The NFL minicamp absences that really matter, and what’s subsequent

We aren’t presupposed to take attendance at voluntary OTA practices. I do know we do, however I will howl into the institution void till my throat goes sore that we aren’t presupposed to. Voluntary means voluntary, and anybody who places it in quotes when speaking about OTAs is doing the groups’ work for them and the gamers an injustice.

That mentioned, the previous couple of weeks have featured the non-voluntary portion of the NFL offseason. At obligatory minicamps, it is OK to take attendance. It is necessary, even, as a result of as soon as we get to obligatory minicamps, the absences are sometimes pointed and notable.

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If you happen to miss a three-day obligatory minicamp, your crew can high quality you as a lot as $88,650. Gamers who skip minicamp are making a robust assertion. They’re prepared to sacrifice that $88,650 to assist themselves safe the contracts they imagine they deserve. That is noteworthy as a result of it usually factors to an issue the crew wants to unravel — one that would linger into coaching camp and even the common season.

Let’s check out a few of the notable minicamp absences and talk about the probability that they linger or blossom into greater issues. I am not fearful about Drew Brees lacking the primary two days of Saints minicamp to testify within the trial of a jeweler he says defrauded him. And whereas the larger sports activities image tells us it is dangerous to underestimate a calf damage, I am not fearful about Andrew Luck sitting out minicamp drills to relaxation his leg. Todd Gurley … that may be a unique story.

Clowney is not topic to minicamp fines as a result of he bought the franchise tag in March, hasn’t signed his tender and thus technically is not underneath contract with the crew. It did not price him something to skip the Texans’ minicamp. At any time, he may signal the tender and be underneath contract for one yr and about $15.four million. He and the Texans nonetheless have greater than a month to work out the long-term deal he seeks — the deadline for franchise-tagged gamers to signal long-term contracts is July 15 — which absolutely would convey Clowney to coaching camp.

The issue is the Texans have not been prepared to present Clowney a long-term deal and may by no means get to that place. If they do not, it is under no circumstances loopy to think about him sitting out the entire season a la Le’Veon Bell final yr in Pittsburgh. (Clowney has made greater than $35 million in his first 5 years within the league, so it is not as if he wants the cash.) The Texans have leverage since they may franchise him once more subsequent yr in the event that they need to. However until Houston’s subsequent GM is employed with a want (or directions) to do a deal his predecessor appeared reluctant to do, the connection between Clowney and the Texans might be headed down an irreparable street.

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This case is murky, however primarily based on info I have been capable of collect from sources, there is a two-pronged downside right here. Williams is not thrilled together with his contract, which has two years and a non-guaranteed $24 million left on it, and he is upset with the crew over the dealing with of a critical medical subject he endured this offseason.

Williams did not present as much as minicamp and is not speaking, so readability is elusive. However the five-year, $66 million contract he signed in 2015 makes him underpaid for a sort out of his caliber, and an adjustment to that deal should not be arduous to determine, assuming the non-financial features of the dispute will be resolved.

Solely 9 gamers have extra sacks than Ngakoue’s 29.5 because the Jaguars picked him within the third spherical of the 2016 draft. He has been a steal for Jacksonville and will likely be once more this season if he performs out the ultimate yr of his contract for $2.zero25 million. Watching pass-rushers reminiscent of Frank Clark, Dee Ford and DeMarcus Lawrence money on this offseason justifiably has Ngakoue hungering for extra. Since he wasn’t a first-round decide, the Jaguars do not maintain a fifth-year choice on him for 2020.

The Jags look to be a crew that would spend the subsequent couple of years in cap hassle, and with star cornerback Jalen Ramsey additionally on the lookout for a brand new deal quickly, it may be clever for them to lock up Ngakoue now, earlier than the pass-rusher market goes even increased. The primary downside Ngakoue faces is that if he does not report back to coaching camp at the very least 30 days earlier than the beginning of the common season, his 2019 season won’t depend towards his free company. All gamers on this listing underneath contract with their groups face this restriction, giving the groups the leverage to attend them out.

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Jones was a second-round decide in 2016, however as a result of second-round picks aren’t eligible for the performance-based fourth-year escalators that picks from Rounds Three-7 get, he is scheduled to make even lower than Ngakoue this season. Three weeks shy of his 25th birthday and coming off a 15.5-sack season, Jones understandably believes $1.2 million is slightly gentle for 2019 compensation.

The issue right here is that the Chiefs seem to have given new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo nice latitude in deciding what sorts of gamers he desires for his protection. If Spagnuolo does not see Jones as the kind of defensive sort out he likes for his entrance, the Chiefs may be reluctant to supply Jones a top-of-market deal, and the standoff may proceed for some time. Jones is underneath contract, so he needs to be there no later than 30 days earlier than the season begins, or else he loses an accrued season.

I am grouping these two collectively as a result of they’re on the identical crew, however these are barely completely different conditions.

Harrison has two years left on the contract the Giants gave him in 2016. That deal was seen as approach above marketplace for a two-down defensive sort out on the time, however he has confirmed to be the league’s greatest run-stopper and apparently thinks the non-guaranteed $15.75 million he is scheduled to make over the subsequent two years is inadequate.

Slay sees himself as a prime cornerback and is scheduled to make $12.eight million this yr and $10.25 million subsequent yr (additionally non-guaranteed). We’ll see how the Lions prioritize these two key members of their protection. With two years left, a crew that may not need to renegotiate can typically make a participant blissful by shifting cash round and guaranteeing a piece of it. That looks as if the sensible approach out of this.

An early glimpse on the 2020 class’ expertise:
• McShay’s way-too-early mock draft »
• Kiper’s Massive Board: The highest 25 prospects »
• Meet the QBs » | Watch: The QB class »
• Each Prime 25 crew’s greatest prospect »
• Tagovailoa early favourite to be No. 1 »

Gould is in the identical scenario as Clowney, although as a kicker, his franchise value is far decrease. He has not signed the $four.971 million franchise tender and has taken the place that he desires a brand new deal or a commerce (doubtless again to Chicago, which desperately wants him).

The 49ers haven’t got to present him what he desires, and indications are that Gould may be prepared to take a seat out the yr if he does not get it. This can be a scenario price monitoring for those who’re a fan of the 49ers, the Bears or kickers getting paid.