By: Jake Rajala

The Chicago Bears 23-year-old quarterback Justin Fields is coming off a porous, tough rookie season in 2021 (7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 12 fumbles, 58% completion percentage, and a 2-8 record). Fields has undeniable athletic ability and arm talent, but don’t let a few dazzling rushing highlights point away from the fact that Fields (and numerous other rookie QBs) had a tough beginning to their career. Fields isn’t in Matt Alcatraz Nagy Island in 2022, but the picture with Fields in the Allen Robinson-less NFC North is hard to diagnose.

There have been rumors of the Bears potentially trading away Fields. The first-year Bears head coach Matt Eberflus may pull the plug on the OSU QB experiment and choose a different route. With that enunciated, I’m going to outline the pros and cons of the Bears trading away Fields.

Cons of trading away Fields

• Potential star in the second year QB

Fields often struggled in his rookie season, but he may have a high ceiling with his dual-threat ability. He could be productive with an offense that’s more methodical and adapts well to his rushing ability. Plus, the Bears could fail in the next few years to find a prospect in the NFL draft that’s as talented as Fields.

• Not the best trade value

There may not be a lot of teams willing to break the bank for Fields at this point. The NFL world is witnessing the Browns struggle to find a trade partner for Baker Mayfield, so it could be quite difficult for CHI to receive multiple first-round picks for Fields.

Pros of trading away Fields

• Develop the right QB sooner

If Eberflus honestly feels like Fields isn’t the best fit, he shouldn’t be scared to start in a new direction. After all, if the Fields QB1 boat sinks, Eberflus will surely fail. If Eberflus has a QB prospect that he can acquire on a reasonable deal, he should start that path as soon as possible.

• Some trade value

There is a lot of popularity around Fields at this point in time. If a team like New Orleans or Arizona believes he can utilize their offense on a quality level, the Bears may want to trade him with a modest amount of trade value to a new team. If Fields struggles for a second straight season with a new coach, he could have very little trade value.

Verdict

I would like to see the Bears draft a QB in round two (ex: Carson Strong) and then allow Fields to compete with a young, new QB. I’d still love to see the Bears select a WR in round two and potentially sign a FA WR, as well. It would be smart to see the Bears take Strong in round two and have him groomed for a year. Nonetheless, If Fields has a 2022 outcome that’s similar to Tua’s 2021 season, he should be leaned on in 2023.

Kirk Cousins was the second option to RG3 in Washington many seasons back, but he ascended into the starting QB spot. Jameis Winston was also introduced to New Orleans after Taysom Hill was mystically projected to be a great QB, but Winston won the starting QB role in the end. Strong or another young QB could certainly be the future Bears starting QB if Fields doesn’t pan out.

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By: Jake Rajala

The 2020 and 2021 MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is walking through the smoke as he returns to haunt the rest of the NFL on Lambeau field. It’s time for Matt LaFleur, Rodgers, and the Pack to come out guns blazing in the final years of his Hall of Fame career. The grand focus of the Packers offseason now arguably lies in the NFL draft. They will look to add a prospect that can help them in the future and NOW. With that said, I’m going to untwine a Packers mock draft and project who the reigning NFC North champions could sign.

Round 1: Jameson Williams – WR – Alabama (Trade up)

The Alabama WR Jameson Williams is a flat-out playmaker and I believe he will be one of the biggest steals in the 2022 NFL Draft. The insane 40 times by Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson shadow the fastest elite draft WR Jameson Williams.

Todd McShay projects the Bills to ink Williams, but I could see the Packers moving up to select the productive (1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns) and shifty wideout. The Saints traded up to select the deep-threat WR Brandin Cooks for Drew Brees and I’d love to see the Packers be aggressive to land Williams.

Round 2: Carson Strong – QB – Nevada

The pick of Carson Strong might break a few TVs in the Green Bay area. Nonetheless, I’d really like to see the Packers pick up Strong, especially after drafting wideout in round one. The Cardinals (Josh Rosen, Kyler Murray) and Commanders (RG3, Kirk Cousins) once took multiple high draft pick QBs in the same or nearby years. The Saints also brought in Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston for competition behind Drew Brees.

Strong could beat out Love to be the future replacement and potential Pro Bowl QB for the Packers and they could trade Love, too. If Love is ahead of Strong and potentially a stud in relief of Rodgers in an unexpected circumstance, they could still trade Love (or Strong) for an impressive deal.

