2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Texans Rework OL Laremy Tunsil’s Contract

March 15th, 2022 at 6:05pm CST by Ben Levine

Laremy Tunsil is staying in Houston. The veteran offensive lineman has agreed to a restructured deal with the Texans, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com.

The Texans converted Tunsil‘s base salary into a signing bonus, opening $8.4MM in cap space. The team also reduced the player’s cap number from $26.1MM to $17.7MM. The lineman’s $18.5MM salary for 2023 remains unchanged. Tunsil inked a three-year, $66MM extension with the Texans in 2020.

Tunsil had been mentioned as a trade candidate, and reports confirmed that the two-time Pro Bowler was on the block. That was partly due to Tunsil’s salary, but former first-round pick Tytus Howard showed promise when playing at tackle last season, making the veteran expendable.

Tunsil was traded from the Dolphins to Houston in 2019 for a pair of first-round picks. He earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his first two seasons with the organization, but he missed out in 2021 after he was limited to only five games thanks to a thumb injury.

Panthers To Sign RB D’Onta Foreman

March 15th, 2022 at 5:43pm CST by Ben Levine

Christian McCaffrey should (hopefully) be back in full force next season, but his supporting cast will look a bit different. The Panthers are signing running back D’Onta Foreman, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Foreman will sign a one-year deal worth $2MM, according to Josina Anderson (on Twitter).

Foreman had a standout career at Texas, but he struggled to put it together during his first four seasons in the NFL. He finally emerged in 2021 with the Titans while filling in for Derrick Henry. Foreman ultimately finished last season with 566 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 133 carries. He also added another 123 yards via nine receptions.

The 2017 third-round pick previously spent time with Texans, Colts, Titans (first stint), and Falcons. Prior to 2021, Foreman had collected only 421 rushing yards in 17 career games.

Rookie Chuba Hubbard ended up starting 10 games as a rookie while filling in for McCaffrey last season, and the fourth-round pick will likely serve as McCaffrey’s top backup in 2022. Foreman could find himself third on the depth chart, but depending on the guarantees, he could end up competing with the likes of Ameer Abdullah and Spencer Brown for a roster spot. On the flip side, considering McCaffrey’s injury history, there’s a chance the team stocks up at the position.

NFL Announces Compensatory Picks For 2022 Draft

March 15th, 2022 at 5:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2022 draft. These picks are awarded to the teams that suffered the most significant free agent losses during the 2021 offseason.

This year, the NFL awarded 39 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks.

This year’s formula also includes the changes made last year, when teams began receiving third-round comp picks due to the hiring of minority head coaches and general managers. Seven such picks were awarded this year. The 49ers landed two additional third-rounders this year, obtaining the extra selections for the Jets’ 2021 Robert Saleh hire and the Dolphins hiring Mike McDaniel this year. Miami’s McDaniel hire will give San Francisco another third-rounder in 2023.

The Chiefs obtained a third-rounder for the Bears’ Ryan Poles GM hire, while the Browns landed a third because of the Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah GM hire. The Ravens collected their second third-round for the Texans’ 2021 David Culley hire; Culley has since been fired. The Saints and Rams obtained one apiece after seeing the Falcons and Lions hire minority execs Terry Fontenot and Brad Holmes as GMs in 2021. New Orleans and Detroit also landed thirds because of players given high-value contacts last year (Trey Hendrickson and Kenny Golladay, respectively).

Here is the full list of 2022 compensatory selections:

By round:

Round 3: Lions (No. 97 overall), Saints (98), Browns (99)*, Ravens (100)*, Saints (101)*, 49ers (102)*, Chiefs (103)*, Rams (104)*, 49ers (105)*

Round 4: Steelers (No. 138), Ravens (139), Packers (140), Ravens (141), Rams (142), Titans (143)

Round 5: Cowboys (No. 176), Lions (177), Cowboys (178), Colts (179)

Round 6: Rams (No. 211), Rams (212), Falcons (213), Chargers (214), Cardinals (215), Colts (216), Lions (217), Rams (218), Titans (219), 49ers (220), 49ers (221)

Round 7: Chargers (No. 254), Chargers (255), Cardinals (256), Cardinals (257), Packers (258), Chiefs (259), Chargers (260), Buccaneers (261), 49ers (262)

By team:

San Francisco 49ers (5)
Los Angeles Rams (5)
Los Angeles Chargers (4)
Arizona Cardinals (3)
Baltimore Ravens (3)
Detroit Lions (3)
Dallas Cowboys (2)
Green Bay Packers (2)
Indianapolis Colts (2)
Kansas City Chiefs (2)
New Orleans Saints (2)
Tennessee Titans (2)
Atlanta Falcons (1)
Cleveland Browns (1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1)

* = special compensatory selection

Browns Join Cowboys, Rams In Mix For Von Miller

March 15th, 2022 at 5:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Count the Browns as a third team in the hunt for Von Miller, joining the Cowboys and Rams. Cleveland, which has seen Jadeveon Clowney reach free agency, is interested in signing the future Hall of Fame edge rusher, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

This market has heated to the point a $16MM-per-year deal will be considered the low end, with Wilson adding it could reach the point of a $20MM-AAV contract. Miller played out his six-year, $114.1MM Broncos-constructed deal in Los Angeles but indicated he would explore free agency for the first time.

