RB Frank Gore Closing In On Deal With Lions?
Frank Gore may be closing to signing with a new team. Mike Jones of USA Today reports (via Twitter) that the veteran running back is close to reaching an agreement with the Lions. However, both Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and Josina Anderson of ESPN tweet that Gore just arrived in Detroit, and his visit hasn’t yet started. We learned yesterday that Gore was set to meet with Detroit.
We heard in late February that the Colts were planning to move on from the 34-year-old, and previous reports indicated that the veteran running back intended to keep playing in 2018. Despite getting up there in age, Gore was listed as the sixth-best free agent running back in our positional rankings.
Playing in his 13th NFL season, Gore collected 250-plus carries for the seventh consecutive campaign. The former 49ers star ultimately started all 16 games for Indy last season, compiling 961 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 261 carries. Gore also added another 29 receptions for 245 yards and one touchdown. Pro Football Focus actually wasn’t all that critical of his 2017 performance, as the site ranked him 17th among 58 eligible running backs.
Gore would provide the Lions with another option at running back. The team is already rostering Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Tion Green, and Dwayne Washington. The Bills have also been connected to Gore.
Delvin Breaux To Sign With Broncos?
Delvin Breaux could be headed to Denver. Mike Klis of 9News reports (via Twitter) that the free agent cornerback is set to visit and take a physical with the Broncos. The defensive back will likely sign with the team if he passes his physical. 
The 28-year-old wasn’t tendered by the Saints earlier this week, making him an unrestricted free agent. Breaux had his highs and lows while in New Orleans. He was a standout in 2015, grading out as a high-end starter per Pro Football Focus’ metrics. However, he did not deliver an encore performance in 2016, and his 2017 season was lost to injury.
The Saints designated Breaux to return from IR in October, but the cornerback had a setback that kept him out for another month. Ultimately, New Orleans did not activate him within the window, meaning that his season was done.
The former CFL player’s standout 2015 campaign saw him compile 45 tackles, 19 passes defended, and three interceptions. Injuries have been an issue with Breaux, who has broken his fibula twice and missed time with a shoulder injury.
After trading veteran cornerback Aqib Talib to the Rams, the Broncos are in need of another defensive back to pair with Chris Harris and Bradley Roby. Denver has already added one new cornerback to the mix with the signing of Tramaine Brock on a one-year $4 MM deal.
Bills To Sign A.J. McCarron
The Bills have signed A.J. McCarron, per a team announcement. It’s a two-year deal for the former Bengals signal caller. ProFootballTalk.com reports (via Twitter) that it’s a two-year deal worth $10MM, with $6.5MM “upside based on playing time.”
McCarron, for now, projects as the Bills’ new starting quarterback following the trade of Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. The 27-year-old only started three career games playing behind Andy Dalton in Cincinnati, but the quarterback certainly looked capable during his time on the field.
In 11 career games, McCarron has completed 64.7-percent of his passes for 920 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. During his brief starting stint in 2015, the quarterback also compiled 31 rushing yards on 14 carries. That season, McCarron started the Bengals’ playoff loss to the Steelers, throwing for 212 yards, one touchdown, and one pick.
Despite his starting inexperience, McCarron was still one of the top-ranked quarterbacks available in free agency. The Broncos and Cardinals had previously been connected to the former fifth-rounder, but both of those teams ultimately added other players at the position. McCarron was ranked 12th in our list of the top-50 free agents, and he was listed fourth in our positional rankings. Earlier today, Zach Links ranked him as the sixth-best remaining free agent.
The Bills presumably signed McCarron as their starting quarterback next season. Other than the free agent addition, Buffalo is rostering Nathan Peterman.
[RELATED: Bills Depth Chart]
Broncos To Trade Trevor Siemian To Vikings
The Vikings are finalizing a trade for Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Siemian now projects as the No. 2 QB in support of starter Kirk Cousins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the Broncos will also send a 2018 late-round pick to Minnesota, while the Vikings will trade a 2019 draft pick.
