Tag: local

NFC North watch: What happens with the Packers after the Aaron Rodgers trade?

Breaking down what happens to the Packers after the Aaron Rodgers trade and how it impacts the Detroit Lions

The long national nightmare is finally over. The long-rumored trade between the Packers and Jets that sends All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers to New York from Green Bay was announced on Monday. While not yet official, the deal is done.

The reported detail of the major trade

Green Bay receives:

No. 13 overall pick (1st round)
No. 42 overall pick (2nd round)
No. 207 overall pick (6th round)
A conditional 2nd-round pick in 2024 that becomes a 1st-rounder if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the snaps for the Jets in 2023

The Jets receive:

Aaron Rodgers
No. 15 overall pick (1st round)
No. 170 overall pick (5th round)

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What does all of this mean for Green Bay and, by extension, Detroit?

Jordan Love is the new starting QB for the Packers. Now entering his fourth NFL season, Love has thrown more than five pass attempts in five career games. Green Bay has lost all five, including a Week 18 loss to conclude the 2021 season in Detroit.

The Packers moved up two spots in the first round, which gives them a better opportunity to land a player more of their choosing. Jumping in front of the New England Patriots at No. 14 and dropping the Jets to No. 15 takes away a couple of potential offensive line suitors if that’s what Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst wants to pick. They also jump to the front of any line for tight ends.

The later picks give the Packers more opportunities to rebuild their depth, which has waned in the last couple of seasons. Green Bay also has two first-round picks in 2024, presuming Rodgers hits the playing time threshold. If he doesn’t, the Jets have made a colossal mistake.

From a Lions perspective, no longer having to face Rodgers is a major relief. Even though Detroit did find some success against him (Rodgers went 18-8 vs. the Lions), Rodgers remained the preeminent opposing QB on the schedule every season. Before safety Kerby Joseph finished off the Rodgers era in Green Bay by picking off his final pass in a Packers uniform to preserve Detroit’s Week 18 win, he’d won eight straight starts against the Lions.

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Colts’ 2023 NFL draft big board: Edge Rushers

Don’t be surprised if the Colts add another edge rusher in the draft.

The Indianapolis Colts, like all teams, will continue to look for depth additions and hidden gems at the edge rusher positions when the 2023 NFL draft arrives Thursday night.

Though the tandem of Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo is enticing, the Colts also added Samson Ebukam in free agency and brought back Tyquan Lewis on a one-year deal this offseason. It’s a solid room, but we know Chris Ballard will always look for pass-rush help.

It’s a strong edge rusher class with several prospects boasting upside while fitting what the Colts want to add to Gus Bradley’s defense.

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As we break down the prospects by round, think of the “rounds” as tiers and when I believe the team should begin to consider drafting them.

We also created big boards at the following positions:

Quarterbacks Running Backs Wide Receivers Tight Ends Interior OL Offensive Tackles
Defensive Tackles Edge Rushers Linebackers Cornerbacks Safeties

Here’s a look at my big board for the edge rushers as it relates to the Colts in the 2023 NFL draft:

Cardinals used top-30 visit on Cal S Daniel Scott

Scott is super athletic and even played on all four phases of special teams in college.

The Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL wrapped up official top-30 prospect visits last week. One of the players they hosted before the period ended was Cal safety Daniel Scott.

Scott told Justin Melo of The Draft Network he had top-30 visits with three teams — the Cardinals, Steelers and Lions.

He is an athletic freak.

At the NFL combine, the 6-foot-1, 208-pound defensive back ran the 40 in 4.45 seconds, had a 6.75-second three-cone, a 39.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-8 broad jump and he pushed up 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

He played six season at Cal with the extra season of eligibility due to COVID and will be 25 years old this coming season.

However, he played in all four phases of special teams and was a team captain, so he would likely be a very good late-round addition.

Keep an eye out for him on Day 3 of the draft this week.

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

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Cowboys News: Pre-draft presser takeaways, draft commandments, roster cuts

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Cowboys cleared some roster space as Jerry Jones made jokes at his pre-draft news conference. Plus, an OL shift, the 10 Draft Commandments and more Bijan.

The Joneses held their pre-draft press conference on Monday, always one of the final bits of housekeeping before the war room officially convenes to select a new batch of Dallas Cowboys. One longtime exec believes a trade up is warranted if the team can land one of two tight end prospects, but Jerry and Stephen found themselves answering questions about a certain Texas running back without ever saying his name. Speaking of whom, we’ve got a fascinating profile on what makes him so rare and how it’s getting a little bit lost thanks to the way the game has evolved in recent years. And a franchise icon is still making a plug for bringing back the rusher that Dallas just let go.

We’ve got news on a shift coming to the offensive line, and the front office clears some space in the locker room by making three cuts. Also, we’re looking at the new 10 Commandments as they pertain to the Cowboys’ 2023 draft and how the roster’s needs may take a backseat to opportunity this year. All that, plus a former Cowboy is setting the XFL on fire; might he be worth bringing back? That and more, in this edition of News and Notes.

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Dolphins hosted free agent OT Cam Fleming on Monday

He was coached by Miami’s new offensive line coach last year.

While most of the NFL world has shifted their focus to the upcoming draft, the Miami Dolphins are still considering veterans to address their needs.

On Monday, Miami hosted offensive tackle Cam Fleming on a visit to the facility.

Fleming, 30, was a fourth-round selection of the New England Patriots back in 2014. After the completion of his rookie deal, he spent two years with the Dallas Cowboys, one year with the New York Giants and the last two with the Denver Broncos.

The former Stanford Cardinal has played in 111 games and stated 61 of them. 63% of his snaps have come at right tackle while 28% have come at left tackle.

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During the 2022 season with the Broncos, he was actually coached by new Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry, so there’s already a bit of a connection there.

Miami has the starting left tackle job solidified, but the right side is a bit more of a question, despite general manager Chris Grier saying that Austin Jackson is expected to be the starter. Both Jackson and left tackle Terron Armstead dealt with injuries in 2022, so even if they’re both penciled in the lineup, the Dolphins need to consider some quality depth.

At this point, Fleming, if he were brought in, would likely compete with Geron Christian, Kendall Lamm and Kion Smith for backup duties.

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Colts had pre-draft virtual meeting with S Daniel Scott

Daniel Scott posted the best three-cone and short shuttle among safeties at the NFL combine.

The Indianapolis Colts held a virtual meeting over Zoom with California safety Daniel Scott ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

Likely a position the Colts will target on Day 3 if they want to add some depth, Scott brings some intriguing athleticism to the field between his speed and explosiveness.

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He told Justin Melo of The Draft Network of the top-30 visits and virtual meetings he had during the pre-draft process, and the Colts fell into the latter group.

At 6-foot-0 and 208 pounds, Scott is entering the league as a sixth-year senior. He redshirted his freshman season in 2017 and didn’t become a starter until 2021. He was a team captain in 2022 and attended the Senior Bowl. Scott will be 25 years old halfway through his rookie season.

An exceptional athlete, Scott posted a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash (1.52 10-yard split) along with a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8-inch broad jump. He also spent time on the special teams unit, winning the special team’s MVP award in 2019.

He brings versatility to the position as a rangy free safety with the ability to play closer to the line of scrimmage, but his advanced age and lack of production and playing time until late in his career will knock his draft stock.

With six selections on Day 3 of the draft, though, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Colts added this athletic safety to the room with one of those picks.

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Colts’ 2023 NFL draft big board: Defensive Tackles

Here’s our big board rankings at the DT position in the NFL draft for the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts are just days away from the 2023 NFL draft and while they don’t have a massive need to add to the defensive tackle spots, it’s likely that they will at some point.

Currently holding six selections on Day 3 of the draft, it’s likely that would be when the Colts add to the room if they do. There are some solid prospects before that, but the selection would be considered a luxury unless the Colts have a prospect rated much higher than consensus.

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With DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart leading the way, it’s likely the Colts would focus on adding depth to the room.

As we break down the prospects by round, think of the “rounds” as tiers and when I believe the team should begin to consider drafting them.

We also created big boards at the following positions:

Quarterbacks Running Backs Wide Receivers Tight Ends Interior OL Offensive Tackles
Defensive Tackles Edge Rushers Linebackers Cornerbacks Safeties

 

Here’s a look at my big board for the defensive tackles as it relates to the Colts in the 2023 NFL draft:

Cardinals could be targeting OL Peter Skoronski in Round 1

ESPN’s Todd McShay drops a couple of nuggets that perhaps reveal the Cardinals’ first-round plans.

In the first round of the NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals have mostly been connected with pass rushers and, to a lesser extent in a potential trade back from the No. 3 overall pick, cornerbacks.

However, as the draft approaches this week, the Cardinals’ true target might have been revealed.

According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, they have real interest in Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski.

We’ve all mocked Anderson or Wilson to the Cards for a while, but if they are truly looking for big-time offensive line reinforcements, could they slide back and take Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski? I’ve heard they are interested, and moving back would not only give them more picks down the board (and/or in future years) but also put them in a better value range for him.

Even if it’s all the way back to No. 11, Skoronski could be available. If not, one or both of Georgia’s Broderick Jones and Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. should be there.

McShay drops two subtle hints. One is that the Cardinals really want to build the offensive line for quarterback Kyler Murray, something Murray has asked the team to do almost every year he has been in the league. The other is the suggestion that No. 11 could be where they will be traded back to, meaning the Tennessee Titans will come up for a quarterback.

