4th & Monday: These are the best free agents -- and the teams that will pursue them
We've been waiting, with bated breath, for the outcome to the Antonio Brown saga.
Late Saturday night, it finally came to a fitting conclusion.
Brown will be trading in the Steelers' signature black and gold for the Raiders' iconic silver and black.
Turned out, Brown had leverage. The Steelers, meanwhile, paid a heavy price to rid themselves of the disgruntled receiver, getting only a third- and fifth-round draft pick for a seven-time Pro Bowler who has twice led the league in receptions and receiving yards, and led the NFL in touchdown catches last season. The Raiders kept their three first-round picks, and should be an improved team with Brown added to the mix.
Now, can we get Jon Gruden's Raiders on HBO's "Hard Knocks"?
Your Monday must-reads
- Free-agent frenzy just around the corner: Free agency will kick off officially this week (Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET), so we get you ready for it with a list of the top 25 players on the market.
- Big spenders: Mike Jones tells us which teams will be the most aggressive in free agency and are poised to spend some cash to get key parts.
- Steelers take a big loss: In absorbing a $21 million cap hit and getting back third- and fifth-round picks for Antonio Brown, the Steelers got minimal return for a top talent.
- Should Raiders double down on former Steelers? After acquiring Brown, the Raiders could sign Le'Veon Bell, too. Why not? Oakland has the cap space.
- The B&B Lombardi Factory keeps rolling along: New England is just smarter than every other team. We were reminded of that fact again when the Patriots swung a deal with the Eagles for star pass rusher Michael Bennett.
- NFL prospects know the dangers of concussions: NFL draft prospects have grown up in an age of enlightenment with concussion protocols. Yet, they still dismiss concerns about long-term health.
- David Irving rips NFL drug policy: The suspended Cowboys defensive lineman went on Instagram Live to criticize the NFL's drug policy. As part of his rant, he said he is leaving the league.
- 7 possible destinations for Josh Rosen: If Arizona opts to draft Kyler Murray with the No. 1 pick, Rosen could be on the move. Where might last year's No. 10 overall selection land?
- Lincoln Riley defends Kyler Murray: After questionable comments about Kyler Murray emerged from the NFL combine, the Oklahoma coach backed up the QB, calling him "tremendous leader."
Players on the move
Unfettered free agency doesn't commence until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but teams have been busy making moves. Six players received franchise tags. Here are some of the other key transactions:
- Giants to trade Olivier Vernon to Browns for Kevin Zeitler: The Giants will trade their high-priced pass rusher for needed offensive line help.
- Rams sign Eric Weddle: Three days after releasing two veteran players, the Rams added Weddle, who was cut last week by the Ravens.
- Dolphins release Danny Amendola: Former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola was released by the Dolphins on Friday, just one year after signing with the team.
- Eagles to trade Michael Bennett to Patriots: Philadelphia is poised to trade the Pro Bowl pass rusher on the heels of a nine-sack season.
- Jaguars cleared $30M in cap space by cutting five veterans: Former Pro Bowl defenders Malik Jackson and Tashaun Gipson were among the players released by Jacksonville.
- Redskins acquire QB Case Keenum in trade with Broncos: By acquiring Case Keenum, the Redskins could have a stopgap solution should veteran Alex Smith not be ready for the 2019 season.
- Bears sign Chris Blewitt: The Bears had kicking woes last season, so what did the team do? It went out and signed a kicker with a most unfortunate name.
- Cardinals trade for tackle, announce release of two veterans: The Cardinals have acquired Marcus Gilbert from the Steelers, while also releasing Antoine Bethea and Mike Glennon.
- Browns cut Jamie Collins: Collins arrived in Cleveland carrying great expectations after his time with the Patriots, but the LB is out after two and a half seasons.
- Lions release T.J. Lang: Lang was one of two big-ticket offensive linemen the Lions signed in 2017. The veteran guard now is contemplating retirement.
2019 NFL draft: Mocks, rankings and more
There are just 45 more sleeps until the 2019 NFL draft.
- Post-combine mock draft: Take a look at how the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis shook up our latest first-round projection.
- 32 things we learned from the combine: There was plenty of action both on and off the field in Indianapolis at the combine. Here's the information you need to know.
- Combine winners and losers: A totally jacked D.K. Metcalf grabbed plenty of headlines at the combine, but he's not the only draft prospect who attracted attention.
- NFL draft diary: Easton Stick won three titles in four years at North Dakota State, but now he's taking on a new challenge as he tries to catch on as an NFL quarterback.
Meanwhile in The Alliance
- Will NFL teams loan QBs and other players to AAF? There's an idea floating around for NFL teams to assign their No. 3 quarterback and others from the bottom half of their roster to the AAF to get more playing time. Could it really work?
- Broncos want NFL to adopt AAF rule: The Alliance has a wild onside kick rule, and the Broncos have suggested the league borrow the AAF’s exciting revision of onside kickoffs.
Join the conversation in our NFL Facebook group!
If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join The Ruling Off the Field to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders.
Want to keep this conversation going? Head to Facebook, and/or give a Twitter follow to your friendly neighborhood Paste BN Sports football guy who put together this newsletter, @jimreineking.