HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

AFC Contract Details: Crabtree, Williamson

March 19th, 2018 at 1:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are figures on some of the recent contracts signed around the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless noted otherwise.

Redskins To Sign Orlando Scandrick

March 19th, 2018 at 1:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Orlando Scandrick‘s free agency stay did not last long, and he’ll be seeing his longtime employer twice next season. The Redskins and a the recently released cornerback agreed to terms on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

Washington authorized a two-year deal with Scandrick, whom Dallas cut over the weekend after 10 seasons. The contract carries a max value of $10MM. This comes after Scandrick spent the previous two days visiting the Redskins.

The Redskins also looked into recent Giants cut Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, per John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter), but learned that 10-year veteran’s asking price was too high.

The Cowboys made Scandrick a March cut, which was a long-rumored move. Despite the cornerback already having 10 years of NFL experience, 2018 will only be his age-31 season. He functioned as Dallas’ primary slot corner for many years, and after the Redskins included ascending slot stopper Kendall Fuller in their trade for Alex Smith, Scandrick may be set to fill that role.

A 2008 fifth-round pick, Scandrick played a key role on the past several Cowboys defenses. He started 11 games in 2017. He’ll join a Redskins team that lost Fuller and may well see Bashaud Breeland defect as well. Breeland was set to sign with the Panthers, but a non-football injury scuttled that deal to leave him in free agency for the time being.

With only Josh Norman previously locked in as a key contributor, the Redskins were thin at cornerback. They drafted Fabian Moreau in last year’s third round and could address the position further in the upcoming draft. However, the Cowboys making the decision to cut their longest-tenured defender changed the Redskins’ plans at this position.

Jets Targeted Jerick McKinnon, Weston Richburg, Others

March 19th, 2018 at 12:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets looked to be Kirk Cousins‘ backup plan, and the franchise had to move on to some its own contingency signings soon after. Most notably, the Jets sought a backfield option that ended up in San Francisco.

Despite entering free agency with more than $90MM in cap space, the Jets could not land Jerick McKinnon. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports the Mike Maccagnan-led franchise put a “full-court press” on the former Vikings running back, only to see him join the 49ers instead.

While McKinnon looked to be the main target that got away, the Jets also had interest in Weston Richburg, with “strong plays” for defenders DaQuan Jones and Barkevious Mingo also not working out for Gang Green, Mehta reports.

Once the Jets didn’t sign McKinnon, they moved on to Isaiah Crowell. However, Mehta reports the Jets agreeing to terms with McKinnon would not have precluded them from adding Crowell as well. Although, the team already has Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire.

Mehta reports the Jets felt their offer was strong enough to close a deal with the 25-year-old McKinnon, but the team also felt Kyle Shanahan was determined to win a bidding war. The end result shows that to be the case. The four-year, $30MM contract makes McKinnon one of the league’s highest-paid running backs.

The 49ers also beat the Jets on Richburg, but it doesn’t sound like the competition was as fierce between the two franchises as it was for McKinnon. New York eyed Richburg but knew the ex-Giants center was going to sign for more than what the team was willing to pay him. Despite having less cap space than the Jets, the 49ers signed Richburg for five years and $47.5MM.

Jones ended up re-upping with the Titans instead of replacing Muhammad Wilkerson on the Jets’ front, signing for three years and $21MM. Mingo will be one of the players the Seahawks turn to in an effort to replace Michael Bennett. The Jets’ interest in Mingo may not have been too strong, with it only taking a two-year, $6.8MM deal for the Seahawks to sign him.

Marshall Newhouse To Visit Bills

March 19th, 2018 at 12:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the Bills’ Cordy Glenn trade, the team still has two starting tackles it turned to for parts of last season in regular right tackle Jordan Mills and Glenn fill-in Dion Dawkins. But the Bills are exploring additional solutions here.

Marshall Newhouse is in Buffalo on Monday for a visit, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Raiders released the veteran tackle last week.

At this point, Newhouse could be a candidate to serve as Buffalo’s swing tackle. However, he’s been given ample opportunity to start despite a career that hasn’t yielded exceptional results. The Raiders became the fourth team to turn to Newhouse as a starter, and he gave Oakland 14 starts at right tackle following the exits of Austin Howard and Menelik Watson.

Newhouse, though, was the weak link on a quality Oakland line. Pro Football Focus graded him as a bottom-third tackle, which was slightly worse than how the site viewed his work on the 2016 Giants. Newhouse started 20 games for the Giants between 2015 and ’16, doing so after being a full-time Packers starter in the early part of this decade and serving as a depth piece in Cincinnati.

The 29-year-old edge blocker has started 70 games in his career, and now that Glenn is a Bengal, Newhouse has the credentials to step in as a No. 3 tackle.

Cardinals Interested In CB Robert McClain

March 19th, 2018 at 11:53am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are among the teams interested in free agent cornerback Robert McClain, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the incumbent Buccaneers are also hoping to re-sign him. 

