Tag Archives: Maxx Crosby

AFC West, 2022, 2022, NFL, Articles, Free Agency

2022 NFL Free Agency, Live Updates: AFC West

Leave a comment

The AFC West’s free agency/offseason started fast, as the Broncos seemingly traded away one-eighth of its team and several draft picks for former Seattle signal-caller Russell Wilson’s services. But all of the division’s quarterbacks have a lot to deal with on the other side of the ball. The Raiders added Chandler Jones and Khalil Mack returns to the division as a Charger. To top it off, the Broncos signed former Cowboys standout Randy Gregory to pair with Bradley Chubb. The updates are live, so please come back to see who your favorite team signs or loses in free agency.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive Free Agents

  • OT Orlando Brown Jr. (Franchise tag)
  • FB Michael Burton (re-signed)
  • WR Josh Gordon (returned on futures deal)
  • QB Chad Henne (re-signed)
  • OL Kyle Long
  • RB Jerick McKinnon
  • WR Byron Pringle (agreed to terms with the Bears)
  • OT Mike Remmers
  • WR Demarcus Robinson (agreed to terms with the Raiders)
  • RB Darrel Williams
  • OL Andrew Wylie (re-signed)
  • OC Austin Blythe (agreed to terms with the Seahawks)
  • TE Blake Bell (re-signed)

Defensive Free Agents

  • S Armani Watts
  • CB Charvarius Ward (agreed to terms with the 49ers)
  • S Daniel Sorensen (agreed to terms with the Saints)
  • DT Jarran Reed
  • LB Dorian O’Daniel
  • DL Derrick Nnadi (re-signed)
  • DE Alex Okafor
  • LB Ben Niemann
  • S Tyrann Mathieu (agreed to terms with the Saints)
  • OLB Melvin Ingram
  • CB Mike Hughes (agreed to terms with the Lions)
  • LB Anthony Hitchens

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Placed the franchise tag on OT Orlando Brown, Jr. and restructured the contract of DE Frank Clark
  • Agreed to terms with S Justin Reid (Texans) on a three-year deal, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Packers) on a three-year deal, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers) on a one-year deal, LB Jermaine Carter (Panthers), RB Ronald Jones II (Buccaneers)
  • Re-signed FB Michael Burton to a one-year deal, re-signed QB Chad Henne to a one-year deal, DT Derrick Nnadi to a one-year deal, OL Andrew Wylie to a one-year deal,
  • Released LB Anthony Hitchens
  • Traded WR Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins for a 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick and 2022 fourth-round pick. They also received a fourth-round pick and sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
  • Lost CB Charvarius Ward (49ers), CB Mike Hughes (Lions), OC Austin Blythe (Seahawks), WR Demarcus Robinson (Raiders), WR Byron Pringle (Bears), S Tyrann Mathieu (Saints)

Los Angeles Chargers

Offensive free agents

  • WR Mike Williams (re-signed)
  • TE Jared Cook
  • OG Oday Aboushi
  • LS Matt Overton
  • OG Michael Schofield
  • OT Bryan Bulaga (released)
  • OG Senio Kelemete
  • KR/PR Andre Roberts
  • K Dustin Hopkins
  • QB Chase Daniel (re-signed)
  • TE Stephen Anderson
  • C Scott Quessenberry (Agreed to terms with the Texans)
  • RB Justin Jackson

Defensive Free Agents

  • LB Kyzir White (agreed to terms with the Eagles)
  • DT Justin Jones (agreed to terms with the Bears)
  • CB Davontae Harris
  • DT Christian Covington (re-signed)
  • OLB Uchenna Nwosu (agreed to terms with the Seahawks)
  • OLB Kyler Fackrell
  • CB Ryan Smith
  • DT Linval Joseph
  • CB Chris Harris Jr.

