Bears’ Mills Tops Performance-Based Pay List
Bears rookie right tackle Jordan Mills, whose base salary was $495k last season, will receive approximately $318k from the performance-based pay pool, more than any other player in the league. Created in order to reward players who make the least and play the most, the performance-based league pool is $3.46MM per team. Each team’s performance-based pay leader can be found here, courtesy of USA Today.
Mills, a fifth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, started all 16 games for the Bears. However, his starts were more a reflection of the team’s lack of options, as Mills rated as one of the league’s worst starters, ranking last in pass protection (-32.5 rating) and hurries allowed (62). Other notables (dollar figures rounded):
- Vontaze Burfict (Bengals): $316k
- Ronald Leary (Cowboys): $307k
- Larry Warford (Lions): $261k
- Jason Kelce (Eagles): $260k
- David Bakhtiari (Packers): $257k
- Danny Trevathan (Broncos): $245k
- Keenan Allen (Chargers): $218k
- Will Hill (Giants): $215k
2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks
The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:
- 49ers: 3rd (100)
- Bears: None
- Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
- Bills: None
- Broncos: None
- Browns: None
- Buccaneers: None
- Cardinals: None
- Chargers: None
- Chiefs: None
- Colts: None
- Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Dolphins: None
- Eagles: None
- Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Giants: 5th (174)
- Jaguars: None
- Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
- Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
- Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
- Panthers: None
- Patriots: 4th (140)
- Raiders: None
- Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
- Redskins: None
- Saints: None
- Seahawks: None
- Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
- Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
- Titans: None
- Vikings: None
NFC Notes: Sanchez, Cutler, Kaepernick, Kuhn
The Eagles appear to be the frontrunners to sign Mark Sanchez, but the quarterback doesn’t have an agreement in place with any team yet. As Sanchez and his suitors weigh the decision, we can rule out Seattle as a potential landing spot. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that the Seahawks, who had been mentioned because of the connection to former USC coach Pete Carroll, aren’t in the mix for the former Jet.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), the Bears have created a little 2014 cap space by converting $5MM of Jay Cutler‘s $22.5MM base salary into a signing bonus. That allows the team to spread the bonus out in even $1MM hits over the next five seasons, creating $4MM in cap savings for ’14.
- Working out a deal that will keep Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco long-term is a “priority” for the 49ers, head coach Jim Harbaugh said today. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has the details and quotes from Harbaugh.
- Free agent fullback John Kuhn continues to talk to the Packers and other teams, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Saints GM Mickey Loomis spoke at length to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune about his team’s offseason so far, including New Orleans’ additions and subtractions. Discussing the Darren Sproles trade with the Eagles, Loomis suggested that he hopes the move doesn’t come back to “bite” the Saints.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) passes along some specific details on J.D. Walton‘s two-year contract with the Giants. With an overall base value of $6MM, the deal includes annual base salaries of $1.25MM (2014) and $2.25MM (2015), a $1.25MM signing bonus, a $250K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, and $50K each season in per-game roster bonuses.
Giants Done Spending For Offseason
The Giants have been rather busy this offseason in an effort to put a dismal 2013 behind them. However, as we head into April, it appears that they’re just about tapped out. Owner John Mara told Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (on Twitter) says the Giants are “pretty much done” signing veteran free agents after their recent spree.
This winter, Big Blue added several impact free agents this winter, headlined by cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who got a five-year, $35MM deal (~$14MM guaranteed). Other big pickups included offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, cornerback Walter Thurmond, running back Rashad Jennings, and linebacker Jameel McClain. Between those signings and retaining linebacker Jon Beason, Big Blue feels as though they’ve done enough to return to the playoffs in 2014.
Mara went on to say that the club “won’t rule out” reworking Eli Manning‘s contract this year but nothing is in the works at the moment (link). As shown at Over The Cap, Manning has two years left on his deal including 2014. The Super Bowl winning quarterback is set to earn base salaries of $15.15MM in ’14 and $17MM in 2015.
NFC East Notes: Pryor, Redskins, FA Strategies
Following up on his article on Saturday where he wrote that Oakland QB Terrelle Pryor would be a good fit for the Eagles if he is released by the Raiders, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com elaborates in a different piece today. He notes that Pryor is almost certainly done in Oakland after the Raiders–who value Matt McGloin as a back-up–traded for Matt Schaub, and that Pryor’s athleticism and mobility would fit well in Chip Kelly‘s offense.
Mosher adds that Kelly actually had a great deal of interest in Pryor when Kelly was the head coach at Oregon and Pryor was a prized high school recruit. In short, then, the dots are there to connect, and if the Raiders release Pryor outright, the Eagles would be interested. If, however, the Raiders are more interested in trading Pryor for a late-round pick, the Eagles would probably balk, having already given up their extra fifth-round choice for Darren Sproles.
More from the NFC East:
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com writes that, despite the signing of Tracy Porter, the Redskins‘ secondary is still a work in progress and they remain in pursuit of a free agent cornerback. The team hosted Brandon Browner before he signed with New England and had a visit scheduled with Walter Thurmond before he signed with the Giants.
- Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Cowboys are still in the market for free agent defensive players even after the acquisitions of Henry Melton, Jeremy Mincey, and Terrell McClain. Executive vice president Stephen Jones, though, is looking “harder than ever” at a free agent’s age and injury history before striking a deal.
- Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News writes that the Giants have departed from their typical approach to free agency by spending big this offseason, and he believes they were right to do it.
Extra Points: Hali, Penn, Prospect Visits
Chiefs‘ pass rusher Tamba Hali received a $2MM roster bonus on Thursday, assuring his place on the team in 2014, reports Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). He credits Joel Corry of the National Football Post with first noticing. Hali was one half of the terrorizing pair of quarterback killers that helped get the Chiefs’ defense off to such a hot start (the other half being Justin Houston). He would have been tough to replace, and it would have been somewhat of a surprise had he been released for cap space.
Here are a few other notes from around the NFL:
- New Raider Donald Penn went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss his tumultuous offseason, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “The way Tampa did me kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I kind of wish they were on the schedule, but they’re not,” said Penn. “I built a great relationship there. But the way they did it at the end, it wasn’t right in my book. I’m a grown man and they could have treated me like a grown man.”
- Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans is taking an official visit with the Jets, reports Tony Pauline of Draftinsider.net (via Twitter). Evans is considered the second best receiver in the draft, and a potential top-ten pick.
- The Jets will also work out offensive tackle Kadeem Williams out of Albany, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Williams will also work out for the Giants.
- Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss teams interested in the wide receiving talent, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1. Matthews announced he will have pre-draft visits with both the Titans and Panthers.
FA Notes: Finley, Britt, Spencer, Barkley
Former Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley failed his physical with the Seahawks, reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). He writes that Finley is only four months removed from neck surgery.
Finley could still be months away from landing with an NFL team, based on his recovery, notes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Here are some other rumors from around the NFL:
- While they haven’t expressed much interest in Finley, the tight end is still an option for the Giants. However it looks like the team has concluded that Anthony Spencer‘s health is not worth the risk, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Kenny Britt had a good visit with the Patriots, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Britt had a conversation with Reiss’ colleague Mike Rodak, who covers the Bills. “It was actually better than I thought it was,” said Britt, discussing the Patriots. “A lot of guys, a lot of people out there that don’t know or been on the inside or think it’s strict and things like that, but it’s laid back when I got there. They got good people there. I actually worked out for them. The workout went great. I had a good time.”
- Matt Barkley will have a chance to win the number two quarterback job behind Nick Foles, reports Matt Bosher of CSNPhilly (via Twitter). Bosher writes that the Eagles will still have to bring another quarterback in this offseason.
Contract Details: Fitzpatrick, Wootton, Melton
Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s contract details with the Texans have been reported by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Fitzpatrick’s deal is worth $7.2MM with $4MM guaranteed, and included $2.25MM in bonus money. Next year’s 3.25MM base salary is not guaranteed.
Here are some other contract details from around the NFL:
- Corey Wootton‘s deal with the Vikings carries $1MM in salary, with $500,000 in bonus money and an additional $500,000 in potential incentives, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
- Henry Melton will have the opportunity to make up to $5MM in the first year of his deal with the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. This includes $1.25MM in base salary and up to $2.25MM in potential bonus money. Melton will have the ability to earn an additional $1.5MM in incentives, based on playing time and how many times he can take down the quarterback.
- Calvin Pace re-signed with the Jets on a two-year deal worth $5MM earlier this week. The deal includes base salaries of $1.375MM in 2014 and $2.375MM in 2015, reports Manish Mehta (via Twitter).
- Kendrick Lewis‘ one year deal with the Texans will be worth $795,000 with $100,000 guaranteed (via Twitter).
- Antoine Cason‘s one-year deal with the Panthers is for the veteran minimum, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The $730,000 deal includes a $65,000 signing bonus.
- New Giant offensive lineman John Jerry‘s one-year deal is worth $770,000 with $25,000 in guaranteed money, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter).
Zack Bowman, Giants Close To One-Year Deal
The Giants are close to agreeing to terms with free agent cornerback Zackary Bowman on a one-year deal, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. Despite a limited amount of leftover cap space, the Giants continue to be active in free agency, having already signed offensive lineman John Jerry today.
Bowman, 29, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Bears. After starting 12 of 16 games for the team in 2009, Bowman has mostly played a part-time role since then, though he did see seven more starts in 2013. The former fifth-round pick recorded 48 tackles and three interceptions in 2013, and received a slightly negative grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in large part due to a poor showing against the run. Bowman’s -3.6 grade as a run stopper ranked in the bottom 10 among qualified cornerbacks.
For the Giants, Bowman will almost certainly return to a reserve role, considering the club has already re-signed Trumaine McBride and added Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond in free agency this month.
According to Dickerson, the Bears are believed to have expressed some interest in bringing Bowman back.
Giants Sign John Jerry
The Giants have officially signed offensive lineman John Jerry, the team announced today in a press release. Jerry represents the second notable free agent guard signed this offseason by the Giants, who also added former Chief Geoff Schwartz.
Jerry, 27, was notably implicated in the bullying scandal that surrounded the Dolphins last season, with the Ted Wells report suggesting that he was among the players who harassed Jonathan Martin. Given Jerry’s status as an unrestricted free agent, it made sense for the Dolphins to simply part ways with him.
As for his track record on the field, Jerry has typically performed better as a pass blocker than a run blocker, posting slightly below-average overall grades in each of the last two seasons at right guard, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). That will still represent an upgrade for the Giants, considering last year’s guards, Kevin Boothe, David Diehl, and James Brewer, all ranked below Jerry, according to PFF.