2017 March - Pro Football Rumors

Lions To Sign Akeem Spence, Cornelius Washington

March 9th, 2017 at 3:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions have agreed to sign defensive lineman Akeem Spence to a three-year, $10.5MM deal, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Detroit has also inked fellow DL Cornelius Washington, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It’s a two-year, $6MM deal for Washington, with a max value of $8MM, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Spence, 25, has spent the past four seasons in Tampa Bay after being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. He’s started 30 games during that time, but most of those starts came during his rookie campaign. Since then, Spence has become more of a rotational piece. In 2016, Spence appeared in all 16 games, managing 10 tackles and a half sack.

Washington, meanwhile, has been with the Bears for four years. The former sixth-round pick has followed a career path similar to that of Spence, as Washington has mostly served as a depth option in Chicago. Last year, he appeared in 15 games (two starts), and posted 14 tackles and two sacks.

Ravens Pick Up Mike Wallace’s Option

March 9th, 2017 at 3:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Mike Wallace will be back in Baltimore next season. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that the Ravens have picked up the veteran’s $8MM club option.

The 30-year-old’s first season in Baltimore was one of his most productive campaigns in years. Following a down season in Minnesota, Wallace finished 2016 with 72 receptions, 1,017 yards, and four touchdowns. The veteran proved to be one of Joe Flacco‘s preferred targets, as Wallace, Steve Smith, and Dennis Pitta were the lone offensive options to finish with more than 100 targets.

With Smith set to retire, the Ravens would have been lacking wide receiver depth had they declined Wallace’s option. The veteran sits atop the team’s depth chart, followed by Breshad Perriman, Chris Moore, and Vince Mayle. The team also has a trio of exclusive restricted free agent wideouts in Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews, and Keenan Reynolds.

Latavius Murray To Visit Seahawks

March 9th, 2017 at 3:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Running back Latavius Murray is set to visit the Seahawks, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Murray, 27, has spent his entire career in Oakland to date. Now, he could be an option for the Seahawks as they mull possibilities in the backfield. As reported earlier today, Jamaal Charles is also slated to meet with Seattle.

Murray averaged 4.0 yards per carry in each of his two seasons as the Raiders’ primary starter, a post he ascended to late in the 2014 season. While he rushed for 12 touchdowns in 2016, Murray saw Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington eat into his workload. He surpassed 1,000 yards in 2015 but rushed for only 788 last season.

The Raiders are interested in bringing him back as a free agent after he tests the market. Although Oakland has been connected to Adrian Peterson, the Silver and Black aren’t enamored at this point by adding the future Hall of Famer.

In other running back news, Cardinals free agent running back Chris Johnson intends to continue playing and will visit teams next week. It is unclear at this time whether a return to the Cardinals is in play.

Aldon Smith Detained By Police

March 9th, 2017 at 3:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Aldon Smith is in more legal trouble. The Raiders pass-rusher was detained after crashing into a police cruiser, according to TMZ (Twitter link). Smith was reportedly drunk at the time of the incident.

This situation is merely the latest in a long line of episodes that have derailed Smith’s once promising career. A series of incidents led to Smith’s release in San Francisco despite excellent production, and while the Raiders have since given him another chance, this may be the end of the road for Smith. Thought to be nearing reinstatement by the NFL, Smith is reportedly also under investigation for an alleged domestic assault.

Smith posted 3.5 sacks for Oakland in nine games during the 2015 season before being hit with a one-year suspension (he also served a nine-game ban in 2013 for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies). Despite that, Oakland handed Smith a two-year, $11.5MM deal last spring, and GM Reggie McKenzie has repeatedly expressed support for the troubled young talent.

Latest On Browns, Brock Osweiler

March 9th, 2017 at 3:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Now owning Brock Osweiler‘s rights after arguably today’s strangest move, the Browns now must proceed with this uniquely acquired asset. There are conflicting reports as to how they will do that.

One option would be to outright cut him, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) the Browns plan to do that — unless they can find a trade partner. And, interestingly, Adam Schefter reports teams have already reached out to the Browns about Osweiler (Twitter link).

One Browns source told ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link) the focus of this deal was the second-round pick and not Osweiler, who finds himself in limbo after an underwhelming season. A year ago, the Texans made Osweiler a rich man by signing him to a four-year, $72MM deal. Now, it’s uncertain where he’ll play after being traded following an underwhelming season.

