2023 April - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Poll: How Will Texans Proceed With No. 2 Overall Pick?

April 26th, 2023 at 11:46am CST by Sam Robinson

Enough smoke has emerged here that it would be a slight surprise if the Texans selected a quarterback with their latest top-three pick, but the team does have that option — and a glaring need — at No. 2 overall. Houston faces perhaps the most intriguing decision in this year’s draft.

The Texans were long believed to have made the right call by trading up for Deshaun Watson six years ago, but that assessment changed rapidly in 2021. Since a tornado of sexual misconduct accusations led Watson out of town, Houston did not make a true effort to replace him. Taking Davis Mills 67th overall represents the most notable investment, and after 26 starts, the Stanford product no longer appears in the organization’s long-term plans. This draft represents a chance to upgrade, but the Texans may not view the non-Bryce Young QB contingent as worth this pick.

It would still invite considerable risk for the Texans to pass on a quarterback at 2, with only Mills and Case Keenum rostered. GM Nick Caserio and HC DeMeco Ryans may be on different timelines, however. Caserio has hired three head coaches in three offseasons, and while he denied rumors he would be leaving after the draft, the third-year GM’s stock has dropped a bit. Texans ownership is believed to be more involved in this year’s draft, despite Caserio extracting historic value for Watson and selecting a host of starters in 2022. Ryans, conversely, signed a six-year contract and will be given a much longer leash compared to one-and-dones David Culley and Lovie Smith. And the former 49ers staffer built his HC resume on a defensive acumen.

C.J. Stroud was believed to be in the mix to go No. 1 overall, but the two-year Ohio State starter has been the player most affected by the Texans’ perceived QB hesitancy. Stroud having hired Watson agent David Mulugheta is viewed as an issue for the Texans, though it is worth wondering how much of a concern it would be if the team was more sold on the ex-Buckeye. Will Levis brings superior arm strength into the equation, and while he did not possess anything close to Stroud’s weaponry, the Kentucky prospect took a step back last season.

The Texans, who were believed to be targeting Young when they entered trade talks with the Bears about the No. 1 pick, have met with both Stroud and Levis. The team could still use its No. 12 overall pick to move up for a passer, though that would require giving up more draft capital compared to simply taking a QB at 2 and keeping its future picks. Hendon Hooker also visited the Texans and could be on the radar here, age (25) and health status aside.

Houston, which has either held a top-three draft choice or secured such draft real estate in each of the past three seasons, also could attempt a long-game strategy of targeting Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Both are viewed as top-flight 2024 prospects. The Dolphins utilized this strategy in 2019, saving their QB move for Tua Tagovailoa in 2020, while the Jets took Jamal Adams over Watson and Patrick Mahomes in 2017 and maneuvered for Sam Darnold in 2018. While many teams do not expect to be picking high again, the Texans’ prolonged rebuild does point to another chance next year. And the team has a third Browns-obtained first-round pick to use in 2024 as well.

If the Texans are intent on charting this complex course at quarterback, they look to have a choice between edge rushers. While Will Anderson Jr. emerged as the early favorite, Tyree Wilson‘s upside has allowed him to enter the equation. Anderson compiled 27.5 sacks over the past two years at Alabama, but questions about his ceiling have allowed Wilson to catch up.

The Texans passed Wilson on his pre-draft physical, per Albert Breer of SI.com, who adds not every team did. Some teams view Wilson’s foot trouble as an issue that could be a long-term problem, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. the Texans do not appear one of them. Wilson finished with seven sacks in each of the past two seasons, but a fractured foot ended his junior year after 10 games. Wilson also brings a different body type to the table, weighing 271 pounds at the Combine. Anderson weighed 253.

The Jaguars made a potential-over-production pick last year, taking Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson, which sent the Michigan product to the Lions. The Texans let Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Rasheem Green walk in free agency, leaving their edge landscape fairly open. It is interesting that Houston not only could gamble by passing on a QB at 2 but could pass on the more proven edge defender for the potential of another.

If the Texans find a trade partner for the pick, teams like the Titans, Raiders and Falcons have been linked to potentially moving up. Houston moving out of No. 2 could certainly hurt Arizona’s chances of trading out of No. 3. A move down would allow the Texans to recoup assets and potentially grab a quarterback that aligns with their draft board.

After the Panthers’ expected Young pick, how will the draft’s second selection play out? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Jets Re-Sign C Connor McGovern

April 26th, 2023 at 10:52am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 26: McGovern, who signed a three-year deal worth $27MM in 2020, will be attached to a much cheaper Jets pact this season. Gang Green brought back its center on a one-year, $1.92MM deal, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic tweets. The Jets will guarantee the veteran snapper $1.25MM, and Rosenblatt adds no incentives are included in the contract.

