By: Reese Nasser

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

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

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

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

New England Patriots 

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

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

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

Miami Dolphins 

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

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

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

Los Angeles Chargers

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

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

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

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

By: Jacob Keppen

Who would’ve thought just a short few years ago that the Eagles would be in this situation with Zach Ertz? Ertz seemed like a guy that would do midnight green for the rest of his career, retiring to the adulation of the fans for who he won a Super Bowl. Just like with his quarterback Carson Wentz, the situation rapidly deteriorated over the past two years. 

The squabble between the team and Ertz started with what seemed to be a minor contract dispute, a minor dispute that has snowballed into a seemingly inevitable divorce. It seemed as though that separation was going to happen at the beginning of last year, with the internal problems becoming public at the beginning of the season.

The two sides managed to delay the contract talks another year, with Ertz focusing on the game last year. With Ertz coming off his career, those contract talks now just trade talks. The divorce seems inevitable, many expecting Ertz to never suit up for the Eagles again after last season. What if the separation doesn’t happen quite just yet. What if Ertz was willing to play one more season for the Eagles, just as he did last season?

Of course, if the situation with Ertz is at that level of toxicity that you have to remove him, you do so. If not, why not just keep Zach Ertz? 

Every young quarterback needs a reliable go-to target, especially early in their career. As they’re still going through their growing pains, having a weapon that can consistently get it done is a blessing. Zach Ertz might never be the player he was in his prime. He might not be a guy who can be counted on to haul in 100 passes or be the top 3 tight ends he was for the Eagles in his prime. What Ertz can be is a solid, reliable pair of hands who can work off of some dynamic weapons in Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. He can continue to be the safety valve for the Eagles and young Jalen Hurts.

The logic of having to trade Zach Ertz while you still have a chance do does make some sense. Zach Ertz has only one year left on his deal. After this season he is free to leave and negotiate with teams on his own terms. Sure he will be a year older and maybe the market won’t be the best for him, but he will have the ultimate final say in the next Post-Philadelphia chapter of his career. For the Eagles though, they would get nothing. Ertz walks and goes to another team, and Philadelphia receives nothing in return for their fan-favorite tight end.

Conventional logic states that the Eagles would be fools not to try and get something for Ertz now. Unless they were bringing him back, they would’ve already penned a new deal by now, they should try getting something in a trade for Ertz.

What are the Eagles realistically going to get in return though? Zach Ertz will be turning 31 this year? He’s starting the downturn of his career. Last season after pretty much betting on himself to earn a contract that would pay him like an elite tight end, he had the worst season of his career. In 11 games, Ertz only managed to put up 335 receiving yards and a single touchdown. He’s aging, coming off the worst year of his career, is pretty much known at this point to want to move on from Philadelphia, and only has a year left on his contract. Any team that wants him can get him next year in free agency, giving up no assets. 

If the situation isn’t as dire as made out to be in the media, and Ertz would be willing to gut it out one more season, his value as an experienced player who’s won a Super Bowl and can be a reliable target for Jalen Hurts is greater than whatever late-round pick the Eagles can get in return.

The post Why keeping Zach Ertz might not be the worst idea appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

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

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

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

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

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

New Orleans Saints

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

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

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

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

Arizona Cardinals 

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

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

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

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

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

Los Angeles Chargers 

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

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

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

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

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

What are the long term implications?

Daniel Racz @Danny___Dimes 

Introduction

In an era where elite wide receivers can’t stay out of the news and spend their careers across multiple teams, Julio Jones’ tenure with the Falcons feels like an anomaly. Julio came out of Alabama and the Falcons selected him sixth overall in the 2011 draft. For a decade, Julio was a premier wide receiver with the Falcons. Julio totaled 12,896 yards, 848 receptions, and 60 touchdowns in Atlanta. His magnificent career will undoubtedly put him in the hall of fame, but his story is not done yet.

