2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Bills To Explore Scenarios For Trade Into Top Five

March 13th, 2018 at 1:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

After trading Cordy Glenn to the Bengals and picking up Cincinnati’s No. 12 overall pick, the Bills are in stronger position come draft weekend. And they plan to use that to their advantage with a quarterback solution in mind.

Buffalo holds five of the top 65 picks in the draft, and Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com tweets the franchise will explore scenarios about what it will take to pick up a top-five pick. These talks are expected to heat up next week and gain steam at the Orlando owners’ meetings, which are set for March 25-28.

The Bills have seen quarterback dominoes fall Tuesday, leaving them without a starting option for 2018 and beyond. Although, the franchise traded Tyrod Taylor to the Browns on Friday and was not believed to be a serious Kirk Cousins suitor. Now, it looks like the Bills — who hold the Nos. 12 and 21 picks in Round 1 — are the team to watch for a first-round move.

The Browns, Giants, Jets and possibly the Broncos could take quarterbacks. As of now, each picks in front of the Bills. Robinson notes a trade into the top five could be meant to outflank the Jets, who are likely to be dedicated quarterback pursuers since they’ve missed out on Kirk Cousins.

The Bills’ last first-round quarterback pick, EJ Manuel, did not go well for the franchise. Now, the Brandon Beane-led regime looks ready to take a swing. A definitive hierarchy for the top prospect tier of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield has yet to form. But the Bills are likely eyeing one of those players by planning a potential northward jump come Round 1.

DeShawn Shead To Visit Lions, 49ers

March 13th, 2018 at 1:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead is visiting the Lions on Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). If he leaves without an agreement, he’ll meet with the 49ers on Wednesday.

Shead’s contract tolled for the 2018 season, but the Seahawks honored a promise to make him an unrestricted free agent in that event. Seattle hopes to retain Shead, but they may not get the opportunity to re-sign him given the outside interest he has and their own numbers crunch.

Shead returned from a broken leg to play in two games last season for the Seahawks, The cornerback, 30 in June, was Seattle’s full-time right cornerback opposite Richard Sherman in 2016. With Sherman and Jeremy Lane already out of the picture, it sounds like Shead could be the next Legion of Boomer to wind up elsewhere.

Raiders, Bills Interested In Tom Johnson

March 13th, 2018 at 1:45pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills and Raiders have expressed interest in Vikings free agent defensive tackle Tom Johnson, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). Johnson, 33, is seeking a two-year deal “for the highest salary he can get since it might be his last big contract,” Tomasson adds.

Last year, Johnson appeared in all 16 games and managed 23 pressures two sacks from the interior. He reportedly asked for a one-year, $4MM extension last season, but the Vikings refused, which could give an idea where Minnesota stands on Johnson’s value.

Heading into free agency, Johnson ranked PFR’s No. 9 free agent defensive tackle.

Dolphins To Sign WR Danny Amendola

March 13th, 2018 at 1:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Danny Amendola is staying in the AFC East, but he’ll do so with a different team. The Patriots free agent has agreed to sign with the Dolphins, according to NFL Network’s Dan Hellie (on Twitter). Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter) has confirmed the news. It’s a two-year deal worth $12MM with $8.25MM guaranteed, according to Peter Schrager of NFL.com (on Twitter). Schrager notes that the deal includes incentives, but it’s not immediately clear if those incentives are factored into the $12MM figure.

Amendola was vocal about his desire to stay with the Patriots, but New England’s cap crunch has led him to sign elsewhere. He’ll now face his old friends twice per season and he might make the Pats regret the decision to let him leave.

Amendola accepted several pay cuts in order to stick on the Patriots’ roster in recent years, but the offers were too good this time around for the wide receiver to stay put. The veteran earned roughly $6MM over the last three years with the Patriots and he’ll earn more than that in guarantees alone with Miami.

After a down season in 2016, Amendola racked up 61 receptions, 659 yards, and two touchdowns during the 2017 regular season before stepping up with a 26/348/2 line in the postseason. Amendola has never topped 700 yards receiving in a single season, but he is a strong weapon in today’s quick passing game.

