Patriots Host DL Lawrence Guy On Visit
Free agent defensive lineman Lawrence Guy is visiting the Patriots today, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. Guy was drawing interest from the Dolphins and Redskins earlier this week, but it’s not immediately clear if they’re still in the mix for him after adding other defensive linemen on Thursday.
Trey Flowers had a breakout season for the Patriots, but they’re a bit thin at defensive end behind the former fourth-rounder. If Jabaal Sheard ends up departing the organization, that would leave the team with only Flowers and Geneo Grissom at the position.
Guy may not necessarily start if he was signed by New England, but he’d certainly provide some depth. The Patriots would also appreciate his versatility, as he could easily serve as a back up defensive tackle to Alan Branch and Malcom Brown.
Guy hasn’t missed a game over the past two seasons, earning 16 combined starts for the Ravens. After recording 4.5 sacks during the 2015 campaign, Guy finished the 2016 season with 28 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
No Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Imminent
In the middle of the night, a post appeared on Jimmy Garoppolo‘s Instagram which prompted mass speculation online that the Patriots quarterback had been traded. 
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“So grateful for my time in New England. Peace out Boston ✌🏻,” the caption read, below a smiling photo of the 25-year-old.
Apparently, there’s nothing to it. Garoppolo has no knowledge of any trade and his agent says the post was the result of a hack, a source close to the quarterback tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). In fact, at this point, there have been no trade talks between the Browns and Patriots, Rapoport adds (Twitter link). Of course, a Garoppolo pursuit has been rumored for some time now for the Browns and they are still mulling the idea, even after acquiring Brock Osweiler.
Typically, we don’t write about bogus rumors here at Pro Football Rumors, but this Instagram post send the football world into a frenzy and woke up a number of reporters around 5:30am ET, so it needed to be debunked. Browns fans and Patriots fans can take a deep breath, for now: Garoppolo has not been traded (as of this writing) and he remains on the Pats’ depth chart as Tom Brady‘s backup.
Latest On Malcolm Butler, Patriots
The Patriots signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore earlier today, and subsequent reports implied that the team was considering a trade that would send fellow corner Malcolm Butler to the Saints. As a result of all this news, some assumed that the Patriots were unwilling to meet Butler’s asking price regarding an extension. However, this may not be the case.
Butler’s agent, Derek Simpson, told ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss that the organization hadn’t reached out to their camp in some time.
“The Patriots haven’t approached Malcolm about his contract since last year, and anything that says he keeps asking for the moon is completely false,” Simpson said.
The Patriots applied a first-round tender to the restricted free agent earlier this week. If Butler isn’t traded, the cornerback will presumably be sharing the field with Gilmore next season. It’s the future that gets a bit murky. Butler was rated as Pro Football Focus’ number-seven cornerback this past season, and he finished the campaign with 63 tackles and four interceptions.
As a result, the former Super Bowl hero will be looking to get paid once he hits unrestricted free agency. The cornerback could presumably demand the $14MM annual salary that Gilmore received, but it’s uncertain whether the Patriots will pay that kind of money to two players at the same position.
Browns Still Eyeing Jimmy Garoppolo
Just because the Browns currently have two polarizing members of the 2012 quarterback class doesn’t mean they’re giving up a pursuit of Jimmy Garoppolo. Cleveland still intends to try and trade for the Patriots’ backup quarterback, league sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets this remains the Browns’ intention (Twitter link), but Rapoport believes the Patriots want to hang onto Garoppolo. A league source told Cabot a package fronted only by Cleveland’s No. 12 pick this year won’t be enough to land Garoppolo. The Patriots are believed to want the Browns’ No. 1 overall pick, which Cleveland is expected to use to take Myles Garrett.
The Browns, though, have now acquired an extra second-round pick thanks to their unorthodox Brock Osweiler acquisition. Cleveland now has two first-rounders and two second-rounders this year and three second-round selections in 2018. A combination of those would be enough ammunition to get the Patriots to consider trading Garoppolo, in all likelihood.
As for Osweiler, the Browns are shopping him across the league after acquiring the sixth-year quarterback and a second-round pick.
The new-era front office is trying to trade Osweiler and a late-round pick for a 2018 third-round selection, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. In making these trade inquiries, the Browns are informing teams they are prepared to eat at least half of Osweiler’s $16MM price tag in order to facilitate this trade, per La Canfora (on Twitter). The reporter adds the Browns are “fixated” on a third-round pick, leading many to believe they’re ready to deal a collection of picks to the Patriots for Garoppolo (Twitter link).
The Patriots initially pulled Garoppolo off the trade market but may want either two first-rounders or a first and a second for their longtime backup. Cabot reiterates the Patriots are likely to want a first this year and the Browns’ 2018 first-round selection. New England’s asking price may stem from wanting to make sure it has a backup plan in case a soon-to-be 40-year-old Tom Brady begins to slip despite not showing much evidence of that during his age-39 season.
While expected to take a quarterback in the draft, Cleveland is believed to be ready to release Robert Griffin III.
Three Teams Interested In WR Andre Roberts
Wideout Andre Roberts has drawn interest from several teams, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter). The Patriots, Falcons, and Lions are among the teams eyeing the free agent receiver.
Roberts had a disappointing first season in Detroit, finishing with only 14 receptions for 188 yards and one touchdown. The 29-year-old’s best season came back in 2012 with the Cardinals, when he finished with 64 receptions for 759 yards and five touchdowns. The wideout also has nine career carries for 77 yards.
Roberts would presumably slide in as the Patriots’ fifth wideout, or he could potentially replace Danny Amendola in the lineup. He’d be competing with Devin Fuller and Nick Williams for snaps in Atlanta, while Detroit would presumably continue to use him behind Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, and T.J. Jones.
NFC Rumors: Romo, Baker, Jeffery, Eagles
Tony Romo was “never being waived” by the Cowboys, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). We presume the source means “cut” rather than “waived” since vested veterans cannot be waived in the offseason. Word on Wednesday was that the Cowboys would release Romo, allowing him to sign with another club. Then, on Thursday, it was reported that the Cowboys were expecting to trade the quarterback to the Broncos or Texans. For now, things remain in a holding pattern for Romo.
Here’s more from around the league on Day 1 of official free agency.
- The Redskins did not end up making an offer to Chris Baker, who agreed to a deal with the Buccaneers, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets. Baker joined DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon as higher-end free agents who left Washington this week.
- Alshon Jeffery looks to be a believer in Carson Wentz. The sixth-year wideout turned out a turned down a multiyear deal with greater security from the Vikings to sign with the Eagles, Ian Rapoport tweets.
- Torrey Smith‘s Eagles deal is for one year and $5MM, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports (on Twitter), adding that the contract contains two option years. Both option years are worth $5MM apiece. Smith will collect a $500K bonus from what will be his third NFL employer.
- Chance Warmack signed with the Eagles for one year and $1.51MM, per Pelissero (on Twitter). This looks like a value-re-establishing season for the former Titans first-rounder, who will receive a $500K signing bonus.
- The Seahawks‘ Luke Joeckel deal is for one year and up to $8MM, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The guaranteed money here isn’t known yet, but Joeckel could do well for himself after seeing seeing the Jaguars pass on his 2017 option in 2016 and then going on IR.
- New Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall said four teams were on his top tier in terms of giving him the best chance to win: the Giants, Patriots, Steelers and Seahawks, per Art Stapleton of The Record (on Twitter). Marshall has never made the playoffs in 11 seasons. The Giants made their first playoff berth in five years in 2016.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report.
Titans Make Standing Offer For Brandin Cooks
The Titans have put their cards on the table. They have a standing offer out to the Saints for wide receiver Brandin Cooks, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Tennessee has been working to land Cooks for the past week or so. The Eagles dropped out of the Cooks chase – and we can say that with certainty now that they’ve signed Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith – but the Patriots are still very much in pursuit. It’s not yet known what the Titans have offered to the Saints, but it may involve first-round compensation. The Titans own the No. 5 overall selection as well as the No. 18 overall pick. One scenario floated recently involved the Titans swapping their No. 5 pick for the Saints’ No. 11 pick.
The Patriots, meanwhile, are reportedly considering a trade that would involve cornerback Malcolm Butler going to New Orleans in exchange for the superstar wide receiver.
