Tag Archives: Rashaad Penny

NFC West, NFC, 2022, 2022, NFL, Articles, Free Agency

2022 NFL Free Agency, Live Updates: NFC West

Leave a comment

The NFC West traded away a franchise quarterback and saw quality pass rushers leave the division. Through two weeks, trades have been at or near the top of the NFC West’s agenda. Will this division keep its aggression through the 2022 NFL Draft?

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams

Offensive free agents

  • RB Sony Michel
  • RB Buddy Howell
  • TE Johnny Mundt (Agreed to terms with the Vikings)
  • WR Odell Beckham Jr.
  • WR-Ret Brandon Powell (re-signed)
  • OG  Austin Corbett (Agreed to terms with the Panthers)
  • OC Brian Allen (re-signed)
  • OT Joe Noteboom (re-signed)   

Defensive free agents

  • CB Darious Williams  (Agreed to terms with the  Jaguars)
  • CB Donte Deayon
  • DT Sebastian Joseph Day (Agreed to terms with the Chargers)
  • OLB Von Miller (Agreed to terms with the Bills)
  • OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Agreed to terms with the Texans)
  • P Johnny Hekker (Agreed to terms with the Panthers)
  • S Antoine Brooks
  • LB Will Compton
  • LB Troy Reeder

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • OT Andrew Whitworth retired this offseason.
  • Re-signed OT Joseph Noteboom to a three-year deal, OC Brian Allen to a three-year deal, WR-Ret Brandon Powell to a one-year deal and signed OL Coleman Shelton to an extension
  • Signed QB Matthew Stafford to a four-year extension
  • Placed a RFA tender on PK Matt Gay, LB Travin Howard
  • Agreed to terms with WR Allen Robinson (Bears) on three-year deal, LB Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) on a five-year deal, P Riley Dixon (Giants)
  • Traded WR Robert Woods to the Tennessee Titans for a 2023 sixth-round pick
  • Released P Johnny Hekker (signed with the Panthers)
  • Lost OLB Von Miller (Bills), OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Texans), DT Sebastian Joseph Day (Chargers), CB Darious Williams (Jaguars), P Johnny Hekker (Panthers), TE Johnny Mundt (Vikings), OT Austin Corbett (Panthers)

Arizona Cardinals

Offensive free agents

  • RB James Conner (re-signed)
  • RB Chase Edmonds (Agreed to terms with the Dolphins)
  • TE Zach Ertz (re-signed)
  • WR A.J. Green (re-signed)
  • WR Christian Kirk (Agreed to terms with the Jaguars)
  • QB Colt McCoy (re-signed)
  • TE Maxx Williams (re-signed)
  • TE Darrell Daniels
  • TE Demetrius Harris
  • OG Max Garcia (Agreed to terms with the Giants)

Defensive free agents

  • DE Chandler Jones (Agreed to terms with the Raiders)
  • LB Dennis Gardeck (re-signed)
  • LB Ezekial Turner (re-signed)
  • LB Jordan Hicks (released and signed with the Vikings)
  • CB Robert Alford
  • CB Antonio Hamilton
  • CB Breon Borders
  • S Charles Washington
  • DL Jack Crawford
  • S Chris Banjo
  • P Andy Lee (re-signed)
  • LS Aaron Brewer (re-signed)
  • DT Corey Peters

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • GM Steve Keim and HC Kliff Kingsbury were given five-year contract extensions
  • Re-signed P Andy Lee, LS Aaron Brewer, LB Ezekial Turner, LB Dennis Gardeck to one-year deals.
  • Re-signed TE Zach Ertz on a three-year deal, QB Colt McCoy to a two-year deal, RB James Conner on a three-year deal, LB Dennis Gardeck on a three-year deal
  • Agreed to terms with LB Nick Vigil (Vikings), CB Jeff Gladney (Vikings), OG Will Hernandez (Giants), TE Stephen Anderson (Chargers)
  • Released LB Jordan Hicks (signed with the Vikings)
  • Lost DE Chandler Jones (Raiders), WR Christian Kirk (Jaguars), RB Chase Edmonds (Dolphins), OG Max Garcia (Giants)

Seattle Seahawks

Offensive free agents

  • LT Duane Brown
  • RB Alex Collins
  • TE Will Dissly (re-signed)
  • TE Gerald Everett (Agreed to terms with the Chargers)
  • OL Kyle Fuller (re-signed)
  • OL Jamarco Jones
  • RB Rashaad Penny (re-signed)
  • C Ethan Pocic
  • OT Brandon Shell
  • QB Geno Smith (re-signed)
  • WR John Ursua

