Minor NFL Transactions: 4/8/21
Today’s minor transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: OL Javarius Leamon
New York Jets
- Re-Signed: CB Bennett Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed ERFA tender: LS Zach Triner
CB Nate Hairston Released By Broncos, Expected To Re-Sign
Nate Hairston is hitting free agency…temporarily. The Broncos released the defensive back today, per the NFL’s transaction report (and passed along by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter). However, the cornerback is expected to land back with the Broncos tomorrow, with Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweeting that this was merely a “procedural move.”
Hairston, a 2017 fifth-round pick out of Temple, appeared in 27 games with the Colts through his first two seasons in the NFL, compiling 65 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. He was traded to the Jets for a conditional sixth-rounder in 2019, and he ended up starting six of his 11 appearances for New York that season.
The 26-year-old caught on with the Jets again to start the 2020 campaign, and he appeared in two games before getting cut in October. Hairston spent the next two months of the Ravens practice squad before he was scooped up by Denver in mid-December. He appeared in each of the Broncos final three games, mostly on special teams.
Hairston will still probably have to battle for a job in camp, especially after the Broncos added cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller last month.
Jets To Sign Corey Levin
The Jets already signed Dan Feeney to give them some interior offensive line depth last month, and now they’re making another similar move. New York has agreed to a deal with Corey Levin, a source told Connor Hughes of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Levin entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the Titans back in 2017. He didn’t play as a rookie, but then appeared in all 16 games and made a start in 2018. He was waived at final cuts the following year, and spent a bit of time with the Broncos and Bears in 2019. This past season, he was with the Bears in training camp and briefly on the Patriots’ practice squad.
The Chattanooga product is still only 26, and is the latest dart throw for GM Joe Douglas. Levin has experience at both guard and center, so his versatility could help him make the team this fall.
Lions Sign S Dean Marlowe
Dean Marlowe‘s Wednesday Lions visit will produce an agreement. The Lions signed the veteran safety Thursday, bringing him over from the Bills.
One of the numerous Panthers to trek to Buffalo during the current Bills regime’s time, Marlowe spent the past three seasons in western New York. He will now join a rebuilding Lions team.
Marlowe, 28, spent his first two NFL seasons in Carolina. But the James Madison product only played five games with the Panthers. He did not crack a game-day roster more than five times until the 2019 season. Last year, however, Marlowe suited up for 15 Bills regular-season games and made four starts. Despite limited experience on defense, Marlowe intercepted two passes — both in the Bills’ Week 17 rout of the Dolphins — and broke up three more last season.
The Lions hosted veteran backup safety Will Parks on a visit earlier this week but for now will go with Marlowe at the position. He will join a team in need at safety, with the Lions having traded Quandre Diggs in 2019 and having seen Duron Harmon‘s contract expire after last season. Detroit still rosters young safeties Will Harris and Tracy Walker; Pro Football Focus graded each near the bottom at the position in 2020.
Panthers To Sign A.J. Bouye
The Panthers’ recent trade for quarterback Sam Darnold certainly rates as one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, and now the team has turned its attention back to the defensive side of the ball. As Joe Person of The Athletic reports (via Twitter), Carolina has agreed to terms with free agent corner A.J. Bouye. Mike Klis of 9News.com first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal (Twitter link).
The Panthers were a middle-of-the-road outfit in terms of total defense in 2020, and this offseason, new GM Scott Fitterer has brought in Haason Reddick and Morgan Fox to reinforce the pass rush and Denzel Perryman to anchor the middle of the LB corps. Fitterer also inked cornerback Rashaan Melvin to a modest one-year pact, but Bouye is a superior talent if he can himself back on track.
A former UDFA, Bouye became a strong, starting-caliber CB in Houston and parlayed that success into a five-year, $67.5MM contract with the Jaguars in March 2017. He earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod following the 2017 season, a campaign in which he teamed with Jalen Ramsey to form a fearsome cornerback tandem. He picked off six passes that year — which nearly culminated in a Super Bowl appearance — but Jacksonville slipped in the subsequent seasons and elected to trade Bouye to the Broncos last March as part of its rebuilding efforts.
He suffered a dislocated shoulder in Week 1 of the 2020 season and landed on IR, and though he ended up playing in (and starting) seven games, he was hit with a six-game PED suspension in December. He will miss the first two games of 2021 as a result of the ban, and Denver released him earlier this year.
Still, the 29-year-old (30 in August) would be a high-ceiling veteran addition to a CB group currently fronted by youngsters Donte Jackson and Troy Pride Jr. Other than the Panthers, the only team that had reportedly expressed interest in Bouye following his release was the Raiders.
Texans To Sign DT Jaleel Johnson
Jaleel Johnson‘s visit with the Texans has resulted in a deal. The free agent defensive tackle announced on Twitter that he’s signed with Houston. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has confirmed the news (via Twitter).
The former fourth-round pick out of Iowa had spent his entire career with the Vikings, appearing in each of the team’s 48 regular season games between 2018 and 2020. Following a 2019 campaign that saw Johnson compile a career-high 3.5 sacks, the 26-year-old finished 2020 with 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of the lineman’s performance this past season, however, rating him as one of the worst interior defenders.
Despite his underwhelming performance, Johnson should see some playing time in Houston. Holdovers like Ross Blacklock and additions like Maliek Collins didn’t set the world on fire last season, and as Wilson reported earlier today (via Twitter), the Texans withdrew their tender on defensive tackle P.J. Hall. The former second-rounder started nine games for the Texans last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/7/21
Today’s minor transactions:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed ERFA tender: OL Coleman Shelton
New England Patriots
- Reinstated from reserve/retired list: C Dustin Woodard
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Jamir Jones
Eagles To Re-Sign RB Jordan Howard
Jordan Howard is returning to Philly. The veteran running back is re-signing with the Eagles, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal for the 26-year-old.
Howard inked a two-year deal with the Dolphins last offseason, but he waived in November after averaging 1.7 yards per carry. He eventually caught on with the Eagles for his second stint with the organization, although he had to settle for a practice squad gig. He was ultimately elevated for a pair of games, rushing for 27 yards on only seven carries. Howard’s first stint with the organization came in 2019, when he was traded from the Bears for a sixth-rounder. The running back finished that season with 584 yards from scrimmage.
The 2016 fifth-rounder has had a tough time matching the numbers from his rookie campaign, when he rushed for more than 1,300 yards en route to a Pro Bowl appearance. While his yards per carry continued to drop, Howard still put up decent numbers between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, averaging 1,163.5 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns per year.
Miles Sanders and Boston Scott will likely be slotted in as the top two running backs on Philly’s depth chart next season. Howard will compete with the likes of Jason Huntley, Elijah Holyfield, Adrian Killins, and (presumably) rookies for the third spot on the depth chart.
Eagles To Sign LB Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson is heading to Philly. The free agent linebacker is signing with the Eagles, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth up to $3.25MM.
The former undrafted free agent spent the first four seasons of his career with the Vikings, evolving from a special teamer into one of the team’s best defenders. After starting 10 games through the first three seasons of his career, Wilson started 15 of his 16 games in 2020 and put up career numbers. He finished the campaign having compiled 122 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions, earning him the nickname “walking turnover” from fellow linebacker Eric Kendricks.
New Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has been busy bringing in former players, and Wilson is no exception; Gannon served as the Vikings assistant defensive backs coach during Wilson’s rookie season. Wilson also worked with Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis during their stints in Minnesota (per Zach Berman of The Athletic on Twitter).
In Philly, Wilson will likely retain his starting gig as the Eagles’ starting middle linebacker. The team is still rostering T.J. Edwards, who started 12 games for the Eagles in 2020.
49ers Sign QB Nate Sudfeld
Nate Sudfeld finished out his Eagles contract in interesting fashion, seeing late-game action in Week 17. The veteran backup will vie for a roster spot elsewhere in 2021.
The 49ers signed Sudfeld on Wednesday, the team announced. A former Washington sixth-round pick, Sudfeld spent the past four seasons in Philadelphia. It’s a one-year deal.
With Carson Wentz unavailable for the 2017 and 2018 postseasons, the Eagles had Sudfeld slotted behind then-starter Nick Foles in each of those years. Sudfeld’s most notable NFL work came in January, when Doug Pederson surprised the football-following world by subbing in his backup late in a game that featured playoff ramifications (though not for the Eagles). Sudfeld fared poorly, helping Washington win the NFC East, and his exit will leave Jalen Hurts alone from Philly’s previous QB room. The Eagles have now moved on from Wentz and Sudfeld, whom they re-signed last year, this offseason.
The Indiana product, who will follow assistant Rich Scangarello from Philly to San Francisco, will head to a 49ers team in transition. The 49ers are set to draft a quarterback at No. 3 overall and are still planning to employ Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021. They have, however, seen four-year backup C.J. Beathard depart, and Nick Mullens is a free agent.
After the first night of the draft, the 49ers’ quarterback depth chart — which also houses Josh Johnson — will be quite crowded. Sudfeld may point Mullens elsewhere. The 2018 and 2020 spot starter is recovering from elbow surgery this offseason. Josh Rosen, though, is also under contract with the 49ers. While Rosen is eligible to be on San Francisco’s practice squad next season, the Sudfeld signing proves somewhat interesting for the former top-10 pick.