Rumors regarding Julio wanting out of Atlanta were present for the entire offseason, but they picked up after the draft. During a call between Shannon Sharpe and Julio Jones, Julio expressed his desire to play for a competitive team and his displeasure with staying with the Atlanta Falcons for the 2021 season. So, the Titans jumped in. General Manager Jon Robinson offered a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick for Julio Jones and a sixth-round pick. The compensation for a 32-year-old Julio Jones is similar to the capital that the Arizona Cardinals moved for Deandre Hopkins. 

Though Tennessee had to give up valuable draft picks to acquire Julio, they are undoubtedly a winner of the trade. Atlanta received somewhat fair compensation, but they mishandled the situation and should have drafted knowing they would be entering a rebuild. 

Winners

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans were always a frontrunner for acquiring Julio’s services because they lacked weapons after a quiet offseason. Besides A.J Brown, the Titans weapons depth chart consisted of Dez Fitzpatrick, Anthony Firkser, and Josh Reynolds. Despite their questionable group of playmakers, the rest of the Titans’ roster is in competitive shape. The offensive line features the addition of rookie Dillon Radunz and a healthy Taylor Lewan. The defense added rookie corners Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden and signed edge rusher Bud Dupree.  The Titans had a below-average defense in 2020, but their new additions will likely bring them close to league average.

A team with a mediocre defense can only make a super bowl run with an electric offense, hence why Tennessee felt they needed to add Julio. The Titans have Ryan Tannehill on a relatively cost-effective deal, so they have the money to take on Julio’s salary (an average of 13.8 million dollars over 3 seasons.) 

Julio is still a premier wide receiver in the league. Last season, Jones averaged 2.70 yards per route run, per player profiler, good for 3rd in the league. Julio also ranked third in average depth of target and 7th in QB rating when targeted. If Julio is even 85 percent of his Atlanta self with the Titans, this acquisition is a homerun.

Fringe NFC Contenders

Julio Jones is now out of the NFC, and every team that did not attempt to trade for Julio is ecstatic. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he would have loved to acquire Julio, but the next best destination is the AFC. Teams in the NFC have one less top wide receiver to gameplan around.

The biggest NFC winner is likely the Saints, as they would have played the Falcons twice. With suspect cornerback depth behind Marshon Lattimore, but during their bouts with the Falcons, they will not have to focus on Julio anymore. The Saints should be expected to defeat the Falcons twice during the season, giving them a chance at a wildcard spot. The Giants, 49ers, Football Team, and Cowboys all also may be more likely to make the playoffs after the Julio move, as all those teams play the Falcons in 2021. 

Losers

Atlanta Falcons

If I am only evaluating the Titans and Falcons deal involving Julio Jones, there is no clear loser. An aging, veteran wide receiver does not often go for a first-round pick. However, the circumstances surrounding the deal make Atlanta feel like they mishandled Julio. 

Every report suggests that new General Manager Terry Fontenot and Head Coach Arthur Smith were made aware of Julio’s trade request before the draft. The Falcons’ brain trust should have reevaluated their draft strategy and looked to deal Julio earlier. The main gripe with the Falcons’ handling of Jones stems from how they dealt with their quarterback position.

The Falcons re-structured Matt Ryan’s contract, making him virtually immovable for at least two seasons. The restructure signals that the Falcons are committed to competing in 2021. However, if the Falcons knew that Julio wanted out, which they did, they should not have made such an effort to win now. The Falcons then selected Kyle Pitts, a generational tight end/wide receiver hybrid with the fourth pick. The Falcons effectively drafted Julio’s replacement instead of Matt Ryan’s replacement in the first round. Justin Fields, the elite Ohio State passer, was still on the board with the fourth pick in the draft. If Fields makes even one pro bowl during his career, he will likely have a far greater impact on his team than Kyle Pitts could ever make. If the Falcons were intent on dealing Julio Jones, they should have kept Ryan’s contract, drafted Justin Fields, and cut Ryan after the 2021 season. 

Indianapolis Colts

An under-the-radar loser of the Julio Jones deal is the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have a thin wide receiver room, so not acquiring Julio is already a missed opportunity. Julio landing within the Colts’ division with the Titans is even worse for Indianapolis. The Colts now are tasked with facing the trio of A.J. Brown, Derrick Henry, and Julio Jones twice during the season. If the Colts want to win the division, they will have to see a much-improved Carson Wentz. 

