2015 April - Pro Football Rumors

Dolphins To Sign Josh Freeman

April 2nd, 2015 at 5:23pm CST by Zachary Links

Josh Freeman has signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter) first reported that the two sides were nearing agreement.

Unless the Dolphins go back to carrying three quarterbacks on the roster, Freeman will probably just serve as another arm to have in camp, according to Abramson. The Kansas State product has always been praised for his arm strength but he did not play a down of NFL football in 2014. Still, he isn’t all that far removed from his 2012 season in which he threw for more than 4,000 yards with the Buccaneers.

Freeman worked out for the rival Jets earlier this month, but he’ll instead make an attempt to break camp with Miami. The quarterback celebrated his 27th birthday in January so there’s plenty of reason to believe that he can get his career back on track in 2015.

North Notes: Lions, Ravens, Packers, Petty

April 2nd, 2015 at 4:51pm CST by Luke Adams

After owner Steve Bisciotti said yesterday that he’d like to see longtime Raven Haloti Ngata return to Baltimore at some point, our Zach Links noted that Bisciotti’s comments could result in tampering accusations. However, it doesn’t appear the Lions are interested in filing a tampering change against the Ravens.

“The Ravens have reached out to us concerning the comments made yesterday by Steve Bisciotti regarding Haloti Ngata,” the Lions said today in a statement (all Twitter links). “We appreciate both the Ravens’ professionalism and the context in which Mr. Bisciotti’s statements were made. We consider the matter to be a non-issue.”

Here’s more from around the league’s two North divisions:

The Packers are bringing in Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty for a pre-draft visit, writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. As Huber notes, it’s an interesting piece of news, since Petty projects as a second-day pick and a top-five QB in this draft class.
While B.J. Raji‘s one-year deal with the Packers could be worth as much as $3.5MM with bonuses and incentives, it only counts against the team’s cap for $1.75MM for now, writes Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Raji also received $500K guaranteed in the form of a signing bonus, whereas fellow defensive tackle Letroy Guion didn’t get any guaranteed money in his new one-year contract with the Packers.
According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Matt Schaub‘s one-year, $2MM deal with the Ravens is fully guaranteed, not including the extra $1MM available in incentives. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun confirms as much, tweeting that the veteran quarterback got a $1MM signing bonus and a guaranteed $1MM base salary.
Emmanuel Ogbuehi, who reportedly agreed to terms with the Buccaneers, didn’t get a contract offer from the Vikings when he visited Minnesota, which made his decision easy, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.

Minor Moves: Thursday

April 2nd, 2015 at 4:37pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up today’s minor transactions from around the NFL in this space, with any additional moves listed at the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:

Raiders defensive back Neiko Thorpe has signed his exclusive right free agent tender, placing him back under contract, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Earlier updates:

The Bengals have brought back former backup signal-caller Josh Johnson, signing him to a new contract today, according to the team (Twitter link). Johnson, who visited Cincinnati today, spent time with the 49ers in 2014 after serving as Andy Dalton‘s backup for the Bengals in 2013.
Zeke Motta, a 2013 seventh-rounder who played sparingly for the Falcons in his rookie year, was cut by Atlanta today, according to a team release. Matta missed the entire 2014 campaign due to a neck injury, and will have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent.
Safety Anthony Walters, who played in 37 regular season contests during four seasons with the Bears, has been cut, the team announced today (via Twitter). Walters had primarily contributed on special teams for Chicago. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) wonders if Walters’ release opens up the door for the team to re-sign Danny McCray, which had been previously considered.
After adding Mike Kafka to their roster, the Vikings have parted ways with another quarterback, formally announcing that they’ve waived Pat Devlin. The ex-Dolphin had signed a futures contract with Minnesota after spending some time on the team’s practice squad in 2014.
Having visited Minnesota and Tampa Bay this week, tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi will be signing with the Buccaneers, reports Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). Ogbuehi, who spent time on the practice squads for the Ravens and Browns during the 2014 season, is getting a two-year deal, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Shayon Green has signed with the Steelers, according to PR rep Burt Lauten (via Twitter).

Broncos Acquire Gino Gradkowski

April 2nd, 2015 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 3:05pm: Gradkowski has officially passes his physical with the Broncos, making the deal official, tweets Denver PR man Patrick Smyth.

