Daily News 19

Tag: NFL trade

  • Myles Garrett Nearly Joined Josh Allen in Super Bowl Bid

    Myles Garrett Nearly Joined Josh Allen in Super Bowl Bid

    The Cleveland Browns sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in one of the most significant moves of the NFL offseason, yet the departure of the franchise defensive star nearly followed a different trajectory. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the Buffalo Bills had monitored Garrett’s situation for several years and launched a last-minute attempt to acquire the defender on the same day the Cleveland–Los Angeles deal became public.

    Bills Made Late Push for Garrett

    “But sources say another team called Cleveland on the day the trade leaked: the Bills, who had checked in periodically on Garrett’s availability for the better part of two years,” Pelissero wrote.

    Buffalo ultimately could not match Los Angeles’ offer because the Bills lacked a player of Jared Verse’s caliber to include in a trade package. The Browns received the young defensive end along with three draft picks: a first-round selection in the loaded 2027 class, a second-round pick in 2028, and a third-round selection in 2029.

    Verse Was the Centerpiece for Cleveland

    Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry explained that acquiring Verse was a primary driver behind the decision to move Garrett.

    “Chief among the considerations to make the decision was the inclusion of Jared Verse,” Berry said on June 1. “We receive a young, elite player at a premium position who will only continue to improve in his third NFL season. Jared’s passion and relentless style of play will be embraced by our fans. He will fit right in with the established identity of our defense.”

    During the offseason, the Browns even proposed a rule change that would have allowed teams to trade draft picks up to five years into the future. The NFL rejected the proposal, though it raises the question of whether a more aggressive draft-capital package from Buffalo could have altered the outcome.

    Age and Timeline Fit for Both Sides

    While Cleveland builds for the future with Verse, the Rams acquire one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Verse, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, already owns two Pro Bowl selections and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in his debut season. At 25—turning 26 in November—his age aligns better with the Browns’ competitive timeline.

    Garrett, meanwhile, is 30 and will turn 31 in December. He has dealt with knee issues during the Rams’ offseason preparation, causing him to miss part of the preseason. Los Angeles has confirmed, however, that he will be available for the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

    Garrett Enters MVP Conversation After Historic 2025

    Following a historic 2025 campaign in which he set the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks and captured his second Defensive Player of the Year award, Garrett has emerged as a legitimate candidate to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

    Sports Illustrated reporter John Pluym named the new Rams star as his favorite for the top individual honor.

    “Myles Garrett will win MVP. There have been only two defensive MVPs in NFL history: Alan Page on the 1971 Vikings and Lawrence Taylor on the 1986 Giants,” Pluym wrote. “Was there a bigger story this offseason than the Browns trading Garrett to the Rams? No. Garrett is the best player in the league and will finally have the opportunity to play on a winner after several frustrating years in Cleveland. I’m going to predict 25-plus sacks for him this season and a Super Bowl ring.”

  • 5 Things to Know About Patriots Running Back Corey Kiner

    5 Things to Know About Patriots Running Back Corey Kiner

    The New England Patriots addressed running back depth at the end of the preseason, sending a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Corey Kiner on cutdown day. The move came after the team released Hassan Haskins and reached an injury settlement with Jam Miller, later adding Haskins and La’Mical Perine to the practice squad.

    Patriots Had Eyes on Kiner Since 2024

    Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the organization tracked Kiner well before the trade.

    “Corey [Kiner], we talked about him when we traded for him that he was a player that we had looked at trying to get last year coming out,” Vrabel said. “It didn’t work out. He’s a good young runner.”

    With Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson atop the depth chart, and Henderson ruled out for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Kiner could see immediate opportunities.

    Compact Build, High Contact Balance

    Listed at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, Kiner profiles as a physical, tackle-breaking back. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry across five college seasons, amassing 2,882 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine suggests functional speed, but his game is built on consistent effort and after-contact production.

    NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein noted pre-draft that it is “rare” to see Kiner brought down by the first defender. Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield echoed that assessment last March.

    “He is consistently good every single day,” Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield told reporters last March. “You know what you’re going to get out of him. He’s going to be a guy who breaks a lot of tackles. He’s always going to strain for the extra yard.”

    LSU Roots and Kevin Faulk Connection

    A consensus four-star recruit ranked 11th nationally at his position in the 2022 class per 247Sports, Kiner initially committed to LSU. Former Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, then the Tigers’ running backs coach, spearheaded his recruitment. Kiner spent one season in Baton Rouge alongside wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, whom New England recently traded to the Houston Texans, before transferring to the University of Cincinnati.

    Productive Stint as Cincinnati’s Lead Back

    Kiner became the starting running back during the Bearcats’ inaugural Big 12 season in 2023. Despite a 3-9 team record, he posted his first 1,000-yard campaign with 1,047 yards on 192 carries (5.5 YPC) and five touchdowns. Cincinnati improved to 5-7 in 2024, and the program sits at 1-0 to start the 2025 season.

    Ohio High School Legend

    Kiner hails from the Cincinnati area and finished his career at Roger Bacon High School ranked 10th in Ohio High School Athletic Association history with 7,130 career rushing yards and third with 116 rushing touchdowns. He scored 35 touchdowns as a senior, led the program to its first regional championship, and earned Ohio’s Mr. Football honor. The University of Cincinnati’s official bio describes him as “one of the greatest running backs in Bearcats history.”

    Fourth NFL Stop in Less Than a Year

    Kiner entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025. After being released at the end of training camp, he joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before the Cardinals signed him to their active roster. He appeared in four games for Arizona last season, totaling 58 yards on 12 carries. Kiner remained with the Cardinals through the 2025 offseason until the Patriots acquired him in late August.

  • Osa Odighizuwa: 49ers Interior Disruptor Key to Pass Rush

    Osa Odighizuwa: 49ers Interior Disruptor Key to Pass Rush

    The San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason with a clear agenda: reinforce the roster after a chaotic summer that sparked scrutiny of the front office. While the draft class and free-agent splashes grabbed headlines, the trade for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has emerged as the transaction most likely to define the team’s defensive ceiling in 2025.

    Draft Capital and Core Retention Set the Foundation

    San Francisco addressed immediate needs through the draft, selecting wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, running back Kaelon Black, and offensive lineman Carver Willis. The front office also prioritized continuity, re-signing kicker Eddy Piñeiro and tight end Jake Tonges to maintain special-teams stability and depth at a versatile position.

    Free Agency: Nostalgia Meets Star Power

    The free-agent period carried a distinct homecoming theme. Bringing back linebacker Dre Greenlaw and wide receiver Deebo Samuel resonated emotionally with a fan base eager to reclaim the identity those players represent. Yet the splash signing was undoubtedly wide receiver Mike Evans, a perennial Pro Bowler who instantly reshapes the passing attack.

    Why the Osa Odighizuwa Trade Is the Real Headliner

    Beneath the surface noise, the acquisition of Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys stands as the most underrated—and potentially most consequential—move of the offseason. After a five-year tenure in Dallas, Odighizuwa arrives with a rare blend of durability and disruptive upside.

    Ironman Durability Meets Elite Pressure Rates

    Odighizuwa has not missed a single game across his NFL career, a testament to his physical reliability in the trenches. While he may not grade as an elite run stuffer or volume tackler, his pass-rush metrics tell a different story. Over the past two seasons, he ranked second and first, respectively, in quarterback pressures among interior defensive linemen. That quick first step off the snap generates consistent backfield disruption even when the sack totals do not fully reflect the havoc created.

    Athleticism and Scheme Versatility

    His ability to collapse the pocket without relying on traditional power moves makes him a schematic chess piece. Defensive coordinators can deploy him in multiple alignments, confident that his athleticism will stress opposing guards and centers on every snap.

    Injury to Alfred Collins Elevates Odighizuwa from Luxury to Necessity

    The recent confirmation that second-year defensive tackle Alfred Collins will miss the entire 2025 season with a torn patellar tendon transforms Odighizuwa’s role from impactful addition to indispensable anchor. San Francisco possesses capable pass rushers and a deep rotation of interior options, yet none combine Odighizuwa’s durability, pressure consistency, and schematic flexibility. His presence now underpins the entire defensive line’s ability to sustain success across a grueling schedule.

    In a roster built on star power at the skill positions, the quiet excellence of Osa Odighizuwa may ultimately determine how high the 49ers’ defense—and by extension, the team—can climb.

  • Packers Acquire Running Back Kaleb Johnson at Cutdown Deadline

    Packers Acquire Running Back Kaleb Johnson at Cutdown Deadline

    The Green Bay Packers have added depth to their running back room by acquiring former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson in a trade on Sunday.

    Johnson, 23, was selected by the Steelers in the third round of last year’s NFL Draft after an All-American season at Iowa. However, he fell down Pittsburgh’s depth chart after the team signed Rico Dowdle and Travis Homer to support starter Jaylen Warren.

    As a rookie, Johnson recorded 28 carries for 69 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. That ranked third on the Steelers behind Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.

    Kaleb Johnson’s 2024 Steelers production

    Johnson finished fourth on Pittsburgh’s team in rushing yards last season. Tight end Jonnu Smith recorded nine carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, narrowly surpassing Johnson’s total.

    Smith, who previously played for Packers head coach Matt LaFleur when LaFleur was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, signed with Green Bay earlier this week.

    Johnson also played 11 special-teams snaps across 10 games, including eight kickoff-return snaps on which he handled the ball. His special-teams experience appears to be largely limited to kickoff returns, a role that could go to wide receivers Skyy Moore and Savion Williams during the regular season. Johnson’s longest return last season went for 29 yards.

    The Steelers have not yet announced what compensation they will receive for Johnson, including whether the return will be a player or a draft pick.

    Source: www.acmepackingcompany.com