Vikings Rumors: Smith, Kalil, Kendricks
The Vikings are going down to the wire in announcing their decision on whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options for Harrison Smith and Matt Kalil. GM Rick Spielman will announce those moves Monday, reports ESPN’s Ben Goessling on Twitter.
Today was initially the deadline for teams to decide on whether or not to extend their 2012 first-round picks, but since it fell on a Sunday, teams now have until midnight tomorrow to make those calls. Goessling noted he doesn’t expect drama with either decision, with Smith’s fifth year in Minneapolis certainly forthcoming.
Kalil’s option, which would cost $11.096MM, won’t be as easy of a decision. A late first-rounder in 2012, Smith’s become one of the league’s better safeties, while Kalil has regressed considerably since a promising rookie campaign, bottoming out last season with a Pro Football Focus ranking (subscription required) of 81st among 84 graded tackles.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune reporter Mark Craig expects Kalil’s option to be picked up (Twitter link).
Some other rumors coming out of Minnesota on Sunday night …
- Beyond first-round cornerback Trae Waynes, the Vikings expect multiple-position availability from their draft picks, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Chief among the potential versatile draftees are second-rounder Eric Kendricks (middle and weakside linebacker), third-rounder Danielle Hunter (multiple defensive line positions) and fourth-rounder T.J. Clemmings (left and right tackle), according to Tomasson.
- The Vikings not drafting a safety is a vote of confidence for 2014 sixth-rounder Antone Exum, reports Tomasson. Spielman noted to Tomasson he’s “excited about” Exum’s progress despite the second-year safety only playing 16 snaps last season behind Smith and Robert Blanton, who both graded out positively last season on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics.
- Also from Tomasson: the Vikings will slot former Alabama tackle Austin Shepherd at guard, where he played at the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-5 rookie said half of the teams he spoke to before the draft sought him at tackle, with the other half preferring to see how he can transition to guard.
- Kendricks will be the Vikings rookie that flashes most this season, writes Matt Vensel of the Star-Tribune. Kendricks’ coverage ability stood out to draft experts, and Vensel notes the ex-UCLA backer has a good chance of starting Week 1 between Chad Greenway and Anthony Barr. Waynes could have to open the season behind either Captain Munnerlyn or Terence Newman.
- Former Vikings offensive line coach Jim Hueber was surprised Clemmings, who he coached at Pittsburgh, made it to Day 3 without finding an employer, viewing the former college defensive lineman and standout basketball player as a steal, per Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
NFC East Notes: McFadden, Gregory, Eagles
To the surprise of many, the Cowboys did not address their DeMarco Murray-less running back corps this weekend, but they may be in the market for veteran help.
“Just because this is our current group of running backs doesn’t mean it will stay that way,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “We are always looking to improve our football team.”
But going into the season with Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle doesn’t quite resemble an understaffed corps, considering the Dallas offensive front that lifted Murray to what could amount to an outlier campaign last year remains elite. Although Jerry Jones did note the team wanted to draft a tailback, indicating the corps could well see a notable addition before the season.
“We would have liked to have drafted a running back,” the Cowboys owner and general manager told Machota. “But at the same token, we didn’t think at any given time that we should pass at the player that was there, even with the running backs [available].”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. noted to Machota the spot for the Cowboys to add to their backfield came in the third round in ex-Michigan State runner Jeremy Langford, when the team instead selected former Florida tackle Chaz Green, who the ESPN prospects guru viewed as a reach.
Here are some additional news items from the NFC East.
- The Cowboys landing Randy Gregory at No. 60 is “worth the risk,” according to ESPN’s Todd McShay, via Machota. With Greg Hardy out for 10 games, Dallas had a need for a pass-rusher despite its depleted backfield.
- With Dwayne Harris gone, the Cowboys have a need at returner. Jason Garrett mentioned to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News that McFadden could be an unlikely candidate to do so. The former No. 4 overall pick has three career kick returns.
