2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Lions Host DT Shamar Stephen

March 17th, 2018 at 8:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions are looking at a defensive rival’s castoff for defensive help, as the club has met with former Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, tweets veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer.

While Detroit has been active in revamping its defense through free agency, it’s mostly focused on linebackers and defensive backs. The Lions have signed veterans such as Devon Kennard, Christian Jones, and DeShawn Shead over the past week, but they’ve yet to address their front four even after losing defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to the Eagles.

Stephen, 27, started all 16 games for the Vikings as recently as 2016, but his snap percentage drop by 15% in 2017. In 15 appearances, Stephen posted nine tackles and one sack, also saw action on roughly a third of Minnesota’s special teams snaps. Unlikely to return to the Vikings given that they’ve signed Sheldon Richardson, Stephen would join A’Shawn Robinson and Akeem Spence on Detroit’s defensive line.

Bills Meet With LB Will Compton

March 17th, 2018 at 8:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bills plan to host free agent linebacker Will Compton, reports John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Buffalo is seeking to replace Preston Brown, who inked a one-year deal with the Bengals earlier this week. Brown had played nearly every defensive snap for the Bills during his four-year run with the club, so general manager Brandon Beane is now dealing with a massive vacancy at the second level of his defense.

While the Bills signed former Jets linebacker Julian Stanford this week, he’s been primarily a special teams player throughout his career. Buffalo could still re-sign veteran Ramon Humber, but the team’s linebacker depth chart is currently fronted by Lorenzo Alexander, Matt Milano, and Tanner Vallejo.

Compton, for his part, was a regular for the Redskins from 2015-16, but a Lisranc injury ended his 2017 campaign in November. While he’s never earned positive marks from Pro Football Focus, the 28-year-old Compton would add experience to a Bills linebacking corps that desperately needs it. Buffalo has already added one ex-Redskins defender this week by signing Trent Murphy to a three-year pact.

Lions Host TE Luke Willson

March 17th, 2018 at 7:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions have completed a free agent visit with tight end Luke Willson, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).

Detroit has released Eric Ebron and witnessed Darren Fells sign with the Browns over the past week, so the club is clearly in need of a new tight end. The Lions were reportedly interested in Trey Burton before he signed with the division-rival Bears, while they also met with veteran Brent Celek after he was released by the Eagles.

Willson has been busy in his own right, as the former Seahawk has been hosted by the Jaguars and Panthers this week. The 28-year-old has never been much of an offensive force, but his usage took a serious hit when Seattle acquired fellow tight end Jimmy Graham in 2015. Willson failed to top 200 yards receiving in either of the past two seasons, but he did grade as the league’s No. 26 run-blocking tight end among 69 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.

At present, the Lions’ tight end depth chart is comprised of Michael Roberts, Hakeem Valles, and Brandon Barnes.

Jets To Sign LB Kevin Pierre-Louis

March 17th, 2018 at 6:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets are finalizing a two-year, $6MM deal with linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, according to NFL Draft Diamonds (Twitter link). The signing has since been confirmed by Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter links).

Pierre-Louis had essentially been a linebacker in name only until 2017, as special teams had been his primary area of focus. But the former fourth-round pick saw a career-high 25% playtime on defense, managing 25 tackles during that time. The Chiefs picked up KPL in a trade with the Seahawks last July that sent fellow ‘backer D.J. Alexanderto Seattle.

With the Jets, Pierre-Louis would likely revert to his natural special teams role. New York signed former Titan Avery Williamson on Wednesday, and plan to deploy him at inside linebacker alongside former first-round pick Darron Lee.

Before signing with New York, Pierre-Louis also took a visit with the Bears.

Raiders To Host WR Ryan Grant

March 17th, 2018 at 6:28pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders are the next team up on receiver Ryan Grant‘s free agent tour, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Grant agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens on the first day of the free agent period, but that contract was voided due to a failed physical. Baltimore immediately signed fellow free agent pass-catcher Michael Crabtree, leading to speculation that the Ravens aren’t being fully truthful about their assessment of Grant’s health.

Oakland cut Crabtree from its roster earlier this week, but added veteran wideout Jordy Nelson on a two-year deal. Fellow receiver Seth Roberts is also going to stick around in Oakland, as he received a $2MM roster bonus and saw his entire 2018 base salary become guaranteed today, tweets Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal. Grant would join Crabtree, Roberts, Amari Cooper, Cordarrelle Patterson, and others in a suddenly crowded Raiders receiver room.

Grant, a former fifth-round pick, broke out with 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington in 2017. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Grant 57th among 116 NFL wide receivers. The Redskins had previously expressed interest in retaining Grant, so it’s possible a reunion can be forged, while Grant has also met with the Colts.

