East Notes: Patriots, Garoppolo, Cowboys
Phil Perry of CSNNE.com wonders aloud about how Derek Carr‘s new deal may impact Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. In short, Perry comes to right conclusion – not much. Both players were taken in the second round of the 2014 draft, but the similarities between the two players start to dwindle after that. Carr, of course, has proved himself as a starter. Garoppolo, on the other hand, has only impressed in a limited sample size. Unless Garoppolo winds up seeing significant time in 2016, Perry concludes, the Carr deal won’t really have an immediate impact on him. Earlier this month, Jimmy G indicated that he would be open to discussing an extension with New England.
Here’s more from the East divisions:
- The Cowboys‘ 2016 draft saw them land a franchise quarterback and an elite running back, but as with any draft, there were still potential misses. With that in mind, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News looked at the five players that the Cowboys likely regret passing on. The list starts with Eastern Kentucky defensive end, Noah Spence. Spence went No. 39 to the Bucs, five picks after Jaylon Smith, and made up for a slow start by finishing out with 5.5 sacks and three fumbles. Moore also lists defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (No. 69 overall, Jaguars), cornerback Tavon Young (No. 104 overall, Ravens), wide receiver/return specialist Tyreek Hill (No. 165 overall, Chiefs), and linebacker Corey James (No. 194 overall, Raiders) as missed opportunities.
- Over the weekend, one beat writer ran down seven players who could still be released by the Jets this summer.
- It sounds like wide receiver Brian Quick could be on the Redskins‘ roster bubble.
NFC North Notes: Packers, Rodgers, Lions
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has signed with CAA Sports to represent him in off-the-field work, Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. That in and of itself is not necessarily headline news, but CAA represents some of the league’s highest-paid players and one can’t help but wonder if Rodgers may mull an agency change for his on-the-field work as he eyes a new deal.
On the other hand, as PFT points out, Rodgers was very complimentary of agent David Dunn recently.
“Well, that stuff usually takes care of itself, and I have a fantastic agent, he does a great job. He worries about that stuff,” Rodgers said (via ESPN.com). “When it comes to setting the market values, I let that stuff take care of itself. I know my value in this league, and I know the team appreciates me. I’m going to continue to make myself an indispensable part of this roster. When you do that, when your time comes up to get a contract, you usually get a contract extension.”
Rodgers is under contract with Green Bay through 2019 thanks to the $110MM contract extension he inked in 2013. At the time, the deal gave him the richest contract in the league. Since then, however, he has slipped to No. 6 amongst QBs based on annual average value.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press wonders how invested the Lions truly are in tackles Greg Robinson and Cyrus Kouandjio. The Lions added both veterans after learning that Taylor Decker would be missing significant time this season. Birkett indicates that the Lions are somewhat locked in with Robinson since the final year of his rookie contract is fully guaranteed for $3.322MM and has no offset language. On the other hand, the team isn’t nearly as tethered to Kouandjio. The former Bill got a $35K signing bonus from Detroit, but the rest of his deal is pretty lean. He’s due for a $690K base salary plus a $75K roster bonus.
- Lions coach Jim Caldwell says that he hasn’t lost any faith in running back Dwayne Washington, despite some struggles in 2016. “Nobody really knows how good he can be, but he has talent,” Caldwell said (via Birkett). “He has ability. We like what we see in that particular area and he’s developing.” Washington likely profiles as Detroit’s No. 4 running back, behind Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner. Free agent addition Matt Asiata is also in the mix, but Caldwell’s words could be a sign that the former seventh-round pick is not in danger of losing his roster spot.
- Meanwhile, Bears running back Ka’Deem Carey may be in danger of missing the cut.
- On Saturday, the Vikings offered support for wide receiver Michael Floyd.
PFR Originals: 6/18/17 – 6/25/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- Although premier players typically aren’t available at this point in the NFL calendar, teams can still attempt to make incremental roster improvements via the players that are on the market. With that in mind, I took a look at the the best remaining free agents on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Colin Kaepernick, Chris Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Gary Barnidge, Dwight Freeney, and Darrelle Revis are among the top players still available.
- The Jets are likely to roll with Josh McCown under center (at least to begin the season), but in PFR’s latest Community Tailgate segment, Rory Parks asked readers to discuss how Gang Green will proceed at the quarterback position for the long term. While Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg are conceivably incumbent options, the Jets could also target another passer in the 2018 draft.
- In PFR’s second Community Tailgate piece of the week, Zach Links wondered whether Raiders quarterback Derek Carr should have pressed for a larger contract. Yes, Carr is now the highest-paid NFL player in terms of annual salary, but his cash flow doesn’t match up to that of Andrew Luck. For what it’s worth, Carr said he took less money in order to help Oakland lock up other players.
- The Titans haven’t earned a postseason berth since 2008, but following a successful offseason, Connor Byrne asked PFR readers whether the club will head back to the playoffs this year. Tennessee addressed both sides of the ball, adding Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, and Eric Decker on offense while bringing in Jonathan Cyprien, Logan Ryan, and Adoree’ Jackson on defense. As such, more than three-quarters of respondents think the Titans will make a postseason appearance in 2017.
- With the 2017 draft nearly two months in the rearview mirror, Zach asked PFR readers which top-10 pick will have the most career success. So far, the voting is extremely tight, as Leonard Fournette (Jaguars), Mitch Trubisky (Bears), Jamal Adams (Jets), Myles Garrett (Browns), and Christian McCaffrey (Panthers) all received more than 10% of the vote.
- Only a handful of 2017 draft choices remain unsigned (11 of 253 at last count). I examined those remaining unsigned picks and went over possible reasons why they haven’t reached deals.
Top Remaining NFL Free Agents: Defense
Any NFL club aiming to seriously upgrade its roster through free agency in June is clearly not adept at personnel management, but small tweaks can still be made as the summer begins. While headliners such as Colin Kaepernick and Anquan Boldin remain unsigned, it’s often lesser-known players that can make incremental differences once the season gets underway.
After looking at offense on Saturday, let’s examine the best remaining free agents on the defensive side of the ball:
Edge defender
Now entering his age-37 campaign, Dwight Freeney had to wait until August to find a contract last offseason, and it’s possible he’ll be on the market until late summer once again in 2017. He’s made it clear that he intends to play, however, and the Falcons could conceivably be interested in a reunion. Atlanta will see Derrick Shelby return from an injury-plagued campaign, and the club also spent a first-round pick on Takkarist McKinley, so it’s unclear if the Falcons are searching for another pass rusher.
Mario Williams is the bigger name, but Erik Walden has actually drawn more interest on the free agent market. While Williams hasn’t been mentioned in connection with any team, Walden has been linked to both the Titans and Jets. Per Pro Football Focus‘ grades, Williams was the far more effective player in 2016, as he ranked roughly 50 spots higher than Walden and earned positive marks in run defense.
One edge rusher who didn’t quite make this list is former Buccaneer Howard Jones, who is still recovering from a torn ACL. Jones is only 27 years old and managed five sacks in limited snaps as recently as 2015. He met with the Jets earlier this year and was expected to make a decision on a new team, but still has yet to land a deal.
Interior defensive line
Dan Williams is the type of defensive lineman that is slowly being removed from the field as NFL offense move to more spread-based looks. The 6’2″, 330-pounder played on only a third of the Raiders’ defensive snaps a year ago before being released in the spring, and hasn’t met with any clubs since. Massive run-stuffers aren’t a need for most clubs in 2017, but if a team wants a force in the middle, Williams is the best available.
Like Williams, Jared Odrick received his walking papers earlier this year, but he’s drawn a bit more interest than the former Oakland defender. Odrick has been linked to the Seahawks, Eagles, and Giants, and also met with the Patriots (although Odrick may not want to play in New England). Although he played in only six games in 2016, Odrick has been a reliable defender for much of his career and isn’t yet 30 years old.
Arthur Jones and Vance Walker are very similar players: classic 3-4 defensive ends who probably are best in a two-gap scheme. Unfortunately (at least for them), NFL teams are exponentially moving towards one-gap fronts, meaning Jones and Walker might fit better as defensive tackles. Both have dealt with injuries in recent seasons and could struggle to find much — if any — guaranteed money.
Linebacker
Based solely on 2016 production, Perry Riley may be the single most notable player who’s still on the free agent market. In fact, he’s one of only two of PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents who has yet to find a contract (the other being offensive tackle Ryan Clady). The Raiders seem to want Riley back, especially after not adding much to their linebacking unit this offseason, and given that some rumblings of retirement seem to have been unfounded, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Riley in silver and black by the time the season gets underway.
While Riley posted a breakout season in 2016, DeAndre Levy regularly posted excellent campaigns for the Lions before injuries severely limited his production. In 2013-14, Levy was one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL, but he’s appeared in only six games over the past two years. Levy was reportedly planning a health grievance against the Lions earlier this year, which could suggest his knee condition won’t allow him to play any time soon.
D’Qwell Jackson and Rey Maualuga are essentially worse versions of fellow linebacker David Harris, who signed with the Patriots last week. Harris landed a two-year, $5MM deal that contains only $1.25MM guaranteed. The former Jet graded as the league’s No. 35 linebacker in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, while Jackson and Maualuga ranked as bottom-10 at the position. Maualuga, for what it’s worth, did meet with the Chiefs earlier this year.
Cornerback
Darrelle Revis will earn $6MM in guaranteed base salary from the Jets in 2017 even though he’s no longer on their roster, and that money could complicate his free agent market. Any salary he makes from a new team will offset his New York cash, and no club is likely to offer Revis more than the $6MM he’s earning from Gang Green. Two clubs reportedly showed interest in Revis in May, but his market may be limited. I ran down the top eight fits for Revis earlier this year.
Given that both are best served in the slot, Alterraun Verner and Leon Hall are very similar players. Hall may still be the more talented defensive back, but given that Verner is four years younger, the former Buccaneer figures to draw more free agent interest. Indeed, Verner worked out for the Jaguars in May and expects to sign with a club this summer.
One player who should be listed here based on talent is former 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock. Brock, 28, posted a superb 2016 campaign but was released after being arrested on domestic violence charges. Teams were reportedly “keeping tabs” on Brock and may have been interested if the charges had been dropped, but given that Brock was officially charged earlier in June, his NFL career may be over.
Safety
Corey Graham has been consistently excellent since becoming a starter in 2012, posting positive marks for the Ravens and then Bills while playing both corner and safety. He’ll be 32 years old later this summer, which could limit his appeal, but Graham would add a veteran presence to any team in need of experience in the back end. The Giants, Browns, and Buccaneers stand out as potential fits for the 10-year pro.
Both Jairus Byrd and Marcus Gilchrist were recently released from large contracts with the Saints and Jets, respectively, but both players could still contribute as deep safeties on cheap deals. Most depth safeties are going to be asked to play special teams, and Byrd (103 snaps) and Gilchrist (45 snaps) both did a little of that in 2016. If clubs are searching for more pure special teamers, however, Steven Terrell, Kelcie McCray, and Jonathan Meeks could be of interest.
As with the cornerback list, there’s one safety who isn’t included here based on non-performance reasons: former Dolphins defensive back Isa Abdul-Quddus. IAQ was released in March after suffering a serious neck injury last year. Certainly, Abdul-Quddus shouldn’t risk his future health in order to return to the field, but if he can get medically cleared, he should be able to contribute to a safety-needy club.
AFC Rumors: Browns, Broncos, Patriots, Jags
Jabrill Peppers is one of only 11 2017 draft choices who has yet to sign his rookie deal, and offset language is likely to blame for the contractual holdup with the Browns, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes. Offset language, as a reminder, can allow a player to “double dip” if he’s waived by his original club, as it enables him to collect a salary from a new team without that total being offset. Neither of Cleveland’s other two first-round picks — defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku — were able to remove offset language from their deals, so the Browns are likely attempting to maintain precedent with Peppers.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- Second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch is now in a better position to challenge Trevor Siemian for the Broncos‘ starting job after an exemplary performance during the final two weeks of Denver’s offseason program, according to Mike Klis of 9News. Per Klis, while Lynch can’t be considered to have “overtaken” Siemian just yet, a “switch flipped” for the 2016 first-round selection. “Yeah, I mean the more reps I’m getting with these guys, the more I get to go against the defense and see the looks live compared to just on paper, it’s helping me a lot,’’ Lynch said. “I think each practice I’ve progressively got better.’’
- New signee David Harris is nearly a lock to make the Patriots‘ roster after agreeing to a two-year, $5MM deal last week, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com explains in a pair of articles. More of a luxury addition than a need-based signing, Harris is likely to play in base formations alongside fellow linebacker Dont’a Hightower. The former Jet can also serve as insurance for Hightower, who hasn’t played a full 16-game slate since 2013. Meanwhile, Harris’ signing doesn’t figure to materially affect the role of other New England ‘backers such as Shea McClellin, who will still be working primarily in the passing game.
- If Blake Bortles struggles to begin the 2017 season, the Jaguars could choose to employ the Robert Griffin III treatment: pluck Bortles on the bench so an injury doesn’t require the club to pay its quarterback nearly $20MM in 2018 under the terms of his fifth-year option, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only, meaning Jacksonville could cut Bortles before the 2018 league year unless he can’t pass a physical. Washington didn’t allow RG3 to see the field in 2015 for fear that an injury would cost it significant money.
Louis Riddick Denies Chiefs GM Interest
Although Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicates (Twitter link) the Chiefs have reached out to ESPN commentator Louis Riddick in order to schedule an interview for their general manager vacancy, Riddick himself denies Kansas City has done so. “The Kansas City Chiefs have not contacted me and there is no interview set up for this week. Source? Me,” Riddick said (Twitter link).
Riddick was a candidate for the 49ers’ GM job earlier this year, so it’s entirely conceivable that he might be on Kansas City’s wishlist. Indeed, the variance in Rapoport’s report and Riddick’s denial could simply be semantics, as it’s possible the Chiefs intend to contact Riddick about an interview but haven’t yet officially reached out.
The Chiefs are expected to consider both internal and external candidates for their GM position after firing John Dorsey last week, and a wide swath of contenders could be interested in what is viewed as a highly attractive job. Incumbent co-directors of player personnel Mike Borgonzi and Brett Veach are both expected to be interviewed.
Chiefs GM Job Viewed As Highly Attractive
Although the timing of the Chiefs’ firing of general manager John Dorsey could prove complicating, as rival clubs may be loathe to let staffers interview for the Kansas City position this late in the offseason, the Chiefs GM job is viewed as a highly attractive gig, as Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports.
“This is hard to find, man,” an NFC executive tells Paylor. “These types of jobs don’t come open often. Normally you’re going in there and rebuilding; you’re gutting the place. Here, you’ve got to keep the ship in the ocean, just keep it afloat. Just don’t screw it up.”
The Chiefs vacancy certainly comes with a number of positive attributes, with chief among them possibly being the existence of established (and successful) head coach Andy Reid. Kansas City also boasts a stable roster with premier players at key positions, a quarterback-in-waiting in Patrick Mahomes, and a reasonable cap space situation, as the club’s $11MM in reserves ranks 21st in the NFL.
Of course, not every facet of the Chiefs job can be viewed through rose-colored glasses, and the way in which Dorsey was fired — which shocked those inside and outside the organization — is concerning. “Guys under contract with other clubs might look and see that the pay is probably less than others, and there’s limited flexibility with the staff because it’s so close to the season, and they might not have control of the 53-man,” a longtime NFL evaluator tells Paylor. “Someone might want to wait until they can have those things.”
Kansas City is expected to start its general manager search immediately, and will consider both internal and external candidates. Incumbent co-directors of player personnel Mike Borgonzi and Brett Veach are both expected to be interviewed.
5 Key Stories: 6/18/17 – 6/25/17
Chiefs make a leadership change. On the same day that Kansas City extended head coach Andy Reid, the club decided to fire general manager John Dorsey. While the reasons for Dorsey’s dismissal are still murky, it’s possible Kansas City wasn’t happy with how Dorsey managed extensions for star defenders Eric Berry and Justin Houston. Additionally, Dorsey’s own contract with the Chiefs may have played a role in his firing. KC is expected to start its search for a new GM immediately.
Raiders lock up their QB. While the Chiefs are going through some minor turmoil, things are all smiles elsewhere in the AFC West. After much negotiation, the Raiders agreed to a five-year, $125MM extension with quarterback Derek Carr that makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL on an annual basis. Carr could have conceivably pressed for more money or better cash flow, but he wants Oakland to have funds for other long-term deals with Khalil Mack, Gabe Jackson, and Amari Cooper.
Patriots land an ex-Jet. The rich got richer last week, as the Patriots agreed to terms on a two-year deal with former Jets linebacker David Harris. The contract will pay Harris $5MM over the two-year term, and comes with $1.25MM guaranteed. That’s reportedly more money than New York offered Harris on a restructured pact. Harris, 33, figures to start in base packages for New England alongside Dont’a Hightower.
Titans continue to add pieces. Eric Decker is heading home, as he agreed to a one-year contract with the Titans that can pay him as much as $5.35MM. Decker lives in the Nashville area, and the prospect of playing near his residence likely played a role in his decision. Tennessee has brought in several addition weapons to an offense that already ranked ninth in DVOA a year ago, including wide receivers Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor and tight end Jonnu Smith.
Jarvis Landry sets a deadline. Although Landry has no plans to holdout for a new contract, he won’t negotiate with the Dolphins once the regular season begins. That gives Miami less than three months to work out a new deal with their star slot receiver. The Dolphins, of course, have already handed a four-year deal to Kenny Stills and spent a first-round pick on DeVante Parker in 2014, so it’s unclear if they’re willing to invest in another wideout.
Photos courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram and USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins LB Koa Misi Still Not Cleared
Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi is still recovering from spinal fusion surgery and has yet to be medically cleared, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Misi recently with a doctor and will do so again in July, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be allowed to participate in training camp, per Jackson.
When Misi was originally placed on injured reserve last October, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that Misi’s neck injury had the possibility to be career-threatening. To this point, that hasn’t been the case, as Misi expressed confidence in March that he’d be ready to suit up for the 2017 campaign. But the severity of his ailment clearly (and understandably) is giving the Dolphins pause.
Miami made several additions to its linebacking unit during the offseason, and Misi isn’t being counted on as a starter. The Dolphins signed former Steelers ‘backer Lawrence Timmons to a two-year, $12MM deal in March, and then used a second-round draft choice on Ohio State’s Raekwon McMillan. Both Timmons and McMillan figure to start alongside Kiko Alonso, while depth options include Mike Hull, Neville Hewitt, and Trevor Reilly.
Misi, 30, managed only 127 defensive snaps in 2016 before going down with injury, and hasn’t appeared in a full 16-game slate since his rookie campaign in 2010. Earlier this year, Misi accepted a paycut for the second consecutive year, as he agreed to slash his salary by ~$3MM.
Top Remaining NFL Free Agents: Offense
Any NFL club aiming to seriously upgrade its roster through free agency in June is clearly not adept at personnel management, but small tweaks can still be made as the summer begins. While headliners such as Colin Kaepernick and Anquan Boldin remain unsigned, it’s often lesser-known players that can make incremental differences once the season gets underway.
Using our master list of 2017 free agents, let’s take a look at the best remaining free agents on the offensive side of the ball:
Quarterback
Based on pure talent, Colin Kaepernick is far and away the best free agent quarterback remaining on the board. But the myriad of explanations — or as may label them, excuses — for his inability to land a contract thus far have been well-documented. Concerns about Kaepernick’s political views, his workout regimen, and even his diet have been used as justifications for his never-ending free agent status, and the only club that’s expressed serious interest thus far is the Seahawks, who ultimately passed on the former 49ers signal-caller in favor of Austin Davis.
Christian Ponder‘s place as the No. 2 free agent quarterback speaks volumes about the lack of available passers, as the 29-year-old hasn’t attempted a pass since 2014. Still, he’s a former first-round pick with a more successful track record of playing from the pocket than any other QB on this list. Hill, meanwhile, is now 37 years old, but had a decent showing as the Vikings’ opening day starter last season, and was mildly effective as a seven-game starter in 2014.
While Robert Griffin III may possess the largest upside of any free agent quarterback aside from Kaepernick, he simply hasn’t shown the ability to remain on the field for any substantial amount of time. Signed to a two-year contract by the Browns prior to last season, Griffin managed to play in only five total games was subsequently released. His persistent difficulty with reading defenses and staying in the pocket could limit his opportunities.
Running back
Chris Johnson‘s 2016 campaign never got off the ground, as injuries limited him to only four games and 95 rushing yards. But the 32-year-old ran for more than 800 yards the year prior, and teams have reportedly reached out to express interest this offseason. The same can’t be said for Rashad Jennings, who is now touring with Dancing With The Stars, but his ability as a third-down back should help him garner interest if he’s serious about continuing his career.
While DWTS wasn’t in the cards for DeAngelo Williams, he is set to make his pro wrestling debut on July 2. It’s unclear if Williams, now 34, is ready to hang up his cleats, but his yards per carry average dropped a full yard in 2016. Denard Robinson and Bobby Rainey, meanwhile, are back-end roster types who will only earn a roster spot based on their receiving ability and special teams prowess.
Running back, clearly, is a young man’s position, and if teams are interested in more youthful players, there are backs with age on their side. Karlos Williams, George Farmer, Tyler Gaffney, Jonathan Grimes, Ronnie Hillman, and Antonio Andrews are all unsigned and age-27 or younger.
Fullback
While players such as Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick DiMarco landed healthy contracts this offseason, most NFL clubs aren’t deploying a fullback with regularity, lessening the demand for lead blockers such as Jerome Felton. While he, Zach Line, and Paul Lasike may have to wait for an injury to strike before finding a new home, Marcel Reece‘s excellent receiving ability could allow to ink a contract sooner rather than later.
