Latest news with #BenSolak
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ESPN lays out four potential trade scenarios for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons may have the best backup quarterback in the league on their bench. Veteran Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract last offseason but was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. Since the Falcons are giving Penix the keys to the offense, trading Cousins would be best for all parties involved. Now that the June 1 deadline has passed, Atlanta could move Cousins without devastating financial ramifications. The question is whether or not another team would actually pay the veteran quarterback's $27.5 million salary for the 2025 season. Advertisement ESPN's Dan Graziano, Jeremy Fowler, Ben Solak and Seth Walder pitched hypothetical trade scenarios for the Falcons to move Cousins. Let's take a look at all four theoretical trades below. Trade 1 (Fowler): Falcons-Browns Fowler's trade has the Falcons sending Cousins and a seventh-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for quarterback Kenny Pickett and a sixth-round pick. Cleveland currently has Joe Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders and Pickett competing for the QB1 spot with Deshaun Watson out (Achilles). The Falcons could strike a deal where they front $17.5 million of Cousins' guaranteed money for 2025, and Pickett would be Atlanta's new QB2. -- Jeremy Fowler Trade 2 (Graziano): Falcons-Vikings Graziano's proposed trade sends Cousins back to Minnesota in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, a seventh-round selection in 2027 and cash considerations ($10 milllion). Well, it makes sense for all three sides, really, counting Cousins himself. He wants a chance to start and could use his no-trade clause to nix a deal to any place he doesn't want to go. But if he has to be a backup, we know he liked living in Minnesota and playing for the Vikings. -- Dan Graziano Trade 3 (Solak): Falcons-Steelers Ben Solak's trade proposal sends Cousins to the Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick and cash considerations. With Pittsburgh still waiting on Aaron Rodgers, Cousins may start to look like a more appealing, less dramatic option at quarterback. Cousins is a good fit for coordinator Arthur Smith's offense, which doesn't need its quarterback to move much out of the pocket. This late of a draft pick is close to Cousins' value, and I'd imagine the Falcons are still willing to swallow $20 million -- maybe even more -- of his salary to get this deal done. -- Ben Solak Trade 4 (Walder): Falcons-Vikings In the second proposed trade with the Vikings, the Falcons would send Cousins to Minnesota for quarterback Sam Howell and cash considerations. Howell was acquired by the Vikings during the 2025 NFL draft in a trade with the Seahawks. The key to the compensation for a Cousins deal is how much of his guaranteed money the acquiring team will take on. I'll raise Dan's offer and say the Vikings pay $12 million of it. This would allow Atlanta to save a little face and get out of the situation with a different backup quarterback. -- Seth Walder Advertisement All four offers have upside, and it makes sense that Atlanta would seek a backup-caliber quarterback to replace Cousins. The team signed Easton Stick in free agency, but he has limited starting experience. If the Falcons could land Pickett or Howell, while shedding Cousins and some cash, it would be a major win for the team. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins: ESPN breaks down 4 trade scenarios
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ESPN Analyst Gives Strong Prediction on 2025 Buccaneers
ESPN Analyst Gives Strong Prediction on 2025 Buccaneers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the confetti fell in Super Bowl LIX, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to watch the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate their second Super Bowl title in one of the most dominating finishes in league history. Advertisement In the Bucs' minds, the 2024-25 season had been a missed opportunity. Not only did Tampa Bay destroy the Eagles early in the season, but they also knocked off the Detroit Lions (the top seed in the NFC) as well. For them to fail to get out of the wild card round after that was a disappointment. And one that the 2025 team is hoping to avenge. Tampa Bay bolstered both sides of the roster this offseason, and remains a strong contender this season. Plenty of analysts believe that as well. ESPN's Ben Solak is one analyst who thinks they could be the second-best team in the NFC behind the Eagles. "ESPN BET ranks the most likely NFC representatives for the Super Bowl in this order: Eagles, Lions, 49ers, Commanders, Packers, Rams, Vikings and Buccaneers," Solak said. "I would have the Buccaneers over every team besides the Eagles. Maybe tied with the Lions and Rams, but no lower than that." Advertisement The Buccaneers are not without their own problems. They have a new offensive play-caller for a third straight season, their defense needs to stay healthy, and their head coach hasn't proven he can outwit some of the better minds in the league. With a roster this talented, though, many of those concerns may be short-lived. And it's why the Buccaneers may be in line for a deep playoff run this season after all. Related: Buccaneers 2nd-Round Pick Tabbed 'Rookie to Watch' Related: Buccaneers 'Knucklehead' Baker Mayfield Challenged with New Goal This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dolphins roster has 'worst position group' in the NFL, says ESPN analyst
The Miami Dolphins secondary is thin and set to get thinner with seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey expected to be traded this summer. While the Dolphins have been poking around the veteran free agent market, and haven't ruled out a trade for a cornerback either, for now, the Miami secondary is filled with young, inexperienced players. According to ESPN's Ben Solak, it's not just an area of weakness on the Dolphins roster -- it's the worst spots on any roster in the NFL. Advertisement Via Solak: If the Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey, their starting secondary will be Storm Duck and Cam Smith at outside corner, Kader Kohou in the nickel and Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu at safety. I'm sorry to say that's an early candidate for "worst position group" in the league. It'd be a surprise if the Dolphins didn't add at least one more starting quality cornerback before the season starts this fall. The list of players who have been in contact with Miami reportedly includes Rasul Douglas, Asante Samuel Jr., and James Bradberry. But the Dolphins replaced the loss of Jevón Holland with discount free agents at safety and the team is, at least for now, hoping that young players like Duck, Smith, and Patrick McMorris will make marked improvements. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins secondary 'worst position group' in the NFL, per ESPN analyst
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins roster has 'worst position group' in the NFL, says ESPN analyst
Dolphins roster has 'worst position group' in the NFL, says ESPN analyst The Miami Dolphins secondary is thin and set to get thinner with seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey expected to be traded this summer. While the Dolphins have been poking around the veteran free agent market, and haven't ruled out a trade for a cornerback either, for now, the Miami secondary is filled with young, inexperienced players. According to ESPN's Ben Solak, it's not just an area of weakness on the Dolphins roster -- it's the worst spots on any roster in the NFL. Via Solak: If the Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey, their starting secondary will be Storm Duck and Cam Smith at outside corner, Kader Kohou in the nickel and Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu at safety. I'm sorry to say that's an early candidate for "worst position group" in the league. It'd be a surprise if the Dolphins didn't add at least one more starting quality cornerback before the season starts this fall. The list of players who have been in contact with Miami reportedly includes Rasul Douglas, Asante Samuel Jr., and James Bradberry. But the Dolphins replaced the loss of Jevón Holland with discount free agents at safety and the team is, at least for now, hoping that young players like Duck, Smith, and Patrick McMorris will make marked improvements.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Rookie Predicted To Emerge As Surprise Starter
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had six draft picks during the 2025 draft. Four of those selections went to the defensive side of the ball. One of those defensive players was Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish out of Kansas State. Parrish is more of a slot cornerback with a 5-10 frame and under 200 pounds. Advertisement Tampa Bay needed all the help they could get in the secondary that was one of the worst in the league during the 2024 season. Injuries certainly played a part in that, but the Buccaneers clearly needed reinforcements at the position. The good news is that Parrish can make an immediate impact. ESPN insider Ben Solak called Parrish one of his favorite picks in the draft with the chance to being an immediate starter right away. "Parrish is a classic Todd Bowles cornerback — feisty, instinctive in zone, able to press and an excellent tackler in space," Solak wrote. "He reminds me of Tykee Smith, a 2024 third-rounder who emerged as a key nickel defender for Tampa Bay. The Bucs needed to add depth to their secondary, and they got a perfect scheme and culture fit in Parrish." Like any draft pick, Parrish is not guaranteed to start right away for the organization. The team will need to get him acclimated to Tampa's zone defense. ... and all of the other adjustments that any rookie has to make. Advertisement But if he can make the kind of impact that Solak expects of him, the Buccaneers defense - surprise! - may be going through a major transformation in a playoff-winning way. Related: Buccaneers Sign Small Quarterback With Big Dreams Related: Ex Bucs Coach Jon Gruden Awaits Major Lawsuit Ruling
