Latest news with #Madubuike
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Redraft of 2020 first round has Arizona Cardinals going with All-Pro D-lineman
Redraft of 2020 first round has Arizona Cardinals going with All-Pro D-lineman We know that Isaiah Simmons was a disappointment with the eighth overall pick. Who did they get in PFN's redraft? The Arizona Cardinals used the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft to select linebacker Isaiah Simmons. It was a pick that didn't work out too well. He had a couple of productive seasons and then didn't fit in the defense when Jonathan Gannon became head coach. Since then, he has done very little. In hindsight, the Cardinals should have gone a different direction. They could have receiver CeeDee Lamb or tackle Tristan Wirfs. But in a redraft of the first round of the 2020 draft by Pro Football Network, they don't go with either one of those players as Wirfs and Lamb go in the two previous picks. Instead, the Cardinals get defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, known previously as Justin Madubuike. Madubuike has turned into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL, as he's combined for 19.5 sacks and two Pro Bowls within the last two seasons. Imagine Madubuike in the middle of the defense. The Cardinals have struggled on the defensive interior. Of course, Madubuike was drafted in the third round, so literally no one saw him doing what he is doing now. It is undeniable that he would have been a better pick in hindsight. Considering the need the Cardinals had at receiver, they could have had Lamb or Brandon Aiyuk. Either way, Simmons wasn't it. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
2025 NFL offseason: Key dates and Ravens contract options that'll free up millions in cap space
2025 NFL offseason: Key dates and Ravens contract options that'll free up millions in cap space Key dates and contract options that could free up millions in cap space for the Baltimore Ravens after the first wave of 2025 NFL free agency With the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, the Ravens and 31 other NFL teams will start the process of financially retooling to advance to the postseason. Joel Corry of CBS Sports recently looked inside at key offseason dates, starting with the first week of the 2025 league year, which begins March 12. Some dates will free up cap space for Baltimore, while others will force GM Eric DeCosta to make some hard decisions. Here's a look at the key dates and players impacted. March 16 (Fifth day of 2025 league year) Monday is the fifth day of the new league year, and it is the deadline for the Ravens to exercise options for quarterback Lamar Jackson and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike's dummy 2029 contract years. A $22.5 million payment is required to reduce Jackson's 2025 base salary from a fully guaranteed $42.75 million to a fully guaranteed $20.25 million, creating $20 million in cap space. With Madubuike, a $15 million payment is necessary to lower his fully guaranteed $22.5 million 2025 base salary to a fully guaranteed $7.5 million, creating about $15 million in space. Today, $29 million of Jackson's $51.25 million 2026 base salary is fully guaranteed, opening room for a potential restructuring. The $29 million was guaranteed for injury at signing. Madubuike's $22 million 2026 base salary was guaranteed for injury at signing. Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews and cornerback Marlon Humphrey have $4 million roster bonuses due.
