PHOENIX – This morning at the annual NFL Meetings at the Arizona Biltmore hotel, NFL owners and top club officials will hear from the future. The future is a man named David Ellison, the CEO of a film and media company called Skydance Media, which will partner with the league and media arm, NFL Films [more]
Thirty-two teams, 32 thoughts on the opening week of the league year.1. Chicago. The Bears traded ownership of the draft to Carolina, then owned the first week of free agency.After a conversation with Bears GM Ryan Poles the other night, it sounds like the trade was almost THE TRADE. Poles told me he had significant [more]
The following are PFT’s top 100 free agents for the start of the 2023 league year. The rankings include prospective unrestricted free agents and released players. The list will be updated as events warrant, with signings, tags and re-signings denoted when announced and/or reported. Players released after initial publication may be added and all 100 players initially on the list will still be listed after any additions.
1. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (Placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him on March 7.)
2. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (Signed with the Saints on March 6.)
3. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (Agreed to re-sign with the Seahawks on March 6.)
4. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (Agreed to re-sign with the Giants on March 7.)
5. Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Agreed to sign with the 49ers on March 13.)
6. Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (Commanders used franchise tag on Payne before signing him to a four-year, $90 million deal on March 12.)
7. Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown (Agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with the Bengals on March 15.)
8. Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean (Agreed to re-sign with Buccaneers on March 13.)
9. Eagles safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Lions on March 19.)
10. Bengals safety Jessie Bates (Agreed to four-year deal with Falcons on March 13.)
11. 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (Agreed to sign with the Broncos on March 13.)
12. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (Agreed to re-sign with the Eagles on March 14.)
13. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (Agreed to sign with the Raiders on March 13.)
14. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (Raiders placed the franchise tag on him March 6.)
15. Giants running back Saquon Barkley (Giants placed the franchise tag on him March 7.)
16. Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (Agreed to a four-year, $57 million deal with the Browns on March 13.)
17. Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (Agreed to three-year deal with the Bears on March 13.)
18. Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner (Agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Seahawks on March 25.)
19. Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers (Agreed to three-year deal with the Raiders on March 14.)
20. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David (Agreed to re-sign with the Buccaneers on March 15.)
21. Titans linebacker David Long (Agreed to two-year deal with the Dolphins on March 13.)
22. Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (Agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal with the Vikings on March 13.)
23. Broncos defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones (Agreed to three-year, $51 million deal with the Seahawks on March 13.)
24. Jaguars offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (Agreed to four-year deal with the Chiefs on March 13.)
25. Cardinals defensive lineman Zach Allen (Agreed to three-year deal with the Broncos on March 13.)
26. Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (Agreed to four-year deal with the Bears on March 13.)
27. Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (Agreed to two-year deal with the Patriots on March 13.)
28. Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox (Agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal to return to the Eagles on March 15.)
29. Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard on March 6.)
30. Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (Agreed to stay with the Falcons on a three-year, $34.5 million deal on March 14.)
31. Ravens offensive guard Ben Powers (Agreed to sign with the Broncos on March 13.)
32. 49ers edge rusher Charles Omenihu (Agreed to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $20 million with the Chiefs on March 14.)
33. Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Buccaneers on March 15.)
34. Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (Agreed to re-sign with the Eagles on March 10.)
35. Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters
36. Packers receiver Allen Lazard (Agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets on March 14.)
37. Colts edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue
38. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Engram on March 6.)
39. Lions offensive guard Evan Brown (Agreed to one-year deal with Seahawks on March 16.)
40. Bills safety Jordan Poyer (Agreed to re-sign with the Bills on March 15.)
41. Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (Agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $9 million with the Texans on March 20.)
42. Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (Agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with the Patriots on March 15.)
43. Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers on March 13.)
44. Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (Agreed to stay with Bengals on a three-year, $21 million deal on March 13.)
45. 49ers edge rusher Samson Ebukam (Agreed to three-year deal with the Colts on March 14.)
46. Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki (Agreed to one-year deal with the Patriots on March 17.)
47. Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke (Agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal with the Giants on March 13.)
48. 49ers safety Jimmie Ward (Agreed to terms on a deal with the Texans on March 13.)
49. Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn
50. Jaguars edge rusher Arden Key (Agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Titans on March 14.)
51. Eagles offensive guard Isaac Seumalo (Agreed to terms on a three-year deal on March 19.)
52. Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans on March 20.)
53. Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (Agreed to terms with the Chargers on March 13.)
54. Free agent receiver Odell Beckham
55. Texans edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Agreed to three-year deal with Browns on March 13.)
56. Titans tight end Austin Hooper (Signed one-year deal with Raiders on March 22.)
57. Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (Agreed to re-sign with the Cowboys on March 14.)
58. Titans offensive guard Nate Davis (Agreed to sign with the Bears on March 13.)
59. Saints defensive lineman David Onyemata (Agreed to sign with the Falcons on March 13.)
60. Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 22.)
