Footballguys #9 - 4/28 - News And Notes From Around The League

[Footballguys.com]( Footballguys #9 - 4/28 - News And Notes From Around The League Volume 21, #9 -- Sunday Night, April 28th, 2019 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email [View in Web Browser]( Howdy {NAME}, And we're back. The NFL Draft is in the books and for us that means our "offseason" is over. We're back to a Daily Email gathering for you the News and Notes you need. Plus our take on what we think the News means. You don't need to do a thing but sit back and stay informed. Let's go. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [NYG - GM defends Daniel Jones pick](#1) 2. [CLE - Coach has plans for RB Duke Johnson](#2) 3. [DAL - Dallas has big plans for Tony Pollard](#3) 4. [PIT - Diontae Johnson to move around](#4) 5. [KC - Darwin Thompson hard to bring down in college](#5) 6. [CAR - WR D.J. Moore switches agents](#6) 7. [NYJ - Jalin Moore signs with Jets](#7) 8. [IND - Indianapolis interested in QB Chad Kelly?](#8) 9. [DET - Donald Parham to the Motor City](#9) 10. [MIA - Preston Williams joins the Fins](#10) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [NYG - GM defends Daniel Jones pick]() Source: SI.com - Jenny Vrentas New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has further defended his pick of QB Daniel Jones with the draft's sixth-overall selection, saying that he knew there were two other teams who would've drafted Jones before the Giants' second first-round pick at No. 17 overall. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Giants had two first-round picks and most felt they would get a quarterback with one of those selections. They felt like Jones wouldn't be there when they picked no.17 overall, so they took him at no.6 instead. He's not Peyton Manning (or Eli Manning) but he is smart and athletic. Jones will be groomed as their quarterback of the future. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [CLE - Coach has plans for RB Duke Johnson](=) Source: NFL.com - Jeremy Bergman Cleveland Browns RB [Duke Johnson]( remains with the team despite his desire to be traded, and coach Freddie Kitchens said Saturday, April 27, that's fine with him. 'Duke is under contract. I have said this for like a month now, I don't know where all this trade talk started happening,' Kitchens said. 'People just assumed that we are going to trade him because we signed another good football player. Me, personally, I like good football players and I like as many of them as we can get. [Duke Johnson]( is on this football team, [Duke Johnson]( will have a vital role in this football team and [Duke Johnson]( will help us win football games. Am I surprised that he's still here? No, not one bit. I haven't wavered and never said anything different other than that.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Browns should use Johnson as a receiver out of the backfield and a change-of-pace back behind starter Nick Chubb. However, when Kareem Hunt is activated after his eight-game suspension then Johnson's snap count should be severely limited. We'll see if they actually use him properly or decide to trade him away at some point in the future. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [DAL - Dallas has big plans for Tony Pollard]( Source: DallasCowboys.com - Rob Phillips Dallas Cowboys fourth-round RB Tony Pollard is expected to play an important role on offense and special teams right away, according to chief operating officer Stephen Jones.'It's a little unfair - he's certainly not at that level, don't get me wrong - but a little (Alvin) Kamara to him, as to how he (complemented Mark) Ingram down in New Orleans. He can play flyer on special teams, he can return kicks; he can do all that. But what excites me the most is his home run threat as a running back. He can get in there and take some of the snaps off Zeke, which I think Zeke needs at times, and when he walks in there, he's going to be a problem when defenses are looking at him. He's a sub-4.40 guy,' Jones said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Cowboys offense is moving into the 21st century, with some versatility and speed from Pollard. He's an intriguing long term deep dynasty prospect, but the Cowboys aren't going to switch to a two-back attack. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [PIT - Diontae Johnson to move around](=) Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson is 'naturally gifted' and can line up anywhere on the field, according to wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Johnson is a big play waiting to happen. He had touchdowns of 80 (receiving), 83 (punt return) and 98 (kick return) in 2018. Johnson is going to compete for a spot on the depth chart behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington. He reminds some in the scouting community of Emmanuel Sanders and is certainly a player we'll love to take super late in drafts if he flashes in the preseason. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [KC - Darwin Thompson hard to bring down in college](=) Source: Chiefs.com - B.J. Kissel Kansas City Chiefs sixth-round RB Darwin Thompson averaged 0.32 forced missed tackles per attempt and 5.1 yards after contact per attempt in 2018 while playing at Utah State, ranking inside the top five in both categories, according to Pro Football Focus via B.J. Kissel of Chiefs.com. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Scouts have described Thompson as 'Tarik Cohen like' and that's awful exciting when placed in the Chiefs high-powered offense. Thompson did not play special teams at Utah State and that's his likely ticket to the 53-man roster. He's a balanced runner at 200 pounds and does not shy away from running inside. We'll keep an eye on him in super deep dynasty formats. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [CAR - WR D.J. Moore switches agents]() Source: Sports Business Journal - Liz Mullen Carolina Panthers WR [D.J. Moore]( announced Sunday, April 28, he has switched agents and will now be represented by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Moore had a standout season with the Panthers as a rookie in 2018. He finished the year with 55 catches for 788 yards and two touchdowns. A first-round pick for the Panthers in 2018, the team has him under contract through 2022 if they choose to use the fifth-year option. Moore could flirt with WR2 level production in 2019. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [NYJ - Jalin Moore signs with Jets]( Source: Watauga Democrat - Steve Behr Undrafted free-agent RB Jalin Moore (Appalachian State) signed an undisclosed deal with the New York Jets Sunday, April 28. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Moore is a well put together running back, measuring in at 5'10" 212 pounds. He has a physical side to his game with a lunch pail attitude when he totes the rock. Moore has straight-line speed but needs to be more fluid when changing direction. With limited experience as a pass-catcher, Moore may have a tough time cracking the 53-man roster. The Jets have a jam-packed backfield with Le'Veon Bell, Eli McGuire, Trenton Cannon, DeAngelo Henderson and Ty Montgomery all vying for various levels of playing time in 2019. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [IND - Indianapolis interested in QB Chad Kelly?]( Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio The Indianapolis Colts met with free-agent QB [Chad Kelly]( (Broncos) several weeks ago but the team has not decided whether to sign him, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kelly's uncle Jim is tight with Colts head coach Frank Reich. It's time for the Colts to make backup quarterback plans for next year, when Jacoby Brissett will likely sign a big deal to compete to start somewhere. Kelly could work if he keeps on the straight and narrow. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [DET - Donald Parham to the Motor City]() Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman Undrafted free agent TE Donald Parham (Stetson) signed with the Detroit Lions on Saturday, April 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Parham is 6'8" and he moves well. He can play the Noah Fant to first-round pick TJ Hockenson if he develops in time. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [MIA - Preston Williams joins the Fins](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Undrafted free agent WR Preston Williams (Colorado State) signed with the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, April 27, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Williams is talented but has some off field concerns and tested poorly at his pro day, but he couldn't have more opportunity short and long term. This is a great landing spot for him. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =