Projecting the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster By Ryan O’Halloran The Denver Post July 21, 2018

Ninety Broncos players will report to training camp Friday, five weeks and one day ahead of the deadline to cut the roster to 53. Here is our projection of how the roster will look like:

OFFENSE (25) Quarterbacks (three): Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly.

A semi-tough call but we think Kelly will do enough in the preseason that the Broncos won’t risk exposing him to waivers and onto the practice squad. The minus to keeping three quarterbacks is it means no fourth tight end or ninth offensive lineman.

Running backs (five): Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, De’Angelo Henderson, Andy Janovich (FB) and Phillip Lindsay.

Rookie David Williams will impress during the preseason but the Broncos will opt to keep Henderson – entering his second year. Lindsay is a hometown guy, but that means nothing. What does mean something is his ability to gain yards as a runner, receiver and returner. Our prediction remains that Freeman will be the Week 1 starter.

Tight ends (three): Jake Butt, Jeff Heuerman and Austin Traylor.

A tough position group to figure out because Troy Fumagalli, a rookie fifth-round pick, did not practice during the offseason program because of groin surgery. If he has a setback, he could be stashed on injured reserve. Butt, out last year with an ACL injury, looked good during the offseason and should emerge as the starter.

Receivers (six): Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Isaiah McKenzie and Jordan Taylor.

This position group has the potential to look much different in 2019. Sutton and Hamilton will get a valuable year of seasoning as they learn how Thomas and Sanders win matchups on a week-to-week basis. We put McKenzie on the roster – even if he does not win the punt return job – over Carlos Henderson. Taylor’s hip surgeries are expected to keep him out until next month so his health could change the roster math or create a spot for Henderson.

Offensive linemen (eight): Garett Bolles (LT), Matt Paradis (C ), Ron Leary (LG), Jared Veldheer (RT), Connor McGovern (RG), Max Garcia (G), Billy Turner (T) and (G).

Keeping a ninth offensive linemen may depend on how ready Leary (knee) and Veldheer (foot), both of whom missed the offseason program, are for the opener vs. Seattle. We’ll go with McGovern as the Week 1 right guard over Watson and Garcia, who played right tackle and left guard, respectively, last year.

DEFENSE (25) Defensive linemen (seven): Derek Wolfe (DE), Domata Peko (NT), Adam Gotsis (DE), DeMarcus Walker (DE), Clinton McDonald (DE/DT), Shelby Harris (DE) and (DT).

Six of the seven return from last year. McDonald is the only newcomer and he must prove he’s healthy in the preseason after missing the offseason program (shoulder surgery). Walker is back at defensive end after being moved to strong-side linebacker for part of 2017.

Linebackers (nine): Von Miller (OLB), Bradley Chubb (OLB), Brandon Marshall (ILB), Todd Davis (ILB), Shane Ray (OLB), Shaquil Barrett (OLB), Zaire Anderson (ILB), Josey Jewell (ILB) and Jeff Holland (OLB).

The Broncos must think about their 2019 pass-rushing group because Ray and Barrett are impending free agents. That is why they will hang on to Holland, who will join Lindsay as undrafted rookie free agents on the initial roster. Anderson’s special teams ability gives him a back-up spot. If Ray is healthy, does he get the nod at strong-side linebacker over Chubb in Week 1? Tough call and we say yes.

Defensive backs (nine): Chris Harris (CB), Bradley Roby (CB), Darian Stewart (FS), Justin Simmons (SS), Tramaine Brock (CB), Brandon Langley (CB), Isaac Yiadom (CB), Su’a Cravens (SS) and (FS).

A five-cornerback, four-safety setup for the Broncos like last year. The cornerback depth chart will be Harris, Roby, Brock, Langley and Yiadom, the safety depth chart Stewart, Simmons, Cravens and Parks.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3) Marquette King (P), Brandon McManus (K) and Casey Kreiter (LS).

The trio will start camp without any in-house competition so all they have to do is stay healthy to get a uniform for Week 1. Broncos Camp Preview: Cornerbacks carry on without outspoken Talib By Mike Klis 9 News July 21, 2018

Aqib Talib is gone but he is coming back on October 14.

While the All Pro cornerback and one of the most colorful personalities to ever swipe jewelry while donning a Broncos jersey has been reunited with Wade Phillips in Los Angeles, his high-pitched voice has carried back across the Rockies.

In an interview with MMQB published this week, Talib pointed blame at Broncos’ John Elway and Joe Woods for Denver’s decline the past two years.

Talib basically said Woods was no Wade when it came to play calling.

“It was new to this coach, so things were less disguised with fewer calls,’’ Talib said. “If 40 calls were available to us in a game in 2016, we had half of that last season.”

Talib speaks the stinging truth here, although there is more to the story. Such as Woods would have been a better coordinator had Talib not got burned on a go-route by Philadelphia’s Alshon Jefferey; and had he not got himself kicked out of the game early at Oakland for snatching Michael Crabrree’s necklace, a heist that ignited a brawl with the receiver; and had Talib not loafed on Kareem Hunt’s 35- yard touchdown run to cap Kansas City’s opening drive in the season finale.

But as for Talib’s play-calling reference, it shouldn't be dismissed. I often wrote Phillips schemed the defense so it looked like the Broncos had 12 to 14 guys swarming all over the field. It didn’t look that way last season.

In Woods’ defense, Phillips has been an NFL coordinator or head coach since 1981 – when Woods was 11. And Woods to his credit has done self-reflection about his play calling.

“The biggest thing is learning the stunts, learning what pressures you want to run versus different protections,’’ Woods said. “Having (assistant coaches) Bill Kollar and Reggie Herring in the room helped me tremendously. Right now, I have a better grasp on everything, so I feel extremely confident going into my second season calling (plays).”

It was Talib’s salvo at Elway, though, that got more attention.

“Maybe, they should stop firing all the dogs,” Talib says. “That team was full of dogs, and now they’re all gone. So, stop firing all the dogs.”

Presumably, DeMarcus Ware, Malik Jackson, T.J. Ward, Danny Trevathan, Sylvester Williams and Talib himself were the dogs from that Super 2015 Broncos defense who have been dismissed.

In Elway’s defense, he kept Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby, Derek Wolfe, Brandon Marshall and Darian Stewart.

Six here and six gone. And so it goes in the third decade of unrestricted free agency.

Looking deeper into the “fired” six: Ward, Williams and Trevathan are declined performers (Trevathan because of injury). Ware couldn’t shake an old back injury that led first to his release and then retirement.

Jackson is still what Talib would call a “dog” with Jacksonville, but how could Elway pay him $14.25 million a year in the same offseason he gave $19.08 million per to Miller?

That leaves Talib. He is 32 and making $11 million. With 26-year-old Roby, the No. 3 cornerback, going from $1.02 million in 2017 to $8.526 million in 2018, Elway again had to make a business decision.

And so Talib was traded to the Rams, who play in Denver in week 6 of the regular season. Wonder if Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders would be tempted to wear a necklace above their shoulder pads. Wonder, too, if Broncos Bill Musgrave has a flurry of double-move routes in his game plan that week.

During his four-year term with the Broncos, Talib may have been the paradigm of “smh.” Yet, he was mostly loved. For all his controversy, he could play. He joined John Lynch as the only Broncos to have played at least four years with the team and make the Pro Bowl all four years.

With the Broncos just eight days away from their first training camp practice of 2018, a look at one of their primary positions of concern: Cornerback AA. After Aqib.

Overview: With Talib gone, Harris and Roby move up and veteran Tramaine Brock was signed to a one- year deal to become the new No. 3 corner. The Broncos have two young corners in Brendan Langley and Isaac Yiadom who must develop quickly.

Strength: In 2015-16, the Broncos were considered to have the league’s best cornerback trio in Talib, Harris and Roby. Harris and Roby are still around. Harris is a third-team Pro Bowler who was a first-team All Pro two years ago. He is still the best slot corner in the league. With Talib gone, Harris is free to assume complete leadership of the secondary.

Question mark: Can Roby step up and handle 100 percent of the snaps instead of 60? And depth after the top 3 is a huge concern.

Pro Bowl material: Harris is established. Roby will get his first chance to prove he ranks with the elite.

Sleeper: Marcus Rios. He was actually the “sleeper” at this position last year. An undrafted rookie last year, he wound up outplaying Langley and got decent playing time in the final three games.

Sleeper: Marcus Rios. He was actually the “sleeper” at this position last year. An undrafted rookie last year, he wound up outplaying Langley and got decent playing time in the final three games.

Broncos WR Emannuel Sanders pleads guilty to traffic violation By Janet Oravetz 9 News July 21, 2018

Denver Broncos Emmanuel Sanders pleaded guilty this week to a charge related to a traffic crash he was involved in last August.

The crash happened on South Chambers Road near East Main Street in Parker.

According to a report from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sanders was driving northbound in the median between two sets of double yellow lines on South Chambers Road. He was traveling about going 30 to 35 mph with his Range Rover’s lights flashing.

9NEWS obtained body camera footage of Sander's interactions with officers. In the footage, Sanders is asked why he was driving in between the yellow lines.

