2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

Packers’ Evans Wants To Continue Playing

April 5th, 2018 at 12:47pm CST by Zachary Links

With his 35th birthday on the horizon, Packers free agent guard Jahri Evans says that he wants to continue playing. The veteran also says he would be open to another season in Green Bay.

“I’m not opposed to coming back to Green Bay,” Evans said. “I loved my last year in Green Bay. Green Bay was great. I loved the coaching staff, I loved the locker room. I loved the organization, the community. It was awesome. It was a great fit for me. My goal is, I wanted to win another Super Bowl. I still do. So that’s my focus right now. But, you know, it’s still early. We’re sitting in the first week of April right now. So it’s very early.”

Evans, 35 in August, started in all 14 of his games with the Packers last season. He turned in a strong season, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 30 ranked guard with quality marks for his pass blocking. Packers coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that the door is open for Evans to return.

“Jahri is definitely part of the conversation,” McCarthy said earlier this week. “I don’t know exactly where he is as far as what his goals are, but we’re open (to him returning.”

Last year, the Packers signed Evans just days before the draft. This time around, Evans is once again willing to be patient as he says he’s unlikely to sign with any team in the spring.

NFL Draft Rumors: Bucs, Packers, James

April 5th, 2018 at 12:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Florida State safety Derwin James spent Wednesday meeting with the Buccaneers and will sit down with the Packers on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). James, the No. 9 ranked safety in the draft per NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, offers versatility with experience at both safety spots, nickel cornerback, and even outside linebacker. He arguably performs better when playing closer to the line, so the team that drafts him will likely look to continue using him in multiple roles.

Here’s more NFL Draft news:

NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb met with the Buccaneers on Wednesday and is visiting the Giants on Thursday, Rapoport tweets. Chubb has another top 5 team visit next week, Rapoport notes, but he did not specify the club.
Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy was with the Vikings on Wednesday, Rapoport tweets. Cichy suffered an ACL tear in the summer that prevented him from seeing the field in 2017. Before the injury, he was considered a first-round prospect and he could still come off the board in Day 2 if he demonstrates that he is healthy.
Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward is visiting the 49ers on Thursday, according to Rapoport (on Twitter). The Niners pick No. 9 overall and he could be a possibility for San Francisco there. SF will also meet with Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter.
The Bears met with a pair of top defensive backs in Ward and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Rapoport tweets. Fitzpatrick previously visited the Buccaneers. The Bears own the No. 8 pick in the draft, so they could be in range for both players.
The Vikings met with University of Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams and Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey, Rapoport tweets. Jeremiah has Williams ranked as the No. 21 prospect in this year’s draft while McGlinchey is at No. 35.
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans visited the Dolphins (No. 11) this week, Rapoport tweets. Evans, who played all over in Bama’s front seven, offers strong coverage against both tight ends and running backs.
Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne is meeting with the Falcons, according to Rapoport.
The Buccaneers, who own the No. 7 pick in the first round, had former Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson in for a visit on Wednesday, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.

Marquette King Wants To Join Broncos

April 5th, 2018 at 12:22pm CST by Zachary Links

They say the best revenge is living well. Playing for your former team’s rival after getting cut late in the offseason is probably a close second. Former Raiders punter Marquette King wants to play for the Broncos, agent Wynn Silberman tells Mike Klis of 9News.com.

“Marquette would love an opportunity to come visit there,’’ Silberman said. “Obviously, Denver is a punter’s dream. They’re high on his list.”

King, who is known for his powerful leg, could boom punts even further in Denver’s mile-high altitude. It’s a fit that would make sense for both parties. The Broncos saw Riley Dixon turn in a so-so year in 2017, so King would serve a clear upgrade. Meanwhile, King can break new records while hurting his former employer.

Still, money could be a barrier here. Dixon, a former seventh-round pick, is slated to make just $630K this year. King, meanwhile, was on track to earn $3MM as one of the highest-paid players at his position in 2018.

Then again, the Broncos have overhauled their special teams unit this offseason, so they could be willing to spend the extra cash to improve further. Special teams coordinator Brock Olivo was canned this winter and replaced veteran Tom McMahon. Meanwhile, Bennie Fowler, Cody Latimer, and Corey Nelson were allowed to leave and undrafted players have been brought in as competition for kicker Brandon McManus and long snapper Casey Kreiter.

Saints Re-Sign FB Zach Line

April 5th, 2018 at 12:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have re-signed Zach Line, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter). The fullback returns on a new two-year deal.

Line had a limited market this offseason since most teams in the NFL do not employ a fullback. The ones that do – like the Raiders and Cowboys – have already found their FB solutions elsewhere.

Last year, Line joined the Saints after John Kuhn landed on IR. He saw time on 168 snaps on offense plus 126 on special teams in 12 games. Line graded out as the third-best fullback in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, placing behind only Patrick Ricard (Ravens) and James Develin (Patriots).

Raiders To Meet With Junior Galette

April 5th, 2018 at 11:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders are set to meet with linebacker Junior Galette, as John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. He adds that Galette has drawn interest from a “couple of teams” in free agency.

Back in March, we heard that the Rams and Browns had interest in the Redskins free agent edge rusher. Still, he remains on the market here in April.

Galette was once a double-digit sack force with the Saints from 2013-14, but he profiles more as a rotation player due to off-field issues and injuries in recent years. After suffering torn Achilles tendons in both 2015 and 2016, Galette finally got in a full season with the Redskins in 2017, and looked strong as he played on on 37% of the team’s defensive snaps.

