Now, one insider believes that Okwara could be on the hot seat as training camp approaches and may need to battle to keep his position on the team.  The Lions have already made some big investments into their defense, and SI.com’s Vito Chirco believes it is now time for Okwara to “put up or shut up.”

Lions Edge Rusher Has Something to Prove

As Chirco noted, Okwara has struggled with setbacks that have been largely out of his control. After a strong campaign in 2020 where he notched 10 sacks and earned a $37-million contract, the defensive end suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 of the 2021 season and was not able to return until Week 13 of last season.

Fair or not, the situation has left Okwara on the hot seat this coming season, Chirco noted.

“He’s failed to stay healthy the past two seasons, and has suited up for just nine total games. And remember, the best ability as a pro athlete is availability, and it’s a trait he hasn’t possessed for a couple of seasons now,” Chirco wrote.

Chirco added that Okwara has already given a significant concession, agreeing to have his base salary reduced to $2 million this coming season, down from the original $11 million he would have been owed.

The pay cut came after Okwara’s production dropped significantly in each of the two injury-shortened seasons. He made just 14 total tackles with three sacks over the course of the last two years, and in 2022 appeared in just 39% of total defensive snaps.

Romeo Okwara Feels ‘Maybe Even Better’ Than Before

After two seasons shortened by injury, Okwara is confident that he will return strong for the upcoming year. Speaking to 97.1 The Ticket, the Lions defensive end said he feels “more explosive, stronger, faster” this year and that his body is “maybe even better” than it felt before he suffered the torn Achilles.

Okwara also spoke about his willingness to take a pay cut, saying he wanted to remain in Detroit and was willing to give back a bit.

“Detroit’s my home,” Okwara said. “And I think it was really important for me to be here and just keep building on what we’ve started since I’ve been here. So I didn’t really think too much of it. That’s just part of the business and I’m glad to be here.”

While the reduced salary could give Okwara a leg up in the battle for a roster spot, his future in Detroit is not assured as he is entering the final year of his contract. But Okwara remained focused on the season ahead and said he was excited to enter the season as favorites to win the NFC North — and ready to work at making it happen.

“Whatever’s expected for us, we gotta work for it,” Okwara said. “We gotta keep our head down and just work.”

The Buffalo Bills were once the odds-on favorites to land DeAndre Hopkins, but appear to have fallen out of the race as the All-Pro wide receiver grows closer to a final decision.

The NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported back in May that the Bills and Kansas City Chiefs were the only teams to hold substantive trade talks with the Arizona Cardinals, but after the Cardinals opted to release Hopkins the race appears to have changed. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on June 20 that Hopkins was down to a final two, including one top rival of the Bills.

DeAndre Hopkins Mulling Over Options

Russini reported that Hopkins is considering offers from two teams that he had recently visited — the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added that Hopkins isn’t in a rush to make a decision, and both the Titans and Patriots remain committed to landing him.

“There’s a lull in action right now. Training camp’s not for a month, not a lot of rush,” Fowler said, via Bleacher Report. “He met with the Titans, met with the Patriots. Both teams made clear that they have major interest in signing him. I’m told there is some mutual interest and respect between the Patriots and Hopkins, that something could go down, but they couldn’t get that deal done while he was on the visit.”

Fowler noted that the situation could still change, and the fact that Hopkins is considering offers from the Titans and Patriots doesn’t preclude another team from jumping back into the mix. He specifically called out one top AFC contender that had previously engaged in trade talks — though it wasn’t the Bills.

“You still have teams, like maybe the Chiefs, if they could clear up some money later, closer to training camp, then they could get involved,” he said. “There’s some contenders there but right now, he is staying put and waiting for the right situation.”

Though many pundits identified the Bills as a strong contender, general manager Brandon Beane also tempered enthusiasm when he hinted on June 5 that the Bills would likely be priced out of the race.

“It would definitely have to fit with how we would restructure the salary and all that, so never ruling it out,” Beane said in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I know he’s a good player and he’ll likely demand a decent contract.”

Bills May Have Another Move to Make

Though it appears the Bills have fallen out of the race to land Hopkins, some insiders believe they could still have one more big move left this offseason. They have been linked to Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, who was rumored to be interested in Buffalo as well.

A June 1 report from Outkick’s Armando Salguero noted that Cook was intrigued with the idea of joining the Bills and playing alongside his younger brother or playing for his hometown team, the Miami Dolphins.

“Cook is from Miami,” Salguero wrote. “[He] has made it known through sources he’d like to play either for the Dolphins or with his brother James Cook on the Bills. And the Vikings have let it known Cook probably isn’t in their future.”

But adding any player would be difficult for the cash-strapped Bills, who would likely need to make some form of corresponding move in order to create the cap space needed to sign Cook or any other impact player.

The Minnesota Vikings have amassed a stable of young talent over the past two years, though several of those players have barely had a chance to showcase their skills.

Safety Lewis Cine is at the top of that list after suffering a compound fracture to his leg in Week 4 of last season against the New Orleans Saints. The injury cost him the remainder his rookie campaign and required two surgeries to fully repair.

Minnesota selected Cine with the No. 32 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he appeared in just three games and played only two snaps on defense during those contests, per Pro Football Reference. Cine saw the field for a total of 34 special teams snaps before breaking his leg.

Cine’s rehabilitation appears to be coming along swimmingly based on training videos the safety posted to social media in February, which can be viewed on YouTube courtesy of the Purple FTW! Podcast.

Lewis Cine Primed for Larger Role With Vikings Secondary Under New Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores

GettySafety Lewis Cine of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before an NFL game against the Detroit Lions in September 2022.

That Cine wasn’t ready to jump into a starting role as a rookie, even before he was injured, is mildly concerning. However, NFL defenses are complicated, and players learn in different ways and at different speeds.

Cine has had the entire offseason to study the game in general, as well as to watch tape of opponents and work with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s defensive staff during practice and meeting sessions. The learning curve might reset to a degree with the arrival of Brian Flores as the Vikings’ new defensive coordinator, but that alone doesn’t mean Cine can’t explode onto the scene in a real way during his sophomore season.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report on Sunday, June 25, named Cine a top-eight breakout candidate among second-year players who have been “forgotten” for one reason or another, to one degree or another, after unimpressive rookie campaigns.

“While the second-year man may still be stuck behind Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum at safety, he should see the field more as a sophomore,” Knox wrote. “He could also have a real opportunity to shine as a rotational player under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. If Flores is going to use a more aggressive and diversified scheme than predecessor Ed Donatell, Cine could be a huge part of it.”

Lewis Cine Offers Optimistic Outlook Heading into Second NFL Season With Vikings

GettySafety Lewis Cine of the Minnesota Vikings participates in training camp drills in August 2022.

The Philadelphia Eagles could be an ideal landing spot for a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive playmaker.

As suggested by Glenn Erby of Eagles Wire, Philadelphia should consider adding former Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate. Erby believes the 31-year-old tight end would be a good fit considering his experience and that he can play in two tight end sets with starting tight end Dallas Goedert.

“Brate has valuable starting experience in the NFL (33 starts in 126 career games),” writes Erby. “He had just 20 catches for 174 yards last season at the age of 31, but provides value in two-tight end sets and good tight end depth.”

Why Eagles Could Consider Cameron Brate

Prior to being released by the Buccaneers this offseason, Brate had spent his entire nine-season career with Tampa Bay. Through 126 career games and 33 starts, Brate posted 273 receptions for 2,857 yards and 33 touchdowns. While Brate is coming off of his worst season outside of his rookie campaign — he posted just 20 receptions for 174 receiving yards and no touchdowns — he has shown playmaking ability in the past, notching 57 receptions for 660 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2016 season.

That performance helped Brate land a six-year, $40.8 million deal with the Buccaneers prior to the start of the 2018 season.

However, injuries — including a concussion and a neck injury — severely limited him last season.

Why Eagles Signing Cameron Brate is Unlikely

The Eagles currently feature seven tight ends on their roster. Five of those tight ends have notable experience, with all of them — with the exception of free agent signing Dan Arnold — having previously played for Philadelphia. Outside of Goedert and Arnold are veterans Tyree Jackson, Jack Stoll and Dallas Calcaterra.

However, most of those tight ends did not impress in pass and run blocking. According to Pro Football Focus, Goedert posted a 57.0 pass-blocking grade and 56.4 run-blocking grade. With the exception of Calcaterra — he posted a 73.3 pass-blocking grade and 61.7 run-blocking grade last season — all of the Eagles’ veteran tight ends posted worse grades.

By comparison, Brate excels in the blocking department. According to PFF, Brate posted a 79.1 pass-blocking grade last season. Among all tight ends with at 30 targets, Brate ranked fourth among all players at the position in pass blocking.

There’s been little chatter regarding any interest in Brate on the free agency market. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brate isn’t signed.

The Eagles could certainly take a flier on Brate if they choose to, signing him to a veteran’s minimum deal. However, the fact that Philadelphia already features so many tight ends on the roster — with four of them having played for the Eagles in the past — makes signing Brate an unlikely scenario. Especially when one has to assume that Philadelphia views Arnold — he had just nine catches last season and has just 95 career catches in five seasons– the way they would view Brate.

If one of Philadephia’s veteran tight ends suffer an injury during training camp or the preseason, signing Brate could become a possibility.

The Cleveland Browns spent considerable capital enhancing the wide receiver room this offseason, though the most meaningful upgrade may come from a player who was already on the roster.

The NFL has a short memory and fosters an unforgiving ecosystem of fierce competition, which allows players to tumble from the “next best thing” to “yesterday’s news” in a matter of games. Wide receiver David Bell was fairly well-hyped entering his rookie campaign, after Cleveland selected him with the No. 99 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Bell was positioned to compete with Donovan Peoples-Jones for the No. 2 spot behind leading man Amari Cooper. Instead, he finished sixth on the team in receiving with just 214 yards on 24 catches — a yardage tally that set him behind both aforementioned receivers, starting running back Nick Chubb and the team’s top two tight ends, David Njoku and Harrison Bryant.

The Browns’ addition of Elijah Moore at the cost of a second-round pick, as well as the signing of free agent speedster Marquise Goodwin and the drafting of promising rookie Cedric Tillman could push Bell further down the stat sheet. The other possibility is that their collective presence will motivate Bell to produce the kind of sophomore season that will force the doubters to forget about his underwhelming entrance onto the NFL stage last year.

David Bell Poised for Leap in 2023, Appears Big Part of Browns’ Future

GettyWide receiver David Bell of the Cleveland Browns makes a catch during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals in October 2022.

