NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Elliott, Eagles
Todd Gurley‘s new deal with the Rams is great news for Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, Charean Williams of PFT writes.
“I think it’s great for running back position which has been devalued in the past couple of years,” Elliott said. “You have seen a trend of running backs being picked high, and after they have been picked high, their team has gotten better. So I think the league is finally noticing the value of the running back.”
Gurley’s new four-year, ~$60MM deal includes $45MM guaranteed and may set a new standard for talented running backs like Elliott. The Cowboys will have to shell out more money than previously anticipated to lock up Elliott for the long term, but the good news is that they don’t have to worry about a new deal right away. Barring something unexpected, the Cowboys will pick up Elliott’s fifth-year option for 2021. After that, they’ll have to address his next contract.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Cowboys rookie wide receiver Cedrick Wilson is believed to have torn the labrum in his shoulder in practice, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). If the sixth rounder misses significant time, it’ll be a blow to the Cowboys’ WR depth. A timetable has not been determined, but owner Jerry Jones confirmed that he’ll be out for a while (Twitter link via Jon Machota of the Dallas News).
- After participating fully in training camp, quarterback Carson Wentz looks like a good bet for the Eagles‘ opener, Les Bowen of the Philly News writes. The Eagles won’t put a timetable on Wentz, but offensive coordinator Mike Groh admits that he is encouraged by what he’s seen. “He looks comfortable,” Groh said. “Just settled right back into the saddle … to have Carson there — in some people’s minds ahead of schedule, but I know that was his target date — we’re excited to have him out there and working. It’s only going to make everybody better.”
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if Michael Bennett is willing to take a lesser role with the Eagles‘ defensive line. Bennett, who came over from the Seahawks this offseason, says that he is angling to be the leading defensive producer for the Eagles. Meanwhile, hi usage and production will likely dictate his long-term future with the team. Bennett is under contract with the team through 2020, but he has no guaranteed cash remaining on his deal after 2019. If he stays with the team on his current pact, he’ll carry a $7MM cap number in 2019 and an $8MM figure in 2020.
Bengals’ Tyler Eifert Passes Physical
Great news for the Bengals. Tight end Tyler Eifert has passed his physical and has been removed from the offseason PUP list, the team announced on Monday. 
Eifert has been recovering from back surgery and his status for training camp was unclear. During voluntary offseason team activities, he was limited in his participation, but it sounds like he’s on the right track for summer practices and playing in Week 1.
When he’s on the field, Eifert is among the best tight ends in the game. Unfortunately, injuries have defined his career. The 2015 Pro Bowler has missed 51% of the Bengals’ regular season games since 2013. He missed 14 games last season and eight in 2016.
In March, Eifert re-signed with the Bengals for $5.5MM on a one-year deal. Needless to say, this is a pivotal season for Eifert’s future with the Bengals and his overall future in the league.
Falcons, Ricardo Allen Discussing Extension
After reaching a compromise with Julio Jones and locking up left tackle Jake Matthews, the Falcons are moving on to other offseason priorities. With that in mind, the Falcons are meeting with agent Drew Rosenhaus in Atlanta to discuss an extension for safety Ricardo Allen, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
The Falcons retained Allen this offseason by assigning the $2.914MM restricted free agent tender to him. He took his time before signing the deal, waiting until June to ink the contract. Allen took a small gamble by waiting to sign his tender, but the Falcons were unlikely to pull the given his past performance.
In four seasons with the team, Allen has played in 46 games, including 45 starts. All in all, he has made six interceptions, ten deflected passes, one fumble recovery, and 158 tackles. Allen has made it clear that he wants to play in Atlanta beyond the 2018 season and the interest in mutual.
Still, there are a couple of factors working against Rosenhaus and Allen. First, Rosenhaus will have to fight something of an uphill battle given the weakness of this year’s free agent market for safeties. The Falcons also must leave enough flexibility in the cap for a new deal with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Panthers’ Ross Cockrell Suffers Broken Leg
More bad news for the Panthers. After key offensive lineman Daryl Williams dislocated his knee and tore his MCL yesterday, they were struck with another serious injury to a player expected to have a big role. Cornerback Ross Cockrell broke his leg, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). There’s no timetable for Cockrell’s recovery just yet, but the injury will certainly cost him regular season games. 
Cockrell, 27 in August, was sent to the Giants in a September 2017 trade that netted the Steelers a conditional seventh-round draft pick. A former fourth-round pick, Cockrell went on to start nine games for Big Blue, collecting three interceptions and grading as the NFL’s No. 39 cornerback among 120 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. This offseason, the Panthers signed him to a two-year, $6.8MM contract.
In 2017, Cockrell finished first in Football Outsiders’ success rate, which measures cornerbacks on their ability to consistently stop opposing wideouts short of the sticks. In fact, Cockrell was one of only eight defenders who stopped a receiver short of a successful gain on over half their tackles a season ago, as FO’s Aaron Schatz tweeted earlier this year. The league has consistently undervalued him and his skillset, but the Panthers recognized his ability and were looking forward to what he could contribute this year.
Chargers, Seahawks Interested In DRC
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie may be closer to finding an NFL home. The free agent is receiving interest from the Seahawks and Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. 
The Seahawks are showing the most interest in DRC, Rapoport reports, but the Chargers’ are also in the mix thanks to their recent cornerback injury. Now that Jason Verrett is done for the year with an Achilles injury, DRC could step in as the club’s first cornerback off of the bench to support Desmond King and Casey Hayward.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, just recently waived DeAndre Elliott, leaving them thin at slot cornerback. DRC would help address that issue and he might also be able to contribute at safety when needed.
Last year, Rodgers-Cromartie earned a 77.2 overall score from Pro Football Focus, his lowest showing since 2012. He graded out as the 58th ranked cornerback in the NFL, portraying him as someone who is on the fringe of starter quality. His on-field performance was problematic, but there were also behavioral issues. Rodgers-Cromartie clashed with former coach Ben McAdoo on four separate occasions before being suspended “indefinitely” for conduct detrimental to the team. He was brought back after just one game, but teams could still be wary of his locker room influence.
Chargers’ Jason Verrett Tears Achilles
Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett suffered a torn Achilles during a conditioning test, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via ESPN colleague Josina Anderson on Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was the first to report (via Twitter) that Verrett sustained an injury that would likely cost him the season. Injuries have limited Verrett to just five total games over the past two seasons, so this is obviously devastating news for the 27-year-old. 
Verrett was a full participant in June’s minicamp and reportedly looked like his old self. The Bolts were cautiously optimistic about Verrett after he flashed the ability that earned him a Pro Bowl nod in 2015.
“We can be real special,” Verrett said recently when asked about the Chargers’ secondary. “I know it’s a tough for the coaches to make a decision on who’s going to go out there, just because of how deep we are. But I think just how tight we are as a group, it’s going to allow us to keep feeding off each other. Everyone’s going be wanting to get better each and every day because you know the guys behind you are going to want to be where you are.”
Without Verrett, the Bolts will lean more heavily on the likes of Casey Heyward, Trevor Williams, and Desmond King. It’s conceivable that they could also explore outside help, such as free agent Bashaud Breeland. Anderson reports that the team is keeping another big name free agent, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, in mind, but that there is no rush to bring DRC in at this time.
Verrett, a 2014 first-round selection, is entering the walk year of his contract. Between his two knee surgeries and this latest setback, Verrett’s future is very much in flux.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/18
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed WR Malachi Jones
- Waived: WR Matt Fleming
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Blake Jackson, DL Zaycoven Henderson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Mike Purcell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Adam Reth
Patriots Cut TE Troy Niklas
The Patriots are releasing veteran tight end Troy Niklas, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). They’ll replace him with on the roster with free agent wide receiver Paul Turner. 
A 2014 Cardinals second-round pick, Niklas has just 19 career receptions for 203 yards. Niklas has battled injuries throughout his career, twice playing in seven or fewer games in a season. He suited up for 15 last year, however. In April, he hooked on with the Pats.
Interestingly, Pro Football Focus was much fonder of his 2017 receiving skills than when he attempted to block during running plays, grading Niklas as the second-worst run-blocking tight end in football last season. PFF, though, viewed him as a much better run-blocking presence in previous years.
Without Niklas, the Patriots tight end depth chart consists of Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister, Will Tye, Ryan Izzo, and Shane Wimann.
Jets’ ArDarius Stewart Facing Suspension
Jets wide receiver ArDarius Stewart is facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances after testing positive for a diuretic or masking agent, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. On Friday afternoon, the NFL formally announced the ban.
[RELATED: Jets Release WR Devin Smith]
Stewart was the Jets’ third-round pick last season and caught just six passes as a rookie. However, with a glut of receivers, his spot on the roster is not guaranteed. The two-game ban could hurt his chances as he jockeys for one of the last spots with last year’s fourth-round pick Chad Hansen, Andre Roberts, Charone Peake, and Lucky Whitehead. The Jets’ top four WR spots are occupied by Robby Anderson (who will likely face a suspension of his own), Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor, and Quincy Enunwa.
Stewart will miss the team’s first two games against the Lions and Dolphins. If the Jets choose to keep him on the roster after that, he’ll be eligible to play against the Browns on Sept. 20.
Titans, Delanie Walker Agree To Extension
The Titans are giving tight end Delanie Walker a two-year, $17MM extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The deal includes an $8MM signing bonus and $12.76MM guaranteed in total. 
[RELATED: Titans, Taylor Lewan Agree To $80MM Deal]
Walker was set to enter his walk year (no pun intended) with a base salary of $5.4MM. Between the pre-existing season and the two new ones, Walker has himself a three-year pact worth $23.2MM.
Walker has spent the last five seasons with the Titans and earned Pro Bowl nods in each of the last three campaigns. Last year, he hauled in 74 passes for 807 yards and three scores. From 2015-2017, Walker has averaged 78 grabs for 898 yards and five touchdowns.
The tight end will celebrate his 34th birthday in August, but he has shown no signs of slowing down. Walker’s new deal locks him up through 2020 and should allow him to retire as a member of the Titans.
This year, Walker will resume his duties as the Titans’ top tight end, though he may cede some targets to young upstart Jonnu Smith. Smith, who is eleven years Walker’s junior, flashed at times last year and scored two touchdowns in his first month of pro football.