The NFL and broadcast partner ESPN have been named in a lawsuit filed by a New Jersey man who alleges he sustained injuries from a 30-foot fall that took place while he was helping to construct a temporary stage at the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia.Brian Crowthers filed the lawsuit in January, claiming the incident was the result of "improper fall protection and prevention," according to John O'Brien and Marian Johns of Forbes. He allegedly sustained a ruptured spleen, lung hemorrhage, loss of consciousness, broken ribs, and head trauma while building a temporary amphitheater in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art."Prior to the date of the accident, Defendant, ESPN, knew or should have known of the hazardous and unsafe work practices that existed. Defendant, ESPN, breached the duties that it owed to Plaintiff," the lawsuit reads.Crowthers is seeking in excess of $50,000 from each defendant.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has tweaked a policy that will allow Louisiana Tech edge rusher Jaylon Ferguson, Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, and Colorado State receiver Preston Williams to attend the combine, according to USA Today's Jarrett Bell.They will be able to participate in medical evaluations and limited interviews at the combine, which kicks off Tuesday in Indianapolis. The trio are still prevented from on-field drills and testing."Rather than having up to 32 teams travel individually in these cases, this is actually to accommodate the clubs, to frankly get the most important information - the medical exam - in one place," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said.Simmons, however, will not attend the combine due to an ACL tear during training, according to NFL.com's Tom Pelissero.The three prospects were banned due to past arrests for violent offenses. A background check reportedly revealed that Ferguson, a projected first-round pick, was convicted of simple battery for his involvement in a fight at a McDonald's during his freshman year.Ferguson's agent responded critically to the NFL when his players invitation was rescinded.The NFL reportedly told teams in January that players found to have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving violence would be banned from the combine.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will be with the team for a 10th straight season in 2019, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.There was some speculation the 30-year-old would be a cut candidate considering his $13-million cap hit for next season. But new Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles believe McCoy is a good fit for their defense, Stroud reports.McCoy has been with Tampa Bay since the team selected him third overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.He was named an All-Pro in 2013 and made the Pro Bowl six times, including every season from 2012 to 2017.McCoy has routinely played through injuries in recent seasons. He suited up for 14 games in 2018, recording 28 tackles and six sacks.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert says three NFL teams have reached out about potentially trading for Antonio Brown, according to NFL.com's Tom Pelissero.Colbert reiterated his stance from earlier this week that he won't trade Brown at a discount."If it doesn't benefit us, we won't do it," he said Friday.Steelers owner Art Rooney II met with Brown on Tuesday. The receiver says they agreed it was best if the star moved on from the franchise.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is being charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution in Florida, Jupiter police chief Daniel Kerr confirmed in a news conference Friday.Kraft is one of 25 men being charged with solicitation, according to WPTV, and police say they have video evidence concerning all 25."We're as deeply stunned as anyone else," Kerr said of Kraft's involvement.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II is hoping the NFL will revisit the Rooney Rule after only one minority candidate was hired as a head coach this offseason.The Rooney Rule, established in 2003, mandates that at least one minority candidate is interviewed for every head coaching vacancy. The rule was named after Art's father, Dan Rooney, who served as its leading advocate."I’m not going to sit here and accuse anyone of racism, but the facts are what they are," Art told The Athletic's Tim Graham. "We have to look at the opportunities that were given to minorities this latest round and see what can be done about it."New Miami Dolphins head coach, Brian Flores, was the sole diverse hire out of eight vacancies in the league's most recent hiring cycle. The 2018 cycle wasn't much better, as Steve Wilks was the one minority candidate appointed among seven openings. There are currently four minority head coaches in the NFL, the fewest since 2002.Since most head coaches are promoted from coordinator positions, the Steelers owner broached the possibility of instilling interview regulations for those vacancies."I wouldn’t be opposed to looking at it, but I would say the real question in my mind is how do we make sure there are people coming into the pipeline that have the opportunity to move up into these positions," Rooney said.While nearly one-third of defensive coordinators are minorities, there are currently only seven diverse hires for 64 possible positions between offensive coordinators and quarterbacks coaches. Rooney believes a ground-level approach may be the best way to address the disparity among the more prominent roles."The entry-level positions are important," he said. "That’s where it starts, and if we’re not getting diverse candidates into the pool at that point, then you’re not going to get them at the higher level eventually."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty will return in 2019 after floating the idea of retirement days before Super Bowl LIII."Yeah, I'm gonna play," the standout defender said Thursday on the Sports Spectrum podcast.McCourty captured his third career Super Bowl ring in New England's 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Feb. 3.He said six days before the game he would contemplate walking away from the NFL if he could win a title alongside twin brother Jason."In that moment I kind of forgot like, I don't play this game just to win Super Bowls, it's so much more that comes from me playing the game that I love," he said. "I think once you get a chance to step away for a couple weeks now, you're like, 'yeah I still do want to be around these other young guys that come in.'"McCourty, 31, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Patriots. The two-time Pro Bowler racked up 82 tackles and an interception in 2018 and has one year left on his contract.His brother, who was traded to New England from the Cleveland Browns last offseason, is scheduled to become a free agent in March.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Le'Veon Bell's trainer criticized a report Thursday that the former All-Pro running back put on 35 pounds during his season of inactivity."It's so untrue it's laughable and ridiculous," Pete Bommarito told Jason Cole and Matt Verderam of FanSided. "He has stuck to the plan and stayed in shape all year. It's ridiculous. Where does this stuff come from? Who says this? Nobody asked me."The report surfaced Wednesday and came from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. It claimed that "word on the street" was Bell had ballooned to 260 pounds at one point during his year away from the gridiron, and that the New York Jets are concerned about the type of shape he's in entering free agency.The Jets have long been linked to the 27-year-old, who was twice a first-team All-Pro with the Steelers.Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after failing to strike a long-term deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team had used its franchise tag on him for the second consecutive year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a three-year extension with Tavon Young that will make him the NFL's highest-paid nickel cornerback, sources told Jamison Hensley of ESPN.The contract reportedly pays Young $25.8 million over three seasons and contains a maximum value of $29 million. Baltimore's expected to formally announce the deal Friday at a press conference.

When Tom Coughlin was asked about quarterback Blake Bortles during a radio interview on Wednesday, he didn't give a definitive answer regarding the team's situation under center."Blake is the quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars right now," the Jacksonville Jaguars' executive vice president of football operations said on Action Sports Jax ESPN690.During the 2018 season, Bortles threw for 2,718 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. If he's released, Jacksonville will take on a $16.5-million dead cap hit for 2019.There's reportedly mutual interest between Eagles quarterback Nick Foles and the Jaguars.With a quarterback change possibly coming, the Jaguars named John DeFilippo their new offensive coordinator this offseason. He served in the same position for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 before being fired following reported quarrels with head coach Mike Zimmer about the team's pass-heavy offense.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals have finally settled upon a new defensive coordinator.On Thursday, the Bengals hired Lou Anarumo, the New York Giants' defensive backs coach in 2018, to head up their defense.Cincinnati waited until after the Super Bowl to hire former Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor as its new head coach, and he had a difficult time filling the defensive coordinator position in the time since. Among the many targets were former Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, former Green Bay Packers DC Dom Capers, Rams defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant, New Orleans Saints DB coach Aaron Glenn, and Florida DC Todd Grantham.Anarumo served as the Miami Dolphins' defensive backs coach the six seasons prior to his year with the Giants."He's a great fit for what we want to build here in Cincinnati," Taylor said in a team release. "Lou is an excellent communicator who the players will have great respect for, and he will get the best out of them."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Projections for when Kyler Murray will be picked in the NFL draft continue to fluctuate, but his college head coach believes he's a surefire top-five prospect."I will be shocked if five players get their name called on draft day before Kyler," Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley said to Peter King of NBC Sports.Last year, Riley's quarterback Baker Mayfield was the No. 1 pick. Murray could follow Mayfield's lead, or at least become the first passer selected.Riley also doesn't believe Murray's reported height of 5-10 and undersized frame will stand in his way."He's played quarterback most of his life, and he's always been one of the shorter ones, so to him, it's just football. Size doesn't matter," Riley said.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos' reported acquisition of quarterback Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens surprised many, including 2018 starting signal-caller Case Keenum.Keenum says he received a call from John Elway prior to the reported move, and the 31-year-old feels let down by the general manager's decision."I was definitely shocked, it was a surprise for us and I think probably for the first day or so that’s kind of what it was," Keenum said alongside his wife, Kimberly, on the "Sports Spectrum Podcast" on Thursday. "But for us, we’re definitely disappointed, it’s not something we wanted to happen. I know that everybody’s doing their job and John feels like that was a chance for him to help the Broncos out."Trading Keenum would leave Denver with $3 million in dead cap space while cutting him would cost $10 million in dead money. He's unsure of what the future has in store, although it was reported that the Broncos will attempt to trade him."You know, really, it’s really open-ended right now," Keenum said. "We don’t know what’s going to happen, there’s still a lot up in the air; this is really fresh. So a lot of these emotions that we’re talking about are still kind of going on, still happening. So who knows what’s going to be in store? I don’t for sure, God does. But we’ll be ready for whatever God has in store for us next."The Broncos signed Keenum to a two-year, $36-million contract last offseason after struggling to find an answer at quarterback in 2016 and 2017. He completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 2018, leading Denver to a 6-10 record.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Video contains coarse languageCleveland Browns receiver Antonio Callaway's marijuana possession charge was dropped last month, Callaway's lawyer told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.Callaway was cited for possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license on Aug. 5. However, his lawyer, Kevin Spellacy, provided proof that Callaway had his car shipped to Ohio from Florida only three days prior and argued that the wideout did not know the marijuana was in his car, under the passenger's seat."It was literally the size of the tip of a pen. That's how minute it was, and at the end of the day, they knew they had a problem proving a case against him that he knew he possessed marijuana, which he didn't know," Spellacy told Cabot."They did the right thing. They dismissed it."The incident, and the Browns discovering it, was captured on this summer's "Hard Knocks" series.Callaway just completed his rookie season, playing all 16 games and recording 43 receptions. He also ranked third on the team with 586 receiving yards, and first in touchdown catches with five.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's football editors pick players with at least one year of NFL experience whose production took a major leap in 2018 and give their verdict on whether they can carry their momentum into the 2019 season.QB - Patrick Mahomes, ChiefsOtto Greule Jr / Getty Images Sport / Getty2018 stats: 5,097 passing yards; 50 TDs; 12 INTs; 113.8 passer ratingMahomes kicked down the door to the NFL and decimated nearly every defense he faced in his first season as a starter. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback joined Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the ultra-exclusive 50-touchdown/5,000-yard club on his way to becoming the youngest MVP since Dan Marino in 1984. As QB company goes, it doesn't get much better.This isn't the first time a young passer's taken the league by storm, of course. But Mahomes played with such poise and confidence that it's almost impossible to imagine a Robert Griffin III-like fall from grace, especially on Andy Reid's watch. While the no-look-pass wizard may never put up the mind-boggling numbers he did last season, he's the best bet to be the face of the NFL for the next decade. - BrowneVerdict: BREAKOUTRB - Christian McCaffrey, Panthers2018 stats: 1,098 rushing yards; 867 receiving yards; 13 total TDsUnder new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, McCaffrey turned in a season that should have earned him Pro Bowl honors. The running back easily topped his rookie numbers and finished the year averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 8.1 yards per reception. He set a Carolina Panthers franchise record for total scrimmage yards in a single season.After all that, it's hard to envision the Panthers reining in his usage. McCaffrey recorded the most receptions by a running back in NFL history (107) and became only the third player in league history to produce more than 1,000 rushing yards and 100 catches in a season. With pass-catching backs in vogue and no competition for touches in the Carolina backfield, there's conceivably even more in store for McCaffrey. - McClymontVerdict: BREAKOUTWR - Tyler Lockett, SeahawksIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty2018 stats: 965 receiving yards, 57 catches, 10 TDsLockett teased game-breaking potential during his first three seasons in the NFL, but he struggled with consistency. That weakness was nowhere to be seen in 2018. Even with Doug Baldwin playing through multiple injuries, defenses couldn't handle Lockett downfield. The receiver's average of 16.9 yards per catch was sixth-best in the league, and his chemistry with Russell Wilson was so good that the two combined for a perfect passer rating.But Lockett's more than just a straight-line burner who excels on deep passes (on passes of over 20 yards, Lockett and Wilson combined to go an NFL-best 18-of-23 for 663 yards and seven touchdowns). Despite his 5-foot-10, 182-pound frame, Lockett was by far the league's best receiver at contested catches, signaling that his game has fully developed. With Baldwin turning 31 at the start of the 2019 season, Lockett could be Seattle's go-to guy. - BrowneVerdict: BREAKOUTOL - Ryan Ramczyk, Saints2018 stats: 15 starts, 3 penalties, 4 sacks allowed, 0 false startsRamczyk helped solidify one of the NFL's top offensive lines in 2018. The second-team All-Pro is hailed for his run-blocking abilities and, as part of a starting unit, helped limit Drew Brees to an NFL-low nine sacks through the first 10 weeks of the season. Though he suffered a shoulder injury later in the year, he remained one of the O-line's leaders in offensive snaps taken.There's little reason to believe the 24-year-old's immaculate play was a mirage. The right tackle certainly gets a boost from his exceptional linemates, but he's proven worthy of the 31st pick in the 2017 draft. With only running back Mark Ingram a possible departee in the offseason, offensive continuity should support Ramczyk's growth. - McClymontVerdict: BREAKOUTTE - Eric Ebron, ColtsTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty2018 stats: 66 catches, 750 receiving yards, 13 receiving TDsEbron found new life in Indy and earned his first career Pro Bowl berth after a disappointing four-year stint with the Detroit Lions. The tight end became Andrew Luck's primary red-zone target, finally showing the talent that made him a first-round pick in 2014; only Antonio Brown caught more touchdowns. However, maintaining his star status is far from assured.The veteran almost tripled his career high in touchdowns, yet stats like yards per reception and catch rate were in either in line with - or lagged behind - his best years in Detroit. Ebron's production was arguably driven by getting 24 more targets than he's ever received in one season. With Jack Doyle set to return after missing 10 games and the Colts sure to add at least one receiver, Ebron might not get the opportunities to replicate his success. - BrowneVerdict: FAKEOUTDT - Chris Jones, Chiefs2018 stats: 15.5 sacks, 19 TFL, 40 tackles, 1 INT, 2 forced fumblesIt's difficult to ask Jones for a repeat performance after he finished third in the league in sacks with 15.5 and set an NFL record by recording a sack in 11 straight games. He even returned an interception for a touchdown.Jones was the bright spot on a Chiefs defense that finished second-last in the league. The unit is in for major changes after Kansas City fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, hired Steve Spagnuolo, and plucked defensive line coach Brendan Daly from the Patriots. No defensive tackle