Adrian Coxson

Free Agent Notes: Gray, Coxson, Workouts

Former Patriots running back Jonas Gray was one of the more notable offensive players to hit the waiver wire this weekend, as his time in New England came to an end. Now that he’s a free agent, Gray is drawing interest from several teams, as we heard yesterday, and he’ll pay a visit to one of those teams on Tuesday.

Gray’s agent, Sean Stellato, tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that his client has a workout scheduled for tomorrow with the Titans. Tennessee also acquired Terrance West from the Browns in a weekend trade, so the club is clearly looking for other options to complement Bishop Sankey, after having placed David Cobb on injured reserve with the designation to return.

Here are a few more notes on free agents, or players who figure to become available soon:

  • Wide receiver Adrian Coxson, who signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent in May and was let go by the team in August, is retiring from the NFL due to ongoing concussion symptoms, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. “It’s been recommended to me by two neurologists and two doctors to retire from football,” Coxson told Wilson. “The next hit to my head could possibly kill me or be life damaging.”
  • The Dolphins are trying out former Falcons linebacker Marquis Spruill today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
  • Linebacker Nick Moody, cut by the 49ers yesterday, is headed to New York for a workout with the Giants, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
  • Agent Brett Tessler says (via Twitter) that his client, guard Mike Liedtke, formerly of the Dolphins, is visiting the Jets today. Caplan notes (via Twitter) that the Jets also worked out wide receiver Shane Wynn, who will audition for the Titans this week as well.
  • Veteran offensive lineman Ben Garland, who has spent time with the Broncos in some capacity – either on the team’s roster or practice squad – for the last four seasons, was cut during Denver’s cutdown to 53 players this week. However, he’s drawing around interest around the league, according to Mike Klis of 9 News (Twitter link).
  • Running back Daniel “Boom” Herron was waived/injured by the Colts on the weekend, and isn’t a free agent quite yet. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Herron suffered a sprained AC joint, which isn’t considered a serious injury. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, Herron will work out an injury settlement with the Colts and become a free agent.

North Notes: Benjamin, Vikings, Packers

Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, recognizes that it’s a “big, big year” for him, as he tells Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Still, he’s not looking ahead to signing an extension or a free agent contract, suggesting that if he plays well, things will take care of themselves.

“I’m playing for now. I don’t look far into the future,” Benjamin said. “I’m just playing for the Browns right now, and hopefully, if things work out, I’ll be here for another couple more years.”

As Benjamin looks to surpass his career high of 18 receptions this year, let’s check out some more notes from out of the NFL’s two Central divisions….

  • Head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in camp that it’s not essential to keep a true fullback on the Vikings‘ roster this season, but you should still bet on the club hanging onto one, says Mark Craig of the Star Tribune, suggesting that Zach Line is a strong bet to make the team.
  • Jared Abbrederis, selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, isn’t giving up on his NFL career, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. The former Wisconsin wideout missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, and has yet to be cleared this year due to a concussion, but Green Bay isn’t giving up on him, as Demovsky details.
  • Yesterday, we heard that wide receiver Adrian Coxson had been cut by the Packers outright, and that Coxson would be seeking an injury settlement from the team. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post clarifies (via Twitter) that Green Bay waived Coxson with a “failure to disclose physical condition” designation, suggesting he didn’t inform the team of concussion symptoms.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/15

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves..

  • To make room for Chris Johnson, the Cardinals have waived/injured Brandon Person, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. Person tore his ACL on Saturday.
  • The Chiefs announced that they have signed linebacker Ja’Gared Davis and cut wide receiver Adam Drake, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
  • The Saints signed linebackers Justin Anderson and Chris Young, defensive tackle Austin Brown, and tight end Michael Egnew, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Packers released Adrian Coxson outright but the player will pursue an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
  • The Dolphins announced that they have waived tight end Arthur Lynch and signed free agent linebacker James Davidson in his stead, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Seahawks released defensive tackle Jimmy Staten and linebacker Dakorey Johnson, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (on Twitter). Seattle also signed defensive backs Jeremy Crayton and Keelan Johnson.
  • The Jaguars have waived undrafted rookie linebacker Matt Robinson with an injury settlement, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.
  • The Panthers (on Twitter) announced that they have signed punter Matt Wile and waived/injured tight end Jamie Childers.
  • The Colts announced that they have waived-injured linebacker Cody Galea and signed linebacker Nicklas Haag, Mike Chappell of the Indy Star tweets.

