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Offseason In Review: Oakland Raiders

August 1st, 2016 at 11:20am CST by Sam Robinson

This wasn’t the first time in recent years the Raiders entered an offseason with plenty of money to spend. However, the franchise’s effort in convincing marquee free agents to accept its offers unfolded in exponentially better fashion, creating the Raiders’ best roster since their 2002 AFC champion effort. This one also features more key players in their prime. The Raiders haven’t possessed this kind of team – one with a core featuring players in their prime or on the way to their prime – in decades.

Expectations exist in Oakland for the first time in ages. But the team has not even produced a winning season since 2002 and only two of its seven victories in 2015 came against teams that didn’t end up possessing top-six draft picks. With Mark Davis openly pursuing Las Vegas, 2016 promises to be a complex year for the Raiders. Their rejuvenation effort is impossible to deny, though, especially when compared to so many forgettable offseasons in the recent past.

Notable signings:

Kelechi Osemele, G: Five years, $58.5MM. $25.4MM guaranteed. $1.5MM available via incentives.
Sean Smith, CB: Four years, $38MM. $15MM guaranteed.
Bruce Irvin, LB: Four years, $37MM. $14.5MM guaranteed. $2MM available via incentives.
Donald Penn, T: Two years, $11.9MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM available via incentives.
Marquette King, P: Five years, $16.5MM. $5.125MM guaranteed.
Reggie Nelson, S: Two years, $8.5MM. $4MM guaranteed. $1.75MM available via incentives.
Nate Allen, S: One year, $3MM. $1.85MM guaranteed. $2MM available via incentives. Was released prior to re-signing.
Andre Holmes, WR: One year, $2MM. $750K guaranteed.
Brynden Trawick, S: One year, $825K. $150K guaranteed.
Aldon Smith, DE/LB: Two years, $11.5MM. $3.5MM available annually via incentives. $1.5MM available via 2017 escalator.
Matt McGloin, QB: One year, $2.553MM. Signed second-round RFA tender.
Neiko Thorpe, S: One year, $2.553MM. Signed second-round RFA tender.
Matt McCants, T: One year, $1.671MM. Signed original-round RFA tender.
Daren Bates, LB: One year, $850K.
Damontre Moore, DE: One year, $675K.

Oakland saw Derek Carr throw 32 touchdown passes and Amari Cooper become the first Raider since Randy Moss in 2005 to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving barrier. Latavius Murray also became the franchise’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2010. That talent remains in place, but the Raiders did not supplement it with much defensively last season. A defense lacking much depth to supplement Khalil Mack or Charles Woodson ranked 22nd in yards allowed and 26th against the pass. Their free agency effort focused on this problem.

Mack’s All-Pro breakout season included 15 sacks, but the team featured no other edge player who recorded more than four. The hybrid linebacker/defensive end will now have Irvin complementing him as a pass-rusher. The Seahawks ended up keeping several players from their landmark 2012 class — Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner chief among them — and didn’t have room to retain their own hybrid linebacker.

Seattle’s 2012 first-round pick has experience lining up as a defensive end and linebacker for full-season stays, which should benefit him in a Ken Norton Jr.-coordinated Raiders attack that will use both 4-3 and 3-4 concepts as it did a year ago. Norton coached Irvin in Seattle, and that will benefit the fifth-year player as well.

The Raiders have now equipped Mack with several ancillary pass-rushers to take pressure off of him, a group that includes the still-suspended Aldon Smith. But Irvin will be the primary player tasked with doing so. He has 22 sacks in four seasons, with his most (eight) coming as a rookie when the Seahawks opted to line him up primarily as a defensive end. On passing downs, Irvin figures to drop down and rush quarterbacks opposite Mack. His seasoning at both end and non-rush ‘backer makes him an ideal signing since the Raiders were also thin on their second level.

Going into last season, Oakland’s cornerback corps carried several homegrown talents that have not yet shown they’re capable NFL defenders. That D.J. Hayden-fronted contingent will now vie for nickel responsibilities after Oakland solidified this position by signing not only Sean Smith but extending 2015 waiver claim David Amerson.

The former profiles as a rangy man corner, which Norton prefers. Smith served as the Chiefs’ most consistent corner from 2013-15 and played a key part in Kansas City trotting out three straight strong pass defenses. Defensive rookie of the year Marcus Peters led the NFL in passes thrown his way in 2015, with Smith being the player opposing offenses wanted to test least when facing the Chiefs. The 6-foot-3 outside stopper became the rare high-end starter to sign a third contract before turning 30, and he and 2015 surprise Amerson give the secondary a vital talent infusion. Hayden, T.J. Carrie and Neiko Thorpe functioning in the Nos. 3-5 roles at corner instead of as the team’s top trio should fit the holdovers’ skill sets better.

Woodson did not see his production tail off to the degree most 39-year-old talents’ have, and the Raiders are going to miss the future Hall of Famer. Nelson was one of the few players involved in more turnovers than Woodson last season. En route to Pro Bowl acclaim, the 32-year-old Nelson tied Peters by intercepting an NFL-high eight passes, and the former Jaguars first-rounder recovered two fumbles.

No one will confuse Nelson of matching his free safety predecessor’s instincts, especially after Woodson snared five INTs and recovered four fumbles at 39. But the Raiders needed a veteran presence on their back line since Nate Allen‘s standing within the organization plummeted after an injury-marred 2015 and a subsequent release/re-signing. Nelson’s two-year deal seems reasonable for a talented player who will be 34 at its conclusion.

It’s debatable Aldon Smith will play for the Raiders in 2016, but the team clearly felt confident he’d return to some semblance of his All-Pro form. The former first-round pick and first-team All-Pro could conceivably be a difference-making presence down the stretch for a Raiders team that’s enhanced its pass rush. Mack, Irvin, and Smith could form a NASCAR package-style look of their own in select sequences, providing Smith’s reinstatement — set for Nov. 17 at the earliest (Week 10) — unfolds smoothly. That’s no lock, as Josh Gordon and several others can attest.

The Raiders allocated most of their prime resources to defensive upgrades but made their biggest financial commitment to Osemele. With Gabe Jackson already in the fold, Oakland’s need at guard didn’t match the ones that existed on defense. But the Raiders had more than $70MM in cap space to start the offseason. This signing should make their offensive line one of the game’s best. Oakland saw four of its five linemen receive quality grades from Pro Football Focus, with J’Marcus Webb at right guard being the only outlier.

The franchise immediately signed Osemele to fix a weak spot and made the fifth-year player by far the highest-paid guard in the league. The former second-round pick is basically on his own tier as far as guards go, with his $11.7MM-per-year deal nearly $4MM clear of the second-highest-paid guard, the Eagles’ Brandon Brooks ($8MM), in terms of AAV. The Raiders’ cap situation allowed them to frontload Osemele’s contract, and his $13.2MM 2016 cap number sits north of every other offensive linemen by at least $1MM.

Osemele, 27, will return to what has been his best NFL position, left guard, relocating Jackson to the right side for the first time as a pro. The Ravens used Osemele at left tackle down the stretch last season and likely inflated his value. One of the best run-blockers in the league will help Murray attempt to replicate his quality 2015 season, but for a bit in March it wasn’t yet known which position Osemele would play.

Donald Penn‘s decision to re-sign in Oakland, where he’d played well on a below-market contract the past two years to earn a rare raise at age 33, made sure Osemele would begin his Raiders tenure as a guard. Penn increased his value after two solid years with the Raiders but didn’t end up signing for that much more than he did when he inked a two-year, $9.6MM accord in 2014. So, the Raiders will be paying for the final years of the left tackle’s career in all likelihood but had the money to retain their only notable expiring contract.

The Raiders’ O-line now consists of four veteran contracts (Penn, Osemele, Rodney Hudson, and Austin Howard), with three of those representing top-10 money at their respective positions. Oakland’s payroll now houses an incredible imbalance between homegrown draftees and outside hires. The top nine figures on the Raiders’ 2016 cap sheet are allotted payments to hired guns acquired in the past three years, with Cooper and Mack’s coming in at 10th and 11th, respectively. This became possible due to poor drafting for several years in the late 2000s and early 2010s and several UFAs leaving in that span, Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston among them.

This spring’s spending spree gave the Raiders a nucleus that will be tethered to their plans for the next few years, and while the commitment proved extensive, their starting lineup can now measure up with the Broncos’ and Chiefs’ first units as the franchise hopes to compete with its top rivals.

Click here to read more about the Raiders’ offseason..

Lorenzo Alexander, LB
Larry Asante, S
Khalif Barnes, OL
Tony Bergstrom, C
Thomas Gafford, LS
Shelby Harris, DE: Waived
Curtis Lofton, LB: Released
Benson Mayowa, DE: Declined to match Cowboys’ RFA offer sheet
Taylor Mays, S
Jeremy Ross, WR
Rod Streater, WR
Justin Tuck, DE: Retired
J’Marcus Webb, OL
Charles Woodson, S: Retired

While the offseason quickly became about what the Raiders acquired compared to what departed, the franchise did lose one of its best players ever in Woodson. The 39-year-old maintained a high level of play for longer than about anyone in league annals and stands as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL’s 97-season history. Pro Football Focus rated Woodson as its No. 28 safety last season, but he booked his ninth Pro Bowl berth 17 years after his first. The former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round Raiders draft choice in 1998 held an overmatched Oakland secondary together as the unit cycled through safeties and attempted to get by with just one dependable corner.

Tuck was set to be an unrestricted free agent after being one of the few Raider free agent success stories in many years. Although his most memorable Raiders moment may have come when he called a timeout and admonished Sio Moore and Khalil Mack for being well offsides while celebrating a late-game sack in 2014, Tuck delivered on the field when he was healthy for his second NFL employer. He registered five sacks in 2014 and played well through five games before suffering a season-ending chest injury.

Neither Lofton nor Webb turned out to produce much for the Raiders, the former being benched despite signing a three-year contract last year and the latter being the team’s worst starting lineman. One year after coming to the Raiders for $18MM, Lofton remains unsigned. The former Saint’s deal did not feature any guaranteed money coming after the first season, so the Raiders escaped relatively unscathed. Webb looks to now start for the Seahawks, who despite their success appear to have a far worse offensive line than the Raiders.

While the Raiders added Kelechi Osemele as a high-profile guard replacement, they’ll likely turn to second-year player Ben Heeney as their first choice to succeed Lofton at middle linebacker. The 2015 fifth-rounder started in three games down the stretch for the Silver and Black, who did not address the position until the sixth round of the draft. The Raiders are in need of a linebacker to join Malcolm Smith on passing downs, a role that’s become more relevant than starting middle linebacker.

Trades:

Acquired a 2016 fourth-round pick (No. 100) from the Browns in exchange for a 2016 fourth-round pick (No. 114) and a 2016 fifth-round pick (No. 154).

Draft picks:

1-14: Karl Joseph, S (West Virginia)
2-44: Jihad Ward, DE (Illinois)
3-75: Shilique Calhoun, DE (Michigan State)
4-100: Connor Cook, QB (Michigan State)
5-143: DeAndre Washington, RB (Texas Tech)
6-194: Cory James, LB (Colorado State)
7-234: Vadal Alexander, OL (LSU)

A hard-hitting safety, Joseph fills a key void for the Raiders, with the franchise not having much to build around long-term on its back line. Reggie Nelson will be 33 in September, and the 28-year-old Nate Allen no longer has long-term security after the events of this offseason. The 22-year-old Joseph did not suit up for the Mountaineers after their fourth game last season. His torn meniscus could well keep Allen in the Raiders’ starting lineup early, with the team likely not being in a rush to install Joseph as a full-time player until he’s ready.

Known more for his tackling ability, Joseph was having a career year in terms of forcing turnovers. The eventual No. 14 overall pick intercepted five passes in less than four full games for West Virginia in 2015, eclipsing his total from the previous three years combined. It’s been several years since the Raiders possessed a young safety they could build around; Tyvon Branch represented the last notable qualifier here. But the current Cardinals defender’s injury troubles sidetracked his Raiders tenure.

Joseph should be a starter alongside Nelson before long, with a healthy Allen potentially being a key charge as a third safety for a team that has questions at its nickel and dime spots. Using the formerly durable Eagles safety as a dime defender could help the Raiders the same way Branch did for the similarly cornerback-strapped Chiefs last season.

Ward and Calhoun will arrive at Raiders camp with disparate Big Ten resumes. An Illinois product whom many considered a reach in Round 2, Ward played two seasons with the Fighting Illini after transferring from a junior college. He made 104 total tackles (13 for loss) in 2014-15 despite coming into last year with knee problems. Ward could be of use for the Raiders as a run defender and, after some development from a prospect labeled as fairly raw, serve as an interior pass-rusher in 4-3 sets or reside as a five-technique end when Oakland shifts into 3-4 looks.

Calhoun, conversely, looks closer to a finished product after his Spartans career ended with 27 sacks and 44 TFLs. Calhoun won’t be asked to start, but his edge-rushing acumen — one that induced Pro Football Focus to bestow its second-best pass-rushing grade among edge defenders upon him in 2015 — could make him a weapon off the bench behind Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. Oakland will likely ask its third-rounder to serve in a similar capacity Denver deployed 2015 first-rounder Shane Ray — as a fresh rusher to spell its starters.

Oakland bypassed apparent needs at running back and inside linebacker in order to take Calhoun’s teammate, one who became the rare college talent known for his lack of captain status. Cook fell to the fourth round and now does not look to have an avenue to a starting job barring a trade. Once thought to be a potential second-round pick and a target for quarterback-needy franchises, the former Michigan State passer now could loom as trade bait similar the way Kirk Cousins was once viewed after going three rounds after Robert Griffin III in 2012. However, the Raiders appear to have upgraded their backup spot. Cook should usurp “Moxy” Matt McGloin this season once he becomes somewhat comfortable and give Oakland more insurance behind Derek Carr.

The Raiders waiting until the fifth round to take a running back showed belief in Latavius Murray, an impending free agent. They will almost certainly install Murray behind an improved offensive line in hopes the blocking enhancements will boost the run game. After catching 124 passes for 1,091 yards with the aerial-based Red Raiders, Washington could grow into a passing-down back should he prove adept at pass-blocking — an area in which many rookies struggle. But Murray, who is looking to become the first Raider to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons since Marcus Allen in 1984-85, appears to have avoided immediate competition as pushes the Raiders (or another team) for a lucrative deal.

Extensions and restructures:

David Amerson, CB: Extended through 2020. Four years, $38MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $4.5MM available through escalators and incentives.

Merely ten months after arriving in Oakland as a waiver claim, Amerson proved to be the team’s most consistent corner. The Raiders’ drafted talents here have not panned out, and the franchise’s decision-makers recognized that this offseason and have invested in two long-term options. Amerson’s deal also appears to be a pay-as-you-go proposition, protecting the team in case the 6-1 corner reverts to the ways that induced Washington to waive him last September.

This extension gave the former second-round Redskins pick a $1MM base salary for 2016, but more importantly a $3MM roster bonus. That essentially quadruples Amerson’s ’16 income during what would have been a contract year. But, with the deal including just $5.5MM in full guarantees, Amerson still enters this season with a chance of being cut next offseason should he regress. His 2017 salary of $6.5MM becomes guaranteed on the third day of the next league year, with a $5.5MM ’18 base structured identically a year later.

Amerson did not bet on himself in the traditional sense, eschewing a contract and joining what now looks like a talented cornerback free agent class before extensions are signed. But he’s banking on 2015 being a turning point and not an aberration. Still, the 24-year-old corner took the money early, and if he proves to be a good fit for the Raiders’ man-based scheme again this season, the Raiders will be happy to pick up those figurative option years and trigger those additional guarantees. Because they’d be getting a quality No. 2 corner in that event for less than $7MM AAV. As the cap continues to rise, that’s a favorable scenario for the team.

Other:

Were denied opportunity to relocate to Los Angeles and are now considering other cities.
Extended general manager Reggie McKenzie through 2021 draft.
Declined 2017 fifth-year option for CB D.J. Hayden ($8.026MM).
Learned LB Aldon Smith checked himself into rehab.
Signed 13 undrafted rookie free agents following the draft.

Aside from the Raiders’ talent boost this offseason, the biggest Raiders story in 2016 thus far has been where their long-term headquarters will be.

Near the offseason’s outset, the Raiders hoped their joint effort with the Chargers for a Carson, Calif.-stationed stadium would win out, but the owners approved the Rams’ Inglewood venue instead and gave the Chargers first dibs on joining them in Los Angeles. The Raiders stand to get another crack at L.A. chance if the Bolts pass on that offer by January of 2017 and Mark Davis‘ franchise became loosely connected to San Antonio and San Diego at different times. But, another possible destination has emerged.

Could Las Vegas really be an NFL city? Sin City quickly transformed from an afterthought to a serious threat to steal the Raiders, progressing much further in its pursuit of finalizing a stadium plan than the team’s current city has. Davis has pledged to move his team to Vegas if the city approves a stadium, putting Raiders fans in a strange spot.

Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf has held firm on not using public funds to finance a long-term Bay Area home for the Raiders, who returned to Oakland in 1995, yet still play in the same stadium they used for much of their previous stay in northern California. Open since 1966, O.co Coliseum will house the Raiders again in 2016 after the team signed another one-year lease to stay there. While Oakland doesn’t have much established in terms of financial parameters of securing a Raiders venue, the Southern Nevada Tourism and Infrastructure Committee is determining how money will be distributed for a stadium that could surpass $2 billion in total costs. The SNTIC has until Sept. 30 to send a plan to Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, with the only hangup being how much public money (largely be collected via hotel tax) will be used to finance this project.

While most owners have not come out publicly on a Vegas NFL team, influential leaders like Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft have voiced support for Davis and shown flexibility on a team’s relocation into the nation’s gambling mecca. It looks closer than ever a team will move there, with Davis now having distanced himself from Los Angeles. Those talks could pick up again should either the SNTIC not complete a plan or if 24 owners don’t approve a move. But the Chargers are also mired in potentially futile stadium talks after a California Supreme Court decision stands to severely limit a November measure for a downtown stadium’s chances of passing.

Dean Spanos already agreed in principle to join Stan Kroenke and the Rams in Inglewood, so there’s still a chance the musical chairs game ends with the Raiders in Oakland beyond 2016. But Vegas has gained sufficient steam and could well put the owners to a vote. The Bay Area already having the 49ers could be seen as a boon for LV’s prospects since this would represent a foray into a new market, albeit one that isn’t among the top 40 in the country. But the Raiders could be a rare and awkward position this season of having playoff aspirations as a relocation looms. No team since the 1970 merger has moved on the heels of a playoff campaign.

Other offseason decisions did not involve as much drama. The Raiders passed on Hayden’s fifth-year option after the former No. 12 overall pick underwhelmed considerably in his first three Oakland slates. Hayden’s 2017 salary would have been top-20 cornerback money as of now, and the supplanted starter has not lived up to that status yet. He’ll play out a contract year in 2016 as a result. Hayden looks to enter training camp as the Raiders’ top nickel option, but the more versatile T.J. Carrie could usurp him there as well. A Houston product who suffered a frightening injury during Cougars practice in 2012, Hayden looks set for his final Oakland season.

The team, though, extended the GM who drafted Hayden. As the Raiders sit on the precipice of potential contention for the first time in ages, they agreed to an extension with their architect. Al Davis‘ decision-making successor remade the Raiders over the past five years, with his most noticeable upgrades coming over the past three. Drafting Khalil Mack, Derek Carr and Gabe Jackson in 2014 and adding Amari Cooper a year later, McKenzie has stockpiled better young cornerstones than the Raiders have possessed in decades. Signing the likes of Rodney Hudson, Dan Williams and Michael Crabtree paid off last year, and McKenzie’s much-publicized 2016 haul made bigger headlines.

The Raiders are now operating like a stable organization after years of mismanagement. McKenzie’s second head-coaching hire, Jack Del Rio, comes with a pedigree of lifting teams to the playoffs as a head coach and elevating defenses as a DC over the past 10+ years. A 53-year-old GM who spent 18 years with the Packers, McKenzie will now have a chance to see his operation through, no matter where the Raiders decide to play. They don’t have the wins to show for it yet, but the Raiders are in far better shape than they were prior to McKenzie’s arrival.

