HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order

December 27th, 2022 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, much is still to be decided both in terms of playoff positioning and the order of the upcoming draft. Five teams are still eligible to land the top pick.

The Texans remain in pole position to hold the No. 1 spot, but their win over the Titans (coupled with the Bears’ losing streak extending to eight games) leaves Chicago just a half-game away. The fact that the Bears would likely select a defensive player rather than a quarterback with the top pick adds considerable intrigue to the potential implications of them ending up with that slot.

With the Browns continuing to struggle even with Deshaun Watson back from suspension, there is a distinct possibility that four first-rounders which changed hands (including Cleveland’s top 2023 pick, part of the package they sent to Houston for Watson) land in the top 10. Another premium selection would obviously soften the blow of losing out on the No. 1 spot from the Texans’ perspective, should that take place.

The final Wild Card spot in each conference is still being contested by several teams, resulting in a logjam of 7-8 squads in the middle of the order. Several head-to-head matchups will be played out between those clubs, which could lead to plenty of change in their positioning over the next two weeks. The race for both the AFC and NFC South titles will also have a significant impact on the final order, given the average (at best) record each division’s winner will have at the end of the regular season.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order looks entering Week 17:

  1. Houston Texans: 2-12-1
  2. Chicago Bears: 3-12
  3. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
  4. Arizona Cardinals: 4-11
  5. Indianapolis Colts: 4-10-1
  6. Atlanta Falcons: 5-10
  7. Detroit Lions (via Rams)
  8. Carolina Panthers: 6-9
  9. Las Vegas Raiders: 6-9
  10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
  11. Houston Texans (via Browns)
  12. Seattle Seahawks: 7-8
  13. Tennessee Titans: 7-8
  14. New England Patriots: 7-8
  15. New York Jets: 7-8
  16. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-8
  17. Green Bay Packers: 7-8
  18. Detroit Lions: 7-8
  19. Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-8
  20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8
  21. Washington Commanders: 7-7-1
  22. New York Giants: 8-6-1
  23. Los Angeles Chargers: 9-6
  24. Baltimore Ravens: 10-5
  25. Denver Broncos (via 49ers through Dolphins)
  26. Dallas Cowboys: 11-4
  27. Cincinnati Bengals: 11-4
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-3
  29. Minnesota Vikings: 12-3
  30. Buffalo Bills: 12-3
  31. Philadelphia Eagles: 13-2

Next year’s draft will feature a 31-pick first round. The Dolphins’ penalty for the Tom Brady–Sean Payton tampering scandal cost them their 2023 first-round choice

Raiders’ Chandler Jones, Denzel Perryman Likely To Be Shut Down

December 27th, 2022 at 11:22am CST by Adam La Rose

The Raiders suffered another underwhelming loss on Christmas Eve, which essentially ended any hope the team had of making a late push into the playoffs. Their defense is also set to be shorthanded for the final two weeks of the campaign.

Pass rusher Chandler Jones and linebacker Denzel Perryman each exited Vegas’ loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the former suffered an elbow injury, while the latter has a dislocated shoulder (Twitter link). As a result, it would come as little surprise if both players were to be shut down until the 2023 season.

Head coach Josh McDaniels suggested as much when speaking to the media (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Tashan Reed). The news, in all likelihood, marks a disappointing end to a season in which nothing has gone according to plan for a Raiders team which had significant expectations after their eventful offseason. The team sits at 6-9 thanks in large part to a number of blown double-digit leads and their below-average ranking in several major defensive categories.

Jones was a key reason the Raiders’ pass rush was predicted to take a step forward. The four-time Pro Bowler was a free agent target of the Bills before they ultimately landed Von Miller. Jones signed in Vegas on a three-year, $52.5MM contract in March, allowing the team to pair him Maxx Crosby – who himself signed a massive extension days earlier. Even in the latter stages of his career, Jones, 32, was tapped for a productive stint with his new team operating as a compliment to the latter.

Instead, Jones has not lived up to the expectations brought on by his pedigree and new deal. With the exception of a three-sack performance against the Chargers in Week 13, the former Patriot and Cardinal has been ineffective in rushing the passer. Jones sits at 4.5 sacks and 19 QB pressures on the year, figures which fall well short of what he produced last season in Arizona.

Perryman has, on the other hand, remained a consistent presence in the middle of the Raiders’ defense in 2022, his second season with the team. He put himself on the radar for a new deal last year when he totaled 154 tackles en route to earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career. His 83 stops in 2022 (including a career-high 14 for loss) lead the team, whose run defense has fared better than their play against the pass.

A very narrow path to the postseason still remains for the Raiders to make the playoffs; it includes winning the team’s final two contests against the 49ers and Chiefs. Doing so will require improved play on offense relative to their last outing, but also on defense with an undermanned unit.

Broncos Fire ST Coordinator Dwayne Stukes, O-Line Coach Butch Barry

December 26th, 2022 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos are not stopping at Nathaniel Hackett. Two of the one-and-done coach’s assistant hires — special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry — are also out, Mike Klis of 9News reports (on Twitter).

Brought over after a year as the Rams’ assistant special teams coach, Stukes was in his second year on the coordinator level. His first, however, came back in 2011 — a one-year stint as the Buccaneers’ ST coordinator. Hackett opted not to bring back respected O-line coach Mike Munchak this offseason, hiring Barry instead.

[RELATED: Broncos Fire Hackett, Name Jerry Rosburg Interim HC]

Despite going into his first season as a head coach, Hackett surrounded himself with inexperienced coordinator options. Hackett hired two ex-Rams staffers — Stukes, DC Ejiro Evero — and brought in former Packers tight ends coach Justin Outten to be his top lieutenant on offense. As of Monday night, Outten remains with the team.

Stukes, 45, has been an NFL assistant since 2006. He rose to the ST coordinator tier for one season, but after the Bucs fired Raheem Morris following the 2011 season, he became an assistant ST coach for a few franchises. Stukes moved to the Bears, Giants and Rams in this role. Collecting a Super Bowl ring for being the special teams lieutenant in Los Angeles, Stukes was on Sean McVay‘s staff for one year. The team ranks seventh in punt-return yards, though primary return man Montrell Washington has fumbled five times, but last in kick-return yards. The Broncos ranked eighth in opposing kick-return yards but 30th in punt-return yards allowed.

Although Munchak wanted to stay in Denver for a fourth season, Hackett sought Barry for schematic reasons. Shifting back to a zone-blocking scheme, the Broncos hired Barry, who worked with Hackett with the 2020 Packers. Barry, who had been the Bucs’ assistant O-line coach from 2015-18, was in an analyst role during his one season in Green Bay. Munchak, who has family in the Denver area and left the Steelers to join Vic Fangio‘s staff in 2019, did not coach this season.

The team announced Mike Mallory will coach its special teams to close out the season, while Ben Steele will lead the offensive line. Mallory spent the past eight years with the Jaguars — as ST coordinator and assistant ST coach — and Steele was the Vikings’ assistant O-line coach last season. Both were Hackett hires this offseason.

The Broncos have dealt with injuries across their O-line. Garett Bolles was lost for the season in October, and the team’s preferred right tackle options — Billy Turner and Tom Compton — missed much of the season as well. Compton missed almost all of it, returning from an offseason back procedure but only playing in one game. Both Compton and center Lloyd Cushenberry are both out for the season, heading to IR. The team used its last injury activation last week. While Pro Football Focus has viewed second-year guard Quinn Meinerz as an ascending player, slotting him in the top five among guards, it ranks the Broncos’ O-line 16th. Denver ranks 23rd in rushing and has allowed by far the most sacks (57) in the league this season.

Eagles CB Avonte Maddox Facing Extended Absence

December 26th, 2022 at 9:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Already spending a chunk of this season on IR, Avonte Maddox may be headed back. The Eagles lost the veteran cornerback to a toe injury Saturday, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report the injury is believed to be significant (Twitter link).

The Eagles used one of their IR activations on Maddox earlier this month, and the fifth-year corner played in three games upon returning. Maddox underwent an MRI on Monday and is out indefinitely, per NFL.com. He could go back on IR and return, but the 13-2 team has other players ahead in its IR queue.

