Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and Darius Slayton will be a top-five QB-RB-WR trio in the NFL in 2020.
John Schmeelk: Fiction -- This trio can get there one day but to reach that level in year two for Daniel Jones and Darius Slayton is probably asking a bit much. With free agency pending, we still don't know how other rosters are going to look, but here are some teams that will be in the conversation:
- Saints: Brees, Kamara, Thomas
- Cowboys: Prescott, Elliott, Cooper
- Eagles: Wentz, Sanders, TBD
- Falcons: Ryan, Freeman (TBD), Jones
- Vikings: Cousins, Cook, Thielen/Diggs
- Seahawks: Wilson, Carson, Lockett
- Steelers: Roethlisberger, Connor, Smith-Schuster
- Ravens: Jackson, Ingram, Brown
- Browns: Mayfield, Chubb, Beckham
- Bengals: TBD, Mixon, Green
- Chiefs: Mahomes, Williams, Hill
Not all of those combinations will end up being in place after free agency and the draft, but odds are more than five will be that are more proven trios than Jones-Barkley-Slayton. Barkley is obviously a top player at his position, but Jones and Slayton are still developing.
Dan Salomone: Fact – No rookie threw more touchdowns than Daniel Jones. No rookie caught more touchdowns than Darius Slayton. Only Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James had more yards from scrimmage than Barkley in their rookie seasons – in NFL history. Something tells me this trio is into something good.
Lance Medow: Fiction -- It's hard to respond to this statement since we have no idea how free agency will play out and impact some of the best trios in the NFL. With that being said, Jones is only entering his second year in the league and will be learning a new offense and the same can be said for Slayton. While there's plenty of potential and upside within that group, I think it's a bit early to place them in the top-five in the league. When you look at the NFC, the Cowboys, Packers, Vikings, Panthers and Saints all have proven trios, as do the Ravens, Texans and Chiefs.
Combining free agency and the draft, offensive tackle is the deepest position available this offseason.
Schmeelk: Fiction -- The top of the offensive tackle draft class is very strong (Mekhi Becton, Michael Thomas, Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs), as is the free agent class (Jack Conklin, Anthony Costanzo, Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters), but I wouldn't describe it as deep. There just aren't a lot of top offensive tackles that are readily available in free agency and the draft. There's a reason it is a premium position.
The wide receiver free agent class isn't tremendously deep past Amari Cooper, Emmanuel Sanders, A.J. Green, Randall Cobb and Robbie Anderson, but the draft class is so deep it puts that position group over the top. It is no exaggeration to suggest there could be wide receivers ready to start in Week One available in the fourth round. That just doesn't happen every year. Therefore, I am going wide receiver due to the depth of the draft class.
Salomone: Fiction – It's the quarterbacks. Just look at the names: Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa, Philip Rivers, Justin Herbert, Drew Brees and, oh, some guy named Tom Brady. The 2020 QB carousel is a sight to behold.
Medow: Fact -- Here's some of the top offensive tackles that are expected to hit the market: Jason Peters (Eagles), Jack Conklin (Titans), Anthony Castonzo (Colts), Andrew Whitworth (Rams), Bryan Bulaga (Packers). In addition to that list, it appears Trent Williams (Redskins) will be available via trade, so if you're a team looking to upgrade or fill a void at tackle, there will be several options. Then there's this year's draft class, which could see a handful of linemen, especially tackles, go in round one, led by Louisville's Mekhi Becton.
NFL.com ranks the top 101 players in the 2020 free agency cycle.
