NFC Notes: Suh, Bethea, Ware, Graham
2014/03/nfc-notesThe Lions are still feeling the effects of selecting high in the draft under the previous collective bargaining agreement, when rookie salaries were much higher. … Suh has restructured his contract twice in as many years in order for the Lions to gain more cap space.
AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Martin, Clowney
2014/02/afc-south-notes-jaguars-martin-clowneyThe Titans hold the 11th pick in the NFL Draft, and while the team has many holes to fill, Nicholas Pitakos of TitanSized.com explored the possibility of the team moving up to draft Jadeveon Clowney out of South Carolina. … Nate Davis of USA Today advises that the team's general manager Dave Caldwell start by courting a big name wideout such as Hakeem Nicks, and handing out a big payday to Browns center Alex Mack in order to replace the retiring Brad Meester.
Freeman On Clowney, Texans, Harbaugh
2014/02/freeman-clowney-texans-harbaughFreeman keeps hearing that not many teams will trade up in this year's draft, since the class is believed to be incredibly deep. … Even though it appears neither the team nor Martin wants a reunion, it could be in the best interest of both sides to present that as a realistic possibility in order to create some trade value for the young lineman.
Falcons Expected To Release Thomas DeCoud
2014/02/falcons-expected-release-thomas-decoudThe free agent market should provide plenty of options for teams looking to address their secondary prior to the draft.… A portion of DeCoud's salary becomes guaranteed if he remains on the team's roster beyond March 14, but it's possible he'll be released even before then, as Atlanta looks to get its cap in order by March 11.
AFC North Notes: Whitworth, Steelers, Hood
2014/02/afc-north-notes-whitworth-steelers-hoodThough cornerback is thought to be the most pressing need on defense, the Bengals will not reach for one if a better player at a different position is available to them in the draft, new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther tells Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. … Guenther also stated that the defensive scheme won't change much, but he will employ multiple fronts in order to get better matchups.
Cowboys Win Coin Flip For No. 16 Pick
2014/02/cowboys-win-coin-flip-16-pickThe NFL flipped a coin today to determine whether the Cowboys or Ravens would pick 16th overall in the 2014 draft, and Dallas won the flip, according to director of NFC communications Randall Liu (via Twitter). … 17, the first round order has now been set.
Franchise/Transition Tags
2014/02/franchisetransition-tagsIf the offer is not matched, the player's previous team will receive two first-round draft picks as compensation from the signing team. … Due to the attached compensatory picks, the non-exclusive franchise tag is generally sufficient for free agents -- few rival suitors are willing to give up multiple first-rounders in order to sign a free agent to a lucrative deal, so there's not much risk for a team to give up exclusive negotiating rights.
AFC West Notes: Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs
2014/02/afc-west-notes-chargers-raiders-chiefsThe play of the Seahawks' secondary during their Super Bowl run has the NFL trending toward bigger defensive backs, and the Chargers are one team targeting tall corners in the draft, writes ESPN Insider Kevin Weidl (subscription required). … The Chiefs would like to clear some extra cap space in order to further improve their roster, but there aren't many veterans who would be logical cap casualties, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.
NFC Notes: Saints, Packers, Delmas
2014/02/nfc-notes-saints-packers-delmasIf they are serious about free agency, Scott Chandler or Brandon Pettigrew could be fits, but a more likely scenario is that they would address the position in the draft, where tight end is thought to be a deep class. … He believes Roberts would have to take less money and a smaller role in order to stay.
NFL Notes: Saints, Redskins, Vikings
2014/02/nfl-notes-saintsWhether or not the team intends to release center Will Montgomery, right guard Chris Chester and/or right tackle Tyler Polumbus is uncertain, but any of the three could be replaced via free agency or draft. … Accordingly, Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune lists a handful of veterans who could be released in order to create more room (cap figure in parentheses): Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1MM), Lance Moore ($5.1MM), Pierre Thomas ($2.9MM), Darren Sproles ($4.25MM) and Patrick Robinson ($2.8MM).
Free Agent Market For Running Backs
2014/02/free-agent-market-running-backsNo running backs are expected to be selected in the first round of this year's draft, and the one major trade for a back consummated during the 2013 season (the Colts giving up a 2014 first-round pick for Trent Richardson) turned into something of a cautionary tale when Richardson struggled to produce in Indianapolis. … Both players offer tantalizing upside and should still have something left in the tank, but they'll need to be paired with solid second and third options in order to keep their workloads in check.
AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Jets, Raiders
2014/02/afc-notes-wilkerson-jets-raiders5 overall selection of the 2014 NFL Draft. … In order, Gutierrez lists Veldheer, Lamarr Houston, Rashad Jennings, Tracy Porter and Charles Woodson as the essential free agents to re-sign.
NFC Notes: Lions, Bucs, Falcons, Eagles
2014/02/nfc-notes-lions-bucs-falcons-eaglesThe Lions will have to clear significant money from their books over the next few weeks in order to get under the cap for 2014 and make room for draft picks, says Justin Rogers of MLive.com.
Extra Points: Henne, Packers, Keisel, Rivera
2014/01/extra-points-henne-packers-keisel-riveraWe’ve got some more meetings to go through, some game-planning with our coaching staff and our personnel staff just to see where we’re at and put together our plan for free agency and the draft." Henne, who signed a two-year deal worth $6.75MM with the team in 2012, started 13 games in '13 and threw for 3,421 yards and 13 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. … Gase politely rebuffed advances by the Browns and Vikings to interview for their head coaching openings in order to focus all of his energy on Denver's playoff run.
Corry On Patriots, 49ers, Manning
2014/01/corry-on-patriots-49ers-manningHe is coming off a productive season, but with draft picks invested in Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, and Marcus Lattimore, this could be a good time to turn the page in order to shed his $6.45MM salary.