2017 March - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Market For A.J. Bouye

March 7th, 2017 at 4:22pm CST by Ben Levine

We figured that cornerback A.J. Bouye would be one of the most sought-after free agents, and that sentiment has certainly been confirmed today. ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco reports (via Twitter) that the Jaguars, Bears, Buccaneers, and Titans have been linked to the defensive back.

The Jets and Eagles were among the teams previously mentioned as potential landing spots, and the Texans are also reportedly interested in re-signing him. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle clarifies (via Twitter) that the Eagles will indeed have interest in Bouye, but they’re not expected to “emerge as a serious player” for his services. Wilson also adds the 49ers, Browns, and Colts as teams that are expected to be “extremely competitive” when it comes to signing Bouye. Considering that long list of suitors, Wilson says there’s a good chance Bouye sticks around the AFC South.

Meanwhile, Wilson tweets that all of the offers for Bouye have averaged at least $12MM annually.

The 2013 undrafted free agent played sparingly during his rookie season, but he established himself as one of the team’s most reliable corners over the past three seasons. Bouye arguably had his best season in 2016, compiling 63 tackles, one sack, and one interception.

Among the teams listed above, Bouye would seemingly be able to slide into every starting lineup. Brice McCain (Titans), Aaron Colvin (Jaguars), Brent Grimes (Buccaneers) are among the defensive backs who could be pushed out of the lineup if their respective teams sign Bouye.

PFR listed Bouye above Logan Ryan as the best available free agent cornerback. Meanwhile, our own Zach Links anticipates that the 25-year-old will be the highest-earning free agent this offseason.

Panthers Re-Sign Fozzy Whittaker

March 7th, 2017 at 4:01pm CST by Ben Levine

Fozzy Whittaker will be sticking around North Carolina. Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports (via Twitter) that the running back has signed a new two-year deal with the Panthers. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the contract is worth $2.5MM.

The former undrafted free agent originally joined the organization during the 2014 season, and he proceeded to play in at least 10 games during each of his three seasons with the Panthers. The 28-year-old had his best NFL season in 2016, setting career-highs in yards (265), attempts (57), yards per carry (4.6), catches (25) and receiving yards (226).

The running back will presumably resume his role as the Panthers third running back, slotted in behind Jonathan Stewart and Cameron Artis-Payne.

Packers DT Letroy Guion Suspended

March 7th, 2017 at 4:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion has been suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The exact reason for the ban is not yet known. Guion was previously suspended for the first three games of the 2015 season due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Guion, 30 in June, made 15 starts for the Packers last year and racked up 30 total tackles. He’s currently set to enter the second season of a three-year deal worth $11.25MM. Depending on the nature of the suspension, his guaranteed cash could be in jeopardy.

In other Packers news, the team reached out to cornerback Davon House on Tuesday. House became a free agent this week when the Jaguars cut him loose.

Panthers To Tender RFA OL Andrew Norwell

March 7th, 2017 at 3:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Panthers will use a second-round tender on restricted free agent offensive lineman Andrew Norwell, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. That tender will be worth $2.746MM.

Carolina has now created a significant impediment to other clubs poaching Norwell, as rival teams would have to submit an (unmatched) offer sheet to the Panthers and sacrifice a second-round pick. That’s a steep price to pay even for Norwell, who last year graded out as the league’s No. 11 guard, per Pro Football Focus. Norwell, 25, has started 29 games over the past two seasons, firmly entrenching himself at left guard opposite Trai Turner.

Norwell is now the sixth restricted free agent to be tendered at the second-round level, joining Brandon McManus and Todd Davis (Broncos), Isaiah Crowell (Browns), Taylor Gabriel (Falcons), and Trey Burton (Eagles). No RFA has yet been offered a first-round tender.

In other Panthers news, the club announced that it’s reached a new one-year deal with wide receiver Brenton Bersin. Bersin, 26, wasn’t tendered as a restricted free agent yesterday, but he’s now back with Carolina on a presumably cheaper contract.

Eagles Pursuing CB A.J. Bouye

March 7th, 2017 at 2:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles are expected to have some money to spend once they drop a few pricey veterans and they are already keying in one of this year’s biggest free agents. The Eagles have interest in Houston cornerback A.J. Bouye, a person familiar with the situation tells Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. The two sides made contact on Tuesday, the first day of the legal tampering period.

My updated list of this year’s Top 50 Free Agents has Bouye in the No. 1 spot due to his earning potential. I listed the Eagles as a logical landing spot for him as they look to retool their secondary. The Eagles have parted ways with starter Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll could go elsewhere this month. Bouye would represent a major upgrade to Philly’s defense.

Janoris Jenkins‘ deal from last year has been mentioned as a comp for Bouye. He inked a five-year, $62.5MM contract with the Giants which included a staggering $28.8MM fully guaranteed. Bouye is younger than Jenkins was at the time of signing and the cap is higher than last year, so it’s entirely possible he could match.

The former undrafted free agent had arguably his best season in 2016. The 25-year-old finished the campaign with career-highs in tackles (63) and passes defended (16) while also collecting one sack and one interception. Bouye has only missed four games over the past three seasons.

Ravens Cut Shareece Wright, Kendrick Lewis

March 7th, 2017 at 2:39pm CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens have released cornerback Shareece Wright and safety Kendrick Lewis, per a team announcement. The moves will save a combined $4.9MM in cap space.

