Monday’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed (ERFA tender): OL Cole Van Lenen
- Waived: RB Mekhi Sargent
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: LB Andrew Dowell
Jacksonville lost a key member of their offensive line during the initial wave of free agency last month, but a notable addition could be coming soon. The Jaguars hosted veteran tackle Cameron Fleming on a free agent visit, per ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). 
Jawaan Taylor inked a four-year, $80MM deal with the Chiefs to protect the blindside after occupying the right tackle spot throughout his four years in Duval County. That move left a sizeable vacancy up front for the Jaguars, who have been far less active on the open market in 2023 than they were the previous offseason given their much different financial situation.
Taylor priced himself out of Jacksonville, but Fleming would represent a capable replacement. The 30-year-old did enough in limited action in 2021 to earn himself a new deal with the Broncos last summer. Brought in to provide experienced depth, he ended up starting all 15 games he appeared in over the course of the season, logging a snap percentage of 98%.
Fleming, who started his career in New England before seeing time with the Cowboys and Giants, had one of his best seasons in 2022 in terms of PFF evaluation. The Stanford product earned an overall grade of 72.6, a new personal high mark. Pass protection in particular was seen as a strength of his performance, though another deal allowing him to remain in the Mile High City would be very unlikely.
The Broncos made one of the other big splashes on the o-line market last month, signing RT Mike McGlinchey to a five-year, $87.5MM contract. That was part of their major investment up front, with left guard Ben Powers also landing a big-ticket deal. That leaves Fleming on the market for a new team, and Jacksonville could certainly be an appealing destination given their success in 2022 and potential for further postseason runs in the immediate future.
The Jaguars currently have just over $10MM in cap space, which would comfortably be enough to sign Fleming on a deal worth the relatively modest amounts he has made during his career. The fact that he has also seen extended time at left tackle during points in Denver and elsewhere, coupled with his level of play last season, could up his asking price to a degree, however. Jacksonville could still be a suitable landing spot for him to at least compete for a starting spot with 2021 second-rounder Walker Little on the right side.
Here are a few details on recent contract restructures around the league:
- Lions edge rusher Romeo Okwara came to an agreement to restructure his contract at the beginning of the week. According to Field Yates of ESPN, the renegotiated contract reduces his cap hit in 2023 from $14.5MM to $5.65MM.
- After center Brian Allen reportedly agreed to a renegotiated deal, the Rams benefitted from a bit of cap relief. According to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com, Allen’s restructured contract saved approximately $3.2MM in cap space for Los Angeles.
- The Jaguars were able to reach an agreement on a restructured contract with defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi recently. The team converted $7.38MM of Fatukasi’s base salary into a signing bonus and added three void years. The moves resulted in about $5.9MM of additional cap space in 2023.
The Jaguars have, as expected, had a quiet offseason so far. Retaining key members of the 2022 squad which went on a surprising playoff run has been the team’s priority, something which resulted in the franchise tag being used on tight end Evan Engram. 
That move came as little surprise, after contract talks didn’t yield a multi-year deal before the tag deadline earlier in the month. Negotiations can continue on that front until mid-July, but much progress apparently remains to be made in the coming weeks. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that the two sides “weren’t particularly close” to finalizing a new contract before the deadline.
Engram, 28, came to Jacksonville last offseason on a one-year, $9MM contract. That proved to be a wise move for both parties, as the former Giant put up career-highs in catches (73) and yards (766) in the regular season. He remained productive in the playoffs, recording 124 yards and a touchdown on 12 postseason receptions. After the season, the former first-rounder confirmed that mutual interest exists for a long-term contract to result from the success of his debut season.
The tight end tag cost ($11.35MM) in 2023 made Engram a logical recipient of the one-year contract. He likely would have been able to command a sizeable pact on the open market as arguably the top option at his position, but Jacksonville will now have him for at least one more season regardless of how talks proceed. The AFC South champions have an intriguing receiver tandem in place with Christian Kirk and trade acquisition Calvin Ridley at the top of the depth chart, but little in the way of experienced tight ends aside from Engram.
The Jaguars currently have just over $10MM in cap space, a figure which places them mid-pack in the league in terms of flexibility. Part of that will need to be kept aside to sign their draft class, but it could allow them to absorb the cap hit on a new Engram contract if one can be worked out by the summer. For that to take place, though, the two sides will need to make headway compared to where things currently stand on the negotiation front.
As the initial surge of free agency has died down a bit, there are still several assets available on the market. The Giants have been fairly active in free agency and have had quite a few free agents visit for evaluations.
After allowing starting center Jon Feliciano to depart for San Francisco in free agency, the team decided to kick the tires on center J.C. Hassenauer, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The former Steeler has some starting experience and would add some depth and competition behind Ben Bredeson.
The team also decided to check out a potential depth piece for the secondary in former Vikings cornerback Kris Boyd, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota. Boyd was able to provide some defensive depth as a seventh-round draft pick out of Texas for the Vikings, but his true value in Minnesota came on special teams, an added benefit that should help him find a roster spot moving forward.
If you thought the Giants had enough receivers, they clearly don’t agree as they reportedly hosted former Raiders and Falcons wideout Bryan Edwards, according to Jordan Schultz of theScore. Edwards barely played last year after getting traded to Atlanta and signing to the Chiefs’ practice squad, but he gets a chance to compete for serious snaps in New York. The Giants have a bevy of wide receivers but lack any sure-handed starters. The team returns Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, David Sills, and Collin Johson but has added Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and Jeff Smith in free agency. It looks like a collection of strong No. 3 and 4 receivers that lacks the talent of a strong No. 1 or 2. This provides Edwards a window to perform well and earn playing time.
Lastly, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, the team hosted linebacker Justin Hollins, who started five games for the Rams last year. Hollins would be another potential depth piece for the Giants’ defense.
Here are a few other workout rumors from around the league:
- After getting released by the Ravens for cap purposes, the former “Mayor of Sacksonville” could be poised for a return to the Jaguars. According to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, defensive lineman Calais Campbell visited his former team this past week. After an earlier visit with the Falcons, the veteran also has future visits planned with the Bills and Jets, according to Tiffany Blackmon of 92.9 The Game.
- The Seahawks may be looking to replace some defensive line depth after losing defensive end L.J. Collier to free agency. Seattle hosted veteran defensive end Mario Edwards earlier this week, according to Yates. Edwards is looking to join potentially his sixth franchise since entering the league. He started seven games for the Titans last year.
- After losing safety Marcus Epps to free agency, the Eagles continue to look at safety options. Philadelphia hosted safety Keanu Neal earlier this week, according to Yates. Unfortunately for Neal, the team signed former Steelers first-round pick Terrell Edmunds yesterday, adding him to the addition of Justin Evans. Neal has experience playing linebacker, though, which may afford him an additional chance to make a roster as free agency continues.
- While the wide receiver waters have been fairly stagnant, former Chargers wideout DeAndre Carter‘s market is starting to heat up. After a career year, the 29-year-old visited the Raiders yesterday, according to Schultz. The Raiders have added Jakobi Meyers, Phillip Dorsett, and Steven Sims after losing Mack Hollins. Carter would likely be competing for WR3 snaps behind Davante Adams and Meyers.
- Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, who last appeared in an NFL game in 2020 with the Ravens, is seeking a return to the NFL. Fluker spent 2021 on three different teams’ practice squads, but after getting released from the Jaguars’ on New Year’s Eve 2021, he has remained a free agent for over a year. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Fluker worked out at Alabama’s pro day this year with top prospects Bryce Young and Will Anderson. The workout drew some attention from NFL teams and could help Fluker make it back to the league.
Today’s lone tender decision in the NFL:
ERFAs
Tendered:
Jacksonville Jaguars
Patterson will be extending his stay in Jacksonville, having kicked for the Jaguars full-time in 2022. The 23-year-old went 30-for-35 on field goal attempts last season, making all but one of his extra point attempts. Those figures will earn him the opportunity to hold down the top spot on the depth chart again in 2023, as he and the Jaguars look to build on their shared success from last campaign.
Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DE Michael Dogbe, DT Henry Mondeaux
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: CB Kemon Hall, K Cameron Dicker
Los Angeles Rams
- Re-signed: DT Michael Hoecht
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Troy Reeder
- Re-signed: FB C.J. Ham
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Austin Bryant
The Browns could well lose their second- and third-string running backs from the past two seasons. While Kareem Hunt remains unsigned, D’Ernest Johnson will change teams.
Johnson is signing a one-year deal with the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Browns were interested in retaining Johnson, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com adds (on Twitter), but the Florida native will move on after four seasons in Ohio.
Jacksonville has both re-signed its second-stringer from last season — JaMycal Hasty — and now added Johnson as a Travis Etienne backup option. Johnson, 27, did not see much action last season, but injuries to Hunt and Nick Chubb in the past allowed the former Alliance of American Football performer some run in Cleveland. Hunt missing time in 2021 opened the door to a 534-yard Johnson rushing season, leading the Browns to retain him via a one-year, $2.43MM contract in 2022.
With both Chubb and Hunt out for a Thursday-night game against the Broncos in 2021, Johnson displayed his ball-carrying chops to a national audience. The unlikely NFLer powered the Browns to a victory with a 146-yard rushing performance, adding 22 receiving yards during the victory. Johnson also produced a 99-yard game against the Patriots that season and zoomed for 123 against Bengals backups in a meaningless Week 18 contest.
Chubb is signed to a three-year, $36.6MM extension, which runs through the 2024 season. Hunt played out his second Browns contract last season. The team has 2022 fifth-round pick Jerome Ford, along with John Kelly and Nate McCreary on its offseason roster. Ford totaled eight carries last season, which topped Johnson’s four in the Chubb-Hunt attack. While Hunt has long been expected to leave, he is one of the last notable backs still unsigned. The market not producing an early deal for the Cleveland-area native could potentially lead to he and the Browns discussing another partnership.
The Jaguars gave Hasty a two-year, $2.9MM extension earlier this offseason. It should not be expected Johnson’s deal will surpass this by much — if at all. Etienne overtook James Robinson as Jacksonville’s starter early last season, leading the Jags to trade their two-time 1,000-yard rusher to the Jets. Robinson, who made little impact in New York, is now with New England. Two years remain on Etienne’s rookie deal, and the Jags can keep him through 2025 via the fifth-year option.
The Broncos have been one of the league’s busiest teams in free agency, authorizing multiple big-money deals to bolster their offensive and defensive fronts (among other areas of need). The club is also finalizing a lower-profile transaction to keep a core special-teamer and key secondary reserve on board.
Per Mike Klis of 9News.com, Denver and cornerback Essang Bassey were putting the finishing touches on a one-year contract last night. Bassey, whom the Broncos signed as a UDFA in 2020, was eligible for restricted free agency after having accrued three years of service time. However, even the lowest-level RFA tender would have cost Denver $2.63MM, which the team deemed too expensive. So the Broncos non-tendered Bassey, thereby allowing him to hit the open market.
Klis says that the Jaguars and one other team showed serious interest in Bassey’s services, and it appeared as if Jacksonville would land him. The Jags, though, re-signed fellow CB Tre Herndon, which led Bassey to believe that a return to Denver was his best bet.
Bassey was a pleasant surprise for the Broncos in his rookie campaign in 2020, getting into 12 games (three starts) and securing a spot as the team’s top nickelback. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL late that year and missed most of 2021 as a result. He did play in one game apiece for the Broncos and Chargers — who had claimed him off waivers — in December 2021, and he returned to the Broncos last year. He saw action in 14 contests in 2022, participating in 23% of Denver’s defensive plays and 62% of the club’s special teams snaps.
In his career, the 24-year-old has recorded 39 tackles, an interception, and four passes defensed. In 2023, he will likely reprise his roles as a rotational member of the Broncos’ defensive backfield and as a regular third phase contributor.
Today’s minor moves around the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Re-signed: CB Cornell Armstrong
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: S C.J. Moore
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: DE Adam Gotsis
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: LB Curtis Bolton, OL Hroniss Grasu, FB Jakob Johnson
- Signed: LS Jacob Bobenmoyer
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: S Cody Davis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Re-signed: OLB Cam Gill, DL Pat O’Connor
Armstrong saw by far the largest workload of his career in 2022, his first season with the Falcons. Starting four of the nine games he appeared in, he logged a 57% snap share on defense. The 27-year-old had offers from other teams, per his agent (on Twitter), but he will instead remain in Atlanta on a one-year contract (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2).
Moore is one of several core special teamers earning new deals in recent days. His new Lions pact is two years in length, and has a base value of $4.5MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Moore will earn $3MM guaranteed, and could add a further $1.25MM in incentives.