Seahawks Still Looking For Pass Rushers
Although the Seahawks last night agreed to terms with free agent defender Dwight Freeney, Seattle is still searching for more pass rush help, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Projected to field one of the NFL’s best defensive lines in 2017, the Seahawks’ front four has disappointed thus far, as the unit ranks just 15th in adjusted line yards and 24th in adjusted sack rate. Veteran Cliff Avril is now on injured reserve and could be flirting with retirement following a neck injury, while fellow lineman Michael Bennett is playing through plantar fasciitis.
While the open market isn’t typically flush with options at any position at this point in the season, there are a few free agents who could potentially help the Seahawks going forward. Former Browns defensive lineman Desmond Bryant offers the versatility Seattle covets, and worked out for the team earlier this year. Veteran such as Paul Kruger, Mario Williams, and Armonty Bryant are still available, while younger players like Owa Odighizuwa and Devin Taylor could also serve as reinforcements.
Putting together a trade for an edge defender also isn’t out of the question, although parity in the NFL means few teams may be willing to deal. Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee could probably be had for little in the way of draft pick compensation, but his contract ($21MM in non-guaranteed base salary over the next three years) could present an issue. Kerry Wynn (Giants), Barkevious Mingo (Colts), Aaron Lynch (49ers), and Elvis Dumervil (49ers) are all on expiring deals and playing on non-contenders.
Help could also be on the way for Seattle in the form of internal options. Second-round rookie Malik McDowell — who could see time at either tackle or end — may be able to return this season after suffering a severe concussion in a July ATV accident. And Dion Jordan, the former No. 3 overall pick who inked a one-year pact with the Seahawks earlier this year, returned to practice today.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/2017
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers: CB Lafayette Pitts
- Waived: CB Tony McRae
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted to active roster: TE Matt Lengel
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Jelani Jenkins
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Orson Charles
New England Patriots
- Promoted to active roster: LB Trevor Reilly
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Neal Sterling
- Placed on injured reserve: CB Xavier Coleman
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted to active roster: RB Elijah Hood
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: T Taylor Hart (two-year deal)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Deji Olatoye
Washington Redskins
- Signed: OL Tony Bergstrom
- Waived: DT A.J. Francis
Hawks, Bills Discussed Cordy Glenn Trade
As part of their ongoing search for offensive line help, the Seahawks approached the Bills about left tackle Cordy Glenn, but those talks “fizzled,” according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Glenn returned to Buffalo’s lineup on Sunday having been sidelined by injuries since Week 2, and despite some questions as to whether Glenn would regain his starting job over rookie Dion Dawkins, Glenn did indeed play a large role in the Bills’ victory (85% of offensive snaps). But Buffalo clearly is pleased with Dawkins’ production thus far, creating an opportunity to possibly move Glenn.
General manager Brandon Beane isn’t afraid to deal veteran assets, as evidenced by his preseason trades of wide receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Ronald Darby. And the Bills probably wouldn’t mind getting Glenn’s contract off their books as they retool their roster in the mold of head coach Sean McDermott over the next few years. An acquiring club would take on the rest of Glenn’s $9MM salary for 2017, plus base salaries of $9.25MM, $7.25MM, and $7.25MM over the next three seasons (Glenn also has $2MM roster bonuses in each year).
Like Beane, Seattle general manager John Schneider has shown a willingness to trade, and he recently said the Seahawks are “constantly in talks” with other teams regarding possible swaps. Seattle’s front five once again ranks as one of the NFL’s least productive, and several of the club’s projected starters — George Fant, Luke Joeckel — are now sidelined with injuries. Rees Odhiambo, the Seahawks’ current blinside protector, has graded as the league’s worst tackle, per Pro Football Focus.
Other options to help the depleted Seattle line have been discussed. The Seahawks reportedly focused on disgruntled Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown in recent weeks, but Brown has since ended his holdout and Houston may not have any inclination to deal their best offensive lineman during a competitive season. Free agent Branden Albert, meanwhile, turned down Seattle’s contract offer last week and is still on the open market.
Randy Gregory Reinstatement Unlikely Until 2018
Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is unlikely to seek reinstatement from his one-year substance abuse suspension until 2018, sources tell Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. Earlier today, Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reported the NFL wasn’t expected to reinstate Gregory in November, which is when he’d first be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Gregory could theoretically apply for re-entry to the NFL 60 days before his ban ends on January 6, but the former second-round pick is still working through personal issues, per Robinson. While at least one report indicated Gregory had failed a drug test in April, he attended a rehab facility over the summer and passed substance tests as late as September of this year. The Cowboys and their security team have been keeping an eye on Gregory, who’s been working out in the Dallas area, according to Robinson.
Given the NFL’s apparent disinterest in clearing Gregory in November, the Cowboys edge defender could take further action in order to convince the league he’s ready to play again. Waiting until 2018 to seek reinstatement could be one such step, while Gregory has also considered undergoing more counseling or serving another stay at rehab, per Robinson.
Gregory, 24, exhibited a variety of off-field question marks heading into the 2015 draft, but the Cowboys selected him in the second round anyway. It’s clear why Dallas overlooked Gregory’s issues, as the Nebraska product managed 16.5 sacks over two collegiate seasons and ranked as a top-10 athlete among edge rushing prospects. But he’s appeared in just 14 games in the NFL (zero starts), and has posted only one professional sack.
Seahawks To Sign DE Dwight Freeney
The Seahawks have signed veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney, as Freeney himself first indicated on his own Twitter account. Unsurprisingly, it’s a one-year deal for Freeney, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Freeney, now 37 years old, spent the 2015 campaign in Arizona and managed eight sacks down the stretch after signing with the club midseason. Last year, Freeney didn’t have to wait quite as long to land a contract, and put up three sacks and 26.5 pressures for the Falcons while playing roughly a third of Atlanta’s defensive snaps.
Despite that performance, Freeney had yet to draw any interest on the free agent market until meeting with the Seahawks earlier today. He’d always planned to continue his career, however, and there’s an argument to be made that waiting until midseason to sign a deal could actually help a pass rusher of Freeney’s age by limiting his overall usage.
Freeney won’t be asked to play a starter’s complement of snaps in Seattle, as the club already boasts two excellent edge defenders in Michael Bennett and Frank Clark. Bennett, though, is dealing with plantar fasciitis, while fellow defensive end Cliff Avril is out for the rest of the season (and could be contemplating retirement). Given the Seahawks’ depth up front, Freeney will serve as a rotational option alongside other reserves such as Marcus Smith and Branden Jackson.
While there’s no word on the financials in Freeney’s contract, it’s possible (and even likely, based on past precedent) that his deal with Seattle will include some type of performance-based pay. Last season, Freeney inked a one-year, $1MM pact with Atlanta that contained up to $2MM in sack incentives.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/24/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- WR Rod Streater; TE Jason Croom (link)
Carolina Panthers
- Ks Roberto Aguayo, Mike Meyer, Younghoe Koo (link via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com)
Dallas Cowboys
- LS Trent Gow (link)
Detroit Lions
- WR Jake Kumerow (link)
Green Bay Packers
- FB Joe Kerridge; DL Paul Boyette, Casey Sayles; CBs Jeremy Boykins, Jarnor Jones; S Orion Stewart (Twitter links)
Houston Texans
- DEs Sterling Bailey, Patrick Gamble; DT Mike Purcell; LBs Akeem Ayers, Jelani Jenkins (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WRs Anthony Nash, Francis Owusu, Domonique Young; DE Armonty Bryant; CB Jeremy Boykins (link)
New Orleans Saints
- RBs Malcolm Johnson, Marquez Williams; OL Jake Eldrenkamp, Storm Norton, Nate Theaker (link)
Oakland Raiders
- QB Joel Stave; WRs Devin Lucien, Jordan Payton; TEs Brandon Barnes, Eric Wallace; LBs Jeremy Cash, Jayson DiManche, Jason Thompson; CB Jarnor Jones; DBs Jordan Moore, James Sample, Orion Stewart (Twitter links)
Falcons LB Duke Riley To Undergo Surgery
Falcons linebacker Duke Riley will require surgery after suffering a torn meniscus, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. While Atlanta hasn’t announced a timetable for Riley’s return, meniscus injuries typically require a four-week absence, per McClure.
