NFL News Summary for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Arizona Cardinals

• Rondale Moore played on 39% of the Cardinals’ 2-WR set snaps last year when active (more than I remembered), and I think this new offense will increase his aDOT. Hard to really break out in Arizona, but things are aligning for his best year by a wide margin.

Carolina Panthers

• Observations from OTA. CJ finished practice strong especially in 2 min. The first 2 plays: INC then a false start. But he completed three in a row including a 42 yard run & catch from Amari Rodgers for a TD. They spotted the ball at the 10 and CJ threw a TD to Alex Bachman.

Cleveland Browns

• Today was a very very special day at @browns minicamp. @deshaunwatson was nearly flawless. 9 TDs on 10 red zone 7 on 7 plays. Not a single incompletion in the field 7 on 7s. Absolute dots. Seek out the videos. Great step today…how it’s supposed to look.
• I couldn’t think of any #Browns QBs I’ve watched that looked as good as Deshaun Watson did today in practice. Yes, it’s June. Yes, it’s practice. Yes, no pads either. And no I’m not reserving hotels in Las Vegas for February. But honestly, that was a lot of fun to watch.
• I couldn’t think of any #Browns QBs I’ve watched that looked as good as Deshaun Watson did today in practice. Yes, it’s June. Yes, it’s practice. Yes, no pads either. And no I’m not reserving hotels in Las Vegas for February. But honestly, that was a lot of fun to watch.

Dallas Cowboys

• Mini-Camp Practice Notes: – Gilmore baited Dak for easy int at the pylon in 7-on-7

– Lamb w/smooth rep for redzone TD on Diggs 

– Lamb & Gilmore also shined in early-practice hands drill 

– Jalen Brooks w/catch of the day – DB group looks extremely deep – Waletzko mixed in at LG

Detroit Lions

• “LaPorta continues to do his thing. He caught two TDs in the red-zone scrimmage and looks very fluid as a route runner. He’s getting first- and second-team reps.”

Green Bay Packers

• Luke Musgrave is definitely in the “All-Shorts” team right now. No it might not mean anything when the pads come on, but they haven’t yet. So, for now, the #Packers top offensive pick is checking the boxes he can check.
• Luke Musgrave looks the part in shorts…Kraft is an elite athlete with a Relative Athletic Score over 9, yet Musgrave appears to be moving at different a speed and fluidity.
• It’s a young WR room in Green Bay, but that’s why it’s even more impressive for Christian Watson to have his leadership recognized by Matt LaFleur yesterday. LaFleur also says Watson’s understanding of the offense is also night-and-day different this year.
• I need more Tyler Goodson. Dude is just too quick/fast/shifty and works his ass off every practice. Would love to see him win that RB3 job.

Houston Texans

• Dameon Pierce on how he’ll improve from his rookie year: “More yards. More touchdowns. Have a bigger role in this offense. Be a better leader.” Probably a player that you want on your fantasy football teams
• Nico Collins on rookie QB C.J. Stroud:”Sky’s the limit for him. He’s a great quarterback man and I’m glad he’s a part of this team. We’re all coming out every day to work and get better.”
• More Observations:

Dameon Pierce had two nice runs today during OTAs. 

Brevin Jordan flashed a bunch during 7 on 7 and team. 

CJ Stroud had multiple 40-yard completions. 

Derek Stingley had a PBU. 

Mills and Nico Collins had a couple nice hookups.

• CJ and Davis Mills rotated with the 1s. Mills had more run with the 1s today. During the 2 min drill, Davis completed a couple passes to Brevin Jordan and Robert Woods. Got to the goal line but couldn’t punch it in.
• More observations: QBs haven’t thrown at Derek Stingley much during our time watching OTAs. On a 4th and 15 play situation, C.J and Tank Dell connected on a first down over the middle.

Las Vegas Raiders

• #Raiders coach Josh McDaniels says RB Josh Jacobs, who has yet to sign his franchise tag and is thus not under contract, is the lone player not at mandatory minicamp. McDaniels says he respects the process and is looking forward to seeing Jacobs as deadline is not until July.

Los Angeles Rams

• Rams HC Sean McVay on rookie WR Puka Nacua: “It’s been really impressive how quickly he’s gotten up to speed.” Cooper Kupp also praised Naqua for his ability to quickly process info, and said the biggest thing is that Naqua is asking the right questions as he’s learning.