The Carson Wentz trade that the Colts made before the draft further complicates their situation. The Colts owe their first-round selection to the Eagles if Wentz plays 75 percent of the offensive snaps, or 70 percent of the snaps, and the Colts clinch a playoff berth. There is a likely scenario where the Colts will be forced to play Wentz until the end of the season to make the playoffs, but the team ultimately falls short. If this is the case, the Colts will be without a playoff berth and first-round draft selection, setting their franchise back. 

The post Who won the Julio Jones trade? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The dust has cleared away and It’s been nearly three years since one of the biggest NFL trades of the decade occurred. The trade that shocked the football world: Las Vegas Raiders trade Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. The disgruntled All-Pro Mack was shipped along with a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick to the Bears for two first-rounders, a third-rounder, and a sixth-rounder. The question begs to ask as a few years have passed: which team won the blockbuster exchange?

What did the Raiders get?

Let’s start with the more mysterious case. The Raiders used the draft choices they garnered in the trade on Josh Jacobs, Damon Arnette, and Bryan Edwards. Jacobs has 2,215 combined rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns in his first two seasons. CB Damon Arnette was a rookie last year, but had bright moments and proved to be a locked-in starter heading into 2021. Then last, but not least: Bryan Edwards. Edwards had a mere 11 receptions for 193 yards and hasn’t shown yet that he will be a long-term fit in Gruden’s design.

At first glance, it may appear that the Raiders used the picks to get a few starting-caliber players. After looking closer, it’s evident that Las Vegas didn’t get a highly gifted asset, nor multiple profiles that seem to change the tide of the game. Jacobs was a quality addition, but there’s lots of reason to believe the Raiders would have found a player at the less prioritized RB position with near the same production.

The Raiders cleared lots of money off the books with pardoning Mack, but haven’t broken the bank on any notable acquisitions to date. There’s little reason to believe that any extensions would have been impossible by retaining the All-Pro defender.

What did the Bears get?

The Bears were gifted a future Hall of Fame pass rusher from Gruden’s squad. Mack was a Defensive Player of The Year type of player for the Raiders and continued to be top of the barrel in the Windy City. 

Mack knocked out 12.5 sacks and was All-Pro in his first year of vengeance as a Bear. Over the past two seasons, Mack registered 8.5+ sacks each year. Mack hasn’t reclaimed his All-Pro status, but his attention has been met in nearly every game. His contributions have also been indispensable amid a team that’s reached the playoffs with dreadful QB performances.

The Bears have reached the playoffs and now have found a very talented franchise QB in Justin Fields, despite giving up the hefty draft compensation. There have been glimpses of damage put on the Bears offense with its lack of talent, but they’ve leaned on their defense — which has come through on plenty of occasions. On the outlook, Mack is only 30 years old and clearly holds a few more seasons of high performance. 

Verdict:

The Bears win the Khalil Mack trade. The Raiders discovered a quality RB in Josh Jacobs, along with a couple of other quality contributors. Yet, Gruden’s choices of talent to be picked with the draft picks obtained from the Mack trade and extra cap space have not even obtained an elite standard as a whole. Mack continues to be a player that changes the game — whether he’s making the play, or creating opportunities for another teammate. The Bears hold an elite Hall of Fame player on a team that’s found their franchise QB and will look to return to the playoffs in the competitive NFC North

The post Reflecting on the Khalil Mack trade: Who won? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Pat Pitts

Where Should Minshew be traded?

Minshew Mania ran wild across the NFL in 2019. After Nick Foles suffered a major injury in Week 1, Minshew became the talk of the league as a rookie. How could you not talk about him? Look at his mustache. 

Minshew thrived in the spotlight. He finished the season with 3271 yards and 6 touchdowns. His stats dipped in 2020 when he did not even pass for 2500 yards but still tossed 5 touchdowns. 

His stats did not decline due to his talent; the front office did not put him in a place to succeed. Luckily, there’s a new regime taking over officially on April 29th. 

Unfortunately, he will not be around to be part of it. 

