2017 May - Pro Football Rumors

Jaguars To Work Out LB Mike Morgan

May 17th, 2017 at 7:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jaguars will audition free agent linebacker Mike Morgan on Thursday, and Morgan could sign with Jacksonville if the tryout goes well, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com.

Morgan, 29, was nominally the Seahawks’ starting strongside linebacker in 2016, but because Seattle spent so much time in nickel, Morgan’s defensive snaps were limited. Morgan’s contributions were further restricted by injury last year, as he spent eight weeks on injured reserve while dealing with a sports hernia. All told, Morgan played only 138 defensive snaps and posted just 10 tackles.

Jacksonville is already well-stocked with linebackers in the forms of Myles Jack, Paul Posluszny, Telvin Smith, and fifth-round pick Blair Brown, so Morgan would likely be limited to special teams duty. That’s a role Morgan has played before, as he saw action on more than 60% of the Seahawks’ special teams plays in 2015. The Jaguars ranked a lowly 25th in special teams DVOA last season.

Details On Adrian Peterson’s Saints Contract

May 17th, 2017 at 6:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although Adrian Peterson‘s two-year deal with the Saints has a maximum value of $15.25MM, the veteran running back will have to work to reach that total, as the majority of that figure can only be attained through incentives, as Nick Underhill of the Advocate details.

Incentives are linked to both Peterson’s statistics and New Orleans’ team performance, per Underhill. Peterson can earn $150K, $250K, $750K, or $1MM by rushing for 750, 1,000, 1,250, or 1,500 yards, respectively, in each of the next two seasons. He can bring in another $250K, $500K, or $750K if he scores six, eight, or 10 touchdowns, respectively, although Peterson will only unlock the $750K incentive if he also leads the NFL in rushing scores.

If Peterson rushes for 750 yards and the Saints earn a postseason berth, more incentives are available, according to Underhill. Making the playoffs alone in that scenario is worth $250K to Peterson. A conference championship appearance is worth $500K, while a Super Bowl victory would bring Peterson $1MM.

Peterson can also earn $400K in per-game roster bonuses, although that figure could increase based on his 2017 incentives. The amount of incentives Peterson earns in 2017 will be tacked on to his per-game bonus in 2018, per Underhill. Peterson can also take in $73,529 for each week he makes the Saints’ 53-man roster.

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Bucs DE Jacquies Smith Signs RFA Tender

May 17th, 2017 at 5:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith has signed his restricted free agent tender, the club announced today.

Because Smith was tendered at the original round level, he’s scheduled to earn a non-guaranteed $1,797MM base salary for the 2017 season. Smith met with the 49ers earlier this offseason, and because he originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent, Tampa Bay wouldn’t have received any draft pick compensation had Smith signed with San Francisco (or any other club). However, the Buccaneers would have had the right to match any offer sheet Smith received.

Instead, Smith will head back to Tampa Bay and become part of a defensive end rotation that includes Robert Ayers, William Gholston, Noah Spence, and others. Smith, 27, registered 13.5 sacks between the 2014 and 2015 campaigns, but suffered a torn ACL in the 2016 season opener. But Smith is now reportedly well on his way to a full recovery, and should be able to contribute early in the upcoming season.

With Smith now under contract, Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is now the only restricted free agent yet to sign his tender.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/17

May 17th, 2017 at 5:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: LB Mikey Bart
Waived: DT Collin Bevins

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: OL Cornelius Edison

Dallas Cowboys

Signed: G Dan Skipper

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: P Toby Baker
Waived: T Mason Zandi

Minnesota Vikings

Waived: DT Toby Johnson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: WR Canaan Severin
Waived: LB Akil Blount, QB Nick Schuessler

Patriots Release TE Rob Housler

May 17th, 2017 at 4:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots have released tight end Rob Housler, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (on Twitter). His release comes with a failed physical designation.

This offseason, Housler was hoping to lock down the No. 3 TE job behind Rob Gronkowski and offseason addition Dwayne Allen. He’s currently dealing with a pulled hamstring, but a reunion between Housler and the Pats is not out of the question once he heals up, Reiss tweets.

Housler was without a team in 2016, though not for a lack of trying. After several NFL workouts did not net him a job, he hooked on with New England in January on a reserves/futures deal.

The former third-round pick was a staple in the Cardinals lineup from 2011 through 2014, averaging nearly 14 games a season. The tight end was especially productive in 2012 and 2013, combining for 84 receptions, 871 yards, and one touchdown in 28 games. In 2015, he bounced between the Bears and Browns and amassed just four catches for 33 yards.

Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster Signs Rookie Deal

May 17th, 2017 at 3:45pm CST by Zachary Links

JuJu Smith-Schuster is officially a member of the Steelers. The team announced on Wednesday that the second round pick has inked his rookie deal.

Smith-Schuster first received national attention in 2015 when he caught 89 passes for 1,454 yards and ten touchdowns at USC. He wasn’t quite as impressive last year as he battled through a back injury, but he still managed to haul in 70 receptions for 914 yards and ten scores. The stock of the 6’1″, 215 pound receiver may have dipped a bit in 2016, but the Steelers see him as a first-round caliber talent and someone who can help take some of the heat off of Antonio Brown.

A former USC assistant coach gushed over Smith-Schuster’s work ethic and athleticism before the draft.

“He has a mom and stepdad who keep him grounded. His passion and enthusiasm are second to none and he absolutely loves football. He came in as a safety and probably could have gone pro as a safety as well if he had stayed there,” the coach told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

Patriots Work Out WR Andrew Hawkins

May 17th, 2017 at 3:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots worked out wide receiver Andrew Hawkins on Wednesday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It’s officially a big week for Hawkins after he completed his master’s degree in sports management from Columbia’s School of Professional Studies just a couple of days ago.

Hawkins has been sitting on the open market since being released by the Browns in February. The Saints kicked the tires on him back in March, but they ultimately passed on signing him. The Patriots’ level of interest in adding Hawkins isn’t immediately clear and there’s a bit of a glut at the position. Already, the Patriots have Brandon Cooks, Julian Edelman, Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Devin Street, and special teams specialist Matthew Slater under contract.

Hawkins, 31, has spent his entire career to date in the AFC North. After playing for the Bengals from 2011-2013, he hooked on with the Browns as a free agent prior to the 2014 season. Hawkins was initially a focal part of the offense in Cleveland, racking up 63 catches for 824 yards and two scores in his first season there. After that, however, his role shrank. Last year, he had just 33 catches for 324 yards and three scores.

Jaguars Sign RB Leonard Fournette

May 17th, 2017 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Leonard Fournette is officially a member of the Jaguars. The Jags have signed the running back to his four-year rookie deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Per the terms of his slot as the No. 4 overall pick, Fournette will receive a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $27.15MM. That sum includes fat a $17.89MM signing bonus. By virtue of being a first-round pick, the Jaguars will also reserve the right to keep him for a fifth season.

Fournette was widely regarded as the best running back in this year’s class and he impressed evaluators at the combine with his faster than expected 40-yard-dash time. If he stays healthy, the Jaguars figure to have a superstar on their hands. Before the draft, one anonymous NFC director of scouting told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein that the LSU back has an exceptionally bright future ahead of him:

“I can’t wait to see how the draft guys pick at Fournette and tell everyone what he doesn’t do right. He was healthy last year and that is what you are going to get. Big, fast and dominant.”

Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Falcons Meet With DL Sean Lissemore

May 17th, 2017 at 2:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers met with defensive lineman Sean Lissemore on Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

Lissemore, 30 in September, appeared in 41 games for the Chargers between 2013 and 2015 and made 13 starts during that span. Unfortunately, in August of 2016, he suffered a major injury which ended his season before it even began. Presumably, the William and Mary alum is now healthy enough to play.

Before his time with the Bolts, Lissemore spent three years with the Cowboys. For his career, he has 135 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one interception to his credit.

Lissemore could be a depth option for Atlanta’s newly revamped defensive line. This offseason, the Falcons made three significant additions by signing free agents Dontari Poe and Jack Crawford and drafting UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley.

Charges Against Browns’ Caleb Brantley Dropped

May 17th, 2017 at 12:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The battery charge against Browns rookie Caleb Brantley has been dismissed, his lawyer tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). The Florida product was alleged to have punched a woman in a bar, causing dental injuries. The charge was closed due to “insufficient evidence,” per Alachua County Court documents (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).

[RELATED: Browns To Sign CB Jason McCourty]

After taking the Florida product in the sixth round, top exec Sashi Brown indicated that his time with the organization would be short lived if the charges stuck. Now, Brantley could have a much clearer path to making the 53-man roster. From a talent perspective, many evaluators viewed the defensive tackle as a first- or second-round pick. However, because of this ugly incident and other perceived character issues, many teams took him off of the board completely. One Florida coach also reportedly warned teams to steer clear of Brantley.

Back on April 13, two witnesses saw Brantley get into a verbal spat with a female patron at a bar. After the woman shoved Brantley due to “crude comments” he made, Brantley was said to have struck the woman in the face, rendering her unconscious and knocking out a tooth. Even though he’s in the clear from a legal perspective, the Browns will likely be keeping a close eye on the rookie’s off-the-field behavior from here on out.