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Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond explains why Minnesota is about to find out everything it needs to know about its quarterback.

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Why Wentz might regret new contract

Carson Wentz's new contract in Philadelphia looks fair for both team and player today, but there's a good chance the Eagles will end up as the big winners of the deal.

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Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst has improved his team in 2019, but former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond wonders if the Packers are improving in the right areas.

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Yes, there is still time for the two QBs picked at the top of the 2015 draft to earn big contracts with the Buccaneers and Titans. But the moment of truth has arrived, and Winston has a bit of an advantage over Mariota in 2019.

Jeff Diamond

The rudderless ship that is the New York Jets

The Jets are suffering from a simple issue, but one that is difficult to overcome: bad ownership and management. Their rivals in New England have to be snickering during this current episode of dysfunction in New York.

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Odell Beckham Jr. showed up for Cleveland OTAs ... and then immediately left again. The Browns are in for a challenge with a wide receiver who feels entitled to join the team whenever he wants.

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For a player like Le'Veon Bell, who sat out all of last season and arrived in New York this year amid concerns about his commitment, skipping several weeks of the Jets' offseason program is a disturbing repeat of recent history.

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The Giants GM's defiance in explaining his 2019 NFL Draft strategy only hurts Daniel Jones.

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Options abound for Cardinals at No. 1 — including trade

The Cardinals have several options with the top overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. Will they take Kyler Murray? Trade it away? Or something else entirely?

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Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond can think of several great comeback stories he has witnessed, but none that compare to what Tiger Woods accomplished at the 2019 Masters.

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Antonio Brown has become a shaky teammate who cannot be trusted to act professional, and former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond does not see a way Oakland can right what is wrong about its new star receiver.

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The Browns can smell the playoffs, but so many variables could still work against them and their lofty hopes for 2019. Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond learned that the hard way during his management career.

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Before Ben Roethlisberger gets his new contract, the Steelers brass needs to make a few things crystal clear to their QB.

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The Odell Beckham saga was bad, but Dave Gettleman has done some good things managing the Giants, too. Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond explains what he would have done differently if he were in charge in New York.

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Baltimore saved Earl Thomas from disappointment in NFL free agency when it gave the safety such a lucrative contract. Other players at his age and with his injury history are not as lucky.

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If and when Nick Foles signs with the Jaguars as a free agent, the QB will be entering Kirk Cousins' world. As former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains, that comes with unique challenges.

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Russell Wilson to the Giants? Such speculation is nothing more than the next ridiculous notion on the NFL trade rumor mill. The real question is how much the QB will earn on his next deal with the Seahawks.

Jeff Diamond

Franchise tag for Clowney benefits everyone

Jadeveon Clowney might not want to play under the franchise tag in 2019, but doing so actually could be beneficial for the Texans pass-rusher. Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond explains why.

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Kyler Murray claims he is committed to football over baseball, but NFL teams will not be convinced until they interview him over the next couple months. Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond explains how the QB should approach those questions.

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A poor performance in Super Bowl 53 does not and will not define Jared Goff. Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond explains why the Rams will show their QB the same patience the Broncos once had with John Elway.

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Yes, New England almost certainly will draft a quarterback with an early-round pick in 2019. As great as Tom Brady is playing at age 41, this is how the Patriots roll.

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Had he not returned to form in 2018, J.J. Watt would have been a prime candidate for a trade or release from Houston. That's part of the reason former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond considers Watt the comeback player of the year in the NFL.

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The Patriots and Saints have most of the advantages when it comes to Sunday's AFC and NFC championship games. Here's why:

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Pittsburgh has almost no choice but to trade Antonio Brown. Former NFL team exec Jeff Diamond explains how and when the Steelers should act, and why this particular break-up is so disappointing.

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The deeper Nick Foles pushes Philadelphia into the playoffs, the more money he has a chance to make in the offseason. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why the Eagles-Saints result will tell us a lot about the QB's future.

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For an NFL team that's looking for a new head coach and has what it hopes is a franchise quarterback, Chicago provided the blueprint for success last year when it hired Matt Nagy and surrounded Mitchell Trubisky with the perfect pieces for the coach's offense.

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The Seahawks are back in the playoffs one year after a miss ushered in sweeping roster changes. What's special is how Seattle's personnel people and coaches went through the auditions, identified talented replacements and developed a new winning cast of stars.

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Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard had a specific plan to build his team around quarterback Andrew Luck. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains how that mission was accomplished so quickly.

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The Raiders have tanked with Jon Gruden in a way founder Al Davis never would have allowed. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why fired GM Reggie McKenzie could be better off away from what's now such a poorly run franchise.

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Green Bay claims firing Mike McCarthy now and not after the season is advantageous for both the team and the coach. Former NFL executive Jeff Diamond explains why that's nonsense.

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Dak Prescott is in line for a new contract, so for the rest of this season, the Dallas QB will be trying to prove his worth. If he plays well, he will get paid. If he does not, big changes could be coming for the Cowboys.

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The veteran running back is having one of his best seasons in recent memory. Now, he'll become more integral to the Redskins offense in the wake of Alex Smith's gruesome injury.

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It's hard to believe Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the NFL's all-time leading passer, has never won the league MVP award. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why now is the time for Brees to take it.

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Le'Veon Bell's holdout from the Steelers has not gone as planned for the running back. And regardless of when or if he reports to the team, the damage to his future has been done.

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Le'Veon Bell's holdout from the Steelers has not gone as planned for the running back. And regardless of when or if he reports to the team, the damage to his future has been done.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond is not surprised to see so many members of the Steelers organization supporting the city of Pittsburgh in a time of grief this week. It is another example of how this is a model franchise on and off the field.

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Wide receiver Adam Thielen reminds former Minnesota GM Jeff Diamond of another undrafted Viking who thrived in the NFL — defensive lineman John Randle. That player, of course, ended up in the Hall of Fame.

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J.J. Watt's future in Houston was questionable just a couple months ago. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains how Watt has flipped the script so quickly with his play in 2018.

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Giants management might have early buyer's remorse after making Odell Beckham Jr. the league's highest-paid WR, former NFL exec Jeff Diamond writes. It took all of five weeks this season for OBJ to revert to selfishness.

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Maybe it will take a Super Bowl title with Patrick Mahomes this season for many to see what former NFL GM Jeff Diamond already sees: Andy Reid is more than a good developer of QB talent. He is an all-time great NFL coach.

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Chicago's defense appears to be leading a franchise revival. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains how much of the Bears' early success this season can be traced back to recent bold moves made by general manager Ryan Pace.

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Le'Veon Bell and his agent don't seem to understand the Steelers running back's market value is dropping by the minute as his self-induced holdout continues. Former NFL GM Jeff Diamond explains why.

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Kirk Cousins and Sheldon Richardson are under pressure to deliver as big-time signings in Minnesota, and so far, former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond likes what he sees. Now, can they keep it up in Green Bay?

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Nick Foles will start for Philadelphia until Carson Wentz is cleared to return. But what happens after that? If Foles is playing well and the team is winning, the Eagles will have a tough decision to make. Former NFL GM Jeff Diamond knows from experience.

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The breakdown of Aaron Rodgers' new contract with the Packers, including annual salary and guarantees, is relatively easy for former NFL exec Jeff Diamond to predict. So what is taking so long in Green Bay?

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How Sam Darnold plays for the Jets against the Giants this week should not matter. The rookie QB gives New York the best chance to both win now and build a foundation for the future — that's all that matters to former NFL GM Jeff Diamond.

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The idea of J.J. Watt being released or traded from the Texans is sacrilege in Houston. But it's a fact of life any player receiving superstar pay must manage. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why Watt falls into that category.

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How much money should Odell Beckham Jr. get in an extension with the Giants, and how should a new contract be structured? Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond lays out exactly how he would pay the star wide receiver if he were in charge in New York.

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As Randy Moss is enshrined in Canton, Jeff Diamond, the former Vikings general manager who drafted the WR, tells the story of the 1998 NFL Draft and Moss' rookie season in Minnesota.

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Jeff Diamond spent 23 summers with the Vikings at training camp in Mankato. As the team moves to a new location for camp, its former GM recalls the details that made the old setting so special.

