Ravens Re-Sign Justin Tucker
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has re-signed with the team, inking his restricted free agent tender, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Tucker had been assigned a second-round tender, meaning he’ll be in line for a $2.356MM salary for the 2015 season.
Per Wilson, there were teams besides the Ravens with interest in Tucker, who had until Friday to sign an offer sheet with another club. However, any suitor hoping to land the 25-year-old would have had to surrender a second-round pick to do so, which is too high a price to pay for a kicker, even one who has been as effective as Tucker.
During his three seasons with the Ravens, Tucker has made 97 of 108 field goal attempts, for an overall conversion percentage of just below 90%. He has also converted 14 of 20 attempts from 50+ yards, for a 70% career success rate. The Texas product struggled a little in 2014 with those longer kicks, making just four of nine from 50+ yards, but those were his only misses of the season.
Tucker will be eligible for unrestricted free agency a year from now, so the Ravens will likely work on getting him locked up before he hits the open market next March.
North Notes: Bengals, Peterson, Ravens
Working out extensions with cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and guard Kevin Zeitler before May 4 is “a big priority” for the Bengals at the moment, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. Both 2012 first-round draftees are eligible for fifth-year options for 2016, and if Cincinnati is happy enough with both players to want to extend them, I’d imagine the team would exercise those options.
While it’s possible that the Bengals agree to an extension with one or both players within the next week and a half, it seems more likely that a deal would be struck sometime later in the offseason. A year ago, no club extended a former first-round pick before exercising his fifth-year option, but several teams finalized new deals with those players later.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- A reader asked Peter King of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) if he thinks the Vikings will trade Adrian Peterson before or during the draft. King says his gut feeling is that Minnesota won’t do that. With $45MM due to the 30-year-old running back over the next three years, it’ll be hard to find the right deal. On top of that, the Vikes want a high draft pick to part with AD.
- Elsewhere at TheMMQB.com, former Packers executive Andrew Brandt is less convinced that the Vikings will hang on to Peterson. As Brandt writes, the key person to smooth tension between a player and his team is usually the agent, but in this case, Ben Dogra has clashed with Vikings management and is doing all he can to get his client on a new team. Brandt views the Cowboys as the best fit for the running back.
- Miami receiver Phillip Dorsett recently paid a visit to the Ravens, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team also met with Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson and worked him out, Wilson writes in a separate piece for the Sun.
- Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review provides a breakdown of the Steelers‘ 29 pre-draft visits, while Lindsay Selengowski of DetroitLions.com lists all 30 prospects the Lions brought in for visits.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Minor Moves: Wednesday
Today’s minor moves..
- The Dolphins signed offensive lineman Jacques McClendon, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). The Jaguars declined to extend an offer to the restricted free agent earlier this offseason. McClendon, 28 in December, played in 13 games for the Jags at center and right guard last season with three starts. Miami also added fellow offensive lineman Jeff Linkenbach earlier today.
- Ravens defensive tackle Casey Walker signed his $510K exclusive-rights tender, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Baltimore signed Walker off of New England’s practice squad last year.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Today’s minor moves..
- The Dolphins waived offensive guard Davonte Wallace, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter).
- The Chiefs waived former 2014 Steelers first-round choice Shaquille Richardson, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes. The cornerback signed with KC in February, but he couldn’t stick with the team through the spring.
- Ravens backup long snapper Patrick Scales signed his $435K exclusive-rights free agent tender, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun writes. Scales was signed last season after two long snappers went down with season-ending injuries in Baltimore.
- The Chargers cut linebacker Alvin Scioneaux, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Scioneaux, 24 in May, spent last season on the Bolts’ IR.
- The Lions have released guard Rodney Austin, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter). Austin, an Elon University product, was let go after being arrested on two charges of assault, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. For what it’s worth, Austin’s agent says that the issue will soon be behind his client. “I’m very well aware of what happened and that’s why I know this is not going to be an ongoing issue,” said Mark Magazu. The 26-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Lions after the 2012 draft.
- Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar and punter Chris Jones signed their restricted free-agent tender offers, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. The Cowboys gave both players the low tender, worth $1.542MM. Still, neither player is a lock to make the team in 2015.
