NFL

Big free agents the Chargers can add in the $10-$20 million per year contract range include Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Brandon Scherff, Dont’a Hightower, Larry Ogunjobi, and Tyrann Mathieu. Maybe even Davante Adams ($20 million-plus). Tom Telesco has more than enough cap flexibility to add key free agents, even re-sign a player or two. The Chargers will have the money to make a star pair like Allen with Godwin or James with Mathieu.

Aaron Rodgers is not technically a free agent yet, but the speculation around his future continuers. The Denver Broncos are the most rumored team to land Rodgers and potentially free agent Davante Adams with him. There is also a chance the Packers will retain both, while the Steelers, Commanders, and even the Buccaneers could have a shot at Rodgers. Whichever team lands him would be a top-tier free agent destination and a candidate to be a big free agency winner.

Some teams face a massive struggle to become salary cap compliant while also entertaining hopes of being competitive in 2022. The Saints cap situation appears perilous to the outsider, and all the more concerning when one considers the weakness of the team heading into the new year.

You can’t pay everyone, that’s the truth of the salary cap system. But can the Buccaneers pay anyone and remain competitive next season? Even if Tom Brady goes back on his retirement and returns, how do the Bucs keep all his toys around for another season?

PlayerProfiler/RotoUnderworld Head Game Analyst and NFL Draft Analyst Cody Carpentier is back for more; now breaking down his NFL Mock Draft 4.0 in a short team-by-team series. Next up is the Detroit Lions. If you want to see your favorite team, go to Twitter @CarpentierNFL and leave Cody a comment on what team you want to see broken down next.

The Evan Engram experience has been a flop for the Giants. With the new coaching staff coming over from Buffalo, drafting their version of Dawson Knox has to be a goal. Greg Dulcich is a top-tier athlete in this tight end class, projecting around a 4.60 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine.

Doug Pederson makes a splash and gets his second-year QB a legitimate No. 1 WR to pair with third-year Laviska Shenault in the slot. As the former HC of the Eagles, Pederson knows from firsthand experience the impact Amari Cooper has on an offense. Releasing him is a bet on CeeDee Lamb’s ascension into the group of elite WRs. And a lesser bet on Dallas’ ability to scout rookie WRs.

At one point last offseason, I genuinely thought the Chiefs would roll the dice on WR Golden Tate. They missed out on JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the move made sense. Especially with Sammy Watkins walking. Here, they don’t make the same mistake twice, and add veteran slot WR Cole Beasley via free agency this time around. Wheels up for his fantasy football stock if this move actually happens.

PlayerProfiler/RotoUnderworld Head Game Analyst and NFL Draft Analyst Cody Carpentier is back for more; now breaking down his NFL Mock Draft 4.0 in a short team-by-team series. Next up is the Detroit Lions. If you want to see your favorite team, go to Twitter @CarpentierNFL and leave Cody a comment on what team you want to see broken down next.

I did not love what I saw from Desmond Ridder in film, or at the Senior Bowl. But I did not hate much either. He tends to float the deep balls and is very nonchalant in the middle quarters. He possesses great rushing ability that reminds me of a Jalen Hurts. However, his arm talent is greater than Hurts. This contrast led me to a Jimmy Garoppolo upside comparable, Ridder can do it, but the question is “Will he.” Adding him here at the start of Round 3 is a great value in a guy that can take over for Jared Goff at any time.

PlayerProfiler/RotoUnderworld Head Game Analyst and NFL Draft Analyst Cody Carpentier is back for more; now breaking down his NFL Mock Draft 4.0 in a short team-by-team series. Starting with the New York Jets, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, and on to Jacksonville. If you want to see your favorite team, go to Twitter @CarpentierNFL and leave Cody a comment on what team you want to see broken down next.

After taking Mekhi Becton in Round 1 of 2020 and Alijah Vera-Tucker in Round 1 of 2021, completing the Offensive line in this draft is a MUST for New York. Add in Sir Charles Cross in 2022 and your bookend tackles are locked in for the next 8-10 years to protect the future in Zach Wilson. The Jets have finished No. 24 and No. 29 over the last two seasons in Sacks Allowed.

If we can’t predict how much college backs will weigh by the time they reach the NFL with any accuracy, then a nihilistic approach to pre-Combine listed weights is appropriate. And if we can predict it with accuracy but not until a player is three or four years into their college career, then not much advantage exists to be gained by paying attention early. Luckily, I’ve found that the answers to the above questions are “pretty well” and “pretty early.”

Pooka Williams and Chris Thompson were both 4-star talents who weighed 175-pounds as high school recruits. Williams was the better college player. But it’s probably not a coincidence that he went undrafted after measuring in at 170 at his Pro Day. Thompson was selected in the fifth round after being 192 pounds at the Combine. It’s unfortunate, but face it, fellas: size matters.

The PlayerProfiler and RotoUnderworld Head Game Analyst, and NFL Draft Analyst Cody Carpentier is back from the Senior Bowl to bring the people version 4.0 of his 2022 NFL Mock Draft to update movement from the Senior Bowl, NFLPA Bowl, and Shrine Bowl Game.

The Worst-Kept Secret in Mobile all week, will be interested to see how Willis’s stock climbs once he runs a 4.44 40-yard dash in Indianapolis later this month. Willis was the only quarterback to take that next step at the Senior Bowl, earning all of the media and NFL scouts respect and appreciation after a dominant performance in the rain on Day 2. 

Say “Hello” to the 2022 PlayerProfiler All-Senior Bowl Roster, who most impressed our NFL Draft Analyst Cody Carpentier in Mobile over the past week, with not only their on-field skills but also their off-field temperaments and personalities as professionals during the week of practices. Some of these players will shine bright in the NFL, and it is our goal to uncover as many studs as possible. Thanks for following along and checking out the Top Prospects from the Reese’s Senior Bowl Practices.

It pays to be provocative — I get it. Deadlines demand stories and content must be created. People love drama. I accept that, and I accept that Russell Wilson stirred the pot; but should we continue the pressure campaign? I say no, Russell remains a Seahawk and plays in Seattle beyond his contract. If Russell says he wants to be in Seattle, and team leadership want Russ in Seattle, media should kill the story.