HEADLINES

Month: April 2018

Browns Trade QB Kevin Hogan To Redskins

April 6th, 2018 at 5:17pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Browns have traded away another quarterback, sending Kevin Hogan and a sixth-round pick (No. 205 overall)to the Redskins for a sixth-round pick (No. 188 overall), with both teams announcing the deal. The Browns had acquired the sixth-round pick used in the deal from the Patriots in exchange for Jason McCourty

Hogan, 25, is the third quarterback to be traded from the Browns this offseason. They also sent Cody Kessler to the Jaguars and DeShone Kizer to the Packers. They received a conditional seventh-round pick for Kessler and cornerback Damarious Randall in exchange for Kizer.

The Browns also added Tyrod Taylor, who coach Hue Jackson said will enter the season as the starter, and long-time backup quarterback Drew Stanton. They’re set to take a quarterback with either the first or fourth overall picks of the upcoming draft as well.

Hogan joins a Redskins quarterback contingent that includes Colt McCoy and Stephen Morris behind newly-acquired Alex Smith. The Stanford alum had received permission from the Browns on Thursday to allow his agent to seek out a trade with another team.

The Chiefs drafted Hogan in the fifth round of the 2016 draft and he was cut prior to the regular season. He signed with the Browns shortly after and has appeared in eight games, including a start, over the last two seasons in Cleveland. The start came last year and it came in a losing effort to the Texans in Week 6.

Raiders Sign DE Armonty Bryant

April 6th, 2018 at 5:09pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Raiders have announced the signing of free-agent defensive end Armonty Bryant, who last appeared in five games for the Lions in 2016. Bryant became the Raiders’ second free-agent addition to their defense Friday, also signed cornerback Senquez Golson.

Bryant, 27, had three sacks, four tackles and forced a fumble in his time with the Lions, his only season with the team. They released him after he was suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy and he didn’t appear in a game last season.

The terms of Bryant’s deal have yet to be reported. He had a career-high 5 1/2 sacks while playing in 14 games in 2015 with the Browns, who drafted him in the seventh round of the 2013 draft out of East Central (Okla.).

Bryant is the Raider’ second addition to their defensive line via free agency. The team also signed former 49ers defensive end Tank Carradine to a one-year deal.

Khalil Mack and Mario Edwards Jr. are slated to start at defensive end for the Raiders. They also have Jihad Ward, James Cowser, Fadol Brown and Joby Saint Fleur on the roster at defensive end, along with Bryant and Carradine.

Raiders Sign CB Senquez Golson

April 6th, 2018 at 4:49pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Raiders continued to add to their secondary this offseason by signing free-agent cornerback Senquez Golson, per a team release. The terms of the deal have yet to be reported.

The Steelers made Golson a second-round pick in 2015 but he never played a down in his career with them. He spent the first two years of his career on injured reserve. He suffered another injury in the 2017 preseason and was waived by the Steelers. He was signed to the Buccaneers’ practice squad but was released shortly after and has yet to appear in a regular-season game.

The Raiders have been busy adding pieces to their secondary this offseason. They signed cornerback Rashaan Melvin to a one-year, $5.5MM deal, safety Marcus Gilchrist to a one-year, $4MM deal, cornerback Leon Hall to a one-year, $1.01MM deal, cornerback Shareece Wright to a one-year, $1.01MM deal and re-signed Reggie Nelson to a one-year deal.

Melvin and Gareon Conley are projected to start at cornerback, with Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph projected to start at safety. The team parted ways with cornerbacks David Amerson and Sean Smith earlier this offseason.

Chiefs Hosting Kerwynn Williams For Visit

April 6th, 2018 at 4:24pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Chiefs are bringing in free-agent running back Kerwynn Williams for a visit, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Williams started in six games for the Cardinals last season as part of the replacement contingent for David Johnson.

It was the most starts for Williams in his five-year career. He posted a career-best 426 yards rushing last season and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. The Colts originally took Williams in the seventh round of the 2013 draft out of Utah State and he also spent time with the Chargers before signing with the Cardinals in 2014.

If signed, Williams would mark the second addition to the Chiefs backfield this offseason through free agency. They signed Damien Williams to a one-year, $1.5MM deal in late March.

Both would likely back up Kareem Hunt, who had a breakout rookie season for the Chiefs after being taken in the third round of last year’s draft and rushed for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns. The team also has Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West and Akeem Hunt on the roster. The Chiefs also re-signed De’Anthony Thomas to a one-year $880K deal. t

The Chiefs signed wide receiver Sammy Watkins to a three-year deal as well to serve as another weapon for second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Saints Host OT Austin Howard On Visit

April 6th, 2018 at 4:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints hosted right tackle Austin Howard for a free agent visit on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Howard has been on the block ever since the Ravens elected not to pick up his option for 2018. 

