Latest On Eagles G Isaac Seumalo
After missing 21 games in the last two seasons, Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo is healthy and looking to stay that way, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com. Not only is Seumalo ready to return to the field, but offensive coordinator Shane Steichen seemed to imply that Seumalo was running with the first team. 
After being drafted in the third-round out of Oregon State in 2016, Seumalo spent two years as a key backup, starting six games while appearing in 23. Seumalo entered the 2018 season as a backup until forcing Stefen Wisniewski to the bench in Week 5. Seumalo would start the next nine games of the season, only allowing Wisniewski back on the field for the last three games of the year, when Seumalo suffered a pectoral injury.
Once Seumalo had established himself as the team’s starter at left guard, though, the Eagles locked him up, signing him to a three-year, $15.92MM extension in 2019. Seumalo responded to the new contract by starting every game of the season for the Eagles that year, proving he was a worthy investment. Unfortunately, injuries began to bite the young guard. A knee injury forced him to miss seven games in 2020 on injured reserve. Last year, Seumalo suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 3 of the season and failed to return to the field for the remainder of the year.
Due to his inability to stay on the field and the back-loaded nature of his extension, Seumalo was seen in some league circles as a potential cut candidate. In the final year of his extension, Seumalo is set to have a cap hit of $7.67MM. The Eagles played Nate Herbig and Jack Driscoll quite a bit in Seumalo’s absence last year. Herbig is now with the Jets, but among backup lineman Driscoll are Andre Dillard and Jack Anderson. Philadelphia also drafted Cameron Jurgens in the second round this year. While Jurgens is widely seen as the successor for center Jason Kelce‘s eventual retirement, he may too talented to keep off the field.
All of this information seemed to point to Seumalo’s eventual exit from Philadelphia, but Steichen’s comments seem to imply that Seumalo is heading in a more positive direction. If Seumalo can stay healthy and provide the Eagles with a reliable starting guard, Steichen and company may be much more willing to pay the large cap number.
Texans Finish Signing 2022 Draft Class
The Texans wrapped up their nine-man draft class today when they were able to reach an agreement with third-round pick Christian Harris. The Power Five-heavy class includes a plethora of Day 1 and 2 picks and brings home three Houston-natives in guard Kenyon Green, safety Jalen Pitre, and offensive lineman Austin Deculus. 
The Texans started their haul with four selections in the 2022 NFL Draft’s first 44 picks. Their first addition was cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who will immediately improve a group that currently includes Steven Nelson, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Desmond King II. The Texans’ secondary struggled greatly at times last year, and defensive-coordinator-turned-head-coach Lovie Smith decided that addressing that weakness was a top priority. Their addition of Pitre in the second round further addresses that need. While listed as a safety, Pitre spent the majority of his career with the Bears in the slot. Whether at safety or slot cornerback, Pitre is a strong addition alongside Stingley to a struggling defense.
Green was the next selection, midway through the first round, and his ability to play on the inside of the line should allow Houston to establish Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard at the tackle positions. The later addition of the swing tackle, Deculus, continued the Texans’ efforts at improving the protection in front of second-year quarterback Davis Mills.
In terms of weapons for Mills, after extending leading receiver Brandin Cooks, Houston added another weapon in slot receiver John Metchie III. The Alabama alum tore his ACL in December, but is assumed to be ready to return to the field sometime this summer.
From there, Houston added linebacker Christian Harris, who is a menace in opposing teams’ backfields. They followed that by addressing a league-worst 3.4 yards per rush and 8 rushing touchdowns by bringing in Gator running back Dameon Pierce. Thomas Booker adds some depth to the defensive line. Teagan Quitoriano will compete to back up second-year tight end Brevin Jordan with Pharaoh Brown and Antony Auclair.
Here are the draft picks the Texans will take into camps this summer:
Round 1: No. 3 Derek Stingley Jr., CB (LSU) (signed)
Round 1: No. 15 Kenyon Green, G (Texas A&M) (signed)
Round 2: No. 37 Jalen Pitre, S (Baylor) (signed)
Round 2: No. 44 John Metchie III, WR (Alabama) (signed)
Round 3: No. 75 Christian Harris, LB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4: No. 107 Dameon Pierce, RB (Florida) (signed)
Round 5: No. 150 Thomas Booker, DT (Stanford) (signed)
Round 5: No. 170 Teagan Quitoriano, TE (Oregon State) (signed)
Round 6: No. 205 Austin Deculus, OL (LSU) (signed)
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/2/22
Today’s minor moves across the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Cut: OL Rashaad Coward
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Khalique Washington
- Cut: LB Sharif Finch (from IR)
WR Tavon Austin Signing With Bills
Wide receiver Tavon Austin is signing a deal that will send him to camp in Buffalo where he’ll attempt to make the Bills’ roster this season, according to a tweet from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Austin has had trouble finding success since his time with the Rams and will attempt to jumpstart his career by filling the No. 2 or 3 wide receiver role on his sixth NFL team. 
