Contract Details: Lotulelei, Bradham, Lewis
Let’s take a look at the details from the latest contracts signed in the NFL:
- Star Lotulelei, DT (Bills): Five years, $50MM. $18.5MM guaranteed. $33.5MM over first three seasons (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com).
- Nigel Bradham, LB (Eagles): Five years, $40MM. $14MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. Eagles have team options for 2020-22 seasons (Twitter link via Sheil Kapadia of the Athletic).
- Dion Lewis, RB (Titans): Four years, $19.8MM. $4.25MM guaranteed. $2.25MM signing bonus. Max value of $22.3MM (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Kareem Martin, LB (Giants): Three years, $15MM. $7.25MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Patrick Omameh, G (Giants): Three years, $15MM. $5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com).
- Keith Tandy, S (Buccaneers): Two years, $2.74MM. $600K guaranteed (Twitter link via Howard Balzer).
- Kenny Wiggins, OL (Lions): Two years, $5MM. $750K guaranteed. $750K signing bonus (story via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
- Kevin Huber, P (Bengals): Three years, $7.95MM. $1.55MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Wilson).
Buccaneers Re-Sign DE Will Clarke
The Buccaneers have re-signed defensive end Will Clarke, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). It’s a minimum benefit salary pact, and Clarke will receive a $700K base salary and a signing bonus of $90K.
The Bengals selected Clarke in the third round of the 2014 draft, but he never lived up to that billing. Cincinnati waived Clarke after he failed to start a game with the club, and the Buccaneers picked him up prior to the 2017 campaign.
Clarke, 26, didn’t make much on an impact in Tampa Bay, either. While he played on roughly a third of the Bucs’ defensive snaps, Clarke posted only 2.5 sacks and graded as the No. 84 edge defender among 106 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. Clarke also chipped in on special teams, where he saw nearly 50% playtime.
Alex Okafor Leaves Bucs Visit Without Deal
Alex Okafor isn’t signing with the Buccaneers… for now. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the defensive end met with the Buccaneers today but left without a deal. The reporter adds that there’s mutual interest between the two sides.
We heard yesterday that the veteran was set to visit with Tampa Bay. Okafor already had a connection to both general manager Jason Licht and defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, so the pairing makes plenty of sense. However, the Bucs could have some competition for his services. The Saints have interest in retaining their defender, according to Joel A. Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate.
Following four years with Arizona, the 27-year-old joined the Saints last offseason. The 2013 fourth-rounder ended up starting each of his 10 games for New Orleans, compiling 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a career-high 43 tackles. Unfortunately, Okafor’s season was cut short after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 11.
Pro Football Focus was particularly fond of his performance last season, ranking him 22nd among 106 eligible edge defenders. Okafor was also listed sixth in our positional free agent rankings.
Buccaneers Reach Out To Mike Pouncey
Mike Pouncey is already generating some interest on the open market. ESPN’s Jenna Laine reports (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers have inquired about the recently-released center.
The veteran offensive lineman requested and was granted his release earlier today. The former first-rounder had spent his entire seven-year career in Miami, earning three Pro Bowl nods. Despite his previous success, the 28-year-old wasn’t nearly as productive in 2017.
After playing in only five games in 2016, Pouncey looked slowed down by the hip injury this year. In the past, we’ve heard that he may eventually require replacement surgery at some point. One doctor went so far as to tell Pouncey that he would have to retire as a result of the malady, but Pouncey, for now, is bucking medical advice.
Pro Football Focus also noticed Pouncey’s regression last season. The site ultimately ranked Pouncey as the league’s No. 25 center, a sharp contract with his No. 11 ranking in 2015.
Buccaneers Sign Mitch Unrein
The Buccaneers have agreed to sign former Bears defensive end Mitch Unrein, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth $3.5MM annually, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
In 12 games this year, Unrein recorded a career-high 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Chicago. His season ended prematurely after he aggravated a nagging knee injury in a late season game against the 49ers. The 30-year-old previously had stints with the Chargers and Broncos.
