Category: 2020 NFL draft

Jaguars fire head coach Doug Pederson

Jaguars fire head coach Doug Pederson

The Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson on Monday following Jacksonville’s Week 18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and the franchise’s 4-13 2024 season, team owner Shad Khan announced in a statement.

The Jaguars are retaining general manager Trent Baalke, who will assist Khan in finding a new head coach, the statement read.

“I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Khan wrote.

“Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives. As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.

“I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago. I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville.”

Pederson, 56, went 22-29 in the regular season and 23-30 including the postseason during his 53-game stint with the Jaguars. He owns a 64-66-1 regular-season record as an NFL head coach and a 69-69-1 mark including the playoffs and his Super Bowl LII victory with the Philadelphia Eagles.

In August, the Jaguars released a documentary that featured Khan’s message to the squad before their preseason, suggesting it was “the best team assembled by the Jacksonville Jaguars, ever,” all-encompassing.

“Best players, best coaches. But most importantly, let’s prove it by winning now,” Khan said.

That same team experienced two losing streaks of four or more games, was eliminated from playoff contention in Week 13, and at season’s end clinched the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 03: Trevor Lawrence #16 and head coach Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars talk in the third quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Jacksonville’s offense failed to meet expectations after quarterback Trevor Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension with the club in June. The Jaguars ranked No. 25 in the NFL in yards per game (306.2) and No. 26 in points per game (18.8) in 2024, after finishing the 2023 season No. 13 (339.5) and No. 14 (22.2) in those respective categories.

A combination of injuries sidelined Lawrence for most of the season’s second half. He missed two games after hurting his left, non-throwing shoulder against the Eagles in Week 9, and was placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion against the Houston Texans in Week 13. He had surgery on his shoulder on Dec. 17.

The Jaguars’ offense averaged 278.1 yards and 15 points per game over the seven contests Mac Jones, an offseason trade acquisition from the New England Patriots, started at quarterback.

Jacksonville’s defense underwent a significant facelift this past offseason. Pederson fired two-year defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and replaced him with Ryan Nielsen, who made his NFL play-calling debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.

Nielsen installed a new scheme, and the Jaguars added a handful of fresh contributors to pair. They signed defensive lineman Arik Armstead, cornerback Ronald Darby and safety Darnell Savage Jr. in free agency; they picked nickel cornerback Jarrian Jones and defensive linemen Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson between the second and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.

Yet Jacksonville’s defense took a drastic step back from the year before. It ranked No. 31 in yards allowed per game (389.9), tied for No. 27 in points allowed per game (25.6) and last in turnovers generated (nine) in 2024, down from No. 22 (342.8), No. 17 (21.8) and No. 8 (27) to end the 2023 campaign, respectively.

Pederson’s early returns in Jacksonville were promising

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 05: Doug Pederson looks on as Shad Khan, Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, speaks during a press conference introducing him as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

The Jaguars cast a wide net in their search to replace the controversial Urban Meyer as head coach nearly three years ago. Pederson reportedly received the first and last interview out of 10 candidates in a near-two-month process between Dec. 2021 and Feb. 2022.

Aside from his Super Bowl-winning status, Pederson was sought out by Jacksonville to bolster the development of its franchise quarterback and No. 1 overall 2021 NFL draft pick, Lawrence. Pederson was renowned for his work with passers, including Alex Smith as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator and Carson Wentz and Nick Foles as the Eagles’ head coach.

“Doug Pederson four years ago won a Super Bowl as head coach of a franchise in pursuit of its first world championship,” Khan said in a Feb. 2022 statement.

“I hope Doug can replicate that magic here in Jacksonville, but what is certain is his proven leadership and experience as a winning head coach in the National Football League. It’s exactly what our players deserve. Nothing less. Combine this with his acumen on the offensive side of the ball, and you have why I am proud to name Doug Pederson the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

After completing 59.6% of his passes for 3,641 yards with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as a rookie under Meyer, Lawrence produced a 64.8% completion rate, 10,133 passing yards, 57 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in 42 starts under Pederson.

Pederson and the Jaguars caught lightning in a bottle in an 18-game stretch between 2022-23. After entering Week 14 of the head coach’s first season in town 4-8, Jacksonville ripped off five consecutive wins to secure a playoff berth and a sixth during the AFC Wild Card Round over the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27-point comeback, the largest in franchise history.

