Jaguars To Visit With Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves
Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has visits lined up with eight clubs, including the Jaguars, Ravens, Cowboys, and Buccaneers, reports Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link). Hargreaves, considered one of the best defensive backs available in the draft, will probably garner interest from any team picking in the top 15.
Jaguars Work Out CFL Lineman
- The Jaguars worked out CFL offensive lineman Xavier Fulton today, a source tells Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). Fulton, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft, has spent the last few seasons playing left tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Jaguars Sign Kelvin Beachum
THURSDAY, 3:47pm: Beachum’s pact is a one-year, $4.5MM deal plus a four-year option worth $40MM, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a creative deal for the left tackle who is coming off of an ACL injury.
WEDNESDAY, 2:44pm: The Jaguars have officially signed Beachum, per John Oehser of Jaguars.com (Twitter link).
TUESDAY, 4:23pm: The Jaguars have agreed to sign offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Exact terms of the deal are not yet known.
Beachum, 26, was on his way to becoming one of the more reliable left tackles in the NFL before a torn ACL wiped out most of his 2015 season. The fact that he hasn’t fully recovered from that injury could have put a damper on his market, but teams apparently were confident that he would return to 100% health. Few offensive linemen on the market had as much upside as Beachum, who didn’t miss a game in 2014 as the Steelers’ left tackle.
In addition to the Jaguars and the incumbent Steelers, Beachum also drew interest from the Jets and Seahawks. The Jaguars, however, appeared to be his most fervent suitor. On Monday, it was reported that the Jags tried to convince the free agent not to board his flight going from Jacksonville to Pittsburgh. The Jaguars, ostensibly, did not want the lineman to leave without inking a contract, but the doors on the flight were already shut by the time the team reached him.
The Steelers, meanwhile, addressed their tackle situation on Tuesday afternoon by signing former Broncos lineman Ryan Harris. Once the Steelers moved on, the decision probably became a lot easier for Beachum.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Extra Points: Chancellor, Cardinals, Draft, Jets
Four-time Pro Bowl Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor hasn’t been shy about voicing his disenchantment with his current contract, going so far as to sit out all of last summer and then the first two games of the season in an effort to land a better one. Though that gambit backfired, he’s in no hurry to leave Seattle. Chancellor took to Instagram on Wednesday and posted a picture with the message: “I’m not going anywhere.” The 27-year-old also wrote, “Seattle is my Second home. I don’t plan on going anywhere unless some higher power places me elsewhere.” Chancellor has two years remaining on his deal.
More from around the NFL as we wrap up Wednesday…
- The right side of the Cardinals’ offensive line will consist of newly signed Evan Mathis (guard) and D.J. Humphries (tackle), while A.Q. Shipley is the current starter at center, according to general manager Steve Keim (Twitter link via Darren Urban of the team’s website).
- On the other side of the ball, newly acquired pass rusher Chandler Jones will shift from defensive end – where he played in New England – to outside linebacker for the Cardinals, per Keim. The deal to land Jones took about three days to execute, the GM added (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe). It’s worth mentioning that defensive ends cost more to franchise tag than linebackers ($15.701MM to $14.129MM this year), which could impact Jones – who will be a free agent next offseason.
- Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple has lined up visits with more than 16 teams, including the Rams, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Jaguars, per Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings has met with the Buccaneers, Steelers, 49ers and Lions, he told James Palmer of NFL Network (Twitter link).
- Receiver/returner Jordan Norwood will join linebacker Courtney Upshaw in visiting the Jets on Thursday, reports Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). Norwood, 29, has played sporadically with three different teams since entering the league in 2009. He spent last season with the champion Broncos, amassing 22 receptions and 11 returns, and set the record for the longest Super Bowl punt return (61 yards).
Free Agent Rumors: Okung, Givens, Jets
Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) opines that Russell Okung needs to shoot for a short-term contract with a lot of incentives. The veteran tackle, who is representing himself, saw his field of suitors go from four to three on Tuesday when the Steelers signed Ryan Harris. Now, Okung’s market is likely down to the Seahawks, Lions, and Giants, and that could hurt his bottom line when all is said and done.
Here are the latest free agent rumors:
- Wide receiver Chris Givens visited the Jets today, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Givens, a fourth-round pick in 2012, had his best season as a rookie, compiling 42 catches for 698 yards and three touchdowns. In October, he was traded from the Rams to the Ravens.
- Free agent linebacker Sean Spence visited the Jaguars today, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter). The 2012 third-round pick spent the first four years of his career in Pittsburgh, with which he amassed 90 tackles and two sacks in 31 regular-season appearances (13 starts).
- Free agent defensive end Jason Hatcher is visiting the Saints tonight, sources tell Kristian Garic of WWL (on Twitter). Hatcher was slated to count against Washington’s cap for $8.7MM in 2016 before his release earlier this month.
Contract Details: Weddle, Sensabaugh, Hayward
Listed below are several of the latest contract details on recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the NFL. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless other indicated.
AFC:
- Eric Weddle, S (Ravens): Four years, $26MM. $13MM guaranteed ($9MM fully guaranteed). $7MM signing bonus. $1MM roster bonus due on April 4. $4MM base salary guaranteed for injury at signing; becomes fully guaranteed if on the roster on the fifth day of the 2017 league year. $1MM annual Pro Bowl incentives from 2017 to 2019 (Twitter links).
- Casey Hayward, CB (Chargers): Three years, $15.3MM. $6.8MM guaranteed. $2.5MM signing bonus. $3.3MM roster bonus due on March 18. $1MM roster bonuses due on third day of 2017, 2018 league years (Twitter links).
- Chris Hogan, WR (Patriots): Three years, $12MM. $7.5MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus paid on March 14. $500K in annual per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Mackenzy Bernadeau, OL (Jaguars): Two years, $3MM. $250K signing bonus. $250K option bonus to be exercised 22 days before first day of 2017 league year (Twitter links).
NFC:
- Coty Sensabaugh, CB (Rams): Three years, up to $19MM. $6.5MM guaranteed. $3.5MM roster bonus due on March 18. $1MM roster bonus due third day of 2017 league year (becomes fully guaranteed this Friday). $1.5MM annually incentives for playing time, fumble recoveries, interceptions, and playoffs (all Twitter links).
- J’Marcus Webb, G/T (Seahawks): Two years, $6MM. $2.45MM guaranteed. $1.2MM signing bonus. $500K in annual per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Zach Miller, TE (Bears): Two years, $5.5MM. $3MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $500K roster bonus due on March 18. $500K in annual per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1MM in annual incentives for playing time, catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns (Twitter links).
- Chris Conte, S (Buccaneers): One year, $3MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM roster bonus due on March 17. Up to $1MM in incentives for playing time, stats, and playoffs (Twitter link).
- Josh Robinson, CB (Buccaneers): One year, $2MM. $500K roster bonus due on March 18 (Twitter link).
- Sealver Siliga, DT (Seahawks): One year, $1.05MM. $200K signing bonus. $50K Week 1 active roster bonus. Up to $350K in incentives (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
- Bradley Sowell, T (Seahawks): One year, $1MM. $200K signing bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).
- Dan Orlovsky, QB (Lions): One year, minimum salary benefit. $160K guaranteed. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Red Bryant, DL (Cardinals): One year, minimum salary benefit. $55K Week 1 roster bonus. $25K workout bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
AFC Contract Details: L. Miller, D. Johnson, Woods
Here are several of the latest contract details from around the AFC on recently agreed-upon and signed deals. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…
- Lamar Miller, RB (Texans): Four years, $26MM. $14.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. $3.5MM roster bonus due on March 16. $750K in annual per-game active roster bonuses in 2018 and 2019 (all Twitter links).
- Derrick Johnson, ILB (Chiefs): Three years, $21MM. $9.75MM guaranteed. $5.25MM signing bonus. $1MM in per-game active roster bonuses in 2017 (Twitter link).
- Al Woods, DT (Titans): Three years, $10.5MM. $5MM guaranteed. $2.25MM signing bonus. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Prince Amukamara, CB (Jaguars): One year, $5.5MM. $3MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $500K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Rod Streater, WR (Chiefs): One year, $810K. $110K guaranteed. $10K signing bonus. $1MM in incentives based on touchdowns, catches, and yards (Twitter link).
- Kellen Davis, TE (Jets): One year, minimum salary benefit. $230K guaranteed. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Jamell Fleming, DB (Chiefs): One year, minimum salary benefit. $40K signing bonus. $40K first-game 53-man roster bonus (Twitter link).
Free Agent Rumors: Robinson, Jaguars, Beachum
Well, that was fun while it lasted. Just days after announcing a planned attempt at playing in the NFL, former NBA guard Nate Robinson has signed a deal with an Israeli basketball team, as Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors writes. Robinson, a former football standout at the University of Washington, had not stepped on the gridiron in more than a decade. Now, his NFL dream is on hiatus and, perhaps, done for good.
Here’s the latest on the guys who are still hoping to play in the NFL in 2016:
- Is this NFL free agency or a rom-com? The Jaguars tried to convince free agent Kelvin Beachum not to board his flight, hoping that he would stay and sign a contract before leaving (Twitter link via Josina Anderson of ESPN.com). However, the Steelers free agent tackle was already in his seat and could not leave the plane (link). Beachum is now on his way back to Pittsburgh where he says he will evaluate things (link). The tackle also has interest from the Jets and Jaguars.
- Free agent defensive end Jason Jones visited the Steelers, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Jones, 29, has been a full-time starter for the Lions for the last two seasons, picking up a total of 9.5 sacks in his last two seasons. In 2015, Pro Football Focus ranked him 43rd out of 110 qualified edge defenders, assigning him solid grades as both as a pass rusher and a run defender.
- Free agent tackle Andre Smith says that things are “even” between the Vikings and the Cardinals. Smith, the 38th-ranked player in PFR’s top 50 free agents list, was on the field for 567 pass snaps and 414 run snaps last season.
Jaguars Sign Prince Amukamara
MARCH 14, 8:07am: Amukamara’s one-year deal with the Jaguars has a base value of $5MM, including $3MM guaranteed, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. According to Yates, the pact has another $1MM available in bonuses and incentives.
MARCH 11, 7:03pm: The Jaguars have announced the deal, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
3:36pm: A busy week continues for the Jaguars, as the team has agreed to terms on a deal for free agent cornerback Prince Amukamara, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Schefter reports that it will be a one-year deal for Amukamara, who had been visiting 
Jacksonville today.
Entering free agency with the most cap room in the league, the Jaguars land one of free agency’s top cornerbacks on what looks like another audition for Amukamara in hopes of establishing his value to re-enter the market in 2017 in hopes of commanding a long-term pact.
Amukamara, the No. 3-ranked cornerback on PFR’s top 50 free agents list, has struggled with injuries throughout his five-year career. The former Giants first-rounder has started more than 11 games in a season just once, doing so in 2013, and has played in more than 13 games in a season only in ’13 as well.
The former Nebraska talent missed 13 games over the past two seasons, attaching the injury-prone label to the otherwise-solid corner. A torn pectoral muscle shelved Amukamara for five games in 2015.
Although the Giants finished with the worst pass defense in football last season, Amukamara rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 32 cornerback. The 26-year-old has just seven career interceptions, though his presence gave the Giants a strong cornerback tandem in teaming with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
DRC will pair with Janoris Jenkins in 2016 after the Giants distanced themselves from Amukamara and went with the former Rams second-rounder amid a historic spending spree.
The Jags further bolster their secondary after bringing Tashaun Gipson aboard. Jacksonville’s pass defense ranked 29th last season. Despite signing Davon House last year, the Jags’ cornerback contingent entered this offseason a thin arrangement. Both House and Aaron Colvin were mid-tier corners, per PFF, but ranked well behind Amukamara in 2015.
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
South Notes: Fleener, Weddle, Amukamara
The Colts chose to re-sign Dwayne Allen over fellow tight end Coby Fleener, and the latter went on to sign a five-year, $36MM deal with the Saints. And according to Fleener, it doesn’t sound Indianapolis put up too much of a fight to keep him. “The Colts’ lack of interest and the Saints’ interest made going to New Orleans an easy choice,” Fleener told Mike Wells of ESPN.com.
Here are a few more notes from the South divisions…
- Another former Colt, linebacker Jerrell Freeman, says the club never made him a free agent offer, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link). That seems to conflict from a report earlier today that indicated Indianapolis offered Freeman the same contract he ultimately signed with the Bears, but the dispute could stem from the notion that Freeman wasn’t offered a deal during free agency — this afternoon’s report said the Colts gave Freeman their proposal prior to March 9.
- The Buccaneers are not among the contenders for free agent safety Eric Weddle, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. Weddle is reportedly weighing offers from four teams, thought to be the Ravens, Steelers, Cowboys, and Raiders.
- Cornerback Prince Amukamara had other free agent trips planned, but he never got around to taking them after finding that he liked what the Jaguars were offering, Amukamara explained to reporters, including John Oehser of Jaguars.com. Amukamara agreed to a one-year deal with Jacksonville.