2023 April - Pro Football Rumors

Month: April 2023

Patriots To Sign QB Trace McSorley

April 13th, 2023 at 3:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots are adding a third quarterback to their offseason roster. Sixth-year passer Trace McSorley is joining the team, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. It is a one-year deal, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).

McSorley finished the past two seasons with the Cardinals, relocating to the desert after the team poached him off the Ravens’ practice squad in November 2021. McSorley also has a tie to the Patriots, with OC Bill O’Brien having recruited him as a high school prospect when he was coaching Penn State.

O’Brien never coached McSorley at Penn State, having joined the Texans weeks before the prospect committed in 2014, but was still leading the Nittany Lions during most of the QB’s recruitment. McSorley, 27, will join a Patriots team that is in a strange place at quarterback; the former Ravens and Cardinals passer will project as a third-string option behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

Despite Jones’ first-round pedigree and having been New England’s starter (when healthy) throughout his career, Bill Belichick has not proclaimed the Alabama product his 2023 starter. Jones’ conduct last season, including a reported reach-out effort to Alabama staffers about the state of the Patriots’ offense, is believed to have rankled his current coach. Trade rumors have emerged regarding Jones, though the Pats may not be intent on moving him.

The Pats released veteran backup Brian Hoyer, who is believed to have voiced frustration about the team’s Matt Patricia experiment last year, earlier this year. Hoyer is now with the Raiders. The team has sought a mobile third QB option post-Hoyer, per Fowler; McSorley fits that bill. He totaled 23 rushing touchdowns over his final two seasons at Penn State and finished his senior season with 798 rushing yards.

A reserve throughout his NFL career, McSorley received his first starting opportunity last season. Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy‘s injuries sent McSorley into the fray. He started the Cards’ Christmas night game against the Buccaneers — an overtime loss — and finished that game 24-for-45 for 217 yards. McSorley also saw action in three other Cardinals games last season.

It should not be expected McSorley will factor into the upcoming Pats QB competition, but he profiles as an experienced third option for the team. It will be quite a roundabout reunion with O’Brien, who left for Houston nine years ago.

Jalen Carter Unlikely To Fall Out Of Top 10; Bears, Eagles In Mix For DT?

April 13th, 2023 at 2:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 13: Carter’s floor may be settling in at No. 9. The Bears are unlikely to let the higher-risk prospect fall past them in Round 1, Matt Miller of ESPN.com notes. The Bears are believed to value the two-time national champion defender highly, and they are prepared to bolster their defensive line in this draft.

APRIL 11: Beyond this year’s lot of first-round-caliber quarterbacks, Jalen Carter has been the highest-profile player during the pre-draft process. The Georgia defensive tackle might be the most talented non-QB available, but off-field red flags have affected his perception.

Carter will not face jail time in connection with the misdemeanor charges he faced after two members of Georgia’s football program, offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler Lecroy, died in car accident. A police investigation revealed Carter and Lecroy were “operating in a manner consistent with racing” that morning in January. A March plea deal led to Carter receiving a $1K fine and community service, but multiple teams are believed to have taken the standout interior D-lineman off their draft boards due to character concerns.

Carter, who also did not perform well at his pro day, should still not be expected to endure a Laremy Tunsil-like fall in Round 1. The high-end talent remains likely to go off the board in the top 10, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Miller. Execs around the league believe a team will invest in Carter early, and Fowler adds Eagles buzz has emerged.

The Eagles, who took Georgia nose tackle Jordan Davis 13th overall last year, hold the No. 10 overall pick by virtue of their pre-draft trade with the Saints in 2022. GM Howie Roseman‘s penchant for building up Philadelphia’s lines has come up regarding Carter, as has Philly’s collection of veterans — including the recently re-signed Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox — that could potentially help the suddenly riskier prospect assimilate. The Eagles lost Javon Hargrave to the 49ers in free agency as well; Cox is on another one-year contract and going into his age-33 season.

Philly’s potential as the Carter floor aside, Miller notes his survey among NFL staffers led to a conclusion either the Seahawks (at No. 5) or Bears (No. 9) will be the landing spot. Seattle both drafted Frank Clark in the 2015 second round, despite a domestic violence arrest leading to his dismissal from the Michigan program, and acquired Sheldon Richardson via trade in 2017 — two years after the defensive tackle was pulled over for driving 143mph with a firearm in his vehicle. The Seahawks have a significant investment at D-tackle this offseason, giving Dre’Mont Jones a three-year deal worth $51MM, and reached an agreement to bring back Jarran Reed. Seattle, which has been linked to QBs as well, would certainly show a tremendous commitment to its defensive interior with a Carter selection. Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft sends Carter to Seattle — as the first non-QB taken.

Chicago has added both DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green, but both additions qualify as moves for supporting-casters rather than surefire impact presences. The Bears are looking to add up front in the draft — likely both on the edge and inside — and they joined the Eagles in hosting Carter recently.

Carter is not planning to meet with teams outside the top 10, though teams holding non-top-10 choices — draft real estate previously believed to be unrealistic to land Carter — began digging into the former Bulldogs interior anchor. He has met with the Seahawks, Lions, Raiders, Bears and Eagles thus far; each team holds a pick between Nos. 5 and 10. While this draft houses a few notable edge defenders, a notable gap exists between Carter and his D-tackle prospect peers. That stands to strengthen his position inside the top 10.

Jets To Waive P Braden Mann

April 13th, 2023 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

When the Jets signed Thomas Morstead, they began shopping their incumbent punter. No takers emerged for Braden Mann, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports the Jets will waive the young specialist (Twitter link).

Although Mann has three years’ experience as the Jets’ punter, he is not yet a vested veteran. Teams can claim the former sixth-round pick before Friday’s waiver deadline. Mann has been Gang Green’s primary punter since 2020.

The Jets will go with a much older option at the position, eschewing a potential Mann-Morstead competition by cutting the less accomplished specialist. Morstead, 37, signed a one-year deal worth $1.32MM. The team is guaranteeing the 15th-year veteran most of that total ($1.1MM), however.

Mann, 25, is due a $1MM salary next season; one year remains on his rookie contract. The Texas A&M product averaged a career-high 46.9 yards per punt last season. After missing seven games due to injury in 2021, Mann returned to punt in all 17 Jets games last season. Morstead averaged 46.4 yards per boot last season, though his inside-the-20 percentage (45.9%) topped Mann’s (32.5%). Field position naturally affects this statistic, but Mann has never placed more than 35% of his punts inside the 20.

Because of this Mann cut, three of the four AFC East teams will feature new punters in 2023. After Morstead agreed to leave Miami for New York, the Dolphins replaced him with ex-Patriot Jake Bailey. Ex-Bronco Corliss Waitman is the only punter on the Pats’ roster presently.

Panthers To Host C.J. Stroud; Anthony Richardson Still In Mix At No. 1?

April 13th, 2023 at 1:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers will conclude their pre-draft quarterback visits next week. After meeting with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, the team will bring in C.J. Stroud, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Stroud’s visit will overlap with Will Levis‘ previously reported meeting; both QBs are coming to Charlotte on Tuesday. While Stroud is believed to have lost ground to Young to be the top pick, the Ohio State-developed passer is still believed to be in the mix. Richardson might be as well. The former Florida QB remains in consideration for Carolina at No. 1, Joseph Person of The Athletic adds (subscription required).

Richardson, who has consistently been mocked as a top-10 pick, only started one season for the Gators. But the 6-foot-4, 244-pound QB presents a Cam Newton-like athletic profile. Although Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes last season, his potential ceiling has continued to intrigue teams. While some doubt about teams’ interest in Richardson as a top-three pick has emerged, the Panthers may not have closed the door on what would be a surprising choice at No. 1.

Young emerged last week as the likely Carolina choice at 1, with several Panthers staffers believed to be high on the former Heisman winner. The Panthers taking Richardson over Young or Stroud would qualify as one of the bigger upsets atop the draft in recent history. Then again, the Jaguars made a similar move last year by going with Travon Walker‘s potential over the safer pick in Aidan Hutchinson. Of course, the stakes are a bit higher when this decision involves quarterbacks.

Richardson’s 4.43-second 40-yard dash topped QBs at this year’s Combine, though some of the passers did not partake in the sprint, and his 40.5-inch vertical jump was far and away the best mark at the position. It would still be an upset for the Panthers to take Richardson over Young or Stroud, but the Gainesville native has submitted an interesting case — even if it teems with boom-or-bust potential. Young scored highest on the S2 test, measuring athletes’ information-processing capabilities and decision-making, among this year’s crop, Person adds, noting Panthers owner David Tepper views the test in high regard. Richardson also scored well.

