Buccaneers

During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, former Buccaneers LB Lavonte David said that even with WR Mike Evans moving on to the 49ers, the team’s wide receiver group is still in good hands with Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin.

“You’ve got a receiving room that can fill the void of losing Mike Evans. You won’t say everyone can replace Mike, but it’s a collective group that can do a lot of great things.” David said.

Falcons

• Falcons RB Bijan Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract before his fifth-year option starts in 2027. Joel Corry of CBS Sports notes that Robinson or Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs should reset the running back market with their next contract.
• Corry could see Gibbs being more likely to get a deal before the start of the regular season, given Detroit has been more proactive about signing first-round picks to new contracts while the Falcons typically allow players under their rookie contracts play out the fourth year of their deals.
• Corry thinks both Gibbs and Robinson will look to become the league’s first running backs to eclipse the $25 million per year mark, while both should get “significantly more” than Eagles RB Saquon Barkley‘s $36 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Panthers

Not a lot of teams could lose both starting tackles and still feel solid about their outlook on offense. Yet that’s where Carolina finds itself despite losing LT Ikem Ekwonu to a torn patellar tendon in January and RT Taylor Moton to blood clots on the eve of camp. Panthers GM Dan Morgan said he feels confident with the team’s anchors on the offensive line with LT Rasheed Walker on the blind side and first-round RT Monroe Freeling on the other side.

• As for Ekwonu’s recovery from a knee injury, Morgan said he’s “in a good place” with his recovery and is optimistic he’ll play at some point this season. However, he did not disclose a timeline for his return, per Joseph Person.
• Morgan mentioned second-round DT Lee Hunter has gotten a lot of good feedback from their starting offensive linemen: “A lot of good feedback [from teammates]. Just talking to starting linemen who went against him, I got a lot of good feedback on how strong he is, how physical he is, and he’s quick off the ball. He’s quicker and more mobile than you think.” (Kaye)
• As for QB Will Grier recently deciding to retire, Morgan said they don’t have any plans on bringing in a fourth quarterback. (Person)

The post NFC Notes: Bijan Robinson, Emeka Egbuka, Monroe Freeling, Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co.