RFA Tender Decisions: 3/14/22
The deadline for teams to extend tender offers to their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents looms next week. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Commanders: K Brian Johnson
- Saints: WR/PR Deonte Harris (second-round tender)
- Steelers: DB Marcus Allen
- Vikings: K Greg Joseph
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/22
It’s been a busy day around the NFL. We’ve compiled today’s minor moves below:
Denver Broncos
- To be signed: G Ben Braden
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: TE Antony Auclair
- Claimed (from Cowboys): CB Reggie Robinson
- Restructured: LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: FB Michael Burton
Los Angeles Rams
- Re-signed (two years): C/G Coleman Shelton
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: TE Geoff Swaim
Washington Commanders
- Re-signed: DB Troy Apke
Texans To Sign OL A.J. Cann
The Texans continue adding to their offensive line. The team has signed A.J. Cann, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). It’s a two-year, $8.5MM deal ($10.5MM max, $4.5MM guaranteed) for Cann, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Texans To Re-Sign C Justin Britt]
Cann was a third-round pick by the Jaguars in 2015, and he spent the next seven seasons in Jacksonville. The lineman started 94 of his 95 games during his stint with the Jaguars, and he inked a three-year, $15MM extension with the organization in 2019.
The 30-year-old was limited to only four games in 2021 after suffering an MCL injury. He appeared in 78 percent of his team’s offensive snaps in those four contests.
While we’re uncertain who will be under center for the Texans next season, that hasn’t stopped the team from adding to their offensive line. We heard moments ago that the team inked center Justin Britt to a new contract.
Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki Signs Franchise Tender
Mike Gesicki is officially locked in for next season. The Dolphins tight end has inked his franchise tender, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).
The tag value for tight ends is set at $10.93MM, though that positional label could have been problematic in Gesicki’s case. Rarely used as an in-line blocker, the former second rounder primarily lines up in the slot to maximize his skill set. As a result, the possibility existed for him to file a grievance to be listed as a receiver.
Gesicki may have been willing to tolerate the TE tag because he’s anticipating a long-term deal with the Dolphins. The team sides could still ink an extension over the next few months.
The 26-year-old was considered one of this year’s top candidates for the tag, given the increasing role he has taken on within the Dolphins’ offense over his career. In the past three seasons, he has totaled 177 catches, 2,053 yards and 13 touchdowns. He would have been one of the most sought-after TEs on the open market. Instead, he’ll be sticking around Miami for at least another season.
Bills To Sign DL DaQuan Jones
DaQuan Jones is heading to the AFC. The former Panthers defensive tackle is signing with the Bills, reports ESPN’s Dianna Russini (via Twitter).
After spending seven seasons with the Titans, Jones joined the Panthers on a one-year deal last offseason. He ended up starting all 17 games for his new squad, compiling 38 tackles, one sack, and six QB hits.
During his stint in Tennessee, Jones started 93 of his 99 appearances, collecting 273 tackles and 10 sacks. He also saw time in four playoff games, collecting another nine tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The Bills have also been busy adding to their defensive line today, as they signed Tim Settle to help stabilize their defensive line.
Chargers To Sign DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
Sebastian Joseph-Day is switching teams, but he won’t have to move all that far. The former Rams defensive tackle is signing with the Chargers, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
It’s a three-year deal worth $24MM, including $15MM in guaranteed money.
The 2018 sixth-round pick had spent his entire career with the Rams. After being inactive for every game during his rookie campaign, the defensive tackle established himself as a consistent starter between 2019 and 2021. The defensive tackle started 31 games during his sophomore and junior year, and he started another seven games in 2021. He missed the second half of the campaign while dealing with a torn pectoral, but he managed to return in time to play in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory.
In total, he finished last season with 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a career-high three sacks.
The Chargers are loading up on defense. The team has been one of the most active teams, adding Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson, and Austin Johnson.
Chiefs, Saints Showing Most Interest In WR Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry earned his walking papers from the Browns earlier today, and the veteran wideout is already generating interest. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Chiefs and the Saints are the two teams that have shown the most interest in Landry.
[RELATED: Browns Release Jarvis Landry]
Despite a high-flying offense that’s led by receiving threats Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs have been mentioned as a suitor for wideouts this offseason. The team was previously connected to Mike Williams before he re-signed with the Chargers. Now, they’re eyeing a veteran slot receiver. Both Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson are free agents, so the Chiefs could easily slide Landry into their depth chart.
The Saints are currently in the mix for Deshaun Watson, but no matter who is under center, they’re looking to provide their future QB with another talented target outside of Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara. Tre’Quan Smith and Ty Montgomery are both set to hit free agency for New Orleans.
Landry, 30 in November, agreed to a five-year, $75.5MM extension with the Browns after they traded for him in 2018. He delivered two Pro Bowl seasons in Cleveland and served as Baker Mayfield‘s most consistent target. However, the veteran averaged just 47.5 receiving yards per game last season and missed five weeks of action.
Dolphins To Sign Keion Crossen
Keion Crossen is heading back to the AFC East. After starting his professional career with the Patriots, the special teams ace is signing with the Dolphins, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).
Crossen got a three-year deal worth $10.5MM. The player negotiated the contract himself, per Wilson. The deal contains more than $3MM in guaranteed money, with only the first season of the deal fully guaranteed (Twitter link).
Following his rookie season in New England, Crossen spent two seasons with the Texans, including a 2020 campaign where he compiled a career-high 46 tackles while appearing in a career-high 28 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
Crossen was traded to the Giants last August for a sixth-round pick. He ended up getting into 16 games for his new team, compiling 13 tackles while primarily appearing on special teams.
Eagles Won’t Tender LB Alex Singleton
Despite leading his team in tackles over the past two seasons, Alex Singleton won’t receive a tender. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Eagles won’t be tendering the linebacker, making him a free agent.
The 2015 first-round pick found himself with three different organizations during his rookie campaign, and he ended up having to spend three seasons in the CFL, where he earned All Star appearances and a Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award.
The Eagles gave him another shot in the NFL in 2019, and following a first season with the organization where he exclusively played on special teams, Singleton established himself as one of the most dependable members of the defense over the past two seasons.
After finishing with a team-leading 120 tackles in 2020, Singleton took it to another level in 2021. The 28-year-old finished this past season with 137 tackles to go along with four passes defended in 16 games (eight starts).
Panthers To Sign S Xavier Woods
After having to settle for a one-year deal last offseason, Xavier Woods is now getting paid. The safety is signing a three-year deal with the Panthers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The three-year pact is worth $15.75MM.
The 2017 sixth-round pick evolved into a consistent starter during his time in Dallas, including a 2020 campaign where he finished with 72 tackles in 15 starts. However, the safety didn’t endear himself to Cowboys fans when he admitted that he didn’t play “full speed for 70 plays” following an October 2020 loss to the Browns, comments that proved to be the beginning of the end for Woods in Dallas.
He ended up having to opt for a one-year deal with the Vikings last offseason. During his lone season in Minnesota, Woods collected a career-high 108 tackles to go along with 10 passes defended and three interceptions in 17 starts. He was also the NFL’s only defensive player to play in every one of his team’s defensive snaps last season (per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter).