Panthers, Saints Eyeing Marvin Bracy
Both the Panthers and Saints are interested in Olympic sprinter Marvin Bracy as a wide receiver prospect, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
Bracy, 23, was a 100-meter Olympian at the Rio Games and is a former United States 60-meter dash champion. He spent a year on the Florida State football team as a redshirt before leaving the program to focus on track. As such, Bracy hasn’t played football since 2012, although he was an All-American in high school.
At 5’9″, Bracy doesn’t offer elite size, but he’s considered a “great raw talent” as a wideout, per Cole. Currently dealing with a groin injury, Bracy has already tried out for the Panthers at their rookie minicamp earlier this month.
5 Key Stories: 5/14/17 – 5/21/17
Ryan Fitzpatrick lands in Tampa Bay. After struggling through a dreadful season with the Jets in 2016, Fitzpatrick was going to be hard-pressed to find a starting job on the open market. Instead, the 34-year-old signed with the Buccaneers, with whom he’ll be a clear backup to starter Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick will earn $3MM on a one-year deal with the Bucs, but has a chance to bring in as much as $5MM.
Seattle interested in Colin Kaepernick. The Buccaneers didn’t consider Kaepernick before inking Fitzpatrick, but the Seahawks are eyeing the 29-year-old signal-caller, whom they prefer to fellow free agent Robert Griffin III. Kaepernick would seemingly be a solid fit behind Russell Wilson, who wouldn’t have any qualms about Seattle signing the former 49ers QB. The Cowboys, meanwhile, aren’t considered a fit for Kaepernick.
Eagles sign a Blount force. Despite the Patriots placing a May 9 tender on free agent LeGarrette Blount, the veteran running back has found a new home in Philadelphia. Blount, 30, will take in $1.25MM in base salary and can earn another $1.55MM via incentives. Both the Giants and Cardinals reportedly made offers to Blount before he signed with the Birds. With Blount in town, Ryan Mathews‘ roster spot is now tenuous (at best).
Jason McCourty signs with a rebuilding club. Instead of heading to contender after being cut loose by the Titans, McCourty latched on with the Browns last week, signing a two-year deal worth $6MM ($2MM guaranteed). At age-29, McCourty will be an elder statesman on a Cleveland team in the midst of a rebuild. The Patriots also had interest in McCourty, and that link was apparently mutual.
Steelers release Ladarius Green after one year. Although Green was effective when on the field in Pittsburgh (16.9 yards per catch), he simply couldn’t overcome his health issues — concussions and an ankle issue — in order to contribute on a consistent basis. The Steelers cut bait on Green just one season into a four-year, $20MM deal, a move that leaves them north of $3.5MM in dead money. Green, still only 26 years old, has no plans to retire.
Dolphins Not Interested In Nick Mangold
Although the Dolphins lack an experienced backup behind injury-risk center Mike Pouncey, Miami has no plans to sign free agent Nick Mangold “at this time,” reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Pouncey has dealt with nagging hip injuries in recent years, and while he doesn’t believe the issue to be career-threatening, he did miss 11 games during the 2016 campaign. As such, the Dolphins need a solid replacement plan in the event that Pouncey goes down. At present, Anthony Steen, Kraig Urbik, and Ted Larsen would compete for time at the pivot in the event of a Pouncey injury, while Isaac Asiata and Jake Brendel could also factor in on the interior.
Mangold, 33, has been linked to the Giants and Ravens since being released by the Jets earlier this year. Baltimore, specifically, is engaged in something of a “holding pattern” with Mangold at the moment.
PFR Originals: 5/14/17 – 5/21/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff:
- A number of clubs, including the Panthers, Ravens, Jaguars, and Browns, have expressed interest in free agent wide receiver Victor Cruz since he was released by the Panthers earlier this offseason. With the 30-year-old’s market seemingly heating up, Sam Robinson evaluated the top six fits for Cruz, a list that includes a few of the teams listed above.
- The cornerback free agent market is comprised of still-interesting options, leading Rory Parks to examine the available defensive backs as a whole. In terms of name value, Darrelle Revis leads the pack, while other corners such as Brandon Flowers, Alterraun Verner, and Tramon Williams also remain unsigned.
- Three veteran edge rushers — Dwight Freeney, Elvis Dumervil, and Mario Williams — remain on the free agent market more than two months after the start of free agency. As Ben Levine notes, the trio has combined for 16 Pro Bowl appearances, six first-team All-Pro selections, and 319 sacks during their careers, but their average age is 34 years old. Ben asked which pass rusher will sign first, and PFR readers give Dumervil the edge with more than 40% of the vote.
Details On Jamaal Charles’ Broncos Contract
While the maximum value of running back Jamaal Charles‘ one-year contract with the Broncos is $3.75MM, the veteran runner could struggle to reach that total, as the as the majority of that figure can only be attained through incentives, Mike Klis of 9News details.
As Klis previously reported, Charles is scheduled to earn a veteran minimum base salary of $900K plus a $100K workout bonus, the latter of which is the only guaranteed portion of the contract. However, if Charles makes Denver’s Week 1 roster, he’ll bring in an additional $250K bonus. The 30-year-old can also earn $1.25MM in per-game active roster bonuses, per Klis.
Another $1.25MM is available for Charles through incentives. He’ll earn that entire total if the Broncos make the postseason and he reaches 1,000 all-purpose yards, according to Klis. Charles’ first incentive barrier is 500 all-purpose yards, although it’s unclear what financial figure he’ll reach if he meets that target.
For what it’s worth, Klis recently gave Charles only a 50-50 chance of making the Broncos’ roster. Other running backs on Denver’s depth chart include C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker, Juwan Thompson, and De’Angelo Henderson.
Colin Kaepernick “Not A Fit” For Cowboys
The Cowboys could use a veteran backup behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott, but it doesn’t appear free agent Colin Kaepernick is in the club’s plans. Kaepernick is “not a fit” for Dallas, sources tell Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
At present, Kellen Moore is the only quarterback with any level of experience behind Prescott, although the Cowboys also signed two other undrafted college free agent signal-callers, Austin Appleby (Florida) and Cooper Rush (Central Michigan). Earlier this offseason, Dallas looked into free agent Josh McCown, and even met with the veteran, but McCown ultimately signed with the Jets.
Given that Moore has only started two NFL games since entering the league in 2012, the Cowboys seem likely to pursue at least one other veteran quarterback to compete for reserve duties behind Prescott. The free agent market doesn’t offer many inspiring options, but Zach Mettenberger, Luke McCown, Shaun Hill, Robert Griffin III, and Christian Ponder are among the passers Dallas could consider.
The Cowboys have become at least the second team to not express interest in Kaepernick, as the Buccaneers also didn’t target Kaepernick before signing Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. The Seahawks, however, are eyeing Kaepernick to play behind Russell Wilson.
Buccaneers Waive QB Sean Renfree
Following the signing of veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Buccaneers waived fellow signal-caller Sean Renfree, the club announced.
[RELATED: Bucs Didn’t Consider Colin Kaepernick]
Renfree, 27, never attempted a pass for Tampa Bay, as he’d just signed a futures contract with the club earlier this year. A former seventh-round pick, Renfree spent the first three seasons of his career elsewhere in the NFC South, acting as a backup in Atlanta. His only NFL action came in 2015, when he completed three of seven passes for 11 yards and one interception.
After being waived by the Falcons last September, Renfree spent ample time on the workout circuit, auditioning for the Panthers, Saints, Broncos, Giants, and Bills. He also worked out for the Patriots in early September after Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett suffered injuries.
Fitzpatrick will enter the 2017 campaign as the Buccaneers’ clear backup behind starter Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay also has Ryan Griffin in tow, but none of his $1.797MM base salary is guaranteed, so the club could conceivably part ways with Griffin if it chooses to go forward with only two quarterbacks on the roster.
Jaguars Worked Out CB Alterraun Verner
The Jaguars worked out veteran cornerback Alterraun Verner last week, a source tells Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Verner’s audition apparently didn’t go well, per O’Halloran. “He was a little out of shape,” the source said. “Word is they will do a do-over.”
[RELATED: Checking In On The Cornerback Market]
Jacksonville is set to field one of the league’s better cornerback tandems, as free agent signee A.J. Bouye will pair with 2016 first-round pick on the outside. After that duo, however, the club’s depth is questionable. Aaron Colvin is projected to start in the slot, but only played 10 games last year thanks to a four-game suspension and an ankle injury. Josh Johnson, Tracy Howard, and Jalen Myrick comprise the remainder of the Jaguars’ cornerback depth chart.
Verner, 28, could compete with Colvin to serve as Jacksonville’s nickelback and also offer depth at outside corner. Released by the Buccaneers in February, Verner reportedly drew immediate interest as soon as being cut loose, but still has yet to land a contract. Originally signed to be a starter for Tampa Bay, Verner’s playing time had dwindled over the past two campaigns, and he saw action on less than a quarter of the Bucs’ defensive snaps a season ago.
Extra Points: Vikes, Bills, Cardinals, Patriots
Although his house arrest doesn’t end for another month, newly-signed Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd will report to Minnesota on Friday after having his confinement transferred from Arizona, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter links). Floyd was able to secure the transfer because of his change in employment status, but he’ll still need to return to his residence when he’s not training with the Vikings, reports Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Floyd pleaded guilty to extreme DUI in February.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- The Bills have hired Malik Boyd as their new director of pro personnel, the club announced today. General manager Brandon Beane has worked quickly to revamp Buffalo’s front office, as he’s hired former Texans executive Brian Gaine and former Dolphins staffer Joe Schoen this week. Boyd, meanwhile, has worked for the Cardinals for the past 12 years, and spent the past three season as Arizona’s assistant director of pro scouting. He’s also spent time with the Colts, had a three-year career as an NFL defensive back.
- In addition to carrying the sickle cell trait, Cardinals wide receiver John Brown was also dealing with a cyst on his spine in 2016, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Brown has since had the cyst drained, and now says he feels “normal” again, per Weinfuss. Brown, 27, posted the worst season of his three-year career in 2016, as he managed only 39 receptions for 517 yards and two touchdowns. With Floyd now out of the picture, Brown figures to slide into Arizona’s starting lineup full-time, and with his health concerns hopefully behind him, could come closer to his 2015 production (1,000+ yards receiving and seven scores). Brown is slated to earn $1.797MM in 2017 before becoming an unrestricted free agent next spring.
- The Patriots worked out wide receiver Reggie Diggs on Wednesday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Diggs, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Richmond in 2016, landed with Washington last year but spent the entirety of his rookie season on injured reserve. The Redskins waived Diggs earlier this month, and his visit with New England is the first known interest he’s drawn. The Patriots, of course, already have a well-stocked wide receiver depth chart, and auditioned veteran pass-catcher Andrew Hawkins earlier today.
- The Saints signed former Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas on Monday, but Thomas probably won’t be under center in New Orleans, reports Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Thomas was listed as a defensive back on the Saints’ roster, and could also play wide receiver, per Triplett. At the Senior Bowl, Thomas played defensive back and kick returner, and worked out as a defensive back, wideout, return man, and quarterback at his Pro Day. Thomas, who stands 5’9″, 185 pounds, ran a 40-yard dash in the 4.3-4.4 second range, so he clearly has the speed required to make a position change.
Texans Expected To Hire Jimmy Raye III
The Texans will likely hire former Colts executive Jimmy Raye III to replace Brian Gaine as director of player personnel, according to Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (Twitter link).
Raye, who had worked with Indianapolis since 2013, served as the Colts’ interim general manager following the firing of Ryan Grigson and preceding the hiring of Chris Ballard. While he was at one point considered the favorite for the GM position, Raye was forced out of a job after Ballard was added. Raye was a candidate for the 49ers’ general manager gig in 2017, and in the running for the Titans’ top job in 2016.
Replacing Gaine could be a tall task, as Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reported yesterday that Gaine was an integral part of Houston’s front office. Gaine reportedly served as a liaison between the Texans’ management and coaching staff, a critical role in an organization where decision-makers haven’t always “been on the same page.”