The Rams have made their interest known for weeks, but the Cowboys have dived into this market after losing Randy Gregory to the Broncos at the final hour. Miller previously said he wanted to return to L.A., and a report earlier Tuesday indicated the Dallas-area native is interested in playing for his hometown team. The Browns represent a wild card here.

Cleveland already rosters one of the highest-paid defensive players, having given Myles Garrett a $25MM-per-year pact in 2020. Miller would mark a considerable pass-rushing upgrade on Clowney, who is more of an all-around defender than an elite sack artist. Miller, 33 next week, is perhaps this generation’s best pass rusher. He again showed those chops to close out his contract year, registering nine sacks in the Rams’ final eight games to help the franchise to its second Super Bowl title.

Cap space-wise, the Cowboys have created enough in recent days to lead the way with $28MM-plus. The Browns hold nearly $20MM, while the Rams possess … less money. A day away from the 2022 league year, Los Angeles still sits more than $20MM over the cap.

Giants To Sign QB Tyrod Taylor

March 15th, 2022 at 5:16pm CST by Ben Levine

The Giants have been looking for a high-level backup for Daniel Jones, and they’ve apparently found one. The team is signing quarterback Tyrod Taylor, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Taylor is inking a two-year deal worth $11MM and a max value of $17MM, according to Rapoport (on Twitter). The QB will get $8.5MM in guaranteed money, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

The Giants were reportedly in the market for a player who could provide some competition in the QB room, with Mitchell Trubisky among their targets before he landed in Pittsburgh. This logic makes sense; Jones has been inconsistent during his three seasons in the NFL. He went 4-7 as a starter in 2021, and while he completed a career-high 64.3 percent of his passes, he also tossed only 10 touchdowns vs. seven interceptions. While the team has committed to Jones for next season, they also want to provide him with some competition.

So, in comes Taylor. The veteran joined the Texans last year, and he ended up getting six starts for his new team. He went 2-4 in these contests, completing 60.7 percent of his passes for 966 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions. He added another 151 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. There is some familiarity with the QB and the front office; new Giants GM Joe Schoen crossed paths with Taylor when the two were in Buffalo.

While the Texans sound set with Davis Mills as their quarterback in 2022, the team did have some interest in retaining Taylor. We heard earlier this week that Houston was impressed by the QB’s professionalism and ability to mentor the team’s younger quarterbacks.

Panthers To Re-Sign Marquis Haynes

March 15th, 2022 at 5:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Marquis Haynes will be sticking with the Panthers. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports (via Twitter) that the Panthers have re-signed the linebacker/defensive end. It’s a two-year deal for Haynes.

Haynes was a fourth-round pick by the Panthers back in 2018, and he’s carved out a role for himself on defense in recent years. While he still doesn’t have a start to his name, Haynes has still appeared in 47 career games, including 32 over the past two seasons.

After finishing with four sacks in 2020, the 28-year-old collected another three sacks to go along with 20 tackles in 2021.

His ability to play both linebacker and defensive end make hims a versatile piece in the Panthers 3-4 defense. He’ll likely continue to play that role in 2022.

49ers DE Dee Ford Reworks Contract

March 15th, 2022 at 5:02pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers have opened up a chunk of cap space. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), the 49ers have restructured the contract of defensive end Dee Ford.

Following a trade in 2019, the 49ers inked the pass rusher to a five-year, $87.5MM deal. Last March, he agreed to scale it down to a two-year pact worth $24MM. Today’s move will create $4.96MM in 2022 cap space.

The 49ers traded for Ford during the 2019 offseason and saw him play a key role in their Super Bowl LIV run as a part-timer. Unfortunately, he’s been limited to just 18 regular season games in SF over the last two seasons and change.

The 30-year-old got into six games in 2021, collecting three sacks and four QB hits. However, his season ended on injured reserve with back and neck injuries.

Vikings To Sign LB Jordan Hicks

March 15th, 2022 at 4:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not long after being made a Cardinals cap casualty, Jordan Hicks found a new home. The Vikings are signing the veteran linebacker, Adam Caplan of Sirius XM Radio tweets.