The Browns only have Robert Griffin III and Cody Kessler on their roster but have been linked to likely first-round quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Deshaun Watson, along with Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade. The team, though, has put itself in an unusual position by acquiring Osweiler and his $16MM financial attachment. Cleveland’s brass hasn’t made a final decision on RG3 just yet.

Jets Release RB Khiry Robinson

March 9th, 2017 at 3:39pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets have cut running back Khiry Robinson, reports ESPN’s Rich Cimini (via Twitter). The 27-year-old ultimately played in only one game for New York.

The veteran joined the Jets last offseason after spending three seasons with the Saints. However, Robinson broke his leg during the team’s preseason finale. He managed to return to the field in December, but the running back re-injured his leg and was subsequently placed on the injured reserve. In his one game with the Jets, the running back compiled 22 yards on eight carries.

The 2014 season was Robinson’s best in the NFL. The running back collected 362 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 76 carries, and he added another eight receptions for 63 yards.

Following this transaction, the Jets will now have five running backs on their roster: Matt Forte, Bilal Powell, Brandon Wilds, Brandon Burks, and Romar Morris.

Bills Sign S Micah Hyde

March 9th, 2017 at 3:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills have signed safety Micah Hyde, according to a team announcement. Within the release, they also announced the signing of fellow safety Jordan Poyer, formerly of Cleveland. Hyde will receive $30MM over a five-year term, with the chance to earn as much as $32.5MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. $14MM is guaranteed.

Hyde had spent his entire four-year career in Green Bay, though its interest in bringing him back for a fifth season never seemed all that high. The team may have not even made Hyde an offer. If the 26-year-old’s career with the Packers is over, it’ll end with 63 regular-season appearances out of a possible 64, 33 starts, eight interceptions, five forced fumbles and four sacks.

Hyde is coming off a 16-game, 11-start season, in which he tied a career high with three picks and ranked a decent 53rd among Pro Football Focus’ 112 qualified cornerbacks. Hyde also has experience at safety, so his track record of versatility, productivity and durability should enable him to land an appreciable raise over his $1.671MM base salary from 2016.

Hyde was among my Top 50 Free Agents, a list built on projected earning power.

Redskins To Sign Stacy McGee

March 9th, 2017 at 3:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins have agreed to sign defensive tackle Stacy McGee to a five-year, $25MM contract, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Washington lost defensive lineman Chris Baker to the Buccaneers today, but it’s replaced him by adding both McGee and Terrell McClain. Defensive line was a clear need area for the Redskins this offseason, and they’ve now signed two solid — if unspectacular — veterans to fill roles up front. McGee and McClain will team up with Anthony Lanier, RickyJean-Francois, and Matt Ioannidis along the line.

McGee, who ranked as PFR’s No. 12 free agent interior defender, appeared in nine games for the Raiders last season, starting each of those contests. The 27-year-old posted 14 tackles. 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries during that time, earning strong grades against both the run and pass from Pro Football Focus.

Terrelle Pryor To Visit Redskins

March 9th, 2017 at 3:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Redskins lost both of their starting receivers in free agency but will attempt to land another high-upside target. Terrelle Pryor will visit Washington, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Washington lost both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, with their pair of 1,000-yard receivers agreeing to join the Buccaneers and 49ers, respectively. Pryor emerged as one of 2016’s top breakout players, going for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns on a team with arguably the worst quarterback situation in football.

Pryor and the Browns engaged in discussions this offseason, but Cleveland agreed to sign Kenny Britt earlier today, leaving Pryor’s role murky. The former Ohio State and Raiders quarterback is not expected to re-sign with the Browns. Pryor will turn 28 in June but is still nearly three years younger than both Garcon and Jackson. Washington, though, is the first team to lose two 1,000-yard wide receivers in the same offseason.

Buccaneers Re-Sign Jacquizz Rodgers

March 9th, 2017 at 3:24pm CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers have re-signed running back Jacquizz Rodgers, the team announced on Twitter. It’s a two-year, $3.3MM deal, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

The 27-year-old’s first season in Tampa was one of the best of his career. Rodgers established career-highs in multiple categories, compiling 560 yards and two touchdowns on 129 attempts (good for a 4.3 yards per carry average). The running back also collected another 13 receptions for 98 yards.

The Buccaneers are currently rostering four running backs on their roster: Rodgers, Charles Sims, Peyton Barber, and Russell Hansbrough. Former first-rounder Doug Martin is a free agent.

PFR ranked Rodgers as the seventh-best free agent running back, slotting in behind Darren McFadden and ahead of Rex Burkhead.