Packers Sign 17 Undrafted Free Agents

FRIDAY, 11:36am: Having officially signed and announced their undrafted free agent class, the Packers did indeed sign 17 UDFAs. However, a couple of the names on the official list are different than those initially reported.

A pair of running backs, Agnew and Maples, didn’t formally sign with the team. They were replaced on Green Bay’s list of UDFAs by two linebackers — Louisiana State’s Jermauria Rasco and Stanford’s James Vaughters.

SUNDAY, 5:02pm: The Packers have also added Miami CB Ladarius Gunter, reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Twitter link).

1:26pm: After adding eight draft picks over the past three days, the Packers have agreed to terms with another 16 undrafted free agents. Here’s the full list, courtesy of Wes Hodkiewicz of Press-Gazette Media:

  • Malcolm Agnew, RB, Southern Illinois
  • Bernard Blake, CB, Colorado State
  • Javess Blue, WR, Kentucky
  • Ricky Collins, WR, Texas A&M-Commerce
  • Adrian Coxson, WR, Stony Brook ($5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun)
  • John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State
  • Tavarus Dantzler, OLB, Bethune-Cookman
  • Fabbians Ebbele, OL, Arizona ($2K bonus, per Wilson)
  • Alonzo Harris, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette ($3,500 bonus, per Wilson)
  • Mitchell Henry, TE, Western Kentucky
  • Lavon Hooks, DT, Mississippi
  • Jimmie Hunt, WR, Missouri
  • Raymond Maples, RB, Army
  • Larry Pinkard, WR, Old Dominion ($3K bonus, per Wilson)
  • Marcus Reed, OL, Fayetteville State
  • Matt Rotheram, OL, Pittsburgh

Draft Notes: Goldman, Ravens, Washington

As the draft approaches, many prospects will be invited to team’s local prospect days for an opportunity to display their talents. The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson has collected a bunch of those workout notes, which we’ve collected for you below…

  • Florida State defensive lineman Eddie Goldman will be meeting with the Jaguars. The projected late first-round pick will also meet with a variety of other teams (Twitter link).
  • Penn State safety Adrian Amos was invited to the Ravens local prospect day. He had a private workout with Chip Kelly and the Eagles earlier this week (Twitter link).
  • Delaware linebacker David Mackall has also been invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The former Maryland transfer finished last season with 84 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery (Twitter link).
  • Wake Forest wideout E.J. Scott was invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The fifth-year senior finished 2014 with 50 catches for 513 yards and four touchdowns (Twitter link).
  • Maryland linebacker Cole Farrand was also invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The All-Big Ten honorable-mention finished last season with 118 tackles last season, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries (Twitter link).
  • Bowie State tight end Khari Lee has been invited to the Ravens local prospect day. Lee already worked out for 24 teams during his pro day (Twitter link).
  • New Mexico running back Crusoe Gongbay has been invited to Washington‘s local prospect day. The senior ran for 354 yards and three touchdowns last season (Twitter link).
  • Stony Brook receiver Adrian Coxson will attend Washington‘s local prospect day. The Maryland transfer previously attended the Jets and Giants local pro days (Twitter link).
  • West Georgia quarterback Austin Trainor has Pro Days with the Buccaneers, Raiders and 49ers. The signal-caller went undrafted during last year’s draft (Twitter link).

Draft Notes: Parker, Holliman, Roberts, Bucs

Let’s take a look at the latest regarding a handful of prospects as the 2015 NFL Draft draws nearer:

  • Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker has pre-draft visits lined up with the Patriots, Ravens, Jets, Saints, Rams, Titans, 49ers and Panthers, according to Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko (Twitter link). In a mock draft posted earlier today, our own Rob Dire has the highly touted Parker going 11th overall to the Vikings.
  • Safety Gerod Holliman, Parker’s teammate at Louisville, tweeted that his workout with the Dolphins was a “success.”
  • Marshall cornerback Darryl Roberts visited the Chiefs this week, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and Baltimore Sun. Roberts previously had private workouts with the 49ers and Packers.
  • Stony Brook receiver Adrian Coxson is scheduled to visit the Packers, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Buccaneers are expected to take a quarterback – either Florida State’s Jameis Winston or Oregon’s Marcus Mariota – with the first overall pick, but Wilson tweets that a a lesser-known QB, West Georgia’s Austin Trainor, impressed the team at its local prospect day. Trainor was the only signal caller in attendance.
  • In other Bucs news, South Florida kicker Marvin Kloss had a “strong workout” for the team Friday, per Wilson. Kloss hit 9 of 10 field goals, including a 55-yarder, and three of his four kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Draft Notes: Bucs, Fowler, Mariota, Bears

As previously reported, Dante Fowler Jr. visited the Buccaneers, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht “really likes” the Florida pass rusher. However, Fowler himself seems to recognize that he’s unlikely to land with the Bucs, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times details.

“They’re going with a quarterback,” Fowler said. “I feel like there’s no need for them to talk to me and waste my time unless something happens with Jameis [Winston] or Marcus [Mariota] or something like that. They know where they’re going. I understand that.”

While the Bucs cover all their bases, Mariota appears to be doing the same thing — Adam Schefter of ESPN.com said Thursday on ESPN 1000 in Chicago that the Oregon signal-caller recently paid a visit to the Bears. Mariota is considered the favorite to come off the board at No. 2, and may not be available when Chicago’s No. 7 overall pick rolls around, but as our Rob DiRe laid out this morning in PFR’s first 2015 mock draft, there are scenarios in which Mariota is still in play at that point. It sounds like both he and the Bears are doing their due diligence.

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and the Baltimore Sun has updates on several more draft prospects for us this morning, so let’s round those up….

  • Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, Auburn): Met with the Patriots and Browns (link).
  • Adrian Coxson (WR, Stony Brook): The Giants were “very impressed’ with him at their local prospect day (Twitter link).
  • Tyler Murphy (QB, Boston College): Visiting the Steelers today (link).
  • Nick Perry (S, Alabama): Had private workouts for the Patriots and Colts (link).
  • Tray Walker (CB, Texas Southern): Visits with the Ravens, Chiefs, Packers, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Falcons, plus private workouts with the Cardinals and Texans (link). Had a previously-reported visit with the Raiders.

West Notes: Chargers, Chiefs, 49ers, Cooper

We’ve already posted one set of items from the West, but there’s more news from the two divisions. Let’s dive in…

  • The Chargers were somewhat active in free agency, re-signing cornerback Brandon Flowers and tackle King Dunlap while adding guard Orlando Franklin and receivers Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones. But San Diego general manager Tom Telesco doesn’t believe external additions are the best way to build a roster. “You can’t makeover your team in free agency,” Telesco told Chargers.com (video link). “That’s been proven not to work. Very few impact players actually get to free agency. They are either re-signed by the original club, or they’re franchise tagged. That all being said, you can add some complementary pieces here and there, and we were able to do that.”
  • Stony Brook receiver Adrian Coxson has a visit with the Chiefs on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Coxson has also been invited to the local workout days hosted by the Giants and Jets.
  • A report last week indicated that the 49ers would look to trade up in the draft to select Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, but Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com views that scenario as unlikely. San Francisco also wanted to move up to get Odell Beckham Jr. last year, but 49ers GM Trent Baalke thought the cost was too prohibitive. This year, with even more holes on the roster, Maiocco doesn’t think the club can afford to sacrifice a haul of draft picks to acquire one player.