The 2019-2020 NFL Season officially starts on Wednesday, March 13 at 4:00pm ET. At that point, every NFL team can start making the phone calls and signing free agents. Other teams can officially announce trades that have been in the works pretty much since the Patriots beat the Rams in this year’s Super Bowl.
Check out NFL updates for this week and be sure to keep checking the latest Super Bowl 54 odds at MyBookie!
NFL Updates of the Week – March 8th Edition
Under-the-radar free agents that could cash in: https://t.co/s42yvdg7a3 (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/hcVBLB1dxW
— NFL (@NFL) 8 de marzo de 2019
Antonio Brown is Likely to Go To the Raiders, Titans, or Redskins
The Pittsburgh Steelers lowered their trade request from a Round 1 NFL Draft Pick and other compensation (whatever that was!) to simply a Round 1 pick. Right now, the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Redskins are the 3 teams rumored to be in the running for AB’s services.
A sure-fire hall of fame wide receiver, the disgruntled Antonio Brown would love to play for Oakland. He and Raiders quarterback Derek Carr got all chummy at the Pro Bowl this year. Carr gushed about AB. Brown gushed about Derek. Also, the Raiders have much more to work with. Due to trades during the season, Oakland has 3 Round 1 picks this year. They could trade one of those for Brown.
The Steelers could then package their Round 1 pick with whatever they got from the Raiders to move up and grab a player like DE Nick Bosa from Ohio State, or move out of Round 1 all together and get a ton of picks in Round 2 and Round 3.
Either way, a Raiders-Steelers deal seems like the most likely scenario. Outside of AB going to Oakland, the next most likely scenario has him going to Tennessee. The Titans have a decent quarterback in Marcus Mariota. The only reason Tennessee doesn’t throw the ball more is because Marcus has nobody at the WR position he can throw the ball too with the talent AB’s got.
Washington’s the least likely destination just because their quarterback situation is a mess. Brown won’t add much to Washington in the way of improving their offense.
…Speaking of Washington, Welcome, Case Keenum
The Broncos are trading quarterback Case Keenum to Washington for Round 6 and Round 7 picks. Denver signed Joe Flacco while Keenum bombed at Mile High last season. Washington needed a quarterback because last year’s starter Alex Smith suffered a major injury. Smith’s career’s likely done, which makes Keenum the automatic starter in D.C.
Even with Keenum, Washington’s a longshot to get AB.
Murray Bombs in Interviews
Per NFL Network commentator Charley Casserly, Kyler Murray bombed during the interview process at last weekend’s NFL Combine. Murray, the Heisman Trophy Winner and projected first pick in April’s NFL Draft, had trouble drawing up plays on the big board and didn’t provide the necessary answers teams look for from quarterback prospects to assess their leadership skills.
If Casserly’s right, Murray could fall out of Round 1. Right now, new Arizona head coach Kliff Klingsbury wans to draft Murray with the Cardinals’ first pick in Round 1. Klingsbury recruited Murray and believes in his skills.
But, Murray’s still a short quarterback, measuring 5’ 10”, who wanted to play baseball until winning the Heisman Trophy. His football knowledge might not be where it must to succeed at the highest level. We’ll see how Arizona plays this. Right now, it’s hard to see Zona not picking DE Nick Bosa over Murray unless they can package the first pick for two picks in Round 1.
Nick Foles a Jaguar? Everyone Thinks So
Officially, the Jacksonville Jaguars can’t say anything until March 13, but off the record, they’ve already made it known that Nick Foles will be their starting quarterback this season. Foles, whom the Eagles allowed to pursue other opportunities by not franchising him this year, is the biggest free agent prize once the clock strikes 4:00 pm on March 13.
He’s already a Jaguar per every NFL analyst in the world. Nick signing with Jacksonville makes a lot of sense. The Jaguars boast a decent defense, meaning he’ll get the ball plenty of times, a good rushing attack, a great front office led by Tom Coughlin, and a team looking for a leader. Foles might not have the best quarterback skills of any signal-caller in the NFL, but his leadership skills are up there with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger.
If the Jaguars can add pieces to their offensive line in the draft, with Foles under center, they become contenders again.
Next week’s NFL Update should be a awesome! The dominoes will fall quickly once teams are able to sign free agents. Plus, we’ll know where AB has landed.
Have a great week!
