Cardinals Receiving Interest In No. 1 Pick
The Cardinals have received feeler calls from teams inquiring about trading up for the No. 1 overall pick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, at this time, it’s not clear how serious the Cardinals are about moving the top choice. 
For months, it has been widely rumored that the Cardinals will use the No. 1 pick to select Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. But, for what it’s worth, the Cardinals reportedly have not reached a consensus on the dynamic athlete. Some in the Cardinals’ front office would prefer to spread the wealth a bit by trading down and filling multiple holes on the roster. With several QB-needy teams also eyeing Murray (the Raiders, some say, could be in the hunt), there’s a real opportunity for the Cardinals to get excellent value if they’re willing to pass up on this year’s most intriguing signal caller.
Top defenders like Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams would also make plenty of sense for the Cardinals and if they’re not specifically hung up on landing Bosa, they could be able to move down, fix their matador defense, and still come away with another young QB such as Dwayne Haskins or Drew Lock.
The Cardinals have only a few days left to sift through the offers and make up their minds – the first round of the NFL Draft will get underway on Thursday night at 8pm ET/7pm CT.
Following Specific NFL Players On PFR
As we’ve outlined before, there are a number of different ways to follow Pro Football Rumors via Facebook, Twitter, and RSS. If you don’t want to follow all the site’s updates, you can subscribe to team-specific or transaction-only Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds. Although we don’t have Facebook pages or Twitter feeds for specific players, it’s easy to follow all our updates on your favorite player as well.
If, for instance, you want to keep track of all the latest news and rumors on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray in advance of the draft, you can visit this page. If you’re interested in keeping tabs on the latest news involving Joe Staley‘s plans for the future, you can find his page right here.
In addition to dedicating pages to players, we also maintain archives for certain specific non-NFL topics. For example, all our posts relating to the XFL can be found here.
Every player we’ve written about has his own rumors page, and each of those players also has his own RSS feed, making it even easier to follow the latest updates. Links to RSS feeds for specific players are all located on this page. You can also find links to RSS feeds for various miscellaneous categories there. For instance, if you only want to receive one update every Sunday recapping the week’s notable headlines, you can subscribe to our Week in Review RSS feed, right here.
Bills To Sign T.J. Yeldon
The Bills are set to sign running back T.J. Yeldon, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). When finalized, it’ll be a two-year deal for the veteran. 
The 25-year-old (26 in October) met with the Patriots earlier in the month but wound up signing with a different AFC East team. With Buffalo, Yeldon will serve as a backup behind LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore, two talented players who are both on the other side of 30.
Jacksonville scaled back Yeldon’s role over time. After a 182-carry rookie season, the former second-round pick ended his Jaguars stay as the team’s third-string running back behind Leonard Fournette and Carlos Hyde. Still, Yeldon managed a respectable 4.0 yards per carry last season and has hit the 5.0 ypc mark in the past.
And, despite the lack of carries, Yeldon caught a career-high 55 passes for 487 yards and four touchdowns last year. Only two Bills — wideouts Robert Foster and Zay Jones — topped Yeldon’s receiving-yardage total last season.
2020 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker
Teams across the NFL have until May 3 to officially pick up their 2020 options on players who are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. These fifth-year options can only be exercised on first-round picks, and the salaries are determined by where players were drafted and what position they play.
If a player has his option exercised, his rookie contract will be extended by one year and he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2021, after the conclusion of the 2020 season. If a player’s option is declined, he’ll be eligible to hit the open market a year earlier. Of course, if a 2016 first-rounder is no longer on his rookie contract, there will be no option to exercise or decline. We explained the intricacies of the fifth-year option in a PFR Glossary post, so you can read up on the specific details there.
Soon, we’ll learn the official salary figures for all 2020 fifth-year options. What we do know is that the option salaries for top 10 picks is equal to the transition tender at the player’s position during his fourth season. So, because the transition tag for quarterbacks this year was $22.783MM, we already know that Jared Goff and Carson Wentz‘s fifth-year option will be worth that amount.
