HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

Latest On Broncos, Kirk Cousins

March 2nd, 2018 at 5:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Now that the Vikings are expected to be in the mix for Kirk Cousins, the Broncos’ chances of acquiring him likely lessened compared to what they were before Minnesota became a serious contender. But Denver has no plans to bow out.

John Elway said the team would explore all options this offseason to upgrade at quarterback, and Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports Cousins is far and away the option the Broncos prefer. Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune adds (via Twitter) the Cousins-to-Broncos rumors are flowing in Indianapolis.

Robinson notes the Vikings and Jets are expected to be the other top Cousins pursuers. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv noted “rampant speculation” around the Combine is sending Cousins to Minnesota.

The Broncos do not possess the cap space the Jets do, with New York now holding more than $90MM. The Vikings also stand to sit with nearly $50MM as of Friday. But Robinson reports the team is looking at ways it increase its cap room. Denver is currently sitting on just less than $25MM, according to OverTheCap, but Robinson notes the Broncos are conjuring scenarios they can increase that to north of $40MM and perhaps as high as $50MM. Denver is likely parting with Aqib Talib ($11MM in cap savings), and Elway did not give assurances C.J. Anderson ($4.5MM) would be back for a fifth season as the Broncos’ starting running back.

However, Elway said Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Derek Wolfe would return. He also indicated (via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post, Twitter link) embattled right tackle Menelik Watson ($4.5MM in possible savings with $2.7MM in dead money) would be back. That’s somewhat surprising given that Watson allowed the third-most sacks in the league despite playing in only seven games. Beyond restructures, and high-profile restructures haven’t been too common in Elway’s GM tenure, there aren’t other obvious avenues to create notable space.

Robinson notes a Cousins deal might be closer to a three- or four-year agreement and adds a shorter-term deal — one that would allow him to be in line to sign a new deal before his age-33 season — would be attractive for the passer. The Broncos are likely going after Cousins to help their Super Bowl core, and with those players being in their late 20s or early 30s, a three- or four-year Cousins agreement would line up with that. Although, a shorter-term doesn’t provide the kind of security a franchise would presumably seek in being involved in this kind of pursuit.

Cousins is expected to take visits to meet with teams, and Robinson writes the Broncos’ experience signing Peyton Manning after he made Denver his first visit in 2012 could provide an edge for the Colorado franchise. The Yahoo reporter compares the Broncos’ level of interest in Cousins to Manning.

Rams To Trade Robert Quinn To Dolphins

March 2nd, 2018 at 4:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams have agreed to another big trade. They are going to ship Robert Quinn to the Dolphins in exchange for a mid-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (Twitter links).

The Rams discussed dealing the eighth-year edge defender to the Chiefs for Marcus Peters, but the sides settled on a second- and fourth-round pick. Now, it looks like the Rams are getting a trade pick back to help compensate for the mid-rounders they sent for Peters and Sammy Watkins over the past several months.

Miami will send its fourth- and sixth-round picks to Los Angeles for Quinn and a sixth-rounder, Peter Schrager of NFL.com tweets. The Rams had three sixth-round picks in this draft, after collecting the third in the Peters deal, and it’s uncertain which one they will send to the Dolphins. The Dolphins also had two fourth-rounders after the Jay Ajayi trade as well, so it’s also not known which pick they agreed to include in this deal.

Quinn has two years and just more than $25MM remaining on his second NFL contract, and he’ll now return to a 4-3 scheme after spending 2017 in Wade Phillips‘ 3-4. While Quinn bounced back to start 14 games after being limited to fewer than 10 during the two prior years, he has not been the dominant force he was in St. Louis. But he will only be set for his age-28 season in 2018, so the Dolphins are betting the former first-round pick has some quality years left.

The former North Carolina prodigy compiled three straight seasons of 10-plus sacks from 2012-14, with that stretch peaking via 2013’s 19-sack season that placed Quinn on the top All-Pro team. He registered 8.5 sacks last season and has 62.5 for his career to go along with an impressive 21 forced fumbles (seven in that All-Pro slate). A back injury and a concussion limited Quinn to just 17 games during the 2015 and ’16 seasons.

This move is interesting financially for the Dolphins, who are projected to be $8MM-plus over the cap. They have given Jarvis Landry permission to find a trade and don’t look intent on carrying his $16.2MM franchise tag on their books. But Quinn is set for $12MM-plus cap numbers in each of the next two seasons. But none of that money is guaranteed.

With Quinn representing the third-highest cap hold on the Rams’ payroll, this will help a franchise that has multiple marquee UFAs it would like to retain in Watkins and Lamarcus Joyner and a looming extension for probably the best defensive player in football. The Rams entered Friday with $39.9MM in cap space.

Falcons Cut DE Derrick Shelby

March 2nd, 2018 at 2:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have released defensive end Derrick Shelby, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Shelby’s representatives requested the release so that he could get a jump start this weekend and “do a deal this weekend,” Rapoport adds. "<strong

Shelby, 29 in early March, left the Dolphins to sign with the Falcons in free agency last offseason. The veteran put himself on the map in 2016 when he took over for Cameron Wake following his injury and performed well in eight starts.

