Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2017 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:22pm CST by Dallas Robinson
The Broncos worked out a dozen players today, including quarterbacks Sean Renfree and T.J. Yates, running backs Bernard Pierce and Zac Brooks, and wide receivers Keshawn Martin and Corey Washington, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Yates, 29, has only started seven games during his regular season career, but has somewhat miraculously managed two playoff starts, both for Houston. Each of the tryouts conducted by Denver today were for futures contract consideration, tweets Mike Klis of 9NEWS.
Here’s more from the workout front:
Searching for emergency interior line options, the Patriots tried out OL James Stone and Chris Watt today, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitterlinks), who adds that New England also took a look at wide receiver Dez Stewart. As Reiss wrote earlier today, the Pats could be forced to make a move at WR following an injury to Danny Amendola, and Stewart could potentially fill that void.
The Packers tried out tight end Kennard Backman, quarterback Mike Bercovici, wide receiver Mitch Mathews, and running back Daryl Virgies, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Backman is familiar with Green Bay, as the Packers chose him in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.
Defensive back Dezmen Southward, defensive end Josh Boyd, and linebacker Ron Thompson all worked out for the Raiders today, per Caplan (Twitter link). Southward was a third-round pick by the Falcons in 2014.
The Buccaneers are working out 6’4″, 220-pound wide receiver Joe Hills, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He was the 2016 Arena League offensive Player of the Year for the Jacksonville Sharks.
Defensive lineman Frank Beltre and defensive back Tony Burnett were among the players that tried out for the Vikings today, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link).
November 11th, 2016 at 3:56pm CST by Zachary Links
The Patriots worked out defensive end Jarvis Jenkins, tight Kennard Backman, and defensive tackle Davon Coleman, according to a source who spoke with Doug Kyed of NESN (on Twitter). Jenkins is arguably the most notable name of the group, having just been released by the Jets in year one of his two-year, $6MM deal.
The Jenkins deal backfired on GM Mike Maccagnan and the rest of the Jets’ front office, but he could be a solid value for a rival team like the Patriots. Jenkins could also provide strategic help for New England in advance of their Nov. 27 matchup against Gang Green in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Jenkins had a career-best four sacks in 2015 but didn’t do much to pressure the quarterback this season. He may get a chance to have a stronger second act with the Pats.
Backman appeared in seven games with the Packers last season. After reaching an injury settlement with Green Bay in early September, he recently auditioned for the Ravens and Lions. Coleman was waived by the Giants in late August before the 75-man deadline. He has appeared in four NFL games over the course of his career, all of them coming with the Cowboys.
Veteran running back Isaiah Pead headlined Chiefs auditions (Twitter link). Quarterback Joel Stave, wide receiver Dres Anderson, linebackers Amarlo Herrera and Dwayne Norman, and safeties Jimmy Hall and Earl Wolff were also on hand. Kansas City signed Stave to its practice squad.