HEADLINES

Month: March 2015

Contract Details: McCourty, Jones, Moats, Ginn

March 9th, 2015 at 4:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few noteworthy contract details on deals recently agreed upon:

  • Devin McCourty, S (Patriots): Five years, $47.5MM base value. $15MM signing bonus. $28.5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
  • Jacoby Jones, WR (Chargers): Two years, $5.5MM base value. $1.6K signing bonus (Twitter link via Pro Football Talk).
  • Arthur Moats, OLB (Steelers): Three years, $7.5MM base value. $1.9MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Ted Ginn Jr., WR (Panthers): Two years, $4.2MM base value. $1.7MM signing bonus. Up to $1.5MM in incentives (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
  • Derek Carrier, TE (49ers): Three years, $2.985MM base value. $400K signing bonus. About $1MM in escalators (Twitter link via Pelissero).

Update On Top 25 NFL Free Agents

March 9th, 2015 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

A little over two days after I identified PFR’s top 50 free agents of the offseason, many of those players have re-signed with their own teams or tentatively reached agreements with new teams, which will be finalized on Tuesday.

Given how fast and furious the action has been so far, here’s a quick rundown of where the top half of the players in our our top 50 currently stand:

  1. Ndamukong Suh, DT: Reportedly agreed to sign with Dolphins for six years, $114MM.
  2. Devin McCourty, S: Agreed to re-sign with Patriots for five years, $47.5MM.
  3. Randall Cobb, WR: Re-signed with Packers for four years, $40MM, despite reportedly receiving bigger offers, including one from the Dolphins.
  4. Julius Thomas, TE: Reportedly nearing a deal with the Jaguars.
  5. Jerry Hughes, DE: Re-signed with the Bills for five years and about $45MM.
  6. Jeremy Maclin, WR: Reportedly agreed to sign with the Chiefs on a deal worth about $11MM per year.
  7. DeMarco Murray, RB: Taking his time and weighing his options; he’s said to be open to leaving the Cowboys, and his camp is confident in signing for about $8MM per year. The Jaguars have been cited as a possible suitor.
  8. Pernell McPhee, OLB: Reportedly agreed to sign with the Bears for five years, $40MM.
  9. Byron Maxwell, CB: Reportedly agreed to sign with the Eagles for six years, $63MM.
  10. Bryan Bulaga, T: The Bills, the Buccaneers, the Jaguars, and Washington have been mentioned as possible suitors for Bulaga, in addition to the Packers. A deal worth at least $7-8MM per year appears likely.
  11. Greg Hardy, DE: There have been no reports on Hardy since the legal tampering period began. Teams may be waiting for the NFL to announce potential discipline for off-field legal troubles.
  12. Mike Iupati, G: The Raiders, Jets, and Bills are all believed to have serious interest in Iupati.
  13. Brandon Graham, DE/OLB: Re-signed with the Eagles for four years, $26MM.
  14. Jason Worilds, OLB: The Eagles had been considered a top contender, but likely won’t get too involved with Graham back in the mix. The Titans are one possibility.
  15. Torrey Smith, WR: Announced he won’t be back with the Ravens; the 49ers are considered the frontrunners.
  16. Terrance Knighton, DT: Washington, the Colts, and the Bears all have – or had – real interest in Knighton, but the Raiders appear to be in the lead to sign him.
  17. Rodney Hudson, C: Reportedly agreed to sign with the Raiders for five years, $44.5MM.
  18. Nick Fairley, DT: Having lost out on Suh, the Lions are expected to make an effort to bring back Fairley.
  19. Brian Orakpo, OLB: The Falcons, Jaguars, Cardinals, and Washington are all in the running; Atlanta is viewed as the favorite.
  20. Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB: The Titans are trying to re-sign him, but at least a half-dozen other teams are also involved.
  21. Kareem Jackson, CB: Re-signed with the Texans for four years, $34MM.
  22. Brandon Flowers, CB: Re-signed with the Chargers for four years, $36MM.
  23. Jared Odrick, DT: Expected to sign with the Jaguars for a deal worth $7MM per year.
  24. Chris Culliver, CB: The Jets are the only potential suitor he has been linked to so far, though more teams should get involved.
  25. Orlando Franklin, G: Reportedly agreed to sign with the Chargers for five years, $36.5MM.

