Raiders Re-Sign Doug Martin
The Raiders have agreed to re-sign running back Doug Martin, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). With that, Oakland has a “replacement” for Isaiah Crowell, who is likely done for the year after suffering a torn Achilles. 
Last year, Martin led the team with 723 yards on the ground and averaged a respectable 4.2 yards per carry. This time around, he may not be the team’s top ball carrier. On Thursday, the Raiders used a first round pick on Josh Jacobs and all indications are that they have big plans for the Alabama product.
Back in November, Jon Gruden indicated that he wanted Martin back for another season. It took longer than anticipated, but the veteran has himself a deal for 2019.
“He’s a good back. I think I’ll say it again and again, he’s a very good player,” Gruden said. “He’s been a great player in this league. He’s running it. He’s catching it. He picked up some blitz that were flushed. We did a lot of good things on the film that I look at.”
Still, Martin should be able to carve out a decent role, particularly in the wake of Marshawn Lynch‘s retirement. In addition to Jacobs and Martin, the Raiders have Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, and DeAndre Washington on hand to keep the chains moving.
Jaguars To Sign Wilson, Goode
The Jaguars added a pair of linebackers on Wednesday. The team agreed to terms with former Rams and Chiefs linebacker Ramik Wilson as well as Najee Goode, who spent last season with the Colts after five years with the Eagles. 
Wilson, 27 in August, appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Rams, notching 35 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Although he spent much of the 2016 season as a starter for the Chiefs, he’s primarily been used as a backup throughout his career, which is likely how both he and Goode will fit in with Jacksonville.
Goode, 30 in June, entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Bucs in 2012, but only appeared in three games for them as a rookie. After that, he became a supporting linebacker and special teamer for the Eagles.
Bears Meet With Kayvon Webster
The Bears will host free agent cornerback Kayvon Webster on Wednesday, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Even after drafting two cornerbacks last week, the Bears are apparently still in the hunt for secondary help. 
Webster joined the Texans late last offseason but played in just two games thanks to multiple injuries and two separate IR stints. Webster, who was lauded for his talent while buried behind big name corners in Denver, has failed to take the next leap forward in his career. Many expected big things when he reunited with Wade Phillips as a member of the Rams in 2017, but he failed to make a major impact in eleven games before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear.
The Bears project to start Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller at outside cornerback with new addition Buster Skrine manning the slot. After those three, the Bears have veteran Sherrick McManis, Kevin Toliver, John Franklin, Michael Joseph, Jonathon Mincy, and two late-round draft picks in Kansas State’s Duke Shelley and Valdosta State’s Stephen Denmark.
Saints To Decline Eli Apple’s Option
This will be a prove-it year for cornerback Eli Apple. The Saints will not exercise the former first-round pick’s option for 2020, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The Saints had until Friday to exercise the 2020 option for Apple, which would have paid him $13.7MM (guaranteed for injury only) in the additional season. Given that Apple has missed time in the past, the extra year would have been a bit of a gamble.
Still, Apple has given the Saints reason to believe in his abilities. After coming over from the Giants in a midseason trade, the 23-year-old (24 in August) logged two interceptions and started in all ten of his games in New Orleans. Apple graded out as just the No. 64 ranked corner in the NFL, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus, but it’s clear that the change of scenery has helped him.
For now, Apple will earn just $2.5MM in base pay for 2019, making him a solid value as a starter. If he takes another step forward in 2019, a more lucrative deal could be in his future.
Eagles, Chris Long Adjust Bonus Date
Chris Long still isn’t sure about whether he wants to play in 2019. This week, the defensive end worked with the Eagles to kick the can down the road. 
[RELATED: Eagles Pick Up Carson Wentz’s Option]
Originally, Long was set to earn a $1MM roster bonus on Wednesday. Instead, Long’s bonus date has been moved until the first day veterans report to training camp, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
The 34-year-old had another productive season as an Eagles reserve in 2018, compiling 23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 16 games. Still, he has other interests outside of playing football, and this marks at least the second straight year in which Long has considered retirement.
With two Super Bowl rings already on his hand, it’s possible that Long could call it a career before camp gets underway this summer.
Bears Pick Up Leonard Floyd’s Option
As expected, the Bears have picked up the fifth-year option on outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). The former first-round pick is now under club control through the 2020 season. 
Floyd, who has registered 15.5 sacks through three seasons, is slated to earn $13.3MM in 2020. The additional year is guaranteed for injury only, so the Bears could theoretically escape the additional season without cap consequences if Floyd is able to pass a physical heading into the ’20 campaign.
Floyd, the ninth overall pick in 2016, played in all 16 games last season, marking his first ever campaign with perfect attendance. While he managed a career-low four sacks, Floyd ranked 31st among pass rushers with 30.5 quarterback pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions’ charting data. He also put up nine tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and graded as the NFL’s No. 45 edge defender among 105 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
Floyd is eligible for a contract extension after completing his third NFL season, but the Bears have plenty of time to cross that bridge.
Raiders’ Isaiah Crowell Suffers Torn Achilles
Isaiah Crowell‘s season may already be over. During workouts on Tuesday, the new Raiders running back suffered an Achilles tear, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Crowell is unlikely to suit up for the 2019 season, but as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) notes, there have been some instances of players tearing their Achilles in the spring and managing to play in the same season. Michael Crabtree, for example, tore his Achilles in May of 2013 but managed to play in five regular season games and two playoff contests for the 49ers. Still, the early read from the Raiders’ medical staff is that Crowell won’t be able to suit up.
The Raiders signed Crowell to a one-year deal in late March, positioning him as one of Oakland’s top rushers. Instead, it now appears that first-round pick Josh Jacobs is slated for an even bigger role than anticipated. The Raiders also have Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, and DeAndre Washington to help keep things moving following the retirement of Marshawn Lynch. Meanwhile, last year’s top rusher Doug Martin remains in free agent limbo.
Browns Plan To Keep Duke Johnson
Browns running back Duke Johnson has requested a trade, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll get his way. In an interview with 92.3 The Fan (Twitter link) on Tuesday, Browns GM John Dorsey indicated that Johnson’s isn’t going anywhere. 
“I keep telling you guys and you all don’t listen to me,” Dorsey said. “Duke Johnson is a viable member of this organization. He’s very talented. This organization has plans to use him.”
Dorsey’s comments jibe with head coach Freddie Kitchens‘ recent remarks, so all indications are that Johnson will be a member of the Browns in 2019.
Johnson, ostensibly, is upset about the arrival of former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, who is slated to serve as the Browns’ top ball carrier after the conclusion of his four-game suspension. Meanwhile, the Browns will need a quality ball carrier for the opening month of the season and they still value Johnson’s soft hands out of the backfield. Since 2015, Johnson has averaged roughly 59 catches and 543 yards per season. Even last year when he saw only 40 carries behind Nick Chubb and Carlos Hyde, he still managed 47 grabs for 429 yards.
The Jets, Texans, and Eagles all showed interest in Johnson after Cleveland acquired Hunt, but if Dorsey and Kitchens are to be believed, they’ll have to go shopping for backfield help elsewhere.
No Talks Yet For Broncos, Chris Harris
Before the draft, Chris Harris instructed the Broncos to pay him or trade him. One week later, the Broncos have done neither. 
Broncos GM John Elway indicated that he would discuss a new deal with Harris after the draft, but no talks have taken place just yet, according to James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Palmer hears that teams still remain interested in him.
If Harris were to be moved, the draft would have been the logical time for a trade. Several teams have already filled their needs with a cornerback run that started in the second round and the Broncos would have preferred to net immediate help in exchange for one of the game’s best CBs.
Still, there’s a major gulf for the two sides to cross. Harris, who is unquestionably underpaid for what he provides, is seeking a deal worth more than $15MM/year. The Broncos, who have a tight cap situation thanks in part to their signing of Kareem Jackson to a three-year, $33MM deal, do not seem willing to go that far. It’s hard to see the Broncos budging, but then again, GM John Elway claims that he had no trade talks regarding Harris during the draft, so the team must have some willingness to reach a compromise.
For now, the Broncos have Harris under contract through 2019 at a comfortable $8.766MM cap figure. If nothing changes, it’ll be a situation to monitor – it’s not immediately clear whether the veteran plans to show up for work in the summer, or even the fall, without a new deal.
This Date In Transactions History: Chiefs Draft Tyreek Hill
On this date in 2016, the Chiefs altered the course of their franchise with a controversial fifth-round pick. In that draft, many teams ruled out Tyreek Hill, a shockingly fast wide receiver, due to a horrendous incident in which he was said to have beaten and choked his pregnant girlfriend. 
The Chiefs felt that Hill had shown remorse and was deserving of a second chance. And, early on in his career, Hill made the most of the opportunity.
As a rookie, he electrified the football world with his head-turning kick returns, two of which he took all the way to the house. Then, in 2017, he had his true breakout season when the Chiefs utilized him more as a receiver. Those who took a chance on Hill in fantasy football were handsomely rewarded as he caught 75 passes for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns.
Then, last year, Hill firmly established himself as one of the most impressive playmakers in the game. Hill nearly reached 1,500 yards receiving, averaged 17.0 yards per grab, and gave opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. Between Hill, tight end Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and star rusher Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs’ offensive stars were simply impossible to guard for most clubs.
However, things have changed dramatically over the last five months. In late November, TMZ released footage of Hunt striking a woman in the corridor of a hotel and kicking her while she was on the ground. The Chiefs responded quickly and released Hunt soon after.
Then, in the offseason, authorities opened an investigation into Hill’s alleged abuse of his three-year-old son. Last week, the DA declined to press charges, citing a lack of hard evidence. However, newly leaked audio of a conversation between Hill and his child’s mother led to the investigation being re-opened. The Chiefs have banned Hill from team activities indefinitely and it seems likely that he’ll be released outright in the weeks to come.