Minor NFL Transactions: 4/8/21
Today’s minor transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: OL Javarius Leamon
New York Jets
- Re-Signed: CB Bennett Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed ERFA tender: LS Zach Triner
Broncos Expressed Interest In Sam Darnold
Add another team to the list of organizations that apparently expressed interest in Sam Darnold. Albert Breer of SI.com writes that the Broncos had touched base with the Jets about a potential trade for the quarterback. However, the reporter described Denver’s interest in the former third-overall pick as “tepid.”
[RELATED: 49ers, Washington Expressed Interest In Sam Darnold]
We heard last month that the Broncos weren’t interested in Darnold, although that report indicated that the organization’s lack of interest was more about the asking price (a second rounder) than the player. The Jets were presumably eyeing Denver’s pick at No. 40; Darnold was ultimately traded to the Panthers for a deal that was highlighted by a 2022 second-round pick.
Of course, in hindsight, it’s not a huge surprise that the Broncos reached out to the Jets. For starters, going into the 2018 draft, previous Broncos GM (and current president of football operations) John Elway was interested in selecting the quarterback. Further, the organization has seemingly been on the hunt for a quarterback all offseason; the team reportedly showed interest in Matthew Stafford, Deshaun Watson, and Andy Dalton.
Breer provided another interesting note on the Darnold trade, writing that the Jets received an intriguing offer for the quarterback in early March, but the team wasn’t yet convinced that they were going to take a quarterback with the second-overall pick.
“It was a strong offer,” GM Joe Douglas told Breer. “We told them, Look, there’s still a lot of boxes left to check. And we just don’t feel comfortable, in case something happens with one of the top two guys, we don’t want to get caught in a bad situation, like one of two guys fails a physical and then we don’t have Sam. So we didn’t do anything.”
Douglas noted that eight teams ultimately inquired on Darnold, with the Panthers offer eventually emerging from the pack.
S Karl Joseph Visiting Raiders
Karl Joseph could be reuniting with the Raiders. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the free agent safety is visiting with the Raiders tonight. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal describes the visit as “a “weighing all options” sort of deal,” with the Raiders evaluating their options prior to the draft (Twitter link).
Joseph signed a one-year deal with the Browns last offseason, and he proceeded to have a bounce-back season for his new squad. He appeared in 14 regular season games (eight starts), compiling 67 tackles, two tackles for loss, four passes defended, and one interception. He also came up big in the playoffs for the Browns; he recovered a botched Steelers snap for a touchdown, and he intercepted a pass by Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne. This was an improvement from his final season with the Raiders in 2019, when Joseph was limited to nine games due to a foot injury.
The Raiders selected Joseph with the 14th-overall pick in the 2016 draft, and he earned All-Rookie Team honors after starting nine games during his rookie campaign. He started 15 games in 2017, compiling a career-high 79 tackles to go along with one sack and one interception. The defensive back seemed to fall out of favor once Jon Gruden was hired, as he was limited to only 11 snaps through the first eight weeks of the 2018 campaign. He ended up starting during the second half of that season, but his fifth-year option was predictably declined during the offseason, spelling the end of his tenure with the team.
Joseph would probably have a chance to play in Las Vegas, as he’d compete with the likes of Dallin Leavitt and Jeff Heath for snaps. We heard recently that the veteran had at least one other suitor in the Steelers.
Jaguars Host DL Daniel Ross
Daniel Ross has a chance to return to Jacksonville. After ending last season with the Jaguars, the free agent defensive tackle auditioned for the team earlier today, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).
While the defensive lineman certainly isn’t a household name, he has one of the better success stories in the NFL. Ross played a few seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College (a school that boasts a handful of NFL players, including former Pro Bowler Jerome Woods), and he spent a handful of years bouncing around the CFL, including a 2015 campaign that was scrapped due to a knee injury.
After going undrafted during the 2017 draft, he joined the Texans for the preseason, and he spent most of his rookie season on the Lions and Chiefs practice squads. He was signed by the Cowboys late in the season, and he appeared in three games down the stretch, compiling five tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery.
Ross ended up getting into 13 games with Dallas in 2018, collecting one sack, one forced fumble, and seven QB hits. He missed the entire 2019 season due to a shoulder injury, but he still managed to catch on with the Raiders last offseason. He appeared in three games for his new team before getting cut in December, and he appeared in two games for the Jaguars after getting claimed off waivers.
Latest On FA DT Snacks Harrison
Damon Harrison remains a free agent, but it doesn’t sound like he’s in any rush to sign anywhere. Speaking to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the veteran defensive tackle revealed that while he’s heard from several teams, he’s waiting for the perfect fit.
“I’m a free agent waiting on the right opportunity,” Harrison said (Twitter link). “We have some interest on teams and are having some conversations. Nothing real has materialized yet and I’m not in a rush to make a decision.”
After starting at least 15 games per season between 2013 and 2019, Snacks was limited to no starts in only seven games this past year. He waited until October to join the Seahawks practice squad, and he ultimately got into six games with the team, collecting nine tackles and one forced fumble.
After being a healthy scratch in Week 16, he asked for and was granted his release. While the expectation was that the veteran would hit free agency, he was picked up on waivers by the Packers. He saw time in Green Bay’s regular season finale and two playoff games, appearing in 31 defensive snaps.
The nine-year veteran is far removed from a 2016 campaign where he compiled 86 tackles en route to a first-team All-Pro nod, although he did have 3.5 sacks and nine QB hits as recently as 2018. Despite his underwhelming production this past season, it isn’t a surprise that the 32-year-old has been generating interest as a free agent. When he was waived by the Seahawks last season, the Buccaneers, Dolphins and Ravens had expressed interest before he ultimately landed in Green Bay.
CB Nate Hairston Released By Broncos, Expected To Re-Sign
Nate Hairston is hitting free agency…temporarily. The Broncos released the defensive back today, per the NFL’s transaction report (and passed along by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter). However, the cornerback is expected to land back with the Broncos tomorrow, with Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweeting that this was merely a “procedural move.”
Hairston, a 2017 fifth-round pick out of Temple, appeared in 27 games with the Colts through his first two seasons in the NFL, compiling 65 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. He was traded to the Jets for a conditional sixth-rounder in 2019, and he ended up starting six of his 11 appearances for New York that season.
The 26-year-old caught on with the Jets again to start the 2020 campaign, and he appeared in two games before getting cut in October. Hairston spent the next two months of the Ravens practice squad before he was scooped up by Denver in mid-December. He appeared in each of the Broncos final three games, mostly on special teams.
Hairston will still probably have to battle for a job in camp, especially after the Broncos added cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller last month.
Texans To Sign DT Jaleel Johnson
Jaleel Johnson‘s visit with the Texans has resulted in a deal. The free agent defensive tackle announced on Twitter that he’s signed with Houston. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has confirmed the news (via Twitter).
The former fourth-round pick out of Iowa had spent his entire career with the Vikings, appearing in each of the team’s 48 regular season games between 2018 and 2020. Following a 2019 campaign that saw Johnson compile a career-high 3.5 sacks, the 26-year-old finished 2020 with 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of the lineman’s performance this past season, however, rating him as one of the worst interior defenders.
Despite his underwhelming performance, Johnson should see some playing time in Houston. Holdovers like Ross Blacklock and additions like Maliek Collins didn’t set the world on fire last season, and as Wilson reported earlier today (via Twitter), the Texans withdrew their tender on defensive tackle P.J. Hall. The former second-rounder started nine games for the Texans last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/7/21
Today’s minor transactions:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed ERFA tender: OL Coleman Shelton
New England Patriots
- Reinstated from reserve/retired list: C Dustin Woodard
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Jamir Jones
Eagles To Re-Sign RB Jordan Howard
Jordan Howard is returning to Philly. The veteran running back is re-signing with the Eagles, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal for the 26-year-old.
Howard inked a two-year deal with the Dolphins last offseason, but he waived in November after averaging 1.7 yards per carry. He eventually caught on with the Eagles for his second stint with the organization, although he had to settle for a practice squad gig. He was ultimately elevated for a pair of games, rushing for 27 yards on only seven carries. Howard’s first stint with the organization came in 2019, when he was traded from the Bears for a sixth-rounder. The running back finished that season with 584 yards from scrimmage.
The 2016 fifth-rounder has had a tough time matching the numbers from his rookie campaign, when he rushed for more than 1,300 yards en route to a Pro Bowl appearance. While his yards per carry continued to drop, Howard still put up decent numbers between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, averaging 1,163.5 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns per year.
Miles Sanders and Boston Scott will likely be slotted in as the top two running backs on Philly’s depth chart next season. Howard will compete with the likes of Jason Huntley, Elijah Holyfield, Adrian Killins, and (presumably) rookies for the third spot on the depth chart.
Eagles To Sign LB Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson is heading to Philly. The free agent linebacker is signing with the Eagles, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth up to $3.25MM.
The former undrafted free agent spent the first four seasons of his career with the Vikings, evolving from a special teamer into one of the team’s best defenders. After starting 10 games through the first three seasons of his career, Wilson started 15 of his 16 games in 2020 and put up career numbers. He finished the campaign having compiled 122 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions, earning him the nickname “walking turnover” from fellow linebacker Eric Kendricks.
New Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has been busy bringing in former players, and Wilson is no exception; Gannon served as the Vikings assistant defensive backs coach during Wilson’s rookie season. Wilson also worked with Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis during their stints in Minnesota (per Zach Berman of The Athletic on Twitter).
In Philly, Wilson will likely retain his starting gig as the Eagles’ starting middle linebacker. The team is still rostering T.J. Edwards, who started 12 games for the Eagles in 2020.