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Trade Candidate: Bailey Zappe

June 22nd, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots completely revamped their QB depth chart this offseason, but there is still one holdover at the position. 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe is still kicking around at the bottom of New England’s roster, but it remains to be seen if the third-year pro will still be on the squad come September.

Zappe has had an uneven two years in New England, although the Western Kentucky product hasn’t looked completely helpless in his handful of starts. During his rookie season, he sparked a brief QB controversy after guiding New England’s woeful offense to a pair of victories. However, Zappe slid back down the depth chart when Mac Jones returned from injury, and the Patriots were expected to continue with that same hierarchy for the 2023 campaign.

Zappe ended up struggling under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, leading to him being a surprise cut towards the end of the preseason. The second-year QB quickly landed on New England’s practice squad, and he was signed back to the active roster in early September. Still, the roster machinations proved that the Patriots were willing to let the player walk for nothing, and the apparent lack of interest from opposing squads proved their wasn’t a whole lot of league-wide intrigue in the signal-caller.

The backup QB managed to bounce back and (somewhat) rehabilitate his image during the 2023 campaign. With Jones and the Patriots offense continuing to struggle, Zappe ended up garnering six starts in New England. His numbers weren’t pretty (59.9 completion percentage, 2.8 touchdown percentage, 4.2 interception percentage), but he was notably under center for two of the team’s four wins. While nobody is confusing Zappe with a starting quarterback, the player at least proved that he wouldn’t compromise his team’s chances if inserted into the lineup.

With the Patriots navigating a post-Bill Belichick era this offseason, the organization decided to completely revamp their QB room. The team used the third-overall pick on Drake Maye, pairing the rookie with veteran acquisition (and old friend) Jacoby Brissett. The organization also used a sixth-round selection on Joe Milton III, a series of moves that seemed to push Zappe off the roster. Reports from earlier this offseason indicated that the Patriots wanted to resolve their QB jam as quickly as possibly, allowing the coaching staff to better evaluate their three sure-thing QBs. That could have led to a speedy cut for Zappe, but the QB is still sticking around the roster.

While the Patriots could claim that Zappe is competing with Milton for the QB3 role, there’s little chance the rebuilding squad will prefer the third-year player to the rookie. So, it seems more likely that the organization is holding on to Zappe until a QB-needy team comes knocking. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald indicated as much last month, noting that a Zappe trade remains a possibility for the organization. While teams didn’t show interest in Zappe last year, Callahan believes there could be a market for the player in the coming months, especially as teams face injuries during the preseason.

Callahan suggests that the Patriots could fetch a late-round pick in return for Zappe, or the front office could attach a pick to the QB for a better return. Considering the player’s track record, Zappe would probably be more appealing to teams that lose key backups vs. those that lose a starting QB. Of course, in order for the Patriots to avoid a staring match where a Zappe suitor simply awaits the player’s inevitable release, New England would require multiple trade partners to join the fray. Zappe’s most-recent deal with the Patriots keeps him under contract through the 2024 campaign on an easily-manageable $985K cap hit.

It seems like a foregone conclusion that Bailey Zappe won’t be sticking around New England for the 2024 campaign. However, it remains to be seen if the front office will be able to garner a return for the impending third-year QB.

5 Key Stories: 6/9/24 – 6/16/24

June 16th, 2024 at 4:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

The conclusion of each team’s offseason program around the NFL brought about several key developments. In case you missed any of the top headlines from the past week, here is a quick recap:

  • Lawrence Inks Jaguars Extension: A mutual interest existed between Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars with respect to working out a monster deal, and that goal has been reached. The former No. 1 pick is now attached to a five-year, $275MM extension including $200MM in guarantees. The $55MM annual average value of the pact matches that of Joe Burrow’s market-topping deal from last offseason, a sign of Jacksonville’s investment in future development from Lawrence. The latter has had an up-and-down tenure to begin his career, and 2023 marked a regression compared to the previous campaign. Still, Lawrence will be expected to lead a return to the postseason moving forward, and he is on the books through 2030. Meanwhile, the QB market now has six players attached to an AAV above $50MM.
  • Steelers Extend Tomlin Through 2027: Earlier in the campaign, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers future was a talking point; that is no longer the case, though. The NFL’s longest-tenured head coach signed a three-year extension, meaning he is now under contract through 2027. Tomlin, 52, has been in Pittsburgh since 2007, a tenure which has seen a pair of Super Bowl appearances and one title. The Steelers are in the midst of a playoff drought, however, and the post-Ben Roethlisberger era has not gone as planned under center to date. Tomlin will be counted on to oversee an attempted rebound on offense moving forward with a continued endorsement from owner Art Rooney II.
  • Higgins Signs Bengals Franchise Tag: The last of the NFL’s 2024 franchise tag recipients is on the books, but not via a long-term extension. Tee Higgins has signed his Bengals franchise tag, putting him on track to earn $21.8MM this season. A multi-year agreement could still be worked out until mid-July, but that would come as a surprise at this point. The 25-year-old is joined by teammate and fellow wideout Ja’Marr Chase in needing a new contract, and investing in the latter would make a Higgins pact challenging. The top of the receiver market has surged this offseason, and another productive campaign from the Clemson product (who has twice topped 1,000 yards) will help his value for a likely free agent departure.
  • Giants’ Waller Retires: Throughout much of the offseason, it remained unclear whether or not Darren Waller would hang up his clears or play a second year with the Giants. The veteran tight end took the former route, ending his career after eight seasons and nine years in the NFL. Hamstring injuries were a common issue in recent campaigns, but the former Pro Bowler faced high expectations upon arrival in New York last offseason. Waller was a key member of the team’s low-output passing attack, but he was limited to 12 games before contemplating his future in the spring. Now, the Giants will rely on other in-house options at the TE spot as Waller transitions to his post-playing days.
  • Falcons Issued Tampering Penalties; Eagles Cleared: The NFL’s investigation into tampering violations by the Falcons and Eagles concluded with varied results. Atlanta was found to have breached the policy with respect to the Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner. The Falcons were docked a 2025 fifth-round pick as a result, and the team will pay out a $250K fine. General manager Terry Fontenot has also been issued a $50K fine as part of the latest league discipline on the subject of tampering. The Eagles, meanwhile, were under scrutiny for their Saquon Barkley addition. Philadelphia was found not to have committed a violation, however, and the team will not face any punishment.

Extension Candidate: Evan McPherson

June 15th, 2024 at 8:16pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bengals front office has been busy and will likely continue to be busy throughout the calendar year. Wide receiver Tee Higgins has now signed his franchise tender and an extension by the deadline of July 15 is not looking likely. While not ideal, this does allow for the front office to turn their attentions towards other matters.

In addition to Higgins, seven other starters are entering contract-years: defensive tackle B.J. Hill, cornerback Mike Hilton, offensive tackle Trent Brown, tight end Mike Gesicki, safety Vonn Bell, long snapper Cal Adomitis, and kicker Evan McPherson. The team also has the extension of star wideout Ja’Marr Chase to concern themselves with. While Chase and some of the others may be a higher priority, McPherson may be the likeliest Bengal to receive the next new deal, according to Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network.

The reason McPherson is the likeliest candidate to next receive an extension is the precedents already in place. Morrison calls it “a textbook case of ‘when, not if.'” For one, the desire for an extension is mutual between McPherson and the team. Contracts for kickers are also extremely straightforward leading to the likelihood that any negotiations should be pretty cut-and-dry.

Long-term contracts for kickers range from three to five years. Only three players at the position, Harrison Butker (Chiefs), Jason Sanders (Dolphins), and Younghoe Koo (Falcons), are on five-year deals, and of the top 14 contracts in the league for kickers, only Graham Gano (Giants), Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans), Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers), and Dustin Hopkins (Browns) are inked for only three years. The other seven top contracts are all four-year contracts.

Those contracts also have a narrow range of value with the lowest annual average being $3MM (Hopkins) and the highest being $6MM, shared by Justin Tucker (Ravens) and Jake Elliott (Eagles). That leaves a pretty small range of options for the Bengals to find a deal for McPherson ranging from three to five years with an average annual value of $3MM to $6MM, unless the team is looking to make McPherson the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.

While McPherson has been impressive under his rookie deal in Cincinnati, the Florida-product is only the franchise’s third-most accurate kicker. The former Gator has an NFL field goal percentage of 83.9, converting 78 of his 93 attempts. He has missed six of 132 extra point attempts but showed improvement in that field last year, going 40 for 40 in 2023.

In his first two seasons, McPherson also showed an impressive accuracy from deep, making 14 of 16 attempts from 50+ yards. That accuracy did not quite translate from inside the 40-yard line, though, as he missed seven of 20 attempts from 40-49 yards and even a 20-29 yarder over those first two years. He showed improvement on the latter front in 2023, going a perfect 19 for 19 on any field goals under 50 yards, but his long-distance accuracy suffered as he missed five of 12 attempts from over 50 yards last year.

Despite his inconsistencies, McPherson has still been one of the league’s better kickers over his three years in the NFL. If the Bengals intend to reward his early success by making him the highest-paid kicker in the league, McPherson should expect a four-year deal worth around $25MM or $26MM.

Alternatively, if Cincinnati decides that he may not be due the same money as Tucker or Elliott, the team may opt to instead reward McPherson with longevity, giving him less per year over a five-year deal. A five-year, $25MM offer would be the biggest contract for a kicker in total value and would give McPherson the eighth-highest annual average. The team could meet somewhere in the middle with a five-year, $27.5MM deal that would make McPherson the highest-paid kicker in the league with the fourth-highest annual average.

The biggest area for incentivizing a signing will be in the guarantees. Tucker leads the way in that category with $14MM of is four-year, $24MM deal being guaranteed at signing. The Bengals could give McPherson less money while still rewarding him with a high guaranteed amount, if that’s the route they choose.

However they go about keeping McPherson around, there won’t be too much room for negotiations. The three- to five-year deal averaging somewhere from $5MM to $7MM per year is expected to come sooner rather than later. The team has set the regular season as a de facto deadline for getting extensions done, per Morrison, and there is an expectation that, should McPherson reach a deal before that deadline, it would come shortly after the deadline to extend Higgins a month from today.

5 Key Stories: 6/2/24 – 6/9/24

June 9th, 2024 at 4:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Many NFL teams conducted their minicamps this week, marking the end of their offseason programs. A relatively lengthy wait until training camp awaits them, but a number of important developments have taken place on the contract front in recent days. In case you missed anything from the past week, here is a quick recap:

  • Vikings, Jefferson Agree To Historic Extension: The most impactful domino at the receiver position fell when Justin Jefferson and the Vikings agreed to a four-year, $140MM extension. The $35MM annual average value of the pact is the highest in league history for a non-quarterback and it moves the top of the WR market even higher. Both the total ($110MM) and full (roughly $89MM) guarantees put Jefferson in a tier of his own regarding up front compensation. The 24-year-old is now under contract through 2028 as a continued foundational piece of Minnesota’s offense. The pace of Jefferson negotiations was a talking point this offseason, and the lack of a deal enticed teams to make sizable trade offers. The Vikings turned down outside interest, though, and a record-breaking deal is now officially in place.
  • 49ers Extend McCaffrey: No guaranteed money remained on Christian McCaffrey’s 49ers pact, which prompted an OTA absence and the request for a new deal. An agreement has now been reached, with the reigning Offensive Player of the Year securing a two-year, $38MM extension. McCaffrey is on the books through 2027 as a result of the pact, one which includes $24MM guaranteed and represents an $8MM raise across the next two years compared to what he was originally owed. Since arriving via trade in 2022, the former Panther has thrived in San Francisco. He will now continue to operate as the team’s top rushing threat as well as a key component of their passing game. As his Carolina extension did, meanwhile, McCaffrey’s new pact has moved the financial bar higher at the running back position.
  • Browns Confirm Stefanski, Berry Extensions: Earlier this offseason, signs pointed to the Browns extending both head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. The team has now officially inked the pair to new deals, paving the way for consistency on the sidelines and in the front office unlike that which has been seen for much of the time under the ownership of Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Cleveland has gone to the postseason twice in Stefanski’s four-year HC tenure, and he has earned Coach of the Year honors both times. Berry has been in place for the same duration, and his record of player acquisition (with the rather notable exception of Deshaun Watson) has generally been well-regarded. Expectations will be high for the pair for the foreseeable future.
  • Steelers Reunite With Sutton: Following his release from the Lions related to a domestic violence arrest, cornerback Cameron Sutton drew interest from the Steelers. The feeling has proven to be mutual with the sides reuniting via a one-year contract. Like many deals signed at this time of year, the pact is worth the veteran’s minimum and does not include any guaranteed money. Sutton, 29, spent his first six years with the Steelers before playing in Detroit in 2023. He will provide at least experienced depth or a starting-caliber option for Pittsburgh’s CB room, one led by Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. Sutton faces the possibility of a suspension regardless of how his legal case plays out, but when on the field in 2024 he will be in a familiar territory.
  • Commanders Cut McManus: Not long after it was learned Brandon McManus is the subject of a sexual assault lawsuit, the veteran kicker was let go by the Commanders. McManus faces allegations related to an incident on a team flight when he was a member of the Jaguars, and Jacksonville has also been named in the suit. Both Jags coach Doug Pederson and Commanders coach Dan Quinn have denied knowledge of the allegations prior to when they became public. McManus signed a one-year deal with Washington in March, and half of his $1.5MM signing bonus has already been paid out. His release came just before the second half was due, which could lead to a dispute with the Commanders. In any case, McManus’ NFL future will no doubt be tied to the outcome of the lawsuit and the ongoing investigation related to it.

5 Key Stories: 5/26/24 – 6/2/24

June 2nd, 2024 at 4:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

With OTAs continuing around the NFL, teams and players have plenty of opportunities to discuss contract maters. In a number of cases, that has seen agreements on new deals reached. In case you missed any of the top stories from the past week, here is a quick recap:

  • Dolphins Extend Waddle: With his fifth-year option having been picked up, Jaylen Waddle was already tied to the Dolphins through 2025. As the team hoped, though, an agreement was reached on a long-term pact. Miami’s young 1,000-yard wideout secured a four-year, $87.5MM deal. The extension includes $76MM guaranteed, with plenty of base compensation locked in at signing and shortly thereafter. The 25-year-old has proven to work well in tandem with Tyreek Hill, and he now sits fourth in the NFL in terms of receiver AAV. Waddle profiles as a focal point on offense for years to come despite Hill’s presence. In the wake of further upward movement at the top of the position’s market, meanwhile, the latter is angling for a new Dolphins deal of his own.
  • Collins Lands Texans Extension: Shortly before the Waddle deal, Nico Collins inked a Texans extension also making him one of the league’s top earners amongst receivers. Following a breakout season in 2023, he signed a three-year accord with a base value of $72.5MM. The former third-rounder is part of an offense which features Tank Dell and offseason trade acquisition Stefon Diggs, meaning there will considerable competition for targets in 2024. Still, Collins, 25, will be expected to produce after he posted 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns during C.J. Stroud’s debut season. With the latter on his rookie deal for the coming years, the Texans have acted aggressively with respect to investments at the offensive skill positions, and Collins represents a key figure in that effort.
  • Love Set To Approach Top Of Market With Packers Deal? The Packers entered 2023 with Jordan Love at the helm despite his inexperience. The former first-rounder put forth a strong showing in the latter half of the campaign, though, helping his market value on a long-term deal. Love is reportedly expected to land a Packers extension near the top of the quarterback market, which would entail an annual average value of more than $50MM. The 25-year-old is under contract for 2024 as a result of the bridge deal which replaced his fifth-year option, but the $11MM it calls for falls well short of what he will be earning on his next pact. Green Bay’s offense (filled with a young skill position corps) will hinge on Love’s development for years to come if the team can reach its stated goal of working out a lucrative agreement.
  • 49ers Extend Jennings: The 49ers’ receiver room received some short-term clarity with Jauan Jennings signing a two-year deal worth up to $15.4MM. The pact – which includes $10.5MM guaranteed – takes the place of his 2024 RFA tender and ensures he will remain in San Francisco to continue his role as the team’s No. 3 receiver. Both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have frequently been mentioned in trade speculation this offseason, although the team appears content to retain both wideouts for at least one more year. Jennings, 26, has proven to be a consistent complementary option in the passing game while serving as a strong run blocker during his time in the Bay Area. That will continue on a cost-effective basis compared to what Aiyuk and Samuel will require if they are to be retained beyond 2024.
  • Watt Also Considering Steelers For Comeback: After spending the past season as a broadcaster, J.J Watt led it be known he would be willing to play for the Texans in 2024. Such a development would see the future Hall of Fame defensive end reunite with former teammate DeMeco Ryans, Houston’s head coach. Watt is also open to returning to the field with the Steelers, though. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year did not play in Pittsburgh before his retirement, but a deal sending him there would allow him to play with his brother T.J. Watt. The latter has a DPOY award of his own and he is under contract as the focal point of the Steelers’ edge rush for two more seasons. The elder Watt, 35, has made it clear a return is possible just for the coming season and only if injuries force Houston or Pittsburgh into an unwanted roster position. Still, the potential for a comeback makes for an interesting storyline.

