Are the Dolphins set at cornerback after Byron Jones signing?
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With the addition of cornerback Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins secondary, should we be ready to see the Dolphins pass over cornerback for the remainder of the offseason? After all, this team has heavy duty financial obligations into Jones and new teammate Xavien Howard. Surely Miami can axe corner off of their positions of need list, right?
Not exactly.
The Dolphins do have Jones and Howard. They also have promising 2019 rookie Nik Needham and both of the team’s current starting safeties (Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe) have experience at cornerback as well. But when bearing in mind just how much Brian Flores’ defense calls sub-packages into the equation, the Dolphins are going to need more reinforcements to ensure they have the depth necessary to run dime packages and match opposing personnel to Flores’ liking.
That might come in the way of safety additions as well. But the Dolphins are another Xavien Howard knee injury away from having the promise of their current backend disrupted and another fringe roster player thrown into a role that will command 40-something snaps per game.
No, the Dolphins shouldn’t be “set” at the cornerback. It is certainly one of the strengths of the roster as currently constructed. But the Dolphins’ roster reclamation is going to need to see this team go to a place where other teams are scrambling to pick up their waiver wire additions. That’s routinely what happens with perennial contenders like the Baltimore Ravens; and that’s what the Dolphins should aspire to be. They aren’t there yet at any position on the field — not even cornerback.
As we look ahead to the next NFL season, who are some players set to thrive in new circumstances, whether due to scheme or new teammates?
As we start to look ahead to the 2020 season, we can imagine some players who are going to benefit from new situations in the campaign ahead. Whether due to a new scheme, different coaching, or even some new teammates, here are some players poised to thrive in the year to come thanks to their new situations.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Carolina Panthers
(Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)
Pairing Teddy Bridgewater with new Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady is, on paper, a match made in heaven. The two have history together, dating back to when Brady was on the offensive staff in New Orleans under head coach Sean Payton. When Brady moved northwest to become the passing game coordinator for LSU, he brought with him an offensive scheme heavily influenced by Payton’s West Coast offense. Last year, the LSU Tigers (and assumed first-overall selection Joe Burrow) ran an offense heavy with West Coast designs right out of Payton’s playbook, while mixing in run/pass option elements and vertical shot plays downfield.
That offense is ideal for Bridgewater, and look no further than what he was asked to do last year when replacing an injured Drew Brees. During that five game stretch, Bridgewater made quick decisions, got the running backs involved in the passing game, and showed the quick decision-making that is critical to running both Payton’s offense, and Brady’s.
Take, for example, how quickly Bridgewater reads this “Pout” (post/out) concept against the Jacksonville Jaguars:
If Bridgewater hesitates at all, he is throwing his tight end Josh Hill into danger. But because Bridgewater hits his drop depth and gets the ball out, the corner cannot rotate over in time.
You can also look at this in-breaking route to Michael Thomas against the Chicago Bears:
(As an aside, some of you might have seen the NFL making their “GamePass” product available to all during these times of quarantine and isolation. Welcome, my dear friends, to the dreaded “Soldier Field All-22 Angle.”)
The QB gets the benefit of added information before the play, as pre-snap motion lets him know the Bears are in man coverage. He comes out of a play-action fake (with his back to the defense) firing on this route to Thomas working towards the middle of the field. Again, any hesitation from the quarterback here and the passing window is closed.
The view from the end zone illustrates just how quick the process is from Bridgewater:
The passer carries out the play fake and comes up throwing, without a hitch in his drop. Timing and decisiveness leading to a big gain for the offense, and it comes with Bridgewater forced to take his eyes off the defense for a second to carry out the play-fake.
Bridgewater’s fit in Brady’s offense is ideal, and it makes him a candidate for a very strong 2020.
drafted by then Lions-head coach Jim Schwartz back in 2013, Slay has rounded into one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL and the Eagles finally have a guy who can win one on one battles with the best.
Slay allowed only three touchdowns on 93 targets last season, according to Pro Football Reference and he’s been to three straight Pro Bowl.
Defensive backs from around the league, including Deion Sanders weighed-in on the Eagles newest acquisition.
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@_bigplayslay23 is a grown man out there on that island. He matches up with the opposing teams #1 rec and competes each & every play. The boy makes plays & I approve this CORNER! #Truth
This is just Stupid! All I do is watch wide receiver and corner back tape!!! In my humble opinion slay is top 5 easily. It’s a different world playing PRESS on a teams #1 wideout each week. BAG MAN!!! 🙌🏽✊🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/UxHgBNRS11
Darius Slay is signing 3-year, $50M contract extension w/ $30M guaranteed with the #Eagles as part of the trade, per agent Drew Rosenhaus. That’s $16.67M per year. That’s a little more than the $16.5M per year salary Byron Jones signed with the Dolphins. Slay is 2 years older.
