Paul Magloire

NFC Notes: Donald, Cousins, Eagles, Bucs

While Rams defensive tackle and extension candidate Aaron Donald could be pushing for Ndamukong Suh-like money ($20MM per year), his team control status makes securing that type of deal unlikely, observes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Suh was a free agent when he landed his massive contract with the Dolphins back in 2015, whereas Donald can’t voluntarily leave the Rams for a while. The superstar’s controllable at a relatively meager ~$10MM combined for at least the next two years (the Rams exercised his fifth-year option for 2018), and Los Angeles can then use the franchise tag on him during the ensuing couple offseasons if there’s no long-term deal in place. Because of that, there’s little incentive for the Rams to hurry into a Suh-esque extension for Donald.

More from the NFC:

  • With the Redskins running out of time to extend quarterback Kirk Cousins by the July 17 deadline, the next week-plus could solidify or destroy their future, contends Jerry Brewer of the Washington Post. Locking up the franchise-tagged Cousins would be a sign of stability for the Redskins, argues Brewer, who criticizes the club for lowballing the signal-caller in past negotiations. Washington’s reluctance to buy into Cousins for the long haul has led it to franchise him in back-to-back offseasons, thereby costing the team around $44MM. The Redskins designating Cousins as their franchise player again next offseason probably isn’t going to happen, as doing so would come with a price tag upward of $34MM (the transition tag will come in at $28MM); as such, there’s a legitimate chance the productive Cousins will head elsewhere after 2017 and leave the Redskins searching for an answer under center again.
  • Nolan Carroll and Leodis McKelvin were among the cornerbacks the Eagles relied on most last season, but the former left for the Cowboys in free agency and the latter is on the unemployment line. Now, with training camp approaching, the Eagles are unsure who will fill any of their top three corner roles, according to defensive backs coach Cory Undlin. Not even Jalen Mills, who finished second among Philadelphia’s CBs in snaps as a rookie last season (662), is guaranteed a prominent position. “It’s just going to be who’s going to step up here in training camp and through the preseason,” Undlin said (via Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com). “Who’s going to say, ‘Listen, I’m starting here, I’m starting here, I’m going to play the nickel,’ and then here’s the backups.” Mills, whom Pro Football Focus’ ranked as the league’s worst corner last season, and the underwhelming veteran trio of Patrick Robinson, Ron Brooks and Dwayne Gratz are the only Eagles corners with real pro experience. The club does have a pair of rookies with upside in second-rounder Sidney Jones, who tore his Achilles in March and could miss the start of the season, and third-rounder Rasul Douglas.
  • The Buccaneers waived undrafted rookie linebacker Paul Magloire at the end of May, but he’ll stay with the team on injured reserve, reports Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. Magloire is facing a 30-week recovery after undergoing surgery on a double hernia and torn groin muscle. The Bucs originally added Magloire on a split contract, which will allow the ex-Arizona standout to earn 75 percent of the $465K rookie minimum ($348K) while on IR.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/31/17

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Saints have re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes, according to Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link). Barnes had just been released yesterday, but was fully expected to be brought back into the fold quickly, as he was cut simply to accommodate the one-day contract of retiring wideout Lance Moore. Of course, the 35-year-old Barnes is no stranger to being yanked on and off the New Orleans roster, as the Saints signed him four separate times in 2016. Despite that lengthy transactional history, Barnes never appeared in a game for New Orleans last year.
  • The Panthers have signed tight end Wyatt Houston and waived fellow tight end Desean Smith with an injury settlement, the club announced today. Houston, a 2017 undrafted rookie free agent, originally signed with the Chiefs earlier this year, but was soon waived after the club’s rookie camp. In his final season at Utah State, Houston managed 36 receptions for 331 yards and two touchdowns. Smith, meanwhile, had just signed with Carolina two weeks ago. Like Houston, Smith is a 2017 UDFA, but the LSU product is now back on the free agent market after agreeing to a settlement with the Panthers.
  • The Buccaneers announced that they’ve waived defensive end Deondre Barnett and linebacker Paul Magliore in order to make room for defensive ends Tavaris Barnes and Sterling Bailey, each of whom’s signing was reported on Tuesday. Both Barnett (UCF) and Magliore (Appalachian State) were undrafted free agents whom recently signed with Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers Sign 14 UDFAs, Cut Two Players

The Buccaneers have announced agreements with 14 undrafted free agents. Here’s the group:

To clear room on their 90-man roster for those players, the Buccaneers cut offensive lineman Ben Gottschalk and tight end Kivon Cartwright on Monday, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Both Gottschalk (2014) and Cartwright (2016) went unpicked in their respective draft years. Gottschalk is the only of the two who has seen NFL action, having appeared in two of the Bucs’ games last season.