NFL Rumors: Tom Brady holds an Ace in Vegas, Stetson's draft projection, and ex-Steelers defensive star comes home
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Another batch of NFL rumors surround Tom Brady's very real interest in Las Vegas, Stetson Bennett's draft projection, and a former Steelers defender finally coming home.
No rumors about Aaron Rodgers today! Hooray! Unfortunately, there are plenty about another of the NFL's most popular speculation-mongering men, and he doesn't even play football anymore: the incomparable Tom Brady.
You've heard about his thirst traps. You've heard him discuss his future at length and even announce the very public adoption of a kitten. You've also probably heard the rumors that continue to connect him to the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders. Out of all those teams, it seems like Brady's interest in one of them was serious, and he could even be headed there in the far, far future.
As Brady continues to enjoy the retired life, a young prospect could be getting his start in the league soon and gets a 2023 NFL Draft projection from the Brady of mocks, Mel Kiper. And finally, could this Steelers free agent be on his way home this offseason?
Here are the three biggest NFL rumors from today.
NFL Rumors: Stetson Bennett projected to go "4th to 6th round" in NFL Draft
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett has one of the most uncertain futures of any quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, and top draft authority Mel Kiper is here to give his thoughts on the matter.
In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kiper said he believes Bennett ranks anywhere between "the sixth and eighth quarterbacks." Per most pundits, Tennessee's Hendon Hooker ranks as the fifth-highest rated quarterback after the big four (Young, Stroud, Richardson, Levis), yet one could make an argument for Bennett being fifth, too.
After the first tier of quarterback prospects, Hooker and Bennett belong in a group alongside Stanford's Tanner McKee and BYU's Jalen Hall as not-immediate-starters and Day 3 picks.
Bennett's stock dropped earlier this month when he was arrested for public intoxication, but the Bulldog got in a solid showing at the NFL Combine and reassured prospective teams about his moral character.
Kiper's projection of Bennett as a fourth to sixth-round pick lines up with recent history: in last year's draft, the top prospect was Kenny Pickett, who got taken off the board in the first round.
The next three, Desmond Ridder, Malik Ridder, and Matt Corral, were selected in the third round. By the time the fifth and sixth quarterbacks were taken, it was late in the fourth round and in the fifth round.
Which team will make a surprising move for Bennett in 2023? It can't be any more shocking than Bill Belichick picking Bailey Zappe last draft.
Bennett ran an efficient offense for Georgia last season, has the physical measurables to succeed (big hand size, above average 40-yard time), and could develop into a NFL starter in a few years' time. As it stands, he's firmly Day 3 material.
NFL Rumors: Tom Brady's interest in Las Vegas Raiders proves to be real
Tom Brady could have picked any WNBA team to buy a stake in, but he chose the Las Vegas Aces. Now, why is that? Insert Brian Windhorst meme here.
The G.O.A.T. acquired an ownership stake in the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, which is a big deal for the future of women's basketball. It's also kind of a big deal for whoever plays under center for the Raiders this season.
Brady and Aces team owner Mark Davis announced the decision on Thursday, and Brady told the public, "I am very excited to be part of the Las Vegas Aces organization." Delete the word "Aces" and you have your starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders for 2023.
Brady's partial stake in the Aces means he has Mark Davis whispering sweet nothings into his ear for the foreseeable future, and some of those words might include "desperate," "injured Jimmy," and "Super Bowl contender."
The Raiders secured a stopgap veteran in Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this offseason, but Brady ranks as a much more reliable option under center, not to mention the absolutely epic AFC West duels that would come into fruition from Brady joining Las Vegas.
Brady vs. Mahomes and Herbert twice a year? Yes, please. Brady vs. Russ? Eh, we'll take it too.
Nearly two months after Brady announced his retirement, some people have bought his spiel and family man act, others have not. We'll let you decide.
NFL Rumors: Free agent defensive star Bud Dupree could reunite with Steelers
After spending two years with the Tennessee Titans, current free agent linebacker Bud Dupree could be headed home to Pittsburgh.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought Dupree in for a visit, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, and the two sides may be amenable to a reasonable agreement.
Dupree left the Steelers after the 2020 season and got his bag in Tennessee; prior to his departure, Dupree played under the franchise tag for Pittsburgh but saw his last season with the black-and-yellow get cut short due to injury.
One ACL tear, a nagging hip injury, and a few other health issues later, the 29-year-old pass rusher finds himself as a free agent this offseason, recently released by the Titans to save money against the cap.
Dupree's mega-million contract days are likely behind him, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't serve as a valuable depth signing for the team that helped him skyrocket to fame.
The Steelers currently have T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith as their starting linebackers for 2023, and Dupree — who knows the playbook like the back of his hand, presumably — could slide in as an effective rotational piece with Jamir Jones, Quincy Roche, and other second- and third-stringers.
Not every player gets a sweet homecoming story, and Dupree's inability to stay healthy makes him a high-risk liability for any team. However, with 39.5 sacks in six seasons for Pittsburgh, Dupree isn't just any off-the-street free agent.
He was a Steelers icon in the making all those years ago, and now the prodigal son is ready to return home.
