Extra Points: DRC, Redskins, Maxwell
Free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie says he’s in no rush to make a decision in free agency. Right now, he’s hoping to make a decision “in April sometime” (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson).
Rodgers-Cromartie visited with the Redskins and had a meeting scheduled with the Saints, but it seems that New Orleans lost interest after signing fellow corner Patrick Robinson. The Redskins could still use an addition to their cornerback group, but it’s possible that their offer was not to DRC’s liking. Or, perhaps no offer was made.
Before he was released by the Giants, DRC reportedly agreed to play safety in 2018. That could be a solution for him if his market continues to stall.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- As teams try to hold onto their own players, two to watch: The Redskins are working to keep outside linebacker Junior Galette and the Seahawks are doing the same with cornerback Byron Maxwell, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). We had Galette ranked as a top-12 edge rusher heading into free agency. Maxwell did not make the top 15 at his position due to his decline in performance and the depth of this year’s CB crop.
- Linebacker Demario Davis says the Jets didn’t make him an offer before he signed with the Saints. “The shocking thing was the Jets didn’t make me an offer, so that made my decision easy because all I had to do was look at the contenders,” Davis said (via Rod Walker of The Advocate). “It would have been something to weigh. The hardest decision isn’t where to go, but deciding if you want to go or stay. So I didn’t have to make that decision so that was the peaceful thing about it. I was able to just weight my options objectively.” Things worked out just fine for Davis as he signed a three-year, $24MM deal with New Orleans.
- The Dolphins have been talking with agent Drew Rosenhaus about re-signing offensive tackle Sam Young, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald tweets. If retained, Young would return as Miami’s third offensive tackle.
Alex Okafor Leaves Bucs Visit Without Deal
Alex Okafor isn’t signing with the Buccaneers… for now. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the defensive end met with the Buccaneers today but left without a deal. The reporter adds that there’s mutual interest between the two sides.
We heard yesterday that the veteran was set to visit with Tampa Bay. Okafor already had a connection to both general manager Jason Licht and defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, so the pairing makes plenty of sense. However, the Bucs could have some competition for his services. The Saints have interest in retaining their defender, according to Joel A. Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate.
Following four years with Arizona, the 27-year-old joined the Saints last offseason. The 2013 fourth-rounder ended up starting each of his 10 games for New Orleans, compiling 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a career-high 43 tackles. Unfortunately, Okafor’s season was cut short after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 11.
Pro Football Focus was particularly fond of his performance last season, ranking him 22nd among 106 eligible edge defenders. Okafor was also listed sixth in our positional free agent rankings.
Saints Owner Tom Benson Dead At 90
Saints owner Tom Benson has died at the age of 90. According to an announcement from the team, Benson passed away peacefully with wife Gayle Marie Benson at his side.
Benson purchased the Saints in 1985 after learning that the team was on the verge of being sold and relocated. Since being purchased by Benson, the Saints have earned eleven playoff berths and won a Super Bowl ring in 2009. Back in 2012, Benson also bought the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans).
We learned earlier this week that Benson was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Ochsner Medical Center (via ESPN’s Mike Triplett). He was admitted several weeks ago with flu symptoms. Benson has battled several ailments in recent years, and he was hospitalized back in October for exhaustion.
Besides owning the two major sports teams in New Orleans, Benson was also known in the area for his charitable work. Through his Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation, the owner was “dedicated to assisting a myriad of charitable, faith-based and educational causes in the New Orleans and South Texas communities” (via a Saints press release).
We at PFR offer our thoughts and condolences to Benson’s family and friends.
Saints To Meet With Ndamukong Suh
The Saints have interest in former Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). They’re working to bring the monster defensive tackle in on a visit this week.
Jane Slater of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) this visit will occur, with Suh set to trek to New Orleans on Friday. Slater notes the Cowboys are not expected to be in the running for the dominant defensive tackle. 
If New Orleans is the first visit for Suh, that bodes well for his chances to sign with the Saints, as Rapoport notes. The Seahawks are also among the clubs with interest and there are conflicting reports about the Cowboys’ level of interest in the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
Suh stands as the best free agent on the board after securing his release from Miami. The Dolphins’ decision to release Suh had more to do with his contract than his performance. Last year, he has the fifth-best interior defender in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished out the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks – solid numbers, even if they’re down from previous seasons.
The Saints have a host of defensive linemen out in free agency, headlined by defensive end Alex Okafor. If the season were to start today – a funny phrase here in March – they’d project to start David Onyemata and Tyeler Davison in the middle. Needless to say, Suh would provide a major boost to New Orleans’ front four.
Saints Receive Cap Credit From Nick Fairley Grievance
Nick Fairley and the Saints each filed grievances with the NFL over the former New Orleans defensive tackle’s contract, and one of the details from the result of those proceedings with the league has emerged.
The Saints will see a $3MM bump in cap space because of this, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports. This will come in the form of a cap credit, with bonus money from Fairley’s contract being returned to the team, per Triplett.
It’s not certain if this grievance has been fully resolved, or how money from Fairley’s $14MM guarantee will be distributed. The Saints signed Fairley to a four-year, $28MM contract last March, but after a quality season in 2016, Fairley was diagnosed with a heart condition. He has not played since and may well have played his last down as an NFL player.
Extra Points: Seahawks, Nelson, Browns
The Raiders are in the mix to sign Jordy Nelson, but it’s not a done deal just yet. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) cautions not to count out the Seahawks in the Nelson chase, given John Schneider‘s history with the wide receiver.
In 2008, the Packers traded back with the Jets in the second round in order to select Nelson. Schneider was a big reason for that deal as he advocated for Nelson in the war room. Now, Schneider is at the helm in Seattle with a very real chance at signing the veteran.
The Saints, reportedly, are also pushing to sign Nelson.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Browns GM John Dorsey said he released cornerback Jason McCourty because he wasn’t sure he’d make the roster and, given his veteran status, wanted to give him a chance to catch on with another team (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon). McCourty had a solid bounce back year with the Browns, so it’s surprising to hear that Dorsey wasn’t sure if McCourty would quality for the 53-man roster. In any event, he figures to have a ripe market.
- Meanwhile, Browns coach Hue Jackson confirmed that Tyrod Taylor is the Browns starting quarterback for 2018. “He’s going to be the starting quarterback. There is no competition,” Jackson said (Twitter link via NFL.com’s James Palmer). The Browns hold the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks in this year’s draft and one of those selections will almost certainly be used on a QB. Whoever that rookie is, apparently, will be learning from the bench at the outset.
- The Raiders were a close second for Johnathan Joseph before he agreed to re-sign with the Texans, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Joseph re-upped with Houston on Thursday with a two-year deal.
- The Eagles and Giants are showing interest in Bears free agent punter Pat O’Donnell, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Seahawks, Saints Still Pushing To Sign Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson is not headed to Oakland just yet. The Raiders still have competition from the Saints and Seahawks.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) Nelson-to-Oakland is not a done deal yet, adding the Saints represent “real competition” for the 32-year-old wide receiver’s services. The Seahawks are also not out of the mix yet.
Nelson is still in Oakland, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported earlier Thursday the expectation is this Raiders agreement still gets done. But two NFC teams aren’t conceding yet.
The Saints and Seahawks have scheduled visits with Nelson, but the Raiders are still in pole position here having secured the first meeting and reports of the further summits on the verge of being cancelled. This race also could decide Michael Crabtree‘s fate. The Raiders are likely to cut the three-year Silver and Black starter if they land Nelson, and that would put a younger wideout on the market.
Seattle, which lost Paul Richardson to Washington, is also pursuing Terrelle Pryor. The Saints, who have Michael Thomas under a rookie contract for up to two more seasons, have Ted Ginn signed to a veteran deal but tendered Willie Snead at the lowest level. They did not tender RFA Brandon Coleman.
Contract Details: McCarron, Green, Jones, Bushrod, Davis
Let’s take a look at the details from the latest contracts signed in the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
- A.J. McCarron, QB (Bills): Two years, $10MM. $3MM in 2018, $7MM in 2019. $1.1MM of ’19 salary guaranteed for injury. 2019 salary fully guaranteed on Day 5 of 2019 league year. Bills would incur $2MM dead-money charge by cutting McCarron after one season (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
- DaQuan Jones, DE (Titans): Three years, $21MM, $14MM fully guaranteed at signing. $6MM base salary for 2019 fully guaranteed (per Caplan).
- Virgil Green, TE (Chargers): Three years, $8.6MM, $5.9MM fully guaranteed, which covers the first two years of this deal (per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, on Twitter).
- Cody Davis, S (Jaguars): Two years, $5MM, $2.5MM fully guaranteed. Deal contains option bonus due 22 days before the start of the 2019 league year (via Caplan).
- Jermon Bushrod, OL (Saints): One-year deal (via Herbie Teope of NOLA.com)
Saints Sign OL Jermon Bushrod
The Saints are signing Jermon Bushrod, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Bushrod, a fourth-round pick of New Orleans in 2007, returns back to where it all began. 
Bushrod spent the first six seasons of his career with the Saints. Four of those campaigns were spent as the team’s starting left tackle and he earned Pro Bowl nods for his 2011 and 2012 seasons with New Orleans.
Bushrod left in free agency in 2013 to sign a five-year, $35MM free agent deal with the Bears which, at the time, was considerable cash for a tackle. Three years later, the contract was cut short and the Dolphins picked him up to serve as their starting guard.
Bushrod will likely fill the void created by Senio Kelemete‘s departure. Kelemete, who signed a three-year, $12MM deal with the Texans, moved between tackle and guard for the Saints and appeared in 47 games over the past three seasons with 22 starts, including 17 in the past two seasons.
Saints Interested In Retaining Alex Okafor
If the Saints have their way, Alex Okafor will be back with the team next season. Joel A. Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate reports (via Twitter) that the organization has interest in bringing back the defensive end.
Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams, however, passes along that Okafor is schedule to visit with the Buccaneers on Thursday. She notes he has connections to Tampa Bay with general manager Jason Licht and defensive line coach Brentson Buckner from his time in Arizona.
Following four seasons with the Cardinals, the 27-year-old joined the Saints last offseason. The 2013 fourth-rounder proceeded to start each of his 10 games for New Orleans, compiling 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a career-high 43 tackles. Unfortunately, Okafor’s season was cut short after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 11.
Pro Football Focus was particularly fond of his performance last season, ranking him 22nd among 106 eligible edge defenders. Okafor was also listed sixth in our positional free agent rankings.
If Okafor re-signs with the Saints, he might be hard pressed to make his way back into the starting lineup. However, he should have an opportunity to be the top backup options to Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins.