Cowboys Not Interested In Darrelle Revis
The Cowboys are not interested in free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis, team sources tell Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
[RELATED: 8 Fits For Darrelle Revis]
Dallas’ secondary depth was depleted during the free agent period, as cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, plus safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, all signed with other clubs. However, the Cowboys took steps to bolster their defensive backfield both in free agency — where they signed veteran Nolan Carroll — and the draft, where they selected Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Marquez White.
In addition to those four corners, Dallas will also return Anthony Brown and Orlando Scandrick, each of whom graded as top-50 CBs in 2016, per Pro Football Focus. Brown, a sixth-round pick last year, has proven to be a draft steal, while Scandrick figures to stick on the roster after the Cowboys denied they were shopping him.
Revis, meanwhile, had reportedly drawn the interest of two unidentified clubs earlier this month, but he still hasn’t landed a contract after being released by the Jets in March. Already earning $6MM from New York, the 31-year-old Revis will likely be forced to accept a cheap one-year pact if he wants to play in 2017. Last week, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reported some NFL executives simply don’t see a healthy market for the former All Pro.
Cowboys Desiging Packages For Switzer And Beasley
- Ryan Switzer, whom the Cowboys selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft, took first-team reps as the slot receiver during the first week of OTAs, as Cole Beasley was held out due to hamstring soreness. But as Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes, the Cowboys have big plans for Switzer even when Beasley returns, and they are working on packages for both to be on the field at the same time. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said of Switzer, “He’s a classic slot receiver. He has a similar game [to Beasley], but he has his own things. We would really like those two guys to be able to complement each other and run real similar route trees. He complements Beasley and also gives us some big-time needed depth at that position.”
Top 8 Fits For Free Agent CB Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis is in the clear from the NFL’s point of view, as the league doesn’t intend to punish him as a result of his alleged role in a dustup earlier this year (one that ended with no charges being filed). While two teams reportedly recently checked in on Revis, some club executives simply don’t see a healthy market for the former All Pro.
Revis, 31, ranks as PFR’s No. 1 free agent corner at the moment, and while he’s certainly not the shutdown corner he was in days gone by, Revis is still a viable starting option. He graded out as the league’s No. 64 corner in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, which would place him right at the tail end of acceptable play. However, one general manager recently told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he wouldn’t go after the veteran cornerback even if he agreed to play “for free.”
Here’s a look at the top eight teams that could be interested in Revis:
Arizona Cardinals
Heading into the offseason, the Cardinals’ top need was arguably at cornerback, as the club doesn’t have a plethora of options to play opposite All Pro Patrick Peterson. Instead of targeting the position in either free agency or the draft, Arizona opted to stand pat, and will now enter the 2017 campaign with only Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, and Eli Bouka behind Peterson. Bethel is a career special-teamer, Williams struggled in his brief time as a starter, and Miler and Bouke have limited — or in Bouka’s case, zero — experience. Revis would allow the Cardinals to bump Bethel back into a reserve role while giving Williams, who was selected in the third round only a year ago, time to develop.
Dallas Cowboys
The free agent period took a massive toll on the Cowboys’ secondary, as cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, plus safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, all signed elsewhere. Unlike the Cardinals, Dallas did take steps to make up for its losses, signing veteran Nolan Carroll to a cheap deal while drafting Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie and Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis on Day 2. Along with 2016 sixth-round steal Anthony Brown and stalwart Orlando Scandrick, the Cowboys probably have enough secondary depth to get by. But team owner Jerry Jones has shown a proclivity for adding high-profile names in the past, and Revis would certainly fit that bill (and the Cowboys could even give him a look at safety).
Detroit Lions
The Lions finished dead last in DVOA against the pass in 2016, despite the fact that their top two corners — Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson — ranked a respectable 17th and 37th among 111 qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus. Detroit’s lack of quality depth is a concern, however. Quandre Diggs is a slot option at best and didn’t play well last season, and while the Lions spent a second-round pick on Teez Tabor, the Florida product’s slow 40-yard dash times could make it difficult for him to succeed at the next level. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn worked in New England during Revis’ lone season with the Patriots, so he has familiarity with the veteran corner.
Indianapolis Colts
Like the Lions, the Colts ranked as a bottom-five DVOA club against the pass last year. Vontae Davis dealt with nagging injuries all season, and his health concerns likely contributed to his poor play (No. 98 CB per PFF). Quincy Wilson (Florida) was Indianapolis’ second-round pick, and will likely have to immediately step into the starting lineup, as the Colts simply don’t have any other contributors on the roster. Darius Butler is a slot corner who will likely play safety in big nickel sets, while Rashaan Melvin, Darryl Morris, and Chris Milton aren’t exactly inspiring. Revis would likely see a good deal of playing time if Indy inked him to a deal.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have seemingly been looking for quality corners since trading Davis to the Colts in 2012. Byron Maxwell, a trade acquisition himself, finally lived up to his $10MM+ salary, and Tony Lippett also played well as he continues his conversion from collegiate wideout to cornerback. Xavien Howard, a second-round selection a year ago, didn’t seen many snaps during his rookie campaign, but could certainly be counted on for a larger role in 2017, and Miami also used a third-round pick on Cordrea Tankersley this year. Revis would give the Fins another body at cornerback, and like the Cowboys, Miami would be another team that could give Revis a try at safety.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ starting corners are currently projected to be Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson, which is a clear indicator Philadelphia needs to bring in another defensive back. Yes, the Eagles used second- and third-round picks on cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas, but Jones isn’t a lock to play this season following an Achilles tear, while Douglas could be need time to develop, according to PFF’s scouting report. Philadelphia uses a zone-based scheme, which is not Revis’ strength, but he’s an improvement over the likes of fellow veteran Ron Brooks.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Revis, a Pennsylvania native, told reporters earlier this year that playing for the Steelers would be a “dream come true”, and the club still has a need at corner even after using early-round picks on the secondary in recent years. Former second-round pick Senquez Golson hasn’t even seen the field thanks to injuries, while 32-year-old veteran William Gay could be possibly be converted to safety or even released. A homecoming for Revis and the Steelers would likely see him playing behind Ross Cockrell and Artie Burns.
Washington Redskins
Josh Norman, clearly, gives the Redskins a legitimate No. 1 corner, but the club doesn’t have many options after that. After a solid 2015 campaign, Bashaud Breelan struggled last year, while rookie Kendall Fuller also didn’t show much. Washington used a third-round pick on UCLA’s Fabian Moreau last month, but he’s recovering from a torn pectoral and might not see action for awhile. Revis could start immediately in the nation’s capital.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/27/17
Today’s minor moves:
- The Cowboys have signed free agent offensive lineman Ruben Carter, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Carter, who played collegiately at both Florida State and Toledo, signed as a Dolphins undrafted free agent in 2016. He was waived during final cutdowns, and ultimately spent the season with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. In Dallas, Foster will compete for a reserve interior role along with veterans Joe Looney and Byron Bell.
La'el Collins Working Exclusively At Right Tackle
- It continues to look as though Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins will move to right tackle after functioning as a left guard during his first two seasons. Collins has lined up solely at right tackle during organized team activities this week and will likely continue to do so leading up to the season, according to Kate Hairopoulos and Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. The position opened up in Dallas when starter Doug Free retired earlier this offseason, and if Collins fills it, either Jonathan Cooper or Emmett Cleary could take over at left guard, per Hairopoulos and George.
Richard Sherman Wanted Cowboys Trade?
The Richard Sherman trade talk didn’t result in a trade this offseason, but things got serious enough for Sherman to daydream about where he might land. When things were bubbling earlier this year, Sherman told friends that he “allowed himself to imagine playing for the Cowboys,” Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com writes. 
We have no indication that there were ever talks between the Cowboys and Seahawks, but Sherman would have been a logical fit for Dallas on a football level. The Cowboys’ secondary was picked apart in free agency this year as cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr left along with safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox. Cowboys did draft three cornerbacks to help replenish that group, but a similar approach didn’t do a whole lot for the Panthers last year. The addition of Sherman would give them a bonafide CB1 alongside Orlando Scandrick and immediately cement them as one of the best overall defenses in the league.
Of course, there would have been many barriers to a potential trade. For starters, the Cowboys were very tight against the cap this offseason, which is what caused them to lose talented members of the secondary in the first place. Even now, Dallas has just ~$3.5MM in cap space, according to Over The Cap. Even when considering that the Cowboys wouldn’t be responsible for Sherman’s $2.2MM prorated bonus, he’d still carry a hefty $11.431MM cap charge for 2017.
In addition to making room for Sherman under the cap, the Cowboys would have also had to part with a significant amount of draft capital in order to acquire him. At one point, the Seahawks’ asking price was reportedly a first-round pick in the 2017 and a conditional mid-rounder in 2018. That ask, understandably, was too rich for anyone’s blood.
A trade sending Sherman to Dallas was probably never going to happen, but the fact that he was picturing himself in a Cowboys jersey tells us that the trade talk was indeed serious. And, if Sherman and the Seahawks are unable to mend fences, his affinity for the Cowboys is something to keep in mind for next offseason. If Sherman declines, the Seahawks could release him and save $11MM while carrying just $2MM in dead money. If he continues to play like a top cornerback but is still at odds with the team, the Cowboys may have the cap flexibility to get something done.
Cowboys Considering LB Daryl Washington
Edge rusher David Irving is facing a four-game ban and the Cowboys might replace him with a player who knows all too well about suspensions. The team is doing its homework on recently released linebacker Daryl Washington, according to a team source who spoke with Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Cowboys DE David Irving Facing Four-Game Ban]
Washington was suspended indefinitely in 2014 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and has not played since Week 17 of the ’13 campaign. The linebacker was reinstated by the league in late April, but the Cardinals were not interested in keeping him – at least, not at the salary that was dictated by his contract.
The linebacker was a Pro Bowler in 2012 after recording an eye-popping 134 total tackles with 9.0 sacks. He was productive again in 2013, but he has now been out of the game for three straight NFL seasons. The Cowboys may see Washington as a low-risk, high-reward type of player since he’ll be hard pressed to find a big money deal at this juncture.
For his part, Washington claims that he is a changed man who will not run afoul of the league’s rules.
“Obviously, from a standpoint I’ve grown and matured over the years of being able to kind of really appreciate life and appreciate the game that I took for granted at one point,” Washington said recently. “When you feel like you’re on top of the world. When you’re on that pedestal, you feel like everything is easy and nothing would happen. But once it’s taken away from you, you really feel that much more grateful for the opportunity to just say, you know what, I really took these things for granted so when I get back now it’s time to go even harder. At this point in my life, I feel much better mentally, physically, spiritually and I’m in that right mind frame.”
The Cowboys are first known team to consider Washington since he was released roughly one month ago.
Cowboys’ David Irving Fails PED Test
Cowboys defensive end David Irving has failed a test for performance enhancing drugs, according to Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan (on Twitter). The news has been confirmed by Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (Twitter link). The ban stems from a supplement that Irving had a marketing deal with, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.
[RELATED: NFL Still Investigating Ezekiel Elliott]
Irving may be serving a suspension to start the year, depending on the nature of the failed test. A positive test for a diuretic or masking agent without a banned substance detected calls for a two-game ban. A positive test for an anabolic agent, however, would mean a four-game suspension. Irving has evidence that could help him fight a four-game ban, but a four-game ban is the most likely outcome at this time, according to Cole (on Twitter).
Irving emerged as a viable pass-rusher for the Cowboys down the stretch last season and finished out the year with four sacks and 17 tackles. Three of those four sacks came in Week 13 against the Bucs and Week 14 against the Lions. The Cowboys won both of those games on their way to a 13-3 season and an NFC East title.
NFL Still Investigating Ezekiel Elliott
The league’s investigation into Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott “remains under review,” a spokesman tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The inquiry into domestic violence claims against the running back has been going on since July and that probably marks a new record for the league office. 
A former girlfriend of Elliott’s claims that she was a victim of five separate domestic violence incidents when they were together. Meanwhile, the district attorney’s office in Columbus, Ohio, opted against pursuing charges against him last September. Elliott has maintained his innocence ever since the allegations came to light.
In January, Elliott said that he wanted the investigation to conclude so that he could have closure and move on:
“I do want closure,” Elliott said. “I would rather it not drag on this long. If there was something to find, which there’s not, they would’ve found it by now. The police did a very thorough investigation. I will tell you this — it just seems like they’re dragging their feet right now. Who knows, man? I’m just ready for it to end.”
Elliott, 22 in July, ran for a league-leading 1,631 yards off of 322 carries last year with 15 scores. He also added 32 catches for 363 yards and one touchdown.
Colin Kaepernick “Not A Fit” For Cowboys
The Cowboys could use a veteran backup behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott, but it doesn’t appear free agent Colin Kaepernick is in the club’s plans. Kaepernick is “not a fit” for Dallas, sources tell Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
At present, Kellen Moore is the only quarterback with any level of experience behind Prescott, although the Cowboys also signed two other undrafted college free agent signal-callers, Austin Appleby (Florida) and Cooper Rush (Central Michigan). Earlier this offseason, Dallas looked into free agent Josh McCown, and even met with the veteran, but McCown ultimately signed with the Jets.
Given that Moore has only started two NFL games since entering the league in 2012, the Cowboys seem likely to pursue at least one other veteran quarterback to compete for reserve duties behind Prescott. The free agent market doesn’t offer many inspiring options, but Zach Mettenberger, Luke McCown, Shaun Hill, Robert Griffin III, and Christian Ponder are among the passers Dallas could consider.
The Cowboys have become at least the second team to not express interest in Kaepernick, as the Buccaneers also didn’t target Kaepernick before signing Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. The Seahawks, however, are eyeing Kaepernick to play behind Russell Wilson.