Bengals Meet With Kurt Coleman
The Bengals took a meeting with free agent safety Kurt Coleman at the combine earlier tonight, reports Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Cincinnati becomes the known club to have visited with Coleman, joining New Orleans on the list of teams with interest in the veteran defensive back.
Coleman could join the Bengals as a third safety (the club has used player such as Chris Crocker or Josh Shaw in that role in recent seasons), but it’s not out of the question Cincinnati could install Coleman as a starter and cut one its incumbent safeties. George Iloka and Shawn Williams each offered league-average production in the Bengals’ defensive backfield in 2017, and the team could create cap space — $4.4MM for Iloka, $2.872MM for Willams — by cutting either.
More likely though, Coleman would offer depth for Cincinnati, as his performance last season wasn’t indicative of a starting caliber performer. Coleman was productive for the Panthers in 2015-16, so much through that Carolina gave him an extension that was to lock him up 2019. But Coleman struggled in 2017, and the Panthers opted to open up $2.65MM in cap room by parting ways with the 29-year-old.
West Notes: Sherman, Chiefs, Raiders, 49ers
The Seahawks dangled cornerback Richard Sherman in trade talks at this time a year ago, but given that he’s currently unable to pass a physical after undergoing another procedure on his torn Achilles, Sherman won’t be dealt any time soon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Injured players can’t be traded, and Sherman likely won’t be healthy until training camp. In 2017, Seattle ultimately dropped its asking price for Sherman to a first-round and a mid-round selection, but no deal was ever made. While Sherman may not hit the trade market any time soon, the Seahawks are reportedly shopping veteran defensive lineman Michael Bennett.
- The Chiefs will retain edge rusher Dee Ford on his 2018 fifth-year option, but given that he’s still recovering from a back injury, they likely didn’t have a choice, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only, so Ford — like Blake Bortles in Jacksonville — would have earned his money whether he was on Kansas City’s roster or not, provided he couldn’t pass a physical before the new league year begins on March 14. Ford, 26, only managed to appear in six games last season, but he managed 10 sacks as recently as 2016. He’ll earn an $8.718MM base salary for the upcoming year.
- Marshawn Lynch is not a lock to make the Raiders‘ 2018 roster, and for what it’s worth, the veteran running back reportedly became a “problem” for Oakland’s previous coaching staff in 2017, reports Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Lynch, who got better from an on-field perspective as last season progressed, is scheduled to earn a $4MM base salary next year, and also has a $1MM roster bonus due by March 3, so the Raiders will likely decide on his future with the club by the weekend.
- After blocking him from an interview with the Titans earlier this year, the 49ers have promoted DeMeco Ryans from defensive quality coach to inside linebackers coach, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Ryans, who enjoyed a decade-long playing career, is well-respected in NFL circles, and 49ers DC Robert Saleh recently claimed Ryans will someday become a head coach. Additionally, San Francisco announced that it has promoted Keena Turner to vice President and senior advisor to the general manager and promoted Ethan Waugh to college scouting director.
Saints Notes: Fairley, Kelemete, Kuhn, Line
After missing the entire 2017 season as a result of a heart ailment, free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley wants to play during the upcoming campaign, tweets Nick Underhill of the Advocate. The Saints, who inked Fairley to a four-year deal last offseason but released him last month, are not expected to be involved in a potential Fairley pursuit, per Underhill. Fairley was an excellent interior defender at full strength, but it’s unclear if any NFL club would be willing to bet on his health. Indeed, Fairley hasn’t been medically cleared to play, as Underhill tweets, so a return to the league seems unlikely.
Here’s more from New Orleans:
- Free agent offensive lineman Senio Kelemete is experiencing a “healthy market,” according to Josh Katzenstein of the Advocate, and while the Saints will likely be interested in retaining him, any reunion will be based on cost. New Orleans isn’t likely to offer Kelemete a chance to start, as the club is set with Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Max Unger, Larry Warford, and Ryan Ramczyk from left to right. Kelemete’s versatility and ability to play nearly every position on the line is his key asset, but he’d surely prefer a starting job to a reserve role.
- The Saints and free agent fullback John Kuhn have mutual interest in a return, sources tell Herbie Teope of NOLA.com. Kuhn, who was sidelined for the majority of the 2017 campaign after suffering a biceps injury, is currently considering whether he’ll continue his playing career or enter the coaching ranks, per Teope. Fellow Saints fullback Zach Line, who appeared in 12 games for New Orleans following Kuhn’s injury, is drawing interest around the league, reports Katzenstein, but the Saints have interest in retaining him, as well.
- Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland orchestrated arguably the NFL’s best draft class last spring, and he’d like to become a primary decision-maker again in the future, as Underhill writes. “Absolutely, why wouldn’t it be?” Ireland said when asked if getting a second GM job is his goal. “I’m not in a hurry. I told myself when I got to New Orleans I was going to help this team build. I’d really have to think twice about leaving the New Orleans Saints before we won a Super Bowl.” Ireland previously served as the Dolphins’ general manager from 2008-13, and the club posted a 46-50 record under his lead.
- Although he hasn’t expressed a willingness to accept a full-time position, the Saints would like to have special teams consultant Mike Westhoff return next season, according to Katzenstein. Westhoff is currently recovering a surgical operation which could limit his availability, but New Orleans is willing to allow the 70-year-old a varied schedule. He wouldn’t be accepting the lead special teams coach role, as the Saints intend to retain Bradford Banta (primary ST coach) and Kevin O’Dea (assistant).
Jets Interested In RB Orleans Darkwa
Free agent running back Orleans Darkwa has garnered interest from the Jets, a source tells Connor Hughes of NJ.com.
[RELATED: Jets Interested In Dion Lewis?]
Darkwa, of course, spent the pass three-plus seasons working in the cross-town Giants backfield, but it’s unclear if Big Blue has any interest in retaining him. Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com recently indicated Darkwa could be a low-cost option for the Giants, but if the 26-year-old receives other offers, he could conceivably move on.
The Jets now have a vacancy in their backfield after veteran running back Matt Forte announced his retirement on Wednesday. Gang Green still has Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire under contract, but Darkwa would likely serve as something of a power back if he becomes the third member of a Jets triumvirate.
Darkwa, a former undrafted free agent out of Tulane, began his career with the Dolphins but has mostly played in New York. Last season, Darkwa posted the best year of his career by setting new highs in starts, attempts, yards, and touchdowns.
Ohio State OL Billy Price Believed To Have Torn Pec
Ohio State offensive line prospect Billy Price is believed to have suffered a torn pectoral while bench pressing during the scouting combine today, reports Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link).
Price is considered one of the best interior line prospects available in the 2017 draft, and was expected to be selected in the first round. His stock doesn’t necessarily have to slip, especially since a torn pectoral’s recovery time is typically five-to-six months, meaning Price could still be ready for the start of the regular season in September. But it would be surprising if Price didn’t experience a slight drop, possibly into Day 2.
Price, who started 55 games for the Buckeyes, has “freaky strength and explosiveness,” per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. He was named as the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2017, and earned All-Big Ten and/or All-American honors in each year from 2015-17.
FA Notes: Burkhead, Seahawks, Broncos
Free agent running back Rex Burkhead is expected to see a “competitive market” for his services and it’s not a lock that he re-signs with the Patriots, according to Doug Kyed of NESN. Burkhead, 27, inked a one-year deal with New England last offseason and went on to produce 518 yards from scrimmage in 10 games. Viable in both the running and passing game, Burkhead ranked seventh in receiving DVOA in 2017, meaning he was highly effective on a per-play basis. The Patriots, of course, have another free agent running back in Dion Lewis, who is expected to draw interest from six-to-seven teams on the open market.
Here’s more from the free agent front:
- The Texans and cornerback Johnathan Joseph have mutual interest in a return, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Joseph, 33, has spent the past seven seasons in Houston after beginning his career in Cincinnati. Last year, Joseph started all 16 games for the Texans and managed two interceptions. Even more impressive, Joseph ranked 21st in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was excellent at stopping wideouts short of the sticks. If he does re-sign with Houston, Joseph will need to accept less than the $7.3MM annual salary he earned under his previous contract, per Wilson, who adds Joseph would also likely see a reduced role in the Texans’ secondary.
- With Kam Chancellor‘s status for the 2018 season in doubt, the Seahawks have discussed moving cornerback DeShawn Shead to safety, reports Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. Shead is a free agent, so Seattle would have to re-sign him if it wants him to play safety, but the club clearly has interest in retaining him. A 15-game starter as recently as 2015, Shead tore his ACL in January 2016 and took awhile to recover. Two surgeries later, Shead is hitting the free agent market after appearing in only two contests a season ago. Fellow reserve defensive back Bradley McDougald is also a pending free agent, so the Seahawks will need to work to retain their secondary depth this offseason.
- Although the Broncos would prefer to re-sign linebacker Todd Davis, they will likely allow him to gauge his value on the open market, general manager John Elway told reporters, including Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link). The Broncos plan to meet with the representatives for both Davis and fellow linebacker Corey Nelson on Saturday, per Jhabala. Davis, for his part, has started 29 games for Denver over the past two seasons. Now 25 years old, Davis graded as the No. 34 linebacker among 87 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
Dolphins Allow Jarvis Landry To Seek Trade
Reports had already indicated the Dolphins are shopping franchise-tagged wide receiver Jarvis Landry, but they’re now involving the slot weapon in the process. Miami has given Landry and his agent permission to “seek and facilitate” a trade, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Landry has already spoken with two unidentified teams, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, and he’s expected to sign his tender soon to further move discussions along, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The Dolphins always seemed likely to allow Landry to speak with other clubs, if for no other reason than to work out a new contract that would be amendable to both him and his new team. Landry is set to earn $16.228MM salary thanks to the franchise tender, which Miami assigned last week. An acquiring club likely wouldn’t want Landry at that expensive one-year cost, and will be expected to negotiate a fresh contract.
Miami’s decision to tag Landry has been widely viewed as a negotiating tactic, and few believe the Dolphins actually want him on their roster at that salary. Other clubs likely realize that lack of leverage on the part of Miami, which would help explain Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald‘s recent report that the return for Landry will likely be a third-round pick, a late second-round pick, or a player.
Landry, 25, is thought to be seeking a $14MM annual salary and $30MM in guarantees, but whether he’ll be able to reach that level of compensation while attempting to discuss both a contract and a trade is unclear. Although he led the league in receptions in 2017, Landry managed only 8.8 yards per catch, which is the lowest average for any 100-catch receiver in NFL history.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins Seeking $7MM/Year
Jets free agent tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is searching for a $7MM annual salary on the open market, according to Darryl Slater of NJ.com.
New York will meet with Seferian-Jenkins’ agent at the scouting combine at the coming days, per Slater. ASJ has already rejected one offer of two years, $8MM from Gang Green, and he’s apparently looking to nearly double the salary proffered by the Jets. A $7MM annual salary would tie Seferian-Jenkins for 12th among tight ends, alongside the Cardinals’ Jermaine Gresham.
A former-second round pick, Seferian-Jenkins is fresh off the best season of his career. In 13 games (10 starts), the 25-year-old Seferian-Jenkins posted 50 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns. While 50 catches ranked 13th among tight ends in 2017, Seferian-Jenkins doesn’t offer much as a blocker, as Pro Football Focus ranked him as just the 35th-best run-blocker.
Dion Lewis Expected To Draw Interest From 6-7 Teams
Patriots free agent running back Dion Lewis is expected to draw significant interest on the free agent market, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Lewis, who is reportedly seeking a $6MM annual salary, is likely to draw the eye of the Jets, Texans, 49ers, Raiders, and Colts, per Florio. New York, San Francisco, and Indianapolis are each facing vacancies in their backfields, but a Lewis addition in Houston or Oakland would presumably lead to the release of Lamar Miller or Marshawn Lynch, respectively.
The Patriots had a cavalcade of running backs on their roster in 2017, but Lewis was the best of the bunch. The 27-year-old Lewis posted the most outstanding season of his career in 2017, toting the ball 180 times for 896 yards (both team highs), managing 214 yards on 32 receptions, and scoring 10 total touchdowns (including one in the return game). Lewis ranked first in Football Outsiders‘ DYAR metric, sixth in broken tackles, and sixth in Pro Football Focus‘ pass-blocking grades.
Lewis isn’t the only free agent running back about whom New England needs to worry. Rex Burkhead is also scheduled to hit the open market later this month, so while the Patriots still employ James White, Brandon Bolden, and Mike Gillislee they could see a great deal of turnover in their backfield over the coming weeks.
Giants Expected To Target Graham Gano
The Giants are expected to pursue free agent kicker Graham Gano, according to Dan Duggan of NJ.com.
Gano, of course, would need to actually reach the free agent market before New York can go after him. The Panthers, who have employed the 30-year-old Gano for the past six seasons, are reportedly considering using the franchise tag on their veteran kicker. The franchise tender for placekickers is expected to be worth $4.604MM, a steep raise over Gano’s current $3.1MM annual salary.
Gano led the NFL in field goal conversion rate with a 96.7% success mark in 2017, and that performance earned him his first career Pro Bowl nod. In terms of advanced metrics, Gano was worth 6.3 points through his field goal and extra point work, good for eighth in the league, per Football Outsiders.
The Giants are seemingly aiming to replace Aldrick Rosas, who converted only 72% of his field goal attempts in what was his rookie campaign. New York general manager Dave Gettleman previously served in the same role for the Panthers, so he’s clearly familiar with Gano’s ability.