Minshew needs a fresh start. Many NFL teams are looking for the same thing. Allow me to inform you of a few teams that should give Minshew an opportunity to lead them into January. 

Minnesota Vikings

The color purple represents royalty. Minshew brings originality to the throne. 

Gardner Minshew has the opportunity to thrive in an offense that is an upgraded version of his former team. He lines up beside Dalvin Cook. He throws to Adam Theilan and Justin Jefferson. What more could you want? 

The issue with this is the Vikings have a starting quarterback. Kirk Cousins will most likely lead the offense in 2021, but for how much longer? Cousins’ contract expires in 2022. Minshew will be turning 26. 

The same idea as above, but a longer waiting period. Kirk Cousins has been a human highlight reel since 2015. He has thrown under 4000 yards once during that span. He has not thrown under 25 touchdowns since then as well. 

The Vikings may have to pay him if he continues this hot streak. Minshew acts as a safety blanket who can get the job done along with opening up Dalvin Cook’s run game. 

Trading some draft capital for an above-average backup quarterback is not a bad situation to be in if I am the Vikings. 

Washington Football Team

This seems like a no-brainer. Alex Smith rides off into the sunset while Ryan Fitzpatrick strolls into town. There is only so much magic left in the veteran. 

Minshew brings a unique personality to the locker room that becomes infectious. He puts the team before himself, an aspect of Ron Rivera’s coaching style. Allow Minshew to take a year to learn from Fitzpatrick and give him more time to develop his skills before taking on the QB1 role. 

He has everything a young gun could need to be successful in an offense. A whole new world has appeared before him. 

New England Patriots

Are you shocked? 

Gardner Minshew would fit like a glove in New England. His charisma alone gives Bill Belichick a reason to utilize him as a backup. He brings with him another aspect that Belichick loves more than anything, competition. 

Competition brings out the best in people. After a disappointing 2020, Cam Newton needs competition to push him beyond measures. Minshew challenging Cam Newton for the starting QB position would make Gillette a media frenzy come August. 

As a die-hard Patriots fan, I believe it is the safest move the Patriots could make during the draft. As an NFL writer, it gives me a lot more to write about. Count me in. 

Honorable Mention: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

A thought popped into my mind that had to be shared. 

Tom Brady loves competition, so does Bruce Arians. Competition makes everyone better. 

A wise man once said, “to be the man you have to beat the man.” 

Minshew competing with Brady each week would open a door to a seamless transition of the throne. Tom Brady has to retire at some point. He even knows that. 

Minshew’s age provides him to learn as much as he can from the greatest to play the position before taking over the starting role. He has more than enough around him to be successful. A major difference without having to leave the state of Florida. 

The post Top Trade Destinations for Gardner Minshew: is Minnesota a good fit? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Stephon Gilmore is a well reputable cornerback of the New England Patriots whose name has been floating around in trade discussions for the last year. Gilmore was the recipient of the defensive player of the year award in 2019, which will make his stock in the trade market very high. This article will break down the most likely destinations for this great corner.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are attempting to build themselves a strong young team, but even youth needs its wisdom and Gilmore would be great as that wisdom. The Jaguars are practically bathing in cap room and are in desperate need at just about every position, including cornerback. Additionally, the Jaguars have many high picks in 2021 and 2022 that they could theoretically use as bait to lure the Patriots.

The Jaguars’ four best corners are a pretty sorry group. Shaquill Griffin, the best of the group by far, is a former Seahawks corner that signed a pretty big multi-year deal with the Jaguars, but free agent signings are very hit or miss so we will see. Next up on the depth chart is D.J. Hayden, one of the many draft busts of 2017; Sidney Jones who the Eagles desperately held on to much longer than they needed to, and Tre Herndon who has been a middling backup for three seasons. The Jags also have C.J. Henderson, a rookie who had an down first year with Jacksonville.

Gilmore makes sense on this team, and the Jaguars would be wise to spend a pick on him instead of trying to develop these other unproven players thus far.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals in my opinion had one of the worst offseason signings when they overpaid for Chidobe Awuzie, and the lack of depth behind Awuzie plus the departure of William Jackson III in free agency means that the Bengals are now in depserate need of a corner in a division that has Big Ben, Baker Mayfield, and former MVP Lamar Jackson. The Bengals have plenty of cap room and picks to spare, so why not give Gilmore a roster spot?

The Bengals backup cornerbacks are Trae Waynes who was also overpaid in free agency and missed the entirity of the 2020, Eli Apple who has effectively been declared a bust, and Mike Hilton who while he had a good season in Pittsburgh, is still very much a young, unproven player.

The Bengals’ free agency is likely not going to help them out too much, and if I were them I would want to secure as many “sure thing” assets as I could before delving into the unpredictability of the Draft.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are about two or three players away from being a serious competitor in the NFC, but the departure of Patrick Peterson needs to be filled by somebody more competent than Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford. Bringing Gilmore in is going to bring a lot of strength and depth to the Cardinals’ defense, and might ensure that they are a playoff candidate in 2021 assuming Gilmore’s play is up to snuff.

The Cardinals’ secondary has been struggling for a few years, especially amidst declining play and whispers of a trade with their longtime starter Patrick Peterson.

The Cardinals are extremely close as a strong reliable team that can make the playoffs and even make the Super Bowl if all breaks well. If they were to trade Gilmore then their chances will be considerably higher.

The post Three Potential Trade Destinations for Stephon Gilmore appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Eric Mintzer

Jets: A-

It appears the Jets’ smoke screens are starting to disappear. With the trade of Darnold, it is evident they will use the second overall pick on Zach Wilson. Now, the Jets face the familiar task of building around the young quarterback.

In 2020, the current GM of the Jets, Joe Douglass, admitted that the team failed to build around Darnold. In exchange for Darnold, the Jets received the Panthers 6th round pick in 2021, and a second and fourth in 2020. Presently, the Jets hold 21 picks in the next two drafts, 10 of which fall in the first three rounds. 

While Jets fans have seen this script before, more picks is always a starting spot for a rebuild. Beyond Wilson, the Jets are likely use their plethora of draft capital on a running back and several linemen. Seemingly, the Jets have a coach, GM and quarterback that are all on the page”¦ the first page. 

When the Robert Saleh era begins this fall, the Jets will tout a new receiver. With the addition of Corey Davis, Wilson is already looking at a better receiving core than previous Jets quarterbacks. Again, whether Wilson succeeds or not is yet to be seen. But, moving forward, the Jets loading up on picks is a step in the right direction. 

Panthers: B+

DRAFT IMPACT

This year’s quarterback class has divided their NFL suitors into two categories: quarterback-hungry teams, and quarterback-starving teams. By trading for Darnold, the Panthers announced that they were a quarterback-hungry team.

From the start of the offseason, the Panthers have been focused on upgrading at quarterback. Yet, when trading with the Jets, the Panthers settled for Darnold, rather than the second overall pick. The Panthers were hungry enough to trade for a starter. But, unlike many teams this year, they are not starving to draft a franchise quarterback.

Most likely, the Panthers will trade the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Simply, one of the quarterback-starving teams will make Carolina an offer they can’t refuse. If the Dolphins landed four picks for the third overall pick, then the Panthers can expect a decent return.

However, if Kyle Pitts is available, then the Panthers could be eager to take the Florida standout. Or maybe they decide to take the best available lineman to protect Darnold. Conversely, if Carolina wants to upgrade their secondary, then they have options of elite cornerback prospects. Ultimately, by deciding that they are hungry, not starving, the Panthers have a lot of flexibility in the draft.

On the field in 2021, they will have Sam Darnold, former third overall pick, at quarterback.  In Darnold, the Panthers are getting an unfinished product. Highly touted out of USC, Darnold was never put into a situation to succeed with the Jets. However, just moving away from Adam Gase should be enough to cause an uptick in production.

With Darnold entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, the Panthers are essentially taking a one year trial with Darnold. Clearly, consistency and durability have been issues for the young quarterback. But, there is still plenty of upside to explore.

Sam Darnold: A+

Well before the trade, Sam Darnold knew that he would enter the 2021 season playing for a new coach. In 2018, he played his rookie season under Todd Bowles. After the Jets fired Bowles, Darnold spent the next two seasons playing for Adam Gase. With the hire of Robert Saleh, the Jets would have provided three coaches in four years for Darnold.

