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  • Agent’s Take: Target prices for Jessie Bates III, other intriguing defensive players with expiring contracts

    Agent’s Take: Target prices for Jessie Bates III, other intriguing defensive players with expiring contracts

    Target prices for 10 offensive players with expiring contracts were covered in an article earlier in the week. The focus now turns to the other side of the ball. 

    Things will get moving March 13 when the exclusive negotiating rights NFL teams have had with their impending free agents ends. The agents of prospective unrestricted free agents are allowed to negotiate with teams beginning at 12 p.m. ET on March 13 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on March 15. Prospective UFAs who don’t have an agent can also negotiate with front office executives of teams. Players can’t sign deals with new clubs until the 2023 league year and free agency officially begin at 4 p.m. ET. A player’s ability to re-sign with his current club is allowed during the period.

    As a reminder, it was my responsibility while working on the agent side to create target or asking prices for the firm’s clients headed toward free agency regardless of whether I was the lead agent. In that spirit, I have set target prices with total contract value, overall guarantees, amount fully guaranteed at signing and first three years compensation (when applicable) for 10 intriguing defensive players who will be unrestricted free agents or were designated as a franchise players.

    Players don’t necessarily sign for their target prices because free agency is a fluid process where adaptations must be made to changing market conditions. Some players are disappointed in free agency’s outcome because their market never develops for a variety of reasons (age, unrealistic contract demands, supply and demand at a playing position, etc.).

    Remember the target or asking prices for these players may be on the high side and aren’t necessarily what their actual deals will be.

    DT Daron Payne ($18.937 million franchise tag)

    Contract package: $91 million/4 years ($22.75 million per year)Overall guarantees: $70 million Fully guaranteed at signing: $47.5 million

    The…

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  • Alabama’s Nick Saban prefers ‘NFL model’ despite its own issues: NIL ‘not what it was supposed to be’

    Alabama’s Nick Saban prefers ‘NFL model’ despite its own issues: NIL ‘not what it was supposed to be’

    When it comes to player compensation, Alabama coach Nick Saban would much rather see an NFL model in college football than the current name, image and likeness (NIL) landscape. A vocal and visible critic of certain elements of the NIL landscape, Saban recently offered more in-depth thoughts during his discussion with Stephen A. Smith during his “Know Mercy” podcast this week

    “If we want to change the model of college football and follow the NFL model, what I would like to see — if that’s the case — is that we pay the players — everybody’s got a part of their scholarship that gives them so much money,” he said. “But now you’re talking about making college student-athletes employees, and that in and of itself may have some issues that would have to be resolved. So you’re talking about a similar model to the NFL where you’ve got to get some sort of legal right to be able to do this. 

    Saban’s critiques of NIL echo his controversial comments last year when he publicly accused Texas A&M and coach Jimbo Fisher of “buying” their 2022 recruiting class, which finished ahead of Alabama as the top-ranked class in the star system era. Those comments sparked intense backlash from Fisher and prompted Saban to offer an apology. Nevertheless, it remains apparent that Saban, 71, is disenchanted with flaws in the disorganized NIL structure.

    “[Name, Image and Likeness] wasn’t supposed to be me going to give a speech to raise money from alumni so we can get enough money in our collective so can pay players,” Saban said. “That’s not what it was supposed to be.”

    Though Saban may not love…

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  • Eagles updated roster ahead of NFL free agency

    Eagles updated roster ahead of NFL free agency

    With Howie Roseman choosing not to use the franchise tag, the Eagles are going to look a lot different when the team reconvenes at the NovaCare Complex for the 2023 off-season program.

    Philadelphia has 18 pending free agents and 9 key contributors on defense that could move on for heftier paydays when the new league year starts on March 15.

    Making matters even more urgent, the franchise will work to sign All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurt to a hefty contract extension, ensuring that multiple free agents are unlikely to return.

    #1 QB Jalen Hurts

    Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

    The All-Pro quarterback and MVP runner-up will look to secure a long-term contract extension over the next few weeks.

    #2 CB Darius Slay

    (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

    The veteran cornerback will look to sign a contract extension this spring, while the Eagles may just settle for a restructure.

    #4 K Jake Elliott

    Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

    #6 WR DeVonta Smth

    Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

    Entering his third year, Smith will look to take the next step.

    #7 LB Haason Reddick

    Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

    Reddick will enter year two of a 3-year, $45 million contract and if he can match his 16.5 sacks from 2022, he could look to reset the market.

    #8 P Arryn Siposs

    Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

    #11 WR A.J. Brown

    Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

    Brown logged 1,496 yards receiving in his first year with the Eagles and will look to take things to the next level.

    #16 WR Quez Watkins

    Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

    After taking a step back in year three, Watkins will look to re-establish himself in the Eagles’ passing game.

    #17 LB Nakobe Dean

    Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

    Dean will see an uptick in snaps next season and depending on how things shake out in free agency, the former Georiga All-American could return to the NovaCare Complex as Philadelphia’s starting MIKE or WILL…

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  • Michigan State football loses commitment from 2024 WR Nick Marsh

    Michigan State football loses commitment from 2024 WR Nick Marsh

    Michigan State football had picked up a very early commitment from 2024 4-star wide receiver Nick Marsh, so it’s not a huge surprise when, on Tuesday, he announced that he will be rescinding that commitment to think it over.

