By: Tom Rodriguez

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league and the MVP award has become a quarterback award. Out of the last 15 MVP winners, 14 of them have been quarterbacks. However, offensive player of the year has become an award given to the best skill player. Four out of the last five winners have been non-quarterbacks, with three of them being running backs. With free agency winding down and the draft fast approaching, who are the three backs most likely to win the award. 

Deebo Samuel, Wide back, San Francisco 49ers

I know. I know. He’s not technically a running back. Deebo Samuel was easily the most explosive player in the NFL in 2021. He is an elite receiver and became one of the most efficient runners in the NFL halfway through the season. With a full off-season to iron out what his role will exactly be, expect the 49ers to use him even more. Samuel is the early favorite to be the player who goes over 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving. Samuel, one of the most unstoppable players in the sport, could see a more diverse role in the offense in 2022 with the addition of Trey Lance, a young quarterback whose athleticism brings a brand new dynamic to the San Francisco offense. 

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans 

After missing a large portion of the 2021 season, Derrick Henry seems poised for a comeback season in 2022. While the Titans’ offense remains the same for the most part, Henry’s production is just something that is guaranteed at this point. Something that may help spring some more long runs is Robert Woods. Woods, one of the best blocking receivers in the NFL, was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams for just a sixth-round pick earlier this month. Improved blocking on the outside could result in more highlight-reel runs for Henry this season. Derrick Henry is always a safe bet in terms of running backs. 

Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns 

Nick Chubb is quietly one of the best players in the NFL. Chubb produces despite Cleveland having no deep threat to spread the defense out and lighten boxes. Also, Chubb has been splitting carries and catches with Kareem Hunt. Hunt has been involved in trade rumors since the last off-season and the Browns just added Amari Cooper to be what they hoped Odell Beckham Jr. would become. Deshaun Watson coming in at quarterback (depending on how many games he can play) will also make defenses respect the air attack more as well. Chubb is primed for another phenomenal season. 

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By: Tim Rodriguez

NFL teams never make it easy when it’s time to extend their star quarterbacks. The Dallas Cowboys spent far too long dragging their heels with Dak Prescott. Fortunately, they were able to get it done, but it hung over the franchise for quite a while. Washington spent years franchise tagging Kirk Cousins, and they haven’t been able to find a quarterback anywhere near his level since he walked in free agency. We have another situation brewing in the AFC North.

The Baltimore Ravens have been able to extend Lamar Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, for over a year, but still have no deal in place. Why? Wish I had an answer. While many media members have floated the idea that Jackson should be allowed to test the market by Baltimore, the Ravens should be doing everything necessary to keep him on the roster.

What are the Ravens without Lamar Jackson?

Average. They drafted him for a reason. He was the quarterback that was supposed to take them to a new level that post-2012 Joe Flacco couldn’t. And he did. A 14-2 campaign in 2019 had the Ravens poised to sit atop the AFC for years to come. Sure, they got run off the field in the playoffs, but that should not take away from their dominant performance. In 2020, despite a midseason COVID outbreak, the Ravens stormed to the postseason and avenged their 2019 divisional round loss. A Jackson injury eliminated any hopes of winning the next week. 

This season, the Ravens were ravaged by injuries and COVID, including a season-ending ankle injury to their young star quarterback. Tyler Huntley filled in for Jackson and played amicably, proving that he deserves a chance to compete for a starting job”¦somewhere else. Unfortunately, his above average play has led many to believe that he could start for Baltimore, leaving Jackson and his contract status expendable. 

Lock him up

There’s no reason to let Lamar Jackson walk in free agency. He is, without question, one of the most explosive players in the NFL. He is also accomplishing some tremendous feats given what he has been given. It’s no secret the Ravens have struggled to put together a consistent group of weapons, with tight end Mark Andrews emerging as the most reliable pass catcher on the team. All-world tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is taking up a large portion of the salary cap, has been on the receiving end of two devastating season-ending injuries in 2020 and 2021. Orlando Brown was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs last off-season, leaving the offensive tackle room in disarray. There were times in 2021 where Jackson was under siege. Through all that, he made it work. Baltimore was in prime playoff positioning when he went down. 

Why the hesitation?