besides Aaron Donald should be expected to consistently produce 10-plus sack seasons, and if Jones averages even half of what he accomplished in 2018, his coaches won't complain. - McClymontVerdict: FAKEOUTEDGE - Danielle Hunter, VikingsAdam Bettcher / Getty Images Sport / Getty2018 stats: 14.5 sacks, 72 total tacklesIf you were to create the perfect pass-rusher in a laboratory, the result would look a lot like Hunter. At 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, the defensive end was touted as an athletic freak when he joined the league as its youngest player in 2015. Three seasons later, his potential has become reality. He inked a five-year, $72-million extension that now looks like a bargain before racking up 14.5 sacks in 2018.However, we've seen this from him before; he had 12.5 sacks in 2016 before dropping to seven in 2017. And, as happened in 2016, his QB hits lag behind other top sack-getters. While Hunter tied for third in sacks in 2016 and tied for fourth in 2018, he finished 25th and 29th, respectively, in QB hits. The Jamaican-born 24-year-old might've ascended into the elite tier of pass-rushers, but it'll take consecutive standout years to convince us the leap is permanent. - BrowneVerdict: FAKEOUTLB - Jaylon Smith, Cowboys2018 stats: 121 total tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumblesIn his second season, Smith appeared to have fully recovered from the devastating 2016 knee injury that threatened his professional career. Smith played a full complement of games in 2018 and was the Dallas Cowboys' second-leading tackler. The speed and sideline-to-sideline range that made him such a coveted prospect seem to have returned.There's no longer reason to question whether Smith is still hampered by his injury. The partnership at linebacker between him and Leighton Vander Esch created speculation Dallas could part with longtime Cowboy Sean Lee this offseason, as the pair of 23-year-olds now lead the defense. - McClymontVerdict: BREAKOUTCB - Xavien Howard, DolphinsAndy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty2018 stats: 7 INTs, 12 passes defensed, 35 total tackles (12 games)Howard wasn't a household name, but he forced his way into the upper echelon of corners despite lacking a strong supporting cast. Quarterbacks were routinely punished for challenging the 25-year-old, who tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 12 games ahead of a contract year in 2019. Howard likely won't play out his deal; however, it's not certain the Dolphins will be the team to pay him.The former second-rounder wants to be the NFL's highest-paid cornerback (that's currently Josh Norman at $15 million annually). Working against him is a meniscus injury that robbed him of four games - his third knee-related ailment in three years. Moreover, interceptions aren't a reliable year-to-year stat (no leader has repeated the feat in the last decade), and Howard might have good-but-not-great cover skills (Pro Football Focus graded him as the 19th-best coverage corner). - BrowneVerdict: FAKEOUTS - Eddie Jackson, Bears2018 stats: 6 INTs, 15 passes defensed, 51 total tackles, 2 TDsJackson was named a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in just his second season, impressing with his consistency and ball-hawking. Evoking memories of his junior year at Alabama when he transitioned to safety and broke out with six interceptions, he recorded six picks again in 2018 with the Chicago Bears and returned two of those for touchdowns.Chicago's secondary could look different in 2019; Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos are set to hit free agency and defensive mastermind Vic Fangio departed for Denver. No matter how much changes around him, though, Jackson's proven that he's adept at getting his hands on the ball. And with Khalil Mack's presence up front, Jackson and the rest of the Bears' defensive backs should continue to see plenty of playmaking opportunities. - McClymontVerdict: BREAKOUTCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With free agency and the draft still ahead, NFL rosters will undergo seismic changes over the next few months.Before the shuffling begins, let's take an early look at some of the potential sleepers heading into the 2019 season.More from this series

The Pittsburgh Steelers won't ask quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to stop publicly criticizing his teammates."Ben is the unquestioned leader of this group," general manager Kevin Colbert told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "Like I said, he's the elder statesman and the Super Bowl winner. If our players were smart, they'd listen to him because he's been there, he's done it."It was Roethlisberger's comments that apparently caused a rift between him and Antonio Brown this past season, leading the wide receiver to miss Pittsburgh's crucial Week 17 contest. Roethlisberger has made a habit of using public platforms to take shots at teammates in recent years."He can tell them, 'No guys, what you're doing is or is not good enough to do this,'" Colbert added. "And I honestly believe that that can be a burden on him more often than he may like to admit, because he has to ... he's got 52 kids under him quite honestly. I want them to step up and say, 'Hey Ben, what do I have to do? Can I do this better? What do we have to do to win a Super Bowl?' I think that once you win it, you've got 53 guys who can say what it took. Right now, he's the only one, so I have no problem with him."

Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins cleaned out his locker at the New York Giants' facility, a sign he expects to hit free agency rather than sign an extension or receive the franchise tag, sources told ESPN's Josina Anderson.Collins later responded to a conflicting report that claimed he hadn't cleared out his locker.

Antonio Brown will be wearing new colors in 2019, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have no intention of letting the disgruntled receiver leave for pennies on the dollar."By no means are we going to make a trade or any type of move that will not be beneficial to (the Steelers)," said general manager Kevin Colbert on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler."We're not going to move a significant player for less than significant compensation," Colbert added, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Brown met with Steelers owner Art Rooney II on Tuesday and the two parties agreed it was best to move on. Colbert expressed his appreciation for the work that the seven-time Pro Bowler did with the organization."We love you as a player, we thank you for what you did for us the last nine years," said Colbert. "We're disappointed we didn’t get you to a Super Bowl and still think you're a Hall of Fame candidate."Colbert, however, left the door ajar for Brown to have a change of heart, saying: "I don't think any relationship is irreparable," according to Joe Rutter of Tribune-Review Sports.Brown is due a $2.5-million roster bonus on March 17, so the Steelers have less than a month to find a suitable trade offer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos got the quarterback carousel spinning Feb. 13 when Joe Flacco was traded to the Mile High City.Flacco was the first domino in a long line of them expected to fall over the next several weeks. We've examined the signal-callers available in free agency, the trade market, the draft, and mapped out a solution for each team in immediate need of a quarterback.Miami DolphinsRelease Ryan Tannehill, sign Teddy BridgewaterAfter seven seasons, it's safe to say Tannehill has offered little as Miami's franchise quarterback. The Dolphins don't own a top-10 pick in April's draft, so selecting a rookie replacement could be an unrealistic task.Signing Bridgewater makes sense for all parties. The veteran passer would finally receive an opportunity to start in hopes of landing a long-term deal in the future. Meanwhile, Miami can shift its focus to an elite crop of quarterbacks available in the 2020 draft.Arizona CardinalsDraft Kyler Murray, trade Josh Rosen, sign Ryan TannehillIt's not every day a head coach says he'd draft a specific quarterback first overall and then has an opportunity to do it. The Cardinals would be silly to pass on Murray just because they spent a first-round pick on Rosen, who struggled as a rookie and is a year closer to free agency.Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyIn a Rosen trade, Arizona could expect to acquire a late pick in the first round or multiple picks in subsequent rounds. Though his stock has dropped since last year, Rosen is still early enough in his career for other teams to view him as a possible long-term fixture.Tannehill, meanwhile, makes sense for Arizona as a short-term starter/veteran backup.Washington RedskinsTrade for Josh RosenThe Redskins are in a tough spot. Alex Smith appears unlikely to suit up in 2019, leaving the team scrambling for a short-term, and possible long-term replacement.Enter Rosen. Team president Bruce Allen has never been shy to make a bold move and could see the sophomore as a potential solution. Plucking Rosen also makes sense from a financial perspective. Smith's contract accounts for over $20 million against the cap, and signing another veteran could result in the Redskins paying two quarterbacks with similar cap hits. Rosen, meanwhile, would account for just $4 million against the cap in 2019.Arizona wouldn't necessarily trade the UCLA product after drafting Murray, so Washington has options. The Redskins own the No. 15 overall pick, which isn't an ideal spot to select a quarterback, but could be floated in a deal for Rosen. If not, Day 2 picks or future first-rounders are other bargaining chips.New York GiantsDraft Dwayne Haskins, retain Eli Manning for 1 yearThankfully for Giants fans, there's a simple solution for their quarterback troubles. With the No. 6 overall pick in April's draft, Dave Gettleman can finally steer his franchise in the right direction by selecting the former Ohio State quarterback. Haskins would be the final piece of New York's offensive puzzle that already features Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr.Tom Pennington / Getty Images Sport / GettyManning has one year left on his current contract, which could help the rookie transition into the NFL. Haskins started just 14 games for the Buckeyes, so the Giants could use the former Super Bowl champion as veteran insurance if the team believes their first-rounder requires a season with the clipboard.Denver BroncosRelease Case Keenum, draft Drew LockDenver's trade for Flacco may provide John Elway with an upgrade over Keenum for 2019, but the team would be foolish to stop there. Drafting Lock would provide the Broncos with the long-term stability they so desperately need, and the rookie could learn from a quarterback who fits the same player profile.The additions of Flacco and Lock would make Keenum expendable after one year in Denver. It's a lot of money to devote to the quarterback position, but Lock is an excellent prospect that could solve the team's longest-standing issue.Jacksonville JaguarsSign Nick Foles, draft Daniel Jones, release Blake BortlesAny level of quarterback competence could get the Jaguars back in the postseason next year. Foles may not be a long-term solution for Jacksonville, but that's where Jones comes in.Meanwhile, there's no sense in keeping Bortles around. Jacksonville ought to swallow the dead money on Bortles' contract - and its pride - and cut the former No. 3 overall pick.Oakland RaidersBring back Derek CarrThe Raiders have nothing to lose by retaining Carr. He appeared more comfortable in Jon Gruden's offense in the second half of the season and is young enough that he can re-establish himself as the Raiders' franchise quarterback if he continues to progress.Should he stumble next season, Oakland would be in a position to draft one of Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, or Jake Fromm and could release Carr without putting a large dent in the team's salary cap.Where the leftovers landIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyCase Keenum: Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia will be a favorable destination for top backups given Carson Wentz's durability concerns.Tyrod Taylor: Baltimore RavensTaylor spent the first four years of his career in Baltimore and would be a valuable veteran presence for Lamar Jackson.Ryan Fitzpatrick: Tampa Bay BuccaneersNo quarterback was born to play in Bruce Arians' "no risk it, no biscuit" offense more than Fitzpatrick, the ultimate gunslinger.Blake Bortles: Tennessee TitansBortles is an upgrade over Blaine Gabbert and would be a fine backup to Marcus Mariota.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert announced Wednesday that the team does not intend to use its franchise or transition tag on running back Le'Veon Bell, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler."Le'Veon is still a great player," Colbert said. "We can't afford to use any other type of tags. Le'Veon will be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year."Bell shared his feelings about the franchise tag process Tuesday.

Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown wants out of Pittsburgh, and Steelers owner Art Rooney apparently agrees that it's time to move on from the drama-filled star.We've evaluated the likelihood of each team going after - and ultimately landing - "Mr. Big Chest."Slam-dunk suitorsNew York Jets: The Jets are in position to make a splash this offseason, and the team needs playmakers around Sam Darnold to expedite the young quarterback's development. New York will likely factor into the Le'Veon Bell sweepstakes, too, and a reunion of the two ex-Steelers is possible.Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers isn't getting younger, and the Packers boast ample draft capital, allowing them to swing for the fences in a win-now trade. Brian Gutekunst vowed to be more aggressive after taking over as general manager last year.San Francisco 49ers: Brown has asked former 49ers star Terrell Owens about living in the Bay Area. San Francisco also has lots of cap space ($76 million) and a glaring hole at receiver. After investing plenty in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners need to surround him with the best supporting cast possible.Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have been one of the NFL's most fiscally responsible teams in recent years, but they're faced with a unique opportunity to acquire a player of Brown's caliber. For far too long, the talent drop-off at receiver after T.Y. Hilton in Indy has been massive.Seattle Seahawks: It's no secret that Pete Carroll believes in letting players be themselves, no matter how large their personalities become. The Seahawks need more offensive threats if they want to seriously challenge in the powerhouse-filled NFC.Secondary contendersTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyHouston Texans: The thought of DeAndre Hopkins and Brown on the same team should be enough for the Texans to submit a legitimate offer, even if there are more pressing issues elsewhere on the roster.Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota needs a No. 1 receiver, and Tennessee needs to figure out how far its quarterback can push the franchise.Oakland Raiders: The Raiders can use their four picks in the top 35 in the upcoming draft as trade bait. The team needs star power when it moves to Las Vegas in 2020, and we know how much Jon Gruden loves veterans.Buffalo Bills: No team is more desperate for receiver help than the Bills, though Brown may not be eager to move to Buffalo.Arizona Cardinals: Brown would help new head coach Kliff Kingsbury install his Air Raid offense. However, the last-place Cards in 2018 likely wouldn't part with one of their top draft picks.Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are going to get Cam Newton some help one of these years, right?Dark horsesMediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / Digital First Media / GettyLos Angeles Rams: The NFC champs are stacked at wide receiver, but we've seen the Rams make numerous moves while trying to capitalize on their Super Bowl window. Nothing is off the table.Philadelphia Eagles: With three picks in the top 57 and a bold general manager, Philadelphia could see Brown as the perfect target for Carson Wentz.Los Angeles Chargers: Anthony Lynn's squad possesses the resources, cap space, and talented roster to make a Brown trade work. Don't overlook the Chargers.Washington Redskins: When it comes to shocking transactions, never count out Daniel Synder. Washington's receiving corps could certainly use some star power.Detroit Lions: Things need to change in Detroit. The Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1991, and pairing Brown with Kenny Golladay would be an important step in the effort to clear that hurdle.Chicago Bears: Chicago lacks cap space, but the Bears could make moves to free up money. The team will likely go all-in while Mitchell Trubisky is playing under his rookie deal.Highly unlikelySean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / GettyNew Orleans Saints: You never know with Sean Payton in charge, but the Saints are tight against the cap after investing heavily at wide receiver.Atlanta Falcons: Ripe with elite talent at wideout and set to spend on their defense, the fit with the Falcons isn't strong.Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville is over the projected salary cap and desperate for an upgrade at quarterback. Adding Brown won't be high on Tom Coughlin's to-do list.Miami Dolphins: Miami loves to make bold moves, but acquiring a soon-to-be 31-year-old doesn't align with the plans of a rebuilding team looking ahead to 2020.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bruce Arians called Brown a "diva," and Tampa is loaded at receiver. A reunion between Brown and Arians, the former Steelers offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, doesn't appear likely.Minnesota Vikings: Mike Zimmer's cap-crunched team features two top-tier receivers, making it unlikely you'll see Brown donning purple and gold in 2019.Denver Broncos: Joe Flacco is in the fold, but John Elway is still thinking long term. The team should focus on other priorities before adding a veteran pass-catcher.No chanceMaddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyNew England Patriots: The Steelers would let hell freeze over before sending their best player to a bitter rival that's been to eight straight AFC title games.New York Giants: The Odell Beckham Jr. trade talk will have some wondering if the Giants can replace one star wideout with another. But if drama makes the Giants consider giving away a talent like OBJ, it's fair to assume Brown wouldn't be an option.Dallas Cowboys: Dallas is already in cap trouble as it looks to work out extensions for DeMarcus Lawrence, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper.Kansas City Chiefs: While adding Brown to the Chiefs would be fun, Kansas City just paid Sammy Watkins, and soon the front office needs to lock up Tyreek Hill. All other resources this offseason should be used to shore up an ugly defense.Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals: A trade within the division isn't happening under any circumstance.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The knee injury that sidelined Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley late in the regular season may have been more serious than both parties let on."He was more hurt than what we thought," C.J. Anderson said Tuesday on FS1's "Undisputed." "The injury was a little bit more than what everybody in the building thought, including himself."Anderson signed with Los Angeles in Week 15 and filled in for an injured Gurley over the next two weeks.Gurley returned for the postseason but received fewer carries than Anderson the rest of the way. The 24-year-old All-Pro had been one of the most used offensive players in the league prior to his two-week absence.Both Gurley and Rams head coach Sean McVay maintained throughout the playoffs and after the Super Bowl that the star rusher was healthy."He'd never really tell me," Anderson said of Gurley and the mysterious injury. "It was tough. I would say sprained knee. Obviously, it's the same knee injury he's had before in his career. Obviously I had surgery on my meniscus and once you have a knee, you always have a knee. So it aggravates and if he was getting a lot of touches earlier in the year - obviously him being one of the best running backs, that probably was the case."- With h/t to USA TODAY Sports.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders says he won't consider restructuring his contract, which has one year remaining on it.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has yet to decide if he'll play next season, but his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, believes he'll make up his mind in the near future."He’s thinking it through, he's giving it a lot of thought ... I imagine a decision will happen in the next couple of weeks," Rosenhaus said on "NFL Live," according to ESPN's Field Yates.Despite rumors that Gronkowski would retire following the Patriots' Super Bowl LIII win, he's been spotted making regular appearances at Gillette Stadium during the early part of the offseason.The 29-year-old is set to carry a cap hit of nearly $12 million for the final year of his current contract in 2019, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals could finally be close to landing their defensive coordinator for 2019.New York Giants defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo will interview with the Bengals this week, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero report. They characterize him as the leading candidate for the job on new head coach Zac Taylor's staff.Jack Del Rio and Florida assistant Todd Grantham were two early favorites for the opening, but Cincinnati could not secure either hire.The New Orleans Saints recently blocked defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn from interviewing with the Bengals, and Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley declined an interview.Taylor and Anarumo coached together on the Miami Dolphins' staff from 2013-15. The two spent the 2015 season as the club's offensive coordinator and interim DC, respectively.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Once he finally made his up his mind and picked the NFL over MLB, Kyler Murray had to have a tough conversation with the Oakland Athletics.The A's selected Murray ninth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft but allowed him to continue playing football for the Oklahoma Sooners. That show of good faith blew up in their faces when Murray went on to win the Heisman Trophy and chose to pursue a career in the NFL. Sharing that decision with Oakland proved difficult."Yeah, just because they invested so much in me," Murray said Monday, according to Tyler Palmateer of the Norman Transcript.Despite his choice, Murray still feels a connection to the first professional sports team that drafted him."Obviously (the Athletics) were the best throughout this whole process, letting me do my own thing, watching me play football from afar," he said. "That led me to believe how much I meant to them. Those are relationships I'll have forever. At the end of the day, they drafted me and in my heart, I'll always be an A because they took the time to do that."Oakland may not ready to call the relationship over. The team could reportedly offer Murray a deal exceeding the monetary value of the contract he would sign in the NFL.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The startup AAF has been saved by the owner of an NHL franchise.Tom Dundon, the majority owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, made a $250-million commitment to the new football league last week after its first week of play, the Hurricanes announced Tuesday. The investment was necessary to save the league from missing payroll, David Glenn of The Athletic reports."Without a new, nine-figure investor, nobody is sure what would have happened," a source told Glenn. "You can always tell people their checks are going to be a little late, but how many are going to show up on the weekend for games when they don't see anything hit their bank accounts on Friday?"Dundon will serve as chairman of the AAF's board of directors, effective immediately, according to the Hurricanes. The nascent league just completed its second weekend of action."This was a terrific opportunity for Tom to expand his investment in the sports world," Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said in a release. "The AAF is off to an exciting start as a league and was founded on some truly unique and groundbreaking concepts."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown isn't done making contractual demands.The four-time All-Pro receiver took to Instagram Live on Monday to share what he's looking for in a new NFL team."If your squad want to win and your squad want a hungry wide receiver who's the best in the whole world, someone hit my phone," Brown said in a nine-minute video that can be viewed below."Tell them I ain't doing no unguarantees, I ain't even gonna play myself no more for this NFL," he continued. "...If your team got guaranteed money, tell them to call me. AB can't do no more unguarantees. So we clear."Brown is still under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he reportedly made a formal request for a trade last week. He has three years remaining on a $68-million extension signed in February 2017. Of that money, only $19 million was guaranteed, according to Spotrac.Brown's desire for a fully guaranteed deal comes a year after Kirk Cousins signed a three-year, fully guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings worth $84 million.Brown also made a specific request regarding the type of locker room he'd next like to walk into."If (you're) one of them teams out there where the comradery bad, the energy bad, the players (are) haters, I don't wanna play there, I don't wanna go there. I don't wanna waste no time."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey made waves last offseason by calling out a number of NFL quarterbacks during an interview with GQ, and it appears he's standing by his words.One of the quarterbacks Ramsey mentioned in the interview was then-Buffalo Bills rookie Josh Allen, whom the defender called "trash."A picture of an autograph surfaced Monday that showed Allen asking Ramsey whether he still felt the same way. The star cornerback took to Twitter to reply in a way only he could.

With free agency and the draft still ahead, NFL rosters will undergo seismic changes over the next few months.Before the shuffling begins, let's take an early look at some of the potential sleepers heading into the 2019 season.More from this series

The Jacksonville Jaguars exercised their option on defensive lineman Calais Campbell, the team confirmed Monday.Campbell starred for the Jaguars in 2018, recording 72 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, earning the fourth Pro Bowl selection of his career.The standout defender is scheduled to become a free agent in 2021.Jacksonville also exercised options for defensive end Lerentee McCray and safety Cody Davis, but it did not extend its option for tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Plenty of scouts and evaluators are having difficulty providing a pro comparison for upcoming NFL draft prospect Kyler Murray, but his college head coach has one idea."I almost compare him - I know this is high praise - but I mean, it's almost kind of like (he has) a Barry Sanders effect," Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley told NBC Sports' Peter King. "'Yes, I'm small for the position, but I'm so athletic and so smart that I just rarely take big shots.'"Riley isn't making the comparison considering a position, but rather points to other attributes that give Murray a similar gamebreaker quality to that of the Hall of Fame running back."His speed, obviously, is off the charts," he said. "He'll be the fastest quarterback in the NFL by a long shot the day he walks in the door. But on top of that, I think the things as a runner and athletically he brings, and his elite quickness, will be important. And then he just has a feel. He knows how to play the game. He knows when the moments are big and he needs to strain to get a first down. He's not going to take unnecessary hits."The former Sooners pivot is the most interesting prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft - there aren't many NFL quarterbacks listed under six feet tall. Murray was selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, then went on to win the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma. Although he was already taken by the A's, he decided to pursue his NFL dream and forgo a career in baseball.Despite questions over Murray's height and commitment to football, Riley expects the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner to be a high first-round pick in April."I will be shocked," Riley said, "if five players get their name called on draft day before Kyler."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to use the franchise tag to retain Robbie Gould if the club can't reach a multi-year extension with the veteran kicker, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.Gould is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this spring and appears prepared to take visits from other teams. He said during a Sunday radio appearance that he's seeking at least three years on his next contract and wants to play for a winning team, according to Chris Emma of 670 The Score.The franchise tag for kickers is expected to pay $5.16 million for the 2019 season. That would be a major upgrade on Gould's previous salary; he signed a two-year, $4-million deal with the 49ers in March 2017.Most estimates project San Francisco to hold over $65 million in cap space for the 2019 season, making a potential Gould extension feasible.The 36-year-old converted a league-best 97.1 percent of his field goals in 2018, going 33-of-34.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys won't immediately use their franchise tag on DeMarcus Lawrence when the window for tagging players opens Tuesday, sources told Clarence E. Hill of the Star-Telegram.Dallas will use the two-week window to negotiate a long-term extension with the pass-rusher. The deadline for using the franchise tag is March 5.Lawrence was tagged for $17.1 million in 2018 and would cost $20.5 million for 2019. However, he has no desire to play under the franchise tag for a second straight season, according to Hill.The 26-year-old is widely expected to become the third NFL defender to break the $20-million-per-year mark - joining Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald - after racking up 25 sacks over the last two seasons.The Cowboys have made it clear that retaining Lawrence is their top priority, and Hill added that they "plan to keep him at all cost."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Marquise Brown will miss the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day ahead of the 2019 draft while recovering from surgery, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Brown, a product of Oklahoma, is widely expected to be a first-round pick in April. It's believed he'll be ready for summer training camp with a chance he participates in rookie minicamp, Schefter adds.The star wideout underwent the procedure in January for a Lisfranc injury suffered in December's Big 12 Championship Game. He played through the ailment in the Sooners' Orange Bowl loss to Alabama.Brown finished the 2018 campaign with 75 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns while working as the No. 1 option for Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins were interested in acquiring quarterback Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens before the Denver Broncos reportedly swung a deal for the pivot last week, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB.The Ravens will receive a fourth-round pick from Denver once the trade becomes official at the beginning of the new league year on March 13.The 34-year-old Flacco carries a cap hit of $26.5 million in 2019 and is under contract through 2021, but has no guaranteed money remaining on his deal.Washington's believed to be searching for a quarterback as 2018 starter Alex Smith is expected to miss the upcoming campaign after suffering a broken leg in Week 11. He was in the first season of a four-year, $94-million deal he signed last year following his acquisition from the Kansas City Chiefs.Colt McCoy is the only other Redskins signal-caller currently under contract for the upcoming season and carries a cap hit of $3.5 million.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The AAF found its answer to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, but the NFL's trick-pass king doesn't intend to let his crown go easily.San Diego Fleet quarterback Philip Nelson somehow completed a no-look pass against the Atlanta Legends, blindly tossing the ball over his shoulder while he was being taken down.Nelson's miracle inspired Mahomes, likely to the dismay of NFL defenses.

The NFL's window for tagging impending free agents will open Tuesday and close March 5. League rules permit teams to apply one tag, and most will use the franchise tag, which binds a player to his team's roster for one year at a salary no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position. Also available is the rarely used transition tag, which allows the player to negotiate with other teams in free agency while giving the tagging team the right to match any offer.There are a number of players who could get slapped with one of the designations in 2019 if they are unable to agree to a long-term deal. Here are the various candidates:No-brainersJadeveon Clowney, Edge, Houston TexansTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyFranchise tag salary: $18.65MThere's simply no way the Texans let Clowney walk this offseason. The former No. 1 overall pick has yet to truly live up to the immense hype placed on him, but he still collected nine sacks and starred in run defense in 2018. At just 26, Clowney would be the league's most sought-after free agent if he hit the open market. Houston will prioritize signing the edge rusher to an extension but could use the franchise tag to buy itself additional time if negotiations prove difficult.Dee Ford, Edge, Kansas City ChiefsFranchise tag salary: $18.65MThe Chiefs hired Steve Spagnuolo as their new defensive coordinator, but don't expect the change in scheme to alter Ford's standing with the team. Great players can play in any system, and that's exactly what the former first-round pick is. Ford has already stated he wouldn't mind playing under the franchise tag, and that remains the most likely scenario after he broke out with 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2018.Frank Clark, Edge, Seattle SeahawksFranchise tag salary: $18.65MSeattle hasn't used the franchise tag since 2010, but that should change this year. Clark developed into an elite defensive end in his fourth campaign, notching a career-high 13 sacks. Turning 26 in June, the talented rusher's best years are likely still ahead of him. The Seahawks would surely prefer to work out a long-term contract, but the tag will be used if a deal can't be agreed upon.Demarcus Lawrence, Edge, Dallas CowboysFranchise tag salary: $20.57MThe last of the four star pass-rushers, Lawrence's situation is slightly different than that of his peers. The stud lineman was slapped with the tag last year and is a prime candidate to be designated the Cowboys' franchise player again in 2019. Tagging him again would be costly as the salary increases for players tagged in back-to-back years, but the team may have its hands tied with extensions for Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper looming. Coming off his second straight double-digit sack season, Lawrence won't be leaving Dallas just yet.Likely to be taggedNick Foles, QB, Philadelphia EaglesStacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyFranchise tag salary: $25.58MOne of the more intriguing storylines of the offseason is where the Super Bowl LII MVP will land. Foles almost certainly won't be returning to Philadelphia with Carson Wentz locked in as the starter, so look for the Eagles to try and secure as much compensation as possible for the backup pivot. While riskier, trading Foles would ensure a better return than the compensatory pick the team would receive for letting him walk.Landon Collins, S, New York GiantsFranchise tag salary: $12.04MCollins is likely to be tagged despite an injury-riddled, subpar 2018 season by his standards. One of the league's premier box safeties, the former second-round pick would still be an attractive free agent if he hit the open market. Designating Collins as their franchise player would make a ton of sense for the Giants - they can take a year to determine whether last season was an anomaly, or if he doesn't quite fit in the team's future plans.Trey Flowers, Edge, New England PatriotsFranchise tag salary: $18.65MDevoting $18.65 million to a single defensive player seems doesn't seem like something Bill Belichick would do, but Flowers was a key, young player on two championship-winning squads. The productive edge rusher isn't flashy but always gets the job done, which is exactly the type of player the Patriots want to hold onto. And on the off chance Flowers' career path is similar to that of Chandler Jones' - who was traded after four seasons - then at least New England could receive a healthy return for his services.Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta FalconsFranchise tag salary: $15.57MSimilar to a number of other teams on this list, the Falcons will use the tag to ensure their star player doesn't bolt in free agency. Arguably Atlanta's best player on defense, Jarrett excels as a pass-rusher and run defender. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has said he would prefer to sign Jarrett to a long-term deal, but the franchise tag could be used as a stepping stone.Donovan Smith, OT, Tampa Bay BuccaneersFranchise tag salary: $15.28MSmith has yet to develop into the top-tier left tackle the Buccaneers drafted him to be, but he's started all 64 games since going in the second round in 2015. Unless Tampa Bay uses the No. 5 overall selection in April's draft on the position, there aren't any in-house candidates to replace him. Searching for stability on offense, it may be wise for Bruce Arians to keep Smith around for at least one more campaign.Could be taggedHa Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Washington RedskinsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyFranchise tag salary: $12.04MThere are two factors that the Redskins will consider when pondering the tag for Clinton-Dix. On one hand, they gave up a fourth-round pick to acquire the safety from the Green Bay Packers. While not an overly hefty price, the team won't want to give away a draft pick for nothing. On the other hand, the Redskins may not want to pay Clinton-Dix top-five safety money with cheaper options available on the open market.Robbie Gould, K, San Francisco 49ersFranchise tag salary: $5.16MWhile Gould isn't a lock to receive the tag, he's the most likely option among kickers. The veteran was automatic during his second year in San Francisco, connecting on 33 of 34 field goals, including both attempts from 50-plus yards. The $5.16-million salary would make Gould the NFL's highest-paid kicker, but it's a small price to pay for stability at the position. The 49ers have plenty of cap space as well. Unlikely to be taggedNdamukong Suh, DT, Los Angeles RamsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyFranchise tag salary: $15.57MSuh will be viewed as a luxury in a star-studded Rams defense. Los Angeles will likely opt against paying the 32-year-old more than his $14 million 2018 salary. There are simply greater priorities looming for the NFC champions.Jared Cook, TE, Oakland RaidersFranchise tag salary: $10.93MCook is coming off a career year in Jon Gruden's offense, but there's little chance that Oakland will allocate top tight end money to the 31-year-old. Cook was the Raiders' most productive offensive weapon in 2018, however, so who knows what Gruden will do.Candidate for transition tagLe'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh SteelersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Steelers can place the franchise tag on Bell for the third consecutive year, but this situation is highly unlikely given the versatile rusher refused to play under the tag in 2018.The transition tag is an option because, in theory, it aids both parties. Bell can test the open market for a long-term deal - which is what he's wanted all along - while giving Pittsburgh the option to match any offer the running back receives from another club. The Steelers could also look to trade Bell to ensure they receive compensation, but this is the least likely option since the disgruntled star would have to sign his tender for negotiations to proceed. Either way, the most likely scenario involves the former All-Pro rusher playing for a new franchise.Projected salary cap figures courtesy: Over the CapCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the coming months, bettors will be wagering on NFL win totals for the 2019 season. Before making any picks, we're taking a stab at predicting the opening numbers.After covering the NFC, here are our projections for the AFC.AFC EastBuffalo Bills - 6 (Over +110, Under +130)Josh Allen sparking hope during the 2018 stretch run aside, the Bills will likely still battle it out with the Dolphins to avoid the AFC East basement.Miami Dolphins - 5.5 (Over +100, Under -120)Miami was more lucky than good while getting past its 6.5 win total in 2018 during a 7-9 season. There's a potential drop-off looming as the Dolphins search for a franchise quarterback under a new head coach.New England Patriots - 11 (Over -110, Under -110)The Patriots will be a fixture in the AFC again, though we're not giving them the highest win total in the conference.New York Jets - 6.5 (Over -105, Under -125)A second-year Sam Darnold paired with Adam Gase should be enough to inject life into the Jets' fan base. But this team is still years away from contention, or even a winning record.AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens - 8.5 (Over -110, Under -110)The Lamar Jackson show has officially started in Baltimore, and he's not even the most hyped second-year quarterback in the division. The Ravens still have a juggernaut defense, but they're a couple offensive pieces away from separating in the AFC North.Cleveland Browns - 8 (Over -130, Under +110)The Browns' win total will arguably be the most intriguing to watch once it's posted. There will be a huge over shift on the public's stance. After not wanting anything to do with them, recreational bettors will pounce on the Browns with Baker Mayfield under center and a competent coaching staff on the sideline.Cincinnati Bengals - 6 (Over +110, Under -130)The Bengals looked like a dark horse last year before injuries interrupted their momentum. Now, they're taking over the Browns' spot as division bottom-feeders.Pittsburgh Steelers - 9.5 (Over +100, Under -120)Here's another number that'll be fascinating to watch as it fluctuates, given all the drama surrounding the Steelers. The Browns are attracting Super Bowl bets, and the Ravens are coming off the lone postseason berth in the division. But it wouldn't be surprising if Pittsburgh opens with the best win total of the bunch.AFC SouthHouston Texans - 8.5 (Over -115, Under -105)The AFC South has been a pretty quirky division in recent seasons, and it should be a fun race to the finish line again in 2019. Here, the Texans get the same number they closed with in 2018.Indianapolis Colts - 9 (Over +100, Under -120)The Colts should be a public darling after making a run to the AFC divisional round behind a healthy Andrew Luck. They have the third-shortest odds among AFC teams to win the Super Bowl.Jacksonville Jaguars - 6.5 (Over -125, Under -105)The Jaguars are pretty volatile entering 2019. Are they a quarterback away from contention? And was their 2017 defensive production a fluke? You could give Jacksonville a win total anywhere between five and eight, and it wouldn't raise an eyebrow.Tennessee Titans - 7.5 (Over -130, Under +110)Some liked the Titans as a sleeper in 2018. Now, they'll likely lose public attraction as the Texans and Colts surge.AFC WestDenver Broncos - 6.5 (Over +100, Under -120)The Broncos were hot midway through the 2018 season before crumbling. The trade for Joe Flacco actually sends their Super Bowl odds in the opposite direction.Los Angeles Chargers - 10 (Over -110, Under -110)Every year is the Chargers' year!Kansas City Chiefs - 11.5 (Over -110, Under -110)Here's the highest win total in the conference, and it's tied for the most in the league with the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes defied the odds during his first season as a starter. Better defensive play should balance out any regression the Chiefs get from their young pivot.Oakland Raiders - 5 (Over -105, Under -115)The lone source of hope for the reeling Raiders will be an exciting upcoming draft that includes three first-round picks, and four in the top 35. However, the club is still in a pretty ugly situation overall.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.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been regularly appearing at Gillette Stadium during the early part of the offseason, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.The four-time All-Pro is reportedly considering retirement. After the Patriots' victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, Gronkowski said he'll take a "week or two" and evaluate his future.His presence at the team's facility could be related to treatment for the thigh injury he struggled through for much of the 2018 season, Reiss adds.The three-time Super Bowl champion also visited Boston Children's Hospital, spending time with patients and donating $80,000.Gronkowski turns 30 in May and carries a nearly $12 million cap hit during the final year of his contract in 2019.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tim Tebow is one of the few people who truly understands Kyler Murray's dilemma about whether to play professional baseball or football.Prior to Murray's decision to enter the NFL draft, Tebow did his best to help the 21-year-old dual-sport star make the right choice for himself."Kyler, I think he's a really good young man, and I think this was a really tough decision for him," Tebow said, according to ESPN. "He loves two sports, and I can really relate to that. And he went with something that he's been really good at lately and dominating in. When we talked about it, and we did talk about that, I just gave him the advice to follow your heart. Whatever you're passionate about."Murray was selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, then went on to win the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma. Although Murray was already taken by the A's, he decided to pursue his NFL dream and forgo a career in baseball.Tebow also won the Heisman during his college career at Florida and decided to play baseball after his NFL stint ended, joining the New York Mets organization. He advised Murray to avoid making a decision for the benefit of people around him."Don't do it for your agents, or your friends and sometimes necessarily even your family," Tebow said. "Do it for what's on your heart, and don't let other people define you. You're going to have all these coaches that you look up to and everybody else that's going to tell you what they think, but what's most important is following your heart and your passion. And so, I don't know, hopefully, he did that."Murray will enter the draft as one of the most intriguing prospects in recent memory, something else that Tebow can certainly relate to.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A day after Colin Kaepernick settled his collusion grievance with the NFL, his attorney predicted that he could be back in the league in the near future.Mark Geragos forecasted during an appearance on CNN on Saturday that his client could soon be picked up by an NFL team, naming the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots as possibilities."I think you're going to see within the next two weeks that somebody's going to step up, somebody's going to do the right thing," Geragos said, according to CNN's Jill Martin. "You want me to predict who? I will tell you, besides the Panthers, it would not surprise me if (Patriots owner) Bob Kraft makes a move. Yeah, that would not surprise me."Geragos also referenced a possible third team that could be interested in Kaepernick, although he didn't name the club."It would not surprise me if his former coach, I'll test your knowledge, also makes a move," he said.Geragos said the Panthers - if Cam Newton misses the start of the 2019 season due to injury - would be a natural fit for Kaepernick, with the signal-caller's former teammate and close friend, Eric Reid, on the roster, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. Reid and Kaepernick settled their collusion grievances together Friday and remained in contact throughout the proceedings, with both players at the forefront of NFL players' peaceful protest against police brutality and racial inequality.The attorney also did not comment further on the resolution that Kaepernick and Reid reached with the NFL."I can't say anything at all except that it's resolved," Geragos said, according to Florio. "I can tell you that it was a long and kind of unconventional legal journey, in the sense that we brought it under the collective bargaining agreement. It was not a lawsuit, a traditional lawsuit. So when some people have said, 'I wish it had gone to court.' It wasn't in court, it was under the collective bargaining agreement."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown opened up to fans on social media Saturday about his falling out with the organization and, particularly, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

LeBron James reiterated his support for Colin Kaepernick after the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback resolved his collusion grievance with the NFL.Speaking to reporters at NBA All-Star media day on Saturday, James said he hopes Kaepernick received a big payout from the settlement and that his actions live on throughout history."I hope it's a hell of a lot of money that can set not only him up, but set his family up, set his grandkids up for the rest of their lives," the Los Angeles Lakers star said.

