FA Rumors: Broncos, Allen, LaFell, Redskins
According to a Denver Post report, the Broncos are considering free agent linebackers Jon Beason and Daryl Smith. However, the report surfaced yesterday before word broke that the team had agreed to sign Aqib Talib and scheduled a visit with DeMarcus Ware, so it’s not clear whether Denver still has interest. The team certainly does seem to be going all-in to try to take advantage of Peyton Manning‘s final years though.
Here are several more Wednesday morning free agency updates:
- The Bears don’t presently appear to be in the mix to sign veteran defensive end Jared Allen, sources tells Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (Twitter link).
- While Julian Edelman explores the open market, the Patriots will be hosting another free agent receiver, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who tweets that Brandon LaFell will visit New England.
- Free agent cornerback Corey Graham is set to visit the Redskins, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Graham has also reportedly drawn interest from a pair of Washington’s division rivals, the Giants and Eagles.
- The Redskins are also hosting offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Lions will host free agent fullback Henry Hynoski on Thursday, says Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
- Free agent guard Shelley Smith is visiting with the Giants today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Bills have announced that free agents Chris Williams (OL) and Nolan Carroll (CB) will be visiting the team today, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (via Twitter).
- Free agent wide receiver Kevin Cone didn’t receive a tender offer from the Falcons and will now be an unrestricted free agent, says D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Defensive end Ronald Talley, who was eligible for restricted free agency, also appears to have gone untendered, having tweeted that he won’t be back with the Cardinals in 2014 (hat tip to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
Remaining Options At Cornerback
The Aqib Talib contract is the latest free agent signing that has shaken up the NFL landscape, leaving few options at cornerback and many teams with a need at the position. There are still some very productive players, and even a few big names on the market that could fill those needs. Here’s a brief roundup:
- Assuming Darrelle Revis gets cut by the Buccaneers, an assumption that seems safe at this point, he will become the top free agent left on the market. He could have many potential landing spots, and will most likely draw interest from the Patriots to replace Talib.
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was in negotiations to return to the Broncos, but the team has reportedly pulled their offer after signing Talib, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
- Tracy Porter is visiting with the Giants, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Porter was one of the few bright spots for the Raiders in 2013.
- Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan are both veterans that could be available for small money on short term deals. Tillman was thought to be a fit with the Buccaneers before Verner signed there. Finnegan has not drawn much interest so far.
- The Jets and Lions are both still in need of help at corner, and it would be risky to go into the draft without adding anything at the position.
AFC East Rumors: Vick, Jets, Carroll
The Jets are very interested in Michael Vick, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). They’re hoping to get something wrapped up quickly, but the veteran has other suitors. Meanwhile, Vick is content to sit back and watch everything unfold, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. A source tells Florio that Vick knows he’s going to get a starting job, so he’ll wait to find the right fit. The latest from the AFC East..
- Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter) hears nothing will happen quickly between Vick and the Jets. The Jets are interested, but it’s still too early to say how interested.
- With Austin Howard unlikely to return to New York, the Jets have inquired on free agent right tackle Zach Strief, reports Seth Walder of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- Former Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll is in transit to the Bills for his first visit and others are scheduled, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Carroll is a big, physical corner who knows the AFC East.
- A source says linebacker Wesley Woodyard also has plans to visit the Titans after meeting with Patriots on Wednesday, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.
Darrelle Revis Rumors: Tuesday
The Darrelle Revis rumor mill was firing on all cylinders last night, as reports suggested that the Buccaneers had been intensifying their efforts to move the star cornerback in a trade. A variety of details related to Revis’ contract status, including his $13MM base salary, upcoming bonus payments, the team’s ability to unilaterally restructure the deal, and the different draft pick compensation Tampa Bay receives if they release him this week, all contribute to creating a very murky situation. There have already been plenty of updates on Revis overnight and this morning, so we’ll round them up right here, with new updates added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- A Revis trade is now considered unlikely, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The Browns sound like the most interested team, but the cornerback isn’t willing to take a pay cut to join Cleveland, and other clubs are willing to wait to see if he hits the open market.
- Resolution is expected on Revis by tomorrow afternoon, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The Bucs will either move him by 3:00pm CT or release him if there are no takers.
Earlier updates:
- A source tells Pro Football Talk that the Raiders aren’t currently pursuing Revis, but the Browns are (Twitter link).
