and suspect coaching – but also his sometimes prickly personality.  He didn’t have any allies.  Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com:

The end of Bill O’Brien’s tenure as head coach/general manager of the Houston Texans was curious in many different ways, and a recent report indicated that it might have been tumultuous behind closed doors. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, O’Brien got into an argument with star defensive end J.J. Watt and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on the practice field along with verbal altercations with other staff members during his final weeks before being fired.

This falls in line with what CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported on Monday, as he said that O’Brien had been clashing with prominent players at practice, and taking over play-calling duties was his last attempt to salvage things within the organization. Another move that reportedly rubbed players the wrong way was O’Brien’s push to bring in free agent safety Earl Thomas — a potential addition that was met with strong pushback by the Texans locker room.

According to La Canfora, O’Brien’s relationships with his players were long suffering, and the DeAndre Hopkins trade certainly did not help things. The Texans traded Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason for David Johnson and his huge contract, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick. Many considered it very surprising that the Texans failed to acquire a first-round pick for one of the best receivers in the game.

The morning after the Texans had fired O’Brien, Watt tweeted out a photo from the field at NRG Stadium with sunlight shining in. The “why” behind this post is up for discussion, but it could be related to ushering in a new era of Texans football. 

Romeo Crennel has taken over as the interim head coach for the Texans, and when asked what he wants to see from his team moving forward, he simply said that he wants to see that a change has occurred.

“I hope our attitude and energy is different,” Crennel said, via Wilson. “I hope our performance is different. You’re not going to come in and put in a new offense or defense overnight.”

Liz Roscher of YahooSports.com:

Bill O’Brien’s time as head coach and general manager of the Houston Texans is over, but we’re just starting to hear about how and why it (finally) ended.

According to multiple reports, O’Brien got into an argument with star defensive end JJ Watt during practice several weeks ago. O’Brien also reportedly got into arguments with other staff members in the weeks leading to his firing.

@AaronWilson_NFL

Bill O’Brien got into an argument with defensive end  J.J. Watt and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on the practice field along with verbal altercations with other staff members during his final weeks as coach-general manager before being fired, according to league sources

O’Brien lost the locker room

Coaches, players, and assistants getting into tiffs during practice isn’t anything new, but it appears that locking horns with Watt may have been a sign of a deeper problem between O’Brien and his players. John Granato, a host on Houston sports talk radio, gave a few more details in his report about O’Brien.

@John Granato

A source tells me that JJ Watt and Bill O’Brien had a heated exchange on the practice field the week of the Steelers game in which JJ called BOB out for his coaching ability. It began a player revolt that ended up getting BOB fired

A player revolt sounds very dramatic, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. NFL Network reporter James Palmer spoke to several unnamed Texans players who universally agreed that O’Brien lost the locker room.

@JamesPalmerTV

I asked multiple players over the last 24 hours the obvious question, did Bill O’Brien lose the locker room?

Every one said: “Yes”

This is all coming out after O’Brien was fired, so it could either be Texans players or coaches finally letting out some of their frustration with him, or it could be seen as an effort to justify O’Brien’s firing. Not that there wasn’t enough justification already, considering how bad the team has been in 2020.

This from John McClain, an esteemed Houston scribe:

@McClain_on_NFL

During O’Brien’s second season, Bob McNair told me, “We’re going to have to do something about Coach’s temper.” That was in 2015, O’Brien’s second season. Obviously, they didn’t. His temper was infamous. We’ve written and talked about it for years.

@McClain_on_NFL

In fairness to Bill O’Brien, he got into shouting matches with players, coaches and staffers on and off the field because that’s his personality. Always has been, always will be. People didn’t like it but they took it when they won. It grated on them when they were losing.

TENNESSEE

Oh my, more plague in Tennessee.

Two Tennessee Titans players have tested positive for COVID-19, a source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Wednesday.  ESPN.com:

After two consecutive days with negative tests, coach Mike Vrabel had been hopeful that the Titans could return to their facility on Wednesday. Under NFL rules, that can no longer happen.

This puts Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills in jeopardy.

The two tests Wednesday bring the total of Titans players and other staff members who have returned positive coronavirus tests since Sept. 24 to 22.

The NFL announced last week that the game between the Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 was postponed until Oct. 25.

Eight players last week, one this week and 11 overall this season — defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, linebacker Kamalei Correa, cornerback Kristian Fulton, wide receiver Adam Humphries, defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, long-snapper Beau Brinkley, wide receiver Cameron Batson, tight end Tommy Hudson, fullback Khari Blasingame and cornerback Greg Mabin — have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell warned the league’s 32 teams Monday of penalties, including potential forfeits of games, for violations of COVID-19 protocols that force changes in the schedule.

Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter this past weekend that the NFL and NFLPA are investigating whether the Titans violated the league’s coronavirus-related protocols.

The league and union have asked the Titans to turn over multiple videotapes of team activities so they can get a better idea of the root of the outbreak, sources told ESPN.

The franchise has continued daily testing since the NFL told the Titans to close their facility on Sept. 29, and the league sent all 32 teams a memo Thursday with a list of new protocols for clubs to follow when dealing with an outbreak or having been exposed to an outbreak during the coronavirus pandemic.

If the Titans do play, they will be short-handed per Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean:

Here’s what the #Titans unofficial depth chart looks like ahead of Bills game. From Vrabel’s presser, sounds like the infected players won’t be available Sunday.

Those players:

DB Mabin

DL D. Jones

LS Brinkley

OLB Correa

CB Fulton

WR Humphries

WR Batson

DL Simmons

FB Blasingame

AFC EAST

MIAMI

Florida’s governor is not the reason the Dolphins (and Florida’s other teams) will continue to have empty seats.  Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com:

@CameronWolfe

The Dolphins didn’t ask for & don’t plan to go to 65K full capacity at games this season, source says.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave them clearance to do so now, as @AndySlater reported, but Dolphins feel more comfortable continuing their plan of hosting 13K fans right now.

NEW ENGLAND

The Patriots did not keep Covid confined to CAM NEWTON.  Mike Reiss of ESPN.com:

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has tested positive for COVID-19, league sources confirmed to ESPN, and the team has canceled its Wednesday practice.

Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, who tested positive Saturday, and practice squad defensive tackle Bill Murray had already been placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. Being on the reserve list does not mean a player tested positive for the coronavirus; it could also mean he has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Gilmore, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, played every defensive snap in Monday night’s 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs’ tests all came back negative Wednesday morning, a source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

The team took two planes to the game Monday, with a group of players who had the closest contact to Newton on one plane, and the rest of the team on the other.

Gilmore was on the plane of people who had close contact with Newton, a source told ESPN.

NEW YORK JETS

QB SAM DARNOLD has a convenient injury that allows QB JOE FLACCO a chance to save the season and possibly Adam Gase’s job.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold returned to last Thursday’s loss to the Broncos after injuring his right shoulder, but he’s not going to play against the Cardinals this week.

Jets head coach Adam Gase said on Wednesday that Joe Flacco will get the start at quarterback when the NFC West comes calling on Sunday.

Darnold said on Monday that he was feeling better after suffering what’s been called an AC joint sprain. He will not practice Wednesday and Gase called him week-to-week moving forward.

Flacco’s last NFL start came for the Broncos in Week Eight of the 2019 season. He missed the rest of the season with a neck injury and dressed for a game for the first time last week. He completed a pair of passes for 16 yards before Darnold returned to the game.

THIS AND THAT

TOP ROOKIES

A list of the top 25 rookies in terms of how they have played so far from Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com.  The Buccaneers have two of the top 10.

1 Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals · QB

Burrow is as advertised, and he’s getting more comfortable every week. His accuracy, decision making and toughness stand out.

2 Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers · QB

Herbert’s opportunity came earlier than anticipated, but he’s exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. He makes a handful of wow throws every week.

3 Antoine Winfield Jr.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · S

Winfield has been a force on the Bucs’ defense. His versatility and instincts were his calling card at Minnesota, and they have carried over to the NFL.

4 Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings · WR

Jefferson has exploded over the last two weeks, posting 11 catches for 278 yards on 14 targets. He’s a phenomenal route runner and his run-after-catch skills are impressive.

5 Mekhi Becton

New York Jets · OT

Becton has been sidelined for much of the last couple games due to a shoulder injury, but he’s shown dominant flashes for the Jets. He creates massive movement in the run game.

6 Chase Young

Washington Football Team · DE

Young has missed almost half the season, but he lived up to the hype prior to suffering a groin injury in Week 3 (2.5 sacks in the first two games). He’s an immediate-impact player, especially on passing downs.

7 CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys · WR

Lamb’s been ultra-productive for the Cowboys as a pure route runner, posting 21 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He’s gained the trust of Dak Prescott.

8 James Robinson

Jacksonville Jaguars · RB

Robinson, who went undrafted this spring, is probably the biggest surprise of the rookie class. With the former Illinois State star providing outstanding production as both a runner (60 carries for 285 yards, three TDs) and receiver (14 catches for 161 yards), the Jaguars do not miss Leonard Fournette.

9 Tristan Wirfs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · OT

Wirfs has been outstanding as the starting right tackle. I had a chance to watch him while doing the color analysis for the Chargers’ radio broadcast on Sunday, and he performed very well against Pro Bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa.

10 Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Kansas City Chiefs · RB

Edwards-Helaire has been a perfect fit in the Kansas City offense. He’s a tough, physical runner and his role in the passing game continues to grow.

11 Patrick Queen

Baltimore Ravens · ILB

He’s been a sideline-to-sideline force for the Ravens defense vs. the run. Queen also excels in coverage.

12 Jaylon Johnson

Chicago Bears · CB

Johnson’s been the best rookie corner through the first quarter of the season. He has outstanding instincts and toughness.

13 Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts · RB

Taylor’s role increased after Marlon Mack suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 and he’s started the last three games, posting 100-plus yards vs. the Vikings in Week 2. The former Wisconsin Badger has been a pleasant surprise in the passing game (10 catches for 90 yards).

14 Jedrick Wills

Cleveland Browns · OT

Wills has helped solidify the Browns’ offensive line with his play at left tackle. He’s very technically sound and has been consistent through four weeks.

15 Laviska Shenault Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars · WR

Shenault, who slipped to the second round of the draft after undergoing surgery last spring, is going to prove to be one of the great value picks of 2020. His size, physicality and explosiveness are on display in Jacksonville.

16 Jerry Jeudy

Denver Broncos · WR

Jeudy has had a few drops in the early going, but I’ve been impressed with his ability to consistently create separation in the slot.

17 Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals · WR

Higgins has outplayed seven-time Pro Bowl selectee A.J. Green, becoming a go-to target for Joe Burrow in the red zone.

18 Kenneth Murray

Los Angeles Chargers · LB

Murray’s speed jumps off the screen. I love the passion and energy he brings to the field.

19 Jeremy Chinn

Carolina Panthers · S

Chinn is used in a variety of roles as a safety/linebacker hybrid in the Panthers’ defense. His effort and speed show up on the backside over and over again.

20 C.J. Henderson

Jacksonville Jaguars · CB

Henderson started out red hot, picking off one pass and breaking up a couple others in an upset of the Colts. He has given up some plays since then, but his toughness, which was a concern coming out of college, has not been an issue in Jacksonville.

21 Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers · WR

Aiyuk missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury, but he’s healthy now. He made a couple catches and had a spectacular 38-yard TD run against the Eagles in Week 4, which provided a glimpse into the type of impact he’s going to make in Kyle Shanahan’s system.

22 Javon Kinlaw

San Francisco 49ers · DT

Ignore the stat sheet. Kinlaw’s been consistently disruptive against the run and pass.

23  Gabriel Davis

Buffalo Bills · WR

Davis generated a lot of buzz during training camp and he’s continued to build on that performance. He’s made some incredible catches through the first four weeks, including a diving TD grab vs. the Dolphins.

24 Antonio Gibson

Washington Football Team · RB

The Washington Football Team is desperate for playmakers to complement receiver Terry McLaurin, and Gibson has stepped up to become a weapon out of the backfield.

25 Mike Onwenu

New England Patriots · OG

The sixth-round pick has been a pleasant surprise. He’s shown some versatility and his knockback power in the run game has been very impressive.

2021 MOCK DRAFT

From Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com:

We know Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields are going to be the first two quarterbacks off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. Which passers will be picked next? Trey Lance is the odds-on favorite to be No. 3, but there are two other quarterbacks who’ve gotten out to awesome starts in 2020 and very well could play themselves into the first round.

Kyle Trask plays at Florida, so he’ll be a household name soon enough if he isn’t already. The other quarterback in this first round is still a relative unknown. BYU’s Zach Wilson has been ridiculously good to begin the year and has an early-round skill set.

The draft order below was determined using SportsLine’s reverse Super Bowl odds following Sunday’s Week 4 action.

1 – JETS

Trevor Lawrence QB

CLEMSON • JR • 6’6″ / 220 LBS

Could the Bill O’Brien firing start a domino effect for the likes of Adam Gase and Dan Quinn? Either way, Gase is bound to be let go eventually, and the new head coach will be overjoyed to land Lawrence with the first pick.

2 – GIANTS

Penei Sewell OL

OREGON • JR • 6’6″ / 330 LBS

I’ve been staying away from offensive tackle for the Giants in my first few mocks of the season because they did triple up on offensive linemen in the 2020 draft. But Sewell is a rare prospect, and I don’t think Joe Judge will be ready to move on from Daniel Jones after the season.

3 – WASHINGTON

Justin Fields QB

OHIO STATE • JR • 6’3″ / 228 LBS

Things aren’t looking good for Dwayne Haskins’ future in Washington. Regardless of its fairness to Haskins, I fully expect the front office to look for a franchise quarterback in the 2021 draft.

4 – JAGUARS

La’Marr Chase WR

LSU • JR • 6’1″ / 200 LBS

In this scenario the Jaguars — at least for one more year — are going to build around Gardner Minshew. If Keelan Cole leaves in free agency, Jacksonville would be in the market for another pass catcher, and a D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault, Chase trio would be very enticing.

5 – DOLPHINS

Jaylen Waddle WR

ALABAMA • JR • 5’10” / 182 LBS

In what looks like a receiver class not as deep as 2020, the Dolphins don’t hesitate to pair Tua Tagovailoa with Waddle, his former teammate at Alabama. Right now, no receiver is playing better.

6 – BENGALS

Wyatt Davis OL

OHIO STATE • SOPH • 6’4″ / 313 LBS

The interior of Cincinnati’s offensive line is dreadful, and Davis is the best guard in the class. Easy pickings here for the Bengals.

7 – FALCONS

Patrick Surtain II DB

ALABAMA • JR • 6’2″ / 203 LBS

The Falcons are a mess defensively, and even if (when) Dan Quinn is no longer the coach, the next person calling the shots will likely look to the secondary even after the selection of A.J. Terrell in 2020.

8 – DOLPHINS (from Texans)

Gregory Rousseau DL

MIAMI (FL) • SOPH • 6’7″ / 265 LBS

Miami’s pass rush has to improve if this rebuild is going to work. The sky is the limit for Rousseau, given his immense length and athletic ability.

9 – BRONCOS

Alex Leatherwood OL

ALABAMA • SR • 6’6″ / 312 LBS

The Broncos need to upgrade the right tackle spot — left tackle Garett Bolles has actually played well to start the year — and Leatherwood has the size, length, and balance to be an impact starter right away.

10 – LIONS

Rashod Bateman WR

MINNESOTA • SOPH • 6’2″ / 210 LBS

Given the long-term state of the Lions receiver group — five pass catchers are set to hit free agency — this is a must for Detroit in Round 1.

11 – PANTHERS

Andre Cisco DB

SYRACUSE • JR • 6’0″ / 209 LBS

It’s early. Let’s go slightly off the radar here with Cisco to the Panthers inside the top 15. Carolina’s defense is young, but there’s a need for a long-term solution at safety given Tre Boston’s age. Cisco gives up some big plays but also creates a ton of them. He has 13 interceptions in 24 games at Syracuse.

12 – CHARGERS

Caleb Farley DB

VIRGINIA TECH • JR • 6’2″ / 207 LBS

The Chargers have to add some youth to their secondary, and Farley has the skills and physical profile to be a lockdown perimeter corner in the NFL.

13 – RAIDERS

Kyle Trask QB

FLORIDA • SR • 6’5″ / 239 LBS

Trask is big prospect who plays with a game-manager style. Music to the ears of Jon Gruden.

14 – VIKINGS

Jevon Holland S

OREGON • JR • 6’1″ / 200 LBS

With Anthony Harris’ contract expiring at the end of this season and Harrison Smith’s age, the Vikings may look to the safety spot early in the 2021 draft. Holland is as polished as they come at the position.

15 – BEARS

Trey Lance QB

NORTH DAKOTA STATE • SOPH • 6’4″ / 226 LBS

Who knows what the Bears will do at quarterback this offseason, but they need to search for their future at the position. Lance is phenomenally talented, he just hasn’t played that much football yet.

16 – EAGLES

Micah Parsons LB

PENN STATE • JR • 6’3″ / 244 LBS

The Eagles defense has to get faster at linebacker, and Parsons drips athletic talent in the middle of the defense.

17 – CARDINALS

Trey Smith OL

TENNESSEE • SR • 6’6″ / 330 LBS

The Cardinals have to get nastier on the interior of their offensive line, and Smith is a bulldozer at guard.

18 – BROWNS

Patrick Jones II DL

PITTSBURGH • SR • 6’5″ / 260 LBS

Jones is a tall specimen at the edge spot, and he’s been very productive to start the season for Pittsburgh. He has a developing pass-rusher arsenal. Perfect youthful complement to Myles Garrett in Cleveland.

19 – TITANS

Carlos Basham Jr. EDGE

WAKE FOREST • SR • 6’5″ / 285 LBS

Basham would provide the Titans much-needed depth at edge after Jadeveon Clowney and Harold Landry.

20 – PATRIOTS

Kyle Pitts TE

FLORIDA • JR • 6’6″ / 240 LBS

Do you think Bill Belichick would let the fact that he drafted two tight ends in 2020 keep him from picking the best tight end in the class in Round 1? No way. Pitts would immediately become Cam Newton’s favorite target.

21 – COWBOYS

Levi Onwuzurike DL

WASHINGTON • JR • 6’3″ / 293 LBS

The Cowboys are getting gashed at epic proportions on defense, and adding another talented disruptor in the middle would be a good idea. Onwuzurike is long, powerful, and has a variety of pass-rushing moves.

22 – JAGUARS (from Rams)

Cade Mays OL

TENNESSEE • JR • 6’6″ / 328 LBS

Mays has been a rock on Tennessee’s offensive line during the program’s impressive start. He’d be an immediate upgrade on the inside for the Jaguars.

23 – 49ers

Shaun Wade CB

OHIO STATE • JR • 6’1″ / 195 LBS

Wade has awesome slot corner skills and will get an opportunity to prove his worth on the outside this season at Ohio State.

24 – STEELERS

Tyson Campbell DB

GEORGIA • SOPH • 6’2″ / 185 LBS

The Steelers add a lengthy, physical cornerback to their secondary in Campbell, a battled-tested player from the SEC.

25 – COLTS

Caden Sterns DB

TEXAS • JR • 6’1″ / 207 LBS

Sterns has been productive at Texas for a while and has an NFL safety frame at 6-foot-1 and over 200 pounds.

26 – BILLS

Hamsah Nasirildeen S

FLORIDA STATE • SR • 6’4″ / 220 LBS

The Bills need a big nickel defender to round out their defense and Nasirildeen plays the safety position like a linebacker. Perfect.

27 – SAINTS

Zach Wilson QB

BYU • SOPH • 6’3″ / 203 LBS

Who? Get to know Wilson, He’s played as well as any quarterback in the country to begin the season — he’s thrown only 11 incompletions in three games — and is only 21 years old. He’s showcased high-end scrambling ability, a big arm, and good downfield touch. The Saints swing for the fences here.

28 – BUCCANEERS

Travis Etienne RB

CLEMSON • SR • 5’10” / 205 LBS

Etienne is a tremendous pass-catching back who runs with insane explosiveness. Get him in this Tampa Bay offense.

29 – PACKERS

Jackson Carman T

CLEMSON • JR • 6’5″ / 335 LBS

Like much of their 2020 draft philosophy, this is a pick with the long-term future in mind. Carman is a colossal human who’s fared better from a balance perspective early this season.

30 – RAVENS

Kwity Paye DL

MICHIGAN • SR • 6’4″ / 272 LBS

Paye is a freaky athlete who could play as a defensive end or a stand-up rush linebacker in Baltimore’s system.

31 – JETS (from Seahawks)

Devonta Smith WR

ALABAMA • JR • 6’1″ / 175 LBS

Smith is slight of frame but glides across the field and has impeccable body control and ball skills.

32 – CHIEFS

Brevin Jordan TE

MIAMI (FL) • JR • 6’3″ / 245 LBS

More firepower for Kansas City, as Jordan is another ultra-athletic tight end. Given Travis Kelce just turned 31, the Chiefs could look at a tight end early in the 2021 draft.

AIKMAN RATINGS

After four weeks, we are beginning to get a larger sample size and the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have opened up a bit of a gap in the Combined Aikman Ratings.

The Chiefs are the only team in the top five in both Aikman Offense and Aikman Defense, while Tampa Bay is in the top 10.

Aikman Combined Ratings often follow win-loss record to some extent, but there are some outliers in the early going.  The Aikmans do not like the 4-0 Bills (11^th in Combined) and 3-0 Titans (16^th) as much as their record would indicate.

On the other hand, the 2-2 49ers are still in 4^th in the Aikman Combined despite their loss to #26 Philadelphia in Week 4.

The Aikmans do have three of the four 0-4 teams piled up at the bottom with the two teams that represent New York at #31 (Jets) and #32 (Giants)

                                                                        Off        Def      Comb.

  1        4-0     Kansas City Chiefs                  100.3     71.9     172.2

  2        3-1     Tampa Bay Buccaneers            93.6     78.4     172.0

  3        3-0     Pittsburgh Steelers                    85.7     78.5     164.2

  4        2-2     San Francisco 49ers                 90.9     72.0     162.9

  5        4-0     Seattle Seahawks                     101.3     61.4     162.7

  6        3-1     Indianapolis Colts                        82.0     80.2     162.2

  7        4-0     Green Bay Packers                  106.2     55.8     162.0

  8        3-1     Los Angeles Rams                    93.9     66.6     160.5

  9        2-2     Arizona Cardinals                      93.4     65.7     159.1

10        3-1     Cleveland Browns                      99.2     58.9     158.1

11        4-0     Buffalo Bills                                 94.8     60.5     155.3

12        3-1     Baltimore Ravens                       89.4     65.4     154.8

13        2-2     New England Patriots                 85.3     69.2     154.5

14        1-3     Minnesota Vikings                      92.6     61.6     154.2

15        3-1     Chicago Bears                            80.7     71.3     152.0

16        3-0     Tennessee Titans                       96.7     55.2     151.9

17        2-2     New Orleans Saints                    97.0     54.8     151.8

18        1-3     Los Angeles Chargers                85.1     64.5     149.6

19        1-3     Jacksonville Jaguars                  93.0     54.2     147.2

20        2-2     Carolina Panthers                       88.5     56.4     144.9

21        1-3     Miami Dolphins                           87.4     56.5     143.9

22        1-2-1  Cincinnati Bengals                      83.0     60.2     143.2

23        2-2     Las Vegas Raiders                     91.6     50.8     142.4

24        1-3     Dallas Cowboys                          94.6     47.7     142.3

25        0-4     Atlanta Falcons                           90.4     51.5     141.9

26        1-2-1  Philadelphia Eagles                   78.8     60.9     139.7

27        1-3     Washington                                 75.3     63.1     138.4

28        1-3     Denver Broncos                         71.4     66.4     137.8

29        1-3     Detroit Lions                                86.9     48.8     135.7

30        0-4     Houston Texans                         80.1     51.4     131.5

31        0-4     New York Jets                            67.3     62.3     129.6

32        0-4     New York Giants                        61.5     60.8     122.3

                                        NFL Average            88.1     62.0     150.1