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Month: July 2018

Cowboys, DeMarcus Lawrence To Meet Next Week

By | at July 6, 2018 10:07 am

The Cowboys and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence are expected to meet next week, according to Calvin Watkins of The Athletic. Lawrence is seeking a five-year deal, a source tells Watkins, but he’s not in a rush to sign. 

As we’ve heard before, Lawrence is willing to play out the season on his one-year, $17.1MM franchise tag. He’s also waiting things out to see if at least one of the other top defenders will sign an extension first. That means waiting on Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, and Jadeveon Clowney, though Lawrence is the only one in the group that is actually bound by a deadline. Franchise tagged players have until July 16 to sign extensions, so Lawrence may be compelled to act first.

Lawrence, 26, had 14.5 sacks in 2017. That total was the most by a Cowboys player since DeMarcus Ware had 19 in 2011. The Cowboys also notched 38 sacks as a team, giving them their highest total overall since ’11.

The Cowboys would obviously like to lock Lawrence up for years to come, but they probably have some reservations as well. Specifically, his back issues. Lawrence has undergone surgery in the past, though he did not miss any games last season.

Lawrence may be gunning to top Olivier Vernon‘s five-year, $85MM deal with the Giants and his agent – the same one that represents Vernon – wants at least $17MM/year. For what it’s worth, Lawrence’s ’17 sack total nearly doubled Vernon’s total from his contract year. He also graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 ranked DE, putting him behind only Cameron Jordan and Von Miller amongst edge rushers.

1 comment Dallas Cowboys

PFR Social Media Feeds By Team

By | at July 6, 2018 9:49 am

We’ve detailed how you can follow Pro Football Rumors on Facebook, Twitter, or using an RSS reader to ensure that you receive all of our updates, 365 days a year. If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NFL team, PFR has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 32 teams.

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

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Extra Points: Contracts, Raiders, Conley

By | at July 5, 2018 9:43 pm

If NFL players want to land fully guaranteed contracts, they’d need to be willing to accept short-term deals, argue Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap. Teams likely wouldn’t be willing to hand out full guarantees over a five- or six-year term, so two- or three-year pacts would probably become the norm. New Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is Exhibit A, as he received $84.5MM fully guaranteed on a three-year deal this offseason. Taking shorter contracts wouldn’t necessarily be a negative for players — the last years of long-term deals often turn into de facto team options, giving teams almost all the leverage. On the subject of guaranteed accords, Bills linebacker and NFLPA stalwart Lorenzo Alexander says they’re “something players are always going to fight for,” per SiriusXM Radio, while Rams running back Todd Gurley suggested to TMZ Sports that a lockout will be required before fully guaranteed deals are dispersed.

  • Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley is suing the woman who accused him of rape in advance of the 2017 draft, per TMZ Sports. Conley, an Ohio State product, was still drafted in the first round last year even with those allegations hanging over his head, and prosecutors ultimately decided not to press charges (and Conley has vehemently denied his accuser’s story). Still, Conley believes the claims not only caused him to drop in the draft — he was viewed as an early first-round selection but ultimately went 24th overall — but broke up endorsement opportunities. On the field, Conley’s rookie year was a lost campaign, as he played in only two games before a shin issue landed him on injured reserve.
  • A number of head coaches will be on the hot seat almost as soon as the 2018 campaign gets underway, and John McClain of the Houston Chronicle ran down the list of coaches who could be fired. Hue Jackson seems like an obvious candidate after posting only a single victory over two seasons with the Browns, while Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter was thought to be on the chopping block following the 2017 campaign. Pro Football Rumors recently examined a similar topic, asking readers which coach will be handed his walking papers first. Your early favorite? Jackson.
  • In case you missed it, only 14 of 256 2018 NFL draft choices remain unsigned. We’ve got the entire list here.
3 comments Cleveland Browns Las Vegas Raiders Tampa Bay Buccaneers

