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Jeremy Fowler
The doldrums of the NFL calendar are right here. Twenty-eight groups are formally off for the summer season, with the frenzied nature of NFL transactions fading into the background in favor of Hawaii journeys or summer season camp automotive pool traces for prime executives and coaches.
For the 4 groups nonetheless on the sector — the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants — that actuality units in after this week’s minicamp.
That is the perfect time to take inventory of the splash strikes across the league. This course of kicked off in earnest on the NFL scouting mix in February, the place crew decision-makers and participant brokers flooded lodge lobbies and shared data. And whereas a couple of potential strikes stay on the radar, together with a possible Jalen Ramsey commerce from Miami and a attainable Trey Hendrickson take care of Cincinnati, the chatter is successfully muted.
Because of this, ESPN talked to league scouts, executives and coaches about their favourite offseason strikes after the mud settled. Some solutions had been predictable, others shocking.
Fatalistic members of the fan base and a few members of the media tried to disgrace Pittsburgh into eschewing a nine- or 10-win season in favor of the 2025 tank job that would assist finesse a franchise quarterback out of subsequent 12 months’s draft class. The Steelers will lose within the postseason anyway, they stated.
Ask New York Giants followers how they felt about going 3-14 final 12 months and nonetheless not getting the No. 1 decide in a draft with one certain factor at quarterback (Cameron Ward). Pittsburgh stated no thanks, because it all the time does … and for good cause.
The Steelers went with the best choice at quarterback: a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers on a team-friendly contract that pays $13.65 million and pushes towards $20 million with incentives.
Whereas the skepticism is comprehensible, I’ve talked to a number of coaches who watched Rodgers intently final 12 months, together with members of the New York Jets employees. They consider Pittsburgh simply received a steal.
“He is nonetheless throwing the s— out of the ball, truthfully,” a veteran NFL offensive coach stated. “He is the perfect quarterback they’ve had since (Ben Roethlisberger). We’ll see how the physique holds up, however I believe he’ll assist them immensely.”
Regardless of taking part in for a lame-duck employees in New York and missing chemistry together with his finest receiver, Garrett Wilson, Rodgers nonetheless threw for almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“Look, the mobility is a matter, there is not any doubt,” an AFC govt stated. “However the place he helps them is with the plus arm energy and the sector imaginative and prescient from the pocket. They have not had that. I am unsure that will probably be sufficient, however the offense will probably be at the very least respectable.”
Staying with Pittsburgh-related issues, the Steelers moved on from George Pickens for a couple of causes. His maturity points had been well-known inside Pittsburgh’s locker room and entrance workplace. So, the Steelers made the analysis that Pickens and Rodgers most likely wouldn’t hit it off.
However Dallas has leaned right into a sure technique greater than every other crew. The Cowboys are keen to relinquish draft capital for high-upside expertise on rookie contracts. The Cowboys executed three trades on this realm, buying Buffalo Payments cornerback Kaiir Elam, New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and now Pickens, who has the expertise to turn into a top-10 receiver. You already know the Pickens commerce may be a winner when folks within the NFC East point out, unprompted, that the acquisition may simply shift the dynamic of the Cowboys offense.
“Coping with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens issues up for them,” a coach within the division stated.
Added an AFC personnel man: “He’ll be a giant piece there. When he is coated, he is actually open. I do know the issues are there, however I believe having an already established passing recreation with veterans to assist him alongside, and the actual fact he is in a contract 12 months, will assist maintain him in line. In the event you can faucet into what he can do absolutely, his main capacity will shine by means of.”
Seattle flips Geno Smith for Sam Darnold, Jalen Milroe and money, Vegas will get its QB of the longer term … and everybody wins
The Seattle Seahawks did not straight “flip” Smith for Darnold and a third-round decide, however that was primarily the play when Seattle despatched Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in change for the No. 92 decide within the 2025 draft, which Seattle used to pick out Milroe, a developmental however explosive twin risk.
Earlier within the offseason, Smith and Seattle could not agree on a contract extension, prompting Smith to request a commerce. After the commerce went by means of, Vegas and Smith finalized a two-year, $75 million extension.
Seattle turned to Darnold in free company, signing the resurgent quarterback to a three-year, $100.5 million deal.
Smith’s deal included $58.5 million assured at signing in contrast with Darnold’s $37.5 million, however from a sensible standpoint, assuming each quarterbacks play two seasons with their respective groups, Seattle would owe Darnold $65 million throughout that span, whereas Smith would earn $66.5 million.
So, primarily, Seattle received Darnold, Milroe and $1.5 million in money in change for Smith. The Seahawks additionally get a quarterback who’s six years youthful, plus the flexibleness to get out of Darnold’s deal faster if issues go poorly in 2025.
“Darnold and Geno to me are very comparable, solidified starters however not within the prime finish,” an NFL personnel director stated. “Geno has extra of a monitor document as a passer, however Darnold threw 35 touchdowns final 12 months, so if he can play near how he did final 12 months, that is an ideal scenario and alternative for him. And Milroe has a special talent set. If he develops and figures out be a quarterback, he’ll turn into a extremely attention-grabbing participant for them.”
