NFL News of the Day, July 19th

This will be a daily thread of all the biggest happenings in the NFL. It will be your one stop shop for all the latest NFL news of the day that you need to know. This is the slowest week of the sports calendar. But a week where the national sports media shifts its attention to the National Football League. This league never sleeps as evident by the newswire constantly turning.

We have 8 rookie classes reporting to Training Camp today. The Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, new Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and the new York Jets. There are some big time rookies reporting today who should have an immediate impact on their teams. Reports are that the NFLPA announced there will be legal pushback if Deshaun Watson is suspended for the season. A couple of high profile Quarterbacks are in need of a contract extension as the clock ticks on getting those done. And the Carolina Panthers just released a new black-out helmet.

The NFL news never sleeps, and as the calendar hits the end of July, the NFL takes center stage. A recap of yesterday's news of day includes the Bills and Raiders rookies reporting for Training Camp. Madden released their top-10 pass catchers (and Chris revealing his top-10 wide receivers). A couple of top-tier Offensive Linemen calling it a career and leaving big question marks for their teams. And Ryan Switzer transitioning to coaching after a playing career with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Falcons do not have high expectations this season. Marcus Mariota should start the season under Center. But, if the season goes off the rails Desmond Ritter should get an opportunity to show what he can do. Maybe they catch lightning in a bottle and have their QB of the future. If he's not the answer then next year's class is loaded at Quarterback.

I dare you to find a team that did better in the draft than the Baltimore Ravens. They managed to get one of the most talented players in the draft (Kyle Hamilton) at 14th overall, and added to their offensive line by taking Iowa Center Tyler Linderbaum later in the first.

The Chargers offense is loaded, and it was unlikely they would draft a player who would walk into the starting lineup. They did find their backup for Austin Ekeler though. Last season running backs not named Ekeler had almost 150 touches, so there will be plenty of chances for Spiller to make an impact in 2022.

The Miami Dolphins didn't make their first selection until the 3rd Round of the NFL Draft. That didn't stop them from taking a player who could impact the team on day 1. Tindall should be able to compete for a starting job with Elandon Roberts and be the run stopping line backer in the Fins defense that returns all 11 starters from last season.

The Patriots have had a difficult time drafting wide receivers in recent memory. They just traded their 2019 1st round pick to the Bears for a 7th in 2024. Thornton will have every opportunity to make an impact on an offense who is in desperate need for a playmaker who can stretch the field vertically.

The most NFL ready receiver in the draft went to a spot where he should be utilized immediately. Michael Thomas is healthy again, and should take a ton of pressure off Olave. Alvin Kamara should be suspended for the start of the season stemming from an arrest at the Pro Bowl. And newly signed Jarvis Landry isn't a target hog the way some other receivers in the game are. Olave should have opportunities in the offense- today is the day to start earning those targets.

New York's premier franchise had a spectacular draft. Kayvon Thibodeaux has all of the tools to be an elite pass rusher in the league, while their 2nd 1st round pick, Evan Neal, comes from Alabama where linemen have shown an ability to make the transition to the NFL early in their careers. The Brian Daboll era in New York gets underway today.

The Jets are building a very talented young roster. Sauce Gardner's stats in college are insane, and he has the length and athletic ability to step in as an impact player for the Jets week 1. The Jets also got the Jermaine Johnson from FSU at 26 overall when many thought he was a top-10 talent. The defense was bad last year- the offense was too. But Robert Salah got two pieces to fix the D.

The Cleveland Browns made the move of the offseason when they traded for Deshaun Watson. They handed him a 5-year/$230 full-guaranteed contract upon the trade, even with 24 civil cases of sexual misconduct were unsettled. Most of those suits are settled now, and we are stuck waiting for the NFL's punishment. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports is reporting the NFL Players Association would take a season long suspension to court  to try to get it overturned. There are question as to if that approach would work, but it is interesting that the NFLPA is getting it in the public that the legal system is still on the table if they're unhappy with the punishment.

This offseason has been a weird one for Kyler Murray. He deleted or unfollowed everything Arizona Cardinals related on social media- then told the media they were the ones trying to make a story line. His agent released a letter detailing the contract negotiations with Murray and stated that the QB would not show up to any team activities until he received an extension. Murray then showed to OTA's without the new deal. We've had a few reports that the two sides are close on a deal, but a week before Cardinals players report there is still nothing in place long term for QB1 in Arizona

Lamar Jackson is also without a contract beyond this season. He has said publicly many times that he is not concerned with the uncertainty beyond this year, but two weeks ago he tweeted out that he needs his money. The Ravens sound like they want to strike a deal with the former MVP. Lamar wants a deal, Baltimore want to sign him, but there is nothing to report with Jackson set to report to Training Camp one week from today.

The Carolina Panthers became the latest team to release an alternate helmet that they will wear this season. The black cats released a black helmet that will be worn on November 10th against the Atlanta Falcons.