Tag: Matt Bowen

Vikings named best fit for two high-profile free agents by ESPN

ESPN NFL writer Matt Bowen has named the Minnesota Vikings as the best fit for free agents Adoree’ Jackson and Dalton Risner.

The glitz and glamor of the NFL’s free agency period has long since passed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still many good options on the market. For one reason or another, several high-profile players still have yet to find homes for next season. Players who could come in and fill some trouble spots on rosters across the NFL, including on the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN NFL writer Matt Bowen has named the Vikings the best fit for two such players: former New York Giants cornerback Adoree Jackson and their own former offensive guard, Dalton Risner.

According to Bowen, despite the Vikings having drafted former Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Adoree Jackson could come in and be an immediate fit in the Brian Flores defense. Bowen points to Flores’ scheme, which relies heavily on the blitz, something that fits Jackson’s aggressive nature.

On the other side of the ball, the Vikings still could use plenty of help along the offensive line, and Risner is surprisingly still on the market. Risner played most of the season in 2023 for the Vikings and garnered the fifth-best Pass Block Win Rate in the NFL at his position. He’s also an aggressive run blocker, which not only works well in the Kevin O’Connell offense but should also play to the strengths of the Vikings’ new running back, former Green Bay Packers start Aaron Jones.

Cornerback and guard are two positions the Vikings are likely looking to upgrade, so these two would make sense. Will they make sense for the team financially? That’s another matter entirely, but it would make sense for the team to at least give them a look heading into OTAs and further into the offseason.

Commanders CB Mike Sainristil was Matt Bowen’s favorite pick of the entire NFL draft

More love for Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil.

It’s hard to find anyone who will say a bad word about Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil.

The No. 50 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft has drawn rave reviews from coaches, teammates, opponents and scouts. Legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban called Sainristil the best “pound for pound” player in the NFL draft.

Now you can add ESPN NFL analyst — and former NFL safety — Matt Bowen to that list.

When discussing the 2024 draft, analysts were asked about their favorite picks and most head-scratching picks. Bowen’s favorite pick was Washington taking Sainristil.

Cornerback Mike Sainristil to the Washington Commanders at No. 50. A nickel corner with a playmaking mentality, Sainristil was one of my favorite defensive backs to study. He led Michigan’s defense last season with six interceptions and seven pass breakups. Look for him to play a disruptive role as a rookie in Dan Quinn’s defensive system.

Sainristil spent the first three years of his college career playing wide receiver. He moved to defensive back in 2022 and immediately looked like a natural. Washington brass were impressed with how Sainristil ran the pass routes better than the wide receivers at Michigan’s pro day.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn’s defenses always rank near the top of the NFL in takeaways. Sainristil will be an ideal Day 1 starter for the Commanders in the slot.

Matt Bowen loves Jayden Daniels’ fit with the Commanders

Bowen loves Jayden Daniels’ fit with the Commanders and also keep an eye on rookie TE Ben Sinnott.

For months we’ve heard of how former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels would be a perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense with the Washington Commanders.

That’s no longer speculation, as the Commanders selected Daniels at No. 2 overall in last week’s 2024 NFL draft. We can officially begin to project what Daniels could do in Kingsbury’s offense.

ESPN analyst Matt Bowen, who once played for Washington, recently named his 12 favorite landing spots for rookies, and it’s no surprise that Daniels to Washington was one of his picks.

With the dual-threat traits to create conflict for NFL defenses and the field vision to deliver the ball with efficiency as a pocket thrower, Daniels is a strong fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Look for two-tight end sets here, as well as spread elements, to maximize Daniels’ throwing ability.

In addition to the situational designed runs, Daniels will produce rushing totals for your lineup when he gets outside of the pocket. In his final season at LSU, Daniels rushed for 703 yards and 25 first downs on scramble attempts. He has the speed to cut through defensive angles in the open field. With a true No. 1 target in Terry McLaurin, you can draft Daniels as an upside QB2.

Bowen mentioned Kingsbury running two tight end sets, so it’s worth noting that the Commanders used one of their second-round picks on Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott. Bowen likes Sinnott’s fantasy potential, too.

The Commanders will be fun to watch in 2024.

Packers picked as ideal landing spot for Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter

Matt Bowen of ESPN sees a good fit between the Packers and Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

In February, ESPN’s Matt Bowen picked the Green Bay Packers as the “best fit” for free agent safety Xavier McKinney, who eventually signed a four-year deal to join Matt LaFleur’s team. A few weeks out from the 2024 NFL draft, Bowen sees another fit in the secondary for Jeff Hafley and the Packers: Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

In his “favorite team fits for 20 top prospects,” Bowen connected the Packers with Lassiter, a potential second-round pick.

From Bowen:

The Packers already made a smart move in the secondary whey they added safety Xavier McKinney in free agency. Now, let’s address the cornerback position on Day 2 with Lassiter. He’s competitive and aggressive in man coverage schemes, and he sees plays develop quickly when playing zone coverage. Lassiter has the physical style to tackle on the perimeter, too. He gets downhill. Lassiter, who did not allow a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage last season, is a fit in a Packers defense that will adjust its coverage tendencies under new coordinator Jeff Hafley.

The Packers have five picks in the top 100, including a pair of second-rounders (No. 41, No. 58).

Lassiter (5-11, 186) was a reserve for Georgia’s 2021 title team and then started 29 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, tallying 12 pass breakups and 8.5 tackles for losses.

According to Pro Football Focus, Lassiter forced 10 incompletions and allowed only 15 catches (on 39 targets) for 136 yards and no touchdowns into coverage last season. Almost all of Lassiter’s experience at cornerback came on the perimeter for Georgia.

The 21-year-old is PFF’s No. 37 overall prospect in the draft class.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 82, Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter

Lassiter is on the smaller side, and he didn’t run well at the combine (4.64-second time in 40-yard dash), but solid agility times — like a 6.62-second time in the three-cone drill — helped save his athletic profile. His Relative Athletic Score is 6.24 out of 10.0.

The Packers brought back Keisean Nixon to play the slot and also re-signed Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell for depth and special teams. The team is also hopeful that Eric Stokes — a 2021 first-rounder — can return from several lower-body injuries that cost him the better part of two seasons and be a contributor again at perimeter corner. Jaire Alexander is locked in as one starter.

The Packers likely want to add a corner in this year’s draft. Could Lassiter be the target come Day 2? He’s young (still only 21), experienced (two-year starter in the SEC) and plays a premium position that needs long-term depth, and his height and agility match what the Packers generally look for in corners.

Which 3 free agents named as ‘best fits’ for the Commanders?

Which free agents could “best fit” the Commanders?

It’s been a busy offseason for the Washington Commanders. After firing head coach Ron Rivera last month, the Commanders have hired a new GM (Adam Peters) and coach (Dan Quinn). Quinn then hired an experienced and balanced staff.

Next up is the NFL combine next week in Indianapolis. But the most important date for all NFL teams is the beginning of the new league year on March 13. On that day, teams can sign free agents from other teams. The legal tampering period opens two days before on March 11.

No team has more cap space than the Commanders. Washington has over $70 million in cap space and the ability to create more. While Peters stated the Commanders will build through the draft, free agency offers an opportunity for Washington to shore up some of its holes ahead of the 2024 NFL draft in April.

Former Washington safety Matt Bowen, one of the game’s best analysts for ESPN, recently previewed free agency and named the best team fit for the top 2024 free agents.

We’ll also include where Bowen said Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller, safety Kam Curl and former defensive end Chase Young would best fit in 2024.

 

Matt Bowen explains why Anthony Richardson is perfect fit for Colts

Matt Bowen is bullish on Anthony Richardson’s fit with the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts used the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select quarterback Anthony Richardson, and there have been plenty of analysts who see it as a perfect fit.

Among them is former NFL safety and current ESPN analyst Matt Bowen, who listed his favorite fits and landing spots for incoming rookies during the draft.

Here’s what Bowen said about Richardson being a perfect fit for the Colts:

Considering his rare dual-threat traits and the Colts’ offensive system, Richardson lands in a prime spot for his pro development. First-year head coach Shane Steichen schemed for Jalen Hurts last year in Philadelphia, mixing in designed runs, run-pass options and play-action elements while also giving Hurts opportunities as a pocket thrower. Expect the same script for Richardson in Indianapolis as he develops in the NFL.

While Richardson can still improve his lower-body mechanics and generate a stronger sense of accelerated vision from the pocket, the tools are there for the young quarterback to produce in an offense designed to highlight his playmaking ability at the position. He completed 53.8% of his passes last season, but he threw 17 touchdown passes and averaged 6.4 yards per rush. This is a great spot for Richardson to learn the pro game and continue developing his skill set.

It’s been said several times that the road of development ahead for Richardson will ultimately determine his ceiling. He has the work ethic and physical skills to reach his elite ceiling, but it isn’t something that will happen overnight. And nor is it a guarantee.

However, the Colts have a strong system in place for Richardson to reach his potential, and it starts with the fit in Shane Steichen’s offense and the supporting cast he has around him.

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Former Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs drawing comparisons to four-time Pro Bowl RB

Jahmyr Gibbs is being compared to one of the best active RBs in the NFL.

The Alabama Crimson Tide coaching staff knew they landed a superstar in Jahmyr Gibbs the day he got to Tuscaloosa. Yet, he somehow managed to exceed expectations all year long and played himself into a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Gibbs led the Alabama rushing attack in 2022 with 926 yards on 151 attempts for a remarkable 6.1 yards per carry as well as seven touchdowns. Although, his most impressive feat may have been leading the Tide in receptions with 44 which he turned into 444 yards and three touchdowns.

With the NFL draft only two months away and the combine getting underway, all attention has moved to the draft hopefuls. Matt Bowen of ESPN compared Gibbs to four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook for his elusiveness in the open field while having the power to run you over. Cook has been named a top-25 player in the NFL multiple times which is voted on by the players. Drawing comparisons to elite NFL players is only going to help Gibbs’s expected draft position go up.

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Which 2 players were named best free-agent fits for the Commanders?

Good news, Matt Bowen sees the Commanders as the best fit for Daron Payne. Who else?

Unbelievably, NFL free agency is only three weeks away. The franchise tag window opened this week, and while no team has applied the tag as of this time, it’s coming.

It’s a near lock the Washington Commanders will apply the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne. The 25-year-old Payne is coming off a season in which he recorded career-highs in sacks [11.5] and tackles for loss [18]. Payne was dominant and has only missed one game in five seasons.

Washington wants to keep Payne and will use the tag — in all likelihood — to negotiate a long-term deal for the former Alabama star.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen — a former Washington player — recently named his top 50 free agents. Bowen is one of the best film evaluators in the business, so when he says something, you should pay attention.

This week, Bowen named his top 50 free-agent fits for ESPN. He sees two of the top 50 free agents as fits for the Commanders, and one of those is Payne.

Here’s what Bowen said about Payne, his No. 4 free agent:

Multiple teams would be in the mix for Payne if he makes it to free agency given his great tape and pass rush production in 2022, but I see the Commanders using the franchise tag or signing the defensive tackle to a long-term deal. A big, powerful mover at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Payne has the foot quickness and lower-body agility to create disruption. I think he stays in Washington to secure one of the league’s best defensive fronts.

Bowen didn’t forget that the Commanders needed help on the offensive line, naming his No. 41 free agent, Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis, as a fit for Washington.

With Commanders right guard Trai Turner set up to be a free agent, Washington could upgrade at the position by adding Davis. He’s a good mover at 320 pounds and can reach and climb in zone schemes, delivering a strike on contact. And Davis will drop anchor to handle power rushers in pass protection. While his run-block win rate was below average this season (68.8%), he did rank among the top 25 guards in pass block win rate (93.2).

We mentioned Davis as a possibility for Washington last month. Davis is a native of Ashburn, where the Commanders’ headquarters are located. He played on the same high school team as star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. The fit makes sense.

If Washington can sign Davis or a comparable free agent, then add another offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL draft, it would go a long way in improving a struggling unit. One of the mysteries of the offseason is what will the Commanders do with Sam Cosmi? Keep him at tackle, or move him to guard?

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Marcus Davenport is the Saints’ only top-50 free agent at ESPN

Marcus Davenport is the Saints’ only top-50 free agent on Matt Bowen’s rankings for ESPN:

Which New Orleans Saints free agent should be their highest priority to re-sign? ESPN’s Matt Bowen says it’s Marcus Davenport, having listed the big defensive end as the only Saints player among his list of the top 50 free agents. Davenport is coming off the worst year of his career, but Bowen says his past performance and rare athletic traits should make him a coveted player on the open market. He ranked Davenport at No. 20 overall, writing:

“Davenport’s injury history and lack of sack production this season (0.5) clouds his grade for free agency. But if we look at his numbers from 2021 — nine sacks, three forced fumbles — plus his physical traits at 6-foot-6, 262 pounds, we know he’ll have multiple suitors in free agency. He can play in both base and sub fronts, and he has the skills to rush with power or set an edge in the run game. Despite Davenport’s low sack total, his 20 pressures this season point to his ability to disrupt the pocket, even if he doesn’t always get home.”

Does that sound about right? Other teams should be interested in Davenport for the reasons Bowen outlined, but he’s on his way out with the Saints for good reasons, too. New Orleans demoted Davenport to a rotation player after he was outplayed by his backup Carl Granderson last year. He wasn’t able to practice in training camp for most of the summer due to conditioning issues, having arrived at nearly 300 pounds. Durability is an issue for him with so many different injuries.

It’s disappointing that we’re focused more heavily on Davenport’s negatives than his strengths as a player, but that’s just how his career has gone so far. He hasn’t been consistently productive or available from his rookie season. Whether he plays his next football game for the Saints or someone else, it’s on him to turn that narrative around.

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Former NFL safety calls Lewis Cine the ‘ultimate tone-setter’

Cine gets high praise from a former NFL safety.

There’s a lot to like about Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick Lewis Cine. Former NFL safety and current ESPN analyst Matt Bowen recently called the hard-hitting defensive back the “ultimate tone-setter” for a defense.

“From a coaching perspective, I want that guy. I want him in my secondary room because he is a tone-setter. He is an ultimate tone-setter,” Bowen said, when speaking with team reporter Tatum Everett.

Cine sets the tone with his willingness to pick up his lunchbox and go to work on every single snap. The physicality he brings on the backend of a defense warrants respect right out of the gates.

There’s a speed and ferocity to his game that instantly jumps out on tape. He isn’t afraid to use his body as a projectile to make a big play on the field. It’s grown-man football at its best.

“When you turn on the tape and watch him play, there’s an urgency about him taped. And that is so important when it comes to secondary play,” said Bowen. “Are you urgent? Do you see it best? When you believe it, you go and make a play. He does that consistently.”

The tone Cine’s looking to set as a rookie could be a terrifying one. During a past appearance on “All Things Covered,” he said he wanted to “stack bodies” in the NFL.

If that isn’t enough to make the hairs on your arm rise up, I don’t know what would.

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