Tag: Antoine Winfield Jr

Should the Falcons’ latest roster moves worry the Bucs?

The Falcons’ addition of LB Matthew Judon and S Justin Simmons might threaten the Bucs’ chances to win the NFC South.

This offseason, the Atlanta Falcons moved heaven and earth to improve their standing in the NFC South. They replaced head coach Arthur Smith with Raheem Morris, paid quarterback Kirk Cousins $100 million and drafted Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with a top-10 selection.

Still, these moves were not enough for the Falcons, who have made two major moves on defense that could have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers concerned about defending their NFC South championship.

First, Atlanta acquired outside linebacker Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round pick (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):

Then, they signed free agent safety Justin Simmons, who was released by the Denver Broncos earlier this year (via Rapoport):

Judon and Simmons bring impressive pedigrees. Over the last five seasons, Judon has recorded 47.5 sacks, 116 QB hits and 56 tackles for a loss. Simmons is a four-time second-team All-Pro and led the NFL in interceptions (6) in 2022, recording 30 over his NFL career.

Make no mistake, these additions make the Falcons defense far more formidable than it was a week ago. Judon gives Atlanta a legitimate pass rush force off the edge, and the Falcons’ safety group now truly rivals Tampa Bay’s combination of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead.

With Cousins at the helm of an offense boasting a stout offensive line and potential playmakers at virtually every starting position, the Falcons have taken two more steps into justifying the many predictions putting Atlanta atop the NFC South in 2024.

No doubt, the Bucs must be concerned about the addition of Judon and Simmons. They are proven, consistent playmakers who could tip the scales in the division in Atlanta’s favor.

Hope is not all lost, however. For as impressive as their resumes are, Judon and Simmons were available for a reason. Judon is a 32-years old pass rusher coming off a season shortened by a torn bicep injury. Simmons is also on the wrong side of 30 for a defensive back and was on the free agent market for five months, which raises questions about his readiness given his resume.

These are also very much short-term gambles that mortgage the Falcons’ long-term resources. Both are currently playing on one-year deals, each worth around $7 million. Coming into today, the Falcons had the third-least available cap space in the league at about $7 million per Over the Cap. In order to make these moves possible, the Falcons had to take a page out of the New Orleans Saints playbook and borrow against future money (via Spotrac):

There is also a reason why Judon was on the trade block. The former Patriot was pushing for a contract extension prior to his trade, and it is unlikely he has given up his pursuit. Another restructure could be in the works to accommodate a 32-year old pass rusher.

Atlanta was already cap-strapped in 2025, boasting just $8.2 million in cap space next year per Over the Cap. Next year they have key players who will be looking for extensions, like cornerback A.J. Terrell. More money for Judon means more borrowing to keep core players like Terrell.

Overall, the Falcons are betting heavily on older players. Cousins, left tackle Jake Matthews and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett are all over 30 and each play major roles on the team. Age brings experience but also attrition, as Cousins’ Achilles and Judon’s bicep can attest.

There is no escaping the fact that the Falcons are better at the end of this week than the start of it, at least on paper. One-year veteran bets are hallmarks of aspiring contenders, but they are still bets. Judon and Simmons still have to pay off with play on the field.

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Saints vs Buccaneers: 5 most important storylines in Week 17 game

The Saints are playing for their postseason lives. That’s is the biggest of the 5 most compelling storylines in Week 17 vs. the Buccaneers:

The New Orleans Saints are playing for their playoff lives against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That is the biggest storyline heading into their Week 17 game. That urgency should be clear from the beginning of the game, not after halftime.

These two teams faced off earlier this season, and the Buccaneers absolutely dominated the Saints. It’s arguably the only loss the Saints have this year where they didn’t battle back to make it look close. It’s the only game they lost by double digits. New Orleans lost by a score of 26-9 and the game reflected that.

In the rematch, here are the 5 most important storylines:

Gimme Him: Buccaneers players we’d like to see suiting up for the Saints

Gimme Him: Buccaneers players we’d like to see suiting up for the Saints

Which Tampa Bay Buccaneers players would you want to see suiting up for the New Orleans Saints this week? It’s an interesting question and a great way to compare the two teams’ strengths and weaknesses; what, exactly, do the Bucs have to offer?

The simplest answer: better protection up front. Their offensive line has surpassed expectations to start the season and the Saints defense could have a tough time beating them at the line of scrimmage. Here’s where we see some room for improvement:

Chiefs have recently used FaceTime to meet with several draft prospects

The Kansas City Chiefs are still connecting with prospects ahead of the draft despite changes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the coronavirus pandemic throwing a wrench into planned top-30 visits the Kansas City Chiefs have had to improvise. The Chiefs and many other teams have turned to video meetings with prospects using FaceTime or other applications at the instruction of the NFL.

Because of the new system in 2020, teams are no longer limited to 30 players. They’re allowed to interact with a prospect by phone or computer, up to three times per week for an hour at a time. While they don’t have limits on the number of prospects they can contact, don’t expect teams to go through and contact every prospect.

Kansas City has been active in this new system, speaking with several players. Justin Melo of Draft Wire reports that recently the Chiefs had FaceTime meetings with LSU guard Damien Lewis and Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

Lewis is a player that I figure to be a bit of a riser in weak interior offensive line class. He had a really good performance against an impressive crop of talent at the Senior Bowl. He was pancaking guys in pass protection on the regular and bowling players over as a run blocker. For a big man, he can move in space quite well too. Andy Reid would definitely like to feature him as a blocker in the screen game.

Don’t rule out Lewis as a target for the Chiefs in the second or third round.

Winfield Jr. is an interesting player. Obviously, there is a certain pedigree there, as his father played cornerback for the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. He’s a fit in Kansas City given his incredible versatility, but he only has one season of consistent production. Also, he has some medical history that teams won’t be able to check up on beyond the combine medical checks. That could impact his draft stock, but it’s hard to say for certain.

Many believe that Winfield Jr. could be the first safety selected in the 2020 NFL draft. If the Chiefs want him, it’ll probably have to happen at pick No. 32. I’m not even certain he lasts that long, but you won’t find me complaining about selecting him at that spot if he’s available.

Prospect for the Pack: Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Breaking down the draft profile of Minnesota defensive back Antonie Winfield Jr., a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 draft.

The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.

Up next is Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr.:

What he can do

– Has NFL roots and was around the game from a young age. His father, Antoine Winfield Sr., was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings

– Similar to his father both in terms of size (5-9, 203) and play style – his father was 5-8, 200. Winfield Jr. has noted watching film and reading playbooks with his dad growing up

– Multiple awards won in 2019, including unanimous First-team AP All-American, First-team All-Big Ten, and Tatum-Woodson B1G Defensive Back of the Year

– Answered questions about his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine; recorded a 4.45 40-yard dash, 36″ vertical leap and 10-4 broad jump

– Can play any position in the secondary; logged 399 snaps at free safety, 283 snaps as a box safety and 85 snaps as a slot cornerback in 2019, according to PFF

– Instincts are off the charts; sees plays unfolding right before they happen; high-level processing

– Has an excellent feel for his zone and diagnoses route combinations with ease; rarely out of position; allowed just nine first downs and a combined 138 yards on throws into his coverage last season, per PFF

– Has a nose for the football; grabbed seven interceptions in 2019, tying a school single-season record; forced two fumbles, as well

– Reliable tackler considering his position; though undersized, doesn’t shy away from contact; willing tackler in the run game; led Minnesota in tackles (88) in 2019 but missed 13 tackles

– Capable punt returner; scored a 75-yard punt return against New Mexico State in 2018; has three career returns for 110 yards

– Excels at blitzing; has a good feel for timing his runs and takes efficient angles

– Dealt with season-ending injuries in 2017 (hamstring) and 2018 (foot); played just eight combined games during those two seasons

How he fits

Winfield feels like one of the safest picks in the draft. He comes readily equipped with the tools to succeed on Day 1 as an NFL-caliber safety. It’s an added bonus that he offers the ability to play any position in the secondary.

The Packers have a need at nickel cornerback since Tramon Williams scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Winfield would work ideally as a “slot defender,” as he excels in both tackling and coverage duties. Think of how Micah Hyde was used during his time in Green Bay.

Winfield’s presence would allow defensive coordinator Mike Pettine the freedom to utilize Adrian Amos closer to the line of scrimmage as a box safety, particularly in sub packages, while deploying Winfield deep with coverage responsibilities.

Additionally, Winfield’s versatility would allow the Packers to disguise different looks. Having Winfield, Amos and Darnell Savage all on the field at once would create confusion for offenses with coverage rotations and blitzes.

NFL comp

In terms of playstyle, Winfield fits the mold of Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu. The “Honey Badger” plays all over the field, similarly to how Winfield was utilized at the University of Minnesota. Mathieu is one of the most versatile players in the NFL. In an interview with the Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, Winfield mentioned Mathieu, Ed Reed and Earl Thomas as players he models his game after. PFF compared him to former safety Antoine Bethea, while Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to former safety T.J. Ward.

Where Packers could get him

Winfield is slowly creeping up draft boards in the media, notably cracking the top 50 in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest big board. The Packers likely would need to use pick No. 30 in the first round to secure him, but a trade up into the mid-second round makes sense if he starts to fall.

Previous Prospects for the Pack

WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
WR Laviska Shenault
OT Austin Jackson