APRIL 24: The Jets will have a familiar face in the middle of the offensive line in 2023. The team announced on Monday that they have re-signed center Connor McGovern.

The 29-year old began his career in Denver, where he showed the ability to play at both center and guard. He had an offer to remain in Denver, but it was withdrawn after they landed Graham Glasgow in free agency in 2020. That left McGovern free to head elsewhere, and he landed in New York on a three-year, $27MM deal.

Over the course of that contract, the former fifth-rounder has been a mainstay up front for the Jets, starting all 48 games he appeared in. That includes being on the field for every snap of the 2022 campaign, a feat not matched by any other lineman on the team, as the rest of New York’s group up front suffered a multitude of injuries. McGovern delivered a solid if unspectacular performance last season, earning an overall PFF grade of 69.6, the third-highest mark of his career.

In a free agent class featuring a few different experienced options up front – along with his namesake, who ultimately signed with the Bills last month – McGovern was expected to have a viable market from the Jets and other center-needy teams. The fact that he was still available this late into free agency demonstrates the degree to which that wasn’t the case, but a reunion with the Jets was always considered a logical development.

With McGovern in place, New York’s interior O-line is set with guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker also on the books. The tackle spot could see an addition during the first round of this week’s draft, as the team looks to add more stability and depth up front after being hit hard by injuries last season. Regardless of whether or not they do so, though, they will have consistency and familiarity under center.

Latest On Jets’ First-Round Plans, Corey Davis’ Future With Team

April 26th, 2023 at 10:05am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets are more likely than not to give up their 2024 first-round pick for Aaron Rodgers, considering the future Hall of Famer has played at least 65% of the Packers’ offensive snaps in 13 of the past 15 seasons. That will increase the pressure on the organization to nail its first-round pick this year.

Moving down from No. 13 to No. 15 via the Rodgers swap, the Jets are being connected to both tackles and a wide receiver. The organization has done considerable homework on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, per Matt Miller of ESPN.com, though he also views the Ohio State prospect as a candidate to go in the Jets’ old draft slot. A report this week indicated the Packers — they of zero first-round receiver picks since Javon Walker in 2002 — are believed to be interested in Smith-Njigba.

Taking a receiver so early would be a risky move for a team with a glaring tackle need, but the Jets obviously found a gem in former Smith-Njigba teammate Garrett Wilson at No. 10 last year. That move came after the Jets were connected to just about every potentially available wideout via trade. Smith-Njigba profiles as a slot weapon, and the Jets have moved on from both Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios this offseason. JSN has taken some heat for seeing an early-season hamstring injury essentially end his junior year, but a standout sophomore season — during which he compiled 1,606 yards — far more than Wilson or Chris Olave in 2021 — has him as a strong option to be the first receiver taken in this draft.

The Jets signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman, but they also chased Odell Beckham Jr. The team still could be readying to add Randall Cobb, but doing so after drafting a receiver at No. 15 might not make much sense — Rodgers’ wish list notwithstanding. Sitting as the potential odd man out, Corey Davis also remains on Gang Green’s roster. The Jets were expected to cut Davis if they signed Beckham, but with the Ravens winning that derby, Davis (and a $10.5MM base salary) linger. His Jets fate may depend on how the team proceeds in the early rounds.

“Corey is selfless; Corey is an unbelievable worker; he’s a great professional for some of our young guys to look up to and model their approach, their work ethic to this game,” Jets GM Joe Douglas said this week. “And look, we all know that there is a business aspect to football, but Corey is a valued member of this team and this franchise.”

Rodgers famously spent most of his Packers career without a first-round wideout to target. The Jets adding another to the equation would likely mean a Davis exit. The team would save $10.5MM by releasing the former top-five pick at any point this offseason.

Prior to the Rodgers trade, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini offered a Broderick Jones connection (Twitter link). The Jets hosted the former Georgia left tackle, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the team gave the one-year Bulldogs starter positive feedback during that meeting. Dropping to No. 15 opens the door to the Patriots, who hold the No. 14 pick and have a tackle need, taking a potential Jets target. The Pats also hosted Jones on a pre-draft visit. Before the Jets parted with the 13th pick, NBC Sports’ Peter King had them drafting Jones as well. SI.com’s Albert Breer sends Smith-Njigba to the Jets.

It will be interesting to see if the Jets’ Rodgers trade terms lead to Jones being out of reach. If Jones is off the board, Tennessee’s Darnell Wright could become a Jets consideration. Wright has experience at both left and right tackle, having made 27 starts on the right side and 13 at the more glamorous spot. The Jets have Duane Brown going into his age-38 season and Mekhi Becton a true wild card, given his knee trouble. Scouts Inc. rates Wright 18th overall, slotting the ex-Volunteers starter as this draft’s fourth-best O-lineman.

Paris Johnson and Peter Skoronski figure to be off the board by the time the Jets’ pick arrives. The Jets drafting an O-lineman in Round 1 would make three such investments in four years for Douglas, who took Becton in 2020 and Alijah Vera-Tucker in 2021.

49ers To Re-Sign WR Willie Snead

April 26th, 2023 at 8:47am CST by Sam Robinson

Willie Snead resided as a depth player for the 49ers last season. The team will keep the veteran pass catcher around in 2023, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reporting (via Twitter) Snead is back on San Francisco’s roster as of Wednesday morning.

The former Saints and Ravens slot receiver agreed to terms on a one-year deal. This reunion agreement comes just after the 49ers added veteran wideout Chris Conley.

San Francisco’s 53-man roster may not have room for both Snead and Conley, considering the team employs Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, 2022 third-round pick Danny Gray and return man Ray-Ray McCloud. But the 49ers will give Snead another opportunity to mix in as an insurance option.

Although Snead has multiple 800-plus-yard receiving seasons on his resume, those came in his first two seasons — back in 2016 and ’17 — in New Orleans. The veteran slot target also totaled 651 receiving yards with Ravens during their Joe Flacco-to-Lamar Jackson 2018 transition year. Snead, 30, spent three years in Baltimore but has bounced around since. After Snead spent the 2021 season with the Raiders and Panthers, the 49ers signed the former UDFA success story.

Snead played in four 49ers games last season, logging 30 offensive snaps and 38 on special teams. Barring an injury to one of the 49ers’ top weapons, it should be expected Snead will compete for a similar role this year.

Giants, DT A’Shawn Robinson Agree To Deal

April 26th, 2023 at 8:29am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 26: In terms of base value, Robinson’s deal checks in at $5MM, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets. The Giants are guaranteeing the veteran defensive lineman $4MM. Robinson can earn $1MM in per-game roster bonuses; $3MM in incentives are available. Absent an extension before the 2024 league year, $2.1MM in dead money will be attached to this one-year agreement. The Giants used void years to minimize Robinson’s 2023 cap hit, Duggan tweets.

APRIL 24: The Giants have added one of the top remaining free agent defensive linemen in advance of this week’s draft. New York has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8MM with A’Shawn Robinson, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).

This news comes more than one month after Robinson visited the Giants, his only known sit-down with an outside team during his time as a free agent (though SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets that the Jets were interested as well). That meeting has eventually led to a deal, one which will allow him to join a talented defensive front and attempt to earn a longer-term pact on the open market next offseason.

The 28-year-old is coming off a three-year, $18MM contract with the Rams. Robinson started 24 of 35 games in Los Angeles, seeing his playing time increase with each passing season. He was productive during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2021, and remained a consistent run-stopper during his time on the West Coast. That led to a desire on the Rams’ part to work out a new contract, but they have spent much of this offseason shedding costs.

That left the door open to Robinson heading elsewhere on the open market as one of several veteran free agents in this year’s class. New York’s decision to host him signaled their interest in signing the former Lions second-rounder, but also their commitment to having notable depth along the defensive interior. Dexter Lawrence had a breakout season in 2022, and has likely played his way into a sizeable extension sometime this offseason. New York also has Leonard Williams in the fold; he is set to count for over $32MM on the team’s cap sheet this year.

Robinson will look to occupy at least a rotational role alongside those two in 2023, a campaign in which the Giants will aim to repeat the success of their defensive front from one year ago. A strong season could pay significant dividends for both team and player. The Rams, meanwhile, have now lost Robinson and Greg Gaines from their DT room, meaning the position could be one of interest in this week’s draft.

Draft Notes: Flowers, Eagles, Bills, Ravens

April 25th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have already moved back once in the first round, sending the No. 1 pick to the Panthers for a package that included the No. 9 pick in Thursday’s draft. While the front office was able to restock their draft capital, the team could still look to move back a second time. According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, the Bears “probably would like to trade down” as they pursue more picks.

