Week In Review: 5/15/16 – 5/22/16
Headlines:
- The Patriots reportedly have “preliminary” interest in free agent running back Arian Foster, who might not be able to pass a physical for a week or two.
- The Redskins released wide receiver Andre Roberts, but the 28-year-old pass-catcher has already garnered interest from the Bills and several other unknown clubs.
- The Chargers claimed quarterback Zach Mettenberger off waivers from the Titans — the Bengals and Giants also placed a claim on the signal-caller.
- Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is in line to become the league’s highest-paid safety, as he is reportedly in “deep negotiations” on an extension with the Cardinals.
- The Bears have offered defensive end Willie Young a two-year extension, and he is apparently “50/50” on accepting the deal.
Injuries:
- Bills first-round pick Shaq Lawson will undergo shoulder surgery after suffering an injury in practice. Lawson is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list.
- More bad news out of Buffalo, as Bills receiver Sammy Watkins suffered a minor foot fracture. Unlike Lawson, however, Watkins is projected to be ready for training camp.
- Jaguars safety Jalen Ramsey could have a rocky start to his career, as a knee injury might knock him out for up to six months.
Extended:
- Bengals – Shawn Williams, S (through 2020)
Signed:
- Rams – Dominique Easley, DT (link)
- Ravens – Vlad Ducasse, G and Josh Johnson, QB (link)
- Saints – Connor Barth, K (link)
Released:
- Panthers – Brandon Boykin, CB (link)
- Saints – Josh Scobee, K (link)
Free Agent Visits:
- Falcons – Brandon Boykin, CB (link)
- Patriots – William Moore, S (link)
- Saints – Vincent Brown, Denarius Moore, Hakeem Nicks, and Nathan Palmer, WRs (link)
Retired:
- Jarryd Hayne, RB (link)
Patriots Have “Preliminary” Interest In Arian Foster
SATURDAY, 9:35am: For what it’s worth, Foster was spotted at Boston’s Logan Airport yesterday, but ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss says a trip to Gillette Stadium wasn’t in his itinerary.
The Patriots may have eight running backs on their current roster, but Reiss doesn’t believe that’d prevent the organization from pursuing a veteran running back. The writer notes that Foster’s “well-documented” rushing production and his pass-catching ability make him a natural fit for the Patriots, but the running back’s health is also a big factor.
The Patriots currently have Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount, James White, Donald Brown, Brandon Bolden, Tyler Gaffney, Joey Iosefa and undrafted D.J. Foster on their roster.
FRIDAY, 6:06pm: After the Patriots chose not to select a running back in last month’s draft, they could be eyeing help via the free agent market. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), New England has interest in free agent running back Arian Foster, but that interest is “just preliminary.”
[RELATED: Patriots audition safety William Moore]
Per Cole’s report, it sounds as though the Patriots are simply doing their due diligence on Foster, at least for the moment. It wouldn’t be surprising if New England’s reticence to take a more serious look at Foster is related to his health questions, as a report just this morning indicated that Foster is a week or two away from being able to pass a physical. In 2015, Foster was slowed by a groin injury in training camp and the preseason, and later suffered a torn Achilles, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Still, as I noted when ranking Foster as the No. 3 available offensive free agent, the 29-year-old back is still capable of putting up results when he is on the field. He accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. But Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015, and injuries, his age, and his increasing cap number resulted in the Houston releasing him this spring.
The Patriots will return much of the same running back corps that that they fielded in 2015, as LeGarrette Blount will team with James White, Brandon Bolden, and a rehabbing Dion Lewis to carry the load in New England. The one new addition to the club’s backfield is former Charger Donald Brown, but he figures to see most of his action on special teams.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Finding A Landing Spot For Andre Roberts
It didn’t take long for receiver Andre Roberts to generate interest after being released by the Redskins, as he took a visit with the Bills just two days after being cut loose by Washington. Roberts, whom PFR ranked as the fifth-best offensive free agent left on the board, has two more meetings planned with unknown clubs, and an additional five or six clubs are also thought to be eyeing Roberts, according to the latest reports.
Roberts, who turned 28 in January, is probably best served as a slot receiver, though he can also play on the outside if needed. Last season, Roberts appeared in nine games (zero starts) and caught a career-low 11 passes for 135 yards, but he does have a history of production in the not-so-distant future. Roberts first made a name for himself in 2012 when he stepped out of Larry Fitzgerald‘s shadow in Arizona to haul in 64 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns.
Let’s take a look around the league and find some potential fits for Roberts…
- Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons spent a decent chunk of change on the wide receiver position this offseason, signing former Bengal Mohamed Sanu to a five-year, $32.5MM deal that included $14MM guaranteed. But Atlanta could certainly use one more veteran receiver, especially one who is relatively versatile like Roberts. Sanu is capable of playing the slot or outside, so offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could use both he and Roberts in several different positions. With Devin Hester on the mend, Roberts would act as insurance in case second-year pass-catcher Justin Hardy isn’t ready.
- Buffalo Bills — As noted above, the Bills clearly have legitimate interest in Roberts, as they were the first team to have him in for a visit. Joe Buscaglia of WBKW looked at various position battles in Buffalo earlier tonight, and noted that Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods are the only real locks at receiver. The rest of the Bills’ receiving group is made up of low-level options or young players with no NFL production, such as Greg Salas, Leonard Hankerson, Marquise Goodwin, Greg Little, and Kolby Listenbee. Roberts would fit nicely in the slot for Buffalo, and could help outside if Watkins’ foot injury becomes more serious.
- Cincinnati Bengals — On paper, the Bengals’ receiving corps looks a lot better than it did after they lost Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones earlier this offseason. Free agent signee Brandon LaFell and rookie Tyler Boyd are set to start in three-wide sets opposite A.J. Green, while Brandon Tate and James Wright are penciled in as the club’s depth options. Cincinnati is well-known to prefer veterans in key roles over young players, however, so depending on how the Bengals feel about Boyd’s immediate readiness, Roberts could make some sense.
- Denver Broncos — Jordan Norwood was a known favorite of Peyton Manning last year, and was able to produce 22 receptions in 11 games. Roberts would be an improvement in the slot, and he’s actually younger (by almost two years) than Norwood. Denver is obviously set with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on the outside, but adding Roberts could be a boon to an offense that figures to be lead by one of Mark Sanchez or Paxton Lynch.
- Detroit Lions — Even after signing Marvin Jones to a five-year, $40MM deal in March, the Lions could still use more help at receiver following the retirement of Calvin Johnson. On the inside, two free agent signees — Jeremy Kerley and Andre Caldwell — figure to compete for playing time, but Roberts looks to be a superior option to either of them. Although touches could be hard to come by in Detroit, especially if tight end Eric Ebron sees more targets, Roberts would make for a solid No. 3 in the Motor City.
- Oakland Raiders — The Raiders’ offense soared in 2015, as sophomore quarterback Derek Carr broke out, teaming with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to form a fearsome unit. And while Oakland failed to add legitimate competition for running back Latavius Murray this offseason, it could still stand to improve on Seth Roberts, who is projected to see the majority time of the slot. The Raiders also re-signed pass-catcher Andre Holmes this spring, but adding in another veteran like Roberts could be a nice way to fill out an already daunting offense.
- San Francisco 49ers — The 49ers have the second-most cap space in the league at the moment, so we know that they could afford Roberts if they’re interested. And they should be, if they have any hopes of sniffing a .500 record in 2016. San Francisco’s depth chart behind Torrey Smith is extremely thin, with DeAndre Smelter, Quinton Patton, Jerome Simpson, Bruce Ellington, and rookie Aaron Burbridge filling in the gaps. The 49ers aren’t likely to contend next year, so adding a complementary receiver may seem like an unnecessary move, but Roberts would help San Francisco creep towards respectability.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tampa is hoping that second-year receiver Kenny Bell can serve as its No. 3 option behind Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, as Jenna Laine reported last week (Twitter link). But is new head coach Dirk Koetter ready to rely on an unproven asset as his club tries to improve upon its 2015 DVOA ranking of 17th? Veteran Louis Murphy is another incumbent option for the Buccaneers, but Roberts could help Tampa Bay take the next step as it tries to challenge for a playoff berth.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
East Notes: Bills, Lawson, Redskins, Patriots
Bills rookie edge rusher Shaq Lawson is likely to miss four or five games at the beginning of next season after undergoing shoulder surgery, and some have wondered if the need for an operation should have pushed Lawson down the draft board. Don Banks of Sports Illustrated spoke with head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley about Lawson’s injury and it’s implications for the club.
“That’s part of the deal with Shaq,” said Ryan. “We drafted him for the long haul success, not for one season. They say me and Doug Whaley share the blame. You’re damn right we do. We’ll share the blame, that’s fine. Oh, by the way, there should be another end to [the story]. Let’s see what kind of kind of player this kid is over the long haul. And we will stand by drafting this guy.”
Here’s more on the Bills and a few other clubs in the NFL’s two East divisions…
- Fellow linebacker Manny Lawson isn’t related to Shaq Lawson, but he figures to get the first shot to replace the rookie in the Bills‘ starting lineup, as Joe Buscaglia of WKBW details. The WKBW scribe also dives into several other Buffalo position battles, including wide receiver — where Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods are the only roster locks — right tackle, safety, and nickel corner.
- The Redskins are hoping that fifth-round pick Matt Ioannidis can play defensive end, defensive tackle, or nose tackle depending on the team’s package on the field, John Keim of ESPN.com writes. “He has the toughness and competitiveness and quickness to cause problems,” GM Scot McCloughan said. “He doesn’t look like Terrance Knighton, but this team will be a good team because we have a couple guys who are special and the majority will be good. He’s one of the good guys.”
- There is a lot to like about Nate Sudfeld and the only question is whether the quarterback will be on the Redskins‘ 53-man roster this year or on their practice squad, as Rich Tandler CSNMidAtlantic.com writes. To get Sudfeld on to the taxi squad, the Redskins would have to sneak the QB through waivers. But if he performs well in camp and in the preseason, he might be plucked by another team. As a result, the odds slightly favor Sudfeld making the 53-man roster. Sudfeld, an Indiana product, was taken in the sixth round with the No. 187 overall pick.
- Reports continue to link the Raiders to Las Vegas, and the club has found another supporter — Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who tells Jarrett Bell of USA Today that he’s in favor of the Raiders leaving for Nevada. “I think it would be good for the NFL,” Kraft said. “I know Mark Davis has tried so hard in Oakland. If they won’t do it … I want to support him.”
- The Patriots won a grievance with former tight end Jimmay Mundine, giving them a $71K salary cap credit, as Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/20/16
We’ll track the day’s latest minor moves below:
- The Panthers have swapped out a few players at the back of their roster, signing receivers Tobias Palmer and LaRon Byrd while waiving tight ends Andrew Bonnet and Jake McGee, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. The 26-year-old Byrd is the most notable of the foursome, as he’s spent time on the rosters of seven different NFL clubs (most recently the Redskins’).
- The Browns have signed former Rice receiver Dennis Parks, and placed kicker Jaden Oberkrom on the reserved/retired list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Cleveland just claimed the undrafted rookie Oberkrom off waivers from the Jaguars on Wednesday, so the TCU product must have quickly decided to not pursue an NFL career.
Best Available NFL Free Agents: Offense
The most high-profile free agent signings occurred more than two months ago, but as we near June there are still talented NFL free agents available on the open market. Most of these players (with a few exceptions) won’t command much guaranteed money, and given that we’ve passed the May 12 deadline, none will factor into the compensatory draft pick formula. Let’s take a look at the players who will try to find a home as training camp approaches:
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB: The most obvious destination for Fitzpatrick remains the Jets, who don’t intend to play second-round pick Christian Hackenberg immediately but, as of the draft, hadn’t had meaningful talks with Fitz’s camp in awhile. The 33-year-old Fitzpatrick has apparently told people he’d “rather not play football” in 2016 than accept New York’s current offer, though that seems like a negotiating ploy to get the Jets to put more than $7-8MM on the table. Gang Green holds all the leverage in this scenario, as the only other club that might have still been searching for a quarterback — the Broncos — is thought to have ended their hunt for another signal-caller after drafting Paxton Lynch last month.
2. Anquan Boldin, WR: Even as he ages, Boldin continues to post solid production — he’s managed at least 65 receptions in each of the past four years, averaging nearly 1,000 yards and five touchdowns during that time. And while the 49ers have not asked him to return in 2016, Boldin could be an option for a number of wide receiver-needy teams, as the Bengals, Steelers, Colts, Chiefs, and Giants could all make varying levels of sense for the veteran pass-catcher, especially given that he’s indicated he’d prefer to play for a contender. Boldin has taken just one free agent visit this offseason, but that team — Washington — is unlikely to still have interest given that it selected TCU wideout Josh Doctson in the first round of the draft.
3. Arian Foster, RB: There’s no question that Foster offers the highest upside of any free agent on this list, as he’s topped 1,200 yards rushing in every season that he’s remained even remotely healthy. But health, of course, has remained a hindrance throughout Foster’s career — in 2015 alone, Foster was slowed by a groin injury during camp before suffering a torn Achilles in in Week 7. The Dolphins met with Foster earlier this offseason and could still be a landing spot, while the Raiders, Eagles, and Chargers (especially if Melvin Gordon‘s recovery from microfracture surgery doesn’t go well) could be options.
4. Jahri Evans, G: Knee and ankle injuries limited Evans to 11 games in 2015, but like Foster, Evans is a solid contributor when he’s on the field, as he graded as the league’s No. 27 guard among 81 qualifiers last year, per Pro Football Focus. Entering his age-33 season, Evans might have to be willing to engage in a camp battle for a starting role, or even wait until a club suffers an injury along its offensive interior. But a team like the Broncos, who are currently projected to start sixth-round rookie Connor McGovern at right guard, could express interest.
5. Louis Vasquez, G: Vasquez isn’t quite the guard that Evans is, but he offers a vast amount of experience, as he played over 1,000 snaps in 2015 with Denver, and has started 101 games since entering the league in 2009. Not yet 30 years old, Vasquez could help a number of clubs at either guard position — he met with the Titans earlier this offseason, and depending on its assessment of Jeremiah Poutasi, Tennessee may still be interested. The Chiefs, having failed to replace Jeff Allen, could also make sense as a destination.
6. Andre Johnson, WR: After posting the worst full-season results of his career, Johnson was released by the Colts just one season into a three-year pact. Whether interested clubs will determine that Johnson was victimized by a lackluster 2015 Indianapolis (and largely Andrew Luck-less) offense — or instead conclude that Johnson is just about finished at age-34 — is an open question, but the 13-year veteran has indicated that he’d like to continue playing in 2016.
7. Will Beatty, T: Beatty is expected to be fully healthy this summer after missing the entire 2015 season with a torn pectoral muscle, but he reportedly won’t be returning to the Giants. It’s a little surprising that Beatty hasn’t yet found a home for 2016, but he shouldn’t have to wait much longer, as he’s clearly the best tackle available on the open market (his top competition is the likes of Jake Long and Mike Adams). I could see the Bears bringing in Beatty to compete with Charles Leno on the blindside, while the Cardinals could also be a feasible landing spot if they aren’t happy with D.J. Humphries — who didn’t play a single snap as a rookie — at right tackle.