Jackson is always going to be held to a different standard than everyone else. You can come to your own conclusions why. His play style simply rubs people the wrong way. Whether the narrative be “he isn’t accurate enough” or “he can’t win the big games” or even “he can’t play from behind”, Jackson has a huge target on his back. Clearly, the lack of playoff success, as well as his increased likelihood to get injured given how he plays, the Ravens have some concerns as well. Other players on the team, like Stanley, have been taken care of, but Jackson has to remain humble and quiet. If Kirk Cousins can have a cap hit of nearly $50 million, Lamar Jackson, a former *checks notes* MVP, can get essentially whatever he pleases. 

Lamar Jackson sweepstakes?

Make no mistake, Lamar Jackson hitting free agency would be the biggest seismic shift in NFL history when we look back on it. Quarterbacks this amazing simply don’t hit the open market at this age. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady hit the market when they were old enough to run for President of the United States. This could have Drew Brees to New Orleans levels of impact. The Saints were a downtrodden franchise and Brees, who the Chargers let walk away in 2006, helped them win a Super Bowl, win countless games and become one of the most consistent teams of the last two decades.

The post Why are the Ravens not extending Lamar Jackson? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

For the better part of the last two decades, Aaron Rodgers has been the Green Bay Packers. That may all be coming to an end. Or not. Or he’s retiring. That’s where the problem lies. We truly have no idea what the back to back MVP is planning on doing with his future. Rodgers is rumored to be unhappy with the situation in Green Bay and is pondering leaving the franchise or retiring from football all together. 

Dominance 

Rodgers has been reignited since head coach Matt Lafleur was hired in 2019. The last two years of the McCarthy era were filled with injuries and good – but not up to the Rodgers standard level play. Matt Lafleur brought new ideas and a killer offensive staff with him to Green Bay. Since then, the Packers have had a first-round bye in all three seasons, reaching the NFC Championship game twice. Rodgers has also won two more MVP awards, bringing his career total to four. Unfortunately, Green Bay has yet to reach the Super Bowl. With this team, the Super Bowl is the only goal. 

Why?

The “why” can be connected to two questions. Why haven’t they reached the Super Bowl? Why does Rodgers potentially want out? The reasons are ultimately the same. The Packers have religiously drafted defensive players in the first round, yet had to go on a spending spree in the 2019 off-season just to get the defense to above average. That has left the receiving core outside of Davante Adams with not much to work with. Even with all those first round picks and money spent on defense, both NFC Championship game opponents scored more than 30 points on the Packers. In 2020, the Packers truly could have been one offensive playmaker away; and that is where the frustration really starts. 

April 23rd, 2020

Let’s turn the clocks back. We are one month into the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all just starting to get adjusted to life in a virtual world, including the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell is conducting the NFL draft from his basement. We’re having fun (kind of). The Miami Dolphins are on the clock with the 26th pick. Until they weren’t. The Green Bay Packers had sent a fourth round pick to Miami to move up four spots. That was presumably for a receiver, or a cornerback, or a linebacker who wasn’t Blake Martinez. Until it wasn’t. One of the great robberies of the pandemic was not getting a live crowd reaction to this pick. Jordan Love. They picked Jordan Love. 

A quarterback out of Utah State, Love was the fourth and final passer taken in the first round that night. Instantaneously, public outcry went from “What are they doing?” to “What is Aaron thinking right now”. Rodgers was not present on any television sets at the moment, but he was on a live draft coverage with the Pat McAfee show (Oh, this is not the last you will hear of this show) just hours earlier discussing the quarterbacks that were taken earlier. Anyone who knows anything about Rodgers knew that this probably irked him. And why wouldn’t it? The Packers had just played in the NFC Championship game three months ago and there was a treasure trove of wide receivers and talented defensive players on the board. However, both Rodgers and the team were relatively silent about the issue and by all accounts Rodgers and Love get along well. 

Love’s rookie season

The scenario could not have gone any better for Green Bay. The global pandemic limited media during training camp and completely eliminated the preseason. Rodgers stayed healthy, the Packers were rolling, and they capped it off with an MVP for their quarterback, a 13-3 record, and the number one overall seed in the NFC. Love did not have to touch the field. He was an afterthought, just the way the Packers intended. But then, that pesky need for one more playamaker reared its ugly head once again. The Packers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home by a score of 31-26. The Packers offense was inept in the first half. The “Aaron to Davante” offense only took them so far. Aaron Jones, their other star, was rendered a nonfactor and left early due to injury. Another wide receiver certainly would have helped. More specifically, any of these receivers would have helped: Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr, Chase Claypool, or Van Jefferson. What do all of these have in common? They’re all incredible football players. More importantly, they were all picked within the next 31 picks after Jordan Love. Once again, Rodgers did not mention that. To the off-season we go. Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show one more time and then went on a long media hiatus. 

