Contract Details: Thomas, Barr, Peterson
Some assorted contract details from the around the NFL:
- Earl Thomas, S (Ravens): Four years, $55MM, $32MM guaranteed. $20MM signing bonus. Base salaries: $2MM, fully guaranteed (2019), $10MM, fully guaranteed (2020), $11MM (2021), $12MM (2022). Contract notes via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
- Anthony Barr, LB (Vikings): Five years, $67.5MM, $33MM guaranteed. $13MM signing bonus. $39MM through first three years of deal. Twitter link via Manish Mehta of New York Daily News.
- Adrian Peterson, RB (Redskins): Two years, $8MM. $1.5MM signing bonus. Base salaries: $1.03MM (2019), $2.25MM (2020). $1.5MM in incentives per season. ESPN link via John Keim.
- Cole Beasley, WR (Bills): Four years, $29MM. $10.7MM guaranteed, $6MM signing bonus. Base salaries: $2.2MM (2019), $4.4MM (2020), $4.7MM (2021), $4.9MM (2022). Contract details via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
- Darryl Roberts, CB (Jets): Re-signed. Three years, $18MM. $18MM is maximum value, with game-day roster bonuses (no incentives or escalators). Twitter link via Mehta.
Bills To Add Andre Roberts
Coming off an All-Pro season, Andre Roberts will be changing teams. He won’t be leaving New York, however.
The Bills are signing the veteran return man, according to ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini (Twitter link). It’s a two-year deal, Buffalo announced. Earlier today, it was revealed the Jets were not going to bring Roberts back. He will now join a parade of Bills UFA additions.
Roberts will follow Cole Beasley and John Brown to Buffalo, and while he likely will not play nearly as much on offense as those wide receivers, he brings extensive experience. The 31-year-old specialist has played on five teams since coming into the league in 2010. Last season was his best.
The 2018 Jets’ return man took back a punt and kickoff for touchdowns. He finished with a 14.1-yard punt-return average and nearly got to a 30-yard kick-return figure. Roberts has five career return TDs and has not caught more than 15 passes in a season since 2014.
The Bills used Isaiah McKenzie and Marcus Murphy on returns last season. Both remain under contract, creating an interesting situation. Roberts’ contract may point to him being the primary kick- and punt-return man, but details of the 2018 Pro Bowler’s deal are not yet known.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/19
Here is the latest news involving restricted free agents and exclusive-rights free agents, with updates coming throughout the day:
ERFA
Tendered:
- Bears: DE Roy Robertson-Harris, LB Isaiah Irving, OL Rashaad Coward
- Seahawks: LB Austin Calitro, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, C Joey Hunt, RB J.D. McKissic, CB Kalan Reed
Non-tendered:
- Bears: S DeAndre Houston-Carson (via Howard Balzer on Twitter)
- Bengals: QB Brad Kaaya (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Gabe Martin, DE Zach Moore, C Daniel Munyer (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: TE Alex Ellis (via Balzer)
- Colts: S Ronald Martin (via Balzer)
- Falcons: WR Marvin Hall (via Balzer)
- Giants: DT Kristjan Sokoli (via Balzer)
- Patriots: WR Cody Hollister (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: CB Tevin Mitchel (via Balzer)
- Rams: LB Garrett Sickels (via Balzer)
- Ravens: OT Steven Moore (via Balzer)
- Saints: DB Rickey Jefferson (per NOLA.com’s Josh Katzenstein, on Twitter)
- Seahawks: DE Ricky Ali’ifua, DB T.J. Green, RB Tre Madden, DB T.J. Mutcherson
- Steelers: T Joseph Cheek, S Malik Golden, LB Keith Kelsey, TE Jake McGee (via Balzer)
- Vikings: OT Cedrick Lang, TE Josiah Price (via Balzer)
RFA
Tendered at second-round level:
- Seahawks: T George Fant (per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, on Twitter)
Tendered at original-round level:
- Chiefs: S Jordan Lucas
- Saints: CB Ken Crawley (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate)
- Seahawks: DL Quinton Jefferson (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, on Twitter)
Non-tendered:
- Bears: LS Patrick Scales (via Balzer)
- Bengals: TE Matt Lengel (via Balzer)
- Bills: TE Logan Thomas (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, on Twitter)
- Broncos: QB Kevin Hogan, LB Deiontrez Mount, WR Jordan Taylor (via Balzer)
- Browns: CB Juston Burris, TE Orson Charles (via Balzer)
- Buccaneers: TE Alan Cross, CB Javien Elliott, T Leonard Wester (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Jeremy Cash, OT John Wetzel (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: LB Terrance Smith (via Balzer)
- Dolphins: WR Leonte Carroo (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald)
- 49ers: S Tyvis Powell (via Balzer)
- Jaguars: OG Chris Reed (via Balzer)
- Jets: DT Destiny Vaeao (via Balzer)
- Panthers: WR Damiere Byrd (via Balzer)
- Raiders: DE Shilique Calhoun (via Balzer)
- Redskins: WR Maurice Harris (per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, on Twitter), RB Rob Kelley (via Balzer)
- Saints: WR Tommylee Lewis (via Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, on Twitter)
NFL Draft Rumors: Murray, Haskins, Giants
Although Kyler Murray threw at Oklahoma’s pro day Wednesday, and fared well during that portion of his workout, he did not go through the full process. The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner did not add any more fuel to the fire regarding his height, not taking part in another measurement. Murray only weighed in, stepping on the scale at 205 pounds, according to NFL.com’s Andrew Groover, on Twitter). This is two pounds down from Murray’s Combine weight. Murray measured at 5-foot-10 in Indianapolis. Additionally, the tantalizing prospect did not run the 40-yard dash at today’s event, per NFL.com’s James Palmer, despite the school planning on him doing so (Twitter links via James Palmer and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). So, teams will not have that figure going into the draft. Murray remains expected to be a top-10 pick, with a No. 1 overall ceiling.
- Tyree Jackson is holding his pro day at the Bills‘ facility, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Buffalo University product is viewed as a rising prospect, with Schefter adding that many believe the 6-foot-7 passer will be a higher-than-expected draft choice.
- The Giants now have two of the 2019 draft’s first 17 selections, which could point to them taking a quarterback with one of them. They have been most closely tied to Dwayne Haskins, but the Ohio State product may not enamor the team to the point of being worth the No. 6 overall pick, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY notes. It’s widely anticipated either Haskins or Murray will be the first quarterback selected, and both are viewed as likely top-10 picks. The Giants have been doing extensive research on Haskins, who burst onto teams’ radars with a dominant 2018.
OBJ Notes: Manning, 49ers, Bills
In the deal of the day, the Giants sent Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns. In return, New York received a 2019 first-rounder (No. 17 overall), a 2019 third-rounder (No. 95), and safety Jabrill Peppers. This marks the end of an era for the Giants organization, and it also means the front office may be preparing for a full-on rebuild.
There have naturally been a number of Giants-centric and Beckham-focused notes since the deal was reported earlier this evening. We’ve compiled some of the more notable rumblings below…
- The 49ers were among the teams that expressed interest in OBJ, writes ESPN’s Adam Schefter. San Francisco has been connected to several big-name playmakers, and the team could certainly use some additional weapons for Jimmy Garoppolo. Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis currently lead the 49ers’ depth chart, and while the pair certainly have plenty of talent, the team could easily transform the duo into a trio.
- The Bills also had discussions about Beckham, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo (on Twitter). Tim Graham of The Athletic clarifies (on Twitter) that the Giants approached Buffalo about a trade, not the other way around. It’s not entirely surprising that Buffalo was considering a premier wideout, especially after the team failed to complete an Antonio Brown deal. The Bills have already added two free agent wideouts in John Brown and Cole Beasley, but their additions probably wouldn’t have prevented the organization from adding a player of OBJ’s caliber.
- Following the Beckham trade, Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com explores whether the Giants will end up holding on to veteran quarterback Eli Manning. There’s no denying that the organization is rebuilding, as the team has also moved on from Landon Collins and Olivier Vernon. Ultimately, the writer opines that the pairing doesn’t make sense for either side; the Giants won’t want the one or two extra wins that Manning could provide, while the veteran quarterback surely doesn’t want to spend his last few years playing for a middling team. The Giants may have to make some kind of decision by Monday, when Manning is set to earn a $5MM roster bonus that counts for a portion of his $23MM cap hit.
- We heard that Beckham may be seeking a new contract with the Browns, and it sounds like the two sides are already talking. Jason La Canfora tweets that “there has been contact” between the Browns and the receiver’s reps. The reporter attributes the negotiations to the “ramifications of the [Antonio Brown] contract,” noting that Beckham should look to capitalize on the trend of traded players securing guaranteed money.
Bills To Sign OL Jon Feliciano
This week has brought a major revamp of the Bills’ offense, and the team continued its overhaul Tuesday night by adding a depth piece up front.
The Bills reached an agreement to add former Raiders lineman Jon Feliciano, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com tweets. The fifth-year blocker will receive a two-year deal.
Having been used as a backup throughout his Raiders run, playing behind Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele for much of it, Feliciano will join a Bills team that has already added two new potential starters up front.
Buffalo signed Spencer Long last month and reached an agreement with Ty Nsekhe earlier on Tuesday. Mitch Morse, he of the NFL’s new top center deal, is the big prize for a Bills team that is undergoing considerable personnel changes up front.
A 2015 Raiders fourth-round pick, Feliciano did make eight career starts — including four last season. The Bills struggled up front last season, having lost a few starters from a 2017 line that performed far better.
Latest On Le’Veon Bell
The market for Le’Veon Bell may not actually be all that robust. Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets that the Bears, Colts, Ravens, Texans and Bills “haven’t really been in it” for the All-Pro running back.
This is particularly notable following reports from earlier today that six teams were in the running for Bell: the Jets, Colts, Ravens, Packers, Texans, and Bills. With four of those teams out of the running (along with the Bears), that would seemingly mean that New York and Green Bay are going head-to-head for the running back’s services. The Raiders have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Bell.
Breer notes that the market’s been tough for the former Steelers offensive weapon, and he adds that more teams may enter the bidding if the asking price drops. As of right now, there’s a feeling that Bell could be secured for a deal that will pay him between $11MM and $12MM per season.
Regardless of who’s in and who’s out of the bidding, we may get a resolution sooner than later. We learned earlier today that the Jets have given Bell a deadline to make a decision. If the Jets don’t hear back by that unreported time, they’ll likely move on to other free agent targets.
Bills To Sign OL Ty Nsekhe
The Bills are making their third signing of the day. Buffalo has agreed to terms on a contract with offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Nsekhe will get a two-year deal worth $14.5MM with $7.7MM of that guaranteed, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Rodak writes that the amount of money “certainly means he’s projected to start at right tackle.”
Nsekhe comes to Buffalo from Washington, where he spent the past four seasons with the Redskins. Nsekhe was always a reserve, but thanks to the Redskins’ frequently injured offensive line, ended up starting at least four games each of the past three years. This past season, he started five games and split time between left guard and left tackle.
Nsekhe is an interesting case, as he bounced around the arena league for a handful of years before breaking through in the NFL. He’s been regarded as one of the league’s better backup linemen the last couple of years, so this could prove to be a sneaky good singing for Buffalo. Between Nsekhe now, center Mitch Morse yesterday, and receivers Cole Beasley and John Brown earlier today, the Bills have significantly upgraded their offense.
They’ve also done it without breaking the bank for any one player. These added pieces will greatly help Josh Allen next season in what will be a critical year for the young quarterback. Nsekhe received above average grades from Pro Football Focus for his work last season.
Bills, Saints To Host Ziggy Ansah
The pass rusher market has begun to move rapidly, with the Packers doing much of the heavy lifting on this front Tuesday. One of the biggest names left unsigned will enter the picture now.
Ziggy Ansah has visits scheduled with the Bills and Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Bills will get the first visit, per Rapoport.
While free agent peers Trey Flowers, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith agreed to deals without visits, teams obviously want to examine Ansah given his recent struggles with injuries. The former top-five overall pick missed most of last season due to injury, and the Lions’ Flowers addition signals they are indeed moving on from their six-year defensive end.
Ansah, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, played in just seven Lions games last season. This came after Detroit franchise-tagged its top pass rusher. Ansah, who is set to turn 30 in May, has two 12-plus-sack seasons — the most recent coming in 2017. But he has battled injuries for a while now.
Buffalo could obviously outbid New Orleans for Ansah, given the cap space disparity between these franchises, but Ansah’s recent history might not point to a high-end deal.
Bills To Sign WR Cole Beasley
The Bills aren’t done making upgrades at wide receiver. Shortly after inking John Brown to a free agent deal, the Bills struck an agreement with Cole Beasley, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The pact will pay Beasley $29MM over four years, Garafolo adds. 
We previously heard estimates that Beasley could get up to $10MM/year, so the $7.25MM average annual value on this deal isn’t too pricey for Buffalo by comparison. Still, it’s a big chunk of change for a player who had just 672 yards off of 65 catches last year for the Cowboys. Beasley also added three touchdowns, bringing his career total to 23.
Beasley has never been much of a deep threat with a career average of 10.3 yards per reception, but he offers speed in the short game as well as special teams acumen.
Statistically, Beasley’s best season came in 2016 when he posted a 75/833/5 line. He also averaged 11.1 yards per grab that year, which nearly matched his career best of 11.4 ypc in 2014.