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The finish line is in sight. In less than 100 hours, the Cardinals will lead Kyler Murray with the NFL draft pick in 2019. Or they will not be. This is a story of each of the four quarters at the top of this year's promotion: there is a wide range of results that seem possible for all of them in three days.
The rest of the 2019 class? Many of them are in a similar situation.
After seven months of working on the phone, finding out about this particular group of prospects and trying to bring all the elements together, I have the feeling that four or five players stand out from the crowd. I expect the five (there is one who is a joker) to rank in the top 10, and I can separate them into levels.
LEVEL 1: Ohio State DE Nick Bosa and Alabama DT Quinnen Williams
LEVEL 2: Kentucky LB Josh Allen and LSU LB Devin White
LEVEL 2 WILD CARD: Houston DT Ed Oliver
I call Oliver a wild card because it is not for everyone. White could be considered one too, because of the decrease in the value of off-ball linebackers. But I think if you take a look at most team tips, you'll always see those five top names.
After that, everyone guesses who's going where.
"The meat of this rough draft is days 2 and 3," said an AFC official Sunday night. "The second to fourth round is where we are. Once we reach that first level, with the elite guys, it's the same thing. "
"After Bosa, Allen and Quinnen Williams," said an AFC executive director, "it's a legitimate trap."
Here's what it means: Most of the teams I've talked to in the last two weeks are waiting for 12-16 year olds to turn to guys with second-round notes. There are few real players in the class. The flip side? The downside is that these second-round ranks could extend to the third round, and are expected to end well before the third day.
This represents a lot of good players of the same level and a very unpredictable first round. Maybe it sounds like a loophole ahead of my mock-up project. Maybe that's it. But I do not remember a rough draft of the kind, where there were questions about how the players would leave the board at as many positions (corner, catcher and every place of the offensive line, for n & # 39; 39, to name a few) so close to the repechage. day.
And, of course, this includes the most important position of all.
Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire via Getty
In this week's MMQB, we have a lot of information on drafts, but we will also …
• Take a last look at how the Russell Wilson deal was made and why it makes sense for the Seahawks quarterback.
• Let's look again at the process planners have followed over the past three months, explaining how it all starts.
• Identify a potential landing point for the Frank Clark Seahawk with a franchise label.
• Dive a little deeper into what has happened exactly with the Raiders scouts over the last few weeks and in the potential challenge that the team has created.
• Detail some veterinarians who may be moving through the trade during the repechage (remember, the Super Bowl Champions left tackle, Trent Brown, was traded last year on rough Friday).
And for the rough draft of information, let's go a little further on Murray, Montez Sweat, and why a quarter of the first-round picks could be offensive linemen. So, that's it, and I'm going to show the first round of Thursday night in my first model in two months …
OK, so we found that there were a lot of moving parts in this year's class, and I'll also mention this: None of these is my own rating of the players. I'm not an evaluator, but I spend a lot of time talking to guys who are, and I feel that following college football was part of my job, just like a minor league baseball writer.
Here is a preview of what will happen Thursday night and I will probably try again after several dozen phone calls before the column of my game plan, which will go up the morning of the draft. And it's gone …
CARDINALS OF ARIZONA
Needs: DT, OLB, OL
What I know: There was a lot of smoke last week about the departure of Kyler Murray's Cardinals with the top pick. For the moment, I still think they're taking it for two reasons. First of all, I think it's the new coach Kliff Kingsbury (who does not come from Kingsbury, but from people who know him). And secondly, I think that if they had not done so, Josh Rosen's situation would have been handled differently. It would not surprise me if this choice was Quinnen Williams. But I know a group of NFL people who would not like it.
With the 1st choice: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Needs: WR, S, DE
What I know: The Niners did all the required work on Nick Bosa: take him to Columbus after his professional day and take him to San Francisco for a "30" tour. I also know that they have a lot of knowledge about how he will adapt to the defense of coordinator Robert Salah. Remember, Nick's older brother, Joey, is playing for DC Chargers Gus Bradley, the former boss / mentor of Salah. Bosa's affection was no secret to him, and he would have already strengthened an already formidable front.
