2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Peter King On Browns, McCarron, Tannehill

March 5th, 2018 at 11:01am CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest from Peter King of The MMQB:

The Browns have four picks in the top 35 of this year’s draft, but coach Hue Jackson is still pushing for the team to acquire A.J. McCarron, King hears. If the team does go for McCarron in March, the plan would be for the team to also draft a rookie quarterback to be groomed behind him. The Browns, of course, nearly landed McCarron before last year’s trade deadline before a paperwork snag tanked the deal. One has to wonder if McCarron would be skeptical about the Browns’ level of commitment to him in such a scenario, particularly after seeing how Mike Glennon‘s arrangement worked out with the Bears. Then again, McCarron might be faced with a similar scenario with any team that shows interest him.
It has been said that the Dolphins are committed to Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, but King is not convinced after speaking with executives at the combine. Miami is look at QBs at No. 11 overall and several people who spoke with King believe they’ll select a signal caller there. Tannehill has missed the last 19 Dolphins games with back-to-back ACL tears.
After speaking with several GMs, scouts, and coaches, this is King’s rough consensus for the top ten player’s in the draft: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, USC quarterback Sam Darnold, North Carolina State edge rusher Bradley Chubb, Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward, and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith.

Jets Considering Teddy Bridgewater

March 5th, 2018 at 10:32am CST by Zachary Links

He’s not their first choice, but the Jets are considering free agent Teddy Bridgewater as they address their quarterback position this offseason, a team source tells Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. Jets coach Todd Bowles has said that the Jets have a “Plan A, B, C, and possibly D” at QB, but it’s not clear where the team ranks Bridgewater at this time.

Bridgewater’s last full season came in 2015, when he threw for 3,231 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The former first-rounder also ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. But, thanks to a gruesome knee injury prior to the 2016 season, the QB has attempted only two passes in the last two NFL seasons.

The Jets are hoping to sign Kirk Cousins when free agency opens up on March 14, but they’re already concerned about chatter that Cousins will join up with the Vikings. The Jets have tons of cap space and are reportedly willing to make Cousins the highest-paid player in the NFL, but the Vikings present him with a better chance to win right away.

If the Jets miss out on Cousins, it’s possible that they could see Bridgewater as the best backup plan in free agency. Bridgewater’s teammates Case Keenum and Sam Bradford may also be considerations, but Bridgewater arguably offers the highest upside of the trio. A.J. McCarron, who recently won his grievance to become an unrestricted free agent, also offers promise, but there is limited game film on him after years spent as Andy Dalton‘s backup in Cincinnati.

The Jets are also armed with the No. 6 pick in the draft, but prospects in their range like Wyoming’s Josh Allen or Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield cannot be counted on. Even fellow top QBs like USC’s Sam Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen – who may go Nos. 1 and 2 in the draft – are not viewed as slam dunks to be successful.

Antonio Cromartie Retires From NFL

March 5th, 2018 at 10:13am CST by Zachary Links

Antonio Cromartie is calling it a career. The longtime NFL cornerback took to Instagram on Monday morning to announce his retirement from professional football.

“Today is the day I knew I would eventually have to face, but one I never wanted to accept,” Cromartie wrote. “After 27 years of playing football, today I say farewell. God blessed me with the opportunity to play in the NFL for 11 years, and after much consideration and prayer, I’d like to officially announce my retirement.”

Cromartie entered the league as a first-round pick of the Chargers in 2006. He put himself on the map in the following season when he tallied a league-high ten interceptions en route to his first Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selections. Later, he went on to spent four seasons with the Jets (2010-2013) and one with the Cardinals (2014) before returning to Gang Green (2015) and finishing out with the Colts (2016).

We haven’t heard Cromartie’s name pop up since his four-game stint in Indianapolis came to a close in October 2016, but the cornerback was apparently hoping to resurrect his career up until today. As his 34th birthday approaches in April, Cromartie will now transition to the next phase of his life.

We here at PFR wish Cromartie, an 11-year NFL veteran, the best in retirement.

Giants Interested In Patrick Robinson

March 5th, 2018 at 9:02am CST by Zachary Links

Patrick Robinson could wind up leaving the Eagles while staying in the NFC East. The Giants have interest in signing the free agent cornerback, according to a source who spoke with Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com.

We learned over the weekend that the Giants are planning to move Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from cornerback to safety, leaving a major void at nickel cornerback. Filling the gap with Robinson would be a major win for the Giants. The veteran graded out as the sixth-best cornerback in the NFL last season, per Pro Football Focus, and matched a career-high with four interceptions.

The Eagles, naturally, would like to keep Robinson, but the defending champs are placing a serious numbers crunch. The Giants are somewhat limited with just $23.68MM in cap space, but that’s far more flexibility than the Eagles have.

Free agency officially begins on March 14. Teams are permitted to contact agents of players set to become free agents on March 12, that is already happening across the league on the QT.

Steelers Expected To Tag Le’Veon Bell

March 5th, 2018 at 8:45am CST by Zachary Links

Despite some early optimism at getting a multi-year deal done, the Steelers are expected to franchise tag running back Le’Veon Bell before the Tuesday deadline, barring a dramatic turn in talks (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Both sides will continue working on a deal, but it sounds like Bell will first be held in place with a one-year, $14.544MM tender.

If they go through with the tag, this will mark the second straight year in which the Steelers have franchised Bell. Last year, Bell did not take kindly to Pittsburgh’s long-term offers and took his time before signing the one-year placeholder. The running back wound up skipping training camp and the preseason before finally inking the tender in early September. It’s conceivable that Bell could take a similar approach this year if talks stall once again.

For what it’s worth, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert is optimistic about the team’s odds of re-signing Bell.

“I believe I am [confident]. … I think with both sides wanting to get something done,” the longtime Steelers GM said. “… I think that certainly aids your ability to get that done.”

Last year, Bell rejected a five-year offer that would have paid him a guaranteed $30MM over the course of the first two years and $60MM overall. No one knows exactly what Bell is asking for this time around, but he has indicated that he would accept a deal with $50MM guaranteed.

Ravens Inquiring About Jarvis Landry

March 4th, 2018 at 9:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Count the Ravens among the teams now connected to Jarvis Landry. The franchise-tagged wideout has been given permission to facilitate a trade and will sign his franchise tender to do so, and another receiver-needy suitor has emerged.

The Ravens join the Bears and at least three other teams among those to have discussed a potential deal with Landry’s agent, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

No agreement is imminent, but the Ravens being involved signifies they’re inquiring about the successful slot target as a potential solution amid a receiving corps rebuild. Ozzie Newsome indicated in Indianapolis the team is looking at a rebuild of its wideout cadre.

Baltimore does not have a reliable young talent on its roster. Its Breshad Perriman investment has not worked out. Mike Wallace is also a free agent and will turn 32 before next season. Soon to be 30, Jeremy Maclin has one year remaining on his contract after a disappointing season.

Landry’s tag is expected to be worth $16.2MM, and the Bears — the team most linked to Landry thus far — have far more cap space than the Ravens at $63MM-plus. The Ravens’ cap situation is again unenviable. As of Sunday night, they stand to possess $9MM-plus in cap space and have among the least in the league.

Maclin could be cut to save $5MM, but $2.5MM in dead money would come with that move. A Brandon Carr cut has a $4MM-$3MM cap savings-dead money outcome, with an Austin Howard release saving $3MM but tagging the Baltimore cap with $2MM.

But Baltimore is inquiring and would presumably be ready for an extension to reduce Landry’s 2018 cap hit.

