Extra Points: Bridgewater, Bolts, Colts
Teddy Bridgewater‘s 2017 status could be at the epicenter of a major dispute, with the NFLPA and Bridgewater’s camp on one side and the Vikings/NFL on the other. The Vikings did not pick up the quarterback’s fifth-year option last week, but due to a CBA provision that could make Bridgewater’s contract toll, the passer could be to his rookie deal through 2018 despite the team’s refusal to pick up the $11MM-plus option. Florio now reports this is shaping up as a contentious battle, should certain events unfold.
Should Bridgewater end up on the PUP list, which shelves a player for the first six weeks of the season, his $1.354MM salary would stand to carry over to 2018. A CBA provision indicates players in the final year of their contracts would see those deals toll to the following season if they spend more than six games on the PUP list. Bridgewater and the NFLPA would be ready to challenge a PUP designation by the Vikings, Florio reports, if the two parties believe he could pass a physical and follow the course to free agency in 2018. They would thereby be accusing the team of using the PUP list to keep the quarterback in the Twin Cities for an extra year at a cheaper rate. This is moot as of now, since it’s uncertain if Bridgewater will be able to pass a physical by September, but a source told Florio this would be a “huge” battle if it comes to pass.
Rick Spielman said he’s aware of this rule, but he did not comment further during an appearance on PFT Live earlier this week. One confusing component of this process that could work in the NFLPA’s favor is the NFL Management Council interpreting in past cases that the relevant language here means a player would need to spend the whole season on the PUP list for the contract to toll, Florio notes. So, this could be a complex offseason for the former Minnesota starter. Mike Zimmer said in March he does not know if Bridgewater will be able to play this season. The Vikings have already named Sam Bradford their starter.
Here’s the latest from around the league.
- Speaking of NFLPA-vs.-NFL issues, the union is holding up some teams’ contract negotiations with rookies due to the belief some provisions in proposed accords are in violation of the CBA, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports. The NFLPA sent a memo to agents urging them to reject certain types of proposals they feel violate the CBA. Language regarding players’ health and money they could owe their respective teams represents some of the issues causing the union to object to teams’ negotiations, and multiple execs told Pelissero the union’s stance here has slowed down the process.
- The Chargers experienced major injury issues at running back last season. In addition to Melvin Gordon failing to finish a season for the second time in as many years, injuries shelved Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Dexter McCluster. Woodhead and McCluster are no longer with the Bolts, and the team did not use a draft pick on a back. Part of this equation involves the Bolts’ belief Andre Williams can be a viable Gordon backup, Eric Williams of ESPN.com notes. After spending most of last season on the Chargers’ practice squad, the former Giants fourth-round pick rushed for 87 yards in the season finale against the Chiefs. Bolts coaches observed Andre Williams giving the defense fits in practice last season, per Eric Williams. Los Angeles did add former Eagles backup Kenjon Barner in free agency, and he joins Kenneth Farrow, Oliver and Williams as potential Gordon backups.
- The Colts‘ first-round selection of Malik Hooker looks to halt Darius Butler‘s wishes to play safety, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star writes. Butler re-signed with the Colts on a one-year, $3MM deal but did so in hopes the team would allow him to transition to safety full-time. But Holder notes that Hooker unexpectedly falling to No. 15 should push Butler back to the nickel role, where he’d work in the slot.
Chiefs Sign Three Draft Picks
The Chiefs announced their 12-man contingent of UDFAs on Saturday and have reached agreements with three of their six draft picks — each joining the team as a Day 3 selection.
Kansas City signed fourth-round wide receiver Jehu Chesson (Michigan), fifth-round linebacker Ukime Eligwe (Georgia Southern) and sixth-round safety Leon McQuay III (USC), Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports.
This leaves only the team’s top three selections — first-round quarterback Patrick Mahomes, second-round edge defender Tanoh Kpassagnon and third-round running back Kareem Hunt — as unsigned rookies as the team conducts its rookie minicamp, which began this weekend and housed 69 tryout candidates.
Cowboys To Move La’el Collins To RT?
Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said multiple times this offseason La’el Collins was an option at right tackle for the Cowboys, and the third-year player may be ready to make a move outside. Collins said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter) he has worked mostly at right tackle for the Cowboys this offseason.
Jones said last month that Collins, who has been the primary starter at left guard when healthy during his career, could be used out there in an emergency. But thus far, Collins has worked “solely” at right tackle, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter). Cowboys coaches told Collins to get ready for work at right tackle, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter).
“I’ll be real clear here, our first preference … is to have him play guard,” Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News, last month. “But we also know that if there’s a guy on our team who might have that flexibility to move out to tackle, then he certainly has that skill set.”
Collins was a full-time starter at left tackle at LSU during the 2013 and ’14 seasons, moving out there after playing at left guard for the Tigers in 2012. With the Cowboys, Collins usurped the since-departed Ronald Leary at left guard as a rookie in 2015 and began last season there. However, a foot injury ended Collins’ season after just three games. Leary also performed better after reclaiming the job. Collins did not come off Dallas’ IR after rumors pointed to that being in play.
The Cowboys obviously will have a change at right tackle after longtime starter Doug Free opted to retire. They signed Byron Bell in the offseason and still have 2015 third-round pick Chaz Green on the roster. Inside, Dallas houses Joe Looney and Jonathan Cooper. The Cowboys re-signed the former top-10 pick to a one-year deal in March.
It’s possible the team is simply preparing the 23-year-old Collins for work at tackle should a situation arise, but there’s a lot to suggest a relocation may be coming for the 6-foot-5 lineman. A position switch would be notable on arguably the game’s premier offensive line, particularly after the Cowboys lost two starters this offseason. Due to his UDFA background, Collins is also entering a contract year, making positional versatility a potential boon to his value.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/17
Here are today’s minor moves:
- The Raiders saw enough from two tryout defenders over the weekend to extend offers. Former Tennessee defensive lineman LaTroy Lewis and ex-Wagner College linebacker Najee Harris will sign with the team, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports (Twitter links). Both agreed to three-year deals, although they will obviously have uphill battles due to the circumstances of their respective signings. Lewis played both defensive end and tackle with the Volunteers.
- The Jets announced that they’ve signed tryout offensive linemen Benjamin Braden and Chris Bordelon. In order to create roster space, New York has waived offensive lineman Donald Hawkins and long snapper Zach Triner. Braden appeared in 38 games during his career at Michigan, while Bordelon was a 12-game starter for Nicholls State in 2016. Hawkins, meanwhile, played in seven contests for Carolina last season, but finished out the year with Gang Green.
Earlier updates:
- The Ravens have released RB Stephen Houston, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- The Panthers signed their entire draft class several days ago, and now they are working on filling out their 90-man roster. As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk reports, Carolina has signed LB Kyle Kragen (whose father, Greg Kragen, was a member of the Panthers’ 1995 expansion team), LB Alex Bazzie, and DT Gabriel Mass.
NFC South Rumors: Falcons, Cooper, Saints
Set to hold their rookie minicamp next weekend, the Falcons want to move quickly and get their entire draft class signed this week, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports. The Falcons have informed the agents representing these rookies they want the class signed by Friday, per McClure. This would continue a pattern of expediency for the defending NFC champions. Atlanta was the first team to reach agreements with its entire 2016 draft class. The Falcons have not signed any of their six picks yet. Division rival Carolina, which held its rookie camp this weekend, beat them to the punch by signings its entire seven-man haul. With 20 teams set to hold their rookie camps next weekend, signings should soon accelerate since they’re no longer especially complicated negotiations.
Here’s the latest from the NFC South on the first rookie minicamp weekend.
