Jimmy Graham’s Next Contract
Now that Jimmy Graham has been officially hit with the franchise tag, his next contract could go in a number of different directions. In normal situations, a franchised player has two options: either play the next season under the tag number for your position or continue to work on a long-term agreement.
However, for the Saints’ pass catcher, it is not so simple.Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk outlined ten key points about the Graham situation, including the obvious controversy about which position Graham should be franchised as. Graham will argue that he lined up as a receiver more often than as a tight end, and the Saints will argue that all tight ends move around the formation, and no receiver actually lines up next to the tackle during a play.
Florio also notes that the two sides have until July 15 to come to terms on the long-term deal.
In signing a long-term extension, Graham will likely also argue that he should be paid like one of the most productive receivers in the NFL. Andrew Cohen of OvertTheCap.com sees Rob Gronkowski‘s six year, $54MM deal as the baseline for his long-term negotiation. Still, he sees that Graham has better leverage as Gronkowski had two years left on his deal, with a much longer injury history and a smaller salary cap to work under.
Cohen also sees the possibility, while unlikely, that a team offers Graham a contract in the hopes that the Saints will not match. Though the team will have to send the Saints two first-round draft picks for the opportunity to pay Graham, he believes this could be a worthwhile decision for either the Dolphins or the Jets. Both teams have the salary cap space to offer a frontloaded contract with a big signing bonus, and he writes that they are unlikely to find a better offensive weapon in the draft.
Broncos, Patriots Interested In Revis
NFL teams have been considering trading for Darrelle Revis, and while the Buccaneers are not confirmed to be seriously shopping him, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that the Patriots and Broncos would both be interested in acquiring the superstar cornerback.
Revis holds a $16MM cap figure ($13MM in base salary, $3MM in bonuses) but the contract is completely non-guaranteed. Even still, this is a large number for two cap-strapped AFC contenders.
The thinking behind each move is that both the Patriots and the Broncos employ expensive quarterbacks that are both inching closer and closer to their 40th birthdays, with Peyton Manning at 37 and Tom Brady at 36. Each team knows its window to win a Super Bowl is now.
For the Patriots, Revis could be a safer alternative to re-signing Aqib Talib to a big money deal, especially after the team was embarrassed by other players with character concerns in Aaron Hernandez and Alfonzo Dennard. Also, Florio rights that the “icing on the cake” would be the ability to stick Revis against the Jets twice a year.
The Broncos have Champ Bailey on the books for $10MM in 2014, and for only $6MM more they could have a much younger, healthier option at corner. At this point in their respected careers, the older Bailey is not even close to the talent Revis is. Florio writes that Revis wouldn’t close the gap between the Broncos and the Seahawks in case of a Super Bowl rematch, but he would be a huge upgrade for a team that was embarrassed by 35 points in its final game.
West Notes: Woodson, Dawson, Tate, Schwartz
The Jaguars aren’t the only team that are getting the short end of the stick with the surprisingly high salary cap, as the Raiders now have a whopping $66.512MM in cap space according to OverTheCap.com. While the Raiders will get a little extra cap room, the new cap number mitigates the team’s advantage this offseason, writes Nick Gill of SportsMedia101.com. The extra cap room will allow the 31 other franchises more flexibility to re-sign their own free agents, so the Raiders will never be able to court them in the open market. It also will give other teams more money to compete with the Raiders for the free agents that do become available this offseason.
Here are some other notes from our two divisions out west:
- One of the seemingly easy moves for the Raiders was thought to be re-signing Charles Woodson, but the contract talks have been rougher than expected, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. After receiving $3.3MM in salary and incentives in 2013, Woodson believes he has proven he is still a valuable NFL safety. While Woodson wants to play, he said he would consider retirement if the price was not right.
- Staying in the bay area, the 49ers have seen a market unfold for signing kicker Phil Dawson, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. With Nick Folk being franchised and Graham Gano getting a long-term deal, both kickers will be making north of $3MM per season. Dawson has been better than both kickers over the past two seasons.
- While the 49ers work on retaining their kicker, their rival Seahawks have cleared cap space and have opened up some space that could be used on receiver Golden Tate, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “Hopefully, I can call Seattle home for a few more years,” said Tate. “But we’ll see. I know that coach (Pete) Carroll has expressed that he would like to have me on the team, and I have expressed that I would like to stay on this team because I see this team winning for a long time. But we will see. Only time will tell.’’
- The Chiefs met with the representation of guard Geoff Schwartz during the scouting combine, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. The Chiefs are interested in retaining Schwartz, but Paylor writes that the two are not close to an agreement. Schwartz played in 14 games in 2013, filling in at both guard and tackle.
AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Martin, Clowney
While some teams received some extra cap relief as the new salary cap number was released, there are some teams that are not benefiting from the extra room just yet. The Jaguars are estimated to now have just over $56MM in cap space this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com. Every team could use a little extra cap space, but the Jaguars are still worried about hitting the minimum 89% cash spending requirement, writes Alfie Crow of BigCatCountry. Crow does explain that they do not have to hit that mark in 2014, but instead must reach the mark over a four-year period.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC South:
- The Jaguars have plenty of options if they want to spend their money, either up to the brink of the cap or even just to approach the 89% mark. Nate Davis of USA Today advises that the team’s general manager Dave Caldwell start by courting a big name wideout such as Hakeem Nicks, and handing out a big payday to Browns center Alex Mack in order to replace the retiring Brad Meester.
- Jonathan Martin will most likely be looking for a new team in the near future, and although he has many friends in the Colts’ locker room, Mike Wells of ESPN.com writes that the team is not in need of a tackle. Pro Football Rumors recognized this unfortunate reality as well, earlier this month.
- The Titans hold the 11th pick in the NFL Draft, and while the team has many holes to fill, Nicholas Pitakos of TitanSized.com explored the possibility of the team moving up to draft Jadeveon Clowney out of South Carolina. While he sees Clowney as a once in a lifetime prospect, and he is scared of him ending up in the AFC South with either the Texans or Jaguars, Pitakos sees the price just being too costly for the Titans to move up.
Jeremy Maclin Passed On Long-Term Deal
Earlier today, Jeremy Maclin and the Eagles came to terms on a one-year deal that will keep the wide receiver with the team in 2014. In the negotiations, Maclin reportedly turned down a five-year contract in favor of the short-term, prove-it deal, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Enquirer (via Twitter).
Maclin is thought to have preferred the shorter contract that would allow him to show that he has recovered from an ACL tear that sidelined him for all of 2013, writes Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com.
“There was a multiyear deal out there,” Maclin said. “It just wasn’t what I particularly wanted or my side particularly wanted. But we knew that we wanted to be here so I think this was the way to get it done, for me to come back here and play football.”
While the deal makes sense in that a long-term contract at a higher price could be available after a productive season, it stands to reason that Maclin could have entertained long-term deals on the free market this offseason, possibly at a higher price than the Eagles were willing to pay. Many teams were thought to be interested in the 25-year-old receiver, including the Broncos and Jets.
Maclin does not think the deal will truly turn into a one-year stint with the team. Likely he believes that a long-term contract could come during the 2014 season, a deal that would keep him with the Eagles for a long time.
“I’m excited to get a chance to play in Chip’s offense,” Maclin said. “I’m excited to be able to help this team get to the next level. I think this is a place where I can showcase my skills and I’m comfortable around all my teammates, guys who have been here. I think this was just the right spot for me.”
AFC North Notes: Free Agency, Oher, Rubin
The unexpected salary cap has left many teams feeling better about their situations, and the Bengals are also reaping the benefits of the extra cap space, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. The team only has two starters set to hit free agency, in Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins. They also have a number of lesser players such as Dane Sanzenbacher, Andrew Hawkins, Brandon Tate, and Mike Pollak. Hobson writes that the team has already contacted most if not all the players’ agents, but will keep in mind that extensions for Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Vontaze Burfict, and Domata Peko will be coming in the near future.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC North:
- The Steelers could have trouble re-signing some of their notable free agents once they hit the market, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com. Brown writes that the team is unlikely to match or exceed offers that Jason Worilds, Emmanuel Sanders, and Ziggy Hood could command on the free market.
- The Ravens have not made a decision regarding their two free agent tackles, Michael Oher and Eugene Monroe, writes Jamison Henley of ESPN.com. While most pundits and fans do not believe the team will be able to re-sign both players, head coach John Harbaugh has not ruled out bringing back both players. Henley writes that if the team fails to retain Monroe, than it would be more likely that they bring back Oher to play left tackle.
- While Ahtyba Rubin is considered a likely cap casualty for the Browns, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Tom Reed of Cleveland.com writes that the team would be making a mistake in doing so. Reed believes that the cap space the team would save is minimal compared to the talent and leadership they would be losing along their defensive line.
