The Kansas City Chiefs announced a contract extension for kicker Harrison Butker on Thursday.The deal is worth roughly $20 million over five years, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Butker was already under contract for one season, so he's now tied to the club through the 2024 campaign.Butker, 23, has converted 89.9 percent of his field-goal attempts over his first two NFL seasons. A seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2017, he latched on with Kansas City that same year after Carolina waived him.The approximate $4-million average annual salary puts Butker in the top 10 among kickers.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL provided an update Thursday regarding the process for instant replay reviews of potential pass interference occurring inside the two-minute mark of each half and overtime.Although NFL owners granted the league's competition committee the authority to allow coaches' challenges for pass interference within the two-minute timeframe, the committee opted to leave the power to initiate replays with the replay official but with "stricter criteria" for stoppages.The league is trying to set a high standard for initiating pass-interference reviews because of concerns about hurting the pace of play, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The New England Patriots acquired tight end Michael Roberts from the Detroit Lions on Thursday in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice, the Lions announced.That pick is reportedly a conditional seventh-rounder in 2020, a source told Justin Rogers of The Detroit News.Roberts, a fourth-round selection by the Lions in 2017, caught 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons. He played in eight games last year before a shoulder injury ended his campaign prematurely.Detroit has now parted ways with every tight end who was on last year's roster after allowing Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo to depart in free agency.The Lions aggressively revamped the disappointing group this offseason, signing free agent Jesse James and then using the eighth overall pick on former Iowa standout T.J. Hockenson.Meanwhile, New England continues to cast a wide net to build up its tight end depth following the retirement of star Rob Gronkowski.Veteran Benjamin Watson, who was signed out of retirement, is suspended for the first four games. Austin Seferian-Jenkins was also brought in, but the Patriots released him earlier in June due to personal reasons.Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, seventh-round pick Ryan Izzo, and undrafted rookie Andrew Beck round out New England's depth chart..Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts and cornerback Kenny Moore agreed to a four-year extension that will make him the league's highest-paid slot defender, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Moore's deal contains $30 million in new money from 2021 through 2023 with a maximum value north of $36 million, according to Rapoport.The 23-year-old had been set to play one more season before becoming a restricted free agent.

Having previously covered the best quarterback and running back props for the 2019 NFL season, we conclude our three-part series by finding the best value picks to lead the league in receiving yards and touchdowns.Odds to lead NFL in receiving yardsPlayerOddsJulio Jones6-1DeAndre Hopkins7-1Michael Thomas7-1Odell Beckham Jr.10-1JuJu Smith-Schuster12-1Mike Evans15-1Antonio Brown16-1Davante Adams16-1Adam Thielen20-1T.Y Hilton20-1Tyreek Hill20-1A.J. Green25-1Keenan Allen25-1Kenny Golladay30-1Amari Cooper35-1Travis Kelce35-1Brandin Cooks40-1Chris Godwin40-1Robert Woods40-1Stefon Diggs40-1George Kittle50-1Tyler Lockett50-1Zach Ertz60-1DK Metcalf60-1Calvin Ridley75-1Courtland Sutton75-1N'Keal Harry75-1DeSean Jackson75-1DJ Moore75-1Julian Edelman75-1Robby Anderson75-1Sammy Watkins75-1Let's begin by eliminating who we don't expect to see lead the league in receiving yards:Michael Thomas - He's still one of the most underrated receivers in the game who should put up monster numbers again as a WR1. But will the Saints pass enough in 2019 for Thomas to lead the pack? We don't think so.JuJu Smith Schuster - We're going to find out a lot about Smith-Schuster in his first season sans Antonio Brown. Though he'll have his opportunities yet again, Smith-Schuster will finally be treated as a WR1 by opposing secondaries.Odell Beckham Jr. - There are just too many mouths to feed in the Browns' offense when you factor in Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, Antonio Callaway, Nick Chubb, and others.Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs - theScore's fantasy expert Justin Boone doesn't seem too enthusiastic regarding the Vikings' passing game in 2019.A.J. Green - It's always tough to invest in a player coming off an injury. Green's movement could be affected by toe surgery last December.With a clearer picture, here's who we'd roll with:Favorite - Julio Jones (6-1)There's nothing that sways us away from taking Jones. It feels like a cop-out to take the front-runner, right? Except Jones has led the league in receiving yards twice over the last four years and wasn't affected by the presence of fellow wide receiver Calvin Ridley last season, leading the NFL with 1,677 receiving yards. We're enamored with Matt Ryan, so naturally, we'll endorse his go-to target.Underdog - Mike Evans (15-1)Evans would probably get more recognition in a bigger market or on a winning team. As the Buccaneers toiled away in the NFC South basement last season, all Evans did was post 1,524 yards despite Tampa having zero stability under center. A lot of talk has centered around Chris Godwin's upside, but Evans seems set for another huge season in an offense that should once again be throwing the ball plenty.Long shot - George Kittle (50-1)Kittle was catching the majority of his passes from C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens and still finished first among tight ends, and eighth overall, with 1,377 yards. Give him Jimmy Garoppolo for a full season and the sky is the limit for Kittle, who also led the league in yards after the catch with 870.Odds to lead the NFL in receiving touchdownsPlayerOddsDavante Adams7-1DeAndre Hopkins8-1Antonio Brown10-1Travis Kelce10-1Odell Beckham Jr.14-1JuJu Smith-Schuster16-1Julio Jones16-1Michael Thomas18-1Mike Evans20-1A.J Green25-1Alshon Jeffery25-1T.Y. Hilton25-1Tyreek Hill25-1Keenan Allen25-1Amari Cooper25-1Zach Ertz25-1Adam Thielen30-1Robby Anderson30-1Calvin Ridley30-1Tyler Lockett30-1Hunter Henry35-1Cooper Kupp40-1Stefon Diggs40-1Kenny Golladay40-1Brandin Cooks50-1George Kittle50-1Chris Godwin50-1DJ Moore50-1Marvin Jones Jr.50-1O.J. Howard50-1Will Fuller50-1Robert Woods50-1Mike Williams55-1Favorite - Davante Adams (7-1)We're rolling with the chalk again here with Adams, who caught 12 of his 13 touchdowns last season in the red zone. He led all wide receivers with 31 targets inside the 20-yard line last season and essentially becomes a cheat code on front-shoulder fades from Aaron Rodgers. This one makes too much sense.Underdog - Zach Ertz (25-1)Ertz led all tight ends with 27 targets inside the red zone but only scored seven touchdowns inside the 20, which ranked third among players at his position. The Eagles will have several names demanding the ball, but this is a number we'd take on Ertz in 2019.Long shot - Mike Williams (55-1)Williams finally broke out last season, snaring 10 touchdowns on 64 targets in his second year. After Adams, Williams earned the best red-zone grade of any receiver in 2019 from Pro Football Focus. The upside here is enormous.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After covering the best quarterback props for the 2019 season earlier in the week, the next leg in our three-part series shifts to the running backs as we spot the best value picks to lead the league in rushing yards and touchdowns.Odds to lead NFL in rushing yardsPlayerOddsEzekiel Elliott7-2Saquon Barkley9-2Joe Mixon12-1Derrick Henry16-1Le'Veon Bell16-1Nick Chubb18-1Leonard Fournette20-1Melvin Gordon20-1Todd Gurley20-1Christian McCaffrey25-1Dalvin Cook25-1David Johnson25-1Marlon Mack25-1James Conner25-1Chris Carson30-1Kerryon Johnson30-1Sony Michel30-1Aaron Jones35-1Alvin Kamara40-1David Montgomery40-1Derrius Guice40-1Devonta Freeman40-1Josh Jacobs40-1Kenyan Drake40-1Miles Sanders40-1Phillip Lindsay40-1It's not surprising to see Elliott lead the pack as he's paced the league in rushing yards twice through his first three seasons. However, he's not our favorite in this field.Favorite - Saquon Barkley (9-2)The Giants have no other choice than to become a run-first football team in 2019. They traded away their top receiver - a position that was already a weakness - and they're employing a 38-year-old quarterback with a rookie wild card behind him. Moreover, they shored up the interior line in the offseason to give Barkley more lanes to run through.The only concern here comes with New York playing from behind and taking away touches from Barkley in the running game. Otherwise, the second-year back is in a solid situation to build off his 1,307-yard rookie campaign.Underdog - Derrick Henry (16-1)Henry finally burst onto the scene during his third year in 2018, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark after totaling 1,234 in his first two seasons combined. The Titans desperately need a bounce-back year from quarterback Marcus Mariota and should have a better passing game with A.J. Brown added to the receiving corps. Still, Tennessee will be a run-heavy team under newly promoted offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who appears hell-bent on progressing in that department in 2019.Long shot - Kerryon Johnson (30-1)The Lions' running game finally started to emerge last season with Johnson at the forefront. While the running back is trending toward a big sophomore season in his own right, perhaps the most intriguing element is new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who, despite wanting to run an "explosive" passing game, plans to create it out of the run. theScore's fantasy expert, Justin Boone, loves the upside Johnson offers and doesn't mind selling Stafford this season - that should tell you enough about Detroit's offensive approach.Odds to lead NFL in rushing touchdownsPlayer OddsEzekiel Elliott6-1Derrick Henry10-1James Conner10-1Todd Gurley10-1Saquon Barkley12-1Le'Veon Bell16-1Alvin Kamara18-1Nick Chubb18-1Joe Mixon18-1Sony Michel18-1Marlon Mack20-1Melvin Gordon20-1Chris Carson25-1Leonard Fournette25-1Aaron Jones30-1Christian McCaffrey30-1David Johnson30-1Damien Williams35-1David Montgomery35-1Mark Ingram35-1Devonta Freeman40-1Josh Jacobs40-1Kerryon Johnson40-1Dalvin Cook45-1Derrius Guice45-1Phillip Lindsay50-1Gurley comes into 2019 having led the league in rushing touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, though his health could inhibit him from making it a three-peat. Here's who we're dialed in on:Favorite - Alvin Kamara (18-1)It may be unusual to label an 18-1 option a favorite, but Kamara will undoubtedly be in the mix by season's end. He flirted with the top spot last year with 14 rushing TDs but was edged out by Gurley's 17. Kamara saw the second-most red-zone attempts in the NFL last season at 52 and is an attractive buy at this number.Underdog - Marlon Mack (20-1)Mack put up a rather quiet nine touchdowns last season in a high-powered Colts offense. He should expect an uptick in production in 2019 after being named the lead back by head coach Frank Reich on Tuesday. Mack finished just inside the top 10 in red-zone attempts for running backs last season and should be another fixture in Indianapolis' scoring output.Long shot - Christian McCaffrey (30-1)There were some missed opportunities for McCaffrey last season. He ranked fourth in the league with 46 red-zone attempts but only averaged 2.9 yards per carry in those situations. Couple his big-play ability with the chance for some positive regression and McCaffrey is your best long shot of the bunch.