2017 March - Pro Football Rumors

Colts Could Pursue Jabaal Sheard

March 8th, 2017 at 9:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With a boatload of cap space at their disposal, the Colts are in position to act aggressively on the open market this year. Already linked to high-end free agents-to-be like A.J. Bouye, Dontari Poe, Nick Perry and Kevin Zeitler, the club also has genuine interest in pass rusher Jabaal Sheard, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.

Sheard, whom PFR’s Dallas Robinson ranks as the second-best edge defender in the 2017 free agent class (behind Perry), has served as a more-than-capable rusher in both Cleveland and New England during his six-year career. All told, Sheard has piled up 36 sacks, including 13 over the past two seasons with the Patriots.

Despite ranking 22nd in the NFL in quarterback hurries in 2016, Sheard endured a somewhat rocky year with the Super Bowl champions. In the midst of following an eight-sack, four-forced fumble 2015 with a five-sack, zero-forced fumble campaign, Sheard was a healthy scratch for the Patriots’ Week 11 win over San Francisco. Head coach Bill Belichick sat Sheard for performance-related reasons, though he did end up partaking in the rest of the Pats’ regular-season games and their playoff run.

Sheard is now on the verge of hitting free agency for the second time since 2015, when he landed a two-year, $11MM deal. In Indianapolis, he’d figure to bolster a pass rush that tied for 19th in the league in sacks and finished dead last in hurries in 2016.

Dolphins Re-Sign Kenny Stills

March 8th, 2017 at 9:19pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Dolphins announced that they’ve re-signed their top impending free agent, wide receiver Kenny Stills. Stills will reportedly receive a four-year, $32MM pact with $20MM in guarantees.

Miami was among at least three teams – including the Bears, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times – in negotiations with Stills. A contract worth around $12MM per annum seemed like a possibility as of late February for Stills, but he’ll fall well short of that level.

Stills’ decision to eschew free agency in favor of a deal with the Dolphins has taken PFR’s third-ranked player off the board the night before the market opens. The 6-foot-1, 194-pounder earned that lofty position on the heels of a 42-catch, 726-yard, nine-touchdown season, his second with the Dolphins. Since entering the NFL as the Saints’ fifth-round pick in 2013, the field-stretching Stills has appeared in 63 of a possible 64 games, made 41 starts (including every Miami contest last year) and averaged 41 receptions, 685 yards and five scores per season.

Looking ahead to the 2017 campaign, Stills will join fellow receivers Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker – and a prominent newcomer, tight end Julius Thomas – as Miami’s best weapons in the passing game. Landry’s scheduled to become a free agent in a year, so having Stills and Parker under control beyond then will give quarterback Ryan Tannehill and head coach Adam Gase at least two capable wideouts for the foreseeable future.

With Stills now off the board, Alshon Jeffery and Terrelle Pryor undoubtedly stand as the top two unsigned receivers entering free agency. Stills is third high-profile receiver who has left the list Thursday, as Pierre Garcon (49ers) and Brandon Marshall (Giants) previously agreed to deals.

Freelance reporter Rand Getlin (Twitter link) first reported Stills had re-signed with the Dolphins. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted the length and financials of the contract. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Eagles To Re-Sign LB Najee Goode

March 8th, 2017 at 9:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Eagles will re-sign linebacker Najee Goode to a one-year deal, reports Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The pact is worth $875K, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, and contains a $50K signing bonus and a $50K workout bonus.

Goode, 26, is almost exclusively a special teams player. In 2016, he played all of two defensive snaps, but did see time on more than two-thirds of the Eagles’ special teams plays. Although he’s spent the past four years in Philadelphia, 2016 marked the first season in which Goode appeared in all 16 games. Originally a fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers, Goode has played in 48 games during his five-year NFL career.

The Eagles re-signed Goode to a one-year pact last offseason, as well, and although he was released at final cutdowns, Goode re-upped with Philadelphia before the club’s first regular season contest.

NFC Rumors: Rams, 49ers, Lions, Saints

March 8th, 2017 at 9:03pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Rams are receiving “significant interest” as they attempt to trade franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (Twitter link). As of yet, the only club to be directly linked to the Johnson discussions is the Browns, and even that report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was seemingly tangential and not indicative of definitive interest. Johnson is set to earn nearly $17MM in 2017 under his second consecutive franchise tender.

Here’s more from the NFC:

Free agent defensive tackle Terrell McClain is generating “a lot of interest” from the 49ers, writes Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. McClain is coming off the best season of his career, as he started more 12 or more games for the first time since 2012. In 15 starts, McClain put up 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He’s also been linked to Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, and Miami.
The Lions reached out to offensive tackle Mike Remmers before signing Ricky Wagner, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Remmers isn’t an elite tackle like Wagner, but he can play both the left and right side and has started 32 games for Carolina over the past two seasons. He rates as PFR’s No. 10 free agent offensive tackle.
Although the Saints have interest in retaining linebacker Michael Mauti, a deal may not come together until later in free agency, according to Joel Erickson of the Advocate (Twitter link). Mauti, 27, played in eight games for New Orleans last season before being placed on the NFI list with an intestinal issue. While he’s not a contributor on defense, Mauti did play 35% of the Saints’ special teams snaps despite only managing a half-season.
The meeting between the Vikings and controversial running back prospect Joe Mixon went “very well,” tweets Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Mixon will meet with the Raiders next, per Miller, after posting a successful Pro Day this afternoon.

49ers To Sign Brian Hoyer

March 8th, 2017 at 8:50pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers will sign Brian Hoyer, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Hoyer’s role is not immediately clear, but it’s at least possible that he may be San Francisco’s starter in 2017. It’s a two-year deal, tweets Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. The pact contains base salaries of $6MM in each season and $10MM in guarantees, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. With potential incentives factored in, Hoyer could make up to $9MM per year (Twitter link).

The Jets also had interest in Hoyer, but it seems that his relationship with coach Kyle Shanahan helped push him to San Francisco. The incumbent Bears and the Bills also had some level of interest in him. The Bears probably backed off as their pursuit of Mike Glennon gained steam and the Bills came off the board when they worked out a restructured deal with Tyrod Taylor.

Hoyer and Shanahan worked together on the 2014 Browns, who finished with the moribund franchise’s best record since 2007. Hoyer’s per-pass numbers were better with the Texans and Bears, respectively, but his longest audition as a starter came for a Cleveland team that didn’t have Josh Gordon‘s services, for the most part. The Cleveland-area native threw for more than 3,000 yards for the only time in his career and tossed 12 touchdown passes.

In Chicago, Hoyer threw four 300-yard games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, and he guided the Texans to the playoffs in 2015 despite being embroiled in a strange quarterback controversy with Ryan Mallett for part of the year. His arrival in San Francisco could signal the 49ers leaning toward taking a quarterback in the draft. Numerous passers — headlined by Kirk Cousins — were believed to be on the 49ers’ radar, but Hoyer looks to be a bridge starter in the meantime. Washington slapped the exclusive franchise tag on Cousins, so a trade would be the only scenario in which San Francisco could acquire him this year. But Cousins could be a 2018 UFA, and a Hoyer deal would line up with a possible Shanahan pursuit of another former pupil next year.

Hoyer went 1-4 in five Bears starts last year but 5-4 with the ’15 Texans and guided the Browns to all seven of their wins a year prior.

Falcons, 49ers In On Dontari Poe

March 8th, 2017 at 8:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons and 49ers are among the clubs pursuing defensive tackle Dontari Poe, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), who already connected the Redskins and Colts to Poe earlier today.

Atlanta is expected to revamp its defensive line this offseason, and has already indicated it won’t re-sign veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. Poe, who ranks, as PFR’s No. 4 interior defender, who slot in at defensive tackle next to Grady Jarrett and Ra’Shede Hageman, each of whom improved in 2016. Overall, however, the Falcons’ front four ranked in the bottom half of the league in both adjusted line yards allowed and adjusted sack rate.

Like the Falcons, the 49ers will employ a Seattle-esque defense, and could use Poe in the middle of their 4-3 front. Although San Francisco’s roster is relatively barren, the one place it does have a bit of depth is up front. Former first-round picks Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner will be joined by recent signing Earl Mitchell, while Aaron Lynch and Quinton Dial will also be factors.

As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report first reported today, Poe may be forced to accept a one-year, prove-it deal if his market doesn’t develop as expected. If Poe goes that route, he could re-enter the free agent market in 2018 at the age of 27.

Ravens Trying To Re-Sign Williams, Mallett

March 8th, 2017 at 8:48pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

As of earlier Wednesday, it appeared impending free agent defensive tackle Brandon Williams was definitely on his way out of Baltimore, but that’s not the case, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. The Ravens are still working to re-sign Williams before the market opens Thursday.

