Marrone Still Hasn't Heard From Albert
Albert cannot be fined until June 13, when the Jags convene for their mandatory minicamp. O’Halloran reports that when Albert came to Jacksonville for a post-trade press conference in March, a source indicated a new contract wasn’t coming for the 32-year-old blocker. The tackle market then exploded, with less proven players like Matt Kalil, Riley Reiff and Russell Okung all signing for at least $11MM per year and each receiving at least $24MM in guarantees. This leads O’Halloran to believe Albert had a change of heart about playing on his Dolphins-constructed contract this season. Albert is now the 15th-highest-paid left tackle, in terms of AAV. The two-time Pro Bowler’s deal has no guaranteed money remaining.
- The Jaguars are lining up Cam Robinson exclusively at left tackle, O’Halloran tweets. Arriving as a second-round pick from Alabama, Robinson was believed to be viewed as either a tackle or guard. The Jags have some uncertainty at left guard despite re-signing Patrick Omameh, so an ideal setup may be Albert at left tackle and Robinson at left guard. With Albert’s status unknown, the franchise is not arranging its pieces this way.
Doug Marrone was emphatic today when declaring he still hasn’t heard from recently acquired left tackle Branden Albert, per Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. The new full-time Jaguars coach seemed to indicate Tom Coughlin and Dave Caldwell have checked in with him about the situation involving the AWOL trade acquisition.
- The Jaguars are lining up Cam Robinson exclusively at left tackle, O’Halloran tweets. Arriving as a second-round pick from Alabama, Robinson was believed to be viewed as either a tackle or guard. The Jags have some uncertainty at left guard despite re-signing Patrick Omameh, so an ideal setup may be Albert at left tackle and Robinson at left guard. With Albert’s status unknown, the franchise is not arranging its pieces this way.
- The Jaguars are expected to give Leonard Fournette a fully guaranteed contract like the Panthers did for Christian McCaffrey, O’Halloran notes. McCaffrey’s $17.24MM deal as the No. 8 overall pick will be well shy of what O’Halloran expects to be a fully guaranteed pact for the No. 4 overall choice, who would earn $27.15MM. That amount would exceed the league’s top guarantee for a running back. Ezekiel Elliott‘s $24.97MM guarantee leads this position by a healthy margin presently, with LeSean McCoy having the top veteran-contract guarantee at $18.25MM.
Draft Pick Signings: 5/12/17
The Texans announced the signing of Deshaun Watson and five other draft picks today. The former Clemson quarterback will make $13.85MM with an $8.25MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The Lions also signed first-rounder Jarrad Davis, along with seven other draft choices.
Here are the rest of Friday’s draft signings.
- The Broncos and second-round defensive end Demarcus Walker arrived at an agreement, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports (on Twitter). It’s a four-year worth upwards of $5.1MM for the Florida State defensive end, per Jhabvala, who adds he will receive a $1.8MM signing bonus. Walker is expected to compete with Jared Crick and Zach Kerr for the Broncos’ right defensive end position opposite Derek Wolfe. Walker is the second defensive end Denver’s drafted in the past two years, following Adam Gotsis, who did not play much last season.
- Both of the Jaguars‘ seventh-round selections are now signed. The Jags inked cornerback Jalen Myrick and fullback Marquez Williams. A Minnesota product, Myrick is a notable seventh-round choice because the ex-Golden Gopher defender blazed to the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28 seconds) a Big Ten player has clocked since the Combine began measuring these times. Williams spent three seasons at Division II Mars Hill (North Carolina) before transferring to Miami for his senior season. The Jags still have five unsigned picks.
- Four late-round draft picks agreed to terms with the Titans, the team announced. Sixth-round guard/center Corey Levin is signed. So are seventh-rounders Josh Carraway, a linebacker, Brad Seaton, a tackle, and running back Khalfani Muhammad.
- The 49ers signed third-round pick Ahkello Witherspoon, a cornerback out of Colorado, the team announced. Witherspoon was the second Buffaloes corner to come off the board in last month’s draft, following Cowboys second-rounder Chidobe Awuzie. Witherspoon led Division I in pass deflections last season with 22, a number that tied an 18-year-old Colorado school record.
Zach Links contributed to this report.
Jaguars To Work Out Kelcie McCray
Traded prior to two of the past three NFL seasons, Kelcie McCray is now a free agent. The veteran safety is set to make his first visit of this offseason, a trip to Jacksonville to meet with Jaguars brass, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (on Twitter).
McCray will work out for the Jags on Monday, Wilson notes. The would-be sixth-year player is a UFA after being traded from the Buccaneers to the Chiefs in 2014 and from the Chiefs to the Seahawks before the ’15 season. With Seattle, McCray made seven starts as an auxiliary member of the Legion of Boom over the past two seasons. He made a career-high 35 tackles in 2016.
Free agent business is reigniting after the May 9 compensatory pick deadline passed, meaning teams can now sign players without such additions affecting the 2018 compensatory formula.
The 28-year-old McCray spent time with the Dolphins and Bucs before playing in 16 games for the 2014 Chiefs as a backup and suiting up for each game the past two Seahawks outfits played. The Jags signed Barry Church this offseason to team with Tashaun Gipson, so they’re likely on the lookout for depth. Several other young safeties populate the Jacksonville roster, but none has the kind of experience McCray does.
Jaguars Sign Seventh-Rounder Jalen Myrick
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Round 7 (No. 222): Jalen Myrick, CB (Minnesota) [via John Oesher of Jaguars.com, on Twitter]
Jaguars To Host WR Victor Cruz On Visit
Victor Cruz will visit the Jaguars, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. He’ll be in Jacksonville on May 23-24 and he’ll work out for the team while he’s there.
[RELATED: Jaguars Release LB Marcus Rush]
So far, Cruz hasn’t garnered much interest on the open market, but the veteran says that he wants to continue playing and has no plans to retire. It’s possible that he could find a landing spot in Jacksonville where his former coach Tom Coughlin is now calling the shots. Cruz caught 303 passes and 25 touchdowns under Coughlin’s watch with the Giants, so this seems like a natural fit for the 30-year-old.
The Jaguars have a solid receiver group headlined by Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Marqise Lee. There has been some talk of the Jags using rookie Dede Westbrook as their slot receiver this year, but it might also make sense for them to bring in a vet like Cruz to help him get acclimated to the role.
Jaguars Release LB Marcus Rush
The Jaguars have released linebacker Marcus Rush, the team announced. 
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Rush, 26 in June, went undrafted out of Michigan State in 2015 and spent his first two years in the pros on San Francisco’s taxi squad. In December of last year, the Jaguars signed him off of the 49ers’ practice squad. Rush didn’t get a real opportunity to play in Jacksonville either, unfortunately, and he is still waiting to get a chance to show what he can do in live action. In the 2016 preseason, Rush led the league with six sacks in exhibition, so there’s reason to believe that he can be a contributor.
In other Jaguars news, the team hosted safety Aaron Williams on a visit last week, but there’s no deal just yet. Tight end Gary Barnidge, who has drawn the interest of multiple teams, may meet with the Jaguars in the coming days.
Jaguars Hosting Safety Aaron Williams
The Jaguars are meeting with free agent safety Aaron Williams today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Williams, 27, has suffered severe neck injuries in each of the past two seasons, and despite the inherent risk in continuing his career, Williams has no plans to retire at this time. A six-year NFL veteran, Williams has been a starter for the majority of his NFL tenure, posting seven interceptions and 183 tackles through 59 total games. Health concerns have only allowed him to play in 10 contests from 2015-16, however.
In Jacksonville, Williams would be a clear-cut reserve, as the Jaguars have invested heavily in the safety position during the past two offseasons. Tashaun Gipson and Barry Church are each in the midst of multi-year contracts, so Williams wouldn’t have a shot at a starting job. However, he’d give the Jaguars high-level depth, and could also contribute on special teams and in three-safety looks.
Williams, whom Buffalo released on the first day of the 2017 league year, is PFR’s No. 9 free agent safety.
Gary Barnidge May Visit Panthers, Jaguars
If tight end Gary Barnidge leaves his visit with the Bills without a contract, he figures to take several more trips. Barnidge is halting his free agent tour to attend the Kentucky Derby on Sunday, but may meet with the Panthers and Jaguars in the near future, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Were Barnidge to sign with Carolina, he’d return to the club where he spent the first four years of his NFL career. Barnidge, 31, was a bit player during his stint with the Panthers, as he only totaled 18 receptions during his time with the team. The Panthers were linked to a number of tight ends during the draft, but ultimately stood pat with Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, and Chris Manhertz.
Jacksonville, too, neglected to draft a tight end last week even after trading Julius Thomas to the Dolphins earlier this offseason. At present, the Jaguars’ tight end depth chart is comprised of Marcedes Lewis, Mychal Rivera, Ben Koyack, Neal Sterling, and Alex Ellis. Barnidge would likely become Jacksonville’s No. 1 tight end upon signing.
Bardnidge broke out during the 2015 campaign when he hauled in 79 receptions for 1,043 and nine touchdowns for the Browns. His numbers dipped last season, but he still managed 55 receptions, 14th among NFL tight ends.
Former Ravens RB Justin Forsett Retires
Justin Forsett is retiring. The longtime NFL running back is hanging up his cleats after nine seasons. 
“It’s time. I’m officially announcing my retirement from the game I love,” Forsett wrote. “Its been an amazing ride and I’m grateful for every moment. My career has brought so many great people into my life, and I asked some of them to join me in saying goodbye. Against all odds, critics, and naysayers, I accomplished something great. Scouts measured my height and said I was too short. They measured my 40-yard dash and said I was too slow. They looked at my build and said I wouldn’t last. But they couldn’t measure my heart, my faith, and my perseverance. I am living proof that dreams come true and God answers prayers, and I thank God everyday for the opportunity to live out my dream.”
Forsett was a backup for the first six years of his career until 2014 when he got his big opportunity with the Ravens. As Baltimore’s lead back, he ran for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.
After being held back by injuries in 2015, the Ravens cut him loose early in the 2016 season. In 44 combined carries for the Lions and Ravens in the fall, he posted just over 3.0 yards per rush on 44 tries. When he later hooked on with the Broncos, he averaged a mere 3.6 yards per carry on 43 attempts. Entering what would have been his age-32 season, it was clear that Forsett’s best football was behind him.
Forsett will be fondly remembered for his impressive 2014 campaign and his positive locker room influence. PFR wishes Forsett all the best in retirement.
Jaguars Sign 16 UDFAs, Cut 11 Players
The Jaguars announced that they have signed 16 undrafted free agents. In order to make room, they have released eleven players from the roster. Here’s the full rundown:
Signed:
- Caleb Bluiett, TE (Texas)
- Keelan Cole, WR (Kentucky Wesleyan)
- Parker Collins, C (Appalachian State)
- Tim Cook, RB (Oregon State)
- Jeremy Cutrer, CB (Middle Tennessee)
- P.J. Davis, LB (Georgia Tech)
- Hunter Dimick, DE (Utah)
- Amba Etta-Tawo, WR (Syracuse)
- Avery Gennesy, G (Texas A&M)
- Justin Horton, LB (Jacksonville)
- Tueni Lupeamanu, DT (Idaho)
- I’Tavius Mathers, RB (Middle Tennessee State)
- Charlie Miller, S (Dartmouth)
- Carroll Phillips, DE (Illinois)
- Ezra Robinson, CB (Tennessee State)
- Kenneth Walker, WR (UCLA)
Released:
- E.J. Bibbs, TE
- Bronson Hill, RB
- Colin Kelly, OL
- Sean Porter, LB
- Daryl Richardson, RB
- Gannon Sinclair, TE
- Elijah Shumate, S
- Arturo Uzdavinis, OL
- Greg Van Roten, OL
- Tony Washington, WR
- Raphael Kirby, LB
Dimick led the Pac-12 in sacks last season with 13.5 and earned a first-team All-Conference selection. Prior to the draft, one NFC West Coast scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com that Dimick’s work ethic is admirable, but his lack of natural talent may inhibit him at the next level.
“He’s more try-hard than talented. His effort is great. I love how hard he plays, but when you are as sawed-off as he is on the edge and you can’t unlock your hips, I don’t know how he is going to see the field,” the scout said.
Horton got $25K guaranteed from the Jaguars between his $5K bonus and $20K guaranteed base, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets.
The Jags’ roster is now at the 90-man max.