2023 July - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Browns RB Demetric Felton On Roster Bubble

July 9th, 2023 at 12:53pm CST by Rory Parks

This will not come as a surprise in light of the team’s current wide receiver and running back depth charts, but Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that Demetric Felton will attempt to make the Browns’ roster as an RB. While Felton has worked with both the backs and receivers in his first two professional seasons, that versatility has not led to a guaranteed spot on the 2023 club.

Mere circumstance has played a significant role in Felton’s uncertain status. As a sixth-round pick in 2021, Felton was naturally facing an uphill climb to playing time to begin with, and the Browns’ skill position groups over the last two years have included high-profile talent like Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, and Amari Cooper, along with players who were drafted sooner or in a higher round, like Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.

Still, Felton appeared in 16 games as a rookie and posted 18 catches (on 21 targets) for 181 yards and two TDs. He also saw extensive action as a return specialist, handling 32 punts and nine kickoffs. However, his role was dramatically reduced in 2022, as he played in just eight contests and earned four targets, one rushing attempt, and eight total returns. As such, Cabot believes that he is on the roster bubble.

The good news for Felton is that the Browns have parted ways with Hunt and fellow running back D’Ernest Johnson this offseason, so the RB3 job behind Chubb and 2022 fifth-rounder Jerome Ford is very much up for grabs (while the WR room remains loaded). The ability to focus on one position should also benefit Felton.

Ultimately, though his receiving prowess will likely be instrumental in determining his job security, Felton will need to prove that he is a capable ball carrier and blocker. In his junior year of college, the UCLA alum posted a 3.8 yards-per-carry rate on 86 rushing attempts, and as that figure would be poor by NFL standards, it is especially troublesome for a collegian. He did boost his YPC average to a much more respectable 5.1 in his senior year, so he may have the potential to be at least a competent runner at the professional level.

We recently heard that the Browns are likely to add a veteran RB, which would obviously impact Felton’s chances of making the team. One wonders if Cleveland will give Felton meaningful running back reps in training camp before making such an addition.

Contract Details On Recent Patriots Deals

July 9th, 2023 at 11:48am CST by Rory Parks

Since the Patriots agreed to a three-year extension with wide receiver DeVante Parker at the end of June, we have seen a number of reports offering details on that deal. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe is the latest to weigh in.

It seems clear that the contract is worth a maximum of $33MM. We heard when the signing was first reported that $14MM of that figure is comprised of guarantees and per-game roster bonuses, and Volin notes that only $9.1MM is actually guaranteed (Twitter link). With an additional $4.59MM available in per-game roster bonuses, the total due between those two contractual components is $13.69MM, so just shy of the number included in the initial report.

The base value of the deal, including guarantees, per-game roster bonuses, and salary, is $17.1MM. That leaves $15.9MM available in incentives, all of which are classified as not likely to be earned for cap purposes and include benchmarks for playing time, receptions, and yardage (this jibes with a recent report from ESPN’s Field Yates, who noted that Parker could earn up to $14.7MM in statistical incentives and $1.2MM in All-Pro incentives).

Volin adds (via Twitter) that Parker’s cap numbers over the three years of the deal are $3.69MM, $6.57MM, and $6.57MM. It is a fairly low-risk transaction from New England’s perspective, and it does not impact the club’s pursuit of free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins (in fact, because of Parker’s reduced 2023 cap charge, it could actually help the Pats in that regard). We heard earlier today that the Titans have been more aggressive than the Patriots in the Hopkins derby to date, but New England certainly remains in the running.

One day after the Parker re-up, the Patriots finalized a new contract with linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. Bentley landed a two-year extension, which was tacked onto the end of his previous deal and which keeps him under club control through 2025. Volin reports (via Twitter) that, when viewed as a three-year accord, Bentley’s contract is worth a base amount of $16.15MM and includes $1.7MM in incentives (so the maximum value is about $1MM less than the $18.75MM that was initially reported).

Volin confirmed that Bentley landed $9MM in fully-guaranteed money. Ultimately, Bentley will realize a $4.5MM raise for 2023 and will be well-positioned to remain on the roster for at least the 2024 campaign. Given the tepid market for most off-ball linebackers, Bentley may have been wise in sacrificing the chance to hit the open market next year in exchange for additional security.

Latest On DeAndre Hopkins

July 9th, 2023 at 11:15am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 9, 11:15am: Our earlier stories suggested that the Chiefs could reenter the mix if they create cap space via a Chris Jones extension. Veteran NFL reporter Mike Jurecki confirms that Hopkins is waiting for a Jones extension to be finalized so that Kansas City can at least become a viable suitor once again (Twitter link). It’s unclear if the Chiefs would be Hopkins’ top choice, but the chance to be a part of the Andy Reid–Patrick Mahomes offense would be difficult to turn down if KC can present a competitive offer.

JULY 9, 09:45am: To date, the Titans have been more aggressive than the Patriots in their pursuit of Hopkins, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. It is unclear what that means in terms of dollars, though the difference between the two clubs’ offers is not stark enough to keep New England out of the mix. Indeed, if more teams do not enter the sweepstakes, Reiss echoes the sentiment that the presence of Bill O’Brien in Foxborough could give the Pats an edge. Hopkins has a track record of production in O’Brien’s offense when both men were in Houston and may therefore see a stint in New England as the best way to cash in on any incentives included in his next contract.

JULY 7: The waiting game continues for veteran free agents around the league, including wideout DeAndre Hopkins. While weighing his options, the All-Pro recently made it clear that he intends to continue his career well into the future.

“I’ll retire from football when I’m not a 1k-yard receiver,” Hopkins said in a Threads post. “With that said, I was on pace for 1,400 yards last year – one significant injury in 11 years. I might be playing till I’m 37 the way I feel.”

Hopkins, 31, has been limited to 19 games over the past two seasons due to injury and his 2022 PED suspension. In spite of that, he demonstrated a continued ability to produce when on the field last season, averaging just under 80 receiving yards per contest. If healthy, the former Texan and Cardinal could very well turn in another 1,000-yard performance on his new team.

The five-time Pro Bowler last reached that mark in 2020, his first campaign in Arizona. He will be expected to once again serve as an impact-making receiver on his next team, especially if he is able to secure the lucrative pact he is reportedly seeking. Hopkins has only taken visits with two teams so far – the Titans and Patriots – but each have submitted an offer to him. His market outside of Tennessee and New England has remained underwhelming, though, leaving him to wait for further interest to develop.

Hopkins has been in talks with both the Titans and Patriots this week, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t Grant Gordon of NFL.com). Nothing is considered imminent at this point, however, which comes as little surprise with training camp serving as an unofficial soft deadline for a deal to come together. New England’s new contract for DeVante Parker has not taken them out of contention for Hopkins, while the Titans remain confident they can ultimately secure the Clemson alum.

Hopkins’ remarks likely won’t have an effect on the terms he would be given on a short-term deal, one which would allow him to rebuild his value coming off of consecutive seasons with signficant missed time. With an eye on his career lasting deep into his 30s, though, a multi-year agreement could be of interest as well, be it from the Titans, Patriots or another suitor.

Giants, S Xavier McKinney Have Not Commenced Extension Talks

July 9th, 2023 at 10:22am CST by Rory Parks

The Giants are not believed to have initiated extension talks with safety Xavier McKinney, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic (subscription required). McKinney, a 2020 second-rounder, has accrued three years of service time and is therefore eligible for an extension. If he and the team do not come to terms on a new deal prior to the 2024 league year, he will become an unrestricted free agent (barring the application of the franchise tag).

In his first year as New York’s general manager in 2022, GM Joe Schoen discussed extensions with impending free agents like Saquon Barkley and Julian Love during the bye week. Neither of those negotiations culminated in a new contract, and Barkley was ultimately hit with the franchise tag while Love defected to the Seahawks in free agency. Still, it could be that Schoen prefers to wait until this year’s bye (Week 13) to begin laying the foundation for a second contract for McKinney.

McKinney may also prefer to wait until later in the 2023 season, or even until the end of the season, to engage in talks. In 2022, the Alabama product suffered a broken hand during a midseason ATV accident, and he played in just nine regular season games as a result. His surface-level production naturally dropped as a result of the missed time — for instance, he recorded five interceptions in 2021 versus just one in 2022 — but the underlying metrics also suggested that he took a step back. After earning a strong 75.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021 (which included an even better 78.4 coverage score), McKinney was assigned a subpar 57.8 mark in 2022. He also yielded a 93.6 QB rating on passes thrown in his direction last year, which was up significantly from the 72.2 rating he allowed the year before.

