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Santonio Holmes/Antonio Brown Trade Tree

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always seemed to have a surplus of talented receivers on their roster. Lynn Swann, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster are just some of the talented receivers to wear the black and yellow. The Steelers managed to draft all of these receivers themselves. Some were even selected outside of the first round. They selected one in the sixth-round who became a multi-time all-pro receiver. This was Antonio Brown. The drafting of Brown almost didn’t happen for the Steelers if not for a trade involving another receiver from the list above. With Brown’s time in Pittsburgh now just memories, here is the Santonio Holmes/Antonio Brown trade tree.

Antonio Brown Trade Tree

Steelers Trade

Santonio Holmes

Jets Trade

2010 5th (155th)

In 2010, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded their super bowl hero Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets for merely a fifth-round pick in 2010. This draft pick would be traded to set up the beginning of a new era for the Steelers’ offense.

Steelers Trade

2010 5th Round Pick (155th) (John Skelton)

Cardinals Trade

Bryant McFadden
2010 6th Round Pick (195th) (Antonio Brown)

The Steelers traded that fifth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Bryant McFadden and a sixth-round pick in 2010. McFadden would record two interceptions and 11 passes defended in his second stint in Pittsburgh following the trade. The Steelers cut McFadden two years later in 2012. McFadden offered some value for a mere fifth-round pick, but this trade becomes lopsided due to the sixth-round pick the Steelers also acquired from Arizona. The Steelers used that pick to draft a wide receiver, Antonio Brown.

Brown is one of the best Steelers of all-time and came to the team at the perfect time as they lost Santonio Holmes to make this draft pick possible. He joined a pass-heavy Steelers offense and would post incredible numbers throughout his nine seasons with Pittsburgh. Brown recorded 11,207 yards, 74 touchdowns, and 837 receptions with Pittsburgh. He had seven 1,000-yard seasons, six of them in a row, and a six-season streak of at least 100 receptions. He made seven pro bowls as a Steelers and had four first-team All-Pro seasons. Unfortunately for Arizona, the pick they received for what would become Antonio Brown became John Skelton. Skelton started just 17 games in three seasons with Arizona before being cut by the team.

Steelers Trade

Antonio Brown

Raiders Trade

2019 3rd Round Pick (66th) (Diontae Johnson)
2019 5th Round Pick (141st) (Zach Gentry)

Brown’s relationship with the Steelers began to sour towards the end of the decade and trading him became a guarantee. The Steelers would trade Brown to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for just two draft picks in the third and fifth rounds of the 2019 draft. Those picks would become wide receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Zach Gentry. Gentry only appeared in four games his rookie season recording just one catch. Johnson, however, had 59 receptions for 680 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games.

These are solid numbers for a receiver playing in an offense that had several quarterbacks play throughout the season at a low level. Johnson also had to split targets with star JuJu Smith-Schuster and sophomore receiver James Washington. If Johnson can become a consistent producer for the Steelers moving forward, the cycle of replacing traded receivers with newly drafted receivers will continue for Pittsburgh.

2020 FA Cup Quarterfinals Preview

The FA Cup is one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport and eight teams from the premier league are closing in on a chance to win the coveted cup. Many of the top clubs in the premier league remain in the final eight, but a few bottom table teams have managed to survive to this point. It will be exciting to see if thee clubs can continue to upset these top clubs or if the top clubs will cement themselves in the semifinals or the tournament and, eventually, the final. Here is my FA Cup quarterfinals preview.

FA Cup Quarterfinals Preview

1. Norwich Vs Manchester United

The first match if the quarterfinals of the FA Cup will see Manchester United travel to Norwich. Norwich has been a surprise team to reach the quarterfinals since they are currently last in the premier league table. They will have a big challenge when they face Manchester. Norwich has played well throughout the FA Cup and managed to get passed the Tottenham Hotspurs via penalties after a close 1-1 draw. United has had a much easier time getting to this point in the Cup.

They have beaten their last three opponents a combined 10-0 including a 3-0 victory over Derby County in their fifth-round matchup. Manchester United is currently fifth in the premier league table and looking to move into the top four. While United are the favorites to move on to the semifinals with stars like Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, and Anthony Martial leading the way, Norwich and their star Teemu Pukki will look to continue their unexpected run towards the FA Cup final.

2. Sheffield United Vs Arsenal

The second FA Cup matchup is Sheffield United and Arsenal. Sheffield United has had a good run through the FA Cup winning their last three matches outright. They are currently ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League table and have a better goal difference by two goals. Sheffield is led by their top players such as John Fleck and Lys Mousset. Arsenal is right behind Sheffield United on the Premier League table and has some talented young players.

Their top goal scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is second in the Premier Leauge in goals with 17. He along with other talented forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pépé make up an impressive offensive front for Arsenal. Arsenal has seen scoring from some unexpected areas throughout the FA Cup which has helped them make the quarterfinals. If they hope to reach the cup finals; they will need to have their stars step up in these upcoming matches.

3. Leicester City Vs Chelsea

The third FA Cup match of the quarterfinals is Leicester City and Chelsea. Both clubs are in the top four of the premier league table with Leicester slightly above Chelsea. Leicester hasn’t allowed a goal in their last three FA Cup matches which will be needed when going up against Chelsea’s offense. Leicester has the top goal scorer in the Premier League Jamie Vardy. Vardy has 19 goals this season and will need to be on his game if Leicester wants to get past Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Chelsea has their own goal scorer in Tammy Abraham who has 13 goals this season. Chelsea has had a tough road to the quarterfinals including a match against top club Liverpool. They managed to eliminate Liverpool with a 2-0 victory setting them up as potential favorites the rest of the way. Chelsea will look to make a habit out of beating top premier league clubs on their road to the FA Cup final.

4. Newcastle United Vs Manchester City

The last quarterfinal match of the FA Cup has Newcastle United going against Manchester City. Newcastle is the only other team in the quarterfinals to be in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Newcastle has had some high scoring matches in their run for the cup. They scored three goals against Oxford United and West Bromwich as well as four goals against Rochdale. Forward Miguel Almirón is currently third in goals in the FA Cup with four. He will look to increase his total against Manchester City. For Manchester City, their all-time leader in goals Sergio Aguero will miss the match after an injury has caused him to undergo surgery. Despite Aguero’s injury, Manchester is confident they can move past Newcastle in the quarterfinals.

Top Four Wide Receivers in 2020 NFL Draft

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Jerry Jeudy is an impressive talent. Jeudy is the most all-around receiver in this draft class. He has the route running, speed, and hands to make a dominant NFL receiver. Jeudy has been great at Alabama, playing alongside fellow top receiver Henry Ruggs, racking up 1,100 or more yards and 10 or more touchdowns in each of his last two seasons. Jeudy has been a top target for Tua Tagovailoa since he became the starting quarterback. With all of their talents coming together, it is no wonder why Alabama’s offense succeeded and they are now all projected first-round picks.

2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Lamb is another complete receiver who dominated the college level. He has been a key part of the high-powered Oklahoma offense. Lamb finished his career at Oklahoma with an impressive 1,300-yard season to go with 14 touchdowns. Lamb has been blessed to play with some great quarterbacks during his college career. In his three seasons at Oklahoma, Lamb played with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts. Lamb played a big part in two Heisman seasons and another impressive season where Lamb found his best personal success. Lamb brings a lot to the NFL including great footwork and hands. A great fit for him would be the New York Jets who desperately need a number one receiver for Sam Darnold.

3. Henry Ruggs, Alabama

Ruggs is the x-factor of this receiving class. He possesses incredible speed and can be a true game-changer for an offense that lacks speed. Ruggs isn’t a high-volume route runner by any means, but he has that big-play ability that not all receivers have in their skillset. He would compliment another great receiver well and open up the field in a passing offense. Ruggs would be a great fit for the Denver Broncos who need more weapons for their young quarterback Drew Lock. Ruggs would also be a great compliment to Courtland Sutton who is slowly becoming one of the NFL’s top receivers.

4. Justin Jefferson, LSU

Jefferson came alive this season for LSU. The national champions relied heavily on the receiver this season. Jefferson caught 111 passes this season, showing off his great hands, while also racking up 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. Joe Burrow transcended the LSU offense this year and many of his receivers benefited from his play. Jefferson is one of those players, but his own skills can not be denied. Jefferson is a great pass catcher who should help any offense get things rolling. His ability to make the tough catch makes him a go-to guy on third down and should be viewed as a drive saver. He would fit perfectly on an offense like the Philadelphia Eagles.

Five Interesting Rules in the NFL’s Proposed CBA

The NFLPA is expecting to conclude their vote on the proposed CBA on Saturday, March 14. They recently elected Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter as president of the NFLPA. The CBA has been the talk of the league the past few weeks and with the potential for a vote of “no” looming, talks about the CBA may just be getting started. The currently proposed CBA has been approved by the owners. While the many pages of the CBA and large amounts of legal speech can make the CBA difficult to understand, here are five interesting rules in the NFL’s proposed CBA.

Interesting Rules in the NFL’s Proposed CBA:

1. Addition of a 17th Regular-Season Game:

The first rule in the CBA that is interesting is the addition of a 17th game. This game is advantageous to the owners due to the additional revenue they would receive from having another game played. This rule is advantageous for players in the fact that they would receive an additional game check on the season. The negatives to this rule are mainly on the players’ side. The game check is only one-seventeenth of their base salary. This is a very small fraction of what the players make for the other sixteen games.

Also, this game is another opportunity for players to sustain injury and put wear on their bodies. While the idea of an additional game is great for fans, the players see it as an extra opportunity to cut their careers short with a less-than-ideal amount of compensation.

2. Additional Playoff Team and Wild Card Game Per Conference:

The addition of two more playoff teams and, as a result, two more playoff games is exciting for football fans. The playoffs are often the most exciting games of football you will see. For players, it isn’t a thrilling ideal to have to potentially play 21 total games on the road to a super bowl as a number two seed compared to the current total of 19. The expanded playoff format would be great for the NFL financially, but not so much for the players. With a change as big as this, it is interesting to think about what change of this magnitude the players could potentially ask for.

3. Increased Fines and Mandatory Payments Regarding Holdouts:

Holding out for a better contract has become commonplace in recent years. Players such as Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, and Aaron Donald are examples of players who held out for contracts with different levels of success. For Donald, he accrued $1.5 million in fines during his holdout. The Rams were forgiving of these fines for their star defensive tackle, but under the potential CBA, these fines would be mandatory. Also, the fines for holdouts would increase.

$1.5 million is already a large amount of money. The players definitely don’t want the fines to increase and they don’t want to feel like they can’t holdout for a fair deal with the potential for these fines to become mandatory. The owners would like this rule due to the idea that players would be less likely to holdout and play through their seemingly “cheap” or “unfair” deals.

4. Revenue Split of 48/52 Favoring Owners:

The revenue split under this potential CBA is a 48/52 split favoring the owners. There is a potential increase for the players based on a “kicker” involving the NFL’s upcoming deals with various media outlets. This gives the NFL the potential to work the deals in their favor to avoid triggering this kicker. Also, the split itself is interesting to consider. The NFL is an organization that survives on the performance of the players. The players would seemingly deserve the split to be as fair as possible.

A 50/50 split is seemingly reasonable for the players when you consider that they are responsible for the revenue created by the NFL. Without the players, there is no NFL. Other players do not possess the same skillset that current NFL players have. This is shown in the differences between the XFL and the NFL. At least a 49/51 split would be better for the players than the proposed 48/52 split.

5. Increased Minimum Salary With an Exception:

The last interesting rule of the potential CBA is the increase in the minimum salary. The minimum salary would increase by $180,000 for the 2020 season. This is roughly a 35 percent increase and affects more than 60 percent of players currently in the NFL. However, for entry-level players, it will take three years for them to reach these numbers. This means that players over the next three seasons will not receive the benefit of this new rule.

With the proposed CBA being a 10-year agreement, players want to see all players compensated immediately. This is why there is concern regarding the entry-level players’ salaries over the next few seasons. This is one of the more favorable additions for the players. If they can clear up the issues for the entry-level players, it would be a complete win for the players in a seemingly owner-friendly proposal.

Top Five Offensive Performances From XFL Week Five

This week’s list consists of four familiar faces and one first time appearance. The Roughnecks and Wildcats dominated on offense this week while the Vipers also had an impressive day on offense despite losing to the Wildcats in a high-scoring game. This week showcased the best the XFL has to offer and was the most entertaining week of XFL football so far. Entering the second half of the XFL season, here are the top five offensive performances from XFL week five.

Offensive Performances From XFL Week Five:

1. Josh Johnson, Quarterback, Los Angeles Wildcats:

The top player for week five is Los Angeles Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson. Johnson poured it on the Vipers’ defense for a total of 41 points. Johnson had 288 yards passing and four touchdowns. He had one interception and 19 additional rushing yards. He also posted an impressive 107.2 passer rating. Johnson spread the love this week with touchdowns to four different receivers this week. The Wildcats have found new life with Johnson under center and now have the second win with him as the starter. Hopefully, Johnson can continue this success into the second half of the season do L.A. can have a chance at the post-season.

2. Cam Phillips, Wide Receiver, Houston Roughnecks:

Phillips continued to succeed in week five with ten receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns. This is Phillips’ fourth time making the list and his third multi-touchdown week of the XFL season. Phillips has the best quarterback in the XFL throwing him passes and it helps him put up numbers every week. Phillips is a big part of the Roughnecks’ 5-0 start to the XFL season. Houston players the surging New York Guardians in week six and Phillips will need to be locked in again if the Roughnecks want to remain undefeated.

3. Taylor Cornelius, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Vipers:

Cornelius has his second appearance on the top five with another impressive game for the Vipers. Cornelius filled the box score with 300 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also had 45 rushing yards and another touchdown. Cornelius has been impressive since becoming the top quarterback for the Vipers’ offense. The Vipers have had a tough start to the season, but recently, they have started to turn a corner. They may have lost in week five, but they scored 34 points. If they can score that many points regularly, they won’t find themselves losing very often.

4. P.J. Walker, Quarterback, Houston Roughnecks:

P.J. finds himself making the list of top performances yet again. Walker performs well every week and has been the biggest reason for the Roughnecks’ 5-0 record. Walker had 351 yards and 3 touchdowns this week against the Seattle Dragons. P.J. found his usual targets Cam Phillips and Nick Holley for touchdowns and continues to impress XFL viewers every week. With Walker consistently executing for Houston through the first five weeks, it is clear Walker is a top talent in the XFL and his Houston Roughnecks are the team to beat this season.

5. Reece Horn, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Vipers:

The last player in this week’s list is a first-time appearance. Reece Horn, a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Vipers, had an impressive nine receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Horn emerged as the go-to threat for Taylor Cornelius in week five. The Vipers fell short this week to the Wildcats, but Horn showed that he can help the Vipers turn their season around in the second half of the year.

Top Five Offensive Performances From XFL Week Four

ST. LOUIS, MO – FEBRUARY 23: Jordan Ta’amu #10 of the St. Louis BattleHawks looks to hand off to Matt Jones #24 during the XFL game against the New York Guardians The Dome at America’s Center on February 23, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/XFL via Getty Images)

The XFL has now completed four weeks of its regular season and another great week of football was seen. More new faces had breakout performances and other established players continued to play well. A few running backs emerged as serious threats on the ground for what seems like this first time this season. While the Roughnecks continue to dominate, the Defenders appear to be on a downward slope. Teams who had a slow start, such as Tampa Bay, seem to have found footing in the XFL. With six weeks remaining in the regular season, here are the top five offensive performances from XFL week four.

Offensive Performances From XFL Week Four:

1. Jordan Ta’amu, Quarterback, St. Louis Battlehawks:

Ta’amu had an incredible week for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Ta’amu had 264 passing yards and another 63 yards rushing. He also had a passing touchdown to go with his 327 total yards. Ta’amu completed an impressive 74 percent of his passes and his accuracy helped lead his team to their third win of the season. Ta’amu’s impressive week four came with the help of De’Mornay Pierson-El and his five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. Ta’amu has been one of the best quarterbacks through the first four weeks of the XFL season. The Battlehawks’ quarterback should continue to find success as the season continues.

