Cowboys To Re-Sign Morris Claiborne
The Cowboys will bring back Morris Claiborne for another season, reports Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). According to Garafolo, the two sides have worked out a one-year contract for Claiborne to continue his career in Dallas. Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets that the deal has a base value of $3MM, and can be worth up to $3.75MM.
The sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft, Claiborne hasn’t lived up to his draft billing. Since a rookie season in which he started 15 games, made 55 tackles, and recovered a pair of fumbles, the LSU product has made just 21 more starts for Dallas, having been plagued by injuries and underperformance.
In 2015, Claiborne started 11 games for Dallas, but he failed to grab even one interception for the first time in his career, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 104th out of 111 qualified cornerbacks.
As a 2012 first-round pick, Claiborne had been eligible for a fifth-year option for the 2016 season, but the Cowboys turned down that option last spring. Had they exercised it, Claiborne would have been on the books for $11MM+ in 2016, so the Cowboys got him back at a much less expensive rate.
With Claiborne locked up, the Cowboys aren’t necessarily done looking for cornerback help. They have been linked to Nolan Carroll, and Archer tweets that Carroll still could be in play, though nothing is imminent.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cowboys Re-Sign Kyle Wilber, Charles Brown
3:05pm: Wilber’s two-year deal has a $3.25MM base value, and can be worth up to $5.25MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
1:40pm: The Cowboys retained UFAs Kyle Wilber and Charles Brown today (Twitter links via the Cowboys’ official account and Todd Archer or ESPN.com).
It’s a two-year deal for Wilber, agent Jordan Woy tweets. Brown returns to Dallas on a one-year accord, per Archer.
A former second-round pick of the Saints’ in 2010, Brown started one game with the Cowboys last season, serving as a swing tackle. Wilber trotted out with Dallas’ first unit in six games in 2015.
Although Wilber has started 15 games at linebacker since the Cowboys took him in the fourth round in 2012, his primary contributions to the team have come on special teams. Wilber’s most notable contribution came when he notched an interception in the Cowboys’ wild card playoff victory over the Lions during the 2014 playoffs.
Dallas is set to return each of its three starting linebackers after coming to an agreement with Rolando McClain this week on a one-year, $5MM deal.
Compensatory Picks For 2016 NFL Draft
The NFL has officially announced the 33 compensatory picks for the 2016 NFL draft. These picks are awarded to the teams that suffered the most significant free agent losses during the 2015 offseason. So, for instance, the Lions, who lost Ndamukong Suh, get the top compensatory pick this year.
The comp pick formula assigns picks who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks. These selections can’t be traded.
Here’s the full breakdown, by round and by team:
By Round:
Round 3:
- Detroit Lions
- New England Patriots
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
Round 4:
- Green Bay Packers
- Baltimore Ravens
- San Francisco 49ers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Dallas Cowboys
- Denver Broncos
- Green Bay Packers
- Cleveland Browns
- Buffalo Bills
Round 5:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Seattle Seahawks
- Cleveland Browns
- Cleveland Browns
- San Francisco 49ers
- San Diego Chargers
Round 6:
- New England Patriots
- Baltimore Ravens
- Detroit Lions
- San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys
- San Francisco 49ers
- New England Patriots
- Seattle Seahawks
- Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Denver Broncos
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- New England Patriots
By Team:
- Dallas Cowboys (4)
- New England Patriots (4)
- San Francisco 49ers (4)
- Baltimore Ravens (3)
- Cleveland Browns (3)
- Denver Broncos (3)
- Seattle Seahawks (3)
- Buffalo Bills (2)
- Detroit Lions (2)
- Green Bay Packers (2)
- Arizona Cardinals (1)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
- San Diego Chargers (1)
Free Agent Rumors: Wisniewski, Jaguars, Giants, Sanu
The latest free agent rumors:
- Center Stefen Wisniewski remains an option to return as a starter for the Jaguars, but he is still shopping himself around, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. The Jaguars, meanwhile, continue to seek out depth on the offensive line. Cowboys free agent guard Mackenzy Bernadeau is visiting the Jaguars, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.
- New Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu says that his agent indicated that the Giants, Chargers, Patriots, Bucs, Titans, and Washington were all interested in him, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Raiders sniffed around Jerrell Freeman but they seem closer to signing a different inside linebacker in Erin Henderson, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. The Jets are also after Henderson, he adds.
- Browns free agent linebacker Craig Robertson is on his way to visit the Seahawks, Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer tweets.
Contract Details: Smith, Martin, Sweezy, Thornton
Here are some of the latest details on recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the NFL. All Twitter links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…
- Sean Smith, CB (Raiders): Four years, $38MM. $20MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. 2016 $5.75MM base salary is guaranteed. 2017 $5MM salary guaranteed against injury upon signing. 2018 base: $8.25MM. 2019: $8.75MM. $500K annual Pro Bowl incentive. Smith has $4.25MM roster bonus guaranteed on third day of 2017 league year. (Twitter links). $15.25MM fully guaranteed in first 12 months of the deal, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter)
- Byron Maxwell, CB (Dolphins): As part of restructure, gave back $1.5MM in cash on 2017 salary in exchange for $2MM guaranteed in ’17, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter)
- Doug Martin, RB (Buccaneers): Five years, $35.75MM. $15MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus on March 14. Guaranteed base salaries of $4MM, $7MM in 2016, 2017. Salaries from 2018-20: $6.75MM, $7MM, $7MM. $1.44MM escalator for stats, playing time, Pro Bowls from 2017-20 (Twitter links)
- J.R. Sweezy, G (Buccaneers): Five years, $32.5MM. $14.5MM guaranteed. $5MM roster bonus on March 15. Base salaries from 2016-20: $4.5MM, $2.5MM, $6.5MM, $5.75MM, $5.75MM. $2.75MM roster bonus in 2017. (Twitter link)
- Cedric Thornton, DE (Cowboys): Four years, $17MM. $9MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. Base salaries 2016-19: $1MM (guaranteed), $3MM (guaranteed against injury), $4MM, $4MM. (Twitter link)
- Tracy Porter, CB (Bears): Three years, $12MM. $4.25MM guaranteed. $900K signing bonus. $1.6MM roster bonus on March 30. Base salaries from 2016-18: $1.5MM, $3.5MM, $3.5MM. $1MM Pro Bowl bonus in each year. (Twitter links via Wilson and Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times)
- Bilal Powell, RB (Jets): Three years, $11.25MM. $250MM signing bonus. 2016 base salary of $850K, which is guaranteed. $2.5MM of $3.75MM 2017 base salary guaranteed. (Twitter link)
- Tony Bergstrom, C (Texans): Two years, $5.75MM. $750K signing bonus. $1.5MM guaranteed. Base salaries in 2016-17: $1.23MM (guaranteed), $2.63MM (guaranteed against injury). $750K roster bonus April 18. (Twitter links)
- Johnson Bademosi, DB (Lions): Two years, $4.5MM. $2.9MM guaranteed. Base salaries in 2016-17: $1.1MM, $1.3MM. $50K annual workout bonus. $400K Pro Bowl incentive. (Twitter link)
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/10/16
Today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
- The Cardinals have re-signed tight end Ifeanyi Momah, tweets Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange. Momah survived Arizona’s preseason roster cuts in 2015, but suffered a torn meniscus before Week 1, ending his season. Momah received an ERFA tender from the Cards last week.
- Corey Fuller signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Lions, Wilson tweets. Fuller caught four passes for 76 yards last season after posting 212 yards on 14 receptions in 2014.
- A Saints cog from 2012-14, tackle Bryce Harris re-signed with the Falcons, his 2015 employer, according to Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com (on Twitter). The former UDFA played in two games for the Falcons last season.
- The Cardinals cut wide receiver Damond Powell with a non-football injury designation, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
Earlier updates:
- The Cowboys have re-signed cornerback Josh Thomas to a one-year contract, says Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Thomas, originally selected in the fifth round of the 2011 draft by the Cowboys, rejoined the team at the end of last season. In between his two stints in Dallas, he played 51 regular-season contests for the Panthers, Lions, Colts, Jets, and Seahawks.
- Tight end Zach Sudfeld has re-signed with the Jets, agent Jason Bernstein tweets. Manish Mehta of the Daily News (on Twitter) adds that it is a one-year deal. Sudfeld was a restricted free agent, so his new deal will presumably be for less than the low-round tender of $1.671MM.
- The Chiefs announced (on Twitter) that they have signed defensive lineman David King and linebacker Efe Obada.
- The Dolphins have re-signed linebacker James-Michael Johnson, per Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports (on Twitter).
- The Chargers re-signed ERFA guard Kenny Wiggins, Balzer tweets.
- The Jets will not tender an offer to punter Ryan Quigley, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets.
Cowboys To Sign Cedric Thornton
5:55pm: Language in Thornton’s pact with the Cowboys calls for Thornton to receive $9MM in guaranteed money, with the aforementioned $6MM amount being the fully guaranteed portion, Getlin tweets.
4:57pm: The four-year deal is worth $17MM with a chance to reach $18MM, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Of that sum, $6MM is guaranteed.
4:18pm: The Cowboys have agreed to sign Cedric Thornton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a four-year deal, per Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The deal is worth $18MM, per Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Thornton, 28 in June, started all 16 games for the Eagles in 2014, posting 36 tackles, one sack, and three fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. In that season, the Southern Arkansas alum graded as the league’s 20th-best 3-4 defensive end, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and was especially proficient against the run, where his +11.3 grade placed him eighth at his position.
This past season, Thornton racked up 32 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass deflection. PFF (sub. req’d) rated him as the 44th best defensive tackle in the league with a 76.2 grade. That slotted him just behind fellow unrestricted free agents Haloti Ngata and Akiem Hicks. Here at PFR, we considered Thornton to be this year’s sixth-best available interior defensive lineman, behind Malik Jackson, Damon Harrison, Ian Williams, Jaye Howard, and Nick Fairley.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cowboys, Tyrone Crawford Restructure Contract
The Cowboys have restructured the contract of defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford, opening up about $4.4MM in cap room, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link). The move will help create some additional flexibility for Dallas as the team goes about its offseason business.
Crawford, who inked a new contract extension in September, was set to earn a fully guaranteed $6.75MM base salary in 2016. Instead, he’ll reduce that salary to $1.25MM, converting $5.5MM into a signing bonus. That bonus will be paid to him immediately, but will be spread out on the Cowboys’ cap for the next five seasons at a rate of $1.1MM annually.
While the move reduces Crawford’s 2016 cap number from $8.75MM to $4.35MM, it increases his cap charges in future seasons. From 2017 to 2020, Crawford will count for at least $9MM annually against the Cowboys’ cap, including $10.35MM in 2017.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Free Agent Rumors: Jackson, Broncos, Long
The Broncos offered Malik Jackson roughly $11MM per year before he signed with the Jaguars, Troy Renck of The Denver Post tweets. The Broncos also made a strong offer to Brock Osweiler before he decided to join up with the Texans. The Broncos did not want to let linebacker Brandon Marshall get away, of course, which is why they used a second round RFA tender on him. When it comes to Danny Trevathan, however, the team decided to move on, so the front office wasn’t too crushed when he signed with the Bears.
Here are the latest free agent rumors:
- Defensive end Chris Long wants to play for a winning team, Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com tweets. Long has spoken with the Falcons, Cowboys, and Washington, and a decision should be coming soon.
- Tight end Jermaine Gresham is on his way to the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It’s an interesting visit as the Bears toy with the idea of trading Martellus Bennett.
- Free agent guard Louis Vasquez will visit the Titans, but it will happen this weekend rather than on Friday as originally planned, John Glennon of The Tennessean tweets.
- Cornerback Sherrick McManis is visiting with an AFC East team today, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. McManis, who led the Bears with 17 special teams tackles, could still re-sign with Chicago.
Latest On O’Brien Schofield
THURSDAY, 1:47pm: “I would love to be back in Atlanta. [I] thought I did some good things. We aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on a contract,” Schofield told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Meanwhile, Schofield says (Twitter link) that the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Seahawks have made preliminary inquiries on him.
TUESDAY, 10:54am: The Falcons and outside linebacker/defensive end O’Brien Schofield are working together on a deal, but Schofield also is generating interest from a trio of rival teams, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. The Cowboys, Bears, and Titans have also expressed interest in adding the veteran. 
When speaking to the media late last month, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said that he’d like to Schofield re-signed this offseason. Schofield, 29 in April, appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season and made 11 starts. In total, he racked up 28 tackles and 2.0 sacks with 1 forced fumble.
The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) weren’t necessarily enamored with Schofield’s play last season. Schofield earned a 69.0 overall grade, placing him as the No. 71 edge defender in the NFL last season. That ranking did, however, place him ahead of fellow free agents Kroy Biermann, Calvin Pace, and Darryl Tapp.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.