Jets Audition LB Curt Maggitt
The Jets worked out free agent linebacker Curt Maggitt on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Jets Audition Kendall Langford]
Gang Green is searching for linebacker depth after placing Dylan Donahue — a key special teamer — on injured reserve earlier this week. While the Jets plucked Obum Gwacham from the Cardinals’ practice squad, and added Freddie Bishop to their practice squad, the club is still hunting for more options behind starters Demario Davis and Darron Lee.
Maggitt, 24, signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2016. After making Indianapolis’ 53-man roster, Maggitt appeared in nine games and posted four tackles while playing on 124 defensive snaps and 129 special teams snaps. He struggled with injuries, however, and a knee injury ultimately landed him on injured reserve in December. Maggitt was subsequently cut in May.
Malik McDowell Could Return This Season
Rookie defensive tackle Malik McDowell — who suffered a severe concussion in a July September ATV accident — could potentially return to the Seahawks this season, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
“He’s got some stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks, I think it’s within two weeks that he’ll get kind of reassessed and all of that just to see where we are,” Carroll said of McDowell. “There’s been some conversation from different camps kind of about where he is and how he’s doing, so the check-ups are really important, and we’ll just see. We’ve not ruled that thought out that he could come back.”
McDowell, whom the Seahawks selected out of Michigan State in the second round of the 2017 draft, had reportedly been in danger of missing his rookie campaign, but that may not be the case. He’s currently on the non-football injury list, meaning he can return to practice after Seattle’s bye in Week 6. The Seahawks would then have a three-week window during which they can decide to place him on the active roster or injured reserve.
Carroll didn’t rule out adding defensive line help this week given that Cliff Avril is sidelined with a neck injury, but as Condotta notes, the Seahawks have limited options given that Week 5 is quickly approaching. Quinton Jefferson, a former Seattle draft pick whom the club recently re-signed off the Rams’ practice squad, suffered a broken hand and is out for roughly a month, meaning the Hawks are short on depth. Branden Jackson, currently on Seattle’s practice squad, could be a candidate for promotion.
Poll: Best AFC Free Agent Addition?
A quarter of the NFL season is now in the books, which means we can accurately grade each and every free agent signing, right? Right?
Even if that’s not the case, it’s still possible to get a sense of how free agents are playing and whether they’re living up to their contacts through four games. With that in mind, we examined the best free agent signing on each AFC club before asking you to vote on the top overall AFC addition.
One note: we only looked at newcomers, so free agents that re-signed with their original clubs (Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams or Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, for example) aren’t included. On to the list!
Baltimore Ravens
- Austin Howard, T: No NFL team has been hit harder by injuries in 2017 than the Ravens, and the club’s offensive line hasn’t been immune to health questions. Alex Lewis and Nico Siragusa — both counted on as starters at various points — are done for the season, while All World guard Marshal Yanda is also lost for the year after fracturing his leg in Week 2. Enter Howard, whom Baltimore signed after he was released by the Raiders. The 30-year-old has stepped in at right tackle, playing every offensive snap for the Ravens. While Baltimore’s offensive line still isn’t great (14th in adjusted sack rate, 19th in adjusted line yards), it’s not the disaster that it could have been, and that’s partially thanks to Howard.
Buffalo Bills
- Jordan Poyer, S: Poyer had never been a full-time starter when the Bills inked him to a four-year, $13MM deal this offseason, but he’s been excellent through four games with Buffalo. Although he signed for roughly half of fellow free agent addition Micah Hyde‘s contract, Poyer actually tops Hyde in Pro Football Focus‘ safety rankings (No. 8 vs. No. 32). His performance is all the more impressive given that his 2016 campaign ended with a lacerated kidney. Poyer has racked up 15 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and five passes defensed in Sean McDermott‘s defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Andre Smith, T: Cincinnati originally forged a reunion with Smith with the intent of shifting him to guard, but he’s instead rotated at both left and right tackle behind starters Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. A collegiate blindside protector, Smith hadn’t played left tackle in the NFL until now, but he’s been surprisingly efficient. While he’s only played about half the snaps of Ogbuehi and Fisher, that could change if those former early-round draft picks don’t step up their game going forward.
Cleveland Browns
- Jason McCourty, CB: Although the Browns dropped a combined $50MM guaranteed on Kevin Zeitler, Kenny Britt, and J.C. Tretter, it’s McCourty — whom Cleveland landed on two-year, $6MM deal — that’s performed the best through four contests. Though he had struggled in recent seasons, the now 30-year-old McCourty has returned to his 2010-13 level of play, as he’s graded as the No. 6 cornerback in the league, per PFF. There’s probably some regression coming, but McCourty has been worth every penny.
Denver Broncos
- Ronald Leary, G: In sharp contrast to fellow free agent offensive line signing Menelik Watson (who allowed an astounding six sacks through the first two weeks of the season), Leary has stabilized the right guard position in Denver. The Broncos rank third in the league in rushing (both in yards and yards per carry) and eighth in rushing DVOA, and that’s due in no small part to Leary’s presence. Leary is all the more important given that Denver is currently splitting left guard snaps between Allen Barbre and Max Garcia.
Houston Texans
- Marcus Gilchrist, S: The Texans didn’t bring in many free agents this offseason, and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini is the only other addition besides Gilchrist who’s seen significant playing time in 2017. Gilchrist, 28, has always been a solid defensive back, and he’s playing well in Houston’s secondary after a patellar tendon injury shortened his 2016 campaign. He’s only been on the field for 99 defensive snaps so far this season, but his playing time figures to increase as the year progresses.
Indianapolis Colts
- Jabaal Sheard, DE: Do you think the Patriots, who have struggled to generate any sort of pass rush, would like to have Sheard back? Although he’s managed only one sack, Sheard has created a ton of pressure, and ranks as the No. 17 edge rusher in the NFL, per PFF. But he’s been even better against the run (No. 3, according to PFF), and he’s been one of the few bright spots on a poor Indianapolis defense. Signed through 2019 at $8.5MM annually, Sheard has been a bargain for the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Calais Campbell, DE: As they have in past offseasons, the Jaguars ponied up for marquee free agents earlier this year, signing defensive backs A.J. Bouye and Barry Church in addition to Campbell. Through a quarter of the season, Campbell has lived up to his four-year, $60MM contract, as he’s already put up 5.5 sacks and 11.5 pressures, and has played like one of the league’s best pass-rushers. Jacksonville leads the league in adjusted sack rate, and Campbell’s presence has surely assisted second-year pro Yannick Ngakoue‘s in his four-sack campaign.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Bennie Logan, DT: The only undefeated team in the NFL, the Chiefs are 4-0 without the help of many external additions. Logan inked a one-year, $8MM pact with Kansas City that was almost fully guaranteed after rejecting a “sizable” extension offer from the Eagles during the 2016 campaign. Logan, 27, has played 155 defensive through four games and served as a run-stuffer, but it’s too early to say whether he made a mistake in turning down a new deal from Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Russell Okung, T: Okung’s four-year contract — which made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman — looked like an overpay from the minute it was signed, but there’s no arguing that Okung has played well since leaving the division rival Broncos for the Chargers. Los Angeles’ offensive line still isn’t good, but that’s not the fault of Okung. The Chargers average 6.03 yards when running around the left end (per Football Outsiders), a figure that ranks fifth in the league.
Miami Dolphins
- N/A: Jay Cutler has been indifferent, timid, and inaccurate. Lawrence Timmons went AWOL and was suspended. Ted Larsen is sidelined through midseason at the earliest. Miami swung and missed in free agency.
New England Patriots
- Mike Gillislee, RB: The Patriots surprisingly signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a five-year, $65MM deal this spring, but the former Bill has looked lost in coverage through four games in New England. Defensive lineman Lawrence Guy has been serviceable but not a difference-maker, leaving Gillislee as the Pats’ best free agent addition thus far. To be clear, Gillislee hasn’t been all that effective (especially after leading the league in yards per carry a season ago), but he’s managed to fall into the end zone four times. Not bad for a two-year, $6.4MM contract.
New York Jets
- Morris Claiborne, CB: Similar to the Patriots and Jabaal Sheard, the Cowboys would probably like to have Claiborne back on their roster. While he’s not a shutdown cornerback, Claiborne offers competent play when healthy, and he’s played nearly every defensive snap for the Jets this year. Gang Green got Claiborne for only $5MM over one year, a discount largely due to Claiborne’s injury history. New York ranks 14th in passing defense DVOA.
Oakland Raiders
- Jared Cook, TE: The Raiders needed to add another offensive weapon to supplement wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, and there are signs that Cook can be that third option. And in a season in which Crabtree has already dealt with injury, and Cooper has seemingly forgotten how to catch, Cook could be play an even larger role going forward. He could be especially critical as a safety blanket for EJ Manuel, who is now filling in at quarterback for the injury Derek Carr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- N/A: The only Steelers free agent addition that’s garnered any significant playing time is former Jaguars defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, and he’s been incredibly unproductive on 178 defensive snaps. Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who received $425K guaranteed on a two-year pact, has barely played.