Such is the prediction of Bleacher Report’s Christopher Knox, who contended on Sunday, June 25, that Bell is among the most likely second-year players to make a leap after an unremarkable rooking campaign.

Browns fans probably haven’t forgotten about David Bell, the 2022 third-round pick who played 47 percent of the snaps as a rookie. However, outsiders probably don’t know his name.

Fans should expect the Browns to push Bell for playing time, even with the new additions in the fold. Peoples-Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Cooper could be a 2024 cap casualty.

Bell has a chance to be a big part of Cleveland’s future, and with a strong training camp, its present too.

Bell is only 22 years old and will play the second season of a four-year, $5.1 million rookie deal with the Browns in 2023.

David Bell Won’t Start for Browns Right Away, May Contribute Big Before Season Ends

GettyWide receiver David Bell of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during an NFL preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles in August 2022.

Moore is now in the fold and presumably positioned to compete with Peoples-Jones for the No. 2 job, with the third spot falling to the loser of that competition. Given that context, Bell isn’t a good bet to start for Cleveland — at least not in Week 1.

However, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported last week that Bell is all but a lock to retain a spot on the roster after training camp concludes at the end of August.

“Bell is still in great standing with the club and will make the 53-man roster,” Cabot wrote on June 22. “[Head coach] Kevin Stefanski loved him coming out of Purdue last season and still sees the same tremendous potential in him as a slot receiver in the mold of Jarvis Landry.”

There is a chance Bell will play his way into a major role in 2023, perhaps even into a starting role at some point. And, of course, there is the ever-present eventuality of injury on every NFL roster that more or less guarantees Bell will get a shot or two this year to show what he can do, assuming he remains relatively healthy.

Daniel Jones’ upward curve has seen him go from potential draft bust to franchise quarterback, rewarded with a four-year, $160-million contract by the New York Giants. Now, even one of Jones’ biggest critics is prepared to compare the 26-year-old to Tom Brady.

Chris Simms had been one of Jones’ main detractors, but the NBC Sports analyst put Big Blue’s QB1 no. 11 in his latest annual ranking of the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

Jones just missed the top 10, but Simms, speaking to Ahmed Fareed on an edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned, explained why he sees shades of seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady: “Size is a skill. … Daniel Jones, to me, is in a small class of quarterbacks in the NFL, where he can throw over the line of scrimmage. It keeps a variety of completions and throws still available to him that is not available to most quarterbacks in football, and it’s a short list. You know, him, (Justin) Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, Brady could kinda do that.”

Simply being mentioned in connection with Brady is testament to how far Jones progressed during 2022. His progression is why the Giants paid up this offseason and are counting on No. 8 to continue getting better and officially join the ranks of the elite at football’s most important position.

It’s a gamble, but the signs are good Jones can meet expectations.

Daniel Jones Improved in Every Area During 2022

Simms, son of two-time Super Bowl champion Giants quarterback Phil, gave Jones credit for more than just his 6-foot-5, 221-pound frame. Jones also earned plaudits for his improved arm and accuracy: “Go back and watch. I mean, he’s got games where you go 10-12 plays in a row where you go, ‘there’s nobody open,’. and he’s still getting completions or still getting positive yards. He’s a high-level thrower of the football. What I mean, like a Kirk Cousins, it’s incredible control and accuracy. He hits the bull’s-eye a lot on tight-window, 15- and 10-yard throws.”

While he’s one of the more mobile signal-callers in the NFL, Jones made strides as a passer by setting a career-high tally of 3,205 yards through the air. He also threw just five interceptions, the fewest in a season of his career.

One of his best throws was a 33-yard touchdown completed to Darius Slayton during a 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7. As Next Gen Stats detailed, there was little separation between Slayton and his coverage, but Jones still managed to fit an “improbable” throw into a tight window.

Throws of this calibre became common for Jones on the watch of offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and head coach Brian Daboll. The latter helped turn Josh Allen into a star with the Buffalo Bills, and Simms believes Jones is on a par with Allen when it comes to running: “They could not have won and played the way they did without Daniel Jones’ skillset last year. His running is in the upper echelon of football’s runners. We know Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, right? He’s right there with Josh Allen and that crew right after it.”

Jones took his rushing threat up a notch last season. He amassed a career-best 708 yards on the ground, gaining 562 before contact, according to Pro Football Reference.

Many of Jones’ best runs were for crucial gains in clutch moments. Like when he dashed for eight bruising yards to help set up a Saquon Barkley touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings, a play highlighted by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

Jones is the driving force of both phases of the Giant’ offense, but he’ll be expected to do even more after the team bolstered his supporting cast.

Jones Has More to Work With This Season

Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen need Jones to share more with Brady than height. Brady was consistent enough to win six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and add a further title as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although he was famously beaten by the Giants in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.

Contrast that record with Jones, who is still striving to prove his championship credentials. The Giants are giving him every opportunity after trading for Pro-Bowl right end Darren Waller, signing wide receiver Parris Campbell in free agency and selecting natural deep threat Jalin Hyatt in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Those new faces can help Jones expand the Giants’ passing attack after the offense mustered a league-low 28 completions of 20-plus yards last season. Ironically, Jones actually performed well throwing deep, despite the lowly overall figure.

Numbers from Lauren Gray of Pro Football Focus show Jones had a deep passer rating of 119.4, good for third in the league. He also completed 43.5 percent of his deep strikes, the ninth-best mark in football.

One of his notable completions was this 44-yarder to Slayton against the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones has a talent for the long game, but he needs more opportunities, with Gray noting how he tried only 23 vertical throws last season, the second fewest on the charts. Extra chances will be available now Jones has speedsters like Campbell and Hyatt to aim for on the outside.

More production vertically is the next step toward Jones becoming an elite QB and meriting Simms’ lofty comparisons.

With pick No. 250 in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs selected Ball State cornerback Nic Jones to round out this year’s draft class. But had the Chiefs gone in a different direction with that pick, a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie claimed he could have been selected by Kansas City.

During an interview on the “Three Point Stance” podcast, Steelers 2023 seventh-round pick, offensive tackle Spencer Anderson, went into detail regarding his conversation with the Chiefs leading up to their final selection in the draft.

“When we were getting towards the final round of the draft, the phones start picking up more and more,” Anderson said on the June 22 episode. “Teams start reaching out, the 49ers, the Ravens, whoever it was. I had no clue that I was going to go to Pittsburgh. I was on the phone with Kansas City and I remember that Kansas City had the pick right before the Steelers. Kansas City had told me they were going to with me or a DB. If their DB went off the board, they were going to go with me. I remember, I was on the phone with Andy Reid, I was talking to him. He was just like, ‘Sit tight.’ And I was like, ‘Cool.’”

Anderson said one or two defensive backs were drafted leading up to pick 250, which made him think he was going to be drafted by the defending Super Bowl champions. That was until the Chiefs took Jones at pick 250 and the Steelers selected Anderson with the 251st pick.

“I was still supposed to be staying on the phone with Andy Reid,” Anderson continued. “He’s like, ‘You’re a heck of a player.’ And all of that stuff… and then I got a call from (Steelers general manager) Omar (Khan)… He put me on the phone with Coach Tomlin. He was like, ‘Hey, man, versatility is your calling card, so we’re going to go ahead and submit you with our next pick.’”

Chiefs Addressed Offensive Tackle After Draft

Though the Chiefs opted to select Nic Jones — who has earned rave reviews and could surprise at the NFL level — with pick 250, the team took care of their offensive tackle depth after the draft by adding some talent to the top of the depth chart through free agency.

On May 3, the Chiefs signed veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith to a one-year deal worth up to $9 million according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Donovan Smith an 8-Year Starter For Buccaneers

Donovan Smith, 30, entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015. Over the last eight seasons he was a full-time starter in Tampa Bay and surrendered 41 sacks in 124 career regular season starts according to PFF. In seven playoff games, one of which was the Super Bowl LV victory over the Chiefs, Smith surrendered 3 total sacks (none of which were against Kansas City).

During the 2022 season, Smith gave up a total of 31 pressures (18 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, 6 sacks) in 13 regular season starts. He also had the second-most penalties called on him among all NFL offensive linemen (12), according to Football Database. Those penalties were for offensive holding (7), false start (4), and illegal use of hands (1).

It’s also worth mentioning that Smith suffered an elbow injury during Week 1 of the 2022 regular season and played through it for the remainder of the season. He also dealt with a foot injury late in the season.

If Smith can stay healthy, he can be a serviceable starter for Kansas City at left tackle during the 2023 season. That will allow offseason addition Jawaan Taylor to remain at right tackle, which will give the offensive line stability at every position.

Could this be the final season for one “difference maker” on the San Francisco 49ers? Even though he’s limited offensively?

The 49ers signed former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud with the intention of bolstering this area of S.F. — the return game. But even with his skillset in returning kicks and punts, analyst Kyle Posey of SB Nation on Friday, June 23 wrote how it may become difficult for the Niners to keep him in 2024.

“There’s no denying that McCloud proved to be a difference-maker on special teams. That should continue in ‘23. But a bigger output on offense may be difficult to come by for a few different reasons,” Posey wrote.

However, the 49ers analyst added what McCloud can do to prevent himself from drifting away from the Niners once he hits the free agent market.

How McCloud Can Extend Stay in the Bay

It’s a crowded wide receiver room as 49er fans know. Deebo Samuel has a new, refreshed approach for 2023, Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a career-best season, even 2022 third rounder Danny Gray has a chance to elevate his snaps from a year ago.

But how can McCloud prove he’s more than returns?

“McCloud scored one touchdown on 21 targets a season ago. He’d have to up that number,” Posey wrote. “Kyle Shanahan constantly mentions his wide receivers being able to contribute in multiple ways. McCloud is a bit limited due to his stature, so he must impress, almost in an exaggerated fashion, to stick around.”

Posey then pointed out the deep post pattern against the Atlanta Falcons for a would-be touchdown. That was also the game that saw this highlight worthy punt return.

“If McCloud wants another contract from the 49ers, those are the types of receptions he’ll have to haul in,” Posey wrote. “To be fair, McCloud also had a 35-yard return against Atlanta. A splash play every couple of games should be enough to entice the 49ers into giving McCloud another contract.”

McCloud’s Current Deal & What it Entails

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound McCloud is officially in the final year of the two-year deal he signed in the 2022 offseason.

But, his cap number sits at $2.09 million according to Spotrac.

“If, for whatever reason, the Niners felt the need to release McCloud, he’d cost $875,000 in dead money, but the team would end up saving $1.21 million,” Posey wrote. “The only portion of his contract that was guaranteed was paid out in 2022.”

