NFL

Should the Dallas Cowboys Pay Trevon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons?

Published

4 months ago

May 30, 2023

darragh

The Dallas Cowboys draft well, particularly in the first round of the NFL Draft. Dating back to 2010, there are only two misses on the leger. The second thing the Jones family does well is take care of their home-grown talent. Of the nine Cowboys first-round picks since 2010 who have received second contracts in the NFL, six have gotten second contracts with the Dallas Cowboys.

Where does that leave CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons? Sure, Trevon Diggs was a second-round pick, but he was also an All-Pro in his second season while leading the NFL in interceptions that year. And then there’s the looming Dak Prescott extension.

The first question is, can they get all those deals done? The second question, which is more complex, is whether they should do it.

Can the Dallas Cowboys Pay All Their Stars?

Yes, the Cowboys can pay anybody they bloody want to. The NFL salary cap isn’t a myth, it’s just incredibly easy to manipulate it to suit a team’s cap needs. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones agrees.

“That group, we feel really good about,” Jones said of that foursome. “I feel like as we move forward, it’ll all be about timing, but we feel good that we can work within the parameters of the cap and make those types of things happen.”

Usually, the Cowboys brass would rather play hardball through the media and discuss the trials and tribulations of maneuvering around the salary cap. “At the end of the day” is embedded in the brains of every Cowboys fan when listening to the COO speak about the salary cap.

Trevon Diggs’ contractual situation is the most urgent. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have two seasons left on their current deals. Micah Parsons has three years left on his current deal (including the fifth-year option), but he’ll be extension-eligible next offseason.

“I think it’s doable; it’s just part of managing the football team and part of managing the salary cap,” Jones said to reporters. “I think it’s helpful to know what the situation is gonna look like.”

The cap increased by $16 million between 2022 and 2023, and the salary cap isn’t going anywhere but sharply up in the future, either. The NFL’s $113 billion, with a b, television rights deal, will make sure of that. That deal begins its life in 2023 and will cause an explosion in the NFL’s salary cap.

Paying Trevon Diggs

If there were a player among the group that Dallas would choose not to extend, it would probably be Diggs. However, the cornerback opposite him currently is 32, and there are no viable No. 1 options anywhere else on the team. DaRon Bland shined as a rookie in the slot, but the Cowboys need far more than that to remain at the top of defensive efficiency rankings.

Although Diggs struggled to reproduce his ball production from the year before, one could argue that he played a more consistent brand of football in 2022. The 11 INT season made him an All-Pro. Still, he also played injured during the middle part of the season and took risks that his body couldn’t recover from in coverage, which led to too many big plays against the cornerback.

In 2022, he missed out on quite a few turnover opportunities that one would expect the ball-hawking CB to make, but he was far more structurally sound in coverage. The risks he took were more calculated, and when he did get beat by double moves, they were well-earned and set up offensively.

MORE: Are the Dallas Cowboys a Top-10 Offense Heading Into 2023?

CB play can be finicky. Dan Quinn will almost certainly not continue passing on head-coaching opportunities forever. Changing the scheme likely won’t affect the play of the defensive line too much — the bigger change would come on the back end. And while potentially playing in a more zone-heavy scheme could benefit Diggs, the off-man Cover 1 Quinn deploys allows Diggs to use his aggression to the max situationally.

Being only 25 also helps his case. He should realistically remain in his athletic prime throughout the entirety of a second contract, which is very important at his position, specifically.

The highest CB contract currently sits at $21 million APY (Jaire Alexander). Denzel Ward leads in fully guaranteed money ($44.5 million) and total guarantees (71.25 million). According to Over the Cap, Ward will never cost the Browns a double-digit percentage of their salary cap at any point through 2027.

Demarcus Lawrence and Amari Cooper both accounted for over 10% of the Cowboys’ 2021 cap. A Diggs extension will likely look similar because of the ever-increasing cap. He’s well worth the asking price.

Paying CeeDee Lamb

There are currently eight wide receivers making more on average than Alexander, the highest-paid CB. Receiver production is far more sticky from year-to-year than cornerback production.

