HEADLINES

Month: August 2023

Latest On Zack Martin’s Reworked Deal

August 16th, 2023 at 12:04pm CST by Ben Levine

AUGUST 16: This reworking will come out to $36.85MM guaranteed for Martin over the next two seasons, Archer tweets. The Cowboys already restructured Martin’s deal this offseason, and after authorizing this significant guarantee bump, the team may need to address the contract again in 2024. While Martin’s 2023 cap number checks in at $11.75MM — up $710K from where it was coming into this week — Archer adds the All-Pro guard’s 2024 cap hit is now $28.5MM (Twitter link). To secure this payout, Martin incurred $850K in fines for his holdout.

AUGUST 15: Zack Martin‘s holdout came to an end yesterday, with the Cowboys inking the lineman to a revised contract. The two sides finally broke their impasse this past weekend, with ESPN’s Todd Archer writing that Martin’s meeting with Jerry Jones this past weekend helped bridge the gap.

[RELATED: Cowboys, Zack Martin Agree To Revised Deal]

“He was great,” Martin told Archer. “We were able to have that one-on-one time, and I think that helped, just being able to talk face-to-face. I think ultimately that’s what made me feel more comfortable and how he felt more comfortable and then we started talking about this and numbers and where we eventually headed.”

Jones made it pretty clear that a Martin raise wasn’t atop the front office’s list of priorities, but the owner/GM was apparently instrumental in getting the new pact over the finish line. While Martin is still in the midst of a six-year, $84MM deal that once made him the NFL’s highest-paid guard, he’ll now get $36MM in guaranteed money over the next two years vs. the $27.5MM he was set to make.

“I just think I’ve been here a long time. I’ve accomplished some great things but just felt like where I was in the market that it’s something that had been deserved and felt strongly about it,” said Martin. “Obviously it took a little time, but I’m super grateful to the Joneses. Once we started talking and having that connection we were able to figure something out that worked for both of us.”

It sounds like guaranteed money was always the holdup. Martin told reporters today that he wasn’t looking to reset the market at his position (per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News on Twitter). The veteran still ranks eighth at his position for average annual value, but his guaranteed money now ranks third (behind Chris Lindstrom and Quenton Nelson).

While Martin’s three-week absence has come to an end, the lineman will still have to wait for punishment regarding his holdout. As David Moore of the Dallas Morning News writes, the Cowboys are seeking clarification from the league office on whether the lineman will be fined for three off-days that took place during his absence. The Cowboys couldn’t forgive his $50K fines, meaning Martin is either facing punishment of $1M or $850K.

With Martin solidifying right guard, focus will shift to the other side of the line. As Moore writes in the same piece, the Cowboys feel good about Tyler Smith at LG despite the lineman having never played the position. However, the 2022 first-round pick could easily go back to his more natural OT position if Tyron Smith or Terence Steele suffer injuries.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Raiders, Samuel