With the 2nd choice: Nick Bosa, DE, State of Ohio
NEW YORK JETS
Needs: DL, OL, WR
What I know: For a week, coaches really like Oliver a lot. Remember that DC Gregg Williams coached Aaron Donald with the Rams and he would love a guy like Oliver. Enough to beat Quinnen Williams? May be. For the moment …
With the 3rd choice: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Needs: DE, ILB, RB
What I know: Four years ago, I remember Scot McCloughan taking Brandon Scherff, a guard, with the fifth overall pick. It was his first choice with the Redskins. He wanted to make a statement in what he was looking for in the players. And I could see Mike Mayock doing the same thing here, with LSU LB Devin White. The problem is that in this scenario, there is a board member who is too good to be let go.
4th choice: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
BUCCANEERS OF TAMPA BAY
Needs: LB, RB, DT
What I know: It's a team that, despite its record, does not feel far away. It would therefore make sense to designate someone who could play immediately and who is what Todd Bowles wants to do for the defense. And the word on the street is that Tampa The loves White, who would have helped replace the late Kwon Alexander, has the personality to become the alpha of an NFL defense.
With the 5th choice: Devin White, LB, LSU
NEW YORK GIANTS
Needs: QB, DE, WR, RT
What I know: Logically, you would say that if you like the quarterback enough to take it to the first round (which essentially links the safety of your work to this player), you should not become cute and wait for the second of your choices to take it. Enter the Giants, who have selections # 6 and # 17. But enough members of the scout community have reminded me just how much Dave Gettleman (the best player available!) Was in the last week so the plunge be crossed (or not). taken?) on this one. The best player at this point is clearly …
With the 6th choice: Josh Allen, DE / OLB, Kentucky
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Needs: OT, TE, WR
What I know: This is where most teams expect the top three tackles (Jonah Williams, Jawaan Taylor, Andre Dillard) to start. And I had heard that it would be Taylor in this place forever, until the last days. A few people explained how, after last year's mess, Tom Coughlin intended to focus on culture and that Jonah Williams, even though he was not a tackler, was working better in this regard. Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson would not shock me either. And from the beginning, there was talk that the Jags could be the surprise team of the quarterback. But I have heard much less about it lately.
With the 7th choice: Jonah Williams, OT / OG, Alabama
DETROIT LIONS
Needs: TE, LB, RB
What I know: Lions would really like to trade and accumulate choices, which makes them much more like almost everyone else. If not, a leading striker (Rashan Gary?) Could be on the line, and some even speculated that they might be the surprise team of the quarterback. But I imagine that for now, instead of writing one in the first round, they will find a weapon for the guy they already own by aiming just in the middle of the fairway.
In the 8th choice: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
BUFFALO BILLS
Needs: OT, CB, DT
What I know: The perception is that it would be Oliver's word – and there's a way he could get here (Giants, Jags and Lions as bigger defensive linemen). Assuming it does not happen at this point, it is important to ask the young quarterback for help with the Bills bills. And although they have been linked to D.K. Metcalf, the overwhelming consensus is that it is so, way too high for him. So go get a bodyguard for Allen rather than a weapon. Jonah Williams played for OC Brian Daboll in Alabama. Unfortunately for the bills, he has already left the table, as we have indicated.
At the 9th choice: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington
DENVER BRONCOS
Needs: ILB, TE, C
What I know: Their connection with Drew Lock extends to the Senior Bowl. And I'll tell them … they are fighting each other on QB this year. Michigan LB Devin Bush has been hot recently with the coaches involved in the process. We learn that the new coach Broncos, Vic Fangio, who has just led the defense of Chicago, could see a small Roquan Smith Bush.
At the 10th choice: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Needs: ILB, QB, OL
What I know: The Bengals have been connected to Bush for as long as the Broncos, so I think it's possible he's the choice. But he is not here for me. I was tempted to give Dailsne Haskins to the Giants at age 6, but he is now in the Top 10. Now that Andy Dalton is entering a contract year and the franchise is recovering behind new coach Zac Taylor, other teams connect Cincinnati to Haskins. We are going too.