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A former Houston Texans security coordinator has filed a discrimination lawsuit with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission against the team, as reported by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.The Texans denied Jeff Pope's allegation, and also said the recent firing of general manager Brian Gaine had nothing to do with the suit."This claim by Mr. Pope was not a factor in the recent decision to relieve Brian Gaine from his job as general manager," Texans spokesperson Amy Palcic said.Pope, an employee since 2017, was dismissed by the Texans on May 8. The team also fired Gaines after just one season at the helm last week, despite the former GM having four seasons left on his contract following an 11-5 season."My client was terminated; we are alleging it was clearly on the basis of race by Mr. Gaine, who was recently terminated by the Texans," said Pope's attorney, N. Lucy Chukwurah. "My client was offered a severance. He came to me about negotiating and asked if he should sign it."I found there was more there. I wondered why he was being offered a severance. We discussed what his options were and filed the EEOC discrimination complaint. Prior to doing so, we got in contact with the Texans about negotiating and at least giving him a severance package that's fair. They declined to engage in that process."I was going to handle this the way I handle most of my claims: quietly. When the Texans terminated Mr. Gaine, that caught my attention. They terminated him a few days after they spoke with their counsel. I found that to be unusual."Meanwhile, Houston's search for a new GM hit a major roadblock Wednesday when the New England Patriots filed tampering charges against the AFC South team for its pursuit of top personnel executive Nick Caserio, one of the favorites to land the job.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots filed tampering charges Wednesday against the Houston Texans over their pursuit of general manager candidate Nick Caserio, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The NFL is expected to begin gathering information to open its investigation into the complaint.The accusation was made after Texans employee Jack Easterby - who previously worked for New England - attended the Patriots' Super Bowl ring unveiling party June 6, where Caserio was also present.Houston fired GM Brian Gaine one day after the unveiling party. The Texans haven't been granted permission to interview Caserio to this point, sources told Schefter.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Dan Wilkins, and David Woods rank all 32 teams' top trio of quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers/tight ends.Offense I Defense1. New Orleans SaintsQB Drew Brees, WR Michael Thomas, RB Alvin KamaraBrees turned 40 years old in January, but for most of last season, he and Patrick Mahomes were playing at a level no other quarterback could match. Kamara is among the league's most versatile backs and has only scratched the surface of his potential over two NFL seasons. Thomas went from great to elite in 2018, giving the Saints' offense three legitimate top-five talents, and pushing the unit to the top of this list.2. Los Angeles ChargersQB Philip Rivers, WR Keenan Allen, RB Melvin GordonUnderappreciated and criminally underrated, the Chargers' set of triplets are among the most reliable players at their positions. Free of the major injuries that befell him in earlier years, Allen has produced like a top-of-the-line wideout in consecutive seasons. Though he's aging at 37 years old, Rivers put together perhaps his best season in 2018, completing 68 percent of his throws while leading the Bolts to a 12-4 record. Gordon, meanwhile, is a touchdown machine, scoring 14 times in 2018 even while missing four games with a late-season injury.3. Kansas City ChiefsQB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce, RB Damien WilliamsMahomes is the league's top quarterback, and after Rob Gronkowski's retirement, Travis Kelce is the clear-cut top tight end. With Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger separated, Mahomes to Kelce is arguably the NFL's most intimidating QB-receiver combo. Williams exceeded expectations last season, but it's hard to trust him after a limited sample size of just three regular-season starts in 2018. If Kareem Hunt was still with Kansas City, this likely would've been our top triplet.4. Cleveland BrownsTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyQB Baker Mayfield, WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Nick ChubbWe don't know yet if the hype is real, but the Browns' offense could explode in 2019. Saquon Barkley barely edged out Mayfield for the Rookie of the Year Award, and now the second-year pivot gets the support of Beckham - one of the best receivers in the league - and Chubb starting for a full season. All eyes will be on Cleveland in 2019.5. Green Bay PackersQB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, RB Aaron JonesRodgers and Adams form a top quarterback-wide receiver duo. When all else failed, Rodgers knew he could turn to Adams in 2018, leading to 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns for the wideout. With nothing but youngsters filling out the rest of the Packers' receiving corps, Rodgers says he wants to target Adams even more in 2019. Green Bay appears to have unearthed a star running back in Jones. Hopefully, he'll average more than 12 carries per game under a new coaching staff.6. Pittsburgh SteelersQB Ben Roethlisberger, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RB James ConnerThe "Killer Bees" are no more, but few teams are better at finding new offensive talent than Pittsburgh. Conner was every bit as productive as Le'Veon Bell during his first season starting (1,470 yards from scrimmage and 13 TDs), and Smith-Schuster is one of just two receivers in NFL history to catch 100 passes in a season before age 23. However, we need to see how he performs as a No. 1 wideout without Brown before returning Pittsburgh's triplet to elite status.7. Atlanta FalconsQB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones, RB Devonta FreemanThis trio appeared on the verge of greatness after the Falcons' run to Super Bowl LI. Injuries have slowed and sidelined Freeman over the two seasons since. Ryan and Jones remain among the elite at their positions, even though they're aging. The Falcons are hoping a healthy Freeman, with the team's backfield all to himself following the departure of Tevin Coleman, will help their offense rebound to 2016 levels.8. Indianapolis ColtsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyQB Andrew Luck, WR T.Y. Hilton, RB Marlon MackLuck took a month or so to get back up to speed in 2018, but once he did, Frank Reich's quick-hitting offense fit him well, and the pivot looked better than ever. Mack isn't a complete back, but his burst and ability to challenge the edge of defenses complement Indy's talented offensive line well. Hilton remains one of the league's more underrated players, even though he's developed into a well-rounded No. 1 target after starting his career as a one-trick deep threat.9. Houston TexansQB Deshaun Watson, WR DeAndre Hopkins, RB Lamar MillerThe 2018 season gave us a glimpse of what's possible when Watson is throwing to Hopkins for a full year. Watson rose to stardom, throwing for 4,165 yards with a 26:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and Hopkins became perhaps the league's best wideout with his 1,572-yard season. The two did all that despite an awful offensive line, and Miller leading an average rushing attack.10. Seattle SeahawksQB Russell Wilson, WR Tyler Lockett, RB Chris CarsonLockett's breakout season, in which he averaged nearly 17 yards per catch and hauled in 10 touchdowns, somewhat mitigates losing Doug Baldwin. The speedster isn't a typical No. 1 receiver, but his strong connection with Wilson can't be understated. The lone star of this triplet, Wilson pushes the unit into the top 10. Carson's a solid back with a punishing style, and he didn't receive enough credit for his 1,151-yard campaign in 2018.11. Dallas CowboysQB Dak Prescott, WR Amari Cooper, RB Ezekiel ElliottThe Cowboys field one of the most star-filled triplets, though the team ranks lower here because its best player out of the three is the running back, Elliott. Prescott looked reinvigorated in 2018 following the trade for Cooper, but we can't forget how lost he seemed prior to the receiver's arrival. He's not more than an average starter. Similarly, while Cooper's talents are undeniable considering how much he improved Dallas' passing attack, he can't be considered a top-10 wideout without more game-to-game consistency.12. Los Angeles RamsHarry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyQB Jared Goff, WR Brandin Cooks, RB Todd GurleyThis dynamic trio strikes fear in the hearts of opponents, but each player has a weakness. Goff put together a second consecutive scintillating season in 2018, but he can be contained, as the Patriots' stifling defense showed in the Super Bowl. Gurley has scored 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons, but the heavy workload finally caught up to him in the 2019 playoffs, and there are significant concerns about his knee moving forward. Cooks leads a talented wide receiver group, but he lacks the complete skill set of other top wideouts.13. New England PatriotsQB Tom Brady, WR Julian Edelman, RB Sony MichelThe Patriots' offensive machine often eschews star weapons in favor of role players who excel in specific areas. That's led to multiple Super Bowl wins, but when it comes to comparing top talents, New England falls short. Brady, of course, is still, well, Tom freaking Brady. Edelman reminded the NFL of his skills this past postseason, and he's still among the league's best slot weapons. Michel was great running the ball as a rookie, but with James White hoarding targets, the jury is still out on his ability to be a three-down back.14. Minnesota VikingsQB Kirk Cousins, WR Adam Thielen, RB Dalvin CookWhile Minnesota boasts easily the best one-two punch at wide receiver, we have to pick one here. Thielen gets the nod over Stefon Diggs due to his insane eight-game streak of 100-yard-plus performances to open the 2018 season. Cook's talent is easy to see when he's on the field, but he hasn't been healthy often enough. It's a make-or-break year for him in 2019. Cousins disappointed during his first season in Minnesota. His price tag is elite, but it's clear he'll never come close to cracking the top tier of passers.15. Philadelphia EaglesQB Carson Wentz, TE Zach Ertz, RB Miles Sanders (r)The connection between Wentz and Ertz is nearly unstoppable. Wentz is an MVP candidate when healthy, and Ertz is a target monster, hauling in an absurd 116 balls and recording 1,163 yards in 2018. However, Philly's running game leaves much to be desired. The Eagles finished 28th in rushing a season ago, averaging only 98.1 yards per game. Enter Sanders, a 2019 second-round pick the Eagles are hoping can give their offense the balance it sorely needs.16. Carolina PanthersGrant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / GettyQB Cam Newton, WR D.J. Moore, RB Christian McCaffreyA former MVP and a potential MVP candidate lead this triplet. Newton remains one of the league's most dangerous weapons, though he's recovering from shoulder surgery. McCaffrey highlights the Panthers' efforts to surround Newton with young talent. The 5-foot-11 dynamo nearly racked up 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving during his sophomore season, and he's bulked up this offseason while trying to exceed that plateau. The Panthers are a stud receiver away from being much further up this list.17. Oakland RaidersQB Derek Carr, WR Antonio Brown, RB Josh Jacobs (r)Carr's reputation has fallen far from his days as an MVP candidate in 2016. But he's still a solid starter who can produce the occasional top-tier performance. The arrival of Brown will undoubtedly buoy the quarterback, as the former Steeler almost single-handily pushes this group from bad to average. Jacobs, Oakland's third first-round selection in 2019, has the talent and the opportunity to become a 1,000-plus yard rusher as a rookie.18. Cincinnati BengalsQB Andy Dalton, WR A.J. Green, RB Joe MixonMixon looked like a burgeoning star during his sophomore season, and he could explode if he takes the next step as a receiver. Green turns 31 in July, and injuries have slowed him in recent years. But he's still among the best receivers in the league, and the emergence of Tyler Boyd should help relieve some