Pro Football Focus, which had Unrein listed as an interior defender, gave him a career-high 83.9 score for his work in 2017. At the time of his injury, that placed him No. 29 among all interior defenders. Unrein will compete with Noah Spence, Pat O’Connor, and Davonte Lambert for snaps behind Robert Ayers and William Gholston.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/14/18
Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions, with the list being updated throughout the day. All links go to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
RFAs
Tendered at the second-round level ($2.914MM):
- Cowboys DE David Irving (story)
- Giants: C Brett Jones (story via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- Jets: Quincy Enunwa (story)
Tendered at original round level ($1.907MM):
- Browns: DT Jamie Meder
- Chiefs: DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches (via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
- Jets: OL Brent Qvale, TE Neal Sterling
- Lions: WR T.J. Jones (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Rams: OLB Matt Longacre (via Rapoport)
- Seahawks: DE Dion Jordan (story)
- Texans: C Greg Mancz
Non-tendered:
- Buccaneers: DE Ryan Russell (via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Chargers: LB Josh Keyes
- Chiefs: LB Ramik Wilson (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Dolphins: OL Anthony Steen
- Falcons: RB Terron Ward (via D. Orlando Ledbetter)
- Jaguars: S Peyton Thompson, RB Tyler Gaffney
- Jets: DL Xavier Cooper
- Lions: RB Zach Zenner, DE Brandon Copeland, DL Zac Kerin
- Packers: LB Joe Thomas (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Panthers: WR Kaelin Clay, CB Ladarius Gunter, TE Scott Simonson, OL David Yankey (via David Newton of ESPN.com)
- Rams: LB Cameron Lynch, T Darrell Williams
- Saints: WR Brandon Coleman, DT David Parry
- Seahawks: RB Thomas Rawls, RB Mike Davis (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Steelers: WR Eli Rogers (story via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
- Texans: LB Brian Peters, DE Angelo Blackson, LB Ben Heeney
- Titans: S Curtis Riley (via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com), RB Bishop Sankey (via Chris Tomasson)
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Browns: QB Kevin Hogan
- Colts: TE Erik Swoope, G Jeremy Vujnovich, CB Christopher Milton, LS Luke Rhodes
- Dolphins: C Jake Brendel, LB Mike Hull, CB Jordan Lucas
- Giants: DT Robert Thomas (via Vacchiano)
- Jets: S Doug Middleton FB Lawrence Thomas TE Eric Tomlinson
- Lions: QB Jake Rudock, DT Christian Ringo
- Packers: WR Geronimo Allison (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
- Rams: K Sam Ficken (via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: LB/DE James Cowser, S Erik Harris, G/T Denver Kirkland
- Ravens: LB Patrick Onwuasor, WR Quincy Adeboyejo, OL Matt Skura, OL Maurquice Shakir
- Seahawks: RB J.D. McKissic, DE Quinton Jefferson, DE Branden Jackson (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
Non-tendered:
- Chiefs: DB Keith Baxter (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Giants: TE Ryan O’Malley, LB Curtis Grant (via Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com)
- Lions: DT Rodney Coe, P Kasey Redfern (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Packers: CB Herb Waters, LS Taybor Pepper (via Silverstein)
- Saints: C Jack Allen
Buccaneers Sign K Chandler Catanzaro
The Buccaneers are signing kicker Chandler Catanzaro, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). He’ll fly south after one year with the Jets. It’s a three-year deal for the veteran worth $9.75MM ($3.75MM guaranteed), according to Garafolo (Twitter link).
Catanzaro, a long time fantasy football hero, will step into a role that the Bucs have worked hard to fill. Over the last two years, Roberto Aguayo, Nick Folk, and Patrick Murray have all struggled as the club’s place kicker. Football Outsiders ranked the Bucs 30th in the NFL with -13.2 points created on field goals and extra points.
Catanzaro, who converted 83.3% of his field goals in 2017, will try to do better.
Contract Details: CBs, McDougald, Ellis
Let’s take a look at the details from the latest contracts signed in the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
- Bashaud Breeland, CB (Panthers): $24MM, three years. $8.5MM signing bonus, $10.4MM guaranteed. Base salaries of $900K, $6.75MM, $7.25MM (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Brent Grimes, CB (Buccaneers): One year, $7MM. Guaranteed $3.5MM base salary. $3.5MM roster bonus due March 18. $3MM in incentives for playing time, INTs, Pro Bowl. (per Wilson).
- Nevin Lawson, CB (Lions): Two years, $9.2MM. $4.55MM guaranteed, $2.25MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $2.3MM (guaranteed) and $2.4MM. $1.25MM roster bonus due on third day of 2019 league year (via Wilson).
- Bradley McDougald, S (Seahawks): Three years, $13.5MM. $6.5MM guaranteed, $4MM signing bonus (via Wilson).
- Justin Ellis, DT (Raiders): Three years, $13.5MM. $4.25MM cap hold in 2018. 2019: base salary of $2.25MM, roster bonus of $2.25MM each protected for injury. Otherwise, Raiders can opt out by Day 3 of 2019 league year (per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal).
- Nate Ebner, ST (Patriots): Two years, $5MM. $1.2MM guaranteed signing bonus. Base salaries of $1.2MM, $2MM (per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
Buccaneers Re-Sign S Keith Tandy
The Buccaneers will retain Keith Tandy on a two-year deal, doing so for the second time in three years, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com reports. He was set to become a UFA this afternoon.
A former sixth-round Bucs pick in 2012, the safety has worked as a depth piece and a part-time starter in Tampa Bay for several seasons. Tandy made three starts last season, seeing action on 226 defensive plays. He started five games in 2016.
Despite limited playing time, the former West Virginia safety has demonstrated a nose for the ball. Although he didn’t notch any interceptions last season, four passes landed in Tandy’s possession in 2016. He has eight career picks.
The Bucs have Justin Evans due back at safety, with veteran Chris Conte signed there as well. Tandy looks set to supply more depth in south Florida.
Ravens C Ryan Jensen To Visit Bucs, Colts
Ravens free agent center Ryan Jensen will visit Buccaneers and then the Colts, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
The Jets, who have signed Spencer Long to fill their center vacancy, liked Jensen, according to Manish Mehta of the Daily News (on Twitter). However, they were warded off by his price tag.
Jensen started all 16 games last season, but he was relatively experienced before 2017, as he’d started a total of nine games in the three years prior. But Jensen has youth on his side, as he’s still only 26 years old, and he graded as the league’s No. 9 center a season ago, per Pro Football Focus.
With Weston Richburg off the board, Jensen is the best pure center remaining on the open market. However, Jensen almost surely wouldn’t play center in Indianapolis, where the Colts have former first-round pick Ryan Kelly at the pivot. Tampa Bay also has a center in Ali Marpet, but he does have experience at guard.