At the 11th choice: Dwayne Haskins, State of Ohio at QB
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Needs: TE, WR, DT
What I know: The Packers are looking to improve their product line and rumors connect them to the tight ends of Iowa. I think that's the word for Hockenson. Since he left, and even if it is perhaps a little difficult to bring this guy with Jimmy Graham always there …
At the 12th choice: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Needs: QB, DE, OT
What I know: Dolphins are widely open here and build with the long term in mind. That said, an offensive or defensive lineman makes sense. And it was said that finding a cultural fit would be a priority for new coach Brian Flores. It's a good thing that there is a guy who really fits this here. It's another exchange opportunity, and maybe even an attacking tackle, but Miami has to make a choice …
With the 13th choice: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
FALCONS OF ATLANTA
Needs: DE, OT, DT
What I know: Wilkins has been here for a while and makes sense if Grady Jarrett is no longer in Atlanta after 2019. But it makes more sense to me that the Falcons are looking for Vic Beasley's replacement here (in a Bruce Irvin clone). And even with the temptation, I think they will have the feeling of taking one of the offensive linemen on the board.
At the 14th choice: Brian Burns, DE, State of Florida
REDSKINS OF WASHINGTON
Needs: QB, LB, WR
What I know: They did all the work on all the shifts, and the one I heard the most connected to is gone: it's Haskins, who, believe it or not, went to high school with the son of its owner, Dan Snyder . I could see them moving for Haskins. I could also see them taking risks. Or do that …
With the 15th choice: Drew Lock, Quarter, Missouri
Caroline's pants
Needs: DE, S, OT
What I know: General Manager Marty Hurney participated in this repechage cycle among offensive linemen. They really like Garrett Bradbury from NC State. But it would be funny after the signing of Matt Paradis. So, they fill a need here, catching a guy who is a little fallen.
With the 16th choice: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
NEW YORK GIANTS
Needs: QB, DE, WR, RT
What I know: If they approach the shift position at number 6, keep an eye on Clemson's Dexter Lawrence here. Otherwise, the name of Daniel Jones has been associated with them throughout the process – some scouts have said that he is Eli Manning, mechanically, and I know a lot of people who believe that this is not limited to connecting points. The giants went to North Carolina to see Jones and brought him for a visit. Too easy? Probably.
With the 17th choice: Daniel Jones, QB, Duc
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Needs: OT, OG, DT
What I know: I really think that Mike Zimmer would like to see the Vikings appeal to the defensive talent available in this project here, and tackle the offensive line later. I just think that, given what seems to be happening, they will not be able to wait to get one. And there is one here that would work well for them.
At the 18th choice: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
TENNESSEE TITLES
Needs: OLB, DT, S
What I know: Based on the presence of coach Mike Vrabel at many training sessions and the needs of the team, it is assumed that he will be some kind of player for a defensive front that will lose Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan . So, let's go, and a guy who suits Vrabel (although Kevin Dodd's choice in 2016 could give GM Jon Robinson a break) …
At the 19th choice: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Needs: CB, LB, TE
What I know: The chances of White or Bush falling here are slim, which places the team's long-standing corner on the front of the stage. Greedy Williams and Deandre Baker of Georgia, as well as questions about Byron Murphy's athletics from Washington and Joejuan Williams from Vandy, raise concerns about LSU's personality. This leaves a very interesting corner perspective as the cleanest, in a year in which the Steelers could play safely.
At the 20th choice: Rock Ya-Sin, BC, Temple
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Needs: DE, DT, FS
What I know: The commercial potential of Frank Clark would require replenishing the defensive line, and the general manager John Schneider would then have the opportunity to roll the dice on some types considered risky. He never hesitated to do it, so I'll see him fighting for the fence.
At the 21st choice: Gary Rashan, DE, Michigan
RAVENS OF BALTIMORE
Needs: OLB, ILB, WR
What I know: There was a buzz on Metcalf here. And the Ravens have needs in defense. But more than anything, I heard they would continue to organize the match around Lamar Jackson, even after spending on Mark Ingram. So, I will not dismiss Josh Jacobs here. Or an offensive offensive line player.
At the 22nd choice: Cody Ford, OG, Oklahoma
HOUSTON TEXANS
Needs: OT, TE, CB
What I know: They did a lot of research on offensive tackles, and I could see them trading to position themselves to take one of the top three players, or to position themselves for the Tytus Young of the Alabama State or the Greg Little of Ole Miss. In this case, as we do not project trades, I will have them with a versatile piece for the line, in the hope that they can consolidate the place later. I'm tempted to give them an angle here, but the choice is …
At the 23rd choice: Eric McCoy, C / G, Texas A & M
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Needs: DE, ILB, RB
What I know: Again, I think Mayock, based on what I know of him, will go for a certain type of player. And I think there is a running back who does this type of player.
