QB Tommy Stevens Trying Out For Packers As TE
Yet another player is attempting a position change to tight end. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that quarterback Tommy Stevens is auditioning for the Packers next week as a tight end. Defensive back Rashard Robinson and nose tackle Sterling Johnson will also be working out for the team.
Stevens was in and out of the lineup during his time at Penn State and Mississippi State, but he showed promise both with his arm and on the ground. Thanks to that potential, he was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2020 draft…but the team chose the prospect as a tight end. So, while we’ve seen the likes of Tim Tebow and Jordan Matthews attempt their own changes to tight end, Stevens already has a bit of experience at the position.
Stevens didn’t end up making New Orleans’ active roster, but he did stick around their practice squad for most of the campaign. He later caught on with the Panthers (as a quarterback), and he ended up making his NFL debut in Carolina’s Week 17 loss to the Saints. Stevens got four carries in that game for 24 rushing yards.
If the 24-year-old gets a deal, he’ll still have an uphill battle to make the Packers roster. The top of the team’s depth chart features Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, and Jace Sternberger, meaning Stevens would be competing with the likes of Josiah Deguara, Isaac Nauta, Dominique Dafney, and Bronson Kaufusi for a final roster spot.
Robinson, a former fourth-round pick, has seen time in 42 games across five seasons in the NFL. After spending his first two seasons split between the 49ers and Jets, the defensive back ended up sitting out the 2019 season thanks (in part) to a 10-game suspension. The 25-year-old caught on with the Cowboys in 2020, seeing time in four games (three starts) and finishing with 20 tackles.
The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Johnson went undrafted in 2020. He spent time with the Jets and Steelers over the past year-plus.
Panthers Sign TE Tommy Tremble, Wrap Up Draft Class
The Panthers have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced the signing of third-round tight end Tommy Tremble this evening.
After not appearing in a game during his freshman season, Tremble saw time in 19 games for Notre Dame between 2019 and 2020. While he was mostly known for his blocking ability in college, he showed some flashes on offense, hauling in 35 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns. That performance led to him being selected in the third round (pick No. 83) of this year’s draft.
Tremble will be joining a depth chart that includes Ian Thomas, Dan Arnold, Colin Thompson, Giovanni Ricci, and Stephen Sullivan. As Darin Gantt of the team website writes, the rookie’s versatility should lead to playing time. Besides tight end, Tremble also has experience playing fullback, H-back, and special teams.
The Panthers have now officially inked each of their 11 rookies, tied for the largest draft class in team history. That grouping includes:
Round 1: No. 8 Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina)
Round 2: No. 59 (from Browns) Terrace Marshall Jr., WR (LSU)
Round 3: No. 70 (from Eagles) Brady Christensen, OT (BYU)
Round 3: No. 83 (from Bears) Tommy Tremble, TE (Notre Dame)
Round 4: No. 113 Chuba Hubbard, RB (Oklahoma State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 158 Daviyon Nixon, DT (Iowa) (signed)
Round 5: No. 166 (from Titans) Keith Taylor, CB (Washington) (signed)
Round 6: No. 204 (from Bears) Shi Smith, WR (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 6: No. 222 Thomas Fletcher, LS (Alabama) (signed)
Round 7: No. 232 (from Titans) Phil Hoskins, DT (Kentucky) (signed)
Latest On Eagles TE Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz may still be pushing for his way out of Philadelphia, but that won’t stop him from attending camp. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the veteran tight end is expected to report to the start of Eagles training camp.
[RELATED: Finding A Zach Ertz Destination]
This echos a report from earlier this week by veteran reporter Howard Eskin (on Twitter), who noted that Ertz would indeed be attending training camp. Eskin took it a step further, noting that Ertz was “over the issues” with the organization, and the reporter believes there’s a “great chance Ertz will be on [the Eagles] at start of season.”
However, Garafolo slightly pushed back at that report. Ertz hasn’t “forgotten or forgiven” the various issues he’s had with the organization, per Garafolo, and the reporter believes there’s still a chance the tight end isn’t on Philly’s roster by the start of the season. Garafolo attributes Ertz’s decision to attend training camp to professionalism, noting that the veteran had never threatened to skip camp. Further, Garafolo says we shouldn’t read too much into the fact that Ertz has recently been working out at team facilities.
We previously heard that Ertz wasn’t going to report to the team “until his situation is resolved,” which we assumed meant he wanted a trade or his release. Ertz was given permission to seek a trade months ago, but nothing has materialized. Although there has reportedly been some interest, no one has been willing to meet GM Howie Roseman’s apparent asking price of a third or fourth-round pick.
Ertz, who will turn 31 in November and is coming off a down year, is entering the final year of his contract. 2020 was a big disappointment, but he made three straight Pro Bowls from 2017-19 and has consistently been one of the league’s better tight ends for a while now.
Jets Coach Greg Knapp Passes Away
Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp has passed away. His agent, Jeff Sperbeck, announced the tragic news this evening (per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver on Twitter).
We learned earlier this week that Knapp was battling life-threatening injuries after being involved in a bicycle accident. The 58-year-old was riding his bike when he was struck by a motorist in California. Knapp never regained consciousness following the accident. According to an ESPN report, the driver of the vehicle was cooperating with police, and drugs and/or alcohol were not believed to be a factor.
Knapp had served as a coach for more than three decades. After spending nine years at Sacramento State, Knapp made his way to the NFL. He served as offensive coordinator for a number of teams, including the 49ers, Falcons, Raiders, and Seahawks. He spent the past few years serving as a QB coach for the Texans, Raiders, Broncos, and Falcons, and he was hired by the Jets to be the pass-game specialist earlier this offseason. Per Sperbeck, Knapp worked with a long list of quarterbacks throughout his career, including Steve Young, Jeff Garcia, Rick Mirer, Matt Schaub, Michael Vick, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, and (most recently) Zach Wilson.
“Greg is such an amazing individual it is hard to imagine the challenge facing him and his family,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said earlier this week (via ESPN). “Greg’s fun nature, kind disposition, and wealth of knowledge has allowed him to make genuine connections with all of our coaches, players and staff since he has been here.”
We here at PFR would like to extend our condolences to Knapp’s family, friends, and colleagues.
CB Stephon Gilmore Reports To Patriots
Stephon Gilmore continues to push for a new contract, but the standoff won’t keep him away from Foxborough. Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that the former Defensive Player of the Year reported to Gillette Stadium today. However, the veteran cornerback will temporarily sit on the PUP list.
We heard recently that the Patriots hadn’t made any progress on an extension with Gilmore. The cornerback previously hinted that he’d be satisfied with a simply bump in pay for the 2020 campaign, and some pundits believe the organization could find a compromise by offering Gilmore an incentive-based increase (similar to what they previously did with the likes of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski). Gilmore is presumably waiting for an offer that contains more guaranteed money, explaining why he skipped the team’s entire offseason program, including mandatory minicamp.
Gilmore, 31 in September, is set to make just $7MM in base salary this season after a chunk of his money was advanced in 2020. In terms of average annual value ($13MM), the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year ranks as just the 13th highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. At the time of signing, his five-year, $65MM deal was plenty. Since then, the former Bills first-round pick has performed as one of the game’s premier cover men.
There’s mutual interest in a longer arrangement, since Gilmore was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 and ’19.However, questions persist about last year’s torn quad. Either way, barring an unexpected development, it sounds like the defensive back will at least spend the 2021 season with New England.
Gilmore was one of a handful of Patriots players to land on PUP today. He’ll be joined by defensive tackle Byron Cowart, linebacker Terez Hall, tight end Dalton Keene, linebacker Brandon King, wideout Devin Smith, quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and linebacker Chase Winovich.
Jets Sign Second-Round WR Elijah Moore
The Jets are one step closer to officially signing their entire draft class. The team announced this evening that they’ve signed second-round receiver Elijah Moore.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter, the four-year deal is fully guaranteed through the first three seasons of the pact. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that the deal is worth a total of $8.94MM, and ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweets that the deal includes a $3.86MM signing bonus.
Moore had a standout career at Ole Miss, and he had his best collegiate season during the 2020 campaign. The receiver finished with 1,257 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, earning him first-team All-SEC honors and a consensus All-American nod. Thanks to that performance, the Jets made Moore the second pick of the second round (No. 34 overall).
Despite the presence of free agent addition Corey Davis, 2020 second rounder Denzel Mims, and 2020 receiving leader Jamison Crowder, Moore should have an opportunity to contribute immediately. He’ll initially slot in as the fourth wideout behind that aforementioned trio, although the likes of Keelan Cole or Vyncint Smith could push for snaps with strong preseasons.
With this signing, the Jets only have one unsigned draft pick: second-overall pick Zach Wilson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/21/21
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on NFI list: TE Jacob Breeland, G Ben Cleveland
New England Patriots
- Placed on NFI list: S Joshuah Bledsoe, LB Cameron McGrone, RB Rhamondre Stevenson
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Jordyn Peters, RB Mike Weber
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): WR Nsimba Webster
Steelers LB Devin Bush Expected To Be Cleared For Training Camp
The Steelers lost one middle linebacker today, but the team got good news on another. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter), linebacker Devin Bush is recovering nicely from his torn ACL and is expected “to be cleared to fully practice right away.”
[RELATED: Steelers LB Vince Williams Announces Retirement]
The former first-round pick tore his ACL in October, limiting him to only five games last season. He had appeared in every Steelers defensive snap up to that point of the season, collecting 26 tackles and one sack. That performance followed a rookie campaign where Bush collected 109 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries, leading to him earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
Bush made a cameo at OTAs, and the hope was that he’d be fully healthy by Week 1. It sounds like he’ll be fully healthy much earlier than that, allowing the 23-year-old to truly prepare for the upcoming campaign. Bush will regain his starting gig in 2021, and he’ll presumably start alongside Robert Spillane.
The Steelers learned earlier today that veteran linebacker Vince Williams was calling it a career. The 31-year-old was expected to play a significant role behind both Bush and Spillane.
49ers Sign Third-Round RB Trey Sermon
The 49ers have signed a key member of their draft class. The team announced today that they’ve signed third-round running back Trey Sermon to his rookie contract. Per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (on Twitter), the four-year deal is worth $4.87MM.
Sermon spent his first three years of college at Oklahoma, including a breakout 2018 campaign where he finished with 1,128 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. He had a fraction of the carries in 2019, leading to his transfer to Ohio State as a graduate student. During his lone season with the Buckeyes in 2020, Sermon ran for 870 yards and four scores on 116 carries.
The running back improved his draft stock with a standout postseason performance. He had an incredible game against Northwestern during the Big Ten Championship, setting a single-game school record with 331 rushing yards. He added another 254 yards from scrimmage in the Sugar Bowl, but he was knocked out of the National Championship after getting injured on the first play.
The 49ers ended up selecting the 22-year-old with the No. 88 pick in this year’s draft. An injury to Jeff Wilson could open some temporary playing time for the rookie, although he’ll likely find himself behind at least veterans Wayne Gallman and Raheem Mostert to start the season.
With the signing, the 49ers only have two unsigned draft picks: quarterback Trey Lance (1.3) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (3.102).
Cardinals Waive OL Lamont Gaillard
Lamont Gaillard‘s stint in Arizona has come to an end. The Cardinals waived the center today, according to veteran reporter Howard Balzer. The move will save the organization about $800K in 2021 and $900K in 2022.
The 2019 sixth-round pick out of Georgia didn’t appear in a single game during his rookie season, but he was able to secure a role on the 2020 squad. Gaillard ultimately saw time in 13 games with two starts, appearing in 19-percent of his team’s offensive snaps. The 25-year-old also appeared in 16-percent of his team’s special teams snaps.
The Cardinals have completely revamped their center position this offseason. The team acquired Rodney Hudson in a trade with the Raiders, and that ultimately led to the trade of former starter Mason Cole, who was dealt to the Vikings. Gaillard would have been competing for the same rotational/backup spot in 2021, but seventh-round rookie Michal Menet will now have the inside track at the gig.
As Balzer notes, the team could still be in the market for another center. The Cardinals are currently rostering only 14 offensive lineman, a modest number for training camp.