Ravens Sign Jimmy Smith To Extension
2:30pm: The Ravens officially announced the completion deal at a press conference with local reporters.
2:04pm: It’s a four-year extension worth $48MM, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). The deal includes $21MM in fully guaranteed cash.
1:54pm: Smith’s new deal will average just under $10MM per year, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
1:42pm: The Ravens and cornerback Jimmy Smith have reached a verbal agreement on a contract extension that will keep Smith in Baltimore beyond the 2015 season, the team announced today in a press release. Smith’s deal had been set to expire next March.
Smith, 26, has spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens, though injuries have limited his playing time since he entered the league as the 27th overall pick in 2011. In his four NFL seasons, Smith has missed 16 regular season contests, including eight in 2014. A Baltimore secondary hit hard by injuries last season struggled when he wasn’t in the lineup.
When he has been healthy, Smith has quickly developed into one of the more reliable cornerbacks in the NFL. During the 2013 campaign, the only season in which Smith played all 16 games, he recorded a +4.1 grade on Pro Football Focus (subscription required), limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 54.3% completion percentage and a 76.3 passer rating on throws into his coverage.
As a former first-round pick, Smith had a fifth-year option included on his rookie contract, and had been set to play the coming season on that option-year salary of $6.898MM. We’ll have to wait and see whether the new deal alters that figure, but the Colorado product figures to be in line for a raise for future seasons. Annual salaries for the top free agent corners this offseason – including Byron Maxwell, Brandon Flowers, Kareem Jackson, and Chris Culliver – ranged from $8-11MM, and I’d expect Smith to land in that neighborhood as well.
Heading into the 2015 season, Smith figures to start across from Lardarius Webb, who reworked his contract last month in order to remain in Baltimore. The two veteran corners will join safeties Matt Elam and newly-signed Kendrick Lewis in the Ravens’ starting lineup.
Of the 2011 first-round picks who had their fifth-year options picked up last spring, Smith is the second one to sign an extension in 2015, on the heels of Mike Pouncey‘s new deal with the Dolphins. A handful of 2011 first-rounders, including J.J. Watt, Tyron Smith, and Patrick Peterson, inked new contracts with their respective teams in 2014.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor Moves: Monday
Here are today’s minor transactions from across the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening:
- Howard Balzer of the SportsXchange (all Twitter links) passes along word on a number of exclusive rights and restricted free agents who officially signed their contract tenders today. According to Balzer, the following players are now under contract for the 2015 season: Browns linebacker Craig Robertson (second-round RFA), Browns safety Johnson Bademosi (low-end RFA), Steelers fullback Will Johnson (low-end RFA), Giants cornerback Chandler Fenner (ERFA), Ravens cornerback Tramain Jacobs (ERFA), and Chiefs wide receivers Frankie Hammond and Junior Hemingway (ERFAs).
- The Seahawks have re-signed free agent center Lemuel Jeanpierre, according to Balzer (via Twitter). Jeanpierre, who turns 28 next month, started three games at center for Seattle near the end of the 2014 regular season.
Earlier updates:
- The Titans have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with linebacker Kaelin Burnett, the club announced today (Twitter link). Burnett, who started his career with the Raiders, has played in 22 total NFL games, including five last year for the Titans, primarily as a special teamer.
- Wide receiver Kamar Aiken signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Ravens today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The move was a mere formality, allowing Aiken to participate in the club’s offseason program.
- Lions wide receiver and kick returner Jeremy Ross also signed his ERFA tender today, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter link). Like Aiken, Ross was technically a free agent but wasn’t able to negotiate with any team besides Detroit.
North Notes: Peterson, Browns, Flacco
Voluntary workouts for the Vikings begin tomorrow, but a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that embattled running back Adrian Peterson is not expected to attend. Don’t read too much into the recently-reinstated Peterson’s planned no-show, adds Tomasson, as Peterson’s appearance at voluntary events has always been “sporadic.” Minnesota’s first mandatory session doesn’t come until June 16.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Penn State offensive lineman Donovan Smith, a projected Day Two selection, will visit the Browns, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Smith, who played left tackle in college, would shift to the right side (or guard) in Cleveland.
- If the Browns don’t trade up for Marcus Mariota, ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon thinks the club might not select a quarterbck at all. While he allows that his opinion is just a guess, McManamon adds that Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Thad Lewis, and Connor Shaw could hold the fort until a franchise QB is chosen, perhaps in next year’s draft.
- Joe Flacco might never earn the “elite” label, but he’s given the Ravens stability at the quarterback position, something a lot of clubs are still searching for, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Draft Notes: Beasley, Jones, Dunkley, Delaire
Our own Ben Levine collected a number of notes surrounding prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft earlier today, and as they keep pouring in, here are some additional notes from around the NFL:
- The Raiders have sent four of their people to South Carolina to get a closer look at Clemson pass rusher Vic Beasley, reports Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Beasley would be a slight reach at fourth overall, and isn’t a perfect scheme fit, but could be an interesting prospect especially if the team is serious about trading down.
- Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones has been rising up draft boards, and could be a day-one selection by the time the NFL Draft commences. Jones has visits lined up with the Cardinals, Cowboys, Eagles, Bills, Bears, and 49ers, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- South Florida cornerback and return specialist Chris Dunkley will be visiting with the Ravens, Patriots, Bills, and Lions next week, according to Wilson. He has already met with the Falcons, Dolphins, and Chargers.
- Wilson also writes that Towson pass rusher Ryan Delaire will be attending both the Ravens and Washington’s local prospect days. Delaire had his medical recheck this weekend, and seems healthy. He could be an interesting prospect in the later rounds of the draft.
- University of Akron receiver Zach D’Orazio had a private workout with the Browns today, according to George Thomas of Ohio.com. D’Orazio is a former quarterback, who has the size and speed to present a matchup advantage running routes out of the slot.
AFC Mailbags: Ravens, Rivers, Carr, Jags
We took a look at ESPN.com’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus over to the AFC…
- The current group of Ravens tight ends have a combined one NFL start, and Jamison Hensley believes the draft will present an opportunity for the team to acquire a veteran. The writer suggests Brandon Pettigrew (Lions) or Marcedes Lewis (Jaguars) as potential targets.
- Considering Rich Cimini can’t envision Marcus Mariota dropping to pick number six, he doesn’t think a Philip Rivers trade will work out between the Jets and the Chargers. However, if Mariota were to be available, the writer says the Jets would need to get a long-term commitment from Rivers before pulling the trigger.
- Bill Williamson would be “stunned” if the Raiders drafted Marcus Mariota and traded Derek Carr. The team’s coaching staff is counting on Carr to be part of the future of the organization, so a shift in philosophy would be a “major storyline.”
- Besides an edge rusher, wideout Amari Cooper would be the only other player the Jaguars would consider with the third pick, opines Mike DiRocco.
Draft Notes: Goldman, Ravens, Washington
As the draft approaches, many prospects will be invited to team’s local prospect days for an opportunity to display their talents. The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson has collected a bunch of those workout notes, which we’ve collected for you below…
- Florida State defensive lineman Eddie Goldman will be meeting with the Jaguars. The projected late first-round pick will also meet with a variety of other teams (Twitter link).
- Penn State safety Adrian Amos was invited to the Ravens local prospect day. He had a private workout with Chip Kelly and the Eagles earlier this week (Twitter link).
- Delaware linebacker David Mackall has also been invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The former Maryland transfer finished last season with 84 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery (Twitter link).
- Wake Forest wideout E.J. Scott was invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The fifth-year senior finished 2014 with 50 catches for 513 yards and four touchdowns (Twitter link).
- Maryland linebacker Cole Farrand was also invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The All-Big Ten honorable-mention finished last season with 118 tackles last season, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries (Twitter link).
- Bowie State tight end Khari Lee has been invited to the Ravens local prospect day. Lee already worked out for 24 teams during his pro day (Twitter link).
- New Mexico running back Crusoe Gongbay has been invited to Washington‘s local prospect day. The senior ran for 354 yards and three touchdowns last season (Twitter link).
- Stony Brook receiver Adrian Coxson will attend Washington‘s local prospect day. The Maryland transfer previously attended the Jets and Giants local pro days (Twitter link).
- West Georgia quarterback Austin Trainor has Pro Days with the Buccaneers, Raiders and 49ers. The signal-caller went undrafted during last year’s draft (Twitter link).