2017 March - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Adrian Peterson

March 10th, 2017 at 9:48am CST by Zachary Links

Adrian Peterson is content to wait through first wave of free agency before exploring his options, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com tweets. Peterson is “still in no rush to sign,” he adds, and that’s probably a good thing since we still haven’t heard of one team having strong interest in signing him at this time.

When the Vikings declined Peterson’s $18MM option, there was immediately word of several contending clubs having interest. Since then, we’ve learned that the market isn’t quite as hot as those reports indicated. Since Wednesday, it has been reported that the Texans, Patriots, Raiders, and Seahawks have shown little to no interest in signing Peterson. A return to the Vikings could still be in store for him, but Minnesota has yet to make an offer since turning down the option.

A Vikings return could be the most logical outcome for Peterson, but there’s no guarantee that option will be there as the club looks into free agent Eddie Lacy and other running backs. Even as far as aging running backs go, Peterson isn’t at the top of the heap in the eyes of most clubs. Jamaal Charles, apparently, is garnering more interest than AD.

Eagles Re-Sign G/C Stefen Wisniewski

March 10th, 2017 at 9:36am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have re-signed offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski to a three-year deal, the club announced. The deal is worth close to $9MM and could grow to $15MM based on incentives, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Wisniewski started out the 2016 as a reserve, but wound up starting a good number of games at left guard. Guard may be his main position these days, but he also has experience at center dating back to his time in Oakland. Wisniewski, at minimum, should continue to be a highly valuable rotational piece for Philly and a strong fill-in.

Here’s where Wisniewski could really come in handy: the Eagles are reportedly open to trading center Jason Kelce and Wisniewski could theoretically slot in as their new starting center if a deal goes down. Lineman Isaac Seumalo could also fill that role.

Pro Football Focus was fond of his 2016 performance, ranking him 39th among 72 eligible guards. The website graded Wisniewski highly for his pass blocking skills.

The Eagles are currently rostering a number of players who are capable of playing offensive guard, including Wisniewski, Seumalo, Allen Barbre, Brandon Brooks, Chance Warmack, Matt Tobin, and Josh Andrews.

I had him ranked as one of the ten best interior offensive linemen available heading into this week.

Lions Host WR Philly Brown On Visit

March 10th, 2017 at 9:24am CST by Zachary Links

Panthers free agent wide receiver Corey Brown is visiting the Lions, a league source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The team was previously connected to free agent wideout Andre Roberts.

The former undrafted free agent has spent his entire three-year career in Carolina. The wideout ultimately started 22 games during his tenure with the Panthers, catching 79 passes for 1,019 yards and seven touchdowns. The 25-year-old also has 16 career rushing attempts for 139 yards. “Philly” appeared in all 16 games (eight starts) last season, hauling in 27 receptions for 276 yards and one touchdown.

Brown could provide some depth behind Marvin Jones and Golden Tate in Detroit. The receiver would presumably compete with T.J. Jones, Jace Billingsley, and Ryan Spadola for additional targets.

Latest On Rams, Trumaine Johnson

March 10th, 2017 at 9:07am CST by Zachary Links

This week, Dwayne Allen was traded from to the Colts to the Patriots and Houston unloaded Brock Osweiler‘s contract in a unique trade with the Browns. At the same time, the football world continues to buzz about a potential Brandin Cooks deal that could send the Saints wide receiver to the Patriots – perhaps with cornerback Malcolm Butler involved – or the Titans. Between all of that and the mountain of free agency news, you might have forgotten about rumors of the Rams discussing cornerback Trumaine Johnson with rival clubs.

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Johnson could still be on the move, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Rams are still speaking with “multiple teams” about a deal.

So far, the Browns are the only specific team that has been linked to the standout corner. Johnson, who is signed to a franchise tender for a second consecutive season, would mark a major upgrade to the secondary for any club. With A.J. Bouye off the board, Johnson is unquestionably better than any cornerback remaining on the open market.

The Rams were expected to kickstart extension talks with Johnson sooner rather than later in order to try and smooth out his cap hit for the coming season. Instead, they could unload his pending one-year salary in a trade and get some draft compensation in return. Trade buzz usually fizzles in the NFL, but things are different now that so many clubs have extra cap space to work with.

Eric Weems To Sign With Titans

March 10th, 2017 at 9:06am CST by Ben Levine

Eric Weems is expected to sign with the Titans, ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure tweets. The deal will reunite the former Atlanta special teams captain with his old position coach, offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie.

The former Pro Bowler spent the past three seasons with the Falcons. After collecting career-highs in receptions (10), yards (102), and touchdowns (two) in 2014, Weems has mostly served as a return specialist over the past two years. The 31-year-old retuned 32 kicks for 794 yards (24.8 average) during that span. He also returned 43 punts for 494 yards (11.5 average).

Weems will join a receivers depth chart that includes Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Harry Douglas, and Tre McBride. Marc Mariani served as the team’s primary returner in 2016.