2021 NFL Draft

Everything was rather quiet on the Rodgers front. The Packers were still contending and Love was all set to sit for at least one more season. And then Adam Schefter dropped a nuke on the draft. Schefter, a long-time ESPN insider, reported that Rodgers was unhappy in Green Bay, was highly upset with the front office, and was prepared to force a trade to a new franchise. The Denver Broncos were a name that kept popping up (more on them later!), and former Broncos’ offensive lineman Mark Schlereth even reported that trade was a done deal (clearly, he was wrong). Rodgers, without trying, stole the show on draft night. However, he was prepared to facilitate a trade. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reached out to his old buddy Matt Lafleur to inquire about Rodgers, which infuriated Lafleur since Green Bay is hell-bent on hanging on to him. At this point, there are daily reports of friction worse than sandpaper in titletown, but nothing is coming from the main man. Rodgers continued his media hiatus and even skipped voluntary workouts. There was much to do about nothing, but it was definitely extra gasoline added to the fire. Then training camp hits, Rodgers talks to the media and is extremely candid about his thoughts. Finally, the two sides came to a solution. Rodgers and the Packers agreed to revisit his contractual status after the season, and the team would bring back an old friend. A close friend of Rogers, Randall Cobb, was re-acquired from the Houston Texans, and things got quiet. 

A punter and a small regional show

The Pat McAfee show. It’s fun. There’s no narratives, no storylines, no drama. It’s just a wildly entertaining former NFL player talking ball with his friends and an array of guests that rival any other show in the world. They talk funny, they make fun of eachother and make some of the more absurd statements you will ever hear. It isn’t even on television. A three hour live YouTube show has taken over the NFL world. How? Well, they have something that no other show on Earth has. They have two close personal friends of Aaron Rodgers.

 A.J. Hawk, a former teammate of Rodgers, is on the show for an hour every day. His children allegedly call Rodgers “Uncle Aaron”. McAfee claims he met Rodgers at a celebrity golf tournament and their relationship has grown through Hawk. Well, they are really close now. Rodgers goes on the show every Tuesday during the season, and sometimes during the off-season. These interviews have changed the way everyone views the hard-to-read superstar. Many media members have said that McAfee has ruined interviewing Rodgers because there’s just no way to compete with what they do. Rodgers is honest, open, and incredibly human in his weekly interview.

 It all came to a head this season. Rodgers tested positive for COVID, and the club reported that he would have to abide by standards for non-vaccinated players. This sent shockwaves through the world as Rodgers claimed to be “immunized” during training camp. Rodgers meant that he had been immunized by using homeopathy, not the COVID vaccine. The NFL denied his request to be treated as a vaccinated player, and he kept his mouth shut. However, once the cat  was out of the bag, he never shut it again. Rodgers spent the rest of the season giving his opinion on all things related to the pandemic, vaccines, and our society as a whole. That is perfectly within his rights, but it certainly created some interesting headlines. However, something much more important came out of his COVID sage. Jordan Love had to start a football game! On the road! Against the Kansas City Chiefs with millions of people watching!

Is he the prince we were promised?

It wasn’t pretty. Not by any means. Love went 19/34 passing for 190 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. The defense held the vaunted Chiefs offense to just 13 points and lost the game. Everything is fine. He’s basically a rookie. It’s his first start since January of 2020. Everything is fine. Right?

Full steam ahead

The world was able to table the Jordan Love conversation because the Packers kept chugging along once Rodgers came back. The Packers won six of their final eight games, once again earning them the NFC’s number one overall seed and a first round bye. Time to wait. Once Dak Prescott and the Cowboys couldn’t get the ball spiked in time, a familiar foe was coming into Lambeau field. The San Francisco 49ers: The team that had had a fair amount of success versus the Packers in recent years, the team led by Matt Lafleur’s friend Kyle Shanahan, the team that just beat them in the NFC championship game two years ago, the hometown team who passed on Aaron Rodgers in 2005. But also, the team Rodgers tried to have himself traded to just this off-season. 

The offenses struggled, especially Aaron Rodgers. The Packers’ special teams was responsible for a ten point swing in favor of the visiting 49ers. Robbie Gould kicked a field goal and it was over. The 49ers were headed to the NFC championship. The Packers were headed to the most difficult off-season in franchise history. It’s about to hit the fan. 

Rumor season

The Rodgers rumors started almost immediately. Would he retire? Would he want an extension? Does he want to play somewhere else? If so, where? Retirements by Hall of Famers opened up spots in Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. The Panthers have been rather aggressive in their pursuit of a new quarterback. The Raiders have always had a wandering eye when it came to Derek Carr. Then there was Denver. The team that he was reportedly already dealt to on draft night, the team that just hired his offensive coordinator as their head coach, the team in the home state of his then-fiancee. Denver just felt too obvious. However, Rodgers decided to take some time with his decision. 

NBA level approach 

Once he decided to take some time, Rodgers went on a Panchakarma cleanse (Google at your own risk). After completing his cleanse, Rodgers posted a cryptic instagram message thanking a barrage of people in his life, including teammates. Conventily enough, he posted it on a Monday night, meaning he would be on the Pat McAfee show in just a few hours. Hundreds of thousands of people tuned into the show under the impression that Rodgers was announcing something soon. That was not the case. On Thursday, Rodgers informed the Packers that something was in fact coming soon. It has already been rumored that multiple teams have called to put an offer on the table for the superstar quarterback. 

Time to move on?

Most people would assume that after two years on the bench, Jordan Love is ready to go. The team around him would be ready to compete immediately and can get even better with draft capital that they would recoup from a Rodgers trade. Trading the expensive quarterback would also give Green Bay the flexibility to bring back star receiver Davante Adams at whatever price he commands. One problem. Plugged in NFL insider Benjamin Allbright claims that the Packers do not believe in their young signal caller and they have not received many calls about him. That would explain their reluctance to make the switch. 

Resolution 

This story has so many layers and components that play into it, making it one of the more fascinating we have seen in recent years. The Packers have started getting the books ready for something big, with a contract restructure for star defensive lineman Kenny Clark, but that could just be added flexibility for their many in-house free agents. What is the most likely scenario in this? Rodgers and Adams return for one more season together, Green Bay guts the roster to make room for their hefty price tags, and the team likely wins 11 games and loses in the divisional round. In 2023, Rodgers would hit the free agent market and likely sign with a quarterback-needs contender. That would also open the door for Love to start after sitting for three seasons. That is what feels the most realistic, but stranger things have happened in this league.

The post Why Aaron Rodgers and not Jordan Love is the future of Green Bay appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

The Cincinnati Bengals’ magical run to the Super Bowl fell just short, losing 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. For Joe Burrow’s Bengals, the goal is all about how to get back. In the last thirty years, the only quarterbacks to lose a Super Bowl and get back later in their careers are Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner. Once you get there, it is nearly impossible to get back. How can the Bengals do it? 

Step one: Offensive line revamp on the right side

The Bengals offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. It may not be as bad as some pundits would have you believe, it still is not close to being a Super Bowl caliber offensive line. The best players on the unit are Jonah Williams at left tackle and Trey Hopkins at center. Those are the only two players whose starting spots should be considered written (written in pencil for what it’s worth). There are numerous prizes on the offensive free agent market, including Washington Commander’s guard Brandon Scherff. Scherff will command a high price tag, but would be worth every penny for a team with a horrible right side of the offensive line. If Scherff can lock down the right guard spot and 2021 day two pick Jackson Carman makes enough strides to be a serviceable left guard, the Bengals all of the sudden go from having a bottom ten offensive line to an above average unit. That would just leave right tackle as the gaping hole.

Step 2: High impact player in the cornerback room

Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton were great additions to the corner room, but Hilton is best served in the slot and Awuzie would be best as the number two option. The Bengals have ample cap space, but can create even more just in this room by cutting Trae Waynes. Hilton and Awuzie combine for about $13 Million annually, meaning the Bengals would likely be wary about adding another big contract player in the room. However, if they want to take a jump to the next level, they need an elite cover man. The best option may be 2019 defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, who feels unlikely to be returning to Carolina. Cooper Kupp ate this defense alive, and you just aren’t going to stop a guy like him without spending in the secondary. With Joe Burrow, Jamarr Chase, Tee Higgins and Logan Wilson all still on rookie contracts, the Bengals should be looking to spend heavily to win now. 

