Huwebes, Hunyo 30, 2022

[Tom Brady] Ant I know the money is good but you’re playing the wrong sport bro. @NFL

Looks like Tom Brady is trying to recruit Anthony Edwards to the NFL following his post of him playing football:

Ant I know the money is good but you’re playing the wrong sport bro. @NFL

Anthony Edwards:

I do this man @SportsCenter

[Trey Smith] What if America’s best athletes played soccer instead of their current sports? Would America be the most dominate country?

https://twitter.com/treysmith/status/1542220983913705472?s=20&t=M3FIdyWPO77kogXVJe4VDw

[Cole] Ja Morant has paid to refurbish 13 basketball courts in Memphis

https://twitter.com/DamichaelC/status/1541926551675084800

Fred VanVleet has no chill and crosses over several of his campers.

https://ift.tt/ehyoutj

r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season - #80-71

Welcome to the reveal for players ranked 80-71 for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

Players whose average rank landed them in places 80-71 are on this portion of the list revealed today. Players are associated with the team they finished playing for in 2021

Below you will see some write-ups from the rankers summarizing the players’ 2021 season and why they were among the best in 2021. Stats for each player are included below. Additionally, their ranks from previous years are available for y’all to see

METHODOLOGY

Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology

Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Super Bowl
Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 10 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2021
Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2021 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.
Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.
Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/mattkud , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes
Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!

And without further ado, here are the players ranked 90-81 in the r/nfl Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

#80 - Tyler Lockett - Seattle Seahawks - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

Highest passer rating this season when targeted against man coverage in the NFL

Written by: u/MattyT7

Before the 2021 season began, I would not have predicted Tyler to be the best offensive player for the Seahawks on the season. While part of that may have something to do with the Seahawks struggles on the year, it cannot be emphasized enough how good Tyler Lockett is at doing his job.

At a glance, Lock had one of the best seasons of his career, grabbing 73 passes for 1175 yards (career high) and 8 touchdowns despite having less targets and receptions than his previous two seasons, returning to his 16+ yards/reception form. He is second to none in tracking the ball while in the air, a trait perfectly put on display in his electric performance in week 1 against the colts. He followed up that 100 yard/2 TD performance with a 178 yard/1 TD performance against the titans, again showing off his tracking ability and knack for getting open and making plays. Detractors often point at Lockett’s game logs without watching the games and say “but he disappears so often!” Well hey, detractor, listen up! I’m talking to you! Game logs do not tell full stories, as evidenced by the first Rams game. Lock was interfered with on one 50+ yarder and then NARROWLY MISSED by Russ on, yup you guessed it, another 50 yard strike! (not to mention having a touchdown called back on what was, if I recall, a suspect holding call). He is such an explosive, dangerous threat that must be accounted for or he will make you pay. While I will very much miss the Russ-Tyler moonball connections, Tyler has shown time and time again that he is elite at getting open and making plays. His releases and routes are absolutely nasty, and he will have no problem giving whomever the Seahawks line up under center an open target. He often and easily shakes defenders on release, and if they manage to hang with him, he’ll end up losing them somewhere on his route. The question now becomes whether or not Geno Smith/Drew Lock will be able to hit water falling out of a boat (pain). If the Seahawks don’t screw things up with DK, this duo will continue to be electric and the bright spot of this team going forward.

Tyler Lockett is an incredible wide receiver and often flies under a lot of people’s radars. His connection with Russell Wilson will be sorely missed, but he possesses all of the tools to continue to put up numbers for this offense. He can get open against the best of them and will absolutely dominate the average of them.

#79 - Kenny Clark - Green Bay Packers - Interior Defensive Line (IDL)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	49	48	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

T4 among IDL’s in QB Hits with 10, 2nd in hurries with 51, 4th in pass rush win rate 16.2%

Written by: u/futur3perfect

It's hard to believe but Kenny Clark has played in 89 games over six seasons for the Packers, starting in all of them as a nose tackle since his sophmore season. For most of that time he has been a force on the inside of the line. After a bit of a down year in 2020, he came roaring back in 2021 and re-stablished himself as one of the best interior linemen in all of football, earning his second pro bowl. That made him only the third Packer defensive tackle to make multiple pro bowls over the course of his career.

Clark's best asset is in applying pressure to the QB. He has insane acceleration for someone who weighs in at over 300 pounds. Check out this sack of Justin Fields where he explodes up the middle. While he only had 4.0 sacks on the year, down from his high of 6.0 in both 2018 & 2019, they don't tell the whole story. Per PFF he had 62 pressures, which puts him top 5 at his position with an 8.2% pressure rate. This is comparable to fellow top 100 players Aaron Donald (8.3%), Javon Hargrave (8.4%), and Jonathan Allen (8.7%). He may not always get the sack, but his presence is definitely felt by the opposing team and QB, such as when his pressure on Joe Burrow led to an interception.

Clark could still improve his run-stopping ability, as he only recorded 28 stops on the season and had a PFF grade in that area of 54. But he was still able to make big plays in this area despite his inconsistency. His size and speed allowed him to fight through double-teams and stop runs in the backfield. He also played clean and finished the season with 0 penalties.

In a world where the QB is king, watch out. Kenny Clark is coming for that crown.

#78 - Mike Evans - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
90	48	51	N/A	19	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

21st century players with multiple 1000 yard seasons with more than a sixth of their catches being touchdowns: Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Mike Evans

Written by: u/MysticTyph00n

2021 was yet another all around solid season for Mike Evans, which saw him meet some pretty significant career & franchise records. First off, he extended his own NFL record of 1000 yard seasons to begin a career to 8, a streak I'd imagine a lot of Bucs fans would love to see extended further especially with the up-and-coming young receiving talent these past few years in the draft. Next, he claimed the franchise record for touchdowns scored surpassing the great Mike Alstott who had 71.

Oh, and who could forget this moment.

His most significant stat this season however had to be his 14 rec. TD stat line (redzone threat bby) that was good for 2nd in the league behind Cooper Kupp and tied with Deebo Samuel. It also is yet another franchise record broken that was held by ......now let me see.... ah, Mike Evans. (Spoiler, Mike Evans holds the top 4 TD seasons in franchise history)

I could gush on and on about Big Mike. I think he's cemented himself as the best player on offense to ever play for the franchise, and just every year it's the consistency that shows. At only 28 years of age, he's placed himself firmly among the upper echelon of talent displayed in the league, and with little to no diva qualities to show or signs of slowing down.

#77 - Budda Baker - Arizona Cardinals - Safety

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
47	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

1 of 3 players with 2+ sacks and 2+ interceptions each of the last two seasons

Written by: u/Beehay

It was a warm summer night in June the year of our Lord 2021. A shadowy figure sat in a chair smoking a cigar watching the television in his poorly lit condo. The replay stops, rewinds, and then plays again. The process repeats itself for an undefined amount of time, could be hours or could be days. The figure leans forward finally after putting out his final cigar and mutters to himself "I really should stop smoking these fucking things."

Fast forward a few months and the Budda Baker Revenge Tour™ gets under way. He comes in playing the same 100 MPH Take-No-Prisoner's type of ball that he is known for so well now. But something goes awry. In back-to-back games against Cleveland and Houston he only posts 4 Total tackles. The defense is dominating in all aspects and Budda isn't relied on as much and benched early in the Houston blowout. After two more dominating performances (except AJ Green), the Cardinals are 8-1 and a young man in Arizona is dreaming a silly dream of the Super Bowl.

Of course, the Cardinals implode. You've seen this film before. But after a Herculean effort against the Colts in week 15, the Cardinals offense stalls and the team dies out like an ember. After all is said and done, Budda turns in a solid statistical season, with a career high in interceptions and an uptick in pass rush usage. Overall, it wasn't last season and his ranking reflects it, but he still earned a first team All-NFC and second team All-Pro. The tackles were down because the defense was better. Now let's hope he cuts out the cigars and comes back next year for the Budda Baker Revenge Tour Ultra+ Extreme Edition™.

#76 - Bobby Wagner - Seattle Seahawks - Off-Ball Linebacker (LB)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
24	42	10	7	13	97	41	81	98

Key Stat

Wagner and Reggie White are the only two defenders with 8 straight seasons with an Approximate Value of 14 or higher

Written by: u/MattyT7

Entering a decade in the league, Bobby Wagner remains in the upper echelon of NFL linebackers. He was the last holdover from the vaunted legion of boom defense, and it truly breaks my heart that he will be donning a RAMS uniform next season.

Bobby led a very young linebacker corps for the Seahawks defense in 2021, and he did so expertly. Although he may not be the same elite defensive beast he was a couple years ago, he was still a dominant force for a rather lackluster Seahawks defense. He was third in the league in total tackles with 170 (behind his mentee Jordyn Brooks with 184) with a missed tackle percentage of a mere 6.65% according to Pro Football Reference. He was still capable of flying all over the field, making tackles you’d watch beforehand and think “there’s no way Bobby is making this stop,” and getting into backfields causing havoc for running backs before they even reach their blockers. While his lone interception on the season may be more of a nod to Jimmy G’s incompetence, you can still see the instincts that have made him the cream of the crop for his entire career, recovering quickly on the play action to drop back and be in easy position for a rough Jimmy throw. He set the franchise record for tackles in a game with 20 against the Titans (first time this has been done in 5 years), breaking his own previous mark of 19. The Titans game also brought him his only sack of the season, reaching Tannehill in less than 3 seconds.

The Seahawks are incredibly fortunate to have had Bobby for an entire decade, and under his tutelage, Jordyn Brooks hopes to be the next great Seahawks linebacker. For a rebuilding team, it made sense to save on the money and cut ties. But it was a bitter end for Seahawks fans and it will be disgusting to see him lining up with Aaron Donald and the Rams going forward.

#75 - Dalvin Cook - Minnesota Vikings - Running Back

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
18	54	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

2nd in runs of 10+ Yards in 2021 with 36

Written by: u/SoDakZak

How To Cook

Move over Russ, the real chef is here to show us a fan-favorite gameday snacc.

Dalvin Cook comes in as the 75th best player from 2021. Delicacies from this last season include Cooked Panther (a Challenge!), Half-Baked Woerthlessburger, and seared Bear-meat: a discrete elite treat like a Sears Tower sweet

This Recipe for Success has a few key instructions when working in the kitchen:

Make sure while your put in work, your oven fan is working like a propellered Jet.
Take your least favorite cheese, and cut off the edge. If you’re dangerously dedicated to your delicious daily dairy diet, declare: “¿Por qué no los dos?” Mama Mia, thats-a gouda!
A little golden nugget from the Cook: a well-thymed toss of the bread will ensure your snack gets aired out properly before serving.
Don’t forget to thank the big men in the kitchen for giving you space to Cook. Hey Kirk, who needs aluminum when well-torched steel leaves these rare medium-runs well done?
While traditional, a Cook doesn’t just need to wear a chef’s hat. In fact, our successful Cook wears many hats to lay his solid foundation. His rounded skillset helps build success on and off the field.
Always, always ALWAYS read the Nutrition Fax before entering the kitchen.

*Cook’s Note: Only played 13 games yet was on pace for 1,500+ rushing yards and 1,800+ All-Purpose Yards. Imgur

#74 - Marcus Williams - New Orleans Saints - Safety

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	92	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

Marcus Williams played 1037 snaps without being called for a single penalty

Written by: u/Ronon_Dex

Most of the elite safeties of today are hybrid chess pieces, guys capable of playing a variety of roles on any given snap. Marcus Williams is one of the few who does not fall into that category, yet he is still elite. He doesn’t rush the passer, he’s not capable of playing that box S position that has become so popular in recent years, and he rarely ever mans up TEs or plays the slot. What Williams does do is play deep CF, read the QB, and prevent deep plays. It’s not flashy, but it’s quite an important role in many defensive schemes. And he does this exceptionally well - which is why the Ravens paid him like an elite safety a few months ago.

Williams’ stats don’t jump off the page - 70 tackles, 10 missed tackles, 5 run stops, 2 INTs, 5 PDs, 1 TD against, and 0 penalties (that one does kinda stand out). That is mostly because of his position - Williams played 1037 snaps in 2021, 922 of which came at FS. PFF charted him with only 16 targets for the entire season (the least of any S nominated), so you can infer why his stat sheet is pretty bare, although it’s a solid line given the context.

Williams' 2021 film is terrific. He has incredible range, disciplined eyes, great ball skills, and is a solid tackler. He may not be flashy or all that exciting, but a dependable, steady FS is key to any good defense that wants to use a single high. I want to highlight two plays in particular, one of which was maybe my favorite play that any safety made all season. First one¹ - the saints are in a cover 2 (looks like Tampa 2), and Devonta Smith runs a lovely fade route. Hurts makes a beautiful back shoulder throw, and all that’s left is for Smith to get his feet down. Williams times it perfectly though, reading the QB and staying disciplined, before arriving just as the ball gets there and knocking Smith OOB before he has a chance to land. This isn’t an especially impressive play, but I’m using it as an example because Williams makes this kind of play (read QB, close down with speed, force incompletion via PB or just too small a window to force a throw) constantly. Second one² - this is from the same game, but actually a drive before. There’s a scramble drill, and the guy covering Miles Sanders completely loses him. Sanders is as wide open as can be for a certain TD, Hurts throws it right to his belly…and out of nowhere Williams breaks it up. You’ll notice a couple of things. First, Williams comes from multiple steps beyond the opposite hash, about 40 yards away. Secondly, Williams actually starts moving that way before Sanders even breaks upfield. The instincts, smarts, range shown on this play are just bewildering. That’s what Williams brings to a defense, and any team would be thrilled to have him playing at the level he did in 2021.

¹ https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9ISUy1HWfWkhOXNx7cciwl8qnN8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23274652/ezgif.com_gif_maker__6_.gif

² https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9dqS-XLc04_Bc_nb8W_QvBHSvDY=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23274695/ezgif.com_gif_maker__7_.gif

#73 - Marshon Lattimore - New Orleans Saints - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	26	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

Lattimore's 7 forced incompletions against Washington in Week 5 is the most in a single game since 2016

Written by: u/dontwantleague2C

Since coming into the league, Lattimore has consistently been one of the best man corners in the NFL, and 2021 was no exception. Lattimore is the prototypical CB1 man corner that every team is looking for. He’s not necessarily the second coming of Darrelle Revis; he’s not gonna be locking down an entire side of the field. But what he does do is play high quality coverage on some of the best WRs in the entire league.

A quick look at his stats would give you the wrong message. Allowing a 99.7 QB rating when targeted isn’t particularly impressive. But that was with him facing the opposing team’s number one receiver in man coverage on most snaps. Lattimore faced off against studs like Davante Adams, DJ Moore (twice), Mike Evans (twice), Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf, AJ Brown, Stefon Diggs, Ceedee Lamb, Jaylen Waddle, and Kyle Pitts (twice). If you take the average of all of these players’ yards per game, accounting for division rivals twice, these players should have averaged about 68 yards per game against the Saints in these 13 games. However, these players only averaged 54 yards per game in these games, in large part due to being guarded by Lattimore.

Despite consistently being matched up against top receivers, Lattimore managed to win these matchups far more than he lost. Take the matchup against the Buccaneers at home in week 15 as an example. The Saints defense put up a fantastic performance against Brady and the Bucs offense, and Lattimore was a huge part of that, limiting his rival Mike Evans to 1 reception and 14 yards.

Lattimore’s elite play showed up on the stats sheet as well. Lattimore led the league with 19 forced incompletions. When targeted, he forced an incompletion on over 20% of targets, a feat no other player accomplished this year. He could be hit or miss at times in pass coverage, and when he did lose, he often lost bad, allowing 16 yards per reception, the highest of any corner nominated for this list. On the other hand, his run defense was remarkably consistent. His 85.2 PFF grade in run defense was 3rd among nominated players, with 1st being Jalen Ramsey with an 86 grade. He was a consistent tackler, having only two missed tackles on the season. And he was able to notch himself 3 interceptions in 2021.

Lattimore can be inconsistent at times, and he’s no Jalen Ramsey. However, the Saints defense consistently relies on him to lock down the opposing team’s WR1, and when he is able to take away the opposing team’s WR1, a Saints victory is on the horizon. As a key piece of the Saints great defense in 2021, Lattimore had a great season, and I’m excited to see Lattimore continue to lock down opposing WRs for the Saints.

#72 - Joe Thuney - Kansas City Chiefs - Offensive Guard

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
59	79	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

3rd least pressures allowed out of 40 guards with at least 500 pass blocking snaps, 1st in pass blocking efficency, 1st in pressurers allowed per snap min 500 snaps

Written by: u/sanswagata

Joe Thuney was the latest Patriots offensive lineman to get a big deal to leave New England. Now it may not have worked for New York, Seattle, or Oakland, however, Kansas City saw Thuney and said but it might work for us when they gave him an 80 million dollar check. Joe Thuney in New England was always one of the better left guards in the NFL, but he played next to one of the best centers and for the greatest offensive line coach of all time so there were some doubts about whether he could repeat this success in a new situation. To be fair he somehow got an upgrade at the pivot in KC with rookie phenom Creed Humphrey, but Thuney showed that he could excel in a new situation and not join the list of former Patriots OL to disappoint in a new situation.

Well-respected OL analyst, Brandon Thorn, listed Joe Thuney as his first team all-pro left guard and it's easy to see why. While he's no slouch in the run game, Thuney might have been the best guard in pass protection across the NFL last year. Whether it's handling elite talent one-on-one, giving help when necessary, or communicating with his new teammates, he played at the highest level. The stats display this too as he only allowed 2 QB hits and 1 sack this season despite playing on the team with the second most pass attempts. It all starts with what he does to lift up his teammates. Orlando Brown might owe him 10% of his signing bonus with plays like this. Creed Humphrey and Joe Thuney were essentially playing for the WWE tag team title belt this past season as well. These highlight level plays are fun, but plays, where he had to work his communication and processing to an insane degree, are even more impressive. Then we can look at how he is able to hold his own against elite talent. Even when he loses initially, he can recover and turn what should be a loss into an emphatic win. Whether you look at it statistically or through film, Joe Thuney was an awesome guard this past season and well-deserving of his rank in the NFL top 100.

#71 - Tre’Davious White - Buffalo Bills - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
41	10	N/A	53	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

Out of 77 corners with at least 400 coverage snaps, allowed the 3rd least yards with 305 yards allowed

Written by: u/fadoofthekokiri

Looking at Tre’Davious White, the best goalie in the NFL, his totals went down from 2020 to 2021. The reason for that, of course, was a torn ACL against the Saints on Thanksgiving day. However, before that devastating injury, my man was close to the top of the league in catch percentage, average yards allowed, touchdowns allowed, and QB rating. It can be tough to measure or stack up a cornerback based on stats, though.

If you ask Bills fans who our best defensive player is, Tre White is going to be at or near the top of that list. Let’s take a look at the top receiver of every team he faced before that Saints game. Now, the Bills' defense doesn’t work that directly, but, this is still a pretty decent look at it.

Receiver	Catches, Yards, and Touchdowns
Juju SS	4/52/0
Jaylen Waddle	6/48/0
Terry McLaurin	4/62/0
Brandin Cooks	5/47/0
Tyreek Hill	7/63/0
AJ Brown	7/91/0
Jaylen Waddle	4/29/0
Marvin Jones	3/21/0
Elijah Moore	3/44/1
Michael Pittman Jr.	2/23/0

So, by my count, that’s about 4 or 5 catches a game, 48 yards a game, and .1 touchdowns per game for those teams’ best receiver in all of those games (just that game not overall). Tre was not covering every single one of them all the time, notably guys like Juju, Waddle, and Moore. On top of that, the Bills had a stellar defense through and through but from watching all the games last year, rewatching, rewatching again, and then rewatching one more time for this 100 ranking it was clear that Tre White’s impact against receivers and as a core piece in the best secondary in the league is unrelenting. Even just watching highlights, he is exactly where he needs to be, always making the right play on or off the ball, and it’s a rare feat when he gets beat out by anyone.

All I have left to say for Tre is prayers up for all the knees out there.

Link to Positional Tracker Sheet

Link to Ranker Reveal Sheet

Link to Hub

[Givony] Victor Wembanyama, the top prospect in the world outside the NBA and the likely No. 1 pick in 2023, has opted out of his contract with ASVEL and is signing a two-year deal with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, a source told ESPN.

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1542517566957989890

Rookie QB Desmond Ridder has impressed the Atlanta Falcons in short order

https://ift.tt/cyAHbRC

Miyerkules, Hunyo 29, 2022

Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe on how he'll celebrate his first three in the NBA: “Get back on defense, that's it.”

https://ift.tt/qJyP0YG

[Wojnarowski] In James Harden’s mind, opting out of that deal and then negotiating a new contract when free agency opens gives the Sixers a lot more financial flexibility to improve this team in the offseason. He’s committed to winning.

https://ift.tt/hLvK4eR

[Droegemeier] Also a 1st down machine! 461 of his [Keenan Allen’s] 730 career catches have resulted in a 1st down.. That's 63% of his career catches.. Insane!

https://twitter.com/drotalksd/status/1542014633325871107?s=21&t=iwRKa3asGNlgPVcyMGem9A

[Kyle Kuzma] I get a brother back! Monte and I were in second grade together and at 8 years old we said we would play on the same NBA team together!🤯🤯🤯🤯 LIFE IS A SIMULATION

It looks like Kuzma and Monte Morris played together in Flint, Michigan when they were younger. Source

Here's a tweet with pictures of both of them when they were younger.

Let's hope Kuzma doesn't get traded next lol.

The NFL Market consistently values QB, is trending towards increasing value to WR, and possibly fading in the RB department. Which position in the NFL is severely undervalued from a financial standpoint?

Title is pretty self explanatory. I am curious from redditors with a better economic sense, when it comes to value and availability of other positions and what is not being given the financial value it justly deserves. This could incorporate many factors, the influence of the position on the outcome of the game, the disparity of alternative talent at the position, and even the expected longevity of the position (RB versus QB for example).

What are some examples of r/nba actually being right?

Question in the title. It’s always funny to me seeing old posts full of confident takes that just end up being Very Wrong. Which, fair enough, nobody here is paid to be a GM.

So, when has this sub been right? The prime example coming to mind is a lot of people calling that Westbrook being a terrible fit with the Lakers, and, well, yup.

Disney, Apple and Amazon keep waiting as NFL considers Sunday Ticket offers

https://ift.tt/oIaG960

Martes, Hunyo 28, 2022

[Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic when asked about the possibility of playing together in Dallas] Luka: “I would like to answer that, but I think it’s a $100,000 penalty if I did. You should ask the GM about that.” Goran: “We can’t talk about it till July 1st.”

Source

Luka and Goran were asked about the possibility of them playing together in Dallas next season.

Luka: “I would like to answer that, but I think it’s a 100.000 penalty if I did. You should ask the GM about that.”

Goran: "We can’t talk about it till july 1st."

Context: After a practice ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Thursday, reporters at a media call asked Doncic and Dragic if they were interested in playing together.

r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season - #90-81

Welcome to the reveal for players ranked 90-81 for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

Players whose average rank landed them in places 90-81 are on this portion of the list revealed today. Players are associated with the team they finished playing for in 2021

METHODOLOGY

Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology

Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Super Bowl
Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 10 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2021
Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2021 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.
Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.
Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/mattkud , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes
Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!

And without further ado, here are the players ranked 90-81 in the r/nfl Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

#90 - Antoine Winfield Jr. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Safety

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

First Bucs safety to make the Pro Bowl since John Lynch in 2002

Written by: u/ThatOneGuyFrom93

Following his great rookie season Antoine Winfield Jr. did not disappoint. He received PFF's 2nd highest Defensive Rating for safeties at 85.6. Which was 2nd only to Kevin Byard. Antoine was targeted in coverage 32 times and only gave up a 63.9 Quarterback Rating with 0 TDs allowed.

Looking at a handful of games this year, what impressed me the most was how Antoine was able to put his stamp on the Bucs pass defense. He was excellent at reading the quarterback's vision and was able to react quickly to prevent explosive plays. More impressively he knew when to be aggressive and when to be patient.

Check out this quick play here vs the Saints. It shows the Bucs in a cover 3 shell but because he excelled at reading the quarterback he was able break on the ball, preventing a potential 20+ yard play as the cb carries the post route down field. 1

Also don't let his shorter stature fool you. He has the range and ability to compete with larger wide receivers down the field. Several times this year he was able to be in position and even breakup passes when he was in those one on one situations. Check out this play her vs the Colts, as Wentz attempts to take a deep shot down field to the 6'4 Michael Pittman. 2

#89 - Von Miller - Los Angeles Rams - EDGE Rusher (EDGE)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	75	15	8	5	5	15	61	7

Key Stat

Only player in NFL history with 4+ sacks with two different teams in the same season

Written by: u/BlindmanBaldwin

Following an ankle injury that cost Von Miller his 2020 season, it became a fair question whether one of the greatest pass rushers of the 2010s had played his final meaningful snaps. Miller wasn’t getting any younger, and injuries get harder to bounce back from after one gets older. But in 2021, #58 showed the world he had plenty left to give.

Defensive player of the month in September (his first since 2016) signaled that Miller could bounce back to his all-pro form. A mid-season trade from Denver, his home since 2011, to Los Angeles brought him what he had been lacking since the retirement of Demarcus Ware — a reliable partner. Playing behind the great Aaron Donald is a boon to any pass rusher, especially one as talented as Miller. While his first four games with the Rams were unproductive, Miller’s last four regular season games featured 5 sacks and 8 TFLs. Much as Darian Stewart was for his 2015 Broncos, Miller was the missing piece the 2021 Rams needed to elevate their defense to that next level.

As Ware was once his wily veteran, Von Miller entered the new stage of his career as the wily veteran for a new generation of young, hungry defenses. While he isn’t the Defensive Player of the Year caliber player he was at the start of his career, Miller proved in 2021 that one little injury wouldn’t seal his fate as a winning player.

#88 - Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	19	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat:

Ranked 2nd in Catch % (79%) with at least 75 targets and 2nd in Zone coverage catch % (89.3%)

Written by: u/ownange

Chris Godwin was the most talented WR on the Bucs, when he was on the field. In a stellar group of pass catchers, Godwin stood out. The only thing limiting his placement from the upper echelon of pass catchers this year was injury. Godwin tore his ACL and MCL in week 14 and will not return until partway through the next season.

However, to that point Godwin was elite. His 78.8 Yards/Game were among the best in the NFL, 7th among all skill players. His performance in Week 13 shows just how versatile Godwin is. Short game, screens, deep 50/50 balls, Godwin does it all, even when marked by AJ Terell. He finished the game with 143 yards on 15 receptions, a Bucs record. This wasn’t the only game Godwin took over, his 8/140/1 line against the Saints was a phenomenal effort in a 27-36 loss. Godwin’s absence was night and day, the second time around against the Saints, the Bucs passed for 184 yards. Last time Godwin himself had 140 a month earlier.

Godwin’s total yards saw him finishing 15th, his 98 receptions saw him finishing 11th, and his 5 touchdowns weren’t surprising, with redzone threats like Gronk and Mike Evans lined up alongside him, he was not the first look in the endzone, not for a lack of ability, but because he had two of the best in the business on his team. Godwin is a true WR1 when healthy, and will be a nightmare for opposing defenses alongside Mike Evans, Tom Brady, and the rest of this Bucs offense!

#T86 - J.C. Tretter - Cleveland Browns - Center

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
58	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat:

4th in pressures allowed, with only 10 on the season. 4 straight seasons of top 3 in pass blocking ranks by PFF

Written by: u/KingDing-a-Ling13

Out of every position in football, center might be the most overlooked and underappreciated. The beating heart of the offensive line, the center is responsible for not only blocking some of the biggest humans on Earth, but also organizing the entire offensive line and calling blocking assignments. The center is the limiting reagent in offensive line chemistry. J.C. Tretter has been a top center for years, utilizing his great blocking ability both in the trenches and in space, but just as importantly, utilizing his cerebral ability to lead one of the best offensive lines in football in recent years.

In pass protection, Tretter is super solid, provides help whenever and wherever needed, and ensures that no pass rusher is unaccounted for. He has the football acumen and experience to know where both he and his guards need to be, and always knows which way to slide after the snap. However, if the defense catches him in a 1-on-1, he is more than capable of holding his own, using great hands and leverage, keeping his base square, keeping his shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage, and never overextending. His consistent play kept the pocket clean for Baker throughout the season.

The run game (and screen game) is most often where great centers shine. Take this clip, where Tretter sells the pass protection until the screen springs into action. Demonstrating great speed, balance, and agility, he breaks to the outside and beats the linebacker to the spot, sealing Alec Ogletree towards the center of the field and away from the play. It’s truly a marvel to behold a big man haul himself down field, keeping pace with a running back, and throwing his body in front of a defender. Watch this next clip, where the Browns run a draw towards the short side of the field with double pulling action from the guard and center. The right guard cuts the slot corner, and Tretter bursts through the hole like he’s a running back and makes his way to the next level to completely stonewall the safety, giving Nick Chubb an open field for a big gain. Once again, Tretter’s burst and agility is key in the Browns very effective run scheme. For a man of his size, he moves as well in space as anyone in football, and it can result in some very fun plays.

J.C. Tretter is one of the most all-around consistent and effective centers in football, with great hands, great leverage, great agility and speed, great balance, and most importantly, a great mind for the game. A leader both on and off the field, as he continues to serve as president of NFLPA, the current free agent will surely be a massive veteran presence for whoever signs him, and the Browns will surely miss his presence if he leaves.

#T86 - Ryan Jensen - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Center

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	93	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

Bucs ranked 4th in average rushing yards up the middle

Written by: u/sanswagata

Ryan Jensen has been one of the top centers in the NFL for a few years now. He's known around the league as one of the nastier hogs and tries to exert his will onto his opponents every single game. When Tom Brady unsurprisingly unretired, one of his first calls was to free agent Ryan Jensen to ensure he got his center back. That's because Jensen is one of the keys to the Buccaneers' offense. His ability to back block, pull, and pass protect one on one are second to none.

Starting with a look at his back blocks, which are extremely important to a gap running scheme. A back block is when an offensive lineman blocks "back" to where a pulling guard is leaving. Here is an example of Jensen working a nice back block against a loose 3T which he of course finishes by tossing the defender onto the ground. This is another great back block from Jensen. You can see why he performs these blocks so well. He's quick out of his stance, has great power on contact, puts his hat in the right position, and finishes with authority. These blocks are critical in a power run game to not allow those players to get underneath of the block and make a TFL. However, I cannot only talk about his ability to back block in the run game, because he's also very good when asked to pull. He is so quick out of his stance that the Buccaneers ask him to pull and kick as part of CT counter. Not only can he pull and kick, but he can also wrap to the second level on his pulls to lead through the hole for the running back. He's a unique center that is one of the key components to his team's run game.

Lastly, I want to go over his pass protection which is also unique to me. Most centers are just there to provide help to the guards unless there is a credible threat right over top of them. That's not Jensen though. They allow Jensen to snap and set even against some of the toughest competition in the league like fellow top 100 player, Javon Hargrave. Jensen's ability to handle players one on one as a center is unique and allows for the Buccaneers to really sell their play action attack by pulling guards. While Jensen has a unique skillset for a center, he also can do the traditional stuff as well. He's one of the fiercest centers in the league when it comes to providing help in pass protection. He finds immense joy in slamming into the defender's rib cage and knocking them to the ground. He makes the defense think twice about pinning their ears back and trying to rush the quarterback. They have to keep one eye on Jensen so that they don't end up on the grass gasping for air.

Overall, Ryan Jensen is the guy I would like to face the least in the entire NFL. If I don't get thrown onto my back in run defense, I'm probably going to have my ribs shattered on a pass rush.

#85 - Rasul Douglas - Green Bay Packers - Cornerback

Previous Ranks:

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat:

4th in Catch rate allowed (50.8% of targets thrown his way were caught)

Written by: u/futur3perfect

Rasul Douglas was a revelation. In a year where the Packers’ best cornerback, Jaire Alexander, was out most of the season with an injury, Douglas was picked up off of the 7-0 Cardinal's practice squad just a few weeks before a pivotal showdown for the top record in the NFC. What followed was a legendary game-ending interception. He continued his ballhawking ways and had back-to-back pick-6s against the Rams and against the Bears in weeks 12 & 13. In both plays he read the route and got a great break on the ball; these interceptions weren't given to him, he went out and made the play.

Not only did Douglas come up big in the clutch, he locked down opposing receivers. He allowed only 32 receptions for 329 yards, averaging an elite 0.7 yards per coverage snap and a 48.5 passer rating. He scored as many touchdowns as he gave up (2). His EPA was -22.7 according to NFL Next-Gen Stats, which was good for #3 among all defensive backs.

He was also a sure-fire tackler, as you can see from the highlights of that week 12 victory against the Rams where he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Douglas' great season earned him a $5.3 million signing bonus, as the Packers inked him to a 3-year deal worth around $21 million. Not bad for starting the season on a practice squad.

#84 - Keenan Allen - Los Angeles Chargers - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks:

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
93	86	82	39	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

1 of 2 players with 70 receiving yards per game each of the last 5 season

Written by: u/confederalis

If you looked up “consistency” in the dictionary, this is what you might see. Keenan Allen played well enough in his 9th NFL campaign to earn the 84th spot on the /r/NFL Top100 List, his 5th straight appearance. Even with the emergence of Mike Williams as a true target sapper and a trip to the COVID list, Keenan still managed to post his fifth straight season with over 97 receptions and 992 yards. His basic numbers light up the stat page, as he finished with 1138 yards (12th best), 158 targets (8th best), and 106 receptions (6th best). Allen continued his career-long success in moving the chains, converting 66 first downs, 25 of which were on 3rd down, both top 5 marks in the league. Moreso, 9 of those 3rd down chain-movers were over 7-yards, good for the most in the league. Allen also excelled in the RedZone, catching 15 passes, 7 of which were inside the 10-yard line, again, both top 5 marks. Though he somewhat dropped off as a downfield/YAC threat, primarily because of Mike Dub’s emergence, Keenan’s stats help show how incredibly clutch and consistent he was in important moments.

However, those stats are only the tip of the iceberg in showing his importance to the Chargers' offense; you have to look toward the tape to see his true value. Still one of the preeminent route runners in the league, Keenan makes up for poor top speed by possessing some of the most elite footwork in the league and an incredibly shifty frame. Here is a fantastic compilation of some of Keenan’s best routes from this past year, showing off his footwork, body control, and ability to mask his route. This out route against the Bengals shows off his disgusting footwork and shiftiness, allowing him to make up for his lack of speed and this over route against 1st Team All Pro Trevon Diggs showcases Keenan’s ability to get his corner on their back foot, allowing him to create separation at the break. And lastly, Keenan was still able to flash the great hands and body control he has always been known for, illustrating this with a great TD catch while surrounded by three Bengals defenders.

Rumors of Keenan’s death have been greatly exaggerated, as the 29-year-old wideout continued to put up incredibly consistent numbers; dominating corners with his footwork and shiftiness while acting as Justin Herbert’s safety blanket in the short interior. Allen’s skillset is primed to age incredibly well, and I expect to see a 6th straight placement on this list next year from the LA star.

#83 - Jordan Mailata - Philadelphia Eagles - Offensive Tackle

Previous Ranks:

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

1 of 4 tackles with a PFF Grade higher than 80 in both Pass Block and Run Block

Written by: u/wrhslax1996

I will not lie to you, it's pretty wild to me that I'm sitting here crafting a write-up for Jordan Mailata for the 2022 r/NFL top 100. At this time 5 years ago, Mailata was playing rugby in Australia before being invited to join the NFL's International Player Pathway Program in 2018. Rumor has it, the execs in charge of the program took one look at his rugby highlights and immediately tried recruiting Mailata to the football side of life. I mean, can you blame them? While training for the combine/draft, Eagles OL coach (and my personal Jesus) Jeff Stoutland took a special interest in Mailata. Fast forward a bit and the Eagles would draft Jordan in the 7th round of the 2018 draft. Yeah yeah yeah, I'm getting to how he earned his spot on this year's list, but it's impossible to talk about him without remembering he's got fewer years of football experience than I do.

Ok so what exactly did Mailata do well last year? The short of it is that his run blocking is genuinely hilarious. This man can move in a way that no 6'8" 346lb man should. The first play highlighted by Fran Duffy there is awesome. Mailata pulls, does not waste a single step, and completely flattens the LB working to fit his gap. The other play in that montage that I wanted to highlight is the third rep where he absolutely bullies Leonard Williams. Williams is a pretty solid defensive tackle but he just doesn't stand a chance against Mailata's power. He punches with hands like bricks and immediately sends a very large man stumbling back. At that point, Mailata's all over him and his size and strength just straight up prevent Williams from shedding the block and making a stop. This is what Mailata did all year in the run game. He is massive, insanely athletic, and has really started to learn the leverage game that all great OTs need to separate themselves from the pack.

As a pass protector, and this might ruffle one or two Eagles fans' feathers, he still has some work to do. His technique is still fairly uneven at times which can lead to his anchor not quite being what it should be at his size. However, his freakish strength still pops on some pass pro reps and he was far from "bad" as a pass protector. The first example I have is here against the Falcons week 1. His technique is pretty sound here, gaining depth and keeping the EDGE's pace as he kick slides without separating from Seumalo too much. Jordan feels the interior rusher hitting the gap between himself and Seumalo and, with one arm, is able to absolutely flatten the interior rusher. His strength really pops the more you watch him. Here's a similar example where he might have lost the rep initially, I can't tell because whoever clipped it decided to only include Mailata's show of strength. But all I do know is that he plants that DT with one arm and doing that to a professional football player is insanely impressive. My main takeaways on his pass pro are: strength is great and if he keeps cleaning up his technique he will really cement himself as a great offensive linemen in the years to come.

I'll leave you with one final parting gift. Do you like watching linemen absolutely decimate smaller defenders in the open field? Well do I have the murder for you! Mailata chips the edge and explodes to the outside to block for Not-Justin-Jefferson. In a blink-and-you-miss-it clip, he sends the poor Falcons defensive back to the shadow realm. I will never not love clips like this. Mailata had a pretty good year and I really look forward to seeing what he does in 2022.

#82 - Quenton Nelson - Indianapolis Colts - Offensive Guard

Previous Ranks:

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
21	18	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat:

Has only allowed 4 sacks in 2,365 career snaps in 4 seasons

Written by: u/ghettogoatsause

You know you're a damn good player when being All-Pro 2nd team is a down year for you. Notching these honors was of course Colts 3x AP1 LG Quenton "Earl Grey" Nelson. A part of this down year was simply because Nelson was frankly pretty beat up this year. With a back, knee, and toe injury compounded with a more major high ankle sprain that put him on IR, he gutted out 13 games this year and still kicked ass and took names.

So what did he accomplish exactly? Well, he was part of the line that gave up the 8th fewest sacks. Yes, we ran the damn ball a lot, (resulting in a pancake here and there), but we were also in the top half of the league in sack percentage allowed. If PFF is more your thing, Quenton Nelson only allowed 1 sack all year with only 8 hurries. I know we Colts fans can't wait to see him fully healthy again, protecting Matty Ice this time around.

Oh wait. I'm forgetting something. Maybe something to do with the #1 rushing offense in the NFL? You know what, let's talk about that at a later date.

#81 - Xavien Howard - Miami Dolphins - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
14	N/A	59	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Key Stat

Leads PFF in press coverage grade since 2020

Written by: u/cnvas_home

The bar for Xavien Howard was set high after his 2018 campaign, and he surprised a lot of people with an even more stellar 2020 campaign coming off of an injured 2019 season. When looking at some metrics this season, many have concluded that Howard regressed a bit in play (such as the 88.2 QB rating when thrown against him, or his 7 passing touchdowns allowed in coverage), but that’s not entirely the case once you take a closer look. A lot of his statistics against opposing quarterbacks are greatly inflated due to the intensive role he played within the Fins’ scheme this season, which saw him getting sent on island assignments while Flores’ would often routinely blitz up to 8 defenders on a routine basis (Week 10 against BAL is a perfect example).

But this defensive scheme paid dividends as the Dolphin’s front seven “overperformed”, as this bend-don’t-break mentality carried over from Flores’ days in New England saw Howard lead a defense that allowed only the 6th fewest passing touchdowns in the league, all the while keeping opposing defenses to under 6 net yards per passing attempt. And perhaps the true highlight of his play this season was his play underneath, posting a stellar 70.5 PFF grade against the run out of the corner position—along with two forced fumbles, one of which he took to the house. Not to mention he still managed to post 5 interceptions with an elite 16 passes defended... A true ball-hawk, Xavien makes a career out of always being in the right place at the right time, and this season was no different.

Link to Positional Tracker Sheet

Link to Ranker Reveal Sheet

Link to Hub

[OC] 99 Cent Store free agency: Point Guards

The NBA offseason is always filled with exciting storylines like star free agents and blockbuster trades. Or at least, rumors about blockbuster trades.

But rather than dwell on the obvious, this series intends to do the opposite: focus on the lower-profile free agents who may have some value to teams. No NBA player is actually "99 Cents," of course, but these are all players who may be bargains based on their perceived market. Most of the players mentioned will probably go in the $3-5M range in terms of salary. Some exceptions will be marked as "featured items" that may go in the higher $5-10M range. If a player is listed as a "clearance rack," then they may be on the fringes of NBA rosters and take minimum deals.

This "99 Cent Store" series has been open for business since 2018. In the past, we've highlighted names like Fred VanVleet (pre breakout), Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Reggie Bullock, Chris Boucher, and Christian Wood. Not all of the items turn out to be gems (is Nerlens Noel still not a DPOY candidate yet?), but the returns have been mostly positive so far. Let's see if we can keep that momentum going this season.

99 cent store

Jevon Carter, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA, 26 years old

Over the last two NBA Finals, we've seen the value of a great defensive guard. Two years ago, Milwaukee's Jrue Holiday helped frustrate Chris Paul and Devin Booker. In this past Finals, we saw two great perimeter defenders in Marcus Smart and Gary Payton II (an alum of the 99 Cent Store.)

Bucks' backup Jevon Carter hopes to follow Payton's template. While he's limited on offense (averaging 11-4-4 per 36), he hangs his hat on defense. Back at West Virginia (known as "Press Virginia" under defensive mastermind Bob Huggins), Carter won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. Carter has shown flashes over being that bulldog on defense in the NBA as well, averaging 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per 36 minutes, and registering a positive BPM on that end (+0.5.)

Unfortunately for Carter, he hasn't had the opportunity to showcase that in reliable minutes. He's a specific player that needs a specific fit, and he hasn't found that yet. His initial stints with Memphis and Phoenix didn't yield much. He began this year with Brooklyn, but the Nets were too guard-heavy. He ended the year with Milwaukee, who already had a better version of him in Jrue Holiday.

To be fair, there are a few other things holding Carter back. While he's a good athlete, he's smaller than the other guards we mentioned (Holiday, Smart, Payton) at 6'1" with a 6'5" wingspan. That makes it more difficult for him to "switch" 1-3 as easily as the others can. He's also not enough of a playmaker to actually run the point.

Still, no one's signing Carter with the expectation that he'll be your point guard or that he'll compete for heavy minutes. Even calling him a poor man's Marcus Smart is too generous -- he's more like a poor man's Alex Caruso. He's best cast as a complementary option off the bench, a la Randy Brown (from the 90's Bulls.) Like Brown, he'd defend point guards and then blend in "off ball" on the offensive end. Carter should be able to do that some, given that he's a better shooter than you'd expect (38.3% from 3, 81.0% from FT in his career.)

potential fits

CHA. Charlotte could use better defenders all around; they ranked 23rd in defense. Not only could Jevon Carter play some backup minutes behind LaMelo Ball, he could play well alongside him. Ball can handle everything offensively, and shift over to SG on defense given his 6'7" size.

DAL. If you're looking for a playmaking 6'7" wing, we found a super one here in Dallas. Luka Doncic can handle everything on offense, so the Mavs have limited needs at PG. And even despite that, they could be loaded at the position if they re-sign Jalen Brunson to go along with Spencer Dinwiddie. However, if Brunson leaves for NYC, there could be minutes opened up for a guy like Carter. He wouldn't have to do much here but hit open 3s and chase around guards like Jordan Poole.

WAS. The Wizards have a bunch of question marks around their PG position and around their defense in general. Carter can be a good complement to Bradley Beal (who can sometimes coast on defense) in that way.

Delon Wright, Atlanta Hawks, UFA, 30 years old

Our "99 Cent Store" has had some success touting point guards in the past, including Fred VanVleet (2018), Tyus Jones (2019), and Gary Payton II (2020.) Candidly, some have not worked out as well. Back in 2019, we featured Delon Wright as a potential discount starter. He signed a richer-than-expected contract at $9M, and performed worse than expected. This past season for Atlanta was his low point, as Wright averaged only 4.4 points in his 18.9 minutes per game.

Still, this is the 99 Cent Store here, so you can't expect every produce to taste like a peach. And you can't expect every item to be brand spankin' new either. Some will be recycled or "used goods." So with that mind, Delon Wright will RE-ENTER the 99 Cent Store's shelves for 2022.

Now that he's 30 years old, Wright's time in the NBA may be ticking. Nevertheless, we're intrigued by the tools he can bring to the table. At 6'5", he's a good and fairly "switchable" defender. He averaged 2.3 steals per 36 last year (roughly his career average) and charted as an awesome +2.4 impact per 100 possessions on defense. That's a very limited sample size, but it's not far removed from his career mark of +1.7.

Normally, a defensive-specialist like Delon Wright will look lost and confused on offense, but that doesn't apply here. Dating back to his college days at Utah, Wright has been a pretty good scorer/slasher, and he's demonstrated pretty good playmaking instincts as well. In his prime, I still think he could have been a decent starter. At this age, I still think he can be a decent backup.

clearance rack

Joel Ayayi, UFA, 22 years old

When it comes to the NBA Draft, teams view older prospects like they're 40 year olds on Tinder. The first impression may be OK, but the skepticism remains. There must be something wrong with you.

Joel Ayayi suffered from that as an "over-aged" college prospect. He looked the part as a 6'5" combo guard, but he took a while to get going. He redshirted his first year at Gonzaga (rare in college basketball) and then he came off the bench the following year. He played pretty well in the next 2 seasons, but the NBA lost interest and left him undrafted in 2021.

Ayayi has decent excuses for his slow start. For one, he came from France, so it's understandable that he may have needed some time to adjust to the States. Moreover, Gonzaga tends to be a deep, stacked squad. In fact, they went a combined 95-7 (not a typo) in the 3 seasons he took the court.

To be clear, Ayayi was never the star of the team. At times, he wasn't even the 2nd or 3rd or even 4th best player on the Bulldogs. But in a way, that's not a bad thing. In a sense, it prepared Ayayi for his likely NBA role. He's a glue guy and minutes filler who can play either the 1 or the 2. This past season in the G-League, he averaged 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per 36 minutes. He didn't score a ton, but he shot efficiently (60% from the field, 38% from 3.) And while all those numbers scream potential "fluke," they're similar to his college numbers as well (53% from the field, 36% from 3, 7+ rebounds per 36.)

Ayayi has been dropped by a few NBA squads, presumably because he lacks upside. He doesn't have one standout skill, so it's hard to imagine him as a starter. Still, he's not far away from being a decent rotation player -- and at age 22, he can get there with some more development. He's worth a roster spot.

previously on...

We're going to try and not repeat names too much, but 99 Cent Store alums Tyus Jones (2019) and Gary Payton II (2020) are worth keeping an eye on. Both have played well and may be in line for solid pay days, so they don't fit so neatly in our discount store anymore.

[Highlight] Jalen Reagor drops Game-Winning TD from Jalen Hurts

https://reddit.com/link/vmozg6/video/nngqlle3hd891/player

Latest Spurs Intel on Dejounte Murray Trade Rumors

https://ift.tt/hqQJ03z

[Smith] The Phoenix Suns have officially tendered a $16.4M qualifying offer to make Deandre Ayton a restricted free agent on July 1, a league source tells @spotrac

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1541772165917319169?t=lBuSzkCMiM86F3GaLhiorg&s=19

Russell Westbrook posts video of him vibing right before opting into his $47m player option

https://ift.tt/fAIDkjc

[Murdock] I asked Baker Mayfield if there was any chance for a reconciliation with the Browns if they were without their quarterback this season. He said the Browns would have to reach out to start that process. Mayfield said he has moved on.

https://twitter.com/CareyAMurdock/status/1541802217929318403

Lunes, Hunyo 27, 2022

[Fischer] Sources with knowledge of the situation have increasingly believed Kyrie Irving's willingness to opt out of Brooklyn, sign the $6M taxpayer midlevel with the Lakers, where Irving can re-sign long-term in 2023.

https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/1541466129650126850?t=ibLj1R2n0r2ysKGhIj8saQ&s=19

[Wojnarowski] Irving has great interest in joining the Lakers, sources said, which he could do by declining the $36.5 million option and signing with Los Angeles for the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

Excepts from article:

Irving has great interest in joining the Lakers, sources said, which he could do by declining the $36.5 million option and signing with Los Angeles for the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

Irving has until Wednesday to make a decision on exercising his $36.5 million option on the 2022-2023 season. Once he opts into the deal, he's no longer eligible for a sign-and-trade. The Nets could proceed working to trade him as an expiring contract, but Irving would have no formal voice in a potential landing spot.

This is Nets telling Kyrie that they won't trade him to his destination of choice if he opts in, calling his bluff of TPMLE.

Irving needs a trade partner to coordinate an agreement on a deal to get a long-term, maximum contract, but only the Lakers have interest in executing a sign-and-trade once free agency opens on Thursday night, sources said.

So far, the Nets have no interest in taking back the available Lakers packages, sources said.

This to me is a classic indication of Nets wanting assets from another team. Basically telling the Lakers to find a third team that would take Westbrook + 2 FRPs and give the Nets role players in return

Source

2022-23 NBA Free Agents and Team Roster Tracker

Now that the draft is over I'm back again to update this all long offseason long. Let me know if I'm missing anything!

