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PFR Originals: 5/4/11 – 5/11/14

May 11th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Here’s the original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

  • Our Prospect Profile series continued, as I examined former Texas A&M offensive tackle (and Falcons draft pick) Jake Matthews.
  • Zach Links rounded up the best football blogs in the latest installment of Pigskin Links.
  • In last week’s polls, Luke Adams asked which trade up in the first round was best (more than a third said the Vikings move up for Teddy Bridgwater), I pondered who was the best player available heading into Day 3 of the draft (a virtual tie between A.J. McCarron and Pierre Desir), and Rob DiRe wondered which of the late-round quarterbacks would have the most success (with McCarron taking the top spot). Thanks for voting!
  • Luke provided a breakdown of all the 2014 draft picks, both by round and by team.

Prospect Profile: Jake Matthews

May 4th, 2014 at 9:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

If lineage is something to be desired in an NFL draft prospect, Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews has that contest won. The 22-year-old is the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, who played 19 seasons with the Oilers/Titans, the cousin of current NFL linebackers Clay and Casey Matthews, and the brother of Kevin Matthews, who has spent time with the Titans and the Redskins.NCAA Football: Southern Methodist at Texas A&M

But even without his storied family history, Matthews’ own talent and development would make him a surefire top 10 draft selection. After being named a 2009 USA Today high school All-American, Matthews entered Texas A&M, and was plugged in on the Aggies’ offensive line, where he played started 33 games over his first three seasons (mostly at right tackle). In 2013, following the departure of incumbent left tackle Luke Joeckel (the third overall pick by the Jaguars), Matthews moved to blind side and protected quarterback Johnny Manziel for all 13 games. In addition to being selected as a consensus All-American last season, Matthews was named to the All-SEC team in both 2012 and 2013.

At 6’5″, 305 pounds, the former Aggie is large enough to handle stout defensive lineman, but also has the agility to ward off quicker outside linebackers. When compared to Joeckel, Matthews grades out as slower, but he does have the advantage in power. Sound technique is the foundation of Matthews’ game, and that proficiency, combined with his size, allows him to simply maul in the run-blocking game. His physical traits aside, Matthews’ intangibles are off the charts — he was a team captain at Texas A&M, obviously has the pedigree, reportedly scored a 32 on the Wonderlic test, and scouts are said to be highly impressed with both his awareness on the field and his leadership off it. A prototypical franchise left tackle, Matthews has the ability to “walk in and play left tackle and sit there for 10, 12 years,” as one scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn.

Matthews, of course, also has his detractors and his limitations. Another scout told McGinn that Matthews’ surname might be clouding evaluators’ opinions: “If his last name was something else, I don’t think he’d be picked as high.” Physically, others believe that his arm length of 33 3/8″ might be too short, limiting his extension. Like Joeckel, Matthews is sometimes accused of lacking a “killer instinct” (however, that demerit didn’t seem to hurt Joeckel’s stock). Finally, some point to his prowess as a right tackle and believe he would be a better fit on that side of the line, which would obviously degrade his value.

It is difficult to find a team that wouldn’t be interested in Matthews, as most franchises could use a left tackle of his caliber, and if not, at least an upgrade at right tackle. The Texans will probably go in another direction, and while the Rams could be interested in an offensive lineman, most reports have Greg Robinson as the higher rated player and the favorite to go second overall. The Jaguars could re-pair him with Joeckel, but the first real possibility is probably the Browns at No. 4, who would immediately install Matthews at right tackle. Within the top 10 selections, the Raiders, Falcons, Buccaneers, Bills, and Lions are all possible landing spots for Matthews. Along with Robinson and Taylor Lewan, Matthews is part of a triumvirate of offensive tackles that will all likely be top 10 picks.

Photo courtesy of USA Sports Images.

PFR Originals: 4/27/14 – 5/4/14

May 4th, 2014 at 2:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Here’s the original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

  • We continued our Prospect Profile series, as I examined Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack (link), Rob DiRe looked at Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (link) and Louisville safety Calvin Pryor (link), and Rory Parks wrote up Wisconsin safety Chris Borland (link).
  • We also asked your opinion in several polls: Peter Sowards asked if the NFL should initiate a developmental league (with two-thirds responding in the affirmative), Ben Levine wondered which embattled quarterback will have the most 2014 success (most said Matt Schaub), and Luke Adams questioned what the Falcons will do in the draft (58% of respondents think Atlanta will trade up). Thanks for voting!
  • Luke delved into restricted free agency, which affects players who have accrued three NFL seasons and have an expired contract.
  • Luke also rounded up the decisions on fifth-year options, the majority of which were exercised.

Prospect Profile: Chris Borland

May 4th, 2014 at 11:08am CST by Rory Parks

Although our series of prospect profiles thus far has focused primarily on players projected to go in the first round, Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland has been receiving a good deal of attention in the press as of late, so we thought it might make sense to explore what he has to offer. Indeed, for teams that are looking for a quality Day 2 option, Borland could represent a perfect fit.NCAA Football: Northwestern at Wisconsin

Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post gives a fairly comprehensive view of Borland’s strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Borland had a very productive collegiate career, especially in 2013, when he accumulated 112 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks as Wisconsin’s “Will” linebacker. Borland also excels at the mental part of the game, as he has terrific instincts and is an effective blitzer. Also, what he lacks in speed he makes up for in his ability to read routes well and in his pass drop, which allows him to be useful in zone coverage.

However, because he does have averaged timed speed, he will struggle in man coverage. Also, he is only 5’11” and has very short arms, which means he will miss some tackles. Gabriel calls Borland a “classic overachiever,” and although he lacks ideal size and speed, he is explosive in short areas and has good change-of-direction abilities, making him an effective run-stopper. Essentially, if you can live with a few missed tackles and can pair him with a speedy linebacker who can cover receivers downfield, Borland could make a good deal of sense. His intelligence will also be a tremendous asset in the middle of any team’s defense.

Arjuna Ramgopal of WEEI.com offers similar insights as Gabriel, noting that Borland has drawn favorable comparisons to long-time Dolphins stalwart Zach Thomas. He adds that Borland is effective at diagnosing plays and is a sure tackler. Combining Ramgopal’s analysis with Gabriel’s, it seems that as long as Borland can reach you with his short arms, you will probably go down.

As far as his pedigree, Borland is as good as it gets. He was 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2013 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, 2013 first-team All-American, 2013, 2012, 2011 first team All-Big Ten, and 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Because of that pedigree, his production, and his dedication, John McMullen of the Merced Sun-Star labeled Borland a “safe” pick and calls him a “can’t-miss contributor.”

His one injury concern arose in 2010, when Borland injured his left shoulder and missed all but two games. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the injury has forced one team to take Borland off its draft board entirely, as that team’s physicians believe the shoulder would require additional surgery.

That concern, of course, could drop Borland’s stock on draft day. But assuming he is physically cleared to play, the team that drafts him will get a bruising, savvy playmaker who is effective against the run, effective enough in coverage, and who plays every down with the intensity required of his position.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2015 Fifth-Year Option Decisions

May 2nd, 2014 at 11:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The deadline has passed for teams to officially exercise their 2015 options on players who are in the final year of their rookie contracts, so it’s time to round up the results of those decisions. These fifth-year options could only be exercised on first-round picks, and the salaries were determined by where players were drafted and what position they play.

If a player had his option exercised, his rookie contract will be extended by one year and he’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. If a player’s option was declined, he’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2014 season. We explained the intricacies of the fifth-year option in a PFR Glossary post last month, so you can read up on the specific details there.

These 2015 option salaries are guaranteed for injury only up until the first day of the 2015 league year, at which point they become fully guaranteed. As such, many teams will exercise the options for now, even if they’re not 100% sure they’ll keep the player, since there isn’t a ton of risk in picking up the option and maintaining as much roster flexibility as possible. Teams and players can also continue to negotiate long-term contracts from this point on.

