North Notes: Vikings, Browns, Bears, Lions
After working out for the Vikings on the weekend, Teddy Bridgewater visited with the team yesterday and is still there today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who notes that the Vikes are taking an extended look at the Louisville signal-caller. Bridgewater could very well still be on the board when Minnesota picks at No. 8.
Here’s more from out of the NFC and AFC North divisions:
- The Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph are said to have mutual interest in working out a long-term agreement to keep Rudolph in Minnesota, but the team has yet to approach the 24-year-old about an extension yet, as he tells Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
- Johnny Manziel‘s previously reported workout for the Browns is scheduled for this weekend, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- After meeting with the Texans today, Blake Bortles will have finished with his pre-draft visits and workouts, with the exception of a visit with the Browns next week, according to Caplan (Twitter links).
- Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will meet with the Bears this week, tweets Rapoport, adding that Clinton-Dix has also met with the Panthers and Falcons, among other teams. The Bears, meanwhile, have their eye on safeties, having already hosted Calvin Pryor.
- Rapoport passes along word of a couple more pre-draft visits, tweeting that Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard visited the Bengals today and yesterday, while Minnesota safety Brock Vereen visited the Steelers last week. The brother of Patriots running back Shane Vereen will also meet with the Vikings this week, says Rapoport (via Twitter).
- The Lions announced pre-draft visits for Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Boston College kicker Nate Freese, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com details.
- Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune takes a look at Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix, who recently visited the Bears.
- Matthew Mulligan‘s one-year deal with the Bears is a minimum salary benefit contract, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Chris Pressley‘s one-year pact with the Browns falls into the same category, Wilson adds (via Twitter).
AFC Notes: Mike Williams, Raiders, Texans
Shortly after acquiring him in a trade with the Buccaneers, the Bills have made some minor adjustments to Mike Williams‘ contract, according to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com. Corry tweets that the deal is still worth $1.8MM for 2014, but that the base salary is now $1.6MM (from $1.2MM), while the workout bonus is now just $200K (from $600K). Since that ’14 base salary is guaranteed, the move looks like a vote of confidence from the Bills to their newest receiver.
Here’s more from around the AFC, with a focus on the draft:
- UCF quarterback Blake Bortles is in Oakland today meeting with the Raiders, and will move on to Houston after that visit to meet with the Texas tomorrow, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. Oakland is also hosting Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack will also be visiting the Texans next week, as Houston explores all potential avenues for the first overall pick, says Rapoport (via Twitter).
- TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, who we noted earlier visited the Steelers today, also has visits lined up for next week with the Bengals and Jets, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Another cornerback, Oregon’s Terrance Mitchell, is also drawing interest from AFC teams, having staged a workout for the Colts and Raiders, writes Ross Jones of Fox Sports, who adds that Mitchell ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash.
- Former Indiana State running back Shakir Bell will take part in the Colts‘ local prospect day on Wednesday, tweets Tom James of the Terre Haute Tribune-Star.
- The Ravens have expressed interest in Morgan State cornerback Joe Rankin and were complimentary about his performance at their local prospect day, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Extra Points: CJ2K, Bradford, Pryor, Vikings
After Chris Johnson was released by the Titans, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the veteran running back was likely to find a new team last week. However, Johnson remains on the market. Now Florio writes that if CJ2K is going to a find a new home before the draft, he expects it to happen within the next few days. As Florio writes, most NFL teams will be focusing almost exclusively on the draft in the coming weeks, so if a club is going to engage in negotiations for the former 2,000-yard rusher, that team would probably prefer to get it done sooner rather than later.
As we wait to see if Florio’s latest prediction works out, let’s round up several more items from around the NFL….
- Although he makes it clear that he’s not reporting that the Rams are shopping or even considering dealing quarterback Sam Bradford, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com makes a case for why the club should do exactly that, speaking to a few executives around the league to attempt to gauge Bradford’s current value.
- Louisville safety Calvin Pryor, who has previously visited the Titans and Bears, is meeting with the Saints today and has visits lined up later in the week with the Bengals and Jets, reports Gil Brandt of NFL.com (via Twitter). Considered one of the top two safeties in this year’s draft class, Pryor is viewed as a likely first-round pick.
- The Vikings have a big day of pre-draft visits lined up for Thursday, and linebackers Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr will be among the players in attendance, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
- Barr will also be visiting the Eagles next week, a source tells Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
- Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post passes along updates on a couple prospects, reporting that North Dakota State offensive tackle Billy Turner is visiting the Cowboys today and the Rams and Vikings later, and writing that Tennessee State offensive lineman Kadeem Edwards has met with the Dolphins, Titans, Colts, and Panthers.
- The Falcons hosted Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
Extra Points: Mack, Dolphins, Manziel
It was rocky there for a while, but Alex Mack says that there’s no bad blood between him and the Browns now that he’s back in the fold. “It’s been a long, hard road, but I’m here and I’m happy,” Mack told Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. “I’m excited. I’m fired up. There’s no bad blood. Now that it’s done, I’m happy.” The new deal, which averages $8.4MM a year, makes Mack the highest paid center in the NFL and gives him the opportunity to become a free agent after two years. More from around the NFL..
- Today’s mailbag with Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com was, unsurprisingly, filled with questions regarding the Browns and Mack. One reader asks if there could have been an easier and less stressful way for the Browns to retain their Pro Bowler. Grossi says that the best way to avoid a repeat would be for Cleveland to be proactive with their pending free agents and re-sign core guys a year before their contracts lapse.
- In his Twitter mailbag, a reader asks James Walker of ESPN.com about the Dolphins‘ running back picture. Daniel Thomas, Mike Gillislee, and Marcus Thigpen will all be fighting for roster spots and since Thigpen can also pitch in as a kick returner and receiver, it’ll be Thomas and Gillislee fighting for one spot on the depth chart.
- Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal believes that Johnny Manziel has the swagger needed to succeed in a tough quarterback town, but he wonders if it will be enough to convince the Browns to bet on him.
- USC junior free safety Dion Bailey has met with the Panthers and the Bengals, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Bailey intercepted five passes last season and had 61 tackles with 6.5 for losses and is drawing middle-round grades from draft analysts.
- Should the Buccaneers draft a top wide receiver to pair with Vincent Jackson or a quarterback for the future? Gary Shelton of the Tampa Bay Times says Tampa Bay needs to go out and get a signal caller to succeed Josh McCown.
AFC Notes: Bengals, Brooks, Amaro
The Bengals have a very crowded depth chart at the wide receiver position, which could take them out of the running to jump on a very strong receiving class when they select with the 24th pick of the NFL Draft, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. While the team wants to put Andy Dalton in the best position to succeed, using a valuable pick at the position would be tough considering the team already has A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Dane Sanzenbacher, Brandon Tate, Ryan Whalen, and Cobi Hamilton.
Here are some other notes from around the NFL:
- The Ravens have a great need at safety, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. While the team could target Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward, Hensley writes that Florida State safety Terrence Brooks could be a fallback plan. Brooks, a former corner, has the range to play centerfield.
- The Patriots need to find a second tight end to pair with Rob Gronkowski, and Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com thinks that the draft could be a place to fill that hole. Curran picks out Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro as a possible option, as Amaro was a top flight receiving option in 2013.
- The Titans have been looking for linebacker help this offseason, and Will Lomas of MusicCityMiracles.com writes that the team should look at James Harrison. Although the pass rusher is 35 years old, he can still be effective in the run defense on a limited snap count.
Pauline’s Latest: Pryor, Evans, Gaines, Pats
Here’s the latest draft buzz from Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net:
- Sources close to the club say that Louisville safety Calvin Pryor will be a priority for the Lions if he drops to the second day of the draft. I imagine that’d be the case for most teams, considering Pryor is widely considered one of the top two or three defensive backs in the draft.
- There’s a consensus that Texas A&M wideout Mike Evans will be a top-10 pick, and the team that lands him may ultimately trade up or down to do it. Pauline identifies the Rams, Eagles, and Ravens as possible landing spots for Evans. Philadelphia could also be in the mix for receivers like Brandin Cooks or Marqise Lee.
- Rice cornerback Phillip Gaines had dinner with the Jaguars last month and has worked out for the Bengals and Buccaneers. Gaines also has trips lined up with the Giants, Cardinals, and Dolphins.
- The Patriots recently worked out Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas and D.J. Coles, and Pauline suggests that there’s a belief New England will draft a quarterback this year, since the team expects to lose Ryan Mallett a year from now. As for Coles, the Pats had the receiver do plenty of tight end work during position drills.
- Prior to tearing his ACL during a workout with the Saints, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas had official visits set up with the Raiders, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Panthers. He was also scheduled to work out for the Buccaneers and Giants. The workouts are obviously off the table now, but it’s not clear which of the visits will still happen, if any, says Pauline.
- Towson running back Terrance West was impressive during his Pro Day and appeared to solidify himself as a fourth-round pick, according to Pauline.
North Notes: Coleman, Vikings, Lions, Steelers
After hosting Kurt Coleman for a visit this week, the Vikings offered the free agent safety a contract, but it wasn’t enough to get him to pull the trigger, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Although the two sides may revisit talks at a later time, Coleman appears to still be exploring all his options.
Here are a few more notes from the NFL’s two North divisions, with a focus on pre-draft visits:
- The Vikings are conducting a private workout today with Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
- We know the Lions have real interest in receiver Sammy Watkins, but apparently he’s not the only member of the family drawing attention from the club. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that the Lions also had a private workout for Florida defensive back Jaylen Watkins, Sammy’s brother.
- Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby, Boston College linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Arizona State linebacker Carl Bradford are visiting the Steelers today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Ravens recently met with Virginia Tech signal-caller Logan Thomas, who has also met with the Bengals, according to Wilson. As Wilson details, in addition to those AFC North teams, Thomas has also worked out for or met with the Patriots, Cardinals, and Texans.
Bengals Sign Sam Montgomery
The Bengals have signed last year’s 95th overall pick, defensive end Sam Montgomery, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed, but it will likely be a minimum salary contract with no assurances of a roster spot.
Montgomery, 23, was drafted in the third round by the Texans last year, but didn’t see any action in a regular season game before being cut in October for violating team rules. The Raiders signed the LSU product later in the season to their practice squad, and in between his stints in Houston and Oakland, Montgomery actually visited the Bengals, signaling Cincinnati’s interest.
Extra Points: Bush, Dalton, Draft Visits
The Saints recently matched the Falcons‘ offer sheet for Rafael Bush, and as is the case with many offer sheets, the structure of the deal is a little unusual. There are no signing, workout, or roster bonuses on Bush’s two-year contract, which features base salaries of $1.85MM and $1.95MM, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. $850K of that first-year salary is fully guaranteed and $350K is deferred until March 31, 2015. Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Bush can also earn up to $750K in incentives if he makes the Pro Bowl and grabs a certain number of interceptions in 2015, so the deal can max out at $4.55MM.
Here’s more from across the NFL:
- Former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes an in-depth look at Andy Dalton’s contract situation and explores whether or not the Bengals should commit to paying him $15MM per year. Ultimately, Corry suggests that the team would be better off suspending negotiating with its quarterback for now.
- The Steelers are hosting three players on pre-draft visits today, according to ESPN.com’s Scott Brown (via Twitter): Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier and UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt.
- Wyoming wide receiver Robert Herron met with the Saints yesterday and today on a pre-draft visit, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Herron reportedly worked out for the Panthers last week.
- The Redskins are hosting Scott Crichton on a pre-draft visit, according to Rapoport, who notes (via Twitter) that the Oregon State defensive end has already worked out for the Patriots, Falcons, and Panthers.
- Connecticut edge defender Jesse Joseph is among the players working out for the Eagles today, tweets Aaron Wilson.
- Bloomsburg defensive end Larry Webster has several more visits on the docket in addition to the ones we heard about last month. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets that the Eagles, Jets, and Giants will meet with Webster, while the Chargers will work him out.
- According to Pauline (via Twitter), Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo worked out Colorado State center Weston Richburg, who is likely to be a second-day pick.
Bengals Re-Sign Dane Sanzenbacher
WEDNESDAY, 1:42pm: Sanzenbacher’s one-year deal with the Bengals is actually worth $1.2MM, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). It consists of a $950K base salary, a $200K signing bonus, and a $50K workout bonus.
The figures are interesting, since the Bengals’ original RFA tender to Sanzenbacher was worth $1.431MM. At some point, the club may have rescinded that offer and negotiated a smaller salary with the receiver.
TUESDAY, 1:56pm: The Bengals have re-signed wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, according to the team (Twitter link). Sanzenbacher, a restricted free agent had received a $1.431MM tender from the Bengals last month, so he has likely accepted and signed that offer.
Sanzenbacher, who caught 27 balls during his rookie season with the Bears, has just seven receptions in the two years since then. However, he may earn a more significant role in the Bengals’ offense for 2014, considering the club lost Andrew Hawkins in free agency.
It took a little longer for Sanzenbacher’s contract situation to be resolved than it did for Cincinnati’s other two restricted free agents. Vincent Rey officially re-signed with the Bengals shortly after free agency opened, while Hawkins signed a lucrative offer sheet with the Browns that went unmatched by Cincinnati.