Welcome to the very first edition of my mailbag on Pro Football Network. This week, we received questions on Aaron Rodgers, Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Herbert, and much more. I also touch on the Broncos’ pleasant draft surprise and who might be the receivers on the outside looking in for Denver.
If you have a question you want to send me for next week’s mailbag, send a tweet to @PFN365 on Twitter using the hashtag #AskAllbrightPFN, and we’ll try to include it in an upcoming mailbag column.
The Benjamin Albright Mailbag
What does the market for Jadeveon Clowney and Yannick Ngakoue look like at the moment?
The markets for Jadeveon Clowney and Yannick Ngakoue are pretty limited at the moment. The number of teams with the necessary available cap space AND a need is a rather small list. We’ll see how it all shakes out in the upcoming weeks and where these two defenders land on their feet.
After being rejected last offseason, is there any chance the Miami Dolphins are in play for Jadeveon Clowney?
I don’t think the Miami Dolphins will be in play for Jadeveon Clowney. From what I understand, its a 3 to 4 team market for him. PFN’s Tony Pauline has previously reported that the New York Jes may be one of those teams sniffing around Clowney.
What is going on with Aaron Rodgers? How does he feel about playing for the Green Bay Packers when they drafted Jordan Love?
Aaron Rodgers has always played with a chip on his shoulder. I don’t think former Utah State QB Jordan Love is a threat to Rodgers. But the drafting of Love and other players, and specifically not adding any wide receivers, certainly comes across as a message to the 36-year old Rodgers.
Related | Tony Pauline’s 2020 NFL Draft Evaluations: NFC edition
Do you think DE Markus Golden will be back with the Giants?
I think so, but I’m not 100% certain. That’s because the Giants are also one of the teams eyeballing Clowney.
Who do you see as the odd men out in the Denver Broncos’ receiver room?
DaeSean Hamilton for sure. Hamilton has produced just 540 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first two seasons. Fred Brown would be on the outside looking in. Tim Patrick and Diontae Spencer are pretty safe. Courtland Sutton obviously is a lock for the roster.
When do you think Justin Herbert will take over the starting job in Los Angeles? Was he really their target all along?
Oregon Ducks QB Justin Herbert was their target, yes, and I was reporting as such back in January. And if/when Herbert gets moved into the starting lineup, I suspect it’ll be a midseason thing. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has loyalty to Tyrod Taylor stemming back to their time with the Buffalo Bills. I suspect they’ll play Tyrod until they’re eliminated.
Have you heard anything about New York Giants OT Nate Solder moving to right tackle?
Speculation, nothing solid. Additionally, PFN’s Tony Pauline has previously reported that moving Solder to right tackle will depend on how quickly rookie Andrew Thomas gets acclimated to the NFL.
Five years from now, who will be the best quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft Class?
Joe Burrow, who the Cincinnati Bengals selected with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. I’m not big on Tua Tagovailoa, who the Dolphins drafted fifth overall. Herbert is a high boom/bust guy.
Leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft, you had said that the Broncos were quite interested in Henry Ruggs. He was taken a few spots before the Broncos were on the clock, but they did come away with Jerry Jeudy. How do the Broncos brass feel about that, considering many people had Jeudy as WR1?
I can tell you that Jerry Jeudy was the number one wide receiver on the Broncos’ draft board. The Broncos didn’t believe he was going to be there. None of their internal mocks had him available. When the Raiders stunned everyone by taking Ruggs, they were pretty excited about their 1a falling to them. Getting K.J. Hamler in the second round was the other piece of that puzzle.
Related | 2020 NFL Draft Grades: Denver Broncos
Who do you think will be the worst free-agent signing this offseason when we look back in a few years? The best?
Worst? That’s tough. I’m not sure the Joe Schobert deal — a five year, $53 million deal that included $22.5 million in guarantees — is gonna be a net positive for Jacksonville. Conversely, if the Vikings can keep DT Michael Pierce motivated, that three year, $27 million deal might be a sneaky “best” signing of the 2020 offseason.
Benjamin Allbright is PFN’s NFL Insider. You can follow him on Twitter @AllbrightNFL.