Falcons Aggressively Pursuing Paul Soliai
The Falcons are “aggressively” pursuing prospective free agent Paul Soliai, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). La Canfora notes that Atlanta may be implementing some 3-4 elements on defense, since Soliai is perhaps the best nose tackle available this offseason.
As of last week, the Dolphins had yet to make contract offers to either Soliai or fellow defensive lineman Randy Starks, so it looks like both players will reach the open market. The Dolphins are instead targeting other defensive tackles, including Earl Mitchell, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Soliai, who has also attracted interest from the Vikings, will turn 31 in December, so he may not receive as lucrative a long-term deal as some of the younger linemen on the market. However, he’d certainly make an excellent addition on a Falcons defensive line that badly needs to be retooled. According to Jackson, Soliai’s decision is down to three teams.
Seahawks Emerge As Favorites To Sign Michael Bennett
1:33pm: Bennett is “definitely” leaning toward staying with the Seahawks, and could make a decision later today, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
12:12pm: Word around the league suggests that the Bears have made an offer of $8.5MM per year for Bennett, while the Seahawks have offered $8MM annually, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Seattle’s offer is believed to be for four years, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
11:58am: The Seahawks have emerged as the new favorites in the Michael Bennett sweepstakes, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Just yesterday, a Chicago Tribune report suggested that league sources expected Bennett to join his brother Martellus Bennett in Chicago, but it sounds like the Super Bowl champs aren’t letting their top free agent leave town without a fight.
Bennett, who I ranked as the top free agent available with players like Jimmy Graham and Greg Hardy essentially off the market, is expected to command a lucrative multiyear contract, and there were questions about whether Seattle could afford such an investment with long-term commitments to Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Russell Wilson on the horizon. However, Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Seattle could announce a new deal for Bennett as soon as today. Meanwhile, the Bears may be turning their attention to other targets as the Seahawks push hard to retain the defensive end, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
While the Seahawks appear to be focusing on getting something done with Bennett, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets that he has heard the team has a chance to retain not only Bennett, but Golden Tate as well. I’d expect the duo to command a combined $15MM+ per year, so it will be interesting to see if the Seahawks find a way to keep both players around without seriously compromising future cap flexibility.
Alterraun Verner Rumors: Monday
Both New York teams have been linked to free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner, with the latest reports suggesting that Verner is one of many defensive backs the Jets have inquired on, while the Giants may bow out of the Verner sweepstakes if it takes $10MM per year to land him. Here’s more on the free agent I ranked as the eighth-best in this year’s class:
- Appearing on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, Verner made a number of interesting comments. Verner suggested he’d like to go to a team that he thinks can win, and that he might be more interested in being among a team’s highest-paid players at $6-7MM than earning $8-9MM and not being among the highest paid (all Twitter links). He added that he expects to make a decision fairly quickly (Twitter link).
Earlier updates:
- There’s still no movement between Verner and the Titans on a new deal, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, who says there are at least six teams in the mix for the cornerback (Twitter link).
- Like Peter King, Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger hears it could take $10MM annually to sign Verner, and says that price is likely out of the Giants‘ range. As Raanan writes, the Giants have multiple holes to fill and will be reluctant to spend heavily on any one player.
- Verner is one of the prospective free agents that the Steelers have expressed interest in, according to Scott Brown of ESPN.com. Given Pittsburgh’s cap situation and Verner’s rumored asking price, it’s hard to see how the team could afford to bring in the Titans cornerback, but he’s at least on the radar. According to Brown, the Steelers have also inquired on Captain Munnerlyn and Nolan Carroll.
Browns, Bears In Mix For Donte Whitner
The Browns, Bears, and Jets have expressed the most interest in free-agent-to-be Donte Whitner so far, reports Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Jets were mentioned yesterday as a suitor for the safety, who is still drawing interest from the 49ers as well, according to Branch.
Of Whitner’s potential suitors, the Browns appear to have the most cap flexibility, and are “very serious” about signing the Cleveland native, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link). I ranked Whitner several spots below T.J. Ward on my list of PFR’s top 25 free agents, but if the Browns expect to lose Ward, Whitner would certainly be a solid replacement.
As Branch notes, the Niners are “still pushing” to retain their free agent safety. However, if they don’t reach an agreement with Whitner in the next 24 hours, it appears they’ll face stiff competition from at least three other clubs.
Frank Zombo, Chiefs Agree To Terms
The Chiefs have agreed to terms on a new contract with linebacker Frank Zombo, reports Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Zombo’s new deal will keep him off the unrestricted free agent market tomorrow.
Zombo, 27, was primarily a part-time player in his first three seasons with the Packers, but started several games on defense for the Chiefs last season and was a contributor on special teams. Assuming Kansas City’s defense enters the season fully healthy, Zombo will likely return to a reserve role, but he held his own in 439 defensive snaps in 2013.
NFC Rumors: Giants, Saints, Vikings, Lions
A few Monday afternoon updates on NFC teams:
- The Giants have some level of interest in Brandon Pettigrew, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). With Jimmy Graham franchised and Dennis Pitta extended, Pettigrew may be the top unrestricted free agent tight end of the offseason.
