With Tony Romo off the market, ESPN has once more set its sights on capturing another big-name former quarterback.ESPN has reached out to Peyton Manning's representatives to see if he's interested in becoming an analyst for Monday Night Football following its failed pursuit last year, John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports.Manning declined ESPN's offer last March despite president Jimmy Pitaro and executive vice president of content Connor Schell flying to Denver in an attempt to convince him to replace Jason Witten.CBS inked Romo to a contract worth $180 million over 10 years last week. However, the network also pursued Manning when a deal with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was in doubt, offering Manning a contract worth $10 million to $12 million per year, reports Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.With Manning apparently in no rush to give an answer as he continues to forge his post-playing career path, CBS reportedly locked down Romo in order to prevent ESPN from starting a bidding war when his contract expired.The former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos signal-caller previously cited his unease about covering his younger brother, Eli, when discussing a move into the booth. But Eli retired in January, potentially opening the door for Peyton to reconsider his stance.The five-time MVP currently has two shows - "Peyton's Places" and "Detail" - on the ESPN+ platform.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner and Cincinnati Bengals tackle Cordy Glenn are being shopped around the trade market, sources told ESPN's Jenna Laine.Turner, a staple at right guard, overcame nagging injuries last season to make his fifth straight Pro Bowl. The 26-year-old missed three games during each of the 2017, 2018, and 2019 campaigns due to various ailments. He has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $45-million contract.Glenn is coming off a tumultuous season with the Bengals during which the two sides clashed over his ability to play following a concussion. The team suspended him for a week due to disciplinary reasons related to concussion treatments.The 30-year-old was expected to play left guard last year after Cincinnati drafted Jonah Williams to play left tackle. He wound up moving back to the tackle spot in the summer when Williams underwent season-ending surgery on a torn labrum.Glenn has one season left on his contract for a base salary of $7.5 million. He's reportedly destined for a release unless the Bengals find a trade partner. Cincinnati acquired Glenn in a deal with the Buffalo Bills in March 2018.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers want to keep their stout defensive line intact.The Niners are working on a deal with defensive end Arik Armstead, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson.Armstead is scheduled to become a free agent at the beginning of the league year.The 2015 first-round pick has spent his entire career with the 49ers and put up a career-high 10 sacks in 2019. Led by a defensive front featuring Armstead, Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, and Solomon Thomas, San Francisco rode an NFC-best 13-3 record to the Super Bowl.Armstead would be a coveted commodity in a shallow market for pass-rushers if he were allowed to hit free agency.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With nearly two weeks remaining until the franchise tag deadline, a number of NFL teams appear set to use the designation.The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to tag pass-rusher Bud Dupree, the Washington Redskins are likely to tag guard Brandon Scherff, and the Baltimore Ravens plan to use the tag on outside linebacker Matthew Judon, league sources told ESPN's Jenna Laine.Laine also reiterated earlier reports that Dak Prescott, Chris Jones, Justin Simmons, Shaq Barrett, and Hunter Henry are also likely to be tagged.Dupree and Judon both terrorized their AFC North opponents in 2019, setting career highs with 11.5 and 9.5 sacks, respectively. Previous reports indicated that Baltimore's key pass-rusher could be a tag-and-trade candidate this offseason.Scherff, meanwhile, was the most consistent piece on a struggling Redskins offensive line last season. He was named to the Pro Bowl in three of the last four years after Washington selected him in the first round of the 2015 draft.Teams have until March 12 to apply the franchise tag.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone is joined by theScore's Dan Wilkins and Mike Alessandrini to discuss players whose values changed the most based on their performances at the NFL combine.

With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine complete, theScore's Dan Wilkins and Mike Alessandrini reveal the winners and losers from the event.Winner: Isaiah SimmonsMichael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyHave we ever seen a player like Simmons?The Clemson product stole the show at Lucas Oil Stadium. Simmons' jaw-dropping scores were among the best ever from a linebacker and would even compare favorably to those from NFL defensive backs.Chase Young has long been assumed to be the top defensive prospect in the 2020 class, but Simmons certainly made a case that he needs to be included in the conversation. He offers versatility and athletic upside that none of his fellow draft hopefuls do.Simmons is the ultimate chess piece and will be able to match up with the NFL's top offensive weapons. He was considered a potential top-10 pick coming into the week, but the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year could easily go in the top five after his impressive showing. For any team that doesn't need a quarterback, Simmons is too good to pass up.Loser: Free-agent wide receiversThis year's wide receiver class is stacked. We know about the top talents: CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Laviska Shenault, and Justin Jefferson headline a group that should take over the first round.But, as prospects like Denzel Mims and Chase Claypool showed in Indianapolis, the high-end talent goes beyond just the household names. Mims went from a likely intriguing Day 2 player to a legitimate first-rounder with a ridiculous combine performance. The 6-3, 207-pound wideout ran a 4.38 40 and led all receivers with a 6.66 three-cone time. Claypool finds himself in a similar scenario, as he went from probably no more than a Day 3 pick to a possible late-second-rounder thanks to his 4.42 40-yard time.This is the deepest talent pool we've seen from a receiver class in years, and it's fair to wonder how much that will negatively impact free-agent pass-catchers.Players such as Robby Anderson and Emmanuel Sanders will get their money, but the market may not promote enough competition to drive up their price tags to full potential. Some teams will be less inclined to approach the $15-million mark for a player like Anderson if they're confident they can get an impact receiver in any of the first three rounds of the draft.Winner: Washington RedskinsThe Redskins have been, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, smart in the way they've handled their No. 2 spot in the draft.It seemed for weeks that Joe Burrow would go first overall and Washington would select Young with the second pick, meaning things would really begin to get interesting with the Detroit Lions' third overall selection.Suddenly, though, it appears the Redskins could be the team in control of the top of the draft. Reports surfaced throughout the week suggesting that Washington, which selected Dwayne Haskins in the first round last year, is considering Tua Tagovailoa - who continues to receive positive medical reports about his injured hip - at No. 2.Haskins had a rough rookie campaign, and considering the way things worked out for the Arizona Cardinals when they bucked conventional wisdom and drafted Kyler Murray after taking Josh Rosen in Round 1 the year prior, it's tough to dismiss such a rumor.However, if the leak was on Washington's end, the Redskins strategically ensured that any team hoping to draft Tagovailoa has to call them. Turning the No. 2 selection into a collection of premium picks could go a long way toward laying the foundation for a new era under head coach Ron Rivera.Loser: A.J. EpenesaJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyAiming to solidify himself as the second-best edge rusher behind Young, Epenesa largely disappointed.The former Iowa star is known more for his pass-rush technique and powerful hands than for his explosive athleticism, but his on-field results failed to hit the mark. His 5.05 40-yard dash and, more importantly, 1.81 10-yard split ranked near the bottom of his position group, and he also scored a below-average three-cone time of 7.34 seconds.Coming into the combine, Epenesa appeared to be a lock for the first round, but scouts will leave the event questioning his upside. It wouldn't be shocking if the defensive end severely hurt his value. You know what you're getting in Epenesa - of course, he's plenty talented - and teams may prefer to take a chance on a more athletic prospect early in the draft.Winner: Offensive tacklesWe've likely never seen such an athletic group of perimeter