Tag: NFL trades

PFF’s Mock Draft sets QB trade prices quite high

Three QB trades in PFF’s latest Mock Draft set quite high prices for veteran quarterbacks. At those prices, are they worth it?

In a quarterback and head coach-driven league, the two will get more than their fair share of the conversation. In the end, both also get too much credit and too much blame depending on the outcome for their team.

The Cleveland Browns offseason has been more of the same after Baker Mayfield had a difficult (read: bad) 2021 season. Others have pointed the blame at Kevin Stefanski for his play-calling and/or continuing to play the injured Mayfield.

At least on social media, that has led to a great divide between fans who believe Mayfield can bounce back (“Baker Bros”) and those who believe the Browns HAVE to make a change at the position (this group hasn’t had a catchy name just yet).

In the end, if the Browns do want to upgrade from Mayfield they will need to find that upgrade. They will also have to decide how big of an upgrade they think that is compared to what it would cost to acquire that new quarterback.

Pro Football Focus’ new mock draft puts the cost of trading for a quarterback very high. In their draft, three veterans are on the move to new franchises:

  • Aaron Rodgers
  • Russell Wilson
  • Derek Carr

Everyone expects quarterbacks to be expensive, especially Rodgers for example, but the proposed trades for all three are quite pricey:

  • Rodgers – 2022 1st, 2nd and 3rd plus a 2023 1st
  • Wilson – 2022 1st and 2nd plus a 2023 1st
  • Carr – 2022 1st and 3rd plus a 2023 1st

While each of those quarterbacks are likely upgrades over Mayfield, the cost to acquire them (also assuming players like Rodgers and Wilson will allow those deals to happen) is substantial for any team. For the Browns, acquiring any of the three at that price would severely limit their ability to improve at wide receiver or on the defensive line, both areas of great need for the team.

Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garappolo and Deshaun Watson are three other quarterbacks mentioned as trade candidates. While all three could come at lower costs, the price may still be higher than palatable for Cleveland. Watson’s legal issues add a larger concern while the contracts for any of the other mentioned quarterbacks would likely have to be addressed as well.

Upgrading at the most important position in the NFL is not a bad idea but the cost may be prohibitive for the Browns given some of their other big needs. That all assumes A) Cleveland wants to move on from Mayfield and B) an upgrade is even accessible at that high price.

Lions mock offseason v2.0: The one with the trades

The second of several potential offseason paths for the Lions that includes free agency, three trades and the 2022 NFL draft

In the first edition of the Detroit Lions mock offseason, we played it pretty straight. There were no huge surprises in players being cut or re-signed, no wild free agent pipe dreams, no out-of-left-field projections in the draft.

Things change here in the second edition. Let’s have some fun!

As with the first edition, this is not a prediction of what will happen. It’s an idea of a pathway the Lions front office could choose to travel, a basic blueprint for a way to move the team (hopefully) forward. To be frank, there are moves included that I think are absurdly stupid, but NFL teams prove capable of that sort of decision-making all the time.

In this edition, there are three trades. One involves exporting a player, another brings in a splashy new face that directly impacts the draft and free agency plans, and the third happens during the mock draft.

How Stephon Gilmore can take Panthers defense to next level

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick breaks down how Stephon Gilmore is the missing piece the Carolina defense needed.

There was surprising news this week when the New England Patriots announced that they were prepared to part ways with standout cornerback Stephon Gilmore to save cap space.

The Carolina Panthers swooped in to acquire the veteran, who is in his 10th NFL season, for a mere sixth-round draft pick. Gilmore suffered a quad injury last season and was limited to 11 games, but he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

So this is kind of a big deal for the Panthers.

Gilmore has elite man-coverage skills on the inside and outside and also has the ability to play in different zone coverages as well. The Panthers appear to be in win-now mode, and they needed a lockdown corner in order to continue the defensive success they enjoyed in the first three weeks of the season. Gilmore, who began the season on the PUP list for the Patriots, will be eligible to play for the Panthers in Week 7.

