NFL Combine 2019: Notes and observations

INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Scouting Combine is still going on as we approach Sunday’a action, but many of the headlines coming out of Indy are already established.

For starters, free agency is going to be bonkers as usual. While the circus doesn’t officially get going until the tampered window opens on March 11, the reality is that agents and teams have been talking since touching down in Naptown.

On the offensive side of things, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams is going to draw a bigger contract than many expect. There are a litany of teams interested in what the 27-year-old can do, and feel that once he’s out of Keenan Allen’s shadow, his numbers could rise further. Last year, Williams caught 41 passes for 653 yards and five touchdowns. It would be surprising if he doesn’t fetch near $10 million per year, and perhaps even eclipse that figure.

Then there’s Le’Veon Bell. Bell, also 27, sat out all of last year throughout a dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, teams are lining up for his talents, which put him into three Pro Bowls throughout his time in the Steel City. Ultimately, agent Adisa Bakari isn’t going to struggle to procure offers from around the league. Bell is going to cash in, and the Oakland Raiders are very much a player in this situation.

Finally, Nick Foles. Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told the media during his interview session that Foles would not be slapped with the franchise tag. Instead, the former Super Bowl MVP will be free to roam the open market, looking for a deal. The Jacksonville Jaguars are favorites to land Foles as reported by Adam Schefter, and that seems like a strong bet. Jacksonville is going to move on from Blake Bortles, who struggled to the point of being benched in 2018.

Defensively, the Kansas City Chiefs made some waves. As first reported by FanSided, the Chiefs are going to move on from outside linebacker Justin Houston either via trade or release. The latter seems likely, but general manager Brett Veach is attempting to get some value for the former All-Pro. Furthermore, the team is reportedly set to tag outside linebacker Dee Ford, but Schefter has tweeted that Kansas City is open to trading the Pro Bowler.

Lastly, teams in need of cornerbacks might be looking towards the draft instead of free agency. The three best available are Ronald Darby, Kareem Jackson and Steven Nelson. Frankly, none of them are Pro Bowl-caliber players, and only Darby is someone who intrigues as a top corner on a good defense.