In the case of some players listed below, teams didn’t officially announce their decisions, which we’ll interpret to mean the clubs didn’t exercise those options — no formal action was required if a club simply chose not to pick up the option.

Here are this season’s fifth-year option decisions:

  1. Cam Newton (QB, Panthers), $14.666MM: Exercised
  2. Von Miller (LB, Broncos), $9.754MM: Exercised
  3. Marcell Dareus (DE, Bills), $8.06MM: Exercised
  4. A.J. Green (WR, Bengals), $10.176MM: Exercised
  5. Patrick Peterson (CB, Cardinals), $10.081MM: Exercised
  6. Julio Jones (WR, Falcons), $10.176MM: Exercised
  7. Aldon Smith (LB, 49ers), $9.754MM: Exercised
  8. Jake Locker (QB, Titans), $14.666MM: Declined
  9. Tyron Smith (OL, Cowboys), $10.039MM: Exercised
  10. Blaine Gabbert (QB, 49ers), $14.666MM: Declined
  11. J.J. Watt (DE, Texans), $6.969MM: Exercised
  12. Christian Ponder (QB, Vikings), $9.686MM: Declined
  13. Nick Fairley (DT, Lions), $5.477MM: Declined
  14. Robert Quinn (DE, Rams), $6.969MM: Exercised
  15. Mike Pouncey (OL, Dolphins), $7.438MM: Exercised
  16. Ryan Kerrigan (LB, Redskins), $7.038MM: Excerised
  17. Nate Solder (OL, Patriots), $7.438MM: Exercised
  18. Corey Liuget (DE, Chargers), $6.969MM: Exercised
  19. Prince Amukamara (CB, Giants), $6.898MM: Exercised
  20. Adrian Clayborn (DE, Buccaneers), $6.969MM: Declined
  21. Phil Taylor (DT, Browns), $5.477MM: Exercised
  22. Anthony Castonzo (OL, Colts), $7.438MM: Exercised
  23. Danny Watkins (OL, FA): Not applicable due to release
  24. Cameron Jordan (DE, Saints), $6.969MM: Exercised
  25. James Carpenter (OL, Seahawks), $7.438MM: Declined
  26. Jonathan Baldwin (WR, 49ers), $6.776MM: Not applicable due to restructure
  27. Jimmy Smith (CB, Ravens), $6.898MM: Exercised
  28. Mark Ingram (RB, Saints), $5.211MM: Declined
  29. Gabe Carimi (OL, Falcons): Not applicable due to release
  30. Muhammad Wilkerson (DE, Jets), $6.969MM: Exercised
  31. Cameron Heyward (DE, Steelers), $6.969MM: Exercised
  32. Derek Sherrod (OL, Packers), $7.438MM: Declined

Restricted Free Agency

May 2nd, 2014 at 8:15am CST by Luke Adams

Two players who received restricted free agent tenders this season remain unsigned, as Doug Baldwin of the Seahawks and Byron Bell of the Panthers have yet to accept the offers from their respective clubs. Since today is the deadline for either player to sign an offer sheet with a rival club, it’s worth taking a closer look at exactly what restricted free agency entails, and how it works.

Restricted free agency applies to players who have exactly three accrued seasons, meaning they’ve been on a full pay scale for at least six regular-season games in three years in the NFL. Players with fewer than three accrued seasons and no contract are exclusive rights free agents, while players with four or more accrued seasons are eligible for unrestricted free agency. For draftees, the default rookie contract runs for four years, meaning those players will generally be unrestricted free agents when their original deals expire.

As such, restricted free agents are generally players who aren’t coming off traditional rookie contracts. Baldwin, Bell, Broncos cornerback Tony Carter, and Lions running back Joique Bell are among the notable players who were restricted free agents this offseason, and all four guys went undrafted out of college.

