RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/17
Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted and exclusive rights free agents. All RFA tenders listed are original round/right of first refusal (worth $1.797MM), and all links go to Twitter:
RFAs:
Tendered:
- Buccaneers: QB Ryan Griffin (via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
- Chargers: WR Dontrelle Inman, ILB Korey Toomer (via Michael Gehlken)
- Dolphins: S Michael Thomas (via Tom Pelissero of USA Today)
- Lions: T Cornelius Lucas (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Ravens: CB Jumal Rolle (via Jamison Hensely of ESPN.com)
- Seahawks: T Garry Gilliam (via Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com)
Non-Tendered:
- Cardinals: K Chandler Catanzaro, TE Darren Fells (via Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com)
- Chargers: RB Branden Oliver, DE Tenny Palepoi (Twitter links via Gehlken)
- Jets: TE Brandon Bostick, DT Mike Pennel (via Rich Cimini of ESPN)
- Packers: OLB Jayrone Elliott (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN), LB Jordan Tripp (per Demovsky)
- Seahawks: CB Mohammed Seisay, S Steven Terrell (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
ERFAs:
Tendered:
- Colts: WR Quan Brady (via Stephen Holder of the Indy Star)
- Seahawks: S Dewey McDonald, RB Troymaine Pope (Twitter links via Condotta)
Non-Tendered:
- Packers: RB John Crockett (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
Seahawks, Jamaal Charles Have Mutual Interest
The Seahawks are expected to pass on the highest-profile running back in free agency, but the other high-end cap casualty appeals to them. Jamaal Charles and Seattle have mutual interest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, adding that a Charles visit to the Pacific Northwest is expected soon.
The Chiefs cut Charles after nine seasons. He’s a two-time first-team All-Pro and would be entering his age-30 season. Although Charles is coming off two injury-marred seasons and isn’t the same back he was at his electric peak, his carry load is incredibly light when compared to the other marquee UFA running back. Adrian Peterson has 2,418 career carries to Charles 1,332.
Charles’ last healthy season came in 2014, and behind a then-shaky Kansas City offensive line, he did not match his usual production. In 2013, Charles amassed a career-high 1,980 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns. The NFL’s yards-per-carry all-time leader would be a high-profile addition to a Seahawks backfield that has only rookie deals populating it. Although, both Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise struggled with injuries last season, making Seattle’s Charles interest somewhat interesting.
Seahawks Eying OL, RB Free Agents
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora writes that the Seahawks are zeroing in on offensive linemen and running backs. However, La Canfora notes that the team won’t overpay for the positions.
The team is “high” on Packers guard T.J. Lang but isn’t expected to offer anything “crazy.” Meanwhile, besides Adrian Peterson, the Seahawks are “monitoring” LeGarrette Blount and Benny Cunningham.
Seahawks Not Interested In Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson‘s short free agency list included the Seahawks. The feeling is not expected to be mutual, with Tom Pelissero of USA Today reporting (via Twitter) the Seahawks are not presently interested in the future Hall of Fame running back.
The lack of enthusiasm for adding the soon-to-be 32-year-old ball-carrier might stem from Peterson’s reported price tag, which Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson pegged at between $4-$6MM annually. With Marshawn Lynch having retired, the Seahawks only have rookie-deal salaries among their backs. No Seattle running back makes more than $800K per year, and the team holds $25MM-plus in cap space.
Pelissero offers the team could potentially revisit this later in free agency, and Peterson isn’t expected to sign with a team right away. But his short list included the Seahawks, Raiders and Patriots. Of those three teams, Seattle currently has the least effective offensive line. The Thomas Rawls– and C.J. Prosise-fronted running game ranked 25th in football last season. The Vikings’ ranked 32nd. Peterson wasn’t a part of that attack for long, having torn his meniscus in Week 2, but he averaged 1.9 yards per carry in 2016 — by far a career low for the three-time rushing champion.
Latest On Adrian Peterson’s Market
A number of teams will have interest in free agent running back Adrian Peterson, but at least two teams are considered “desirable landing spots” for the veterans. According to Stacey Dales of the NFL Network (via Twitter), the Seahawks and Raiders are teams that Peterson has on his radar. The seven-time Pro Bowler could seek $4MM to $6MM per year on his next deal, tweets Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, who adds that the Patriots – with whom Peterson could take a discount – are also in the mix. Peterson has spent his entire career with the Vikings to this point, but they’re prioritizing their offensive line and might not make him an offer until next week, relays Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The 31-year-old Peterson only appeared in three games this past season as he recovered from a torn meniscus in his right knee. Still, the veteran’s previous performance is a big reason why PFR’s Zach Links pegged Peterson as the projected highest-earning running back this offseason (he was also listed as the second-best available running back behind Eddie Lacy).
