NFL Free Agency 2019 – Franchised Players – Designated Salary by Position

NFL announced that the 2019 salary cap has been set at $188,200,000 per club, up from the 2018 ceiling of $177,200,000. The NFL announced the numbers for teams to designate franchise or transition players closed. This year, six players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players. No transition tags were used this year by any club.

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The new salary cap number represents an $11 million increase over the 2018 number which was $12 million over the 2017 salary cap. Since 2012, the cap has increased by nearly $70 million per team. The salary cap figure has ballooned in recent years as the effects of new bulging television deals are being figured into the amount. The total has jumped over $45 million each of the past four seasons. Though this is the 6th straight year the salary cap has increased by at least $10 million.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, teams are required to spend an average of 89 percent of the salary cap from 2013 to 2019. League-wide, teams must spend an average of 95 percent of the salary cap over the four-year period.

This new money boosts many clubs into a higher bracket that could produce a buying frenzy in the opening weeks starting March 13th. The salary cap per team below is a fluctuating total according to ongoing roster moves – re-signing, releases and restructuring of current players. The new totals should guarantee a heavily active Free Agent market thru the spring.

NFL 2017 Salary Cap – Franchise/ Transitional Tags 

The NFL salary cap figures list Franchise non-exclusive and transition tags. Non-exclusive players must be tendered a one-year deal no less than the listed amount for their position, which is determined by the average of the top five salaries at their position. With the non-exclusive tag, the current team has the right to match any offer or get two 1st round choices in return. An exclusive Franchise tag ties him to his current team at a higher but undetermined price for one season. Both sides can continue to negotiate on a longer deal even after a franchise tag has been applied.

NFL teams had until March 5th to designate either franchise or transitional tags. The transition tag is created by averaging the top 10 salaries at one position.

Free Agency Labels

Exclusive Franchise Players – None

Franchise Non-exclusive Players (6)

DeMarcus Lawrence             DE            Cowboys
Dee Ford                                 DE/LB      Chiefs
Jadeveon Clowney                DE/LB      Texans
Frank Clark                            DE             Seahawks
Grady Jarrett                         DT             Falcons
Robbie Gould                        PK              49ers

Official Franchise Tags – Salary cap 2019 – $188.2M
Franchise Tag Salary Numbers for each position

  2019 Franchise Tag Values

Offense
     Position                  Tender Amount
Quarterback                  $24,865,000
Running Back               $11,214,000
Wide Receiver               $16,787,000
Tight End                      $10,387,000
Offensive Lineman      $14,067,000
 
Defense
Defensive End              $17,128,000
Defensive Tackle           $15,209,000
Linebacker                    $15,443,000
Cornerback                   $16,022,000
Safety                              $11,150,000
Kicker/Punter                $4,971,000

NFL Combine 2019 – Workout Warriors

  Offensive Prospects
Pro Days Begin on School Campuses

NFL Combine Defensive Prospects – This week

Offensive Prospects

Quarterbacks – Pro Days will determine final QB Rankings
Jackson, Tyree              QB       Buffalo
Jones, Daniel                QB       Duke
Lock, Drew                    QB       Missouri

Running Backs – Middle Tier Prospects Shrine at Workouts
Williams, Trayveon        RB        Texas A&M
Hill, Justice                   RB        Oklahoma St.
Sanders, Miles              RB        Penn St.
Scarlett, Jordan             RB        Florida
Henderson, Darrell        RB        Memphis
Armstead, Ryquell         RB        Temple
Barnes, Alex                 RB        Kansas St.

Wide Receivers – Deep Class with Limited Blue Chip Prospects
Metcalf, D.K.                 WR       Mississippi
McLaurin, Terry             WR       Ohio St.
Campbell, Parris            WR       Ohio St.
Isabella, Andy               WR       Massachusetts
Jennings, Gary              WR       West Virginia
Hardman, Mecole          WR       Georgia
Boykin, Miles                WR       Notre Dame
Brown, A.J.                   WR       Mississippi
Dulin, Ashton                WR       Malone Univ. (Oh)
Ferguson, Jazz              WR       Northwestern St. (La)
Hall, Emanuel                WR       Missouri

