2022 July - Pro Football Rumors

Panthers QBs Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold In “Open” Competition

July 12th, 2022 at 1:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

As many expected, the Panthers finalized a trade sending Baker Mayfield to Carolina last week. The former No. 1 pick is expected to represent an upgrade over last year’s top quarterback, but he could be named the starter only after the remainder of the offseason.

In a press conference, general manager Scott Fitterer announced that Mayfield and Sam Darnold will take part in an “open competition,” as detailed by Joe Person and Larry Holder of The Athletic. Fitterer further described the circumstances now surrounding the team’s QB room as being “a very healthy situation.”

The Panthers were consistently linked to Mayfield this offseason, in large part due to Darnold’s struggles in his first year in Charlotte. The 25-year-old put together a 4-7 record, completing less than 60% of his passes and throwing more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (nine). Mayfield struggled last season as well during an injured-plagued campaign, but if healthy, he would profile as having more upside given some of his past performances in Cleveland.

Nevertheless, Person tweets that Fitterer expects the snaps during training camp to be split in a “fairly even” manner. Part of the reason for that could of course be Mayfield’s late arrival; the Panthers wanted to get the trade done before minicamp. To that point, Person adds that the team set an internal deadline of July 5 to finalize the swap (Twitter link). Mayfield will be playing catch-up relative to Darnold especially in the early stages of camp, but he has already begun preparing himself for the competition to win out the starting job.

“I want to be a starter, I want to be a franchise-level quarterback for years, and hopefully, it’s here in Charlotte,” he said, via the team’s website. “And I want a level playing field, and I want to elevate the guys around me and be the best version of myself… I know it’s not going to be easy by any means, I’ve got to go earn it, but I’m looking forward to the competition and the challenge.”

When camp opens up later this month, this positional battle could be one of the Panthers’ top storylines to watch.

AFC Notes: Bush, Granson, Andrews

July 12th, 2022 at 12:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

Expectations were sky-high for Devin Bush when the Steelers traded up to select him in the first round of the 2019 draft. Things haven’t gone according to plan in the past two years in particular, leading to the team’s decision to decline his fifth-year option earlier this offseason.

That has led many to believe 2022 will be his final year in Pittsburgh. While the upcoming season could prove to be a critical turning point, he will still have a starting role in the middle of the team’s defense. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic notes that Bush will be a member of the first-team unit alongside free agent addition Myles Jack (subscription required).

The Michigan alum is no stranger to significant playing time, having started all but one of his games in the NFL. He will look to rebound from a disappointing 2021 campaign, where he made 41 solo tackles and allowed a passer rating of nearly 103 in coverage. Behind him and Jack at the position, the Steelers have veteran Robert Spillane and 2021 fourth-rounder Buddy Johnson available in the event of injuries or poor play.

Here are a couple of other notes from the AFC:

Facing a serious cap crunch, the Patriots re-worked the contract of center David Andrews last month. The move created some breathing room for the 2022 season, dropping his cap number from $6.375MM down to $4.275MM. In a breakdown of the other changes brought on by the restructure, ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes (on Twitter) that his cap figure in 2023 and 2024 will jump from $5.875MM to $7.175MM and $7.425MM, respectively. The 30-year-old is coming off of another solid season in 2021, earning a PFF grade of 78, and figures to reman an anchor on New England’s o-line for the foreseeable future.
The Colts will have a new player atop the tight end depth chart this season. The retirement of Jack Doyle has left Mo Alie-Cox as the No. 1 at the position in Indianapolis. While the 28-year-old is likely to eclipse his single-season career high of 394 yards with the increased workload, another incumbent could see an uptick on usage. 2021 fourth-rounder Kylen Granson “should be given every opportunity” to become a full-time contributor in the team’s offense, writes FOX59’s Mike Chappell. He made just 11 catches as a rookie, and will be competing with Alie-Cox and rookies Jelani Woods and Drew Ogletree for targets. Still, he could take on a notable receiving role in particular within Frank Reich‘s TE-friendly scheme with a strong training camp.

No Deal Imminent Between Cowboys, Dalton Schultz

July 12th, 2022 at 10:21am CST by Adam La Rose

As the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign extensions continues to approach, one of the situations receiving the most attention is that between the Cowboys and tight end Dalton Schultz. For the most part, signs have pointed towards a stalemate preventing a long-term pact being worked out. That likelihood is strengthened, if anything, by the latest update on the matter.

Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning New reports that there have been no contract talks between the two sides “in weeks” (Twitter link). As a result, he adds, “no deal is imminent” at this point. That falls in line with the prevailing sentiment throughout the spring, as both parties have remained far apart during negotiations at all times.

There was, on the other hand, cause for at least some optimism over the weekend, when it was predicted that talks would resume in the days leading up to Friday’s deadline. Assuming that takes place, the chance will still remain that a breakthrough can be reached; if not, the former fourth-rounder will earn $10.9MM in 2022 on the tag.

The tight end market has, like other positions, experienced an upward trend in recent years. 2022 has seen David Njoku land a sizeable extension, leading many to wonder what extensions for Schultz and fellow tag recipient Mike Gesicki would look like. The Cowboys have, of course, shown a propensity to give multi-year deals to key contributors in the prime. Schultz has demonstrated that he fits into that category, becoming one of Dak Prescott‘s most reliable targets during the past two campaigns in particular.

A long-term contract would, in all likelihood, elevate Schultz comfortably into the top-10 in TE per-year earnings. He could also land such a deal with the Cowboys (who have used multiple tags in recent years on cornerstone players) or another team in 2023, given the increased pass-catching role he is in line for this year. Barring a significant change, the latter timing scenario still seems the likeliest outcome in this situation.

Latest On Packers’ DL Competition

July 12th, 2022 at 9:11am CST by Adam La Rose

The Packers have made a few notable investments into their defensive line this offseason, as they try to bolster what has been one of the team’s weaker position groups in recent years. For both the short- and long-term future, there is cause for optimism.

Green Bay still has Pro Bowler Kenny Clark as an anchor for the unit. The former first-rounder has totalled 22.5 sacks in the past five seasons, and figures to be a mainstay of the team’s defense for years to come. Another key veteran returning in 2022 is Dean Lowry, another 2016 draftee who has been a starter since his second NFL season.

The Packers have a few options to consider in terms of who joins those two as a first-team member. Many may have expected Devonte Wyatt to take on that role, given his status as a first round pick and his college production. A key member of Georgia’s lights-out defense, Wyatt teamed with fellow top pick Jordan Davis on the interior of the Bulldogs’ d-line and totalled 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2021.

However, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic notes that Wyatt has strictly seen second-team reps so far this offseason (subscription required). He will likely begin his pro career as a backup to the likes of 2021 fifth-rounder TJ Slaton and free agent addition Jarran Reed. The latter had an underwhelming season in Kansas City last year, but displayed significant pass-rush ability during his time as a Seahawk.

Still, Schneidman adds that it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Wyatt sees himself “playing meaningful snaps not long from now.” He, along with the rest of Green Bay’s re-tooled defensive front could be in line for a productive campaign, something which would go a long way towards helping the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.

Latest On Giants WR Kadarius Toney

July 11th, 2022 at 10:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite whispers that the Giants could consider moving Kadarius Toney, it sounds like the receiver is set to start for the Giants next season. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Toney and Kenny Golladay are the “clear front-runners” to start at outside wide receiver next season.

Without context, this isn’t overly surprising news. Toney was a first-round pick in last year’s draft, and teams rarely bail on investments like that so quickly. Plus, the receiver actually showed flashes when he was on the field, finishing the campaign with 39 receptions for 420 yards (although a large portion of that production came in a standout 10-reception, 189-yard game against the Cowboys).

However, injuries have already turned into a concern for the young receiver. Toney was limited during his first training camp because of hamstring injuries, and ankle, oblique and quadriceps injuries limited him to only 10 games as a rookie. The wideout also had offseason arthroscopic knee surgery, although the operation isn’t expected to sideline him for training camp.

Further, Toney was continually in the news last season, stemming from on-the-field issues (like the time he wore the wrong cleats or time he was tossed from practice for throwing a punch) or off-the-field issues (like “a lack of playbook study” or “poor meeting behavior”). With a new regime leading the way, there were rumors that the Giants were looking to move on from the wideout, especially following the selection of second-round slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. GM Joe Schoen publicly said that he wasn’t shopping Toney, but reports indicated that the front office was at least listening to offers.

Since Toney has stuck around this long, it seems pretty clear that the receiver will be on the Giants for at least the 2022 campaign. Assuming all goes right, he should be able to hold off competition from the likes of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton for reps.

Latest On Giants OT Andrew Thomas

July 11th, 2022 at 8:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Giants offensive lineman Andrew Thomas still hasn’t fully recovered from his offseason ankle injury. During an appearance on the Giants Huddle podcast, Thomas admitted that he’s still not 100 percent but intends to be on the field for the start of training camp.

“Rehab is coming along pretty well. I’m doing everything the trainers ask me to do,” Thomas said (via Matt Citak of the team’s website). “Definitely moving a lot better and I’m prepared to be ready for training camp.

“It’s definitely frustrating, but it’s part of the business, learning how to navigate being injured because you’re never going to feel 100 percent. But I felt like last year I started to make some strides. It’s a little frustrating sometimes when you can’t be on the field with your teammates.”

While Thomas didn’t miss any time during his rookie year, he dealt with an ankle injury throughout the campaign. The nagging injury ended up carrying into the 2021 season and ultimately cost the lineman four games due to a stint on the injured reserve.

The fourth-overall pick in the 2020 draft, Thomas disappointed a bit during his rookie campaign, allowing 10 sacks in 16 games. He reduced that number to only two sacks allowed while starting each of his 13 appearances in 2021. Thomas ranked 19th on Pro Football Focus’ list of 83 qualifying offensive tackles last year, and he earned particularly high scores for his pass-blocking ability.

The Giants did some work on their offensive line this offseason. They brought in veterans Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano, and they later added tackle Evan Neal with the seventh-overall pick. That trio will likely start alongside Thomas, who is expected to slide in at left tackle.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/11/22

July 11th, 2022 at 7:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Las Vegas Raiders

Waived: CB Stanford Samuels III

Pittsburgh Steelers

Placed on reserve/retired list: DT Daniel Archibong

Samuels, a 2020 UDFA, spent much of his rookie campaign in the Packers organization. He ended up getting into a pair of games for Green Bay, seeing most of his time on special teams. He had a brief stint on the Bears practice squad in 2021 before joining the Raiders this offseason.

Archibong joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent last offseason. The Temple product eventually made his way to the Steelers organization, and he ended up collecting a pair of tackles in two games. He saw time on 13 defensive snaps and six special teams snaps during the 2021 campaign.

WR Scotty Miller On Bucs’ Roster Bubble?

July 11th, 2022 at 6:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

Two names immediately come to mind when it comes to wide receivers on the Buccaneers, and the position’s importance to their recent success. Beyond Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, however, there have of course been important secondary wideouts who have contributed to Tampa’s prolific passing attack.

At times during his career, Scotty Miller has been one such ancillary player. Part of the Bucs’ highly-rated 2019 draft class, he showcased his ability as a deep threat during his rookie season. He made only 13 catches, but averaged an impressive 15.4 yards per reception, setting him up for a more productive second campaign. With Tom Brady at QB, and despite Evans, Godwin and Antonio Brown serving as competition for targets, he took a significant step forward.

The former sixth-rounder recorded five starts in 2020, and added more volume to his production while maintaining the high yards-per-catch element of his game (33 receptions, 501 yards). His play carried over into the team’s Super Bowl run, including a touchdown catch in the NFC title game. Especially after Brown’s midseason departure, expectations were raised for Miller in 2021, but he wasn’t able to live up to them.

The Bowling Green alum made a total of just 10 catches between the regular season and playoffs. That disappointing figure, coupled in part with the extension given to Godwin, could leave Miller’s roster spot in jeopardy. Greg Auman of The Athletic writes that Miller’s future is currently “all over the map” (subscription required). He could find himself handling the No. 4 role (while also contributing on special teams), but could also wind up on the wrong side of Tampa’s roster crunch at the end of training camp. As Auman notes, Miller could find himself battling 2021 fourth-rounder Jaelon Darden and undrafted rookie Deven Thomkins for as little as one spot on the final squad.

To a far greater extent than many would have anticipated after his 2020 performance, Miller figures to be a key player to watch this summer.

Giants Sign Fourth-Round TE Daniel Bellinger

July 11th, 2022 at 5:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

Another member of the Giants’ rookie class has officially inked his first NFL deal. The team announced on Monday that tight end Daniel Bellinger has signed his rookie contract.

Bellinger spent five seasons at San Diego State, taking on a significant role starting in his second campaign. He didn’t put up the receiving numbers of other, more highly-touted prospects at his position at any point during his tenure with the Aztecs, though his best production came in his final season. He totalled 357 yards on 31 receptions, while showcasing the athleticism which had many draft analysts noting he was likely underutilized in the team’s offensive system.

Despite the relatively pedestrian production Bellinger put up across his 43 college contests, he could have a path to significant playing time as a rookie. New York no longer has Evan Engram or Kyle Rudolph on the roster, so the six-foot-six, 255-pounder saw reps with the first-team offense during the spring. With a (presumably) healthy Saquon Barkley and a pass-catching corps including Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and second-round rookie Wan’Dale Robinson, though, Bellinger likely won’t see many targets early on during his time in the Big Apple.

Bellinger will be competing for a starting spot with veterans Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins, both of whom signed one-year deals this offseason as stopgaps in the absence of Engram and Rudolph. If not immediately, then in the near future at least, he should be able to take on a significant role as the team looks to take some much-needed steps forward on offense.

Given today’s news, nine members of the Giants’ draft class have now been signed. Only Robinson and fourth-round safety Dane Belton have yet to finalize their contracts.

Latest On Patriots, N’Keal Harry

July 11th, 2022 at 3:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

After an offseason in which the Patriots signed Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, the team made more changes in 2022 by trading for DeVante Parker and drafting Tyquan Thornton in the second round. This quartet and Jakobi Meyers, whom the team kept via second-round RFA tender, are in line to be Mac Jones‘ top receivers this season.

This means more uncertainty for N’Keal Harry, whose days with the Pats appear numbered. Last month, a report emerged the Patriots were considering moving the underwhelming ex-first-rounder to tight end. Now, the team might finally be considering cutting its losses.

The team waiving Harry of training camp should be viewed as in play, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes, given the offset language included in the fourth-year pass catcher’s rookie deal. The Pats have dangled Harry in trades for multiple years. As several receiver standouts chosen after Harry in 2019 have thrived, some en route to big 2022 paydays and others on clear courses for lucrative deals down the road, the big-bodied Pats target has not found his footing.

New England would likely accept a late-round pick-swap trade, one that would send Harry and a Day 3 choice to another team for a Day 3 selection, to save $1.2MM against its 2022 cap, Volin adds. The Pats hold a league-low $1.9MM in cap space. The prospect of the Patriots excusing Harry from training camp while working on a trade, in order to keep the Arizona State product healthy, could also be considered. Harry missed extensive time due to injury in 2019 and ’21, hitting IR in each season.

Harry caught 12 passes for 184 yards last season. He is due a $1.87MM base salary in 2022. Although a combination of receiver-needy teams and Harry’s draft pedigree likely leads to another shot elsewhere, Harry trade rumors have churned since March 2021. However this chapter ends for the 225-pound wideout, the value of Bill Belichick‘s highest-drafted receiver as Patriots HC/de facto GM has tanked over the past three years.