Josh Jacobs
What happens in Vegas is staying in Vegas, at least where running back Josh Jacobs is concerned. Per multiple reports, the Las Vegas Raiders plan to franchise tag Jacobs if a long-term deal is not reached by Tuesday. The deadline to tag players is Tuesday at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT and players have until mid-July to reach a long-term deal.
Jacobs led the league with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022 and had 12 touchdowns. Over his four seasons in the league, Jacobs has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2022.
The 2023 franchise tag for running backs is $10.09 million.
Stetson Bennett
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV has seen tremendous on-field success the last two years, with each ending in a National Championship. Off the field has been a little more dicey after this year’s ring szn.
The Heisman Trophy finalist was arrested for public intoxication in Dallas on January 15, did not attend the Shrine Bowl or the Senior Bowl and took criticism for his behavior during the Bulldogs’ victory parade.
Bennett addressed the above at this week’s NFL Combine and said of the arrest, “It was, you know, a mistake that everybody’s aware of…I understand why that can’t happen, I’ve talked to coaches about it, talked to GMs, apologized to my family.”
Stetson was the MVP of both championships. He had 304 passing yards in January’s win over TCU, throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for two of his own. He will participate in Saturday’s quarterback drills in Indianapolis.
More Combine QB Notes
- Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young will officially be measured and weighed on Sunday, but at 6’ and 194 pounds, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is considered small. “I’ve been this size, respectfully, my whole life,” he said Friday. “I know who I am, I know what I can do.” He should be a Top 5 pick in this year’s 2023 NFL Draft, so everyone else does too.
- Kentucky quarterback Will Levis is looking forward to “show[ing] off” his “cannon” of an arm on Saturday. Levis threw for 2,406 yards and 19 TDs as a senior and 2,826 yards and 24 TDs as a junior.
- Meanwhile, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud said he believes he’s been college football’s best player the last two years. I would like to remind everyone he lost to
Michigan twice, but Michigan is also amazing so… That being said, Stroud is really good and should be a Top-10 Draft pick. #analysis
NFL Combine Day 1 Standouts
The NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis and pass rush prospects did not disappoint on Day 1. This Draft class is deep with EDGE rushers, and it shows. A few highlights were:
Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern, 6-foot-2, 282:
40-yard dash: 4.49
Vertical jump: 37.5, Broad jump: 10-foot-5
Yaya Diaby, Louisville, 6-foot-3 1/2, 263
40-yard dash: 4.51
Vertical jump: 37, Broad jump: 10-foot-0
Nolan Smith, Georgia, 6-foot-2 1/4, 238
40-yard dash: 4.39
Vertical jump: 41.5, Broad jump: 10-foot-8
Lukas Van Ness, Iowa, 6-foot-5, 272
40-yard dash: 4.58
Vertical jump: 31, Broad jump: 9-foot-10
Byron Young, Tennessee, 6-foot-2 1/2, 250
40-yard dash: 4.43
Vertical jump: 38.0, Broad jump: 11-foot-0
NBA Injury Notes
- After suffering a tendon injury in his right foot last weekend, LeBron James will be reevaluated in three weeks.
- Stephen Curry has missed the last month with a lower left leg injury, but he may be back in action by Sunday when the Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac will miss the remainder of the regular season with a torn left adductor that required surgery.