"Well I play for the Broncos," he said. "I had to be at work at 8, so I was driving to work."

The other driver, 18-year-old McKenzie Caldon, was stopped in heavy traffic on South Chambers Road, when she swerved into the median, striking Sanders’ SUV as he was passing.

Both vehicles were damaged, but no one was seriously hurt.

On Monday of this week, Sanders pleaded guilty to one count of “lane usage violation,” a Class A traffic infraction.

As part of the plea, he was fined $50 and a second count was dismissed.

The other driver was also ticketed for careless driving. NFL, NFLPA announce 'standstill' on anthem rules after Dolphins report By Jeff Darlington ESPN July 21, 2018

With the facing backlash after submitting required paperwork to the NFL that included potential disciplinary measures for player protests during the national anthem, the league has decided to hit pause on its new policy, sources told ESPN.

The league and the NFL Players Association issued a joint statement Thursday that said "no new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks" while both sides continue to hold discussions to figure out how to move forward.

"The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue," the joint statement said. "In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA's grievance and on the NFL's anthem policy.

"The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation."

The NFL decided in May that teams would be fined if players didn't stand during the national anthem while on the field. The rule forbids players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sideline during the anthem but allows them to stay in the locker room if they wish. The league left the punishment of players up to the teams.

The policy was challenged this month in a grievance by the players' union.

Sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano that the NFL and NFLPA had been prepared to issue the standstill agreement Friday but moved up the announcement because of the Dolphins story that broke earlier Thursday from The Associated Press.

According to the AP report, the Dolphins could impose discipline of up to a four-game suspension for any player who protested during the anthem. The report cited a nine-page document the Dolphins filed with the NFL that overviewed the team's overarching disciplinary policies.

However, multiple sources with the Dolphins and the NFL told ESPN that the Dolphins' submission of their potential disciplinary policies was merely part of an annual filing required of every team before the start of training camp. One Dolphins source said the team has not discussed -- and doesn't expect to impose -- suspensions for protesting during the anthem.

Instead, one Dolphins source said the team merely filed the paperwork required by the league, stating potential discipline, with the expectation that it could later discuss and decide exactly what type of discipline, if any, would be imposed on players if they violated a rule that was newly instituted in May by the NFL.

"We were asked to submit a form to the NFL on our overall discipline policy prior to the start of the rookie report date," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement on Friday. "The one line sentence related to the national anthem was a placeholder as we haven't made a decision on what we would do, if anything, at that point. I'm pleased that the NFL and NFLPA are taking a pause to figure out a resolution on this issue."

The league's 31 other teams also would need to file similar paperwork, and in the wake of Thursday's report about the Dolphins, the NFL was up against another PR mess: With teams about to report to camp, the focus would turn toward individual team filings to see how respective organizations would impose discipline on players protesting during the anthem.

The joint statement will allow the focus to remain on football and provide time for a more clear plan, according to league sources.

The were the first team to report Wednesday and practice Thursday, and they did not distribute any new specific policy and had no plans to, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. President Donald Trump tweets about NFL national anthem debate that is 'alive and well again' By STAFF ESPN July 21, 2018

President Donald Trump is once again inserting himself into the culture war over protests by NFL athletes during the national anthem.

Trump tweeted on Friday that he "can't believe" the debate has reignited after The Associated Press reported on the Miami Dolphins formally telling players they could be punished for protesting on the field. The NFL and NFL Players Association said in a joint statement Thursday night they were halting enforcement of all anthem rules while they work out a solution.

Trump took to Twitter to critique the policy, call for action from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and suggest his own penalties.

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump The NFL National Anthem Debate is alive and well again - can’t believe it! Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand. First time kneeling, out for game. Second time kneeling, out for season/no pay!

No requirement for players to "stand at attention, hand on heart" exists, but NFL owners voted in May to require players who wish to protest to remain in the locker room during "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Eric Winston, the president of the NFL Players Association, responded to Trump on Twitter by saying, "Thanks for your thoughts, but we'll take it from here."

The most important move every NFL team made this offseason By STAFF ESPN July 21, 2018

It has been a long (and busy) offseason. What is the most important move your team made?

NFL Nation brings you up to speed before training camp kicks off.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills Trading up to draft

This was really a series of moves that included trading wide receiver to the Rams last August for a 2018 second-round pick, then trading left tackle Cordy Glenn to the Bengals this offseason to move into the first round. In his first draft at the helm, general manager maneuvered Buffalo from No. 21 overall to No. 7, where he made Allen the highest-selected quarterback in franchise history. Beane couldn't move up high enough for either Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold, and there was debate among Bills fans about whether would've been the better selection, but Buffalo is taking its biggest swing at quarterback in decades with Allen. -- Mike Rodak

Miami Dolphins Not drafting a quarterback

The Dolphins made multiple free-agent signings and trades this offseason, including acquiring former Rams defensive end Robert Quinn, but nothing seems more important to the franchise's future over the next five seasons than their decision not to draft a quarterback. There had been pre-draft speculation Miami could be in the market, but after four QBs were taken in the top 10, the Dolphins selected Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick at 11. Instead of trading up for a QB or selecting one later, they'll enter the season with David Fales, Brock Osweiler and Bryce Petty competing for a role behind Ryan Tannehill. That is a huge vote of confidence in Tannehill, but one that could leave Miami in a hole at the position in future seasons if Tannehill proves not to be the franchise cornerstone. -- Mike Rodak

New England Patriots Not trading Rob Gronkowski

Whether the Patriots actually would've done it is unclear, but the idea that they at least considered it has merit because Gronkowski didn't take part in voluntary workouts for the first time in his nine-year career and hadn't made it clear to the club about his plans to play in 2018 after saying that he was considering retirement after LII. Once the Patriots had more certainty about Gronkowski's plans -- which came after he visited at Gillette Stadium two days after a bizarre Supercross news conference -- it was clear that they were moving ahead with Gronkowski in 2018. Given his standing as the NFL's top tight end, it was a critical development. -- Mike Reiss

New York Jets The St. Patrick's Day trade up from the No. 6 to No. 3 draft pick

The Jets wouldn't have landed the draft's consensus No. 1 quarterback, Sam Darnold, if they hadn't traded up three spots. It was costly -- they sent three second-round picks to the Colts -- but it will be well worth it if Darnold fulfills his potential. They still might have been able to trade up during the draft, but the price would've been higher. The Jets took the proactive approach to obtain one of the prime spots in the draft. -- Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens Signing WR Michael Crabtree

This was the first move in revamping the wide receiver group. This offseason, Baltimore added Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead while parting ways with Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Michael Campanaro. This is definitely a step up for a passing attack that ranked 29th in the NFL last season. How much of an upgrade? That remains to be seen. There's plenty of pressure on Joe Flacco and the offense after missing the playoffs the past three seasons. -- Jamison Hensley

Cincinnati Bengals Trading for LT Cordy Glenn

The Bengals essentially admitted they made a mistake by allowing Andrew Whitworth to walk away in free agency after the 2016 season and made a move to correct it after seeing poor results at tackle last season. The offense needs an overhaul after finishing at the bottom of the league last year, so getting a left tackle who can improve the offensive line play is a huge step. -- Katherine Terrell

Cleveland Browns Trading for QB Tyrod Taylor

The Browns badly needed stability at the most important position on the field, and they badly need to not force first overall pick Baker Mayfield onto the field before he's ready. Taylor gives them a veteran presence who can hold the position for as long as he's successful. He allows the Browns to rely on someone with experience to man the position. -- Pat McManamon

Pittsburgh Steelers Trading WR Martavis Bryant

Choosing not to meet Le'Veon Bell's demands on a contract extension hurts the Steelers' long-term outlook, but the star back is still in the lineup for 2018. The absence of Bryant, who was moved to the Raiders for a third-round pick on Day 1 of the draft, forces the Steelers to recalibrate the passing game behind Antonio Brown. Ben Roethlisberger must develop rapport with a new No. 2 receiver, which should be JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Bryant's length and speed helped keep safeties off Brown. Replacing that presence could prove an arduous task. -- Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans Signing Bill O'Brien to a four-year contract extension

By giving O'Brien an extension in January -- with a year left on his previous deal -- the Texans showed they were all-in on giving him the chance to show he could build around Deshaun Watson and lead Houston back to the playoffs, despite coming off a 4-12 season. The Texans doubled down on their trust in O'Brien by putting him on the committee to find a new general manager and eventually hiring . Now O'Brien has his quarterback and has had a heavy hand in personnel decisions this offseason, and team owner Bob McNair hopes his faith in O'Brien will pay off. -- Sarah Barshop

Indianapolis Colts Drafting G at No. 6

The Colts spent Andrew Luck's first six seasons -- and last season with Jacoby Brissett -- watching their quarterbacks get sacked and hit countless times. They gave up an NFL-high 56 sacks last season. Since Week 3 of the 2015 season, Luck has battled a right shoulder injury that also caused him to miss all of last season. Enter Nelson. He was rated by some experts as the top overall player in this year's draft. His technique, ability to quickly grasp the system and strength was evident throughout offseason workouts and minicamp. He's joining left tackle Anthony Castonzo and center Ryan Kelly as centerpieces to the offensive line the Colts are trying to put together. -- Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars Signing free-agent G Andrew Norwell

The Jaguars led the NFL in rushing last season, but production tailed off late in the year, seeing a dip of more than 50 yards per game over the final six weeks. Norwell was an All-Pro in 2017 and the best lineman available. He slides in at left guard and gives the Jaguars a stout left side with tackle Cam Robinson and center Brandon Linder. They built their offense around the running game and Leonard Fournette, and Norwell should make it significantly better -- Mike DiRocco

Tennessee Titans Hiring head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur

General manager Jon Robinson made the bold move to revamp the coaching staff -- hiring Vrabel, LaFleur and to replace Mike Mularkey, Terry Robiskie and Dick LeBeau -- after back-to-back 9-7 seasons and a playoff win. Players already love Vrabel's honesty, refreshing change of energy and willingness to mix it up with them in practice. LaFleur has started to build a relationship with Marcus Mariota as the offensive coordinator tries to unlock his superstar potential and help correct his mechanical flaws. These two additions will be bigger than any player Tennessee added this offseason, but both will have to succeed early on. -- Cameron Wolfe

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos Signing QB Case Keenum

The Broncos rotated through three starting quarterbacks -- from to Brock Osweiler to Paxton Lynch ... twice -- on the way to a dismal 5-11 season. They combined to throw 22 interceptions; only the winless Browns had more (28). Keenum was the Broncos' top target in the offseason, and they believe he was the best fit for their offense among free-agent quarterbacks. John Elway even went as far as to say Keenum had a better 2017 season than Kirk Cousins. They also believe Keenum's best career season last year with the Vikings (3,547 passing yards and 22 ) is a sign of more to come and not a one-time affair. -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs Trading QB Alex Smith and replacing him with

The Chiefs traded the longtime stability provided by a consistent player in Smith for the upside but inexperience of the talented Mahomes. The quality of play from the most important position might not be such a smooth ride for the Chiefs anymore. But they also might be better equipped to win in the playoffs with Mahomes than they were with Smith. -- Adam Teicher

Los Angeles Chargers Signing PK

The Chargers barely missed the playoffs last season and likely were a consistent kicker away from reaching the postseason in 2017. Enter Sturgis, whom the Chargers signed this offseason. He still needs to beat out for the starting job and played just one game last season for the Eagles because of a hip injury. But if the 28-year-old Florida native can stay healthy and stabilize the Chargers' kicking game, the Bolts should challenge to win the AFC West. "He's an excellent kicker," special-teams coordinator George Stewart said about Sturgis. "We're looking forward to having a chance to see him kick once we get to training camp." -- Eric D. Williams

Oakland Raiders Hiring Jon Gruden to be the next head coach

For better or worse, the Raiders are hitched with the erstwhile "Chucky" for the next decade. Gruden, who was the Raiders' coach from 1998 through 2001 before being traded to Tampa Bay and coaching the Buccaneers through 2008, had been in the booth for ESPN's Monday Night Football for the past nine seasons. He has retooled the roster with veterans and hungry newcomers in his image, if you will, with a bevy of Gruden Grinders. "He's got a database that is beyond comprehension, of just football," Raiders owner Mark Davis said after hiring Gruden. "And I used to live with somebody that did the same thing. ... I see a lot of my dad in him. The passion for the game." -- Paul Gutierrez

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys Hiring defensive backs coach Kris Richard

The Cowboys did not want to lose Matt Eberflus, but he could not turn down the chance to become the defensive coordinator in Indianapolis. In steps Richard, who was let go as the Seahawks' coordinator, to be the Cowboys' passing game coordinator. He comes with the legacy of the Legion of Boom and will be responsible for the back seven of the defense, with handling the fronts. If the offseason work was any indication, the Cowboys will play with more aggression in the secondary under Richard, which they hope translates to the full defense. They didn't make any splashy additions to their personnel, cut and saw Jason Witten retire. They will need more from their defense in 2018, which makes the addition of Richard so important. -- Todd Archer

New York Giants Drafting Saquon Barkley at No. 2 overall

This cemented the Giants' all-in approach on 37-year-old quarterback Eli Manning. It also put the pressure on them to win, and win now, before the window shuts on Manning and early in Barkley's career. Almost everything the Giants did over the past nine months -- from firing Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese to hiring Pat Shurmur and Dave Gettleman to recommitting to Manning to signing Nate Solder -- was validated by the selection of Barkley. It's clear now what the Giants are trying to accomplish. Only question is: Will it work? -- John Keim

Philadelphia Eagles Trading for DE Michael Bennett

Super Bowl hero is still recovering from ankle surgery and the Eagles' other starting defensive end from 2017, , is now with Tampa Bay. Fortunately, coordinator has Bennett, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Seahawks, to help carry the load. The front office was determined not to rest on its laurels following a championship campaign. Bennett provides an infusion of talent and personality that could provide a shot in the arm for a team gearing up for a repeat. -- Tim McManus

Washington Redskins Trading for QB Alex Smith

It signaled the end of the Kirk Cousins franchise tag era and allowed the Redskins to move on with a quality quarterback. The Redskins, of course, had used the tag two years in a row on Cousins and there was uncertainty about their intentions before the move for Smith in late January. The organization wisely did not want another year of questions and stories about Cousins playing on another one-year deal and wondering about his desire to stick around long term. Cousins was clearly prepared to move on, too. Smith has not been as prolific as Cousins but takes better care of the ball and, just as important, is being paid commensurate to his talent level for the next five years. Now he just has to maintain a certain level of play over that time. -- John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears Hiring Matt Nagy to be the next head coach

The Bears' success begins and ends with Mitchell Trubisky, and they needed a creative offensive mind to help the second-year quarterback realize his potential. That doesn't mean Nagy (or Trubisky) will pan out, but Nagy's skill set and fresh approach should go a long way in improving an offense that ranked 30th last season. However, challenges await the first-time head coach, including balancing his playcalling duties with all of his other responsibilities. -- Jeff Dickerson

Detroit Lions Hiring Matt Patricia as the next head coach

The Lions got the coach they were looking for -- arguably the most sought-after candidate on the market. With Bob Quinn as general manager, the two are trying to turn around a decadeslong string of mediocrity for a franchise with one playoff win in the Super Bowl era and no divisional titles for a quarter-century. Patricia already has shown a different style of practice -- faster and with more running -- and a new multifaceted defense. -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers The hiring of GM

The Packers have a new general manager for the first time since 2005 and, along with it, a new power structure consisting of Gutekunst, coach Mike McCarthy and executive vice president Russ Ball, who all report to team president Mark Murphy. What followed was an unusually aggressive approach to free agency (for the Packers) with the signing of a prime new target for Aaron Rodgers in Jimmy Graham and an anchor on the defensive line in Muhammad Wilkerson. -- Rob Demovsky

Minnesota Vikings Signing two Pro Bowlers in two days

Super Bowl windows in the NFL are often short. In hopes of building on the success of last year, the Vikings made a big splash by signing Kirk Cousins and Sheldon Richardson on back-to-back days. The quarterback market commanded Minnesota to pay Cousins a three-year, $84 million fully guaranteed salary or he was likely going elsewhere. Since money talks, it's evident ownership felt that the QB position is the missing piece between this franchise and a Super Bowl. The signing of Richardson holds the same concept. His one-year "prove it" deal could be win-win for both sides. If the defensive tackle is able to bolster this star- studded line on the league's No. 1 defense and help win a championship, the Vikings get their title and Richardson has a chance to earn his next big payday, in Minnesota or elsewhere. -- Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons Drafting WR Calvin Ridley at No. 26 overall

The Falcons might not ever admit it publicly, but landing a potentially great playmaker in Ridley provides insurance just in case the Julio Jones contract situation goes south. The hope is for Jones and Ridley to work in unison this season, regardless of whether Jones receives a revised contract immediately or not. Ridley certainly impressed during the offseason in shorts but needs to do the same in pads against veteran cornerbacks. -- Vaughn McClure

Carolina Panthers Trading CB Daryl Worley to Philadelphia for WR

This spoke volumes on two fronts. It showed the dedication management had to improving Cam Newton's wide receiver corps, which lacked a veteran presence last season and in general was a collection of misfits. Then it was followed by using a first-round pick on D.J. Moore. The move also spoke to the lack of confidence in Worley and the need to upgrade at that position. Beyond free-agent moves there, the Panthers selected LSU cornerback Donte Jackson in the second round. Not only does coach Ron Rivera like Jackson's cover ability, but he admitted Jackson has that swagger that hasn't been seen in the secondary since the team moved on from Josh Norman after the 2015 season. -- David Newton

New Orleans Saints Trading up to draft DE at No. 14

Technically, the most important move the Saints made was re-signing free-agent QB Drew Brees, but that was widely expected. On the flip side, their bold trade to acquire Davenport was a stunner. They traded away next year's first-round pick to move up from 27 to 13. New Orleans doesn't necessarily need or expect Davenport to be an instant star, since he's still a raw, developmental talent from Texas-San Antonio. But the move showed just how important it is for them to add a dynamic edge rusher across from -- and how hard those types of players are to acquire. -- Mike Triplett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Overhauling the defensive line

The Bucs cut Chris Baker because he was loafing and Robert Ayers, who was due to make $6 million this year. They signed Beau Allen, Vinny Curry and Mitch Unrein in free agency. They then traded for Jason Pierre-Paul and drafted Vita Vea in the first round. With the uncertainty surrounding Noah Spence's shoulder, Will Gholston's lack of production last season and Gerald McCoy getting older, the Bucs couldn't afford to go another year without a pass rush. Look for them to have three new starters to team with McCoy in September. -- Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals Drafting QB Josh Rosen at No. 10

For years, the Cardinals needed to find their quarterback of the future. And by trading up from 15th to 10th in the first round of this year's draft, the Cardinals finally secured him. With Rosen waiting in the wings, the Cardinals have a plan this season -- and beyond -- if Sam Bradford goes down. Rosen isn't just the most important move the team made this offseason, he's one of the most important moves the franchise has made in years. -- Josh Weinfuss

Los Angeles Rams Trading ILB Alec Ogletree to the Giants

By the time the Rams traded Ogletree -- who last season signed a four-year, $42 million extension -- they already had sent veteran outside linebacker Robert Quinn to the Dolphins and traded for cornerback Marcus Peters. But the Ogletree move made it apparent that the Rams were serious about finding the best personnel fits for Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme and shedding salary-cap space for the handful of young stars -- including , Todd Gurley, Peters and Jared Goff -- who have big paydays coming. -- Lindsey Thiry

San Francisco 49ers Re-signing QB

The Niners made some other big moves this offseason, but nothing mattered more than nailing down their franchise quarterback for the long haul. Not only did the 49ers hand Garoppolo a five-year, $137.5 million contract, but they did it in February, assuring that there was no need to play the franchise tag game and providing themselves with defined costs at the game's most important position. That cost certainty allowed San Francisco to add the likes of cornerback Richard Sherman, running back Jerick McKinnon and center Weston Richburg in free agency while still maintaining plenty of cap flexibility for future offseason roster moves. -- Nick Wagoner

Seattle Seahawks Releasing CB Richard Sherman

The move saved the Seahawks $11 million in 2018 cap space, and while those savings weren't necessarily earmarked for any specific moves, the 2018 cap charges for arguably the team's four most significant defensive signings totaled just under $11 million: safety Bradley McDougald ($3.33 million), nickelback Justin Coleman ($2.914 million), strongside linebacker/pass-rusher Barkevious Mingo ($2.5 million) and defensive end Dion Jordan ($1.907 million). Time will tell if the Seahawks made the right decision in releasing Sherman -- they figured that his $11 million would be better spent elsewhere with Sherman coming off an Achilles injury -- but at the very least the move afforded them a great deal of financial flexibility as they retooled their defense. -- Brady Henderson Analysis: Few good options on anthem protests for NFL owners By Jimmy Golen Associated Press July 21, 2018

The controversy over NFL players protesting during the national anthem isn't going away, despite — or perhaps because of — team owners' efforts to stop players from using the forum to speak out on political causes.

The league's attempt to turn responsibility for disciplining protesters over to individual teams backfired on Thursday when the Miami Dolphins tried to categorize raising a fist or kneeling during the anthem as "conduct detrimental to the club." That gave them the right to punish a player with a fine or up to a four- game suspension — one game more than Buccaneers quarterback got when he was accused of groping an Uber driver.

Hours after The Associated Press reported on Miami's rules, the NFL and the players union issued a joint statement saying they were putting any anthem conduct policy on hold to see if they could come up with a compromise. But the owners aren't left with many good options to defuse the controversy, especially with President Donald Trump eager to fan the flames.

Here's a look at some of them:

LEAVE IT TO THE TEAMS

The Plan: The league's solution, which the NFL Players Association challenged, was to allow each team to determine whether to punish its own players for protesting during the anthem. The policy adopted in May by team owners subjected clubs to fines and required players to stand if they are on the field during "The Star-Spangled Banner," though it allowed players to stay in the locker room if they wished.

This would have given hard-line owners in conservative regions a chance to clamp down while allowing teams in more liberal areas to let their players have their say.

As it turned out, all it did was punt the ball down the road.

The Winners: None. With players punished in some cities and protesting freely in others, there would always be plenty to complain about for those inclined to do so. And everyone seems inclined to do so these days.

The Losers: NFL owners. Any punishment is destined to divide the locker room and the fandom; should a team actually suspend a significant contributor, it would only be hurting itself. And the guarantee of unequal treatment between and within teams would surely keep the issue in the news for yet another season.

GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY

The Plan: Ask players to stand at attention during the national anthem, and hope that they do.

The Winners: Players, who would retain the ability to call attention to causes they believe in, namely racial inequality and police brutality . And President Trump, who gets applause any time he attacks the protesting players as he stumps for Republicans in the November midterm elections.

The Losers: NFL owners, or at least those like Houston's Bob McNair who have chafed at the notion of the "inmates running the prison." They lose control and remain a subject of Trump's ridicule.

KEEP PLAYERS IN THE LOCKER ROOM DURING THE ANTHEM

The Plan: Players can't protest during the anthem if they aren't on the field during the anthem. Or so the theory goes. But the demonstrations were never about the anthem itself; it started as a way for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to protest racial inequality and expanded into a league-wide us-vs.-them after Trump's hollered at one rally: "Get that son of a bitch off the field."

The Winners: Fans who were triggered by the sight of players kneeling during the song. And players, who could surely find another forum for their protests.

The Losers: NFL owners. The president has already said this isn't patriotic enough for him, so there's little hope of him easing up on his criticism. And it would cost them the connection to the flag and country they have worked hard to cultivate.

COMPROMISE

The Plan: Other sports worked with their players so that they didn't have to protest to be heard. Maybe the owners make a donation to the players' pet projects, play a video on the scoreboard, or otherwise give them a forum for their concerns.

The Winners: Players. It's not about the protest, it's about the cause.

The Losers: NFL owners. Even if they could stomach the loss of control, the political intrusion on the sport is bound to alienate some fans.

STOP PLAYING THE ANTHEM BEFORE GAMES

The Plan: Join almost every other country in the world and skip the forced display of patriotism that demands players stand at attention while fans check their phones, finish their hot dogs or take the opportunity to visit the bathroom. If teams want to honor the military or local first-responders, let them do so free from marketing deals.

The Winners: Fans who don't consider the anthem an integral part of the sports experience, giving them another 90 seconds in to spend in game day traffic without missing anything.

The Losers. NFL owners. Concessionaires. And a whole generation of American Idol also-rans.

Dolphins owner says he was keeping options open on anthem By Rob Maaddi Associated Press July 21, 2018

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he hadn't decided whether to actually discipline players who protest during the national anthem when he formally told the team that the demonstrations could be punishable.

"We were asked to submit a form to the NFL on our overall discipline policy prior to the start of the rookie report date," Ross said in a statement Friday, explaining why a one-sentence reference to "Proper Anthem Conduct" was included in the team's official discipline policy. "The one line sentence related to the national anthem was a placeholder as we haven't made a decision on what we would do, if anything, at that point."

President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of protesting players, said Friday that players should be suspended for a game for kneeling once, then suspended for the season with no pay if they kneel a second time.

"Isn't it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand," Trump tweeted, referring to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Miami's policy was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press and listed anthem conduct under behavior that could be found "detrimental to the club." It was the final bullet point on Miami's list.

The list contains a wide range of potential violations, including criminal acts, breaking curfew, using or possessing drugs, riding a motorcycle, visiting public places declared off-limits by the club and inappropriate use of tablets and mobile devices. It also says players can be punished for criticizing teammates, officials or NFL executives.

All of the violations carry potential penalties of suspension with or without pay, or fines. The maximum penalty — rarely given by clubs themselves — is a four-game suspension and a fine of another week of pay.

A person familiar with league protocol told The Associated Press on Friday that NFL teams were not required to create any anthem policies when they submitted their annual discipline notices to the league and players. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of anthem discussions between the league and players union are private.

The NFL and NFL Players Association said in a joint statement Thursday night that they planned to pause enforcement on league anthem rules while working out a resolution acceptable to players, team owners and the league.

Officials for the league and union declined comment on Friday on how they would chart a path forward with the first preseason game less than two weeks away.

Discord over how players should protest social injustice has put the sport at a difficult crossroads, revealing deep divisions in football itself much like those throughout the United States.

In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality, social injustice and racial inequality by kneeling during "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the demonstration spread to other players and teams. It became one of the most controversial and sensitive issues in sports.

Trump has led the critics, calling players unpatriotic and even saying NFL owners should fire any player who refused to stand during the anthem. Some players countered that their actions were being misconstrued and that they are seeking social change rather than protesting the anthem itself, the flag or the military.

Trump's criticism led more than 200 players to protest during one weekend, and some kept it up throughout the season.

The NFL rule that was passed in May forbids players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during the national anthem, but allowed them to stay in the locker room if they wish. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players. The new league rules were challenged this month in a grievance by the players union.

The league and a coalition of players have been working in tandem to support player initiatives for a variety of social issues. The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league players.

Kaepernick didn't play at all last season and still hasn't been picked up by another team. He threw 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions in his final season in 2016. Safety Eric Reid, one of Kaepernick's former teammates and another protest leader, is also out of work.

Both have pending collusion grievances against the NFL.

Reid left The Players Coalition in November because he said founder excluded Kaepernick from meetings and asked players if they would stop protesting the anthem if the NFL made a charitable donation to causes they support. Jenkins maintained that despite some disagreements, they were fighting for the same cause: changing systematic oppression.

Broncos training camp burning question: How will Su'a Cravens help the pass defense? By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com July 21, 2018

Last year around the league, 40.8 percent of all passing touchdowns were scored by tight ends and running backs. Against the Broncos, that percentage was 51.7.

That single statistic underscores the Broncos' issues covering tight ends and running backs out of the backfield -- and is a key reason why they traded for Su'a Cravens in March.

“He’s a unique player," Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods said during OTAs. "You can see the natural instincts when he’s in the box. When he’s in the box, he fits the run like a linebacker. Right now, you can see that. You can see it’s easy for him.

"We’re just really spending a lot of time teaching him how to play off the ball. Playing the deep safety position. But I think he’s going to really help us in terms of what we’re able to do with our sub-packages. I think there’s a few things actually we can do that we couldn’t do last year."

Woods has worked to expand the range of the Broncos' defensive packages in his second year as a coordinator, and the presence of Cravens affords him flexibility that he did not always have last year -- which Woods believes will help the Broncos avoid their issues on intermediate-range passes last year.

"He's excited, and so am I," Cravens told Orange and Blue 760 this month. "But I think he's really excited about not only being able to do a bunch of different packages, but to be able to stay in a base package and be able to play no matter the personnel or the formation that the offense may give us.

"I'm excited about it. I'm excited to be able to blitz. I'm excited to be able to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield."

There are few players with Cravens' skill set, which was a perfect match for the Broncos' needs. With Will Parks and Jamal Carter also returning, Cravens also allows the Broncos to have a more liberal rotation of safeties. That gives them the option of resting a key safety even when the Broncos use three-safety sub packages -- something which has been a staple of their defense the last three years.

"Su’a just gives us another level of our defense that we can totally explore into," safety Justin Simmons said. "He gives us so much more versatility and mobility, both at safety and if we put him [in] our dime and nickel packages."

Late in OTAs, Woods offered a hint of what was to come, making heavy, aggressive use of his safeties against the run and in the pass rush.

"I just can't wait to compete," Cravens said. "I know [Woods], he's got a lot of big plans for me and he kind of sampled a few of those things this past OTA. Things looked good from what I've seen so far. I can't even imagine what he's going to draw up for the teams that we've got this upcoming season. Trump has no right questioning patriotism of NFL players By Nancy Armour USA Today July 21, 2018

Of all weeks, this was not the one for President Donald Trump to lecture anybody on patriotism and respecting our country.

In what can only be seen as a thinly veiled attempt to distract attention from the confirmation that there’s a tape of him talking about paying off a Playboy model with whom he allegedly had an affair, Trump teed off on the NFL once again Friday night. He called on Commissioner Roger Goodell to kick players out of a game if they kneel during the national anthem and to suspend them without pay for the season if they do it again.

If only the president would realize he isn’t an autocrat like the man he so admires, Vladimir Putin. You know, the one Trump fawned over on Monday despite knowing for more than 18 months that Putin personally ordered the hacking of our electoral process, which just so happens to be the cornerstone of our democracy.

But the Constitution and the ideals on which this country are founded mean little to Trump. If they did, he’d understand that the player protests have never been about the flag, the anthem, the military or the police.

They’re about trying to draw attention to the racial and economic discrimination that continues to divide our country – a divide Trump deepens every opportunity he gets.

“He has no understanding of why they take a knee or why they’re protesting,” co-owner Steve Tisch told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week.

This is why the NFL owners made a colossal mistake by adopting a new policy for the national anthem in May. Players can stay in the locker room, but are expected to stand if they are on the field. Teams whose players protest can be fined by the NFL.

There likely would have been a handful of players, at most, who would have protested this season. It had become a non-issue because of the agreement between the NFL and The Players Coalition to devote money and a platform to social justice.

But the NFL owners were petrified that Trump would make it an issue ahead of the midterm elections. What they failed to realize is that he would have done so regardless because he still harbors a grudge that the NFL didn’t want him in its club. Twice. That, and he has nothing else to sell his base but fear and hate of black and brown people.

Look, I get the player protests are a highly emotional issue. I also understand that some people will never be able to look beyond the method to hear the message. But protests are not meant to make people comfortable – just the opposite, actually.

To bring about change, people have to realize it’s necessary.

Democracy is hard and it’s often messy, but it’s worth it. That’s what’s gotten lost here. Respecting the symbols of our freedom is pointless if we’re not willing to respect and defend the ideals they represent. An American president, of all people, should know this. Here's a list of underrated rookies to watch as 2018 NFL training camps open By Chris Trapasso CBS Sports July 21, 2018

Training camp is officially underway in the NFL, with the Ravens and Bears already on the field prepping for the 2018 season. This year's draft was high on drama thanks to the interest around the quarterbacks, but there are plenty of other players worth keeping an eye on as the regular season approaches.

Let's take a look at the assortment players I'm watching during training camp and preseason to see if they have what it takes to make an early impact on the 2018 NFL season.

Players listed here are, at the very least, somewhat under-the-radar. For example, listing Saquon Barkley here was not the goal. He's in store for the lion's share of backfield touches for the Giants as a rookie. We all know that.

Michael Gallup, WR Where to start with Gallup? He was my No. 32 overall prospect -- and WR3 behind Courtland Sutton and James Washington -- in the 2018 draft class. He somehow lasted until the third round and landed in an amazing situation in Dallas. The Cowboys lost 272 targets from their 2017 squad, the highest figure in the NFC, and he's only looking at Allen Hurns and Cole Beasley ahead of him on the depth chart.

All that led to him being my Offensive Rookie of the Year selection in May. A receiver has won the award just three times in the last 15 years (Anquan Boldin in 2003, Percy Harvin in 2009, and Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014), so recent history isn't exactly on my side.

But Gallup's an ultra-polished receiver who does everything well albeit unspectacularly -- route running, ball-tracking, yards-after-the-catch. If anything, it'd benefit Gallup, the Cowboys offense and my OROY pick, if the former Colorado State standout improved in a specific area to make it a clear-cut strength and trump card.

Christian Kirk, WR I wasn't as high on Kirk as the masses or the Cardinals were. He was my 129th overall prospect (fourth- round value), but Arizona's front office nabbed him in the second round at No. 47 overall. He just didn't seem as twitchy or play with as much burst as the hype, which led to disappointing work after the catch. Kirk's combine performance lent more credence to those thoughts and generated a rather blah MockDraftable Web, with agility drills (three-cone, short shuttle, and long shuttle) in the 23rd, 6th and 5th percentiles respectively among all combine receivers starting in 1999.

And, he predominately worked in the slot at Texas A&M, which is precisely where Larry Fitzgerald has thrived late in his career with the Cardinals. So it's an awkward schematic fit. Just because I didn't love Kirk as a prospect doesn't mean I'll ignore him as a rookie. Here's the veteran depth chart in front of him to start camp; Chad Williams, J.J. Nelson, and Brice Butler. Clearly, Kirk has a fine opportunity to emerge as the No. 2 receiver option for either Sam Bradford or Josh Rosen, and after spending a second-round pick on him, the Cardinals will give him every chance to move into that role right away.

Kirk must prove he can not only create separation on the perimeter but evade tacklers with the ball in his hands with some regularity to find the important niche as Fitzgerald's apprentice early in his NFL career.

Courtland Sutton, WR In 2017, reliable vets Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders ate 232 of the team's 566 targets (40.9 percent) ... and gone are 208 more targets from a season ago due to the departures of , C.J. Anderson, A.J. Derby, Cody Latimer, Jamaal Charles, and Virgil Green. So yeaaaah, despite being firmly behind Thomas and Sanders on the depth chart, Sutton should have the inside track on being the team's third wideout.

And while offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave inherits a two-headed monster at receiver like the one he had during the Raiders' breakout 2016 season (with Michael Crabtree and ), third-option Seth Roberts was still targeted 77 times that year.

I adored Sutton as a prospect -- he was No. 5 overall on my Big Board and my top receiver -- and viewed him as much more than a big body who could rebound in the end zone. He was deceptively slippery and fluid with the ball in his hands. According to Sports Info Solutions, Sutton averaged 5.72 yards-after-the- catch per reception for SMU in 2017, a figure actually higher than Kirk's (5.22). Running hard-to-distinguish routes will be Sutton's biggest hurdle to clear as a rookie, but how quickly he begins producing will have a big impact on Denver's offense in 2018.

