Bears Work Out Joshua Perry, Kasim Edebali
The Bears worked out free agent linebackers Joshua Perry and Kasim Edebali at their minicamp on Wednesday, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link).
Perry, a fourth-round pick in 2016, saw a good deal of action during his rookie campaign, although most of his snaps came on special teams (75% playing time). He was waived/injured at the outset of the 2017 season, and subsequently released to the free agent market. After bouncing on-and-off the Colts’ practice squad a year ago, Perry inked a futures deal with Indianapolis in January, only to be waived again last month. He’d give Chicago special teams depth, but Perry would never see the field on defense barring an injury, as Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan will handle inside linebacker duties for the Bears.
Like Perry, Edebali has spent most of his career on special teams, but he could be of a bit more interest to the Bears given his ability to play on the edge. Aside from former first-rounder Leonard Floyd, Chicago is counting on cast-offs such as Aaron Lynch and Sam Acho at outside linebacker, so Edebali could conceivably compete for rotational snaps if signed. The 28-year-old Edebali split the 2017 season between Denver and Detroit following three years in New Orleans.
NFC West Notes: Cards, Pugh, Rams, Donald
Justin Pugh ultimately signed a five-year, $45MM deal with the Cardinals this offseason, but the phone wasn’t exactly ringing off the hook when Pugh hit the open market on the first day of free agency, as Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com writes. “I thought I would get all these calls,” said Pugh. “Saw [Andrew] Norwell get signed [to a 5-year, $66.5MM with the Jaguars] and thinking I’m breaking the bank. And, you know, coming off an injury, coming off the season that we had, you get humbled a little bit. That is kind of what happened. You win three games in a season, not many things are going to go well for you.”
While Pugh landed a $9MM annual average, he didn’t reset the positional market as did Norwell. Pugh, who has the ability to play tackle but will start at right guard for the Cardinals, ranks seventh at his position in terms of yearly value, and 14th in full guarantees. For what it’s worth, Pugh’s former employer — the Giants — never contacted the former first-round pick once he reached free agency.
Here’s more from the NFC West:
- While Aaron Donald has certainly made a case to earn a hefty extension, the Rams have the option of exerting leverage over the All-World defensive tackle, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News. While Donald likely wants to allow Raiders edge rusher Khalil Mack to reset the market for defensive players, Mack — thanks to his higher draft slot — will earn nearly double Donald’s salary in 2018. Donald, of course, has made a strong argument for his next contract by playing as the league’s best defender for some time. The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Donald has earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his four pro campaigns, and was named a first-team All-Pro from 2015-17. Donald predictably skipped Los Angeles’ organized team activities, but the Rams are reportedly “optimistic” they’ll get a new deal in place before the regular season kicks off.
- Tight end Jermaine Gresham suffered a torn Achilles in Week 17 of the 2017 regular season, but the Cardinals are “hopeful” he’ll be ready to play in time for Week 1, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. If Gresham isn’t available, Arizona would turn to last year’s breakout in Ricky Seals-Jones, while fellow tight ends Gabe Holmes, Bryce Williams, and Beau Sandland could also be in line for more looks. Gresham, who turns 30 next week, posted 33 receptions for 322 yards and two scores last season. In other Gresham news, he’s recently become something of a viral sensation after helping a fellow airline passenger, as Katherine Fitzgerald of the Arizona Republic details.
- In case you missed it, Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark has stayed away from team activities, but there’s been no discussion of a contract extension for the fourth-year pro.
Shane Ray To Undergo Wrist Surgery
Broncos edge rusher Shane Ray will undergo wrist surgery which is expected to sideline him for three months, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Given his recovery timeline, Ray may not be available for the start of the 2018 regular season.
The operation was fully expected, as Mike Klis of 9 News recently reported that Ray — who missed eight games with a wrist ailment in 2017 — appeared set for another surgery. For Ray, it’s yet another disappointment in what has already been a discouraging offseason. Denver declined its 2019 fifth-year option on Ray in May, withholding the chance for the 25-year-old to collect north of $5MM in his fifth NFL campaign.
