Titans Eyeing Two Cal Wideouts
- The Lions and Titans met with Cal receiver Trevor Davis on Friday, Pauline writes.
- Davis isn’t the only Cal wideout the Titans are eyeing, Pauline notes. They met with Kenny Lawler, too, and so did the Jets.
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Antwon Blake Contract Details
- Antwon Blake, CB (Titans): One year, $1.5MM. $200K signing bonus. Up to $750K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).
One GM Believes Team Could Trade To No. 1 For Jared Goff
Could Jared Goff go No. 1 in this year’s draft? Of course, the Titans won’t be taking a QB, but one NFL GM tells Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter) that he believes another team could trade up into the top spot to grab the Cal quarterback.
- Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander has already met with the Jets, Titans, Saints, Colts, Steelers, Lions, and Chargers, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson‘s shoulder was flagged at the combine and he’s on the list to go back to Indianapolis for the medical recheck, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Meanwhile, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that at least a dozen teams passed Lawson on his physical, while one or two teams apparently flagged him for his shoulder. Lawson met with the Jets, Titans, Saints, and Browns earlier this month.
Titans To Re-Sign Byron Bell
The Titans have agreed to re-sign Byron Bell, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. Terms of the deal are not yet known for the offensive tackle. 
Bell, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons with the Panthers, starting 56 of the 62 regular season contests he played for the club since 2011. In 2014, the New Mexico product was handed the reins at left tackle for the first time, and the results were not pretty. Bell graded out as the second-worst offensive tackle in football out of 84 qualified players, with a -33.4 overall rating, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Only Jake Matthews of the Falcons (-36.8) finished lower.
Last offseason, Bell hooked on with the Titans. In 2015, he started in all 16 games for Tennessee and actually appeared at three different positions. As Wyatt notes, Bell started eight games at right tackle, seven games at left guard, and then started the season finale at left tackle when Taylor Lewan was sidelined.
“Since I’ve been in the league, I have played four positions,’’ Bell said at the end of the season. “I am blessed to still be playing ball. I just want to be a guy who is dependable, and be a guy a team can count on.”
Bell is expected to “be in the mix” for the right tackle job in 2016, Wyatt writes. However, it’s also possible that Bell could be a backup.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Titans To Sign Antwon Blake
The Titans have agreed to sign cornerback Antwon Blake, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com.
Blake started 16 games for the Steelers in 2015 and recorded a career-high 76 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. Blake also snagged an interception in Pittsburgh’s postseason win over the Bengals. The 25-year-old also drew interest from the Patriots and his agent recently stated that he was in talks with four other teams besides the Titans and Pats.
In other Titans news, the team also re-signed offensive lineman Byron Bell on Thursday.
AFC Notes: Amendola, Jordan, Titans, Jets
After acquiring tight end Martellus Bennett and signing wide receiver Chris Hogan, the Patriots are now carrying five pass-catchers whose 2016 cap hits exceed $4.4MM. The two new additions almost certainly aren’t going anywhere, and the same can be said for tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman, whose $4.421MM cap number is the smallest in the group.
That leaves Danny Amendola and his $6.804MM cap charge, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears from a source with knowledge of the situation that Amendola’s spot on the Patriots’ roster isn’t necessarily safe. That doesn’t mean he’ll be cut — the two sides could work out a new deal that reduces Amendola’s cap hit for 2016 and allows him to stick around. But his contract is likely to be addressed in some form or another.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Defensive end Dion Jordan is eligible for reinstatement from his suspension next month, and the Dolphins are open to the possibility of having him back on the team for 2016, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald details.
- More than a week into free agency, the Titans have made plenty of moves, but there’s no indication that the team is interested in signing an offensive tackle, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. The team has 2014 first-rounder Taylor Lewan penciled in as one of its starters at tackle, but Byron Bell‘s free agency leaves a hole on the other side, and it seems increasingly likely that the team will address that spot in the draft — perhaps by using its No. 1 pick on Laremy Tunsil.
- After Demario Davis and Antonio Allen signed with new teams on Wednesday, the Jets were left with no players from their 2012 draft class on their roster. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News takes a look back at the impact – or lack thereof – that the Jets’ 2012 draftees had on the franchise, as well as GM Mike Maccagnan.
Contract Details: Bruton, Soliai, M. Wallace
Here are specific details on several of the latest agreed-upon and signed contracts from around the NFL. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…
NFC:
- David Bruton, S (Washington): Three years, $9MM. $3.4MM guaranteed. $2.5MM signing bonus. $500K annual playing-time escalator in 2017 and 2018. $500K in incentives in 2018 (Twitter links via Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post).
- Paul Soliai, DT (Panthers): Two years, $6.5MM. $3MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $740K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. $500K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year (Twitter link).
- Leodis McKelvin, CB (Eagles): Two years, $6.2MM. $3MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $1.2MM bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. $100K Pro Bowl incentive. $350K playing-time incentive (Twitter link).
- Cory Harkey, TE (Rams): Three years, $5.7MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $500K roster bonus due on 10th day of 2016 league year. $500K roster bonus due in 2017, guaranteed for skill and injury (Twitter link).
- Rolando McClain, LB (Cowboys): One year, $4MM. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM base salary. $2MM in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1MM in playing-time and playoff incentives (Twitter link).
- Rhett Ellison, TE (Vikings): One year, $1.75MM. $100K signing bonus. $790K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
- Chris Givens, WR (Eagles): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $100K of $760K base salary is guaranteed (Twitter link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News).
AFC:
- Mike Wallace, WR (Ravens): Two years, $11.5MM. $4.5MM signing bonus. $1MM roster bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. Option for second year to be exercised/declined prior to end of 2016 league year (Twitter links).
- Matt Moore, QB (Dolphins): Two years, $3.55MM. $2.25MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM in annual incentives (Twitter link).
- Sean Spence, LB (Titans): One year, $2.5MM. $500K signing bonus. $500K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Robert Turbin, RB (Colts): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K in incentives for rushing yards (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
Draft Rumors: Cowboys, Ramsey, Bosa
The Cowboys want Jalen Ramsey, but they fear that he’ll be gone by No. 4, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net writes (via PhiladelphiaEagles.com). With that in mind, Dallas is eyeing Ohio State standouts Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott. Bosa would help bolster the team at defensive end while DeMarcus Lawrence recovers from surgery and Randy Gregory serves his first month suspension. Elliott, meanwhile, would give the team help at running back.
Here are the latest rumors on the 2016 NFL Draft (all of which come from Pauline, unless otherwise indicated):
- Insiders believe that we could se three offensive tackles – Laremy Tunsil, Ronnie Stanley, and Jack Conklin – go in the first top 12 picks of the draft. That could start a run and Pauline writes that we could see six tackles taken in the first round.
- The Cowboys would consider trading down, Pauline hears, but they want to stay ahead of the Giants at No. 10.
- Observers at the UCLA pro day described Myles Jack as a “remarkable athlete.” One source told Pauline (in his running log for Walter Football) that “he looked like a defensive back doing linebacker drills.”
- Aaron Wallace, the Bruins’ other notable linebacker, is gaining a lot of momentum in the scouting community, Pauline hears. Wallace currently has official visits set up with the Buccaneers, Browns, and Raiders with more likely on the way.
- UCLA offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch has been graded as a top-75 selection, according to Pauline. Many believe that Benenoch can play tackle and guard in addition to center.
- Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins says that he’ll have private workouts with the Raiders, Patriots, and Saints, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter) reports that Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has private workouts scheduled with the Cowboys and Dolphins.
- All 32 NFL teams were in attendance at MSU’s pro day, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. At the event, Cook met with the 49ers and Rams before the workout and met with the Browns‘ staff after.
- Michigan State defensive tackle Joel Heath says that he will have a private workout with the Patriots this week, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets. In addition to that, he’ll meet with the Titans later this month. Heath previously met with the Colts and Buccaneers.
- Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd looked great at his Pro Day and the slowest unofficial 40-year-dash time that has been reported was in the low 4.5s.
- Pittsburgh corner Lafayette Pitts recorded 40-yard-dash times under 4.4 seconds, with some watches marking him at 4.35.
- There’s no definitive word on whether Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller will work out before the draft.
- Youngstown State linebacker Terrell Williams is drawing interest from clubs. The Jets and Eagles, in particular, see him as a quality backup linebacker/core special teams guy.
- The Lions have a private workouts set up with Michigan State offensive linemen Jack Conklin, Jack Allen, and Donavon Clark later this month, Birkett tweets.
South Notes: D. Jackson, Titans, Brees, Draft
Earlier this week, Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was found guilty of simple assault, stemming from a February 2015 altercation with a delivery driver. On Tuesday, Jackson responded to the decision by issuing the following statement, per Mike Berman of CBS4 in Indianapolis (Twitter link):
“I was surprised and disappointed by yesterday’s verdict and we are planning to appeal. I sincerely believe justice will eventually prevail. Nevertheless, I sincerely regret that this case ever happened and has gotten to this point. I will continue to live my life in a way that confirms I am a good and honorable citizen.”
While Jackson seems unlikely to face severe legal penalties, no matter how the case is resolved, the NFL could eventually hand down discipline of its own for the incident.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two South divisions:
- Word in league circles is that the Titans are still shopping the first overall pick, exploring trade options, a league source tells Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (Twitter link). If Tennessee does make a deal involving its No. 1 pick, it’s unlikely to be consummated until much closer to draft day.
- Former agent Joel Corry takes a deep dive into the Drew Brees contract situation in a piece for CBSSports.com, explaining how the Saints could create $10MM in 2016 cap room by signing their star quarterback to an extension through the 2020 season.
- Albama running back Derrick Henry and Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd are among the draft prospects set to visit the Panthers, per multiple reports (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of USA Today and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). David Newton of ESPN.com explores Henry’s potential fit in Carolina.
- The Falcons, who are looking to improve their team speed at the linebacker position, have a private workout scheduled with LSU’s Deion Jones on Thursday, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com details.
Titans, Sean Spence Agree To Deal
The Titans have agreed to terms on a new contract for free agent linebacker Sean Spence, the team announced today (via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). It’ll be a one-year deal for Spence, says Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter) that the pact is worth $2.5MM.
Spence, 27, was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2012 draft, but the former Miami Hurricane saw his first two NFL seasons wiped out by knee problems. While those health issues contributed to Spence never developing into the sort of impact player the Steelers may have initially hoped he’d become, Spence did appear in 31 games over the last two seasons, starting 13. In 2015, he recorded 35 tackles and a sack as a part-time player in Pittsburgh.
Prior to agreeing to sign with the Titans, Spence also visited the Jaguars and Dolphins. In Tennessee, he’ll join newcomers like DeMarco Murray, Rishard Matthews, Ben Jones, and Brice McCain, all of whom have been signed or traded for by the Titans this month.
Landing with the Titans also reunites Spence with Dick LeBeau, who was the defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh up until the 2014 season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.