Tyeler Davison

49ers To Meet With DT Tyeler Davison

A former fifth-round pick who became a frequent starter with the Saints, Tyeler Davison continues to draw interest from other NFC teams.

After paying a visit to the Falcons earlier this week, the free agent defensive tackle will meet with the 49ers on Friday, Herbie Teope of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

While not one of New Orleans’ higher-profile defenders, Davison started 48 of the 61 games he played over the course of his rookie contract. He registered two sacks last season. The Saints signed both Malcom Brown and Mario Edwards this offseason.

The 49ers have three first-round picks who do their best work as interior pass rushers, with DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas on their roster. The team is lighter on pure defensive tackles, however, employing just three at the moment. Third-year player D.J. Jones and waiver claim Sheldon Day represent the non-Buckner inside defenders on San Francisco’s roster, so Davieson would be a nose upgrade, were he to sign.

Falcons To Meet With Tyeler Davison

The Falcons are bringing in veteran defensive tackle Tyeler Davison for a visit, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). This marks Davison’s first known visit of this free agent cycle. 

[RELATED: Falcons Re-Sign LB Kemal Ishmael]

Davison has been a starter for the Saints over the last three seasons and could have an opportunity to shine with their divisional rival. The Falcons tagged Grady Jarrett to keep him in the mix, but Terrell McClain continues to float in free agent limbo. For now, Jack Crawford and Deadrin Senat represent the only other defensive tackles of significance on the roster.

Davison has registered 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles for his career. Two of those sacks came in 2018, representing a new career best.

Saints To Bring Back DT Jay Bromley

Jay Bromley‘s spent a couple of weeks on the NFL in-season workout circuit, but the defensive tackle will rejoin the Saints.

With Tyeler Davison battling a foot injury, the Saints will bring back Bromley after cutting him prior to the regular season, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

The former third-round pick served as a Giants depth cog for four seasons, playing in 55 games from 2014-17. He joined the Saints in May before being released in September. Bromley’s since worked out for the Bills and Lions.

Bromley will join David Onyemata and rookie UDFA Taylor Stallworth as Saints defensive tackles, presumably set to play as a backup behind Onyemata in the event Davison must miss time. Davison started in Week 1 but missed the Saints’ Week 2 game. Onyemata started alongside Sheldon Rankins against the Browns.

2018 Proven Performance Escalators

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.Jay Ajayi (Vertical)

If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $1.908MM in 2018. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2018 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:

49ers: Trent Brown, T; Eli Harold, LB

Bears: Adrian Amos, S

Bengals: Tyler Kroft, TE; Josh Shaw, DB

Bills: John Miller, G

Broncos: Max Garcia, G; Trevor Siemian, QB

Browns: Duke Johnson, RB

Buccaneers: Kwon Alexander, LB

Cardinals: David Johnson, RB; J.J. Nelson, WR

Chargers: Kyle Emanuel, LB

Chiefs: Chris Conley, WR; Steven Nelson, CB

Colts: Henry Anderson, DE; Mark Glowinski, G; Denzelle Good, OL

Dolphins: Bobby McCain, CB

Eagles: Jay Ajayi, RB; Jordan Hicks, LB

Falcons: Grady Jarrett, DT

Jaguars: A.J. Cann, OL

Lions: Quandre Diggs, CB

Packers: Jake Ryan, LB

Panthers: Daryl Williams, T

Patriots: Trey Flowers, DE; Shaq Mason, G

Raiders: Clive Walford, TE

Rams: Jamon Brown, G

Ravens: Za’Darius Smith, LB

Redskins: T.J. Clemmings, OL; Jamison Crowder, WR

Saints: Tyeler Davison, DT

Seahawks: Tyler Lockett, WR

Steelers: Jesse James, TE

Vikings: Stefon Diggs, WR; Danielle Hunter, DE

OverTheCap.com was essential in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. 

Saints Reach Deals With Six Draftees

The Saints have signed four of their 2015 draftees and agreed to terms with two more, according to a press release from the club. The two players to reach agreements with the team are the more notable ones — second-round linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha and third-round quarterback Garrett Grayson.

In addition to striking deals with Kikaha and Grayson, the Saints have signed linebacker Davis Tull, defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, cornerback Damian Swann, and running back and return specialist Marcus Murphy. Murphy was a seventh-round pick, while the other three players were all selected by New Orleans in the fifth round earlier this month.

All six rookies will count for less than $1MM against the Saints’ cap in 2015, with Kikaha $958K cap number representing the biggest hit among the group. The deals leave New Orleans with just three draft picks left to sign — first-rounders Andrus Peat and Stephone Anthony, along with third-round cornerback P.J. Williams.

To keep tabs on which teams have locked up their 2015 draftees and which players remain unsigned, be sure to check out our tracker.