2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Saints Owner Tom Benson Dead At 90

March 15th, 2018 at 4:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Saints owner Tom Benson has died at the age of 90. According to an announcement from the team, Benson passed away peacefully with wife Gayle Marie Benson at his side.

Benson purchased the Saints in 1985 after learning that the team was on the verge of being sold and relocated. Since being purchased by Benson, the Saints have earned eleven playoff berths and won a Super Bowl ring in 2009. Back in 2012, Benson also bought the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans).

We learned earlier this week that Benson was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Ochsner Medical Center (via ESPN’s Mike Triplett). He was admitted several weeks ago with flu symptoms. Benson has battled several ailments in recent years, and he was hospitalized back in October for exhaustion.

Besides owning the two major sports teams in New Orleans, Benson was also known in the area for his charitable work. Through his Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation, the owner was “dedicated to assisting a myriad of charitable, faith-based and educational causes in the New Orleans and South Texas communities” (via a Saints press release).

We at PFR offer our thoughts and condolences to Benson’s family and friends.

Redskins Re-Sign LB Zach Brown

March 15th, 2018 at 3:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Zach Brown isn’t going anywhere. The Redskins have re-signed the free agent inside linebacker, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth up to $24MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Brown ranked as our No. 3 ranked linebacker heading into free agency, behind only Nigel Bradham and NaVorro Bowman. Bradham has since re-signed with the Eagles on a five-year, $40MM deal. Bowman, meanwhile, continues to look for his next team and with the incumbent Raiders having interest. Brown’s deal with the Redskins could facilitate a return to Oakland for Bowman.

Brown racked up 127 tackles last year and was vocal about his desire for a better deal. Last year, he settled for a one-year, $2.55MM deal with the Redskins. He’s back in D.C., this time with a pay bump.

In his first campaign with Washington, Brown appeared in 13 games and played on roughly three-quarters of the team’s defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus graded Brown as the league’s No. 51 linebacker among 88 qualifiers, a steep drop off from his 2017 production. As a unit, Washington’s defense ranked 29th in rush defense DVOA. Still, advanced analytics only mean so much to NFL front offices and Brown’s value was evident to the Redskins.

Bills’ Richie Incognito Reworks Contract

March 15th, 2018 at 3:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Richie Incognito has delivered three straight Pro Bowl seasons since landing in Buffalo following a controversial period. And he’s agreed to rework his contract to stay with the Bills.

The Bills and the four-time Pro Bowl guard have come to an agreement on an amended deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Incognito is entering the final season of his second Bills contract.

This will be Incognito’s age-35 season and 12th NFL campaign. He was slated to earn $6.325MM in base salary this season and represent $7.575MM of the Bills’ cap. The Bills reside on the higher end of the cap-space hierarchy at present, and this figures to bolster the situation further.

Grading out as the No. 12 guard last season, per Pro Football Focus, Incognito anchored another Bills line. Buffalo will have new starters at center and left tackle after Eric Wood‘s retirement and the Cordy Glenn trade, but they won’t have to worry about replacing Incognito just yet.

Raiders To Meet With DE Tank Carradine

March 15th, 2018 at 3:48pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders are hosting 49ers defensive end Tank Carradine on a visit, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Carradine, 29, was a second round pick of the Niners in 2013. He hasn’t quite lived up to his potential and he is coming off of a season in which he missed half of the team’s games. He did start in seven of his eight contests in 2017, however. He tallied 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks and would have placed among Pro Football Focus’ top 50 edge defenders if he had enough snaps to qualify.

The Raiders are keeping busy today as they are also meeting with free safety Marcus Gilchrist. On the other side of the ball, they have released Michael Crabtree in order to sign fellow wide receiver Jordy Nelson.

Colts Interested In OL D.J. Fluker

March 15th, 2018 at 3:47pm CST by Zachary Links

A market for Giants free agent offensive lineman D.J. Fluker is starting to emerge. The former first-round pick and Patrice O’Neal lookalike has drawn interest from the Colts, according to Stephen Holder of the Indy Star (on Twitter).

Fluker is also set to meet with the Seahawks. While Fluker isn’t expected to command an especially lucrative deal, the Colts have far more cap space than the Seahawks possess. Although, despite having some of the most maneuvering room in the league, the Colts have been quiet during the start of free agency.

Fluker spent last season with the Giants after signing a one-year deal. The former Chargers first-round pick did not show a dramatic improvement from the work that induced the Bolts to backtrack on his fifth-year option and cut the Alabama product last year. Pro Football Focus tabbed the 27-year-old blocker as its No. 56 full-time guard.

Indianapolis could lose Jack Mewhort in free agency and has some uncertainty on the right side of its line. It’s possible Fluker could compete for a spot at either guard or right tackle.

Jaguars To Sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins

March 15th, 2018 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Austin Seferian-Jenkins has a new home. The tight end will sign with the Jaguars, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

This will be a two-year agreement worth $10MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). A $1MM incentive package also appears to be included in the deal.

Seferian-Jenkins, a former second-round pick of the Bucs, never lived up to his potential with Tampa Bay. After bouncing back from substance abuse issues, he put together a productive season with the Jets, catching 50 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. Two more TDs were overturned on controversial reversals.

ASJ was seeking a slightly more lucrative deal and also met with the Seahawks. But he didn’t make that trip and will add to the reigning AFC South champions’ retooled pass-catcher stable. The Jaguars lost Allen Robinson but added Donte Moncrief. He and Seferian-Jenkins now look to serve as complementary targets for Blake Bortles.

This didn’t cost nearly as much as the most recent notable Jaguars free agent tight end signing. Julius Thomas signed a five-year, $46MM deal in 2015, but that didn’t end up working out. ASJ has not produced what Thomas did in Denver but never enjoyed those kind of favorable circumstances, either. And, as was the case when Thomas signed, Marcedes Lewis is still on the team.

Seferian-Jenkins is only 25, however, and if last season was a brief indication could have some upside. Although, the two-year agreement is likely, to some degree, indicative of his checkered past.

Lions To Meet With Matt Slauson

March 15th, 2018 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Chargers free agent guard Matt Slauson is visiting the Lions on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Slauson was ranked as PFR’s fifth best interior lineman available heading into free agency.

Slauson, 32, started seven games at left guard the Chargers before being shelved in October with a biceps injury. He also offers previous experience at center. Last year’s starting center, Travis Swanson, is a free agent, so they could be eyeing Slauson to be their new starter in the middle.

Alternatively, Graham Glasgow could be shifted over to center with Slauson displacing Joe Dahl at one starting guard spot. For a complete look at the Lions’ offensive line situation and overall depth chart, check out their page on Roster Resource.

Saints To Meet With Ndamukong Suh

March 15th, 2018 at 3:20pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have interest in former Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). They’re working to bring the monster defensive tackle in on a visit this week.

Jane Slater of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) this visit will occur, with Suh set to trek to New Orleans on Friday. Slater notes the Cowboys are not expected to be in the running for the dominant defensive tackle.

If New Orleans is the first visit for Suh, that bodes well for his chances to sign with the Saints, as Rapoport notes. The Seahawks are also among the clubs with interest and there are conflicting reports about the Cowboys’ level of interest in the multiple-time Pro Bowler.

Suh stands as the best free agent on the board after securing his release from Miami. The Dolphins’ decision to release Suh had more to do with his contract than his performance. Last year, he has the fifth-best interior defender in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished out the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks – solid numbers, even if they’re down from previous seasons.

The Saints have a host of defensive linemen out in free agency, headlined by defensive end Alex Okafor. If the season were to start today – a funny phrase here in March – they’d project to start David Onyemata and Tyeler Davison in the middle. Needless to say, Suh would provide a major boost to New Orleans’ front four.

Saints Receive Cap Credit From Nick Fairley Grievance

March 15th, 2018 at 3:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Fairley and the Saints each filed grievances with the NFL over the former New Orleans defensive tackle’s contract, and one of the details from the result of those proceedings with the league has emerged.

The Saints will see a $3MM bump in cap space because of this, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports. This will come in the form of a cap credit, with bonus money from Fairley’s contract being returned to the team, per Triplett.

It’s not certain if this grievance has been fully resolved, or how money from Fairley’s $14MM guarantee will be distributed. The Saints signed Fairley to a four-year, $28MM contract last March, but after a quality season in 2016, Fairley was diagnosed with a heart condition. He has not played since and may well have played his last down as an NFL player.

Raiders Sign WR Jordy Nelson

March 15th, 2018 at 3:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have signed wide receiver Jordy Nelson, as first reported by his former teammate James Jones (on Twitter). It’s a two-year, $15MM deal with $13MM guaranteed. The news has been confirmed by Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Nelson was a cap casualty of the Packers, but several teams were eager to bring him into the fold. The Raiders beat out the Seahawks and Saints, who were also making a strong push for him.

The Raiders released Michael Crabtree on Thursday in order to make room for Nelson. At this stage of their careers, not everyone would prefer Nelson to Crabtree, although the Raiders’ new head coach obviously does. Nelson is coming off of his worst season, statistically speaking, since 2012. He caught 53 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Crabtree, meanwhile, had his worst season as a Raider, though he had 58 grabs for 618 yards and eight TDs.

Nelson now slots in as the Raiders’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Amari Cooper, as shown on Roster Resource. Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson are also on the depth chart. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders continue to explore the wide receiver market for depth, though there will also be options in the draft.

This will be a chance for Nelson to bounce back. Although he was only selected to one Pro Bowl (in 2014) during his run as Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite target, Nelson became the Packers’ second-leading receiver scorer. Only Don Hutson caught more touchdowns as a Packer than Nelson’s 69. He has four 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, with the most recent coming in 2016 despite having suffered an ACL tear in 2015.

The former second-round pick and Super Bowl hero caught 97 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 TDs during his last full season with Rodgers, and the Raiders are clearly banking he can return to close to that level with this signing.

[RELATED: Raiders Depth Chart]