pressure. Dalton is clearly the weakest link here, and Cincinnati should show him the door.19. Detroit LionsQB Matthew Stafford, WR Kenny Golladay, RB Kerryon JohnsonTwo short years ago, Stafford was the highest-paid player in NFL history. However, his play has plateaued, and the Lions' competitive window has closed. Youngsters Golladay and Johnson have replaced Stafford's old supporting cast, too. Golladay is best used as a complementary piece rather than a No. 1 option. Johnson, however, could become the great backfield threat the Lions have been missing.20. San Francisco 49ersMichael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyQB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE George Kittle, RB Tevin ColemanKittle has emerged as a premier tight end, and Garoppolo is expected to vault into the top tier at his position if he stays healthy. The quarterback's first five starts with the Niners were legendary, but an ACL tear cut his 2018 season short. The running back position has been a revolving door during the Kyle Shanahan era in San Francisco, and now the 49ers are banking on career backups Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon to end that trend.21. New York JetsQB Sam Darnold, WR Robby Anderson, RB Le'Veon BellThis threesome could rise dramatically in 2019. Darnold's rookie year was a roller coaster, but he looked like a stud during a late-season hot streak. Bell is dangerous, and while it's fair to be concerned about his season off, he's still just 27 years old. Anderson was a disappointment in 2018 after appearing primed to break out following a 941-yard campaign the season before. But, like Darnold, his production picked up late in the season, as he racked up three touchdowns and 336 yards over the final four games to re-establish himself as an up-and-coming player.22. Tampa Bay BuccaneersQB Jameis Winston, WR Mike Evans, RB Peyton BarberWinston to Evans has been a great combo, with the wideout posting 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his five NFL seasons. Evans is also coming off a 1,524-yard, eight-touchdown campaign. However, the running back position brings this trio down. The Bucs haven't fielded a 1,000-plus yard rusher since 2015, and Barber likely isn't the man to do it. He won the job almost by default in 2018, and the veteran will hold it again in 2019 unless last year's second-round pick Ronald Jones improves.23. Arizona CardinalsQB Kyler Murray (r), WR Larry Fitzgerald, RB David JohnsonThe Cardinals' trio could become one of the game's best. Murray has the tools to take the league by storm, and Johnson has already reached dynamic status. Fitzgerald is in the final stage of his career, but Arizona has done well to support him with a group of promising youngsters. One of Christian Kirk, Hakeem Butler, or Andy Isabella could emerge as the Cardinals' next great receiver.24. Tennessee TitansBob Levey / Getty Images Sport / GettyQB Marcus Mariota, WR Corey Davis, RB Derrick HenryWe're still waiting on the Titans' offense to break out. That appeared to happen in 2016 when Mariota posted a 26:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But in the two seasons since, he's thrown 24 touchdowns and 23 picks. Davis is Mariota's top weapon, but he's been given additional targets in A.J. Brown and Adam Humphries this offseason. If Henry can build off the late-season stretch when he averaged 146 yards and nearly two touchdowns per game over the final four contests in 2018, Tennessee will finally field a diverse attack.25. New York GiantsQB Eli Manning, WR Sterling Shepard, RB Saquon BarkleyBarkley entered the league more hyped than any running back in recent memory. He still rose above those expectations despite a poor offensive line. He's a natural pass-catcher, a threat to score any time, and his elusiveness both between and outside the tackles is a nightmare for defenses. Shepard, meanwhile, is an ascending slot receiver, but Manning has regressed to become one of the worst starting quarterbacks.26. Chicago BearsQB Mitch Trubisky, WR Allen Robinson, RB David Montgomery (r)Trubisky has shown flashes of brilliance, including his six-touchdown performance against Tampa in Week 4 of 2018. But he's yet to display the ability to dominate on a consistent basis. The Bears have spent significant capital to surround Trubisky with playmakers. Robinson possesses top-receiver talent, but he hasn't been utilized in that role yet in Chicago. He recorded just one game of 100-plus receiving yards during the 2018 season. Montgomery should become the team's starting running back after the offseason Jordan Howard trade, though Tarik Cohen will maintain a large role.27. Baltimore RavensQB Lamar Jackson, WR Hollywood Brown (r), RB Mark IngramThe Ravens' triplet has yet to play a snap together, which pushed it below more established groups. But figuring out how to stop Jackson and Brown, who possess otherworldly speed, will likely cause sleepless nights for defensive coordinators. Jackson's passing limitations are a major concern, though, and Brown's injury history could be a problem, too. Finally, Ingram's battering-ram style should balance the Ravens' offense, but it's fair to wonder how much the 29-year-old has left in the tank.28. Denver BroncosIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyQB Joe Flacco, WR Emmanuel Sanders, RB Phillip LindsayAt this stage of his career, Flacco hurts his offense far more than he helps. It likely won't be too long before Drew Lock pushes to take the starting job. Sanders was among the league's most productive receivers from 2014 to 2016. However, the 32-year-old lost a step in 2018, and that was before suffering a torn Achilles. Lindsay produced one of the best-ever seasons from an undrafted running back in 2018, but the fact he's Denver's most reliable weapon says a lot about the team's offense.29. Jacksonville JaguarsQB Nick Foles, WR Dede Westbrook, RB Leonard FournetteJacksonville used the fourth pick in the 2017 draft on Fournette, and yet the team still ranks near the basement on this list. The star running back has been a disappointment, as has the Jaguars' offense as a whole. Foles brings some respectability to the quarterback position after the Jaguars sunk five years into Blake Bortles. Following success with the Eagles, Foles gets the chance to lead an offense full time. He'll get support from some exciting young receivers, including DJ Chark and Dede Westbrook.30. Buffalo BillsQB Josh Allen, WR John Brown, RB LeSean McCoyThe Bills' quantity-over-quality approach in free agency isn't necessarily a bad team-building philosophy, but their offense still doesn't have much high-end talent. Brown earned the nod here because he can stretch defenses deep, where Allen looked most comfortable throwing as a rookie. But we could've easily picked Cole Beasley or Robert Foster. The same goes for McCoy, who looked like a shell of his former self in 2018, and the more productive but even older Frank Gore could push him aside. The Bills' offensive fate still rests with Allen in 2019. While the young passer experienced more first-season highs than most predicted, his lows lead to doubt about the pivot's ability to develop into a top QB.31. Washington RedskinsQB Dwayne Haskins (r), TE Jordan Reed, RB Adrian PetersonIf Haskins wins the starting QB job, one of the league's oldest active running backs and an injury-prone tight end will be his main weapons. The Redskins severely lack receiver talent. There isn't a No. 1 receiver to be found among Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, and rookie Terry McLaurin. Derrius Guice would be a capable backfield running mate, but he'll likely be brought along slowly while sharing the load with Peterson as he recovers from a torn ACL last preseason.32. Miami DolphinsMark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyQB Josh Rosen, WR Kenny Stills, RB Kenyan DrakeStills is often overlooked despite consistently putting up good No. 2 receiver numbers. But at 27 years old, he's likely reached his ceiling after failing to rise in 2018, even with Jarvis Landry gone. While Drake has shown starter potential over three seasons, he's yet to handle a full workload and might best fit in a scat back role. Rosen was a top-10 draft pick for a reason, and he's still talented enough to turn his career around. Still, he was terrible as a rookie, making Miami an easy pick for the final spot.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, and Dan Wilkins rank all 32 teams' top trio of defensive linemen/pass-rushers, linebackers, and defensive backs.Offense I Defense1. Chicago BearsDL Khalil Mack, LB Roquan Smith, DB Eddie JacksonThe pinnacle of defensive football in 2018, the Bears were led by two superstars and a budding rookie. Mack and Jackson were both first-team All-Pros after the former notched 12.5 sacks and six forced fumbles while the latter led the league in turnovers forced. Smith, meanwhile, flashed dominant coverage skills in the later stages of his rookie campaign and a sophomore leap is well within reach for the 2018 first-rounder. With studs at each level of the field, Chicago's stop unit is set to dominate once again this season, even without Vic Fangio.2. Jacksonville JaguarsDL Calais Campbell, LB Myles Jack, DB Jalen RamseyA close second to the Bears, Jacksonville boasts star power at every level of its defense. Campbell gets the nod over Yannick Ngakoue, one of the league's rising stars, thanks to versatility and dominance against both the pass and run. Ramsey's in the conversation for the NFL's best cornerback, but the plateau in his performance after a breakout 2017 campaign was a big reason the Jaguars missed out on our top spot. Few linebackers are as athletic and rangy as Jack, who'll be asked to do even more with Telvin Smith sitting out 2019.3. Dallas CowboysDL DeMarcus Lawrence, LB Leighton Vander Esch, DB Byron JonesThe Cowboys' defensive triplets are all 27 or younger, so the best may be yet to come. Lawrence is a menace on the edge, starring in every facet of the game; you'd be hard-pressed to find a more complete defensive end in the NFL. Jones has emerged as one of the league's top coverage cornerbacks after a full-time position switch, and Vander Esch flashed elite potential as a rookie. It's been a while since Dallas had this much talent on its stop unit.4. Los Angeles RamsJohn McCoy / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Aaron Donald, LB Cory Littleton, DB Aqib TalibWhen your defense features the NFL's premier player, you're bound for a top spot on this list. A defensive tackle leading the league with 20.5 sacks is absurd, and Donald appears to be refining his game with each passing season - a terrifying prospect for opposing offensive linemen. Littleton and Talib are no slouches either: the former excelled in pass coverage in 2018 and the latter remains one of the more difficult defenders to complete a pass against.5. Denver BroncosDL Von Miller, LB Todd Davis, DB Chris Harris Jr.Miller screaming around the edge is still the scariest sight for an NFL offensive lineman. The 30-year-old has unreal bend and speed and should have several more seasons of elite production left in the tank. Harris might not be long for Denver despite reworking his contract for 2019. If he hits the open market next year, teams will be falling over themselves to secure the game's best slot defender. Though Davis is a serviceable linebacker, he drags the Broncos down from a top-three ranking.6. Minnesota VikingsDL Danielle Hunter, LB Anthony Barr, DB Harrison SmithThese three talented and productive defenders have combined for nine Pro Bowl appearances and are all among the top players at their respective positions. Hunter - still somehow just 24 - broke out in a big way with 14.5 sacks last season and could be even more dominant in 2019. Barr returns to Minnesota as a versatile off-ball linebacker, while Smith has set the bar for safeties over the last five years. The Vikings feature one of the NFL's toughest defenses for a reason.7. Atlanta FalconsDL Grady Jarrett, LB Deion Jones, DB Keanu NealYoung staples of Atlanta's speedy and aggressive defense, Jarrett, Jones, and Neal are already among the league's best. The star defensive tackle doesn't get enough attention despite excelling in both run defense and the pass rush. Jones and Neal, meanwhile, are perhaps the two most important pieces of Dan Quinn's defense, as evidenced by the Falcons' struggles when injuries cost the duo extended portions of the 2018 campaign. A healthy year could quickly vault Atlanta into the top five.8. New Orleans SaintsRichard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Cameron Jordan, LB Demario Davis, DB Marshon LattimoreDrew Brees and Alvin Kamara receive most of the attention in New Orleans, but the Saints' defense should get equal credit for the team's recent success. Jordan is the unquestioned leader, torturing opposing offensive lines over the last two seasons en route to 25 sacks. Lattimore wasn't as consistent in Year 2 as he was as a rookie, but he still possesses elite upside. Davis, meanwhile, is an underappreciated veteran presence in the middle of New Orleans' stop unit, but his lack of coverage skills places these triplets a step below some of their NFC counterparts.9. Arizona CardinalsDL Chandler Jones, LB Jordan Hicks, DB Patrick PetersonPeterson will begin the 2019 season with a six-game suspension, but he's Arizona's top defensive back and the unquestioned leader of its defense; the eight-year veteran can still shadow top wideouts with the best of them. Jones has continued to assault opposing tackles since leaving the Patriots, notching a league-topping 41 sacks in his first three seasons in the desert. Though Hicks doesn't have the pedigree of his two teammates, he's an effective coverage linebacker when healthy. Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray will grab the headlines, but the Cardinals certainly have talent on the other side of the ball, too.10. Los Angeles ChargersDL Joey Bosa, LB Denzel Perryman, DB Derwin JamesThe Chargers could be far higher on this list by the end of 2019. James far surpassed expectations in his first campaign, and the do-it-all defensive back could reach new heights this season after L.A. drafted the perfect free safety to pair with him. Bosa has racked up an eye-popping 28.5 sacks in 35 career games and combines a ridiculous motor with one of the league's deepest set of pass-rushing moves. Perryman is the weak link, relatively speaking, but there's a reason he's known as the "hammer" of the Chargers' defense.11. Cleveland BrownsDL Myles Garrett, LB Joe Schobert, DB Denzel WardThe Browns are another unit on the rise, with two burgeoning superstars in Garrett and Ward. The pass-rusher had 13.5 sacks in his sophomore year and did so despite being - by his own admission - held back by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Many an eyebrow was raised when Cleveland took Ward over Bradley Chubb at fourth overall last year, but it's hard to find a doubter after the cornerback erased receiver after receiver as a rookie. Schobert is the best of an underwhelming linebacking corps, but he's a liability in run defense.12. Carolina PanthersScott Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Kawann Short, LB Luke Kuechly, DB James BradberryKuechly's presence alone is enough to vault the Panthers into the top half of the league. The five-time All-Pro linebacker is one of the NFL's premier defenders and negates Bradberry's lower value. The young cornerback is a fine player, but he's a step behind other defensive backs sitting higher on this list. Short, meanwhile, is the standout on a stacked defensive line that recently added Gerald McCoy. The former second-round pick is a productive pass-rusher and elite run defender.13. New York JetsDL Leonard Williams, LB C.J. Mosley, DB Jamal AdamsMike Maccagnan might've deserved to be fired, but the former Jets general manager sure knew how to nail his first-round picks. Adams - the team's top pick in 2017 - instantly became one of the game's most complete safeties the moment he stepped onto an NFL field. Williams - the third overall selection in 2015 - has developed into a great pass-rushing interior lineman. Mosley cost New York big bucks in free agency, and though he's an outstanding run defender, it remains to be seen if he can improve enough in coverage to justify his price tag.14. Philadelphia EaglesDL Fletcher Cox, LB Nigel Bradham, DB Malcolm JenkinsThe Eagles field an experienced defensive trio highlighted by 2018 All-Pro Cox. If not for Aaron Donald's dominance, the stud defensive tackle would surely be mentioned more often among the NFL's best players. Jenkins, however, may be more directly linked to Philadelphia's overall success. The veteran lines up at nearly every position on defense and is Jim Schwartz's on-field play caller and communicator; he's a rare defensive chess piece. Bradham, meanwhile, is a stout run defender and a key cog behind a strong front four.15. New England PatriotsDL Michael Bennett, LB Dont'a Hightower, DB Stephon GilmoreAfter shutting down receivers on a weekly basis last season, Gilmore rightfully received first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. If he isn't the NFL's best corner, he's close. New England lacks a top playmaker in the front seven, but that's by design as Bill Belichick prefers to rely on a group effort. Though Bennett and Hightower aren't the players they were just a few years ago, they remain highly effective veterans who can pull out the occasional game-changing play.16. Detroit LionsLeon Halip / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Trey Flowers, LB Jarrad Davis, DB Darius SlayFree-agent addition Flowers provides a considerable boost to the Lions' defensive trio. The former Patriot puts the finishing touches on a talented defensive line in Detroit with his versatility and pass-rush prowess. While Slay is one of the top coverage defenders in the NFL, Davis' inconsistencies decrease the potency of this group. The 2017 first-rounder is still just 24 years old but has yet to live up to his potential, particularly struggling in run defense and shedding blocks.17. Houston TexansDL J.J. Watt, LB Benardrick McKinney, DB Johnathan JosephWatt isn't the defender who dominated the league from 2012-15, but the fact he's at least close to his previous level despite a host of injuries speaks to his Hall of Fame talent. But after Watt - who edged out the younger but less productive Jadeveon Clowney - Houston has question marks. Joseph played his best football in years last season but just turned 35. McKinney was a Pro Bowler in 2019, but the old-school thumper needs significant refinement in coverage.18. San Francisco 49ersDL DeForest Buckner, LB Kwon Alexander, DB Richard ShermanAn intriguing blend of youth and experience defines the 49ers' stop unit. Sherman isn't quite the player he was in Seattle, but he can still make big plays. There's no doubting Buckner's abilities, though, as his 12 sacks in 2018 illustrated advanced pass-rush skills for an interior lineman. Alexander became the league's second-most expensive off-ball linebacker this spring, but his inconsistencies in coverage and shortcomings as a run defender actually hinder San Francisco's ranking instead of boosting it.19. Kansas City ChiefsDL Frank Clark, LB Darron Lee, DB Tyrann MathieuThe Chiefs' trifecta is undoubtedly more talented than the No. 19 spot, but until the players actually take the field together, it's hard to gauge how good they'll be in a new-look 4-3 defense under Steve Spagnuolo. Clark, who had 13 sacks a year ago, is a far more natural defensive end than Dee Ford, and Mathieu brings much-needed versatility and playmaking to the secondary. The uber-athletic Lee should be an ideal modern inside linebacker but failed to play to his potential in New York.20. Tennessee TitansSteven Ryan / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Jurrell Casey, LB Jayon Brown, DB Kevin ByardOne of the NFL's most overlooked defenders, Byard is a year removed from tying for the league lead with eight interceptions; he's one of the rare true center fielders. Casey's been a consistent presence on the Titans' defensive line for eight years and hasn't produced fewer than five sacks in each of the last six seasons. At 29, though, he's likely given us his best. Few outside Tennessee know Brown, but that could change soon. He's great in space and racked up six sacks in 2018.21. Buffalo BillsDL Jerry Hughes, LB Tremaine Edmunds, DB Tre'Davious WhiteThe key cog of one of the league's best secondaries, White showed his rookie season was no fluke, excelling in 2018 despite consistently being tasked with shadowing opponents' top wideouts. Though Hughes has long shed the bust label and remains an effective player, he's best suited as a compliment to a No. 1 pass-rusher at this stage of his career. Edmunds is a physical freak, but his mental game has a long way to go to match his athleticism.22. Indianapolis ColtsDL Justin Houston, LB Darius Leonard, DB Malik HookerIndy's shocking defensive improvement in 2018 was due in large part to the emergence of Leonard, who became the Colts' go-to playmaker en route to Defensive Rooke of the Year honors. Hooker didn't make the splash plays last year that he did as a rookie, but his top-tier range kept quarterbacks looking elsewhere for most of the campaign. If Houston can stay healthy and the two youngsters remain among the best up-and-comers at their positions, these triplets will soar up our rankings.23. Cincinnati BengalsDL Geno Atkins, LB Preston Brown, DB William Jackson IIIEven on the wrong side of 30, Atkins is still one of the league's top interior pass-rushers. The veteran notched at least nine sacks in each of his last four seasons, hitting double digits for the third time in his career last year. Though Jackson flashed all the talent in the world in 2017, he took a slight step back in his third campaign. Cincinnati features young talent at every level of its defense, but linebacker is a weak spot on the roster. Brown is the veteran of the group, though he struggled in coverage and against the run before a knee injury ended his season.24. Green Bay PackersDylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Kenny Clark, LB Blake Martinez, DB Adrian AmosClark is as underrated and unheralded as first-round picks get. The defensive tackle was utterly dominant in 2018, notching six sacks while playing elite run defense. Martinez is a solid coverage linebacker, and Amos was perhaps the Packers' biggest free-agent addition this year. The former Chicago Bear provides a dependable presence in Green Bay's secondary behind its young, talented cornerbacks.25. Washington RedskinsDL Ryan Kerrigan, LB Mason Foster, DB Landon CollinsThe Redskins were higher on this list until Reuben Foster - easily their best linebacker - suffered a season-ending, non-contact knee injury in practice. Foster's best days are behind him, and he's a liability in coverage. But the only players with more sacks than Kerrigan since 2016 are Chandler Jones, Von Miller, and Aaron Donald. That's it. He's ridiculously underrated at this point. Collins was the Redskins' big free-agent addition, but can he rediscover the elite, do-it-all form from his outstanding 2016 campaign?26. Seattle SeahawksDL Ezekiel Ansah, LB Bobby Wagner, DB Bradley McDougaldWagner and fellow linebacker K.J. Wright are the lone holdovers from the Seahawks' Super Bowl-winning defense. Wagner remains at the top of his game and only Luke Kuechly can match his ability to make those around him better. Ansah was a solid late addition, but relying on him as the primary pass-rusher after a host of injuries is optimistic. The Legion of Boom is no more, but Seattle's secondary has grown into a respectable group and McDougald is its most consistent performer.27. Pittsburgh SteelersDL T.J. Watt, LB Devin Bush, DB Joe HadenPittsburgh finally appears to have solved its long-standing issue at linebacker with Bush, a speedy playmaker who thrived in coverage at Michigan. The 2019 first-rounder has yet to play an NFL snap, however, so the jury is still out regarding his immediate pro impact. Watt is a consistent, productive presence for the Steelers, jumping from seven sacks as a rookie to 13 in Year 2. Haden is likely past his prime but remains an effective zone defender and the most dependable member of Pittsburgh's leaky secondary.28. Tampa Bay BuccaneersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDL Ndamukong Suh, LB Lavonte David, DB Justin EvansFranchise stalwart Gerald McCoy is out, and his draftmate Suh is in. The Bucs believe Suh's a better fit for their defense, and though that might be true, McCoy is the more complete player at this stage of their careers. David lacks any significant weaknesses but his strengths have waned of late, and at 29 years old, he could follow McCoy out the door next offseason. Evans is the best of a poor group of defensive backs.29. Baltimore RavensDL Michael Pierce, LB Patrick Onwuasor, DB Earl ThomasThomas is still the game's preeminent free safety. But it can't be ignored that he's 30 years old, coming off a broken leg, and changing systems for the first time his storied career. Baltimore lacks a top pass-rusher, so Pierce - an elite run defender - gets the nod. He didn't have an ideal start to camp, though, as he was benched for poor conditioning. Onwuasor has big shoes to fill after C.J. Mosley's departure, and his play so far hasn't been convincing.30. Miami DolphinsDL Christian Wilkins, LB Jerome Baker, DB Xavien HowardThough Howard isn't a household name, he deserves every cent of his position-topping five-year, $76.5-million extension. After the corner, though, Miami's closet is bare. Wilkins was viewed as one of the draft's most advanced defenders, but the fact he's instantly the team's best lineman illustrates just how far the rebuilding Dolphins have to go.31. Oakland RaidersDL Clelin Ferrell, LB Vontaze Burfict, DB Lamarcus JoynerThe pass-rusher drafted to replace Mack was always going to be under intense pressure, and Oakland didn't help matters by reaching for Ferrell at fourth overall. Maybe he'll prove his doubters wrong, but asking him to be the team's top pass-rusher from Day 1 is a tall order. Joyner is the standout of the group, and his ability to patrol the center of the field and move into the slot will be invaluable to Oakland. Burfict is just a name at this stage of his career.32. New York GiantsElsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyDL Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Alec Ogletree, DB Janoris JenkinsA solid if unspectacular presence in the middle of James Bettcher's defense, Tomlinson thrives against the run but has just one sack in two seasons. Ogletree and Jenkins have name value, but neither impressed in 2018. The former was inconsistent in his first campaign with the Giants, particularly struggling in space, while the latter's sticky coverage abilities appear to have faded over the last two years. New York will be hoping rookies Deandre Baker and Dexter Lawrence can supplant the two veterans, and soon.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A quality receiver is a quarterback's best friend, and it appears there could be a blooming new relationship in Seattle at Seahawks workouts.It didn't take long for rookie wideout DK Metcalf to make an impression on Russell Wilson, as the star pivot had nothing but praise for the former Ole Miss standout."I think DK is looking really, really special. He can do anything and everything and he's tremendous," Wilson said, according to Curtis Crabtree of KJR-950 Seattle. "He really understands the game really well. He takes coaching well. He gets extra work. He's a legit pro wide receiver. He's everything that everybody was talking about in terms of what he's capable of and more."Metcalf blew up the football world with a ridiculous performance at the NFL combine in February, leading many to speculate he'd be a top-15 pick in the draft. But the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder slipped as questions arose over his injury past and whether he could run a full route tree at the professional level.Seattle traded back into the second round to grab Metcalf, an important move following the release of Doug Baldwin. If the 21-year-old can match the chemistry that Wilson had with his favorite target, the Seahawks may have netted the steal of the draft.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings signed Kirk Cousins to be the final piece of their championship puzzle. But in the quarterback's first season with Minnesota, the team won five fewer games than it did the year prior with Case Keenum under center, ending the campaign a disappointing 8-7-1.Finishing with a record around .500 is a familiar feat for Cousins. In his three seasons as the Washington Redskins' starter, he had a combined record of 25-23-1, winning between seven and nine games in all three years.As the only player in NFL history to ink a fully guaranteed contract, Cousins knows nothing would elevate his reputation to the level of his price tag more than stuffing the win column."I think (getting to) the next level really is all about winning," the 30-year-old said Wednesday, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I'm pretty much a .500 quarterback in my career so far and I don't think that's where you want to be and that's not why you are brought in or people are excited about you."Since Cousins became a full-time starter in 2015, only Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers have thrown for more yards among QBs with at least 25 starts, according to Pro Football Reference. He's also eighth in touchdowns, third in completion percentage, sixth in passer rating, and ninth in yards per attempt over that four-year span.But his impressive production hasn't been enough to cement his status as a franchise player. To change that, the Vikings' signal-caller must, at the very least, find a way to lead his team back to the postseason."If I don't play well, if I don't have gaudy statistics but we win multiple playoff games this year, the narrative will be I went to the next level," he said. "If I have my best year (statistically) yet in 2019 but we're 8-8, I didn't go to the next level.''Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans will honor a pair of former greats in 2019, as the team announced Wednesday that it will retire quarterback Steve McNair's No. 9 and running back Eddie George's No. 27 jerseys."Steve and Eddie will be forever linked as two of the driving forces for our team in the late 90s and early 2000s," Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said."They were the heart and soul of the team and each made the other a better player and ultimately led to a great deal of team success. Their statistics will forever live in our record books, but their play and sacrifice is what our fans will always remember. For that and all that they have done for our team, the Nos. 9 and 27 will be retired with the all-time franchise greats."McNair was the Houston Oilers' first-round pick in 1995 (third overall) and played 11 seasons with the Oilers/Titans franchise. He ranks first in team history with 76 wins, second with 27,141 passing yards, and third with 156 touchdowns. McNair died in July 2009 from multiple gunshot wounds at age 36.George was the team's first-round pick in 1996 (14th overall) and ranks as its all-time leading rusher. He also scored 64 touchdowns, second to only Earl Campbell in franchise history.During the duo's time together from 1996-2003, Tennessee's 80-48 record ranked third in the NFL behind the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos. Together McNair and George experienced four playoff berths, two division titles, two AFC Championship Games, and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

JuJu Smith-Schuster hopes his heated rivalry with Antonio Brown is over.As the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off mandatory minicamp this week, their new No. 1 receiver spoke about his former teammate and their offseason feud."(Brown is) a role model," Smith-Schuster said, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler."In that situation, I didn't want it to end like that. I have no hard feelings against him. Obviously, if we're ever in the same room, I'm going to say 'What's up' to him. I think hatred is a huge word to use against somebody. At the end of the day, he's a great player, he comes out every day with work ethic. He worked hard. Other than that, I don't have anything toward him like that."Brown, who got his wish and was traded to the Oakland Raiders this offseason after a controversial end to his Steelers career, called out Smith-Schuster on Twitter in April, suggesting the younger wideout didn't deserve to be named the team's MVP for the 2018 season. The 22-year-old quickly responded to Brown's tweet in an attempt to take the high road."I never want to be the center of attention for causing problems," Smith-Schuster added Wednesday. "I just try to stay positive as much as possible. When stuff like that goes sideways, I say what I say and then I back out and leave it at that."Smith-Schuster, however, appeared to take a subtle shot at Brown during Pittsburgh's offseason practices, stating that the team's chemistry has been "on point" and that there isn't an individual mentality in the locker room.The young receiver added that he's "super excited" to watch Brown and the Raiders on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick canceled the team's final two days of organized team activities this week, taking his players to a paintball field instead.

The New Orleans Saints announced the signing of defensive end Cameron Jordan to a three-year contract extension on Wednesday.Jordan's deal is worth $52.5 million and includes over $42 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The agreement keeps Jordan, who had two years left on his previous deal, tied to the Saints through the 2023 season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old will earn $74.5 million if he plays out the next five seasons and hits all his incentives.Jordan posted 12 sacks in 2018 and has reached the double-digit sack mark in four of his eight NFL campaigns. He hasn't missed a game since entering the league as the Saints' first-round pick in 2011.A four-time Pro Bowler, Jordan ranks fourth in team history with 71.5 career sacks.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll believes linebacker Mychal Kendricks will be available for the 2019 season despite his ongoing insider trading case."There's not much that I can say that's going to be proper at this time," Carroll said, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. "Everything's moving along and he's real optimistic about how things are going. But really not too much to report."Kendricks pleaded guilty to federal insider trading charges in September. He was set to be sentenced in January, but trials have been postponed multiple times.Seattle re-signed the 28-year-old to a one-year, $4-million contract in March that included no signing bonus or guaranteed money.Kendricks appeared in four games with the Seahawks in 2018 - three prior to serving an eight-game suspension and one before leg and back injuries landed him on injured reserve.If Kendricks is available, he'll likely compete with Shaquem Griffin and Barkevious Mingo for snaps alongside Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley sat out the team's only mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday as he continues to manage the stress on his left knee that hobbled him late last season.Gurley didn't go into detail about his health but appeared positive about his progress."Feeling good," Gurley said, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry. "Just working out. Typical stuff that I've always done."The Rams created an offseason workout plan for Gurley in the hopes he can practice fully by the time training camp rolls around in July. Head coach Sean McVay said the star back "absolutely" would be ready for on-field drills."The intention is to get him back and ready to go," McVay said. "What we set out as far as the goal, this was not just exclusive to the offseason, this was a long-term plan pointed toward our opener against the Carolina Panthers, but when we start camp, that represents him being able to get on the field and compete and do some things with his teammates based on exactly how we finalize that."Gurley ran for 1,254 yards and a league-best 21 touchdowns last season but saw his workload reduced toward the end of the campaign with C.J. Anderson starring in relief.The former first-round pick had just 30 carries over three playoff games, including a mere 10 against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, despite McVay's proclamation prior to the game that Gurley would have a large role. Gurley exceeded 20 touches just twice in the last six contests of the regular season.Gurley signed a four-year, $57.5-million extension last July; the Rams are likely hoping their new conservative approach to his knee issues will allow the 24-year-old to play out the entirety of his record-setting deal.