Step 3: Zac Taylor should consider giving up play calling

The Bengals offense, despite putting up flashy numbers, isn’t really all that excellent. Turning on the Bengals is a lot of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins making some unbelievable plays and Joe Burrow’s processing creating some easy completions. However, when the moment was the biggest, Taylor shot himself in the foot over and over again. This was most evident on third and one on the final drive. With Joe Mixon making almost $50 million, Taylor turned around in the shotgun and handed it to Semaje Perine, a journeyman backup, on third and one. Reminder: Joe Mixon weighs over 220 pounds. There’s no “he’s a small back conversation here”. Taylor is signed through 2026, he isn’t going anywhere. He has his strengths and weaknesses as a head coach, but his biggest one can be easily mitigated. 

The post Three biggest concerns for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tom Rodriguez

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Tom Brady has announced his retirement from the NFL after 22 seasons, with the final two coming for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Leaving with him may be Tampa’s chances at making another deep playoff run. The Bucs have several other free agents to take care of and no quarterback to sway veterans to play for less money.

Notable free agents: Chris Godwin (WR), Jason Pierre-Paul (EDGE), Ryan Jensen (IOL), Ndamukong Suh (IDL), Rob Gronkowski (TE), Leonard Fournette (RB), OJ Howard (TE), Ronald Jones (RB), Giovani Bernard (RB), Alex Cappa (IOL), William Gholston (DL), Steve McLednon (IDL). 

With so many potential departures, this off-season could change the future of the franchise forever. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is staying for at least another season. With head coach Bruce Arians pushing 70 years old, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Leftwich will be promoted to head coach before the 2023 season. The 2022 draft will be crucial for their future. 

Round 1, Pick 27: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State 

Antonio Brown isn’t walking through that door. Chris Godwin is hitting the open market coming off of a torn ACL. Mike Evans will be 29 when the 2022 season starts. Scotty Miller will be a free agent after 2022. The wide receiver room needs some young talent. Ohio State’s Chris Olave will bring high level production to the NFL as his game is easily translatable to the next level. Getting open will always have a place in the NFL. Olave just knows how to create separation on all types of routes. A scheme-versatile player, Olave will shine in the Arians and Leftwich offense. 

Round 2, Pick 60: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada 

Who’s QB1? Hell if I know. This quarterback class has yielded nothing but questions. There is a prospect, however, that could be the perfect fit for Tampa. Nevada’s Carson Strong might be able to step in right away and help the Bucs win a putrid NFC South. With a rocket arm, strong pocket presence, and plenty of pre-snap prowess; Strong has everything necessary to start and win as a rookie quarterback. 

Round 3, Pick 91: Cade Otton, TE, Washington 

With Rob Gronkowski’s future up in the air and OJ Howard hitting free agency, tight end becomes a position of need in Tampa. Cameron Brate will be 31 when the season starts and can likely be a fine starter for 2022 with a young player waiting behind him. Cade Otton out of Washington fits any offense and brings a well-rounded skill set that will translate to the NFL level. Otton can block sufficiently and make plays at the catchpoint. Otton has the necessary tools to be a plus starter in this league. 

Round 4, Pick 131: Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama 

Ke’shawn Vaughn showed some life at the end of season for Tampa, but does not appear to be the long term option. With three running backs hitting free agency all at once, it may be time to add some talent to the room. Brian Robinson waited a long time for his turn at Alabama. With countless NFL backs in front of him, Robinson only saw limited action until his fifth season. He got his opportunity in 2021 and capitalized with a dominant performance in the college football playoff semifinal. Robinson is a violent and powerful runner who brings facility to whatever backfield he is a part of. 

Round 5, Pick 169: Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State

You can never have too many corners. Arizona State’s Chase Lucas is a solid player who can add some depth to a cornerback room that was hammered by injuries last season. With Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting all needing to get paid at some point, it would make sense for the Bucs to start getting some insurance. 

Round 7, Pick 245: Brock Hoffman, IOL, Virginia Tech

The Bucs have two interior offensive linemen hitting free agency. Adding someone in the later rounds adds some depth as well as some insurance. Brock Hoffman has been a solid player since he first stepped on campus. Hoffman spent two years at Coastal Carolina and two at Virginia Tech with the 2019 transfer rules costing him a season. An experienced pass blocker at center, Hoffman may be able to contribute in this offense as a quality backup.

The post Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-round mock draft after Tom Brady’s retirement appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tom Rodriguez

The NFL season is coming to a close and most franchises will begin looking towards the players that they need to lead their franchise to future prominence. The 2022 NFL draft is unlike one we have seen in quite some time. It has gotten much less talk than in past classes. The main reason for that is the quarterbacks. They’re bad. We have been spoiled by talented passers for years and now it’s time for a much less “sexy” draft. This is an overwhelming “eat your vegetables” draft. Many of the better players play in the trenches, which is where many teams believe you should start building your roster from. On the outside, there are a nice crop of defensive backs and wide receivers as well. It may be weak at quarterback and running back, but the 2022 class featured plenty of elite prospects. With that being said, the top five of this draft is sure to be exciting. Here’s a quick mock of the top five!

Disclaimer

This order is the current NFL draft order (before the final week of the regular season has been played). Also, this mock draft is predictive, not what I would do.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

As stated previously, this mock is predictive, not opinionated. Aidan Hutchinson would not be my “EDGE1” as of right now (Hell, he may not even be my EDGE2 right now). However, the NFL seems to be big fans of the Wolverines’ pass rusher. With fourteen sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021, Hutchinson was one of the most dominant players in the country. Jacksonville already has Josh Allen coming off the edge, but have yet to find him a true partner. With a big swing and a miss on 2020 first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson so far.

Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Billed as the consensus best player in the class back in the Summer, Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux did not have the dominant season that many expected him to. Most of that was because of an early season injury that caused him to miss some time. With the best traits of the entire EDGE class, he’s the perfect pick for a rebuilding team that is looking to add some high level talent on defense. Detroit showed some signs of life this season, and Thibodeaux turning into the player we all expect him to be would go a long way in expediting their timeline.

Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The wisest thing for the Houston Texans to do with Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is to do what was done to Laremy Tunsil as a rookie. Who better to help Neal come along than Tunsil himself. With the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Tunsil played guard while Miami was waiting for Brandon Albert’s contract to finish. In 2017, Tunsil was then moved back to his natural position of left tackle. Neal has guard experience and can form a formidable left side in 2022 with Tunsil. The Texans may be heading into full rebuild mode and move off of some veterans soon. Deshaun Watson will be traded soon for a cavalcade of draft picks. The high priced Tunsil may be on the move after that. Neal, a towering mauler at left tackle brings more natural strength to this franchise than they currently have. A little raw in pass protection, Neal is not a perfect prospect. However, he has the traits and position versatility to warrant a top three selection.

New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

It’s high time to address the cornerback room in the Big Apple. The Jets corner room is about as uninspiring as any in the league. There are some encouraging youngsters in Bryce Hall and Brandon Echols. However, the AFC East currently runs through Buffalo and that means two things: 1. You have to deal with Stefon Diggs and 2. You have to deal with as many four and five wide receiver sets as anyone else. Derek Stingley, a high caliber athlete and potential lockdown corner is the best option to deal with those realities. Stingley burst onto the scene in the Tigers undefeated 2019 season with six interceptions as a true freshman. However, injuries and game cancellations limited him to just ten starts in the last two years. Stingley has been on the NFL radar for some time and should expect to be picked rather high.

New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Pick good football players. Many people will have Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton as their top rated player in the class. That billing would be entirely justified. Hamilton does it all and that isn’t hyperbole. Coverage, run fits, tackling, athleticism; there’s nothing he can’t do. Now, would current Giants general manager Dave Gettleman make this pick? Unlikely. However, the Giants are likely to have a new man in charge very soon! If that’s the case, you would hope it is someone young whose football mind is adapting with the times, or in simpler terms, the antithesis of Gettleman. How likely is that hire to be made? From the owner who is in heavy support of the new taunting rule, it also feels unlikely. We can always dream.

The post NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 selections appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

As recently as April, everything looked so promising for the Jacksonville Jaguars. They had a new coach, a boatload of draft picks, and Trevor Lawrence, the greatest quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. Just 8 months later, everything appears to be in shambles. Urban Meyer was let go after numerous scandals and a 2-11 record through 13 games. Relative to expectations, Lawrence has struggled mightily thus far, with just one touchdown pass since Halloween. Through constant dysfunction, lack of offensive talent, and a rookie wall, Lawrence has not been able to lift up this franchise in disarray. Many have used this as an indictment against the young signal caller and called for questioning of his “once in a generation” draft billing. To me, that is misguided. Trevor Lawrence will be a great quarterback in due time. That is something that is so certain not even the Jaguars can stop it.