Seahawks, Falcons Talking Bennett Trade

March 4th, 2018 at 8:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks discussing sending Michael Bennett to work with his former defensive coordinator. The Falcons are talking to the Seahawks about a deal for the veteran defensive end, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Multiple teams are talking to the Seahawks about a deal for Bennett, but the Falcons are the only confirmed suitor. They would make sense considering Dan Quinn and Bennett’s relationship and the team utilizing a 4-3 scheme very similar to the Seahawks’.

Despite having three years left on his latest Seahawks deal, Bennett’s been on the trade block during the Combine. McClure identified the 10th-year defensive end as being a Falcons fit because of the aforementioned reasons but also due to Atlanta’s present need for interior pass rush. Bennett started all 16 Seahawks games last season and was a key cog on both of Seattle’s Super Bowl teams.

Bennett registered 8.5 sacks in 2017 and booked his third straight Pro Bowl trip. Long a well-regarded player by the advanced-metrics community, Bennett didn’t receive quite as high of a grade from Pro Football Focus last season (No. 36 edge defender) but was still productive. He often provides an inside pass rush on passing downs, and could have some starter seasons left if shipped to Atlanta. No Falcon under contract registered more than six sacks last season.

Three seasons and more than $26MM remain on the 32-year-old defensive end’s contract. John Schneider said the Seahawks are taking numerous calls this offseason about deals for their veteran components, with Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman candidates to be moved as well. Bennett will count $7.36MM toward a team’s cap this season, and considering multiple teams are talking with the Seahawks, prying him away from Seattle may well take a trade.

FA Rumors: Broncos, Davis, Giants, Crowell

March 4th, 2018 at 7:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier this week, the Broncos were believed to be ready to compete to the end of the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes. But last month, they were identified as having Case Keenum looming as a possible backup plan. There’s been more chatter about that in Indianapolis, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes (on Twitter). While it’s unlikely the Broncos are ready to bow out on Cousins after being so closely connected to him for weeks, they’ve been the top non-Vikings Keenum connection this offseason. The Broncos also discussed a trade for Keenum with the Rams in 2016. La Canfora notes the Broncos being serious on Keenum could pit the Vikings and Jets against one another for Cousins. It’s possible the Broncos could sign Keenum and not select a quarterback at No. 5, and Mike Klis of 9News wrote recently Keenum and Cousins are likely to be the only QBs who would deter the Broncos from using that pick on a passer.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo sports, who reported earlier this week the Broncos were ready to go “all in” for Cousins, notes every team linked to the former Redskins quarterback has made it a point to stay in contact with agents of other passers in order to preserve fallback options (Twitter link). That said, Robinson does not believe the Broncos — or any team linked to Cousins thus far — is truly out on the 29-year-old signal-caller.

Here’s more from the free agent market.

Demario Davis enjoyed a solid contract year after an offseason trade with the Browns sent him back to the Jets, but he might be set to relocate again. A considerable gap between Davis’ expectations and the Jets’ valuation of him exists, with Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reporting Davis is eyeing a deal that would pay him between $8-$10MM annually. The Jets, conversely, see him as a $3-$4MM-per-year player and are not prepared to pay him what he’s currently targeting. Cimini notes that in a buyer’s market that has several younger non-rush linebacker options, Davis will have to adjust his price point. While the sides were talking earlier this offseason, this kind of gap could route Davis elsewhere. Although the 29-year-old inside linebacker had a strong 2017 season, he hasn’t been especially consistent. And only five 3-4 ILBs earn $8MM per year. Davis signed for $4MM per year with the Browns in 2016.
Last offseason, Isaiah Crowell hired Drew Rosenhaus to negotiate with the Browns on an extension, but a deal didn’t come to pass. Not much has transpired on a Crowell/Cleveland future in recent months, but John Dorsey said he’s had discussions with Rosenhaus about keeping Crowell in the fold. However, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal notes Hue Jackson didn’t express much optimism about Crowell staying. The Browns are a prime candidate to draft Saquon Barkley, possibly at No. 1 overall, so that would make Crowell somewhat superfluous.
The Giants have been open about wanting to commit to an offensive line overhaul and haven’t ruled out a 2018 line that includes Andrew Norwell and Justin Pugh. But they’re likely to lose D.J. Fluker, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com notes. Fluker has not enjoyed a particularly productive career, and Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the worst pass-blocking linemen last season. The former first-round pick wouldn’t cost much, but it looks like Dave Gettleman will move on.
Should the Giants be priced out of the Norwell sweepstakes, they have Ryan Jensen lined up as a cheaper contingency plan, per Pauline. Jensen’s most prominent NFL work has come at center, where he started all 16 Ravens games last season, but he was a part-time guard starter in years past. PFF rated Jensen as a top-10 center last season. The Giants are expected to lose four-year starter Weston Richburg in free agency.

Police Searching For Aldon Smith

March 4th, 2018 at 6:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aldon Smith was identified as a suspect in an alleged domestic violence incident. Police are pursuing Smith, who fled the scene Sunday after this incident occurred, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reports.

The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries after this alleged altercation, which is believed to have occurred Saturday night, and the San Francisco Police Department has begun a search for the 28-year-old Smith. Bair reports SFPD Special Victims Unit would like to interview Smith upon apprehension.

Smith, who TMZ reported got engaged last week, is currently suspended from the NFL for previous off-the-field infractions. Charges being filed for this would make it difficult to believe he could work his way back into the league.

Bair reports that the two-year Raiders contract Smith signed in 2016 is not believed to have tolled for 2016 but adds that he would still be a member of the Raiders if he were reinstated. While it’s highly unlikely he’ll ever play for the Raiders again, Smith still being tied to the team would seemingly mean the 2017 season did toll.

That seems like immaterial at this point due to the litany of legal issues the former All-Pro outside linebacker has encountered.

Smith cooperated with a domestic violence investigation in February 2017 and was the passenger of a vehicle his girlfriend drove into an unmanned police car in March of last year. Reports from last year did not indicate the former first-round pick was particularly close to being reinstated after he’d applied in fall 2016. It’s quite possible Smith will not play in the NFL again. He has not played in a game since November 2015.

Aaron Rodgers’ Deal On Hold Until Kirk Cousins Signs?

March 4th, 2018 at 6:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

It’s looking like the Packers and Aaron Rodgers are going to wrap up an extension this offseason, but the two-time MVP’s deal may be on hold for a bit while unique NFL business unfolds.

Rodgers and the Packers continue to discuss a re-up, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports (on Twitter). But this deal is not believed to be done until after Kirk Cousins chooses a destination.

Cousins is expected to sign for around $30MM per year, possibly becoming the league’s first $30MM-AAV player. And with the sizable gap between Rodgers and Cousins’ accomplishments, it would make sense for the Green Bay centerpiece to wait and see how the quarterback market looks after Cousins and Drew Brees sign their next contracts.

We heard earlier this week Rodgers and the Packers had begun negotiations, and Robinson heard recently the parties were “extremely close.” But the Yahoo reporter believes this seismic extension won’t commence until Cousins signs.

Currently, Rodgers’ 2013 extension — which runs through 2019 — pays him $22MM annually. That number sits eighth on the salary spectrum. The Cousins and Brees deals figure to bump that figure down to 10th. But going into the 2018 season, the quarterback landscape will likely look incredibly different. Matthew Stafford‘s $27MM-per-year deal topped this hierarchy going into last season, and Andrew Luck‘s $24.6MM-AAV agreement led the pack going into the ’16 campaign.

Between Rodgers’ April 2013 signing and Derek Carr‘s June 2017 extension, the quarterback market had only ventured north by $3MM per year over a four-year period despite the salary cap having gone up by more than $40MM in that span. But once Cousins and Rodgers’ deals are done, there may be two $30MM-per-season earners in the NFL. And with Matt Ryan entering a contract year, there could be a third at some point in the near future as well.