Volin suspects that the organization likes Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers but has no intention of taking him in the top 10. By trading back in the first round, Ryan Poles and co. can continue to collect assets while also selecting their preferred prospect in a more palatable spot. Volin also suggests that the front office could simply look to deal some of their non-firsts to trade into the back end of the first round, with the writer suggesting a package of picks No. 53, No. 61, and No. 64.

The Bears made a clear commitment to Justin Fields when they traded out of the first selection, eliminating any shot at adding one of the draft’s top QB prospects. The team’s apparent pursuit of Flowers emphasizes their desire to surround Fields with as many talented playmakers as possible, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the organization adds a handful of skill players before the draft is complete.

More notes leading up to Thursday’s draft…

A league executive told Peter King of Football Morning in America that the Eagles “love” Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith, and the writer believes there’s a chance the organization selects the prospect with the 10th-overall pick. While many pundits have assumed the Eagles would select someone like Northwestern lineman Peter Skoronski, King notes that the organization generally hasn’t used high draft picks on offensive guards. Further, the team’s grouping of edge rushers (Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat) are pushing an average age of 30, so it wouldn’t be a shock if they add some youth to the grouping.
The Bills like North Carolina wideout Josh Downs, according to King. Scouts believe the receiver could start in the slot from Day 1, providing Josh Allen with another talented pass-catcher outside of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Downs averaged nearly 100 yards per game over the past two seasons.
A number of teams believe the Ravens will be eyeing wide receivers when it’s their turn to pick at No. 22, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. While the organization added Odell Beckham to a grouping that also includes Rashod Bateman, the team could be looking for another burner to pair with Lamar Jackson. Breer points to Flowers as a “potential interesting fit.”
The Chiefs have made calls about moving up from the No. 31 pick, according to Breer. While teams believe Kansas City is simply looking for a “discounted way” to move up the board, Breer notes that the organization wouldn’t make such a move unless they had their eye on a particular prospect. Once again, Flowers comes up as a potential target, and Breer also points to Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt, and Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith as options.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/25/23

April 25th, 2023 at 8:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor transactions:

Carolina Panthers

Re-signed: S Sam Franklin

Kansas City Chiefs

Re-signed: P Tommy Townsend

Both Franklin and Townsend signed their restricted free agent tenders.

Townsend has been the Chiefs’ starting punter since joining the organization as an UDFA out of Florida in 2020. He finished this past season with a career-high 50.4 yards per punt and 22 punts landed inside the 20 en route to a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nod.

Franklin, a 2020 undrafted free agent out of Temple, has seen time in 47 games for the Panthers over the past three seasons, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams. He finished this past season with 20 tackles in 17 games (one start).

Jets GM Talks Rodgers Trade, Compensation, Zach Wilson

April 25th, 2023 at 8:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Aaron Rodgers-to-Jets trade is all but official. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter), the future Hall of Fame quarterback will be introduced at a press conference tomorrow afternoon. Rodgers himself acknowledged the impending move, writing a farewell to Packers fans on Instagram this evening (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Twitter).

Meanwhile, Connor Hughes of SNYtv hinted on Twitter that we’ll soon learn the details of Rodgers’ reworked contract with the Jets, potentially as soon as tomorrow. During his press conference today, Jets general manager Joe Douglas indicated that there had been “positive” discussions between the Jets front office and the quarterback’s representatives.

Douglas touched on a number of additional subjects during his press conference today, mostly related to the acquisition of the former MVP. We’ve compiled some of the notable soundbites below (h/t to the team’s website):

On the process of negotiating with the Packers after Rodgers stated his desire to play for the Jets:

“You never want to get too far ahead of yourself. Really, you felt honored back a few weeks ago when Aaron said he wanted to be a New York Jet. You felt honored, you felt good. That’s what Robert [Saleh] has been able to do here so that a player like Aaron Rodgers wants to be here.”

On the draft compensation the Jets sent to Green Bay, a swap of first-round picks (which Douglas acknowledged was one of the final components of the agreed-upon deal, per Cimini on Twitter):

“Obviously, we’re comfortable with how this deal shaped. I don’t think anyone ever walks away from a negotiation where you feel like you won everything in terms of what’s gone back and forth. But ultimately, our goal from the beginning was to add Aaron to the team, so we were able to get that. We agreed to terms yesterday and we’re just excited to bring him here.”

On their decision to pair their youthful roster with a 39-year-old quarterback:

“He’s not very far removed from back-to-back MVPs. You still have someone that maybe didn’t play at 100 percent [health-wise] throughout the year but still performed at a high level. … His relationship with Nathaniel [Hackett] and some of the other players that are on the team, we feel obviously that it’s an adjustment when you’re somewhere for 18 years. But we feel with the people we have in place, he can get comfortable quickly.”