Vikings, Texans To Meet With Mike Remmers

March 10th, 2017 at 8:57am CST by Ben Levine

Offensive lineman Mike Remmers will meet with the Vikings today and Texans tomorrow, reports ProFootballTalk.com (via Twitter). This is the first we’ve heard of these organizations having interest in the tackle, with the Lions being the lone team connected to the veteran (prior to their signing of Ricky Wagner).

After bouncing around the NFL over the past few seasons, Remmer found a home with the Panthers. After having played in six games over his first three seasons in the league, Remmers started all 32 games for Carolina over the past two years. This uptick in productivity certainly helped the free agent’s case, as PFR ranked the 27-year-old as the 10th-best free agent tackle.

In Minnesota, Remmers would join a tackle corps that includes Riley Reiff, Jeremiah Sirles, T.J. Clemmings, Rashod Hill, and Willie Beavers. Meanwhile, the Texans depth chart consists of Duane Brown, Chris Clark, Kendall Lamm, and Josh Walker.

Contract Details: Okung, Glennon, Simon

March 10th, 2017 at 8:43am CST by Ben Levine

Updates on several contracts signed this week…

There are “no tricks” in Russell Okung‘s new four-year, $53MM deal with the Chargers, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). The offensive lineman received a $10MM signing bonus, and his guaranteed money will come via his 2017 $3MM base salary and 2018 $12MM base salary.
Mike Glennon‘s 2017 $8MM base salary with the Bears is fully guaranteed, tweets Adam Jahns of the Sun Times. Meanwhile, the quarterback’s $5MM roster bonus will kick in on the fifth day of the 2018 league year. Jahns adds that Glennon can earn an additional $2.5MM in bonuses based on playing time, wins, and individual performance. If he hits on these NLTBE incentives, his 2018 roster bonus will be voided.
Linebacker John Simon‘s new deal with the Colts is actually worth $14MM over three years, clarifies NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Simon will earn $6MM in guaranteed money, which will seemingly come via his 2017 salary.
Safety Jonathan Cyprien‘s deal with the Titans includes a $3MM signing bonus, reports ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky. The veteran will earn a $2MM base salary and $1MM roster bonus in 2017. He’ll be paid $4.5MM in 2018 and $5.5MM in 2019 and 2020.

Latest On Jared Cook, Packers

March 10th, 2017 at 8:29am CST by Zachary Links

Contract talks between the Packers and free agent tight end Jared Cook have broken off, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cook is now expected to visit other teams.

Cook was said to be a priority free agent for the Packers to keep, but it sounds like they could be on the verge of losing him. Cook has two serious suitors in the Lions and Bills and this could be a sign that he’s closer to signing with one of those teams.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been vocal about his desire to see Cook back in Green Bay this offseason. If he gets away, Rodgers will lose a big target and the Packers will have an unhappy star on their hands.

Cook was held back somewhat by an ankle injury, but he really showed what he could do during the Packers’ playoff run. In the postseason, he had 13 receptions for 181 yards and two scores in two games. He finished the regular season with 30 catches (on 51 targets), 377 yards, and a touchdown,

I ranked Cook as the second-best tight end eligible for free agency heading into this week, right behind the Patriots’ Martellus Bennett.

WR Justin Hunter To Visit Patriots

March 10th, 2017 at 8:22am CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots have been connected to a number of free agents, and we now have another wideout to add to the list. ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that Justin Hunter is set to visit the organization today.

The former second-rounder joined the Bills early during the 2016 season after being waived by the Dolphins. In 12 games (five starts) with Buffalo, the receiver hauled in 1o catches for 189 yards and four touchdowns. The 25-year-old’s best season came in 2014 with the Titans, when he finished with 29 receptions, 498 yards, and three touchdowns.

Hunter certainly wouldn’t replace Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, or Malcolm Mitchell on the Patriots’ depth chart. The wideout could logically slide in as the team’s fifth receiver, or he could replace Danny Amendola as the fourth option.

Colts Sign LB John Simon

March 10th, 2017 at 8:00am CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have signed former Texans outside linebacker John Simon to a three-year deal, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). He’ll earn $13.5MM deal with another $3MM in escalators, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. Simon will make $6MM in the first year of the deal, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets.

J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus get the attention in Houston, but Simon is a quality edge rusher in his own right. Now, he might get some more attention for himself. He’s certainly in for a pay bump. The Texans have now lost three significant free agents in cornerback A.J. Bouye, safety Quintin Demps, and John Simon.

The Colts will likely slot Simon in as a starter at outside linebacker. The LB depth chart also features Edwin Jackson, Antonio Morrison, the newly-acquired Barkevious Mingo, Curt Maggitt, Deiontrez Mount, Deon King, and Luke Rhodes.

Simon, who can play at linebacker or defensive end, was ranked as our third-best free agent edge defender entering this week and made my Top 50 Free Agents list which ranked guys based on projected earnings.

Simon, 27 in October, had 51 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in 11 games last season. In the year prior, he played in all 16 games and totaled 49 tackles and 5.0 sacks.