Smith’s unspecified trip to rehab only seems to further diminish his chances at making a notable contribution to the Raiders this season. There is no guaranteed money on his two-year deal, protecting the team in the event the talented 26-year-old pass-rusher cannot overcome these off-the-field issues. McKenzie indicated the Raiders will not bail on Smith but also noted the former University of Missouri standout has an “uphill battle” ahead of him. Smith’s only started more than eight games in a season once, in 2012, and produced 19.5 sacks that year. That’s tied for the 12th-most in any season since sacks became a stat, but his top form hasn’t surfaced in years. Smith’s teetering on what-if terrain.

Top 10 cap hits for 2016:

Kelechi Osemele, G: $13,200,000
Bruce Irvin, LB: $12,500,000
Michael Crabtree, WR: $11,000,000
Sean Smith, CB: $11,000,000
Rodney Hudson, C: $7,700,000
Dan Williams, DT: $7,500,000
Donald Penn, T: $6,100,000
Reggie Nelson, S: $6,000,000
Austin Howard, T: $5,900,000
Amari Cooper, WR: $5,150,709

The Raiders look to have amassed enough talent to make a legitimate challenge for the playoffs in a division that, after years of mostly Broncos dominance, could be highly competitive this season. They’ll be attempting this ascent under the backdrop of what could well be an acrimonious season amid relocation drama, but the Raiders appear to be situation well on the field for a change. They have a core group of performers on the books for at least two more years. Given the statuses of their cornerstone players, the Silver and Black should be primed to contend in the near future.

However, Oakland has not proven much with this group yet on the field. Denver still should deploy one of the league’s best defenses, and Kansas City probably has the most balanced team in the division after advancing to the playoffs in two of the past three years and not losing what the Broncos did offensively. The Raiders are in position to make some noise at long last, and this season will go a ways toward determining how prescient the front office’s investments were over the past three years.

Information from Over the Cap, Spotrac, and Roster Resource was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Beat: Adam Teicher On The Chiefs

August 1st, 2016 at 9:36am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Now, we continue the series by discussing the Chiefs with Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. You can follow Adam on Twitter @adamteicher and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: Heading into the offseason, I think a lot of people were expecting Eric Berry and the Chiefs to hammer out an extension before the July 15 deadline. Were you surprised when no deal was struck?

Adam Teicher: Many people assumed that the Chiefs and Berry would come to a last-minute agreement because that’s what happened last year with franchise player Justin Houston. But the Chiefs weren’t as motivated to get a long-term deal done with Berry as they were with Houston. While they feel Berry is a good player and has many intangible qualities that make them a better team, they don’t feel he is indispensable, as they thought with Houston. So, in that light, no is the answer to the question. The Chiefs weren’t going to meet Berry’s price, but they did with Houston.

Zach Links: Berry rightly views himself as one of the league’s very best safeties, but the two sides were said to be miles apart on terms. Do you think Berry is taking any of this personally?

Adam Teicher: It’s hard to know what Berry is thinking because he’s kept to himself publicly through the whole process. The fact he has yet to accept the Chiefs’ mandatory one-year contract offer, his only option at this point to play for them this season, would indicate he’s not happy with his predicament.

Zach Links: Ultimately, do you think Berry will sign a long-term deal to stay in Kansas City?

Adam Teicher: It’s difficult to see that at this point. If the Chiefs weren’t willing to satisfy him with a long-term offer this year, why would they do it next year? Perhaps things will change in that regard this season but I don’t think they will.

Click here to continue reading about the Chiefs..

Zach Links: The Chiefs focused on keeping their own guys in-house this offseason, but they did make a splash in free agency when they signed right tackle Mitchell Schwartz to a five-year, $33MM deal. Do you think we’ll see KC’s offensive line improve significantly in 2016?

Adam Teicher: There’s a reasonable chance of that. Schwartz should be a huge upgrade. The Chiefs started nine different offensive line combinations last year, some by necessity because of injuries but some by choice. They were constantly shuffling their starting line combinations in camp last year and things were never settled at many positions. They’ve already settled on their five starters for this year and that continuity should help, too.

Zach Links: Which veterans do you think will be on the bubble when it comes time to trim the roster down to 53? Which unheralded players could surprise people by making the team?

Adam Teicher: Running back Knile Davis and wide receiver/kick returner De’Anthony Thomas will have trouble keeping their jobs. Davis is fourth in line behind Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. The Chiefs don’t need four backs. The Chiefs drafted Tyreek Hill in the fifth round and he’s a similar player to Thomas, who hasn’t been able to stay consistently healthy and produced little for the Chiefs when he was in their lineup, particularly on offense. The Chiefs have a couple of young players in tight end Ross Travis and linebacker Justin March who will likely make the team. Travis has the best chance of making an impact, too. He was a basketball player only at Penn State and is still learning football but the Chiefs have some expectations for him.

Zach Links: In this year’s draft, the Chiefs traded down from No. 28 and tapped Mississippi State defensive lineman Chris Jones in the second round. Did you like that move? What do you think Jones’ ceiling is?

Adam Teicher: Jones should be a productive player, eventually if not immediately. The Chiefs are eager to see him once they’re able to practice in pads. They think he has potential as a pass rusher. He will have to earn whatever playing time he gets this year because the Chiefs are happy with what they’ve been getting from their three starters, Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, and Jaye Howard. But Jones will get some snaps when they give one of the others some rest.

Zach Links: Doug Pederson is in Philly and the Chiefs have turned to Matt Nagy and Brad Childress to serve as co-offensive coordinators. What, if anything, will change in KC’s offense?

Adam Teicher: The biggest change might be in the two-minute offense. The Chiefs have streamlined their two-minute playbook in an effort to improve in an area where they haven’t been very good. Otherwise, not much will change. Andy Reid still has considerable influence over the offense and Childress and Nagy have been with the Chiefs for three years, so they’ve been part of the process in the past.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

PFR Originals: 7/24/16 – 7/21/16

July 31st, 2016 at 3:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content and analysis produced the PFR staff during the past week:

In PFR’s new series The Beat, Zach Links is conducting interviews with beat writers, columnists, and TV personalities about the team that they cover. Zach spoke with four writers this week:
- Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times discussed the Buccaneers, Doug Martin, Dirk Koetter, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Miko/Brent Grimes.
- Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald talked about the Dolphins, Dion Jordan, Arian Foster, Ryan Tannehill, and Adam Gase.
- Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and 1500 ESPN explored the Vikings, Harrison Smith, Laquon Treadwell, Mackensie Alexander, and Cordarrelle Patterson.
- Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News touched on the Bills, Tyrod Taylor, Stephon Gilmore, and Fred Jackson.
PFR has continued to go over each team’s rookie class with the assistance of scouting guru Dave-Te Thomas, who has served as a consultant to NFL teams for multiple decades. Dave covered two clubs last week:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- San Diego Chargers
Meanwhile, PFR has continued to look back at the offseasons for all 32 clubs, examining the major signings, departures, trades, and other notable offseason events for each team. We covered two clubs over the past week:
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
Zach rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links.

The Beat: Vic Carucci On The Bills

July 29th, 2016 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Now, we continue the series by discussing the Bills with Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News. You can follow Vic on Twitter @viccarucci and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: As you reported this week, the Bills and Tyrod Taylor‘s agent have been in frequent contact with regards to a long-term deal. Taylor is a unique case because while he had a strong 2015, he doesn’t have a long track record of success. What sort of deal do you think would make sense for both sides?

Vic Carucci: I could see something that provides Taylor with enough guaranteed money to satisfy him (and, remember, you’re talking about a player who played under sixth-round contract for most of his career as a backup in Baltimore) but also includes enough reasonable incentives to give him a good chance to move into the pay range he desires ($18MM or so) while also protecting the Bills. The biggest concern, for both parties, is the injury risk from Taylor’s inclination to run, so I think that will be a factor as well in how the contract is structured.

Zach Links: To date, the Bills have not been willing to offer Stephon Gilmore the kind of monster long-term deal that he is after. However, a Gilmore extension would probably give Buffalo enough room to extend Taylor. Do you see the Bills and Gilmore working out an extension sometime soon?

Vic Carucci: I don’t. I think he’s locked into the idea of getting a Josh Norman-like deal, and the Bills aren’t going to give him that. The Bills are compensating him fairly for this season, anticipating the scenario of him potentially playing into the final year of his rookie contract. They will see where they stand cap-wise at midseason, and perhaps they could resume what to date have been stalled talks. As far as the impact on Taylor, I think the Bills view it as a separate situation and, depending on how/if it works out with Taylor, there would likely be other contracts adjusted/restructured to accommodate whatever its resolved with the QB, if it’s resolved.

Zach Links: Do you think the Bills made the right pick when they selected Shaq Lawson No. 19 overall? Does his shoulder issue concern you at all in the long run?

Vic Carucci: I liked the pick. The health risk was always on the table, and by having the surgery done in the offseason, it at least creates the possibility of having Lawson available for half the season. Although his absence could adversely impact the hopes of Rex Ryan of an immediately dramatic turnaround for his defense, I think you need to take a longer-term view with Lawson. When healthy, he should be a difference-making pass-rusher for many seasons.

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The Beat: Armando Salguero On The Dolphins

July 28th, 2016 at 11:20am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Today, we continue the series by discussing the Dolphins with Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. You can follow Armando on Twitter @ArmandoSalguero and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: What’s the latest on Dion Jordan? How do you see things playing out in the end?

Armando Salguero: I reported today that the roster bonus to Dion Jordan on the fifth day of camp is a non-issue because he owes them more money than they owe him. He has to return over $3MM in signing bonus which he lost rights to when he was suspended. The Dolphins have to pay Jordan $1.69 million in that roster bonus. So Jordan isn’t getting any money from the Dolphins and he will be with the team during training camp, assuming he is reinstated. How will it play out beyond that? If he wins a spot, he’s on the team. If he doesn’t … He’ll be like all the other players in August that don’t earn a roster spot in training camp. He’ll be looking elsewhere.
Zach Links: Do you think new addition Arian Foster still has some good football left in the tank? Was the Foster signing an indication that the team is less-than-thrilled with Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake?

Armando Salguero: I am told the Dolphins like Ajayi and Drake just fine. But, the team also likes the idea of having a veteran who has shown he’s a quality back when he’s healthy. I see this Dolphins backfield situation as Miami playing the odds. All three players — Foster, Ajayi, Drake — have had injury issues during their careers. The team is hopeful at least a couple of them can remain healthy in 2016. If one of those is Foster, he might be the best bargain, back-of-free agency addition in the division. But, again, only if he casts aside his recent history for being injured and unavailable.

Zach Links: Do you believe that new coach Adam Gase will elevate Ryan Tannehill‘s level of play? What kind of year do you think Tannehill will have in 2016?

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Armando Salguero: I’m not going to predict what type of season or what stats Ryan Tannehill will deliver. There’s a million ways to get that wrong and only one way to be right about that. But I am certain that in Gase, Miami’s starting quarterback has a strong advocate. Gase, I’ve been told, would jump on a grenade for Tannehill if he has to. I know this because Gase told me so. And that is new for Tannehill. He hasn’t gotten that type of security from the Dolphins coaching staff in several years. Gase knows his success depends largely on how well Tannehill plays. It makes sense for the new coach to have his QB’s back. Tannehill knows he’s not had the kind of support Gase is giving and to keep that support, he has to play well and reward the coach. It’s an interesting symbiotic relationship.

Zach Links: At No. 13, the Dolphins were able to draft a player who was widely considered to be one of the very best talents in this year’s class. How do you think Laremy Tunsil will adjust to playing guard in his first NFL season?

Armando Salguero: I think Tunsil will have growing pains, like many other rookies stepping up in level and playing an unfamiliar position. The Dolphins will use him at left guard and he’ll get left tackle reps in training camp as well. I believe when all is said and done, he’ll be the team’s starting left guard and backup left tackle if Branden Albert is injured. The only way that doesn’t happen is if Dallas Thomas plays out of his mind. Thomas says he has a new approach or disposition this year. Worst case scenario, the Dolphins will be better at left guard this year than they were last year, regardless of the player at the spot.

Zach Links: Reshad Jones skipped all of OTAs and the first day of the mandatory June minicamp before ending his holdout. Given that he has two years remaining on his deal, did Jones ever have a chance of forcing the Dolphins’ hand and getting a new deal done this summer?

Armando Salguero: I suppose Jones had a chance to sway the Dolphins to give him more money but that is gone now. He’s going to be reporting to camp and they’re not motivated to pay him right now. This must be said: The Dolphins highly value Jones. They will pay him next year by extending his deal, barring unforeseen issues. But Jones has to perform to par this year. That’s what the holdout was about. Jones wanted more certainty about getting paid in the future regardless of what happened this year.

Zach Links: Do you see the Dolphins improving on their 6-10 record from last season? Do you think they can put themselves in the playoff picture this year?

Armando Salguero: The trillion dollar question! Given that they have not had one training camp practice yet, played one preseason game, or made one roster move, I don’t think it’s possible for me to say the Dolphins will or won’t be in the playoffs. They play in a tough division. They were the worst team in that division last year. That is a steep climb. I think this is a better constructed team. I think this is a better coaching staff, particularly at the top. I don’t know that it will translate to a 10-6ish record. And neither does anyone else.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images and PFR on Instagram.

Offseason In Review: Detroit Lions

July 28th, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions had high hopes for their 2015 campaign after reaching the postseason a year before, but an 0-5 start dashed any playoff chances the club might have had (Detroit’s only win in the first half of the year was an overtime squeaker against the Bears). The second half of the season was much more successful, as the Lions posted a 6-2 record that likely saved head coach Jim Caldwell‘s job. A new front office structure means roster changes, and although much of the coaching staff returns, Detroit looks like a different club heading into the upcoming season after a team legend surprisingly announced his retirement.

Notable signings:

Marvin Jones, WR: Five years, $40MM. $13MM guaranteed.
Haloti Ngata, DT: Two years, $12MM. $6MM guaranteed.
Tahir Whitehead, LB: Two years, $8MM. $4.75MM guaranteed.
Johnson Bademosi, S: Two years, $4.5MM. $2.9MM guaranteed.
Stefan Charles, DT: One year, $1.75MM. $750K guaranteed.
Tavon Wilson, S: Two years, $2.2MM. $500K guaranteed.
Wallace Gilberry, DE: One year, $1.25MM. $340K guaranteed.
Rafael Bush, S: One year, $1.5MM. $250K guaranteed.
Stevan Ridley, RB: One year, minimum salary benefit. $250K guaranteed.
Geoff Schwartz, OL: One year, minimum salary benefit. $200K guaranteed.
Dan Orlovsky, QB: One year, minimum salary benefit. $160K guaranteed.
Tyrunn Walker, DL: One year, $1.6MM. $150K guaranteed. $650K available via incentives.
Don Muhlbach, LS: One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K guaranteed.
Darrin Walls, CB: One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K guaranteed.
Jeremy Kerley, WR: One year, $850K. $50K guaranteed. $300K available via incentives.
Orson Charles, TE: Two years, $1.29MM.
Tim Wright, TE: One year, $815K.
Crezdon Butler, CB: One year, minimum salary benefit.
Andre Caldwell, WR: One year, minimum salary benefit.
Matthew Mulligan, TE: One year, minimum salary benefit.
Andre Roberts, WR: One year, minimum salary benefit.
Zaviar Gooden, LB: One year, $600K.
Anquan Boldin, WR: One year, contract terms unknown.

Given that franchise icon Calvin Johnson formally announced his retirement one day prior to the beginning of the free agent period, the Lions waded into the open market with wide receiver atop their list of needs. And instead of settling for a mid-tier option like Rishard Matthews or Rueben Randle, Detroit struck early and added the top pass-catcher available, inking former Bengals receiver Marvin Jones to a five-year deal worth $40MM. In most offseasons, Jones wouldn’t have been considered the No. 1 WR on the market, but with the Bears’ Alshon Jeffery restricted by the franchise tag, Jones was the best obtainable choice.

The 26-year-old Jones never got an opportunity to be Cincinnati’s primary offensive weapon given the presence of A.J. Green, so it’s difficult to know for certain if he’ll be able to take on that role in Detroit. In his two seasons as a full-time player, Jones has averaged 58 receptions for 764 yards and seven touchdowns, and because Golden Tate is still expected to garner a ton of targets in 2016, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Jones only sees a slight uptick in those numbers. Clearly, other clubs around the league think highly of Jones, as the Lions had to outduel the Browns, the Patriots, and, naturally, the Bengals for his services.

Just yesterday, the Lions signed another pass-catcher, agreeing to terms with veteran receiver Anquan Boldin after meeting with him in June. Even as he ages, Boldin has continued to post solid production — he’s managed at least 65 receptions in each of the past four years, averaging nearly 1,000 yards and five touchdowns during that time. Besides Detroit, the Redskins and the Saints were the only clubs to express known interest in Boldin over the past several months, but he’ll act as a malleable weapon who can play outside and slot receiver in the Lions’ offense.

Detroit also made several smaller additions to its receiver corps, agreeing to deals with Jeremy Kerley, Andre Caldwell, and Andre Roberts. The trifecta are all very similar players, from their work in the slot to their returning ability, but given that Boldin spent most last year on the inside, it’s conceivable that none of the group makes the final roster, even though the Lions’ depth chart is pretty wide open behind the top three. Kerley, for what it’s worth, was the only member of the trio to receive any guaranteed money, but even he only garnered $50K.

None of the three tight ends added on minimum contracts — Matthew Mulligan, Tim Wright, and Orson Charles — figure to make an impact, or even the roster, this season, meaning the only other Lions addition at a skill position was running back Stevan Ridley, whom new general manager Bob Quinn is familiar with given the pair’s time with the Patriots. Ridley, 27, looks to be in a position to make Detroit’s roster after a knee injury limited him in each of the past two seasons. However, the Lions were set to work out free agent Arian Foster before he signed with the Dolphins last week, which indicates that the team isn’t sold on its running backs, so Ridley (and second-year pro Zach Zenner) may have to fight for their jobs during camp.

Like Ridley, offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz signed a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract with the Lions, and also like Ridley, Schwartz was guaranteed a hefty portion of his base salary. As a reminder, the MSB allows a club to pay a veteran player the minimum for a player with his service time, while only taking on the cap charge of a player with two years experience. So while Schwartz, for example, will earn $840K if he makes Detroit’s roster, he’ll only count for $680K ($600K base salary plus an $80K signing bonus) on the Lions’ salary cap.

That $80K bonus figure is the maximum allowable on a minimum salary benefit deal, but the contractual bargaining agreement doesn’t place restrictions on how much base salary a team can guarantee a player. Ridley and Schwartz, then, will each be guaranteed in excess of $200K even though their cap charges will remain relatively small. Of course, when compared against a $155MM salary cap, a savings of $80K or so looks like pennies, but every dollar counts. And it’s a smart strategy by Quinn & Co., because it enables the Lions to woo veteran free agents with financial guarantees without worrying about exorbitant cap hits.

Schwartz, for his part, isn’t in line for a starting position now that Detroit has drafted Taylor Decker, but he’s an extremely valuable asset who can play every spot up front except for center. His only problem over the past few seasons has been his health, as he started only 18 games in two years after signing a free agent contract with the Giants. But in a league where Joe Barksdale (for example) can score $22MM over four years, landing Schwartz for a relative pittance is a steal.

The Lions secured another bargain on the defensive side of the ball, re-signing outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead to a two-year, $8MM deal that includes less than $5MM in guarantees. Non-rush ‘backers aren’t a highly-coveted commodity, but PFR ranked Whitehead as the best free agent among his position group this offseason, and the 26-year-old graded as the No. 14 linebacker in the league in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus. Whitehead, 26, could be playing a new role in 2016, as middle linebacker is now open following the release of Stephen Tulloch.

Detroit’s other additions along the front seven all came up front, as the club re-invested in its defensive line after losing Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and others following the 2014 campaign. A year after sending a fourth-round pick to Baltimore to acquire Haloti Ngata, the Lions re-signed the veteran defensive tackle, inking him to a two-year deal. Ngata, 32, wasn’t quite as effective in 2015 as he’d been in recent seasons, and given that he missed two games with a calf injury, it’s fair to wonder if Ngata is finally slowing down. Detroit handed him a $4MM signing bonus, however, so he has a decent amount of dead money protection that could keep him from being released in the next two years.