Moving back that far means future first-round picks. Combine that with getting a long-term stud on the offensive line and you have perhaps an ideal situation.

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

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Former NFL GM: Cowboys ‘desperately need’ TE; trading up ‘makes sense’ for 1 of these 2

From @ToddBrock24f7: Mike Tannenbaum says the Cowboys have a real need to improve at tight end, provided they can land one of the top two prospects.

Mike Tannenbaum saw his fair share of draft days. A longtime executive with the Jets and the Dolphins, he has been on the decision-making side of just about every kind of on-the-clock scenario a team can be faced with.

And he says he doesn’t envy the Cowboys this year.

“First thing I’d do is pray,” he told Cowboys Wire this week with a laugh. “A hundred percent of the time, if you’re picking at 18, there’s 15 players you love. If you’re picking at 25, there’s 18 to 20. It’s never going to not be that way.”

Dallas is sitting on the 26th overall selection. But as predicted by the founder of the football think tank The 33rd Team, there are just “15 to 18” prospects who have been given first-round grades by the Cowboys.

That leaves the club with a few options:

  1. Trade up to make sure they get one of those 15 to 18 favorites.
  2. Trade down, even out of the first round. If they can’t get a first-round-graded guy, at least slide back and get an extra pick or two.
  3. Stay put and just take the best player available, even if he doesn’t have a first-round grade.

Tannenbaum says that, for the Cowboys this season, the correct answer is obvious.

“I think this team desperately needs a tight end to replace Dalton Schultz. I think the guys behind him [second-year risers Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot] are okay, but they’re really projections.”

Tannenbaum believes Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid is the best at his position in this year’s class, with Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer not far behind. (Mayer’s actually ranked above Kincaid on The 33rd Team’s big board.)

“They would love Mayer or Kincaid,” Tannenbaum says his team sources have told him. “I don’t know if either one of them would make it that far. I think the Giants and the Cowboys could be competing for Mayer, depending on how things play out, despite [Darren] Waller being there for the Giants. I think trading up a little bit makes sense if you can get one of those two guys.”

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While not as needy at the position as teams like Detroit and Green Bay (both of whom pick ahead of Dallas) and Miami (who could trade into the first round to get there), the Giants pose an extra problem, given their draft slot one spot before Dallas and their obvious division rivalry. If Big Blue scoops the Cowboys’ targeted player, he’ll be thorn in their side twice a year.

(New York did add Waller in March, but the 33-year-old veteran is coming off consecutive injury-shortened seasons and is seen by some as being on a steep decline.)

If Kincaid and Mayer are gone before the Cowboys turn in their card Thursday night, Tannenbaum says there’s likely no one else he would work a deal for, even if the Cowboys get the inevitable urge to make a sexy Round 1 splash.

“I do think they can use another running back, but I think that’s something [for] down the line,” he said. “I’m sure there’ll be some temptation with Bijan Ribinson and the excitement and the tie-in with Texas. Boy, if you had him and a healthy Tony Pollard, you’d probably play a lot of two-running-backs. You talk about explosiveness.”

The thought alone led Tannenbaum to decide that the Joneses would think long and hard about it.

“I don’t think you can eliminate that either.”

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Cardinals ‘borderline desperate’ to trade No. 3 pick

The Cardinals have been patient but really want to move out of the third overall pick in the draft and acquire multiple selections.

The NFL draft is just a few days away and we have some new buzz about the Arizona Cardinals. They have been open to trading the No. 3 pick in the draft for some time.

General manager Monti Ossenfort really would like to move back and acquire more picks in this draft and in future drafts, ideally.

How badly do they want to make a trade?

According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, based on what he is from executives, coaches, scouts and other evaluators around the league, the Cardinals are “borderline desperate” to trade the pick.

…Considering the QB class, they’ve been smart to wait. I could see a bidding war for the pick unfolding between Indianapolis, Tennessee and any other teams looking for a QB on draft night. With arguably the worst roster in the NFL, Arizona would love to slide back and pick up more selections to work on the rebuild.

Things could get fun on Thursday. The Carolina Panthers are expected to take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young first overall. The Houston Texans become the wild card with the second pick.

It has long been expected they will draft a quarterback. Recently, though, the buzz was that they might not. However, betting odds have shifted, making Kentucky QB Will Levis the favorite to be selected second overall.

If that is the case, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud will be available.

Considered by some to be the best quarterback in the draft, the Cardinals should get inundated with calls once they are on the clock.

While they might be “borderline desperate,” they might match up with an actually desperate team to pair with in a trade.

That’s what they are counting on, it would seem.

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

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