Post by The Cowboys on Jul 24, 2023 0:45:59 GMT -5
One of these three has to go (and I believe they are all worthwhile keepers):
WR Richie James, KC: James had a career year with the Giants last year and appears to be lighting it up in KC's camp. His competition for targets is suspect (2nd year Skyy Moore, oft-injured Kadarius Toney and journeyman MVS). According to Chiefs Wire: "James stole the show with his crisp route running and sure hands, which will make him a trusted target for Patrick Mahomes when Kansas City takes the field in the preseason and beyond. The former New York Giant also flashed some upside after the catch, showing off an elusiveness that might surprise some fans who are unfamiliar with his game."
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN: Talk about Chigoziem has been building since last year. Last year, as a rookie, Okonkwo ranked first among tight ends in yards after catch per reception, first in yards per route run, second in yards per target, and third in PFF receiving grade. With a year under his belt, he should only be better.
WR Tim Patrick, DEN: Patrick posted back-to-back 700-plus receiving yards, 50-plus receptions and 11 total touchdowns in the two years before tearing his ACL after I traded for him last year.
According to the NFL Network's James Palmer, "“I’ve had multiple people tell me he [Patrick] is the best football player in that wide receiver room and might be a bigger boost for a Russell Wilson bounce-back season than maybe we’re leading on. If you spent any time in training camp last year, it was Tim Patrick who Russell Wilson was building his chemistry with,” Palmer said. “Multiple coaches would told me [Wilson] felt more comfortable throwing the ball to Patrick than any other guy on the field.”. (https://heavy.com/sports/denver-broncos/james-palmer-russell-wilson-tim-patrick-denver-broncos/)
Also available:
DT Grover Stewart, IND: Top 20 keeper lineman last year (#22 overall).
DL Montez Sweat, WAS: Tied for fourth last year with 28 QB hits. Commanders DC Jack Del Rio thinks DE Montez Sweat could be on the verge of a breakout season similar to how DT Daron Payne performed last year.
“I think that was really the message for Daron Payne going into last year,” Del Rio said, via CommandersWire. “He was very disruptive the year before and left a lot on the plate. I think Montez is in a similar situation. I think he’s been very close, very disruptive, done a lot of really good things. I mean, he’s a good football player, and when he starts finishing at a higher rate, his numbers are gonna explode. I anticipate him having that kind of a year for us.” (https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/nfc_notes_dak_prescott_montez_sweat_commanders_cowboys_giants/s1_17039_38993047)
DB Trevon Diggs, DAL: In three seasons has 17 INT and 49 pass deflections. The #2 CB in 2021 and the #13 CB in 2022.
DB Charvarius Ward, SF: The #5 CB last year, tallying 11 passes defended, 87 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Leader of the 9ers defensive backfield, he posted the best PFF run-defense grade of any outside cornerback.
LB Willie Gay: Missed 5 games last year and finished at the #45 keeper LB. He is coming off of a season in which he recorded career-highs in tackles (64), stops (40), batted passes (4), and sacks (3) according to PFF. He also excelled in coverage, earning a 74.1 coverage grade by PFF, which ranked 13th among all linebackers. (https://heavy.com/sports/kansas-city-chiefs/urged-contract-extension-willie-gay/)
WR Richie James, KC: James had a career year with the Giants last year and appears to be lighting it up in KC's camp. His competition for targets is suspect (2nd year Skyy Moore, oft-injured Kadarius Toney and journeyman MVS). According to Chiefs Wire: "James stole the show with his crisp route running and sure hands, which will make him a trusted target for Patrick Mahomes when Kansas City takes the field in the preseason and beyond. The former New York Giant also flashed some upside after the catch, showing off an elusiveness that might surprise some fans who are unfamiliar with his game."
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN: Talk about Chigoziem has been building since last year. Last year, as a rookie, Okonkwo ranked first among tight ends in yards after catch per reception, first in yards per route run, second in yards per target, and third in PFF receiving grade. With a year under his belt, he should only be better.
WR Tim Patrick, DEN: Patrick posted back-to-back 700-plus receiving yards, 50-plus receptions and 11 total touchdowns in the two years before tearing his ACL after I traded for him last year.
According to the NFL Network's James Palmer, "“I’ve had multiple people tell me he [Patrick] is the best football player in that wide receiver room and might be a bigger boost for a Russell Wilson bounce-back season than maybe we’re leading on. If you spent any time in training camp last year, it was Tim Patrick who Russell Wilson was building his chemistry with,” Palmer said. “Multiple coaches would told me [Wilson] felt more comfortable throwing the ball to Patrick than any other guy on the field.”. (https://heavy.com/sports/denver-broncos/james-palmer-russell-wilson-tim-patrick-denver-broncos/)Also available:
DT Grover Stewart, IND: Top 20 keeper lineman last year (#22 overall).
DL Montez Sweat, WAS: Tied for fourth last year with 28 QB hits. Commanders DC Jack Del Rio thinks DE Montez Sweat could be on the verge of a breakout season similar to how DT Daron Payne performed last year.
“I think that was really the message for Daron Payne going into last year,” Del Rio said, via CommandersWire. “He was very disruptive the year before and left a lot on the plate. I think Montez is in a similar situation. I think he’s been very close, very disruptive, done a lot of really good things. I mean, he’s a good football player, and when he starts finishing at a higher rate, his numbers are gonna explode. I anticipate him having that kind of a year for us.” (https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/nfc_notes_dak_prescott_montez_sweat_commanders_cowboys_giants/s1_17039_38993047)
DB Trevon Diggs, DAL: In three seasons has 17 INT and 49 pass deflections. The #2 CB in 2021 and the #13 CB in 2022.
DB Charvarius Ward, SF: The #5 CB last year, tallying 11 passes defended, 87 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Leader of the 9ers defensive backfield, he posted the best PFF run-defense grade of any outside cornerback.
LB Willie Gay: Missed 5 games last year and finished at the #45 keeper LB. He is coming off of a season in which he recorded career-highs in tackles (64), stops (40), batted passes (4), and sacks (3) according to PFF. He also excelled in coverage, earning a 74.1 coverage grade by PFF, which ranked 13th among all linebackers. (https://heavy.com/sports/kansas-city-chiefs/urged-contract-extension-willie-gay/)