NFL Notes: Josh McDaniels, Jets, Ravens & Texans

Josh McDaniels

• A league source tells Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that it appears Patriots OC Josh McDaniels will get to choose between the Rams, 49ers and Jaguars for a head coaching job this offseason, barring a late position becoming available.
• Multiple sources have told Volin that the 49ers’ job looks like the most attractive for McDaniels, as long as he gets a guarantee that the team will commit to a true rebuild.
• Volin says that it would likely take a firm four-to-five-year commitment to rebuilding this team to lure McDaniels away from the Patriots.

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN writes that based on what he’s seen of rookie QB Christian Hackenberg and what he’s heard from NFL evaluators, he doesn’t have a lot of faith him Hackenberg panning out for the Jets.
• According to Cimini, Hackenberg’s accuracy during practices open to the media this year was “terrible, almost Tebow-esque” and reporters paid attention to him in part because “they didn’t want to get beaned by an errant fastball.“
• Cimini says that Hackenberg mechanics are a big reason for his issues. People in the Jets’ organization were reportedly “stunned” that he completed four straight passes including a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ third preseason game.
• Other evaluators have pointed to numerous issues for Hackenberg including: “Poor accuracy. Frustrates easily. Doesn’t like to get hit. Looks at the rush, doesn’t feel it. Work to do above the neck.“
• Even with the obvious issues, Cimini doesn’t think the Jets are ready to give up on him, but concerns remain about how he’ll develop in the coming years.

Ravens

• Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes that while Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil can still rush the passer, their days of being elite every-down rushers are probably over. Zrebiec can see the Ravens adding one or two pass rushers during the offseason.
• In regards to Suggs, Zrebiec can’t see the Ravens cutting him, given that the cap savings is limited and his importance to the franchise.
• Dumvervil, on the other hand, could be a cap casualty, given that the Ravens would pick up $6 million of cap room by moving on from him.
• Zrebiec mentions that it’s hard to imagine TE Dennis Pitta returning at his current price next year, but the two sides should be able to find some sort of compromise.
• Zrebiec believes impending free agent DT Brandon Williams should be able to secure at least the same five-year, $46.25 million contract signed by Giants DT Damon Harrison in the coming months.
• The Ravens have other free agents to address including RT Ricky Wagner, FB Kyle Juszczyk, WR Kamar Aiken and DE Lawrence Guy, but Zrebiec believes they could all return if the price is right.
• Zrebiec thinks it would be foolish to cut WR Mike Wallace without adding an adequate replacement.
• According to Zrebiec, the Ravens could be forced to retain S Lardarius Webb as his current cap figure of $7.5 million unless they’re able to add another safety.

Texans

• John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports that both HC Bill O’Brien and GM Rick Smith wanted to sign QB Brock Osweiler, despite some reports that have said Smith and owner Bob McNair made the call.
• McClain adds that McNair never forces any personnel decision on the people calling the shots for the Texans.