Redskins To Host DT Johnathan Hankins

March 17th, 2018 at 6:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins plan to meet with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who was released by the Colts earlier today, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The visit will take place on Sunday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Washington apparently isn’t interested in spending much money on its defensive line, per Keim, but if the club does invest a sum on its front four, it would be on a youthful option. Hankins fits that bill, as he’s only entering his age-26 campaign despite having already played five NFL seasons. The Redskins reportedly had some level of free agent interest in Hankins at this time a year ago, so it makes sense that they’re now circling back to the veteran.

The Colts’ switch back to a 4-3 defense reason was provided as the primary reason for Hankins’ release, but he’d played in a 4-3 look his entire career before signing with Indianapolis. Hankins did play well in Indy’s 3-4 front last season, grading as the No. 20 interior defender among 122 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus, so he should fit in with Washington defensive coordinator Greg Manusky‘s 3-4 scheme.

The Redskins signed free agents Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain last offesason, but neither was very effective as Washington ranked 29th in rush defense DVOA and dead last in adjusted line yards. Hankins would play alongside former first-round pick Jonathan Allen if signed, and his addition could potentially place McGee and/or McClain on the Redskins’ roster bubble.

Orlando Scandrick To Visit Redskins

March 17th, 2018 at 6:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins will meet with free agent cornerback Orlando Scandrick on Sunday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. (Twitter link). Scandrick was granted his release from the Cowboys earlier today, but could now stay in the NFC East.

Washington could be on the hunt for multiple cornerbacks this offseason, as the club not only traded slot corner Kendall Fuller in order to acquire quarterback Alex Smith, but witnessed Bashaud Breeland agreed to a three-year deal with the Panthers. Breeland’s pact with Carolina has since been voided due to a failed physical, but there’s no word as to whether the Redskins would be open to re-signing Breeland.

Scandrick has the ability to play outside or inside corner, so he could help replace Fuller, who was one of the NFL’s best slot men in 2017. As a team, the Redskins ranked fourth in DVOA against opposing slot receivers. Washington could potentially use Quinton Dunbar or Fabian Moreau in the slot, but Scandrick may provide an upgrade.

Scandrick, 31, has spent his entire nine-year career in Dallas. He’s dealt with injuries over the past two years, and missed nine games during that span. Last season, Scandrick played on roughly 58% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps, but graded as a bottom-10 cornerback, per Pro Football Focus.

Colts To Host CB Phillip Gaines

March 17th, 2018 at 5:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts will host free agent cornerback Phillip Gaines on Sunday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Indianapolis recently lost top corner Rashaan Melvin to the Raiders, and the club’s defensive back depth chart is among the weakest in the NFL. At present, the Colts are projected to start Quincy Wilson and Kenny Moore at cornerback — each are 2017 rookies who offered a combined six starts worth of experience. Last season, Indy ranked dead last in Football Outsiders‘ pass defense DVOA.

Gaines, 26, is a former third-round pick who appeared in 41 games with the Chiefs over the past three seasons. Typically a slot corner, Gaines graded as the second-worst CB in the NFL a season ago, per Pro Football Focus. He’s unlikely to return to Kansas City after the club added David Amerson and Kendall Fuller, but he’d offer familiarity in Indianapolis, where former Chiefs executive Chris Ballard is now general manager.

Colts Interested In Mike Pouncey

March 17th, 2018 at 5:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts are among the clubs with interest in free agent center Mike Pouncey, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).

Pouncey hasn’t been wanting for interest since earning his release from the Dolphins earlier this week. In addition to the Colts, both the Buccaneers and Chargers are reportedly eyeing Pouncey, although Tampa Bay’s current level of intrigue is unclear given that it signed fellow interior lineman Ryan Jensen. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is reportedly meeting with Pouncey today.

If signed by the Colts, Pouncey would likely be moved to guard given the presence of former first-round pick Ryan Kelly at center. That shouldn’t be a problem for the 28-year-old Pouncey, who has earned Pro Bowl berths at both guard and center in the past.

After playing in only five games in 2016, Pouncey’s play was limited by a hip injury last season. Pro Football Focus noted his lackluster performance, grading Pouncey as just the No. 27 center in the NFL. It’s possible Pouncey will require hip replacement surgery down the road, while at least one doctor has reportedly recommended that Pouncey retire, but he’s rejected that advice tho this point.

Dolphins To Meet With RB DeMarco Murray

March 17th, 2018 at 5:05pm CST by Ben Levine

Free agent running back DeMarco Murray will visit the Dolphins on Sunday, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link) reported earlier today that Miami had inquired on Murray, who has also met with the Seahawks and Lions since getting a pink slip from the Titans.

Murray, 30, is coming off of a down season in which he amassed just 659 yards and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. On a per-tote basis, it matched the career low he set in his lone season with the Eagles. He did have 39 catches for 266 yards, however, and may be capable of getting back to his old form with a new team. Murray ultimately graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 running back in the league.

Murray would certainly provide the Dolphins will some experience at running back, as the team’s current options are all 26 or younger. Behind projected starter Kenyan Drake, Miami is also rostering Senorise Perry, De’Veon Smith, and Brandon Radcliff.