Vontae Davis - Pro Football Rumors

Trade Rumors: Megatron, Bryant, Staley

October 29th, 2017 at 10:21am CST by Rory Parks

We heard earlier today that the Seahawks are still trying to trade for a veteran left tackle, and they are willing to part with TE Jimmy Graham in order to facilitate such a deal. With the league’s trade deadline just two days away, let’s take a look at more trade rumors from around the league:

Two teams have called the Lions to discuss acquiring the rights to retired WR Calvin Johnson, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, and Detroit told those clubs to go ahead and reach out to the future Hall-of-Famer. However, Johnson has been noncommittal at best, so it does not seem as if he will change his decision to remain retired, which he reiterated just two months ago.
We learned yesterday that the Lions are shopping TE Eric Ebron, and according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Detroit is receiving inquiries from multiple teams about Ebron. Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), Ebron has admitted that he could be dealt.
The Steelers are ignoring Martavis Bryant‘s trade request and plan to continue ignoring it, according to Albert Breer of SI.com, which makes it sound as if Pittsburgh is going to try and make things work with its disgruntled but talented wideout. However, that has not stopped contending teams from inquiring on Bryant, according to Rapoport (video link), who suggests that the Steelers are willing to at least listen to offers. The Patriots are one potential landing spot, as they discussed trading for Bryant prior to the draft.
The Eagles are another club looking for offensive line help at the deadline, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, who names the 49ers‘ Joe Staley as one possibility. Indeed, La Canfora writes in a separate pice that the 49ers are open to trading veterans like Staley, Carlos Hyde, and Eric Reid, but other teams say that the new regime in San Francisco values such players more highly than the market dictates, thereby making a deal unlikely.
Despite the fact that the Bills have jumped out to a surprisingly strong start, La Canfora says the team is still willing to move some of its veteran pieces. However, it has already been reported that Cordy Glenn and Anquan Boldin are available, and La Canfora does not add any other names to the list of Bills who could be on the move.
Per Schefter (via Twitter), the Colts are receiving inquiries on CB Vontae Davis, and they have been in talks with at least two clubs about the Illinois product.
John Reid of the Florida Times-Union says the Jaguars could look to trade RB T.J. Yeldon, but it is unclear whether there has been any movement on that front.
Because of the playing time that Chris Smith has received with the Bengals this season, the Jaguars will get a 2018 seventh-round pick from Cincinnati per the conditions of the trade the two clubs completed in April, as Mike Kaye of First Coast News tweets.

Colts DB Vontae Davis Suffers Injury

August 29th, 2017 at 12:19pm CST by Zachary Links

Bad news for the Colts. Defensive back Vontae Davis will be missing multiple weeks with a groin injury, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters. He added that the injury is “significant.”

Davis was being counted on to start at left cornerback opposite of Quincy Wilson. Now, the Colts will have to lean more heavily on utility man Darius Butler as well as recent free agent pickups Corey White and Chris Culliver.

Last year, Davis was hampered by a ligament issue in his ankle, though he managed to tough it out and play in 14 of Indy’s regular season games. This time around, it’s a more serious injury that will require some serious rest.

Davis has been a pillar of the Colts’ defense ever since joining the team in 2012. He earned Pro Bowl nods in 2014 and 2015 and his performance was further validated by his exceptional marks from Pro Football Focus. Davis earned an insane 95.1 overall score in 2014 and followed it up with a solid 81.9 mark in ’15. Last year, PFF had Davis as one of the ten worst qualified CBs in the NFL.

Vontae Davis To Miss First Month Of Season

August 22nd, 2016 at 7:33pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts brought in defensive back help earlier tonight, agreeing to terms with veteran corner Antonio Cromartie, and the reason for the signing is now readily apparent. Indianapolis cornerback Vontae Davis has suffered ligament damage in his ankle and is now expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Head coach Chuck Pagano had been designating Davis “week-to-week,” but as Mike Wells of ESPN.com noted earlier today, Pagano had used that terminology before, only to see players significantly more time. That seems to be the case in this instance, as Davis is now set to miss at least six weeks of action from today’s date. If Davis is sidelined for only the first four games of the regular season, he’d miss contests against the Lions, Broncos, Chargers, and Jaguars.

