Steelers CB Levi Wallace Assured Of Starting Role
The Steelers’ cornerback room will look significantly different with free agent addition Patrick Peterson and second-round rookie Joey Porter Jr. How large of a workload the latter handles right away will go a long way in determining Pittsburgh’s secondary plans. 
As detailed by Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Porter is firmly in contention for a starting role as a perimeter corner (subscription required). If he is able to secure that spot, Peterson would be well-positioned to transition from outside corner duties to more of a hybrid alignment which would see him log considerable time as a safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. Such a scenario was discussed between Peterson and the Steelers’ coaching staff not long after his arrival on a two-year deal.
In the event Porter earns a first-team spot, veteran Levi Wallace would line up opposite him. The latter logged a 76% snap share in 2022, his first Steelers campaign. The former Bills UDFA had a strong showing with four interceptions, 13 pass deflections and a 53.2% completion percentage allowed in coverage. One year remains on his contract, and he is due to carry a $5.48MM cap hit – more than a reasonable rate for a full-time starter at the CB spot.
As Kaboly notes, Wallace is assured of starting regardless of if Porter wins the job opposite him, or Peterson is used in his traditional corner spot. In the latter case, Porter would be used off the bench and Chandon Sullivan would be used in the slot. Matching his performance from last season would allow Wallace, 28, to handle and uptick in playing time and put himself in a strong position ahead of free agency while giving Pittsburgh a consistent performer in the secondary.
Beyond that, questions will be raised about Porter’s readiness to play a major role as a rookie – something he was thought to be capable of coming out of college as one of the highest-rated members of this year’s strong corner class. At the age of 33, a move to safety would also likely pay dividends for Peterson with respect to prolonging his career and ensuring his effectiveness with a third career team.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Reverted to IR: CB Jordan Swann
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: WR Denzel Mims (story)
New York Giants
- Released: CB Rodarius Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL La’Darius Hamilton, DL Tomasi Laulile
- Waived: RB Khalan Lanorn
- Placed on IR: DE Taco Charlton
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Wayne Taulapapa
Charlton signed with the 49ers earlier this month, but he will not see time with them this season. Being placed on IR means he will be sidelined until 2024, which could lead to yet another new opportunity being needed for the former first-rounder to continue his career. Charlton has played 60 games (with 13 starts) during his time in the NFL, including five appearances with the Bears last year. San Francisco will likely now look elsewhere for depth options on the edge.
Commanders Name Sam Howell Starting QB
Throughout the offseason, Sam Howell has been in pole position to win the Week 1 starting role for the Commanders. Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed on Friday that the second-year quarterback is indeed the team’s No. 1 heading into the regular season. 
Howell’s status seemed to be confirmed when Carson Wentz was released and Taylor Heinicke departed in free agency. The signing of Jacoby Brissett — who has 48 starts to his name and has seen first-team work in each of his four career stops — left the door open to a competition during the offseason, however. In spite of that, it was understood both before and after the hiring of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy that the role was Howell’s to lose.
Rivera confirmed as much earlier this month, leaving training camp sessions and preseason contests as the final steps for Howell to cement his status as QB1. The 22-year-old impressed the coaching staff during joint practices with the Ravens this week, Rivera noted, adding that Howell will play in the upcoming preseason contest between the two teams (Twitter link via NBC Sports’ JP Finlay). That will provide him further opportunity to acclimate to the NFL level, something he had limited opportunities to do as a rookie.
The North Carolina alum started only one games last season, leading to plenty of questions about his readiness to handle full-time starting duties in 2023. Howell has received consistent praise for his development in recent months, though, and he will be given the opportunity to prove Washington’s decision to bank on his improvement was a sound one. Competing for a postseason berth will be challenging in the NFC East, but it could be necessary for Rivera’s job security.
Howell will aim to not only achieve success in the immediate future, but also provide the Commanders with a long-term answer under center, something which has eluded the franchise for years. Brissett has not drawn criticism for his performance with the second-team offense and has plenty of experience as a fill-in option, but at least for the time being it will be Howell at the helm. It will be interesting to see how the latter fares as the team’s offense adjusts to Bieniemy in the hopes of taking a needed step forward in production.
Given today’s news, almost every starting quarterback situation is now accounted for. The Buccaneers’ open competition is still ongoing, and 2023 second overall pick C.J. Stroud has not yet officially been given the designation of Texans starter. In the nation’s capital, however, clarity has emerged with the expected outcome.
Ravens Sign Jadeveon Clowney
2:22pm: Clowney’s deal includes base compensation of $2.5MM and has a maximum value of $6MM via incentives, per Zrebiec and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter links). The latter figure matches the guaranteed value of Houston’s pact with the Panthers, so the Ravens’ new edge veteran will likely end up being a less costly replacement.
11:32am: Not long after visiting the team on a workout, Jadeveon Clowney has circled back to the Ravens. The veteran edge rusher has agreed to a deal with Baltimore, reports Josina Anderson of CBS Sports (Twitter link). The agreement has since been confirmed by a team announcement. 
Clowney met with the Ravens last week, signaling the interest which existed between team and player. The former No. 1 pick had been on the market since his Browns release, and he had not seen much of a market until recently. Baltimore was interested in other veteran edge rushers as well, but it comes as little surprise that they have come to terms.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds, to no surprise, that this Clowney deal is one year in length. Jeff Zrebiec of the Athletic notes, meanwhile, that the contract was agreed to last night and it will be signed as early as today (Twitter links). The 30-year-old has made a career of short-term agreements, bouncing around the league while posting inconsistent numbers in the sack department. His 2021 total of nine in that regard showed promise for his long-term future in Cleveland, but things took a much different turn with the Browns last season.
Remarks related to playing time and usage led to the three-time Pro Bowler being sent home for the season finale. A public apology ensued, but it nevertheless came as no surprise when he was released in March, setting up yet another free agency period. A return to the AFC South seemed possible at one point, with Clowney noting a reunion with the Texans was on his radar. He also visited the Jaguars recently, but Jacksonville was not prepared to make a contract offer.
Instead, the South Carolina product will join a Ravens team which was in search of a veteran edge rusher. The departure of Justin Houston left the team with recent draftees Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson, along with veteran Tyus Bowser in place as pass-rushers. The latter has succeeded while serving in a versatile role rather than one predicated solely on sack production, while the former three have combined to play 34 regular season NFL games. Clowney, a veteran of Houston, Seattle, Tennessee and Cleveland, has 109 games to his name and should serve as a rotational edge defender.
Baltimore addressed a lack of healthy corners with the signing of Ronald Darby yesterday. That contract has been followed up by one for Clowney, who will be counted on as a depth addition to a Ravens front which ranked sixth in the league with 48 sacks last season. While that has not proven to be a dependable skillset for the latter, he should play a notable role in his latest new home.
OL Jason Peters Aiming To Play In 2023
Jason Peters continued his career last year by playing for the Cowboys. While a new Dallas deal should not be expected, the 41-year-old lineman is hoping to take the field in 2023. 
Peters plans to play this year, as noted (on Twitter) by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If he is able to find a roster spot, that would allow him to suit up for a 19th campaign and spend a 20th overall year in the NFL. The nine-time Pro Bowler missed the 2012 season in the midst of his high-end Eagles run, and he has spent one-year stints elsewhere in the NFC since it came to an end.
The former UDFA was a full-time starter for the Bears in 2021, then a depth addition for the Cowboys last season. The injury suffered by longtime Dallas left tackle Tyron Smith left the team in need of a veteran addition, and Peters was brought in to serve in a variety of roles. Peters wound up splitting his time in Dallas between left tackle, left guard and right tackle as the team dealt with the issue of where Smith was best used upon return given the surprisingly effective play of first-round rookie Tyler Smith. That pair, along with right tackle starter Terence Steele, should make Peters an unneeded luxury for Dallas moving forward.
A chest injury cost Peters some time, but the Arkansas alum still managed to suit up for 10 regular season contests and one of the Cowboys’ playoff games. He logged the lowest snap total (235) of his career, but still managed to earn a respectable 70.3 overall PFF grade. Peters has delivered far stronger performances in the past, of course, but the 2010s All-Decade member could still be an experienced depth option for a team seeking insurance up front.
With just under $119MM in career earnings and a slew of accolades (including a Super Bowl title), Peters certainly does not have anything to prove at this point in his career. He has some time remaining to try and find an interested party before roster cuts, though, or he could wait until September to secure a deal as he did in 2022. If his goal is not realized, his Cowboys stint will mark the end of a highly-decorated career.
Eagles CB Zech McPhearson Suffers Torn Achilles
The Eagles suffered a slew of injuries in last night’s preseason game, and at least one of them will be season-ending. Cornerback Zech McPhearson suffered an Achilles tear, as first reported by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin (Twitter link). 
McPhearson was carted off the field during Philadelphia’s tie with Cleveland, and there were immediate concerns that he would miss considerable time. With an MRI having confirmed the worst-case scenario, he will be sidelined for the campaign and the Eagles will be without a key rotational member of their secondary.
The starting corner spots are accounted for regarding the NFC champions, with Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the perimeter and Avonte Maddox in the slot. McPhearson was slated to serve as the top backup to Maddox on the inside, though he had also been used on the boundary at times this offseason. The former fourth-rounder will now turn his attention to rehab ahead of the 2024 campaign, which will be the final one of his rookie contract.
McPhearson has appeared in 37 combined regular and postseason games over his first two seasons in the league, showing a mark of durability which will obviously be changed given this news. The 25-year-old had been used sparingly on defense, but he was a mainstay on special teams. His absence will thus be felt on an Eagles team which has a number of young options to choose from as a replacement.
Mario Goodrich is likely the corner to be tapped to fill in for McPhearson as the slot backup. The former spent 2022 on the Eagles’ practice squad, and signed a futures deal in February. He will have a clearer path to a roster spot with McPhearson destined for IR, though the possibility remains that Philadelphia will aim to use one of their boundary corners on the inside as opposed to leaning on Goodrich, who has yet to play a regular season NFL contest. In any event, the Eagles will be shorthanded in the secondary while they look to make a repeat Super Bowl appearance.
Colts DE Genard Avery Out For Season
For the second straight day, the Colts have lost a player for the 2023 season. Defensive end Genard Avery requires season-ending knee surgery, and will be headed to IR (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
[RELATED: Colts WR Ashton Dulin Suffers ACL Tear]
Avery is dealing with an LCL/meniscus issue, Schefter adds. The news means he will once again end a campaign on injured reserve, having done so last year due to an abdominal injury. Avery joined the Colts in June in an attempt to catch on with another new team, but that veteran minimum agreement will need to be replaced by another next year for him to continue his career.
The 28-year-old has seen time both as a linebacker and defensive end. His most productive season came as a Browns rookie in 2018, where he recorded 4.5 sacks. 12 of his 17 career starts came with the Eagles in 2021, but that was followed up by a very short-lived Steelers deal. Pittsburgh released Avery ahead of roster cutdowns, leading him to the Buccaneers in 2022.
The former fifth-rounder was used sparingly on defense, but he was a regular on special teams. Third phase usage may very well have awaited him again in Indianapolis, a team which will depend in large part on the continued development of 2021 first-rounder Kwity Paye for edge rush production. Dayo Odeyingbo and free agent signing Samson Ebukam will also play a key role in the pass-rush department for the Colts moving forward.
After letting Yannick Ngakoue depart in free agency, though, the loss of Avery could open the door to a veteran depth addition. With the likes of Jadeveon Clowney, Robert Quinn and Melvin Ingram still on the market, the Colts will have several options to choose from if they elect to try and replace Avery on the edge. With over $19MM in cap space, Indianapolis certainly has the spending power needed to make a move at the position.
Lions Waive WR Denzel Mims
Denzel Mims‘ time in Detroit has come to an end rather quickly. The former Jets wideout has been dealing with multiple ailments and will be waived with an injury designation, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). The move is now official.
The former second-round pick was traded from the Jets to the Lions last month in a move aimed at giving him a fresh start and providing Detroit with low-cost receiver depth. The Day 3 picks swapped in that trade were conditional on Mims making the Lions’ 53-man roster. Since that will not be happening, both teams will retain their respective selections.
Mims entered the NFL with considerable expectations after posting two 1,000-yard seasons in college. He flashed potential as a deep threat during his rookie season, averaging 15.5 yards per catch on 23 receptions. The Baylor product saw his playing time cut dramatically after that, however, and his production over the past two seasons left him on the roster bubble.
New York’s preference was to find a trade partner for Mims rather than waiving him themselves, but he will now find himself on the open market nevertheless. Rapoport notes that the 25-year-old suffered a calf injury while rehabbing an ankle injury picked up earlier in training camp. Today’s news thus comes as little surprise, and the Lions will move forward with a receiving corps which will be without Jameson Williams for the rest of the summer after the latter encountered a hamstring issue.
To fill the roster spot opened up by Mims’ departure, the Lions are signing Jason Moore, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 (Twitter link). The former UDFA has made 20 career appearances in the NFL, all with the Chargers. Unlike Mims, Moore has a background on special teams, something which could help the latter in his bid to earn a 53-man roster spot. The former, meanwhile, will turn his attention to recovery and seek out another new opportunity when healthy.
Patriots To Sign Ezekiel Elliott
AUGUST 16: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that Elliott’s base compensation actually consists of $1.55MM in salary and a $600K signing bonus. To no surprise, much of the maximum $6MM value is tied to incentives for availability, playing time and production.
Elliott will earn $50K weekly in roster bonuses, and he can see further payments based on scrimmage yards totals. Bonuses in that regard are staggered at $300K increments, and can reach up to $1.5MM in the unlikely event he records 1,475 yards of offense (which would be his highest total since 2019). Playing time incentives are also included, and they max out at the 70% snap threshold, something Elliott is likewise doubtful to reach serving as Stevenson’s backup. As a result, the three-time Pro Bowler can be expected to see modest earnings in 2023 as he aims to build his 2024 free agent value.
AUGUST 14: The first major domino on the veteran running back market has fallen. Ezekiel Elliott is expected to sign with the Patriots on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the pact includes a base salary of $3MM and a $1MM signing bonus. 
For some time now, New England has seemed to be the most logical destination for the former rushing champion. Elliott’s only official visit was with the Patriots, though the team has also shown interest in other veteran backs. The parties will now enter into an agreement as he looks to rebuild his value in a backup role. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that New England’s offer had been on the table for a matter of weeks, but it was “tweaked” yesterday.
The Patriots were connected for a stretch with Dalvin Cook, but finances led them to turn their attention to Elliott. Still, the team was believed to have a firm price point in mind which it was not prepared to exceed in a buyer’s market at the RB position. The same reportedly held true for other interested parties. Aside from Elliott, New England also kicked the tires on Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson; the latter two will need to look elsewhere for an opportunity given today’s news.
Elliott saw his seven-year Cowboys tenure come to an expected end when he was released in a cost-shedding move. A return to Dallas to serve as a low-cost compliment to Tony Pollard remained a possibility to varying degrees during the offseason. The most recent update on that front, though, indicated a reunion was unlikely. Elliott, 28, will now join a new NFL team for the first time in his career.
The Patriots saw 2021 fourth-rounder Rhamondre Stevenson emerge as a capable lead back last season. He recorded 1,461 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns, figures he will aim to replicate in 2023. The team was thin on experience behind Stevenson, though, and Elliott will provide a boost in that regard. The latter averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season as he was used increasingly as a short-yardage specialist. Doing so in New England could make him an effective secondary option in the ground game, though he also has considerable starting experience should Stevenson miss time.
Improvements through the air are expected for New England with quarterback Mac Jones entering his third year, new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in place and a number of alterations having been made to the pass-catching corps. Production in the running game will still be a crucial element of the team’s ability to return to the postseason, however, and Elliott will have a role in that regard. Succeeding in it will help his new team along with his free agent value come next offseason.
Dolphins LT Terron Armstead Aiming To Play Week 1
Terron Armstead has been at practice for a few weeks after being activated from the PUP list. The Dolphins left tackle is not a lock to have ramped up in time to play in the season opener, however. 
Armstead underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this offseason, and his recovery from the procedure has him up against the clock to return to playing shape in time for Week 1. That process is ongoing, and the 32-year-old is well aware that he has plenty of work to do to be available when needed. He is encouraged by the progress he has made recently, though.
“I’m still getting ready. I don’t feel like I’m fully ready yet for the regular season, but we don’t have a game yet,” Armstead said, via the team’s website. “Still working through that process. Trying to get more reps to get more game-ready and get my body feeling optimal. Just get it as good as possible to go out and play some ball.”
The longtime Saints blindside blocker is entering the second season of his five-year, $75MM contract with Miami. He earned a fourth Pro Bowl nod in his debut Dolphins season, playing a critical role on the team’s new-look offensive line. That unit has seen further changes this offseason with the additions of Isaiah Wynn and Dan Feeney, but Armstead will again be counted on as the anchor of the Dolphins’ offensive front when on the field.
“We had an initial plan,” the latter added when asked about his current practice schedule. “But as we go and things kind of pop up or need more work in this area, less work in this area. So just playing it like that. I’ve been around for a long time now, so I know what’s needed to get prepared. I feel like it’s time to ramp up some more.”
If Armstead does miss time, Miami has a number of options to choose from as a spot-starter at the left tackle spot. None would be expected to deliver the same level of play, however, so the progress he continues to make in the coming days and weeks will be worth watching closely.