101 - Jordan Reed (TE)
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
100 - David Onyemata (DT) UPDATE: The Saints have signed Onyemata to a three-year contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
99 - Mario Addison (Edge) UPDATE: The Bills have reportedly agreed to a deal with Addison, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero
(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
98 - Shaq Lawson (Edge) UPDATE: The Dolphins have signed Lawson to a contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
97 - Devin Funchess (WR)
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
96 - Daryl Worley (CB)
(AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
95 - Clayton Geathers (S)
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
94 - Emmanuel Ogbah (Edge) UPDATE: The Dolphins have signed Ogbah to a contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
93 - Andrus Peat (OT) UPDATE: The Saints have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with Peat, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
92 - Jalen Mills (CB) UPDATE: The Eagles have agreed to a one-year contract with Mills, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
91 - Prince Amukamara (CB)
(AP Photo/Matt Marton)
90 - Bashaud Breeland (CB)
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
89 - Michael Bennett (Edge)
(James D. Smith via AP)
88 - Randall Cobb (WR) UPDATE: The Texans have agreed to terms with Cobb, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
87 - Demarcus Robinson (WR)
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
86 - Halapoulivaati Vaitai (OT) UPDATE: The Lions have agreed to terms with Vaitai, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
85 - Greg Zuerlein (K)
(Aaron Doster via AP)
84 - Connor McGovern (C), UPDATE: The Jets have reportedly agreed to a deal with McGovern, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
83 - Jimmy Smith (CB)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
82 - Demar Dotson (OT)
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
81 - Danny Trevathan (LB) UPDATE: The Bears have re-signed Trevathan to a three-year contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/David Banks)
80 - De'Vondre Campbell (LB) UPDATE: The Cardinals have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Campbell, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
79 - Marcus Mariota (QB)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
78 - Breshad Perriman (WR)
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
77 - Adrian Phillips (S) UPDATE: The Patriots have reportedly agreed to terms with Phillips, according to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
76 - Markus Golden (Edge)
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
75 - Vic Beasley (Edge) UPDATE: The Titans have reportedly agreed to terms with Beasley, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
74 - Derek Wolfe (DE)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
73 - Carlos Hyde (RB)
(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
72 - Ronald Darby (CB)
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
71 - Michael Pierce (DT) UPDATE: The Vikings have agreed to terms with Pierce, per the team's website
(AP Photo/John Munson)
70 - Eli Apple (CB)
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
69 - Rodney McLeod (S) UPDATE: The Eagles have agreed to a two-year contract with McLeod, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
68 - Darqueze Dennard (CB) UPDATE: The Jaguars have agreed to a deal with Dennard, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Gary Landers)
67 - Gerald McCoy UPDATE: The Cowboys have reportedly agreed to a deal with McCoy, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
66 - Nick Kwiatkoski (LB)
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
65 - Ndmukong Suh (DT)
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
64 - Blake Martinez (LB) UPDATE: The Giants have reportedly agreed to a deal with Martinez, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
63 - Teddy Bridgewater (QB) UPDATE: The Panthers have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Bridgewater, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
62 - Eric Ebron (TE) UPDATE: The Steelers have reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with Ebron, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
61 - Michael Brockers (DT) UPDATE: The Ravens have reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with Brockers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
60 - Karl Joseph (S) UPDATE: The Browns have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Joseph, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
59 - Jordan Phillips (DT) UPDATE: The Cardinals have agreed to a three-year deal with Phillips, per the team's website
(AP Photo/John Munson)
58 - Bradley Roby (CB) UPDATE: The Texans have re-signed Roby to a new contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
57 - Maliek Collins (DT)
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
56 - Trae Waynes (CB) UPDATE: The Bengals have reportedly agreed to a deal with Waynes, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero
(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
55 - Jason Peters (OT)
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
54 - Quinton Jefferson (DE) UPDATE: The Bills have reportedly agreed to a deal with Jefferson, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
53 - Damarious Randall
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
52 - Jamie Collins (LB) UPDATE: The Lions have agreed to a deal with Collins, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
51 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S) UPDATE: The Cowboys have agreed to a deal with Clinton-Dix, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
50 - Kendall Fuller (CB) UPDATE: The Redskins have signed Fuller to a contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
49 - Logan Ryan (CB)
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
48 - Jarran Reed (DT) The Seahawks have re-signed Reed to a two-year contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
47 - Kenyan Drake (RB) UPDATE: The Cardinals have placed the transition tag on Drake
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
46 - Andrew Whitworth (OT) UPDATE: The Rams have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Whitworth, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
45 - Joe Schobert (LB) UPDATE: The Jaguars have agreed to a deal with Schobert, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
44 - Kyle Van Noy (LB) UPDATE: The Dolphins have signed Van Noy to a contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
43 - Graham Glasgow (OG) UPDATE: The Broncos have reportedly agreed to a deal with Glasgow, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
42 - Jimmie Ward (S) UPDATE: The 49ers have reportedly re-signed Ward to a three-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
41 - Bryan Bulaga (OT) UPDATE: The Chargers have reportedly agreed to a deal with Bulaga, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
40 - Shelby Harris (DL)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
39 - Emmanuel Sanders (WR) UPDATE: The Saints have agreed to a two-year contract with Sanders, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
38 - Robert Quinn (Edge) UPDATE: The Bears have reportedly agreed to a deal with Quinn, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero
(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
37 - James Bradberry (CB) UPDATE: The Giants have reportedly agreed to terms with Bradberry, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
36 - Everson Griffen (Edge)
(AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
35 - Robby Anderson (WR)
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
34 - Melvin Gordon (RB) UPDATE: The Broncos have reportedly agreed to a deal with Gordon, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
33 - Vonn Bell (S)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
32 - Austin Hooper (TE) UPDATE: The Browns have signed Hooper to a four-year contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
31 - Jason Pierre-Paul (Edge) UPDATE: The Buccaneers have re-signed Pierre-Paul to a multi-year contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
30 - Javon Hargrave (NT) UPDATE: The Eagles have agreed to a deal with Hargrave, according to the team's Twitter
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
29 - Devin McCourty (S) UPDATE: The Patriots have agreed to a contract extension with McCourty, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
28 - D.J. Reader (DT) UPDATE: The Bengals have reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with Reader, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
27 - Leonard Williams (DL) UPDATE: The Giants have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Williams
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
26 - Dante Fowler Jr. (Edge) UPDATE: The Falcons have reportedly agreed to a deal with Fowler, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
25 - Jameis Winston (QB)
(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
24 - Chris Harris Jr. (CB) UPDATE: The Chargers have reportedly agreed to a deal with Harris, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
23 - Anthony Castonzo (OT) UPDATE: The Colts have agreed to a contract extension with Castonzo, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
22 - Philip Rivers (QB) UPDATE: The Colts have signed Rivers to a contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
21 - Jack Conklin (OT) UPDATE: The Browns have signed Conklin to a three-year deal, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
20 - Bud Dupree (Edge) UPDATE: The Steelers have placed the franchise tag on Dupree
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
19 - Hunter Henry (TE) - UPDATE: The Chargers have placed the franchise tag on Henry
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
18 - Anthony Harris (S) UPDATE: The Vikings have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Harris
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
17 - Matthew Judon (Edge) - UPDATE: The Ravens have placed the franchise tag on Judon
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
16 - Tom Brady (QB) UPDATE: The Buccaneers have signed Brady to a contract, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
15 - Cory Littleton (LB)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
14 - Drew Brees (QB)
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
13 - Derrick Henry (RB) UPDATE: The Titans have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Henry
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
12 - A.J. Green (WR) UPDATE: The Bengals have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Green
(AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
11 - Joe Thuney (OG) UPDATE: The Patriots have placed the franchise tag on Thuney
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
10 - Brandon Scherff (OG) - UPDATE: The Redskins have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Scherff
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
9 - Arik Armstead (DE) UPDATE: The 49ers have signed Armstead to a 5-year contract extension, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
8 - Byron Jones (CB) UPDATE: The Dolphins have signed Jones to a multi-year deal, per the team website
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
7 - Ryan Tannehill (QB) UPDATE: The Titans have agreed to a multi-year contract with Tannehill, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
6 - Justin Simmons (S) - UPDATE: The Broncos have placed the franchise tag on Simmons
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
5 - Yannick Ngakoue (Edge) - UPDATE: The Jaguars have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Ngakoue
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
4 - Shaquil Barrett (Edge) UPDATE: The Buccaneers have placed the franchise tag on Barrett
(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
3 - Jadeveon Clowney (Edge)
(Michael Zarrilli/AP Images for Panini, via AP)
2 - Amari Cooper (WR) UPDATE: The Cowboys have agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal with Cooper, per the team's website
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
1 - Dak Prescott (QB) UPDATE: The Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on Prescott
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Versatility is more valuable than sheer dominance at one position these days.
Schmeelk: Fiction -- If there is a true shut down corner or unstoppable pass rusher who isn't so great at tackling or run defense, give me that player over someone that is a jack of all trades but a master of none. Truly dominant players in the NFL are the hardest to come by and that would be my priority, even with the growing importance of versatile players at different positions.
Salomone: Fact – I wrote about this during the past few combines. "Position-less" is not a dirty word anymore. The old adage was if you had two positions, you didn't have one. Times have changed. "Versatility" was the most common word uttered at the podium during media day in Indianapolis. It's now a selling point, not a flaw.
Medow: Fiction -- There's a common phrase: "jack of all trades, master of none" and it's very fitting to this conversation. While in today's NFL, versatility is beneficial given the creativity in schemes, I think if you give most coaches a dominant pass rusher, left tackle or cover corner, they'll have nothing to complain about. If a player on your roster can dominate at one position, that's one less concern you have as a coach and provides the flexibility to assign help or attention elsewhere.
The NFC East will undergo the biggest change in the conference this offseason.
Schmeelk: Fact -- Sorry, no Fiction-Slam today from me. The NFC East is in a state of flux with three new head coaches (Cowboys – Mike McCarthy, Redskins – Ron Rivera and an eventual new GM, Giants – Joe Judge) and two teams selecting in the top four of the draft. New head coaches bring change.
The Giants have some of the most available cap space to allocate during free agency to help the team improve. The Dallas Cowboys also have a surplus of cap space and a number of high caliber free agents, such as Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Byron Jones and Robert Quinn. The Eagles are projected to have more than $40 million of cap space, and the Redskins could have more than $60 million. The NFC East will look very different in 2020.
Salomone: Fact – For a division that has not produced a repeat winner since 2004, we shouldn't expect anything less. In addition to three coaching changes, two teams – the Giants and Redskins – have top four picks that will define their futures. The NFC East is up for grabs.
Medow: Fact -- Unlike the three other divisions in the NFC, the East will have three new head coaches (Joe Judge, Mike McCarthy, Ron Rivera) and staffs during the 2020 season. That alone means this division will undergo the biggest change. Two (Eagles, Redskins) of the four teams will likely have new left tackles and three of the four will have new offensive schemes. The other three divisions don't come close to that level of overhaul.
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