Christian McCaffrey resets the running back market, plus one burning question for every AFC South team

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Pick Six newsletter!

It’s your good friend Tyler Sullivan who’s here to help guide you through an extremely busy week considering it’s only the first week of June. No matter where you go, some of the NFL the biggest stars are getting paid, and the latest bag given out came in the Bay Area. In addition to watching the rich get richer, we’ll look at some of the latest updates happening with various teams as they continue into OTAs or begin minicamps.

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Another day, another massive contract extension.

This time, it’s Christian McCaffrey, who has put pen to paper on an extension that is rebooting the running back market. According to CBS Sports Leads NFL Insider Jonathan Jones, McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers agreed to a two-year extension worth $38 million. Of course, the All-Pro is no stranger to resetting markets, as he previously held the honor of being the NFL’s highest-paid running back after signing a four-year, $64 million contract in 2020. when he was still with the Carolina Panthers. , which the Niners acquired when they traded for him. Under this renewed deal, McCaffrey will see an average annual value of $19 million per year.

“Two years ago, we were ecstatic to welcome Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers,” president of football operations and general manager John Lynch said in a statement released by the team along with the extension announcement. “Since his arrival, he has been everything we thought he would be and more. His versatile skill set has fit perfectly into our offense. His professionalism and work ethic are as exemplary as I have seen since joining the NFL. We look forward to to work with Christian for many years.”

McCaffrey is now under team control through the 2027 season.

2. All-Pros CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk not present at mandatory minicamp

While some players are being paid, others are still waiting for their deals to reach the negotiating table, which has resulted in some resistance. When the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers opened mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, they were missing a couple of All-Pro wide receivers.

The day the 49ers signed McCaffrey, wideout Brandon Aiyuk was not present at the Niners minicamp as he seeks a new contract, according to NFL Media. Aiyuk, a second-team All-Pro in 2023, had his fifth-year option picked up last spring and is set to earn $14.1 million in 2024 before possibly hitting the open market next offseason. San Francisco has publicly stated its desire to keep Aiyuk in the fold, but the two sides are not close to an extension.

Meanwhile, when Dallas opened minicamp, CeeDee Lamb was missing in action as he looks for a new deal. Coach Mike McCarthy noted that Lamb is “engaged” but noted that he is going through a “business decision.”

Similar to Aiyuk, Lamb is currently set to play the 2024 season under his fifth-year option, which will pay him around $18 million. Given his production and the increase in wide receiver money he has accumulated this offseason, a Lamb extension could see him nearly double that total on average.

Both Lamb and Aiyuk are subject to up to $101,716 in fines for missing minicamp.

3. A burning question for every AFC South team

With offseason workouts ramping up with minicamp before summer break, we’re digging into each team and identifying a burning question hanging over the franchise heading into the start of the season. Next up is the AFC South, and our own Jordan Dajani has been tasked with asking each club an important question.

• Texans: Can DeMeco Ryans and Co. build on last year’s surprising success? “This offseason, the Texans became the first team in NFL history to add a player coming off a season with more than 100 receptions (Stefon Diggs), over 1,000 rushing yards (Joe Mixon) and more than 10 bags (Danielle Caçador It is Denico Autry) in the same off-season. With all these additions, the Texans will really be Super Bowl contenders? Or could they take a step back after the unexpected debuts of Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik? The Texans clearly appear to be on the right path, but you have to go out there and prove it with the eyes of the NFL world now upon you.”
• Colts: Can Anthony Richardson stay healthy? “This one is simple. Can the former 4th overall pick of the Colts stay on the field and develop into a NFL star? Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5 and managed to finish just ONE NFL game healthy during his junior year. Still, Richardson became just one of four players in NFL history to record three or more passing touchdowns and three or more rushing touchdowns in his first four career games. Will Richardson be a dynamic Cam Newton-type clone? Or someone who always struggles to stay on the field?”
• Jaguars: Did they do enough this offseason to improve? “I’m more worried about the Jags’ offseason in general than I am about Lawrence as the franchise quarterback. Jacksonville replaced Calvin Ridley with Gabe Davisbut also elaborate Brian Thomas Jr.. in the first round. Maybe he ends up being a stud — but losing your best receiver is remarkable.

  Defensively, I look at the secondary. There was certainly some turnover, but the big headlines were probably the Jaguars’ replacement Darious Williams with Ronald Darby at cornerback, and Rayshawn Jenkins for Darnell Savage at safety – although Savage can play some nickel corner. Has the seventh-worst pass defense in the NFL from last year improved?”

• Titans: Will Levis be able to prove he is a franchise QB? “The table is set for Levis. Tennessee went out and acquired an offensive-minded coach who has worked with several big-name quarterbacks throughout his career, a new left tackle, a new center and some new special weapons in Ridley, Tyler Boyd It is Tony Pollard work alongside DeAndre Hopkins. Levis’ first nine NFL starts didn’t put him in the Offensive Rookie of the Year discussion by any means, but he showed plenty of flashes that got fans excited — from his four-touchdown debut against the Atlanta Falconsfor the unlikely comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins in prime time. Levis has a legitimate NFL arm and now what appears to be a legitimate supporting cast. How far can Tennessee go in 2024 if Levis takes the next step in his development?”

To read Jordan’s full article, Click here.

4. Lower-round AFC debutants who could shine in 2024

On Tuesday, we highlighted CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso’s list of NFC rookies who were drafted after Opening Day and who could have key roles in 2024. Now it’s the AFC’s turn.

Similar to the NFC, where we saw players like Puka Nacua and Sam LaPorta emerge as key pieces for their teams in Year 1 despite not having first-round status, the AFC also had some young guys stand out, including Dolphins running back, De’Von Acane.

Here are some newcomers Trapasso has his eye on.

• Jets WR Malachi Corley (third round, 65th overall pick). At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, Corley is nearly identical in size to Breece Hall’s young firecracker, who was 5-foot-10 and 217 pounds at the combine. Although the aerial part of the offense goes through Wilson, Corley has unique skills to contribute immediately. He doesn’t need to master a multitude of routes to get open. Most of his targets will be open scheme types.
• Steelers LB Payton Wilson (third round, 98th overall pick). I can’t praise Wilson enough in Pittsburgh. I ranked Wilson No. 1 on my roster a few weeks ago, so it would be silly not to highlight him again. In fact, center of the second round Zach Frazier would have been a sensible selection here too. Both will play in Year 1, no doubt. Wilson might be better. This is an extremely talented athlete who was extremely productive as a blitzer, against the run and in coverage at NC State. He had 13 pass breakups and seven interceptions in his five-year stint with the Wolfpack. And the Steelers were desperate for stable — and explosive — linebacker play a season ago.
• Colts WR Adonai Mitchell (second round, 52nd overall pick). Despite a 40-yard dash, vertical leap and wide jump above the 88th percentile at his position, Mitchell was the surprise fall of the stacked receiver class. No one expected him to be drafted in the 1950s. He was hardly a YAC weapon at Texas, but some thought that was due to the mostly perimeter and chain-moving responsibilities he had with the Longhorns after his time at Georgia. Regardless of whether or not you liked Mitchell in the film or his analytical profile, there’s no doubt he’s a specimen of size and speed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds with sub-100 speed.

If you want to see the full list of all NFC rookies who made Trapasso’s roster, Click here.

5. Reporting from Dallas, Philadelphia and New England

Teams are wrapping up OTAs or starting minicamp this week, and we’re already on the field across the country. I was in Foxborough, Massachusetts, covering the Patriots’ last OTA session before they begin minicamp on Monday. Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell was in Frisco, Texas, checking in on the Cowboys and Jeff Kerr was on hand in Philadelphia as the two NFC East clubs opened minicamp.

6. Bonus points: Tua is impatient with contract negotiations

The NFL never slows down, so we’ll make sure you get even the smallest football-related news.