The doldrums of the NFL calendar are right here. Twenty-eight groups are formally off for the summer time, with the frenzied nature of NFL transactions fading into the background in favor of Hawai’i journeys or summer time camp automotive pool traces for high executives and coaches.
For the 4 groups nonetheless on the sector — the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants — that actuality units in after this week’s minicamp.
That is the perfect time to take inventory of the splash strikes across the league. This course of kicked off in earnest on the NFL scouting mix in February, the place workforce decision-makers and participant brokers flooded lodge lobbies and shared data. And whereas a number of potential strikes stay on the radar, together with a possible Jalen Ramsey commerce from Miami and a attainable Trey Hendrickson take care of Cincinnati, the chatter is successfully muted.
In consequence, ESPN talked to league scouts, executives and coaches about their favourite offseason strikes after the mud settled. Some solutions have been predictable, others stunning.
Fatalistic members of the fan base and a few members of the media tried to disgrace Pittsburgh into eschewing a nine- or 10-win season in favor of the 2025 tank job that would assist finesse a franchise quarterback out of subsequent 12 months’s draft class. The Steelers will lose within the postseason anyway, they mentioned.
Ask New York Giants followers how they felt about going 3-14 final 12 months and nonetheless not getting the No. 1 decide in a draft with one certain factor at quarterback (Cameron Ward). Pittsburgh mentioned no thanks, because it at all times does … and for good cause.
The Steelers went with the best choice at quarterback: a 41-year-old Rodgers on a team-friendly contract that pays $13.65 million and pushes towards $20 million with incentives.
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Whereas the skepticism is comprehensible, I’ve talked to a number of coaches who watched Rodgers carefully final 12 months, together with members of the New York Jets employees. They imagine Pittsburgh simply bought a steal.
“He is nonetheless throwing the s— out of the ball, truthfully,” a veteran NFL offensive coach mentioned. “He is the very best quarterback they’ve had since [Ben Roethlisberger]. We’ll see how the physique holds up, however I feel he’ll assist them immensely.”
Regardless of taking part in for a lame-duck employees in New York and missing chemistry along with his greatest receiver, Garrett Wilson, Rodgers nonetheless threw for almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“Look, the mobility is a matter, there is not any doubt,” an AFC government mentioned. “However the place he helps them is with the plus arm energy and the sector imaginative and prescient from the pocket. They have not had that. I am undecided that shall be sufficient, however the offense shall be at the least respectable.”
Staying with Pittsburgh-related issues, the Steelers moved on from Pickens for a number of causes. His maturity points have been well-known inside Pittsburgh’s locker room and entrance workplace. So, the Steelers made the analysis that Pickens and Rodgers in all probability wouldn’t hit it off.
However Dallas has leaned right into a sure technique greater than every other workforce. The Cowboys are prepared to relinquish draft capital for high-upside expertise on rookie contracts. The Cowboys executed three trades on this realm, buying Buffalo Payments cornerback Kaiir Elam, New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and now Pickens, who has the expertise to change into a top-10 receiver. You realize the Pickens commerce may be a winner when folks within the NFC East point out, unprompted, that the acquisition would possibly simply shift the dynamic of the Cowboys’ offense.
“Coping with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens issues up for them,” a coach within the division mentioned.
Added an AFC personnel man: “He’ll be a giant piece there. When he is coated, he is actually open. I do know the issues are there, however I feel having an already established passing recreation with veterans to assist him alongside, and the actual fact he is in a contract 12 months, will assist preserve him in line. Should you can faucet into what he can do totally, his main capacity will shine by.”
Seattle flips Geno Smith for Sam Darnold, Jalen Milroe and money, Vegas will get its QB of the longer term … and everybody wins
The Seattle Seahawks did not immediately “flip” Smith for Darnold and a third-round decide, however that was basically the play when Seattle despatched Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in trade for the No. 92 decide within the 2025 draft, which Seattle used to pick out Milroe, a developmental however explosive twin risk.
Earlier within the offseason, Smith and Seattle could not agree on a contract extension, prompting Smith to request a commerce. After the commerce went by, Vegas and Smith finalized a two-year, $75 million extension.
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Seattle turned to Darnold in free company, signing the resurgent quarterback to a three-year, $100.5 million deal.
Smith’s deal included $58.5 million assured at signing in contrast with Darnold’s $37.5 million, however from a sensible standpoint, assuming each quarterbacks play two seasons with their respective groups, Seattle would owe Darnold $65 million throughout that span, whereas Smith would earn $66.5 million.
So, basically, Seattle bought Darnold, Milroe and $1.5 million in money in trade for Smith. The Seahawks additionally get a quarterback who’s six years youthful, plus the flexibleness to get out of Darnold’s deal faster if issues go poorly in 2025.
“Darnold and Geno to me are very related, solidified starters however not within the high finish,” an NFL personnel director mentioned. “Geno has extra of a monitor report as a passer, however Darnold threw 35 touchdowns final 12 months, so if he can play near how he did final 12 months, that is an awesome scenario and alternative for him. And Milroe has a unique talent set. If he develops and figures out the best way to be a quarterback, he’ll change into a extremely attention-grabbing participant for them.”
