Minor NFL Transactions: 4/5/17
Today’s minor moves:
- Chargers linebacker Korey Toomer has signed his restricted free agent tender, the club announced today. Toomer, 28, was assigned the original round tender, which means he’ll earn $1.797MM for the upcoming season. He’s the second RFA to ink his tender, joining Eagles tight end Trey Burton. Last year, Toomer appeared in 13 games and made eight starts, 71 tackles and one sack in the process.
- The Packers have re-signed exclusive rights free agent running back Don Jackson, according to the league’s transaction wire. Jackson, 23, appeared in three games (one start) for Green Bay last season, and managed 32 rushing yards on 10 carries. Right now, the Packers’ running back depth chart only has four members: Ty Montgomery, Christine Michael, John Crockett (another ERFA), and Jackson.
- The Rams have signed free agent linebacker Carlos Thompson, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Thompson went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2015, and eventually landed a UDFA contract with Houston. After appearing in two games, Thompson spent the rest of his rookie campaign on injured reserve. Thompson was waived in 2016, and worked out for the Giants in October without landing a contract.
- The Broncos have waived defensive end Travis Raciti, reports Troy Renck of the Denver7 (Twitter link). Raciti originally went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2015, and has since bounced between Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Denver. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.
Patriots Re-Sign RB Brandon Bolden
The Patriots re-signed running back Brandon Bolden, according to the league’s transactions wire. The signing could impact a pair of high-profile free agent backs previously connected to the team. 
LeGarrette Blount remains in free agent limbo and Bolden’s return could be a sign that Blount’s time in New England is through. The Pats now have five running backs under contract – Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, James White, D.J. Foster, and Bolden – so there might not be room for Blount. Bolden isn’t a high-profile player like Adrian Peterson, but the Pats might not be especially motivated to add to this already crowded RB group.
Bolden had just one carry last season with four targets. He probably won’t do much on offense in 2017, but he figures to be a key special teams piece.
Packers Cut DT Ego Ferguson
That was fast. Ego Ferguson failed his physical with the Packers and was released, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. Green Bay claimed Ferguson off waivers from the Bears just days ago. 
Ferguson, a former second-round pick, was waived by the club late last week. He played in only four games in 2015 due to injuries and a ban for performance-enhancing drugs. Then, he missed all of 2016 with a shoulder injury. In total, he played in only 20 NFL games since being drafted in 2014. In that time, the 25-year-old (26 in September) compiled 26 tackles, two sacks, and three passes defended. The Packers wanted to see what he could bring to the table, but he’s apparently got a ways to go before he can take the practice field.
In other Packers news, the team recently met with controversial running back Joe Mixon. The Packers also added a former Arena League guard.
West Rumors: Lynch, Raiders, Chiefs, Kizer
Here’s a look at the AFC and NFC West:
- Consistent with what we’ve heard before, Marshawn Lynch would only return for the Raiders and no one else, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Meanwhile, the Raiders still need to figure out some things on their end, including how Lynch would mesh with their young locker room. Lynch met with Oakland brass on Wednesday afternoon and approval from coach Jack Del Rio was said to be the “final hurdle” to getting all of the Raiders decision makers on board with acquiring the running back.
- The Chiefs recently had Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer in for a visit, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In Dallas Robinson’s mock draft, the QB comes off the board with the final pick in the first round.
- Ohio State defensive back Marshon Lattimore is in San Francisco to meet with the 49ers today (Wednesday), a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He’ll visit all of the top five teams, Rapoport adds. His visits with Tennessee and Chicago were previously reported, but we now know that he’ll also huddle up with the Jaguars and Browns. As buzz continues to build around Lattimore, it seems increasingly likely that he won’t make it out of the top five.
Patriots Rumors: Sherman, Peterson, Gronk
The latest on the Patriots:
- The Patriots didn’t just have Adrian Peterson in for a visit on Monday, they also put him through a tryout, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets. Peterson left New England without a contract, but it has been said that the two sides could revisit a deal later. New England’s running back group currently consists of free agent addition Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, James White, and D.J. Foster. The team could also still circle back to LeGarrette Blount and Branden Bolden.
- The Patriots have some interest in Richard Sherman, a source tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter), but they’re not expected to engage in a full-on pursuit unless they lose Malcolm Butler. Other teams have pursued the Seahawks star more aggressively to this point, Howe adds. On Wednesday, Seattle GM John Schneider publicly admitted that the trade talk surrounding Sherman is “real.” Sherman, has two years left on a hefty four-year extension he signed in 2014, but any team trading for him would only be on the hook for his base salary and not his prorated signing bonus.
- Earlier this week, we learned that Patriots tight end and professional wrestling enthusiast Rob Gronkowski expects to be ready for OTAs.
