Category: 2022 NFL draft

Giants’ Graham Gano would give Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 5 ‘for right price’

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano would give Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 5 for “the right price,” and the first-round pick is ready to negotiate.

Kayvon Thibodeaux would very much like to wear the jersey number he did at Oregon — No. 5 — with the New York Giants, but it’s currently spoken for.

Kicker Graham Gano has owned the number since signing with the Giants in 2020, but did briefly negotiate with safety Jabrill Peppers last year.

Peppers ended up wearing No. 21.

“Way too high,” Peppers told reporters last season. “I tried but he’s not budging.”

Would Gano be willing to give the number to Thibodeaux? Technically, yes. But not for free.

Thibodeaux said he’s already spoken to Gano about getting No. 5 and knows it won’t come cheap.

“It’s funny, you guys. Just know, this is real now, we’re talking real numbers. When you tell somebody 250, I don’t know what 250 means. You forget all the zeros behind it,” Thibodeaux said laughing. “Things are a lot different now.”

That’s $250,000, in case you missed it.

“He’s a great guy. We’re obviously going to build a relationship,” Thibodeaux said. “We’re gonna talk about it. That is something I’m pursuing. Plus, he’s a vet. He’s put the work in. He’s got five kids. So, you know, there’s a whole lot of negotiating that’s going to have to happen before anything shakes.”

If Thibodeaux is able to get the number from Gano, the kicker could always switch back to No. 9 — the number he wore with the Carolina Panthers for seven seasons.

No. 9 was previously being worn by punter Riley Dixon, whom the Giants released earlier this offseason.

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Cardinals, Marquise Brown kept trade a secret from Kyler Murray

“I could have (told him), but I kind of wanted it to be a surprise for him as well,” Brown revealed after the trade went down.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has an old friend as a teammate again. The Cardinals acquired receiver Marquise Brown in a trade on Thursday. Brown played with Murray at Oklahoma and the two were close.

They still are close and have been working out together, but Murray was not aware that the trade was going to happen.

General manager Steve Keim said he did not tell Murray about the possibility of the deal “because of the sensitivity of (his) discussions with the Ravens.”

He also indicated that Brown “couldn’t tell Kyler.”

Brown confirmed that when he was introduced to the media Friday.

The deal did not happen overnight. Keim said he and Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta “had ongoing conversations for some time.”

Brown revealed he and Murray had talked about the possibility of playing together back in January and February. Things became potentially real more recently.

“For the longest, I didn’t think it was possible, but last week I knew it was a possibility,” Brown said, mentioning there were other teams that entered the picture.

Brown kept the news from Murray until the announcement was made.

“He knew it possibly could happen, but he didn’t know it actually did happen,” Brown said. “He was checking in trying to get the scoop, but I just had to ‘I don’t know, Kyler. I’m trying to find out.’

“I could have (told him), but I kind of wanted it to be a surprise for him as well.”

It was a welcome surprise for Murray.

What was his reaction?

“Texts of fireballs,” Keim said.

In 2018, when Murray won the Heisman as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, Brown had 75 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.

While Murray didn’t know the deal was happening, if you ask him, he will claim he caused it.

“He definitely was like, ‘I did this.’ Definitely,” Brown said.

However it went down, this will be a fun ride for them and for fans.

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Instant analysis and grade for Titans selecting DB Theo Jackson

Shaun Calderon breaks down the Titans’ second-to-last pick of the 2022 NFL draft, DB Theo Jackson.

The Tennessee Titans’ draft weekend is finally drawing to a close as they make the first of their final two selections, both of which came in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

With the No. 204 pick, the Titans selected a local product, Tennessee defensive back, Theo Jackson.

Jackson is a productive defensive back who earned All-SEC honors in his final season by both the coaches (Second-Team), and Phil Steele (Third-Team).

The Tennessee product also set career-highs in 2021 with 78 tackles (fourth-most on the team), nine tackles for loss (led SEC defensive backs), 1.5 sacks, 12 pass break-ups (second-most in SEC) and one interception (returned for touchdown).

In total, Jackson played in 56 games (24 starts) and tallied 190 career tackles, 20 passes defended, 12 tackles for loss, three interceptions (one pick-six), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The Titans’ new defensive back, who can play safety and out of the slot, will likely need to contribute on special teams if he’s going to find his way on the field in the near future, but I like the overall idea of getting another young safety to develop under Amani Hooker and Kevin Byard.

And that’s especially with Hooker’s unknown future beyond this year as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. If Jackson shows enough promise as a rookie, it could make that decision much easier in 2023.

Overall, I like the addition of another young safety and Jackson has enough potential to warrant at least an above-average grade at this point of the draft.

Grade: B

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Twitter reacts to Titans selecting Theo Jackson and Chance Campbell

A look at how Twitter reacted to the Titans’ pair of sixth-round picks.

The Tennessee Titans closed out their 2022 NFL draft with a pair of sixth-round picks, Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson and Ole Miss linebacker, Chance Campbell.

Jackson is a super versatile defensive back who can play on the boundary, out of the slot, and at safety. Campbell was a very productive linebacker at Ole Miss and he can play on special teams.

In all, the Titans made nine picks throughout the course of the three-day event, and Campbell and Jackson were two of three defensive players taken in total.

Now, a look at how Twitter reacted to the pair of sixth-round selections.

Jaguars select Quachita Baptist CB Gregory Junior with pick No. 197

Junior caught some eyes after going to the Senior Bowl as a DII prospect. He had a busy offseason as the Chiefs, Pats, and Vikes were some of the notables who also showed interest in him.

The Jacksonville Jaguars added a sixth member to their 2022 NFL Draft class when it selected Quachita Baptist corner Gregory Junior with pick No. 197. As a result, they added some competition at the cornerback position, which could use some help after their top-3 options in Shaquill Griffin, Tyson Campbell, and Darious Williams.

As a Division II prospect, Junior caught some eyes after impressing at the Senior Bowl in February. That propelled him to a position where he was able to make history and become the first player drafted from Quachita Baptist University.

Junior received a great deal of interest this offseason. According to him, he had visits with notables like the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs to name a few. The Jags also met with him quite a bit. They talked with him at the NFLPA and Senior Bowls and came to his pro day.

At 6-feet-0, 190 pounds, Junior was able to accumulate 46 tackles last season. Three of those were for loss and he was able to garner seven pass breakups. He also had one career interception while with the Tigers.

The Jags now have one draft selection remaining in the 2022 NFL Draft. That selection is No. 235.

Instant analysis, draft grade on Saints picking D’Marco Jackson

New Orleans Saints lean heavily on special teams in Day 3 of the NFL draft, starting with Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

Since Jeff Ireland was hired just before the 2015 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints have selected more offensive lineman and linebackers (8) than any other unit, so it isn’t surprising to see that trend continue. Fifth-round 2022 selection D’Marco Jackson has a path to have an immediate impact on special teams. After selecting Alontae Taylor in the second round, the Saints continue to equip special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Darren Rizzi with difference-makers.

Jackson stands at 6-foot flat, 233 pounds and clocked in at 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That kind of athleticism should translate well to special teams coverage roles. The Appalachian State linebacker has proven to be a speed-demon when playing downhill, a trait that will set him up to excel chasing down punts and covering kickoffs.

He’ll also get opportunities in kick and punt block units. Back in 2018, he converted a punt block touchdown. He will very likely will see all four phases of special teams (punts, kickoffs, field goals, and extra point tries) which shouldn’t be new to him after taking a whopping 630 snaps on special teams in his career.

The 2021 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the year should be able to provide depth at linebacker as well. With 120 tackles (19 for a loss), 6 sacks, and 6 passes defended in 2021, Jackson has proven to be active in both the run game and as a pass rusher. He’s the first FBS player to reach those numbers in a single season in the 2000’s.

Look for him to potentially push alongside Kaden Elliss for a special teams role and perhaps even get some snaps on defense as a rotation piece on the second level. Especially if the Saints don’t bring back Kwon Alexander or feel like Zack Baun has pulled ahead of where he was last season. But Jackson’s major role early in his career should be as a core special teamer.

GRADE: C

Daniel Bellinger recalls ‘heart pounding’ moment Giants drafted him

Tight end Daniel Bellinger said his “heart was pounding” when his moment arrived and the New York Giants called to draft him.