8. James Jones, WR: Another season catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, another successful year for Jones, who returned to Green Bay after a year in Oakland to post 50 receptions for nearly 900 yards an eight touchdowns. Jones, now 32, has indicated that he’d like to play for awhile longer, though the Packers have reportedly moved on. After waiting until July of last year to sign with the Giants (and September to reunite with the Pack), Jones could again have to wait awhile to find a new team, but whoever signs him will be acquiring a big-play threat — in 2015, Jones ranked fourth in the league with 17.8 yards per reception.
9. Ryan Wendell, C/G: Perhaps the least recognizable name on this list, Wendell spent the last seven seasons as a utility interior lineman with the Patriots, and ended up starting 44 contests from 2012-2014. A knee injury prematurely ended Wendell’s 2015 season in November, and a March report stated that Wendell would wait until he returned to full health before signing with a new team. A return to New England can’t be ruled out, but a club like the Cardinals — who are currently projecting A.Q. Shipley to start at center — could also be on Wendell’s radar.
10. Owen Daniels, TE: Daniels has spent all ten of his NFL seasons under the tutelage of Gary Kubiak, following the coach from Houston to Baltimore and, finally, to Denver. That streak of loyalty is now in danger after the Broncos released Daniels earlier this year, though Kubiak did not rule out re-signing the veteran tight end (Denver has since signed fellow TE Garrett Graham, however). Even at age-33, Daniels performed in line with his career averages, posting 48 receptions for more than 500 yards and four touchdowns.
Honorable mention: Tarvaris Jackson, QB; Joique Bell, RB; Bryce Brown, RB; Marques Colston, WR; Brian Hartline, WR; Roddy White, WR; Khaled Holmes, C; Amini Silatolu, G.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Best Available NFL Free Agents: Defense
The most high-profile free agent signings occurred more than two months ago, but as we near June there are still talented NFL free agents available on the open market. Most of these players (with a few exceptions) won’t command much guaranteed money, and given that we’ve passed the May 12 deadline, none will factor into the compensatory draft pick formula. After examining the offensive side of the ball yesterday, let’s take a look at the defensive players who will try to find a home as training camp approaches…
1. Donte Whitner, S: Despite being released by the Browns last month, Whitner is still an excellent player, having graded as the league’s No. 24 safety among 89 qualifiers in 2015, per Pro Football Focus. Remarkably durable (he’s missed only three games in the past six years), Whitner visited with the Rams in early April, and is reportedly still on Los Angeles’ radar. Elsewhere, both the Chargers and the Cowboys could make sense as potential landing spots if San Diego and Dallas want to upgrade on Jahleel Addae and Barry Church, respectively.
2. Leon Hall, CB: Hall hasn’t lacked suitors this offseason, as the Cowboys, Cardinals, Giants, and Falcons have all shown varying levels of interest in the 31-year-old cornerback over the past several months. He’s not the boundary defender that he used to be, but Hall is a productive slot corner, which essentially makes him a starter in today’s NFL. Health questions have nagged Hall throughout his entire career, and an offseason back procedure won’t quiet those concerns, but the former Bengal figures to find a new home sooner rather than later.
3. Greg Hardy, DE: Clearly the best defender on this list in terms of pure talent, Hardy’s off-the-field issues don’t need to be rehashed here. The 27-year-old edge rusher and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are apparently lobbying NFL clubs for an opportunity, detailing the steps Hardy has taken to correct his pattern of behavior. However, it doesn’t appear as though many teams are convinced Hardy has changed his tune, as sources told Ed Werder of ESPN.com that no one is interested in Hardy, with executives calling him — at best — a “hard sell” to ownership and — at worst — “toxic.”
4. Dwight Freeney, LB/DE: Freeney spent roughly a third of the 2015 season at home, waiting until the Cardinals called in October to get back on an NFL field. Now 36 years old, Freeney has become something of a cause célèbre of mine, as I think he’s a far more valuable player than the league apparently does. I outlined Freeney’s tools in April of last year, and much of what I wrote at the time still holds — any number of clubs could benefit from allowing Freeney to get after the quarterback 20-25 times per game. A reunion with Arizona isn’t out of the question, and the Ravens, Bengals, Panthers, Jets, Patriots, Lions, Chiefs, and Bills could all use an extra edge rusher.
5. Brandon Boykin, CB: At age 25, Boykin surprisingly had to settle for a minimum salary benefit contract to join the Panthers in March — he lasted less than two months on the roster, as he was released by Carolina earlier this week. That series of events, coupled with Boykin’s relative lack of playing time after being dealt to the Steelers last year, is hard to figure, as Boykin is considered one of the premier slot corners in the game. With teams lining up in sub packages more than 60% of the time, Boykin is capable of playing a substantial role, and shouldn’t stay on the street for long.
6. Mike Neal, LB: Neal started a career-high 15 games last season, and has posted at least four sacks in each of the past four years. He’s met with both the Lions and the Seahawks this offseason, but has yet to sign a contract, and would seemingly only be in line for a one-year pact at this point. The Packers selected fellow linebacker Kyler Fackrell in the third round of last month’s draft, so Green Bay probably isn’t an option (though Neal is open to returning). It’s possible that the 2015 Al Jazeera report that linked Neal to PEDs is hindering his market, a sentiment with which Neal agrees.
7. Chris Culliver, CB: It’s been a trying 12 months or so for Culliver, whose 2015 one-game suspension voided his 2016 $8MM guarantee, making it much easier for Washington to release him — which they did earlier this month. Culliver, 27, also tore his ACL in November, meaning his availability for the start of the season could be in doubt. But Culliver is the one true outside cornerback on this list, and he has also has youth on his side. A smart team might sign Culliver to a two-year deal with limited or no guarantees for the 2017 season, let him rehab for the first half of 2016, and then evaluate him over the course of November and December.
8. Antrel Rolle, S: Rolle isn’t going to get the same kind of offers that fellow safety Whitner will — not only is he more than three years older, but Rolle ranked a little lower among safeties than did Whitner, coming in at No. 39 in the NFL according to PFF. Rolle has expressed an interest in reuniting with the Giants, with whom he spent the 2010-14 seasons, and on paper, it’s a match that makes a lot of sense, as New York needs a rangy free safety opposite Landon Collins. The Rams, Falcons, and Buccaneers could have interest in the veteran defensive back, as could the Colts if they plan to move 2016 second-rounder T.J. Green to cornerback, as has been rumored.
9. O’Brien Schofield, LB: Schofield and the Falcons were said to be working on a deal as far back as early March, but no signing ever came to fruition. At the time, the Cowboys, Bears, and Titans were reported to have interest in Schofield, and while he’s expressed his preference to return to Atlanta, he remains a free agent. Head coach Dan Quinn has stated he hopes that Schofield is re-signed, and the Falcons have in fact made an offer. Primarily a nickel linebacker, Schofield agreed to a two-year deal with the Giants in 2014 only to see it fall apart due to medical concerns — it’s unclear whether his current disagreement with Atlanta is due to injury questions or financial disparities.
10. Jeremy Mincey, DE: At 32 years old, Mincey isn’t going to suddenly blossom into a star, but he’s more than capable of being thrown into a defensive end rotation on a team that runs a 4-3 scheme. Mincey didn’t post any sacks last season, but he registered six quarterback takedowns in 2014, which led to him holding out for an extra $500K the following offseason. The Cowboys reportedly aren’t interested in a reunion, but Mincey did generate some level of trade interest last November, so it’s likely that there are clubs who’d be willing to offer a one-year deal.
Honorable mention: Chris Canty, DL; Henry Melton, DT; Kevin Williams, DT; Cortez Allen, CB; Antonio Cromartie, CB; Cortland Finnegan, CB; Jayron Hosley, CB; Will Allen, S.
Safety Walter Thurmond was not included on this list because he’s contemplating retirement and has reportedly turned down offers of $4MM per year.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Sign Jason Jones
MONDAY: 10:40am: It’s a done deal, according to Jones’ agent (Twitter link).
SUNDAY: 6:08pm: The Dolphins have agreed to terms with free agent defensive end Jason Jones, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Jones will sign a one-year deal with Miami on Monday, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Jones, who turns 30 years old in 10 days, had to wait quite awhile to find a new home, as he’ll sign with the Dolphins roughly two months after the start of the free agent period. By waiting until today to sign Jones, Miami was probably aiming to protect any 2017 compensatory picks it might be entitled to, as any free agent signed after May 12 does not factor into the compensatory formula.
The Dolphins first hosted Jones for a visit way back on March 10, and then took another meeting with him in mid-April. Between those two visits, Jones also garnered interest from both the Steelers and Cowboys, but Miami had reportedly kept in touch with him throughout the past several months. Jones ranked as PFR’s No. 13 edge defender heading into free agency, and was one of just three of our top-15 edge players — along with Greg Hardy and O’Brien Schofield — who had yet to find a job.
Jones had spent time with both the Seahawks and Titans before landing with the Lions prior to the 2013 season. After a injury-shortened 2013 during which he appeared in only three contests, Jones started 31 games over the past two years with Detroit, racking up 9.5 sacks over that span. Pro Football Focus ranked Jones as the No. 43 edge defender in the NFL last year, among 110 qualifiers.
Miami’s defensive line will look quite a bit different in 2016 than in did in 2015 — while star tackle Ndamukong Suh is still around, the Dolphins will now field new additions Jones, Mario Williams, and Andre Branch at defensive end, where the club lost Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby to free agency. Fellow end Cameron Wake, meanwhile, recently agreed to an extension through the 2017 season. Additionally, former No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan is reportedly working towards reinstatement from suspension, and could factor into Miami’s 2016 plans.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Community Tailgate: Least Improved NFL Team
Even with the 2016 offseason largely in the rearview mirror, there are still plenty of topics and storylines to discuss, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those stories. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. We’ll highlight one of the top talking points in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.
Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.
In yesterday’s Community Tailgate, we asked PFR readers which NFL team had improved the most during the 2016 offseason, tossing out the Jaguars, Bears, Giants, and Raiders as possible contenders for that title. Today, we’ll look at the other side of that coin, examining which NFL clubs did the least to reinforce their respective rosters over the past several months.
The Browns are clearly in full-on rebuilding mode, and I even included them as an off-the-wall option in my write-up of the most improved teams, as one could argue that GM Sashi Brown & Co. did a great job amassing future assets through trading down in the draft. However, despite a draft class that was largely applauded, the on-field product in Cleveland figures to be sub-par once again. During the free agent period, the Browns saw Alex Mack, Tashaun Gipson, Mitchell Schwartz, and Travis Benjamin walk out the door, while the club added low-cost options like Robert Griffin III and Demario Davis. Cleveland figures to come away with the maximum of four compensatory picks in 2017, but the 2016 season is likely to be rough.
While the Browns’ struggles have been well-documented, the Broncos were by definition the most successful team of 2015, winning the Super Bowl in Peyton Manning‘s final season at the helm. And while Denver traded up to acquire their quarterback of the future in Paxton Lynch, the club’s second-round pick, Georgia Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis was considered a reach. In free agency, the Broncos, hindered by salary cap issues, let a lot of talent leave, as Brock Osweiler, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan, Evan Mathis, David Bruton, Ryan Harris, and others left the building. Denver did add a few offensive line reinforcements in Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson, but it’s hard to say that the team is as good as it was in 2015.
The 49ers didn’t lose a ton of talent during the offseason, as guard Alex Boone was the only major defection, but aside from the draft, Trent Baalke and Chip Kelly didn’t add many play-makers, either. It’s possible to argue that the Niners don’t plan on competing in 2016 and thus are amassing assets (like the Browns), but if that’s the case, this offseason can still be considered a failure. San Francisco didn’t trade down once during the draft, and in fact traded up, sacrificing 136 cents on the dollar to move up only nine spots to select a guard. The 49ers also failed to rid themselves of Colin Kaepernick‘s contract, and didn’t make any meaningful free agent signings (apologies to Zane Beadles).
Elsewhere in the NFC West, the Rams managed to find their quarterback of the future in Jared Goff, and it’s hard to blame them for giving up a king’s ransom to secure a long-term option at the most important position on the field. But Los Angeles, which had the fourth-most cap space entering the offseason, didn’t do much to add talent around Goff. The Rams did not make a single upgrade to their offensive line, either in free agency or through the draft, and only used mid-round picks to add offensive weapons. The club also let two high-profile secondary defenders, safety Rodney McLeod and cornerback Janoris Jenkins, walk in free agency.
The Bengals have made a habit of not entering the free agent market, and it’s a strategy that’s worked out, as they’ve made five consecutive postseason appearances. But with a boatload of key free agents leaving this offseason, one might have argued that Cincinnati should have made an effort to bring in a few outside additions. The Bengals did re-sign Adam Jones and George Iloka, but after seeing Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Reggie Nelson, Leon Hall, and others vanish, Cincinnati made only low-cost free agent signings, including linebacker Karlos Dansby and receiver Brandon LaFell. And instead of considering a trade up to acquire a top-notch receiver in Round 1, the Bengals waited until Day 2, drafting Pittsburgh’s Tyler Boyd, who is thought to be a slot receiver at best.
It’s hard to blame the Chiefs for not making a ton of moves this offseason, as they were strapped for salary cap space. But Kansas City did see quite a few free agent defections, as Sean Smith, Chase Daniel, Jeff Allen, and Donald Stephenson all left for new homes, while Mike DeVito and Husain Abdullah opted to retire. The Chiefs made only one major free agent signing — right tackle Mitchell Schwartz — and drafted only one player, defensive lineman Chris Jones, who can be counted on to contribute in 2016 (although some do think third-round corner KeiVarae Russell has a bright future).
What do you think? Did one of these teams do the least to upgrade its roster? Or did we forget someone? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section!
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/15/16
We’ll round up the day’s minor moves here:
- The Saints are signing undrafted rookie cornerback Jimmy Pruitt, according to the player’s agency (on Twitter). Pruitt, a four-year starter at San Jose State, racked up four interceptions over the course of his collegiate career.
- The Bears agreed to sign defensive lineman Kenton Adeyemi and wide receiver Kieren Duncan, Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets. Both players participated in the Bears’ weekend tryouts and both players are getting three-year pacts, per Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
- Air Force tight end/long snapper Garrett Griffin has signed with the Saints, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
Earlier Updates:
- After trying out for the club at this weekend’s rookie camp, former Duke tight end Braxton Deaver has signed with the Panthers, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. The 6’5”, 245-pound Deaver racked up 75 receptions and six touchdowns during his time with the Blue Devils, and he’ll now compete for time behind Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, and 2016 seventh-rounder Beau Sandland.
- The Saints have signed offensive lineman Tyrus Thompson, per a tweet from his agent Ken Sarnoff. Selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2015 draft, Thompson, who can play both tackle positions, spent time on the practice squad rosters of both the Jaguars and Lions last season.
- Carson Wentz is the most high-profile North Dakota State player to land on an NFL roster this offseason, but he won’t be the only one, as former Bison punter Ben LeCompte announced (Twitter link) that he’s agreed to terms with the Bears after working at the team’s rookie camp over the weekend.