Brian Poole To Visit Bengals
Former Falcons cornerback Brian Poole is garnering some interest on the open market. We learned earlier today that he will visit the Jets, and he has a summit with the Bengals lined up after that, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Poole had been the Falcons’ primary nickel cornerback for the past three seasons, but Atlanta decided against tendering him as a restricted free agent, even at the low-level tender. In 2018, he set new career highs in tackles (74), sacks (3.0), and interceptions (3), which made the club’s decision to non-tender him something of a surprise.
On the other hand, he ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every advanced corner metric, so the Falcons may feel that they won’t be missing much. The team as a whole ranked near the bottom of the league in passing defense, so it will look to infuse the unit with some fresh blood.
The Bengals, meanwhile, could be looking for a replacement for Darqueze Dennard, whom the club is willing to re-sign, but only if the price is right.
Teddy Bridgewater Completes Visit With Dolphins
The Dolphins announced that their visit with free agent QB Teddy Bridgewater has concluded. However, no deal is in place at this time. Larry Holder of The Athletic, citing the South Florida Sun Sentinel, says Bridgewater had already turned down a two-year, $10MM offer from Miami.
This is a two-horse race, as Bridgewater is apparently deciding between a shot at starting for the rebuilding Dolphins or serving as a backup on the NFC powerhouse Saints. He has a one-year, $7MM offer in hand from New Orleans, but he is reportedly worried about the possibility that Sean Payton may not be with the club beyond this year.
On the other hand, as his offer from the Saints is only for one year, Payton’s status in 2020 may not be overly significant. Of course, if Bridgewater sticks around long enough, he could have an opportunity to step in as the Saints’ full-time starter when Drew Brees calls it a career.
The fact that New Orleans is only willing to offer a one-year deal at the moment suggests that the club may not be entirely sold on that prospect.
Giants Interested In Josh Rosen; Latest On Eli Manning
The Giants are interested in trading for Cardinals’ QB Josh Rosen, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. However, they are unsure as to whether Arizona will actually make him available.
It is unclear exactly how acquiring Rosen would impact the status of Eli Manning, but both Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv and Graziano report that the current plan is to keep Manning in 2019, the last year of his present contract. We had been hearing that for some time, of course, but New York’s decision to trade Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns last night sparked a new wave of speculation that the team could also look to move on from Manning.
That speculation was fueled by the fact that Manning is due a $5MM roster bonus on Saturday — which the Giants could avoid if they cut Manning before that point — and the fact that the team is clearly embracing a full-blown rebuild. But Manning is the best option that New York has, and it’s not as though there is currently a long-term answer on the roster whose development is being hindered by Manning’s presence.
Big Blue did not select one of the best quarterbacks available in a loaded class last year, and the club may not take a first-round signal-caller this year. Although the Giants will do their due diligence on Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins, they may have their eye on next year’s more heralded prospects.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, have been heavily linked to Murray, and there have been plenty of rumors that the club would be willing to trade Rosen and make Murray the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft. Indeed, we heard a little over a week ago that Murray to the Cardinals was a “done deal.” That may or may not be true, but we recently learned that multiple teams have inquired on Rosen, and the Giants may be one of those teams.
Extra Points: WRs, Steelers, Edwards, Cook
Some assorted notes from around the NFL:
- The Saints, Seahawks, and Patriots are continuing to monitor the wide receiver market, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Golden Tate is the best receiver still unsigned, but there are a number of other notable names available. New Orleans is reportedly interested in bringing back Dez Bryant, and veterans like Michael Crabtree and Randall Cobb still have some value.
- The Steelers are working to re-sign linebacker L.J. Fort, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Fort was primarily deployed on passing downs in 2018 and was an underrated part of Pittsburgh’s defense last season, racking up 48 tackles and a sack. Fowler notes that Fort has generated interest from other clubs.
- Defensive lineman Mario Edwards is set to visit with the Saints tonight, tweets Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. The 25-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Giants in September after having spent the first three seasons of his career with the Raiders. The former second-rounder proceeded to play in 15 games for the Giants, compiling 14 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
- The Raiders continue to monitor free agent tight end Jared Cook, writes Scott Bair of NBCSports Bay Area. The writer cautions that it’s “hard to imagine” the veteran returning, as he’s visited with the Saints and received interest from the Patriots. The 31-year-old started 14 of his 16 games last season, hauling in 68 receptions for 896 yards and six scores.
- Trent Brown isn’t all that concerned about his role with the Raiders, tweets Bair. After playing left tackle for the Patriots in 2018, Brown said he’d be receptive to a switch to right tackle. As of right now, Kolton Miller is expected to start on the opposite side of the offensive line.
Dolphins Sign Clive Walford
The Dolphins have signed tight end Clive Walford, per Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
Walford was most recently with the Jets, but New York decided to non-tender him earlier this month. He had two stints with the Jets and one stint with the Colts in 2018, appearing in only a single game.
However, he showed some promise during his first two years in the league, hauling in 61 receptions for 688 yards and six scores across the 2015-16 seasons with the Raiders. Oakland drafted him in the third round of the 2015 draft but cut him last offseason.
Walford will join new acquisition Dwayne Allen and second-year talent Mike Gesicki atop Miami’s TE depth chart.
AFC East Notes: Waddle, Allen, Copeland
Here’s a quick rundown of some AFC East items:
- The Dolphins lost right tackle Ja’Wuan James and are seeking a cheaper alternative. The club had a discussion about free agent LaAdrian Waddle, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, but nothing had materialized on that front as of this afternoon. Jackson says Miami could also be interested in former Falcons RT Ryan Schraeder, whom Atlanta released today.
- New Dolphins TE Dwayne Allen is under contract through 2020, but his $3.5MM salary for 2020 is not guaranteed, as Jackson writes in a separate piece. As such, the club could cut him at the end of the 2019 campaign and incur only $625K in dead money.
- The Patriots lost their top sack artist from last season, Trey Flowers. and are looking for some pass rush help. To that end, the club has inquired on free agent Brandon Copeland, who had five sacks for the division-rival Jets last season.
- In case you missed it, the Jets are unlikely to re-sign return man Andre Roberts.
Rob Gronkowski Leaning Towards Returning?
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski may be leaning towards a return in 2019 (video link). Agent Drew Rosenhaus said that he spoke with Gronk recently but that the star tight end still has not made a firm decision.
However, Rapoport says that other people close to Gronkowski believe it is more likely he plays next season, and that he will put off retirement for at least one more year. The Patriots are also tentatively planning to have the soon-to-be 30-year-old suit up for them in 2019.
Rapoport indicates that New England has been involved in the tight end market to some degree over the past couple of days, but it does not sound as if they are anxiously seeking a Gronkowski replacement (not that there are too many intriguing TEs available anyway). Combined with several reports we heard back in February, it is looking more and more like Tom Brady will have one of his best weapons back as he seeks his seventh Super Bowl championship.
49ers Hosting Jason Verrett; Texans, Chiefs On Deck
Free agent cornerback Jason Verrett is visiting the 49ers, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the Texans are presently scheduled to host Verrett after his trip to the 49ers, and the Chiefs are on the docket after that.
The former first-round pick of the Chargers has played in just five games in the last three years due to injury, and he missed the entire 2018 campaign after suffering a torn Achilles during a conditioning test last July.
Because of his health concerns, San Francisco is making a physical part of Verrett’s visit, and Houston and Kansas City may do the same. Rapoport indicated that Verrett was garnering significant interest, and that certainly seems to be the case.
Verrett was a Pro Bowler in 2015 and looked primed to establish himself as one of the best young corners in the league, but his career has been sidetracked in a big way. However, he reportedly looked like his old self in minicamp last year before the Achilles injury, and if he can make good on a one-year prove-it deal, he may be able to really cash in next offseason.
The 49ers have made major upgrades to their defense this week, signing Kwon Alexander and trading for (and extending) Dee Ford. They are also looking to bolster their secondary and made an offer to cornerback Bradley Roby, who ultimately chose to sign with the Texans.
But even with the addition of Roby, Houston could stand to add to its stable of CBs, and Kansas City is also in the market for corner help. The Chiefs are meeting with Ronald Darby tonight.
If healthy, Verrett could be in store for plenty of playing time if he lands with any of these clubs.
Andy Levitre Not Planning To Retire
One of the most durable guards in the league for nearly a decade, Andy Levitre tore his triceps in the Falcons’ second game of the season in 2018 and landed on IR. That immediately led to speculation that Levitre could consider retiring this year, especially since his contract with Atlanta is up.
However, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets that Levitre, who turns 33 in May, is not ready to call it quits and wants to continue playing, though it sounds as if his triceps injury is not completely healed.
It also sounds as though Levitre will not be back with the Falcons, as the club agreed to terms with two free agent guards this afternoon. He agreed to a pay cut with Atlanta last season in order to remain with the team, and the fact that a triceps injury also ended his 2017 campaign prematurely will surely give other teams pause.
But despite the early end to the 2017 season, Levitre graded out as one of the 20 best players at his position in the NFL that year, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, so he surely has something left in the tank. If he hasn’t changed his mind in a couple of months, and if he can get healthy, he will attract some interest on the open market.
Buccaneers To Re-Sign Kevin Minter
The Buccaneers will re-sign linebacker Kevin Minter, as Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets. Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports that it’s a one-year deal for the seventh-year pro.
Minter joined the Bucs last October, and like fellow Tampa Bay signee Deone Bucannon, he will be reunited with head coach Bruce Arians. Minter played for Arians’ Cardinals from 2013-16 (Minter’s first four years in the league), and he had 175 total tackles during the 2015-16 seasons as a full-time starter.
Playing time has been more difficult to come by since then, but he may get a chance to fill the void left by Kwon Alexander, who agreed to sign with the 49ers.