One and done?

There have been discussions about Lawrence’s rookie season being rough enough to justify moving on from him after just one year. Let’s get this out of the way quickly. There’s no corner of the universe (or multiverse) where getting rid of Trevor Lawrence after one season should be considered an option. It’s just not a realistic or viable option. He’s the number one overall pick, he carries a massive cap hit, and has as much potential as anyone we have ever seen at the position. Let’s put this dream to be while it’s still early.

A new man in charge

With the disastrous Urban Meyer era in the past, the Jacksonville Jaguars will now look for their third coach in as many seasons. Who should that be? This franchise is in such a sensitive spot right now that it may be the most important decision they have made in their entire history. It’s easy to just pick the best young coordinator, but this is a situation that feels like it needs stability and experience. Nathaniel Hackett (Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator) and Kellen Moore (Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator) have been rumored for the job, but former Philadelphia Eagles head coach feels like the absolute best option for the job. He brings experience and multiple winning seasons, along with a super bowl to Duval.

HELP

This roster has less talent than even I would be comfortable with. The offensive line is an absolute disaster and the wide receiver room has been unable to catch the ball since training camp. They might finish with the number one overall pick, leaving them with the opportunity to add a high impact player, most likely on defense. There is also the option of adding an elite offensive lineman.

The post What do the Jacksonville Jaguars do with Trevor Lawrence and how can they help him? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

There’s no better way to look ahead to the New Year than looking even further ahead. After back to back Heisman Trophy winners from the Alabama Crimson Tide, the rest of the country looks to dethrone the program of the decade. Four of the last five Heisman Trophies have gone to offensive players from Alabama or Oklahoma. Three of those winners have been quarterbacks. With elite skill players and offensive innovators around them, those quarterbacks lit the world on fire and put up ungodly numbers. With constant coaching change and transfer portal news altering the landscape of college football, let’s look ahead at some early favorites for the 2022 Heisman Trophy. 

Quinn Ewers: QB, Texas Longhorns 

Deal with it. After sitting for the entirety of the 2021 season at Ohio State, Quinn Ewers is going home. The highest rated high school prospect of all time has transferred to Texas to join Steve Sarkisian’s disappointing Texas group coming off of a disastrous 2021 season. Sarkisian’s RPO scheme produced five players that finished top ten in Heisman voting from 2018 to 2020. Three of those seasons belonged to quarterbacks (Tua Tagovailoa twice and Mac Jones in 2020). Ewers has more arm talent than both of those players and will benefit from having all world Bijan Robinson behind him. The biggest hurdle for Ewers will be whether or not Sarkisian will start a player with two career snaps in an important year for the program. 

Will Anderson Jr: EDGE, Alabama

Perhaps the most egregious omission of the 2021 Heisman finalists was Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. Anderson was the most dominant defender in college football this year, and enters the 2022 in a spot we have seen a few times before. Rarely is there ever a non quarterback who enters their season already knowing that they will be an extremely early draft pick next Spring. The last one was Chase Young, who finished as a finalist in his last year in Columbus. Anderson enters the season as the best player in the world and will likely feast on opposing offenses all year. 

CJ Stroud: QB, Ohio State

A relatively unknown commodity heading into the 2021 season, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud was thought to be simply a placeholder for the aforementioned Ewers. That was far from the truth, as Stroud put together an elite 2021 campaign and found himself in New York as a Heisman finalist. While Stroud is losing several pieces of his elite offense, he will still have plenty of weapons at his disposal in 2022, making him an obvious addition to this list. Ohio State head coach has had several Heisman top ten vote getters as of late with Stroud, Justin Fields in 2019 and 2020, and Dwayne Haskins in 2018. Stroud is one of the safer bets of the 2021 season.

Dark Horse: Jaxson Dart, QB, USC

I don’t have to give you the numbers related to Lincoln Riley and the Heisman Trophy. Offensive players under Lincoln Riley simply produce. USC Sophomore Jaxson Dart is an exciting talent for Riley to work with in Southern California. With countless Southern California quarterbacks deciding not to play for the storied Trojans, it would be fitting that their next Heisman Trophy winner would come from Utah.

