HEADLINES

Month: April 2022

Kwon Alexander Visiting Jets

April 19th, 2022 at 12:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets are in line to make significant additions to their roster next week in the draft. They are still keeping tabs on the free agent market, though, as they are hosting veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander today (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 

Alexander, 27, has been in the NFL for seven years. He had a highly productive start to his career in Tampa Bay after they drafted him in the fourth round. In four seasons there, he totalled 380 tackles, seven sacks and six interceptions. In 2017, he earned his lone Pro Bowl nod.

His tenure with the Buccaneers came to an end after his rookie contract expired, though. He signed a four-year, $54MM deal with the 49ers in 2019. With injuries becoming a problem, however, his time in San Francisco was limited to just 13 games. It did, on the other hand, give Alexander a chance to play under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who is now head coach of the Jets.

The LSU product was traded to New Orleans in the middle of the 2020 season, as the 49ers offloaded the lucrative contract they had signed him to just one year earlier. Alexander helped fill one of the lone roster holes on a strong Saints defense, starting all seven games he played in. That convinced the team to bring him back (after cutting him in the offseason to save cap space), and he registered 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2021.

In New York, Alexander would not only reunite with Saleh, but add experience to the team’s LB corps. The Jets have C.J. Mosley at the top of the depth chart, along with Quincy Williams (who is a free agent next season) and a number of younger options. Signing Alexander would add a starting-caliber player in the middle of a defense looking to improve across the board from its 2021 performance.

Kyle Hamilton To Visit Texans, Steelers

April 19th, 2022 at 11:02am CST by Adam La Rose

Another day closer to the NFL Draft, more news is coming out regarding teams interested in the class’ top safety. Kyle Hamilton is set to visit the Texans and Steelers, per Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter link). 

[RELATED: Commanders Host Hamilton]

The Notre Dame alum spent most of the build-up to the draft being seen as a sure-fire top-five pick. In recent weeks, however, many have reported that a significant drop from that position is expected to take place. His positional value, athletic testing and a season-ending knee injury have been named as causes for teams at the top of the board to potentially pass on him.

One of those clubs is the Jets. Currently the owners of the No. 4 and 10 selections, the team has been linked with Hamilton on multiple occasions. The former Golden Domer has also met with other teams, such as the Lions and Giants, who hold top-ten picks. It comes as no surprise, then, that the Texans (who own the third-overall selection, as well as No. 13 as a result of the Deshaun Watson trade) are doing their due diligence on him.

The Texans are in position to take the top available prospects with their picks, given the state of their roster. That could lead them towards the top remaining defensive ends and offensive linemen, especially with respect to the No. 3 selection. The Steelers, meanwhile, are in need of a safety; while there are free agents still available at the position (including Tyrann Mathieu), Hamilton would provide a similar skillset and solid value if he were still available at No. 20.

Once Hamilton’s visits with these two clubs are completed, he will have met with nearly every relevant team within range of selecting him. Where he ultimately lands remains one of the most intriguing questions surrounding this year’s draft.

Falcons Sign DT Vincent Taylor

April 19th, 2022 at 9:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons have made a depth addition to their defensive line. The team announced on Tuesday that they are signing journeyman defensive tackle Vincent Taylor. 

The move comes one week after Taylor visited with Atlanta, so the signing comes as little surprise. The 28-year-old was originally a sixth-round pick of the Dolphins in 2017. He only lasted two seasons there, the second of which was cut short by a foot injury. In September 2019, he was cut by Miami.

That began a stretch of three seasons in which Taylor played for a new team each year. The most notable of those campaigns was in 2020 with the Browns. He played in a career-high 15 games, recording 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. That led him to Houston this past offseason, where he started only the second game of his NFL tenure in Week 1. An ankle injury suffered in that contest, however, ultimately ended his season.

Having only been available for 40 games in five seasons, the Oklahoma St. product will add experienced depth along the Falcons’ defensive line. He is likely to see a rotational role behind the likes of Grady Jarrett and Anthony Rush. The team has plenty of room for improvement on defense, having ranked 27th against the run and 26th overall last season. Taylor will look to help improve those statistics, and earn himself a multi-year stay in the process.

Baker Mayfield Not Expected To Attend Browns’ Voluntary Offseason Program

April 19th, 2022 at 9:01am CST by Adam La Rose

While he awaits the conclusion to his separation process from the Browns, Baker Mayfield likely won’t be with the team during the early part of their offseason regiment. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reports that the quarterback isn’t expected to attend the voluntary portion of Cleveland’s program, which begins today. 