Louis Delmas Visits With Dolphins
Louis Delmas met with the Dolphins today, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun writes that the team would still like to re-sign safety Chris Clemons, but if they are unable to do so, Delmas could be a strong second option.
Delmas has already been linked to quite a few teams this offseason, already visiting the Steelers and Saints. The Broncos, Falcons, and Ravens are also thought of as potentially interested in the former Lion.
Wilson does write that the Lions would be interested in re-signing Delmas on a smaller contract.
Official Franchise/Transition Tag Numbers
In a series of Tweets, Albert Breer of the NFL Network released what he reports to be the official monetary values associated with the franchise and transition tags. The numbers he reported are as follows:
Franchise Tag
- Quarterback- $16.912MM
- Runningback- $9.54MM
- Wide Receiver- $12.312MM
- Tight End- $7.035MM
- Offensive Line- $11.654MM
- Defensive End- $13.116MM
- Defensive Tackle- $9.654MM
- Linebacker- $11.455MM
- Cornerback- $11.834MM
- Safety- $8.433MM
- Kicker/Punter- $3.556MM
Transition Tag
- Quarterback- $14.666MM
- Runningback- $8.033MM
- Wide Receiver- $10.176MM
- Tight End- $6.106MM
- Offensive Line- $10.039MM
- Defensive End- $10.633MM
- Defensive Tackle- $8.060MM
- Linebacker- $9.754MM
- Cornerback- $10.081MM
- Safety- $7.253MM
- Kicker/Punter- $3.205MM
Breer also added that while the transition tag is not usually exercised by NFL franchises, it is especially important because the numbers associated with that tag are the numbers that will be used for the fifth-year options for top ten picks in the 2011 draft (via Twitter).
Seahawks Release Red Bryant
FEBRUARY 28: The Seahawks have officially released Bryant, the team announced today (Twitter link).
FEBRUARY 23: The Seahawks are planning to release defensive lineman Red Bryant in order to free up cap space for unrestricted free agent Michael Bennett, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).
According to OverTheCap.com, cutting Bryant would create $5.5MM in cap savings in 2014.
Bennett was a huge part of the Seahawks Super Bowl winning defense. He was set to hit free agency as one of the most prominent pass rushers available, after signing a one-year deal to play with the Seahawks last season. The team released Sidney Rice earlier this week in hopes to free up cap space as well.
Bennett has been expected to be re-signed by the Seahawks, and expressed interest in returning to the team on a long-term contract. At the same time, he indicated that he would not be giving the team a hometown discount, saying there is “no such thing as a discount” in the NFL.
General manager John Schneider has singled out Bennett as a priority this offseason.
AFC North Notes: Steelers, Bengals, Pitta
The Steelers are very excited about having extra salary cap room this season, writes Steven Ruiz of USA Today. The team looked to be strapped for cash in 2014, but with the extra relief, team president Art Rooney has more room to work with in free agency. The team has 22 players hitting free agency, but could find some cap relief by releasing veterans Ike Taylor, LaMarr Woodley, and Heath Miller. They could also consider restructuring Ben Roethlisberger‘s deal, as he holds a cap number of almost $19MM for 2014. Here are some other notes from the AFC North:
- While the Bengals‘ secondary is thought to be a strength, Joe Reedy of Cincinnati.com believes the team could still target corner at some point in the first few rounds of the NFL Draft. With Leon Hall coming off his second torn achilles in 23 months, Terence Newman entering the final year of his contract, and Adam Jones approaching his 31st birthday, the team does have question marks at the position. Former first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick has improved, and while the need for a starter is not imminent, in a passing league teams can never have enough guys who can cover.
- The Ravens are still trying to work out a contract with Dennis Pitta, although the two are still not close on an agreement, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. While it was thought he would either be signed long-term or designated with the franchise tag, head coach John Harbaugh leaves open the option that Pitta could hit free agency without receiving the tag. “I think every scenario is possible here,” Harbaugh said. “The franchise tag is very vague right now, so anything could happen.”
- The Ravens have also begun talks with linebacker Daryl Smith, according to Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com. While Pitta and Eugene Monroe have gotten all the attention, general manager Ozzie Newsome has not forgotton about Smith. “Daryl did a great job for us,” Newsome said. “We have engaged in some conversations with his representative.” Smith was asked after the season if he would like to return to the team, replying emphatically that he would. “Most definitely [I want to return],” said Smith. “I love it here and would love to be back. We’ll see how it goes, though.”