Extra Points: Meredith, Curry, Ravens, Vikes
Bears restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith took a visit with the Colts today, and he’s expected to meet with at least one more (unidentified) team, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Chicago somewhat surprisingly used an original round tender on Meredith, so it won’t receive any compensation if it decides not to match an offer sheet for the former undrafted free agent. Meredith, 25, is coming off a torn ACL, so the Colts (and the mystery club) likely want to check the condition of his affected knee. In 2016, Meredith posted 66 receptions and 888 yards in only 10 starts, so he could potentially be a bargain if he gets away from the Bears.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Defensive lineman Vinny Curry confirmed he had the chance to stick with the Eagles (almost assuredly at a reduced rate), but he ultimately secured interest from as many as seven teams before signing with the Buccaneers, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Curry joined fellow former Philadelphia defender Beau Allen in inking three-year deals with Tampa Bay, and their respective signings led the Bucs to cut ties with veteran defensive end Robert Ayers. The Eagles reportedly attempted both to trade Curry or lower his 2018 salary before releasing him, as his presence was made superfluous by Philadelphia’s acquisition of Michael Bennett.
- New Ravens wide receiver John Brown was diagnosed with the sickle cell trait back in 2016, but he claims that’s not impacting his health. “I’m healthy. I’m feeling good,” said Brown, who signed a one-year, $5MM deal with Baltimore (link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). “Sickle cell was never part of the problem.” Brown set career highs with 65 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns for Arizona in 2015, but has not reprised that performance in the last two years. Brown will team with fellow free agent addition Michael Crabtree to give Baltimore a new-look wide receiver corps in 2018.
- The Broncos are still searching the free agent market for a tight end, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link), who suggests the recently-released Marcedes Lewis could get a look from John Elway & Co. Denver lost blocking tight end Virgil Green to the Chargers last week, and didn’t pursue any of the market’s top tight ends such as Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, or Tyler Eifert. At present, the Broncos’ TE depth chart is topped by Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt, but free agents that could speculatively be of interest may include Martellus Bennett, Antonio Gates, Luke Willson, or Brent Celek.
- Kicker Kai Forbath became the first Vikings unrestricted free agent to re-sign with the club earlier today, and Minnesota still has interest in retaining a number of UFAs, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Marcus Sherels are on the Vikings’ radar, as are offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles and defensive lineman Shamar Stephen. Minnesota could have competition for the latter two, as Sirles has taken a visit with the Panthers, while Stephen was hosted by the division-rival Lions.
Latest On 2018 Spring League
The 2018 Spring League is scheduled to get underway next week, with practices starting next Wednesday and games beginning on April 7. Former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is the most high-profile former NFL player involved in the endeavor, but other NFL notables are also participating, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Running backs Ben Tate and Lorenzo Taliaferro, receiver Stephen Hill, defensive lineman Alameda Ta’amu, and defensive back Al Louis-Jean are among the ex-NFLers who will take part in the Spring League, per Florio. Meanwhile, former NFL defensive backs coach/Rex Ryan disciple Donnie Henderson will lead the league’s East team.
The Spring League is a developmental effort comprised of four teams which involves four games in April. The league began in 2017, and notable ex-NFLers such as Greg Hardy, Kellen Winslow, and Ahmad Bradshaw were among the participants.
Contract Details: A. Smith, Pugh, Curry, ASJ
Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently signed NFL contracts:
AFC
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE (Jaguars): Two years, $10MM. $4MM guaranteed. $3.21MM signing bonus. $500K 2019 option bonus. $500K annually available via catch, playoff, and touchdown incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Adrian Clayborn, DE (Patriots): Two years, $10MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Albert Wilson, WR (Dolphins): Three years, $24MMM. $14.45MM guaranteed. $4.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Marcus Gilchrist, S (Raiders): One year, $4MM. $3.85MM guaranteed. $1.85MM signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime, interceptions, and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Tramaine Brock, CB (Broncos): One year, $3MM. Fully guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).
- Seantrel Henderson, T (Texans): One year, $4MM. $1MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
NFC
- Alex Smith, QB (Redskins): Four years, $94MM. $55MM guaranteed. $27MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com).
- Justin Pugh, OL (Cardinals): Five years, $45.025MM. $15.75MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Vinny Curry, DE (Buccaneers): Three years, $23MM. $6.5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times).
- Zach Brown, LB (Redskins): Three years, $21MM. $10MM guaranteed. $4.5MM signing bonus. $1MM annually available in Pro Bowl, All-Pro incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Ed Dickson, TE (Seahawks): Three years, $10.7MM. $3.6MM guaranteed. $2.6MM signing bonus. $1.1MM annually available via catch, yards, and Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Aaron Lynch, LB/DE (Bears): One year, $4MM. $1.25MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Cowboys To Host WR Allen Hurns
The Cowboys will meet with free agent wide receiver Allen Hurns, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Hurns’ visit with Dallas will take place ahead of his summit with the Jets, as weather elements are keeping Hurns out of New York.
Dallas has yet to make major additions on either side of the ball (in fact, the club’s only offseason transaction was re-signing its long snapper), but it clearly wants to address its receiving corps. While the Cowboys have yet to make a decision on veteran Dez Bryant‘s fate, Jerry Jones & Co. reportedly made a push for Sammy Watkins before he signed with the Chiefs, and also expressed interest in complementary pass-catchers such as Deonte Thompson.
Hurns, 26, was excellent as Jacksonville’s No. 2 wide receiver in 2015, putting up 10 touchdowns behind top pass-catcher Allen Robinson. The former undrafted free agent landed a four-year, $40MM deal following that campaign, but Hurns only made it through two years before being released. A number of clubs, including the Bears, Bills, Saints, Texans, Jets, Raiders, and Panthers have also expressed interest in Hurns.
The Cowboys are searching for more weapons for quarterback Dak Prescott after Terrance Williams flopped in the first year of his new four year-deal. With Bryant seemingly on the roster for now, Dallas needs a quality No. 2 receiver. To that end, the Cowboys were also expected to meet with free agents Dontrelle Inman and Justin Hunter, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
Inman, 29, broke out for 58 receptions and 810 yards with the Chargers in 2016, but he tumbled down the team’s depth chart following the return of a healthy Keenan Allen. Los Angeles shipped Inman to the Bears at mid-season for a conditional seventh-round pick, and he went to finish third among Chicago wideouts in receptions (23) and yards (334).
Hunter, meanwhile, wouldn’t qualify as any more than a No. 5 receiver, as he’s managed just 14 total receptions with three different teams over the past two years. Ideally, a back-end wideout such as Hunter would offer special teams value, but the former second-round pick has played only four special teams snaps during his six-year career.
Bills WR Zay Jones Arrested
Bills wide receiver Zay Jones has been arrested and charged with felony vandalism following an incident in Los Angeles Monday night, according to a report from TMZ Sports.
TMZ obtained security footage of what appears to be an extremely bizarre entanglement, one in which Jones is fully nude and behaving erratically all while his brother — the Vikings’ Cayleb Jones — attempts to restrain him. Zay Jones eventually kicked a hole through a glass window in Cayleb’s girlfriend’s apartment, and photos show glass and blood strewn about.
“We are aware of the incident involving Zay Jones,” the Bills said in a statement, per Kimberley A. Martin of the Washington Post (Twitter link). “We are still in the process of gathering more information on the matter. At this point, we will have no further comment.”
Buffalo selected Jones out of East Carolina in the second round of the 2017 draft. In his rookie campaign, Jones started 10 games and posted 27 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/20/18
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: LB Ramon Humber
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: LB John Timu
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Josh Keyes
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: DT Stefan Charles
Allen Hurns Has Interest From Seven Teams
Appearing on Charlotte’s WFNZ following his release from the Jaguars earlier today, free agent wide receiver Allen Hurns said he’s received interest from the Bears, Bills, Saints, Texans, Jets, Raiders, and Panthers, according to Joel Erickson of the Advocate.
A number of those clubs have already added significant help at the wideout position this offseason. Chicago signed both Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, Oakland replaced Michael Crabtree with Jordy Nelson and are now meeting with Eric Decker, and Carolina signed Jarius Wright and acquired Torrey Smith. Other teams, such as Buffalo, New Orleans, and Houston, have done little to address their pass-catching needs.
Hurns is only 26 years old, but he hasn’t had much success since the 2015 campaign. During that season, Hurns served as the Jaguars’ No. 2 receiver behind Allen Robinson and posted a 64/1,031/10 line. Since then, Hurns’ role in the Jacksonville offense has been drastically scaled back, while injuries have also limited him. He failed to top 500 yards receiving in either 2016 or 2017.
Hurns’ first free agent visit is expected to take place with the Jets on Wednesday.
Jets Meet With LB Karlos Dansby
Karlos Dansby has now taken his second free agent visit with the AFC East, as the veteran linebacker met with the Jets today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). The division-rival Bills have also reportedly hosted Dansby.
Dansby overlapped with Jets head coach Todd Bowles in both Miami and Arizona, so it’s no surprise that Gang Green has some level of interest in the 36-year-old linebacker. However, New York signed former Titans linebacker Avery Williamson last week to pair with fellow inside ‘backer Darron Lee, so it’s unclear where exactly Dansby fit.
While Dansby could be viewed as something of a glorified coach if signed by the Jets, his recent play doesn’t quite warrant that moniker. Indeed, Dansby is still an effective and durable player despite his age. In 2017, Dansby started 15 games a season ago, racking up 74 tackles and one sack while grading as the league’s No. 49 linebacker among 87 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
Redskins Host DT Sylvester Williams
The Redskins hosted free agent defensive lineman Sylvester Williams on Tuesday, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link), while the club also has interest in fellow defensive tackle Bennie Logan but has yet to schedule a visit, per John Keim of ESPN.com.
Washington is clearly seeking to improve the interior of its defensive line after ranking 29th in rush defense DVOA and dead last in adjusted line yards in 2017. Williams and Logan join Johnathan Hankins as notable defensive tackles on the Redskins’ radar, as the former Colts defender met with the club on Sunday. Keim recently reported Washington isn’t interested in investing heavily in it defensive line, but Williams and Logan could each be available on one-year deals.
The Redskins are “working hard” to sign Hankins, tweets Finlay, so Williams and/or Logan might not be of interest to the club for much longer. On the other hand, neither of Washington’s 2017 defensive tackle additions — Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain — made much of an impact during their respective first seasons in the nation’s capital, so one or both could be released.
Indeed, Washington altered the contract of defensive tackle McClain in a way that will make him easier to release, as Keim writes. Previously, McClain’s $3.25MM base salary was scheduled to become fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2018 league year, but Washington has since made that salary guaranteed for injury only. As such, the Redskins should be able to cut McClain at any point prior to the start of the regular season without being on the hook for his salary (provided he doesn’t get injured between now and then).
Williams, meanwhile, started 11 games and made 15 total appearances for the Titans in 2017, his first campaign outside of Denver since the Broncos made him a first-round pick in 2014. Last season, Williams played on roughly a third of Tennessee’s defensive snaps (third-most among the club’s defensive linemen) while posting 12 tackles. Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s No. 67 interior defender among 122 qualifiers, assigning much better marks against the run than the pass.
Logan, 28, has caught the Redskins’ eye in the past, as he took a meeting with the team last spring before ultimately landing a one-year, $8MM pact from the Chiefs. Washington should have a good idea of Logan’s capabilities, as he played against the Redskins twice per year as a member of the Eagles from 2013-16. Last season, Logan appeared in 15 games and played on 55% of Kansas City’s defensive snaps, acting as a serviceable run-stuffer during that time. Washington could have competition for Logan, as he met with Seattle earlier today.
Lions Host TE Levine Toilolo
The Lions met with free agent tight end Levine Toilolo on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Detroit released starting tight end Eric Ebron last week, and also witnessed top reserve Darren Fells ink a new deal with the Browns. At present, the Lions’ starting end is projected as 2017 rookie Michael Roberts, but the club is fully expected to sign a veteran tight end, per Rapoport. Thus far, Detroit has met with Luke Willson, Ed Dickson, Brent Celek, and Logan Paulsen, and all but Dickson remain on the open market.
Toilolo, who was recently released by the Falcons, has never been much of an offensive force, as he’s failed to top even 300 yards receiving in any of his five NFL campaigns. The 26-year-old was famously deployed as a tackle when Atlanta ran out of offensive linemen in a 2014 contest, but Toilolo didn’t grade well as a blocker in 2017, at least according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked Toilolo 23rd and 29th among tight ends in run-blocking and pass-blocking, respectively.