Extra Points: Titans, Chiefs, Graham, Ravens
Rams coach Jeff Fisher said earlier in May that his team suspected another club was targeting defensive back Lamarcus Joyner in the second round, which is why St. Louis traded up for him. However, while Fisher’s comments pointed to his old team – the Titans – as the team eyeing Joyner, Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report hears that Tennessee was always targeting a running back in the second round. There were a handful of backs the Titans liked, so they worked out a deal to move down even before the Rams moved up, says Pompei. The club ultimately grabbed Bishop Sankey 54th overall.
Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the NFL….
- The Chiefs worked out defensive tackle Brandon Deaderick this week, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The former seventh-round pick spent three seasons with the Pats before joining the Jaguars last season, and has started 15 of his 47 career contests.
- Former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes an extended look at the Jimmy Graham grievance hearing situation, identifying a few clubs that still could conceivably take a run at the free agent tight end, including the Browns and Packers. In Corry’s view, no matter the outcome of next month’s hearing on Graham’s position, he and the Saints are likely to work out a long-term contract.
- The Ravens will be on the lookout for potential post-June 1 additions to their roster, coach John Harbaugh confirmed today (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- Brandon Graham‘s name surfaced in a couple trade rumors this offseason, but the edge defender remains on the Eagles‘ roster, and takes solace in the fact that he’s still in Philadelphia, as Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer outlines. “They want me here, I’m still here, all the rumors and whatever it is, it’s just rumors,” Graham said. “I feel like if it was something they wanted to do, I’d be gone.”
Panthers Sign Second-Rounder Kony Ealy
The Panthers have locked up second-round defensive end Kony Ealy, according to the team, confirming today in a press release that Ealy has signed his four-year rookie contract. The former Missouri pass rusher is the fourth of six Carolina draftees to ink his deal, with only first-round wideout Kelvin Benjamin and third-round guard Trai Turner still unsigned.
“We had a first-round value on Kony Ealy. He’s got a lot of potential,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. “You cannot have too many pass rushers. You can’t. It’s impossible.”
The 60th overall pick, Ealy should be in line for a signing bonus worth just under $900K, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Overall, Ealy’s contract will have a base value of approximately $3.547MM.
Seahawks Sign Doug Baldwin Through 2016
3:17pm: The Seahawks have officially announced Baldwin’s new three-year contract in a press release.
10:23am: The two-year extension includes about $11MM in “new money” with achievable bonuses available to max out at around $13MM, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
10:10am: According to Louis Riddick of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Baldwin’s three-year contract is worth $13MM overall, with $9MM of that money coming in the first two years. While we don’t have the specifics yet, I’d guess there will be a signing bonus worth in the neighborhood of $3-4MM, and that Baldwin’s first-year salary will be fully guaranteed.
9:57am: The Seahawks and wide receiver Doug Baldwin have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension for the 25-year-old, according to Jim Trotter of ESPN (via Twitter). The agreement should add two new years to Baldwin’s 2014 tender, so he’ll be under contract through 2016. Earlier today, both Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com had reported that the two sides were moving closer to a deal.
Baldwin had been the last remaining restricted free agent on the market, which put a little pressure on the two sides to work something out before June 15, at which point the Seahawks could have withdrawn their $2.187MM RFA tender and still retained exclusive negotiating rights. For Seattle, a multiyear deal was preferable since it would keep Baldwin off the unrestricted free agent market next year — for the receiver himself, securing a little extra guaranteed money to remain with the defending champions was also likely his preferred option.
Golden Tate departed for the Lions in free agency this offseason, but Percy Harvin is set to return to the Seahawks’ lineup this season, so Baldwin should remain in his previous role as the club’s No. 2 receiving option. Last season, he hauled in 50 passes for 778 yards, both totals that were just off of his career highs (51 and 788). Seattle’s offensive game plan wasn’t particularly pass-heavy in 2013, but the return of the explosive Harvin could help to open things up going forward.
While the Seahawks haven’t made significant upgrades to the roster that beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl less than four months ago, the team has done well to keep several of its own key free agents. In addition to bringing back Baldwin and standout defensive end Michael Bennett, the Seahawks also reached new deals with Tony McDaniel, O’Brien Schofield, Steven Hauschka, and Sidney Rice, among others.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rams Sign Davin Joseph
THURSDAY, 2:25pm: According to Marvez (via Twitter), Joseph’s new one-year deal is worth $1.75MM, with a $1.1MM base salary, a $300K roster bonus, and $350K in additional per-game roster bonuses.
WEDNESDAY, 9:37am: The Rams have officially signed Joseph, the team announced today (via Twitter).
TUESDAY, 4:23pm: While it’s not a done deal yet, the Rams are finalizing their agreement with Joseph, which will be a one-year contract, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
3:40pm: The Rams are set to sign veteran offensive lineman Davin Joseph, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Terms of the agreement have yet to be reported.
Joseph, 30, spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the Buccaneers, starting 99 of the 100 games he played for the team. A two-time Pro Bowler, Joseph missed the 2012 season with a torn patellar tendon and provided subpar play at right guard last year upon his return, despite starting all 16 games. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced grades (subscription required), Joseph ranked second-last among 81 qualified guards in 2013. The former first-rounder was released by Tampa Bay earlier in the offseason.
For the Rams, Joseph should provide some veteran depth on an offensive line that saw guards Shelley Smith and Chris Williams sign elsewhere in free agency. Despite losing those two regulars, St. Louis addressed the line by re-signing Rodger Saffold to a lucrative five-year contract and selecting Greg Robinson with the No. 2 pick in this month’s draft, so Joseph shouldn’t be pressed into a starting role, barring an injury.
Largest 2014 Cap Hits By Position: Offense
Earlier in the spring, we examined the largest contracts signed in free agency this offseason by overall value, per-year value, and guaranteed money. However, while there were some massive deals signed by free agents, most of those contracts don’t include significant first-year cap hits. Since the later years of a contract are typically non-guaranteed, the larger cap hits are pushed to the back half of the term, as shown by Jairus Byrd‘s $54MM deal with the Saints — the 2014 cap number on Byrd’s contract is just $3.5MM, whereas that number jumps to $10.5MM by 2017 and $11MM in 2018.
It should come as no surprise then that when we take a closer look at the top 2014 cap hits, not many ’14 free agents make the top five lists by position. Instead, these are typically players who are at the point in their contracts where cap numbers are increasing, but are still productive enough that those rising cap hits are worth stomaching to keep the players on the roster.
Before we jump into the top 2014 cap hits on offense by position, a few observations about the players that show up on the lists below:
- Much has been made of the fact that inexpensive quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick have led their teams to the Super Bowl in recent years, and the list of 2014’s biggest cap hits at the position reflects this trend — of the top five QBs, only one (Drew Brees) led his team to the postseason last year, and New Orleans was a No. 6 seed.
- Similarly, the declining value of running backs has been an oft-discussed trend during this offseason, but the highest-paid players at the position still stack up reasonably well against most other positions. It may take a little more time to tell if the position’s value is decreasing as sharply as it appears, or if this year’s class of free agent backs just wasn’t particularly strong.
- At tight end, it figures to just be a matter time until Jimmy Graham perennially tops the list of largest cap hits, but for now, his $7.035MM franchise tag leaves him outside the top five.
- Unsurprisingly, the top five tackles all play on the left side.
- Breaking down the top fives by position allow us to see which teams place a premium on certain positions, committing a sizable portion of their caps to those spots. For instance, the Saints have a pricey interior line, with two guards in the top five, while the Browns have the top cap hits at both tackle and center.