As such, his leverage is relatively low at this point, and he may want to take some time to reestablish his value. On the other hand, Duggan suggests that the soon-to-be 24-year-old, who has earned just under $6.5MM through his first three professional seasons and who is due a modest $1.8MM salary in 2023, may be inclined to sign a team-friendly deal in exchange for some financial security. It is unclear what type of payout McKinney will be seeking, though Duggan sees Jalen Thompson‘s three-year extension with the Cardinals — which is worth up to $40MM and which includes $24.5MM in guarantees — as a potential comp.

McKinney remains a key component of the Giants’ defense, and he will be joined by some combination of Nick McCloud, Bobby McCain, Jason Pinnock, and Dane Belton in the defensive backfield. Earlier this year, we learned that McKinney had retained super-agent David Mulugheta, who represents some of the highest-profile safeties in the game.

Extension Candidate: Justin Herbert

July 8th, 2023 at 10:53pm CST by Ely Allen

Now that the league’s most controversial quarterback extension discussion has come to an end, it’s time to move on to what may be the second-most controversial. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has shown some impressive regular season success in Los Angeles, but without results in the postseason, does he deserve to earn what some of his colleagues are making?

The 2020 quarterback class recently became eligible to sign their second NFL contracts. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, in a slightly different situation with no fifth-year option due to being drafted in the second round, broke the mold before heading into the final year of his rookie contract, signing an extension that gave him the highest annual average contract value in the NFL, a record that would be broken weeks later by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Packers decided to get ahead of the pack, as well, signing inexperienced quarterback Jordan Love to an extension of his four-year rookie deal that will keep him under contract through this season and the next. Aside from that, the remaining first-round quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft are playing it patient. The Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern, watching Herbert and the Chargers. The Dolphins also seem to be sitting pat on a new deal for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Injury issues, namely frequent concussions, have Miami playing it slow, as Tagovailoa’s future appears uncertain to say the least.

That brings us to Herbert. The 2020 class’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Herbert has been a statistical phenom in Los Angeles. Through his first three seasons, Herbert has passed for 14,089 yards, more than any other player in NFL history through their first three years. He followed up his ORoY campaign with a Pro Bowl sophomore season. He averages just over 31 passing touchdowns per year to just over 11 interceptions. Despite throwing for the fewest touchdowns of his career last season, he finally saw his team’s success result in a postseason appearance. That paradox serves as a microcosm of the biggest issue currently surrounding his legacy: what good are statistics if they don’t lead to team success?

With Herbert behind center, the Chargers are 25-24. They have floated just above .500 since he took his place atop the depth chart. In his lone postseason contest, the Chargers’ defense consistently put Herbert and the offense in positions to succeed, leading to a 27-0 lead over Jacksonville to begin the game. As the Jaguars mounted their comeback, though, Herbert and the offense struggled generate much scoring as the team only managed three second-half points. That loss ultimately puts his record as a starter at 25-25, including the postseason.

The blame doesn’t fall solely on Herbert’s shoulders, of course. A middling-to-subpar defense in the past three years has made Herbert’s job that much harder. Injuries to leading offensive players like running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have put him in tough situations from time to time, as well. Still, quarterbacks like Jackson and Hurts have made winning without stats look easy, while Hurts and Burrow have found enough postseason success to each have a Super Bowl loss on their records. Herbert’s statistical success should well reward him and set him on track for a top contract, but his lack of winning success could lessen his price tag a bit.

Veteran general manager Tom Telesco has been here before with Philip Rivers. As a student of Bill Polian with the 2000’s Colts, Telesco had a front row seat to how Indianapolis paid Peyton Manning while still fielding a strong team around him. Seeing the success that that resulted in, Telesco will likely be aiming for a more team-friendly deal when trying to extend Herbert.

“At least in our situation, I don’t think I need to have that talk with our quarterback. I think he’s fully aware, has really good self-awareness on how much money he is going to make, how it affects the team,” Telesco said. “But like most agents will tell you, like, it’s my job to figure out how to make sure that the player gets the value that he deserves and we build a team around him.”

