Patriots Had Interest In Sterling Shepard
The Patriots had interest in trading for Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard this offseason, according to Pat Leonard of the Daily News. Of course, that’s no longer an option for the Pats after Shepard inked a four-year, $41MM extension with the G-Men.
[RELATED: Giants Sign Sterling Shepard To Extension]
The value of Shepard’s extension raised eyebrows in the football world, but it’s clear that the slot receiver is well-valued around the league. Had the Giants not re-upped Shepard after his career year in 2018, they would have risked losing him to a free agent market next year that is increasingly strong for receivers like him.
Meanwhile, the Pats will have to look elsewhere for offensive firepower. The retirement of Rob Gronkowski, defection of Cordarrelle Patterson, and suspension of Josh Gordon leaves them with little in the way of targets for Tom Brady. The club could still circle back to free agent Chris Hogan, though we haven’t heard much on that front lately.
The Pats went after Adam Humphries and Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this offseason, but did not come away with either player. They also pursued Jared Cook – even after he agreed to sign with the Saints – as a Gronk replacement, but they were rebuffed. At this stage, the Pats will probably have to zero in receivers in the draft and summer cap casualties.
Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette Arrested
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was arrested on Thursday. Fournette was pulled over for speeding and later cuffed for driving on a suspended license, as Justin Barney of News 4 writes.
[RELATED: Jaguars Tried To Acquire Robert Griffin III?]
“The Jacksonville Jaguars are aware of the situation involving running back Leonard Fournette and are continuing to gather more information,” the Jags said in a statement. “No further comment will be provided at this time.”
Fournette topped 1,000 rushing yards during his rookie campaign in 2017, but still failed to manage four yards per carry. Last season, he was set back by injuries. In total, he appeared in only eight games in 2018, rushing for 439 yards and five touchdowns. On an efficiency basis, Fournette ranked just 32nd among running backs in Football Outsiders‘ DVOA and 26th in success rate.
It’s yet another roadblock for the Jaguars and their starting running back. Last year, the Jaguars moved to void Fournette’s guarantees after a brawl with the Bills resulted in a one-game suspension. Then, in Week 17, Fournette irked team brass by sitting on the bench instead of standing on the sideline.
Former Jets WR ArDarius Stewart Arrested
Former Jets wide receiver ArDarius Stewart was arrested for carrying a pistol without a permit, as Michael Casagrande of AL.com writes. The former Jets third-round pick is a free agent, but this incident could hurt his market. 
[RELATED: Jets Meet With Spencer Ware, Ty Montgomery]
Stewart never took off in New York, despite appearing in 15 games as a rookie in 2017. Last season, the Jets cut him loose after he was hit with a two-game ban for a performance-enhancing drug. In his lone Jets season, Stewart had just six receptions for 82 yards.
As a junior at Alabama, Stewart hauled in 54 passes for 864 yards and eight touchdowns, but he has yet to replicate that production at the pro level. Last year, Stewart spent time on the Raiders’ and Redskins’ practice squads, but never earned a promotion to the 53-man roster.
Cardinals Notes: Rosen, Murray, Draft
Amidst trade rumors, Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen seems to have the support of his teammates, as ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss writes.
“He handled himself like a quarterback, like any other quarterback would,” outside linebacker Chandler Jones said of Rosen after the start of the team’s offseason program. “He was a leader. I was impressed with how he spoke to the huddle. I wasn’t in the huddle all the time. Being in practice, you heard what he’s saying and he was good at grabbing everyone’s attention. He was a leader, for sure.”
For now, Chosen Rosen appears to be in a holding pattern. Rumors continue to swirl about the Cardinals’ interest in QB Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall, but Arizona seems content with holding on to the UCLA product for the time being.
Meanwhile, his trade market remains murky. The Redskins – once thought to be a leading suitor for Rosen – appear to have cooled on him.
- Agents typically don’t accompany their clients on pre-draft visits, but Kyler Murray was joined by Erik Burkhardt on his trip to meet with the Cardinals, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Murray did not take Burkhardt into the building with him on Wednesday, but Burkhardt was on hand to discuss other business with team brass while in town. Burkhardt, as you probably know by now, represents both Murray and Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
- Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry will conduct his only private workout of the pre-draft period with the Cardinals.
Ravens Sign Marshal Yanda To Extension
Maybe this won’t be Marshal Yanda‘s final season after all. On Thursday, the Ravens reached agreement on a one-year extension with the seven-time Pro Bowl guard that will keep him under club control through the 2020 season, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro, Yanda has long been one of the best offensive lineman in the league. The Ravens have some uncertainty at left guard and center in advance of this month’s draft, so Yanda is especially important to the club moving forward.
Yanda has dealt with some health concerns in recent years, including a broken ankle that ended his 2017 season after just two games. He is owed $7MM this year, a relative bargain. Financial terms of his new year are not yet known.
Prior to the deal, the 34-year-old (35 in September) was set to enter the final year of his four-year, $32MM contract. With the new deal, Yanda will likely finish out his career in Baltimore, unless he wants to push into his late 30s.
Recently, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta indicated that he wanted Yanda in the fold beyond 2019. With the new deal, they’ve likely accomplished that goal.
“In regards to Marshal, we love Marshal, and we’d love Marshal to continue to play for us for years,” DeCosta said earlier this month. “He’s a great player. He’s still playing at a high level. He’s a Raven. You can define a Raven and put a picture of Marshal Yanda up there, and that’s him.”
Thanks in part to Yanda, the Ravens managed 141.9 per game, good for second in the league. The Ravens hope to hit a similar mark this year as quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to make plays with his legs.
New deals for kicker Justin Tucker, outside linebacker Matthew Judon, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor, and defensive tackle Michael Pierce could be on deck for the Ravens, as ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley writes.
NFL Draft Rumors: Brown, Harry, Cardinals
This week’s combine re-checks produced very positive news for Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Brown, who has been out of a boot for weeks, was given the thumbs up on his surgically-repaired foot.
Despite the injury, the 5’9″ receiver is widely projected as a first round pick. Last year, Brown put himself on the NFL radar with 75 catches for 1,318 yards and ten touchdowns.
Here’s the latest NFL Draft buzz:
- Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry will work out for the Cardinals on April 20 at ASU, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss (on Twitter). Head coach Kliff Kingsbury, GM Steve Keim, and president Michael Bidwill will be among those on hand for Harry’s only private NFL workout. Harry isn’t a contender for the No. 1 overall pick, but he could be a candidate for the Cardinals’ first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall)
- The Rams are meeting with Clemson defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell on campus, Rapoport tweets. Both players are expected to go in the first round, but the Rams may be out of range at No. 31 overall.
- Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams will visit the Jaguars on Thursday, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).
- Houston cornerback Isaiah Johnson will work out for the Falcons on Thursday, Rapoport tweets. The converted wide receiver came away with two interceptions in each of the last two seasons and could go as high as the second round.
AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Draft
Here’s a look at the AFC East:
- The Dolphins are looking to add multiple edge rushers over the next three months, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears. The Dolphins took one step in that direction this week when they signed Jayrone Elliott, one of the best pass rushers from the defunct AAF, but it sounds like they’ll also scour the later waves of free agency and the draft to find defensive ends and outside linebackers.
- Duke quarterback Daniel Jones visited with the Patriots on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. At No. 32, they’d probably have to move for him, though they have the firepower to advance up the board if they want to. The Patriots have 12 picks in this year’s draft, tied with the Giants for the most in the league. After No. 32, they own two second round picks at Nos. 56 and 64 overall.
- The Patriots also met with West Virginia quarterback Will Grier, Rapoport tweets. Unlike Jones, Grier figures to be available in the middle rounds due to his age (24) and iffy mechanics. However, he put up monster numbers at WVU, including 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns against eight interceptions in his final season on campus. Lauded for his leadership, Grier could be groomed to take over for 42-year-old Tom Brady while sitting behind backup Brian Hoyer.
Raiders Re-Sign RB Jalen Richard
The Raiders have re-signed running back Jalen Richard, according to a team announcement. The Raiders cuffed Richard with a second-round tender earlier this offseason, but the new deal will supersede that placeholder. The terms of the fresh pact are not yet known. 
Last year, Richard led the team with 68 receptions and set a new high with 607 receiving yards. He also added 55 carries for 259 yards and one touchdown. This year, he figures to fill a similar role behind Isaiah Crowell and the team figures to add at least one other traditional ball carrier to the mix.
Still, Richard could see an uptick in touches – he offers a career 5.3 ypc average, albeit in a limited sample size.
Giants Meet With Claiborne, Liuget
The Giants hosted former Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne and former Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget on Wednesday, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link). Both players have lost some luster in recent years, but would represent solid additions at this stage of free agency. 
Claiborne spent the past two seasons with the Jets and has played on one-year deals for the past three seasons. The Jets appear set to move on from Mo, who last played at a high level in 2016 with the Cowboys. Last year, Claiborne graded out as just the No. 75 CB in the NFL out of 112 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus.
Liguet missed the first four games of the 2018 season after being handed a four-game performance enhancing-drug suspension. After coming back, Liuget managed five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while earning a 66.9 grade from PFF, a mark that would have ranked him as a middling defensive tackle if he had enough snaps to qualify.
Jets Meet With Ware, Montgomery
The Jets met with running back Spencer Ware on Wednesday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Then, on Thursday, the club will host fellow free agent running back Ty Montgomery, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. 
Ware previously met with the Colts and Lions, but left town without signing with either club. Ware 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 the 27-year-old’s career 4.7 YPC shows promise.
Ware could be a solid backup for Le’Veon Bell and the same goes for Montgomery, who came out of nowhere in 2016 to average 5.9 yards per carry for the Packers. Montgomery’s production, understandably, dropped after that, and the Packers dropped him from the roster with an October trade last year after his late game fumble cost them a chance at beating the Rams.
Either veteran could back up Bell, but the Jets could also find supporting RBs in this month’s draft.