Supplemental Draft Notes: Beal, Bryant
The NFL’s supplemental draft will take place on Wednesday and the football world is buzzing about former Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal. One scouting analysts for ESPN believes that he is worthy of a second-round grade in terms of talent.
“I think he’s going to be a starter within three years for whatever team drafts him,” ESPN.com’s Steve Muench said, “and a really good starter at that. You have someone with that frame and those skills, and that’s what teams look for.”
Beal offers good size for the cornerback position at 6’1″ and ran a 4.47-second 40-yard-dash during a recent workout. He is widely projected to go within the first three rounds, becoming the first player taken in the supplemental draft in years.
Here’s more on Beal and the other entrants in the supplemental draft:
- Mississippi State defensive back Brandon Bryant also has an opportunity to be drafted. Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com offers up a scouting report for the three-year starter, noting that he offers good size and serious athleticism. Although he is fluid and fast in coverage, Pauline dings him for his lack of physicality and sense of urgency. Pauline predicts that he’ll be taken in the sixth-round on Wednesday.
- When it comes to Beal, Pauline lauds the Western Michigan product for his outstanding closing speed and explosive nature. On the flipside, he feels that Beal does not demonstrate great recognition in zone coverage and notes that his instincts are suspect. Beal – who was said to be in the first-round range for the 2019 draft – should go in the second or third round in Pauline’s estimation.
- Nat Newell of the Indy Star wonders if the Colts could place a bid on Beal, Bryant, or Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander given their needs in the secondary. With size and the ability to excel in zone coverage, Alexander could be of particular interest to GM Chris Ballard.
- In addition to the aforementioned three players, Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu and Grand Valley State running back Martayveus Carter are also eligible to be drafted. However, their odds of being selected are reportedly slim.
LeSean McCoy Denies Abuse Allegations
On Tuesday morning, the friend of LeSean McCoy‘s ex-girlfriend took to Instagram to make a series of disturbing accusations against the Bills running back. The post included a picture of McCoy’s girlfriend with her face bloodied and accused McCoy of abusing her and his dog, as well as using “steroids.” Soon after, McCoy denied the allegations raised against him. 
“For the record, the totally baseless and offensive claims made against me today on social media are completely false. Futhermore, I have not had any direct contact with any of the people involved in months,” McCoy wrote (Twitter link).
For their part, the Bills say they are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.
McCoy, who turns 30 on Thursday, has been among the league’s top rushers for the last eight seasons. He has six 1,000-yard rushing seasons to his credit, including his 2017 effort in which he tallied 1,138 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per carry.
Cowboys Notes: Lawrence, Irving, White
Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is the rising star of the NFC East, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer writes. “Rising star” can be defined in a number of ways, but Archer argues that Lawrence had his best season ever in 2017, making him the breakout player of the division. With 14.5 sacks last year and a Pro Bowl nod, it’s hard to argue.
Lawrence proved that he can be the “war daddy” that owner Jerry Jones wants, but Jones will have to pay if he wants to keep him beyond 2018. The two sides are set to meet this week in advance of the July 16 deadline, but if no deal comes together, he’ll play out the season on his one-year, $17.1MM franchise tender.
Here’s more out of Dallas:
- Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News re-examined the Cowboys roster in the wake of David Irving‘s suspension and Randy Gregory‘s potential reinstatement. If Gregory is reinstated, Machota believes the Cowboys could opt to carry ten defensive line players on the Week 1 roster, with Irving’s starting role filled by defensive end Charles Tapper or a player not currently on the team. If the Cowboys are in the market for a defensive tackle, free agent Johnathan Hankins may be their best bet.
- Cowboys cornerback Marquez White faces felony assault charges due to a road-rage incident from last year in which he displayed a gun to another driver. However, White’s agent says charges should not have been filed. “We are very proud of the way he handled the entire situation,” agent Peter Schaffer said in a statement issued to PFT. “He defused a potentially dangerous encounter and did everything by the book. He notified the team and his agent. The police have done a disservice to him by doing an inadequate investigation and filing charges with no proof or justification.” White appeared in court last week and is due back on Aug. 10. The cornerback could face a suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
NFLPA Files Grievance Over NFL’s Anthem Policy
The players’ union is filing a grievance against the NFL’s new anthem policy, the NFLPA announced on Tuesday. The union argues that the new policy violates the rights of players. 
“Our union filed its non-injury grievance today on behalf of all players challenging the NFL’s recently imposed anthem policy,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “The union’s claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL’s governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights. In advance of our filing today, we proposed to the NFL to begin confidential discussions with the NFLPA Executive Committee to find a solution to this issue instead of immediately proceeding with litigation. The NFL has agreed to proceed with those discussions and we look forward to starting them soon.”
Earlier this year, the NFL’s announced that it will require players to stand for the national anthem if they are on the sidelines, but will allow players to wish to abstain to stay in the locker room while the anthem is played. Under this policy, teams get fined rather than players, but owners have the option to pass the fines along to players.
