Jets Not The Frontrunner For Trent Williams
While the Jets remain interested in Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, they are not considered the frontrunner for the veteran lineman, according to Connor Hughes of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Washington is attempting to move Williams ahead of the draft this week, and they’ve apparently taken over complete control of the process by “closing the window” on allowing Williams and his agent to speak with other clubs. The Redskins are reportedly speaking with multiple teams regarding Williams.
New York has been tied to a Williams acquisition since early March. However, later reports indicated the Redskins were holding out for a second-round pick. The Jets, who hold the 48th overall selection, decided that was too rich an ask.
The Jets made several additions to their offensive line during free agency in signing George Fant, Connor McGovern, and Greg Van Roten, but none are on the level of Williams, who would immediately become the best Jets lineman in quite some time.
Latest On Trent Williams
The Redskins have “closed the window” on allowing Trent Williams and his agent to seek a trade, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets, Washington has had “some really good constructive conversations” and there is “hope” a trade can be worked out shortly.
So, what does this all mean? It’s possible the Redskins gave Williams and his agent a timeline during which they could attempt to find a trade partner, and it would make sense if that deadline was the week of the draft. That time may have come and gone, so Washington is now asserting more control over the process.
As of this morning, the Redskins are still discussing Williams with multiple teams. They’d likely want to have a trade in place by draft day and acquire as many 2020 selections as possible. Of course, dealing Williams is no easy task: not only does he want a new contract, but, given his health issues, he’ll be subject to a robust physical, which isn’t a small hurdle thanks to COVID-19 concerns.
Williams, 31, has one year and a $12.5MM base salary remaining on his current contract. While some reports have indicated he wants to become the NFL’s highest-paid tackle with a new deal that averages something near $20MM annually, Williams’ agent has denied those claims.
Bucs Nearly Traded O.J. Howard For Trent Williams
Now that Rob Gronkowski has joined Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, incumbent Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard has become an even more obvious trade candidate than he previously was. Turns, out, the Bucs already tried to deal him earlier this year.
Two months ago, Tampa Bay nearly traded Howard to the Redskins in exchange for offensive tackle Trent Williams, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. It’s unclear if the proposed swap would have involved other players or draft picks, but in either case, the deal fell through.
Williams, of course, has been on the trade block for some time, and may still be moved this week. Had Tampa Bay been able to acquire him, Williams almost surely would have taken over at left tackle, allowing the Buccaneers to move Donovan Smith to the right side and improving their offensive line in one fell swoop.
Notably, talks involving Howard and the Redskins occurred before Brady decided on Tampa Bay and before Gronkowski came out of retirement to join him. That’s perhaps not altogether surprising, as Howard was reportedly available since the 2019 trade deadline. But a Howard deal makes all the more sense now given that Gronk has made his way to the Buccaneers.
Howard, who’s posted 34 receptions in each of the past two seasons, has one year plus a 2021 option remaining on his contract. Tampa Bay — or whatever team potentially acquires Howard — has until May 5 to exercise that option, which would be fully guaranteed.
Redskins Receive “Complete” Offer For No. 2 Pick
The Redskins are still fielding calls on the No. 2 pick and one team has laid out a “complete deal” for Ron Rivera & Co., Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. 
Meanwhile, one GM in the Top 7 has tried multiple times to get Chase Young on the phone for a 1-on-1, Anderson hears (Twitter link). It’s not clear whether that meeting actually took place, but it’s an indication that at least one club thinks they’ll have a chance to pry the pick away from Washington.
Young is widely viewed as the top talent in this year’s class, but most teams haven’t bothered to reach out to team. He’s an elite edge rusher, a potential generational talent, and he’s been thought to be a mortal lock for the Redskins at No. 2. Still, the Redskins are willing to hear other teams out.
According to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus, Young’s performance has been positively off the charts. His 2019 score slotted him ahead of Josh Allen (Kentucky, 2018), Nick Bosa (Ohio State, 2017), Myles Garrett (Texas A&M, 2015), and every other collegiate edge rusher dating back to 2014. Last year, Young notched 17 sacks in 2019, the most of any player in the FBS – and that was with two missed games.
Redskins Discussing Trent Williams Trade With Multiple Teams
The Redskins are talking with multiple teams about a potential Trent Williams trade, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. If a deal is going to happen, they’d like to get it done ASAP in order to recoup draft picks for this weekend. Of course, any Williams deal would require a thorough physical, and that’s trickier than usual. 
[RELATED: Browns Interested In Trent Williams]
The Browns have been keeping a watchful eye on the situation and they’re not the only team that would be interested in picking up the multiple time Pro Bowler. The Jets, in theory, would love to add the veteran left tackle, though they’ve been unwilling to cough up a second-round pick thus far. Even if they changed their minds, a second-round pick might not be enough.
As it stands, Williams is set to earn $12.5MM in base salary under his current contract, which expires after the 2020 season. Any team that acquires him will have to negotiate a new long-term pact with the standout offensive lineman and that deal would probably be a market shifter. In addition to his medical history, there’s also his age to consider. Williams will turn 32 in July.
The Vikings have also been connected to Williams as they look to better protect Kirk Cousins. It’d be a logical fit, especially given their history together. For now, the Vikes have Riley Reiff penciled in at left tackle, though they’re still exploring their options.
Trent Williams “Still On The Table” For Browns
Trent Williams could still be an option for Cleveland. ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the offensive lineman is “still on the table” for the Browns. While a deal isn’t imminent, the Browns front office continues to monitor the situation.
The Browns have shown interest in Williams for months, but there were rumblings that the Andrew Berry-led regime wasn’t as infatuated with the player as the John Dorsey-led regime had been. The Dorsey-led regime had offered Washington a second-rounder back in October, but the Redskins declined that offer. It’s uncertain (and unlikely) that that offer is still on the table.
In fact, it sounds unlikely that the Redskins will be able to acquire a first- or second-rounder from any team. We heard earlier this week that the Jets, who have also been connected to Williams, are still unwilling to part with a second-round pick. The veteran’s commands for a new contracts are somewhat complicating trade negotiations, especially if Williams is adamant about getting paid $20MM/year. There’s some belief around the NFL that the Redskins will ultimately cut the disgruntled 31-year-old.
Former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan is among those who believe the lineman is worth the asking price. Speaking to Team 980’s Kevin Sheehan, McCloughan said Williams would still be taken in the first round of the upcoming draft, even at his current age.
“He’d be the first tackle taken this year in the draft, hands down — even at his age (31),’’ McCloughan said (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). “You know what you’ve got. You bring him in, you’re going get three to four years out of him, and it’s going to be Pro Bowl years, that’s legit one of the top five tackles in the NFL, hands down, right now.’’
Redskins Listening To Offers For No. 2 Pick
The phones are ringing in Washington. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Redskins have started to receive phone calls from teams interested in the second-overall pick. While the organization isn’t actively shopping the selection, they’re listening to offers.
Meanwhile, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets that there’s a “sense in the league” that the No. 2 pick could be “bought.” ESPN’s John Keim notes (on Twitter) that the “teams that might have interest” understand that they don’t possess the ammo to make a trade.
It’s generally been assumed that the Redskins would stick with the second-overall pick and select Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. This opinion seemed to be all-but-confirmed when we learned that teams outside of the top-three hadn’t even talked to the talented pass-rusher.
However, over the past month, the majority of reports have revolved around Washington’s interest in quarterback prospects, including Tua Tagovailoa as well as Jordan Love. Of course, the Redskins could come away from the weekend with both Young and a quarterback, but it’s worth noting that the organization currently owns only seven draft picks.
Young is generally considered to be the top prospect in the draft, so the Redskins will certainly have their fair share of suitors. However, if they do actively shop the second-overall pick, they’ll find themselves competing with two other NFC foes. We’ve heard rumblings recently that both the Lions (#3) and Giants (#4) could trade their first-rounders.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Williams, Thuney, Dolphins
Throughout the offseason, the Jets have been unwilling to part with a second-round pick for Trent Williams. With days to go before the draft, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY hears that their position hasn’t changed.
And, even if the Jets were willing to cough up a second-round pick, Vacchiano doesn’t think that would be enough to bring the Redskins’ left tackle to Gang Green.
More on the Jets and the rest of the AFC East:
- The Jets want to keep Jamal Adams for the long haul, but they’re also willing to slow-play negotiations to get the best possible price, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini writes. Meanwhile, Adams’ camp has not set a deadline for talks, so the Jets don’t feel rushed or pressured to get something done. As it stands, Adams is under contract through the 2020 season, and the Jets also hold a fifth-year option on his deal that could take him through 2021.
- If rival teams call with trade interest in guard Joe Thuney, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss expects the Patriots to pick up the phone and listen with an open mind. The Pats stunned everyone by using the franchise tag on Thuney, cuffing him at a $14.78MM rate for 2020. That’s not Bill Belichick‘s style, of course, so Reiss thinks he’d consider dealing Thuney if they’re offered a second-round choice or even a high third-rounder.
- The Dolphins have done lots of homework on mid-round running backs and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wouldn’t be surprised to see them come out of draft weekend with two new RBs. They’ve also done lots of interviews with kickers like Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship, which could spell the end for Jason Sanders.
- After undergoing wrist and groin surgeries, Jerry Hughes says he’s “on schedule” for the 2020 season (via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News). That’s fantastic news for the Bills, who hope to feature Hughes at defensive end alongside Trent Murphy and newcomer Mario Addison.
2020 NFL Draft Picks By Team
The 2020 NFL Draft is just days away and it’s just a matter of time before picks are swapped and shuffled at lightning speed. Before the trading frenzy starts, let’s take a look at the draft picks owned by each team.
[RELATED: 2020 NFL Draft Order By Round]
Updated: 4-17-20 (5:00pm CT)
Arizona Cardinals
1-8:
3-72:
4-114:
4-131: (from Houston)
6-202: (from New England)
7-222:
Atlanta Falcons
1-16:
2-47:
3-78:
4-119:
4-143: (from Baltimore*)
7-228: (from Tampa Bay, via Philadelphia)
Baltimore Ravens
1-28:
2-55: (from Atlanta, via New England)
2-60:
3-92:
3-106*:
4-129: (from New England)
4-134:
5-170: (from Minnesota)
7-225: (from Jets)
Buffalo Bills
2-54:
3-86:
4-128:
5-167:
6-188: (from Cleveland)
6-207: (from Baltimore via New England)
7-239: (from Minnesota)
2020 NFL Draft Capital By Team
Every NFL team automatically gets seven draft picks per season, but thanks to lots of trades and the compensatory pick process, many clubs end up with more (or less) than their original seven selections. After running down the NFL Draft round-by-round, let’s take a look at how much draft capital each club has amassed:
Updated: 4-16-20 (6:00pm CT)
14 picks
- Miami Dolphins
12 picks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
10 picks
- Denver Broncos
- Green Bay Packers
- New York Giants
9 picks
- Baltimore Ravens
- Detroit Lions
8 picks
- Carolina Panthers
- New York Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
7 picks
- Buffalo Bills
- Chicago Bears
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Washington Redskins
6 picks
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tennessee Titans
5 picks
- Kansas City Chiefs
- New Orleans Saints