2019 NFL Draft Order
The Super Bowl is in the books, which means the order for the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft is in the books. The Patriots, of course, will have the final pick in the first round while the Rams will approach the podium at No. 31.
[RELATED: 2019 NFL Draft Rumors]
Here’s the complete rundown of the first round:
- Cardinals
- 49ers
- Jets
- Raiders
- Buccaneers
- Giants
- Jaguars
- Lions
- Bills
- Broncos
- Bengals
- Packers
- Dolphins
- Falcons
- Redskins
- Panthers
- Browns
- Vikings
- Titans
- Steelers
- Seahawks
- Ravens
- Texans
- Raiders (via Bears)
- Eagles
- Colts
- Raiders (via Cowboys)
- Chargers
- Chiefs
- Packers (via Saints)
- Rams
- Patriots
Patriots’ Gronk To Make Decision Soon
We’re still waiting for Rob Gronkowski‘s decision on his football future, but we won’t have to wait much longer. The tight end says he’ll make the call “in a week or two,” (via Jim Trotter of NFL.com). 
When pressed about his plans, Gronk said that Sunday night was dedicated to celebrating the Super Bowl victory with his teammates. He’s been wrestling with retirement for a while now, however, and that’s partially due to his injury history. He emerged from Super Bowl LIII without suffering further injury and Tom Brady swears that he’ll be back in 2019 – both of those factors may push Gronk towards returning for the 2019 season.
In 2018, Gronkowski played through Achilles tendonitis and a bulging disc in his back. He has also been forced to suit up with a Barry Bonds-type arm brace to protect his left elbow.
Gronkowski is due a $9MM base salary next season, the last year of his current deal. It has been rumored that Gronkowski is eyeing a post-football career that includes acting and/or something fitness-related, but those opportunities should still be there for him after the ’19 campaign.
The 29-year-old (30 in May) was limited to just 47 catches for 682 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games season. The Rams did their best to keep a lid on him on Sunday, but he finished out with six catches for 87 yards, including a crucial red zone catch that led to the game’s only TD.
Patriots Win Super Bowl LIII
For the sixth time in team history, the Patriots have won it all. On Sunday night, in one of the slower Super Bowl games in memory, the Patriots topped the Rams 13-3.
The first half was clumsy, awkward, and slow – unlike Super Bowls of recent years. What some expected to be a shootout turned into a punting exhibition with Johnny Hekker actually being edged by Patriots youngster Ryan Allen.
The Pats went into halftime with a 3-0 lead, despite a constant connection between Tom Brady and Julian Edelman in the first two quarters. The Rams, meanwhile, had little to offer on offense. Sean McVay tried to deny it, but it’s now clear clear that Todd Gurley‘s knee injury was of the severe variety, and it was enough to limit him to just ten carries for 35 yards.
The second half played out similarly, though both teams got into a better rhythm. For the Pats, the second half was dotted by big catches from Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. The Rams, too, had their moments thanks as Jared Goff found Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds. Ultimately, however, the Rams’ chances were spoiled by a bad Goff throw that landed in the hands of superstar corner Stephon Gilmore. Meanwhile, Sony Michel‘s touchdown proved to be the only one of the night and the defining score of the game.
Now, it’s time to see whether Rob Gronkowski and other Patriots will opt to leave the game on a high note.
McCourty Brothers Considering Retirement?
Devin McCourty isn’t the only member of the family considering retirement. Devin’s brother, Jason McCourty, is also considering retirement, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears. 
Devin was the first McCourty family member to go public with his desire to retire, but Jason is actually more likely to call it quits, Rapoport reports. Jason is set to hit free agency and he may walk away if he’s put in a spot where he has to change teams. Devin, meanwhile, is set to earn a $9MM base salary, and he could lean towards walking away if he is asked to take a pay cut.
“I don’t know for sure, man, but I do look at (retirement),” McCourty said recently. “If we can win this game, win it with my brother [Jason McCourty], I don’t know what else I could do that’ll top that. So I’m just trying to make sure I enjoy this season and enjoy these last couple days with these guys.”
Of course, the outcome of tonight’s game could also impact their decision. A Super Bowl win may prompt both brothers to ride off into the sunset.
Eagles Rodney McLeod Takes Big Pay Cut
The details are in on Rodney McLeod’s reworked deal with the Eagles. McLeod’s 2019 base salary will drop from $7.5MM to $1.5MM under the revised terms, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In total, the move creates $7.469MM in new cap room for Philly. 
Under the old terms of his deal, McLeod’s contract meant that he was likely a goner in Philadelphia. McLeod has been a starter since the 2013 season and started the first three games of 2018 for the Eagles, but a knee injury ended his season in September. Given the Eagles’ limited cap room and the awful market for free agent safeties over the last year, McLeod probably didn’t have much leverage in this round of negotiations with Howie Roseman & Co.
On the plus side, McLeod has done well for himself over the course of his career. He joined the Eagles on a five-year, $35MM deal prior to the 2016 season and is still young enough to cash in again down the line. He’ll turn 29 in June, just before training camp begins for his eighth NFL season.
NFL: Cowboys Did Not Tamper With Earl Thomas
Earl Thomas‘ flirtations with the Cowboys have been well-documented. The Cowboys, some say, have flirted back, but the league found no wrongdoing on the part of the organization, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Over the last year, Thomas has professed his love to the Cowboys in a number of ways. He bowed to the Dallas bench after an interception in September, cut plans short to catch the Cowboys on TV, and likely leaked further word of his interest to the press through backchannels.
Meanwhile, it was alleged that Cowboys staff members made comments to Thomas before a game this year that may have violated tampering laws. It’s unclear whether such comments were actually made, but in any event, the league will not pursue the allegations.
The Cowboys flirted with the idea of a Thomas trade, but all trade discussions were brought to a screeching halt when Thomas was carted off of the field with a season-ending leg fracture. While being carted off of the field, Thomas flipped off his own bench.
After wrapping up his four-year, $40MM extension, Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent in March.
Ryan Shazier Wants To Stay With Steelers
Ryan Shazier wants to play football again, but he’ll technically be a free agent in March. When/if he returns to the field, he says he’d ideally like to suit up for the Steelers, as Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette writes. 
“Really nothing has been decided,” Shazier said. “I definitely want to be with the Steelers. I was drafted here and everything’s been going great. I just love the atmosphere, I love the family aspect of it, but I also love the way they do business. So I definitely want to stay.”
Shazier was in the film room with the Steelers throughout the 2018 season and attended team meetings, even though he was on the PUP list. There’s likely a similar plan in place for 2019 – recently, team president Art Rooney II said he’s working on a way to keep Shazier in the fold on a new deal.
For now, Shazier is taking things day-by-day. He’s already regained the ability to walk, but he has a ways to go before he can resume football activities.
“I have a time frame in my head, but I haven’t really told anybody yet,” the linebacker said. “At the end of the day I’m taking it one step at a time. I’m a lot closer to my goal than I was when I got hurt.”
Panthers’ Julius Peppers Retires From NFL
Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers announced his retirement from football on Friday morning. The 39-year-old is hanging ’em up after 17 seasons in the league. 
Peppers leaves the game after a storied career and the fourth-most sacks in NFL history. Many thought Peppers would have continued to play for at least another season to jump to third on the all-time list – his 159.5 sack total is just half a sack behind Kevin Greene.
“Anybody who knows me knows I’m not big on words and I don’t like to put myself out there, so I’m just gonna get right to it,” Peppers wrote in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. “Seventeen years is a long time to be playing this game. It’s two careers for a lot of people. I’m thankful that I have been able to play so long and still be healthy. I’m not all banged up and beaten down. I still feel good. But as much as I would love to play forever, I know that I can’t. It’s gotta end at some point. That point is now. Today, I’m retiring.”
The UNC product was a star from the get-go as he tallied 12 sacks in 12 games as a rookie. He spent his first eight years in the league with the Panthers, but when the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on a new deal in 2010, he joined up with the Bears on a six-year, $91.5MM deal. Later, he hooked on with the Packers before returning home to Carolina in 2017.
“In getting to know Julius over these past months, I’ve learned that he is a man of few words. When he speaks, everyone listens. With that in mind, I will be brief. He’s one of the best to ever wear a Carolina uniform,” new Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement released by the team. “He carries himself with dignity, integrity and class, and will always be a Panther.”
Peppers was hoping for something better than back-to-back 7-9 seasons to wrap up his career, but he came full circle nonetheless and excelled on a personal level. He notched eleven sacks in ’17 and was still productive last season with five QB takedowns. According to Pro Football Focus, Peppers graded out as the No. 21 DE in the NFL last year (tied with Ryan Kerrigan and Michael Bennett).
We here at PFR wish Peppers the best in retirement.
Jeffery Simmons Barred From Combine
The NFL Draft scouting combine is weeks away, but one of this year’s top prospects will not be taking part in the event. Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, a potential top 10 pick, will not be invited because he does not meet the criteria for the NFL’s policy regarding past issues involving violence, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com hears (Twitter link). The same goes for Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams. 
Simmons was arrested for simple assault in 2016 after repeatedly striking a woman. For his part, Simmons says he was attempting to stop said woman from assaulting his sister. The incident occurred just before Simmons began his collegiate career and he was allowed to enter MSU while completing counseling programs. Williams, meanwhile, was arrested in 2017 for an altercation involving a woman.
So far, these are the only two known players to be barred from the combine for this year, sources tell Pelissero. However, invitations have been pulled in past after failed background checks.
Simmons, who stands 6’4″, 300 pounds, appeared in 37 total games in his three-year career with the Bulldogs, managing 159 tackles (30.5 for loss), six sacks, and five forced fumbles during that time. He was named first-team All-SEC in both 2017 and 2018, and this season won the Conerly Trophy as the top college football player in the state of Mississippi.
Despite the red flags, Simmons is widely expected to be an early first-round selection. CBSSports.com ranks him as the draft’s No. 7 overall prospect.
Jets Won’t Break Bank For Le’Veon Bell
The Jets have interest in Le’Veon Bell, but they won’t take a do-whatever-it-takes approach to sign him, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. The Jets will have upwards of $100MM in cap space, but it appears they will prioritize other needs instead of going all-in on one of the game’s most dynamic running backs. 
Bell’s ability cannot be questioned and he profiles as someone who would keep defenses honest as quarterback Sam Darnold continues in his development. However, Mehta hears there is a “level of concern in the building” about Bell’s motivation if he lands a big payday.
Bell sat out the entire 2018 season with the Steelers, forgoing a $14.5MM payday in order to preserve his health for free agency. His actions may give NFL executives pause, but on the plus side, Bell should be entering the 2019 season with fresh legs. He may also be extra motivated to prove the doubters wrong.
Last year, Bell turned down a five-year, $70MM offer from Pittsburgh that would have included $33MM in guarantees. There’s no telling what kind of offers Bell will fetch this time around, but it’s safe to assume that he’ll be aiming for a larger guarantee on a deal with an AAV in excess of $14MM.
Bell has expressed interest in joining the Colts, but Mehta guesses that they will not spend big on a running back given the presence of Marlon Mack. He also suggests the Buccaneers, Eagles, Raiders, and Dolphins as potential fits for the multiple-time Pro Bowler.