Note: Players who received the franchise tag weren’t included in our top 50. Neither was cornerback Darrelle Revis, who may hit the market tomorrow, and would have been the No. 2 player on our list.

Minor Moves: Monday

March 9th, 2015 at 4:06pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves around the NFL:

  • The Packers have informed running back DuJuan Harris they will not extend him an exclusive rights tender, Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel tweets.
  • The Ravens are expected to assign an exclusive-rights free agent tender to running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
  • The Steelers have offered one-year deals to restricted free agents Antwon Blake, Will Johnson, and Robert Golden, Scott Brown of ESPN tweets. All three will get the lower tender, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter).
  • The Cardinals announced they’ve re-signed Alameda Ta’amu to a one-year contract, as Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports tweets. The Cards decided not to tender him but they have retained him at a lower salary.
  • The 49ers will restructure their deal with safety Craig Dahl, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). It’s now a one-year, $1.3MM deal with a $200K signing bonus, a $175K roster bonus, and a $50K workout bonus.
  • The Buccaneers announced that they have re-signed defensive ends Larry English and Lawrence Sidbury, tight end Luke Stocker and linebacker Jason Williams.
  • The Ravens have assigned a $510K exclusive rights tender to offensive lineman Ryan Jensen, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Wilson (link) also hears that the Ravens have given wide receiver Kamar Aiken a $585K exclusive rights tender.
  • The Ravens gave cornerback Tramain Jacobs a $510K tender, per Wilson (link).

Earlier updates:

  • The Bills announced that they have extended the contract of kicker Jordan Gay, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak (via Twitter).
  • The Browns announced that they have tendered qualifying offers to four of their restricted free agents: free safety Tashaun Gipson, defensive back Johnson Bademosi, defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, and linebacker Craig Robertson, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets. It’s a second-round tender for Robertson, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Gipson also gets the second-round tender, according to Ulrich (link).
  • The Ravens have sent a second-round restricted tender $2.356MM to Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • The Steelers announced that they have agreed to terms with veteran tight end Matt Spaeth on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old appeared in 15 regular-season games in 2014 (eight starts) and caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, and also started the Steelers’ playoff game against Baltimore.
  • The Buccaneers are not expected to tender an offer to fullback Jorvorskie Lane, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. They could bring Lane, an ERFA, back on a different deal later, however. Lane had a tough year in 2014. He was hit with a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances in October and his season ended in November after he underwent surgery on his injured right leg.
  • The Broncos have placed the low-level contract tender on restricted free agent defensive back Tony Carter, extending him a one-year offer worth $1.542MM, per Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The move gives Denver the right to match any offer sheet Carter signs with another team, and according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), there may be strong outside interest.
  • The Cowboys have placed one-year tenders of $1.542MM each on restricted free agent punter Chris Jones and restricted free agent running back Lance Dunbar, sources tell Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News. Dunbar is the Cowboys’ third running back and tendering him gives Dallas some insurance if DeMarco Murray signs with another team in free agency. He also gives them a reserve back in the event that they have to cut ties with Joseph Randle.
  • The Browns announced that they have re-signed offensive lineman Ryan Seymour. Seymour, 25, appeared in 11 games during the 2014 season, starting three at center. Nick McDonald was originally the team’s choice at center after Alex Mack went down with a broken leg, but Seymour eventually got his chance at the job.
  • The Panthers have re-signed wide receiver/kick returner Brenton Bersin to a one-year deal, a source tells Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Bersin was an exclusive rights free agent.
  • The Panthers announced that they re-signed Fozzy Whittaker on a two-year deal, according to Person (on Twitter). The tailback had 32 carries for 145 yards last season and also contributed on kick returns. Linebacker Ben Jacobs and center Brian Folkerts got one-year deals to remain in Carolina (link). Tackle Kevin Hughes is the only Panthers ERFA who wasn’t tendered an offer (link).

Titans Notes: McCourty, Cutler, Williams

March 9th, 2015 at 4:04pm CST by Zachary Links

A quick look at the Titans..

  • Devin McCourty agreed to a new deal with the Pats on Sunday night, the Titans were in the mix, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean writes. “The Titans were definitely considered,” agent Andy Simms said. “They made a strong pitch, and did everything they could. We had some good conversations with them. And Devin was definitely interested in Tennessee. But the Patriots organization stepped up. At the end of the day, I don’t think anything was prying him out of New England if they decided to step up, which they did.”
  • Despite any speculation to the contrary, the Titans are not trading for Jay Cutler, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com tweets. Kuharsky also says the Titans were never in play for quarterback Mark Sanchez and hears that was nothing more than an agent-generated storyline (link).
  • The agent for cornerback Cary Williams said he had a “fantastic visit” with the Titans on Monday, Wyatt tweets. Williams told agent Harold Lewis that “it felt like home” with the Titans (link). Right now, it’s a four horse race between the Titans, Seahawks, Jets, and Ravens for his services and Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter) hears that all of those teams have put in offers.

Free Agent Rumors: Fletcher, Williams, Gresham

March 9th, 2015 at 3:38pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have expressed interest in pending free agent cornerback Bradley Fletcher, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Fletcher had an off year for the Eagles in 2014, being ranked 92 out of 108 NFL cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. He was much better in 2013, having been ranked 44 out of 110 players at the position. Here’s a look at the latest free agent rumors..

  • Giants free agent linebacker Jacquian Williams took to Twitter to let everyone know that he has interest from five teams.
  • If the Raiders don’t get a deal done with tight end Jermaine Gresham, the Browns are also among those with interest, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets.
  • The Jaguars a team to watch for when it comes to linebacker Dan Skuta, but there are several interested, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. He could have expanded role with Jacksonville if he signs with them tomorrow, Caplan adds.
  • Pat McManamon of ESPN.com (on Twitter) doesn’t expect the Browns to lose any of their restricted free agents, but he thinks a team in need of a safety could think about adding Tashaun Gipson.
  • Bills tight end Lee Smith is expected to sign a big contract with another team tomorrow, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News tweets.

Bills Intend To Keep Fred Jackson

March 9th, 2015 at 3:24pm CST by Luke Adams

3:24pm: Jackson will remain in Buffalo with no changes to his contract, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

2:49pm: As of early this afternoon, personnel executives from four other teams were under the impression that Jackson is or would be available, tweets Graham. That doesn’t necessarily mean the running back will become available, but it sounds like there’s no resolution here yet.

2:10pm: According to Graham (via Twitter), the Bills have approached Jackson about restructuring his contract. Since the running back is in the final year of his deal, reworking that contract would have to involve either a pay cut or an extension. Either way, the team wants Jackson to stay in Buffalo, says Graham.

1:07pm: The Bills are set to finalize their acquisition of one of the top running backs in the league tomorrow when they officially trade for LeSean McCoy. Buffalo also traded a fourth-round pick for Bryce Brown, who remains in the club’s plans, and continues to carry Anthony Dixon, a solid special-teamer. On top of all that, the team is said to have real interest in free agent back Bilal Powell.

Where does longtime Bill Fred Jackson stand in such a crowded backfield? According to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter), one Bills source says the NFL’s oldest running back “isn’t going anywhere.” A second source tells Graham that owner Terry Pegula got involved in the situation — Pegula’s exact involvement isn’t specified, but implication is that the team’s new owner wants to see Jackson remain on the roster.

Jackson, who turned 34 last month, has been a mainstay on the Bills’ offense since joining the team in 2007. While he’s one of the few backs in the NFL approaching his mid-30s, Jackson doesn’t necessarily have a ton of wear and tear on his body — he has just 1,279 carries over his eight-year careeer, or about the equivalent of three seasons worth of DeMarco Murray circa 2014.

Still, if the Bills were to part ways with Jackson, he would hardly be the first player this offseason unceremoniously cut by his longtime team. Buffalo could clear the veteran’s entire $2.731MM cap hit for 2015 by releasing him, so we’ll have to wait and see what the team ultimately decides.

Patriots Won’t Pick Up Darrelle Revis’ Option

March 9th, 2015 at 3:20pm CST by Luke Adams

3:20pm: If Revis hits free agency, Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday (via Twitter) hears that he’ll seek something in the ballpark of $48MM over three years with $40MM guaranteed.

