By: Andy Davies

When Arthur Smith was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, he came into the role with a great reputation for improving players after a two-season spell as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

One player he helped improve was quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The former first-round pick arrived after a mixed spell with the Miami Dolphins. Tannehill improved massively, earning the award for Comeback Player of the Year after his first season with the franchise despite starting the season as the backup to Marcus Mariota. When Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator, he only got better.

Smith was predicted by many to help Matt Ryan get back to his former MVP self after what he did for Tannehill. Ryan has not improved or regressed in 2021. Instead, it has been Cordarrelle Patterson that has been the biggest improver under Smith. 

Here is why Patterson is Smith’s new Tannehill. 

Overcoming Expectation

The Falcons experimented with the idea of bringing Todd Gurley back to his best in 2020 but this only lasted one season. Instead of giving Gurley a new deal, they went for the versatile Patterson in Free Agency who signed a one-year $3 million deal. 

Patterson has been seen as somewhat of a journeyman during his NFL career, with the Falcons his fifth organisation since being drafted 29^th overall in 2013. For a while, he was seen as a great return specialist at best, with the occasional snaps as a running back or wide receiver.

He is a Super Bowl champion, earning a ring with the New England Patriots after their 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53. However, he had just two rushing attempts for 7 yards and two receptions for 14 yards as well as a 38-yard kick return. He did not exactly have a big role in the game, in what is the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history. 

Patterson has started eight games this season. This is tied for the most games he has started, alongside his 2016 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. The growth of Patterson and improvement made under Smith can be seen when you compare these two seasons.

In 2016, he recorded 43 rushing yards from 7 attempts and 453 yards from 52 receptions. In 2021, he has so far recorded 489 rushing yards from 106 carries and 518 receiving yards from 44 catches. He is having the best season of his career by some distance. 

The Falcons need to make sure he is at the franchise for more than one season. Giving him a new contract should be number one on the list of priorities for this team. He has been a brilliant addition to the Falcons offense. Kyle Pitts leads the team in receiving yards this season (770), but Calvin Ridley announced midseason that he would take a break from the sport for personal reasons. With the offseason departure of Julio Jones, Patterson’s rise in form has come at the perfect time. They currently sit at 6-7 with a chance of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.

Smith’s Influence

The aforementioned Tannehill spoke about Smith during the 2021 offseason.

“He’s a great coach. Everything you look for in a coach and a leader and a great offensive mind.”

It is not just Tannehill that saw massive improvement under Smith. Running back Derrick Henry was seen as just a good running back during his first three seasons but saw his best two seasons alongside Smith. He recorded 2,293 rushing yards across his first three seasons in the NFL. His next two (2019 and 2020) saw him combine for 3,567 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns, becoming just the eighth player in NFL history to record over 2,000 rushing yards in a single season when he had 2,027 in 2019. 

Smith clearly knows how to work with running backs, as can be seen with Henry. The same is happening again with Patterson. After their 21-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in November, Smith was in high praise of Patterson.

“He’s a warrior. He’s a big physical presence that can do a lot for us.”

This was proved when he was listed as a back safety earlier this month.  It is a sign of a good coach when they can get the best out of a player and see their potential. Not even the greatest head coach of all time in Bill Belichick realised Patterson’s potential. Smith has taken a player seemingly on the wrong end of his career, to now being one of the best players this season. Some are even viewing him as an outside MVP candidate.

Patterson has a lot to thank Smith for. 

The post Is Cordarrelle Patterson Arthur Smith’s New Ryan Tannehill? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jeremy Trottier

The 2021 offseason has been relatively interesting so far, with a huge deal of the free agents gone at this point.  With that said, there are still some quality signings out there to be made, and will likely happen as we get closer to training camps in the coming weeks.  Geno Atkins is one of the remaining free agents who is intriguing, as his landing spot is almost completely up in the air, and just depends on team needs come September.  In this article, I will be going over three reasons as to why the San Francisco 49ers should sign Geno.

Defensive Line Rotation

The 49ers have an extremely strong defensive line right now; however, they do lack a true force starting alongside the potential of Javon Kinlaw.  D.J. Jones is solid but does not bring much in terms of production throughout the season.  If the 49ers were able to accrue a line of Nick Bosa, Javon Kinlaw, Geno Atkins, and Arik Armstead, they would definitely be in a great place to really bulk up their rotation.  

This would also allow them to keep Dee Ford, D.J. Jones, and Kentavius Street as backups and after last season, it seems pretty clear they need to be focused on “next man up” football if players go down again.  Even if they do not have as many injuries as last season, keeping quality backups for later weeks so you can rest your starters is a solid plan.

Geno is Still a Productive Player

One of the biggest things people tend to forget about Geno is he really had one bad season to date, and that being 2020 with his shoulder surgery.  Prior to that, he made six consecutive pro bowls and an all-pro team, as well as two pro bowls in the three seasons before that.  The last season he played all 16 games (2019) he had the following stats:

• 4.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss
• 10 QB hits, 10 hurries, 20 pressures, and only 6 missed tackles

It is also worth noting that 2019 was his first season playing defensive end instead of the interior, which really is not his strong suit.  If he is placed back at IDL he should regain his productivity of years past.

Scheme Fit

Personally, looking at how this defense was run under Robert Saleh, I believe Geno would absolutely thrive in this 49ers defense.  Things will likely stay relatively stable with DeMeco Ryan taking over as defensive coordinator, as he worked under Robert Saleh so he will likely continue to use the scheme they have in years past. 

This would allow their 4-3 scheme to stay intact, and them to run Geno as a “pass-rushing IDL” of sorts due to his hugely productive sack numbers over the years.  The 49ers are also extremely blitz-heavy on late downs, having the 3rd highest blitz rate on 3rd downs in 2020, and 19th on earlier downs. 

This would also allow Geno to either produce his own sacks on those late downs or take on two O-linemen and allow the other three previously mentioned players around him to rack up some more sacks as well.  Working inside Nick Bosa would be an absolute dream for the 49ers, and an absolute nightmare for any opposing quarterbacks. 

The post Why San Francisco 49ers should consider signing Geno Atkins appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

It is no secret in Cincinnati that protecting franchise QB Joe Burrow is the key to success for the Bengals. After suffering a devastating knee injury that ended his season last year in week 11 against the Washington Football Team, he is on track to begin the year fully healthy.

There are still numerous talented offensive linemen on the free agent market that could provide a much needed boost to the Bengals line. The Bengals had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season, and they must continue to improve this group, to keep Burrow upright.

The player that stands out above all is OT Mitchell Schwartz, who could provide leadership and solidify the RT position for the Bengals. Schwartz has been a staple of the Chiefs offensive line for the last five seasons, and after battling injuries throughout 2020, he is a free agent, and the Bengals should aggressively pursue him.

Schwartz is 31 years old, and played 357 snaps last season, and only recorded one penalty and allowed two sacks. He recorded a PFF grade of 74.7 last season, while being Second-Team All-Pro in 2019. The Bengals desperately need consistency and leadership on their offensive line, and Schwartz is the perfect match, and would not be overly expensive to bring in on a one-year deal.

Schwartz is a former Super Bowl champion, and still has plenty left in the tank. That type of playoff experience could prove to be just what the Bengals need as they are trying to take the next step as an organization.

Bengals Additions to the OL

The Bengals lone outside signing on the offensive line during free agency was Riley Reiff, who has the ability to slide into guard, while Schwartz could make an immediate impact at RT. Reiff is 32, and along with second round pick, OG Jackson Carman, will be the only additions to the Bengals offensive line.

The Bengals still have over $20 million in cap space, and they have not done enough in the offseason to drastically improve the offensive line to ensure Burrow stays healthy.

After missing on multiple top tier free agent offensive lineman, and selecting WR Ja’Marr Chase over OT Penei Sewell, the Bengals offensive line remains a concern. They did improve the line by bringing back OL coach, Frank Pollack, who is a massive upgrade over his predecessor, Jim Turner.

Pollack was the OL coach in Cincinnati in 2018, when RB Joe Mixon had the best seasons of his career. The players and coaching staff are elated to have Pollack back in the building, and hopefully he can contribute to improving this group.

The Bengals have the talent to be a much improved group in 2021, led by LT Jonah Williams. Williams had his season cut short due to injury last year, but the former first round selection showed he has the potential to be an elite LT for years to come if he can remain healthy.

They will also be relying on C Trey Hopkins to make a full recovery after tearing his ACL in week 17 last year. It is concerning that the Bengals best offensive linemen and quarterback are coming off serious injuries, and they have to rely on them to bounce back next season.

Adding more offensive lineman, regardless of the cost, has to be the priority for this franchise. They cannot be complacent with just bringing in Reiff, and drafting Carman, they have to continuously look to improve the OL, to keep Burrow satisfied. The Bengals bringing in Schwartz would show they are committed to winning and keeping Burrow healthy, and could prove to be a steal if Schwartz remains healthy.

The post Why the Bengals should consider signing Mitchell Schwartz appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Daniel Racz @Danny___Dimes

Introduction

While the majority of offseason signings occur right after free agency starts in mid-March, free agency never stops. Even during the regular season, many quality football players remain on the open market for one reason or another. Meaningful additions to any roster can be made this week, either via trade or signing.

For the New York Giants, the remainder of their moves will likely come in the form of signings, as they do not have much cap space to take on more expensive already negotiated deals. The Giants did not address their offensive line in the draft, and their edge rusher room still leaves a lot to be desired. The players the Giants will be looking for are rotational players or injury insurance at high-value, positions of need. 

Melvin Ingram

Perhaps no remaining free agent could make as significant an impact on the Giants in 2021 as Melvin Ingram. However, Ingram will carry a much higher price tag than other available players. In late April, Pro Football Focus estimated that Ingram would receive a one-year, eight million dollar deal. Very few teams have that money to spend, so his actual price tag will likely fall more in the five million dollar range. Ingram was graded out as a borderline elite player by PFF in 2016 and 2017 and has graded out as above average from 2018 to 2020. Ingram’s impressive body of work, coupled with the Giants’ lacking pass rush crew, make them an ideal fit. From 2015-2019 Ingram posted at least 7 sacks each season.

Russell Okung

Many in the NFL draft community expected an offensive tackle selection in the first round. Few could have imagined a world where the Giants passed on the offensive line for the entire draft. Nevertheless, the Giants enter the 2021 season with Nate Solder as their only addition at the tackle position. 

Enter Russell Okung. Okung has never been a premier blindside protector, but he has always been good enough. His consistently slightly above-average PFF grades, ranging from 62.4 to 78.4, suggesting that Okung would be a great addition to the poor group the Giants currently have rostered. Okung would compete with Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart, and Nate Solder for tackle reps in-game, and coach Judge may even decide to rotate them throughout games. 

Austin Reiter

Without a doubt, the worst position on the Giants’ depth chart is their interior offensive line. Cutting Kevin Zeitler to make room for the Adoree Jackson signing may become infamous in Giants’ lore. A group composed of Will Hernandez, Nick Gates, and Shane Lemieux has the potential to be the worst in the National Football League. 

Austin Reiter is the best available interior offensive lineman. He profiles more as a center, measuring in at 6-foot 3-inches and 300 pounds, but the transition between interior positions is not the most difficult. Reiter has graded out as an above-average player in four of his five years, with his best PFF grade coming in at 78.6 in 2018. Even if the Giants do not add Reiter, they ought to address the position in one way or another. 

The post Remaining free agent targets for the New York Giants appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Intro

Sheldon Richardson entered the league in 2013 as the 13th overall pick in the 1st round by the New York Jets. His career seemed destined for stardom. Richardson won the defensive rookie of the year in 2013, followed by both pro bowl and all-pro first team honors in 2014. However, the early success didn’t last long. His play started to fall as well as the Jets team around him.

Richardson was then traded by the Jets in 2016 and since then he been on three different teams. He now will be looking for this fourth different team in the last six seasons. Richardson can still play and be valuable asset along that defensive line. His skill-set would be best suited for a team contending for a championship at this point.

Below are a few teams that can best use Richardson’s services and be a good fit for both sides.

Teams

Baltimore Ravens – With guys like Aaron Crawford, Derek Wolfe, Braxton Hoyett etc. along the interior defensive-line, Richardson can be added value here. He brings along a ton of experience, including the past two seasons with rival Cleveland Browns and can easily fit across anywhere on the line. He has experience playing the edge spots, that versatility can make attractive to team like the Ravens looking to make that Super-bowl run.

Kansas City Chiefs – Rich get richer? Absolutely! Richardson could be the perfect person to play behind/along side guys like Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Taco Charlton etc. along that defensive-line. Having gone to back to back Superbowls the Chiefs will be looking to re-load and go all-in one more time with it’s currently structured roster.

This would be a great fit for Richardson to use athletic play style under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system. With not much proven depth behind Jones and Nnadi in the interior defensive-line, Richardson can make for serious playing time with the Chiefs.

Atlanta Falcons – Yes, I know the Falcons aren’t the most favorite of SB contenders out there. However, this team still has what it takes with the immense amount of talent it has on both sides of the ball. New head coach, Arthur Smith will infuse new life into the team thus making them a sneaky good pick.

With that said, this is another spot that Richardson can come in and thrive. Dean Pees and his aggressive defense will create havoc for offenses and Richardson can play anywhere along the line. Pees likes to put his play-makers in the best position possible to do what they do best, make plays! Richardson and Grady Jarrett can be fearsome double-headed monster for opposing offenses.

Tennessee Titans – Not the most appealing of options but this is also a good fit if the price is right. Having just over 6m in salary cap space, this might be a tight squeeze to fit in Richardson. However, if the two sides can come to agreement, Richardson can play along side the younger guys in Teair Tart and Jullian Taylor.

This would be a good learning experience for both Tart and Taylor to learn from a guy like Richardson who has been through the wars. The Titans lacked a pass rush in the 2020 season. They accumulated just 19 sacks the whole season! Yes, 19 sacks which was good for 30th in the league. For context, TJ Watt had 15 sacks by himself. Now, Richardson is not a sack master by any means but he can certainly give that line a much needed infusion of power.

Wildcard pick – New York Jets – This would be a return home for Richardson. The Jets are no where near a contender of any sorts but Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas have something building in NY. Richardson can come back to where he started and help the Jets become relevant once again. Richardson teaming with budding star Quinnen Williams would be an awesome sight to see. I don’t think this particular re-union will come to fruition but hey we’ve seen weirder things happen before.

Conclusion

Richardson has fallen off the cliff steeply over the past few seasons. However, given the right scheme and culture fit he can be more than a serviceable player. Motivation is always key for players who seem to move around quite often.

Players are constantly trying to prove that they still have what it takes to be successful and impactful players. Richardson is no different and will look for a bounce back season in 2021.

The post Potential Landing Spots for Sheldon Richardson appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Charlie Friar Twitter: @charliefriar

As we stand right now, it appears Justin Houston has options. That’s significant news because it means teams recognize that the 32-year-old edge rusher has plenty of value left, and it’s not just speculation. 

Houston, We Have Value 

Houston hasn’t made the pro bowl since 2015, but he’s still been effective. He’s played in all 16 games the past two seasons with Indianapolis. His numbers in 2020 were also more than serviceable: 

• 25 Pressures

• 8 Sacks
• 8 Tackles For Loss
• 2 Safeties

While he’s far from his Pro-Bowl prime, he could be a critical piece to several teams. 

Current Chatter

The chatter around Houston has been active recently. He’s already visited one of the most edge-needy teams, the Ravens, but left Baltimore without a deal. Houston has also been tied to Houston (that was fun to write). But that perfect name union doesn’t seem to be happening. 

Colts Owner, Jim Irsay, has also recently told reporters that Houston could be back in Indianapolis. Irsay felt confident in the roster being filled out through the draft, but specifically mentioned Houston as a guy they’d like to bring back. That could certainly be the case. 

Indianapolis may be the most likely spot for Houston because that’s familiar to him, but let’s ignore that for now. There are plenty of other teams that could use Houston’s services. 

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Just because Houston left Baltimore without a deal, doesn’t mean they’re done with each other. As we wrote about in our piece for Olivier Vernon, the Ravens need edge help. In free agency they lost pass rushers Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon. That’s a lot of veteran leadership gone, and they take with them a total of 9 sacks from last season. 

Baltimore will also be looking to maintain/enhance their defensive unit. The Ravens ranked 4th with a 26.8% pressure percentage, but only ranked 14th in sacks. The sack total is surprisingly low given the Ravens posted the league’s highest blitz rate at 44.1%. 

The scheme the Ravens offer would work well for Houston and his 12 QB hits. Baltimore has to get to the quarterback if they’re going to keep blitzing at that rate.

Only issue with the Ravens, Baltimore reportedly doesn’t want to sign another UFA until after the May 3rd deadline. That’s when compensatory picks will no longer be negated for signing such players. So Indy could nab Houston before that date, which it has been reported that Houston wants to sign before the draft on April 29th. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 

The Vikings have a lot of work to do to their defense this off-season. While they plan to get Danielle Hunter back from injury in 2021, their pass rush was just as inefficient as their secondary last year. 

At the end of the 2020 the Vikings found themselves with the 32nd-ranked pass rush, according to PFF. The team also ranked dead last with a 21.6% pressure rate. To make matters worse, the Vikings only had one player record more than 25 pressures.

Minnesota needs help. They’ve already signed CB Patrick Peterson to have a veteran presence in the secondary, and now they can get their veteran in the box. If the Vikings really want to make a run at the division, they’ll need to do everything they can to improve the defense that ranked 25th with a 0.099 EPA/play last season. 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 

PFF ranked the Seattle pass rush 26th to end the season, but that’s a little deceiving. Seattle’s defensive unit really came on later in the year, and finished strong. Now it’s time to continue that late season effort. 

Carlos Dunlap helped tremendously when joined Seattle, and now that he’s back the team needs to fill the other side. Houston’s 25 pressures will help Seattle’s 13th ranked pressure percentage (24.1%). 

Another reason Seattle could be a fit: draft picks. The Seahawks only have 3 picks in this draft. Yes, you read that right, 3. So, if they want to improve that average pass rush and defend their NFC West title they need to go through free agency and grab a guy like Houston. 

Be ready to see Houston sign somewhere soon. Again, reports say he wants to land somewhere before the draft. Teams now have about a week to act.

The post Best Landing Spots For Justin Houston appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Chandler Hyler

During the 2020 NFL season, Atkins not only seen a dip in statistical categories but in snaps played as well. The majority of the time, these two things do play into each other, as fewer snaps are played, it creates fewer opportunities to make plays. That being said, where there is smoke, there is likely to be fire. What I mean by that is the number of reduced snaps had to come from something, was it Atkins was battling back from a shoulder injury or had they seen a drastic drop in his play and production?

Former All–Pro and repeat visitor of the NFL’s top 100 list, Geno Atkins is still looking for a home for the 2021 NFL season. While he may not be the player he used to be, he could still bring in some rotational value for a team looking to upgrade their talent on the interior of their defensive line. Interest has been had for Atkins, but obviously, his market hasn’t been booming, otherwise, he would be preparing to suit up for an NFL franchise. Prior to Atkins being cut, he spent his entire 11 career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Atkins saw action in eight games of the 2020 NFL Season but ultimately did not start one. Another alarming statistic from the previous season, he only recorded one tackle with zero sacks. In 2019, the former Georgia Bulldog played in all 16 games, while starting in 14 of those. There was a dip in his statistics in 2019 compared to 2018, as he totaled just 4.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits compared to a 10 sack season and 19 quarterback hits in 2018. As for relevancy, this created the concern that during his 2019 season, once he surpassed the great age of 30, that he had begun to meet father time.

As a believer in fresh starts, Atkins still may have some gas left in the tank, he may just need to wipe his slate clean. The Cincinnati Bengals are going in a different direction, and instilling a youth movement in efforts to build around second-year stud quarterback Joe Burrow. Who could be suitors for the former All-Pro, wrecking ball in Atkins?

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas has had major problems with creating pressure on the quarterback and has since the departure of all worldly talent, Khalil Mack. I don’t see Atkins coming in and being the absolute solution here, but I could see a scenario where Atkins at the minimum, improves the issue. With newly hired defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, this unit should see some improvement as a whole. Along with Johnathan Hankins, the Raiders could solidify the interior of their defensive line by adding Atkins. At a minimum, if Hankins and Atkins could create pressure inside and get pressure up the middle, this could cease a quarterback’s ability to step up in the pocket, which creates a better angle for outside pass rushers to get home. The duo of Atkins and Hankins are both big bodies and would have no issues filling run gaps. If Atkins could come in and see valuable playing time with Las Vegas, and he could prove he is still an important commodity to this league.

2. Buffalo Bills

Another team that Atkins would be a schematic fit for would be the Buffalo Bills, as they are currently still running a base 4-3 defense. On one side of the interior of their defensive line, they boast former top 10 pick, Ed Oliver, and opposite to him is Vernon Butler. Atkins could be brought in as a rotational piece, and help keep those guys fresh. One other positive takeaway from bringing Atkins in would be his ability to bring Oliver under his wing. Atkins could teach him some of the things that made him such an unstoppable force for over a decade. Oliver is a highly talented player, and has the potential to be great; with the help from a veteran like Geno Atkins, some valuable knowledge could be forever instilled in the young pass-rusher’s mind. The Bills are also expected to be a highly competitive team next year, and Atkins could have a chance to win him a ring before his career is over.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

This is more of a luxury addition for the Kansas City Chiefs, as they have one of the best defensive tackles in the league in Chris Jones. Jones has been a destroyer since he came into the league, and beside Jones is Jarran Reed, a former second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. Atkins would be brought in to spell these guys, or in certain packages, sub Tim Ward out, push Jones outside, and line up Chris Jones, Geno Atkins, Jarran Reed, and Frank Clark along the defensive front. That would be a scary front on the goal line and would give the Chiefs flexibility in short-yardage situations, as well as obvious pass-rush situations. Similar to joining the Buffalo Bills, this would give Atkins an immediate shot at winning himself a ring before his career is over.

4. Dallas Cowboys

This Dallas Cowboys defense was historically bad last season. They gave up the second-most yards in franchise history while allowing the most points ever in a Cowboy’s single-season at 473. First-year defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has his work cut out for him, as they need to add a plethora of talent across the board. In the NFL, it all begins up front, and adding some depth and talent to this defensive line would give Quinn a boost. Atkins could come in and clog up the interior as a big, strong-bodied 3 technique, who has shown he has pass rush prowess. If he can muster some of his old magic, which is yet to be seen, but if the Cowboys could bring Atkins in on a team-friendly one-year deal, it couldn’t make this defense any worse. They need playmakers and then some more playmakers. As it stands today, their interior defensive line is Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill, that duo isn’t really making anyone shake in their boots. Atkins could be a solid presence inside of Gregory and Lawrence, and make the Cowboys defensive line formidable at the least.

Geno Atkins will sign with an NFL team at some point, but it really is to be seen with who, and for what. His value and interest around the league have to be differentiating, as what he brings to the table at this point is unknown. That being said, teams ike the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders make a lot of sense as they both could definitely use the upgrade along their defensive front. It would be interesting to see Atkins go sign with a competitor as well, like the Buffalo Bills or the Kansas City Chiefs, as Atkins has been one of the quiet, yet productive players in the NFL for the past decade.

The post Potential Landing Spots For Geno Atkins appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Charlie Friar

Olivier Vernon

We are now one month into free agency, and one of the better defensive ends on the open market has yet to be signed. Olivier Vernon may not be the biggest name available, but he could play a key role to your team’s success in 2021.

Last season Vernon enjoyed one of his better years in his 9-year career. The 30-year-old Vernon reached career-feats in a few categories:

• 2nd best sack total, most since 2013 (9)
• Most tackles-for-loss since 2016 (12)
• Most QB hits since 2018 (16)

Vernon also recorded his first career safety in 2020, which was part of a 3-sack effort against the Eagles. Fantasy bonus! 

The point is, Vernon is not showing any signs of slowing down as he enters his 10th season. His 9 sacks last year ranked him T-14th in the league too, so he can be an asset to a team looking to pressure the quarterback. 

There are plenty of teams that could use a player like Vernon. Here are a few: 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

New Orleans makes a ton of sense here for Vernon. He can add to an already formidable defensive unit, and would fill the hole left behind by departed free agent, Trey Hendrickson. 

The Saints should be looking to maintain their defense as much as possible in 2021. They gave up the 4th fewest total yards and created the 3rd most turnovers. Another impressive stat from New Orleans, the defense ranked 6th with a 26.3% pressure percentage.

It would be tough to maintain those numbers with a rookie edge rusher, even if they select one with the 28th overall pick. They may even be able to get Vernon to sign cheaper given their status as a contender. 

BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Ravens are another contender that may be in even more of a need for a defensive end than the Saints. In free agency they lost edge rushers Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon. That’s a total of 9 sacks from last season (which matches Vernon’s total). 

Baltimore will also be looking to maintain/enhance their defensive unit. The Ravens ranked 4th with a 26.8% pressure percentage, but only ranked 14th in sacks. They’ll need someone to help bridge the gap from 2020 to 2021 if they want to keep up their 44.1% blitz rate, which ranked 1st in the NFL. 

Vernon could also be an asset to Baltimore by coming over from a division rival. He could provide some insight into a divisional foe. Plus, the two young quarterbacks in this division do not like pressure. Both Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield rank outside of the top 15 in completion percentage when facing pressure: 

• Burrow: 36th (25%)
• Mayfield: 18th (41.4%)

The only reason the Ravens are ranked behind the Saints for fit, Baltimore may very likely target an edge with their first round pick. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers are a team that seems like it should be doing everything it can to get over the metaphorical ”˜hump.’ They’ve reached the NFC title game two years in a row, and have failed to reach the super bowl both times. 

One aspect that could help, the pass rush. In 2020, Green Bay ranked 26th in QB pressures and 27th in pressure percentage. While the Packers ranked better in sacks (11th), their starting D-ends were only responsible for 7 of their 41 total sacks. 

