Seahawks Pick Up Justin Britt’s 2020 Option
Justin Britt will be sticking around Seattle through at least the 2020 season. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports that the Seahawks have picked up the center’s $5MM option.
As Henderson details, picking up the option was necessary if Seattle wanted to keep Britt for several more seasons. Declining the option would have voided the final year of the deal, which would have allowed the lineman to hit free agency following the 2019 season.
That would have also boosted Britt’s 2018 base salary from $2.75MM to $7.75MM, which is a pretty drastic uptick. By picking up the option, that extra $5MM will now translate in the form of a bonus, and his cap number remains at $6.17MM. These details are all part of the three-year, $27MM extension the 26-year-old signed last offseason.
The 2014 second-round pick has spent his entire career in Seattle, and he’s started all 63 games he’s appeared in since entering the league. After earning a top-10 center rating in 2016, Britt took a bit of a step back in 2017. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked the veteran 17th among 36 eligible center candidates.
Saints WR Josh Huff Suspended Two Games
If he makes the roster, Josh Huff won’t be in uniform for the Saints’ first two contests next season. Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com reports that the wide receiver has been suspended two games by the NFL “for violating the league’s policies on substances for abuse and personal conduct.”
As Katzenstein details, the suspension stems from a 2016 arrest. During the incident, Huff was allegedly found carrying a handgun and a small amount of marijuana. All of the charges from the incident have since been dismissed. Huff entered a pre-trail intervention program following a conditional guilty plea, and the charges were subsequently dismissed.
The 2014 third-round pick hasn’t matched his production from his Eagles tenure. Following a 2015 campaign that saw him haul in 27 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns, Huff hasn’t been nearly as productive since that time. The 26-year-old had 16 receptions in 10 games with the Bucs and Eagles in 2016, and he sat out the entire 2017 campaign. He ultimately landed a futures contract with the Saints back in January.
RB Mike Davis Meets With Rams
Mike Davis has another suitor. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the free agent running back met with the Rams today. The veteran previously visited the Lions.
Davis, a 2015 fourth-round pick by the 49ers, was claimed off waivers by Seattle last May. He didn’t make the Week 1 cut, but he ultimately landed on Seattle’s practice squad. In November, Davis finally earned a promotion to the varsity squad when C.J. Prosise landed on IR.
Davis’ stat line wasn’t overly impressive in 2017, but he did have a handful of solid games for the Seahawks. On Dec. 10 against Jacksonville, he ran for 66 yards off of 15 carries, good for a 4.4 yards per carry average. Then, in the season finale against Arizona, he had 48 yards off of ten attempts. In six games (six starts), Davis finished with 240 rushing yards on 68 carries. He also added another 15 receptions for 131 yards.
The Rams could use some depth behind Todd Gurley and backup Malcolm Brown. Davis would likely compete with Justin Davis and Zach Laskey in Los Angeles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/19/18
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: DT Christian Ringo
New York Giants
- Signed: CB B.W. Webb
Colts Sign TE Eric Ebron
Eric Ebron has found a new home. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the tight end has signed with the Colts. It will be a two-year deal worth a maximum of $15MM.
Ebron’s blocking skills leave a bit to be desired, but the tight end has been plenty productive in the passing game throughout his career. He finished the 2017 season with 53 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns. The former first-rounder ultimately rated as an above-average tight end, as Pro Football Focus ranked him 13th among 71 candidates at the position.
Assuming Andrew Luck is healthy, Ebron would provide the quarterback with another talented target. The free agent would presumably displace Jack Doyle from the starting lineup in Indy, although there could be enough targets for the duo. Doyle had his best NFL season in 2017, hauling in 80 receptions for 690 yards and four scores.
The Colts will have to ultimately make some decisions at tight end. The team is now rostering seven players at the position, including Darrell Daniels, Ross Travis, and Erik Swoope.
After being released by the Lions, there was plenty of interest in the 24-year-old. Besides the Colts, the Patriots, Panthers, and Ravens were all connected to Ebron.
Lions Host TE Logan Paulsen
The Lions are seeking veteran options at tight end. ESPN’s Field Yates reports that Detroit hosted free agent Logan Paulsen today (via ProFootballTalk.com’s Charean Williams).
Paulsen, 31, has bounced around the league since leaving the Redskins following the 2015 campaign. Last season, the tight end appeared in 14 games (one start) for the 49ers without collecting a single catch. Paulsen didn’t earn enough snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus’ rankings, but the veteran was rated higher as a blocking tight end.
With Eric Ebron and Darren Fells out of the picture, the Lions are in the hunt for a new tight end. The organization is currently rostering a trio of inexperienced tight ends, including Michael Roberts, Hakeem Valles, and Brandon Barnes. The team previously met with tight ends Brent Celek and Luke Willson.
Jets Sign LB Brandon Copeland
The Jets have added a pair of players to their defense. The team announced that they have signed linebacker Brandon Copeland. The Jets also announced that they have re-signed defensive lineman Xavier Cooper.
Copeland, a 2013 undrafted free agent out of Penn, had spent the past three seasons with the Lions organization. After appearing in every regular season game between 2015 and 2016, the 26-year-old sat out the entire 2017 campaign with a pectoral tear. In 32 career games, Copeland compiled 30 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Earlier tonight, ESPN’s Michael Rothstein tweeted that the linebacker wouldn’t be returning to Detroit.
“Too many different levels of excitement to put into words,” Copeland said about the signing (via Ethan Greenberg of NewYorkJets.com). “Coming off of injured reserve, having to sit every Sunday, Monday and Thursday and watching other people play, I’m first and foremost excited to get back to the game that I love.”
Cooper was non-tendered by the Jets last week, but the defensive lineman will rejoin the organization on a new contract. The 2015 third-rounder split the 2017 season between the Jets and 49ers, compiling 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 13 games.
AFC Contract Details: Butler, Johnson, Bridgewater
Here are figures on some of the recent contracts signed around the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless noted otherwise.
- Malcolm Butler, CB (Titans): Five years, $61.25MM. $10MM signing bonus. $3.5MM and $10.5MM guaranteed base salaries for full guarantee of $24MM (max value $25.1MM). $11MM 2020 salary becomes guaranteed on fifth day of league year (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Trumaine Johnson, CB (Jets): $20MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $6MM (2018), $8MM (2019), $11MM (2020), $13MM (2021), $14.5MM (2022) (via Calvin Watkins of Newsday.com).
- Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Jets): $5MM base salary, $500K signing bonus, $500K workout bonus. $9MM in incentives include $250K/game he plays at least half the snaps, $250K for 2500 yards, $500K for 2751 yards, $1.25M for 3001 yards, $250K for 10 touchdowns, $500K for 16 touchdowns, $1.25M for 21 touchdowns, $2.5M for half the snaps and playoffs (via Albert Breer of The MMQB).
- Donte Moncrief, WR (Jaguars): $5.6MM base salary, $4MM salary, $9.6MM fully guaranteed. $2MM worth of incentives (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Jon Bostic, LB (Steelers): Two years, worth up to $4MM. $1.4MM signing bonus (via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler).
- Zach Fulton, C (Texans): $13MM guaranteed, $5MM roster bonus. Base salaries of $1.5MM (2018, guaranteed), $6.5MM (2019, guaranteed), $6.5MM (2020), $6.5MM (2021). $31K per-game bonus, $200K workout base (via Wilson).
NFC Contract Details: Cousins, Bradford, Poe
Here are figures on some of the recent contracts signed around the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless noted otherwise.
- Dontari Poe, DT (Panthers): Three years, $28MM. $13.3MM guaranteed, $10MM signing bonus. Poe’s 2020 season doubles as an $8.5MM Panthers option (per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer). $600K (2018), $900K (2019), $900K (2020) workout bonuses, with another $500K for four weigh-ins a year (via Balzer).
- Kirk Cousins (Vikings): three years, $84MM. $6MM in incentives, including $500K for Super Bowl victory, $1MM for Super Bowl and top-five in points scored, $1.5MM for Super Bowl and top-three in points, $2MM for Super Bowl MVP and top-eight in points (via Albert Breer of The MMQB).
- Sam Bradford, QB (Cardinals): Two years, $40MM ($15MM guaranteed). $10MM signing bonus, $5MM if he appears in every game this season. 2019 option year ($20MM), no-trade clause (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Dominique Easley, DE (Rams): One year, $1.85MM. $705K base salary ($50K guaranteed). $2.145MM in roster bonuses and incentives (via Wilson and Volin).
- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE (Packers): One year, $1.6MM base salary, $1.5MM signing bonus. $1MM reporting bonus, up to $600K in per-game roster bonuses. Cap number at $4.587MM (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky).
- Daniel Brown, TE (Bears): One year, $925K, $70K signing bonus (via Balzer).
WR Charles Johnson Visits Jets
It sounds like Charles Johnson has a potential suitor. The Jets announced (via Twitter) that the wideout paid a visit earlier today.
The 2013 seventh-round pick joined the Panthers last offseason. However, 29-year-old required knee surgery during the summer, and he was subsequently placed on the injured reserve. While the wideout failed to play a game in 2017, he was a dependable receiver for the Vikings between 2014 and 2016. During his final season in Minnesota, Johnson hauled in 20 receptions for 232 yards. His best offensive season came in 2014, when he finished with 31 receptions for 475 yards and two scores.
The Jets are seemingly looking for some reinforcement at wide receiver, although Johnson wouldn’t earn his way to the top of the depth chart. Rather, if he joins the organization, he’ll be battling wideouts like Chad Hansen, Jojo Natson, Charone Peake and Lucky Whitehead for snaps.