And in an offseason where the highest-paid wide receiver in free agency came in at $15 million and no other pass catcher made more than $11 annually, it could be time to negotiate Lamb’s deal now.

In fact, it would behoove the Cowboys to try and get Lamb’s deal done now, because waiting another season could be costly. A Tee Higgins extension raises the price of admission. Justin Jefferson will likely become the league’s highest-paid pass catcher when he inks his extension.

And that’s not the only reason the Cowboys should try to be proactive with his deal (and most deals). Lamb has increased his production and efficiency in each successive season.

A full 17-game season with a healthy Prescott could have devasting consequences for the Cowboys’ cap. If he has a 1,600-yard season, a deal may not get done until after the franchise tag has been used in that instance because he will have all of the leverage by that point.

Paying Micah Parsons

Yes.

Seriously, that’s it. It doesn’t matter what it may cost. Parsons should and likely will be a Cowboy for life. Heck, he may end up being a Cowboy longer than Prescott at this point. Do it as fast as possible. Give him and David Mulugheta (Parsons’ agent) whatever they ask for, because waiting for a bargaining chip is a fool’s errand here.

Paying Dak Prescott

If things were different in the NFC, there could be an argument made that Dallas should do what it can to find Prescott’s replacement in the NFL Draft. If Dallas had to deal with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, and Lamar Jackson, maybe swinging for the upside fence would be a better argument.

But they are not, and one could argue Prescott is the best quarterback in the entire conference, depending on how one stacks him and Jalen Hurts alongside one another.

With a nearly $60 million cap hit in 2024, Dallas simply cannot afford not to extend Prescott after 2023. And they’ve already used Prescott’s contract to move money around for other players because they planned on extending him the whole time.

The Cowboys love “winning the deal.” Well, they got absolutely molly-whopped by Todd France (Prescott’s agent) in their last go-round.

No-tag clause
No-trade clause
$95 million at signing (most ever at the time)

MORE: Dak Prescott: The NFC’s Best Quarterback and a Top-5 NFL QB at His Best

Dallas will almost certainly want to extend the life of the deal over a five-year period, while Prescott’s team likely wants a three-year deal to get him another lucrative deal at 33.

And after Jerry’s comments at the NFL Combine, it seems like they’ve softened their hardball stance on contracts. Likening Prescott to Tom Brady is something they would have never done the first time around when they regularly negotiated through the media.

“I think just as (Tom) Brady became, in my mind, better and better and more impactful on how they won as he got into his career, I think Dak (Prescott) really has those qualities. I think he can get better.”

There hasn’t been much of that from the Jones family recently. And that is as clear an indication as any that teams will be able to pay players very easily over the next few years while the market catches up with the exploding cap.

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NFL

Baker Mayfield Player Props, Betting Lines, Odds, and Picks for Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Published

13 mins ago

September 25, 2023

darragh

After playing for three teams the previous two seasons, has Baker Mayfield found a home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Check out his player props as he heads into tonight’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Our Betting Lines page has the freshest lines and promos to get BANG for your buck. PFN’s FREE Parlay Calculator and Betting Odds Calculator are also available for your betting process! New to sports betting? Check out our guide on How to Bet on the NFL. Visit our Sports Betting Legal Tracker on how to bet legally in the U.S.

Baker Mayfield Week 3 Player Props

All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Passing Yards: 228.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Pass Touchdowns: 1.5 (Over +154/Under -200)
Pass Completions: 21.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Pass Attempts: 33.5 (Over -120/Under -110)
Interceptions: 0.5 (Over -125/Under -105)
Longest Completion: 34.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Rushing Yards: 11.5 (Over -105/Under -125)
Pass/Rush Yards: 243.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: +500
First Touchdown Scorer: +2800

Mayfield Betting Trends and Stats

Mayfield is the first Tampa Bay quarterback to lead the Buccaneers to a 2-0 record with no interceptions since Shaun King in 2000.

Mayfield Best Bet

Mayfield is off to a terrific start with the Bucs, but how long can it last? In just two starts, he’s already matched his win total from last season — when he started 10 games.

