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:yess:

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/14/nfl-free-agency-business-football-10-reflections-andrew-brandt

10 Thoughts on Free Agency
Moneyball comes to the NFL, fullbacks are getting paid and the Cowboys are in a tough spot with Tony Romo’s salary-cap hit. Plus a look at the “golden-ticket” winners, the barely there guarantees for some veterans, and the latest dysfunction in Washington
By Andrew Brandt

We aren’t even a full week into the 2017 League Year, and already there’s a lot of news to analyze following the opening of free agency. Settle in.

1. Having been around the business of sports my entire professional career, I am oddly giddy about the Texans-Browns trade involving Brock Osweiler—a trade that brings the NFL into the 21st century.

As previously written in this space, I had lobbied the NFL for years about allowing the trading of money and/or salary cap room; these proposals were always denied. The NBA and Major League Baseball have always had trades that involve variables such as cap space, expiring contracts and future assets, while these concepts have been foreign to the NFL. Until now.

The Browns only took on the albatross of the second year of Osweiler’s Texans’ contract, a fully guaranteed $16 million, so that they could acquire a 2018 second-round pick (a couple of lower-round picks were also exchanged).

The Browns’ hiring of former MLB analytical guru Paul DePodesta as their chief executive is now in motion; Billy Beane (and Sam Hinkie) would be proud, as the Browns, with ample cap room and a billionaire owner, are paying $16 million for a valuable future asset.

Or possibly not. The Browns may turn around and trade the pick, a move complicated by the same $16 million guaranteed salary precipitating the first move. My sense is that the Browns will have to pay off some of that $16 million through a bonus—something allowed and done before—and trade the rest of the contract for a draft pick and/or player.

For example, they may give Osweiler an $8 million bonus and then trade him and his $8 million salary (high backup quarterback money) for a mid-round pick.

Clearing up one misconception out there about the Browns “needing to spend all that cap room.” Minimum spending thresholds—which I think are too low, but that is another story—are only accounted every four years, with the last accounting having just ended. The Browns, and all teams, won’t be judged on their spending until after the 2020 season.

Moneyball and “trust the process” have (finally) entered the NFL.

2. In my time in Green Bay managing the cap, I resisted the annual temptation to mortgage (restructure) Brett Favre’s contract for cap purposes—“short-term gain for long-term pain”—so we would not leave a large cap charge in his wake (his “dead money” was $600,000).

My not-so-humble brag is relevant now that Tony Romo leaves behind a cap charge of $19.6 million, whether taken as a hit this year or spread out between this year and next. The Cowboys will be operating with this debit on their cap, their highest player cap charge, for a player who will likely end up playing elsewhere.

I know I have been critical of teams like the Cowboys or Saints in their cap management, but there are consequences such as 1) letting players go to market rather than being able to be proactive and lock them up and 2) not playing with a full deck due to non-roster charges eating up cap space. The Cowboys are now paying the bill on Romo; Drew Brees’s bill with the Saints will come due in the next couple of years.

3. Speaking of quarterbacks, I am not surprised that the Bears are paying Mike Glennon $14.5 million average per year (APY) and $18.5 million guaranteed. Scarcity creates value; teams never let quarterbacks with any discernible level of production hit the market (Peyton Manning in 2012 was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime situation).

Look at this year's quarterback market: Brian Hoyer, Josh McCown, Geno Smith, Tony Romo, Jay Cutler, etc. Glennon looks like a runway model compared to this motley crew.

Glennon and Tyrod Taylor—newly restructured with the Bills—now fill a void in the veteran quarterback marketplace between “starter” money—over $17 million APY—and “backup” money of $3-10 million APY.

4. Like every year, there are 15-20 golden-ticket winners, with this year’s group including Stephon Gilmore, Calais Campbell, AJ Bouye, Andrew Whitworth and more.

But even for these players, the best of the best with the most leverage in the league, the contracts are “two years and we’ll see.” I am not sure what it’s going to take to get better security in these deals.

Perhaps one way to make incremental change is when the team says it will guarantee $25 million on a five year deal, the agent demand that they guarantee $5 million each year, rather than all $25 million secured in the low-risk first two years of the deal. Agents with this kind of leverage have to lead the charge toward fuller guarantees, and that continues to be lacking.

5. In addition to not breaking the seal of fuller guarantees, only one deal changed the top of the market for their positions, although a couple are at the top level.

Kyle Juszczyk’s $21 million deal over four years with the 49ers more than doubles the top of the established fullback market of roughly $2.3 million APY. Beyond this stunning number, the Bills signed not one, but two free-agent fullbacks (Tom Tolbert and Patrick DiMarco). The position—one that several teams have chosen to proceed without—had perhaps its best day in history on Thursday. Fullbacks...who knew?

6. Speaking of the 49ers, who were highly aggressive with a depleted roster, a theme of familiarity and professionalism ran through their signings.

Kyle Shanahan knows Brian Hoyer and Pierre Garçon as players with a high work ethic and qualities of leadership, toughness and character. Garçon leveraged the interest of another incoming coaching staff that had coached him and knew his character—the Rams—into an astounding deal for a 30-year old receiver ($20.5 million guaranteed). Coaches love players like Hoyer and Garçon, and it showed this week. Character counts, and has value.

7. Even on the first day of free agency—the best day of the year for player-friendly deals—there were a surprising number of one-year deals and deals with no security.

The Eagles particularly leveraged players not seeing the market they hoped with Alshon Jeffery taking a one year, $9.5 million deal (plus incentives) and Torrey Smith and Chance Warmack receiving only $500,000 guaranteed, an amount the Eagles will not hesitate eating. Forget the guidelines of “two years and we’ll see” or even “one year and we’ll see”—these are “let’s see in a few months.” Perhaps the legal tampering period gave these players an early dose of reality.

8. Dysfunction, mistrust and partisanship in Washington, DC … imagine that? I have known recently deposed general manager Scot McCloughan since 1999, when he was an area scout with the Packers. I have always found him to be a skilled evaluator of talent. With the Redskins’ preemptive strike to fire him for “for cause”—voiding the team’s obligation to pay him for the next two years, we know there will be (and probably have already been) lawyers.

However, I would expect and hope that Bruce Allen (a former agent turned team executive like myself) has thoroughly vetted whether he is on solid ground in firing Scot. Buckle up; this dispute may take a lot longer to resolve than the Kirk Cousins situation.

Speaking of which…

9. Although clearly in the minority on this, I wrote last week defending the Cousins repeat-tag strategy as reasonable in using the powers given by the CBA to retain the team’s most important player.

Cousins’ inherently agreeable nature made it virtually impossible for him to stage any rumble of discontent; no one would ever believe his actions were sincere. He has signed his one-year contract and no, he is not getting traded. As for a long-term deal, I think that could still happen: it is surprising how enmity can fade when there is a deadline and tens of millions at stake.

Two things happened last Friday: the Browns released Robert Griffin III, the player for whom the Redskins mortgaged the future to draft in 2012, and Cousins—taken by the same team in the same draft in the fourth round—signed a one-year deal for $24 million. Life comes at you fast.

10. Often the biggest deals are not with new teams, but rather with existing ones. Deals for Nick Perry, Brandon Williams, and Chandler Jones were examples of teams spending big on free agents, just not on players coming from other teams. One misconception about teams being “active” is that it necessarily means spending externally; often the biggest spending teams do so internally (last year’s Eagles were a prime example).

Winning in March usually does not translate into winning in January. For the sake of their fans of teams like the Jaguars and Browns, let’s hope there are better translations ahead.

Finally, some names still sitting and waiting for a market—any market—to develop read like a 2014 Pro Bowl roster: Romo, Jay Cutler, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Darrelle Revis, Colin Kaepernick, LeGarrette Blount and more.

The NFL: Not For Long. Indeed.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/14/eddie-lacy-agrees-to-terms-with-seahawks/

Eddie Lacy agrees to terms with Seahawks
Posted by Josh Alper on March 14, 2017

Getty Images

The Seahawks had a meeting with running back Eddie Lacy over the weekend and it appears it went well.

Lacy’s agents announced on Twitter that their client has agreed to terms with the Seahawks on a contract. There are no details about the terms of the deal.

Lacy also met with the Vikings over the weekend and was still talking to the Packers about a return to the team that made him a second-round pick in 2013. Lacy ran for 2,317 yards in his first two seasons, but poor conditioning and an ankle injury led to less impressive results the last two years.

He’ll join Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise in the running back mix in Seattle. It’s a group that looks promising if everyone’s healthy, but none of the three made it through a full season last year.

Lacy was one of four running backs reportedly scheduled for meetings with the Seahawks with Adrian Peterson, Latavius Murray and Jamaal Charles slated to visit after Lacy. Peterson took his meeting while Murray and Charles were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Murray has also visited with the Jaguars while the other two veterans haven’t been overwhelmed with interest on the open market.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m. ET: Adam Schefter of ESPN reports it is a one-year deal worth $5.5 million with $3 million in guaranteed money.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18902999/cordarrelle-patterson-oakland-raiders-agree-contract

Have to say I'm impressed with what the Raiders have done in a short time.

The Oakland Raiders have signed former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson, the team announced Monday night.

A source told ESPN's Josina Anderson the deal is for two years and can be voided to one.

Patterson, 25, flourished early in his Vikings career but flailed in offensive coordinator Norv Turner's system for two seasons before rebounding in 2016 as Minnesota employed a short passing game to make quarterback Sam Bradford comfortable behind a leaky offensive line.




Raiders improve return game with Cordarrelle Patterson
New Raider Cordarrelle Patterson has has led the NFL in return average three times in the past four years.



In 2015, Patterson's playing time was almost nil, which irked some team officials who felt the receiver wasn't being used enough. Heading into a contract year last season after the Vikings declined his fifth-year option, Patterson worked with a private coach in California and displayed better route-running skills during the offseason program.

He also embraced a role as a gunner on punt coverage, which showed the Vikings he'd be amenable to whatever role they asked him to play.

Patterson's opportunities on offense spiked after that, and he caught a career-high 52 passes for 453 yards in 2016, scoring a pair of touchdowns. He also again earned All-Pro honors as a kick returner, leading the NFL in return average for the third time in four years.

Patriots for the right to move back into the first round and select Patterson with the 29th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

The University of Tennessee product led the NFL in kick returns as a rookie, earning All-Pro honors, and turned the league on its ear with a late-season flourish in 2013 that included seven rushing and receiving touchdowns as the Vikings found Patterson on screens, sweeps and handoffs out of the backfield.

When Turner arrived in 2014, the Vikings tried to use Patterson as a traditional receiver and cut his playing time when he didn't master the intricacies of route running in the NFL.

The hair has to be loving this years free agency. While we're not sure how the power is shared it sure seems like there is a lot of production coming out of the Rams front office this year. Can't wait for the draft but I have to imagine that Les feels relieved with the current direction the Rams are heading.

Looking for the next A.J. Bouye? Rams new CB Kayvon Webster could be just that

https://www.downtownrams.com/single...Rams-new-CB-Kayvon-Webster-could-be-just-that

The Rams and Kayvon Webster have agreed to terms on a contract that will bring Webster to L.A. to be a starter for the first time in his career. Is Webster more than just an underrated option? That could actually be the case.

Webster is a 26-year old who has already won a Super Bowl playing for the Broncos. Now, he is going to a team that hasn't had the success he had in Denver, but quite possibly a better fit. The Rams are on the rise as some would say but one of the main reasons Webster chose to come to the city of angels was because of the fact his former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is now with the Rams.

The 2013 former third-round draft pick from South Florida started off his rookie season with only two starts (and the only two starts he would end up having in his career up until now) and ten pass breakups. He performed very well and looked every bit the part of a rising star. So why didn't he continue receiving that kind of playing time you ask? Look at the Broncos roster for his rookie season. Chris Harris Jr. and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie started but behind them was Champ Bailey who at that point was a shell of his former self, Quentin Jammer who fell off after his years in San Diego and Tony Carter who was Webster's direct competition.

Now, fast forward to the 2016 season and notice that the Broncos have since signed Aqib Talib in free agency who makes up one half of the most elite CB duo in the league with Harris. On top of that the Broncos have spent a first-round draft pick on Bradley Roby who has manned the nickel cornerback position very well. That leaves practically no room for the special teams captain Webster. Yes, that's right, special teams captain. Webster was considered as one of the fan favorites in Denver and if you don't believe me go check out his twitter page that was raided by Denver fans begging him to stay or even telling him to leave and be a starter and find more playing time somewhere else. It is widely believed around the team and some of the league (even though only the Dolphins and Eagles were the other teams interested) that Webster can be an effective starter in the NFL.

Doesn't his whole story sound familiar? Or were you not paying attention to a young CB on the Texans by the name of A.J. Bouye? Well, before free agency Bouye still wasn't a household name even being a top three rated CB per Pro Football Focus' grading metric and having 16 pass breakups. Now? He pretty much is after inking what was a monster contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars to pair him with rookie rising star Jalen Ramsey. At one point though he was behind a load of cornerbacks. Bouye, just like Webster, had a season where he was able to show off some of his skill after batting down 10 passes and adding three interceptions to his total in 2014. The next season however, Bouye was kicked out of any sort of spotlight for a first round CB by the name of Kevin Johnson. Just like how Webster lost his playing time for good.

25-year old CB A.J. Bouye inked a five-year, $67.5 million deal this off-season.

Unlike Webster's situation, Bouye received playing time after the man ahead of him Johnson broke his foot in mid-October. Bouye's number was called and he rose to the occasion. How good was Bouye? He was named multiple times in the Pro Football Focus feature piece "The NFL's Best Cornerbacks Versus Each Route Type In 2016". Bouye was listed as the best CB defending the slant route and second best at defending in and out routes. Clearly all it took for Bouye was real playing time to show off what he could do. Now, Webster who never had to relieve anyone due to an injury like the way Bouye did, can finally get his chance.

The Rams employ a 3-4 defense which is not only what Webster is accustomed to operating in but he was in the same exact defense in Denver with Wade Phillips of course. Webster is bound to know the playbook and the scheme like the back of his hand even though he never really got to play a ton in it. While the future of Rams franchised CB Trumaine Johnson is fair to question. . .it's likely if he doesn't end up being traded Johnson and Webster will share in a successful season. This time Webster has the playing time and holds all of the cards, he's flashed some serious potential in the past, but now it is time to show everyone what he can do. The good news for the Rams is that, Bouye had this great season in his contract year and ended up leaving the team that took forever to give him chance. Webster just left the team that never gave him his chance as a starter to come to a team that will give him his chance.

When it's all said and done this is going to be the steal of free agency, you heard it here first. Kayvon Webster is going to be the next A.J. Bouye, only difference is that the Rams aren't going to lose him.

As @A55VA6 cited in the free agency thread Webster has signed with the Rams per multiple sources including himself.

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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/13/seahawks-bringing-in-jared-cook-for-a-visit/

Seahawks bringing in Jared Cook for a visit
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2017



When the Seahawks travel to Green Bay later this year, they may be bringing a familiar face with them.

Tight end Jared Cook, who won’t be returning to the Packers after the team’s decision to sign Martellus Bennett, will visit the Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Tight end Jimmy Graham is due to make $7.9 million in 2017, which could prompt speculation that the Seahawks are exploring the possibility of swapping out Cook for Graham at a discount. However, Graham earned on Saturday a $2 million roster bonus.

That doesn’t mean they have to keep him, but it means that if they don’t they will have given him $2 million for nothing.

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Rams signing Peyton and bringing him out of retirement confirmed lol

Its a pretty good looking tight end crop this year .... Who are your favs?

At #37
Howard
Njoku
Engram

at #69
Shaheen
Hodges
Everett

at #112
Butt
Leggett

or wait even later for a guy like Kittle or Sprinkle?

Do you think we should be looking strictly at inline tight ends? What are the most important traits? Route running? Blocking ability? Speed? And I know that Howard and probably Njoku are gone by 37 but strange things happen every year - never know.

All right, first day of free agency is done, and I'm ready for another mock. So, here it is:

TRADE:

Trumaine Johnson, #37, and #234 to the Cleveland Browns for #33, #65, and #108.

(Tru is worth a third and a fourth, especially if we add our current second round pick. Seventh round pick is the sweetener. And it allows us to add more in free agency.)

Free Agency:

Benny Cunningham
Greg Zuerlein
Ryan Groy
Kayvon Webster
Connor Barwin.

(Obvious additions. We sign Groy to a contract that Buffalo can't match, Barwin fits opposite Quinn, and Webster seems like a lock to join us, as of now.)

Convert:

Lamarcus Joyner (CB - FS).

(We need a free safety desperately, and Joyner fits the bill.)

Cody Wichmann (G - C)

(Wichmann's strength is poor at guard, but it would be great at center. He can back-up Groy.)

