Bears Sign B.W. Webb
The Bears have agreed to sign free agent cornerback B.W. Webb, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The club has since confirmed the transaction, and added that it’s a one-year deal.
Webb, 27, met with Chicago, Buffalo, and Cleveland this week, and has opted to sign on in the Windy City. General manager Ryan Pace & Co. have been aggressive in attempting to fix a poor pass defense this offseason, and the club had already added defensive backs Prince Amukamara, Marcus Cooper, and Quintin Demps over the past month. Webb now joins a secondary that also includes former first-round pick Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter, Cre’Von LeBlanc, and others.
Webb has bounced around during his NFL career, spending time with the Cowboys, Steelers, Titans, and Saints. He’s appeared in 49 games during that span, but didn’t start his first contest until last year. In 13 games (seven starts), Webb played on 56% of New Orleans’ defensive snaps, and racked up one interception, 11 passes defensed, and 27 tackles.
AFC North Notes: Browns, Cook, Ravens
The Browns allowed free agents Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Tashaun Gipson, and Taylor Gabriel to leave via the open market in 2016, and did the same with wide receiver Terrelle Pryor this year. But Cleveland doesn’t plan on constantly employing a strategy of letting key players walk for the cost of only a compensatory pick, as Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta explained to Peter King of TheMMQB.com.
“I’d say going back a year when we did have a handful of free agents and we allowed them all to sign elsewhere, that was a moment in time,” said DePodesta. “That is not something that we want to do continuously. Again, that was a situation that we felt like we really do need to rebuild the foundation of this organization, and it is almost like redoing a house—you need to rip down all the walls and get it down to the studs.
Now, when you do that and you tear out all the walls and the floors and all you have left are the studs, you look at it and go, wow this looks terrible. We never want to go through this again, and I think that is our attitude.”
Here’s more from the AFC North:
- The Browns aren’t necessarily in need of a running back, but they “really like” Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, according to Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Cleveland hosted Cook on a predraft visit Monday, and could conceivably use the No. 12 pick to add him to the roster. At present, the Browns’ backfield is led by Isaiah Crowell (who was tendered at the second-round level) and Duke Johnson. Other backs on Cleveland’s squad include George Atkinson and Darius Jackson.
- Teams have already calling the Ravens about trading up to the 16th pick, as general manager Ozzie Newsome told reporters, including Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Given that they sit in the middle of the first round, the Ravens could be in a good position to move down and acquire more assets if a notable prospect begins to slip. Alternatively, rival clubs with a quarterback need may be interested in jumping ahead of the Giants, Texans, and Chiefs, all of whom pick in the 20s and could look to draft a signal-caller.
- Thanks to the depth of the 2017 secondary class, Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta feels the club will be able to target cornerback help in the first three rounds (Twitter link via Zriebec). At present, Baltimore’s defensive backfield is headlined by Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Tavon Young, Maurice Canady, and Kyle Arrington. If the Ravens wait until Day 2 of the draft to address the corner position, they could theoretically target players such as Teez Tabor (Florida), Adoree’ Jackson (USC), or Cordrea Tankersley (Clemson).
FA Rumors: Ravens, Mangold, Bills, Walden
The Ravens may be close to bringing a free agent on board, as general manager Ozzie Newsome told reporters, including Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “We’re working,” Newsome said. “And I can say there’s a high probability of that, yes.” That unidentified free agent could be interior offensive lineman Nick Mangold, who met with Baltimore today but left without a contract. Mangold would fit the Ravens’ need for a veteran center, and as Hensley notes, Baltimore lost a potential option when John Sullivan signed with Los Angeles earlier today. Newsome & Co. traded former starting pivot Jeremy Zuttah to San Francisco last month.
Here’s more from the free agent front:
- Free agent defensive back Marcus Cromartie will work out for the Bills on Friday, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link), who indicates Buffalo would be willing to play Cromartie at either corner or safety. Cromartie, 26, hit the open market last month after San Francisco declined to offer him a restricted free agent tender. He’s appeared in 21 games during his three-year NFL tenure, mostly acting as a special teams player during that time. Cromartie has generated a good amount of interest since being cut lose, as the Jets, Seahawks, Eagles, and Lions are all keeping touch.
- Linebacker Erik Walden has hired Michael and Jason Katz of CSE Talent as his new representation, tweets Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal. Walden, 31, fired agent Todd France at the tail end of last month. His only known visit came with the Titans after the Colts informed him he wouldn’t be retained. PFR ranks Walden as the sixth-best edge defender remaining on the board.
- Two new players have hit the free agent market after being waived/released today: the Packers cut ties with defensive tackle Ego Ferguson after he failed a physical, and the Saints parted ways with veteran backup quarterback Luke McCown.
East Notes: Jets, Redskins, Samuel, Eagles
The Ravens’ trade of defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan could impact the Jets‘ asking price for Sheldon Richardson, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com details. Gang Green may still be asking for a first-round pick in exchange for Richardson, but they’re highly unlikely to reap that level of compensation. When accounting for the draft picks swapped by Baltimore and Philadelphia, the Eagles gave the equivalent of a late third-rounder for Jernigan, as Cimini writes (using Chase Stuart of Football Perspective‘s model, the Eagles paid much less: a late fifth-round pick). Jernigan is also much cheaper in 2017, as he’ll earn just north of $1MM while Richardson will take in more than $8MM.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- New Redskins linebacker Zach Brown was reportedly looking for $6MM per year on the open market, but his new deal won’t pay him anywhere near that total. Brown’s one-year pact has a base value of only $2.25MM and comes with $700K guaranteed, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (Twitter links). He’ll earn a base salary of $1.5MM and can earn $250K in per-game roster bonuses. Another $2.3MM is available via incentives, which are tied to playing, Pro Bowl and All Pro nods, and Washington making the postseason.
- Ohio State WR/RB Curtis Samuel will work out for the Eagles on April 11, tweets Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. As Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com observes, Samuel while likely end up as a slot receiver in the NFL after playing running back at the collegiate level, but he could still manage 8-10 carries per game out of the backfield. Philadelphia’s running back corps currently boasts Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood, and Ryan Mathews, the latter of whom is still a release candidate.
- Patrick Robinson‘s one-year deal with the Eagles is worth only the minimum salary of $775K and contains no guaranteed money, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Initial reports indicated Robinson would make $1MM in 2017, so it’s possible the single-year pact will have a maximum value of $1MM. If incentives are involved, however, Robinson’s deal contract would not qualify for the minimum salary benefit. Robinson, 29, appears to be on track to start for Philadelphia next season, pending the results of the draft.
Texans Still Not Open To Cutler, Kaepernick?
Even after learning Tony Romo has chosen retirement over Houston (or any other NFL club), the Texans don’t view Jay Cutler or Colin Kaepernick as “strong options” for their quarterback vacancy, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
Cutler, for his part, doesn’t seem to be garnering interest anywhere, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says Cutler’s name “rarely, if ever, comes up” during discussions with head coaches and general managers regarding quarterback openings. Following the Jets’ recent signing of veteran Josh McCown, Rapoport indicated New York — unsurprisingly — was no longer an option for Cutler, and also signaled the Texans were similarly disinterested in the former Bears quarterback.
The possibility of a Cutler retirement is still on the table, per Rapoport, confirming a scenario that was first floated in February. While Cutler may wait for an injury to occur that would enable him land a starting job, he might simply be forced into hanging up his cleats. If no team reaches out with sincere interest, an involuntary retirement could be on the table.
Kaepernick, meanwhile, hasn’t been linked to any clubs as of yet, and his asking price may be a problem. While some reports have indicated Kaepernick is pushing for a starting gig and $9-10MM, that figure may not be entirely accurate. Still, some teams are apparently concerned about his vegan diet and his commitment to football, which — in addition to his recent play and political beliefs — could limit his market.
At present, the Texans have just two quarterbacks — Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden — on their roster. If they don’t bring in a veteran passer, they could look to draft a signal-caller either at pick No. 25 or on Day 2.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/5/17
Today’s minor moves:
- Chargers linebacker Korey Toomer has signed his restricted free agent tender, the club announced today. Toomer, 28, was assigned the original round tender, which means he’ll earn $1.797MM for the upcoming season. He’s the second RFA to ink his tender, joining Eagles tight end Trey Burton. Last year, Toomer appeared in 13 games and made eight starts, 71 tackles and one sack in the process.
- The Packers have re-signed exclusive rights free agent running back Don Jackson, according to the league’s transaction wire. Jackson, 23, appeared in three games (one start) for Green Bay last season, and managed 32 rushing yards on 10 carries. Right now, the Packers’ running back depth chart only has four members: Ty Montgomery, Christine Michael, John Crockett (another ERFA), and Jackson.
- The Rams have signed free agent linebacker Carlos Thompson, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Thompson went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2015, and eventually landed a UDFA contract with Houston. After appearing in two games, Thompson spent the rest of his rookie campaign on injured reserve. Thompson was waived in 2016, and worked out for the Giants in October without landing a contract.
- The Broncos have waived defensive end Travis Raciti, reports Troy Renck of the Denver7 (Twitter link). Raciti originally went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2015, and has since bounced between Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Denver. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.
PFR’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away, and while the first overall pick may be nearly set in stone, the rest of the first round is as muddled as its ever been. A lot can and will happen between now and April 27th, and there are still plenty of teams near the top that could go in a number of different directions on draft day.
Pro Football Rumors’ first mock draft of 2017 is below. To be clear, this is our projection of what will happen – not necessarily the choices we would make – based on reports and information gathered from beat and national writers, our general assessment of this year’s crop of prospects, and, of course, team needs. Let’s dive in:
1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, LB, Texas A&M
The easiest prediction of the first round, Garrett was considered the favorite to be selected first overall for much of the collegiate season. Nothing Garrett has done since the 2016 campaign concluded has changed that outlook, and the Browns reportedly have an “astronomical grade” on the Aggie edge rusher. At the scouting combine, Garrett weighed in at 272 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, and posted 33 bench press reps. Cleveland was “blown away” by the numbers, and it will pick Garrett knowing he can single-handedly alter their front seven.
2. Carolina Panthers (projected trade with San Francisco) – Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
Rumor has it the Panthers are interested in acquiring the No. 2 pick from the 49ers, and I’ve projected that trade will indeed occur (last week, I examined what sort of package Carolina may need to sacrifice in order to move up). While Leonard Fournette could also garner consideration, the Panthers will take Thomas, another signal that Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman values the defensive line above all else. Veteran defensive ends Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers are only signed through 2017, and Thomas would give the Panthers long-term security on the edge. He can slide inside, as well, protecting Carolina against free agent defections by Star Lotulelei and/or Kawann Short.
3. Chicago Bears – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
While the Bears have a number of needs on both sides of the ball, they could stand to add another cornerback, and in Lattimore they’ll secure the best CB in the draft. Chicago did add Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper in free agency, but Amukamara signed a one-year deal and Cooper has done nothing to prove he’s a starting NFL defensive back. Former first-round pick Kyle Fuller‘s time with the Bears may be coming to an end, and Lattimore would give Chicago shutdown corner potential from day one. Chicago hosted Lattimore on a predraft visit on Monday.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Defense shouldn’t be a problem in Jacksonville this season, as the team has invested heavy resources — both dollars and draft capital — on the defensive side of the ball over the past two years. The Jaguars’ offense, however, ranked just 27th in DVOA in 2016, and while much of the struggle can be attributed to Blake Bortles and a poor front five, Jacksonville isn’t going to replace Bortles immediately, and there are no offensive linemen worthy of the No. 4 pick. Instead, the Jags will select one of the safer players in the draft, pinpointing Howard to replace free agent whiff Julius Thomas, who was traded to Miami last month.
5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams) – Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
The Titans could still use help at both wide receiver and cornerback, but with another pick in Round 1 to address other needs, general manager Jon Robinson goes with the best player available and selects Allen. At least one AFC personnel director believes Allen’s shoulder issues could lead to a draft-day tumble, but Allen would give Tennessee a truly dominant defensive line. He’d team with lineman Jurrell Casey and Sylvester Williams and edge rushers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan on one of the league’s more underrated front sevens.
6. New York Jets – Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Gang Green isn’t in a great position at No. 6. Lattimore and Howard may have been the club’s best options, but they’re now off the board, and it’s difficult to see the Jets selecting another linebacker or defensive lineman given their first-round investments over the past several years. Under center, New York seems to want to give 2016 second-rounder Christian Hackenberg a chance to play, and the team’s visits with this year’s top quarterback prospects are largely viewed as smokescreens. Safety probably isn’t a priority for the Jets, but the the team simply needs talent, and Hooker is the best player left.
7. Los Angeles Chargers – Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Hooker is a better fit for new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s scheme, but Adams will work as well. While he’s not the center fielder that Hooker is, Adams offers the type of versatility the Chargers covet. Los Angeles has yet to replace Eric Weddle, who left after the 2015 season, and while it re-signed Jahleel Addae last month, Adams would serve as an improvement over Dwight Lowery. The Bolts could begin eyeing a long-term replacement for Philip Rivers this year, but they won’t use the seventh pick to find their franchise quarterback.
8. San Francisco 49ers (projected trade with Carolina) – Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Even after signing 13 external free agents, the 49ers still have holes all over their roster. Foster would be in consideration for San Francisco even if it holds on to the No. 2 selection, but in this scenario, the club has traded down to acquire more assets while still getting the player it originally targeted. Foster has some negatives — a February shoulder surgery, a dust-up with a hospital worker at the combine — but he’s unquestionably one of the more talented players in the 2017 class. An inside ‘backer by trade, Foster would likely slide into the weak side in the Bay Area given the presence of NaVorro Bowman.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
If the Bengals have a “type,” it’s productive players from the SEC. During Marvin Lewis‘ 14-year run as head coach, Cincinnati has selected a first-round SEC prospect half the time. Barnett fits that mold, as he topped Reggie White’s Tennessee sack record of 33 in only three years. Doubters, however, worry Barnett’s physical traits don’t match his production. But the Bengals need to upgrade on defensive end Michael Johnson, who hasn’t posted an above-average season since 2013. Wide receiver could be another option here, as could a trade back, especially if quarterback-needy clubs want to jump ahead of Buffalo, New Orleans, and Cleveland.
10. Buffalo Bills – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Corey Brown. Andre Holmes. Dezmin Lewis. Brandon Tate. Jeremy Butler. Those are the names on the Bills’ wide receiver depth chart behind Sammy Watkins. It’s the worst group of supplementary pass-catchers in the NFL, and while Buffalo’s offense is heavily run-focused, Tyrod Taylor still needs someone to throw to besides Watkins. Davis comes from a small school, but he’s been extremely productive against lesser production, topping 1,400 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. He’d immediately become the Bills’ No. 2 receiver.
East Notes: Redskins, Dolphins, Jets, Giants
The Redskins have lost $4.5MM in cap space after paying back a “salary cap loan” from the 2011 campaign, as Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com explains. Once the lockout concluded in 2011, the league-wide salary cap was set at $120MM per team, a $3MM decrease from the previous capped year. Because of the discrepancy, the NFL allowed clubs to borrow cap space: up to $3MM in 2011, and up to $1.5MM in 2012. Both amounts had to be repaid by 2017, so the bill has now come due for Washington.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- The Dolphins are continuing their search for front seven players by researching draft prospects, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Oklahoma defensive tackle Charles Walker has been invited for a meeting with the Fins, per Jackson, while the club is also showing interest in Temple linebacker Haason Reddick and Villanova defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon. Meanwhile, Miami worked out cornerback John Ojo — who spent 2016 with the Edmonton Eskimoes of the Canadian Footbball League — on Monday, but he’s expected to sign with another team, according to Jackson.
