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Month: September 2024

WR John Brown Works Out For Packers

July 20th, 2022 at 8:52pm CST by Ben Levine

John Brown is still seeking a job for the 2022 campaign, but the veteran wideout had a chance to show what he’s got on Wednesday. Brown worked out for the Packers today, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Packers Wrap Draft Class, Sign WR Christian Watson]

Following a two-year stint with the Bills, Brown joined the Raiders last offseason. He didn’t end up making it to the regular season with his new squad, and he proceeded to join three more organizations before the season was finished. Brown had stints with the Broncos, Jaguars, and Buccaneers between October and January. He saw time in four games without hauling in a catch.

Brown was a 1,000-yard receiver as recently as 2019, and he averaged 50.9 yards per game in 2020 (the third-highest mark of his career behind his two 1,000-yard campaigns). A high ankle sprain and stints on the COVID list limited him to only nine games in 2020, but prior to that, Brown only missed nine games through six seasons.

The Packers don’t have a clear-cut wideout following the Davante Adams trade, but they have done some work to add to their receiving corps. The team added three receivers in the draft, including Christian Watson (second round), Romeo Doubs (fourth round), and Samori Toure (seventh round). The organization also brought in veteran Sammy Watkins to pair with Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

Brown wasn’t the only player to get a tryout with the Packers. The team also hosted tight end Sal Cannella, offensive tackle Airon Servais, and defensive back Bryce Watts.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/20/22

July 20th, 2022 at 8:19pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Baltimore Ravens

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: CB Isiah Brown
  • Released: S Dallin Leavitt
  • Waived: G Jordan Meredith

New York Jets

AFC East Rumors: Carter, Scarlett, Armstead, Dolphins

July 20th, 2022 at 7:57pm CST by Ely Allen

In addition to three first-round picks, the Jets also selected the first running back of the 2022 NFL Draft, taking Iowa State’s Breece Hall in the second round at 36th overall. After New York finished the 2021 NFL season as a bottom-10 team in rushing yards, last year’s starter, Michael Carter, is expected to take a back seat to Hall in 2022, according to Mike Kaye of Pro Football Network.

After watching Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson start in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, Carter got his turn in Week 3 and held on to become the team’s leading rusher. The fourth-round rookie carried the ball 147 times (63 more times than the next closest back) for 639 yards and 4 touchdowns.

With Hall expected to take over as the starter, Carter is “likely to be the change-of-pace back” for the Jets. Coleman and Johnson return and will compete with La’Mical Perine and undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight for the remaining roster spots behind Hall and Carter.

Here are a few more rumors from the AFC East, all hailing from South Beach:

  • After spending his first season in Miami working with the linebackers, former Texan Brennan Scarlett has been working with the defensive ends more this offseason, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. This could open the door for a bit more playing time for Scarlett, as he returns to the role he had some success with in Houston. In his two most successful seasons with the Texans, Scarlett totaled 5.5 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss to go along with 80 total tackles. The Dolphins would love to see that production return in 2022.
  • After only appearing in eight games last year with the Saints, offensive tackle Terron Armstead is not guaranteed to start the 2022 season healthy for the Dolphins, according to Adam H. Beasley of Pro Football Network. Armstead was shut down in mid-December with arm and knee injuries, undergoing surgery for his knees. Miami has been careful with Armstead, who’s dealt with plenty of health issues in his past, holding him out for all spring activities. Beasley points out that a healthy Armstead could be crucial for the development of young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, considering “the Dolphins were last in pass-block win rate (47%) and 18th in sack rate (6.5%)” in the NFL last year.
  • The Dolphins added to their front office last week with the hire of new football analytics staff assistant Jeremy Stabile. He announced the hiring, himself, on his Twitter last Thursday. Stabile’s first job in football came with Syracuse University as a recruiting/analytics intern. He’s also spent time with football analytics websites working as an analyst with Pro Football Focus and PlayerProfiler.com. This is Stabile’s first job in the NFL.

Packers Wrap Draft Class, Sign WR Christian Watson

July 20th, 2022 at 6:09pm CST by Ely Allen

With rookies scheduled to report to training camp this Friday, the Packers finally capped off their rookie contract signings today, inking North Dakota State second-round pick Christian Watson, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The 23-year-old wraps up an 11-person rookie class selected by Green Bay this past April.

Watson entered the day as the second-highest draft pick yet to sign their rookie contact as the 34th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft. With Watson’s signing today, eight second-round picks still remain unsigned, with all first-round picks securely under contract.

Watson committed to North Dakota State as a two-star recruit, according to 247Sports composite ranking, and redshirted through the 2017 season. He played a small role as a redshirt freshman, too, as he grew from his lanky 6’2″, 175 lb. frame into the athletic 6’5″, 205 lb. frame that got him on the field. Watson began to solidify his starting role as a redshirt sophomore catching 34 passes for 732 yards and 6 touchdowns in 16 games. That’s an average yards per reception of 21.53. He continued to improve on that number in the ten games of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, catching 19 balls for 442 yards and a touchdown for an average yards per catch of 23.26. In his final 12 games in 2021, Watson recorded 43 receptions for 801 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Watson brings an alluring combination of size and speed to the league. After running a 4.36 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, Watson confirmed that he could continue to be a deep-ball wide receiver in addition to a red-zone threat. The size can limit Watson in short and intermediate routes as it takes a bit more effort for him to slow and change direction, but he had just started polishing his route-running in his redshirt senior year and should have plenty of room for improvement. Watson also contributed to the Bison offense in the run and return game, adding to the possible effectiveness he can provide as a rookie.

After Green Bay lost star wide receiver Davante Adams in free agency, along with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown, Watson will likely be expected to step into a starting position right away. The Packers were able to hold onto free agent Allen Lazard and bring in Sammy Watkins, who will both likely start alongside Watson in 2022. They also drafted Doubs and Toure (listed below) who can help contribute as the Packers attempt to retool the wide receiving corps for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Round 1: No. 22 Quay Walker, LB (Georgia) (signed)
Round 1: No. 28 Devonte Wyatt, DT (Georgia) (signed)
Round 2: No. 34 Christian Watson, WR (North Dakota State) (signed)
Round 3: No. 92 Sean Rhyan, OL (UCLA) (signed)
Round 4: No. 132 Romeo Doubs, WR (Nevada) (signed)
Round 4: No. 140 Zach Tom, OL (Wake Forest) (signed)
Round 5: No. 179 Kingsley Enagbare, DE (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 7: No. 228 Tariq Carpenter, DB (Georgia Tech) (signed)
Round 7: No. 234 Jonathan Ford, DT (Miami (FL)) (signed)
Round 7: No. 249 Rasheed Walker, OL (Penn State) (signed)
Round 7: No. 258 Samori Toure, WR (Nebraska) (signed)

Jimmy Garoppolo Given Permission To Seek Trade

July 20th, 2022 at 4:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

Wednesday has seen a noteworthy, though entirely unsurprising, development in the case of the league’s final starting quarterback in need of a new home. The 49ers have officially given Jimmy Garoppolo permission to seek a trade, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 

It has been known since last April that San Francisco would hand the No. 1 role to first-rounder Trey Lance no later than his second season in the NFL. A deal sending Garoppolo elsewhere has thus been seen as inevitable throughout a 2022 offseason filled with several major moves at the position. His health has been chief among the reasons a market hasn’t developed, though.

On that point, Schefter adds that Garoppolo has been cleared to return to practice. That news comes one day after the 30-year-old received an encouraging update on his surgically-repaired throwing shoulder. The 49ers will still “exercise caution” for the foreseeable future, though, and Garoppolo wasn’t expected (as recently as yesterday) to be back on the field until next month.