Tight Ends – Deep Class Continues to Emerge
Fant, Noah                    TE        Iowa
Hockenson, T.J.            TE        Iowa
Smith, Irv                      TE        Alabama
Oliver, Josh                  TE        San Jose St.
Mack, Alize                   TE        Notre Dame
Moreau, Foster             TE        LSU
Wilson, Caleb                TE        UCLA
 
Offensive Linemen – Limited Blue Chip Hogs
Dillard, Andre                OL        Washington St.
Bradbury, Garrett           OL        N.C. State
Lindstrom, Chris            OL        Boston College
McCoy, Erik                  OL        Texas A&M
Ford, Cody                   OL        Oklahoma
Howard, Tytus               OL        Alabama St.
McGary, Kaleb              OL        Washington
Bates, Ryan                  OL        Penn St.
Benzschawel, Beau       OL        Wisconsin
Davis, Nate                   OL        North Carolina – Charlotte
Deiter, Michael              OL        Wisconsin
Pipkins, Trey                 OL        Sioux Falls

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 28 years including a 250 page Yearbook with 300 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25+ years.

NFL Combine 2019 Announces Invitation List

QB Kyler Murray Faces Important NFL Combine Decision

   Frank Coyle – Head Scout

Former Oklahoma QB Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray was included on the official list of invitees for the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Murray has already declared for the NFL Draft 2019 and he will most likely have to pick between the NFL and MLB where he was first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics. Murray wants to become a first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, but needs to accept the invitation and attend the combine. The A’s have already made a big push to convince Murray to pick baseball over football and they still expect him to attend spring training. The reporting date for spring training actually begins before the NFL Combine on Feb. 15. Murray is at the crossroads and will either miss critical time in spring training for the A’s or bypass the NFL Combine workout in early March which would create a major conflict of dates for any two sport participation. He is expected to announce a decision related to the NFL Combine soon, though he still insists he wants to play both sports. That has never proven successful for any prospect especially with QB ambitions and his delay beyond this winter could actually hurt his career potential in either sport.

The NFL released a list of 338 players who will attend the NFL Scouting Combine which gets underway in Indianapolis on February 26^th. The list includes extensive players from the Power Five Conferences with 261 of the 338 invitations going to prospects from those schools.  

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 Mississippi State DT Jeffrey Simmons and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams were not invited to the event after personal conduct rules infractions. Simmons is considered an early first round prospect while Williams is graded as solid early middle round player.

 2019 NFL Scouting Combine On-Field Workout Schedule – March 1st – March 4th

   Friday, March 1 – Running Backs, Offensive Linemen, Placekicker and Special Teamers
   Saturday, March 2 – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
   Sunday, March 3 – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
   Monday, March 4 – Defensive Backs
 
NFL Combine 2019 Invitations from Power Five Conferences
 SEC – 90
 Big Ten – 53
 ACC – 46
 Pac 12 – 39
 Big 12 – 33
 
NFL Combine 2019 Invitations by School
11 – Alabama
11 – Clemson
10 – Ohio State
 9 – Georgia
 9 – Mississippi
 9 – Washington
 8 – Notre Dame
 8 – Florida
 8 – Kentucky
 8 – Mississippi State
 8 – Oklahoma
 8 – Texas A&M
 8 – Wisconsin
 7 – Boston College
 7 – Penn State
 7 – Stanford
 6 – Auburn
 6 – LSU
 6 – Miami
 6 – Michigan
 6 – Missouri
 6 – North Carolina State
 6 – Utah
 6 – West Virginia 
 
2019 NFL Combine Invitations – Leading Schools
Alabama (11)
DL Isaiah Buggs
RB Damien Harris
RB Josh Jacobs
LB Christian Miller
OL Ross Pierschbacher
TE Irv Smith
CB Saivion Smith
S Deionte Thompson
OT Jonah Williams
DT Quinnen Williams
LB Mack Wilson
 
Clemson (11)
DE Austin Bryant
DE Clelin Ferrell
CB Mark Fields
DT Albert Huggins
OT Mitch Hyatt
LB Kendall Joseph
LB Tre Lamar
DT Dexter Lawrence
CB Trayvon Mullen
WR Hunter Renfrow
DT Christian Wilkins
 