    While this might seem like bad news, it’s become part of the process of these long-term recruiting processes and a fact of life in college recruiting these days.

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    Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

    More!

    MSU picked to win Big Ten Tournament by 247Sports’ Travis Branham

    REPORT: Former MSU linebacker Antjuan Simmons joining Michigan State football staff

    Michigan State basketball: Best quotes from Tom Izzo before Big Ten Tournament

    Story originally appeared on Spartans Wire

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  • NFL free agency: Saints sign Derek Carr to 4-year, $150M deal, including $100M in total guarantees, per report

    NFL free agency: Saints sign Derek Carr to 4-year, $150M deal, including $100M in total guarantees, per report

    Instead of the Big Apple, Derek Carr is heading to New Orleans. The Saints sign the former Pro Bowl quarterback to a deal worth $150 million, including $100 million in total guarantees, according to NFL Media. Carr, who structured his deal to accommodate New Orleans’ cap situation, gets $60 million at signing. 

    Recent reports suggested that Jets were the frontrunners to land Carr. Yet the Saints, who had been in the running to acquire him from the beginning, managed to lure the offseason’s top available quarterback. Carr all but confirmed the news by Tweeting “Who Dat” late Monday morning. 

    He also thanked Raiders fans again with a post on Instagram: “I will miss all of you Raiders fans also. Thank you for an amazing 9 years.”  

    The Raiders’ all-time career passing leader, Carr was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during his nine years with the franchise. A league MVP candidate prior to getting hurt late in the 2016 season, Carr led the Raiders to the franchise’s only two playoff appearances since 2002. 

    Carr was benched this past year after having one of his best seasons to date in 2021….

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  • Charges against Georgia’s Rara Thomas dismissed after WR reaches deal resolving alleged dorm altercation

    Charges against Georgia’s Rara Thomas dismissed after WR reaches deal resolving alleged dorm altercation

    USATSI

    Charges against Georgia receiver Rara Thomas stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident have been resolved following a deal between Thomas’ attorney and prosecutors. Thomas will instead go through pretrial diversion for a misdemeanor-level offense of family-violence battery, according to his attorney, Kim Stephens. 

    As part of his deal with prosecutors, Thomas will complete an anger management course and community service in addition to paying court fees. He could have the remaining charges restricted from his record after a year of good behavior.

    Thomas was arrested Jan. 23 and subsequently suspended after police responded to reports of an altercation at a dorm on Georgia’s campus. As a result, Thomas faced felony false imprisonment and domestic family violence (first offense). The incident occurred just over a month after Thomas announced his intent to transfer from Mississippi State to UGA.

    Georgia has not announced an update to Thomas’ status with the team, but the Bulldogs are slated to begin spring practice on March 14 leading into the G-Day spring scrimmage on April 15. Thomas made 44 catches for 626 yards and seven touchdowns with Mississippi State last season. As a freshman in 2021, he caught 18 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns after signing as a three-star prospect in the Class of 2021 out of Eufala, Alabama.

    The development in Thomas’ case comes as the program grapples with the fallout from a series of other legal issues involving current or former players, including NFL…

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  • Alabama QB Bryce Young weighs in at 204 pounds

    Alabama QB Bryce Young weighs in at 204 pounds

    After months of questions and speculation, we finally have official measurements for Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

    The potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft measured in at 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds. How much that will impact his draft stock remains to be seen.

    It may not have an impact at all if teams feel comfortable enough to take the risk considering his uber-talented play on the field.

    For context, Kyler Murray measured in at 5-foot-10 and 207 pounds at the 2019 combine, and the Cardinals still used the No. 1 overall pick on him.

    The question of Young’s draft stock was never his talent. On the field, he’s the best quarterback prospect in this class. He has superb processing, consistent accuracy and an innate ability to make plays out of structure with consistency.

    The question with Young was always his size, and the official measurements don’t really give a definitive answer on whether teams will be more comfortable now that they know.

    However, it does seem like he’s still the consensus top pick, assuming a team trades up to the No. 1 overall pick with the Chicago Bears.

    Only time will tell if that will be the Colts.

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    Story originally appeared on Colts Wire

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  • This 5-star 2025 offensive tackle sets Gainesville visit date in March

    This 5-star 2025 offensive tackle sets Gainesville visit date in March

    Florida football is scheduled to get the No. 1 overall prep prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle on campus this month, according to 247Sports’ Steve Wilfong.

    Five-star offensive tackle David Sanders out of Charlotte (North Carolina) Providence Day School is set to make his first visit to the University of Florida’s campus on Saturday, March 11. The 6-foot-6-inch, 255-pound high school sophomore’s recruitment has been led by inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman, whose experience in the North Carolina area has him assigned to that region’s recruiting efforts.

    Other schools on the coveted lineman’s spring docket are the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will host him on March 18, along with the Georgia Bulldogs — who expect a visit in April — as well as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes.

    Sanders is ranked No. 1 overall and No. 1 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking also has him at No. 1 across the board in the 2025 class. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has an interesting mix of programs in play for his talents led by the North Carolina State Wolfpack with a 28% chance of landing him, followed by the Gamecocks, North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils at 16.6%, 14.2% and 6.2%, respectively.

    More Football!

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    Take a look at Billy Napier’s eight-phase recruiting calendar

    Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

    Story originally appeared on Gators Wire

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