The 28-year-old Williams has so far spent his entire career with the Ravens, who selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft. Williams has been durable, having appeared in 16 games in each of the past three seasons, and productive. In addition to piling up 16 starts for the second straight year, he ranked as Pro Football Focus‘ 39th-best D-tackle among 127 qualifiers last season.

Along with Williams, the Ravens are attempting to re-up a lower priority free agent-to-be in quarterback Ryan Mallett, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (Twitter link). After stints with New England and Houston, Mallett joined the Ravens late in the 2015 season and served as Joe Flacco‘s primary backup last year. In six appearances (two starts) with Baltimore, the 28-year-old has posted a 59.2 percent completion rate, two touchdowns against three interceptions, and 5.7 yards per attempt.

Ravens To Sign Tony Jefferson

March 8th, 2017 at 8:22pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A year after signing safety Eric Weddle, the Ravens are set to make another splash at the position in free agency. The club will sign Tony Jefferson, report Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini of ESPN (Twitter link).

Jefferson is the second big-name defender who has agreed to depart the Cardinals this evening, joining soon-to-be Jaguar Calais Campbell. The safety’s decision to sign with the Ravens came in spite of a better offer from the AFC North rival Browns, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Jets also had interest in Jefferson, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (Twitter link), but Weddle helped convince him to head to Baltimore, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Jefferson hit clubs’ radars in the wake of a season in which he logged career bests in tackles (92), starts (14) and sacks (two). Although Jefferson failed to intercept a pass last year, and has recorded only two picks in four NFL seasons, he’s known for his line-of-scrimmage prowess and managed to rank an outstanding fifth in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 89 qualified safeties. He also rated as our 11th-best free agent and top safety.

The addition of an in-his-prime Jefferson, 25, is a boon for the Ravens, but not for one of their other safeties, Lardarius Webb. The team is now primed to release him and pick up $5.5MM in cap room, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Interestingly, PFF liked the 15th-ranked Webb’s play nearly as much as it did Jefferson’s last season. However, at 31, Webb is the far older of the two. To this point, he has spent his entire eight-year career in Baltimore, where he has amassed 111 appearances, 82 starts and 13 interceptions. Webb started all 16 of the Ravens’ games last year.

Ravens Expected To Lose Brandon Williams?

March 8th, 2017 at 8:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Brandon Williams tenure with the Ravens may be on ice. Although Baltimore is reportedly working to re-sign the veteran defensive tackle, Williams might not return to Baltimore next season, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Still, the Ravens are still “very much” in the mix for Williams, adds Zriebec. The Sun scribe continues that there have been plenty of “rumblings” regarding Williams signing with the Giants, but he’s unsure if a decision has been made.

The 2013 third-round pick has spent his entire four-year career with the Ravens. He’s played in 16 games for each of the past three seasons, and he’s started every game over the past two campaigns. This past season, he collected 51 tackles and one sack. Pro Football Focus graded Williams as the 39th-best defensive tackle last season among 127 eligible candidates. Meanwhile, we ranked Williams as the third-best available defensive tackle.

The Ravens currently have two defensive tackles on their roster in Michael Pierce and Carl Davis. Meanwhile, the Giants are rostering Jay Bromley, Damon Harrison, Anthony Johnson, and Robert Thomas.

Matt Kalil Likely To Sign With Vikings Or Panthers

March 8th, 2017 at 8:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent left tackle Matt Kalil is expected to sign with either the Vikings or the Panthers, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link), who adds that clubs are waiting for the first left tackle “domino” to fall.

A reunion with the Vikings would see Kalil staying with the only club he’s ever played for during his five-year career. Minnesota selected Kalil fourth overall in the 2012 draft, and witnessed him excel during his rookie campaign. It’s been all downhill since, however, as Kalil has struggled to live up to his first-year production. In 2016, Kalil managed less than 200 snaps before going down with injury.

Kalil, 27, has indicated a preference to stay with the Vikings, and general manager Rick Spielman has also expressed his desire to re-sign the sixth-year pro. “We have a plan in place on everything,” Spielman said last month. “But I also know I have a pretty good history of trying to keep our own guys as well.” Minnesota’s offensive line was perhaps the league’s worst last year, so while Kalil isn’t an elite option, he’s preferable to what the Vikings deployed at left tackle in 2016.

The Panthers’ interest in Kalil has been reported before, as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer linked Kalil to Carolina earlier this week. As of early this month, incumbent Panthers left tackle Michael Oher is still in the concussion protocol — even if he’s healthy, Oher could shift to the right side if Kalil is signed.