Bill Polian
FILE - Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. About the only certainty in the confounding 2021 NFL draft is Trevor Lawrence going to the Jaguars with the first overall pick Thursday night in Cleveland. This year's NFL draft is like none other because teams weren't able to meet face-to-face with the pool of prospects outside the lucky few who got to play in the Senior Bowl after a season that was marked by opt outs and cancellations. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Unorthodox offseason means unusual, unpredictable NFL draft

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 25, 2021 02:04 PM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills in Houston, in this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, file photo. J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The team announced the deal with the free-agent edge rusher on Monday, March 1, 2021. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Free agency an antidote for offensive fireworks, mobile QBs

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 12, 2021 02:25 AM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 file photo, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott drops back to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Arlington, Texas. Applying franchise and even transition tags to players can have major ramifications on a team's present and future. That was never more of a consideration than this year, with the salary cap decreasing by, for now, $18 million. That's the first time the cap has gone down, which is due to lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Playing tag is no kids' game for NFL teams

By Barry Wilner Feb. 23, 2021 05:12 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2019, file photo, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly walks on the field before an NFL football game between the Bills and the Miami Dolphins in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills’ return to relevance gives rise to reflection from those who were part of the franchise’s heyday in the late 1980s and 1990s, during which Buffalo made — and lost — four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. “Way too long? Hah, 25 years? I would say it’s waaaaay, way, way past due,” Hall of Fame quarterback Kelly said of the last time Buffalo won the East. “Never in a million years did I think it would take 25 years to come back.” (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Bills close in on clinching 1st AFC East title in 25 years

By John Wawrow Dec. 18, 2020 02:57 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Indiana wide receiver Nick Westbrook runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, in Bloomington, Ind. Gone for the most part this year are access to in-person interviews, campus workouts and visits to team headquarters. Those who competed in college all-star games but didn't receive a combine invite, like Indiana receiver Nick Westbrook, have the advantage of performing in front of scouts. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Pro day cancellations forcing changes to NFL draft process

By Michael Marot Apr. 05, 2020 11:53 AM EDT