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It might not come with the glitz and glamor of a graded A+ trade deal or a diamond pick in the NFL free agency market. But teams need to stay two steps ahead in the NFL. So getting the right players in the locker room tied down to new deals can be just as important (if not more) as new additions to the roster.
With the 2021 NFL Draft approaching, there are several quality talents yet to sign new deals with their teams, many of whom will be free agents come March 2022.
If a team's big star opts to re-sign, it's great news for all concerned: coaches, locker room, fans. But of course, not every team can afford to re-sign their best players every spring, and that's where Madden gets difficult.
Five stars who could sign long-term deals before the 2021 NFL Draft:
For the NFL teams frugal enough to have cap room available and, with it, the ability to offer attractive deals, it's a good idea to get new player contracts penned before the Draft, with cap room at its heights. So some players could sign long-term deals before next month's NFL draft.
On that note, let's take a look at five players who are likely to sign new deals with their teams before the 2021 NFL Draft.
#1 Robby Anderson, Wide receiver (Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers' triple threat receiving cops of DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel and Robby Anderson was a real threat in the NFC last year. The trio caught a combined 3,140 yards of airmail, of which Anderson was responsible for 1,096.
Curtis Samuel has already left Carolina, though. Fans of the AFC East can look forward to seeing the versatile, smash-happy receiver running out in a revamped New York Jets offense come autumn.
They might be a receiver down, but the Panthers are expected to pluck for a new quarterback with their first pick (No. 8 overall) at the 2021 NFL Draft. Head coach Matt Rhule would want to keep at least two of last season's triple-prong attack in Carolina for the next couple of years. If it's not broken, why fix it, right? Plus, who's the new kid going to throw the ball to otherwise?
Robby Anderson is now in the final year of a two-year deal he signed with the Panthers last season. The receiver is rumored to want a contract averaging out to about $10 million per year plus add ons.
The Carolina Panthers have more than $23 million in available cap room. At 27 years of age and with a productive first NFL season in the bag, why wouldn't the Panthers try to tie the Former Jet down for a few more years as soon as they can?
For my money, there's a decent chance of some movement on a deal here soon.
#2 Quenton Nelson, Offensive guard (Indianapolis Colts)
Quenton Nelson just might be the NFL's best offensive guard. Taken off the board with the Colts' no. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the former Notre Dame star has barely missed a beat, allowing just three sacks in his career to date, according to PFF.
Nelson has also been named in the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years in the league, the first Colt in history to achieve the feat.
Nelson is out of contract at the end of the season. But the Colts will probably exercise his fifth-year option, which would see Nelson earn north of $13 million in 2022 if it gets to that point.
The Colts have some $30 million of available cap room heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. It would make sense for them to try and keep the savior of the team's offensive line in Indianapolis for the long run, so that's why it makes the list of deals likely to be done before the draft.
The money is there, so why risk losing a diamond member of the offensive line?
#3 Darius Leonard, Linebacker (Indianapolis Colts)
Darius Leonard is one of the best players on the Indianapolis Colts' roster. He is one of the top defensive players in the entire NFL since he was drafted the 36th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Leonard was snubbed of Pro Bowl honors as a rookie, despite leading the NFL in tackles made. Since then, the athletic linebacker has been selected to the Pro Bowl two years in succession and is the only player ever to register at least seven interceptions and 12 sacks in his first two years in the NFL.
As with Quenton Nelson, the Colts' OL listed above, Indianapolis simply can't afford to allow a player of Leonard's caliber to escape their roster if they hope to get their mitts on another Super Bowl in the near future.
Leonard needs a new deal, and, as with Nelson, it looks like one could be on the horizon, especially if the tweet from Zak Keefer quoting Colts owner Jim Irsay is anything to go by:
I'm with Keefer on this one: Leonard simply has to be one of the 'main pieces.'
With more than $30 million in available cap space, it seems a good bet that Darius Leonard will sign a big extension in Indianapolis soon enough, likely ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.
#4 Lamar Jackson, Quarterback (Baltimore Ravens)
Franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson signed a 4-year, $9.5 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. The Ravens had moved up the NFL Draft board to land their man with the 32nd overall pick in that year's Draft.
After taking over from Joe Flacco during his first year in the NFL (2018), Jackson became the first player to post +1,000-plus yards rushing and throw for +30 touchdowns in a single campaign in 2019. He also holds the NFL rushing record (1,206 yards) for quarterbacks in a season.
With the 2019 league MVP award to boast among his personal accolades, it's surprising to read that Lamar Jackson is actually ranked 42nd on the list of highest-earning QB contracts in the NFL, in terms of the average value of contract per year.
Under his current deal, Jackson's average earnings come below that of former Ravens' QB Joe Flacco, the man Lamar ousted from the starting spot in Baltimore.
Earlier this year, the Boston Globe's Ben Volin reported that Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens were miles apart in contract negotiations.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta seemed more optimistic in a recent interview, though, stating:
"We're confident and committed to get a long-term deal done, and hopefully we can get that done at some point in the near future. It may take a little time, but we're willing to try."
Baltimore still have some $16 million in available cap space, and the mere idea of having to tender Lamar Jackson to his fifth-year option in 2022 is enough to cause waves of discontent throughout the passionate Baltimore fanbase.
The Ravens should get a new deal sorted for their franchise QB sooner rather than later; it's a total no-brainer: For his exploits in the NFL, Lamar Jackson deserves more money, and there might be revolts in Maryland if the man they call 'Action' were to end up a free agent come 2023!
I just don't see why the Baltimore boardroom would even risk upsetting the single most talented QB they've ever had in the history of the franchise.
#5 Brandon Scherff, Offensive guard (Washington football team)
Brandon Scherff may have had his fair share of injuries in recent years, but the University of Iowa product is still one of the best guards in the NFL when fit. The fact that Scherff has been to four Pro Bowls should tell you all you need to know about the 29-year-old's abilities at the line.
2021 will be the second year in succession that Scherff has been franchise tagged, but Washington still have until July 15 to extend his contract.
With $19 million of cap room to exploit, it would be a surprise if Washington didn't at least try to tie Scherff down to a big deal before the 2021 NFL Draft.
The OG won't come cheap, though. Most analysts expect Brandon Scherff's new contract to rival that paid by the Kansas City Chiefs to the former New England Patriots' guard Joe Thuney earlier in the NFL off-season.
