RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/21
We’ve compiled a handful of tender decisions below:
- The Cardinals are tendering linebacker Dennis Gardeck at a second-round value, which is worth around $3.38MM. The former undrafted free agent has spent his entire three-year career with Arizona, primarily appearing on special teams. However, the 26-year-old took on a bigger defensive role in 2020, finished with seven sacks in only 93 snaps. Gardeck tore his ACL late in the season, so his status for 2021 is in doubt.
- The Chargers won’t be tendering defensive end Isaac Rochell, which comes as a bit of a surprise. The 25-year-old had a solid season for Los Angeles, starting six games while compiling 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Rochell has 9.5 career sacks and 12 QB hits in 51 career games.
- The Packers have tendered wideout Malik Taylor, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). After spending much of his rookie season on Green Bay’s practice squad, Taylor managed to appear in 15 games for the Packers this past season. He ultimately hauled in five receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. He also returned a pair of kicks and compiled three tackles.
- The Bills won’t be tendering cornerback Levi Wallace, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). However, there’s still a chance the 25-year-old lands back in Buffalo. The cornerback has started 28 games for Buffalo over the past two years, compiling four interceptions and 17 passes defended.
- The Cowboys are tendering wideout Cedrick Wilson and nose tackle Antwaun Woods. Wilson has appeared in 22 games over the past two years, compiling 25 touches for 223 yards from scrimmage. Woods has started 32 of his 39 games for Dallas over the past three years, compiling 80, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Patriots To Sign DL Henry Anderson
The Patriots have made another addition to their defensive line. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots have signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson. It will be a two-year deal worth $7MM, and it has a max value of $11MM based on achievable playtime incentives, per Rapoport (on Twitter).
Following three seasons with the Colts, Anderson was traded to the Jets in 2018 for a seventh-round pick. He proceeded to have a career year during his first season in New York, compiling seven sacks. That performance earned him a new three-year, $25MM extension from the organization, but he had a tough time living up to that contract. Despite appearing in 29 games (21 starts) for the Jets between 2019 and 2020, Anderson collected only 1.5 sacks.
Thanks in part to the reduced production, it always seemed unlikely that Anderson would stick around for the entirety of his contract. The Jets ultimately moved on from the defensive lineman earlier this month, saving the organization more than $8MM.
The Patriots have been busy adding to their defense today, signing linebacker Matt Judon, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and defensive back Jalen Mills. The team also brought back defensive end Deatrich Wise and defensive tackle Carl Davis.
Jets To Sign WR Corey Davis
While the Jets future at quarterback may be uncertain, the team is still adding pieces to their offense. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that New York is adding wideout Corey Davis. The former first-rounder will get a three-year, $37.5MM deal, including $27MM in guaranteed money.
The former fifth-overall pick overcame a disappointing rookie campaign and put together a solid three-year stretch with the Titans. The 26-year-old had a career year in 2020, hauling in 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Davis also had three touchdowns in six career playoff games with Tennessee. Back in February, Titans GM Jon Robinson made it sound like the team was prepared to lose the wideout in free agency.
The Jets entered the offseason with a solid core at wideout. Leading receiver Jamison Crowder is still under contract, and the team is also still rostering notables like Braxton Berrios (37 receptions) and 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims.
Davis has secured the largest contract of the day among wide receivers. The Patriots committed $26MM to Nelson Agholor and $22.5MM to Kendrick Bourne, while Jamal Agnew got a deal that could be worth up to $21MM from the Jaguars.
Titans To Sign DT Denico Autry
The Titans have secured their first big free agent, both literally and figuratively. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Tennessee is signing 6-foot-6 defensive tackle Denico Autry. It’s a three-year deal worth $21.5MM, including $9MM guaranteed.
Despite going undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2014, Autry has managed to put together a seven-year career. The defensive tackle spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, including a 2017 campaign where he finished with five sacks. That performance earned him a three-year, $17.8MM deal with the Colts, and he’s been a consistent presence on their defensive line ever since.
Autry ultimately appeared in 40 games (38 starts) during his three seasons in Indy, compiling 102 tackles, 20 sacks, and three forced fumbles. The 30-year-old also got into three postseason games for the Colts, compiling 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Prior to this move, we hadn’t heard much from the Titans today. The team was armed with around $18MM in cap space heading into the offseason.
Jaguars Sign S Rayshawn Jenkins
Rayshawn Jenkins is heading to Jacksonville. The veteran safety is signing a four-year deal with the Jaguars, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio (via Twitter).
The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Miami (FL) had spent his entire four-year career with the Chargers. After playing as mostly a backup and special teamer during his first two years in the NFL, Jenkins emerged as a starter in 2019. He’s started each of his 31 regular season games over the past two years, compiling 92 tackles, eight passes defended, and five interceptions. The Chargers made an effort to retain the 27-year-old, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).
The Jaguars were reportedly hunting for safeties. We learned earlier today that the team was a suitor for John Johnson before the veteran signed with the Browns.
Despite striking out of Johnson, the Jaguars have had a busy day. The team signed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, wideout Phillip Dorsett, and return man Jamal Agnew.
Packers Renegotiate Contracts With S Adrian Amos, OL Billy Turner
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst continues to open up cap space. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Green Bay reworked the contract of safety Adrian Amos. Meanwhile, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that Packers offensive lineman Billy Turner also reworked his deal.
