HEADLINES

Month: June 2021

Packers Sign First-Round CB Eric Stokes

June 2nd, 2021 at 3:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Eric Stokes became the latest first-round pick to sign his rookie contract Wednesday. The Packers now have all but one member of their 2021 draft class signed.

Green Bay added Stokes with the 29th overall pick, continuing a heavy emphasis on the cornerback position in the draft. The Packers chose Jaire Alexander in the 2018 first round and have used first- or second-round picks on corners six times since 2015. Stokes will be expected to play a key role for the Packers as a rookie.

Scouts Inc. viewed the Georgia alum as a bit of a reach, ranking him 71st among this year’s prospects. The Packers were viewed by many — including the Ravens — to be eyeing Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman with their first-round pick, but Baltimore swooped in at No. 27 to select him. Stokes, however, was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2020 and a second-teamer in the powerhouse conference in 2019. He intercepted four passes last season and logged 18 throws defensed from 2018-19, seeing steady action in all three of his Bulldogs seasons. The 6-foot defender declared for the draft after his junior year.

The Packers have Alexander back, with the Louisville product positioned as a possible long-term No. 1 corner, and re-signed Kevin King this offseason. Stokes will join this mix. With this contract, only third-round wideout Amari Rodgers is unsigned from this year’s Packers draft haul.

Expanded Practice Squads, Adjusted IR Format Likely To Remain In 2021

June 2nd, 2021 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement calls for a 12-man practice squad in 2021, but the league’s 2020 COVID-19-induced expansion is expected to remain in place this coming season.

Sixteen-man practice squads are likely to stay for 2021, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). In addition, the 2020 modification that allowed teams more injured reserve flexibility is on track to return as well. Both teams and players supported these tweaks last year, creating momentum for their returns in 2021.

It was not too long ago that an IR designation meant a player was out for the season. The league has slowly allowed loosened the reins in this area, creating multiple IR-return slots during the 2010s. The pandemic, however, prompted the NFL and NFLPA to implement a policy that permitted teams to return players from IR to active rosters after just three weeks. Teams enjoyed an unlimited number of IR transactions in 2020, creating roster flexibility instead of a setup in which certain players needed to remain on IR despite having recovered from their respective injuries.

The CBA was set to expand practice squads to 12 last year and to 14 by 2022, but with the pandemic creating rampant uncertainty regarding player availability, the league’s taxi squads jumped from 10 to 16 from 2019-20. It appears fringe roster candidates will have more opportunities to develop on practice squads again this season.

The league and union remain in negotiations on the coming season’s COVID protocols, Pelissero tweets. The sides gave up on negotiating an offseason program, however, creating a muddled setup for OTAs and minicamps. But the sides appear to be in lockstep on certain fronts, allowing for rare cooperation.

Broken Collarbone For Bears’ Dazz Newsome

June 2nd, 2021 at 2:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Bears rookie wide receiver Dazz Newsome broke his collarbone in practice on Tuesday (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). That means surgery for the sixth-round pick, but Pelissero hears that it was a clean break. Essentially, the youngster is looking at an eight-week recovery that should allow him to participate in training camp.

Many expected the Bears to target a wideout in Round 1. Instead, they pushed their chips towards Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and addressed the need later on with Newsome. The Bears see him as a strong slot option, thanks to his lightning-quick speed. Other teams agreed, especially after seeing the UNC product notch 126 grabs for 1,702 yards and 16 touchdowns across his last two seasons on campus.

If he stays on track, Newsome has a good chance of sticking somewhere behind Allen Robinson and Damiere Byrd. But, if he’s not able to prove himself between now and the end of August, the Bears might have a tough time sneaking him through waivers.

49ers’ Weston Richburg Retires

June 2nd, 2021 at 1:58pm CST by Zachary Links

As expected, Weston Richburg is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the 49ers formally announced that the center will retire from the NFL. 

“I consider myself extremely blessed to have played in this league and am so grateful for the experiences over the last seven years,” Richburg said in a statement issued by the Niners. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of this game and I’ve reached a point where my body won’t allow me to continue playing and competing at a high level. I was able to play some good football all over the country and was fortunate enough to finish my career with the greatest franchise in sports.

“From top to bottom, the 49ers organization is comprised of some of the best men, women and athletes I’ve ever been around. To be just a small part of an NFC Championship and Super Bowl run is something I will never forget.”

Richburg, still shy of his 30th birthday in June, missed all of 2020 with injuries, including a torn patellar tendon, and was set to undergo hip surgery earlier this offseason. The former Giants second-round pick last played in December 2019.

The 49ers gave Richburg a five-year, $47.5MM contract in 2018. He played in 28 games for SF, but he was slowed by a torn patellar tendon and ultimately shelved by a serious hip injury. Now, Richburg will cheer them on from home as newcomer Alex Mack mans the middle.

Eagles, Dallas Goedert Discuss Extension

June 2nd, 2021 at 1:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Philadelphia might not be big enough for two big-time tight ends. But, while we wait to see what happens with Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert says he’s still in talks about a new multi-year deal (via NJ.com). 

“I think contract stuff is still in discussions, a little bit,” Goedert said. “I’m not too worried about that. I have to go out there and play really good football. I’ve got to worry about getting better 1% every single day … I’m leaving my contract stuff to my agent.”

Goedert is slated to earn $1.24MM this year and serve as the Eagles’ No. 1 TE. He’s been in the mix since his 2018 rookie year, though he’s spent the bulk of his career in Ertz’s shadow. After a 2019 campaign that saw him haul in 58 receptions for 607 yards and five scores, Goedert continued to produce through the first two-plus games of the 2020 season, hauling in 13 receptions for 138 yards and one score before succumbing to an ankle injury. After some time on IR, he returned to finish with 46 grabs, 524 yards, and three TDs in eleven games.

Moving forward, the Eagles have big plans for Goedert and young quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts still has plenty to go on his rookie deal, so their next step will be to keep key cogs like Goedert under club control.

“If I could get the contract extension, I would love to be in Philly forever,” Goedert said. “Having the second contract is the ultimate goal, so the sooner you can get to it, I feel like it’s the better. But, either way, whether I get it or not, I’m going to have the same mentality.”

Eagles’ Kerryon Johnson Takes Pay Cut

June 2nd, 2021 at 12:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Kerryon Johnson has a new contract. After the Eagles claimed him off of waivers, the former Lions running back agreed to a pay cut (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports). 

Johnson was set to earn about $1.4MM in the final year of his rookie contract. Now, with the restructure, he’ll make the veteran’s minimum of $920K. Meanwhile, the Eagles have an extra $446K to work with this year. His deal includes $0 in guaranteed cash, so there’s no risk involved for the Birds.

Johnson showed some promise as a rookie, averaging 5.4 yards per tote in 2018 and scoring four touchdowns in ten games. However, knee injuries sidetracked him from that point forward. In 2019, he hit the IR twice. Johnson didn’t miss time last year, but he lost ground to D’Andre Swift and Adrian Peterson.

Now, Johnson will be tasked with finding a spot in a crowded RB room. That means practicing/competing with the likes of Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Kenny Gainwell. The Eagles should be fairly set in the backfield, especially with the former second-round pick in the fold. They’ve also got a little bit of cash to upgrade elsewhere — about $8.3MM, per the NFLPA’s records.

Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch Drawing Trade Interest

June 2nd, 2021 at 12:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have received calls on Leighton Vander Esch (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Jane Slater). However, the Cowboys are not interested in trading the young linebacker. 

The Cowboys declined to pick up LVE’s fifth-year option earlier this year, so he’s set to be a free agent next spring. Still, the Boise State product and former first-rounder is still in their future plans. If all goes well this year, the Cowboys could even re-up Vander Esch with a long-term extension.

Picking up the option would’ve given LVE a fully guaranteed $9.145MM for 2022. Despite his talent, that’s a steep price for a player who has missed 13 games over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, the Cowboys invested a ’21 first-round pick in fellow ‘backer Micah Parsons, so they’re not exactly sold on Vander Esch and his long-term outlook.

Vander Esch made the Pro Bowl and the second-team All-Pro team as a rookie in 2018 That year, the No. 19 overall pick notched 140 tackles, seven passes defended, and two interceptions. But, last year, he finished with just 60 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and zero passes defended in ten contests.

Still, lots of teams can see a bright future for the 25-year-old. That includes the Cowboys, who plan to hold on to him for 2021.

Packers Gain $2MM In Cap Room

June 2nd, 2021 at 12:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers have some extra dollars to work with, thanks to some help from tight end Robert Tonyan (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). . In a rare move, Tonyan has been re-signed to a new deal that treats the bulk of his of $3.384MM restricted free agent tender as a bonus for salary cap purposes. Meanwhile, they’ve added four voidable years to the contract. All together, this gives Green Bay roughly $1.9MM more for this year’s cap. 

Tonyan, 27, effectively redshirted his rookie season. As an undrafted free agent, he hauled in just 14 catches through his first two seasons of action. Then, he had a breakout campaign in 2020, finishing with 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. Just last week, the Packers happily gave Tonyan a second-round tender to keep him from getting poached.

It’s worth noting that the tight end appeared in just 61-percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps last year. He could see an even larger role in 2021 as he teams with Marcedes Lewis. Of course, it’s not a given that Aaron Rodgers will be the one throwing the ball to him. But, between this revision and other recent moves, the Packers have carved out roughly $4.4MM in cap space — those dollars could be put towards a new deal for Rodgers, assuming the two sides can mend fences.

Bengals Sign Ja’Marr Chase

June 2nd, 2021 at 12:04pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s officially official. On Wednesday, the Bengals formally signed first-round wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. They also inked third-round defensive end Joseph Ossai, completing their ten-man draft class. 

Chase opted out of the 2020 season at LSU, but that didn’t bother NFL evaluators much. In the previous year, Chase set SEC single-season records in receiving yards (1,780) and receiving touchdowns (20). That same Burrow-led offense produced three skill position players that went in the first round of the 2020 draft, including Justin Jefferson. Chase, according to many scouts, is an even better prospect.

“I thought Chase was on a different level [than Jefferson],” one scout told The Athletic earlier this year. “Watching what Jefferson did this year (with the Vikings), that just makes me say, ‘Good Lord.’ Honestly, I thought (Chase) was the best receiver in the class last year.”

All in all, Chase’s 27 career games (21 starts) saw 98 catches for 2093 yards and 23 TDs. He also notched eight career 100-yard receiving games, including three 200-yard showings.

Here’s the full rundown of the Bengals’ 2021 draft class — now signed from top to bottom:

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