HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

Colts To Let Donte Moncrief Walk?

March 8th, 2018 at 9:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts aren’t likely to re-sign Donte Moncrief by the time the legal tampering period begins Monday, and Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star notes they probably will let the fifth-year wide receiver walk as a free agent.

Holder writes “all current indications” point to Moncrief departing as a first-time UFA. The current Colts regime appears to have cooled on the former third-round pick.

The inconsistency that’s been associated with Moncrief’s career has frustrated some in the Colts’ organization, and Holder writes Chris Ballard didn’t seem to express much desire to re-sign him.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the expectation was for a team to sign Moncrief to a one-year deal, which would make sense given his lack of steady production. While Moncrief showed a strong red zone rapport with Andrew Luck, he was effectively demoted last season. After a 64-reception, 733-yard 2015, Moncrief missed seven games in 2016. The talented athlete who still caught seven touchdown passes in 2016 managed just 26 catches last season and two scores on a much worse Colts offense.

Latest On Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas

March 8th, 2018 at 8:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks could be ready to abandon a Richard Sherman trade attempt soon. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets Sherman is likely to be released Friday.

Sherman’s been a subject of departure rumors throughout the offseason, and this week has been wishing teammates farewell following a meeting with team brass. It’s been suggested Sherman could opt to return to Seattle at a lower price, but Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap noted that wouldn’t make much sense on a market that could see the high-profile cap casualty command $11MM per year.

If the Seahawks were to cut Sherman, they would save $11MM. The decorated corner will turn 30 later this month and is coming off a torn Achilles’ tendon, but he still figures to have a competitive market if he becomes available. He’d join the likes of Trumaine Johnson and Malcolm Butler as high-end free agent corners.

As for Earl Thomas, the Seahawks do not seem prepared to move on from him, after all.

Some trepidation about committing to another deal with the top-tier safety existed on the team’s part after Thomas’ comments about the Cowboys, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link) the team has since found out Thomas is committed to the team.

This comes after Thomas made multiple comments about a potential holdout. He’s entering the final year of his second Seahawks contract and after surmounting a broken leg would appear set to sign another top-market deal.

While Seattle would be willing to take “whatever it can get for” Sherman, it’s set a high price on Thomas. And Rapoport estimates the three-time All-Pro safety will be back in the Pacific Northwest next season and beyond.

Beyond would involve a high-end extension, which would be interesting given the purge that’s happening this week and the uncertain futures around some of the Seahawks’ other Super Bowl core members dealing with serious injuries. But Thomas will only be 29 in 2018 and would seemingly have plenty of quality seasons left.

Dolphins Considering Ndamukong Suh Cut

March 8th, 2018 at 7:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the fourth year of his mega-contract, Ndamukong Suh is slated to take up $26.1MM of the Dolphins’ cap. And the franchise is considering shedding that massive number.

The Dolphins have not made a final decision but are discussing a release of Suh, Diana Russini of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Miami has reportedly been exploring this possibility for a while, although the team denied a November report it was doing so. It now seems to be escalating to the point that there will be a real chance the one-time superstar free agent winds up back on the market three years after he signed a then-record six-year, $114MM deal.

After a disappointing 2015 season, Suh has resurfaced as high-end contributor. Despite not being named to the Pro Bowl like he was in 2016, Suh graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 interior defender last season. Although he turned 31 in January, the former Lions dynamo would have a big market if he again becomes a free agent.

By designating Suh as a post-June 1 cut, the Dolphins could save $17MM. But they’d be unable to use the created funds until that date. Doing this would place a $13.1MM dead cap number on the Dolphins’ 2019 payroll.

Broncos, Rams Agree On Aqib Talib Trade

March 8th, 2018 at 7:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams will reunite Aqib Talib and Wade Phillips, and the Broncos will receive compensation for a cornerback they’ve been trying to unload.

Los Angeles agreed to acquire Talib from Denver on Thursday, James Palmer and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (on Twitter). This continues a busy offseason for the Rams, who will now have two of the best corners to come through the AFC West this decade on their team.

Talib will net the Broncos a fifth-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

The 32-year-old cornerback has two years remaining on the six-year Broncos-constructed contract and will count $12MM toward the Rams’ cap this season. This trade won’t involve any adjustment to Talib’s contract, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter).

Schefter reports (on Twitter) Talib wanted to again play for Phillips or Bill Belichick, and this helped dictate the trade terms. The 49ers and Patriots had surfaced as suitors who discussed the 11th-year cornerback with the Broncos, but Denver dealt with the Rams and pair Talib and Marcus Peters.

While the Rams are gambling on a tandem featuring two polarizing corners, they now have two of the three corners from the 2016 All-Pro first team. The Broncos previously enjoyed that setup, with Talib and fellow ’16 All-Pro Chris Harris being a four-season tandem for a dominant defense, but Talib’s age and salary did not line up for a team that is pursuing the most expensive free agent in NFL history in Kirk Cousins.

In Peters and Talib, the Rams will have two of the NFL’s best defensive playmakers. Peters is on a record takeaway pace for a cornerback, and Talib sits fourth in NFL history with 10 interceptions returned for touchdowns. That figure leads all active players by three.

While known plenty for his on- and off-field antics that caused headaches and suspensions, Talib has been one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks for many years. He stabilized his career in Denver and was a four-time Pro Bowler since signing with the Broncos in 2014. The former Patriot was a key component of a 2015 Broncos defense that became an all-time great unit, helping Denver to a third Super Bowl title. And Talib thrived under Phillips a year later as well en route to his first All-Pro honor.

Talib will reunite with Kayvon Webster, who may be the only notable corner to see time for both the 2017 and ’18 Rams. The Rams have now agreed to trade for Peters and Talib and also took a flier on former Packers top corner Sam Shields. Trumaine Johnson is expected to depart, and Nickell Robey-Coleman may follow him out of L.A.

The Rams continue to vacillate between shedding salary and taking on money in blockbuster trades. They’ve also created significant cap space over the past week by trading Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree away, with Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link) categorizing the departing players as poor fits for Phillips’ scheme.

The Broncos now have 11 picks in the coming draft and have created $11MM in cap space, pushing their total north of $35MM. While that’s still less than the Vikings or Jets — the other primary Cousins suitors — have, it puts the franchise in better position to make a competitive offer.

[RELATED: Rams Depth Chart]

Seahawks, Browns On DE Derrick Shelby’s Visit Schedule

March 8th, 2018 at 6:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Derrick Shelby sought a Falcons release last week in order to get a head start on free agency, and the veteran defensive end is now gauging the market.

Shelby met with the Seahawks on Thursday and plans to head to Cleveland for a Browns summit before free agency begins, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The Falcons released Shelby late last week after he’d started 14 games last season. However, the 29-year-old edge defender has only registered one sack over the past two seasons (22 games). Pro Football Focus graded Shelby as one of the better run defenders among 4-3 ends, however, and the Seahawks and Browns could be eyeing him as a rotational pass-rushing option.

The Seahawks traded Michael Bennett on Wednesday to deplete their defensive end corps, and the Browns don’t have a surefire starter opposite Myles Garrett. Although, Carl Nassib graded as a better run-stopper than Shelby did in 2017.

Money will be no object for Cleveland, but the seventh-year player — PFR’s No. 12 edge defender free agent — is not expected to command an especially lucrative contract.

Cards Ask Tyrann Mathieu To Take Pay Cut

March 8th, 2018 at 6:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tyrann Mathieu has not lived up to the five-year, $62.5MM extension he signed with the Cardinals. And the team has now asked the former All-Pro to renegotiate his deal.

During a visit to NFL Network headquarters, Mathieu and his agent confirmed (via Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, on Twitter) he’s been asked to take a pay cut. This comes after the Cardinals explored trading Mathieu, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) this request was likely to mean a significant pay reduction based on what his role on Arizona’s new defense, which will be run by Al Holcomb. Mathieu played each of his five seasons in James Bettcher‘s scheme.

Mathieu said he would be open to a restructure, but an outright pay cut isn’t sitting well with him, per Rosenthal (on Twitter).

Mathieu is slated to count $14.1MM on the Cardinals’ 2018 payroll. The Cards were previously undecided on picking up the $5MM roster bonus due on March 14, and now it looks like they will do if the sixth-year defender accepts a pay decrease. He’s still owed $18.75MM in guarantees. The Cardinals cutting Mathieu would tag them with a $9.3MM dead-money hit.

An All-Pro safety and dynamic slot defender during the 2015 season, Mathieu has struggled to stay healthy during his career. He played in 10 games during the 2016 season, going down after an ACL tear ended his ’15 campaign. Mathieu also suffered a severe knee injury as a rookie. He bounced back to play 16 games last season, but he wasn’t in his best form. Categorizing the Honey Badger as a cornerback, Pro Football Focus slotted him as the No. 61 corner in 2017 in 1,055 snaps.

There’s a reasonable chance Mathieu balks here and becomes a free agent. Set to turn 26 in May, the LSU product would be in line to become a sought-after commodity on the open market and be one of the better members of a deep defensive back contingent set to be available.

Muhammad Wilkerson To Visit Saints, Chiefs

March 8th, 2018 at 5:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Muhammad Wilkerson wrapped up his visit with the Packers and intends to see what other teams have to offer.

While the Packers are not believed to be out of the running, Wilkerson will now head south and meet with the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

And Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets the Chiefs will be next on the defensive end’s itinerary, adding that Wilkerson is not yet in the negotiating stage of his process yet.

Wilkerson’s Packers two-day summit went “very well,” according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter). The veteran defensive lineman’s agent told ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky the plan all along was to gauge interest from multiple teams. Part of the Packers’ intentions during Wilkerson’s Wisconsin trek was determining if he’d be comfortable in the league’s smallest market, Silverstein tweets, adding the Packers are now expected to move to the financial component of this process.

The Saints would make for an interesting fit. Wilkerson has played as a 3-4 defensive end throughout his career, and New Orleans saw an improvement last season while lining up in a 4-3 scheme. However, with nickel packages having replaced base sets as the new predominant look, it might not represent that much of a change for the eighth-year player.

Kansas City, though, does use a 3-4 scheme and has a need for front-seven assistance. The team has emerging dynamo Chris Jones at one defensive end spot and possible cap casualty Allen Bailey at the other. Wilkerson would likely represent an upgrade on Bailey but would almost certainly cost more as well — especially if this is now a race involving several teams. Like the Packers, who just hired Mike Pettine as DC, the Chiefs have a former Jets assistant in that role in Bob Sutton. The sixth-year K.C. DC was a senior defensive assistant during Wilkerson’s first two years.

Saints DC Dennis Allen doesn’t have a Jets tie, but the improving team has defensive-front space available alongside Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins.

None of these three early contenders are projected to be among the league’s top cap-space franchises this year, so there doesn’t appear to be a distinct advantage in this pursuit compared to competitions for other high-profile free agents.

Wilkerson was one of the best defenders in football over a stretch during the early and middle part of this decade, but after breaking his leg in Week 17 of the 2015 season, he hasn’t been quite the same. Trouble with Jets coaches followed, and Gang Green had to abandon another big Mike Maccagnan-era contract.

Patriots Made Best Offer For Bennett?

March 8th, 2018 at 5:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Michael Bennett is preparing to trek to Philadelphia and join the defending Super Bowl champions, but the Eagles’ most recent opponent made a strong push to bring the defensive end to New England.

The Patriots are believed to have made a last-ditch effort to acquire Bennett from the Seahawks, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports they did so after the team had essentially completed their deal with the Eagles.

It’s unclear precisely what the Patriots offered, but it’s believed to have been better than the fifth-round pick/Marcus Johnson package the Seahawks will receive from the Eagles. Diana Russini of ESPN reported on Wednesday a third team stalled this deal, and the Patriots — one of a few additional teams interested in Bennett — look to have been the team that did so.

However, the Seahawks did not want to go back on a verbal agreement with the Eagles. The sides finalized the trade on Tuesday morning, per Rapoport. And Martellus Bennett, whom the Patriots are cutting, was ready to reduce his salary to help make room for his brother, Rapoport reports.

“The Bennett brothers were going nuts trying to get it somehow so they could play together on the Patriots,” Rapoport said during an appearance on NFL Up to the Minute. “I know Martellus Bennett was talking about taking less salary, trying to stick around so the Patriots could then trade for his brother. … Now, from what I am told, this was basically done, a done deal between the Seahawks and Eagles. Then the Patriots came in late and said ‘Well, maybe we’ll give you this’ — a little bit better draft-pick compensation.

“The problem was the deal was basically already done. … The Seahawks are honorable people and they did the deal that was basically consummated earlier.”

So, rather than deal with their Super Bowl XLIX opponent, the Seahawks opted to send the 32-year-old defensive end to a conference team, thus denying the Bennett brothers a chance to play on the same team for the first time since their days at Texas A&M.

The Patriots did manage to increase their sack numbers last season compared to their 2016 effort, but Bennett would have provided a clear upgrade for a team that’s steadily seen some core edge components stripped.

Rams To Sign CB Sam Shields

March 8th, 2018 at 4:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sam Shields will receive a comeback opportunity from the Rams, who made the decision Thursday to sign the former Packers standout, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

The Rams and Browns hosted Shields on visits, and the defending NFC West champions will see what the former Packers longtime starter has left.

Having struggled with concussions, the 30-year-old cornerback has only played in one game since the 2015 season. Prior to that, however, he was a well-regarded corner that logged extensive time for one of the league’s highest-profile teams. A concussion sustained in Week 1 of Green Bay’s 2016 season stalled Shields’ career. But he expressed intent to return to the league last month and will now receive that chance after being out of football in 2017.

Shields will join a revamped secondary, with Marcus Peters set to become the team’s No. 1 cornerback. Kayvon Webster is returning from an Achilles tear, though, leaving the Rams somewhat shorthanded. They are not expected to re-sign Trumaine Johnson, and Nickell Robey-Coleman is also a free agent.

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