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Traded a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for OLB-DE Khalil Mack
  • Agreed to terms with CB J.C. Jackson (Patriots) on a five-year deal, DT Sebastian Joseph (Rams) on a three-year deal, LS Josh Harris on a four-year deal and DT Austin Johnson (Giants), P JK Scott (Jaguars), LB Kyzir White (Eagles), LS Josh Harris (Falcons)
  • Released OT Bryan Bulaga, re-signed QB Chase Daniel to a one-year deal
  • Re-signed WR Mike Williams to a three-year deal
  • Tendered RFA TE Donald Parham, WR Jalen Guyton and OT Storm Norton
  • Lost OLB Uchenna Nwosu (Seahawks), C Scott Quessenberry (Texans), DT Justin Jones (Bears), LB Kyzir White (Eagles)

Denver Broncos

Offensive free agents

  • QB Teddy Bridgewater (Agreed to terms with the Dolphins)
  • RB Melvin Gordon
  • RT Bobby Massie
  • RT Cam Fleming
  • TE Eric Saubert
  • C Brett Jones

Defensive free agents

  • CB Kyle Fuller
  • CB Bryce Callahan
  • S Kareem Jackson
  • LB Alexander Johnson
  • OLB Stephen Weatherly
  • DT Shamar Stephen
  • CB Mike Ford
  • CB Nate Hairston
  • DL Justin Hamilton
  • LB Micah Kiser (agreed to terms with the Raiders)
  • LB Josey Jewell (re-signed)
  • LB Kenny Young
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory, pictured, posted a career-high 17 quarterback hits in 2021. The Broncos signed him in free agency this offseason.

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Traded QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, a 2022 first-round pick (9th overall), a 2022 second-round pick (40th overall), 2022 fourth-round pick and a 2022 fifth-round pick in exchange for QB Russell Wilson (Seahawks). They also traded away a 2023 first-round pick and 2023 second-round pick in the exchange for Wilson
  • Agreed to terms with DE Randy Gregory (Cowboys) on a five-year deal, DT DJ Jones (49ers) on a three-year deal, TE Eric Tomlinson (Ravens), OL Billy Turner (Packers), DB K’Waun Williams (49ers), S J.R. Reed (Giants), LB Alex Singleton (Eagles), QB Josh Johnson (Ravens),
  • Lost QB Teddy Bridgewater (Dolphins)
  • Re-signed LB Josey Jewell to a two-year deal and OT Calvin Anderson (one-year deal)
  • Tendered OLB Malik Reed, QB Brett Rypien, DB P.J. Locke and LB Jonas Griffith

Las Vegas Raiders

Offensive free agents

  • QB Marcus Mariota (Agreed to terms with the Falcons)
  • RB Jalen Richard (Agreed to terms with the
  • WR Zay Jones (Agreed to terms with the Jaguars)
  • OG Richie Incognito
  • WR DeSean Jackson
  • OG Nick Martin
  • TE Derek Carrier
  • OT Brandon Parker
  • OL Jermaine Eluemunor (re-signed)
  • RB Peyton Barber
  • FB Alec Ingold (agreed to terms with the Dolphins)

Defensive free agents

  • OLB Nicholas Morrow (agreed to terms with the Bears)
  • DT Johnathan Hankins (re-signed)
  • LB K.J. Wright
  • DL Quinton Jefferson (agreed to terms with the Seahawks)
  • DL Solomon Thomas (agreed to terms with the Jets)
  • CB Casey Hayward (agreed to terms with the Falcons)
  • DT Gerald McCoy
  • CB Desmond Trufant
  • LB Marquel Lee (agreed to terms with the Bills)
  • DL Darius Philon
  • CB Brandon Facyson (agreed to terms with the Colts)
  • CB Damon Arnette

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Agreed to terms with DE/OLB Chandler Jones (Cardinals) on a three-year deal, DL Bilal Nichols (Bears) on a two-year deal, CB Darius Phillips (Bengals) on a one-year deal, FB Jakob Johnson (Patriots), RB Brandon Bolden (Patriots), WR Mack Hollins (Dolphins), WR Demarcus Robinson (Chiefs), TE Jacob Hollister (Jaguars), RB Ameer Abdullah (Panthers), LB Kyler Fackrell (Chargers), DT Kyle Peko (Titans), LB Jayon Brown (Titans), S Duron Harmon (Falcons), DT Vernon Butler (Bills), OL Alex Bars (Bears)
  • Gave S Dallin Leavitt a right-of-first refusal RFA tender
  • Re-signed OG Jermaine Eluemunor, DT Jonathan Hankins
  • Lost OLB Nicholas Morrow (Bears), WR Zay Jones (Jaguars),
  • Signed DE Maxx Crosby to a four-year extension
  • Traded DE Yannick Ngakoue to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for CB Rock Ya-Sin
  • Lost CB Casey Hayward (Falcons), WR Zay Jones (Jaguars), CB Brandon Facyson (Colts), DL Quinton Jefferson (Seahawks), LB Nicholas Morrow (Bears), FB Alec Ingold (Dolphins), DL Solomon Thomas (Jets)