Furthermore, the 49ers are already facing the inevitability of moving on from one of their core wide receivers in 2024.

“Based on their recent investments, the 49ers are planning for life without one of their core wideouts next year. McCloud played 461 snaps last year, with 296 of those coming on offense. There wasn’t a game where Ray-Ray saw the field for more than 30 snaps. That speaks to his role and how the offensive staff feels about him,” Posey said.

The biggest key, though, will be if the second-year pro Gray can emerge. Gray could end up as the true fourth WR option as Jauan Jennings is currently the third. That could mean McCloud being the eventual odd man out, unless he puts together a career-best receiving season in ’23.

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has already commanded a massive level of respect after just one season in the NFL.

Longtime former member of the Dallas Cowboys Dez Bryant called G-Dub, “Fantasy WR 1” on Twitter.

Bryant was then asked on Twitter who is his top-5 fantasy wideouts for the upcoming 2023 season.

He provided his list in “no particular order” but said these top guys “will lead the pack”:

• Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
• CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
• Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
• Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
• Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

High Praise From a Former Top Wideout

Bryant was in the NFL from 2010 through 2020.

He was voted a first-team All-Pro in 2014 and earned three Pro Bowl nominations during his illustrious career.

If anyone would know a thing or two about playing the wide receiver position it would be Bryant.

In 119 career games, Bryant caught 537 receptions for 7,506 receiving yards and secured 75 touchdowns.

Bryant was routinely thought of as a top-flight fantasy wideout throughout his career. The same can’t be said about any member of the Jets over the last 12 years.

Mike Clay of ESPN ranked Wilson the No. 11 PPR preseason fantasy football wideout in 2023.

This is new territory for fans in the fantasy football community and members of the Jets alike.

According to Draft Shark’s projections, Wilson is expected to catch 91.1 receptions for 1,248 receiving yards and finish with 7.5 touchdowns in 2023.

Those figures would place third, sixth, and No. 15 all-time in a Jets single season if they came to fruition.

Wilson Gave Back to the Jets Community This Offseason

Wilson hosted a youth football camp on Sunday, June 25 in Highstown, New Jersey.

Rich Cimini of ESPN said there were about “300 campers on hand” and he noticed plenty of “No. 17” jerseys in the crowd.

Wilson’s camp offered three different price tiers for the youngsters in attendance ranging from $149.99 (champion’s package) to $399.99 (MVP package).

Those packages included photo ops, autographs, personal meet-and-greets, and the biggest offering included a camper going one-on-one against Wilson in a football drill in front of everyone in attendance.

100 percent of the proceeds from this event benefitted the “FlexWork Scholarship Fund.”

According to Wilson’s event details on his website, these funds will allow “disabled and disadvantaged youth the opportunity to attend our camps.”

During the camp, Wilson got to try out a new position as a quarterback throwing the ball around to campers.

Cimini took a nine-second video and you can hear the campers calling out to Garrett asking for the football during a passing drill.

After the camp came to a close, Wilson took to social media to send out a message to his 107,200 followers.

“It was my pleasure to be able to give back to the community who supports the JETS, and I. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and to all the kids for coming out today! We’ll do it again soon.”

Wilson will now enter his second professional season looking to improve upon his impressive rookie campaign.

Jets team reporter Caroline Hendershot said in an article posted on June 23 that Wilson has a chance to be one of if not the best receivers in the NFL next season.

With Aaron Rodgers at the helm, Wilson is going to have a legitimate shot to live up to that billing in 2023.

The Detroit Lions have been a team floated as a possible landing spot for several different veteran wide receivers this offseason.

With some rumors, the Lions have been connected to star receivers such as DeAndre Hopkins or Stefon Diggs. But a wideout ready to play more of a secondary role might be a better fit.

One interesting possibility for the Lions if they targeted a secondary weapon in a receiver acquisition is Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

With the arrival of Davante Adams last year, Renfrow played a smaller role in the Raiders offense in 2022. He also missed seven games because of a concussion.

On June 5, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified Renfrow as the one player the Raiders should consider trading before the 2023 season.

If the Raiders shopped Renfrow, the Lions should be interested.

Could the Lions Be Interested in Trading for Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow?

At about the same time Knox suggested Renfrow as a trade candidate for the Raiders, A to Z Sports’ Jack Gentry proposed the Lions as a possible destination for the 27-year-old wideout.

“Las Vegas signed receivers Jakobi Myers and Deandre Carter this offseason, which likely buries Renfrow deeper on the depth chart,” Gentry wrote. “With just one year left on his contract, the Lions should be able to pry him away from the Raiders without being forced to give up a high draft pick.

“Renfrow makes even more sense for the Lions who will be without Jameson Williams for the first six games of the regular season. If Detroit is committed to creating a dynamic passing attack, general manager Brad Holmes must put in a call to the raiders’ brass at the bare minimum.”

With the arrival of Adams and concussion issues, Renfrow went from a 100-catch, 1,000-yard receiver in 2021 to a guy who caught just 36 passes for 330 yards in 2022. His touchdowns also dropped from 9 in 2021 to 2 in 2022.

In addition to Adams, the emergence of Mack Hollins cut into Renfrow’s opportunities last season. Hollins left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, but as Gentry noted, Las Vegas signed other veteran receivers, Jacob Myers and Deandre Carter, who could continue to limit Renfrow’s chances at significant playing time.

The Lions may be able to land Renfrow for a Day 3 draft selection.

What Renfrow Could Offer the Lions

Detroit doesn’t have a very deep receiving core to begin with, but as Gentry also pointed out, Jameson Williams will miss the first six games. Williams will sit those contests because of a gambling suspension.

Renfrow obviously doesn’t directly replace Williams’ speed. But neither would any of the other potential receivers the Lions might add this summer.

What Renfrow would supply the Lions and quarterback Jared Goff is a reliable target in the slot. The 27-year-old played about 86% of his offensive snaps in the slot last season. He’s only averaged 10.8 yards per catch in his four-year career, but Renfrow has also caught nearly 75% of his targets.

He’s a chain mover and could be particularly useful in that role in an offense that features other dynamic playmakers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Sam LaPorta.

When Williams returns, Renfrow could find himself even more open with opposing defenses worried about the second-year wideout blowing the top off the secondary with his speed.

There’s also little risk with the Lions acquiring Renfrow. Signing Hopkins won’t cost anything, but his presence could cut into Williams’ playing time after Week 6.

Renfrow won’t be stealing snaps from anyone else. If he doesn’t work out, the Lions can allow him to leave in free agency next spring and only lose the late draft pick it would cost to acquire him.

The reward Renfrow offers as a dependable, veteran slot wideout, though, is enough that the Lions should consider him a potential trade target before the season.

The Cleveland Browns had high hopes for versatile running back Demetric Felton when they selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. However, it’s time for the former UCLA standout to prove he can be a difference-maker for the Browns if he wants to stick around.

The Browns shuffled their running back room this offseason, with veterans Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson departing via free agency. Johnson is now in Jacksonville, while Hunt remains a free agent with a return to Cleveland unlikely.

Felton has floated between the running back and wide receiver rooms during his time in Cleveland, although it looks like he’ll be more slotted into the backfield for the coming season.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes that Felton is on the roster bubble for the coming year.

“I think Felton, the Browns’ sixth-round pick in 2021, is on the bubble heading into the season. He’s split time at running back and receiver — mostly receiver his first two seasons — and he’s never really found a home,” Cabot wrote in her latest mailbag column. “This year, he has a chance to make the team as a back, but the Browns really need a strong runner who can spell Chubb and Jerome Ford in the event they get hurt, and churn out 80-100 yards.”

There’s no doubt that Felton brings an added element as a pass-catcher but it might not be what the Browns are looking for.

“Felton’s versatility might help him, but it’s actually been a detriment to this point,” Cabot said. “While he battles for a roster spot, the Browns will continue to look for that third back to replace D’Ernest Johnson, who got the tough yards when they needed them but became too expensive for that role.”

Browns Will Lean Heavily on Nick Chubb Despite Changes

The Browns’ offense will look a little different next season, with Cleveland expected to rely more on the passing game and Deshaun Watson. But Cabot assured that Chubb will still have a significant role in the offense.

“The Browns recognize that Chubb is a huge part of the offense, and that’s not changing anytime soon,” Cabot said. “This is still the AFC North, and there’s still weather to contend with in November and December.”

Cabot also noted that Chubb will play a larger role as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, which has not been showcased extensively in the past. But as long as the Browns can get the ball in his hands, he’ll be a difference-maker. He’s coming off a season where he rushed for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Pro honors and his fourth Pro Bowl nod.

Browns Still Searching for Another RB Option

Behind Chubb is Ford, who is unproven but expected to get a larger workload this season as the primary backup. Ford had just eight carries for 12 yards as a rookie.

The Browns are still in search of another option as insurance, although it won’t be one of the big names on the market like Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott or Hunt.

“The Browns will continue to keep their eyes peeled for another back, not just for training camp but one who can carry the load in a pinch,” Cabot said. “They’re not looking to add a big-name back such a Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott, and they have no plans to re-sign Hunt. But they will look to bolster the room sometime between now and the start of camp.”

The group the Browns could consider includes former Chargers RB Justin Jackson, Kenyan Drake, or a familiar face like Dontrell Hilliard, who started his career in Cleveland.

The slowest juncture of the NFL calendar is the period between the conclusion of all offseason programs for every team in the league, including the Baltimore Ravens, and the start of training camp in late July.

It’s also the perfect time for almost every media outlet that covers the sport to churn out lists, rankings, and projections to fill space, occupy, time, and stir up some engagement and debate among fanbases.

Pro Football Focus’ Jim Wyman recently wrote an article listing the best duo for every qualifying position group in the league. Positions such as quarterback, center, and others where only one player can be on the field at a given time were excluded.

One could make a compelling argument that the Ravens tight end duo of three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews and ascending second-year pro Isaiah Likely could warrant more consideration over the likes of David Njoku and Jordan Akins for the Cleveland Browns. There’s also the inside linebacker tandem of First-Team All-Pro Roquan Smith and fourth-year pro Patrick Queen that warrant consideration given how strong they finished the 2022 season once they joined forces.

However, the lone representative on the list from the Charm City franchise was second-year breakout candidate Kyle Hamilton and underrated veteran ballhawk Marcus Williams who was named the best safety duo in the league.

“With all the attention going to Sauce Gardner, Hamilton quietly put together a dominant rookie year of his own, as he led all safeties in PFF grade at 87.6,” Wyman wrote. “In fact, Hamilton had at least an 83.0 PFF grade in all four major grading categories.”

The Ravens selected the former Notre Dame star at No. 14 overall in the first round and after a rough start to his rookie campaign, he finished with an 87.7 run defense grade, 85.7 as a pass-rusher, and 83.0 in coverage per PFF which gave him “about as well-rounded a rookie season as we’ve ever seen”.

“Williams, on the other hand, is coming off his lowest-ranked PFF grade season since 2018, and he still graded amongst the top 20 safeties in the league with a 73.9 PFF grade,” Wyman wrote.

The 2023 season will be their first working as a tandem in the backend following the offseason trade of stalwart veteran Chuck Clark to the New York Jets. Given this fact, most of Wyman’s reason for having them listed as the league’s best is more based on projection than production.

Hamilton Could Become Household Name in Year 2

The 2022 first-rounder will not only have more responsibilities as a full-time starter in his second season but even high expectations following such an outstanding second half of his rookie year.

He was on the field early and often as a nickel defender serving in a hybrid safety role where he was tasked with blitzing, aiding in run defense, and covering whoever lineup in the slot at times whether it was a receiver or tight end, or running back. Hamilton executed and played the role that capitalized on his versatility and rare blend of size, strength, and length at an elite level.

Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald found creative ways to deploy him and use his skillset to cause chaos for opposing offenses, especially in the box and near the line of scrimmage.

According to Pro Football Reference, Hamilton recorded 62 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hits, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 16 games that included four starts.

He played 53 percent of the team’s total defensive snaps as a rookie as a regular rotational piece but now that he is slated to take over for Clark, not only will his snap count increase significantly but so will the ground he’ll need to cover in the backend. While he didn’t run a blazing 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process, Hamilton’s range and closing speed are both exceptional.

The Heavy’s own Senior NFL Insider Matt Lombardo recently had Hamilton featured in an article titled ‘Predicting the NFL’s Next First-Time All-Pro at Each Position’ because he believes that he is “as versatile as they come at safety” and that he can “build on a prolific rookie season”.

“Not only does Hamilton thrive in coverage, where he played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage,” he wrote. “Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value at all levels of the Ravens’ defense.

Williams Poised For Big Season As Well

The most likely and perhaps the only reason that the six-year veteran defensive back had his lowest-graded season since his second year in the league was the fact that his gradable sample size was limited to 10 games as a result of an injury.

He missed seven games from Week 6 to 13 after suffering a dislocated wrist in Week 5 in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, prior to that setback, Williams was off to a sensational start to his career as a Raven and looking worth every penny of the sizable five-year deal worth $70 million that the team signed him to in free agency with three interceptions in the first four games.

While 2020 seventh-rounder Geno Stone filled in more than admirably for him, he just didn’t present the same playmaking threat from a ball skills standpoint. In his first game back from injury, Williams seemingly picked up where he left off by recording an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.

He finished the year with 61 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, eight pass breakups, and team-leading four interceptions according to PFR. Williams is the Ravens’ first true free safety since six-time Pro Bowler Eric Weddle patrolled the backend in Baltimore from 2016-2018 and he could prove to be perhaps the best since Hall of Famer Ed Reed now that he has a full year in Macdonald’s system, is healthy, and is still ascending at just 26 years old.

Hamilton believes Williams is “one of the best in our league” and was well on his way to proving it prior to his untimely injury. He is excited about the opportunity to play alongside him on a full-time basis and learn as much as he can.

“He tells me every day, not even football-wise, just, mentally, how to attack every day – how to watch film, how to adapt to certain coverages that we’re playing and stuff like that – [and] not to overthink it,” he said in a press conference on June 6, 2023. “He gives me a lot of confidence in my game, so he’s helped me a lot the past two years. And hopefully, it’s going to be a bright future.”

The Philadelphia Eagles could be the perfect landing spot for a bold trade proposal.

As suggested by Philly Voice’s Shamus Clancy, the Eagles could seek a Super Bowl run “rental” by acquiring Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. In this trade scenario, the Eagles would acquire Queen in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.

The Ravens recently declined Queen’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract for the 2024 season, leading to speculation that Baltimore could seek to trade the linebacker.

Why the Eagles Could Use Patrick Queen

Clancy argues that Nakobe Dean’s lack of experience — he played just 34 defensive snaps last season — should motivate the Eagles into potentially acquiring Queen, who led the Ravens with 122 tackles last year.

“It may be too early to just assume that Nakobe Dean can come in and be the Eagles’ unquestioned No. 1 linebacker after playing just 34 defensive snaps during his rookie year,” writes Clancy. “The team wants him to succeed and take this role, but I’m not quite sure he’s ready. He has a sky-high football IQ, but I need to see how he adjusts to the physicality of the NFL. Bringing in Queen to be the “green dot” linebacker while having Dean be the No. 2 LB could be a nice pathway to having Dean be the top dog in 2024.”

Dean is the projected starting middle linebacker, with former sixth-round pick Shaun Bradley — who has 45 career tackles to his name — the only listed backup. In fact, the Eagles have eight outside linebackers on the roster, but only two middle linebackers.

As far as Queen is concerned, he’s been one of the top young linebackers in the NFL since Baltimore used a first-round pick on him back in 2020. He finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after leading the Ravens with 106 tackles during the 2020 season. He followed that up by leading the Ravens in tackles during the 2021 season with 98 tackles. In other words, he’s led Baltimore in tackles for three consecutive seasons.

According to Pro Football Focus, Queen posted a solid 70.0 defensive grade and 68.2 grade in coverage last season. However, despite his impressive tackle totals, the advanced analytics show Queen actually struggled on the field over his first two seasons. Queen’s 29.7 defensive grade and 30.0 grade in coverage during his rookie season were extremely low, with his grades ranking last among linebackers with at least 500 snaps.

Eagles Could Use Patrick Queen as 1-Year Rental

With that being said, Queen is coming off of an impressive 2022 season. However, the Ravens may not be inclined to signing the young linebacker to a big-money contract with money currently tied up to fellow linebacker Roquan Smith. Smith is currently in the midst of a five-year, $100 million contract that makes him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history.

“Baltimore has declined the Queen’s fifth-year option for 2024,” writes Clancy. “After giving the bag to Roquan Smith, the Ravens likely didn’t want to pour more big money into the linebacker position. For a team thin as always at LB, a rental for Queen for a Super Bowl run could be more enticing to Roseman rather than drafting another backer on Day 2 or handing out a big-money free agent deal. ”

If the Eagles are seeking an upgrade at the middle linebacker position, Queen is likely their best option for the 2023 season.

Each of the 32 NFL franchises is enjoying a final break before training camp hits in the month of July.

However, the New York Jets have plenty of work to do before the season arrives. Field Yates of ESPN said Gang Green has “one last offseason roster move” to complete.

Yates said defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers “need new contracts.”

Williams Expected to Land Monster Contract Extension

Yates said the former Alabama standout has “emerged as one of the best players in the league.”

Williams is heading into the last year of his rookie contract and is set to make $9.5 million in base salary in 2023.

He held out the entire voluntary portion of the offseason and the mandatory portion was canceled by head coach Robert Saleh.

Jets analyst Joe Caporoso of “Badlands” predicted that Williams will land a new deal “between July 4th and [training] camp starting.”

Several defensive tackles signed massive contracts this offseason and Yates believes Williams’ new deal should be worth “at least $22.5 million per year.”

Only four defensive tackles in the NFL currently make at least $22.5 million per season according to Over The Cap:

• Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, $31.6 million
• Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans, $23.5 million
• Daron Payne, Washington Commanders, $22.5 million
• Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants, $22.5 million

Rodgers’ Contract Requires More Tinkering From Jets

Prior to being traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Jets, Rodgers altered his contract to make the trade happen.

Rodgers is owed $108.7 million over the next two calendar years and that includes “$101 million in guarantees”, according to Roster Management.

A-Rod “dropped his 2023 salary to $1.2 million” and he pushed the rest into 2024, per ESPN. According to Spotrac, he is set to receive $107.6 million in yearly cash next season.

Yates said Rodgers won’t be making “that little” in 2023 nor will he make that much “next year.” He said the two sides “will renegotiate revised contract terms in time.”

So it isn’t a matter of if but rather when this Rodgers deal is going to be reworked ahead of the season. The same can’t be said for the Quinnen situation.

He is under contract for 2023 and the Jets have the franchise tag in their back pocket. General manager Joe Douglas technically doesn’t have to extend Williams if he doesn’t want to. The Jets have team control over Williams for the foreseeable future.

However, if Douglas chooses not to that could create a potentially contentious situation in the locker room ahead of an all-in type of season which could prove detrimental.

Although the expectation from everything I’ve heard indicates both a Rodgers restructure and Williams extension is expected to happen before the start of the season.

Which situation happens first will be interesting to watch. In theory, Gang Green has the ultimate flexibility.

The Jets could make Quinnen’s cap hit very small in 2023 on a new contract allowing the team to eat more of Rodgers’ cap hit this season. Or they could do the opposite by making Q’s cap hit ginormous this season and small in other years.

Gang Green has the fifth most cap space in the NFL with $23 million, per Over The Cap.

After six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Noah Brown got to know Dak Prescott pretty well.

So when Brown signed with the Houston Texans this offseason, he couldn’t help but make a comparison between Prescott and his new, rookie quarterback CJ Stroud — who he feels could be better than his former Cowboys QB.

“They’re both great quarterbacks — great arm talent,” Brown said of Prescott and Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. “That’s a great class to be in. I think he has all the potential to live up to that, maybe even surpass it. So, you know, I’m rooting for C.J. and I’m willing to have his back on anything.”

Prescott is coming off a turbulent year where he led the league in interceptions despite missing five games. He threw 15 in the regular season and two more in the playoffs. The turnovers were an issue but Prescott has shown some qualities of a top-tier quarterback. He passed for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns in 12 games, helping the Cowboys to the Divisional Round.

Noah Brown Coming Off Career Year in Dallas

The Cowboys selected Brown in the seventh round of the 2017 draft out of Ohio State. He’s coming off a career year with Dallas, catching 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns last season. All those were more than his previous five seasons in the NFL combined.

Brown’s deal with the Texans was for one year and $2.6 million and he’s hoping to maintain his upward trajectory with Stroud as his quarterback.

“I know C.J. has great arm talent,” Brown said. “The little bit of time I’ve been here working with him, he’s picked up the offense fast, taken ownership of his reps. I think that can only lead to positive things.”