Photo courtesy of PFR on Instagram.
Patriots Re-Sign S Duron Harmon
He’s not going anywhere. In the midst of an active week for the Patriots, they are maintaining some stability. Safety Duron Harmon has re-signed with the team, Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald tweets. It’s a four-year, $20MM deal (with $3MM of that money coming via incentives). Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets that the deal includes $6.5MM in guaranteed money, which will all translate in 2017 ($1.5MM salary, $5MM signing bonus).
Harmon will join Devin McCourty as Patriot safeties signed long-term, providing some continuity to what could be a rearranged secondary come 2017. The Patriots now have them both locked up through at least 2019.
New England could lose both Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler this offseason. Ryan is a UFA and hasn’t signed elsewhere yet, but the Patriots and Saints are potentially set to complete a momentous trade that would send Butler to New Orleans and Brandin Cooks to Massachusetts. The Pats added Stephon Gilmore today as well to infuse some additional talent into this group.
Harmon functioned as a part-time starter for the Pats during his four-year rookie-deal tenure. This contract likely will point him toward more work. He made 27 tackles and picked off one pass last season, starting four games.
FA Rumors: Charles, Hightower, Cutler, Bills
The latest free agency rumors from around the league:
- Jamaal Charles will visit the Seahawks next week, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. The Seahawks’ interest in Charles was first reported on Thursday morning. If he signs with Seattle, he’ll join Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise on the RB depth chart.
- A Dont’a Hightower/Patriots re-up remains on the table, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (on Twitter) the parties remain in good communication about keeping Hightower in New England.
- The Jets‘ interest in Jay Cutler is being reciprocated by the veteran quarterback, Rapoport notes (on Twitter). The Bears released Cutler today after eight seasons.
- Malcolm Smith will receive a raise from the 49ers after his two years with the Raiders. Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets it’s a five-year, $26.5MM deal for the outside ‘backer, with $13MM guaranteed. This $5.3MM-AAV pact represents quite the bump from his $3.5MM deal in Oakland, one that didn’t come with rave reviews from the advanced metrics community.
- The Bills remain interested in retaining Lorenzo Alexander, Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News tweets. The sides are continuing to work at completing a deal for the edge defender. Although the Bills are moving to a 4-3 scheme, Alexander — who thrived as a 3-4 outside ‘backer in the form of 12.5 sacks in 2016 — looks to still be part of their plans.
- It sounds like the Bills and Lions are in the lead for wide receiver Russell Shepard (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler). He could still wind up returning to the Buccaneers.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report.
Patriots Acquire TE Dwayne Allen From Colts
The Patriots are trading for Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Patriots will be sending a fourth-rounder to the Colts in exchange for Allen and a sixth-round pick, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The deal has been confirmed by the Colts via press release.
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The deal, which had no prior buildup, comes as a complete surprise. The Patriots have now added one of the league’s best offensive tight ends and that presumably spells the end of Martellus Bennett‘s time with the team.
During his only season in New England, Bennett hauled in 55 catches for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. Considering Allen’s catching ability, he should be able to easily slide in as the number-two tight end behind Rob Gronkowski. Of course, the team also heavily relies on two tight end-sets, so Allen should get plenty of looks, especially in the red zone. The team is also rostering tight end Matt Lengel.
Allen was ranked 41st on Pro Football Focus‘ listing of tight ends (Bennett, meanwhile, was ranked 10th). The veteran performed better in the receiving game, but he struggled in both run and pass catching.
Allen signed a four-year, $29.4MM deal with the Colts one year ago today. Now, he’s slated to serve out the rest of that deal in New England. Allen is set to carry a $5.937MM cap number in 2017, which shouldn’t be too much of a burden on the Pats given the amount of space they presently have to work with. The Colts will free up $2.9MM in cap space, but they’ll also be left with $3MM in dead money.
The Colts re-signed fellow tight end Jack Doyle this week, making Allen somewhat expendable. The team will presumably be seeking a third tight end, as Erik Swoope is currently slotted as the backup.
Now, Indianapolis can redirect that money elsewhere. They have serious needs on the defensive line and they also have free agents of their own to still address, including versatile defensive back Darius Butler.
Photo via PFR on Instagram.