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Author: Luke Adams

Titans Decline Chance Warmack’s 2017 Option

May 2nd, 2016 at 12:48pm CST by Luke Adams

The Titans will not exercise their fifth-year option on offensive lineman Chance Warmack‘s rookie contract, the team announced today (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). The move will ensure that Warmack is eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2017, barring an extension with Tennessee.Chance Warmack

[RELATED: 2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]

“We have decided to decline the fifth-year option for G Chance Warmack,” GM Jon Robinson said in a statement (Twitter link). “At this point and time for our football team, as we manage the roster and salary cap, we believe this is in the best interest of our team. We talked to Chance and his representation this morning to inform them of our decision. We expect Chance to play well for us this year; and we are not closing the door on his long-term future with our franchise.”

Warmack, 24, has been the Titans’ full-time right guard since being selected 10th overall in the 2013 draft, starting 46 of a possible 48 games over the last three seasons. The Alabama alum has been solid but not spectacular in that role, ranking 40th out of 81 qualified guards in 2015, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades.

Even if Warmack had played consistently well during his first three years, it would have been a tough pill to swallow for the Titans to exercise his fifth-year option. As a top-10 pick, Warmack would have been in line for a higher salary than players picked between 11th and 32nd. And because offensive linemen aren’t split up by position, his projected 2017 salary ($11.902MM) would have been the same as the salary for tackles like Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel. Currently, only one guard – Kelechi Osemele – earns more than $8MM per year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Vikings Agree To Terms With 10 UDFAs

May 2nd, 2016 at 12:36pm CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings have formally agreed to terms with 10 rookie free agents who went undrafted over the weekend, the team announced in a press release.

Minnesota’s 10 undrafted free agent signees are split evenly between offense and defense, with a focus on skill-position players on the offensive side of the ball — there are no offensive linemen in this group. Here’s the full list:

James Harrison To Return In 2016

May 2nd, 2016 at 11:54am CST by Luke Adams

When James Harrison‘s agent suggested back in February that he expected his client to return to the Steelers in 2016, the veteran linebacker himself cautioned that he had yet to make any decisions. But two and a half months later, it seems Harrison has made up his mind.James Harrison

On his Instagram account today, Harrison published a photo of himself with the caption “I’m back.” Within the post itself, the Steelers linebacker wrote: “I’ll be 38 on Wednesday and I’m feeling just like a fine wine. Getting better with age.”

Harrison, who will be the NFL’s oldest defensive player in 2016, had been expected to return. He’s under contract through the 2016 season, and in addition to agent Bill Parise expressing optimism about Harrison continuing his career, GM Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin indicated this weekend that they anticipated another year from their stalwart linebacker. “He’s working out awful hard for a ‘retired’ guy,” Tomlin said.

In spite of his age, Harrison remains a solid contributor on defense. Last season, the former undrafted free agent logged 40 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Pro Football Focus ranked him 14th out of 110 qualified edge defenders, assigning him strong grades as both a run defender and pass rusher.

The Steelers have Harrison on their books for 2016 for an affordable $1.25MM base salary and $1.5MM cap hit.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Panthers Agree To Sign Seven UDFAs

May 2nd, 2016 at 11:41am CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have agreed to terms with seven undrafted free agents, the team announced today in a press release. Here’s a breakdown of the players who will officially be joining Carolina’s 90-man roster, according to the club:

Chiefs Exercise Eric Fisher’s 2017 Option

May 2nd, 2016 at 11:30am CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs are the latest team to officially announce that they’ve exercised a fifth-year option on a 2013 first-rounder. In Kansas City’s case, that player is former No. 1 overall pick, Eric Fisher. The Chiefs formally confirmed (via Twitter) that they’ve exercised the veteran tackle’s 2017 option.Eric Fisher

Fisher, 25, has been a starter for the Chiefs – first at right tackle and then at left tackle – since being selected first overall in the 2013 draft. Although his first two years were somewhat underwhelming, he showed signs of improvement in 2015, particularly down the stretch. His performance was enough to convince the Chiefs to exercise his option for 2017, which will put him in line for a $11.902MM salary.

Of course, for now, that option is only guaranteed for injury, so as long as Fisher stays healthy in 2016, Kansas City’s real decision will happen next March — on the first day of the 2017 league year, Fisher’s $11.902MM salary would become fully guaranteed.

Fisher had been one of two offensive tackles at the top of the 2013 draft whose fifth-year option for 2017 wasn’t necessarily a slam dunk. The Jaguars have yet to announce a decision on the No. 2 overall pick from that draft, tackle Luke Joeckel.

The full list of fifth-year option decisions for 2017 can be found right here.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

49ers Exercise Eric Reid’s 2017 Option

May 2nd, 2016 at 10:35am CST by Luke Adams

In advance of the deadline for fifth-year options for 2013 first-round picks to be exercised, the 49ers have picked up their option on safety Eric Reid, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The move will ensure that Reid is on San Francisco’s books for a $5.676MM salary in 2017.Eric Reid

[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]

Reid, 24, has been a full-time starter for the 49ers since entering the league as the 18th overall pick in 2013. In 2015, he made 66 tackles to go along with a sack and a forced fumble, failing to record an interception for the first time in his career. The LSU product grabbed three picks in 2014, and four in his Pro Bowl rookie season.

The Niners’ decision to exercise Reid’s option for 2017 comes as no surprise. General manager Trent Baalke said in April that the team would either retain Reid by exercising his fifth-year option or by extending him.

While his option has now been picked up, Reid could still sign a longer-term extension with San Francisco anytime between now and when he’s eligible to hit the open market, in March of 2018.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Vikings Pick Up Options On Xavier Rhodes, Sharrif Floyd

May 2nd, 2016 at 9:55am CST by Luke Adams

9:55am: The Vikings have informed Patterson that they won’t be picking up his option, a source tells Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.

9:49am: The Vikings have option decisions on three players to announce today, and they’ve already made at least two of those decisions. According to agent Sunny Shah (via Twitter), Minnesota has picked up the fifth-year option on his client, cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The team has also exerciXavier Rhodessed its fifth-year option on defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

[RELATED: 2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]

Both moves had been anticipated, since Rhodes and Floyd have been solid pieces of the Vikings’ defense since joining the team, and their projected 2017 salaries aren’t exorbitant. Floyd, the 23rd overall pick in 2013, will earn a $6.757MM salary on his 2017 option year, while Rhodes, the 25th overall pick, will be in line for an $8.026MM salary.

While Floyd, who has started 23 games for Minnesota over the last two seasons, figures to continue in a similar role going forward, Rhodes will have a little more competition at cornerback in 2016 and 2017 — the Vikings used their second-round pick on Friday to nab Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander, one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s draft, so he’ll join Rhodes, Terence Newman, Trae Waynes, and Captain Munnerlyn in Minneapolis.

The Vikings’ third option decision today is for wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who would be owed a $7.915MM salary in 2017 if the team picks up his fifth-year option. It does not appear likely to be exercised.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets Exercise 2017 Option On Sheldon Richardson

May 2nd, 2016 at 9:52am CST by Luke Adams

MAY 2: The Jets have officially exercised their 2017 option on Richardson, per Mehta (Twitter link). However, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets, the club won’t be picking up cornerback Dee Milliner‘s option, so he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency next year.

APRIL 18: The Jets will exercise their fifth-year option on defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson in advance of next month’s deadline, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The decision comes as no surprise, since Richardson has been one of the Jets’ best defensive players since entering the NFL in 2013, and his option salary won’t be fully guaranteed right away.Sheldon Richardson (vertical)

[RELATED: No agreement expected before draft for Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick]

As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com tweets, Richardson’s fifth-year option for 2017 will be worth $8.069MM. That figure is guaranteed for injury only until the first day of the 2017 league year next March, at which point it becomes fully guaranteed as long as Richardson remains under contract.

Richardson, who served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2015 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, was his usual effective self upon returning, picking up five sacks and forcing a couple fumbles. Pro Football Focus, which classified him as an edge defender, ranked him 30th out of 110 qualified players in the group.

Despite the fact that the Jets used their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson this offseason, the team is believed to prefer Richardson in the long term, as long as he can stay out of trouble off the field. The Wilkerson situation will be interesting to monitor — if he’s traded or even just doesn’t sign a multiyear deal with the Jets, it probably increases the chances of the club eventually working out a long-term deal with Richardson instead.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

King’s Latest: Cowboys, Lynch, Ravens, Pats

May 2nd, 2016 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

Peter King of TheMMQB.com spent time last week in the Cowboys‘ draft room as Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones mulled over potential franchise-altering decisions, and King’s latest MMQB column features plenty of tidbits related to the Cowboys’ draft. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights…

  • Jerry Jones badly wanted Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round, but the Cowboys‘ offer of a second-round pick (No. 34), a fourth-round pick (No. 101), and a sixth-rounder (No. 189) for the Seahawks‘ first-round pick (No. 26) and a seventh-rounder (No. 247) wasn’t enough. Seattle wanted a second- and third-rounder (No. 67) from Dallas, and ultimately went with Denver’s offer instead.
  • The Cowboys had been willing to offer their second- and third-round picks for a selection in the teens or early-20s, but decided not to pull the trigger on that offer for the No. 26 pick. If the target was always Lynch (who was 12th on the Cowboys’ board, per King), it seems odd that Dallas would balk at that asking price at No. 26, since the team would have made the same pick and gotten the QB at a lower salary slot.
  • The Ravens offered their 104th overall pick, a fourth-rounder, in an attempt to move up to No. 4 from No. 6. The Cowboys wanted Baltimore’s third-rounder (No. 70) instead, and ultimately decided to stand pat when the Ravens didn’t increase their offer. Dallas didn’t want to risk missing out on both Ezekiel Elliott and Jalen Ramsey — pass rusher Leonard Floyd would have been the Cowboys’ pick at No. 6 in that scenario, and while they liked Floyd, he wasn’t graded as highly as Elliott and Ramsey.
  • After missing out on Lynch, the Cowboys also made an effort to move up for Connor Cook in round four — the team offered its sixth-round pick to the Browns, along with No. 101, for No. 100, but Cleveland chose Oakland’s offer instead, and Dallas ultimately drafted Dak Prescott instead of Lynch or Cook.
  • In non-Cowboys news, King writes that the Ravens had what they considered “reliable information” that the Patriots would try to draft Navy’s Keenan Reynolds in the sixth round. Baltimore beat New England to the punch by nabbing Reynolds with the 182nd overall selection.

2016 NFL Draft Results By Team

April 30th, 2016 at 10:10pm CST by Luke Adams

Listed below are all 253 picks of the 2016 NFL draft, broken down by team. You can find a complete breakdown of the draft results by round right here.

Here are the complete 2016 NFL draft results by team:

Updated 7-29-16 (10:30pm CT)

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

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