Patriots not in on Lamar Jackson
Wed Mar 29 11:55am ET
Field Level Media
The New England Patriots are not expected to be players in the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes, despite the quarterback's reported interest in joining the team, The Athletic reported Wednesday.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft set the rumor mill into overdrive earlier this week when he said he got a text from rapper Meek Mill about Jackson's interest in the Patriots. Kraft said it was up to head coach Bill Belichick.
Not happening, per The Athletic.
Jackson's current contract demands and the draft capital a team would have to give up are a bridge too far for the fiscally conservative Patriots, per the report.
Also, the Atlanta Falcons have removed themselves from pursuing Jackson. Falcons owner Arthur Blank told two different media outlets that despite their interest in Deshaun Watson last year, the timing now is different.
The Falcons named Desmond Ridder their starting QB for 2023.
"Every year is different," Blank told USA Today. "Deshaun was a different situation. It was a different time and space. I think Lamar is a great player ... but we look at our roster and our ability to continue to build our roster now and have salary cap freedom, which we've never had."
Jackson has asked to be traded, but the market for him is shrinking.
On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions all said they're not interested in pursuing Jackson. The Washington Commanders, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers already had stated similarly.
The Jets are actively seeking to trade for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Seattle Seahawks re-signed Geno Smith earlier this month, with coach Pete Carroll adding the team "couldn't afford" Jackson.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard on Monday confirmed his interest in Jackson. Colts owner Jim Irsay later in the day said Jackson's contract demands weren't an issue, but that a team has to guard against compromising "your future to do it."
"It really has nothing to do with actual dollars," Irsay said. "I mean, paying a contract like that is not a problem. I mean, it's not a problem for me. The issue is what's the right thing to do for the franchise in terms of what helps us win in the long run."
Jackson took to Twitter on Tuesday to defend himself against claims that durability is an issue with him.
"I don't remember me sitting out on my guys week 1 vs jets To week 12 vs Broncos," he tweeted. "How come all of a sudden I sit out because of money in which I could've got hurt at anytime within that time frame. When we know the Super Bowl been on my mind since April 2018."
"Let's get real. I rather have a 100% PCL than go out there and play horrible forcing myself to put my guys in a bad situation now that's selfish to me," he said in a second tweet.
Jackson missed four games in 2021 and five games in 2022 with injuries. Jackson, 26, is 45-16 as the Ravens' starter and won the NFL's Most Valuable Player award in 2019.
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The Paur Report
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson requested a trade on Wednesday, according to his agent, Harold Lewis, as he seeks more long-term security after the two sides settled on a one-year extension last year worth $21 million. However, a source said that the Bengals are not interested in trading Hendrickson. It's not surprise that Hendrickson is looking for a new deal after posting a career-high 17.5 sacks, which was second in the NFL behind Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt. It was the highest total for a Bengals player since sacks became a statistic in 1982. He also finished 11th in pass-rush win rate as an edge rusher and created the second-most sacks (18) in the league. Contract issues aside, Hendrickson is going to be a very coveted defensive lineman in IDP fantasy formats this fall after his big 2023 campaign.
From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Chicago Bears drafted USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. The Bears made this all but a certainty when they traded Justin Fields to the Steelers earlier this off-season. Williams will immediately take over the franchise and will be in a unique situation as a rookie starter with an offense that isn't exactly lacking talent. The likes of Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and D'Andre Swift should be enough to keep his dynasty value high even as he learns the position. Williams should be immediately installed as a low-end QB1 and an easy pick at the top of a Superflex league rookie draft.
Dynasty | The Washington Commanders selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Commanders decided to make Daniels the face of the franchise and took him with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It's hard to blame him as he put up video game numbers last season at LSU. It's difficult to see any other quarterback with a higher ceiling than Daniels has, though it's also evident there's a low floor here as well, especially considering his small frame. If he can prove his throwing ability can match his rushing talent, the sky is truly the limit, though. Daniels could find his way to the top of Superflex rookie drafts and is an easy early second rounder in conventional rookie drafts this off-season as well.
Dynasty | The New England Patriots drafted UNC quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Patriots have hit the reset button with the first pick in the post-Bill Belichick era and took Maye with the third overall selection. He should have a solid chance to take over as the starter immediately and be given every opportunity to succeed. However, there are concerns here as Maye will not exactly be given a roster full of elite talent. Maye is in danger of some really serious adversity early in his career and may need to work through it. Regardless, Maye looks like a solid Superflex pick and a second rounder in conventional formats.
Dynasty | The Arizona Cardinals drafted Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Cardinals decided to stand pat in the draft and took Harrison with the fourth overall selection. He should immediately take over as the top option for Kyler Murray in the desert and is in place to immediately become a big factor in dynasty leagues. Simply put, Harrison has the talent, pedigree and skill set to be an immediate WR1 and should be the top overall position player taken in rookie drafts this off-season.
Dynasty | The top Washington pass-catcher gets an upgrade at QB with the selection of Jayden Daniels. Dynasty Analysis: Currently ranked as WR35 in DLF's dynasty ranks, McLaurin could get the biggest value bump at the position with the QB change. A precision passer who is also a dangerous runner, Daniels is exactly what the Commanders needed to open up the offense. McLaurin figures to benefit the most as the Heisman-winning rookie's top receiving option, and could jump more than 10 spots into low end WR2 range.
Dynasty | The New York Giants drafted LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Giants reportedly flirted with many options in the draft (including maneuvering for a quarterback) but ended up grabbing Nabers with the sixth overall pick. It's hard to blame them as Nabers could honestly be the best receiver in this class. While Daniel Jones' health and overall play is still in question, Nabers should enter the season as the top pass catcher for the Giants and makes for an easy top-three pick in conventional dynasty rookie drafts this off-season.
Dynasty | Murray gets a new WR1 with the arrival of Marvin Harrison, Jr. Dynasty Analysis: After missing half of the 2023 season rehabbing a torn ACL, and losing DeAndre Hopkins before the season and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown after the season, dynasty owners have been understandably skeptical of Murray. But the addition of Harrison gives Murray arguably the best weapon of his career. Previously ranked as QB10 with mid/late 2nd round ADP, Murray is poised to jump back into the first round for the first time since the ACL injury in 2022.
Dynasty | Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr was drafted 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Wow. Penix was reportedly rising up draft boards this off-season but few expected him to go in the top ten of the NFL Draft, no less to the Falcons, who had recently signed Kirk Cousins. Penix is now in place to back up Cousins for a year or more before taking over for Atlanta as their long-term answer. Unfortunately, his chance at a starting job is close to zero for this season and his draft stock in dynasty leagues is going to suffer as a result, Patience could be rewarded for dynasty managers but it's going to be tough to use a pick (and a roster spot) long-term for a lottery ticket like Penix. In short, this looks like a pick better in reality and fantasy and Penix is a serious wild card in dynasty rookie drafts as a result.
Dynasty | The fifth overall selection of left tackle Joe Alt gives Justin Herbert some much-needed blindside protection. Dynasty Analysis: Herbert still faces a lack of pass-catching weapons as of the draft's first round. But the concern of a run ultra-heavy approach under new head coach Jim Harbaugh should subside �" if only slightly �" with the arrival of Alt. Herbert has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, facing constant pressure when he is on the field. The pocket should solidify and Herbert should have significantly more time to throw with the upgrade at left tackle.
Dynasty | The Chicago Bears drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 overall draft. Dynasty Analysis: Many mock drafts had put Odunze at #9 to Chicago and that's exactly where he ended up. His dynasty prospects are going to be a little cloudy early as he attempts to navigate his way to targets with the likes of Keenan Allen and DJ Moore early in his career but he has the chops to be a dominant dynasty performer in time. His career arc should match that of Caleb Williams and while the early returns could be hit and miss he still looks like a top three wide receiver and top five rookie pick this off-season.
Dynasty | The Minnesota Vikings drafted Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy with the tenth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: There was a lot of smoke about McCarthy being taken in the top five but he ended up falling to tenth pick where Minnesota was happy to scoop him up. The Vikings will likely hold an open competition between McCarthy and Sam Darnold but it certainly looks like McCarthy has been pegged as the future for the franchise. His upside is debatable in dynasty leagues as McCarthy may not be the most dynamic player in the draft but he does seem like one of the safer options. He looks like a late second or early third round pick in rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Denver Broncos drafted Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Nix ended up being the sixth quarterback taken in the NFL Draft but the 12th overall selection, being taken by the Broncos. Denver is looking to quickly replace Russell Wilson and Head Coach Sean Payton is reportedly enamored with Nix. All of this adds up to him likely being the week one starter for Denver and gives him a decent runway to be successful. The numbers are very impressive here and Nix now has a pretty solid runway to playing time. As such, his rookie ADP is likely going to rise into the second round of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Las Vegas Raiders selected tight end Brock Bowers with the 13th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Bowers slipped a little in the NFL Draft as teams maneuvered around to secure quarterbacks. In the end, he ended up being taken 13th overall to the Raiders. It's an odd fit as Las Vegas invested in Michael Mayer last season but Bowers should still have a solid chance to contribute early and often. Having a clearer path to being a true TE1 on his team would have likely solidified his spot as a top five rookie pick but this could drop him down just a smidge. Still, he has as much talent as anyone we've ever seen at the position and should have a floor that makes him very desirable in round one of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | After getting a big quarterback upgrade with the selection of Caleb Williams, Moore gets some serious competition for targets as the Bears pick Rome Odunze. Dynasty Analysis: The excitement of Williams throwing to Moore and Co. lasted all of eight picks, as the ninth overall selection of Odunze poses a threat to Moore's workload. While Odunze's downfield prowess compliments the short-mid range deployment of Keenan Allen, Odunze will directly compete with Moore for downfield and perimeter targets. Moore will continue to line up as the WR1 in the offense, but his WR16 dynasty ranking at DLF isn't likely to hold up with his diminished target share.
Dynasty | The Raiders select generational talent Brock Bowers, effectively burying Mayer and his dynasty value. Dynasty Analysis: A chalk sleeper at the TE position, Mayer was positioned for a breakout in 2023. That is, until Brock Bowers came along. The 13th overall pick is considered one of the best TE prospects in league history, and he immediately walks into the starting job in Sin City. Mayer went into the draft ranked as the dynasty TE14 on DLF, in the neighborhood of Luke Musgrave and Cole Kmet, ahead of Dalton Schultz. His ranking is likely to plummet now that he is the backup to Bowers.
Dynasty | The Jaguars drafted LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Thomas landed in a great spot, being taken late in round one by the Jacksonville Jaguars. A true playmaker, he should have every opportunity to replace Calvin Ridley quickly in the Jaguars offense and is a candidate to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year based on his talent and opportunity. This was a solid development for his value and Thomas should have his spot as a top-6 player in rookie drafts solidified as a result.
Dynasty | Instead of drafting Jones' replacement, the Giants give him his best weapon yet in Malik Nabers. Dynasty Analysis: Seemingly in danger of losing his starting job, Daniel Jones didn't just avoid being replaced; he also got a massive weapons upgrade when WR Malik Nabers was selected sixth overall. The increase in job security �" when the Giants passed on QBs J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix, and Bo Nix �" was enough to improve upon Jones' QB26 DLF dynasty ranking. But the team invested in their quarterback even further by giving him an elite receiving weapon in Nabers. The job security and the addition of Nabers likely vaults Jones into mid-high QB2 range.