Austin Corbett, OT Corbett's probably taking over for Joe Thomas at left tackle this season, so the size of the shoes he's filling makes him an offensive linemen worth monitoring closely this summer.

He'll battle for that starting blindside protector gig, and whoever wins that job will have a unique test on their hands with the nimble Tyrod Taylor or improvisational Baker Mayfield under center this season. While both quarterbacks can help their blockers by eluding pass-rushers, their scrambling skills can prolong plays, which can put offensive linemen in precarious situations.

Corbett's violent hand usage and above-average mobility to the second level were strengths of his game at Nevada. I want to see how quickly and comfortable he is in his kick slide against quick and long NFL edge-benders. Also, is he strong enough yet to drop a sturdy anchor when facing outside rushers who convert speed to power? To start though, I wouldn't be shocked if he beats Coleman in camp. Actually I'll be surprised if he's not Cleveland's starting left tackle Week One.

J'Mon Moore, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, WRs In the early portions of the 2018 draft, many wondered, including myself, why the Packers repeatedly passed on selecting a receiver. After picking two cornerbacks and a linebacker, Moore was taken in Round 4, then two similar prospects in Valdez-Scantling and St. Brown were added in Rounds 5 and Rounds 6. It may have simply been the way the draft fell, but the trio of pass-catchers grabbed by Green Bay indicates new GM Brian Gutekunst had a type he wanted at that position.

Moore, Valdez-Scantling, and St. Brown are tall, somewhat lanky and raw linear players with flashes of freaky, Martavis Bryant/Josh Gordon type downfield explosiveness. Aaron Rodgers has made many average receivers productive, and there's just not much experience behind Randall Cobb and Davante Adams in the Packers' wide receiver room. I'll be watching who from this comparable rookie trio takes advantage of the departure of Jordy Nelson and becomes a star under Rodgers' guidance. All three must get more sudden in their route running. More so than anything, they need to showcase their size-and- speed combo with the ball in their hands to earn 40-60 targets as a rookie. Keep your eye on Moore running slants. He dominated on that route at Missouri.

Martinas Rankin, OT Rankin was borrrrr-ing to watch at Mississippi State, a compliment for an offensive linemen. From the technical side of the game, I have no concerns about Rankin. He has light feet, plays with a timely, powerful punch, and is rarely caught off balance against any type of rusher.

He doesn't play with loads of power though, and the majority of young offensive linemen have -- recently -- struggled as pros because they're just not what I call "NFL strong" until their second or third seasons in the league. Rankin will find himself with a distinct possibility to block the left side for Deshaun Watson in Houston, and the blocker's main competition is 2017 fourth-rounder Julie'n Davenport who didn't do anything to earn that spot long-term as a rookie.

Watson had a brutal 8.5% sack rate in his seven games last year, which would've been the 5th-highest percentage among qualifiers had he been one himself. Coming off a torn knee ligament, it's an absolute must for the Texans to provide their potential franchise quarterback with better protection. It's not just about whether or not Rankin can beat out Davenport in camp and the preseason but how effective he is once the games start to count.

Daurice Fountain, , WRs Let's go ahead an assume Andrew Luck is back to his normal awesome self this year. I mean, he's been sidelined for well over a calendar year now. Looking back at the 2016 campaign, which, believe it or not, was an underrated season-long performance for Luck, T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle combined for a 230 targets out of 584. The third through seventh finishers in targets from that year are no longer on the team. After Hilton, Fountain and Cain really only have to look up at free-agent acquisition Ryan Grant on the depth chart.

Hello, opportunity. Cain was my No. 115 overall prospect in the 2018 draft. Fountain was No. 157. Both are smooth downfield gliders who really cover some ground despite seemingly exerting modest effort. Cain did run 4.43 at the combine, and Fountain timed in at 4.51 and jumped 42.5 inches at his Pro Day. The explosiveness is clearly there with both of these pass-catchers, and with Hilton drawing No. 1 corners each Sunday, one if not both of the rookies will likely face lower-level cover guys on a regular basis.

In 2015, 22-year-old Donte Moncrief racked up 64 receptions, 733 yards, and six touchdowns with Andrew Luck and Matt Hasselbeck under center. Fountain and Cain combining for a better stat line as rookies is doable. Athleticism won't be a factor for either wideout. Fountain will have to learn the nuances of betting press coverage in the NFL. Cain's hands must be more reliable than they were in his final campaign at Clemson.

Marcus Davenport, EDGE Many ridiculed the Davenport selection because of the major price -- 2019's first-rounder -- and a belief he's not "ready" to contribute as a rookie. I loved the aggressiveness by the Saints, especially with the Drew Brees' Super Bowl window closing and because I see no reason why Davenport can't wreak havoc opposite Cam Jordan in his debut professional season.

Sure, he'll go from facing Conference USA tackles to NFL tackles, but Davenport's a speed-to-power monster with long arms, a respectable array of pass-rushing moves, and a high motor.

New Orleans were getting a lot out of Alex Okafor before his injury a season ago, and Davenport has more natural ability. I'll be watching Davenport's progress early on. If he plays with the amount of tenacity he showed on the last day of practice at the Senior Bowl -- when he was legitimately unblockable -- the Saints will be flat out ridiculous on the defensive side of the ball with the playmakers they have in the secondary reaping the rewards of one of the NFC's most underrated pass-rushing groups.

Fred Warner, LB When healthy during his rookie season in the NFL, Reuben Foster looked exactly like he did at Alabama. Total game-wrecker. He's suspended for the first two games of 2018, and San Francisco opens with the Vikings and Lions. Unheralded vet Korey Toomer could be in line to jump into Foster's spot for those outings, but Warner has the refined game and agility to be a similar sideline-to-sideline thumper for the 49ers.

At BYU, Warner was routinely capable of dispatching blocks to get to the football, and, as evidenced by his impressive 6.90 three-cone time and 38.5-inch vertical, more than enough athleticism to mirror ball- carriers and stay with tight ends in coverage.

In front of him on San Fran's defensive line are three former first-round picks, so Warner should be kept relatively clean against the run. As is the case with most young linebackers, he'll face the biggest challenge in coverage. And more point-of-attack strength than what he showed in college will be necessary. The 49ers need to weather the storm early, and Warner is a sleeper worth paying attention to in camp to see if he can resemble Foster in September.

Harold Landry, EDGE Last year, Brian Orakpo logged 938 defensive snaps. Derrick Morgan was on the field for 827 plays. Orakpo will be 32 when the regular season starts. Morgan's 29. I'm assuming Tennessee picked Landry in the second round to be a complement to those two proven edge-rushers in 2018 then move into a prominent position as he grows at the professional level.

Landry was a polarizing prospect, mainly because in 2016, he looked like a top 15 pick then in an injury- riddled 2017, he played like a mid-rounder. The former Boston College star had the most scintillating pairing of burst and bend around the corner. His 6.88 three-cone drill was in the 95th percentile among combine edge-rushers over the past 20 years, and his 36-inch vertical placed him in the 82nd percentile.

The main issue I had with Landry's game was its lack of variety. If he didn't win with a blazing speed rush, the play was over for him. Don't get me wrong, that speed rush is Vic Beasley-like, but if Landry is to emerge as a star in the NFL -- and many believe that's in the cards for him -- he'll need to develop effective pass-rushing moves and counters off his outside rush. If he demonstrates more refinement at the pass- rushing apex as a rookie, the Titans defense will take a sizable step forward with what would be three quality edge-rushers.

Derrius Guice, RB Guice's fall to the No. 59 overall selection in the draft was completely befuddling, and any specific examples or instances were never cited for the "maturity" or "off-field" concerns that apparently precipitated the plummet. I'm firmly in the camp of those who viewed Guice as a superior prospect to former teammate and top-five selection Leonard Fournette. Guice runs just about as powerfully as Fournette and is undeniably more elusive at the second and third levels of the defense.

He and 2017 fourth-round pick Samaje Perine formulate a thunderous duo that won't be fun tackling.

I want to see if Guice grabs the "feature back" spot from Perine as a rookie or if the two seem destined for a legitimate 50-50 split in their ball-carrying committee. I have no worries about Guice running inside, and I know he'll consistently finish his runs with brute force. However, he needs to play to his 4.49 combine speed to maximize the occasions when Washington's offensive line opens huge holes for him. This is how NFL can untangle itself from anthem fiasco and other problems By Terez Paylor Yahoo! Sports July 21, 2018

It’s also time to do away with the “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign that allows players to promote a charitable cause of their choice once a year (so thoughtful of them!). Look, “My Cause, My Cleats” should be every week. LeBron James has gained lots of attention for the messages he writes on his shoes every game. Let NFL players do the same, and let them write non-vulgar messages on their eye black.

That’s not all. In an effort to promote the embrace of individuality, these strict uniform rules have to go. Football is about swag and style; it’s about scoring touchdowns, laying big hits and looking good while doing it. Did you know players have to — have to — wear long socks in the NFL? Did you know they can’t just wear long white socks, they have to wear the colored pullovers on their calves, too?

