Jaguars Audition LBs Keenan Robinson, Bruce Carter
The Jaguars worked out free agent linebackers Keenan Robinson and Bruce Carter on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Robinson, 28, would fill a Jacksonville void at linebacker that was created when Paul Posluszny retired earlier this year. The Jaguars never added a potential replacement for Posluszny, meaning 2017 fifth-rounder Blair Brown is currently projected to start in base packages.
A 13-game starter in 2013, Robinson has seen his playing time reduced since that campaign, and a quad injury limited him to only six contests last season. But he’s an experienced veteran with special teams capabilities, and would allow the Jaguars to keep Brown in a limited role, or — at the very least — allow him to grow into a starter. Robinson also drew interest from the division-rival Titans in March before Tennessee signed fellow linebacker William Compton.
Carter, meanwhile, spent the past two seasons with the Jets, but rarely played on defense — in fact, he saw only 10 defensive snaps a year ago. As such, he’d likely be added as a depth option and special-teamer in Jacksonville. Carter appeared on 61.4% of of New York’s special teams snaps in 2017, so he’d add experience to a Jaguars unit that ranked just 24th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA last year.
Lions Work Out LB Andrew Gachkar
The Lions auditioned free agent linebacker Andrew Gachkar on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Gachkar, 29, has become a special-teams only player as NFL career has advanced, and he didn’t play a single defensive snap for the Panthers in 2017. A former seventh-round pick, Gackhar has been in the league since 2011 but has only made 11 starts. He signed with Carolina last October and played in six games for the club, appearing on roughly two-thirds of the Panthers’ special teams plays during that time.
Detroit, for its part, has been willing to pay for special teams play in the past. Under general manager Bob Quinn, the Lions have steadily improved on special teams, and last season ranked fifth in Football Outsiders’ DVOA. Gackhar would surely focus on that area of play if signed, especially given that Detroit added other linebackers such as Devon Kennard, Christian Jones, Cam Johnson, and Jonathan Freeny.
Redskins Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents
The Redskins are the latest team to ink a crop of undrafted free agents, as they’ve agreed to sign the following 14 players:
- Quin Blanding, S (Virginia)
- Martez Carter, RB (Grambling State)
- Simmie Cobbs Jr., WR (Indiana)
- Jerod Fernandez, LB (North Carolina State)
- Shay Fields, WR (Colorado)
- Matt Flanagan, TE (Pittsburgh)
- Mikah Holder, WR (San Diego State)
- Danny Johnson, CB (Southern)
- Timon Parris, T (Stony Brook)
- De’Mornay Pierson-El, WR (Nebraska)
- Cam Sims, WR (Alabama)
- Ranthony Texada, CB (TCU)
- Elijah Wellman, FB (West Virginia)
- Sean Welsh, C (Iowa)
Cobbs may be the most notable name on Washington’s list of undrafted free agents, as he was originally viewed as a possible Day 2 pick when he declared for the draft earlier this year. The 6’4″ Cobbs initially broke out for the Hoosiers during the 2015 campaign, when he posted 60 receptions and averaged 17.3 yards per catch. An ankle injury forced Cobb to take a medical redshirt in 2016, but he posted 841 yards and eight touchdowns during his most recent season while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Blanding, meanwhile, led all draft-eligible safeties with 29 run stops, according to Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus, who listed Blanding among the UDFAs with the best chance to make an impact during their rookie campaigns. The ex-Cavalier managed at least 60 tackles in each of his four collegiate seasons, and put up four interceptions during his senior year.
Fifth-Year Option Decisions For 2019
The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options for players passed earlier today at 3pm CT, meaning each NFL club needed to decide on the status of its former first-round picks by that time. 20 of 32 players had their options exercised, while 10 saw the options declined.
Of course, just because a player has his option exercised or declined, that doesn’t necessarily dictate his future earnings. These fifth-year options are only guaranteed for injury only for now, so assuming a player stays healthy, his team could still release him by March 2019 without being on the hook for any ’19 salary, even if his option was exercised today. Conversely, a player who had his option declined could have a bounce-back year and do well on the open market next March.
As we wait to see how the latest round of option decisions looks a year from now, let’s recap the action. Here’s a full breakdown of the fifth-year option decisions for 2019:
Exercised:
- Jameis Winston, QB, $20.922MM (Buccaneers): Exercised
- Marcus Mariota, QB, $20.922MM (Titans): Exercised
- Amari Cooper, WR, $13.924MM (Raiders): Exercised
- Brandon Scherff, G, $12.525MM (Redskins): Exercised
- Leonard Williams, DE, $14.2MM (Jets): Exercised
- Vic Beasley, DE, $14.2MM (Falcons): Exercised
- Todd Gurley, RB, $9.630MM (Rams): Exercised
- Trae Waynes, CB, $9.069MM (Vikings): Exercised
- Andrus Peat, G, $9.625MM (Saints): Exercised
- DeVante Parker, WR, $9.387MM (Dolphins): Exercised
- Melvin Gordon, RB, $5.605MM (Chargers): Exercised
- Kevin Johnson, CB, $9.069MM (Texans): Exercised
- Arik Armstead, DE, $9.046MM (49ers): Exercised
- Marcus Peters, CB, $9.069MM (Rams): Exercised
- Nelson Agholor, WR, $9.387MM (Eagles): Exercised
- Bud Dupree, LB, $9.232MM (Steelers): Exercised
- D.J. Humphries, T, $9.625MM (Cardinals): Exercised
- Shaq Thompson, LB, $9.232MM (Panthers): Exercised
- Byron Jones, DB, $6.260MM (Cowboys): Exercised
- Damarious Randall, DB, $9.069MM (Browns): Exercised
Declined:
- Dante Fowler, DE, $14.2MM (Jaguars): Declined
- Kevin White, WR, $13.924MM (Bears): Declined
- Ereck Flowers, T, $12.525MM (Giants): Declined
- Danny Shelton, DT, $7.154MM (Patriots): Declined
- Cameron Erving, OL, $9.625MM (Chiefs): Declined
- Cedric Ogbuehi, T, $9.625MM (Bengals): Declined
- Shane Ray, LB, $9.232MM (Broncos): Declined
- Breshad Perriman, WR, $9.387MM (Ravens): Declined
- Laken Tomlinson, G, $9.625MM (49ers): Declined
- Phillip Dorsett, WR, $9.387MM (Patriots): Declined
- Stephone Anthony, LB, $9.232MM (Dolphins): Declined
- Malcom Brown, DT, $7.154MM (Patriots): Declined
NFC East Rumors: Witten, Cowboys, Eagles
Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t seem ready to admit it, tight end Jason Witten is fully expected to follow through on retirement and become an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link), who called Witten’s shift to the Worldwide Leader a “done deal.” If Witten does indeed hang up his cleats, he could be stuck in a thorny contractual issue with Dallas. The Cowboys converted $4.7MM of Witten’s base salary into a signing bonus earlier this year, but could now ask for that money back, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Dallas released quarterback Tony Romo last summer, allowing him to retain all of his bonus money in the process, and it’s fair to wonder if the club will do the same for Witten, who is expected to command a salary of $4-4.5MM at ESPN.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Despite not adding a single defensive back in last weekend’s draft, the Cowboys are not expected to have interest in free agent safeties Eric Reid, Kenny Vaccaro, or Tre Boston, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Dallas did’t have any interest in either of the three veterans pre-draft and doesn’t believe any would fit its defensive scheme. For what’s it worth, the Cowboys reportedly tried to acquire Vaccaro at the 2017 trade deadline. Safeties in general have had a hard time generating buzz this offseason, with one agent telling Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com that defensive backs aren’t getting offers of even “one year, $3MM.” For now, Dallas will likely roll with Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath at safety after moving former first-round pick Byron Jones to cornerback.
- If the Redskins had released defensive tackle Terrell McClain earlier this year (instead of on Monday), he’d likely already be back on the Cowboys roster, tweets David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Dallas picked up former second-round interior defender Jihad Ward from the Raiders in a draft-day exchange that sent wideout Ryan Switzer to Oakland, but they’re still expected to express interest in McClain. The 29-year-old McClain spent the 2014-16 campaigns in Dallas, and was a 15-game starter during his final season with the Cowboys.
- Eagles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan recently underwent surgery for a herniated disc, per Howard Eskin of WIP-FM (link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer). As such, Jernigan won’t participate in spring workouts but is fully expected to be ready for 2018 regular season. Philadelphia acquired Jernigan from the Ravens last April, sacrificing just a 25-slot drop in the third round in order to land the now-25-year-old. After a productive debut year with the Eagles, Jernigan inked a four-year, $48MM extension that should keep him in town through 2021.
Broncos Sign Eight Undrafted Free Agents
The Broncos have become the latest team to bring in post-draft players, as they’ve announced the signing of the following eight undrafted college free agents:
- John Diarse, WR (TCU)
- Jeff Holland, LB (Auburn)
- Leon Johnson, T (Temple)
- Lowell Lotulelei, DT (Utah)
- Phillip Lindsay, RB (Colorado)
- Trey Marshall, S (Florida State)
- Austin Schlottmann, G (TCU)
- Jimmy Williams, WR (East Carolina)
Holland and Lindsay were Denver’s big gets, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link), as each received a signing bonus of $15K. Holland, who won’t turn 21 years old until September, put up 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks during his final season with the tigers. Lindsay, meanwhile, topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of the last two campaigns, and will get an opportunity as a returner, per Klis.
Broncos Unlikely To Exercise Shane Ray’s Option
The Broncos are not planning to exercise edge rusher Shane Ray‘s 2019 fifth-year option, according to Mike Klis of 9News. James Palmer of NFL.com recently reported that it was “far from a certainty” that Denver would pick up Ray’s option.
Ray hasn’t delivered on his first-round draft billing since entering the league in 2015, and the Broncos also re-invested in their pass rush by selecting edge defender Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick in the weekend’s draft. With Chubb now in tow, Denver is now four-deep at outside linebacker, with superstar Von Miller and restricted free agent Shaquil Barrett joining Ray and Chubb on the club’s defense.
Ray, who will turn 25 years old this month, posted 12 sacks during his first two years with the Broncos, but missed eight games with a hand injury in 2017. He managed only a single sack and graded as a bottom-10 edge rusher, per Pro Football Focus. Ray would earn more than $9MM in 2019 if his option were exercised, and while that figure is guaranteed for injury only, Ray’s recent health issues could give Denver pause.
While purely speculative, it’s fair to wonder if the Broncos will consider a trade of Ray (or Barrett) in the coming months. While Ray wasn’t effective last season, a 24-year-old former first-round pass rusher would certainly fetch a fair price on the trade market. Ray is also eminently affordable for the 2018 campaign, as an acquiring team would take on just $1.678MM in base salary.
Giants Not Planning To Cut Ereck Flowers
While former first-round pick Ereck Flowers has started to wear out his welcome in New York, the Giants don’t have any intention of waiving him in the near future, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
The Giants — who will bump Flowers from left to right tackle following their offseason acquisition of veteran Nate Solder — shopped the 24-year-old during the draft, and despite asking for only a mid-round pick in talks, were unable to find any club willing to meet their price tag. In fact, one team told New York that their ask was “significantly” too steep for its liking.
Flowers, who failed to show up for voluntary workouts last month, has never lived up to expectations after being selected ninth overall in 2015. While he does come with plenty of experience (46 starts over the past three seasons), Flowers has never been effective. 2017 marked his best campaign to date, but that only resulted in Flowers grading as the league’s No. 54 tackle among 81 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
The Giants almost certainly won’t pick up Flowers’ 2019 fifth-year option, as it would be worth $12.525MM if exercised. Flowers today hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, but Rosenhaus is more likely to negotiate Flowers’ next contract with a new team than an extension with New York. If the Giants cut ties with Flowers, they’d take on more than $4.5MM in dead money without realizing any cap savings.
49ers Sign 13 Undrafted Free Agents
The 49ers have announced the signing of the following 13 undrafted college free agents:
- Steven Dunbar, WR (Houston)
- Ross Dwelley, TE (San Diego)
- Corey Griffin, S (Georgia Tech)
- Jack Heneghan, QB (Dartmouth)
- Alan Knott, OL (South Carolina)
- Tarvarus McFadden, CB (Florida State)
- Jamar McGloster, OL (Syracuse)
- Emmanuel Moseley, CB (Tennessee)
- Niles Scott, DL (Frostburg State)
- Coleman Shelton, OL (Washington)
- Najee Toran, OL (UCLA)
- Terrell Williams, S (Houston)
- Jeff Wilson, RB (North Texas)
McFadden was clearly a high post-draft priority for the 49ers, as the club handed the ex-Seminole largest known guarantee among undrafted free agents league-wide. He’ll receive a $20K signing bonus and a $70K base salary guarantee, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). While each NFL team is allowed to distribute roughly $100K in signing bonus to UDFAs, there is no limit as on base salary guarantees.
McFadden played in 13 games for Florida State in both 2016 and 2017, and earned All-ACC honors during his sophomore campaign. A former five-star recruit, McFadden has a long frame that helps him excel in press coverage, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
AFC North Notes: Browns, Ravens, Steelers
The Browns have long committed to deploying trade acquisition Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback in 2018, but head coach Hue Jackson didn’t exactly dismiss the idea that No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield could usurp Taylor under center, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes.
“I respect (the speculation),” Jackson said. “Anytime you draft a quarterback at No. 1 overall, everyone wants to see him play, but I’ve made a true commitment to our football team. Tyrod Taylor’s going to be the starter. Baker’s going to compete and however that unfolds it unfolds, but right now Tyrod is the starter.
“If Baker can understand the National Football League and all the rigors and the grinding that you have to go through, I’m not going to ever stop a player from being the best he can be. But we have a plan and I want to work that plan as much as we can,” he said. “Now, can a player supersede that? You never know. I haven’t had that happen, but right now this team is going to be led by Tyrod Taylor.”
Here’s more from the AFC North, where every team selected a quarterback during the weekend’s draft:
- Although the Ravens ultimately selected Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson with the final pick of the first round, there was a “movement” within the club’s draft room to take Jackson with their original No. 16 selection, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Instead, Baltimore ended up trading back twice — once to No. 22, and again to No. 25 — before drafting South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst. To move back up, the Ravens sacrificed two second-round picks (one in 2019), but getting back into the first round will give the team a fifth-year option on Jackson. Baltimore has a plan as to how it will develop and utilize Jackson behind starter Joe Flacco, per Jim Trotter of NFL.com.
- The Steelers moved up from pick No. 79 to No. 76 in order to draft quarterback Mason Rudolph, and Pittsburgh actually had a first-round grade on the ex-Oklahoma State signal-caller, general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters, including Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Rudolph could conceivably serve as Ben Roethlisberger‘s backup during the former’s rookie campaign, and his presence on the Steelers’ roster will force the club to make a decision on its depth chart. Pittsburgh only figures to keep three quarterbacks on its squad, meaning one of Landry Jones or 2017 third-rounder Josh Dobbs will almost certainly be cut.
- The Bengals may have had their eye on Rudolph, as head coach Marvin Lewis said Cincinnati was considering selecting a quarterback in Round 3 before the Steelers jumped ahead of them, according to Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer (all Twitter links). Additionally, the Bengals thought about packaging their three late seventh-round picks to move up in the round for Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside, but he ended up slipping to Cincinnati at No. 249.