Zachary Links | Pro Football Rumors

Lions Re-Sign Charles Harris

March 15th, 2022 at 10:44am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have re-signed edge rusher Charles Harris (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The contract, which can be finalized at 4pm ET/3pm CT tomorrow, will be a two-year deal worth $14MM.

[RELATED: Lions To Sign Chark]

Harris was the 22nd overall draft pick in 2017. He didn’t pan out initially for the Dolphins and was later traded to the Falcons for a seventh-round pick. He had the (then) highest sack total of his career in Atlanta, registering three in 13 games while playing just under 27% of the defensive snaps.

In 2021, he took things up another notch with 7.5 sacks and 65 tackles for the Lions. Harris turned in a full 17-game slate with 14 starts, allowing him to earn the largest contract of his young career.

On the opposite side of the ball, the Lions have snagged wide receiver DJ Chark on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $12MM. Chark’s best year came in 2019, when he tallied 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl nod. Injuries have hampered him ever since, but the deal could pay serious dividends for Detroit.

Dolphins To Sign Connor Williams

March 15th, 2022 at 10:38am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have agreed to sign Connor Williams (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). The former Cowboys offensive lineman will take his talents to South Beach on a two-year, $14MM deal with $7.5MM fully guaranteed.

This year’s guard market was headlined by the likes of Brandon Scherff, Laken Tomlinson, Alex Cappa, and Mark Glowinski. Scherff (Jaguars, $16.5MM/year) and Tomlinson (Jets, $13.3MM/year) found huge paydays earlier this week, clearing the way for the next tier of interior lineman like Williams.

Williams emerged as a key piece of the Cowboys’ front five as a rookie in 2018. All together, he’s started in 51 of his 57 games, improving steadily from 2018 through 2020. Last year, however, he got a little bit sloppy as he drew 15 flags on the year. The Cowboys shuffled him in and out of the lineup at times, an indication that they’d look to upgrade at guard.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have welcomed back one of their own Williams-es on Tuesday. Wide receiver Preston Williams, who has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, agreed to a one-year deal that could pay ~$2MM.

Dolphins To Re-Sign Preston Williams

March 15th, 2022 at 10:04am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins will re-sign Preston Williams to a one-year deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Williams can earn up to $1.99MM on the contract, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).

[RELATED: Dolphins To Sign Wilson]

Williams joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He’s since appeared in 24 games for Miami, notching 56 grabs for 787 yards and seven touchdowns. Williams has impressed at times, including his rookie year when he managed 32 receptions for 428 yards and three TDs in eight games.

Still, injuries and other issues have sidetracked him. That aforementioned rookie year ended with an ACL tear and his 2021 was cut short by a foot injury. Williams has played in exactly eight games in each of his three seasons, losing ground on the depth chart with time. As a result, the Dolphins were hesitant to cuff the restricted free agent with a $2.6MM tender.

Now that he’s back in the fold, he’ll fight for playing time alongside WRs DeVante Parker, Jaylen Waddle, and Cedrick Wilson.

Cowboys To Re-Sign Malik Hooker

March 15th, 2022 at 9:28am CST by Zachary Links

Malik Hooker is staying put. On Tuesday, the Cowboys agreed to a new two-year, $8MM deal with the veteran safety (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).

The Ohio State product joined the Cowboys in the 2021 offseason, reuniting with old pal Dan Quinn. At the time, Hooker was coming off of an injury-riddled season in which an Achilles tear limited him to just two games. He inked a one-year prove-it deal and he indeed proved it. Hooker suited up for a career-high 15 games with three starts, notching 44 stops, two passes defensed, and an interception against the Giants in Week 14.

Last time around, the Steelers and Dolphins also showed interest in Hooker. This round of free agency would have seen even more suitors, so the Cowboys didn’t want to roll the dice. Hooker, 26 in April, still has room to grow, so this deal could wind up being extremely team-friendly.

In other Cowboys news, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is set to return on a revised deal that will lower his 2022 cap hit.

Jaguars To Release Myles Jack

March 15th, 2022 at 9:19am CST by Zachary Links

Something had to give. After signing scores of high-end free agents on Monday, the Jaguars are releasing linebacker Myles Jack, according to a source who spoke with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Jack led the Jags with 108 tackles last year, his sixth season in Jacksonville. Ultimately, however, he was the victim of a numbers crunch, and the team had no room for the remainder of his four-year, $57MM deal.

It was less than a month ago that newly-hired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell told reporters how much he was looking forward to working with Jack.

“With Myles he was just, ‘Coach, I’m ready to go, whatever he wants to do,”‘ Caldwell said (via Sports Illustrated). “He’s that type of guy that whatever the team asks him to do, he’s a team-oriented guy. Whatever we want him to do, he’s going to go out there and do it to the best of his ability. But as coaches, it’s our job to let him go do what he does well, and that’s what we plan on doing.”

The “Jack Of All Trades” was a true disruptor in 2020 when he notched 118 stops, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and five passes defensed. He was less of a factor in 2021, though the overall situation in Jacksonville certainly didn’t help.

Jack won’t turn 27 until September and should garner plenty of attention on the open market this week.

Rams To Cut Johnny Hekker

March 15th, 2022 at 8:44am CST by Zachary Links

The Rams will release longtime punter Johnny Hekker, according to talk show host Pat McAfee (on Twitter). The move will save the Rams $2.05MM in cap room while leaving a dead money hit of $1.142MM.

Hekker, a four-time first-team All-Pro, spent his entire career with the Rams, starting in St. Louis before moving on to Los Angeles. He’s had perfect attendance throughout his career, appearing in all 161 regular season games plus ten playoff contests. Now, the league’s All-Decade punter of the 2010s will be moving on.

The Rams considered moving on from Hekker last year, but the punter agreed to a pay cut. As a part of the restructuring, the Rams agreed to remove the 2023 season from Hekker’s contract, enabling him to reach free agency one year earlier. Now, he’s on the open market two years ahead of schedule.

Still only 32, Hekker should have little trouble finding work elsewhere. While his per-punt average dipped to 44.2 yards last year, he’s long been regarded as one of the best at his position.

Patriots Trade Chase Winovich To Browns

March 15th, 2022 at 8:35am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots have agreed to send outside linebacker Chase Winovich (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). In exchange, the Browns will send linebacker Mack Wilson to the Patriots. The trade will be processed tomorrow at 4pm ET/3pm CT, when the new league year officially begins.

“I am so grateful for my experience in New England,” Winovich tweeted. “The love, spirit, and support have been absolutely unreal. This entire region will always hold the most special of places in my heart. The time is now for the next chapter of my journey. ”

Winovich, 27 in April, notched 5.5 sacks in each of his first two pro seasons. Last year, he saw a little less action as he appeared in 13 games with zero starts and notched just eleven tackles in total. For his career, Winovich has 45 regular season appearances (nine starts) with 85 tackles, eleven sacks, one interception, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble.

It’s a similar story for Wilson, who has slipped down the Browns’ depth chart in each pro season. Last year, he saw a near even split between special teams and defense, notching 42 tackles across his 14 games. Across the last three years, he’s got 163 tackles, one sack, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one interception to his credit.

Deshaun Watson To Meet With Panthers, Saints

March 14th, 2022 at 4:34pm CST by Zachary Links

4:34pm: It may be an NFC South duel for Watson. The three-time Pro Bowler, as of Monday afternoon, is not willing to waive his no-trade clause for anyone but Carolina or New Orleans, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle said during an appearance on WFNZ (Twitter link). The Saints may have a slight lead in this race, with CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora noting Watson is “lukewarm at best” about the Panthers (Twitter link). While it has been reported Watson would waive his no-trade clause for the Panthers, this may not be his preferred outcome.

Watson has rejected the Seahawks, McClain adds (Twitter link). The Colts, as should be expected, are not in this mix. Though, they may or may not have tried. The Texans denied their AFC South rivals permission to speak with Watson, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Seahawks, reported as an interested party over the weekend, are not planning to meet with Watson, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter).

More teams are interested, but it certainly appears these two rivals are in the lead. Watson will meet with each team Monday night in Houston, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Watson is also planning to meet with other teams Tuesday, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets. This saga could include a trade soon, despite Watson’s civil suits not yet being resolved.

10:17am: Deshaun Watson is expected to meet with the Panthers and Saints in the next couple of days (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). On top of that, Watson will also chat with other interested clubs between now and Wednesday.

The Texans have granted Watson permission to meet with other clubs, which may help to advance the trade talks. Watson holds a no-trade clause, so the Texans have to get his sign-off before completing any deal.

On that note, Watson has not turned down a potential trade to the Panthers (Twitter link via David Newton of ESPN.com). It was long reported that Watson only OK’d a trade to the Dolphins, but Newton hears that’s not the case — at least, when it comes to Carolina. With that in mind, it’s possible that Watson could go along with a trade to the Saints or one of the other interested teams.

The details are not yet known, but the Saints and Panthers have made offers for Watson recently. Meanwhile, the Texans’ asking price has not budged. Houston GM Nick Caserio still says that he wants three first-round picks plus more assets in exchange for the embattled QB. The Panthers, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 draft, could make a compelling offer for the Texans. The Saints, who sit at No. 18, would have to offer more in their package to top their bid.

Bengals To Re-Sign DT B.J. Hill

March 14th, 2022 at 1:50pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals are re-signing defensive tackle B.J. Hill (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Once finalized, it’ll be a three-year, $30MM pact with $15MM paid in Year One.

[RELATED: Bears To Sign Ogunjobi]

Hill was shipped from the Giants to the Bengals last August in exchange for offensive lineman Billy Price. Price went on to give the Giants 16 games and 15 starts – the most first-string appearances he’s ever had.

Hill, meanwhile, shined in the Bengals’ interior rotation, notching 5.5 sacks and 50 stops across 16 games, even though he only started twice. Playing behind D.J. Reader and Larry Ogunjobi, he showed promise as a run-stuffer who can also get to the quarterback on passing downs. Now, he’s got a contract to match, one that puts him closer to that of Reader, who inked a four-year, $53MM contract with Cincy.

Ogunjobi, meanwhile, has left the AFC North for the NFC North. On Monday, the defensive tackle agreed to a three-year, $40.5MM deal with the Bears.

Bills To Sign Rodger Saffold

March 14th, 2022 at 1:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Rodger Saffold is joining up with the Bills (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). On Monday, the former Titans guard agreed to a brand new deal with Buffalo. It is a two-year deal in name only, with Saffold indicating (via CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, on Twitter) the second year is a void year for cap purposes.

The 33-year-old had one year to go on his Titans contract, with a scheduled cap hit of $12.8MM. If he had still been on the roster five days after the beginning of free agency next week, he would have received a $1MM roster bonus. Instead, the Titans elected for $10.4MM in cap room with a more modest $2.375MM dead money hit.

After nine years spent with the Rams, the former second rounder inked a four-year, $44MM deal to come to Nashville in 2019. He missed a total of three games in three campaigns with the Titans, and even earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021. On the other hand, PFF assigned him an underwhelming grade of 68.8.

Despite his age, Saffold profiled as one of the top LGs on the open market. Now, he’ll help to protect star quarterback Josh Allen and work alongside middle man Mitch Morse, who agreed to a fresh two-year deal this week.