The Dolphins jumped at the chance to land Amendola after parting ways with Jarvis Landry this offseason. They used the franchise tag on Landry, an excellent slot receiver, to keep him with a one-year, ~$16MM placeholder before shipping him to the Browns. Amendola will step into Landry’s role and while he might not offer the same production, he comes at a much better value.

This has proven to be a seller’s market for this year’s top free agent wideouts. Already, Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins, and Paul Richardson have landed lucrative multi-year deals. Amendola joins that group with a solid pay day of his own.

[RELATED: Dolphins Depth Chart]

Sam Bradford To Sign With Cardinals

March 13th, 2018 at 1:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

The quarterback dominoes continue to fall, with the latest representing another opportunity for Sam Bradford.

Bradford has agreed to terms with the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This stands to take another team out of the Kirk Cousins mix, one that’s believed to be concluding with the Vikings landing this year’s free agent prize.

It’s a two-year deal for Bradford, Peter Schrager of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), and Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic tweets this agreement will be worth $18MM per year. Incentives could take it to $20MM per season, per Somers. However, Schefter and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport report (Twitter links) this is a one-year deal worth $20MM with an option for a second season. Schefter reports $15MM is guaranteed in this contract. Some form of injury protection exists within this deal, Mike Jurecki of ArizonaSports.com tweets.

With Cousins likely landing in Minnesota and Case Keenum set to trek to Denver, the Cardinals were lower on options. They were believed to have inquired about Tyrod Taylor as well before the Browns acquired him. But Bradford will now head to a fourth NFC team and potentially receive an opportunity to be a Week 1 starter again.

The Cardinals were linked to Mike Glennon earlier on Tuesday, but that could well have been as a possible backup. As of now, no quarterbacks reside on Arizona’s roster after Carson Palmer‘s retirement and Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert‘s contracts expiring.

Given his injury history, Bradford does not bring much stability. But he did play 15 games for the 2016 Vikings and suited up for 14 contests with the 2015 Eagles. While Bradford set a then-NFL record with a 71.6 percent completion rate in his first Minnesota season, during a season that saw him throw 20 touchdown passes compared to five interceptions, his tenure was marred by nagging knee trouble in his second.

Bradford played in just two games for the Vikings last season. He torched the Saints in a Week 1 win but then experienced knee pain that shelved him for several weeks, and the former No. 1 overall pick could not make it through a second game — being benched for Keenum — and did not play again last season. Bradford also missed all of the 2014 season and nine games for the 2013 Rams due to knee trouble.

This is a slight gamble for the Cardinals, but without the kind of cap space the Vikings or Jets had, a Cousins union looked less likely.

This takes another veteran option out of the mix for the Jets. But Teddy Bridgewater remains unaffiliated, and Gang Green was believed to be viewing the former Vikings first-rounder as its optimal bridge plan. This also leaves A.J. McCarron without a surefire landing spot. The Bengals backup had sought an opportunity to become a starter, but several franchises have moved or are believed to be moving in other directions.

As for Bradford, he’s still just 30 despite experiencing a litany of injuries. He will likely be asked to take the Cardinals’ reins in the near future while the franchise attempts to bring in a long-term successor in the draft. Picking at No. 15 this year could complicate that.

It’s quite possible all four top quarterbacks in this year’s prospect pool could be long gone by the time Arizona’s selection window opens. The Browns, Giants, Jets, Bills and possibly the Broncos represent potential quarterback landmines for the Cardinals’ quest, and after the Bills’ Cordy Glenn trade, all five of these franchises pick in front of Arizona. The Cardinals could target a passer in the second round, however, and may turn to the 2019 draft.

[RELATED: Cardinals Depth Chart]

Talks Stall For Saints, Jimmy Graham

March 13th, 2018 at 1:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Hold the phone on the Saints/Jimmy Graham reunion. The two sides have been seriously discussing a deal, but talks have stalled in recent hours, sources tell Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Discussions aren’t dead, however, as both sides are still hoping to reach agreement.

Graham has a strong market in free agency with the Packers and other teams hoping to sign him. The Ravens are also hoping to get involved, but their cap situation may hinder them.

Trey Burton‘s new four-year, $32MM deal with the Bears will only help to push Graham’s market and that may be a roadblock in his talks with the Saints. The 49ers and Lions were said to have interest in Burton and they could get in the mix for Graham now that the younger TE is off the board.

This offseason marks Graham’s first experience as an unrestricted free agent. Last season, he caught ten touchdowns for the Seahawks. Graham remains a serious red zone threat, but his career-low 9.1 yards per catch underscores that he’s not the same player as he was during his prime in New Orleans.

Drew Brees Turned Down Better Offer To Stay With Saints?

March 13th, 2018 at 1:10pm CST by Zachary Links

As expected, Drew Brees has re-signed with the Saints on a new deal. The contract — worth $50MM and containing $27MM in guarantees — isn’t exactly chump change, but Brees may have had better offers elsewhere.

At least one other team was willing to give Brees $60MM guaranteed over two years, according to Jeff Triplett of ESPN.com. However, there’s some conflicting word on that front. A league source tells Mike Florio of PFT that simply never happened.

The Vikings were among the teams to reach out to Brees, but they are reportedly on the verge of signing Kirk Cousins to a fully guaranteed three-year deal.

If the $60MM guaranteed offer is true, one has to wonder if it came from the Jets. Although luring Brees away from New Orleans was a Hail Mary, the Jets had to give it a shot given the uninspiring lot of backup options.

Since losing out on the top QBs in this year’s market, the Jets have re-upped Josh McCown and may still be eyeing Teddy Bridgewater. Brees, meanwhile, is back in New Orleans and ready to take another run at a Super Bowl ring.

Eagles To Sign LB Corey Nelson

March 13th, 2018 at 1:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos were eyeing Corey Nelson as a player they would like to have retained, the linebacker will join the Eagles instead. Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets Nelson will head to Philadelphia on a one-year deal. It’s a one-year, $2.25MM pact, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Nelson is coming off a season-ending injury and has operated primarily as a reserve during his four-year career.

The former seventh-round pick did start six games for the 2016 Broncos. He’s been one of Denver’s top special-teamers. Nelson will join an Eagles team that could lose Nigel Bradham in free agency and has Jordan Hicks coming off a season-ending injury.

The Broncos could lose Todd Davis in free agency as well, but the franchise also was planning to see what it would cost to retain him. Nelson’s defection could make that a higher priority.

Jaguars Re-Sign WR Shane Wynn

March 13th, 2018 at 1:01pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Jaguars have agreed to re-sign wide receiver Shane Wynn, according to John Oesher of Jaguars.com (on Twitter).

Jacksonville signed Wynn, 25, prior to the 2016 season and provided him with his first NFL action. He caught two passes and also had three carries last season. He’s also spent time on practice squads for the Browns, Jets, Chargers and Saints. The Falcons originally signed Wynn as an undrafted free agent in 2015 out of Indiana.

Wynn provides the Jaguars with some depth as Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee entered the offseason as unrestricted free agents. Robinson agreed to a three-year, $42MM deal with the Bears on Monday.

Jacksonville has had a pretty busy Tuesday. Earlier, the team agreed to a five-year, $66.5MM deal with guard Andrew Norwell.

Ravens In Mix For Jimmy Graham?

March 13th, 2018 at 12:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jimmy Graham has drawn interest from both the Packers and Saints, but the Ravens are also believed to be pursuing the former All-Pro tight end.

Graham is on the Ravens’ radar, but Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun tweets they are likely not the favorites and could be fighting an uphill battle. This is presumably due to the Ravens’ cap situation compared to the Packers’ and Saints’.

The 31-year-old tight end has drawn interest from the Drew Brees– and Aaron Rodgers-centered teams and would make for an interesting component for two franchises with stacked offenses. Baltimore’s setup is less certain, and the Ravens do not have nearly as much cap space as their reported Graham competitors do.

Despite Graham having not quite been as good for the Seahawks as he was for the Saints, he was still a top-tier red zone option last season. He caught 10 touchdowns — his fourth season with double-digit scores — but averaged a career-low 9.1 yards per catch. But it appears the ninth-year pass-catcher still has a competitive market as a first-time UFA.

Baltimore has cycled through tight ends over the past few years, with injuries playing a key role in that rotation. Graham would represent a clear upgrade from the incumbents.