Perhaps in an effort to guard against any fall-off on the part of Ngata, the Lions also re-upped fellow interior defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker, and added free agent Stefan Charles from the Bills. The 26-year-old Walker turned down a three-year offer from the Patriots last offseason in favor of a one-year deal from Detroit, but then spent most of the season on injured reserve after suffering a broken fibula. Walker will be healthy for 2016, and along with Charles, he’ll provide depth on the interior as part of a group that includes holdovers Caraun Reid, Khyri Thornton, Gabe Wright, as well as second-round rookie A’Shawn Robinson. Ngata, therefore, should see a decrease in snaps after seeing action on roughly 57% of Detroit’s plays last year.

Along the edge, the Lions signed defensive end Wallace Gilberry, who had spent the past four years with the Bengals. Gilberry was exceptional during in 2013, posting 7.5 sacks while serving as Cincinnati’s third defensive end, but his play dropped off in later seasons when he was asked to take on a larger role. Luckily, Detroit will place him back into a rotation, but Gilberry is now 31 years old, so he can’t be counted on to produce at a high level. As such, I identified the Lions as a possible landing spot for veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, and, if the club can stomach him, controversial defensive end Greg Hardy.

Detroit figures to stage a three-man competition to replace Isa Abdul-Quddus at strong safety, with two free agent signings — Rafael Bush and Tavon Wilson — facing off against fourth-round rookie Miles Killebrew for the starting job. Though Wilson was a Quinn draft pick in New England, Bush probably has the edge in this battle, as he was very effective during his time with the Saints — when he could stay healthy. Bush has ended each of the last two seasons on injured reserve (he played in only one game in 2015), so if he can’t stay on the field, Wilson and/or Killebrew should see plenty of opportunities.

Defensive back Johnson Bademosi doesn’t figure to factor into the starting safety competition, but after inking one of the largest contracts for a special-teamer in league history ($2.9MM guaranteed), he will certainly play an important role. The Lions ranked 13th in special teams DVOA last season, and given that Quinn comes from New England, which consistently ranked in the top-five of ST DVOA, teams is likely an area where the new general manager figures he can improve on the cheap.

Continue reading about the Lions’ offseason…

Isa Abdul-Quddus, S
Joique Bell, RB: Released
Jermelle Cudjo, DT
James Ihedigbo, S
Calvin Johnson, WR: Retired
Jason Jones, DE
Travis Lewis, LB
Rashean Mathis, CB: Retired
Lance Moore, WR
Bear Pascoe, TE
Manny Ramirez, OL
Darryl Tapp, DE
Stephen Tulloch, LB: Released
C.J. Wilson, DT: Released
Josh Wilson, CB

The Lions lost several talented players this offseason, but the retirement of Calvin Johnson clearly stands above the rest. The 30-year-old’s decision to hang up his cleats seemingly came out of nowhere, and Johnson’s choice heavily affected Detroit’s free agent strategy, forcing the club to ink Marvin Jones to a hefty contract while also adding depth options like Anquan Boldin, Andre Roberts, and Jeremy Kerley.

Johnson will retire as the Lions’ all-time leader in receptions (731) receiving yards (11,619) and receiving touchdowns (83). Since leading the NFL with 122 receptions and 1,964 yards in 2012, he had seen his production decline a little. Still, Megatron continued to be one of the league’s more productive pass catchers in 2015, with 88 catches, 1,214 yards, and nine touchdowns, making his retirement announcement all the more unexpected.

Joique Bell, meanwhile, didn’t have the storied Lions history that did Johnson, but he was still an inspiring story, battling for a roster spot as an undrafted free agent and ultimately scoring 22 touchdowns over four seasons in the Motor City. But his age-29 season was his worst year to date, as he battled injuries and only managed 3.5 yards per carry on 90 attempts. Detroit moved on, adding Stevan Ridley to fill the power back role, but Bell has claimed he has several free agent offers on the table.

Veterans Lance Moore and Manny Ramirez played relatively meaningful snaps for the Lions last season, as Moore saw 43 targets as a slot receiver, while Ramirez saw action at both guard positions in addition center. Neither will be back with the Lions in 2016, and Ramirez won’t be playing for anyone, as he announced his retirement after initially signing with the Bears this offseason. Moore, who hasn’t been productive since 2012, could soon follow Ramirez into retirement, as he hasn’t garnered any known interest since free agency began.

Aside from Johnson, few of the Detroit’s losses on the offensive side of the ball were notable, but that’s not the case on defense. Isa Abdul-Quddus‘ defection to Miami will probably hurt the most, as the 26-year-old graded out as the No. 21 safety in the league last year (per Pro Football Focus) after taking a starting job from James Ihedigbo midseason. However, given that the Dolphins handed Quddus a three-year deal that will pay him more than $4MM per year, it’s not a surprise that the Lions declined to match the offer. Detroit is already paying fellow defensive back Glover Quin $4.7MM annually, and Abdul-Quddus could prove to be a risky investment given that he’s really only posted a half-season’s worth of production.

As noted, Ihedigbo lost his starting role last midway through last year, and there’s been no indication that he’ll reunite with the Lions at any point before the season begins (though he is confident he will find a landing spot soon). The 32-year-old Ihedigbo was excellent during the 2014 campaign, but quickly pushed for a new contract following that season, which could have rubbed Detroit management the wrong way.

Two other defensive backs — Rashean Mathis and Josh Wilson — also won’t return to Detroit next year after dealing with injuries last season. Mathis and Wilson only played in a combined 15 games last season, as the former battled concussions while the latter suffered a knee issue. Mathis, who turns 36 next month, announced his retirement earlier this year, ending a 13-year career that saw him earn 165 starts. Third-year pro Nevin Lawson, who took over at corner after Mathis went down, figures to act as the starter opposite Darius Slay in 2016.

While Mathis was able to end his career ceremoniously, the same adverb can’t be used to describe how the Lions handled veteran linebacker Stephen Tulloch over the past several months. Reports as far back as February indicated that Tulloch would be released when the new league year began in March, but Detroit took no action until early July, waiting until the 31-year-old could pass a physical so that it wouldn’t have to pay him a $1.1MM in injury protection. All told, the Lions cleared out $6MM in cap space by cutting Tulloch, who’d been with the club since 2011.

Up front, Detroit is losing three veteran defenders — Darryl Tapp, Jason Jones, and C.J. Wilson — who played more than 1,000 combined snaps in 2015. Of the trifecta, Jones’ loss is the most consequential, given that he saw the most action and was the most effective, but Tapp was also a quality run-defender last year. All three have since found new homes, as Tapp and Wilson signed with the Saints while Jones joined the Dolphins.

Trades:

Acquired LB Jon Bostic from the Patriots in exchange for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick.

Jon Bostic was traded for the second time in eight months, and this time around he’ll head back to the NFC North, the division where he began his career as a second-round pick of the Bears. The easy connection here is the Patriots, as Bostic is one of several former New England players — along with Stevan Ridley, Tavon Wilson, and Matthew Mulligan — brought in by former Pats pro scouting director Bob Quinn, who is now Detroit’s general manager.

Now that longtime Lion Stephen Tulloch has been released, Detroit’s linebacking unit with have a slightly different look going forward. Former All Pro DeAndre Levy is healthy again and will man the weak side, while Tahir Whitehead is expected to move to the middle to replace Tulloch. Former second-round pick Kyle Van Noy is the favorite to take over on the strong side, leaving Josh Bynes and Bostic to compete for time as reserves.

Both Bynes and Bostic figure to make Detroit’s 53-man roster, not only because they’re cheap, but because they both offer special teams value. Bynes played over 50% of the Lions’ ST snaps last year, while Bostic has averaged about a third of special teams snaps over his career. Detroit essentially acquired Bostic for nothing, and on the outside chance that he’s forced to contribute in 2016, the Lions could reap a compensatory pick when Bostic hits the free agent market next spring.

Draft picks:

1-16: Taylor Decker, T (Ohio State)
2-46: A’Shawn Robinson, DT (Alabama)
3-95: Graham Glasgow, C (Michigan)
4-111: Miles Killebrew, S (Southern Utah)
5-151: Joe Dahl, T (Washington State)
5-169: Antwione Williams, LB (Georgia Southern)
6-191: Jake Rudock, QB (Michigan)
6-202: Anthony Zettel, DT (Penn State)
6-210: Jimmy Landes, LS (Baylor)
7-236: Dwayne Washington, RB (Washington)

Detroit was a popular landing spot for Taylor Decker in mock drafts, and the Lions got their man when draft day came. Decker appears to be the favorite to start at left tackle, which would mean incumbent blindside protector Riley Reiff is ticketed for the right side. Quietly, Detroit’s offensive line is adding talent, and will now field first-rounders at both tackle spots and left guard (Laken Tomlinson), while Larry Warford — who’s been excellent during his first three years in the league — holds down right guard.

Center, meanwhile, looked to be a question mark after the Lions selected the local Graham Glasgow in the third round, but recent reports have indicated that third-year pro Travis Swanson is still taking first-team reps this offseason. That could certainly change down the road, especially if Swanson plays as poorly as he did last year, when he ranked among the bottom-10 centers in the league, according to PFF.

Aside from Decker, the Detroit rookies with the best chances at playing time in 2016 are A’Shawn Robinson and Miles Killebrew, each of whom will vie for snaps on the defensive side of the ball. Robinson is the favorite to start on the interior next to Haloti Ngata, but will likely split time with Caraun Reid, Tyrunn Walker, and Stefan Charles, while Killebrew is a candidate to start at safety if he can beat out Rafael Bush and/or Tavon Wilson.

Other:

Hired Bob Quinn as general manager to replace Sheldon White (interim) / Martin Mayhew.
Exercised 2017 fifth-year option for DE Ezekiel Ansah ($12.734MM).
Exercised 2017 option for kicker Matt Prater.
Signed 12 undrafted rookie free agents following the draft.

New general manager Bob Quinn comes to the Lions from the Patriots, with whom he had spent his entire 16-year NFL career, working his way up from scout to to become New England’s director of pro scouting, a title he’d held since 2012. It’s easy to assume that every Patriots personnel executive that lands a GM job is going to be the next Bill Belichick in terms of cap and roster management, but former New England front office members have just as spotty a track record as do ex-Pats assistant coaches.

Scott Pioli, for example, only helped lead the Chiefs to one postseason appearance during his four-year run during Kansas City, and has now joined fellow ex-Patriot Thomas Dimitroff in Atlanta. Dimitroff, for his part, has posted the most success of any former New England employee, as the Falcons won nine or more games during his first five seasons with the club, but the last three years have been a struggle. Jason Licht has the Buccaneers moving in the right direction, while former Pats college scouting director Jon Robinson is entering his first season with the Titans.