- Brian Costello of the New York Post hears from a source that Revis would love to return to the Jets (Twitter link).
- The Bucs are trying to clear Revis’ salary – ideally via trade – in order to free up space for several other free agent moves, says Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter).
- Revis rejected a request from the Bucs to accept a pay cut, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The cornerback’s deal gives Tampa Bay the ability to restructure at any time, but of course that doesn’t mean the club can simply slash Revis’ pay.
- As we noted in a separate post on the Raiders, Oakland is a potential trade partner for the Bucs, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Tampa Bay is receiving inquiries from teams with cap space, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport suggests that the Browns, with their abundance of cap room, will be a team to watch.
- The Bucs aren’t seeking multiple first-rounders for Revis, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, who suggests (via Twitter) that anything above a mid-round pick might get it done.
- Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report hears from general managers that the Bucs‘ initial asking price for Revis was two No. 1 picks, which drew laughs around the league (Twitter link).
- Former Jets executive Ari Nissim identifies the Eagles, Raiders, Browns, and Jets as teams that would like to get their hands on Revis, but it sounds like those are the clubs who would be first in line if Revis is cut — they won’t necessarily try to trade for him (Twitter links).
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer says (via Twitter) that the Eagles won’t trade for Revis “unless it’s [for] peanuts.”
- The Eagles and Patriots are teams worth watching if and when the Bucs release Revis, says Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
AFC Rumors: Raiders, Chargers, Haden, Edelman
It appears the Raiders, the team with the most cap room in the NFL, will let both of their marquee free agents walk, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio hears from a source that Oakland believes Jared Veldheer is better suited to right tackle than left tackle, and that the team can’t justify paying $7MM annually to a defensive end (Lamarr Houston) who is more a run-stopper than a pass-rusher.
With free agency looming at the top of the hour, here’s more from around the AFC:
- Raiders defensive tackle Vance Walker will test the market at 3:00pm CT, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland made Walker an offer, and he likes playing for the Raiders, but he wants to take advantage of the rare opportunity to be an unrestricted free agent, says Tafur.
- The Chargers are “very much in the mix” for free agent defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- The Colts remain in talks to bring Ahmad Bradshaw back, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. The former Giants running back was an impact player last year before his injury.
- The Browns‘ talks with Joe Haden on a long-term deal are ongoing, tweets Breer, adding that it would be interesting to see how a deal for Darrelle Revis would affect those talks.
- Sources tell Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star that the Chiefs have interest in wide receivers Jason Avant and Devin Hester.
- Assuming the Patriots can’t re-sign Julian Edelman, Andrew Hawkins is a target to keep in mind for the team, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Hawkins received an RFA tender from the Bengals, so Cincinnati would have a chance to match any offer for the receiver.
- Speaking of Edelman, the Ravens have interest in him, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson also hears from a source that the Ravens will evaluate tight end Owen Daniels, who was released by the Texans (Twitter link).
- After voiding his deal and becoming a free agent yesterday, defensive lineman Jason Babin told SiriusXM NFL Radio today that he’d like to return to the Jaguars if it’s possible. Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union has the details and quotes.
- Bills GM Doug Whaley told WGR 550 that “offers are on the table” for tight end Scott Chandler and kicker Dan Carpenter, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
No Deal For Julian Edelman, Patriots
1:24pm: The Patriots and Edelman were unable to reach an agreement today, and the receiver will hit the open market, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
10:03am: Patriots offered WR Julian Edelman a three-year deal, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). New England is hoping to get an answer from his camp by the start of free agency and they very much want to keep him in 2014.
Edelman, 28 in May, hauled in 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns in 2013, exceeding his total production from his first four seasons. He also played in all 16 regular season games, a career first. To date, he has earned just ~$3MM over the course of his career, so he should see a sizable pay bump with his next deal.
While the Pats want to retain Edelman, Albert Breer of NFL Network (on Twitter) wouldn’t be surprised if they have a backup plan in place.
East Notes: Giants, Jennings, Woodyard
The Giants are still in the mix for center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but it appears that guard Geoff Schwartz is their more immediate priority, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger says the club appears to be looking in house at center. Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who started six games at center last season, is being viewed as the possible short-term answer.
