2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Browns, DT Taven Bryan Agree To Deal

March 14th, 2022 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns will take a flier on a former first-round pick. Ex-Jaguars top draft choice Taven Bryan will switch AFC employers, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

Cleveland is adding the fifth-year defensive tackle on a one-year deal worth up to $5MM. Bryan did not catch on in Jacksonville but will have an opportunity to rebound as a depth piece in Ohio.

Despite housing a host of quality D-linemen in 2018, the Jags drafted Bryan 29th overall. The Florida product managed to start 17 games, mostly during the 2019 and ’20 seasons, but did not see his fifth-year option picked up and was used strictly as a rotational player last season. Bryan registered two sacks and eight QB hits as a backup in 2021.

The Browns have some issues to sort out at defensive tackle. Malik Jackson, who was ahead of Bryan on the 2018 Jags’ depth chart, is a free agent. Malik McDowell, who surprised by moving into the Browns’ starting lineup last season, is not expected back after an offseason arrest. McDowell’s departure is not yet official. The Browns can tender him as an exclusive rights free agent.

Bills To Sign DT Tim Settle

March 14th, 2022 at 5:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Tim Settle is heading north. The defensive tackle is signing with the Bills, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

It’s a two-year deal for Settle. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that the deal is worth $9MM and a max of $10.6MM. The deal contains $7MM in guaranteed money, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter).

The 2018 fifth-round pick out of Virginia Tech had spent his entire career with Washington, missing only a pair of games. Used mostly in a platoon role (only two starts), Settle collected seven sacks during his four season with Washington. The six-foot-three, 308-pound defensive lineman also collected 12 QB hits and 12 tackle for loss.

Following a 2020 season where he finished with a career-high five sacks, Settle was unable to compile a single sack in 2021. He still managed to collect 13 tackles while getting into 20 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

Considering his familiarity with the organization, Washington was keeping tabs on the free agent, per ESPN’s John Keim (on Twitter). Ultimately, Settle decided to take his talents up north.

Darrel Williams To Test Free Agency

March 14th, 2022 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Darrel Williams had a breakout season with the Chiefs in 2021, but he may be headed elsewhere this week. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the two sides haven’t been able to reach a new deal.

Williams, who will be 27 by the start of next season, took a step forwards in terms of production in each of his first three years in Kansas City. His fourth with the team saw him receive 144 carries – by far a career-high – as he split duties with Clyde Edwards-Helaire. His performance likely earned him a fair-sized second contract.

Williams posted 558 yards and six touchdowns on the ground in 2021. He added 47 catches for 452 yards and another two scores in the passing game, showing his value in both aspects of the team’s offense. His 1,010 scrimmage yards had the Chiefs interested in keeping the former UDFA in the fold, but the team is already projected to be over the cap by roughly $6.25MM with other pending free agents, including Tyrann Mathieu, left to be re-signed.

On the open market, Williams will join a free agent RB class including the likes of Leonard Fournette, Melvin Gordon and Raheem Mostert. Given the timing of his breakout year, he should be able to comfortably eclipse the $3.3MM he’s made so far in his career. If he does depart, Kansas City would be left with Edwards-Helaire and Brenden Knox as the only tailbacks under contract through the 2021 season.

Texans Release OL Marcus Cannon

March 14th, 2022 at 4:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Marcus Cannon‘s stint with the Texans has come to an end. The Texans are releasing the veteran offensive lineman, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).

On Thursday, it will be the one-year anniversary of Cannon joining Houston. The Texans acquired the lineman from the Patriots (along with a fifth- and sixth-round pick) for a fourth- and sixth-round pick.

Cannon started the first four games for the Texans, getting in 88 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. However, he landed on IR in early October with a disc issue, and he didn’t end up seeing the field again during the 2021 campaign.

The 2011 fifth-round pick had previously spent his entire career in New England, earning three Super Bowl rings and a second-team All-Pro nod. The lineman started 69 of his 115 games with the Patriots, including 15 starts in 2020. The 33-year-old also got into 19 playoff games, starting 11.

