NFL News

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NFLPA advises agents that sports books are snitching on players who use gambling apps

Posted by Mike Florio on May 1, 2023, 11:45 AM EDT

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It’s been obvious that the NFL is catching players who gamble in violation of league policy not by any high-end sleuthing activities but by having the proof fall into its lap, thanks to one or more sports book partners.

That seems to be exactly what’s happening.

The NFL Players Association has sent an email to all agents alerting them to the fact that recent suspensions arose from players using mobile apps on their phones, either while at work or while traveling with their teams.

“I am sure all of you have seen the recent suspensions of players that resulted from violations of the NFL Gambling Policy (which is unilaterally imposed by the NFL and not collectively bargained),” the email to all contract advisors, a copy of which PFT has obtained, explains. “These recent violations involved players placing bets using mobile apps on their phone while at work or while traveling with their teams. This is a violation of the NFL’s Gambling Policy.

“During the NFL’s investigations we have learned that these apps (like FanDuel) are highly sensitive and very sophisticated at tracking, among other things, user location to be sure that the people using the app are not ‘prohibited gamblers’ and/or that the person using the app is in a location where they are allowed to place bets on the app. We have confirmed that some states monitor/audit FanDuel and the other gambling apps to ensure that the companies are in compliance with state law. Further the apps monitor gambler activity. It was as part of that monitoring that the NFL learned of the players using the apps at work in violation of NFL rules. At no time should players open or use any mobile gambling app while at work.”

It’s unclear why the union sent the email to agents and not to the players. It’s not for the agents to warn the players not to gamble on their phones. It’s for the union to issue that warning.

Frankly, it almost seems as if the union is warning agents so that the union can blame the agents for not warning the players, if the violations continue.

The reality is that, for some players, no warning is going to work. They’re either not paying attention, or they don’t care.

The individual teams have every reason to warn players about the gambling policy, and they do. But it still happens.

And it likely will keep happening.

It shouldn’t. Players who read this stuff (and we know plenty of you do), make sure your teammates realize that they shouldn’t gamble on their phones. Never on pro football, and never on anything while “at work” (practice, facility, traveling with team, etc.).

They’ll find out, and they’ll take swift and serious action.

They’ll do it because it’s easy to prove. They’ll do it because it creates the impression they’re proactively enforcing the policy. Even if the truth is they’re sitting back and waiting for the sports books to snitch on the players.

What a stupid stupid stupid policy

[Futureshock]

Panthers decline CJ Henderson’s fifth-year option

Posted by Myles Simmons on May 1, 2023, 9:38 AM EDT

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The Panthers elected to exercise one of their fifth-year options but won’t do the same for the second.

Carolina has declined cornerback CJ Henderson‘s fifth-year option, which means he is now set to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

The Jaguars selected Henderson at No. 9 overall in the 2020 draft. They traded him to the Panthers midway through the 2021 season as part of a package for tight end Dan Arnold and a third-round pick.

Henderson has appeared in 27 games with 15 starts for the Panthers over the last two years. In 2022, he played all 17 games with 10 starts, recording two interceptions, six passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

If Carolina had picked up Henderson’s option, they would have owed him a projected 11.514 million guaranteed in 2024.

The Panthers announced that they did in fact pick up defensive tackle Derrick Brown’s option, which was reported earlier on Monday. Brown is set to make a projected $11.665 million in 2024.

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Joe Schoen on good draft grades: You don’t win games in April

Posted by Josh Alper on May 1, 2023, 9:24 AM EDT

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The draft is preceded by a flood of mock drafts attempting to predict what teams will do and it is followed by a flood of draft grades attempting to predict how the players selected will do over the course of their NFL careers.

Different graders have different takes, but one popular view this year is that the Giants did well with their selections. They came into the weekend with 10 picks, but wound up with seven after moving around the board to pick up cornerback Deonte Banks, center John Michael Schmitz, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, running back Eric Gray, cornerback Tre Hawkins III, defensive tackle Jordon Riley, and safety Geravarrius Owens.

The group addressed needs on a roster that was good enough to win a playoff game last season and that’s a big reason why the grades look so good, but General Manager Joe Schoen wasn’t doing any victory laps when the draft concluded on Saturday.

“That lasts about two days. You don’t win games in April,” Schoen said, via the team’s website. “The social media rankings and everything like that, you know, it’s about what we do this fall and how we go out there and compete when it matters and how we continue to build this off-season and get bigger, faster, stronger, through our strength program and then how we prepare and execute in August, I think there’s a process. And do I like some of the guys we drafted? Yeah. But still, like Dabs said, you know, in this press conference, every year is different, and the team has got to gel, and we have got to build chemistry. We have to stay healthy. There’s a lot that goes into it.”

