Tag: Packers

3 teams talking to the Seahawks about trade-up scenarios

The Seahawks are in a good position to trade down in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Seahawks are in a good position to trade down in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Currently slated to pick at No. 16 overall, they are likely outside the territory where they can land an elite quarterback prospect or a blue chip defensive piece. While there’s something to be said for taking the best lineman available when they’re on the clock the best use of that pick will most likely be moving down and adding more capital.

If they want to do that, they have options. According to Chad Forbes, three teams are discussing trade-up scenarios with Seattle: the Eagles, Packers and the Commanders.

Of these three, the most likely trade partner is the Commanders. The Seahawks have already done a deal with their front office this offseason when they traded for quarterback Sam Howell. Washington also has the most total draft capital by far of these three trade suitors.

One potential exception to the trade down scenario is the status of Washington quarterback Michael Penix, who thrived under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb the last two seasons. If he’s still available at 16 then all bets are off and Seattle has to at least seriously consider picking him. If he’s not, then trading down is definitely the best move they can make.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Breaking down Seattle picks from NFL.com 5-round mock

Seahawks top-30 visits tracker ahead of the 2024 NFL draft

Seahawks go QB at No. 16 overall in this first-round forecast

Seahawks announce new VP of football administration

The Seahawks made a notable behind-the-scenes move on Wednesday for their front office.

The Seahawks made a notable behind-the-scenes move on Wednesday for their front office. The team announced that they are hiring Joey Laine as their new vice president of football administration.

Laine had been working as a cap analyst for the Packers, where general manager John Schneider came up. He replaces Matt Thomas, who had previously held the position since 2013. Laine has also worked for the Bears as their director of football administration for seven years after spending 10 seasons with the Saints.

At least to start Laine has his work cut out for him regarding Seattle’s salary cap situation. Before they announced the signing of Laviska Shenault the team had around $2 million in cap space leftover for the 2024 season. However, that figure doesn’t account for what it will cost to sign their rookie class, so the real number is closer to $3 million over the limit.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Breaking down Seattle picks from NFL.com 5-round mock

Seahawks top-30 visits tracker ahead of 2024 NFL draft

2024 NFL draft: Seahawks go QB in Round 1 projections

Ranking all 32 NFL teams by cap space after free agency

Report: 49ers signing former Packers RB Patrick Taylor to one-year deal

The 49ers are reportedly bringing in a new face to the running back room.

While the San Francisco 49ers missed on restricted Detroit Lions free agent tight end Brock Wright, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan made an addition to the running back room on Wednesday afternoon through free agency.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the 49ers are signing former Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. The three-year veteran rusher will join Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason in the running back room in Santa Clara.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

Taylor spent three seasons in Green Bay after going undrafted out of Memphis. During his time with the Packers, Taylor rushed for 261 yards and one touchdown. Taylor Jr. has also spent time playing special teams with the Packers.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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2024 projected win totals for each NFC East team

We’re looking at a ranking of all four NFC East teams including the Philadelphia Eagles by 2024 win total predictions

We’re about 40 days from the 2024 NFL schedule reveal, but the world and Eagles fans already know who their opponents will be.

The league uses multiple factors to determine the year’s game schedule.

There’s a cycle of inter-conference faceoffs; each NFC division rotates through each AFC division every four seasons and the other NFC divisions every three seasons.

In addition, where a team finishes within their division dictates a same-finish matchup with one team from the opposite conference and whichever divisions aren’t in the rotation for that season.

Philadelphia previously had one of the more difficult schedules over the past two years, but 2024 will see the Eagles among the top ten easiest schedules based on win-loss percentages from last year.

Offering an early glimpse into where the Eagles could finish this season, DraftKings revealed a 2024 win total prediction for all 32 teams, and Philadelphia landed at No. 6 on the list.

Here’s where all four NFC East teams are projected to land.

Jaguars signing former Packers TE Josiah Deguara to 1-year deal

The Jaguars are adding former third-round pick Josiah Deguara to their tight end room.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are adding former Green Bay Packers tight end Josiah Deguara on a one-year deal, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

Deguara, a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, caught 47 passes for 436 yards and two touchdowns in his four seasons with the Packers.

While he may not offer the Jaguars much help as a receiver, he could earn a spot on the roster for his prowess as a run blocker and a special teamer. More than half of Deguara’s 212 offensive snaps in 2023 were on run plays (117) and he was a core special teamer for the Packers.

With a new kickoff rule in place, it will be important for NFL teams to find players capable of bottling up opposing returners and the Jaguars will want to find players who can help spring Devin Duvernay free.

As a tight end, Deguara will have a hard time climbing up the depth chart. The Jaguars have a star at the top in Evan Engram and invested a second-round pick into Brenton Strange. There’s also Luke Farrell, who similarly contributed most often as a run blocker and special teamer.

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Ranking all 32 teams by 2024 projected win totals

We’re looking at a ranking of all teams including the Philadelphia Eagles by 2024 win total predictions

We’re about 45 days from the 2024 NFL schedule reveal, but the world and Eagles fans already know who their opponents will be.

The league uses multiple factors to determine the year’s game schedule.

There’s a cycle of inter-conference faceoffs; each NFC division rotates through each AFC division every four seasons and the other NFC divisions every three seasons.

In addition, where a team finishes within their division dictates a same-finish matchup with one team from the opposite conference and whichever divisions aren’t in the rotation for that season.

