Titans To Host LB Will Compton
The Titans will meet with free agent linebacker Will Compton on Friday, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Tennessee is clearly aiming to add a veteran linebacker to its depth chart after losing free agent Avery Williamson to the Jets last week. While the Titans still have Wesley Woodyard, they could use another ‘backer to start on the inside of their 3-4 scheme. 2017 fifth-rounder Jayon Brown could be a candidate to start, but adding Compton would allow the second-year pro to join a reserve unit that also includes Nate Palmer and Daren Bates. Tennessee has also reportedly met with former Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson.
Compton, for his part, was a regular for the Redskins from 2015-16, but a Lisranc injury ended his 2017 campaign in November. While he’s never earned positive marks from Pro Football Focus, the 28-year-old Compton would add 57 games worth of pro experience to the Titans’ roster. Compton has already met with the Bills this offseason, so Tennessee may have competition for his services.
Titans Host LB Keenan Robinson
The Titans have met with linebacker Keenan Robinson, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Robinson, 28, would fill a Tennessee void at linebacker that was created when former starter Avery Williamson signed with the Jets last week. A 13-game starter in 2013, Robinson has see his playing time reduced since that campaign, and a quad injury limited him to only six contests last season.
But he’s an experienced veteran with special teams capabilities, and would allow the Titans to bump 2017 fifth-rounder Jayon Brown into a reserve role. If signed, Robinson would join a Tennessee inside linebacker group that includes Brown, Wesley Woodyard, Nate Palmer, and Daren Bates.
13 Teams Watched Johnny Manziel At USD Pro Day
Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel threw passes at Thursday’s University of San Diego pro day, and 14 NFL clubs were on hand to watch him perform, reports Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Bears, Browns, Chargers, Giants, Chiefs, Jets, Patriots, Raiders, Titans, Lions, Jaguars, Panthers and Buccaneers, were all present at today’s workout, per Williams. Of course, those clubs weren’t necessarily in town just to see Manziel, as USD had its own prospects on the field.
Manziel was thought to be interested in working out a deal to play in the Canadian Football League during the 2018 campaign, and was in fact offered a contract by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in January. However, Manziel and his team reportedly weren’t pleased with the terms of the pact, and he’s now scheduled to play in the upcoming Spring League. The former first-round pick is reportedly amenable to a minimum salary or a practice squad slot.
Manziel is still only 25 years old, but he hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2015 campaign. In eight career starts for the Browns, the former Heisman trophy winner completed 57% of his passes for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Titans To Sign OL Kevin Pamphile
The Titans have reached a one-year deal with offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile, reports Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Pamphile, 27, has been a full-time starter over the past two seasons, and last year played 70% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps, third among Buccaneers offensive linemen. Additionally, while Pamphile is typically a guard, he does offer the ability to play all five positions along the offensive line.
That versatility could be attractive to the Titans, as Pamphile could fill in at tackle or center if a need arises. Indeed, it’s possible Tennessee views Pamphile as a temporary replacement for right tackle Jack Conklin, who suffered a torn ACL in January and could be sidelined for the start of the regular season. At guard, Pamphile’s natural position, the Titans appear set with the recently re-signed Josh Kline in addition to Quinton Spain, who was tendered at the original round level as a restricted free agent.
Before landing with Tennessee, Pamphile also received preliminary interest from the Vikings, but never set up a visit with Minnesota.
Lions Sign DT Sylvester Williams
Former Titans nose tackle Sylvester Williams is signing with the Lions on a one-year deal, reports Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com (Twitter links). The Lions have since confirmed the signing via press release.
The Lions have been on the lookout for defensive tackles and in contact with some of the best interior linemen left, including Williams. He’ll take over for Haloti Ngata, who left in free agency to sign with the Eagles.
Williams started eleven games and made 15 total appearances for the Titans in 2017, his first campaign outside of Denver since the Broncos made him a first-round pick in 2014. Last season, Williams played on roughly a third of the Titans’ defensive snaps, good for third-most among the club’s defensive linemen. Pro Football Focus gave him high marks against the run and some not-so-great marks for his work on passing downs.
The Lions were said to have agreed to a deal with fellow defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois on Wednesday, but there’s now conflicting word on that front. The addition of Williams may or may not have an impact on Jean-Francois’ potential deal with Detroit.
Before signing with the Lions, Williams took a visit with the Redskins.
Ndamukong Suh Won’t Visit Raiders
Ndamukong Suh’s visit to the Raiders has been called off, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver of NFL.com (on Twitter). The free agent defensive tackle has returned home and is not likely to make a decision today, Rapoport adds. The Rams made a strong impression on Suh, but he’s also considering the Saints and Titans. 
The reason for Suh’s visit being cancelled is not immediately clear. Assuming the Raiders stick with a 4-3 scheme, they would presumably like to upgrade from Eddie Vanderdoes as one of their starting interior line spots. Vanderdoes appeared in all 16 games last season and started 13 of those contests, but he suffered a torn ACL in the 2017 season finale and it’s not clear how he is viewed by new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Suh would have been a phenomenal addition to the defense, but the Raiders now appear to be out of the running.
All three teams would present Suh opportunities to win, but the Rams have the best defense of the bunch. Suh could thrive under Wade Phillips‘ tutelage and put himself in position to cash in again in 2019 if he signs a one-year deal.
Lions Searching For Defensive Tackles
The Lions are scouring the defensive tackle market. They’re expected to bring in free agents Johnathan Hankins and Alan Branch for visits and former Titans defensive tackle Sylvester Williams is also on their radar, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Meanwhile, they’re working on a deal with former Pats defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The Lions project to start A’Shawn Robinson and Akeem Spence on the interior defensive line, but they’re a little thin in support. Last year’s sixth-round pick Jeremiah Ledbetter and former UDFA Toby Johnson are the only other DTs on the roster as of this writing. It’s possible that the Lions will look to sign two or more of the aforementioned quartet of free agent defensive tackles to pad out the depth chart.
Given GM Bob Quinn‘s ties to the Patriots, Jean-Francois would be a logical signing for Detroit. Hankins, meanwhile, might be the most intriguing talent of the bunch given his success in the Giants’ 4-3 scheme from 2013-2016. Last year, he also performed well in the Colts’ 3-4 defense.
Blaine Gabbert Meets With Titans
Free agent quarterback Blaine Gabbert has taken a visit with the Titans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Tennessee is in the market for a backup quarterback after releasing Matt Cassel earlier this month. While starter Marcus Mariota has been healthy for 15 regular season games in each of the past two seasons, he’s a mobile quarterback who may be more susceptible to injuries, so rostering a quality No. 2 signal-caller is critical for the Titans.
Mariota fractured his fibula during the 2016 campaign, and dealt with hamstring issues in 2017, but each ailment only cost Mariota one contest (the former due to the timing of the injury). Aside from Mariota, the only other quarterback on the Titans’ roster is 2017 undrafted free agent Tyler Ferguson, who has never attempted an NFL pass.
Gabbert, of course, was a top-10 selection in the 2010 draft, and while he’s never lived up to that billing, he’s carved out an NFL career that is now entering its seventh year. In 2017, Gabbert suited up for the Cardinals and ultimately started five games when injuries struck Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. During that time, the 28-year-old Gabbert completed 55.6% of his passes for 1,006 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.
AFC Contract Details: Butler, Johnson, Bridgewater
Here are figures on some of the recent contracts signed around the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless noted otherwise.
- Malcolm Butler, CB (Titans): Five years, $61.25MM. $10MM signing bonus. $3.5MM and $10.5MM guaranteed base salaries for full guarantee of $24MM (max value $25.1MM). $11MM 2020 salary becomes guaranteed on fifth day of league year (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Trumaine Johnson, CB (Jets): $20MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $6MM (2018), $8MM (2019), $11MM (2020), $13MM (2021), $14.5MM (2022) (via Calvin Watkins of Newsday.com).
- Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Jets): $5MM base salary, $500K signing bonus, $500K workout bonus. $9MM in incentives include $250K/game he plays at least half the snaps, $250K for 2500 yards, $500K for 2751 yards, $1.25M for 3001 yards, $250K for 10 touchdowns, $500K for 16 touchdowns, $1.25M for 21 touchdowns, $2.5M for half the snaps and playoffs (via Albert Breer of The MMQB).
- Donte Moncrief, WR (Jaguars): $5.6MM base salary, $4MM salary, $9.6MM fully guaranteed. $2MM worth of incentives (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Jon Bostic, LB (Steelers): Two years, worth up to $4MM. $1.4MM signing bonus (via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler).
- Zach Fulton, C (Texans): $13MM guaranteed, $5MM roster bonus. Base salaries of $1.5MM (2018, guaranteed), $6.5MM (2019, guaranteed), $6.5MM (2020), $6.5MM (2021). $31K per-game bonus, $200K workout base (via Wilson).
Suh Leaves Titans Visit Without Deal
Ndamukong Suh may be ready to make a decision between two teams, or he could have plans to open the door for others.
Either way, the ninth-year defensive tackle has now left his Titans visit without a deal, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com tweets. Suh departed his Saints summit for Nashville, Tenn., earlier this weekend and will now contemplate his options.
Those have been the only two teams Suh has visited, but as arguably the top free agent remaining, the 31-year-old defensive tackle could see more teams get into the mix. Suh said he wants to visit the Seahawks, but nothing has been scheduled between the sides at this time.
The door is not believed to be closed on a Saints agreement, but they and the Titans have now made their pitches, with neither securing an agreement while Suh was in their respective buildings.
The Titans have released both Karl Klug and Sylvester Williams and would have a surefire opening for Suh. But a Suh contract will not come cheap.