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NFL Announces Compensatory Picks For 2020 Draft

March 10th, 2020 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2020 draft.

These picks are awarded to the teams that suffered the most significant free agent losses during the 2019 offseason. This year, the Patriots top the list (shared below) with a league-high four picks.

The comp pick formula assigns picks who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks. The Ravens collected two this year and remain in the all-time lead (from 1994-2020) with 52. No other franchise has accumulated more than 43 compensatory picks.

Here’s the full breakdown, by round and by team:

By Round:

Round 3: Texans (No. 97 overall), Patriots (98), Giants (99), Patriots (100), Seahawks (101), Steelers (102), Eagles (103), Rams (104), Vikings (105), Ravens (106)

Round 4: Buccaneers (No. 139), Bears (140), Dolphins (141), Redskins (142), Ravens (143), Seahawks (144), Eagles (145), Eagles (146)

Round 5: Broncos (No. 178), Cowboys (179)

Round 6: Patriots (No. 212), Patriots (213), Seahawks (214)

Round 7: Giants (No. 247), Texans (248), Vikings (249), Texans (250), Dolphins (251), Broncos (252), Vikings (253), Broncos (254), Giants (255)

By Team:

  • New England Patriots (4)
  • Denver Broncos (3)
  • Houston Texans (3)
  • Minnesota Vikings (3)
  • New York Giants (3)
  • Philadelphia Eagles (3)
  • Baltimore Ravens (2)
  • Miami Dolphins (2)
  • Chicago Bears (1)
  • Dallas Cowboys (1)
  • Los Angeles Rams (1)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1)
  • Washington Redskins (1)

The compensatory free agents lost and gained in 2019 by the clubs that will receive compensatory picks in the 2020 draft:

Marcus Sherels Considering Retirement

March 9th, 2020 at 9:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Marcus Sherels could be calling it a career. There’s a “50-50” chance the Vikings special teams ace retires, reports Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com. The veteran will likely test free agency before making a decision.

The 32-year-old has spent much of his career with the Vikings organization, but 2019 saw him testing new waters. Minnesota didn’t make him an offer last offseason, leading to Sherels signing with the Saints. He was let go by New Orleans at the end of the preseason and went back to the Vikings, but Minny released him in late October. Following a brief stint with the Dolphins, Sherels once again signed with the Vikings. He ultimately appeared in eight total games last season, returning 12 punts.

The 2010 undrafted free agent out of Minnesota has compiled 2,503 punt return yards during his 10-year career, and his 2,480 yards with the Vikings is a franchise-best. Sherels has also returned 57 kickoffs during his career, and he has 108 tackles and one interception. Tomasson notes that it “would not be a surprise” if the front office moves on from the veteran.

With only $1.3MM of salary cap space, the front office will have to make some tough decisions this offseason. We’ve already learned that one of those decisions involves safety Anthony Harris, who sounds likely to leave Minnesota when free agency opens in March.

Extra Points: Broncos, XFL, Vikings, Hawks

March 8th, 2020 at 9:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Derek Wolfe has made it clear for months he would like to return to the Broncos, but the eight-year veteran does not want to take a pay cut to do so, Mike Klis of 9News notes. Both Wolfe and Shelby Harris are free agents, and Klis adds the Broncos will not bring back both players. It will be an either/or setup, or the Broncos will let both walk and essentially remake their defensive line. Both were starters over the past three seasons. Wolfe has been a Denver starter since his 2012 rookie slate and joins Chris Harris in being first-stringers from the team’s Super Bowl champion defense set to hit the market. Shelby Harris, 28, joined the Broncos in 2017, after being out of football in 2016, and will be in demand on the market. The Broncos met with Wolfe’s agent at the Combine.

Denver extended Wolfe, now 29, on a four-year, $36.75MM deal in January 2016. With John Elway indicating defensive line doubles as this free agent class’ deepest position, it is certainly possible the team moves on from Wolfe rather than give him a third contract — north of that $9MM-per-year rate — as he enters his 30s.

Here is the latest from around the league:

  • Vikings tight end David Morgan missed all of last season because of a knee injury, and Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press notes his contract will toll to 2020. Morgan’s contract was set to expire after the 2019 season, making him a first-time free agent this year. But after spending last season on Minnesota’s PUP list, Morgan will again be tethered to the Vikings this year. The rate will depend on the CBA. If the players reject the owners’ proposal, Morgan will make $735K again. If the CBA is ratified this week, Morgan’s salary would spike to $825K. A sixth-round pick in 2016, Morgan has 16 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown in his three seasons with the Vikings.
  • One of the XFL’s top players has drawn interest from the Seahawks. Seattle scouts were on hand at Saturday’s Seattle Dragons-Houston Roughnecks game, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noting they were looking into Roughnecks quarterback Phillip Walker. The former NFL practice squad passer has Houston as the XFL’s lone unbeaten, at 5-0. His last NFL connection came in a Buccaneers workout in September 2019. Walker, 24, bounced on and off the Colts’ practice squad in 2018. The Seahawks used Geno Smith as Russell Wilson‘s backup last year; he is now a free agent. XFLers cannot sign NFL deals until the XFL season ends in April.
  • Speaking of the XFL, their kickoff setup has drawn some notable praise. Packers president Mark Murphy is a fan of the league’s kickoffs and its post-touchdown format, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com tweets. The XFL placing 10 members of the kickoff and kick-return teams five yards across from each other naturally stands to reduce high-speed collisions the NFL has sought to minimize for years. The XFL replaced extra-point kicks with one-, two- or three-point conversions — from the 2-, 5- and 10-yard lines — in its second go-round.

POLL: Who’s The Best Free Agent Safety?

March 8th, 2020 at 5:12pm CST by Marc Delucchi

As free agency inches closer, we’ll continue previewing the impending market. One of the most interesting comparisons surrounds the safety position.

Anthony Harris and Justin Simmons are the consensus top two options at the position, but determining which should is the best option for a team in need of a new safety is a more difficult proposition. Harris, has been an established and proven veteran, while Simmons jumped to the top of the pack this year.

Harris, at 28, has ranked among the league’s best safeties in his time with the Vikings. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), Harris ranked among the five best-graded safeties in both 2018 and 2019. Over the past two seasons, he’s nabbed 9 interceptions, recorded 17 passes defended, and 106 tackles.

While Simmons does not have the longevity and track record of Harris, the Bronco graded as the 2nd best safety this season, per PFF, receiving a 90.8 grade. Simmons recorded 4 interceptions, 15 passes defended, and 93 tackles this season alone, but never graded above 80.0 prior to this season.

Most compelling to his case, at just 26 years old, Simmons could be poised to be one of the best centerfielders in football, but will teams want to gamble on that over Harris’ proven track record?

There are a number of other solid options at safety including Jimmie Ward and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, but neither combine the health history and top end recent performance of Harris and Simmons.

Which safety do you prefer? Let us know in the poll below.

CB Mackensie Alexander Cleared For Football Activities

March 7th, 2020 at 12:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Mackensie Alexander overcame a major hurdle just as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the cornerback was “recently cleared to resume football activities.” The 26-year-old had had his meniscus trimmed back in January.

The Vikings slot cornerback was having another productive campaign in 2019, compiling 38 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and five passes defended in 13 games (four starts). The knee injury ultimately landed him on the injured reserve, forcing him to miss the Vikings two playoff games.

In total, the former second-rounder has appeared in 55 games during his four-year career, collecting 103 tackles, two interceptions, and 21 passes defended.

As we detailed earlier today, the Vikings cornerbacks corps could look a whole lot different next season. Besides Alexander, cornerback Trae Waynes is also set to hit the open market. The organization could also choose to move on from veteran Xavier Rhodes.

Vikings CB Mike Hughes Suffered Broken Vertebra In Neck

March 7th, 2020 at 10:57am CST by Ben Levine

Mike Hughes‘ 2020 season ended with him being placed on the injured reserve with a neck injury. We now have more details, as Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports that the Vikings cornerback suffered a broken vertebra in his neck.

Fortunately, it sounds like the 23-year-old will return to full health, as head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that Hughes is “going to be fine.” Further, Zimmer hinted that the 2018 first-rounder (along with Holton Hill and Kris Boyd) could lead the team’s cornerbacks corps in 2020.

“Hughes and Hill and Boyd, they have the ability to do it,” Zimmer said. “Like, during the season I gave them an assignment that I wanted them to do every single day and they did it. That tells me that they want to do it. I think that’s half the battle.”

Minnesota may have to rely on these youngsters next season. As Goessling notes, cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander (along with safety Anthony Harris) are set to hit free agency. Further, cornerback Xavier Rhodes could find himself as a cap casualty.

Hughes was limited to only six games as a rookie thanks to a torn ACL, but he returned to appear in 14 games (three starts) in 2019. During his sophomore campaign, the defensive back compiled 45 tackles, nine passes defended, one interception, and two forced fumbles.

Vikings Expected To Explore Kirk Cousins Extension

March 3rd, 2020 at 4:24pm CST by Rory Parks

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins receives his fair share of criticism, but regardless of how one feels about his job performance, there is no denying that he has been handsomely compensated for said performance. He is entering the final year of the three-year pact that he signed with Minnesota in March 2018, and he is due a $29.5MM salary in what would be his platform campaign.

But that salary now ranks as the seventh-highest in the league, and it could go down several more spots after QBs that are currently slated for free agency find new homes or sign extensions with their current clubs. And the Vikings have the lowest amount of cap space in the NFL at the moment, so it may make sense for both sides to work out a new deal.

According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, that’s exactly what execs around the league expect to happen. Goessling says that there was a “widely held belief” at the scouting combine that the Vikings will pursue an extension for Cousins this offseason, though he cautions that such an extension will not necessarily give Minnesota a ton of financial breathing room. After all, the QB market remains player-friendly, and Cousins is coming off the best year of his career. Whether or not a new CBA is ratified by the league’s workforce could also impact the structure of the deal, as Goessling sets forth in more detail.

The Vikings fell short of capturing the NFC North in 2019, and though they upset the Saints in the wildcard round of the playoffs, they laid an egg in a divisional-round loss to the 49ers. Cousins was not the only culprit in that loss, but he has yet to shake the notion that he is incapable of winning big games.

However, in guiding a more run-oriented attack in 2019, he did post a career-high QB rating of 107.4 while throwing 26 TDs against six interceptions. He may have his flaws, but it’s not easy to find that type of production.

Latest On Vikings’ Riley Reiff, Pat Elflein

March 1st, 2020 at 10:24am CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings are right up against the salary cap at the moment, but there are some moves they could make to open up some much-needed breathing room. For example, Minnesota is likely to release CB Xavier Rhodes, and Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune also names offensive linemen Riley Reiff and Pat Elflein as potential cap casualties.

Reiff remained at left tackle in 2019 despite some chatter that he could be moved inside to left guard. The Vikings instead elected to shift former center Elflein to LG after drafting Garrett Bradbury, and while Elflein did not perform poorly, he was not exactly a standout. But because of the league’s proven performance escalator, Elflein’s 2020 salary will increase from $960K to $2.147MM, so cutting the Ohio State product would save the Vikings about $2MM against the cap. Even if Minnesota hangs on to him, he could be relegated to a reserve role.

As for Reiff, the 31-year-old is due to earn a $10.9MM salary in 2020, but the Vikings would save nearly $9MM against the cap by releasing him, a huge amount for a club with Minnesota’s financial outlook. That would then allow the Vikings to select an offensive tackle in a draft that is deep at the position.

In addition to a potential O-line overhaul, the Vikings will also have a lot of work to do at cornerback. Rhodes will probably be cut and free agents Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander may not be re-signed, and head coach Mike Zimmer conceded that his team would need to address the position in the draft. Luckily for him, this year’s crop of collegiate CBs is also quite strong.

Vikings To Move On From Anthony Harris?

February 27th, 2020 at 11:54am CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings currently have just $1.3MM of salary cap space, the lowest amount in the league at the moment, which means that they will have to make some tough decisions as the offseason goes along. One of those decisions involves safety Anthony Harris, who sounds likely to leave Minnesota when free agency opens in March.

Speaking to reporters at the scouting combine, head coach Mike Zimmer said, “I love Anthony; if he doesn’t come back, I think he’s earned whatever he’s gotten. But, you know, if you put up the positions that are most important on defense, it’s probably not going to be safety. We’ll figure out a way to find one if he’s not back” (via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune).

As Goessling observes, the Vikings have generally not spent much money on a safety to pair with star Harrison Smith in the defensive backfield, and Harris’ career trajectory suggests that Minnesota will be able to replace him at a fraction of what he is likely to earn on the open market.

A 2015 UDFA, Harris did not become a full-time starter until the middle of the 2018 season, when Andrew Sendejo was suspended. He performed well enough to earn a second-round RFA tender last year, and he started all 14 games in which he appeared in 2019. He racked up a league-leading six interceptions, and advanced metrics loved him. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the third-best safety in the game last year — one spot ahead of Smith, a five-time Pro Bowler — and he earned high praise for his coverage skills.

All of that will put him in high demand in a couple of weeks, and he should be one of the first players to come off the market when the bell rings on March 18.

Vikings Plan To Keep Everson Griffen

February 26th, 2020 at 12:59pm CST by Zachary Links

Last week, Everson Griffen opted out of the remainder of his contract. He’s now set for free agency in March, but head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters on Wednesday that he still expects to keep him (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin).

Griffen earned the right to turn down the last three years of his pact by hitting a pair of statistical benchmarks. The rest of the deal would have paid him nicely, but there was no guarantee that the Vikings would have kept him at the same rate. By opting out, Griffen simply opened up his options – he says he’d like to stay in Minnesota, but he can also gauge the market for other offers.

The Vikings met with the veteran defensive end’s agent on Tuesday night, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The team also stood by him after he spent time away because of a mental health issue during the 2018 season. Griffen missed more than a month of action that season but bounced back in 2019. The 10-year veteran registered eight sacks and 24 quarterback hits. He will enter the 2020 season as the franchise’s fourth all-time leading sacker (since 1982).

Griffen returning will also continue a pattern for the Vikings. They have opted to keep their defensive core together for years, doing so despite annually being up against the cap. Minnesota’s $1.3MM in cap space ranks last in the league. While it cannot be ruled out Griffen departs, the Vikings have established continuity on defense for years now and have managed to maintain it while paying out Kirk Cousins‘ three-year, fully guaranteed contract.

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