Latest On Raiders RB Kenyan Drake
Kenyan Drake‘s season ended a bit early when he suffered a broken leg in December. While the Raiders running back wasn’t cleared for minicamp last month, he’s optimistic he’ll be on the field for the start of training camp.
“I’m definitely going to be ready for camp,” Drake said during a recent appearance on the Silver and Black Pride podcast (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). “It’s not going to be full speed ahead once I get into camp, but for the regular season, I’m going to be definitely ready to go.
“A couple of preseason games or however I feel need to kind of get back into football shape. But really I’m excited about the opportunity to kind of get back on the field. I’ve been hurt for the [majority] of seven months now. … So I feel great just working through the things that you usually go through when you’re coming off a major injury and just ready to kind of get back on the field. It’s not my first rodeo.”
Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic recently echoed this sentiment, writing that Drake was “progressing nicely.” However, the duo didn’t necessarily say the RB would be ready for the start of training camp, instead writing that Drake was expected back “before the end of camp.”
Drake joined the Raiders last offseason on a two-year deal. He saw time in 12 games during his first season with Vegas, collecting 545 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 93 touches. While he didn’t get a whole lot of carries thanks to Josh Jacobs, he still contributed in the passing game, hauling in 30 catches. If Drake is forced to miss some time during training camp, rookies Zamir White (fourth round) and Brittain Brown (seventh round) could see increased reps. The Raiders are also rostering veterans Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah behind Jacobs and Drake.
Browns Not Interested In Ndamukong Suh, Could Have Interest In Sheldon Richardson
A report from last week hinted that the Browns could have some interest in Ndamukong Suh. That doesn’t appear to be the case, but the organization could still have interest in adding a defensive lineman. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, reports connecting Suh to Cleveland are “unfounded,” and “there doesn’t seem to be much interest” in adding the veteran. However, if the team does add a defensive tackle, Sheldon Richardson could be an option.
[RELATED: Browns Interested In DT Ndamukong Suh?]
Richardson spent two seasons in Cleveland, collecting 126 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 32 games with the organization. Richardson originally inked a three-year deal with the Browns in 2019, but after he refused to take a pay cut following the 2020 campaign, he was let go. He ended up catching on with the Vikings for the 2021 season, starting seven of his 17 games while collecting 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
As Cabot notes, the 31-year-old defensive tackle is still well liked from his time in Cleveland, with the reporter citing Richardson’s ability to help “patch things up” between Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield following the former’s suspension in 2019. Beyond his locker room presence, Richardson could also provide some guidance to the Browns’ younger defensive lineman, although Cabot hints that the organization may be content rolling with their current grouping.
The team is high on fourth-round rookie Perrion Winfrey, and they also want to see what they’ve got from third-year pro Jordan Elliott and free agent addition Taven Bryan. However, there’s always a chance a spot could open up, and if the Browns decide they need some reinforcement at defensive tackle, there’s a good chance Richardson will get a call.
One name that apparently won’t be called is Suh. The veteran’s run of Pro Bowls stopped in 2016, but Suh became a key piece for Rams and Bucs Super Bowl-bound teams in the years that followed. Last season, he registered six regular-season sacks and added four hits on Matthew Stafford in Tampa Bay’s narrow divisional-round loss.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/22
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on NFI: QB/WR Stone Smartt
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: QB Nate Stanley
New England Patriots
- Signed: DL Jeremiah Pharms
- Placed on NFI: OL Chasen Hines, OL Andrew Stueber
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on NFI: WR Rashid Shaheed
New York Jets
- Placed on NFI: TE Jeremy Ruckert
Raiders Place Three Defenders On PUP
A trio of Raiders defenders landed on the Physically Unable to Perform List today. The team announced that defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr., and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols were all placed on PUP.
It’s uncertain what ailments the two defensive linemen are dealing with, but Mullen underwent foot surgery back in May, so it was always unlikely that he’d be ready to go for the start of training camp. If any of the players remain on PUP past August 23, they’ll be forced to miss the Raiders’ first four games of the 2022 season (a change from last year’s six-game rule).
The Raiders traded for Rock Ya-Sin and signed Anthony Averett earlier this offseaosn, so Mullen’s delayed start could cost him a starting gig. The former second-round pick has spent his entire three-year career with the Raiders, starting 31 of his 37 games. After starting all 16 games in 2020, the 24-year-old started each of his five games for the Raiders in 2021, finishing with 20 tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. He had two stints on the IR during the 2021 campaign.
Hankins and Nichols both missed a chunk of OTAs, but at the time, it was assumed the defensive tackles were healthy scratches. Instead, the two veterans will be limited to start training camp. Hankins started 14 games for the Raiders last season, collecting 38 tackles. Nichols signed a two-year deal with the Raiders this past offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Bears. With the duo sidelined to start training camp, rookies like Neil Farrell Jr. and Matthew Butler could have a chance for extra reps.
The Raiders also announced that they’ve signed wide receiver Isaiah Zuber. The receiver spent the 2021 campaign on the 49ers, Browns, and Jets practice squads. He’s seen time in four career games, totaling 50 yards from scrimmage on four touches.
Latest On Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette
It sounds like Leonard Fournette has some work to do to get into game shape. A Buccaneers coach told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times that the RB showed up to camp weighing more than 250 pounds (Twitter link), a significant jump from his standard playing weight of around 230 pounds.
“Coaches were not happy, and that’s an understatement, when [Fournette] didn’t participate in the OTAs, but then he shows up at the mandatory minicamp weighing damn near 260 [pounds],” Stroud said during an appearance on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast (h/t to Luke Easterling of USA Today). “And that’s not a good sign for a guy that you’ve just spent a three-year contract on.”
Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times noted during minicamp that Fournette appeared to be out of shape, as the RB was clearly struggling during drills. At the time, Fournette admitted to being overweight, but he sounded optimistic that he’s be back to his standard weight in time for training camp.
“Obviously I need to get my weight down, which has always been [a thing] during the summer,” Fournette said. “It’s going to come back down though.”
“I don’t think anybody’s where they need to be right now,” Bowles said at the time. “It’s training camp where you need to be where you’ve got to be, so right now there are guys that are in shape that could afford to lose a few pounds, and there’s guys that are out of shape that are really under weight. So we’re trying to take care of that right now. We’ll worry about it in training camp.”
Fournette took over the starting role from Ronald Jones in 2021 and seized the opportunity. The former fourth-overall pick averaged a career-high 4.5 yards per carry, and he ranked sixth in the NFL among RBs with 1,266 yards from scrimmage. After hitting free agency, he ended up re-signing with Tampa Bay on a three-year, $21MM deal. If the 27-year-old is limited to start training camp, that would mean extra reps for rookie third-round pick Rachaad White, 2020 third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and veterans Giovani Bernard and Kenjon Barner.
WR Dede Westbrook Weighing Offers
It sounds like Dede Westbrook will find his next gig sooner than later. According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter), Westbrook is currently weighing a “few offers.”
After spending the 2021 season in Minnesota, the Vikings invited Westbrook back for a second campaign. The receiver decided to remain unsigned as he pursued other opportunities, but it’s been more than a month since he declined the Vikings deal. At the time, it was assumed the 28-year-old didn’t want to fight for snaps with recent Day 3 selections like Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Jalen Nailor. At this point, considering his recent (lack of) production and the fact he’s unsigned in July, there’s a good chance that Westbrook will have to fight for a roster spot no matter where he lands.
At one point, Westbrook looked the part of a reliable pass-catcher during his stint with the Jaguars. The former fourth-round pick averaged 66 receptions, 688 receiving yards, and four touchdowns between the 2018 and 2019 seasons. However, he found himself buried on the depth chart in 2020 before an ACL injury ended his season prematurely. Westbrook had to settle for a one-year deal from the Vikings last offseason, and he finished the season with 10 receptions and 68 yards in 15 games. The veteran did see a role on special teams, collecting 183 yards on his 22 punt returns (8.3 yards per attempt).
The Vikings liked Wsstbrook enough to have him back, but it’s uncertain if they’d still have interest in the receiver. The Vikings have since signed Albert Wilson to compete for a role, although the veteran’s deal is non-guaranteed, so he wouldn’t necessarily prevent the organization from adding Westbrook. As mentioned, Westbrook would likely be competing for a spot as the fourth receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn.
Westbrook was also connected to the Patriots earlier this offseason. However, the Patriots have since added DeVante Parker via trade and Tyquan Thornton via the draft, and it’s hard to see the likes of Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, or Nelson Agholor losing their roster spots. The Seahawks, 49ers, and Bengals all expressed interest in Westbrook during the 2021 offseason.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/18/22
Today’s minor transactions:
New England Patriots
- Waived: LS Ross Reiter
Philadelphia Eagles
- CB Craig James
The Highest-Earning Former UDFAs
The Seahawks recently gave a two-year, $12MM deal to defensive tackle Bryan Mone, a significant pay day for a former undrafted free agent. While Mone earned life-changing money, he still has a long way to go when it comes to career earnings among UDFAs. There are currently 18 active former undrafted free agents who have made more than $30MM in their respective careers.
We’ve listed the top-20 highest-earning UDFAs below (h/t to Spotrac.com). The list includes current free agents:
- LT Jason Peters: $117.2MM
- CB Chris Harris: $68.0MM
- G Andrew Norwell: $52.5MM
- WR Adam Thielen: $50.7MM
- DE Mario Addison: $49.1MM
- LB Shaquil Barrett: $47.1MM
- CB Malcolm Butler: $44.7MM
- QB Case Keenum: $44.1MM
- K Robbie Gould: $43.7MM
- QB Chase Daniel: $39.8MM
- RT La’el Collins: $38.9MM
- WR Danny Amendola: $38.0MM
- K Matt Prater: $33.8MM
- K Graham Gano: $33.6MM
- K Justin Tucker: $33.5MM
- S Rodney McLeod: $33.3MM
- S Tony Jefferson: $31.0MM
- QB Brian Hoyer: $30.9MM
- WR Robby Anderson: $29.5MM
- LB Cory Littleton: $28.9MM
Some observations:
- Peters runs away with the top spot on the list. Despite his career earnings, he’s only earned one sizable extension during his career: a six-year, $60MM deal he signed with the Eagles in 2009. Over the next decade, Peters mostly inked one-year deals to stick with the Eagles.
- The most common position on the list? Kickers. That’s partly a reflection on how the position is treated in the draft; the majority of the league’s kickers have to start their careers as UDFAs. It’s also a reflection of the longevity of the four kickers on the list, especially Gould. The soon-to-be 40-year-old has signed three contracts longer than four years.
- Keenum earned the majority of his money to be a starter with the Broncos, but the other QBs on the list have mostly made their money as career backups. Despite only having five career starts, Daniels has signed four different contracts that are worth more than $10MM total. Similarly, the Patriots were more than happy to keep Hoyer around for about $1.5MM per season to be the main backup to Tom Brady, although Hoyer also benefited from big contracts from the Texans and 49ers.
Latest On Rams TE Tyler Higbee
Tight end Tyler Higbee has transformed into a core member of the Rams offense, and it sounds like he’ll be ready to go for the start of training camp. According to Jourdan Rodrigue, Higbee is expected to be fully cleared from his knee injury by the start of the regular season (if not sooner).
Higbee suffered a knee injury during the NFC Championship Game, landing him on injured reserve and forcing him to miss the Rams Super Bowl victory. The injury later required surgery, and while the rehab meant Higbee couldn’t immediately dive into his offseason routine, he was already back to practicing by May.
“The knee’s coming along very well,” Higbee said at the time (h/t to Cameron DeSilva of USA Today). “I’ve been staying on top of rehab and getting after it, started getting on the field a couple of weeks ago; they’re slowly working me back in, knowing we’ve got some time before the season.”
Higbee, a former fourth-round pick, has had at least 40 receptions and 500 receiving yards in each of the past three seasons. With Matthew Stafford taking over in Los Angeles, Higbee continued producing on offense, finishing the 2021 campaign with 61 receptions for 560 yards and five touchdowns. In three playoff games, he added another nine receptions for 115 yards.
Former running backs coach Thomas Brown is now taking over as the Rams TE coach. If Higbee is slowed a bit to start training camp, Brown will have some depth to turn to for reps. While the team lost number-two tight end Johnny Mundt this offseason, they’re still rostering the likes of Kendall Blanton, Brycen Hopkins, Kyle Markway, Roger Carter, Jamal Pettigrew, and Jared Pinkney.
Lions Prioritizing Extension For TE T.J. Hockenson
An extension could be coming for T.J. Hockenson. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions are “expected to prioritize” an extension for the tight end over the next few months.
[RELATED: Extension Candidate: T.J. Hockenson]
The 2019 first-round pick took a bit to get rolling, but he established himself as one of the league’s better tight ends in 2020. Hockenson earned a Pro Bowl nod that season after hauling in 67 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns. With Matthew Stafford out of Detroit, the tight end’s numbers didn’t fall off too much in 2021 (61 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games), and the Lions ultimately picked up Hockenson’s fifth-year option after the season.
Now, the 25-year-old is in line for an extension. The fifth-year option means Hockenson is signed through the 2023 season, but it sounds like Detroit won’t be wasting any time locking in one of their top players.
There’s a good chance Hockenson will exceed a $10MM AAV with his next deal, as 10 tight ends (11 if you include Taysom Hill) currently top that mark. Unfortunately for the Lions and Hockenson, some of the notable tight end negotiations this offseason didn’t lead to extensions. Both Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz are set to play the upcoming campaign under the franchise tag, and their hypothetical extensions could have provided some clarity to the Lions and Hockenson during negotiations. The other TE to be tagged this offseason was David Njoku, whom the Browns signed to a new four-year, $54.75MM pact.
The Lions haven’t been shy about inking their top young players, as the front office signed center Frank Ragnow to a record-setting deal last May. We heard recently that many people around the NFL believed Hockenson would be next in line for an extension. There is less urgency due to the option, but Hockenson has expressed a willingness to stay in Detroit long-term, saying “I want to [win] here so bad.”