Howard joined the Ravens on a three-year, $16.5MM free agent deal in March of 2017 after spending the previous three seasons with the Raiders. He’s not a superstar, but he did start in every game for the Ravens at right tackle in 2017. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 36 offensive tackle last season, which puts him squarely in the category of a starting caliber outside lineman.

At a time when most teams are scrambling for answers at tackle, the Saints are pretty well set on both sides with left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk in the starting lineup. The Saints lost Zach Strief to retirement and saw Senio Kelemete sign with the Texans, but Jermon Bushrod was re-signed for depth. Despite his starting experience, Howard would serve as the top backup and Ramcyzk in New Orleans.

NFL Draft Rumors: Broncos, Darnold, Vea

April 6th, 2018 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos sent GM John Elway, coach Vance Joseph, and other top executives to watch Sam Darnold work out in Los Angeles on Friday morning, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. Darnold, the youngest of this year’s top quarterback prospects, appears to be a strong candidate to go No. 1 overall. It could be a longshot for the Broncos to land him at No. 5, but stranger things have happened and there’s also the possibility of Denver moving up in the order. As a redshirt sophomore, the USC product completed 63.1% of his passes for 4,143 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Here’s more NFL Draft news:

  • The Redskins will meet with USC running back Ronald Jones on Monday, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. Team president Bruce Allen attended Jones’ pro day earlier this week and apparently came away impressed. Most believe that the Redskins will target a defensive player at No. 13 overall, so Jones might not be in the cards for Washington unless they trade down or acquire an additional pick in the back half of the first round. Jones, who has garnered comparisons to Jamaal Charles for his running style, is among this year’s top players at the position.
  • LSU cornerback Donte Jackson has upcoming visits with the Broncos, Bills, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Packers (Twitter link via Jared Tokarz). Jackson ranks 28th on the top 50 list of NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah and impressed with a 4.32 second 40-yard-dash at the draft combine.
  • Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea will visit with the Bengals on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Cowboys Audition DE Ryan Delair

April 6th, 2018 at 3:19pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Panthers defensive end Ryan Delaire, who was out of football last year as he recovered from a torn ACL, worked out for the Cowboys on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Delaire played 139 defensive snaps for the Panthers in 2016 in between two separate stints on injured reserve. In six games, Delaire managed five tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed.

Last year, he auditioned for the Giants and 49ers, but did not sign with either club. He also discussed a late-season deal with the Eagles in December, but his knee injury prevented him from passing their physical.

The Cowboys made one key defensive end depth signing this week when they inked another ex-Panther, Kony Ealy, to a low-cost one-year deal. If he signs with the Cowboys, Delaire is likely looking at an even cheaper deal with low/no guarantees.

Chiefs Promote Dave Toub To AHC

April 6th, 2018 at 2:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Chiefs assistant Dave Toub has been given a new title. Toub will continue as the team’s special teams coordinator while also serving as the club’s Assistant Head Coach. 

“Dave has had the opportunity to work with our team on both sides of the football, on the field and in the classroom,” Reid said. “His leadership qualities have entrusted me to promote him to Assistant Head Coach.”

Toub has been the team’s special teams coordinator since 2013. Since then, his name has surfaced as a possible head coaching candidate. The new title – and likely pay bump – may help the Chiefs to ward off other interested suitors down the line.

Since Toub has run KC’s special teams operation, the Chiefs have had ten special teams returns for touchdowns, the most in the NFL over that span. In 2013, they set a new NFL watermark in a single season with 29.9 yards per kick return. Before joining Andy Reid‘s staff, Toub worked with the Bears and Eagles.

Saints Sign Cam Meredith To Offer Sheet

April 6th, 2018 at 1:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are signing Bears restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith to an offer sheet, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The Bears will have an opportunity to match, but they will not receive draft compensation if they decline to do so.

The offer sheet is a two-year deal worth $9.6MM ($5.4MM guaranteed), plus incentives, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Considering that the Bears declined to use the second-round tender – a one-year, $2.914MM placeholder – it seems unlikely that the Bears will match.

The Saints have a clear need for WR help given their lack of quality options behind starters Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. The Saints tendered Willie Snead at the original round level, but he is coming off of a down season and can’t be relied upon even if he is retained. Meredith could replace Snead as the Saints’ slot receiver and provide support alongside Tommylee Lewis, Austin Carr, and Paul Turner.

Meredith, 26 in September, is coming off a torn ACL which cost him all of the 2017 season. In 2016, he caught 66 passes for 888 yards in just ten starts.

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