Evidently, the Jets coaching carousel limited Darnold’s development. Naturally, Darnold regressed under Gase.  From 2019 to 2020, his touchdown rate decreased and interception rate increased. As a result, Darnold led the Jets to the worst offense in the league, both years with Gase. Now, Darnold is finally free from Adam Gase.

Enter Joe Brady. At the start of the 2021 season, Darnold will be only 24 years old. The same age as Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow. In college, Burrow led the LSU Tigers to an incredible championship run with Joe Brady as the passing game coordinator. If Burrow is any indication, then Darnold is in great hands.

Last season, Brady engineered an offense that finished 18th in the NFL in passing offense. Incredibly, this came with all-pro Christian McCaffery playing in only three games. Furthermore, Darnold is reunited with Robby Anderson, who is coming off of 95 receptions for 1,096 yards in 2020. Over two seasons together, Darnold found Anderson for 11 touchdowns.

Essentially, for Sam, this is a chance to hit the reset button. Out of New York, Darnold will face a less critical media presence in Charlotte. In Carolina, Matt Rhule and Joe Brady will finally offer Darnold a chance to play in a system. Objectively, CMC is the best weapon Darnold has ever had. At last, Darnold will be able to develop into the player that the Jets thought he could be.

Lastly, this season will be an audition for Darnold. Whether the Panthers pick up his option for 2022 or let him enter free agency, Darnold will be betting on himself this year. For all of the reasons stated above, Darnold will be motivated with Carolina. Especially in Week 3, when the Jets play in Carolina.

The post Grading The Sam Darnold Trade: Who Won? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The New York Jets can’t get out of their own way. They managed to lose the right to the number overall draft selection. Sam Darnold is still on the roster, and it looks like Jamison Crowder is on the chopping block. Here are three landing spots for Jamison Crowder.

I understand Crowder isn’t the most exciting player to watch or to talk about, but the fact is Crowder was the Jets’ most productive receiver leading the jets in both catches and yards. I understand it wasn’t pretty with 59 catches for 699 yards. Frankly, if that’s your top receiver, you have significant issues in the passing game.

Those issues aren’t going to disappear by keeping Crowder on the roster at the cost of $10 million this year. Not when the dead cap hit is one million dollars. What kind of contract will Crowder demand?

I don’t know if Crowder is going to have any negotiating leverage. He’s going to be 28 years old this summer, which isn’t old for a wide receiver by any means. That said, we know what Crowder is at this point. At 5’9″ and 178 lbs, he is not an “X” receiver in the NFL.

Jamison Crowder may not command the money or the ball like an NFL number one receiver, but he will improve an offense in the right role. There are a few teams that I believe Crowder would be an excellent fit with the systems those teams run.

New England Patriots

The first and most obvious place for me is the New England Patriots. Julian Edelman just has not been able to stay on the field, and he’s 34 years old. Edelman has only played 16 games twice in the last six years. He is at that point in his career where we often see a significant decline in performance.

Jamison Crowder is a perfect fit for this offense. I realize this isn’t the same Patriot offense that we have seen in the past with Tom Brady. That doesn’t change the fact, and the Patriots still prefer to attack the middle of the field. You do that with tight ends and slot receivers.

The New England Patriots will almost certainly address the tight end position, and there are a few players for them to target. The Patriots also need help at the wide receiver position. N’Keal Harry is starting to look more and more like a bust. Jakobi Meyers has flashed at times, but he needs support from other parts of the passing game to be effective.

Crowder also brings some veteran leadership with whatever team he would join. The Patriots could also use some help in that department, regardless of who the quarterback ends up being.

As far as what kind of contract would Crowder demand? It’s tough to say, but the Patriots have not spent much of the team’s salary cap on receivers. Currently, among nine receivers, the Patriots are paying just over $11 million.

Think about that for a second. Crowder was due to be paid $10 million this year, and his contract is on par with John Brown as an example. It’s not an outlandish contract, and the Patriots are paying a total of $11 million on nine players, half of which I challenge most diehard fantasy players to name.