There shouldn’t be any worry that Peterson can bounce back from his injury. After playing in only one game in 2014, the running back finished the 2015 campaign with 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns on 327 carries (4.5 yards per carry). The veteran also finished that campaign with 30 receptions.
Neither the Seahawks nor Raiders would deny a player of Peterson’s talent, but they currently have solid depth at the position. Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise are set to compete for the starting gig in Seattle, while Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are among the intriguing options is Oakland. The Raiders could also look to re-sign Latavius Murray.
Seahawks Rumors: Shead, Schwenke
- Despite non-tendering him, the Seahawks still would like cornerback DeShawn Shead back in 2017, his agent tells Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. Shead started in all 15 of his regular-season appearances last year, but the torn ACL he suffered in the Seahawks’ divisional-round loss to the Falcons led the club to non-tender him. Clearly, though, they want like him in the fold at a lesser salary than he would have made if healthy.
- Along with Shead, the Seahawks have interior offensive lineman Brian Schwenke on their radar, writes Condotta. Schwenke’s a four-year Titan with 41 appearances and 28 starts on his resume. The 25-year-old took part in a career-high 16 games last season, but he only picked up three starts.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/7/17
Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted and exclusive rights free agents. All RFA tenders listed are original round/right of first refusal (worth $1.797MM), and all links go to Twitter:
RFAs:
Tendered:
- Bengals — G T.J. Johnson (via Jim Owczarski of the Enquirer)
- Bills — C Ryan Groy (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
- Buccaneers — DE Jacquies Smith (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Giants — DE Kerry Wynn (via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com)
- Patriots — T Cameron Fleming (via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Rams — DT Dominique Easley (via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com)
- Ravens – S Marqueston Huff (via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com); WR Michael Campanaro, T James Hurst, RB Terrance West (via Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun)
Non-Tendered:
- Bills — DE IK Enemkpali, P Colton Schmidt
- Broncos — OL Sam Brenner (via Mike Klis of 9NEWS)
- Chargers — WR Jeremy Butler (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk)
- Seahawks — LB Brock Coyle, CB DeShawn Shead (via Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com)
ERFAs:
Tendered:
- Broncos — LB Zaire Anderson, OLB Shaquil Barrett, RB Kapri Bibbs, C James Ferentz, WR Bennie Fowler, LS Casey Kreiter, C Matt Paradis, WR Jordan Taylor (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
- Cardinals — QB Zac Dysert, DT Olsen Pierre, G/T John Wetzel (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com)
- Jaguars — S Peyton Thompson (via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
- Lions — DE Brandon Copeland (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Packers — LB Joe Thomas (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Panthers — C Tyler Larsen, P Michael Palardy
- Patriots — CB Justin Coleman (via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald), TE Matt Lengel (via Kevin Duffy of MassLive)
- Saints — WR Brandon Coleman (via Nick Underhill of the Advocate)
Non-Tendered:
- Buccaneers — DE Howard Jones (via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
Seahawks A Potential Suitor For OL D.J. Fluker
- When it comes to offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, the Saints, Lions, Seahawks, Colts, Vikings, Giants, Cardinals, and Falcons are among the potential teams to watch, according to Josina Anderson on Twitter.
[SOURCE LINK]
Ravens WR Kamar Aiken Drawing Interest
Wide receiver Kamar Aiken has roughly six teams interested in him, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. The Bills, Browns, and Seahawks appear to be the strongest candidates for his services at this time. It’s not immediately clear whether the incumbent Ravens are among the teams with interest. 
Late last month, we ranked Aiken as one of the 15 best wide receivers available. However, he’s not exactly coming off of a banner year. Aiken was a central piece in the Baltimore offense in 2015 with 75 receptions (127 targets), 944 yards, and five touchdowns. This past year, his numbers dropped dramatically as he recorded just 50 targets, 29 receptions, 328 yards, and only one TD. He also had just six starts as opposed to his 14 in the previous campaign.
During the season, Aiken lobbied offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg for an increased role. Nothing came of those talks and Mornhinweg will return for another season, so we probably shouldn’t bank on a reunion.
Seahawks Interested In Terrell McClain
- On the heels of his productive season of his career in 2016, Cowboys defensive lineman Terrell McClain is drawing significant interest – including from the Seahawks and Falcons – as free agency approaches. McClain, 28, put up personal-best totals in starts (15), tackles (39), sacks (2.5) and forced fumbles (two) last year.
[SOURCE LINK]