Minor Moves: Friday
Today’s minor moves…
- The Jaguars have signed return specialist Bryan Walters, according to the team’s official website. The 27-year-old spent last season with the Seahawks and is hoping to earn a chance as a slot receiver. He may get that opportunity in Jacksonville, per John Oehser of Jaguars.com.
- Washington re-signed cornerback Justin Rogers, the team tweeted. Rogers appeared in Washington’s final three games last season. He spent the first three years of his career in Buffalo (2011-13), where he played 34 games and totaled three interceptions.
- Fullback Ray Agnew tweeted that he’s joining the Cowboys. The 24-year-old Agnew’s only NFL experience came last season in Cleveland, with which he appeared in 12 games.
- Cornerback James Dockery has officially signed with the Raiders (via Instagram). The four-year veteran will join his third NFL team. He was previously with the Browns and Panthers, having spent the last three seasons with the latter. His career includes 39 appearances and 31 tackles.
Contract Details: Orakpo, D. Williams, Allen
Here are some key details on some of the notable contracts agreed to or signed by free agents this week:
- Brian Orakpo, OLB (Titans): Four years, $31MM base value. $8.5MM fully guaranteeed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- Dan Williams, DT (Raiders): Four years, $25MM base value. $15.2MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
- Nate Allen, S (Raiders): Four years, $23MM base value. $6.9MM fully guaranteed (Twitter links via Wilson)
- Lance Kendricks, TE (Rams): Four years, $18.5MM base value. $6.75MM fully guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Malcolm Smith, LB (Raiders): Two years, $7MM base value. $3.75MM fully guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Blaine Gabbert, QB (49ers): Two years, $4MM base value. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Henry Melton, DT (Buccaneers): One year, $3.75MM base value. $3.25MM fully guaranteed. $1.25MM available in incentives (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Adrian Clayborn, DE (Falcons): One year, $3MM base value. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM available in incentives (Twitter links via Wilson).
Raiders To Sign Christian Ponder
3:45pm: With the Ponder deal set to be finalized, the Raiders are expected to cut Schaub unless a team is willing to give up a draft pick for him, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Bill Williamson of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter) that he wouldn’t be surprised if McGloin is eventually cut as well.
3:24pm: The Raiders are expected to sign Ponder to a one-year deal, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
2:48pm: Former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder became an unrestricted free agent for the first time this week, and his first visit will be to Oakland to meet with the Raiders, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link). Bill Musgrave, who worked with Ponder in Minnesota for multiple seasons, was hired back in January as the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator
Ponder, who turned 27 last month, started 36 games during his four years with the Vikings, though he was essentially the team’s No. 3 signal-caller in 2014, behind Teddy Bridgewater and Matt Cassel on the depth chart. With a career 59.8% completion rate and 75.9 passer rating, Ponder likely isn’t being considered for any starting roles or even QB competitions this offseason, but he’s a former 12th overall pick and could still be a solid backup.
Derek Carr is set to enter the 2015 season as the Raiders’ starter, but the backup situation in Oakland is uncertain, particularly with a new coaching staff in place. Matt Schaub remains under contract, but the team could clear his entire $5.5MM cap hit from its books by cutting him. Matt McGloin is also under contract.
AFC Rumors: Fins, Bush, Pats, Gresham, Titans
After signing Jordan Cameron and completing a deal for Kenny Stills, the Dolphins may not be done making moves, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, who notes that the team continues to work on a possible long-term deal for tight end Charles Clay. Beasley adds that the team appears to be open to keeping Mike Wallace, but that may hinge on the wideout’s willingness to redo his contract, so it looks like that situation remains uncertain for the time being.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Running back Reggie Bush is moving forward with his Patriots visit, and is meeting with the team today, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. We heard yesterday that a meeting with the Pats was on Bush’s schedule. The former Lion, who has also visited San Francisco this week, could be a good fit in a Shane Vereen-type role. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) believes there’s a good chance the Patriots could come away with either Bush or Percy Harvin, noting that the team has interest in both players.
- According to Tom Curran of CSNNE.com (via Twitter), the Patriots aren’t currently in on any trade talks for Eagles guard Evan Mathis. We heard yesterday that New England had expressed interest in Mathis, who appears to be on the trade block.
- A source tells Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) that despite the team trying to lock him up this week, talks between the Raiders and tight end Jermaine Gresham are “dead for now.”
- Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (Twitter link) hears that free agent offensive tackle Joe Barksdale is an option the Titans will consider. Tennessee lost two tackles this offseason, as Michael Roos retired and Michael Oher was released.
FA Rumors: Morgan, Shorts, Gresham, Texans
As anticipated, Derrick Morgan left his meeting in Tampa Bay today without signing with the Buccaneers, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. The Cowboys are expected to be next on Morgan’s list of visits, and the Titans still want to re-sign him as well. As for the Bucs, if they decide to move on from Morgan, it’s not clear who they’d target instead. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that the club has yet to reach out to George Selvie, who played his college ball at the University of South Florida.
Here’s more on free agency:
- The Jets have interest in wide receiver Cecil Shorts, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. Wide receiver isn’t really an area of need for New York, since the team already has Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Jeremy Kerley on the roster, but adding more weapons would only help whichever quarterback ends up as the Jets’ starter.
- Tight end Jermaine Gresham paid a visit to the Raiders this week, and still could sign with the team, but nothing is imminent at the moment, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- There’s “genuine mutual interest” between the Packers and free agent cornerback Tramon Williams, reports Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com (via Twitter). Having lost Davon House in free agency, Green Bay could use some depth at corner, and Williams, who has received some interest from around the league, is certainly a player the team is familiar with.
- Despite locking up free agent safety Rahim Moore today, the Texans would still like to bring back their own free agent, Kendrick Lewis, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). As McClain notes, Houston often utilizes three safeties on defense.
- Washington has inquired on free agent safety Taylor Mays and there’s “mutual interest” between the two sides, but it’s not clear if a visit has been scheduled yet, tweets John Keim of ESPN.com. Mays was primarily a special-teamer for the Bengals last season.
Raiders Sign Nate Allen
12:31pm: The Raiders announced (on Twitter) that the deal is official.
12:09pm: The Raiders have reached agreement with safety Nate Allen, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. The deal was completed in essence last night but the two sides tied up some loose ends this morning, according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter).
Allen, 27, started 15 games for the Eagles last season at safety, racking up 62 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, five pass deflections, and a sack. Allen had a pretty solid year in 2014, finishing out with a 3.9 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), good for 28th out of 87 qualified safeties.
Safety has been a need for the Raiders since the release of Tyvon Branch back in February. Branch, 28, started 62 out of a possible 64 games in his first four years but he missed all but five games over the past two seasons.
Murray Decision Not Expected Tonight, Will Visit Eagles Thursday
Following a day full of rumors, it sounds like there will be no resolution on the DeMarco Murray front. According to ProFootballTalk (on Twitter), the running back will not finalize a deal tonight. PFT notes that Murray will likely “take a visit” to his potential landing spots, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms (on Twitter) that Murray will meet with Eagles officials on Thursday.
Based on today’s news, it sounds like four teams are in the running for Murray’s services: the Cowboys, Eagles, Raiders and Jaguars. In fact, Philly wasn’t even involved with the bidding until Murray and coach Chip Kelly spoke on the phone this afternoon. There were also whispers that the running back’s college roommate, recently-acquired quarterback Sam Bradford, was trying to recruit Murray to Philadelphia.
Besides the Eagles, it sounds like the running back is seriously considering the Cowboy offers. The team reportedly made him an offer of $5MM annually, and it was noted that Dallas had an advantage over Philadelphia. At least one team involved in the bidding was under the impression that Murray would return to Dallas.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Raiders are willing to offer the most money, and those same reports indicate that the Jaguars offer was too low for Murray’s liking.
DeMarco Murray Rumors: Wednesday
As perhaps the most noteworthy free agent still on the board this week, DeMarco Murray will be receiving plenty of attention today, as potential suitors vie for his services. Until the longtime Cowboys running back reaches an agreement with a new club, or at least starts closing in on a deal, we’ll track today’s Murray updates right here, with any new items added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- ESPN’s Ed Werder says the Cowboys, Eagles and Raiders are “getting very competitive” for Murray’s service (Twitter link).
- One of the teams pursuing Murray is under the impression that the running back will return to the Cowboys, according to ProFootballTalk (on Twitter).
- Newly-signed Raiders linebacker Curtis Lofton said he’s trying to recruit Murray to Oakland, according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via Twitter). The duo were both standouts for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Earlier updates:
- Albert Breer of the NFL Network says (on Twitter) that Murray understands where the Cowboys and Jaguars are with their offers, but the running back is still seeking more money. Despite Murray’s demands for about $8MM annually, Breer says that market isn’t there yet.
- Ed Werder of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears that the Eagles weren’t even interested in Murray until he called them today. Philly has already signed Ryan Mathews for $5MM guaranteed and they have Darren Sproles in the mix, so they don’t have a major need for Murray.
- Werder (on Twitter) senses that Murray’s decision could come soon. The Jaguars are not actively involved, the Raiders are offering the most money, and the Cowboys have the advantage right now over the Eagles.
- Things are heating up on the Murray front, and the situation will likely come to a head later today, tweets Pro Football Talk.
- The Eagles appear to be Murray’s top choice besides Dallas, according to Robinson (Twitter link). The Raiders and Jaguars trail Philadelphia, and one league source doesn’t believe Jacksonville will make a significant offer.
- Mutual interest between the Eagles and Murray was renewed after a personal phone call between the running back and head coach Chip Kelly, says Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com, who notes (via Twitter) that Murray was Sam Bradford‘s roommate at Oklahoma. However remains to be seen how much the Eagles would be willing to offer Murray, since Kelly stressed today he won’t overpay for anyone, tweets Mortensen. For his part Bradford said today that he’s been trying to recruit his old college teammate (Twitter link).
- A source tells Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) that, before Murray removed mention of the Cowboys from his Twitter account earlier this week, the team made him an offer worth $5MM annually.
- Despite reaching an agreement with Ryan Mathews (as noted below), the Eagles remain very much in the mix for Murray, according to multiple reporters, including Adam Schefter and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Per Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link), it could ultimately come down to the Eagles and Cowboys.
- Jaguars GM David Caldwell said he spoke to Murray’s agent last night, but there’s no movement right now, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com.
- A source with knowledge of Murray’s situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the idea of the back signing with the Jaguars is currently “not likely.” That could change if the Jags up their offer, or if the NFL’s leading rusher agrees to take less money than he wants, says Florio.
- As we heard last night, the Raiders maintain interest in Murray despite signing Roy Helu, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. According to Werder, multiple teams have made offers to Murray.
- Earlier today, a report indicated that Ryan Mathews is expected to sign with the Eagles, pending a visit with the team. It’s not clear how that would affect the team’s interest in Murray, but I can’t imagine Philadelphia would pursue him too aggressively if Mathews was under contract.
Raiders Sign Malcolm Smith
WEDNESDAY, 7:35pm: The contract is a two-year deal worth $7MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
5:46pm: The Raiders announced on Twitter that the deal is official.
TUESDAY, 3:48pm: Flush with salary cap space, the Raiders are starting to bring in some more talent after missing on some key targets during “soft free agency” this weekend. Former Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith will join the Raiders’ strong young linebacking corps, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted.
Terms of the impending deal have not been disclosed, but it appears the four-year veteran will join Khalil Mack and Sio Moore on the Raiders’ second level.
Most known for his game-breaking interception of Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLVIII last February, Smith was not a regular starter with the Seahawks. A 2011 seventh-round pick, Smith started five games last year and played just 286 snaps, receiving a poor assessment from Pro Football Focus in the process (subscription required). Smith did grade far better in 2013, however, in more than 600 snaps.
Smith does offer value in having experience at all three positions in a 4-3 defense at linebacker, although the former USC product primarily played weakside backer for the loaded Seattle corps the past two seasons.
Raiders Sign Roy Helu
WEDNESDAY, 6:08pm: The Raiders (on Twitter) announced that Helu’s deal has been signed.
TUESDAY, 8:01pm: Although they’ve been tied to DeMarco Murray throughout the day, the Raiders have added a lower-profile running back, agreeing to terms with Roy Helu, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. It’s a two-year, $4MM pact, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN (Twitter link).
The 26-year-old Helu rushed for only 216 yards in Washington last year, but was a focal point of the club’s passing attack, catching 42 balls for nearly 500 yards. He drew interest from several teams around the league, many of whom presumably wanted him to a fill their third-down back role. The Patriots and Jets both pursued Helu, as did the Giants before signing Shane Vereen.
In Oakland, Helu will be offered the chance to play 20 minutes from his home, as Zac Boyer of the Washington Times notes (via Twitter). With Maurice Jones-Drew having announced his retirement, the Raiders will count on Helu and Latavius Murray to round out their running back position. I’d guess Murray will act as the starter with Helu in his familiar passing-down role, but maybe Helu was offered a larger share of playing time in Oakland.
Helu earned a base salary of $1.431MM in 2014, so his new deal will indicate a pay bump of more than $500K.