Connor J. Byrne | Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Manziel, Laurinaitis, Draft

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 20, 2016 2:25 pm

2:25pm: Dallas PD could conclude its Manziel investigation by next week, the Associated Press reports.

12:03pm: The Dallas Police Department issued an update Saturday regarding its investigation of domestic violence claims against Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. The Dallas PD’s statement comes courtesy of Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link):

“On February 5, 2016, Dallas Police Department detectives began investigating a complaint of a domestic violence assault that occurred in Dallas on January 30, 2016, in which Jonathan Manziel was the listed suspect. Up to this point in the investigation, detectives have continued communicating with the complainant, interviewed witnesses, received medical records from the complainant, and obtained video from surveillance cameras. Detectives are continuing with their efforts to fully investigate the facts of this case. As this remains an on-going investigation, no details of the investigation will be released at this time. We would like to finish the investigation as soon as possible, but detectives work around the victim’s and witnesses’ schedules which can sometimes delay the process. As of today, there has been no determination as to what type of charge, if any, will be filed against Mr. Manziel. Updates to this case will be made as information comes available.”

The surveillance video mentioned in the statement is from the Hotel ZaZa, where Collen Crowley claims Manziel’s assault on her began, reports Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. As McManamon writes, Crowley stated in an affidavit that she told a hotel valet that she was scared for her life, and Manziel subsequently threw her in the passenger seat of his car. The Dallas PD has the video of Crowley’s encounter with the valet along with other surveillance, per McManamon.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Linebacker James Laurinaitis, whom the Rams cut Friday after he started 112 straight games for the club, was taken aback by his release. “I didn’t see this one coming,” he told Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I thought maybe at worst, a pay cut. I still felt like I was producing.” The 29-year-old is fresh off his seventh consecutive 100-tackle season since entering the league in 2009 and, more impressively, has never missed a game. However, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated his 2015-16 performance an ugly 83rd out of 97 qualifying LBs.
Although Terron Beckham – cousin of Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. – didn’t play college football, the 23-year-old is hoping to catch on in the NFL as a running back. The 5-foot-11, 230-pounder will have a chance to impress scouts on Feb. 25 at a “shadow combine” in Indianapolis, reports Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. The event is for draft hopefuls who aren’t invited to next week’s national scouting combine or any regional combines. Terron Beckham, who’s a trainer and fitness model, says he’s “Marshawn Lynch and [Adrian Peterson] transformed into one person.” Despite that glowing self-assessment, he’s “an extreme long shot” to end up in the league, a personnel executive told Hubbuch. Further, it’s unknown if Beckham is even eligible for the draft, per Hubboch, as neither he nor his agent have called the league office to find out.
Speaking of the draft, teams are concerned about Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook‘s leadership abilities, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Cook can, however, allay those fears at the combine, Breer adds. MSU tightly restricts scouts at practice, per Breer (Twitter link), which means they haven’t been able to watch Cook interact with teammates.
The stock of Louisiana Tech QB Jeff Driskel is rising, perhaps as high as the second round, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes. “I like Driskel,” an AFC scouting director told Wilson. “He can still use more polish, but he’s got a big arm and can move and seems very coachable. I could see him being drafted higher than most people think. He helped himself a lot.”

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Boone, Okung, Vikes

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 20, 2016 10:50 am

The Cowboys were in need of pass-rushing help even before the NFL handed a four-game suspension to edge rusher Randy Gregory on Friday. Now, with Gregory out for the first quarter of next season and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence having undergone back surgery earlier this year, the Cowboys might be more inclined to re-sign Greg Hardy, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Hardy had a respectable six sacks in 12 games last season, but he was a headache off the field, and sources close to the 27-year-old told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report in January that Dallas was unlikely to bring him back. The Cowboys’ present circumstances could change that, however.

Here’s more from the NFC:

The 49ers will discuss a new contract with Alex Boone‘s agents at next week’s scouting combine in Indianapolis, but chances are they won’t get a deal done before free agency opens March 9, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Boone has played his entire career with the 49ers since they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2009, netting 59 starts – all of which came during the previous four years.
There was a late-January report stating Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung, a pending free agent, would undergo surgery on his dislocated left shoulder. Okung confirmed to 710 ESPN Seattle on Thursday that the surgery is complete and he’ll face a four-month recovery period, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. “It was something that I didn’t have to do, but decided to do just to mitigate any risks going forward,” the 28-year-old said.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said earlier this week that next season would be pivotal in showing whether Cordarrelle Patterson is capable of being a viable NFL receiver going forward. Patterson agrees, telling Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, “If it don’t show this year it ain’t going to show at all. That’s all I can say about that.” The 2013 first-round pick pulled in a combined 78 receptions in his first two years, but he was barely involved in the Vikings’ offense last season and added just two catches.

3 comments Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Alex Boone Cordarrelle Patterson Greg Hardy Russell Okung

AFC East Notes: Ivory, Dolphins, Pats

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 20, 2016 8:34 am

Let’s check in on the latest from the AFC East:

The Jets have had discussions with running back Chris Ivory‘s camp about a new contract for the free agent-to-be, but the likelihood is that he’ll hit the market and find a bigger payday elsewhere, according to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta. Ivory, who will turn 28 in March, set career highs last season in carries (247), rushing yards (1,070) and total touchdowns (eight).
There was a report earlier this week that the Dolphins “definitely” want to keep Lamar Miller, who could join Ivory on the free agent running back market next month. For his part, Miller told WQAM on Friday that he “would love to stay” with the club, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The soon-to-be 25-year-old added that his goal going forward is 20 touches per contest, saying, “I want to be a featured back. I want the recognition I deserve.” Miller averaged just over 15 touches a game last season and made the most of his usage, averaging 4.5 yards per rush, grabbing 47 receptions and totaling 10 TDs.
Defenders Chris Long and James Laurinaitis are available after the Rams released the pair Friday, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com examined whether it would make sense for the Patriots to pursue them. Reiss doesn’t see a clear fit in either case. The Pats have plenty of depth at Long’s position – defensive end – while Laurinaitis would fall behind Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower in their linebacker pecking order, Reiss notes.
On the other hand, Long and Laurinaitis could make sense for the Dolphins, James Walker of ESPN.com writes. Laurinaitis would fill a need at linebacker for Miami, per Walker, and Long is a potential fallback option if the team is unable to retain pending free agent pass rusher Olivier Vernon.

4 comments Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Chris Ivory Chris Long James Laurinaitis Lamar Miller

Offseason Outlook: Detroit Lions

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 19, 2016 9:58 pm

Pending free agents:

Isa Abdul-Quddus, S
Crezdon Butler, CB
Braxston Cave, C (ERFA)
Brandon Copeland, LB (ERFA)
Jermelle Cudjo, DT
Corey Fuller, WR (ERFA)
James Ihedigbo, S
Isaiah Johnson, DB (ERFA)
Jason Jones, DE
Travis Lewis, ILB
Lance Moore, WR
Don Muhlbach, LS
Haloti Ngata, DT
Dan Orlovsky, QB
Bear Pascoe, TE
Manny Ramirez, G
Darryl Tapp, DE
Khyri Thornton, DT (ERFA)
Tyrunn Walker, DT
Tahir Whitehead, OLB
George Winn, RB (ERFA)
Corey Wootton, DE
Tim Wright, TE (RFA)

Top 15 cap hits for 2016:

Calvin Johnson, WR: $24,008,000
Matthew Stafford, QB: $22,500,000
Riley Reiff, T: $8,070,000
DeAndre Levy, OLB: $7,650,000
Glover Quin, S: $7,577,500
Stephen Tulloch, ILB: $7,300,000
Golden Tate, WR: $7,101,250
Ezekiel Ansah, DE: $5,916,433
Brandon Pettigrew, TE: $4,650,000
Joique Bell, RB: $3,500,000
Eric Ebron, TE: $3,340,676
Matt Prater, K: $3,175,000
Laken Tomlinson, G: $1,943,238
Larry Warford, G: $1,821,250
Darius Slay, CB: $1,682,960

Notable coaching/front office moves:

Head coach: Retained Jim Caldwell, after some deliberation.
Offensive coordinator: Retained Jim Bob Cooter, who took over job during 2015 season.
Offensive staff: Hired Broncos offensive assistant Brian Callahan to replace Jim Bob Cooter.
General manager: Hired Patriots director of pro scouting Bob Quinn to replace interim GM Sheldon White, who was let go.
Front office: Hired Kevin Anderson, Matt Harriss, Randy Edsall, and Ernie Accorsi in various roles.

Draft:

No. 16 overall pick
Owe third-round pick to Eagles in deal for DT Gabe Wright.
Acquired fifth-round pick from Broncos in deal for OLB Shane Ray.
Acquired sixth-round pick from Seahawks in deal for CB Mohammed Seisay.

Other:

Current projected cap room (via Over the Cap): $22.1MM
Must exercise or decline fifth-year option for 2017 for DE Ezekiel Ansah.
WR Calvin Johnson likely to retire.
CB Rashean Mathis announced retirement.
Signed T Lamar Holmes.
Released RB Joique Bell.
Released DL C.J. Wilson.
Will release LB Stephen Tulloch.