On former second-overall pick Zach Wilson, who will now serve as Rodgers’ backup:

“I feel like this is going to be a great thing for Zach. Zach’s ceiling is unlimited. No one works harder, no one loves ball more than Zach Wilson, and him having the opportunity to really shadow and be with a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback every day, every hour he’s in the building, that’s a great opportunity and a great experience.”

QB Draft Notes: Patriots, Seahawks, Lions

April 25th, 2023 at 7:15pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve heard several times that the Colts have interest in Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, and Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com reiterated today that the organization is a fan of the prospect (via Pat McAfee Show on Twitter). However, one surprising suitor has emerged in the Levis sweepstakes.

According to Mike Giardi (on Twitter), the Patriots have “real interest” in Levis, While there isn’t “universal” interest in the quarterback within the organization, there are some “important folks in that building” who believe in the player’s ability and potential. Giardi also cautions that the prospect hasn’t “blown anyone away” during his workouts, a surprising remark considering Levis’ draft stock seems to be climbing each day.

While Bill Belichick and co. have a penchant for moving back in the first round, the organization would surely have to move up the board if they hope to get their hands on Levis. The Patriots are currently sitting with the No. 14 pick in the draft, and if the Colts’ interest is for real, New England would have to jump into the top-three to get their hands on the signal-caller.

That would be a shocking development after the Patriots used a first-round pick on Mac Jones only two years ago. Jones took a step back during his sophomore season in the NFL, leading some to wonder if the coaching staff could be eyeing a quarterback competition heading into training camp. While that competition was assumed to feature Jones and Bailey Zappe, the Patriots could shock the NFL world by adding another player to the mix.

More QB draft notes…

ESPN’s Todd McShay writes that he’s getting a “strong sense” that the Seahawks won’t leave the first round without a quarterback. McShay wonders if the front office could be eyeing Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Florida’s Anthony Richardson with the fifth-overall selection, noting that either prospect would make sense as a long-term developmental option behind Geno Smith. McShay also notes that the Seahawks could skip over the position at No. 5 before targeting Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker at No. 20.
As we’ve heard previously, the Titans are in the mix for a quarterback, with McShay noting that they’re contenders to trade up from No. 11 to select Stroud or Levis. If the organization is unable to pull off a trade up the board, McShay writes that the front office would likely pivot and trade back, in which case they could select Hooker later in the first round.
McShay says the Lions could be a surprising suitor for a quarterback prospect at No. 6. If Stroud does fall down the board, the writer opines that he won’t fall any further than Detroit, where he could serve as a temporary backup to Jared Goff. Meanwhile, while the Raiders previously sniffed around at a trade for Alabama’s Bryce Young, they’re unlikely to take a quarterback with the No. 7 pick, per McShay.

Packers Targeting WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba At No. 13?

April 25th, 2023 at 5:28pm CST by Ben Levine

As part of the Aaron Rodgers/Jets trade, the Packers managed to move up two spots in the first round. Green Bay’s front office is hoping that jump will help them secure one of the draft’s top wide receivers. According to Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter), the Packers are hoping their leap from No. 15 to No. 13 will make it “easier to secure” Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Following a 10-reception season as a freshman, Smith-Njigba broke onto the scene in 2021. Despite playing alongside 2022 first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, the sophomore managed to haul in 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith-Njigba was expected to take another step in 2022 as the top receiver on the depth chart, but he was limited to only three games and five catches while dealing with a lingering hamstring injury.

Smith-Njigba ended up declaring for the draft before Ohio State’s CFP semifinal against Georgia, citing the fact that he wouldn’t be healthy enough to contribute in the postseason. While that decision could have hurt his draft stock, precedent suggests that teams will look past his injury-marred junior campaign. It was just last year that the Lions selected Jameson Williams despite his torn ACL.

Indeed, ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rated Smith-Njigba as one of four wide receivers with a first-round grade (alongside TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, and USC’s Jordan Addison). Now sitting at No. 13, the Packers could be in prime position to select their preferred receiver, especially if one of Johnson/Flowers/Addison is selected within the top-12. The Giants, who are currently armed with the No. 25 pick, were previously mentioned as a potential landing spot for Smith-Njigba.

Despite moving on from their franchise QB, the Packers are still looking for offensive weapons to surround Jordan Love. We heard earlier today that the team was eyeing Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, and the team also previously hosted Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid on a visit.

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