With that in mind, what might a deal for Herbert look like? This is a tough one. As the price tag for quarterbacks continues to climb, Herbert is expected to make over $50MM per year. The statistical success backs that assertion, and the development of the deals of Hurts and Jackson make that harder to deny. Yes, Mahomes and Allen aimed for longer deals (slightly for Allen, extremely for Mahomes), that take a bit of burden off the team, but those deals came in 2020 for Mahomes and 2021 for Allen. It’s hard to imagine that both of those deals would still be under $50MM per year in 2023.

If Herbert and Telesco are on the same page about a team-friendly deal, it’s going to be based off of length. Herbert may end up looking at a six- to eight-year deal. With the added years to the contract, he may agree to take a bit less than the five-year deals Hurts and Jackson signed. I could see an eight-year, $400MM deal with a $50MM AAV or maybe a six-year, $306MM deal with a $51MM AAV. If the team waits longer to make the deal, they not only risk further inflation to contract prices, they also risk Herbert driving up the price tag with some postseason success.

Telesco has his work cut out for him. The team clearly wants to commit to Herbert long-term. With seven players all set to make over $10MM next year, the team’s payroll is getting top-heavy. He’ll have to work some Colts-Manning magic in order to give Herbert the long-term deal he deserves while not totally handicapping the team’s ability to stack top-end talent around him.

QB Malik Willis Not Guaranteed To Make Titans Roster

July 8th, 2023 at 10:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite being selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, Malik Willis isn’t a lock to make the Titans roster. While Jim Wyatt of the team’s website believes the quarterback will ultimately make the squad, he cautions that the “roster spot isn’t guaranteed.”

The Titans drafted Willis as more of a long-term project instead of a definitive successor to Ryan Tannehill, but the Liberty product was thrown into the fire as a rookie. Willis ended up going 1-2 in his three starts, completing 50.8 percent of his passes for 276 and three interceptions. He also added 123 rushing yards and one touchdown on 27 attempts.

Tannehill struggled through injuries and saw a drop in production in 2022, but the Titans will bring him back for at least one more season in 2023. At one time, the organization likely envisioned Willis stepping into a full-time role for the 2024 campaign, but things quickly changed during this past year’s draft.

Will Levis fell out of the first round, and the Titans made a move to acquire the No. 33 pick and select the Kentucky quarterback. Levis is now the clear future at the position for the Titans, leaving Willis on the outside looking in. Coach Mike Vrabel previously labeled Willis as his QB2 and the rookie as QB3, but it now sounds like the second-year quarterback will be fighting for his roster spot.

Passing game coordinator Tim Kelly and quarterbacks coach Charles London reportedly are not sold on Willis, and even with the new rule that provides an extra roster spot for a third QB, Wyatt thinks the 24-year-old will have to earn his way on the team. On the flip side, Wyatt also thinks Willis looked better than Levis during minicamp, and the writer is more confident now than he was before that the team will ultimately carry all three quarterbacks.

Fortunately for the Titans, it doesn’t sound like Willis is distracted by his uncertain roster status.

“I don’t really get into all that,” Willis said (via NFL.com). “I just try to go to work every day. … It’s a results-based business. It doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t matter what you think, it just is. I am just focusing on what I can control.”

PFR Originals: Pack, Herbert, Tags, Dugger

July 8th, 2023 at 9:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here’s a look at back at PFR’s most recent originals:

The Offseason In Review series continued with a look at the Packers. Sam Robinson broke down the player movement which took place in Green Bay, highlighted by the franchise’s second consecutive decision to trade a future Hall of Fame quarterback to the Jets. How the Packers are able to transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love under center will play a crucial role in their ability to return to the postseason now and into the future.
A few quarterback mega-deals have already been worked out this offseason, and another could soon be coming to Justin Herbert. Ely Allen broke down the Chargers pivot’s candidacy for a monster extension after three seasons in Los Angeles. That stretch has included an Offensive Rookie of the Year award, a Pro Bowl nod and a postseason appearance in successive years, though Herbert is generally viewed as being a notch below the likes of Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. As is the case with the latter, talks for a new deal will continue through the summer.
Four players are currently set to play on the franchise tag, and they have until July 17 to work out a new contract. Sam detailed the situations of running backs Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, along with tight end Evan Engram. The RB market has not been a fruitful one in 2023, so the Giants and Raiders have plenty of leverage during negotiations, which, should they not yield an agreement, will see their backs and Pollard earn $10.1MM. The latter has signed his one-year tender, but will any of the others do the same?
The Patriots have a few interesting financial decisions to make with recent draftees, including Kyle Dugger. The safety may have played his way into a signficant raise, as detailed by Ben Levine. New England used a second-round pick on the Lenoir-Rhyne product in 2020, and it has yielded notable production over the past two years in particular. Dugger could become the first Patriot selected in the first or second round to land an extension in quite some time, though the team is not renowned for spending big on internal or external players when the time comes for large contract commitments.
Five new head coaches are in place for the 2023 campaign, half the total from last year. Breaking down where the league’s skippers sit with respect to tenure, Sam looked back at the searches conducted by teams who moved in a new direction and some of the other top storylines which have circulated in recent months. Bill Belichick still tops the list of longest-running coaches in their current position, but the Patriots’ post-Tom Brady performances and his seemingly strained relationship with owner Robert Kraft have led to questions about how much longer he will remain in New England.
Plenty of attention will be on the Raiders and Jacobs in advance of the franchise tag deadline, but contract disputes aren’t new for the two parties. In Ben’s latest contribution to the This Day In Transactions History Series, he recalled the tension which surrounded the issue of Jacobs’ signing bonus being paid out early. The first-rounder seemed a threat to hold out during training camp, but he ultimately inked his rookie deal. His play since doing so has put him in line for a step up in compensation, but plenty of progress will need to be made soon on current talks for that to take place.
Following up on his breakdown of the league’s longest-tenured head coaches, Sam did the same with general managers. Only two new GMs – Ran Carthon and Monti Ossenfort – have been installed by the Titans and Cardinals, respectively, this offseason. The latter in particular has embarked on a rebuilding effort, while many others are in position to continue their Super Bowl pursuits. The recent extension given to Brandon Beane by the Bills will allow him to carry on with his work in that regard. Changes made at other levels of NFL front offices will no doubt lead to another intriguing hiring cycle in 2024.
Most teams know roughly where they stand with respect to cap space heading into this season, but next year offers an interesting peak at the decisions which will need to be made. Ben examined how things currently shape up regarding 2024 cap space, a list which features the Texans and Bears in first and third, respectively. Both teams have plenty of young, cost-controlled assets in place and will be able to be major players on the open market when free agency begins. By that point, 11 teams will have needed to carve out space simply to be cap compliant, let along set themselves up for notable additions. A number of key moves will no doubt be informed by the financial circumstances teams know are around the corner.

Dalvin Cook Not Satisfied With Dolphins’ Offer?

July 8th, 2023 at 8:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

All signs continue to point to a contract eventually being worked out between free agent Dalvin Cook and the Dolphins. For that to happen, though, the Pro Bowl back will need a more lucrative offer to be made.

During an NFL Live appearance, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Cook is “not willing to accept” the contract which is currently on the table from the Dolphins (video link). News of the Miami offer came out more than one week ago, but it was noted at the time that other suitors would be in the running to land the 27-year-old. To little surprise, Cook has been expected to wait until at least training camp to decide on a new destination.

Darlington adds that mutual interest remains between Cook and the Dolphins, so a homecoming for the longtime Viking is still very much in the cards. Cook has made clear his openness to joining Miami, adding that he is eyeing a starter’s workload on whichever team he signs with. The Dolphins have a crowded backfield as is, but its members would seem to welcome the addition of Cook, an 1,100-yard rusher in each of the past four seasons.

As things stand, the top competition to land the Florida State alum Miami is set to face is from the division rival Jets and Patriots. Cook would give each AFC East team a considerable boost in the running game, and serious bids from two or more of them (along with any other suitors, of course) would benefit his earning power on a new deal. Financial terms will be a crucial element in Cook’s ongoing free agent process, one which looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.