- The Giants have made an offer to free agent running back Rashad Jennings, a league source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The Raiders, meanwhile, would like to hang on to the tailback.
- Despite interest from the Cowboys, a source close to Wesley Woodyard told Brandon Krisztal of the Denver Post (on Twitter) that his first trip is to the Patriots with another team visit planned after.
- Tyson Jackson is getting an impressive amount of interest with suitors including the Dolphins, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns and Falcons are also interested while the Chiefs are still in the mix.
AFC Rumors: Tate, McFadden, Mitchell, Dansby
Free agent receiver Golden Tate, who tweeted last night that things are “heating up” for him, could be a target for the Jaguars, says Peter King of TheMMQB.com. The former Seahawks notable is coming off of his most productive season ever in which he hauled in 64 catches for 898 yards and five touchdowns. More out of the AFC..
- While many free agent running backs aren’t getting much play yet, Darren McFadden is one that has drawn “significant interest,” tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter) hears from a league source that the Raiders have a one-year offer on the table for McFadden. The 26-year-old has missed 19 games over the last three seasons.
- The Dolphins are in the mix for defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, tweets Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. The 26-year-old is getting a lot of attention for his versatility, athletic ability, and his high motor.
- The Browns are likely to pursue Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby in free agency, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio News Group. Dansby, 32, would replace D’Qwell Jackson, who signed a four-year deal with the Colts last week. The Browns were also unsatisfied with the play of inside ‘backer Craig Robertson as the 2013 season went along.
- The Browns are aggressively pursuing slot receivers with Davone Bess out of the picture, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. Julian Edelman is a possibility as is poaching Andrew Hawkins from the Bengals.
- Re-signing defensive tackle Antonio Johnson is a priority for the Titans, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. The club also has interest in holding on to Leon Washington, Marc Mariani, Damian Williams, and Chris Spencer.
- Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (on Twitter) asked a Jets source for the best way to describe the organization’s free agency plan and he was told that the club will be “aggressive.”
- The Broncos have discussed the likes of pursuing safety T.J. Ward and defensive end Jared Allen but they’re certainly not in the lead as some have implied, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.
- The Jets and Patriots will each pick up nearly an extra $2MM in cap room due to various bookkeeping technicalities, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com explains in a series of tweets.
WR Rumors: Britt, Hawkins, Edelman, Jones
With about 17 hours left to go until the official start of free agency, here’s a look at some of the rumors regarding receivers:
- The Redskins have interest in both Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Britt is an unrestricted free agent who has had his share of struggles both on and off the field, but he can still be a playmaker. Hawkins is a restricted free agent who was tendered at the original-pick level; because he was an undrafted free agent, the Redskins would not have to sacrifice a draft pick to sign him. Hawkins played under Redskins head coach Jay Gruden the past three seasons with the Bengals.
- The Patriots are heavily engaged in contract talks with Julian Edelman, reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Edelman was on the free agent market for over a month last offseason before re-upping with the Pats, but that would assuredly not happen were he to reach free agency tomorrow.
- James Jones is receiving interest from both the Lions and the Jets, but a return to the Packers is not out of the question, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
- The 49ers could be interested in Dexter McCluster, says ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter).
CB Rumors: Talib, Rogers, Verner, Davis
Perhaps the best corner in the league appears to be available via trade, but let’s look at some news regarding free agent cornerbacks:
- Aqib Talib is “very close” to a new contract with the Patriots, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington.
- Russini also tweets that the Redskins want Talib, but that the Patriots are offering a better deal.
- Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com doesn’t expect the Redskins to “heavily pursue” Talib (via Twitter).
- Carlos Rogers would “love” to return to the Redskins after being released by the 49ers, and the two sides are discussing a reunion, according to Russini (on Twitter).
- It would be an upset if the Jets don’t sign either Vontae Davis or Alterraun Verner to replace Antonio Cromartie, as the Jets defense is based around solid cornerback play, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. We previously noted that Jets could be the mystery team in on Davis, who is expected to sign tomorrow.
- Verner has interest in both the Jets and the Giants, saying “both those teams could win and have capabilities,” according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Sulia).
- The Titans remain in conversation with Verner, but they probably won’t be able to match the money offered by other teams, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- The Ravens would like to retain Corey Graham, but he’s drawn interest from the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles, according to Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter).