NFC Notes: Vikes, Packers, Saints, Redskins
Pending free agent Captain Munnerlyn would prefer to return to the Vikings, but he’s also prepared to move on if the right offer comes along, as he explained to SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier this week. “I’ve got to put myself in the position to try to get that Super Bowl trophy,” Munnerlyn said. “I’m an older guy. I’m going on year nine, so I definitely want to win. So I’m definitely going to look at the roster, the coaches, to see where I can take my talent and plug it in and try to help those guys get to the playoffs and make that Super Bowl run.” PFR recently ranked Munnerlyn, who plays exclusively in the slot, as the 12th-best cornerback on the free agent market.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- Although the Packers want to re-sign offensive lineman J.C. Tretter, the club won’t “break the bank” in order to bring him back, according to Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com. Corey Linsley is expected to serve as Green Bay’s starting center in 2017, meaning Tretter would be stuck in a reserve role, though he could potentially start if T.J. Lang is not retained. Tretter played on nearly half the Packers’ snaps in 2016, grading as the No. 9 center in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Lucas Patrick, who spent the 2016 campaign on Green Bay’s practice squad, is a candidate to take over on the interior of the offensive line if both Tretter and Lang depart, writes Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
- Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley is expected to test the free agent market, and he could get a better sense of his value at the scouting combine next week, as Nick Underhill of the Advocate details. Technically, agents aren’t allowed to talk numbers with rival executives until the legal tampering period begins on March 7, two days before the official opening of free agency. That rule isn’t usually observed, however, meaning Fairley — who could be looking for $10MM annually — and his representatives will get the chance to assess his market.
- Free agent defensive lineman Calais Campbell could make sense as a target for the Redskins, opines John Keim of ESPN.com. Washington ranked 27th in adjusted line yards allowed in 2016, so Campbell — who excels at run defense — would make for a logical acquisition as the club seeks to remake its defense under new coordinator Greg Manusky. However, general manager Scot McCloughan has displayed an aversion to pursuing free agents over the age of 30, and I wrote that the Redskins should aim to get younger along their defensive line when assessing the team’s top offseason needs.
Jets Likely To Retain LB David Harris
The Jets have cleared a good deal of cap space in the past week by parting ways with offensive linemen Ryan Clady, Nick Mangold, and Breno Giacomini, linebacker Erin Henderson, and kicker Nick Folk, but one veteran may not face the same fate as that cadre. Linebacker David Harris is in “no immediate danger” of being released, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
[RELATED: Kevin Minter Interested In Jets]
Harris, 33, started 15 games for Gang Green last season and played 250 more defensive snaps than any other Jets linebacker, grading as the NFL’s No. 35 ‘backer, per Pro Football Focus. All told, Harris racked up 94 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a half-sack in his 10th New York campaign. He’s started 147 contests during his Jets tenure, and if he starts all 16 games in 2017, he’ll move into fifth all-time among Jets players (right behind Mangold).
Harris is due a base salary of $6.5MM in 2017, but because none of that total is guaranteed, and no prorated bonus money remains on Harris’ deal, the Jets could hypothetically part ways with the veteran linebacker without incurring any dead money. As Cimini writes, however, Harris is the leader of the Jets’ defense, so perhaps the club wants to retain him even if they’re going through a rebuilding stage.
Contending Clubs To Pursue Nick Mangold
The Jets released Nick Mangold earlier today, but it doesn’t sound as if the veteran center will be on the free agent market for long, as he’s expected to garner interest from contending clubs, according to to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Jets Decline Erin Henderson’s Option]
Entering his age-33 season, Mangold clearly isn’t the same player he was just a few years ago, when he was a regular presence on All Pro and Pro Bowl rosters. In 2016, Pro Football Focus graded Mangold as the No. 25 center in the league — still starting caliber, but not performing at an elite level of play. Still, Mangold could theoretically offer a veteran presence to a team that needs a final piece along its front five.
Speculatively, clubs such as the Buccaneers, Bengals, Lions, Vikings, Redskins, and Cardinals are among the teams that could both use interior reinforcements and are near enough to a postseason berth to fit into Garafolo’s “contenders” label. The Browns, 49ers, and Rams could also show interest in Mangold, but he may not want to join a club that’s in rebuilding mode at this stage of his career.
The Jets did not approach Mangold about a paycut informing him of his release, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Although Cimini labels the breakup as an “amicable parting”, the fact that Gang Green didn’t even attempt to lower Mangold’s salary before parting ways indicates that a reunion — on a cheaper deal — is probably unlikely.
Derek Newton Unlikely To Play In 2017
After tearing patellar tendons in both legs last October, Texans right tackle Derek Newton is not expected to play during the 2017 campaign, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
[RELATED: Texans Unlikely To Franchise A.J. Bouye]
Newton, 29, was facing a lengthy recovery process that included time in a wheelchair and an inability to walk for three months. Fellow Houston offensive lineman Duane Brown said Newton is “in great spirits” and is “doing everything he can to get back as quickly as possible,” but also confessed Newton has “a long road ahead of him,” reports Barshop. At the time Newton went down, former NFL doctor David Chao described the incredibly serious nature of the veteran tackle’s injury.
“I am not aware of an NFL athlete, who came back to play at a similar level after this injury,” said Chao.. “The injury is very rare. It’s not a once-a-year injury. This is a once-every five years. This is harder to come back from than a torn ACL. To have two of them is devastating, but, yes, he should be walking in three months. There’s a big difference between walking and playing.”
Chris Clark, Newton’s replacement at right tackle, graded as the league’s sixth-worst tackle in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, so the Texans could possibly invest in an offensive lineman with pick No. 25. Ryan Ramczyk (Wisconsin), Garett Bolles (Utah), and Cam Robinson (Alabama) are among the best tackles that could be available near the end of the draft’s first round.
Top 2017 Free Agents By Position: Defense
NFL free agency will get underway on Thursday, March 9th, and while the list of free agents will change between now and then, we do have some idea of who will be available when free agency kicks off. The frenzy is right around the corner and it’s time for us to break down the outlook for each position. After looking at offense, we’ll tackle defense and special teams today.
[RELATED: Top 2017 NFL Free Agents By Position: Offense]
Listed below are our rankings for the top 15 free agents at each defensive position. These rankings aren’t necessarily determined by the value of the contracts – or the amount of guaranteed money – that each player is expected to land in free agency. These are simply the players we like the most at each position, with both short- and long-term value taken into account.
Restricted and exclusive-rights free agents, as well as players who received the franchise tag, aren’t listed here, since the roadblocks in place to hinder another team from actually acquiring most of those players prevent them from being true free agents.
We’ll almost certainly be higher or lower on some free agents than you are, so feel free to weigh in below in our comments section to let us know which players we’ve got wrong.
Here’s our breakdown of the current top 15 free agents by defensive position for 2017:
Edge defender:
- Chandler Jones
- Melvin Ingram
- Jason Pierre-Paul
- Nick Perry
- Jabaal Sheard
- James Harrison
- John Simon
- DeMarcus Ware
- Lorenzo Alexander
- Andre Branch
- Julius Peppers
- Charles Johnson
- Datone Jones
- Mario Addison
- Dwight Freeney
The Cardinals have already made it abundantly clear that Chandler Jones will see the franchise tag this offseason, and Melvin Ingram and Jason Pierre-Paul are also candidates to be tagged by the Chargers and Giants, respectively. If the latter two are able to hit the open market unfettered, however, they both figure to break the bank. Ingram, Pro Football Focus’ No. 6 edge defender, could be a fit for both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, while JPP will be looking for a long-term commitment after signing consecutive one-year deals.
The rest of this year’s crop of free agent pass rushers is a blend of young defenders searching for their first payday and veterans on the hunt for one last contract. Among the players with youth still on their side, Packers edge defenders Nick Perry and Datone Jones figure to interest different clubs, as Perry is a better match for a 3-4 defense while Jones needs to restart his career as a 4-3 defensive end. John Simon has been overlooked while playing alongside the likes of J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus but could represent a hidden gem, while the Dolphins are reportedly prioritizing Andre Branch.
After managing nine sacks over the first nine years of his NFL tenure, Lorenzo Alexander busted out with 12.5 quarterback takedowns in 2016, and now could be looking for a double-digit annual salary. James Harrison and Charles Johnson, meanwhile, look like good bets to return to Steelers and Panthers, respectively, but DeMarcus Ware could be something of a wild card — after missing 11 games in the past two seasons, does the 34-year-old have enough left in the tank? The same could be asked of Dwight Freeney, who at age-37 posted three sacks in a rotational role for the Falcons.
Interior defensive line:
- Kawann Short
- Calais Campbell
- Johnathan Hankins
- Brandon Williams
- Dontari Poe
- Chris Baker
- Bennie Logan
- Nick Fairley
- Alan Branch
- Jared Odrick
- Karl Klug
- Terrell McClain
- Lawrence Guy
- Earl Mitchell
- Stacy McGee
Unlike the edge defender market, the 2017 cadre of interior defensive lineman shouldn’t be overly affected by the franchise tender. Head coach Ron Rivera recently confessed the Panthers will “probably” have to use the tag on Kawann Short, but the rest of the defensive tackles listed here should be able to hit the open market. Of the remaining defenders, Campbell is the best overall player, but given that he’s entering his age-31 season, he may not cost as much as Johnathan Hankins, Brandon Williams, and Dontari Poe.
Hankins is only 24 years old, and though the Giants are trying to retain him along with the rest of their defensive core, the 6’3″, 320-pound mauler should represent an attractive option to a number of clubs this offseason. Williams, too, offers a massive presence on the inside, while Poe could intrigue clubs based on his first-round pedigree and athleticism (though his play hasn’t always matched his potential). The Redskins’ Chris Baker is a solid, well-rounded defensive tackle, and could constitute a consolation prize for teams that miss out on their top targets.
The rest of the class offers an interesting mix of nose tackles (Bennie Logan), interior pass rushers (Nick Fairley, Earl Mitchell), and run stoppers (Karl Klug, Alan Branch), so clubs hoping to bolster their defensive line should find no shortage of options. Jared Odrick recently hit free agency after being released by the Jaguars, while Terrell McClain, Lawrence Guy, and Stacy McGee could be underrated finds for the right team. McClain, for what it’s worth, has already been linked to the Falcons.
Top 3 Offseason Needs: Pittsburgh Steelers
In advance of March 9, the start of free agency in the NFL, Pro Football Rumors will detail each team’s three most glaring roster issues. We’ll continue this year’s series with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won the AFC North with an 11-5 record before falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Depth Chart (via Roster Resource)
Pending Free Agents:
- Kevin Anderson, LB (ERFA)
- Le’Veon Bell, RB
- Ross Cockrell, CB (RFA)
- B.J. Finney, C (ERFA)
- James Harrison, LB
- Chris Hubbard, G (RFA)
- David Johnson, TE
- Jarvis Jones, LB
- Landry Jones, QB
- Cole Manhart, G (ERFA)
- Ricardo Mathews, DL
- Shamarko Thomas, S
- Lawrence Timmons, LB
- Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, C (ERFA)
- Alejandro Villanueva, T (ERFA)
- Cody Wallace, C
- Markus Wheaton, WR
- DeAngelo Williams, RB
Top 10 Cap Hits for 2017:
- Ben Roethlisberger, QB: $18,200,000
- Antonio Brown, WR: $13,618,334
- Maurkice Pouncey, C: $11,051,000
- David DeCastro, G: $11,050,000
- Cameron Heyward, DL: $10,400,000
- Mike Mitchell, S: $8,135,416
- Marcus Gilbert, T: $7,308,500
- Ladarius Green, TE: $6,187,500
- Ramon Foster, G: $3,591,666
- Ryan Shazier, LB: $3,025,020
Other:
- Projected cap space (via Over the Cap): $36,308,733
- 30th pick in draft
- Must exercise or decline 2018 fifth-year option for LB Ryan Shazier
Three Needs:
1. Bring in a new linebacker: The Steelers have a history of developing linebackers, but the two of club’s past three first-round selections at the position haven’t exactly panned out (thus far, at least). Jarvis Jones has been the most obvious failure, as the former 17th overall pick has managed only six sacks over four seasons in Pittsburgh. “Failure” might be too strong a word, as Jones is a capable run defender who probably ranks as an average NFL linebacker. But he’s not the type of edge presence the Steelers were hoping to land with a first-round pick.
Bud Dupree, meanwhile, was chosen two years after Jones, and offered a much different collegiate profile, boasting more natural athleticism but less statistical production. He’s been a bit more productive than Jones during his two years with the Steelers (8.5 sacks from 2015-16), but Dupree has earned far worse marks from Pro Football Focus, grading poorly against both the run and pass. Still only 24 years old, however, Dupree showed marked improvement from Year 1 to Year 2, and should see his snap percentage increase in 2017.
Jones is a pending free agent and not expected back, but the same can’t be said for fellow free agents James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons, each of whom Pittsburgh is working to re-sign. Harrison is the more likely to return, and it could be a matter of time until the veteran pass rusher formally inks a new deal with the Steelers. General manager Kevin Colbert wants to bring Timmons back into the fold, as well, but admitted the 30-year-old could find better offers on the open market.
If Timmons departs, Pittsburgh could need to find a new inside linebacker to play next to Pro Bowler Ryan Shazier. The club would have at least one internal candidate to fill that role, as Vince Williams put up a decent showing in 2016 on roughly a quarter of the Steelers’ defensive snaps. While Pittsburgh likely won’t invest financial resources to bring in a free agent inside ‘backer (unless it’s someone who can contribute on special teams like Jon Bostic or Audie Cole), a mid-round draft pick on the position isn’t out of the question. LSU’s Kendell Beckwith, Wake Forest’s Marquel Lee, or Michigan’s Ben Gedeon could interest the Steelers on Day 2 or 3.
While adding an inside linebacker could be an area of focus, bringing in a new edge rusher should be a much higher priority for Pittsburgh this offseason. Indeed, targeting an outside linebacker at pick No. 30 will be a consideration for the Steelers, and perhaps even considered a likely proposition. Nearly every industry mock draft has sent a pass rusher to Pittsburgh, and both Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com agree Temple’s Haason Reddick, who put up 9.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss last year, would be a logical fit. Takkarist McKinley (UCLA), Carl Lawson (Auburn), Charles Harris (Missouri), and Tim Williams (Alabama) are among the other prospects that could intrigue Pittsburgh at the end of Round 1.
Free agent pass rushers may also interest the Steelers, although the club is highly unlikely to spend extravagantly to lure a top-notch edge defender such as Melvin Ingram or even Jabaal Sheard — it’s simply not the club’s style. However, Pittsburgh should go bargain-hunting and find another veteran to play alongside Harrison, especially if it doesn’t find what it’s looking for in the draft. Erik Walden and Alex Okafor could make sense on short-term contracts, while longtime NFL pass rusher DeMarcus Ware would also look good in a Steelers uniform.
Panthers LB A.J. Klein Seeking Starting Job
Panthers linebacker A.J. Klein said he’ll be looking for a starting gig when he hits the open market next month, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Panthers Release Paul Soliai]
As Klein alluded to in his interview with SiriusXM, he’s been stuck behind one of the best linebacker duos in the league for the duration of his career. Klein, 25, is a fine reserve, but he’s no Luke Kuechly or Thomas Davis, and was never going to usurp either player for starting time. Carolina used a first-round pick on fellow ‘backer Shaq Thompson in 2015, further decreasing any chance Klein would venture into the club’s starting lineup.
While Klein hasn’t been a regular during his time with the Panthers, he has averaged roughly six starts per season over the past four years thanks to injuries along Carolina’s linebacking unit. In 2016, though, Klein only played on about a third of the Panthers’ defensive snaps, but did see action on nearly half the club’s special teams plays. All told, he managed 29 tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles.
Extra Points: Browns, Steelers, Bills, Bears
The transition tag could be in play for the Browns as they seek to retain free agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com opines (Twitter link). Given that it costs less than the franchise tag, the transition tender is an alternative for clubs looking to save funds, but it wouldn’t entitle Cleveland to any draft compensation if Pryor signs an unmatched offer sheet with another team. The Browns lead the NFL in cap space by a wide margin, however, and would likely choose to equal any offer Pryor lands on the open market. Pryor reportedly wants to stay in Cleveland, while the Browns are “redoubling efforts” to sign him to an extension, so any tag — franchise or transition — could eventually be moot.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Although running back Le’Veon Bell visited a doctor last month while dealing with a groin injury, he isn’t planning on surgery, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who adds the pending Steelers free agent would have undergone the procedure by now if it were required. That’s certainly good news for Bell, but it probably won’t make a difference for his contractual status. He’s still expected to be franchised by Pittsburgh, and the tag will pay him north of $12MM.
- The Bills are still deciding whether to move on from quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and the club’s upcoming decision will have far-reaching effects on the rest of the Buffalo roster, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Taylor received medical clearance today, so the Bills can freely choose to release him before a $27.5MM option bonus is due on March 11. If Buffalo goes that route, the franchise would essentially be hitting the reset button, opines Rodak, meaning the Bills could explore a LeSean McCoy trade. If Taylor sticks around, however, the Bills likely won’t have enough cap space to retain players such as cornerback Stephon Gilmore without restructuring other contracts.
- The Bears announced that they’ve hired Zach Azzanni as wide receivers coach and Brandon Staley as outside linebackers of coach. Azzanni has spent his entire career to date in the college ranks, and coached pass-catchers at Tennessee for the past four seasons. He’s replacing Curtis Johnson, who left for the Saints after his contract expired. Staley, meanwhile, also comes from the NCAA, where he served as John Carroll University’s defensive coordinator for three of the past four years. Now in his first NFL job, Staley is taking over for Clint Hurtt, who rejected an extension from the Bears and defected to Seattle.
- The Broncos have hired former LSU assistant Chris Kragthorpe as an offensive quality control coach, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. In addition to spending time in Baton Rouge, Kragthorpe also previously worked for the University of Georgia.
Cardinals LB Kevin Minter Interested In Jets
Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter is scheduled to become a free agent on March 9, and while he’s interested in returning to the desert, he’s “curious to see what’s out there,” Minter told SiriusXM NFL Radio today (Twitter link). Minter added he “wouldn’t mind” joining the Jets this offseason, especially given that they employ his former defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles, as head coach.
[RELATED: Darrelle Revis’ Hearing Postponed]
New York currently projects to have the second-least amount of cap space in the NFL, and while the club can release players and restructure contracts in order to create more room, it may have to find bargains on the free agent market. Minter could be one such cost-effective solution, as the 26-year-old graded as the league’s No. 25 linebacker among 87 qualifiers last season, according to Pro Football Focus. In New York, Minter would join David Harris and Darron Lee as linebacker options in Gang Green’s 3-4 scheme.
Minter, a 2013 second-round pick, didn’t become a full-time starter until his third season with the Cardinals, but he’s since started every contest for Arizona over the past two years. He’s a key part of the Cards’ defense, but general manager Steve Keim & Co. have other critical free agent defenders, including Calais Campbell and Chandler Jones, to worry about, meaning Minter could be the one that gets away.
Jay Cutler Mulling Retirement
Although the Bears are trying to trade him, quarterback Jay Cutler is “one of several veterans who are still considering whether they want to play” in 2017, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).
[RELATED: Top 3 Offseason Needs — Chicago Bears]
Cutler is working out and rehabbing as he nears full health, and is expected to be able to pass a physical by next month, as Rapoport reported earlier today. The 33-year-old probably wouldn’t be going through that process — at least publicly — unless he was willing to continue his career in 2017, and it’s possible that Cutler is simply frustrated by his recent injury luck, poor play, and the rumors surrounding his status in Chicago.
Of course, by even mentioning the possibility of retirement, Cutler could be attempting to control his own landing spot. If the Bears reach a trade agreement with a club Cutler doesn’t want to play for, he could use the threat of retirement in order to force the acquiring team to back out a potential deal. That’s entirely speculation, but Cutler probably prefers to choose his next destination rather than having it assigned by the Bears, and talk of him hanging up his cleats could help him accomplish that goal.