Every week I open up the mailbag for anyone to send me their questions on college football, the NFL, or the 2020 NFL Draft. We are now just about two weeks away from the Draft and there’s clearly plenty on fans’ minds based on the number of questions being submitted. This week’s mailbag includes the latest buzz on the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, and more.
But before we get started, a quick note. I apologize for the delay in getting these mailbags published. But with state lockdowns, quarantines, and people focused on more important issues outside of football, it’s been tough to track down many of my sources and the information has been slow to come in.
If you have a question you want to send me for next week’s mailbag, send it to asktony@pfn365.com or send a tweet to @PFN365 on Twitter using the hashtag #AskTonyPFN, and we’ll try to include it in an upcoming mailbag column.
The Tony Pauline Mailbag
Do you think there is a chance the Jets trade down with a team looking for a WR if the top four offensive tackles – Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, Jedrick Wills, Andrew Thomas – are off the board? Eagles make sense to me in this scenario.
Right now, I think it’s 50/50 the Jets move down.
Have you heard anything about Washington Redskins OT Trent Williams and the New York Jets?
There’s been little word on where Trent Williams ends up as of this posting. I spoke with someone close to the situation last night (Monday) who told me the belief is the Redskins have offers on the table for Williams, but those offers are primarily last day picks. The hopes are they could move him closer to the draft, if not during the draft itself, for a second day selection.
Have you heard anything to corroborate the CBS report that the Redskins could be more likely to trade down from #2 overall than to keep the pick/spot?
I heard the opposite as of last night. I am told the owner and coach are still on the same page in selecting Chase Young with the second overall pick.
Any buzz on the Las Vegas Raiders with either pick? I know GM Mike Mayock likes to keep things air tight.
They would prefer a wide receiver at 12 if the guy they want is available. I expect the Raiders to select several receivers over the initial three rounds. And while everyone expects the Raiders to take a corner in round one, I’m told right now there is a good possibility they select QB Jordan Love with the 19th selection, if he’s is still available. They wouldn’t have to throw Love into the fire immediately and could develop him with the QB’s presently on the depth chart.
If the NFL season gets canceled, do players still get paid? In other words, is there some sort of disaster/uncontrollable events clause that in the CBA?
I spoke with someone in the league and if the season is canceled, the players do not get paid. I’m told they will try and give the players some type of compensation for offseason workouts and checking in with respective teams while they are working out on their own, but they will not be paid under their contracts.
What are the biggest concerns from the draft prospects’ point of view with the pro days and individual workouts being canceled?
Everyone I’ve spoken with told me that the number one issue is making sure players stay in good shape. Most of the players are working out at facilities or their respective universities right up until draft week as they are participating in pro-days or individual workouts.
And don’t forget – there are a lot of teams that make big swings around the country as a group (coaches, coordinators, general managers, etc) to work out prospects on campus. The Falcons and Patriots for example, usually do a West Coast swing where they stop at San Diego State, UCLA, USC, Stanford, Washington and work out everybody – hence the prospects are usually in top shape through draft weekend. There’s a concern with these guys being on their own at home that may not be happening.
How do we make sense out of the Miami QB draft rumor mill? Trading for Burrow, no they still want Tua, no they prefer Herbert! It’s a merry go round.
The vibe the Cincinnati Bengals are giving everybody at this point in time is Joe Burrow is their guy at the top of the draft. They talk about it as though it’s a foregone conclusion.
And everyone I’ve spoken with tells me at this time they do not believe the Dolphins are intent on moving up for Burrow. Speaking with several people, the belief is that Miami still likes Tua Tagovailoa above the rest, but they would be just as happy with Justin Herbert. The Dolphins interest in Herbert is genuine and has been for several years now.
Is there any chance Jordan Love is selected before Justin Herbert?
None. Herbert will not make it out of the top ten. The feedback I’m getting from people is Love will then end up anywhere as early as pick 19 (Raiders) or as late as pick 24 (Saints).