A Look At Every NFL Team’s Cap Room In July
The majority of this year’s top free agents have been signed, but there are still plenty of big names left on the board. You may also be surprised to learn that there are plenty of unspent dollars left in the league. According to the NFLPA, there’s $520MM left when accounting for unspent dollars and the players outside of the Top 51 on each roster.
As we noted in our look at Johnathan Hankins‘ free agent market, there are still 19 teams with at least $10MM in space, according to this metric. There’s an average of $16MM available per team and six clubs – the Bears, Browns, Texans, Colts, 49ers, and Titans – with over $25MM to burn. The overwhelming majority of this year’s draft picks have been signed, so these dollars largely available for extensions and free agent additions.
Here’s the rundown of every team’s cap room as of this writing:
- 1. Browns – $66.8MM
- 2. Colts – $51.1MM
- 3. 49ers – $44.6MM
- 4. Titans – $33.6MM
- 5. Texans – $28.9MM
- 6. Bears – $25.7MM
- 7. Jaguars – $20MM
- 8. Jets – $19.5MM
- 9. Bills – $15.1MM
- 10. Cowboys – $14.8MM
- 11. Bengals – $14.4MM
- 12. Buccaneers – $14.2MM
- 13. Cardinals – $13.9MM
- 14. Redskins – $13.2MM
- 15. Packers – $10.8MM
- 16. Patriots – $10MM
- 17. Broncos – $9.3MM
- 18. Ravens – $9MM
- 19. Dolphins – $14.2MM
- 20. Vikings – $14MM
- 21. Seahawks – $10.6MM
- 22. Lions – $9MM
- 23. Chargers – $8.7MM
- 24. Chiefs – $7.4MM
- 25. Saints – $7.2MM
- 26. Giants – $7.2MM
- 27. Falcons – $7.1MM
- 28. Eagles – $6.1MM
- 29. Panthers – $5.2MM
- 30. Steelers – $5.1MM
- 31. Rams – $1.9MM
- 32. Raiders – $1.9MM
Panthers COO Tina Becker Resigns
David Tepper is officially the new owner of the Panthers, and he is clearing house. On Monday, the Panthers announced the resignation of COO Tina Becker. 
Becker was promoted to COO less than seven months ago in the wake of the Jerry Richardson scandal. She is parting ways with the organization after 19 years of service and the club has yet to settle on her replacement.
Becker’s role did not include football operations, but she was responsible for the daily operation of the organization during her short tenure on top. Her replacement may or may not have a role in the roster, but that person could theoretically impact Tepper’s view of GM Marty Hurney. For now, both Hurney and coach Ron Rivera appear to be safe under the team’s new ownership.
Under the Panthers’ new leadership, they’ll look to erase the memory of Richardson’s improper workplace behavior. On the field, they’ll seek to return to the playoffs for the fifth time in five years and capture their first ever Super Bowl win.
Panthers Finalize Sale To David Tepper
It’s a done deal. On Monday, the Panthers announced that the sale of the Panthers from Jerry Richardson to David Tepper has been finalized.
“I am thrilled to begin this new era of Carolina Panthers football and am humbled by the overwhelming excitement and support for the team,” Tepper said in a statement. “On behalf of the fans and myself, I thank Jerry Richardson for bringing the team to the Carolinas and for entrusting me with its future. Winning is the most important thing both on the field and in the community, and I am committed to winning a Super Bowl championship together. I look forward to being part of the Panthers’ family and to supporting this flourishing region.”
The $2.275 billion sale of the Panthers was approved earlier this year by NFL owners. The sale will allow the league to move on from Richardson’s scandal at the end of last year while further increasing the league’s overall value. The purchase price sets a new watermark for the NFL and all but $75MM of the transaction was completed in cash.
Tepper was no stranger to NFL owners, having been a minority owner of the Steelers for many years. Before officially buying the Panthers, Tepper sold his 5% stake in the storied franchise.
In a statement released by the club, Richardson officially bid farewell to his team:
“It’s been almost 60 years since I last took the field, and I know how tough it is to play this game. I have the highest respect for the men who wear the Panthers jersey. You inspire me every week with your commitment and your determination to win. I will always be your Number One fan. I wish Mr. Tepper all the best; the team is in good hands.”
AFC East Notes: Cutler, Jets, Bridgewater
Jay Cutler says he’s “probably” retired, but NFL teams are still interested in working him out. Cutler has stayed out of the spotlight in recent months, but on the first episode of his wife’s new reality TV show “Very Cavallari,” Cutler once again indicated that he is done with football.
“I’m not really looking to do a lot of work right now,” Cutler said when asked of his post-football plans (via Andrew Gruttadaro of The Ringer). “I’m looking to do the exact opposite of that.”
After earning a fortune in the NFL and looking less-than-stellar with the Dolphins last year, we’re inclined to believe Cutler when he says he’s probably done with football. Still, you can expect his name to pop up if a starting quarterback suffers a serious injury in training camp.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Things could go any number of ways for Jets quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the preseason, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. If Bridgewater outperforms Josh McCown and Sam Darnold, Costello believes the team will not hesitate to hand him the starting job. However, if Bridgewater and McCown both play well and the Jets trust Darnold to be the No. 2 QB, Bridgewater could wind up on the trading block. If a starting QB gets hurt and that team is without a reliable No. 2 QB, they would probably consider someone like Bridgewater instead of the Cutlers of the world.
- The Jets will have some tough decisions to make at wide receiver outside of the top four, Andy Vasquez of The Record writes. Last year’s draft picks Chad Hansen and ArDarius Stewart are fighting for their jobs along with veteran Andre Roberts, who could make the cut as a returner. When all is said and done, Charone Peake, former Cowboys return man, Lucky Whitehead, and former second-round pick Devin Smith could be on the outside looking in.
- Will Patriots newcomer Sony Michel amass the most yards of any rookie running back in 2018, or will it be someone else? Click here to vote.
- Offset language is holding up contract talks for Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Johnathan Hankins
Last year, Johnathan Hankins was among the league’s most sought-after free agent defensive tackles. In July 2018, Hankins is without an NFL home. 
Hankins’ market dragged a bit last year due to his asking price, but he settled for less in April when he signed a three-year, $27MM deal with the Colts. In March of this year, the Colts surprised many by terminating his contract.
Hankins finished out the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 20 ranked interior defender and the Colts had – and still have – an abundance of cap room. The Colts’ change from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 setup likely played a part in their decision, but Hankins had only worked out of a 4-3 scheme prior to joining Indianapolis. Hankins did not offer much against the pass in 2017, but he was exceptional against the run, which is the primary goal of any defensive tackle.
Since his release, Hankins has met with the Redskins and Jets, but did not sign with either club. So, what gives?
We haven’t heard much on Hankins in recent weeks, but it stands to reason that his asking price is keeping him from landing a deal. In 2017, Hankins’ camp told teams that he was looking for $15MM per year. Soon after, the asking price was reduced to a more reasonable $10MM per season, and he eventually accepted a $9MM/year pact from the Colts.
After turning in a solid season – nearly the best of his career, according to PFF – Hankins may be unwilling to take anything less than what he received from the Colts. It’s the only logical explanation for one of the league’s best run-stuffing DTs being left in limbo.
That position may seem foolish since many teams have already blown their wad in the first and second waves of free agency, but there are still plenty of dollars available, particularly when it comes to his potential suitors. The Jets, who might not want to bank on 32-year-old Steve McLendon in the middle, will still have about $14MM in cap room after they sign top draft pick Sam Darnold. The Packers, who might not have complete confidence in Kenny Clark taking the next step in 2018, have nearly $11MM in space after inking their entire draft class. The Cowboys, who will start the year without David Irving, have nearly $15MM to work with.
Between now and the start of the year, it’s entirely possible that a team could open up the checkbook to meet Hankins’ demands. In addition to the aforementioned clubs, there are still 16 teams with eight figures in cap room. Beggars can’t be choosers at this stage of the summer, but all it takes is one GM to cave.
Alternatively, Hankins may wind up taking his salary demands down a notch or two, which would greatly open up his possibilities. The Lions, for example, have just $9MM in space, but they may want to consider Hankins to beef up their line, even after signing Sylvester Williams in March.
If the market doesn’t meet his demands, Hankins may be willing to settle for a one-year platform contract in the $7MM range to reestablish his value. If quality defenders like Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack, Jadeveon Clowney, and Geno Atkins are taken off of the 2019 free agent list with extensions, Hankins could be on the path to riches next spring.
DeMarco Murray Hopes To Sign Soon
DeMarco Murray is without a job at the moment, but he’s hoping that will change soon. In a lengthy interview with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (audio link), Murray reaffirmed his desire to play in 2018 and said that he has had a handful of fruitful conversations with clubs. 
[POLL: Who Is The Best Free Agent RB Remaining?]
“I’ve had a lot of discussions with four or five teams that I feel will be a great fit for me,” Murray said. “It’s all about being transparent and, for me, I’m not looking to lead the league in rushing yards. Obviously I would work and do everything to give me the opportunity to do that, but it’s all about having an opportunity to get to the playoffs and have an opportunity to win a championship.”
It sounds like Murray has accepted the limitations of what he can do at this stage of his career. Although he led the league with 1,845 rushing yards in 2014 with the Cowboys and nearly cracked 1,300 in 2016 with the Titans, it appears that he is willing to enter the year as a team’s No. 2 running back. That’s good news because, barring an injury, no team at this stage of the offseason would realistically consider Murray as a starter.
Last year, Murray was overshadowed in Tennessee by Derrick Henry. He totaled just 659 yards rushing and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. On the plus side, he also had 39 catches out of the backfield for 266 yards.
The Titans released Murray in March and he has not found a new NFL home despite meeting with the Lions, Seahawks, and Dolphins since his release. In June, the 30-year-old declined an opportunity to work out for the Saints. That same week, the Saints signed former Ravens running back Terrance West.
According to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus, Murray graded out as the league’s No. 40 ranked running back in 2017.