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Football

NFL Season Kicks Off

NFL Season Preview

Henry Anderson • DE • Indianapolis Colts • Third season • @HenryAnderson91

Nearly two years after tearing his ACL amid an outstanding rookie season, Anderson looks primed to return to being the disruptive player people labeled as the steal of the 2015 draft. In his rookie season, the fully healthy Anderson racked up 18 hurries and 23 run stops in just nine games. His injury history remains a concern, but he has been healthy for the entire preseason after limited returns in 2016. Anderson enters this season as a rare bright spot on an otherwise underwhelming defense, which ranked 30th in yards allowed last season.

Johnson Bademosi • CB/ST • New England Patriots • Sixth season • @J_Bademosi24

Bademosi enters the final season of a two-year, $4.5 million contract he signed with Detroit in 2016. Following the Lions' final preseason game, Bademosi was dealt to New England in exchange for a 2019 sixth-round pick. The sixth-year man sits on the depth chart as the Patriots' fifth cornerback, but his acquisition was primarily for special teams.



Doug Baldwin • WR • Seattle Seahawks • Seventh season • @DougBaldwinJr

Baldwin enters the first season of a four-year, $46 million extension he signed in 2016 as Seattle's undisputed leading receiver. In 2016, he set career marks in targets (125), receptions (94) and yards (1,128), catching seven touchdowns and throwing for another. Baldwin also caught his sixth career postseason touchdown, while his 94 catches in the regular season tied Bobby Engram's franchise record from 2007. Since the start of the 2015 season, Russell Wilson has a 75 percent completion rate with 21 touchdowns and a 126.3 passer rating when targeting the former undrafted free agent out of Stanford.

Alex Carter • S • Free Agent • Second season • @AlexCarter

Detroit released Carter following its preseason finale, a 27-17 loss at Buffalo. A third-round pick in 2015, Carter switched positions to safety to escape the Lions' logjam at cornerback – Detroit's surplus of corners was further illustrated by its willingness to trade Johnson Bademosi to New England. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve and spent most of last season on the team's practice squad. Carter was brought in for a tryout with Chicago on Monday, but as of Thursday remains a free agent.

Noor Davis • LB • Free Agent • First Season • @NoorDavis

Minnesota released Davis following the team's 30-9 loss against Miami last Thursday. He made his lone tackle of the preseason in the Vikings' 32-31 win against San Francisco in Week 3, and primarily played on special teams. As of Thursday, Davis is a free agent.

David DeCastro • G • Pittsburgh Steelers • Sixth season

Established as one of the premier interior lineman in the NFL, DeCastro is entering the second year of a five-year, $50 million extension, making him the fifth-highest paid guard in the league, annually. This past offseason, in addition to being named All-Pro for the second year in a row, DeCastro ranked No. 97 in the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2017, as voted on by the players. A member of one of the elite offensive lines in the league, DeCastro helped Pittsburgh ball carriers average 110 rushing yards per game while allowing just 21 sacks in 2016.

Zach Ertz • TE • Philadelphia Eagles • Fifth season • @ZErtz_86

Entering his fifth season, Ertz has evolved into one of the leading voices in Philadelphia's locker room. After inking a five-year, $42.5 million contract prior to last season, Ertz appeared in 14 games for the 7-9 Eagles, catching 78 balls for 816 yards and four touchdowns. The former unanimous All-American at Stanford developed a strong rapport with rookie quarterback Carson Wentz at the midway point in the season – from Weeks 9-17, he caught 63 passes for 666 yards and four scores, including a two-touchdown performance against Dallas in Week 17.

Coby Fleener • TE • New Orleans Saints • Sixth season • @Coby

Fleener enters the second season of five-year, $36 million contract he signed with New Orleans in 2016. Fleener caught 50 balls for 631 yards and three touchdowns last season, but expect him to be more productive in 2017. With the departure of Brandin Cooks, and Willie Snead suspended to start the season, Fleener will be integral to an offense that led the NFL in total offense last season (426.0 yards per game).

Cameron Fleming • TE • New England Patriots • Fourth season • @cammyjfresh

Fleming has been a solid plug-and-play option at either tackle position since New England re-hired offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia before the 2016 season. Fleming made 13 regular-season appearances for the Super Bowl champions, filling in on either end of the line to good effect. Fleming picked up a minor injury near the end of preseason, but returned to practice on Monday and expects to suit up for New England's season opener against Kansas City on Thursday.

Joshua Garnett • G • San Francisco 49ers • Second season • @IamJoshG

Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced last week that San Francisco placed Garnett on season-ending injured reserve to recover from knee surgery. After undergoing surgery in August, doctors discovered Garnett's injury was more extensive than expected. Shanahan, general manager John Lynch, and Garnett all agreed it would be in the best interest of everyone for the player to focus on a full recovery and work towards the 2018 season.

Ryan Hewitt • FB • Cincinnati Bengals • Fourth season • @Huey85

Despite appearing in every game in 2016, Hewitt was on the field for just 218 snaps with Cincinnati struggling run the football. Prior to last season, the Bengals signed Hewitt to a three-year, $7.5 million contract, one of the largest fullback deals in the league. Listed as the only fullback on the roster, Hewitt's playing time will depend a lot on whether or not Cincinnati falls behind early in games, as they did frequently in 2016.

Kevin Hogan • QB • Cleveland Browns • Second Season • @KHoagie8

Hogan performed well enough in training camp and the entire preseason to earn the third quarterback spot on Cleveland's depth chart at the expense of Brock Osweiler, who the Browns waived last week. In four appearances last season, Hogan went completed 14 of 26 passes with two interceptions, rushing eight times for 105 yards and one score. He sits behind DeShone Kizer and Cody Kessler on the pecking order – Hogan led Stanford to big wins over his fellow Brown quarterbacks during his 2015 senior season at Stanford.

Austin Hooper • TE • Atlanta Falcons • Second season • @AustinHooper18

Pegged as one of the NFL's breakout stars heading into the 2017 season, Hooper punctuated a respectable rookie season with a touchdown catch in Super Bowl LI. Hooper's 72.5 Pro Football Focus grade in the regular season ranked 23rd among 63 qualifying tight ends, and was second among rookies behind only Hunter Henry. Expect Hooper's 47 percent offensive snap rate to increase after the departure of Jacob Tamme, and look for the second-year player to build off his rookie totals (19 catches, 271 yards and three touchdowns).

Andrew Luck • QB • Indianapolis Colts • Sixth season • @ALBookClub

Luck had a career year in 2016 before undergoing offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder. He completed a career-high 63.5 percent of passes with 31 touchdowns, earning a 92.4 season grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked only behind Aaron Rodgers (93.3), league MVP Matt Ryan (93.5) and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady (99.3). Indianapolis was coy on Luck's status throughout the offseason, announcing his addition to the active roster last week. However, Luck will not be available for the Colts' Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Blake Martinez • ILB • Green Bay Packers • Second season • @Big__Blake50

Nagging injuries kept Martinez from seeing more playing time during his rookie season, but there was no lack of productivity with him on the field. Martinez' 9.9 percent run stop rate topped the charts for rookie linebackers, while his 75.7 Pro Football Focus grade against the run ranked 27th among all interior linebackers. Despite a knee injury in Week 11, Martinez appeared in the playoffs after finishing the regular season with 69 tackles, one interception, one sack and four passes defended. Martinez sits atop the Packers' depth chart at inside linebacker heading into the 2017 season.

Josh Mauro • DE/DL • Arizona Cardinals • Fourth season • @JustJoshin90

A free agent after the 2016 season, Arizona wasted no time in making Mauro its first player retained in the offseason with a two-year, $5.8 million contract. He made 13 starts in 2016, doubling his career high in tackles (32) while setting career marks in run stops (22) and quarterback hurries (5). With All-Pro defensive tackle Calais Campbell now in Jacksonville, Mauro will be part of the committee expected to replace that productivity.

Christian McCaffrey • RB • Carolina Panthers • First season • @run_cmc

McCaffrey was selected eighth overall by the Panthers in the 2017 NFL Draft. Expected to play behind Jonathan Stewart at running back, McCaffrey skillset is so unique that Carolina created a special package of plays just for him. With the ability to line up in the backfield, in the slot, out wide or as a returner, McCaffrey will be used in a variety of ways. His limited action in preseason gave fans a preview of what was to come, and his presence should ease the workload on former MVP quarterback Cam Newton.

Ty Montgomery • RB • Green Bay Packers • Third season • @TyMontgomery2

Montgomery became an indispensable part of Green Bay's offense last season with his conversion to tailback. He averaged an insane 5.1 yards after contact per attempt, breaking 18 tackles with a 116.4 elusive rating, the highest of any running back per Pro Football Focus. He finished the season with 77 carries for 457 yards (5.9 average) and three touchdowns, and 44 receptions for 348 yards. Montgomery is poised to be Green Bay's main man in the backfield with little resistance from the depth chart.

Kyle Murphy • OT • Green Bay Packers • Second season • @KyleMurphy78

Murphy performed well in the preseason after hardly playing in his rookie campaign. Green Bay lists him as its backup right tackle, but a preseason injury to Bryan Bulaga could thrust Murphy into a starting role. Bulaga returned to practice this week, and the Packers will turn to the second-year Murphy should Bulaga's injury persist.

Trent Murphy • DE/OLB • Washington Redskins • Fourth season • @TMurphy_93

After a breakout season in 2016, in which he set career highs in tackles (47), sacks (10), quarterback hits (15), quarterback hurries (30) and run stops (24), Murphy tore his ACL and MCL in Washington's preseason opener and will miss the entire 2017 campaign. The injury comes at the worst possible time for Stanford's former All-American and second-round pick, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

Francis Owusu • WR • Free Agent • First season

Owusu was signed by Miami as an undrafted free agent. In his only appearance of the preseason, Owusu caught both of his targets for 45 yards and a touchdown, earning an 80.9 grade from Pro Football Focus. Owusu was released with an injury settlement in mid-August and is eligible to sign elsewhere.

David Parry • DT/NG • New Orleans Saints • Third season • @DavidParry58

Parry, a former fifth-round pick in 2015, signed with New Orleans' practice squad on Monday, after his release by Indianapolis. The defensive lineman started all 32 games he appeared in for the Colts, and was part of wholesale roster changes following the hiring of new general manager Chris Ballard. On 60 percent of defensive snaps in 2016, Parry had 39 tackles, 28 run stops, three sacks and 11 pressures.

Andrus Peat • T/G • New Orleans Saints • Third season • @AndrusPeat

Peat appears to have found a home at left guard after appearing at every position but center on the offensive line in his first two seasons. Even with starting left tackle Terron Armstead sidelined, New Orleans has Peat marked as its starting left guard. Head coach Sean Payton was pleased with Peat's progression through the offseason – the former first rounder played the final three games at left tackle last season, surrendering no sacks and just one hurry over that span. With free agent signing Larry Warford in the mix at right guard, New Orleans' interior line could develop into a force in 2017.

Michael Rector • WR • Free Agent • First season • @michaelrector

Detroit released Rector after the team's 27-17 loss at Buffalo to wrap up the preseason. Rector finished the preseason with three catches for 44 yards, and as of Thursday, is a free agent.

Ed Reynolds • S • Free Agent • Third season

Cleveland released Reynolds on Monday after the team's final round of cuts. Initially, Reynolds was placed on the Browns' injured reserve, but the team opted to give its final injured reserve spot to rookie Rod Johnson. Last season, Reynolds signed with Cleveland in Week 7 and went on to appear on 91 percent of the Browns' defensive snaps over the final eight games, earning a solid 78.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. Reynolds is now free to sign with any team.



Jordan Richards • S • New England Patriots • Third season

Richards' place on New England's depth chart remains unchanged from his first two seasons, in which he served as a backup to Patrick Chung while playing heavy special teams snaps. With two years left on his rookie deal, Richards still has a chance to make an impression in New England. Should Chung get injured, Richards will be ready after getting plenty of preseason reps over the past month.

Brennan Scarlett • OLB • Houston Texans • Second season • @BScarlett17

Scarlett, and former undrafted free agent, returned from injury late in 2016 to make an impact for Houston's top-ranked defense in the later weeks and into the postseason. He sits behind Jadeveon Clowney at outside linebacker on the Texans' depth chart, and saw significant snaps with the first-team defense during the preseason. With John Simon's departure for Indianapolis, Scarlett is a popular pick to emerge as a valuable contributor in Romeo Crennel and Mike Vrabel's defense.

Richard Sherman • CB • Seattle Seahawks • Seventh season @R_Sherman25

This past offseason, Seattle confirmed its openness to trading their outspoken cornerback, drafting four defensive backs and signing Trumaine Brock, whom they eventually traded to Minnesota, in free agency. Sherman, however, remains. Yet to miss a game in his six-year pro career, Sherman has the most interceptions (30) in football since his rookie season in 2011. When targeting Sherman last season, quarterbacks held a 63.8 passer rating, sixth-lowest of any cornerback in the league.



Shayne Skov • LB • Free Agent • Third season • @ShayneSkov

Skov was released by San Francisco on Friday following the team's preseason finale, a 23-13 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished the preseason with seven tackles after signing in mid-August, and has now had five stints with the 49ers after the team signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2014. As of Thursday, Skov is free to sign with any team.

Michael Thomas • S • Miami Dolphins • Fifth season • @Michael31Thomas

A former undrafted free agent, Thomas was named a Pro Football Focus All-Pro special teamer for the third consecutive year in 2016. Miami toyed with the idea of playing Thomas at slot corner in the offseason, listing him as the backup strong safety behind Reshad Jones. Thomas' versatility and experience (over 600 defensive snaps in 2015 and 2016) makes him a valuable piece of the defense, while his talents are special teams are well-known – last season, Thomas led the league with 19 special teams tackles.

Solomon Thomas • DL • San Francisco 49ers • First season • @SollyThomas90

A popular preseason pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Thomas was selected third overall by San Francisco in the 2017 NFL Draft. Thomas was arguably the most disruptive player in college football last season, and it is widely believed his explosiveness and relentlessness will translate to stardom in the pros. To gear up for his first training camp, Thomas trained with Warren Sapp at Stanford and attended Von Miller's pass rush summit alongside the likes of Khalil Mack, Michael Bennet, Olivier Vernon and Malik Jackson. All-Pro defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh was also vocal in his praise for the rookie, whom 49er fans are unanimously excited to see play.

Levine Toilolo • TE • Atlanta Falcons • Fourth season • @LevineToilolo

Toilolo's steady performance for Atlanta in 2016 earned him a three-year, $12 million contract with the defending NFC champions. Rated by Pro Football Focus as one of the better run-blocking tight ends in the league, Toilolo played 57 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps in 2017, catching 13 balls for 264 yards and two scores. Toilolo and fellow former Cardinal Austin Hooper will account for almost all of Atlanta's snaps at tight end in 2017 after the departure of Jacob Tamme.

Griff Whalen • WR • Free Agent • Fifth season • @GriffWhalen

Baltimore waived Whalen on Friday after the Ravens' 14-13 win at New Orleans. Now free to sign with any team, Whalen showed his worth in the return game with two punt returns for 10 yards and one kickoff return for 36 yards against the Saints. In 41 career games, Whalen has 47 receptions for 509 yards and three touchdowns.

David Yankey • OL • Carolina Panthers • Third season • @Papa_yank

Carolina placed Yankey on injured reserve following its preseason finale. He appeared in the Panthers' final six contests in 2016, and was in contention to be Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell's backup for the interior offensive line. Yankey, who shined in the Panthers' preseason opener, sustained a back injury in practice and is will be out for at least half the season.