Pat Leonard: Shame on the Browns for enabling and playing Deshaun Watson
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News
It is no surprise that the Cleveland Browns, who paid Deshaun Watson $230 million guaranteed despite rampant sexual assault allegations, started him at quarterback in Friday night’s preseason-opening 24-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars — while Watson’s six-game suspension remains under appeal.
But that doesn’t make it any less shameful of Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam. And it doesn’t make it any less deplorable that they enabled Watson’s behavior and dishonesty with a staged, in-house apology with a team reporter before the game.
Judge Sue Robinson already ruled, as a jointly paid and appointed arbiter, that Watson had engaged in a pattern of sexual assault. She ruled that his “pattern of conduct” is “more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL.” She noted his “lack of expressed remorse.”
Watson, who has long refused to acknowledge wrongdoing or show contrition, suddenly waved the white towel — er, white flag — in a four-question spin session with a Browns-affiliated reporter. But he wouldn’t answer questions about it from any other media after the game.
Nothing says transparency and I’m sorry like controlling the questions, the timing, the interviewer and the narrative, right?
“Look, I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all the women that I’ve impacted in this situation,” Watson told the team reporter in an empty hotel hallway before getting on the team bus. “My decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back. But I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character and I want to keep pushing forward.”
Watson only came crawling back with his tail between his legs after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tripled down on the QB’s “predatory” behavior and the league’s continued pursuit of an indefinite suspension at a special league meeting in Minneapolis.
Former N.J. attorney general Peter Harvey failed to rule on the NFL’s appeal of Watson’s suspension by Friday — even though his ruling is supposed to be “expedited,” per the collective bargaining agreement. That allowed the Browns to play Watson in the exhibition game.
Leading up to the game, there were also rumors of Watson seeking a compromise on the final suspension, and of backdoor negotiations between the QB’s side and the NFL on a middle ground.
That is always where legal experts believed this was likely to land, as the New York Daily News outlined last week: a compromise that allows both the NFL and players’ union to claim victories in this new disciplinary setup.
So Watson completed 1 of 5 passes for seven yards on Friday. The stats don’t matter, though.
What matters is the Browns’ moral failure, their lack of decency, and Watson’s victims — who had to watch him trying to play one in that empty hotel hallway.
Zach attack
Zach Wilson’s right knee injury wasn’t the only concerning development for the Jets Friday night. His play was concerning and ominous, too.
He was staring down receivers. He threw an interception directly to Eagles linebacker Kyzir White. He showed a lack of awareness in making that fateful cut on his scramble rather than stepping out of bounds in a meaningless preseason game.
The stakes are high in Florham Park this season.
The former No. 2 overall pick’s return from the bone bruise and meniscus tear and continued development might soften the blow of another potentially difficult year for head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas.
But if he returns and plays the way he did on Friday night — then the situation could spiral quickly into another dismal year with no silver linings, given the schedule gauntlet starting Sept. 11 against the Baltimore Ravens.
And it wouldn’t shock anyone if Woody Johnson blew it all up again, if there were a repeat of last year’s 4-13 finish.
That is the worst-case scenario, though. For now, the Jets have to try their best to ensure they don’t end up there. To that end, Joe Flacco is not the answer to a competitive 2022 season in the AFC East, regardless of the coaching staff’s genuine affinity for the veteran backup QB.
So if Wilson at any point gets shut down, Jimmy Garoppolo most certainly makes sense as a trade target. Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur have strong ties to Jimmy G from their 49ers days and Super Bowl LIV run in 2019.
For now, Saleh deserves credit for how hard the backups played for him in Friday’s second half, outscoring the Eagles 21-7 on the way to a 24-21 preseason win. But he also has to clean up mistakes like linebacker Quincy Williams’ late hit on Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, which Saleh called “egregiously awful” and enraged Philly coach Nick Sirianni.
And he needs Wilson to play better.
