HEADLINES

Month: April 2018

Poll: Should Broncos Draft A QB At No. 5?

April 15th, 2018 at 9:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having missed the playoffs the past two seasons largely because of quarterback play, the Broncos face one of the draft’s most interesting decisions. Do they attempt to use their rare top-five real estate to invest in the kind of quarterback not usually available to them, or do they try to help Case Keenum this season with a best-player-available choice?

While the 2016 Eagles and 2017 Bears used a top-five pick on a quarterback despite having authorized a starter-level contract earlier in those years, the Broncos are operating on a different timeline since the cornerstone players on their team are the veterans held over from their Super Bowl team three seasons ago.

It would help the Von Miller-, Chris Harris– and Demaryius Thomas-fronted contingent this season if Keenum’s breakout 2017 was legitimate and not a product of what he was working with in Minnesota. The Broncos receiving improved quarterback play and selecting an instant starter/early contributor at No. 5 overall would help their veteran group. But Keenum’s pre-Minnesota career makes it difficult to judge what the Broncos are getting.

Of the players potentially worthy of this pick, only Quenton Nelson would qualify as filling a dire Denver need, but Bradley Chubb, Saquon Barkley or even Denzel Ward would be an improvement for a team that could use additional talent to help climb back to AFC contention.

However, if Keenum is merely a modest upgrade from Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler, thus a placeholder rather than a long-term answer, it may look bad if the Broncos bypassed Josh Rosen or possibly Baker Mayfield because they signed a journeyman quarterback instead. Previously pegged as Rosen fans earlier in this pre-draft process, the Broncos may now have eyes for Mayfield. But so do the Jets, it appears.

Broncos trade-down noise emerged this week, and that would give the franchise better odds at landing multiple 2018 starters in this draft. Denver’s only held a top-five pick twice in the past 35 years (2011 and 1991), and depending on how the Giants proceed at No. 2, the Broncos could have a chance to take the best or second-best non-QB in the draft. That would help a veteran team.

However, being the Bills’ or another team’s vehicle to trade into the top five could as well. Although, it’s possible teams will see the Giants’ pick or the Browns’ No. 4 spot as better trade-up targets rather than the Broncos’ slot. If the pre-draft buzz is an accurate indication, a team considering a trade-up decision may only have Rosen on the board to target by the time the Broncos pick. If just one quarterback is there at 5, Denver’s leverage shrinks.

Keenum’s contract guarantees him $25MM over the next two years. That’s $6MM more than the Bears guaranteed Mike Glennon but $1MM less than the Eagles guaranteed Sam Bradford. That wouldn’t necessarily stand to prohibit another quarterback addition, although the Broncos — with Paxton Lynch, who has made just four starts, still on the roster — would join a short list of teams to have selected a first-round passer twice in three years.

But with the Broncos’ core on the verge of the “aging” label, and the team coming off a 5-11 season, they need to come out of this draft much better than they entered it in order to maximize the latter portions of their championship nucleus’ primes.

So, is the best way to do that to select a quarterback at No. 5? Or is the Broncos’ $18MM-AAV investment in Keenum sufficient enough for them to take the best player available? Should John Elway be hoping a team calls with a viable trade offer? Which is the best route for the Broncos? Take PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section!

Jets Rumors: Mayfield, Hackenberg, Teddy

April 15th, 2018 at 8:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Jets prepare to reconvene on Monday for their first day of the offseason program, here’s where their quarterback situation stands — both in terms of veterans and the player they’re eyeing at No. 3.

  • While it’s not certain if Baker Mayfield would win out in a Mayfield-or-Sam Darnold scenario, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes the Oklahoma-developed passer would be Gang Green’s preferred option over Josh Allen. The Jets will be prepared to go with Mayfield’s accuracy — back-to-back seasons with a 71 percent completion rate, albeit in the Sooners’ air raid attack — and his career winning games for the Big 12 school over the Wyoming product with the tantalizing upside. Although, at just 6-foot, Mayfield would be the shortest quarterback the Jets drafted since Jeff Blake in 1992, Cimini writes. Blake did end up having a 14-year career, despite only one of those seasons occurring with the Jets.
  • If the Browns take Allen and the Giants draft Darnold, Cimini expects the Jets to stay with Mayfield if confronted with a Mayfield-or-Josh Rosen decision (Twitter link). While the Jets held a higher opinion of the latter going into the offseason, Mayfield may well have usurped the UCLA product as the draft nears.
  • Lamar Jackson is not under consideration for the Jets at No. 3 overall, per Cimini (on Twitter). While Jackson has met with the Browns, it hasn’t been reported that he visited the Jets, Giants or Broncos. His known meetings have come with the Ravens, Chargers and Saints thus far. And the Patriots have interest in the Louisville standout.
  • Todd Bowles expects Teddy Bridgewater to throw passes this spring, but it’s uncertain how much the recently signed QB will participate in the team portions of these voluntary workouts, Brian Costello of the New York Post notes. The Jets signed Bridgewater to an incentive-laden contract, doing so after the Vikings expressed concern about his knee this offseason. For now, Josh McCown is preparing to start for a second season in green.
  • While both Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty could be on their way out of the Big Apple soon, Costello writes Petty is the likeliest to be given walking papers before camp commences. As for Hackenberg, there remains a contingent at Jets headquarters hoping he can be salvaged to some degree. However, once the new quarterback arrives, the 2016 second-round pick will be the fourth-string quarterback going into camp. The statuses of these incumbent backups could be determined by how Bridgewater looks in camp. Hackenberg has still yet to play in a regular-season game. Petty finished the past two seasons for the Jets, but has led them to one win in seven starts and last season finished with a 49 percent completion rate.

49ers Bar Reuben Foster From Workouts Amid Legal Investigation

April 15th, 2018 at 6:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Reuben Foster‘s employment status with the 49ers is now tenuous because of the legal investigation that stems from three felony charges, and the linebacker will not be permitted to join the team until that matter is resolved.

On the eve of their offseason program, the 49ers announced Foster will not be participating in team activities while this investigation is ongoing.

“Reuben Foster will not participate in team activities as he is tending to his legal matters,” the team said in a statement. “As previously stated, his future with the team will be determined by the information revealed during the legal process.”

The Alabama product is facing up to 11 years in prison for his alleged domestic violence acts for which he was arrested earlier this year. The former first-round pick is not yet eligible for the commissioner’s exempt list because the league’s investigation is also ongoing. This would have allowed him to work out with the team in the meantime, but the 49ers are making a preemptive strike in that regard, for the time being.

Rob Gronkowski Angling For New Contract?

April 15th, 2018 at 6:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Still not committed to playing in 2018, Rob Gronkowski will not be in attendance Monday when the Patriots begin their offseason program. But the All-Pro tight end’s been working out independently, and some of his reported dissatisfaction with Bill Belichick may again be contract-related.

Gronkowski wants a raise from his current contract, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports, adding that it appears to be an open secret the superstar pass-catcher is upset. Gronk signed his current contract way back in 2012; that deal that still has two years remaining on it.

Belichick’s issues with trainer Alex Guerrero also factor into this, with Volin writing that Gronkowski is “openly feuding” with the New England head coach about his relationship with Guerrero. Gronk has taken Tom Brady‘s side when it comes to Guerrero, per Volin, crediting the trainer’s methods with helping him stay healthy last season — which came after a back injury cut his 2016 slate short.

Gronk will turn 29 next month and must attend 90 percent of the Patriots’ offseason workouts to collect a $250K bonus, per Joel Corry of CBS Sports (on Twitter). That works out to a maximum of three absences, and Volin notes Gronkowski appears fine with forgoing that six-figure check. The Pats can only dock Gronk $84K if he misses their June minicamp.

Set for a base salary of $8MM this year, Gronkowski has seen another wave of pass-catchers cash in for far more than what he’s making. Sammy Watkins and Allen Robinson play a more valued position, but their accomplishments and per-year salaries ($16MM and $14MM, respectively) look strange when compared directly with Gronkowski’s. He stands to earn $9MM in base salary in 2019. While that’s not entirely out of step with tight ends, career backup Trey Burton just signed for $8MM AAV. And Gronk could make an argument he’s not only the best tight end in the game, but with four first-team All-Pro distinctions (only one other Patriot, John Hannah, has more), is on his own tier at this position presently and deserves to earn significantly more than his peers. Of course, his injury history affects this situation as well.

