HEADLINES

Author: Zachary Links

Giants Cut Isaiah Wilson

January 4th, 2022 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants have released offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson from the practice squad, per a club announcement. The former Titans first-round pick is now free to sign with any of the league’s other 31 teams. 

Wilson auditioned for the Giants in September and showed enough to earn a spot on the 16-man taxi squad. That’s where he’s been ever since, but he’s yet to see live action in 2021. Of course, the NFL had higher hopes for him last year when the Titans made him the No. 29 overall pick in the draft.

To date, Wilson has just one pro appearance (with four snaps) to his credit. After his rookie year, the Titans effectively gave him to the Dolphins in a swap of seventh-round picks. Sometime after that, he was arrested for a high-speed chase, leading the Dolphins to cut bait as well.

It’s hard to imagine any playoff-bound team adding Wilson to the 53-man roster, but it’s possible that another club could audition him with an eye on 2022. The rest of Giants, meanwhile, will close out the season against Washington on Sunday.

Titans Cut Golden Tate

January 4th, 2022 at 3:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans announced a number of roster moves today, including the release of Golden Tate from the practice squad. Meanwhile, defensive back Chris Jones and linebacker Joe Jones have been jettisoned from the 53-man roster. 

[RELATED: Titans’ Dupree Charged With Misdemeanor]

Tate, once one of the league’s best wide receivers, has yet to see live action in 2021. After spending much of the year out of football, he inked a taxi squad deal with the Titans.

For one reason or another, the Hendersonville, Tennessee native wasn’t able to earn a promotion. From 2014-17 Tate had at least 1,000 yards in three of four seasons. His Giants tenure was less noteworthy, but he still managed 84 catches for 1,064 yards and eight touchdowns between 2019 and 2020. Now, at the age of 33 (34 in August), it’s possible that Tate has reached the end of the line.

In related moves, the Titans have also dropped defensive back Rodney Clemons and defensive back Shyheim Carter from the 16-man practice squad.

Cardinals Add Bashaud Breeland To Practice Squad

January 4th, 2022 at 3:14pm CST by Zachary Links

It took a little longer than expected, but the Cardinals have signed Bashaud Breeland. On Tuesday, the cornerback agreed to join Arizona’s practice squad, per a club announcement. 

Breeland verbally agreed to join the Cardinals’ 53-man roster last week, but a positive COVID-19 test put those plans on hold. Now, after the Cards’ 25-22 victory over the Cowboys, he may be called up for the season finale against the Seahawks. The Cardinals have already clinched their playoff spot, but they can take the NFC West with a win, plus a Rams loss.

The Cardinals have been on the lookout for cornerback depth ever since Robert Alford‘s season-ending injury. On top of that, Marco Wilson‘s status is still in flux thanks to his ailing shoulder.

Breeland, 29, offers plenty of big-game experience to offset his iffy 2021 with Minnesota. The veteran notched 63 tackles and two interceptions across 13 games for the Vikings this season, up until their messy divorce in December. For what it’s worth, PFF has ranked as one of the NFL’s worst qualified corners this year.

Jim Harbaugh Mulling NFL Return?

January 4th, 2022 at 2:44pm CST by Zachary Links

In recent weeks, we’ve heard that NFL teams could be eyeing Jim Harbaugh as a head coaching candidate. Now, according to sources who spoke with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, it appears that the interest is mutual. 

“I think it’s real,” said one source in the know, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

This isn’t the first time that Harbaugh has been connected to a potential NFL return. In late 2020, Harbaugh was said to be thinking about bailing on Ann Arbor, up he publicly vowed to stay with the Wolverines.

“Yeah, that question does come up and I tell ’em, my plan is, committed to Michigan,” Harbaugh said, referring conversations with recruits. “Have been, am and will remain. As far as the (contract), [athletic director Warde Manuel] and I will talk at the end of the season on the current contract. That’s the truth. That’s where it stands.”

Feldman speculates that Harbaugh’s ties to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and owner Mark Davis could make him a natural fit. Then again, interim head coach Rich Bisaccia has them riding a three-game winning streak heading into the regular season finale. Even if that job doesn’t become available, Feldman notes that the Bears could be a solid fit for the 58-year-old.

Harbaugh established himself as a top-tier coach with the 49ers, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance plus two NFC title games. His Niners went just 8-8 in his final season (2014) but, overall, he owns a career 44-19-1 regular season record.

Jaguars, Jim Caldwell To Meet On Tuesday

January 4th, 2022 at 2:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are meeting with Jim Caldwell today to discuss their head coaching vacancy, according to Eugene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). Caldwell is the second candidate to interview with Jacksonville, following last week’s chat with ex-Eagles HC Doug Pederson.

[RELATED: Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order]

There will be plenty more interviews to come as the Jaguars have already requested sit-downs with at least eight candidates:

Caldwell, 66, served as the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach in 2019 before health issues forced him to step aside. Fortunately, he’s said to be back to full health now. Between his time with the Colts and Lions, Caldwell owns a career 62-50 record as a head coach with four playoff berths and one Super Bowl appearance.

Titans’ Bud Dupree Charged With Misdemeanor

January 4th, 2022 at 2:27pm CST by Zachary Links

Titans edge rusher Bud Dupree has been charged with misdemeanor assault, per an announcement from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. According to the report, Dupree was arrested following an altercation with a 20-year-old Walgreens employee.

[RELATED: Latest On Titans’ Henry]

Dupree, per the MNPD, got into a verbal spat with the Walgreens worker, left, and reentered the store with others. At that point, things got physical, resulting in an “assault-fear of bodily injury” charge for the outside linebacker.

Dupree, 28, is scheduled report for booking in three weeks. Meanwhile, the Titans are busy preparing for the Texans on Sunday with an opportunity to secure a first-round bye.

Dupree just came off of IR this past weekend after missing the last three games with an abdominal injury. So far, he has seven stops and one sack through seven games. Of course, he’s been a much more disruptive force in the past, including 2019 and 2020 when he tallied 19.5 sacks in total.

There’s no word yet from the league, but Dupree could be subject to discipline, pending investigations from the police and the NFL.

Browns’ Baker Mayfield Set For Surgery

January 4th, 2022 at 12:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns’ season, for all intents and purposes, is over. In the case of Baker Mayfield, it’s truly over. The quarterback will have surgery on his injured shoulder, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, and miss the season finale against the Bengals. 

[RELATED: Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order]

Mayfield’s shoulder has plagued him throughout the year, but he’s played through the pain and missed just two games so far. Even after last night’s loss and playoff elimination, Mayfield still left the door open to finishing out the year.

“There was an opportunity to win, and I’m an extremely competitive guy,” Mayfield said (via NFL.com) “Now, it’s time for me to look at what’s in the best interest of me and my health. I haven’t been healthy and I tried to fight for my guys. Right now, I’m pretty damned beat up to be honest with you. I gave it everything I had tonight.”

Beyond next week, Mayfield’s future remains in doubt. After finishing 10th in 2020 QBR, Mayfield is near the back of the list. The Browns only have Mayfield signed through 2022, via the fully guaranteed fifth-year option ($18.9MM), leading to speculation that he could be moved in the offseason. Ultimately, it seems like the Browns are more likely to keep Mayfield, table extension talks, and treat his ’22 as a prove-it year.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/4/22

January 4th, 2022 at 12:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Green Bay Packers

New Orleans Saints 

New York Jets

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/4/22

January 4th, 2022 at 10:43am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order

January 4th, 2022 at 9:08am CST by Zachary Links

Eleven teams have punched their ticket to the playoffs with one week to go in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Colts, 49ers, Chargers, Saints, Raiders, Steelers, and (technically) Ravens all still have a shot. If you’re a fan of one of the other 14 teams, this list may be of equal interest to you. That is, if your team still owns their original first-round pick.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record.

As we look ahead to Week 18, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-14
  2. Detroit Lions: 2-13-1
  3. Houston Texans: 4-12
  4. New York Jets: 4-12
  5. New York Giants: 4-12
  6. Carolina Panthers: 5-11
  7. New York Jets (via Seahawks)
  8. New York Giants (via Bears)
  9. Washington Football Team: 6-10
  10. Atlanta Falcons: 7-9
  11. Denver Broncos: 7-9
  12. Minnesota Vikings: 7-9
  13. Cleveland Browns: 7-9
  14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
  15. New Orleans Saints: 8-8
  16. Baltimore Ravens: 8-8
  17. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7-1
  18. Las Vegas Raiders: 9-7
  19. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7*
  20. Los Angeles Chargers: 9-7*
  21. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
  22. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
  23. New England Patriots*
  24. Arizona Cardinals: 10-5*
  25. Buffalo Bills: 10-6*
  26. Cincinnati Bengals: 10-6*
  27. Dallas Cowboys: 11-5*
  28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12-4*
  29. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5*
  30. Detroit Lions (via Rams): 12-4*
  31. Tennessee Titans: 11-5*
  32. Green Bay Packers: 13-3*

* = Playoffs

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