The Panthers allowed just 30 points while rolling to a 3-0 start to the season, but that dominance was halted in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Carolina had allowed fewer than 50 rushing yards against the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans. But behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, the Cowboys racked up 245 yards on the ground against the Panthers.

When the Panthers opted for man coverage while focusing on the run, the Cowboys exploited Carolina’s defensive vulnerabilities upfield. That allowed Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott to throw four touchdown passes.

To put it bluntly, the Panthers were better in zone coverage than man-to-man. Per Sports Info Solutions, Carolina has allowed 37 catches on 63 attempts for 507 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in zone so far this season. Conversely, the Panthers have allowed 17 catches on 30 attempts for 174 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in man coverage.

If the Panthers want to stop the run, they need to be able to trust their corners to cover opponents one-on-one. This is where Gilmore can shine.

The clip above is an example of how the Panthers come out in looks that leave the cornerbacks on an island to the outside. Gilmore, meantime, is a lockdown cover corner with the ability to keep up with some of the NFL’s fastest receivers.

Gilmore doesn’t need to wait for a receiver to break to the ball. He loves to jump routes — remember his interception in Super Bowl LIII? He also knows how to use the sideline to take a receiver completely out of the play, like in the clip below.

Gilmore is a film watcher who pays close attention to receiver tendencies, field position and game situation, the offensive formation and the coverage scheme. He uses all of this knowledge and awareness to his advantage before he even lines up across from his opponent.

These skills can be used in zone as well, which is the coverage the Panthers prefer to use more often.

At the top of your screen in the video above, Gilmore would be a perfect fit lining up in press coverage then dropping back and reading the play as it develops.

Gilmore is the missing piece that the Carolina defense lacked. The Panthers understood their weaknesses in man coverage, and now they can be confident in leaving their cornerbacks on the outside while they bring pressure up front and leave single high in the back. They now have a formidable secondary, no matter which coverage they line up in, and Gilmore also can serve as a mentor to young corners Jaycee Horn and C.J. Henderson.

[lawrence-related id=138608,138633]

49ers trade LB Jonas Griffith to Broncos

The #49ers are dealing a linebacker to the Broncos for draft picks with final cuts looming.

The 49ers agreed to a trade ahead of Tuesday’s 1:00 pm Pacific Time deadline for final cuts. They’re dealing linebacker Jonas Griffithdealing linebacker Jonas Griffith and a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round selection according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Griffith is a second-year undrafted linebacker who pushed his way into the conversation to make the roster after a strong training camp and preseason performance. He didn’t make the club last year and spent part of the season on the practice squad.

His departure is good news for LBs Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Marcell Harris, Elijah Sullivan and Justin Hilliard who are all vying for the final two or three spots on the back end of the LB depth chart.

Ex-Chargers LB Denzel Perryman traded to division rival

Former Chargers LB Denzel Perryman will now suit up in silver and black.

After spending the past six seasons with the Chargers, linebacker Denzel Perryman signed with the Panthers earlier this offseason.

However, that marriage was short-lived after Perryman now has a new team that he will be playing for, which happens to be one of Los Angeles’ division rivals.

According to multiple reports on Wednesday evening, Perryman is being traded to the Raiders.

Perryman will be joining former Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and cornerback Casey Hayward.

In each season since being drafted by the Bolts back in 2015, Perryman dealt with some sort of injury, which forced him to miss a total of 27 games.

When he was on the field, Perryman supplied the team with a relentless run defender, who steadily showed growth in coverage.

Perryman finished his career in the blue and gold with 250 solo tackles, 26 tackles for loss, five sacks, eight quarterback hits, three interceptions and six pass breakups.

Trade scenarios fantasy footballers should hope to see come true

Looking at possible trades that would pique fantasy interest.

Every year, an NFL player gets traded into a situation that makes fantasy football players smile from the exciting possibility of “what could be.” In today’s exercise of wishful thinking, we’ll take a stroll through the proverbial streets of some hypothetical scenarios that would offer an avenue for worthwhile fantasy returns.

You’ll notice the most discussed trade commodity of the offseason is not included, and the reason why is easy: The best possible place for Aaron Rodgers’ fantasy value is right where he currently plays.

