NFL News

[froot loops]

I would be surprised if he didn't sign with the Ravens.

[Futureshock]

They weren't going to trade him here for that. Trading unproven draft picks in division for other unproven draft picks is one thing. Trading stars for unproven draft picks is another and a big no-no.

Yeah. I know. But there's been other deals. Other FA signings, that didn't break the bank. I would be outraged if I didn't have a suspicion that the move(s) they would make would send us further backwards.

So, so far, their highwater big non-draft day trade is trading away MS?

[Futureshock]

Kareem Hunt “down for whatever” as trade deadline approaches

Posted by Josh Alper on November 1, 2022, 6:12 AM EDT

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Browns running back Kareem Hunt helped his team to a 32-13 win over the Bengals on Monday night and then turned his attention to whether it might have been his final game with the team.

Hunt requested a trade this summer and his name has remained a subject of trade chatter during the regular season. The trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, so Monday night’s game was his final chance to audition for other clubs that may want to add him to their backfield.

Hunt had 11 carries for 42 yards and four catches for 30 yards in the win. When it was over, he said he was prepared for anything to happen on Tuesday.

“I mean, I’m down for whatever,” Hunt said, via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. “I’m a football player and it’s a business. I’m ready to do whatever they decide with me. That’s either go somewhere else or here, anything, it don’t matter. I love the game of football.”

Hunt added that his plan for Tuesday is to “just relax, enjoy myself, maybe go to one of my favorite restaurants or something” while he waits to find out where he’ll be playing for the rest of the 2022 season.

[Futureshock]

Nyheim Hines could be on the move on Tuesday

Posted by Mike Florio on October 31, 2022, 11:38 PM EDT

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The Colts could be moving one of their most underutilized weapons before Tuesday’s deadline.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that multiple teams have reached out to the Colts regarding a possible trade for running back Nyheim Hines. The leak, coming on the eve of the closing of the annual trade window, could be calculated toward getting the best offer on the table by 4:00 p.m. ET tomorrow.

The Colts, at 3-4-1, are still alive. Do they really want to be? They’ve made the business decision to bench former MVP Matt Ryan. They could make a business decision to part ways with Hines in order to stockpile picks and, along the way, ease into the bathtub of a non-obvious tank for a potential franchise quarterback in the draft.

Hines has 43 touches in seven games this season, an average of just over six per game. For a tailback making $3.3 million in base salary, that’s not enough usage to justify the salary.

And so Hines enters the conversation for potentially mobile tailbacks, including Browns running back Kareem Hunt, Rams running back Cam Akers, and 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr.

Stephen Holder of ESPN.com writes that “odds are good” for Hines to be traded. Per Holder, the Colts haven’t gotten the offer they want yet, but that there’s a “strong feeling” they might.

For now, the word is out. Anyone who wants Hines needs to make their move, soon.

If Sunday was his last game in Indy, Hines finished with 49 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. He’s been on the team since 2018, and he’s under contract through 2024.

[Futureshock]

Ravens now have two star players heading toward free agency, but only one franchise tag

Posted by Mike Florio on October 31, 2022, 7:25 PM EDT

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By trading for linebacker Roquan Smith, the Ravens now have a pair of 2018 first-round picks who are in their fifth-year option years — and currently heading for free agency in March 2023.

In Chicago, Smith risked being franchise-tagged absent a new deal by early next year. In Baltimore, the Ravens have a dilemma. With both Smith and quarterback Lamar Jackson heading toward free agency, if both refuse to do a deal, one of them will definitely become a free agent.

That presumably would be Smith, if it came down to one or the other. It’s possible that they didn’t do the trade without already having an understanding as to what Smith would expect. (The Bears, in theory, could have authorized such communications.)

Complicating matters is that both players represent themselves. Thus, nothing is done until it’s done, and any unofficial understandings that aren’t final, binding contracts could more easily be disregarded by the player, if he so chooses. And there would be nothing wrong with that, if the players choose to back away from any informal deal that isn’t signed.

Bottom line? The Ravens need to get one of these two players to put their signature on a new deal by the deadline for applying the franchise tag early next year, or one of them will have a clear path to the open market.

[Futureshock]

They weren't going to trade him here for that. Trading unproven draft picks in division for other unproven draft picks is one thing. Trading stars for unproven draft picks is another and a big no-no.

And why can't we trade away someone? It's not like we're chock full of guys that will be here when the dust settles. I'm looking directly at TJ

[Futureshock]

Report: Ravens will pay Roquan Smith only $575,000 for balance of season

Posted by Mike Florio on October 31, 2022, 4:59 PM EDT

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The Bears will be paying even more money to players who are no longer on the team.

Millions will be given to Eagles defensive end Robert Quinn following the trade that sent him to Philadelphia last week. Ditto for new Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Ravens will pay only $575,000 of the balance of Smith’s 2022 contract. The Bears will pay the remaining $4.833 million.

Of course, the Ravens inherit the challenge of keeping Smith contractually. A long-term deal can be done at any time until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March.

The Ravens also could subject him to the franchise tag, but that’s a different issue that we’ll raise in a different item.

[Futureshock]

Matt LaFleur “absolutely not” considering a change at defensive coordinator

Posted by Myles Simmons on October 31, 2022, 4:56 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

The Packers are off to their worst start under head coach Matt LaFleur at 3-5. The team’s offense has struggled, with the club ranked 26th in scoring and 17th in total yards.

But defensively, things haven’t gone great either, particularly in the current four-game losing streak.

Joe Barry has been Green Bay’s defensive coordinator for the last two seasons. LaFleur was asked during his Monday press conference if he’s considered a change at the position and gave a clear, simple answer.

“Oh no, absolutely not,” LaFleur said.

LaFleur noted that the defensive game plans aren’t likely to please everybody, though the coaches take input from players. But the biggest thing LaFleur noted the Packers have to improve on defensively is physicality.

“I think you look at the teams that are the toughest to deal with in this league, especially from a defensive standpoint, and physicality, it jumps out to you,” LaFleur said. “And there were moments where we’re not always getting that.”

LaFleur is Green Bay’s offensive play-caller, so that unit is where he ends up sponging most of his time. But he did talk about meeting with the defensive players to go over film and help them see things from an offensive perspective.

Still, LaFleur feels like if the Packers were playing better complementary football, he wouldn’t be facing these types of questions.

“It hasn’t been consistent — at all,” LaFleur said. “It’s like, one side is doing it, the other side isn’t. You have to play complementary football and understand that there’s going to be some moments where one side of the ball may be struggling. that’s where the other side of the ball has to kind of pick it up.

“That was a really good offense — not to make any excuses for our defense, certainly there’s a lot of things that have to get better. Namely, the tackling. When you have guys in the hole a 2-yard run turns into a 20-something-yard run. So, that cannot happen.”

The 3-5 Packers will take on the 1-6 Lions in Week Nine.

[Futureshock]

IDK why all these articles on the same trade had to be separate, but...

A.J. Klein goes from Baltimore to Chicago in Roquan Smith trade

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 31, 2022, 4:41 PM EDT

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Veteran linebacker A.J. Klein will go from the Ravens to the Bears as the final piece in today’s Roquan Smith trade.

According to multiple reports, the full trade is Smith to the Ravens in exchange for Klein, a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick.

The Ravens may have been planning to cut Klein to open up a roster spot for Smith anyway, so including him in the trade doesn’t cost Baltimore anything but does give Chicago a veteran linebacker to add to the mix for the rest of the season.

Klein was in the Ravens’ starting lineup on Thursday night against the Buccaneers, although he only played 15 defensive snaps, in addition to five special teams snaps.

The 31-year-old Klein was a fifth-round pick of the Panthers in 2013. He has played in Carolina, New Orleans and Buffalo and was very briefly on the Giants’ practice squad this season before the Ravens picked him up on October 6. The Bears are his third different team this month.

[Futureshock]

For the LAR pick?
Broncos Mandating First-Round Pick For Bradley Chubb?


October 31st, 2022 at 11:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Multiple reports have connected the Broncos to a trade involving a first-round pick for Bradley Chubb, in the event they end up dealing the fifth-year edge rusher. The Broncos may now be insistent on a first-rounder coming back.

Denver is setting a first-rounder as the Chubb starting point, according to Outkick.com’s Armando Salguero, who adds the team is telling teams it must offer a first and then some to pry Chubb away. The former Von Miller sidekick is in a contract year, like Miller was in 2022. While expectations were higher for the 2022 Broncos compared to 2021, they are 3-5 ahead of Tuesday’s deadline and again in position to make a seller’s trade.

The first-round price comes in north of what a report last week indicated Chubb would likely cost. A second- and third-round package, which Miller fetched last year, was viewed as the likeliest Chubb price. But the Dolphins and Jets have since been linked to the former No. 5 overall pick. The AFC East teams, who are each gunning for playoff spots for the first time in years, have been linked to being interested to the point a first-rounder would be exchanged. A Sunday-morning report also indicated the Broncos have received an offer including a first-rounder for Chubb, putting the team to a big-picture decision.

[RELATED: Giants Interested In Jerry Jeudy]

The Broncos have gauged the cost of a Chubb extension, according to Albert Breer of SI.com, but no talks of a new deal are believed to have taken place. Chubb, 26, has expressed a desire to stay in Denver beyond 2022, but he said from London he has not made bye-week plans due to the Broncos’ trade talks. Although injuries have depleted the 2022 Broncos’ outside linebacker depth, they have Randy Gregory, Baron Browning and second-round rookie Nik Bonitto signed long term.

No edge defender has garnered a first-rounder via trade since the Chiefs acquired Frank Clark from the Seahawks in April 2019. That move came with Clark on a franchise tag and before he had made a Pro Bowl. Chubb earned such a nod in 2020 and has a 12-sack season (as a rookie in 2018) on his resume. This would be a steep price to pay for a rental, but an acquiring team would have exclusive Chubb negotiating rights until March 2023. A 2023 tag — surely a Broncos consideration as well — would be in an acquiring team’s back pocket.

Chubb’s age compared to Miller’s likely has led to a first-rounder being in the equation. The Broncos also can use the John Elway-era draftee to recoup draft capital they lost in the Russell Wilson trade. The Wilson trade leaves Denver without 2023 first- or second-round picks, and the quarterback’s $49MM-per-year extension will make high-end investments elsewhere on the roster more difficult. Gregory is signed to a $14MM-per-year deal, while Browning and Bonitto are on rookie pacts. Chubb would be expected to sign for well north of $20MM per annum.

Still, the Broncos have not committed to dealing Chubb, per Salguero, who notes such a move would be a clear sign the team is punting on 2022. The prospect of other teams’ offers falling short of the Broncos’ asking price also looms. It would then be interesting to see if the Broncos would accept a lesser haul to bolster its 2023 draft arsenal or just ride it out with Chubb and reassess the situation ahead of the 2023 league year.

The team is not expected to part with Jerry Jeudy or K.J. Hamler, who are each under contract in 2023. But a Jeudy trade is not completely off the table, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who adds tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is carrying next to no trade value. The Broncos have buried Okwuegbunam on their depth chart in recent weeks and would likely accept just about any draft capital to move him.

[Futureshock]

Teams Who Could Move On Big-Name Pass Rushers


October 31st, 2022 at 8:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Some intriguing names have been mentioned as available in the trade market as the deadline approaches tomorrow afternoon. As usual, pass rusher is a position that many teams are looking to make improvements at, and there’s no shortage of big names available. So which teams are in the market to trade for players like Panthers defensive end Brian Burns, Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, or Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen? According to Alber Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Rams, Chiefs, Ravens, and Titans are all in the mix.

After losing Von Miller in free agency this offseason to the Bills, Los Angeles has struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Defensive lineman Aaron Donald leads the team with 4.0 sacks, and, while outside linebacker Leonard Floyd is second on the team with 2.0, he’s tied with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Besides that, at the pass rusher position, Justin Hollins and Terrell Lewis only have 1.0 sack apiece. The Rams easily could benefit from the addition of Burns, Chubb, or Allen, who could all immediately start adding to the team’s lackluster sack total.

The Chiefs are an interesting addition to this list, since they made the move for pass rusher Frank Clark back in 2019. Like the Rams, Kansas City has gotten their biggest sack totals from interesting places. Defensive tackle Chris Jones leads the team with 5.0 sacks and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is second on the team with 3.5. Clark and outside linebacker Carlos Dunlap combine for 5.0, while Darius Harris, Willie Gay, and George Karlaftis add a combined 2.0 sacks. They have some big names and are around average in the league for their sack totals, but Clark’s upcoming two-game suspension could limit their pass rush effectiveness during that period. Adding another big name, though, could certainly make them one of the more feared defenses in the league.

