2020 March - Pro Football Rumors

NFC East Notes: Cooper, Williams, Bryant, Jenkins

March 14th, 2020 at 7:59pm CST by Marc Delucchi

In good news for Cowboys fans and management, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports speculates that there may not be as robust a free-agent market for wide receiver Amari Cooper as expected. Cooper would be the biggest name free-agent receiver to hit the open market without a franchise tag in some time, but Robinson notes that the incredible depth of this year’s NFL Draft class at wide receiver might make teams more skittish about resetting the market to sign Cooper. Granted, Robinson also adds, “it only takes one suitor.”

Here are some more notes from around the NFC East:

Washington’s negotiations with star left tackle Trent Williams have been well documented since last offseason. The ultimate fallout led Williams to sit out all of last season. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that negotiations disintegrated when Williams asked for quarterback money. Of course, it’s hard to know what that specifically means. Some lower-tier quarterbacks (like Mike Glennon and Case Keenum) have received deals with average values only slightly above the highest-paid tackles around the league.
Cowboys wide receiver Ventell Bryant was arrested on a DUI charge in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, per Greg Auman of The Athletic. In Bryant’s arrest report, the arresting officer notes that Bryant admitted to having a number of drinks before getting behind the wheel and tested at a blood-alcohol level of .102 and .099 on a breathalyzer (well above the legal limit of .08). Bryant made Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Temple and emerged as a key contributor on special teams in his rookie season.
The Eagles face a difficult decision surrounding the contract of veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins, according to ESPN staff writer Tim McManus. Philadelphia must decide whether to enact a club option in Jenkins’ contract before the start of the new league year on March 18th for $7.6MM. However, Jenkins has made clear that he will not play under those terms. He had wanted a new contract prior to last season but was willing to play under his contract in 2020. While Jenkins has remained an elite defensive back, the Eagles have been tentative to give the 32-year old a new contract that could pay him into his mid-30s.

One Agent Claims 28 Of 30 Clients Voted For CBA

March 14th, 2020 at 6:56pm CST by Marc Delucchi

The deadline for players to vote on the NFL’s proposed extension to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is tonight at midnight. While it is far from a scientific exit poll, one agent tells Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that 28 of his 30 clients voted in favor of the proposal. La Canfora adds that “a good portion of his clients are rank-and-file guys and not superstars.”

As has been well covered since the league surprisingly approved this proposal at the start of the month, many of the league’s stars and most prominent players strongly oppose the deal. However, the league keenly pandered to more rank-and-file players and if La Canfora’s report proves to be somewhat representative of the final tally, they appear poised to carry the vote to an approval.

It would be a shockingly early resolution to labor negotiations that were expected to be one of the nastiest disputes in league history. Both the league and player leaders have been advising their members for some time to brace themselves for a work stoppage after the coming NFL season. Instead, the current deal seems poised to never actually expire.

NFL And NFLPA Will Meet Following CBA Vote

March 14th, 2020 at 5:50pm CST by Marc Delucchi

While nearly all major sports leagues have either suspended or canceled upcoming events, the NFL has yet to make any drastic changes to their offseason schedule. Obviously, unlike most other leagues, that are currently in season, the NFL lacks the same pressure since their largest public events (e.g. NFL Draft, Training Camp, etc.) are still at least a month away, but as the COVID-19 (a.k.a coronavirus) epidemic has reached the level of a global pandemic, it has become clearer that even the NFL will be impacted.

According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, the NFL and NFLPA will meet on Sunday to discuss short and long-term plans for the offseason in reaction to the virus. Furthermore, Maske notes that free agency, at least at the moment, appears set to stay on schedule, however, there seems to be a real possibility offseason workouts are delayed.

While free agency does not require travel from players, agents, and teams, it does seem peculiar to try and continue business as usual amidst such abnormal circumstances. Mike Klis of 9News pointed out on Twitter that “there are competitive disadvantages for teams that have shut down their buildings.” It’s also reasonable to expect members from all around the NFL community to contract the virus. Owners, front-office employees, coaches, agents, and players are all at risk and one wonders if as soon as one person is diagnosed with COVID-19 the league will suspend operation (much in the way the NBA reacted to Rudy Gobert’s diagnosis).

Another complicating factor for the league is the ongoing CBA negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA. The NFLPA is currently voting on the league’s proposal and both sides may be more willing to delay the offseason if the deal is ratified. Granted, there are a number of critics and arguments in opposition of the deal as well.

Ravens In Mix For Christian Kirksey

March 14th, 2020 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Christian Kirksey made three visits this week, and the former Browns starter wants to choose a new team soon. In addition to the Bills, Packers and Raiders, a fourth suitor may be lurking.

The Ravens have entered the mix for Kirksey, with ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson reporting they have communicated with the recently available linebacker (Twitter link). Kirksey has not visited the Ravens but did trek to Buffalo, Las Vegas and Green Bay this week.

