Lions To Sign Matt Asiata
The Lions have agreed to a one-year deal with running back Matt Asiata, reports Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter).
Asiata auditioned with the Lions earlier this month, though it appeared they were going to pass on signing him. Instead, the former Viking will join the Lions and remain in the NFC North, the only division he has known since he first saw NFL action in 2012. Asiata was never a particularly strong option on the ground in Minnesota, where he averaged 3.5 yards per carry on 361 attempts, but he did rush for at least six touchdowns twice and serve as a respectable receiver out of the backfield with the club. The 29-year-old combined for 101 catches from 2014-16, including 32 on 38 targets last season.
The Lions, of course, already have a legitimate pass-catching back in Theo Riddick, who, like Asiata, hasn’t shown much as a ball carrier. Their other running back options consist of prospective starter Ameer Abdullah, who missed all but two games in 2016, as well as Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner. Aside from Abdullah, with his 4.3 YPC on 161 carries, nobody on Detroit’s roster has come close to establishing himself as an above-average rusher in the pros.
Chiefs Cut Tourek Williams
Just four days after signing Tourek Williams, the Chiefs have cut the edge defender, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Kansas City was briefly the second NFL organization for the 26-year-old Williams, who entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the AFC West rival Chargers in 2013 and spent his first four seasons in San Diego. Williams totaled 47 appearances with the Bolts, including his lone 16-game season last year, six starts (all as a rookie) and two sacks. One of those sacks came in 2016, when Williams participated in under 14 percent of the Chargers’ defensive snaps and just shy of 50 percent of their special teams plays.
With Williams no longer in the fold, the Chiefs’ 90-man roster still features six outside linebackers, including Dee Ford, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali.
Leonte Carroo Not A Lock To Make Dolphins
Wide receiver Leonte Carroo was a relatively high draft pick a year ago, going in the third round (86th overall) to the Dolphins. Now, after a quiet rookie season, Carroo isn’t certain to make the Dolphins’ roster this year, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Miami moved up in a trade with the Vikings in order to draft the ex-Rutgers star, which should make it all the more difficult to cut ties with Carroo so early. The Dolphins surrendered a sixth-round pick in 2016 and two mid-rounders (a third and fourth) in this year’s draft for Carroo, who was a non-factor in his first NFL season. The 6-foot, 217-pounder played just under 13 percent of the Dolphins’ offensive snaps across 14 games (two starts) and hauled in three catches, including a touchdown, on a mere six targets. Carroo was so unimpressive that playoff-bound Miami deactivated him for its final three games, including its wild-card round loss to the Steelers.
As he did last season, the 23-year-old Carroo will again jockey for position as part of a top-heavy Dolphins receiving corps in 2017. Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills figure to easily outshine Carroo even if he does make the team. And while there aren’t any other proven wideouts on the roster, which might help Carroo’s cause, newly acquired tight end Julius Thomas and running backs Jay Ajayi and Damien Williams could also overshadow him in the Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill-led passing game.
Draft Pick Signings: 5/26/17
The latest draft pick signings from around the NFL:
- The Raiders have announced the signings of six picks, meaning they’ve now locked up two-thirds of their nine-player draft class. Fourth-round offensive lineman David Sharpe, fifth-round linebacker Marquel Lee and four seventh-rounders – Shalom Luani (defensive back, Washington State), Jylan Ware (offensive tackle, Alabama State), Elijah Hood (running back, North Carolina) and Treyvon Hester (defensive tackle, Toledo) – are now under contract. The 6-foot-6, 343-pound Sharpe was the No. 1 left tackle at Florida over the two previous years, starting 26 games, though he’s likely to serve as a guard in the pros, according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. Lee, meanwhile, saw action in all four of his years at Wake Forest and racked up 100 tackles in two of those seasons. All told, he amassed 41 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks (7.5 last year) with the Demon Deacons. Despite that impressive production, Zierlein regards Lee as more of a potential backup linebacker/special teamer than a starter in the NFL.
- The Vikings have signed two fourth-rounders – defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson (Iowa) and linebacker Ben Gedeon (Michigan) – as well as fifth-round offensive lineman Danny Isidora (Miami), writes Lindsay Young of the team’s website. Johnson became a full-time player with the Hawkeyes in 2015 and combined for 15.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over the past two years, and could develop into a pass-rushing threat in the pros. Geodeon was quite productive with the Wolverines last season, recording 94 tackles (15 for loss) and 4.5 sacks, though Zierlein contends that he’s not fast enough to become an impact defender at the highest level. Isidora, a three-year starter at right guard as a Hurricane, earned second-team all-ACC honors in 2016. Although Isidora was a late-round pick, he has the potential to start in the NFL, per Zierlein.
Extra Points: Megatron, Young, Sam, Jets
Former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been observing Raiders practices this week as a guest of offensive coordinator Todd Downing, per Eddie Paskal of Raiders.com. Downing was on Detroit’s staff from 2009-13 – a large portion of Johnson’s career – and while it’s fun to imagine Megatron coming out of retirement to join the Raiders’ high-octane attack, there’s no indication he has any interest in doing so.
More from around the game:
- Johnson may not be coming out of retirement, but former NFL quarterback Vince Young is returning to the gridiron. Young, who retired in 2014, signed Thursday with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, agent Leigh Steinberg announced (Twitter link). The 34-year-old Young, a former superstar at the University of Texas and the 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Titans, hasn’t attempted a regular-season pass in the professional ranks since he was a member of the Eagles in 2011.
- An openly gay player has never played a regular-season NFL game, and it’s likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future, former Eagles/Browns executive and current ESPN analyst Joe Banner told SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier this week (via Sporting News’ Alex Marvez). Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam is the only openly gay player ever drafted, having gone in the seventh round in 2014, but he encountered a media firestorm during his stints with the Rams and the Cowboys during the preseason that year. The media attention that accompanied his short time in the league has likely made teams “a little more hesitant” to welcome an openly gay player, says Banner. For their part, the Browns didn’t regard Sam’s sexuality as an issue, according to Banner.
- Collette Smith will become the first woman to ever join the Jets’ coaching staff, reports Leonard Greene of the New York Daily News. Smith, who’s a coach and marketing executive with the New York Sharks of the Independent Women’s Football League, will work as a preseason intern with the Jets’ defensive backs during training camp. “I’m over the top. I’m humbled and I’m proud,” said Smith. “This could have happened with any NFL team. But it just so happened that it was with my beloved New York Jets. This is bigger because of that. God forbid it would have been with the Patriots. But I still would have done it.”
- Vice president of player personnel Adam Peters was one of the driving forces behind the 49ers’ drafting of former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Before Peters’ hiring in January, general manager John Lynch asked the former Broncos executive whom he’d select with the 49ers’ first-round pick (No. 2 overall). “Without hesitation, he said ‘Reuben Foster,'” stated Lynch. The draft didn’t quite work out the way Peters imagined it then, as the Niners ultimately traded down to third overall and selected ex-Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas with that choice. But San Francisco ended up getting Foster at the end of Round 1, after it moved up to No. 31 overall. “A lot has transpired then and (Peters) loved Solomon Thomas, too, I don’t want to get that mistaken,” said Lynch. “But he was a huge champion of Reuben Foster. Like I said, so much transpired from there to there. But (Peters) was big on that one. I know that.”
Justin Gilbert Gets Four-Game Suspension
The NFL has suspended free agent cornerback Justin Gilbert for the first four weeks of the regular season, as Courtney Fallon of NFL Network was first to report (on Twitter). Gilbert’s ban stems from a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Gilbert’s suspension is yet another blow in what has been a disastrous pro career for the 25-year-old. After going eighth overall to Cleveland in the 2014 draft, Gilbert struggled mightily with the Browns on the field over two years, totaling just three starts and one interception in 23 games, and drew criticism from owner Jimmy Haslam for his lack of maturity.
The Browns gave up on Gilbert last summer, trading him to the AFC North rival Steelers for a 2018 sixth-round pick. Gilbert also failed to realize his potential in Pittsburgh, though, as he played a meager 11 defensive snaps in 12 games. The Steelers cut Gilbert in February, and there hasn’t been any reported interest in him since he hit the open market.
NFC Notes: Hawks, Giants, Eagles, Cowboys
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reported Thursday that Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has been holding a grudge against both quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Pete Caroll since the team’s devastating Super Bowl XLIX loss to the Patriots in 2015. But Sherman and defensive end Michael Bennett insist that’s not true (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). “It’s just a bunch of nonsense from ‘anonymous’ sources. Can never put much gravity of things like that,” said Sherman, who, according to Wickersham, “allowed himself to imagine playing for the Cowboys” when Seattle placed him on the trade block earlier this spring. Bennett, meanwhile, dismissed the article as “trash” and “all gossip.”
The latest from the NFC East…
- In an interview with 105.1 FM in New York on Thursday, now-Bears wide receiver Victor Cruz implied that the Giants didn’t involve him in their offense more last year because they knew they’d release him in the offseason (per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). “Halfway through the year, you’re like, ‘OK, I’m balling,’ and then the other half I’m not getting the ball,” he said. “And you’re just like, ‘What’s going on?’ It was like, ‘OK, I see what’s happening. They don’t want me here anymore.’” Continued Cruz, who caught 39 of 72 targets in 2016: “If I played well, they owed me a ton of money that next year. So it was like, ‘let’s get Cruz off the books.'” Unsurprisingly, head coach Ben McAdoo refuted Cruz’s claims, telling reporters that “there is no accuracy” to the wideout’s theory (via Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today).
- Cutting receiver Nelson Agholor would cost the Eagles more money than they’d save ($4.68MM versus $2.56MM), but his roster spot nonetheless looks to be in jeopardy, writes Andrew Kulp of CSNPhilly.com. Philadelphia signed two proven receivers in March, Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, to join Jordan Matthews, which could further marginalize Agholor. A first-round pick just two years ago, Agholor caught only 59 of 114 targets and three touchdowns from 2015-16.
- It continues to look as though Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins will move to right tackle after functioning as a left guard during his first two seasons. Collins has lined up solely at right tackle during organized team activities this week and will likely continue to do so leading up to the season, according to Kate Hairopoulos and Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. The position opened up in Dallas when starter Doug Free retired earlier this offseason, and if Collins fills it, either Jonathan Cooper or Emmett Cleary could take over at left guard, per Hairopoulos and George.
Seahawks Sign Malik McDowell
The Seahawks have signed second-round pick Malik McDowell, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). McDowell was the first pick in this year’s draft for Seattle, which moved down from No. 26 overall to No. 35 in a series of trades before landing the ex-Michigan State defensive tackle. He’ll receive a four-year contract worth approximately $6.96MM, including $3.2MM signing bonus.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound McDowell tallied 24.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 32 games at Michigan State, where he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in each of the previous two seasons. McDowell’s new head coach, Seattle’s Pete Carroll, revealed earlier this month that he won’t just play D-tackle with the Seahawks. Rather, they’ll also McDowell as a Michael Bennett-esque defensive end. Moving to end could benefit McDowell and help him realize his All-Pro potential, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com noted entering the draft.
McDowell is the eighth member of the Seahawks’ 11-player draft class to sign his rookie contract. Second-round offensive lineman Ethan Pocic, third-round cornerback Shaquill Griffin and third-round safety Delano Hill remain without deals.
Jets Sign Corey White
The Jets have signed defensive back Corey White and waived/injured wide receiver/kick returner Brisly Estime, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY (on Twitter).
A 27-year-old journeyman, White has combined for 66 appearances, 24 starts and six interceptions with the Saints, Cowboys, Cardinals and Bills since going in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. He totaled two picks last year during his lone season in Buffalo, where he started in four of 15 appearances and ranked 81st in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 111 qualified corners. White’s now the 11th corner-capable defender on the Jets’ 90-man roster, though he can also play safety.
Estime joined the Jets on May 5 as an undrafted free agent from Syracuse, where he caught 103 passes and seven touchdowns in four years. Estime would’ve had a chance to make the Jets as a returner, tweets ESPN’s Rich Cimini, but he suffered a torn Achilles during practice Wednesday and will head to injured reserve.
Pats Didn’t Consider Trading Garoppolo
Although Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was popular in trade rumors earlier in the offseason, the reigning Super Bowl champions never considered dealing Tom Brady‘s backup, ESPN’s Adam Schefter told Bleacher Report’s “Stick to Football” Podcast (via Ryan Hannable of WEEI). The Browns were the most aggressive suitors for Garoppolo, even inquiring about him during the first round of the draft, but he’s primed to remain in New England for at least one more season.
As a contract-year player, the Patriots could risk losing Garoppolo to free agency next March and potentially receiving only a compensatory third-round pick in return – significantly less than they would have gotten had they traded him this offseason, perhaps. But Schefter expects the Patriots to find a way to keep Garoppolo past next season, noting that they’re “big believers” in the 25-year-old and consider him the heir to Brady, who’s entering his age-40 campaign. Brady remains the best quarterback in the NFL despite his age, and there’s no indication that he’s going away anytime soon, though Schefter cautions that “Father Time usually wins that battle.”
In the event Brady’s excellence continues in 2017, that should make it more difficult for the Pats to extend Garoppolo, who would likely land a massive contract and a guaranteed starting job if he were to reach free agency next March. As such, the Patriots might have to place the franchise tag on Garoppolo to retain him, which will cost in the neighborhood of $22MM in 2018. Otherwise, if keeping Garoppolo as a franchise player would be too pricey, New England could tag and trade him – as it did with former Brady backup Matt Cassel in 2009.