2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

Brice Butler To Sign With Cardinals

April 2nd, 2018 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brice Butler‘s visit with the Cardinals will produce a deal. The UFA wideout agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Cards, James Jones of the NFL Network reports (on Twitter).

The former NFL wide receiver reports the Cardinals have won the pursuit for Butler. They were one of four teams scheduled to have visits with the former Cowboys and Raiders pass-catcher, with the Jaguars, Seahawks and Bears also in the mix for Butler.

Butler expressed a desire to become a starter with his next team. He’s been a spot starter in Oakland and Dallas but has never commandeered a full-time role. He figures to have a chance to do that with the Cardinals and learn from one of the best wide receivers in NFL history. Larry Fitzgerald is entrenched at one of the Cards’ starting positions, but with John Brown and Jaron Brown having defected in free agency, Fitzgerald’s supporting cast is uncertain beyond J.J. Nelson.

The Cowboys re-signed Terrance Williams in 2017, and he, Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley ensured Butler would remain a rotational presence rather than a first-stringer. Butler, though, showed flashes of being a strong deep threat. The 6-foot-3 target averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season, posting 317 air yards and three touchdowns on just 15 receptions. He averaged 21.5 yards per grab in 2015, his first year in Dallas, while working with various backups while Tony Romo was on the shelf.

While the Cardinals may still be looking at wideouts in the upcoming draft, with Fitzgerald set to play his age-35 season this fall, they’ve secured an intriguing player for the next two seasons. Arizona submitted an offer to Jordan Matthews, who visited in mid-March, but it’s unclear if that proposal is still out there.

Cowboys Arrange Several Pre-Draft Visits

April 2nd, 2018 at 5:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Most of the prospects the Cowboys are planning to make part of their pre-draft visit itinerary will come through Dallas this week, with Albert Breer of SI.com reporting (on Twitter) numerous names have emerged.

Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore are among those who will trek to Texas for pre-draft summits. Defensive linemen Vita Vea, Harold Landry, Da’Ron Payne and Florida’s Taven Bryan will join them, per Breer. Offensive linemen Kolton Miller (UCLA) and James Daniels (Iowa) are also on this list, as is Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans.

Teams are allotted 30 visits before drafts, and Dallas will examine plenty of incoming NFL talent in the coming days.

Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk is also on the Cowboys’ meeting list, although he is not expected to count against the 30-player maximum since he’s considered a local prospect. With Dez Bryant‘s future up in the air, the team is clearly interested in surveying what the 2018 crop looks like. Ridley, Kirk and Moore are the top three wide receivers on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com draft board and the only wideouts to appear on this 50-prospect list.

Cards Have Offer Out To Jordan Matthews?

April 2nd, 2018 at 5:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordan Matthews has made visits to teams employing two all-time great quarterbacks, but it’s unclear if any offers came out of summits with the Packers or Patriots. But one appears to have emerged from the Cardinals.

The Cards submitted an offer to the free agent wide receiver, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It’s unclear if it’s a standing offer, but with Arizona having only added Cobi Hamilton this offseason — and having lost John Brown and Jaron Brown — it would make sense if it’s still out there.

The four-year veteran visited the Packers and Patriots, with the latter summit occurring Monday, but the Cardinals received the first meeting.

Brice Butler is in Arizona on Monday for his visit, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. The Cardinals are one of four teams with plans to meet with Butler. Matthews, though, has produced at a higher level during his career, despite a down contract year with the Bills.

Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to return for a 15th season, but he saw free agency decimate his supporting cast. J.J. Nelson remains, but after that, the group is light on experience.

LB Will Compton Signs With Titans

April 2nd, 2018 at 5:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two weeks after hosting Will Compton on a visit, the Titans signed the free agent linebacker, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline reports. It’s a one-year deal, per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

A member of the Redskins’ linebacking corps for five seasons, Compton will now try to earn an inside spot with the Titans. Tennessee lost Avery Williamson in free agency, breaking up the longtime tandem of he and Wesley Woodyard.

Compton, who has started 33 games over the past four seasons, also visited the Bills during this free agency period. He will stay in a 3-4 defense, having played in that scheme throughout his career. The former undrafted free agent played in only nine games last season, which was cut short due to injury.