WEDNESDAY, 3:08pm: According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Ravens will get the Broncos’ 2016 fourth-round pick in the deal, while Denver gets Baltimore’s 2016 fifth-rounder.

2:39pm: The Ravens and Broncos have both confirmed the trade. The deal involves 2016 draft picks going both ways, but the exact picks aren’t yet known, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

2:13pm: The Broncos and Ravens are working to finalize a trade that would send veteran center Gino Gradkowski to Denver, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). It doesn’t sound as if a deal is official yet, but Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that it will happen.

Gradkowski, 26, started all 16 regular season contests at center for the Ravens in 2013, but was supplanted on the depth chart by 2014 trade acquisition Jeremy Zuttah, and is now a reserve for the team. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t particularly fond of Gradkowski’s 2013 play, though his -15.6 overall grade was almost entirely a result of a poor pass-blocking performance — he was adequate as a run blocker.

The Broncos, who lost guard Orlando Franklin in free agency, had been in the market for interior line help even after signing veteran guard Shelley Smith. The team could end up playing Manuel Ramirez at center and identifying a replacement at left guard for Franklin, or Ramirez could be shifted to guard with Gradkowski taking over at center. Heading to Denver will reunite Gradkowski with former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who is now the Broncos’ head coach.

The compensation heading to Baltimore in the deal has yet to be reported, but I wouldn’t expect it to be more than a late-round draft pick. Gradkowski, a beneficiary of 2015’s proven performance escalator raises, had been set to earn a base salary of $1.542MM, so clearing that money from their books and replacing him with a cheaper backup was probably part of the Ravens’ incentive to make the move.

Dolphins Sign Spencer Paysinger

April 2nd, 2015 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

After hosting him for a visit today, the Dolphins have signed linebacker Spencer Paysinger, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that it’s a one-year contract.

Paysinger, who has spent his first four NFL seasons with the Giants, was a regular contributor on defense in 2013, starting 10 games at linebacker and recording 74 tackles and a sack for the year. However, he returned to a backup and special teams role last season, during his final season in New York.

That reserve and special teams role will likely be the one Paysinger assumes in Miami. The team saw Jason Trusnik sign with the Panthers this week, and Jonathan Freeny signed with the Patriots last month. Both players were regular contributors on kick and punt coverage for the Dolphins, and occasionally saw playing time on defense as well — the duo combined for just over 400 defensive snaps in 2014.

Paysinger previously visited the Jets.

East Notes: Jets, Washington, Thomas, Fins

April 2nd, 2015 at 2:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking on a conference call today with season ticket holders, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles offered up a few interesting tidbits, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com noted on Twitter. The GM indicated that he likes the No. 6 spot in the draft because it gives the team plenty of flexibility to trade up or down. Addressing the draft, Maccagnan also hinted that the Jets wouldn’t mind picking an offensive lineman at some point, while Bowles praised the depth of the rookie running back class — although the team likes Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, adding one more back could be a priority.

Here’s more on the Jets, via Cimini, along with a few other items from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:

Maccagnan also suggested he expects to address Muhammad Wilkerson‘s contract this offseason, with the expectation that the star defensive lineman will remain a Jet for the long term. Meanwhile, Bowles said he’d like to have another quarterback competing with Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Matt Simms.
It would be surprising if Washington doesn’t add at least one more running back to its roster through free agency or the draft, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. According to Keim, the team has expressed interest in veteran free agent Pierre Thomas, but will likely wait to see how the draft plays out before moving any further with the former Saint.
As the Dolphins consider adding receiving depth, they aren’t just eyeing draft prospects — they’re also taking a look at a pair of players who went undrafted in recent years. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Post, the club is working out former Boise State wideout Geraldo Boldewijn and trying out former Raiders receiver Thomas Mayo. Boldewijn spent camp with the Falcons last year, while Mayo was a participant in last month’s veterans combine.
Wilson also tweets that Florida State wideout Christian Green is working out privately for the Eagles today in Tallahassee.

Broncos To Sign Antonio Smith

April 2nd, 2015 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Just two days after he was released by the Raiders, veteran defensive lineman Antonio Smith has found a new home in the AFC West. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), via agent Drew Rosenhaus, Smith has agreed to a one-year, $2MM deal with the Broncos.