The key for Mayfield has been his ability to eliminate turnovers. After having 78 giveaways over his first five seasons in the league (fourth most in the NFL over that span), Mayfield has not committed a turnover in either of the Buccaneers’ first two games this season.

MORE: Eagles vs. Buccaneers Player Prop Bets

He has been sacked just once in two games, and his completion percentage is up to 69.1%. In last week’s win over the Chicago Bears, Mayfield threw for 317 yards, his first 300-yard passing game in nearly two years (Week 5 in 2021 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers).

Will he be able to keep the good times rolling against the defending NFC champions? The Eagles’ defense has shown that it is susceptible to the pass. Philadelphia ranks 30th in pass defense, allowing 326 pass yards per game. Opponents are completing approximately two-thirds of their pass attempts against Philadelphia.

Mayfield has not won three straight starts since 2021, but win or lose, I’m expecting the former No. 1 overall pick to easily top the 228.5 total in passing yards.

Baker Mayfield’s Best Bet: Over 228.5 passing yards (-115 at DraftKings)

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NFL

What Time Is the NFL Game Tonight? Eagles vs. Buccaneers Channel, Live Stream Options for Monday Night Football in Week 3

Published

1 hour ago

September 25, 2023

darragh

Who’s ready for the second Monday Night Football doubleheader of the 2023 NFL season courtesy of ESPN? The Philadelphia Eagles head south to Raymond James Stadium to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first Monday night matchup.

As many predicted, the Eagles have gotten off to a 2-0 start. However, the Buccaneers have surprised many as they also enter Monday Night Football undefeated. Who will keep their streak alive tonight? Here’s the Monday Night Football start time, TV channel, and live stream options.

What Time Does the First Monday Night Football Game Start?

Is there another Monday Night Football doubleheader this week? For the second week in a row, ESPN airs two NFL games on Monday night, with the first kicking off at 7:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will head to Tampa Bay to handle commentating duties for tonight’s first NFL game. Here’s how to watch the Eagles and Buccaneers matchup.

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Start time
7:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ABC, ESPN+
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

While Philadelphia enters Week 3 with an unblemished record, the wins haven’t come as easy as they did in 2022. RB D’Andre Swift exploded for 175 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries after a disappointing season opener.

The Eagles get RB Kenneth Gainwell back but need some support in other areas. QB Jalen Hurts and the Eagles passing offense continue to struggle to start the season.

Hurts hasn’t crossed the 200-yard passing mark yet in 2023. However, the Tampa Bay defense could be a matchup that allows Hurts to open things up. The Buccaneers defense has allowed 4.8 yards after the catch since Week 13 of 2022, tied for the second-worst in the league.

WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should find plenty of room to run against the Buccaneers’ secondary. Smith has averaged 5.9 yards after the catch in the same span, tied for third-best.

MORE: NFL Standings

Not only is Tampa Bay allowing opposing WRs to find space after the catch, but they are also allowing a lot of touchdown receptions. Since 2022, the Buccaneers have allowed 32 receiving touchdowns, tied for the second-most in the NFL.

Brown has caught 11 during that time, tied for third-most, and Smith hauled in nine, tied for seventh. If there was a game for Philadelphia to put everything together offensively, it’s tonight.

2023 Monday Night Football Schedule

With the Eagles and Buccaneers kicking off the first of two Monday Night Football games tonight, what does the rest of the 2023 Monday Night schedule look like? With no doubleheaders for the foreseeable future, here’s the lineup for the rest of this season.

Week 4, Oct. 2

Seattle Seahawks at the New York Giants

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 5, Oct. 9

Green Bay Packers at the Las Vegas Raiders

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 6, Oct. 16

Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Chargers

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 7, Oct. 23

San Francisco 49ers at the Minnesota Vikings

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 8, Oct. 30

Las Vegas Raiders at the Detroit Lions

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 9, Nov. 6

Los Angeles Chargers at the New York Jets

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 10, Nov. 13

Denver Broncos at the Buffalo Bills

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 11, Nov. 20

Philadelphia Eagles at the Kansas City Chiefs

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 12, Nov. 27

Chicago Bears at the Minnesota Vikings

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 13, Dec. 4

Cincinnati Bengals at the Jacksonville Jaguars

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 14, Dec. 11

Tennessee Titans at the Miami Dolphins

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Green Bay Packers at the New York Giants

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ABC
Live stream options
ESPN+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 15, Dec. 18

Kansas City Chiefs at the New England Patriots

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Week 16, Dec. 25

Baltimore Ravens at the San Francisco 49ers

Start time
8:15 p.m. ET
Channel
ESPN
Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

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NFL

Same Game Parlay Picks and Predictions

Published

2 hours ago

September 25, 2023

darragh

The Philadelphia Eagles have a pair of one-possession wins, but it is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the better point differential to go along with their 2-0 start. Is there an upset brewing? There are many ways to attack this game, so let’s take a look at some same game parlay picks as a way to maximize our edge!

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds

Spread
Eagles -5
Moneyline
Eagles -218, Buccaneers +180
Total
46

We here at Soppe HQ like to encourage responsible gaming, and in that vein, I’ll always offer you a trivia question off the top of these articles. Pose this question to a buddy you are watching the game with.

Answer correctly, and you pay for the SGP. Misfire and he/she is on the hook.

Trivia Question: How many players have more rushing touchdowns than Jalen Hurts since he entered the league in 2020? Bonus points if you can name at least three players on that list!

This is an interesting matchup that pits a dominant run game against a limited defense whose primary strength is stuffing the run. I’m of the belief that the Eagles, with extra time to prepare after playing on Thursday night, scheme up creative ways to attack through the air. Instead of going strength on strength with the Bucs, they trust their MVP candidate to exploit a weakness.

Did you know that WR1s have accounted for 45.8% of receiving yards against Tampa Bay this season? It’s a fact. They are struggling against the opponents’ top target, and that leads us to the question: Who is that player in Philadelphia?

AJ Brown on the Jalen Hurts sideline “incident”: “Sometimes emotions run high.. That doesn’t mean I’m beefing with Jalen. *laughs* And no, it was not about targets. I’m sure everybody thought that because he threw me the ball 3x in a row afterwards. But no, I was not over there… pic.twitter.com/BpaVAX5xBH

— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) September 21, 2023

You could argue that it’s DeVonta Smith (touchdown in both games this season, including a game-breaking 63-yarder last week), but I still side with size and label Brown as the WR1.

Brown has more targets this season than Smith. Sportsbooks have Brown projected to hold the edge in both receptions and receiving yards, so I’m not alone here.

MORE: Eagles vs. Buccaneers Player Prop Bets for Monday Night Football

On the other side, I’m not 100% sure the Buccaneers want to run the ball. Rachaad White offers more upside as a pass catcher than a between-the-tackles runner, and they have a pair of proven receivers more than capable of moving the ball down the field.

Not only is that their desire, but as a 5-6 point underdog against a top-10 run defense, the odds are good that the game script pushes them toward the passing game.

Mike Evans has lit up fantasy football scoreboards through two weeks, and that’s great. But it does offer us a nice buying spot in a strong matchup for Chris Godwin. The Nittany Lion has caught at least five passes in 17 straight games, and his aDOT is less than half of that of Evans’ since the beginning of last season.

That’s a role to fall in love with against an Eagles secondary that is banged up. Philadelphia is operating a bend-don’t-break defense these days, and while I expect that to lead them to a victory, it plays right into the hands of what Godwin does.

Godwin career when getting 5+ catches

Over 50 receiving yards: 90.9%
Over 60 receiving yards: 72.7%

Godwin career when getting 6+ catches

Over 50 receiving yards: 97.5%
Over 60 receiving yards: 92.5%

Trivia Answer: Six players have more rushing scores than Jalen Hurts since he entered the league in 2020 (Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook, and James Conner).

Conservative Same Game Parlay Pick: Eagles moneyline, A.J. Brown over 64.5 receiving yards, Chris Godwin 5+ catches, and Chris Godwin over 49.5 receiving yards

Odds: +425 (at DraftKings)

Aggressive Same Game Parlay Pick: Eagles alt line (-2.5), A.J. Brown over 94.5 receiving yards, and Chris Godwin over 59.5 receiving yards

Odds: +800 (at DraftKings)