Miami Dolphins

• Flashback to when De’Von Achane had one of the BEST Performances in all of College Football last season against #5 LSU ‼️🔥

– 38 Carries
– 215 YDS
– 5.7 YPC
– 2 TDs
– Forced 16! MISSED TACKLES (Most by any player in college football that week.)

• Chosen has been really impressive in OTAs and minicamp. He could be getting back to form from his Jets days and first year in Carolina in this Dolphins offense.

Minnesota Vikings

• Vikings OC Wes Phillips on whether second-year RB Ty Chandler is ready for an increased role: “I think he’s going to have to be.” Chandler probably has the advantage in the competition for the presumptive No. 2 RB spot behind presumptive No. 1 RB Alexander Mattison.

New England Patriots

• Rhamondre Stevenson: “Damien’s out of here now, so I’m kind of the guy. Just trying to make sure I’m ready for the end of the season this year… Taking care of my body, just trying to be proactive.”
• I’m still clamoring for the #Patriots to get RB Pierre Strong the ball in space. Strong caught a pass that created a one-on-one in the flat, and turned it up field for a long gain. His speed can be a big factor in this offense.
• Mike Gesicki has been looking the part so far in OTAs. Definitely moves more like a big WR than a tight end. Smooth routes, some juice off the line. Usage has been pretty versatile. Gonna be fun to see what BOB has in store for him. 
• Still too early to give a real take on how Mac Jones looks. But, body language-wise, he has been in great spirits at these practices. Bouncing around, having fun. 

Mac has also stayed late after both open OTAs to get some extra work in. 

New Orleans Saints

• Today was our last OTA viewing period, and I think Chris Olave would win my Voluntary Camp MVP award if such an award were a real thing.
• Another good practice for Saints TE Juwan Johnson in a red-zone heavy OTA on Tuesday. Hard not to be optimistic about the early glimpses of chemistry we’re seeing with Derek Carr and Johnson. … Carr-Chris Olave showing a good rapport too.
• Derek Carr looked really good today. And I think Jameis Winston had one of his best practices I’ve seen today.
• “Chris Olave really looks comfortable and confident out there. Him, Rashid Shaheed, and Juwan Johnson might have been the best players from these three weeks of OTAs.”

Philadelphia Eagles

• Kenny Gainwell on his 2023 role: “I’m expecting a very high role. I’m just going to continue to improve my game, stay on top of everything I’ve done, but I’m expecting a high role this year.”

San Francisco 49ers

• Trey Lance should see the lion’s share of first-team QB reps tomorrow, at the 49ers’ second vet minicamp practice, Shanahan said. SF is alternating days with QBs
• Sam Darnold saw the lion’s share of first-team QB reps at the 49ers’ first vet minicamp practice
• 49ers ran some red-zone 7-on-7 stuff. Sam Darnold and Trey Lance both made some nice TD throws. Lance tossed a particularly pretty floater leading Jauan Jennings into the corner just as Brock Purdy walked out of the weight room to do his running workout on the side field
• George Kittle on Trey Lance: “I’m not going to lie to you guys, he looks significantly better than last year.”
• 49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan said QB Brock Purdy “is right on pace. I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It’s part of his process of getting back and he’s continuing right on the track he’s always been on. No setbacks and it’s been very good so far.”
• Deebo Samuel described his season last year like this; “It was awful.” He said it was bad “in every way,” and said he believes his contract situation was a distraction. He admits to being out of shape.
• Kyle Shanahan said that Elijah Mitchell was “working through something” but didn’t go into specifics. Could be something to look for as Mitchell missed a large portion of camp last year before eventually getting injured again in Week 1 vs. Bears

Seattle Seahawks

• No, it’s not true rookie first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba has caught every ball thrown near him in every Seahawks offseason practice. It just seems like it. ⁦

• Here was Tyler Lockett, the elder statesman of the Seahawks WR corps as he enters his ninth season, on what he’s seen from first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Dee Eskridge. Some interesting and detailed insight from Lockett on what Eskridge is doing well.
• Rookie first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njihba in goal-line passing drill at Seahawks minicamp

Tennessee Titans

“Tannehill had his ups and downs. He threw a strike to Burks early, and he connected on a number of other throws. But he also was wide on a throw to Burks, and there appeared to be miscommunication on a pass intended for receiver Kyle Philips. He did make a big throw late.”