Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Jaxson Dart, and more NFL News
By Sigmund Bloom - Exclusive to Footballguys
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News about AFC Teams
Baltimore Ravens News
GM Eric DeCosta said, "I never know what is going to happen" when asked about TE Mark Andrews' future with the team.
Why It Matters: This is clear confirmation that Andrews will be available via trade during the draft. DeCosta stressed Andrews' value to the team, saying, "He's a great player, and we're in the business of keeping as many great players as we can, so there's always a lot of unpredictability with the draft." The Ravens aren't going to just give Andrews away, but DeCosta could have been more unequivocal about the tight end's future. It might be a good idea to try to "buy high" on Isaiah Likely, because the dynasty market is underestimating how much his value could go up if Andrews is traded. The Chargers have a connection to Andrews through former Ravens offensive coordinator and current Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, so they are a logical trade partner.
Cleveland Browns News
The Browns signed QB Joe Flacco to a one-year, $4 million deal.
Why It Matters: It sounds like the Browns are going to take Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter or Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter at #2 and pass on a quarterback. They could trade back into the first round for a field general if Colorado's Shedeur Sanders falls, or if they want to reunite Alabama's Jalen Milroe with his 2023 offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who Cleveland hired to do that job for them this offseason. If it's Sanders, he could compete with Flacco and Kenny Pickett to start day one. If it's Milroe, expect the rookie to sit for a season and Flacco and Pickett to battle for the starting job. For Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and Travis Hunter (if they draft him), we should be rooting for Flacco to start all 17 games. The veteran is back on our superflex radar.
Miami Dolphins News
The Dolphins and CB Jalen Ramsey are exploring trade options, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Why It Matters: Ramsey is due $25.1 million fully guaranteed this year, and the Dolphins would save about $10 million in cap room in a post-June 1 deal, but lose about $8.5 million in a pre-June 1 deal. Kader Kahou is going to start at slot corner, but he can also play outside. The team is hoping 2023 second-round pick, Cam Smith, who has barely played in his first two seasons, will take a step forward. It sounds like the Dolphins are seeking to deal Ramsey, so we should expect something to get done before camp and push Smith and potentially a pick at #13, or one of Storm Duck, Artie Burns, Ethan Bonner, or Jason Maitre into primary roles in the secondary. The Dolphins are also thin on the defensive line. It is going to be a rebuilding year on the defense, and we'll want to pick on the Dolphins when we set lineups.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports reports that QB Aaron Rodgers is more likely to retire than sign with a team that is not a Super Bowl contender. Kinkhabwala also reports that the Steelers have not heard from Rodgers since March 21.
Why It Matters: The Steelers probably aren't a Super Bowl contender in Rodgers' eyes unless he thinks joining the team will make them one. That probably isn't true, but we can't count out Rodgers believing it. Either way, if he was going to join the team, it probably would have happened already. Thursday on the Pat McAfee show, Rodgers said, "It isn't about the money. I'm open to anything and attached to nothing…I'm in a different phase of my life… to make a commitment to a team is a big thing." The Steelers can't be pleased with the waiting game, and you have to wonder if the locker room would embrace him fully after his clear indecision is on display. Rodgers is likely waiting for the Vikings to reconsider offering him the starting job, but unless something goes very awry with J.J. McCarthy's recovery from knee surgery, that is not going to happen. We should be projecting the Steelers to start Mason Rudolph or a rookie that they pick at #21 unless we hear something different about this situation.
News about NFC Teams
Los Angeles Rams News
Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports that the Rams taking Ole Miss QB prospect Jaxson Dart is a "strong possibility".
Why It Matters: The Rams haven't been mentioned a lot as a team likely to take a quarterback in the first round, but their pick at #26 matches up with the value of the second tier of quarterbacks after Cam Ward, who is clearly going #1 overall, and they should be looking ahead to life after 37-year-old starter Matthew Stafford decides to hang up his cleats - which could be in the next 2-3 years. Dart was very good at taking Lane Kiffin's scheme to the field at Ole Miss and would be a fine fit with Sean McVay. This would be a great landing spot for his future value. Leonard cited "mutual interest, fit, and breadcrumbs," said the Rams have "spent a lot of time" with Dart, so we shouldn't just chalk this up to the "lying season".
New Orleans Saints News
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, QB Derek Carr has a "significant" throwing shoulder injury that threatens his ability to play in the upcoming season.
Why It Matters: This was just one of the reports about Carr this week. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that other teams believed Carr was seeking a trade this offseason and Nick Underhill and Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football think Carr wanted out and was upset when the team only restructured his contract. Triplett went on to say that Carr could be trying to force a divorce - that if Carr isn't actually seeking to take care of his shoulder injury instead of playing in 2025, then he might be trying to force a release. The Saints could take a quarterback at #9, but they could also go best non-quarterback and absorb a down year in 2025 to have a shot at a higher pick in a better quarterback class. It's not clear when Carr would play if he is released, or when he could play, but with Aaron Rodgers looking unlikely to go to Pittsburgh, they have to be considered a possibility.
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