Ohio State (10)
DE Nick Bosa
WR Parris Campbell
WR Johnnie Dixon
QB Dwayne Haskins
DT Dre’mont Jones
OL Michael Jordan
WR Terry McLaurin
OT Isaiah Prince
CB Kendall Sheffield
RB Mike Weber
 

Patriots Win 6th Super Bowl in Defensive Battle

New England Defeats Rams in 13-3 Title Game

Frank Coyle – Head Scout
www.draftinsiders.com

The NE Patriots beat the LA Rams in the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history to win their 6^th Super Bowl title. The Patriots win matched the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most SB victories in history. It was the 6^th SB win for the 41 year old QB Tom Brady who passed former LB Charles Haley who had 5 Super Bowl rings. In an era of explosive offenses, the title game became a defensive battle where HC Bill Belichick designed a brilliant game plan to smother the Rams’ young QB Jared Goff. The Patriots coach never allowed Goff to settle into the pocket and presented a diverse blitz package that forced the third year pro Goff to constantly move in the pocket. Goff completed only 19 of 38 passes for 229 yards and 1 critical 4^th quarter interception that virtually sealed the game for the Pats.

 Draft Insiders’ 2019 Feb. Newsletter is available this week – Order Today
In-Depth Evaluation of Senior Bowl & East-West Shrine Weeks
Two Round Mock Draft & New Top 100 Pro Prospect Rankings

Patriots QB Tom Brady had a decent performance as a game manager, though he failed to put up big numbers. He went 21 for 35 passing for 253 yards passing, no TDs and 1 early interception. He looked to wideout Julian Edelman and TE Rob Gronkowski in key situations. Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards, most in key situations that moved the chains. That performance earned Edelman his first Super Bowl MVP award. Gronk made the game clincher with a late reception to the Rams 1 yard line before rookie back Sony Michel into the endzone for the game’s sole TD. Michel rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries and 1 TD in another huge postseason performance that balanced the offense.

The real star of the victory was the Patriots defense which totaled 4 sacks, multiple pressures and 1 interception while limiting the Rams string ground game to just 62 yards. That pressure forced the young Goff to constantly face 2^nd and 3^rd and long situations which played into the Pats’ multiple blitz schemes that never allowed him to settle into a pocket rhyme. That reflected in Goff’s weak 3 for 13 third down efficiency.

The lowest scoring game in SB history will be viewed as another ring in the Patriots long legacy of NFL dominance in an era of Free Agency and salary cap limitations. No other NFL team has come even close to this type of success especially during the past twenty five years with only the Broncos winning back to back SB titles during this period. The Pats look to repeat next year and defend their title in hopes of becoming the only team to win back to back SB championships twice.

Frank Coyle – Publisher / Head Scout
www.draftinsiders.com

Senior Bowl 2019

Wednesday’s practices moving to South Alabama University
Statement from Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy:

“Because of potential bad weather on Wednesday, we have decided to move practices to South Alabama’s new indoor facility. Our number one priority is always player safety. Rather than risk injury to a player on a slick field or expose them to potential severe weather, we have opted to go indoors. Unfortunately, because of severe space limitations, that means our credentialed media will not be able to attend the practice. We are sorry for this inconvenience.”

Practice times will remain as scheduled:

North 12:30 pm-2:30 pm
South 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

They are closed to media and the public on Wednesday.

Thursday Practices return to Ladd-Peebles Stadium
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (North)
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (South)

* Practices Open To Public Thursday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium

*** Senior Bowl 2019 Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
Weigh-in/Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th

For Complete Senior Bowl info including Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

It’s the Rams vs Patriots in Super Bowl LIII

Super Bowl LIII
When: Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. et on CBS
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Frank Coyle – head scout

In probably the most exciting day in NFL history, the Rams and Patriots won their NFC and AFC championship games with dramatic overtime victories. The Rams/Patriot game will be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI.

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The Rams return to the Super Bowl in only HC Sean McVay’s second season after 12 consecutive non-playoff appearances. It is the Rams’ fourth appearance in the SB. On Sunday, they fought back twice to tie the Saints and won in overtime on a 57 yard game winning FG by Greg Zuerlein. It was the longest FG in NFL Postseason history.

The Patriots go to their third consecutive Super Bowl and 11^th overall in history and the 9^th between HC Bill Belichick and Pro Bowl QB Tom Brady tenure. They won this time on one their patented long drives including the game winning drive in overtime after winning the coin toss. Brady outbattled young Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes in a postseason classic with the Patriots prevailing in the end.

We will have our Super Bowl LIII matchup story prior to the event.

East-West Shrine and NFLPA – Major All-Star Weeks Begin

  Both the East-West Shrine and NFLPA All-star weeks begin with practices. Both events have rosters of many NFL prospects including small college players looking to highlight their talent on the main stage.   

Draft Insiders’ will have scouting staffs at both All-star events this week. We will have in-depth evaluation of all the All-star events in upcoming newsletters.

  Draft Insiders’ 2019 January Newslettter will be available this week – Order Today –  Underclassmen rated, 2 Round Mock Draft and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

All-Star Games

     Jan. 19 – NFLPA Collegiate Game – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Ca.– FS1 – 2 pm PT
      Go to http://collegiate.nflpa.com/2019-game-roster/ for updated info including Rosters

     Jan. 19- East-West Shrine – St. Petersburg, Florida – 3 pm est – NFL Network
 For Complete East-West Shrine All-star Game info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/
 
*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
                       Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
For Complete Senior Bowl info including Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

 Key Postseason Dates
January 15 – Deadline for college players that are underclassmen to apply for special eligibility. A list of players who are accepted into the NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

Jan 19 – East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Jan 19 – NFLPA All-Star Game, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Ca.
 
January 20 – AFC and NFC Championship Games.
 
January 26 – Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.

January 27 – NFL Pro Bowl, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
January 27 – An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.

                 Feb 3 – **** Super Bowl LIIl **** Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.

Draft Insiders’ All-Pro Teams

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

 Draft Insiders’ announces its annual Pro Bowl teams with the NFC and AFC championship games set for next Sunday, the Chiefs host the Patriots and the Saints play the Rams,

  The NFL’s four best teams with square off for the honor to meet in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3^rd. The four finalists have dominated out Pro Bowl clubs, along with several interesting first year and young players. The four title game clubs were the four highest scoring teams in the league in 2018 as the NFL continues in a dominate pass oriented game.  

MVP – QB Patrick Mahomes – Chiefs
Defensive POY – DT Aaron Donald – Rams

Comeback POY – QB Andrew Luck – Colts

Rookies of the Year
  Offense – RB Saquon Barkley – Giants
  Defense – LB Darius Leonard – Colts
 
* rookies

Draft Insiders’ 2019 January Newslettter will be available this week – All Underclassmen, 2 Round MD, and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

Draft Insiders’ Pro Bowl Teams
First Team
Offense

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Running Back: * Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
1A Type: Tyreek Hill – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Tight End: Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Wide Receivers:
 Michael Thomas – New Orleans Saints
 DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans

Left Tackle: David Bakhtiari – Green Bay Packers
Right Tackle: Mitchell Schwartz – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Left Guard: * Quenton Nelson – Indianapolis Colts
Right Guard: Zack Martin – Dallas Cowboys
Center: Jason Kelce – Philadelphia Eagles
 
Defense
Edge Rushers:
 J.J. Watt – Houston Texans
 Khalil Mack – Chicago Bears
 Cameron Jordan – New Orleans Saints
 
Tackles:
   Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams
  Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs

Linebackers:
Luke Kuechly – Carolina Panthers
Bobby Wagner – Seattle Seahawks
* Darius Leonard – Indianapolis Colts
 
Cornerbacks: Kyle Fuller – Chicago Bears
 Stephon Gilmore – New England Patriots
 
Safeties:
  * Derwin James – Los Angeles Chargers
  Eddie Jackson – Chicago Bears
  Nickel Back: Desmond King – Los Angeles Chargers
 
Special Teams
Placekicker: Aldrick Rosas – New York Giants
Punter: * Michael Dickson – Seattle Seahawks
Kick Returner: Andre Roberts – New York Jets
Punt Returner: Tarik Cohen – Chicago Bears
Special Teamer: Adrian Phillips – Los Angeles Chargers
 
Second Team
Offense
Quarterback:
  Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints
 
Running Back:
Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams
1A Type: Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers
 
Tight End: George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
 
Wide Receivers:
Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons
Amari Cooper – Dallas Cowboys
 
Left Tackle: Duane Brown – Seattle Seahawks
Right Tackle: Ryan Ramczyk – New Orleans Saints
 
 Left Guard: Joel Bitonio – Cleveland Browns
 Right Guard: Marshal Yanda – Baltimore Ravens
 Center: Maurkice Pouncey – Pittsburgh Steelers
 
Defense
Edge Rushers:
 Von Miller – Denver Broncos
 Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
 Danielle Hunter – Minnesota Vikings
 
Tackles:  
 Fletcher Cox – Philadelphia Eagles
 Jurrell Casey – Tennessee Titans
 
Linebackers:
 C.J. Mosley – Baltimore Ravens
 * Leighton Vander Esch – Dallas Cowboys
T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers

 Cornerbacks:
   Byron Jones – Dallas Cowboys
   Xavien Howard – Miami Dolphins
 
Safeties:
  Jamal Adams – New York Jets
  Harrison Smith – Minnesota Vikings
  Nickel Back: * Denzel Ward – Cleveland Browns
 
Special Teams
Placekicker: Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens
Punter: Johnny Hekker – Los Angeles Rams
Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson – New England Patriots
Punt Returner: Desmond King – Los Angeles Chargers
Special Teamer: Cory Littleton – Los Angeles Rams

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

January All-Star Games 2019 Postseason Schedule

Jan. 5-9 – College Gridiron Showcase, Fort Worth, Texas

Jan. 13 – Tropical Bowl – FBS All-star Game – Daytona Beach, Florida
                      http://www.tropicalbowl.com/

Jan. 19 NFLPA Collegiate Game –
      Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, Ca.– FS1

     Jan. 19 – East-West Shrine – St. Petersburg, Florida – 3 pm est – NFL Network
     For Complete East-West Shrine All-star Game info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/
 
*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***

                       Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
For Complete Senior Bowl info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

Cardinals Hold 1^st Overall Pick Selection Entering Final  NFL Weekend

Frank Coyle/ Publisher – Head Scout

 With just one game remaining in the 2018 season, the first round order for the NFL Draft 2019 is shaping the selection process. Currently, 16 clubs still have mathematical chances to earn playoff spots. All NFC division winners have been decided, though one wild card playoff club remains to join Seattle. The AFC playoff picture is more complicated with only the Patriots claiming a division title. The three other AFC divisions are still open with eight teams vying for the five remaining playoff positions.  

 Arizona has the #1 off their 3-12 record. The 49ers remain at the 2^nd overall selection off opponent’s won/loss records, though tied with the Jets and Oakland at 4-11. The Lions, Bucs, Bills, Giants and Jaguars hold the #5 thru #9 overall choices on the merit of their poor 5-10 records. There is a logjam with four clubs at 6-9 that will impact the top half of the first round over the final Sunday of the 2018 season.

 This weekend features a few key matchups, Atlanta at Tampa and Detroit at Green Bay that can shuffle the top 10 selections for all of those clubs. Arizona, San Fran, Jets and Raiders all have road divisional games that will determine the final draft order at the very top of the selection process.

 Opponents’ W-L record will be posted next week after all 16 opponents for each team and the final draft order.  Teams that are tied are currently ranked in the order of their opponents won/loss record.

Current First Round Draft Order

# / Team / W-L /
1 Arizona          3-12
2 San Francisco  4-11
3 NY Jets          4-11
4 Oakland         4-11
5 Detroit           5-10
6 Tampa Bay    5-10
7 Buffalo          5-10
8 NY Giants      5-10
9 Jacksonville   5-10
10 Atlanta         6-9
11 Carolina       6-9
12 Denver         6-9
13 Cincinnati     6-9
14 Green Bay    6-8-1
15 Miami           7-8
16 Washington  7-8
17 Cleveland     7-7-1
18 Philadelphia 8-7
19 Pittsburgh    8-6-1
20 Tennessee    9-6
21 Minnesota    8-6-1
22 Indianapolis  9-6
23 Seattle         9-6
24 Oakland (Dallas)       9-6
25 Baltimore     9-6
26 Houston       10-5
27 New England            10-5
28 Oakland (Chicago)    11-4
29 L.A. Chargers           11-4
30 L.A. Rams    12-3
31 Kansas City  11-4
32 Green Bay (New Orleans)      13-2

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.