August 16th, 2023 at 11:19am CST by Sam Robinson

Although their interest in Dalvin Cook appeared to cool early in the long-running sweepstakes, the Broncos did keep tabs on the high-profile free agent. The team continued to look into Cook, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link). Cook has since signed a one-year, $7MM Jets deal. While Pelissero adds the Broncos may look to add another back to a group headlined by Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, the team is sorting through some options behind the veterans. Second-year back Tyler Badie, rookie UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin and ex-Sean Payton Saints charge Tony Jones Jr. are vying for Denver’s RB3 job presently.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • The Raiders took a few fliers at cornerback in free agency, signing Duke Shelley and David Long and reuniting with Brandon Facyson. None of the trio looks likely to start. Instead, fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett looks to have leapfrogged them. Shelley and Long have fallen out of the mix to start, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashaun Reed, who project Bennett to start alongside Marcus Peters and Nate Hobbs (subscription required). Both Long and Facyson have missed time due to injury in camp. The Raiders chose Bennett 104th overall, which would make a Week 1 starting assignment notable. But the Silver and Black, who let Rock Ya-Sin walk (to replace Peters in Baltimore), came into the offseason with major questions at corner.
  • Despite a three-interception wild-card performance, third-year Chargers corner Asante Samuel Jr. faced the prospect of being a backup to start this season. Ja’Sir Taylor, a sixth-round 2022 draftee, has competed with the multiyear starter for the slot job. But Samuel looks to have surged ahead, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. If J.C. Jackson completes his recovery from a torn patellar tendon in time, the Chargers are preparing to roll out a Jackson-Samuel-Michael Davis cornerback look. If Jackson needs more time, the Bolts would likely go with a Davis-Samuel-Taylor trio.
  • The Bolts are fairly set at receiver, with Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis‘ Fort Worth-to-Los Angeles treks giving the team five locks at the position. In addition to the TCU alums, Josh Palmer has made strides in his third training camp. This looked to put Jalen Guyton and John Hightower to a battle for the final spot, Popper adds. But both players are dealing with injuries. After a strong start to camp, Hightower — a 2020 Eagles draftee who has not caught a pass since his rookie year — suffered an injury and has not practiced in a week. Guyton, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of last season, remains on the Bolts’ active/PUP list. Stashing the deep threat on the reserve/PUP list to start the season is looking likely, per Popper.
  • K’Waun Williams is expected to be the Broncos‘ slot corner for a second season, but an ankle injury has sidelined him for over a week. The veteran slot defender sought a second opinion on the injury recently, per 9News’ Mike Klis, who notes surgery is not on the docket at this point. A rest-and-rehab operation will be utilized to have Williams ready for Week 1, though this becomes a situation to monitor for a Broncos team that remains without third-round corner Riley Moss. Essang Bassey filled in for Williams as the top nickel in Denver’s preseason opener.
  • Davis Webb resides in the strange position of being a 28-year-old quarterbacks coach tasked with helping a decorated 34-year-old passer bounce back. But Russell Wilson‘s position coach has been on the coaching radar for a bit now, despite only retiring this year. After the Bills wanted him to be their QBs coach last year, Sean McDermott, Brian Daboll and Eli Manning endorsed Webb to Payton, Jori Epstein of Yahoo.com notes. Webb “blew away” Broncos brass in his interview, per GM George Paton. His final season — as a Giants third-stringer — involved scouting and coaching, Epstein adds, making this an easier transition than it would appear.

Raiders Activate Tyree Wilson From NFI List

August 16th, 2023 at 10:34am CST by Sam Robinson

Tyree Wilson will finally begin practicing with the team that drafted him seventh overall. The rookie Raiders defensive end is off the active/NFI list as of Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The Raiders had kept Wilson’s timetable murky, but having their top rookie available to start the season has always been the expectation. Wilson is no longer eligible for the reserve/NFI list to start the season; that designation would have cost the Texas Tech product four games.

Although the Raiders did extensive work on quarterbacks during the pre-draft process, they chose Wilson with their top pick. Viewed as a candidate to go as high as No. 2 overall, the former Big 12 pass rusher’s potential upside generated considerable buzz despite the foot injury being in the recent past. Wilson’s senior year with the Red Raiders ended during a Nov. 12 game against Kansas, and the highly touted prospect underwent two surgeries — a second in March — to repair the damage. Some teams did not clear Wilson during pre-draft physicals; the Raiders were one of the teams that did.

Totaling seven sacks for a second straight season, Wilson still earned first-team All-Big 12 acclaim for his 2022 work. He is expected to be used to help keep Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones fresh this season. With Jones’ three-year, $51MM contract not including any 2024 guarantees, it is not difficult to see the Raiders planning to move on and go with Wilson opposite Crosby next season. For now, the team will have a promising three-rusher setup ahead of Wilson’s rookie season.

The Raiders considered moving down to pick up extra selections, but they used a first-round pick on an edge player for the third time since 2014. The other two — Khalil Mack and Clelin Ferrell — are gone. A 2019 fourth-rounder, Crosby has taken Mack’s place as a long-term cornerstone. Both Crosby and Wilson are signed through the 2026 season.

Marlon Humphrey To Undergo Surgery, Miss Regular-Season Time

August 16th, 2023 at 9:33am CST by Sam Robinson

While the Ravens added Rock Ya-Sin to their cornerback group this offseason, they might need more help soon. Their No. 1 cornerback is unlikely to be available for the season opener.

Marlon Humphrey has encountered an injury issue that will threaten his Week 1 availability, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report (via Twitter). After taking part in a joint workout with the Commanders on Tuesday, Humphrey is not at practice today.

A foot injury will sideline the seventh-year corner, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who indicates (via Twitter) he will undergo surgery Wednesday. This procedure is expected to shut down Humphrey for an extended period, with Rapoport adding the Ravens are hopeful he can return in a little more than a month. That optimistic timetable, however, will still likely involve missed regular-season games.

This is a lingering issue, per John Harbaugh (via ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley), rather than an injury sustained during the joint practice. The 16th-year HC does not expect this to sideline Humphrey for a long-term period.

The former first-round pick suffered a torn pectoral muscle late in the 2021 season but rebounded to start 17 games last year. Prior to the five-game absence stemming from the chest injury, Humphrey had missed only three games in his first four seasons. An absence to start this year would deal a blow to the Ravens, who let Marcus Peters walk in free agency.

Baltimore made a substantial commitment to Humphrey in 2020, extending him on a five-year, $97.5MM deal. That contract runs through 2026. As Peters struggled to regain his form following an ACL tear that knocked him out for all of the 2021 season, Humphrey received Pro Bowl acclaim in 2022. Pro Football Focus viewed the Alabama alum as a top-15 corner last year, and at 27, the versatile cover man is squarely in his prime.

The Ravens did not make any major draft investments at corner, though they did add Kyu Blu Kelly in Round 5. The team came into today already dealing with injury issues at the position. Second-year cover man Damarion Williams, a former fourth-round pick who played 226 defensive snaps as a backup last season, underwent ankle surgery this week and will not be ready in time for the season, Harbaugh said (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec). Baltimore hopes to have Williams back in October, Zrebiec tweets, pointing to an IR stay to start the season. In addition to Williams, Jalyn Armour-Davis and recent pickup Arthur Maulet were down with injuries.

Williams, who began Ravens camp on the active/PUP list, would seemingly be in play to become one of Baltimore’s IR activations. At this point, it is premature to suggest Humphrey would join him. An IR move — after the team sets its 53-man roster — would cost Humphrey four games. Given his value to the team, it seems likelier it will go week to week with its top corner.

The Ravens already entered camp with a question at slot corner, an area where Humphrey has excelled at points. Williams joined the likes of Brandon Stephens and Ar’Darius Washington in vying for that gig. The team trading Chuck Clark is set to move Kyle Hamilton, a slot player last season, to a pure safety role. With Humphrey likely shelved for the start of the season, the Ravens have another big question to answer as camp continues.

Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins Shifts To Hold-In Effort

August 16th, 2023 at 9:05am CST by Sam Robinson

Christian Wilkins has shifted course in his approach for a Dolphins contract extension. The fifth-year defensive tackle has not participated in team drills for several days now, and Mike McDaniel confirmed an injury has not kept him out.

The second-year coach indicated (via ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Beasley) Wilkins is holding in as he pushes for an extension. Contract talks have been ongoing for an extended period now, and with the defensive tackle market largely being set this offseason, the 2019 first-round pick is turning up the heat on the Dolphins.

“He feels that his play is deserving of a contract. We would agree, as the Miami Dolphins organization; we are in negotiations,” McDaniel said. “As a result, he hasn’t been participating in team [drills]. When he next participates, that will be up to him.”

Wilkins participated in team drills over the first two weeks of training camp but has come off the field during these periods for more than a week, Beasley notes. This does not appear a contentious situation, though as camp started, the talks were not generating much momentum. The prospect of a Wilkins extension surfaced in March, though it is interesting that after six months, a clear value gap remains between team and player.

Pro Football Focus rated Wilkins as a top-10 interior D-lineman in each of the past two seasons. Vic Fangio is now running the show on defense, but it should not be expected Wilkins is viewed as a poor fit in the highly paid defensive coordinator’s system. Wilkins, 27, has not proven to be a steady sack artist as a pro, having topped out at 4.5 sacks and 13 QB hits in a season (2021) with the Dolphins. That component is almost definitely a factor in these negotiations. But the Clemson alum has provided steady value to the team. As the Dolphins aim to make a substantial leap on defense with Fangio, they will need to address the Wilkins issue.

Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence and Daron Payne have each signed extensions worth between $22.5MM and $24MM per year this offseason. The Dolphins may not be eager to pay Wilkins, Lawrence’s college teammate, on this level. The Bills came in with a less costly Ed Oliver deal this summer, re-upping their 2019 first-round D-tackle pick at $17MM AAV. It is safe to expect Wilkins’ asking price to be north of that number.

As of now, Wilkins is tied to a $10.75MM fifth-year option for this season. The Dolphins will have the option of the franchise tag — a route the Commanders took with Payne to keep him off this year’s market — for Wilkins in 2024. That course of action would cost the team upwards of $20MM, and considering Wilkins’ current stance, tabling an extension until next year would not go over well.

Colts Name Anthony Richardson Starting QB

August 15th, 2023 at 10:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

After one preseason contest, the Colts have seen enough to hand over the reins of their offense to Anthony Richardson. The first-round rookie has officially been named the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback.

Richardson was the main X-factor in the 2023 draft class, having only spent one full season as a starter at the college level. He demonstrated a tantalizing combination of size and athleticism at Florida, but also struggled with accuracy and consistency in the passing game. Still, he was widely viewed as one of the top signal-callers available, and the Colts made it clear in the build-up to the draft that they were intent on securing a franchise quarterback.

That task has proven to be challenging since Andrew Luck‘s retirement, with a number of short-term veteran acquisitions not panning out as hoped. Indianapolis is going young now, though, and their decision to use the No. 4 pick on Richardson led to immediate speculation that he would see the field early and often. Owner Jim Irsay publicly opened the door to today’s decision last month when speaking about Richardson’s need for live game action to acclimate to the NFL level.

Veteran Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with a base value of $3.5MM in free agency. That gave the Colts a veteran insurance option and reunited Minshew with Shane Steichen, the Eagles’ former offensive coordinator. The latter is now the head coach of the Colts, and his hiring was based in part on his track record with developing young quarterbacks. Steichen will aim to guide Richardson to a career ascent similar to the one Jalen Hurts has enjoyed early in his career.

Richardson and Minshew split first-team reps at the onset of training camp, but it was the 21-year-old who started the preseason opener against the Bills. Richardson completed seven of 12 pass attempts in limited action, throwing one interception while flashing the potential he possess as a deep-ball thrower. He added seven yards on a pair of rushing attempts, likely a sign of things to come as he demonstrated an ability to produce sizable gains on the ground during his time in college.

Especially if the Jonathan Taylor situation does not reach a resolution ahead of the regular season, Richardson could find himself as a focal point of the Colts’ rushing attack in the beginning of his pro career. In any event, the latter is set to join fellow top-five draftees Bryce Young (Panthers) and C.J. Stroud (Texans) as rookies who will immediately be called into action in September.

Giants Sign OL Julién Davenport

August 15th, 2023 at 8:46pm CST by Ben Levine

The Giants are adding some depth on the offensive line. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Giants are signing offensive tackle Julién Davenport. The team also claimed linebacker Ray Wilborn off waivers from the Broncos (per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter) and waived/injured offensive lineman Devery Hamilton (via The Athletic’s Dan Duggan on Twitter).

Davenport worked out for the Giants alongside Lorenz Metz earlier today. The Giants ultimately opted for the more experienced of the two tryout players, and the free agent acquisition will provide more depth on New York’s offensive line. Tackle Evan Neal continues to work his way back from a concussion, and backups like Matt Peart (who has filled in as the starter opposite Andrew Thomas), Korey Cunningham, and Wyatt Davis have struggled in his stead.

Davenport brings plenty of experience, having started 32 of his 60 career games. The former fourth-round pick most recently spent time with the Bears and Cardinals but didn’t get into a game during the 2022 campaign. Davenport started four of his nine appearances with the Colts in 2021.

Wilborn has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Ball State in 2020. The linebacker has had stints with the Falcons, Steelers, Packers, and Broncos, getting into two regular season games. After inking a reserve/futures deal with Denver during the offseason, he was waived by the team yesterday.

Hamilton has spent most of his career on the Giants practice squad, getting into nine games with the big-league squad. The lineman suffered an injury last week that Brian Daboll described as “not day-to-day” (Twitter link).

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/23

August 15th, 2023 at 7:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Houston Texans

  • Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): OT Jacky Chen
  • Released from IR: OT Greg Little

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: CB Matt Hankins, RB Aaron Shampklin

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

Sean Chandler brings 64 games of experience to Arizona. Following a 2021 campaign that saw him collect a career-high 48 tackles in 15 games (seven starts) for the Panthers, the 27-year-old got into 17 games for the team in 2022, finishing with 19 tackles while primarily playing on special teams.

Adetokunbo Ogundeji is a tough loss for the Falcons, as the linebacker has turned into an important piece on Atlanta’s defense. The former fifth-round pick has started 27 of his 32 games since entering the NFL, collecting 75 tackles and three sacks. Ogundeji suffered a foot/ankle injury that will require surgery, and his placement on IR means the issue will ultimately knock him out for the entire 2023 campaign.

OL Justin Pugh Cleared For Drills, Expected To Take Visits

August 15th, 2023 at 6:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Justin Pugh is on the comeback trail. 10 months after tearing his ACL, the veteran offensive lineman has been cleared to do drills and is seeking his next opportunity, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).

The free agent lineman is reportedly participating in positional drills with LeCharles Bentley, a former Pro Bowl OL and current NFL senior advisor of player performance and development. Pugh is expected to visit with suitors in the “near future.”

Pugh himself provided some more insight into his free agency. In a conversation with Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the veteran admitted that he’s actually talked with six teams and is hoping to join a contender.

“It seems like after the preseason games happened, a few more teams reached out,” Pugh said (via Leonard on Twitter). “So we’ll see how the next few week go. Really looking to sign with one of those teams that’s in the top echelon. Playoff contention last year, has a chance to make a step this next year. And I can really come in and add value to that team.

“Not really looking for a rebuild where I have to come in and mentor a rookie quarterback. [I’m] looking for that team that’s missing a few pieces, needs some depth on the o-line. I know wherever I go, I’m going to end up starting. Offensive linemen don’t grow on trees.”

Pugh was limited to only five games last season before suffering his season-ending ACL tear. The lineman only got through one of his five seasons in Arizona unscathed, with Pugh ultimately starting 56 of his 57 games with the organization. It’s been a bit since Pugh ranked as an above-average guard by Pro Football Focus, although the site consistently graded him among the best tackles in the league during his time with the Giants.

Pugh was a first-round pick by New York in 2013 and spent five seasons with the organization, starting all 63 of his appearances. The 33-year-old told Leonard that the Giants are “one of those teams that [he’s] definitely eyeing” at the moment, with the lineman noting that he’d love to end his career where it started.

Saints Release WR James Washington

August 15th, 2023 at 5:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Darrel Williams‘ new roster spot on the Saints will cost another veteran their job. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter), the Saints have released wideout James Washington.

[RELATED: Saints To Sign RB Darrel Williams]

Washington joined the Saints on a one-year deal in May and was expected to compete for a roster spot. The 27-year-old is the latest veteran receiver to earn their walking papers, as receiver Keke Coutee was cut by the team this past weekend.

The veteran wideout spent most of the 2022 season on the Cowboys’ injured reserve, but he managed to get into two games for Dallas before getting cut. He spent the rest of the year on the Giants practice squad. It wasn’t that long ago that Washington was a mainstay on the Steelers offense. The Oklahoma State product never hit his second-round pedigree, but he did average 32 receptions for 470 yards per season between 2019 and 2021.

The top of the Saints WR depth chart is set with Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed, but the rest of the team’s depth is in question. That grouping includes five-year Saint Tre’Quan Smith and rookie sixth-round pick A.T. Perry, along with Lynn Bowden, Bryan Edwards, Keith Kirkwood, Kawaan Baker, Jontre Kirklin, and rookie Shaquan Davis.

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