Jones got almost $90 million from the Dolphins, but in regards to average per year, Slay is the highest-paid now at $16.67 million per Over The Cap.
Slay is now the highest-paid cornerback based on the new money average. Jones’ deal does pay him $18 million per season over the first 3 years, but it still averages out to $16.5 million per overall.
Eagles agree to 3-year, $50 million extension with Darius Slay; $30 million guaranteed
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The Philadelphia Eagles just added Darius Slay to the roster after acquiring the cornerback for a third and fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Slay immediately agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract extension with $30 million of it guaranteed.
The deal after the deal: the Eagles and new CB Darius Slay reached agreement on a 3-year, $50 million extension that includes $30 million guaranteed, @RosenhausSports tells ESPN.
The NFL 2020 league year is underway, and the Cowboys, present and former, are front and center.
The Dallas Cowboys have been busy during the first three days of the NFL’s 2020 free agency, including Wednesday which was the official start of the league year. What free agents have signed? How does it impact the salary cap? Where does the club stand on 2021 compensatory draft picks?
The NFL is not allowing teams to officially announce their moves until contracts are inked, but the reports are everywhere and teams are being savvy in letting the public know. Technically, the Cowboys have signed only two players, WR Amari Cooper and S Darian Thompson, but they’ve agreed in principle with many others.
The club started the offseason with 30 players who were free agents. According to our tracking, only 11 remain without jobs currently. That list is below.
The long and short of all the moves? Dallas has retained two of the five biggest free agents in Dak Prescott and Cooper, and has yet to replace the losses of CB Byron Jones and DE Robert Quinn.
Here, we’ll keep track of all of the comings and goings, and the most interesting associations that may or may not ever come to fruition for the Dallas Cowboys. Later, we’ll place all of the actual moves in perspective of the 2021 compensatory picks, as Dallas stands to make their most massive haul in years based on who they have and will continue to see sign elsewhere.
Tagged
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 15: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
QB Dak Prescott – received franchise tag, amount TBD expected between $30 million and $33 million.
Re-signed
WR Amari Cooper– 5 years, $100 million (100% accuracy for our Offseason Manifesto prediction)
S Jeff Heath – Agreed with Raiders, two years, max $8 million
OL Xavier Su’a-Filo – Agreed with Bengals, three years, $10 million
Salary Cap Update – $25 million
Using Over the Cap salary amounts, the Cowboys have a projected $25 million of cap space remaining after their series of moves. Out of the 30 free agents they had at the start of free agency, 11 remain without jobs as of March 18.
Player Associations
Robert Quinn #58 of the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DE Robert Quinn – Cowboys hope to get a chance to make final offer. Two 30+ pass rushers (Jason Pierre-Paul, Calais Campbell signed deals worth $13.5 million)
CB Chris Harris, Jr. – Cowboys one of four teams listed as having interest in former Broncos CB
S Anthony Harris – Not officially linked, but Vikings franchise tagged and then said they would accept mid-to-late round pick in trade
WR Emmanuel Sanders – Reported mutual interest between parties to become Randall Cobb replacement
WR Tavon Austin
DL Michael Bennett
DT Christian Covington
DL Kerry Hyder
DT Daniel Ross (RFA)
LB Joe Thomas
LB Justin March
LB Malcolm Smith
LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
CB C.J. Goodwin
S Kavon Frazier
Eagles and Lions discussing a trade involving CB Darius Slay
The Philadelphia Eagles have been interested in Darius Slay for the better part of two years now and on Thursday morning shortly after midnight, Josina Anderson of ESPN is reporting that discussions are being had involving the star cornerback.
I'm told there are ongoing discussions right now regarding the framework of a 3-year extension as part of a trade that would send CB Darius Slay to the #Eagles, per source.
According to the report, the Eagles and Lions are discussing the framework of a deal that would send Slay to Philadelphia after the Birds work out a contract extension with the Detroit star.
The news comes on the heels of Slay again voicing his displeasure in Detroit in requesting a “speedy” trade after the Lions inked Desmond Trufant to a deal.
Slay leads NFL in passes broken up since 2015 and is one of just 2 cornerbacks named to 3 straight Pro Bowls (Jalen Ramsey).
Adding Slay to the roster would finally give the Eagles the shutdown caliber cornerback that they’ve lacked.
Slay is currently among top-15 highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL according to Over The Cap, and he’d come at a decent rate, of $10 million per season with a $13 million cap hit.
Free agency is officially underway, but many deals have been agreed to in principle and trades have been made. Winners? Losers?
