Falcons To Sign DL Allen Bailey
Allen Bailey‘s lengthy stay in free agency is over. The Falcons reached an agreement to add the veteran defensive lineman on a two-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
The former Chiefs defensive end did fairly well this late in free agency, with Schefter reporting (via Twitter) the two-year pact is worth $10.5MM. Bailey will receive $3.5MM guaranteed and $6MM in 2019.
This news comes hours after Falcons D-lineman Michael Bennett suffered a broken ankle. Bailey worked as a 3-4 defensive end with the Chiefs and profiles as a player who could help the Falcons on the interior. Bailey visited the Falcons in June. He also met with the Seahawks, Panthers and Patriots. The Seahawks are also on the hunt for interior help, after Jarran Reed‘s suspension, perhaps prompting the Falcons to act quickly.
Breaking in as a backup in the early 2010s, the former Scott Pioli third-round pick was a starter for the past five Chiefs defenses. Interestingly, Bailey’s visit occurred after Pioli had stepped down from his post as Atlanta’s assistant GM. But Bailey continues a defensive line pipeline of Pioli-drafted defensive linemen from Kansas City to Atlanta, following Tyson Jackson and Dontari Poe. Neither player, however, is still with the Falcons. And Bailey, 30, is from Georgia.
This marks the second straight Monday the Falcons have agreed to terms with a defensive tackle, with Grady Jarrett signing a much more lucrative contract to start last week. Bailey, who finished with a career-high six sacks last season, stands to play a key role on Atlanta’s D-line. He has registered 19.5 career sacks.
Giants, Daniel Jones Agree To Terms
The Giants will soon have their heir apparent quarterback under contract. They’ve agreed to terms with No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones on his four-year rookie deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Duke product is set to receive all of his signing bonus this year, Rapoport adds (on Twitter).
This completes the Giants’ 2019 draft class and trims the list of unsigned picks to four. Over the past three days, the Giants have come to terms with their final two holdouts — Jones and outside linebacker Oshane Ximines. Giants rookies begin work on Tuesday, and Jones will obviously be the centerpiece of those workouts. Veterans join practices Friday.
Jones, 22, worked as the Blue Devils’ starter for three seasons. The Giants saw enough to draft him at No. 6, rather than waiting until their No. 17 window opened. Having taken Jones over Dwayne Haskins and edge defender Josh Allen, Dave Gettleman has tethered himself to the scrutinized prospect.
Perhaps the most controversial pick of this year’s draft, Jones went off the board several picks before he was expected to. This prompted criticism directed at Gettleman, but the second-year Giants GM believes the former David Cutcliffe pupil will be the player to succeed Eli Manning. Jones impressed Giants brass this offseason, doing so to the point the team might only keep two quarterbacks on its active roster.
Nick Bosa (49ers), Quinnen Williams (Jets), Brian Burns (Panthers) and Deebo Samuel (49ers) are the final unsigned draft picks. Here is the full Giants draft class:
- 1-6: Daniel Jones, QB (Duke): Signed
- 1-17: Dexter Lawrence, DT (Clemson): Signed
- 1-30: Deandre Baker, CB (Georgia): Signed
- 3-95: Oshane Ximines, LB (Old Dominion) Signed
- 4-108: Julian Love, CB (Notre Dame): Signed
- 5-143: Ryan Connelly, LB (Wisconsin): Signed
- 5-171: Darius Slayton, WR (Auburn): Signed
- 6-180: Corey Ballentine, CB (Washburn): Signed
- 7-232: George Asafo-Adjei, OL (Kentucky): Signed
- 7-245: Chris Slayton, DT (Syracuse): Signed
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/19
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Austin Traylor (AAF)
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Steve Longa
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/retired list: S Zedrick Woods
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Tyler Patmon
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OL Tiano Pupungatoa
- Waived: RB Roc Thomas
New York Jets
- Placed on active/PUP list: DB Brandon Bryant
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Bless Austin
Jets To Sign TE Ryan Griffin
Set to be without Chris Herndon for the season’s first month, the Jets added some experience Monday. The team and veteran tight end Ryan Griffin agreed to terms, per Brian Costello of the New York Post.
A six-year veteran, Griffin joins fourth-round rookie Trevon Wesco and fifth-year players Eric Tomlinson and Daniel Brown (a combined 51 career catches). Griffin ended his Texans run with 136 receptions, topping out with a 50-catch, 442-yard 2016 season.
Following an arrest on charges of misdemeanor vandalism and public intoxication, the Texans released Griffin in May. The charges were later dismissed. Griffin, 29, will now have a chance to make an impact with a second franchise.
Griffin’s functioned as a part-time starter throughout his career, earning that distinction 36 times since debuting in 2013 after being a sixth-round Texans pick. He started a career-high 11 games for the 2018 Texans and, with Herndon set to be shelved on a four-game suspension, stands to have a decent chance at working with Jets first-stringers in September.
Dolphins Waive DT Kendrick Norton
The car accident that resulted in Dolphins rookie Kendrick Norton needing to have one of his arms amputated at the scene led to the team waiving him Sunday.
The Dolphins announced they waived the defensive tackle with an non-football injury designation. Norton, 22, will not play football again, but this transaction will allow him to collect a rookie salary from the Dolphins. He will revert to the team’s reserve/NFI list.
Norton caught on with the Dolphins in December 2018, when the team signed him off of the Panthers’ practice squad.
“I realize that I will not be able to play for anyone,” Norton said, via CBS 4 Miami. “We are working past that, you know. That reality is sinking in. I am alive and I am grateful.”
Insurance from the NFL and Dolphins will pay for Norton’s medical expenses. The Jacksonville, Fla., native, chosen in the seventh round of the 2018 draft, was released from the hospital this week.
Giants To Sign Oshane Ximines
The Giants have an agreement in place with 2019 third-round linebacker Oshane Ximines, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The Old Dominion product is expected to sign his rookie deal Monday morning, when rookies report for training camp.
Big Blue is in dire need of pass rush help, having jettisoned Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon over the past two years. To that end, the club signed Markus Golden to a low-risk, high-reward free agent contract this offseason, and they drafted Ximines, whose sack production steadily increased throughout his collegiate career.
Ximines posted 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss for Old Dominion in 2018, and while it’s difficult to read too much into raw numbers for players at smaller programs, he does have a fairly complete repertoire of pass rushing techniques. He will need to improve his run defense to become an every-down force, but he should at least get plenty of burn on passing downs as he works to refine the rest of his game.
With Ximines about to be under contract, only No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones remains unsigned. Ximines’ contract will be a four-year deal worth $3.56MM and will feature an $833K signing bonus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/20/19
Here are today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Sterling Bailey
- Waived: OL Will Holden
- Waived: OL Emmanuel Turner
Buccaneers Sign First-Round LB Devin White
When Buccaneers rookies report to training camp tomorrow, they’ll all be signed. Tampa Bay completed the signing of their draft class this morning by agreeing to terms with first-round linebacker Devin White. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that White will officially sign his contract tomorrow.
White earned a number of accolades during his junior season at LSU, including the Butkus Award, All-American honors, and a first-team All-SEC nod. After finishing with 123 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks, White established himself as one of the top defenders in the class. He was ultimately selected by the Buccaneers with the fifth-overall pick.
The Bucs will immediately be counting on White as they transition into a 3-4 defensive front under new coordinator Todd Bowles. The rookie will likely start alongside fellow inside linebacker Lavonte David, and his versatility should allow him to be a three-down player.
The Buccaneers have now signed their entire draft class to contracts. That grouping includes:
- 1-5: Devin White, LB (LSU)
- 2-39: Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB (Central Michigan)
- 3-94: Jamel Dean, CB (Auburn)
- 3-99: Mike Edwards, S (Kentucky)
- 4-107: Anthony Nelson, DE (Iowa)
- 5-145: Matt Gay, K (Utah)
- 6-208: Scott Miller, WR (Bowling Green)
- 7-215: Terry Beckner Jr., DT (Missouri)
Broncos Sign WR Jamarius Way
It’s been a busy day for the Broncos, and the team has now added a wide receiver. The team announced that they’ve signed rookie wideout Jamarius Way. In a corresponding move, the Broncos placed receiver Romell Guerrier on the reserve/retired list. We learned earlier today that Guerrier is retiring.
Way has been busy since going undrafted back in April. The University of South Alabama product participated as a tryout player at the Packers, Buccaneers and Dolphins rookie minicamps.
The six-foot-four wideout had a pair of productive seasons at South Alabama. In 23 total games, Way hauled in 108 receptions for 1,617 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added another seven carries for 38 yards.
The Broncos have revamped the bottom of the receivers depth chart over the past week. Besides today’s moves involving Way and Guerrier, the organization added Steven Dunbar Jr. to replace the retired Aaron Burbridge. There’s uncertainty surrounding Emmanuel Sanders‘ return from a torn Achilles, meaning someone will have to step up to join Sanders, Courtland Sutton, and DaeSean Hamilton atop the depth chart.
Broncos WR Romell Guerrier Retires
Another Broncos receiver is hanging up his cleats. Mike Klis of 9News.com reports that rookie wideout Romell Guerrier has decided to retire.
“This is something Romell has thought about since he ended OTAs,’’ said agent Sean Russi. “It’s something he’s discussed with his family. He’s seeking something in his degree background and he just wants to thank the Broncos for the opportunity.’’
Guerrier studied psychology (with a focus on underprivileged children) during his time at Florida Tech. The receiver reportedly told John Elway of the news on Friday morning.
The wideout had a breakout season in 2018 as a redshirt senior, hauling in 59 catches for 1,062 yards and 13 touchdowns. He went undrafted during April’s draft, but he quickly caught on with Denver, who handed him a $3,000 signing bonus. As with any undrafted free agent, Guerrier had an uphill battle to make the active roster, although the Broncos receiver depth is a bit shallow behind Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton.
Guerrier is the second Broncos receiver to retire this week, as Aaron Burbridge decided to call it a career on Wednesday.