By: Reese Nasser

Every year there are notable players coming off of injury who are all potential candidates for comeback player of the year. But this year may be the deepest group ever. With players such as Dak Prescott, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Derwin James all returning from injuries, this award could go to anyone. 

This is where Cam Newton steps in. While he did appear in 15 games last season, he not only had Covid-19 but seemed to be impacted by it once he returned. Newton’s numbers were down across the board in the passing game. He threw just eight touchdowns and had 2657 passing yards, the lowest of his career when playing in at least 14 games. 

Newton’s struggles in the passing game did not impact his run game. He had the second-most rushing touchdowns of his career with 13. 

He also rushed for 592 yards on 137 attempts, the second-most of his career. At 32 years old, Newton may be looking to rush less and pass more. With the free agents signed this off-season, Newton will be put into a position where this is possible. 

The New England Patriots offense is rebuilt heading into this season. With free agents such as tight end Hunter Henry, tight end Jonnu Smith, and wide receiver Nelson Agholor, Newton will be surrounded with top offensive weapons, something that he did not have last season. 

In 2020, there were no clear-cut top offensive players in New England. They took a “win by committee” approach, which did not work for them. Wide receiver Julian Edelman appeared in just six games and caught just 21 passes. 

The next two Patriots receivers on the depth chart weren’t much more productive. Damiere Byrd and N’Keal Harry combined for 80 receptions, 913 yards, and three touchdowns. Each of the Patriots new signings all nearly put those numbers up by themselves over the course of last season. 

By surrounding Newton with elite pass catchers that can produce on their own, there will be less of a need for him to make plays on his own. This will then let the offense flow at a much smoother rate than it did last year. 

Newton has already seemed to become comfortable with his new WR1 in Agholor. Agholor played well in his first and only year in Las Vegas last season. He recorded 48 receptions, 896 yards and eight touchdowns. He also averaged almost 19 yards per reception. The deep threat that he will be in this offense will be a welcome for Newton. 

The signings of two of the best tight ends in football in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry cna also not be ignored. Newton played the best football of his career when lined up alongside Greg Olsen. He will now have two players of that caliber with him on this offense. 

Both tight ends are proven in both the pass-catching game and blocking game. This will undoubtedly open up this offense in more than one way. Henry turned 60 catches into 613 yards and four touchdowns during his final season with the Chargers. Smith produced 41 receptions, 448 yards, and eight touchdowns in his final season with the Titans. Each of these tight ends has big-play capability and Newton will be able to lean on them when other pieces of this offense struggle. 

All signs point to Newton having a big bounce-back season in 2021. With new options on offense and him being healthy, he could have a complete resurgence. A comeback player of the year award could be in his future, and possibly even an MVP award, if he is able to play like he knows he can. 

The post Why Cam Newton is the ultimate darkhorse candidate for comeback player of the year appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

Every great passing attack has an elite duo of quarterback and wide receiver. If a team doesn’t have a top duo, they are trying to get one. 

Great duos have been seen throughout the history of the NFL. Peyton Manning had Marvin Harrison, Steve Young had Jerry Rice, and Phillip Rivers had Antonio Gates. The list goes on and on with the most prominent active duo being Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. 

With that being said, every year there is a new opportunity for a young duo to take off. With how pass-heavy the modern NFL is, there is more opportunity for this to take place. Here are some of the most intriguing young duos that could soon take over the NFL. 

New York Jets- Zach Wilson & Elijah Moore

The Jets may have found something special in the 2021 draft. After taking their quarterback of the future in Zach Wilson, they added Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore in the second round. 

Both Wilson and Moore were electric during their time in college. Moore reached almost 2500 receiving yards and had 16 touchdowns over his three collegiate seasons. Wilson was one of the most prolific passers in football while at BYU. He threw 56 touchdowns to just 15 interceptions. He proved to be a threat on the ground as well, adding another 15 scores, with 10 coming in his final season. 

The duo could be exactly what the Jets need as they start their rebuild. Both players have seemingly already built a strong connection in their short time together. If all goes to plan, these two could be together for a long time. 

Baltimore Ravens- Lamar Jackson & Rashod Bateman 

Lamar Jackson will be entering his fourth year in the NFL and will finally have a true WR1 to throw to. The Ravens added University of Minnesota wide receiver with the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft. 

Bateman dominated during his time in college. He scored 19 touchdowns over his 31 collegiate games. 

While Lamar has been one of the games best quarterbacks, he hasn’t had a true receiving threat. His best weapon up to this point has arguably been Mark Andrews, his tight end. 

Now that Baltimore has added a true threat in Bateman, this offense could reach new levels. It could also take Lamar to an even higher level then he was in 2019 in his MVP season. 

Bateman was the fifth receiver taken but could prove to be the first one to make an impact at the NFL level. The Ravens are built to win now and he could be the final piece in making it happen.

Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow & Ja’Marr Chase

This list wouldn’t be complete without the guys from LSU. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will go down as one of the greatest college duos of all time. In their time together at LSU, the pair connected for 23 touchdowns. But the question remains, will they be able to find success in the NFL?

When Chase was available at pick number 5, it felt like destiny. The Bengals being able to bring this duo to the NFL was too good to pass up on. And the two are picking up right where they left off. 

This pairing could be elite from day one and could instantly lead to the Bengals winning a few more games. With other talented receivers on the roster like Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Chase will be able to find his place in this offense without having to always be the main producer. Cincinnati could have something special brewing with this group. 

The post The most intriguing young QB-WR duos heading into 2021 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

Aaron Donald has been a force of nature since he entered the NFL in 2014 when the Rams selected him with the 13th overall pick. In his rookie season, he put the NFL on notice. He recorded 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks on his way to becoming the Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

Since his explosive rookie season, Donald has not slowed down. He has become one of the greatest players to ever step on a football field. He has missed just two games throughout the entirety of his career and has steadily been the most dominant force in almost every game he has appeared in. 

In his 110 career games, he has filled the stat sheet, even while often dealing with two or three blockers. Donald has spent his career making his way to the backfield, tallying up 131 tackles for loss, 201 quarterback hits, and 88 sacks. 

To go along with his dominance on the field, Donald has the accolades to match. He is a seven-time pro bowler, a six-time all-pro, and a three-time defensive player of the year. He is coming off of a 2020 season where he received his third DPOY award. Donald finished last season with 13.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 28 quarterback hits. 

But awards such as defensive player of the year aren’t won off of just a resume alone. They are won by performing each season at the highest level. So can Aaron Donald win the award for the fourth time in 2021? Yes, and here’s why. 

Age

At just 30-years old, Donald still has quality years in front of him. He has also shown no signs of slowing down. In his past three seasons, Donald has 46.5 sacks and 59 QB hits. He has also still get to the backfield with ease. 

As previously noted, he has played in every Rams game besides two during his time in the NFL. His ability to play at the highest level, even when injured, is something that Donald has become known for. After suffering torn rib cartilage in the Rams wildcard game against the Seattle Seahawks, Donald was ready to go one week later as he played in the divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers. 

High Motor

Donald is a proven menace to opposing offensive lines. The disruption that he is able to cause, plus the constant high level that he plays at causes teams to scheme directly around him. Even the league’s best blockers struggle to contain Donald. 

Donald’s ability to consistently become the focus of opposing offenses is something that the NFL can’t ignore. He is able to do things that other players cannot. Heading into the 2021 season, this should be no different. Donald will have every reason to be a force again and nobody has been able to stop him yet. That won’t change now. If all goes to plan, Donald could very well bring home his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award. 

The post Why Aaron Donald could win DPOY again appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

The New Orleans Saints could be one of the most intriguing teams heading into this upcoming season. The team returning will be very similar to the team that won the NFC South for the past four seasons and finished 2020 with a 12-4 record. 

There is just one glaring difference for this team heading into 2021; longtime quarterback Drew Brees is now retired. After leading the Saints since 2006, the QB1 decided to call it a career. The 13-time pro bowl quarterback had a career that will cement him among some of the greatest ever. But the Saints may be ready for life post-Brees. 

In the past two seasons, Brees missed nine games. In those nine games, New Orleans had a record of 8-1. They have proved that they are capable of still winning games without Brees and this upcoming season will be where they fully get to showcase that. 

The Saints will be a competitive team in 2021. The culture that they have created within the team will allow for nothing less. New Orleans could be a super bowl contender this season. Here’s why. 

Talented Defense

The Saints have a defense with veterans at every level. With Cameron Jordan leading the defensive line, Demario Davis leading the linebackers, and Malcolm Jenkins leading the secondary, this defense has capable playmakers at every point. 

The group that they have assembled is proven and will be nearly identical in 2021. They finished last season allowing 310 yards per game and 21.06 points per game, ranking fourth and fifth in both categories. They held opponents to less than 20 points on six occasions last season. 

If the defense is able to play at the same level as they did last season, this team will have a fighting chance in any game that they play in. An above average defense can also be enough to get a team to a SuperBowl appearance. That has been seen throughout NFL history. 

Top Offensive-Line

The New Orleans offensive line is one of the best in the NFL. Led by Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramcyzk, the Saints have put out a group that has been consistent for years. 

When running on all gears, this is arguably the NFL’s best group in the trenches. An elite offensive line can take a team far. And it can help diminish the other problems that the offense may have. 

Star wide receiver Michael Thomas may miss significant time due to off-season surgery. If Thomas is out for sometime, this offense could struggle in the beginning. Losing a player of Thomas’s caliber and having younger wideouts in a position where they have to make a play could be an issue for this offense. The o-line being able to hold blocks and let plays develop could keep this offensive unit alive at points. 

Alvin Kamara

Running back Alvin Kamara could be the x-factor for this team. His offensive presence alongside the elite offensive line could take this team far. 

Kamara has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the NFL. He reached the end zone 16 times on the ground and another five times through the air. His 21 touchdowns led the NFL. 

It would come at no shock if Kamara has a similar workload in 2021. This Saints team could go as far as their veteran running back takes them. If he is able to play at a high level, as he has for most of his career, he could be the leagues best running back this season. 

While a Super Bowl appearance could be slim to none, this team could still be competitive and at least have a fighting chance. Having a reliable defense, a top offensive line, and a star running back, paired with a veteran quarterback in Jameis Winston, this team will always have a fighting chance. Don’t count the Saints out in 2021. 

The post Why the Saints are still Super Bowl contenders appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

The New England Patriots were arguably the team most impacted by Covid opt-outs in 2020. They lost key pieces on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. These losses represented both their play on the field and their record at the end of the season. 

New England finished 2020 with a 7-9 record, their first single-digit win season since 2002, and their first losing season since the year 2000. 

But 2021 should be different for this New England defense. They have been aggressive in fixing this defense, through the draft and free agency. This defense will look vastly different than it did in 2020 when they allowed 22.1 ppg, their most in more than 20 years. Here’s why this Patriots defense will return to form in 2021. 

Returning players post-covid 

The Patriots will be getting back veteran linebacker Dont’a Hightower this season after he chose to opt-out of last season due to concerns with covid. 

The last time that Hightower stepped onto the field for the Patriots, he left his mark. He played well in 2019, recording 5.5 sacks, 71 tackles, and 8 tackles for loss. 

He has crafted out his role in New England. He has spent eight seasons with the Patriots and even though this team has gone through a drastic change, he should continue to be a leader on this squad in 2021. 

Young players 

New England has gone out of their way to establish a defense consisting of some of the NFL’s best young talents. They have continued their streak of being one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, continuing to find hidden gems and getting lucky enough to have star collegiate players fall to them in the draft. 

The Patriots drafted safety Kyle Dugger out of Lenoir-Rhyne with the 37th pick in the 2020 draft. New England took a swing on selecting Dugger, as many teams chose to pass on him due to him being from a division II school.

Dugger played well when called upon as he started 7 games for the Patriots and appeared in 14. He recorded 64 tackles and overall looked like a building block for this defense. He will have big shoes to fill, as he steps into the role left by longtime safety Patrick Chung who opted out of 2020 and eventually made the decision to retire.

Linebacker Chase Winovich will also look to be a long term piece of this defense. Entering year-three, Winovich is finally starting to find his footing in this Patriots defense. He has recorded 5.5 sacks in both of his first two seasons and has recorded 74 tackles and 10 tackles for loss during his time. 

Strong Rookie Class

The Patriots went heavy on defense in the 2021 draft. After selecting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with their first pick of the draft, they doubled up on defense with their next two picks. With the 38th pick, they selected Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore. They then selected Oklahoma edge rusher Ronnie Perkins with the 96th pick. 