blockers in one draft.Louisville's Mekhi Becton and Iowa's Tristan Wirfs were the top standouts during the combine. Becton didn't complete every drill, but the 6-foot-7, 364-pounder's 40-yard dash time of 5.10 seconds was simply shocking. Wirfs, meanwhile, made his case to be the first offensive tackle selected, leading his position group with a 4.85-second 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical leap, and 10-foot-1 broad jump. It would be an understatement to say the former Hawkeye is an athletic freak.Former Alabama blocker Jedrick Wills Jr. also performed incredibly well on the field and would have been the star of Day 2 if it weren't for Wirfs. Wills has the tape and athletic profile to be a top-10 pick. Rounding out the list of talented prospects is Georgia's Andrew Thomas, who impressed for someone his size.USC's Austin Jackson, Boise State's Ezra Cleveland, LSU's Saahdiq Charles, and Connecticut's Matt Peart further showed the true depth of this class. Offensive tackles are going to fly off the board early and often in April.Loser: Mid-tier quarterbacksQuarterbacks are usually the stars of the show, but they took a back seat in Indianapolis. Of course, Burrow and Tagovailoa, the consensus top-two signal-callers in the class, didn't participate in on-field workouts. But the problem was that other notable names further down the board did so little to stand out.While Justin Herbert and Jordan Love excelled in throwing drills, only Jalen Hurts really helped his own case, as most of the other top passers were a major flop.Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason, in particular, failed to establish themselves as interesting draft-and-develop options. Fromm couldn't ease worries about his lack of arm strength and reports indicate Eason, a talented but inconsistent performer at Washington, didn't leave a positive impression on teams during interviews.Fromm and Eason have other opportunities before the draft, including pro days - which always set up quarterbacks for success - and the all-important team visits. As things stand, though, Hurts might be the runaway favorite for QB5 honors, as he took an important step in addressing concerns about his passing upside with a strong showing in drills, while others made it tough to get overly excited about them.Winner: Jonathan TaylorJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyTaylor was seemingly one of several players who could have made a reasonable case for RB1 status in this year's draft. Now, he may be the only answer.After a phenomenal career at Wisconsin in which he tallied an obscene 6,174 rushing yards and 55 total touchdowns across three seasons, Taylor polished off an already impressive resume with a stellar athletic profile - most notably, he led all running backs with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 226 pounds.On tape, Taylor is a legitimate first-round prospect, and the confirmation of his athleticism should be more than enough to lock him in as the first running back off the board in April.The Miami Dolphins might be a team to keep an eye on here, with their third of three first-round picks at No. 26 overall. Taylor could team up with one of the top quarterbacks to help accelerate the rebuild in Miami.Loser: Tight end classFew people were excited about the upside of this crop of tight ends coming into the combine, and they won't feel much different after leaving it.Outside of Albert Okwuegbunam's surprising 4.49-second 40-yard dash time, there were few notable performances. Purdue's Brycen Hopkins, Dayton's Adam Trautman, and Notre Dame's Cole Kmet scored well in select drills, but none separated themselves from the pack.There were just as many disappointments as there were promising results. Washington's Hunter Bryant, Florida Atlantic's Harrison Bryant, and Vanderbilt's Jared Pinkney failed to stand out enough athletically to warrant an early-round selection.The 2020 tight end class still possesses its fair share of talent, but there may not be a true matchup nightmare, which so many teams covet for an offense. It could be late in Round 2 before we see one of these players selected.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Yannick Ngakoue's time in Jacksonville may be coming to an end.On Monday morning, the 24-year-old pass-rusher tweeted: "I no longer have interest in signing a long-term contract in Jacksonville" after it was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that the team plans to use its franchise tag on him.

theScore's Justin Boone was the winner of FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019, marking the seventh time he's placed in the top 10.With skill position players having completed their portion of the NFL Scouting Combine, we're beginning to gain a better understanding of the talent available in this year's class.CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy stand out as elite prospects in a year when the wide receiver position is extremely deep and filled with players who could become stars at the next level.Running back also has a clear top two with D'Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor leading the way after several high-end talents returned to school for another year. Landing spots will be key for the ball carriers, as players could vault up the board depending on where they fall in the draft.Joe Burrow appears destined to be a Bengal, but the fate of fellow quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will depend on how teams feel about his medicals. Outside of Burrow, Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert have the best chance to make an impact in 2020.There's a big drop-off at tight end after such an exciting group came through the combine last year. You won't find any complete prospects, so don't plan on seeing a return on these guys for a couple of seasons - if at all.A more complete ranking will be published following the NFL draft in April, but for fantasy owners looking to get a head start on the competition, here's the first look at the 2020 dynasty rookie rankings.RkPlayerPos.1CeeDee LambWR12Jerry JeudyWR23D'Andre SwiftRB14Jonathan TaylorRB25J.K. DobbinsRB36Clyde Edwards-HelaireRB47Tee HigginsWR38Justin JeffersonWR49Cam AkersRB510Jalen ReagorWR511Henry Ruggs IIIWR612Joe BurrowQB113Zack MossRB614Ke'Shawn VaughnRB715KJ HamlerWR716Laviska Shenault Jr.WR817Tua TagovailoaQB218Brandon AiyukWR919Michael Pittman Jr.WR1020Denzel MimsWR1121Eno BenjaminRB822AJ DillonRB923Tyler JohnsonWR1224Anthony McFarland Jr.RB1025Justin HerbertQB326Bryan EdwardsWR1327Antonio Gandy-GoldenWR1428Donovan Peoples-JonesWR1529Lamical PerineRB1130Devin DuvernayWR1631Michael Warren IIRB1232Jalen HurtsQB433Darrynton EvansRB1334Jordan LoveQB535Quintez CephusWR1736Chase ClaypoolWR1837K.J. HillWR1938Salvon AhmedRB1439Gabriel DavisWR2040Hunter BryantTE141Jake FrommQB642Brycen HopkinsTE243Antonio GibsonRB1544Thaddeus MossTE345Adam TrautmanTE446Van JeffersonWR2147Cole KmetTE548Albert OkwuegbunamTE649Collin JohnsonWR2250Isaiah HodginsWR23Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up Sunday with defensive backs taking the field for drills.As a number of prospects had plenty to gain or lose in the event's final day, here are four takeaways from the action.Henderson set to break Florida curseRecent draft history hasn't been kind to Florida defensive backs. Vernon Hargreaves, Teez Tabor, and Duke Dawson were a few early-round Gator cornerbacks whose college successes failed to translate to the pros. However, CJ Henderson is set to break that trend.Henderson shined Sunday, recording a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash time. He also registered a 37.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot-7 broad jump, making him the biggest winner at his position.Nothing on tape suggests the near-6-foot-1 defender won't succeed in the NFL. Henderson possesses the ball skills, coverage technique, and anticipation that teams look for, and he'll likely be asked to immediately contribute as a rookie. His elite athletic profile and crisp movement in position drills only improved his resume.Not only did Henderson cement himself as the second-best cornerback in the 2020 class, he also greatly improved his draft stock in Indianapolis. Teams should nab him in the top 20 and not look back.Small-school safeties shineRemember the names Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn.The two talented safety prospects don't exactly hail from elite football factories in Lenoir-Rhyne (Division II) and Southern Illinois (Division I FCS), respectively, but both made a statement at the combine.Dugger flashed freaky athleticism throughout the afternoon, running his 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds. His lower-body explosion was on full display as well, recording a 42-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Those are fantastic numbers for a 6-foot-1, 217-pound safety.Chinn's performance was even more impressive considering he measured slightly taller and heavier than Dugger. He leaped out of the gym with a 41-inch vertical and led all defensive backs with an 11-foot-6 broad jump. The ball-hawking safety capped his spectacular day with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash.

