Draft Updates: Fuller, Nkemdiche, Cravens
Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer (Twitter link) confirmed that Hokies cornerback Kendall Fuller has informed him of his decision to go pro and enter the 2016 draft. Fuller will now forgo his senior season in an effort to join brothers Kyle Fuller (Bears) and Corey Fuller (Lions) in the NFL. The oldest Fuller brother, Vincent Fuller, also played in the NFL.
Here are a few more draft-related notes:
- Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was charged with possession of marijuana after he fell out of a hotel window in Atlanta this weekend, as Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk writes. However, it’s still not clear why the 6’4″, 296-pound athlete tumbled out of the building — that’s a mystery that NFL teams will try to solve between now and the 2016 draft. It is widely believed that Nkemdiche will go pro, but he has yet to announce his decision.
- USC outside linebacker Su’a Cravens is expected to declare his intent to enter the 2016 draft today, sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Cravens is a potential first-round pick, with Miller ranking him 18th on his most recent big board. CBSSports.com isn’t quite as high on the Southern California junior, ranking him 42nd overall.
- Eastern Kentucky defensive end Noah Spence is forgoing his final season of collegiate eligibility and entering the 2016 draft, as he announced in a statement last week. Spencer, who recorded 11.5 sacks this season, is viewed as a borderline first-round pick, with both Miller and CBS ranking him in the 30s on their big boards.
- ESPN’s Todd McShay (Insider-only link) has published his first 2016 mock draft, which features the Titans selecting defensive end Joey Bosa first overall, followed by the Browns snagging quarterback Paxton Lynch. Nkemdiche, Fuller, and Cravens all come off the board in the first round of McShay’s mock as well.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Extra Points: Bowe, Texans, O’Brien
Browns wide receiver Dwayne Bowe spoke to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer about the hardships he has dealt with this season and what has gone wrong for him. This past offseason, Bowe inked a two-year deal worth $12.5MM, including $9MM guaranteed. So far, he hasn’t done much to justify that contract. He surmised that he was never able to learn the new scheme installed by offensive coordinator John DeFilippo thanks to an injury during training camp.
“When I got hurt, it set me back as far as the coach getting to know what I can do and things like that,” he said. “I just got so far behind in the playbook and they added most of the main content when I was out. When I was got back, they were so far ahead, and to go back for me would’ve set the whole offense back.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Texans owner Bob McNair says he has no current plans to make any significant changes to team’s GM or head coach roles after this season, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle tweets. “Does he make mistakes? Sure,” McNair said of head coach Bill O’Brien (link). “But most of his mistakes haven’t been that great and he’s been able to overcome them.” When asked if the franchise must invest in a quarterback this offseason via the draft, McNair said (link), “Absolutely. Yes. The answer is yes.”
- James Harrison, William Gay, DeAngelo Williams, and Heath Miller are all on the wrong side of 30 but they’re all providing value to the Steelers, as The Associated Press writes.
- German Football League MVP Tyler Davis is trying out for the Dolphins on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Davis plays both wide receiver and defensive back, so it’s not immediately clear whether he’ll be showing his skills on offense, defense, or both in Miami.
Workout Notes: Broncos, Moore, Thomas
Earlier today, we learned that former first-round pick Phil Taylor is auditioning for the Vikings. However, he’s not the only notable player to show his stuff for an NFL team this week. Here’s the full rundown:
- The Broncos auditioned wide receivers DeVier Posey, Greg Little, and Denarius Moore plus running back Daniel Thomas, according to PFT (on Twitter). Moore didn’t have a single reception during his time with the Bills this year and he was cut loose in late November. He worked out for the Packers on December 1st, but nothing came of that tryout.
- The Broncos also worked out tight end/fullback Manasseh Garner today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Tight end Nick Kasa and quarterback Ryan Lindley also showed their stuff for the Broncos, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Panthers worked out former Chiefs first-round pick wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Panthers also auditioned wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Baldwin, the 26th overall pick of the 2011 draft, has 44 career receptions for 607 yards, mostly with the Chiefs.
- The Cardinals will work out Edmonton Eskimos corner Aaron Grymes today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Grymes was a CFL All-Star this past season, intercepting four passes and even returned one for a touchdown. In three seasons with the Eskimos, Grymes has eight interceptions total.
Vikings Notes: Taylor, Cummings, Newman
Here’s a look at the Vikings:
- Former Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor is trying out with for the Vikings today, according to ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling (on Twitter). Taylor, a former first-round pick, hasn’t really been heard from since he auditioned for the Ravens in November. Taylor, 27, was a starter on defense for Cleveland in 2013, but only played 555 defensive snaps, serving primarily as a run stopper. While he wasn’t a full-time player, Taylor’s performance against the run still placed him a solid 26th among 69 qualified defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Then, Taylor played just 133 snaps in 2014 before being sidelined with a knee injury.
- The Vikings are also working out defensive lineman Euclid Cummings today, according to a source who spoke with Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter). Cummings most recently played in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts.
- After putting his toe in the water last week, Vikings veteran defensive back Terence Newman could be making a more permanent move to the safety position, Jason Gonzalez of the Star Tribune writes. Newman, 37, could be called upon to play safety if regular starters Harrison Smith (hamstring/knee) and Andrew Sendejo (knee) continue to miss time. At his advanced age, Newman would welcome a move to the less strenuous position. “I think [safety is] definitely easier,” Newman said comparing it to cornerback. “You don’t have to run backwards, shift your body backwards if some dude is running full speed forwards, so in that aspect it’s definitely easier.”
Practice Squad Updates: 12/15/15
Here are today’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Curtis Grant, WR R.J. Harris, WR Jordan Leslie, DE Dontay Moch (press release)
- Cut: WR Devon Wylie
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: T Marcel Jones (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Blake Annen (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Toby Johnson, WR/TE Marcus Lucas (Twitter link via team)
Dallas Cowboys
- Cut: LB Darius Eubanks (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Kendall James (press release)
- Cut: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on PS-IR: RB Josh Robinson (press release)
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Montee Ball (story), WR DeAndre Carter (link via Tom Curran of CSNNE.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Craig Bills (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: CB Mike Lee
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: LB Matthew Wells
Washington
- Cut: RB Christine Michael (press release)
Lions Waive RT LaAdrian Waddle
The Lions released former starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle on Tuesday, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. In a related move, the Lions have claimed center Gabe Ikard off waivers from the Browns.
Waddle, signed as a UDFA in 2013, found his way into the Lions’ starting lineup thanks to his own solid play and injuries around him. However, he has struggled with injuries the last two years, including a season-ending ACL injury in 2014. This year, he was bumped from the starting lineup in favor of Michael Ola.
Ikard will add some competition to the center position just after the team’s comeback bid against the Rams was blown on a botched snap. Travis Swanson has started 12 of 13 games at center for the Lions this year with mixed results, so he has now been put on notice.
Meanwhile, Lions have formally placed Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve while signing a tight end to take his place on the 53-man roster, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes. The Lions signed veteran tight end Bear Pascoe after a recent workout in Allen Park. Pascoe, 29, spent five seasons with the Giants and was most recently with the Falcons in 2014. Pascoe has played in 82 career games with 34 starts and his blocking will be needed in Detroit for the remainder of the season. When it comes to pass catching tight ends, the Lions have that well covered between Tim Wright and youngster Eric Ebron.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/15
Tuesday’s minor moves from around the NFL:
- The Dolphins announced (Twitter link) that they have claimed defensive end Damontre Moore off waivers from the Giants. To make room, center/guard Jacques McClendon has been waived.
- The Bengals are expected to promote practice squad quarterback Keith Wenning to the 53-man roster as a backup to A.J. McCarron, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter).
- The Bears announced (via Twitter) that they have promoted rookie linebacker John Timu from the taxi squad while waiving veteran defensive lineman Ziggy Hood.
- The Seahawks waived receiver B.J. Daniels and safety Akeem Davis while activating linebacker Brock Coyle from IR, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes.
- Adrian Phillips will be promoted off of the Chargers‘ practice squad and on to the 53-man roster, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes.
- The Saints waived veteran defensive end Phillip Hunt on Tuesday, as Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune writes.
- The Raiders have signed long snapper Thomas Gafford, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). In a related move, long snapper Jon Condo has been placed on IR.
- The Bengals (on Twitter) announced that they have waived linebacker Chris Carter.
- Tight end Chase Coffman has re-signed with the Seahawks, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Washington announced the signing of veteran tight end Alex Smith (not to be confused with the quarterback of the same name). Smith, 33, is an 11-year veteran who has had previous stints in the NFL with the Bucs, Pats, Eagles, Browns, and Saints. In other roster moves Tuesday, the team waived safety Trenton Robinson from IR with an injury settlement.
- The Cowboys have released cornerback Tyler Patmon, according to a source who spoke with Charean Williams of The Star-Telegram (on Twitter). Terrance Mitchell will now be called up from the taxi squad and given an opportunity to play at nickel.
- The Rams waived kicker Zach Hocker and signed defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat from the taxi squad, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets.
Seahawks Release DuJuan Harris
Attention fantasy football players: your likely No.1 waiver claim for this week has been released. The Seahawks have dropped running back DuJuan Harris, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
The Seahawks promoted the ex-Packers running back from their practice squad recently and he was expected to see a good deal of work after Thomas Rawls‘ injury. As it turns out, the Seahawks have a different gameplan in mind for their backfield. On Sunday, Harris carried the ball 18 times for just 42 yards. Now, Bryce Brown can be expected to see an increased workload. The team could also look to bring in a free agent running back.
One has to imagine that the recently released Christine Michael will get a look given his previous time spent in the Seahawks’ offense. The Seahawks are also hoping to have Marshawn Lynch back in action soon.
Chargers Release Jimmy Wilson
The Chargers announced that they have cut safety Jimmy Wilson. The veteran signed a two-year, $4.25MM deal with San Diego in the offseason.
Wilson joined the Bolts in March after four years with the Dolphins. The fifth-year pro recorded 44 tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed this season, but clearly didn’t meet the club’s expectations for him across his 13 games with six starts.
The Chargers now have two open spots on the active roster following the release of Wilson.
Falcons Cut Hankerson, Place Moore On IR
3:54pm: The Falcons have made Hankerson’s release official, and have confirmed two more roster moves, announcing in a press release that they’ve moved safety William Moore to IR and promoted guard Ben Garland from the practice squad.
Moore, a former Pro Bowler, had been a starting safety for Atlanta once again this year, racking up 51 tackles and two interceptions in 11 games.
12:05pm: The Falcons are cutting wide receiver Leonard Hankerson from their injured reserve list, according to Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk. The move will allow other teams to place a claim on Hankerson — if he clears waivers, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
Hankerson, who turns 27 next month, totaled 26 receptions for 327 yards and three touchdowns in his first season with the Falcons. He was placed on injured reserve earlier this month after aggravating a hamstring injury, and it seemed at the time that he had played his last game in Atlanta, since his contract was set to expire at season’s end.
The fact that the Falcons are releasing Hankerson from IR without an injury settlement suggests that he should be healthy going forward, so we could see him draw interest from a contending team short on wide receivers down the stretch.