Vikings To Decline Treadwell’s Option
The Vikings are not expected to pick up the fifth-year option for wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). The Vikings technically have until the Friday deadline to make the call, but barring a change in thinking, Treadwell will be on course for free agency after the 2019 season. 
The 2020 option for Treadwell would have called for a $10.162MM salary. Although it would have been guaranteed for injury only, it was a risk that the front office was unwilling to take. Treadwell, 24 in June, has done little to justify his selection at No. 23 overall in 2016. Last year, he had 35 catches for 302 yards and one touchdown, and that was his most productive season to date.
In fact, Treadwell profiles as a trade candidate after a series of costly mistakes in 2018. The Vikings probably won’t get much for him, but there are likely evaluators out there who feel that they can harness the talent he displayed just three years ago.
In 2016, Treadwell, was widely projected as a top-15 pick before a slow 40-yard dash time and other concerns about his game hurt his draft stock. Still, the Chiefs and other clubs were targeting him in the lower-third of the first round before the Vikings snatched him.
Corey Ballentine Released From Hospital
Giants sixth-round pick Corey Ballentine has been released from the hospital, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The cornerback was shot in the glute early on Sunday morning in a tragic incident that took the life of his former Washburn teammate Dwane Simmons. 
Ballentine is expected to make a full recovery and Giants GM Dave Gettleman recently said that he is expected to attend the team’s rookie minicamp later this week. Of course, it’ll still be a bit before he is cleared to resume football activities.
From a football perspective, the Giants are excited to see what Ballentine can bring to the table. A two-sport star in high school, Ballentine managed to make a name for himself at a small Division-II school. His wingspan, athleticism, and kick return ability had some evaluators pegging him for the fourth round, but the Giants managed to snag him later in the day on Saturday.
Jamaal Charles Retires From NFL
Jamaal Charles is calling it a career. The running back will sign a one-day contract in order to officially leave the game as a member of the Chiefs, according to 610 Sports Radio (Twitter link). 
Way back in October, Charles indicated that he was likely done with football. But, days later, he auditioned for the Ravens, leaving some question as to whether he would follow through on retirement. Months later, Charles has arrived at a decision – he’s done for good.
In his prime, Charles was one of the NFL’s most electrifying running backs. When he was young, healthy, and a member of the Chiefs, he had some brilliant seasons, including a 2010 campaign in which he ran for 1,467 yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Unfortunately, time is not kind to running backs, and he has not topped 1,000 yards since the 2014 season due to aging and injuries.
The Chiefs’ all-time rushing leader attempted to reignite his career with the Broncos in 2017 and again with the Jaguars in 2018. He wasn’t the same player, but it’s worth noting that he managed a 4.3 yards per carry average with Denver in a limited sample size of 69 attempts.
Charles will leave the game at the age of 32, presumably with enough money to do whatever he wants. We here at PFR wish Charles the best in retirement.
Extra Points: Field, Fritz Pollard, NFL Draft
Could the NFL take a page from the CFL? In recent player safety discussions at the owners meetings, the idea of widening the field was discussed, according to Jay Glazer of The Athletic.
Currently, the NFL field is 53 1/3 yards wide. Over time, players have gotten bigger, faster, and stronger, but offensive playmakers have the same amount of room to avoid hits in the open field. Widening the field, potentially, would go a long way towards protecting the ball carrier.
In the CFL, the field is not only longer, but also about 12 yards wider. It’s not clear whether the NFL would be willing to go that for, or if NFL owners would be willing to absorb the cost of the potential revamp. However, with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire soon, this could be an opportune time for a change.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- NFL executive Rod Graves is stepping down to become the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, according to Jim Trotter of NFL.com. The FPA is an advocacy group aiming to increase minority representation throughout NFL front offices, coaching staffs, and scouting departments. Trotter will succeed John Wooten, who is 82 years old and has been in the role since 2003. Graves, meanwhile, has been a senior vice president of football administration at the league office since 2015. Before that, Graves worked in front offices for the Jets, Cardinals, and Bears.
- A reminder of the NFL Draft’s unpredictability from former NFL PR man Mike McCartney (on Twitter): 33 players who weren’t invited to the NFL Combine were drafted. Meanwhile, 117 players who participated in the NFL Combine went undrafted.
Jets Open To Re-Signing Morris Claiborne
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan says he remains open to re-signing free agent cornerback Morris Claiborne (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). However, as Cimini notes, the Jets may need to act fast if they want to retain the veteran. 
[RELATED: Grading The Jets’ Draft]
Starting on May 7, teams can sign free agents without having them count towards the compensatory pick formula. At that point, clubs will probably give more consideration to Claiborne, a player who has talent, but hasn’t been playing at an elite level in New York.
Claiborne spent the past two seasons with the Jets and has played on one-year deals for the past three seasons. He hasn’t really excelled since his 2016 season with the Cowboys, when he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 ranked corner in a limited sample of seven games. Last year, Claiborne graded out as just the No. 75 CB in the NFL out of 112 qualified players, per PFF.
Back in March, the Jets appeared set to move on from Mo, but they could be reconsidering their position after failing to land a top CB prospect in the draft.
Broncos To Sign QB Brett Rypien
The Broncos are set to sign quarterback Brett Rypien, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (on Twitter). The Boise State product went undrafted last week, but there was a ripe market for his services. 
The Broncos are giving Rypien a “six-figure guarantee,” according to Jhabvala, which would give him one of the most lucrative signing bonuses of any UDFA.
With the signing, the Broncos’ quarterback room just got a bit more crowded. Already, Joe Flacco may be feeling some heat from second-round pick Drew Lock, and the club also has journeymen Kevin Hogan and Garrett Grayson on the depth chart.
Rypien completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,705 yards in his final collegiate season. He also threw for 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.
Rypien has been lauded for his intangibles, but many NFL evaluators wonder if he has the arm to compete at the NFL level. His 9-inch hand measurement at the combine also didn’t do him any favors.
Colts Sign RB Spencer Ware
The Colts have signed running back Spencer Ware, according to a team announcement. Ware, the former Chiefs tailback, will give the Colts support at the position after they declined to address it in the draft. 
Ware, 28 in November, first made noise in 2015 when he ran for 403 yards with the Chiefs and averaged 5.6 yards per carry in a limited sample. In 2016, he was the Chiefs’ starter and amassed 921 yards with a 4.3 yards-per-tote average. His usage fluctuated over the course of three healthy years in KC, but his career 4.6 YPC shows promise.
The veteran joins former Chiefs teammate Justin Houston in Indianapolis and will push to be a top reserve behind Marlon Mack. 2018 draft picks Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines are also under contract, so he’ll have his work cut out for him.
In related moves, the Colts released safety Isaiah Johnson, defensive tackle DeShawn Williams, and wide receiver James Wright (with an injury designation).
Patriots Trade Jacob Hollister To Seahawks
The Patriots have agreed to trade third-year tight end Jacob Hollister to the Seahawks pending a physical, league sources tell Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Patriots will receive a 2020 conditional seventh-round pick in return. 
The Seahawks had four tight ends on their 90-man roster, plus incoming undrafted free agent Justin Johnson. But, with Will Dissly coming off a knee injury, the Seahawks felt the need for some reinforcement.
Enter Hollister, who has just eight catches to his credit across two injury-filled seasons in New England. The Seahawks aren’t necessarily expecting a ton out of Hollister, but could provide valuable depth support if he manages to stay healthy.
Eagles Pick Up Carson Wentz’s Option
No surprise here. On Monday, the Eagles exercised Carson Wentz‘s fifth-year option, per a team announcement. 
This was a no-brainer call for the Eagles, who have committed to Wentz as their quarterback of the future. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft is now set to earn $22.783MM in 2020, the season after the initial four years on his contract come to a close.
Wentz, of course, was sidelined for the Eagles’ postseason run following the 2017 campaign, paving the way for Nick Foles to take the wheel and lead the franchise to its first ever Super Bowl victory. Last year, the injury bug bit Wentz once again. He missed a good chunk of the year with back troubles, but Foles was there once again to pinch hit. Unfortunately, the magic ran out for Philly last year, and the Eagles no longer have Foles as a safety net.
Should Wentz’s back issues reemerge to the point where his performance is compromised, he’ll be protected per the rules of the fifth-year option, which is guaranteed for injury. For any non-health issues, the Eagles retain the right to cut him loose without being on the hook for nearly $23MM in 2020.
Wentz looked the part of franchise quarterback when he was healthy in 2018. He finished the campaign with 3,074 yards and 21 touchdowns with a 69.6 completion percentage in 11 games.
Falcons Sign 16 Undrafted Free Agents
The Falcons agreed to sign with 16 undrafted college free agents on Monday. Here’s the full breakdown of Atlanta’s eight new offensive players, seven new defenders, and one long snapper:
- Parker Baldwin, FS (San Diego State)
- Shawn Bane, WR (Northwest Missouri)
- Yurik Bethune, LB (Alabama A&M)
- Lanard Bonner, OT (Arkansas State)
- Rashard Causey, CB (Central Florida)
- Tre’ Crawford, LB (Alabama-Birmingham)
- Devon Johnson, OT (Ferris State)
- Kahlil Lewis, WR (Cincinnati)
- Durrant Miles, LB (Boise State)
- Chandler Miller, C (Tulsa)
- Del’Shawn Phillips, LB (Illinois)
- Jaelin Robinson, OT (Temple)
- Jayson Stanley, CB (Georgia)
- Kyle Vasey, LS (Penn State)
- CJ Worton, WR (Florida International)
- Olamide Zaccheaus, WR (Virginia)
Stanley, a wide receiver at Georgia, will aim to show his stuff as a cornerback for the Falcons. The 6’2″, 207-pounder didn’t see a ton of playing time with the Bulldogs, but the Falcons are curious to find out whether his athletic skills can translate to success on the other side of the ball.