2. Jacques Patrick, Running Back, Tampa Bay Vipers:

The Tampa Bay Vipers secured their first win of the season against the D.C. Defenders. The Vipers found a winning formula with tough defense and a ferocious run-game. The Vipers had two 100-yard rushers in this game and the first is Jacques Patrick. Patrick had 108 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Patrick combined with the Vipers newly found quarterback Taylor Cornelius can bring the Vipers out of the XFL basement and save the season for Tampa Bay.

3. De’Veon Smith, Running Back, Tampa Bay Vipers:

The other running back who dominated for Tampa Bay is De’veon Smith. Smith had 122 yards rushing and has the first-ever 100-yard rushing game in the XFL. His teammate Patrick would be the second player to reach the feat, but Smith had 100 yards first. Smith did not record a touchdown, but his output in the ground had a significant impact on the Vipers’ first win of the XFL season. Smith combined with Patrick could become a dominant force in the XFL as the Vipers are one of the few teams to embrace a rushing offense over an air raid type offense. Look for these two backs to take over the XFL in the coming weeks.

4. Tre McBride, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Wildcats:

The Wildcats have had a rough start to the season dropping three of their first four games. This includes a loss this week to the New York Guardians. Despite the loss, McBride had an impressive performance with eight receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. In a game where the Wildcats only scored two touchdowns, McBride had a truly game-saving performance. The Wildcats have suffered some unfortunate losses to start the season but shouldn’t consider their season over yet. They have McBride as well as Josh Johnson at quarterback. If L.A. can right the ship, expect McBride to be a big part of it.

5. Nick Holley, Running Back, Houston Roughnecks:

Nick Holley had a great week in week four and helped keep his Houston Roughnecks undefeated through four games. Holley had eight receptions for 97 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Roughnecks. Holley, despite being a running back, has an almost exclusive role in the passing game for Houston. While having eight catches in week four, Holley had zero carries. Houston had a tough battle against the Dallas Renegades that saw them win a close 27-20 game. Holley was a big part of this win and should see an increased role for Houston going forward.

Top Five Offensive Performances from XFL Week Three

CARSON, CA – FEBRUARY 16: Josh Johnson #8 of the LA Wildcats looks on during the game against the Dallas Renegades at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 16, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/XFL via Getty Images)

Another week of XFL football has passed and another group of players had standout performances for their teams. This week’s list features two quarterback-wide receiver duos and an impressive tight end. Some familiar faces return to the list while three players make their first appearance of the season. With week four set to be one of the most competitive weeks so far, here are the top five offensive performances from XFL week three.

Offensive Performances from XFL Week Three:

1. Cam Phillips, Wide Receiver, Houston Roughnecks:

Roughnecks receiver Cam Phillips posted his second straight three-touchdown game this week against Tampa Bay. Cam had eight receptions and 194 yards to go with his trio of touchdowns. Phillips has established himself as the best receiver in the XFL and should continue to produce as long as he has P.J. Walker throwing him the ball. Phillips now leads the XFL with seven touchdown receptions through the first three weeks. The Roughnecks now hold the only undefeated record in the XFL, and Phillips is a big part of that success.

2. Josh Johnson, Quarterback, Los Angeles Wildcats:

Josh Johnson finally had an opportunity to play a game at full health for L.A. in week two and had an impressive performance despite a loss for his team. This week, Johnson played even better and got his team their first win of the XFL season. Johnson had a true passers’ performance with 278 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 148.0 passer rating and an impressive 72% completion percentage. Johnson has been rolling for L.A. since his return last week and should continue to play well for the Wildcats going forward.

3. P.J. Walker, Quarterback, Houston Roughnecks:

This is Walker’s third straight appearance on the list of the top performances, and he has established himself as the premier quarterback in the XFL. Walker had 306 passing yards and three touchdowns to go with 34 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He posted a 120.8 passer rating and a 67% completion percentage. Walker’s accuracy took a dip this week. However, his scoring production continued to surge, and he now has his Houston Roughnecks at a league-best 3-0 start. Walker, along with his top target Cam Phillips, should continue to stuff the stat sheet in week four against the Dallas Renegades.

4. Tre McBride, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Wildcats:

Tre McBride is making his first appearance on the list of the top performances with an impressive game for the Wildcats. With the help of his quarterback Josh Johnson, McBride racked up five receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. McBride has been a top receiver for L.A. throughout this season, but his performance in week three established him as a serious threat on the field. L.A. is looking to build momentum off their dominant win against D.C. in week three and McBride should be a big part of that potential success.

5. Donald Parham, Tight End, Dallas Renegades:

Donald Parham had a similar week to McBride in terms of his stats. Parham had five receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Unlike McBride, Parham is a tight end and has an impressive pass-catching ability for the position. Some teams in the XFL struggle to find success at the tight end position. However, Dallas has Parham to give them an advantage over the middle. Dallas is now 2-1 with a huge game against the Houston Roughnecks awaiting them in week four. If Dallas wants to hand Houston their first loss of the season, they will need Parham to show up once again in week four.

Five Free-Agent Quarterbacks’ Perfect Landing Spot

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

In the NFL, the quarterback position is easily the most important position. Without an established quarterback on the roster, teams cannot expect to find success in the NFL. This off-season has many quarterbacks who are searching for new teams. These quarterbacks will rotate around the league and create an interesting 2020 NFL season. Here is five free-agent quarterbacks’ perfect landing spot.

1. Tom Brady – Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers look like an ideal landing spot for Brady as rumors continue to grow that he will leave New England this off-season. The alure of Los Angeles is enticing enough for a veteran like Brady, but the offense is also intriguing. The Chargers have solid receivers with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on the roster. They also have the chance to bring back key players such as Hunter Henry, Melvin Gordon, and Austin Ekeler. Using the draft to bolster the offensive line would give Brady a top offense to control and a young offensive-minded head coach in Anthony Lynn to work with. L.A. is a perfect spot for Brady should he leave New England behind.

2. Philip Rivers – New England Patriots

With Brady leaving for L.A., that leaves the former Chargers quarterback to fill in his spot. Rivers would excel in Bill Belichick‘s system much as Brady has throughout his career. Rivers has made something with nothing before and New England would look to add pieces around Rivers to ensure success in the AFC. Brady and Rivers swapping places would be an interesting story to follow throughout the AFC season and fans should be excited about this potential scenario.

3. Jameis Winston – Chicago Bears

Jameis Winston had high hopes from the Buccaneers when they drafted him in 2015 and now his time in Tampa may be over. Winston, despite throwing for 30 interceptions this past season, led the NFL in passing yards. This shows he has the potential to be a great strong-arm quarterback in the NFL if he can learn to control his turnovers and make better decisions on the field. Chicago is dealing with their own faltering young quarterback and bringing in Winston to see how he fairs with Matt Nagy would be a great way to evaluate the position as a need.

4. Teddy Bridgewater – Tennessee Titans

The Titans may decide to move on from Ryan Tannehill after his less than stellar performance in the playoffs. Despite leading the Titans to the AFC championship, that had more to do with the Titians running game and less about their passing. Derrick Henry is also a free agent this off-season and signing him is a bigger priority than Tannehill for the Titans. This could see Tannehill leave for a new team before the titans have a true chance to communicate with the quarterback.

Insert Teddy Bridgewater who is looking to prove that he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL again. Bridgewater played great during Drew Brees‘ injury this season and put the Saints in a great spot when Brees returned. With Brees returning for another season, Bridgewater will hit the open market in hopes of finding a starting job. Tennessee would be a great fit with the Marcus Mariota era seemingly at its end.

5. Ryan Tannehill – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Tannehill leaving Tennesee, that leaves the Buccaneers in need of his services. Winston failed to progress in his ability to limit turnovers, so the Bucs move to Tannehill. Tannehill can work with Bruce Arians to formulate an efficient offense for the Buccaneers. Having two pro bowl receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin is definitely an intriguing aspect for a quarterback. Tannehill would succeed better in an offense with an established running offense. However, Tampa still has Ronald Jones who is steadily developing into a solid running back for Tampa Bay.

5 Perfect Landing Spots for Pending Free Agents

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 20: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass against Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The NFL Free Agency is fast approaching. The new league year begins on March 18th and will begin the free agent frenzy that allows teams to grab new players to help them improve their team. This year’s free agency has many talented players available for teams to sign and should make for an interesting off-season. While some teams will be more active in free agency than others, most teams will inquire about at least one free agent this off-season. Here are five perfect landing spots for pending free agents.

Landing Spots for Pending Free Agents:

Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver – New York Jets:

The New York Jets are a perfect landing spot for Amari Cooper. They have a young quarterback in Sam Darnold who needs more weapons to further his development. They also have over $50 million in cap space to sign him to the deal he wants. Cooper would become the top option in New York’s offense and would see a consistent target share. The Jets currently lack much of anything on offense with their top receiver, Robby Anderson, leaving for free agency this off-season. If the Jets keep Le’Veon Bell, they would then have Cooper and Bell as a perfect duo of weapons for Darnold to help return the Jets to a winning culture.

Yannick Ngakoue, Defensive End – Buffalo Bills:

Yannick Ngakoue is one of the best available edge rushers in the free agency and would fit perfectly on the Bills’ explosive defense. The Bills had one of the best defensive units in 2019 and they have very few needs on the defensive side of the ball. Edge rusher is Buffalo’s biggest defensive need with Shaq Lawson currently a free agent and Jerry Hughes approaching 32-years-old. Ngakoue is only going to be 25 this season and he is coming off of four consecutive seasons of eight or more sacks.

Ngakoue’s 37.5 sacks in those 4 seasons are more than any current Bills pass rusher over their last four seasons. Buffalo has plenty of cap space to sign Ngakoue to a multi-year deal that would satisfy the young pass rusher. Ngakoue is leaving Jacksonville due to the culture that exists there and Sean McDermott is a big believer in culture. Ngakoue would fit perfectly on Buffalo with a great locker room and a defensive-minded head coach.

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver – New England Patriots:

The Patriots’ top priority this off-season is to retain the services of Tom Brady. To do that, they need to prove to Brady that they are going to surround him with the proper weapons to have success. The defense has proven itself to be a top unit in the NFL, but the skill players around Brady have been hit or miss in recent times. Signing a receiver like Green would be a great way to entice Brady to return to Foxborough.

Green has been looking to get out of Cincinnati for a while and has been sidelined with injury for a large amount of his last few seasons. His desire to return to the field and have success would draw him toward the Patriots organization. Communication between Green and Brady would likely be needed since one would likely not come without the other, but pairing them together with Sony Michel and James White would bring new England’s offense back to the upper echelon of the NFL. A leap in development from N’Keal Harry would make New England a dangerous team in the AFC for 2020.

Philip Rivers, Quarterback – Indianapolis Colts:

Now that Rivers has moved on from the Los Angeles Chargers, he will need to find a new team for the 2020 season. The Colts are a great option for Rivers. They have a large amount of cap space to make other moves to better their team around Rivers. In addition, he would be a great mentor for Jacoby Brissett or a rookie they might draft. Rivers would have a solid offensive line protecting him and a strong running game to give him the ability to spread the offense. Rivers would have T.Y. Hilton available to him which is a nice piece to have after leaving Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

The Colts have draft capital in addition to their cap space. This will allow them to make more additions to their roster in the draft. A receiver from this loaded draft class would be great for Rivers and their overall offense. Continuing to build their defense needs to be Indy’s biggest concern if they want to be successful in 2020. However, bringing in Rivers to compete with Brissett is also a potentially important step towards success in 2020.

Byron Jones, Cornerback – Philadelphia Eagles:

The Dallas Cowboys are currently in a situation where they have a lot of key players with expired contracts and less than enough cap space to bring them all back. This includes Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott. With Dallas’ offense seemingly being their main concern, Byron Jones may be the odd man out in Dallas. If this is the case, Jones would make a great addition to the Eagles’ roster. Philly has struggled to get healthy, talented cornerbacks on the field consistently. This Eagles roster is coming off a division title and could make noise in the playoffs again. Only if they make the necessary additions to remain competitive in the NFC.

Jones would be a great step towards making those additions. Jones is a talented cornerback who needs a change of scenery to excel in the NFL. He is a hybrid type player who could play safety if needed. Also, he has the ability to lock down some of the best receivers in the NFL. While his interception totals have been low throughout his career, his overall coverage has been solid. He would be a major improvement to their current talent pool at the position.

Top Five Offensive Performances from XFL Week Two

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 08: Houston Roughnecks wide receiver Cam Phillips (14) hauls in a first half touchdown reception as LA Wildcats cornerback Jaylen Dunlap (20)defends during the XFL football game between the Los Angeles Wildcats and Houston Roughnecks at TDECU Stadium on February 8, 2020 in Houston, TX. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The XFL continues forward with its second week of action. The teams are beginning to build chemistry and those who have come together quicker than others displayed impressive performances on offense. Those who are still working it out failed to impress in week two. Despite that, there were five players who had outstanding performances for their team in week two. Here are the top five offensive performances from XFL week two.

XFL Week Two Top Offensive Performances:

1. Cam Phillips, Wide Receiver, Houston Roughnecks:

This week’s top performer from the XFL has to be wide receiver Cam Phillips for the Houston Roughnecks. Phillps caught eight passes for 63 yards and an impressive three touchdowns. One of Phillips’ touchdowns was the game-winner for Houston. Phillips is responsible for three of Houston’s four scores for the week and he and P.J. Walker together helped get the Roughnecks past the Battlehawks in week two. Phillips and Walker have established themselves as a top duo in the XFL and should continue to produce for the Roughnecks’ offense throughout the season.

2. Cameron Artis-Payne, Running Back, Dallas Renegades:

Cameron Artis-Payne is another skill player who had an incredible performance for their team. Artis-Payne totaled 99 yards rushing and 32 receiving for 131 yards from scrimmage. He also had two rushing touchdowns on the day as well as five receptions. Artis-Payne’s 99 rushing yards is the new XFL record for rushing yards in a game and is unfortunately 1-yard short of the first 100-yard rushing performance in the XFL. Artis-Payne has established himself as the best running back in the XFL through two weeks and should continue to offer an offensive advantage for his Renegades team.

3. P.J. Walker, Quarterback, Houston Roughnecks:

Walker is coming off the top performance of week one, which he was recognized for with the first XFL offensive player of the week award. The Roughnecks passer faced off against the runner-up for the award, Jordan Ta’amu, and the St. Louis Battlehawks in his second game of the XFL season. Walker had another efficient week with 170 yards passing and 27 yards rushing accompanied by three passing touchdowns. Also, Walker had a passer rating of 111 and did not turn the ball over in a 28-24 win over St. Louis.

Walker, fortunately, had receiver Cam Phillips this week who scored all three of Walker’s touchdowns this week. Walker has become the face of the XFL and a matchup against Cardale Jones and the D.C. Defenders should be an exciting game in week _ of the XFL season.

4. Nelson Spruce, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Wildcats:

Spruce is the only player other than Walker to make the top five performances in both weeks so far. Spruce had an impressive six receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns. A step below Phillips’ three touchdowns, but still an impressive performance for the receiver who is coming off an eleven reception week that saw him go without a touchdown.

Unfortunately for Spruce, his L.A. Wildcats team is now 0-2 this season after running into two explosive offenses in Dallas and Houston. The Wildcats have another tough matchup in week three against the Defenders, but if they continue to get the ball into Spruce’s hands, they will have a chance to win any game this season.

5. Jordan Ta’amu, Quarterback, St. Louis Battlehawks:

The final performance to highlight this week is Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. Ta’amu was the runner-up for the XFL week one offensive player of the week award and continued with another impressive performance in week two. Ta’amu faced the man who beat him for the award, P.J. Walker, and the two had an intense back and forth game.

Ta’amu had an impressive 284 passing yards and 32 rushing yards, four total touchdowns(three passing, one rushing), and a 103.2 passer rating. Ta’amu also had an outstanding 81 percent completion percentage. He did have two interceptions, which had an impact on his team’s eventual loss to Houston, but did enough to see his team lose in spite of his outstanding performance. Ta’amu should continue to see success in the XFL and should be able to lead his Battlehawks team to a win in week three against a Guardians team that failed to score a single point in week two.