Wright signed with the 49ers prior to the 2015 season but wound up being a healthy scratch for the first four games of the year. He was then scooped up by the Ravens and wound up being the team’s best corner in those eleven regular season games. After that, he was rewarded with a three-year deal worth up to $16MM including $5MM guaranteed. This past season, however, his performance slipped and he missed one-quarter of the games.

Prior to this season, Lewis had been plenty productive. After spending the first four seasons of his career in Kansas City, the 2010 fifth-round pick had a standout campaign in 2014 with the Texans. The defender finished the year with 84 tackles, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. His 2015 with Baltimore wasn’t too shabby either. Last year, unfortunately, was pretty much a lost season for Lewis as he appeared in just six games.

Cardinals Re-Sign TE Jermaine Gresham

March 7th, 2017 at 2:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals and tight end Jermaine Gresham have reached agreement on a four-year deal, the team announced. NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the veteran “doubled up” his $3.5MM salary from last season. Gresham is the first notable tight end to come off the market during the legal tampering period.

On my most recent rankings of this year’s free agent tight ends, I listed Gresham as the ninth-best TE available, behind Martellus Bennett, Jared Cook, Jack Doyle, Vernon Davis, Luke Willson, Dion Sims, Anthony Fasano, and Jacob Tamme. The 28-year-old (29 in June) had 37 catches and 391 yards last year, but he doesn’t offer much in the way of blocking.

The Cardinals still have a number of notable free agents to address, including Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson, and linebacker Kevin Minter.

Browns Rumors: Garoppolo, Pryor, Zeitler

March 7th, 2017 at 2:26pm CST by Zachary Links

It sounds like talk of Jimmy Garoppolo being pulled off the trade block was not entirely accurate. Still, if he is still available, it could take an awful lot to pry him loose. It might take as much as a No. 1 pick this year plus a No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. That’s a price the Browns are very unlikely to meet, Cabot adds.

The Browns would very much like to have Garoppolo and their dream scenario right now would be to land him via trade while drafting pass rusher Myles Garrett No. 1 overall. Failing that, they have their eyes on getting Garrett at the top of the draft and landing either Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson at No. 12. That scenario will become a little more realistic if teams like the 49ers, Jets, and Bears address their QB situations before the draft. The Browns could also conceivably use their draft stockpile to trade up from No. 12 and get their desired signal caller.

In other Browns news, one source estimates that Terrelle Pryor is seeking somewhere between $13MM and $15MM per year. If that’s the asking price, Cabot believes the Browns will let him walk. Reportedly, he has been contacted by the Giants, 49ers, Titans, and Eagles. The Steelers, depending on who you ask, may also have interest.

A Pryor return may or may not be in the cards, but the Browns will likely pursue Bengals free agent guard Kevin Zeitler, a league source tells Cabot. Zeitler played for coach Hue Jackson in Cincinnati and that connection could help lead to a deal.

Broncos Place Tender On Brandon McManus

March 7th, 2017 at 2:22pm CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos have placed a hefty second-round tender on restricted free agent kicker Brandon McManus, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). A second-round tender is valued at $2.746MM.

The Broncos now have the opportunity to match any offer sheet to the kicker, and they’ll be compensated with a second-round pick if the veteran signs elsewhere.

After losing the starting job, McManus served mostly as a kickoff specialist during his first season in the league. However, he has handled full-time kicking duties over the past two years. The 25-year-old has made at least 85-percent of his field goals since 2015, and he’s connected on 8-of-13 field goals beyond 50 yards. The former undrafted free agent has only missed two extra point attempts over the past two seasons.

Mike Klis of 9News reports (via Twitter) that inside linebacker Todd Davis also received a second-round tender from the Broncos. In 15 starts last season, the 24-year-old collected 64 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

We’ve been collecting the rest of today’s tenders here.

Rams Discussing Trumaine Johnson Trade

March 7th, 2017 at 2:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams are in discussions with several teams about potentially trading franchised cornerback Trumaine Johnson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Johnson was tagged for the second year in a row, giving him a one-year, $16.742MM tender. The Rams and the 27-year-old corner have until July 15 to agree to an extension, but it sounds like he could be shipped out before that point.

If the Rams do trade Johnson, it’s likely that they will pursue some of this year’s top available cornerbacks. Last year, the Rams let Janoris Jenkins leave via free agency and their pass defense suffered tremendously. Some of this year’s biggest available names include A.J. Bouye, Logan Ryan, Stephon Gilmore, Morris Claiborne, and Dre Kirkpatrick. We also consider Prince Amukamara, Brandon Carr, Terence Newman, Nickell Robey-Coleman (recently released), and Kayvon Webster to be among the ten best CBs on the market.

The Rams’ other cornerbacks under contract are Lamarcus Joyner, E.J. Gaines, Blake Countess, Troy Hill, and Michael Jordan (no, not that Michael Jordan).

In 2016, Johnson had 57 total tackles and one interception in 14 games. In the year prior, he racked up 71 total tackles and seven interceptions. Johnson’ position as Pro Football Focus’ No. 26 cornerback last season is nothing to sneeze at, but he probably didn’t perform quite at the level expected of him.