USA TODAY US Edition

Combine over, but teams have more work to do

Decisions to make on key players, free agents

- Mike Jones

INDIANAPOL­IS – The NFL scouting combine will conclude with Monday’s defensive backs workouts.

But the work continues for the league’s teams.

The franchise tag deadline looms Tuesday, and free agency begins next week. Meanwhile, personnel department­s will continue draft evaluation­s, cross-referencin­g findings from Indianapol­is with reports obtained during the college season and subsequent film study.

The time spent at the combine serves as more than just an evaluation period for draft prospects. As club decisionma­kers convene, a good deal of scuttlebut­t is generated about incoming players and the comings and goings of veterans. Here are some of the key takeaways from the last few days (and nights) on the scene in Indy.

❚ Free agency’s top names: The Kirk Cousins watch is officially on, with the soon-to-be-former Washington Redskins quarterbac­k’s list of suitors expected to feature the Cardinals, Jets, Broncos and Vikings. The consensus in NFL circles is that Minnesota, equipped with a strong defense and plentiful offensive weapons, has the best chance of landing him. The Jets want him badly and have the cap room to offer a contract that would likely feature an annual salary of about $30 million. But New York is seeming more resigned to the fact that it will lose out to a team better prepared to win immediatel­y.

Denver’s players (notably Von Miller) have publicly lobbied for Cousins, and management likes him. However, club officials believe there’s some validity to the criticism Cousins receives for holes in his game (especially red-zone and late-game situations). It will be interestin­g to see how earnestly the Broncos pursue him. Denver could be content to sign a more affordable veteran.

Meanwhile, a number of teams are monitoring the Rams, who have three key free agents: safety Lamarcus Joyner, cornerback Trumaine Johnson and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Joyner is considered the priority. With a number of teams rating him as their top safety target, general manager Les Snead might have to franchise Joyner. Los Angeles doesn’t want to lose Watkins either, especially after trading Buffalo a second-round pick for him last year. But with few top-flight receivers available, another team will pounce if Watkins goes free.

Seahawks deep threat Paul Richardson could be the consolatio­n prize for teams losing out on the Watkins sweepstake­s. Richardson averaged 16.0 yards per catch last season and had six touchdown grabs (second among free agents to Watkins’ eight).

❚ Down year for rookie receivers and pass rushers: This draft won’t feature many dominant or prototypic­al players on the edge. There are several ’tweeners who either lack the length of a 3-4 linebacker or are too undersized to play on the line.

The receiver class is also underwhelm­ing. This year’s group was slow compared to previous years. That will likely prompt teams to wait until the second and third rounds, where these wideouts will be considered good value.

❚ Rookie quarterbac­ks: Baker Mayfield impressed in interviews, according to multiple team officials who spoke to USA TODAY on condition of anonymity because they didn’t want to reveal their club’s findings. The Oklahoma quarterbac­k was undaunted by questions about his off-field incidents and addressed them with honesty and transparen­cy, just as he said he would. Mayfield’s performanc­e in workouts also pleasantly surprised many teams.

Despite chatter about a positional switch, which seems more media-generated than anything, officials from many teams believe Lamar Jackson has what it takes to play quarterbac­k in the NFL. His workouts revealed both great potential and room for refinement. The best situation for Jackson involves going to a team where he can learn behind an establishe­d veteran. If a team does need Jackson to play immediatel­y, expect it to cater to his multidimen­sional strengths and perhaps routinely let him work out of the shotgun.

Southern California’s Sam Darnold drew mixed reviews for his decision not to throw at the combine. Those disappoint­ed by his choice believe Darnold should have jumped at the opportunit­y to showcase his skills while competing with other quarterbac­ks. Others think Darnold’s game film better displays his ability anyway and pointed to a number of prospects from previous years (Matthew Stafford, Sam Bradford, Andrew Luck) who didn’t throw.

❚ Barkley and the rest: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is obviously a stud. He dazzled in workouts and interviews and has the chance to become the first running back taken No. 1 since Ki-Jana Carter in 1995.

But there might not be another firstround back in the bunch. Some evaluators see Georgia’s Sony Michael as the next-best back, while others praise LSU’s Derrius Guice. This largely comes down to fit.

But this is indeed a crop of runners that boast good talent and versatilit­y.

 ?? BRIAN SPURLOCK/USA TODAY SPORTS ?? North Carolina State defensive lineman Bradley Chubb gets measured during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
BRIAN SPURLOCK/USA TODAY SPORTS North Carolina State defensive lineman Bradley Chubb gets measured during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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