7.18.22: Watson, Jimmy, Hockenson, Mac, Penny, Treylon

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Watson

Deshaun Watson is expected to play at “some point this season”

Details:?The?insight?comes from Mary Kay Cabot (Cleveland Plains Dealer), who writes…

• "There's growing sentiment within league circles that Watson will play at some point this season despite the NFL arguing for an indefinite suspension of at least the full season with a chance to apply for reinstatement afterwards.”

Announcement:?Mike Florio thinks Judge Sue L. Robinson (the jointly appointed disciplinary officer) will announce Watson’s punishment status within the?next?two weeks.

Plan:?If Watson receives a lengthy suspension, the Browns will sign a backup for interim starter Jacoby Brissett.

• Free agent quarterbacks include Cam Newton, Mike Glennon, and A.J. McCarron.

Image: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

Jimmy

Tony Romo thinks the 49ers will hold Jimmy Garoppolo until his value goes up

Details:?Rather than release Garoppolo (a move that would immediately clear over $25 million in cap space), Romo thinks the 49ers will?trade?him once another team experiences a quarterback injury.

• Romo:?"I think the Niners are staying pat. Because as soon as a quarterback gets injured in camp or in preseason, something usually happens where someone gets banged up. … That'll be when the value will go up, and the 49ers will get more value than they're getting right now. I think that's when they're going to pull the trigger.”

Throwing:?Garoppolo, who underwent shoulder surgery in March, has been cleared to throw — which is a sign that he’ll be able to pass a physical once traded.

Image: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

Hockenson

Lions want to sign T.J. Hockenson to an extension

Details:?According to Jeremy Fowler (ESPN), the Lions are “expected to prioritize” an extension for Hockenson?before?the 2022 season begins.

• Hockenson is signed through the 2023 season.

Profile:?Hockenson, the ninth overall pick of the 2019 draft, caught 61 of 84 targets (72.6% catch-rate) for 583 yards and 4 touchdowns over twelve games last season.

• The 6-foot-5, 248-pounder was recently ranked as the NFL’s seventh-best tight end in ESPN’s polling of various coaches, players and executives.

$$$:?Hockenson will likely target a deal in the range of Dallas Goedert ($14.25 million per season) and George Kittle ($15 million per season).

Image: Steven King/Icon Sportswire

Mac

Connor Orr expects Mac Jones to have a very successful second season

Details:?Orr (Sports Illustrated)?thinks?Jones will throw for 4,000-plus yards, have a 30:10 TD:INT ratio, and finish the season as one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks.

• Statistically and?according?to PFF, Jones was the best rookie quarterback last season.

4,000:?Getting past 4,000 yards shouldn’t be much of an issue for Jones, who threw for 3,801 yards as a rookie. The offseason additions of DeVante Parker and second-round rookie Tyquan Thornton (the fastest player in the draft) should lead to more downfield chunk plays.

30:10:?Jones threw for 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. It stands to reason that the coaching staff will allow him to air the ball out more in year two — so the touchdowns should increase. Though staying under ten interceptions seems like a challenge — especially in a division full of talented secondaries...

• Dolphins:?Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, Jevon Holland
• Bills:?Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde
• Jets:?Sauce Gardner

Efficient:?Orr notes that Jones, who completed 67.6% of his passes, had a better “play success percentage” than Joe Burrow last year. He also points out that Jones ranked 11th in EPA+CPOE composite — which is a measurement of a quarterback’s overall efficiency.

Image: Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire

Penny

Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny is expected to handle 20 carries per game

Details:?The projection comes from Bob Condotta (Seattle Times), who expects Penny to?operate?as the team’s primary back.

Breakout:?Over the final five games of last season, Penny averaged 20.25 carries, 134 rushing yards, and 1.2 rushing touchdowns.

• If he can somehow maintain those averages over a complete 17-game season, Penny would be on track for 2,278 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Durability:?Penny will need to stay healthy to hit those numbers — since entering the league in 2018, he has missed 28 games.

SEA RB Depth:?Penny will share backfield work with rookie second-rounder Ken Walker. If he can gain medical clearance, Chris Carson (neck) could also become a factor.

Image: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire

Treylon

Titans rookie WR Treylon Burks will be ready for training camp

Details:?The insight comes from Titans receiver coach Rob Moore, who expects Burks to be?ready?for on-field participation later this month.

• Burks was unavailable for minicamp in June due to asthma and conditioning issues.

Role:?According to Turron Davenport (ESPN), the Titans are “relying on Burks to have a significant impact after trading Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles.”

• As a rookie in 2019, Brown caught 52 passes for 1,052 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Arkansas:?Burks was one of college football’s top playmakers. At Arkansas last season, he averaged 9.4 yards after the catch and scored 11 touchdowns.

TEN WR Depth:?In addition to Burks, the Titans have Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dez Fitzpatrick, Racey McGarth, and fifth-round rookie Kyle Phillips.

Image: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

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