NEWSLETTER
“I love looking at talent, and I love evaluating talent, and I love ball,” Gore said, hinting at a future in the Niners’ front office. “They know that I know football players, what it’s supposed to take to be a football player.”
The NFL went the weekend without a splash transaction, but wasted little time starting the week off with a bang.
Hmm: The Saints Just Traded into Another First-Round Pick for the ’22 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/pndV2vpgOm
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 4, 2022
Philadelphia and New Orleans swung a deal that includes eight picks spanning the 2022, 2023, and 2024 NFL Drafts. Are the Saints going to leverage those picks in a trade-up to get to a spot where they can take a QB? That would be good for the Bears. Or are they angling to use those selections to address offensive line and wide receiver? On the other hand, that wouldn’t be ideal for Chicago’s football team.
And what about the Eagles? Their involvement in this deal is an interesting one. This could be a sign that they’re all-in on giving Jalen Hurts an opportunity to prove he’s The Guy long-term moving forward. If he can’t prove that in Philly this year, then having two first-round picks in 2023 could be useful in finding his replacement. No pressure, guy!
More notes from around the league.
Daniel Jones’ Future in The Big Apple?
Just three seasons removed from being selected sixth overall in the NFL Draft, Daniel Jones’ future in New York is murky at best with a new regime at the helm in New York.
Jones will be healthy for training camp this season, but the Giants have a big decision regarding their former first-rounder. New York has until May 2 to decide whether or not they want to pick up Jones’ fifth-year option, but Ian Rapoport believes that the Giants will likely opt not to pick it up.
From NFL Now: #Giants QB Daniel Jones will be fully healthy by training camp… but the biggest decision — his fifth-year option — comes months before that. pic.twitter.com/hytjI3qBVn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2022
If New York passes on Jones’ fifth-year option, he will soon enter a walk year with the Giants. Despite his status as a 2019 first-round pick, a new GM and head coach in town changes the dynamic of his stiuation.
Jones played in just 11 games for the Giants last season, throwing for 2,428 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions before going down for the season. Jones owns an 84.3 passer rating and has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 8,398 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions in 38 games. The fourth-year quarterback has also rushed for 1,000 yards on 172 attempts (5.8 yards per attempt) with five touchdowns.
If Jones plays well in new head coach Brian Daboll’s system, the Giants can franchise tag him after this season while they work on a potential extension. If not, Jones can become a free agent. That seems like the logical thing to do for the Giants.
Xavien Howard Lands a New Deal in Miami
Xavien Howard officially landed a five-year, $90 million extension with the Miami Dolphins this afternoon. It includes $55 million in new money spread out over three seasons (after his remaining years on his last extension).
From NFL Now: The #Dolphins made a promise to star CB Xavien Howard last offseason. This offseason, they fulfilled their end with an extension. pic.twitter.com/nC3mUdg15c
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2022
Last year, Howard, 28, was promised a new deal this offseason by the Dolphins. A year later, Miami stood by its word and inked the corner to a new contract. Howard had five interceptions for the Dolphins in 2021 and has logged 241 tackles and 27 interceptions in six seasons. (Luis: The Bears aren’t in the market to pay top dollar for cornerbacks just yet. But maybe we’ll be talking about it in a year from now with Jaylon Johnson? If so, it’ll be good to keep in mind what others are getting in terms of contracts.)
Jaguars Host Potential No. 1 Picks
The Jacksonville Jaguars will make the first selection in the NFL Draft for the second consecutive season. With their quarterback of the future, Trevor Lawrence, already in tow, Jacksonville is setting its sights on other areas of concern. According to Ian Rapoport, Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and North Carolina State offensive tackle Ickey Ekwonu had visits with the Jags on Monday morning.
Top NFL Draft prospects #Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson and #NCState OT Ickey Ekwonu are both visiting the #Jaguars today for a Top 30 visit. Both potential No. 1 picks. They’ll each visit the #Jets and #Giants soon, too.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2022
Frank Gore Hangs ‘Em Up
After not playing in 2021, veteran running back Frank Gore signed a one-day contract with the San Francisco 49ers and officially retire from the NFL. The 49ers drafted Gore in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, then spent his first 10 seasons in San Francisco before making stops in Indianapolis, Miami, Buffalo, and New York (with the Jets).
Gore finishes with an even 16,000 rushing yards even, the third-most in NFL history behind Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726). Gore seems set on joining the 49ers front office soon.
Frank Gore, the NFL's third all-time leading rusher (16,000 yards), announces he's signing a one-day contract with the 49ers and will retire.
Congrats on a legendary career @frankgore 👏 pic.twitter.com/kTU8FWiEsH
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2022
Extra Points …
• Pat McAfee lived out every 90s kid’s dream this weekend when he made an appearance at WrestleMania 38. The former Colts punter turned media personality cracked beers with the Texas Rattlesnake in the ring and then received a Stone Cold Stunner and delivered one of the all-time great sell jobs on the infamous signature move of Steve Austin:
A STUNNER FOR @PatMcAfeeShow!!! 🍻#WrestleMania @steveaustinBSR pic.twitter.com/omCC2cmvvl
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2022
• Aaron Donald is pretty nimble for a massively sizeable human being:
.@AaronDonald97’s footwork is elite 🤯 @brgridiron
(via @210ths)pic.twitter.com/WYWuHdywmP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 4, 2022
• Liberty QB Malik Willis will be visiting the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers next week. The Falcons and Panthers own the eighth and sixth overall selections, respectively, in the NFL Draft and are looking for a long-term fix under center. Willis has met with the Steelers, Saints, Giants, and Titans, among other teams, thus far.
Liberty QB Malik Willis is scheduled to visit next week with, amongst others, the Atlanta Falcons (No. 8) and Carolina Panthers (No. 6), per source.
Willis already has met with the Steelers, Saints, Giants, Titans and others.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2022
• DK Metcalf is out here squashing rumors himself:
Haven’t heard anything, per @dkm14 https://t.co/S5CBHrDCjP
— DK Metcalf (@dkm14) April 4, 2022
• It’s Joe Burrow’s league now:
Incredible 🔥 https://t.co/qyuogCDfGO
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 1, 2022
• Seems like a pretty easy answer here. 🐻 ⬇️
Which QB will have a breakout Year 2? pic.twitter.com/jufK5h75Wa
— PFF (@PFF) April 4, 2022