Barmore was highly regarded as the draft’s best defensive tackle. His lasting until pick 38 caught many people off-guard and the Patriots will benefit from this selection. 

Barmore will look to be a day one starter on this defense. In his final 11 games at Alabama, he racked up 9.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. The Patriots will expect big things from their second-round selection. 

Oklahoma edge rusher Ronnie Perkins will be more of a long-term development for the Patriots. He will sit behind and learn from some of the league’s best at his position. 

Perkins was one of college football’s best edge players in recent seasons. He spent three seasons at Oklahoma where he made an impact from day one. During his time, he tallied 16.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss. He could be a shocking addition to this defense and could be a big piece in the near future. 

Free Agent Signings 

The Patriots went all in on free agency this off-season. They spent big on both sides of the ball. On defense, they added solid defensive players such as Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy, and Davon Godchaux. The players that they added on defense could cause this unit to instantly become one of the NFL’s best. 

Matthew Judon could prove to be the biggest signing for this defense. He signed a four-year $56 million dollar deal that will make him a centerpiece of this defense. 

Judon played during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent five years in Baltimore where he recorded 34.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits. 

The Patriots clearly have a history full of success, and after a lackluster 2020 are looking to make sure that this upcoming season is different. They have gone all in with the team that they have assembled. This defense has been consistent for this team and their 2021 will show that they will return to being elite. Expect big things from this unit this upcoming season. 

The post Why the Patriots defense will return to being elite in 2021 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

Nine-year NFL veteran Chandler Jones could be on the way out of Arizona. The linebacker has spent the last five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals but, at some point during this off-season, requested a trade. This could lead to Jones being gone before the start of the season. 

Joens has been one of the NFL’s most prolific pass rushers since he entered the league in 2012. He spent the first four years of his career with the New England Patriots. In those four years, Jones recorded 36 sacks and 38 tackles for loss. 

After being traded to Arizona in 2016, Jones took his play to an even higher level. Excluding the 2020 season where he appeared in just five games, Jones has been one of the NFL’s most prominent defensive players since he joined the Cardinals. From 2016 to 2019, his stretch was among the NFL’s elite. He racked up 60 sacks, 67 tackles for loss, and 98 quarterback hits.

With a potential trade on the horizon, there is speculation around where Jones could eventually be moved. There are multiple teams that could see Jones as the final piece needed for a strong Super Bowl run. Here are three potential landing spots for the two-time all-pro linebacker.

New England Patriots 

A return to New England could prove to be a real possibility for Jones. The Patriots have a deep group of veteran linebackers led by Kyle Van Noy, Donta Hightower, and Matt Judon, but Jones could join this defense and become their best pass rusher.

Jones is able to do things that Van Noy and Hightower cannot. And a pass-rushing duo of Jones and Judon could quickly become one of the best in the NFL. 

A trade would more than likely be centered around veteran Cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots could see a trade of these two defenders as necessary in order to get them closer to a top defense than they are. 

Miami Dolphins 

The situation in Miami is very similar to the one taking place in New England. Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has asked for a restructured contract and the Dolphins could decide to package a deal around him instead of giving him the new deal. 

The Dolphins defense is fairly young in particular spots. Jones could step into a spot where he would not only be the lead edge rusher but where he could mentor younger players.

Miami selected linebacker Jaelen Phillips with the 18th pick in the draft. Having a player of Jones’ talent to learn from could be exactly what the rookie linebacker needs to become one of the NFL’s next great defensive players. 

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers could be an underrated trade partner for the Cardinals. Los Angeles finished 2020 with a 7-9 record and will look to build on that heading into this upcoming season. With the offense led by young quarterback Justin Herbert, this team has money to build.

If Jones wants a new contract, the Chargers could be the team that gives it to him. And the pairing of Jones alongside Joey Bosa could be too good to pass up on. 

Bosa appeared in 12 games last season and still recorded almost double-digit sacks and had 15 tackles for loss. He and Jones on both sides of the defensive line would be one of the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL. It could also be what this defense needs to be a top-5 unit in the league. 

The post Potential landing spots for Chandler Jones appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

In the last twenty years, the NFL MVP award has become an award that almost strictly goes to quarterbacks. Only four of the last twenty winners were position players. The award is recognized as a quarterback award and is nearly impossible to win if you don’t play the position. The last non-quarterback to win MVP was running back Adrian Peterson in 2012. 

