Saints Sign Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Second-round pick Stanley Jean-Baptiste has signed a four-year contract with the Saints, the team announced today.
Jean-Baptiste, a 6-foot-3 cornerback from Nebraska, becomes the fourth rookie to agree to terms, joining safety Vinnie Sunseri, linebacker Ronald Powell and tackle Tavon Rooks. The two players yet to sign their deals are first-round pick Brandin Cooks and fourth-round pick Khairi Fortt.
According to OvertheCap.com‘s estimates, Jean-Baptiste’s contract figures to be worth roughly $3.64MM.
Saints Notes: Cooks, Walker, LSU Players
The Saints traded up in the first round to acquire Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and the receiver sees himself fitting well into the team’s offense. Cooks speaking to the media can be seen in this video from NOLA.com. Cooks compares the Saints’ spread offense to his college system, and talks about his desire to compete and bring added value on special teams.
Here are some other notes from the Saints:
- Saints’ defensive coordinator Rob Ryan spoke highly of the team’s top pick Cooks, writes Larry Holder of NOLA.com (via Twitter). “Anytime a player is hand picked by [head coach] Sean Payton that’s a receiver, you better believe he’s going to be something,” said Ryan.
- The Saints have announced that they have signed former Tulane safety Devon Walker, according to the team’s official Twitter account. Walker was a four-year player at Tulane, before he injured his neck making a tackle in the second game of his senior season, according to NewOrleansSaints.com.“When Devon got hurt, his football career was just starting to take off after three years of hard work,” Payton said. “Despite the devastating injury he suffered, Devon refuses to let that define him. He is an outstanding young man, who is not only an inspiration to his coaches and teammates at Tulane, but to all of us. Devon’s character, determination, intelligence and work ethic are everything that we look for in a New Orleans Saint when we sign a player. This is the least we can do to recognize Devon and these attributes that we want all of our players to have.”
- Aside from all of the rookies, the Saints have invited former LSU standouts Jordan Jefferson and Jacob Hester to try out for the team, according to Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com. Jefferson went undrafted as a quarterback in 2012. Hester was a running back and fullback for the Chargers and Broncos, last playing a game in 2012. The 29-year old former Tiger was part of LSU’s 2007 national championship team.
Draft Signings: Jets, Pats, Saints, Chiefs
With many rookie minicamps underway, it’s clear that a good portion of the players drafted last week have been eager to get their contract situations taken care of so they can focus solely on football. Several more draftees reached agreements or signed their deals today, so let’s round up the latest….
- No team drafted more players than the 12 the Jets selected last week, and few clubs have been more proactive about getting those draftees under contract. The club announced today in a press release that Jalen Saunders, a fourth-rounder, is the latest player to sign on the dotted line, meaning only first-round safety Calvin Pryor and two other Jets draft picks still need to ink their deals.
- Fourth-round running back James White and seventh-round receiver Jeremy Gallon have signed with the Patriots, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. We heard earlier today that Cameron Fleming had also signed, so New England is putting a dent into its draft class.
- In addition to confirming the previously reported signing of sixth-rounder Tavon Rooks, the Saints announced today that they’ve also locked up a pair of fifth-round picks, safety Vinnie Sunseri and linebacker Ronald Powell. Both players should receive four-year deals worth a little less than $2.4MM, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, and their signings mean New Orleans has secured half of its 2014 draft class.
- Fourth-round running back and receiver De’Anthony Thomas is the latest draftee to sign with the Chiefs, tweets Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. Thomas should be in line for a signing bonus of about $420K, per Fitzgerald.
- Safety Ahmad Dixon became the fourth Cowboy taken in the seventh round to sign his rookie deal, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- According to Robert Herron himself (via Twitter), the former Wyoming receiver officially put pen to paper today for the Buccaneers, making him the first Tampa Bay draftee to sign his deal. The club has since confirmed Herron’s tweet, and noted that fifth-round pick Kadeem Edwards has also signed (Twitter link).
Draft Signings: Vikings, Giants, Packers, Pats
We’re continuing to track which draft picks have signed their rookie contracts with their new NFL clubs. Here are the latest transactions:
- The Vikings have officially confirmed the signings of three draft picks, announcing the moves in a press release. While we’d already heard that the club locked up offensive lineman David Yankey, we can add cornerbacks Kendall James and Jabari Price, the 184th and 225th overall picks, to the list of Minnesota draftees who have signed.
- Two Giants draft picks have officially signed with the club, according to a team release. Fourth-round running back Andre Williams and fifth-round safety Nat Berhe have inked their rookie deals, which should put them in line for respective signing bonuses of about $454K and $193K, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.
- The Packers have agreed to terms with sixth-round cornerback Demetri Goodson, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan. Green Bay has now secured its final five draftees, though it still needs to sign the first four, including first-rounder Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun passes along a pair of signings, via Twitter: The Patriots have agreed to terms with fourth-round offensive tackle Cameron Fleming on a four-year, $2.52MM deal (Twitter link), while the Saints and sixth-round tackle Tavon Rooks reached an agreement on a four-year, $2.317MM pact (Twitter link).
South Notes: Texans, Saints, Titans, Panthers
The Texans have locked up a couple more draft picks, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, who tweets that third-round defensive tackle Louis Nix and sixth-round defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan have agreed to terms with the club.
Nix’s case is an example of how much it can cost a player early in his career financially if he slips in the draft — heading into the second day, there were rumblings that Houston might grab the Notre Dame product with the first pick in the second round. Instead, the Texans nabbed him midway through the third round. The difference? Nix gets a signing bonus of about $575K rather than $2.358MM, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.
Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two South divisions:
- The NFLPA has advised agents to keep their clients apprised about “potential consequences” of signing with the Saints, given the proposal currently making its way through Louisiana State Legislature, tweets Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. The proposed legislation would reduce the compensation pay for Saints players injured during OTAs or workouts.
- According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter links), a total of about 20 undrafted free agents and non-rookies have been invited to try out at the Titans‘ minicamp this week, including linebackers D’Aundre Reed and Greg Lloyd Jr., defensive tackle Lanier Coleman, and defensive end Cordian Hagans.
- The Panthers have formally released a list of 35 players who are participating in their minicamp on a tryout basis. Former Buccaneers safety Cody Grimm and ex-Bills punter Shawn Powell are among the invitees who have previous NFL experience.
- Former agent Joel Corry and former team executive Ari Nissim continue to conduct mock extension negotiations between the Texans and J.J. Watt in part four of their illuminating series for the National Football Post.
- West Texas A&M kicker Sergio Castillo is among the players in camp with the Saints on a tryout basis this week, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Minor Moves: Saints, Cardinals, Packers
We’ll round up today’s minor transactions below, including waiver claims and signings and cuts of players who don’t have much NFL experience. Any additional moves will be added to the top of the page throughout the evening:
- According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the Saints have signed offensive lineman Manase Foketi, who went undrafted out of West Texas A&M a year ago. Foketi signed with the Broncos last April and joined the Bills’ practice squad during the season.
- The Cardinals have waived wide receiver Javone Lawson with a non-football injury designation, tweets Wilson.
- Cornerback James Nixon has been cut by the Packers with a failed physical designation, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter).
- Josh Samuda, who was cut by the Vikings yesterday, was done so with the failed physical designation and moved to injured reserve today, tweets Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
Earlier updates:
- The Raiders have waived safety Tony Dye, linebacker Eric Harper and defensive end Chris McCoy, according to the team (via Twitter). Like the Texans (mentioned below), Oakland appears to finally be gearing up to announce its UDFA signings.
- The Texans have yet to announce their undrafted free agent class, but it looks like they’re preparing to do so, having made a series of cuts today. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), the team has parted ways with running back Ray Graham, tight end Phillip Supernaw, wideout Rico Richardson, cornerback Loyce Means, fullback Chad Spann and safety Steven Terrell. Graham had four carries and a reception for the Texans last season.
- The Buccaneers have re-signed long snapper Andrew DePaola and cut cornerback Anthony Gaitor, tweets Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Neither player saw any regular-season action for the team in 2013.
- Cut by the Bills earlier this week, offensive lineman Jamaal Johnson-Webb has been claimed off waivers by the Giants, the club announced today (via Twitter). It’s been a whirlwind year for the Alabama A&M product, who has also spent time on the Cardinals’, Bills’, and Bears’ rosters or practice squads since going undrafted last April.
NFC South Rumors: Graham, White, Bucs
Free agency, which opened more than two months ago, feels well behind us now, but technically one of the top free agents of the offseason remains available. Jimmy Graham was franchised by the Saints, meaning he can’t freely sign with another club, but he can still sign an offer sheet if there’s a team out there willing to give up two first-round picks to land him. And according to Mike Freeman of the Bleacher Report, that’s not a total pipe dream — Freeman hears from multiple sources that there are still some teams “strongly considering” extending an offer sheet to Graham.
I’d be surprised if another team ended up make a serious play for the Saints tight end, who would require a sizable chunk of cap space in addition to his suitor being willing to give up two first-rounders. But with a hearing looming next month to determine whether Graham will be considered a tight end or a wide receiver, it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on. Here’s more from around the NFC South:
- ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure explores the possibility of an extension for Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who is entering the final year of his contract. McClure likens White’s contract situation to that of Reggie Wayne, who signed a three-year extension in 2012 at age 33 — White turns 33 this fall.
- Patriots director of college scouting Jon Robinson is leaving New England to reunite with Buccaneers GM Jason Licht in Tampa Bay, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston (Twitter links). According to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link), Robinson will assume the role of director of player personnel in Tampa. Meanwhile, Bucs director of college scouting Eric Stokes will be moving on to Miami to act as an assistant to Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey, tweets Reiss.
- A bill addressing professional athletes’ injury benefits, which is working its way through the Louisiana Legislature could adversely affect the Saints‘ recruitment of free agents, according to former NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, via Emily Lane of the Times-Picayune. Lane’s piece has plenty of details on the bill, which would limit compensation benefits for NFL players if they’re injured during training camp rather than during the regular season. The Players Association also published an article on its website stating its opposition to the bill.
