The latest news from around the division.
Mock Draft Monday | Commanders find long term answers at positions of need – Zach Selby, Commanders.com
Washington is poised to fill voids, beginning with pick #2.
It’s a new year in a new era for the Washington Commanders, and they have a chance to start the Dan Quinn-Adam Peters regime off by taking one of the best players in college football.
Most analysts anticipate that the Commanders will take a quarterback with the pick, and there are a variety of players to choose from if that is the path the team takes. While they are getting closer to a decision, there are several factors to consider. They could stay at No. 2, or they could trade the pick to move up or down, depending on whether the deal makes sense for them. They could also address other needs on the roster, whether it’s offensive line, receiver or pass-rusher.
In anticipation for that selection, Commanders.com will highlight one mock draft from a draft expert each week to delve into how that player would fit with Washington. In the final edition of this year’s Mock Draft Monday series, we’re highlighting a mock draft from Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson, who has the Commanders taking a player who has risen up draft boards in recent weeks.
No. 2: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy doesn’t have the hype surrounding him like some of the other top quarterbacks on the board. He’s not a dynamic playmaker with his legs like Jayden Daniels; he doesn’t have the prototypical height like Drake Maye; and he certainly doesn’t have the buzz surrounding him like Caleb Williams.
It’s clear, however, that there’s something about the Michigan quarterback that teams seem to like. He’s shot up draft boards since the combine, so much so that he’s considered in the same group as Daniels and Maye. Monson believes the hype to the point that he thinks he’ll be the second quarterback off the board.
“From the very outset of the draft process, there has been talk that the NFL likes J.J. McCarthy more than the public or the media,” Monson wrote. “In a year where all of the prospects outside of Williams have their concerns, I’ll buy that smoke and say Washington grabs the guy with NFL tape.”
Eagles, Falcons tampering allegations: NFL resolution coming soon, Atlanta could reportedly get harsh penalty – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Philadelphia may have broken some rules in acquiring Saquon Barkley.
Two of the most notable free agency moves — quarterback Kirk Cousins leaving the Minnesota Vikings to sign with the Atlanta Falcons on a four-year, $180 deal and running back Saquon Barkley departing from the New York Giants to join the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.8 million contract — may soon come with consequences.
Both signings may come with draft pick losses after allegations of tampering surfaced. Cousins may have accidentally implicated himself at his introductory press conference as players aren’t allowed to have first person contact with teams during the legal tampering period before the start of the new league year.
“There’s great people here,” Cousins said. “And it’s not just the football team. I mean, I’m looking at the support staff. Meeting — calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of P.R. I’m thinking, we got good people here. And that’s exciting to be a part of.”
Barkley’s college head coach at Penn State, James Franklin, alluded to Barkley and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman speaking on the phone during the legal tampering period.
“For him now to come back and be able to play within the state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him was not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well,” Franklin said, via to ESPN.
According to an ESPN report on Monday, discipline is coming soon with the punishment likely to be more harsh for the Falcons given Cousins on-the-record statement. A couple tampering punishments have been levied in the last 10 years with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs on the receiving end of those consequences.
Takeaways from GM Joe Schoen’s pre-draft press conference – Dan Salomone, Giants.com
New York’s front office is putting the finishing touches on their draft prep.
It’s a busy time at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Players reported on Monday for the start of the offseason workout program. Divided into three stages, the next nine weeks are intended to provide training, teaching, and physical conditioning as they build up to organized team practice activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
Meanwhile, the draft room has been buzzing with just a week to go before the first round kicks off in Detroit. Joe Schoen took a break in the action on Thursday afternoon to hold his pre-draft press conference, an annual ritual for reporters and general managers across the league. One side tries to gather as much information while the other typically plays it close to the vest.
Here are the takeaways from the auditorium:
Schoen said their final draft board should be set by Friday evening. They will step away from it for the weekend “to prevent the paralysis by analysis.”
Speaking Thursday afternoon, Schoen said he doesn’t think teams are ready to move yet in the draft order, but they’re listening. “We all do that.” Those conversations should heat up in the next 48-72 hours.
Asked if there is a “quarterback tax” on trade value charts, Schoen said that’s “true.”
In terms of potential trade partners in the top 10, Schoen said having Washington, a division opponent, at No. 2 is a “difficult one.”
Teams can still have Zoom calls with prospects up until Wednesday. “I think teams are still getting to know some of these prospects or any loose ends they need to tie up before the draft.”
Schoen: “I’m confident we’re going to get a good player next Thursday, whatever position that is, and we’ll sleep good at night knowing we did all the preparation and we let the board talk to us.”
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