Defensive free agents

  • S Quandre Diggs (re-signed)
  • DE Rasheem Green
  • DE Carlos Dunlap (designated post June 1 release)
  • CB Sidney Jones (re-signed)
  • CB Gavin Heslop
  • DB Blessaun Austin
  • DT Robert Nkemdiche
  • DB D.J. Reed
  • DT Al Woods (re-signed)
  • DE Benson Mayowa (released)
  • DE Kerry Hyder (released)
  • LB Bobby Wagner (released and signed with Rams)

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Traded QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in exchange for QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, 2022 first-round pick (9th overall), 2022 second-round pick (40th overall), 2022 fourth-round pick and a 2022 fifth-round pick. They also received a 2023 first-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick
  • Released LB Bobby Wagner (signed with Rams), designated a post June 1 release of DE Carlos Dunlap, released DE Kerry Hyder, DE Benson Mayowa
  • Re-signed S Quandre Diggs to a three-year deal, CB Sidney Jones, TE Will Dissly to a three-year deal, OL Kyle Fuller, RB Rashaad Penny to a one-year deal, DT Al Woods to a two-year deal, QB Geno Smith to a one-year deal
  • Agreed to terms with DT Quinton Jefferson (Raiders) on a two-year deal, OLB Uchenna Nwosu (Chargers) on a two-year deal, CB Artie Burns (Bears) on a one-year deal, G Austin Blythe (Chiefs) on a one-year deal, CB Justin Coleman (Dolphins), LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (Bears)
  • Lost OL Jamarco Jones (Titans), DB D.J. Reed (Jets)

San Francisco 49ers

Offensive free agents

  • OG Laken Tomlinson (Agreed to terms with the Jets)
  • WR Richie James
  • RB Trenton Cannon (Agreed to terms with the Titans)
  • WR Trent Sherfield (Agreed to terms with the Dolphins)
  • C Jake Brendel (re-signed)
  • WR-Ret Travis Benjamin
  • OL Tom Compton (Agreed to terms with the Broncos)
  • WR Mohamed Sanu
  • TE Ross Dwelley
  • RB Jeff Wilson, Jr. (re-signed)
  • RB Raheem Mostert (Agreed to terms with the Dolphins)

Defensive free agents

  • DB Tarvaris Moore
  • DE Jordan Willis (re-signed)
  • DL Maurice Hurst
  • DE-OLB Arden Key
  • CB Dontae Johnson (re-signed)
  • S Tavon Wilson
  • S Jaquiski Tartt
  • LB Marcell Harris
  • CB Josh Norman
  • CB K’Waun Williams (Agreed to terms with the Broncos)
  • CB Jason Verrett
  • DT D.J. Jones (Agreed to terms with the Broncos)
  • DL Darrion Daniels

2022 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Agreed to terms with CB Charvarius Ward (Chiefs) on a three-year deal, CB Darqueze Dennard (Giants), S George Odum (Colts) on a three-year deal, LB Oren Burks (Packers) on a two-year deal, WR-Ret Ray-Ray McCloud (Steelers) on a two-year deal, DT Hassan Ridgeway (Eagles) on a one-year deal, DE Kerry Hyder (Seahawks) on a one-year deal
  • Re-signed DE Jordan Willis on a one-year deal, C Jake Brendel, RB Jeff Wilson, Jr.
  • Lost CB K’Waun Williams (Broncos), RB Raheem Mostert (Dolphins), RB Trenton Cannon (Titans), OG Laken Tomlinson (Jets), DT D.J. Jones (Broncos), WR Trent Sherfield (Dolphins), OL Tom Compton (Broncos)
  • Placed RFA tenders on OL Daniel Brunskill and LB Azeez Al-Shaair
NFC West, NFL, Articles, NFL Draft Recap, 2018, 2018

2018 NFL Draft recap, pick-by-pick: NFC West

Leave a comment

NFC West

Arizona

Cardinals

Campbell (No. 1 pictured) was a big factor for the Nittany Lions on both special teams and at corner during 2017. The former high school safety brings an aggressiveness to the Cardinals secondary.