CBS’ Jonathan Jones tweets that there are teams who have “poked around” regarding the former second-rounder’s availability. Not surprisingly, though, none have seriously considered making a move until they know he has recovered in full. With nearly all of the QB moves having long been made, the list of potential suitors is rather short this late in the offseason. The division rival Seahawks have long been connected to at least entertaining the possibility of adding him, but signing him as a free agent after being released would be far more financially feasible.

Garoppolo has one year remaining on his contract, with a non-guaranteed salary of just over $24MM. Seattle wouldn’t be able to absorb his deal without re-working it, something which isn’t true of the Browns. Potentially in need of a veteran for at least part of the 2022 season, Cleveland has ample cap space to bring in Garoppolo, though their interest has been considered tepid at best to date.

Ultimately, today’s news moves the QB one step closer to the inevitable outcome of joining a new team for the second time in his career. How his market develops in the coming weeks will be worth monitoring as the season approaches.

Browns Anticipating Eight-Game Watson Suspension?

July 20th, 2022 at 3:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Deshaun Watson saga is still crawling along, but updates on the Browns related to their embattled QB continue to be provided. Included among them is the expectation the team currently has for the length of Watson’s pending suspension. 

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that the Browns “privately are bracing for an eight-game suspension” being handed down to Watson. That would constitute the high end of the two- to eight-game range which Florio reported yesterday was the most likely conclusion to the league’s disciplinary process. A ban of any length could, of course, be appealed, meaning that a decision being rendered by former judge Sue Robinson won’t bring immediate closure to the situation.

In the event Watson is sidelined for the first two months of the season, attention will naturally turn to Cleveland’s subsequent QB move(s). The Browns will target a backup to Jacoby Brissett as insurance in the short-term, something made possible in no small part by the league-leading cap space they currently have, a figure which exceeds $48MM. To that point, Florio notes “chatter about the possibility of the Browns adding Cam Newton.” The 33-year-old rejoined the Panthers last season, starting five winless games. Their addition of Mayfield will push him to find a new home, as he did in 2020.

Another stopgap option consistently floated around is Jimmy Garoppolo. It was reported last week that Cleveland making a significant push to trade for the 49ers signal-caller would be considered surprising. On the other hand, PFF’s Doug Kyed reports that the Browns “did their homework” on Garoppolo during the spring (Twitter link). They are the only team currently capable of absorbing the 30-year-old’s $24.2MM salary in 2022, the final year of his contract, in full.

Nothing will be known with more certainty until Robinson’s decision is handed down, and any resulting appeals process plays out. As a team aiming for a Super Bowl run, and facing a conference full of talent-rich opponents, the Browns could ill-afford to stumble, or likely even tread water, in the early portion of the season. How they react to Watson’s discipline will therefore remain a hugely relevant storyline in the build-up to the campaign.

Jason Peters Plans To Play In 2022

July 20th, 2022 at 1:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

Just like last offseason, left tackle Jason Peters is eyeing a deal which will extend his career for one more season. As noted by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Peters has been “staying in shape and [is] waiting for a team to come calling.” 

The 40-year-old could join Andrew Whitworth as the lone blindside blocker to start at that age if he lands a contract. He made it clear that he saw playing into his 40s as a realistic goal when stating his intention of suiting up in 2021. It was already well-known at that time, of course, that his days with the Eagles were over. It was in Philadelphia that Peters won his lone Super Bowl title, along with each of his two All-Pro nominations and seven of his nine consecutive Pro Bowl invitations.

“[I’m] looking for an upcoming offensive line, good team — or a playoff team,” he said. “Either/or is good for me, because I can pass my torch on to some guys who are trying to get better, the younger guys, the new generation. Or if I get on a team with some vets, they already know how I rock, and we can just go into the playoffs and make a run and try to win another ring.”

Peters signed with the Bears last August, and wound up starting all 15 contests he appeared in. He allowed six sacks, so any interested teams wouldn’t be numb to the fact that his pass protection isn’t what it used to be. Still, the Arkansas alum earned a solid PFF grade of 77.5. That could generate a late-offseason market for his services, something Peters is prepared for.

“Whenever the opportunity comes, I’m going to give it one more run at it and try to get me another ring, or pass on some knowledge to these young kids, up and coming” he said, adding “I don’t have a time frame on when I’m going to get signed.”

If any team were to suffer a significant injury during training camp or the preseason, Peters could once again find himself signing a one-year deal. His market will be worth watching in the coming weeks to see if anything materializes along the same lines as 2021. If not, he will surrender his title as the league’s highest-earning active UDFA.

Latest On Lions’ Jameson Williams Process

July 20th, 2022 at 11:07am CST by Sam Robinson

The clubhouse leaders for first-round wide receiver picks during the 2000s, the Lions passed on such investments from 2008-2021. But second-year GM Brad Holmes gave his team a potential impact wideout talent this year, trading up for Jameson Williams at No. 12 overall.

This move cost the Lions the Nos. 32 and 34 overall picks, along with a third-rounder, though the team added the Vikings’ No. 46 overall selection. Holmes addressed why Williams both convinced him to trade up 20 spots and to deviate from a general policy of not taking injury risks in the first round. After an April film session, the former Rams college scouting director separated Williams from the other receivers in this draft.

“I had Jameson in his own box,” Holmes said, via NBC Sports’ Peter King. “You want to be as sure as possible with first-round players, of course, and I was absolutely convicted on Jameson … the speed, how fluid he was, how confident he played. I consulted with our medial team, and they felt it was a clean ACL tear.

“So now I had to get comfortable with picking an injured player. I thought, I can’t preach to our organization to be open-minded with their decisions if I’m not going to be open-minded myself.”

Williams was the fourth receiver taken this year, going behind Drake London and ex-Ohio State teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. After hauling in 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns, the Alabama transfer suffered an ACL tear in the national championship game. Were it not for that injury, the slender speedster would have been in the conversation to be the first wideout chosen. Williams, 21, had made it back to that tier anyway, going four spots after London.

The injury likely to keep Williams out for a chunk of his rookie Lions season; he is expected to begin training camp on Detroit’s active/PUP list. Beginning the season on the reserve/PUP list would result in Williams missing at least four games. Given the long-term investment the Lions made, Williams starting the regular season on the PUP list appears likely.

Holmes did not hesitate in trading with a division rival, per King, saying the deal made “a ton of sense for both teams.” Minnesota chose Georgia safety Lewis Cine at No. 32 and traded the No. 34 choice to another division rival, Green Bay, to collect additional second-round capital. The Vikings ended up with Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth, after a Colts trade-up, and LSU guard Ed Ingram.

The Lions, who famously took top-10 wideouts in three straight drafts (Charles Rodgers, Roy Williams, Mike Williams) before hitting big on Calvin Johnson two years later, have made their move for a receiver centerpiece. Jameson Williams should help Jared Goff, who will also have free agent DJ Chark to target this season, but Williams should be expected to be a key starter alongside Goff’s successor. Williams can be kept under Lions control through 2026, via the fifth-year option. Amon-Ra St. Brown is signed through 2024. With two first-round picks in the 2023 draft, which is viewed as far superior to this year’s quarterback class, Holmes and Co. figure to have that position on their front-burner next April.

Sean Payton Expects To Coach Again

July 20th, 2022 at 10:05am CST by Sam Robinson

A recent report connected Sean Payton to resurfacing in the NFL next season, tying the former Saints coach to the Cowboys, Chargers and Dolphins. Connections to Dallas and Miami have persisted, though Los Angeles represents new territory here. Any team that hires Payton would need to compensate the Saints, who have the Super Bowl-winning HC under contract through 2024.

But Payton rumors are unlikely to die down anytime soon. The 16-year New Orleans coach is set to work for FOX this year, but he continues to view a return to the sidelines as likely.

“Ultimately, do I think I’ll get back in? Sure,” Payton said, via Jarrett Bell of USA Today. “There’s no way to predict who that club might be. Usually, there are about six openings every year. If there’s a right fit somewhere, that ultimately will depend on several factors. … We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

Payton, 58, does not plan to push for an already-filled position. Though, his prospective interest in certain jobs would open the door to teams making offseason maneuvers next year. The Cowboys, who employed Payton as their quarterbacks coach from 2003-05, have been connected to a Payton trade off and on for many years. With Mike McCarthy not exactly secure beyond this season, Payton rumors are unlikely to cease. For what it’s worth, Jerry Jones attempted to distance the Cowboys from the unavoidable Payton buzz by reaffirming his commitment to McCarthy last month.

The Payton-Tom Brady-Miami connection endured this offseason as well, and Payton is believed to have been flattered by the AFC East team’s pursuit — one that may or may not have been close to crossing the finish line. The team having just hired Mike McDaniel complicates a Payton-to-Miami push next year, though one-and-done HCs are obviously not unprecedented.

Brandon Staley underachievement with what looks like a strong Chargers roster this season would be something to monitor, given the new Payton connection. And, even though Payton is not believed to have quarterback play as a prerequisite for a landing spot, Justin Herbert could certainly sway matters — if that job becomes available. Given the roster Staley now has, it would be hard to imagine the former Rams defensive coordinator being booted after two years. But stranger NFL coaching storylines have certainly emerged.

Payton is set to work on both FOX Sunday pregame shows, per Bell. This path has kept Bill Cowher from making a long-rumored return, but Jon Gruden eventually came back to the sideline. Cowher and Gruden were much younger than Payton when they initially stepped away. Dick Vermeil, who spent 14 years in broadcasting between his Eagles and Rams gigs, was 60 when he returned to coaching in 1997. Payton’s comments in January and this week would point to a shorter hiatus.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo “Progressing Well” From Shoulder Surgery

July 19th, 2022 at 10:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Jimmy Garoppolo continues to take positive steps forward as he recovers from his shoulder surgery. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the quarterback recently got a thumbs up from Dr. Neal ElAttrache during a checkup, and it seems like the veteran is “progressing well.”

[RELATED: Browns Unlikely To Pursue Jimmy Garoppolo?]

Per Rapoport, the 49ers are thrilled with where Garoppolo is from a physical standpoint. The expectation continues to be that the QB will be able to make his return to the field in mid-August, and Rapoport hints that the player’s return could quickly lead to a trade out of San Francisco.

We heard recently that Garoppolo had resumed throwing, and Rapoport provided some details on his rehab process. The QB’s focus isn’t on “making one deep” pass attempt; instead, Garoppolo is focused on “making many [passes] in a row” as he attempts to build up for actual game action. Per Rapoport, the belief is that the player’s cuff will end up stronger than it was before the injury. Garoppolo originally injured his shoulder during the team’s Divisional Round win over the Cowboys. The surgery ultimately kept him out of mandatory minicamp.

It sounds like the 49ers are not counting on Garoppolo to be ready for the start of training camp. That means 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance won’t have to look over his shoulder as he guides the first-team offense through the early parts of camp. It sounds like Garoppolo won’t even get a legitimate look from the 49ers before he’s shipped out via trade, but at the very least, the veteran’s current status eliminates any semblance of a QB competition.

Still, a Garoppolo trade is easier said than done, especially with the majority of his potential suitors now out of the picture. The Browns and Seahawks have most recently been connected to the 30-year-old, but if those squads have legitimate interest, they’d likely wait out their chances and see if Garoppolo ends up hitting free agency. The player’s shoulder somewhat complicates a potential release, but no matter the end result, his return to practice will mark the beginning of the end for Garoppolo in San Francisco.

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