Photography: ©DraftNasty

AFC West, NFL, Articles, DraftNasty Throwbacks (Videos, Photos, Articles), NFL Draft Recap, 2020, 2019

2019 NFL Draft recap, pick-by-pick: AFC West

Leave a comment

Lock, the team’s second-round pick, finished his career with 12,193 yards passing (second in SEC history).

Denver Broncos Notable picks:  The team traded its 10th overall pick, yet still got the draft’s 21st player overall at Pick 20.  In addition, the team nabbed our 32nd-ranked player in Risner early in the second round. Although Lock was deeper on our board (54th overall), we don’t think the Broncos could have waited any longer to pull the trigger on the third-best QB in the draft.  Of the team’s undrafted free agents, Nevada’s Malik Reed has the most suddenness and could have easily been a draft pick.  For the second consecutive year, John Elway added solid players to an underrated nucleus.  Ultimately, however,  this draft’s eventual grade will come down to the development of Lock.
Round,

Selection,

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (20) Traded its first round pick (10th overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the team’s Noah Fant TE/Iowa 21/1st Round Although his teammate T.J. Hockenson won the 2018 John Mackey Award, it was Fant who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as voted on by the coaches. Fant’s 4.5 speed will be a welcome addition down the seams for new quarterback John Flacco.   
2 (41) Dalton

Risner

 OL/Kansas State 32/2nd Round It doesn’t take long to understand the value of Risner, who despite having natural lateral quickness, needs to close off the bottom of the pocket more consistently as an outside tackle.  If he moves back into the center position (where he started in 2015), then we think he’ll challenge for a starting spot.
2 (42)

Acquired from Cincinnati

 Drew Lock QB/Missouri 54/2nd Round Lock can challenge all parts of the field with range that is comparable to Joe Flacco, the man he is asked to backup initially in Denver.  We felt that the former Tiger needed a bridge quarterback and Flacco fits the bill.
3 (71) Dre’Mont Jones DT/Ohio State 33/2nd Round Jones’ outstanding footwork frequently allowed him to work over guards after gaining an edge.  For him to become a legitimate starter, he will have to play heavier at the point of attack.
5 (156)

Acquired from Minnesota

 Justin Hollins DE-OLB/Oregon 202/4th Round Hollins proved during 2019 East-West Shrine practicesthat he was at least adequate as an exchange LB.  It is a big reason he took home East-West Shrine Game Defensive MVP honors.  The former Duck forced eight fumbles in school. 
6 (187)

Acquired from Carolina

 Juwann

Winfree

WR/

Colorado, Maryland

 425/5th Round Winfree has unique route-running skill and underrated field speed.  The former Terrapin rarely has to idle himself into patterns.  The Broncos struck gold by staying in-state a year ago with UDFA Pro Bowler Phillip Lindsay and hope to do so again with its sixth-round pick.

Hardman averaged nearly 21 yards per punt return in 2018 and accounted for eight touchdowns (7 REC, 1 PR).

 

Kansas City Chiefs Notable picks: The Chiefs went into the draft looking to add pieces as opposed to having to fill them.  One position of note that the team didn’t address until Day 3 is cornerback.  Heading into the 2019 campaign, they have a rather unproven group of outside cornerbacks.  They will likely have to depend on Kendall Fuller to give them some reps on the flanks after the loss of underrated CB Steven Nelson. In addition, the team is probably depending on Emmanuel Ogbah, who has quietly posted 17 pass break-ups in his career, to be a serviceable left defensive end opposite the recently acquired Frank Clark.
Round,

Selection,

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
2 (56)