Tennessee Titans
- Eric Decker, WR: None of the Titans’ free agent signings have been great successes so far, and safety Jonathan Cyprien might have been choice here had he been able to stay healthy. Logan Ryan, too, has been acceptable, but he hasn’t been able to lift Tennessee’s passing defense out of the doldrums. Decker has only posted 12 receptions for 104 yards in 2017, but he’s been a great run-blocking wideout, which is critical in the Titans’ run-first offense. Sure, Tennessee isn’t paying Decker $4MM to block, but he’s at least contributing.
So, what do you think? Which of the free agents has been the best signing through a quarter of the 2017 season? Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section:
Extra Points: Colts, Browns, Jets, Vikings
Although quarterback Andrew Luck will return to practice this week, he won’t be available for the Colts on Sunday when they play the 49ers, head coach Chuck Pagano told reporters, including Mike Chappell of FOX 59 (all Twitter links). Indianapolis has an extremely detailed plan in place for Luck: while he practiced today, he’ll take Thursday off before returning to the field on Friday. Luck, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was adamant that he’ll play for the currently 1-3 Colts during the 2017 season
Here’s more from around the league:
- While the Browns clearly aren’t pleased with their winless start to the season, the club’s rebuild “isn’t over,” de facto general manager Sashi Brown told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cleveland has posted a 1-19 record under its current front office and head coach Hue Jackson, but Brown delivered a message of unity (in sharp contrast to reports of discord within the franchise). The Browns will look for their first victory when they face the Jets in Week 5, but Brown stressed that “the growth and development of the roster doesn’t happen overnight.”
- The Jets haven’t yet decided whether to activate wide receiver Jalin Marshall — fresh off a four-game PED suspension — before Sunday’s contest, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). New York received a roster exemption for Marshall which expires on Monday, reports Darryl Slater of NJ.com, so the club isn’t forced to make a move until that time. If they do activate Marshall, who is primarily a returner, the Jets will have to create roster space, as they filled their 53-man squad earlier today.
- Although rookie running back Dalvin Cook is done for the year after tearing his ACL, a reunion with veteran Adrian Peterson doesn’t make sense for the Vikings, writes Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Minnesota only briefly discussed the possibility of a pay reduction before parting ways with Peterson, so the club likely wanted to forge a new start. Additionally, the Vikings are unlikely to part with a draft pick in order to acquire Peterson from the Saints, especially given that he no longer fits their offense, opines Goessling.
- Speaking of potential trades, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com examines several candidates who could be dealt before this year’s NFL trade deadline, noting that new general managers such as Brandon Beane and Chris Ballard seem more open to swaps.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/17
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Placed on injured reserve: RB Tyler Ervin
New York Giants
- Promoted to active roster: C Jon Halapio
- Waived: LB Deontae Skinner
Saints To Re-Sign DT John Hughes
The Saints have reached agreement with free agent defensive tackle John Hughes, according to Joel Erickson of the Advocate.
[RELATED: Saints Sign OL John Greco]
Hughes will now enter his second stint with New Orleans this year, as he originally signed with the club in early August. The 29-year-old lasted fewer than three weeks on the Saints’ roster, however, and was released during final cutdowns. Hughes worked out for the Jaguars last month but didn’t land a contract, and auditioned for New Orleans again on Tuesday before inking a new deal.
A third-round pick in the 2012 draft, Hughes has never been a full-time starter during his five-year NFL career, but does offer 58 games worth of experience. The Browns released Hughes last September despite having just signed him to an extension 18 months earlier, and he eventually caught on with the Buccaneers to close out the season. In five games, Hughes managed five tackles while playing on 5.8% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps.
Hughes becomes the fourth defensive tackle on the Saints’ roster behind Sheldon Rankins, Tyeler Davison, and David Onyemata, each of whom has played at least 125 defensive snaps in 2017.
Texans Claim LB Ben Heeney Off Waivers
The Texans have claimed linebacker Ben Heeney off waivers from the Saints, according to veteran NFL reporter Adam Caplan (Twitter link). To create roster space, Houston has waived safety Kurtis Drummond.
Heeney, a fifth-round pick in 2015, appeared in 15 games for the Raiders during his rookie campaign but was placed on injured reserve early on in 2016. Waived by Oakland during final cutdowns earlier this year, Heeney latched on with the Saints’ practice squad. While he was promoted to New Orleans’ active roster for Week 4, Heeney wasn’t active for that contest against the Dolphins.
Houston is currently well-stocked at inside linebacker even with veteran Brian Cushing serving a 10-game PED suspension, as the club boasts starters Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney plus backups Brian Peters and Dylan Cole. As such, Heeney won’t be asked to play many (if any) defensive snaps for the Texans, and will likely serve on special teams duty. Through four games, Houston ranks 18th in special teams DVOA, a marked improvement over their No. 31 finish in 2016.
Drummond, meanwhile joined the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2015. Through two-plus years in the league, Drummond has appeared in nine games while spending most of his time on special teams. His 2016 season was lost to injury issues, as he spent the entire campaign on IR.
Buccaneers Waive DE Jacquies Smith
The Buccaneers have waived defensive end Jacquies Smith, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Smith, 27, had established himself as a serviceable edge rusher (13.5 sacks from 2014-15) before a torn ACL ended his 2016 campaign after only one game. After working his way back to full health, Smith had played in his first contest of the year during Week 4, but saw action on only seven snaps, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets.
Because he’s not a vested veteran, Smith will now go through the NFL’s waiver system, allowing each club a chance to grab a young pass rusher. It shouldn’t be a surprise if Smith is claimed in the coming days, especially since he drew interest as a restricted free agent earlier this year. The only questions teams may have, of course, are in regards to Smith’s health.
By cutting ties with Smith, Tampa Bay could now use that empty roster spot to address other areas of need, and Auman speculates (Twitter link) the Buccaneers could potentially add reinforcements in the secondary.
Vikings Work Out RB Stevan Ridley
In need of help at the running back position, the Vikings worked out free agents Stevan Ridley, Bobby Rainey, Troymaine Pope, and Josh Rounds, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
At present, the Vikings have only two running backs on their roster after placing rookie Dalvin Cook — who suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 — on injured reserve. Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon will presumably split time in Minnesota’s backfield, while fullback C.J. Ham is also capable of playing tailback. While the Vikings could hypothetically promote Bronson Hill from their practice squad, one of the above free agents could give the club another option.
Ridley, of course, is most well-known for his four-year run with the Patriots, especially his 2012 campaign in which he totaled more than 1,200 yards on the ground and 12 rushing touchdowns. Injuries have sapped much of the now 28-year-old’s value since then, however, and Ridley has become something of a journeyman. He’s been employed by the Jets, Lions, Colts, Falcons, and — most recently — Broncos since 2015.
Rainey doesn’t quite rival Ridley’s history in terms of changing teams, but he’s been with five teams since entering the league in 2012. Typically used a passing back, Rainey spent the 2016 season with the Giants and was utilized heavily on special teams. He signed with the Ravens earlier this year, but couldn’t make it through final roster cutdowns.
Pope, 23, went undrafted out of Jacksonville State in 2016 and has since spent his NFL career with the Jets and Seahawks. In four career games, Pope has managed 12 carries for 44 yards and one reception for five yards. This year, Pope was part of the Colts’ offseason roster and also saw a few days of action on the club’s practice squad. The Vikings aren’t the only team interested in Pope, as he also has a workout scheduled with the Chargers, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
NFC North Notes: Pack, Adams, Bears, Lions
Even after absorbing a violent hit from Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan last week, Packers wide receiver Davante Adams may be in line to play in Week 5, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Adams was taken to the hospital following the hit — which resulted in a two-game suspension for Trevathan — and thankfully escaped with only a concussion. If available, the 24-year-old Adams would be a boon to Green Bay’s offense against the Cowboys on Sunday, as he’s recorded 16 receptions, 219 yards, and two scores thus far in 2017.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- The Bears‘ decision to start rookie Mitch Trubisky over Mike Glennon speaks to the No. 2 overall selection’s development this year, opines Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. Trubisky, who started only 13 collegiate games before entering the NFL draft, was so raw that had to be taught how to take snaps under center in the spring, per Breer. But Trubisky has displayed so much improvement in the months since that Chicago formulated a plan to have the North Carolina product take starter’s practice reps in the fall. Of course, Glennon’s sub-par performance also made the Bears’ call a simple one, as the former Buccaneers ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every quarterback metric.
- The Lions took a look at tight ends Jace Amaro, Gavin Escobar, Cory Harkey, and David Johnson and linebackers Akeem Ayers, Andrew Gachkar, and Spencer Paysinger, today, reports veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link). Detroit’s linebacker auditions are particularly notable, as the club just lost base package starter Paul Worrilow to an MCL strain. All three of Ayers, Gachkar, and Paysinger appeared in at least 15 games a season ago, but were mostly relegated to special teams duty.
- Offensive tackles Andrew Wylie, Stephen Evans, and Storm Norton, plus running back Joel Bouagnon, worked out for the Packers on Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Wylie went undrafted out of Eastern Michigan earlier this year, but signed with the Colts shortly thereafter. He took a spot on Indy’s practice squad until being waived in September. Bouagnon, too, is a rookie UDFA (Northern Illinois) who spent eight weeks with the Bears this summer.
- The Bears auditioned safety Jordan Moore yesterday, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Moore, a rookie undrafted free agent out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, signed with the Falcons earlier this year but has been on the workout circuit since August.