This was a straightforward name for Vegas, which had maybe the league’s worst quarterback scenario a 12 months in the past.
“Geno provides them immediate credibility on the place, and Pete and Geno appear to have good chemistry collectively, so it is a great way for each of them to begin,” an NFL crew govt stated. “I determine they are going to look to draft a quarterback within the subsequent few years, however for now they’ve a solution.”
The Browns’ draft haul after shifting from No. 2 to No. 5
This may work out swimmingly if Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry performs it proper. The Browns’ take care of Jacksonville — buying and selling the No. 2, 104 and 200 alternatives for Nos. 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first-rounder — units them up properly for the longer term.
As a number of scouts famous, the Browns received their operating again of the longer term, Quinshon Judkins, at No. 36 and might assault a powerful 2026 class with two first-round picks, each of which may very well be early picks resulting from Cleveland’s and Jacksonville’s states of transition.
“It is arduous to cross on Travis [Hunter] or Abdul [Carter] at 2, however you get an excellent younger defensive deal with [in Mason Graham]. … That is a place that is actually costly now, so to get a rookie-scale participant there may be essential,” an AFC govt stated. “And that is actually about 2026. Can they get their quarterback of the longer term there? They will discover out.”
Whereas groups we spoke to had blended opinions on the Deebo Samuel Sr. commerce resulting from perceptions of a declining talent set, most had been all-in on Tunsil.
The Washington Commanders gave up 4 picks — together with third- and seventh-rounders this 12 months, together with second- and fourth-rounders subsequent 12 months — in change for Tunsil and a fourth-rounder. So, primarily, Washington gave up two Day 2 picks and alter for Tunsil.
Whereas Tunsil is an imperfect participant — he struggles with penalties, and the Houston Texans‘ offensive line struggled general in 2024 — he is on the quick record at a premier place.
“He is nonetheless a top-three deal with for me,” an AFC scout stated. “And something you are able to do to guard Jayden Daniels and cargo up whereas he is on his rookie deal is wise. They gave up just a little greater than I might like however I belief AP [general manager Adam Peters] that he is aware of what he is doing right here.”
Added an NFL coordinator of Tunsil: “Dude’s nonetheless nearly as good as anybody. Actually, I believe he simply will get bored and loses focus typically however I am guessing he will probably be extremely motivated in Washington, and when he’s he is among the many best.”
Three issues can doom a veteran participant: age, damage historical past and declining talent.
Adams is 32, however he is nonetheless acting at a excessive degree and barely misses time due to damage. Many evaluators nonetheless contemplate him elite, whereas acknowledging that he might need misplaced half a step after 11 years within the league.
Whereas Cooper Kupp was a Los Angeles Rams nice, he was affected by all three classes above.
Groups we spoke to suppose Los Angeles received good worth in Adams at two years and $44 million. The crew can escape the deal after one 12 months and $20 million and nonetheless save $14 million on the cap.
“Sean [McVay] can get actually inventive with him, as a result of he is that basic exterior receiver with measurement that you would be able to additionally slide inside,” an NFL personnel evaluator stated. “It is a threat as a result of Kupp was so good there for thus lengthy. However I see this as a slight improve.”
Jets herald tandem of Aaron Glenn, Justin Fields
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Clark all in favour of how Glenn places his imprint on Jets
Ryan Clark is intrigued to see if Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields could make their marks with the Jets.
A number of head teaching hires had been lauded in league circles — most notably Ben Johnson to the Bears and Mike Vrabel to the Patriots — however the choice of Glenn in New York resonates, too. And Fields is taken into account by some as a great match for Glenn’s efforts to instill toughness in Florham Park.
“A defensive head coach goes to run the ball with Breece Corridor and a harmful weapon to enhance the offense in Fields,” an NFL coordinator stated. “AG will assist the protection be even higher, too.”
Because the draft course of unfolded, Ward’s standing as QB1 solidified.
Tennessee took its time to decide with the No. 1 decide, however it finally was not a choice in any respect.
“Folks had some questions on (Ward) coming into the method, and I really feel like he did an excellent job answering them,” an AFC govt stated. “The Titans had far much less doubts by the top of the method than they did to begin.”
Fast-hit draft strikes
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Patriots’ haul: “I did not love their [2024] draft, however I believed they did nice this 12 months. Kyle Williams has an opportunity to be an actual participant. They have not had an impression receiver there shortly. A variety of groups cherished (operating again) TreVeyon Henderson. And we had been actually excessive on [No. 4 pick] Will Campbell. I do not suppose they’re that distant.” — AFC scout
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Jets deciding on TE Mason Taylor at No. 42: “He is f—ing superior. He was my No. 2 tight finish (behind Chicago’s Colston Loveland). He is athletic, he is younger (21) and he is received upside within the passing recreation.” — Veteran NFL offensive coach
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Vikings deciding on OG Donovan Jackson with the twenty fourth decide: “You already know why I actually like this decide? He will be a stable 10-year starter. Unsure he is elite, however he’ll make a couple of Professional Bowls and be a extremely good participant for a very long time.” — NFL coordinator
