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PFR Originals News & Rumors

PFR Originals: 6/12/16 – 6/19/16

June 19th, 2016 at 4:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

  • After the Ravens released offensive tackle Eugene Monroe on Wednesday, I took a look at eight clubs that could have serious interest in the veteran free agent, listing the Giants, Seahawks, 49ers, and Bears, among others. Monroe, 29, is still an above-average tackle, and several of those teams have already expressed an interest in contacting him, hoping to augment their offensive line.
  • Tim Dierkes announced that Trade Rumors has acquired Roster Resource, the industry’s leading depth chart source, and hired the site’s creator, Jason Martinez, who will contribute articles at our sister site, MLB Trade Rumors. The depth charts and roster information will continue to live at Roster Resource for now, though it is officially under the Trade Rumors umbrella. You’ll see us begin linking more to the Roster Resource depth charts in our posts, as we feel this information is a perfect fit for readers of PFR, MLBTR, and Hoops Rumors. We are striving to bring you the best possible coverage of transaction-related news as well as depth charts and roster information you can consult for further analysis.
  • Zach Links rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links.

8 Teams That Could Sign Eugene Monroe

June 15th, 2016 at 9:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After selecting Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley in the first round of the April’s draft, the Ravens tried to trade veteran left tackle Eugene Monroe. However, Baltimore was unable to find a taker on the trade market and on Wednesday the team cut him loose.

Yes, there are some red flags for Monroe. For starters, the tackle has missed 16 games with injury over the past two years. Monroe has also been a vocal advocate for marijuana to be removed from the league’s banned substance list and Baltimore officials apparently took umbrage with his focus in that area.

However, there’s also a lot to like. When healthy, Monroe can be an impact player and can slide into the starting lineup for several NFL teams. Where could Monroe wind up? Here’s our list of the eight teams who could make a play for him:

[RELATED: Ravens Sign Bronson Kaufusi, Wrap Up Draft Class]

Arizona Cardinals — Left tackle isn’t a concern in the desert, as Jared Veldheer will continue to handle Carson Palmer‘s blindside, but right tackle is a bit more murky. After losing both Bobby Massie and Bradley Sowell to free agency, the Cardinals are counting on 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries to take on a starting role. Humphries didn’t play a single snap during his rookie season, and frustrated Arizona management to the point that head coach Bruce Arians began referring to him as “knee deep” (re: Arians’ knee vs. Humphries’ posterior). If Humphries has matured over the past year or so, adding Monroe to play on the right side wouldn’t make much sense. But if the Cardinals still have questions about their talented yet raw sophomore tackle, Monroe could be a welcome veteran addition.

Chicago Bears — Finding a starting left tackle in the seventh round — as the Bears did with Charles Leno in 2014 — is certainly an accomplishment, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that Leno simply wasn’t that productive during the 2015 campaign. In 16 games (13 starts), Leno graded out as just the 55th-best tackle in the NFL among 77 qualifiers, according to Pro Football Focus. If Chicago wants to contend in 2016, it will need better play on the blindside, and Monroe would almost certainly represent an upgrade, acting as a finishing touch to an offensive line that’s already seen additions such as Bobby Massie, Nate Chandler, and Cody Whitehair over the past several months.

Indianapolis Colts — The Colts are clearly intent on keeping Andrew Luck upright in 2016, having spent three draft picks on offensive linemen in April. While some of the spots along Indy’s front five are settled, right tackle could be up for grabs (although general manager Ryan Grigson had said he’d like to see Joe Reitz win the job). The Colts haven’t been shy about acquiring veterans in the past, having sacrificed draft pick compensation for Vontae Davis, Trent Richardson, Billy Winn, and others in recent years. If the club wants a solid veteran to lock down the right side, instead of relying on a cavalcade of mid-tier options, Monroe could be on their radar.

New England Patriots — Like the Colts, the Patriots have utilized trades to augment their roster — in 2015, they made a league-leading nine deals with other clubs, and they’ve acquired veterans such as Akeem Ayers, Keshawn Martin, Jonathan Casillas, Jonathan Bostic, and Akiem Hicks via the trade route over the past several years. In a trade, Monroe would have been a different animal, as he’s a more high-profile name and costs more than any of the players brought in by New England via swap recently. Now, he holds even more appeal as a free agent. If the Pats did sign Monroe to man right tackle, they’d likely release fellow offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer or Marcus Cannon (or both). On the surface, Monroe doesn’t seem like a Bill Belichick-esque addition, but New England has made surprising moves in the past.

New York Giants — Many draft observers believed Giants 2015 first-round pick Ereck Flowers was best-suited to play guard or right tackle out of the gate. Instead, New York plugged him in on the left side following an injury to Will Beatty, and Flowers proceeded to grade out as one of the four worst blindside protectors in the league, per PFF. Veteran Marshall Newhouse, the club’s projected right tackle, also ranked as a bottom-10 option at the position. The Giants need help up front, perhaps more so than any team in the NFL outside of Seattle, so it was no surprise to learn that they were talking trade with Baltimore prior to Monroe’s release and have already started courting him since he became a free agent.

San Diego Chargers — Shortly after word leaked out regarding Monroe’s release, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com listed the Chargers as a potential suitor along with the Seahawks and Giants. On the surface, the Chargers seem adequately set at tackle with King Dunlap covering Philip Rivers‘ blindside and Joe Barksdale at right tackle. Still, while Barksdale graded out as the No. 21 overall tackle in the NFL last year according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, Dunlap has been injury prone in the past.

San Francisco 49ers — By almost any metric, San Francisco’s offensive line was among the worst in the NFL last season. The unit ranked second with 53 sacks allowed, and placed 31st in pass protection and 32nd in run blocking according to Football Outsiders’ data. All-Pro Joe Staley clearly isn’t a problem at left tackle, but uninspiring options such as Erik Pears and Trent Brown are among the candidates to start opposite him on the right side. The 49ers are in the midst of a complete rebuild, so perhaps adding a veteran like Monroe doesn’t make sense given their current roster makeup. But keeping Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick (or whomever else starts at quarterback in 2016) off the ground should still be a goal, and Monroe would signify an improvement.

Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks are mentioned in connection with nearly every available offensive lineman, but the club simply hasn’t shown any willingness to invest in its front five. After losing Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy in free agency, Seattle will rely on the likes of Garry Gilliam, Bradley Sowell, J’Marcus Webb, and Mark Glowinski up front. Offensive line coach Tom Cable is regarded as a masterful teacher, and he can probably turn some of those unheralded options into contributors. But it’s hard to imagine that the Seahawks would turn down an opportunity to add an immediate starter like Monroe, especially if the asking price is minimal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

PFR Originals: 5/29/16 – 6/5/16

June 5th, 2016 at 3:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

8 Teams That Could Sign Arian Foster

June 3rd, 2016 at 9:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The concern with Arian Foster has always been health. Foster, who will turn 30 in August, racked up 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. But he’s now coming off a major injury, having ruptured his Achilles in late October of last year.

As he’s presumably still recovering from that malady, Foster apparently won’t work out for teams until late July, so it could be awhile before he finds a new club. Still, as we noted when ranking him as the third-best offensive free agent remaining on the open market, Foster possesses the highest upside of any player still on the board, meaning that he should be able to generate interest around the league.

Let’s take a look at the clubs that could make sense as fits for Foster in the coming months…

  • Denver Broncos — Foster spent the first five years of his career under Gary Kubiak in Houston, so it would make sense that the current Broncos head coach would have interest in his former bellcow back. There hasn’t yet been any reported link between Denver and Foster, and perhaps the club feels that their backfield is too crowded given that they re-signed both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman — handing the former a four-year, $18MM deal — and used a fourth-round pick on Devontae Booker. But if they’d have him, Foster might welcome the opportunity to not only play in a zone-based scheme that he knows well, but to join the defending Super Bowl champions.
  • Detroit Lions — After finishing dead last in the NFL in rushing yards last season, the Lions haven’t done much to address their backfield, having only signed Stevan Ridley in free agency while using a seventh-round pick on Dwayne Washington. Detroit did invest in its offensive line, spending a first-round pick on Taylor Decker (who looks to be the club’s preferred option at left tackle) while picking up Graham Glasgow and Joe Dahl, who figure to be key reserves during their rookie seasons, in rounds three and five, respectively. But adding another back to their rotation, and limiting their dependence on Ameer Abdullah (who underwent shoulder surgery over the offseason), Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner, might be the best route for the Lions.
  • Indianapolis Colts — Like the Lions, the Colts chose to address their rushing game concerns not by adding to the crop of backs, but by concentrating on their offensive line, using four draft picks (including their first-rounder) on front five help. Indy’s running back depth chart is still perilously thin behind 33-year-old Frank Gore, with Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman representing the best fill-in options if Gore goes down. New offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will reportedly add more zone-blocking concepts to the Colts’ game-plan, so Foster, who’s spent his career in that scheme, might feel at home.
  • Philadelphia Eagles — Having already shipped out DeMarco Murray, the Eagles have dealt with trade rumors regarding fellow running back Darren Sproles — while both team and player have downplayed any such speculation, Sproles could be in danger of not making Philadelphia’s final roster even if he isn’t dealt away, as Over the Cap’s performance-neutral Expected Contract Value metric gives Sproles a 92% chance of being released. With Ryan Mathews and fifth-round rookie Wendell Smallwood the only guarantees to earn roster spots, a veteran like Foster could add a spark and depth to a backfield that could use both.
  • San Diego Chargers — San Diego had high hopes for its rushing attack after trading up to select Melvin Gordon in the first round of last year’s draft, but offensive line injuries and Gordon’s own poor play led to the Chargers finishing 31st in rushing DVOA. Gordon then had microfracture surgery in January, and while his long-term prognosis is positive, serious knee injuries are always unwelcome news for young running backs. The Chargers have the useful Danny Woodhead, the small-statured Branden Oliver, and the wonderfully-named Dreamius Smith behind Gordon, but there’s certainly room for another back.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Finding A Landing Spot For Greg Hardy

May 30th, 2016 at 9:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In PFR’s recent ranking of the best defensive free agents remaining on the board, defensive end Greg Hardy placed third, but as we noted in the post, the former Panthers and Cowboys edge rusher would probably rank first based on talent alone. We don’t intend to rehash Hardy’s off-the-field incidents, and it’s perfectly legitimate to argue that you wouldn’t want someone like Hardy on your favorite team. But the fact remains that NFL clubs will typically risk negative backlash if a player offers enough upside, and Hardy does.Greg Hardy (Vertical)

Hardy, 27, has recently been lobbying for an NFL opportunity, and his agent Drew Rosenhaus is telling teams that his client has taken the necessary steps to change his behavior. But despite his double-digit sack potential, the “prevailing opinion” around the league is that nobody wants Hardy, as Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported earlier this month — one general manager called Hardy a “very hard sell,” while another called him “toxic.”

But eventually, the price will fall enough that Hardy — who, even in a down season, graded as a top-30 edge rusher per Pro Football Focus — will find a job. Let’s take a look at a few potential destinations that could make sense for Hardy…

  • Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons finished dead last in the NFL with only 19 sacks in 2016, so Hardy would obviously represent a strong addition to the club’s pass rush. But Hardy is actually a solid run defender, as well, and Atlanta needs help on early downs — former No. 8 overall pick Vic Beasley is expected to play linebacker on running downs, while the re-signed Adrian Clayborn is more a edge rush specialist. Derrick Shelby was an underrated signing during the offseason, but veteran Tyson Jackson is getting at look at defensive tackle and could be in danger of being released. End, then, remains a position of need for the Falcons, and Hardy could be an answer.
  • Buffalo Bills — Rex Ryan has shown a penchant for two things during his time as a head coach: bravado (as evidenced by Friday’s interview with Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated), and a willingness to add players with some history of off-the-field issues. In Buffalo, Ryan & Co. have added Richie Incognito, Percy Harvin, and IK Enemkpali, and while none of that trio’s troubling incidents rival Hardy’s, Ryan hasn’t been shy about signing character risks. The Bills are reportedly switching to a stricter 3-4 defense in 2016, so Hardy, who is a prototypical 4-3 end, might not be a fit. But Ryan could surely find a way to use a rusher like Hardy, perhaps in some kind of hybrid role off the edge.
  • Dallas Cowboys — Yes, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ruled out re-signing Hardy last month, signalling that that door is officially closed. But scenarios change, and Dallas management could begin to sweat when wondering who will man defensive end while Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory serve their four-game suspensions. Restricted free agent addition Benson Mayowa probably isn’t cut out for a starting role, while Jeremy Mincey who played on more than a third of the Cowboys’ snaps last season, remains unsigned. It wouldn’t be shocking for Dallas to reverse its stance on Hardy as the regular season approaches, but then again, the club reportedly isn’t interested in fellow pass rusher Dwight Freeney, so perhaps the Cowboys are simply satisfied with their internal options.
  • Detroit Lions — The Lions defense wasn’t quite as effective in 2015 after losing both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley from their defensive line, falling from No. 3 to No. 18 in Football Outsider’ DVOA despite a major progression from Ezekiel Ansah, who will obviously man one defensive end spot again in 2016. On the other side, Devin Taylor is a capable player, while free agent signing Wallace Gilberry is decent in a specific, limited role. But Hardy would change things immensely, forcing opposing offenses to account for two fearsome rushers on the edges. A front four of Haloti Ngata, rookie A’Shawn Robinson, Ansah, and Hardy could help vault Detroit’s defensive unit back into the upper echelon.
  • New Orleans Saints — At 26.1% below average (per DVOA), the Saints defense ranked as the NFL’s worst unit since 2000 — only five other clubs have topped the 20% mark, and none reached New Orleans’ lows. The Saints also ranked 30th in adjusted sack rate, and though they added Sheldon Rankins and Nick Fairley to help on the interior, they could still use another edge presence opposite Cameron Jordan. Hardy would obviously fit that description, but after releasing Junior Galette (and carrying $12.1MM in dead money in 2016) because of his character questions, New Orleans might not want to take a similar risk.
  • Oakland Raiders — After ranking in the middle of the pack in most defensive statistics in 2016, the Raiders spent most of the offseason upgrading its unit, inking Bruce Irvin, Aldon Smith, Sean Smith, and Reggie Nelson while using a first-round pick on safety Karl Joseph. Hardy could be the final piece on Oakland’s front seven, helping out at end on early downs before sliding inside on passing downs. A team on the rise like the Raiders might risk the public relations backlash that will come with signing Hardy in order to add a talent that could push them over the top. However, it should be noted that owner Mark Davis has been very vocal about domestic abuse and has said that he has “zero tolerance” for it.
  • Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles are transitioning to a 4-3 defense in 2016, and they actually have a sound pair of ends in Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry, a duo that figures to fit much better in an even front than an odd alignment (Connor Barwin, too, is projected to move to end, but there’s disagreement as to whether his conversion will be as smooth). A defensive coordinator like Jim Schwartz always want more pass rushers at his disposal, so Hardy could make some sense. But I have my doubts that owner Jeffrey Lurie and/or de facto general manager Howie Roseman would be willing to add a personality like Hardy.

Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

PFR Originals: 5/22/16 – 5/29/16

May 29th, 2016 at 6:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

Poll: Where Will Dwight Freeney Sign?

May 29th, 2016 at 10:36am CST by Rory Parks

Free agent linebacker/defensive end Dwight Freeney is still available, and he still wants to play. Now 36, Freeney has continued to be effective at getting to the quarterback in the twilight years of his career, and he proved in 2015 that he still has enough gas left in the tank to be a viable situational pass rusher. In just 11 games for the Cardinals last season–Freeney did not sign with Arizona until the second week of October–the surefire Hall-of-Famer picked up eight sacks and three forced fumbles, grading out as the 51st-best edge rusher in the NFL out of 110 qualified players per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) despite being on the field for just 317 regular season snaps.

Dwight Freeney (vertical)

His 2015 performance was consistent with what he displayed in his 2014 campaign, his only full season with the Chargers. In 2014, Freeney amassed just 3.5 sacks, but he placed third among qualifying 3-4 OLBs with 40 quarterback hurries, and 14th with nine QB hits. In today’s NFL, one would think that there is plenty of demand for that type of production.

But Freeney, our fourth-best defensive free agent still on the board, is yet to find a new home. He visited and took a physical with the Bengals a few days ago but left Cincinnati without a contract, and he is set to visit the Falcons this week. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh brought up Freeney’s name unprompted when speaking with reporters during March’s owners meetings, but Baltimore ultimately selected three young pass rushers in the draft and already have aging veterans Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil at outside linebacker.

On the surface, the Cowboys appear to be a perfect fit for Freeney–they are a contender with an obvious need for an experienced pass rusher–but Dallas has professed to have no interest in the Syracuse alumnus. It could be that Freeney’s contract demands are too rich at the moment, though there have been no real reports as to his asking price, and he did ink a veteran’s minimum deal with Arizona last season, so the fact that Freeney remains unsigned probably has nothing to do with financial considerations.

Freeney’s preference is to return to the Cardinals, though he has described a possible stint with the Patriots as a “win-win” for both sides, and he appears to be open to playing for any contending club. But there has been no movement on the Arizona front, and New England is fairly well-stocked with edge rushers, so he may need to look elsewhere.

With all of that said, where do you think Freeney will land? Will it be one of the teams mentioned above, or someone else entirely? Indeed, our own Dallas Robinson, in compiling the above-referenced list of top defensive free agents still available, also listed the Panthers, Jets, Lions, Chiefs, and Bills as possible destinations. Or, maybe you think Freeney will have a change of heart and hang up the cleats, thereby setting his Hall of Fame countdown in motion.

Cast your vote below, and feel free to discuss in the comment section.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Poll: Where will Dwight Freeney Sign?
Somewhere else 25.11% (234 votes)
Falcons 20.39% (190 votes)
Bengals 16.52% (154 votes)
Patriots 13.73% (128 votes)
Cardinals 13.20% (123 votes)
He will retire 6.12% (57 votes)
Ravens 4.94% (46 votes)
Total Votes: 932

PFR Originals: 5/15/16 – 5/22/16

May 22nd, 2016 at 4:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

Extension Candidate: Brandon Marshall

May 22nd, 2016 at 3:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Even if the Broncos can come to an agreement with Von Miller on a massive multi-year deal, the team could see some major changes on defense after 2016.

Four members of the Super Bowl champions’ historically elite unit will hit the open market after this season, and even though the Broncos will have more breathing room in 2017 than they have in recent years, more tough choices are coming.

Those impending decisions include talents like DeMarcus Ware, Darian Stewart and Sylvester Williams. However, Denver’s top defensive priority will likely be Brandon Marshall.

Denver hasn’t invested much at the inside linebacker position as of late, but Marshall has been one of the league’s best non-rush linebackers since joining the Broncos’ starting lineup in 2014. The 26-year-old ‘backer — who has yet to sign his RFA tender — presents an interesting case for long-term employment despite Denver’s ILB stinginess.

The Broncos didn’t try very hard to retain Danny Trevathan this offseason, as they had higher-priority players to address. In previous years, the Broncos allowed Wesley Woodyard and Nate Irving to join up with AFC South teams on mid-level deals rather than retain them. Trevathan scored a four-year, $24.5MM deal to place him in the upper echelon of inside linebacker deals in terms of AAV. With another strong season and with the salary cap set to rise, Marshall seems likely to surpass that.

Trevathan serves as a good comparison for Marshall since they functioned in similar capacities for the Broncos last season and entered the league in 2012 as Day 3 picks. One key difference between the two players, however, is that Marshall split time between the Jaguars’ 53-man roster and taxi squad in his rookie year. That vacillation delayed his service-time clock, meaning the Broncos avoided both of their starting inside linebackers becoming UFAs in the same year.

Trevathan’s free agency arrived when Miller, Brock Osweiler, Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe were set to hit the market. Denver’s next set of notable expiring deals — the aforementioned defenders and Emmanuel Sanders — don’t present quite the financial matrix that 2016’s contingent did.

The previous year’s logjam featuring Julius Thomas, Orlando Franklin and several others probably appeared more daunting as well. As of this writing, the Broncos stand to possess the NFL’s most cap space in 2017 at $66.25MM. While this number will plummet should Miller sign by July 15, Denver’s brass will likely give more consideration to keeping Marshall than they did to retaining Trevathan.

Like Trevathan, Marshall successfully relocated to the inside after undergoing offseason surgery. Denver’s shift to a 3-4 featured a smooth transition thanks in part to Marshall’s quick adjustment. Already a well-reviewed player as a 4-3 outside ‘backer in 2014, Marshall showed no ill-effects from his foot surgery. In 2015, Marshall racked up 101 tackles and nine stops behind the line of scrimmage, tying him for the team lead with Miller and Wolfe.

While we’re on the subject of comps, it should be noted that Marshall finished with 11 tackles for loss in 2014, placing him third among non-rush ‘backers that season behind Lavonte David and DeAndre Levy. Both David and Levy received top-market extensions last summer. Pro Football Focus tabbed Marshall as a top-12 non-rush linebacker in 2014 and ’15, and a repeat could put him in line for a big payday.

Marshall separated himself somewhat from Trevathan in terms of functionality last season, serving as a three-down linebacker more often. The Broncos deployed their former practice squad talent on 1,120 snaps during 16 regular-season games in 2015, with the slightly smaller Trevathan lining up on 913 in 15 contests.

While the Broncos’ successful 2011 and 2012 draft classes created a glut of UFAs that mostly defected to other teams the past two years, 2013’s draft did not go as well. That stands to provide some additional upcoming flexibility. Only Williams and Kayvon Webster remain on the team from that class, but with Marshall’s free agency being postponed a year, he serves as a de facto ’13 pick.

The Broncos stand a better chance of signing him to an extension as a result.

Denver hasn’t paid notable money for an inside linebacker since re-signing Joe Mays in 2012 on a three-year, $12MM deal. The Broncos benched Mays for an aging Keith Brooking midway into that season and released him before 2013, a campaign that featured XFL survivor Paris Lenon starting at middle linebacker in Super Bowl XLVIII.

The John Elway era has generated the most consistently dominant play from the Broncos in their 56-year history, but it hasn’t involved significant payouts to the linebackers who are not responsible for harassing quarterbacks.

Beyond Marshall, the team’s current landscape at inside linebacker is pretty thin. The Broncos did not draft an ILB last month and are counting on special-teamer Todd Davis to succeed Trevathan. A 2014 waiver claim, Davis logged 139 snaps last season and could profile as the Broncos’ next bargain-bin success story at this position. Needless to say, Marshall will be pivotal to stabilizing this corps.

It could cost as much as $8MM per season for the Broncos to keep their top inside linebacker.

The experience chasm between Marshall and his cohorts could enhance his leverage, should the Broncos not reach an extension before his contract expires. With a monstrous Miller payout likely coming and just $6.01MM in cap space available currently, Marshall may have to wait a bit for his payday.

Marshall’s age won’t be a big factor in his next deal; he’s set to turn 27 in September. Although he is not going to reside on the Luke Kuechly/Bobby Wagner financial tier even with another standout season, his versatility to excel as a 3-4 inside presence or on the outside in a 4-3 scheme makes a $7MM-plus deal per year (the Mychal Kendricks/Sean Lee/K.J. Wright tier) look reasonable.

Levy’s four-year, $33.7MM Lions extension could be Marshall’s target, but he may fall short of that, even if he hits free agency. However, the salary cap rose from $143MM in 2015 to $155MM in advance of the 2016 league year, with the next elevation set to aid the ensuing crop of UFAs’ cause. So, it’s not impossible he rises to the Levy level — no one exactly predicted Malik Jackson would become a $14MM-AAV player going into his contract year — but it’s merely improbable right now.

Trevathan’s $6MM-plus AAV salary probably won’t be sufficient for the Broncos to keep Marshall off the market, but Elway and Co. have excelled at convincing cogs to sign team-friendly deals as the recent in-season extensions for Wolfe and Chris Harris showed. Marshall, though, may be a bit harder to sway, especially after seeing so many of his draft-class peers become UFA-eligible before him.

Hoping for a new deal before the season, Marshall hasn’t signed his $2.55MM second-round tender. He’ll almost certainly sign soon, considering the Broncos hold the leverage with the ability to rescind the tender after June 15 and pay him 110 percent of his 2015 salary, which was $585K.

With the 29-year-old Sanders residing as a key component of the Broncos’ passing game, he looks to be the highest free agent priority, should Denver lock up Miller. But with so many expiring defenders, it might be wise to re-sign a front-seven piece that’s proven to excel in Wade Phillips‘ system.

As the Broncos transition to a new quarterback, keeping as many of their young, established starters from the best defense in team history will be paramount. Such a task will be more easily attained without a franchise-quarterback salary anchoring the payroll.

With Wolfe and Harris having already signed, Marshall meets this criteria as well as anyone.

Photos courtesy USA Today Sports Images.

Finding A Landing Spot For Andre Roberts

May 20th, 2016 at 9:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

It didn’t take long for receiver Andre Roberts to generate interest after being released by the Redskins, as he took a visit with the Bills just two days after being cut loose by Washington. Roberts, whom PFR ranked as the fifth-best offensive free agent left on the board, has two more meetings planned with unknown clubs, and an additional five or six clubs are also thought to be eyeing Roberts, according to the latest reports.Andre Roberts (vertical)

Roberts, who turned 28 in January, is probably best served as a slot receiver, though he can also play on the outside if needed. Last season, Roberts appeared in nine games (zero starts) and caught a career-low 11 passes for 135 yards, but he does have a history of production in the not-so-distant future. Roberts first made a name for himself in 2012 when he stepped out of Larry Fitzgerald‘s shadow in Arizona to haul in 64 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns.

Let’s take a look around the league and find some potential fits for Roberts…

  • Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons spent a decent chunk of change on the wide receiver position this offseason, signing former Bengal Mohamed Sanu to a five-year, $32.5MM deal that included $14MM guaranteed. But Atlanta could certainly use one more veteran receiver, especially one who is relatively versatile like Roberts. Sanu is capable of playing the slot or outside, so offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could use both he and Roberts in several different positions. With Devin Hester on the mend, Roberts would act as insurance in case second-year pass-catcher Justin Hardy isn’t ready.
  • Cincinnati Bengals — On paper, the Bengals’ receiving corps looks a lot better than it did after they lost Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones earlier this offseason. Free agent signee Brandon LaFell and rookie Tyler Boyd are set to start in three-wide sets opposite A.J. Green, while Brandon Tate and James Wright are penciled in as the club’s depth options. Cincinnati is well-known to prefer veterans in key roles over young players, however, so depending on how the Bengals feel about Boyd’s immediate readiness, Roberts could make some sense.
  • Denver Broncos — Jordan Norwood was a known favorite of Peyton Manning last year, and was able to produce 22 receptions in 11 games. Roberts would be an improvement in the slot, and he’s actually younger (by almost two years) than Norwood. Denver is obviously set with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on the outside, but adding Roberts could be a boon to an offense that figures to be lead by one of Mark Sanchez or Paxton Lynch.
  • Detroit Lions — Even after signing Marvin Jones to a five-year, $40MM deal in March, the Lions could still use more help at receiver following the retirement of Calvin Johnson. On the inside, two free agent signees — Jeremy Kerley and Andre Caldwell — figure to compete for playing time, but Roberts looks to be a superior option to either of them. Although touches could be hard to come by in Detroit, especially if tight end Eric Ebron sees more targets, Roberts would make for a solid No. 3 in the Motor City.
  • Oakland Raiders — The Raiders’ offense soared in 2015, as sophomore quarterback Derek Carr broke out, teaming with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to form a fearsome unit. And while Oakland failed to add legitimate competition for running back Latavius Murray this offseason, it could still stand to improve on Seth Roberts, who is projected to see the majority time of the slot. The Raiders also re-signed pass-catcher Andre Holmes this spring, but adding in another veteran like Roberts could be a nice way to fill out an already daunting offense.
  • San Francisco 49ers — The 49ers have the second-most cap space in the league at the moment, so we know that they could afford Roberts if they’re interested. And they should be, if they have any hopes of sniffing a .500 record in 2016. San Francisco’s depth chart behind Torrey Smith is extremely thin, with DeAndre Smelter, Quinton Patton, Jerome Simpson, Bruce Ellington, and rookie Aaron Burbridge filling in the gaps. The 49ers aren’t likely to contend next year, so adding a complementary receiver may seem like an unnecessary move, but Roberts would help San Francisco creep towards respectability.
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tampa is hoping that second-year receiver Kenny Bell can serve as its No. 3 option behind Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, as Jenna Laine reported last week (Twitter link). But is new head coach Dirk Koetter ready to rely on an unproven asset as his club tries to improve upon its 2015 DVOA ranking of 17th? Veteran Louis Murphy is another incumbent option for the Buccaneers, but Roberts could help Tampa Bay take the next step as it tries to challenge for a playoff berth.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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