Round 3: Marcus Jones – CB/KR – Houston

The athletic freak Marcus Jones would fill a CB needy spot and be an x-factor in cold playoff games from the kick return spot. Jones was well regarded as the most versatile player in CFB. He can play the slot against Cooper Kupp and the outside against Michael Thomas.

He doesn’t have a scary ceiling with his size and top-end speed, but he can make plays with his agility and sturdy catching ability. He reminds me of Patrick Robinson, who was a star slot CB with the Eagles and Saints. Jones is expected to be picked in round 3 and he would really be the perfect fit for the Packers.

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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.

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By: Grant Schwieger

The Minnesota Vikings’ 2021 season is essentially over. Barring a miraculous primetime victory at Lambeau Field, a Week 18 win over Chicago, as well as losses from other NFC Wildcard teams, it is officially time to turn our attention towards the 2022 offseason. It has been another disappointing football season in the state of Minnesota, which has uncomfortably begun to feel like an annual tradition.

After years of wondering whether or not big changes were coming to the Vikings, it appears they have finally reached their breaking point. Rick Spielman, Mike Zimmer, and Kirk Cousins all might be approaching their final days in Minnesota. With big changes on the horizon, that means it is officially mock draft season.

The Vikings will enter this critical offseason with a lot of holes to fill on the roster. There are obvious gaps in their cornerback room, as well as a pass-rusher opposite Danielle Hunter, that is if Hunter is even in purple next season. There is still at least one position along the offensive line that needs to be addressed at right guard. We could go on all day about these holes, though. Let’s get to the mock.

7-Round Minnesota Mock Draft

For the sake of this mock, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, which you can find here. While there was some consideration given to how Minnesota has drafted in years past, there might be new brass running the show in April, so all of that might be moot.

Round 1 (Pick 19) ”“ David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan

David Ojabo has spent 2021 in the shadows of his pass-rushing partner Aidan Hutchinson, who most certainly will hear his name called very early in round one in April. Ojabo has lept onto the scene after registering only 26 snaps in 2020.

Ojabo has a top-20 PFF pass-rush grade and pass-rush win rate among all edge defenders this season. He would fill a big need on this Vikings’ defense. While Everson Griffen performed better than most expected before battling some mental health issues, there is no reason to expect Griffen to be back and also perform at that level again next season.

Danielle Hunter’s contract is set up to make Minnesota make a big decision on his future by March, so come the 2022 NFL Draft we will know even more about how badly this team needs another edge defender. Either way, it is a huge need along this defensive front. The latest game against the Rams was the Vikings’ worst game rushing the passer all season, registering no sacks, and giving Matt Stafford all day to throw.

There will be pushback against this pick in the name of DJ Wonnum. Do not listen to it. Wonnum is on pace to play nearly double the snaps he did as a rookie and is grading worse by PFF in overall grade and run-defense grade this season. He struggles mightily setting the edge against the run and gets most of his sacks/pressures either unblocked or cleaning up 4+ seconds into the play.

There are no good edge defenders guaranteed to be on this roster next season. Minnesota would be wise to take advantage of a strong draft class in that regard.

Round 2 (42) — Carson Strong, QB, Nevada

You like that? The beginning of the post-Kirk Cousins era begins with the selection of Carson Strong.

If Strong truly lasts until pick 42 like what happened in this simulation, Minnesota just has to pounce. He may not have played against the strongest competition in college, but he has shown a lot of the traits you would like to see in an NFL QB.

He has the arm strength you want to see and has improved each year. After bursting onto the scene in 2020, he upped his overall PFF grade and passing grade in 2021, while maintaining his 6.1% Big Time Throw % and keeping his Turnover Worthy Play % fairly low around 2%.

The big wall to climb in this scenario of course is Kirk Cousins. Will the Vikings be able to move on from his monumental $45 mil cap hit for 2022? It is a possibility that whoever is tasked with running this team will want their own QB and do what they have to in order to move on from Cousins.

Kirk Cousins is who he is at this point. He is a very capable QB that can certainly benefit the next team he plays for, but the Vikings have been stuck in neutral with him leading the charge. As a wise man once said, “It’s time for a new beginning.”

Round 3 (76) ”“ Phidarian Mathis, iDL, Alabama

At this point of the draft, it would not be smart to pigeonhole one position to take as you open up the possibility of reaching for need instead of taking the best player available. An interior defender on the defensive line may not be the biggest need with Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce still under contract through 2022. Depth is very important, however, and either one of those could be shed for cap space (though the team would eat some dead cap in that case).