Minor Moves: Saints, Panthers, Bucs, Eagles
We’ll round up today’s minor transactions here, including mid-to-late-round draftees agreeing to contracts, players being claimed off waivers, and the retirement of a former NFLer who most recently played in the Canadian Football League…..
- The Chiefs announced that they have sixth-round pick Zach Fulton (Twitter link). The offensive lineman out of Tennessee was taken with the No. 193 pick.
- The 49ers announced that they have signed fifth-round outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and seventh-round defensive lineman Kaleb Ramsey, tweets Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- The Saints have signed former Notre Dame guard Mike Golic Jr. to a two-year contract, the club announced today in a press release. Golic went undrafted in 2013 and joined the Steelers for the preseason.
- Drake Nevis, who was cut yesterday by the Jaguars, has been awarded to the Panthers on waivers, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The defensive lineman appeared in games for the Cowboys and Jags last season.
Earlier updates:
- The Buccaneers have waived running back Michael Smith, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Eagles have locked up one of their draft picks, signing third-round wideout Josh Huff to a four-year deal, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
- After being cut by the Seahawks yesterday, long snapper Jorgen Hus has been claimed off waivers by the Rams, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
- The Dolphins have cut punter Matt Syzmanski, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The only NFL team to lock up any draftees so far, the Bears have agreed to terms with two more players they selected last week, according to the team (Twitter links). Fourth-round running back Ka’Deem Carey and seventh-round tackle Charles Leno Jr. have reached agreements on four-year deals with the club. At Over The Cap, Jason Fitzgerald has estimations on what sort of contracts the duo will be receiving.
- The Jaguars have claimed linebacker Allen Bradford off waivers from the Giants, a day after he was cut, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Bradford, a former Seahawk like a few other players the Jags have added this offseason, fills the last spot on the team’s 90-man roster.
- Former Bills first-round pick Aaron Maybin has officially announced his retirement as a football player, according to the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts (Twitter link). After being selected 11th overall out of Penn State, Maybin failed to make a consistent impact at the NFL level, with his best season coming in 2011 as a reserve for the Jets (six sacks).
Jimmy Graham Hearing Scheduled For June
MONDAY, 9:03am: The grievance hearing for Graham is scheduled for June 17-18, per Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
SATURDAY, 8:49pm: Amidst this week’s draft news, the fact that the NFLPA officially filed a grievance on behalf of Jimmy Graham‘s franchise tag positional designation flew relatively under the radar. But assuming Graham and the Saints don’t reach a contract agreement anytime soon, GM Mickey Loomis expects the grievance hearing to happen in about a month, according to Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune (via Twitter).
The Saints used their franchise tag on Graham earlier in the offseason, locking in a one-year contract offer worth the amount for a tight end: $7.035MM. However, now that a grievance has been filed, an arbitrator will be tasked with determining whether Graham should actually be considered a wide receiver, since he lined up as a wideout for about two-thirds of his snaps in 2013.
The argument made on behalf of Graham will suggest that, by the letter of the law, the standout pass-catcher should be eligible for the franchise salary for a receiver, which is expected to be about $11.5MM. The CBA dictates that a franchise player’s position is the one “at which the franchise player participated in the most plays during the prior league year.”
Of course, this process could be avoided if the Saints and Graham agree to a long-term deal. But it’s been more than two months since the club used its franchise tag on the 27-year-old, and there haven’t been any reports of progress in negotiations. According to a February report, New Orleans was willing to make Graham the NFL’s highest-paid tight end, exceeding Rob Gronkowski‘s $9MM annual salary. However, Graham was said to be seeking a salary that would pay him like a top-five receiver, in the neighborhood of $12MM per year.
Prospect Notes: Eagles, Steelers, Saints
Aaron Rodgers knows a few things about receivers, so it was notable when he showed interest in Kansas player Tarik Black. Why was it notable? Black is a 6’9″ forward for the Jayhawks basketball team who has never played football. Following a chance encounter at an airport, Rodgers expressed his desire to throw to the Kansas senior. In a story told by Yahoo’s Eric Adelson, the interest progressed to the point where Black was beginning to receive calls from NFL teams.
Well, that dream may not become reality. CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora reports (via Twitter) that multiple teams have interest in the player as an undrafted free agent. The catch is that Black has already committed himself to an NBA evaluation camp this weekend. As a result, he will not join an NFL team until the NBA camp is finished.
Now for some more notes on undrafted prospects…
- The Eagles have agreed to terms with Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, tweets Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. Frank expects the team to use Martinez at either cornerback or receiver, but not quarterback.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane adds that one of the Eagles other rookie free agents must have jumped elsewhere (via Twitter). The team announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents yesterday.
- Penn State offensive tackle Adam Gress will work out with the Steelers at their rookie minicamp, reports Mark Kaboly of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). St. Francis safety Jake DeMedal will also get an audition, Kaboly adds in a later tweet. The team announced their ten undrafted additions yesterday.
- Illinois wideout Steve Hull will be at the Saints rookie camp on a tryout basis, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.