Ray, whom the Broncos selected 23rd overall in 2015, has steadily seen his playing time increase over three pro seasons, and had seen action on nearly three-quarters of Denver’s defensive snaps a year ago before going down with injury. With his wrist hampering him, Ray graded as a bottom-10 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus, and wasn’t able to match or exceed his 2016 production (eight sacks on 58% playing time).
Denver fortified its edge rushing corps by drafting Bradley Chubb with the No. 5 pick earlier this year, and he’ll add depth to a unit that already includes All-Pro Von Miller and Shaquil Barrett. Still, without Ray in tow, it’s possible the Broncos turn to the free agent market in search of another option. Given that they’d likely be looking for players with 3-4 experience, the Broncos might theoretically look at Erik Walden, Willie Young, Ahmad Brooks, Junior Galette, or Connor Barwin.
Ray had been speculatively viewed as a trade candidate given Denver’s depth along the edge, but any deal won’t occur now that Ray is sidelined. Instead, he’s now — depending on how his operation and recovery goes — an (admittedly remote) candidate for the physically unable to perform list. Ray will earn a base salary of ~$1.7MM before hitting the open market next spring.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Pryor, Dolphins
New Jets wide receiver Terrelle Pryor recently underwent a scope on his knee, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per head coach Todd Bowles, it will be “close” as to whether Pryor will be available for training camp, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. While reports on Pryor seem positive, any injury is worth noting for the ex-Browns and Redskins wideout. Pryor underwent ankle surgery last November and missed the remainder of what was already a disappointing campaign in Washington, and subsequently dealt with another, unrelated ankle issue last month. If Pryor is forced to miss any time, fellow receivers Chad Hansen, ArDarius Stewart, or Andre Roberts could conceivably see more action.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Defensive tackle Leonard Williams is under the Jets‘ control through the 2019 campaign thanks to his fifth-year option, and the former first-round pick isn’t concerned about his next contract, as Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. “The contract’s going to come,” Williams said. “There’s no pressure for it. I’m not like thirsty for it or anything like that. I just want to keep working hard and keep focusing on year by year and just making myself the best possible and helping my team be the best possible, and the money will come.” Williams, who will earn a combined total of roughly $17MM over the next two years, graded as the NFL’s No. 21 interior defender in 2017, per Pro Football Focus. He’s eligible for an extension now, but New York hasn’t made any known contractual overtures.
- A number of Jets players — including rookie tight end Chris Herndon, linebacker Dylan Donahue, and perhaps most infamously, wide receiver Robby Anderson — have been in legal hot water in recent months, but Bowles doesn’t think the club’s string of arrests is much of an issue. “It’s not a Jets problem or a league problem. It’s a nationwide problem,” Bowles said, as Costello writes in a separate piece. “We deal with them on a daily basis as they come. We talk about [how] we’re against them. You know you’re against certain things. Things happen in your 20s and we treat them on an individual basis and you move by.” As Costello notes, the majority of the Jets’ legal troubles have stopped following initial arrests, as most charges in these cases have been reduced or dropped.
- The Dolphins recently picked up $17MM in salary cap space when Ndamukong Suh‘s contract officially came off the books on June 1, and while much of that money will be used to sign the rest of the club’s draft class, or put away for roster emergencies, Miami could utilize some of that cash on a cornerback upgrade, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald opines. Although the Dolphins recently locked up slot corner Bobby McCain on a four-year extension, they could still use another outside defensive back to play opposite Xavien Howard. As Salguero notes, Adam Jones, Jeremy Lane, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are among the veteran defenders still available, as are Bashaud Breeland, Delvin Breaux, and Kayvon Webster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/6/18
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Released: WR Colby Pearson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Montay Crockett
- Waived/Injured: WR Tevaun Smith
New York Jets
- Waived: OLB Freddie Bishop
Lions’ Nick Bawden Done For Year?
The Lions fear rookie that rookie fullback Nick Bawden suffered a torn ACL in practice on Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter) said. Right now, it looks like the seventh-round pick’s season is over and it is expected that he will be placed on injured reserve in the coming days. 
It’s an unfortunate loss for the Lions, but have another fullback option in ex-linebacker Nick Bellore. The Central Michigan product re-signed with the Lions on a one-year, $1MM deal ($90K guaranteed) this offseason and recognizes that the switch to fullback represents his best shot at making the cut.
“There’s a lot of carryover,” Bellore said this week (via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News). “You’re kind of in the same attacking position. The only difference is you’re not moving backwards – or at least I hope not. It’s mostly kind of mirroring what linebackers do. It’s not the easiest transition. I’m learning, day by day, offensive terminology and all that stuff. It takes time, but I’ve got great coaches.”
Bellore practiced as a fullback while with the Jets from 2011-14, but never saw live action in that role. Last year, Detroit used him on 13 offensive snaps.
Unless the Lions sign another fullback or eliminate the position entirely, Bellore profiles as the lead blocker for a running back group headlined by LeGarrette Blount, rookie Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, and Ameer Abdullah.
Richie Incognito Still Hopes To Play In 2018
After a strange couple of months, former Bills offensive lineman Richie Incognito says he still hopes to play in the NFL this year. Two weeks after being placed on psychiatric hold by Florida police, Incognito says he remains focused on resuming his career. 
Incognito hit the free agent market last month when he was released by the Bills. The lineman, who has already flip-flopped on the possibility of retiring this year, will have some explaining to do to NFL teams. Two weeks ago, police placed Incognito in a mental hospital after he reportedly toss weights at a Florida gym and told officers the government is spying on him.
On the field, Incognito has been nothing short of stellar in recent years. The veteran has earned three consecutive Pro Bowl trips and, from a talent perspective, profiles as the best interior lineman on the open market today. It remains to be seen whether clubs will give Incognito what is essentially his second chance following the Dolphins bullying scandal of 2013.
Last year, Incognito graded out as the 12th best guard in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. He ranked seventh amongst all guards in 2016 and second in ’15, making him the Bills’ top-rated offensive lineman of the last three years.
Dolphins Sign Three Draft Picks
The Dolphins announced the signings of three draft picks on Wednesday. Third-round linebacker Jerome Baker, fourth-round tight end Durham Smythe, and fourth-round running back Kalen Ballage have inked their deals, leaving second-round tight end Mike Gesicki as the last straggler in the team’s eight-man class. 
Baker was Ohio State’s leading tackler last year as he registered 72 stops in total. He also had eight tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in his final year on campus. As shown on Roster Resource, Baker projects to be one of the team’s first linebackers off of the bench behind starters Kiko Alonso, Raekwon McMillan, and Chase Allen. Some evaluators feel that Baker is too small to play linebacker at the pro level, but Alonso doesn’t seem concerned about the 6’1″, 229-pound prospect.
“Nowadays it’s all about, ‘Can you run?’” Alonso said recently (via Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post). “You see what linebacker position is nowadays. It’s getting smaller and smaller.”
Smythe, a Notre Dame product, put himself on the NFL radar with his blocking ability. He figures to do the dirty work while fellow rookie Gesicki figures to play a bigger role in the passing game.
Ballage, a tall running back at 6’3″, averaged 4.4 yards per carry while at Arizona State. He’ll likely serve as the Dolphins’ No. 3 running back this year behind Kenyan Drake and veteran Frank Gore.
20% Of Draft Picks Remain Unsigned
Roughly 20% of this year’s draft picks have yet to sign their rookie contracts, as shown in PFR’s tracker. So far, 213 of this year’s 256 selections have inked their deals.
