Hours after news broke that Hollywood Brown would be joining the Eagles, he hopped on the Speakeasy podcast with LeSean McCoy and Emmanuel Acho to talk about his decision. The newest Philly WR spoke about why he picked the Eagles, why he’s excited to play with Jalen Hurts, and how he’d enjoy playing alongside A.J. […] Hours after news broke that Hollywood Brown would be joining the Eagles, he hopped on the Speakeasy podcast with LeSean McCoy and Emmanuel Acho to talk about his decision. The newest Philly WR spoke about why he picked the Eagles, why he’s excited to play with Jalen Hurts, and how he’d enjoy playing alongside A.J. Brown. “I’mma make Philly love me, I’mma love Philly. I’m excited for it.” Here’s some of what Brown had to say: On choosing the Eagles “Just talking to Howie [Roseman], talking to Nick [Sirianni] and they’re laying out their vision, laying out how they can see me coming in, helping. Just, everyone speaks so highly of Philly, and just, that was my favorite team growing up — I told Coach [Andy] Reid that when I got to Kansas City. Glad to make it happen.” Brown went on to explain that he almost went back to play for the Ravens, but wasn’t very involved in the process until his agent came to him when it was time to make a decision. He said that he still has a lot to prove in the league, and noted that his previous injuries have hindered his career, so it was important to him to go to a team that believed in him and somewhere he could win. “I wanna go somewhere I can win, I can come in and help. I can come in and showcase what I can do on a winning team, and be apart of something special.” On playing with Jalen Hurts “I’ve always been a fan of Jalen Hurts from, even his story back in Alabama. I took the long road to where I got, so I always root for guys that went on that journey. When he came to Oklahoma was when I was coming into the league, and I was considering staying in school to play with him. When he got into the league, and just seeing the adversity he’s been through — and being across that sideline Super Bowl, seeing how calm, collected, dialed in he was, and the throws he was making, you get back home and you get on the TV and you hear people saying what he can’t do … I personally feel like he’s one of the top vertical passers in the league as far as, his deep ball is great.“ On A.J. Brown’s future with the team “We talked about it. Of course I would want A.J. [Brown] there. You want to be surrounded by great players, and he’s a great player, and his last name’s Brown, so I would want him there. But at the end of the day, me, I understand it is a business. He gotta do what he gotta do, do whatever’s best for him. But for me, I’m coming in, and I’m trying to make plays. Whoever’s in the building, gonna get it right, and that’s all I’m trying to do.” See More:
Hollywood Brown explains why he’s looking forward to playing with Jalen Hurts
Carson Wentz best QB2 option left if Jimmy G leaves
The Los Angeles Rams have a gaping hole under center behind Matthew Stafford that Carson Wentz can fill. Wentz is perhaps the best backup quarterback option on the market if Jimmy Garoppolo signs elsewhere this offseason. Los Angeles and Wentz have always been intertwined since the North Dakota State product infamously tore his ACL during […] The Los Angeles Rams have a hole on the roster behind Matthew Stafford and Carson Wentz is perhaps the best backup quarterback option on the market if Jimmy Garoppolo signs elsewhere this offseason. Los Angeles and Wentz have always been intertwined since the North Dakota State product infamously tore his ACL during his historic 2017 campaign. Things came full circle when he signed with the Rams in November 2023 as insurance for an injured Stafford. Wentz made his first start for the team in the regular season finale against the hated 49ers and made the most of it. With a playoff spot already locked up, he Wentz 17-of-24 for 163 yards and two touchdown passes. He added another 56 yards on the ground and rushed for a 12-yard touchdown that helped L.A. secure the win. Anyone who manages to beat the Whiners is okay in our book here at Turf Show Times. The Rams were only one stop of many following his exit from Philadelphia. He became the first quarterback ever to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons in 2025. Most recently, Wentz played in Minnesota last season and filled in when J.J. McCarthy developed a boo-boo for the billionth time. In five Vikings starts, he went 2-3, completing 65% of his passes and finishing with a 6-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His season ended with a brutal shoulder injury made worse for all the world to see in a 37-10 Week 8 loss to the Chargers. Wentz will obviously never replicate the early career magic that he had with the Eagles. That is perfectly okay, as the Rams don’t need the magician escape artist he once was; they need a tough and reliable enough signal caller who can fill in when called upon. Given Wentz’s familiarity with the offense and having played in a similar system under Kevin O’Connell last season, he should be the Rams’ top backup option. If Garoppolo decides to leave Hollywood for an opportunity with another team, Wentz should be the first quarterback the front office calls. See More:
Grade the trade; Dolphins add draft picks while Broncos add Jaylen Waddle
Many of fans of the Miami Dolphins were shocked to see yesterday’s headline come across their phone and computer screens yesterday — “Jaylen Waddle traded to Denver Broncos.” Some were happy with the haul the Dolphins got in return for a player who has only gone over 1,100 yards receiving in a single season once […] Many of fans of the Miami Dolphins were shocked to see yesterday’s headline come across their phone and computer screens yesterday — “Jaylen Waddle traded to Denver Broncos.” Some were happy with the haul the Dolphins got in return for a player who has only gone over 1,100 yards receiving in a single season once since being drafted #6 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Plenty of other fans were saddened to see a beloved personality take his talents from South Florida to the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado. The Dolphins sent Waddle and a fourth round pick to the Broncos in return for a 1st round pick (30th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, plus 3rd and 4th round selections this year as well. Miami now owns two 1st round picks, one 2nd round pick, and four 3rd round picks in this year’s selection process — 7 selections within the first 100 picks. It’s truly monster number for a team desperate to rebuild following the failed tenures of general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel. However, as things stand now, Miami’s wide receiver room lacks a true alpha pass catcher who can change games in favor of the Dolphins, and new quarterback Malik Willis will have to be evaluated without significant offensive weaponry besides running back De’Von Achane. Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports provided his commentary shortly following yesterday’s swap between Denver and Miami — and the results weren’t kind to the Dolphins. He gave the Broncos a “B” for the deal, but Miami only secured a “C” from the writer — with Cwik citing Miami’s offense being “bereft of talent” following the trade. It’s a move that leaves the Dolphins’ offense mostly bereft of talent. Star running back De’Von Achane is still around … but he should also be a trade candidate considering he’s entering the final year of his contract. Things could get worse in Miami before they get better. Nate Davis of USA Today named winners and losers of the monumental deal, and had Willis coming out on the losing end of the trade. Miami’s newly signed QB1 doesn’t have an obvious WR1 at this point in time. Maybe the added draft capital eventually resolves that, especially in a year when there seems to be both encouraging quality and quantity at the position. But in the interim, Willis will be throwing to guys this spring unlikely to have a high-end impact in the fall. However, Davis did list new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley as winners. Miami’s nascent brain trust – Sullivan the newly hired GM and Hafley the head coach, both imports from the Green Bay Packers – gets some added juice for what is an obvious rebuild. The win-loss record may not be pretty in 2026, when the Dolphins will also be working off most of their Tua Tagovailoa salary cap debt. But owning three of the draft’s top 43 picks should provide a needed infusion of youth and talent with brighter days hopefully ahead. ___ So… What do you think? How would you grade the Dolphins and Broncos trade yesterday that saw Miami gain a ton of draft capital, but also saw the organization give up one of their most explosive pieces on offense? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter/X at @MBrave13! Fins up! See More: Miami Dolphins Analysis
Lions sign Damone Clark to bolster linebacker depth
The Detroit Lions added depth and experience to their linebacker room today, signing unrestricted free agent Damone Clark. While financial terms were not released, the move brings in a player with starting experience on defense, special teams in all four phases, and, potentially, some developmental upside. Clark, a former fifth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys […] The Detroit Lions added depth and experience to their linebacker room today, signing unrestricted free agent Damone Clark. While financial terms were not released, the move brings in a player with starting experience on defense, special teams in all four phases, and, potentially, some developmental upside. Clark, a former fifth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, entered the league out of LSU with a reputation for his sideline-to-sideline range and strong instincts. Despite undergoing spinal fusion surgery to repair a herniated disk a month before the 2022 NFL Draft, Clark managed to appear in 10 games his rookie season—starting at linebacker for Dallas in five of those contests. He would end up spending three full seasons in Dallas before being waived by the Cowboys last November. The Houston Texans claimed Clark off waivers, and he appeared in six games, playing just 24 snaps on defense, but playing a substantial role on special teams (130 snaps). In his career, Clark has produced 190 tackles, six tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Detroit’s announcement on the team’s website confirmed the signing and highlighted Clark’s experience across multiple defensive systems early in his career. The 24-year-old has shown flashes as a downhill run defender with the athleticism to contribute in coverage, though consistency is an area for growth for the fifth-year linebacker. For the Lions, Clark adds competition and versatility to a linebacker group that continues to evolve after both Alex Anzalone and Grant Stuard have departed during free agency. Clark’s ability to play fast, diagnose plays, and contribute on early downs could give him a chance to carve out a meaningful role in Detroit on defense, all while he most certainly has a leg up when it comes to earning special teams reps. Stay tuned to Pride of Detroit for more updates about Clark’s contract as they become available. See More:
Darnell Mooney could be a difference-maker for the Giants
The New York Giants signed Darnell Mooney to a one-year contract reportedly worth up to $10 million. Mooney joins a wide receiver room that includes Malik Nabers, who is recovering from a torn ACL, along with Darius Slayton and newly signed Calvin Austin III. The group also features Isaiah Hodgins and Gunner Olszewski, both of whom were re-signed earlier in free agency. Mooney arrives in New York looking to rebound from a down 2025 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons. In 15 games, the 28-year-old receiver recorded 32 receptions for 443 yards and one touchdown, averaging 13.8 yards per catch. He had a dismal 0.97 yards-per-route-run rate, which was not helped by his quarterback situation. These numbers represented a sharp decline from his 2024 season, when he produced 64 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns, nearly eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark. He had a better 1.88 yards per route run rate in 2024, his first year with the Falcons. The dip in production came amid inconsistency in Atlanta’s passing attack and a shoulder injury that disrupted his production and the offense, in general, throughout the season. Still just entering the prime of his career, Mooney gives the Giants a veteran vertical threat with proven speed and big-play ability. If he can return closer to his 2024 form—or the 1,000-yard breakout he posted earlier in his career (2021)—he could provide valuable depth and explosiveness to a reshaped Giants receiving corps. Mooney is also reuniting with Matt Nagy, which could help him quickly settle into the Giants’ offense. His speed and route-running ability should make him a dangerous option in New York’s play-action passing attack, particularly when the offense operates out of heavier personnel packages. If the Giants can successfully establish the run and force defenses into heavier looks, then Mooney’s speed could help more explosive plays develop for John Harbaugh and New York. One of Mooney’s most valuable traits is his ability to sell the vertical route before quickly throttling down, creating separation as he finds soft spots in coverage and works back to the quarterback. That nuance as a route runner—combined with his speed—can make him a reliable target on intermediate play-action concepts and scramble-drill situations. Below is a video breaking down key plays from Mooney’s two years in Atlanta. Please, like and subscribe to the channel! See More: New York Giants analysis
Fantasy Football 2026: How free agency, trades may have changed your draft
Welcome back, readers. I still have four divisions to cover in my “burning fantasy questions” series, but with most of the big 2026 free agency moves and trades completed, a recap feels like a good idea. Pardon the interruption. The values of multiple players changed in the last two weeks, and it’s important for fantasy players to stay on top of that. Additional player moves and the April draft will factor in, but for now, these are my quick takes on what went down in the last two weeks, from a fantasy perspective. I can’t hit on every player that moved, or whose value changed because other players switched teams. I’m also not going to spend much time on players who re-signed with the same team, like Alec Pierce. I’ll try to hit on moves where I see the biggest impact for fantasy, and I’ll try to be brief. Yeah, really…Me, brief! All rankings given are for Half-point PPR, on a fantasy points per game basis, with Week 18 excluded. Can Kyler get his mojo back in Minnesota?Getty Images Quarterback Malik Willis to Miami: The Tua era came to a disappointing end last season, and Miami’s new brass, which came from the Packers, didn’t surprise anyone when they brought Willis over from Green Bay. Willis is an intriguing option for fantasy because of his rushing upside, coupled with a big arm. This will be his first chance to see an extended run as a starter, so he’s a bit of a mystery box as he enters his fifth season. The sample size is small, but in three starts over the last two seasons he averaged just under 60 yards rushing, and he’s not just a good runner, he’s potentially a Lamar Jackson-level runner. He also attempted 21 passes or less in all three of those starts, but that should go up some with him playing on a team that’s going to be trailing often. The sports books have Miami’s win total over/under at 4.5 (and that was before they traded away Jaylen Waddle), which along with Arizona is the lowest in the league. Still, that low volume is a potential red flag not only for Willis but for whoever he is throwing to. The departure of Waddle is a pretty big negative, as Miami now has a no-name group of WRs and TEs, pending the draft. Willis has Top-10 quarterback upside because he’s a legit dual-threat, but he’s largely unproven, and the offense lacks weapons outside of RB Devon Achane. My advice would be to pair him with a mid-range QB (Goff, Darnold, Love, Purdy, etc.) if you take the gamble. Kyler Murray to Minnesota. Be careful out there, folks. Murray is a big name, the 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick, and a former Top-5 fantasy quarterback. But his final ranking among QBs has dropped for six straight seasons, and he’s coming off a year where it sure felt like he got soft-benched. Sure, he’ll be working with QB whisperer Kevin O’Connell and the best group of targets he’s ever had, but will Kyler be more Sam Darnold or more J.J. McCarthy? Murray can still run, although that aspect of his game has declined over time. He has also missed at least three games in four of the last five seasons. I’ll probably be out on Kyler this season, barring a major discount where I can take a flier on his upside while, again, pairing him with someone safer. As for the impact on Justin Jefferson and the other fantasy assets on the team, it can’t get worse than last season, can it? Geno Smith to the Jets, Justin Fields to Kansas City, and Tua Tagovailoa to the Falcons. Yawn. Etienne is taking his talents to the Big EasyGetty Images Running Back Kenneth Walker III to Kansas City. Walker parlayed a magical playoff run that culminated in a Super Bowl MVP award into a big deal with the Chiefs, where there is opportunity for a much bigger workload than he had in Seattle. Walker played every game last season but missed eight total across the prior two campaigns, and lower body injuries have always been a concern. The Chiefs had the 25th-ranked rushing offense in the NFL last season and have been desperate for better production at the position for a long time. Walker has a chance to be an RB1 for fantasy this season and should get more passing game usage in an Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes offense. After what he did in the playoffs in a featured role, he won’t come cheap. I like this move for him and for Kansas City, but we’ll have to see how expensive he is in drafts. Travis Etienne, Jr. to New Orleans. It looks like the Alvin Kamara run is probably over, and he might not be on the team this season. The Saints have some younger backs, but they presumably brought in Etienne to be the lead back and to give Tyler Shough some much needed help in both the run and pass game. Etienne finished last season as the RB10, and while the Saints offense will likely not be as good as Jacksonville, he should again be in the low-end RB1 range in his age-27 season. This signing is a big boon for second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten, who likely will be the dominant shareholder in some kind of committee in Jacksonville, alongside newly added Chris Rodriguez, Jr. David Montgomery to Houston and Tyler Allgeier to Arizona. I’m less excited by these moves than by what they leave in their wake. Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson were already Top-3 picks in fantasy next season, but these departures cement them as the 1.01 and 1.02 in 1-QB leagues, in whatever order you want. Across the last two seasons, Montgomery has 20 rushing TDs and Allgeier has 11. The Lions and Falcons will use other backs this season alongside their starter (Detroit added Isiah Pacheco), but there should be less
NFL power rankings: Has free agency given the NY Giants a boost?
The New York Giants have been busy in NFL free agency. Are they better? Tony Del Genio of Big Blue View isn’t sure. Apparently, neither are folks who do offseason NFL Power Rankings. CBS Sports/Prisco No. 25 New coach John Harbaugh takes over a team that has some talent in key spots, including some nice free agent additions. The most important thing will be the growth of Jaxson Dart in his second year. NFL Media/Edholm No. 27 The Giants went to work adding size and versatility on offense in the early stages of free agency, and it’s no shock that John Harbaugh was able to lure a slew of former Ravens to New York. What did surprise me was the lack of moves to bolster the offensive line, even if the Giants are talking up Evan Neal as a worthy reclamation project. They need help on the defensive interior, too. But could they go a different direction with the fifth overall pick? I wouldn’t be stunned by LB Sonny Styles or RB Jeremiyah Love, even if neither plays a premium position. The G-Men do have some talent already on the roster but still need difference-makers. With a few more additions, they could be competitive in Harbaugh’s first season. FOX Sports/Vacchiano No. 21 They upgraded a bit at linebacker (Tremaine Edmunds over Bobby Okereke) and got a bigger weapon for their slot (tight end Isaiah Likely over wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson). Mostly, though, they’re still counting on John Harbaugh getting the most out of what they already have. Sporting News/Iyer No. 21 The Giants getting tight end Isaiah Likely, punter Jordan Stout and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds give them only limited impact as they remix the offense again for Jaxson Dart. They should be busier overall in the draft. See More: New York Giants power rankings
2026 NFL Free Agency: 8 boom-or-bust signings
The Colts are banking on Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, while the Saints need Travis Etienne Jr. to be an elite player in the backfield. 2026 NFL Free Agency: 8 boom-or-bust signings The Colts doled out big money to their key offensive free agents: Quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce will enter 2026 on hefty contracts after promising seasons, but things could spiral quickly for the team if the duo can’t replicate last year’s early success. The Saints are paying Travis Etienne Jr. to be an elite running back: Now one of the 10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL, Etienne will need to take his game to new heights despite the Saints’ 31st-ranked PFF run-blocking grade in 2025. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Every NFL team seeks to improve its roster during free agency, but some signings carry more risk, and potentially more reward, than others. That is certainly the case with several of this year’s acquisitions. Here are a handful of signings with serious boom-or-bust potential as soon as the 2026 season. QB Daniel Jones and WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts We’re doubling up here with the Colts’ two most high-profile free agents. No NFL team needs a pair of signings to work more than Indianapolis. Jones led Indianapolis to eight wins in his first 10 outings last season while helming the NFL’s most efficient offense. However, his production began to drop off in his final five games before he tore his Achilles in Week 14. From Weeks 9-14, Jones recorded a 53.2 PFF passing grade — the third-worst mark in the NFL among 30 quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks in that span. By the end of that stretch, Jones’ season-long numbers included a relatively average 68.7 PFF passing grade alongside 13 big-time throws and 18 turnover-worthy plays. Jones has since signed a two-year, $88 million contract to lead the team again. Considering the Colts don’t carry first-round picks in 2026 or 2027, they need to find a way to win games with him under center. Jones’ season-long production falls roughly in line with the rest of his career, so it’s fair to wonder, at least financially, if the team’s process in giving him the transition tag (worth roughly $37 million) was the right choice. That locked him in at the tag price, but other viable options such as Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa became available at the veteran’s minimum price of $1.3 million. That financial decision, in addition to the re-signing of Alec Pierce for $29 million per year, created something of a squeeze when trying to maintain other players. Pierce is now the 11th-highest-paid wide receiver in average annual value, which also cost the team Michael Pittman Jr., who was subsequently traded to the Steelers. Pierce is a nice deep threat, coming off his first 1,000-yard season while earning an excellent 81.0 PFF receiving grade. Over the past two seasons, he leads all qualified players with 21.8 yards per reception, but he has yet to catch 50 passes in a season. Jones also isn’t known as a top-tier deep passer and is recovering from the aforementioned injury, which could further hinder Pierce’s ability to create explosive plays downfield. The Colts’ offense needs to play as well as it did during their first 10 games of last season. The front office’s expensive signings of Jones and Pierce indicate that there’s a belief it will happen. If the unit can’t match that performance, things could spiral out of control, as they did when the team lost its final seven games of the 2025 season. Carolina decided to make a couple of splashy defensive signings, including linebacker Devin Lloyd and edge defender Jaelan Phillips. Lloyd was the third-highest-graded linebacker in the NFL last season and was given $15 million in annual average value, a contract commensurate with his ability. Phillips played well last season, particularly after being traded to the Eagles but carries significant risk. The Panthers improved a bit defensively last season but still struggled on the edge. Their edge defender unit ranked 28th in PFF grade and dead last in PFF pass-rush grade. They didn’t carry a single player who tallied at least 40 pressures last season. Phillips surged in 2025, ranking among the top 10 edge defenders in pressures (76) and pass-rush win rate (18.4%). Over the past four seasons, Phillips owns an 87.3 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks 16th among all edge defenders. His 16.8% pass-rush win rate over the span ranks 13th among edge rushers with at least 100 reps. Assuming good health, Phillips is the exact pass rusher Carolina needed. Therein lies the problem with Phillips: availability. He appeared in 18 games and played 871 snaps in 2025, but it was just his second season playing at least 700 snaps. His medical history includes ankle injuries, concussions, a ruptured Achilles and a partially torn ACL. A $30M AAV makes Phillips the eighth-highest-paid edge defender in the NFL. If he stays healthy and lives up to the lofty salary, he can change the complexion of Carolina’s defense. His availability, or lack thereof, is the risk the Panthers are willing to take on. Click to explore the PFF Free Agency Rankings! After all their offensive line acquisitions last offseason, the Patriots fielded a respectable front five in 2025, a big step up from their arguably league-worst unit in 2024. However, the team’s season was punctuated by Drake Maye taking 21 sacks in the team’s four postseason games. New England also ranked just 18th in PFF run-blocking grade for the season. After trading center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears, which should allow Jared Wilson to move back to his natural position, the Patriots had to find a starting left guard. While many fans were wondering if left tackle Will Campbell would move inside, the team opted to sign Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three-year, $42
Bengals go with a change-up in mock draft strategy from Geoff Hobson
The mock draft scene has grown a bit stale for the Cincinnati Bengals. It seems like most have the team drafting whoever falls between safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, or defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. However, it is becoming more realistic that none of them make it to the Bengals at No. 10. We […] The mock draft scene has grown a bit stale for the Cincinnati Bengals. It seems like most have the team drafting whoever falls between safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, or defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. However, it is becoming more realistic that none of them make it to the Bengals at No. 10. We have certainly seen plenty of LSU corner Mansoor Delane going to them. Now, Geoff Hobson from Bengals.com has a new name to add: Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. The Whitworth Rule is basically BPA. Best Player Available. And that means BPA. No Matter What. Need. Contracts. Depth chart. Nothing matters except the grade. Twenty years later, the Bengals need defense, and yet any big board out there would tell you that the front seven at No. 10 in this particular Mock is a reach. Mauigoa is viewed by many as a versatile right tackle who can also eventually be an impact right guard, as well as a backup swing at left tackle. It is certainly a route to go. Hobson even notes that Delane has more of a chance to play in his rookie year than Mauigoa. Teams are constantly playing their third and fourth corner. Let’s talk about the positives, though. You can never have too much depth along the offensive line, and Maugioa is versatile enough that he could step in for Risner next year at right guard and possibly one of the tackle spots after that whenever Orlando Brown Jr.‘s time with Cincinnati comes to an end. Good tackles are also very expensive on the open market, so drafting them is about the best chance Cincinnati has to landing them. The obvious negative is that this doesn’t help a defense that has added three starters but lost Trey Hendrickson over this offseason. They are still relying on a ton of players from a bad defense to take big steps forward. That isn’t a great recipe for success. There is the rest of the draft and (hopefully) a second wave of free agency, but there are still so many needs defensively. This is the problem going into the draft with serious needs still. You look at any pick not filling one of them as a luxury the team can’t afford to make. See More: Cincinnati Bengals News
Colts Film Breakdown: Juanyeh Thomas
After letting Nick Cross sign with the Commanders, on a very reasonable deal, the Colts signed Juanyeh Thomas— a former UDFA from the Cowboys. Thomas played three years with the Cowboys and only started four games in that span. I was shocked to see the Colts part ways with Nick Cross, especially after seeing what […] After letting Nick Cross sign with the Commanders, on a very reasonable deal, the Colts signed Juanyeh Thomas— a former UDFA from the Cowboys. Thomas played three years with the Cowboys and only started four games in that span. I was shocked to see the Colts part ways with Nick Cross, especially after seeing what he signed for. I think the Colts like the safety class and believe they can replace him. But overall, it’s pretty shocking to see a player that they traded up for and developed, walk for pennies on the dollar. That being said, I like the addition of Junayeah Thomas. It’s a great buy low option with some upside. I also think the Colts DB braintrust of Lou Anarumo, Chris Hewitt, and Jerome Henderson deserve some benefit of the doubt still. This certainly feels like a player they believe they can develop and outplay his contract. NFL scouts and execs will tell you that safety can be one of the harder positions to scout. There can be an entire game where the ball doesn’t find them or there is lack of plays in a game to draw observations from. From watching his film, it’s obvious that Juanyeh Thomas is an ultra competitive safety who’s played in some bad defenses. The common theme is that he truly plays to the sound of the whistle. On this particular rep, you can also see him take a great angle to the ball to limit the damage once Josh Jacobs bounces the run outside. Watch Thomas hold his disguise. He has a very tough assignment to match James Cook in the flat from the middle of the field. He does a nice job hanging with him, and then gets his eyes to the football. He also is apart of some of collateral damage from his teammate and takes a big shot. This is one of the best plays I’ve seen from Thomas on tape. You can tell he studies a lot of film because he is diagnosing this play at the snap of the whistle. The way he fits this run, he basically has to make the play because he’s coming through the backdoor. If he misses this tackle there’s not enough bodies on the outside to make this play. The Cardinals are telegraphing crack toss to the field here and Junayeh definitely knows it (as you can see from his tweet). He get’s lucky that he guessed right— but sometimes that’s where the best plays on a football field happen. SAFETY POSITION OUTLOOK Juanyeh Thomas is exactly the type of player I think the Colts should be taking a chance on. A player with intriguing movement skills and a high level of competitive toughness that could provide some upside in a new scheme. That being said, I’d imagine the Colts will likely have an open competition at the position. They signed Jonathan Owens and still probably have some hope that Hunter Wholer can make the roster— given his performance in training camp last year. When you consider how many needs the Colts have, it makes sense that safety is far down the priority list— at least in terms of resources committed. The Colts assembled a quality staff on defense that I still trust to develop that position. Safety is not a position that historically requiter premier assets in order to find premiere players, so I like the idea of starting fresh and holding a competition. I also would not rule out the Colts drafting a safety in a class that has some intriguing options. The Colts, ever since Lou Anarumo has arrived in Indy, are very committed to making sure they are set at the DB position. They have been stubborn about making sure they are never short at the position. I expect them to commit to adding depth, whether that be through a late day 3 pick or reasonable deals for veteran options, and see who sinks or swims. Juanyeh Thomas, as of March 18th is certainly the favorite to start next to Cam Bynum— but we also have a long ways to go until we know that for certain. See More:
