Saints Interested In Kevin Zeitler
As Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported earlier today, nearly every NFL front office is interested in free agent guard Kevin Zeitler. The Saints can now be added to that list, as New Orleans may pursue the soon-to-be ex-Bengals lineman, tweets Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune.
While Cincinnati has all but given up on re-signing Zeitler, the rest of the league is ready to pounce, meaning Zeitler (27 today) should be able to garner a contract in the $12MM range. Already, the Colts, Jaguars, and Browns have been linked to Zeitler, who ranks as PFR’s No. 5 overall free agent. A former first-round pick, Zeitler has started 71 games for the Bengals over the past five years, and hasn’t missed a contest in either of the past two campaigns.
If New Orleans signs Zeitler, the club would probably end any discussion of bringing veteran right guard Jahri Evans back for a 12th season. While the Saints could conceivably ink both guards and move Andrus Peat to right tackle, such a shift would be overly complicated and difficult, especially given that neither Zeitler nor Evans has ever played on the left side.
Redskins Pushing To Retain DeSean Jackson
The Redskins will make a “final push” to re-sign free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), who notes that such an overture will be expensive.
Washington had been expected to part ways with Jackson, and while a breakup could still occur, it sounds as though the Redskins haven’t yet given up on retaining the 30-year-old pass-catcher. Jackson has already developed a large market during the legal tampering period, as the Buccaneers, Eagles, and Cowboys have all been tied to the veteran pass-catcher. As such, his annual salary could conceivably brush the $12MM area.
Jackson, who led the NFL in yards per reception for the second time in his career last season, has also been linked to the Patriots, but he’s unlikely to land in New England unless he accepts a “steep discount,” tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Jackson rates as PFR’s No. 26 free agent.
Eagles To Re-Sign LB Najee Goode
The Eagles will re-sign linebacker Najee Goode to a one-year deal, reports Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The pact is worth $875K, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, and contains a $50K signing bonus and a $50K workout bonus.
Goode, 26, is almost exclusively a special teams player. In 2016, he played all of two defensive snaps, but did see time on more than two-thirds of the Eagles’ special teams plays. Although he’s spent the past four years in Philadelphia, 2016 marked the first season in which Goode appeared in all 16 games. Originally a fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers, Goode has played in 48 games during his five-year NFL career.
The Eagles re-signed Goode to a one-year pact last offseason, as well, and although he was released at final cutdowns, Goode re-upped with Philadelphia before the club’s first regular season contest.
NFC Rumors: Rams, 49ers, Lions, Saints
The Rams are receiving “significant interest” as they attempt to trade franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (Twitter link). As of yet, the only club to be directly linked to the Johnson discussions is the Browns, and even that report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was seemingly tangential and not indicative of definitive interest. Johnson is set to earn nearly $17MM in 2017 under his second consecutive franchise tender.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- Free agent defensive tackle Terrell McClain is generating “a lot of interest” from the 49ers, writes Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. McClain is coming off the best season of his career, as he started more 12 or more games for the first time since 2012. In 15 starts, McClain put up 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He’s also been linked to Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, and Miami.
- The Lions reached out to offensive tackle Mike Remmers before signing Ricky Wagner, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Remmers isn’t an elite tackle like Wagner, but he can play both the left and right side and has started 32 games for Carolina over the past two seasons. He rates as PFR’s No. 10 free agent offensive tackle.
- Although the Saints have interest in retaining linebacker Michael Mauti, a deal may not come together until later in free agency, according to Joel Erickson of the Advocate (Twitter link). Mauti, 27, played in eight games for New Orleans last season before being placed on the NFI list with an intestinal issue. While he’s not a contributor on defense, Mauti did play 35% of the Saints’ special teams snaps despite only managing a half-season.
- The meeting between the Vikings and controversial running back prospect Joe Mixon went “very well,” tweets Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Mixon will meet with the Raiders next, per Miller, after posting a successful Pro Day this afternoon.
Falcons, 49ers In On Dontari Poe
The Falcons and 49ers are among the clubs pursuing defensive tackle Dontari Poe, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), who already connected the Redskins and Colts to Poe earlier today.
Atlanta is expected to revamp its defensive line this offseason, and has already indicated it won’t re-sign veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. Poe, who ranks, as PFR’s No. 4 interior defender, who slot in at defensive tackle next to Grady Jarrett and Ra’Shede Hageman, each of whom improved in 2016. Overall, however, the Falcons’ front four ranked in the bottom half of the league in both adjusted line yards allowed and adjusted sack rate.
Like the Falcons, the 49ers will employ a Seattle-esque defense, and could use Poe in the middle of their 4-3 front. Although San Francisco’s roster is relatively barren, the one place it does have a bit of depth is up front. Former first-round picks Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner will be joined by recent signing Earl Mitchell, while Aaron Lynch and Quinton Dial will also be factors.
As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report first reported today, Poe may be forced to accept a one-year, prove-it deal if his market doesn’t develop as expected. If Poe goes that route, he could re-enter the free agent market in 2018 at the age of 27.
Matt Kalil Likely To Sign With Vikings Or Panthers
Free agent left tackle Matt Kalil is expected to sign with either the Vikings or the Panthers, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link), who adds that clubs are waiting for the first left tackle “domino” to fall.
A reunion with the Vikings would see Kalil staying with the only club he’s ever played for during his five-year career. Minnesota selected Kalil fourth overall in the 2012 draft, and witnessed him excel during his rookie campaign. It’s been all downhill since, however, as Kalil has struggled to live up to his first-year production. In 2016, Kalil managed less than 200 snaps before going down with injury.
Kalil, 27, has indicated a preference to stay with the Vikings, and general manager Rick Spielman has also expressed his desire to re-sign the sixth-year pro. “We have a plan in place on everything,” Spielman said last month. “But I also know I have a pretty good history of trying to keep our own guys as well.” Minnesota’s offensive line was perhaps the league’s worst last year, so while Kalil isn’t an elite option, he’s preferable to what the Vikings deployed at left tackle in 2016.
The Panthers’ interest in Kalil has been reported before, as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer linked Kalil to Carolina earlier this week. As of early this month, incumbent Panthers left tackle Michael Oher is still in the concussion protocol — even if he’s healthy, Oher could shift to the right side if Kalil is signed.
Bills To Sign OL Vlad Ducasse
The Bills plan to sign guard Vlad Ducasse to a three-year deal, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Ducasse, a former second-round pick, has bounced around for most of his career, spending time with the Jets, Vikings, and Bears before joining the Ravens last year. Signed as a depth option, Ducasse ended up starting eight games in Baltimore, grading as the league’s No. 59 guard, per Pro Football Focus. All told, the 29-year-old Ducasse has appeared in 88 career games, including 30 starts.
In Buffalo, Ducasse will become a clear-cut backup, as the Bills already boast two above-average guards in Richie Incognito and John Miller, each of whom played more than 1,000 snaps last season. Still, Buffalo can’t have too much offensive line depth as it attempts to recreate its No. 1 DVOA-rated rushing offense. Plus, Ducasse will reunite former Ravens offensive line coach Juan Castillo, who now holds the same role with the Bills.
49ers Expected To Sign Malcolm Smith
The 49ers are expected to sign free agent linebacker Malcolm Smith on Thursday, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link) first reported San Francisco’s interest.
A report earlier today indicated the Raiders are unlikely to retain Smith, but San Francisco is the first team that’s been officially linked to the former Super Bowl MVP. Smith, 27, has spent the past two years in Oakland serving as a full-time starter for the first time in his career. During that time, he’s started 30 games and averaged more than 100 tackles per season. Pro Football Focus hasn’t been fond of Smith’s production, however, giving him negative marks for the majority of his career.
The 49ers have been active today, but they’ve mostly added offensive players that won’t have an affect on a defense that ranked 28th in DVOA last season. San Francisco is moving to a Seahawks-esque 4-3 defense under new coordinator Robert Saleh, so Smith would offer both scheme familiarity and versatility, and could conceivably slot in at either outside linebacker spot.
Smith, who ranks as PFR’s No. 12 free agent linebacker, is coming off a two-year pact that paid him $3.5MM annually.
Daniel Snyder Blocking Kirk Cousins Trade?
The Redskins haven’t given any indication they they’re willing to trade franchise-tagged quarterback Kirk Cousins to the 49ers (or any other club), and Washington may be holding onto its signal-caller thanks to owner Daniel Snyder‘s poor relationships with both Cousins and the Shanahans, Kyle and Mike, according to Kevin Jones of KNBR.
[RELATED: Dysfunction In Redskins’ Front Office]
Snyder reportedly still holds a grudge against the Shanahans after firing the pair following the 2013 campaign, per Jones, and especially dislikes that the duo’s prediction of a failed Robert Griffin III career ultimately proved true. As such, Snyder has no interest in “helping” Kyle Shanahan in any regard, including sending him a ready-made franchise quarterback in Cousins.
Snyder may also possess personal animus towards Cousins, as Jones describes a “weird” relationship between the two. After Cousins won the first game of his career in 2012 filling in for an injured RGIII, Snyder reportedly refused to congratulate or even acknowledge Cousins in the locker room following the contest, according to Jones. Although Snyder has since softened his stance, a degree of tension still endures.
Cousins will make nearly $24MM in 2017 under the terms of his second consecutive franchise tag, which he has yet to sign.
Vikings Interested In Nick Foles?
The Vikings are a possible landing spot for quarterback Nick Foles, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Foles isn’t technically a free agent just yet, but the Chiefs are fully expected to decline his 2017 option this week.
It’s no surprise that Minnesota would express interest in Foles, as they reportedly pursued him last year at this time after he was released by the Rams. The question becomes, then, whether Foles would be willing to go the Vikings, where he’d presumably be a clear-cut backup behind Sam Bradford. Foles, PFR’s No. 2 free agent quarterback, might be able to sign with a club that’s willing to let him compete for a starting role, an opportunity he won’t be afforded with the Vikes.
The Vikings’ dalliance with Foles could indicate a negative outlook on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, however, as conflicting reports emerged earlier this year about the former first-round pick’s health. Bridgewater suffered a devastating knee injury last summer, and while it’s possible he’ll miss the 2017 season, the Vikings haven’t issued their own update on Bridgewater’s status.
Veteran quarterback Shaun Hill, who served as Bradford’s backup in 2016, is also an unrestricted free agent.