Aside from Cromartie, the Colts do have other options in their secondary, but no one that rivals the singular talent of Davis. Indy signed former Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson to a three-year deal this offseason, and though he’s currently dealing with a groin injury, he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. Darius Butler, Jalil Brown, 2015 third-rounder D’Joun Smith, and others make up the rest of the Colts’ back end.

Davis, 28, has become one of the league’s best corners since being traded to Indianapolis in 2012, as he’s been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, and was named an All Pro in 2014. He started all 16 games last season, posting four interceptions, 16 passes defensed, and graded as the NFL’s No. 29 CB, according to Pro Football Focus.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Colts Working Out Antonio Cromartie

August 22nd, 2016 at 12:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts are working out Antonio Cromartie and other free agent defensive backs, a source tells Stephen Holder of the Indy Star (on Twitter). The Colts are apparently looking at outside options in the wake of Vontae Davis‘ rolled ankle.

Recently, Cromartie expressed confidence that he would soon land an NFL deal.

“I think right now, everyone just wants to see the younger guys, the guys they drafted,” Cromartie said. “But you also have to look at it this way — I’m 32 years old, going into my 11th year. My 2015 campaign wasn’t a great campaign and I think if you look at the first 10 games of the 2015 season it wasn’t great at all for me. My last six games were more like me…I think something is going to happen for me soon so I’m looking forward to it.”

Cromartie, a 10-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler, has been on the open market since the Jets released him in February. That was the end of Cromartie’s second stint with New York, which lasted only one season. Pro Football Focus ranked him just 86th out of 111 qualified cornerbacks in 2015.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Injury Updates: Sunday

November 30th, 2014 at 6:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at some injuries that could force clubs to make a change to their rosters as they enter the final quarter of the regular season:

Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel suffered a triceps injury during today’s game against the Saints, meaning his season could be in jeopardy, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Keisel, 36, contemplated retirement before re-signing with Pittsburgh earlier this year, so if this injury is serious, it could potentially signal the end of his career.
Receiver DeSean Jackson had to leave Washington’s game against the Colts after bruising his right fibula, but X-rays didn’t show any broken bones, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. Jackson, who allowed that he was in pain, called himself day-to-day.
In the same game, Colts cornerback Vontae Davis was forced to leave after suffering a concussion, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Davis will presumably enter the league’s concussion protocol, which immediately leaves his Week 14 status in doubt.
Titans receiver Justin Hunter suffered an alarming injury today, as he lacerated his spleen against the Texans, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. He will remain in the hospital overnight.
Another receiver was sent to the hospital today, as Browns pass-catcher Miles Austin had to leave the field in a stretcher after suffering abdominal pain, per Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Cardinals lost three starters during today’s game, as running back Andre Ellington (hip), defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (thumb) and guard Paul Fanaika (ankle) all left Arizona’s contest against the Falcons and were soon declared out for the day, the team announced on Twitter.

AFC Contract Details: Jones, Smith, Davis

March 14th, 2014 at 8:10pm CST by Rob DiRe

Jacoby Jones has re-signed with the Ravens, on a modest four-year deal worth up to $12MM, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The deal includes a $3.5MM signing bonus, with no other money guaranteed.

Here are more details on contracts signed for players by AFC teams this week:

Details on Steve Smith‘s deal with the Ravens were released earlier, but Wilson adds that his base salary for 2014 will only be $1MM, and will increase to $3MM for 2015 and 2016 (via Twitter).
While Vontae Davis‘ contract with the Colts was originally reported as including $20MM guaranteed, according to OverTheCap.com only $15MM is fully guaranteed, with an additional $5MM partially guaranteed.
Jason Babin‘s contract with the Jaguars will be a three-year deal worth $8.275MM, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (via Twitter). The contract is very incentive based (via Twitter).
Brandon Ghee signed a two-year deal with the Chargers, worth $1.65MM, reports Wilson (via Twitter). The deal includes a $230,000 signing bonus.
Richard Marshall‘s deal to re-sign with the Chargers is a one-year deal worth $855,000, reports Pelissero (via Twitter). The deal contains no guaranteed money.
Husain Abdullah‘s new deal with the Chiefs contains a $750,000 signing bonus, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).

Colts To Re-Sign Vontae Davis

March 11th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts announced that they have re-signed Vontae Davis. Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter) has the terms: it’s a four-year, $39MM deal, including $20MM guaranteed, according to a source.

The Colts opted not to use the franchise tag on their standout corner earlier this offseason. Because of that, it was speculated that Davis would be leaving Indy with other clubs, including the Jets, holding significant interest.

CB Rumors: Talib, Rogers, Verner, Davis

March 10th, 2014 at 9:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Perhaps the best corner in the league appears to be available via trade, but let’s look at some news regarding free agent cornerbacks:

Aqib Talib is “very close” to a new contract with the Patriots, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington.
Russini also tweets that the Redskins want Talib, but that the Patriots are offering a better deal.
Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com doesn’t expect the Redskins to “heavily pursue” Talib (via Twitter).
Carlos Rogers would “love” to return to the Redskins after being released by the 49ers, and the two sides are discussing a reunion, according to Russini (on Twitter).
It would be an upset if the Jets don’t sign either Vontae Davis or Alterraun Verner to replace Antonio Cromartie, as the Jets defense is based around solid cornerback play, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. We previously noted that Jets could be the mystery team in on Davis, who is expected to sign tomorrow.
Verner has interest in both the Jets and the Giants, saying “both those teams could win and have capabilities,” according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Sulia).
The Titans remain in conversation with Verner, but they probably won’t be able to match the money offered by other teams, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
The Ravens would like to retain Corey Graham, but he’s drawn interest from the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles, according to Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter).

Vontae Davis Expected To Sign Tomorrow

March 10th, 2014 at 7:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

7:24pm: The mystery team could be the Jets, as Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports that the team is “going hard” after the cornerback (on Twitter).

5:18pm: Cornerback Vontae Davis is expected to sign a deal within the first hours of free agency on Tuesday, but he will likely not be re-upping with the Colts, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. There were reports late last month the Davis and the Colts were in the early stages of contract talks, but those appear to have fizzled. The Colts opted not to use their franchise tag on the free agent corner.

Though the cornerback is deep, Davis is considered one of the best options still available after the Dolphins re-signed Brent Grimes. In fact, only Darrelle Revis and Grimes had higher ratings among corners according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. Grimes’ four-year, $32MM extension should set the floor for Davis, who is six years younger. Davis could make for an interesting addition to a defensive-back needy team like the Broncos or Chargers, or perhaps he could reunite with his brother, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, by signing in San Francisco.

King On Albert, Monroe, Raiders, Byrd, Vick

March 10th, 2014 at 7:28am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column at TheMMQB.com, Peter King tackles free agency, writing that cornerbacks and offensive tackles look poised to become the biggest beneficiaries of the extra cap space around the NFL. As King writes, Sam Shields‘ four-year deal from the Packers improves the negotiating positions of the top corners on the market, meaning Alterraun Verner, Vontae Davis, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Aqib Talib should all get $8MM+ per year. Here’s more from King on free agency:

While the Giants are pursuing Verner, King is skeptical they’d pay the free agent cornerback $10MM per year, which is what he may cost.
The Dolphins look ready to “blow the opposition out of the water” for offensive tackle Branden Albert, perhaps with a long-term offer worth $10-11MM year. In that event, the Cardinals would strongly pursue Jared Veldheer, and the Raiders would likely shift their attention to Rodger Saffold, according to King, who adds that the tackles will likely be the first free agent dominoes to fall.
The offensive tackle shuffle could leave the Ravens with the player they’ve wanted all along: Incumbent starter Eugene Monroe. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported last night that the Ravens remain in contact with Monroe and are still hopeful they can re-sign him.
King hears that Veldheer and fellow Raiders free agent Lamarr Houston are very interested in testing the free agent market and “getting a golden parachute out of Oakland.”
Jairus Byrd is seeking $9MM per year, but King can’t figure out which team will be willing to pay him that.
King identifies the 49ers as a dark horse candidate for Michael Vick, if Vick doesn’t find an opportunity to start.
Discussing receivers, King writes that the Browns should be in the mix for Eric Decker and also could be a good landing spot for Julian Edelman. He adds that Golden Tate will likely “get more action” than expected.