At the 24th choice: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Needs: RB, LB, WR
What I know: Philly is in a great place. Alignment is in good shape, they do not have to put pressure on their needs and can take the risk of a falling player, who is outrageously athletic and who is well suited to his defense.
With the 25th choice: Mount Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Needs: WR, DE, LB
What I know: Chris Ballard has just completed a generation project in 2018 and has been able to effectively meet the most important needs of the independent agency team – adding Devin Funchess to the receiver and Justin Houston as a receiver. Attacker on board – allowing the team to get a guy to be just right there with Bosa and Quinnen Williams on tape alone. But a horrific incident in high school and torn ACLs are part of the record, of course.
With the 26th choice: Jeffrey Simmons, DT, State of Mississippi
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Needs: DE, ILB, RB
What I know: You have already heard what I know about these guys. But at No. 27, finding a replacement for Jared Cook would be nice, and Noah Fantas left.
With the 27th choice: Irv Smith, TE, Alabama
LOADERS OF LOS ANGELES
Needs: OT, CB, DT
What I know: The Chargers are in great shape from the point of view of alignment, which gives them the opportunity to draw, among others, for the heir of Russell Okung, or even for that of Philip Rivers. (It would not surprise me to see them in Josh Rosen's market if Arizona took Murray.) Anyway, they have the opportunity to become the best player available here.
With the 28th choice: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
KANSAS CITY COUNTRIES
Needs: C, OLB, CB
What I know: Oklahoma WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown would be an excellent insurance for Tyreek Hill, given the situation that awaits. And I heard they will take a turn forever. But that fits perfectly with a player I could see going as high as teens being always available to the Chiefs to replace Mitch Morse.
With the 29th choice: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Needs: TE, WR, DT
What I know: Again, I think they will tackle the offensive line at some point. And that could be this point. But I also know that Matt LaFleur's offensive needs a burner, as it had for Taylor Gabriel in Atlanta, and Sammy Watkins for L.A. And Hollywood is still on the board.
With the 30th choice: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Needs: LB, OG, C
What I know: John Sullivan is gone. The same goes for Rodger Saffold. Which means that if the right offensive lineman falls to the Rams, I think the guys there would be very happy. Thanks to the Packers who took Brown to the 30th rank, it's happening here …
At the 31st choice: Elgton Jenkins, G / C, State of Mississippi
PATRIOTS OF NEW ENGLAND
Needs: DE, TE, WR
What I know: Bill Belichick is always looking towards the future and he mentioned in his preliminary press conference that it was necessary to match the larger receivers with athletic extremes. The Patriots have Patrick Chung in this role for a while. They might find another bigger version of it. And I think that's what they'll see in this guy, rather than line up like a corner like most people do.
At the 32nd choice: Joejuan Williams, DB, Vanderbilt
Latest news from the NFL's highest paid player
In some ways, this year's Russell Wilson negotiations reflected what we saw between the quarterback and the Seahawks four years ago – there was a lot of talk of innovative conditions, in anticipation of a four-year extension with a fairly conventional structure. . But following the conclusion of this more recent agreement (which took place just after the deadline of 3:16 pm to midnight), Wilson's agent quickly pointed out an essential distinction.
And that's an important part of explaining how it went for Mark Rodgers, who made a name for himself, and who found Wilson's way, working in baseball.
"Four years ago, I had the impression of being in a baseball officiating negotiation, where I had to compare my client's statistics to those of a player." comparable, "he said the other night. "This time, I had the impression of representing one of the NFL's elite players, and no one was disputing it."
So now that everything is over, we can sift through some of the details and note down what was important to get him over the goal line. As usual, finer details tell how the team and the player managed to find a compromise. Earlier in the negotiation, Wilson's party submitted three proposals to the Seahawks (at least one had sums tied to the percentage of the salary cap), and the final agreement included elements of each.
Here are some elements that pushed the team and the player to the middle ground.
1) Cash flow. Wilson will receive $ 70 million this year, $ 88 million between this year and next year, and $ 107 million in the first three years of his deal. Seattle has maintained its policy of not funding collateral for the coming seasons, but seasons two and three become guaranteed in March of those years. And the Seahawks are expected to spend $ 70 million a year, $ 52 million a year and $ 44 million a year and $ 39 million to reduce it from March to March. So he almost certainly spent three years.