Philadelphia previously had one of the more difficult schedules over the past two years, but 2024 will see the Eagles among the top ten easiest schedules based on win-loss percentages from last year.

Offering an early glimpse into where the Eagles could finish this season, DraftKings revealed a 2024 win total prediction for all 32 teams, and Philadelphia landed at No. 6 on the list.

Jaguars signing Packers S Darnell Savage to 3-year deal

The Jaguars are turning to 2019 first-round pick Darnell Savage to take over for Rayshawn Jenkins in the secondary.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a deal in place to sign Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage to a three-year contract when he becomes a free agent Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The deal is set pay Savage $21 million over the three years with $12.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Savage, 26, was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft and played the 2023 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. During his time in Green Bay, the safety recorded nine interceptions, one forced fumble, 32 passes defended, and nine tackles for loss. He also recorded a pick six in the Packers’ postseason win against the Dallas Cowboys.

His final season with the Packers was plagued by calf and shoulder injuries, which caused him to miss seven games.

While the Jaguars released Rayshawn Jenkins earlier in March to save more than $5.1 million in salary cap space, the decision to go after a safety in free agency is still a bit of a surprise. Fifth-round pick Antonio Johnson impressed as a rookie in 2023 and appeared in line to take over for Jenkins at strong safety with veteran Andrew Wingard providing quality depth.

Instead, the Jaguars may envision a nickel cornerback role for Johnson with Savage in the starting lineup.

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Pro Football Talk publishes wild, over-the-top tweet about Caleb Williams, unleashing NFL draft uproar

Pro Football Talk thinks Caleb Williams is basically a Football Jesus who will resurrect the Bears and become an NFL legend.

Oh, my goodness. We know that people and publications try to create publicity and buzz all the time, saying things that will push others’ buttons and generate a reaction. Pro Football Talk certainly did that on Friday, and not in a vile or inappropriate way. This wasn’t a shameful or embarrassing tweet, but it certainly rates as a bold take and an act of sticking out one’s neck in terms of making a big prediction about an NFL draft prospect. PFT is fully sold on Caleb Williams as the savior of the Chicago Bears and a transcendent NFL player who will transform the Bears in the NFC North.

Just how fully is Pro Football Talk convinced that Caleb is the truth in these weeks before the NFL draft? Read the tweet and then look at all the emotional responses to it:

ESPN highlights a free agent pass rusher fit for the Saints

ESPN highlighted the best team fits for its top 50 free agent, linking the New Orleans Saints to pass rusher Za’Darius Smith:

We’re moving closer to free agency, and there’s a good chance the New Orleans Saints are going to make some moves to improve their team. ESPN has already shared their list of the top 50 free agents — now, ESPN staff writer Matt Bowen has linked each of those players with the best teams they could join in March.

And one name was highlighted for the Saints: Za’Darius Smith. Here’s why Bowen sees New Orleans as a good fit for him:

Given the Saints’ cap issues, this would probably be a one-year deal for Smith to play in Dennis Allen’s multiple defense. I like the fit here, though, given Smith’s pass rush versatility. Allen could deploy him off the edge or inside as a stand-up defensive tackle/nose. He’s a power rusher who has 60 sacks in his career (5½ with the Browns in 2023), and New Orleans finished tied for 28th in sacks last season with 34.

Smith has the size that the Saints covet off the edge, and he brings productivity that few players in their lineup can match — Pro Football Focus charting credited him with 61 and 80 quarterback pressures in his last two seasons on the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. Before that, he was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Green Bay Packers and a big piece in the Baltimore Ravens’ rotation to start his career.

If the money checks out, he’d be a good get. But he shouldn’t be seen as the long-term fix at defensive end. Smith is an older player (he’ll be 32 when the season starts) and he would be joining an aging defense. Four of their top 11 defenders in snaps played are 30 or older, including Cameron Jordan, the second-oldest player on the team. Having two defensive ends on the wrong side of 30 and few young draft picks developing into known commodities behind them is worrisome.

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Report: Wisconsin may play a road game at Lambeau Field in 2024

Report: Wisconsin may play a road game at Lambeau Field in 2024

The 2024 Wisconsin Badgers may play a road game at Lambeau Field in 2024, according to a report from Wildcat Report’s Louie Vaccher.

Vaccher wrote on ‘X’ Monday night that Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg ‘told Northwestern alumni in New York City last week that Northwestern will play a home game at Lambeau Field this year. He didn’t mention the opponent, but it would likely be Wisconsin on October 19.’

Related: Which Big Ten football team has the toughest conference schedule in 2024?

This report is not close to being confirmed by either school. But as BadgerExtra’s Jake Kocorowski put out, it is noteworthy that Packers president Mark Murphy was once Northwestern’s athletic director from 2003-2007.

Wisconsin’s 2024 football schedule is one of the toughest in the conference. The thought of playing Northwestern at Lambeau Field — a venue that is certainly friendly to Wisconsin — is certainly more attractive than that of playing the Wildcats at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois.

The Packers’ 2024 schedule is not yet released, but October 19 assumes to be a weekend when the team plays on the road.

Given both Wisconsin and Northwestern’s proximity to Green Bay, Wisconsin, this game shouldn’t be a challenge to pull off. This sounds like a terrific way to add juice to a game that usually lacks it.

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