Here’s the complete breakdown, sorted by round:
First Round (17)
- Browns, 1-1: Baker Mayfield, QB (Oklahoma)
- Giants, 1-2: Saquon Barkley, RB (Penn State)
- Jets, 1-3: Sam Darnold, QB (USC)
- Browns, 1-4: Denzel Ward, CB (Ohio State)
- Broncos, 1-5: Bradley Chubb, DE (North Carolina State)
- Bills, 1-7: Josh Allen, QB (Wyoming)
- Bears, 1-8: Roquan Smith, LB (Georgia)
- 49ers, 1-9: Mike McGlinchey, T (Notre Dame)
- Titans, 1-22: Rashaan Evans, LB (Alabama)
- Patriots, 1-23: Isaiah Wynn, T (Georgia)
- Panthers, 1-24: D.J. Moore, WR (Maryland)
- Ravens, 1-25: Hayden Hurst, TE (South Carolina)
- Falcons, 1-26: Calvin Ridley, WR (Alabama)
- Steelers, 1-28: Terrell Edmunds, S (Virginia Tech)
- Jaguars, 1-29: Taven Bryan, DT (Florida)
- Vikings, 1-30: Mike Hughes, CB (UCF)
- Patriots, 1-31: Sony Michel, RB (Georgia)
Second Round (5)
- Colts, 2-36: Darius Leonard, LB (South Carolina State)
- Colts, 2-37: Braden Smith, G (Auburn)
- Buccaneers, 2-38: Ronald Jones, RB (USC)
- Dolphins, 2-42: Mike Gesicki, TE (Penn State)
- 49ers, 2-44: Dante Pettis, WR (Washington)
Third Round (10)
- Giants, 3-69: B.J. Hill, DT (North Carolina State)
- 49ers, 3-70: Fred Warner, LB (BYU)
- Broncos, 3-71: Royce Freeman, RB (Oregon)
- Redskins, 3-74: Geron Christian, OL (Louisville)
- Chiefs, 3-75: Derrick Nnadi, DT (Florida State)
- Bengals, 3-77: Sam Hubbard, DE (Ohio State)
- Bengals, 3-78: Malik Jefferson, LB (Texas)
- Seahawks, 3-79: Rasheem Green, DE (USC)
- Raiders, 3-87: Arden Key, DE (LSU)
- Rams, 3-89: Joseph Noteboom, OL (TCU)
Fourth Round (2)
- Rams, 4-111: Brian Allen, C (Michigan State)
- Rams, 4-135: John Franklin-Myers, DE (Stephen F. Austin)
Fifth Round (3)
- Giants, 5-139: RJ McIntosh, DT (Miami)
- Rams, 5-147: Micah Kiser, LB (Virginia)
- Rams, 5-160: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB (Oklahoma)
Sixth Round (4)
- Rams, 6-176: John Kelly, RB (Tennessee)
- Rams, 6-192: Jamil Demby, T (Maine)
- Rams, 6-195: Sebastian Joseph, DT (Rutgers)
- Rams, 6-205: Trevon Young, LB (Louisville)
Seventh Round (2)
- 7-231: Travin Howard, LB (TCU)
- 7-244: Justin Lawler, DE (SMU)
As expected, the first round (17) and third round (10) lead the way in stragglers. First round picks tend to have the most leverage, which means that agents will often haggle on issues such as offset language. The third round negotiations also tend to drag since there is wiggle room when it comes to base salaries.
49ers Re-Sign S Antone Exum
One day after J.J. Wilcox backed out of a one-year deal, the 49ers are moving on. On Wednesday, the Niners announced that they have re-signed safety Antone Exum. 
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Exum played in two games with the 49ers late last season after joining the club in November. The former sixth-round pick of Vikings registered three tackles in limited action. In his three years with Minnesota, Exum appeared in 27 games (two starts) and recorded 19 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble on defense.
Exum will push to make the Niners’ final cut as one of the backups to Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. One backup safety spot is already spoken for thanks to the presence of third-round pick Tarvarius Moore, but the competition is fairly open after that. If Exum can display his special teams skills this summer, the odds may be in his favor.