All of which is to say that Quinn isn’t a lock to experience success simply because he has Patriots lineage. But one of his first (and most important) decisions will be how to handle negotiations with pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah, who is under team control through 2017 courtesy of the fifth-year option.

Viewed as a high-risk prospect coming out of BYU, “Ziggy” has reached his potential and more, posting 30 sacks during his first three years in the league, 12th-most among defensive linemen in the first three years of their careers since the merger. He’ll look to break the bank when he reaches free agency, and the only hindrance in talks might be his age. Ansah entered the league at age-24, so he’ll already be 29 when he becomes a free agent for the first time, and 30 if the Lions use the franchise tag in 2018.

Detroit’s decision to pick up its 2017 option on kicker Matt Prater didn’t change much for the veteran. He’ll receive $750K as a bonus instead of base salary this season, and his contract for next year isn’t guaranteed. As such, the Lions could easily cut bait next offseason, but they’ll have no reason to if Prater performs as well as he did in 2015. After beginning the season with a few shaky contests, Pratter settled down and ended up making 21-of-26 field goal attempts.

Top 10 cap hits for 2016:

Matthew Stafford, QB: $22,500,000
Calvin Johnson, WR: $12,916,000 (dead money)
Riley Reiff, T: $8,070,000
DeAndre Levy, LB: $7,650,000
Glover Quin, S: $7,577,500
Stephen Tulloch, LB: $7,300,000
Golden Tate, WR: $7,101,250
Marvin Jones, WR: $6,600,000
Ezekiel Ansah, DE: $5,916,433
Brandon Pettigrew, TE: $4,650,000

With no Calvin Johnson on the roster for the first time since 2006, Detroit’s offense will change, and quarterback Matthew Stafford will likely spread the ball out a bit more as the team looks to find its footing. The Lions’ defense could prove to be the more important unit, however, as the club needs to maintain its success on that side of the ball if it has any hope of competing with the Packers and Vikings in the NFC North.

Information from Over the Cap, Spotrac, and Roster Resource was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Beat: Darren Wolfson On The Vikings

July 27th, 2016 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with journalists from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Today, we continue the series by discussing the Vikings with Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and 1500ESPN. You can follow Darren on Twitter @DWolfsonKSTP and check out his podcast here.

Zach Links: The Vikings made Harrison Smith the highest-paid safety in the NFL when they inked him to a five-year, $51MM+ extension this offseason. Do you think that will prove to be a smart deal for Minnesota in the long run?

Darren Wolfson: I do. At 27, he’s still in the prime of his career, and his work ethic is elite. The behind-the-scenes words on him are all incredibly positive. I can’t recall hearing a bad word about Smith. He can play close to the line scrimmage, or dominate in coverage. If you just look at the tangible numbers, he’s the only player since 2012 with 300+ tackles, 5+ sacks, 10+ interceptions, and 4+ interceptions returned for touchdowns. Go beyond those numbers and use analytics, and he grades out to be a top-3 safety in the entire NFL. By the way, he’s been able to dominate with a revolving door at the safety spot next to him.

Zach Links: In March, few would have believed that Laquon Treadwell would fall outside the top 20 and be the fourth wide receiver to come off the board in the draft. Do you think Treadwell will ultimately prove to be the best WR in the 2016 class? Where do you think the ceiling is for him?

Darren Wolfson: Best? I’m leaning towards saying no. But I think he will help a team that so desperately needs it in the passing game. I think he’s a good match for QB Teddy Bridgewater with Teddy’s strengths lying in the short to intermediate routes. His measurable show that he lacks top-end explosion and speed. That’s why I hesitate to say he’ll prove to be the best. What he appears to be good at is stopping on a dime in the middle of the field. He gets off the line of scrimmage well, per scouts I’ve talked to and Vikings personnel, and I’d wager that he’ll be able to create enough separation from DBs to be a useful weapon.

Zach Links: Aside from Treadwell, which Vikings rookies are you most excited about?

Darren Wolfson: Second round pick Mackensie Alexander has an unbelievable back story, which makes him easy to root for. Most scouts I talked to thought he’d go late first, so to get him at pick No. 54 seems like a steal. Keep in mind that head coach Mike Zimmer, 2015 first round pick Trae Waynes aside and I wouldn’t give up on him, is a genius when working with cornerbacks. Zimmer’s lengthy history speaks for itself. I keep hearing good things about tight end David Morgan, who they grabbed in the sixth round. I’d wager on fifth round pick, linebacker Kentrell Brothers, making the team. He can help out on special teams. The most publicized draft pick, sixth round receiver Moritz Boehringer, would benefit greatly from a year on the practice squad.

Zach Links: Cordarrelle Patterson has been a source of frustration for Vikings fans and fantasy owners alike. Is 2016 the year that the talented wide receiver puts it all together, or will he be overshadowed by the team’s other talented WRs?

Darren Wolfson: I need to see it to fully believe it. But GM Rick Spielman and others with the Vikings have been singing Patterson’s praises all offseason, probably more so than any other player. Looking at Patterson’s tweets, it certainly looks like he’s busting his butt and realizes that this is likely his last chance to get meaningful snaps. Being in a contract year can serve as great motivation – the Vikings declined to exercise his fifth-year option. His route-running needs work. But whether on end-arounds or in the return game, when he has the ball in open space, the skill-set is extremely visible. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will have to tweak some things and find different ways to get Patterson the ball.

Click here to continue reading about the Vikings..

Impact Rookies: San Diego Chargers

July 27th, 2016 at 9:22am CST by Zachary Links

The old adage that defense wins championships may or may not be true, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a title-winning team that didn’t build heavily through the draft. Rookie classes, naturally, are evaluated on the perceived upside of the NFL newcomers, but which rookies are ready to contribute right out of the gate? And, how do they fit in with their new team schematically?

To help us forecast the immediate future of these NFL neophytes, we enlisted the help of draft guru Dave-Te Thomas who has served as a scouting personnel consultant to NFL teams for multiple decades.

Today, we continue PFR’s Impact Rookie series with his insight on the San Diego Chargers’ draft class:

First Round – Joey Bosa, DE (Ohio State, No. 3 overall)

Is San Diego regretting their draft day surprise? Many felt that Jalen Ramsey was a perfect fit for the Bolts as he could have filled the free safety role. Instead, they passed on the best defensive player in the draft to take defensive end Joey Bosa. As camp approaches, Bosa and the front office are at an impasse over his contract.

Bosa is scheduled to start at left defensive end, where the Chargers let former second round pick, Kendall Reyes, also leave the complex to join Weddle in Baltimore. After a promising rookie year that saw Reyes tally 5.5 sacks, nine stops for loss and nineteen QB pressures, Reyes failed to impress during his three years as a starter, making two sacks and 32 hits through fifteen assignments with the first unit last year.

Bosa was suspended for the 2015 season opener and was slow to get back into his usual “bull in a china shop” self in 2015. Coming off a 12-sack, 21.0-tackle-for-loss 2014 national championship campaign, Bosa saw his numbers dip to five sacks in 2015. He did post sixteen stops behind the line of scrimmage, tying for 15th on the school season-record list, adding fourteen QB pressures. Eight of his tackles in the backfield came on third-down snaps and the opponents were held to a rushing average of 0.43 yards on plays directed at him. He would close out his career third in OSU annals with 26 sacks and fourth with 50.5 tackles-for-loss.

Bosa’s outstanding instincts shined throughout his career. He displays improvement in the strength department, as his body has begun to mature to NFL level. The first thing you notice on film is that he plays with a high motor and has excellent initial quickness to surprise the lethargic offensive lineman. He shows above average balance working down the line and in pursuit. He gains advantage with his sudden moves and change of direction agility, doing a nice job of using his hands and arm extension to avoid low blocks and maintain balance on the move. He is a quick twitch type of player with the natural movement skills to pursue from the backside, shooting the inside gaps, evident by his pass defense performance that flattened Christian Hackenberg on a fourth-and-5 play to secure a victory over Penn State in 2014. He shows good body control working down the line to take an inside gap as a bull rusher. He runs with a long stride, building acceleration nicely. He flashes initial quickness along with sudden explosiveness off the line to surprise a lethargic blocker, and on the move, he is not as quick to redirect.

While Bosa only sealed the deal with five sacks in 2015, he did record fourteen QB chase-downs, including eight on third-down snaps and two on fourth-down plays. While he was effective as a pass rusher in 2014, he really has yet to develop an array of pass rush moves, relying more on his length and raw power to beat blocks on his path to the quarterback. He is known more for that power, but as he matures, he needs to be more efficient with his swim- and rip-move techniques. In any event, he can be an impact player for the Chargers in 2016 – once he gets his contract sorted out.

Read more about the Chargers’ rookie class..

Second Round – Hunter Henry, TE (Arkansas, No. 35 overall)

With Antonio Gates starting to show his age and Ladarius Green bolting to Pittsburgh, the team’s plans for a two-tight end scheme led them to take the best tight end in the draft in the second round. Mackey Award winner, Hunter Henry, is the heir apparent to Gates’ throne, but is already penciled in to play opposite Gates in 2016.

In three seasons with the Razorbacks, Henry has compiled 1,661 yards with nine touchdowns behind 116 receptions (14.32 ypc) that included thirty starting assignments through 38 appearances. He was rated the top tight end in the country coming out of Pulaski Academy, where he snared 107 passes for 1,449 yards and fifteen touchdowns as a senior. The previous year, he delivered 64 grabs for 1,093 yards and sixteen more scores.

While those numbers verify his pedigree as a receiver, Henry is still a work in progress in another critical factor of a tight end’s game – blocking. The Freshman All-American started ten times in 2013, as he grabbed 37 balls for 513 yards and a pair of scores. His yardage total ranked third among major college freshmen tight ends. As a sophomore, he started seven games while delivering 28 receptions for 409 yards and four scores for a predominantly run-oriented offensive team.

In 2015, Henry put it all together and was named as the nation’s top tight end. The All-American and All-Southeastern Conference pick paced Arkansas with 51 receptions, tied for ninth on the school’s overall record chart. The only Razorback tight end to catch more passes in a season was fellow Mackey Award winner, D.J. Williams (54 in 2010 and 61 in 2008).

Henry has soft, large hands and good flexibility to reach high or go low for the tossed ball. He is a natural hands catcher, but will use his body to absorb the ball when working in a crowd with defenders draped all over him. He does a very nice job of catching the ball without having to break stride on slants and posts. He rarely drops the pigskin, but his timing can be off when going for the jump balls, resulting in a good amount of passes getting batted away from him by smaller defenders. If he can iron that out in camp this summer, he’ll take off in the fall.

Third Round – Max Tuerk, C (USC, No. 66 overall)

While ownership and city officials have yet to decide if the Chargers will remain in San Diego, the general manager and his scouting department tried to follow through with their primary mission – improving one of the worst offensive lines in football. They hope they have found a solution at their revolving door at center by snatching away Bears guard Matt Slauson to take over duties in the pivot.

With Slauson’s versatility in mind, he could be just a patchwork fix at the position, especially if third round steal, Max Tuerk is quick to recover from knee woes that sidelined him for the second part of the 2015 schedule. Slauson might have to shift to left guard, as 2015 signee, Orlando Franklin, missed six games with ankle and knee problems last year and also appeared to be out of shape when he was on the field. Center Chris Watt also continues to deal with knee problems that made him an observer following surgery during minicamp.

Teurk’s versatility made him very appealing to NFL teams. If not for a 2014 season slump, followed by a still-recovering-from left knee ligament tear, this big, physical, and aggressive blocker could have gone much higher. As a third round choice, he could turn out to be the “value pick” of the draft at this position. Through 38 career starts for USC, he joined the first unit at center for eighteen games, adding fourteen assignments at left guard, five more at left tackle and one lone start as a right tackle.

Teurk shows adequate foot speed, with good agility and balance playing along the line. His overall strength is well above average for a player at his position and while he was taller than most centers in college, he has good athleticism, body control and change of direction ability for the short pulls. There is some hip stiffness that becomes noticeable when he has to sudden redirect, but he is really explosive coming off the snap and does a fine job of staying low in his pads and shuffling his feet well to mirror. He is the strongest player on the team, and while he can simply rely on his brute strength, he is savvy using his hands well to latch on and ride the defender out when trying to maintain and widen the rush lanes. He does a nice job of adjusting to movement in pass protection and plays with a flat back, demonstrating good balance when trying to recover (what you see on film is that he is sudden in his attack coming off the snap). He is considered a type that can consistently turn his man once he snaps the ball and engages the opponent, as few big interior blockers have his ability to use his hand placement and leg drive to generate movement. He runs with a normal stride and builds his acceleration nicely getting into the second level. He has good body control on the move, and even with some tightness in his hips (mostly seen on long runs), it is rare to see him labor when having to move laterally down the line.

Fifth Round – Jatavis Brown, LB/S (Akron State, No. 175 overall)

Brown is the perfect example of big things coming in small packages. Somehow, the NFL decision makers who put together the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine list did not deem the Zips’ team captain one of the top 330 draft prospects. First, this is a high-level performer who has produced 345 tackles, twice going over the century mark. He recorded eighteen sacks among his 41.5 stops-for-loss and caused ten fumbles in the process while lining up at weak-side outside linebacker.

Yes, his size was an issue, most NFL execs will tell you, as Brown measures in at only 5:10.7 and weighs 227 pounds, not exactly awesome numbers for a second level performer. That is, until you dig deeper. Then, you need to view his Pro Day figures – 1.53 seconds in the 10-yard dash, 2.6 in the 20-yard and 4.44 in the 40-yard dash. Only nine defensive players at the Combine ran faster and they were all defensive backs. The only linebacker in attendance at Indianapolis to run under 4.5 was Ohio State’s Darron Lee (4.47).

The three-time All-Mid American Conference first-team selection was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year last season, as he collected a team-best 116 tackles, establishing school season-records with twelve sacks and twenty stops behind the line of scrimmage. His career total of 41.5 stops-for-loss set the Akron all-time mark. All four of his forced fumbles were recovered and three set up Akron scoring drives last year, as his lone interception also set up a Zips touchdown drive.

Brown lacks ideal height for the linebacker position, but he has a thick, muscular frame with a tight abdomen, broad shoulders, good arm muscle definition, a high, big bubble, thick thighs and calves. He has outstanding closing quickness and timed speed. He has the range to make plays at the opposite end of the field and demonstrates good balance and body control taking on blockers at the point of attack. He is an explosive hitter who stays low in his pads and can slip and avoid blocks when redirecting inside. Brown most likely will be playing with a chip on his shoulder and the opposition will see that right away.

Dave-Te Thomas owns and operates The NFL Draft Report, a service providing insight to league scouting departments for over 40 years. All year round, you can read Thomas’ in-depth reviews of both blue chip prospects and diamonds in the rough by visiting the NFL Draft Report blog.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Impact Rookies: Kansas City Chiefs

July 26th, 2016 at 11:48am CST by Zachary Links

To help us forecast the immediate future of these NFL neophytes, we enlisted the help of draft guru Dave-Te Thomas who has served as a scouting personnel consultant to NFL teams for multiple decades.

Today, we continue PFR’s Impact Rookie series with his insight on the Kansas City Chiefs’ draft class:

It was far from exciting for Kansas City fans when the Chiefs introduced their cache from the recent NFL Draft. While some fans recognized the need to improve the pass protection up front after KC quarterbacks were sacked 46 times last year (tied for sixth worst in the league), rather than bulking up the offensive line, they first cut guard Ben Grubbs, let right tackle Jeff Allen sign a four-year deal with Houston, and then traded away the No. 28 pick to San Francisco, only to see the 49ers take one of the better guard prospects available – Stanford’s Josh Garnett. While the fans were clamoring for a big body in the first round, Kansas City did manage to secure from the 49ers their second round pick (No. 37 overall), a fourth round choice (No. 105), and a sixth round selection (No. 178 through Dallas) in this year’s draft during the exchange.

So what does KC have in Jones and the rest of its 2016 rookie class? Let’s dive in:

Second Round – Chris Jones, DE/DT (Mississippi State, No. 37 overall)

Several teams had Jones pegged as a late first round prospect, but the Chiefs see him as a capable edge rusher with the ability to slide inside when they go to a four-man front. Still, other teams felt that the junior would have been better served remaining in school and continuing his development for another year. In 2014, he posted 26 tackles, but just 3.5 of those stops came from behind the line of scrimmage. He shifted from the weak-side to strong-side tackle last season, picking up second-team All-American honors after he delivered 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 7.5 stops-for-loss.

Jones might not have those eye-catching numbers you expect from an elite prospect, but even with 5.5 sacks combined his last two seasons, the Chiefs felt that he was further along than most of the defensive linemen still left in the draft. They realize that he needs refinement and lacks an array of pass rush moves, but he uses his hands exceptionally well to rip and swim. With his balance, he demonstrates the ability to execute an effective spin move, despite the fact that he tends to get high in his stance (he has a good center of gravity, though).

On film, you see that Jones’ high motor allows him to close in on a ball carrier quickly. Has a lot of range, makes a good portion of his tackles outside the box. With his balance, he gets out in space well, looking like an oversized linebacker. He’s quite light on his feet when he has to be, and you can see that he has that wiggle in his hips needed to make the last second moves to avoid the brunt of a blocker’s punch. When he keeps a low pad level, he generates much better explosion off the snap, but when he fails to deliver on his initial move, his feet stop and his arms get a little out of control at the point of attack, which allows blockers to get a piece of his jersey.

Still, for a player his size, he does a nice job of fitting into tight spaces. I doubt if he will ever be regarded as a pass rusher, as he is more suited in being a one-gap type of penetrator that can alter the lane of a running back. He must be conscious of low blocks though and has to do a better job of recognizing double teams, as failure to do so will result in Jones being driven back by that strong double team duo. In one-on-one battles, it is a completely different story, as the Bulldog uses his long arms and powerful hands to make it very difficult for a blocker to lock on to him, especially when he shows confidence in the power he delivers out his hands and arms.

Continue reading about the Chiefs’ rookie class..

Fourth Round – Parker Ehringer, G/T (Cincinnati, No. 105 overall)

Ehringer will welcome a return home with the Chiefs, as he was forced to play out of position at left tackle for the Bearcats last season. With Jeff Allen leaving for the Texans and Zach Fulton, a 2014 sixth-round find, having big issues in pass protection last year, Ehringer will enter camp penciled in as the team’s starting left guard. Gone from the roster is former Pro Bowler, Ben Grubbs, as the team parted ways with the veteran after the 2015 season that saw Kansas City allow 46 sacks, the sixth-worst figure in the NFL.

Ehinger is a very smart and physical football player who excels in the run game. He shows good awareness to identify targets when climbing to the second level and does an excellent job moving his feet to sustain as a run-blocker. Where he has shown the most improvement during his junior season was in pass protection, where he did a great job of staying patient in his sets and shuffling his feet as an offensive guard.

Even though the Bearcats utilize the spread and West Coast style offense, the require that their offensive linemen be very physical in their inside run game, and Ehinger gives them flexibility at right guard and both tackle positions, something his NFL team will greatly appreciate, as his versatility will give some pro team good depth, whether inside or out.

Ehinger has average top-end speed, but offers a nice blend of height, weight and power for an offensive guard prospect. Since arriving at Cincinnati, he has added good weight and gotten much stronger during collegiate career. Even with the position shifts (played both guard and tackle every year, mostly on the right side), he has stayed positive and gained valuable playing time in that variety of roles.

While Ehinger is never going to win a foot race vs. Usain Bolt, his initial quickness as a guard is better than average, but as a tackle, there are times where he can get beat off the snap when his footwork isn’t sound. You can see on film that the Bearcat possesses large and quick hands in his sets and he can get into the defenders’ pads and lock on with ease. He also shows very good ability to shuffle and mirror to stay in front of pass rushers once engaged.

At tackle, Ehinger can get caught lunging at times, which can make him vulnerable to quicker exterior rushers. Still, he does not panic when getting knocked off balance initially and flashes that innate ability to recover and get back into position. He can sink and anchor to neutralize the bull rush attempt with tremendous force as a guard. In run blocking assignments, he demonstrates the ability to create a sound, initial fit more times than not and can wall off his assignments consistently. He displays quick and compact hands to lock on to defenders. He drives his legs once in position and flashes the ability to drive defenders when he stays low to generate leverage.