61. Giants safety Julian Love (Agreed to two-year deal with Seahawks on March 17.)
62. Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (Agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Vikings on March 14.)
63. Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (Agreed to re-sign with Cowboys on three-year on March 14.)
64. Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett (Agreed to terms on a deal with the Commanders on March 15.)
65. Raiders cornerback Rock Ya-Sin
66. Browns center Ethan Pocic (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns on March 13.)
67. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (Agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Broncos on March 13.)
68. Vikings receiver Adam Thielen (Agreed to terms with Panthers on March 19.)
69. Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
70. Bengals safety Vonn Bell (Agreed to sign with the Panthers on March 13.)
71. Lions receiver D.J. Chark (Agreed to a one-year deal on March 24.)
72. Rams safety Taylor Rapp (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Bills on March 27.)
73. Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (Agreed to sign with the Lions on March 13.)
74. Eagles running back Miles Sanders (Agreed to a deal with the Panthers on March 15.)
75. Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill (Agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Browns on March 15.)
76. Chiefs defensive lineman Frank Clark
77. Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs on March 17.)
78. Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (Agreed to one-year deal with the Texans.)
79. Ravens outside linebacker Justin Houston
80. Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy
81. Jets center Connor McGovern
82. Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell (Agreed to terms with the Falcons on March 29.)
83. Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (Agreed to terms on a contract with the Panthers on March 15.)
84. Raiders offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (Agreed to re-sign with the Raiders on March 16.)
85. Bears running back David Montgomery (Agreed to three-year, $18 million deal with the Lions on March 14.)
86. Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (Agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Cardinals on March 13.)
87. 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (Agreed to terms with the Titans on March 14.)
88. Broncos offensive guard Dalton Risner
89. Packers safety Adrian Amos
90. Colts receiver Parris Campbell (Agreed to one-year deal with Giants on March 16.)
91. Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (Agreed to one-year deal with Texans on March 22.)
92. Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (Agreed to one-year deal with 49ers on March 13.)
93. Giants receiver Darius Slayton (Agreed to two-year deal to re-sign with Giants on March 16.)
94. Broncos offensive tackle Cameron Fleming
95. Eagles safety Marcus Epps (Agreed to sign with the Raiders on March 13.)
96. Bengals cornerback Eli Apple
97. Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (Agreed to re-sign with Steelers on March 14.)
98. Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker (Agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Bears on March 13.)
99. Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (Agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on March 15.)
100. 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (Agreed to one-year deal with the Lions on March 14.)
101. Eagles safety Kyzir White (Agreed to two-year deal with the Cardinals on March 14.)
102. Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox (Agreed to re-sign with the Chargers on March 15.)
103. Jets offensive tackle George Fant
104. Titans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.
Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins made too much sense, for both Miami and the Rams. It happened Sunday afternoon. We should have seen it coming for weeks.The trade—Ramsey to Miami for a mid-third-round pick, 77th overall, and an invisible tight end from the 2021 third round, Hunter Long—seems light for the Rams. And it is, [more]
The 2023 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 27 with the Carolina Panthers set to make the first overall selection after a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears. After a disappointing last season which included the firing of head coach Matt Rhule, new hire Frank Reich looks to jumpstart the Panther’s rebuild. With the most logical choice at first overall being quarterback, Reich and the Panthers organization look at the top choices of the draft: Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson look promising.
While it is almost certain that the Carolina Panthers will choose one of the above listed quarterbacks, other top prospects in this years draft include: Georgia’s Jalen Carter, Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr, Illinois’s Devon Witherspoon, Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City’s famous Union Station. The 2023 NFL Draft begins with Round 1 on Thursday, April 27 before Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 28 and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 29. Below are all 259 picks and traded selections in all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, including compensatory picks (denoted with an asterisk *). Check out additional 2023 NFL Draft coverage including analysis, and more here.
1. Carolina Panthers from Chicago Bears
2. Houston Texans
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Seattle Seahawks from Denver Broncos
6. Detroit Lions from Los Angeles Rams
7. Las Vegas Raiders
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Chicago Bears from Carolina Panthers
10. Philadelphia Eagles from New Orleans Saints
11. Tennessee Titans
12. Houston Texans from Cleveland Browns
13. New York Jets
14. New England Patriots
15. Green Bay Packers
16. Washington Commanders
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Detroit Lions
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 Pick 21 – Choice Forfeited (Miami Dolphins)
21. Los Angeles Chargers
22. Baltimore Ravens
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. New York Giants
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Cincinnati Bengals
29. New Orleans Saints from San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos
30. Philadelphia Eagles
31. Kansas City Chiefs
32. Pittsburgh Steelers from Chicago Bears
33. Houston Texans
34. Arizona Cardinals
35. Indianapolis Colts
36. Los Angeles Rams
37. Seattle Seahawks from Denver Broncos
38. Las Vegas Raiders
39. Carolina Panthers
40. New Orleans Saints
41. Tennessee Titans
42. Cleveland Browns
43. New York Jets
44. Atlanta Falcons
45. Green Bay Packers
46. New England Patriots
47. Washington Commanders
48. Detroit Lions
49. Pittsburgh Steelers
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
51. Miami Dolphins
52. Seattle Seahawks
53. Chicago Bears from Baltimore Ravens
54. Los Angeles Chargers
55. Detroit Lions from Minnesota Vikings
56. Jacksonville Jaguars
57. New York Giants
58. Dallas Cowboys
59. Buffalo Bills
60. Cincinnati Bengals
61. Chicago Bears from Carolina Panthers from San Francisco 49ers
62. Philadelphia Eagles
63. Kansas City Chiefs
64. Chicago Bears
65. Houston Texans
66. Arizona Cardinals
67. Denver Broncos from Indianapolis Colts
68. Denver Broncos
69. Los Angeles Rams
70. Las Vegas Raiders
71. New Orleans Saints
72. Tennessee Titans
73. Houston Texans from Cleveland Browns
74. New York Jets
75. Atlanta Falcons
76. New England Patriots from Carolina Panthers
77. Los Angeles Rams from Miami Dolphins from New England Patriots
78. Green Bay Packers
79. Indianapolis Colts from Washington Commanders
80. Pittsburgh Steelers
81. Detroit Lions
82. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
83. Seattle Seahawks
84. Miami Dolphins
85. Los Angeles Chargers
86. Baltimore Ravens
87. Minnesota Vikings
88. Jacksonville Jaguars
89. New York Giants
90. Dallas Cowboys
91. Buffalo Bills
92. Cincinnati Bengals
93. Carolina Panthers from San Francisco 49ers
94. Philadelphia Eagles
95. Kansas City Chiefs
96. Arizona Cardinals *
97. Washington Commanders *
98. Cleveland Browns *
99. San Francisco 49ers *
100. New York Giants from Kansas City Chiefs *
101. San Francisco 49ers *
102. San Francisco 49ers *
103. Chicago Bears
104. Houston Texans
105. Arizona Cardinals
106. Indianapolis Colts
107. New England Patriots from Los Angeles Rams
108. Denver Broncos
109. Las Vegas Raiders
110. Atlanta Falcons from Tennessee Titans
111. Cleveland Browns
112. New York Jets
113. Atlanta Falcons
114. Carolina Panthers
115. New Orleans Saints
116. Green Bay Packers
117. New England Patriots
118. Washington Commanders
119. Minnesota Vikings from Detroit Lions
120. Pittsburgh Steelers
121. Jacksonville Jaguars from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
122. Kansas City Chiefs from Miami Dolphins
123. Seattle Seahawks
124. Baltimore Ravens
125. Los Angeles Chargers
126. Cleveland Browns from Minnesota Vikings
127. Jacksonville Jaguars
128. New York Giants
129. Dallas Cowboys
130. Buffalo Bills
131. Cincinnati Bengals
132. Carolina Panthers from San Francisco 49ers
133. Chicago Bears from Philadelphia Eagles
134. Kansas City Chiefs
135. New England Patriots *
136. Chicago Bears
Round 5 Pick 2 – Choice Forfeited (Houston Texans)
137. Buffalo Bills from Arizona Cardinals
138. Indianapolis Colts
139. Denver Broncos
140. Cleveland Browns from Los Angeles Rams
141. Las Vegas Raiders
142. Cleveland Browns
143. New York Jets
144. Las Vegas Raiders from Atlanta Falcons
145. Carolina Panthers
146. New Orleans Saints
147. Tennessee Titans
148. Chicago Bears from New England Patriots from Baltimore Ravens
149. Green Bay Packers
150. Washington Commanders
151. Seattle Seahawks from Pittsburgh Steelers
152. Detroit Lions
153. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
154. Seattle Seahawks
155. San Francisco 49ers from Miami Dolphins
156. Los Angeles Chargers
157. Baltimore Ravens
158. Minnesota Vikings
159. Atlanta Falcons from Jacksonville Jaguars
160. New York Giants
161. Dallas Cowboys
162. Indianapolis Colts from Buffalo Bills
163. Cincinnati Bengals
164. San Francisco 49ers
165. New Orleans Saints from Philadelphia Eagles
166. Kansas City Chiefs
167. Los Angeles Rams *
168. Arizona Cardinals *
169. Dallas Cowboys *
170. Green Bay Packers *
171. Los Angeles Rams *
172. New York Giants *
173. San Francisco 49ers *
174. Las Vegas Raiders *
175. Tampa Bay Buccaneers *
176. Dallas Cowboys *
177. Los Angeles Rams *
178. Kansas City Chiefs from Chicago Bears from Miami Dolphins
179. Houston Texans
180. Arizona Cardinals
181. Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Indianapolis Colts
182. Los Angeles Rams
183. Detroit Lions from Denver Broncos
184. New England Patriots from Las Vegas Raiders
185. Jacksonville Jaguars from New York Jets
186. Tennessee Titans from Atlanta Falcons
187. New England Patriots from Carolina Panthers
188. Houston Texans from New Orleans Saints
189. Los Angeles Rams from Tennessee Titans
190. Cleveland Browns
191. Los Angeles Rams from Green Bay Packers
192. New England Patriots
193. Washington Commanders
194. Detroit Lions
195. Denver Broncos from Pittsburgh Steelers
196. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
197. Miami Dolphins
198. Seattle Seahawks
199. Baltimore Ravens
200. Los Angeles Chargers
201. Houston Texans from Minnesota Vikings
202. Jacksonville Jaguars
203. Houston Texans from New York Giants
204. Las Vegas Raiders from Dallas Cowboys
205. Buffalo Bills
206. Cincinnati Bengals
207. New York Jets from San Francisco 49ers from Houston Texans
208. Jacksonville Jaguars from Philadelphia Eagles
209. New York Giants from Kansas City Chiefs
210. New England Patriots *
211. Minnesota Vikings *
212. Dallas Cowboys *
213. Arizona Cardinals *
214. Las Vegas Raiders *
215. Washington Commanders *
216. San Francisco 49ers *
217. Kansas City Chiefs *
218. Chicago Bears
219. Philadelphia Eagles from Houston Texans from Minnesota Vikings
220. Las Vegas Raiders from Arizona Cardinals
221. Indianapolis Colts
222. San Francisco 49ers from Denver Broncos
223. Los Angeles Rams
224. Atlanta Falcons from Las Vegas Raiders
225. Atlanta Falcons
226. Jacksonville Jaguars from Carolina Panthers
227. New Orleans Saints
228. Tennessee Titans
229. Cleveland Browns
230. Tampa Bay Buccaneers from New York Jets
231. Las Vegas Raiders from New England Patriots
232. Green Bay Packers
233. Washington Commanders
234. Pittsburgh Steelers
235. Green Bay Packers from Detroit Lions from Los Angeles Rams
236. Indianapolis Colts from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
237. Seattle Seahawks
238. Miami Dolphins
239. Los Angeles Chargers
240. New York Giants from Baltimore Ravens
241. Pittsburgh Steelers from Minnesota Vikings from Denver Broncos
242. Green Bay Packers from Jacksonville Jaguars
243. New York Giants
244. Dallas Cowboys
245. Atlanta Falcons from Buffalo Bills
246. Cincinnati Bengals
247. San Francisco 49ers
248. Philadelphia Eagles
249. Kansas City Chiefs
250. Kansas City Chiefs *
251. Los Angeles Rams *
252. Tampa Bay Buccaneers *
253. San Francisco 49ers *
254. New York Giants *
255. San Francisco 49ers *
256. Green Bay Packers *
257. New Orleans Saints *
258. Chicago Bears *
259. Houston Texans *
The NFL announced on Thursday that 37 compensatory draft picks have been doled out for this year’s draft and the 49ers picked up seven selections in the process.
Four of the 49ers’ new picks come as a result of the NFL’s formula awarding picks to teams that have a net loss in free agents. The other three picks are a result of the league’s initiative that awards picks to the prior employer-club of a minority employee who has been hired by another club as its head coach or primary football executive. Jets head coach Robert Saleh, Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, and Titans General Manager Ran Carthon have left the Niners in the last three years.
All three of those 49ers picks are third-rounders. The Browns and Chiefs also received third round selections via that route and the Rams joined the 49ers in picking up four overall picks because of their free agent losses.
All 37 picks are listed below:
Third Round
96. Arizona
97. Washington
98. Cleveland
99. San Francisco
100. Kansas City
101. San Francisco
102. San Francisco
Fourth Round
135. New England
Fifth Round
167. Rams
168. Arizona
169. Dallas
170. Green Bay
171. Rams
172. Giants
173. San Francisco
174. Las Vegas
175. Tampa Bay
176. Dallas
177. Rams
Sixth Round
210. New England
211. Minnesota
212. Dallas
213. Arizona
214. Las Vegas
215. Washington
216. San Francisco
217. Kansas City
Seventh Round
250. Kansas City
251. Rams
252. Tampa Bay
253. San Francisco
254. Giants
255. San Francisco
256. Green Bay
257. New Orleans
258. Chicago
259. Houston
INDIANAPOLIS—Saturday morning, Scouting Combine week, Chicago GM Ryan Poles’ hotel room, 19 stories above downtown Indy, scouts’ clicker in his hands, watching the 2022 Lions on tape. This is college scouting season, but Poles works these days with an eye on looming free-agency, and on the competition too.It’s early in his GM career for Poles, [more]
You learn a lot talking to smart people. Daniel Jeremiah’s a smart guy, and I learned a lot from our conversation Saturday evening. Namely: There is one position of great intrigue entering the Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis, one position that is an absolute mystery with the draft kicking off two months from today.Quarterback. [more]
Cleaning out the Super Bowl 57 notebook, starting with the incredulity, even a week later, of how Kansas City won—and Andy Reid’s “Beautiful Mind Board:”Three years ago, I rode to work one morning with Andy Reid before the Kansas City-San Francisco Super Bowl. We ended up in his office suite, and I got a look [more]
GLENDALE, Ariz.—For 47 minutes Sunday night in Super Bowl LVII, Kansas City never led. Their quarterback re-sprained his right ankle just before halftime, and the Eagles led by 10 as Rihanna sung to the world, and though the momentum began to change in the third quarter, everything was a chore for the men of Andy [more]
This is it. The last game of the year.
Patrick Mahomes has never been the underdog in a postseason game in his career. It happens now.
Is that an accurate reflection of the edge between the teams? Is it something that will motivate Mahomes and company. Read on to see whether MDS and I believe it will be the Chiefs or Eagles hoisting a Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.
Chiefs (+1.5) vs. Eagles
MDS’s take: The Chiefs and Eagles have been the two best teams over the course of the 2022-23 season. That doesn’t always happen; a great team can get cold at the wrong time, or suffer key injuries late in the season, or simply get upset in the unpredictable single-elimination format of the NFL playoffs. But the Chiefs and Eagles, despite actually having some injuries late in the season and some things go against them down the stretch, were the best teams all year and now find themselves facing off in the Super Bowl.
So how will the Super Bowl be decided? I think the primary difference between the two teams is at quarterback, where I believe Patrick Mahomes can do more than Jalen Hurts. Hurts has had a great season, and may have won the league MVP over Mahomes if he hadn’t been sidelined by a shoulder injury late in the year, but Mahomes can threaten a defense all over the field in a way that neither Hurts nor any other quarterback can. I think Mahomes is going to make the difference, and is the reason the Chiefs will win.
If I’m wrong, I’ll be wrong because of the Eagles’ relentless pass rush. Philadelphia has a total of 78 sacks in the regular season and postseason, a total that only the 1984 Bears and 1985 Bears have topped. With Mahomes possibly still hobbled by his high ankle sprain, if the Eagles’ rush can get to him, that changes the game significantly.
Ultimately, however, I see a close game that the Eagles may lead much of the way, but one that will end with Mahomes making big plays in the fourth quarter and winning his second Super Bowl.
MDS’s pick: Chiefs 24, Eagles 21.
Florio’s take: For the first time since 2017, both No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl. And, on paper, the Eagles are just a little bit better than the Chiefs.
But the Chiefs have the one thing the Eagles don’t. As in one-five. 15. Patrick Mahomes.
Five straight AFC Championships at home. Three Super Bowl appearances. And, if he’s ever going to come close to Tom Brady‘s seven titles, it’s time to get No. 2.
The ankle is more than good enough. The team around him is more than good enough. Unless the Eagles methodically suffocate the Chiefs with the running game and in turn get to Mahomes and sack him repeatedly, this one should be close and it should be exciting and it should come down to the wire with the Chiefs finding a way to pull it off.
Kansas City has fought through more adversity than the Eagles, especially in the playoffs. That matters. Kansas City also has the experience edge in the Super Bowl. That matter’s, too.
What matters most is the presence of the best quarterback in football, a sure-fire Hall of Famer who may eventually earn a spot in the Canton Upper Room proposed by Deion Sanders. Mahomes.
The Magic Man. The man among boys. The guy who finds a way to move the ball, to score points, and to do it in a way that is always far more entertaining than anything anyone else can muster.
It’s time to win his second. On his way to possibly more.
Florio’s pick: Chiefs 27, Eagles 24.
Once the Super Bowl wraps up on Sunday night, the next big event on the NFL calendar will be the Scouting Combine.
The combine will kick off in Indianapolis on February 28 and the NFL announced the names of the 319 aspiring pros who will be there to meet with teams, go through medical evaluations, and work out for scouts. Some of the top prospects will pass on the last of those things in favor of working out during their school’s Pro Days later in the predraft process, but they’ll still likely be in Indy for the other activities.
The full list of invitees appears below:
Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
Yasir Abdullah, LB, Louisville
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
Alan Ali, OL, TCU
Davis Allen, TE, Clemson
MJ Anderson, DL, Iowa State
Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama
Jake Andrews, OL, Troy
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DL, Kansas State
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OL, Oregon
Alex Austin, DB, Oregon State
Steve Avila, OL, TCU
Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd
Henry Bainivalu, OL, Washington
Habakkuk Baldonado, DL, Pittsburgh
Deonte Banks, DB, Maryland
Jeremy Banks, LB, Tennessee
Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
Micah Baskerville, LB, LSU
TJ Bass, OL, Oregon
Jordan Battle, DB, Alabama
Robert Beal Jr., DL, Georgia
Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
Jakorian Bennett, DB, Maryland
Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse
Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Mekhi Blackmon, DB, USC
Jake Bobo, WR, UCLA
Earl Bostick Jr., OL, Kansas
Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Lance Boykin, DB, Coastal Carolina
Anthony Bradford, OL, LSU
Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Julius Brents, DB, Kansas State
Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Nick Broeker, OL, Mississippi
Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina
Myles Brooks, DB, Louisiana Tech
Paxton Brooks, P, Tennessee
Cam Brown, DB, Ohio State
Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
Ji’Ayir Brown, DB, Penn State
Sydney Brown, DB, Illinois
Jason Brownlee, WR, Southern Mississippi
Arquon Bush, DB, Cincinnati
Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Anders Carlson, K, Auburn
Andre Carter II, LB, Army
Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Jerrod Clark, DL, Coastal Carolina
Kei’Trel Clark, DB, Louisville
Keondre Coburn, DL, Texas
Chamarri Conner, DB, Virginia Tech
Jacob Copeland, WR, Maryland
Brenton Cox, DL, Florida
Jalen Cropper, WR, Fresno State
Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville
McClendon Curtis, OL, Tennessee-Chattanooga
DJ Dale, DL, Alabama
Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah
Derius Davis, WR, TCU
Trey Dean, DB, Florida
Tank Dell, WR, Houston
Dontay Demus Jr., WR, Maryland
SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pitt
Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
YaYa Diaby, DL, Louisville
Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte
Max Duggan, QB, TCU
Jaelyn Duncan, OL, Maryland
Christopher Dunn, K, N.C. State
Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
Travis Dye, RB, USC
Emil Ekiyor Jr., OL, Alabama
Ikenna Enechukwu, DL, Rice
Mark Evans II, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Tiyon Evans, RB, Louisville
Zach Evans, RB, Mississippi
Viliami Fehoko Jr., DL, San Jose State
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Emmanuel Forbes, DB, Mississippi State
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
Alex Forsyth, OL, Oregon
Isaiah Foskey, DL, Notre Dame
Blake Freeland, OL, BYU
Jon Gaines II, OL, UCLA
Connor Galvin, OL, Baylor
Mekhi Garner, DB, LSU
Ali Gaye, DL, LSU
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State
Christian Gonzalez, DB, Oregon
Richard Gouraige, OL, Florida
Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue
Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina
Jovaughn Gwyn, OL, South Carolina
Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
Derick Hall, LB, Auburn
Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
Nick Hampton, DL, Appalachian State
Anton Harrison, OL, Oklahoma
Zach Harrison, DL, Ohio State
Jadon Haselwood, WR, Arkansas
Ryan Hayes, OL, Michigan
Malik Heath, WR, Mississippi
DeMarcco Hellams, DB, Alabama
Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
KJ Henry, DL, Clemson
Nick Herbig, LB, Wisconsin
Shaka Heyward, LB, Duke
Ronnie Hickman Jr., DB, Ohio State
Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
Brandon Hill, DB, Pittsburgh
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, DB, TCU
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Dylan Horton, DL, TCU
Jordan Howden, DB, Minnesota
Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota
Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
Thomas Incoom, DL, Central Michigan
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
Kearis Jackson, WR, Georgia
Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
Michael Jefferson, WR, Louisiana
Jaray Jenkins, WR, LSU
Anthony Johnson, DB, Iowa State
Anthony Johnson Jr., DB, Virginia
Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M
CJ Johnson, WR, East Carolina
DJ Johnson, LB, Oregon
Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State
Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Andre Jones Jr., LB, Louisiana
Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia
Cam Jones, LB, Indiana
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Dawand Jones, OL, Ohio State
Jaylon Jones, DB, Texas A&M
Nic Jones, DB, Ball State
Tyreque Jones, DB, Boise State
Brandon Joseph, DB, Notre Dame
Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Kyu Blu Kelly, DB, Stanford
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Jaxson Kirkland, OL, Washington
Malik Knowles, WR, Kansas State
Adam Korsak, P, Rutgers
Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Tyler Lacy, DL, Oklahoma State
Brent Laing, OL, Minnesota-Duluth
Isaiah Land, DL, Florida A&M
Matt Landers, WR, Arkansas
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
Eku Leota, LB, Auburn
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Hunter Luepke, RB, North Dakota State
Darrell Luter Jr., DB, South Alabama
Will Mallory, TE, Miami
Tashawn Manning, OL, Kentucky
Jartavius Martin, DB, Illinois
Ochaun Mathis, LB, Nebraska
Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
Warren McClendon, OL, Georgia
Will McDonald IV, DL, Iowa State
Jordan McFadden, OL, Clemson
Isaiah McGuire, DL, Missouri
Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
Kaevon Merriweather, DB, Iowa
Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Ventrell Miller, LB, Florida
Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Oklahoma
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
Cameron Mitchell, DB, Northwestern
Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina
Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Isaiah Moore, LB, N.C. State
Mike Morris, DL, Michigan
Wanya Morris, OL, Oklahoma
Riley Moss, DB, Iowa
Caleb Murphy, DL, Ferris State
Myles Murphy, DL, Clemson
Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
PJ Mustipher, DL, Penn State
Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
Joseph Ngata, WR, Clemson
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue
Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
John Ojukwu, OL, Boise State
BJ Ojulari, LB, LSU
Olu Oluwatimi, OL, Michigan
Anfernee Orji, LB, Vanderbilt
DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Gervarrius Owens, DB, Houston
Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati
Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
Jarrett Patterson, OL, Notre Dame
Kyle Patterson, TE, Air Force
Cam Peoples, RB, Appalachian State
A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Lonnie Phelps, LB, Kansas
Clark Phillips III, DB, Utah
Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
Jack Podlesny, K, Georgia
Joey Porter Jr., DB, Penn State
B.T. Potter, K, Clemson
Deneric Prince, RB, Tulsa
Jose Ramirez, DL, Eastern Michigan
Jalen Redmond, DL, Oklahoma
Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Asim Richards, OL, North Carolina
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Eli Ricks, DB, Alabama
Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
Brad Robbins, P, Michigan
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Jammie Robinson, DB, Florida State
Tavius Robinson, DL, Mississippi
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky
Jaquelin Roy, DL, LSU
Darius Rush, DB, South Carolina
Chad Ryland, K, Maryland
Nick Saldiveri, OL, Old Dominion
Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
John Michael Schmitz, OL, Minnesota
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
Daniel Scott, DB, Cal
Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Juice Scruggs, OL, Penn State
Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Justin Shorter, WR, Florida
Nesta Jade Silvera, DL, Arizona State
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
JL Skinner III, DB, Boise State
Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Cam Smith, DB, South Carolina
Christopher Smith II, DB, Georgia
Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan
Nolan Smith, DL, Georgia
Terell Smith, DB, Minnesota
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Sidy Sow, OL, Eastern Michigan
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama
Tyrique Stevenson, DB, Miami
Dante Stills, DL, West Virginia
Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State
Ricky Stromberg, OL, Arkansas
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Jason Taylor II, DB, Oklahoma State
Leonard Taylor, TE, Cincinnati
Noah Taylor, LB, North Carolina
Charlie Thomas, LB, Georgia Tech
Tavion Thomas, RB, Utah
SaRodorick Thompson, RB, Texas Tech
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Mitchell Tinsley, WR, Penn State
Joe Tippmann, OL, Wisconsin
Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama
O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
Rashad Torrence II, DB, Florida
Cory Trice Jr., DB, Purdue
Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse
Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC
Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
Michael Turk, P, Oklahoma
DJ Turner II, DB, Michigan
Carrington Valentine, DB, Kentucky
Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa
Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
Travis Vokolek, TE, Nebraska
Andrew Vorhees, OL, USC
Dalton Wagner, OL, Arkansas
Alex Ward, LS, UCF
Jay Ward, DB, LSU
Carter Warren, OL, Pittsburgh
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
Jalen Wayne, WR, South Alabama
Tyrus Wheat, LB, Mississippi State
Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech
Blake Whiteheart, TE, Wake Forest
Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia
Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Garrett Williams, DB, Syracuse
Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma
Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Tyree Wilson, DL, Texas Tech
Dee Winters, LB, TCU
Devon Witherspoon, DB, Illinois
Colby Wooden, DL, Auburn
Darnell Wright, OL, Tennessee
Rejzohn Wright, DB, Oregon State
Luke Wypler, OL, Ohio State
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Byron Young, DL, Alabama
Byron Young, DL, Tennessee
Cameron Young, DL, Mississippi State
HADDONFIELD, N.J.—The appointment was for 6 a.m. Saturday, and at 5:57, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni rolled his vehicle out of the driveway here in suburban Eagleville. I got in.It’s Super Bowl week, and I feel like the biggest story America doesn’t know is, Who is Nick Sirianni? I don’t know him well either. In my [more]
The formulas for determining the franchise and transition tags ultimately tie the amount at each position to a percentage of the salary cap. Thus, once the salary cap is known, the tag amounts are known.
With the salary cap at a record-high $224.8 million for 2023, the tags have been determined.
Per multiple reports, the franchise tags are as follows:
Quarterback: $32,416,000.
Running back: $10,091,000.
Receiver: $19,743,000.
Tight end: $11,345,000.
Offensive line: $18,244,000.
Defensive end: $19,727,000.
Defensive tackle: $18,937,000.
Linebacker: $20,926,000.
Cornerback: $18,140,000.
Safety: $14,460,000.
Kicker/punter: $5,393,000.
The franchise tag allows a player to negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet. If his current team doesn’t match the offer, the new team gives up two first-round picks.
The transition tag provides only a right to match, with no compensation. The transition tags are as follows:
Quarterback: $29,504,000.
Running back: $8,429,000.
Receiver: $17,991,000.
Tight end: $9,716,000.
Offensive line: $16,660,000.
Defensive end: $17,452,000.
Defensive tackle: $16,068,000.
Linebacker: $17,478,000.
Cornerback: $15,791,000.
Safety: $11,867,000.
Kicker/punter: $4,869,000.
The window for applying the tags opens on February 21 and closes on March 7. All that really matters is the deadline; unless, however, teams want to apply it before the Scouting Combine in an effort to tamp down the rampant tampering that happens in Indianapolis.
As the NFL inches toward embracing a full-blown sky judge/booth umpire procedure for supplementing on-field officiating, it’s using a hybrid system that many don’t understand — and that the league doesn’t apply as consistently as it should.
The current procedure has its roots in the real-time communication technology that the league established nearly a decade ago to allow the league office to commandeer the replay-review process. Once the pipeline that feeds instantaneous video and audio to 345 Park Avenue was established, the league realized it could be used for other things.
It started with basic administrative matters, such as putting the ball in the right spot or fixing mistakes with the clock or the down. At times, many wondered whether the league office was using it to fix other things, technically in violation of the rules — but as a practical matter aimed at getting calls right.
Some, like me, still believe to this day that it should have been used in the 2018 NFC Championship to direct the officials at the Superdome to drop a flag for pass interference on the Rams, rules regarding its usage be damned.
In recent years, the categories have expanded. Now, it’s generally called “expedited review.” But there doesn’t seem to be a clear understanding regarding when it can be used, how it can be used, and whether it is being used properly.
Here’s the relevant portion of the rulebook: “The Replay Official and designated members of the Officiating
department may consult with on-field officials, or conduct a replay review, or advise the game officials on specific, objective aspects of a play when clear and obvious video evidence is present, and/or to address game administration issues, including, but not limited to: (a) penalty enforcement; (b) the proper down; (c) spot of a foul; (d) the game clock; (e) possession; (f) completed or intercepted pass; (g) touching of a loose ball, boundary line, goal line, or end line; (h) location of the football or a player in relation to a boundary line, the line of scrimmage, the line to gain, or the goal line; or (i) down by contact (when a player is not ruled down by contact on the field). Nothing in this Article precludes a Head Coach or Replay Official from initiating a challenge or review otherwise allowed under Rule 15, Section 1.”
The first part of the rule is significant, for two reasons. First, it’s very broad. There can be consultation with the officials OR a replay review OR advice provided regarding specific, objective aspects of a play.
Second, the rule says that the replay official and designated members of the officiating department “may” consult, etc. Not “shall,” but “may.” That’s an important distinction. “Shall” is mandatory; “may” is permissive.
They can do it. But they don’t have to do it.
It seems as if there’s no consistent procedure for using expedited review to affirmatively spot and fix all errors. Instead, it seems more like something they do if someone happens to notice.
Yesterday’s games provided multiple examples of “expedited review” in action, or not. In 49ers-Eagles, the league office (which has immediate access to all camera angles from the game site) did not notice that Philadelphia receiver DeVonta Smith had lost possession of a key fourth-down reception before the Eagles rushed to the line and started the next play.
In Bengals-Chiefs, expedited review spotted that the shin of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was down before he threw a pass. This allowed the Bengals to not use a challenge, which coach Zac Taylor was prepared to do.
Also in Bengals-Chiefs, expedited review was not used to give the Chiefs a first down when receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling reached the ball forward on third down, beyond the line to gain. Chiefs coach Andy Reid was forced to use his last challenge in order to fix something that expedited review could have fixed.
Could have, not should have. Because the rule says “may” not “shall.”
This is something the league needs to rectify in March. There shouldn’t be inconsistency as to how it’s used. There shouldn’t be discretion as to when it will be used. And the league should work directly with the broadcast networks to help media and viewers better understand when and how expedited review does and doesn’t work.
Currently, “expedited review” is an amorphous device for the league office to wave a wand and fix some things, but not others. It should be far more clear, far more understandable, and far more consistently applied to all situations, for both teams.
The legalization and relentless promotion of gambling causes folks to embrace like never before the notion that games are rigged, even if they aren’t. Expedited review can fuel these conspiracy theories, because no one seems to really understand how it is and isn’t used.
More importantly, a vague and inconsistent process creates an opening for the unscrupulous to try to push an outcome one way or the other. Even if the league has never had a Tim Donaghy on the payroll, it should always be concerned about the possibility. And it should always be looking for ways to diminish the influence that one person can have over the outcome of a game.