Mathis has been an all-around player this year, ranking above a 77 PFF grade in overall grade, run-defense, tackling, and pass-rushing, ranking in the top-22 among all college DIs. That gives this team great value at the end of day two, which this team needs to hit on to turn things around sooner rather than later.

Round 5 (159) ”“ Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU

Yes, yes, I know. The last time the Vikings took a CB out of TCU, he was a huge bust and likely won’t play another snap in the league. That has nothing to do with Hodges-Tomlinson here, though. His coverage grade took a dip in 2021 after being elite in 2020, but coverage will always be volatile, and he has shown the ability to be a solid corner.

At 5’9” and 177 pounds, he likely will be limited to the slot in the NFL, but that works perfectly for Minnesota. Mackensie Alexander is on a one-year deal and has been the lowest-graded CB in the entire NFL for the Vikings while playing in the slot. If THT can perform well out of the slot he will provide great value to this team in round five.

Round 6 (183) ”“ Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada

The Vikings make their new QB happy by pairing him with his college buddy here in Doubs. He has produced over 2,100 yards and 20 TDs with Strong the past two seasons while posting one of the highest average depths of target (aDOT) in the country.

A highlight reel for Doubs is a highlight reel for Strong, and vice versa. When selecting a WR in the sixth round, you are rarely ever getting a complete pass-catcher, but Doubs possesses the deep speed that could benefit the Vikings. Justin Jefferson can also be a deep-threat but allowing him and Adam Thielen to work the short/intermediate areas with Doubs over the top sounds fun to me.

Round 6 (193) ”“ Jarrett Patterson, iOL, Notre Dame

“Helmet scouting” might not be a great idea most of the time, but if you are drafting an offensive lineman, Notre Dame is not a bad place to look. Patterson was college’s highest-graded pass-blocking center this past season and has a solid run-blocking grade as well.

We will know more after the combine and pro days, but Patterson looks to be a good athletic fit for this Minnesota team. He has played center the last three seasons and could be a potential Garrett Bradbury replacement. Vikings fans will not stop until they are satisfied with this Minnesota offensive line, and there might be a riot if the team waits this long to address the position in the draft. If they do, one will think free agency had already been used to bolster the unit.

Round 6 (208) ”“ Mike Jones Jr., LB, LSU

Mike Jones Jr. put forth an impressive display of versatility and coverage ability in 2020 at Clemson but transferred to LSU and had a bit of a disappointing season like many in Baton Rouge. Betting on Jones Jr. to rediscover some of his Clemson magic is a fairly low risk here after projecting to go much higher after the 2020 season.

Linebacker is a position that almost always goes through a lot of roster turnover, so throwing cheap resources at it will never be a bad idea. Besides, there are a few LSU Tigers on the Minnesota roster already so Jones Jr. should fit right in!

Round 7 (230) ”“ Peyton Hendershot, TE, Indiana

Hendershot has gotten run in Indiana’s offense each of the past 4 seasons, giving him some valuable experience at the tight end position.

Minnesota loves taking shots in the dark on late-round TEs, so why not take one on a guy who just put forth an elite receiving grade in 2021? He has never been a standout run-blocker, so counting on him to come in on 2 or 3 tight end sets might not be his role right off the bat.

Summary

That concludes the first mock draft for the 2022 NFL Draft for Minnesota. Change is on the horizon at TCO Performance Center, and mock drafts might be one of the few sources of hope for Vikings fans over the next few months. Stay warm, Minnesota.

The post 2022 Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft 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.

By: Tim Rodriguez

We are one week into the 2021 NFL season and hope is still in the air for all 32 franchises. However, it is necessary to be realistic in these times. It was wildly entertaining to see the Detroit Lions, a team that is obviously in rebuilding mode, battle back against a talented 49ers squad and make it a hotly contested game towards the end, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the Lions are ready to punch their ticket to the postseason. Fanbases like the Lions’ should be turning their attention to the 2022 NFL draft, chock full of questions at quarterback and intriguing defensive talent. 

{Pick 1} Detroit Lions: Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma 

There is no safe option at quarterback in the 2022 class. They all have their question marks. The one with the highest upside, however, may be Oklahoma’s, Spencer Rattler. Rattler certainly has issues with consistency and decision-making but has all of the necessary traits to justify taking him at number one overall. If Detroit is uncomfortable with the questions surrounding this quarterback crop, they have the draft capital to push this decision to 2023. 