Jacksonville fell to Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round, 27-20. But the Jaguars’ seemingly franchise-altering momentum under Pederson did not immediately halt.

The Jaguars opened 8-3 in 2023, put together another five-game winning streak between Weeks 4-8, and held a 4-1 record in the AFC South through Week 12. They beat three eventual playoff teams in that stretch: The Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Texans.

At that point, Jacksonville had won 14 of its last 18 games including in the playoffs, with Lawrence largely excelling, throwing for 3,719 yards with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Knocked off course, Pederson could not turn the Jaguars around

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 04: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is helped up by head coach Doug Pederson after being injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium on December 04, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

But Lawrence suffered a high-ankle sprain, and starting slot receiver Christian Kirk endured a season-ending core muscle injury, in Jacksonville’s Week 13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, sending the Jaguars’ 2023 season into a spiral.

Lawrence played through his ankle injury but experienced a concussion in a Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He cleared protocol to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16, only to hurt his throwing shoulder during that game, leading Lawrence to miss the first start of his NFL career in Week 17 against Carolina.

The Jaguars managed their only win of the six-game span to end the season with Lawrence sidelined, beating the Panthers, who finished the year with a 2-15 record, with C.J. Beathard at quarterback.

Jacksonville lost to the Tennessee Titans and was eliminated from playoff contention when Lawrence returned in Week 18. He was listed as questionable entering the weekend.

Despite leading the NFL in total offseason spending in an effort to bounce back this year, the Jaguars did anything but. Jacksonville opened a season 0-4 for the sixth time in its 30-year franchise history, and the first time since Meyer’s lone campaign in charge.

Jacksonville’s first win in 2024, at home in Week 5 against Indianapolis, was nearly stolen by 39-year-old, recent journeyman quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Jaguars held a 34-20 lead with 5:09 left in regulation, but Flacco completed three passes for 135 yards, tossed one touchdown and set up another for Colts running back Trey Sermon, to tie the contest over two drives.

Rookie Jacksonville kicker Cam Little hit a 49-yard field goal with 17 seconds left and edge rusher Travon Walker sacked Flacco on the final play to ensure the victory.

Jacksonville had to overcome a 10-point opening deficit to New England and its rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, to beat the Patriots overseas in Week 7. Lawrence pitched a pair of touchdowns and wide receiver Parker Washington returned a punt for a 96-yard score in the second quarter to snatch the matchup’s momentum.

The Jaguars only won two more games after returning stateside. They swept their AFC South rival Titans, who finished the season 3-14, with a 10-6 victory in Week 14 and a 20-13 triumph in Week 17.

Jacksonville’s second extended losing streak of the season began in Week 8, opening with one-score defeats against the Green Bay Packers, Eagles and Minnesota Vikings before the Detroit Lions handed the Jaguars their biggest beating in team history in Week 11, 52-6.

NFL Network reported before kickoff in Week 11 that a loss to the Lions could have prompted Khan to fire Pederson and Baalke during Jacksonville’s Week 12 bye. But Pederson and Baalke remained in their roles when the Jaguars returned to action in Week 13, a 23-20 loss to the Texans, and for the rest of the season.

Jacksonville went 5-18 between Lawrence suffering his ankle injury against Cincinnati in 2023 and Pederson’s dismissal on Monday.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated. 

Darren Rizzi says Saints were high on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020 draft

The New Orleans Saints have had their eye on Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a while, and they finally had the chance to bring him in:

The New Orleans Saints jumped at the opportunity to add Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the practice squad, head coach Darren Rizzi says their interest goes back years.

In speaking to the press about their recent running back addition, Rizzi spoke of the Saints’ thoughts on him coming out of college and says the signing had nothing to do with Alvin Kamara’s injury.

“I loved him when he was back at LSU,” Rizzi said. “Studied him a lot coming out. He was high on our draft boards. Just always kind of kept an eye on him. We had the opportunity, when they waived him, to get him on the practice squad. I know it looks like very coincidental with Alvin, it really had nothing to do with that. We just wanted to get the player in the building.”

Edwards-Helaire was a local legend in college, playing a large role in the dream 2019 season for the LSU Tigers. He had 1,867 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage that year, getting the job done in every phase.

New Orleans never really had a chance to draft the small running back. The Kansas City Chiefs took him at the end of the first round. Those are very big expectations for a back and Edwards-Helaire never really met them.

