Dolphins Discussing Kenyan Drake Trade?
The Dolphins may trade second-year DB Minkah Fitzpatrick before next week, and one report this morning suggested that a Fitzpatrick trade, if completed, would represent the end of Miami’s extensive teardown.
But not so fast. Per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Dolphins have engaged rival clubs in trade talks concerning running back Kenyan Drake (Twitter link). If the team were to deal Drake, it would make a little more sense than the recent trade of Laremy Tunsil and the potential trade of Fitzpatrick. After all, Drake is eligible for free agency in 2020, and quality running backs are easier to find than high-quality left tackles.
But while Drake has not been heavily-utilized in his three-plus years in Miami, he has shown plenty of promise. He has averaged 4.7 yards-per-carry in his young career, and he has also been a contributor in the passing game. Although he would not likely yield a major return in a trade, it’s easy to see why other teams would be sniffing around the Dolphins’ carcass in the hopes of finding worthwhile talent.
However, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald hears from a team source that the Dolphins have had zero conversations about a Drake trade, and he’s also heard that Drake has not asked to be dealt (Twitter links). Though this is purely speculation, it could be that rival clubs have placed calls just to see if Drake is available, and the Dolphins have rebuffed those overtures.
After getting just four carries in the team’s Week 1 loss to Baltimore, Drake reportedly had a great week of practice and is primed for a larger workload going forward.
Saints, Sean Payton Agree To Five-Year Extension
The Saints and head coach Sean Payton have agreed to a five-year extension, per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Payton was already under contract through 2020, and it sounds as though his extension will replace the final year of his prior deal. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that Payton will now be under club control through 2024 (Twitter link).
Although salaries for coaches are generally not officially disclosed, Payton was already believed to be one of the highest-paid coaches in the game, with multiple sources suggesting he was pulling down an annual income of about $9MM. It could be that his new contract will also increase his compensation.
And for good reason. Payton has compiled a 119-74 regular season record since he was hired in 2006, and though he has had the distinct privilege of working with Drew Brees since that time, he has developed some elite offensive units during his tenure. He is the winningest HC in franchise history, and he coached the Saints to their only Lombardi Trophy in 2009. Like Brees, Payton came to New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, so Saints fans are especially fond of him.
After three straight 7-9 finishes from 2014-16, Payton has righted the ship with back-to-back division titles. Though Saints fans don’t need to be reminded, his club came within a missed PI call of advancing to Super Bowl LIII last season.
The Saints have captured five NFC South titles during Payton’s tenure and have qualified for the playoffs seven times. This extension should also quiet the Payton-to-Dallas rumors that have persisted for some time.
Dak Prescott Extension Talks Hit Impasse; Latest On Amari Cooper
The pendulum in the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott negotiations continues to swing. A week after we heard that an extension for Prescott was “imminent,” negotiations have again reached a bit of an impasse, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
RapSheet suggests that the length of the deal may be the holdup. It seems that the Cowboys want to give Prescott an extension of at least five years, just as they have with their recent significant signees. But Prescott’s direct market comps, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, just inked four-year extensions with their respective clubs, and Prescott is likely eyeing a shorter-term deal so that he can cash in a second time a year sooner.
Prescott has previously indicated that he is not worried about playing while negotiations are ongoing, and his Week 1 performance only boosted his value. Rapoport said, “[i]t doesn’t seem like things will happen for the foreseeable future. Obviously that could change but that is the read right now.”
As for wide receiver Amari Cooper, we last heard that he and the Cowboys may be in something of a stalemate. Cooper’s patient approach has allowed him to watch the wide receiver market continue to soar, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes that the 2015 first-rounder will continue to be patient. He is eligible for free agency in March, and while he would like to remain in Dallas, Schefter says there is no guarantee he re-ups before testing the open market.
Latest On Sam Darnold
We heard yesterday that Jets QB Sam Darnold, who is suffering from mono, could be back on the field for Week 5, after the team’s Week 4 bye. However, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network hears that may be an overly optimistic prognosis, as his sources tell him Darnold could miss three to seven weeks (video link). Of course, if Darnold returns on the earlier end of that timeline, Week 5 would still be in play, but it sounds as if there’s a real chance the second-year signal-caller could be sidelined until Week 9.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports adds that there is no definitive date for Darnold’s return and that the Jets could be rolling with backup Trevor Siemian “well into October.” Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com also weighed in on the matter, observing that while Darnold remains quarantined, he is already feeling better (Twitter link). The team has not ruled out a Week 5 return, and Darnold will have more scans next week to monitor his spleen.
After dropping a Week 1 heartbreaker to the Bills, the Jets’ 2019 outlook is already grim. Though Gang Green was not necessarily viewed as a playoff contender this year, the team entered the offseason with high hopes given the promise Darnold showed in his rookie season and given the addition of several high-profile free agents and No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams. But in addition to Darnold, Williams and new LB C.J. Mosley have already been ruled out of Monday’s game against Cleveland, and new RB Le’Veon Bell is questionable. Plus, the more time Darnold misses, the longer it will take for him to master HC Adam Gase‘s offensive scheme.
Mortensen says the Jets are uploading daily practice installs for Darnold so that he can stay mentally sharp, and he is already studying future opposing defenses, but there is not substitute for regular season action (Twitter link).
Cowboys Have Discussed Taco Charlton Trade
The Cowboys have recently talked to teams about potentially trading Taco Charlton, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Rapoport hears nothing is imminent, though talks could heat up this week.
If Dallas is able to deal Charlton, a 2017 first-rounder, it does not sound like the club would get much of a return. Veteran NFL reporter Ed Werder observes that the team has been trying to trade the Michigan product for weeks, if not months, and the fact that Charlton has been inactive for the first two weeks of the 2019 campaign while the Cowboys are thin at DE due to suspensions does not help his value (Twitter link).
Plus, Charlton underwent two surgical procedures this offseason, and in his first two years in the league, he has not done much to dispel pre-draft concerns about his explosiveness. After posting three sacks in his rookie season, Charlton managed just one in 2018 despite starting seven games.
Still, another team with pass-rushing needs will likely be willing to deal a little bit of draft capital in the hopes that a change of scenery can help unlock Charlton’s potential.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Getting Serious Trade Interest
Earlier this week, the Dolphins gave second-year DB Minkah Fitzpatrick permission to seek a trade, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says that roughly 20 teams have reached out to Miami brass and/or Fitzpatrick’s agent, Joel Segal, to inquire. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) confirms that league-wide interest in the 2018 first-rounder is “real and serious,” and both reporters hear that a deal could be completed prior to Week 3.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes that the Dolphins are said to be seeking a first-round pick “and something else” in return for Fitzpatrick, and given the number of inquiries they’re getting, that may not be as high of an ask as was originally thought. Miami is still not actively shopping the Alabama product, but the Fins seem to be doing just fine in getting potential suitors to come to them. However, Schefter’s sources suggest that Miami will have to lower its asking price to consummate a trade.
Fitzpatrick is an undeniably gifted defensive back who has been less than thrilled with the multiple roles he has been asked to fill in Miami’s defense to date, though his versatility is one of his best assets. Other than the Cowboys, it’s unclear what teams have talked to the Dolphins about a trade, but presumably teams with needs at safety and cornerback have made inquiries.
If the Dolphins do trade Fitzpatrick, La Canfora says it would represent the end of the team’s teardown and draft-pick accumulation. Miami would be armed with even more draft capital to start its rebuild, though after trading Laremy Tunsil and (perhaps) Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins will need to use some of that capital to reload at LT and in the defensive backfield.
Antonio Brown Notes: 9/15/19
Another day, another batch of Antonio Brown news. We learned a few days ago that the NFL would meet with Brown’s accuser, Britney Taylor, this coming week, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that the summit will actually take place Monday. Rapoport says the league wants to conduct the investigation as quickly as possible given that the regular season is now underway, so even if the legal side of this matter drags on for a bit, the football side of things may be resolved soon.
- Rapoport says that another football player, currently in his first year in the league, was in the house with Taylor and Brown when one of the incidents detailed in Taylor’s lawsuit allegedly took place. As such, that as-yet-unnamed rookie will also be required to speak with league investigators.
- Although the NFL’s meeting with Taylor could lead to a number of outcomes for Brown — including a stint on the commissioner’s exempt list, a release from the Patriots, etc. — New England is expected to feed him the ball for however long he is on the field. Rapoport notes that Brown has stayed at the team facility until 10pm or later most days during the week to catch passes from backup QB Jarrett Stidham and to continue learning the offense.
- RapSheet also writes that Brown and Taylor had been engaged in settlement talks for months, but Taylor filed a lawsuit when the two sides could not come to a settlement agreement.
- ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that neither Brown nor anyone on his behalf will attend the NFL’s meeting with Taylor (Twitter link). Taylor will ultimately release a statement to the media, but there will be no ETA on that statement until her meeting with the league — which may last several days — is over.
- We knew that the Patriots were interested in Brown as soon as it became clear that the Steelers might move on from him, but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that New England was prepared to part with a first-round pick and another pick or player of significance before learning that the Steelers were unwilling to deal AB to the Pats.
- Reports on Friday suggested that neither the Patriots nor the Raiders were aware of Taylor’s allegations against Brown before the lawsuit was filed, and a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette indicates that the Steelers were not aware either.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/3/19
Here are today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Allen Lazard
- Placed on IR: TE Jace Sternberger
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: TE Jordan Thomas, TE Kahale Warring
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed: LB Austin Calitro
- Waived: LB Joe Giles-Harris
NFL Workout Updates: 9/3/19
Here are today’s workout updates, all courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter) unless otherwise noted. The Saints had several recognizable players in for workouts.
Arizona Cardinals (Twitter link via veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer)
- RB Justin Davis, RB Devontae Jackson
Carolina Panthers (Twitter link via Balzer)
Cincinnati Bengals
- LB Malik Carney, C Ryan Groy, LB LaRoy Reynolds, LB Sutton Smith, LB Connor Strachan, OT Josh Wells, OT T Bryan Witzmann
Detroit Lions
- WR Victor Bolden Jr., RB Nick Brossette, WR Terry Godwin, DL Geneo Grissom, WR Marvin Hall, QB Taylor Heinicke, RB Darius Jackson, DE Anthony Johnson, QB Chad Kanoff, RB David Williams
New Orleans Saints
- RB Cameron Artis-Payne, LB James Burgess, LB Tre Crawford, RB Darius Jackson, TE Ben Koyack, RB Marcus Murphy, TE Brian Parker, LB Tegray Scales, LB Tre’ Watson, TE Luke Willson, RB Zach Zenner
New York Jets
- G Brandon Hitner
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins (Twitter link via Balzer)
- LB Ray-Ray Armstrong, OLB Davin Bellamy, LB Reshard Cliett, LB Te’von Coney
Latest On Chargers, Melvin Gordon
The Chargers recently gave disgruntled RB Melvin Gordon permission to seek a trade, and now we have the first concrete report of outside interest. Per ESPN’s Josina Anderson, one team has been in contact with LA to discuss a potential deal (Twitter link).
However, Anderson said those discussions were preliminary, and it sounds as if the Bolts’ asking price is quite high. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says that the Chargers have told at least one other team that they want a first- and fifth-round pick in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowler, and Anderson says in a separate tweet that LA has indeed proposed a 2020 first-rounder or a 2020 fifth- and 2021 first-rounder.
As Florio observes, the ask contradicts the Chargers’ own approach to the Gordon situation. Los Angeles is unwilling to extend him this season and do not want to pay him over $10MM per year, and when combined with the fact that an acquiring team would probably have to give Gordon a new contract worth near $13MM per year, the demand for a first- and fifth-round seems much too rich.
Of course, there’s no harm in aiming high and then adjusting as trade negotiations continue, but as of right now, it’s hard to say if the Chargers are really interested in trading Gordon. The team has all the leverage, so the Bolts may just be waiting for Gordon to cave and return early enough to be eligible for unrestricted free agency next year.