7.7.22: Baker, Buccaneers, Ravens, Jameis, Goldman, Bubble

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Baker

Panthers trade for Baker Mayfield; plan to keep Sam Darnold

Compensation:?The Browns will?receive?a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick (which can become a fourth-round selection if Mayfield plays 70% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps in 2022).

Financial Terms:?Mayfield accepted a $3.5 million pay cut to facilitate the deal. He will be paid $15.4 million this upcoming season — with the Browns paying 10.5 million and the Panthers paying $4.9 million.

• The trade will save the Browns over $8 million in salary-cap space.
• Mayfield can earn back the $3.5 million via incentives from the Panthers.

Fit in CAR:?Mayfield will have some big weapons to work with in Carolina, most notably Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore — who are both game-changing Pro Bowl talents when healthy.

• Mayfield will also be protected by an upstart offensive line, that features LT Ikem Ekownu (sixth overall pick of the draft), LG Brady Christensen (61.6 PFF grade), C Bradley Bozeman (73.3 PFF grade), RG Austin Corbett (68.8 PFF grade), and RT Taylor Moton (77.5 PFF grade).

Darnold:?The Panthers are expected to?keep?Sam Darnold, who will compete with Mayfield for the job during training camp and the preseason. Darnold went 4-7 over 11 starts last year.

Legacy in CLE:?Mayfield, who the Browns selected first overall in 2018, finishes his time in Cleveland with a career record of 29-30. Over four seasons, he completed 61.6% of his passes for 14,125 yards, 92 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions.

Impact in CLE:?The Browns will move forward with Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs as backups to Deshaun Watson. If/when Watson is suspended, the team could explore trading for an upgrade.

Image: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Buccaneers

Buccaneers linked to TE Kyle Rudolph

Details:?Greg Auman (The Athletic) expects the Bucs to?sign?a veteran tight end at some point this month and has mentioned Kyle Rudolph as a possible addition on more than one occasion.

TE Depth:?With Rob Gronkowski retired (for now at least), the only tight end on the roster with more than one NFL reception is Cam Brate, who caught 30 of 57 targets (52.6% catch-rate) for 245 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. The other tight ends include rookie third-rounder Cade Otton (Washington) and rookie sixth-rounder Ko Kieft (Minnesota).

• Otton (6-5, 247) caught 28 of 43 targets (65.1% catch-rate) for 250 yards and 1 touchdown over eight games last season.
• Kieft is considered more of a blocking specialist than pass-catcher.

Rudolph Profile:?Rudolph, 32, reeled in 26 of 39 targets (66.7% catch-rate) for 257 yards and 1 touchdown with the Giants last season. Across his 11-year career, he has 479 receptions, 4,475 yards, and 49 touchdowns.

Other Options:?Jared Cook and Eric Ebron are also available as free agents. If the Bucs explore a trade, Dalton Schultz (who is in a contract dispute with the Cowboys) could be a possibility.

Image: Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire

Ravens

Ravens likely to sign a veteran pass-rusher before training camp

Details:?Jeff Zrebiec (The Athletic) specifically?names?Justin Houston and Jason Pierre Paul as possible signings.

• Houston started fifteen games for the Ravens last season and recorded 4.5 sacks.
• Pierre-Paul, who visited with the Ravens last month, recorded 2.5 sacks over twelve games with the Buccaneers.

Depth Issues:?The Ravens are expecting a “big second-year jump” from Odafe Oweh (who tallied 5 sacks as a rookie) — but have little depth behind him, following the tragic death of Jaylon Ferguson and uncertain recovery timeline of Tyus Bowser (Achilles).

• The Ravens did use a second-round pick on David Ojabo, though he too is recovering from an Achilles tear and is unlikely to play until later in the season.

Image: Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire

Winston

Saints QB Jameis Winston throwing without a knee brace

Details:?Winston, who tore his ACL last Halloween, posted a video of himself throwing?without?a brace earlier this week.

• Winston wore a brace during OTAs and minicamp and was said to be moving with a limp.

Winston in 2021:?Before suffering the ACL injury, Winston led the Saints to a 5-2 record. He completed 59% of his passes for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

Upside:?Last season, Winston’s top receivers were Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway. This season, he’ll be throwing to Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and rookie first-rounder Chris Olave — needless to say, a solid season could be in store.

Image: Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire

Goldman

Falcons sign DT Eddie Goldman

Details:?The contract is for?one?year. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

Profile:?Goldman was considered one of the league’s better nose tackles a few seasons ago — he signed a four-year, $42 million extension with the Bears in 2018 — but he opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID and struggled upon returning last season (39.8 PFF grade).

• Goldman earned a solid 70.7 PFF grade in 2019 and an elite 87.3 in 2018.

Fit in ATL:?It would not be surprising to see Goldman win the starting nose tackle job in Atlanta, as the Falcons lack an established option at the position. Goldman will join a defensive line that includes 2x Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett, Anthony Rush (who made six starts last season), 2021 fifth-rounder Ta’Quon Graham, and 2020 second-rounder Marlon Humphrey.

• The Falcons allowed the sixth-most rushing yards (131.9 per game) in the league last season.

Image: Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire

Bubble

Jets WR Denzel Mims and Jaguars OLB K’Lavon Chaisson are on the roster bubble

Mims:?According to Rich Cimini (ESPN), Mims has “struggled to gain footing” with the current coaching staff. The 2020 second-rounder only has 31 catches for 490 yards and no touchdowns through two seasons.

• Mims is behind Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Braxton Berrios on the depth chart. If he doesn’t stand out during training camp, a trade or release seems likely.

Chaisson:?Michael DiRocco (ESPN) writes that a disappointing training camp performance from Chaisson will put his roster spot in jeopardy. The 2020 first-rounder only has 2 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in 31 game appearances.

• Number one overall pick Travon Walker is expected to take Chaisson’s spot in the starting lineup.

Also on the Bubble:?Giants WR Darius Slayton, Cardinals WR Andy Isabella, and Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell will also be?fighting?for roster spots during training camp.

Image: Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire

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