Richardson, Swift, Jackson, Cowboys, Bengals, Steelers

Colts plan to start Anthony Richardson as a rookie + Eagles vision for D'Andre Swift  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ May 01, 2023 [Sign up]( [Legit Football]( Together With: Stathead [Run Your Pool](  Richardson [Anthony Richardson] Colts plan to start Anthony Richardson as a rookie Details: The news comes straight from owner Jim Irsay and coach Shane Steichen, who [believe]( Richardson will “get better by playing.” Inexperience: Richardson started just 13 games in college, which concerned other teams. He completed only 53.8% of his passes last season. - His numbers were far behind the two quarterbacks selected ahead of him — Bryce Young (64.5%) and CJ Stroud (66.3%). Case Study: The development of Josh Allen, who was also considered a raw passer coming out of college, could mirror that of Richardson. - Allen in 2018 (Rookie): 52.8% completion rate, 2,074 yards, 10 touchdowns, 12 interceptions. - Allen in 2019: 58.8% completion rate, 3,089 yards, 20 touchdowns, 9 interceptions. - Allen in 2020 (Breakout): 69.2% completion rate, 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions. Backup Plan: If Richardson struggles extensively in training camp and the preseason, the Colts can pivot to backup Gardner Minshew — who ran Steichen’s scheme with the Eagles. Image: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire Swift [D'Andre Swift] Eagles envision a versatile role for RB D’Andre Swift Background: The Lions traded Swift to the Eagles for a 2025 fourth-rounder and a swap of seventh-round picks. - The deal was agreed to on Saturday. Versatility: Howie Roseman said the Eagles [wanted]( Swift because of his “big-play ability as a runner and a receiver.” Receiving Upgrade? Last season, Swift averaged 3.4 receptions and 27.8 receiving yards per game (8.1 yards per reception). - Miles Sanders, the Eagles' starter last year, averaged only 1.2 receptions for 4.6 receiving yards per game (3.9 yards per reception). Rushing Upgrade? Swift also averaged more yards per rush attempt (5.5) than Sanders (5.0). RB Depth: Swift is expected to lead a running back rotation that includes Rashaad Penny, Kenny Gainwell, and Boston Scott. Image: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire Jackson [Lamar Jackson] Lamar Jackson’s new contract includes $185 million guaranteed Background: Jackson [agreed]( to a five-year, $260 million deal with the Ravens last Friday. - For the time being, Jackson is the league's highest-paid player at $52 million per year. Guaranteed Rank: Jackson ranks third in guaranteed money ($185 million), behind Deshaun Watson ($230 million) and Kyler Murray ($189.5 million). - Jalen Hurts got $179 million guaranteed (over four years) from the Eagles last month. Pass Catchers: In addition to the financial commitment, the Ravens have pledged to surround Jackson with more pass-catching talent. The team has added Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers (first-round pick) this offseason. Image: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire Cowboys [Jerry Jones] Jerry Jones: Cowboys open to Ezekiel Elliott return, looking for a veteran kicker Details: Jones [told]( reporters that the “ship hasn’t sailed” on a potential Elliott return. - The Cowboys only used a sixth-round pick (Deuce Vaughn) on the position over the weekend - The team doesn’t have much in the way of established depth behind Tony Pollard. Not Happening? Clarence Hill (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) is [reporting]( that Elliott has “options” and is unlikely to return to Dallas. Kicker: Jones also said the Cowboys will look to add a veteran kicker, after missing out on the position during the draft. Options? The veteran kicker market includes Robbie Gould, Ryan Succop, and Mason Crosby. Image: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire Bengals [Joe Mixon] Bengals commit to RB Joe Mixon and TE Irv Smith Jr. Mixon: Zac Taylor told reporters after the draft that Mixon’s “[future](” is with the Bengals. - Earlier in the offseason, Bengals’ executive Duke Tobin indicated that Mixon’s roster status was uncertain. - The 26-year-old has a $12.8 million cap hit in 2023. RB Depth: Cincinnati will move forward with Mixon, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans, and fifth-round rookie Chase Brown. - Brown, out of Illinois, totaled 1,883 scrimmage yards and scored 13 touchdowns in 2022. Smith: The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. [writes]( that Smith “looks entrenched” as the Bengals starting tight end. The team, rather surprisingly, did not add to the position during the draft. Upside: Smith figures to match or exceed the production of last year’s starter Hayden Hurst, who caught 52 passes for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns. Image: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire Steelers [Broderick Jones] Steelers get high marks for draft class Details: The Steelers' class has received unanimous praise in the draft community. Grades: Grades include an [A+]( from PFF, an [A]( from Walter Football, and an [A]( from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter. Top 60: Five of the Steelers’ picks were ranked as top 60 prospects by Dane Brugler — OT Broderick Jones (ranked 15th, selected No. 14), CB Joey Porter Jr. (ranked 16th, selected No. 32), TE Darnell Washington (ranked 30th, selected No. 93), and DT Keanu Benton (ranked 56th, selected No. 49). - Jones and Porter project as Week 1 starters. Late Rounds: The late-round selections of OLB Nick Herbig, CB Cody Trice, and OT Spencer Anderson have also been lauded. - Herbig totaled 15.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks with the Wisconsin Badgers last season. Image: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire More News - [Panthers]( exercised DL Derrick Brown's fifth-year option - [Browns]( exercised LT Jedrick Wills' fifth-year option - [Ravens]( could trade LB Patrick Queen - [Giants]( to 'reconvene' contract talks with Saquon Barkley Together with Stathead Question of the Day Who led the league with 48 quarterback hits last season? - Nick Bosa (49ers) - Maxx Crosby (Raiders) - Matthew Judon (Patriots) - Chris Jones (Chiefs) Sign up for a monthly subscription and get your first month free, or use “[LEGIT20](” to save $20 off one year of Stathead Football. [See Answer]( Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up [here](. [Unsubscribe]( Copyright © 2022 Legit Football. All rights reserved. 710 Main Street South #572, Southbury CT 06488