[RELATED: Panthers Favored To Acquire Mayfield?]

It comes as no surprise that the former No. 1 pick will continue working out on his own. It was reported earlier this month he would likely only be present for the mandatory portion of minicamp, which takes place in mid-June. By that time, many expect him to have been traded elsewhere, though the list of teams still in need of a 2022 starting QB has shrunk considerably in recent weeks.

On that point, Wilson writes that “no trade is imminent or developing at this time”, lessening the chances of a pre-draft swap taking place. Teams like Carolina and Seattle have been linked to the 27-year-old, but they hold the sixth- and ninth-overall picks, which could be used to add a developmental signal-caller. One of the largest roadblocks to Mayfield being moved is his fully guaranteed fifth-year option salary of more than $18MM.

Given that he is only under contract for one more season, however, the list of teams looking to add him may increase next year. Wilson reports that “there is definite interest in Mayfield around the league”, including from teams which would be willing to sign him as a free agent in 2023. His value on the open market at that time, of course, would be directly tied to his level of play with whichever clubs he ends up with in the coming weeks or months.

In the meantime, Mayfield will likely carry on his personal recovery from shoulder surgery; he has also spent time throwing with free agent wide receivers in Austin, Texas.

Eagles Eyeing Andre Roberts

April 18th, 2022 at 10:24pm CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles are eyeing some reinforcement on special teams. According to Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan of the Inside The Birds podcast, the Eagles have interest in special teams ace Andre Roberts.

Despite the 2021 campaign being Roberts’ 12th NFL season, the veteran still put forth one of his best professional seasons. Roberts split the season between the Texans and Chargers, finishing with a league-leading 1,010 kick return yards. Roberts also added 20 punt returns en route to a second-team All-Pro nod. Per Caplan, the Chargers were interested in bringing Roberts back, but the organization wasn’t willing to offer much in guaranteed money.

Roberts has earned three Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro recognitions throughout his career, thanks in part to six special teams touchdowns. He’s also been relatively productive on offense, including a 2012 season where he had 759 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, in the past five seasons, Roberts had only collected 223 total yards from scrimmage.

Jalen Reagor was the primary punt returner for the Eagles last season, but the team leaned on a committee for kick returns. Each of Reagor, Kenneth Gainwell, and Quez Watkins had at least eight kick returns, with the trio combining for 530 return yards.

 

Saints Re-Sign Dwayne Washington

April 18th, 2022 at 8:01pm CST by Ben Levine

Dwayne Washington is staying in New Orleans. The team announced today that they’ve re-signed the veteran running back and special teamer. It’s a one-year deal for the six-year veteran.

A 2016 seventh-round pick, Washington spent the first two seasons of his career with the Lions, including a rookie season where he collected 327 yards from scrimmage. Washington hasn’t come close to replicating those offensive numbers since, but he’s still established an NFL career thanks to his special teams prowess.

Since joining the Saints organization in 2018, Washington has appeared in more than half of his team’s special teams snaps. He’s collected 15 tackles in his four years with New Orleans, and he’s returned six kickoffs for 99 yards. He’s also had a small role on offense, collecting 50 touches for 263 yards from scrimmage.

It’ll probably be more of the same next season for the 27-year-old. Washington will likely be buried on the depth chart behind Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and Tony Jones Jr., but he’ll continue to be relied on for special teams.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 4/18/22

April 18th, 2022 at 7:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:

RFAs

Signed:

ERFAs

Signed:

Jets Interested In Jameson Williams?

April 18th, 2022 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Involved in the Tyreek Hill and Amari Cooper trade talks, the Jets acquired neither. They have since been linked to D.K. Metcalf, having discussed the fourth-year wideout with the Seahawks. Those talks were not believed to have been substantial.

This points the Jets to a receiver in a draft featuring several ready-made contributors but one appearing to lack the top-end talent of last year’s class. It is not certain which of this year’s receiver crop will be the first to go off the board, but the Jets are believed to be interested in Alabama’s Jameson Williams, a source informed ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. While the Jets are continuing to monitor the potential availability of Metcalf and 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, Cimini notes, they will continue to be connected to using one of their first-round picks on this position.