2) The combination of alignment bonuses in 2022 and 23 years and the non-exchange clause. Having the $ 5 million bonus in March of those years made it logical, it would be logical for Seattle to make a quick decision if it planned to leave Wilson at that time, and the no-trade clause limited the options. of the team. in this scenario. It is therefore very likely that if Wilson does not recoup his $ 24 million in 2022 or his $ 26 million in 2023, Seattle will have to send it to the market at age 33 or 34.
3) The price tag it in 2024. Wilson's 2023 ceiling is $ 39 million. This means that if the settlement remains unchanged, the '24 tax deductible is at least 120% of that amount, or $ 46.8 million. Tagging it again in '25 would cost $ 56.16 million. These tags still frame transactions, and these numbers mean that Wilson would be on the fourth line of a fourth contract in four years, at the age of 30, with more than $ 100 million in his first two years.
4) A last sweetener. Escalators in the deal (based on Pro Bowl first-round honors, Super Bowl MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, as well as touchdown passes, yards, and completion percentage) can bring back $ 6 million to Wilson. And if he hits them, it would probably be good for everyone.
So bad news for the players here? Wilson's contract has broken no precedent of the Seahawks and has not targeted the craziness of the NFL's ridiculous financing rule (which forces teams to fund each fully guaranteed dollar in advance with the league), which gives the teams an excuse to give themselves to the trap. in the contracts. That's why Kirk Cousins' contract was so important.
But Wilson has accumulated $ 23.24 million more in three years than he would have with his current contract and two franchise labels (as Cousins did), and he hopes to have a another financial chance. It is certainly not a loss for him.
WHEN ARE THEY INDICATED THE APPENDIX?
If you want a complete overview of the program and the impact of the three-star movement (and the amazing rise of the Browns and … Phillies?!?) Have been scheduled, check out my game plan as of Thursday. And if you want a rest that I find quite interesting, well, I'll give it to you now.
The first question I asked the planners when I entered the Val Pinchbeck room on Wednesday was simple: When does it really start? The answer is the day after the end of the previous season. They then explained that the teams did not have to receive their stadium blocks or other requests until the end of January. Only after the Super Bowl will they receive the latest requests from the networks.
So, what are they doing in January? This month, most of the time, is devoted to identifying and attempting to placement what they call "forced" games. In the model of 256 games in total, they will end up with about 50 of those (nearly 20%) that can not be moved so far in one direction or another.
"Mathematically, it's the most limited game, because we're looking in that endless space of solutions," said Mike North, vice president of broadcasting, before turning to a TV with a schedule. "You see it in week 5 in a blue box with an underline, which means that Packers at Cowboys, Fox is blue, the underlining is double: Sunday afternoon at 4:25 pm, Packers-Cowboys sounds good.
"So, at one point, Howard [Katz] looked at the list of 256, chooses Packers-Cowboys and says: "I think I like it as a dual program, I do not think I want to see her in the first week, I'm not sure we wanted to save it. until week 16, so somewhere in the middle. You know the Cowboys will be playing Thanksgiving in the 13th week. So you know that's not the case, they work in their own stadiums, they have the Rangers on the other side of the street.
"So where is the right place to deploy Packers-Cowboys to get the most value out of this asset? Multiply this conversation on all 256 of these games. How do you offer maximum value for each of these assets? "
Katz, the tsar responsible for planning, then added, "But what we will do is that we will not just say: 'This game has to be there. & # 39; We will say: "OK, we would like to see this game in one of the following weeks, so Mike will write a rule [into the computer] to make sure the game ends where we want it. "There are other games in which we will say," We really want it this week and only this week. "What the computer does is generate seed schedules based on what Mike has put in the computer as eligible, so seed programs can have 36 to 50 matches."
And North said, "The further we go in the process, the more limited we are, when we start seeing things we like and do not like, to lock something, to lock something, the more your seed has to be small to stay flexible enough to solve the problem with a finished playable program. "
"But each of the seed programs, and there are literally millions and millions and millions," said Katz. "Each of the seed programs will set the games up according to what Mike has said to the computer. "We are ready to see this match in any of these places." Each ranking calendar is different. "
As you can see, it's complicated – the guys in this room have continued to compare it to a Rubik 'cube – and that's important, as the league says, spending five officials for more than three months. Remember that each ranking point can bring a lot of money to the league. And as we approach the next round of license agreements (the current agreements expire in 2023), it is easy to imagine that these things will become more and more essential to the functioning of the league.