Hicks has agreed to a two-year contract worth $10MM, Caplan adds, noting the deal includes $6.5MM guaranteed. Incentives can take the price up to $12MM. This will be Hicks’ third team; he has played every-down roles for his previous two (Philadelphia and Arizona).

The Cardinals allowed Hicks to seek a trade after they drafted Zaven Collins last year, but the team ended up keeping Hicks in his usual full-time role. Hicks played 97% of the Cards’ defensive snaps last season, starting in all 18 Arizona games. The Cards have drafted off-ball ‘backers in each of the past two first rounds (Collins and Isaiah Simmons), leaving them less needy of a veteran presence like Hicks, who is set for his age-30 season in 2022.

A Super Bowl LII starter with Philly, Hicks has also rebounded from his injury-plagued Eagles tenure. He did not miss a game in three Cardinals seasons. Hicks made 150 tackles in 2019 and surpassed 110 in each of his next two seasons, totaling 29 tackles for loss with Arizona.

The Vikings may be set to use him alongside Eric Kendricks. An eight-year Viking, Anthony Barr is a free agent. Minnesota is also starting over after eight seasons of Mike Zimmer leading its defense. Ed Donatell is now at the controls, and Minnesota is shifting to a 3-4 defense for the first time in decades.

Colts To Sign CB Brandon Facyson

March 15th, 2022 at 4:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Gus Bradley is the Colts new defensive coordinator, but he’s also helping the front office by recruiting some former players. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the Colts have signed former Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson. It’s a one-year deal for the defensive back.

Following three somewhat anonymous seasons with the Chargers, he caught on with the Raiders practice squad in 2021. He ended up transforming into one of the most dependable members of Bradley’s defense, compiling 55 tackles, 13 passes defended, and one pick in 12 games (nine starts).

Xavier Rhodes remains unsigned, but one of Facyson or Kenny Moore could pick up the slack (alongside Rock Ya-Sin) in the Colts’ secondary.

Latest On Randy Gregory’s FA Decision, Cowboys’ Von Miller Interest

March 15th, 2022 at 4:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked to Chandler Jones or a Von Miller reunion, the Broncos instead went with a younger pass rusher. They gave Randy Gregory a five-year, $70MM deal that includes $28MM guaranteed. Those terms were also present in the Cowboys’ offer, one it appeared Gregory was prepared to accept earlier Tuesday.

Gregory, 29, had initially agreed to join the Broncos, but Mike Garafolo of NFL.com notes the veteran edge rusher told the Cowboys he would stay if the team matched Denver’s offer (video link). That explains the identical terms. One part in the Cowboys’ proposal looks to have caused Gregory’s second course change.

The Cowboys included language in their contract indicating guaranteed money could be voided or withheld based on fines or a suspension, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets. This provision irked Gregory’s camp, with Jane Slater of NFL.com adding the defensive end felt it was inserted “at the 11th hour” (Twitter link). Such a clause is not present in Gregory’s Denver deal, per Slater.

This language was present in Gregory’s rookie contract, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets, but Gregory was incensed at the inclusion this time around. Upon hearing the Cowboys planned to include a forfeiture clause, Gregory apparently responded, “F*** them,” Werder tweets.

However, some Cowboys pushback emerged. The Cowboys, understandably, are not happy with how this all went down, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link). The Cowboys are believed to have included this forfeiture language in every player’s deal save for Dak Prescott, Hill adds, with Werder noting this is not a Cowboys-specific clause (Twitter links).

Suspensions frequently cause players’ guarantees to void, and Slater adds the Cowboys were open to adjusting the language (Twitter link). The difference here is a Cowboys clause that would void Gregory’s guarantees in the event of a fine, something Gregory’s agent (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk) said he had not seen “in 30 years” in the business. Once the hiccup emerged, Gregory’s agent gave the Cowboys a chance to remove the language. They did not, Florio adds, noting that Jerry Jones involved himself after it became clear the Cowboys were on the verge of losing Gregory.

Contracts cannot be made official for free agents who change teams until the new league year begins Wednesday afternoon, but it appears Gregory is headed out of town after seven rocky years in Dallas. Gregory has been suspended four times, with marijuana-based issues leading to much of the trouble, Mike Klis of 9News notes (on Twitter). The NFL has relaxed its stance on weed over the past several years, and Gregory has not run into trouble since the 2010s.

The Cowboys have now set their sights on Miller, with Werder adding the team has a strong interest in bringing the Dallas-area native back home. However, this depends on Miller’s asking price. After the Super Bowl 50 MVP played a key role in the Rams’ run to Super Bowl LVI — a game in which Miller sacked Joe Burrow twice — the soon-to-be 33-year-old moved near the top of this year’s free agency crop. Although the Cowboys are believed to hold considerable appeal for Miller, they will need to pay up to secure his services. The Rams are interested in bringing back both Miller and Odell Beckham Jr.