NFL players who could be on the trade block, plus All-AFC North and legendary Chiefs QB Len Dawson die

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday. The Bengals are getting some love today (more below), so John Breech is taking the day off to celebrate. But fear not, because I, Cody Benjamin, will bring you all the latest NFL news.

This is the Pick Six newsletter. Now let’s go. (And please do yourself a favor and make sure you’re signed up to receive this newsletter every day! You don’t want to miss our daily offers of everything you need to know about the NFL.)

We have bets for the 2022 season, trade candidates and much more:

1. Today’s show: the best futures bets for the 2022 season

SportsLine fantasy and betting expert RJ White joined Will Brinson on Wednesday’s “Pick Six NFL Podcast” for a look at 2022 futures, as well as an analysis of the evolution of the home-field advantage in recent years. Some highlights:

• For a very long time, RJ explained, bettors considered home field advantage worth three points. Going into 2022, he forecasts an average home advantage of around two points, with consistently improved road game performance since 2019.
• The Packers are RJ’s best team in terms of home-court advantage: “The offense is better at home, but the defense is way better at home; they were 10 points better at home last year than the year before.”
• One of RJ’s most notable futures for 2022: The Titans will miss the playoffs. Despite winning the AFC South a year ago, Tennessee has done a lot in 2021, he argued, and is transitioning in some key places.

Watch the entire episode (and subscribe to all kinds of daily NFL discussions) here.

2. Commercial candidates: big names that could still be moved

Before long, the 32 teams will have to reduce their rosters to 53 players before the regular season. Here is an overview of some big names who could be commercial targets before cutting day:

• Browns RB Kareem Hunt: The former Chiefs standout, a top Nick Chubb complement, has reportedly asked for a trade while seeking a raise. His all-around ability, including as a wide receiver, remains Pro Bowl caliber.
• Ronald Jones RB Chiefs: Two years into a nearly 1,000-yard season for the Super Bowl-champion Buccaneers, the former first-rounder is a forgotten man on the Kansas City committee.
• Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne: He’s got a big fan in Mac Jones, and he’s coming off an underrated 800-yard season. But Bill Belichick has kept him out of recent action due to disciplinary issues, and New England’s reception hall is suddenly full.
• Giants WR Darius Slayton: Despite two straight 700-yard seasons to start his career as a big player, he’s dropped down the depth chart behind younger options like Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson.

3. All-AFC North Team: Burrow def. Jackson

Jared Dubin crowns each division’s top talent ahead of the regular season, and his All-AFC North team packed with offensive star power. Among the names of the honorary training: Nick Chubb, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Diontae Johnson. In the first row, quarterback, he opted for the gunslinger of the Bengals rather than the playmaker of the Ravens:

It was a two-way battle between Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. … While Jackson’s ceiling is as high or higher than any NFL quarterback (as evidenced by his winning MVP and league dominance in 2019), Burrow is likely better positioned to succeed in 2022. due to the plethora of pass-catching options the Bengals provided him, along with an improved offensive line in front of him. It’s like splitting hairs when choosing between two of the best in the game, but it’s what you have to do when you can only choose one for a roster like this.

4. Injury record: Gus Edwards, JC Jackson sidelined

Here’s a look at some of the biggest developments on the medical front:

5. Adams and Watkins praise Aaron Rodgers as the best QB in the NFL

There’s been a lot of love from current and former Packers receivers this week when it comes to A-Rod, who may be entering his final season in the NFL. First, Sammy Watkins’ comments from earlier in the summer caught fire, with the former Chiefs starter saying Rodgers is “on a whole new levelThen, Raiders new wide Davante Adams echoed the cheers while appearing on the “Pivot” podcast, calling out Rodgers “the best of the gameand suggesting the QB “had the Michael Jordan effect” in Green Bay, fueling everyone on the roster just with his presence.

6. Quick roundup: 49ers drama, death of Len Dawson, more

Here are some other great NFL titles: