Bears’ Mills Tops Performance-Based Pay List
Bears rookie right tackle Jordan Mills, whose base salary was $495k last season, will receive approximately $318k from the performance-based pay pool, more than any other player in the league. Created in order to reward players who make the least and play the most, the performance-based league pool is $3.46MM per team. Each team’s performance-based pay leader can be found here, courtesy of USA Today.
Mills, a fifth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, started all 16 games for the Bears. However, his starts were more a reflection of the team’s lack of options, as Mills rated as one of the league’s worst starters, ranking last in pass protection (-32.5 rating) and hurries allowed (62). Other notables (dollar figures rounded):
- Vontaze Burfict (Bengals): $316k
- Ronald Leary (Cowboys): $307k
- Larry Warford (Lions): $261k
- Jason Kelce (Eagles): $260k
- David Bakhtiari (Packers): $257k
- Danny Trevathan (Broncos): $245k
- Keenan Allen (Chargers): $218k
- Will Hill (Giants): $215k
2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks
The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:
- 49ers: 3rd (100)
- Bears: None
- Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
- Bills: None
- Broncos: None
- Browns: None
- Buccaneers: None
- Cardinals: None
- Chargers: None
- Chiefs: None
- Colts: None
- Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Dolphins: None
- Eagles: None
- Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Giants: 5th (174)
- Jaguars: None
- Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
- Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
- Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
- Panthers: None
- Patriots: 4th (140)
- Raiders: None
- Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
- Redskins: None
- Saints: None
- Seahawks: None
- Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
- Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
- Titans: None
- Vikings: None
Cowboys Notes: Free Agency, Orton, Ratliff
Let’s round up a few Monday items related to the Cowboys….
- Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that his team is making a concerted effort to avoid players on the wrong side of 30, who are no longer in their primes, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. That helps explain why players like DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, and Miles Austin won’t be on the roster next season.
- One over-30 player is on his way back to the Cowboys, however, as agent David Dunn confirms his client Kyle Orton will return for 2014, rather than retire (Twitter link via Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas). Orton should enter the season as Tony Romo‘s primary backup, though he could get a push from newly-signed Brandon Weeden.
- The Cowboys have filed a complaint against former defensive tackle Jeremiah (Jay) Ratliff in an effort to recoup some of the money they paid him, owner Jerry Jones confirmed today (link via David Moore). “This type of conduct, unable to play for us one day and a few days later working out for another club, is undermining and needs to be addressed,” Jones said.
- According to Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys are looking to get back a portion of Ratliff’s $10MM signing bonus, a portion of his $1.34MM 2013 base salary, and monies owed on a luxury suite at AT&T Stadium.
NFC East Notes: Pryor, Redskins, FA Strategies
Following up on his article on Saturday where he wrote that Oakland QB Terrelle Pryor would be a good fit for the Eagles if he is released by the Raiders, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com elaborates in a different piece today. He notes that Pryor is almost certainly done in Oakland after the Raiders–who value Matt McGloin as a back-up–traded for Matt Schaub, and that Pryor’s athleticism and mobility would fit well in Chip Kelly‘s offense.
Mosher adds that Kelly actually had a great deal of interest in Pryor when Kelly was the head coach at Oregon and Pryor was a prized high school recruit. In short, then, the dots are there to connect, and if the Raiders release Pryor outright, the Eagles would be interested. If, however, the Raiders are more interested in trading Pryor for a late-round pick, the Eagles would probably balk, having already given up their extra fifth-round choice for Darren Sproles.
More from the NFC East:
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com writes that, despite the signing of Tracy Porter, the Redskins‘ secondary is still a work in progress and they remain in pursuit of a free agent cornerback. The team hosted Brandon Browner before he signed with New England and had a visit scheduled with Walter Thurmond before he signed with the Giants.
- Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Cowboys are still in the market for free agent defensive players even after the acquisitions of Henry Melton, Jeremy Mincey, and Terrell McClain. Executive vice president Stephen Jones, though, is looking “harder than ever” at a free agent’s age and injury history before striking a deal.
- Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News writes that the Giants have departed from their typical approach to free agency by spending big this offseason, and he believes they were right to do it.
NFC Notes: Rams, Redskins, Cowboys, Falcons
The upcoming season has long been targeted as the year the Rams will be legitimate contenders. Accordingly, the team has “margin for error next to zero in the NFL draft,” says ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. The Rams have been quiet in free agency, instead relying on the development of their young team and the potential to bolster the roster with draft picks, including two in the top 13, the first of which (No. 2 overall) is on the auction block. Wagoner asserts the time is now for the team to close the gap on Seattle and San Francisco, especially in the trenches. “…the most glaring difference between the Rams and their NFC West foes last year was how overmatched they were on the offensive line,” says Wagoner, who mentions tackles Greg Robinson (Auburn) and Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) as potential plug-and-play, impact options.
Other morning news and notes in the NFC:
- The Redskins have signed three inside linebackers this offseason, but the linebacker corps isn’t settled yet, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post: “The Redskins would like for [Perry] Riley to emerge as the leader of the defense, and become an extension of [defensive coordinator] Jim Haslett. But that could take some time. Riley led Washington in tackles last season, but he tended to disappear at times.” Meanwhile, the other inside linebacker spot is “up for grabs” with Adam Hayward, Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton set to compete.
- With Miles Austin out of the Cowboys’ plans, the team is open to adding a veteran receiver, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins, who calls free agent Nate Burleson a “perfect fit.”
- The Cardinals will look to add depth and size on defense in the draft, writes ESPN.com’s John Weinfuss. More specifically, the team is searching for a prospect to groom as Darnell Dockett‘s replacement, a taller, more athletic safety capable of matching with tight ends and another body at inside linebacker.
- The Falcons, in desperate need of pass rush, will have a private workout with with UCLA rush linebacker Anthony Barr before the end of the month, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. Barr could be an option for the No. 6 pick if South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney is off the board. Buffalo’s Khalil Mack could also fit the bill, but he does not have a visit scheduled with the Falcons as of Friday.
- The Lions could have their pick of defensive backs with the 10th overall selection, speculates Dustin Hockensmith of pennlive.com.
Contract Details: Fitzpatrick, Wootton, Melton
Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s contract details with the Texans have been reported by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Fitzpatrick’s deal is worth $7.2MM with $4MM guaranteed, and included $2.25MM in bonus money. Next year’s 3.25MM base salary is not guaranteed.
Here are some other contract details from around the NFL:
- Corey Wootton‘s deal with the Vikings carries $1MM in salary, with $500,000 in bonus money and an additional $500,000 in potential incentives, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
- Henry Melton will have the opportunity to make up to $5MM in the first year of his deal with the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. This includes $1.25MM in base salary and up to $2.25MM in potential bonus money. Melton will have the ability to earn an additional $1.5MM in incentives, based on playing time and how many times he can take down the quarterback.
- Calvin Pace re-signed with the Jets on a two-year deal worth $5MM earlier this week. The deal includes base salaries of $1.375MM in 2014 and $2.375MM in 2015, reports Manish Mehta (via Twitter).
- Kendrick Lewis‘ one year deal with the Texans will be worth $795,000 with $100,000 guaranteed (via Twitter).
- Antoine Cason‘s one-year deal with the Panthers is for the veteran minimum, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The $730,000 deal includes a $65,000 signing bonus.
- New Giant offensive lineman John Jerry‘s one-year deal is worth $770,000 with $25,000 in guaranteed money, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter).
NFC East Links: Redskins, Jackson, Cowboys
Although the Redskins have been fairly active in free agency, the team hasn’t really brought in any outside impact players besides defensive lineman Jason Hatcher, and there are still several holes on the roster, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. As such, GM Bruce Allen wasn’t necessarily brimming with enthusiasm when asked about his club’s free agent haul.
“I feel okay [about free agency],” Allen said. “It’s easier if you said we had one or two deficiencies to target players, but we needed to address every position on the football team except for quarterback. And, so we talked to a lot of players at the beginning of free agency, tried to calculate who we could afford and who we couldn’t, knowing that we needed at least a dozen if not more.”
As the Redskins continue to seek out players to potentially fill their roster holes, let’s round up a few other NFC East notes…
- Within Jones’ piece, he notes that the Redskins remain in talks with free agent safety Ryan Clark.
- Up until now, the Eagles haven’t commented publicly on the DeSean Jackson trade rumors swirling around the team, but as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, the team’s decision-makers won’t be able to avoid the media at the NFL’s annual meetings in Orlando next week. Florio believes the situation could come to a head within the next week. Yesterday, we heard that the Jets, Panthers, and Raiders are among the teams to have inquired about Jackson’s availability.
- Within his latest chat, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News fielded questions from Cowboys fans about the draft, the defense, and whether Anthony Spencer is still a viable free agent target.
Extra Points: MJD, Britt, Smith, Jets
Maurice Jones-Drew is currently looking for about $3.5MM per year on his next deal, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Even though the former Jaguars star has accomplished great things throughout his career, finding big money as an older tailback in this market could prove to be tough. More from around the NFL..
- Don’t bank on the Cowboys signing Jared Allen, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). Breer’s understanding is that it was an either/or proposition when it came to Allen and Henry Melton, whom Dallas signed earlier this week. That could change if Allen’s asking price comes down, however.