- Ohio State safety Malik Hooker will visit with the Jets on Thursday, as Hooker tells SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Hooker, considered one of the draft’s top two safeties along with Jamal Adams (LSU), will likely be selected within the top 10 picks later this month. In New York, a Hooker addition could possibly lead to the release of veteran defender Marcus Gilchrist.
- After indicating he was stepping away from the NFL on Monday, Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa tweeted Tuesday that he’s “grateful to be part of Big Blue,” but New York sources (and a few Giants teammates) aren’t sure what is going on with the 25-year-old defender, per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. While some observers believe Odighizuwa is dealing with “personal” problems, the entire nature of his tweets is still unclear.
- The Redskins are working out offensive tackle John Kling, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. King signed with Chicago last summer after being undrafted out of Buffalo, but was waived during final cutdowns and never latched on with another team.
Reaction To Tony Romo’s Retirement
Today was essentially Tony Romo Day in the NFL — the longtime Cowboys quarterback retired rather than possibly pursue a late-career opportunity with another club, signed on to become CBS’ No. 1 color commentator, and was officially released by Dallas.
Let’s take a look at some of the reaction to and fallout from Romo’s decision to hang up his cleats:
- While Romo wouldn’t rule out an eventual return to the NFL earlier today, one source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) Romo won’t be on the field again. “It’s over,” said the source. “He’s done. This was a no-brainer.” Theoretically, nothing prevents Romo from a midseason comeback once the 2017 campaign gets underway, especially if his contract with CBS contains opt-out clauses (as is rumored). Plus, now that the Cowboys have released Romo, his rights are no longer owned by a single club.
- Romo contends he would have had to pay back money to the Cowboys had they not chosen to release him, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). However, Clarence Hill of the Star Telegram reported Dallas would not have gone after the $5MM in signing bonus money to which it was entitled. Unless the organization had privately changed course on that aspect of Romo’s contract, he needn’t have worried about sacrificing money.
- Had he not retired, Romo — unsurprisingly — would have been atop the Texans’ wishlist, and Houston would have signed him to a deal that paid him like a starter “if he played and performed as such,” tweets Werder. Romo admitted the Texans would have been among the teams he strongly considered playing for, but Werder’s report indicates a contract with Houston would have been heavily incentivized.
- CBS began discussing a possible deal with Romo as soon as the season ended, CBS Sports president Sean McManus says (Twitter link via Breer). Negotiations apparently intensified over the past month, and a final deal came together on Monday evening.
Draft Rumors: Chiefs, Browns, Ravens, Bills
The Chiefs met with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson today, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). While Kansas City management has been adamant that Alex Smith is the club’s starter for 2017, that proclamation wouldn’t preclude the Chiefs from attempting to find a long-term option under center. KC has also been linked to quarterbacks such as Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason.
Here’s more on the 2017 draft:
- Washington wide receiver John Ross has completed his predraft visits, tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, who reports Ross met with the Browns and Ravens. Ross, of course, gained notoriety at the combine after posting a record 4.22-second 40-yard dash. He’s expected to be a first-round selection, and has also been linked to the Titans and Eagles. Although he underwent labrum surgery following the combine, Ross should be ready to roll by training camp.
- The Bills have hosted Alabama edge rusher Tim Williams, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Williams, who posted 18.5 sacks during his final two years in Tuscaloosa, should probably be a first-round pick based on talent alone, but personnel man have off-field concerns. “We’re worried about [his] weight and love of the game,” one scout told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report earlier this year. Williams was also arrested on a gun charge in September.
- North Carolina State safety Josh Jones worked out for the Titans on Tuesday and is meeting with the Vikings on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Jones, who is expected to be selected near the end of the first round or in the early part of Day 2, also has visits scheduled with the Browns, Steelers, and Bears, per Rapoport. Thus far, Jones has also been linked to Baltimore and Miami.