AFC Draft Updates: Ravens, Dolphins, Chiefs
The Ravens hosted Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche and West Virginia safety Karl Joseph today, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter). Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley was also in Baltimore visiting the Ravens today, per Breer (via Twitter). Stanley is considered by most to be a top-10 lock, but not all teams agree, as Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net recently reported. Some scouts have concerns about Stanley’s apparent lack of athleticism.
Here are several more updates on draft visits and workouts from out of the AFC:
- Ohio State wideouts Braxton Miller and Michael Thomas worked out for the Titans last week, then got a look from three Bengals evaluators on Monday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report adds (via Twitter) that he keeps hearing Thomas is a top target for Cincinnati.
- University of Miami defensive lineman Ufomba Kamalu, defensive back Deon Bush, wide receiver Rashawn Scott, and wideout Herb Waters were all a part of the Dolphins‘ local prospect day, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (all four Twitter links). Western Michigan WR Daniel Braverman and Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty were among the other prospects with Florida roots to participate in the Dolphins’ local day, per Salguero (Twitter links).
- In other Dolphins draft news, the team is privately working out Temple wide receiver Robby Anderson on Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
- Northern Illinois inside linebacker Perez Ford visited the Chiefs today, a source tells Aaron Wilson. Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that North Dakota fullback Will Ratelle, a converted linebacker, visited Kansas City.
- Tennessee wide receiver Marquez North had private workouts with the Colts and Patriots, according to Aaron Wilson.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Contract Details: Nelson, W. Johnson, Larsen
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has several details on a handful of the latest contracts to be agreed upon or signed from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and check out the specifics….
- Reggie Nelson, S (Raiders): Two years, $8.5MM. $4MM guaranteed. $2MM roster bonus due next Friday. Salaries of $2MM (guaranteed) and $2.75MM. $1.25MM roster bonus due on third day of 2017 league year (becomes guaranteed if Nelson plays 65% of Raiders’ defensive snaps in 2016). Annual $250K workout bonus. Up to $1.75MM annually in incentives for INTs, playing time, and Pro Bowl (Twitter links).
- Will Johnson, FB (Giants): Two years, $2.3MM. $400K signing bonus. $100K of $800K 2016 salary is guaranteed. $100K roster bonus due on third day of 2017 league year. Up to $600K in incentives for playing time, receptions, and Pro Bowl (Twitter links).
- Ted Larsen, OL (Bears): One year, $1.65MM. $350K signing bonus. Up to $200K in per-game roster bonuses. $50K workout bonus. Up to $750K in playing time incentives (Twitter link).
- Stevan Ridley, RB (Lions): One year, minimum salary benefit. $50K signing bonus. $30K workout bonus. $200K of $760K base salary is guaranteed (Twitter link).
- Sterling Moore, CB (Bills): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).
Dolphins Have Ownership Succession Plan
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross doesn’t plan on selling his franchise anytime soon, but he’ll turn 76 in May, and is looking ahead and making preparations for the future. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, NFL owners recently approved a succession plan for the Dolphins, which will give New York businessman Bruce Beal Jr. the right to purchase the team in the event that Ross decides to sell — or passes away.
As La Canfora writes, the league typically doesn’t announce this sort of arrangement publicly, but they’re not uncommon. Sources tell La Canfora that Ross wanted to be proactive in coming up with a succession plan, and Beal is someone to whom he feels very close.
Beal was elevated to president of Ross’ Related Companies real estate firm when the Dolphins owner – and Related Companies founder – stepped aside as CEO in 2012. The two men have worked together for years, and one source describes the Dolphins’ new succession plan as something akin to “keeping the team in the family,” per La Canfora.
While the arrangement doesn’t ensure that Beal will gain control of the franchise when it becomes available, he’ll be in the driver’s seat to purchase it.
Ross has been willing to OK major personnel moves in recent years, signing Ndamukong Suh to a mega-deal in free agency in 2015, and approving a major trade involving Byron Maxwell, Kiko Alonso, and a pair of first-round picks last month. The Dolphins, under Ross, also made another coaching change earlier this year, hiring Adam Gase to replace interim head coach Dan Campbell.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC Draft Updates: Eagles, Hackenberg, Ifedi
A report last Thursday indicated that Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg had a workout lined up with the Eagles this week, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that it will happen tomorrow.
As Rapoport notes, Philadelphia is taking a look at all of the top QB prospects in this year’s draft class, so the club will be an interesting one to keep an eye on in three weeks. While some observers are convinced that new head coach Doug Pederson and the Eagles will take a signal-caller early, others believe it’s just a smoke-screen.
As we wait to see exactly what Pederson, Howie Roseman, and Co. have up their sleeves, let’s check in on some other draft updates from around the NFC….
- We heard on Wednesday that Texas A&M tackle Germain Ifedi has a busy schedule of pre-draft visits and workouts. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle adds a couple more teams to the list of potential suitors for Ifedi, tweeting that the Vikings are hosting him for a visit and Seahawks assistant Tom Cable is working him out.
- Ohio State safety Vonn Bell has a visit with the Rams on tap for early next week, per Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link).
- Jihad Ward of Illinois has 12 pre-draft visits lined up with teams, and is meeting with the Cardinals, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. Ward transitioned from receiver/safety to the defensive line during his time as a JUCO player. In his first year with Illinois (his junior season), he recorded 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and four fumble recoveries.
- Wisconsin safety Michael Caputo visited Washington today, Aaron Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks are slated to work out BYU flex tight end Terenn Houk, tweets Aaron Wilson.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Patriots Sign Markus Kuhn
The Patriots continue to fortify their defensive line, importing another free agent from the NFC East. Former Giants defensive tackle Markus Kuhn, who said farewell to Big Blue in an Instagram post earlier today, revealed his new team in a separate post on Instagram, publishing a photo of himself as he signed a new contract with the Pats.
“I could [not] be more proud to be part of such a great organization!” Kuhn said in his Instagram post. “Hard work always pays off!”
Kuhn, who will turn 30 next month, spent the first four years of his NFL career in New York after being selected by the Giants in the final round of the 2012 draft. He has played a rotational role for the club in recent years, appearing in 24 games (eight starts) in 2014 and 2015. Over the course of those two seasons, the German defender compiled 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries, including one he returned for a touchdown.
According to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, even after their free agent spending spree last month, the Giants offered Kuhn the opportunity to return to New York as a reserve, but he elected to sign elsewhere. Kuhn joins a New England squad that recently added former Washington defensive linemen Terrance Knighton and Frank Kearse, as well as ex-Rams defensive end Chris Long.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bills Sign Fernando Velasco
After hosting him for a visit today, the Bills have signed free agent offensive lineman Fernando Velasco to a contract, the team announced today in a press release.
Velasco, 31, was one of the Titans’ final cuts prior to the 2015 season and he circled back to Carolina in September. While the veteran is usually listed as a center, he has also spent a good deal of time at guard, and the Bills didn’t specify a position in their press release today, so Velasco could move around on the line depending on where he’s needed.
When he was with the Steelers in 2013, Velasco filled in for injured center Maurkice Pouncey and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the team’s fourth-best lineman. In 2015, Velasco appeared in 12 games, though he started just one. For his career, he has totaled 38 regular-season starts.
Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but a one-year, minimum salary benefit deal with a modest bonus appears likely.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC Draft Updates: Bills, Lynch, Jags, Broncos
Most NFL teams have at least one representative in attendance at the pro day for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch on Wednesday, but the Bills got a closer look at the young signal-caller on Tuesday night, according to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN, who reports that Buffalo took Lynch out for dinner (Twitter link via Mike Rodak).
The Bills have a quarterback they like in Tyrod Taylor, but Taylor has just one year remaining on his contract with the team, and an extension is not believed to be close, so it will be interesting to see if Buffalo nabs a QB early in this year’s draft. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is in Memphis to check out Lynch.
Let’s round up a few more draft updates from across the AFC…
- We can add Alabama center Ryan Kelly, Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the extensive list of pre-draft visitors meeting with the Jaguars today, according to tweets from John Oehser of Jaguars.com and Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
- The Broncos remain in the market for running back help, and are hosting Utah RB Devontae Booker for a visit today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
- According to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter links), Akron outside linebacker Jatavis Brown, Michigan State cornerback Arjen Colquhoun, and Baylor offensive lineman Blake Muir recently met with the Chiefs, who are hosting UTSA defensive tackle Brian Price for a visit today.
- UCLA offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch, Florida safety Keanu Neal, Boise State safety Darian Thompson, and Temple cornerback Tavon Young are in Pittsburgh today to visit the Steelers, per Bob Labriola (Twitter link).
- The Jets met extensively with Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell, a potential second-round pick, on Tuesday, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, who tweets that Fackrell would fit a “big need” for Gang Green.
Contract Details: A. Smith, V. Davis, Knighton
Here are the latest details on recently signed or agreed-upon contracts from around the NFL. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.
- Aldon Smith, OLB (Raiders): Two years, $11.5MM. Annual salaries of $1.25MM. Up to $4MM annually in per-game roster bonuses. $500K annual workout bonus. Up to $3.5MM in annual incentives (Twitter link).
- Vernon Davis, TE (Washington): One year, $2.4MM. $500K signing bonus. $600K of $1.35MM base salary is guaranteed. $150K roster bonus due on August 22. Up to $300K in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $2.1MM in incentives (Twitter links).
- Terrance Knighton, DT (Patriots): One year, $2.018MM. $250K signing bonus. Up to $500K in per-game roster bonuses. $100K workout bonus. Up to $300K in performance incentives. Up to $2MM in playing-time incentives. $500K Pro Bowl incentive (links via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
- Jasper Brinkley, LB (Giants): One year, $1.8MM. $1.2MM base salary is guaranteed. $500K roster bonus paid on April 1. $100K workout bonus. Up to $500K in incentives for playing time (Twitter link)
- Stefen Wisniewski, C/G (Eagles): One year, $1.51MM. $500K signing bonus. Up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1.25MM in incentives (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports).
- Wallace Gilberry, DE (Lions): One year, $1.25MM. $340K signing bonus. $25K workout bonus. Up to $500K in incentives for performance and playing time (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
- Jack Crawford, DE (Cowboys): One year, $1.1MM. $240K signing bonus. $100K workout de-escalator. Up to $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
- Spencer Paysinger, LB (Dolphins): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $120K of $760K base salary is guaranteed. (Twitter link).
- Kyle Love, DT (Panthers): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).
AFC South Notes: Watt, Jaguars, Titans, Draft
Will Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt retire sooner rather than later? It’s probably too early to make any assumptions about how many years the perennial All-Pro has left, but as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets, Watt did tell SportsRadio 610 in Houston that he won’t be one of those players who attempts to extend his career as long as possible.
Here are several more items from out of the AFC South…
- Several of this week’s pre-draft visitors for the Jaguars have already been reported, but Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) identify a few more. According to O’Halloran, UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark, Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland were among the players at EverBank Field on Tuesday, while Rapoport reports that UGA linebacker Leonard Floyd is there today.
- Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle passes along a pair of Texans pre-draft updates, writing that Texas A&M kicker Taylor Bertolet has a private workout lined up with Texans assistant Larry Izzo and that FIU cornerback Richard Leonard worked out for the club.
- The Titans will soon host Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader for a pre-draft visit, a league source tells Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. As McCormick observes, Tennessee has been doing its homework on defensive lineman, and could use some depth at nose tackle.
Extra Points: Wisniewski, Fuchs, Cards, Vikings
The one-year contract for new Eagles offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski is worth slightly more than the $2.5MM he earned from Jacksonville last season, a source tells Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. Still, Wisniewski was somewhat disappointed that he couldn’t land a longer-term deal this offseason.
“It’s been tough,” Wisniewski said. “I certainly was hoping to sign a long-term deal for some good money. I thought I’d played well enough to deserve that – a lot of people did. It just kind of didn’t work out, with circumstances and whatnot.”
Wisniewski, who said the Jaguars were “kind of lowballing me, to be honest,” is hoping to parlay his one-year pact with the Eagles into a multiyear agreement in Philadelphia or elsewhere in 2017, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. In order to have a chance to do that, Wisniewski will probably have to win the starting left guard job — otherwise, his playing time could depend on the health of center Jason Kelce.
Here are a few more Tuesday odds and ends from around the NFL…
- Leicester City defender Christian Fuchs told Patrick Davison of Sky Sports that he has “ambitions to become an NFL kicker.” The 29-year-old isn’t planning on moving on from soccer quite yet, but when he does, he believes he could potentially make the transition to American football. “If NFL managers want a footballer in their team, I know I can kick a 60-yard field goal,” Fuchs said. “Let’s see. Dreams can come true you know if you don’t dream you won’t reach anything.”
- Virginia Tech defensive end/linebacker Dadi Nicolas visited the Cardinals on Tuesday, as Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. The Cardinals also worked out Portland State long snapper Kameron Canaday – for a second time – and Portland State cornerback Aaron Sibley, tweets Getlin.
- The Vikings are hosting Vanderbilt pass rusher Stephen Weatherly on a pre-draft visit, and are also bringing in Clemson safety T.J. Green, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter links). Wolfson adds that Green – who visited Arizona on Monday – will also make a trip to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers.
- Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones visited with the Eagles today, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic tweets.
Zach Links contributed to this post.