Ehinger has an elite inline power base that allows him to overcome stunts and bull rushers while getting excellent movement when his pads do not rise up. He shuffles his feet well upon contact, especially when he stays engaged with blocks and is very effective at playing under control. He takes good angles in space or when climbing to the second level and also displays the ability to adjust on the move to cover up targets in space.

What separates this “man from the boys” is that Ehinger possesses above-average instincts and football I.Q. and while most youngsters are more instinctive as a run blocker than in pass protection at this point, he is generally assignment sound in the run game. You can see that he locates targets at the pre-snap and executes assignments with impressive consistency. He also does a nice job of identifying targets at the second and third level on the move. He constantly keeps his head on a swivel in pass protection. As an offensive tackle, he can be step late getting into position when picking up pressures from the second and third level, but he has the balance and lateral agility to recover.

The former track weight man appears to have above average upper body strength (reports claim he can bench press 225 pounds 32 times) and he plays with that tenacious edge you want in a mauler, as he can deliver the big block when he catches defenders off guard and has become a determined finisher at the point of attack. Simply put, you will never, ever see Ehinger back down from challenges.

Seventh Round – Dadi Nicolas, OLB/DE (Virginia Tech, No. 203 overall)

The Chiefs may have found an impact player for their defense with their final draft pick. Nicolas had a trying senior season, but bounced back with a very impressive week down in Mobile, Alabama during Senior Bowl practices. Injuries forced the 235-pounder to play defensive tackle and end for the Hokies last year and the weight mismatch was evident, as his tackle-for-loss figures dipped to seven and his quarterback pressures were reduced to five.

Nicolas was coming off a 2014 campaign that saw the then rush end/outside linebacker record nine sacks, 27 stops behind the line of scrimmage and an ACC-record 40 QB pressures that led the nation. Then the coaching staff made a very puzzling move and Nicolas would manage only three sacks in 2015. He did close out the year saving the final victory for head coach Frank Beamer’s career. With Tech leading the Independence Bowl with a 55-52 score, Nicolas recorded two sacks during Tulsa’s last-ditch drive, including an eight-yarder on a fourth-down snap to let the Hokies run off the final minute on the clock.

The 2014 season saw Nicolas’ draft stock rise to the second round level, yet, he opted to return to school for his final year. He managed 45 tackles with seven stops for loss and five QB pressures in 2015. Still, nineteen of his stops came on third-down snaps, including thirteen vs. the ground game. Five of those hits were touchdown-saving tackles. Nine stops came on goal-line snaps and on 49 running plays directed at him, runners managed only 11 yards during his senior season.

Faced with a potential drop in his draft stock, Nicolas ventured to Mobile, Alabama for the 2016 Senior Bowl. Hoping to play outside linebacker and show NFL teams his ability to play there, he was relegated to rush end duties. He opened eyes in the weight room, measuring in with the third-longest wing span (82 inches) for any of the 114 players that checked in. He also impressed with his “Mitts” that measured 10 ½-inches.

On the field at the Senior Bowl, Nicolas stood tall. Despite matching up with South squad linemen that outweighed him by as much as one hundred pounds, when scouts started naming top performers for the week, Nicolas drew as much notice as any South defender not named Noah Spence. Now, he might be a very important piece for the Chiefs linebacker unit. Knee problems could see star left outside linebacker Justin Houston sitting out the early part of season, if he continues to have issues in recovery. The team is also facing another possible loss, as right outside linebacker Dee Ford came up with his own knee problems during minicamp.

Nicolas has excellent explosiveness coming off the snap. He shows fluid change of direction agility that is evident in his above average range. He maintains balance working down the line and has the hip flexibility to come of his backpedal and drop back in the zone sharply. He has superb leaping ability and plays with good strength. He can chase the ball down from sideline-to-sideline and utilizes his leaping skills to be disruptive going up or knocking down the ball. His lateral range allows him to flow to the ball with great ease of movement. He stays on his feet working through trash and has the quickness to suddenly close on the ball.

Yes, he is an undersized defensive end and is a better fit for linebacker, due to size issues. The “Will” is a perfect position for the way he plays, as he operates better on the move. He is comfortable making plays in pursuit vs. the run (held the opposition to minus 59 yards on 167 rushing attempts directed at him during his career) and coming off the edge, he generates good heat to pressure the pocket. He has good quickness and keeps his feet on the move, showing the agility and balance in his running stride. He has valid change of direction agility and flexibility, along with good acceleration to close. He has loose hips and runs faster than his timed speed. He has good upper body strength and leg drive. He looks a little stiff in space, but has a good closing burst.

No matter whether he had to battle offensive linemen in the trenches or allowed to “play his game” by moving downhill, Nicolas showed a good nose for the running plays. On 49 plays directed at him, he held runners to 11 yards, making seven stops for loss while impressing with fourteen more hits that leveled runners at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Nicolas shows no hesitation working in-line in attempts to clog the rush lanes, but is susceptible to low blocks, despite having the long wingspan to protect his legs.

As a left defensive end last year, Nicolas was not as productive vs. the inside ruin as he was in the past – when he avoided blocks rather than trying to take on the bigger blockers. He can make plays on the move and shows the burst to close and make plays taking on the fullback. He is quick to read the inside run and step up to take on the offensive lineman or lead back, but lacks the bulk to consistently stack. He has shown improvement staying lower in his pads, as when he got too high in his stance in the past, he did not square up when taking on blocks.

The former Tech star shows good pursuit quickness to the outside and is able to run and work through and around trash. He has the chase speed and takes proper angles to cut off the runner on the outside. He has the balance to keep containment and string plays out, but he must be more alert to side blocks, as he can get latched on to and washed out of the play, especially when his hands get outside his frame. He could have a bright NFL future ahead of him as well as an opportunity-laden NFL present.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Beat: Greg Auman On The Buccaneers

July 26th, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Today, we begin the series by discussing the Buccaneers with Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. You can follow Greg on Twitter @gregauman and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: This offseason, the Bucs retained Doug Martin with a five-year, $35MM+ deal, giving him one of the highest average salaries in the NFL among running backs. Do you expect him to repeat his brilliant 2015 performance? Will the deal prove to be a wise one for the Buccaneers?

Greg Auman: I think the Bucs were smart to keep Martin, and did so without overspending — Martin had made it clear he loved living in Tampa, liked the team around him, but still got a solid contract. I don’t know if Martin will finish second in the NFL in rushing again — having healthier passing options in that offense might cut back on his touches some — but think he can still improve in other areas, like scoring and red zone/goal line efficiency. They’ll continue to use Martin and Charles Sims as a 1-2 combination and I think that really helps take some of the burden off Jameis Winston as well.

Zach Links: Do you think the Bucs should have given Lovie Smith another year at the helm? Are you expecting to see the team improve with Dirk Koetter as head coach?

Greg Auman: I think going into last season, most Bucs fans would have expected to have Lovie Smith back if the team went from 2-14 to 6-10 with a rookie quarterback. I think last year’s team took many steps forward, but for them to be 6-6 and then drop the last four games, for them to have such persistent problems on defense, which was supposed to be what Lovie Smith teams do best, that worked against him in a big way. Having Koetter as an option to name a new coach but still have the continuity around Winston gave them the chance to make a change without everyone starting from scratch. I think the players have responded well to Koetter so far, but you really can’t tell how well he’ll fare until you’ve seen him in a game situation, handling those decisions and making adjustments during games.

Zach Links: The Buccaneers made some big money additions like signing guard J.R. Sweezy and defensive lineman Robert Ayers, but they didn’t shake up the roster as much as other teams did this offseason. What other moves would you have liked to see them make?

Greg Auman: I thought they addressed their biggest needs, especially at defensive end and cornerback, both in free agency and the draft. Adding Sweezy helped offset the retirement of Logan Mankins — they really didn’t have a lot of major personnel losses aside from that. I thought they might add depth at defensive tackle, and they still could do that. Other than that, I think they’ve worked to address what looked to be the most glaring needs on the roster.

Click here to read more on the Bucs..

Zach Links: What 53-man roster battles should fans be keeping an eye on?

Greg Auman: Battles to make the team? Receiver is a good, deep battle for the last few spots — a veteran like Louis Murphy, trying to return from knee surgery, has lots of competition just to stay on the roster. The rookies at linebacker are intriguing, and you could see veterans like offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, defensive end George Johnson, and safety Major Wright pushed out by younger, less expensive options with more upside.

Zach Links: Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins walked off the field during OTAs this summer and went off on Twitter soon after. Later, he apologized for his behavior. Was this a one-off incident or should the Bucs be concerned about Seferian-Jenkins’ level of maturity?

Greg Auman: Seferian-Jenkins hasn’t always had the best actions or reactions, going back to his rookie year. I think he’s working to show his maturity and prove himself to be healthy and reliable — the OTA thing doesn’t have to be more than that. If he’s focused and healthy this fall, it adds a huge dimension to the Bucs’ passing game.

Zach Links: Brent Grimes, who came to the Bucs on a two-year, $14MM deal this offseason, has found himself in the news thanks to his wife’s controversial comments. Given Miko Grimes’ proclivity for speaking out and making waves, do you get the sense that the Bucs might regret the signing?

Greg Auman: I think the Bucs needed to address corner and found a veteran with good history with Mike Smith. The deal was set up so they could walk away after one year with no real penalty — he’ll be a good veteran presence around Vernon Hargreaves. The Bucs certainly knew what they were getting with Miko, so to some extent, if the team and Brent are playing well, it won’t be a problem. Now if they struggle or Brent isn’t playing a major role, there’s no telling how she’ll handle that, or how the Bucs will respond.

Zach Links: What record do you see the Buccaneers finishing with this season? Will they make the playoffs?

Greg Auman: Hard to tell how much they’ll improve, especially because they face a tougher schedule this year — three trips out west, facing both Super Bowl teams. They could be a better team and it wouldn’t necessarily show up in a better record. I tend to go into this thinking they’re 7-9 or 8-8 — anything more than that and they’ll be one of the better stories in the NFL with a first-year head coach and second-year QB; anything less than that and they”ll be disappointed here in Tampa. I think the division is still Carolina’s for the taking, but they won’t be a 15-win team again, so there’s room for someone else in the division to step up as a wild-card candidate.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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