As the name suggests, restricted free agency limits players from negotiating freely with all potential suitors. Unsigned players don’t become restricted free agents by default after their third accrued season — the player’s previous club must extend the player a qualifying offer, also known as a restricted free agent tender, to ensure that the player doesn’t become unrestricted. The amount of that offer varies depending on how much the team is willing to pay for one year of the player’s service, and how much the player made in the previous season. For instance, in 2014, the RFA tender amounts were the following amounts, or 110% of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater:

  • $3.113MM – First round tender
  • $2.187MM – Second round tender
  • $1.431MM – Original round tender
  • $1.2MM – Right of first refusal only

All four tender amounts give the player’s previous club the right to match any offers for the player, so the difference in the offers – besides the salary – is related to the compensation the team would receive if the player signed with another team. For example, Baldwin received a second-round tender worth $2.187MM from the Seahawks. That means that if the veteran receiver signed an offer sheet with another team, Seattle would receive a second-round pick from that club.

Given the compensatory picks tied to those top two tenders, we typically see teams pursue RFAs who received the lower tenders. For example, Andrew Hawkins reportedly received a $1.431MM tender from the Bengals prior to free agency. Had Hawkins been, for instance, a fifth-round pick, the Browns would have had to give up a fifth-rounder of their own when they poached the wideout from their division rival. Because Hawkins was an undrafted free agent though, the Bengals maintained the right of first refusal, but didn’t receive a compensatory pick when they decided not to match the offer.

After a player signs an offer sheet, his previous team has five days to decide whether or not to match that offer, which is why leave sheets must be signed at least five days before the draft to ensure that draft pick compensation gets resolved in time. If Baldwin or Bell were to sign an offer sheet today, the Seahawks or Panthers could pick up an extra second-round pick next week by declining to match that offer. Typically, that draft-pick cost is too steep for potential suitors, so it’s more likely we’ll see Baldwin and Bell simply accept their one-year tenders, earn $2.187MM salaries in 2014, and be eligible to hit the unrestricted market in 2015.

The rules of restricted free agency apply to players as long as that qualifying offer remains in play, but teams can withdraw the QO at any time, making the player an unrestricted free agent. Additionally, restricted free agents are eligible for the franchise tag, which creates a sort of heightened version of restricted free agency — salaries are larger for franchise players, and the price tag for rival clubs to sign away a franchise player is two first-round draft picks, which is why we haven’t seen any action on Jimmy Graham this offseason.

As for exclusive rights free agency, which I mentioned earlier, it’s a more strict form of restricted free agency as well, one that essentially removes any “free agency” from a player’s decision. It applies to players with less than three accrued seasons. If a player receives an exclusive rights free agent tender from his club – which is almost always worth the minimum salary – he must either accept the offer or not play in the NFL. He’s not eligible to negotiate with any other teams.

Note: This is a PFR Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to free agency, trades, or other aspects of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Information from OverTheCap.com was used in the creation of this post.

Prospect Profile: Calvin Pryor

April 30th, 2014 at 8:26pm CST by Rob DiRe

If Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton Dix is not the top safety in this draft, then Louisville’s Calvin Pryor is. While nominally these two players inhabit the same position on the field, the two free safeties have very different styles of play. While we already examined the playmaking ability in the center field that Dix could bring to the table, Pryor counters with the big-hitting, in-your-face style of play of safeties past.Calvin Pryor

Pryor’s biggest strength on the football field is violence. He struck fear in the hearts of any receiver running a crossing route in front of him. His highlight clips on YouTube are among the most fun watches of any prospect, filled with big plays that look as if they were scripted to elicit groans from all who watch. He throws his body into every play with full force and no hesitation. His dedication to those highlight hits makes him a weapon as a run defender. For an insight into his physical dominance, he had a stretch in which he knocked an opponent out of a game in three consecutive games, according to NFL.com.

While most fans will probably remember him for his ability to put ball carriers on the ground, Pryor never proved to be a weakness covering the middle of the field. It was rare to find him in man coverage, but he was able to cover deep in the middle of the field, exhibiting good range. His athleticism is not dissimilar to that of Clinton-Dix, as Pryor weighed in at 207 pounds and posted an identical time of 4.58 in the 40-yard dash. Pryor did measure in at 5’11”, a full two inches shorter than Clinton-Dix.

Pryor’s aggressiveness can be his greatest weakness on tape, as expected for a player always going for the big hit. He has the tendency to overrun plays, leaving himself susceptible to the cutback. He might take some bad angles, and a big hitter always risk the chance of missing on a tackle, especially as he meets bigger and stronger runners in the NFL.

Still, for a safety not known as a ballhawk, Pryor managed to get his hands on seven passes in his three years at Louisville, with a few highlight catches among those. He also forced nine devastating fumbles for his career, solidifying himself as one of the biggest hitters in college football regardless of position. Pryor was named Second Team All-Big East as a sophomore, and after a conference change, achieved First Team All-ACC as a junior before declaring for the NFL Draft. Like his counterpart from Alabama, Pryor was suspended for violating a team rule, forcing him to miss a game during his final collegiate season.

Early in the draft process, a common thought was that Pryor could be too physical for the NFL game. Pundits worried that he was almost a guarantee for fines and suspensions, a potential magnet for defenseless receiver calls. For the most part, that thinking corrected itself, and coincided with Pryor’s rise up draft boards. While most still have him as the second best safety in this class, he has closed the gap between himself and Clinton-Dix. Both ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay have Pryor falling to the Cowboys (No. 16) (subscription required), while two out of the four mock drafts posted by CBS Sports have him up at No. 13, to the Rams. The Louisville hammer also has some traction among the Bears (No. 14) and Ravens (No.17).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Prospect Profile: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

April 30th, 2014 at 7:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

Earl Thomas signed a huge extension on Monday, making him the highest paid safety in the NFL. The reason Thomas got that money is due to the rarity of true to form center field type safety in today’s game. The versatility that a speedy defensive back that can play in the middle of the defense, providing coverage skills as well as strength bringing down the ball carrier makes a defensive coordinator’s job much easier. If not easier, then definitely more fun.Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

There is only one safety in the mold of Thomas projected to be picked in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, and that is Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Dix played three seasons with the Crimson Tide, and was a part of two national championship teams. His five interceptions as a sophomore led a highly regarded Alabama defense. Clinton-Dix was suspended for two games during the 2013 season, due to “unspecified team rules violations.” Despite missing two games, he was named First Team All-SEC after his junior season, and was a Consensus All-American safety.

Clinton-Dix measured out well at the NFL combine, standing tall at 6’1″ and 208 pounds. He ran a respectable 4.58 40-yard dash. It does not put him in the category of elite athletes, but it is a combination of size and speed that is desirable in a prospect. Under Nick Saban, he learned how to play the position efficiently. According to NFL.com, he is quick to read and react to plays, and makes up for his average speed by taking great angles to the football, where he becomes a nightmare due to his good ball skills and ability to turn defense into offense.

Like many Saban coached defensive backs, Clinton-Dix shined in college coming up to stop the run. Not one to shy from contact, he gets into the alley and is a strong open field tackler. While he does not have the top speed to run with the fastest receivers in the NFL, nor the bulk to be considered a true in the box safety, he does provide versatility in his ability to switch from a run stopper to a pass defender from play to play.

Safety is a tough position to gauge in regards to this draft. Clinton-Dix is not the clear cut top option, as Louisville’s Calvin Pryor has been making headway. The two are very different players as well, as Clinton-Dix has the reputation for staying in the middle of the field and making plays on the ball, whereas Pryor is known as the big hitter. Style will play a huge role in which player comes off the board first.

Clinton-Dix starts to gain a lot of traction among mock drafts starting with the Lions (No. 10). If the Lions pass on him, he begins to make a lot of sense for the Rams (No. 13) and the Bears (No. 14). ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. agrees that the Rams could jump on him, and Todd McShay has him landing in St. Louis as well (subscription required). The Vikings (No. 8) seem like the highest he could possibly go, and if the Steelers (No. 15) do pass, the Cowboys (No. 16), Ravens (No. 17), and Jets (No. 18) all have significant need at safety.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Outstanding Fifth-Year Option Decisions

April 30th, 2014 at 10:59am CST by Luke Adams

As our fifth-year option tracker shows, plenty of teams have been proactive about making their decisions on 2015 options for 2011 first-rounders well in advance of this year’s May 3 deadline. However, there are still a number of players requiring resolution on their contract situations before this weekend.

Here are the 16 players whose fifth-year options have been formally exercised so far:

While no official announcement has necessarily been made, reports from beat writers – or from general managers themselves – have strongly suggested these four players will not have their options picked up:

Meanwhile, the following two players are no longer even on their rookie contracts, meaning the fifth-year option doesn’t apply to them:

That leaves us with 10 players who we’re still waiting on for official resolution. Let’s dive in and examine them one by one….

  • Von Miller (LB, Broncos), $9.754MM: There’s no drama about Denver’s decision on Miller. His option will be exercised — it’s simply a matter of when, not if.
  • Aldon Smith (LB, 49ers), $9.754MM: Smith represents perhaps the most intriguing case of any of 2011’s first-rounders. On the field, he’s developed into one of the NFL’s best edge defenders, but the 24-year-old has had a number of off-field issues and incidents. We heard earlier in the month, that the Niners were likely to decline Smith’s fifth-year option to send a message, but it doesn’t appear the team has officially made its decision yet.
  • Blaine Gabbert (QB, 49ers), $14.666MM: The lack of reports so far on Gabbert’s option may simply be a result of the lack of a intrigue in this decision. The 49ers won’t be exercising this option.
  • Christian Ponder (QB, Vikings), $9.686MM: While Ponder appears likely to enter the 2014 season as a backup, Minnesota’s decision isn’t quite as easy as San Francisco’s on Gabbert. I don’t expect the Vikings to exercise the option, but Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune and cap expert Joel Corry did a good job last week of explaining why the decision isn’t cut-and-dried.
  • Ryan Kerrigan (LB, Redskins), $7.038MM: Kerrigan has been one of Washington’s most productive defenders over the last couple years, and recent comments by GM Bruce Allen seemed to signal this option would be exercised.
  • Prince Amukamara (CB, Giants), $6.898MM: As of last Tuesday, the Giants were reportedly still undecided on this decision, which could go either way. For what it’s worth, Amukamara indicated that he may feel somewhat slighted if the club turns down his option.
  • Phil Taylor (DT, Browns), $5.477MM: Taylor, who said last week he’d like the Browns to exercise his option, has been solid during his three NFL seasons, but is more of a situational player than an every-down difference-maker. Cleveland has some flexibility and make figure that rolling the dice on Taylor’s relatively inexpensive option is worth the risk, but this is another decision that remains up in the air.
  • James Carpenter (OL, Seahawks), $7.438MM: A report from earlier this week suggested the Seahawks are leaning toward declining Carpenter’s option.
  • Jonathan Baldwin (WR, 49ers), $6.776MM: Baldwin’s rookie contract was already reworked to reduce his salary, so it’s very unlikely that San Francisco will see this option as a worthy investment.
  • Derek Sherrod (OL, Packers), $7.438MM: Plagued by injuries so far in his NFL career, Sherrod hasn’t seen significant action for the Packers, and the team won’t be inclined to keep him under control at such a high salary.

Prospect Profile Series

April 30th, 2014 at 8:38am CST by Luke Adams

Leading up to the 2014 draft, Pro Football Rumors is taking a closer look at some of the top prospects in this year’s draft class in Prospect Profile pieces. We’re evaluating a number of players’ stocks, breaking down their pros and cons, and forecasting where they may land in next week’s draft.

We’ve got another handful of Prospect Profile posts on the way, but for now, you can catch up on the ones we’ve published so far. This list will continue to be updated up until draft night, and can be found at any time on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”

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