If it were up to me, I’d bring back headbands, do-rags, bandannas, tinted visors, rolled-up jerseys, face paint and ankle socks. Let the players have some on-field style. They’ll look cooler, have way more fun and, in concert with the relaxed celebration rules, bring back a sense of individuality that is still lacking in the game.

2. Re-think the new lowering-of-the-helmet rule It’s going to take a miracle for this rule, which is the NFL’s version of ’s targeting penalty, to not be an abject disaster. Many NFL writers, myself included, watched with surprise and concern as Al Riveron, the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, gamely did his best to explain these new rules at May’s owners meetings in Atlanta.

To his credit, Riveron patiently fielded my questions afterward as he did his best to convey that it won’t become a nightmare. But it was hard to see how this new rule won’t cause some serious problems. Every player — even quarterbacks, running backs and offensive linemen — is subject to the rule, which allows for ejections if an official decides a player lowered his head upon contact when he didn’t have to.

Well, what about fourth-and-1, when every running back in NFL history has lowered his head and attempted to power through the line? And what about every running play, where offensive linemen have been taught for years to “fire out low”?

Football is a violent, nasty game. Fans like it that way. Concussions are a massive problem, and everything the league does from a rules standpoint is likely being done to show it is doing all it can to reduce them. However, in the rush of prevention, the league is also legislating defense and physical play – two reasons people fell in love with football in the first place — out of the game. Go too far, and it turns into a glorified version of flag football and the league dies anyway. Why not just play soccer at that point?

The NFL should enforce these new regulations during the preseason, and then de-emphasize it somewhat when the season begins so it accomplishes the dual goals of promoting player safety, but not consistently putting refs in the position of constantly making Jeff Triplette-ish mistakes.

The league, however, should know that even having this rule on the books is a terrifying proposition to fans of perpetually tortured fanbases, many of which are anticipating a gut-punch “lowering-the-helmet” call against their team in whatever big game they end up watching because their team has suckered them into believing this year is different.

And yes, I’m sure that by the construction of that last sentence, you can tell that I grew up watching the Lions.

The Five Hours That Forced the NFL to Reconsider Its Anthem Policy By Conor Orr MMQB July 21, 2018

Back in May, when a panicked NFL constructed its national anthem policy of straw, the rest of the football world was ready for one stiff news cycle to huff and puff, blowing it all to pieces.

That news cycle started on Thursday around 3:45 in the afternoon (Eastern Time), and by 8:43 p.m. that same night, the league had issued a joint statement with its players union agreeing that “no rules relating to the anthem will be issued for the next several weeks” while confidential discussions between both sides play out.

Five turbulent hours might have changed the most politically charged and divisive decision in modern NFL history. At the very least, it seems players will have a place at the negotiating table this time. Here’s how we got to this moment, and what you might have missed:

• The Associated Press got its hands on a copy of the Dolphins’ team rules Thursday, which included a brief mention of “proper anthem conduct.” In that document, anthem conduct fell under the umbrella of “conduct detrimental to the team” which, according to the collective bargaining agreement, could give a club the freedom to suspend a player for up to four games. When the NFL created its anthem policy, it gave teams the freedom to make its own “work rules” regarding the anthem.

• The optics of a team suspending a player for a quarter of the season—more than some players get for violating the NFL’s domestic violence policy—were horrid, although there was some fine print that needs to be considered. According to a team source, the Dolphins were filing their rulebook in accordance with NFL guidelines, which mandate that teams “must publish and make available to all players at the commencement of preseason training camp a complete list of the discipline that can be imposed for both designated offenses within the limits set by the maximum schedule referred to in Section 1 above and for other violations of reasonable Club rules.” There was no cemented national anthem policy, but they had to include any potential discipline in the rulebook before the team reported to training camp or else they would have lost the right to insert it retroactively. Putting it there amounted to a placeholder of sorts while they figured out the best way to address the situation. So could the Dolphins have actually suspended a player for 25% of the season for kneeling? Yes. Would they have? It’s unclear, though it didn’t appear likely.

• This was going to be the first of many, many stories just like it. The Dolphins are almost certainly not unique, but were merely the first team to have their rules leak out into the public. This would have eroded any chance the NFL had to save face with its players before the preseason opener in Canton on Aug. 2, creating the potential for disaster during a celebratory weekend.

• NFL public relations and the NFL Players Association released a statement a few minutes before 9 p.m. saying, in part, that “the NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice.”

The league did not respond to a request for comment on when, exactly, discussions between the NFL and NFLPA peaked and when this agreement to freeze all policies came to fruition.

On one hand, the policy freeze provides commissioner Roger Goodell a second chance to do something he has failed to do time and time again throughout his tenure as commissioner: Enact a policy with broad support from both players and owners, while simultaneously removing the league from the long slog of an endless legal controversy. Standing up to the President, who admittedly utilizes anthem protests as a mechanism to incite his supporters and bolster his poll numbers, would go further toward bridging player- league relations than anything else Goodell has accomplished over his career.

On the other hand, Thursday brought up a question many had asked when the anthem policy was first announced in late May: How could they not see this coming from a mile away?

Surprise! The N.F.L. National Anthem Problem Is Not Going Away. By Victor Mather and Ken Belson New York Times July 21, 2018

The N.F.L. cannot seem to get away from the divisive national anthem issue. The developments this week assured that despite the league’s wishes, the debate about how to handle players who kneel during the anthem would continue to dominate the N.F.L. discussion. Here’s what we know.

What’s Going On With the Anthem Now? On Thursday, the Miami Dolphins produced a document, obtained by The Associated Press, that classified anthem protests as “conduct detrimental to the club” and said that they could lead to a suspension or a fine. In the wake of the criticism that followed, the team denied the policy was set in stone and said that “all options are still open.”

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Shortly after, the N.F.L. and the N.F.L. Players Association agreed to temporarily halt implementing the league’s new policy on standing during the national anthem (see below). In the meantime, the two sides will discuss the matter and try to come to a resolution both sides can live with.

“In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue,” the league and union said in a joint statement, “we have come to a standstill agreement on the N.F.L.P.A.’s grievance and on the N.F.L.’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing.”

On Friday, President Trump, who has castigated the league several times over the last year for not demanding that players stand during the anthem, posted a tweet critical of the N.F.L. and its commissioner, Roger Goodell, and calling for a season-long suspension of any player who kneels during the national anthem more than once.

“Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart?” the tweet said, though there is no N.F.L. contract requiring players to stand for the anthem and before 2009 teams stayed in their locker rooms while the song was played. “The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand,” the tweet continued. “First time kneeling, out for game. Second time kneeling, out for season, no pay!”

Why Now? The current confusion is partly the result of the league’s decision in May to alter its anthem policy on its own, as opposed to a negotiated agreement with the players’ union. The union then filed a grievance, arguing that the league had violated the collective bargaining agreement. That sparked talks between the two sides.

How the policy gets altered, if at all, is the big question. It is possible the talks could fall apart, the league starts the season with its current policy, the grievance proceeds and the issue bubbles from there. Then again, the league and the union could figure out a way to make both sides happy.

The fact is, both sides need each other. The league does not want to be fighting a war with the union during the season when it is trying to keep the focus on the field. In past years, the union has sued the league (think Deflategate), creating a never-ending cycle of briefs, court dates and grandstanding that have left no one happy except cable sports channels and bloggers.

At the same time, the union needs to defend its members, the players, and does not want them penalized by their bosses and publicly criticized by the president and some fans.

What Is the N.F.L.’s Policy? In May, the N.F.L. announced that players on the field would be required to stand respectfully during the national anthem. It gave players the option of remaining in the locker room during the anthem if they chose to.

If players violate the rules, teams can be fined, and will then have the option of disciplining the players.

The policy was prompted by a handful of players, led by the former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who have knelt during the anthem over the past two seasons to protest economic inequality and police violence against minorities.

The league did itself no favors by coming up with a mealy-mouthed policy. Under these new rules, the N.F.L. may or may not fine a team an undisclosed amount if a player or players protest. At the same time, each team has the autonomy to penalize players. Or not.

This created a situation in which 32 teams were going to develop 32 policies in real time. Enter the Dolphins.

Chris Johnson, chief executive of the Jets, said in May that he did not intend to penalize players who protest or devise rules to prevent them from protesting.

Kyle Shanahan, coach of the 49ers, said in June that he did not have any issue with players protesting.

“It’s kind of out of sight, out of mind for us,” he said. “We don’t think it’s that big a deal. I’m not going to have a whole team meeting to get everything straight.”

Other teams have taken a different approach. Dan Quinn, coach of the , said that whatever his team decided — stand, protest, stay in the locker room during the anthem — the decision would be for all to follow.

Other owners, including of the , have been more strident in their opinions about whether players should stand for the anthem.

Is the Anthem Controversy Hurting Business? Last season, some owners argued that the protests had to stop because they were hurting the league’s business. The players needed to understand, some owners said, that when the league’s finances suffer, so do the players’.