Around the league
— Tom Brady is taking an extended break from Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp to “deal with some personal things,” head coach Todd Bowles said. Bowles said they spoke with Brady about this arrangement prior to training camp. Word on the street is that Brady may have negotiated some summer time off as part of his agreement to return and play for the Bucs in 2022. He certainly needs to rest after all that time he spent trying to get out of New England and Tampa to play for the Miami Dolphins the past few years. Must have been exhausting. …
— Bears linebacker Roquan Smith wants out of Chicago in the final year of his rookie contract. The team took him off the physically unable to perform list in response to his threat of a hold-in. But he’s not practicing. Head coach Matt Eberflus encouraged reporters to ask Smith about not practicing, but the Bears would not make Smith available to the media. And there is a report by ProFootballTalk that a person purporting to represent Smith has been calling other teams to gauge potential trade interest — a person not licensed by the NFLPA. Quite a show in the Windy City so far. …
— Patriots running back James White retired this week due to a hip injury. He should have won MVP in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, in New England’s historic comeback over the Atlanta Falcons. His stat line: 20 touches for 139 yards and three TDs, including the game-winning 2-yard TD run in overtime. Brady somehow got the award for going 43 of 62 for 466 yards, two TDs and an interception, even though White’s mismatch on Atlanta’s defense was the X-factor that made it all possible. …
— Player agent Todd France of Athletes First is in hot water. The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that France “committed fraud” during a previous arbitration of a claim by agent Jason Bernstein over receiver Kenny Golladay’s switch from Bernstein to France in 2019 while with the Detroit Lions. That was first reported by Jason Morrin of Conduct Detrimental. Bernstein was suspicious because of an autograph signing Golladay had participated in — and Bernstein had not arranged — three days prior to the termination of their relationship. France denied during arbitration that he’d been involved in the autograph signing, but the circuit court found that he was behind it. People in the league are curious what discipline France could possibly face with the grievance going back to the NFL Players’ Association. He is a major player in the player representation space. …
— Goodell and the league’s owners approved the sale of the Denver Broncos’ franchise to the Walton-Penner group for a North American sports record $4.65 million. Then owner Rob Walton stepped to the podium and thanked “Goodle,” mispronouncing the commissioner’s name. Hey, the checks cleared. …
— The Kansas City Chiefs cut Giants draft bust DeAndre Baker after inexplicably employing him for two seasons. He appeared in 10 games and started two. …
— The Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium is now Paycor Stadium after a new licensing deal. …
— Former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, a malcontent as a player now embraced as a media darling, was arrested in Las Vegas on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. An arrest report said officers found Lynch asleep and smelling of alcohol in an “undrivable” sports car, with a front wheel missing and the rear driver’s side and other wheels badly damaged. It also said police officers “had to use a restraint chair to force a blood draw.” No doubt Lynch’s behavior will be excused in no time, and he’ll continue to be embraced by some media outlet willing to enable all of this. …
— Chargers coach Brandon Staley skipped a practice on Tuesday to be with his youngest son, who was having surgery to treat a fractured toe and possible infection, Priorities in order in L.A. …
— Falcons rookie receiver Drake London, the No. 8 overall pick, left Atlanta’s preseason opener with a knee injury, though it’s reportedly not believed to be serious.
They said it
“I have such a beef with them right now. They won’t let me pick my own [hat]. I don’t want to go too hard and get fined or anything but trust me, I’m upset about it.” — 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, to KNBR 680 San Francisco, on the NFL’s rules that prevent him from wearing a hat from previous years on the sidelines during games.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Ted S. Warren
Breakdown: Speed and athleticism for his size and build are prototypical and he could probably add some weight without losing much of what makes him special. Pass-rush technique needs work.
Fact: One-year starter whose production (13 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks) was just OK playing as part of a deep rotation at Georgia.
Notable: The last team to pick No. 1 overall in consecutive seasons was Cleveland, which picked an edge rusher (Myles Garrett) in 2017 and a quarterback (Baker Mayfield) in 2018). The Jags went QB (Trevor Lawrence) and then pass rusher in Walker.
Ted S. Warren
Breakdown: Speed and athleticism for his size and build are prototypical and he could probably add some weight without losing much of what makes him special. Pass-rush technique needs work.
Fact: One-year starter whose production (13 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks) was just OK playing as part of a deep rotation at Georgia.
Notable: The last team to pick No. 1 overall in consecutive seasons was Cleveland, which picked an edge rusher (Myles Garrett) in 2017 and a quarterback (Baker Mayfield) in 2018). The Jags went QB (Trevor Lawrence) and then pass rusher in Walker.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Relentless and efficient pass rusher with a good combination of technique and an assortment of moves. Overall athleticism is a notch below some elite pass rushers who have gone in the top five in recent years like the Bosa brothers.
Fact: The Heisman Trophy runner-up last season is the son of former Michigan defensive lineman and team captain Chris Hutchinson.
Notable: The last time the Lions picked a player from Michigan in the first round was OL Jeff Backus at 18th in 2001.
John Locher
Breakdown: Relentless and efficient pass rusher with a good combination of technique and an assortment of moves. Overall athleticism is a notch below some elite pass rushers who have gone in the top five in recent years like the Bosa brothers.
Fact: The Heisman Trophy runner-up last season is the son of former Michigan defensive lineman and team captain Chris Hutchinson.
Notable: The last time the Lions picked a player from Michigan in the first round was OL Jeff Backus at 18th in 2001.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Gerald Herbert
Breakdown: Strong man-to-man technique. Plays balanced to mirror receivers. Can get lost in zone coverage and in run support.
Fact: Stingley was an All-American as a freshman but injuries (foot in 2021) and regression by the rest of the defense undercut his next two seasons.
Notable: Matches the highest drafted cornerback in the common draft era. Last time the Texans selected a cornerback in the first round was 2015 (Kevin Johnson, No. 16).
Gerald Herbert
Breakdown: Strong man-to-man technique. Plays balanced to mirror receivers. Can get lost in zone coverage and in run support.
Fact: Stingley was an All-American as a freshman but injuries (foot in 2021) and regression by the rest of the defense undercut his next two seasons.
Notable: Matches the highest drafted cornerback in the common draft era. Last time the Texans selected a cornerback in the first round was 2015 (Kevin Johnson, No. 16).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Tall, long-armed and fast. Moves his lanky frame smoothly and plays aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Not a lot of power in his game and he can get grabby, but the corner nicknamed Sauce was the definition of lockdown.
Fact: Did not allow a TD reception in his three-year college career.
Notable: Gardner is the highest drafted player ever from Cincinnati and the first cornerback taken in the first round by the Jets since Dee Milliner (No. 9) in 2013.
John Locher
Breakdown: Tall, long-armed and fast. Moves his lanky frame smoothly and plays aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Not a lot of power in his game and he can get grabby, but the corner nicknamed Sauce was the definition of lockdown.
Fact: Did not allow a TD reception in his three-year college career.
Notable: Gardner is the highest drafted player ever from Cincinnati and the first cornerback taken in the first round by the Jets since Dee Milliner (No. 9) in 2013.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Pounces past blockers to make plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. Long, lean build doesn’t lend itself to adding weight.
Fact: Former five-star recruit seemed destined to be a first overall draft pick after freshman season, but between injuries and a shortened pandemic season he never put together a fully dominant year.
Notable: Giants had not drafted a defensive end/edge rusher in the first round since taking Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 15) in 2010.
John Locher
Breakdown: Pounces past blockers to make plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. Long, lean build doesn’t lend itself to adding weight.
Fact: Former five-star recruit seemed destined to be a first overall draft pick after freshman season, but between injuries and a shortened pandemic season he never put together a fully dominant year.
Notable: Giants had not drafted a defensive end/edge rusher in the first round since taking Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 15) in 2010.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Light on his feet and able to lock up defenders with his long arms. Can get a little too aggressive at times — 10 penalties in his career — but it comes with a desirable toughness. Scores high marks for leadership and likability off the field.
Fact: Nicknamed Ickey after former Bengals running back Ickey Woods by a youth football coach.
Notable: Ekwonu is the first offensive lineman taken in the first round by Carolina since Jeff Otah (No. 19) in 2008.
John Locher
Breakdown: Light on his feet and able to lock up defenders with his long arms. Can get a little too aggressive at times — 10 penalties in his career — but it comes with a desirable toughness. Scores high marks for leadership and likability off the field.
Fact: Nicknamed Ickey after former Bengals running back Ickey Woods by a youth football coach.
Notable: Ekwonu is the first offensive lineman taken in the first round by Carolina since Jeff Otah (No. 19) in 2008.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Remarkable combination of size and explosive athleticism. Balance and sustaining blocks need to become more consistent, but as long he keeps his weight in check there is a lot to like.
Fact: Started 40 games and missed only one in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
Notable: Alabama has had at least one first-round pick for 14 consecutive years, tying the record set by Miami from 1995-2008.
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Remarkable combination of size and explosive athleticism. Balance and sustaining blocks need to become more consistent, but as long he keeps his weight in check there is a lot to like.
Fact: Started 40 games and missed only one in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
Notable: Alabama has had at least one first-round pick for 14 consecutive years, tying the record set by Miami from 1995-2008.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Enormous catch radius with long arms and good hops. Makes lots of contested catches and runs through tacklers after the catch. Top-end speed is lacking and route running needs more precision.
Fact: Was on the way toward Heisman Trophy consideration in 2021 before a right ankle fracture cut his season short.
Notable: Second straight season the Falcons have drafted a pass catcher first, after taking TE Kyle Pitts No. 4 last year.
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Enormous catch radius with long arms and good hops. Makes lots of contested catches and runs through tacklers after the catch. Top-end speed is lacking and route running needs more precision.
Fact: Was on the way toward Heisman Trophy consideration in 2021 before a right ankle fracture cut his season short.
Notable: Second straight season the Falcons have drafted a pass catcher first, after taking TE Kyle Pitts No. 4 last year.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Good size and length, Cross plays with balance and patience as a pass blocker. Could use some bulk and his run blocking will need development after playing in pass-happy offense.
Fact: Blue-chip prospect out of Mississippi elected to stay in his home state over offers from Southern California and Florida State.
Notable: Cross is Mississippi State’s first top-10 pick since the Eagles took RB Michael Haddix at No. 8 in 1983.
John Locher
Breakdown: Good size and length, Cross plays with balance and patience as a pass blocker. Could use some bulk and his run blocking will need development after playing in pass-happy offense.
Fact: Blue-chip prospect out of Mississippi elected to stay in his home state over offers from Southern California and Florida State.
Notable: Cross is Mississippi State’s first top-10 pick since the Eagles took RB Michael Haddix at No. 8 in 1983.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Highly skilled at tracking the flight of the ball. Works the sideline adeptly with excellent footwork and has speed and precision to run away from defenders. On the lean side.
Fact: Playing with other star receivers limited his production, but he caught 23 touchdown passes in 33 career games with 19 starts.
Notable: The last time the Jets took a receiver in the first round was Santana Moss in 2001
John Locher
Breakdown: Highly skilled at tracking the flight of the ball. Works the sideline adeptly with excellent footwork and has speed and precision to run away from defenders. On the lean side.
Fact: Playing with other star receivers limited his production, but he caught 23 touchdown passes in 33 career games with 19 starts.
Notable: The last time the Jets took a receiver in the first round was Santana Moss in 2001
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Quickness to win off the line of scrimmage and speed to get separation in the open the field. Like his teammate, Wilson, he lacks power, but he’s hard to cover and catches pretty much everything.
Fact: Set an Ohio State record with 35 touchdown catches.
Notable: Last time the Saints selected an Ohio State receiver was Michael Thomas with in the second round (47th overall) in 2016. This is the third straight season two receivers from the same school went in the first round. Alabama did it in both 2020 and 2021.
John Locher
Breakdown: Quickness to win off the line of scrimmage and speed to get separation in the open the field. Like his teammate, Wilson, he lacks power, but he’s hard to cover and catches pretty much everything.
Fact: Set an Ohio State record with 35 touchdown catches.
Notable: Last time the Saints selected an Ohio State receiver was Michael Thomas with in the second round (47th overall) in 2016. This is the third straight season two receivers from the same school went in the first round. Alabama did it in both 2020 and 2021.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Doug Benc
Breakdown: Dynamic speed burner who became the top deep threat in the country last season (19.9 yards per catch). Only one season as a starter and it ended with a torn knee ligament in the national championship game.
Fact: Transferred to Alabama from Ohio State, where he played behind Wilson and Olave for two years.
Notable: Six Alabama wide receivers have been selected in the first round of the last five drafts.
Doug Benc
Breakdown: Dynamic speed burner who became the top deep threat in the country last season (19.9 yards per catch). Only one season as a starter and it ended with a torn knee ligament in the national championship game.
Fact: Transferred to Alabama from Ohio State, where he played behind Wilson and Olave for two years.