Acquired from Los Angeles via New England via Chicago

 Mecole Hardman All-Purpose/Georgia 72/2nd Round It doesn’t take long to determine where Hardman is inclined to work.  He can become a serious contender for playing time in the slot if he can show increased ball skills and awareness. His biggest strength is the ability to accelerate through the reception, but he left some passes on the field.  We think he is one of the top return threats in the draft. `
2 (63)

Acquired from Los Angeles

Juan

Thornhill

 DB/Virginia 179/3rd Round Thornhill, a former corner at Virginia, doesn’t mind mixing it up in coverage.  His biggest weakness came when routes broke away from him (either at safety or corner).  The former high school basketball star uses outstanding leaping ability to supplement first-rate instincts.  He was used in somewhat of a hybrid role in 2018.
3 (84)

Acquired from Seattle

 Khalen Saunders DT/Western Illinois 179/3rd Round Saunders has some traits that are similar to former Texas DL and current New Orleans Saints DL Malcom Brown.  An above average athlete, he was a tough block for guards or tackles.  Stamina is a bit of a question mark.
6 (201) Rashad Fenton CB/South Carolina 269/4th Round Have you ever seen a player who may not look as fast as he really is?  This is the case for Fenton, who shined as a kickoff returner at various points of his career.  His quick-footed nature and overall toughness means he could get looks at the nickel back spot.
6 (214) Darwin Thompson RB/Utah State 306/4th Round An explosive Pro Day forced evaluators to go back to the tape for Thompson.  What they found was a patient runner with enough speed to bounce runs outside.  A season that featured a 15.3 yards per reception average proved he can catch too.
7 (216)

Acquired from San Francisco

 Nick

Allegretti

 OG/Illinois 220/4th Round The former Illini two-time team captain started 36 straight games to end his career. We feel the right guard position gives him the best chance to earn a roster spot. Why?  He shifts his weight on opponents as well as any guard in this year’s draft.

 

Jacobs (No. 8 pictured) scored 14 touchdowns on just 154 touches in 2018.

 

Oakland Raiders Notable pick: Newly-hired GM Mike Mayock selected potential core players who add substance to the roster.  Ferrell and Jacobs both played large parts in each of their respective team’s national championship runs. Although Abram represented a personality pick, how different is he from former West Virginia safety Karl Joseph?  The selection of Crosby means the team now has a number of edge rushers to throw at teams, even if none of them would be described as a dominant game changer. Mullen, Johnson and college free agent Keisean Nixon join a cornerback group suddenly filled with young talent and depth.
Round,

Selection,

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (4) Clelin Ferrell DE/Clemson 15/1st Round Ferrell averaged 17 tackles for loss per year over the course of the last three seasons.  His ability to finish on the quarterback is undeniable.  The big knock on him was a relative lack of natural bend off the edge.  He is long enough to compensate.
1 (24) Josh Jacobs RB/Alabama 61/2nd Round Jacobs’ running style and receiving skill largely mirrors that of the runner who started for the Raiders the last two seasons, Marshawn Lynch when he came out of school.  He is just not as fast as Lynch was coming out of school. 
1 (27) Johnathan Abram S/

Mississippi State,

Georgia

 52/2nd Round Somewhat of a Donte Whitner-type (Bills, 49ers), Abram could become a complement to fellow safety Karl Joseph.  The former Georgia Bulldog has covered the slot effectively, but we don’t think that’s a role he will be asked to man consistently in the NFL.  He will, however, be asked to lock down tight ends.
2 (40) Trayvon Mullen CB/Clemson 95/3rd Round The former high school WR has positive hand-eye coordination and timing. During his two years as a starter, he displayed a keen sense of handling man or zone assignments.  At 6-foot-1, 199 pounds, he is an adequate tackler. 
4 (106) Maxx

Crosby

DE-OLB/Eastern

Michigan

 273/4th Round Crosby’s gangly, unorthodox style conjures up images of former Buffalo Bills star Bryce Paup.  For him to make it, he has to play with more sand in the pants.
4 (129)

Acquired from Indianapolis

 Isaiah Johnson CB/Houston 139/3rd Round Johnson’s ability to win in zone coverage comes from his receiving background.  In addition, he is one of the top gunners in the 2019 NFL Draft.  Standing 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, the former wideout will find playing time in some capacity in Year 1.
4 (137)