I don’t know if New England could bring Crowder in for six to seven million a year, but they should consider paying him the $10 million Crowder was on scheduled to be paid. He would elevate this wide receiver room instantly. Jamison Crowder is a perfect fit for this system.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Another team that could use a little bit of a veteran presence on the team and gains a dependable wideout like Crowder is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dede Westbrook is currently a free agent. Laviska Shenault and DJ Chark are very much different receivers than Crowder, but they all could compliment each other well.

The Jags have the number one overall pick, and it looks like they will be selecting the highly acclaimed Trevor Lawerence. There are three things the Jags need to do for Trevor Lawerence to help ensure his success.

One, be sure to protect him with a solid offensive line, don’t be like the Cincinnati Bengals. Two, have a decent run game to lean on, don’t ask Trevor to do more than he needs to; he is a rookie. Lastly, get him weapons to throw to.

Shenault is a very talented rookie that Jacksonville can move around and find creative ways to get him the ball. I think Chark is an excellent receiver, but I don’t think he’s talented enough to be a passing game’s focal point. Chark needs a capable receiver on the field to help take the pressure off of him.

Crowder can do all the things the Jags are missing in the passing game and bring a veteran’s presence to a very young team. With his quick and precise route running, Crowder will improve the players in that wideout room.

Miami Dolphins

The last team I will mention here is the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are another young team that could use some veteran experience on the ball’s offensive side.

Devante Parker has mainly been a letdown and, at the same time, flashed with brilliance. It appears to me Parker flourishes with volume, but forcing your passing game through one receiver never works.

Preston Williams is still a wild card, and he has also looked very good at times. That in itself isn’t all that surprising; Williams fell in the draft due to off-the-field issues.

Regardless of all of this, Crowder would be replacing the work that Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson perform. Just like their teammates, both players have looked good on the field. Yet, neither has been able to stay on the field.

Crowder would give the Dolphins some in the passing that would demand targets with his skill set and ability to get open regularly. He would compliment the work that Parker and presumably Williams would do.

Miami is in the same boat as the Jags are; the Dolphins have a young quarterback with many unknowns at the skill positions. The positions you want to make sure you have quality players at for your young quarterback to lean on.

Crowder has found success playing on bad teams for the most part, but it wasn’t from his lack of quality play. Crowder has had only one season where he didn’t receive at least 78 targets and 59 receptions. That one season, he only played nine games.

Crowder is a complimentary player in any offense, but he is a high-quality player at that position. I don’t know if anyone is willing to pay Crowder what he believes he is worth. I struggle to believe that any of these teams will pay Crowder $10 million for this year, especially with the reduced salary cap.

I can’t speak for Crowder, and I will not pretend I know what he is thinking. I do know that he is going to want to play. Crowder is only going to be 28 years old at the start of the season, and he looks like he still has some good years ahead of him. After all, he is six years younger than Edelman, and I believe Crowder could have been as effective in that Patriot system.

I think a team should take a shot on Crowder, and my money says if Crowder wants a chance to play and show what he has, these three teams are excellent landing spots. The other thing all of these teams have in common? All these teams are well below the salary cap and have the luxury to spend some money. So far below the cap, they have the luxury even to take a risk with a player like Crowder.

Please be sure to check out my other pieces along with all things football by the team at Profootballmania.com. Follow me on Twitter for other fantasy football thoughts and questions, and feel free to hit me up there! @BodaciousBeer

The post 3 Potential Landing Spots For Jamison Crowder appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The New Orleans Saints are entering a 2021 offseason with lots of question marks. Saints are not only expecting Drew Brees to retire, but they will find themselves deep in with the money sharks.

As widely enunciated, the Saints are dead last in cap space. The team will likely lose star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, linebacker Kwon Alexander, plus they could make some transactions to create cap space. One of these notorious Sean Payton blockbuster trades could be shipping talented, inconsistent Marshon Lattimore who’s contract expires in 2022.

Sean Payton has traded Jimmy Graham, Brandin Cooks, and he’s made overhauls of massive veteran cuts on defense in the past.