The last-position player to receive an MVP vote that wasn’t a QB was Todd Gurley in 2017. He finished with eight votes and finished second to quarterback Tom Brady, who received 40 votes. 

This past season, only three players received MVP votes. All three players were quarterbacks; Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. 

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is coming off of a season where he is just the seventh player to surpass 2000 rushing yards in one season. He also added another 17 touchdowns on the ground. Even with this monstrous season, he didn’t receive a single MVP vote. 

Outside of running backs, no position player has received an MVP award since 1986 when New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it. The last time a tight end received a vote was in the year 1986 when New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro received a vote. 

It has been over 30 years since a tight end has received an MVP vote. A tight end has never even won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.

The biggest issue in regards to skill players not winning this award is that a majority of their stats go to the quarterback as well. If a receiver catches 15 touchdown passes, that means that a quarterback had to throw 15 touchdowns. The stats will fall into both categories, almost always falling in favor of the quarterback. 

While a tight end has never one, we are living in the time of the high-powered offense, where it could potentially happen someday soon. There are multiple tight ends that are at the forefront of the NFL. There is potential at the position and the award could make its way to the position soon.

That begs the question of, what would a tight end need to do to not just earn a vote but to win the entire award? In a simple sense, it would be one of the greatest seasons of all time. When taking both a statistical approach and a team approach, the tight end would have to dominate in both ways. By being a leader on the team and being their driving force on offense.

From a numbers standpoint, tight ends have blossomed in recent years. The very best at the position is able to take over games. But even the current greats at the position haven’t done enough to garner the necessary attention to be acknowledged for the award. 

Current Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is arguably the greatest to ever play his position. His 2011 campaign is one of the single greatest seasons in NFL history. At 22 years old the second-year tight end caught 90 passes for 1327 yards. He also reached the end zone on 18 different occasions. Even with this performance, Gronkowski was not an MVP finalist, but his quarterback Tom Brady was. 

In recent seasons, tight ends such as Travis Kelce and George Kittle have taken over the position. Kelce has steadily improved since breaking out in 2016. He has five consecutive seasons of over 1000 receiving yards and has had two seasons with double-digit touchdown receptions. 

Kelce has been one of the most dominant players in the NFL for years now but has never found his way into the MVP conversation. Understandably so when you look at who his quarterback is. As Kelce approaches 32-years old, his MVP window could already be closed. But the same can’t be said for Kelce’s counterpart, George Kittle.

Kittle could prove to be the most likely candidate to finally win the award, especially when looking at the team that he plays on. Kittle could be the main target on the San Francisco 49ers roster in 2021. His stock could go up even more if San Francisco chooses to go with rookie quarterback Trey Lance, who could not only expand the offense but could also look at Kittle to be his security blanket. 

Kittle is coming off of a down season where he appeared in just eight games. But the 27-year old tight end should be ready to perform at a high level this season. He could prove to be one of the league’s best past catchers this season. And that is what it would take for him to bring home the MVP award. 

If Gronkowski wasn’t able to take home the award in 2011 with 18 touchdowns, then it could take scoring 20 to win it. Kittle could be the player to do it. A stat line of 20 touchdowns, 100 receptions, and over 1500 receiving yards could potentially get it done. And while that would be asking a lot, that could prove to be what it takes for a tight end to finally bring the MVP award home. 

The post What would it take for a tight end to win MVP? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

Running back Adrian Peterson has been one of the league’s most polarizing players since he entered the league in 2007. He has filled the NFL record book, achieving things that most players at his position can only dream to achieve. 

But at age 36, Peterson is trying to prove that he still has gas left in the tank. The 14-year NFL veteran is still currently a free agent and is trying to find a home for the 2021 season. 

Peterson spent his entire 2020 season with the Detroit Lions. He appeared in all 16 games and started 10. In his lone season with Detroit, Peterson reached the end zone seven times and gained 705 yards from scrimmage on 168 touches.
Petersons ability to still perform at a consistent level has led many to wonder where he will play this season. A return to the Lions could be a real possibility and be a win-win situation for both teams.