Shelby was a starter right out of the gate in Dan Quinn’s defense, but he did not bowl anyone over with his play. Shelby totaled 30 tackles on the year with one sack and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 51 ranked edge defender.

Shelby, who also saw time on the interior in 2017, was under a four-year, $18MM contract with Atlanta with $7.5MM in guarantees. The Falcons will save $3.25MM against the cap by releasing him, but they’ll also be on the hook for $2.5MM in dead money.

The Falcons also released tight end Levine Toilolo on Friday and more cuts could be coming down the pike. The Falcons entered Friday with less than $11.5MM in cap space, putting them near the bottom of the NFL.

Panthers Not Interested In Jarvis Landry

March 2nd, 2018 at 2:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Jarvis Landry is on the block, but the Panthers won’t be among the teams to pursue the Dolphins wide receiver. Carolina is not interested, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter) hears. Instead, the Panthers are looking for a wide receiver with more speed. Jarvis Landry (vertical)

Landry has done well for himself in the NFL, but he isn’t exactly a track star. At the draft combine four years ago, he ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.77 seconds, which is one reason why he slid to the Dolphins in the backend of the second round. Since then, Landry has tallied 400 receptions for 4,038 yards and 22 touchdowns. That’s not too shabby for a receiver without top-end speed.

The Panthers are out on Landry, but plenty of other teams are expected to explore trading for him. We learned earlier today that the Bears have interest in Landry and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald suggests that the Niners are another team that would make sense. Salguero would also “not discount” the Titans. All three teams have needs at wide receiver and all of those clubs rank in the top ten in available cap space.

The Dolphins applied the franchise tag to Landry in October, holding him in place with a one-year, $16MM+ tender. Any team acquiring Landry is expected to hammer out a cap smoothing multi-year extension with him, but that number will factor heavily in negotiations.

Latest On Louisville’s Lamar Jackson

March 2nd, 2018 at 2:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Can Louisville’s Lamar Jackson play quarterback in the NFL? Many feel that he can, but not all talent evaluators are convinced. Multiple teams have asked Jackson to work out as a wide receiver, in addition to working out as a QB, according to NFL.com’s Peter Schrager. Lamar Jackson (vertical)

Few can find fault with Jackson’s performance as a quarterback in college. As a sophomore in 2016, Jackson became the first player in school history to win the first Heisman Trophy. In 2017, he finished third in Heisman voting and wound up as the first underclassman to reach 9,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards. Still, questions persist about Jackson’s accuracy, physical build, and mechanics.

Jackson is widely viewed as a first or second-round prospect at the QB position. If no team is willing to gamble a high pick on his ability to play under center, it seems more likely that he’ll be pegged for Day 2 than Day 1.

In recent days, both Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and Chiefs coach Andy Reid both said that Jackson can hang as an NFL QB.

“Yeah, I’m not much on that,” Reid said when asked about the idea of Jackson playing wideout. “I want to bring him in. Let’s exhaust that other thing that we know he’s good at and see. I’m just saying in general. This is a general statement: Let’s get him in and let him wing it a little bit and see how he does. We’ll be able to fit some things in there I’m sure.”

Traded NFL Draft Picks For 2018

March 2nd, 2018 at 2:22pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While many 2018 NFL draft picks that get traded won’t be moved until later in the offseason, or during the draft itself, plenty of selections have already changed hands. This list will continue to be updated throughout the offseason, so be sure to check back after trades have been consummated for an updated look at which picks are on the move for 2018. If you have any corrections, please contact us.

Here are 2018’s traded draft picks:

Updated 4-8-18 (1:45pm CT)

Round 1

Round 2

  • Browns acquired pick No. 35 from Texans in deal for QB Brock Osweiler.
  • Colts acquired pick No. 37 from Jets in deal for No. 3 pick.
  • Patriots acquired pick No. 43 from 49ers in deal for QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
  • Colts acquired pick No. 49 from Jets in deal for No. 3 pick.
  • Bills acquired pick No. 56 from Rams in deal for WR Sammy Watkins.
  • 49ers acquired pick No. 59 from Saints in deal for RB Alvin Kamara.
  • Browns acquired pick No. 64 from Eagles in deal for 2016 No. 2 pick.

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Vikings Will Not Tender Jeremiah Sirles

March 2nd, 2018 at 2:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings will not tender offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles, agent Chris Gittings tells Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). He’ll be allowed to explore the open market, but his agent says that the Vikings still have interest in retaining him. "<strong

Sirles came into the league as an unrestricted free agent, making him a candidate for the original round tender. The original round tender would place a one-year, $2MM hold on Sirles and give the Vikings the right of first refusal, though it would not net the Vikings any draft compensation in return. Apparently the Vikings have some interest in retaining Sirles as a reserve, but at a lesser rate.