2:39pm: The Patriots have decided not to pick up the 2015 option on Darrelle Revis, clearing a path for the star cornerback to become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Of course, the Pats could still work out a deal to retain him, but it won’t be on the terms of that option. In fact, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) says the Pats will continue negotiating with the cornerback.

Although New England would like to retain Revis, his cap number would have been an unpalatable $25MM had they exercised his option. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter) wonders if news of the option being declined might be a negotiating ploy on the part of the Pats. Still, if there’s no deal ironed out, it would make sense that the Patriots would turn down his pricey option.

PFR’s Luke Adams recently wrote that a three-year deal in the range of $45MM with a sizable portion of guaranteed money could make sense for the Patriots. The question is, would such a deal make sense for Revis given the level of interest he’d probably receive on the open market.

The Jets have been involved in “serious internal discussions” about the possibility of bringing Revis back and they figure to be one of many teams to make a serious play for the star cornerback.

Steelers Release Brett Keisel

March 9th, 2015 at 3:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers announced that they have released defensive end Brett Keisel. The move was widely expected.

“We have informed Brett Keisel that we plan to release him today,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said in the release. “We have had conversations with Brett over the past couple of weeks during which we communicated our intentions to him. Brett has played a major role in our success during his 13 years in Pittsburgh. We appreciate his efforts and we are grateful for what he helped us accomplish, including two Super Bowl Championships. We will always consider him an all-time Pittsburgh Steeler.”

Keisel played 13 seasons for the Pittsburgh after being selected in the seventh round of the 2002 draft. He saw time in 156 games with 114 starts during the regular season, and he played in 16 games with eight starts during the postseason. His career regular-season totals include 30.0 sacks, 36 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions, one of which was returned 79 yards for a touchdown. Keisel is just one of 12 players in team history to record at least 30 sacks during the regular season and became a massive fan favorite during his time on the Steelers’ defensive line.

Keisel suffered a triceps injury in late November against the Saints, ending his season prematurely. The 36-year-old (37 in September) was in limbo for much of last offseason. The Steelers showed little to no interest in him for much of the offseason and only gave him a call when Darnell Dockett went down with a season-ending ACL injury.

Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) ranked him as just the 36th-best 3-4 end out of 45 qualifiers in 2013 and he ranked 30th out of 48 eligible 3-4 bookends in 2014.

 

Eagles To Re-Sign Brandon Graham

March 9th, 2015 at 3:05pm CST by Zachary Links

After some deliberations between offers from the Eagles and Giants, the decision is in. Brandon Graham has decided to remain with the Eagles, a source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). It’ll be a four-year deal worth $6.5MM per season, according to Tim McManus of 97.5 The Fanatic (on Twitter). In total, the deal gives Graham $14MM guaranteed.

Graham, 27 in April, recorded 5.5 sacks and 46 total tackles in 2014. The former first-round choice has moved around a bit in the front seven over the years, having seen time at defensive tackle, defensive end, and outside linebacker. Last season, he played the bulk of his snaps at outside linebacker and enjoyed his best season to date. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) placed him as the third best OLB in a 3-4 set last season. PFF was also high on Graham in 2013, ranking him as the 15th best outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

It was said earlier this month that talks between the Eagles and Graham weren’t going so well, but Philly managed to turn things around and retain one of their top free agents. The Eagles carved out some extra room to keep the linebacker when they released Trent Cole earlier this month.

Graham chose a longer contract with the Eagles over the Giants, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4 (on Twitter).

Chiefs’ Mike DeVito Takes Pay Cut

March 9th, 2015 at 3:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Chiefs defensive lineman Mike DeVito has agreed to take a pay cut to remain in Kansas City, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

DeVito agreed to reduced his $3.75MM base salary and $250K workout bonus to a base salary of $870K (fully guaranteed) and a signing bonus of $300K. He also has a $30K workout bonus, which effectively gives him $1.2MM guaranteed. The veteran can earn another $300K in per-game roster bonuses, for every game on which he’s a member of the 53-man roster. The deal also includes $1.2MM in incentives based on playing time and whether the team makes it to the playoffs.

The deal reduces DeVito’s 2015 $5.4MM cap number to a much more palatable $2.9MM, creating $2.5MM in cap space for KC. DeVito suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week One of the 2014 season, ending his season before it really began.

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