In addition to this upcoming Charlotte trek, Stroud’s pre-draft itinerary has included meetings with the Texans, Colts, Lions and Raiders. Ohio State is soon set to see its past three starting QBs taken in the first round, with Stroud following Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins. Stroud will almost definitely be picked well before either Fields (No. 11) or Haskins (No. 15) were in their respective drafts. While still in play to be the No. 1 pick, Stroud may not fall past the Texans at 2 — should the Panthers go with Young or Richardson at 1.

Stroud carried considerable momentum to be Carolina’s pick coming into last week, but even as the Young buzz has swayed the odds, the ex-Buckeye would be a safer bet compared to Richardson. Stroud finished his two-year run as a Big Ten starter with an 85-to-12 TD-INT ratio. His 6-3 frame would offer the Panthers a more conventional option compared to Young, whose 5-10 stature has created questions that have undercut the Alabama alum’s otherwise sterling profile. Neither Stroud nor Young provided much production on the ground in college, but each presents a decent athletic profile — though, neither is on the level of Richardson in this area.

Commanders Host CB Devon Witherspoon

April 13th, 2023 at 11:51am CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders will have a number of directions they can go in when they select 16th overall in this month’s draft. One of those would be a cornerback addition, something the team continues to look into.

Washington hosted former Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon on a top 30 visit, as noted (on Twitter) by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That makes them one of several teams which no doubt has Witherspoon on their first-round radar, considering the senior’s status as arguably the top member of this year’s class at the position.

Witherspoon was a four-year contributor for the Fighting Illini, making noteworthy plays in run defense as well as in the passing game. Witherspoon took off in the latter regard in 2021 when he posted nine pass breakups. He was able to replicate that success last season, where he posted 14 PBUs along with three interceptions and 41 tackles.

Those totals helped earn Witherspoon All-American honors, and cemented his place as one of the best cover men in a strong CB class in 2023. Most analysts have either Witherspoon or Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez listed as the No. 1 option at the position, with both squarely in contention to hear their names called in the top 10. While that would put them out of Washington’s range, the team is looking into an addition to their secondary with the top selection.

The Commanders either already have spoken to, or will meet with, corners Deonte Banks (Maryland) and Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State), as well as hybrid safety/corner Brian Branch (Alabama). Each of those three are likely to be on the board if they stay put at pick No. 16 and choose to add to a defense which ranked fourth against the pass in 2022. Washington registered only nine interceptions last year, however, which leaves a vacancy for a playmaker on the backend.

Witherspoon would certainly fit that description, and immediately compete for a starting role with Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste. Other teams in need of corner help sit ahead of Washington in the draft order, though, so significant interest in the build-up to the draft from around the league can be expected.

TE Nick Boyle Transitioning To LS?

April 13th, 2023 at 9:57am CST by Adam La Rose

Nick Boyle spent eight seasons with the Ravens at the tight end spot, becoming one of the league’s best blockers at that position. However, with his career now at a crossroads, he is attempting to make a name for himself at a different one.

Boyle, 30, recently attended Maryland’s pro day as a long snapper, the position at which he is now trying to make an NFL return, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (subscription required). Boyle played as a long snapper at the high school level, so it isn’t an entirely unfamiliar role, but his goal is still a noteworthy one.

Drafted in the fifth round in 2015, Boyle started 53 of 90 appearances in Baltimore. He never totaled more than 31 receptions, 321 yards or two touchdowns in a campaign, but was instrumental in the team’s run game as a strong blocking presence. His career took a turn for the worse in November 2020 when he suffered a massive knee injury from which he has not been able to effectively recover.

Boyle has made 17 appearances and just three starts over the past two seasons, and the Delaware product’s offensive role dropped considerably. That made it little surprise when the Ravens released him in January, a move which allowed him to pursue the opportunity to land a roster spot as a long snapper. Baltimore has had Nick Moore at the LS spot for the past two years, and he is under contract through 2024. Boyle will thus need to catch on with a new team if he is to extend his career.

The latter has more than $25.7MM in career earnings from his time with the Ravens, particularly due to a three-year, $18MM deal he signed in 2019. His financial prospects would look far worse at the long snapper spot, since the position has only one member currently averaging over $1.5MM per season. If Boyle can land a training camp spot to compete for the snapping role somewhere, though, he will give himself the opportunity to begin an interesting second chapter in his playing career.

Buccaneers, Patriots Host DL Lukas Van Ness

April 13th, 2023 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

The top of the 2023 draft offers a number of highly-touted edge rushers, but teams picking in the middle of the first round will have several options at the position as well. One of the class’ second-tier options is drawing interest in the build-up to the draft.

