NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/17/17
Today’s draft pick signings:
- The Ravens have signed third-round defensive lineman Chris Wormley, as Wormley himself indicated on Twitter. Wormley, drafted with the 78th overall selection, would seem to be a ready-made replacement for Timmy Jernigan, whom Baltimore traded to Philadelphia earlier this year. With Wormley now under contract, fellow third-round pick Tim Williams is the only Ravens draft choice who remains unsigned.
- The Chargers have signed fourth-round safety Rayshawn Jenkins, per a club announcement. After appearing 48 games over four years at Miami, Jenkins appears ticketed for backup and special teams duty during his rookie campaign. Not only does Los Angeles return two starting safeties in Dwight Lowery and Jahleel Addae, but it also added free agent Tre Boston earlier this week.
- The Bengals announced that they’ve signed signed fourth-round wide receiver Josh Malone. Malone, a Tennessee product, was the second pass-catcher selected by Cincinnati in the draft, following No. 9 overall pick John Ross. While Ross figures to play a large role during his rookie campaign (and perhaps even immediately serve as a starter), Malone will begin the 2017 campaign further down the depth chart. A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, Ross, and Tyler Boyd all figure to see ample playing time, so Malone will compete with Cody Core, Alex Erickson, and Jake Kumerow for snaps.
- The Colts announced that they’ve signed fourth-round running back Marlon Mack. After three years at South Florida, Mack could have an easy ascendance to Indianapolis’ No. 2 running back role behind starter Frank Gore, as his only competition is Robert Turbin and Josh Ferguson. At the very least, Mack should see playing time as a pass-catching back in the Colts’ offense.
- The Browns have agreed to terms with seventh-round kicker Zane Gonzalez, the club announced today. Gonzalez, an Arizona State product, was widely viewed as the best kicker available in the 2017 draft, although he didn’t come off the board first. That honor went to Memphis placekicker Jake Elliott, who was selected in the fifth round by Cincinnati. Gonzalez made 92% of his field goal attempts in 2016 and also converted 39 of 40 extra points in 2016. Per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Gonzalez has forced touchbacks on 75% of kickoffs over the past two seasons.
Latest On Browns Draft Pick Caleb Brantley
While the initial police report documenting an April incident involving defensive tackle Caleb Brantley indicated he had knocked a a woman unconscious, new evidence has shown Brantley was in fact defending himself against an assault, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Brantley, originally viewed as a Day 2 draft pick, eventually fell to Round 6 where he was selected by the Browns. Cleveland wasn’t willing to commit to Brantley pending the results of the investigation, but given that charges against the Florida product have been dropped, Brantley now figures to stick on the Browns roster. However, NFL clubs did have other concerns about Brantley leading up to the draft, including his undersized stature and his maturity level, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today details.
“Based on our information, we understood there was a reasonable chance that the charges would be dismissed,” said executive VP of football operation Sashi Brown in a statement. “As we previously discussed, the allegations made regarding were not something we take lightly.
Caleb understands that we have an expectation and standard for every member of our organization. He’s a talented young man with a great opportunity in front of him. He is now able to move forward and focus on earning a spot on this roster.”
Jaguars To Work Out LB Mike Morgan
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.