Steelers Release Cortez Allen
The Steelers have made a notable roster move today, announcing in a press release that they have released veteran cornerback Cortez Allen. Because Allen has more than four years of NFL experience, he’ll immediately become a free agent without having to pass through waivers.
Allen, a fourth-round pick in 2011, showed some promise during his first three years in Pittsburgh, particularly in 2013, when he started eight games and picked up a pair of interceptions to go along with 13 passes defended. That performance prompted the Steelers to lock up Allen to a four-year extension worth $24.6MM in 2014.
Since then, however, the 27-year-old has regressed and struggled with injuries, appearing in just 12 total games over the last two seasons. By acknowledging their mistake with Allen and cutting him, the Steelers will reduce his cap number from $5.75MM to $4.05MM for 2016, creating $1.7MM in cap space.
The secondary, and cornerback in particular, is expected to be a primary area of focus for GM Kevin Colbert and the Steelers in this month’s draft. Pittsburgh has done its homework on top cornerback prospects, and may even go in that direction in round one.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bears Exercise 2017 Option On Kyle Long
2:53pm: Long’s fifth-year option will be worth $8.821MM, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports.com.
2:00pm: The Bears have become the third team to officially exercise a fifth-year option on a 2013 first-rounder, announcing today that they’ve picked up Kyle Long‘s option for the 2017 season (Twitter link). Safety Kenny Vaccaro (Saints) and tight end Tyler Eifert (Bengals) also had their fifth-year options exercised this week.
Long, 27, has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons since entering the league, starting all but one game for the Bears over the last three years. After playing at right guard to start his career, the former 20th overall pick shifted over to right tackle during the 2015 season.
As Pro Football Focus’ data suggests, Long wasn’t quite as effective on the end of the offensive line as he was on the interior, and he figures to return to that familiar right guard spot in 2016. Because offensive linemen receive the same option salary no matter what position they play on the line, Long’s 2017 earnings won’t be affected by the position switch. The fifth-year option salary for offensive linemen in 2016 was $8.07MM, and it figures to be a little higher than that this time around.
The rest of the league’s teams have until May 3rd to exercise fifth-year options on players drafted in the 2013 first round.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Pauline’s Latest: Eagles, Elliott, Mathews, Cook
Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net is back with another round of draft-related updates and rumors at WalterFootball.com, so let’s see what he has for us, with less than two weeks until draft day….
- If the Eagles select running back Ezekiel Elliott and decide to make Ryan Mathews available, the Cowboys and 49ers would have interest in the veteran, per Pauline. As James Walker of ESPN.com tweets, Elliott feels like the Eagles have shown the most interest in him so far, so it’s possible he’ll end up in Philadelphia. Even in that scenario though, and even if the club was willing to trade Mathews, it’s not clear whether Howie Roseman would be enthusiastic about dealing with a divisional rival or with Chip Kelly‘s team.
- Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook continues to be plagued by leadership questions, with Pauline hearing that he came off as “flippant and cavalier” during some team interviews. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that he expects Cook to come off the board earlier than many observers expect, which could still be true, since all it takes is one team willing to roll the dice.
- San Jose State running back Tyler Ervin is drawing interest around the league and could end up as a day two pick, says Pauline. The Panthers, Browns, Texans, Saints, and Patriots have hosted Ervin for pre-draft visits.
- Vanderbilt linebacker Stephen Weatherly has worked out for the Panthers, Patriots, Colts, and Cardinals, and has visited the Panthers, Broncos, Saints, Raiders, Chiefs, and Vikings. Meanwhile, Maryland linebacker Yannick Ngakoue worked out for the Texans, Cowboys, Saints, Colts, Titans, Ravens, Dolphins, and Patriots, in addition to making several previously-reported visits. Pauline believes both players may come off the board earlier than expected.
Draft Rumors: Lawson, Jack, Eagles, Bills
Medical re-checks are taking place this week for some prospects, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has updates on how they went for a pair of top defenders. According to Rapoport (Twitter links), the re-check for Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson confirmed that there’s no concern about his availability for 2016 — one team had flagged Lawson’s shoulder, but was comfortable with it after getting a closer look at the combine.
Meanwhile, although UCLA linebacker Myles Jack told ESPN’s Stephania Bell that his re-check went great, adding that “no one had any concerns,” Rapoport says that’s not quite the case. Teams had “differing opinions,” with some clubs believing the knee is a potential issue. Still, Rapoport says that teams who believe in Jack won’t be deterred by today’s medicals (Twitter links).
Let’s round up a few more draft updates and rumors from around the NFL…
- The Rams gave the Titans a massive haul of picks to get the No. 1 selection because they believed Tennessee was about to pull the trigger on a deal with the Eagles, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets.
- With Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel both entering contract years, the Bills are “very much” in the hunt for a quarterback in this year’s draft, sources tell Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
- In an article for FOX Sports, Schrager lays out the case for why there’s a chance the Browns, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, might become the second team to trade down from the very top of this year’s draft.
- Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch met with the Saints on Thursday and will visit with the Jets on Friday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Gannon quarterback Liam Nadler is drawing interest from the Texans, Steelers, Chargers, Jets, Eagles, and Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that the Texans, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Patriots, and Bears are among the teams to show interest in South Florida edge defender Eric Lee.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Jason Hatcher To Retire
Veteran defensive lineman Jason Hatcher will call it a career, according to agent Jordan Woy (via Twitter). Woy announced today that Hatcher is retiring from the NFL, tweeting that his client’s leadership “will be missed by teammates.”
Hatcher, 33, joined the Cowboys as a third-round pick in the 2006 draft, and played in Dallas for the next eight seasons. Although he didn’t start a game until 2010, Hatcher was a solid rotational piece throughout the first few years of his career, and developed into an impact starter during his last few seasons in Dallas.
Hatcher enjoyed his best season in 2013, when he recorded a career-high 11 sacks and forced a pair of fumbles. The Grambling State alum earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod for that performance, and parlayed it into a four-year, $27.5MM contract with the Cowboys’ division rivals in Washington. After earning about half of that contract, Hatcher was released by the team earlier this offseason to create cap room.
While the Saints hosted Hatcher for a visit in March, and reports indicated that Washington had some interest in re-signing him at a reduced rate, the veteran defensive lineman will move on from the NFL instead, after 10 seasons in the league. For his career, he totaled 34.5 sacks in 147 regular season games (69 starts).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
East Notes: Cowboys, Goff, Bills, Jets, Pats
The blockbuster Rams/Titans trade involving the first overall pick will have an impact on several of the teams picking after Los Angeles, and the owner of one of those clubs acknowledged as much. As Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes, the Cowboys, who pick at No. 4, may have to prepare for a different set of players to be available in the wake of the trade.
“Well, I don’t want to make any assumptions, but yeah, it does impact because that kind of movement up ahead of you in a lot of different ways it took a lot of the consideration out of the marketplace,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “If you think draft picks are consideration, then it is. It certainly made a difference below that No. 1 pick as to what might be available trading or in terms of making a decision with a player. It took two commodities out. It took picks, it took a player.”
As Archer details in a separate story, the Cowboys’ brass is headed to the Bay Area for a private workout with Cal quarterback Jared Goff, who may or may not be available at No. 4 — it’s possible Goff could be the Rams’ target at No. 1, but if L.A. opts for Carson Wentz and the Browns don’t select a quarterback, Goff would likely be on the board when Dallas picks. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Cowboys prefer to target their QB of the future or a top defensive player.
Here are a few more Friday morning updates from out of the NFL’s East divisions:
- The Bills continue to eye defensive prospects, having brought in Georgia pass rusher Leonard Floyd for a visit, per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. Floyd, a probable first-round pick, arrived in Buffalo on Thursday and will continue his visit with the team on Friday.
- Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter) has the details on wide receiver/kick returner Jeremy Ross‘ one-year deal with the Jets. The minimum salary pact has a total value of $840K, with a $50K signing bonus plus a $30K roster bonus if Ross is on the 53-man roster.
- Mike Reiss of ESPN.com explains why the Patriots waived running back Tyler Gaffney earlier this week, only to sign him back to their roster three days later.
- East Carolina tight end Bryce Williams says he had a workout with the Patriots, as Tyler Dunne tweets. The Pats, of course, already have Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett at tight end.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Latest On Dominique Easley
When news broke on Wednesday that the Patriots had decided to waive defensive tackle Dominique Easley, it came as a surprise — although Easley had been plagued by injuries during his first two years in the NFL, his stock certainly hadn’t fallen as far as that of Johnny Manziel, the only other 2014 first-rounder to be cut by his team already.
[RELATED: Patriots waive Dominique Easley]
According to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com (Twitter link), there wasn’t one incident that led to Easley’s release. However, it does seem as if there were a few factors beyond the lineman’s play on the field that played a part in the decision.
Curran alludes to “philosophical differences on following injury programs,” while Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (all Twitter links) notes that Easley is facing a lawsuit in Palm Beach County from a man alleging that he was bit by Easley’s dog. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe hears that Easley – who has a fondness for pit bulls and other aggressive dogs – may be bracing for two more similar lawsuits.
Meanwhile, multiple sources tell Volin that the 24-year-old is “unreliable and immature,” and an unnamed former teammate referred to him as a “locker room cancer.” Said one source to Volin: “I think he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He comes across as an entitled kid. He reneges on everything. He thinks he’s invincible.”
Despite whispers about possible poor off-field behavior, Easley remains a talented contributor on the field when he’s healthy. He didn’t see enough snaps to earn a spot on Pro Football Focus’ rankings for interior defensive linemen last season, but his +81.5 grade would have placed him 24th at the position if he had played a little more.
New agent Drew Rosenhaus, who admits he was surprised by the move, said on Wednesday that he expects Easley to be on another team soon, per Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link). It’s possible that the former first-rounder won’t even reach free agency — teams have the opportunity to place a waiver claim on him, to assume the final two years of his rookie contract from the Pats.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Draft Rumors: Titans, Eagles, Dolphins, Drake
Titans general manager Jon Robinson completed a major trade today, sending the No. 1 overall pick – along with a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder – to Los Angeles in exchange for six picks, including two first-rounders. In fact, according to multiple reports, the deal was finalized last night, but the Rams wanted to wait until today to announce it to avoid stealing headlines during Kobe Bryant’s final game.
Speaking to reporters today, Robinson suggested that he may not be done dealing. Armed with four picks in the top 45, and six in the top 76, the Titans GM referred to those extra picks as “currency,” suggesting Tennessee has options when it comes to moving up or down during the draft. Robinson added that his phone “is still working,” inviting teams to call him if they want to discuss trades (Twitter links).
As we wait to see if Robinson has any other mega-deals up his sleeve, let’s round up a few more draft updates and rumors…
- Before agreeing to send their top pick to L.A., the Titans had spoken to the Eagles about the possibility of a swap involving that No. 1 pick, but Philadelphia withdrew its offer earlier this week, a source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility of Philadelphia continuing to explore a potential trade with the Browns, who hold the No. 2 pick. Of course, that would only be plausible if the Rams don’t select the QB the Eagles like, and the Browns decide not to take a QB of their own.
- The Dolphins, who remain in the market for help at the running back position, have shown interest in Alabama reserve RB Kenyan Drake, but not Crimson Tide starter Derrick Henry, observes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
- The Rams, Falcons, and Seahawks are among the teams interested in Utah State wide receiver Brandon Swindall, who has intrigued NFL clubs, writes Aaron Wilson of The National Football Post.
- Air Force tight end/long snapper Garrett Griffin is drawing interest from the Lions, Saints, Chargers, 49ers, Chiefs, and Broncos, as Aaron Wilson tweets.
- Duke safety Jeremy Cash had more than 10 teams at his pro day, including the Panthers, Steelers, Falcons, Cardinals, and Saints, tweets Rand Getlin of NFL.com.
Jared Allen To Retire As Viking
APRIL 14: Allen has signed a one-day contract with the Vikings to officially retire as a member of the team.
FEBRUARY 18: Veteran defensive end Jared Allen, who finished the 2015 season with the Panthers, has decided to call it a career. Allen announced his retirement today in a video published to his Twitter account.
“I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,” Allen said, joking about riding off into the sunset before literally “riding off” on horseback. The 33-year-old also issued a formal statement on his retirement (TwitLonger link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports), which read, in part:
“I want to take this time to thank my family, friends fans, and teammates who have given their continued support throughout my 12 year career. It’s been a great ride for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the memories. It is with a great deal of thought and consideration, that I have decided that I will not return to football next year.”
Since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2004, Allen has been one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers, leading the league in sacks on multiple occasions and earning four first-team All-Pro nods. In 187 career regular-season games, Allen racked up 136 sacks, 32 forced fumbles, 19 fumble recoveries, and even six interceptions.
Allen didn’t exactly enjoy a storybook ending to his NFL career, but this year’s Super Bowl represented the first time that the veteran defensive end got a chance to play for a championship — he fought through a broken foot in order to take the field for Super Bowl 50.
Although he hadn’t a played in a Super Bowl until this year, Allen appeared in playoff games during his time in Kansas City and Minnesota. His best individual seasons came in 2007 – when he totaled 15.5 sacks in his final year with the Chiefs – and in 2011, when he nearly broke Michael Strahan‘s single-season record by piling up 22 sacks. Having spent the brunt of his 12-year NFL career with the Chiefs and Vikings, Allen signed with the Bears as a free agent in 2014, then finished his career in Carolina, after being traded to the Panthers during the 2015 season.
Because they acquired him in a trade, the Panthers won’t carry any dead money on their salary cap this year for Allen. The club also won’t be on the hook for his $8.5MM base salary.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
East Notes: Cowboys, Ramsey, Giants, Jets
The blockbuster trade that saw the Rams snag the Titans’ first overall pick in this year’s draft will have a significant impact on several other clubs around the NFL, and one of those teams is the Cowboys, who hold the No. 4 pick. If Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, and Laremy Tunsil are the top three picks in some order, it would give Dallas the opportunity to select any defensive prospect available, including Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
We’ve heard that the Cowboys like Ramsey, and Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets that Dallas is one of four teams the ex-Seminole has visited since his pro day — Ramsey also made trips to Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Baltimore. While he no longer seems likely to land with the Titans, Ramsey could very well be snatched up by one of those other three teams, and the Cowboys would get the first chance of the three.
Here are a few more notes from around the NFL’s East divisions:
- The Giants are taking a close look at plenty of safety prospects in this draft, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, who writes that the team worked out Ohio State’s Tyvis Powell and has been “sniffing around” Boston College’s Justin Simmons for months.
- Within his latest Jets mailbag, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News fields questions on the asking price in a Muhammad Wilkerson trade, the possibility of Ryan Fitzpatrick deciding to retire, and the chances of the Jets drafting a cornerback early.
- Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle provides the details on the Bills‘ new one-year deal with safety Colt Anderson, tweeting that the minimum salary benefit contract features $580K in guarantees, including an $80K signing bonus.
- Cal tight end Stephen Anderson has a visit scheduled with the Dolphins next week, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. In total, Anderson has now logged ten workouts and/or visits with 10 different teams.
- James Walker of ESPN.com examines four key Dolphins defenders who are entering contract years, and whom Miami will face decisions on within the next 11 months or so.
Zach Links contributed to this post.