Last year's post

UFA - Unrestricted Free Agent
RFA - Restricted Free Agent
TO - Team Option
PO - Player Option
ETO - Early Termination Option
S&T - Sign & Trade

(INT) - Playing Internationally
(FA) - Ended last season not on an active roster

ATLANTIC

Boston Celtics

Coach: Ime Udoka

Picks: 53 JD Davison

UFA: Luke Kornet

RFA: Matt Ryan | Brodric Thomas

TO: Sam Hauser | Juwan Morgan

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Marcus Smart	Jaylen Brown	Jayson Tatum	Al Horford	Robert Williams III
Payton Pritchard	Derrick White	Aaron Nesmith	Grant Williams	Daniel Theis
	Nik Stauskas	Malik Fitts

Brooklyn Nets

Coach: Steve Nash

Picks: NONE

UFA: LaMarcus Aldridge | Bruce Brown | Goran Dragic | Andre Drummond | Blake Griffin

RFA: Nicolas Claxton | David Duke Jr

PO: Kyrie Irving | Patty Mills

TO: Kessler Edwards

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Ben Simmons	Seth Curry	Joe Harris	Kevin Durant	Day'Ron Sharpe
	Cam Thomas

New York Knicks

Coach: Tom Thibodeau

Picks: 42 Trevor Keels

UFA: Ryan Arcidiacono | Mitchell Robinson

Trades: ~~Kemba Walker~~ (DET)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Derrick Rose	Evan Fournier	RJ Barrett	Julius Randle	Nerlens Noel
Immanuel Quickley	Alec Burks	Cam Reddish	Obi Toppin	Taj Gibson
Miles McBride	Quentin Grimes	Feron Hunt		Jericho Sims

Philadelphia 76ers

Coach: Doc Rivers

Picks: NONE

UFA: DeAndre Jordan | Paul Millsap

RFA: Myles Powell

PO: James Harden

TO: Shake Milton

Trades: ~~Danny Green~~ (MEM)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Tyrese Maxey	Furkan Korkmaz	Matisse Thybulle	Tobias Harris	Joel Embiid
De'Anthony Melton (MEM)	Isaiah Joe	Charlie Brown Jr	Georges Niang	Paul Reed
Jaden Springer				Charles Bassey

Toronto Raptors

Coach: Nick Nurse

Picks: 33 Christian Koloko

UFA: Isaac Bonga | Chris Boucher | Thaddeus Young

RFA: Justin Champagnie | David Johnson | Yuta Watanabe

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Fred VanVleet	Gary Trent Jr	Scottie Barnes	Pascal Siakam	Khem Birch
Malachi Flynn	Svi Mykhailiuk	OG Anunoby		Precious Achiuwa
Dalano Banton	Armoni Brooks

CENTRAL

Chicago Bulls

Coach: Billy Donovan

Picks: 18 Dalen Terry

UFA: Derrick Jones Jr | Zach LaVine | Tristan Thompson

RFA: Troy Brown Jr | Tyler Cook | Malcolm Hill | Matt Thomas

PO: Tony Bradley

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Lonzo Ball	DeMar DeRozan	Javonte Green	Patrick Williams	Nikola Vucevic
Alex Caruso	Coby White	Dalen Terry (R)		Marko Simonovic
	Ayo Dosunmu

Cleveland Cavaliers

Coach: JB Bickerstaff

Picks: 14 Ochai Agbaji | 39 Khalifa Diop | 49 Isaiah Mobley | 56 Luke Travers

UFA: Ed Davis | Rajon Rondo

RFA: Moses Brown | Brandon Goodwin | RJ Nembhard | Collin Sexton

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Darius Garland	Caris LeVert	Isaac Okoro	Evan Mobley	Jarrett Allen
	Ochai Agbaji (R)	Cedi Osman	Kevin Love	Dean Wade
	Dylan Windler	Lamar Stevens	Lauri Markkanen

Detroit Pistons

Coach: Dwane Casey

Picks: 5 Jaden Ivey | 13 Jalen Duren | 36 Gabriele Procida

UFA: Rodney McGruder

RFA: Marvin Bagley III | Jamorko Pickett

TO: Hamidou Diallo | Carsen Edwards | Luka Garza | Frank Jackson

Trades: ~~Jerami Grant~~ (POR)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Cade Cunningham	Jaden Ivey (R)	Saddiq Bey	Kelly Olynyk	Isaiah Stewart II
Cory Joseph	Killian Hayes	Isaiah Livers	Braxton Key	Jalen Duren (R)
Kemba Walker (NYK)
Saben Lee

Indiana Pacers

Coach: Rick Carlisle

Picks: 6 Bennedict Mathurin | 31 Andrew Nembhard | 48 Kendall Brown

UFA: Ricky Rubio | Jalen Smith | Lance Stephenson | TJ Warren

RFA: Nate Hinton | Gabe York

TO: Oshae Brissett

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Tyrese Haliburton	Bennedict Mathurin (R)	Buddy Hield	Isaiah Jackson	Myles Turner
Malcolm Brogdon	Duane Washington Jr	Chris Duarte		Goga Bitadze
TJ McConnell		Terry Taylor

Milwaukee Bucks

Coach: Mike Budenholzer

Picks: 24 MarJon Beauchamp | 58 Hugo Besson

UFA: Jevon Carter | Serge Ibaka | Wesley Matthews

RFA: Jordan Nwora | Lindell Wigginton

PO: Bobby Portis

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Jrue Holiday	Grayson Allen	Khris Middleton	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Brook Lopez
George Hill	Pat Connaughton	Thanasis Antetokounmpo		Sandro Mamukelashvili
Luca Vildoza (R)	MarJon Beauchamp (R)
	Rayjon Tucker

SOUTHEAST

Atlanta Hawks

Coach: Nate McMillan

Picks: 16 AJ Griffin | 51 Tyrese Martin

UFA: Gorgui Dieng | Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot | Lou Williams | Delon Wright

RFA: Sharife Cooper | Kevin Knox II | Skylar Mays

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Trae Young	Kevin Huerter	De'Andre Hunter	John Collins	Clint Capela
	Bogdan Bogdanovic	AJ Griffin (R)	Danilo Gallinari	Onyeka Okongwu
		Chaundee Brown	Jalen Johnson

Charlotte Hornets

Coach: ~~James Borrego~~ Steve Clifford

Picks: 15 Mark Williams | 40 Bryce McGowens

UFA: Montrezl Harrell | Isaiah Thomas

RFA: Miles Bridges | Arnoldas Kulboka | Scottie Lewis | Cody Martin

TO: Jalen McDaniels

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
LaMelo Ball	Terry Rozier III	Gordon Hayward	PJ Washington Jr	Mason Plumlee
	James Bouknight	Kelly Oubre Jr	JT Thor	Mark Williams (R)
				Nick Richards
				Kai Jones

Miami Heat

Coach: Erik Spoelstra

Picks: 27 Nikola Jovic

UFA: Dewayne Dedmon | Udonis Haslem | Markieff Morris | Victor Oladipo | PJ Tucker

RFA: Caleb Martin

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Kyle Lowry	Max Strus	Jimmy Butler	Haywood Highsmith	Bam Adebayo
Gabe Vincent	Tyler Herro	Duncan Robinson	Nikola Jovic (R)	Omer Yurtseven
Ja'Vonte Smart	Mychal Mulder

Orlando Magic

Coach: Jamahl Mosley

Picks: 1 Paolo Banchero | 32 Caleb Houstan

UFA: Gary Harris | Robin Lopez

RFA: Mo Bamba | Bol Bol | Iggy Brazdeikis | Admiral Schofield

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Markelle Fultz	Jalen Suggs	Franz Wagner	Paolo Banchero (R)	Wendell Carter Jr
Cole Anthony	RJ Hampton	Terrence Ross	Chuma Okeke	Moe Wagner
Devin Cannady			Jonathan Isaac

Washington Wizards

Coach: Wes Unseld Jr

Picks: 10 Johnny Davis | 54 Yannick Nzosa

UFA: Bradley Beal | Thomas Bryant | Raul Neto | ~~Tomas Satoransky~~ (INT)

RFA: Anthony Gill | Cassius Winston

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Ish Smith	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	Deni Avdija	Kyle Kuzma	Kristaps Porzingis
	Johnny Davis (R)	Corey Kispert	Rui Hachimura	Daniel Gafford
	Jordan Schakel		Isaiah Todd	Vernon Carey Jr

NORTHWEST

Denver Nuggets

Coach: Michael Malone

Picks: 21 Christian Braun | 30 Peyton Watson | 46 Ismael Kamagate

UFA: DeMarcus Cousins | Bryn Forbes | Austin Rivers

RFA: Facundo Campazzo | Vlatko Cancar | Markus Howard | Davon Reed

Trades: ~~JaMychal Green~~ (OKC)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Jamal Murray	Will Barton	Michael Porter Jr	Aaron Gordon	Nikola Jokic
Monte Morris	Bones Hyland	Peyton Watson (R)	Jeff Green	Zeke Nnaji
	Christian Braun (R)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Coach: Chris Finch

Picks: 22 Walker Kessler | 26 Wendell Moore Jr | 45 Josh Minnott | 50 Matteo Spagnolo

UFA: Jake Layman | Greg Monroe | Josh Okogie | Taurean Prince

RFA: Nathan Knight | McKinley Wright IV

TO: Jaylen Nowell | Naz Reid

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Patrick Beverley	D'Angelo Russell	Anthony Edwards	Jarred Vanderbilt	Karl-Anthony Towns
Jordan McLaughlin	Malik Beasley	Leandro Bolmaro	Jaden McDaniels	Walker Kessler (R)
		Wendell Moore Jr (R)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Coach: Mark Daigneault

Picks: 2 Chet Holmgren | 11 Ousmane Dieng | 12 Jalen Williams | 34 Jaylin Williams

RFA: Mevlin Frazier

TO: Luguentz Dort | Mike Muscala | Isaiah Roby

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Josh Giddey	Jalen Williams (R)	Ousmane Dieng (R)	Chet Holmgren (R)
Theo Maledon	Vit Krejci	Aaron Wiggins	Darius Bazley	Derrick Favors
Tre Mann	Ty Jerome	Kenrich Williams	Aleksej Pokusevski	Jeremiah Robison-Earl
	Lindy Waters III		JaMychal Green (DEN)

Portland Trail Blazers

Coach: Chauncey Billups

Picks: 7 Shaedon Sharpe | 57 Jabari Walker

UFA: Joe Ingles | Ben McLemore | Jusuf Nurkic

RFA: Keljin Blevins | CJ Elleby | Elijah Hughes | Anfernee Simons

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Damian Lillard	Eric Bledsoe	Josh Hart	Jerami Grant (DET)	Greg Brown III
Brandon Williams	Shaedon Sharpe (R)	Justise Winslow	Nassir Little
	Keon Johnson	Didi Louzada	Trendon Watford

Utah Jazz

Coach: ~~Quin Snyder~~

Picks: NONE

UFA: Danuel House Jr | Hassan Whiteside

RFA: Trent Forrest | Eric Paschall

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Mike Conley	Donovan Mitchell	Royce O'Neale	Bojan Bogdanovic	Rudy Gobert
Jared Butler	Jordan Clarkson	Xavier Sneed	Rudy Gay	Udoka Azubuike
	Nickeil Alexander-Walker		Juancho Hernangomez

PACIFIC

Golden State Warriors

Coach: Steve Kerr

Picks: 28 Patrick Baldwin Jr | 44 Ryan Rollins | 55 Gui Santos

RFA: Chris Chiozza | Juan Toscano-Anderson | Quinndary Weatherspoon

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Stephen Curry	Klay Thompson	Andrew Wiggins	Draymond Green	James Wiseman
	Jordan Poole	Moses Moody	Jonathan Kuminga
		Patrick Baldwin Jr (R)

Los Angeles Clippers

Coach: Tyronn Lue

Picks: 43 Moussa Diabate

UFA: Nicolas Batum | Isaiah Hartenstein | Rodney Hood

RFA: Amir Coffey | Xavier Moon | Jay Scrubb

TO: Ivica Zubac

PG	SG	SF	PF
Reggie Jackson	Norman Powell	Kawhi Leonard	Paul George
Jason Preston (R)	Luke Kennard	Robert Covington	Marcus Morris Sr
	Terance Mann	Brandon Boston Jr

Los Angeles Lakers

Coach: ~~Frank Vogel~~ Darvin Ham

Picks: 35 Max Christie

RFA: Mason Jones | Mac McClung

PO: Russell Westbrook

TO: Wenyen Gabriel | Stanley Johnson

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Kendrick Nunn	Talen Horton-Tucker	LeBron James	Anthony Davis

Phoenix Suns

Coach: Monty Williams

Picks: NONE

UFA: Bismack Biyombo | JaVale McGee | Elfrid Payton

RFA: Deandre Ayton | Aaron Holiday | Gabriel Lundberg | Ish Wainwright

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Chris Paul	Devin Booker	Mikal Bridges	Jae Crowder	Dario Saric
Cameron Payne	Landry Shamet	Torrey Craig	Cameron Johnson

Sacramento Kings

Coach: ~~Alvin Gentry~~ Mike Brown

Picks: 4 Keegan Murray

UFA: Josh Jackson | Damian Jones | Jeremy Lamb

RFA: Donte DiVincenzo | Neemias Queta

TO: Trey Lyles

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
De'Aaron Fox	Davion Mitchell	Keegan Murray (R)	Domantas Sabonis	Richaun Holmes
	Terence Davis II	Harrison Barnes	Chimezie Metu	Alex Len
	Justin Holiday	Moe Harkless

SOUTHWEST

Dallas Mavericks

Coach: Jason Kidd

Picks: 37 Jaden Hardy

UFA: Jalen Brunson

RFA: Theo Pinson | Moses Wright

Trades: ~~Sterling Brown~~ (HOU) | ~~Trey Burke~~ (HOU) | ~~Marquese Chriss~~ (HOU) | ~~Boban Marjanovic~~ (HOU)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Luka Doncic	Spencer Dinwiddie	Reggie Bullock	Dorian Finney-Smith	Christian Wood (HOU)
Frank Ntilikina	Tim Hardaway Jr	Josh Green	Davis Bertans	Maxi Kleber
				Dwight Powell

Houston Rockets

Coach: Stephen Silas

Picks: 3 Jabari Smith Jr | 17 Tari Eason | 29 TyTy Washington Jr

UFA: Dennis Schroder

RFA: Bruno Fernando | Anthony Lamb | Trevelin Queen

Trades: ~~Christian Wood~~ (DAL)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Kevin Porter Jr	Jalen Green	Tari Eason (R)	Jabari Smith Jr (R)	Alperen Sengun
TyTy Washington Jr (R)	Eric Gordon	Jae'Sean Tate	Kenyon Martin Jr	Boban Marjanovic (DAL)
Trey Burke (DAL)	Josh Christopher	David Nwaba	Usman Garuba
John Wall	Garrison Mathews	Daishen Nix	Marquese Chriss (DAL)
	Sterling Brown (DAL)

Memphis Grizzlies

Coach: Taylor Jenkins

Picks: 19 Jake LaRavia | 23 David Roddy | 38 Kennedy Chandler | 47 Vince Williams Jr

UFA: Kyle Anderson | Jarrett Culver | Tyus Jones

RFA: Yves Pons

Trades: ~~De'Anthony Melton~~ (PHI)

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Ja Morant	Desmond Bane	Dillon Brooks	Jaren Jackson Jr	Steven Adams
Tyrell Terry	John Konchar	Ziaire Williams	Brandon Clarke	Xavier Tillman Sr
	Danny Green (PHI)	Jake LaRavia (R)	David Roddy (R)	Santi Aldama
				Killian Tillie

New Orleans Pelicans

Coach: Willie Green

Picks: 8 Dyson Daniels | 41 EJ Liddell | 52 Karlo Matkovic

UFA: Tony Snell

RFA: Gary Clark | Jared Harper

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Devonte' Graham	CJ McCollum	Brandon Ingram	Zion Williamson	Jonas Valanciunas
Jose Alvarado	Dyson Daniels (R)	Herb Jones	Larry Nance Jr	Jaxson Hayes
Kira Lewis Jr	Garrett Temple	Naji Marshall	Trey Murphy III	Willy Hernangomez

San Antonio Spurs

Coach: Gregg Popovich

Picks: 9 Jeremy Sochan | 20 Malaki Branham | 25 Blake Wesley

RFA: Devontae Cacok | DJ Stewart Jr | Lonnie Walker IV | Joe Wieskamp | Robert Woodard II

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Dejounte Murray	Keldon Johnson	Devin Vassell	Doug McDermott	Jakob Poeltl
Tre Jones	Josh Richardson	Romeo Langford	Jeremy Sochan (R)	Zach Collins
	Joshua Primo	Malaki Branham (R)	Keita Bates-Diop	Jock Landale
	Blake Wesley (R)