Sirles has played predominantly at guard, but he made ten starts at right tackle for the Vikings in 2016. Categorized as a tackle by Pro Football Focus, Sirles was ranked No. 48 at the position with a poor 45.2 overall score.

In related news, Vikings interior lineman Joe Berger plans to test free agency.

Complete 2018 NFL Draft Order

March 2nd, 2018 at 1:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The full 2018 NFL draft order can be found below, sorted by round. The list of 256 selections includes all traded draft picks and compensatory picks, and will continue to be updated leading up to the draft if additional deals are made. For an explanation of how traded picks were acquired, check out our complete breakdown.

Here’s the complete 2018 NFL draft order:

Updated 4-8-18 (1:46pm CT)

Round One:

  1. Cleveland Browns
  2. New York Giants
  3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)
  4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston)
  5. Denver Broncos
  6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets)
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  8. Chicago Bears
  9. San Francisco 49ers
  10. Oakland Raiders
  11. Miami Dolphins
  12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati)
  13. Washington Redskins
  14. Green Bay Packers
  15. Arizona Cardinals
  16. Baltimore Ravens
  17. Los Angeles Chargers
  18. Seattle Seahawks
  19. Dallas Cowboys
  20. Detroit Lions
  21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo)
  22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City)
  23. New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Rams)
  24. Carolina Panthers
  25. Tennessee Titans
  26. Atlanta Falcons
  27. New Orleans Saints
  28. Pittsburgh Steelers
  29. Jacksonville Jaguars
  30. Minnesota Vikings
  31. New England Patriots
  32. Philadelphia Eagles

Round Two:

  1. Cleveland Browns
  2. New York Giants
  3. Cleveland Browns (from Houston)
  4. Indianapolis Colts
  5. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets)
  6. Tampa Bay Buccaners
  7. Chicago Bears
  8. Denver Broncos
  9. Oakland Raiders
  10. Miami Dolphins
  11. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
  12. Washington Redskins
  13. Green Bay Packers
  14. Cincinnati Bengals
  15. Arizona Cardinals
  16. Los Angeles Chargers
  17. Indianapolis Colts (from Seattle via New York Jets)
  18. Dallas Cowboys
  19. Detroit Lions
  20. Baltimore Ravens
  21. Buffalo Bills
  22. Kansas City Chiefs
  23. Carolina Panthers
  24. Buffalo Bills (from Los Angeles Rams)
  25. Tennessee Titans
  26. Atlanta Falcons
  27. San Francisco 49ers (from New Orleans)
  28. Pittsburgh Steelers
  29. Jacksonville Jaguars
  30. Minnesota Vikings
  31. New England Patriots
  32. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia)

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Cowboys Extend Exec Will McClay

March 2nd, 2018 at 12:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys are holding on to vice president of player personnel Will McClay. After the McClay declined an opportunity to interview with the Texans about their GM opening, the team rewarded him with a two-year extension, as ESPN.com’s Todd Archer writes. Will McClay (vertical)

The new deal, presumably, comes with a pay raise for his loyalty. The Cowboys wanted to keep McClay, a widely respected and highly sought after talent evaluator, even though he his blocked from the GM job with Jerry Jones in command.

As Archer notes, the Cowboys have drafted four Pro Bowl players – Zack Martin, Demarcus Lawrence, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dak Prescott – since McClay took over the college and pro personnel departments in 2014. In that span they’ve also tapped 14 players who start or play key roles for the team.

49ers To Pick 9th, Raiders To Pick 10th

March 2nd, 2018 at 11:37am CST by Zachary Links

The order for the 2018 draft is officially in the books. The 49ers won the coin toss for the rights to the No. 9 pick on Friday afternoon. The Raiders will now pick 10th. Beyond the first round, the Niners, Raiders, and Dolphins will alternate draft order due to their identical records.

The 49ers and Raiders both finished the year with matching 6-10 record and an identical strength of schedule. Typically, conference record is the next tiebreaker, but because the two teams are in different divisions and conferences, the logjam was settled with a coin flip.

The Raiders aren’t the only losers in today’s toss. The Patriots hold the rights to the Niners’ second-round pick thanks to the Jimmy Garoppolo trade and they’ll now pick at No. 43 overall instead of No. 41.

Here is the complete rundown of this year’s draft order:

1. Cleveland Browns (0-16)

2. New York Giants (3-13)

3. Indianapolis Colts (4-12)

4. Cleveland Browns (via the 4-12 Houston Texans)

5. Denver Broncos (5-11)

6. New York Jets (5-11)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)

8. Chicago Bears (5-11)

9.San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

10. Oakland Raiders (6-10)

11. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)

13. Washington Redskins (7-9)

14. Green Bay Packers (7-9)

15. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

16. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)

18. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)

19. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

20. Detroit Lions (9-7)

21. Buffalo Bills (9-7)

22. Buffalo Bills (via the 10-6 Kansas City Chiefs)

23. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

24. Carolina Panthers (11-5)

25. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

26. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

27. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)

30. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)

31. New England Patriots (13-3)

32. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

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