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders will be featured on this year's HBO TV show "Hard Knocks," the team announced Tuesday."Everybody wants to be a Raider. Now they’ll find out what it takes to become one," team owner Mark Davis said.Oakland has been active this offseason, acquiring players with big personalities like Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict, and Richie Incognito. Head coach Jon Gruden is also well-known for his large persona.The Raiders were one of five teams eligible for the television show. Teams are exempt from being chosen if they are entering their first year with a new head coach, have made the playoffs in the past two seasons, or have been featured in the series in the past 10 years.Other teams that could've been chosen for the show were the Detroit Lions, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Redskins.The Raiders, who had three first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, finished the 2018 regular season with a 4-12 record.The five-episode season will premiere Aug. 6.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins acknowledged Tuesday that his absence from voluntary workouts earlier in the offseason was related to his desire for a new deal."As a player, I feel like I have outplayed that contract," Jenkins said, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of SportsRadio 94WIP.Jenkins inked a four-year, $35-million extension with the Eagles after the 2016 campaign. He is scheduled to earn $8.1 million in base salary this year and is under contract for one more season after that.The 31-year-old joined the team for mandatory minicamp and suggested he won't hold out of training camp to force the Eagles' hand."When you're under contract, you can't be out to be the highest paid out there, nor do I want to be, but you want to be within the ballpark of what your value is," he said, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.Jenkins is entering his sixth season with the Eagles. He's been a linchpin of their defense since arriving as a free agent from the New Orleans Saints in 2014.The former Ohio State star finished last season with 97 tackles, three forced fumbles, a sack, and an interception. He's played all 16 games in each of his five campaigns with Philadelphia."I think they understand the value that I bring," he said. "I feel respected, which I think is the biggest part. As a player, you want to make sure that you are valued and respected. But there is a business side."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This week, we're starting a three-part series covering prop bets revolving around offensive players for the 2019 NFL season. Up first are the quarterbacks, and no one's led the league in both passing yards and touchdowns since Peyton Manning did it in 2013.Odds to lead NFL in passing yardsPlayerOddsMatt Ryan9-2Patrick Mahomes9-2Andrew Luck6-1Aaron Rodgers7-1Ben Roethlisberger7-1Baker Mayfield10-1Jameis Winston15-1Drew Brees16-1Carson Wentz20-1Philip Rivers20-1Jared Goff25-1Tom Brady25-1Derek Carr40-1Jimmy Garoppolo40-1Kirk Cousins40-1Kyler Murray40-1Matthew Stafford40-1Deshaun Watson50-1Cam Newton75-1Russell Wilson75-1Sam Darnold75-1Dak Prescott100-1Ryan Fitzpatrick100-1Daniel Jones125-1Joe Flacco125-1Nick Foles125-1Andy Dalton150-1Case Keenum150-1Dwayne Haskins150-1Josh Allen150-1Mitchell Trubisky150-1Marcus Mariota150-1Eli Manning200-1Lamar Jackson200-1The passing-yards leaderboard has been pretty consistent over the years. Since 2011, just four players have topped it: Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning.You can make a case against all three of the active quarterbacks in 2019. While Brees is becoming more efficient as a passer, his yardage dropped significantly in each of the last two seasons. The Saints went from calling pass plays 63.4 percent of the time in 2016 to 56.3 in 2017, then all the way down to 54.3 percent last season. Brady's in the same boat, as New England's passing-play percentage sunk from 59.7 in 2017 to 54.9 last season. Roethlisberger is in the best situation of the three to keep the trend going, though his numbers will likely take a massive hit after the loss of Antonio Brown.Here's who we think could rack up the most passing yards in 2019.Favorite - Matt Ryan (9-2)Ryan's had 4,500 yards or more in five of the last six seasons with the Falcons. Had it not been for a clunker in '17, he could have edged out Brady, whose light 4,577 yards led the pack.This is an optimal time to buy on Ryan, who finally gets a change at offensive coordinator following a shoddy two seasons with Steve Sarkisian. Dirk Koetter steps in for his second stint, having held the role from 2012-14. In those three years under Koetter, Ryan attempted the most passes in his career. Toss in a favorable supporting cast and the veteran could earn top spot in this department for the first time.Underdog - Baker Mayfield (10-1)There's a lot to like about Mayfield following his first cup of coffee in the NFL. After swapping out Hue Jackson for Freddie Kitchens, Mayfield averaged 8.6 yards per attempt in his rookie season. Don't be surprised if the Browns chuck it a ton with a group of pass-catchers that includes Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Nick Chubb, and David Njoku.Long shot - Kyler Murray (50-1)We wouldn't mind taking a flier on this one. Murray's a wild card, coming into the NFL as an undersized quarterback on a bad team with a first-year head coach. The Cardinals are rebuilding, but unlike most of the other bottom-feeders, could at least be fun to watch. The franchise spruced up Murray's receiving corps in the draft to make life a little easier in Year 1. Given how often they'll be trailing, expect the Cardinals to throw a lot.Odds to lead NFL in passing touchdownsPlayerOddsAndrew Luck5-1Patrick Mahomes5-1Matt Ryan7-1Aaron Rodgers9-1Baker Mayfield10-1Jameis Winston14-1Ben Roethlisberger18-1Philip Rivers18-1Carson Wentz20-1Drew Brees20-1Tom Brady20-1Kirk Cousins25-1Deshaun Watson25-1Russell Wilson30-1Jared Goff35-1Jimmy Garoppolo35-1Sam Darnold35-1Kyler Murray40-1Matthew Stafford40-1Cam Newton50-1Dak Prescott50-1Derek Carr50-1Andy Dalton75-1Mitchell Trubisky75-1Nick Foles75-1Joe Flacco100-1Josh Allen100-1Lamar Jackson100-1Case Keenum150-1Dwayne Haskins150-1Daniel Jones150-1Eli Manning150-1Marcus Mariota150-1Ryan Fitzpatrick150-1Drew Lock150-1Josh Rosen150-1Seven different quarterbacks have led the league in passing touchdowns since 2012. Here's who we like this season.Favorite - Patrick Mahomes (5-1)Mahomes should regress from his 50-touchdown mark. However, that's no reason to avoid him altogether.It'd be lazy to claim that defenses will figure out Mahomes in his second full year under center. He was as close to a cheat code we've seen, from his pure arm strength to his no-look passes. If coming back down to earth means 40-plus passing scores, we're not getting cute and fading him - the Chiefs quarterback is the guy.Underdog - Carson Wentz (20-1)This is all about what's around Wentz. The Eagles acquired a vertical threat in DeSean Jackson and drafted the best red-zone target in the class, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Add in mainstay Zach Ertz and Wentz has no shortage of weapons.Long shot - Mitchell Trubisky (75-1)The jury still appears to be out on Trubisky, another wild card who could take a huge step forward in Year 3 or flop completely. The Bears' offense improved last season under first-year head coach Matt Nagy, who, thanks to general manager Ryan Pace, had touchdown threats to work with following a splashy 2018 free-agency period. If there's another leap in the cards for 2019, Trubisky's ceiling is high.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jalen Ramsey is in line for a massive payday, but apparently, it's not coming soon.The Jacksonville Jaguars' star cornerback said Tuesday the team told him a contract extension isn't on its way this season, according to Eugene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union."I'm not down about it or anything like that. I'm blessed," Ramsey said.However, when the Jaguars do pay Ramsey, they'll apparently need to be prepared to give him a blank check.

The New York Giants have repeatedly insisted Eli Manning is their starting quarterback.But on Tuesday, head coach Pat Shurmur seemed to crack the door open for rookie Daniel Jones to steal the top job."We're gonna play the very best player," said Shurmur, according to Tom Rock of Newsday. "I know we're dancing around the words here, but right now Eli is getting ready to have a great year and Daniel is getting ready to play. We'll just see what happens."Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has said he believes Manning could have years left in the tank. The executive even hinted after the draft - when he selected Jones sixth overall - that the team could follow the Aaron Rodgers-Brett Favre model and sit the rookie for multiple seasons.However, Shurmur emphasized that New York will choose its starting quarterback solely based on who puts the team in the best position to succeed."I'm don't want to be cryptic," Shurmur said. "The players who give our team the best chance to win play. Period. We've seen Eli do that for a very long time, so we'll see what happens as we go down the road."Jones impressed during minicamp while working with the second-team offense, and star running back Saquon Barkley pushed the hype to a new level by declaring the former Duke standout will lead the Giants to "two Super Bowls."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will remain sidelined for the team's three-day minicamp due to a calf injury, but head coach Frank Reich said Tuesday it was a "no brainer" he'll be back for training camp in July, according to ESPN's Mike Wells.Reich added that the Colts will have a throwing plan for Luck between the two camps in order to get him up to speed, according to The Athletics' Stephen Holder.

Kyle Rudolph is not yet prepared to leave Minnesota.Rudolph agreed to a four-year, $36-million extension with the Vikings, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The contract contains $9.25 million fully guaranteed and $16.25 million guaranteed against injury, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.The deal was officially announced Tuesday.In the midst of an impasse with the Vikings in contract discussions, the tight end provided an update on Twitter on Monday night, writing that "our home will always be ... in Minnesota!"He then confirmed via text to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he has a new deal with the Vikings.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is expected to stay away from mandatory minicamp due to a lack of progress in negotiations for a new contract extension, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Jones wasn't with the team as the three-day camp opened Tuesday, Rapoport added.The 24-year-old also stayed away from all voluntary offseason activities in an attempt to force a deal. Now that Jones is missing mandatory work, he'll be subject to fines totaling $88,650 under the collective bargaining agreement, which can be enforced at the team's discretion.Jones had a breakout season in 2018, racking up the third-most sacks (15.5) in the league. Despite Kansas City moving to a 4-3 defense under Steve Spagnuolo this year, the team has insisted it sees Jones as a key piece moving forward.The 2016 second-round pick is set to earn just $1.2 million in base salary during 2019. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Eagles standout Fletcher Cox's average annual salary of $17.1 million leads all defensive tackles.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers fans hoping to get a close look at Cam Newton's recovery got their wish on Tuesday.The star quarterback took the next step in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery when he participated in all QB drills as the Panthers opened mandatory minicamp, and the team livestreamed the workout for nearly 30 minutes.Here are several highlights of Newton showcasing his new-look throwing motion. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Monday that the veteran passer was set to "unveil" a big change in his mechanics.

