2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Broncos Not Interested In DRC Reunion

March 11th, 2018 at 9:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

After breaking up the Aqib Talib–Chris Harris–Bradley Roby trio that served as arguably the NFL’s best over the past four years, the Broncos are planning to look for cornerback help this offseason.

Denver has not needed to pursue much assistance here in recent years, with Kayvon Webster jumping from the Broncos’ No. 4 corner to a Rams starter illustrating the depth the franchise was working with, but will pursue it now that Talib is Los Angeles-bound.

However, the player who preceded Talib as a Broncos starter alongside Harris — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — does not appear to be piquing the franchise’s interest this time around. Mike Klis of 9News tweets the Broncos will not be in the mix on a DRC reunion but confirms the franchise is seeking outside help behind Harris and Roby.

The Giants cut Rodgers-Cromartie on Sunday, and going into what would be his age-32 season, he might not be too expensive to bring back. The Broncos signed DRC for one year and $5MM in 2013, and he parlayed a strong Denver campaign into a five-year, $35MM pact with the Giants. However, when negotiations with DRC did not produce a Broncos re-up in 2014, Denver turned to Talib. And that decision played a big part in the franchise’s pass-coverage success over the past four seasons.

The Broncos created $11MM in cap space by trading Talib, but the team is expected to target a veteran quarterback and has needs at right tackle, No. 3 pass catcher and at inside linebacker. Considering both Harris and Roby will earn at least $8MM this year, nickel corner seems like an area the Broncos will try to address on the cheap.

Cardinals To Target Andrew Norwell

March 11th, 2018 at 8:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cardinals are planning to make a pitch for Kirk Cousins once the tampering window opens Monday, but they are not believed to be the favorite. However, not landing a player who is expected to sign the richest contract in NFL history would open the door for Arizona’s cap space to be used elsewhere.

And Andrew Norwell has come up. The Cardinals plan to pursue the UFA guard prize, Mike Jurecki of Fox 59 tweets.

While Arizona doesn’t reside on the high end of the cap-space spectrum, the most associated with Norwell during this free agency period — the Giants — have about the same amount. The Cards have Mike Iupati and Evan Boehm under contract. Alex Boone is back in free agency.

Like the Giants, the Cardinals have an obvious connection to Norwell. Each of Norwell’s four seasons in Charlotte came while new Cards HC Steve Wilks was on staff.

Arizona struggled badly on the ground last season, ranking 30th in rushing yards per game and last in the league with 3.4 yards per carry. Norwell is viewed as the top offensive lineman in this year’s class.

Extra Points: Brees, Watson, Contracts

March 11th, 2018 at 8:17pm CST by Ben Levine

With less than 24 hours until the exclusive negotiating window closes, the Saints and Drew Brees still haven’t come to an agreement on a new deal, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (via Twitter). If a contract isn’t agreed to by noon eastern time tomorrow, rival teams can make their pitch to the veteran quarterback.

Brees contract officially voids on Wednesday, although the 39-year-old will be allowed to negotiate with teams starting on Monday. If the Saints don’t come to an agreement with Brees before the start of free agency on Wednesday, they’ll have to tolerate $18MM in dead money against their cap. For what it’s worth, we heard in January that the veteran wasn’t planning on testing the market.

The 11-time Pro Bowler had another standout campaign in 2017, completing a career-high 72-percent of his passes for 4,334 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Let’s take a look at some other notes from around the NFL…

Veteran tight end Ben Watson is contemplating retirement, reports CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). However, the 37-year-old would be willing to continue his playing career if “the opportunity presents itself.” After missing the entire 2016 season due to a torn Achilles, Watson bounced back in 2017 with the Ravens, hauling in 61 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns. After being selected in the first round of the 2004 draft, Watson has also played for the Patriots, Browns, and Saints.
Former NFL agent (and current CBS Sports writer) Joel Corry continues to explore the ideal contracts for some of the NFL’s top free agents and extension candidates. Corry believes Le’Veon Bell should pursue a five-year, $71.25MM deal with $19MM in guaranteed money. Corry also focuses on wideouts Jarvis Landry, who he believes should look for a five-year, $75MM deal ($48MM guaranteed), and Allen Robinson (one-year, $10MM, $9MM guaranteed). Tight end Jimmy Graham (four years, $34MM), offensive guard Andrew Norwell (five years, $65MM), and offensive tackle Nate Solder (five year, $72.5MM) were also included in Corry’s analysis.
Corry also took a look at the top free agents/extension candidates on defense. The largest suggested contract goes to defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, as Corry suggests a five-year, $97.5MM deal (with $60MM guaranteed). The former agent also analyzed defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (four years, $66MM), defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (five years, $81.25MM), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (five years, $77.5MM), cornerback Kyle Fuller (five years, $67.5MM), and safety Lamarcus Joyner (five years, $57.5MM).

Redskins Have Offer Out To Trent Murphy

March 11th, 2018 at 7:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trent Murphy will be eligible to speak to other teams as a free agent Monday, but the Redskins are trying to keep him off the market.

Washington has offered the UFA outside linebacker, J.P. Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports. PFR’s No. 3 edge defender free agent, Murphy resides in a weak class at the position. An agreement with Washington would further deplete the contingent.

Murphy lent credence to this offer coming in, or his camp being intrigued by it, via Twitter post Sunday night. Murphy is coming off a lost season, and this may well be a one-year proposal.

He missed all of 2017 because of multiple severe injuries. He tore an ACL and MCL in a preaseason game, and those maladies came after he underwent offseason foot surgery. The fifth-year player joins other players with recent injury histories on the market, with Pernell McPhee and Alex Okafor also among the top edge options.

Murphy, though, showed promise in 2016 by registering nine sacks despite not being a starter. Murphy, 27, was also suspended for PEDs last year. The former second-round pick would rejoin a Ryan Kerrigan-fronted edge corps if he re-signs. The Redskins selected Ryan Anderson in the second round last year and also have Preston Smith under contract.

FOX Eyeing Jason Witten As TNF Analyst

March 11th, 2018 at 6:32pm CST by Ben Levine

Earlier this year, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said he intends to play in 2018. If a major television network has its way, the long-time Cowboys star will hang up his cleats. Michael McCarthy of Sporting News reports that Fox is targeting Witten to be their new Thursday Night Football analyst.

FOX (along with ESPN) previously pursued Peyton Manning for a television gig, but it sounds like the network is changing their focus to Witten. The 35-year-old wouldn’t be the only “former” Cowboys star on the mic this season, as Witten would join both Tony Romo and Troy Aikman on television. Executives at Fox are apparently “intrigued by the possibility” of adding Witten to their team.

Of course, it might be tough for the network to convince Witten to walk away from the NFL. The 2003 third-round pick had another standout campaign in 2017, earning his 11th Pro Bowl nod. The 15-year veteran finished the season with 63 receptions for 560 yards and five touchdowns. He’s the Cowboys franchise leader in receptions and receiving yards.

FA Rumors: Lewis, Moncrief, Jets, Fuller

March 11th, 2018 at 6:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite having surpassed the 100-touch mark just once in a season, Dion Lewis may well have surged to the point of being the top running back available. And the healthy market expected for the 27-year-old back shows no signs of slowing down. However, the Patriots are going to try to keep Lewis, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports. However, he notes Lewis’ price may “far outpace” what the Pats are willing to spend to keep him. The Colts, Titans and Jets look to be the early favorites for Lewis. The Titans being run by former Patriots exec Jon Robinson — who was in New England when the Pats acquired Lewis — and the fact Tennessee just released DeMarco Murray would make the AFC South team a logical suitor. The Jets have passing-down veteran Bilal Powell going into the final year of his contract, and the Colts are without a proven back now that Frank Gore is out of the picture.

New England still has James White and Brandon Bolden under contract. Here’s the latest from the market:

The Bears placing their transition tag on Kyle Fuller may not dissuade teams from inquiring about the corner. JLC hears from multiple execs the fifth-year cornerback could be in line to see an offer sheet. However, Chicago holds $50MM in cap space and would seemingly be an obvious threat to match an offer that comes Fuller’s way. La Canfora reports the Packers, Titans, Buccaneers and Texans are doing extensive work researching the cornerback market. With Fuller tagged, Trumaine Johnson and Malcolm Butler are the prizes currently unattached.
Muhammad Wilkerson will make his fourth visit on Monday, meeting with the Redskins, per Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). One of the top defensive UFAs available, the eighth-year defensive lineman has already visited the Packers, Saints and Chiefs.
Donte Moncrief is likely to exit Indianapolis, and the Ravens are interested, La Canfora hears. The Ravens, as of now, possess less than $5MM in cap space. But with Moncrief perhaps in line for a one-year deal after an inconsistent Colts tenure, La Canfora writes Baltimore is in the mix for the athletic target.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins and the Jets may be a bit out of sync as far as terms go, but the team remains intent on retaining the tight end, per JLC. Now armed with the most cap space in the league, the Jets would be able to meet ASJ’s reported $7MM-AAV asking price. But it’s uncertain if they will. La Canfora connects the Falcons and Seahawks as being interested in Seferian-Jenkins.
The Broncos are expected to have interest in Ja’Wuan James if the Dolphins are intent on gauging trade offers for their four-year right tackle, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. Denver, which has started four different right tackles in its past four season openers, is again in need of a right tackle. Although John Elway said Menelik Watson will be back, it’s hard to believe the Broncos wouldn’t try to upgrade after their most recent right tackle signee did not fare well.

Vikings Notes: Cousins, Forbath, Johnson

March 11th, 2018 at 6:19pm CST by Ben Levine

Kirk Cousins appears to be atop the Vikings offseason wish list. Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com writes that the organization will “go hard” after the free agent quarterback, adding that negotiations with their 13 unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents are on hold until the front office understands how much they’ll need to commit to a signal-caller.

The 29-year-old Cousins finished last season having completed 64.3-percent of his passes for 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. If the Vikings fail in their pursuit of the former Pro Bowler, they can turn their focus to any of the other three quarterbacks they were rostering in 2017: Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, or Sam Bradford.

Let’s take a look at some other notes out of Minnesota, all via Tomasson…

The Vikings want to re-sign kicker Kai Forbath, but the team has yet to make an offer to the veteran. The 30-year-old, who earned $775K last season, had one of the best seasons of his career with Minnesota in 2017. Forbath converted 32 of his 38 field goal attempts, and he made 34 of his 39 extra point tries.
The front office still hasn’t decided what tender they’ll place on restricted free agent offensive guard Nick Easton, but they want him back in 2018. A former undrafted free agent out of Harvard, the 25-year-old has started 17 of his 23 games over the past two seasons with the Vikings. Tomasson notes that the team is unlikely to tender restricted free agent running back Bishop Sankey or offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles.
There’s no guarantee that defensive tackle Tom Johnson will be back with the team next season. Tomasson notes that Minnesota is willing to pay the 33-year-old, but his return will “depend on other offers he might get.” The writer also writes that Johnson asked for a one-year, $4MM extension last season, but the Vikings ultimately balked. Johnson started 15 of 16 games last season, compiling 32 tackles and two sacks.

Chargers Sign Casey Hayward To Extension

March 11th, 2018 at 5:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Casey Hayward is sticking around Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the Chargers have inked the cornerback to a three-year, $36MM extension. The deal includes $20MM in guaranteed money.

As Michael David Smith of ProFootballFocus.com points out, Hayward still had a year left on his contract, but the Chargers ultimately ripped up the old deal and locked their top cornerback up through 2020. Rapoport tweets that Hayward will earn $15.75MM in the first year of the contract. The Pro Bowler was set to account for a $5.1MM cap hit in 2018.

Following four seasons with the Packers, the 28-year-old has spent the past two years with the Chargers organization. After serving as a backup for most of his tenure in Green Bay, the former second-round pick has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the league during his time in San Diego and Los Angeles.

Since joining the organization, Hayward has earned a pair of Pro Bowl births and second-team All-Pro nods, and he’s collected 11 interceptions through two seasons. Pro Football Focus was particularly fond of Hayward’s performance in 2017, ranking him first among 120 eligible cornerbacks.

The Chargers seem relatively set at cornerback heading into next season. Besides Hayward, the team is also rostering Jason Verrett, Trevor Williams (ERFA), Michael Davis, Craig Mager, and Jeff Richards.

Tackle Notes: James, Bills, Eagles, Thomas

March 11th, 2018 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins may be trying to see if they can unload Ja’Wuan James prior to his fifth-year option becoming guaranteed. A cut candidate, James is set to make $9.34MM on an as-of-now guaranteed-against-injury fifth-year option — which becomes fully guaranteed at 3pm CT Wednesday. Omar Kelly of the Orlando Sentinel reports the Dolphins are shopping the fifth-year right tackle, with the goal appearing to be moving him before free agency and the option vesting. While that is a high salary for a player who hasn’t been especially consistent, and has been injury-prone, plenty of teams are in need of tackle help. Additionally, the Dolphins are planning to re-sign swing tackle Sam Young, Kelly reports. Young, who will turn 31 in June, started six games for Miami last season. He’s a much cheaper option than James, albeit one with a lower ceiling.

Here’s the latest from the tackle market, courtesy of CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora:

On that front, the Bills are still open to trading Cordy Glenn, per JLC, but the team is not going all-out to unload him. Buffalo has seen Glenn suddenly become a perpetual injury risk after he’d been a durable player before his extension, and the team drafted Dion Dawkins in the second round last year. Glenn has a $6.5MM roster bonus due on March 18 and has a lofty $14.45MM cap number in 2018.
Joe Thomas said the Browns‘ moves over the weekend won’t impact his decision to return for a 12th season, but the now-successful podcaster/future Hall of Fame tackle may be leaning toward returning. La Canfora notes the consensus around the league is Thomas will be back with the Browns in 2018. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal notes Thomas’ decision will likely be known early this week.
Jason Peters plans to play in 2018, and Doug Pederson said he expects the former All-Pro left tackle to be back with the Eagles next season. JLC adds the team has made “no attempts” to trade the 36-year-old blocker thus far this offseason. Peters has a $10.6MM cap number this coming season with Philadelphia, which did not have his services for much of its first Super Bowl season. The Eagles, though, are going to need to make some decisions soon. They remain over the cap with free agency three days away.

DeShawn Shead Planning To Visit Lions

March 11th, 2018 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

In a full rebuild of their cornerback corps, the Seahawks are expected to release DeShawn Shead once his contract tolls on Monday. This comes after Seattle parted ways with Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane.

Sherman was rumored to be squarely on the Lions’ radar, but the 49ers signed him. It appears Detroit is also interested in Shead. The corner’s agent, Cameron Foster, told KJR Radio’s Curtis Crabtree (via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk) that Shead has a visit scheduled with the Lions on Wednesday.

Shead returned from a broken leg to play in two games last season for the Seahawks, but it wasn’t enough to accrue a year toward free agency. But the Seahawks will send him there anyway. Shead, who will turn 30 in June, was Seattle’s full-time right cornerback opposite Sherman in 2016. A former UDFA, Shead broke his leg in the Seahawks’ divisional-round loss to the Falcons in the ’16 playoffs.

Detroit has Darius Slay signed long-term but has a need at corner. And Shead won’t cost remotely what the 49ers paid Sherman.