Draft:

#33 (Browns) - Tredavious White, CB, LSU.

#65 (Browns) - Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State.

#69 - JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Southern California.

#108 (Browns) - Sidney Jones, CB, Washington.

#112 - Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova.

#141 (Comp) - Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International.

# 149 - Ejuan Price, OLB, Pittsburgh.

#189 - Jerry Ugokwe, OT, William & Mary.

# 206 (Dolphins) - Javancy Jones, OLB, Jackson State.

(Sidney Jones has a redshirt year before joining the squad in 2018. Meanwhile, Conley and White hold down the fort, along with Webster and possibly Gaines, if he's healthy. Smith joins Higbee and Hemingway as a compliment to their skillsets. Smith-Schuster starts at wide receiver. Price and Javancy Jones help with the backup pass-rush. Ugokwe spends a year developing behind Whitworth before taking over at right tackle when G-Rob leaves. And Kpassagnon is my favorite prospect in this entire draft, and he will be in each of my mocks for that reason.)

Thoughts, comments, critiques, all are welcome.

Should the team look into picking up one of these veteran rbs? If they choose to let Benny walk and the money is right I can see a vet benefiting Gurley and the team . Jamal Charles comes to mind because he would be a great 1 -2 punch with Gurley and could be productive if used the right way . Mcvay used a few backs last year and I doubt they go into the season with Brown as Gurleys back up.

I may/may not have got under his skin.

The maniacal, creepy ass-kissing of all things Patriots by Peter King continues. He even momentarily acknowledges it. "You write too much about the Patriots - so America says relentlessly." But then he doubles down on it and forges ahead anyway, lol. What a dude! :snicker:

Anything on the Rams? Not that I could find. These are excerpts. To read the whole article click the link below.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/13/nfl-free-agency-patriots-browns-49ers-peter-king
********************************************************************************************
A Free Agency Free-For-All
After four frenzied days of signings, trades and rumors, here’s a look at the most impactful moves, including the Patriots’ deals, the innovative Houston-Cleveland swap, the $5 million fullback and much more
By Peter King



• The jettisoning of a headache. Cleveland paying $16 million for a second-round pick, Houston saving $10 million in cap room, and a trade that’s great for everyone except the tradee-in-limbo: Brock Osweiler.

• The rich got richer. New England picking some NFL carcasses and finding three intriguing young players (average age: 25 years, 3 months), including a potential number one wideout. And I doubt the Patriots are done.

• A YUGE-check. The 49ers making a player who has touched the ball 104 times in four NFL seasons the highest-paid fullback in NFL history … by a lot.

• Shopping for the not-so-gently used. Seattle interviewing all the 2013 Pro Bowl running backs to see which one will be its 2017 workhorse. (Well, not every one. But 2013 honorees Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy and Jamaal Charles are all slated to be on Alaska Airlines flights to SeaTac soon.)

• Everybody got paid, except Terrelle Pryor. He should still be a Brown, but this was a bad misjudgment of the market by Pryor.

• Testing Shad Khan’s patience. The Jags committing $541 million to free agents in 25 months. This is the third straight year we’ll think, This is the year they turn the corner. But we still have no idea if they’ll be any good.

• Tony Romo in limbo. The Cowboys trying to trade Romo instead of releasing him. Good concept. Not happening. Houston (more desperate than Denver, and a 42-minute plane trip from Dallas, with Romo and wife expecting their third child) is still the favorite to land Romo.

• Washington weirdness. Washington lost both starting wide receivers, smeared the GM as they fired him, and the franchise quarterback wants to be traded. Nice weekend, Dan Snyder.

• Jay Cutler evidently has poison sumac. I get that being in the same room with him is like drinking pickle juice, but go figure no one wanting him for nothing. He’s become Jeff George.

• Cleveland owns the draft, again (for what that’s worth). Picks in the top 65: Cleveland 5, New England 0. For now. I expect that tally to change.

• The signings I liked, and the signings I didn’t like. Mike Glennon’s on there. You might be surprised on which side.

* * *

YOU WRITE TOO MUCH ABOUT THE PATRIOTS

So America says, relentlessly. Never did I think after the first weekend of free agency that I’d lead with New England. But they had an innovative weekend, even by their standards. We learned something about them. For the rest of the NFL entering Thursday, the player market consisted of unrestricted free agency. For the Patriots, the player market consisted of 1,643 players—53 each from the other 31 teams.

It’s as if coach/architect Bill Belichick says to New England personnel czar Nick Caserio: “Find me players we have graded high around the league. And tell me which ones are pissed off, which ones had crummy seasons last year and which ones are on teams in transition. And let’s make low-ball offers for as many as we can.”

Three of those worked over the long weekend—and that’s before New England solves the Malcolm Butler riddle. The Patriots couldn’t trade Butler to the Saints because Butler isn’t signed; he has to sign the Patriots’ first-round-tender offer of one year and $3.91 million before New England can trade him. Since the Patriots signed ex-Bill Stephon Gilmore as a number one corner, the Patriots could sign and trade Butler, which I still think is the most likely scenario.

If that happens, I believe the Pats wouldn’t be as interested in getting a first-round pick in return as in getting, say, second- and third-round picks. So instead of dealing with the corner-needy Saints for a first-rounder, I bet New England asks for picks 42 and 76 in return, since this is a rich defensive draft and the Pats have zero picks in the top 70. But I digress there. Back to the New England strategy entering Thursday’s free agency kickoff.

• Finding a pissed off player. Brandin Cooks, 23, wide receiver, New Orleans. Early in the season, Cooks, a deep threat on the scale of Cliff Branch, went through lightly used games against Atlanta and San Diego (five catches, 44 yards, no touchdowns) and got irritated about it, watching rookie Michael Thomas becoming the favorite of Drew Brees. That in turn rankled Asshole Face, who wanted Cooks to trust the process.

But Payton and GM Mickey Loomis, desperate to fix a defense that stinks every year, were open to moving Cooks. The Patriots and Saints—according to Dianna Russini of ESPN—were discussing a Cooks-for-Butler deal, but when that couldn’t happen, the Patriots dealt first- and third-rounders for Cooks and a fourth. New England controls Cooks for the next two seasons, if the Patriots choose to keep him after this year, for about $10.5 million.

Immediately he’ll become the most talented Patriots wideout since Randy Moss (and Cooks may prove to be better). One other plus: When he and Rob Gronkowski are on the field together, a defense may have to use both safeties as downfield cover guys over the top of each. That could be a huge advantage to New England’s intermediate passing game, not to mention the screen game.

• Finding a player from a team in transition. Dwayne Allen, 27, tight end, Indianapolis. Allen was signed by former GM Ryan Grigson last off-season, and when Grigson got fired, in came GM Chris Ballard. The Patriots, with Martellus Bennett knowing he could get more than New England wanted to pay for a number two tight end who might have to be more, knew they wanted a starter-type who could both block and catch.

The Patriots did just what they did with Bennett a year ago: deal a fourth-round pick for the player and a sixth-round pick. Bennett’s production was definitely worth sliding down 74 picks, from the fourth to sixth round. If Allen’s as good in 2017 as Bennett was in 2016, sliding down 63 picks this year (from 137 to 200) will be a similar bargain. Big “if,” though.

• Finding a good player coming off a down year. Kony Ealy, 25, defensive end, Carolina. Remember Ealy in the Super Bowl loss to Denver 13 months ago? Three sacks and a forced fumble for the second-year edge rusher. Ealy was mediocre last year—five sacks, 26 other significant pressures playing 65 percent of the snaps for Carolina—and the Panthers knew they might let him walk in free agency in 2018.

So essentially Ealy, with an inch and 10 pounds on Chris Long, replaces the departed Long. And if Ealy can’t get to the quarterback, the Patriots let him go at a cost of eight spots in the draft; they dealt the 64th overall pick to Carolina and got the 72nd pick in return. Pretty low-cost gambit.

Total 2017 cost for Cooks, Allen and Ealy: $7.47 million. Collectively, that’s 4.5 percent of the Patriots’ cap. Not bad for three guys who figure to be top-30 players on the best team in the league. Next for the Patriots, I’d think, would be recouping those two picks in the top 70 they lost in these deals. And that’s where Butler comes in.

* * *

THE BEST DEALS ARE MADE AT THE OCEANAIRE

There’s a reason serious NFL people at the combine in Indianapolis frequent a more dignified, quieter spot like downtown fish bistro The Oceanaire Seafood Room. It’s not a place coaches and scouts go to tell stories and have three beers at night. Fitting, then, that two general managers who are close and who this year need each other met there on their first night at the combine two weeks ago. Houston GM Rick Smith and Cleveland GM Sashi Brown got serious about the Brock Osweiler trade there.

I talked with several people with knowledge of how the most unusual trade I can recall went down, and no one will tell me who came up with the idea. I might say Bill Barnwell of ESPN, who had the idea first (you’ll read about that lower in the column), but both sides say that’s not the case. But I can’t tell you who had the bright idea that culminated in Cleveland trading a fourth-round pick to Houston for Osweiler, and second- and sixth-round picks.

The Browns will pay Osweiler $16 million this year. Houston would have had a $19 milion cap number on Osweiler if he stayed a Texan in 2017. But by trading him, that 2017 cap number is reduced to $9 million (the remainder of his pro-rated 2016 signing bonus), and that’s the last vestige of the horrible Osweiler contract on the Houston salary cap.

This much we know: Houston was not bringing back Osweiler in 2017. Mike Florio reported Sunday on Pro Football Talkthat Osweiler and coach Bill O’Brien had a confrontation in the locker room at halftime of the final game of the regular season. So the Texans were motivated to find a landing spot for him, somewhere.

For the Browns, who cherish high draft choices the way Jennifer Lopez cherishes prime placement on Page Six, the second-round pick in return allows them to own two straight drafts, and they’re on a crusade to collect top prospects to rebuild a bad team.

“Sashi and I started talking, and he’s an intelligent guy,” Smith said Saturday evening. “He and I have been friends for years. We got to thinking about an out-of-the-box concept. It took some creativity and some courage. We got together a couple times at the combine, then we talked more on the phone after that. You try to find equitable value.”

The deal had to be approved by the league, which doesn’t allow teams to trade players for money. On its face, that’s what this is, seeing that the Texans traded a player and a higher pick for a lower pick, in essence. But the NFL allowed it because it involves a player and picks. And there’s no way this trade should be outlawed, or even questioned. It’s a good deal for both teams, clearly.

“Competitive balance is incredibly important to me,” said Smith. “I have spent a number of years on the Competition Committee, and following our rules is very, very important. I think when you look at this deal, elements of this deal, it is value for value. We trade a player, and we traded draft picks, and we get a draft pick. By no stretch of the imagination was this not above-board.”

It’s good for the Texans because it allows them to use some of the $10 million in cap savings either on acquiring Dallas quarterback Tony Romo or on the megadeals they’d like to do in the next year or so with wideout DeAndre Hopkins and pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

It’s good for Cleveland, and not just because of the second-round pick. This might be the only time a team actually doesn’t mind spending $16 million, because the Browns, who started the free agent period with $102 million to spend, have so many low-cost players that the only way to spend near the cap limit of $167 million would be to sign a bunch of players they really don’t want to sign.

That’s because Cleveland, with 14 draft choices last year and a league-high 22 over the next two years, will have a slew of low-money, team-friendly contracts. In the debate over whether a second-round pick is worth $16 million, that point has been forgotten. Cleveland is at a point where eating up cap space in this unorthodox way is very much worth it.

“It’s a precedent-setter,” Smith said. “It’s unique. I don’t know if it means trades are going to be different going forward. It took some imagination, some cooperation. But it fit the concept of a trade that helped both teams.”

* * *

EYE-OPENER OF THE WEEKEND


Kyle Juszczyk/Photo: Ben Margot/AP

The 49ers signed fullback Kyle Juszczyk to a four-year, $21 million contract. At an average value of $5.25 million a year, that’s more than double the next-highest fullback deal (Ryan Hewitt, Cincinnati, $2.5 million a year).

Juszczyk (pronounced “YOOZ-check”) carried the ball seven times in his four years as a Raven, for a grand total of 25 yards. But this play—his last rush for Baltimore, part battering ram, part athlete—gives you part of the idea why he got the big dough:

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/813177147762163713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“Talking to teams, that play was pretty big, I think,” said his agent, Joe Linta.

“I think that play’s probably a big reason for the money I got,” Juszczyk said. “I think it showed my power, and a little bit of me as an athlete.”

Amazing story, really. Juszczyk was an unknown from Harvard in January 2013 when he got his big break: Senior Bowl director Phil Savage, widely respected in NFL circles, invited him to the late January showcase. Juszczyk performed well, and the Ravens drafted him in the fourth round that year. In his four seasons he caught 97 balls out of the backfield in limited duty, and his ability to run routes and block and play well on special teams caught the eyes of several teams in free agency.

With the market flush with cash—the 32 NFL teams were an estimated $1.1 billion under the cap entering free agency—young players with a skill set were going to make money. Linta aimed high. He said one team would have paid Juszczyk more than the Niners did (the Jags, Eagles, Bills and Jets also were in competition), but two things swayed the 25-year-old former college tight end: He loved what he heard about San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense and the multiple ways he might be used, and he and his girlfriend loved the thought of living and working in California.

But the money … Even to player (“surreal,” Juszczyk said) and agent, it was a little bit of a wow. “When I told the teams where I thought the market on Kyle was,” Linta said, “some of them threw up in their mouths a little bit. When we got the deal, the funniest line from one of the teams was, ‘Joe, you got a YUGE-check for that kid.’”

Though the cap has risen 39 percent in the past six years—from $120M in 2011 to $167M in 2017—the fact that the Niners paid Juszczyk double what a traditional fullback makes was pretty eye-popping.

San Francisco GM John Lynch said Juszczyk should rightfully be called an “OW”—offensive weapon—now rather than a fullback. It’s likely Shanahan will use him on a special team or two, as a blocking back, as a wheel-route specialist out of the backfield, as a second tight end/H-back in some formations, and possibly split out very occasionally.

Instead of carrying the ball seven times in four years, he might have 70 rushes and 70 catches in an average Niners season. “My role will be very diverse,” he said. “It will involve blocking and touching the ball, for sure. But one of things they emphasized was that what I do might not always be seen by the fans, but there are other ways you can contribute to winning, like pass-protection.”

Teams don’t pay pass-protecting backs $5 million a year. So the bull’s-eye will be on Shanahan to build a major role in the offense, and for Juszczyk to produce.

* * *

THE REST OF THE STORY

• I understand why Cleveland let Terrelle Pryor walk, but that doesn’t make it right. The Browns made a fairly good-faith offer to their best free agent—veteran Cleveland-area columnist Terry Pluto said it was four years and $32 million, and I hear it might have been a little more—but lost him. Washington signed Pryor for one year and $6 million, with $2 million in achievable incentives.

Everyone assumes he’ll shine in Washington catching balls from Kirk Cousins, but remember, that team has Jamison Crowder (2016: 67 catches), Jordan Reed (66) and Vernon Davis (44) returning, along with the injured 2016 first-rounder, Josh Doctson, coming back. I get that Pryor’s feelings were bruised that Cleveland, with all that cap room, didn’t break the bank for him, but if he was a guaranteed number one receiver, he would have had a better market than he did. Pryor and his agents overplayed their hand.

This is the third time in two years that a homegrown young player has left instead of staying to be part of the Cleveland revival. In 2016, tackle Mitchell Schwartz defected to Kansas City, and then the Browns waived wideout Taylor Gabriel, who ended up scoring seven touchdowns for the NFC champion Falcons. (I didn’t include center Alex Mack, because he was 30 when he bolted for Atlanta in free agency.)

I am reminded of the words of Bill Parcells when he’d hear all the reasons—injuries, short week, etc.—why a team lost, and he’d say: “Don’t tell me how tough labor was. Just tell me if you delivered the baby.” Yes, the Browns can say they made a fair offer, but another hard-working good young player they developed is out the door.

And the occasionally troubled Kenny Britt, who has never justified his 2009 first-round status, comes to Cleveland to replace Pryor. I would not call that a fair trade. It’s great the Browns have all these picks. Now they’ve got to develop and keep them.

• Washington is roiled. It’s damaging and flat wrong that the organization is so leaky that someone tells the Washington Postthat GM Scot McCloughan, fired last week, was drunk in the locker room. Good for the Post, but that cannot happen. Somehow, the team has to build a bridge with quarterback Kirk Cousins so he actually wants to play there in 2017.

And if Washington decides to deal Cousins, it has to be for a minimum of two number one picks. (Personally, I’d try to get San Francisco’s top picks in 2018 and 2019, plus Brian Hoyer.) But the McCloughan story tarnishes what has been a contending, bright-future team for the past two years. Our Albert Breer will have more on the fiasco later this week.

• The fate of Romo.I’ve talked to people in Houston and Denver, and who knows what happens if Jerry Jones holds Romo hostage for the next month or so. But as of now, there is a line in the sand in both franchises: The Broncos and Texans will not trade anything for him.

It’s still more likely that needy Houston makes a move on Romo. Denver GM John Elway is doing his best to make everyone think he’s got little or no interest, but I want to see what Elway does (and it may be nothing) if/when Romo is on the street.

• I love Seattle interviewing all these old running backs. Well, Latavius Murray isn’t old. But Charles (30), Peterson (32 next week) and Lacy (27 in June, and a reputation for being out of shape) have either lots of miles or lots of questions on their records. Still, I’d sign one and team him in a job-share with someone from this bevy of top backs in the draft this year. The fact that there’s a bunch of older backs on the street with something to prove is a boon for Seattle GM John Schneider.

• Signings I like ...I actually think the Bears did a good deal—relatively—with Mike Glennon, now that the numbers are out. It’s $16 million guaranteed in year one, and then only $2.5 million guaranteed after that in a three-year deal. Glennon has 2017 to prove he’s a good starter, or the Bears will go QB-prospecting again in 2018. And it’s no lock they won’t take a passer high in this draft either. …

Hmmm: $10.8 million a year for Baltimore to re-sign run-stuffer Brandon Williams is a couple million too much, but in a running division, the Ravens had to spend it. … A.J. Bouye at $13.5 million a year will be one of the bargains of this free agency season. Feisty and fast, Bouye and Jalen Ramsey (25 and 22, respectively) give Jacksonville the best young corner tandem in football. …

Kevin Zeitler is the highest-paid guard in history ($12 million per), but at 27, it was smart money spent by Cleveland. … Except for the nightmare playoff game in Houston, Brian Hoyer’s been a solid backup type who can play a season. Two years and $12 million for him was the right deal for the Niners. …

Good for the Lions getting help where it’s needed, up front, with tackle Ricky Wagner and guard T.J. Lang solid vet additions.

• Signings I didn’t like ...Two left-tackle signings have been universally panned, and I join the line. Seattle, desperate at left tackle, let Russell Okung walk after 2015. Denver, desperate at left tackle, let Okung walk after 2016. Even though the deal “only” guarantees Okung $26 million over the next two years, it’s still too much for the Chargers to pay a marginal, down-sliding player …

Playing for Minnesota, Matt Kalil was Pro Football Focus’s 79th-rated tackle in 2014 and 42nd-rated tackle in 2015, and he was hurt last year. Carolina gave him $55 million over five years. Makes sense? … “Players don’t play better because you pay them more money,” the late Giants GM, George Young, used to say. The Jets gave OT Kelvin Beachum $8 million a year. I don’t see it …

I think the Patriots paid a good player (Stephon Gilmore) with occasional injuries too much money ($40 million guaranteed). He’d better be a top-10 corner, and he hasn’t shown it yet. Ronald Darby, his former Bills teammate, has been better of late.

* * *

Stat of the Week

• Unrestricted free agents signed by Jacksonville since March 2015: 19.
• Total contract dollars committed to those free agents: $541.2 million.
• Actual dollars spent so far on 2015 and ’16 free agents: $128.6 million.
• Jacksonville’s record since March 2015: 8-24.
• Of the 19 free agents signed, number departed: 8. (Julius Thomas, Jared Odrick, Davon House, Sergio Brown, Stefan Wisniewski from 2015; Prince Amukamara, Kevin Beachum, Mackenzy Bernadeau from 2016.)

I will hand it to GM Dave Caldwell, trying to get off the free agency schneid in 2017: Calais Campbell is one of the best 3-4 defensive linemen in football; Barry Church is an underrated safety with good range and good hitting ability; and A.J. Bouye was the best cornerback on the market, and he’s just 25 years old. They’d better produce. Jacksonville has gotten nowhere near its money’s worth on the $128.6 million Caldwell has spent so far.

* * *

Things I Think I Think

1. I think the NFL is so ridiculously overcovered that, while I was sitting down to begin this column Saturday night, there was a story online headlined: “SOURCES: Cowboys not expected to trade Romo.” A similar story in life would be: “SOURCES: Men not the same as women.” Lord, can we please stop the nonsense? When there’s news, report it. When there isn’t, let it be.

2. I think the Jets’ QB depth chart in 2017 should be: 1. Jay Cutler/Geno Smith, 3. Christian Hackenberg. Cutler should go to the Jets, and may the best man between he and Smith win the job for 2017. I honestly believe Cutler could play well. And he is smart enough to know he cannot be a turd in his next stop. What’s the gamble?

3. I think Cutler doesn’t have cooties, people. He’s not a criminal. He’s just not a warm and fuzzy type. It’s dumb to think he’s got less value than Nick Foles and Drew Stanton.

4. I think the best signing/re-do of the week was quarterback Tyrod Taylor staying in Buffalo. There was division in the organization about exactly how much Taylor is worth, and about exactly how good he is. But this is not the year to denude your team of the only quarterback available who has a chance to help you play .500 ball or better.

(Seriously. Name one other quarterback on the street or available in the draft or who is not named Jimmy Garoppolo and thus who is actually gettable who is better than Taylor. There isn’t one.)

5. I think new Packer Martellus Bennett is a lucky man. This will be his 10th season playing in the NFL, and here are the primary quarterbacks who have thrown him the ball: Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Jay Cutler, Tom Brady, and now Aaron Rodgers.

6. I think these are the key numbers for me in the Stephon Gilmore deal with New England: 5, 2, 4, 1. Those are the number of games per year Gilmore missed due to injury in Buffalo in the past four years: 52 games played, 12 games missed.

Missing one of every five games is significant. Malcolm Butler, likely the odd man out in New England, does not have a track record remotely similar. He has played the last 40 New England games (including playoffs). The Patriots better hope they’ve got better trainers and medical people than Buffalo, seeing that they’re paying Gilmore $812,500 per game.

7. I think ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is pretty damn smart to have figured this out—and to have written it 76 days before the trade that knocked us all for a loop. In a Dec. 22 column on ESPN.com, Barnwell presaged the idea of the Texans dealing Osweiler to Cleveland and having Cleveland eat the contract in exchange for a pick or picks. Wrote Barnwell: “What the Texans could do, though, is trade Osweiler to a team who would be willing to pay his $16 million base salary.

Houston would be left with a far more palatable $9 million in dead money on its 2017 cap. The problem, of course, is that nobody would want to pay Osweiler $16 million for the 2017 season unless there were dramatic incentives and no better options around. The Browns could fit both of those shoes. They've repeatedly shown how significantly they value draft picks, are willing to be patient to receive those picks and have no clear path to a starting quarterback …

Hypothetically, the Browns could offer a seventh-round pick to the Texans in exchange for Osweiler, a 2017 third-round pick and a 2018 first-rounder. Cleveland might not want Osweiler enough to find that to be worth $16 million, and Houston might not be willing to trade away two draft picks to move on from an expensive mistake. But the logic of using short-term cap space to trade for useful draft assets is there.” Wow. Barnwell is one smart football mind.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18895640/former-te-jordan-cameron-lot-guys-really-love-game

Former TE Jordan Cameron: 'A lot of guys don't really love this game'
Pat McManamon/ESPN Staff Writer


Bleacher Report

The scouting season for free agency and the draft is a time when players are asked a common question: Do you love football?

Former Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron, who recently announced that he will retire after he incurred four concussions in six seasons, called that "a great question."

"I don't think a lot of these guys love football, to be honest," Cameron told ESPN. "A lot of them don't. You play for other reasons, and every guy has their own reason. They know why, and as long as your why is really important, you keep playing without really loving football.

"Because really, who loves to get hit in 10-degree weather by a 280-pound person? Really, no one likes that. 'Do you love football?' I couldn't stand when people asked me that."

Cameron, who went to the Pro Bowl in 2013, wasn't saying that because of his concussions, though he admitted the constant thought of them changed the way he played. Cameron said he played more timidly because he thought about his concussions.

"You're playing physical and you're playing an intense, violent game," Cameron said. "You have to gear yourself up for that, but it's hard to gear yourself up if you're thinking about getting hit or what the implications might be."

Cameron said he appreciates what football gave him, and there were facets of it he enjoyed, especially the competition. He also had special thoughts for many of his teammates, with whom he still has a bond.

"Some of the best people I have ever met have been football players," Cameron said. "Every single guy talks about the locker room and how that's the thing they will miss. It's so true. Some of the most down-to-earth, intelligent human beings are in there."

But though he loved his teammates, he can't look back and say he loved the game.

"Do you really love football?" he said. "A lot of guys don't really love it. There's a few guys that love it. Ray Lewis loves football. Peyton Manning. They love it. But a lot of guys don't really love this game, and there are players that will read this who will understand exactly what I'm talking about."

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...on-a-lot-of-us-in-the-nfl-dont-love-football/

Former Browns and Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron retired from the NFL at age 28 last week after suffering the fourth concussion of his career last season. He doesn’t sound like he’ll miss it.

Cameron said that contrary to what some fans might think, he and his fellow NFL players didn’t necessarily love the game.

Now that Cameron has made around $20 million in the NFL, he’s pleased to get out and move on with his life, perhaps finding something that he does love to do.

We've seen the Rams make some big moves in FA. I'm very happy that we were able to get Whitworth to join the squad. I'm looking forward to seeing what we do next. I wanted to change things up a bit compared to my past mocks. Thus, I decided not to put in guys like T.J. Watt, Ahkello Witherspoon, Ishmael Zamora, etc. Know that I still love those guys, but I wanted to toss out a different scenario. In this mock, I assume that Trumaine Johnson is NOT traded.
Additional Free Agent Signings
Kayvon Webster CB
Benny Cunningham HB
Greg Zuerlein K
Ryan Groy C

The Rams decide to bring back Benny and Zuerlein as both serve valuable roles. Webster joins the team to compete at CB and play special teams. Groy joins as the starting Center. He played well while filling in for Eric Wood last year and has the size and strength that Kromer loves on the interior.

Trade
Los Angeles Rams trade Round 2 Pick #5 and Round 4 Pick #34
Denver Broncos trade Round 2 Pick #19, Round 3 Pick #37, and Round 4 Pick #19

This trade comes out to even on the value chart, the Broncos have an extra third because of the comp pick, and the Broncos need OL help in the worst way. Moving up allows Denver to grab one of the top OLs in the second round. It allows us to grab an extra pick after giving up our first and comp third in the Goff trade.

NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #19 - Jordan Willis OLB Kansas State
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Summary: Willis blew up the Combine by vastly outperforming expectations. Coming into the Combine, Willis was seen as a hard-working, high-effort rusher who used his powerful punch and polished hand use to win off the edge. At 6'4" 255, Willis posted a 4.52 40, 39 inch vertical jump, and a 6.85 three cone drill. Bill Snyder raved about Willis's character and work habits. He has shown the ability to stack and shed blocks against the run and threaten the edge as a pass rusher. Willis needs to improve in his creativity as a pass rusher, needs to develop an inside move (especially an inside counter), and needs to learn to better convert his explosive speed to power. All in all, Willis offers double digit sack upside as an edge rusher, strong football character, and polished skills. He should be able to step in and play early in his career.

Round 3 Pick #5 - Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan
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Summary: A year ago, it would have been blasphemy to argue that Lewis could fall this far, but it seems like it's more and more a possibility. This is an absolutely stacked CB class, and unfortunately for Lewis, he's 5'10" 188 with a 4.54 40. He had a very average Combine while players like Fabian Moreau, Ahkello Witherspoon, Kevin King, Chidobe Awuzie, and Gareon Conley dominated. Realistically, Lewis should go a round earlier than this, but it's hard to justify taking the 5'10" CB with 4.54 speed over the 6'3" CB with 4.45 speed. In terms of on the field play, Lewis is a tenacious competitor with outstanding feet, fluid hips, and good ball-skills. He can get a little grabby at times, but he's smothering in coverage. Lewis offers a skill-set that can be very productive in the slot and outside on the boundary. However, despite his short stature, Lewis does his best work from press man because of his long arms (relative to his size), sound technique, and exceptional agility.

Round 3 Pick #37 - K.D. Cannon WR Baylor
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Summary: We need a guy who can take on the DeSean Jackson role in the offense, and that is K.D. Cannon's specialty. Cannon ran a limited route tree at Baylor and had some drop issues during his career. However, Cannon has otherworldly speed on the football field. He has explosive acceleration followed by leave them in the dust top-end speed. Cannon's speed is so intimidating that CBs struggle to cover him on stop routes because they open their hips too early to run with him. While Cannon drops some easy passes, he also tracks the deep ball incredibly well and made a number of tough contested catches while at Baylor. Despite his 5'11" 182 pound frame, Cannon is a tough, physical player who will lower the shoulder at the end of a run and work the middle with no regard for his safety. Cannon needs quite a bit of development as a route runner, but he should see the field early due to his vertical speed.

Round 4 Pick #5 - Sidney Jones CB Washington
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Summary: It's a true shame that Jones tore his achilles tendon at his Pro Day. Fortunately, we might be able to capitalize on it. Prior to his injury, Jones was considered a first round lock. After his injury, he could slide as far as the fourth round. Jones has been compared to Marcus Peters without the character problems. He is a CB who specializes in press coverage and getting his hands on the football. He's a twitchy athlete who uses his hands well in press, mirrors WRs at a high level, and uses his high football IQ to bait QBs into bad throws. Jones needs to get a bit stronger for the NFL, as bigger WRs like Juju Smith pushed him around in college. That all said, Jones has the athletic skill-set, ball-skills, character, and football IQ to be one of the best CBs in the NFL. He's an ideal fit for Wade's press man heavy scheme if he returns to form in 2018 following his injury.

Round 4 Pick #19 - Eddie Vanderdoes NT/DE UCLA
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Summary: Vanderdoes is an interesting player due to his backstory. He was a top ranked recruit out of HS who put a lot of good play on film between major injuries in college. Vanderdoes played heavier in 2016 than I would want him to play in the NFL (he was around 6'3" 325). He was pretty much immovable against the run, but it limited his ability to penetrate. Vanderdoes came into the Combine at 6'3" 305 and ran an impressive 4.99 40. Vanderdoes is country strong and uses it to stack blocks and disrupt the run game. As a pass rusher, he's pretty raw at this stage. He's been described as a bull in a china shop. He goes all out in terms of effort but plays a bit out of control. Still, Vanderdoes has a lot of potential if he stays healthy and should be at home attacking in Wade's scheme. As it is now, he has the ability to be a a quality run stopper with the potential to maybe develop into a solid to good pass rusher down the line.

Round 5 Pick #5 - George Kittle TE Iowa
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Summary: George Kittle is one of the most interesting guys in this class. He was unheralded going into the Combine out of Iowa. He had solid production as a pass catcher in college but nothing eye popping (other than his yards per catch average). At the Combine, the 6'4" 247 pound Kittle surprised a lot of people by running a 4.52 40 and posting incredible jump numbers for a man his size. However, Kittle is more than just an athlete. What separates Kittle from your typical athletic project is that Kittle is a phenomenal blocking TE. Kirk Ferentz puts out a lot of polished TEs and OLs from Iowa. Kittle is another guy cut from that cloth as a blocker. He is a tenacious run blocker who uses his athleticism, body control, polished technique, and quality strength to create lanes in the run game and take his defender out of the play. Kittle plays through the whistle as a blocker and looks to bury his man. As a pass catcher, he's still developing as a route runner, but he has shown that he has the athleticism, YAC skills, and hands to be a factor.

Round 6 Pick #5 - Ryan Switzer WR North Carolina
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Summary: I expect people will tell me that we have enough slot WRs, but I like competition. Switzer was a highly productive college player for North Carolina who also returned 7 punts for touchdowns during his college career. He's every stereotype you hear for a short, white slot WR. He doesn't drop passes, he's a twitched up athlete who creates separation out of his breaks, he feasts on zone defenses, and he gives max effort on every play. Switzer would compete with Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce for the Jamison Crowder role in the offense. He has a lot of potential as a chain moving option route specialist in the slot.

Round 6 Pick #22 - Joshua Holsey CB Auburn
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Summary: Holsey is another guy on my list of underrated CBs. This is such a deep and talented class that a guy like Holsey can go unnoticed. Holsey had two torn ACLs in his career, so that is a concern with him. However, he has exceptionally quick feet, the speed to run with WRs deep, loose hips, and good ball-skills. He can get a little grabby at times, but as we all know, some CBs use that to their advantage (*cough* Richard Sherman). Holsey is a CB who hides it well and uses it to his advantage. Holsey handled a number of top college WRs, including Mike Williams, during his senior season at Auburn.

Round 7 Pick #16 - Joey Ivie DE Florida
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Summary: Ivie is flying under the radar right now. He's an underrated athlete with a relentless motor who has the ability to be a productive rotational interior DL at the NFL level. Ivie uses his hands well and does a nice job of stacking and shedding blocks in the run game. He's athletic enough to disrupt plays in the back-field and pressure QBs in the passing game. I think there's a strong chance that Joey Ivie's best football is ahead of him. He fits what Wade Phillips often looks for in his DEs.

Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Robert Woods
ZWR: K.D. Cannon vs. Mike Thomas
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Rodger Saffold
C: Ryan Groy
RG: Greg Robinson
RT: Rob Havenstein

LDE: Michael Brockers
NT: Eddie Vanderdoes
RDE: Aaron Donald
LOLB: Jordan Willis
LILB: Mark Barron
RILB: Alec Ogletree
ROLB: Robert Quinn
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Kayvon Webster vs. E.J. Gaines
SLCB: Jourdan Lewis
FS: LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander

K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham
PR: Tavon Austin

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CB Kayvon Webster is paying Rams a visit
8:37 PM PT

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  Alden GonzalezESPN Staff Writer

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LOS ANGELES -- Free-agent cornerback Kayvon Webster is visiting the Los Angeles Rams, and given his ties to new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, he might be a fit.

Webster was a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2013, but spent the last three years playing behind two of the game's best corners in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. Webster, 26, has played in only 247 defensive snaps since 2014, tied for 10th among Broncos defensive backs during that time. But the Rams have roughly $15 million to spend on unrestricted free agents after cutting ties with four key veterans on Thursday night and could use more depth at corner.

Webster tweeted Sunday about his forthcoming flight to L.A., which the Rams acknowledged.

The Rams have been shopping their primary cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, who is set to play a second straight season under the franchise tag. But even if they keep him, their depth at the position is questionable. Their No. 2 corner, E.J. Gaines, has been limited to 10 starts over the last two years. Behind him are Lamarcus Joyner, who's better as a slot corner, a former sixth-round pick who was plucked off waivers, Blake Countess, and two undrafted free agents, Troy Hill and Mike Jordan.

Webster, 5-foot-11, has recorded 64 solo tackles in his career, but 59 of them came in his first two seasons. He barely played in 2015-16, while Phillips ran a Broncos defense that was the game's best each season. The Eagles and Dolphins have reportedly been interested in Webster, as well.

The Rams also are in need of a starting center and could use more help at receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker and safety. But the free-agent market is still in play for them.

"You’ve put a dent in your budget, so you also have to work within the constraints of your budget," Rams general manager Les Snead said Friday. "But usually after the first couple of days [of free agency], like we’ve had, you take a step back and go, ‘Let’s regroup.’ We had a Plan B, but you also take a step back and say, 'Was somebody else out there that is still standing that we weren’t expecting and can help us?' That’s kind of what we’re doing now."

"They're always after me lucky charms!!!"

Okay, some of this will garner immediate disagreement, but hear me out.

I see a chance for this WR corps to be a) among the best in the NFL and b) from a karma standpoint to be a rallying point for this team.

Why?

Well, first, let me just say what I'm thinking and then I'll go into why. I think our WR corps could end up being this, presuming we keep six guys.

Josh Gordon, Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Pharoah Cooper and Bradley Marquez.

Now, let's go through them.

1) Josh Gordon's talent isn't in question. He's been mad working out and at only 25, there's no chance his skills have diminished. The ONLY question is has he matured and embraced playing and living within the restrictive rules that would be placed in front of him. I think he has embraced sobriety and desperately wants to prove himself. So much so, in fact, that I'd trade a late round pick to Cleveland to ensure that he doesn't hit the waiver wire. Having a squared away Josh Gordon as our #1 would be phenomenal and I've already said that based on my analysis of both McVay's offense and what Gordon brings, we'd be in the playoffs with Josh Gordon.

2) We haven't had this level of receiver since Torry Holt and they compare nicely as very solid route runners and with their great hands. I'd say Bruce, but I think like Holt, he's more of a 1b/2 WR that kills teams when given the 1-on-1 opportunities. Robert Woods would be a reliable 3rd down target as well as someone who stresses the 2nd/3rd CB and beats them. With Gordon and Woods, I think we'd easily have two receivers over 1k yards. Easily.

3) Tavon Austin would go nuts in this situation because with Gordon and Woods, there is no spy. The teams simply couldn't spy Austin AND defend against Gurley breaking a big run. And that lets McVay set up some fantastic plays and really show how much of a weapon Austin is. This is the scenario where Austin earns his pay.

4) Yep, I said Stedman Bailey. Presuming he's all the way back, which I have a feeling he will be. Bailey's hands and route running ability would be excellent for a 3 WR set with Gordon and Woods. That's a hands crew that would terrify DCs. I think Bailey would be a bit rusty and need time back in uniform which is why I have him no higher than 4, but I do think he'd be able to spell Woods quite effectively or run with him on some downs. And let's not underestimate the inspirational boost Sted making it back would do to lift this team. It's EASY to see your team as a Team of Destiny when you have a guy who came back from being shot twice in the head to legit make the roster!

5) Pharaoh Cooper is a very nice #2 type receiver who can spell or run with either Woods or Bailey. I would expect this young receiver in this offense to even push Bailey for snaps and that's fine. I expect with actual development and an offense that's coherent and not as dysfunctional as the last one that Cooper will make a really nice jump.

6) Special Teams ace Marquez is here mostly for STs and to develop more at WR. He's a decent WR with nice wiggle and decent hands. He'll get snaps, but his biggest contribution is still on STs where he's an ace.

I put each player through my filter as well as looking for synergies AND how they would fit into McVay's offense (and I'm glad I don't have to complain how Britt doesn't fit).

There's a lot of IFs in this scenario... IF Gordon is reinstated, IF he and the team gels, IF another team doesn't trade for him... IF Bailey gets cleared, IF he's back enough to win the job...etc.

All good questions. And no one can fully know the answers. Only time will reveal them.

It's just that when I put them all through the MPC, Mack's Pattern Configurator (yep, still need a good name...) this grouping stands out by a LOT as the best option.

Hi guys. I would like to tell you that I have graded all performances for Jared Goff and Case Keenum for the 2016 season. You can go to http://wiley16350.wixsite.com/blitz/single-post/2017/03/12/Graded---Jared-Goff-2016 to read a short write up on Goff and to http://wiley16350.wixsite.com/blitz/single-post/2017/03/12/Graded---Case-Keenum-2016 for a short write up on Keenum.

Disclaimer - The grades have to be purchased for a small amount.

Jake Ellenbogen's 2017 L.A. Rams Mock Draft 3.0

https://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2017/03/12/Jake-Ellenbogens-2017-LA-Rams-Mock-Draft-30

The combine is over, free agency has died down a bit and now it's time for my new mock draft. See the picture above and think of it as the player above making that diving grab is a perfect representation of how he jumped right into my new mock.

2nd Round (37th overall) - Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State (6-foot-1, 209 lbs)

Anyone who knows me, knows I have fallen in love with the idea of drafting Chris Godwin to start across from Robert Woods (that was before Woods was signed by the Rams). Godwin just checks all the boxes for me and I think it's a real no-brainer. I really like JuJu Smith-Schuster and I definitely could see him being the pick, but Godwin to me has the best natural hands in this entire draft, he runs good routes, he has great size for a starting WR, he's shown the ability to block and go up and make the big play.

I really like him in McVay's offense, who needs Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson when you can have Robert Woods and Chris Godwin. The speed and quickness on the field for the Rams will make these players interchangeable whether the Rams want Austin or Woods or Cooper or Godwin on the inside or outside. Versatility is just the icing on the cake with this pick of Godwin.

Other options: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC, Adoree Jackson, CB, USC, Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

3rd Round (69th overall) - Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado (6-foot-0, 205 lbs)

I have had my draft crush the longest on Chidobe Awuzie. It's literally lasted since October! I think he's another one of those no-brainer picks if he's even here in the third round. Awuzie is a defensive back that can do it all but what you love about Awuzie is his ability to close in and have the desire to wrap a ball carrier up and make the tackle in the backfield. Awuzie has great size and speed which allows him to play outside or in and possibly even safety in some packages.

With the Rams likely to sign Kayvon Webster, Awuzie could come in right away and play in the nickel position or compete on the outside. The Rams have a giant question mark with Trumaine Johnson whether they are going to trade him or not. I believe at the time of the draft Johnson is traded and the Rams spend a third round pick (same round he was drafted) to replace him. Wade obviously is ready to give Webster a crack at the starting job if he signs and I wouldn't be surprised to see Awuzie lining up across from him as one of the most boom or bust CB duos we have ever seen to open the season.

Other options: Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky, Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama, Raekwon McMillan, ILB, Ohio State

4th round (101st overall) - Sidney Jones, CB, Washington (6-foot-0, 186 lbs)

As I just wrote about earlier. . .the Rams need to take Sidney Jones if he falls to the fourth round. They have two picks in the fourth and you just can't pass up on the talent Jones has. He has been dubbed as a higher quality character version of Marcus Peters. That is high praise and I think with the Rams not exactly being in the drivers seat to be considered outright contenders. They can afford to spend a draft pick on a future asset.

Jones is very skilled and if you don't know the reason why I have him going in the fourth round its because of the injury he suffered at his pro day. Jones has been diagnosed with a torn Achilles and that coming this close to the draft could mean no 2017 rookie season for Jones. So basically whoever takes Jones would likely be "redshirting" him. The Rams could redshirt him and play guys like Johnson, Webster, Joyner, Gaines and Jordan, get an idea of who is going to be a future asset or not and then let Jones come back next season to compete for a starting job. Not many of these steals come around often but when they do, you have to take them.

Other options: Robert Davis, WR, Georgia State, Glen Antoine, NT, Idaho, Derek Rivers, EDGE, Youngstown State

4th round (141st overall) - Joe Mathis, EDGE, Washington (6-foot-2, 255 lbs)

As you can see I am sticking by my gut and who I have really been a fan of the majority of the year. Joe Mathis is going to be a stud in the NFL and I have no problem saying that or worrying about saying it. Bottom line is he is going to get overlooked because of his height and his leg injury which he has been cleared by doctors from. This man was a menace at Washington and his teammates desperately missed him after he went down with an injury. According to Pro Football Focus Mathis was averaging a pressure once ever 4.1 pass rushing attempts which is just flat out nuts.

With the uncertainty of depth of the WILL LB position behind Robert Quinn, Mathis would make sense to play in a rotation behind Quinn. Mathis in my honest opinion is a second round talent that will fall just like his teammate Sidney Jones to the fourth round.

Other options: Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan, Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, FAU, Duke Riley, LB, LSU

5th round (151st overall) - Jermaine Eluemunor. OT, Texas A&M (6-foot-4, 332 lbs)

The Rams signing of Andrew Whitworth leaves the Rams with the ability to wait on an offensive tackle that truly impresses them later on in the draft. I think Eluemunor fits that bill. He is a guy that is hardly played football since he came over from the U.K. and he was only getting better at Texas A&M. The thing I like about this pick is you are getting what is probably the biggest boom or bust at the tackle position in this entire draft. Eluemunor would be used as a developmental prospect to sit behind Greg Robinson, Rob Havenstein on top of Whitworth kind of like having Isaiah Battle back again but probably better and clearly a better character.

Eluemunor looked good at the combine he showed he wasn't stiff like most inexperience tackles are, he has some serious power and fluid movement. He could be forced to kick in at guard but he's the draft developmental guy that the Rams should be looking at. I think Julie'n Davenport was viewed as the draft developmental guy but the fact of the matter is, I think he moves way too slow and he lacks the athleticism that a guy like Eluemunor has. Just think about players like Ezekiel Ansah of the Detroit Lions who had a late start to the sport or in basketball with Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers...Late starts don't mean your doomed and Eluemunor would be a great pick in the fifth round with a great teacher to guide him in Aaron Kromer.

Other options: Julie'n Davenport, OT, Bucknell, Connor Harris, ILB, Lindenwood, Brian Allen, CB, Utah

6th round (190th overall) - Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois (6-foot-4, 218 lbs)

The Rams have a bunch of smaller wide receivers on the roster now and even with the addition of Chris Godwin in this mock, they are still missing a big and tall WR. Insert Kenny Golladay, a WR who actually looked great at the combine but like Godwin and others they have been overshadowed by John Ross' forty yard dash time. Golladay would easily be the tallest wide receiver on the roster and while he might be a little raw the Rams have plenty of players that can play if need be. I think Golladay could be a great addition but even if he had a hard time I would see him as a red zone threat in his first year.

Golladay has the intriguing speed and size combination that teams just love so he may not be here but there are some seven round mocks I have seen where Golladay isn't mentioned. I expect Golladay to fall like Mike Thomas did last year and if that's the case it's a no-brainer.

Other options: Jalen Robinette, WR, Air Force, Nico Siragusa, G, San Diego State, William Likely, CB, Maryland

6th round (206th overall) - Fish Smithson, FS, Kansas (5-foot-11, 201 lbs)

Another player I have been huge on is Fish Smithson. Smithson doesn't have the crazy athleticism that of a safety like Obi Melifonwu or Malik Hooker but he has stellar instincts, ball skills and knowledge of the game. He stepped in at Kansas as a leader for that defense and he is going to get drafted. He's fallen a little bit down my mock draft because he wasn't invited to the combine and now some believe he won't be a mid round pick anymore. Smithson is a guy that is going to be able to come into camp and compete with Brian Randolph and Cody Davis for playing time.

Smithson, even if he can't start at free safety can instantly be a special teams ace. He is the type of football player you want on your team. If you are interested in Smithson, be sure to check out his pro day results as Kansas' pro day is tomorrow. Regardless of pro day I think the Rams should go with Smithson later on and look to draft receivers, cornerbacks, offensive linemen and linebackers first. Safety is not a huge need because they still have some talent leftover in Brian Randolph, Isaiah Johnson, Cody Davis and Marqui Christian with the possibility of Blake Coutness or LaMarcus Joyner kicked out to free safety.

Other options: Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee, Tarik Cohen, RB, NC A&T, Josh Harvey-Clemons, LB/S, Louisville

7th round (234th overall) - Cameron Tom, C, Southern Mississippi (6-foot-4, 291 lbs)

I love this center in the draft he has a chance to be real good if properly developed. Tom has athleticism and agility you normally don't see in a center and of course that is due to his weight. Tom weighs less than 300 pounds so he will have to add weight and that's his biggest knock but this guy came to Southern Miss. his freshman year and was named the conference freshman of the year. On top of that, Tom has been dominant for Southern Miss. He is by far the most likely from the school to be drafted and could be a steal later in the draft.

I know you don't draft starting centers in the seventh round or starters in general but this is my idea of grabbing a developmental guy again for Aaron Kromer to sit and learn behind center. I believe the Rams are going to land a center in free agency, whether it's restricted free agent Ryan Groy from Buffalo or a veteran once elite center in the form of Nick Mangold. Even if the Rams don't ink either to a contract I would be okay drafting Tom and having him compete with Rhaney and the guards on the team. Sean McVay in his latest press conference said he will be cross-training their guards to play center which leads me to believe that center isn't as big of a need as many are saying.

Other options: ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama, Phazahn Odom, TE, Fordham, Daquan Holmes, CB, Amaerican International College

What are your thoughts Rams fans? Sound off below! Be sure to follow us @Downtown Rams on Twitter and on Facebook here.

Which FA am I going to miss the most?..... Willie-Mays Hayes.
I understand the reasons why, and fully support any move Mr Phillips
makes to improve our team.
But Hayes is a one of a kind and his personality is such, that one can't help
but to love him.
Good-bye and good luck Mr Hayes.You will truly be missed by Rams Nation.








William Hayes is a national treasure.

Long the favored cut up of Los Angeles Rams media, the man built his career on a three-word phrase he lived as much as he said it: “Brah Brah Bojangles.” He doesn’t believe dinosaurs existed. He believes mermaids do. He is ridiculous in the best way to the point of exhaustion from the Rams’ content farm.

So it’s no surprise that his farewell Instagram video is hilarious, heartfelt and better than that of most of his peers:

“Got traded today for a stapler and a coffee machine.”

“Certain things that I am looking forward to...sweet tea...searching for Ariel in South Bay...no more traffic...lower rent.”


“And all my Rams fans from St. Louis to LA. And I would say something about the Titans, but fuck those n*%$&&.”

“But damn, a coffee cup though? And a mug?”

The Rams traded Hayes yesterday to the Miami Dolphins with a seventh-round pick for the Dolphins’ sixth-round selection. On football terms, it’s a wise move. For non-football reasons though, there’s reason to lament the loss.

Farwell, mermaid hunter. And thanks for the stapler.