AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Jags, Bengals, Ravens
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s check out some interesting notes from the AFC…
- While the Chiefs could certainly use a speedy wideout, Adam Teicher doesn’t think Andy Reid will pursue Jeremy Maclin. Reid was Maclin’s head coach for four seasons in Philadelphia.
- Meanwhile, Teicher doubts the Chiefs will cut wideouts Junior Hemingway and A.J. Jenkins, but he wouldn’t be shocked to see the team part ways with Donnie Avery.
- If the Jaguars were to overspend on one free agent, Michael DiRocco believes it would be Broncos tight end Julius Thomas. The writer also mentions that Ndamukong Suh is likely out of the team’s price range.
- Coley Harvey says the Bengals will not be using a draft pick on a quarterback this season. The team is committed to Andy Dalton as their starter, and Harvey suggests the team could bring back veteran Jason Campbell to compete with A.J. McCarron for the backup spot.
- The Ravens have shown a willingness to trade for veteran wideouts, so Jamison Hensley writes that you “can’t rule out” the team trying to acquire Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson.
La Canfora On Use Of The Franchise Tag
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes how the use of the franchise tag is trending downward. In 2013, only six players received either franchise or transition tags. This offseason, despite the hard work of Luke Adams to profile the candidates for the tag on each team, that number could drop to four.
La Canfora notes that his guess of four does not include the possibility of a team franchising a kicker or punter in lieu of another viable candidate.
While the Lions, Giants, Packers, and Dolphins each have a viable candidate, each team is unlikely to tag that player. Those four are expected to try to avoid the tag in the effort to retain their stars.
Although the number could drop to four, anything less than that would be a huge surprise. As far as La Canfora sees it, there are four sure things in terms of the franchise tag (all four of which Luke did pin down in his rundown of franchise tag candidates, for the record).
- Demaryius Thomas to the Broncos is an obvious choice, whether his quarterback in 2015 is Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler. The case in Denver has another wrinkle, with La Canfora writing that if the team could come to an agreement on a long-term deal with Thomas, then tight end Julius Thomas will become a candidate to be franchised instead, albeit not the sure thing Demaryius is.
- Fellow superstar wide receiver Dez Bryant is another lock to be hit with the tag. The Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones could be afraid to commit long-term money to him, but would be happy to keep him on a year-to-year situation even at a high price. There was also some steam gaining for DeMarco Murray’s chances of being tagged, but Bryant is seen as the superior offensive weapon.
- On the defensive side of the ball, an already capped-out Chiefs team will place the franchise tag on Justin Houston. Houston’s tag number is not set in stone, with the team likely to tag him as an outside linebacker, Houston and his agent will push for the slightly higher defense end number which comes with an additional $1.6MM based on La Canfora’s projections. Houston could be considered a defensive end because he is primarily a pass rusher in the Kansas City defense. Either way, La Canfora believes they will have to tag him regardless of the number, despite the cap gymnastics they might have to do to afford him.
- Staying on defense, the Patriots will likely tag safety Devin McCourty as they continue to focus on signing Darrelle Revis to a long-term deal. After Revis, the team should be able to negotiate a deal to keep McCourty as well, and keep the top two players in a very good secondary together as head coach Bill Belichick looks for a fifth Super Bowl victory.
West Notes: Kris Richard, D. Thomas, Chiefs
As we’ve heard previously, it sounds like Kris Richard is the favorite to become the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who reported last month that Richard was likely to become a DC in Seattle or Atlanta, agrees. Had Richard joined the Falcons, he would’ve followed ex-Seahawks DC Dan Quinn, whom Florio adds did in fact offer Richard a role on the Atlanta staff. But Richard, currently Seattle’s secondary coach, turned Quinn down, ostensibly because the Falcons have already hired a defensive coordinator in Richard Smith.
Here’s more from the West divisions:
- Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas is one of two elite pass-catching options who could be available on the free agent market, writes Jason Fitzgerald of the Sporting News. Along with Dez Bryant, Thomas should be able to top the average annual values of Mike Wallace ($12MM) and Percy Harvin‘s ($12.9MM) contracts, but it will be tough for the duo to match the ~$16MM AAV earned by Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Rather, Thomas and Bryant could aim to set a new second-tier of WR deals at around $14MM per year, per Fitzgerald.
- In a piece for Over the Cap, Fitzgerald examines the offseason outlook for the Chiefs, who are currently projected at roughly $1.7MM over the cap. While labeling free agent linebacker Justin Houston a “must-sign,” Fitzgerald opines that Dwayne Bowe and Tamba Hali are candidates for pay cuts, if not outright release.
- A new budget wrinkle proposed by President Obama could end up costing the Chargers as they attempt to build a new stadium, write Roger Showley and Lori Weisberg of U-T San Diego. Per the plan, clubs will no longer be able to use low-cost, tax-exempt municipal bonds to finance stadiums, meaning the Chargers could be forced to shoulder much of the financial burden themselves.