In a recording of an October meeting between owners and players obtained by The New York Times, the owner Terry Pegula said he had lost sponsors because of the protests, and that the president was bound to bash the league again.

The league was “under assault,” he said. “We’re getting hit with a tsunami.”

But Pegula might have been stretching the truth. It is true that some sponsors have left teams and even the league. Papa John’s Pizza, for instance, cut ties with the N.F.L. But the league found a new sponsor, Pizza Hut, almost immediately. Television ratings slipped, but they had already been falling. The league also notes that the N.F.L. ratings have held up relatively well compared with other shows on television.

The ’ latest earnings report also suggests that teams have largely been unaffected by the protests, and fans and sponsors who claim to be offended. On Monday, the Packers — the only publicly held team in the league, and thus the only one that publishes financial figures — said it received nearly 5 percent more revenue from leaguewide sources thanks to new television deals. Local revenue also nudged higher. The team president, Mark Murphy, said the anthem controversy had no impact on the team’s finances.

What Do Fans Think? By implementing punishments for protesting during the national anthem, the N.F.L. risks alienating nonwhite people, who are more supportive of the protests. They are also more likely to be fans of professional football and watch the N.F.L. on television.

According to a Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll from May, just 38 percent of white respondents said it was appropriate to protest by kneeling during the national anthem. But 52 percent of nonwhite respondents said it was appropriate, and 69 percent of African-American respondents said it was.

While football fandom is falling across all Americans, it is falling more slowly among nonwhite fans. From 2012 to 2017, according to Gallup, the amount of Americans who said they were professional football fans fell 10 percentage points. It fell 14 percentage points among white respondents, but just five percentage points among nonwhite respondents.

Viewership data is less clear, but also seems to indicate that the N.F.L. relies on black viewers. N.F.L. television ratings fell 9.7 percent last year, but according to Nielsen data gathered by Awful Announcing, the ratings drop was steeper among white viewers and less among black viewers. Blacks made up 15.7 percent of adult N.F.L. viewership last season, while in 2017 they were 13.4 percent of the American population.

Have We Seen the End of Anthem Protests? Jurrell Casey, the ’ star defensive lineman, said this week that he planned to continue protesting and was willing to pay a fine to do so. He raised a fist during the anthem last season. The Titans responded by saying they wanted to talk with Casey, but they did not immediately threaten him with discipline.

What’s Going On With Kaepernick and Eric Reid? After he was seen as a ringleader of the nascent protests in the 2016 season, Kaepernick was unable to find a team for 2017. He filed a grievance charging the teams with colluding against him. That process continues to move, slowly, with depositions being taken from league and team officials.

Safety Eric Reid, another protester, filed a grievance of his own in May alleging that collusion had kept him from getting a job for the coming season. Reid is also a key part of the union’s grievance against the new rules.

What Are People Saying? Surprise! The divisive anthem issue is still polarizing.

Adam Best @adamcbest If this was really about the national anthem, all @NFL teams would bar entry to stadiums, close restrooms, and shut down concession stands and merchandise shops during the song. This isn’t about the anthem at all. It’s about silencing black athletes and pandering to Trump voters.

Darren Rovell @darrenrovell If Roger Goodell can’t figure out a unified, fair and rational solution to the National Anthem before the start of this season, he should not be the commissioner of the NFL. It’s as simple as that.

DL @davelozo the nfl could have avoided this entire situation if it had done what it should have done in 2012 — replace the national anthem with Call Me Maybe What kind of a deal can the NFL, NFLPA strike? By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk July 21, 2018

The timing was hardly coincidental that the NFL and NFLPA issued a joint statement pressing pause on the league’s new anthem policy only hours after word emerged regarding 2018 work rules from the Dolphins that vaguely connected violations of the anthem policy to potential suspensions. As more and more camps open, more and more similar reports would have emerged.

So the league smartly mobilized to put out up to 31 other fires before they started, and the union agreed (possibly without getting anything in return) to that approach. The question now becomes whether the two sides can agree on yet another new anthem policy before the regular season begins, six weeks and six days from now in the city were our collective freedoms were secured more than 240 years ago.

It won’t be easy, unless the union decides to demonstrate the kind of magnanimity at the bargaining table that the league never would. The players hold the cards on this one, especially if the NFL hopes to emerge with an NBA-style rule that players will stand for the anthem — and not to stay in the locker room as an alternative to participating in the pre-game display of patriotism.

The league should have swooped in two years ago and struck a deal with the NFLPA to make standing mandatory, right after Colin Kaepernick was first spotted sitting during the anthem. But the league likely didn’t want to make any concessions in order to make that happen. In the months since August 2016, as the controversy has grown and grown, the price for getting the players to agree to stand surely has gone up, and up.

Unless, of course, union leadership is willing to bend on this issue to boost mutual business interests, even if there’s no hard evidence that the anthem issue actually has affected business interests. At a minimum, the union would need to emerge with something in return for an agreement to stand for the anthem. Otherwise, the internal and external blowback could become significant.

Whatever they do, a P.R. minefield awaits. If the second revised anthem policy still allows for any form of protest, a certain politician who could benefit from the distraction right about now (and pretty much during any given news cycle) will pounce. And if Anthem Policy 3.0 entails a joint agreement from the league and players to stand, victory will be declared — and declared again and again until the midterm elections and beyond.

So good luck, NFL and NFLPA, as you try to solve this one. While you’re at it, go ahead and try to extend the CBA, cure cancer, achieve world peace, and figure out whether Tony Soprano was still alive after the screen went dark. Donald Trump re-embraces anthem issue By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk July 21, 2018

Giants co-owner Steve Tisch wishes that Donald Trump would leave the NFL alone. That wish won’t be coming true.

“The NFL National Anthem Debate is alive and well again — can’t believe it!” Trump said on Twitter. “Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand. First time kneeling, out for game. Second time kneeling, out for season/no pay!”

Of course, there’s nothing in any contract requiring any players to stand for the national anthem. The NFL had recognized the right of players to protest during the anthem, and the NFL has suspended the application of a new policy that would have required any player not in the locker room to stand for the anthem.

The NFL and NFL Players Association currently are trying to resolve the situation. It’s highly unlikely that the final outcome will reflect the wishes of the President. Which means that it’s highly unlikely that he’ll leave the issue alone.

Especially when it provides a welcome distraction to a week’s worth of not-so-flattering stories.

Steve Tisch says Giants won’t punish players who protest during the anthem By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk July 21, 2018

It’s currently not known whether NFL Anthem Policy 3.0 will provide for potential punishment of players who kneel. It is known, according to co-owner Steve Tisch, that the Giants won’t be imposing discipline on players who violate whatever the new policy may be.

“We support our players,” Tisch recently told Marc Malkin of The Hollywood Reporter. “They are not going to be punished. There is not going to be any punitive action taking place against them.”

Fellow Giants co-owner John Mara may or may not agree with that position. After all, Mara declared a year ago that he received numerous letters from fans threatening to never attend another game if any Giants players protest during the anthem — even though as of then none had.

Last year, Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon did. He has said that he won’t this year, due to the possibility of being fined. If, as Tisch says, there will be no fines, maybe Vernon will revisit his position.

Steve Tisch pushes back against Donald Trump By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk July 21, 2018

The NFL has been taking left hooks and body blows from the Commander-in-Chief for nearly a year over the anthem issue, without fighting back. But maybe they eventually will be.

Giants co-owner Steve Tisch has gone on the record to urge President Donald Trump to leave the NFL alone.

“Hopefully he’ll have much more going on that he’s going have to deal with and should deal with and must deal with than worrying about what NFL players do,” Tisch told Mark Malkin of The Hollywood Reporter. “He has no understanding of why they take a knee or why they’re protesting. When the new season starts, I hope his priorities are not criticizing the NFL and telling owners what to do and what not to do.”

It’s unclear what the NFL will do if Trump continues to bash the NFL over its anthem policy. He has told Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that it’s a “very winning, strong issue.” With midterm elections approaching and an ever-present need for a convenient distraction, Trump likely won’t be going away.

Indeed, it’s likely that he’ll have a response or two to Tisch on Twitter, sooner than later. Dolphins owner says “Proper Anthem Conduct” section intended only as placeholder By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk July 21, 2018

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has responded to criticism related to the team’s “Proper Anthem Conduct” section of its disciplinary document. In a statement Friday, Ross said the one-sentence listing potential punishment for player protests during the anthem was intended only as a “placeholder.”

“We were asked to submit a form to the NFL on our overall discipline policy prior to the start of the rookie report date,” Ross said, via the Dolphins’ Twitter account. “The one-line sentence related to the national anthem was a placeholder as we haven’t made a decision on what we would do, if anything, at that point. I’m pleased that the NFL and NFLPA are taking a pause to figure out a resolution on this issue. I am passionate about social justice, and through the Miami Dolphins and creation of RISE, will continue to use the unifying power of sports to improve race relations and drive social progress.”

The NFL and its Players’ Association announced Thursday night they have agreed to freeze anthem rules as they discuss the issue.

League owners voted in May to fine teams for players who don’t stand during the national anthem while on the field. Players are allowed to stay in the locker room during the anthem.