- The Bills and Panthers have expressed interest in wide receiver Kenny Britt and visits may be taking place with those teams, agent Pat Dye Jr. tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (via Twitter). Dye says a short-term deal for Britt, who has already checked in with the Redskins, Rams, and Patriots, is likely.
- On SNY (via Manish Mehta of the Daily News on Twitter), Jets coach Rex Ryan gave Geno Smith quite the endorsement. “Make no mistake about it: Geno Smith is going to be hard to beat out. I don’t care who we add,” Ryan said.
- The Jets have expressed a desire to re-sign guard Vlad Ducasse, but Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) sees him signing with the Bengals or Vikings.
- In addition to the Jets, the Panthers and Raiders have also called the Eagles about DeSean Jackson, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. There seems to be a healthy amount of interest in the 27-year-old.
- Former Browns All-Pro safety T.J. Ward indicated via Twitter that Cleveland’s new brass really didn’t want him back. “Quotes get misunderstood all the time,” the new member of the Broncos wrote. “Just FYI. Cleveland offered me nothing. Boom! There u have it. #GoBroncos.”
- The Panthers are working out receivers Kevin Cone, Lestar Jean, and C.J. Akins, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Aikins spent time with the Rams in 2013.
- Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he’s not done shopping just yet. “Free agency never closes. We’re always looking to add more players.“
NFC Notes: Jackson, Saints, Ihedigbo, Vikings
The Eagles reportedly want at least a third round pick for DeSean Jackson via trade, but Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com believes that might actually be optimistic. This year’s draft is unusually deep, meaning that the asking price for picks will be exceptionally high. Clubs may also be concerned about how productive Jackson could be in their own offenses as opposed to Philadelphia’s system. Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that cornerback Keenan Lewis has restructured his contract, creating some 2014 cap space for the Saints. Holder adds in a separate article that the club created $1.4MM in 2014 cap savings with Pierre Thomas‘ new deal.
- Safety James Ihedigbo has hired a new agent and the Lions can resume their pursuit of him if they want, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). Ihedigbo and Detroit appeared to be on the one-yard line in reaching an agreement but a snafu involving the safety’s agent held things up. The 30-year-old started all 16 games last season for the Ravens after recording just 15 starts in the first five years of his career.
- Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com breaks down Henry Melton‘s newly-signed contract with the Cowboys, which could be worth as little as $2.25MM and as much as $29MM.
- The Cowboys, Seahawks, Bears, and Dolphins had some level of interest in defensive tackle Tom Johnson before he agreed to sign with the Vikings, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link).
- Finding a replacement for Toby Gerhart to back up Adrian Peterson at running back sounds like a low priority for the Vikings, writes Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC Rumors: Brown, Williams, Redskins
Free agent cornerback Tarell Brown left the 49ers to sign a a one-year, $3.5MM deal with the Raiders in part, he says, because he didn’t get much of an offer from his old team. “[I]t wasn’t what I wanted and it was to me more of a slap in the face,” Brown told Erik Kuselias of Pro Football Talk. “But I understand that it’s a business and I understand that they have to do what is best for them and it’s no hard feelings. But what they offered me definitely wasn’t what I wanted and definitely wasn’t worth my value of what I’ve done in this league and how well I played these past 3-4 years in the league. So it’s understandable and like I said there’s never any hard feelings. They are doing a great job over there and I wish them the best.”
- Kevin Williams isn’t optimistic about his chances of returning to the Vikings, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I’m just sitting here waiting, man,” Williams said in a phone interview. “I don’t know (if I’ll be back). I thought there was a good chance early (in free agency). It keeps looking slimmer and slimmer, though. … I don’t know what their view is on it, but to me it’s getting slimmer.“
- Jared Allen is making a second visit to the Seahawks and could decide whether to join them in the next few days, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.
- New Redskins linebacker Akeem Jordan‘s one-year deal has just $65K guaranteed, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Appearing in 483 defensive snaps last season, Jordan recorded 67 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles, while ranking as the 11th-best inside linebacker out of 55 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Between the guaranteed money and his base salary, Jordan should see $920K in total.
- Free agent wide receiver Kevin Cone is set to workout for the Panthers on Friday, agent Mark Clouser tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cone, who was not extended an exclusive-rights tender by the Falcons earlier this offseason, also has interest from the Jaguars.
- New Cowboys defensive tackle Henry Melton says that he gave the Bears a real opportunity to keep him, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN. “We gave them a chance to make an offer, and they said they would wait to see what the market was and we don’t do business like that,” Melton said. “They dropped out early.”