The Lions depth chart currently lacks a truly established veteran running back. Second year running back D’Andre Swift will be the lead back in 2021, regardless of who else the team adds before the season starts. Swift played well in his rookie season, appearing in 13 games where he scored 10 times and had 878 yards from scrimmage. 

The real issue begins when you look past Swift. The lack of depth could lead to the Lions needing to bring in extra running backs. Outside of Swift, there is just one back on the roster that has played in the NFL; Jamaal Williams. Williams spent the past four seasons with the Green Bay Packers where he played in 60 games. He scored 18 total touchdowns and was effective in both the pass and run game. 

The next two stored backs are both rookies; Jermar Jefferson and Dedrick Mills. Jefferson was selected in the seventh round. The Oregon State product scored 29 touchdowns for the Beavers, with 27 of them coming on the ground. Dedrick Mills spent time at both Georgia Tech and Nebraska. He finished with just over 2100 yards from scrimmage and 26 touchdowns. 

Between all four rostered backs in Detroit, there are just 73 NFL games played. The clear lack of experience could be the driving force in bringing Adiran Peterson back for one more season. Peterson has still been one of the more explosive players at his position over the past few seasons. 

His ability to consistently stay on the field could also be a reason that the Lions bring Peterson back. In the past three seasons, he has missed just one game and has performed well whenever he has stepped onto the field. 

Arguably the biggest reason to bring Peterson back to Detroit could be his veteran presence. He is one of the most accomplished players in the history of football and his knowledge could help elevate this particular young running back room. 

Peterson could also potentially move into seventh all-time on the running back yards from the scrimmage list this upcoming season. A few quality games from Peterson or a steady handful of carries throughout this reason could be just enough for him to move up. 

The Lions could benefit from bringing Peterson back and Peterson could add even more to his long and storied resume. His career has been elite up to this point and Peterson isn’t ready to hang it up just yet. A one-year deal could be just what both sides need. 

The post Should the Detroit Lions bring back Adrian Peterson? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

Cornerback Xavien Howard’s time with the Miami Dolphins is coming to an end. The former second-round pick is looking for a restructured contract and the Dolphins don’t seem willing to make it happen. 

Howard has proven to be one of the most elite cornerbacks in the NFL. His 2020 season was one of the best seasons for a corner in recent years. 

Howard’s presence would help improve any secondary in the NFL. He is a proven lockdown corner that teams are forced to avoid. In 2020, he was targeted 90 times. On those 90 targets, he came away with 10 interceptions and 20 passes defended. 

After signing a new deal in May of 2019, Howard became one of the league’s highest-paid corners. He is just now entering the second year of that extension. While Howard’s contract overall is one of the largest at his position, his annual pay falls right near the middle of the pack. Howard is due $12.1 million in 2021, which would make him the 11th highest paid corner this upcoming season. Howard believes he is worth more than that and wants a new deal. After also locking up cornerback Byron Jones, the Dolphins will have a hard time doing this. 

This is where the possibility of trade comes into play. If the Dolphins can’t figures out a way to make Howard happy, he won’t report to the team. Both sides seem intent on not budging. There are a few teams that could make the play to go after Howard if the Dolphins and he do seem to part ways. Let’s take a look at the possible landing spots for one of the league’s best corners. 

New Orleans Saints

A cornerback group of Xavien Howard, Marshon Lattimore, Patrick Robinson, and CJ Gardner-Johnson could be too much for the Saints to pass on. The secondary group has had its struggles and Howard would add much-needed depth. 

With both him and Lattimore on each side of the field, they could keep up with nearly any receiving duo in the NFL. Offenses would be forced to go after one of them, and that would be a tough task to deal with. 

A player of Howard’s level could be exactly what this defense needs. If this team hopes to stay competitive, especially in a division with a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have one of the league’s best receiving groups.  

The Saints future is very much in the air. They have questions on the offensive side of the ball and there is still no sign on who will be the QB1. But an elite defense can take a team far, even if they have an offense that struggles. New Orleans could create something special if they add a player like Howard.

Arizona Cardinals 

The Arizona Cardinals could be a much more intriguing landing spot for Howard. After losing Patrick Peterson to free agency, Arizona is missing a true lockdown corner. Howard could be that CB1 that every team looks for. 

