Young, LaPorta, Za'Darius, Thomas, Griffin

Bryce Young, Sam LaPorta among rookie minicamp standouts + Browns trade for a 3x Pro Bowler  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ May 15, 2022 [Sign up]( [Legit Football]( Together With: Stathead [Run Your Pool](  Young [Bryce Young] Bryce Young showed 'complete command' in first-ever practice Details: Panthers coach Frank Reich [said]( that Young “did every little thing right” during the Panthers’ first minicamp practice. - He specifically praised Young’s “decision-making, timing, and accuracy.” Impressive: According to The Athletic’s Joseph Person, Young’s [first incompletion]( did not come until 20 minutes into practice — and it was on a dropped pass by tryout receiver Gary Jennings. - He later hit Jennings in stride — between two defenders — for a 25-yard touchdown. OTAs: Reich confirmed that Andy Dalton will open next week’s OTAs ahead of Young on the depth chart. Image: @Panthers LaPorta [Sam LaPorta] Lions TE Sam LaPorta wowed at rookie minicamp Details: The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy [described]( LaPorta as the “best player” on the practice field by a “wide margin.” - Detroit selected LaPorta, out of Iowa, in the second round (No. 34). - He finished his college career with the most receptions by a tight end in school history — besting the likes of Dallas Clark, TJ Hockenson, Noah Fant, and George Kittle. Wow: According to Pouncy, LaPorta made plays over the middle, in traffic, and along the sideline during minicamp. Usage: The Lions had LaPorta lined up as an inline tight end and flexed out as a receiver. Big Opportunity: The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder is likely to open the season as the Lions’ starting tight end. He figures to see a healthy share of targets from Jared Goff, who ranked sixth among all quarterbacks with 587 pass attempts (34.5 per game) last season. Image: Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions Za'Darius [Za'Darius Smith] Vikings traded DE Za’Darius Smith to the Browns Details: The Browns [traded]( a 2024 fourth-rounder and a 2024 fifth-rounder to the Vikings for Smith, a 2025 sixth-rounder, and a 2025 seventh-rounder. Contract: Smith agreed to a revised one-year contract that will pay him a guaranteed $11.75 million. He will hit free agency in 2024. - The trade clears around $12 million in cap space for the Vikings. Profile: Smith, 31, totaled 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 5 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble last season. He earned a strong 82.2 PFF grade. Fit in CLE: Smith will rush the passer opposite All-Pro Myles Garrett. He’s the third major addition to the Browns’ defensive line since the season ended, the others being Ogbo Okoronkwo (75.1 PFF grade) and Dalvin Tomlinson (77.1 PFF grade). Impact in MIN: The Vikings’ pass rush will be supplied by Danielle Hunter, free agent signing Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum, and 2021 third-rounder Pat Jones II. Image: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire Thomas [Michael Thomas] Saints expect WR Michael Thomas at training camp Details: Saints coach Dennis Allen told Rich Eisen that Thomas should be “[good to go](” for training camp. - Thomas — who has appeared in just ten games over the last three seasons — recently had hardware removed from his ankle. - He’s also dealt with toe and foot injuries. Impact: Thomas played well in three appearances last season, catching 16 passes for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’ll add to a Saints’ receiver group that includes Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Tre’Quan Smith. More Saints News: - Rookie fourth-round QB Jake Haener [displayed]( impressive ball placement at rookie minicamp over the weekend. - Rookie third-round running back Kendre Miller (knee) has not been cleared for participation in practice. Image: Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire Griffin [Shaquill Griffin] Texans signed CB Shaquill Griffin Details: The deal is for one year and is [worth]( up to $4.5 million. Profile: Griffin, 27, was released by the Jaguars in March. He missed 12 games last season with a back injury. - Across 19 games over the past two seasons, Griffin has [allowed]( 67 catches on 98 targets (68.3%) for 794 yards and 5 touchdowns. Texans' Fit: Griffin will add to a cornerback unit that includes Derek Stingley Jr. (49.1 PFF grade), Steven Nelson (66.7 PFF grade), and Desmond King II (73.2 PFF grade). Image: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire More News - [Carson Wentz]( intends to play in 2023, waiting for right opportunity - [Dolphins]( signed OL Isaiah Wynn - [Bills]( signed OLB Shane Ray, who hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2018 Together with Stathead Question of the Day Who led the NFL with 2,118 scrimmage yards in 2016? - Le'Veon Bell (Steelers) - DeMarco Murray (Titans) - Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) - David Johnson (Cardinals) 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