8.8.22: Dolphins, Kareem, Gabriel, Packers, Dameon, Lock

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Dolphins

Barry Jackson does not expect the Dolphins to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo

Background:?On Saturday, former Dolphins executive (and current ESPN insider) Mike Tannebaum said that if Tua Tagovailoa struggles during the preseason, he’d “keep an eye” on a Garoppolo-to-Miami trade.

• Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel served as Garoppolo’s offensive coordinator in San Francisco last season.

Surprised:?In response to Tannebaum’s speculation, Jackson (Miami Herald) tweeted that he’d be “surprised” to see the Dolphins deal for Garoppolo and that it would be a mistake to judge Tagovailoa based on preseason performance alone.

Optimism:?Jackson went on to tweet that everyone within the organization is “rooting” for Tagovailoa to succeed and that there is optimism a solid season is ahead. The 24-year-old has been having an impressive training camp.

More Dolphins News...

• Chase Edmonds has been a training camp?standout?at running back.
• McDaniel said he will “not play it safe” with the tight end position.
• The defense has?not?been able to stop Tyreek Hill.

Image: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Browns

The Browns have rejected Kareem Hunt’s trade request

Details:?Hunt, who is entering a contract year,?requested?to be “paid or traded” on Friday. He also began skipping competitive team drills.

Response:?The Browns responded to Hunt by?denying?his trade request and threatening fines.

Result:?For now, the threat of fines has worked — Hunt fully?participated?in team drills on Sunday. Though multiple Browns reporters think a trade could eventually happen, as the team is?unlikely?to offer a contract extension.

RB Depth:?Hunt is slated to be Nick Chubb’s top backup. Though the team does have some intriguing options — in the form of D’Ernest Johnson and fifth round rookie Jerome Ford — should they move on.

Image: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire

Gabriel

Gabriel Davis was the "best pass catcher on the field" during the Bills' scrimmage

Details:?Davis caught 5 of 6 targets for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. He even outproduced Stefon Diggs, who caught 5 of 8 passes for 49 yards and no touchdowns.

Dominant:?Joe Buscaglia (The Athletic)?wrote: “The third-year receiver was getting open at will against the top cornerbacks the defense had to offer. Whether it was on short routes, in intermediate areas or deep down the field, Davis was getting open and making the defense pay.”

Big Season Ahead:?Davis, who only started four games last year, will enter the 2022 season as the unquestioned starter opposite Diggs. If training camp has been any indication, he will be heavily targeted by Josh Allen.

More Bills News...

• First-round rookie CB Kaiir Elam has struggled in camp and could be passed by sixth-round rookie Christian Benford on the depth chart.
• Apart from a 24-yard run by Devin Singletary, the running game failed to get going during the scrimmage.
• Rookie Matt Araiza appears to be winning the punter competition.

Image: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

Packers

Packers among teams showing interest in Odell Beckham

Details:?According to Ian Rapoport, Beckham continues to?receive?interest from “contending teams” like the Packers and Rams.

• Rapoport also revealed that the Bucs had some interest in Beckham before signing Julio Jones.

First Half:?Beckham is still recovering from his Super Bowl ACL tear and is expected to miss the first half of the 2022 season.

Signing:?Rapoport does not believe a signing is imminent and thinks Beckham could wait until October or early November before coming to an agreement.

Packers:?Green Bay’s interest is not surprising considering the team’s unproven depth chart. As it stands now, fourth-round rookie Romeo Doubs is in line for a “prominent role.”

More Packers News...

• S Darnell Savage suffered what is believed to be a?minor?hamstring injury.
• OL Elgton Jenkins (2020 Pro Bowler) is likely to?open?the season on the PUP list.

Image: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

Dameon

Dameon Pierce “looks like the Texans’ best running back”

Details:?The observation comes from DJ Bien-Aime (ESPN), who adds that Pierce has?displayed?impressive vision, footwork, and explosiveness during training camp.

• Sarah Barshop (also from ESPN), has previously?written?that Pierce should receive “plenty of opportunities to take the lead back spot by the end of the season.”

RB Depth:?Pierce, who earned the highest PFF rushing grade (93.5) in college football last year, is competing for a role with underwhelming veterans Marlon Mack (3.6 ypc) and Rex Burkhead (3.5 ypc).

Big Opportunity:?The rookie is expected to see a lot of action in the Texans’ preseason opener against the Saints on Saturday.

More Texans News...

• CB Derek Stingley Jr. (the third overall pick of the draft) is on track for Week 1.
• Bien-Aime thinks TE Brevin Jordan could?finish?the season with 500-600 yards and 5-8 touchdowns.

Image: Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire

Lock

Drew Lock outplays Geno Smith in mock game

Details:?The Seahawks held a mock game on Saturday and Lock — according to seemingly every Seahawks reporter in attendance — clearly outplayed Smith.

Lock:?Gregg Bell (The News Tribune)?charted?Lock as having completed 18-of-27 passes for 185 yards. One of the completions was an impressive 30-yard pass to DK Metcalf. Three of Lock’s four drives ended in a score.

Smith:?Smith, on the other hand, completed just 10-of-19 passes for 94 yards and nearly threw an interception. Three of Smith’s five drives ended in a punt.

Dynamic:?Bell described the offense as “more dynamic and tougher to defend with Lock” than it was with the more “static, pocket-passing Smith.”

QB1:?Despite Lock’s superior showing, it was Smith who took all the?starting?reps at practice the next day. Though the competition will ultimately come down to preseason performance. Seattle plays Pittsburgh on Saturday.

More Seahawks News:

• Rookie RB Ken Walker scored a touchdown during the mock game.
• OLB Darrell Taylor has been dominant as a pass rusher and appears primed for a breakout year.

Image: John Jones/Icon Sportswire

More News

• Chiefs?RB Isiah Pachecho continues to get starting reps
• Chiefs?released CB DeAndre Baker
• Jets?visited with LT Duane Brown
• Steelers?list Kenny Pickett as the No. 3 QB on the depth chart
• Buccaneers?WR Mike Evans has a minor hamstring injury
• Buccaneers?WR Chris Godwin (ACL) returned to practice on a limited basis