While he only posted three sacks, Galette managed 25 pressures and graded out the league’s No. 30 edge defender among 106 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. Washington, at one point, working to retain Galette, but a return is no longer in the cards.

Most NFL teams are focused on younger players these days, but Jon Gruden has bucked the trend by adding several players around the age of 30 and beyond. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, running back Doug Martin, safety Marcus Gilchrist, and cornerbacks Shareece Wright and Leon Hall have been among those to join up with Oakland this offseason.

NC State DE Kentavius Street Tears ACL

April 5th, 2018 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

One noteworthy draft prospect appears to be out of the running for the first two days of the draft. North Carolina State defensive end Kentavius Street suffered a torn ACL during a private workout with the Giants, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter).

ACL tears typically take at least nine months to recover from, meaning that Street is unlikely to see the field in his rookie season. Heading into workouts, Street appeared to have a shot at coming off of the board in the third round. It’s now possible that Street will go undrafted altogether.

Street had 19.5 sacks in four seasons at NC State, including nine sacks in his junior season. He was largely overshadowed by star teammate Bradley Chubb – who is widely projected to be a top 10 pick – but had some buzz of his own this year.

In time, Street figures to pick up interest from clubs in search of a 4-3 defensive end. With the ability to squat 700 pounds and a rumored 475 one-rep bench press, he possesses the raw strength to succeed at the next level.

Bills OL Richie Incognito Fires Agent

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

Richie Incognito has fired his agent in unusual fashion. The Bills guard, apparently, dismissed his representative via Twitter on Thursday.

“You are fired!,” Incognito wrote in a tweet at-mentioning agency Athletes First. “I wish you guys nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for all of your help and guidance along the way. It’s time for me to go in a new direction.”

The fashion in which Incognito has chosen to dismiss his agency is notable, but so is the timing. After delivering three straight Pro Bowl seasons since landing in Buffalo, Incognito agreed to rework his contract in March to reduce his base salary from $6.325MM to $3.65MM. In the process, he picked up a $1MM bonus, though that doesn’t quite bridge the full gap. The move allowed the team to create an additional $1.675MM in cap space.

It’s possible that Incognito feels that he received poor advice from his agents this offseason. Last year, Incognito graded out as the 12th best guard in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, which doesn’t exactly scream pay cut. In any case, the 34-year-old (35 in July) will enter his contract year with new representation.

Latest On James Harrison

April 5th, 2018 at 10:53am CST by Zachary Links

Linebacker James Harrison is waiting until after the draft to sign with a team, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Of course, that’s probably not by Harrison’s choice. At this stage of his career, he is no longer a top priority for clubs.

Harrison’s top priority is finding a situation in which he can see significant time on the field, Fowler hears. That all but rules out a return to the Steelers, but the Patriots have been one of a handful of teams to inquire on him over the last month.

To the surprise of many in the football world, the Steelers released Harrison in December. He quickly hooked on with the Patriots and proved to be effective in his short stint with them in one regular season game and three playoff contests. Still, Harrison will turn 40 in May, which will limit his market.

Harrison left the Steelers as their all-time sack leader with 80.5 and earned defensive player of the year acclaim in 2008. That season ended with Pittsburgh’s sixth Super Bowl title, one Harrison helped cement with his 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII.

Eric Decker To Meet With Ravens

April 5th, 2018 at 9:47am CST by Zachary Links

Wide receiver Eric Decker will visit with the Ravens on Thursday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This marks Decker’s second visit of free agency, following his March meeting with the Raiders.

Decker was a late surprise cut by the Jets last year, leading him to sign a one-year deal with the Titans. He fell a little flat in Tennessee, recording 54 catches for just 563 yards and one touchdown. Decker also missed most of 2016 due to injury, so the 31-year-old is now two years removed from performing as a high-end wide receiver.

In 2015, Decker’s last complete season, he hauled in 80 catches for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Jets. He also had 1,000+ yard seasons in 2012 and 2013 with the Broncos and nearly hit that mark in his first Jets season in 2014.

The Ravens have revamped their WR group this offseason by allowing Mike Wallace to leave in free agency and adding Michael Crabtree and John Brown. On the surface, that wouldn’t leave a ton of targets for Decker, but he would be in for a more prominent role if Brown cannot stay healthy.

Recently, Decker expressed interest in a return to Denver, but it’s not clear if the interest is mutual.

Browns Allow Kevin Hogan To Seek Trade

April 5th, 2018 at 9:37am CST by Zachary Links

Browns backup quarterback Kevin Hogan has requested and received permission for his agent to seek a trade, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Hogan is presently the No. 3 QB on the Browns’ depth chart, but there won’t be room for him once the Browns use the No. 1 selection in the draft on a new signal caller.

Hogan, a Stanford product, struggled in his first career start against the Texans last year. However, he looked good overall when he came off the bench against the Jets on Oct. 8. Hogan completed 16 of 19 passes for two touchdowns against one interception.

The Browns retained Hogan as an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, so he would be a cheap addition for another team looking to add a second or third QB. He won’t net much for the Browns in a trade, but Cleveland could come away with a late draft pick for him.

The Browns have already traded away QBs DeShone Kizer and Cody Kessler this offseason. Cleveland received cornerback Damarious Randall from the Packers in the Kizer deal and secured a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft from the Jaguars for Kessler.