We interrupt the Tom Brady Sweepstakes/Countdown/Armaggedon/Drama to touch on the draft. We'll be continuing to go heavy with the free agency for the next couple of weeks, but wanted to touch on give you some draft flavor that incorporates some of the chatter I've heard from scouts and executives post-scouting combine.
1. Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Sorry, Joe, the Tom Brady comparisons are legit. The guy just has natural instincts for the position, especially his ability to sense pressure and create a play.
2. Redskins: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
They should want a team to jump up for a QB but Young is likely too good to pass up.
3. Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The elite corner in the draft and, boy, does Detroit need him in its secondary. Matt Patricia's unit would automatically get better.
4. Giants: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
New York could go in many different directions — especially on defense — but Dave Gettleman loves his hog mollies and they have to get better on the line.
5. Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
Could the AFC East QB drought finally be coming to an end with Sam Darnold and Tua (sorry, Josh Allen but no) ... as Brady possibly exits. It almost has to play out that way.
6. Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
They'll pass or come up short in the Brady Sweepstakes and have to go this route, and it won't work nearly as well. Chargers are going to Chargers.
7. Panthers: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
A total freak in the great sense of the word. Matt Rhule wants a fast defense from his college days and this guy flies and can play just about any position on defense. I'm dead serious. Bill Belichick must be shedding a tear — and plotting to scoop him up in a few years.
8. Cardinals: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Kyler Murray teams up with his former teammate to wreak havoc on NFC West secondaries.
9. Jaguars: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Jacksonville needs to rebuild on defense for some reason (what the hell happened?) and this is a great building block.
10. Browns: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
The Moneyball Browns have to get better on the line and the nerds know there's no better bang for your buck than a stud tackle.
11. Jets: Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
Somebody has to protect the Sam-chise, and New York didn't do a good enough job last season.
12. Raiders: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Does everything well and the Raiders need an instant-impact receiver. He just looks perfect in silver and black.
13. Colts: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Whether it's Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett or just Brissett, the Colts need to groom someone and Love needs a lot of work. Frank Reich is perfect for the job.
14. Buccaneers: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Tampa has a pretty solid all-around team but could use some more punch on the interior of the defensive line.
15. Broncos: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
He might very well go earlier than this, but the Broncos are lacking weapons and Drew Lock needs someone to throw to.
16. Falcons: K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
There might not be another team that's more desperate for an edge rusher. Falcons have to do something there.
17. Cowboys: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Think they'll get a tight end in free agency so that leaves cornerback the next spot to upgrade with Byron Jones gone.
18. Dolphins: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
They got the franchise QB and now the franchise LT to protect him. Things could be coming together in Miami.
19. Raiders: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Vegas is awful at linebacker and Queen can run and hit with the best of them.
20. Jaguars: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Continuing the rebuild on defense, which was basically swiss cheese last season.
21. Eagles: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Three Tigers in a row! Everyone and their uncle knows the Eagles have to get Carson Wentz some immediate help.
22. Bills: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Buffalo has a ton of little inside receivers and Higgins could give them a legit, big body target on the outside.
23. Patriots: A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
Really tempted to go tight end here — and they very well might. But Epenesa is exactly what they look for on the edge and I don't think anyone's holding their breath for Derek Rivers. Perfect Kyle Van Noy replacement. He's that smart and versatile.
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The players now have the proposed CBA in their hands and will voting until midnight on March 12. I still don't like the deal for them, and here's a few more reasons why:
1. Not enough given for 17th game: The players said they didn't want another game in any event, and to not get another bye week as part of the deal is a travesty. The 17th game and all the additional revenue it will bring during the season in the postseason is a huge chip to play with the owners and this agreement doesn't do that nearly well enough. A No. 2 seed, which would now not get a bye week, would be playing 24 games in 25 weeks if they made the Super Bowl (including preseason), along with additional practices. That is a total non-starter with me. Have to include another bye week or 49 percent revenue guaranteed.
2. The funding rule is not nearly good enough: This rule is the biggest impediment to more guaranteed salaries in the NFL. Teams have to put into escrow any guaranteed money over $2 million. It was totally an outdated rule that goes back to the origins of today's NFL when teams were not on secure economic footing. Uh, the owners can fund everything at this point, thanks to the players. In this CBA, the funding is raised to $15 million and eventually to $17 million. The players should be demanding this get removed if they have any hope of more guaranteed salaries.
3. Roster rules: Practice squad players will no longer be able to negotiate for more than the minimum. Restricted free agent tenders are still not guaranteed, and there are no changes to the tag rules which is another way teams can control players and costs. Players should have demanded the tags be removed. Again, 17 or 18 games is a huge bargaining chip. Players with more than five accrued seasons will lose an accrued season if they hold out. This is especially punitive for players who are tagged in their fourth, fifth or sixth seasons. Another artificial cost control.
4. Minimum spending levels still stink: In the proposed CBA, the percentage of spending the cap moves from 89 to 90% and the inspection periods are now three years, three years and four years. What's wrong with a true-up every year, or every other year? Not good enough.