There were rumors ahead of the draft that the Cowboys were intrigued by Stroud, although there was little to no chance that they’d be able to move up high enough in the pick the Buckeyes standout.

Stroud helped lead Ohio State to the College Football Playoff, passing for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. He was even better a year ago, passing for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Dak Prescott Confident in New-Look Cowboys Offense

The Cowboys offense will look different next season and Prescott will have a few new weapons to work with. Premier among those is Brandin Cooks, who the Cowboys swung a trade for this offseason. Cooks will combine with CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup to give Dallas a formidable top trio of pass-catchers.

“Real speed. Runs the same way every time. I think that’s the most important thing,” Prescott said of Cooks. “When you have speed like that, for him to be able to do it every play, every route, the start of every route, the cornerbacks, defense, they don’t know what they’re getting. It all looks the same.”

The Cowboys are also making a shift when it comes to their playbook, with head coach Mike McCarthy taking over play-calling duties. So far, Prescott has liked what he’s seen from what he’s dubbed the “Texas-Coast” offense.

One of the biggest moves of the offseason was when the New York Giants sent a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders to land star tight end Darren Waller. His first two full years with the Raiders were impressive as he had 1,145 receiving yards in 2019 and then broke the team’s reception record with 107 catches in 2020.

He landed a three-year contract extension from general manager Dave Ziegler last year, but he fell out of favor with the coaching staff quickly due to injuries. He was limited to just nine games last season with a hamstring injury. He was linked to a number of trade rumors during the season with The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reporting on November 6, 2022, that the Green Bay Packers offered a second-round pick for Waller. The Raiders decided to hang onto him only to trade him in the offseason. For his part, Waller wasn’t too surprised when he got the news that he was traded.

“Not totally shocked,” Waller said of the Raiders trade on the red carpet of his foundation’s event at Aria in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 22, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I had heard some things. There were different moments throughout the year that I heard I may be traded or I may not. So the actual event of it wasn’t too shocking.

“But I didn’t expect it to be the Giants.”

Why Was Darren Waller Traded?

Darren Waller became one of the faces of the Raiders in recent years and quickly immersed himself in the Las Vegas community. He even married Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum shortly before getting sent to New York. There could be many factors as to why he was traded, but he’s not going to overthink it. He’s just ready to move and start the next chapter of his career.

“I’m done questioning God and what he’s trying to do,” Waller said. “He’s gotten me to this point. I know that he’s going to continue to have a plan for me, you know?”

Waller Excited About Joining the New York Giants

There was excitement surrounding the idea of Josh McDaniels being able to utilize Darren Waller at tight end. Under McDaniels, Rob Gronkowski became a future Hall of Famer. However, Waller and Gronkowski have different playing styles. The former is fast and athletic while the latter is big and runs excellent routes. Waller may just not have been a fit with McDaniels, which is why they drafted Michael Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft to replace him. Regardless, Waller isn’t too upset about having to move. He’s quite excited about joining a Giants team that made the playoffs last season.

“It’s been great,” Waller said. “It’s been a great challenge. I love a good challenge and just forming a new relationship with my teammates. They’re really excited about winning. They’re really solid about doing things the right way and continuing to build a foundation on what they started last year. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

With New York having a young wide receiver corps without a star, Waller should be a major focal point in the offense this season.

The Cheeseheads have spoken on a trade pitch that would ship a popular lineman out of town, though that doesn’t mean the Green Bay Packers are going to listen.

Justis Mosqueda of SB Nation’s Acme Packing Co. floated the idea of the franchise potentially trading starting right tackle Yosuah Nijman if he happens to get beat out for that spot by second-year up-and-comer Zach Tom who saw some run at the position during minicamp.

“Tom … played well in five starts as a fourth-round rookie last season,” Mosqueda wrote on Thursday, June 22. “Tom hasn’t been able to crack the ‘starting’ lineup at right guard or center, the two other positions where he’s been practicing at so far this offseason.”

Green Bay is limited in the moves it can make ahead of September to free up more salary cap space. The franchise had around $16.5 million in cap room remaining for 2023 as of June 25.

“If Tom does end up winning the starting right tackle job, what do you do with Nijman who signed a $4.3 million second-round tender as a restricted free agent this spring?” Mosqueda continued. “Moving Nijman’s contract would give the Packers some much-needed cap relief, as it wouldn’t create any dead cap on the team’s books.”

Mosqueda offered the pitch up as the subject of a fan poll, asking for input on whether the move is something Packers Nation at large would support. The results came back an overwhelming “NO,” as just 26% of those who cast ballots got behind the notion of trading Nijman should he fall out of the starting lineup.

Yosh Nijman Offers Packers Insurance Against Further Injury to David Bakhtiari

GettyOffensive lineman Yosh Nijman of the Green Bay Packers will be an important piece in 2023, even if he doesn’t start in Week 1.

One of the stronger arguments against dealing Nijman, even if Tom steals his job, is that offensive line depth is going to be particularly important for the Packers this year.

Five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari hasn’t played a full season since 2019 and will turn 32 years old early in the upcoming campaign. Any injury to Bakhtiari in 2023 is likely to prove catastrophic to Green Bay’s postseason chances, with first-year starter Jordan Love leading one of the youngest groups of offensive skill position players in the entire league. Keeping at least one bonafide starting-caliber lineman in reserve is an insurance policy that feels better than well-bought at $4.3 million.

If Nijman does win the starting job at right tackle in training camp, then the question is rendered null and void, as the Packers aren’t going to deal their starter in what is probably the second-most important position on the offensive line — especially when the ratio of how much Nijman is being paid to how much value he’s providing on Sundays leans so favorably in the team’s direction in that scenario.

Packers Will Struggle to Sign Yosh Nijman to Long-Term Deal Next Offseason

GettyOffensive lineman Yosh Nijman (right) of the Green Bay Packers blocks defensive lineman Sheldon Day (left) of the Cleveland Browns during an NFL game in December 2021.

The strongest argument for Green Bay dealing Nijman is something that Mosqueda hit on when he published the poll results Sunday.

Keeping Nijman this season, even as a backup, is the better decision in the immediate. However, he’s a reasonably valuable asset who could walk out the door as an unrestricted free agent next March, and there may be nothing the Packers can do about it.

“Nijman is good insurance for the Packers at a premium position … but I’m unsure if the team will be able to extend him to a long-term contract with their 2024 cap situation,” Mosqueda wrote. “If the team has any doubt about left tackle David Bakhtiari’s health, though, I would also understand wanting to keep Nijman in the mix.”

David DeChant of The Athletic suggested on April 6 that Nijman could earn upwards of $20 million annually on his next contract, which would make it exceedingly difficult for Green Bay to retain him.

“Nijman is far from a household name, but he’s played left tackle (782 snaps) and right tackle (528) since 2020 at an above-average level. Those guys get paid, and paid big,” DeChant wrote. “He’s been best on the left, allowing three sacks and a 2.94 percent pressure rate, compared to five [sacks] and 4.36 [percent rate], respectively, on the right. … He could push for $17 million or more annually on his next deal.”

As the roster stands on June 25, the Detroit Lions will be looking for pass rushing help from bounce back candidates and unlikely sources during the 2023 season. But that doesn’t mean the team will have a roster spot for every reclamation project it has along the edge.

Sports Illustrated’s John Maakaron questioned whether the Lions should part ways with defensive end and former second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike on June 22. Maakaron never used the word “cut” or “release,” but he implied that possibility for the 25-year-old.

“With Detroit’s defenses being revamped, Onwuzurike may find himself being the odd man out, as Josh Paschal, James Houston, Charles Harris, Julian Okwara, Romeo Okwara are healthy and ready to compete for playing time,” wrote Maakaron.

Onwuzurike hasn’t played since his rookie 2021 season because of a back injury. In 2021, he recorded 35 combined tackles, including 2 for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 sack and 2 pass defenses.

What the Lions Possess at Pass Rusher

The Lions have been connected to several free agent pass rushers this offseason, including even Washington Commanders former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young. Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton proposed the Lions acquire Young through a trade for Julian Okwara and a third-round pick.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes hasn’t moved on that possible trade or any other acquisition for a veteran pass rusher this summer. Detroit’s only addition on defense since the draft was signing veteran defensive tackle Christian Covington.

But the Lions still appear deeper on the defensive line and along the edge than last year. Holmes re-signed Isaiah Buggs and John Cominsky this offseason. In the draft, the Lions added defensive tackle Brodric Martin. In 2022, they selected defensive end Josh Paschal.

The Okwara brothers (Julian and Romeo) and veteran Charles Harris are also among the group of players the Lions hope will support the team’s projected top two pass rushers — Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.

It’s difficult to predict exactly where Onwuzurike fits into that mix.

USA Today’s Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon projected Onwuzurike will need to beat out undrafted free agents Chris Smith and Cory Durden for a roster spot.

Could the Lions Release Levi Onwuzurike?

Assuming the medical staff clears Onwuzurike to play, it will not be easy for the Lions to decide what to do with him this offseason. The ultimate  decision on his future with Detroit could come down to how badly the Lions feel they need all of their depth pass rushers to contribute this season.

Recovery from back surgery is tricky. Even with Onwuzurike making strides in his recovery from October back surgery, he may not be 100% by the end of training camp. It could also be until the 2024 season before he’s fully himself again.

“You can’t just go from not playing to playing,” Onwuzurike told The Detroit News this offseason. “You have to inch toward that goal.”

With the Lions projected to be contenders in 2023, cutting an edge rusher who can help in Week 1 while Onwuzurike may still be working back to full health is not ideal. But if there simply isn’t room for the former second-round pick on the roster, then the Lions will likely have no choice but to consider cutting Onwuzurike.

However, if the Detroit coaching staff remains high on Onwuzurike’s upside, then look for the team to do everything to find a roster spot for him and support his recovery.

Poyer had panned to hold his Celebrity Open golf tournament in July at the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami, a course owned by former President Donald Trump’s company. After Poyer received criticism and the event’s beneficiary decided to pull out, he took to Instagram on June 24 to announce that it was canceled.

Poyer expressed regret over the turn of events while offering some criticism of politics in New York state versus his now-home state of Florida.

Jordan Poyer Explains Cancellation

When the New York Jets completed the trade for Aaron Rodgers, there were several immediate comparisons that came to mind.

Peyton Manning closing out his career with the Denver Broncos. Brett Favre to the Jets, for obvious reasons. Or more recently, Matthew Stafford winning with the Los Angeles Rams and Tom Brady doing the same with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That last QB comparison rang true with a former member of the Bucs organization who now starts for the Jets — strong safety Jordan Whitehead.

“I tell the guys it’s kind of like déjà vu for me,” Whitehead voiced via team contributor Jack Bell. “I let everyone know that we have to have the right group.”

He added that “it was kind of the same situation I fell into when I was with the Bucs. We had a great defense the year before and we just needed one piece that was missing.” That piece was obviously Brady, and some believe Rodgers could have the same impact in New York.

“The same vibe that I did with the Bucs,” Whitehead responded when asked about the feel around OTAs. “I joke with the guys that we’re about to create a team.”

Jets’ Jordan Whitehead Describes Aaron Rodgers Early Impact at OTAs

Whitehead also spoke about Rodgers’ influence on practice and OTAs.

“On the field, he’s making us better, we’re getting the best we can get,” Whitehead noted. “He’s making us checkdown and communicate on another level.”

“[Then] in the locker room you see and hear him,” he went on. “He’s a funny character. He’s a good guy, open to everything. A real great guy.”

It didn’t take long for the Green Bay Packers legend to gain the respect of his peers at Florham Park. That’s what a Hall of Fame resume and a team-first mentality will do.

Year one in Tampa Bay, Brady threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading the Bucs to an 11-5 record and an eventual Super Bowl run. Stafford bumped his numbers to 4,886 and 41 in year one with the Rams (12-5) during his championship campaign, and Manning eventually exploded for a career-high 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdowns in Denver — although that total came during his second season as a Bronco (2013) and Manning didn’t win another ring until year four (2015).

As for Rodgers, he might have the best supporting cast he’s ever had at age 39 with the Jets when you consider both defense and skill positions. The one question mark is the offensive line, which is finally getting healthier heading into training camp.

Jets’ Jordan Whitehead Discusses Year 1 in NY & What to Improve on in Year 2

Whitehead had an up-and-down season in 2022. Overall, the defense was the strength of the team, and the veteran safety played a large role in that considering he started all 17 games.

At the same time, Whitehead missed a team-high (tied with LB Quincy Williams) 17 tackles according to Pro Football Focus. His run defense grades were also down from his 2020 through 2021 average, although his coverage grades were solid with Gang Green.

“We all talk about it, especially since we had a lot of PBUs [passes broken up],” Whitehead replied when asked about the defense forcing more turnovers in 2023. “But we need those INTs and pick-sixes that change games. We got a great pass rush that got some sack fumbles and that made the job easier for us. Now we need to capitalize on those quarterback mistakes.”

Whitehead put some of that on himself, stating: “I had a couple of chances, but I don’t like to talk about missed opportunities. It’s not okay to say ‘my bad.’ I’ve been working to hold myself accountable. We want to win. There’s a lot of competition in the room.”

Overall, he was proud of what his defensive unit accomplished during his first season as a Jet, however.

“It was a great season, a great learning experience being in a new system and playing with new guys,” Whitehead said in June. “D.J. [Reed], Sauce [Gardner], Michael Carter. It was a great time with the cornerbacks, who made my job easier. I’m really, really — I’m ready for the guys, Sauce is not a rookie anymore. It’s a more veteran group.”

Kansas City Chiefs second-string interior pass rusher Tershawn Wharton tore his ACL in October of 2022.

Based on that timeline, he’s no guarantee to begin the season on the 53-man roster in Week 1 — which is less than one calendar year after his injury occurred. USA Today Chiefs Wire reporter Charles Goldman pointed this out on June 22, noting that Wharton’s ACL could open the door for reserve D-tackle Matt Dickerson to play his way onto the roster.

“Dickerson could benefit from Tershawn Wharton’s knee injury,” he wrote. “If Wharton starts training camp on the PUP list, the team could have a lot of snaps at the defensive tackle position to go around. With those snaps, comes an opportunity to impress.”

2023 Training Camp Is Matt Dickerson’s Second Chance With Chiefs

“Dickerson spent most of training camp with Kansas City in 2022, but he was released during 53-man roster cuts,” Goldman noted during the article. “The team intended to bring him back on the practice squad, but he was claimed by the Atlanta Falcons.”

“If Wharton winds up on the Reserve/PUP list to start the season, the team might not even risk Dickerson on waivers again,” he concluded, hinting that he could make the 53-man roster in place of Wharton.

This adds up, being that Dickerson is probably next up on the depth chart at Wharton’s 3-tech position — headed by superstar Chris Jones. The Chiefs are thin at defensive tackle, but they are especially weak behind Jones.

Wharton is recovering and Dickerson’s top competition in camp are relative unknowns like Daniel Wise and Phil Hoskins. Rookie Keondre Coburn and veteran Danny Shelton are nose tackles at heart, so they would be competing with Derrick Nnadi at the other DT role.

Of course, the Chiefs could also shift Charles Omenihu inside if they really get desperate. The former Houston Texans fifth rounder was mainly signed to be an edge rusher, but his versatility stood out with KC too. He’s expected to be utilized both outside and inside in 2023, although defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo might need him more on the interior to start the season.

In that scenario, head coach Andy Reid could keep another edge rusher instead of Dickerson.

Top Chiefs Bubble Candidates on the Edge in 2023

Goldman also highlighted an edge rusher that could play his way into a Week 1 job — former fourth-round draft selection Joshua Kaindoh.

“Everyone has seemingly written off Kaindoh this offseason, but it’s not unwarranted,” he began. “He’s made just three game appearances since being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.”

“During those appearances, he has recorded no official statistics,” Goldman went on. “He was also a healthy scratch in all 20 games last season. A strong performance in training camp and the preseason could be just what the doctor ordered to get Kaindoh back on the right track. Steve Spagnuolo even said on June 1 that he was hopeful that Kaindoh would surface and show signs of improvement this offseason.”

Along with the disappointing Florida State product you have developmental rookie BJ Thompson, Malik Herring and UDFA Truman Jones as bubble candidates this summer.

Thompson should make the roster as a 2023 draft pick, but Herring and Jones will both have to fight their way on. If the Chiefs keep a sixth edge rusher after training camp, it could be a three-way battle for the final spot between Kaindoh, Herring and Jones.

KC general manager Brett Veach could also choose to bring in one more veteran addition before Week 1 — whether that’s at defensive tackle or D-end.

Who is going to win the AFC East in 2023?

The Buffalo Bills have won three crowns in a row and are the prohibitive favorite to win it a fourth time this upcoming season.

Bet MGM has released the AFC East division winner odds ahead of 2023:

1. Buffalo Bills (+130)
2. New York Jets (+250)
3. Miami Dolphins (+275)
4. New England Patriots (+750)

Gang Green has been the team of the NFL offseason after acquiring Aaron Rodgers in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers. Could the Jets win the divisional crown for the first time in 21 years?

Well, that is exactly what we are going to debate about live on Tuesday, June 27 at 4:30 pm ET. You can watch the show right here on the article page [link at the top].

Paul ‘Boy Green’ Esden will represent the Jets and Emily Bicks will defend the Bills. They will go back and forth debating the merits of each squad.

Throughout the live show and during the lead-up to it, fans can comment and ask questions in our comment section below.

For a chance to be featured on the show, you must send your commentary in the comment section of this article. Load up the comment section ahead of time with all of your questions about the Bills and Jets.

Is there a certain weakness on either squad you want to be addressed on the show? What is your most pressing question? Heck, you can share your opinion on who you think is going to win the AFC East in 2023 and you can explain why!

The Dallas Cowboys bolstered their wide receiver core this offseason after trading for Brandin Cooks, but the team still has room to potentially add depth at the position. Five-time Pro Bowl playmaker Jarvis Landry remains a free agent and would add competition to the Cowboys receiver group behind Cooks and CeeDee Lamb.

Landry’s days as a Pro Bowler are likely behind him, but the wideout could still be a solid addition if viewed as a complimentary receiver who could compete with Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert for touches. The star receiver was once on a five-year, $75 million deal with the Browns but most recently signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Saints for 2022.

Given Landry’s production has declined in three straight seasons, Dallas could potentially land the veteran on an even more team-friendly deal for 2023. Landry notched 25 receptions for 272 receiving yards and 1 touchdown during 9 appearances in 2022. The former Pro Bowler is two seasons removed from posting 72 catches for 840 yards and 3 touchdowns with Cleveland.

Even if Landry is heading towards the back nine of his career, the playmaker has a decorated resume to lean on and could help the current group of young Cowboys receivers. The five-time Pro Bowler has had three seasons topping 1,100 receiving yards.

The Dallas Cowboys Would Be Wise to Add Insurance at Wide Receiver Behind Michael Gallup & Jalen Tolbert

Whether the Cowboys make a move for another veteran receiver like Landry depends on how much faith the front office has in both Gallup and Tolbert bouncing back in 2023. Gallup struggled with consistency last season despite moving into the WR2 role following Amari Cooper being traded. The wideout had 39 receptions for 424 yards and 4 touchdowns during 14 appearances in 2022.

Gallup was coming off a season-ending ACL injury and did not quite look like himself. Cowboys rookie Jalen Tolbert was the early favorite to be the team’s WR3 last season, but the receiver struggled to see the field.

Tolbert played in just eight games recording 2 receptions for 12 yards in 2022. During a June 1 media session, Tolbert emphasized that he “flushed” last season and is ready to revert back to being “that dude” as a former star receiver at South Alabama.

“Just having that time away where I could go back. I went home [during the] Senior Bowl, saw all my family, friends, people in school and it kind of just reverted me to being that dude, being able to watch some of the stuff I did in college,” Tolbert noted.

“And then obviously Dak hit me about running routes and then jumped straight into it and been working and building on that ever since. So, definitely this offseason I flushed it and I’m ready for next year.”

Dallas Cowboys Rumors: Jarvis Landry Could Play a Similar Role to T.Y. Hilton

There are plenty of reasons to believe the Cowboys can expect more production from Gallup and Tolbert this season. The addition of Cooks could help open up opportunities for both wideouts given the addition of another vertical threat. Yet, Dallas would also be wise to add a veteran like Landry, even if he is utilized similar to the role T.Y. Hilton played to end last season.

Dallas created an additional $10.9 million of cap room following Ezekiel Elliott’s post-June 1 release designation. Some of Dallas’ current cap space could be utilized on contract extensions for stars like Trevon Diggs, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones left the door open for the team to make additional signings prior to training camp.

“There’s an active free agent market relative to some pretty talented people out there,” Jones told reporters on June 5. “We want to keep a close eye on that. I never shut the door — never — relative to the potential to smartly add to our team for this year.

“I emphasize that, for this year. Mainly, I would tell you that 99% of my thinking is about this year. Now, you’ve got to think about the impact on other years when you make these decisions, so. You name it whether it be Zeke. Whether it be where we are with the guys that we worked out here today.”

The San Francisco 49ers will face many tough decisions when it comes to cutting down the roster, including the potential choice to cut a veteran wide receiver. Every NFL team wants to have a built-out roster, but it means releasing players that would likely be contributing for other teams.

One such name is Chris Conley. Conley has just signed this offseason after previous stints with the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran wide receiver brings experience and reliability, but he is also on a close-to-minimum contract and facing an uphill battle for a roster spot.

While Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud III appear like locks for the first four WR spots, the fifth and potentially sixth spots will be a free-for-all between Conley and a large group. Here are the rest of the 49ers wide receivers that Conley will be competing with:

• Isaiah Winstead
• Willie Snead IV
• Dazz Newsome
• Tay Martin
• Danny Gray
• Ronnie Bell

Seven players fighting for (potentially) two spots is a difficult position to be in, but Conley does have the advantage of hopping around several NFL rosters and making their final 53-man squads.

Conley Looking to Impact 49ers WR Group

Conley is entering his 10th season in the NFL after entering the league with the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft. Conley spent four seasons with Kansas City before eventually taking a bigger role with the Jaguars.

Conley had the best campaign of his career in Jacksonville in 2019 as he brought down 47 receptions for 775 receiving yards and five touchdowns according to Pro Football Reference.

However, the years since have been a steady decline in production and importance to his respective teams. He only started four games for the Jaguars in 2020 before being released the following offseason, leading to his only full season with the Texans.

In 2022, Houston released Conley after two appearances and no registered stats, leading to a brief stint with the Titans. He only caught four passes in 7 games, amassing 46 receiving yards.

Conley is getting another chance with the 49ers, but San Francisco may already be committed elsewhere. Danny Gray was a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft and then drafted Ronnie Bell in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The 30-year-old can certainly outperform those two and others to make a spot, but San Francisco may believe in investing for the long term when it comes to final roster spots. Either way, the clock is ticking for Conley to make an impression with the 49ers.

Deebo Samuel Not Happy with 2022 Season

While Conley faces a potential release, the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver is looking to put 2022 behind him. Deebo has been one of the most dynamic players in the NFL over the past few years, but 2022 was not the year he wanted.

Samuel regressed in almost every statistical category last season, as Heavy’s Lorenzo Reyna detailed. The former South Carolina star explained that he felt out of routine and that he never really got back in the swing of things.

“Oh, it was awful,” Samuel said. “Every aspect… I was kind of behind a ball a little bit as far as being in my routine that I’ll normally be in for the offseason, getting ready to play because like I said, a lot of distractions were going on. I kind of felt it, but I was just trying to will my way to help the team in every aspect possible.”

864 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns is solid for most of the NFL’s pass-catchers, but Samuel had more than double those numbers in 2021.

The Dallas Cowboys could be forced to make a tough cut before the start of the regular season.

As noted by The Landry Hat’s Randy Gurzi, the Cowboys could make several tough cuts during training camp and the preseason. One of those players could be none other than defensive end Ben Banogu. The former second-round draft pick was signed during the offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.

Cowboys Have An Abundance of Pass Rushers on Roster

Gurzi argues that the Cowboys’ heavy depth along the defensive line could force Dallas to move on from Banogu. It’s worth noting that Dallas recently released former first-round draft pick Takkarist McKinley in part due to the amount of defensive linemen they have on the roster.

“Right now, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Jr., and rookie Viliami Fehoko are listed at defensive end,” writes Gurzi. “Fehoko might slide inside to a 3-tech role but he has the ability to do either, as does Chauncey Golston. This is without even mentioning how often Micah Parsons is on the line during the game. In the end, there might be too many options for Banogu to make it.”

The Cowboys currently feature eight players listed as a defensive end on the roster, with undrafted free agent Durrell Johnson — who led college football players with 27.5 tackles for loss last season — also a candidate to make the roster.

The 27-year-old Banogu was a highly touted prospect coming out of TCU, with the Colts using the 49th pick on the 6-foot-3, 252-pound prospect. Banogu was named a First-Team All-Big 12 selection during his last two seasons with the Horned Frogs.

However, he’s never tapped into that potential since entering the NFL. In fact, Banogu has just 2.5 sacks to his resume and those occurred during his rookie season in 2019. Outside of his lack of production, he has also yet to crack the starting lineup, failing to start a single game during his 50 career appearances.

Through four seasons, Banogu has just 29 tackles, three tackles for loss and six quarterback hits to his name.

Why Ben Banogu Could Make Cowboys’ 53-Man Roster

If there’s one thing working in Banogu’s favor — outside of the fact that he grew up just six miles from the team’s practice facility — it’s that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn usually brings the most out of his edge rushers, as Gurzi notes.

“Once he landed with Dallas, there was hope that his potential could be tapped,” writes Gurzi. “Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn knows how to get the most out of his edge rushers and that could be a huge benefit for the fifth-year player.”

The Cowboys are always seeking pass rushers, which is a big reason why they stashed McKinley on the practice squad last season and why they’re taking a chance on Banogu. It’s a position that’s a necessity considering they match up against the Jalen Hurts-led Philadelphia Eagles on a yearly basis.

Banogu will certainly have an opportunity to crack the 53-man roster. But he’ll have to outplay a number of returning veterans along with the undrafted free agent, Johnson, in order to do so.

The Denver Broncos are entering 2023 with more wide receiver depth than they had in 2022. That starts with the return of wide receiver Tim Patrick, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL he suffered last August.

Patrick and fellow receiver Courtland Sutton were recognized by new Broncos wide receivers coach Keary Colbert during a June 15 mandatory minicamp press conference. Colbert said the wide receiver duo should have a significant impact on opposing defenses in 2023.

“Both of those guys are kind of like the glue in the room,” Colbert said to the media. “They provide size and and just toughness on the outside and they move around they move well for big guys.”

Sutton also dealt with a hamstring injury that kept him out two games last season. He did, however, put up 64 catches for 829 yards and two touchdowns, marking his best statistical season since 2019.

Despite their circumstances last season, the duo has proven to be effective when healthy. Patrick and Sutton combined for 111 catches, 1,510 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021.

Colbert, a former Broncos wide receiver himself, was hired by the Broncos on Feb. 25 in his first professional coaching stint. He said both Patrick and Sutton have progressed through organized team activities and minicamp this off-season.

“They’re strong at the point of attack and catching the football and stuff like that,” Colbert said. “I’ve been impressed and enjoyed watching them practice and compete these last few weeks.”

Depth Behind Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton

After Patrick and Sutton, the Broncos’ wide receiving corps is perhaps the strongest it’s been in quite some time.

Jerry Jeudy had 67 catches, 972 receiving yards and six touchdowns (all career-highs) on a Broncos offense that ranked 32nd (dead last) in the NFL in points per game (16.9). He looks to take the next step in his fourth NFL season with two years remaining on his contract, as the Broncos picked up his fifth-year option on May 1.

Behind Jeudy is Marvin Mims Jr., who was taken as the Broncos’ first pick in the 2023 draft (Round 2, No. 63). Mims Jr. will likely compete with fourth-year wideout K.J. Hamler for snaps at the slot receiver position.

New head coach Sean Payton’s influence has stretched from New Orleans (where he coached the Saints for 15 years) to Denver. The Broncos picked up former Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway earlier this off-season, who could also play some snaps off the bench if needed.

Keary Colbert Addresses K.J. Hamler’s Road to Recovery

Hamler was expected to be an explosive weapon for the Broncos since he was drafted in the second round in 2020. While he has shown flashes, injuries have hindered him throughout his career.

The former Penn State Nittany Lion has experienced a slew of hamstring injuries, a concussion, an ACL tear and, most recently, a torn pec during his three-year NFL career.

Colbert said that despite Hamler’s unfortunate injury history, he is continually growing during his recovery.

“He’s a pitbull, he’s a dog, you know what I mean?” Colbert told the media. “He’s gone through some stuff, but at the end of the day, he attacks everything the same way — whether it’s an injury, whether it’s a practice, whether it’s a meeting.”

There is some light at the end of the tunnel for Hamler in his recovery, however. NFL Network’s Kevin Patra reported on March 23 that Hamler has a chance to return for training camp after undergoing surgery to repair his torn pec.

On a personal level, Colbert said he admires Hamler’s positive disposition and willingness to compete in every aspect.

“He has the perfect mindset for anybody that’s experiencing injury or comeback and stuff like that. I mean, he’s attacking, and that’s the best way I can explain it.”

Late June is the perfect time to dive into some 53-man projections and New York Jets media member and Jets X-Factor co-founder Robby Sabo dropped his first 2023 roster prediction on June 24.

Notably, Sabo made a couple of bold cuts on the offensive side, waiving 2023 draft picks Carter Warren (OT) and Zack Kuntz (TE). The expectation is that both would join the NYJ practice squad should they pass through waivers, but it’s hard to see every front office around the NFL passing on a recent fourth-round selection in Warren.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas has also never cut a rookie draft pick in year one since taking over in New York. Shifting that track record from none to two in one summer feels a tad aggressive.

Having said that, this 2023 roster is loaded with more talent than ever before under Douglas’ regime. Tough decisions will have to be made, and Sabo explained two of his most surprising choices on June 24.

Jets UDFA WR Xavier Gipson Steals Roster Spot From Draft Picks Carter Warren & Zack Kuntz

There’s not always a direct correlation between different positions on who stole whose roster spot, but it certainly felt like undrafted wide receiver Xavier Gipson and third-string quarterback Tim Boyle swiped the roster spots of Warren and Kuntz in Sabo’s 53-man projection.

“The stunner on the offensive side could be undrafted free agent Xavier Gipson, whose shiftiness and athleticism help a roster in a variety of ways (wide receiver, kick returner, etc.),” the veteran Jets analyst wrote. “The final wide receiver spot (if six are carried) may come down to Gipson and Jason Brownlee.”

Aaron Rodgers gave Gipson and Brownlee an unprovoked shout-out at the conclusion of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), so that may have factored into Sabo’s thought process here.

“There’s been some young guys that have been really impressive, I think, in the camp but you always got to temper expectations because there’s no pads on, there’s no contact,” Rodgers voiced at the time. “I would say [numbers] 16 and 82 really had nice camps as rookies.”

Those are the current jersey numbers of Brownlee and Gipson.

As for Boyle, Sabo noted that the “Jets would love to carry Tim Boyle” before acknowledging that it will definitely be a tight numbers game at QB3. “Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett would both love to have Boyle on the roster,” Sabo went on. “Would he accept a lowly practice squad role? Perhaps he would, but the odds are solid that he’d receive a better job somewhere else.”

It’s fair to mention that the new NFL QB rule probably helps Boyle’s chances, although the Jets could also choose to elevate him from the practice squad on gamedays whenever they need him — should he pass through waivers.

“Yes, Joe Douglas drafted tall and lanky tight end Zack Kuntz,” Sabo admitted while discussing his TE cuts. “But how can they sneak him onto the initial roster? It’ll be interesting to see how tight end shakes out, considering there is depth.”

The Jets X-Factor creator didn’t talk much about Warren, aside from mentioning that “Douglas did everything in his power to back up his offensive line [depth] this summer.” Perhaps five is too many O-tackles in Sabo’s mind.

Jets Analyst Would Be ‘Stunned’ If Denzel Mims Makes Week 1 Roster

Considering Gipson made Sabo’s 53, you may have already realized that the math doesn’t quite add up for 2020 second rounder Denzel Mims.

Long rumored as a trade or cut candidate, Mims could finally get the boot in 2022. Barring injury, the Jets have a clear top five at the wide receiver position (Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb).

That doesn’t leave much room for Mims considering NFL teams typically roster five or six wideouts depending on preference. Sabo does have six making it, but Mims was never a strong contender based on media member’s analysis.

“I’d be stunned if Denzel Mims is on the initial 53-man roster come Week 1,” he stated. “The other undrafted kid to watch is Kutztown product Jerome Kapp, whose minicamp tryout led to a summer contract.”

Actions could speak louder than words in the case of free agent running back Dalvin Cook dropping a potential hint to the New England Patriots.

The four-time Pro Bowl running back remains unsigned after his release from the Minnesota Vikings on June 9. Former Patriots assistant Michael Lombardi described Cook as a good fit for New England during the “Pat McAfee Show“, and Cook retweeted the segment on Friday, June 23.

Twitter

“I actually believe Dalvin Cook would be a better fit than [DeAndre] Hopkins for them,” Lombardi said.

Hopkins, a star free agent wide receiver, visited the Patriots on June 15 and received a contract offer according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Cook notably told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he would like to pair up with Hopkins but didn’t specify a team.

Dalvin Cook Could Add Needed Depth to Patriots Backfield

With the Patriots, Cook could fit in as Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has employed multiple running backs on offense before. That could still be the case with a Patriots squad that has little after Rhamondre Stevenson, who went over 1,000 yards last season.

“Stevenson’s a great player. There’s no question,” Lombardi said. “But without Stevenson and if he goes down, it’s Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris. They need another back — back there.”

“And I think Cook is a good change of pace — catch a screen [pass] and go a long way,” Lombardi added. “I think he’ll make a huge difference for the Patriots with Stevenson.”

Cook has four-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 43 touchdowns in that span with no less than six in a year. The Vikings released him to save $9 million in salary cap space amid his five-year, $63 million deal.

His asking price could still come quite high at $8.7 million annually or a two-year, $17.5 million deal as projected by Spotrac. The Patriots have $13.2 million in salary cap space.

That could be sufficient space for the Patriots to also sign Hopkins, who also received an offer from the Tennessee Titans. Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals on May 26 amid his two-year, $54.5 million deal.

New England would just need Cook and/or Hopkins to take less money up front on their potential deals. Hopkins could command up to $23.2 million annually or a three-year, $69.6 million deal per Spotrac.

Star skill players aside, the Patriots can’t ignore concerning needs at tackle. Trent Brown showed up late and out of shape for mandatory minicamp this month. Riley Reiff, 34, has missed five games in the past two seasons, and Calvin Anderson and Conor McDermott have limited experience as starters if called upon.

Whole AFC East in Contention for Dalvin Cook

With that said, the Patriots could face Cook twice — or more — per season if he doesn’t sign in Foxborough. Cook has shown interest in everyone else in the AFC East.

The New York Jets joined that party this week when Cook retweeted an ESPN clip where the “Get Up” hosts discussed Cook as a fit for the Jets. Cook would add a force to the backfield to complement Breece Hall in New York if that happened.

Previously, Cook showed interest in the Buffalo Bills and his hometown Miami Dolphins.

Regardless of how the Minnesota Vikings frame it, rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison will be viewed as the de-facto replacement to longtime franchise favorite Adam Thielen.

Selected 22nd overall in the draft, Addison’s arrival came after the Vikings released Thielen to offload his $20 million cap hit for the upcoming season. Thielen, 33,  has lost a step from his Pro Bowl days but still landed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Carolina Panthers after his release.

Appearing on “NFL Total Access” on June 22, the question of “replacing” Thielen surfaced. Addison admitted he hasn’t been fueled by narrative but also didn’t step down from the challenge.

“I ain’t going to get into it too much, comparing,” Addison said when asked whether he sees himself as a more dynamic receiver than Thielen. “I just know what I can do. I’m confident, and I am going to fill his shoes.”

Jordan Addison, Adam Thielen’s Similar Skillsets

While Addison didn’t want to focus on the comparisons to Thielen, it is inevitable as a first-round selection a month after Thielen’s departure.

Although Thielen is bigger and had more top-end speed in his prime, Addison’s polished route tree will give him the ability to step in and be as diverse of a route runner as Thielen.

Addison won the Biletnikoff Trophy primarily as a slot receiver at Pitt in 2021 but evolved his game his senior season at USC, seeing 63% of his targets when lined up outside, according to The 33rd Team.

Although Addison lacks the size and speed to be a go-route, deep-ball threat, he excels at maintaining the same speed coming in and out of his breaks. That should bode well against non-premier corners that he should face with the attention Justin Jefferson garners.

The two routes he was most effective running at USC were the corner and post routes, which the Vikings deployed more often than the league average.

“Addison’s addition means the team has even more options to move the ball downfield effectively,” The 33rd Team’s Jordan Vanek wrote. “Addison’s college experience as a successful route runner on these two routes bodes well for him to become a deep-threat player in the Vikings’ offense.”

Addison has already proved he can win in the slot and his ability to win deep last season at USC shows that teams will have to respect his side of the field at all three levels.

“Addison played in the slot and out wide during his college years. This bodes well for how the O’Connell system will utilize him, and it gives the Vikings a player that can win effectively on these routes that require you not to lose speed in and out of breaks,” Vanek wrote. “Jefferson gets a player that allows him to work more freely and possibly avoid double coverage.”

Jordan Addison Expected to Be a Full Go at Training Camp After Undisclosed Injury

Addison was dealing with an undisclosed injury through minicamps but is expected to be a full go come training camp in July, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell.

“We’ve had a plan in place for him and continuing to kind of build up to where he’ll be,” O’Connell said in June 13 media conference. “He’ll be spending quite a bit of time continuing his playbook. He’s been phenomenal in meetings and out here asking great questions when they come up.

“But my expectation is that Jordan will be full when we get going in late July.”

While Addison wasn’t running as many drills as fans would like to see during spring minicamps, he’s spent the time studying Justin Jefferson on the field.

“Oh, man, it’s just been all learning for me, not too much talking,” he said. “Just out there on the field watching what he do and just trying to pick his brain to see why he wants to run his routes the way he do,” Addison told “NFL Total Access.”

There aren’t too many Kansas City Chiefs free agents that are left on the open market as we approach July 1.

Defensive linemen Carlos Dunlap and Brandon Williams probably headline KC’s group of unsigned NFL veterans, but another bigger name that’s still available is running back Melvin Gordon III — who earned a Super Bowl ring in February as a member of the practice squad despite never actually appearing in a game for the Chiefs.

“I still want to play,” Gordon told sports radio host Jim Rome of “The Jim Rome Show” on June 21. “I still got some tread left on the tires.”

Gordon then detailed a conversation with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “Andy, Coach Reid kind of sat me down and he told me that you still can play, you know — it’s just about the right situation,” the former first-round rusher relayed.

“I’m just staying ready,” Gordon noted later, pitching himself to any NFL franchise that’s listening. “I know what I can do, I know once I get in camp — or I get in any camp — I can turn some heads. I know what I need to do [in practice]… I’m ready to go, man, I’m staying ready.”

Ex-Chiefs’ Melvin Gordon Speaks Out for All NFL Running Backs

Gordon also made a public appeal for all NFL ball-carriers on Rome’s platform — which made headlines around the league.

“It’s just so tough for running backs right now, man,” Gordon voiced, “you have a lot of running backs that’s out there [in free agency], we just don’t get no love. It’s literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now. It literally sucks.”

Gordon is a two-time Pro Bowler and former 1,000-yard runner of the Los Angeles Chargers, and yet it feels like he’s not even a blip on anyone’s radar with current NFL stars like Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott still looking for work — among others.

“It’s hard though, it’s hard training knowing that you’re not going to be on a team,” Gordon admitted candidly. “It’s tough, mentally, but I’ve talked to some players that went through it, and just taking their advice, being a sponge — that kind of helps you get through it.”

The eight-year NFL pro sounds like he has no clue if or when he’ll get offered another job, but he’s certainly leaving the door open for any sort of opportunity at age 30. He’s not alone, as the free agency market at running back is currently deeper than ever before.

In terms of when this recent trend of not paying RBs began, Gordon had a theory on that too.

“I think after Todd [Gurley] got paid, and then Sean McVay came out and said that ‘I’ll never pay a running back again, and I’ll just use them and rotate them out,’ I think after that statement was made — and then I think they won the Super Bowl — it was just like, everybody just followed suit I think,” Gordon said to Rome.

Due to the wear and tear of the position, running backs haven’t been considered premium players for some time, but that modern-day philosophy has grown from a contingent of general managers to general practice around the league. As Gordon alluded, it’s not getting any better either.

Should the Chiefs Bring in a Veteran RB in 2023?

The Chiefs have the top half of the RB room covered in 2023, but they’re a little shallow behind second-year starter Isiah Pacheco, third-down back Jerick McKinnon and former first rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The expected RB4 is undrafted rookie Deneric Prince, an early standout of the offseason program.

KC also has a 2020 draft pick in La’Mical Perine and a 2022 UDFA in Jerrion Ealy competing for reps in camp. If they feel they need more as training camp rolls along, you could see a veteran like Gordon enter the fold.

He’s not the only option on the open market — GM Brett Veach has a long list to choose from — but he is familiar with the system and the way the Chiefs operate after his practice squad stint in 2022. It’s conceivable that experience gets him one more reserve opportunity during the upcoming season.