The Wide Receiver Market’s Evolution During Rookie-Scale Era

May 31st, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jaylen Waddle‘s Dolphins extension includes a franchise record in guaranteed money. It also came during an offseason in which Tyreek Hill angled for (and received) an adjustment to a contract that had previously paced the NFL in wide receiver AAV — at $30MM per year.

Five players reached or surpassed $30MM per year in 2024, and the Justin Jefferson windfall raised the bar for former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase, whose 2024 triple-crown season jacked up the price on a Bengals extension. After Hill entered the 2024 offseason as the only $30MM-per-year receiver, Chase moved the market to $40MM per annum in 2025.

On that note, here is a look at where the WR market has climbed during the rookie-scale era, which has set a firm structure on when teams could negotiate with players. This is how the top wideout salary has evolved since the 2011 CBA was ratified:

August 20, 2011

The eventual 17-year veteran played four seasons on this deal before reworking it ahead of the 2015 season

March 14, 2012

The Hall of Fame talent pushed the receiver AAV bar to $16.21MM, finishing his career on this contract four seasons later

March 8, 2016

February 27, 2017

Brown played two seasons on this deal before being traded to the Raiders in March 2019

August 27, 2018

Beckham played four-plus seasons on this extension, being traded to the Browns in March 2019. Cleveland cut OBJ midway through the 2021 campaign.

July 31, 2019

Thomas spent four seasons on this contract, battling injuries before signing a reworked Saints deal in March 2023

September 7, 2019

Jones played out this contract, which the Falcons traded to the Titans in June 2021

September 8, 2020

Months after acquiring Hopkins via trade, the Cardinals added guaranteed money to the All-Pro’s through-2022 Texans extension. This pushed the position’s AAV ceiling to $27.25MM, which set up the 2022 offseason’s developments. Hopkins played three seasons on this deal, being released in May 2023.

March 17, 2022

March 23, 2022

April 24, 2024

April 25, 2024

June 3, 2024

March 16, 2025

PFR Originals: Steelers, WRs, Meinerz

May 27th, 2024 at 2:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here is a collection of PFR’s latest originals:

  • The Steelers have an interesting quarterback setup with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on expiring deals. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner is set to serve as Pittsburgh’s starter over the ex-Bears first-rounder, but a training camp competition could be on hand. PFR’s readers agree that Wilson is likelier to see more starts than Fields this season, one in which both of their futures will become clearer.
  • The receiver position has erupted in value over the past few years, and many teams have recently made unprecedented investments in the league’s top pass-catchers. Sam Robinson broke down each team’s most lucrative contract handed out to receivers in terms of guaranteed money. To no surprise, many of the most expensive commitments (regarding up front compensation in particular) have come in this decade, and that trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
  • A number of players are skipping out on OTAs around the league in the hopes of landing a new deal. One of those is Giants wideout Darius Slayton, who has one year remaining on his existing pact. He recently expressed confidence a resolution would be coming soon, but no progress on the negotiation front has been seen. Ely Allen profiled the 27-year-old as a potential trade candidate.
  • The Dolphins are currently negotiating a long-term deal with Tua Tagovailoa, nine years removed from when the team similarly made a lucrative commitment to Ryan Tannehill. Ben Levine looked back on the latter’s Miami contract in another installment of our This Date In Transactions History series. Tannehill spent six years with the Dolphins, but his tenure did not produce the desired results and he was traded to the Titans in 2019. As current GM Chris Grier and Co. consider a mega-deal for Tagovailoa, they will no doubt remain aware of Mike Tannenbaum‘s commitment to Tannehill and its unwanted effects over time.
  • The Chiefs have been the dominant team in the AFC for several years now, and the two-time defending champions are the target for each of the other teams in the conference in 2024. A few top contenders are in place with respect to which team has the greatest chance of unseating Kansas City; opinion is split many ways on the question of which squad represents the Chiefs’ top threat. To little surprise, though, the Ravens, Bengals and Texans received the most votes in PFR’s latest poll. Baltimore, Cincinnati and Houston are among the most well-positioned AFC teams at the quarterback spot, and they should be postseason contenders in 2024.
  • The Broncos agreed to a pair of major free agent offensive line deals last offseason (Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers) but another one will be needed to keep Quinn Meinerz in the fold. The latter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his play at right guard has upped his market value considerably. As Sam demonstrated, the Division III product has been an integral part of Denver’s offense during that past two years in particular. Meinerz will showcase himself to the Broncos or outside teams in 2024 if no extension can be worked out.
  • Treylon Burks entered the league with considerable expectations, but he has not managed to deliver so far. The former Titans first-rounder is now joined by DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in the receiving room, and as a result Ely explored the possibility of Tennessee being willing to move Burks, 24, in a trade. Two years remain on the Arkansas alum’s rookie deal, unless the Titans or an acquiring team were to pick up his fifth-year option for 2026 next offseason.
  • In another look back at major QB moves of the past, Sam recounted the Giants’ decision to cut Kerry Collins in 2004. That move was quickly followed by the Raiders signing him to a three-year deal. Collins did not enjoy a successful run in Oakland upon taking over from Rich Gannon, and his Raiders stretch included a 7-21 record before it ended with another release. The two-time Pro Bowler rebounded with the Titans and Colts to finish his career, but Collins’ Oakland tenure was a key part of the team’s years-long efforts to find a true Gannon successor.

Trade Candidate: Darius Slayton

May 26th, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Ely Allen

The Giants offense has the potential to look extremely different in 2024 than they did in 2023. The starkest change obviously came with star running back Saquon Barkley heading to division-rival Philadelphia. The departures also included those of backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor and backup running back Matt Breida, and there’s a chance that the team is not nearly done seeing players walk out the door.

One possible additional departure could be veteran tight end Darren Waller. After injuries limited him in each of the past three years, Waller has been seriously contemplating retirement. While the team was hoping for an update by the draft, that deadline came and went with no decision. The most recent report claims that Waller will inform the team of his intentions by the time the Giants dismiss players for the summer break.

The other potential departure is a bit less cut-and-dried. The more mercurial situation is that of the contract of veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton. The 27-year-old wideout is heading into his sixth year of NFL play and the second year of the two-year, $12MM contract he signed last year to remain in New York. With another contract-year on the horizon, Slayton has been playing hardball in his attempts to attain his third NFL deal.

In April, Slayton made it clear that he was staying away from the first phase of offseason workouts for the Giants, taking a note out of Courtland Sutton‘s book in Denver. That strategy can only work for so long, though, as missing any of the team’s mandatory minicamp in June will result in fines. Giants general manager Joe Schoen denied at that time that the team was engaging in any extension conversations, but Slayton claimed that his agent, Michael Perrett, was in negotiations with Schoen following the draft.

Slayton has excelled in his role after being drafted in the fifth-round out of Auburn in 2019. He exploded onto the scene as a rookie, leading the team in receiving yards (740) and touchdown receptions (8). Since then, Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards while surpassing 700 yards in every season except for one injury-limiting 2021 campaign. While impressive as a rookie, his inability to improve on those numbers has been limiting to New York’s offensive potential.

While leading the team is certainly an accomplishment, it may also be more a mark on the talent of the team’s receivers. He’s hardly ever the most-targeted player on the team and has twice been targeted fewer times than a running back or tight end. He’s put up impressive numbers for a fifth-round pick catching balls off the arm of Daniel Jones, but he hasn’t nearly put up solid, WR1 numbers.

The results of the draft may play a key role in Slayton’s future, as well. The Giants utilized their No. 6 overall draft pick on LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, who many believe has the potential to be a true No. 1 wideout. Nabers also has the potential to add to a youth movement that could make Slayton superfluous. Last year saw second-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson start to break out, and rookie third-round pick Jalin Hyatt began earning some starting snaps in the back half of the season. The two could pair up with Nabers to form a receiving corps that doesn’t need to depend on Slayton to lead the team anymore.

