PFR Originals: 10/30/16 – 11/6/16
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- Ahead of last Tuesday’s trade deadline, Zach Links ran down all the potential candidates to be moved, a list that included Joe Thomas, Joe Staley, Torrey Smith, Brandon Marshall, Sheldon Richardson, and Alshon Jeffery. Ultimately, the biggest deal went down the day before the deadline, as the Browns picked up linebacker Jamie Collins from the Patriots. But Richardson, specifically, drew interest before 3pm CT Tuesday, with the Cowboys (for one) making an offer.
- During last week’s Thursday night contest between the Falcons and the Buccaneers, Connor Byrne asked PFR readers to vote on which club who emerge with the NFC South crown. After taking down Tampa, Atlanta sits atop the division with a 6-3 record, while Tampa fell to 3-5. The Saints, meanwhile, are 3-4 heading into today’s game against the 49ers, while the Panthers are still at the bottom of the division with a 2-5 record. Nearly 80% of respondents think the Falcons will take the division title.
- Zach rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links.
- Be sure to download the Trade Rumors app today!
5 Key Stories: 10/30/16 – 11/6/16
The Browns make a big move. The Indians blew a three game to one lead to lose the World Series to the Cubs, but elsewhere in Cleveland, the Browns made a huge trade, sacrificing a conditional third-round compensatory pick in exchange for Patriots 
LB Jamie Collins. The reaction to the move was swift, with most observers guessing that Collins simply wants more money that New England was willing to pay — though Collins has disputed wanting a “Von Miller” contract, reports have indicated that he wants to top Luke Kuechly‘s $12MM+ salary. As of yet, the Browns haven’t started negotiating a new deal with Collins, who will be a free agent at season’s end.
Rest of the deadline stays quiet. Besides the Collins trade, the deadline consisted of mostly smoke but no fire. The Browns were reportedly considering moving defensive backs Tramon Williams (link) and Joe Haden, and while the Saints inquired on the latter, no deal was ever swung. Likewise, Cleveland held onto future Hall of Fame tackle Joe Thomas, and San Francisco did the same with Joe Staley and Torrey Smith. Meanwhile, conflicting reports emerged in regards to Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson — while the Cowboys reportedly made an offer for Richardson (and were interested in Miami’s Cameron Wake), other reports indicated that the rest of the league had limited interest in Richardson.
No more Norv. Norv Turner abruptly resigned as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator last week, ceding his responsibility to tight ends coach Pat Shurmur. While Minnesota sat at 5-2 entering play today, the club’s offense ranked only 24th in DVOA, though injuries can be blamed for many of the team’s 
struggles. Head coach Mike Zimmer said he was quite surprised by Turner’s decision, and subsequent reports have said Turner was not forced out. Shurmur, meanwhile, will get his third opportunity to work with Sam Bradford, having coached him previously with the Rams and Eagles.
Andre Johnson hangs ’em up. Midway through his 14th NFL season, receiver Andre Johnson announced that he would retire. Johnson is the all-time leader in just about every Texans’ receiving category, and though he sputtered during his final two seasons with the Colts and Titans, he still looks like a surefire Hall of Famer. His 1,062 career receptions places him eighth all-time (just behind Reggie Wayne), while he currently ranks ninth in receiving yards with 14,185. And Johnson was just as exceptional on a rate basis, as his 73.5 yards per game places him ninth in league history.
Percy is back. While Johnson decided to call it quits, fellow receiver Percy Harvin took the opposite tack — he’s coming back to the NFL, having signed a one-year deal to rejoin the Bills. Harvin will earn about $1MM for the remainder of the season, and will try to help spark a Buffalo offense that has been ravaged by injuries. This past offseason, he wrestled with the idea of retirement and flip-flopped a couple of times in the spring. In April, he told the Bills that he was done playing football, but he apparently had a change of heart in recent weeks.
Cowboys Promote CB Leon McFadden
The Cowboys have promoted cornerback Leon McFadden from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of Sunday’s game against the Browns, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Dallas just signed McFadden to its taxi squad in late October.
[RELATED: Cowboys Made Offer For Sheldon Richardson]
Given that both cornerback Morris Claiborne and safety Barry Church are expected to miss several weeks with injuries, the Cowboys can use all the help they can get in the secondary. Specifically at corner, Orlando Scandrick — returning from his own health issue — is likely to slot in opposite Brandon Carr, with sixth-round rookie Anthony Brown playing behind them. McFadden, then, will be one of only four corners on the Dallas roster, meaning he could see action this weekend.
McFadden, 26, was chosen by the Browns in the third round of the 2013 draft, but flamed out after only a single season with Cleveland. After appearing in seven games over the next two years with the 49ers and Giants, McFadden signed a futures deal with New York this offseason and made it until final roster cuts, when he was waived. All told, McFadden has played in 25 games during his career (two starts), and while he’s never intercepted a ball, he has defensed two passes.
McFadden was seemingly chosen for promotion over fellow cornerback Sammy Seamster, who will remain on the Cowboys’ practice squad for the time being.
Vikings Work Out RB Jonas Gray
The Vikings worked out free agent running back Jonas Gray today, reports Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. Gray has been on the open market since being waived off injured reserve by the Jaguars in late August.
[RELATED: Norv Turner Resigns As Vikings OC]
Minnesota should seeing another running back return to the field on Sunday, as Jerick McKinnon participated in practice today and confirmed to reporters, including Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link), that he expects to play against the Lions this weekend. With McKinnon sidelined in Week 8, Matt Asiata managed 42 yards on 14 carries, while Ronnie Hillman — seeing significant snaps for the first time all year — posted four rushes for 15 yards.
Gray, 26, is most known for his brief tenure in New England, which featured a 201-yard, four-touchdown rushing performance against the Colts in November 2014. That showing represented a significant portion of Gray’s production as a rookie. All told, he amassed 89 carries (37 in the Indy game) for 412 yards and five scores in eight contests. Gray has also spent time with the Dolphins and, most recently, the Jaguars.
Gray’s audition with the Vikings was his third known workout this year, as he’s also met with the Lions and Dolphins.
Latest On Ezekiel Elliott Investigation
Ezekiel Elliott‘s legal advisor Frank Salzano today issued a press release stating his view that Elliott will eventually be cleared of domestic violence charges, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Reports yesterday indicated that Elliott’s ex-girlfriend/accuser is cooperating with the NFL’s investigation.
[RELATED: Barry Church, Morris Claiborne To Miss Time]
“For the past several days the media has elected to focus on allegations of domestic violence involving Mr. Elliott despite the Columbus, Ohio Prosecutor’s Office decision not to charge Mr. Elliott nearly two months ago,” the statement reads in part. “My office provided a mountain of exculpatory evidence demonstrating Mr. Elliott’s innocence and directly contradicting all of the false allegations contained in the Accuser’s two police reports…”
The statement goes on to call on the NFL to close its investigation of Elliott given that it has already interviewed him. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also seemingly wants the matter to end, or at least get some clarification as to its status, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports that Jones attempted to speak with NFL investigator Lisa Friel during recent league meetings. Friel, however, did not engage with Jones.
Under the league’s old personal conduct policy, Elliott might have been in the clear after the Columbus DA passed on charges. Now, in the post-Ray Rice era, the NFL is taking DV allegations much more seriously. It’s also fair to say that the league is being extra cautious in the wake of the Josh Brown controversy which has dominated headlines for weeks.
Jaguars’ Josh Wells To Return From IR
The Jaguars have designated offensive tackle Josh Wells as their player to return from injured reserve, the club announced today. Wells returned to practice on Monday, and Jacksonville now has a three-week window to decide whether to activate him.
[RELATED: Jaguars Fire Greg Olson]
Wells, 25, appeared in 12 games in 2014 after signing as an undrafted free agent out of James Madison. Injuries bit him last season, though, as a left thumb issue caused him to miss the entire year. In 2016, it’s again been a thumb injury — albeit to the right thumb — that’s kept him out. If he can get back on the field, Wells will serve as a backup to tackles Kelvin Beachum and Jermey Parnell.
Because each NFL club can only designate one player to return from IR, the other Jaguars on the reserve list are now officially out for the season. That means fellow offensive lineman Luke Joeckel, safety James Sample, defensive tackle Roy Miller, and others have no hope of returning this year. Center/guard Luke Bowanko, meanwhile, was placed on PUP before the season started and still has a shot to see the field in 2016.
Barry Church, Morris Claiborne To Miss Time
The Cowboys lost two important pieces of their secondary on Sunday, as both safety Barry Church and cornerback Morris Claiborne suffered injuries. Church fractured his arm and will miss three-to-five weeks, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link), while Claiborne may require surgery for a sports hernia and could be out indefinitely, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
[RELATED: Darren McFadden On Trade Block]
Church, who likely won’t undergo an operation, has played extremely well this season, grading as the league’s No. 17 safety, according to Pro Football Focus. In seven starts, Church has managed 34 tackles, two interceptions, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble. The 28-year-old Church’s contract is up at season’s end, so the injury puts a damper on his free agent prospects. J.J. Wilcox is likely to replace Church in the starting lineup, but Dallas also has Jeff Heath, Kavon Frazier, and Jameill Showers available at safety.
Claiborne, meanwhile has transformed from a former draft bust to a legitimate top corner in his fifth NFL season, ranking as PFF’s eighth-best corner on the year. Re-signed to a one-year deal worth only $3MM, Claiborne has started all seven games and posted one interception. Like Church, Claiborne is also head for unrestricted free agency after the season. For the time being, he’ll be replaced by Orlando Scandrick, who just returned to game action on Sunday. The Cowboys’ only other corner is Anthony Brown, so they could potentially make a move for another defensive back soon.
Pats LB Jonathan Freeny Won’t Return From IR
Patriots linebacker Jonathan Freeny was placed on injured reserve two weeks ago, and he won’t be healthy enough to be designated to return, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link). Per the NFL’s IR rules, Freeny could have come back after eight weeks and helped out New England during the stretch run, but his shoulder injury will keep him out for the rest of the year.
[RELATED: Jamie Collins Turned Down $11MM/Year]
The Patriots could conceivably be in the market for linebacker depth after making the surprising decision to trade Jamie Collins to the Browns, but Freeny won’t be part of any cavalry that comes along. New England already made a move to acquire a linebacker last week, picking up former second-round pick Kyle Van Noy from the Lions by swapping late-round picks. Meanwhile, rookie Elandon Roberts and Barkevious Mingo figure to form a duo to replace Collins’ production, as Doug Kyed of NESN reported earlier today.
Freeny, who agreed to a two-year extension before the season began, played in five games (four starts) before getting injured. The 26-year-old had managed six tackles and a forced fumble, and was also a factor on special teams.
Reaction To The Jamie Collins Trade
The NFL’s official transaction wire lists the Patriots’ return for linebacker Jamie Collins as a conditional 2018 fourth-round pick, not a 2017 third-round compensatory pick as originally reported, according to Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter link). That could because the deal is stipulated on Cleveland actually receiving a third-round comp pick — if it doesn’t, the Patriots would receive a fourth-round selection, tweets Tony Grossi of ESPN.com.
Here’s where things get tricky: the Patriots must relinquish their highest fourth-round pick in 2017 as part of their Deflategate punishment. So, as Field Yates of ESPN.com explains (Twitter link), the two sides may have worked out an agreement that allow New England to get a fourth-rounder for now, but have that pick turn into a third-rounder — in either 2017 or 2018 — depending on future events. Confused? You’re not alone, but reports should flow in soon that will elucidate the situation.
Let’s take a look at some of the reaction and fallout from today’s shocking trade, from both the Patriots’ and Browns’ point-of-view…
New England Patriots
- The Patriots could have received a third-round compensatory pick by simply letting Collins walk in free agency, but that would have meant waiting until 2018 to recoup the selection, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap tweets. Additionally, New England would have had to “tip toe” in 2017 free agency, making sure that it didn’t sign any high-priced outsiders that would cancel out the Collins comp pick.
- Former Patriots/Browns executive Michael Lombardi also offered his take on the trade (all Twitter links), stating that he wasn’t surprised by the deal given that Collins had been freelancing on defense, specifically pointing to two plays against Buffalo on Sunday. Moving Collins, says Lombardi, also serves as something of a wake-up call to the rest of the defense.
- Collins’ absence could offer leverage to fellow linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who is also set to become a free agent next spring, opines Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). By dealing away Chandler Jones over the summer, and Collins now, the Pats are seemingly signalling that they’ve chosen Hightower for the long term. In the immediate future, expect to see more of sixth-round rookie ‘backer Elandon Roberts, with Barkevious Mingo chipping in on passing downs, says Kyed (Twitter link).
- In dueling opinion pieces, Mike Sando of ESPN Insider and Kyed offer disparate opinions on today’s trade, with Sando arguing that the deal makes sense for New England, while Kyed labels it a “head-scratcher.”
Cleveland Browns
- The acquisition of Collins means the Browns need to ramp up talks with impending free agent receiver Terrelle Pryor, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports tweets. With only one franchise tag to deploy, Cleveland can’t risk allowing both players to hit free agency. Luckily, the Browns have already reportedly engaged in negotiation talks with Pryor.
- In a full-length piece, Fitzgerald writes that the deal doesn’t make a ton of sense from Cleveland’s perspective, even though the team has plenty of cap space to use. Additionally, Collins doesn’t necessarily play an impact position, meaning the franchise tag is less useful. If the Browns don’t re-sign Collins, they could reap a comp pick the following year, but that would likely entail sitting out the free agent period once again.
- Cleveland could theoretically turn Joe Thomas into Collins (and more), say Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). If the Browns are able to get a second-round pick for Thomas, they’ve essentially acquired a younger player while trading up in the draft.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/31/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Ed Eagan, TE Manasseh Garner
New York Giants
- Signed: RB George Winn