Falcons Interested In LB Arthur Moats
The Falcons have expressed interest in free agent linebacker Arthur Moats, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds the Steelers haven’t ruled out a reunion with Moats.
An eight-year NFL veteran, Moats has split his career equally between Buffalo and Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old started 12 games and played 50% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps as recently as 2015, but his role was drastically reduced in 2017. Pittsburgh turned to younger defenders such as Bud Dupree, so Moats only saw action on 8.4% of the club’s snaps.
Still, the Falcons are searching for rotational edge rushers, and Moats could fit that bill, as he was typically good for three-to-four sacks annually during his best seasons with the Steelers. Not only did Atlanta lose Adrian Clayborn to the Patriots in free agency, but it also released defensive end Derrick Shelby. Moats isn’t the only defender on the Falcons’ radar, as they also met with Pernell McPhee today, while the club also has interest in ex-Buccaneer Robert Ayers.
Contract Details: Jordy, Glennon, Incognito
Let’s take a look at the most recent new contracts and restructures around the NFL:
New Contracts
- Jordy Nelson, WR (Raiders): Two years, $14.2MM. $13MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
- Mike Glennon, QB (Cardinals): Two-year, $8MM deal contains void years in 2020 and 2021. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
- Spencer Long, C (Jets): Four years, $27.5MM. $6MM guaranteed (link via Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap).
- Jaron Brown, WR (Seahawks): Two years, $5.5MM. $2.75MM guaranteed. $1.95MM signing bonus. $750K available annually via receptions, yards, and touchdowns incentives (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
- Christian Jones, LB (Lions): Two years, $6.35MM. $2.8MM guaranteed. $1.75MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com).
- Kyle Wilber, LB (Raiders): Two years, $2.75MM. $1.4MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM).
- Billy Turner, OL (Broncos): One year, $2MM. $750K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).
Restructures
- Richie Incognito, G (Bills): 2018 base salary reduced from $6.325MM to $3.65MM. Earned $1MM bonus. Bills created $1.675MM in cap space (Twitter link via Yates).
- John Jerry, G (Giants): 2019 contract season eliminated. 2018 base salary reduced from $3.05MM to $1.075MM, $525K of which is guaranteed. $400K roster bonus added and paid on 3/21. Per-game roster bonuses increased from $250K to $500K (all Twitter links via Dan Duggan of NJ.com). Giants created $525K in cap space.
Cowboys To Sign LB Joe Thomas
The Cowboys have agreed to a two-year deal with free agent linebacker Joe Thomas, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The pact is worth up to $4.6MM, tweets Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.
Thomas, not to be confused with the former Browns tackle of the same same, is now on the open market after the Packers declined to tender him as a restricted free agent last week. The 26-year-old Thomas, who spent time on the Dallas practice squad in 2015, started seven games and played 60% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in 2016, but saw his playtime drop to 13% last season.
The Cowboys appear to be set at linebacker with a trio of Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, and Damien Wilson, so Thomas won’t see playing time right off the bat. However, both Lee and Smith have dealt with serious injuries in the past, so Thomas will offer depth in case either goes down again.
Raiders To Sign LB Emmanuel Lamur
The Raiders have reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Emmanuel Lamur, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal (Twitter link).
Lamur had also been scheduled to meet with the Dolphins later this week, but Oakland never let him leave its building without a contract in hand. The Raiders employ former Bengals coaches Paul Guenther and David Lippincott as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, respectively, so Lamur — who played for Cincinnati from 2012-15 — should offer scheme familiarity.
While Lamur once started 13 games and played 91% of the Bengals’ defensive snaps, he’s been relegated to backup/special teams duty since that 2013 campaign. Last season, Lamur appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings (who also have another former Cincinnati coach — Mike Zimmer — at the helm), but only played 78 defensive snaps.
Despite his lack of production in recent campaigns, Lamur could have a decent shot at playing time in Oakland given the club’s lack of options at linebacker. While the Raiders recently signed fellow free agent Tahir Whitehead, they could lose NaVorro Bowman to the open market, while Bruce Irvin is expected to see most of his time at defensive end.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/21/17
Denver Broncos
- Signed: K Taylor Bertolet, LS Christian Kuntz
Houston Texans
- Waived: DT Chunky Clements, WR Cobi Hamilton
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: S Jordan Lucas (ERFA)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LS Nick Dooley, TE Josiah Price
- Waived: LB Shaan Washington
Saints, Falcons, Panthers Interested In DE Robert Ayers
Instead of taking multiple free agent visits, former Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers plans to meet with teams at the NFL’s annual meeting in Orlando, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link), who reports the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers all have interest in Ayers.
New Orleans, Atlanta, and Carolina, of course, all reside in the NFC South, meaning each club was able to see Ayers’ production from a close vantage point over the past two years as he played for Tampa Bay. The Saints, for their part, have addressed their pass rush by re-signing defensive end Alex Okafor, while the Panthers upgraded their interior by inking Dontari Poe. The Falcons haven’t yet added any new players on the edge, but they have met with free agent Pernell McPhee.
Ayers is now entering his age-32 campaign, but he’s still an outstanding pass rusher. While Ayers posted only two sacks a season ago, he managed 28 pressures (a better indication of production) and graded as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 10 edge defender. Ayers also offers experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, although injuries will be a question mark, as he’s only played in 10 games in each of the past two seasons.
After being cut by the Buccaneers earlier this week, Ayers is now part of a free agent edge class that also includes McPhee, Connor Barwin, Junior Galette, Derrick Shelby, and Kony Ealy, among others.
Cowboys To Meet With WR Deonte Thompson
The Cowboys met with wide receiver Deonte Thompson and linebacker Joe Thomas on Wednesday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
Dallas’ wide receiver depth chart is fluid at the moment, as the Cowboys haven’t yet asked No. 1 pass-catcher Dez Bryant to accept a pay cut in order to remain on the roster. It’s unclear if Bryant will even be forced to take a pay reduction, but the Cowboys have other problems at receiver beyond Bryant. Terrance Williams managed only 568 yards in the first year of a four-year extension, while Brice Butler is an unrestricted free agent.
Thompson played for two teams in 2017, as he signed with the Bills in October after being released by the Bears. Overall, last season marked Thompson’s best campaign to date, as he set career-highs in both receptions (38) and yards (555). Thompson, 29, has also reportedly drawn interest from the Broncos and the incumbent Bills, but his visit with the Cowboys will mark his first official free agent meeting.
Thompson wasn’t the only receiver scheduled to meet with the Cowboys today. Former Jaguars wideout Allen Hurns is taking the first visit of his free agent tour with Dallas, while Dontrelle Inman and Justin Hunter were also expected to be in Arlington.
Thomas, not to be confused with the former Browns tackle of the same same, is now on the open market after the Packers declined to tender him as a restricted free agent last week. The 26-year-old started seven games and played 60% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in 2016, but saw his playtime drop to 13% last season. Thomas would serve as depth and contribute on special teams if signed by the Cowboys.
Falcons Sign TE Logan Paulsen
The Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent tight end Logan Paulsen, the club announced today. The pact is worth $1.005MM and contains $200K guaranteed, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
Atlanta hasn’t been very active during the first wave of the free agent period, but the club had been on the lookout for a veteran tight end to pair with Austin Hooper. After releasing Levine Toilolo earlier this month, the Falcons reportedly had interest in Ed Dickson before he landed with the Seahawks, and they met with Paulsen earlier today before inking him to a deal.
Paulsen, 31, has attracted a bit of interest on the free agent market, as he visited the Lions earlier this week. After hitting a high-water mark with 28 receptions for the Redskins in 2013, Paulsen’s offensive role — regardless of team — has been drastically reduced. He managed just three total catches with the Bears and 49ers in 2016-17, but he contributes on special teams and is one of the NFL’s best pass-blocking tight ends, per Pro Football Focus.
Colts Re-Sign RB Christine Michael
The Colts have re-signed running back Christine Michael, the club announced today.
Michael, 27, has typically been long on talent and upside, but short on results, during his five-year NFL career. Last season, the former second-round pick signed with Indianapolis in early June only to be placed on injured reserve two weeks later. The Colts must have liked what they saw from Michael during that brief stay on the roster, as they’ve now agreed to bring him back for another campaign.
Michael’s most productive season came in 2016, when he split time between the Seahawks and Packers. After beginning the year as Seattle’s starting running back, Michael managed six touchdowns before being surprisingly released at midseason. He managed only 3.7 yards per carry after being picked up by the Packers, who eventually cut him the following summer.
The Colts do not plan to re-sign veteran Frank Gore, so Michael will join a running back depth chart currently comprised of Marlon Mack, Robert Turbin, Matt Jones, George Winn, and Josh Ferguson.
Terrelle Pryor Down To Jets and Seahawks?
Free agent receiver Terrelle Pryor appears to be deciding between the Jets and Seahawks, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
Pryor has been busy during the second wave of the free agent period, taking visits with both New York and Seattle. The Rams, too, have expressed some level of interest in Pryor, while Cabot recently reported Cleveland was still open to a reunion with Pryor, who broke out with the Browns as a full-time receiver in 2016. However, it appears the 28-year-old Pryor is only considering the Jets and Seahawks at present.
Pryor, of course, was anything but successful in 2017 after inking a one-year deal with the Redskins. Before landing on injured reserve in November, Pryor managed only 20 receptions, 240 yards, and one reception in nine games (two starts). Expected to serve as something close to Washington’s No. 1 receiver, Pryor was instead outplayed by Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, and Josh Doctson, and the Redskins don’t seem to have any interest in retaining him.
The Jets, for their part, haven’t made any additions to their receiving corps yet this offseason, although they have met or will meet with Allen Hurns and Charles Johnson. The Seahawks, meanwhile signed former Cardinals wideout Jaron Brown and acquired Marcus Johnson from the Eagles, but lost fellow pass-catcher Paul Richardson to free agency.