Latest On Brandin Cooks Trade Talks
The Saints are still in discussions with the Eagles, Titans, and Patriots regarding a potential Brandin Cooks deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Saints are looking for draft picks or a front seven player that can pressure opposing quarterbacks, Rapoport adds. 
Saints head coach Sean Payton has publicly denied that the team is shopping Cooks, but he did stress that the club is willing to listen to any offer on any player. In short, he wants rival clubs to know that he will not just give away the star wide receiver, but he can be had for the right price. Cooks offers more talent and potential than any wide receiver on this year’s open market and he’s under control at a very team friendly rate for the next two years, so the Patriots, Eagles, and Titans have not been warded off by the Saints’ demands.
The Titans are said to have a leg up on the Patriots and Eagles in the Cooks chase. The Patriots are said to be dangling their No. 32 overall pick in a package for Cooks, so that appears to be the floor for any return on the 23-year-old. However, the Titans are armed with the Nos. 5 and 18 overall picks, so they can pretty much top any offer in terms of draft compensation. The Eagles have the No. 14 overall selection and they could perhaps sweeten the pot with linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
Cole’s Latest: Jackson, Zeitler, Poe, Williams
DeSean Jackson looks set for a raise despite having turned 30 during the 2016 season. His market is heating up on Day 2 of the legal tampering period, and it’s expected to clear the $11MM mark in terms of AAV, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report notes (on Twitter). The 10th-year deep threat is likely to leave Washington, and two Redskins rivals — the Cowboys and Eagles — remain interested, per Cole. He adds the Patriots and Buccaneers are in on Jackson as well. We’ve heard Jackson’s salary could climb toward the $12MM-per-year neighborhood. That would lean toward a team like the Bucs ($58.3MM in cap space), with the Cowboys and Eagles on the lower end of the cap-room hierarchy and the Patriots not big on monster skill-position contracts. Dallas’ interest, though, has been disputed, with Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting the team isn’t interested. The Cowboys have just $8.3MM in cap space.
Here’s more from free agency, courtesy of Cole.
- Kevin Zeitler may raise the guard salary ceiling, and the Jaguars continue to come up in connection to the former Bengals first-round pick, Cole tweets. The Jags re-signed guard Patrick Omameh on Tuesday, but at $775K, that won’t figure to preclude them from making a splash to upgrade their front. Zeitler’s been connected to a $12MM-per-year deal on a heated guard market. Kelechi Osemele‘s $11.7MM currently tops all guards. Jacksonville has $75.6MM in cap space. The Jags’ line does not have a veteran contract on its interior, with rookie-deal cogs Brandon Linder and A.J. Cann having been the primary starters last season, along with Omameh.
- Dontari Poe might not get the kind of long-term security he wants this year, and Cole tweets the five-year Chiefs starting nose tackle could opt for a one-year deal and re-enter free agency in 2018. The Chiefs prioritized Eric Berry among their big two free agents, signing the cornerstone safety to a record extension. They also drafted Chris Jones in the second round in 2016 and are short on cap space, with a league-low $4.6MM presently. Poe made Pro Bowls in 2013 and ’14, but a 2015 back surgery slowed him. And Poe’s 2016 season, per Pro Football Focus, didn’t compare with his work at his peak. Cole notes Poe could look for a team that wants him to rush the passer more. Poe made just more than $6MM in 2016 on a fifth-year option.
- Conversely, Ravens 3-4 nose Brandon Williams looks like he’ll do well in his first UFA foray. Cole tweets the fifth-year defender could well sign for around what the Giants paid Damon Harrison last year (five years, $46.25MM). That would bridge the gap for 3-4 nose players between Marcell Dareus and the field, and it might be more than the Ravens ($12MM-plus in space) can afford.
- After one tampering day, Cole notes (on Twitter) Andre Branch could have a strong market. Cole associates the veteran defensive end as being worth between $7-9MM per year. Branch recorded 5.5 sacks on what could be a short-term stay with the Dolphins in 2016. As of January, the Fins wanted to keep Branch in Miami, but not much has surfaced on the now-two-time free agent since.
- The Tony Jefferson rise seems real, with Cole now reporting (on Twitter) the Cardinals safety could earn more than $9MM annually. Previously, Cole had Jefferson — likely the market’s top safety after Berry re-signed in Kansas City — pegged to command around $7MM per year. But Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com attached the safety to a market around nearly $10MM AAV.
Patriots Re-Sign James Develin
The Patriots reached an agreement with one of their UFAs on Monday, securing a commitment from fullback James Develin, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal for the sixth-year contributor, per Howe. The pact is worth up to $2.85MM and comes with a $300K signing bonus, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. It also features $500K in guarantees, tweets Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
The sides made progress in coming to an agreement on Friday, Howe reports. Develin’s played his entire career in New England, helping the Patriots on special teams and offense. He has just 13 career receptions and seven career carries but played on 31.3 percent of the Patriots’ offensive plays last season and just more than 33 percent of their special teams sequences.
Entering the week with nearly $62MM in cap space, the Patriots have several other free agents that are higher-profile players — Martellus Bennett, Dont’a Hightower, LeGarrette Blount, Jabaal Sheard, etc. — but they locked down one who has delivered three 16-game seasons and one that won’t end up costing much to keep.
Latest On Dont’a Hightower
While the Patriots haven’t yet re-signed linebacker Dont’a Hightower, the pending free agent engaged in a “positive conversation” with head coach Bill Belichick last week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Hightower is open to staying in New England, but is also gauging his value on the open market, per Rapoport.
[RELATED: Martellus Bennett Seeking $9MM Per Year]
Contrary to other reports, the Patriots “didn’t even explore” the option of using the transition tag on Hightower, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link). The transition tender would have given New England the right of first refusal on any contract offer Hightower might received. If they didn’t consider the transition tag, it’s fair to assume the Patriots didn’t think about deploying the franchise tender (at a cost of $14.55MM).
Hightower, 26, played in 13 games last season and racked up 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 12th-best linebacker among 87 qualifiers. Given that the Patriots have already traded away other key defenders such as Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones, Hightower may be the last man standing when New England decides where to spend its free agent dollars.
Latest On Adrian Peterson’s Market
A number of teams will have interest in free agent running back Adrian Peterson, but at least two teams are considered “desirable landing spots” for the veterans. According to Stacey Dales of the NFL Network (via Twitter), the Seahawks and Raiders are teams that Peterson has on his radar. The seven-time Pro Bowler could seek $4MM to $6MM per year on his next deal, tweets Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, who adds that the Patriots – with whom Peterson could take a discount – are also in the mix. Peterson has spent his entire career with the Vikings to this point, but they’re prioritizing their offensive line and might not make him an offer until next week, relays Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The 31-year-old Peterson only appeared in three games this past season as he recovered from a torn meniscus in his right knee. Still, the veteran’s previous performance is a big reason why PFR’s Zach Links pegged Peterson as the projected highest-earning running back this offseason (he was also listed as the second-best available running back behind Eddie Lacy).
There shouldn’t be any worry that Peterson can bounce back from his injury. After playing in only one game in 2014, the running back finished the 2015 campaign with 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns on 327 carries (4.5 yards per carry). The veteran also finished that campaign with 30 receptions.
Neither the Seahawks nor Raiders would deny a player of Peterson’s talent, but they currently have solid depth at the position. Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise are set to compete for the starting gig in Seattle, while Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are among the intriguing options is Oakland. The Raiders could also look to re-sign Latavius Murray.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/7/17
Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted and exclusive rights free agents. All RFA tenders listed are original round/right of first refusal (worth $1.797MM), and all links go to Twitter:
RFAs:
Tendered:
- Bengals — G T.J. Johnson (via Jim Owczarski of the Enquirer)
- Bills — C Ryan Groy (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
- Buccaneers — DE Jacquies Smith (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Giants — DE Kerry Wynn (via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com)
- Patriots — T Cameron Fleming (via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Rams — DT Dominique Easley (via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com)
- Ravens – S Marqueston Huff (via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com); WR Michael Campanaro, T James Hurst, RB Terrance West (via Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun)
Non-Tendered:
- Bills — DE IK Enemkpali, P Colton Schmidt
- Broncos — OL Sam Brenner (via Mike Klis of 9NEWS)
- Chargers — WR Jeremy Butler (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk)
- Seahawks — LB Brock Coyle, CB DeShawn Shead (via Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com)
ERFAs:
Tendered:
- Broncos — LB Zaire Anderson, OLB Shaquil Barrett, RB Kapri Bibbs, C James Ferentz, WR Bennie Fowler, LS Casey Kreiter, C Matt Paradis, WR Jordan Taylor (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
- Cardinals — QB Zac Dysert, DT Olsen Pierre, G/T John Wetzel (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com)
- Jaguars — S Peyton Thompson (via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
- Lions — DE Brandon Copeland (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Packers — LB Joe Thomas (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Panthers — C Tyler Larsen, P Michael Palardy
- Patriots — CB Justin Coleman (via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald), TE Matt Lengel (via Kevin Duffy of MassLive)
- Saints — WR Brandon Coleman (via Nick Underhill of the Advocate)
Non-Tendered:
- Buccaneers — DE Howard Jones (via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
Martellus Bennett Seeking $9MM Per Year
After the Patriots’ Super Bowl LI victory, tight end Martellus Bennett seemed excited about hitting the open market because teams “overpay” champions. It appears someone is about to grant Bennett’s wish with a mega-deal, as Mike Giardi of CSNNE tweets that six teams have already checked in on the soon-to-be 30-year-old. Bennett is seeking around $9MM per year, a source told Giardi.