Los Angeles Rams backfield targets

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Benny Snell

The third-year back has seen mild success through limited action in the Steel City, mostly due to injuries suffered by the recently departed James Conner. A fourth-rounder in the 2019 draft, this Kentucky product has the chops to be a fantasy force, in the right situation. The Steelers’ line problems last year didn’t help, and the offense was largely without Ben Roethlisberger the prior year. Given the loss of Cam Akers (Achilles) and obvious need for a powerback to pair with Darrell Henderson’s versatility, Snell should come on the cheap following the first-round selection of Najee Harris in 2021’s draft.

San Francisco 49ers RB Raheem Mostert

Speed kills, and LA could use more of it out of the backfield. Henderson ran a 4.49-second 40, so he’s not exactly a turtle, but Mostert (4.32) would bring world-class wheels to the backfield. A deal works for both parties, since the 49ers are rather stocked in the backfield, with Mostert entering the final year of his contract, and LA has no one with a single NFL touch behind Henderson. Mostert could come in as a “1b” to the third-year Henderson, which also would be a plus — it appears less is more when it comes to Mostert’s durability.

QB Deshaun Watson to Denver Broncos

This one presumes Watson will avoid any serious discipline in 2021, so bear that in mind. Off-the-field issues aside, Watson wants out of Houston. He is quite capable of getting the most from a receiving corps and offering bonus value with his legs, but a move to Denver would present a much brighter outlook. Not only will he be happy, the Broncos are drastically more talented than the Texans, and the offensive system is proven to produce — something the jury is still in deliberation about regarding new Houston coach David Culley having no experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. The Broncos provide considerable talent among the wide receivers on all three levels of the passing tree, along with a blossoming tight end and pair of quality backs for balance behind a reasonably good offensive line.

[lawrence-related id=459300]

TE Zach Ertz to Indianapolis Colts

Several teams have been floated about as possible destinations for Ertz, including Chicago, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Buffalo, whereas the Colts would be the best landing spot for fantasy purposes. Indy head coach Frank Reich has a relationship with Ertz. The trade for QB Carson Wentz earlier in the offseason would reunite a pitch-and-catch duo with established chemistry. Indianapolis needs at least one more target in the passing game, with all due respect to Jack Doyle. The receiving corps has arguably more questions than obvious answers at the moment, and the system caters to targeting the tight end position.

TE O.J. Howard to Tennessee Titans

This one gets prefaced with my love for Anthony Firkser as a sleeper remains strong if Howard isn’t added via trade. Let’s go with the presumption of Firkser being a better backup than starter in the eyes of the brass, leading them to inquiring about Howard. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end is buried in the target pecking order as he returns from a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that isn’t particularly daunting for a player at his position. Howard, an Alabama product, played with Titans back Derrick Henry and works out with him, giving Howard an ally with the ear of the front office. Furthermore, newly added receiver Julio Jones also played for the school. Tennessee is in win-now mode in many ways, and one more talented pass-catching outlet could put this offense over the top.

WR N’Keal Harry to Atlanta Falcons

No one is clamoring for Harry to make his way onto their fantasy roster, but everyone with an open mind should want to see him get out of New England. It’s painfully obvious he doesn’t fit the system, even when healthy, and we saw few signs of chemistry with Cam Newton last year. A 2019 first-round pick, Harry needs a change of scenery to restart his career as a possession receiver at just 23 years old. The Falcons make some sense for Harry as a new employer. The trade of Julio Jones opens a wealth of targets. Calvin Ridley is more than ready to be a true WR1. This year’s fourth overall pick, Kyle Pitts, is a generational talent at tight end, but rookies at his position have rarely produced significant fantasy returns. Even though Russell Gage was a bright spot last year when Jones was injured, there’s room for a chain-moving type, like what Harry should be in a perfect world.

Report: Seahawks among teams in trade talks for Julio Jones

Atlanta can’t trade All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones until June 2, but the team continues to field calls from interested suitors.

Atlanta can’t trade All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones until June 2, but the team continues to field calls from interested suitors. We’ve heard rumors that the Titans, Patriots, Raiders and Eagles could all be in the mix for Jones.