Carson Wentz put pen to paper Monday on a four-year extension that will keep him with the Philadelphia Eagles through the 2024 season.Wentz had two years remaining on his rookie deal before signing the extension, but he had already prioritized laying roots down in Philly."Something I think both sides wanted to get done. I knew I wanted this to be home for a long time," Wentz said. "Ever since being drafted, it's felt like home. So as soon as we found something that was a win-win and really a fair opportunity, I jumped at it just because, like I said, I love this place."The new contract is believed to be structurally complex, as it takes into account the collective bargaining agreement set to expire after the 2020 campaign. Wentz apparently stayed away from the specifics of the deal."I kind of left that to my agents who do an amazing job. I really think they got this thing dialed in and I'm really excited about it," he said.As are the Eagles. The new deal locks in Wentz as their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future."I couldn't be more pleased that Carson's going to be our quarterback for many more years," said Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans requested permission to interview New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio for their general manager vacancy, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain reported.Caserio is reportedly the Texans' top choice to replace Brian Gaine, who was fired Friday after one season at the helm.Houston was interested in Caserio the last time it needed a general manager, but the Patriots denied the club's request for an interview.Caserio operates as the de facto general manager in New England's front office, serving as the top aide to Bill Belichick in player personnel matters. The 43-year-old has been with the Patriots since 2001, beginning as a personnel assistant. He's been the director of player personnel since 2008.Houston head coach Bill O'Brien worked with Caserio from 2007-11 when he was an assistant coach with the Patriots.Meanwhile, the Texans have already contacted San Francisco 49ers vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew and former Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer about the vacant GM position.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney isn't expected to attend minicamp as he continues to sit with an unsigned contract for the 2019 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.The Texans designated the edge rusher as their franchise player months ago, but the two sides haven't struck a long-term agreement. Since Clowney hasn't signed his franchise tender, the Texans won't be able to fine him for missing activities that are mandatory for players under contract.Clowney hasn't participated in any part of the Texans' offseason program to date while waiting for the situation to be resolved.The former No. 1 overall pick posted 47 tackles and nine sacks last season, helping Houston return to the playoffs following a one-year absence.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue will launch a holdout Tuesday as mandatory minicamp gets underway."I will not be attending minicamp as my contract has not been resolved," he announced in a statement obtained by ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I remain committed to Jacksonville, the fans, and my teammates. My hope is to be with Jacksonville for years to come."Ngakoue is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The former third-round pick has notched 29.5 sacks since entering the league, leading all players from the 2016 draft class.The 24-year-old registered 9.5 sacks last season, trailing Calais Campbell by one for the team lead. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017.Jaguars minicamp runs from June 11-13.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"We didn't sign him to trade him."Seven months after Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said these now-infamous words about Odell Beckham Jr., it was revealed as total and utter BS as the star receiver was shipped to the Cleveland Browns.It was just the latest in a long line of lies and deception that define every NFL offseason. From free agency, to the draft, to organized workouts, teams around the league try and shape narratives to such a degree that it can be hard to trust a single word anyone says.Therefore, wading into the offseason's bonanza of bull can be exhausting. So, allow us to do it for you, as we call out the quotes that made our heads spin the most:"With (the 90 or 95 plays a game) we're trying to get in, I've got to be conditioned."- Arizona Cardinals RB David Johnson on the high expectations for the offense's tempo under Kliff Kingsbury (Cardinals.com)Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyKingsbury's version of the Air Raid offense encapsulates nearly everything the NFL has been moving toward in recent years. His success could potentially push the league's thinking forward in a similar way to Chip Kelly, whose offenses with the Philadelphia Eagles were responsible for kickstarting numerous innovations even though they struggled to remain productive.One of Kelly's defining features was his desire for high tempo, regardless of the situation. In his last two seasons in Philadelphia, Kelly's offenses ranked first and second in average plays per game, according to Team Rankings. But his best mark of 70.7 - set in 2014 - highlights just how improbable it will be for Arizona to come close to the 90-play mark, let alone exceed it. Kelly topped out at 74.6 plays per game on the road that same season. In 2018, the Baltimore Ravens' offense led the league with an average of 70.2 plays.Trying to squeeze out an extra 20 plays a game would likely require incredible innovation. Non-Kelly teams that have historically pushed the tempo envelope - the 2011 New Orleans Saints, the 2012 New England Patriots, and the 2013 Denver Broncos - have done so with cerebral Hall of Fame-level quarterbacks under center. Asking a rookie who started just one season in college to play at this pace could be detrimental to his development.In all likelihood, the Cardinals want to keep the rest of the league guessing about what exactly their new-look offense will ultimately look like. If it's true, though, pray for Larry Fitzgerald, who turns 36 in August."I believe Gronk still holds the record for most touchdowns ... if I want to do anything that is gonna be real spectacular or really good, I gotta go get 17."- Indianapolis Colts TE Eric Ebron on his lofty scoring goals for 2019 (NFL.com)Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / GettyRob Gronkowski's career is barely cold, and Ebron is already gunning to erase one of the legendary tight end's top records.The Colts playmaker is coming off a career season in his first year in Indy, with his 13 touchdowns leading all tight ends and ranking second among all receivers to only Antonio Brown. Gronkowski's 2011 record of 17 end-zone trips, therefore, doesn't appear to be an unreachable goal for Ebron - especially as he racked up 11 scores in 11 games last season before slowing down in the final third of the campaign.Touchdowns are more dependent on opportunity and luck than talent, though. Ebron's high scoring rate was arguably due in larger part to Frank Reich's tight end-dependant system and Indy's lack of alternative receiving weapons last year. He had just 11 touchdowns in four seasons with the Detroit Lions, so it's far easier to envision a regression toward his former production than a jump up to a historic level.Moreover, Ebron's 13 touchdowns required 110 targets from Andrew Luck, 24 more than he's ever received and second on the team to T.Y. Hilton's 120. Gronkowski caught his 17 touchdowns at a higher rate than Ebron snagged his 13 - a touchdown every 7.3 targets compared to every 8.5 - so the Colts standout would need to increase his target share to stand a chance at Gronkowski's record.But with Jack Doyle returning from injury, receivers Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell joining the offense, and an improved running game - which could reduce Luck's touchdown total - it will be tough for Ebron to even match his targets from a season ago let alone expand his role to the point where he could challenge for Gronkowski's record."I guess the trick is to take a year off because he's definitely gotten better, stronger, and faster. He hasn't lost a step."- Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on how Jason Witten has looked since returning from retirement (Dallas Morning News)Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / GettyWitten's return to the NFL after a brief one-season retirement is a shock. His first year as a broadcaster was a disaster, but it wasn't like he hung up his cleats at the top of his game. Or, in truth, anywhere close to it.Before his retirement, Witten had a respectable 63 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns in 2017. The problem wasn't what Witten brought to the offense, though, but how he held it back through his sheer presence. This can be shown through two statistics beyond just raw production: yards after the catch and average depth of target (aDOT).Witten averaged 8.9 yards per catch, a poor number that ranked 109th among 141 players with 30-plus catches, but one that still put him alongside solid tight ends such as Jesse James, Doyle, and Jimmy Graham. The issue wasn't that Witten consistently caught short passes; it was that he did so while producing little after the catch.PlayerTargetsCatchesaDOTYACJ. Witten87636.9105E. Ebron86537.4258G. Kittle63437.2271J. Gresham46337.0136C. Clay74496.9270M. Bennett38246.9119A. Hooper65496.8262Stats credit: airyards.comWhen compared to other tight ends with a similar aDOT in 2017, Witten's lack of explosion is obvious. A tight end can produce a low YAC and still be an efficient player, but it must be offset with a high aDOT. For example, Delanie Walker had 245 of his yards come after the catch - only around a fourth of his overall total of 1,075 - but the average depth of his 111 targets was 9.7 yards.Witten's a revered figure in Dallas, and rightfully so; he's a future Hall of Famer. Dallas spent last season cycling through unremarkable journeymen in an attempt to replace him, and Prescott suffered as a result. The answer, though, shouldn't have been giving $5 million to a player who will likely hurt the offense more than he helps. Witten might not have "lost a step" in retirement, but that's because he arguably didn't have any left to lose."He's had no response ... I've never been around a person that can stay in the moment better than Eli. And I think that is something that is really, really unique about him."- New York Giants HC Pat Shurmur on Eli Manning's reaction to the selection of Duke QB Daniel Jones (ESPN)Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt doesn't matter how many millions you have in the bank or how accomplished you are in your career, it's impossible not to be affected by your employer side-eyeing your replacement.This is especially the case when said heir apparent looks like a cloned version of your younger self:

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins will attend mandatory minicamp, which begins Tuesday, after staying away from the team in an attempt to force a new contract extension, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Schefter reported last week that Jenkins' holdout had no end in sight, but now says the veteran is focused on the 2019 season. Jenkins is under contract through 2020.The 31-year-old's contract hasn't been reworked, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Jenkins had been seeking a pay bump from his $8.75-million annual salary, which ranks ninth at his position.Jenkins has been a key piece in Philadelphia's defense for the past five seasons. He racked up 97 tackles, three forced fumbles, and one interception in 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons will reportedly have full attendance for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.Star receiver Julio Jones, franchise-tagged defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, pass-rusher Vic Beasley, and linebacker Deion Jones all reported Monday after skipping voluntarily organized team activities, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Earlier in June, owner Arthur Blank said he wants the two Joneses and Jarrett "to be Falcons for life."Julio Jones is under contract for another two years, but he was promised a new extension after the team temporarily eased his contract concerns last offseason by adjusting his 2018 salary.The wideout's current deal sees him owed $9.6 million for 2019 and $11.4 million for 2020. Meanwhile, Odell Beckham Jr. paces the receiver market with a deal that averages $18 million per year; Jones' annual mark of $14.25 million sits 12th in the league.Jones led the league last season with 1,677 on 113 catches, and he tied for the second-most touchdowns of his career with eight.Meanwhile, Jarrett was hit with a $15.2-million tag after racking up six sacks and 52 total tackles in 2018.Beasley's playing on the fifth-year option in his rookie deal and will look to recapture his 15.5-sack form from 2016 after producing just 10 quarterback takedowns combined over the last two years.Deion Jones, a 2017 Pro Bowler, is returning to a defense that badly needs him after he missed most of last season with a foot injury. He'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2020.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When Adrian Peterson decides to hang up his cleats, he plans to do it as a member of the Minnesota Vikings."People ask me all the time, and they keep throwing me off, like, 'Where would I retire? A Saint, a Cardinal or a Redskin?' It's like, 'No, I'm going to retire a Viking,'" the veteran running back told Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune on Sunday at his youth football camp in Minneapolis. "I was here a decade - some great memories, some everlasting friends. I'm just forever indebted to the state of Minnesota. I'll definitely be retiring a Viking, for sure."Peterson, who's embarking on his second season with the Washington Redskins, spent the first 10 years of his NFL career in Minnesota. His tenure included three rushing titles and one MVP award, but also some bumps off the field, especially toward the end.The Vikings released Peterson, their all-time leading rusher, after an injury-plagued 2016 campaign that limited him to three games."I believe I gave my heart to the state of Minnesota and my fans, any time I stepped on the field," he said. "It's not like I left on bad terms, like we fell out. Things just didn't work; they went their way, I went my way. It was just kind of mutually beneficial, for me and for them."Peterson is on his third team since leaving the Vikings. He split the 2017 season between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals before latching on with the Redskins last year.The 34-year-old is scheduled to face his former team in Minnesota on Oct. 24. It'll be his second game back in the Gopher State, as he made his first return in 2017 with the Saints.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew is interviewing to replace Brain Gaine as the Houston Texans' general manager, sources told Fox Sports' Peter Schrager on Sunday.The Texans relieved Gaine of his duties on Friday after he was with the team for only one season.Mayhew served as the Detriot Lions' general manager from 2008 to 2015. He joined the 49ers' front office in 2017.Houston also interviewed former Cleveland Browns GM Ray Farmer on Saturday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.The Texans' list of candidates is long, and it includes New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, former Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, and former Chiefs GM and former Falcons assistant GM Scott Pioli, according to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain.Houston targeted Caserio last year before Gaine was hired, but the Patriots blocked the Texans from meeting with him, according to McClain. Head coach Bill O'Brien and Caserio reportedly have a good rapport.Houston finished the 2018 season with an 11-5 record and lost in the opening round of the playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bengals receiver A.J. Green isn't interested in playing for another team.Green, who's entering the final year of his contract, has played all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals."Cincinnati is home for me," Green told reporters on Friday. "This is home as much as South Carolina. All I know is Cincinnati."I can't see myself playing anywhere else or playing in a different city. Hopefully, I can be here for a couple more years. We'll see on that part."

Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has seen enough of Kyler Murray to feel confident about the team's future with the young quarterback.Rookie pivots can need time to learn, but the veteran wideout says that won't be the case for the No. 1 pick in 2019."He knows the system better than we do," Fitzgerald said on Friday, according to team writer Mike Jurecki. "He can get us into any play at any time and then he has the ultimate weapon in the exit button."The "exit button" Fitzgerald refers to is Murray's ability to run the ball. Last year with Oklahoma, he rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns.After struggling in 2018, the Cardinals' offense could be revamped this season under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The former Texas Tech coach's Air Raid system should give Fitzgerald and Murray opportunities to post impressive numbers in a pass-heavy offense.When he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft, many questioned the 2018 Heisman winner's NFL potential due to his height (5-10). Fitzgerald and other Cardinals players aren't concerned about that."There’s no reason why anyone should have any doubt he can do it on this stage," Fitzgerald said, according to team writer Darren Urban.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson appeared in seven games last season before being placed on the injured reserve with a hip injury.The 26-year-old is hoping to be fully recovered and play in the 2019 season opener, despite not practicing since October."There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be out there Week 1," Wilson said, according to the Miami Herald's Adam Beasley.With Miami's offseason workout program done, Wilson could start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, although he says his recovery is going smoothly."Every test they’ve wanted me to take I’ve been right on track so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be out there Week 1," he said. "I'm 100, I’m ready to go in when they give me the OK."The Dolphins signed Wilson to a three-year, $24-million contract last offseason. The former Kansas City Chief accumulated 26 receptions, 391 yards, and four touchdowns in 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DeAndre Hopkins is widely considered one of the NFL's top receivers. The Houston Texans star should also be viewed as one of its toughest after revealing he suffered a gruesome injury in last season's wild-card loss to the Indianapolis Colts."I tore ligaments in my shoulder completely off the bone," Hopkins said Saturday, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. "I tried to play even though I had only one arm. We had something good going, and I know they needed me."Hopkins played the entire 21-7 loss to the AFC South rivals, though he was kept relatively in check, catching just five passes for 37 yards.Despite a nagging foot injury during the regular season, Hopkins played in all 16 games and earned a first-team All-Pro selection for the second straight year. He finished with career highs in yards (1,572) and catches (115), and scored double-digit touchdowns (11) for the third time in six seasons."Last year was tough, not just physically but mentally," Hopkins said. "It's the most banged up I've ever been playing football. I was dealing with serious injuries a lot of people would have sat down for. But we had a good team that depended on me, and I never gave a thought to not playing unless the doctors told me I couldn't."Hopkins said he's resting his body this offseason and expects to come back "better than ever" next season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets could be the latest NFL team to look to television for its front-office answers.Todd McShay, one of ESPN's top draft analysts, said Saturday he's being considered for an unspecified front-office role under new general manager Joe Douglas, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. The two are expected to meet next week.McShay and Douglas played together at the University of Richmond, where the former was a scout-team quarterback and the latter an offensive tackle. McShay, 42, has been at ESPN since 2006.McShay isn't the first TV talent to garner interest from the Jets. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who took over for Mike Mayock after the Oakland Raiders hired him as their general manager, was reportedly being eyed for a prominent front-office position with New York.The Jets announced Douglas as their new GM on Friday, ending the search for a new leader following the shock dismissal of Mike Maccagnan on May 15. Head coach Adam Gase served as the team's interim GM after Maccagnan's firing.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Johnny Manziel is making it known that he isn't done with football, and he's hoping for a reunion with coach June Jones on Houston's XFL team.Jones was the head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats when Manziel was on the roster."Coach Jones is a great guy," Manziel said Saturday, according to ESPN. "I enjoyed him from an offensive standpoint, from a personal standpoint. He's been there for me, especially when I was in Hamilton, getting to a new place, a different country. I enjoyed my time with him very thoroughly, and I think it would be a great opportunity."The quarterback never started a game under Jones before he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes. He was later released for violating the agreement which made him eligible to play in the CFL.Manziel's interest in playing for Houston also stems from its proximity to Texas A&M, where the quarterback won the Heisman Award in 2012."It's a stone's throw from College Station," Manziel said. "A lot of Aggies drove from Houston to College Station. Houston's a great city that'll always be near and dear to me."The 26-year-old played for the Memphis Express in the AAF earlier this year. He was removed during his second game when he suffered a concussion. The AAF ceased operations shortly thereafter.Jones said he expects Manziel to be in the XFL draft pool and that the former NFL first-round pick "played very good for me" in Hamilton."I think I'm in a good place personally. I think I've been doing the right things," Manziel said. "When the opportunity presents itself moving forward, we'll see how things go."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is scheduled to throw during quarterback drills at the team's mandatory minicamp this week, team writer Max Henson reports.The 30-year-old will perform a limited number of throws at stationary targets. He underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his throwing shoulder earlier this offseason.It was the second surgery in three years for the former MVP."This is all part of the rehab process," head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion said. "Cam has worked extremely hard this offseason with his rehabilitation and his preparation."He's going to continue the throwing program Tuesday and we'll advance it as we monitor his progress. He's achieved every milestone we've set out for him so far in preparation for this."Carolina began the 2018 season with a 6-2 record but collapsed during the second half as Newton dealt with shoulder discomfort. The club ended the campaign with a 7-9 record and the quarterback sat out the final two games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets have hired former Philadelphia Eagles executive Joe Douglas to be their new general manager, the team announced on Friday.Douglas received a six-year contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Douglas spent the last three years in Philadelphia, serving as the Eagles' vice president of player personnel. He helped construct the roster that delivered Philly its first-ever championship two seasons ago.Douglas was widely considered the favorite to become the new general manager in New York after Mike Maccagnan was fired on May 15. He and first-year Jets head coach Adam Gase worked together in 2015 with the Chicago Bears.The Jets considered four finalists for the job: Douglas, Seattle Seahawks co-director of player personnel Scott Fitterer, Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly, and New Orleans Saints director of pro scouting Terry Fontenot.Gang Green last made the playoffs in 2010, though the organization is well-positioned for the future given its salary-cap situation and the presence of young quarterback Sam Darnold. The same agent, Jimmy Sexton, represents Douglas, Darnold, and Gase, according to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill is not the subject of an active criminal investigation for child abuse. Head coach Andy Reid indicated in April that the criminal case had been reopened, but prosecutors confirmed Friday they are no longer working the case."It is not an active investigation," Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said in an email to Laura Bauer and Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star. "As in any case, if we receive additional evidence we re-evaluate."Reid's announcement came a day after an audio recording surfaced of Hill and fiancee Crystal Espinal talking about their three-year-old son and how he got hurt on April 25.Hill was subsequently suspended from all team-related activities, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported later Friday that there's "every reason to believe" the receiver will be back with the Chiefs for training camp in July. He added there are no signs Hill could return for minicamp next week.Howe didn't respond to The Kansas City Star when asked Thursday if the case had ever been reopened, but according to Hill's attorney Trey Pettlon, it has been closed for a while."It's my understanding the criminal investigation has been closed for quite some time now and obviously there’s been some misinformation about that, but it is closed," Pettlon said.While there's no active criminal probe, Hill and Espinal remain the subject of an ongoing case with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which commissioner Roger Goodell referenced in a May press conference."As you know, there's a court proceeding still going on involving CPS - Child Protection Service - and we will not interfere with that," Goodell said. "The priority is this young child, and so we will obviously be cooperative with whatever the court wants there."Howe said his feelings toward the case "still hold true" from when he announced he wouldn't file charges on April 24. At the time, the DA said he believed a crime had been committed but lacked the evidence to prove who did it.The receiver's son reportedly suffered a broken arm and was removed from the custody of his parents. Hill has denied he was involved in any abuse of his son.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent running back Bilal Powell will return to the New York Jets for a ninth season after the two sides agreed to terms on a new contract Friday.Powell, who turns 31 in October, finished last season on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury in Week 7. The veteran rushed for 343 yards and added 110 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.Powell will rejoin a backfield that is now led by prized free-agent acquisition Le'Veon Bell and also includes Ty Montgomery and Elijah McGuire. Powell scampered for over 700 yards on the ground in both 2016 and 2017.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans have fired general manager Brian Gaine, the club announced on Friday.Gaine held the post for only one season, and four campaigns were left on his contract."After a thorough evaluation of our football operations, we have decided to relieve Brian Gaine of his duties as general manager," Texans chairman Hal McNair said in a statement. "Brian is a man of high character and we appreciate his contributions to our organization. ... While the timing may be unusual, this decision was made in the best interest of our organization in our quest to build a championship team for the City of Houston."Senior vice president of football administration Chris Olsen will lead the football operations department on an interim basis while the team searches for a new general manager.Gaine came to Houston in January 2018 after working in the Buffalo Bills' front office under Brandon Beane. He also served the Texans from 2014 to 2016 as their director of player personnel. Gaine inherited the Texans' general manager job from Rick Smith, who vacated the position to spend more time with his cancer-stricken wife.Gaine is the second general manager to receive a pink slip since the NFL draft, joining Mike Maccagnan, formerly of the New York Jets.

The Green Bay Packers announced extensive plans to honor Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, who died May 26 due to complications from a stroke suffered in 2014.The franchise will make a $250,000 grant to the Bart and Cherry Starr Foundation, and will also host a public celebration of Starr that will be open to fans on the weekend of the Packers' Sept. 15 home opener.During halftime of that Week 2 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, a ceremony will honor Starr. It will feature Packers alumni, including many of Starr's former teammates.The Packers will also play the 2019 season with a No. 15 decal on their helmets.Starr suited up for Green Bay for 16 years, leading the franchise to five championships, including wins in Super Bowls I and II. He also spent nine seasons as the team's head coach in the late 1970s and early 1980s.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFC East trash talk is starting early this year.Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence appeared to have a message for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who signed a reported four-year, $128-million extension Thursday.Lawrence subtweeted Wentz, stating the quarterback will be humbled when the two teams meet this season.

Drew Brees testified in San Diego Superior Court on Thursday in a civil lawsuit against Vihad Moradi of CJ Charles jewelers, who the New Orleans Saints quarterback claims defrauded him out of $6 million, according to Morgan Cook of the San Diego Union-Tribune.Brees and his wife Brittany purchased $15 million worth of diamond jewelry from Moradi and CJ Charles, however, the couple later learned from another jeweler that the diamonds were only worth $9 million.