Schoen’s right about not winning games in April, but the Giants won enough of them last year to make everyone around the team feel good about the direction of the team and the wisdom of the people piloting it.

[Futureshock]

We can beat that Detroit!!!!


Kansas City attracts 312,000 fans for the three-day draft

Posted by Mike Florio on May 1, 2023, 9:22 AM EDT

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The NFL draft became a road show by accident. And it couldn’t have been drawn up any better.

Via the Kansas City Star, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy announced that 312,000 fans attended the three-day event in the city whose local team won the most recent Super Bowl.

Pre-draft estimates had landed at 300,000 — with the possibility of going up to 600,000 based on weather.

By Saturday, the weather was perfect. But the crowd was spotty, as it often is.

It’s the same vibe, no matter where the draft is. Night one: magical. Night two: still pretty good. Day three: what are we doing here?

The TV coverage mirrors that, with the content gradually becoming sports-radio talking points that, for those of us in the business of trafficking in those talking points on a regular basis, holds little interest.

They rarely if ever trumpet the ratings for the third day of the draft. And there’s a good reason for that. For as great as the first round is, rounds four through seven contain few-and-far-between moments of intrigue and interest.

Yes, sure, someone is going to find a Brock Purdy or a Tom Brady or whoever. But it’s impossible to even begin to discern who that could be in the non-stop list of name name name name as the process that comes in like a lion goes out like a lamb.

[Futureshock]

Brian Gutekunst on Jordan Love’s fifth-year option: It’s a lot of money for a guy who hasn’t played

Posted by Myles Simmons on May 1, 2023, 9:19 AM EDT

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Of the four quarterbacks who were selected in the first round of the 2020 draft, three have already had their fifth-year options picked up by their respective teams.

It was a mere formality for the Bengals with Joe Burrow and the Chargers with Justin Herbert, while the Dolphins got way ahead of it by announcing their intention to pick up Tua Tagovailoa‘s option in March.

But things are a little different for the Packers and quarterback Jordan Love.

Green Bay traded up to select Love at No. 26 overall, setting him up to be Aaron Rodgers‘ successor. Now the time has come for Love to be the team’s QB1. And the Packers intend for him to hold that job for years to come.

But General Manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t quite ready to say if Green Bay would exercise the option — which would fully guarantee Love’s 2024 salary of about $20 million — during his Saturday press conference.

“Yeah, I’ve got to figure that out by Tuesday, I guess, yeah,” Gutekunst said. “We’re kind of still working through that. We’ve been so focused on the draft. We’ve had some preliminary conversations, but we’ll get to that before Tuesday.”

As a follow-up, Gutekunst was asked why the team wouldn’t pick up the option.

“Again, I’ve got to get through that,” Gutekunst said. “It’s a lot of money for a guy who hasn’t played. But at the same time, obviously, we’re moving forward with him. So, we’ll figure that out by Tuesday.”

If the Packers wanted to make Love’s contract more team-friendly for 2024, the club could sign him to a contract extension that goes beyond that season. But even as Love hasn’t been on the field much, $20 million is a pretty low figure for a starting quarterback. And it likely behooves the Packers to pick up the option to have the QB under contract, even if the team ends up signing him to a new deal.

Love has appeared in 10 career games with one start, completing 50-of-83 passes for 606 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

[Futureshock]

I wanted this guy... Was labeled with the "lazy" tag so people here didn't like him. Huh. Don't seem so lazy now...


Panthers pick up Derrick Brown fifth-year option

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 1, 2023, 9:09 AM EDT

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Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown has a guarantee through 2024.

The Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on Brown’s contract today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

That means Brown has a guaranteed salary of $11.665 million for the 2024 season. If he plays out that year he’s slated to hit free agency in March of 2025, although it’s possible he’ll get a new long-term deal long before that.

The Panthers selected Brown with the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He started all 17 games last season.

[Futureshock]

Browns pick up Jedrick Wills’ fifth-year option

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 1, 2023, 8:14 AM EDT

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The Browns are making a commitment to offensive tackle Jedrick Wills for the 2024 season.

Cleveland is picking up the fifth-year option on Wills’ rookie contract, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. That means Wills is guaranteed a base salary of $14.175 million for 2024.

Wills would then become a free agent in 2025, although it’s possible the Browns and Wills will agree to a long-term contract extension long before that. Usually if a team picks up a player’s fifth-year option, that team also wants that player to be a part of the team for years to come.

The Browns drafted Wills with the 10th overall pick in 2020. He started all 17 games last season.