Darlington confirms that nothing is imminent with respect to a decision from Cook, with training camps set to open later this month. Before that point, however, the franchise tag deadline will arrive, something which Darlington notes could be worth watching. Three running backs – Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard – will need to have a new contract in place before July 17 to avoid playing on the $10.1MM franchise tag. The value of any multi-year deals they sign before that date could boost Cook’s asking price despite the RB market yielding few notable contracts so far this offseason.

With a standing offer still in place, Cook obviously remains a target for the Dolphins. How willing they are to dip into their $13.6MM in cap space will be worth watching in the coming days, particularly if he finds leverage in negotiations through either a more widespread individual market or notable contracts for other backs.

Broncos Eyeing Altered Role For TE Greg Dulcich

July 8th, 2023 at 7:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Expectations are high for the Broncos offense heading into 2023, with head coach Sean Payton now at the helm. One of the key factors in the team’s ability to rebound from a highly disappointing performance on that side of the ball last season is the way in which Payton’s scheme will alter the workload of the unit’s main contributors.

One of those is tight end Greg Dulcich, who came to the Miles High City last season after a productive final two seasons at UCLA. The third-rounder flashed potential with 33 receptions for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but his rookie campaign was limited to 10 games due to a nagging hamstring issue.

In 2023, Dulcich could see not only an expanded workload but also a new job description. The 23-year-old was recently named by Payton as a candidate to play the ‘joker’ role, as detailed by Troy Renck of Denver7. That moniker is one which involves heavy usage in the passing game for a position which, in Dulcich’s case, typically calls for considerable usage as a run blocker.

“The joker player for us is not a receiver,” Payton elaborated, via ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “It’s either a running back or a tight end with exceptional ball skills and then you can work matchups. We’ve had that at the running back spot, Reggie Bush was the joker, Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara. Those were all unique players, not just in the running game, but they had passing game skill sets that allowed you to do multiple things, and I think Greg does too.”

Dulcich’s skillset is indeed built more on proficiency as a pass-catcher than strength in the run game, making him a logical candidate for the transition. Denver also has free agent signing Chris Manhertz, trade acquisition Adam Trautman and 2020 fourth-rounder Albert Okwuegbunam on the depth chart at the TE spot. That trio could be well-suited to provide the Broncos with capable play while attempting to maximize the potential Dulcich has as a Swiss Army knife type in Year 2. It will be interesting to watch how he is deployed in training camp and the preseason in advance of a campaign where the team will be under considerable scrutiny.

CB Isaiah Oliver’s Size Impacted Interest From 49ers

July 8th, 2023 at 3:37pm CST by Ely Allen

When attempting to replace slot cornerback K’Waun Williams this offseason, the 49ers decided to change their approach to the position a bit. While San Francisco has been home to some smaller nickelbacks in recent years (Williams was 5-foot-9, 180 pounds), the signing of former Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver represents a change of direction, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic.

Oliver was a home run signing for the 49ers. After a torn ACL ended his 2021 season early, Oliver bounced back with the best season of his career, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Oliver began his career as a perimeter corner out of Colorado. He performed admirably in a rotation as a rookie, but once he took over as a starter, he struggled to maintain a high level of play.

The Falcons decided to try him out as a slot cornerback in 2021 to try and turn his play around, and it seemed to be working until his major injury. Last year, he finally got a chance to establish himself in the slot and rewarded Atlanta’s faith in him with a top-10 cornerback performance, according to PFF.

Not only are the 49ers getting a top-10 cornerback out of free agency, but they’re also getting an upgrade in terms of size. At 6 feet, 210 pounds, Oliver holds a huge advantage in height and strength over Williams. This upgrade is a designed move in San Francisco’s concerted efforts to keep up with evolving offenses.

According to Lombardi, “the average size of opposing inside receivers is increasing.” It used to be that small, quick cornerbacks were a must to keep up with short, shifty slot receivers. Bigger receivers and the continuing involvement of receiving tight ends necessitate the initiative to get bigger without losing short-area quickness. Luckily for San Francisco, Oliver provides just that: an increase in size as well as agility to work inside and close to the line of scrimmage.

These days in the NFL, a player in the slot is being asked to cover quite a large range of jobs. The 49ers feel confident in Oliver’s ability to get those jobs done in 2023.

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