Jets Gaining Momentum To Add Dalvin Cook?
The team most closely connected to Dalvin Cook is the Dolphins, but they will face competition from within the AFC East to sign the free agent running back. The Jets emerged as a suitor earlier this month, and they remain a contender in the Cook sweepstakes. 
Both the Jets and Patriots were named as teams which have done their homework on the 27-year-old, who has remained patient in weighing his options since being released by the Vikings. New York’s ground game would add considerable experience and pedigree with a Cook signing, along with insurance from an injury perspective with respect to current starter Breece Hall, whose rookie campaign ended with an ACL tear.
When asked about how serious the Jets are in their pursuit of Cook, his agent Zac Hiller confirmed that they represent “a great situation” as a potential landing spot. That came not long after a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicated the Jets are “gaining momentum” with respect to their Cook signing efforts (video links via Paul Esden of The Score 1260).
New York currently has $23.1MM in cap space, a figure which would seem to comfortably allow for a Cook signing. However, adjustments to quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ contract, along with a sizeable extension for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and a potential pay cut for wideout Corey Davis remain on the financial to-do list for the team. When first reported, their interest was thus believed to be cursory, with a drop in Cook’s asking price likely necessary to make a deal possible.
The four-time Pro Bowler is not willing to sign with his hometown Dolphins at the terms currently being offered, however, so a bidding war may be necessary for the Jets to acquire him. Cook has no need to hurry in his decision-making process with some time still remaining until training camps open later this month. By that point, New York may have a clearer picture of their cap situation and therefore their ability to afford him. At this point, though, the Jets are a team to watch regarding what would be another sizeable addition to their offense.
Latest On Raiders’ CB Depth
The Raiders cornerbacks depth chart isn’t any clearer now than it was a few months ago. Earlier this offseason, the Raiders hosted Marcus Peters, and it seemed like the former All-Pro CB was destined to join the organization.
[RELATED: Latest On Raiders, CB Marcus Peters]
Fast forward to the middle of July and a contract still hasn’t materialized. However, the inaction from the front office doesn’t mean the Raiders are necessarily content with their in-house options. As Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes, the Raiders are still expected to add either Peters “or another veteran free agent” at the position.
For the time being, the Raiders are left with a questionable depth chart at cornerback. Tafur projects that Duke Shelley, who started five games for the Vikings last season, and Nate Hobbs, who has started 20 games over the past two seasons for the Raiders, will be the starters on the outside. That configuration would likely provide journeyman Tyler Hall with an inside track at the main slot role.
Further down the depth chart, Tafur opines that Brandon Facyson will have a safety net with his two-year contract (plus his experience in a Gus Bradley defense). The Raiders also used a fourth-round pick on Jakorian Bennett, and the rookie could end up emerging as one of the team’s top options at the position. When you account for the five aforementioned cornerbacks and a potential acquisition, that means Amik Robertson could be fighting for a roster spot heading into the 2023 campaign.
The 2020 fourth-round pick was in and out of the lineup through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he took on a bigger role with a new coaching staff in 2022. Robertson ended up starting seven of his 17 appearances, finishing with 38 tackles and two passes defended.
There is some depth here, and that could explain why the organization hasn’t jumped into a deal with any free agents. When it comes to Peters in particular, we previously heard that the front office would take their time as they monitored the veteran’s health. A 2021 ACL tear has led to questions about Peters’ ability to return to the form he showed earlier in his career, and those questions continue to persist following a rough 2022 campaign with the Ravens.
Bills RBs Nyheim Hines, Latavius Murray Battling For Roster Spot?
The Bills rushing attack will look a bit different in 2023. Devin Singletary is gone, having left via free agency to the Texans. The front office added former Patriots starter Damien Harris to the mix, although he profiles as more of an RB2 since the organization is ready to go all-in on 2022 second-round pick James Cook.
Cook and Harris appear to be locked in atop the depth chart, leading to an apparent competition between Nyheim Hines and Latavius Murray for the RB3 spot. As Ryan O’Halloran of the Buffalo News noted today, the two veterans may actually be fighting for a roster spot, not just a spot on the depth chart. The Bills intend to give a roster spot to fullback Reggie Gilliam, perhaps leaving only one space for Hines or Murray
Hines would be the more natural fit if the organization is looking for a fill-in for Singletary. The former Bills RB averaged 39 receptions per season over his final three seasons in Buffalo. Harris had 40 total receptions during his four seasons in New England, and the former third-round pick seems primed to be a true backup. Cook provides some pass-catching prowess (21 catches as a rookie), but it seems unlikely that the second-year pro will be a true three-down back.
Hines could provide Josh Allen with another worthy target out of the backfield on third downs. The former Colts fourth-round pick averaged more than 56 catches per season though his first three years in the NFL, and while he saw a reduced role in 2021 and 2022, he still hauled in 70 total catches between the two campaigns.
While Hines has shown an ability to catch the ball, his roster spot could ultimately come down to special teams. The 26-year-old served as the Bills’ primary returner after joining the organization last season, returning a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns. As O’Halloran notes, new wideout Deonte Harty previously was an All-Pro punt returner, and his spot on the roster could make Hines expendable.
Murray would be the odd man out if Hines ultimately makes the team, but the veteran has a good case for making the roster. The 33-year-old would naturally bring some experience to a relatively young running back corps, and he’s also shown to be a worthy replacement starter in a pinch (he’s started at least three games in each of his nine NFL seasons). While Hines is the superior pass-catcher, Murray can also contribute in the passing game, with the veteran hauling in 35 catches just last season.
As O’Halloran writes, Murray is still a valuable player, with the RB most recently collecting close to 900 yards from scrimmage in 13 games with the Broncos and Saints in 2022. If Murray does end up missing the cut in Buffalo, O’Halloran believes the Bills front office should be able to get something for him via trade.
Hines and Murray will likely get an extended look during the preseason, but it seems likely that one of the two will be looking for a new job by the end of the preseason.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/10/23
Today’s minor transaction:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Josh Pederson
- Waived/injured: TE Leonard Taylor
Pederson, of course, is the son of Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. The Louisiana–Monroe product has bounced around the NFL a bit since going undrafted in 2021, spending time with the 49ers, Saints and Chiefs. The tight end most recently spent time in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers, hauling in 25 catches for 325 yards.
Taylor joined the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati. If he clears through waivers, he’ll land back on the Jaguars injured reserve.
Jim Irsay Discusses Anthony Richardson, Quarterback Depth Chart
It’s uncertain if Anthony Richardson will be under center for the Colts come Week 1, but the quarterback will undoubtedly be thrown into the fire during his rookie season. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Colts owner Jim Irsay said that the fourth-overall pick will see plenty of playing time during the 2023 campaign.
“For Anthony Richardson, it’s going to be tough . We know that,” Irsay said. “But he has to play to get better. I mean, there’s no question. Gardner [Minshew] could play come out and obviously play better early on, just being a veteran, but we have to get Anthony on the field. That’s Shane’s call when he decides to do it.”
The Colts have a glowing track record when it comes to top-five QBs, and both Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck started every game as rookies (with Manning finishing his rookie campaign with mixed results). However, as Irsay noted during his interview, Manning had 45 collegiate starts under his belt when he entered the NFL. Richardson got 13 starts during his three seasons at Florida, with the majority of them coming this past year.
Of course, in those aforementioned 12 starts, Richardson tossed 17 touchdowns vs. nine interceptions while also adding another 654 yards and nine scores on the ground. Those flashes of stardom catapulted the prospect up the draft rankings, leading to him being selected with the fourth-overall pick.
Considering Indy’s investment, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the coaching staff brought the rookie QB along slowly to begin the 2023 campaign. The Colts signed Gardner Minshew to a one-year, $3.5MM deal this past offseason, and the veteran brings along 24 games of starting experience. The Colts will also return former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger, who has been with the organization since 2021.
RT Jawaan Taylor Addresses Chiefs Deal
Kansas City made additions at both tackle spots in free agency this offseason, including a big-money deal for Jawaan Taylor. The former Jaguar is set for a new chapter in his football career, one which involves a change of scenery he is excited for. 
The 25-year-old was one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s free agent class, and his Kanas City contract (four years, $80MM) reflected that. It initially seemed as though Taylor would assume left tackle duties for the Chiefs after they lost Orlando Brown Jr. to the Bengals. Instead, the signing of veteran Donovan Smith to man the blindside will keep Taylor in his familiar RT role, one previously occupied by Andrew Wylie.
“I just wanted to embrace change,” the latter said about his decision to sign with the Chiefs, via ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “I never lived outside of Florida ever in my life. To have the opportunity to come and try something new and be [in] a great organization, I was all for it.”
A Florida alum, Taylor played in Jacksonville for the first four years of his career. He operated as the team’s full-time starter on the right side, and expectations will be high for him given his contract and the demands of playing an important role in Kansas City’s vaunted offense. His enthusiasm to join the Chiefs represents an interesting juxtaposition to his stated desire to remain with the Jaguars, but his play in 2023 will nevertheless be worth watching closely.
After his release ended an eight-year run with the Buccaneers, Smith inked a one-year contract to give him an opportunity to rebuild his value after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Depending on how he fares in his new home, Smith could find himself elsewhere next year, something which could open the door to Taylor making a switch to the blindside. For now, though, he will be subject to plenty of scrutiny on the right side as he looks to prove the Chiefs’ investment in him to be a sound one.
Latest On Emmanuel Moseley, Lions’ CB Room
The Lions spent considerable free agent and draft resources to revamp their secondary, leaving optimism for improved play on the backend in 2023. A key position battle looms for the unit in training camp, though. 
Cameron Sutton – who signed a three-year, $33MM contract in free agency – is in line to serve as Detroit’s top outside cornerback this season. Expectations will be high for the ex-Steeler given not only the terms of his deal, but also the vacancy he is filling (one which was once occupied, in part, by former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah). The Lions also inked C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year pact, but he is expected to primarily play in the slot this season.
That leaves the second perimeter corner job up for grabs, as detailed by Tim Twentyman of the team’s website. The top two contenders for the role are free agent signing Emmanuel Moseley and returnee Jerry Jacobs. The former received $6MM on a one-year deal in March, giving him an opportunity to rebuild his value after his 2022 season was ended by an ACL tear. That injury put him in the Lions’ price range, however.
General manager Brad Holmes recently admitted, via Colton Pouncey of The Athletic, that Moseley’s injury – and the resultant damage it did to his value on the open market – was likely necessary for Detroit to be able to afford him (subscription required). The 27-year-old was in the midst of his second consecutive campaign as a full-time starter for the 49ers last season before the ACL tear, so recovering from it could give the Lions a low-cost, high-upside contributor. Moseley’s progress with respect to rehab has been encouraging to date, Twentyman notes.
Jacobs, meanwhile, spent the beginning of the 2022 season rehabbing his own ACL tear from the previous season. Upon his return to the field, though, he was a standout performer on an otherwise disappointing Lions secondary. The 25-year-old racked up one one interception, eight pass deflections and 42 tackles in eight contests. He also allowed a completion percentage of just 53.3% in coverage, pointing to signficant potential moving forward.
With Moseley still rehabbing, Jacobs logged the majority of first-team reps during spring practices. Presuming the former is able to participate in training camp, though, it will be interesting to watch how the workload is divided between the two (as well as second-round rookie Brian Branch, who showcased a diverse skillset during his college career). Regardless of how their individual competition plays out, a signficant step forward on defense in general, and in the secondary in particular, should be expected in the Motor City.
Options As Clock Ticks Down On RB Franchise Tags
JULY 10: During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Darlington added to his previous reporting on the Barkley and Jacobs situations (video link). He stated that Barkley remains the likelier of the two backs to ultimately sign a long-term deal before the deadline, with Jacobs’ tenure in Vegas having seemed uncertain since the arrival of head coach Josh McDaniels last year. Many of the remaining RB free agents – including, quite possibly, Dalvin Cook – will see their value determined in part by the developments (or lack thereof) which take place with the Giants and Raiders in the coming days.
JULY 9: Running back has notoriously become the most difficult position at which to earn a salary worth your performance in the NFL. For the clearest examples we’ve seen of this, look no further than Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley.
Both running backs delivered elite performances in contract years, which at any other position would set them up for big extensions. Unfortunately, both players were franchise tagged by their respective teams and have threatened holdouts to try and gain leverage in their contract negotiations. So, how do their teams respond to the situation? After talking with league executives, Dan Graziano of ESPN provided a few options. 
The first option involves both players getting a “fair market” deal, a new contract extension that will keep Jacobs and Barkley home. Another option involves the team’s doing nothing. They would allow the backs to play out their tags and likely tag them a second time the following offseason. A third option would try to avoid the second. With the second option being the most likely, the teams could offer the two a two-year, fully guaranteed deal that would pay slightly more than two consecutive franchise tags. This provides slightly more security over the next year and a half before the two would hit free agency again. Lastly, Graziano mentions a fourth, “nuclear” option of rescinding the tags then signing someone cheaper.
Because the combination of youth and rookie contracts have proven some success in the recent past, it really feels like most of the decision lies with the teams. Both teams have the simple option of locking the backs down with the franchise tag and then tagging them a second time in 2024 at a still relatively cheap price, compared to other positions. In that situation, the teams get to have their star running backs for the 2023 season but aren’t committed to them past that. If either back shows signs of regression next season, they can allow them to walk away at no financial risk. Jacobs and Barkley can always hold out during the regular season (as their own financial burden), but they’ll just come out the other side in a similar situation.
With the deadline for franchise players to sign multi-year contract approaching on Monday, July 17, conversations are expected to pick up between the teams and running backs. New York and Las Vegas are both expected to make some last-ditch efforts to sign their backs to a deal other than their franchise tags. If either player gets a deal done before the deadline, it will certainly lay the groundwork for the other.
Regardless, in today’s NFL, hitting the open market is the worst-case scenario for a running back. If two consecutive franchise tags is the alternative, at least it keeps them on a roster for 2023. Barkley’s relationship with the Giants has proven a bit less rocky than Jacobs’s relationship with the Raiders, so it might be on Barkley and New York to set the tone if new deals are going to get done.
Bears WR Darnell Mooney Expected To Be Cleared For Training Camp
The Bears have made a number of changes to their receiving corps this offseason, but returnee Darnell Mooney is set to once again be a central figure in the team’s passing attack. His recovery from a season-ending ankle injury remains on a positive trajectory. 
Mooney was sidelined for the final five games of the 2022 campaign, and he underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in his ankle. His success on that front had him in contention to suit up for part of the team’s offseason program, however, with the expectation that he would, at a minimum, be medically cleared in time for training camp. He confirmed that full participation in camp starting later this month should take place.
“I’m feeling good,” the 25-year-old said when asked about the status of his rehab process. “I’m ready to roll” (h/t Kaitlin Sharkey and Rick Tarsitano of WGN9).
Having Mooney at full health will be a welcomed development for the Bears, a team which badly needs to take a step forward in passing production this season. Chicago led the league in rushing yards per game in 2022 (177), but ranked last in the same metric through the air (131). The absence of Mooney, a 1,000-yard receiver in 2021, no doubt played a role in their struggles but it was clear general manager Ryan Poles needed to find upgrades at the WR position this offseason.
The Bears’ blockbuster trade involving the No. 1 pick accomplished that goal, with D.J. Moore being a non-negotiable part of the package sent by the Panthers. Moore will headline a receiver room which includes Mooney along with trade deadline acquisition Chase Claypool and fourth-round rookie Tyler Scott, among others. A Moore-Mooney tandem could help third-year quarterback Justin Fields improve significantly as a passer.
Aside from health, the 2023 campaign will be an important one for Mooney on the financial front. The former fifth-rounder is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he changed agents ahead of the new league year. Talks on an extension or, after reaching the open market, a new Bears contract would shift in Mooney’s favor if he were to show a return to his 2021 form this season. His ability to do that should be begin in a few weeks’ time.
Browns Likely To Carry Three QBs
Much of the Browns’ success on offense in 2023 will be dictated by Deshaun Watson‘s ability to rebound from a suspension-shortened debut season with the team last year. Cleveland will likely have a pair of signal-callers backing him up this campaign. 
The Browns have Watson on the books through 2026 after going all-in on him via a huge trade with the Texans and subsequent fully-guranteed contract (which, having been restructured, will represent a major cap burden starting next year). The three-time Pro Bowler put up less-than-impressive numbers during his six games in 2022, which marked his first regular season action since 2020. After a full offseason in Cleveland, one which has included upgrades to the team’s receiving corps, expectations will be raised significantly for Watson.
His backup will be veteran Joshua Dobbs, who was in Cleveland in 2022 to serve as Jacoby Brissett‘s backup until Watson’s suspension had been served. Dobbs signed with the Titans late in the year, and he started Tennessee’s final two contests while the team dealt with the absence of Ryan Tannehill. Cleveland lost Brissett in free agency, but brought back Dobbs to resume his QB2 duties.
The Browns added a long-term backup option in the form of Dorian Thompson-Robinson by selecting him in the fifth round of this year’s draft. The presence of the UCLA product leaves Cleveland likely to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster this year, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. The NFL’s move to allow emergency QBs to dress despite not counting as a gameday activation has left teams with interesting roster decisions to make.
As Easterling notes, the Browns view Thompson-Robinson as their Watson understudy for the foreseeable future, though Dobbs has seen second-team work in spring practices. Thompson-Robinson had a career-year in 2022, which helped make him one of several developmental passers selected on Day 3 as teams looked to emulate the success the 49ers found with Brock Purdy in 2022. Given his experience in Cleveland in particular and the NFL in general, though, Dobbs represents a logical candidate for the backup position at this point.
With a top three at the QB depth chart seemingly settled, Easterling adds that the Browns are unlikely to retain Kellen Mond. The former Viking was claimed off waivers last August and he remained on Cleveland’s roster throughout the year. After the other moves made at the position this year, however, he is likely to find himself on the outside looking in come roster cutdowns at the end of the summer.