The New York Giants needed a tight end entering the third day of the 2022 NFL draft and they secured one in short order.

With their first pick of the fourth round (No. 112 overall), the Giants selected San Diego State tight end Daniel Bellinger.

Bellinger joins a nearly brand new tight end group in 2022 that will include Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins, as well as Chris Myarick, who was on the team briefly and scored a touchdown last season.

Bellinger said his heart was pounding when he got the call that he was coming to East Rutherford to begin his professional football career.

“I was just super excited. My heart was pounding when I got the call. It was a great process with them. I enjoyed every single second talking to the coaches and the assistant GM. It was a great process with them,” Bellinger told reporters on Saturday.

Bellinger said blocking was the strength of his game and he feels like good blocker, but also sees himself as a very versatile player who can make the necessary catches and big plays when needed.

“Blocking and being versatile in both the passing game and blocking game because I think I can do a good job blocking and I can stretch the field and make plays when I need to,” Bellinger said of his strengths.

“It really came down to game plan and schemes that we needed to do for that week. And if I didn’t get enough balls, that’s all right as long as we got the win.”

In four years at San Diego State, Bellinger hauled in 68 catches for 771 yards and five touchdowns. During his senior season, Bellinger had 31 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns.

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Titans select LB Chance Campbell with 219th overall pick

With the 219th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Titans selected Ole Miss LB Chance Campbell.

With the 219th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Ole Miss linebacker Chance Campbell.

The 6-foot-2, 232-pound linebacker is a strong, physical player who should be good against the run, but he lacks the athleticism to make an impact in coverage.

He could work his way onto the roster as a backup linebacker, but will need to excel in special teams first and foremost or else he could miss the cut. The good news for Campbell is that he played well in that area in college.

After playing at Maryland for three years, Campbell transferred to Ole Miss, where he tallied a whopping 109 tackles (12.5 for loss), six sacks, two pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered.

After making their latest pick, the Titans are now done with 2022 selections barring a trade. In all, the Titans made nine picks in what was nothing short of an eventful three days.

Now, our attention turns to undrafted free agent signings, which will commence once the 2022 NFL draft wraps up.

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Cardinals select OL Lecitus Smith with 2nd 6th-round pick

The Cardinals take a Day 3 offensive lineman in the sixth round on Saturday.

The Arizona Cardinals had to wait a while on Saturday to make their first pick of Day 3. After selecting USC running back Keaontay Ingram with their first sixth-round pick, they only had to wait 14 picks to make their second selection of the sixth round.

That selection was Virginia Tech offensive lineman Lecitus Smith.

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Giants legend Michael Strahan stepping up as mentor to Kayvon Thibodeaux

New York Giants legend Michael Strahan is willingly stepping into the role of mentor for Kayvon Thibodeaux — both on and off the field.

Michael Strahan is considered a member of the New York Giants’ Mount Rushmore as far as significant names of the franchise.

Strahan’s No. 92 will forever reside in the rafters of MetLife Stadium to go along with the Super Bowl banner he helped hang up there. Not to mention, Strahan has a bust that resides in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Needless to say, Strahan taking a personal interest in being a mentor to the latest big-name pass rusher for the Giants — first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux — can only be a good thing.

Thibodeaux, who spoke with the media on Saturday in East Rutherford, talked about meeting Strahan for the first time through friends and what the Hall of Famer has meant to him.

“So I would say last year, probably fall camp, actually, was when I first had the first Zoom with him and then I got to meet him. Now, actually seeing him and really talking to him and building that relationship has been dope,” Thibodeaux told reporters.

If Thibodeaux were to have a career that resembled anything like Strahan’s, that would be a tremendous thing for both he and the Giants. But Thibodeaux is also just looking to pave his own way in the league.

After that, he wouldn’t mind walking in Strahan’s media footsteps.

“They are both ridiculous,” Thibodeaux said of Strahan’s football and media careers. “But for me I feel like I kind of want to pave my own way. You know, he’s done the great things he’s done because the work he’s put in. So I got to go put the work in myself and build that legacy for myself.”

Thibodeaux is looking to be the latest part of the legacy that Strahan is a part of — legendary pass rushers like Lawrence Taylor, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul — all players who helped the Giants win Super Bowls in the past.

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