He battled injuries and inconsistencies for the Chiefs, but did have some flashes of what he showed in college. Perhaps a new environment and offense could lead to him finally breaking out.

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Cardinals’ 2020 draft class dwindling

Only 2 players from their 2020 draft class remain on the roster.

The Arizona Cardinals’ 2020 draft class is nearly all gone. Only two players they drafted that year remain on the roster and that could end up being only one after final cuts.

Only defensive linemen Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence, both drafted in the fourth round, are currently on the team.

What happened to the rest?

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Cardinals trade former Top-10 pick for 7th-round draft pick

The Cardinals have given up on Isaiah Simmons but the Giants might have gotten a steal.

Things have not gone according to plan for Isaiah Simmons. After being drafted No. 8 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, he was supposed to be this Swiss Army knife of a defender is elite athleticism. Unfortunately, Simmons wasn’t able to find his way in the Cardinals defense and has now been traded to the New York Giants for a measly seventh-round pick.

Simmons is something of a hybrid linebacker/safety but isn’t particularly skilled at either. What he has shown is he is typically the best athlete on the field and can convert that into stats. Simmons had 99 tackles in 2022 despite only playing in 13 games. He might not be a polished play but he finds his way to the football on a regular basis. Simmons had 105 total tackles in 2021.

This is ridiculous value for the Giants. Simmons showed a lot of growth last season as a player. He ended up with an interception and four sacks to go with his 99 tackles.

If the Giants can keep Simmons role simple, he could flourish. Let him stay around the line of scrimmage, chase and tackle and avoid pass coverage.

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List of Jon Robinson’s draft picks still on Titans’ roster

With Chris Jackson gone, an updated look at the draft picks made by former GM Jon Robinson who are still on the Titans’ roster.

When the Tennessee Titans parted ways with defensive back and 2020 seventh-round pick, Chris Jackson, he was just the latest player from one of former general manager Jon Robinson’s draft classes to get the boot.

This was not the first time Jackson had been cut, though, as he did not make the team’s initial 53-man roster in 2022 before being brought back on the practice squad and later promoted to the active roster.

While it’s possible Jackson will eventually be brought back, the fact that he was let go weeks before final cuts makes this one feel a bit more final.

With Jackson gone, cornerback Kristian Fulton is once again the last man standing from the 2020 draft class, which is one of three Robinson draft classes that has one player remaining on the Titans’ current roster.

The others are the classes of 2017 and 2018.

With Jackson’s recent departure, we thought it would be fun to see how many of Robinson’s picks from 2016-2022 are remaining on the 2023 squad as of right now.

We’ve also included a list of the departed players (and the teams they currently play for, if applicable) if you want to pour one out for them.

Re-drafting the first round of the 2020 NFL draft

Big changes in this redraft as these prospects enter their fifth NFL season.

Heading into year four, we have a very clear picture of just how the 2020 NFL draft class turned out. This group is known as a very very talented class and just going off of this redraft, it remains true. How much would the draft change if it happened today? Read on and get our projection.

Saints still pick Cesar Ruiz in 2020 NFL draft do-over

Would the New Orleans Saints still pick Cesar Ruiz in a 2020 NFL draft do-over? Bleacher Report explored that exact scenario, via @DillySanders

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The ability to be able to go back in the past and change a draft pick is an idea that would excite most fans, especially with some of the recent New Orleans Saints first round selections. However, in the eyes of Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, one recent selection would stay the same. While re-drafting the 2020 NFL draft, Knox stated that the Saints would stick with offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz if given another chance. Here is his reasoning:

Taking an interior lineman in Round 1 doesn’t generate headlines or much draft-day excitement. However, Ruiz has provided the Saints with good, reliable play on their offensive line.

Ruiz appeared in 15 games with nine starts as a rookie and performed well right out of the gate.

Ruiz certainly didn’t have a great start to his career in New Orleans, and while his play has improved greatly, taking him in the first while given another chance would be extremely puzzling. I could see New Orleans still wanting him on day two, but not at all in the first round.

If New Orleans would have wanted an offensive lineman still, Ezra Cleveland or Damien Lewis would have made much more sense. Though, in this scenario, it would make sense to jump on another skill position player you knew would work out at a better value. Brandon Aiyuk still being there on the board would be a much more intriguing option.