The Chicago Bears might have competition for Andy Dalton's services.The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts could pursue a trade for the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Chicago has reportedly already contacted the Bengals to discuss a potential trade for the veteran.Mitchell Trubisky has been named Chicago's starter for 2020, but the NFC North team is believed to want to upgrade its backup spot to push the young quarterback.Meanwhile, the Patriots and Colts are facing questions of their own under center.Tom Brady is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. If Brady leaves, New England will only have 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and journeyman Cody Kessler at quarterback.Indianapolis appears to be seeking an upgrade for Jacoby Brissett, who struggled to replace Andrew Luck last season. The Colts reportedly are also vetting Philip Rivers before free agency begins.With Cincinnati widely expected to select quarterback Joe Burrow first overall, Dalton has become expendable after nine years as the team's starter. The Bengals reportedly intend to work with the 32-year-old to trade him to a team that he deems suitable.Dalton threw 3,494 yards and 16 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in 13 starts last season. He was benched midseason for three games but was reinserted in Week 13.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt's workout video of him running while being held back by an elastic band didn't impress his brother T.J., who let J.J. know about it.

Rumors linking the Washington Redskins with Tua Tagovailoa continue to circulate with the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine near its conclusion.New Redskins head coach Ron Rivera told Tagovailoa during their meeting at the combine that he wants to draft the former Alabama quarterback to compete with 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins, a source told Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel."(Washington) felt like Dwayne was not the guy right now," Deen reports. "They want to bring in Tua, just get it going and compete."The Redskins were widely expected to select star pass-rusher Chase Young with the second overall pick but Rivera said "everything is an option" with it. The Cincinnati Bengals appear likely to take quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1 in April.Tagovailoa has long been linked to the Miami Dolphins but the signal-caller reportedly left his visit feeling uncertain about whether the team wants him to be its franchise quarterback.Miami holds the fifth overall pick and could explore a trade up to select Tagovailoa.The lefty is expected to soon be cleared from his hip injury and ready for the NFL campaign.The Arizona Cardinals were in a similar situation last year when they drafted Kyler Murray with the first overall pick despite selecting Josh Rosen at No. 10 the year prior.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin is expected to generate interest from several teams in free agency, including the New York Jets.One team has been informed that Conklin plans to sign with the Jets when free agency opens, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a league source.Free agency opens on March 18, while the legal tampering period begins two days prior. Teams are not allowed to negotiate with prospective unrestricted free agents until March 16, so if the Jets do indeed have a handshake deal with Conklin, it would be a violation of NFL rules.However, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, New York isn't expected to land the 25-year-old as the competition for him will be intense.Conklin started all 16 games in the last year of his current deal with the Titans in 2019. The former eighth overall pick, who ranked second among offensive tackles on theScore's top 25 free agents, was selected as a First-Team All-Pro as a rookie in 2016.Prior to the beginning of the 2019 season, Tennessee opted not to exercise its fifth-year option on Conklin.The Titans' offensive line is coming off a subpar pass-blocking campaign, in which the unit allowed 56 sacks. On the other hand, Tennessee's OL helped propel running back Derrick Henry to an impressive season.The Jets, meanwhile, had issues with their offensive line all year long. New York allowed 52 sacks and posted a league-worst 3.3 yards per rushing attempt.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to franchise tag Hunter Henry if they don't agree to a multi-year deal with the tight end, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Los Angeles wants to extend Henry long term but such a deal is unlikely to come before free agency begins on March 18, Rapoport reports.The 2016 second-round pick has battled several injuries throughout his career. He missed the Chargers' entire 2018 campaign due to a torn ACL but bounced back to amass 55 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns through 12 games in 2019.Henry is ranked first among tight ends on our list of the top 25 free agents.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals plan to franchise tag wide receiver A.J. Green, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano.Green, 31, signed a four-year extension with Cincinnati in 2015 and was sidelined throughout the entire 2019 campaign due to an ankle injury he suffered during training camp.He's played in only nine games during the past two campaigns.When healthy, however, the seven-time Pro Bowler has been one of the best pass-catchers in the NFL. He's averaged 87 receptions for 1,284 yards and nine touchdowns per 16 games in his career.Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in February that he's "excited to coach (Green), really for the first time this next season."Following a 2-14 campaign, the Bengals have the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defensive linemen and linebackers took the field Saturday night as the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine continued.With plenty of high-profile prospects showcasing their talent to NFL evaluators, here are five takeaways from the action.Is Simmons the draft's top defensive player?We don't want to overreact from one evening, but Isaiah Simmons' combine performance was absolutely mind-blowing. Call him a linebacker, safety, unicorn, whatever you'd like - Simmons had nearly everyone's jaw on the floor.The defensive chess piece didn't participate in positional drills but dominated in all athletic tests, displaying his truly unique skill set and elite physical traits. His 4.39 40-yard dash time was the cherry on top, topping a handful of the NFL's premier players regardless of position. His 11-foot broad jump was equally impressive.

The days of thumping, run-stuffing linebackers are officially dead.Players at the position are asked to cover in space more than ever in today's game, and a number of prospects showcased blazing speed during Saturday's combine to boost their draft stock.Isaiah Simmons was the star of the show with a 4.39 run. The Clemson product cemented his status as one of the class' top players. Here were the event's top performers:PlayerSchoolTime*Isaiah SimmonsClemson4.39Willie Gay Jr.Mississippi State4.46Davion TaylorColorado4.49Patrick QueenLSU4.50Shaun BradleyTemple4.51Kenneth MurrayOklahoma4.52Jordyn BrooksTexas Tech4.54Khaleke HudsonMichigan4.56Carter CoughlinMinnesota4.57Azur KamaraKansas4.59First-round hopefuls Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray also impressed, running a 4.50 and 4.52, respectively.(Results courtesy NFL.com)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. will undergo surgery and be out for four-to-six weeks after battling a core muscle injury and pubic bone inflammation, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Shenault initially opted to avoid surgery, choosing instead to run at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. But the injury hasn't healed as expected.The dynamic pass-catcher ran his 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds despite dealing with inflammation. He had hoped to participate fully in drills, but the injury limited him.Shenault is a projected first-round pick, but it's unclear how the injury will impact his draft stock. In theScore's most recent mock draft, the Buffalo Bills selected him 22nd overall.The versatile wideout struggled with the core issue throughout his final year in Colorado. However, he still recorded 925 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns for the Buffaloes.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry wants a contract worth at least $15 million per year when he becomes a free agent in March, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.Bradberry is generating interest from just under a dozen teams, including the Washington Redskins, sources told Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic. Discussions between the defensive back's camp and the Panthers don't point toward the club using the franchise tag.The franchise tender for cornerbacks was worth $16.02 million in 2019.Bradberry, who ranked third among cornerbacks on theScore's top 25 free agents, amassed a career-high three interceptions last season. The 26-year-old also posted 65 tackles and 12 passes defensed through 15 games.The 2016 second-round pick allowed only one touchdown and a 70.1 passer rating when targeted in 2019, according to Pro Football Reference.In 2020, Ron Rivera will be the Redskins' head coach, and he was the Panthers' bench boss when they drafted Bradberry. Washington recently released former All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, and Quinton Dunbar, the team's 2019 interception leader, reportedly asked the NFC East squad to either cut or trade him.The free-agency period begins on March 18.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tony Romo is still making quarterback money, even as an analyst.The former Dallas Cowboys passer and current broadcaster has reached a new deal worth around $17 million per season with CBS, sources told Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.The contract would make Romo the highest-paid NFL analyst in TV history.Romo's new deal is for three years, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, but the terms of the contract would extend an additional seven years to a 10-year deal if the NFL extends its rights deal with CBS.In his 14 NFL seasons, Romo made more than $17 million in a season on only three occasions.Upon retiring from the NFL, Romo signed a three-year, $12-million contract with CBS that expired after the 2019 season. He was expected to command more than $10 million annually in an extension and to be heavily coveted by rival networks.Romo has paired with CBS play-by-play man Jim Nantz. CBS will broadcast Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 2021.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine continued Friday night with running backs, offensive linemen, and specialists taking the field for drills.With plenty of high-upside prospects at key offensive positions, here are four takeaways from the evening's action.Taylor solidifies RB1 statusIn a deep class of running backs that features different playing styles and athletic profiles, Jonathan Taylor made a statement at Lucas Oil Stadium.The former Wisconsin star ran a ridiculous 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 226 pounds, putting to bed any concerns regarding his speed. He also put his change-of-direction skills on full display with a 7.01-second three-cone time.

Tristan Wirfs put on a show Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine.The Iowa tackle wowed fans and evaluators alike with a historic performance at Lucas Oil Stadium.DrillResultOL Rank40-yard dash4.85 seconds1st10-yard split1.69 seconds1stVertical leap36.5 inches1st*Broad jump10-foot-11st**Combine record (or tie) for offensive linemen

While receivers and quarterbacks receive more attention, this year's crop of running back prospects also features a number of explosive athletes.This was evident in the 40-yard dash Friday night. Former Wisconsin star Jonathan Taylor led the way with a time of 4.39 seconds.D'Andre Swift, another first-round hopeful, impressed with a 4.48-second run. Here were the event's top performers:PlayerSchoolTimeJonathan TaylorWisconsin4.39Darrynton EvansAppalachian State4.41Raymond CalaisLouisiana-Lafayette4.42Anthony McFarland Jr.Maryland4.44Cam AkersFlorida State4.47D'Andre SwiftGeorgia4.48Joshua KelleyUCLA4.49LeVante BellamyWestern Michigan4.50Ke'Shawn VaughnVanderbilt4.51AJ DillonBoston College4.53Rico DowdleSouth Carolina4.54JaMycal HastyBaylor4.55Arguably the most impressive time came from ex-Boston College rusher AJ Dillon, who ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash despite weighing in at 247 pounds.(Results courtesy NFL.com)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are strongly considering placing the franchise tag on pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett if the two sides are unable to reach a long-term deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Barrett set a career high with 19.5 sacks in 2019, which led the league.Placing the tag on the outside linebacker would mean quarterback Jameis Winston, an impending free agent, can't be franchised, Schefter adds.Barrett signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay last offseason after spending the first five years of his career with the Denver Broncos. He starred on an improved defensive unit during his first season as a full-time starter.The 27-year-old previously said he'd be willing to give the Bucs a hometown discount on an extension. He'd likely command a lucrative deal if he were to hit the open market.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Last week, after the NFL's owners approved the "principal elements" of a proposed collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, the NFLPA put out a three-page fact sheet that provided a few vague details about what was in the deal for the players to consider.Tuesday night, after the union's executive committee met with the owners and then huddled with player reps from each team, the NFLPA chose to send the proposal to its full membership. A vote is expected in the weeks ahead, with a simple majority required for approval.At Thursday's annual agents meeting at the combine in Indianapolis, the NFLPA distributed a document with more details about what's on the table. A source provided a copy of that document to theScore, and two additional sources have since verified its authenticity.It's still not certain when the regular season would expand to 17 games, which is the core issue for management and the players. But two additional wild-card playoff games can be implemented as early as 2020, and players would get 47% of total revenues that year. They also could command as much as 48.5% by 2021, if the expanded season were to begin by then. The players would get 48% for 2023 and beyond, though a "media kicker" - dependent on how much revenue growth is gained from the addition of the 17th game - exists. That kicker could bring their share as high as 48.8%.All players under contract will get an additional pay boost of 1/17th once the 17th game kicks in. And veteran free agents who sign for one year at less than $1.75 million won't be counted toward the compensatory draft-pick formula, which ought to spur more teams to sign such players more quickly.The details contained in the full document can be found below, but here are some other highlights:• An additional $80 million in payments in the next three years from the NFL to the Legacy Fund, which provides pension assistance for those who played before 1993. The Legacy Fund was established in 2011, with the league and the union setting aside $620 million.• Something to be concerned about on the health front: An eventual phaseout of automatically qualifying for total and permanent disability benefits based on eligibility for Social Security disability. Also a "trigger reducing future recipients' benefits in 2026 if costs spiral."• 70% of incremental revenues to the players for the new stadium that's being built for the Rams and Chargers in Los Angeles, with ownership taking no additional stadium credits off the top. It's not clear what's meant by "incremental" revenues, but this would be the first time the players would have a defined share of revenue following the construction of a new stadium.Construction of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., as seen earlier this month. Daniel Slim / AFP / Getty Images• Players will get a share of "revenues related to legal gambling operations in stadiums - not limited to gambling on NFL football." It's likewise not clear what that share will be.• There's a chart that shows the growth in minimum salaries, which will exceed $1 million by the end of the deal. Another provision, however, states that each team will get additional money that can be used to increase minimum salaries to help them keep pace with revenue and salary-cap growth. In addition, the rookie pool will be tied to cap growth. These are actually potentially important developments for minimum-salary players and drafted rookies, whose annual pay increases under the current CBA lagged far behind the cap's gargantuan growth.• Pension increases of 10% for current players, with pre-2012 players receiving a "uniform and increased pension benefit of $550 per month per credited season, increasing to $575 or $600 per month per credited season depending on increases in the revenue." In addition, players with three credited seasons would become pension eligible.There's lots more, and players again should be advised to view the actual CBA once it's available, and to have it lawyered before voting. The details contained in the full document that went out to NFL player agents in Indy can be found below:NFLPA_CBA Fact Sheet by grspur on ScribdDom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The market for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is taking shape, as the Chicago Bears have been in contact with the team in regards to a trade for the signal-caller, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.Dalton would be an ideal candidate to supplant Chase Daniel - who will become a free agent in March - as the backup to Mitch Trubisky, and he could even push Trubisky for the starting job.Dalton has one year remaining on his contract worth $17.5 million.The 32-year-old was benched last season, his 10th in the league, in favor of Ryan Finley. Dalton sat from Week 10 to Week 12 before being reinstalled as Cincinnati's starter. He went on to lead the Bengals to their only two wins in 2019.The Bears regressed from 12-4 in 2018 to 8-8 in 2019, while Trubisky saw his play decline substantially in his third season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Scouting Combine's shift from early afternoon to prime time led to a ratings spike.The 2020 event, which kicked off Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, drew an average of 322,000 viewers, making it the most-watched first day and weekday of combine coverage, the league announced.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston underwent offseason surgery to trim a torn meniscus he played with for a portion of 2019, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Winston was known to have played through a broken thumb toward the end of the year, but the meniscus injury was previously unreported.The pivot, who led the league in both passing yards and interceptions during 2019, also had LASIK surgery this offseason to correct his vision.The former No. 1 overall pick is scheduled to hit free agency in March. The Buccaneers are believed to be weighing the possibility of assigning Winston the franchise or transition tag, but they've also been open about wanting to upgrade at the position.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tua Tagovailoa felt a cold shoulder from the Miami Dolphins when the two parties met at the NFL combine, a source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Safid Deen.The former Alabama signal-caller reportedly left his visit feeling uncertain about whether the Dolphins want him to be their franchise quarterback, and the 2018 Heisman runner-up is questioning the club's interest."No one was excited," the source said. "They didn't give any indication of 'he's their guy.' He felt weird, like is this a joke? He's not turned off, but it was just weird."The Dolphins have reportedly been coveting Tagovailoa since last year when they decided to shed veteran talent and begin stockpiling 2020 draft picks.Tagovailoa's stock fell slightly after he dislocated his hip during Alabama's season, but the 21-year-old is expected to be cleared in early March and be ready for the NFL campaign. He's projected as an early first-round pick.Many other prospects and agents have had similar experiences during their combine meetings with the Dolphins, according to Deen.Miami owns the fifth, 18th, and 26th overall picks in the draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's safe to say Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was extremely impressed with cornerback Jeff Okudah at the NFL combine."I'm talking football with Jon Gruden, and he says, 'Hey man, are you from planet Earth?'" Okudah recounted Friday, according to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com. "It's crazy to think about that because he's someone who's been around some great football minds. For him to say that, I was like (to myself) 'You're here, man.'"Okudah, a product of Ohio State, is widely expected to be the first cornerback selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.The Texas native recorded three interceptions and seven pass breakups during an All-American campaign for the Buckeyes in 2019. He was also seldom penalized.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.For all the smoke about Tom Brady leaving the only team he's ever known, oddsmakers still think returning to New England is the likeliest scenario for him.As of Thursday, the 42-year-old quarterback was -130 to return to the Patriots, the best price we've seen in an offseason filled with questions about his future. That number moved to -150 by Friday afternoon, while Brady's chances of leaving flipped from -110 to +110.Those odds may come as a surprise following ESPN's Jeff Darlington reporting early Thursday that Brady is "operating under the belief" he'll find a new team in free agency. Darlington said he'd be "stunned" if Brady wears a Patriots uniform next fall, while The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports there's "strong buzz" the six-time champion's days in New England are over.However, those aren't the only reports about Brady's future. NBC Sports' Peter King said Thursday his sources suggest the three-time MVP is "definitely going back to New England."Could this all be posturing from Brady to force the Patriots' hand? Maybe, but it seems unlikely given the reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that New England is willing to pay "in excess of $30 million per year" to keep the face of the franchise around. At this point, what's the impetus for feigning free-agent interest?It's not often most of the information points one way and you can get plus-money in that same direction. But much of the value on Brady leaving has already been sapped, so it's worth avoiding that wager altogether.Instead, it may be better to bet on which team could sign him if he leaves.Odds to sign Brady (if he leaves Patriots)TEAMODDSIndianapolis Colts+200Las Vegas Raiders+200Los Angeles Chargers+300Tennessee Titans+900Dallas Cowboys+1200Tampa Bay Buccaneers+1200Miami Dolphins+1200Chicago Bears+1600Cleveland Browns+2000Green Bay Packers+2500San Francisco 49ers+3300Las Vegas Raiders (+200)The Raiders were one of three teams - along with the Colts and Chargers - to meet with Brady's agent at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Rapoport. They were also the favorites three weeks ago when we broke down the odds for where Brady might sign.The same concerns exist now that did then: There aren't quality receivers on the Raiders' roster, which is a priority for Brady this offseason. Unless the Raiders court a big-name wideout, this bet isn't remotely worth its short price.Indianapolis Colts (+200)We've been on the Colts since early January when they were 8-1 long shots to land the quarterback who's long been a thorn in their side. Those odds have rightfully shortened amid interest from Brady's camp, and the on-field fit is still strong.One problem: There's so much smoke surrounding Philip Rivers' potential future with the Colts that it complicates the Brady-to-Indy connection. For now, lay off the short price unless Indianapolis emerges as a clear front-runner.Los Angeles Chargers (+300)This is the bet we've been suggesting since L.A. opened at 6-1 in January. Los Angeles has now pushed Rivers out the door, and the team secured a combine meeting with Brady. Yet of the top three clubs listed above, the Chargers still face the longest odds.We said a few weeks ago that 4-1 was too short, even if the Chargers should be the outright favorites to sign Brady. Two things are true here: It's probably not worth laying 3-1 odds, but if there's a team to bet in the Brady chase, it's Los Angeles.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders and country music star Garth Brooks responded with humor after the singer caught some flak for sporting a No. 20 jersey last week.Brooks posted a photo of himself on Instagram wearing Sanders' Lions jersey during his Feb. 22 concert at Ford Field, which some fans mistook as an endorsement for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in the 2020 election.

New England Patriots wide receiver Mohamed Sanu requires surgery after a high ankle sprain failed to heal on its own, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Sanu suffered the injury on a punt return against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 17, his third game with the Patriots, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.He was largely unproductive in eight regular-season outings with New England during 2019, hauling in 207 yards and one touchdown. The 30-year-old had one catch for 5 yards in the Patriots' playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans. He was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round draft pick before the trade deadline.With a non-guaranteed base salary of $6.5 million for 2020, Sanu could wind up as a salary cap casualty this offseason.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals have been selected to host a regular-season game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City during the 2020 campaign, the NFL announced Friday.The opponent, date, and time were not revealed. The last three games in Mexico City took place on Monday Night Football, while a fourth contest was also scheduled for a Monday in 2018 before field conditions forced a relocation.Regular-season NFL games in MexicoYearHome teamAway team2005Cardinals (W)49ers2016Raiders (W)Texans2017RaidersPatriots (W)2018*RamsChiefs2019ChargersChiefs (W)*Game relocated due to concerns about field conditionsThe Cardinals played in Mexico City in 2005 against the San Francisco 49ers - the first NFL regular-season game that was held outside the United States."Two years ago, when the NFL awarded Super Bowl LVII to Arizona and State Farm Stadium, we understood the requirement of hosting an international game before 2023," Cardinals chairman Michael Bidwill said in a statement."We are thrilled to learn that this game will take place at Estadio Azteca where we received such an enthusiastic reception in 2005. We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from fans in Mexico and look forward to an incredible experience."In 2020, Arizona will host the 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Redskins.The full NFL schedule will be unveiled in April.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears are planning to pursue Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper in free agency, a source told Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.The Washington Redskins also have a strong interest in signing the two-time Pro Bowler, a source told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.Additionally, the Green Bay Packers are looking to upgrade their stable of pass-catchers and intend to make a run at Hooper, reports ESPN's Rob Demovsky.Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has indicated his team won't use the franchise tag on Hooper, who could join the Los Angeles Chargers' Hunter Henry atop the list of available tight ends.The Bears made a heavy investment at tight end ahead of the 2018 season, signing Trey Burton to a four-year, $32-million contract. Burton, who's coming off an injury-plagued campaign, would carry a dead cap figure of $7.5 million if he's released."This offense - a lot of it goes through the tight end," Bears head coach Matt Nagy said. "We're exploring every avenue."The Redskins are in need of offensive building blocks as they look to develop second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins. They released injury-riddled Jordan Reed, a former Pro Bowl tight end, a week ago.Chicago's reported pursuit of Hooper could be hindered by a lack of salary cap space, as the Bears are projected to have just $26 million available. The Redskins will be one of the more financially flexible teams in the NFL this offseason, possessing more than $60 million of cap room to work with.The Packers would presumably cut Jimmy Graham in order to accommodate Hooper's salary. Green Bay has made two free-agent splashes at tight end over the last three years, but neither Martellus Bennett nor Graham put up big numbers after signing on.Hooper has increased his receiving totals in every season with the Falcons. The 25-year-old produced 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns over 13 contests in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts are vetting quarterback Philip Rivers before free agency begins, a league source told Stephen Holder of The Athletic.Rivers has already been linked to the Colts this offseason. A report on Wednesday pegged the team as his most likely landing spot based on conversations with rival franchises at the scouting combine. The Los Angeles Chargers have already announced they won't re-sign Rivers, who spent his first 16 seasons with the team.Rivers, 38, is coming off an uneven campaign in which he committed 20 interceptions and posted an 88.5 passer rating, his lowest since 2007. He was an MVP candidate in 2018, however, after tossing 32 touchdowns and registering a passer rating of 105.5, tied for the highest mark he's posted in a full season.The Colts have kept their options open at quarterback this offseason, with owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard each acknowledging that Jacoby Brissett isn't guaranteed to return as the starter.Meanwhile, Indianapolis has not engaged in any discussions with Tom Brady's camp in advance of free agency, according to Holder.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off Thursday night, with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends taking the field in the first session of what is now a prime time event.With a stacked group of wideouts stealing the show, here's a look at five takeaways from the night's action.Mims, Claypool stocks soaringFor as many impressive performances we saw, nobody made themselves more money than Denzel Mims and Chase Claypool.Anyone who watched Mims play at Baylor knew he was athletic. But few could have expected the elite profile he put together with some ridiculous test scores at the combine. Mims posted a 4.38 40-yard dash, a 38.5-inch vertical, a 131-inch broad jump and, perhaps most impressively, a 6.66 3-cone time. That combination of size, speed, explosiveness, and elite short-area quickness is unheard of for a receiver who weighs in at 6-foot-3, 207 pounds.This kind of athletic upside, combined with everything he showed on the field in college, should put him in the first-round conversation. Mims lasting any later than that could make for some incredible value on Day 2.Claypool is a bit of a different story. Checking in at a particularly imposing 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, the potential to create physical mismatches against NFL defensive backs was always apparent. The athleticism was more of an unknown, but you can now check that box for him, too.The Notre Dame product turned heads in the 40 with an official 4.42 time. That puts him alongside Calvin Johnson as one of only two receivers since 2006 to post a sub-4.45 run after measuring in at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds or bigger, according to NFL research. He continued to put his explosiveness on display with a 40.5-inch vertical, another insane number for a player of his size.Claypool was probably a Day 3 pick coming into the combine. While there's no shortage of competition at the receiver position this year, it would be no surprise to see him begin earning buzz as early as the second round. Athletes like this just don't come around all that often.Hurts makes an impressionA high-character prospect who was a tremendous leader at Alabama and Oklahoma, there was no doubt Jalen Hurts would shine during his team interviews this week in Indianapolis. We even got a sneak peek at his acumen on the board in this clip with Steve Mariucci.

All of the talk heading into the opening night of this year's NFL combine centered around some particularly speedy receivers, and the star-studded group certainly didn't disappoint.Henry Ruggs III led the way with a blazing time of 4.27. The outstanding run fell short of John Ross' combine record, but put him in a tie for the fourth-best time since 2006.The most impressive results of the night, particularly when accounting for size, came from a pair of big-bodied targets in Denzel Mims and Chase Claypool, who ran a 4.38 and 4.42, respectively.Top performersPlayerSchoolTimeHenry Ruggs IIIAlabama4.27Quez WatkinsSouthern Miss4.35Denzel MimsBaylor4.38Darnell MooneyTulane4.38Devin DuvernayTexas4.39Antonio GibsonMemphis4.39Chase ClaypoolNotre Dame4.42John HightowerBoise State4.43Justin JeffersonLSU4.43Isaiah CoulterRhode Island4.45Jerry JeudyAlabama4.45Jeff ThomasMiami4.45In total, six receivers posted times faster than 4.40. TCU wideout Jalen Reagor was expected by many to be among them, but he checked in with a 4.47, tied for 15th among receivers.(Official results courtesy NFL.com)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts put his athleticism on display Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, finishing second in his position group in the 40-yard dash with an impressive time of 4.59 seconds.Among other quarterbacks with notable performances in the combine's main event were projected 1st-round picks Justin Herbert at 4.68 and Jordan Love at 4.74.PlayerSchoolTimeCole McDonaldHawaii4.58Jalen HurtsOklahoma4.59Justin HerbertOregon4.68Steven MontezColorado4.68Kelly BryantMissouri4.69Shea PattersonMichigan4.71Jordan LoveUtah State4.74Nate StanleyIowa4.81Jacob EasonWashington4.89James MorganFlorida International4.89Brian LwerkeMichigan State4.95Kevin DavidsonPrinceton5.00Jake FrommGeorgia5.01Expected No. 1 pick Joe Burrow did not participate in combine drills, choosing instead to wait for his LSU pro day. Tua Tagovailoa, another top quarterback prospect expected to be selected early in the first round, was unable to take part due to his ongoing recovery from a hip injury.(Official results courtesy NFL.com)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Henry Ruggs III was forced to sit out on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday after suffering a quad injury during the 40-yard dash.Ruggs, who was widely expected to be a star of this week's event, posted an official time of 4.27 seconds before being relegated to the sidelines with ice wrapped around his left thigh.The 4.27 time comes in just short of John Ross' combine record (4.22), but puts Ruggs in a tie for the fourth-fastest mark since 2006.One of several dynamic talents headlining an outstanding receiver class, Ruggs is expected to be a first-round pick in April's draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite the NFLPA members vocally against the proposed collective bargaining agreement, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith spoke of the virtues of the deal.Smith said he understands the positions of Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, and other high-profile athletes, but added the focus of negotiations is about the 60% of players who earn the minimum NFL salary. Under the proposed CBA, those players would make roughly $100,000 more in 2020 and surpass $1 million by 2029."There was a concerted effort that they wanted this CBA to go to those core players," Smith said Thursday, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.The full membership will vote on the deal. It would take only a majority vote to approve the deal, one in which the players' share of revenue will jump to 48%, which is an increase of roughly $3.5 billion.A 10-year agreement is on the table, and Smith shed some light on why the NFLPA didn't vie for an opt-out clause."If $5 billion is projected to come to players over the course of the deal, and let's say there's a change in the way people are viewing the game, there's a massive change in ratings, there's a change in financial markets, I would rather be in a world where we have long-term deals that insulates us against those things rather than a deal where people who are already rich can decide that they don't want to pay you anymore," Smith said, per ESPN's Todd Archer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Most people do their best thinking in the shower. Jerry Jones is no different.The Dallas Cowboys owner spoke to the media Thursday and was asked about the possibility of re-signing receiver Dez Bryant."I haven't talked to Dez, but I have been thinking about it a lot in the shower," Jones said, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "I'm thinking about it."Jones added that he knows Bryant "better than anybody," per Cowboys beat writer Nick Eatman.Bryant played for Dallas from 2010-17 before he was released in 2018. He signed with the New Orleans Saints that November but tore his Achilles in his first practice.The 31-year-old has been attempting a comeback ever since and recently worked out with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Bryant appeared open to a reunion when reacting to Jones' comments on Twitter.

Tight end Thaddeus Moss will undergo surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.The LSU product's fracture was discovered during his physical at the NFL combine. Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson had the same ailment uncovered during his physical.The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss decided not to participate in combine drills before the event began. He and Jefferson - both potential Day 2 draft picks - are expected to be healthy long before training camp.Moss posted 47 receptions for 570 yards and four touchdowns in 2019 while helping LSU win the national championship.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams rarely leave any stone unturned when conducting background checks ahead of interviews with draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine. Clubs can even uncover things players didn't know about themselves, as former TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock learned during his interview with the Las Vegas Raiders."The Raiders told me about my 37 parking tickets that I didn't know about," Blacklock revealed Thursday, according to Nick Jhabvala of The Denver Post.It's fair to wonder how one could rack up such a large number of parking tickets without knowing about them, but Blacklock explained that TCU deducts the value of the fines from players' financial stipends.

Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams wants a new contract or a trade, sources told Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Williams is entering his age-32 season and the final year of his contract, which pays him a non-guaranteed base salary of $12.5 million.First-year head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that the Redskins' attempt to mend fences with Williams following a spat with upper management last season is a "work in progress."Williams held out last season, upset about the way Washington handled a medical situation. He reported to the team in November and spent the rest of the year on the non-football injury list. The Redskins made significant changes to their front office after the season, firing longtime president Bruce Allen, who had refused to honor the trade request Williams reportedly submitted in the summer.Williams has spent his entire career with the Redskins, who drafted him fourth overall in 2010. He made seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2012-18.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With free agency and the draft still ahead, NFL rosters will undergo seismic changes over the next few months.Before the shuffling begins, let's take an early look at the players positioned to break out when the 2020 season kicks off.Arizona CardinalsChristian Kirk, WR - We would already be talking about Kirk as a fantasy star if it weren't for his injury troubles. Despite missing time, the 23-year-old finished tied for 14th in average targets per game among all receivers and had multiple 100-yard outings as a sophomore. With Kyler Murray poised to make a second-year leap, Kirk will be a highly sought-after mid-round selection in fantasy drafts.Atlanta FalconsCalvin Ridley, WR - Ridley isn't a traditional breakout candidate considering he finished as a low-end fantasy WR2 in each of his first two NFL campaigns. However, there's reason to believe the wideout could take his game to an even higher level in 2020. Ridley went on a tear in the six games that followed the midseason trade that sent Mohamed Sanu to the Patriots, as he posted top-12 fantasy numbers before an abdominal injury ended his season after Week 14. His stats during that stretch put him on pace for 91 receptions, 1,315 yards, and eight touchdowns when extrapolated over a full 16-game schedule. If you're looking for the next Chris Godwin in fantasy, Ridley is your guy.Baltimore RavensIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJustice Hill, RB - With Lamar Jackson powering the offense, Baltimore's roster is full of young talent on the verge of breakouts. Sophomore receivers Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin will be locked into bigger roles, and running back Hill might not be far behind. Lead runner Mark Ingram, who was slowed by a calf issue at the end of the season, will turn 31 years old later this year. Depending on what happens with exclusive-rights free agent Gus Edwards, the explosive Hill could be an Ingram injury away from starting in one of the league's best rushing attacks.Buffalo BillsDawson Knox, TE - Rookie tight ends rarely earn starting roles, but Tyler Kroft's injury to open the season allowed Knox to take over top spot on the Bills' depth chart - a role he refused to relinquish even after Kroft returned to the lineup. Knox only produced a handful of usable fantasy lines, but they were enough to make him an intriguing option heading into Year 2. As you'll see in this article, there are plenty of breakout candidates at tight end heading into the 2020 campaign.Carolina PanthersCurtis Samuel, WR - Samuel occupied this same space last year after posting the 18th-most fantasy points among receivers over the final nine weeks of the 2018 season. Unfortunately, losing Cam Newton in September prevented Samuel from reaching his potential in 2019 as he was forced to catch passes from backup Kyle Allen, whose accuracy woes are well-documented.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden gave no hint Thursday that he's looking for a quarterback to replace Derek Carr."I really think Derek's a heck of a player, and I got a lot of respect for what he has done - and with some tough circumstances," Gruden told Vic Tafur of The Athletic. "I'm not gonna answer every media rumor out there, just can't do it. ... I love what Derek Carr did, I love what he brings to our team, and anxious to continue to build around him."Carr, 28, is coming off one of his best NFL seasons. He posted career highs in completion percentage (70.4), passing yards (4,054), and yards per attempt (7.9) while tossing 21 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 2019. Still, the Raiders finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years with Carr as their starter.Gruden did leave the door ajar ever so slightly when asked how the Raiders can help Carr reach the next level."At quarterback, sometimes you get better because of your experience in the system," he said. "Sometimes you get better because of your supporting cast and sometimes you get better because the play-calling is better."So we've got to continue to improve at that position, and we're set out to do that, no matter how we do it."The Raiders have been linked to impending free agent Tom Brady, and Gruden is known to covet veteran signal-callers. But he and general manager Mike Mayock have both been emphatic in their support of Carr."The guy completed 70% of his passes, he had almost a 3-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, I think we're No. 11 in the league in total yards, we were seventh in third-down conversions," Mayock said Tuesday. "We did a lot of really good things on offense last year; the disconnect was we didn't score a lot of points. You're 11 in yards and 24 in points - there's an issue."It's defense, it's special teams, it's not scoring in the red zone, and it's not scoring in goal-to-go. To me, those are the issues. Derek Carr played at a high level. I'm very happy with Derek Carr. What I've told everybody I've been in touch with since the day I took this job is we're gonna evaluate every position every year. And if we can get better, we will."Carr is signed through 2022, but the Raiders could release him for a dead cap hit of $7.9 million this offseason, according to OverTheCap.The Raiders, who are 11-21 since Gruden returned as head coach in 2018, declined to draft a quarterback with any of their three first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. They're slated to make two selections in the opening round this year.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots appear to be inching closer to a dramatic divorce.Brady has informed individuals close to him that he's operating under the belief he will enter free agency to play with another team next season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Darlington.Brady is currently scheduled to hit the open market for the first time in his NFL career. The Patriots have yet to reach out to the legendary signal-caller and his representatives, and the chances of the two parties reaching a deal are "not looking good," a source told Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.However, one explanation for why Brady and New England haven't engaged in contract talks is the uncertainty regarding a new collective bargaining agreement, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

As owners of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals are less than two months away from one of the most important decisions in franchise history.But quarterback Joe Burrow, the favorite to be the top selection in this year's draft, apparently helped make the Bengals' choice much easier with a strong interview at the NFL Scouting Combine."He was impressive," a Bengals staff member told Jeremy Rauch of FOX19."Really good communicator," the source added. "Had a full grasp of all the details of their offense, which was expected but good to hear."Burrow spoke with Bengals president Mike Brown, head coach Zac Taylor, director of player personnel Duke Tobin, and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, according to team writer Geoff Hobson.A club official not included in that group also told Hobson it was the best interview he'd ever attended.Another source within the organization told Tyler Dragon of The Enquirer that the meeting with the former LSU star went well, adding Burrow is a "smart guy" who "will be ready" for the NFL.Burrow has been the presumptive first overall pick ever since he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers to a national title in a historic breakout senior season.Speaking to reporters at the combine Tuesday, the 23-year-old shot down speculation that he doesn't want to land with the Bengals.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts are among the teams that could have interest in free agent Jadeveon Clowney, reports ESPN's Josina Anderson.Clowney is expected to attract plenty of clubs looking to bolster their edge presence. The former No. 1 pick has stated his desire to play for a contending team but will command a lucrative long-term deal.The 27-year-old managed just three sacks for the Seattle Seahawks last season, though he still consistently pressured the quarterback. He was traded to Seattle from the Houston Texans, with whom he spent five campaigns and earned three Pro Bowl selections.Clowney totaled 18.5 sacks from 2017-18.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.