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“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,” I always tell my fantasy football roster before Week 1. It doesn’t work, but I’m trying my best. This time of year, we get our first impressions of rookies, vets and new coaches trying their best during OTAs. That and more in today’s newsletter:
- 👀 New-look Ravens
- Jim Harbaugh‘s celebrity comp
- 🏥 Injury tracker
Early OTA Impressions: For Lawrence extension, sooner is better
With 22 teams holding OTAs, we saw enough slow-motion semi-action to make up for the last few months of nothing. Despite being a time the Chiefs Swifties are calling “a show walkthrough” with “no costumes,” there was plenty to learn. Here are the five biggest takeaways from a busy Monday:
1. When asked about an extension for Trevor Lawrence, HC Doug Pederson said, “Obviously the sooner you get it done, it’s behind everybody and now we focus on football.” In a bigger-deal-than-the-last-guy league, the earlier the Jaguars lock up Lawrence (who is still only 24), the cheaper it is, too.
Take the Chiefs, who signed Patrick Mahomes (then 24) to the largest contract in sports history, which quickly became a steal. Or the Bills, who the next offseason made Josh Allen (then 25) the second-highest paid quarterback with an annual average of $43 million through 2028, eventually a $10 million discount per season compared to Jared Goff’s recent extension.
2. Don’t expect the Patriots to rush Drake Maye, who took reps as the third-string quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe. While HC Jerod Mayo told reporters that this order “won’t be indicative of what we do,” there is nothing wrong with bringing along a rookie QB slowly. Remember the last guy, now backing up Lawrence?
3. We heard from the Giants on quarterback Daniel Jones, who took the next step in his ACL rehab by participating in 7-on-7 drills. That makes the goal — training camp in late July — appear achievable for Jones, who has Drew Lock lurking.
4. In Daniel Popper’s 12 observations from the Chargers‘ first OTA practice, he noted that third-round rookie linebacker Junior Colson left the field with trainers and did not return. We’ll monitor. On a positive note from Daniel, rookie receiver Ladd McConkey “played both inside and outside, but the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense came in the slot.” McConkey could be in for a monster season in the Keenan Allen role.
5. Chiefs WR Rashee Rice joined OTAs and was participating in all activities. Rice is likely to be suspended for multiple games by the NFL, as he is under investigation by the Dallas Police Department for allegedly punching a photographer inside a nightclub, an incident that occurred just weeks after Rice allegedly fled the scene upon causing a multi-vehicle crash in northeast Dallas.
What Dianna’s Hearing: Bigger runner, sleeker passer
New Ravens star running back Derrick Henry arrived for day one of Baltimore’s voluntary OTAs on Monday. His transition to a new offense, which is in its second year under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, bears watching. In year one, the Ravens led the NFL in rushing attempts (541) and yards (2,661).
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We also need to be pay attention to Lamar Jackson’s trimmed-down physique. “Slim Jackson,” as his teammates are calling him, is intentionally down to 205 pounds — 25 pounds less than his 2022 weight and lower than last season, when he played at 215. The word in Baltimore is this slimmed-down Lamar could be even faster than the one we’ve seen in years past.
Back to you, Jacob.
Sound Bites: Jim Harbaugh reminds me of …
Yesterday, Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman shared his initial assessment of Jim Harbaugh: “I hope I don’t get in trouble for this, but he reminds me of Will Ferrell … The way that he talks, his analogies and everything. They really remind me of Will Ferrell.”
Denzel, I love it. But which character? We have options:
- “You stay classy, Los Angeles,” as Ron Burgundy would say if he’d left San Diego with the Chargers.
- “You’re my boy, Blue,” says Harbaugh while watching Justin Herbert perform a handoff.
- “Did we just become best friends?” asked “Step Brothers” Harbaugh upon beholding OC Greg Roman’s RV.
- As Mugatu in “Zoolander”: “That Power I is SO hot right now.”
Perryman concluded his summary of Harbaugh with: “But I love him. I love him as a coach. I love the direction that he’s got us going in.”
2024 Injury Updates: Cousins, Burrow recovering
The regular season had no shortage of injuries, especially at quarterback, a position where 66 players recorded at least one start each. Here’s an updated timetable on some of those injured stars.
Healthy, but gently does it
- QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) has no restrictions at offseason practices.
- QB Joe Burrow’s wrist appears fully healed as he nears the end of the expected six-month recovery process, but since no major quarterback has been through a similar injury, this is one to watch.
- QB Kirk Cousins has been participating in practices, and HC Raheem Morris said Cousins has “been out there pretty much full-go,” adding that “he’s still in his rehab.” Cousins expects to be “full speed” when training camp begins.
- QB Anthony Richardson had AC joint surgery in October, but as James Boyd noted earlier this month, the sophomore QB has made a full recovery. Still, the Colts will likely ease him back into a full workload during OTAs. His shoulder looks great.
- Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) has told reporters he’s back to 100 percent.
Trust the recovery process
- After suffering a gunshot wound as a bystander in April, WR Tank Dell appears to be making a quick recovery. The sophomore posted a video of himself running sprints. The Texans are expected to sit him until training camp, as he also suffered a broken fibula in Week 13.
- QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) said the plan is for him to participate in portions of OTAs.
- Don’t expect Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson, who tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16, to be ready for Week 1. The injury could land him on the PUP and keep him below 100 percent all year. He recently said there’s no timeline for his return.
- Browns RB Nick Chubb was spotted running, which you love to see. “The next few months will be big as we continue to increase the load that he’s able to put on his knee,” said GM Andrew Berry. Chubb suffered a similar injury while at Georgia in 2015, making a full recovery by the following September.
- Jets WR Mike Williams (ACL) expects to be ready for Week 1 but is not rushing his return.
- Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs (ACL) is expected to return for training camp.
- Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne (ACL) won’t practice this spring.
Around the NFL
Last night, WR DeVante Parker announced his retirement. A perfect match for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Miami, Parker had a breakout 2019 (1,202 yards, nine touchdowns) but never replicated that form across his other eight seasons. Parker leaves the battle for the Eagles’ WR3 role to veteran Parris Campbell and late-round rookie WRs Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson.
WR Keon Coleman, who Buffalo hopes can replace Stefon Diggs, is already endearing himself to his new city.
Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster said he feels “100 percent healthy” heading into OTAs, a notable improvement given his admission of “60 percent” health last offseason.
Jacob’s Picks
📕 Meet Malik Nabers, who wants to “destroy you.” The Giants are counting on their rookie receiver to revive Daniel Jones, as Charlotte Carroll explains. (The Athletic)
🎙 The “Buying or Selling” series continues as Robert Mays explores how the “middle class” of the league fared this offseason. (The Athletic Football Show)
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