West Notes: Parker, Chiefs, Wilson
Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker, who had a breakout season in which he contributed at both safety and cornerback, looks poised to hit the open market, and is expected to be seeking a four- or five-year deal worth $6MM annually, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Though he only had one interception, Parker kept receivers from burning the Chiefs deep. All in all, KC went from the 25th ranked pass defense in 2013 to the second best in 2014. More from the AFC and NFC West..
- Meanwhile, Paylor (on Twitter) says that he can’t see Rodney Hudson getting less than $5MM per year. The Chiefs center, ranked third at his position last year by Pro Football Focus (subscription required), could be headed for upwards of $7MM per year.
- So much for playing hard-to-get. On Tuesday, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reiterated his desire to stay in Seattle for the remainder of his career, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. “To be honest with you, I haven’t really thought anything about it. You know, I obviously want to play in Seattle forever. That’s my goal, and I want to be with this organization. I love this organization. I love this city. I love these fans, and I love winning here,” Wilson said. Wilson was also asked about the idea of being the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, but he doesn’t “worry” about having that mantle.
- Dick LeBeau turned down an offer to become the associate head coach of the Cardinals because it was too far from his home in Cincinnati, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter). The Titans, meanwhile, are only a four-hour car ride away in Nashville.
AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Jaguars, Ravens, Bengals
It’s Saturday morning, and ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags to answer questions from the readers. Let’s check out some notes from the AFC…
- Adam Teicher believes Bryan Bulaga would make sense for the Chiefs, but he cautions that the team may need to back out if the bidding gets too high. As an alternative, the writer suggests the team could re-sign Ryan Harris to a much cheaper deal.
- The Jaguars need to target a veteran wideout in free agency, writes Michael DiRocco. The teams young core of receivers, including Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee, played well in 2014, but the writer believes quarterback Blake Bortles would benefit from having a more seasoned target.
- Jamison Hensley says there needs to be a “compromise” between the Ravens and cornerback Lardarius Webb. The organization won’t be able to pay the 29-year-old the $8MM he’d owed in 2015, and the team also wouldn’t have much of an incentive to cutting the player. Hensley notes that Webb could play “hardball” with the Ravens, but the writer believes they’ll ultimately restructure the contract.
- Focusing on wide receivers, Hensley believes the Ravens best course would be re-signing Torrey Smith and drafting a wideout in the first two rounds. For running backs, the writer opines that Justin Forsett may be too pricey for the team. Instead, Hensley suggests former first-rounders Mark Ingram, Darren McFadden and Ryan Mathews as options.
- The Bengals top concerns this offseason should be re-signing offensive guard Clint Boling and linebacker Rey Maualuga, according to Coley Harvey. Outside of the organization, the writer suggests the team could target Browns tight end Jordan Cameron.
2015 NFL Franchise Tag Candidates: AFC West
The deadline for assigning a franchise or transition tag on a 2015 free-agent-to-be is a little more than a month away, and we’re in the process of taking a look at players who are candidates to be tagged this year. We examined the AFC East on Tuesday, the AFC North on Wednesday, and the AFC South yesterday, before shifting our focus to the West today. Here’s a breakdown of the franchise and transition tag candidates for the Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers:
Denver Broncos:
- Candidates: Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton
- Odds of being used: Likely
- Even after signing cornerback Chris Harris to a lucrative contract extension earlier this season, the Broncos have a handful of impact players eligible for free agency. Demaryius Thomas is the most likely to be tagged, but if he and the Broncos can quickly reach a long-term agreement, there are other guys who shouldn’t be overlooked. Julius Thomas saw his stock dip a little when he missed time late in the season, but the tight end price tag is modest compared to most positions.
Kansas City Chiefs:
- Candidates: Justin Houston, Rodney Hudson
- Odds of being used: Likely
- Like the Broncos, the Chiefs have a number of contributors eligible for free agency, including tackle Ryan Harris, linebacker Josh Mauga, and defensive back Ron Parker. Houston and Hudson are the two best candidates for a franchise tag though, and of those two, Houston represents the much likelier option. The only question would be whether the NFL’s sack leader would be considered a defensive end or a linebacker for salary purposes — in 2014, the defensive end franchise salary was nearly $2MM higher.
Oakland Raiders:
- Candidates: Stefen Wisniewski
- Odds of being used: Unlikely
- The Raiders should do everything they can to lock up Wisniewski, but the franchise tag will be an absolute last resort. Offensive linemen are all grouped together for franchise purposes, so Oakland would have to commit to a left tackle salary for the center if he’s tagged. While the Browns used the transition tag on Alex Mack last year, Mack is arguably the league’s best center, and for the most part, the position just isn’t worth that kind of investment. I’d expect Wisniewski to land a deal in the neighborhood of $5-7MM per year.
San Diego Chargers:
- Candidates: King Dunlap, Brandon Flowers
- Odds of being used: Possible
- There are bigger names headed to free agency in San Diego, including running back Ryan Mathews and veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, but Dunlap and Flowers are probably the two free-agents-to-be the Chargers should value most. Dunlap has emerged as an above-average left tackle in recent years, and given the holes elsewhere on the offensive line, his presence would benefit Philip Rivers going forward. As for Flowers, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him as one of the league’s best cornerbacks before injuries slowed him down in the second half. A franchise tag salary would be an overpay for either player, but it’s an option San Diego should at least consider if extensions can’t be agreed upon.
AFC West Notes: Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs
Reports earlier in the week indicated that the Raiders had lined up an interview with Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for their own DC position, and it appears the job is Grantham’s if he wants it. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Oakland has offered Grantham a two-year deal to become the team’s new defensive coordinator. While dipping into the NCAA ranks for a coordinator is a departure from the usual operating procedure for hiring a top assistant, the Raiders may have had trouble attracting top candidates for the opening if new head coach Jack Del Rio intends to handle some or all of the defensive play-calling on his own.
While we wait to see if Grantham ultimately lands a job with the Raiders, let’s check in on some other Wednesday items from around the AFC West….
- Whether it’s Vance Joseph or Wade Phillips that eventually becomes their defensive coordinator – and it does appear it’ll be one of those two – the Broncos seem likely to transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. With a pair of very good edge rushers, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, already under contract, the Broncos shouldn’t have to overhaul their defense to make the change.
- Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star examines seven free-agents-to-be who would make good fits for the Chiefs, leading off his list with wideout Randall Cobb. Paylor’s list is heavy on offensive linemen, including guards Mike Iupati, Orlando Franklin, and Clint Boling.
- Former star running back LaDainian Tomlinson suggested during an appearance on 1090 AM in San Diego that the Chargers should pursue Adrian Peterson if he becomes available this winter, and Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com agrees with LT.
Minor Moves: Monday
Today’s minor moves..
- The Packers announced that they have signed former Alabama punter Cody Mandell. Mandell, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound first-year player out of the University of Alabama, spent part of the 2014 offseason with the Cowboys.
- The Chiefs and defensive end Vaughn Martin have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Martin, a former fourth-round pick who has played for the Chargers and Dolphins, inked a minimum salary deal with the Lions near the start of the free agent period, but was cut by the team in June.
West Notes: Joseph, Houston, Chiefs
A look at the AFC and NFC West..
- The Broncos hope to have a resolution early this week as to whether they can interview Vance Joseph for their defensive coordinator position, writes Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Joseph just finished his first season as the defensive backs coach for the Bengals, who refuse to let him out of his contract one year early. If the Bengals won’t budge, the Broncos are expected to fill their defensive coordinator position this week with either former defensive coordinator and head coach Wade Phillips or former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith.
- A league source told Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) that Justin Houston‘s agent Joel Segal and Chiefs GM John Dorsey were spotted meeting at the Senior Bowl. A recent report indicated that there have been “zero talks” between the Chiefs and the outside linebacker, but it appears that things are now in motion. If the two sides can’t hammer out a long-term deal, the NFL’s sack leader will likely be hit with the franchise tag by KC.
- The Broncos agreed to terms with Reggie Herring to be their new linebackers coach and named Clancy Barone as their new offensive line coach, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is on the verge of becoming the next head coach of the Falcons but Seattle players say that hasn’t distracted him during Super Bowl week, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. “I think he’s done a great job of focusing on the task at hand which is to win the Super Bowl,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said on Monday. “I know that he’s got bigger endeavors on down the line, but he’s approached it like we need to win this game.”
Extra Points: Luck, Chiefs, Mariota
Let’s take a look at some interesting notes as we wrap up this Pro Bowl Sunday:
- Reports have suggested that the Colts will make their star quarterback Andrew Luck the highest-paid player in the NFL, but Luck hasn’t had a chance to worry about his contract as of yet, writes Stephen Holder of IndyStar.com. “There’s nothing there right now,” Luck said. “I didn’t think about it all during the season and it’s only been a few days since it ended. I haven’t thought about it. I will have conversations with my agent just because you have to prepare, but I’m not sure where that report came from.”
- The Chiefs will need to address a number of weaknesses this offseason if they have any hope of getting back to the playoffs in 2015. Their top priorities will be across the offensive line and at wide receiver. Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star highlights seven potential free agents that could come in and have an immediate impact. He chooses four offensive lineman the team could target, as well as receivers Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin to end the infamous “consecutive weeks without a touchdown to a wide receiver” streak.
- The speculation on whether Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston will be the first quarterback selected in the 2015 NFL draft will undoubtedly dominate that part of the offseason, but Chris Mortensen of ESPN painted a picture that had the Buccaneers taking Mariota first overall, writes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Mortenson connected the dots between Mariota and Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, under whom Mark Helfrich began his career in offensive coaching. He also referenced Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian’s history running the spread offense.
- ESPN put together an evaluation of the rosters of all 30 NFL teams that missed the Super Bowl this year, with the goal of finding out how far away their rosters are from realistic Super Bowl contention. Using Pro Football Focus player grades for the 2014 season, the list ranks every team based on how many above average players they need to add (or develop) before having enough to field a team strong enough to win its conference. ESPN’s report places the Cowboys as the closest to the Super Bowl, and place the Jaguars furthest away.