Marshawn Lynch Meets With Raiders
Here we go. Running back Marshawn Lynch is at the Raiders’ practice facility today chatting with team officials, a source tells former NFL punter Pat McAfee, who is now with Barstool Sports. The news has been confirmed by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
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The Seahawks still hold Lynch’s rights, but they OK’d his meeting with the Raiders (Twitter link). One source who spoke with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) believes that Lynch will ultimately wind up in Oakland. Today’s meeting with Jack Del Rio represents the final hurdle for Lynch to make his way to the Raiders, Rapoport tweets. If JDR says yes, the dominoes should start to fall, leading Beast Mode to Oakland.
During their meeting, Lynch told the Raiders he intends to un-retire and play again, Rapoport tweets. However, Rapoport cautions that a “long process” must play out before Lynch can actually join the Raiders.
The Raiders and Lynch have been connected to each other for some time now. Returning to play for the Raiders would give Lynch the opportunity to hook on with a contender and finish out his career in his hometown. The Raiders, meanwhile, would add a seasoned power back to help offset the loss of Latavius Murray. The Seahawks frankly don’t have room for Lynch at this juncture with Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls, and C.J. Prosise on the roster.
Lynch spoke with Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll last month, but he reportedly did not ask to remove him from team’s reserve/retired list during that chat. Talk of a Lynch return has been swirling for a long time and agent Doug Hendrickson does not deny that the itch to play is still there for his client.
Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Dolphins Sign QB David Fales
The Dolphins have agreed to terms with quarterback David Fales, as James Walker of ESPN.com tweets. Fales was a former draft pick of the Bears and spent the 2015 season with Miami head coach Adam Gase. 
Fales now becomes the third quarterback on the Dolphins’ depth chart, behind starter Ryan Tannehill and backup Matt Moore. T.J. Yates is a free agent and today’s signing is probably an indication that he’ll be headed elsewhere in 2017.
In other Dolphins news, they’re reportedly taking a hard look at front seven prospects in this year’s draft and recently lined up a visit with Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton.
Seahawks GM: Richard Sherman Trade Talk Is “Real”
The rumblings about a potential Richard Sherman deal have some validity, GM John Schneider said in an interview with 710 ESPN. While offering the usual caveats about always being willing to listen on any player, Schneider all but confirmed that the cornerback has been discussed with other teams. And, for the right price, Sherman could be moved. 
[RELATED: Patriots Inquire On Richard Sherman]
“What you’ve seen lately in the news is real,” Schneider said. “That’s on both sides...it’s just open communication. He knows what’s going on. We know what’s going on. I don’t know if anything would ever happen, but like I tell people all the time, 98 percent of the deals that we’re involved with, we don’t follow through with. But at least we’ve opened that door, gone down the road and seen what’s behind Door A or Door B.”
When the trade talk started in March, Sherman was pretty much laughing it all off. Then, in comments last week, Sherman seemed to take a more serious tone, perhaps intimating that he knew he was made available. Coach Pete Carroll also acknowledged that the Seahawks have talked about Sherman with other teams, though he said he did not envision a trade coming together.
Nothing is imminent on this front, a source tells Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald (on Twitter), but it is a very real possibility closer to the draft. Reportedly, the Patriots are among the clubs that have inquired on the outspoken corner, but it could be a few weeks before Sherman’s future is sorted out.
Hoops Player Mo Alie-Cox Drawing Interest
Antonio Gates, Julius Thomas, and Jimmy Graham all came from basketball backgrounds and went on to become top NFL tight ends. VCU’s Mo Alie-Cox is hoping to follow in their footsteps. The 6’7″ forward will be working out for teams on Tuesday, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport writes. 
[RELATED: PFR’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0]
“The interest is widespread,” agent Joe Flanagan said. “Twenty clubs are already confirmed to be sending reps, with multiple tight end coaches.”
What makes Alie-Cox particularly interesting is that he is not draft eligible and can be signed by any team. Alie-Cox was “eligible for the 2016 NFL Draft and has remained a free agent since the conclusion of that draft,” a league spokesman confirmed to Rapoport.
Alie-Cox will perform typical pro day drills, then will open up the floor for teams to have him perform other drills, including drills that would showcase him at other positions. There’s no guarantee that the VCU product can make the transition from the hardwood to the gridiron, but more than half of the NFL’s teams are at least curious to see what he has to offer.
PFR’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away, and while the first overall pick may be nearly set in stone, the rest of the first round is as muddled as its ever been. A lot can and will happen between now and April 27th, and there are still plenty of teams near the top that could go in a number of different directions on draft day.
Pro Football Rumors’ first mock draft of 2017 is below. To be clear, this is our projection of what will happen – not necessarily the choices we would make – based on reports and information gathered from beat and national writers, our general assessment of this year’s crop of prospects, and, of course, team needs. Let’s dive in:
1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, LB, Texas A&M
The easiest prediction of the first round, Garrett was considered the favorite to be selected first overall for much of the collegiate season. Nothing Garrett has done since the 2016 campaign concluded has changed that outlook, and the Browns reportedly have an “astronomical grade” on the Aggie edge rusher. At the scouting combine, Garrett weighed in at 272 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, and posted 33 bench press reps. Cleveland was “blown away” by the numbers, and it will pick Garrett knowing he can single-handedly alter their front seven.
2. Carolina Panthers (projected trade with San Francisco) – Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
Rumor has it the Panthers are interested in acquiring the No. 2 pick from the 49ers, and I’ve projected that trade will indeed occur (last week, I examined what sort of package Carolina may need to sacrifice in order to move up). While Leonard Fournette could also garner consideration, the Panthers will take Thomas, another signal that Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman values the defensive line above all else. Veteran defensive ends Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers are only signed through 2017, and Thomas would give the Panthers long-term security on the edge. He can slide inside, as well, protecting Carolina against free agent defections by Star Lotulelei and/or Kawann Short.
3. Chicago Bears – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
While the Bears have a number of needs on both sides of the ball, they could stand to add another cornerback, and in Lattimore they’ll secure the best CB in the draft. Chicago did add Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper in free agency, but Amukamara signed a one-year deal and Cooper has done nothing to prove he’s a starting NFL defensive back. Former first-round pick Kyle Fuller‘s time with the Bears may be coming to an end, and Lattimore would give Chicago shutdown corner potential from day one. Chicago hosted Lattimore on a predraft visit on Monday.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Defense shouldn’t be a problem in Jacksonville this season, as the team has invested heavy resources — both dollars and draft capital — on the defensive side of the ball over the past two years. The Jaguars’ offense, however, ranked just 27th in DVOA in 2016, and while much of the struggle can be attributed to Blake Bortles and a poor front five, Jacksonville isn’t going to replace Bortles immediately, and there are no offensive linemen worthy of the No. 4 pick. Instead, the Jags will select one of the safer players in the draft, pinpointing Howard to replace free agent whiff Julius Thomas, who was traded to Miami last month.
5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams) – Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
The Titans could still use help at both wide receiver and cornerback, but with another pick in Round 1 to address other needs, general manager Jon Robinson goes with the best player available and selects Allen. At least one AFC personnel director believes Allen’s shoulder issues could lead to a draft-day tumble, but Allen would give Tennessee a truly dominant defensive line. He’d team with lineman Jurrell Casey and Sylvester Williams and edge rushers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan on one of the league’s more underrated front sevens.
6. New York Jets – Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Gang Green isn’t in a great position at No. 6. Lattimore and Howard may have been the club’s best options, but they’re now off the board, and it’s difficult to see the Jets selecting another linebacker or defensive lineman given their first-round investments over the past several years. Under center, New York seems to want to give 2016 second-rounder Christian Hackenberg a chance to play, and the team’s visits with this year’s top quarterback prospects are largely viewed as smokescreens. Safety probably isn’t a priority for the Jets, but the the team simply needs talent, and Hooker is the best player left.
7. Los Angeles Chargers – Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Hooker is a better fit for new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s scheme, but Adams will work as well. While he’s not the center fielder that Hooker is, Adams offers the type of versatility the Chargers covet. Los Angeles has yet to replace Eric Weddle, who left after the 2015 season, and while it re-signed Jahleel Addae last month, Adams would serve as an improvement over Dwight Lowery. The Bolts could begin eyeing a long-term replacement for Philip Rivers this year, but they won’t use the seventh pick to find their franchise quarterback.
8. San Francisco 49ers (projected trade with Carolina) – Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Even after signing 13 external free agents, the 49ers still have holes all over their roster. Foster would be in consideration for San Francisco even if it holds on to the No. 2 selection, but in this scenario, the club has traded down to acquire more assets while still getting the player it originally targeted. Foster has some negatives — a February shoulder surgery, a dust-up with a hospital worker at the combine — but he’s unquestionably one of the more talented players in the 2017 class. An inside ‘backer by trade, Foster would likely slide into the weak side in the Bay Area given the presence of NaVorro Bowman.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
If the Bengals have a “type,” it’s productive players from the SEC. During Marvin Lewis‘ 14-year run as head coach, Cincinnati has selected a first-round SEC prospect half the time. Barnett fits that mold, as he topped Reggie White’s Tennessee sack record of 33 in only three years. Doubters, however, worry Barnett’s physical traits don’t match his production. But the Bengals need to upgrade on defensive end Michael Johnson, who hasn’t posted an above-average season since 2013. Wide receiver could be another option here, as could a trade back, especially if quarterback-needy clubs want to jump ahead of Buffalo, New Orleans, and Cleveland.
10. Buffalo Bills – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Corey Brown. Andre Holmes. Dezmin Lewis. Brandon Tate. Jeremy Butler. Those are the names on the Bills’ wide receiver depth chart behind Sammy Watkins. It’s the worst group of supplementary pass-catchers in the NFL, and while Buffalo’s offense is heavily run-focused, Tyrod Taylor still needs someone to throw to besides Watkins. Davis comes from a small school, but he’s been extremely productive against lesser production, topping 1,400 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. He’d immediately become the Bills’ No. 2 receiver.