Overview:

The Lions went into last season hoping to build on their 11-win 2014 campaign, but history was overwhelmingly against them from the start. The franchise entered 2015 having never amassed consecutive seasons of double-digit victories since its inception as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930. That ignominious streak will live on for at least a bit longer, as the Lions endured the quintessential tale of two seasons en route to a 7-9 finish.

Thanks to an 0-5 start, the Lions were all but out of playoff contention by early October and ultimately reached their bye week with an NFL-worst 1-7 mark. Owner Martha Ford reacted by firing president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew, both of whom had held their posts since 2008. Rod Wood, a Ford family confidant, took over for Lewand, admitting at the time that he “would probably not be directly involved in personnel decisions” (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). The GM role went to player personnel director Sheldon White, though only on an interim basis, as Wood and consultant Ernie Accorsi – previously a successful executive in Baltimore, Cleveland and New York – considered full-time options.

In the wake of both the Lions’ front office shakeup and the late-October firing of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, whom they replaced with quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter, the team looked more like its 2014 self during a 6-2 second half. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, with a video game-like TD:INT ratio of 19:2 over those eight games, was the driving force behind the Lions’ end-of-season surge. The performances of Stafford and his teammates surely had a hand in saving the job of head coach Jim Caldwell, but the Lions parted with White after naming Bob Quinn their permanent GM.

Quinn came to Detroit from New England, where he had been part of arguably the league’s preeminent organization since 2000. The 39-year-old earned several promotions during his long run with the Patriots, the last of which came in 2012 when he took the reins as their director of pro scouting. Quinn’s first important act in Detroit was to retain Caldwell, a decision that came after much deliberation. He’s now focused on bettering a roster that is in danger of losing possible six-time Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson to retirement at just 30 years old.

Key Free Agents:

The Lions’ notable pending unrestricted free agents all hail from a defense that was mediocre to subpar in DVOA, yardage and scoring last season. Linemen Haloti Ngata, Jason Jones and Tyrunn Walker, linebacker Tahir Whitehead and safeties Isa Abdul-Quddus and James Ihedigbo are unsigned and scheduled to hit the market on March 9.

Ngata has enjoyed the finest career of the group, having made five Pro Bowls and 147 starts since entering the league in 2006. The 32-year-old joined the Lions last offseason after they obtained him from the Ravens for a fourth- and fifth-round draft pick, and he started in all 14 of his appearances and finished second among Lions defensive linemen in snap percentage (57.1). Ngata battled through various injuries to chip in 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks and rank as Pro Football Focus’ 39th-best interior lineman (123 qualifiers), but the site (subscription required) didn’t think much of his work against the run. That jibes with the Lions’ fall from first in rushing yardage allowed and per-carry average in 2014 to 19th in the two categories last season.

The Lions acquired Ngata with the hope that he’d help fill the void of the departed Ndamukong Suh, which he wasn’t able to do to a large enough extent. Ngata remains a solid defender, though, and wants to continue his career in the Motor City.

“I’d love to stay,” he told Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com in January. “I love what coach (Jim) Caldwell has done here. I love playing under him and (defensive line) coach Kris (Kocurek). I feel like I got in a groove at the end of the season and hopefully I can play a full season understanding the system.”

Ngata said Thursday that he’ll soon talk to the Lions to see if the two sides can work out an agreement. The ex-Oregon Duck made $8.5MM last season, which was the final year of a mega-deal he signed with the Ravens in 2011. Ngata was a dominant force then, but that’s no longer true. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap concurs, writing last month that Ngata could have a hard time topping $4.5MM per year on his next contract.

As was the case with Ngata, the Lions’ defense leaned on Jones to serve as an important contributor last season. The eight-year veteran started in each of his 15 appearances and ranked fourth among Lions D-linemen in snap percentage (51.7) and third among all defenders in sacks (4.5). Jones earned a positive assessment from PFF, which ranked him an above-average 43rd out of 110 qualifying edge defenders and gave him decent grades as both a run defender and pass rusher.

Jones inked a three-year, $9.5MM contract with the Lions as a 27-year-old in 2013, and his production during those three years was similar to what it was in his prior stops. It stands to reason that he’ll get another short-term, reasonably priced deal as he enters his age-30 season. Considering his competent play, not to mention fellow veteran DE Darryl Tapp‘s free agent status, the Lions would be wise to bring Jones back (and Tapp, for that matter).

Walker, a former Saint, signed a one-year pact with the Lions last winter and played alongside Ngata as a D-tackle starter before a broken fibula ended his season in Week 4. The Lions weren’t afraid to make use of the 25-year-old when healthy – he played anywhere from 54 to 74 percent of their defensive snaps in each of his appearances – so they might attempt to buy low on him again in the coming weeks and hope he stays healthy next season.

Whitehead went from starting 15 games in 2014 to nine last season, but he wowed PFF enough to receive a 14th-place ranking out of 97 qualifying linebackers. Whitehead started the Lions’ last eight games, and it sounds as if the team will need to commit to giving the soon-to-be 26-year-old a No. 1 role going forward in order to keep him.

“You want to go somewhere where you’re wanted, where you’re needed and you’re going to play. So I definitely want to be a starter. I think I’ve shown that I can be a starter in this league,” he told Carlos Martinez of the Detroit Free Press after the season.

After mostly working as a special teamer and backup defender during the first four-plus years of his career, Abdul-Quddus dethroned Ihedigbo as Detroit’s starting strong safety in November and made the most of his increased playing time. Given his range, the 26-year-old was a better fit than Ihedigbo in coordinator Teryl Austin‘s defense, and PFF agrees: The site ranked Abdul-Quddus 21st and Ihedigbo 64th, respectively, out of 88 qualifying safeties. Abdul-Quddus hopes to parlay his career-best defensive season into another deal with the Lions.

“I love it here,” the 26-year-old told Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “I love the coaching staff. I love Coach Caldwell. I love everything here man, and I’d love to come back.”

Regardless of whether it’s with the Lions or another team, Abdul-Quddus will surely end up with a more lucrative contract than the one-year, $1.5MM accord he signed in 2015. While Abdul-Quddus’ stock is rising, Ihedigbo’s is falling thanks to both his age (32) and his play last season. Not surprisingly, the Lions won’t re-sign him, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Possible Cap Casualties:

The Lions pinpointed their first cap casualty Tuesday when they cut running back Joique Bell, whose release saves them $1MM this year. Bell was a quality weapon with the Lions from 2012-14, but he was less involved in their offense last season and recorded career lows in yards per carry (3.5) and receptions (22). That dip in production, along with the respective presences of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, made Bell expendable.

The Lions also saved a valuable chunk of cap room ($2.3MM) by parting with defensive lineman C.J. Wilson, who made eight tackles in eight games after Detroit claimed him off waivers in November.

Linebacker Stephen Tulloch will follow Bell and Wilson out the door, as Pro Football Talk reported Thursday. Tulloch, 31, started in 66 of 67 appearances with the Lions, but his struggles against the pass helped seal his fate. Detroit will save $6MM on its cap this year when it officially releases Tulloch on March 9.

The status of tight end Brandon Pettigrew, the Lions’ first-rounder in 2009, is up in the air. Pettigrew, a prolific pass-catcher during the first half-decade of his career, has hauled in a mere 17 receptions since the Lions used a top pick on TE Eric Ebron two years ago. Dropping Pettigrew would clear $2.65MM of space for Detroit.

Positions Of Need:

The Lions remain in the dark about Johnson’s status, with Wood saying Thursday that the team is “staying in touch with him.” The club will not rush Johnson into a decision, Wood added, but it would obviously benefit the franchise to know his fate sooner than later. In fact, the Lions will need an answer by March 9. Otherwise, Johnson’s $15.95MM base salary and $24MM-plus cap number will be on their books in 2016.

If Megatron does elect to walk away, the Lions will increase their cap space by over $11MM this year. While that sounds nice, the downside to losing Johnson is that he’s still a world-class wideout, having hauled in 88 catches for 1,200-plus yards and nine scores last season. His departure would leave a gaping hole in Detroit’s offense, and the only receiver the team could realistically acquire this offseason and expect similar production from is Alshon Jeffery. The Lions are rather familiar with Jeffery, a free agent-to-be who has been a member of the NFC North rival Bears since his career began in 2012.

The 6-foot-3, 216-pound Jeffery doesn’t quite possess Johnson’s size (6-5, 239), but he has been similarly excellent in recent seasons. In his last two 16-game campaigns (2013-14), Jeffery has combined for 174 receptions, 2,300-plus yards, and 17 touchdowns. He was also outstanding last season, albeit in just nine games, grabbing 54 passes for 807 yards and four scores. Though not much has been reported about the Bears locking up Jeffery before free agency, he and the franchise tag are likely on a collision course prior to the March 1 deadline, as PFR’s Luke Adams wrote earlier this week.

In the event Jeffery does reach the market, an all-out bidding war would undoubtedly ensue. That would enable Jeffery, who turned 26 less than a week ago, to net a contract not unlike the ones given to Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, T.Y. Hilton and A.J. Green last summer. Jones, Thomas, Bryant and Hilton all signed five-year deals ranging from $65MM to $71.25MM, while Green got a four-year, $60MM contract.

The Lions obviously can’t count on Jeffery becoming a free agent, but the other pending UFA receivers are far less enticing. Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com has mentioned the Bengals’ Marvin Jones and the Seahawks’ Jermaine Kearse as prospective targets. Jones – coming off a career-best season in terms of catches (65), targets (103) and yards (816) – will seek $7MM annually, league sources told Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer earlier this month. Kearse also established personal highs in catches (49), targets (68) and yards (685) last season, though he won’t garner as much money as Jones. The four-year veteran’s career production should put him in line for an accord worth $3.25MM to $3.75MM annually, Fitzgerald tweeted in January.

While the Lions won’t know which direction they’ll go in at receiver until Johnson makes his intentions official, they are certain they’ll address their offensive line this offseason.

“We need to keep our quarterback protected and not on the ground,” Wood said Thursday, per Twentyman. “The offensive line is an area we’re going to focus on.”

As Wood implied, the Lions’ O-line did struggle in pass protection last season, evidenced by a 23rd overall ranking in sacks allowed and a 22nd-place finish in Football Outsiders’ adjusted sack rate metric. Even though he easily ranked as the Lions’ best O-lineman by PFF’s standards last season, Manny Ramirez won’t be part of the group going forward, Birkett tweeted Thursday. Ramirez, who went from back-to-back 16-start campaigns with Denver to seven as a Lion last season, will sign with another club as a free agent.

The Lions are content with starting guards Larry Warford and Laken Tomlinson, per Justin Rogers of MLive.com, as well as Riley Reiff occupying one of the tackle spots. Thus, they could look to upgrade opposite Reiff and find a superior center to Travis Swanson.

The cream-of-the-crop pending free agents at tackle are, in some order, Cordy Glenn (Bills), Russell Okung (Seahawks), Donald Penn (Raiders), Kelvin Beachum (Steelers) and Mitchell Schwartz (Browns). Fitzgerald expects Glenn, Okung, Beachum and Schwartz to land five-year agreements worth anywhere from $6MM to $9MM annually. Penn, 33 in April, is much older than the others and won’t receive the same caliber of contract in either length or total value. However, having started a whopping 128 games in a row since 2008, he’ll command big money over the short term.

Should the Lions veer away from expensive veteran tackles and prioritize drafting one instead, local product Jack Conklin (Michigan State) and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker could pique their interest in the first round (No. 16 overall).

The free agent center class currently features Stefen Wisniewski (Jaguars) and Ben Jones (Texans) as the standouts. Wisniewski has started in all 77 of his appearances since entering the league in 2011 and should do better than the one-year, $2.5MM deal he got from Jacksonville last offseason. Jones has fewer career starts (43 in 64 appearances), but he has made 32 in a row.

The Browns’ Alex Mack, who’s coming off his third Pro Bowl season, will hit the market if he goes the expected route and opts out of his contract. The 30-year-old’s current deal places him sixth among centers in total value ($42MM), fifth in annual value ($8.4MM) and second in guarantees ($18MM). If Mack opts out, he could then become the the first center ever to eclipse $9MM annually, according to CBS Sports’ Joel Corry (link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com).

On the other side of the line, where Ngata and Walker are unsigned, the Lions are quite thin at defensive tackle. If they venture into free agency to address the position, potential choices include Damon Harrison (Jets), Ian Williams (49ers) and Terrance Knighton (Washington). Ex-Lion Nick Fairley is also without a deal as of now after spending 2015 with the Rams, but he’s unlikely to have a second act in Detroit, according to Rothstein.

Unfortunately for the Lions (and other teams in search of a DT), Harrison said earlier this week that he and the Jets “are headed in the right direction with a deal getting done.” If negotiations fall apart, the 27-year-old will garner plenty of interest from clubs that need to improve against opposing ground games. Harrison, who has started 48 straight contests, is a top-tier run stopper whom PFF ranked No. 1 in that category among interior D-linemen last season.

Another defender to keep an eye on as a possibility for Detroit is the Patriots’ Akiem Hicks, whom Quinn was influential in acquiring from the Saints last fall, as Birkett detailed. Hicks finished with three sacks in 13 games with New England and was PFF’s 42nd-best interior lineman, three spots behind Ngata. The four-year veteran has been a role player throughout his career (33 starts, 9.5 sacks in 61 games), so he shouldn’t cost a bank-breaking amount to sign. When combining Quinn’s affinity for Hicks with the Lions’ issues up front, it’ll be a surprise if they don’t at least kick the tires on the 26-year-old when free agency begins.

If the Lions emerge from the open market dissatisfied with their D-line, they could try to beef up via the draft. In his latest mock draft, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has the team selecting Louisville D-tackle Sheldon Rankins in the first round. Miller says Rankins is “going to draw some comparisons to Aaron Donald with his 6-foot-2, 304-pound frame,” adding that he’s “a perfect fit at three-technique in Detroit.”

With Tulloch on the outs, bolstering their linebacking corps could be on the Lions’ to-do list. However, they won’t need to make any headline-grabbing pickups if Whitehead stays. Stalwart DeAndre Levy will return after missing almost all of 2015 with a hip injury – he’s on track for training camp, according to Wood – and four-year veteran Josh Bynes is fresh off a breakout showing. Bynes thrived in a much bigger role than he had in 2014, leading Lions LBs in defensive snap percentage (78.0) and ranking as PFF’s 13th-best ‘backer last season.

If the Lions don’t keep Whitehead, who will presumably man the middle in the event he re-ups, perhaps they’ll join the Danny Trevathan sweepstakes. The 25-year-old was highly productive for the Broncos two of the last three years and helped their defense steamroll its way to a championship last season. Trevathan accrued 109 tackles, two picks and, in PFF’s view, was the league’s 10th-best LB. He’ll next try to cash in as a free agent, and if he’s out of the Lions’ price range, they could use the draft as a means to replace Whitehead. Early round possibilities for the Lions include Reggie Ragland (Alabama), Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame) and Scooby Wright (Arizona State), as Rothstein wrote earlier this week.

Much like their linebacker situation, whether the Lions find noteworthy safety help from outside will depend on the fate of in-house talent. In this instance, it’s the aforementioned Abdul-Quddus. Letting him go could lead the Lions in the direction of free agents like the Bengals’ Reggie Nelson and George Iloka, Eric Weddle (Chargers) and Tashaun Gipson (Browns).

Extension Candidates/Contract Issues:

If Johnson continues playing, the Lions could ask him to restructure his contract. As mentioned above, he’s due a $15.95MM salary next season and a cap hit in excess of $24MM.

When the Cardinals and receiver Larry Fitzgerald reworked his deal last offseason, they may have set an example for the Lions and Johnson to follow this year (that’s the Lions’ hope, anyway, as Rapoport tweeted earlier this month). Fitzgerald was scheduled to make $16MM and carry a $23.6MM cap figure last season, but the restructuring created $13MM in space for 2015 and guaranteed Fitzgerald $22MM over two years.

Though Johnson’s future is in doubt, one cornerstone player the Lions won’t lose anytime soon is defensive end Ezekial Ansah. The Lions have to decide this offseason whether to exercise or decline Ansah’s fifth-year option for 2017. They’re sure to pick it up, guaranteeing he’ll remain under their control for at least two more seasons. Since the Lions took Ansah fifth overall in the 2013 draft, the former BYU star has totaled 30 sacks and nine forced fumbles. He piled up career bests (14.5 and four) in those categories last season.

While Ansah is the prime get from the Lions’ 2013 rookie class, they found several more useful contributors that year in a tremendous draft for the franchise. Second-round cornerback Darius Slay leads a group that also features Warford (third round), defensive end Devin Taylor (fourth round), punter Sam Martin (fifth round) and Riddick (sixth round). The bad news for Detroit is that those five are just a year from free agency. The team could look to extend any or all of them this offseason, though.

Slay, 25, has done the most to earn an exorbitant contract. The 6-1, 192-pounder started 16 games for the second straight year and ranked as PFF’s No. 2 overall corner (111 qualifiers) last season. Knowing he’s in line for an appreciable raise, Slay hired Rosenhaus Sports to represent him in January and then approached the Lions about an extension earlier this month, Meinke reported. Rogers wrote earlier this week that Slay could end up with a five-year deal worth $50MM to $55MM, including $20MM in guarantees. Those totals would presently rank seventh and sixth, respectively, among corners.

Warford has started in all 42 of his career appearances, though PFF wasn’t nearly as enamored with him as it was Slay last season. The site gave Warford a run-of-the-mill overall mark (39th out of 81 qualifying guards) and a particularly poor grade as a run blocker. If the Lions and Warford open extension talks, he could use the deal fellow right guard James Carpenter signed with the Jets last year as a comparable. Carpenter, who also wasn’t a PFF darling, spun 39 starts in four seasons into a four-year, $19MM contract. Carpenter is now sixth among right guards in total value, seventh in yearly value ($4.75MM) and 12th in guaranteed money ($5.5MM).

Taylor took on a larger role than ever last season and impressed, playing over 52 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps (up from 21.5% in 2014) and collecting the second-most sacks on the team (seven). Taylor’s current value isn’t easy to pin down as far as a contract goes, but rushing the passer is a premium skill and he’ll set himself up for a healthy payday with a repeat (or an improvement) in 2016.

Martin has ranked in the top 10 in the league in net punting average in all three of his seasons. He could therefore seek top 10 money at his position, which would mean upward of $2.8MM annually.

As for Riddick, he has never been much of a factor as a rusher (72 career attempts, 2.9 YPC), but he did lead all running backs with 80 receptions last season. If he and the Lions discuss an extension in the coming months, they could settle in the $1.5MM to $2.5MM yearly range. That’s what pass-catching backs like Dion Lewis, Bilal Powell, Roy Helu and Reggie Bush have signed for over the past year. Given Riddick’s limitations as a runner, he shouldn’t warrant more than that.

Overall Outlook:

It’s clear that Johnson’s decision, whether it’s to retire or stick around, will be the defining story of Detroit’s offseason. His choice will carry heavy cap ramifications, and those consequences will help chart a course for Quinn as he tries to push the Lions from mediocrity to the postseason.

Quinn doesn’t have to make an overwhelming amount of upgrades to get the Lions back into the hunt, but the roster’s main weaknesses are glaring. If Johnson exits and isn’t properly replaced and the defensive line isn’t satisfactorily addressed, the Lions might require a sequel to Stafford’s superhuman performance from late last season in order to contend for a playoff berth in 2016. Of course, that output will be all the more difficult for Stafford to replicate if his only proven wideout is Golden Tate.

Information from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

0 comments Detroit Lions Offseason Outlook PFR Originals

Extra Points: Kuechly, Osemele, Sweezy, McCain, Geno

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 17, 2016 9:18 pm

Panthers star linebacker Luke Kuechly will undergo surgery on a partially torn left labrum, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. The injury occurred in Week 17 against Tampa Bay, but it didn’t hamper Kuechly’s ability to play during the postseason. The timetable to recover from Kuechly’s injury ranges from three to six months, per Newton. Although Kuechly could miss the Panthers’ offseason workouts, the three-time first-team All-Pro will be ready for training camp in July, a source told Newton.

The latest from around the NFL…

The Ravens want to keep pending free agent offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, but they won’t franchise tag him and will likely find him too pricey to re-sign, Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes. Brown lists the Saints, Seahawks and Vikings as potential fits for the 26-year-old.
Speaking of the Seahawks, guard J.R. Sweezy – who has started 45 games over the last three seasons – will encounter “an active market” for his services if he hits free agency March 9, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link).
Cornerback Brice McCain, whom the Dolphins cut last week, will visit with two unnamed teams in the coming days, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.
The Jets will try to trade Geno Smith if they pick a quarterback on the first or second day of the draft this year, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Smith carries a ~$1.6MM cap hit this year and could interest a team in need of a backup.
Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, who was cut by the Bears on Tuesday with a failed physical, has a tear in his shoulder that likely needs surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. However, he’ll be ready for 2016.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

1 comment Baltimore Ravens Carolina Panthers Minnesota Vikings New Orleans Saints New York Jets Seattle Seahawks Brice McCain Geno Smith J.R. Sweezy Jermon Bushrod Kelechi Osemele Luke Kuechly

AFC Notes: Raiders, Flacco, A. Mack, Bills, Titans

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 17, 2016 8:32 pm

The Raiders need to find a running back to complement Latavius Murray, opines Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Bair lists Chris Johnson, Tim Hightower, Matt Forte, James Starks and Ronnie Hillman as potential fits through free agency.

Earlier tonight, PFR’s Rory Parks previewed the Raiders’ offseason in depth and, like Bair, named RB as a position the club could address. Click here for the rest.

Giants Rumors: Wilkerson, Sanu, JPP, Ayers

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 17, 2016 7:23 pm

The Giants will enter free agency hoping to land two New Jersey natives – Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu – CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports.

The Jets will place the franchise tag on Wilkerson, a two-time second-team All-Pro, but La Canfora writes that they could trade the 26-year-old because they already have Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams under control along their defensive line and need help elsewhere. If the Jets do deal Wilkerson, the Giants are potential candidates to trade a first-round pick (and maybe more) for the Pro Bowler, per La Canfora, who opines that he’d be worth Big Blue’s 10th overall selection.

The Giants would also have to give Wilkerson a new contract, one that La Canfora estimates could be in Marcell Dareus territory. Dareus signed a six-year, $95MM deal with the Bills last year and is currently second among D-tackles (behind only Ndamukong Suh) in total value, yearly average ($15.85MM) and guarantees ($42.9MM).

Sanu, on the other hand, is coming off a less-than-stellar season in terms of productivity (33 catches, zero touchowns). Nevertheless, La Canfora argues that the 26-year-old would make a good complement to Odell Beckham and could merit $5MM per year.