Woodyard and Williamson teamed up as starters for four seasons, so this will be a bit of an adjustment. Compton, who will be set for his age-29 season, was a full-time Redskins starter in 2016. He also started 10 games for the 2015 division champion Redskins. Shoulder and Lisfranc injuries plagued Compton in 2017, but the Titans look set to give the Nebraska product a shot at returning to a starting lineup.

Jags Audition Kellen Clemens, Austin Davis

April 2nd, 2018 at 4:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kellen Clemens saw the Chargers agree to terms with Geno Smith on Sunday night, and it looks like he’ll be in need of another employer. A potential suitor emerged Monday.

The Jaguars worked out both Clemens and Austin Davis, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The Jags lost longtime backup Chad Henne recently but traded for Cody Kessler.

Blake Bortles agreed to an extension to stay in Jacksonville but is recovering from offseason wrist surgery. Kessler is the only other quarterback on the Jags’ roster, so the team may have some work to do for depth purposes. They will need more arms to run offenses during OTAs at the very least, and Clemens has been one of the game’s longer-tenured backups.

This is the 34-year-old passer’s first visit this offseason. He spent the past four seasons backing up Philip Rivers and has worked in this capacity for most of his career. Although, he started nine games for the 2013 Rams in Sam Bradford‘s stead. A former second-round Jets pick, Clemens has attempted 100 passes in a season just twice in a 12-year career.

A teammate of Clemens’ in St. Loius, Davis spent the 2017 season backing up Russell Wilson in Seattle. The Seahawks remain in need of a No. 2 QB behind Wilson, and both Davis and Clemens worked under new Seattle OC Brian Schottenheimer with the Rams. So, they would be natural options to play behind Wilson. Seattle has not been connected to either quarterback thus far this offseason, however.

Davis, 28, served as the relief arm for Bradford in 2014, when he suffered another knee injury, but has not thrown a pass in a game since the 2015 season while with the Browns.

Henne spent four seasons as Bortles’ backup but signed to play behind Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. It’s likely the Jaguars will at least look at passers in this year’s draft, and with Kessler now in the picture, there might not be room for a veteran should Jacksonville take a quarterback in the middle rounds or higher. But both Henne and Davis have more experience as NFL backups than Kessler.

Bears To Re-Sign Benny Cunningham

April 2nd, 2018 at 4:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Benny Cunningham enjoyed an interesting Monday. The veteran running back made a visit to New Orleans to meet with the Saints, and he reached an agreement. Only not with the Saints.

The Bears agreed to terms to re-sign Cunningham, Joel Erickson of The Advocate reports (on Twitter). Cunningham also visited the Buccaneers during his latest stay in free agency but will come back to Chicago.

Going into his sixth season, Cunningham will turn 28 in July. He only received nine carries last season in playing behind Jordan Howard and alongside Tarik Cohen. But the Bears used Cunningham in the passing game. The former Rams runner caught 20 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns last season, and he’ll continue to provide depth in the Windy City.

New Orleans has former seventh-round pick Daniel Lasco, now-journeyman ball-carrier Jonathan Williams and 2017 UDFA Trey Edmunds representing its depth behind Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Cunningham would have a better chance of seeing offensive work with the Bears, but the Saints are clearly looking around the market for reserve options.

Patriots To Meet With WR Jordan Matthews

April 2nd, 2018 at 4:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews will meet with the Patriots on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Cardinals free agent tight end Troy Niklas is also meeting with the Pats, Yates adds.

Matthews met with the Packers and Cardinals in March, but left both visits without signing a deal. This time last year, the 25-year-old (26 in July) projected to be a high-end commodity in this year’s free agent market. Unfortunately, he had only 25 catches in ten games for the Bills last year thanks to knee and ankle injuries, so he’s probably looking at a one-year deal to restore his value.

From 2014-16, Matthews averaged 75 receptions for 891 yards and six touchdowns for the Eagles. He says he’s healthy now, so he could prove to be a valuable pickup for the Pats as they look to replace Danny Amendola‘s production.

Niklas, 26 in September, saw time in 414 snaps for the Cardinals last year and served primarily as a blocker. He hasn’t exactly lived up to his second-round draft status, but the Patriots may see potential in the athletic Notre Dame product.

Jets Claim TE Clive Walford

April 2nd, 2018 at 3:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have a new tight end. On Monday, the Jets were awarded Clive Walford off waivers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Walford, 27 in October, was released by the Raiders late last week. Walford had some involvement in the Raiders’ offense over the first two seasons of his career, but he was hardly a factor last year thanks to the addition of Jared Cook. Walford averaged 30 catches for 344 yards and three touchdowns between 2015 and ’16. Then, last year, he had just nine catches for 80 yards and no scores.

The good news is that Walford could have a chance to shine in New York. The Jets allowed Austin Seferian-Jenkins to leave in free agency, so he projects as the team’s top tight end over Eric Tomlinson and Jordan Leggett. The Jets could still strengthen that area in the draft, but they may be hard-pressed to find a better option than Walford since their No. 3 overall pick will be used on a quarterback and they don’t pick again until the third round (No. 72 overall).

Thanks to their 5-11 finish last season, the Jets have the sixth-highest waiver priority in the NFL this offseason. Only the Browns, Giants, Colts, Texans, and Broncos could have prevented the Jets from landing Walford.

Josh Rosen Will Play For Whoever Drafts Him

April 2nd, 2018 at 1:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Josh Rosen‘s former head coach isn’t sure that he’d be a fit for the Browns, but Jim Mora‘s comments are not part of a conspiracy to steer Cleveland away from him. The UCLA product will not refuse to play for Cleveland or any other team, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT.

This is not the first time we’ve heard speculation about a top prospect trying to avoid the Browns. Last summer, there were rumblings that Sam Darnold could hold off on his draft decision until the identity of the team at No. 1 overall was determined. Apparently, none of this year’s top four QBs have any reservations about the Browns as Rosen, Darnold, Mayfield, and Allen have all publicly welcomed the challenge of righting the ship in Cleveland.

Most prognosticators have the Browns zeroing in on Darnold or Allen, but GM John Dorsey says that the team is still open to all options at No. 1. They’ll meet with Rosen this week and he’s unquestionably in the mix after turning in the best completion percentage (62.6%) and touchdown/interception ratio (26/10) of his collegiate career in 2017.

The Fifth-Year Option

April 2nd, 2018 at 12:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be passing along a number of reports relating to the fifth-year option, which a team can exercise on a 2015 first-round pick who is currently in the fourth year of his rookie contract. Last month, the Panthers informally got the party started when word leaked out that they’ll be exercising the 2019 option for linebacker Shaq Thompson.

So what exactly is the fifth-year option? Essentially, it’s a way to extend a player’s rookie contract by an extra year, at the club’s discretion. Players don’t have any say in whether or not these options are picked up, though players and teams are still free to negotiate longer-term contracts that would render the fifth-year option unnecessary. Otherwise though, the decision is in the hands of the team, and must be made by May 3 in the player’s fourth season. So, barring multiyear extensions, 2015 first-rounders like Marcus Mariota, Amari Cooper, and Marcus Peters will likely see their options exercised within the next month.

For top-10 picks, the amount of each player’s 2019 option has already been determined. The fifth-year salary for a top-10 pick is equal to the transition tender at the player’s position during his fourth season. So, because the transition tag for quarterbacks this year was $20.922MM, we already know that Mariota’s fifth-year option will be worth that amount.

For first-rounders picked outside the top 10, the calculation is a little more complicated. These players’ fifth-year option also relies on the previous year’s salaries at the player’s position, but it’s determined by the average of the third through 25th top salaries at that position. So we could come up with estimates for the 2019 option salary for players like Melvin Gordon, Byron Jones, and Trae Waynes, but they’re not set in stone quite yet.

Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only between May 3 and the start of the following league year. As such, they’re not entirely risk-free, but as long as the player remains healthy, a team could exercise his fifth-year option, then cut him before his option year gets underway without being on the hook for his salary. When the league year begins, the player’s fifth-year salary becomes guaranteed for skill and cap purposes, as well as injury.

Note: This is a PFR Glossary entry. Our glossary posts explain specific rules relating to free agency, trades, or other aspects of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. This post was modified from an early entry by editor emeritus Luke Adams.