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Pittsburgh loves having Le'Veon Bell, but like any GM, Kevin Colbert hates paying big bucks for a running back. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains the dynamic at play when the two sides fail to reach a long-term deal.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond would be nervous about drafting or signing a hard-hitting safety like Kam Chancellor these days. The Seahawks are learning why as Chancellor prematurely retires.

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The NBA can avoid more LeBron James-like moves by protecting its smaller-market teams the way the NFL does. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains how the NBA can restore its competitive balance.

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Jameis Winston will be suspended as a result of an incident with an Uber driver. The timing is terrible for both the QB and Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht, who now needs to question his own team-building in a pivotal year.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond has some advice for Josh Gordon, who claims Cleveland has the best group of wide receivers in the league: Let your play do the talking.

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A new contract for Aaron Rodgers should be Green Bay's top priority before training camp arrives in late July. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why the urgency is so important.

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Indianapolis can claim it's not worried about Andrew Luck's recovery from his shoulder injury, but former NFL exec Jeff Diamond is sure there is concern being kept under wraps.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why ex-Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant is having trouble landing a new deal in NFL free agency.

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For most players, skipping OTAs in May is not a big deal. But Tom Brady is not most players. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why the Patriots quarterback's absence is a problem.

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The Earl Thomas trade rumors will only get louder as the Seahawks drag their feet on a possible contract extension. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond breaks down the situation in Seattle.

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Joe Flacco should be looking over his shoulder at Lamar Jackson now, not next season or a couple years down the road. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why Josh Rosen is hurting himself by acting pompous. The Arizona rookie QB simply needs to let his play do the talking.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond is impressed with Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh's under-the-radar general manager who quietly puts together great draft classes. Keep that in mind when the Steelers make their selections this weekend.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond provides an authentic look into draft rooms. The reality is not as calm and relaxed as you might see on TV.

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The Giants don't need to take a QB with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. That means they'll have their choice of one of the best non-QB prospects. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why that's a great thing for New York.

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If the Broncos draft a QB, they will do so with the intention of eventually starting him over Case Keenum. At least the veteran has a solid contract in place; that wasn't the case the last time he was pushed away by a rookie.

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Nobody in Houston wants to hear it, but J.J. Watt is entering a pivotal season. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why the Texans could be forced to make a tough decision if Watt does not return to All-Pro form.

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Due to his efforts in building Philadelphia into a Super Bowl team, Howie Roseman's peers have voted him Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year for 2017.

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Odell Beckham Jr.'s asking price; the trouble he has caused; the new management in New York — former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why it all means now is the perfect time for the Giants to trade the wide receiver.

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Kirk Cousins signing a contract worth almost $30 million per year is mind-boggling to former NFL exec Jeff Diamond. When free agency began 25 years ago, that amount of money was roughly the salary cap for an entire team.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why the three Vikings quarterbacks who are about to hit free agency represent massive risks for QB-needy teams.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond reveals what GMs and agents are really doing at the Combine. Hint: It has nothing to do with a 40-yard dash or a bench press, and it's not necessarily legal.

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To many in the NFL, even those involved in the draft evaluation process, the Combine is a joke.

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John Elway is supposed to have all the answers at QB — it's part of the reason he was hired as Broncos general manager. This offseason could be his last chance to prove he can get the position right in Denver.

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49ers GM John Lynch is learning a lesson: The good times for an NFL exec, like the Jimmy Garoppolo signing, come with the bad times, like Reuben Foster's legal issues.

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Philadelphia just showed the rest of the NFL how it's done, former league exec Jeff Diamond writes. Other teams can learn a lot from how the Eagles managed a Super Bowl run against all odds.

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As if Minnesotans needed another reason to root against the Eagles, they have adopted Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as their favored son for the Super Bowl. And they should be pleased with the result of the game.

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As a native Minnesotan and long-time Vikings employee, Jeff Diamond knows how the locals feel about Philadelphia fans coming to Minneapolis for Super Bowl 52 a week after the Eagles beat their team.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why championship weekend features the most pressure-filled games in football ... and why New England and Minnesota have edges over their opponents this year.

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Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond has witnessed plenty of miraculous NFL playoff finishes, but Stefon Diggs' touchdown to beat the Saints, the biggest play in Minnesota history, is among the best.

