Tag: 2020 NFL Draft

Is the Commanders James Smith-Williams appreciated enough?

James Smith-Williams is one of Washington’s more underappreciated players.

Being a final-round draft choice can certainly lead to a player being ignored.

Washington defensive end James Smith-Williams has been one such player. No doubt many Commanders fans are really certain of his name, they don’t recall his jersey number and they certainly don’t know where he played his college ball.

It was funny when even head coach Ron Rivera once spoke of the defensive end as “James Williams-Smith.“ Smith-Williams is still only 25, turning 26 on July 30. He enters this season knowing it is a contract year for him.

What type of year did the former North Carolina State Wolfpack have for the Commanders in 2022? Check out this tweet for some perspective:

Number 96 gets lost by the fan base when he is playing with teammates such as Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat and Chase Young. But he is accustomed to this, as it occurred during his college days at NC State as well.

Illinois defensive coordinator and former North Carolina State defensive coach, Aaron Henry a guest on the “Al Galdi Podcast,” Tuesday reminded listeners:

“What a lot of people forget is James Smith-Williams was behind Bradley Chubb, Kentavius Street, Justin Jones and B.J. Hill. All them dudes were drafted in the NFL. ”

“So, the fact that he was even a 7th rounder…we knew that young man was going to be special. His off-the-field philanthropy combined with his football ability, the sky was the limit.”

“He was absolutely everything you wanted in terms of building a program. Hard worker, great student, always on time, never any issues, a leader.”

“That young man will play however long he wants to in the NFL. That’s a quality, incredible pillar for the Washington Commanders.”

How has the Commanders 2020 draft class developed?

How would you judge Washington’s 2020 NFL draft class right now?

How many times over the years have you heard, “You can’t grade a draft until you have at least three seasons of play?”

While the 2020 Washington NFL draft has brought some disappointment, this draft by no means can be called a dud or unproductive.

Yes, Antonio Gandy-Golden (4th round) is already out of the NFL, and yes, Keith Ismael (5th round) did not last long in the Burgundy and Gold.

Yes, Chase Young (1st round) has produced only 9 sacks in three seasons and yes, he was the overall second selection in the entire draft.

Yes, Saahdiq Charles (4th round) has only played in 24 games in three seasons. Yet, he has shown enough that head coach Ron Rivera still believes he and Chris Paul will battle for the starting left guard spot this fall.

Also encouraging is third-round selection, Antonio Gibson. Gibson from Memphis has rushed for 2,378 yards and caught 124 receptions for 894 yards. With the Commanders releasing J.D. McKissic, look for new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to readily use Gibson as the third-down back, getting the ball to him in space.

Khaleke Hudson (5th round, 162 overall) has been steady on special teams and showed in the season finale last season he can play more at linebacker if needed.

Seventh-round choices Kamren Curl and James Smith-Williams have been pleasant surprises who continue to contribute on defense. How often does a team have not one but two successful draft choices in the final round?

Both Curl and Smith-Williams are entering their final contract year with the Commanders. With these two being productive and reliable, the Commanders will need to get both re-signed for the 2024 season and beyond.

Who would have thought immediately after the 2020 draft, that after three seasons of play, not one but both seventh-round draft choices would be a top priority for the Commanders to resign for 2024?

Not a single one of us.

Joe Burrow’s fifth-year option one of only 12 exercised

The Bengals exercising Joe Burrow’s fifth-year option is one success story in a draft class that saw fewer exercised than ever before.

The Cincinnati Bengals 2020 draft was a success, but it wasn’t like that for many teams around the league.

Only 12 players from the first round of that draft had their fifth-year options picked up, which according to Pro Football Talk, is a low since the fifth-year option arrived in the 2011 CBA.

Here’s what they said about the 2020 draft:

None of those 12 players have received their second contracts, yet. Each should, especially since they’ve necessarily outperformed a wage-scale rookie deal kept low to protect the system against busts.

In 2020, the first-round ultimately had 19 busts. In most cases, injury was the culprit.

Of course, the Bengals’ first-round pick from that draft was none other than Joe Burrow, who had his option picked up for $29.5 million guaranteed.

This doesn’t mean Burrow and the Bengals aren’t still attempting to work out an extension. They just had to meet the deadline of May 2 to exercise the option.

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Commanders Chase Young certainly not alone in option being declined

Chase Young was far from the only 2020 first-round pick to have his fifth-year option declined.

Many Commanders fans made much of the Commanders announcing last week they would not pick up the 5th year option on 2020 first-round pick DE Chase Young.

Some raised their voices stating it was unfair to Young; some pointed the finger at Ron Rivera in particular, even saying it was stupid for the head coach to not exercise the fifth-year option.

Rivera was even blamed if Young were to now leave the Commanders via free agency after the 2023 season.

Typically it was a case of fans speaking out in a spontaneous reaction. But now that the deadline has arrived and passed, we see that even the slightest bit of contemplation of what NFL teams determined this past week brings more understanding.

Who else besides Young did not have the 5th-year option exercised?

Well, there was Isaiah Simmons (8th selection by the Cardinals), C.J. Henderson (9th selection by Jaguars traded to Panthers), Mekhi Becton (11th selection by the Jets), Javon Kinlaw (14th selection by the 49ers), Austin Jackson (18th selection by the Dolphins), K’Lavon Chaisson (20th selection by the Jaguars), Jalen Reagor (21st selection by the Eagles later traded to the Vikings), Kenneth Murray, Jr (23rd selection by the Chargers), Cesar Ruiz (24th selection by the Saints), Jordyn Brooks (27th selection by the Seahawks), Patrick Queen (28th selection by the Ravens), Noah Igbinoghene (30th selection by the Dolphins), and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (32nd selection by the Chiefs).

The third overall selection, Jeff Okudah, had his contract restructured last week when traded to the Falcons. Further, there are already three players from the 2020 first round already out of the league: No. 12 Henry Ruggs III, No. 19 Damon Arnette and No. 29 Isaiah Wilson.

In three NFL seasons, the second player selected in the 2020 draft, Young, has provided Washington only 9 sacks, only 13 tackles for a loss and only 17 QB hits.

Young could still have a productive career by having a great 2023 season. The Commanders could then pay him accordingly. But why are the Commanders obligated to pay him as a star in 2024 when he has not produced for them since 2020?

Consequently, Young and 16 other first-round selections have had their teams determine the player simply is not productive enough to warrant the fifth-year option, and three teams previously divorced themselves from their first-round selection.

What’s wrong with Young earning his big NFL paycheck the old-fashioned way, earning it?

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.

Jaguars decline fifth-year option for OLB K’Lavon Chaisson

Former first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson is now set to become a free agent in 2024.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the unsurprising decision to decline the fifth-year option on K’Lavon Chaisson’s rookie contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Chaisson, 23, was the No. 20 overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft, but has recorded just one sack in each of his three seasons in Jacksonville. With Josh Allen and Travon Walker holding down the two starting spots at outside linebacker, Chaisson has settled into a rotational role and was on the field for 109 defensive snaps and 108 special teams snaps during the 2022 season — although, he missed eight games due to injury.

The fifth-year option on his deal would’ve meant Chaisson received a fully guaranteed $12.141 million salary for the 2024 season. Instead, he’s now due to become a free agent after 2023.

While the Jaguars declined the option, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters over the weekend that the team is optimistic Chaisson will be more productive in 2023.

“We are expecting Josh Allen to take the lead and of course Travon [Walker]’s there and K’Lavon Chaisson to take a step,” Pederson said Saturday. “They’re all guys that have been here, the second year in the defense.”

Chaissson was the second of two first-round picks made by the Jaguars in 2020. The first was cornerback C.J. Henderson, drafted with the No. 9 overall pick. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers during his second season along with a fifth-round draft pick for a third-rounder and tight end Dan Arnold.

The Panthers decided Monday not to pick up the fifth-year option on Henderson’s deal.

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Twitter Reactions to Commanders declining Chase Young’s 5th year option

The reactions were all over the place regarding the Commanders’ declining Chase Young’s fifth-year option.

Chase Young was the 2020 NFL defensive rookie of the year.

That season, the Ohio State rookie forced four fumbles, recovered three fumbles, ran one back for a touchdown, collected 7.5 sacks, made 42 total tackles, had 10 tackles for a loss and 12 quarterback hits.

However, in 2021, Young, in 9 games, did not resemble the player we observed in 2020. There were only 3 tackles for a loss and only 4 quarterback hits and a mere 1.5 sacks.

Then a horrible knee injury occurred against the Tampa Bay Bucs. He missed the remainder of 2021 and almost all of 2022.

There is no easy answer to what the Commanders’ decision regarding Young’s 5th-year option should be.

Here is some of the varied Twitter reactions to the Commanders’ decision.

Zac Taylor talks about 2020 draft, waiting for Logan Wilson

Bengals coach Zac Taylor gives a fun example of draft patience paying off.

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking for a big hit in the upcoming draft that begins on Thursday.

One recent example head coach Zac Taylor can think of came on the second day of the 2020 draft when the Bengals selected LB Logan Wilson with the 65th overall pick.

Here’s what Taylor had to say in Geoff Hobson’s article on the Bengals official website:

“Logan is the guy I can remember watching 30 picks tick off the clock with your fingers crossed. He’s one. There have certainly been other guys that fit that description from, what was Tee, 33? From about pick 34 to whatever we drafted Logan, you are just crossing your fingers and watching the clock.”

With three years in the books, Wilson has brought in seven interceptions, along with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Wilson was absolutely a worthwhile pick where they were able to get him, and Cincinnati should hope it can do the same thing this week when the second day rolls around.

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Grading the 2020 Bears draft class

A good rule of thumb is to wait and grade a draft class after three years. With that, we give our final grades on the 2020 Bears draft.

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to begin in less than a week and the Chicago Bears will be looking to upgrade their roster to take the next jump in the Ryan Poles era. With 10 selections, most notably their No. 9 overall pick that was part of their acquisition of pics from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the No. 1 pick, Chicago will have plenty of opportunities to come away with impact players.

Though the draft is exciting and teams rarely feel like they get worse after the weekend concludes, it’s extremely difficult to judge a draft class fairly without having anyone playing a game. Even one season feels unfair given how much things can change from year to year. The rule of thumb is to wait until three years after a draft is complete to give it a fair evaluation.

That three-year evaluation brings us back to 2020, where the COVID-19 pandemic was in full force and the league needed to cancel the in-person draft festivities. The grand stage with thousands of fans in attendance became Roger Goodell’s basement, where he announced picks while sitting in a large leather chair.

Interestingly enough, the Bears had one of their strongest classes in recent memory during the virtual draft. Though they were without a first-round pick due to the Khalil Mack trade with the Las Vegas Raiders and a fourth-round pick that was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Nick Foles, they were still able to grab impact players, headlined by two second-round picks. Here is how we graded the 2020 draft three years after it happened.

Saints’ 2020 draft class entering make-or-break season in 2023

The Saints’ 2020 draft class is entering a make-or-break season in 2023. Cesar Ruiz, Zack Baun, and Adam Trautman can still change the narrative, but they’re running out of time:

Much of the attention on the New Orleans Saints’ 2020 NFL draft class has centered on right guard Cesar Ruiz, and for good reason — the former first-round pick struggled mightily through the first two years of his career before turning things around last season, and now he’s going into what could be a career-year with plenty of momentum behind him, despite an unfortunate season-ending injury in rearview. If the Saints don’t choose to exercise his fifth-year option after this year’s draft (which would cost them more than $14 million in 2024), he’ll be a free agent next year.

His other 2020 draftmates don’t have the luxury of a fifth-year option ahead of them, and they also haven’t quite met expectations up to this point. At the time of the draft, general manager Mickey Loomis and the team’s decision-makers like assistant GM Jeff Ireland told us they were going for a quality-over-quantity approach by drafting just four players, and trading up for three of them — linebacker Zack Baun, tight end Adam Trautman, and quarterback-turned-tight end Tommy Stevens. That strategy was met with skepticism at the time, and history hasn’t exactly justified the idea there.

Stevens was waived and kicked down to the practice squad within six months, and the Saints cut him for good 199 days after they picked him. Baun has been limited to special teams for most of his Saints career. Trautman hasn’t developed as hoped and the team was actively looking for his replacement in hosting Foster Moreau on a free agent visit.

So the way things stand right now, it’s hard to look at the 2020 class as anything but a failure. The Saints either took the wrong approach, picked the wrong prospects, or had the wrong vision in mind for them. Draw your own conclusions there.

That’s not to say there isn’t a scenario where things turn around. If Ruiz continues playing well and earns a long-term extension with the Saints, that does a lot to salvage the 2020 draft for New Orleans. So too would Baun taking a step forward in the role Kaden Elliss flourished in last season. He excelled as a pass rusher in college but the Saints overcomplicated things by making him play out of position and off the line of scrimmage. Elliss lined up closer to the ball and experienced great success because of it. Maybe that’s the proof-of-concept the coaches needed to let Baun do what he’s done best.

But that’s still just two players out of an entire draft class, and they each need to meet those expectations. Whether they can change the narrative or not is undetermined. Let’s hope they can go the distance. These players haven’t met expectations yet, but there’s still some time left on the clock for them to get there.

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