HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

Raiders Sign LB Tahir Whitehead

March 15th, 2018 at 9:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders have signed free agent linebacker Tahir Whitehead, the club announced tonight. It’s a three-year deal worth more than $6MM annually, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal (Twitter link).

Oakland has been on the lookout for linebackers for several seasons, and last year acquired veteran NaVorro Bowman from the 49ers. Although the Raiders still had interest in re-signing Bowman as of earlier this week, it’s possible the club’s addition of Whitehead will end Bowman’s tenure. However, Bowman plays on the inside while Whitehead is best at outside ‘backer, so there is certainly room for both in the Bay Area.

Whitehead was drafted by the Lions as a fifth-rounder in 2012, but he didn’t become a fixture on the club’s defense until 2014. Since that time, he’s started 55 games and racked up 283 tackles. Whitehead, 27, has hit the open market before, but ended up re-signing with the Lions on a two-year deal.

Whitehead, whom PFR ranked as the No. 8 available linebacker entering free agency, would line up alongside Oakland linebackers Bruce Irvin and Marquel Lee if the season began today, but it’s possible the Raiders will make further second-level additions.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) first reported Whitehead was nearing a deal with Oakland. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

[RELATED: Raiders Depth Chart]

Contract Details: Lotulelei, Bradham, Lewis

March 15th, 2018 at 8:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the details from the latest contracts signed in the NFL:

Vikings Restructure RB Latavius Murray’s Deal

March 15th, 2018 at 8:18pm CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings have restructured the contract of running back Latavius Murray, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Murray agreed to a reduced base salary for 2018, though his salary is guaranteed, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the last year of his contract was wiped out. He is now due to be a free agent in 2019.

In 16 games (11 starts), the 28-year-old ultimately finished the campaign with 842 yards and eight touchdowns on 216 carries (3.9 yards per carry). Pro Football Focus ranked Murray 26th among 58 eligible running backs. The former sixth-round pick has proven to be reliable in the red zone, as he rushed for 12 touchdowns with the Raiders in 2016.

The adjustment helped Minnesota clear some cash in order to sign Sheldon Richardson.

Jets Re-Sign CB Morris Claiborne

March 15th, 2018 at 7:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets have re-signed cornerback Morris Claiborne to a one-year, $7MM deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Gang Green entered the free agent period hoping to acquire two starting corners, and the club has now accomplished that goal. General manager Mike Maccagnan inked Trumaine Johnson to a five-year deal on Wednesday, and he’ll now retain Claiborne, whose first season in New York was considered a success.

Claiborne is a former top-10 draft pick, and although he’s generally been effective when on the field, injuries have been an issue. During the first five seasons of his career, all of which came with the Cowboys, Claiborne managed to play in more than 12 games only once, and that was during his rookie campaign.

Things were different in 2017, however, as Claiborne managed to stay healthy for 15 contests. During that time, he served as the Jets’ No. 1 cornerback, managing eight passes defensed and one interception. Pro Football Focus wasn’t fond of Claiborne’s work, though, as he graded as a bottom-20 corner among 121 qualifiers.

Entering free agency, PFR ranked Claiborne as the fifth-best available corner. Of the four CBs that placed above Claiborne, only E.J. Gaines has yet to land a new deal.

[RELATED: Jets Depth Chart]

Rams To Retain WR Tavon Austin

March 15th, 2018 at 7:18pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Rams will retain wide receiver Tavon Austin following a contract restructure, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (Twitter link). Although Los Angeles had reportedly been set on trading or releasing Austin, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported (via Twitter) the club was “intent” on keeping the small-statured wideout.

The Rams could have released Austin immediately and save $3MM against their salary cap, although they would’ve incurred $5MM in dead money. Austin would have seen his $3MM base salary become fully guaranteed on Friday, setting a deadline for a potential transaction.

That $3MM figure is now attainable through incentives, tweets Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com, but those incentives appear to be classified as “likely to be earned,” per Bonsignore (Twitter link). As such, the Rams aren’t likely to see any cap relief in 2018, although they could get a credit in 2019.

Despite the Rams reigniting their offense under Sean McVay after finishing as the league’s worst passing attack a year earlier, Austin managed just 13 receptions for 47 yards last season. However, the gadget weapon did rush for 270 yards and a score.

Los Angeles lost pass-catcher Sammy Watkins to the Chiefs on Wednesday, and while Austin could conceivably help replace Watkins, the Rams are likely to turn to fellow wideouts Josh Reynolnds and Mike Thomas, instead.