[Futureshock]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/01/nfl-draft-2023-raiders-texans-cj-stroud-peter-king-fmia/

5:33 p.m.: Ziegler on his cell, briefly. Ziegler to McDaniels in a hushed tone: “Arizona wants to trade back up.”

Ziegler and McDaniels stared at the trade-value board in the back of the room, analyzing trade possibilities—the values, plus or minus for the Raiders, based on the numerical values Ziegler assigns to each pick:

1-7 down to 1-12

Potential Counters

+177 ARI sends 2-33, LV gives back 4^th (109)

+68 ARI sends 2-33 and 6-213, LV gives back 3-100 and 4-109

+30 ARI sends 2-33, LV gives back 3-70

At 5:37 p.m., Anthony Richardson, the Florida quarterback, got picked by the Colts. The third quarterback was off the board. McDaniels beamed. He and Ziegler slapped hands. Now the Raiders were sure to get one of their four guys.

5:42 p.m.: Cards GM Monti Ossenfort called Ziegler. Hushed discussion, presumably exchanging potential offers for the pick. Then Ziegler and McDaniels huddled. Having the 12^th and 33^rd overall picks, to go along with the Raiders’ 38^th choice, would be tempting. “We could get [Oklahoma tackle Anton] Harrison at 12,” McDaniels said. The Raiders loved Harrison—not as much as Johnson, but enough maybe to lose the fourth non-QB they love in order to pick up the 33^rd pick. They mulled.

The phone went cold for a few minutes. Seemed obvious Ossenfort wanted Paris Johnson. He had to be dealing with Detroit, trying to get ahead of Vegas to ensure getting Johnson. Smart move by Ossenfort, choosing not to close a deal for the seventh pick and instead dealing for the sixth–ensuring that the Cards would get the tackle they wanted.

5:47 p.m.: Witherspoon to Seattle at five. Detroit up. No action on Ziegler’s phone. Not surprising. Arizona was targeting Johnson.

5:50 p.m.: Tinny voice from Draft HQ: “Detroit has traded its pick to Arizona. Arizona is on the clock.” For Vegas, there goes day-one starting right tackle Paris Johnson.

5:54 p.m. Paris Johnson to Arizona. “Las Vegas is on the clock,” tinny voice says.

So no real drama. The plan was preordained. There was no real debate now, no discussion about moving. Only this:

5:58 p.m.: “Tyree, this is coach McDaniels. We’re gonna turn the pick in here, and you’re gonna be a Raider.”

[Futureshock]

Dad gets to draft his son...

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/01/nfl-draft-2023-raiders-texans-cj-stroud-peter-king-fmia/

Story of the weekend, really. Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn was given the assignment of calling the team’s sixth-round pick, a running back from Kansas State, to welcome him to the Cowboys. A team video crew captured one of the coolest moments in this or any draft:

[Futureshock]

THIS! I wanted Brown...

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/01/nfl-draft-2023-raiders-texans-cj-stroud-peter-king-fmia/

Parade-Raining

Ready for a cautionary tale? Look at the first round of the 2020 Draft, which is in the news after Washington decided to not exercise the fifth-year option on 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young. This draft is not exactly the Land of Misfit Toys, but it is a perfect illustration of how it’s fun to get excited about first-round picks, while the reality is significantly more sobering.

One note of perspective: This was the Covid draft year, with teams doing most of their prospect fact-finding via phone and Zoom. In 2020, for instance, the Eagles wouldn’t have been able to dive as deep into Jalen Carter as they did this year, and wouldn’t have been able to have him visit their facility. So who knows if that would have affected where he got picked.

How the first round from just three years ago looks today, with the overall pick and player in each category:

Big hits

1. QB Joe Burrow. Joey Franchise for the Bengals.
4. T Andrew Thomas. Giant fixture. One of few wins for Dave Gettleman.
6. QB Justin Herbert. Worthy Charger heir to Fouts and Rivers.

7. DT Derrick Brown. Cornerstone player for Panthers.

13. T Tristan Wirfs. Franchise tackle and building block for Bucs.
16. CB AJ Terrell. Dependable, sturdy starter at important position.
17. WR CeeDee Lamb. Average season: 87 catches, 1,132 yards.
22. WR Justin Jefferson. Best non-QB in this draft.


Hits
5. QB Tua Tagovailoa. If he stays healthy, he becomes a big hit.
8. LB Isaiah Simmons. Nice player, not versatile megastar Cards hoped for.
24. OL Cesar Ruiz. Useable right guard starter for Saints.
25. WR Brandon Aiyuk. Slow start, but coming on as major SF factor.
27. LB Jordyn Brooks. Averaged 134 tackles a year for Seahawks.
28. LB Patrick Queen. Has started all 51 Ravens games since being drafted.

Up in the air
2. Edge Chase Young. One very good year, two invisible ones.
9. CB C.J. Henderson. Better on his second team (Panthers) than first (Jags).
10. T Jedrick Wills. 10^th overall pick should be better-than-average starter.
14. DT Javon Kinlaw. Done almost nothing to merit mid-first-round status.
15. WR Jerry Jeudy. Averaged 52 receptions, 3 TDs per year.
18. T Austin Jackson. A meh starter due to open at right tackle in Miami in ’23.
23. LB Kenneth Murray. Low-impact inside ‘backer.

Incomplete
26. QB Jordan Love. It’s your time, kid.

Misses
On the field
3. CB Jeff Okudah. Will try to save his career in Atlanta.
11. T Mekhi Becton. Last NY chance for guy who’s played one game since rookie year.
19. CB Damon Arnette. A disaster from the jump.
20. LB K’Lavon Chaisson. Eleven starts, low impact for Jags.
21. WR Jalen Reagor. Will go down as the wideout picked before Justin Jefferson.
29. T Isaiah Wilson. One of the worst first-round picks ever.
30. CB Noah Igbinoghene. Three years, five starts, 603 defensive snaps.
32. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Not egregious, but beaten out by a seventh-rounder in ’22.

Off the field
12. WR Henry Ruggs. Tragic car accident ruined his career.
31. CB Jeff Gladney. Killed in 2022 car wreck.

Thirty-two picks, eight franchise players. And 18 of 32 have been, at best, just average players through three years.

As we saw Thursday night, the first round is really fun. But the 2020 draft shows the first round is not always a transcendent, positive event for many teams.

[Futureshock]

So if Gibbs and Campbell get a second contract with us then it's a win.

We shall see.

[ghandi]

So if Gibbs and Campbell get a second contract with us then it's a win.

We shall see.

Was wondering if they both see a second contract also...Campbell I think is a strong possibility...Gibbs Im not so sure...more because RBs dont seem to get second contracts and the ones that do dont seem to do all that well.

[Futureshock]

Undrafted rookie Andre Carter II gets $340,000 guaranteed from Vikings

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 2, 2023, 3:56 PM EDT

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Former Army edge rusher Andre Carter II is getting a lot more money guaranteed than he would have if he had been a late-round draft pick.

Carter is getting a $40,000 signing bonus and $300,000 of his base salary guaranteed with the Vikings, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

That’s one of the biggest guarantees any undrafted free agent has ever received, and a far better guarantee than seventh-round draft picks receive. Players drafted at the bottom of the seventh round are slotted to receive signing bonuses of about $80,000, and that’s the only guaranteed money they get.

At one point, Carter’s ability to play in the NFL at all was in question — not because anyone doubted his talent, but because the Pentagon was planning to force him to go directly into active duty after graduating from West Point. But he has been allowed to pursue his NFL career while serving in the Army reserves, and then commit to active duty after his playing career ends.

[Futureshock]

Jets decline Mekhi Becton’s fifth-year option

Posted by Josh Alper on May 2, 2023, 3:48 PM EDT

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It’s deadline day for teams to pick up fifth-year options on the contracts of 2020 first-round picks and all signs have pointed to the Jets passing on the chance to exercise their option on tackle Mekhi Becton.

Dianna Russini of ESPN reports that the Jets have done exactly that on Tuesday. Becton would have had a guaranteed salary of $13.565 million for the 2024 season had the Jets exercised the option.

Becton had a solid rookie season as the starting left tackle for the Jets, but he missed all of the 2021 season and all but one game of the 2022 season because of knee injuries.

Becton is now set for free agency after the 2023 season. He will join Duane Brown, Max Mitchell, Billy Turner, and Cedric Ogbuehi as tackle options for the Jets this season.

[Futureshock]

Dolphins not picking up fifth-year options on Austin Jackson, Noah Igbinoghene

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 2, 2023, 3:41 PM EDT

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The Dolphins had three first-round draft picks in 2020. One of them, Tua Tagovailoa, had his fifth-year option picked up. The other two will not.

The Dolphins are not expected to exercise the fifth-year option on either offensive lineman Austin Jackson or cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

That’s no surprise, as both Jackson and Igbinoghene have struggled to live up to expectations as first-round picks.

The Dolphins say they expect Jackson to start at right tackle this season, but last year he played in just two games because of two different ankle injuries.

Igbinoghene has been an even bigger disappointment than Jackson, starting just five games through three NFL seasons.

Both Jackson and Igbinoghene are slated to become free agents in March of 2024.