Extra Points: Bucs, Saints, Manziel, Witten
With NFL teams jockeying for position to draft a quarterback in this year’s ultra-talented class, the Buccaneers could stand to gain the most from the quarterback sweepstakes, opines Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
The Buccaneers hold the No. 7 overall pick in the upcoming draft and are highly unlikely to draft a quarterback in the first round with Jameis Winston at the helm. With four quarterbacks likely to go in the top seven (Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield), that could leave the Buccaneers with a chance at blue-chip prospects like Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson or North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb.
The Browns, with one of their top four picks, and the Colts at No. 6 stand as the only team’s likely to take a non-quarterback with their first-round pick. Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht also told Stroud that the team is entertaining the idea of moving up or back in the first round.
“It’s all going to depend on what players are available and how many are available at that pick, how many you think might still be available two picks back, four picks back,” Licht said. “I don’t think you can ever have enough premier defensive ends. I don’t think you can ever have enough premier offensive linemen.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- LSU linebacker Arden Key told Joel A. Erickson of The Advocate that the Saints are planning to host him for a private visit before the draft. Key said many teams have reached out to his agency and that he doesn’t plan to take any visits or workouts before LSU’s pro day on April 4. Key is projected to be a late-first-round or early-second-round pick. The Saints hold the No. 27 overall pick in the draft.
- In a series of tweets (Link, Link, Link, Link, Link), Johnny Manziel expressed his disappointment in people linking his free-agency experience with that of Colin Kaepernick‘s. Manziel also opened up about his hopeful return to the NFL earlier in the week in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman.
- Jason Witten helped the Cowboys open up some cap space by restructuring his contract Saturday. While the cap space certainly helps the Cowboys, the move also signals Witten’s commitment to returning next season, as Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News points out. Rumors had circulated earlier this month that FOX Sports was targeting Witten, 35, as a possible analyst for its Thursday Night Football broadcast.
AFC Notes: Steelers, Dolphins, Jets, Titans
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks into whether the Steelers should extend linebacker Bud Dupree the fifth-year option attached to rookie contracts for first-round picks. Over the last two years, the Steelers extended the offer for the option to Ryan Shazier but did not for Jarvis Jones, who left in free agency.
Bouchette sees the decision, which must be made by May 3, as a “minimal risk” for the Steelers, as such fifth-year options are not guaranteed. He also pointed to the Steelers decision-making with former linebacker Jason Worilds, who was given a transition tag worth $9.75MM in 2014 before announcing his retirement following that season. Bouchette also believes Dupree’s fifth-year option would cost less than Worilds’ transition tag.
The Steelers selected Dupree with the 22nd overall pick of the 2015 draft out of Kentucky. He started a career-high 15 games last season, resulting in a career-best six sacks. He tallied 8 1/2 sacks combined through his first two seasons.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Dolphins have been doing their due diligence on kickers available in the upcoming draft, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, in the hopes of replacing Cody Parkey, who was picked up by the Bears. The Dolphins worked out New Mexico kicker Jason Sanders last week and will get an extended look at Miami kicker Michael Badgley during Miami’s pro day on March 28. Jackson also reported that the Dolphins are high on Auburn’s Daniel Carlson and Florida’s Eddy Pineiro.
- While answering a fan question, ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter) wonders whether Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse could be cut in the wake of the team adding Terrelle Pryor. Kearse is due a non-guaranteed $5MM next season and plays a similar role in the slot as Quincy Enunwa.
- The Titans, along with the Cardinals, worked out former Houston quarterback Kyle Allen, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Wilson also reported that Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was in attendance for the workout of the former Texas A&M transfer.
- Earlier Saturday, we learned the free-agent cornerback Phillip Gaines plans to visit with the Bills next week after Buffalo watched E.J. Gaines agree to a deal with the Browns.
NFC Notes: Barkley, Saints, Cardinals, Vikings, Packers
It shouldn’t come as a shock that Saquon Barkley has given some thought to being selected by the Giants with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft. And the former Penn State standout sees himself as a quality fit within the Giants’ offense.
“I think Eli Manning definitely has a lot in his tank left, and is an extraordinary player, and then Odell Beckham is the most exciting player in the NFL over the last three or four years, and obviously he’s coming off an injury,” Barkley said to Greg Pickel of Penn Live. “Then, you have a great wide receivers corps, Sterling Shepard and the tight ends and all those guys. I think I would have the success I had in college.”
Mock drafts have Barkley going as high as No. 1 to the Browns to as low as the bottom portion of the top 10 picks. Barkley didn’t seem too concerned about where exactly he ends up going in the upcoming draft.
“All those teams that are at the top of the draft, they’re very close, a couple of pieces away, and I just hope that whichever team drafts me, I can come in and be a spark,” Barkley said.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Saints have already indicated that they don’t plan to re-sign safety Kenny Vaccaro and Tyrann Mathieu told Joel A. Erickson of The Advocate (on Twitter) that the team never reached out to him prior to signing with the Texans. Mathieu is a New Orleans native and attended LSU, and also told Erickson he has a good relationship with Sean Payton.
- Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports Station 98.7 FM believes that free-agent Robert McClain could be an option for the Cardinals at slot cornerback (on Twitter). McClain has experience playing under new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks during two separate stints with the Panthers. Jurecki went on to say that the Cardinals are looking forward to working with third-year cornerback Brandon Williams and the team also plans to address the position in the draft.
- The Vikings were dealt a pair of losses to their offensive line this week, with Joe Berger‘s retirement and Jeremiah Sirles‘ departure to the Panthers in free agency. We saw Friday that Mike Remmers could move to right tackle, opening the door for the team to pick a guard in the upcoming draft. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin also points to recently-tendered Nick Easton as an option at guard, along with recently-signed Tom Compton. Cronin said that some guards to keep an eye on as the draft approaches include Will Hernandez(UTEP), Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) and Billy Price (Ohio State). The Vikings have the No. 30 overall pick in the draft.
- Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has heard from several agents that Aaron Rodgers‘ impending extension has led to caution from the Packers in free agency. Silverstein also goes over what a possible extension for Rodgers from the Packers could look like.
CB Delvin Breaux To Visit With Packers And 49ers
The Packers and 49ers are set to host Saints free-agent cornerback Delvin Breaux for visits, according to Joel A. Erickson of The Advocate (on Twitter). The Saints had the option of extending Breaux a tender as a restricted free agent but elected not to. Erickson also reported (on Twitter) that the New Orleans native and LSU alum wishes to stay at “home.” 
Breaux has already had visits with the Patriots and Broncos. The 28-year-old former CFL standout did not play last season after suffering a setback in his return from a broken fibula in 2016 that limited him to just six games.
The Saints signed Breaux from the CFL prior to the 2015 season and he graded out as a high-end starter in his first year in New Orleans, per Pro Football Focus metrics, starting all 16 games and tallying three interceptions. But he’s failed to recapture the momentum he built in his rookie year.
Reports had indicated that Breaux was close to a deal with the Broncos and was likely to sign with the team if he passed a physical before leaving the visit without a deal. The news of upcoming meetings with the 49ers and Packers points to Denver and New England likely moving on.
The Packers have brought back Tramon Williams but could still stand to add depth at cornerback after trading Damarious Randall to the Browns. The 49ers have already added a big-time cornerback this offseason in Richard Sherman and have Ahkello Witherspoon currently projected to start opposite of the former Seahawks standout.
Seahawks To Sign DT Shamar Stephen
The Seahawks continue to add depth to their defensive line, signing free-agent defensive tackle Shamar Stephen to a one-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Stephen becomes the second former Vikings defensive lineman to sign with the Seahawks in as many days, with Tom Johnson agreeing to a deal with Seattle on Friday.
The Seahawks confirmed the signing Saturday afternoon. 
Peliserro also noted (on Twitter) that Stephen sustained a meniscus injury in the postseason and has already undergone surgery this offseason. But he’s expected to be ready for OTAs and the Vikings had also wanted to re-sign him.
Stephen, 27, appeared in 15 games last year, making one start and collected a sack after starting all 16 games for the Vikings in 2016. The Vikings took Stephen in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. Stephen took a visit with the Seahawks earlier this week and had also taken a visit with the Lions. Minnesota signed former Seahawks defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson earlier this month.
Along with Johnson, Stephen is set to join a group of Seattle interior defensive linemen that includes Jarran Reed, Nazair Jones, and Garrison Smith. The Seahawks also have Malik McDowell at defensive tackle after the 2017 second-round pick spent his rookie year on the Non-Football Injury List. McDowell’s status for 2018 still remains in question, though.
Cowboys Restructure Contract For Jason Witten
The Cowboys have restructured the contract for veteran tight end Jason Witten, opening up around $3.5MM in available cap space, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Witten is signed through the 2021 season.
Witten, 35, becomes the second Cowboy to restructure his deal of late, with center Travis Frederick doing so last week. Between the restructuring of both deals, the Cowboys have opened up $10.5MM in available cap space.
The Cowboys were certainly in need of more available cap space, especially with the addition of wide receivers Allen Hurns (two years, $12MM) and Deonte Thompson (one year, $2.5MM). Entering Saturday, the Cowboys had $8.04MM in available cap room, which placed them at No. 26 in the NFL, per Spotrac.
Witten has spent his entire 15-year career with the Cowboys and has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (1,152), receiving yards (12,448) and most consecutive games played (239). He signed a four-year contract extension last offseason, worth $29.6MM.
Earl Thomas Affirms Committment To Seahawks
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas clarified some comments made Friday on an Ireland radio show in which he said it’s a “guessing game” as to whether he would be back in Seattle in 2018.
In a lengthy Twitter post, Thomas firmly stated his intentions of remaining with the Seahawks for the foreseeable future.
“Hold on everyone. Let’s not get it confused. I want to be a Seahawk,” Thomas said. “I want my jersey retired in the ring of honor with the other greats that came before me. I love being in Seattle. The winning culture we established I want to be apart of it for life!!”
Thomas, 28, went on to note how his family has embedded itself and enjoys the Seattle community. He also didn’t want his comments regarding the ambiguous nature of his future to be confused with him not wanting to remain in Seattle, and rather it was just being honest and confident in himself to be successful wherever he lands.
While the six-time Pro Bowler said he wishes to remain in Seattle, it may not be up to him. The team has reportedly been shopping Thomas around in trade talks this offseason, with his contract set to expire after next season. The Cowboys were one of the team’s to reportedly have shown interest in trading for Thomas.
Even if Thomas were to return, the Seahawks secondary will have a different look next season with the departure of Richard Sherman to the 49ers. Seattle also cut Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
East Notes: Bennett, Redskins, Osweiler, Patriots, Wallace
Zack Rosenblatt of NJ Advance Media looks at 10 unanswered questions stemming from the indictment of Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett, including whether the Eagles and Seahawks already knew, when the NFL found out and how it impacts his roster status with the Eagles.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reported Friday (on Twitter) that the Seahawks were unaware of the incident before Friday. Rosenblatt wonders whether Seattle may be forced to return the compensation it received by trading Bennett if it was discovered that they were previously aware of the incident. The Houston Police department reportedly attempted to reach out to Bennett and the NFL about the incident late last year, per Rosenblatt.
If the Eagles were to release Bennett, they’d save $5.65MM in cap space, without any dead cap. Rosenblatt points out that veteran leadership in the Eagles defense with players like Malcolm Jenkins could help fight off any off-field distractions that stem from the incident. It’s also possible the Eagles could make a precautionary move to add a defensive end, with Vinny Curry already released and signed with the Buccaneers. Chris Long reportedly signed a new deal to remain with the Eagles in 2018 earlier this week.
Here’s more from around the AFC/NFC East
- By trading for Alex Smith rather than re-signing Kirk Cousins, the Redskins saved $10MM in cap space this year. In a mailbag piece, ESPN’s John Keim points to the team’s lack of spending this offseason as an indication of its desire to extend players currently on the roster. Some of those players who could be extended include Preston Smith, Jamison Crowder, Brandon Scherff and Matthew Ioannidis.
- The Dolphins’ search for quarterback help this offseason did not end with the signing of Brock Osweiler to a one-year deal, sources told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Osweiler will have to earn his role as the backup behind Ryan Tannehill as the team may still look to add a quarterback in the draft and have shown interest in several players expected to go in the first round.
- In a response to a fan question, ESPN’s Mike Reiss said he could see the Patriots moving up in the first round of the upcoming draft to take a long-term option replacing Nate Solder at left tackle — if the right prospect were to slide down the draft board. Reiss also notes that the Patriots had just four picks in last year’s draft, which could keep them from dealing a package of picks once again. At the moment, Tony Garcia seems to be the likeliest candidate to take over at left tackle for New England.
- While being introduced to the Philadelphia media, Mike Wallace said that playing with Carson Wentz was “99 percent” of the reason he signed with the Eagles, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Wallace also said he passed up other offers that would’ve netted him more money in signing his one-year deal with the Eagles.
Bills To Host CB Phillip Gaines
The Bills will host free-agent cornerback Phillip Gaines at some point next week, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (on Twitter). Gaines visited with the Colts last week and Garafolo believes his time with the Chiefs, who took him in the third round of the 2014 draft, is coming to an end. 
Buffalo recently lost out on cornerback E.J. Gaines, who signed with the Browns on Friday. At the moment, the Bills are set to role with Vontae Davis and TreDavious White at cornerback. Even if signed, Phillip Gaines would likely serve in a nickel or reserve capacity with the Bills. He could help fill the role of Leonard Johnson, who appeared in 15 games last year for the Bills mostly as a nickel cornerback and remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
The Chiefs signaled that they were likely moving on from Phillip Gaines, who was ranked as the second-worst cornerback in the league in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, after signing David Amerson and Kendall Fuller.
Phillip Gaines, 26, appeared in 41 games in four seasons with the Chiefs, making 16 starts. He ended last season on the injured reserve due to an elbow injury and missed the team’s playoff loss to the Titans.
Raiders To Re-Sign Reggie Nelson
The Raiders are bringing back veteran safety Reggie Nelson on a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport notes that Nelson, who spent six seasons with the Bengals, can help teach new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s system. Guenther had been the Bengals’ defensive coordinator since 2014 before joining Jon Gruden’s staff this offseason.
Nelson, 34, started all 16 games at free safety for the Raiders last season and is the team’s second free-agent signing at safety this offseason, along with Marcus Gilchrist. It remains to be seen whether Oakland will opt to start Nelson or use him in a reserve capacity while having Karl Joseph and Gilchrist work as the starting safeties. Joseph had a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.8 last season, which was the highest of any defender currently on the Raiders’ roster outside of Khalil Mack.
Nelson was rated as our No. 9 safety available in free agency this offseason, with Gilchrist ranked at No. 7. Oakland also added cornerback Rashaan Melvin on a one-year deal earlier this offseason.
In two seasons with the Raiders, Nelson has yet to miss a start and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016 for the second time in his career. He was first selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015 while with the Bengals after recording a career-high eight interceptions.
The Raiders also have last year’s second-round pick Obi Melifonwu at safety after he appeared in just five games his rookie season. Entering Saturday, the Raiders had $17.87MM in available cap space, which put them at No. 14 in the NFL.