- A Riley Cooper comeback is unlikely to commence with the Buccaneers, who allowed him to audition this weekend during their rookie camp. Tampa Bay is not expected not to sign him, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times notes (on Twitter). Cooper played six years with the Eagles and signed a five-year, $25MM extension during the Chip Kelly regime. But his Eagles career did not continue into the post-Kelly era, and the 29-year-old did not play in the NFL last season. Tampa Bay added DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin this offseason to their bolster a receiving corps that became quite reliant on Mike Evans in 2016.
- Stephone Anthony may not have an open-and-shut case for a Saints roster spot come training camp. The linebacker has not been able to stick at one position nor has he been the surefire starter the team envisioned when it invested a first-round draft pick in him in 2015. NOLA.com’s Josh Katzenstein, though, expects the Saints to give the former Clemson ‘backer to receive another chance in 2017. Katzenstein, while adding that Anthony has not shown an ability to play special teams, expects the former No. 31 overall pick to compete for the strong-side linebacker spot after being moved there from the middle last year. The Saints added UFAs Alex Okafor and A.J. Klein to their linebacking corps this offseason and used a third-round pick on Florida’s Alex Anzalone, complicating an Anthony ascent.
- Willie Snead has not signed his ERFA tender worth $615K yet, but he’s bound to the Saints for the time being. The fourth-year wide receiver caught in with the Saints’ practice squad in December 2014, after the Panthers cut him from theirs, and became a key contributor the past two years. The Saints run the risk of decreasing Snead’s desire to stay in New Orleans long-term by keeping him on the roster at that rate, Katzenstein writes, but the team doesn’t have any incentive to do a deal now. The writer expects a Snead pact at some point, though. The Saints were in the early stages of such a goodwill-based agreement in April, but nothing has transpired on that front since.
- Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane interviewed for the Bills’ GM vacancy this week.
Patriots Won’t Re-Sign WR Michael Floyd
While free agent wide receiver Michael Floyd is reportedly in negotiations with the Vikings and other clubs, re-signing with the Patriots is not an option, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Floyd “won’t be back” in New England in 2017, according to Reiss.
The Patriots had interest in bringing Floyd back as recently as February, but the club’s offseason machinations have made the former waiver claim expendable. New England notably acquired Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks for a package that included the No. 32 overall pick, and also traded for tight ends Dwayne Allen and James O’Shaughnessy. Additionally, the Pats signed running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead, each of whom can help in the passing game.
Floyd, who hopes to land a new contract this week, managed four receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown after joining the Patriots in December. The 27-year-old plead guilty to “Super Extreme DUI” in February, and he’s unable to leave the state of Arizona until June 17. Floyd is likely to face an NFL suspension during the 2017 campaign.
PFR Originals: 4/30/17 – 5/7/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- The Giants and Lions are reportedly interested in free agent running back LeGarrette Blount, but other NFL clubs could conceivably be eyeing the 30-year-old power back. Zach Links ran down the list of potential fits for Blount, an inventory that includes teams such as the Ravens and Dolphins.
- Blount has yet to find a new home, but other veteran running backs such as Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, and Jamaal Charles have, as they’ve landed with the Saints, Raiders, and Broncos, respectively. With that in mind, Sam Robinson asked PFR readers which runner will have the most significant impact in 2017. Thus far, Lynch is leading the voting at more than 60%.
- The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2014 is May 3, but all 32 NFL clubs made their decisions with a day left on the clock. 23 of 32 players had their options exercised, five saw the options declined, and three weren’t eligible given that they’d already been released by their original clubs. I rounded up all the decisions and salaries on 2018 fifth-year options.
49ers Waive WR K.D. Cannon
The 49ers have waived wide receiver K.D. Cannon, according to David Smoak of ESPN-Central Texas (Twitter link). Cannon’s agent has confirmed the former Baylor wideout’s release, tweets Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
[RELATED: 49ers Waive RB Mike Davis]
Cannon had been viewed as one of the premier undrafted free agents following last week’s draft, and San Francisco handed him a $5K signing bonus and guaranteed $40K of his 2017 base salary in order to land him. But Cannon apparently didn’t show enough during the 49ers’ rookie minicamp to stick on the roster, and Maiocco speculates the club may be clearing roster space in order to ink tryout players.