- Assuming Charles Tillman doesn’t re-sign with the Bears, the Panthers look like a potential destination for the veteran defensive back, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Saints brought safety Louis Delmas in for a visit after he was released by the Lions, but New Orleans doesn’t appear likely to sign Delmas, a source tells Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
- Adding a veteran safety doesn’t look like a top priority for the Vikings, but it could be worth keeping an eye on Ryan Clark as a possible fit, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
- The Redskins have remained in contact with the reps for safety Mike Mitchell, says John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Keim adds that Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins are two potential WR targets to keep an eye on for the Redskins.
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press says the Lions will definitely sign a wide receiver and a safety in free agency, but it’s not clear yet which specific players the team will land (Twitter link via Pro Football Talk).
- As Lions GM Martin Mayhew suggested last month, while he’d like to have a new deal worked out with Ndamukong Suh by the time the 2014 league year begins tomorrow, he won’t consider it a setback if nothing is done, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Suh, who recently hired Jimmy Sexton of CAA to negotiate his next deal, has a cap number of $22MM+ for 2014 that the Lions would like to reduce.
FA Rumors: Saffold, Houston, Foote, Finnegan
We dedicated an early-morning post to passing along a few miscellaneous free agent updates, but the rumor mill been busy enough that it’s time to round up a few more. Here’s the latest:
- Jared Allen, Jared Veldheer, Rodger Saffold, Arthur Jones, and James Jones are among the free agents expected to change teams this week, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- The Raiders are offering Saffold $8MM per year, with the potential to increase that offer, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link via John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game).
- Middlekauff (Twitter link) also spoke to multiple NFL executives about prospective free agent Lamarr Houston, and none thought the defensive end would be a very good fit for a 3-4 team.
- After having been released by the Steelers last week, Larry Foote has no plans to retire and would like to sign with a contender, as he tells ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link).
- Recently released defensive back Cortland Finnegan will be representing himself in free agency, according to Anderson (TwitLonger link). Typically, free agent players without agents wouldn’t be able to talk to teams until Tuesday, but Finnegan can seek out a new team now since he was cut.
- One general manager suggests to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link) that NFL teams treat their equipment people better than they treat running backs. While that may be an exaggeration, it signals that this year’s group of free agent running backs probably isn’t drawing much interest yet.
- Former first-round pick Rolando McClain is telling people that he plans to return to the NFL in 2014, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. However, a source tells Aaron Wilson (Twitter link) that there’s nothing imminent, and that talk of a McClain comeback is probably “premature.”
Chargers Re-Sign Chad Rinehart
12:17pm: Rinehart’s new deal is worth $6MM over two years, with $2MM guaranteed, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.
12:00pm: The Chargers have officially re-signed Rinehart, the team announced today (Twitter link).
11:42am: Offensive lineman Chad Rinehart will be forgoing unrestricted free agency and re-signing with the Chargers, a source tells Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Rinehart’s new deal will be a two-year pact, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).
Rinehart, 28, has never started more than 12 games in any of his five NFL seasons, but has been effective when he’s healthy and playing. Appearing in all 16 games with the Bills in 2011, the former third-round pick recorded a +16.1 grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, placing him ninth overall among guards. Last season, Rinehart stayed on the field for the Chargers’ playoff run, and played well in both of the team’s postseason contests.
When I evaluated the market for free agent guards, I ranked Rinehart in the second tier of potentially available options due to questions about his health. However, he has the upside to be an above-average starter, and the Chargers may have been able to retain him at a reduced rate due to those question marks.
Panthers Re-Sign Brockel, Williams
The Panthers have locked up a pair of players before they reached free agency, the team announced today in a press release. Tight end and fullback Richie Brockel has inked a two-year deal, forgoing restricted free agency, while offensive lineman Garry Williams has signed a one-year contract to avoid unrestricted free agency.
Brockel, 27, appeared in just over 200 offensive snaps last season and was also a productive special teams player for the Panthers. Williams, meanwhile, began the year as the team’s starting right guard, but went down with a torn ACL in the first week of the regular season. Williams may return to a starting role for the team in 2014, with Jordan Gross retiring and other linemen eligible for free agency.
Dolphins Interested In Jairus Byrd
11:34am: Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald suggests pumping the brakes on any Byrd-to-Miami talk, since he hears it’s a smokescreen (Twitter link).
8:20am: The Dolphins are among the teams expressing “real interest” in prospective free agent safety Jairus Byrd, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, while there’s a new regime in place in Miami’s front office, the team appears to be “gearing up for another big year in free agency.”
With cornerback Brent Grimes having already re-signed, and safety Reshad Jones under contract for several more years, Miami’s secondary has a couple solid building blocks. Still, even if the team has other, more pressing needs, there are potential holes to address in that secondary — starting safety Chris Clemons is among the team’s prospective free agents.
Since the window opened for teams to talk to agents about their free agents on safeties, the reports on Byrd have downplayed the interest of clubs we expected to be squarely in the mix. Although the Rams reportedly inquired on the Bills safety, the Browns and Eagles apparently haven’t expressed serious interest. Of course, there’s still plenty of time for both teams, and others, to enter the hunt for the top safety in this year’s free agent class.
Peter King of TheMMQB.com reported this morning that Byrd is seeking a salary of $9MM per year on his new deal, which would make the 27-year-old the NFL’s highest-paid safety by annual average value. When I broke down 2014’s best free agents, I ranked Byrd third overall.