This was a straightforward name for Vegas, which had maybe the league’s worst quarterback scenario a 12 months in the past.
“Geno provides them on the spot credibility on the place, and Pete [Carroll] and Geno appear to have good chemistry collectively, so it is a great way for each of them to start out,” an NFL workforce government mentioned. “I determine they may look to draft a quarterback within the subsequent few years, however for now they’ve a solution.”
The Browns’ draft haul after transferring from No. 2 to No. 5
This may work out swimmingly if Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry performs it proper. The Browns’ take care of Jacksonville — buying and selling the Nos. 2, 104 and 200 choices for Nos. 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first-rounder — units them up properly for the longer term.
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As a number of scouts famous, the Browns bought their operating again of the longer term, Quinshon Judkins, at No. 36 and may assault a robust 2026 class with two first-round picks, each of which may very well be early picks on account of Cleveland’s and Jacksonville’s states of transition.
“It is onerous to go on Travis [Hunter] or Abdul [Carter] at 2, however you get an excellent younger defensive sort out [in Mason Graham]. … That is a place that is actually costly now, so to get a rookie-scale participant there’s essential,” an AFC government mentioned. “And that is actually about 2026. Can they get their quarterback of the longer term there? They’ll discover out.”
Whereas groups we spoke to had combined evaluations on the Deebo Samuel Sr. commerce on account of perceptions of a declining talent set, most have been all-in on Tunsil.
The Washington Commanders gave up 4 picks — together with third- and seventh-rounders this 12 months, together with second- and fourth-rounders subsequent 12 months — in trade for Tunsil and a fourth-rounder. So, basically, Washington gave up two Day 2 picks and alter for Tunsil.
Whereas Tunsil is an imperfect participant — he struggles with penalties, and the Houston Texans’ offensive line struggled general in 2024 — he is on the quick record at a premier place.
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“He is nonetheless a top-three sort out for me,” an AFC scout mentioned. “And something you are able to do to guard Jayden Daniels and cargo up whereas he is on his rookie deal is wise. They gave up a little bit greater than I would like however I belief AP [general manager Adam Peters] that he is aware of what he is doing right here.”
Added an NFL coordinator of Tunsil: “Dude’s nonetheless pretty much as good as anybody. Actually, I feel he simply will get bored and loses focus typically however I am guessing he shall be extremely motivated in Washington, and when he’s he is among the many highest.”
Three issues can doom a veteran participant: age, damage historical past and declining talent.
Adams is 32, however he is nonetheless acting at a excessive degree and infrequently misses time due to damage. Many evaluators nonetheless think about him elite, whereas acknowledging that he may need misplaced half a step after 11 years within the league.
Whereas Cooper Kupp was a Los Angeles Rams nice, he was affected by all three classes above.
Groups we spoke to assume Los Angeles bought good worth in Adams at two years and $44 million. The workforce can escape the deal after one 12 months and $20 million and nonetheless save $14 million on the cap.
“Sean [McVay] can get actually artistic with him, as a result of he is that traditional outdoors receiver with dimension which you can additionally slide inside,” an NFL personnel evaluator mentioned. “It is a threat as a result of Kupp was so good there for thus lengthy. However I see this as a slight improve.”
Jets usher in tandem of Aaron Glenn, Justin Fields
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Clark excited by how Glenn places his imprint on Jets
Ryan Clark is intrigued to see if Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields could make their marks with the Jets.
A number of head teaching hires have been lauded in league circles — most notably Ben Johnson to the Bears and Mike Vrabel to the Patriots — however the choice of Glenn in New York resonates, too. And Fields is taken into account by some as a perfect match for Glenn’s efforts to instill toughness in Florham Park.
“A defensive head coach goes to run the ball with Breece Corridor and a harmful weapon to enhance the offense in Fields,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “AG will assist the protection be even higher, too.”
Because the draft course of unfolded, Ward’s standing as QB1 solidified.
Tennessee took its time to decide with the No. 1 decide, however it finally was not a call in any respect.
“Individuals had some questions on [Ward] coming into the method, and I really feel like he did an excellent job answering them,” an AFC government mentioned. “The Titans had far much less doubts by the top of the method than they did to start out.”
Fast-hit draft strikes
Patriots’ haul: “I did not love their [2024] draft, however I assumed they did nice this 12 months. Kyle Williams has an opportunity to be an actual participant. They have not had an influence receiver there shortly. Lots of groups cherished [running back] TreVeyon Henderson. And we have been actually excessive on [No. 4 pick] Will Campbell. I do not assume they’re that distant.” — AFC scout
Jets deciding on TE Mason Taylor at No. 42: “He is f—ing superior. He was my No. 2 tight finish [behind Chicago’s Colston Loveland]. He is athletic, he is younger (21) and he is bought upside within the passing recreation.” — Veteran NFL offensive coach
Vikings deciding on OG Donovan Jackson with the twenty fourth decide: “You realize why I actually like this decide? He will be a stable 10-year starter. Unsure he is elite, however he’ll make a number of Professional Bowls and be a extremely good participant for a very long time.” — NFL coordinator