With free agency in the National Football League officially opening on Wednesday afternoon, NFL fans are getting a clearer picture of how their favorite team will look headed into the next big piece of the off-season: The NFL Draft.
Given what we have seen to date, who are some winners of the free agency period so far, and who are the losers?
Winners
Miami Dolphins
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins entered free agency with two major tools at their disposal: Salary cap space and draft capital. They put the former to work over the start of the free agency period, making a number of critical additions, particularly on the defensive side of the football. They added former Buffalo Bills EDGE Shaq Lawson to the front of their defense, and his 6.5 sacks from a season ago would have led the Dolphins. They added linebacker Kyle Van Noy from the New England Patriots, who served in a few different roles for the Patriots a season ago. The off-ball linebacker can rush the passer but can also handle coverage responsibilities. They also added cornerback Byron Jones, who has true lockdown corner abilities and also some versatility, having played safety in his career as well.
Offensively, the Dolphins added Ereck Flowers, who seemed to rejuvenate his career after a switch to guard. Miami added to their running back group by adding Jordan Howard, giving them a solid runner to complement their arsenal of pass-catching backs.
Now what can they do? Well, they have three first-round selections and six in the top 70 selections.
The Dolphins are in a great spot right now, and with some wise draft picks, they are set up to contend in the AFC East sooner rather than later.
Buffalo Bills
(Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
The driver for this ranking is the acquisition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The Buffalo Bills acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings along with a seventh-round selection in this draft in exchange for picks in the first, fifth and sixth rounds this year an a fourth-round selection in the 2021 draft.
The Bills made the playoffs a year ago despite quarterback Josh Allen struggling as a downfield passer. Allen ranked 23rd of 24 qualified passers in Adjusted Completion Percentage on downfield throws last season, according to charting from Pro Football Focus. Getting a downfield threat in Diggs, who had a career-high 1,130 yards receiving and an impressive 17.9 yards per reception a season ago will go a long way towards helping Allen in the vertical passing game. Diggs saw 29 targets of over 20 yards last season, catching 16 of those for 635 yards and six touchdowns. Those 29 deep passing targets tied Diggs for the third-most in the league. Additionally, Diggs just signed a contract extension last off-season and is signed through the 2023 campaign.
That alone makes the Bills winners, but they also added on the defensive side of the football with outside linebacker Mario Addison, defensive tackle Vernon Butler, defensive end Quinton Jefferson, and inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich. Plus, they retained free safety Jordan Poyer, a critical component on the back of their defense. All very solid moves for Buffalo.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They added the greatest quarterback of all time.
That alone should make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a winner.
Now some might question the fit of Tom Brady in Bruce Arians’ passing game, but as we here at Touchdown Wire have argued, Brady is still playing the position at a high level, and his fit in what Arians does schematically is more ideal than you might think it is.
Brady instantly makes this offense dangerous. The Buccaneers were able to put up points a year ago, but the 30 interceptions thrown by Jameis Winston consistently put the Tampa Bay defense in difficult positions. Brady’s penchant for avoiding big mistakes will go a long way towards improving this offense.
But beyond Brady, the Buccaneers retained two big components of their pass rush in Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul. They applied the franchise tag to Barrett, giving them time to work out a long-term extension, and they signed a two year extension with Pierre-Paul. Furthermore, they might not be done, as reports indicate they might even be interested in running back Todd Gurley and a wide receiver as well.
Cleveland Browns
(Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports)
The Cleveland Browns made a number of moves that are completely logical and give us a window into how they will approach their offense in the year ahead. They acquired the best tight end available on the market, bringing in Austin Hooper from the Atlanta Falcons. Hooper might struggle to win one-on-ones consistently, but with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry on the outside, he will continue to see favorable matchups on the inside of the Browns’ passing game. This might not necessarily spell the end of David Njoku’s time in Cleveland, however, given how much Kevin Stefanski relies on two-tight end packages. Last year the Minnesota Vikings used 12 offensive personnel 35 percent of the time, and only the Philadelphia Eagles surpassed that as a percentage of their offensive plays.
Cleveland also added a tackle, acquiring Jack Conklin from the Tennessee Titans. Conklin was a solid right tackle last season after returning from injury, and gives Cleveland a solid option on that side of the line. Considering that they likely look to draft a tackle with the tenth overall selection to lock down the left tackle spot, the Browns might be close to fixing their tackle spots. They acquired Case Keenum, who can serve as a veteran backup familiar with Stefanski’s offense while also perhaps as a mentor to Baker Mayfield. Finally, they added fullback Andy Janovich via a trade with the Denver Broncos. After 12 offensive personnel, the Vikings used 21 offensive personnel (two running backs, one tight end and two wide receivers) 26 percent of the time last year, their second-most utilized personnel package. For a team that is likely to rely on 12 and 21 personnel packages, the Browns addressed some critical needs.
Arizona Cardinals
(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
In a move that left many wondering what exactly the Houston Texans were doing, the Arizona Cardinals acquired DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Texans, and were also able to shed the contract of David Johnson in the process, sending him to the AFC South. In Hopkins the Cardinals get one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL, and since they still hold the eighth overall selection in the draft, they could conceivably draft their choice of the top WRs in this draft class, which many consider to be a historically deep group. You could see Kyler Murray lining up next season with a 10 personnel package with Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and CeeDee Lamb at his disposal. Good luck defense.
Beyond the Hopkins addition, Arizona added defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, to help the interior of their defensive line, and placed the transition tag on running back Kenyan Drake. That will give the Cardinals the chance to match any contract he is offered on the open market. But the big piece is Hopkins, and given the minimal expenditure (Johnson, a second round pick and a fourth round pick in 2021) it was a steal.
With the Dallas Cowboys losing starters in free agency, they will need to spend the off-season rebuilding their defense.
The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best offenses in the league in 2019, but their defense left much to be desired. Coming into the offseason the team knew that side of the ball needed to be remade and just a few days into free agency, the task has gotten much more difficult.
It was expected the Cowboys would lose Pro Bowl CB Byron Jones, but the defense from last season is now down 28% of its starters. Defensive end Robert Quinn and DT Maliek Collins’ defections have left the defensive line thin, while Jeff Heath’s departure means the team will surely be looking for a new starting safety.
One can dog the defense’s performance all they want, but it’s hard to lose a double-digit sack edge rusher, an up and coming defensive tackle and one of the game’s best cornernbacks in the first two days of free agency. The Cowboys have struggled to find an extra pass rusher to pair with DE DeMarcus Lawrence or have the quality at CB to lose a perennial Pro Bowl player.
That’s a lot to replace, but the good news is the work to build it back up has begun. Gerald McCoy has inked a three-year deal with the Cowboys.
At 32-years old, the third overall pick in 2010 can still play. McCoy’s had at least five sacks in each of his last eight seasons and can play different positions along the defensive line. The signing represents an upgrade over Collins, who left for Las Vegas.
Dallas shouldn’t stop at McCoy. The defense has been missing a run stuffer for a number of seasons now and there are more defensive lineman that are available that can help. Andrew Billings, Damon Harrison, Linval Joseph and Mike Daniels are some of the players who would fit the description.
The defense also needs help at pass rusher. Even if Randy Gregory returns, as suspected, the Cowboys need someone reliable.
Just had a good conversation with #Cowboys pass rusher Randy Gregory. I won’t reveal all that was said, but this stuck out to me:
“I will be back this year. Difference is I’ll be back FOR GOOD this time.”
New CBA gives Dallas much-needed, potent EDGE assistance in 2020. ✅
Gregory would help, but he’s missed more games than he’s played since he’s entered the league. He’ll need time to get acclimated to playing football again and the team would be wise to bring in another edge rusher.
Jadeveon Clowney is a name that’s been suggested, but it’s hard to see the Cowboys paying the hefty price that would come with signing him. Perhaps a cheaper (slightly) option might be Everson Griffen, who would reunite with former coach George Edwards, a special defensive assistant in Dallas.
No matter the player, the team needs to add a pass rusher who can help get to the quarterback to take the presser off Lawrence.
The secondary is another spot that needs help as well. Without Byron Jones, the CB group could use more talent. Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are solid players who might improve with the new defensive coaching staff, but the team needs high quality help. Chris Harris, Desmond Trufant or Xavier Rhodes are name players who might be on their radar, the latter two not being a part of the comp pick formula.
At safety, the Cowboys haven’t been proactive enough in getting better in recent years. That could change this off-season. Without Heath returning, the team has options to replace him in free agency. Malcom Jenkins, who was just released in Philadelphia, Tony Jefferson, HaHa Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett or Vonn Bell are some players who might make sense.
If the Cowboys seek a trade, Minnesota Vikings safety Anthony Harris could fit the profile. He has the franchise tag with the Vikings, but there are rumors he could be pried away.
ICYMI Report: The #Vikings are offering recently franchised S Anthony Harris in a trade for a mid-to-late rd draft pick. It’s official. We are in a rebuild, #VikingsNationhttps://t.co/V0sJxKDUJw
There is also the draft to help rebuild a defense that needs fixing and there is time to address the losses. However, the departures have put the Cowboys in a position to use a lot of spackle to fill a lot of holes.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi