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If you think a reported Tom Brady-Bill Belichick-Robert Kraft clash will distract the Patriots in the playoffs, think again. The Titans (and probably Steelers) will face the opposite — an ultra-focused New England team.

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Hate it or love it, the Patriots will repeat as champions.

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Before Manziel's downfall, there were plenty of Russell Wilson comparisons when GMs and scouts talked about him.

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The 49ers will watch this year's NFL playoffs from home. But thanks to the promise of Jimmy Garoppolo, they can watch with a smile as they think about their postseason potential for 2018.

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The sale of the Panthers will not be a distraction for players and coaches. However, everybody else in Carolina is feeling anxious and uneasy. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond knows from experience.

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Green Bay is risking a more significant Aaron Rodgers injury when it thrusts the QB back into the lineup. But with the Packers still in the playoff picture, starting Rodgers ASAP is the only decision they can make.

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Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond knows John Mara well, and he knows the Giants co-owner did not want to have to fire his coach and GM. But Mara's swift decision gives New York an advantage, Diamond writes.

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Mike Tomlin did what former NFL GM Jeff Diamond has never seen a coach talking about a big game three weeks down the road. As for that big game against New England, maybe the Pittsburgh coach knows what he's doing.

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John Elway is playing a dangerous game when he calls the Broncos "soft." The GM should know Denver's problems come from his mistakes, and they are his to solve.

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Philadelphia this season is being rewarded for its faith in general manager Howie Roseman, who over the last few years has epitomized the up-and-down life of an NFL GM.

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At this point, former NFL GM Jeff Diamond explains, the uncertainty of Ezekiel Elliott's suspension is no problem for Dallas. Will-he-or-won't-he-play is now just another part of the Cowboys' weekly routine.

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New Orleans, the surprise leader of the tough NFC South halfway through the season, is partying with Drew Brees and Sean Payton like it's 2009. And with good reason.

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Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond breaks down Minnesota's current quarterback situation, which is being complicated by Teddy Bridgewater's potential return.

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The Packers making the playoffs without Aaron Rodgers is improbable, but former NFL GM Jeff Diamond knows from experience it can be done.

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Failing to get Deshaun Watson is becoming one of the most painful NFL Draft mistakes Cleveland has made of late. And the regret might only intensify Sunday when the Browns play the Texans.

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What a difference a year makes. That's the mantra for the Los Angeles Rams, especially general manager Les Snead and quarterback Jared Goff, through the first four games of the 2017 season.

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Former NFL general manager Jeff Diamond knows how it feels to watch a high-priced player perform up to his contract. Matthew Stafford is doing just that for the Lions and GM Bob Quinn.

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Too many factors are working against Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis for the Cincinnati coach to be so set on his quarterback. AJ McCarron had better keep his arm loose.

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Thanks to the Julian Edelman injury, former NFL GM Jeff Diamond writes, the gap between New England and the rest of the AFC contenders has closed.

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Adrian Peterson saying he wants to stick it to the Vikings during his return to Minnesota is a very troubling comment, former NFL GM Jeff Diamond writes.

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Buffalo GM Brandon Beane gets annoyed when people say the Bills are in rebuilding mode. But the team is in rebuilding mode, and his job depends on the results of his eye-opening roster moves.

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The Broncos are in trouble at quarterback thanks to the slow development of Paxton Lynch. That puts a ton of pressure on GM John Elway.

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NFL rookies should be seen, not heard. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette apparently has not figured that out.

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The Steelers might secretly be OK with their star running back holding out of training camp. They know Le'Veon Bell will be there when it counts.

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Former NFL GM Jeff Diamond explains why Odell Beckham Jr. is actually damaging his potential football earnings when he says he should be the league's highest-paid player.

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With Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, the Titans and Bucs are on similar, promising paths to Super Bowl contention. Who will get there first?

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Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys set a high bar in 2016. Things will not be as easy in 2017 as Super Bowl expectations enter the equation.

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The Raiders are under enormous pressure to contend for a championship in 2017. Former NFL GM Jeff Diamond explains why such expectations are so tough to overcome.

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NFL contracts are not and likely never will be worth as much as those in the NBA. Former NFL exec Jeff Diamond explains why football players need to get over it.

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Former NFL GM Jeff Diamond explains why he has nothing but respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family.

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