HEADLINES

Month: April 2024

Pats, Christian Barmore Agree To Extension

April 30th, 2024 at 3:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 30: A key point for Barmore will emerge in 2026, when a $10MM guarantee vests. Of Barmore’s $41.8MM guaranteed, $31.8MM is guaranteed at signing. The Patriots guaranteed $2MM of Barmore’s 2026 base salary ($12MM), per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio; the other $10MM is guaranteed for injury only. That $10MM shifts to a full guarantee on the third day of the 2026 league year, giving the Patriots a potential out. Barmore’s contract also includes $8MM in total incentives.

APRIL 29: Continuing with a trend from earlier this offseason, the Patriots have retained another in-house player for years to come. New England has reached agreement on an extension with defensive tackle Christian Barmore, as first reported by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds this pact is four years in length, and it carries a maximum value of $92MM. As a result, Barmore has become the latest ascending defensive lineman to secure a lucrative new pact. The 24-year-old is now on the books through 2028. The pact (which Kyed notes has a base value of $84MM) includes $41.8MM in guaranteed money, per Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler. In all, this marks the franchise’s largest contract ever given to a player not named Tom Brady.

New England was active in free agency last month with respect to re-signing or extending starters on both sides of the ball. The Patriots’ defense retained safety Kyle Dugger via the transition tag before a long-term extension was worked out. Edge rushers Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings also have new deals in place, and Barmore will remain a key member of the team’s front seven alongside them for years to come.

The latter began extension talks in March, and a major raise has been hammered out in the immediate aftermath of the draft. Team and player certainly had an established framework in place with respect to second contracts along the defensive interior. Over the past two years, a number of up-and-coming producers at the position have landed lucrative extensions. Barmore’s $23MM per year average (provided he reaches his maximum earning potential) places him in a tie for seventh amongst active defensive tackles.

The Alabama product saw a notable 55% defensive snap share as a rookie, and he produced 46 tackles that year. His playing time dipped the following season and his impact as a pass-rusher improved only incrementally (1.5 to 2.5 sacks). This past campaign, however, Barmore took on a larger workload (66% snap share) and he parlayed that into a notable uptick in statistical output.

The former second-rounder racked up 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2023, the second season in which he was healthy for every game. Barmore added 19 pressures and 16 QB hits, and he ranked eighth amongst defensive tackles in terms of PFF grade (83.8). New England will count on a repeat of that production this season and beyond.

The Patriots have plenty of room for improvement on offense in 2024, but the team’s defense fared well in a number of categories last year. The team ranked fourth against the run, and Barmore played a central role in that success. He will be expected to continue his career ascent in the ground game while building off his impact against the pass for the foreseeable future as one of several D-lineman cashing in around the NFL.

Jaguars To Decline Mac Jones’ Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2024 at 3:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mac Jones is set to finish out his four-year rookie contract with the Jaguars, who faced three fifth-year option decisions as a result of acquiring the former Patriots first-rounder. After exercising Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne‘s options, they will make the expected call of declining Jones’.

The Jags will not extend Jones’ contract through 2025, according to ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco. This would have meant a $25.66MM salary. Seeing as Jones is set to be Lawrence’s backup, the former No. 15 overall pick’s option loomed as a non-starter from the jump. Teams have until May 2 to exercise or decline fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders.

[RELATED: 2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

The Patriots’ starter for most of his time in New England, Jones landed on the third tier of the option structure. The Pats were not going to exercise the former No. 15 overall pick’s option, as his play sharply declined after a promising rookie season. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up — acquired for a sixth-round pick in March — is now officially in a contract year.

Jones joins three other quarterbacks from the 2021 first round — Trey Lance, Justin Fields and now Zach Wilson — in being traded. Lawrence is the only member of that quintet who remains with his original team. The former No. 1 overall pick is also the only member of that group who saw his option exercised. That draft serves as a warning sign for teams that dived into this year’s first round for a passer; last week’s group tied 1983 for the most Round 1 passers in a draft.

As for Jones, he will attempt to move back on track in what is expected to be a season out of the spotlight. Disagreements with Bill Belichick created the perception of a frosty relationship between the Alabama alum and the former Patriots HC; the post-Belichick Pats were among the teams to acquire a quarterback in this year’s first round. As Drake Maye prepares to solidify himself as a franchise-caliber passer, Jones is at an early-career crossroads. Lawrence having only missed one NFL start points to Jones taking a reset year.

