Texans Re-Sign Bradley Roby
The Texans have come to terms on a new deal with impending free-agent cornerback Bradley Roby, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26. Roby was set to be one of the better cornerbacks available on the free-agent market. Instead, Houston will bring him back on a deal that Mike Garafolo reports spans for three years and is worth up to $36MM. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle added that sources tell him the deal includes roughly $17MM in guaranteed money.
Wilson had Tweeted earlier today that sides were expected to get a deal done but had nothing set at that point. Now the Texans can go into free agency, which appears set to start on schedule, with one less position of uncertainty. Houston traded most of their draft capital before the season began to acquire left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills from the Dolphins and would have been left scrambling to fill another hole through free agency.
Roby has never been considered an elite player but has remained a consistent contributor since entering the league in 2014. Cornerback was set to be one of the deeper positions entering free agency with Roby alongside the Panthers’ James Bradberry and elite Cowboys corner Byron Jones, but one fewer option will now be available to teams in search of cornerback depth. That’s a blow to teams like the Eagles, who are reportedly set to target corners in free agency.
Broncos Notes: Harrises, Wolfe, OL, RBs
The Broncos both traded for A.J. Bouye (and a $13MM salary) and used their franchise tag on Justin Simmons, signaling Chris Harris‘ time in Denver was almost certainly up. The four-time Pro Bowler said during an NFL Network appearance the door is “pretty much” closed on a 10th Broncos season (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala). The decorated cornerback is expected to have at least 10 teams pursuing him, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. The Browns, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Jets, Lions, Raiders, Seahawks and Texans are expected to have “strong” interest in signing the 30-year-old defender, Renck adds. This list interestingly omits the Eagles, who have been linked to Harris at multiple junctures over the past five months.
Although Harris is arguably the best slot cornerback in NFL history, his consistent usage as a boundary player as well will likely push his market near the current corner standard of $15MM per year. He turned down the Broncos’ three-year, $36MM proposal before the trade deadline.
Here is the latest out of Denver:
- Denver’s Week 1 starting defensive line consisted of Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis. All three are poised to hit the market, with Gotsis doing so after being benched early in the season. Shelby Harris would prefer to stay in Denver but has acknowledged, at 28, this is his lone chance at a big payday. The Colts are among the teams interested in the late-blooming D-lineman, Renck notes.
- On the Wolfe subject, the eight-year veteran has been the most vocal about returning to Denver. His agent’s Combine meeting with the Broncos led him to believe he will hit the market. “[The Broncos] talked to my agent at the Combine. … It looks like they’re going to let me hit free agency, see what the market is,” Wolfe said during an interview with KOA Radio (via DNVR Sports’ Andrew Mason, on Twitter). “… It’s a nice way of saying, ‘We like you; we love you, but not for that kind of money.” The Broncos may bring back Wolfe or Shelby Harris, but not both. The team drafted Dre’Mont Jones in Round 3 last year, so it may be covered at one of its defensive end spots. Wolfe, 29, said during an interview with Sirius XM Radio (audio link) he is eyeing two to four more seasons.
- The Broncos’ interest in a running back stems not necessarily from their current regime’s desire to replace Phillip Lindsay but to complement him, per Renck, who adds the team is expected to add a bigger back in either free agency or the draft. Royce Freeman has underwhelmed in that role over the past two seasons.
- The Broncos plan to pursue a guard on the market, Renck notes (on Twitter). They declined Ronald Leary‘s 2020 option, so a replacement will be needed. They also may try to add a swing tackle and are likely to draft a tackle, which makes sense given left tackle Garett Bolles‘ struggles.
- Elijah Wilkinson was supposed to work as a Broncos swing man in 2019, but Ja’Wuan James‘ near-season-long absence thrust Wilkinson into Denver’s right tackle spot. He spent time as a first-string guard in 2018 and stands to factor into the Broncos’ 2020 plans at one of those two positions. The team is expected to use a priority tender on Wilkinson, per Renck. This will likely mean a second-round tender. That will cost more than $3MM.
Texans Re-Sign CB Phillip Gaines
Phillip Gaines is re-signing with Houston. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that the veteran cornerback has signed with the Texans. It’s a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum.
The 28-year-old has bounced around the league a bit since being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft. His best season came with the Chiefs in 2016, when he had 44 tackles, seven passes defended, an interception, and two forced fumbles.
After splitting the 2018 season with the Bills and Browns, Gaines signed with the Texans last September. After appearing in six games (two starts) for his new squad, Gaines landed on the injured reserve.
The Texans were presumably eyeing some cornerback reinforcement after the squad and Johnathan Joseph mutually agreed to part ways. On the flip side, the organization has reportedly made re-signing Bradley Roby a priority.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/20
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: LB Tyrell Adams
Minnesota Vikings
- Released with failed physical designation: TE David Morgan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Re-signed exclusive rights free agent: TE Tanner Hudson
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/12/20
Today’s restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions will be posted below:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Cowboys: QB Cooper Rush (original round level)
- Texans: LB Dylan Cole (original round level)
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Bengals: CB Tony Brown
- Dolphins: WR Isaiah Ford, LB Trent Harris, DT Zach Sieler
- Eagles: P Cameron Johnston
LB Kenneth Murray To Meet With 15 Teams
Kenneth Murray is a popular man. The Oklahoma linebacker told NFL.com’s James Palmer that he’s set to meet with 15 teams in the coming weeks (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com).
Murray revealed that he’ll start his workout circuit with the Texans on March 18th before having visits “back-to-back-to-back.” The Ravens, Raiders, Cowboys and Cardinals are among the teams that the linebacker is expected to meet with.
After earning a second-team All-Big 12 nod in 2018, Murray got first-team recognition following a standout 2019 campaign. The junior finished the season with 102 tackles, four sacks, and four passes defended.
Murray is in contention to be the second linebacker off the board after Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, and he could be selected as early as midway through the first round. He didn’t participate in Oklahoma’s pro day today after having tweaked his hamstring during the 40-yard dash at the Combine. Fortunately, he told Palmer that he’s almost back to full health.
“The hamstring is doing good,” Murray told Palmer. “I’ll be fully healthy in a couple of days.”
Latest On Texans Free Agents
The Texans have a number of notable players hitting free agency, but it sounds like the front office has made re-signing Bradley Roby a priority. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that Houston will “do what they can” to keep many of their free agents, a grouping that’s “especially” led by the 28-year-old cornerback.
Roby inked a one-year, $10MM deal with the Texans last offseason, but he was limited to only 10 games (10 starts) during his first season in Houston. Roby finished the campaign having compiled 38 tackles, eight passes defended, two interceptions (including a pick-six), and one forced fumble.
On the other side of the ball, it sounds like the organization is hoping to retain veteran running back Carlos Hyde. However, as Wilson passes along, Hyde declined a contract offer from the organization and is set to hit free agency. The 29-year-old started 14 games and had his first career 1,000-yard season in 2019. Fellow running back Lamar Miller, who was sidelined with a torn ACL last year, will also be heading to free agency.
Wilson passes along updates on a number of other Texans free agents. The organization is hoping to re-sign running back/special teamer Taiwan Jones and linebackers Tyrell Adams, Dylan Cole and Barkevious Mingo. On the flip side, the organization isn’t expected to bring back safety Jahleel Addae.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/11/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LS Jacob Bobenmoyer
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: WR DeAndre Carter
Texans Will Allow CB Johnathan Joseph To Hit Free Agency
The Texans will allow veteran CB Johnathan Joseph to reach free agency, per a team announcement. The announcement noted that the two sides mutually agreed to this course of action.
Joseph, a 2006 first-round pick of the Bengals, spent the first five years of his career with Cincinnati before signing a five-year, $48.75MM with the Texans prior to the 2011 season (a transaction that today’s announcement said was possibly the most celebrated free agent signing in franchise history). Joseph earned a Pro Bowl nod in both of his first two seasons in Houston, and he went on to appear in 133 games (128 starts) with the team.
After the expiration of the five-year contract, Joseph signed two two-year deals to remain with the Texans. In 2018, he turned in one of the better seasons of his career, notching 58 tackles, two interceptions, and a touchdown en route to a top-10 ranking in Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. That performance led Houston to reward Joseph with a raise, but he was not nearly as effective in 2019.
Nonetheless, even cornerbacks on the back nine of their careers can still attract plenty of attention on the open market, especially those with track records like Joseph’s. And Mark Berman of Fox 26 hears that Joseph, 35, could still return to the Texans after he has seen what other teams have to offer (Twitter link).
But in the meantime, Houston will search for an upgrade. The Texans were interested in trading for Broncos CB Chris Harris prior to the 2019 deadline, and Troy Renck of Denver7 says the team is again showing strong interest in Harris — who is now eligible for free agency — this offseason (Twitter link).
In a career that has spanned exactly 200 regular season contests, Joseph has accumulated 755 tackles, 194 passes defensed, and a healthy seven pick-sixes. He has earned over $80MM between the Bengals and Texans.
Texans To Work Out WR Jordan Taylor
- The Texans will take a look at a notable wide receiver soon. They will work out former Broncos rotational cog Jordan Taylor, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle notes. Taylor has not played since the 2017 season. He spent 2018 on the Broncos’ PUP list, and though he caught on with the Vikings last year, the 28-year-old target did not see game action.