With next month’s deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league based on various reports and official announcements. Here are this season’s fifth-year option decisions so far:
- Jared Goff, QB, $22.783MM (Rams): Exercised
- Carson Wentz, QB, $22.783MM (Eagles): Exercised
- Joey Bosa, DE, $14.360MM (Chargers): Exercised
- Ezekiel Elliott, RB, $9.099MM (Cowboys): Exercised
- Jalen Ramsey, CB, $13.703MM (Jaguars): Exercised
- Ronnie Stanley, T, $12.866MM (Ravens): Exercised
- DeForest Buckner, DT, $12.378MM (49ers): Exercised
- Jack Conklin, T, $12.866MM (Titans): Declined
- Leonard Floyd, LB, $13.222MM (Bears): Exercised
- Eli Apple, CB, $13.703MM (Saints): Declined
- Vernon Hargreaves, CB, $9.954MM (Buccaneers): Exercised
- Sheldon Rankins, DT, $7.690MM (Saints): Exercised
- Laremy Tunsil, T, $10.350MM (Dolphins): Exercised
- Karl Joseph, S, $6.466MM (Raiders): Declined
- Corey Coleman, WR, $10.162MM (Giants): Not applicable due to release
- Taylor Decker, T, $10.350MM (Lions): Exercised
- Keanu Neal, S, $6.466MM (Falcons): Exercised
- Ryan Kelly, C, $10.350MM (Colts): Exercised
- Shaq Lawson, DE, $9.451MM (Bills): Declined
- Darron Lee, LB, $9.501MM (Jets): Declined
- Will Fuller, WR, $10.162MM (Texans): Exercised
- Josh Doctson, WR, $10.162MM (Redskins): Declined
- Laquon Treadwell, WR, $10.162MM (Vikings): Declined
- William Jackson, CB, $9.954MM (Bengals): Exercised
- Artie Burns, CB, $9.954MM (Steelers): Declined
- Paxton Lynch, QB, $15.693MM (Seahawks): Not applicable due to release
- Kenny Clark, DT, $7.690MM (Packers): Exercised
- Joshua Garnett, G, $10.350MM (49ers): Declined
- Patriots forfeited pick as result of Deflategate scandal
- Robert Nkemdiche, DT, $7.690MM (Cardinals): Declined
- Vernon Butler, DT, $7.690MM (Panthers): Declined
- Germain Ifedi, T, $10.350MM (Seahawks): Declined
Patriots Notes: Thomas, Kraft, Brady
Demaryius Thomas‘ deal with the Patriots includes a $150K signing bonus and a modest base salary of $1.2MM, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The wide receiver will have the chance to earn more through incentives/bonuses, however, bringing his cap number to $2.9MM. Reportedly, Thomas can earn all the way up to $6MM if he checks all the boxes.
The low guarantee and base pay of Thomas’ deal suggests that he’s not quite a lock to make the final roster. This makes sense given Thomas’ lack of serious production in recent years and the Patriots’ tendency to jockey playmakers in the late stages of the offseason.
For now, Thomas will focus on recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in December. The hope is that Thomas will be ready for training camp, but nothing is certain just yet.
Here’s more out of New England:
- Brace yourself. Prosecutors say they’re planning to release video of Patriots owner Robert Kraft at the Florida day spa (via John R. Ellement of the Boston Globe). Kraft’s attorneys have asked a judge to issue a protective order blocking the public release of the videos, but there has been pushback from prosecutors as well as media outlets seeking access to the footage. Ultimately, the release of the video could increase the likelihood of NFL discipline for the billionaire owner.
- Tom Brady did not report for the start of the Patriots’ voluntary workouts. When he does report this summer, we may see a more swole version of the quarterback than in years past.
NFL Draft Rumors: Ravens, Bush, Titans
Here’s a look at the latest NFL Draft buzz as players take their final visits:
- Michigan linebacker Devin Bush will visit the Ravens on Wednesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Baltimore holds the No. 22 overall pick, but they may have to trade up if they want to land him. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is a surefire first-rounder after putting up 85 tackles, 10 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss over the past two years.
- Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise Brown and Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell will take their last pre-draft visits to the Titans on Wednesday, according to Rapoport (on Twitter). Both players could be on the radar for Tennessee’s No. 19 overall selection.
- Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver will meet with the Bills, Rapoport hears. They’re far from the only team interested in Oliver, however, and the rival Jets are apparently among the clubs keen on him. The Jets would be reaching if they took Oliver at No. 3 overall, but they’ve been vocal about their desire to trade down. Meanwhile, the Bills could conceivably entertain the Houston product at No. 9 overall.
Details On Russell Wilson’s New Deal
On Tuesday, the Seahawks agreed to make quarterback Russell Wilson the highest-paid player in NFL history. The historic four-year, $140MM add-on makes Wilson the NFL’s highest-paid player of all time and even gives him a no-trade clause. However, Wilson didn’t necessarily get everything that he initially wanted. 
There was talk that Wilson wanted to set some other precedents with this contract by tying the contract to rises in the salary cap, but the Seahawks held their ground on that front, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times hears. That was no small matter for Wilson and his agent – they fought for the cap tie-in up until the last minute of the Monday deadline, per Condotta.
Ultimately, the two sides reached a compromise that Wilson is surely happy about. His $65MM is the highest signing bonus in NFL history and the deal guarantees him $70MM in the first year of the contract.
Still, Wilson’s bid to tie his contract to the salary cap made sense. When adjusted for cap inflation, his $35MM/year deal ranks only as the fifth-highest of all-time, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap (on Twitter).
Dolphins Notes: Jones, Harris, Draft
There’s a breakup waiting to happen between the Dolphins and Reshad Jones, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes. The safety didn’t show up to voluntary camp on Tuesday, which suggests that the safety isn’t quite invested in the team. That could be because the Dolphins aren’t quite invested in him – the Dolphins may be planning to shop Jones between now and the start of the season.
This isn’t the first bump in the road for Jones and the ‘Fins. In 2016, he skipped a day of mandatory minicamp as he pushed for a new contract. In 2017, he secured a new deal, but he clashed with team brass once again in 2018 when he quit after ten snaps against the Jets.
While we keep an eye on Jones, here’s more from Miami:
- Defensive end Charles Harris, the club’s first-round pick in 2017, has occasionally “lost himself” and has gotten off track at times, a source tells Salguero. Harris apparently had trouble adjusting to a professional player’s lifestyle as a rookie and, last year, he tried to mimic “the moves and mannerisms” of Robert Quinn. This year, Harris is expected to produce, but the Dolphins aren’t counting on him, which is why they’ll look to add an edge rusher or two in the draft.
- The Dolphins would like to add a natural 3-4 nose tackle in the draft, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears. For now, the Dolphins have 6’3″, 215-pound defensive tackle Davon Godchaux working at nose tackle when Miami plays a 3-4 set.
Patriots To Sign Demaryius Thomas
The Patriots are signing longtime Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was the Broncos head coach when the team drafted Thomas in the first round in 2010, and there’s a belief in New England that Thomas can turn back the clock.
It’s a one-year deal worth up to $6MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While this is obviously a steep pay cut from Thomas’ previous five-year, $70MM deal, the 31-year-old wideout will have a chance to rebound after a down season — one that ended with his Achilles tear. 
The Pats reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Thomas from Denver before he was dealt to Houston last year. Months later, he arrives in New England at a time when they need offensive help following the loss of Rob Gronkowski, Cordarrelle Patterson, Chris Hogan, and the uncertain status of Josh Gordon.
Thomas gives the Patriots another option on their wide receiver depth chart, but he’s certainly not the threat he once was. While splitting time between Denver and Houston in 2018, Thomas posted only 59 receptions for 677 yards, his lowest totals since 2011 (before he was a full-time starter). It’s also worth noting that Thomas tore his Achilles in December and it’s not clear when he’ll be able to return to the field.
It is possible Thomas will be ready for training camp, with NFL.com’s James Palmer tweeting the veteran talent is expected to be back sooner than people anticipate.
Although Thomas was not as productive last season, he will be moving to a system in which he has some experience (albeit many years ago) and with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady. A younger Thomas thrived with Peyton Manning, making the Pro Bowl from 2012-14 and surpassing 1,300 yards during Manning’s less effective final season. Despite being the No. 1 target in Trevor Siemian– and Brock Osweiler-led offenses in 2016-17, Thomas still surpassed 900 yards in each. He made the Pro Bowl in 2016 as well.
It’s worth noting the Patriots ended up cutting ties with several veteran receivers before the start of last season — from Kenny Britt, to Jordan Matthews, to former Thomas wing man Eric Decker — so it cannot be considered a lock the 10th-year veteran will be with the 2019 Pats. But they are in greater need of aerial weaponry this offseason, and Thomas has been a better receiver than the players who were cut last year.
Bears’ Zach Miller Retires From Football
On Tuesday, Bears tight end Zach Miller took to social media to announce his retirement from football. Miller recently indicated that the door was still open to playing, but upon further reflection, he has decided to walk away from the game due to health and safety concerns. 
“The time has come to move on from playing the game of football,” Miller wrote on Instagram. “It has been an incredible journey for myself and my entire family and we can’t thank you enough for your continued support. I would love more than anything to step on Soldier Field one last time but I physically cannot give the game and our fans what they deserve.”
Miller, who spent the first three seasons of his career as an afterthought in Jacksonville, did his best work with the Bears between the 2015 and 2017 seasons. In 2016, Miller caught a career-high 47 passes and 486 yards with four touchdowns. In ’17, he was on pace for similar stats with 20 grabs for 236 yards and two TDs before his devastating injury in October.
Last year, doctors told Miller that he was at risk for losing his leg after he severely dislocated his left knee and tore his popliteal artery. Thankfully, after nine surgeries, Miller’s knee is safe. Still, it’s probably for the best that Miller does not play football again.