[RELATED: Packers Rework Preston Smith’s Contract]
Amos was set to have a cap hit north of $10.3MM, and Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com estimates that the reworked deal will save the Packers around $3MM in space. Turner’s renegotiated deal should see the Packers save at least $500K by converting the player’s roster bonus into a signing bonus; that total could go up based on how much of Turner’s $5.525MM salary was converted into a signing bonus (per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Twitter). After these two transactions and linebacker Preston Smith’s recent pay cut, Silverstein estimates that the front office managed to get under the cap.
Following four seasons with the Bears, Amos joined the Packers on a four-year, $37MM deal in 2019. He’s started all 32 regular season games for Green Bay over the past two years, averaging 66.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions per season. Amos also picked off Tom Brady in the Packers’ loss to the Buccaneers in this past year’s NFC Championship Game.
Turner bounced around the NFL a bit before seemingly finding a home with the Packers in 2019. After starting 25 games through his first five seasons in the NFL, Turner has started all 30 of his games for Green Bay over the past two years. The 29-year-old initially signed a four-year, $28MM deal with the Packers in 2019.
49ers Want To Retain OL Trent Williams
Earlier this week, offensive tackle Trent Williams hinted that he’d be interested in sticking with the 49ers. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (on Twitter), the 49ers are hoping that’s the case, as the organization is making a push to sign the veteran before the start of the league year on March 17.
Per Garafolo, the 49ers front office has made “strong offers” to Williams’ camp, and the organization is “hopeful” that they can get a deal done at some point next week. However, Garafolo warns that Williams won’t be taking any kind of discount to stay in San Francisco. While the offensive tackle apparently enjoyed his stint with the 49ers, he also “wants to see his value” reflected on his next contract. As Garafolo notes, Williams’ desire for a lucrative long-term pact was part of the reason why the lineman required a provision in his contract that stated that he couldn’t be slapped with the franchise tag.
Williams had a strong comeback campaign in 2020. After sitting out the entire 2019 season, Williams graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 overall tackle this past year. The current rate for top offensive tackles is around $22MM per year. At 32 years old, Williams may not be able to command that kind of AAV, but he should easily be able to secure a deal that pays him north of $18MM.
During a recent appearance on the Cris Collinsworth Podcast, Richard Sherman predicted Williams would stay with the 49ers and indicated he would play several more seasons. Also on the podcast, Williams replied (via NFL.com), “That’s not a bad take, fellas. Y’all barking up the right tree.”
Latest On FA RB Marlon Mack
After tearing his Achilles back in September, Marlon Mack is getting healthy and is ready for his next opportunity. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (via Twitter) that the running back is “progressing well in his rehab” from the injury and is expected to be ready in time for training camp. The running back is also expected to test free agency.
The 25-year-old isn’t far removed from two impressive seasons with the Colts. Between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Mack compiled 2,184 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns, and he added another 200 yards and one touchdown in a pair of playoff games. However, he was limited to only a single game and seven touches after tearing his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2020 campaign.
The Achilles injury was unfortunate timing for the impending free agent, who will probably have to settle for a prove-it deal during his comeback season. Either way, it doesn’t sound like he’ll immediately be re-signing with the Colts.
Even before Mack suffered his injury, there was uncertainty surrounding his future in Indy. The team drafted Jonathan Taylor in the second round of last year’s draft, and they used a pair of 2018 draft picks in Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.
49ers C Weston Richburg “Likely” To Retire
Weston Richburg may be calling it a career. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers center “likely ends up retiring” this offseason. To prepare for the apparent retirement, the 49ers front office restructured Richburg’s contract this morning, saving the team $6.875MM.
We learned last week that the 29-year-old was set to undergo hip surgery. Richburg missed all of 2020 with injuries, including a torn patellar tendon. There was some optimism that the veteran would be able to return late in the season, but he never made it back on the field.
Richburg had a tough time living up to the five-year, $47.5MM deal he signed with the 49ers back in 2018. While he didn’t allow a sack during the 2019 campaign, Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the league’s worst blockers, and he committed eight penalties between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
The former second-rounder earned that massive contract thanks to a solid four-year stint with the Giants to start his career. The Colorado State product ultimately started 50 of his 51 games with New York, although he was limited to only four contests in 2017.
Lions Sign TE Josh Hill
As expected, new Lions head coach Dan Campbell is already starting to poach players from his former team. The team announced this morning that they’ve signed free agent tight end Josh Hill. It’s a one-year deal, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football (on Twitter).
Campbell and Hill spent five years together with the Saints, where Campbell had served as assistant head coach and tight ends coach since 2016. Hill joined New Orleans way back in 2013, appearing in 126 games (regular season and postseason) during his eight years in New Orleans. While his offensive numbers have always been modest (116 career receptions, 15 touchdowns), Hill has made a career as a blocking tight end; Pro Football Focus graded Hill as the No. 4 overall run-blocking tight end in 2020. The veteran also has extensive experience on special teams.
The Saints moved on from Hill earlier this month, saving the team around $2.5MM in space. The 30-year-old was set to enter the final season of a three-year, $8.5MM deal he signed with New Orleans in 2018.
The Lions were in need of some extra tight end depth after releasing Jesse James earlier this week. Hill will likely slide into the depth chart behind starter T.J. Hockenson.