Arizona added Malcolm Butler in free agency but outside of Butler, the group is somewhat unproven. Another proven veteran could be necessary to keep this group in games.

2019 second-round pick is currently the corner opposite of Butler. He struggled throughout last season, allowing 57 receptions on 82 targets.

Howard in this secondary would help handle the issue of secondary play. It would also allow Murphy to fall back into more of a relief role where he can step in when necessary. 

The Cardinals have put together a strong defense, with playmakers all over that side of the ball. Howard could prove to be the last piece needed to put it all together for Arizona. 

Los Angeles Chargers 

The Los Angeles Chargers could be a dark horse candidate to sign Howard. The Chargers biggest defensive weakness could arguably be their secondary group. Neither starter from last season performed at a high level. 

Howard would come to this team and be an instant upgrade. His ability to hold down an entire portion of the field is something that the Chargers have not had in their secondary. 

After a strong performance last year from the team as a whole, the Chargers could be putting together something special. But without an elite secondary, this team could not live up to their true potential. Howard could be what puts them over the edge.  

A secondary consisting of both Howard and safety Derwin James would be something that opposing offenses would have to be on the lookout for. 

The post Best Trade Destinations for Dolphins CB Xavien Howard appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill has had an interesting career up to this point. He has been an anomaly on the football field, not being stuck in the mold of any one particular position. He has spent time all over the field, from quarterback and tight end to special teams standout. 

Until the 2020 season, Hill had never been really utilized as a quarterback. Over two seasons he threw 13 passes for just over 100 yards. Over those same two seasons, he was utilized in more of a running role. He had 64 carries and 352 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. 

Hill hit his stride this past season. The 30-year old stepped into a true quarterback role for part of the season. In the four games that Hill started, the Saints went 3-1. Hill played well in his four starts, throwing four touchdowns and adding another four on the ground. He finished the season with 13 touchdowns and 1438 yards from scrimmage. 

After the end of the 2020 season and the retirement of longtime quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints restructured Hill’s contract. 

The deal could lock Hill in with the Saints for some time, or they could be out of it at the end of the season. The Saints could find themselves in an odd situation with Hill, especially when looking at how they can get themselves out of his contract. 

At nearly 31-years old, it is hard to envision Hill as the future quarterback of this team. The Saints also have a six-year veteran and former number one pick, Jameis Winston. It is assumed that Winston will be the QB1 heading into this upcoming season. A decision that puts Hill as the number one would shock the NFL. 

New Orleans also added Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Book could be the eventual long-term quarterback for the Saints but won’t be ready to go in his rookie season. 

With the quarterback situation in New Orleans, it begs to ask the question of what should the Saints do with Taysom Hill? After showing that he can play the quarterback position at an at least average level, should they trade him? Or, do they keep him as a backup to be there in case Winston struggles in his role? Both options are possible and the Saints could entertain the idea of a trade. Let’s take a look at both options. 

Why Hill could be traded

Hill could be the perfect option for a team that loses their QB1. Unexpected injuries happen every season and not every team has a backup that can step up and still win them games. That is where Hill could step in and play a role. 

Hill’s duality on the field could make teams want to add him to their roster as well. His impact on the field could help teams expand their offensive game plans, much like New Orleans has been able to do up to this point. He could expand a team’s run game and influence things all over the offensive side of the ball. He could an impressive TE2 and a dual-threat QB on a team that wants more explosion out of the backfield. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers would make intriguing landing spots.

Why the Saints could keep Hill

The Saints quarterback room outside of Winston and Hill is one of the weakest in the NFL. As previously noted, rookie quarterback Ian Book will more than likely be brought along slowly. The fourth quarterback on the roster is Trevor Siemian. Siemian has had difficulties in the NFL and the Saints may see him as the backup they would like to have. 

At 30 years old, New Orleans may not get a return in a trade that makes it worth it to move Hill, especially with the role that he plays for the team. He will be 31 by the time the regular season starts and it could make sense for both sides for Hill to just stay with the Saints. 

After weighing both options, the Saints would be better off having Hill on their roster. He is a proven security blanket, a player that can step in when called upon, which he proved that last season. Most teams would like to have a player with his talent on their roster, and the Saints could make a big mistake by moving him. There is also an inspirational factor in which many Saints fans adhere to his underdog story.

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