Patriots To Re-Sign RB Rex Burkhead
The Patriots have agreed to a multi-year contract with running back Rex Burkhead, according to a league source who spoke with Jim McBride of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). The news has been confirmed by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter), who adds that it is a three-year pact with significant guarantees.
The Pats lost Dion Lewis in free agency when he inked a four-year deal with the Titans, but they’re holding on to their other major free agent tailback.
Burkhead accumulated more than 500 all-purpose yards with eight touchdowns last season. He will rejoin James White as a versatile running back. New England also retained Brandon Bolden recently, so a Burkhead pact will ensure three of the Pats’ top four backs are in line to return in 2018.
A four-year Bengals contributor, Burkhead posted his career yards-from-scrimmage high-water mark during his Patriots season despite an injury limiting him to just 10 games. He came back and played in two of New England’s postseason contests and will likely be entrusted with more key responsibilities as Tom Brady prepares for his age-41 season.
While the Pats could still use some backfield help to replace Lewis — the best of their ball-carriers last season — they appear to have their pass-catching contingent shored up minutes into free agency.
Cardinals To Sign OT Andre Smith
Former Bengals tackle Andre Smith is signing a two-year, $8MM deal with the Cardinals, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal could be worth up to $10.2MM with bonuses.
Smith will receive $2.85MM in fully guaranteed funds, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. He’ll be due a $500K roster bonus on the third day of the 2019 league year.
Smith, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with Cincinnati after being selected No. 6 overall in the 2009 draft, reunited with the Bengals last offseason. He signed a one-year deal with the notion that he would be the team’s starting right guard. He lost that competition to Trey Hopkins, but a spot opened up at right tackle when Jake Fisher was shut down for the year with a heart condition.
Back at his native tackle position, Smith didn’t really deliver. Pro Football Focus rated him as just the No. 64 tackle out of 85 qualified players in December when he was placed on IR. Smith hasn’t earned a quality score from PFF since 2014, a sign that he has declined in recent years.
Seahawks Tender Dion Jordan
The Seahawks have tendered defensive end Dion Jordan at the first-round level, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. This will spike Jordan’s salary to 4.129MM next season.
The reported decision to tender Jordan at the highest level comes as a surprise. The former No. 3 overall pick could have been retained with the original-round tender, which would have entitled the Seahawks to the first-round compensation in the event of an unmatched offer sheet, only with a cheaper placeholder for the Seahawks. The Seahawks could just be rewarding Jordan for his hard work in 2017 and putting out a show of good faith as they ponder a longer deal with the defensive end.
A bust with the Dolphins due to suspensions and injuries, Jordan landed in Seattle and played sparingly. But during the 135 snaps he did play, Pro Football Focus bestowed a strong grade upon the former top-five pick.
Considering the Seahawks traded Michael Bennett and have Cliff Avril possibly facing retirement, Jordan could see more time next season. This financial decision should ensure it, although it will be on the one-time high-end prospect to stay healthy.
Packers Interested In Rashaan Melvin
The Packers have expressed interest in signing Colts free agent cornerback Rashaan Melvin, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Melvin stands as one of the better available CBs after Trumaine Johnson, Bashaud Breeland, and other notables have come off the board.
The Raiders are also among the teams with interest. Green Bay has been more active during free agency’s first wave than it generally was during Ted Thompson’s run, with the now-Brian Gutekunst-managed franchise adding both Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson.
However, the Packers have been in need of cornerback help. They’ve used a few high draft choices to address that position, but it remains a need area. And Green Bay traded 2015 first-round pick Damarious Randall to the Browns last week, further depleting its corner contingent.
Melvin broke out for the Colts last season after a mostly anonymous career leading up to it.
Jets Re-Sign S Terrence Brooks
Safety Terrence Brooks safety is re-signing a two-year deal with the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Jets acquired Brooks from the Eagles just prior to last season in exchange for cornerback Dexter McDougle.
Brooks played in 15 games during his first season with the Jets, starting one, and will supply depth behind second-year starters Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.
A former third-round Ravens pick in 2014, Brooks was primarily used on special teams last season. However, he did notch two interceptions.
Jets Use Second-Round Tender On Quincy Enunwa
The Jets announced that they have used a second-round tender on wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.
With the move, the Jets have put a one-year, $2.91MM placeholder on him. In the event of an unmatched offer sheet, the Jets will receive a second-round pick. However, it seems unlikely that another club would pony up a second-round pick for Enunwa given that he missed the entire 2017 campaign with a neck injury.
Enunwa broke out in 2016 with 58 catches for 857 yards and four touchdowns, and he should still have a role with the Jets going forward, especially given the legal troubles of fellow pass-catcher Robbie Anderson. Other wideouts on the Jets’ roster include Jermaine Kearse, Chad Hansen, and ArDarius Stewart,
Chargers Sign TE Virgil Green
Virgil Green is sticking around the AFC West. The Chargers are signing the free agent tight end, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Green, who spent his entire seven-year career with Denver, had 14 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown last season. The former seventh-round pick has one receiving TD to his credit in each of the last four campaigns, but his real bread and butter is blocking. While Pro Football Focus ranked Green an underwhelming 63rd among 71 tight end candidates, his blocking grade was fourth at the position. Green was listed as the fifth-best tight end in our positional free agent rankings.
[RELATED: Chargers Depth Chart]
The Chargers will likely rely on Green as a blocking tight end. Former second-rounder Hunter Henry sits atop the depth chart, and the team is also rostering Sean Culkin and Braedon Bowman. Meanwhile, long-time tight end Antonio Gates is considering retirement.
Patriots’ James Harrison In No Rush To Sign
James Harrison doesn’t appear to be in a rush to sign anywhere, barring an aggressive pitch from a team, according to Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald (on Twitter). He adds that the Patriots have expressed interest in a reunion, but it’s not clear to what degree.
Of course, Harrison may not have much of a choice in not landing an immediate contract. While Harrison was productive after being signed by the Patriots, there may not be a healthy market for a near-40-year-old edge defender with a recent history of locker room problems.
Harrison was released by the Steelers last December after his defensive role was greatly reduced. New England picked him up relatively quickly, and the veteran pass rusher went on to post two sacks with the Patriots during the regular season before performing well in the playoffs.
Jaguars To Sign TE Niles Paul
Niles Paul is leaving the Redskins. The Jaguars are set to sign the free agent tight end, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Paul, 29 in August, hasn’t been high on the NFL’s radar since catching 39 passes for 507 yards and one touchdown in 2014. After missing the 2015 season, he saw time in only eight games in ’16 and had a marginal role on the Redskins last year. Over the last two seasons, he has just 15 catches for 121 yards to his credit.
The Jaguars declined their option on Mychal Rivera in February, opening up a spot on the TE depth chart for Paul. However, Jacksonville exercised an option for fellow tight end Marcedes Lewis, while free agent Austin Seferian-Jenkins is scheduled to visit.
Saints To Sign Patrick Robinson
Patrick Robinson is set to sign with the Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a four-year deal for the nickel cornerback.
Robinson, 30, is heading back to where it all began, as he was originally selected as a first-round pick by New Orleans in 2010. He’ll return after posting drastically better results with other clubs than he ever did with the Saints. Largely considered a bust until joining the Chargers in 2015, Robinson is now coming off arguably the best season of his career.
Signed to one-year contact for the veteran’s minimum, Robinson exceeded all expectations as the Eagles’ slot cornerback in 2017. On 853 defensive snaps, Robinson graded as the league’s No. 6 CB, per Pro Football Focus.
Philadelphia was expected to re-sign Robinson, but their small amount of cap space — which has already been used on players such as Michael Bennett, Haloti Ngata, and Nigel Bradham — made keeping him difficult. However, the Eagles actually offered Robinson more total money than the Saints, who gave Robinson more guaranteed cash, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com.
Speaking of exceeding expectations, the Saints’ pass defense did just that last season. With rookie Marshon Lattimore playing like a shutdown corner, New Orleans ranked fifth in pass defense. Robinson will likely stick in his slot role with the Saints, although it’s possible they also ask him to play on the outside.
Meanwhile, free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is no longer expected to visit the Saints after taking a meeting with the Redskins. That’s likely because both DRC and Robinson would have filled the same nickelback job in New Orleans.
[RELATED: Saints Depth Chart]