2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

Bears To Bring Back DT John Jenkins

April 7th, 2018 at 2:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

For the third time in a year, John Jenkins has reached an agreement to sign with the Bears. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) the veteran defensive tackle will return to the Windy City.

Jenkins agreed to terms with the Bears in March of 2017 but did not make the initial roster out of training camp. However, the Bears re-signed him prior to Week 1.

The sixth-year veteran could be in line to serve as nose tackle depth behind starter Eddie Goldman. Jenkins played in eight games for the Bears last season. Prior to that, he spent three-plus seasons with the Saints, working as a near-full-time starter for the 2015 team, and part of the 2016 campaign with the Seahawks. Jenkins, 28, saw action on 109 defensive plays last season.

Chicago stands to return a similar crew on its defensive front, and Jenkins adds more familiarity to the Vic Fangio-led unit. The team lost Mitch Unrein in free agency but has starters Goldman, Akiem Hicks and Jonathan Bullard back.

“Highly Unlikely” Giants Trade Odell Beckham Jr.

April 7th, 2018 at 12:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Odell Beckham Jr. is likely staying put. A source told Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.TV that it’s “highly unlikely” the Giants deal the star wideout. The reporter acknowledged that the organization could pull the trigger if they were blown away by an offer, but trading him is “clearly not something they want to do.”

Vacchiano writes that Beckham wasn’t necessarily on the trade block to begin with, despite owner John Mara refusing to commit to the receiver’s spot on next year’s roster. The reporter notes that the front office was “listening and they were willing to consider it if the price was right,” and they’d continue to field offers until they sign him to a new contract.

Previous reports indicated that the Giants were seeking a pair of first-rounders in a trade. They lost one potential suitor when the Rams acquired wideout Brandin Cooks, and the Patriots reportedly won’t pursue the receiver. Vacchiano hints that the 49ers could be a team to watch, as the organization could theoretically want a top wideout for Jimmy Garoppolo. Otherwise, the reporter notes that “it’s hard to think of any other team that makes sense.”

The 25-year-old was among the NFL’s top wideouts until an injury cut his 2017 season short. In 2016, OBJ had 101 catches for 1,367 yards and ten touchdowns en route to his third career Pro Bowl selection. However, he was limited to only four games last year, hauling in 25 receptions for 302 yards and three scores.

Falcons Working Out DT Prospect B.J. Hill

April 7th, 2018 at 11:25am CST by Ben Levine

The Falcons are seemingly eyeing defensive line help with one of their first two picks. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets that a “big Falcons contingent” is working out N.C. State defensive tackle B.J. Hill. The group includes coach Dan Quinn, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and assistant general manager Scott Pioli.

Hill, who played four seasons at North Carolina State, has bounced around NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s top-50 prospect rankings. After not appearing on the initial list, the lineman was listed 42nd in an early-March update. Earlier this week, Hill dropped to No. 50 on the list. Both ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay recently had the defensive tackle being selected among the top-60 picks.

Hill had a productive campaign in 2017, compiling 55 tackles and 2.0 sacks in 2017. His best season came back in 2015, when he finished with 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

The Falcons could use some reinforcement at defensive tackle, although the team is currently rostering four players at the position. Grady Jarrett and Jack Crawford are currently slated as the starters with Taniela Tupou and Joey Ivie on the bench.

Morning Notes: Bennett, Meredith, Giants, Pats

April 7th, 2018 at 10:07am CST by Ben Levine

New Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett was indicted on the felony charge of injury to the elderly, but the player’s lawyer says the true story will soon be heard.

“There was no fighting, there was no pushing,” Rusty Hardin told Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com. “The entire thing is ludicrous. That’s what I think we’ll find when it’s all over.”

The charge is punishable by up to ten years in prison and/or a $10K fine, and Bennett turned himself in to authorities in late March. The 32-year-old is accused of injuring an elderly paraplegic woman who was working at Super Bowl LI in 2017. Despite the allegations, Bennett and Hardin aren’t worried about the potential consequences.

“He knows he didn’t do this,” Hardin said. “He’s assuming the system will ultimately conclude that once they get all the information. But it’s obviously a very embarrassing and humiliating thing to go through, walking out of a court room with a bunch of TV cameras and in handcuffs, particularly for something you didn’t even do.”

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

The Saints signed Bears restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith to an offer sheet yesterday, and Nick Underhill of The Advocate wonders (via Twitter) if Chicago will ultimately match the offer. New Orleans offered a two-year deal worth $9.6MM, meaning the Bears would be comitting close to $30MM to receivers in 2018. On the flip side, Underhill opines that the Bears could be okay with spending that kind of money at the position, and they could just let someone like Kevin White sign elsewhere next offseason.
The Giants have set up a top-30 visit with running back Rashaad Penny, reports Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com (via Twitter). The San Diego State product is currently listed 47th on NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s listing of the top-50 prospects. Penny compiled 2,248 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns during his senior season.
ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss could see the Patriots going in a variety of different directions with their first-round picks. The reporter points to linebacker, left tackle, quarterback, running back and/or tight end as potential targets for New England. When asked about the prospects of adding tight ends Dallas Goedert or Hayden Hurst, Reiss notes that the organization hasn’t shied away from previously spending a first-rounder on the position.

Where Will Baker Mayfield End Up?

April 6th, 2018 at 10:12pm CST by Ryan Posner

The class of quarterbacks for the upcoming draft is one of the most talented in recent memory, but perhaps no quarterback of the group is as polarizing as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.

Among other things, Mayfield has been questioned due to some of his on-field conduct last season along, with his height at 6 feet. He was also arrested in February 2017 in Arkansas on charges of public intoxication and fleeing.

The Browns, Giants, Jets, Broncos and Bills will all possibly be looking for quarterback help early in the first round, with other teams who could certainly be added to that list. Mayfield has visits scheduled this month with the Browns, Bills, Chargers, Jets, Giants, Dolphins, Broncos, and Cardinals. It’s already been suggested that the Jets traded up to the No. 3 pick in the draft in order to be in a position to take Mayfield and that they’ll select him if USC’s Sam Darnold is off the board.

While certain measurables don’t favor Mayfield when it comes to a quarterback class that includes Darnold, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, UCLA’s Josh Rosen and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, none of them really matched the decorated career Mayfield put together at Oklahoma.

So, where do you think the Oklahoma standout is destined to end up in the NFL? Will the Browns go all-in on Mayfield and take him at No. 1, will he be headed to New York with either the Jets, Giants or Bills or might the Broncos make him their quarterback of the future. Take PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section!

NFC Notes: 49ers, Rams, Cowboys, Giants

April 6th, 2018 at 9:34pm CST by Ryan Posner

The 49ers are set to host a private workout for LSU edge-rusher Arden Key, he said during an interview with NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft,” making him the 10th player to visit with the team prior to the draft. The Saints and 49ers are the only two teams who have set up private workouts with Key, who’s projected to go somewhere in the first two rounds.

Key said on NFL Network that he will have a visit with the 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., along with the private workout. He also said he has visits planned with the Redskins, Titans, Bears and Cowboys.

The 49ers hold the ninth overall pick in the draft. They’ve also held private visits with Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker, Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter, Iowa center James Daniels, Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Yale defensive back Foye Oluokon, Kansas State wide receiver Byron Pringle, Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith and Florida State wide receiver Auden Tate.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

The Rams are just about out of cap space after a flurry of pickups — most-recently acquiring wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Patriots — and have seven current starters due to become unrestricted free agents next offseason. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez pointed to three reasons why Rams general manager Les Snead is confident the team will compete for a Super Bowl beyond 2018, with the first being the value at quarterback the team is getting with Jared Goff. Gonzalez also noted the team will be near the top of the league when it comes to available salary cap over the next two offseasons and that they have a young offensive core in Goff, Todd Gurley, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted at where the team may go with the No. 19 overall pick in the draft. “There is some defensive talent that has a chance to drop,” Jones said via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “Therein lies your opportunity. … If a number of quarterbacks are taken, a number of running backs are taken, two or three of those offensive tackles hit. Really as much as anything there could be a couple of guards taken ahead of us.”
Yale outside linebacker Matt Oplinger — last year’s Ivy League Defensive MVP — was apart of the contingent at the Giants‘ local pro day on Friday, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN (on Twitter). Raanan also reported (on Twitter) that the Giants hosted Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki for a visit but it won’t count toward their 30 afforded visits because he is a New Jersey native.

AFC Notes: Ravens, Broncos Titans, Patriots

April 6th, 2018 at 8:26pm CST by Ryan Posner

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is set to hold a top-30 visit with the Ravens, which is expected to be one of his final — if not his final — visit with an NFL team prior to the upcoming draft, per Albert Breer of MMQB (on Twitter). The Ravens hold the No. 16 overall pick in the draft.

Jackson has visited with several teams leading up to the draft, including the Browns, who hold the No. 1, 4 and 33 overall picks. Jackson elected to not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine or his pro day. He’s also had a private workout with the Texans and all 32 teams attended his pro day.

The Ravens made quarterback news earlier this week by signing Robert Griffin III to a one-year, $1MM deal. The Ravens decided to not re-sign Ryan Mallett, who backed up Joe Flacco last season. Griffin, who has not appeared in an NFL contest since making five starts for the Browns in 2016, is joined by Josh Woodrum as the current backups to Flacco heading into training camp.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

Iowa center James Daniels will be visiting with NFL teams this week and the Broncos are on that list, according to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (on Twitter). Daniels is expected to go near the second round of the upcoming draft. Connor McGovern is currently projected to start at center for the Broncos.
Steve Watterson is retiring from his post as the Titans‘ strength and conditioning coach — they announced in a release Friday — after 32 years with the team. Tom Kanavy, who has 22 years of experience in the NFL, will take over the position.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter) has the details on the Patriots‘ contracts for tight end Troy Niklas and offensive lineman Luke Bowanko.
Earlier Friday, we learned that the Chiefs promoted Dave Toub as their associate head coach to go along with his role as Kansas City’s special teams coordinator.

Jadeveon Clowney Extension With Texans Not Imminent

April 6th, 2018 at 7:33pm CST by Ryan Posner

A long-term deal between the Texans and Jadeveon Clowney isn’t imminent but it’s still viewed as an eventuality to happen, league sources told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Wilson also noted that the deal is expected to be a “blockbuster” when signed.

The news comes after it was reported Thursday by Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) that a deal was close and would be completed by training camp at the latest. Wilson said he expects a deal to get completed sometime this offseason as well. Clowney, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, expressed interest in remaining with the Texans earlier in the offseason.

“I want to be [in Houston] forever. It would be great, something I always dreamed of. I don’t want to leave this team,” Clowney said in late March. “I’ve been here since the beginning. I want to stay here. I want to finish my career here, so I’m looking forward to that. Hopefully, they lock me in.”

Wilson also reported in late March that the Texans had a positive outlook on getting a deal done for the former No. 1 overall pick out of South Carolina.

Clowney, 25, had a career-high 9 1/2 sacks and 59 tackles last season to go with 2o tackles for a loss. He was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and is due to make $12.306MM for his fifth-year option after being classified as a linebacker earlier this offseason.

It’s likely Clowney will take the spot as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL when he signs a new deal. That designation currently belongs to Von Miller, who signed a six-year $114MM contract with the Broncos, with $70MM guaranteed.

Broncos Sign LS Casey Kreiter To Tender

April 6th, 2018 at 6:47pm CST by Ryan Posner

It appears the Broncos have found their long snapper to pair with newly-signed punter Marquette King, signing Casey Kreiter to an exclusive-rights tender, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. The team has yet to announce the deal.

The Broncos signed Kreiter prior to the 2016 season and he played in 10 games before being placed on injured reserve. He appeared in all 16 games last season for Denver.

The Cowboys originally signed Kreiter as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2014. He competed in the Cowboys’ training camp in 2014 and ’15 but was unable to win the starting job either season.

Kreiter, 27, will provide a familiar face within the Broncos’ special teams unit that’s seen a shakeup this offseason. Kicker Brandon McManus is expected to return but the team added King at punter while letting Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer depart in free agency.

The Broncos currently don’t have another long snapper on their roster outside of Kreiter.

Thomas Davis Suspended For Violating PED Policy

April 6th, 2018 at 5:42pm CST by Ryan Posner

Panthers veteran linebacker Thomas Davis announced Friday (on Twitter) that he’s been suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. This is Davis’ first suspension for violating the league’s PED policy.

“This is by far one of the saddest days of my NFL career,” Davis said in the tweet, which was accompanied by a video. “I never thought that this would happen to me. I’ve worked extremely hard to do things the right way on and off the field. Panther Nation please know that I am not a cheater.

The Panthers have yet to comment on the suspension. Davis said in the video that he was “caught off guard” when he received a positive test for what he said he was an estrogen blocker supplement.

“I’ve taken the same supplements for the last seven or eight years and never had any issues, been tested numerous times over the years while taking the same stuff,” Davis said in the video. “Unfortunately, this is some of the things that happen when you take supplements. I’ve never tested positive for steroids or HGH. This is not one of those situations.”

Davis, 35, had indicated that 2018 would be his last season but said in the video that it might not be due to the suspension. He’s spent all 13 seasons of his career with Carolina, including three Pro Bowl appearances and winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2014.

Davis was set to start at outside linebacker in the Panthers’ 4-3 scheme, with Shaq Thompson on the other edge and Luke Kuechly in the middle. Ben Jacobs, Richie Brown and David Mayo are likely to see an uptick in playing time during Thompson’s absence.