:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58919441/627697584.jpg.0.jpg)
The latest
Why Saquon Barkley To The Cleveland Browns At No. 1 Makes Perfect Sense | Forbes
And in reality, it does make sense. Some of the best running backs in today's NFL were mid-round selections. That list includes Kareem Hunt (third round), Devonta Freeman (fourth round), David Johnson (third round), Frank Gore (third round), Alvin Kamara (third round) and Jordan Howard (fifth round).
Pace, Nagy have formed strong partnership | ChicagoBears.com
The offense the Bears run under Nagy will look a lot like the one in Kansas City that produced the NFL’s leading passer in Alex Smith (with a 104.7 rating) and top rusher in Kareem Hunt (with 1,327 yards) last season.
One player [Derwin James] has been compared to is All-Pro safety Eric Berry, someone who James loves to emulate.
“That’s one of my favorite players actually,” James said. “I watched so much tape on Eric Berry, from being a box safety, covering No. 2s (receivers), tight ends, that’s a great compliment.’’
2018 NFL free agent market: Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert | Cincinnati.com
As for the current market, former University of Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce is the highest-paid tight end annually in the league at $9.36 million. Next is Washington tight end Jordan Reed at $9.35. After New England’s Rob Gronkowski, the fourth-highest paid tight end is Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz at $8.5 million.
Carolina Panthers | Graham Gano a franchise tag candidate | Charlotte Observer
The Panthers drafted Georgia Tech kicker Harrison Butker in the seventh round last year, and he and Gano competed for the job in training camp. The Panthers kept Gano, and Butker went on to have a strong rookie season with Kansas City.
Auburn Tigers' Jeff Holland: I am the best pass rusher in 2018 NFL Draft | 247sports (Auburn)
Jeff Holland is coming off a breakout junior season in which he led Auburn in sacks and picked up All-SEC honors. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds at the NFL Combine and recorded a broad jump of 9 feet, 8 inches.
He projects as an outside linebacker, much like former Auburn defensive end Dee Ford (now at Kansas City).
The pace figures to be breathtaking as UCLA opens spring football under Chip Kelly | LA Times
Of course, UCLA's roster doesn't feature De'Anthony Thomas and Marcus Mariota, the stars of teams that helped Kelly go 46-7 with the Ducks from 2009 to 2012.
Draft In-Focus: LSU's D.J. Chark is an ascending talent | Florida Times-Union
With that sort of size and speed, D.J. Chark’s upside looks to be a No. 2 receiver who could be used in many different ways (tunnel screens, play-action throws downfield, jet sweeps, etc.) in a similar way to Kansas City’s Chris Conley or a better version of Arizona’s Jaron Brown.
Around the league
Houston Chronicle columnist Jerome Solomon reported Saturday that he “spoke with two NFL agents this week who said word is the Texans aren’t interested in any players who participated in pregame kneel-downs in protest of police brutality.”
NFL salary cap for teams is $177.2 million for 2018 season | ESPN
The NFL's salary cap has increased to $177.2 million for the 2018 season, the smallest percent increase for the cap from year to year since 2013, sources told ESPN.
Eagles seeking at least first-round pick for Nick Foles | NFL.com
While Philadelphia has fielded calls from teams interested in trading for backup quarterback Nick Foles, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday's edition of NFL Total Access that the Eagles are asking for a first-round draft pick "at the very least."
Oakland Raiders release Aldon Smith amid police probe | NFL.com
A day after he was named a suspect in domestic violence incident, the Oakland Raiders released linebacker Aldon Smith. The suspended linebacker hasn't played an NFL snap since 2015.
One Hand Is Enough For Shaquem Griffin To Dominate At NFL Combine | Forbes
Arguably the big star at this year's National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine has been Shaquem Griffin. After the NFL's annual tryout festival ends today, there's a good chance that scouts will leave the Indianapolis Colt's Lucas Oil Stadium talking most about Griffin. And it won't be just because he hasn't had a left hand since he was 4 years old.
NFL combine Day 4 winners/losers: Derwin James = hybrid freak | NFL.com
Winners
Derwin James, S, Florida State: James could experience a resurgence in draft buzz, given the final copy of measurements and athletic numbers the second-team AP All-American gave scouts at the combine. The versatile defender blazed a 4.47-second 40-yard dash to go along with a 40-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot broad jump. Although evaluators expected him to be one of the athletic freaks at the position, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound hybrid safety exceeded expectations by showing quick feet and smooth movement skills in positional drills. With some teams reportedly considering James as a "big" cornerback, this spectacular showing could elevate him back into top-15 consideration.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Brother of Chiefs cornerback could hit free agency, who is interested?
Kendall Fuller’s brother could be hitting free agency. Fuller was traded to the Chiefs as part of the Alex Smith trade and has several brothers in the NFL, including Kyle Fuller who is expected to hit free agency on March 14. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports the Bears are not expected to use the franchise tag on Fuller. That means he is likely to be available next week.
Chiefs’ Andy Reid among NFL’s top 10 head coaches, again
Rotoworld’s Patrick Daugherty released a list of the NFL’s top 10 best head coaches Monday morning and the Chiefs’ Andy Reid appeared on the list at No. 3 for the second year in a row.
His review of Reid’s 2017 season was rather, eh, honest?
Is this Andy Reid’s famous mac n cheese recipe?
It is a Monday evening during the offseason in March, football news is slow, and out of nowhere we get the story of the year.