You can add two NFC West teams to that list after both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks have reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Falcons. Per ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Seahawks are interested in making a deal, plus quarterback Russell Wilson and Julio Jones have discussed potentially linking up in Seattle.

You may be wondering why the Seahawks would be interested in acquiring Jones since the team has receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett under contract and only $7.25 million in cap space. As we pointed out yesterday, though, the NFC West is among the most talented divisions in football and the four teams are in an arms race for the 2021 season.

There isn’t a franchise in the league that wouldn’t benefit from a player the caliber of Jones, however, his destination will likely come down to whichever team is willing to part with the highest draft pick.

[lawrence-related id=73487,73484,73475]

[listicle id=73178]

Jalen Ramsey tries to recruit Falcons WR Julio Jones to Rams

Players around the league are already starting to make their pitches for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones — who reportedly requested a trade back in March and the team has operated accordingly.

Players around the league are already starting to make their pitches for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones — who reportedly requested a trade back in March and the team has operated accordingly.

In a since deleted tweet, Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins jokingly stated he would take a pay cut to bring Jones to Arizona.

Shortly after Monday’s news broke on FS1’s Undisputed, Rams CB Jalen Ramsey made his own recruiting efforts by proclaiming Los Angeles as a great football city with a winning culture. The “winning culture” remark is a response to Jones saying he just wants to win during his FS1 interview.

Los Angeles does appear to be going all in on this season after trading for quarterback Matthew Stafford. On paper, it would make sense to pair Stafford with Jones — the NFL’s top receiver since Calvin Johnson retired in 2015 —  but do the Rams have enough cap space to make a deal happen?

Los Angeles has just $7.1 million in cap space and would need to essentially double that to afford Jones. Looking at the roster, it’s unlikely the team could create enough funds to bring in the All-Pro receiver.

Additionally, Titans RB Derrick Henry and WR A.J. Brown have each made an effort to bring Julio Tennessee.

Brown has expressed on multiple occasions that he idolizes Jones. In addition to sporting Julio’s jersey during team warm-ups, Brown also suggested he would change his number to allow Jones to wear No. 11 if Atlanta were to make the trade.

[lawrence-related id=73262,73247,73255,73228,73226]

[vertical-gallery id=73246]

7 potential trade destinations for Falcons WR Julio Jones

Here are seven logical trade destinations for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones if he’s traded after June 1. 

One thing we’re learning about new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot is that he likes to keep us all guessing. The team’s lack of salary cap space has forced Atlanta to shop All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones. With trade rumors spreading like wildfire, let’s look at some potential landing spots that would make (some) sense.

Considering each team’s current roster, cap space and potential to contend, here are seven possible trade destinations for Jones after June 1.

DeAndre Hopkins tweets that he’d rework contract for Julio Jones trade

It’s no secret that the Falcons are shopping wide receiver Julio Jones in an attempt to navigate their way out of salary cap hell.

It’s no secret that the Falcons are shopping wide receiver Julio Jones in an attempt to navigate their way out of salary cap hell. Atlanta currently has a little over $400,000 in cap space, which is nowhere near enough to sign the 2021 rookie draft class. That’s where a potential Jones trade comes in.

Not every team will be interested in the seven-time Pro-Bowl wideout, though. Jones’ age and cap hit will likely limit his potential landing spots to contending teams with a little money to spend. And if not, there’s always the chance another superstar could restructure their deal to free up the requisite money to acquire Jones.

This exact scenario was pitched to Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who tweeted that someone at the gym asked him if he’d redo his contract to help Arizona trade for Jones.

As you can see in the GIF tweeted out by Hopkins in response to this hypothetical scenario, he’s more than open to moving a little money around to add a superstar like Jones.

The Cardinals are potentially just a few pieces away from being a contender. With a young talent like Kyler Murray at quarterback, adding another big-bodied wide receiver could help Arizona reach that next level.

Any deal involving Jones isn’t likely to happen until after June 1.

[lawrence-related id=73020,73117,73085,73111,73107]

[vertical-gallery id=73122]