Lions Sign Jermaine Kearse
The Lions have signed wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, according to a team announcement. It’s a one-year, $1.35MM deal with a max value of $2.3MM, including $350K guaranteed, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
The deal reunites Kearse with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Given their five years working together in Seattle, it shouldn’t take long for the 29-year-old to learn the playbook. Also, given the Lions’ lack of depth at the wide receiver position, there’s a clear opportunity for Kearse to make the cut and make an impact.
The Lions auditioned Kearse in late May and quickly made him an offer, but he walked away in hopes of finding something more substantial. It’s not clear whether the Lions upped the ante to get Kearse, but they managed to land him in June.
Kearse came to the Jets from the Seahawks in the Sheldon Richardson trade of 2017. Kearse went on to enjoy the best statistical campaign of his career by managing 65 receptions for 810 yards and five touchdowns in his first season with Gang Green. Last year wasn’t quite as strong, but he finished out with a 37/371/1 in the Jets’ spotty offense.
Kearse could easily wind up as the Lions’ fourth WR behind Danny Amendola, Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. Former Saints practice standout Tommylee Lewis is also on hand.
AFC North Notes: Steelers, Burns, Bengals
This could be the end of the line for Artie Burns‘ career with the Steelers, Ed Bouchette of The Athletic writes (subscription required). The cornerback is due an $800K roster bonus on the first day of training camp, but if he can’t prove himself during minicamp, he’ll likely be released before he can collect that check.
The Steelers had high hopes for Burns after he notched six interceptions in his final season at Miami, but he’s regressed in each of his pro seasons. As a rookie, Burns tied for the team lead with three picks despite starting in only nine games. In 2017, he started in every game, but wasn’t as sharp in coverage and had just one interception. Then, last year, Burns was bumped from the starting lineup and mostly appeared on special teams in the second half of the season. The Steelers already passed on Burns’ fifth-year option for 2020 and they could be on the verge of giving up on him altogether. If they cut him, it’ll be yet another draft disappointment for the team at the cornerback position. As Bouchette notes, the club’s top three corners – Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, and Mike Hilton – all came from outside the draft.
Shifting to the teams that wear orange, here is the latest from the AFC North:
- After acting as the Raiders’ interim GM in the wake of Reggie McKenzie‘s ouster, Shaun Herock did not stick with the Jon Gruden–Mike Mayock regime. But the longtime Oakland exec is expected to land on his feet. Herock is on the verge of joining the Browns, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. Although Herock spent seven years in Oakland, he worked extensively with John Dorsey in Green Bay. Herock spent nearly two decades as the Packers’ assistant director of college scouting, working directly under Dorsey (the Packers’ college scouting director for most of that span). The Packers made three Super Bowl appearances during the duo’s time running the Pack’s scouting department. Herock will join ex-Green Bay execs Alonzo Highsmith and Eliot Wolf in Cleveland.
- Here’s a bit of a surprise – Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic expects the Bengals to use linebacker Preston Brown in a three-down role this year. Brown was limited by injury in 2018, and he was placed on IR in November, but the club opted to bring him back on a one-year, $4MM deal in March. There was some speculation that the Bengals would still look for an upgrade at the middle linebacker position, but it sounds like Brown is primed for a key role on defense.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Colts Meet With Darian Stewart
Free agent safety Darian Stewart met with the Colts this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). This comes on the heels of a workout for Johnathan Cyprien, so it appears the Colts are in the market for help in the secondary. 
Third-year safety Malik Hooker is working his way back from ACL and MCL tears while fellow safety Clayton Geathers is still rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee. At minimum, Stewart could give the Colts some practice field depth. At maximum, the former Pro Bowler could be a tremendous value addition.
The Broncos released Stewart in March in order to save roughly $3.6MM against the cap. Prior to that, the veteran started in nearly all of his 58 games for the Broncos and recorded a forced fumble and a sack in the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory.
Stewart saw some time at cornerback and free safety in ’17, but he played mostly at strong safety last year. He graded out as just the No. 77 ranked safety in the NFL in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus. His 59.6 overall score was a massive step back from his first two seasons in Denver, which included a Pro Bowl nod in 2016.
Falcons Host Allen Bailey
Free agent Allen Bailey met with the Falcons on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The defensive lineman previously visited the Patriots, Panthers, and Seahawks, but left each meeting without a deal. 
Bailey, a third-round pick in 2011, has spent his entire career to date with the Chiefs. In late March, we heard that the Chiefs were still open to a Bailey return, but it’s not clear if that’s still the case after they used a third-round pick on defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.
Bailey has been a starter for most of his career, including 13 regular season starts and two playoff starts last season. He finished out the year with 38 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles in the regular season while recording five tackles in the Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots.
The Falcons have some past experience with ex-Chiefs linemen, including Dontari Poe and Tyson Jackson.
Browns Release OT Desmond Harrison
The Browns have waived tackle Desmond Harrison, according to a team announcement. Harrison joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent last year and went on to start eight games at left tackle, so his release comes as a surprise. 
Harrison was released because he was late and even missing appointments with the team, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. And, when addressing reporters, head coach Freddie Kitchens explained that Harrison missed the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Given his talent and inexpensive contract, there’s a high probability of Harrison being claimed off waivers in the next 24 hours.
Harrison, 25, opened the 2018 season as the starter at left tackle before Greg Robinson took over in the second half of the season. This year, Harrison was expected to be a key sub, but the 6’6″ lineman will try to make it work elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Browns will likely turn to Kendall Lamm as their first tackle off of the bench.
Redskins’ Trent Williams Wants Out
Typically, player holdouts stem from a desire to secure a new contract. That’s not the case for Redskins left tackle Trent Williams, however. The veteran has told teammates that he has demanded a trade or release due to their handling of his recent medical situation, according to sources who spoke with Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Furthermore, Williams has vowed to not play for the Redskins, meaning that this saga could drag on if he is not traded this summer. 
Earlier this year, Williams had a tumor (or a similar growth) removed from his head. Fortunately, Williams is now healthy and is expected to be able to play this season. However, for reasons that are currently unclear, the situation caused friction between the lifelong Redskin and the organization.
For now, Williams is under contract with the Redskins for another two years and is owed $24MM between now and the end of the 2020 season. Despite his injuries, that deal borders on being team-friendly, so there could be a ripe market for the soon-to-be 31-year-old.
Latest On Colts LB Bobby Okereke
In 2015, a Stanford student told school administrators that she was sexually assaulted by a player on the football team at a fraternity party. The case made national news, though neither the accuser nor the alleged perpetrator were identified. On Wednesday morning, Colts GM Chris Ballard told beat reporters that the player in question was linebacker Bobby Okereke, the club’s third-round pick in the 2019 draft (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of the The Athletic). 
Okereke was not charged in connection to the alleged incident and he personally informed the Colts of the matter prior to the draft, according to Ballard. The GM added that the Colts investigate the incident and reviewed the documents from the Title IX case. Because there were no charges filed or disciplinary action against the Stanford product, the Colts went ahead with the selection.
Ballard also cited Okereke’s otherwise clean record as one of the reasons for drafting him. The Colts did not interview the accuser beforehand because Ballard did not feel that was necessary given the other information gathered by the team.
The linebacker reportedly impressed during voluntary workouts in May and is expected to compete with Anthony Walker for the club’s starting MIKE spot.
Saints Host Prince Charles Iworah
The Saints are hosting cornerback Prince Charles Iworah on a visit, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The former 49ers draft pick has appeared in just one NFL game, but offers intriguing tools. 
Coming out of Western Kentucky, Iworah posted a 4.32-second 40-yard-dash with a 38.5-inch vertical leap. He has just one NFL appearance to his credit from his 2016 season, but talent evaluators remain curious about his upside.
The Saints are using Wednesday’s practice to kick the tires on several cornerbacks to fortify their depth chart. Former Broncos notable Kayvon Webster and ex-Steeler Coty Sensabaugh are also on hand to show their stuff.
Saints Meet With Coty Sensabaugh
Free agent cornerback Coty Sensabaugh will visit the Saints on Wednesday, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The seven-year veteran started ten games last season for the Steelers. 
Sensabaugh will meet with New Orleans brass on the same day as Kayvon Webster. Apparently, the Saints are looking for veteran depth at cornerback to support starters Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple.
Sensabaugh, 30, has 43 career starts to his credit, including ten starts with the Steelers last season. He earned a decent 65.7 overall score from Pro Football Focus last season, positioning him among the top 65 players at the position. And, for what it’s worth, Sensabaugh shined in the Steelers’ regular season finale against the Bengals.
Saints To Meet With Kayvon Webster
Free agent cornerback Kayvon Webster will visit the Saints on Wednesday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The 49ers and Bears also have expressed interest in Webster recently and it might not be long before he finds a new NFL home. 
Webster garnered buzz early in his career as a talented cornerback with the Broncos who was buried on the depth chart behind more established names. Many expected him to break out upon signing with the Rams in 2017 and reuniting with Wade Phillips, but he didn’t do much in his injury-shortened season. In 2018, injuries hampered him yet again as he tried to reestablish himself with the Texans.
The Saints will start Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple at the outside cornerback spots with Patrick Robinson, P.J. Williams and rookies Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Saquan Hampton battling for the primary slot role.