Rams Rumors: Donald, Gurley, Cooks
A specific provision in the CBA means that a holdout for Aaron Donald would be particularly costly if it continues into the preseason. The CBA dictates that players in the midst of their fifth-year option are subject to daily fines of $30K during preseason training camp, which is less than the usual $40K fine. However, each missed preseason game for fifth-year option players results in a fine equivalent to one week of regular season salary, Mike Florio of PFT notes.
For Donald, a holdout lingering into the preseason will cost him $405K per game. If he were to miss the full preseason, that would come out to more than $1.62MM of his $6.892MM salary. That doesn’t ensure Donald will show up for the exhibition games, but it’s certainly something for the defensive standout to think about.
Here’s more from sunny L.A.:
- The Rams’ new deal for running back Todd Gurley is a game-changer for obvious reasons, but Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap (Twitter link) sees it as a potential turning point for some less obvious factors as well. He wonders aloud if elite running backs like Gurley with today’s lighter workload and better conditioning can last longer than the last set of backs who hurt the market. If that’s the case, then the running back market may finally move on a trajectory similar to other key positions.
- We have the details on Brandin Cooks‘ new deal with the Rams, courtesy of Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). Cooks will receive a whopping $50.46MM guaranteed and will carry a $27.46MM cap number in 2019 and a $20.36MM figure in ’20.
- The Cooks deal is a huge investment for a player who has been traded twice in two years and hasn’t played a down for the team he is currently under contract with, Fitzgerald writes. His cashflow is also extremely impressive when compared to the league’s other top wide receivers. He’ll receive the largest Year 1 take home of any wide receiver and, after two years, he’ll earn more than any player except for Antonio Brown. The flow tails off a bit in the fourth and fifth years of the deal, but he can top every other receiver in those seasons via incentives.
- On Tuesday, the Rams signed defensive end Ryan Davis.
Rams Sign DE Ryan Davis
Former Jaguars, Cowboys and Bills defensive end Ryan Davis has signed with the Rams, a league source tells Mike Kaye of First Coast News (on Twitter). Details of the deal are not yet known. 
Davis, 29, appeared in all of the Bills’ regular-season contests last season, as well as their postseason game, and recorded three sacks. In March, the Bills released him in order to escape his $1.28MM cap hit for 2018.
The Rams are not short on front seven talent, but it never hurts to look at depth options when rosters are still at their 90-man max. In their 3-4 set, the Rams project to start Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers, and Aaron Donald up front with Ethan Westbrooks and fourth-round pick John Franklin-Myers serving as the top defensive ends off of the bench. Westbrooks and Franklin-Myers are virtual locks for the roster, but Davis may be able to creep in behind them.
Davis recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2014, but has not been able to replicate that performance over the last three years. He’ll try to get back on track and make the cut in L.A. this summer.
Titans Release LB Kevin Dodd
The Titans have released outside linebacker Kevin Dodd, according to an announcement from the team. Dodd did not report to the team on Sunday for training camp and the Titans have decided that they’re better off without him. 
A second-round draft pick by the Titans in the 2016 NFL Draft, Dodd appeared in 18 games for the Titans over the past two seasons. Between 2016 and 2017, Dodd recorded just 20 tackles and only started in one game.
Dodd’s pro career got off on the wrong foot (no pun intended) when he injured his foot during the offseason prior to his rookie year. The injury required Dodd to undergo two surgeries, which may explain why he hasn’t done much in the NFL. In college, Dodd was a force to be reckoned with as he recorded 12 sacks and 26.5 tackles for a loss at Clemson.
The release wasn’t totally unexpected given Dodd’s lack of production and the team’s edge rushing depth. This year, the Titans drafted Boston College’s Harold Landry in the second round to play behind edge rushers Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. Besides them, outside ‘backers such as Aaron Wallace, Josh Carraway, and Gimel President are on hand and fighting for roster spots.
Steelers Sign Rookie Terrell Edmunds
It’s a done deal. The Steelers have signed first-round pickTerrell Edmunds, according to Ed Bouchette of 93.7 FM (on Twitter). 
Per the terms of his slot at No. 28 overall, Edmunds will earn roughly $10.8MM over the course of his four-year deal. With Edmunds signed, there are now just six unsigned 2018 draft picks left in the NFL.
Edmunds played multiple positions at Virginia Tech and the Steelers plan on taking advantage of his versatility at the pro level. The Steelers will use him at strong safety, but he’ll also have some deep-middle responsibilities to help support Morgan Burnett.
Here’s the full rundown of the Steelers’ 2018 draft class:
- 1-28: Terrell Edmunds, S (Virginia Tech): Signed
- 2-60: James Washington, WR (Oklahoma State): Signed
- 3-76: Mason Rudolph, QB (Oklahoma State): Signed
- 3-92: Chukwuma Okorafor, T (Western Michigan): Signed
- 5-148: Marcus Allen, S (Penn State): Signed
- 5-165: Jaylen Samuels, RB (North Carolina State): Signed
- 7-246: Joshua Frazier, DT (Alabama): Signed
North Notes: Browns, Bryant, Ravens
Could the Browns entertain the idea of signing Dez Bryant? In the wake of Josh Gordon‘s latest setback, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) wonders aloud if the Browns could call on Bryant to fill the void. The Browns certainly have the cap space to sign Bryant, but it’s not immediately clear whether there’s interest or whether Gordon’s situation will necessitate a signing. For now, all we know is that the Browns have placed Gordon on the NFI list and he is not under suspension from the NFL. Not yet, at least.
Here’s more from the AFC and NFC North:
- The Ravens and linebacker C.J. Mosley have yet to make progress on an extension. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic isn’t exactly sure what the holdup is, but he posits a few theories. It’s possible that the Ravens are hesitant to sign a defensive standout to a long-term deal after injuries hampered players like Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb after their extensions. It’s also possible that the Ravens do not value inside linebackers as much as other clubs because of their history of finding UDFA gems at the position. Or, perhaps GM-to-be Eric DeCosta does not want to tie up the club’s future cap space. Still, with a number of players on expiring deals and others with minimal guarantees, the team should have enough flexibility to sign Mosley.
- Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga had a workout with Lions last week, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Siliga had eight tackles for the Bucs in eight games last year.
- Here’s the latest the Browns and Gordon.
Rams, Todd Gurley Agree To Extension
Todd Gurley isn’t going anywhere. The Rams agreed to a four-year extension with their prized running back that can be worth up to $60MM, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Gurley was set to hit the open market after the 2019 season, but he’s now under club control through 2023.
[RELATED: Rams Sign Brandin Cooks To Extension]
The deal includes $45MM guaranteed, according to Schefter, which is the largest guarantee ever given to a running back. We’ll have to wait for final word on whether that’s $45MM guaranteed at signing or just $45MM guaranteed for injury, but it’s a substantial commitment either way. The contract also gives Gurley a new money average of $15MM/year, which tops all running backs. It’s a new benchmark for David Johnson and Ezekiel Elliott to shoot for in their forthcoming extension talks, and a target for free-agent-to-be Le’Veon Bell as well.
The running back market has been stagnant for a long time in the NFL, but this is a contract that truly moves the needle. Prior to Gurley’s deal, Bell had the largest annual average value of RBs with his franchise tag of $14.54MM. For multi-year deals, Devonta Freeman was the kingpin with an average of $8.25MM per year. In terms of total guarantees, rookie Saquon Barkley had the crown with $31.2MM secured, followed by fellow youngsters Leonard Fournette and Elliott.
It remains to be seen how teammate Aaron Donald will react to the news of Gurley’s new deal. While Donald has been staying away from the team in an effort to get an extension, the Rams have given Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks contracts to reset the market at their respective positions. Cooks and Gurley showed up for team activities this offseason, so it’s possible the Rams are sending a message by completing their deals first.
Last year, Gurley finished second in MVP voting as he ran for 1,305 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns. With an average of 4.7 yards per carry as well as 64 catches for 788 yards and six receiving touchdowns, he was a no-brainer choice for the Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro selection. Not too shabby for a running back who celebrates his 24th birthday next week.
Chargers Want Gates To Sign Before Camp
Antonio Gates is still on the Chargers’ radar, but the team doesn’t want to wait forever for a deal to come together. It would be the Bolts’ preference for the tight end to re-sign with the team before camp starts, a team source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
In April, the Chargers announced that Gates would not be re-signed. However, things changed when tight end Hunter Henry went down with a season-ending injury. With a TE group consisting of Virgil Green, Sean Culkin, and Braedon Bowman, the 38-year-old Gates may stand as their best option.
“Losing Hunter was a blow at the time, it is now but you have to overcome it,” GM Tom Telesco said recently. “That’s what you have to do.”
A Gates return would be well received in L.A., and quarterback Philip Rivers is among those pushing for it. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Gates will be re-signed, however.
“Would be a natural fit, right? I saw that Philip voted for it. When it comes to roster moves, we are not a democracy,” Telesco said in June. “But we are not a dictatorship either. His vote was noted and accounted for. Antonio’s accomplishments and contributions to this organization are immeasurable. We will see what the future holds. I don’t have an update at this time.”
Chiefs RB Spencer Ware Restructures Deal
Chiefs running back Spencer Ware has agreed to restructure his deal. Ware will see $725K of his $1.45M base salary converted into incentives, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, the incentives are largely obtainable, so he still has a real chance at earning the full $1.45MM for 2018. 
[RELATED: Chiefs Rumors: Mahomes, Rogers, Ford, OL]
Ware was believed to be in line for the Chiefs’ backup job, but it’s possible that Charcandrick West could leapfrog him for the No. 2 RB role. Last year, West scored four touchdowns as Kareem Hunt‘s backup. Ware, meanwhile, missed the entire season with a torn PCL and a damaged LCL.
Ware was solid as the Chiefs’ starter in 2016 as he averaged 4.3 yards per carry and caught 33 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll look to pick up where he left off in 2018, before reaching free agency next March.
Bills Sign LB Keenan Robinson
The Bills have signed linebacker Keenan Robinson, according to a team announcement. The move fills the final spot on the Bills’ 90-man offseason roster. 
Robinson has appeared in 58 games for the Giants and Redskins since 2012. He was a 13-game starter in 2013, but his playing time has been reduced ever since and he missed ten games last year due to a quad injury.
As an experienced player with special teams abilities, Robinson will make his case to make the Bills’ final cut. He’ll compete with fellow veteran linebackers Ramon Humber, Julian Stanford, and Deon Lacey for a place on the 53-man roster.
Robinson also drew interest from the Jaguars and Titans in the spring, but did not sign with either club.
Julio Jones Won’t Report To Camp
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones does not plan to report to camp and he is comfortable sitting out the entire time, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL>com (on Twitter). Jones, of course, wants an improved contract, even though the Falcons have told him that he will not be getting one. 
The Falcons have told Jones taht they would be willing to re-work his contract next year, but Jones wants it done right now, even though he has three years to go on his current pact. In years past, stars such as Antonio Brown, Marshawn Lynch, and Rob Gronkowski have been in similar positions. In those cases, their respective teams moved money from a future season to the current year in order to satisfy the player. That could be the solution here for the Falcons to get Jones back in the fold.
Jones skipped the Falcons’ voluntary offseason program and mandatory minicamp, so it’s not a shock to see him stay away during training camp. He’ll face hefty fines for holding out, but it could be worthwhile in the long run if he gets what he wants.
Jones is earning $14.25MM per year on his contract, but doesn’t have much left in guarantees. As he enters his final season in his 20s, it makes some sense for Jones to push for the best deal that he can get and holding out is the only way to make that happen since he has three years to go on the deal. Jones has been working out with Terrell Owens as of late, and it’s possible that he has influenced Jones’ thinking.
The Falcons star is coming off his fourth straight season with at least 1,400 yards, as he finished with 88 receptions for 1,444 yards and three scores. He’s made the Pro Bowl in each of his last five healthy seasons, positioning himself as one of the very best wide receivers in the game.