- For the first time in the draft’s 80-year history, the Eagles went two years without selecting an offensive lineman. After letting veteran Todd Herremans go and openly putting All-Pro Evan Mathis on the trade market, the Eagles face questions on their front, reports CSNPhilly.com’s Reuben Frank. “We hadn’t drafted DBs in recent years, so it’s just kind of you can’t take them all,” Chip Kelly told Frank. “You only have a certain amount of picks.” The Eagles invested significantly at cornerback this offseason, signing Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond and now drafting Eric Rowe in Round 2, and they have a solid line that saw four players — Mathis, Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson — receive top-13 grades at their positions last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Philadelphia did add four undrafted offensive linemen, and Kelly’s blueprint for adding to an aging offensive front isn’t that different from how the league’s four championship-qualifying teams have done so, reports Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Enquirer. The Eagles now house 16 offensive fronters, with 50% of them undrafted. That similar to the Patriots, Colts, Seahawks and Packers, whose rosters collectively have 49% of their blockers coming into the league undrafted, according to Sielski.
Bears To Sign 15 UDFAs
The Bears drafted just six players this weekend but agreed to terms with 15 undrafted free agents, per ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson.
- Jonathan Anderson, LB, TCU
- Qumain Black, CB, East Central (Okla.)
- Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice
- Shane Carden, QB, East Carolina
- Jeremiah Detmer, K, Toledo
- Jacoby Glenn, CB, Central Florida ($5K signing bonus, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune; Twitter link)
- Chad Hamilton, OL, Coastal Carolina
- Anthony Jefferson, S, UCLA ($5K signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun; Twitter link)
- Cameron Jefferson, OL, Arkansas
- Rick Lovato, LS, Old Dominion
- Cameron Meredith, WR, Illinois State
- Levi Norwood, WR, Baylor ($5K signing bonus, per Biggs; Twitter link)
- Olsen Pierre, DL, Miami ($5K signing bonus, per Wilson on Twitter)
- John Timu, LB, Washington ($5K signing bonus, reports Wilson on Twitter)
- Brian Vogler, TE, Alabama ($4,500 signing bonus, according to Wilson, via Twitter)
Extra Points: Browns, Bengals, Bonuses
Fond of assessing teams’ draft performances hours after their completion, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. provided some additional immediate analysis (Insider subscription required) on which teams’ depth charts improved the most.
Not coincidentally, six of Kiper’s eight teams mentioned here made their first pick in the top 10, with only the Browns and Seahawks drawing mention for their selections in the middle and near the end of the rounds, respectively.
While Kiper chastised Seattle for reaching each year, he’s come to accept what the franchise does may work, considering the annual production from homegrown players. He identified Tyler Lockett as a potential impact player for a team mostly devoid of them on the outside. Beyond their two first-rounders, the Browns’ third-round bolstering of their backfield with Duke Johnson drew specific praise from the longtime draft expert.
Here is some other news from around the league …
- With interior-line players coming to Cleveland after first-round notifications, the Browns were definitely not as flashy in this draft as they were last year, writes Jeff Schudel of the Lorain Morning Journal. Characterizing this year’s class as one orchestrated by Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer rather than what he determines as a Jimmy Haslem move in getting Johnny Manziel last year, Schudel notes the Browns, who may start Josh McCown rather than the first-round quarterback they traded up for in 2014, are planning for low-scoring contests this season.
- Coming off a torn ACL sustained in a bowl game, Cedric Ogbuehi seems destined for the physically unable to perform list to start his NFL career, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com in his look at Cincinnati’s new depth chart. Second-round tackle Jake Fisher should also be ready for work at center, offers Hobson, with offensive line coach Paul Alexander preferring versatility from his charges.
- With teams allotted $86K in bonuses to dole out to undrafted free agents, this year they are using funds from an unlimited area to compensate for that figure, reports Philly.com’s Paul Domowitch (Twitter links). By splitting finances for undrafted performers between bonus money and base salary guarantees, the latter not having a specific limit like the former, teams are spending quite a bit to land their post-draft targets.
- The 49ers did the most in terms of securing future resources during this draft, by acquiring two of the five 2016 selections exchanged this weekend, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Wilkening. The Chargers and Cowboys traded the 49ers fifth- and sixth-round picks, respectively, in next year’s draft.
Titans, 13 UDFAs Agree To Deals
SUNDAY, 4:19pm: The Titans have also signed Middle Tennessee State University running back Reggie Whatley, per Wyatt (Twitter link).
SATURDAY, 9:09pm: The Titans have reached agreements with a dozen undrafted free agents, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Here’s the full list:
- Toby Johnson, DL, Georgia
- Deon Long, WR, Maryland
- Derrick Lott, DL, Chattanooga
- Connor Neighbors, FB, LSU
- Josue Matias, OG, Florida State
- Cody Prewitt, S, Mississippi
- Cody Riggs, CB, Notre Dame
- Curtis Riley, CB, Florida State
- Quinton Spain, OG, West Virginia
- J.R. Tavai, DL, USC
- Andrew Turzilli, WR, Rutgers
- Lucas Vincent, DL, Missouri
AFC East Notes: Jets, Pats, Gaffney, Collins
Draft grades are often controversial — some love them, but others think it’s foolhardy to judge draft picks mere hours after they are selected. While we won’t know the true effect of prospects in the NFL for at least a couple of years, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN (Insider subscription required) has provided his rapid reaction to the weekend’s events. One of his favorite draft classes is that of the Jets, whom Kiper handed a “A-” after they came away with Leonard Williams, Devon Smith, Bryce Petty, and others. And, as Kiper adds, New York brought in veteran receiver Brandon Marshall using a fifth-round pick, so their crop of additions looks even better after factoring him in.
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC East:
- The Patriots did express interest in Eagles guard Evan Mathis, reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link), but the fact that Mathis hasn’t been traded yet means he’ll probably stay in Philadelphia. Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said yesterday that he’s yet to receive a formal offer for Mathis.
- Though they didn’t select a running back over the weekend, the Patriots are likely to add a veteran in the coming weeks, says Howe (via Twitter), who suggests that Ahmad Bradshaw and Pierre Thomas are among the backs who could intrigue New England.
- One player who could contribute to the Patriots backfield this season is second-year pro Tyler Gaffney, whom New England claimed off waivers from the Panthers last year. Though Gaffney spent all of 2014 on injured reserve, Pats head coach Bill Belichick reportedly “loves him” (per Howe on Twitter), so he could be in line for snaps in 2015.
- La’el Collins is represented by Priority Sports, which Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link) confirms is the firm that current Dolphins football operations czar Mike Tannenbaum previously worked for. The connection could end up being inconsequential, but it’s fair to wonder if Miami could have up a leg up in signing the LSU product.
- Rich Cimini of ESPN.com praises rookie Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan for his first draft, noting that Maccagnan used a best player available strategy, but also wasn’t afraid to move up and down the draft board, picking up assets (Devier Posey and Zac Stacy) in the process.
Jaguars, Nine UDFAs Agree To Terms
The Jaguars have agreed to sign nine undrafted free agents, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (multiple Twitter links):
- Thurston Armbrister, LB, Miami ($12,500 bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun)
- Eric Crume, DT, Syracuse ($2,500 bonus, per Wilson)
- Corey Grant, RB, Auburn ($5K bonus, per Wilson; $15K of base salary guaranteed, per Wilson)
- Nick Marshall, CB, Auburn
- Connor Hamlett, TE, Oregon State
- Chris Reed, G, Minnesota-Mankato
- Todd Thomas. LB, Pittsburgh
- Matt Robinson, LB, Maryland
- Jake Waters, QB, Kansas State
PFR Originals: 4/26/15 – 5/3/15
The original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- Prior to this weekend’s happenings, Rob Dire published the second edition of the Pro Football Rumors Mock Draft.
- Rob also finished his positional previews, looking at linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.
- Once the first round of the draft had concluded, I asked who was the most surprising prospect left on the board. Randy Gregory narrowly edged out Landon Collins; both players, of course, were chosen is Round Two.
Week In Review: 4/26/15 – 5/3/15
The headlines from the past week at PFR:
Draft:
- The 2015 NFL draft is in the books — check out the entire results, both by by draft order and by team.
- There were a number of trades during the draft, and there will be plenty of undrafted free agent signings in the coming days. You can follow both by bookmarking our Transactions tracker.
- LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins, once a projected first-round pick, went undrafted due to his ties to a murder investigation in Louisiana. He’s expected to sign as soon as Monday, and you can read about the entire saga here.
- The Buccaneers acted quickly, locking up first overall selection Jameis Winston to a four-year deal with the standard fifth-year option.
Fifth-Year Options:
- Bears – LB Shea McClellin (declined)
- Bengals – CB Dre Kirkpatrick and G Kevin Zeitler (exercised)
- Bills – CB Stephon Gilmore (exercised)
- Cardinals – WR Michael Floyd (exercised)
- Dolphins – QB Ryan Tannehill (exercised)
- Eagles – DE Fletcher Cox (exercised)
- Patriots – LB Dont’a Hightower (exercised) and DE Chandler Jones (exercised)
- Rams – S Mark Barron (declined) and DT Michael Brockers (exercised)
- Seahawks – LB Bruce Irvin (declined)
- Washington – QB Robert Griffin III (exercised)
Traded:
Signed:
- 49ers – Philip Wheeler (link)
- Texans – S Stevie Brown (link) and RB Chris Polk (link)
Extended:
- Cowboys – P Chris Jones (three years, $4.2MM)
Released:
- Colts – KR Josh Cribbs (link)
Suspended:
- Dolphins – DE Dion Jordan (entire 2015 season)
Retired:
- DB Drayton Florence (link)
Other:
- NFL surrendered its tax exempt status (link)
- Jets fined $100K for Darrelle Revis tampering (link)
Sunday Roundup: Collins, AFC North, Pats
Let’s take a look at a few notes from around the league on this post-draft Sunday:
- The La’el Collins saga will be one of the more fascinating storylines to watch over the coming days. Gil Brandt of NFL.com tweets that if Collins is cleared of any wrongdoing after his meeting with Louisiana police tomorrow, he will sign as an undrafted free agent. Brandt adds that there will be a great deal of interest in Collins’ services if he is, in fact, cleared.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com looks at what Collins could make as an undrafted free agent,
- It appears that Browns ownership is “digging in” and committing to the Ray Farmer–Mike Pettine regime, writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
- Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer passes along Farmer’s and Pettine’s responses to questions as to why the Browns did not select a quarterback in this year’s draft. The GM and head coach simply reaffirmed their faith in the team’s current signal-callers while acknowledging that the group does not include an elite talent. However, Pettine simply stated, “We’re not going to over-prioritize the quarterback position.”
- The Ravens have invited Maryland DE Andre Monroe to rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, writes Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
- Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer describes how the Bengals passed on the “acrobatic athletes and track stars” in this weekend’s draft and instead focused on powerful linemen and strong tight ends.
- The Eagles may regret not selecting an offensive lineman in the draft, writes Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. As we learned earlier today, however, four of the team’s 16 undrafted free agents are offensive linemen.
- Although they did not address their cornerback need in the draft, Karen Guregian of The Boston Herald believes the Patriots strengthened the secondary simply by adding some punch to the team’s pass rush.
- The Patriots passed on drafting a receiver for the second consecutive year, meaning that third-year wideout Aaron Dobson will still have a good chance to live up to his considerable potential, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.
- With a draft class that most analysts agree is a strong one, and after an active free agency period, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union says the Jaguars are finally adding depth to their roster and creating some much-needed competition.
- Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune says the Saints‘ draft class, which does not include a single wide receiver or tight end, reaffirms their faith in Drew Brees, Sean Payton, and the offense as a whole.