Here are the lists of the top five 2014 cap hits by offensive position:
Quarterback:
- Eli Manning, Giants: $20.4MM
- Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: $18.895MM
- Jay Cutler, Bears: $18.5MM
- Drew Brees, Saints: $18.4MM
- Sam Bradford, Rams: $17.61MM
Running back:
- Adrian Peterson, Vikings: $14.4MM
- LeSean McCoy, Eagles: $9.7MM
- Ray Rice, Ravens: $8.75MM
- Arian Foster, Texans: $8.5MM
- Matt Forte, Bears: $7.9MM
Wide receiver:
- Mike Wallace, Dolphins: $17.25MM
- Andre Johnson, Texans: $15.645MM
- Percy Harvin, Seahawks: $13.4MM
- Calvin Johnson, Lions: $13.058MM
- Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers: $12.432MM
Tight end:
- Jason Witten, Cowboys: $8.412MM
- Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars: $8.25MM
- Greg Olsen, Panthers: $7.8MM
- Antonio Gates, Chargers: $7.363MM
- Vernon Davis, 49ers: $7.343MM
Tackle:
- Joe Thomas, Browns: $12.3MM
- D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Jets: $11.699MM
- Russell Okung, Seahawks: $11.24MM
- Trent Williams, Redskins: $10.98MM
- Jake Long, Rams: $9.25MM
Guard:
- Jahri Evans, Saints: $11MM
- Logan Mankins, Patriots: $10.5MM
- Carl Nicks, Buccaneers: $9.357MM
- Ben Grubbs, Saints: $9.1MM
- Andy Levitre, Titans: $8.6MM
Center:
- Alex Mack, Browns: $10MM
- David Baas, Giants: $8.225MM
- Ryan Kalil, Panthers: $7.284MM
- Nick Mangold, Jets: $7.227MM
- Chris Myers, Texans: $7MM
Contract information from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post.
Vernon Davis Looking For New Contract
Alex Boone isn’t the only player absent from the 49ers’ offseason workouts as he seeks a new contract. According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, tight end Vernon Davis is also hoping for a new deal, and isn’t in attendance at the Niners’ workout program due to dissatisfaction with his current contract.
Davis has two years left in a five-year extension he signed back in 2010, which had a total value of $36.75MM. The $7.35MM per-year figure on that deal continues to make the 30-year-old one of the highest-paid players at his position. Only Rob Gronkowski ($9MM) and Jason Witten ($7.4MM) have higher annual values on their contracts, though Jimmy Graham figures to join that group if he and the Saints reach a long-term agreement.
Still, Davis’ current contract was structured so that it included a significant chunk of money in the form of a signing bonus as well as roster bonuses and workout bonuses. His actual base salaries for 2014 and 2015, which are non-guaranteed, are only $4.7MM and $4.35MM respectively. The standout tight end may be worthy of a little raise, or at least a new deal that includes more upfront guarantees, but he’s not significantly underpaid, and the Niners may have more pressing contract concerns, including a new deal for Boone and extensions for Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, and Mike Iupati.
While the current workout program is voluntary and there are no mandatory workouts on the Niners’ schedule until late June, Davis will lose his $200K workout bonus for 2014 by not attending the program, so the situation is worth monitoring over the next few weeks.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Packers Agree To Terms
The Packers have reached an agreement with first-round safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on his rookie contract, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The 21st overall pick in the 2014 draft, Clinton-Dix becomes the 12th first-rounder to either sign or agree to terms with his new NFL club.
Clinton-Dix, 21, was the second safety to come off the board in this month’s draft, after Louisville’s Calvin Pryor. An Alabama product, Clinton-Dix racked up 88 tackles and seven interceptions in his final two years at Alabama before deciding to forgo his senior year and enter the 2014 draft.
By locking up Clinton-Dix, the Packers have now secured seven of their nine draftees, with just second-round receiver Davante Adams and third-round tight end Richard Rodgers still unsigned. According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, Clinton-Dix is in line for a signing bonus of about $4.384MM, while his overall four-year total will be approximately $8.338MM. The deal will also include a fifth-year team option for 2018.
Jermichael Finley Receives Medical Clearance
11:59am: Finley has a visit with a team lined up for Friday, Baratz also told PFT, though he declined to identify the club. Mike Florio speculates that it may be the Patriots, and also notes that even though Finley has been cleared by Dr. Maroon, he’ll still need to receive clearance from the doctors for any team that wants to sign him.
11:45am: Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley has received full medical clearance from Dr. Joseph Maroon, agent Blake Baratz tells Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Maroon was the doctor who performed spinal fusion surgery on Finley following injuries to his back and neck last season.
Finley, 27, met with the Seahawks early in the free agent period, but failed a physical with the team, and was believed to be a few months away from receiving clearance and signing anywhere. Now that he has been cleared, Finley, who was voted by PFR readers as the best free agent still on the market last weekend, should draw renewed interest, particularly if he’s no longer linked to future compensatory draft picks after June 1.
The Packers have talked about wanting to bring back Finley, and the Seahawks, who hosted the veteran tight end for an early visit, may still have interest. Other clubs that could use a pass-catching tight end and have at least a little financial flexibility include the Falcons, Bills, Giants, and Chiefs. It’s also never safe to rule out the Patriots as a potential suitor for any tight end.
Although his 2013 campaign was marred by injuries, Finley was one of Aaron Rodgers‘ top weapons in Green Bay in previous years, averaging 58 receptions, 717 receiving yards, and five touchdowns per season in 2011 and 2012.
Draft Signings: Redskins, Browns, Steelers
By our count, 182 of this year’s draftees have signed their rookie contracts or at least agreed to terms with their new NFL teams coming into today, leaving just 74 players still to sign. A handful of those remaining 74 have formalized their agreements already today, so let’s round up the latest news….
- The Redskins have locked up the last of their eight draftees, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed third-round tackle Morgan Moses to his four-year rookie contract. Moses was considered a potential first-round pick heading into the draft, so Washington did well to land him early in the third — the former Virginia lineman will receive a signing bonus worth about $698K, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.
- No Browns draftees have put pen to paper yet, but Cleveland has at least reached an agreement with one of its picks now, confirming today (via Twitter) that Pierre Desir has agreed to terms. A fourth-round cornerback, Desir was the last player selected by the Browns in the draft, so it appears the club will work its way backwards through its signings.
- Fifth-round cornerback Shaquille Richardson has signed his contract with the Steelers, the team announced in a press release. According to Fitzgerald’s figures, Richardson’s signing bonus will amount to about $190K, while his overall four-year total will be around $2.41MM.
NFC North Notes: Marshall, Lions, Packers
Although Brandon Marshall‘s new extension with the Bears was originally reported as containing $22.3MM in guaranteed money, not all of that money is fully guaranteed, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Only Marshall’s $7.5MM signing bonus and $7.3MM base salary are fully guaranteed, whereas the other $7.5MM – his 2015 base salary – is guaranteed for injury only at this point. In total then, Marshall’s new deal contains $14.8MM in fully guaranteed money.
Here’s more from around the NFC North:
- Following the team’s OTAs on Wednesday, the Lions hosted free agent defensive back Terrell Thomas for a visit, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News. Thomas, who also visited recently with the Patriots, posted solid numbers for the Giants in 588 defensive snaps last year, ranking 52nd out of 110 qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). He also accumulated 67 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
- A contract extension for Ndamukong Suh would seem to be a win-win scenario for the defensive tackle and the Lions, since it would mean a payday for Suh and increased cap room for the team, which would allow Detroit to sign its top draft picks. The fact that a new deal hasn’t been struck yet has Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press questioning Suh’s “supposedly full-throated commitment to the Lions and doing whatever necessary to help them win.”
- While the Packers may be rolling the dice by signing troubled tight end Colt Lyerla, the club did its due diligence before making the move, says Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report. According to Pompei, three Green Bay front office executives interviewed Lyerla in person, and GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy both spent time with the tight end at the team’s rookie minicamp.
- Insider linebacker is the Packers‘ biggest remaining need, as Rob Demovsky writes at ESPN.com, citing Rivers McCown’s Insider-only piece.