Jones, 25, was initially linked to being the 49ers’ target in 2021. That may well have been the case, but the team went with Lance. With Josh McDaniels calling the shots to close out his second stint as Patriots OC, Jones piloted the Pats to an 10-7 record and finished behind only Ja’Marr Chase in that season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting. Belichick’s decision to go with Matt Patricia as OC in 2022 predictably backfired, and Jones — who joined the chorus of skeptics about the Patricia decision — drew the ire of his NFL HC for reaching out to Alabama staffers about solutions. No improvement took place under established OC Bill O’Brien, however, further tanking Jones’ value.

Jones ranked 28th in QBR last season and ended up benched for Bailey Zappe to close out the campaign. Averaging a career-low 6.1 yards per attempt, Jones threw 10 TD passes compared to 12 INTs. Going 2-9 as a starter last year, Jones spent Week 18 as the Pats’ third-stringer. The Jags have their three-year backup, C.J. Beathard, signed for the ’24 season as well. It will be interesting to see how Jacksonville’s depth chart looks come September.

First-Round QBs Traded Since 2000

April 30th, 2024 at 2:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos and Jets’ Zach Wilson trade means four members of the five-QB 2021 first round are now finishing out their rookie contracts elsewhere. This offseason has brought more activity in terms of quarterback trades, with a handful of 2021 and ’22 QB draftees being dealt. The 2020s have presented a hotbed for deals involving former first-round QBs, but a number of trades relocating former top passing prospects have come to pass over the past two decades.

Beginning with a rather eventful sequence during the 2004 draft, here are first-round passers chosen since 2000 who have been traded:

2004

  • Draft-day exchange sent No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning‘s rights to Giants; Chargers received rights to No. 4 choice (Philip Rivers), 2004 third-round pick, 2005 first-, fifth-rounders

2006

2009

  • Bears landed Jay Cutler, 2009 fifth-round pick from Broncos for Kyle Orton, 2009 first-, third-round picks, 2010 first-rounder

2010

2011

  • At trade deadline, Raiders end Carson Palmer‘s retirement stay by sending Bengals 2012 first-round pick, 2013 second-rounder

2012

  • Shortly after Peyton Manning‘s free agency decision, Jets acquired Tim Tebow, 2012 seventh-round pick from Broncos for 2012 fourth-, sixth-rounders

2013

  • Chiefs acquired Alex Smith from 49ers for 2013, 2014 second-round picks
  • Cardinals obtained Carson Palmer, 2013 seventh-round pick from Raiders for 2013 sixth-rounder, 2014 seventh

2014

2015

2016

2018

2019

2021

2022

2023

2024

Latest On Giants, Vikings’ Offers For Patriots’ No. 3 Overall Pick

April 30th, 2024 at 2:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Drake Maye generated split opinions as a prospect during the pre-draft process, the Patriots have a rookie quarterback other teams coveted. New England’s reassembled front office has the trade proposals to confirm the interest.

The Patriots did not close off trade avenues, holding talks leading up to going on the clock for their highest draft choice in 31 years. But buzz in the hours leading up to the draft all but locked in Maye to Foxborough. The Giants and Vikings, who each had been viewed as having steady interest in the North Carolina prospect, did make notable offers for the pick.

We heard post-draft the Giants continued to pursue Maye while the Pats were on the clock. Big Blue offered New England its 2025 first-rounder to move from No. 6 to No. 3; New York’s package included that 2025 first and its second-rounder (No. 47) this year, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan. The Vikings were OK unloading their No. 23 pick (along with No. 11) and their 2025 first to climb to No. 3, per ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. Ultimately, the Pats balked and will build around Maye.

Considering how the Giants proceeded at No. 6, their pursuit of Maye qualifies as significant. The team has regrouped around Daniel Jones, despite doing steady work on this class’ top QBs. The Giants chose Malik Nabers over J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. Each passer visited the team during the draft run-up, with Raanan adding the team did not have this QB crop’s second tier graded highly enough for an investment at No. 6.

“We had a lot of conversations with a lot of teams,” Giants GM Joe Schoen said. “I’m not going to get into specifics. We had a really good player at six. That was a position that I think was a need that we needed to upgrade. I’m fired up about the kid.”

The Giants’ Maye interest points to another make-or-break season for Jones, whose $40MM-per-year contract can be shed without too much damage in 2025. Jones performed well enough in his previous “prove it” season (2022), becoming the first QB to see his fifth-year option declined and then re-sign with that team. And Nabers profiles as the top target the 2019 first-rounder has been given while with the Giants. But Jones, who is expected to be finished with ACL rehab by training camp, is clearly on the clock once again.

The Vikings’ proposal also included two Patriots mid-round picks this year going to Minnesota, per Reiss. Going into the draft, the Patriots were not impressed with the offers they had received. As the Giants’ 2025 first-rounder dangled as an important chip — as the Pats would have only stepped back three spots in this draft and picked up a second — the Vikings essentially had to include two future firsts to present a viable offer. It cost the 49ers their 2022 and ’23 first-rounders, along with a third, to vault nine spots (No. 12 to No. 3) for Trey Lance in 2021. After New England passed, Minnesota did not end up needing to trade its No. 23 overall pick — later used to move up for Dallas Turner — to land McCarthy.

Each of this draft’s non-Caleb Williams first-round QBs trekked to Minnesota to meet with the Vikings before the draft. All but Jayden Daniels participated in a workout, with SI.com’s Albert Breer adding Daniels — who did not go through QB drills at the Combine or LSU’s pro day — passed on this part of the Vikings visit. Daniels had long been expected to go No. 2 to Washington, which was far less likely to trade the pick — despite the Raiders’ efforts — compared to the Patriots.

After Mac Jones could not sustain his rookie-year momentum — as the Pats cycled through offensive coordinators post-Josh McDaniels — Maye will be tasked with growing into a franchise-caliber passer. The 6-foot-4 prospect may well begin the season behind Jacoby Brissett, but given how this process usually goes, the two-year North Carolina starter should be expected to begin Pats QB1 work well before this season ends.

Cardinals Sign Three UDFAs

April 30th, 2024 at 1:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cardinals are keeping their UDFA count low this year, announcing just three UDFA additions after making 12 draft choices last week. Here is Arizona’s trio of post-draft hopefuls:

Weaver was part of Deion Sanders‘ massive transfer haul last year. As the rookie Division I-FBS HC overhauled the Pac-12 program, Weaver joined the likes of Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. as imports who became Shedeur Sanders‘ top targets. While Hunter will be a big name to monitor ahead of the 2025 draft, Weaver led the Buffaloes in receiving by a wide margin last season. The South Florida transfer produced a career-high 68 receptions for 908 yards, adding four touchdowns.

Also serving as a punt returner at points, the 6-foot-1 target posted back-to-back 700-plus-yard showings in his final two seasons at South Florida. Weaver joins a Cardinals team — even after Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s arrival — that still has questions at wide receiver. The Cardinals are guaranteeing $225K of Weaver’s $255K base salary, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.

Shimko may be the top name to monitor here for longevity purposes. He won the Patrick Mannelly Award given to the nation’s top long snapper last season. Like many players in this UDFA class, Shimko played five college seasons due to the COVID-19 waiver. The Cardinals released long snapper Matt Hembrough on Monday but re-signed longtime snapper Aaron Brewer in March. Brewer, 33, has been with the Cards since 2016. Shimko’s award-winning season puts him on the radar for a gig elsewhere, should Brewer keep his job.

Browns Sign C Brian Allen

April 30th, 2024 at 12:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brian Allen‘s six-year Rams run ended this offseason, as the Rams released him following a season as a second-stringer. Allen will have a chance to rebuild elsewhere.

The former Super Bowl starter secured a chance with the Browns on Tuesday, according to his agency. Cleveland will see if Allen, who has battled injuries for much of his career, can contribute to an O-line that otherwise features a host of expensive pieces.

Although the Browns limped to the finish line last season up front, their line still houses high-priced guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller — along with Jack Conklin‘s upper-crust right tackle salary and Jedrick Wills‘ fifth-year option. The team also paid Ethan Pocic after a productive 2022 season; the veteran center is tied to a three-year, $18MM deal. Pocic received $10MM guaranteed at signing last year.

Pocic’s 2023 terms matched what the Rams authorized for Allen in 2022, but the Super Bowl LVI first-stringer again ran into injury trouble. Allen, who missed seven games in 2019 and all of 2020 due to injury, did not play in 10 of the Rams’ 17 games during an injury-plagued 2022 campaign for the defending champions’ O-line. Allen was unable to retain his starting spot last season, as the Rams went with former UDFA Coleman Shelton. Even as Shelton departed (for the Bears) in free agency, the Rams made Allen a cap casualty.

Pro Football Focus graded Allen as the league’s 10th-best center in 2021, offering some potential upside for the Browns. But while the former fourth-round pick made 20 starts for the Super Bowl-winning team, he played part of the season with a UCL tear in his elbow and missed a game due to an MCL sprain. ACL and MCL tears midway through the 2019 season ended up costing Allen all of his 2020 season, and he sustained another knee setback in Week 1 of the ’22 season. Allen, 28, suited up for only five games last season, as Shelton started all 18 Rams contests.

PFF graded Pocic as last season’s 13th-best center, and the Browns also drafted Michigan guard Zak Zinter in Round 3. The latter is coming off a season-ending broken leg sustained during Michigan’s win over Ohio State. As Zinter is assured of at least a swing role this coming season, the Browns will see if Allen can also become part of their equation up front.

Ravens Pick Up Odafe Oweh’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2024 at 11:55am CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens made a pair of first-round selections in 2021, but the case of wideout Rashod Bateman required the team to work out an extension rather than deciding on his fifth-year option. A move still needed to be made with respect to edge rusher Odafe Oweh, however.

[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

The latter had his option exercised on Tuesday, per a team announcement. Oweh does not have a Pro Bowl on his resume, and he has not met the playtime threshold needed for the next-highest tier regarding option values. As a result, the 25-year-old will be tied to a $13.25MM salary in 2025.

Much like fellow Penn State product (and 2024 draftee) Chop Robinson, Oweh’s college career was marked more by his athletic traits and resultant upside than his production. In the case of both players, though, they heard their names called on Day 1, producing considerable expectations. Oweh totaled seven sacks with the Nittany Lions across three years, including none in 2020.

That led to questions about his ability to transition to the pro game, although a five-sack rookie campaign appeared to ease such concerns. Oweh logged a 65% snap share that season, but his playing time decreased the following year; he posted two fewer sacks and nine fewer QB pressures (16) in response. The Ravens made another notable draft investment along the edge in 2022 (second-rounder David Ojabo), but his injury-induced absence left the team in need of experienced additions.

Baltimore added Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy in 2023, and both veterans enjoyed productive campaigns. Clowney parlayed his success into a two-year Panthers agreement, but Van Noy has re-signed with the Ravens. He, Ojabo and 2024 third-rounder Adisa Isaac will be key members of the team’s edge contingent moving forward.

Oweh will also be a central figure for the unit, though. The 6-5, 257-pounder recorded five sacks last season while playing a career-low 50% of the team’s defensive snaps. Clowney’s departure (along with the fact Tyus Bowser, who missed the entire year, was released) could open up playing time for Oweh in an important fourth campaign. General manager Eric DeCosta has praised his potential against the pass, and his play against the run – 99 stops, 16 tackles for loss in his career – could keep him firmly in the team’s plans for years to come. Still, expectations will continue to be high for Oweh knowing he is in line for a notable raise in 2025.

Seahawks In Discussion With Jamal Adams

April 30th, 2024 at 11:06am CST by Adam La Rose

During the lead-in to free agency, the Seahawks moved on from starting safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. Both remain unsigned at this time, but a reunion with the latter could be on the table.

Adams has been in contact with the Seahawks, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. He adds that “interest in a possible return is regarded as legitimate,” a strong follow-up to general manager John Schneider‘s public stance stating Adams could be brought back. The 28-year-old was released last month in a cost-shedding move.

Acquired via trade from the Jets in 2020, Adams had a highly productive debut Seahawks campaign (83 tackles, 9.5 sacks). Injuries limited him to just 32 games across the following three seasons, though, including a single contest in 2022. The three-time Pro Bowler was held without a sack or interception this past season while struggling in coverage. That could lead to Seattle bringing him back with the intention of using him more at the second level than in the secondary, Condotta notes.

Indeed, ESPN’s Brady Henderson adds the Seahawks would reunite with Adams with the intention of using him at weakside linebacker. The LB spot saw considerable change during free agency, with Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks departing on the open market. Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker were brought in as replacements, and Adams would likely compete for playing time with the latter if he were to be brought back. Both Condotta and Henderson note that nothing is imminent at this time, however, and team may not need to proceed with much urgency given how much smaller any new Adams agreement will be than his previous pact.

The former No. 6 pick was attached to a four-year, $70MM deal before he was cut. Given his injury history (along with general downward trend of the safety market), Adams will no doubt sign a ‘prove it’ accord upon returning to Seattle or joining a new team. The Seahawks have Julian Love in place as a safety starter, and the team added Rayshawn Jenkins and K’Von Wallace in free agency. Adams could provide depth on the backend even if he were primarily used at linebacker.

Condotta names the 49ers as one of a “handful of teams” which has touched base with Adams this offseason. The Seahawks are clearly one of them, but they could have competition from a division rival in a hypothetical pursuit. Seattle currently has just $1.6MM in cap space, a portion of which will be needed to sign the team’s draft class.

CB Chris Harris Retires

April 30th, 2024 at 10:19am CST by Adam La Rose

Chris Harris attempted to find a new home in the NFL last season, but he was out of the league throughout the 2023 campaign. Rather than repeating a comeback attempt, the decorated corner has elected to hang up his cleats.

Harris recently decided to retire, as detailed by Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. The 34-year-old last played in 2022 with the Saints, playing out a one-year deal following his time in the AFC West. While Harris spent a pair of seasons as a Charger, he will be best remembered for his nine-year tenure in Denver.

“I just waited a year and I stayed in shape, but I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave,” Harris said (via Tomasson). “So I thought it would be great to just call it an end.”

Upon entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011, Harris showcased his potential as a rookie with the Broncos. From that season on, he served as a full-time starter and cemented his status as one of the league’s most productive and versatile corners. Harris racked up 20 interceptions (four of which were returned for touchdowns) during his Broncos tenure. That period included four Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro nod (as well as a pair of second-team inclusions).

Harris posted double-digit pass deflections four times in his career, and he wound up with 97 in total. He also recorded seven forced fumbles during his career, remaining an impactful defender in terms of ball production along the way. The Kansas product was a key figure on the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50-winning team, and he will exit the game with a championship to his name as well as a place on the 2010s All-Decade team. Harris trained for a 2023 deal, attempting to play a role on a contending team; the fact that an agreement did not materialize means he will end his career with 180 combined regular and postseason games of experience.

Harris noted his regret in not transitioning to safety – a move many corners make in their 30s to extend their careers. He added that he is contemplating a career in media with his playing days now behind him, but no firm decision has been made on that front. In all, Harris will depart with just over $68MM in career earnings.

Browns To Exercise CB Greg Newsome’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2024 at 8:34am CST by Adam La Rose

As fifth-year option decisions continue to be made around the league, the Browns will take the expected route in the case of cornerback Greg Newsome. Cleveland will keep Newsome in the fold for at least the next two years, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

A report from earlier this month indicated the Browns were in position to pick up the option, so today’s confirmation comes as no surprise. Newsome will now be attached to a 2025 salary of $13.38MM, since he checks in at the third tier of option values. Trade rumors have surrounded the 23-year-old, but he remains firmly in at least Cleveland’s intermediate-term plans.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry made it clear prior to the draft that he had no intention of moving Newsome despite his presence in a deep CB room. Cleveland already has Denzel Ward attached to a $20.1MM-per-year agreement, and 2022 third-rounder Martin Emerson will be eligible for an extension as early as next offseason. The latter had a strong second NFL campaign, delivering four interceptions and 13 pass deflections. A new Emerson deal will therefore likely require another large financial commitment, something which would be complicated by a Newsome agreement.

Still, the Northwestern product has provided starting-caliber play throughout his three years in Cleveland. Spending considerable time in the slot over the past two seasons in particular, Newsome has totaled 29 pass breakups to date. His only two interceptions came last season, one which doubled as his best with respect to coverage statistics (56.7% completion percentage, 74.8 passer rating allowed as the nearest defender). Continuing to progress in both respects could line him up for a long-term accord, one which can be worked out at any time.

Ward is on the books through 2027, whereas Emerson’s rookie pact is in place for the next two seasons. As a result, the Browns’ lauded cornerback trio should remain intact during the 2024 and ’25 campaigns, although the team has added depth via the draft over the past two springs. Cleveland selected Cameron Mitchell in the fifth round of last year’s draft, and he logged three starts as a rookie. The Browns also added Myles Harden in the seventh round this past weekend, but the depth ahead of him will make it hard to see playing time.

Newsome will enter the 2024 season assured of a key defensive role, and Berry’s comments related to shooting down a trade – coupled with today’s decision (which matches those made with the 2021 class’ other Day 1 corners so far), of course – point to him staying in place through the expiration of his rookie contract. How willing the team is regarding a multi-year commitment will be an interesting storyline to follow.

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