Gronkowski’s grumbling about his deal last year prompted the Patriots to add an incentive package to it, and by virtue of that All-Pro honor, he maxed out those incentives. It may take more than that to get Gronkowski back to the facility this time around.

5 Key NFL Stories: 4/8/18 – 4/15/18

April 15th, 2018 at 6:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Cowboys cut Dez Bryant. Dallas finally cut Bryant on Friday, waiting a month after the opening of the free agent period to do so. The Cowboys did not ask Bryant to accept a pay cut in order to stay (although he says he would have been open to lowering his salary), and the veteran wideout now seems intent on exacting revenge by signing with a club within the NFC East. The decision by Dallas to hold on on releasing Bryant makes little sense, as the club can now no longer enter the market to find a replacement (it’s also not ideal from Bryant’s perspective given that most teams have spent the majority of their free agent dollars). Early potential suitors for Bryant include the Packers, Bills, Cardinals, and Ravens.

Seahawks postpone Colin Kaepernick workout. Seattle had plans to audition the controversial Kaepernick last week, but postponed the scheduled meeting over concerns about Kaepernick’s national anthem protests. While some reports have indicated the Seahawks are still open to signing Kaepernick and simply want to get a sense of his current thinking on the protests, others have said Kaepernick specifically declined to stop kneeling during the anthem. Kaepernick, of course, did not play in 2017 as teams were evidently wary of adding him given his stance on the anthem.

Browns extend Jarvis Landry. A little more than a month after acquiring him from the Dolphins, the Browns handed Landry a five-year, $75.5MM extension that contains $34MM guaranteed. On an annual basis, Landry is now the sixth-highest-paid wideout in the NFL, while his guarantees ranks fifth. Landry, of course, was under the franchise tag when Miami shipped him to Cleveland in excahnge for fourth- and seventh-round picks. One of the better slot receivers in the league, Landry’s new salary could mean the Browns have plans to use him on the outside.

Saints sign RFA Cameron Meredith. The Bears declined to match a two-year, $9.6MM offer sheet for Meredith and thus lost him to the Saints. Because Chicago only tendered Meredith at the original round level, the club won’t receive any compensation as Meredith heads to New Orleans. The Bears had the option of tendering Meredith at the second-round level at a cost of $2.914MM, only ~$1MM more than the original round price of $1.907MM.

Eric Reid visits Bengals. Like Kaepernick, Reid has not drawn much interest after kneeling for the anthem over the past season-plus. However, the safety market has also been slow to develop, as starting options such as Reid, Kenny Vaccaro, and Tre Boston all remain unsigned. Cincinnati owner Mike Brown reportedly asked Reid about his plans for the anthem going forward, and Reid did not say he would stop kneeling.

Demar Dotson Undergoes Meniscus Surgery

April 15th, 2018 at 5:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers’ starting right tackle for the past six seasons, Demar Dotson‘s run into more knee trouble. And he will not be partaking in any of the team’s offseason activities as a result.

Dotson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). While he’ll be out for months, the Bucs’ current belief is the 32-year-old blocker will be ready in time for training camp.

This is the latest batch of knee trouble for Dotson, who saw a knee malady send him to IR in November of last year. He also missed much of the 2015 season with an MCL injury. This coming season stands to be his 10th — all with Tampa Bay. The Bucs picked up his option in March, signalling the plan will be to keep him at his current post. Dotson’s team-friendly contract (just less than $10MM remains on it) runs through the 2019 season.

Dotson enjoyed another strong season in 2017, grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 overall tackle. He’s missed 18 games over the past three seasons, with this stretch following a healthy run of three straight 16-game campaigns for the former UDFA.

Eagles Waive CB Daryl Worley

April 15th, 2018 at 4:34pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Eagles have waived cornerback Daryl Worley following his early morning arrest, the club announced.

Worley was arrested in the Philadelphia around 6am Sunday morning following an altercation with police. Authorities reportedly found Worley unconscious in a car that was blocking a highway, and were forced to taser the 23-year-old after he became combative. A firearm was also located at the scene of the incident.

Worley’s stay with the Eagles will end up lasting just over one month, as general manager Howie Roseman & Co. acquired Worley from the Panthers in March in exchange for receiver Torrey Smith. That trade was widely viewed as a Philadelphia win, as the club picked up a young defensive back while shipping out a high-priced pass-catcher who likely would have been released.

While no depth chart had been set in stone, Worley would have competed to become a starting cornerback for the Eagles in 2018. Last season, Worley played roughly three-quarters of Carolina’s defensive snaps but graded as just the No. 89 corner among 121 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. However, the former third-round pick did rank a respectable 28th in Football Outsiders‘ success rate.

The Eagles are currently expected to deploy Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills as their top two defensive backs during the upcoming season, while 2017 second-rounder Sidney Jones — who is recovering from a torn Achilles — could also factor into the starting lineup. Rasul Douglas, De’Vante Bausby, and D.J. Killings comprise the rest of Philadelphia’s positional depth.

Worley, 23, had two years remaining on his rookie contract. Because he was a trade acquisition, the Eagles already weren’t responsible for any of Worley’s prorate bonus money. None of his base salaries were guaranteed, so Philadelphia will save $670K by cutting ties Worley.

Given that he is not a vested veteran, Worley will now go through the NFL’s waiver protocol. He’s unlikely to be claimed, however, given his recent episode with police and the fact that he could be facing a league-imposed suspension.

Rob Gronkowski Still Considering Retirement?

April 15th, 2018 at 2:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Tight end Rob Gronkowski will not attend the beginning of the Patriots’ offseason workout program on Monday and is still contemplating whether to play in 2018, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Gronkowski has reportedly been considering retirement this offseason, and has also been mentioned as a trade candidate. New England no longer appears open to dealing Gronkowski after shipping wideout Brandin Cooks to the Rams, but reports on the status of Gronkowski’s career have been all over the map.

Gronkowski has been working out at Tom Brady‘s Sports Therapy Center, but even that has been rife with controversy. Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald recently reported that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick chastised Gronk in front of other players for working out at the Alex Guererro-headed facility.

Belichick and Gronkowski’s relationship appears to be at a low point, as Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com recently reported the Patriots head coach may not believe Gronkowski is “all in” at this juncture. Gronkowski, for his part, is reportedly frustrated with Belichick and others in the New England organization, and is put off by the club’s “high-strung” culture. Those differences, per Darlington, aren’t believed to be irreconcilable.

Gronkowski, of course, is still a dominant player when healthy. In 2017, Gronk was on the field for 14 games, and managed 69 receptions, 1,084 yards, and eight touchdowns, all of which placed him within the top-five among tight ends. He’s signed through the 2019 campaign, with base salaries of $8MM and $9MM over the next two respective seasons.

Chiefs To Sign RB Kerwynn Williams

April 15th, 2018 at 1:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chiefs have agreed to sign free agent running back Kerwynn Williams to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Kansas City has now made two under-the-radar additions to its backfield this offseason, as the club also signed former Dolphins running back Damien Williams. Kareem Hunt will still handle the bulk of the Chiefs’ carries after leading the league with 1,327 rushing yards during his rookie season in 2017, but the team is accruing depth behind the former third-round pick. In addition to Kerwynn and Damien Williams, Kansas City also boasts Charcandrick West, Akeem Hunt, and a rehabbing Spencer Ware.

Kerwynn Williams should be able to fill a variety of roles for the Chiefs, and will compete to be Hunt’s direct backup. In 2017, Williams saw the most playing time of his career while filling in for David Johnson in Arizona, as he managed 120 carries for 426 yards and one touchdown. He also added 10 receptions for 93 yards in the passing game.

In addition to contributing on offense, Williams can also help out on special teams. The 26-year-old returned 16 kickoffs for the Cardinals last year, averaging 20.4 yards per return. A year prior, Williams played on nearly 50% of Arizona’s special teams snaps.

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