Iowa defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness has taken visits with the Buccaneers and Patriots, as noted by the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud and Evan Lazar of Patriots.com (Twitter links). Those teams are slated to pick 19th and 14th overall, respectively, which could put them in range to add the versatile defender when they are on the clock.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks the redshirt sophomore 14th overall in this year’s class, behind only Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson in terms of edge rushers. As opposed to the latter two, Van Ness saw work on the inside during his time with the Hawkeyes, something which comes as little surprise given his frame. The 6-5, 264-pounder was still productive when used as a pass-rusher, though.

Van Ness totaled 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss over the past two campaigns, figures which show his disruptiveness in the passing game to go along with his strength against the run. His experience on the edge and along the interior makes him a similar prospect to fellow Iowa alum A.J. Epenesa, who was ultimately selected 54th overall by the Bills in 2020. Van Ness will all-but assuredly not have to wait that long to hear his name called.

The Buccaneers were able to re-sign rotational pass rusher Anthony Nelson in free agency as one of a few key defensive contributors they have retained despite their financial constraints. That hasn’t stopped the team from looking into first-round options such as Nolan Smith, however. The latter has also visited the Patriots, a team which posted the fourth-most sacks in the NFL last season but could still benefit from long-term investments up front.

Van Ness would provide versatility to both Tampa Bay and New England if he were to land there, and would be expected to establish a significant role in his rookie season. Both teams have other needs, though, and Van Ness is surely on the radar of other clubs set to pick in the middle-to-late stages of Day 1. In any case, his stock will be worth following as the draft draws nearer.

Titans’ Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill Available In Trades?

April 12th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having moved on from several starters this offseason, new Titans GM Ran Carthon is now in charge of a roster carrying two contract-year cornerstones. The deals Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry signed back in 2020 expire after this coming season.

Rumblings about the Titans shopping Henry circulated just before free agency, and while the two-time rushing champion remains on Tennessee’s roster, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora notes the team is indeed open to moving him. Tannehill should also be monitored as a trade candidate, La Canfora adds.

The Titans have been connected to quarterbacks in this draft for weeks; they hosted Will Levis on Tuesday and will meet with Anthony Richardson. Though, trade-up scenarios also may involve Tannehill staying put and serving as a bridge player ahead of a 2024 separation. The team cutting the cord now would obviously intensify its need at the position and raise the stakes for Carthon’s first draft as a GM. Tannehill is due a $27MM base salary, and his $36.6MM cap number tops the Titans’ payroll by more than $15MM.

Tannehill’s run of health as a Titan came to an end last season; Tennessee’s starter finished the season on IR after ankle surgery. Tannehill’s unavailability was among the Titans’ top issues in 2022. While Tannehill’s 2019 resurgence elevated the Titans and began a stretch of three consecutive playoff berths for the AFC South franchise, the QB’s high paragraph 5 salary and age (35 in July) will not give the Titans a strong trade market. It would also cost the Titans $18.8MM in dead money to trade Tannehill before June 1.

Teams have already made moves to bring in veteran options as well. The Titans, who acquired Tannehill for just fourth- and seventh-round picks back in 2019, can bolster their draft capital by dealing their four-year starter in the next two weeks. The team could also eat some of Tannehill’s salary to prompt a better offer. Absent many logical suitors, however, it would surprise if a major trade package became available — barring an unexpected injury affecting a team’s depth chart. Waiting on an injury would put the Titans in the same place the 49ers resided with Jimmy Garoppolo last year, but as of now, the team does not have another starter-caliber option on the roster. The new Titans regime does not appear too intrigued by Malik Willis, La Canfora adds, given the 2022 third-rounder’s rookie-year struggles.

Even as Henry missed half the 2021 season with a foot fracture, his 6,042 rushing yards since 2019 lead all rushers in that span by nearly 700. The Titans also authorized a raise for their dominant back last year, but the GM who signed off on that — Jon Robinson — was fired months later. Henry is tied to a $10.5MM base salary this season. The eighth-year back rebounded from his foot injury to amass 1,538 rushing yards — two shy of the total he won the 2019 rushing title with — but he logged an NFL-high 349 carries.

Henry, 28, is undoubtedly near the end of his run, and the Titans would be unlikely to obtain too much in a trade. The team did experience issues finding a Henry backup, but D’Onta Foreman ran effectively in the Alabama alum’s absence in 2021. Henry’s unique presence in the modern game aside, the Titans would have a more difficult time replacing Tannehill. Austin Ekeler‘s struggle finding a trade partner also shows what might await the Titans if they were to insist on trading Henry.

Tennessee extracted considerable value from Tannehill’s $29.5MM-per-year deal and Henry’s $12.5MM-AAV pact. Whether the Titans trade up for a quarterback and how they navigate a running back-rich draft will be telling, but for now, their offense still centers around Robinson-era investments.

Jeff Bezos Not Planning Commanders Bid

April 12th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Lurking as the potential top bidder for the Commanders, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is no longer expected to pursue this purchase. Bezos has no plans to submit a bid for the NFC East franchise, Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post report.

Dan Snyder‘s animosity toward Bezos notwithstanding, the bid the latter could have come in with would have certainly put him in strong position to buy the team. Many around the NFL expected a bid. Instead, this could pave the way for one of the ownership groups that have already entered the fray. Puck News’ Theodore Schleifer was first to report Bezos, 59, will not move forward in this process.

Groups headlined by Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos have submitted bids. Harris, whose ownership group includes Magic Johnson, is viewed as the leader here, according to Schleifer. Harris’ bid checked in at approximately $6 billion, per the Washington Post. That does not hit Snyder’s $7 billion target, though SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the goal now may be closer to $6.5 billion.

It is not known if an agreement between Snyder and Harris is imminent, per Maske and Jhabvala, but Breer adds Harris is unlikely to raise his bid. Harris has already been vetted — due to his pursuit of the Broncos last year — and is believed to be well-regarded in ownership circles, per Breer. The NFL has shown little desire to hold a vote to remove Snyder as Commanders owner, despite steady rumblings of ownership’s dissatisfaction with Snyder’s behavior and the brigade of scandals engulfing him. But it would seem Harris, who also owns the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, would not have trouble being voted in by NFL owners. Twenty-four votes are required for an ownership transfer to commence.

A $6 billion sale would still shatter the record — set last year when Rob Walton bought the Broncos — for an American sports franchise, but Snyder has not fully committed to selling the team yet. A sale is expected, but it is not a lock. Removing a monster Bezos bid from the equation could provide a speedbump. Most around the league believe Snyder will sell, but Breer adds some nervousness exists the defiant leader will back out at the last minute. That could force owners’ hands, as Snyder remains ensnared in multiple investigations — including a second league-launched probe, which Mary Jo White has been leading for over a year — since the House Oversight Committee released its report.

No. 3 on the most recent Forbes list, Bezos has also been connected to a future Seahawks purchase. Not submitting a Commanders bid keeps that door open, though with the Seahawks not being for sale, Bezos not intending to submit a Commanders bid will keep him out of the NFL for the foreseeable future. Bezos has used a New York firm to evaluate a Commanders purchase, Maske and Jhabvala add. Snyder had previously blocked a Bezos path to Commanders ownership; his ownership of the Washington Post has rankled Snyder. As of March, however, Snyder was no longer believed to be dead-set against selling to Bezos. That appears a moot point now, and Harris negotiations may be on tap soon.

Latest On Michigan DL Mazi Smith’s Draft Stock

April 12th, 2023 at 9:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Mazi Smith is turning into a popular name leading up to the draft. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Michigan defensive lineman has had more than 20 meetings or visits with teams.

The Bills were one of the most recent teams to meet with Smith, with Rapoport noting that the team had a top-30 visit with the prospect today. The Chiefs and Steelers previously met with the defensive lineman at Michigan, and Rapoport also connects the Bears, Eagles, Cowboys, Cardinals, and Saints to the player.

Over the past two years, Smith had 85 tackles and five tackles for loss in 28 games for the Wolverines. The 2022 campaign had majors ups and downs for the player. He was arrested in October after being found to be in possession of a gun without a license. The ensuing felony charge was later dismissed in favor of a guilty plea on a misdemeanor. Then, following the season, Smith earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, putting him firmly on the NFL map.

The six-foot-three, 323-pound lineman has been lauded for his size and athleticism. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com previously compared Smith’s “rough-and-tumble style” to that of fellow defensive line prospect Bryan Bresee‘s “finesse.” NFL.com ultimately gave him the third-highest combine grade among defensive tackles, although the site questioned his ability to produce behind the line of scrimmage. That lack of pass-rushing prowess could end up forcing Smith into the second round, but his growing collection of top-3o visits certainly bodes well for his chances of being selected on the first day of the draft.

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