HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Ravens Sign Round 1 WR Zay Flowers

June 14th, 2023 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Part of a record-setting receiver run in the first round, Zay Flowers joined the other three wideouts chosen consecutively in signing his rookie contract. The Ravens rookie agreed to terms on his deal Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Flowers’ No. 22 slot deal will be worth $14MM, with Schefter adding the Boston College product will receive his entire $7.2MM signing bonus this year. This draft’s Nos. 20, 21 and 23 picks — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston and Jordan Addison — had previously agreed to terms on their four-year rookie deals (feat. fifth-year options).

A four-year contributor at the ACC school, Flowers will be part of a revamped Ravens receiving corps this year. Flowers joins Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor as outside additions expected to boost Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson-piloted attack. With Flowers under contract, the Ravens have now agreed to terms with all six of their 2023 draftees.

Flowers attracted interest from other teams, with the Giants making an effort to trade up for the shifty pass catcher. Leery of both the Giants and Chiefs, the Ravens did not overthink their strategy and made Flowers the draft’s third straight receiver selected — behind Smith-Njigba and Johnston. This draft featured a record four consecutive wideouts going off the board in the first round.

While Flowers is now the fifth first-round wideout on the Ravens’ roster, joining Beckham (2014), Agholor (2015), Laquon Treadwell (2016) and Rashod Bateman (2021), he is also the franchise’s fourth first-round receiver pick since 2015. The Ravens have repeatedly tried to staff their receiving corps with first-rounders, taking Breshad Perriman in 2015, Marquise Brown in 2019 and adding Bateman two years ago. Perriman did not finish out his rookie contract in Baltimore, while the team dealt Brown to Arizona for a package headlined by a first-round pick. Bateman is coming off a foot injury that ended his season in October.

At Boston College, Flowers led the team in receiving for three straight seasons. In 2022, the 5-foot-9 target caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. Not much in the way of precedent exists for 5-9 receivers going in Round 1. Only two other wideouts shorter than 5-10 went in the first round in the 21st century. Brown was one of those, with Tavon Austin (Rams, 2013) being the other. The Ravens are betting big on Flowers, who they attempt to give Mark Andrews better support now that Jackson is signed to a record-setting extension.

As rookies prepare for their first training camps, here is how Baltimore’s 2023 draft class looks:

Round 1, No. 22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College) (signed)
Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson) (signed)
Round 4, No. 124: Tavius Robinson, LB (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5, No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 6, No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC) (signed)

AFC East Notes: Floyd, Patriots, Dolphins

June 14th, 2023 at 1:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Over the past two offseasons, the Bills have added both the Super Bowl LVI-winning Rams’ top edge rushers. Leonard Floyd‘s deal did not move close to the Von Miller ballpark, with the Bills guaranteeing the younger defensive end $7MM. The incentives that could bump Floyd’s deal to $9MM are now known as well. They are each sack-based. Floyd can earn $500K bumps by reaching the eight- and 10-sack plateaus, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. If Floyd registers 12 sacks — which would be a career-high total — he can add $1MM to his base pay. Over the past three seasons, Floyd has hit the first benchmark three times (9.5 sacks in 2021, nine in ’22) and the second threshold once (10.5 sacks in 2020). The Bills tacked on three void years to the deal to keep Floyd’s cap number at $2.6MM.

The Bills began talking to Floyd just before the draft, per GM Brandon Beane, who adds (via the Buffalo News’ Katherine Fitzgerald) Miller led the way in recruiting the former top-10 pick. Floyd turned down at least one more lucrative offer to join Miller and Gregory Rousseau in Buffalo. With Miller now aiming to return in Week 1 after rehabbing an ACL tear, the Floyd addition becomes more interesting given the pair’s production together in Los Angeles.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • Although Bill O’Brien‘s Patriots past undoubtedly helped him take over as offensive coordinator, but the former Texans HC is using concepts from his most recent gig as he installs his offense. O’Brien is adding pieces from the Alabama offense he ran, Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes (subscription required). This stands to be good news for Mac Jones, who starred at Alabama in 2020. While Tua Tagovailoa‘s Crimson Tide successor did not play for O’Brien in college, he helped the incoming Alabama OC with the playbook on his way out in 2021. Considering Jones’ issues with the Patriots’ Matt Patricia– and Joe Judge-run offense in 2022, O’Brien’s arrival is shaping up as a significant step forward. Jones looks far more comfortable thus far in O’Brien’s offense, Howe adds.
  • A period during the Patriots’ recent OTA sessions may shed some early light on Mike Gesicki‘s New England role. With other tight ends staying on one field to work an inside-run drill, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes Gesicki was working with the Pats’ wide receivers on another field. Gesicki is not known for his run-blocking ability, which became an issue in Mike McDaniel‘s Miami offense last season, but he has long been a proven pass catcher. Lining up as a receiver will not be foreign to Gesicki, though it is still a bit early to determine the five-year Dolphin’s true role with his new team.
  • The Dolphins initially came into the offseason with a goal not to devote much money to their backup quarterback spot, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes they became “smitten” with Mike White. Miami added White early during the legal tampering period, giving the ex-Jets starter a two-year, $8MM deal ($4.5MM guaranteed). It is interesting the Dolphins would have considered skimping at QB2, considering how Tagovailoa’s injury trouble hijacked their promising 2022 season. But White (seven starts from 2021-22) is now in Teddy Bridgewater‘s former role. White, however, has also dealt with multiple injuries over the past two years. Skylar Thompson and rookie UDFA James Blackman are the other Miami QBs.
  • James Robinson‘s Patriots release came after the team included three injury waivers in his contract, Breer tweets. This rare protection measure included waivers on both Robinson’s knees and his left Achilles. This since-scrapped contract — Robinson has cleared waivers — illustrates the ex-Jaguars starter’s lack of options. Robinson, who saw a torn Achilles halt his early-career surge in December 2021, is facing an uncertain NFL future. The 24-year-old back has yet to earn much, either. Robinson totaled a rookie UDFA-record 1,414 scrimmage yards in 2020 but spent his first three seasons attached to league-minimum salaries.

Texans, Maliek Collins Agree On Extension

June 14th, 2023 at 1:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

For the second straight offseason, the Texans are giving Maliek Collins a two-year contract. The veteran defensive tackle will now be signed through the 2025 season.

Collins agreed to terms on a two-year, $23MM extension Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). That deal will include $20MM guaranteed. This marks a nice raise for the ex-Cowboys draftee. His previous contract — a two-year, $17MM pact — contained $8.5MM guaranteed. Only $1MM guaranteed remained on Collins’ 2022 agreement.

Although Collins has only been in Houston since 2021, this marks his third contract with the rebuilding team. Nick Caserio‘s first offseason in the Houston GM chair involved a one-year, $5MM deal. The Texans re-signed Collins as a free agent in 2022 and will now make a bigger bet on the former Cowboys and Raiders starter. It would not be surprising to learn the $20MM number represents the total guarantee, rather than the amount locked in at signing, but this continues to show the franchise’s commitment to the D-line starter. Collins will enter the 2023 season with 96 career starts.

Despite the Texans firing David Culley and Lovie Smith after one season apiece, they are deeming Collins an early fit in a new defensive scheme. DeMeco Ryans is installing his 4-3 alignment, moving Collins to a full-time D-tackle role. He played in a 4-3 look in Dallas and Las Vegas, and with teams generally rushing four from nickel sets, the 3-4/4-3 divide is not nearly as notable as it once was.

Collins, 28, served as one of the more reliable pieces on two bad Texans teams. A 15-game starter in 2021 and 2022, Collins has combined for six sacks and 18 tackles for loss during his Houston run. While Pro Football Focus graded the former third-round pick as a mid-pack interior D-lineman last season, the advanced metrics site slotted him in the top 20 against the pass. While Ryans does not have an Arik Armstead-level piece on his new Texans defense, Collins’ contract points to him being the team’s interior pillar.

The Texans have obviously not come close to replacing J.J. Watt, one of the NFL’s all-time D-line greats, but they do have two veteran starters in place to start Ryans’ run. In addition to extending Collins, the team brought in former first-rounder Sheldon Rankins on a one-year, $9.75MM deal. The Texans also signed ex-49er rotational cog Hassan Ridgeway this offseason. The team’s Collins-led inside corps should be improved in 2023.

Raiders Remain Interested In Marcus Peters

June 14th, 2023 at 12:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Marcus Peters‘ Raiders visit occurred nearly a month ago. No deal materialized, leaving Las Vegas with questions at cornerback. While the team signed a few veterans this offseason, all were low-cost additions.

The team is not out on Peters, however, and Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes the team is likely to sign the former All-Pro before training camp (subscription required). The Raiders and Peters have kept in touch since the eight-year veteran’s mid-May visit, and while Tafur adds other corners are on the team’s list, Peters looks to be the most likely veteran move the team will make.

Las Vegas has added Duke Shelley, David Long and Brandon Facyson this offseason. While reasons for optimism exist with this contingent, the Raiders lost their most seasoned starter at the position — Rock Ya-Sin — from another defense that ranked near the NFL’s basement. Patrick Graham‘s first Vegas unit ranked 26th in points allowed — the Raiders’ 20th consecutive season ranked 20th or worse in this area — and 31st in DVOA. Although the Raiders bolstered their pass rush by drafting Tyree Wilson seventh overall, they could use a proven cover man.

An Oakland native who supported the Raiders growing up, Peters has 103 career starts on his resume despite missing the 2021 season. Even with the missed season, Peters’ 32 interceptions still lead the NFL — by four — since his 2015 rookie year. Peters, 30, did not play on a Pro Bowl level last season. He allowed a 113.7 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage — his worst mark as a Raven — and surrendered seven touchdown receptions despite missing four games. But Pro Football Focus did not view the veteran to have slipped too far; the advanced metrics site slotted Peters 49th among corners last year.

The inconsistent 2022 season likely represents the main reason Peters is still available. Although age is now a factor for the veteran ballhawk, he will be two years removed from the ACL tear by Week 1. The 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Peters has two first-team All-Pro nods on his resume and has led the NFL in INT return yardage three times. While the brash boundary corner offers a boom-or-bust play style, he would supply the Raiders with far more experience than any of their current options bring.

Other available outside corners include Ronald Darby, Casey Hayward, William Jackson, Eli Apple and Ahkello Witherspoon. Hayward spent the 2021 season with the Raiders, following Gus Bradley to Vegas. He joins Jackson, Darby and Witherspoon in being offseason cap casualties. Peters should be considered the top option, and it should be expected more Raiders connections will follow closer to training camp.

Bills’ Stefon Diggs Returns To Practice

June 14th, 2023 at 11:51am CST by Adam La Rose

JUNE 14: This unusual situation may be trending in the right direction for the Bills. Diggs is practicing during the team’s Wednesday minicamp workout, Buscaglia tweets. The Bills confirmed this as well (video link). That said, Buscaglia adds Diggs did not participate in team drills (Twitter link). It will be interesting to eventually hear what Diggs has to say regarding this matter. For now, the accomplished wideout is back with the team ahead of what would be a fourth season in Buffalo.

JUNE 13, 9:54pm: Bakari also wants clarity on McDermott’s concern, via 13WHAM’s Mike Catalina (on Twitter), adding to this situation’s strangeness. While the Pro Bowl wideout’s agent indicated Diggs would be back Wednesday, it is not known if he will work out with the team. Josh Allen confirmed the situation is not football-related.

