P.J. Williams Arrested For DUI
Florida State draft prospect P.J. Williams was arrested early this morning in Leon County for driving under the influence, according to Albert Breer and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Williams is considered a top-five cornerback in this year’s draft.
Williams, 21, earned Defensive MVP honors in the BCS Championship game a year ago as a sophomore, logging seven tackles and an interception. He built on that performance in his junior year with the Seminoles, recording 60 tackles to go along with an interception, a forced fumble, and a sack. While he projects as a possible first-round pick based on his talent, this isn’t the first time Williams has run into trouble off the field.
Last October, Williams was involved in an early-morning car accident and fled the scene of the incident, leaving his wrecked vehicle in the street. Williams, who had been driving with a suspended license, received only a pair of traffic tickets rather than being charged with a hit and run. Police did not test him for alcohol.
Williams’ arrest today for DUI automatically places him in the NFL’s substance abuse program, and figures to hurt his draft stock. With teams becoming increasingly wary of players with off-field question marks, the young cornerback is extremely unlikely to be selected in the first round, and it figures to require a leap of faith for a team to even make him a second-day selection.
Lions Sign Josh Wilson
The Lions have added another cornerback to their roster, announcing today that they’ve signed Josh Wilson, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Per Twentyman, it’s a one-year deal for Wilson.
Wilson, 30, has spent time in Seattle, Baltimore, Washington, and Atlanta since entering the league in 2007 as a second-round pick by the Seahawks. Although he has 85 career starts to his name, Wilson played primarily in nickel and dime packages for the Falcons in 2014, recording 27 tackles and an interception in his 458 defensive snaps.
In Detroit, Wilson will provide depth in a secondary that will bring back starting cornerbacks Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis for the 2015 season. Cassius Vaughn, who saw the third-most snaps among Lions cornerbacks a year ago, remains unsigned, so Wilson figures to compete for that nickel job this summer.
Saints Extend Jahri Evans Through 2017
FRIDAY, 8:19am: Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post has the specifics on Evans’ new deal, reporting that the veteran guard got a $5.4MM signing bonus and $9.5MM in total guaranteed money. Evans’ base salary for 2015 was reduced to $1.003MM from $6.8MM, with his cap number coming down to $7MM, from $11MM. Wilson also provides the details on Evans’ new cap hits for 2016 ($8.2MM) and 2017 ($7.8MM).
WEDNESDAY, 10:46am: The Saints have extended the contract of guard Jahri Evans by one year, locking him up through the 2017 season, according to PR man Greg Bensel (Twitter link). The team had needed to create some salary cap flexibility, and Evans’ cap number was a candidate for reduction, so I’d expect the move restructures his deal in addition to extending it.
Evans, 31, had been on the Saints’ books for an $11MM cap hit in 2015, which included a $6.8MM base salary. The club could reduce that number by a few million dollars by lowering Evans’ 2015 salary in favor of some additional bonus money or guarantees.
A four-team All Pro who has earned six consecutive Pro Bowl nods, Evans was viewed as a potential cap casualty or trade candidate this offseason, but his roster spot became safer once the Saints moved Ben Grubbs in a deal with the Chiefs. By hanging onto the former fourth-round pick, the New Orleans line will maintain some stability in the middle, where new center Max Unger will play alongside Evans.
The Bills reportedly discussed a possible Evans trade with New Orleans before the Saints elected to keep the veteran lineman in the mix.
North Notes: Lions, Ravens, Packers, Petty
After owner Steve Bisciotti said yesterday that he’d like to see longtime Raven Haloti Ngata return to Baltimore at some point, our Zach Links noted that Bisciotti’s comments could result in tampering accusations. However, it doesn’t appear the Lions are interested in filing a tampering change against the Ravens.
“The Ravens have reached out to us concerning the comments made yesterday by Steve Bisciotti regarding Haloti Ngata,” the Lions said today in a statement (all Twitter links). “We appreciate both the Ravens’ professionalism and the context in which Mr. Bisciotti’s statements were made. We consider the matter to be a non-issue.”
Here’s more from around the league’s two North divisions:
- The Packers are bringing in Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty for a pre-draft visit, writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. As Huber notes, it’s an interesting piece of news, since Petty projects as a second-day pick and a top-five QB in this draft class.
- While B.J. Raji‘s one-year deal with the Packers could be worth as much as $3.5MM with bonuses and incentives, it only counts against the team’s cap for $1.75MM for now, writes Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Raji also received $500K guaranteed in the form of a signing bonus, whereas fellow defensive tackle Letroy Guion didn’t get any guaranteed money in his new one-year contract with the Packers.
- According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Matt Schaub‘s one-year, $2MM deal with the Ravens is fully guaranteed, not including the extra $1MM available in incentives. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun confirms as much, tweeting that the veteran quarterback got a $1MM signing bonus and a guaranteed $1MM base salary.
- Emmanuel Ogbuehi, who reportedly agreed to terms with the Buccaneers, didn’t get a contract offer from the Vikings when he visited Minnesota, which made his decision easy, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
Minor Moves: Thursday
We’ll round up today’s minor transactions from around the NFL in this space, with any additional moves listed at the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:
- Raiders defensive back Neiko Thorpe has signed his exclusive right free agent tender, placing him back under contract, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Earlier updates:
- The Bengals have brought back former backup signal-caller Josh Johnson, signing him to a new contract today, according to the team (Twitter link). Johnson, who visited Cincinnati today, spent time with the 49ers in 2014 after serving as Andy Dalton‘s backup for the Bengals in 2013.
- Zeke Motta, a 2013 seventh-rounder who played sparingly for the Falcons in his rookie year, was cut by Atlanta today, according to a team release. Matta missed the entire 2014 campaign due to a neck injury, and will have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent.
- Safety Anthony Walters, who played in 37 regular season contests during four seasons with the Bears, has been cut, the team announced today (via Twitter). Walters had primarily contributed on special teams for Chicago. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) wonders if Walters’ release opens up the door for the team to re-sign Danny McCray, which had been previously considered.
- After adding Mike Kafka to their roster, the Vikings have parted ways with another quarterback, formally announcing that they’ve waived Pat Devlin. The ex-Dolphin had signed a futures contract with Minnesota after spending some time on the team’s practice squad in 2014.
- Having visited Minnesota and Tampa Bay this week, tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi will be signing with the Buccaneers, reports Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). Ogbuehi, who spent time on the practice squads for the Ravens and Browns during the 2014 season, is getting a two-year deal, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Shayon Green has signed with the Steelers, according to PR rep Burt Lauten (via Twitter).
Broncos Acquire Gino Gradkowski
THURSDAY, 3:05pm: Gradkowski has officially passes his physical with the Broncos, making the deal official, tweets Denver PR man Patrick Smyth.
WEDNESDAY, 3:08pm: According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Ravens will get the Broncos’ 2016 fourth-round pick in the deal, while Denver gets Baltimore’s 2016 fifth-rounder.
2:39pm: The Ravens and Broncos have both confirmed the trade. The deal involves 2016 draft picks going both ways, but the exact picks aren’t yet known, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
2:13pm: The Broncos and Ravens are working to finalize a trade that would send veteran center Gino Gradkowski to Denver, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). It doesn’t sound as if a deal is official yet, but Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that it will happen.
Gradkowski, 26, started all 16 regular season contests at center for the Ravens in 2013, but was supplanted on the depth chart by 2014 trade acquisition Jeremy Zuttah, and is now a reserve for the team. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t particularly fond of Gradkowski’s 2013 play, though his -15.6 overall grade was almost entirely a result of a poor pass-blocking performance — he was adequate as a run blocker.
The Broncos, who lost guard Orlando Franklin in free agency, had been in the market for interior line help even after signing veteran guard Shelley Smith. The team could end up playing Manuel Ramirez at center and identifying a replacement at left guard for Franklin, or Ramirez could be shifted to guard with Gradkowski taking over at center. Heading to Denver will reunite Gradkowski with former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who is now the Broncos’ head coach.
The compensation heading to Baltimore in the deal has yet to be reported, but I wouldn’t expect it to be more than a late-round draft pick. Gradkowski, a beneficiary of 2015’s proven performance escalator raises, had been set to earn a base salary of $1.542MM, so clearing that money from their books and replacing him with a cheaper backup was probably part of the Ravens’ incentive to make the move.
Dolphins Sign Spencer Paysinger
After hosting him for a visit today, the Dolphins have signed linebacker Spencer Paysinger, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that it’s a one-year contract.
Paysinger, who has spent his first four NFL seasons with the Giants, was a regular contributor on defense in 2013, starting 10 games at linebacker and recording 74 tackles and a sack for the year. However, he returned to a backup and special teams role last season, during his final season in New York.
That reserve and special teams role will likely be the one Paysinger assumes in Miami. The team saw Jason Trusnik sign with the Panthers this week, and Jonathan Freeny signed with the Patriots last month. Both players were regular contributors on kick and punt coverage for the Dolphins, and occasionally saw playing time on defense as well — the duo combined for just over 400 defensive snaps in 2014.
Paysinger previously visited the Jets.
East Notes: Jets, Washington, Thomas, Fins
Speaking on a conference call today with season ticket holders, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles offered up a few interesting tidbits, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com noted on Twitter. The GM indicated that he likes the No. 6 spot in the draft because it gives the team plenty of flexibility to trade up or down. Addressing the draft, Maccagnan also hinted that the Jets wouldn’t mind picking an offensive lineman at some point, while Bowles praised the depth of the rookie running back class — although the team likes Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, adding one more back could be a priority.
Here’s more on the Jets, via Cimini, along with a few other items from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Maccagnan also suggested he expects to address Muhammad Wilkerson‘s contract this offseason, with the expectation that the star defensive lineman will remain a Jet for the long term. Meanwhile, Bowles said he’d like to have another quarterback competing with Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Matt Simms.
- It would be surprising if Washington doesn’t add at least one more running back to its roster through free agency or the draft, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. According to Keim, the team has expressed interest in veteran free agent Pierre Thomas, but will likely wait to see how the draft plays out before moving any further with the former Saint.
- As the Dolphins consider adding receiving depth, they aren’t just eyeing draft prospects — they’re also taking a look at a pair of players who went undrafted in recent years. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Post, the club is working out former Boise State wideout Geraldo Boldewijn and trying out former Raiders receiver Thomas Mayo. Boldewijn spent camp with the Falcons last year, while Mayo was a participant in last month’s veterans combine.
- Wilson also tweets that Florida State wideout Christian Green is working out privately for the Eagles today in Tallahassee.
Broncos To Sign Antonio Smith
Just two days after he was released by the Raiders, veteran defensive lineman Antonio Smith has found a new home in the AFC West. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), via agent Drew Rosenhaus, Smith has agreed to a one-year, $2MM deal with the Broncos.
Smith, 33, spent five years with the Cardinals and then five years with the Texans before signing with the Raiders last March. A Pro Bowler in Houston, Smith played nearly 800 snaps at defensive tackle for Oakland in 2014 before he was cut. His overall -3.9 Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) wasn’t bad, though that final number comes from a combination of an excellent pass-rushing grade (+18.3) and a subpar grade against the run (-20.0).
The Texans were said to be very interested in reuniting with Smith, reaching out to him shortly after he hit the free agent market this week. However, it makes sense that the Broncos would’ve been involved in the bidding as well — new Denver head coach Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and defensive line coach Bill Kollar were all in Houston during Smith’s time there.
Raiders Sign J’Marcus Webb
The Raiders have added some depth to their offensive line, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed veteran tackle J’Marcus Webb.
Webb, 26, has 44 NFL starts under his belt, with most of those coming during his first three years in the league in Chicago. A seventh-round pick in 2010, Webb played for the Bears through 2012 before joining the Vikings for the 2013 campaign. Over the last two years, he has played just nine games, and has been unable to consistently hang on to a roster spot.
By joining the Raiders, Webb reunites with a pair of coaches. He played under former Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Minnesota and former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice in Chicago. Both men are now in Oakland, with Musgrave running the team’s offense and Tice coaching the offensive line.