Smith, 33, spent five years with the Cardinals and then five years with the Texans before signing with the Raiders last March. A Pro Bowler in Houston, Smith played nearly 800 snaps at defensive tackle for Oakland in 2014 before he was cut. His overall -3.9 Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) wasn’t bad, though that final number comes from a combination of an excellent pass-rushing grade (+18.3) and a subpar grade against the run (-20.0).

The Texans were said to be very interested in reuniting with Smith, reaching out to him shortly after he hit the free agent market this week. However, it makes sense that the Broncos would’ve been involved in the bidding as well — new Denver head coach Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and defensive line coach Bill Kollar were all in Houston during Smith’s time there.

Raiders Sign J’Marcus Webb

April 2nd, 2015 at 1:17pm CST by Luke Adams

The Raiders have added some depth to their offensive line, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed veteran tackle J’Marcus Webb.

Webb, 26, has 44 NFL starts under his belt, with most of those coming during his first three years in the league in Chicago. A seventh-round pick in 2010, Webb played for the Bears through 2012 before joining the Vikings for the 2013 campaign. Over the last two years, he has played just nine games, and has been unable to consistently hang on to a roster spot.

By joining the Raiders, Webb reunites with a pair of coaches. He played under former Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Minnesota and former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice in Chicago. Both men are now in Oakland, with Musgrave running the team’s offense and Tice coaching the offensive line.

Denarius Moore Visiting Bengals

April 2nd, 2015 at 12:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agent wide receiver Denarius Moore, who has generated little buzz over the last few weeks, will pay a visit to the Bengals today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Moore, 26, showed some promise during his first three seasons with the Raiders, averaging about 43 receptions, 685 yards, and six touchdowns per season in spite of inconsistent quarterback play. However, he had a poor 2014 campaign, as Andre Holmes took on a bigger role in Oakland’s offense and free agent signee James Jones entered the mix. Moore caught just 12 balls for 115 yards and no TDs, and missed the final few weeks of the season with knee and ankle issues.

As a third or fourth receiver on a team with a few other reliable targets, like Cincinnati, Moore could be an intriguing option, particularly as a deep threat. He’ll likely be inexpensive, not requiring more than a very modest guarantee, if that. According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com (via Twitter), there’s little to no chance of a reunion with the Raiders for the Tennessee product.

Cincinnati’s interest likely stems, at least in part, from Hue Jackson‘s history with Moore. The current Bengals offensive coordinator had just been promoted from OC to head coach in Oakland when the Raiders selected Moore in the fifth round of the 2011 draft.

Draft Visits: Jets, M. Davis, Orchard, Raiders

April 2nd, 2015 at 12:09pm CST by Luke Adams

It would be a little surprising to see the Jets take a receiver with the sixth overall pick after signing Eric Decker and trading for Brandon Marshall during the last two offseasons, but the team is bringing in wideout Amari Cooper today for a pre-draft visit, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). With Cooper viewed as a near lock to be selected in the top 10, it’s more likely the Jets are doing due diligence and keeping their options open rather than making the Alabama product a priority.

Here are some details on several more pre-draft visits around the NFL:

We heard yesterday that South Carolina running back Mike Davis has a visit lined up with the Patriots, but New England is far from the only team eyeing him. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Davis also has workouts or visits scheduled with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Browns, and Falcons.
Utah defensive end Nate Orchard, a projected second-round pick, confirmed that he met with the Browns, dining with defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil and outside linebackers coach Brian Fleury, per Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com.
According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (all Twitter links), the Raiders are taking a look at a handful of prospects today, working out South Dakota offensive lineman Matt Huffer, and hosting New Hampshire center Mike Coccia and Texas Southern defensive back Tray Walker.
Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell, a potential second-day pick, has worked out for the Buccaneers, Browns, and Texans, and has workouts on deck with the Bears and Eagles, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
Delaware State defensive end Rodney Gunter, who had 57 tackles and seven sacks in his senior season, visited the Chiefs, a league source tells Wilson.
The Broncos are hosting New Hampshire tight end Harold Spears for a pre-draft visit, according to Wilson.