Siemian offered decent production in 14 games as the Broncos’ starter in 2016, as the former seventh-round pick completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season, however, Siemian struggled mightily, and Denver ultimately turned to Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch under center.
The 26-year-old ultimately led the Broncos to a 5-5 record in 10 starts, completing 59% of his passes for 2,285 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Siemian 36th among 39 eligible signal-callers. For what it’s worth, the website had rated the quarterback similarly in 2016.
Siemian will be a low-cost backup to Cousins in Minnesota, as the quarterback is set to have only a $1.9MM cap hit in 2018. The Vikings are also currently rostering former Broncos quarterback Kyle Sloter. Meanwhile, after having inked former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to a deal, the Broncos are seemingly content with one of Paxton Lynch or Chad Kelly in a backup role. We had previously heard that the Broncos were shopping Siemian, with both the Jets and Falcons showing interest in the former seventh-rounder.
Cowboys, Seahawks Interested In Ndamukong Suh?
The best free agent left on the board could soon sign with an NFC contender. Both the Cowboys and the Seahawks are interested in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys aren’t interested in the hulking lineman.
Suh was officially released on Wednesday, clearing the way for teams to sign him. The Dolphins first tried to move his contract in a trade, but they were (unsurprisingly) unsuccessful in that effort. The defensive tackle was in the midst of a six-year, $114MM contract that Miami wishes they could take back.
Suh was no doubt overpaid – we could have told you that at the time of his deal – but he is still an impact player. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 interior defensive lineman in the NFL last season and is a three-time All-Pro. The 31-year-old clearly had a productive campaign last season, as he finished the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Suh would obviously slot into both the Seahawks and Cowboys starting lineup. Seattle is currently rostering defensive tackles Jarran Reed, Nazair Jones, Malik McDowell, and Garrison Smith. Meanwhile, Brian Price and Maliek Collins are projected to be in the Cowboys starting lineup.
Seahawks Tender Dion Jordan
The Seahawks have tendered defensive end Dion Jordan at the first-round level, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. This will spike Jordan’s salary to 4.129MM next season.
The reported decision to tender Jordan at the highest level comes as a surprise. The former No. 3 overall pick could have been retained with the original-round tender, which would have entitled the Seahawks to the first-round compensation in the event of an unmatched offer sheet, only with a cheaper placeholder for the Seahawks. The Seahawks could just be rewarding Jordan for his hard work in 2017 and putting out a show of good faith as they ponder a longer deal with the defensive end.
A bust with the Dolphins due to suspensions and injuries, Jordan landed in Seattle and played sparingly. But during the 135 snaps he did play, Pro Football Focus bestowed a strong grade upon the former top-five pick.
Considering the Seahawks traded Michael Bennett and have Cliff Avril possibly facing retirement, Jordan could see more time next season. This financial decision should ensure it, although it will be on the one-time high-end prospect to stay healthy.
Broncos To Re-Sign ILB Todd Davis
The Brandon Marshall–Danny Trevathan inside linebacker setup the Broncos used during their Super Bowl season broke up after one season when Trevathan defected in free agency, but Denver plans to ensure its post-Trevathan arrangement will continue for much longer.
Todd Davis loomed as one of the Broncos’ top UFAs, and he will stay in Denver, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The fifth-year linebacker agreed to a three-year, $15MM deal to stay, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link). She adds $6MM will come Davis’ way in guarantees.
Davis has been a starter alongside Marshall for two seasons, and now both of the Broncos’ first-string inside ‘backers are attached to veteran contracts. However, with Davis profiling as more of a run-defending type and less of a pure three-down performer, the Broncos were able to keep him for $3MM (per year) cheaper than it took to extend Marshall two years ago.
The Broncos were hoping to re-sign Corey Nelson, but the longtime backup opted for a one-year Eagles deal. They ramped their efforts to retain Davis after that transpired, and Davis will be back for a fifth Broncos season and third as a starter.
Davis, 25, graded as one of the league’s best run-defending linebackers last season, per Pro Football Focus.
[RELATED: Broncos Depth Chart]
Colts To Sign DL Denico Autry
The Colts have an agreement with free agent defensive lineman Denico Autry, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). It’s a three-year deal worth $17.8MM in total and contains $6.5MM guaranteed.
Indianapolis and general manager Chris Ballard have shown a willingness to invest in its defensive line over the past two years. In 2017, the Colts brought in free agents Johnathan Hankins and Jabal Sheard, and now they’ll add Autry to the mix.
While Autry may not be a household name, he’s been an underrated player for the Raiders over the past four seasons. Last year, the 27-year-old appeared in all 16 games (three starts) and posted 23 tackles and three sacks. For that effort, Pro Football Focus graded Autry as the No. 56 interior defender among 122 qualifiers.
The Colts haven’t made any other free agent moves this week, but they are clearly interested in defensive lineman, as they are reportedly targeting Benson Mayowa and Adrian Clayborn.
Browns To Sign CB T.J. Carrie
The Browns have reached agreement with free agent cornerback T.J. Carrie, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com (Twitter link).
The former Raiders corner signed for four years and $31MM, with $10MM fully guaranteed at signing, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. 
Before landing with Cleveland, Carrie also drew interest from the Broncos, but Denver signed fellow corner Tramaine Brock instead. Carrie ranked as PFR’s seventh-best available cornerback heading into the free agent period.
Cleveland needed all the secondary help it could find after ranking 27th in pass defense DVOA in 2017. So far, they’ve inked Carrie and Terrance Mitchell to go along with Jason McCourty, Jamar Taylor, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun, among others. Additionally, the Browns have interest in safety Morgan Burnett as they further remake their defensive backfield.
Carrie will almost surely play the slot in Cleveland, as the 27-year-old handled nickel duties for Oakland last season. In 15 starts, Carrie managed 70 tackles and graded as the NFL’s No. 21 CB, per Pro Football Focus. Football Outsiders’ metrics weren’t quite as fond of Carrie, as he ranked 68 out of 81 qualifiers in success rate.
Dolphins Release Ndamukong Suh
The Dolphins are releasing five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh as a post-June 1 cut, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). The move signals another attempt for the Dolphins to change their culture, which has now resulted in the departure of three of their top players within the last calendar year — Suh, Jarvis Landry and Jay Ajayi. Suh now ranks as the best free agent currently available.
Suh was due to make $16.9MM in base salary next season, with a cap hit of $26.1MM. It was reported last week that the Dolphins were considering shedding the sizable cap hit by cutting Suh. The 31-year-old was set to enter the fourth year of his six-year, $114MM deal with Miami, which was an NFL record at the time signing.
Miami still has the option to cut Suh with a post-June 1 designation. That would allow the team to space out the dead cap space resulting from Suh’s release over the next two seasons and would give them an immediate $17MM in available cap space.
The Dolphins signaled that a cut for Suh was possibly on the horizon by acquiring Robert Quinn from the Rams earlier this month in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round picks in the upcoming draft. It was also suggested the team would possibly approach Suh about restructuring his deal for 2018. The Dolphins are also expected to part ways with linebacker Lawrence Timmons and Julius Thomas in cap-saving measures prior to the new league year beginning on March 14.
Suh was graded out by Pro Football Focus as the league’s No. 4 interior defensive lineman last season, which should create a decent bidding war for the services of the three-time All-Pro and former No. 2 overall pick. He missed out on back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances, though. He was named to his first one with the Dolphins in 2016 after collecting five sacks and 47 tackles.
Suh has seen a decline in his sack totals in each of his three seasons with the Dolphins since racking up 8 1/2 in his final year with the Lions in 2014. With Suh reportedly out of the picture, the Dolphins still have Davon Godchaux, Jordan Phillips, Vincent Taylor, and Gabe Martin on the roster at defensive line, along with Quinn.