NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/16/17
Today’s draft pick signings:
- The Titans have signed third-round tight end Jonnu Smith, the club announced today. Tennessee has now signed five of its nine-man draft class. Heading into the draft, Smith was often compared to the tight end he’ll now be playing behind with the Titans, veteran Delanie Walker. Smith, who should earn roughly $3.1MM over the life of his four-year rookie deal, has a clear path to playing time in Tennessee, as the only other tight ends on the roster aside from Walker are Jace Amaro and Phillip Supernaw.
- The Jets announced that they’ve signed fourth-round wide receiver Chad Hansen. A Cal product, Hansen is now the fourth Jets rookie to ink a contract. After posting more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior campaign, Hansen joins a wide open Gang Green depth chart at wideout. With Eric Decker coming off injury and still a release candidate, and Robby Anderson facing legal trouble, Hansen could contribute early in his rookie season.
- The Jaguars have agreed to terms with fifth-round linebacker Blair Brown, the club announced today. While Jacksonville already boasts three starting linebackers in Myles Jack, Paul Posluszny, and Telvin Smith, the latter two are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next spring. Brown, then, gives the Jaguars insurance at the position, and will likely serve as a high-end reserve in 2017. Heading into the draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com praised Brown’s “short area burst” and ability to “drop into space.”
- The Dolphins announced that they’ve signed fifth-round defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Miami was known to be searching for a rotational tackle to play behind Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips, and Goxchaux now figures to play that role. Godchaux, an LSU product, is the sixth member of the Dolphins’ draft class to get under contract — only first-rounder Charles Harris remains unsigned.
- The Seahawks have signed sixth-round defensive back Mike Tyson, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Tyson, a Cincinnati product, is expected to be used as a cornerback in Seattle after playing safety at the collegiate level.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen Cleared For OTAs
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has been cleared for organized team activities as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Allen, who suffered his knee injury during the first game of the 2016 season, is now ahead of schedule, but Los Angeles is still using a “cautious approach,” per Williams.
“It was good to see [Allen] back,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “He’s been released by the doctors, so he’s full go. We’re just working him in a little bit at a time.”
While Allen has been a force when on the field, he’s appeared in only nine games over the past two seasons due to injury. In 2015, Allen had already managed 67 receptions, 725 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in eight contests before going down with a lacerated kidney. Still only 25 years old, Allen is signed through the 2020 season after inking a four-year, $45MM extension last summer.
While the Chargers may not have another receiver of Allen’s caliber on the roster in the event that he is forced to miss time, Los Angeles has acquired an enviable amount of depth at the wideout position. The Chargers used the seventh overall pick on Clemson pass-catcher Mike Williams, who will team with Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman, and Travis Benjamin as the Bolts’ wide receivers.
Patriots Had Interest In CB Jason McCourty
The Patriots had interest in cornerback Jason McCourty before he signed with the Browns, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link).
New England was often listed as a speculative landing spot for McCourty — Mike Reiss of ESPN.com called McCourty an “ideal fit” for the Patriots — but it was never clear if the club had expressed definitive interest in the veteran corner. McCourty’s twin brother, All Pro safety Devin McCourty, plays for New England, and had hoped for his sibling to join him on the Patriots roster.
The Patriots’ need for an additional cornerback, of course, was greatly reduced after the team failed to trade restricted free agent Malcolm Butler to the Saints (or another club). Butler now figures to pair with signee Stephon Gilmore in one of the league’s best secondaries, where they’ll be backed up by Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, and Cyrus Jones.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/17
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Desean Smith
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Darnell Leslie, TE T.J. McFarland
- Waived: C Michael Coe, LB Jeremiah George, T Levon Myers
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Mitchell Paige
- Waived: LB Carlos Fields
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed off waivers: C Austin Blythe (Link via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com), DB Dominique Hatfield
- Waived: LB Folarin Orimolade
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: DL B.J. Dubose
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Matt Galambos, QB Bart Houston (Twitter link via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- Waived: CB Devonte Johnson, TE Ryan Malleck
Washington Redskins
- Signed: LB Nico Marley (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com)
Saints To Sign Clay Harbor, Khalif Barnes
The Saints are expected to sign tight end Clay Harbor and offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Monday, according to Nick Underhill of the Advocate (Twitter link). Both Barnes and Harbor worked out for New Orleans during a weekend minicamp session.
Harbor, 29, spent most of the 2016 campaign with the Lions after being released by the Patriots in early October. In 15 total games last season, Harbor managed only three total targets, so he’s not a offensive threat. But Harbor would give the Saints another option as a blocking tight end, and can also chip in on special teams. At present, New Orleans’ tight end depth chart is comprised of Coby Fleener, Josh Hill, and Michael Hoomanawanui.
Barnes, notably, was signed four separate times by the Saints in 2016, but never actually appeared in a game for the club. The 35-year-old Barnes offers two attributes in spades — experience and versatility. In 11 seasons, Barnes has appeared in more than 150 games (117 starts) with the Jaguars and Raiders. Moreover, Barnes is able to play both inside and out, so he could act as a backup at up to four offensive line spots.
6 Key Stories: 5/7/17 – 5/14/17
Patriots deploy tender on LeGarrette Blount. Thinking outside the box as usual, New England utilized a May 9 tender on Blount, ensuring that it will reap a compensatory pick if Blount signs elsewhere. Blount, who had reportedly been nearing a deal prior to the tender, has until July 22 to reach a deal with another club. If he doesn’t sign by then, the Patriots control his rights. Rival teams are now trying to “navigate” the compensatory pick process in order to land Blount.
Josh Gordon denied reinstatement. The NFL refused Gordon’s attempt to re-enter the league, but the Browns receiver is eligible to re-apply in the fall. Gordon, 26, originally applied for reinstatement in March. Although he hasn’t played sine 2014 (and hasn’t been effective since 2013), Gordon may be welcomed back by Cleveland if Roger Goodell & Co. allow his reinstatement. Gordon’s agent terminated their relationship several weeks ago, so Gordon is currently without representation.
Bills find a new general manager. Having fired Doug Whaley one day after the conclusion of the draft, Buffalo hired former Panthers executive Brandon Beane as its new GM. Beane has a working history with Bills head coach Sean McDermott, and is expected to have final say over the club’s 53-man roster (although he and McDermott will work closely on personnel issues). The Bills have also poached ex-Dolphins staffer Joe Schoen and named him assistant general manager, while incumbent contract negotiator Jim Overdorf could be on the chopping block.
Victor Cruz market heating up. While Cruz had garnered scant free agent interest since being released by the Giants earlier this year (only the Panthers had set up a visit), the veteran wide receiver was linked to three clubs in the span of two days last week. The Jaguars and Bears are organizing meetings with Cruz, while the Ravens also have interest in the 30-year-old wideout.
Cardinals cut ties with Daryl Washington. Unlike Gordon, Washington was granted reinstatement, but he won’t be playing for Arizona in 2017. The Cardinals officially released Washington, who hasn’t been on the field since 2013. While Arizona had interest in retaining Washington, the two sides apparently couldn’t agree on a deal. Washington, 30, had been due $2.9MM next season.
Michael Floyd finds a landing spot. More than two months after the opening of free agency, Floyd finally landed a contract, agreeing to a one-year pact with the Vikings. The new contract is reportedly worth $1.5MM, but Floyd can earn up to $6MM via incentives. Floyd, who was charged with DUI last year, is likely to serve a suspension during the 2017 campaign.
PFR Originals: 5/7/17 – 5/14/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- With the news that Saints center Max Unger could be questionable for the start of the 2017 campaign, Zach Links examined 10 centers New Orleans could consider. Subsequent reports have indicated Unger could return at some point during the preseason, but that doesn’t mean the Saints wouldn’t ponder adding more depth at the pivot. Free agent Nick Mangold, the Eagles’ Jason Kelce, and the Browns’ Cameron Erving all stand out as potential options for the Saints.
- The Patriots used a May 9 tender on free agent running back LeGarrette Blount, which could complicate his market over the next few months. With that in mind, Ben Levine asked PFR readers where Blount will sign. Thus far, a plurality of respondents (35%) believes Blount will end up back with the Patriots.
Ravens, Nick Mangold In Holding Pattern
The Ravens and free agent center Nick Mangold remain in a holding pattern, and it’s unclear if the two sides will ultimately agree on a deal, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Money is likely the issue holding up a potential contract, but Baltimore probably prefers to ink Mangold sooner rather than later, per Hensley.
2016 starting Ravens center Jeremy Zuttah was traded to the 49ers earlier this year, so Baltimore’s top options on the interior are currently Ryan Jensen, John Urschel, and fourth-round rookie Nico Siragusa, the latter a natural guard who expressed confidence he could shift to center. Mangold, then, would given the Ravens a veteran presence at the pivot, and allow those younger lineman to compete with Alex Lewis for time at guard.
Mangold, 33, missed eight games last season with an ankle injury before being released by the Jets in February. He met with the Ravens in April, and general manager Ozzie Newsome & Co. are reportedly comfortable with Mangold’s medicals. Mangold has also drawn interest from the Giants since being cut.
Cardinals Sign Three Draft Picks
The Cardinals announced that they’ve signed three 2017 draft picks: fifth-round offensive lineman Will Holden, fifth-round running back T.J. Logan, and seventh-round defensive back Rudy Ford.
[RELATED: 2017 NFL Draft Pick Signings]
Holden, selected with the 157th overall pick, is now one of seven reserve offensive lineman on Arizona’s roster, so he could face an uphill battle to earn a spot on the squad despite his draft status. Logan, a North Carolina product, could see time as a kick returner during his rookie campaign and could even carve out a role on offense, as the Cards only have one other back — Kerwynn Williams — behind starter David Johnson. Arizona traded up in the seventh round to select Ford, whom the Cardinals are listing as a cornerback.
Arizona has now signed three of its seven-man draft class, and still needs to ink first-round linebacker Haason Reddick, second-round safety Budda Baker, third-round wide receiver Chad Williams, and fourth-round offensive lineman Dorian Johnson.
Khalif Barnes, Steve Williams Earn Tryouts
Offensive lineman Khalif Barnes and cornerback Steve Williams have landed tryouts with the Saints and Cardinals, respectively, according to Nick Underhill of the Advocate and Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter links).
Barnes, notably, was signed four separate times by the Saints in 2016, but never actually appeared in a game for the club. The 35-year-old Barnes offers two attributes in spades — experience and versatility. In 11 seasons, Barnes has appeared in more than 150 games (117 starts) with the Jaguars and Raiders. Moreover, Barnes is able to play both inside and out, so he could act as a backup at up to four offensive line spots.
Williams, 26, spent time with both the Chargers and Rams in 2016, appearing in six games (two starts) between the two clubs. Waived by the Rams in December, Williams worked out for the Ravens and 49ers but had yet to land a contract. While the Cardinals are still searching for a cornerback to play opposite Patrick Peterson, Williams would be relegated to special teams duty if signed.