Here’s more on the Giants:

The Giants will try to re-sign pending free agent Jason Pierre-Paul, but they will not place the franchise tag on the defensive end or bring him back on a huge contract, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Cole adds that there’s a debate within the organization in regards to Pierre-Paul’s value.
As we touched on earlier tonight, a USA Today report states that JPP’s time with the Giants is likely up.
Like Pierre-Paul, fellow Giants defensive end Robert Ayers is also on the verge of becoming a free agent. There’s a good chance Ayers will re-sign with the team, however, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan asked five league sources what kind of deal Ayers, 30, will get off a career-best 9.5-sack season, then averaged out their projections. The end result: three years, $18MM – including $9MM in guarantees.

1 comment New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul Mohamed Sanu Muhammad Wilkerson Robert Ayers

Chiefs Prioritizing Deal For Eric Berry

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 17, 2016 6:06 pm

The Chiefs are prioritizing pending free agent safety Eric Berry and could sign him to a long-term deal as early as next week’s NFL scouting combine, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).

Berry is coming off a stellar season that saw him earn All-Pro honors for the second time, his fourth Pro Bowl nod and AP Comeback Player of the Year. The 27-year-old missed 10 contests in 2014 while battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but he was able to recover in time to return last season and play all 18 of the Chiefs’ games (playoffs included).

Earlier this month, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt spoke of Berry’s importance to the organization.

“Certainly, Eric is somebody that’s very important to the franchise,” Hunt said. “Coach (Andy) Reid and his staff think highly of him. They appreciate the leader that he’s become, and obviously personally, he had the amazing year overcoming cancer. We’ll do everything we can to try to bring him back.”

Berry’s now-expired pact, which he inked after the Chiefs drafted him fifth overall in 2010, ranked second among current safeties in total value ($50.05MM), fourth in AAV at over $8.34MM, and first in guarantees at just under $25.70MM. His next contract should keep him in the elite tier in all three categories.

In the event the Chiefs and Berry are unable to strike a new deal, the team could place the franchise tag on the 6-foot, 212-pounder by March 1 to prevent him from hitting the open market March 9. As PFR’s Luke Adams wrote earlier this week, the franchise price of over $10MM for a safety isn’t exactly cheap, but it wouldn’t be unpalatable in Berry’s case. Moreover, by tagging Berry, the Chiefs would buy themselves extra time to lock him up for the long haul.

While the Chiefs appear willing to do what it takes to retain Berry, they otherwise won’t be big-time players when it comes to handing out sizable contracts this offseason, Cole reports. That means they could lose one of Berry’s top secondary cohorts, cornerback Sean Smith, who’s also unsigned as free agency approaches.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

1 comment Kansas City Chiefs Newsstand Eric Berry Sean Smith

JPP Unlikely To Return To Giants

By Connor J. Byrne | at February 17, 2016 5:30 pm

Pending free agent Jason Pierre-Paul is unlikely to return to the Giants for a seventh season, a league source tells Kristian R. Dyer of USA Today.

“[A]ll signs point toward the Giants letting Pierre-Paul test free agency,” the source stated, adding, “as of right now he isn’t going to be returning.”

[RELATED: Offseason Outlook: New York Giants]

Pierre-Paul has been one of Big Blue’s fiercest defenders since they drafted him 15th overall in 2010. The 27-year-old end totaled 42 sacks from 2010-14, including a career-high 16.5 during the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2011. However, his career took a terrible turn last summer when he lost his right index finger thanks to a July 4 fireworks accident. The Giants withdrew a $60MM contract offer for Pierre-Paul afterward, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, and he refused to report to the team and its doctors for several weeks while recovering.

The two sides ultimately patched up their differences enough for Pierre-Paul to come back and play the 2015-16 season for $7.35MM, a steep drop-off from the $14.8MM he would have made as their franchise player.

Pierre-Paul returned to the field in November and ended up appearing in eight games, registering 26 tackles and a personal-low one sack. Despite his statistical decline, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) still ranked Pierre-Paul a solid 30th out of 91 qualifying edge rushers. The site remained impressed with his pass-rushing ability, though it gave him a poor grade against the run. He clearly disagrees in regards to the latter, having stated in December that, “I think I play the run better than I play the pass.”

Pierre-Paul also expressed a desire before the season ended to finish his career with the Giants, but the chances of that happening now appear low. While JPP should garner plenty of interest as a free agent from teams in need of an edge rusher, it remains to be seen if he’ll end up with a deal anywhere near the one the Giants were willing to give him prior to his accident.

Photo Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2 comments New York Giants Newsstand Jason Pierre-Paul