Raiders To Re-Sign LB Nicholas Morrow
Nicholas Morrow is re-signing with the Raiders after all. Alex Marvez of SiriusXM reports (via Twitter) that the linebacker is re-signing with Las Vegas. His one-year deal is worth $5MM with $4.5MM fully guaranteed, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
We heard earlier this month that the two sides were working towards a new pact, but we hadn’t received any updates since that time. The 25-year-old defender had his best professional season in 2020, starting a career-high 11 games. Morrow also established benchmarks in tackles (78), tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (three). Pro Football Focus rated him as a top-30 off-ball ‘backer in 2020.
The Raiders have been busy adding to their linebackers corps this week, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with Yannick Ngakoue. As our Sam Robinson previously detailed, the Raiders are also only a year removed from having spent big at the linebacker position; the organization signed Cory Littleton to a lucrative deal and gave Nick Kwiatkoski a respectable pact as well. The team has since reworked both Littleton’s and Kwiatkoski’s deals.
Considering Morrow’s career year, the Raiders surely didn’t secure his services for a song. This means the organization is committing even more money at the position, which will probably take them out of the running for a linebacker in the first round (as Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune tweets).
Latest On FA C David Andrews
It sounds like the Patriots had a chance to secure David Andrews‘ services today, but the center is now set to test the open market. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that after weighing New England’s offers today, the veteran is now pivoting towards offers from other suitors.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirms (via Twitter) that Andrews will now explore other options outside of New England. Garafolo clarified that the offensive lineman has been exploring all options this week, but he has yet to agree to any offers (Twitter link). Michael Giardi of NFL Network tweets that Andrews “has expressed a desire” to stick with New England, and the reporter wonders whether Bill Belichick is simply daring the free agent to find a superior offer elsewhere.
Andrews joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and he started 57 of his 60 appearances through his first four seasons in the NFL. He ended up missing the entire 2019 campaign after getting diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, but he managed to return in time for the 2020 season. He missed a handful of games with a thumb injury, ultimately appearing in 72-percent of the Patriots’ offensive snaps in 12 games.
The Patriots offensive line is already set to look a bit different in 2021. The team traded for offensive tackle Trent Brown before watching starting lineman Joe Thuney sign with the Chiefs.
Colts Tender TE Mo Alie-Cox
Mo Alie-Cox will hit restricted free agency. The Colts have slapped the tight end with a second-round tender, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). The second-round tender value is set at $3.384MM.
The Colts will now have the chance at first refusal for Alie-Cox’s services. If the Colts don’t match a hypothetical offer to the tight end, they’ll received a second-round pick in return.
Alie-Cox made a name for himself as a forward on VCU’s basketball team. Despite the fact that he hadn’t played organized football since high school, the Colts took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent in 2017. The tight end has progressively received more responsibilities through his four seasons in the NFL, culminating in a 2020 campaign where he put up career numbers.
The 27-year-old ultimately finished the season having hauled in a career-high 31 receptions for 394 yards and two touchdowns. Alie-Cox has also earned a reputation as one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL. Assuming he returns to Indy, the veteran will likely continue serving as the team’s number-two tight end behind starter Jack Doyle.
Texans Expected To Sign CB Terrance Mitchell
It sounds like Terrance Mitchell is returning to Houston. The free agent cornerback is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Texans, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The pact is worth up to $7.5MM.
The 2014 seventh-round pick out of Oregon has put together a seven-year career with six different teams. That includes a brief stint with the Texans in 2016; Mitchell was claimed off waivers by Houston during the 2016 offseason, but he was waived at the end of the preseason.
Mitchell inked a three-year, $12MM deal with the Browns back in 2018, but he didn’t settle into a full-time starting role until his final season in Cleveland. This past year, the 28-year-old started all 16 games for the Browns, compiling a career-high 65 tackles to go along with three forced fumbles and 13 passes defended.
The Texans have been busy adding to their defense. Over the past few days, the team has agreed to terms with linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, and linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis.
Bills To Sign WR Emmanuel Sanders
7:05pm: Sanders is indeed joining the Bills. Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the veteran wideout will be signing a one-year deal with Buffalo. Sanders is set to fly to Buffalo on Thursday after he’s officially released by the Saints, at which time he’ll take a physical and finalize his deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the one-year deal is worth $6MM, including an additional $500K in incentives.
6:23pm: It sounds like Emmanuel Sanders could be heading to Buffalo. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the Bills are in “serious talks” with the veteran free agent wideout.
As Pelissero notes, the Saints have yet to release Sanders, with that transaction expected to take place after 4pm tomorrow due to cap reasons. However, it’s been almost a week since we heard of New Orleans’ intent to cut the veteran, and the team formally announced the impending transaction today.
Sanders joined the Saints on a two-year, $16MM last offseason. The veteran went on to notch 61 catches for 726 yards and five touchdowns during his first season in the NFC. Even though he was productive, he was less efficient on a per-catch basis than usual; his 11.9 ypc average was among the lowest of his career and well below his finest work in Denver.
It’s been a while since Sanders was a 1,000-yard receiver, a mark he exceeded with the Broncos each season between 2014 and 2016. Since 2017, the veteran has averaged 754.5 yards per season, making him a serviceable second or third wideout on the depth chart.
That would presumably be his role in Buffalo. Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley are Josh Allen‘s top two targets, but following John Brown‘s release, the team is presumably seeking a third receiver who can compete with the likes of Gabriel Davis for targets.
Contract Details: Patriots, Moseley, Golden, Bills, Hyde
Some assorted contract details from around the NFL:
- LB Matt Judon, Patriots: $18MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021), $11MM (2022), $11MM (2023), $9.5MM (2024). Up to $1MM in per-game roster bonuses, $500K All-Pro incentive between 2022 and 2024. Via ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter.
- TE Jonnu Smith, Patriots: $15MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021), $9MM (2022), $10MM (2023), $11MM (2024). Up to $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. Via Yates on Twitter.
- CB Emmanuel Moseley, 49ers: $500K per-game active roster bonus in 2022. Up to $750K play-time base salary escalator in 2022. Via Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson on Twitter.
- LB Markus Golden, Cardinals: two years, $5MM, $2.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021, guaranteed), $2MM (2022). Up to $250K in annual per-game roster bonuses, up to $2MM in annual sack incentives. Via Wilson on Twitter.
- OT Daryl Williams, Bills: $13.75MM guaranteed, $5.4MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021), $6.725MM (2022), $5.475MM (2023). $3MM roster bonus in 2021, $1.25MM roster bonus in 2023. Per-game roster bonuses: $250K (2021), $300K (2022-2023). $100K annual workout bonuses. $2.2MM in additional annual incentives. Via Yates on Twitter.
- RB Carlos Hyde, Jaguars: Two years, $4.5MM. $1.25MM base salary in 2021 is fully guaranteed. $900K signing bonus. Via TheMMQB’s Albert Breer on Twitter.
Saints To Sign FB Alex Armah
Alex Armah is switching NFC South teams. The free agent fullback in signing with the Saints, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
The 26-year-old had spent his entire four-year career in Carolina, and he didn’t miss a game between the 2018 and 2020 seasons. During his four years with the Panthers, Armah ultimately compiled 64 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
The former sixth-rounder also has plenty of experience on special teams, appearing in 868 special teams snaps through his four seasons in the NFL. Armah has five career tackles.
In New Orleans, Armah will be protecting a running back grouping that includes Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, and Ty Montgomery.
Cardinals Re-Sign OL Kelvin Beachum
Kelvin Beachum is sticking around Arizona. The Cardinals announced that they’ve re-signed the offensive lineman to a two-year deal.
The 2012 seventh-round pick has put together a solid nine-year career with four different organizations. Following a three-year stint with the Jets, Beachum joined the Cardinals last offseason on a one-year deal. He ultimately started all 16 games for the Cardinals at right tackle, allowing only three sacks.
Beachum could have some competition for the starting gig in 2021. 2020 third-round pick Josh Jones figures to be in the mix, although the youngster has the ability to play both guard and tackle. The Cardinals will also welcome back Marcus Gilbert, whose decision to opt out of the 2020 season necessitated the Beachum signing in the first place.
Either way, the Cardinals are clearly looking to add as much offensive line depth as possible as they look to protect franchise quarterback Kyler Murray.
Eagles WR Marquise Goodwin Reverts Back To 49ers
If you’re a fan of weird NFL transactions, you’ll like this one. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that Eagles wideout Marquise Goodwin has reverted back to the 49ers, per the terms of the trade the teams completed last year.
However, it doesn’t sound like the veteran receiver’s second stint in San Francisco is going to last all that long. Yates notes that Goodwin is unlikely to fit into the 49ers’ plans at wide receiver, opining that this is merely “a procedural move.”
Following four seasons in Buffalo, Goodwin joined the 49ers back in 2017. He proceeded to have a breakout campaign for his new squad, hauling in 56 receptions for 962 yards and two touchdowns. However, the receiver didn’t come close to matching that production between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, compiling 605 yards from scrimmage and five scores in 20 games (14 starts).
Goodwin was dealt to the Eagles last April in a deal that saw the 49ers and Eagles swap sixth-round picks. The 30-year-old ultimately declared as an opt-out for the 2020 season, and his tenure in Philly ends without him taking the field for his new squad.
Vikings Have Made Offer To CB Mackensie Alexander
Mackensie Alexander could land back in Minnesota. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports (via Twitter) that the Vikings have interest in the veteran cornerback. Sources tell Goessling that Minnesota has made an offer to the free agent cornerback.
Alexander spent the first four seasons of his career with the Vikings, starting 10 of his 55 appearances. The veteran’s final season in Minnesota came in 2019, when he compiled 38 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one interception in 13 games (four starts).
He joined the Bengals last offseason on a one-year, $4MM deal. He ended up starting a career-high 10 games for Cincinnati, collecting 47 tackles, six passes defended, and one interception. He also appeared in a career-high 61-percent of his team’s defensive snaps in 2020.
The Vikings have been relatively quiet over the past few days. The team’s one notable addition was the signing of nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. The team entered the offseason with just over $9MM in cap space.