The Jets-Williams connection comes shortly after a report indicating the Alabama receiver, despite the ACL tear he suffered in the national championship game, is moving toward being a top-10 pick. With linemen and defensive backs atop draft boards, it is possible the Jets would have their pick of the top wideout in this draft. The Jets hold the Nos. 4 and 10 picks in this year’s draft, and even taking their persistent receiver interest into account, it would surprise if the team used that No. 4 choice on one.

Williams’ tear is not likely to cost him much in this draft, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. noting a rise into the top 10 is not out of the question. The Jets have Corey Davis, the recently re-signed Braxton Berrios and second-rounders Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims. While Mims has not come especially close to justifying his draft slot, helping lead the team to this wideout-needy place, the Jets have some options at the position. They also have two picks atop the second round (Nos. 35 and 38, the latter coming via the Sam Darnold trade), should Joe Douglas and Co. opt to address other needs in Round 1. The Jets have not drafted a wideout in the first round since Santana Moss in 2001.

Prior to his knee injury, Williams broke through after transferring from Ohio State to Alabama. The 179-pound pass catcher posted a 79-catch, 1,572-yard, 15-touchdown season to help Bryce Young to the Heisman Trophy. Should he regain that form post-surgery, Williams would provide a tremendous speed injection to whichever offense he joins. ESPN gives he, ex-Buckeyes teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and USC’s Drake London top-20 grades among this draft’s receiver class. The Jets have met with Wilson, Olave and London, Cimini adds.

Browns Sign DT Sheldon Day, DE Stephen Weatherly

April 18th, 2022 at 4:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sheldon Day will soon vie to keep his role as a Browns rotational defensive tackle. The veteran re-signed to stay in Cleveland on Monday, but the Browns did not stop there in adding pieces up front.

Stephen Weatherly, an edge player who was in Minnesota during part of Kevin Stefanski‘s run with the Vikings, also agreed to terms with the Browns. Weatherly, 28, finished last season with the Broncos, being part of the team’s post-Von Miller edge-rushing corps.

Cleveland has seen some upheaval on its defensive line. Jadeveon Clowney is unsigned, as is fellow 2021 starter Malik Jackson. The Browns did not extend a tender to Malik McDowell, whose off-field struggles continued with an arrest in January. The Browns also let defensive tackle Andrew Billings walk; Billings is now a Raider. This leaves the door open for others to step in, both on the edge and the interior.

Despite the presences of Jackson, McDowell and Billings, Day was a regular in the games he played. The former Jaguars, 49ers and Colts contributor did not make the Browns’ 53-man roster out of training camp but stayed on as a member of the team’s 16-man practice squad. Day, 27, eventually rose to the active roster and played in seven games, playing 46% of the Browns’ defensive snaps in those games. Day, who started for the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, registered a sack and deflected two passes during his first Browns season.

While Day has a history with Cleveland defensive coordinator Joe Woods, from the duo’s time in San Francisco, Weatherly was with Minnesota from 2016-19. He backed up Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen during much of that time, making seven starts. After spending the 2020 season with the Panthers, Weatherly re-signed with the Vikings last year. Minnesota traded him to Denver, where he saw more run on a Broncos edge crew that was without Miller and an injured Bradley Chubb for most of the season. Weatherly recorded 2.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in nine games with the Broncos.

Ravens Waive WR Miles Boykin

April 18th, 2022 at 3:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Miles Boykin popped up in trade rumors just ahead of free agency, but the Ravens were not able to deal him. As they start their offseason program, the Ravens waived the former third-round pick.

This comes after Boykin tumbled down Baltimore’s depth chart, catching just one pass in eight games last season. This move will save the Ravens just more than $2.5MM in cap space.

A hamstring issue led to Boykin beginning last season on IR, but the Ravens had used another first-round pick on a wide receiver (Rashod Bateman) last year and had signed Sammy Watkins to play alongside Marquise Brown. After starting 24 games over his first two seasons, Boykin was relegated to backup duty during the games in which he was active. Boykin totaled 32 receptions for 464 yards and seven touchdowns from 2019-20, but he entered the Ravens’ 2021 training camp on their roster bubble.

The Ravens let the injury-prone Watkins walk in free agency and did not replace him with a veteran. Baltimore’s run-centric offense led to some big-name receivers turning down offers last year, but the team does return Brown, Bateman and 2020 third-rounder Devin Duvernay, an All-Pro return man who moved past Boykin on the depth chart last year.

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