HEADLINES

Month: May 2022

Falcons, Grady Jarrett Agree To Extension

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:28am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have agreed to a brand new deal with Grady Jarrett (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The defensive tackle has a fresh three-year extension that will pay up to $51MM and keep him under contract through the 2025 season.

Jarrett previously had one year to go on his deal, a four year, $68MM pact inked in 2019. That contract came with $42.5MM in guarantees and $38MM guaranteed at signing. This new deal furnishes Jarrett with a healthy $34.5MM locked in at signing.

The Falcons have now secured their standout interior lineman while tamping down their 2022 cap figure. That’s a big deal for Atlanta. Heading into today, they were in the bottom five of the NFL in cap room — ahead of the Titans, Cardinals, Patriots, and 49ers — and just $4.8MM under the max. The newfound cash will help them sign their rookie class and, perhaps, enable some veteran additions between now and September.

“I’m not going to predict that I 100 percent know,” head coach Arthur Smith said recently when asked about a potential Jarrett extension (via the team website). “He knows where we stand. We love Grady. We also know that players may have their own opinions, and that’s welcome. It’s part of doing business. We’ll see how it plays out. I love Grady and we’d love to keep coaching him.”

Jarrett, who just turned 29, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020. There was no Pro Bowl for him in 2021, but he did suit up for all 17 games while continuing his usually solid work as a run-stuffer.

2023 NFL Fifth-Year Option Results

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:17am CST by Zachary Links

Monday marked the deadline for NFL clubs to officially pick up their options on 2019 first-rounders. Fifth-year option seasons are no longer just guaranteed for injury — they’re now fully guaranteed, which makes these decisions a little tougher for teams.

Nineteen players had their options exercised, a tick up from 14 last year. Here’s the full rundown:

1. QB Kyler Murray, Cardinals – Exercised ($29.7MM)
2. DE Nick Bosa, 49ers: Exercised ($17.9MM)
3. DE Quinnen Williams, Jets: Exercised ($11.5MM)
4. DE Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: Declined ($11.5MM)
5. LB Devin White, Buccaneers: Exercised ($11.7MM)
6. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Declined ($22.4MM)
7. DE Josh Allen, Jaguars: Exercised ($11.5MM)
8. TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions: Exercised ($9.4MM)
9. DT Ed Oliver, Bills: Exercised ($10.8MM)
10. LB Devin Bush, Steelers: Declined ($10.9MM)
11. OT Jonah Williams, Bengals: Exercised ($12.6MM)
12. LB Rashan Gary, Packers: Exercised ($10.9MM)
13. DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: Exercised ($10.8MM)
14. G Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: Exercised ($13.2MM)
15. QB Dwayne Haskins:
16. DE Brian Burns, Panthers: Exercised ($16MM)
17. DT Dexter Lawrence, Giants: Exercised ($10.8MM)
18. C Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: Declined ($13.2MM)
19. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans: Exercised ($10.8MM)
20. TE Noah Fant, Seahawks: Exercised ($6.9MM; originally drafted by Broncos)
21. S Darnell Savage, Packers: Exercised ($7.9MM)
22. OT Andre Dillard, Eagles: Declined ($12.6MM)
23. OT Tytus Howard, Texans: Exercised ($13.2MM)
24. RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders: Declined ($8MM)
25. WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals: ($13.4MM; originally drafted by Ravens)
26. DE Montez Sweat, Commanders: Exercised ($11.5MM)
27. S Johnathan Abram, Raiders: Declined ($7.9MM)
28. DE Jerry Tillery, Chargers: Declined ($11.5MM)
29. DE L.J. Collier, Seahawks: Declined ($11.5MM)
30. CB Deandre Baker — N/A (released by Giants)
31. OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons: Declined ($13.2MM)
32. WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots: Declined ($12.4MM)

EJ Perry Signs With Jaguars; Nixes Eagles Deal

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:03am CST by Zachary Links

EJ Perry isn’t going to Philly after all. On Tuesday, the former Brown quarterback agreed to sign with the Jaguars after initial reports had him ticketed for the Eagles (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). 

[RELATED: Jaguars Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents]

The Eagles were believed to have two notable undrafted free agent quarterbacks in Perry and ex-Nevada signal caller Carson Strong. While Strong received a larger-than-average $320K guarantee for his weekend deal, other teams still had interest in Perry.

Perry — who started out at Boston College — was named the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2021 after throwing for 3,033 yards and 23 touchdowns in just ten games. He also showed dual-threat potential, tacking on 402 rushing yards and seven TDs via the ground.

It’s not clear if Perry has a better path to the 53-man roster in Jacksonville. The Jaguars already have former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence under center with C.J. Beathard and Jake Luton in reserve.

The Eagles, meanwhile, have some new options to consider beyond starter Jalen Hurts. If GM Howie Roseman elects to trade Gardner Minshew, Strong and Reid Sinnett could vie for the QB2 spot.

Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram Hit With UFA Tenders

May 2nd, 2022 at 10:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Both the Ravens and Chiefs made use of a rarely used tender today. Per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), free agent linebackers Justin Houston and Melvin Ingram were hit with UFA tenders by Baltimore and Kansas City, respectively.

This makes July 22 (or the first day of training camp, whichever is later) a relatively important date for the two veterans. If they sign with a new team before that date, then they’ll count toward the compensatory pick formula (benefiting their 2021 team). If they remain unsigned, then their 2021 squad will have exclusive negotiating rights, meaning the player will either return to the organization or sit unsigned.

Houston’s offer from Baltimore is worth 110% of his 2021 salary, which was $2.075MM. The veteran inked a one-year deal with the Ravens last offseason, and he ended up collecting 34 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 15 starts for his new team. Houston spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Chiefs, including a 2014 campaign where he compiled 22 sacks.

Per Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com, the Chiefs effectively offered Ingram a one-year deal worth $4.4MM. The linebacker was traded to Kansas City last November, and he saw time in nine games (six starts) down the stretch, collecting 15 tackles and one sack. The 33-year-old added another two sacks in three playoff games. The former first-round pick spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Chargers, collecting 49 sacks and three Pro Bowl appearances.

Panthers Sign Andre Roberts

May 2nd, 2022 at 9:21pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers have found their new return specialist. Former Pro Bowler Andre Roberts is signing with the Panthers, reports Adam Caplan (on Twitter).

Roberts is inking a one-year, $1.75MM deal. The contract contains $900K in guaranteed money.

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 also generated interest from the Eagles before signing with Carolina.

Roberts has earned three Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro nods 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.

The Panthers relied on Alex Erickson as their primary punt returner last season, while veteran RB Ameer Abdullah got the bulk of the kick returns. Erickson is still on the roster, but Abdullah has since joined the Raiders.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/22

May 2nd, 2022 at 9:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans

49ers Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents

May 2nd, 2022 at 8:58pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers were busy following the draft, agreeing to terms with 14 undrafted free agents:

Dohnovan West was one of the highest-paid UDFAs in the league, earning $100K guaranteed (per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com on Twitter). The offensive lineman was a standout during his time at Arizona State, and some pundits predicted that he’d be selected just outside of the top-100. Instead, the player went undrafted, and now he’ll have a chance to compete for a spot in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, the 49ers gave Leon O’Neal $60K guaranteed (per Wilson on Twitter) and Jeremiah Gemmel $90K guaranteed (per Wilson on Twitter).

Falcons Sign 13 UDFAs

May 2nd, 2022 at 8:49pm CST by Ben Levine

The Falcons announced the signing of 13 undrafted free agents:

  • Jared Bernhardt, WR (Ferris State)
  • Stanley Berryhill, WR (Arizona)
  • Kuony Deng, OLB (California)
  • Matt Hankins, CB (Iowa)
  • Brad Hawkins, S (Michigan)
  • Timothy Horne, DL (Kansas State)
  • Tyshaun James, WR (Central Connecticut)
  • Nathan Landman, ILB (Colorado)
  • Bryce Rodgers, DL (UC-Davis)
  • Derrick Tangelo, DL (Penn State)
  • Seth Vernon, P (Portland State)
  • Tyler Vrabel, OL (Boston College)
  • Leroy Watson, TE (UT-San Antonio)

“We keep talking about our scouting staff and our coaches and all the work that goes into it, and they really grind through this free agency process as well,” GM Terry Fontenot said right after the draft (via Scott Bair of the team’s website). “So I know we are going to continue to add some good football players. We’re excited.

“Once they get here, it doesn’t matter how they got here. It’s competition at every position.”

Derrick Tangelo got some significant money from the organization. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets that the defensive lineman got $55K guaranteed, including a $5K signing bonus. The rookie had 6.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in five seasons split between Duke and Penn State.

Cardinals Add 12 UDFAs

May 2nd, 2022 at 8:29pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cardinals clearly targeted wide receivers and defensive lineman after the draft, with Arizona adding seven players at those positions among their 12 undrafted free agent signings:

The addition of four receivers could partly be attributed to today’s news regarding star wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Among the grouping, Robinson put up the biggest numbers in 2021, finishing with 625 receiving yards. Payton was also plenty productive, finishing with 18 receptions for 413 yards and six scores.

As Darren Urban of the team’s website points out, it’s notable that the organization didn’t bring in a QB among their UDFAs. The Cardinals are currently rostering only three players at the position in Kyler Murray, Colt McCoy, and Trace McSorley.

Commanders Sign 13 Undrafted Free Agents

May 2nd, 2022 at 8:13pm CST by Ben Levine

The Commanders added eight rookies in the draft, and they added another 13 first-year players today. Washington announced the signing of 13 undrafted free agents:

Arizona State tight end Curtis Hodges got a chunk of money to join Washington, earning a $25K signing bonus and a guaranteed $100K base salary, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The 6-7 prospect showed some ability in the receiving game during the 2021 season, hauling in 20 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns.

Considering his position, Cole Kelley is another notable UDFA joining the Commanders. While he’s a long shot, Kelley will be one of several QBs (along with fellow rookie Sam Howell) competing for Washington’s starting nod. Kelley finished this past season having completed 73.55 percent of his passes for 5,124 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

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