Texans Re-Sign CB Johnathan Joseph
The Texans have agreed to re-sign cornerback Johnathan Joseph, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal worth $10MM with $3.9MM guaranteed, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). 
Joseph, one of our top 15 ranked cornerbacks before the start of free agency, didn’t appear to take any other visits this week. His representatives likely spoke with other teams, but ultimately, he has opted to return to the Texans for his eighth season in Houston.
Joseph has pretty much been a starter throughout his career, dating back to his entry into the league as a first-round pick of the Bengals in 2006. In 2018, it’s not a lock that he’ll start for the Texans. Houston has been flirting with a number of free agent corners, so another signing could theoretically push Joseph down the depth chart. We know for sure that free agent pickup Aaron Colvin will hold down at least one starting job. The other starting gig could be filled by Joseph, Kareem Jackson, or perhaps another outside addition.
Last year, Joseph started all 16 games for the Texans and managed two interceptions. He rated as just Pro Football Focus’ No. 62 corner out of 121 full-time players at the position, but simultaneously ranked 21st in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was excellent at stopping wideouts short of the sticks.
Bills To Sign A.J. McCarron
The Bills have signed A.J. McCarron, per a team announcement. It’s a two-year deal for the former Bengals signal caller. ProFootballTalk.com reports (via Twitter) that it’s a two-year deal worth $10MM, with $6.5MM “upside based on playing time.”
McCarron, for now, projects as the Bills’ new starting quarterback following the trade of Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. The 27-year-old only started three career games playing behind Andy Dalton in Cincinnati, but the quarterback certainly looked capable during his time on the field.
In 11 career games, McCarron has completed 64.7-percent of his passes for 920 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. During his brief starting stint in 2015, the quarterback also compiled 31 rushing yards on 14 carries. That season, McCarron started the Bengals’ playoff loss to the Steelers, throwing for 212 yards, one touchdown, and one pick.
Despite his starting inexperience, McCarron was still one of the top-ranked quarterbacks available in free agency. The Broncos and Cardinals had previously been connected to the former fifth-rounder, but both of those teams ultimately added other players at the position. McCarron was ranked 12th in our list of the top-50 free agents, and he was listed fourth in our positional rankings. Earlier today, Zach Links ranked him as the sixth-best remaining free agent.
The Bills presumably signed McCarron as their starting quarterback next season. Other than the free agent addition, Buffalo is rostering Nathan Peterman.
[RELATED: Bills Depth Chart]
The Top 25 Remaining NFL Free Agents
Many of this year’s top free agents came off of the board during the legal tampering period, including Kirk Cousins, Trumaine Johnson, Sammy Watkins, and Allen Robinson. Still plenty of the names from our list of the Top 50 Free Agents remain, including some new additions. Here’s a rundown of the players to keep an eye on as free agency officially begins, ranked roughly by their expected contract value:
1. Ndamukong Suh, DT (Dolphins): The Dolphins bailed on Suh’s mega contract midway through, freeing him up to sign another high-priced contract. He won’t get anything close to a six-year, $114MM deal this time around, but he should settle in at an AAV that keeps him among the best compensated players at his position. Last year, Pro Football Focus ranked Suh fifth among 122 interior defenders. 
2. Tyrann Mathieu, S (Cardinals): The Cardinals worked feverishly to hammer out a new contract with the Honey Badger, but the two sides could not come to terms on a deal to lessen his 2018 cap hit. He has been released, allowing him to hit free agency as the best safety available. The Jets are not believed to be interested, despite his connection with head coach Todd Bowles. The other tenant of the Meadowlands, however, could have interest thanks to the presence of former Arizona DC James Bettcher.
3. Sheldon Richardson, DT (Seahawks): Richardson may have lost some luster following the trade that sent him from the Jets to the Seahawks, but he among the best defensive tackles currently available. With plenty of cap space remaining, Richardson should find a lucrative deal, though it probably won’t come from Seattle. Our own Dallas Robinson estimates that Richardson will fetch about $9MM/year.
4. Dontari Poe, DT (Falcons): Poe missed out on a big payday last year when teams shied away from him due to lingering back issues. After turning in his second consecutive 16-game season, things could be different this time. For the record – Poe has missed only two regular season games over the course of his career, so he boasts a better attendance record than a lot of other veterans on this list. He’s unlikely to circle back to Atlanta.
5. Josh Sitton, G (Bears): With Andrew Norwell off of the board, Sitton stands as the best guard on the market. He’s missed six games over the last two years, but he has four Pro Bowl appearances to his credit. He’s set to meet with the Dolphins.
6. A.J. McCarron, QB (Bengals): It’s difficult to peg McCarron’s value heading into free agency. Outside of some quality starts in 2015, there isn’t much film out there on McCarron, despite that fact that he has spent four years in the NFL. Hue Jackson was itching to reunite with McCarron, but the Browns no longer seem a likely destination for him after the acquisition of Tyrod Taylor. It’s also hard to see him landing with the QB-needy Jets after they re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater. McCarron will find a home, but it may not be as a starter. [UPDATE: McCarron has signed with the Bills]
7. E.J. Gaines, CB (Bills): Injuries in the fall limited Gaines to just 11 games last season, but he proved to be a quality return for the Bills in the Watkins trade, in addition to the second-round pick that came with him. Gaines graded out as the No. 13 cornerback in the league last year, per PFF, and he just turned 26 in February. Gaines missed all of ’15 due to injury and didn’t look all that sharp in ’16, but timing is everything in free agency. You can expect multiple teams to call on him and the Texans could still have interest, even after inking Aaron Colvin.
8. Eric Reid, S (49ers): Reid is just 26 and is undoubtedly a starting quality safety. He has both youth and versatility on his side, but it’s possible that his anthem protest participation could hurt him when it comes to some suitors. Injuries over the last two seasons will hurt his market as well.
Cardinals To Meet With OL Justin Pugh
Justin Pugh‘s free agent tour is set to begin. He’ll meet with the Cardinals on Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
The Cardinals are in search of interior line help and Pugh represents one of the best remaining options. He missed half of 2017 with injuries, but he is a former first-round pick who started in all of his 63 games with the Giants. Recently, he was cleared to resume football activities.
Pugh’s versatility is also a major plus. He has experience playing every position on the offensive line, save for center.
The Cardinals were targeting Andrew Norwell – the best guard in this year’s crop – but he is now the property of the Jaguars. Josh Sitton is still available, but there’s no word yet on whether Arizona has interest. Sitton’s first visit will take place with the Dolphins.
Lions To Sign CB DeShawn Shead
Former Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead has signed with the Lions, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He received a one-year deal worth $3.5MM. The deal be worth as much as $6.5MM with playtime incentives.
It’s a solid deal for Shead, who played in just two games last season after returning from a broken leg. The deal also has considerable upside for Detroit – Shead was Seattle’s full-time cornerback opposite Richard Sherman in 2016 and could prove be a starting caliber player at a bargain.
As shown on Roster Resource, the Lions project to start Darius Slay at one cornerback spot, but Shead could bump Quandre Diggs for the other top job. After re-signing on a two-year deal worth more than $9MM, Nevin Lawson will return in support.
The 49ers were among the teams with interest in Shead.
Extra Points: Jets, McKinnon, Cardinals, Mathieu, Eagles, Foles, Acho, Bears
The latest from around the NFL:
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Running back Jerick McKinnon nearly joined Teddy Bridgewater with the Jets, according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). Ultimately, the 49ers came back with a big offer. The Jets pivoted at that point and instead signed running back Isaiah Crowell.
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The Cardinals were willing to go to about $9MM/year with Tyrann Mathieu before he was cut, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. Other teams believe that he is now looking to top that figure. He may or may not get that kind of coin given his past injuries and a down 2017.
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The Cardinals called the Eagles about acquiring Nick Foles this week, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). However, this took place right around the time of the Sam Bradford signing. With Bradford in the fold at a hefty salary, it’s unlikely that the Cards will go back to that well. Meanwhile, the Eagles seem intent on keeping the Super Bowl MVP.
Bears Release WR Markus Wheaton
Chicago is cutting bait with several of their 2017 free agents. The Bears have officially cut wideout Markus Wheaton. We heard earlier today that the receiver was likely to be cut (via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter)). Wheaton was scheduled to carry a $5.75MM cap hit, but the Bears released him with just $750K in dead money.
The Bears have also announced the release of quarterback Mike Glennon and cornerback Marcus Cooper. We heard last month that the organization was going to move on from Glennon, and the veteran has already agreed to a deal with the Cardinals.
After adding Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel to the wide receiver stable, the Bears can afford to part with Wheaton, who was part of a failed 2017 free agent class for general manager Ryan Pace. Chicago added Glennon, Cooper, tight end Dion Sims, safety Quintin Demps, and Wheaton last offseason, but none panned out during their first Windy City campaign.
Wheaton, 27, managed only 51 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Injuries limited him to just 11 games, but he only put up three receptions on the year. In three of his five NFL campaigns, Wheaton has posted six receptions or fewer. Defenders will point to Wheaton’s 40+ catch seasons in 2014 and 2015, but Wheaton hasn’t been productive in some time, and could struggle to find a deal on the open market.
Following a career-year with the Cardinals in 2016, Cooper disappointed this past season in Chicago. The cornerback finished the campaign with 18 tackles and three passes defended in 15 games (four starts).
Bills Release WR Anquan Boldin
Here’s an interesting one – the Bills have released Anquan Boldin from the reserve/retired list, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. The move allows him to sign with another team, if he wants to continue playing.
A quick refresher on the Boldin saga: the veteran wide receiver signed with the Bills during training camp, but retired less than two weeks later. During the season, Boldin’s agent requested his release, but he was denied by GM Brandon Beane. At one point in time, the rival Patriots had interest in signing him.
“We made a commitment to Anquan, and he made a commitment to us back in [training] camp,” Beane said in November. “He left for the reasons he mentioned back in August. We invested in him — invested time and committed to him — and we wouldn’t want to just put him out on the market to see him go sign with the Patriots or the Dolphins or anybody that can get in our way or work against us.”
Boldin, 38 in November, is free to do as he pleases. But, given his age and his remarkably low 8.7 yards per reception in 2016, it’s not clear what he has left to offer.
Buccaneers Sign Mitch Unrein
The Buccaneers have agreed to sign former Bears defensive end Mitch Unrein, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth $3.5MM annually, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
In 12 games this year, Unrein recorded a career-high 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Chicago. His season ended prematurely after he aggravated a nagging knee injury in a late season game against the 49ers. The 30-year-old previously had stints with the Chargers and Broncos.
Pro Football Focus, which had Unrein listed as an interior defender, gave him a career-high 83.9 score for his work in 2017. At the time of his injury, that placed him No. 29 among all interior defenders. Unrein will compete with Noah Spence, Pat O’Connor, and Davonte Lambert for snaps behind Robert Ayers and William Gholston.
Chiefs Re-Sign WR De’Anthony Thomas
The Chiefs announced that they have re-signed wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas. In related news, linebacker Terrance Smith has also been retained.
Thomas, a return specialist, averaged 23.5 yards per kick return last season. He drew interest from other teams – including one offer that would have paid him $1.5MM more than what he got from KC, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter) – but he elected to stay with the Chiefs.
Smith has spent the past two seasons with the Chiefs after going undrafted out of Florida State in 2016. The 24-year-old has compiled 14 tackles and one interception in 24 career games (three starts).