Cardinals Sign CB Darqueze Dennard
The Cardinals have signed cornerback Darqueze Dennard, per a club announcement. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears that it’s a one-year contract. 
Dennard spent the early part of his career with the Bengals. The former first-round pick initially agreed to join the Jaguars in late March on a three-year, $13.5MM deal. However, that fell through due to complications with his knee injury. He then hooked on with the Falcons, where he appeared in eight games with six starts.
The Cardinals have been on the lookout for cornerback help. Currently, they count Malcolm Butler, Robert Alford, and Byron Murphy among their CB vets, plus newly drafted rookies Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan.
Injuries have slowed Dennard over the years but, when he’s healthy, he’s shown to be a solid slot option. In his last year with the Bengals (2019), Pro Football Focus graded Dennard as its No. 21 overall corner, during which he played 495 snaps. All in all, he’s played in 85 games throughout his career, including 30 starts.
Raiders Re-Sign Sam Young
Sam Young will return to the Raiders (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). On Thursday, the two sides reached agreement on a new one-year deal, giving him a chance to slot into the team’s offensive tackle rotation.
Kolton Miller will start at left tackle with unexpected first-round pick Alex Leatherwood likely to man the right side. Young could operate as one of the first tackles off of the bench behind both players, or an insurance policy for Leatherwood if he’s still a bit green. But, based on the reviews Leatherwood has been getting out of practice, the reserve role seems more likely for Young.
“Yeah, he’s a big body,” veteran guard Richie Incognito said last week (via The Athletic). “He comes from a storied program at Alabama, and he’s done a ton of winning — a couple national championships under his belt. He’s a quiet kid … he’s a hard worker. He’s picking up on what (offensive line) coach (Tom) Cable is laying down, and I expect him to have a big year.”
Young isn’t exactly an elite tackle, but he does offer lots of experience, including eleven games (seven starts) for the Raiders last year. On the whole, he’s got 103 appearances to his credit across eleven pro seasons.
NFC North Notes: Gurley, Lions, Packers
The Lions have shown some interest in signing two-time All-Pro running back Todd Gurley. It’s not clear if he’s still on the radar after their meeting last week, but Georgia alum D’Andre Swift would be happy to welcome him to Detroit’s backfield.
“Knowledge. Experience,” Swift said when asked how he would benefit from playing with Gurley (via USA Today). “I’d be happy if he come here as well. I just want to compete with these guys. Just to have him in the building, that’d be good.”
Aside from their college connection, Gurley also has familiarity with the Lions’ new GM. Gurley’s best years in L.A. overlapped with Brad Holmes‘ Rams tenure, including 2,500+ rushing yards between 2017 and 2018. He’s been slowed by knee trouble ever since, but he could be an interesting partner for Swift now that Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Peterson are out of the picture.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari is ahead of schedule as he returns from last year’s season-ending ACL tear (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). “He’s really working hard. I think he came back and he’s in excellent shape. We’re just going to take it one day at a time,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “I think he’s a little bit ahead of schedule but then again there’s a long way to the start of the season. We’ll see where he’s at when it comes to that time.” Pro Football Focus ranked Bakhtiari as the league’s No. 2 tackle last year before his December injury. So, regardless of which quarterback he’s protecting, the Packers are counting on his presence.
- Speaking of which, Packers running back Aaron Jones says he didn’t chat with Aaron Rodgers about the QB’s plans before inking his extension (Twitter link via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “This is home,” Jones said. “This is where I love to be.”
Jaguars Sign WR Pharoh Cooper
The Jaguars have agreed to sign wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it’s likely a low-cost one-year deal given Cooper’s recent track record. 
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Cooper, 26, put himself on the map in 2017 when he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2017 as a return man. That year, he handled 66 combined kick and punt returns and led the NFL in yards per kickoff return (27.4). His 2018 encore wasn’t as impressive — he spent much of the year on IR, got waived by the Rams in December, and picked up by the Cardinals. Since then, he’s bounced around a bit, spending time with the Bengals and Panthers.
Cooper is now a few years removed from his best work and he hasn’t done much offensively, save for that ’17 season when he managed 32 catches for 399 yards. But, with the Jags, he’ll have a chance to reassert himself and compete with incumbent punt returner Chris Claybrooks.
Broken Collarbone For Bears’ Dazz Newsome
Bears rookie wide receiver Dazz Newsome broke his collarbone in practice on Tuesday (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). That means surgery for the sixth-round pick, but Pelissero hears that it was a clean break. Essentially, the youngster is looking at an eight-week recovery that should allow him to participate in training camp.
Many expected the Bears to target a wideout in Round 1. Instead, they pushed their chips towards Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and addressed the need later on with Newsome. The Bears see him as a strong slot option, thanks to his lightning-quick speed. Other teams agreed, especially after seeing the UNC product notch 126 grabs for 1,702 yards and 16 touchdowns across his last two seasons on campus.
If he stays on track, Newsome has a good chance of sticking somewhere behind Allen Robinson and Damiere Byrd. But, if he’s not able to prove himself between now and the end of August, the Bears might have a tough time sneaking him through waivers.
49ers’ Weston Richburg Retires
As expected, Weston Richburg is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the 49ers formally announced that the center will retire from the NFL. 
“I consider myself extremely blessed to have played in this league and am so grateful for the experiences over the last seven years,” Richburg said in a statement issued by the Niners. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of this game and I’ve reached a point where my body won’t allow me to continue playing and competing at a high level. I was able to play some good football all over the country and was fortunate enough to finish my career with the greatest franchise in sports.
“From top to bottom, the 49ers organization is comprised of some of the best men, women and athletes I’ve ever been around. To be just a small part of an NFC Championship and Super Bowl run is something I will never forget.”
Richburg, still shy of his 30th birthday in June, missed all of 2020 with injuries, including a torn patellar tendon, and was set to undergo hip surgery earlier this offseason. The former Giants second-round pick last played in December 2019.
The 49ers gave Richburg a five-year, $47.5MM contract in 2018. He played in 28 games for SF, but he was slowed by a torn patellar tendon and ultimately shelved by a serious hip injury. Now, Richburg will cheer them on from home as newcomer Alex Mack mans the middle.
Eagles, Dallas Goedert Discuss Extension
Philadelphia might not be big enough for two big-time tight ends. But, while we wait to see what happens with Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert says he’s still in talks about a new multi-year deal (via NJ.com). 
“I think contract stuff is still in discussions, a little bit,” Goedert said. “I’m not too worried about that. I have to go out there and play really good football. I’ve got to worry about getting better 1% every single day … I’m leaving my contract stuff to my agent.”
Goedert is slated to earn $1.24MM this year and serve as the Eagles’ No. 1 TE. He’s been in the mix since his 2018 rookie year, though he’s spent the bulk of his career in Ertz’s shadow. After a 2019 campaign that saw him haul in 58 receptions for 607 yards and five scores, Goedert continued to produce through the first two-plus games of the 2020 season, hauling in 13 receptions for 138 yards and one score before succumbing to an ankle injury. After some time on IR, he returned to finish with 46 grabs, 524 yards, and three TDs in eleven games.
Moving forward, the Eagles have big plans for Goedert and young quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts still has plenty to go on his rookie deal, so their next step will be to keep key cogs like Goedert under club control.
“If I could get the contract extension, I would love to be in Philly forever,” Goedert said. “Having the second contract is the ultimate goal, so the sooner you can get to it, I feel like it’s the better. But, either way, whether I get it or not, I’m going to have the same mentality.”
Eagles’ Kerryon Johnson Takes Pay Cut
Kerryon Johnson has a new contract. After the Eagles claimed him off of waivers, the former Lions running back agreed to a pay cut (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports). 
Johnson was set to earn about $1.4MM in the final year of his rookie contract. Now, with the restructure, he’ll make the veteran’s minimum of $920K. Meanwhile, the Eagles have an extra $446K to work with this year. His deal includes $0 in guaranteed cash, so there’s no risk involved for the Birds.
Johnson showed some promise as a rookie, averaging 5.4 yards per tote in 2018 and scoring four touchdowns in ten games. However, knee injuries sidetracked him from that point forward. In 2019, he hit the IR twice. Johnson didn’t miss time last year, but he lost ground to D’Andre Swift and Adrian Peterson.
Now, Johnson will be tasked with finding a spot in a crowded RB room. That means practicing/competing with the likes of Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Kenny Gainwell. The Eagles should be fairly set in the backfield, especially with the former second-round pick in the fold. They’ve also got a little bit of cash to upgrade elsewhere — about $8.3MM, per the NFLPA’s records.
Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch Drawing Trade Interest
The Cowboys have received calls on Leighton Vander Esch (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Jane Slater). However, the Cowboys are not interested in trading the young linebacker. 
The Cowboys declined to pick up LVE’s fifth-year option earlier this year, so he’s set to be a free agent next spring. Still, the Boise State product and former first-rounder is still in their future plans. If all goes well this year, the Cowboys could even re-up Vander Esch with a long-term extension.
Picking up the option would’ve given LVE a fully guaranteed $9.145MM for 2022. Despite his talent, that’s a steep price for a player who has missed 13 games over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, the Cowboys invested a ’21 first-round pick in fellow ‘backer Micah Parsons, so they’re not exactly sold on Vander Esch and his long-term outlook.
Vander Esch made the Pro Bowl and the second-team All-Pro team as a rookie in 2018 That year, the No. 19 overall pick notched 140 tackles, seven passes defended, and two interceptions. But, last year, he finished with just 60 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and zero passes defended in ten contests.
Still, lots of teams can see a bright future for the 25-year-old. That includes the Cowboys, who plan to hold on to him for 2021.
Packers Gain $2MM In Cap Room
The Packers have some extra dollars to work with, thanks to some help from tight end Robert Tonyan (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). . In a rare move, Tonyan has been re-signed to a new deal that treats the bulk of his of $3.384MM restricted free agent tender as a bonus for salary cap purposes. Meanwhile, they’ve added four voidable years to the contract. All together, this gives Green Bay roughly $1.9MM more for this year’s cap. 
Tonyan, 27, effectively redshirted his rookie season. As an undrafted free agent, he hauled in just 14 catches through his first two seasons of action. Then, he had a breakout campaign in 2020, finishing with 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. Just last week, the Packers happily gave Tonyan a second-round tender to keep him from getting poached.
It’s worth noting that the tight end appeared in just 61-percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps last year. He could see an even larger role in 2021 as he teams with Marcedes Lewis. Of course, it’s not a given that Aaron Rodgers will be the one throwing the ball to him. But, between this revision and other recent moves, the Packers have carved out roughly $4.4MM in cap space — those dollars could be put towards a new deal for Rodgers, assuming the two sides can mend fences.