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Texans’ 2020 draft class gets new grade

The Houston Texans 2020 draft class received a new grade from CBS Sports, and it went as expected.

The Houston Texans’ 2020 draft class was the first of the general manager Bill O’Brien era, and it showed.

O’Brien signaled ahead of the draft that he anticipated 2020 would be a “veteran type of year” due to the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Houston also had their draft capital impacted thanks to the trade for Laremy Tunsil at the end of the 2019 preseason. As a result, Houston had a five-man draft class.

According to Pete Prisco from CBS Sports, the Texans originally earned a C grade for their class of DE Ross Blacklock, OLB Jonathan Greenard, OT Charlie Heck, CB John Reid, and WR Isaiah Coulter.

The Skinny: The Texans traded their first-round pick this year as part of the deal to get left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Dolphins. Tunsil has been their best offensive lineman. They had five picks the rest of the draft, but just one is a starter. That is third-round pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, who was limited to eight games last season because of injury. He had eight sacks in 2021. They missed badly on second-round defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, who was traded to the Vikings last August. The only other player still on the roster from this draft is backup tackle Charlie Heck, who has started 17 games over his three seasons.

How I did: I liked the pick of Blacklock, who I thought could develop into a quality insider rusher. He didn’t. I questioned making the trade for Tunsil — they gave up a ton — and then paying him. I said to keep an eye on Greenard, which was right.

Prisco gave the 2020 class a new grade of C-minus, which is a lot better than what it could have been.

The Texans fired O’Brien after an 0-4 start and named executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby interim general manager. At the end of the season, the Texans hired Nick Caserio as general manager and thus began an entirely new era.

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Giants select WR Justin Jefferson in 2020 NFL re-draft

In a 2020 NFL re-draft, the New York Giants pass on LT Andrew Thomas in favor of WR Justin Jefferson.

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When the New York Giants selected Andrew Thomas fourth overall in the 2020 NFL draft, they hoped the Georgia product would be a prized piece to build around for years to come.

If Thomas’ 2022 campaign was any indication of what is to come, Big Blue got just that.

But some would do it differently if they could go back. Bleacher Report released a 2020 re-draft and the Giants ended up landing star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

4. New York Giants: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Original Pick: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had his own breakthrough campaign in 2022, emerging as a capable dual-threat and helping the Giants return to the postseason after a five-year absence.

Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who was originally taken in this spot, played a big role in Jones’ progress this season. The former Georgia standout was responsible for only two penalties and three sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.

However, New York now has a chance to snag arguably the best receiver in the NFL, and it doesn’t pass on it.

Former LSU wideout Justin Jefferson has simply been fantastic since the Minnesota Vikings took him 22nd overall in 2020. He has three Pro Bowls, one first-team All-Pro and the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year on his resume. In three seasons, the 23-year-old has amassed 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns on 324 receptions.

This past season, Jefferson provided a passer rating of 104.2 when targeted. He’s the sort of dominant No. 1 receiver Jones has lacked throughout his career and would aid his growth tremendously.

Simply put, the Giants would have an easier time finding a serviceable offensive tackle via trade or free agency than a receiver of Jefferson’s caliber.

The Giants, like any team across the league, would certainly benefit from having a player like Jefferson in their offense. They are still lacking a No. 1 caliber receiver and Jefferson is known as one of the league’s best.

Interestingly enough, there may have been a domino effect if Big Blue selected Jefferson that year fourth overall. They likely would not have signed Kenny Golladay to a lucrative deal, which resulted in one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history.

Also in the redraft, the Washington Commanders selected quarterback Jalen Hurts, while Chase Young (5th, Detroit Lions) still went ahead of Andrew Thomas (9th, Jacksonville Jaguars).

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Tracking the 5th-year options on the 2020 NFL draft class

How many fifth-year options got picked up for the first-round class of the 2020 NFL draft?

Tuesday marked the deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year contract options on the first-round picks from the draft class of 2020. All first-round picks get initial contracts for four seasons with a club option for a fifth year.

That fifth year is not a cheap one. Values are based on the average salary at a particular position, with additions to the base average according to playing time and Pro Bowl honors. Exercising the option guarantees the full salary for the player. They become unrestricted free agents after the conclusion of the fifth season, barring any extensions.

Picking up the option doesn’t mean the two sides can’t agree to a contract extension. Players can also be traded or cut, but the salary is guaranteed.