The Packers could address their edge needs in the draft given their 10 picks in 2021, but they’re a team built to win now. They also have yet to address the position in free agency. Vernon could also match up well with their 3-4 scheme. In his sole Pro Bowl season in 2018 Vernon lined up at ROLB for the Giants. 

Free agent edge rushers are an interesting commodity. As we learned from Jadeveon Clowney last year, they could very likely hold out to see what team becomes desperate for their services. Vernon should/could be looking for a similar deal to that of Carlos Dunlap, who recently resigned with the Seahawks on a 2-year/$16.6 million deal. 

The post Top Fits For Olivier Vernon appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jeremy Trottier

Hunter Henry ”“ New England Patriots ”“ 3 years $37.5 million

Starting off we have one of the biggest signings of the offseason, TE Hunter Henry signing with the Patriots.  This move is huge for New England as they have been lacking both at the tight end position as well as having receiving threats since Rob Gronkowski left.  Bringing in a big time receiving threat for Cam Newton, or whoever they start at QB, to throw to is a fantastic decision by Bill Belichick.

Hunter’s receiving ability is his huge draw, as he was targeted a huge amount in Los Angeles for the last few years.  Provided that the QB they bring in can get the ball to him, or at least to where he can catch it, this should be a monstrous signing.

Curtis Samuel ”“ Washington Football Team ”“ 3 years $34.5 million

Next, we have another skill position signing in Curtis Samuel.  The WFT has been lacking a true receiving option outside Terry McLaurin, so this addition is definitely one that makes a great deal of sense.  With the addition of Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason as well, this will give Fitz players to work with on offense.  It will also be huge if the WFT drafts a QB, as it will make their time easier when they eventually start.

John Johnson III ”“ Cleveland Browns ”“ 3 years $33.75 million

Moving on to the first defensive signing of the list, we have former Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III.  The Browns will likely be looking to see Grant Delpit’s first NFL game with them this coming season after his injury last season.  Adding John Johnson to play SS alongside Delpit at FS will make for an extremely strong safety room.  This becomes an elite secondary if they are both on the field, as you also have Denzel Ward at CB who is one of the best at his position.

Joe Thuney & Kyle Long ”“ Kansas City Chiefs ”“ 5 years $80 million & 1 year $1.5 million

Here we have two signings merged into one due to their position and utility, with Joe Thuney and Kyle Long.  The Chiefs brought in both guards early in the offseason after releasing tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher.  Protecting Patrick Mahomes, the $500 million man,  should be the biggest priority as a team right now.  With Joe Thuney, the Chiefs know what they are getting, a proficient guard who is extremely capable at his position.

With Kyle Long however, it is kind of a 50/50 throw up.  After retiring for a year, he decided to take a one-year cheap deal to work with Kansas City.  Will he be a starter?  More than likely, whether it be at tackle (the position he played for a year in Chicago) or guard (the position he ended his career at).  One way or another the Chiefs got a low risk high reward type deal here with Long, who could definitely return to form with the right situation.

J.J. Watt ”“ Arizona Cardinals ”“ 2 years $31 million

With the loss of Haason Reddick, this move definitely looks even better in hindsight.  The addition of edge pressure from J.J. will definitely be needed for Arizona, after Reddick moved on to Carolina in the offseason.  Watt will bring experience as well as explosiveness and strength to the Cardinals front seven and is easily one of the better signings of the offseason.

Haason Reddick ”“ Carolina Panthers ”“ 1 year $8 million

Haason Reddick, who was previously mentioned, is also a great pickup, especially for the Carolina Panthers.  Putting him in the same defense as Brian Burns who had a strong sophomore season is a pairing that will definitely wreak havoc on the NFC.  After Reddick was 4^th in sacks last season (with 12.5), he will be looking to continue his success in the NFC South this season with the Panthers.

Aaron Jones ”“ Green Bay Packers (re-signing) ”“ 4 years $48 million

Bringing back Aaron Jones is a great move on part of the Green Bay Packers, as he had a huge influence in their offensive explosion in 2020.  His mixture of power and raw speed is something that was hugely utilized in the Packers system and will likely continue to be for years to come.  Giving Aaron Rodgers a true option out of the backfield for receiving and rushing is a great way to improve his longevity as a starting QB as well.

Chris Carson ”“ Seattle Seahawks (re-signing) ”“ 3 years $24.625 million

Another running back being re-signed due to offensive production, we have Chris Carson remaining in Seattle.  After a somewhat down year by his standards due to injuries, Carson will definitely be looking to bounce back in his 2021-2022 campaign.  At only 26 years old, he is entering his prime in terms of production as a running back and should return to his 1300+ scrimmage yard self this coming season.

Trent Williams ”“ San Francisco 49ers (re-signing) ”“ 6 years $138 million

Finally, we have the 49ers bringing back their stud offensive tackle, Trent Williams.  With whoever they end up deciding is their starting QB, whether it is Jimmy Garoppolo, they will need to be able to protect them at a high level.  Bringing back Trent Williams for another 6 years is probably the easiest way to solidify the blindside of their offensive line. 

The post Top 10 Free Agency Signings So Far appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Jacob Keppen

March Madness has officially begun, and no I’m not talking about the NCAA Basketball tournaments. The start of free agency on March 17th marked the beginning of a new landscape for the NFL. Multiple teams such as the New England Patriots and the New England Patriots spent big money on top free agents. This list is not about those big name players though. These are the free agents who went under the radar amidst the spending spree. The $1 Beefy Fritos Burritos of free agency signings, these players provide great bang for their buck for their new teams.These are the top three most underrated free agency signings of the 2021 offseason (so far).

Marvin Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars were extremely bad last year. The team had a ton of issues on both sides of the ball that Trevor Lawrence can’t singlehandedly fix, and high on that list is wide receiver. The Jaguars have potential at receiver, but don’t really have a consistent threat yet. DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault show intrigue, but it’s not nearly enough. When you draft a new quarterback, he needs a reliable weapon.

Marvin Jones is the definition of a consistent reliable weapon. In both of his last two seasons, including a 2019 campaign that only saw him start only 11 games, Jones scored 9 receiving touchdowns. Jones would’ve led the Jaguars last year in receptions, receiving yards, yards per game, and receiving touchdowns.

Marvin Jones isn’t really a true star #1 wide receiver, but in Jacksonville he doesn’t have to be. Jones is as prototypical of a great #2 receiver as you’ll find. He will be a steady and reliable threat, especially as a vertical target. He will be someone Trevor Lawrence can trust while Chark and Shenault continue to develop. His contract for 14.5 million over two years is one of the best bargains in all of football.

Jacoby Brissett to the Miami Dolphins

The best thing the Dolphins can do for their quarterback of the future Tua Tagovailoa is to get him away from controversial backups. We all love Ryan Fitzpatrick. He definitely was the best backup in the league”¦ almost too good for a backup. Fitzmagic is extremely fun and exciting, which if you’re Miami you don’t want at all in your backup quarterback. You don’t need to create a quarterback controversy while Tua irons out the kinks, trust me as an Eagles fan very familiar with quarterback controversy. For the Dolphins, you need a good experienced backup who can play well in a pinch, but won’t threaten your franchise quarterback too much.

Jacoby Brissett is the perfect backup to Tua Tagovailoa. He has been in the league for five years now, and during that time he learned both under Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers. He has learned a lot from his mentoring starting quarterbacks, as well as from his own experiences in the league. He has two years of solid starting experience in the league. He’s now a solid veteran and he can help Tua out a lot, but he isn’t exciting enough to have fans calling for him to start. He’s as perfect of a backup as you can get.

Takkarist McKinley to the Cleveland Browns

There almost is no downside to taking a chance on a former first round pick. Unless there is some crazy off the field baggage, it’s a move that I will always tip my hat to. Players don’t get drafted high without having some sort of talent. There had to have been something that teams saw for them to invest a high asset.

There is a lot to like about Takkarist McKinley. He is a great athlete, giving him a high ceiling as a pass rusher. As recent as 2018, McKinley was a budding star pass rusher. He sacked the quarterback 7 times and had 15 quarterback hits in only 8 starts. A lot of things haven’t gone Takk’s way in the past couple years, the former UCLA Bruin struggling to stay healthy. Since his departure with the Falcons, McKinley failed physicals with both the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers. He signed with the Los Vegas Raiders, but wasn’t able to be activated off of the injury reserve. 

Takkarist McKinley has struggled to stay healthy over the years, but there are two important things to remember with this signing. 1: McKinley showed really good things when he was healthy. 2: McKinley is still only 25, not even hitting his prime yet. His best football could very much still be ahead of him. The Browns signed the former 26th overall pick to a low risk, one year four million dollar prove it deal. He will have the opportunity to play opposite of one of the best defensive players in all of football in Myles Garrett. At worst, McKinley still can’t stay healthy and the Browns just move on next year. They didn’t lose anything trying. If it works out, the Browns will have the biggest steals in all of free agency.

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