[RELATED: Jalen Hurts Targeting Week 17 Return]

One of those is C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who could be an option to replace Maddox in the slot. Gardner-Johnson, acquired via trade from New Orleans this summer, is eligible to return from IR this week. Nick Sirianni stopped short of ensuring that would happen, however. Gardner-Johnson, who has shifted to safety in his first Philly season, is out because of a lacerated kidney. The former Saints slot defender has missed the past four Eagles games.

Maddox and Gardner-Johnson are part of the Eagles’ first-string secondary, joining Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Marcus Epps. Maddox finished with two tackles for loss against the Cowboys. He suffered an ankle injury against the Texans last month and returned from IR when first eligible. It remains to be seen if the Eagles will move him back to IR and/or if this toe problem would allow for a late-season return.

The Eagles can activate three more players from IR this season. In addition to Gardner-Johnson, Robert Quinn is on Philly’s injured list. He is eligible to return in Week 18. Hurts missed Week 16 but is not on IR.

49ers Aiming To Have Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell At Practice This Week

December 26th, 2022 at 8:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kyle Shanahan offered a rare 49ers news development Monday: the team did not suffer a notable injury during its most recent game. In fact, the 49ers are hoping to have two of their key cogs back at practice soon.

Deebo Samuel has progressed to the point the team hopes he can practice as soon as this week, Shanahan said, and Elijah Mitchell is on track to make a quicker return from his second MCL sprain this year. The 49ers are eyeing a Friday practice for Mitchell, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch and ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner (Twitter links).

MCL sprains have provided trouble for the 49ers this season. Mitchell, Samuel and a few others have missed time because of this injury. Mitchell missed eight games because of the knee malady he suffered in Week 1. This time around, the timetable may not be as lengthy. Mitchell, who has gone from Week 1 starter to an often-used Christian McCaffrey backup, went down against the Saints late last month and has missed the required four games.

The 49ers designating Mitchell for return Friday would mean they can activate him as soon as Week 17 — an unlikely scenario — or as late as the divisional round, provided the team reaches that point. Even if the 49ers hold off on Mitchell playing this week or next, it appears he will be ready to return when the team begins its postseason slate.

Shanahan confirmed what has long been reported Monday; San Francisco’s final IR-return spot is being earmarked for Mitchell. The second-year running back has already returned from IR once this season, but an offseason rule change allows for the same player to be activated two times in a season. The other 49ers option here would be defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway, but Wagoner adds (via Twitter) Mitchell is closer to returning. Ridgeway has missed the past three games with a pectoral injury.

The 49ers did not place Samuel on IR, keeping the door open for an immediate return. The All-Pro wide receiver has missed the past two games with an MCL sprain and a sprained ankle. The 49ers did not seem as concerned about Samuel’s status compared to the likes of Mitchell or Azeez Al-Shaair, who also suffered an MCL sprain that sidelined him several weeks, indicating the recently extended pass catcher could return before the regular season ended. Samuel has missed the past two games. While Samuel (840 scrimmage yards) is not on the same pace he was in 2021 (1,770), he is a rare weapon that will bolster the team’s chances of reaching a second Super Bowl in four seasons.

Football Outsiders gives the 49ers (11-4) a 30% chance of leapfrogging the Vikings (12-3) for the NFC’s No. 2 seed. The 49ers have clinched at least the NFC’s No. 3 seed, though the second spot would put the team in position to play two postseason home games. A 49ers-Vikings tie would give San Francisco the 2 seed due to a superior conference record. The 49ers close the season with games against the Raiders and Cardinals; the Vikes travel to Green Bay and Chicago.

Additionally, Shanahan said Jimmy Garoppolo had his cast removed from his broken foot. Garoppolo is not on IR, but the 49ers do not expect him to return this season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/26/22

December 26th, 2022 at 6:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Indianapolis Colts

  • Promoted: LB Segun Olubi

Los Angeles Chargers

Seattle Seahawks

Brewer, who has been the Cardinals’ long snapper for the past seven seasons, suffered a pectoral injury. Brewer’s contract expires after this season. The Cardinals initially signed Jackson this offseason but waived him weeks later. The Steelers carried Jackson on their practice squad for much of this season. The former second-round pick played in four games with the team.

Tua Tagovailoa Back In Concussion Protocol

December 26th, 2022 at 5:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

On the heels of their fourth straight loss, the Dolphins received troubling news. Tua Tagovailoa is back in the team’s concussion protocol, inviting questions about his return to action and when his latest injury happened.

Mike McDaniel said it was too early to tell if this will sideline Tagovailoa for the Dolphins’ Week 17 matchup with the Patriots, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes Teddy Bridgewater will be the team’s first-stringer for much of this week in practice. Availability concerns aside, this particular player suffering another head injury will bring considerable scrutiny given the events from earlier this season.

McDaniel did not know if Tua suffered a concussion against the Packers or what play exactly landed him in the protocol again, saying no one recognized what hit could have triggered this. A Twitter user’s video is making the rounds, however, as to when this latest Tagovailoa setback occurred. If this is the play in which Tagovailoa suffered the injury, the third-year quarterback played the entire second half with concussion symptoms that were not noticed by independent spotters. Tagovailoa did not report any symptoms Sunday.

“This is something that just came across my plate a couple hours ago,” McDaniel said Monday. “As far as the game was concerned, no one recognized anything with regard to any sort of hit. I can’t really tell you exactly what it was. I’m not totally positive on that, but it was something that he met with the doctors today and discussed some symptoms and then from that, as you guys know, from there on, that’s between Tua and the doctors and we’ll move forward as information is projected towards us.”

This is Tagovailoa’s third bout run-in with concussion-like symptoms this season. The Dolphins’ handling of their quarterback produced a controversy in Week 3, when he showed concussion-like symptoms but was allowed to stay in the game — a Miami win over Buffalo. That initiated an NFLPA inquiry and led to the NFL revising its concussion protocol. Tagovailoa, whom the team said navigated concussion protocol during the Week 3 game, played four days later. The talented passer was then transported off the field during a game against the Bengals with a confirmed concussion. He missed the next three games. Based on this history, it is unlikely Tua will play against the Patriots.

The Dolphins are 8-4 in games Tagovailoa finishes and 0-3 in other contests, leading them toward the playoff bubble after they had bounced back upon their starter’s return. Tagovailoa threw interceptions on the Dolphins’ final three drives, dropping them to 8-7. Its playoff chances notwithstanding, the team will be under a microscope for how it handles what is either Tagovailoa’s second or third concussion this season.

Panthers Sign CB Josh Norman; Latest On CB Jaycee Horn

December 26th, 2022 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

5:00pm: To little surprise, a deal has indeed been finalized. The Panthers announced that Norman is officially back in the fold, joining the team’s practice squad for now. An elevation to the 53-man roster in time for Week 17 is expected to take place.

2:42pm: With the Panthers dealing with a significant loss in their secondary, a familiar face could be back in the fold soon. Veteran Josh Norman is set to workout with the team today, and a deal bringing him back in the fold is a distinct possibility (Twitter links via Joe Person of The Athletic).

The news comes not long after interim head coach Steve Wilks announced that fellow cornerback Jaycee Horn will undergo wrist surgery on Tuesday. A determination will be made after that procedure regarding whether or not the 2021 first-rounder will be able to return at any time this season. It is not expected at this point that he will be able to suit up before 2023.

Horn’s presumed season-ending absence has opened up a spot at the position, and Norman would represent an experienced addition should his visit result in a deal. The 35-year-old began his career as a fifth-rounder of the Panthers in 2012. He enjoyed his best seasons there, including the 2015 campaign which saw him earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors after notching four interceptions. He played an instrumental role in the team’s run to the Super Bowl that year.

The Coastal Carolina alum departed for Washington the following offseason, and spent four years there. He tallied seven interceptions and 43 pass deflections during that tenure, demonstrating his continued ability to make plays on the ball into the latter stages of his career. His Washington stint was followed by one-year deals with the Bills and 49ers.

Norman has not played since he made 15 appearances (including 14 starts) with San Francisco last year. While expectations would certainly need to be tempered relative to the last time in played for Carolina, he could step in and play at least a rotational role for the final two weeks of the season – a stretch which carries far more significance at this point than many would have expected given the team’s start to the campaign.

The Panthers sit at 6-9 on the season, putting them just one game behind the Buccaneers for top spot in the NFC South. The two teams will face off against each other on Sunday in a pivotal matchup, one which could include the beginning of Norman’s reunion with his original NFL team.

Broncos Fire Nathaniel Hackett, Name Jerry Rosburg Interim HC

December 26th, 2022 at 4:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

4:00pm: The Broncos have gone with senior assistant Jerry Rosburg as their interim HC to close out the season, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets and the team has since confirmed. The veteran coach was hired in September to assist with in-game operations and decisions, including clock management. The 67-year-old’s background is in special teams, including stints with the Browns, Falcons and, for one decade, the Ravens; he will oversee the team’s staff in all three phases.

Pelissero adds that the interim HC role was originally offered to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who has become a prime candidate for a full-time head coaching gig given his performance in 2022 (Twitter link). He has instead decided to remain the DC to close out the campaign, as he heads towards what will likely be a busy offseason filled with interest from Denver and elsewhere.

11:45am: After yet another disastrous performance in front of a national audience, Nathaniel Hackett‘s time in Denver is coming to an end. The first-year head coach has been fired by the Broncos, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). The team has confirmed the decision.

Hackett has become just the fifth coach in league history to have his first season as a bench boss come to an end before the campaign is completed. Denver sits a 4-11 on the year after yesterday’s 51-14 loss to the shorthanded Rams. That qualifies them as one of, if not the largest disappointments in the league considering the expectations surrounding the team heading into the fall.

Hackett was hired with the intention of reviving the Broncos’ offense, a unit which was seen as by far the weak point on an otherwise capable team. That, coupled with the trade for, and extension of, quarterback Russell Wilson, was presumed to put the organization on a path to success on both sides of the ball. Instead, the team ranks dead last in the NFL with an average of just 15.5 points per game. Improvement has generally not been seen even after Hackett ceded play-calling duties to QBs coach Klint Kubiak in November.

As offensive struggles (including several shockingly poor performances by Wilson), injuries and a lack of consistency continued to pile up, expectations grew over the passing weeks that Hackett would be let go at some point. The matter of whether or not he would be fired before the end of the campaign was a matter of debate, but questions on that subject have now been answered. Denver will now join the Panthers and Colts in their search for a long-term replacement.

A statement from team owner Greg Penner reads in part, “We sincerely appreciate Nathaniel’s efforts and wish him and his family all the best in the future. Following extensive conversations with [GM] George [Paton] and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos… We recognize and appreciate this organization’s championship history, and we understand we have not met that standard.

 “Moving forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary to restore this franchise’s winning tradition. I will lead our head coaching search with support from our ownership group and George, whom I have confidence in as our general manager.”

That final sentence is noteworthy, as Paton has drawn sharp criticism this season for his role in the decisions to hire Hackett and acquire Wilson. Conflicting reports have emerged recently regarding whether or not Paton’s tenure would be cut short after only two seasons at the helm in the Mile High City. A public vote of confidence from the team’s new ownership group bodes well for his job security in at least the short-term future.

Nevertheless, Paton and the rest of the Broncos’ front office will be under intense scrutiny in the coming months as they look to undo the damage caused by Hackett’s hiring. Wilson is under contract through 2028 as a result of the mega-extension he signed before making his regular season debut with Denver this fall, so he is tied to the franchise for years to come. That, along with coaching uncertainty for the second straight offseason will leave a significant stain on the 2022 season for the Broncos, the sixth straight in which they have produced a losing record.

Hackett, meanwhile, is unlikely to find himself on the head coaching radar anytime soon. The total inability of the Broncos to find consistency on offense in particular and build any momentum during the season suggests he is best suited as an offensive coordinator, the role he held for eight total years with the Bills, Jaguars and Packers before taking the Denver gig this offseason.

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