The Browns made the 27-year-old off-ball ‘backer a cap casualty earlier this week, but a fairly sizable market has emerged for the longtime starter. Prior to injury-plagued 2018 and ’19 seasons, Kirksey combined for 286 tackles from 2016-17. The Ravens also have questions at this spot. Patrick Onwuasor and Josh Bynes are free agents. Baltimore did, however, extend in-season addition L.J. Fort. But the team will likely add inside linebacker help in free agency or the draft.

Since Kirksey is a street free agent, he will not count toward the compensatory formula. The Ravens have been known to prioritize those selections, holding a substantial lead on the rest of the NFL in accumulating those. They are projected to hold just $21MM in cap space. That number lags well behind the Bills’ $81MM and Raiders’ $55MM in offseason funds.

Latest On NFL’s Free Agency Start Date

March 14th, 2020 at 4:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

As of Saturday afternoon, the 2020 league year remains scheduled to start March 18. The legal tampering window opening at 10:59am CT is still the plan as well. But the COVID-19 pandemic has already altered the league’s pre-draft process and will force the NFL and NFLPA to discuss a delay to the league year.

The league and the union will discuss postponing free agency on Sunday, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter). This has been the expectation, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noting the league does not want to announce any delays before the players’ CBA vote. The deadline for said vote remains 10:59pm Saturday.

While the NFL and NFLPA will discuss delaying the league year, Maske adds that the expectation remains for the NFL to conduct business as usual. Although select team officials have expressed skepticism the league would still start free agency on time, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com also notes (via Twitter) a postponement is unlikely. The NFL cannot unilaterally make a decision to postpone the league year, however, as Maske notes the NFLPA must also sign off on a delay (Twitter link).

Coronavirus caused the NBA and NHL to suspend their seasons and Major League Baseball to pause spring training and delay its regular-season start date. Boxing matches have been canceled as well. The NFL does not have to make a decision on this level, but logistical issues will crop up if the 2020 league year begins on time.

Most of the top free agents do not take visits but do show up at team facilities for physicals and press conferences. Workouts and facility visits are also part of the free agency process for certain free agents, so it is uncertain how such processes would unfold. The league has canceled visits and workouts for draft-eligible players and is pondering changes to the draft.

The NFL has also delayed its league year in the not-so-distant past. The 2011 lockout caused free agency to be postponed by more than four months, preceding a late-summer frenzy of player movement.

Falcons, FB Keith Smith Agree To Extension

March 14th, 2020 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Falcons took care of one of their free agents Saturday, reaching an extension agreement with fullback Keith Smith. The team announced the parties agreed on a three-year contract.

Cut by the Raiders after training camp, Smith latched on with the Falcons just before the 2019 regular season. He played 198 offensive snaps with Atlanta — the sixth-most among fullbacks last season — and is now locked up through the 2022 season.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old blocking back has played six NFL seasons. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys and one with the Raiders. Smith’s 2020 base salary will likely be determined by the players’ decision on the CBA, which is due at 10:59pm CT Saturday. If the agreement is ratified, minimum-salary players will receive an approximate $100K salary spike.

Devonta Freeman is not a lock to return as the team’s backfield centerpiece, but Smith is set to reprise his role as the team’s blocking back. It is not yet certain who will be the beneficiaries of Smith blocks, however.

Raiders Eyeing Early-Round QBs?

March 14th, 2020 at 3:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the NFL banning pre-draft visits for the remainder of the 2020 cycle, the market for this year’s top quarterback prospects will be murkier than usual. As this new reality begins, though, some Raiders news on this topic has emerged.

The Raiders hold two first-round picks — at Nos. 12 and 19 — and growing buzz has surfaced regarding the team using the second of these picks on a quarterback, Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes (subscription required).

Should Jordan Love fall to No. 19, the Utah State prospect staying in that region and trekking to Las Vegas could be in play, per Tafur. The Dolphins got in a last-minute visit with Love before the NFL nixed such meetings Friday, so teams’ Love interest may be more difficult to pin down. He’s been linked to both teams in the top 10 and mentioned as a candidate to fall in the first round. Love will be one of this year’s most intriguing prospects.

The Raiders are “very high on” Oklahoma dual-threat passer Jalen Hurts, Tafur notes. It would almost certainly not require the No. 19 overall pick to nab the ex-Alabama starter, but a trade-back plan for Hurts could be in play come Day 2 of the draft.

It seems the Raiders have backed off in the Tom Brady pursuit, being since linked to a Derek Carr–Marcus Mariota position battle. An early quarterback pick would be an interesting decision if the Raiders land Mariota in free agency, but this team has been frequently mentioned in quarterback rumors for most of Jon Gruden‘s two years back at the helm.

After two years of Carr going unchallenged, and with the Raiders not using any draft capital to bolster the position, it appears the team will make a move to add to its QB depth chart in the coming months.

Broncos Notes: Harrises, Wolfe, OL, RBs

March 14th, 2020 at 2:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos both traded for A.J. Bouye (and a $13MM salary) and used their franchise tag on Justin Simmons, signaling Chris Harris‘ time in Denver was almost certainly up. The four-time Pro Bowler said during an NFL Network appearance the door is “pretty much” closed on a 10th Broncos season (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala). The decorated cornerback is expected to have at least 10 teams pursuing him, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. The Browns, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Jets, Lions, Raiders, Seahawks and Texans are expected to have “strong” interest in signing the 30-year-old defender, Renck adds. This list interestingly omits the Eagles, who have been linked to Harris at multiple junctures over the past five months.

Although Harris is arguably the best slot cornerback in NFL history, his consistent usage as a boundary player as well will likely push his market near the current corner standard of $15MM per year. He turned down the Broncos’ three-year, $36MM proposal before the trade deadline.

Here is the latest out of Denver:

Denver’s Week 1 starting defensive line consisted of Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis. All three are poised to hit the market, with Gotsis doing so after being benched early in the season. Shelby Harris would prefer to stay in Denver but has acknowledged, at 28, this is his lone chance at a big payday. The Colts are among the teams interested in the late-blooming D-lineman, Renck notes.
On the Wolfe subject, the eight-year veteran has been the most vocal about returning to Denver. His agent’s Combine meeting with the Broncos led him to believe he will hit the market. “[The Broncos] talked to my agent at the Combine. … It looks like they’re going to let me hit free agency, see what the market is,” Wolfe said during an interview with KOA Radio (via DNVR Sports’ Andrew Mason, on Twitter). “… It’s a nice way of saying, ‘We like you; we love you, but not for that kind of money.” The Broncos may bring back Wolfe or Shelby Harris, but not both. The team drafted Dre’Mont Jones in Round 3 last year, so it may be covered at one of its defensive end spots. Wolfe, 29, said during an interview with Sirius XM Radio (audio link) he is eyeing two to four more seasons.
The Broncos’ interest in a running back stems not necessarily from their current regime’s desire to replace Phillip Lindsay but to complement him, per Renck, who adds the team is expected to add a bigger back in either free agency or the draft. Royce Freeman has underwhelmed in that role over the past two seasons.
The Broncos plan to pursue a guard on the market, Renck notes (on Twitter). They declined Ronald Leary‘s 2020 option, so a replacement will be needed. They also may try to add a swing tackle and are likely to draft a tackle, which makes sense given left tackle Garett Bolles‘ struggles.
Elijah Wilkinson was supposed to work as a Broncos swing man in 2019, but Ja’Wuan James‘ near-season-long absence thrust Wilkinson into Denver’s right tackle spot. He spent time as a first-string guard in 2018 and stands to factor into the Broncos’ 2020 plans at one of those two positions. The team is expected to use a priority tender on Wilkinson, per Renck. This will likely mean a second-round tender. That will cost more than $3MM.

Redskins To Franchise G Brandon Scherff

March 14th, 2020 at 1:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two days before the twice-moved tag deadline, the Redskins will not take any chances with Brandon Scherff. As a result, the NFL will have its first franchise-tagged guard since 2011. This year’s O-line tag comes in at $14.8MM.

The Redskins will use their top tag on Scherff, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). This was the expectation, but it still marks a notable change of sorts for the guard position. This will take a three-time Pro Bowler off the market. Scherff joins Matt Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, Hunter Henry and Justin Simmons among this year’s franchise-tagged contingent.

Washington will use the exclusive franchise tag on Scherff, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This is in dispute, however, with Rapoport and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicating it’s the non-exclusive tag (Twitter links). The latter scenario would make more sense, given the implausibility of a team trading two first-round picks for a guard.

While Scherff has battled injuries in recent years, he would have been a strong candidate to become the NFL’s highest-paid guard had the Redskins let him hit the market. The sides’ negotiations did not produce a deal. They will have until July 15 to finalize an extension, or Scherff will play on the tag.

No team has franchised a guard since the Patriots kept Logan Mankins off the market nine years ago. The tag system groups all offensive linemen together. A guard tag being worth the same as a tackle tag has undoubtedly influenced teams’ thinking in recent years, thus allowing several high-end guards to hit free agency.

Washington drafted Scherff at No. 5 overall and immediately moved the Iowa tackle to guard. Scherff, 28, has started all 65 games in which he’s played. He only missed two games from 2015-17 but has been absent for 13 over the past two years. Shoulder and elbow injuries shut Scherff down in 2019; a torn pectoral muscle ended his 2018 season. When on the field, however, Scherff has been one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen.

Lions Re-Sign LS Don Muhlbach

March 14th, 2020 at 12:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Don Muhlbach is returning to Detroit for a 17th season. The team announced today that they’ve re-signed the veteran long snapper.

While terms of the deal aren’t known, ESPN’s Michael Rothstein assumes that it’s a minimum-salary pact. Muhlbach has played the past few seasons under this kind of deal.

The 38-year-old has made all 244 of his career appearance with the Lions, and he’s only missed a single game since the start of the 2006 season. As Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com points out, Muhlbach is second in franchise history in games played (behind kicker Jason Hanson). The long snapper earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods (2012, 2018) during his career.

As Rothstein notes, the long snapper will some have competition for the gig in 2020. The organization signed James Fisher to a futures contract earlier this offseason.