South Notes: Bucs, Winston, Falcons, Titans

By | at July 5, 2018 8:39 pm

Jameis Winston‘s upcoming three-game suspension presents an interesting contractual quagmire for the Buccaneers, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Tampa Bay has already exercised Winston’s $20MM+ option for 2019, but that figure is guaranteed for injury only. Instead of hoping Winston doesn’t get injured over the next several months (and therefore lock himself into his 2019 salary), the Buccaneers could approach their quarterback regarding an extension, albeit one that would erase his 2019 guarantee. In such a scenario, Tampa would tack on a few years to Winston’s deal in exchange for him giving up next season’s guarantee, using the threat of release as leverage. While the idea makes sense for a purely financial perspective, it could be public relations nightmare to extend Winston’s contract now, when he’s fresh off the sexual assault incident that led to his ban.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two South divisions:

  • The Falcons are reportedly discussing a new deal for Julio Jones after the star wideout expressed displeasure with his contract figures, but Jones doesn’t exactly have the leverage to press for a new accord, as Joel Corry of CBSSports.com argues. Jones still has three years left on his current pact, and most teams wouldn’t even consider renegotiating with that timeline, especially given that Jones’ five-year deal was frontloaded. Although wide receivers like Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, and Jarvis Landry saw nice pay bumps this offseason, the top of the receiver market hasn’t yet been reset, per Corry, meaning there’s not a ton of room for movement regarding Jones. Instead, Jones — who’s collecting $14.25MM annually — should instead press for an incentive-based package in 2017, similar to what Rob Gronkowski has received from the Patriots, says Corry.
  • Derrick Henry is the favorite to lead the Titans in both carries and rushing yards, but free agent addition Dion Lewis is likely to put up more total yards from scrimmage, guesses Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com. Lewis, who inked a four-year, $19.8MM deal with Tennessee in March, actually out-carried Henry (180 vs. 176) in 2017, so it might be a mistake to cast Lewis as solely a third-down back (especially given that he garnered only 36 targets in New England’s offense last year). While Henry may the bell-cow, both he and Lewis will likely be part of a revamped running game under new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur. Further down the depth chart, undrafted rookie Akrum Wadley appears to be making a run at a roster spot.
  • In case you missed it, the Texans will require a “collective effort” to replace tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, who was forced to retire earlier this year after suffering yet another concussion.
0 comments Atlanta Falcons Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans

Latest On 49ers, Dez Bryant

By | at July 5, 2018 7:36 pm

As the NFL turns its calendar to July, most of the rumors connecting free agent wideout Dez Bryant to the 49ers have been initiated by Bryant himself, as the veteran pass-catcher indicated in a May Instagram post that he’d like to sign with San Francisco. But it’s not only Bryant that’s stirring the Bay Area pot, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report, who indicates league insiders’ “best guess” is that Bryant will end up signing with the 49ers.

The 49ers still have more than $45MM in available cap space, so inking Bryant — who is reportedly looking for a one-year deal after turning down a three-year pact from the Ravens earlier this year — shouldn’t present a financial obstacle. Roster-wise, San Francisco boasts Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin as its top two receivers, but doesn’t have much depth after that, with Trent Taylor, rookie Dante Pettis, and Aldrick Robinson lurking as secondary options.

Even if he were to play a reduced snap count behind Garcon and Goodwin, Bryant — who stands 6’2″ — could give the 49ers a larger red-zone weapon than they currently possess (both Garcon and Goodwin are 6’0″ or shorter). Bryant, 29, certainly comes with risk, as he hasn’t topped 1,000 yards receiving since 2014, while his 12.1 yards per reception in 2017 was the lowest average of his career. But he can still post up opposing defensive backs near the end zone, and would be a tantalizing option for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

While a number of teams — including the Packers and Cardinals — have been tangentially linked to Bryant since he was released by the Cowboys, no club aside from the Ravens has been directly interested in the former first-round pick. In fact, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com has reported many teams are unwilling to consider Bryant even at the minimum salary. Bryant hadn’t been expected to land a new deal until July, so the clock is now ticking on the veteran wideout.

In a recent Pro Football Rumors poll, readers agreed with Freeman’s NFL sources that Bryant will ultimately land in San Francisco, with the Patriots finishing as a strong second choice.

9 comments San Francisco 49ers

Teams Still Interested In Jay Cutler?

By | at July 5, 2018 6:34 pm

Although free agent quarterback Jay Cutler said earlier this week that he’s “probably” retired, some NFL clubs reportedly would like to put the veteran quarterback through a workout, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report.

As Freeman notes, NFL clubs have long been enticed by Cutler’s physical talent, especially his proficiency at the act of merely throwing the football. But his recent production has been anything but impressive: last season, he finished 25th in adjusted net yards per attempt, 28th in Total QBR, and 35th among 39 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus‘ quarterback grades while starting 14 games for the Dolphins.

Realistically, it’s difficult to see Cutler landing anything other than a strict backup position, and that opportunity may not come unless a quarterback suffers an injury during training camp or the preseason. At that point, Cutler’s salary demands could also come into play, as he’s certainly not going to earn the $10MM he raked in with Miami in 2017. With a dozen-year pro career in the books, Cutler doesn’t necessarily need the cash, and could simply seek the best fit if he decides to search for a new team.

Speculatively, teams that could use an extra quarterback include the Panthers, Raiders, Rams, Cowboys, and Seahawks. Carolina, specifically, has little to no experienced options behind starter Cam Newton, as none of Garrett Gilbert, Taylor Heinicke, and Kyle Allen have never started an NFL contest. Dallas, too, would be in dire straits if Dak Prescott goes down, as 2017 undrafted free agent Cooper Rush is next on the club’s depth chart.

If Cutler does officially hang up his cleats, he could pursue another avenue within the NFL by taking on a broadcasting role, something he was slated do in 2017 before the Dolphins came calling. He’d already announced his retirement last May and had signed on to join FOX’s NFL team, where he was to enter a three-man booth alongside play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt and fellow color commentator Charles Davis.

7 comments Uncategorized

East Notes: Jets, Enunwa, Giants, Collins

By | at July 5, 2018 4:08 pm

With free agency on the horizon, Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa has a lot to prove, Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. In 2016, Eric Decker‘s season-ending injury opened up the door for Enunwa and he made the most of his opportunity as he led the Jets in receiving yards (857) and touchdowns (four) and finished second in receptions (58) and targets (105). However, he was lost for the 2017 season when he aggravated a neck injury over the summer.

Now, Enunwa has returned to find a crowded wide receiver room, albeit one with plenty of question marks. Enunwa figures to stay involved thanks to his big 6’2″ frame and run blocking ability, but as Mehta points out, he’ll have to curtail his drops. In 2016, Enunwa’s 12 drops were the second most in the NFL, even as he led the league in catch rate on deep targets.

If Enunwa can stay healthy and hang on to more of the balls that hit his hands, he could be on the path to riches in 2019, whether it’s with the Jets or with a different club.

Here’s more from the East divisions:

  • What will it cost for the Giants to lock up safety Landon Collins? Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com spoke with former agent Joel Corry and cap expert Jason Fitzgerald to get an idea of what a new contract might cost. Corry estimated that Collins’ camp will seek no less $12MM per year, while Fitzgerald posited that a fair deal would call for $62MM over five years ($12.4MM/year) with between $35MM and $37MM guaranteed. For now, Collins is due to make $1.2MM in 2018, the final year of his rookie contract.
  • Bo Wulf of The Athletic took a stab at predicting the Eagles‘ 53-man roster for Week 1. In his estimation, there are 38 players that have already punched their ticket, leaving 15 spots up for grabs. Interestingly, Wulf picks UDFA running back Josh Adams to come away with the No. 4 RB spot, ahead of 2017 fourth-rounder Donnel Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood, and Matt Jones. The Eagles, in theory, could carry a fifth running back, but Wulf expects them to allocate that roster spot elsewhere.
  • The Dolphins recently conducted a private interview with Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander, according to a source who spoke with Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Miami also attended Alexander’s Pro Day, so he could be a real consideration for the team in next week’s supplemental draft.
2 comments Miami Dolphins New York Giants New York Jets Philadelphia Eagles

Only 14 NFL Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

By | at July 5, 2018 3:50 pm

As training camp draws near, the overwhelming majority of this year’s NFL Draft picks have inked their rookie contracts. As shown on PFR’s tracker, 242 rookies have put pen to paper, leaving only the following 14 players in limbo:

All but three of the unsigned players are in the first round, but the circumstances surrounding each negotiation are not the same. For those in the top 10, the holdup appears to be over offset language. When it comes to the players in the backend of the first round, agents are haggling over guarantees in the fourth year of the rookie contracts.

Before fans panic about potential holdouts, it’s important to remember that elongated negotiations are not uncommon, even under the simplified parameters set forth by the current CBA. Late last June, we had a dozen stragglers still waiting to sign their first NFL deals. The time to worry, if there ever is one, will come when training camp opens later this month.

0 comments 2018 NFL Draft PFR Originals

AFC North Notes: Browns, Steelers, Bell

By | at July 5, 2018 2:43 pm

The Browns overhauled much of their roster this offseason, but questions remain about how they will fill the void left by Joe Thomas‘ retirement, Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com writes. Shon Coleman will likely open training camp at No. 1, but there is a group waiting behind him, including second-round pick Austin Corbett, undrafted free agent Desmond Harrison, and new addition Greg Robinson.

If the Browns do not feel comfortable with any of those options, they could consider moving Joel Bitonio from guard to tackle. Bitonio played left tackle at Nevada, and the Browns have experimented with him at tackle in practice this offseason, but that transition would take one of the best guards in the game away from his best position.

“Just because you’re the best guy doesn’t mean you’re in the best spot,” offensive line coach Bob Wylie said. “Joel is an elite left guard. Could he play tackle? Sure, but it would take a while for him to learn the nuances. If he’s the best lineman, is he really the best left tackle? Not necessarily.”

In theory, the Browns could also explore out-of-house left tackle options, though the free agent market has mostly dried up at this stage of the offseason.

Here’s more from the AFC North:

3 comments Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers

Broncos Sign Rookie RB Royce Freeman

By | at July 5, 2018 1:10 pm

That’s a wrap. The Broncos have now signed every member of their 2018 draft class after inking Royce Freeman to his four-year rookie deal (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News). 

In accordance with his slot, the third-round pick will receive a signing bonus of $997K on his contract. As the No. 71 overall pick, he’s set to earn $3.46MM over the course of the deal.

Heading into the draft, Freeman felt that he deserved to be one of the top running backs selected. As it turns out, there were seven running backs drafted before him. Some evaluators believe that his 947 carries at Oregon worked against him, but Freeman doesn’t think his odometer should be viewed as a negative.

“I feel like all of that durability and all of those carries just reflected my productivity throughout my four years at Oregon,” Freeman said in May. “It is not often you get backs playing as many games or taking as many carries. I feel like the fact that I was able to do so proves I am a durable running back.”

The Broncos released C.J. Anderson earlier this offseason, leaving Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson as the leading candidates to become the team’s next top running back. However, Freeman’s durability and history of production suggests that he could see a big role right off of the bat. Recently, Broncos coach Vance Joseph said that Freeman “absolutely” has a chance to wind up on top if he has a strong training camp.

Here’s the complete rundown of the Broncos’ 2018 draft class:

0 comments 2018 NFL Draft Denver Broncos Transactions
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