HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

Giants Cut Punter Brad Wing

March 10th, 2018 at 12:07pm CST by Ben Levine

The Giants have terminated the contract of punter Brad Wing, reports Michael Elsen of Giants.com. The move will free up $1.025MM in cap space, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan (via Twitter).

The 2013 undrafted free agent out of LSU seemingly found a home in New York, as he appeared in every game for the Giants since 2015. After being acquired by the organization in a trade with the Steelers, Wing went on to have solid campaigns for his team in 2015 and 2016. However, he took a step back last season, as his 36.7-yard net average ranked last among eligible punters. Elsen also notes that shorts punts against the Eagles and Buccaneers ultimately led to Giants losses.

As ProFootballTalk.com’s Michael David Smith writes, the Giants will likely look to improve their entire special teams core this offseason. Long snapper Zak DeOssie is now the only member of the grouping under contract in 2018.

Browns Trade DT Danny Shelton To Patriots

March 10th, 2018 at 11:07am CST by Ben Levine

Another day, another Browns trade. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that Cleveland has traded defensive tackle Danny Shelton to the Patriots for a conditional draft pick. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the Browns will receive a 2019 third-round pick from the Patriots, while New England added a 2018 fifth-round pick from Cleveland. The two teams had been discussing the trade for several days, reports TheMMQB’s Albert Breer (via Twitter).

The 2015 first-round pick has spent the past three seasons in Cleveland, starting 45 of his 46 appearances. Following a productive campaign in 2016, Shelton’s numbers took a step back in 2017, as he finished the season with 33 tackles and zero sacks in 14 games. After ranking Shelton favorably during his sophomore season, Pro Football Focus listed him 35th among 122 interior defender candidates following his 2017 performance.

Still, 6-foot-2, 335-pound Shelton will provide the Patriots with a big-body replacement for Alan Branch. The 24-year-old, who is set to earn a base salary of $2.03MM in 2018, will presumably slide into the Patriots starting lineup, displacing either Lawrence Guy or former first-rounder Malcom Brown. New England is also rostering Vincent Valentine and Adam Butler. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss tweets, Shelton has shown the ability to perform in various schemes, and Bill Belichick will surely appreciate the lineman’s versatility. The Patriots will also have to decide whether they want to pick up Shelton’s fifth-year option by early May. As NESN’s Doug Kyed tweets, the project cost for a defensive tackle will be around $7MM.

This is the Browns fourth trade in less than 24 hours. Yesterday, the Browns completed deals for Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall, and they sent out 2017 second-rounder DeShone Kizer in the process. With Shelton now out of the picture, the Browns are rostering four defensive tackles: Larry Ogunjobi, Trevon Coley, Caleb Brantley, and Jeremy Faulk.

Cardinals Exercise Andy Lee’s Option

March 10th, 2018 at 10:55am CST by Ben Levine

Punter Andy Lee will remain with the Cardinals for another season. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Arizona has exercised the veteran’s option for 2018. Previous reports indicated that the punter will earn a $1MM base salary for next season.

Lee joined the Cardinals last September after being released by the Panthers. The 35-year-old made a name for himself in San Francisco, where he earned three Pro Bowl births during his 11-year tenure with the organization. He bounced between the Browns and Panthers before landing in Arizona for the 2017 season. After being limited to only nine games in 2016, Lee appeared in all 16 games last year, averaging 47.3 yards per punt. He also landed 29 punts inside the 20, his best total since 2012.

Earlier this week, the Cardinals re-signed long snapper Aaron Brewer, meaning they’ll be retaining their their special teams core (which includes kicker Phil Dawson) in 2018.

Buccaneers Re-Sign DB Javien Elliott

March 10th, 2018 at 10:00am CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers have re-signed defensive back Javien Elliott, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). Elliott was set to become an ERFA, and Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that the team only had to offer a one-year, minimum-salary deal.

The 2016 undrafted free agent out of Florida State has been with Tampa Bay for the past two years. After appearing in six games as a rookie, Elliott appeared in 15 games games (one start) in 2017, collecting five tackles. Since he only played 130 snaps, Elliott wasn’t included in Pro Football Focus‘ ranking of NFL cornerbacks, although his rating indicates that he would be listed in the 80-90 range (among 120 candidates).

The 24-year-old has an opportunity to be one of Tampa Bay’s top reserve backs in 2018. Besides projected starters Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith, the Buccaneers are also rostering David Rivers and Reese Fleming.

Lions Re-Sign DE Kerry Hyder

March 10th, 2018 at 9:19am CST by Ben Levine

Kerry Hyder will be sticking around Detroit. ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that the Lions have re-signed the defensive end. The 26-year-old was set to become an exclusive rights free agent. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that Hyder signed his ERFA tender, which is worth $630K.

Following a brief stint with the Jets, the 2014 undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech has spent the past three seasons with the Lions. The lineman had a breakout season in 2016, compiling 36 tackles and eight sacks in 16 games (two starts). Unfortunately, Hyder tore his Achilles during his team’s first 2017 preseason game, and he ultimately sat out for the entirety of this past campaign.

With Ezekiel Ansah and Anthony Zettel likely to start the season in Detroit, it’s unlikely that Hyder will automatically earn a starting gig. However, he figures to be the top reserve among a group that also includes Cornelius Washington, Jeremiah Valoaga, Alex Barrett, and Christian Ringo (ERFA).

49ers To Meet With Richard Sherman

March 10th, 2018 at 8:38am CST by Ben Levine

Could Richard Sherman be joining another NFC West team? It sounds like he’s at least considering the idea, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the veteran cornerback is set to meet with 49ers officials today.

San Francisco wants to confirm that Sherman is recovering from his Achilles injuries, and if everything goes well, the two sides will “try to get a contract done.” In another tweet, Schefter says there’s a good chance that this is Sherman’s only visit. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport says (via Twitter) Sherman’s apparent interest in the 49ers makes sense. The cornerback has “a strong affinity for the West Coast,” and he’s already familiar with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh‘s scheme.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that Sherman has received “preliminary interest” from a list of additional teams: the Lions, Titans, Raiders, Texans, Buccaneers, and Packers.

Sherman’s seven-year tenure with the Seahawks came to an end yesterday, as the team released the defensive back with a failed physical designation. The veteran is still rehabbing from surgery to fix a torn Achilles and remove a bone spur, but he expects to be ready by June. The three-time First-Team All-Pro was relatively productive in nine games last season, compiling 35 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/18

March 9th, 2018 at 8:40pm CST by Micah Powell

Here are today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Rams

 

Reaction To Browns Trades

March 9th, 2018 at 7:50pm CST by Micah Powell

In a span of less than two hours on Friday, the Browns completely retooled their offense and added a piece to their secondary by acquiring Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor and Damarious Randall from the Dolphins, Bills and Packers respectively.

The flurry of moves drastically improves the teams offense and provides a veteran stopgap quarterback — assuming no longterm deal is made — that can bridge to the signal-caller the team is presumably going to tab with one of its two first-round picks.

Leaving Cleveland was 2017 second-round pick DeShone Kizer, who was sent to Green Bay in the Randall deal. The teams also agreed to swap fourth- and fifth-round picks in the upcoming draft. For Landry, the Browns only parted with a 2018 fourth-round pick (No. 123) and 2019 seventh-round selection. In the Taylor deal, Cleveland sent one of its third-round picks (No. 65) in exchange for the turnover-averse passer.

These deals can not be officially completed until Wednesday, the first day of the 2018 season.

Here’s more on Cleveland’s busy day:

  • The Browns do not have a long-term deal in place for Landry at the moment but both sides are interested, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweets. Jackson also notes (Twitter link) that Landry likes the situation in Cleveland and is excited to work with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
  • Sticking with Landry, the Ravens, Titans and Jets were all involved in talks for the receiver late this week before the Browns landed him, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. The Ravens were widely reported as suitors for the dynamic slot receiver, but both the Jets and Titans flew under the radar.
  • ESPN’s Pat McManamon believes the trade of Kizer and the acquisition of Taylor emphasizes the Browns believe in one of the quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. He writes the plan is for Taylor to hold the spot in 2018 and let the drafted passer take the role in 2019.
  • Several other teams were interested in adding Taylor, including the Cardinals and Broncos, the Buffalo News’ Vic Carucci reports (Twitter link). Both teams were not willing to meet the Browns’ offer of a third-round pick. Kent Somers of AZ Central Sports, however, hears that the Cardinals were not involved in talks for the quarterback (Twitter link).
  • Heavily linked with Cleveland due to his ties with head coach Hue Jackson, A.J. McCarron will have to find a new suitor. ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link) noted the obvious candidates — Arizona, Denver and now Buffalo — as potential landing spots for the former Alabama signal-caller.

Sherman Released With Failed Physical Designation

March 9th, 2018 at 6:56pm CST by Micah Powell

On Friday, the Seahawks officially released Richard Sherman. The team added a failed physical designation upon his release, allowing the cornerback to be eligible for a $1.15 MM injury guarantee if he never plays again, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 

The likelihood of that coming to fruition is not high, as Sherman seems intent on playing in 2018. On Nov. 9, 2017, the star cornerback ruptured his Achilles vs. Arizona, but he claims he is just months away from returning to full health.

In a letter to the Seahawks, Sherman thanked the organization, teammates and fans, and penned, “As this chapter comes to a close I am looking forward to what the future holds.”

Though he issued a heartfelt letter to the organization and is reportedly interested in joining the Patriots, the cornerback did not close the door on a return to Seattle.

“They are gonna let me explore free agency with the hope that I can return,” Sherman told ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (on Twitter). “They just wanted the financial flexibility.”

With the release of the four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro selection, the Seahawks saved $11 MM against the salary cap.

 

Browns Deal Kizer For Damarious Randall

March 9th, 2018 at 5:45pm CST by Micah Powell

In the deal that sent 2015 first-round cornerback Damarious Randall to the Browns, the Packers received in return quarterback DeShone Kizer, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network tweets. 

In addition to Randall and Kizer, the teams agreed to swap picks in the fourth and fifth rounds, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.

A second-round selection in 2017, Kizer started 15 games with Browns as a rookie and did not win a game, posting just 11 touchdowns with a league-leading 22 interceptions. The writing appeared on the wall that the Notre Dame product was not in the Browns’ future plans after the team swung a deal for Tyrod Taylor on Friday. Just moments later, the team was able to find Kizer a new home in the Randall deal.

Boasting prototypical size and a cannon for an arm, Kizer entered the 2017 NFL Draft as a potential franchise signal-caller who could go in the first round. With the move to Green Bay, he will be able to learn the ropes from one of the best in the business in Aaron Rodgers while battling Brett Hundley, who has one year remaining on his rookie deal, for backup duties.

With the deal, the Packers cleared $1.4 MM in cap space. The Browns will have a fifth-year option on the cornerback they will have to declare by May 3, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein reports (Twitter link).

A first-round selection (No. 30 overall) in 2015, Randall has appeared in 39 games with 30 starts in Green Bay and has made 10 interceptions. In 2017, the cornerback registered four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown in 12 starts.

The trade can be made official as early as Wednesday.

[RELATED: Browns Depth Chart]

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