Jaguars To Sign TE Evan Engram

March 14th, 2022 at 4:47pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jaguars continue to add to their offense. Jacksonville is signing tight end Evan Engram, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

It’s a one-year deal worth $9MM, and the contract could be worth up to $10MM with incentives. PFF’s Doug Kyed tweets that the deal contains $8.25MM in guaranteed money, which includes a $3MM signing bonus and $5.25MM base salary. The tight end has $800K worth of reception and receiving yard incentives.

A first-round pick by the Giants in 2018, Engram had an inconsistent five years in New York. After missing 13 combined games between 2018 and 2019, Engram earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 after finishing with 63 receptions for 654 yards and one touchdown. However, his numbers took a step back in 2021, with the tight end finishing with 46 receptions for a career-low 408 receiving yards.

Still, those numbers would represent an upgrade at the position for the Jaguars. The team’s top receiving TE in 2021 was Dan Arnold, who finished with 28 receptions for 324 yards. Engram will join a tight ends depth chart that already includes Arnold, James O’Shaughnessy, Chris Manhertz, and Luke Farrell.

However, there’s a chance Engram doesn’t even line up as TE for his new squad. There were recent reports that teams were looking into Engram as a wide receiver, with the player’s combination of speed, agility, and size making him a potential matchup nightmare. We’ll see if that ends up being the case in Jacksonville. According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post (on Twitter), the Colts, 49ers, and Bills were among the teams to express interest in Engram before he landed in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have been busy adding to their offense this afternoon. After agreeing to a deal with offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, the organization inked receiver Christian Kirk to a lucrative deal.

Steelers To Re-Sign OL Chukwuma Okorafor

March 14th, 2022 at 4:38pm CST by Ben Levine

Chukwuma Okorafor is heading back to Pittsburgh. The Steelers are re-signing the offensive lineman, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).

It’s a three-year deal worth $29.25MM, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Okorafor will earn $20.5MM in the first two years of the pact.

The 2018 third-round pick has spent his entire career with the Steelers, seeing time in 46 games. He’s taken on a larger role in recent seasons, starting 31 games for Pittsburgh between 2020 and 2021. He saw time in 97 percent of his team’s offensive snaps this past season.

Okorafor’s versatility (he’s even started games at tight end) makes him a commodity, even if he doesn’t hold a starting gig. Naturally, the 24-year-old generated plenty of interest around the NFL, per Garafolo.

Deshaun Watson To Meet With Panthers, Saints

March 14th, 2022 at 4:34pm CST by Zachary Links

4:34pm: It may be an NFC South duel for Watson. The three-time Pro Bowler, as of Monday afternoon, is not willing to waive his no-trade clause for anyone but Carolina or New Orleans, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle said during an appearance on WFNZ (Twitter link). The Saints may have a slight lead in this race, with CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora noting Watson is “lukewarm at best” about the Panthers (Twitter link). While it has been reported Watson would waive his no-trade clause for the Panthers, this may not be his preferred outcome.

Watson has rejected the Seahawks, McClain adds (Twitter link). The Colts, as should be expected, are not in this mix. Though, they may or may not have tried. The Texans denied their AFC South rivals permission to speak with Watson, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Seahawks, reported as an interested party over the weekend, are not planning to meet with Watson, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter).

More teams are interested, but it certainly appears these two rivals are in the lead. Watson will meet with each team Monday night in Houston, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Watson is also planning to meet with other teams Tuesday, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets. This saga could include a trade soon, despite Watson’s civil suits not yet being resolved.

10:17am: Deshaun Watson is expected to meet with the Panthers and Saints in the next couple of days (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). On top of that, Watson will also chat with other interested clubs between now and Wednesday.

The Texans have granted Watson permission to meet with other clubs, which may help to advance the trade talks. Watson holds a no-trade clause, so the Texans have to get his sign-off before completing any deal.