Compensatory pick acquired from Atlanta

 Foster Moreau TE/LSU 181/3rd Round Although he wasn’t featured as a receiving tight end at LSU, Moreau contains underrated athleticism and will be a fine on the move or hand in the dirt Y-tight end.  It would not be a surprise to see his receiving skills expand at the NFL level.  He can create separation at the top of his routes.
5 (149)

Acquired from Dallas via Cincinnati

 Hunter

Renfrow

 WR/

Clemson

 126/3rd Round The operative thinking is that Renfrow turns into a multi-year contributor at the slot wide receiver position and you’re done with it…right?  What about special teams production for a receiver weighing in the 180-pound range?  Despite showing up at the gunner spot (ex: Russell Athletic Bowl ’15), he posted just four career tackles.  He did, however, serve as the team’s emergency punter.
7 (230)

Acquired from Atlanta

 Quinton Bell Prairie View A&M N/A Bell averaged 13.6 yards per catch before transitioning to defense in 2018.  He responded with 7.5 quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for losses.  He’s bulked up in weight while still maintaining his explosiveness (41 1/2-inch VJ). 

 

Tranquill (No. 23 pictured), a former safety, finished with 292 career tackles for the Fighting Irish.

 

Los Angeles Chargers Notable picks: Tillery’s unique athleticism (4.33 20-yard short shuttle) and heavy hands (10 5/8”) offsets an inconsistent pad level.   Adderley’s range belies his timed speed.  Pipkins has a skill-set and profile that closely mirrors incumbent right tackle Sam Tevi.  Stick may be used in a surprise role for the team and Broughton can play multiple positions.  Tranquill’s foot speed and safety experience could earn him a role in sub-packages, but we expect him to star on special teams immediately.
Round,

Selection,

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (28) Jerry Tillery Notre Dame 19/2nd Round Tillery has all of the tools to be a multi-purpose defensive lineman in the NFL.  His style lends itself to somewhat of an Arik Armstead-type (San Francisco 49ers).  Both players were bunch producers in school.
2 (60) Nasir

Adderley

 DB/

Delaware

 43/2nd Round Adderley’s timed speed does not accurately represent the speed that really matters….his eye speed. His ability to read the quarterback’s body language really was unparalleled in this year’s draft class.  His major key will be finding a balance when it comes to making open field tackles consistently in space.
3 (91) Trey Pipkins OT/Sioux Falls 119/3rd Round He displays positive bend, impressive mobility and an element of finish necessary to compete on Sundays.  His short lateral kick-slide will have to deepen if he is going to stay outside.  We went into how his outstanding NFL Combine workout would be the final factor in swaying NFL coaches and personnel.
4 (130) Drue

Tranquill

 LB/Notre Dame 194/4th Round The former safety uses his 4.5 speed to make plays all over the field.  His stock stayed steady due to his ability to return from a couple of freak ACL injuries during school.  It didn’t stop him from finishing his career with 292 tackles and 25 tackles for losses in 52 career appearances.
5 (166) Easton Stick QB/North Dakota State 301/4th Round His 4.6 40-yard dash time opens eyes, but maybe not even as much as his blistering 6.65 time in the three-cone drill.  It is a big reason he rushed for 41 TDs in school.  He doesn’t have former Bison QB Carson Wentz’s arm, but he does have even more impressive athleticism.  The Chargers will find a way to incorporate it on a deep team.
6 (200) Emeke

Egbule

 OLB/

Houston

 490/5th Round His defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio said of Egbule, “he’s our most versatile player in space.”  It will be imperative for him show these traits for scouts during training camp to earn a roster spot.
7 (242) Cortez Broughton DL/

Cincinnati

 247/4th Round In a deep 2019 defensive tackle class, it probably isn’t a surprise that Broughton was one of the overlooked prospects.  Aside from notching 16.5 tackles for losses in 2018, he also put together a pretty good week at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game. Icing on the cake for Broughton came on Cincinnati’s Pro Day, where he notched an impressive 33 1/2-inch vertical jump at 293 pounds.