NFL Notes: Eli Manning, Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, Saints

Eli Manning

Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com writes that there should be a trade market for Giants QB Eli Manning next year, considering that he’s owed just $16 million in cash for the 2018 season and another $17 million in cash in 2019.

Breer spoke with multiple defensive coaches who believe Manning still has “a lot left” in terms of his playing career.

“I think he has a lot left,” said one defensive coach who’s faced him the last few years. “No offensive line (in New York), zero run game and he lost his four top receivers in the same game. So it’s hard to truly assess him.”

“He looks uncomfortable right now,” said a separate defensive coach. “He’s probably a better alternative than some others. With a solid line and decent run game, he’s above average. Reads defenses well pre-snap. Can throw it when he’s got a clean pocket. But accuracy and decision-making get worse when the pocket gets messy. He doesn’t step into throws when the pressure’s in his face, but he never really did that. The offensive line’s an issue and has been the past few seasons. … In the right situation, I think he’d be effective, especially with a team looking to groom a young guy.”

Breer believes the ideal fit for Manning would be the Jaguars, considering that his former HC Tom Coughlin is running the team and the fact that they have a run game and defense that would allow him to play a much more efficient game.

Baker Mayfield

• Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media spoke to five league executives regarding the best fit for Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, who mentioned the Cardinals, Chargers, Saints, Jaguars, and Bills as teams that make sense.
• Of the five teams, Jeremiah believes the Chargers are the best match for Mayfield since he could learn under Philip Rivers for two years and has a number of young players he could grow around, including WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, TE Hunter Henry, and RB Melvin Gordon.

Buccaneers

Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston said he “absolutely” believes he will be cleared by the NFL and has no fear of being suspended, despite the allegations he groped a female Uber driver several months ago.

“I have no fear at all. But I have to respect their process,” Winston said, via Jenna Laine of ESPN. “I’m just going to respect the process, most importantly. That’s all I can do.”

Saints

• Ian Rapoport reports that Saints TE Coby Fleener, who is in the concussion protocol, is out for Week 13 and it’s possible that he could miss more time, as this issue could linger.