Back to Back?

Many would scoff at the omission of 2021 winner Bryce Young on this list. However, it is almost impossible for someone to win this award twice. Young would have to be head and shoulders above everyone else in the conversation. Young is probably the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, but another Heisman feels unlikely. 

The post Early Heisman candidates heading into 2022 season appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

For much of the season, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III was the prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman trophy. By the end of the season, Walker did not even get invited to New York for the ceremony. That should not take away from the magical season he just finished in which he topped over 1700 yards from scrimmage. Walker, along with Iowa State’s Breece Hall, look to be the first two running backs off the board this April. After those two is a long list of talented players. Could any of them challenge Walker or Hall for the top spot?

Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

Kyren Williams was an electrifying player for a Notre Dame team that featured several high level playmakers on both sides of the ball. Williams should be an appealing option for teams with a need for a third down back. Williams can pick up blitzers, catch passes out of the backfield and even run routes from the slot. Williams projects as a day two pick right now, but the first back selected last year less explosive than others, but excelled in the passing game.

Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

The transfer portal yields another success story. Formerly a Michigan Wolverine, Zach Charbonnet had a breakout season in 2021 for UCLA. With great vision to go along with his violent running style, he is always a big play threat despite not possessing elite speed. One of the best runners after contact, Charbonnet is a great option for almost every team in the league. 

Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

A preseason favorite, Isaiah Spiller still remains a highly touted running back prospect. One of the more versatile backs in the class, Spiller can shine in any type of scheme. Spiller is the definition of versatile. There is not much that he is elite at, but there are so many things that he does well. 

Potential late risers: Hassan Haskins, Michigan. Jashaun Corbin, Florida State. 

Haskins rose to prominence after some late season heroics following an injury to Blake Corum. Haskins lit the world on fire in the Wolverine’s first win against Ohio State since 2011. His big day in Columbus has propelled his stardom. Another big performance against Georgia in the playoff would go a long way. Florida State’s Jashaun Corbin burst on to the scene with big play after big play. Another player with third down ability, Corbin is a new age running back. A nice blend of speed and size, Corbin is a nice option as a player who was not given the ball much at the college level.

The post Kenneth Walker declares for the draft: Will anyone challenge him for the RB1 spot? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

Nevada quarterback Carson Strong has officially declared for the 2022 NFL draft. A big-armed pocket passer from the Mountain West, Strong presents an intriguing option in an otherwise disappointing quarterback class. With the biggest red flag being knee concerns, Strong will certainly have to answer plenty of questions during the pre-draft process.

What does he do well?

Strong has an absolute rocket attached to that right shoulder of his. He stands tall in the pocket and delivers missiles time and time again for Nevada. Strong has undoubtedly the most powerful arm in the class, with the ability to throw the deep ball and fire balls with velocity into tight windows. Strong also does plenty of work pre snap, which is not something that many of the quarterbacks in the class can say. Arm strength, pocket presence and pre snap prowess make Carson Strong a candidate to be the first quarterback off the board in April.

What are the concerns?

The biggest concern with Strong is his knee. Strong missed his entire senior season in high school thanks to a serious knee injury. Strong then had two more surgeries before the 2021 season. Medical checkups at the combine will be huge for Strong. A red flag with medicals could push him down the board in a class where so many of the quarterbacks are grouped tightly together as a result of no clear number one.

The other concern with Strong is a lack of athleticism. His pocket presence stops him from being a statue in the pocket, but the new age of football is demanding quarterbacks to do more unfortunately. Offensive line play is getting worse, and pocket passers are becoming a thing of the past. Had this been five years ago, Strong would be the first quarterback taken in this class without question. Athleticism heavily favors the other quarterbacks in the class like Matt Corral, Malik Willis, and Kenny Pickett.

Conclusion

Overall, Carson Strong is a solid quarterback prospect. In last year’s class, he may have been a day two pick, but that is not the world we currently live in. The 2022 quarterback class may be the worst we have seen since 2013. While there still are plenty that go in the first round, there is no Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields in this class. Zach Wilson would be undoubtedly the best at this position in this class. A good pre draft process and medical checkup will go a long way in helping Strong solidify himself as QB1.

The post Nevada QB Carson Strong declares for the 2022 NFL draft: Here’s an early overview appeared first on Pro Football Mania.