Titans To Meet With Ndamukong Suh
The Titans plan to host free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). We learned earlier today that the 31-year-old was set to meet with the Saints, and Rapoport notes that Suh is expected to take more visits, as well.
Suh was released on Wednesday, clearing the way for teams to sign him. The defensive tackle was in the midst of a six-year, $114MM contract before he was let go by Miami. The free agent has already generated plenty of interest on the open market. Besides the Titans and Saints, the Cowboys and Seahawks have also expressed interested in Suh.
The 31-year-old may be getting older, but he’s still plenty productive. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 interior defensive lineman in the NFL in 2017. The 31-year-old had a another impressive campaign numbers-wise, as he finished the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Suh would presumably slide into the team’s starting lineup, displacing projected starter Sylvester Williams. The team could use some depth at the position, as Antwaun Woods is the only other defensive tackle on the roster.
Ravens Void Deal With WR Ryan Grant
The Ravens’ have voided their reported four-year agreement with wideout Ryan Grant according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Baltimore found an issue with Grant’s ankle that dated back to the 2017 season finale, per Schefter. 
Baltimore had been scheduled to give Grant $14.5MM in injury guarantees, meaning he would get that money if he were cut due to a serious health question mark. The Ravens, or Grant, apparently had no interest in working out a revised deal, and the 27-year-old will now be free to sign with another club.
With Grant out of the picture, the Ravens have moved quickly to set up a visit with veteran wideout Michael Crabtree. Crabtree, who was released by the Raiders earlier today following Oakland’s signing of Jordy Nelson, is scheduled to meet with Baltimore on Friday.
Grant, a former fifth-round pick, broke out with 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington in 2017. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Grant 57th among 116 NFL wide receivers. The Redskins had previously expressed interest in retaining Grant, so it’s possible a reunion can be forged.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was the first to report the Ravens had reached a snag with Grant after finding “something” in his physical (Twitter links). Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Seahawks Discussing Earl Thomas Trade; Seeking 1st, 3rd Round Picks
The Seahawks are in discussions with several teams regarding safety Earl Thomas, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). They are seeking a first-round pick and a third-round pick in exchange for the three-time First Team All-Pro safety, but La Canfora says they may get even more for him in a trade.
We learned last night that the Seahawks had requested a first-round pick in exchange for the defensive back. The Seahawks have already made several changes to their secondary, including releasing both Richard Sherman and DeShawn Shead, and it sounds like moving on from their safety isn’t out of the picture. Thomas, who turns 29 in May, has earned six Pro Bowl selection in his eight seasons in Seattle, and has been a critical figure in the team’s “Legion of Boom” secondary.
The Seahawks are seemingly interested in moving on from Thomas, and the feeling is apparently mutual. He connected himself to the Cowboys after the Seahawks’ December win in Dallas, telling Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett to “come get me.” Thomas was born in Orange, Texas and played at the University of Texas before Seattle selected him with the No. 14 pick in 2010.
In January, Thomas threatened a holdout by saying he doesn’t envision himself rejoining Seattle without a longterm deal. The safety signed a four-year $40 MM deal in 2014, which is set to expire after the 2018 season. The safety had another productive campaign in 2017, compiling 56 tackles and two interceptions in 14 games (14 starts).
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.
Redskins Re-Sign LB Zach Brown
Zach Brown isn’t going anywhere. The Redskins have re-signed the free agent inside linebacker, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth up to $24MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
[RELATED: Redskins Depth Chart, Via Roster Resource]
Brown ranked as our No. 3 ranked linebacker heading into free agency, behind only Nigel Bradham and NaVorro Bowman. Bradham has since re-signed with the Eagles on a five-year, $40MM deal. Bowman, meanwhile, continues to look for his next team and with the incumbent Raiders having interest. Brown’s deal with the Redskins could facilitate a return to Oakland for Bowman.
Brown racked up 127 tackles last year and was vocal about his desire for a better deal. Last year, he settled for a one-year, $2.55MM deal with the Redskins. He’s back in D.C., this time with a pay bump.
In his first campaign with Washington, Brown appeared in 13 games and played on roughly three-quarters of the team’s defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus graded Brown as the league’s No. 51 linebacker among 88 qualifiers, a steep drop off from his 2017 production. As a unit, Washington’s defense ranked 29th in rush defense DVOA. Still, advanced analytics only mean so much to NFL front offices and Brown’s value was evident to the Redskins.
Jaguars To Sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Austin Seferian-Jenkins has a new home. The tight end will sign with the Jaguars, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
This will be a two-year agreement worth $10MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). A $1MM incentive package also appears to be included in the deal.
Seferian-Jenkins, a former second-round pick of the Bucs, never lived up to his potential with Tampa Bay. After bouncing back from substance abuse issues, he put together a productive season with the Jets, catching 50 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. Two more TDs were overturned on controversial reversals.
ASJ was seeking a slightly more lucrative deal and also met with the Seahawks. But he didn’t make that trip and will add to the reigning AFC South champions’ retooled pass-catcher stable. The Jaguars lost Allen Robinson but added Donte Moncrief. He and Seferian-Jenkins now look to serve as complementary targets for Blake Bortles.
This didn’t cost nearly as much as the most recent notable Jaguars free agent tight end signing. Julius Thomas signed a five-year, $46MM deal in 2015, but that didn’t end up working out. ASJ has not produced what Thomas did in Denver but never enjoyed those kind of favorable circumstances, either. And, as was the case when Thomas signed, Marcedes Lewis is still on the team.
Seferian-Jenkins is only 25, however, and if last season was a brief indication could have some upside. Although, the two-year agreement is likely, to some degree, indicative of his checkered past.
Raiders Sign WR Jordy Nelson
The Raiders have signed wide receiver Jordy Nelson, as first reported by his former teammate James Jones (on Twitter). It’s a two-year, $15MM deal with $13MM guaranteed. The news has been confirmed by Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). 
Nelson was a cap casualty of the Packers, but several teams were eager to bring him into the fold. The Raiders beat out the Seahawks and Saints, who were also making a strong push for him.
The Raiders released Michael Crabtree on Thursday in order to make room for Nelson. At this stage of their careers, not everyone would prefer Nelson to Crabtree, although the Raiders’ new head coach obviously does. Nelson is coming off of his worst season, statistically speaking, since 2012. He caught 53 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Crabtree, meanwhile, had his worst season as a Raider, though he had 58 grabs for 618 yards and eight TDs.
Nelson now slots in as the Raiders’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Amari Cooper, as shown on Roster Resource. Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson are also on the depth chart. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders continue to explore the wide receiver market for depth, though there will also be options in the draft.
This will be a chance for Nelson to bounce back. Although he was only selected to one Pro Bowl (in 2014) during his run as Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite target, Nelson became the Packers’ second-leading receiver scorer. Only Don Hutson caught more touchdowns as a Packer than Nelson’s 69. He has four 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, with the most recent coming in 2016 despite having suffered an ACL tear in 2015.
The former second-round pick and Super Bowl hero caught 97 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 TDs during his last full season with Rodgers, and the Raiders are clearly banking he can return to close to that level with this signing.
[RELATED: Raiders Depth Chart]
Raiders Release WR Michael Crabtree
The Raiders are releasing wide receiver Michael Crabtree, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). With Crabtree out of the picture, a source tells Schefter that there is a “high probability” of wide receiver Jordy Nelson landing in Oakland (UPDATE: Nelson has signed with the Raiders).
There have been whispers of Crabtree’s exit from Oakland for several months. At one point, Jon Gruden seemed to indicate that Crabtree would be back with the team in 2018. Such talk, apparently, was premature. The Raiders will move on from Crabtree’s $7MM salary and are likely to fill that void with Nelson.
Last season, Crabtree posted his worst season as a Raider, managing only 58 reception and 618 yards in 14 games. In January, his $7MM salary seemed a bit rich given his down year, but it’s not so crazy when compared to some of the free agent deals signed by other receivers this year.
Take Marqise Lee‘s new contract with the Jaguars, for example. He can earn a maximum of $38MM over the course of his four-year contract. Even if his “true” average annual value falls short of $9.5MM, it’s still a good indicator of what Crabtree can expect to get in free agency. On the other hand, many of this year’s wide receiver voids have already been filled.
Browns Trade Jason McCourty To Patriots
Jason McCourty isn’t being released by the Browns after all. The cornerback has been traded to the Patriots, according to an announcement from Cleveland. The deal will see McCourty and a seventh-round pick head to New England in exchange for the Patriots’ sixth-round choice. 
The Browns announced on Thursday afternoon that they would be releasing McCourty. Quickly, speculation emerged about McCourty joining up with the Patriots, who are in need of a cornerback after losing Malcolm Butler to free agency. He’s going to New England, but it’s going to be via a trade rather than a free agent signing.
Browns GM John Dorsey said that he was moving on from McCourty because he wasn’t sure if he would make the team’s roster in September. That doesn’t necessarily jive with the rest of the league’s assessment of McCourty’s skills. Last year, he graded out as a top-30 cornerback in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. His play, according to the advanced metrics, was in line with his best seasons with the Titans in 2012 and 2013.
This, of course, will reunite Jason McCourty with twin brother Devin McCourty, who is entering his ninth season as a Patriots safety. The duo played together at Rutgers, with Jason entering the draft in 2009 and Devin following him a year later.
The McCourtys will turn 31 during Patriots training camp. But the Pats could use a replacement for Butler. They may opt to seek younger help in the draft or at least bolster their position, but a two-McCourty setup could be a common site for New England’s defense this coming season. The Pats still have Eric Rowe in the fold for 2018 as well.
This also continues the Patriots-Browns pipeline that’s been flowing for a bit. Cleveland acquired Jamie Collins from New England in 2016, and the Patriots added Barkevious Mingo from the Browns earlier that year. And last weekend, the Browns shipped Danny Shelton to the Pats.
[RELATED: Patriots Depth Chart]
Vikings Officially Sign Kirk Cousins
The worst kept secret in football is no longer a secret. The Vikings have officially inked quarterback Kirk Cousins to a three-year, fully guaranteed deal. 
Cousins now takes the reins of a Vikings team that came one win away from a Super Bowl appearance. Last year, Case Keenum transformed from an NFL afterthought to a legitimate NFL starter. Cousins comes in with a much stronger resume and, frankly, a sharper skillset.
Cousins’ three-year contract is worth a reported $84MM. The $28MM average annual value is less than anyone expected, but the deal is revolutionary in that it is 100% guaranteed. Cousins’ deal figures to shape the future deals of other quarterbacks, including upcoming extension talks for Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, and other star signal callers.
There were plenty of clubs interested in Cousins – including the Jets, Cardinals, and Broncos – but Minnesota wound up being Cousins’ first and only free agent visit. The Jets had the most cap room of the bunch to work with, by far, but Cousins apparently valued the opportunity to win right away with the Vikings. The Jets wound up going to their Plan B by re-signing Josh McCown and adding Teddy Bridgewater. The Cardinals inked Sam Bradford to a short-term deal that will cost less than Cousins’ deal, but is still fairly hefty with $20MM coming to him in 2018. The Broncos, meanwhile, were the first of the group to sign a QB by inking Keenum.
[RELATED: Vikings Depth Chart]