Notable Pick: The choice of Edmonds could provide the Cardinals with a deadly one-two punch in the backfield. This would take pressure off of incumbent Sam Bradford. The team may have gotten one of the steals of the draft in the 6-foot-1, 192-pound Campbell.
Round,

Selection,

 

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (10) Josh

Rosen

QB-6’4 226

 UCLA 15 (1st Round) Rosen’s toughness complements elite anticipation. In order for him to show both, he’ll need to stay available.
2 (47) Christian

Kirk

AP-5’11 200

 Texas A&M 29 (2nd Round) DraftNasty’s top-ranked all-purpose player, Kirk averaged 19 yards per punt return in 2017. A year prior in 2016, he averaged 21.7 yds/PR with three TDs.
3 (97) Mason

Cole

OC-6’4 307

 Michigan 74 (3rd Round) Cole began his career at left tackle and ended it there (2017). In-between, he was a factor at the center spot.
4 (134) Chase

Edmonds

RB-5’11 205

 Fordham 120 (3rd Round) Edmonds- the Patriot League’s all-time leading rusher- was the best running back at the 2018 East-West Shrine game.
6 (182) Christian

Campbell

CB-6’1 203

 Penn State 82 (3rd Round) Campbell was dinged for being a one-year starter despite NFL starting traits (4.5 speed, 41 ½” VJ, 11’2” BJ, 4.18 20-yd SS).
7 (254) Korey

Cunningham

OT-6’5 311

 Cincinnati 335 (5th Round) Cunningham morphed into a starting left tackle in the AAC after putting on 90 pounds while in school. He maintained his athleticism despite the added weight (4.9 40-yd, 35 ½” VJ, 9’11” BJ).

 

Seattle

Seahawks

Penny (No. 20 pictured) returned eight kicks for touchdowns during his career (one punt return TD). In addition, he eclipsed the 2,200-yard mark (2,248) as a rusher in 2017.

Notable Pick: Despite getting drafted in the first round, Penny may still be undervalued. He can take the top off the defense as a kickoff returner, catch the ball and run in-between the tackles. His pass blocking will have to improve to get on the field.
Round,

Selection,

 

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (27) Rashaad

Penny

RB/KR-5’11 220

 San Diego St. 12 (1st Round) The three-time MWC Special Teams Player of the Year can affect a game in a number of ways.   His experience under former NFL assistant Jeff Horton could ease his professional transition.
3 (79) Rasheem

Green

DE-6’4 275

 USC 67 (3rd Round) Green has the look of New England Patriots 2017 fourth-round pick Deatrich Wise. He can move up-and-down the defensive front as a mismatch player.
4 (120) Will

Dissly

TE-6’4 256

 Washington 460 (6th Round) Dissly may need more repetitions, but he has enough size to become an effective in-line blocker. The Academic All-Pac-12 selection impressed with his hand-eye coordination during the 2018 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
5 (141) Shaquem

Griffin

LB-6’0 227

 UCF 106 (3rd Round) The 2016 AAC Defensive Player of the Year and former safety actually looked decent changing directions in defensive back drills prior to the draft. The team will have a plan for his diverse skill-set.
5 (146) Tre

Flowers

S-6’3 207

 Oklahoma St. 262 (4th Round) The All-Big 12 selection can produce positive angles when breaking on routes that go towards the sidelines. His ability to cover ground gives him high special teams upside.
5 (149) Michael

Dickson

P-6’2 208

 Texas 271 (4th Round) His first step goes forward when receiving the snap and he can get balls to travel 70 yards in distance with hang time (70 yards, 4.75 hang, TCU ’17, downed at -10-yd L). He can control field position.
5 (168) Jamarco

Jones

OT-6’4 299

 Ohio State 326 (5th Round) Jones didn’t play with as much venom in 2017 as he had in 2016. He has enough pop to potentially get looks inside at guard.
6 (186) Jacob

Martin

OLB/DE-6’2 236

 Temple 382 (5th Round) Martin –a second-team All-AAC selection- lined up at both end spots for the Owls. His reactionary speed (4.59) off the snap helped him produce 8 QB sacks and 11 TFLs in 2017. He has the look of former Seahawk Bruce Irvin (Raiders) when he came out of West Virginia.
7 (220) Alex

McGough

QB-6’3 218

 FIU 602 (7th Round) McGough’s precision was a big reason the team finished first in the nation in Red Zone offense.

 

San

Francisco

49ers

Warner (No. 4 pictured) finished his career with seven interceptions (2 for TDs) while at BYU.

Notable Pick: Warner was BYU’s field linebacker for much off his career but was also used off the edge on occasion. He began to overcome his angular build in 2017 with more force at the point of attack. He has a chance to increase the team’s speed in nickel situations and will be a special teams contributor from Day 1.
Round,

Selection,

 

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
1 (9) Mike

McGlinchey

OT-6’8 311

 Notre Dame 4 (1st Round) Finds his spots and angles as both a run and pass blocker.   Can bend to be 6-foot-8.
2 (44) Trade from Washington Dante

Pettis

AP-6’0 186

 Washington 113 (3rd Round) Multi-dimensional receiver who may have more to give as a slot option. Arguably the draft’s best return option.
3 (70) Fred

Warner

LB-6’3 236

 BYU 52 (2nd Round) He spent a lot of time in school matching slot WRs. Improved in the briar patch in 2017.
3 (95) Tarvarius

Moore

DB-6’1 199

 Southern Miss 81 (3rd Round) Moore has a unique combination of length and athleticism. Improved his play speed and recognition in 2017.
4 (128) Kentavius

Street

DE-6’2 280

 NC State 202 (4th Round) Street is a bully on the field with his combination of power and strength. He was drafted despite tearing his ACL in pre-draft workouts.
5 (142) D.J.

Reed

CB-RET-5’9 188

 Kansas State 123 (3rd Round) Reed offers major potential in either the punt or kickoff return game (2nd nationally in both categories).   His tenacity at the CB spot was evident vs. Charlotte (2017) in cross-field pursuit.
6 (184) Marcell

Harris

S-6’1 208

 Florida 601/7th Round Harris is yet another player the 49ers drafted that may not be available right away. He was on par with former Gator safeties Marcus Maye and Keanu Neal for a stretch in Gainesville.
7 (223) Julian

Taylor

DT-6’4 295

 Temple N/A Taylor put it all together as a senior with 10 tackles for losses but he did not post a sack. He will be a one-gap penetrator.
7 (240) Richie

James

WR-5’10 183

 MTSU 157 (3rd Round) Despite a disappointing senior year marred by injury, James still produced two 100-catch seasons in school (2015-16).   He offers a quickness disposition supported with 4.48 speed.

 

Los

Angeles

Rams

Noteboom (No. 68 pictured) started at both left tackle and right tackle during his time at TCU.

Notable Pick: Noteboom could eventually develop into a starter and has the ability to be groomed behind one of the NFL’s best in Andrew Whitworth. His 35 ½-inch arms increase his room for error.
Round,

Selection,

 

 Player School DN Big Board

Rank/

Grade

 ‘Nasty’ Take:
3 (89) Joseph

Noteboom

OT-6’5 309

 TCU 62 (2nd Round) Noteboom can immediately challenge for a starting spot if he gets his technique under control. Compares favorably to Washington OT Morgan Moses.
4 (111) Brian

Allen

C-6’1 300

 Michigan State 387 (5th Round) Allen’s size would make one believe he is a center-only prospect, but some of the former state champion wrestler’s best work in school came at the LG spot in 2016.
4 (135) John

Franklin-Myers

DE-6’3 283

 Stephen F. Austin 410 (5th Round) Franklin-Myers in strong in the upper body and plays with a heavy-handed nature. He controls the action vs. tight ends and has the look of a four-or-five-technique in Wade Phillips’ defenses.
5 (147) Micah

Kiser

ILB-6’2 239

 Virginia 96 (3rd Round) Kiser’s instincts are top-notch. He impresses with his key-and-diagnostic skills. The Walter Camp second-team All-American posted 145 tackles and 5 QB sacks as a senior.   19 QB sacks in his career.
5 (160) Obo

Okoronkwo

OLB-6’1 253

 Oklahoma 118 (3rd Round) Okoronkwo consistently affected the pocket for the Sooners in school. He plays fast and has some similarities to former Denver Broncos first-round pick Shane Ray. He’s longer and more refined as a pass rusher, however.
6 (176) John

Kelly

RB-5’10 216

 Tennessee 72 (3rd Round) Kelly’s late season off the field issues turned off potential suitors. On top of that, he slowed down the second half of 2017.   Nevertheless, he has elite balance.
6 (192) Jamil

Demby

RB-6’4 319

 Maine 166 (4th Round)B Demby looked the part at both the 2018 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Senior Bowl. His lack of foot speed caused a precipitous drop, but he plays with significant urgency.
6 (195) Sebastian

Joseph

DT-6’4 295

 Rutgers 540 (6th Round) The 2018 College Gridiron Showcase MVP excelled in the classroom. Rutgers’ 2018 team MVP started at the three-technique and NG. Can crease the pocket vs. centers.
6 (205) Trevon

Young

LB-6’4 258

 Louisville 194 (4th Round) After overcoming a serious injury in 2015, Young began to return to form in 2017 (12.5 TFLs).
7 (231) Travin

Howard

S/LB-6’1 213

 TCU 424 (5th Round) Howard finished his career with 343 tackles, and 18 tackles for losses. He’s already been used quite a bit in coverage and he may rank as a position-flex player in Wade Phillips’ schemes.
7 (244) Justin

Lawler

DE-6’4 262

 SMU 318 (5th Round) Since Lawler’s insertion into the SMU lineup in 2015, he’s lined up in a number of positions. He has stood up as an overhang LB and an inside shade DE.   A feisty run defender with a knack for blocking kicks (six blocks in school).
NCAA FB, 2018, Articles

Q&A with San Diego State’s Nick Bawden: ‘The leading man’

Leave a comment

There aren’t many quarterbacks who give up the ball and decide to become lead fullbacks.  Former San Diego State Aztecs fullback Nick Bawden did that and more.  After starting two games for the Aztecs at quarterback in 2014, he made a successful transition to the position.  Bawden was the lead blocker for two 2,000-yard running backs in his career.   He gives a lot of the credit to current San Diego State offensive coordinator Jeff Horton.  DraftNasty’s Corey Chavous caught up with Bawden during the week of 2018 Senior Bowl practices this past January.

Bawden (No. 15 pictured) blocked for two 2,000-yard rushers after starting two games at quarterback in 2014.

 

Corey: Wanted to ask you a little bit about working with Jeff Horton as the offensive coordinator (San Diego State). He is a guy I had some familiarity with and we worked together for awhile (St. Louis Rams). He had a lot of good things to say about you. Not only on your approach, but just how smart you were. Talk a little bit about your ability to grasp a number of different pro-style concepts.

Bawden: Starting with my intellect for football. I just love the game. Student of the game. Trying to learn as much as I can from as many people…reaching out to people on Instagram, stuff like that. I learned so much from Coach Horton. That’s pretty cool that you guys go way back, cause he’s been so influential in my life. I can’t thank him enough for all that he’s done. He’s really taken the time to help me learn this game the way I have.

Corey: You’re being asked to block on a lot of counters and do some of the things that an NFL fullback would be asked to do. It’s one thing to do it and get to the assignment, but then there is another to do it and finish with some ‘Nasty’. I like ‘Nasty’, and you’ve got a lot of that in you. Talk about ‘Nasty’ and why that’s important for you…to send a message when you connect on people.

Bawden: Yeah, I mean there’s not many of us left. A fullback has got to be the most physical guy on the field at all times. Whether that’s in special teams or running iso (lead isolations), running counters, like you said. That’s just my mentality. I want to impact the game to where linebackers are thinking about me and not where the ball is.

Corey: You’ve blocked for two 2,000-yard rushers (Donnell Pumphrey, Rashaad Penny) among others. You’ve also blocked for Juwan (Washington) and did he come close to a thousand this year?

Bawden: He was close yeah but not quite (759 yards, 6 yards per carry, 7 TDs).

Corey: The year before (2016), the 2,000 and 1,000-yard double (Pumphrey and Penny).

Bawden: Yeah.

Corey: What does that mean to you?

Bawden: It’s been incredible. Like I said, there’s nine other guys on the field so it wasn’t just me.   We’ve had some really good O-linemen and some really good tight ends. But I’ve been put in a really good position and that’s all thanks to Coach Horton.

Corey: What’s the one thing you want NFL scouts to know that you’re going to bring to the next level that they may not know as much about right now?

 Bawden: Just my versatility. I can line up in the I-formation and run Iso (fullback lead isolations) all day, but I can run down and cover kicks, cover punts, be on kickoff return, be on punt return. Be on all of them. I want to be a core special teams guy and be able to contribute any way I can.

Corey: No doubt. Thanks a lot for your time.

Bawden: Absolutely.

Corey: One more question. Who was the toughest opponent you went against in school?

Bawden: Individual player?

Corey: Yeah, individual player.

Bawden: I’d say Harrison Phillips, the D-tackle from Stanford.   He’s actually out here this week (Senior Bowl). We’re training together down in San Diego.

Corey: Y’all beat them this year.

Bawden: We did. We did. He had like ten tackles against us at nose though (11 tackles, ½ QB sack, ½ tackle for loss), so that was pretty crazy.

Corey: Yeah, I actually announced one of your games this year.

Bawden: Oh really. Which one?

Corey: Northern Illinois (CBS Sports Network).

Bawden: Okay. That was a dogfight.

Corey: Enjoyed watching you.