On that note, Watson has not turned down a potential trade to the Panthers (Twitter link via David Newton of ESPN.com). It was long reported that Watson only OK’d a trade to the Dolphins, but Newton hears that’s not the case — at least, when it comes to Carolina. With that in mind, it’s possible that Watson could go along with a trade to the Saints or one of the other interested teams.

The details are not yet known, but the Saints and Panthers have made offers for Watson recently. Meanwhile, the Texans’ asking price has not budged. Houston GM Nick Caserio still says that he wants three first-round picks plus more assets in exchange for the embattled QB. The Panthers, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 draft, could make a compelling offer for the Texans. The Saints, who sit at No. 18, would have to offer more in their package to top their bid.

Cardinals Re-Sign Dennis Gardeck

March 14th, 2022 at 4:25pm CST by Ben Levine

“The Barbarian” is heading back to Arizona. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Cardinals have re-signed linebacker and special teams ace Dennis Gardeck.

It’s a three-year deal worth $12MM for Gardeck.

An undrafted free agent in 2018, Gardeck has spent his entire four-year career with the Cardinals. He was a key member of Arizona’s special teams unit through his first three seasons in the NFL, collecting 34 tackles in 44 games.

Gardeck saw a larger role on defense in 2021, getting into a career-high 19 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Coupled with his usual special teams duties, the 27-year-old managed to finish with a career-high 23 tackles.

Patriots Re-Sign Matthew Slater

March 14th, 2022 at 4:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Matthew Slater is returning to New England for a 15th season. The key special teamer is re-signing with the Patriots, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $2.62MM. The deal includes a $152K signing bonus, according to Doug Kyed of ProFootballFocus.com (via Twitter).

Since being selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, Slater has put together an impressive resume. He’s earned three Super Bowl rings, 10 Pro Bowl appearances, and five All-Pro nods (including two first-team recognitions). Slater needs just one more regular season appearance to claim sole possession of third place on the Patriots all-time games played list (behind Tom Brady and Bruce Armstrong).

Slater earned his third-straight Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 after finishing with 11 tackles in 17 games. The 36-year-old saw time in 80 percent of his team’s special teams snaps.

Originally drafted as a wideout, Slater has collected three touches for 57 yards from scrimmage in his career.

Buccaneers, CB Carlton Davis Agree To Deal

March 14th, 2022 at 4:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Carlton Davis will follow Ryan Jensen in staying with the Buccaneers. The standout cornerback agreed to terms with the Bucs on Monday afternoon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

It is a three-year, $45MM pact, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets, adding that it comes with $30MM guaranteed (Twitter link). Davis will see $23.5MM fully guaranteed, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes (on Twitter), adding that Davis’ pact maxes out at $45MM. The base total figures to come in a bit below that.

Tampa Bay was over the cap before this Davis agreement, so the team will need to continue to make moves ahead of Wednesday’s start to the 2022 league year. But Davis returning fills a key need for a Bucs team that is now firmly back in the Super Bowl mix, Tom Brady having unretired and all. A team that was close to falling to fringe-contender status now has re-upped its center and top cornerback, spending to fortify its roster as it did in 2021.

Within minutes, cornerback-seeking teams have seen the two top UFAs move off the board. The Chargers just gave J.C. Jackson a $16.5MM-per-year deal; Davis’ checks in just below that. The former Bucs second-round pick will still earn top-10 cornerback money.

Although Davis missed seven games last season with a quad injury, he returned in early December and finished the season to re-establish his value. After a four-interception 2020 season, Davis nabbed just one pick last year. He allowed an 83.2 passer rating when targeted and entered the offseason as one of the top free agents available. This will ensure the Bucs’ top corners from recent years — the homegrown trio of Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean — are on track to reprise their roles in 2022. The latter two will go into contract years.

Tampa Bay has lost both its guard starters from the past four seasons — Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa — to retirement and a Bengals defection, respectively, but the team has done well to make these deals happen. Although, the Bucs might have to dip into the void-year realm again to fit these contracts onto their payroll. (No void years are present in Davis’ deal, however, Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets.) Leonard Fournette, Rob Gronkowski, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh are still unattached.