Currently the best unsigned tight end in the NFL, Bennett is coming off a season in which he was an integral piece of the champs’ offense. With the banged-up Rob Gronkowski on the sideline for most of the year, Bennett appeared in all of New England’s games and hauled in 55 receptions, 701 yards and seven touchdowns. Since entering the league in 2008, Bennett has combined for 403 catches and 30 scores with four different clubs.
The Pats tried during the season to extend Bennett at $7MM per annum, but he made what could be a wise decision (for his bank account, anyway) in rejecting it. Bennett, whom PFR’s Zach Links ranks 20th overall in this year’s free agent class, has drawn interest from the Raiders, Jaguars and Giants. Notably, he spent 2012 with Big Blue.
Redskins, DeSean Jackson Expected To Part Ways
Following three seasons with the organization, it sounds like DeSean Jackson‘s tenure with the Redskins is over. According to Mike Jones, Master Tesfatsion, and Liz Clarke of The Washington Post, it’s expected that the two sides “will part ways.” Meanwhile, the trio report that the Patriots, Eagles, Buccaneers, and Cowboys have inquired on the 30-year-old.
Following an underwhelming 2015 campaign, Jackson bounced back in 2016. In 15 games, the veteran hauled in 56 receptions for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns. In nine NFL seasons, the wideout has averaged 55 receptions, 980 yards, and five touchdowns in 14 games per season.
The Buccaneers would be an intriguing option, as Jackson could team up with Mike Evans to provide Jameis Winston with a pair of dynamic receiving options. The veteran would easily fit the role of the veteran long threat in New England, and he’d provide the Eagles with the receiver they’ve been seeking since they lost Jackson following the 2013 season. The Cowboys would be an intriguing option, but it’d be hard to envision Jackson replacing Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley from the starting lineup.
Patriots Apply Tender To Malcolm Butler
As expected, the Patriots have slapped cornerback Malcolm Butler with a first-round tender, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The value of this tender is worth $3.9MM.
The Patriots now have the opportunity to match any offer sheet the defensive back receives, and they’ll be compensated with a first-round pick if the player signs elsewhere.
The former undrafted free agent broke onto the scene with his Super Bowl-winning interception during the 2014 season. Since then, Butler has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. The 27-year-old finished the 2016 season with 63 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and four interceptions, and PFF ranked him as the seventh-best cornerback in the NFL.
The Patriots will presumably do everything in their power to retain Butler, especially since fellow cornerback Logan Ryan is also a free agent. If the duo left, the team would be forced to rely on Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, Cyrus Jones, and Jonathan Jones.
Browns Rumors: Garoppolo, Pryor, Zeitler
It sounds like talk of Jimmy Garoppolo being pulled off the trade block was not entirely accurate. Still, if he is still available, it could take an awful lot to pry him loose. It might take as much as a No. 1 pick this year plus a No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. That’s a price the Browns are very unlikely to meet, Cabot adds. 
The Browns would very much like to have Garoppolo and their dream scenario right now would be to land him via trade while drafting pass rusher Myles Garrett No. 1 overall. Failing that, they have their eyes on getting Garrett at the top of the draft and landing either Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson at No. 12. That scenario will become a little more realistic if teams like the 49ers, Jets, and Bears address their QB situations before the draft. The Browns could also conceivably use their draft stockpile to trade up from No. 12 and get their desired signal caller.
In other Browns news, one source estimates that Terrelle Pryor is seeking somewhere between $13MM and $15MM per year. If that’s the asking price, Cabot believes the Browns will let him walk. Reportedly, he has been contacted by the Giants, 49ers, Titans, and Eagles. The Steelers, depending on who you ask, may also have interest.
A Pryor return may or may not be in the cards, but the Browns will likely pursue Bengals free agent guard Kevin Zeitler, a league source tells Cabot. Zeitler played for coach Hue Jackson in Cincinnati and that connection could help lead to a deal.