In an article by “Sports Illustrated”, Albert Breer explores the opportunity for the Jaguars to pull off a trade for the CB Lattimore. Breer states that the Saints could part ways with Saints No. one CB given their tight cap situation and the likelihood that Lattimore will seek a contract extension this offseason. Breer also states that Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer coached Lattimore at Ohio State University.

It’s unclear if the Jaguars have serious interest, but they portray as a realistic landing spot if the Saints fielded offers for Lattimore. Lattimore could get interest from many teams across the league given the value of the CB position and his combination of age and talent.

In this piece, I’m going to untwine strong candidates to land Lattimore. If the Saints did in fact try to create more cap space by pardoning a star, there wouldn’t be a stronger candidate than the Ohio State CB displaying a soon-to-be massive contract and inconsistent play beneath it.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts just pulled off one blockbuster trade, why not make it two? The Colts pose an elite defense and now they just might have obtained a rejuvenated QB in Carson Wentz. They are quietly putting together a Super Bowl contending roster.

There are some flaws in the Colts — particularly at CB. Xavier Rhodes is a free agent and it seems like the 30 year old will cash in for a team elsewhere. Lattimore could fill in the shoes of Rhodes and line up across from CB Kenny Moore (four ints in 2020).

The Colts could also afford Marshon Lattimore if they chose to bring him in. According to NBC Sports, the Colts are still near the top in cap space after trading for Wentz. They are sitting at fourth in cap space even after obtaining Wentz.

Colts also boast a first-round pick that isn’t too high to cough up, or too low for the Saints to scuff at — 21st overall. Lattimore would be a significant upgrade over a fourth/fifth-ranked CB in the draft at that position for Indianapolis, while the Saints could use the draft stock to have multiple first-rounders and trade up for a QB or draft a LB and CB in round one.

New York Jets

The New York Jets could look to make a lot of moves entering the 2021 offseason. Looking to fill the needs of the secondary, has to be one of the highest priorities for Robert Saleh.

The Jets will have a few key free agents on the backend of their defense. S Marcus Maye and CB Brian Poole may be out of the big apple in the near future, as their contracts expire this offseason.

Luckily, the Jets are towards the top of the league in cap space ( 67 million/second in the league) and they could/should look to make a splash move at the CB position. If they decide to draft Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, it will be imperative that their pass defense is competitive — especially when a rookie QB will likely have his growing pains.

The Jets boast nine picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and two picks are in the first round (second overall and 23rd overall). There’s also a good chance that the Jets acquire more draft picks, keep Sam Darnold, and trade back from the second overall spot. According to NJ.com, there’s “a growing buzz” that the Jets trade back from the second overall pick and stick with Darnold.

Not only do the Jets have the firepower with nine draft selections to make a move for Lattimore, but they could boast even more capital to get creative with their options. If the Saints received a few early to mid-round draft picks, it may be wise for the Saints to trust their draft success and send the near hefty paid CB out the door.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals should in strong contention to the best team that didn’t make the playoff gauntlet in 2021. Their electric offense was displayed last year with new WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals were a step short of reaching the playoffs and being the second NFC West wildcard squad in the dance. The offense sputtered out towards the end of the season, but the defense couldn’t point any fingers.

The Cardinals pass defense gave up three passing touchdowns to CJ Beatheard in Week 16 and the Cardinals defensive unit allowed John Wolford to compile 288 total yards in Week 17. The defense was crumbling when it mattered the most — not to mention the horrid competition at QB performed against.

It won’t be easy for AZ to bounce back on the defensive side of the ball looking ahead. Long time legend Patrick Peterson is due to be a free agent. Even if the Cardinals keep “PP” around, the 30 year old has shown signs of slowing down and it doesn’t seem like he has a long window in a Cardinals uniform.

It could be a clever move to obtain a younger and more productive player at the CB position — Especially when the Cardinals are trying to get over the hump. Cardinals could deal the 16th pick in this year’s draft for Lattimore and potentially take a huge step in the right direction on defense.

The post 3 Teams That Should Trade For Marshon Lattimore: Colts Have The Money, Need, and Push appeared first on Pro Football Mania.