{Pick 2} Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the ultimate investment in Trevor Lawrence this April. It’s high time to start protecting that investment. With offensive tackle Cam Robinson and A.J. Caan entering free agency and veterans Brandon Linder and Andrew Norwell continuing to age, right tackle Jawaan Taylor may be the only player on their current offensive line starting in a year. A 6’7”, 350 pound-force, Alabama’s Evan Neal is a battering ram who plays with exceptional power and would be a great option to protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for the next decade. 

{Pick 3} Houston Texans: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada 

It is time to give up on the Deshaun Watson dream. Aside from the incredibly disturbing accusations levied against him recently, Watson has made it clear he will not be playing in Houston. The Texans should be looking to move forward without their disgruntled star. Should they be moving forward with Nevada’s Carson Strong; they would be getting a strong-armed pocket passer with the ability to do everything asked of him, including escaping the pocket to make a play off-script. If Houston is able to acquire picks and/or players for Watson, they could use that capital to build an offensive line for Strong. 

{Pick 4} Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

No quarterback? Whoever new general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith select to replace future Hall of Famer will define their tenure in Atlanta. There is no need to rush that decision and reach for a player with question marks they are uncomfortable with. Liberty’s Malik Willis and Ole Miss’ Matt  Corral may end up being talented players, but with the rebuild kicking off, the Falcons should push this decision to next year and select an elite prospect at a premier position. Thibodeaux, a freak athlete coming off the edge, has the burst and explosiveness to be an elite speed rusher and be the cornerstone of a defense that is getting a makeover with new coordinator Dean Pees.

{Pick 5} New York Jets: Kaair Elam, CB, Florida 

The cornerback room in New York may be the worst in the NFL by a mile. With some promising talent at safety, the Jets should be looking to complement those players with a shutdown corner. With an excellent length and ball skills, Elam feels like a cornerback that head coach Robert Saleh would be pounding the table for. After going with an offensive heavy approach in 2021, it is time for the Jets to bolster their defense. 

{Pick 6} Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Eagles are another team that has the draft capital to be creative with how they handle the quarterback position. With Jalen Hurts trying to prove that he’s a franchise quarterback and multiple other picks, the Eagles, at least in September, can opt to take the player who may be the best player in the class. Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton is a player that makes you throw away positional value. A 6’4” safety with the range to boot, Hamilton is going to be a force in the NFL on the back end. 

{Pick 7} New York Giants: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty 

Should the Giants actually be picking in the top ten, there will be plenty of changes coming for “Big Blue”. General manager Dave Gettleman will likely be gone, along with his former first round pick quarterback Daniel Jones. Head coach Joe Judge would likely get a “hot seat” year in 2022, meaning he would also change at least one coordinator, most likely offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. The Giants would have explosive athletes in tow with Kadarius Toney, Darius Slayton and Saquan Barkley, with some other nice offensive pieces. With that being said, why not add an explosive athlete at quarterback? Liberty’s Malik Willis brings next-level athletics and improving mechanics. 

{Pick 8} Las Vegas Raiders: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M 

Regardless of the Raiders record, Jon Gruden will still be the head coach. However, if they are picking in the top ten, he may be working with a new general manager. With the offensive line getting ripped to shreds last off-season and the inevitable retirement of Richie Incognito, this feels like a no-brainer here. In 2021, the Raiders selected Alex Leatherwood, who can play guard or tackle. Kenyon Green has played guard and has recently been kicked out to right tackle. Las Vegas would be able to have them compete at tackle and then play the “loser” at guard. 

{Pick 9} Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson

The Bengals are still looking for some long-term answers at the cornerback position. Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton are great short term options, but the room could certainly use an influx of young talent. Clemson’s Andrew Booth has all of the potential to be a top-tier boundary corner for the Bengals. In the second round of 2020, when they needed an offensive lineman, the Bengals selected a receiver. They did the same thing in 2021 with the fifth overall pick. The Bengals have shown that they prioritize the outside. 

{Pick 10} Chicago Bears: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Justin Fields will be the man in Chicago eventually. When that happens, it will be on the Bears front office to surround him with talent. They also may be afforded a high draft pick as some rookie growing pains may cause the Bears to lose some winnable games. With star receiver Allen Robinson making it evident he wants out, the Bears will likely need to add a receiver to the room. The Bengals, Dolphins, and Eagles all gave their young quarterbacks their former teammates with first-round receivers. The Bears can elect to do the same with Ohio State’s Chris Olave, one of the smoothest receivers to come out in recent years.

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