Cannon, 21, declared for the draft after only three years at Baylor. In his final season with the Bears, Cannon posted 87 receptions for 1,215 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 49ers’ $45K guarantee likely means Cannon drew a significant amount of interest as an undrafted free agent, so there’s a good chance he’ll be claimed off waivers by a rival team.
San Francisco has been aggressive in signing UDFAs, as running back Matt Breida, safety Malik Golden, and tight end Cole Hikutini all received at least $15K in guaranteed money. Colorado linebacker Jimmie Gilbert, meanwhile, garnered a whopping $62K guaranteed.
5 Key Stories: 4/30/17 – 5/7/17
Jay Cutler, broadcaster. After months of retirement rumors, Cutler officially hung up his cleats last week in order to sign with FOX Sports as a color commentator. Cutler, 34, will join Kevin Burkhardt and Charles Davis in calling games each and every Sunday. The career change is permanent, says Cutler, although he did admit he could feel some regret down the line. Cutler had negotiations with both the Jets and Texans before calling it a career.
Jamaal Charles stays in the AFC West. After nine seasons in Kansas City, Charles will now spend the 2017 campaign in Denver after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Broncos. The 30-year-old back will earn a base value of $1MM, but can bring in another $2.75MM through roster bonuses and incentives. Charles joins a backfield that also includes C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker, and he admits he isn’t sure what his role will be with the Broncos (although passing down work seems likely).
Fifth-year option decisions come due. Clubs had until May 3 to exercise or decline 2018 options on players drafted in 2014, and there were certainly some surprises among the calls. The Bills opted not to pick up wide receiver Sammy Watkins‘ option, presumably based on his lengthy injury history, while the Jaguars exercised the option for quarterback Blake Bortles despite his recent struggles (and the ~$19MM price tag). Follow every decision with PFR’s 2018 Fifth-Year Option Tracker.
Giants and Lions in on LeGarrette Blount. Any chance of Blount returning to New England seemed to have evaporated when the Patriots signed Bills restricted free agent Mike Gillislee, but Blount’s market seems to be heating up. Detroit is interested in the veteran running back after not selecting an RB in the draft, while the Giants are still eyeing Blount even after adding Clemson’s Wayne Gallman. Last week, PFR’s Zach Links looked at the eight best fits for the 30-year-old Blount.
Consistent questions on Reuben Foster. Although the 49ers reportedly would have been comfortable selecting Foster with the No. 3 overall pick, concerns are still arising about the former Alabama linebacker. Foster’s latest surgery “didn’t take,” and San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted Foster could miss the 2017 campaign in a worst-case scenario.
Photos courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Bengals Sign John Ross
The Bengals have signed first-round pick (No. 9 overall) John Ross and fourth-round pick (No. 116 overall) Carl Lawson to their rookie contracts, per Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter).
Ross, of course, had a breakout final season at Washington (81 catches for 1,150 yards and a whopping 17 receiving TDs), and he has game-breaking speed, which will be an excellent complement to A.J. Green in Cincinnati. The concern, of course, is that the diminutive wideout has major medical red flags, which caused some teams to drop him on their boards or remove him from their boards entirely. Ross tore his ACL and missed the 2015 collegiate campaign and also underwent labrum surgery after the combine, and we heard last week that some clubs only view him as a one contract player and not as a long-term investment.
If he stays healthy, his explosiveness could be a boon to the Bengals both on the offensive side of the ball and in the return game. He will be in line for a four-year deal worth roughly $17MM and a $10.5MM signing bonus.
Lawson, meanwhile, was the first of three fourth-round selections the Bengals made, and he will earn roughly $3MM over the life of his four-year pact. The Auburn product amassed 9.5 sacks in his final collegiate season, and Cincinnati plans to utilize his pass-rushing skills from the outside linebacker position even though he lined up as a defensive end in college.