Riley, whom the Falcons selected in the third round of the 2017 draft, has appeared in every game for Atlanta during his rookie campaign. He’s only been a base package player, though, garnering time on roughly 45% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps while playing on a quarter of the club’s special teams plays. Pro Football Focus hasn’t been a fan of Riley’s output, grading the LSU product as a bottom-15 linebacker.
Still, replacing a player who is essentially a starter is never easy, but the Falcons already started on that task earlier today. Atlanta agreed to bring back linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who spent 2010-15 with the Falcons. It’s unclear if Atlanta expects Weatherspoon to step directly into Riley’s role, or whether they’ll lean on other players — such as Jordan Tripp or (per McClure) converted safety Kemal Ishmael — to replace Riley. The Falcons are also set to bring linebacker LaRoy Reynolds off injured reserve in the next few weeks.
Chiefs To Bring CB Steven Nelson Off IR
The Chiefs intend to bring cornerback Steven Nelson off injured reserve, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link), who reports Nelson’s status has been changed to reserve/injured with a designation to return.
Nelson suffered a core muscle injury during the summer, but the Chiefs placed him on their initial 53-man roster instead of putting him on IR before final cutdowns. That maneuver now allows them to bring Nelson back, and that’s been the plan all along. Nelson, 24, was full-time starter during the 2016 campaign, as he played 90% of Kansas City’s defensive snaps opposite Marcus Peters.
Nelson’s return should buoy a Chiefs defense that ranks just 21st in DVOA and 17th in passing defense DVOA. Terrance Mitchell has filled in as a starting corner for Kansas City, but he’s struggled (No. 81 CB per Pro Football Focus), so it shouldn’t be surprising is Nelson immediately slides back into his old role. Mitchell and Phillip Gaines should be used more sparingly once Nelson returns.
NFL rules now allow clubs to bring two players back from IR, but the Chiefs don’t have any other options at present to designate as return players. Safety Eric Berry, running back Spencer Ware, wide receiver Chris Conley, and defensive back Ashton Lampkin all suffered season-ending injuries that won’t allow them to return in 2017.
Eagles LB Jordan Hicks Done For Season
Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks will miss the remainder of the 2017 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday night’s victory over the Redskins, head coach Doug Pederson announced today. Zach Berman and Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer first reported last night that Hicks had injured his Achilles.
[RELATED: Eagles OT Jason Peters Tears ACL]
Hicks, 25, has been a full-time starter for most of his time in Philadelphia, but he’s only played 70% of the club’s defensive snaps this season. That’s largely because the former third-round pick has left two previous games with injury, allowing fellow linebacker Mychal Kendricks to see more time. After offering excellent production from 2015-16, Hicks has thus far graded as only the No. 54 linebacker among 81 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus, but it’s fair to assume Hicks’ health questions have affected his performance.
Even after Hicks is placed on injured reserve, the Eagles will still have six linebackers available on their defensive depth chart. Kendricks and Nigel Bradham figure to continue leading the unit in snaps, but Najee Goode, Joe Walker, Nathan Gerry, and Kamu Grugier-Hill could all more candidates to see more playing time. Kendricks, notably, was inactive on Monday with an injury of his own, and the rest of Philadelphia’s ‘backers have played mostly on special teams.
The Eagles don’t have a linebacker on their practice squad to promote, but they could scour the free agent market in search of a Hicks replacement. Just last week, Philadelphia auditioned veteran defenders Sean Spence, Donald Butler, and Jelani Jenkins, any of whom could become a reinforcement for the Eagles No. 14-DVOA-ranked defense. Other free agent linebackers include Perry Riley, Erin Henderson, Audie Cole, and Philip Wheeler.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/24/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DL Joe Vellano
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed off waivers: WR Kaelin Clay
- Placed on injured reserve: S Demetrious Cox
Denver Broncos
- Waived: C Dillon Day
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: OL Don Barclay
Houston Texans
- Released: CB Marcus Burley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Michael Ola
- Placed on injured reserve: OL Matt Slauson (story)
New York Jets
- Promoted to active roster: CB Robert Nelson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: S Isaiah Johnson
- Released from IR: WR Jhajuan Seales