Month: June 2021

Pro Football Rumors Seeking Part-Time Writer

We’re looking to add a part-time contributor to the Pro Football Rumors writing team. The position pays on an hourly basis. Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Exceptional knowledge of all 32 NFL teams, with no discernible bias.
  • Knowledge of the salary cap and transaction-related concepts.
  • At least some college education.
  • Extensive writing experience, with professional experience and a background in journalism both strongly preferred.
  • Keen understanding of journalistic principles, ethics, and procedures. Completion of basic college-level journalism classes is strongly preferred.
  • Attention to detail — absolutely no spelling errors, especially for player and journalist names.
  • Ability to follow the site’s style and tone.
  • Ability to analyze articles and craft intelligent, well-written posts summing up the news in a few paragraphs. We need someone who can balance quick writing with thoughtful analysis. You must be able to add value to breaking news with your own insight, numbers, or links to other relevant articles.
  • Ability to use Twitter is crucial.
  • Strong weekend availability is crucial. You must be available to work between 1pm-4pm central time on Sundays and frequently be available to work between 5-11 pm CT on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Flexibility. You must be available to work on short notice.

If you’re interested, email pfrapplications@gmail.com by June 17th and take a couple of paragraphs to explain why you qualify and stand out. Many will apply, so unfortunately we cannot respond to every applicant.

Patriots Sign WR Marvin Hall

The Patriots have signed wide receiver Marvin Hall (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Details of the deal were not disclosed, but it’s likely a low-cost, one-year deal for the speedy veteran. 

Hall, a 2016 undrafted free agent out of Washington, seemed to have found a home with the Lions in 2020. After wandering the league early in his pro career, he managed 17 catches for 290 yards and two scores across eleven games. But, in an effort to see more from their younger players, the Lions cut him loose in December, leading him to the Browns.

Hall — who previously suited up for the Raiders, Cardinals, Falcons, and Bears — enjoyed a breakout performance in Week 8, catching four passes for 113 yards. Now, he’ll compete for a spot in New England where Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Jakobi Meyers headline the WR group. Special teams standout Matthew Slater is likely to keep his spot, even if he doesn’t see much time on offense. That leaves Hall, N’Keal Harry, seventh-round pick Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson, Gunner Olszewski, and Isaiah Zuber to battle for one or two remaining jobs this summer.

Ryan Tannehill, Titans Haven’t Discussed Restructure

Depending on who you ask, the Titans could be the frontrunner in the Julio Jones sweepstakes. But, if they want to trade for the Falcons superstar, they’ll have to free up some dollars first. A restructuring of Ryan Tannehill‘s deal would be a major help, but the quarterback says the two sides have yet to broach that topic. 

[RELATED: Latest On Titans, Julio Jones]

That’s up to [Titans GM Jon Robinson],” Tannehill said (via Ben Arthur of The Tennessean). “He’s going to have to figure that out if that’s something we want to do as an organization. I don’t know. It’s above my pay grade. If he comes to me, then we’ll have that conversation then.”

The Titans have Tannehill signed through 2023, thanks to the four-year, $118MM extension he signed in 2020. As a result, he’ll make $24.5MM in base salary this year with a $29.5MM cap hit. The Titans could kick the can down the road by converting a chunk of those dollars into a signing bonus. Then, they’d have extra room to add veterans this summer (i.e. Jones).

Jones’ contract runs for another three years, including $15.3MM for the coming year. He may also want more in the way of guarantees for 2022 and beyond. But, if the Titans want to make it happen, Tannehill would surely accommodate them with a restructure. From there, it’s just a matter of negotiating with the Falcons. New GM Terry Fontenot wants a first-round pick, but some believe he’d settle for a second rounder.

Details On Rex Burkhead’s Texans Deal

Earlier this week, the Texans added Rex Burkhead to their revamped running back group. Turns out, it didn’t cost them much. Burkhead’s one-year deal is worth $1.5MM, with his $125K signing bonus representing the only guaranteed cash (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). 

The Texans already seemed pretty well set at RB with Pro Bowlers Mark Ingram, David Johnson, and Phillip Lindsay in place. However, new GM Nick Caserio couldn’t pass up the opportunity to reunite with his old Patriots pal. With a mere $125K committed to the veteran, it’s hard to knock the move.

Burkhead, 30, comes to the Texans with ample experience and a reputation for soft hands out of the backfield. Across his 41 games in New England, Burkhead caught 96 passes for 856 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 8.9 yards per grab. He also ran for 1,026 yards on the ground, giving him a respectable 4.1 yards per tote average.

Unfortunately, Burkhead finished 2020 early, thanks to a November ACL tear. In ten games, he ran for 274 yards and three touchdowns on 67 carries. He also had 25 receptions for 192 yards and three TDs.

Now, he’ll compete with lesser known backs like Scottie Phillips, Buddy Howell, and Dontrell Hilliard for a spot on the roster. And, if he doesn’t outshine them, the Texans can shed his deal without tying up the books.

Steelers Interested In Malik Hooker 

Safety Malik Hooker met with the Steelers on Thursday, according to (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). So far, that’s three known visits for the former first-round pick. 

Hooker should find a home soon, now that we’re beyond May 3rd. From this point forward, teams can sign veterans like Hooker without a negative impact on their compensatory pick formula.

The Ohio State product was plagued by injury trouble throughout his Colts tenure. Still, he showed promise during his healthier stretches. After a seven-game rookie season, Hooker graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 14 ranked safety in 2018. That year, he suited up for 14 games and notched 44 stops with four passes defensed and two interceptions. Hooker followed that up with 13 games in 2019, but saw his 2020 mostly erased by an Achilles tear.

The Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds set to start with Antoine Brooks Jr., Miles Killebrew and seventh-round pick Tre Norwood in the backup mix. The Steelers turned down Edmunds’ fifth-year option for 2022, so there could be a long-term opportunity for Hooker in Pittsburgh, even if he initially inks a one-year deal.

Richard Sherman May Wait Until Training Camp To Sign

It’s been quiet on the Richard Sherman front, but there might be a reason why. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv writes that many around the NFL believe the veteran is going to “wait out training camp” to sign with a contender.

This isn’t a shocking move, and we’ve seen plenty of veterans take this route over the years. By waiting a bit for his next contract, Sherman isn’t only getting some extra rest as he enters his age-33 season. Rather, the five-time Pro Bowler can also wait to see if an alluring opportunity appears following injuries and roster cuts. Either way, he’ll get more time to evaluate his potential suitors.

Sherman has been a popular name this offseason. We most recently heard that he was in talks with the 49ers, where he had spent the past three years. Sherman has also had talks with the Seahawks, the team that he spent the first seven seasons of his career with, and he’s generated interest from the Raiders and Saints. The Jets have continually been mentioned as a potential suitor thanks to the presence of head coach Robert Saleh, who spent time with Sherman both in Seattle and San Francisco.

The Stanford product was limited to only five games this past year and recently turned 33, but he was still a second-team All-Pro in 2019. He’ll be an interesting gamble for a team, as he’s past his prime and coming off an injury-plagued year, but also played at a very high level not too long ago. The veteran has indicated that he’d like to play two more years.

Rams Sign Fourth-Round DL Bobby Brown III

The Rams continue to make progress on signing their rookie class. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed fourth-round nose tackle Bobby Brown III.

The six-foot-four, 321-pound rookie established himself as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the draft following three standout seasons at Texas A&M. The lineman took it to another level in 2020, finishing with 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, resulting in him being selected with the No. 117 pick in the 2021 draft.

Brown earned high marks from scouts thanks to his size and versatility, although some pundits questioned his energy. He’ll likely find himself behind Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph, and A’Shawn Robinson on the depth chart.

The Rams have just about signed their entire draft class. Following today’s move, the team only has two unsigned draft picks remaining: third-round linebacker Ernest Jones (South Carolina) and fourth-round wide receiver Jacob Harris (UCF).

Eagles Sign Three More Draft Picks

DeVonta Smith wasn’t the only member of the Eagles draft class to get a contract today. The team also signed third-round defensive lineman Milton Williams, fourth-round cornerback Zech McPhearson, and fifth-round running back Kenneth Gainwell.

[RELATED: Eagles Sign DeVonta Smith]

Williams had a productive four-year stint (including a redshirt year) at Louisiana Tech, collecting 108 and 10.5 sacks during his collegiate career. After earning first-team All-Conference USA in 2020, the Eagles used the No. 73 pick to take him in the 2021 draft. The rookie is expected to compete for backup reps behind Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.

McPhearson transferred from Penn State to Texas Tech in 2019, and the move helped put the defensive back on the NFL radar. The 23-year-old earned a number of accolades for his performance in 2020 (including first-team All-Big 12), leading to him being taken with the No. 123 pick.

After serving as a quarterback in high school, Gainwell transitioned to running back while he was at Memphis. He had a breakout campaign in 2019, collecting 2,069 yards from scrimmage to go along with 16 touchdowns. The running back opted out of the 2020 campaign.

Following today’s signings, the Eagles still have a handful of unsigned draft picks:

Round 2: No. 37 Landon Dickerson, C (Alabama)
Round 6: No. 189 Marlon Tuipulotu, DT (USC)
Round 6: No. 191 (from Broncos via Panthers) Tarron Jackson, DE (Coastal Carolina)
Round 6: No. 224 JaCoby Stevens, S (LSU)
Round 7: No. 234 Patrick Johnson, DE (Tulane)

Chiefs Release LB Kamalei Correa

Less than a month after signing with the Chiefs, Kamalei Correa has been handed his walking papers. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that Kansas City has released the veteran linebacker.

The 27-year-old signed with the Chiefs in May after splitting the 2020 campaign between Tennessee and Jacksonville. He started the season with the Titans, but he was traded to the Jaguars in mid-October. He ultimately finished the season having seen time in nine games (six starts) with nine tackles and a pair of QB hits.

After spending the first two seasons of his career with the Ravens, the former second-round pick was traded to the Titans in 2018. He spent two-plus seasons in Tennessee, collecting 8.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 32 games.

Correa joined the Chiefs as a potential depth piece that could bounce around the front seven. Since the start of camp, the team has presumably liked what they’ve seen from their young pass rushers, including second-round pick Nick Bolton. This could also mean that Taco Charlton, who was limited to only seven games in 2020, is on the mend.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/3/21

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Washington Football Team