Notable: Six Alabama wide receivers have been selected in the first round of the last five drafts.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Massive anchor in the middle of a defense, but with uncommon athleticism and speed (4.78 in the 40 at the combine). Questions about whether he can be the type of pass rusher that makes him a high-snap-count interior lineman.
Fact: All-American who won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player and Outland Trophy as the top lineman last season.
Notable: Longtime star Fletcher Cox was the last defensive tackle selected by the Eagles in the first round in 2012 at No. 12.
John Locher
Breakdown: Massive anchor in the middle of a defense, but with uncommon athleticism and speed (4.78 in the 40 at the combine). Questions about whether he can be the type of pass rusher that makes him a high-snap-count interior lineman.
Fact: All-American who won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player and Outland Trophy as the top lineman last season.
Notable: Longtime star Fletcher Cox was the last defensive tackle selected by the Eagles in the first round in 2012 at No. 12.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Rangy and dynamic athlete who tends to show up in places that offenses don’t anticipate. His 40 times (4.59 at the combine) were underwhelming and might limit him in some defenses, but he has a knack for game-changing plays.
Fact: Was limited to seven games in 2021 because of a right knee injury that did not require surgery.
Notable: Ravens select a defensive player in the first round for the third consecutive season (DE Odafe Oweh, No. 31 in 2021 and LB Patrick Queen, No. 28 in 2020).
John Locher
Breakdown: Rangy and dynamic athlete who tends to show up in places that offenses don’t anticipate. His 40 times (4.59 at the combine) were underwhelming and might limit him in some defenses, but he has a knack for game-changing plays.
Fact: Was limited to seven games in 2021 because of a right knee injury that did not require surgery.
Notable: Ravens select a defensive player in the first round for the third consecutive season (DE Odafe Oweh, No. 31 in 2021 and LB Patrick Queen, No. 28 in 2020).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Justin Rex
Breakdown: Powerful and versatile lineman who played four different positions in his time with the Aggies. A punishing run blocker who has struggled some with recognition in pass blocking.
Fact: Father was an offensive lineman at Grambling and his mother played volleyball at UCLA.
Notable: The Texans only selected a player in the first round once in the previous four drafts. It was OT Tytus Howard at No. 23 in 2019.
Justin Rex
Breakdown: Powerful and versatile lineman who played four different positions in his time with the Aggies. A punishing run blocker who has struggled some with recognition in pass blocking.
Fact: Father was an offensive lineman at Grambling and his mother played volleyball at UCLA.
Notable: The Texans only selected a player in the first round once in the previous four drafts. It was OT Tytus Howard at No. 23 in 2019.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Durable prospect who combines long arms, quick feet and good awareness. Powerful opponents can get him off balance, but Johnson is about as safe a bet as there is in the draft.
Fact: Transferred from Davidson to Boston College where he became a three-year starter, taking the extra year of eligibility to become a fifth-year senior with 58 college games.
Notable: Second straight year the Chargers picked an offensive lineman in the first round (OT Rashawn Slater, No. 13).
John Locher
Breakdown: Durable prospect who combines long arms, quick feet and good awareness. Powerful opponents can get him off balance, but Johnson is about as safe a bet as there is in the draft.
Fact: Transferred from Davidson to Boston College where he became a three-year starter, taking the extra year of eligibility to become a fifth-year senior with 58 college games.
Notable: Second straight year the Chargers picked an offensive lineman in the first round (OT Rashawn Slater, No. 13).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Another big, physical receiver who outmuscles defenders for the ball and breaks tackles after he gets it. A developing route runner who did lot of damage on quick throws near the line of scrimmage.
Fact: Set Arkansas record with six 100-yard receiving games.
Notable: The Titans traded star WR A.J. Brown to Philadelphia to move up and take a player with similar measurables.
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Another big, physical receiver who outmuscles defenders for the ball and breaks tackles after he gets it. A developing route runner who did lot of damage on quick throws near the line of scrimmage.
Fact: Set Arkansas record with six 100-yard receiving games.
Notable: The Titans traded star WR A.J. Brown to Philadelphia to move up and take a player with similar measurables.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Salty competitor with great size and enough of athleticism to provide promise that he will be able to stay in front of NFL speed and quickness off the edge. But the whole game needs refinement.
Fact: Did not have any Division I scholarship offers until his senior high school season.
Notable: Second straight season a Northern Iowa offensive lineman was drafted. OT Spencer Brown went in the third round to Buffalo last year.
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Salty competitor with great size and enough of athleticism to provide promise that he will be able to stay in front of NFL speed and quickness off the edge. But the whole game needs refinement.
Fact: Did not have any Division I scholarship offers until his senior high school season.
Notable: Second straight season a Northern Iowa offensive lineman was drafted. OT Spencer Brown went in the third round to Buffalo last year.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Matt Freed
Breakdown: Throws with good anticipation and seems to process quickly. Good athlete with a solid arm. This is not a draft with elite QB prospects, but Pickett is probably the safest bet to become a productive starter.
Fact: A fifth season of college football turned Pickett into a first-round draft pick after setting Pitt records for passing yards (12,303) and total touchdowns (102).
Notable: Steelers take a quarterback in the first round for the first time since they selected Ben Roethlisberger (No. 11) in 2004. Big Ben retired after last season.
Matt Freed
Breakdown: Throws with good anticipation and seems to process quickly. Good athlete with a solid arm. This is not a draft with elite QB prospects, but Pickett is probably the safest bet to become a productive starter.
Fact: A fifth season of college football turned Pickett into a first-round draft pick after setting Pitt records for passing yards (12,303) and total touchdowns (102).
Notable: Steelers take a quarterback in the first round for the first time since they selected Ben Roethlisberger (No. 11) in 2004. Big Ben retired after last season.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: The latest in a recent line of tough and sound Washington cornerbacks. Lacking length, had only two interceptions in 28 career games (26 starts).
Fact: Talented musician can play the ukulele, bass, piano and guitar.
Notable: Chiefs took a cornerback in the first round for the first time since 2015, when they took Marcus Peters from Washington at No. 18.
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: The latest in a recent line of tough and sound Washington cornerbacks. Lacking length, had only two interceptions in 28 career games (26 starts).
Fact: Talented musician can play the ukulele, bass, piano and guitar.
Notable: Chiefs took a cornerback in the first round for the first time since 2015, when they took Marcus Peters from Washington at No. 18.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Phelan M. Ebenhack
Breakdown: Big and fast, but played sloppily in 2021.
Fact: Father Abram Elam played seven seasons in the NFL. Nephew of Matt Elam, who also played at Florida and in the NFL.
Notable: Elam is the third Florida cornerback taken in the first round since 2016 joining C.J. Henderson (No. 9 to Jacksonville in 2020) and Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 11 to Tampa Bay in 2016).
Phelan M. Ebenhack
Breakdown: Big and fast, but played sloppily in 2021.
Fact: Father Abram Elam played seven seasons in the NFL. Nephew of Matt Elam, who also played at Florida and in the NFL.
Notable: Elam is the third Florida cornerback taken in the first round since 2016 joining C.J. Henderson (No. 9 to Jacksonville in 2020) and Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 11 to Tampa Bay in 2016).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Powerful and long and plays with a mean streak. Technique needs smoothing out.
Fact: Started both of his two full seasons at Tulsa after redshirting as a freshman.
Notable: For the second straight year, the first player taken from an FBS school from the state of Oklahoma is from Tulsa. The Cardinals took LB Zaven Collins at No. 16 last year.
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Powerful and long and plays with a mean streak. Technique needs smoothing out.
Fact: Started both of his two full seasons at Tulsa after redshirting as a freshman.
Notable: For the second straight year, the first player taken from an FBS school from the state of Oklahoma is from Tulsa. The Cardinals took LB Zaven Collins at No. 16 last year.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Timing, consistency, technique, effort and quickness rate about as well as you can for the position. Makes up for what he lacks in size by being a fierce competitor.
Fact: Moved from defensive line to center as a redshirt freshman and then started 35 games over his last three seasons.
Notable: Iowa has had three centers drafted seven years, with Linderbaum joining James Daniels (second to Chicago in 2018) and Austin Blythe (seventh round to Indianapolis in 2016).
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Timing, consistency, technique, effort and quickness rate about as well as you can for the position. Makes up for what he lacks in size by being a fierce competitor.
Fact: Moved from defensive line to center as a redshirt freshman and then started 35 games over his last three seasons.
Notable: Iowa has had three centers drafted seven years, with Linderbaum joining James Daniels (second to Chicago in 2018) and Austin Blythe (seventh round to Indianapolis in 2016).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Plays with power, leverage and great effort, making him effective rushing the passer and against the run. After he only played full time one season, Johnson’s technique and fundamentals are underdeveloped.
Fact: With a fifth year of eligibility, Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021 and became the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.
Notable: Three first-round picks is the most for the Jets since 2000 when they had four and took DE Shaun Ellis (No. 12), DE John Abraham (No. 13), QB Chad Pennington (No. 18) and TE Anthony Becht (No. 27).
John Locher
Breakdown: Plays with power, leverage and great effort, making him effective rushing the passer and against the run. After he only played full time one season, Johnson’s technique and fundamentals are underdeveloped.
Fact: With a fifth year of eligibility, Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021 and became the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.
Notable: Three first-round picks is the most for the Jets since 2000 when they had four and took DE Shaun Ellis (No. 12), DE John Abraham (No. 13), QB Chad Pennington (No. 18) and TE Anthony Becht (No. 27).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Aggressive, hard-hitting and versatile linebacker who should be able to fill multiple spots in multiple schemes. Recognition and discipline needs some work.
Fact: All-American and Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2021 had 43 tackles for loss in 33 career games.
Notable: Lloyd is the first Utah player selected in the first round since 2017 when Denver took Garett Bolles at No. 20.
John Locher
Breakdown: Aggressive, hard-hitting and versatile linebacker who should be able to fill multiple spots in multiple schemes. Recognition and discipline needs some work.
Fact: All-American and Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2021 had 43 tackles for loss in 33 career games.
Notable: Lloyd is the first Utah player selected in the first round since 2017 when Denver took Garett Bolles at No. 20.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Brynn Anderson
Breakdown: Disruptive with good quickness to play two gaps but could use more power in his play.
Fact: Returned for a fifth college season in 2021 (including a year at junior college) and developed into an All-Southeastern Conference player and second-team All-American.
Notable: The Packers have selected one offensive player in the first round in the last 11 drafts — QB Jordan Love in 2020.
Brynn Anderson
Breakdown: Disruptive with good quickness to play two gaps but could use more power in his play.
Fact: Returned for a fifth college season in 2021 (including a year at junior college) and developed into an All-Southeastern Conference player and second-team All-American.
Notable: The Packers have selected one offensive player in the first round in the last 11 drafts — QB Jordan Love in 2020.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Steve Luciano
Breakdown: Quick off the ball with strong hands to knock blockers off balance, but arms shorter than ideal and needs to finish more plays after 14 1/2 career sacks in 27 games.
Fact: Moved to the United States in eighth grade from Greece and started playing football after being an elite youth water polo player.
Notable: Chiefs had two picks in the first round for the first time since 2008 when they took DT Glenn Dorsey (No. 5) and OL Branden Albert (No. 15).
Steve Luciano
Breakdown: Quick off the ball with strong hands to knock blockers off balance, but arms shorter than ideal and needs to finish more plays after 14 1/2 career sacks in 27 games.
Fact: Moved to the United States in eighth grade from Greece and started playing football after being an elite youth water polo player.
Notable: Chiefs had two picks in the first round for the first time since 2008 when they took DT Glenn Dorsey (No. 5) and OL Branden Albert (No. 15).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Butch Dill
Breakdown: Covers a lot of ground in run support and plays with good fundamentals, but coverage skills need work.
Fact: Defensive player of the game in Georgia’s national championship victory against Alabama.
Notable: Cine was the fifth Georgia defensive player taken in the first round to set a record for the common draft era for one school. The previous record of four was set by Miami in 2004 and matched by Florida State in 2006.
Butch Dill
Breakdown: Covers a lot of ground in run support and plays with good fundamentals, but coverage skills need work.
Fact: Defensive player of the game in Georgia’s national championship victory against Alabama.
Notable: Cine was the fifth Georgia defensive player taken in the first round to set a record for the common draft era for one school. The previous record of four was set by Miami in 2004 and matched by Florida State in 2006.
Pat Leonard: Shame on the Browns for enabling and playing Deshaun Watson
Mike Carlson/Getty Images North America/TNS
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a preseason game at TIAA Bank Field on Aug. 12, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images/TNS)
Mike Carlson/Getty Images North America/TNS
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a preseason game at TIAA Bank Field on Aug. 12, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images/TNS)