The Ravens are another interesting addition. They have lots of potential but lack a young, proven pass rusher on their roster. Baltimore has proven pass rushers in Calais Campbell, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Houston, and soon-to-return Tyus Bowser. They’ve also got young pass rushers in Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, who may soon make his NFL debut. But they lack the young AND proven pass rusher. Campbell, Pierre-Paul, and Houston are far from their prime days of double-digit sacks. Houston has made a good effort this season, with 6.0 so far this year, but injuries have already forced him to miss three contests this year. Oweh is the former first-round pick who, after 5.0 sacks in his rookie season, was expected to break out for a big sack total this year. Unfortunately, Oweh only has 1.0 sack this season in a potential sophomore slump. The Ravens may just need to wait, though. The returns of Bowser, who led the Ravens in 2021 with 7.0 sacks, and Ojabo, who trailed only No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson for the team lead in sacks at Michigan last year with 11.0, may act like trade additions themselves as the Ravens make a push for the playoffs. If they’re returns hit bumps in the road or Houston sees more injury trouble, it may make sense for Baltimore to add a young name with proven pass rushing expertise.

The Titans maybe make the most sense to me. Tennessee has been able to produce decent sack numbers despite their lack of big-name pass rushers. Their biggest name is their sack-leader Jeffery Simmons, who’s totaled 5.5 sacks so far this year. Behind him Denico Autry, Rashad Weaver, Bud Dupree, and DeMarcus Walker have combined for 13.0 sacks, with defensive tackle Sam Okuayinonu also adding a half of a sack. If those numbers are being put up by the likes of Autry, Weaver, and Dupree, imagine what Burns, Chubb, or Allen could produce in this scheme. This team isn’t struggling to provide a pass rush, but it could potentially improve the most with the addition of a big-name pass rusher.

The deadline comes tomorrow at 4 PM eastern time. If any of these teams are going to make a big move in the pass rushing market, it will have to be by then. It will be interesting to see which playoff contending teams decide to make the move to improve their defense by tomorrow’s deadline.

[Futureshock]

Hey, maybe someone will ask to trade for Charles Harris?

[Futureshock]

This guy was available and may play before Jamo does...

Report: Falcons trade Calvin Ridley to Jaguars

Posted by Charean Williams on November 1, 2022, 3:09 PM EDT

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Calvin Ridley is suspended at least through the 2022 season, but when he returns, the receiver will have a new team.

The Falcons traded Ridley to the Jaguars for conditional draft compensation, Mia O’Brien of 1010XL reports.

In March, the NFL suspended Ridley for betting on games during the 2021 season. He can apply for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2023.

Ridley missed most of the 2021 season to deal with mental health issues.

The Falcons made Ridley a first-round choice in 2018, and he caught 248 passes for 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career in Atlanta.

[Futureshock]

49ers agree to trade Jeff Wilson to Dolphins

Posted by Myles Simmons on November 1, 2022, 3:08 PM EDT

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The Dolphins are making another move to fortify themselves for the rest of the 2022 season.

According to multiple reports, San Francisco is trading running back Jeff Wilson to Miami in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Wilson has rushed for 468 yards in eight games with six starts this season. He’s averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has a pair of touchdowns. He’s also caught 10 passes for 91 yards.

Wilson is familiar with his new head coach, Mike McDaniel, from their shared time with San Francisco. McDaniel had been an offensive assistant with the team for Wilson’s entire career until he became Miami’s head coach.

Wilson and Raheem Mostert — another former San Francisco running back — should form a solid tandem in South Florida.

The Dolphins also agreed to trade for Broncos edge rusher Bradley Chubb on Tuesday.

[Futureshock]

Broncos trade Bradley Chubb to Dolphins for package including 49ers’ first-round pick

Posted by Michael David Smith on November 1, 2022, 2:33 PM EDT

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Bradley Chubb is heading to Miami.

Chubb, the Broncos linebacker who has been the subject of trade talks for the last few weeks, has been traded to the Dolphins.

The package the Dolphins are giving up will be the 49ers’ 2023 first-round draft pick, the Broncos’ 2024 fourth-round pick and running back Chase Edmonds for Chubb and the Broncos’ 2025 fifth-round pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Dolphins have the 49ers’ first-round pick next year because the 49ers traded up with them to draft Trey Lance in 2021. The Dolphins forfeited their own first-round pick for violating NFL tampering rules.

Chubb arrived in Denver as the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, and he’s in the fifth and final season of his five-year rookie contract. The Dolphins certainly expect to sign Chubb to a long-term contract extension or else they wouldn’t have made this trade.

The Dolphins clearly see themselves as Super Bowl contenders, and now they’ve added a big piece to a defense that they hope will help them go on a postseason run.