The former top-ten pick out of West Virginia has had one of the more puzzling careers in the NFL. Widely known for having one of the best high school highlight reels of all time, Austin tore up the field during his four years at West Virginia. His senior season displayed his true potential as a triple-threat: receiving, rushing, and returning. In 2012, the Mountaineers receiver caught 114 balls for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns, rushed 72 times for 643 yards and 3 touchdowns, and averaged 11.0 yards per punt return and 25.4 yards per kickoff return, housing a return of each variety for a touchdown along the way.
Austin had trouble establishing himself as a receiver in the league, but demonstrated his elite elusiveness as a return man, being named a Pro Bowl alternate as a returner in his sophomore season. In the third year of his rookie contract with the Rams, Austin started to find the rhythm from his college days, becoming the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score at least five receiving touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and a punt return touchdown in a single season.
The Rams gave Austin a four-year, $42MM extension before his fourth season. That season saw Austin record a career-high in receiving yards, but also saw his rushing and returning statistics diminish a bit. A frustrating first year under head coach Sean McVay the next year saw Austin’s usage plummet. Despite appearing in every game, and starting in nine of them, Austin saw a then-career-low 22 targets, catching 13 passes for 47 yards. His usage disappeared in the run and return game, as well.
In 2018, Austin was traded to the Cowboys in their attempts to replace former slot receiver Cole Beasley. In two seasons in Dallas, Austin caught 21 balls for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns. He signed in 2020 to join the 49ers, but was placed on injured reserve just prior to the season and released in October of that year. The Packers picked him up in December, but he gave very little in the way of on-field contributions. Last season saw Austin’s best season since his time with the Rams, as he played 13 games for the Jaguars, catching 24 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown.
In Buffalo, Austin will attempt to replace Beasley for a second time. The Bills are down their second- and third-best receivers (in terms of receiving yards) from last year, with Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders both hitting the free agent market. Besides tight end Dawson Knox, this leaves the receiver cupboard in Buffalo fairly bare with Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Isaiah McKenzie being the only returning receivers with at least 10 targets from last year. The team also signed Jamison Crowder from the Jets in free agency and drafted Boise State receiver Khalil Shakir in the fifth round of the Draft.
It will be interesting to see how the Bills plan on utilizing Austin if he makes the 53-man roster, as McKenzie and receiver Marquez Stevenson currently serve as the team’s return men, with McKenzie playing a very similar role to what Austin did early in his career. Regardless, it looks like Austin will be getting another chance, this time in an offense that saw success last year for two veteran receivers over 32-years-old with a lot of the same on-field tendencies as Austin.
Malcolm Butler Favorite To Start For Patriots
Cornerback Malcolm Butler was called back into action in New England after the Patriots lost J.C. Jackson to the Chargers in free agency this offseason. Despite not appearing in a game since the end of the 2020 NFL season, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that Butler is a favorite to win the starting cornerback job across from Jalen Mills. 
After joining the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Butler served as a reserve corner until being called into action in Super Bowl XLIX and making one of the most famous interceptions in NFL history. Butler was awarded the starting job the following season and stayed there until signing with the Titans as a free agent in 2018. He continued to start in Tennessee for three years before being released as a cap casualty after the 2020 season.
Butler rebounded quickly, signing a deal to join the Cardinals, but, just prior to the start of the 2021 season, Butler decided to retire for personal reasons. His retirement never sounded very final, but he never appeared in a game that season and Arizona formally released him this past February.
Butler rejoins a room that now holds Mills as a starter and Jonathan Jones as a starting nickel corner. The Patriots brought in Terrance Mitchell while returning Joejuan Williams, Shaun Wade, and Justin Bethel. New England also used a fourth-round pick this year to draft Jack Jones out of Arizona State. Out of the available options, Mitchell is most likely to give Butler competition for the job, but Butler’s experience and familiarity will afford the 32-year-old a bit of an advantage.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/1/22
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Cameron Batson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Drew Jackson
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: RB A.J. Rose Jr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OLB Tuzar Skipper
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Juwan Green
- Waived: TE Ryan Izzo
Former Cowboys, Bears RB Marion Barber III Dies
Former Cowboys and Bears running back Marion Barber III was found dead Wednesday in his Frisco apartment, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He was 38.
Frisco police responded to a welfare check at Barber’s apartment when someone called about a water leak. Upon arriving, the police forced their way into the apartment. As of the time of this reporting, the cause of Barber’s death is unknown.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down. He had a passion for the game and love for his coaches and teammates. Our hearts go out to Marion’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
The Plymouth, Minnesota, native played in the NFL from 2005-2011. Barber was a fourth-round draft pick for the Cowboys out of the University of Minnesota where he played his last year as a Golden Gopher with his brother, former Texans safety Dominique Barber. In his final Minnesota season, Marion made college football history when he and former Patriots running back Laurence Maroney became the first teammates in Division I football to each rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Barber would make that a habit, finding success in the NFL despite being officially designated as Julius Jones‘ backup. Barber found his role as a third-down and red zone running back in Dallas. He finished his sophomore season third in the league with 14 rushing touchdowns, trailing only LaDainian Tomlinson‘s record-setting 28 and Larry Johnson‘s 17. In 2007, Barber was named to the Pro Bowl, receiving an invite despite not making a single regular-season start.
Barber ran with an aggressive, punishing style, leading the league in broken tackles in 2007. His identity as a power back earned him the nickname “Marion the Barbarian,” as he embodied his oft-quoted mantra “hit or get hit.” Barber’s last season in the NFL saw him join the Bears to back up Matt Forte. After the Bears failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2011, Barber announced his retirement. He finished his career with 4,780 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns.
The headlines following Barber’s NFL career tell a sad story. Barber ran into legal issues in 2014 and 2018, Hill adds, with both instances serving as cautionary tales on mental health. Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant tweeted almost a year ago lamenting the state of his former teammate saying he couldn’t even enjoy watching a video of Barber’s highlights know that Barber was “down and out bad.”
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/1/22
Today’s draft pick signings in the NFL:
Kansas City Chiefs
- LB Leo Chenal (third round, Wisconsin)
Minnesota Vikings
- LB Brian Asamoah (third round, Oklahoma)
Sean McVay Comments On Aaron Donald Situation
We recently wrote about some comments made by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald during an appearance on the I Am Athlete podcast. Donald’s comments echoed sentiments we heard after the team’s Super Bowl victory that the 31-year-old might be done playing football after eight years in the league. Specifically, Donald seemed to indicate that if he and the Rams can’t come to an agreement on a new contract, he would be “at peace” with his career coming to a close. 
Earlier this week, Rams head coach Sean McVay remarked on the comments and his view of the situation with Donald, according to Cameron DaSilva of USA Today. “We’ve had great dialogue,” McVay stated. “The goal all along has been to try to get this thing figured out, but also like I’ve said, if there’s anybody that’s earned the right to make the decision on their own terms…it’s Aaron.”
McVay went on to frame the situation in an optimistic light. “Things are trending in the right direction,” he continued. “We have regular dialogue with Aaron and the goal is to figure out how to get a contract done that he feels good about, that we feel good about, and have him continue to do his thing for the Rams leading the way.”
Donald currently has three years remaining on his six-year, $135MM contract. He’s only due to make $14.25MM next year, though, and Donald is seeking a raise based on everything he’s done for the Rams since signing that deal in 2018. Donald hasn’t appeared at OTAs this year, but that’s hardly out of the ordinary for the completely voluntary workouts.
When asked if Donald will be at mandatory minicamp next week, McVay expressed some hope. “I think so. That’s the plan right now, so we’ll see. I sure hope so, so I don’t have to answer your questions next week about it,” McVay joked. “No, I think he’ll be here. That’s the plan.”
Contract Details: Njoku, Addison, Fuller
Here are some details on deals recently signed around the NFL:
- David Njoku, TE (Browns): Four-year, $54.75MM. The contract, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, has an amount guaranteed at signing of $17MM consisting of a signing bonus of $11.47MM, the 2022 base salary of $1.04MM, and the 2023 base salary of $4.5MM. Unless the Browns release Njoku by the third league day in March of 2023, Njoku will receive an additional guaranteed bonus of $11MM consisting of an $8MM 2023 option bonus and $3MM of the 2024 base salary. The additional $11MM is only dependent on roster status, being guaranteed for injury at signing. The full amount of the 2024 base salary, including the guaranteed amount of $3MM, is $13MM. The 2025 base salary is worth $14.25MM. There are two automatically voided years built in for 2026 and 2027 meant to spread around the bonuses and cap hits. In 2024, Njoku will receive a per game active bonus of $88,235 for a potential total of $1.5MM. In 2025, Njoku will receive a per game active bonus of $58,823 for a potential season total of $1MM. The deal also includes annual incentives of $250,000 if Njoku is named first- or second-team All-Pro and $500,000 if he’s named All-Pro and the Browns make the playoffs.
- Mario Addison, DE (Texans): Two-year, $7.7MM. The deal, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, has a total guaranteed amount of $4.6MM consisting of a signing bonus of $2MM, the 2022 base salary of $1.5MM, and $1.1MM of the 2023 base salary. The 2023 base salary, including the guaranteed amount, is worth $3MM in total. Wilson reports an annual per game active bonus of $35,294 for a potential per season total of $600,000.
- Kyle Fuller, CB (Ravens): One-year, $2.5MM. The contract, according to Field Yates of ESPN, is fully guaranteed with a signing bonus of $1.38MM and a base salary of $1.12MM.