Raiders To Release C Rodney Hudson
A near-full-on overhaul is taking place on the Raiders’ offensive line. They are releasing Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson on Tuesday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
This move follows Las Vegas’ cuts of Gabe Jackson and Richie Incognito and its trade of Trent Brown to New England. A Hudson release, if not designated as a post-June 1 cut, would not save the Raiders any money. It would then make sense if Las Vegas designated its longtime center a post-June 1 release.
Of the slew of moves on the Raiders’ O-line, this one qualifies as the most surprising. A 2015 Oakland signee, Hudson has made three Pro Bowls as a Raider and has become one of the NFL’s top centers. They signed him to a three-year, $33.75MM extension in 2019. The former Chiefs third-round pick figures to generate immediate interest, having proven productive and durable. Hudson has missed just four games in six Raiders seasons.
Hudson, 31, graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 8 overall center last season. He led the way in Josh Jacobs‘ back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has been with the franchise long enough to pave the way for Latavius Murray‘s 1,000-yard slate in 2015. He lasted less than two weeks as the Raiders’ longest-tenured offensive linemen, following Jackson out the door.
Of the Raiders’ Week 1 starting O-line from last season, only Kolton Miller remains with the team. This release also effectively makes Derek Carr the last man standing from Reggie McKenzie‘s GM tenure.
The Raiders tacking on two void years to Hudson’s extension would increase the dead-money hit to $15MM, were Hudson not designated a post-June 1 release. The latter scenario would save the Raiders $6.4MM against their 2021 cap. Thus far, the Raiders have not replaced any of their departed starters up front. Even the player who replaced Incognito for most of last season, Denzelle Good, is a free agent. This certainly becomes one of the NFL’s most interesting position groups.
Jaguars To Sign Tyson Alualu
Tyson Alualu is headed back to where his career started. The veteran defensive tackle is signing with the Jaguars, his agent Kenny Zuckerman announced on Twitter.
It’s a two-year deal worth $6MM for Alualu, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweeted. It’s a nice payday for a player that will turn 34 in May. It’s a familiar rate for Alualu, as each of his last three contracts signed have been two-year deals for about $6MM. The Cal product was the 10th overall pick of the Jags way back in 2010, and although he’s been a solid player he never really lived up to his draft status.
Alualu had a bit of a late career resurgence in Pittsburgh, and was widely praised for his work with the Steelers last year. He played about 44 percent of the defensive snaps in 2020 (on arguably the league’s best defense), and finished with 38 tackles, two sacks, and five passes defended. He received very strong marks from Pro Football Focus for his work as a run defender.
The big fella will now help man the middle of Urban Meyer’s first defense in Jacksonville. The Jags have been busy so far, and they just signed Shaquill Griffin to a big contract earlier this afternoon to anchor the secondary.
Cowboys To Re-Sign C.J. Goodwin
The Cowboys haven’t been too active so far in free agency, but they’re now making a smaller move to keep one of their own in the fold. Dallas has agreed to terms on a new deal for cornerback/special teamer C.J. Goodwin, agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
It’s a two-year deal for $3.5MM with $2MM guaranteed, Rapsheet notes. Goodwin only played 18 defensive snaps last year but is one of the team’s most important special teams players, as he played over 70 percent of the total defensive snaps. Goodwin came into the league as an UDFA with the Steelers in 2014, but he didn’t crack the field until 2016 with the Falcons.
He carved out a role as a special teamer, and even started a game on defense for Atlanta that year. The D2 product was cut by four different teams in 2018 before signing with the Cowboys off the Bengals’ practice squad, and he’s now been in Dallas the past three seasons. Getting $2MM guaranteed is a massive win for a player with his story, so we all tip our cap to him.
Vikings To Release DT Shamar Stephen
The Vikings are set to cut defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Previously, he was set to carry a cap hit of $5.083MM. Releasing Stephen will save $3.75MM on the books for 2021. 
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A seventh-round Vikings pick in 2014, Stephen has spent most of his career in Minnesota, save for his 2018 season with the Seahawks. He’s spent the last two years as a full-time starter, serving as a durable, though not spectacular, run-stuffer.
The recent arrival of Dalvin Tomlinson pushed Stephen out of the equation. The 6’3”, 320-pound defensive tackle will pair with Michael Pierce in Stephen’s place, albeit on a more expensive two-year, $22MM deal.
Before signing Tomlinson, the Vikings were also connected to Trey Hendrickson. Ultimately, the ex-Saints standout signed with the Bengals instead.
Jaguars To Sign Shaquill Griffin
Shaquill Griffin is heading to the Jaguars. The former Seahawks cornerback has agreed to a three-year, $40MM deal, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.
It’s actually a three-year, $45MM deal with $29MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Shortly before the news broke Rapoport tweeted that the Seahawks were making a “hard push” to retain Griffin, so they didn’t just let him walk out the door. A lot of people thought Seattle might tag their top corner to keep him in the fold but they of course did not.
Griffin had previously said he’d like to return to the Seahawks if the business side worked out, which likely means the Jags simply beat them out financially. This will be a bit of a homecoming for the Florida native, as Griffin was born in St. Petersburg and went to UCF for college.
A third-round pick of the Seahawks back in 2017, Griffin just wrapped up his rookie deal and is still only 25. He became an immediate starter in Seattle, and made the Pro Bowl in 2019. Last year he had 12 passes defended and three interceptions in 12 games.
He’ll now join a Jaguars secondary that has some promise, but is still very young. The team is likely hoping Griffin’s presence will help 2020 ninth overall pick C.J. Henderson take the next step.
Ravens Re-Sign Tyus Bowser
The Ravens have re-signed outside linebacker Tyus Bowser to a four-year deal, $22MM deal, as Adam Caplan of SiriusXM tweets. With incentives, the pact could be worth as much as $27MM. A healthy portion of the contract — $12MM — is guaranteed. 
[RELATED: Patriots Sign Ravens’ Judon]
The deal gives Bowser some long-term security while helping the Ravens to maintain at least some consistency heading into 2021. Earlier this week, the Ravens lost star edge rusher Matt Judon when he agreed to a four-year, $56MM deal with the Patriots. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue left to join up with the Raiders on a two-year, $26MM contract. And, just moments ago, Jihad Ward agreed to follow his former position coach to Jacksonville.
Bowser enjoyed the best season of his career in 2020. All in all, he registered 34 tackles, two sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and three interceptions. Bowser wasn’t the biggest name of the bunch, but he had plenty of suitors in free agency. Despite the other offers, he’s said all along that he wanted to remain with the Ravens.
“You just see the depth and the talent that we have,” Bowser told 105.7 The Fan recently.” You just see the job that not only [longtime GM] Ozzie [Newsome] but [GM] Eric DeCosta have done drafting linebackers these past few years. You just see it working out for a lot of those gigs. They’re put in a position to make money and prove themselves as who they are in this league. I’m definitely thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this organization and be in the position where I am now.”
Jaguars To Sign Jihad Ward
The Jaguars have agreed to sign former Ravens defensive end Jihad Ward (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The deal will reunite Ward with ex-Baltimore position coach Joe Cullen who now serves as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator.
Ward will join former Bears standout Roy Robertson-Harris on the Jags’ revamped defensive line. The Jaguars also re-upped Dawuane Smoot earlier this week to maintain consistency and flexibility as they adjust their scheme.
Ward, a 6’5″, 290-pound lineman, entered the league in 2016 as a second-round pick of the Raiders. In 2018, he was traded to the Cowboys, but he missed their final cut. That led him to the Colts, where he was used sparingly over two seasons. Ward joined up with the Ravens in mid-2019 and cracked the starting lineup in 2020. Last year, he notched three sacks, four tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hits.
Chiefs Re-Sign Taco Charlton
The Chiefs are bringing back Taco Charlton. On Tuesday, the defensive end agreed to return on a one-year deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero).
Charlton fractured his leg in November, midway through the Chiefs’ thrilling victory over the Panthers. Up until that point, he had been playing a decent-sized role as a rotational pass-rusher. In the previous six games, he racked up two sacks, four quarterback hits, and a forced fumble.
Charlton’s NFL career started out as a highly-touted first-round pick of the Cowboys, but he quickly flamed out in Dallas. He was cut after only two-plus years with the Cowboys, then scooped up by the Dolphins. He had his best season as a pro with Miami in 2019, notching five sacks in ten games.
The 26-year-old (27 in November) was one of many Chiefs players to miss the Super Bowl. Andy Reid & Co. will hope for better health as they plot their return trip.
Jaguars To Sign Chris Manhertz
The Jaguars are staying busy. On Tuesday, tight end Chris Manhertz agreed to sign with Jacksonville on a two-year, $7.25MM deal (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). 
Manhertz is primarily a blocking tight end. After stops with the Bills and Saints, he found his way to the Panthers in 2016. In 2017, he found a regular role in the offense and got even more playing time while Greg Olsen was out with injuries. For his career, he has 70 starts with just 12 catches for 142 yards and one touchdown.
Manhertz’s deal will become officially official later this week, once the legal tampering period ends and free agency begins in earnest.
Bengals To Sign Chidobe Awuzie
The Bengals have agreed to sign Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Awuzie missed half of the Cowboys’ season due to injury, but the Bengals believe in his potential.
This agreement is worth $21.75MM over three years, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). By virtue of Pro Bowl-based incentives, it can max out at $22.5MM.
Awuzie finished 2020 with 38 stops, five passes defensed, and one interception. All in all, he has 213 tackles, four interceptions, 37 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles across four pro seasons. He’s been a consistent starter for the Cowboys, though fans have been mostly lukewarm on him since he was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft.
Awuzie isn’t great in man-to-man coverage, but he’s much stronger in zone coverage. Utilized properly, he could be a solid contributor, though he definitely won’t be able to replace the production of William Jackson. Jackson, who has started at least 13 games in each of the past three seasons, is a free agent and could score a top-of-the-market deal.