All news NFL

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

6 biggest Round 1 wild cards- Where will Bowers go?

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

New Giants DC Bowen wants 'violence' from defense

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

Bengals QB Joe Burrow- We're 'built to beat' Chiefs

Speaking this week during the New Heights' live podcast, Burrow broke down why he's had success against K.C. where others have not, looking back fondly at the battles between two of the AFC's recent behemoths.

"I think we both work really hard. They have great players, we have great players," Burrow told Jason and Travis Kelce, per the Bengals' website. "I think we match up pretty well with them. I think we're built to beat them. I always appreciate the legendary battles we have. Guys are out there always making plays. Patrick (Mahomes) is always out there making plays. Both teams have big-time defensive lines. It's a great matchup."

Burrow's comments were nothing short of complimentary, but the claim sandwiched between the rest of his answer is what will spur debate.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

Filice mock draft 2.0- 5 trades! Jets move up for WR

It's information overload -- and not all intel is created equally. Because it's lying season, baby! Smokescreens aplenty!

So, that explains why I've lost my mind and projected five trades in this first-round simulation. I'm grasping at straws here, people, just trying to survive the long march to draft day. Give me some grace, dammit!

PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

After guiding Jim Harbaugh’s old team to a national title, McCarthy nets the coach’s new team two first-rounders for the price of one. Minnesota’s a fine landing spot for J.J., too, with the coach, the pass catchers, the offensive line and perhaps even the patience -- depending on how the Vikings view Sam Darnold -- to foster the 21-year-old’s development at a prudent pace. Everybody wins!

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH TENNESSEE TITANS

Having aggressively upgraded the roster via free agency and a pair of trades, the Jets are clearly going for it in Take 2 of the Aaron Rodgers experience. So, with few obvious needs remaining, what’s stopping Joe Douglas from carrying this energy into the draft? New York fills the third-round hole on Tennessee’s draft docket by flipping the rebuilding Titans Pick No. 72, thus allowing the Jets to leapfrog the Bears and snag the last of the Big Three wideouts. Remember: Mike Williams is a) coming off a torn ACL and b) on a one-year deal. Thus, Odunze gives Gang Green a) valuable insurance for 2024 and b) a dynamic complement to Garrett Wilson for years to come.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH NEW YORK JETS

After trading down a few slots to accumulate a third-round pick for his rebuilding team, GM Ran Carthon still has plenty of enticing options at offensive tackle, widely viewed as Tennessee’s greatest position of need. Then again, one of the added bonuses of hiring Brian Callahan was that the new head coach brought along his dad, Bill, who just happens to be one of the best offensive line coaches in football. With that in mind, do the Titans need to snag one of the elite OTs, or could they take advantage of the class’ depth at the position and wait until Pick No. 38?

OK, full disclosure: I’m hell bent on Bowers being a top-10 pick, one way or another, and this was my last chance to project this notion. Not to mention, we already know Brock’s down with Nashville.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS

A highly pedigreed, gargantuan mauler of a right tackle? Sounds like a perfect first pick of the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH DENVER BRONCOS

The Jaguars fly up the board -- notably leapfrogging the cornerback-needy Raiders -- to get their pick of the CB litter. Yes, it’s the senior cover man out of Toledo. And no, it isn’t surprising. Mitchell absolutely crushed the pre-draft process.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

After trading down to net a second-round pick -- something the Broncos don’t currently have in the real world, which could be problematic if they’re interested in a QB like Bo Nix -- Denver scoops up an athletic pass protector who still needs some refinement as a run blocker. With left tackle Garett Bolles entering a contract season, Denver fortifies an expensive position via a cheap rookie contract.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The new guys in charge dumped Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for financial reasons. Now they have to replenish Justin Herbert’s receiving corps. There’s a good chance this big-bodied touchdown maker with 4.33 speed comes off the board in the top 20 picks. If not, Herbert’s cannon arm is made to target Thomas’ deep separation. This feels like a rich man’s version of the Chargers’ first-round pick from last year, Quentin Johnston.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS

I already touched on the utter lack of offensive firepower on New England’s current roster. Shoot, when’s the last time the Patriots had a true “X” receiver in his prime? Mitchell’s still a little rough around the edges, but he could grow into a star as Jayden Daniels’ main man on the perimeter. And in this scenario, the Pats do business with old friend Monti Ossenfort, jumping up from No. 34 and landing right in front of the receiver-needy Bills. AFC East heat!

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS

I don’t know what the Raiders think about the extensive injury history, but NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported last month that the combine medical exams “came out extremely positive for Penix -- no issues going forward.” One thing I do know: Penix has a serious whip of an arm. And one thing I think I know: Las Vegas won’t be able to secure his services by sitting tight at Pick No. 44.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

J.J. McCarthy is in New England, meeting with Patriots - NBC Sports

McCarthy is having dinner with Patriots officials tonight and visiting the team facility on Monday.
The Patriots, who draft third, appear to be headed toward drafting the third quarterback after the Bears draft Caleb Williams at No. 1 and the Commanders take a quarterback at No. 2.
New England previously hosted North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
McCarthy also is scheduled to meet with the Commanders this week, and he previously has visited the Giants.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

Kenny Clark- New defense good for us up front, we can be more disruptive - NBC Sports

Hafley was hired to replace Joe Barry after an inconsistent 2023 season for the defense in Green Bay and early indications are that it is going to be a more aggressive approach than the one they employed last year. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark said last week that “it’s going to give that mentality to just cut it loose more within the defense” and he thinks that is going to be a good fit for both him and the defense at large.

“Fiery, his energy . . . he’s going to bring it,” Clark said, via the team’s website. “He’s going to challenge everybody — challenge everybody to be great. That’s what you want as a coach. You want them to hold guys accountable. I think this scheme . . . it’ll be good for us up front. It’s going to allow us to be way more disruptive.”

The Packers had to win their last three games of the regular season in order to advance to the playoffs as a Wild Card last season. A more consistent defensive performance could give them a chance to compete for the NFC North title.

[Woodman]

Re: All news NFL

As offseason program opens, Rashee Rice's status remains unclear - NBC Sports

To date, it’s still not clear whether and to what extent Rice will be present for Phase I.
The fact that the Chiefs will have a virtual Phase I makes the need for action a bit less urgent. It’s not as if he’ll be showing up at the facility, trying to carve a path through reporters shouting questions at him.
That said, if there are press availabilities from coach Andy Reid and/or select players, questions about Rice will be asked. The Chiefs surely know it, and they undoubtedly will have a plan for responding, even if it’s as simple as pointing out there’s a pending legal matter and they have no comment.