Delvin Breaux Leaves Broncos With No Deal

March 15th, 2018 at 7:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While previous reports indicated that free agent cornerback Delvin Breaux was close to a deal with the Broncos, he’s now leaving Denver without a deal, per Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link), who adds Breaux appears set to visit other clubs.

The 28-year-old wasn’t tendered by the Saints earlier this week, making him an unrestricted free agent. Breaux had his highs and lows while in New Orleans: he was a standout in 2015, grading out as a high-end starter per Pro Football Focus’ metrics, but didn’t deliver an encore performance in 2016, and his 2017 season was lost to injury.

The Saints designated Breaux to return from IR in October, but the cornerback had a setback that kept him out for another month. Ultimately, New Orleans did not activate him within the window, meaning that his season was done.

The former CFL player’s standout 2015 campaign saw him compile 45 tackles, 19 passes defended, and three interceptions. Injuries have been an issue with Breaux, who has broken his fibula twice and missed time with a shoulder injury.

Denver didn’t completely miss on free agent cornerback additions, as they signed veteran Tramaine Brock on Wednesday.

RB Jeremy Hill To Visit Patriots

March 15th, 2018 at 7:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite rostering three capable running backs, New England is apparently seeking more reinforcement at the position. Free agent Jeremy Hill is set to visit with the Patriots tomorrow, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).

It’s been a relatively quiet offseason for Hill, who was listed ninth in our free agent positional rankings. It doesn’t sound like the former second-rounder will be returning to the Bengals, where he spent the first four seasons of his career. After rushing for 1,124 yards in his rookie season, Hill hasn’t been able to match that production in the past three years.

2017 was arguably the 25-year-old’s worst NFL season, as he finished the campaign with only 116 rushing yards on 37 carries (leading to a career-low 3.1 yards per carry). After having compiled 29 touchdowns through his first three seasons in the league, Hill finished last year with zero. The running back was limited to only seven games (seven starts) after injuring his ankle in November.

The Patriots running back depth chart is already relatively crowded, especially after the team re-signed Rex Burkhead earlier this week. New England is also rostering pass-catcher James White as well as Mike Gillislee (special teamer Brandon Bolden is also on the team). Despite the depth, the Patriots are clearly looking for another back, as they reportedly have interest in former player Danny Woodhead.

Raiders To Sign Marcus Gilchrist

March 15th, 2018 at 6:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders have agreed to sign free agent safety Marcus Gilchrist to a one-year deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Reggie Nelson‘s contract expired after last season, the second of a two-year deal, and Oakland has a need on its back line alongside Karl Joseph. The Raiders were targeting secondary help this offseason but have yet to bolster that unit with an addition. They lost slot corner T.J. Carrie to the Browns on Wednesday.

Pro Football Focus graded Gilchrist, 29, as a middle-of-the-road safety last season, when he was with the Texans. Despite some big expenses over the past few years, the Raiders have continued to struggle in coverage. They’re now set to have three new starters in their secondary.

While Oakland has spent much of its offseason resources on offensive additions such as Jordy Nelson, Doug Martin, and Derek Carrier, the club also re-signed defensive tackle Justin Ellis and is nearing a deal with linebacker Tahir Whitehad.

[RELATED: Raiders Depth Chart]

Buccaneers Re-Sign DE Will Clarke

March 15th, 2018 at 6:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Buccaneers have re-signed defensive end Will Clarke, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). It’s a minimum benefit salary pact, and Clarke will receive a $700K base salary and a signing bonus of $90K.

The Bengals selected Clarke in the third round of the 2014 draft, but he never lived up to that billing. Cincinnati waived Clarke after he failed to start a game with the club, and the Buccaneers picked him up prior to the 2017 campaign.

Clarke, 26, didn’t make much on an impact in Tampa Bay, either. While he played on roughly a third of the Bucs’ defensive snaps, Clarke posted only 2.5 sacks and graded as the No. 84 edge defender among 106 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. Clarke also chipped in on special teams, where he saw nearly 50% playtime.

Bears Re-Sign P Pat O’Donnell

March 15th, 2018 at 6:28pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bears have re-signed punter Pat O’Donnell to a one-year deal, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The pact is worth $1.5MM, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).

O’Donnell, 26, has spent his entire career in Chicago after being selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. Last season, O’Donnell managed 39.7 net yards per punt, which ranked just 24th in the league. As a unit, the Bears ranked second-to-last in Football Outsiders‘ punt rankings by giving up 12.3 points.

Both the Eagles and Giants reportedly expressed interest in O’Donnell before he re-upped with the Bears.

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