TEN TRAVEL
1) The Raiders returning their scouts to the house certainly caught the attention of those in the NFL community on Friday. D'après ce que j'ai entendu, ces gars-là étaient en ville depuis trois semaines et demie. En règle générale, même les équipes qui ne laissent pas leurs dépisteurs participer à la dernière série de réunions juste avant la version préliminaire les retiennent au cas où elles seraient obligées de les inviter à discuter d’un prospect ou d’une position. Ainsi, le fait que le personnel d’Oakland ait été envoyé à l’aéroport et qu’on ne le prévienne pas lorsqu’ils reviendraient (et la plupart ne s’y attendaient pas) était à ce stade inhabituel. Mais je ne suis pas sûr qu'il y en ait beaucoup d'autres. Mayock, dans son premier projet en tant que directeur général, et avec trois candidats à la première ronde, veut faire attention. Et il sait comment les informations font l’objet d’un trafic en cette période de l’année, après en avoir parlé dans les médias. Pourtant, ce n’est pas la fin. Si Mayock élimine le service de surveillance, il rencontrera probablement des difficultés similaires à celles de Buffalo il ya deux ans, en essayant d’embaucher des personnes susceptibles d’être sous contrat à d’autres endroits. Et puis, il y a la fin du projet. En règle générale, le service de repérage fait le gros des efforts sur les agents libres des collèges, mettant à profit leurs relations pour tenter de recruter des joueurs de tout le pays. Vous penserez que ce sera plus difficile sans les éclaireurs.
2) Si Murray joue le premier au classement général, cela ne lui aura pas coûté dans le processus de sélection. Mais les gens qui l’ont rencontré se posent certainement des questions sur le football qu’il connaît. Son athlétisme est indiscutable. Il peut ramasser des choses. Pourtant, il a eu du mal avec certaines équipes au tableau. Cette question était en harmonie avec le fait qu’il n’avait pas le représentant pour être un moulin à la fac, contrairement à son ancien coéquipier Baker Mayfield. Et il y a eu sa mise au banc pour les premiers jeux du match Baylor l’automne dernier, en raison du retard de Murray sur deux sorties de vendredi à 6 h. À d’autres postes, bien sûr, ce genre de choses n’est pas aussi grave. Au quart, ils méritent généralement de creuser plus profondément. Peut-être qu’avec l’école, et probablement le baseball, hors du tableau, vous aurez un Murray différent. Je n’ai pas entendu parler de son aptitude à apprendre le poste en question. Mais ce qu’il sait, c’est ce qui s’est produit lors de mes discussions avec les équipes sur les quarts de la classe de cette année.
3) Vous remarquerez peut-être le nombre de monteurs de lignes offensifs dans mon projet de maquette (huit), et j’ai le sentiment que c’est en partie un autre exemple d’équipes qui se préparent pour un an dans l’optique de définir leur stratégie. Vous avez lu dans cet espace que certaines équipes pourraient attendre des quarts et des receveurs, voir ce que la classe de cette année est, et sachant que ces postes pourraient être beaucoup plus forts en 2020. Avec les monteurs de lignes offensifs, le contraire se produit. Non seulement il est devenu plus difficile de trouver et de développer des monteurs de lignes offensifs (ce qui explique pourquoi tant d’anciens établis ont été payés à la fois en agences indépendantes et par leurs propres équipes), mais un coup d’œil pour l’année prochaine a révélé un paysage relativement stérile. Liam Eichenberg et le centre du Wisconsin, Tyler Biadasz, ont été les têtes d'affiche, mais il n'y a pas beaucoup de profondeur ni de promesse générale, ce qui a créé l'urgence pour les équipes de recruter leurs joueurs en 2019. Nous avons mentionné la semaine dernière que frapper un «double du mur» dans le premier tour avec des gars de l'intérieur comme Bradbury, Lindstrom, McCoy et Ford avait du sens en une année sans une tonne de prospects élites aux spots premium attirait les équipes. Et cela a encore plus de sens si vous ne pensez pas pouvoir en atteindre un l’année prochaine.