[RELATED: Cardinals’ Depth Chart]

McClain, 30 in July, saw time both on the outside and in the slot for Tampa Bay in 2017. He amassed 46 tackles, five passes defensed, three interceptions, and one touchdown – a 47-yard pick six against Mike Glennon during his short stint as the Bears’ starting quarterback.

McClain’s best year came with the Falcons in 2012, though he also had a respectable year with Carolina in 2013 and looked solid last year with the Bucs. He could help to fortify the Cardinals depth chart as cornerbacks Tyvon Branch, Tramon Williams, and Justin Bethel remain in free agency limbo. Of course, the Cardinals are also without Tyrann Mathieu, who signed with the Texans after being released in a cap-driven move.

Colts Meet With LB Korey Toomer

March 19th, 2018 at 11:01am CST by Zachary Links

The Colts are meeting with linebacker Korey Toomer on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Toomer has spent the last two seasons with the Chargers but is now exploring free agency. 

Toomer came to the Bolts in 2016 when he was signed off of the Raiders’ practice squad. Since then, he has racked up 125 tackles for the Chargers. The Chargers retained Toomer with a $1.797MM low tender last season but, this time around, he’s likely looking at a pay bump.

After Jonathan Bostic signed with the Steelers and Barkevious Mingo joined up with the Dolphins, the Colts are looking at a little thin at linebacker. They’ll have opportunities to add to the unit in the draft – particularly after trading down with the Jets and scoring two additional second picks – but Toomer would represent a proven veteran option.

In 2017, Toomer racked up 48 tackles, one sack, and one interception returned for a touchdown in 15 games.

Patriots To Extend Patrick Chung

March 19th, 2018 at 10:47am CST by Ben Levine

Patrick Chung will be sticking around New England through the 2020 season. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots have signed the veteran safety to a “short-term” extension. The new deal is worth $11.5MM through 2020, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter).

Chung was originally set to earn $2MM in 2018, which was the final year of his former deal. It now appears that year has been ripped up as he’ll earn $5.4MM in the coming year. All in all, it’s an extra $9.1MM in new money for the 30-year-old (31 in August).

The 2009 second-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career in New England before signing with the Eagles in 2013. However, he was released by Philly less than a year later, and he landed back with the Patriots. Since 2014, Chung has been a dependable presence on the Patriots secondary, missing only one regular season game during that span.

He had another productive campaign in 2017, compiling 84 tackles, nine passes defended, and one interception in 16 games (11 starts). Pro Football Focus ranked Chung 42nd among 87 eligible safety candidates, which was a huge improvement over his lackluster rating from 2016.

Colts, WR Ryan Grant Nearing Deal

March 19th, 2018 at 10:33am CST by Zachary Links

[UPDATE: The Colts have agreed to sign Grant]

The Colts are nearing a deal with free agent wide receiver Ryan Grant, according to Mike Chappell ‏of CBS4 (on Twitter). The news was first reported by former NFL wide receiver James Jones (Twitter link), who appears to have a pipeline on signings as of late. 

Grant agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens on the first day of free agency, but that contract was voided due to a failed physical. The Ravens immediately signed fellow free agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree, so one has to wonder if Grant’s physical really raised red flags or if the Ravens simply jumped at an opportunity to add a more accomplished pass-catcher. For what it’s worth, Grant’s agent says there isn’t much of an issue.

“If there were a game tomorrow, Ryan would be able to play,” the agent said earlier this month.

Grant, a former fifth-round pick, broke out with 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington in 2017. The Raiders also met with Grant, but it appears that he is Indy-bound.

Jets To Meet With Terrelle Pryor

March 19th, 2018 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets will meet with Terrelle Pryor this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. His visit will take place after his current meeting with the Seahawks wraps up. 

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson is doing his best to help bring Pryor to the fold, but the Jets have more dollars to spend. The Rams also have some interest in Pryor and the Browns may be interested in a reunion.

If Pryor is looking at another one-year prove-it deal, he may see Seattle as his best opportunity to re-establish himself as a high-end wide receiver. Then again, the Seahawks did sign Jaron Brown in the wake of Paul Richardson‘s departure, so there might not be a huge role waiting for him in Seattle.

Meanwhile, things are pretty wide open for the Jets. Quincy Enunwa figures to return under the second-round tender, but it remains to be seen how he’ll perform following last year’s neck injury. Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Jalin Marshall, and ArDarius Stewart are on hand, but Pryor could join the Jets as one of their top pass-catching options, particularly with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins out of the picture.

Giants To Re-Sign Kerry Wynn

March 19th, 2018 at 9:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants have agreed to re-sign Kerry Wynn, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal for the defensive lineman. 

Wynn has been with the Giants for his entire NFL career, dating back to when he entered the league as an undrafted free agent. However, his return was not assured due to the presence of new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. There was some thought that he would not fit well in the former Arizona DC’s 3-4 scheme, but the Giants apparently believe that he can make the transition.

Wynn appeared in 15 games last season, including three starts. He finished out with 19 tackles and a sack.

The Giants also plan on meeting with defensive lineman Josh Mauro, who has history with Bettcher.

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