“I know, internally, we’re working on some things not football related, but Stef, he’s my guy,” Allen said, via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia. “This does not work, what we’re doing here, without him. “I think there’s the football piece, one, and stuff that happens due to football, and I’ll just kind of keep it at that. I think, for the most part, it has to do with more teamwork than anything.”

12:43pm: Most of the players currently absent from mandatory minicamps are steering clear of their respective teams as part of ongoing contract disputes. That does not appear to be the case for Bills wideout Stefon Diggs, but he is nevertheless missing from practice today.

Diggs is absent from minicamp, as head coach Sean McDermott stated on Tuesday. The latter declined to say whether or not the former was excused, but he added that he is “very concerned” the team’s leading receiver is not in attendance. However, Diggs’ agent Adisa Bakari has stated that the 29-year-old was at the team’s facility on Monday and plans to be present for the full minicamp (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The Bills have since confirmed that Diggs was present Monday and, prior to practice, Tuesday.

Bakari added that Diggs met with both McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane over the past two days, which adds to the confusion surrounding this situation. Speculation has swirled, though, in the past few months with respect to Diggs’ level of satisfaction with the Bills and thus his long-term future in the organization. He has not spoken publicly since the team’s season ended in disappointing fashion with a home loss to the Bengals.

The former fifth-rounder has been as advertised during his three years in Buffalo following the trade which sent him out of Minnesota (something which itself was borne of his frustration with the Vikings). Diggs has posted 4,189 yards and 29 touchdowns since 2020, leading the league in both receptions and yards in his first Buffalo campaign. He earned first-team All-Pro recognition that season, and has been named a Pro Bowler three years in a row.

The Maryland alum put himself in line for a raise with those numbers, and he received it last offseason. Diggs inked a four-year, $96MM extension which moved him into the top five in the NFL in terms of annual compensation at the WR position. With finances not being at the heart of any potential issue he has with the Bills, it will be interesting to monitor how he and the team respond to today’s news.

Guarantees Remain Issue In Saquon Barkley-Giants Negotiations

June 14th, 2023 at 11:06am CST by Sam Robinson

The franchise tag deadline annually produces a run of headlines before the pivotal July date. This year’s lead tag story will be Saquon Barkley‘s status with the Giants. After expressing frustration with being tagged, Barkley has until July 17 to sign a long-term extension. No deal by that date tables any negotiations until 2024.

New York pulled its top proposal to Barkley after tagging him in March. That offer was said to be worth in the $13MM-per-year neighborhood. The Giants have not put that $13MM-AAV term back on the table, the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard notes.

Regarding the two known offers the Giants have made — one north of $12MM on average from November and the $13MM-AAV proposal from earlier this year — Leonard adds these were not high on guarantees. Indicating he would not sign his franchise tender this week, Barkley voiced frustration about the leaks from the Giants’ side regarding the offers he rejected.

Barkley’s guarantee baseline may be in the $22MM range, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes, as it would match the cost of playing on the tag this year and being re-tagged in 2024 (video link). Only two veteran backs — Christian McCaffrey ($30.1MM) and Derrick Henry ($25.5MM) — are attached to deals including more than $18MM fully guaranteed. Barkley’s initial NFL contract — from his No. 2 draft slot — once stood atop the position for guaranteed cash ($31.2MM). While Barkley has made nearly $40MM thanks to that deal and his 2022 fifth-year option, he does not have too many more prime seasons to parlay into a multiyear guarantee.

The Giants are believed to be OK with Barkley playing on the tag, despite the $10.9MM cap hold. Barkley, 26, joined Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard in being cuffed this year. That took the top three backs off the market, but a host of starter-level backs still hit free agency. The buyer’s market, as expected, produced a host of mid- and low-level contracts. Barkley argued this year’s running back market — which saw Miles Sanders‘ $6.4MM-per-year Panthers deal (11th in RB AAV) lead the way — is not a true reflection of the position’s value, since the franchise-tagged heavy hitters would have commanded more.

“I think the biggest thing is being patient, being open to listen and understanding what the market is,” Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown said, via NJ.com’s Bob Brookover. “The market surplus and scarcity dictates a lot on how you make decisions and also being able to agree to disagree at times and being able to get back to the table.”

Said surplus now includes Dalvin Cook, whom the Vikings finally cut last week. It remains highly unlikely the Giants would rescind Barkley’s tag to sign Cook, as that would go over poorly in the locker room given the former’s contributions to last year’s playoff-bound team. Barkley bounced back from three injury-plagued seasons to lead a Giants team low on reliable pass catchers to the postseason.

Giants hesitation regarding a top-flight guarantee is also understandable, with Barkley having suffered a high ankle sprain in 2019, an ACL tear in 2020 and another ankle injury in 2021. Barkley missed 21 games during that span. Barkley acknowledged his injury past when he said in January he was not asking to set the market at running back, but while this position’s value continues to dip across the NFL, the Giants are preparing to build around a quarterback (Daniel Jones) who submitted uneven rookie-contract work. Barkley remains a pivotal part of this plan.

As of late May, no deal was close. The team, however, came to terms with Jones minutes before the March franchise tag deadline, allowing for the Barkley tag. Negotiations with tagged players regularly run up to the July extension deadline.

“I think they’re open to talking,” Barkley said. “I’m open to talking. I think at the end of the day, if you really break it down and look at it as a whole, there is no rush. There is still time on the table to get to July 17. July 17 is not tomorrow. Maybe that is the naïve way to look at it. I could be completely wrong. But for me, that’s how I look at it. I trust in the Giants that we could get something done.”

Although Barkley has banked far more than Le’Veon Bell did when he sat out the 2018 season in protest of the tag, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano notes the Giants are not concerned he will follow the ex-Steeler’s lead by skipping a season. That would cost him the $10.9MM tag salary and his age-26 season. It is not expected the Giants will raise their offer from March, but it will be interesting to see how the guarantees look in Big Blue’s final proposal before next month’s deadline.

Latest On Patriots, DeAndre Hopkins

June 14th, 2023 at 9:49am CST by Sam Robinson

After leaving his Titans meeting without a deal, DeAndre Hopkins continues to explore his options. While he may well continue to wait on the right offer following his Patriots visit, the sides will huddle up for a multi-day summit.

Hopkins’ Pats visit will begin later today and extend through Thursday. Though New England is not known to splurge for wide receiver help, Hopkins’ value has certainly dropped compared to where it was when he locked down his Cardinals extension three years ago.

This might not be an exploratory visit to merely gauge Hopkins’ market, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who notes some optimism exists the sides can use this meeting to hammer out an agreement (subscription required). Tension between Hopkins and new Patriots OC Bill O’Brien may be in the past as well, with ESPN’s Dianna Russini adding no animosity remains between the two ex-Texans (Twitter link). Amid his woeful period in the Texans’ GM role, O’Brien pulled the trigger on trading Hopkins to Arizona in March 2020.

The Patriots have not been shy about acquiring proven pieces at receiver under Bill Belichick. In the years since the Randy Moss and Wes Welker trades, New England has traded for Brandin Cooks, Josh Gordon, Mohamed Sanu and DeVante Parker and signed the likes of Danny Amendola, Antonio Brown, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster. That said, the lone eight-figure-per-year payment the team authorized in this bunch — the two-year, $22MM Agholor deal — did not pan out. Smith-Schuster signed for three years and $25.5MM ($16MM guaranteed). The Pats also bailed on Cooks and Deion Branch via trade rather than sign up for a big-ticket contract.

Hopkins is not aiming to take a steep discount from his Cardinals pact, which would have paid him $19.45MM in 2023. Odell Beckham Jr.‘s $15MM Ravens guarantee has come up a few times during Hopkins’ free agency. Multiple evaluators pegged Hopkins’ value in the $8-$10MM-per-year range, SI.com’s Albert Breer noted during an NBC Sports Boston appearance (video link). This could also include incentives to move the money toward that $19MM-plus mark. Anything close to $19MM at this juncture remains highly unrealistic, and the Pats ponying up approximately $10MM for a player coming off two injury-plagued seasons — and a 2022 PED suspension — should certainly not be considered a lock.

But even as Buffalo and Kansas City lingered as the early favorites, New England hovered as a team to watch. Those rumors leading to this visit with a player Belichick has long viewed in high regard points to genuine interest. The team holds $14.8MM in cap space, which checks in at 14th as of Wednesday morning.

Panthers Sign Round 2 WR Jonathan Mingo

June 14th, 2023 at 9:30am CST by Sam Robinson

JUNE 14: The Panthers will guarantee the first three years of Mingo’s deal, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. This marks more growth for second-rounders, with last year’s No. 39 overall pick — Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon — receiving a partial guarantee in Year 3.

JUNE 13: Jonathan Mingo will be expected to become one of Bryce Young‘s top targets this season. As the Panthers begin their minicamp, they will have their second-round pick under contract.

The Ole Miss product signed his four-year rookie deal Tuesday, per the team, locking him down through the 2026 season. Going off the board 39th overall, Mingo will see all or most of his third year fully guaranteed. No. 37 overall pick Derick Hall received three years fully guaranteed from the Seahawks and a partial fourth-year guarantee.

Carolina overhauled its receiving corps recently, disbanding the two-plus-year D.J. Moore–Chosen Anderson tandem by trading the latter. The Panthers then included Moore in their blockbuster swap with the Bears, giving them Young draft real estate. The No. 1 overall pick is the final unsigned Panther from the 2023 draft class.

Ole Miss has delivered multiple impact wide receivers to the NFL over the past few years, with each of the Rebels’ top pass catchers going off the board in Round 2. Both A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf emerged as No. 1-caliber targets early in their careers. Elijah Moore has not done so yet, but the new Browns weapon remains a promising wideout. The Jets chose Moore in the 2021 second round. Mingo will attempt to follow the ex-Rebels’ paths.

Scouts Inc. rated Mingo as its No. 37 overall prospect. The 220-pound Mississippi native clocked a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, coming off a productive 2022 season. Mingo is not heading to Charlotte after a prolific career, however, having only topped 300 receiving yards in one of his four Rebels seasons. He totaled 51 receptions — his only season with more than 27 grabs — for 861 yards and five touchdowns last season but still managed to become one of the first wideouts chosen this year.

The Panthers signed Adam Thielen and DJ Chark this offseason and still roster former second-round pick Terrace Marshall. While they dealt their longtime No. 1 target (Moore), Mingo profiles as the most likely long-term Young teammate among the team’s current receivers. During negotiations with the Bears, the Panthers successfully kept the No. 39 pick out of the deal. They instead included No. 61 and a 2025 second-rounder. Effectively prioritizing No. 39 over two second-round picks, the Panthers are making a notable bet on Mingo being a long-term contributor.

Rams Sign Round 2 OL Steve Avila

June 13th, 2023 at 8:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Selecting a guard with their first pick for the second straight year, the Rams are expected to plug Steve Avila into their starting lineup. That process can now begin in earnest, with Avila now under contract.

Chosen 36th overall out of TCU, Avila will be ticketed for the terms the Seahawks gave No. 37 pick Derick Hall. Avila will receive three years fully guaranteed, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets, adding that 10% of his 2026 salary is locked in at signing as well.

The 10% component marks a first for a player in the No. 36 slot, per Yates, representing more gains for second-round picks. With the slot system in its second decade, fewer bargaining territory exists during rookie-deal negotiations. But second-rounders’ pacts have become a notable area featuring wiggle room. Avila and Hall’s deals will apply more pressure on the teams who chose players in that pick neighborhood.

The Rams, who led off their 2022 draft with Wisconsin O-lineman Logan Bruss, have Avila penciled in at one of their guard spots. Bruss is coming off August 2022 ACL and MCL tears, and while he is practicing, last year’s 104th overall pick does not have a clear path to a first-string gig like Avila appears to. Following an injury-wrecked season up front, the Rams are in search of answers just about everywhere except for right tackle, where Rob Havenstein has the job locked down.

While Peter Skoronski may wind up at guard for the Titans, Avila represents the first pure guard chosen this year. He is also the Rams’ highest-drafted player since they took Jared Goff first overall in 2016.

Avila, 23, could be an option at center at some point, having started there during most of his 2021 junior season and parts of his sophomore campaign. But he spent the ’22 slate at guard, starting 15 games and earning consensus All-American honors. TCU’s first consensus All-American since wideout Josh Doctson in 2015, Avila played a significant role in the Horned Frogs becoming one of the most unlikely entrants in a Division I-FBS national championship game. The 330-pound blocker played 1,044 snaps at left guard and did not allow a sack last season.

In addition to Avila, the Rams moved ahead with two other agreements with their 14-man draft class. Wingate punter Ethan Evans (No. 223) and Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II (No. 234) signed their four-year rookie deals Tuesday as well, Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams notes. The Rams chose Taylor with the pick obtained for Allen Robinson.

Dates Emerge For Ratification Vote On Commanders Sale

June 13th, 2023 at 6:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The next round of NFL owners’ meetings are not on tap until October, but the league is making preparations for a special session regarding the Commanders sale.

Owners have been informed to be available on July 20 or August 8 for a meeting that would include a ratification vote, according to the SportsBusiness Journal’s Ben Fischer (Twitter link). Vetting of Josh Harris‘ Commanders purchase is ongoing, but dates emerging certainly points to confidence the sale will be ratified by one of these two dates. Roger Goodell said recently he expects the sale to be ratified, providing a rather clear indication the item will meet the required 24 votes to pass.

Harris, who agreed to terms with Dan Snyder to buy the Commanders for a record-shattering $6.05 billion, has said he is willing to work with the league on a more amenable deal structure. Issues concerning the amount of debt held by the potential new owner, as well as some tax and incentive matters, have arisen. But the NFL owners have long been eager to finalize Snyder’s exit, opening the door for the large Harris-headed ownership group.

Harris is not believed to need to make many adjustments to his bid structure, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones (on Twitter). He and group member Mitchell Rales met with the NFL’s eight-man finance committee last week, and the meeting is believed to have gone well. Signs continue to point to the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner adding an NFL team to his portfolio before the start of the season.

The NFL most recently held a special session last August — for the ratification of Rob Walton‘s summer 2022 Broncos purchase. That did not encounter any speedbumps, and owners approved the Walton group’s acquisition just less than two months after the $4.65 billion bid arrived. Harris’ more complex bid structure has brought a slower-moving vet. He reached a nonexclusive agreement with Snyder in mid-April, and the parties came to terms on the exclusive deal — one the NFL is still vetting — May 12. If the NFL calls the meeting for July 20, the time between the Harris purchase and ratification will not end up being much longer than Walton’s.

Walton’s $70 billion-plus in net worth provided no liquidity-driven complications, whereas Harris’ net worth (estimated at just more than $6 billion) has required a number of investors. A prospective primary owner must be able to furnish 30% of the total sales price in cash at the time of the purchase, and while this component has added to the finance committee’s task, it would still be a shock if Harris was not ratified as the new Washington owner. While this bid structure might not be approved under normal circumstances, the owners’ chance to end Snyder’s increasingly scandal-ridden tenure running a franchise has long superseded concerns pertaining to the bid.

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