These three factors — Slayton’s hold out strategy, his limited top-end production, and the potential youth movement at receiver — could push the veteran out of New York altogether. The Giants have yet to show that extending Slayton is a priority, and continuing to add young talent to the position room shows that he is not likely to become one.

There are plenty of teams who could use a receiver who could be a strong WR2. As we pointed out in our profile on Titans wideout Treylon Burks earlier this weekend, the Bills and Chargers are paramount on that list after each team watched top receivers (Stefon Diggs–Gabriel Davis and Keenan Allen–Mike Williams, respectively) depart in some fashion. The Steelers, Jets, and Ravens all have some question marks on the roster at those positions, as well, but each team would likely be wary of giving away too much for Slayton.

That is another factor for whether or not Slayton finds himself on the trading block. He may not bring in a massive return for New York. Still, even for only a late-round pick or two, shipping Slayton off may be the cleanest way out of overpaying Slayton as a subpar WR1. The team’s top receiver since his arrival in 2019 is set to represent a $8.15MM cap hit in 2024. Trading him away could result in $6.4MM of cap savings.

5 Key Stories: 5/19/24 – 5/26/24

May 26th, 2024 at 4:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

This week marked the beginning of organized team activities in many cases around the NFL. The spring event represents an early marker with respect to contract talks for a number of players, which includes deliberate absences from the voluntary practices in several instances; a few notable developments on that front have been seen recently. In case you missed the past week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:

  • Tagovailoa Participating In Dolphins’ OTAs: Unlike past years, Tua Tagovailoa was absent for much of the Dolphins’ early offseason program in 2024. To no surprise, that move was reportedly driven by the fact he does not have an extension in place. As talks continue, the team’s franchise quarterback is however taking part in OTAs. Tagovailoa is also believed to have turned down at least one extension offer to date, and developments in that respect will of course be more significant than his spring attendance and performances. The former No. 5 pick is set to play on his fifth-year option ($23.17MM) this season, but he will be aiming to join the quintet of passers currently attached to a deal averaging more than $50MM per season.
  • Jefferson Aiming For Market-Resetting Vikings Deal? Among the many receivers eligible for an extension this offseason who are skipping OTAs is Justin Jefferson, whose Vikings career has seen him enjoy an historic start in terms of production. He is looking to parlay that into the league’s most lucrative deal for non-quarterbacks. Reaching that goal would require an extension worth more than Nick Bosa’s $34MM-per-year pact, a record-breaking one for defenders signed last year. Jefferson, 24, did not follow up his Offensive Player of the Year campaign as planned in 2023, with a hamstring injury sidelining him for seven games. Still, he is on track to earn much more than the $19.74MM he is due for 2024 on a multi-year agreement. The top of the receiver market reached $32MM in AAV earlier this offseason, and Jefferson has a strong case to surpass that mark.
  • Wirfs Not Close To Buccaneers Extension: The Buccaneers have been busy this offseason with respect to retaining members of their core. The last major piece of business remaining is a monster extension for left tackle Tristan Wirfs. The three-time Pro Bowler excelled on the right side to start his career before shifting to the blindside in 2023. Wirfs, 25, has upped his market value well beyond the $18.24MM he is due this season, and a new deal will no doubt be much more valuable. Team and player are not close on contract terms at the moment, however, and the Iowa product has elected to skip OTAs. Tampa Bay’s offense will depend on Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans (both of whom received extensions this offseason) moving forward, and that will also be true of Wirfs. The latter’s contract status will be a key topic in the summer if no agreement is reached.
  • 49ers’ Aiyuk Eyeing Top Of WR Market On New Deal? Another receiver attempting to use his leverage to secure a new deal is Brandon Aiyuk. Often connected to 49ers trade talk this offseason, he is reportedly aiming for a deal at or near the top of the receiver market. That would essentially peg his asking price at $30MM per season on a multi-year deal, one San Francisco will be hard-pressed to authorize given the team’s other contracts at the skill positions. Quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension next offseason, and the team must budget for that during Aiyuk negotiations. The latter (coming off a career year) is not close to working out a deal at this point, so his status will remain worth watching closely. That could especially be true given the 49ers’ decision to use a first-round pick on a receiver this year (Ricky Pearsall).
  • Goodell, Many Owners Support 18-Game Schedule: One of the topics discussed at the May owners meetings was an expansion of the regular season to 18 games. Commissioner Roger Goodell voiced support for the move, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is among those who are in agreement. Giants owner John Mara cited health and safety concerns as a reason for opposing an 18th regular season game, but many of the league’s decision-makers were already known to be on board with replacing a preseason contest with an additional one during the season. The league did so as part of the current CBA to create the 17-game schedule, and further movement could be pursued before the through-2030 deal expires. Concessions such as a second bye week would be required for the NFLPA to get on board, but more would no doubt be necessary for such a change to be finalized.    

Trade Candidate: Treylon Burks

May 25th, 2024 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Almost a year ago to this day, the Titans claimed they were “satisfied” with their group of wide receivers heading into the 2023 season. Two months later, the team decided to augment the group with the acquisition of veteran free agent DeAndre Hopkins. Still, the team finished 29th in the NFL in passing yards last year, leading to lots of investment in a new wide receiving corps.

Hopkins did his job. In 17 games, he led the team in all receiving categories with 75 catches for 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns. He didn’t have much help, though, as his 137 targets were more than three times higher than the next most-targeted wideout, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (45), though tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (77) and running back Tyjae Spears (70) received their fair share of targets.

The rest of the wide receiving corps provided nothing more than auxiliary numbers. After Hopkins, the next leading receivers were 30-year-old Chris Moore (22 receptions/424 yards/zero touchdowns), the undrafted Westbrook-Ihkine (28/370/3), and finally, former first-round pick Treylon Burks (16/221/0).

Burks experienced a bit of sophomore slump in 2023, even after putting up middling stats (33/444/1) in his rookie season. In both seasons, Burks has missed six contests with injury. His rookie year, turf toe landed him on injured reserve. This past season, an LCL sprain caused him to miss even more time.

Burks opportunity to turn things around in 2024 will be difficult in Tennessee. Though Moore has departed in free agency, Hopkins and Westbrook-Ikhine return next season. Additionally, the Titans invested massive capital in signing free agents Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. Not only is this group a massive improvement over last year’s, but Hopkins also claims this is one of the best wide receiving corps he’s ever been a part of, per Michael David Smith of NBC Sports. That’s big praise for someone who shared the field with Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.

With Ridley, Hopkins, and Boyd manning the first-team offense and Westbrook-Ikhine showing more reliability in 2023 than Burks, the 24-year-old out of Arkansas will struggle to see much of the field this year. Even if he does get some snaps, he’s going to have to earn targets over those four, as well. It’s starting to seem that if Burks is going to turn things around, it will require a change of scenery.

Before last year’s trade deadline, the Titans made it clear that running back Derrick Henry and Hopkins were not available. They were more receptive to hearing offers on Burks but were not necessarily inclined to move a young, former Day 1 pick. One has to imagine that, with the additions of Ridley and Boyd, their stances may have changed.

Tennessee is likely not going to fetch a first-round value out of Burks like what Baltimore got out of Marquise Brown a couple years ago, but some teams may still see the potential value in acquiring the sixth receiver off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if they aren’t quite satisfied with the offers they receive for Burks, his value is likely only going to decline in 2024, barring a shocking breakout season.

As for teams with wide receiver needs following the draft and free agency, the Ravens, Bills, Chargers, Steelers, and Jets could all stand to take a swing. The Bills and Chargers probably house the biggest need. With Buffalo losing both Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis this offseason, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman lead their room. After losing star veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles is depending on Josh Palmer, last year’s first-round pick Quentin Johnston, and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey in 2024.

The Steelers (George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson) and Jets (Garrett Wilson, Williams, Malachi Corley) are each relying on a dynamic, young talent, an intriguing free agent, and a third-round rookie, while Baltimore could be looking to add another pass catcher to replace Odell Beckham Jr.‘s production from last year.

The Titans should have some options if they feel the need to move Burks or if Burks feels the need to request a change of scenery. Either way, it’s hard to see a situation in which Burks finds tremendous success as WR4 or WR5 on a Tennessee offense quarterbacked by Will Levis. If Burks wants to turn his career around and if the team wants to maximize his value, a move might be necessary this offseason or before the next trade deadline.

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