4) Je ferais attention à la décision de Sweat de ne pas aller à Nashville pour le brouillon. La semaine dernière, le lundi après-midi du quart nous a dit que son problème cardiaque le ferait tomber du tableau de certaines équipes. Et cela ne se termine pas là. Son échec aux tests antidopage en tant que collégien, son renvoi de l'État du Michigan et sa gestion du processus de pré-draft ont ajouté à la trépidation des équipes sur le monstre de 6 '6 ", 260 livres, qui a cloqué une balle de 4,41 40 verges. Dash et posté une verticale de 36 pouces dans Indy. Jeudi pourrait être intéressant pour un joueur qui, sur talent, devrait être un choix du Top 10.
5) L’avenir des Seahawks DE Frank Clark est dans la balance cette semaine et il n’aurait guère de surprise si Seattle l’a déplacé. Une équipe à surveiller de près – les chefs. Yes, it could be complicated for K.C., given Clark’s past, and the year they’ve had, from Kareem Hunt to Tyreek Hill. But they’ve discussed making the move to replace Dee Ford with a 6' 3", 265-pound end who would be a better fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s base defense than Ford projected to be. Word on the street is the Seahawks are driving a hard bargain, asking for a first- and a second-round pick, and there’d be the matter of working through a long-term deal off Clark’s $17.1 million franchise tag. But the Chiefs are in an interesting spot to do something like that—with their first-rounder sitting at the bottom of the round and cap space there with QB Patrick Mahomes still on his rookie deal. As always, stay tuned.
6) The veteran trade market should be active this week. Clark’s name is the biggest, but not the only big one. Teams are keeping an eye on former Cardinals first-rounder Robert Nkemdiche. And San Francisco’s Arik Armstead could be involved in discussions, too (although I’m told he is in the Niners’ plans at this point). Oakland’s Justin Ellis, who the Raiders signed to a three-year, $13.5 million deal last March, is another defensive lineman who’s believed to be available. And most of you know about Duke Johnson’s situation in Cleveland. As for receivers, I did ask a couple teams, and the most significant name I could come away with that could be moved was Dallas’s Allan Hurns, who’s coming off a significant injury. There just aren’t a lot of answers at that position this offseason, which leads us back to…
7) There are teams that have D.K. Metcalf, despite his physical tools, as the third receiver in what’s a pretty mediocre class at the position. There’s a lot of love out there for Oklahoma’s Hollywood Brown. And after asking around the last few days, I can tell you a good number of respected evaluators actually prefer Meltcalf’s Ole Miss teammate, A.J. Brown, to him. I think those three could come off the board in any order, with Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry a wild card in that mix.
8) So who will the Russell Wilson contract really affect? I don’t think it changes much for Patrick Mahomes or even Carson Wentz, who’ll get top dollar whenever they get extended. But I think it could create some difficulty down the line in negotiations involving guys like Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota, Dallas’s Dak Prescott or Chicago’s Mitch Trubisky. On one hand, it seems like it would be out of hand for those guys to ask for money inching close to $40 million aper year. On the other, Oakland’s Derek Carr became football’s highest paid player after just one really good year, and San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo topped him and everyone else seven months later, with just seven career starts on his ledger. So maybe it wouldn’t be? Which is to say, yes, the skyrocketing of the quarterback market—the top end of it rose 40 percent (from $25 million to $35 million in average per year) over the last 22 months—may well complicated things in a few locales.
9) I saw that Giants GM Dave Gettleman said this to NJ.com’s Steve Politi: “I’ve been to seven Super Bowls. I feel very strongly that I know what it should look like, what it should smell like, what it should taste like. And then, you can look at me and say, well, either I know what I'm doing, or I'm a big rabbit. Neither one nor the other is bad, right? I like my resume so far.” I’m gonna agree with him, and I know that’s not popular. Gettleman inherited a salary cap tire fire in Carolina and cleaned it up quickly. The Panthers went 12-4 in his first year, then won the division at 7-8-1 in his rip-the-band-aid off campaign of 2014, and came back to go 15-1 and make it to the Super Bowl in 2015, with a roster rebuilt on the fly. And his firing had very little to do with his team-building acumen. So I’d say it’d be fair to give him more than a year to rework what was a really bad roster in New York.
10) We’re right at the end of the evaluation process, but these last few days can be the time when teams try and sneak guys in without anyone knowing—with the thinking going that there’s less time for word of meetings or workouts leaking one. One happened over the weekend with the Cardinals working out Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry (as my buddy Ian Rapoport reported Saturday). Another example was Patriots OC Josh McDaniels meeting with Baker Mayfield the Monday before the draft last year. And we’ve got a good story from a few years back of one working out. It was 2008, and the day before the final day for in-house visits, the Texans contacted Texas DT Frank Okam and asked him if he could get from his hometown of Dallas to Houston the next day. He said yes, drove over, answered Houston’s questions about his passion for the game. And days later, they took him in the fifth round. So keep an eye out for these this week.
…OF THE WEEK
QUOTE
“I understand that, but I can’t change their opinions. Not being cocky in any way, but if a Rookie of the Year doesn’t sway that mindset then I don’t know what will. My mindset is continue to prove to the people in this locker room and this building that they got the right guy. A guy who is going to buy-in and get other people to buy-in and take that leadership role. I’ve been able to show that show so far, and I believe I can take that to another other level.”
Giants RB Saquon Barkley on whether New York should’ve taken a quarterback second overall last year. This is a fair response from him, but the answer to what will sway the mindset is simple: The Giants needs to win. And that may be an unfair standard to pin on a running back, which is exactly why the question is being asked in the first place. If Sam Darnold becomes what the Jets think he will, then the only thing that will silence those questions is the Giants finding the right guy at the position, and a way to get back in contention with Barkley there.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was wearing a “spiritual gangster” shirt, by the way. And yup, that’s a shot at Anthony Davis, who may or may not be in Kerr’s division next year (probably not).
TWEET
Now, this wasn’t very nice of Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence. (By the way, Lawrence has upped his trolling of Eli Manning to now include a shot of he and the Giants quarterback on the banner of his twitter page. I’m not even kidding.)
Not sure what Rovell’s getting at, but I support it.
VIDÉO
S/O to Pro Football Talk czar Mike Florio for calling my attention to this very special look at the Vikings’ schedule.
MEME
Really topical.
SIX FROM THE SIDELINES…
1) For the first time in forever, the NBA’s East semis should be fantastic—so long as the Bucks, Sixers and Raptors close out their series as everyone expects them to. Those three and the Celtics bring plenty of star power to the table, and this should be a good introduction to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid for casual fans, and a re-introduction to Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard after those two missed last year’s playoffs.
2) Gotta be happy for Gordon Hayward, going home and playing well in a playoff setting, after the 18 months he’s had.
3) NBA Playoff ratings being down 26 percent can’t be all that surprising with LeBron James out of the mix. But it does underscore, again, how star driven basketball is, and how critical it is for that league to elevate guys like the four we mentioned above over the next month or so, because LeBron might be back next year, but he won’t around forever.
4) Was interesting listening to Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel’s podcast on Sunday and hearing that Washington QB Jacob Eason, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Georgia, has been a little disappointing this spring, with most expecting he’ll take over for four-year starter Jake Browning. Eason was one quarterback I had my eye on to be a potential Murray/Haskins breakout draft prospect in 2019.
5) Was weird seeing Albert Pujols’s name in a headline again, but there he was.
6) This is a commitment to journalism. (Happy Easter, by the way!)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
You knew I wouldn’t leave the teams without first-rounders hanging, right? There are four of them—Dallas, New Orleans, Chicago and Cleveland—and this is as good a place as any to assess whether or not their moves out of the round were worth it.
And the easy conclusion to make? C'était.
The Cowboys (needs: DT, FS) landed Amari Cooper for what wound up being the 27th pick. Provided they re-sign Cooper, and they plan to, he’s a better prospect than any of the guys in this year’s draft class. By a fairly wide margin. And still just 24.
The Bears (needs: OLB, RB) got Khalil Mack for, with some pick swapping mixed in, the 24th pick and their first-rounder next year. I’d say they’re happy with that, Mack having changed the face of their team in Year 1 of the Matt Nagy Era. It’d take something pretty crazy happening soon for Chicago to regret that one, though there’s plenty of room for Oakland to make the deal work for them too.
The Browns (needs: CB, S) and Saints (DE, TE) are murkier—Cleveland, because we haven’t seen Odell Beckham suit up yet, and New Orleans, because we haven’t seen enough of Marcus Davenport. But given how those two stack up against players available where those picks are (17th and 30th, respective), you can make a strong case that both teams have a really good shot at coming out winners.
So what you need to know from all this: Being aggressive and creative as a problem solver helps, even if it might make some draft day down the line a little less exciting.
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