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10 storylines to watch as NFL combine begins
Draft, trades, free agency to dominate chatter in Indianapolis
The NFL scouting combine isn’t just about workouts and interviews for the 2019 draft prospects. Indianapolis becomes the center of the NFL universe for an entire week as teams and agents discuss contracts, setting the foundation for free agency, which officially starts on March 13, and teams discuss possible trades.
Many established veterans will also learn how much their existing team values them as free agency approaches, or if they’ll become unemployed in the coming weeks if they don’t agree to take a pay cut.
Here is a look at 10 storylines that will dominate the NFL combine:
Which veterans will get the franchise tag? Teams have until 4 p.m. on March 5 to put franchise tags on their most valuable players but very few teams have players worthy of that inflated payday, which is the average of the top-five player salaries at each position, this year. Pro Bowl defenders Jadaveon Clowney, C.J. Mosley, DeMarcus Lawrence and safety Landon Collins are among the players who are candidates to be tagged this offseason.
Players typically dislike receiving the tag because they’d rather land a multi-year deal with at least two years of guaranteed money instead of a one-year, fully guaranteed contract. If a franchise misplays its hand, it could ruin its relationship with an elite talent.
Who will trade for Antonio Brown? Brown, the NFL’s most explosive receiver, is seeking a divorce from the Steelers, and general manager Kevin Colbert told the NFL Network that three teams have already checked on the asking price. But who will be willing to send Pittsburgh a high draft pick for the animated Miami native, who has scored 74 touchdowns in his nine seasons in the league?
Brown, who is owed a $2.5 million roster bonus on March 18th, doesn’t just want a new team. He also wants a new contract from his next employer. Indianapolis and San Francisco have a ton of cap space. But do they want a receiver who has intentionally worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh?
Who will become the highest bidder for Le’Veon Bell?
Bell, a threetime Pro Bowler, sat out all of the 2018 season with the goal of hitting this year’s free-agent market healthy and fresh. The Steelers are not tagging the five-year veteran this time around, so he’ll likely be signing with the highest bidder.
Bell’s goal is to become the highest-paid tailback in the NFL, surpassing the deals Todd Gurley (four years, $57.5 million from the Los Angeles Rams) and David Johnson (three years, $39 million from Arizona) recently received. But will NFL owners make an example out of him for sitting out a season?
Which established veterans will be released?
Plenty of former Pro Bowlers will be looking for new homes in the coming weeks because their contracts don’t match their production level anymore. There are a lot of whispers about Buffalo moving on from tailback LeSean McCoy. The New York Giants and defensive end Olivier Vernon could also be severing ties.
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and receiver DeSean Jackson’s futures in Tampa Bay aren’t guaranteed, and the Dolphins will make a number of cuts, likely releasing veterans like defensive end Robert Quinn and receiver DeVante Parker. Any player released by their team before the new league year starts can sign immediately with another franchise, therefore setting the freeagent market.
Will Jaguars trade for Eagles quarterback Nick Foles?
Foles, the MVP of Super Bowl LII, will likely be the hottest veteran quarterback on the market. Problem is, the Eagles are holding onto his rights and will likely place the franchise tag on Foles with the goal of trading him. There has been widespread speculation that he’ll soon be reunited with John DeFilippo, his former quarterback coach in Philadelphia, who was hired as Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator earlier this year. But it’s possible another team — like Washington – will get involved in the bidding if they’d prefer Foles over Case Keenum, who will likely be moved by Denver because of its acquisition of Joe Flacco from Baltimore for a 2019 fourthround pick.
Can Dolphins move Ryan Tannehill for a draft pick?
We’ll soon learn Tannehill’s true value. The Dolphins are expected to shop Tannehill at this week’s NFL combine with the goal of unloading his $18.75 million contract for a draft pick.
But Miami will need to find a team willing to acquire the seven-year veteran and his contract instead of waiting for him to become an unrestricted free agent when/if the Dolphins release him. Problem is, only Washington, Jacksonville and Miami are in the market for a starting quarterback at this time. Trading Tannehill will create nearly $13.2 million in cap space while designating him a June 1 release would create $18.75 million savings. Interested teams might prefer to wait for Tannehill’s release so they can sign him for half his current salary — if not less.
Which position will get a market correction this year?
Every year it seems that NFL teams collectively decide to give one position the cold shoulder, correcting the price-point they pay in free agency. Last year, it was safeties who got the squeeze since most had to accept one-year deals that paid them far below their value. This year, it could be receivers or offensive linemen who are penalized. That could drastically impact some of the top free agents like tackles Ja’Wuan James and Trent Brown, and receivers Jamison Crowder and Golden Tate.
Will Kyler Murray run and
throw at the combine? No quarterback ever has run faster than a 4.3 at the combine, and Murray could shatter that time if he decides to run. Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner will likely be scrutinized for his 5-foot-9 frame, but he can silence all his critics by proving he’s the best athlete at the combine. However, most teams would prefer to see Murray throw to receivers he’s never worked with, testing his accuracy and ball placement. If Murray decides to skip the throwing and only do it at his pro day, expect plenty of NFL teams to leave Indianapolis sulking.
Which defensive lineman will make a push for the No. 1 pick?
The first round of the 2019 NFL draft will feature more than half a dozen defensive linemen being selected, but it is possible that one could join Myles Garrett and Jadaveon Clowney as a defensive player taken first overall this past decade. South Florida’s Nick Bosa sat out most of his junior season at Ohio State to preserve his body for the NFL. Will that be held against him, opening the door for Quinnen Williams or Josh Allen to be the first defensive lineman selected? The combine offers each a chance to separate themselves from the pack.
Will Robert Kraft get suspended by the NFL?
It is highly likely that the NFL will have to punish Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who is facing two counts of misdemeanor solicitation of a prostitute connected to a sting at a massage parlor in Jupiter. This is about the scandal embarrassing the league, and putting a negative light on its owners. The NFL makes an example of every player that violates its personal conduct policy, so don’t be surprised if the 31 other owner’s make an example of Kraft, eventually suspending him for a portion of the 2019 season, and/or dispensing a hefty fine.