It's never too early to get a head start on the 2019 NFL season.Once the draft ends and free agency kicks in, oddsmakers will be releasing win totals for the upcoming campaign, giving bettors an opportunity to go over or under. We're going to take our best stabs at what we believe the totals will be for every team, starting with the NFC.NFC EastDallas Cowboys - 8.5 (Over -135, Under +115)Which direction will the Cowboys go next season? A run to the divisional round might help their stock but this is actually one of the toughest numbers to project.New York Giants - 7.5 (Over +100, Under -120)OK, so is this the year New York takes a leap? This would be the second straight campaign with a 7.5 for the Giants, who underwhelmed to the tune of 5-11 in 2018.Philadelphia Eagles - 9 (Over -125, Under +105)The Eagles should pace the pack in the NFC East but it'll be intriguing to watch how the market treats them going forward.Washington Redskins - 5.5 (Over -110, Under -110)We're probably looking at a trying year for the Redskins, who need quarterback stability and a whole bunch of luck to make any noise in the division.NFC NorthChicago Bears - 10 (Over -120, Under +100)The Bears look ripe for a run in the NFC, though they'll have a huge target on their back for the first time in what feels like forever.Detroit Lions - 6 (Over +105, Under -115)The public isn't going to like anything about the Lions, who finished 3-7 to end the season with no pulse.Green Bay Packers - 8 (Over -130, Under +110)The market typically loves Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but you have to wonder if there will be some overcorrecting here after the wheels fell off late last season.Minnesota Vikings - 9 (Over -110, Under -110)It's tough to envision the Vikings taking a step back after an 8-7-1 record and just missing the postseason. The team is well-constructed and should be a challenge to the Bears in the division.NFC SouthAtlanta Falcons - 8.5 (Over +105, Under -125)The Falcons were arguably the quietest 7-9 team last season, unable to regain momentum after falling behind the eight ball in the middle of the campaign. We wouldn't be surprised to see this open 8.5 and move to 8, or vice versa.Carolina Panthers - 7 (Over -125, Under +105)Cam Newton's injury puts us in a tough spot when trying to project the Panthers. Still, this team is slowly trending down.New Orleans Saints - 10.5 (Over -110, Under -110)The Saints should be right in the thick of things again next year, but will it be all sunshine and rainbows in Drew Brees' age-40 season?Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 6.5 (Over +110, Under -130)Though they'll be projected to finish in the basement of the NFC South again, there are some things to like about the Buccaneers, whether it be the passing game, the coaching turnover, or the fact they can't be any worse on defense as they were in 2018.NFC WestArizona Cardinals - 5 (Over +100, Under -130)The Cardinals should improve on a 3-13 campaign, but this franchise has one heck of an offseason to-do list. Kliff Kingsbury figures to struggle mightily in his first year as an NFL coach with one of the worst rosters in the league.Los Angeles Rams - 11.5 (Over +100, Under -130)The Rams figure to teeter in the 11-11.5 range based on how the market reacts to their lack of production in the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, we know L.A. can rip through a regular season.San Francisco 49ers - 8 (Over -115, Under -105)We still don't have a clue what the ceiling is for the 49ers after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending injury back in Week 3. This team could look even more different if they land Antonio Brown or perhaps another top-tier free agent.Seattle Seahawks - 9 (Over +110, Under -130)As the Seahawks continue to be underestimated, head coach Pete Carroll continues to deliver with nine- or 10-win campaigns. Seattle isn't as daunting as the Rams or Saints in the conference, so you can likely find the number to be more shaded to the former rather than the latter.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.

Two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Kyle Van Noy opened up on the "Pardon My Take" podcast this week about the 2016 trade that sent him from the Detroit Lions to the New England Patriots."I’m gonna repeat what my friend said so I don’t get in trouble," Van Noy said. "He’s like 'You went from the toilet bowl to the Super Bowl.'"Van Noy was selected by the Lions with the 40th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He recorded his first sack midway through his sophomore season and was traded roughly a year later in a deal that allowed the Lions to move up from the seventh to the sixth round of the draft."Then when I got there, it was like, they had a plan for me it seemed like. Then that plan got bigger with how I played. With that being said, I didn’t know that to begin with because I’d been in Detroit, where I was kind of told 'We don’t know where to put you.' And I’m like, 'Why did you draft me?' I had my own coach telling me 'I don’t know where to put you.'"Turning 28 years old in March, Van Noy has started all but one of the 29 regular-season games he's played with the Patriots over the past two seasons. He's been instrumental in three consecutive trips to the Super Bowl, playing in all nine postseason games. He led the team with 92 tackles this past year while forcing a fumble, recovering two, and recording his second career interception.Van Noy is set to play out the final season of a two-year, $10.75-million extension he signed in 2017. He'll carry a cap hit of $6.3 million in 2019.With h/t to MassLive.comCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt replaced a young fan's homemade No. 99 jersey with a real one.Malinda Ross, a teacher at Moore Elementary School in Houston, tweeted a photo last week of herself and two of her students sporting Watt jerseys to celebrate the 99th day of school.

The success of Kliff Kingsbury's regime with the Arizona Cardinals could be tied to the development of quarterback Josh Rosen, and the new head coach was sure to give his sophomore pivot a vote of confidence Friday."He needs to understand we are in this together, and I want him to know he kind of has the keys to the castle and let’s build this deal as a group,” Kingsbury said of Rosen. "Make sure he is comfortable with what we are doing, if he doesn’t like something that is going on with this offense or the way I’m coaching it, let’s talk about it and come up with the best answer. When (the quarterbacks) have that type of ownership, it goes a long way."Rosen was selected 10th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and was immediately billed as the next face of the franchise. The 22-year-old struggled during his rookie season, however, completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.Kingsbury developed a reputation for being a quarterback guru in the college ranks and is tasked with aiding Rosen in his development during his sophomore campaign.Prior to joining the Cardinals, Kingsbury said in October that he would select Kyler Murray with the first overall pick if he had the chance. Kingsbury walked back those comments Wednesday but it hasn't quieted speculation that the Cardinals could take Murray this summer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams won't flinch if he isn't the first person out of the green room on draft night."It's not really important to me to go No. 1," Williams said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper. "I just really want to go. I'm just blessed to be in this draft class with these guys and meeting these top athletes and stuff like that. I'm just really not thinking about going No. 1, No. 2. I just want to be the best player that I can be for that team that I'm on and just create my craft."Williams is viewed as a top-five prospect heading into the scouting combine in late February. He had 71 tackles and eight sacks at Alabama in 2018 and took home the Outland Trophy as the top interior lineman in college football."I'm all about working," Williams told NFL.com on Feb. 6. "My IQ level is through the roof. I can sit down and break down film of a quarterback and (identify) tendencies and stuff like that. I work very hard on the field and off the field. I'm a team player, I'm a coachable player and I really listen. I'm just ready to get out there and learn from the veterans, who I watch on Madden."The Arizona Cardinals have the first pick in April's draft, followed by the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.