Cardinals Add 14 UDFAs, Cut Two Players
John Carlson‘s retirement announcement was the big news out of Arizona today, but the roster is undergoing plenty of other changes as well. As Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets, the team has let go of running back Zach Bauman and cornerback Roc Carmichael, and has agreed to terms with 14 undrafted free agents.
Here are the 14 newest Cardinals, per Urban, along with bonus info via Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic:
- Cariel Brooks, CB, Adams State ($4K bonus)
- Rob Crisp, T, North Carolina State ($15K bonus)
- Alani Fua, LB, BYU ($17K bonus)
- Trevor Harman, WR, Shippensburg
- Edwin Jackson, LB, Georgia Southern ($1.5K bonus)
- Andrae Kirk, LB, Florida Atlantic ($3K bonus)
- Paul Lasike, RB, BYU ($500 bonus)
- Gabe Martin, LB, Bowling Green ($4.5K bonus)
- Damond Powell, WR, Iowa ($500 bonus)
- C.J. Roberts, CB, Colorado State-Pueblo ($8K bonus)
- Jaxon Shipley, WR, Texas ($9K bonus)
- Gannon Sinclair, TE, Missouri State ($5K bonus)
- Zack Wagenmann, LB, Montana ($8K bonus)
- Xavier Williams, NT, Northern Iowa ($8K bonus)
John Carlson Announces Retirement
Veteran Cardinals tight end John Carlson has announced his retirement from the NFL, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. As Urban notes, the decision comes as a surprise, since Carlson has been working out with the team during Arizona’s offseason program.
Carlson, a former second-round pick, will turn 31 next Tuesday, and was coming off a solid first season with the Cardinals. In 16 games (12 starts) for the club, the former Seahawk and Vikings totaled 33 receptions for 350 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers brought his career marks to 210 catches, 2,256 yards, and 15 TDs in 90 overall regular season contests.
While Carlson dealt with concussion issues earlier in his career, he didn’t miss a game during the 2014 season, and told Tom Pelissero of USA Today last year, “I don’t have a concussion problem.” Carlson’s retirement comes somewhat early in his career, but his statement announcing the decision didn’t make reference to health concerns.
“After much thought and consideration, my wife Danielle and I know that this is best decision for us,” Carlson said in a statement, per Urban. “I was blessed to play seven seasons in the NFL for three tremendous organizations – the Cardinals, Vikings and Seahawks. I will always treasure the experiences and relationships made during that time but I’m also very excited about the next phase of my life and what’s ahead.”
With Carlson no longer in the mix, 2014 second-rounder Troy Niklas and veteran Darren Fells figure to head up the Cardinals’ depth chart at the tight end spot. If the team isn’t satisfied with its options, it could turn to the free agent market, where players like Jermaine Gresham and Zach Miller are still available. A trade is also an option, with Martellus Bennett reportedly on the trade block, though I wouldn’t expect Arizona to make a big splash.
NFC Notes: Eagles, Robinson, Cards, Vikes
Though the draft is over, the Eagles want to add more players, according to head coach Chip Kelly, who says the club want to bring in more offensive lineman and a tight end to replace James Casey (Twitter link via Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com). Philadelphia could look to add UDFAs and/or veteran free agents in the coming weeks.
Let’s look at some more notes from the NFC:
- Offensive tackle Corey Robinson says the Ravens, Dolphins, and Washington all called him with interest in signing him as a UDFA before he was chosen by the Lions, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Cardinals GM Steve Keim said he traded up for defensive lineman Rodney Gunter because he thought another team would take Gunter soon, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. That mystery team’s GM later confirmed to Keim that he would have selected Gunter had he been available, adds Urban.
- Guard Joe Berger was the only free agent whom the Vikings had interest in retaining, Vikes GM Rick Speilman tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Berger did end up being the only Minnesota FA to stick around, inking a two-year deal. (The Vikings also re-signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson and long snapper Cullen Loeffler, but both technically signed before the start of free agency).
- The 49ers drafted Blake Bell as a tight end, but the club thinks the former college quarterback could serve as an emergency QB in the NFL, per Matt Barrows of the San Francisco Bee (Twitter link), who adds that the presence of Bell could affect San Francisco’s roster construction.
NFC West Notes: Wilson, Irvin, Lee, Gunter
Contract talks between the Seahawks and Russell Wilson are going “a little slow,” according to head coach Pete Carroll, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). They are talking, but are not progressing as fast as the two sides would like. Condotta writes that Adam Schefter of ESPN followed that news up by reporting that Wilson is looking for guaranteed money of a quarterback while the Seahawks are trying to sign him for less (via Twitter).
Here are some other notes from around the NFC West:
- Condotta also points out that while Carroll says nothing is final about a possible extension for former first-round pick Bruce Irvin, but also says nothing to a report that the Seahawks would like to trade the young linebacker (via Twitter).
- The 49ers have not asked punter Andy Lee to take a pay cut, but drafting Clemson punter Bradley Pinion in the fifth-round certainly puts his future with the team in question, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). Cole notes that Lee is scheduled to make $2.05MM in base salary in 2015, suggesting the team could look to save some money at that position on the roster.
- The Cardinals felt forced to trade up in the fourth round to select Delaware State’s Rodney Gunter, as they were convinced that another team drafting in that area was going to take their coveted defensive line prospect, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com (via Twitter).
- After drafting Missouri receiver Bud Sasser in the sixth round, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes Rams have now gone with an offensive player in all six of their selections in the 2015 NFL Draft (via Twitter). They have taken three offensive linemen, a quarterback, and a running back to go along with Sasser so far, in hopes of building up an offense that has been far behind their stout defense the past few seasons. The last defensive player they have chosen was Michael Sam in the seventh round last year.
Cardinals Acquire No. 116 Pick From Browns
After having taken Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell at pick No. 115, the Browns have traded their next selection. According to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com (via Twitter), the Cardinals have acquired pick No. 116 from Cleveland. In return, the Browns will get a fourth-rounder (No. 123), sixth-rounder (No. 198) and seventh-rounder (No. 241), according to ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon on Twitter.
With the pick, Arizona will select Delaware State defensive end Rodney Gunter, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (on Twitter). He finished last season with 57 tackles and seven sacks.
NFC Notes: Eagles, Bennett, Collins, Boone
The latest from the NFC as Friday comes to a close:
- Eagles coach and football czar Chip Kelly said he hasn’t received any calls regarding linebacker Mychal Kendricks, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). The Eagles have been shopping the three-year veteran, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week.
- In other Eagles linebacker news, one scout called their selection of Texas’ Jordan Hicks in the third round (84th overall) a “stupid pick,” per Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. However, the Bengals would’ve taken him with the next pick, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Further, Kelly says the Eagles had a second-round grade on Hicks and saw him more than any other prospect prior to the draft, reports the Inquirer’s Zach Berman (via Twitter).
- Despite all the recent rumors surrounding his team, Kelly claims he hasn’t talked to anyone during the draft about trading players, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter). What’s more, Kelly had to call multiple players recently to tell them that they weren’t trade bait, per USA Today’s Lindsay Jones (Twitter link). Mosher reports (Twitter link) that Kendricks and cornerback Brandon Boykin did not receive calls, while defensive end Vinny Curry did.
- Bears general manager Ryan Pace says tight end Martellus Bennett has not requested a trade, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). However, Biggs notes that Bennett might want more money. Bennett, who amassed 90 catches and six touchdowns in 2014, has two years left on his contract, but no guaranteed money left. He was said earlier this week to be on the trade block.
- Saints head coach Sean Payton says the team hasn’t taken LSU offensive tackle La’el Collins off its board, per Sean Fazende of Fox 8 (Twitter link). On the possibility of using a seventh-round pick on Collins, Payton went on to state, “I don’t know that we would consider that right now until we get more clarity.” Collins, whom Baton Rouge police wish to question regarding the murder of his ex-girlfriend, has seen his draft stock drop precipitously in recent days, and may not sign with a team that drafts him tomorrow.
- General manager Trent Baalke says the 49ers haven’t spoken with guard Alex Boone or his agent, tweets Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Boone, who is entering the final year of his contract, will skip all voluntary offseason activities. Baalke referred to that as a “non-issue.”
- Before the Rams swung a deal Friday to swap second-round picks with the Panthers (going from 41st to 57th) and acquire a pair of other selections, St. Louis had discussions with five other teams, per Howard Balzer (Twitter link), who says the team was willing to move down so far in the second round in order to pick up a third-round pick. Coach Jeff Fisher said the Rams were comfortable moving down because they felt they’d still be able to get one of the offensive linemen they liked, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner (Twitter link). That proved true, as they ultimately took Wisconsin offensive tackle Rob Havenstein.
- Trading up could be a possibility Saturday for the Cardinals. Their general manager, Steve Keim, mentioned the possibility twice Friday, reports Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
- The Cowboys would be comfortable taking a running back in the fourth round, tweets Rapoport.
Ravens Acquire 55th Pick From Cardinals
The Ravens have acquired the 55th pick from the Cardinals, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, and Andy Slater of 940-AM WINZ reports (Twitter) they will select Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams. The Cards will receive a second-round pick (No. 58) and fifth-rounder (No. 158), according to the NFL’s official Twitter account.
West Rumors: Rivers, Floyd, Cards, Rams
While Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers isn’t going to be traded, all signs so far have pointed to him playing out the 2015 season without a new contract in place. Still, as Rivers said on Friday, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, that remains a fluid situation.
“A lot of moving parts and lots to think about,” Rivers said. “Location, family, team … All I can say at this point regarding an extension is I’m willing to listen to anything. I’m also willing to play it out. I’m just fired up to be the Chargers QB in 2015.”
While we wait to see if the Chargers and Rivers move forward with extension discussions, let’s round up a few more items from around the NFL’s two West divisions….
- According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter), the Cardinals are willing to listen to trade inquiries on wide receiver Michael Floyd, but no one has expressed interest so far. I imagine most teams are open to listening to calls about most players, but the fact that this tidbit is out there without Floyd having generated any interest suggests that the team is very open to the idea. Arizona picked up Floyd’s fifth-year option this week.
- The Cardinals tried to move up ahead of the Steelers in the first round last night, in the hopes of landing Bud Dupree, tweets Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910. Of course, Arizona didn’t end up completing a trade, and Pittsburgh selected the Kentucky pass rusher.
- There’s “absolutely nothing” going on between the Rams and free agent guard Justin Blalock at this point, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). After not picking an offensive lineman in round one, the Rams will almost certainly have to address their line at some point today or tomorrow.
NFC Draft Notes: 49ers, Thompson, Bucs, Gregory
NFL.com’s Marc Sessler explores which teams could move up during Friday’s portion of the draft. The Cowboys and Cardinals top the list, as the writer believes the teams could make a move for a targeted running back. The Lions are a candidate to move up and grab a defensive lineman, while the Saints could target a young quarterback.
Let’s take a look at some more draft notes from the NFC…
- 49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters (video link on 49ers’ website) that he didn’t draft defensive end Arik Armstead as insurance against Justin Smith‘s possible retirement. Smith’s status for 2015 and beyond is still up in the air but Baalke has said all along that his uncertain status wouldn’t affect the team’s draft plans.
- If linebacker Shaq Thompson hadn’t been selected by the Panthers at pick No. 25, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times says (via Twitter) the Cowboys were ready to “pounce” at No. 27.
- Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says (via Twitter) the Buccaneers are “thrilled” that offensive tackles Jake Fisher (Oregon) and T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) are still one the board. The writer notes that the team will target one of the lineman with pick No. 34.
- Meanwhile, ESPN’s Ed Werder says Randy Gregory is on the Buccaneers draft board, which indicates that the embattled linebacker is also being considered at pick No. 34 (Twitter link).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Cardinals Exercise Michael Floyd’s Option
THURSDAY, 6:19pm: The Cardinals made the decision official today, formally exercising Floyd’s option, per Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link).
WEDNESDAY, 5:16pm: The Cardinals have told wide receiver Michael Floyd and his reps that they are picking up his fifth year option, a source tells Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter).
As of last week, the Cardinals were said to be on the fence regarding Floyd’s fifth-year option for 2016. Word was that Arizona would wait until after the draft to make that determination, but it sounds like the front office has reached a consensus more than 24 hours before the first pick. Floyd is now in line to earn a salary of $7.32MM and his salary is guaranteed in the event of an injury.
Larry Fitzgerald has long been the face of the Cardinals and the focal point of their passing attack but in 2014 we saw the torch being passed a bit to the younger Floyd. In 16 regular season games, Floyd caught 47 balls for 841 yards and a career-high six touchdowns. Fitzgerald out performed him by some measures, notching 63 catches for 784 yards and two scores, but there were multiple games last season where Floyd was the No. 1 target.
The Cardinals are clearly high on Floyd’s upside and it should only get better with a more stable quarterback situation in 2015.