Browns To Waive S Derrick Kindred
The Browns are expected to waive safety Derrick Kindred, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The move comes as something of a surprise since Kindred was, at one point, slated to start in Cleveland. 
Kindred, 25, was set to make a little more than $2MM in 2019. By releasing him, the Browns will get all of that cap space back.
Since entering the league as a 2016 fourth-round pick, Kindred has appeared in 42 games for Cleveland. Last year, he had a perfect attendance record and registered 45 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble.
The Browns’ new look secondary will no longer feature Jabrill Peppers, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, or Kindred. Damarious Randall remains, but the club has a gap to fill at strong safety.
The Browns’ spring cleaning seems to be targeted at holdovers from the Sashi Brown era. Wide receiver Ricardo Louis was sent packing on Monday morning and the club appears close to trading defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.
Browns To Waive WR Ricardo Louis
The Browns have waived yet another relic of the Sashi Brown era. On Monday, the Browns released wide receiver Ricardo Louis, according to a source who spoke with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The former fourth-round pick missed the entire 2018 campaign with a neck injury and his status going into 2019 is not entirely clear. In 2017, Louis enjoyed the best season of his young career with 27 catches for 357 yards, a step up from his 18 grabs for 205 yards as a rookie.
Louis’ rookie deal is inexpensive, so it’s possible that another team could pick him up off of waivers if he’s healthy. Louis’ contract, which has just one year to go, calls for just $720K in base salary. Meanwhile, the Browns are looking at $142K in dead money by releasing him.
In other Browns receiver news, new pickup Odell Beckham Jr. reported to the team on Monday. While Louis showed some flashes of potential, the Browns are expecting much larger results from OBJ, one of the league’s premier receivers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/31/19
Today’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed (exclusive rights free agent): T Zach Sterup
New York Jets
- Re-signed (ERFAs): OL Ben Braden, S Doug Middleton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed (ERFA): OL Matt Feiler
Raiders Sign Luke Willson
The Raiders are making another move. Jon Gruden’s squad is signing tight end Luke Willson, the team announced in a release. 
Willson visited with the team earlier today, and they apparently liked what they saw. The Raiders just lost Jared Cook to the Saints, so they had a big need at tight end. Willson comes to Oakland from the Lions, after having a disappointing 2018 season in Detroit. He had spent the previous five years of his career with the Seahawks. Willson had been a solid if not spectacular option behind Jimmy Graham in Seattle, and landed a one-year, $2.5MM deal from the Lions last offseason.
Even though Detroit had very little at tight end after Eric Ebron left in free agency, Willson didn’t have much of a role on offense. He ended up catching just 13 passes for 87 scoreless yards. The Rice product was originally drafted in the fifth round back in 2013. His best season receiving-wise came in 2014, when he had 362 yards and three touchdowns.
Willson’s true impact has usually been as a blocker. He’s received solid marks from Pro Football Focus, grading out as their No. 17 ranked run-blocking tight end last season. The Raiders have been active in the second wave of free agency, signing linebacker Brandon Marshall and running back Isaiah Crowell yesterday, and now adding Willson today.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/29/19
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Chicago Bears:
- Re-signed: S DeAndre Houston-Carson
Dallas Cowboys:
- Released: DB Marqueston Huff
Jaguars Re-Sign Tyler Shatley
Jacksonville is bringing back some depth on their offensive line. The Jaguars are re-signing interior lineman Tyler Shatley, the team announced on Twitter.
Shatley was drawing some interest on the open market, as he recently met with the Vikings. That visit ended without a deal, and Shatley ultimately opted to return home. A 2014 undrafted free agent from Clemson, Shatley has spent the first five years of his career with the Jags. Shatley is capable of playing both guard and center, so he’ll provide some valuable versatility.
Shatley has never been a full-time starter, but he’s been called upon often the past few years. He’s started at least four games in each of the past three seasons, including notching seven starts at center last year after Brandon Linder went down with a season-ending injury. Terms of the deal weren’t immediately announced, although it’s probably safe to assume the Jaguars didn’t have to break the bank for him.
Shatley received average grades from Pro Football Focus last year, grading out as their 26th-best center. He won’t go into 2019 as a starter, but if recent history is any indication, he’ll find himself in the lineup at some point.
T.J. Lang Retires From NFL
Former Lions and Packers guard T.J. Lang has retired from the NFL after ten years in the game. The news was first reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and Lang confirmed his retirement via social media on Friday. 
“For the past 3,624 days I have woken up with one goal in mind: ‘How can I be a better pro football player than I was yesterday?’ Well, those days are now over,” Lang wrote. “The only thing I ask myself today is how can I be a better husband, father, son, brother, [and] friend. I will forever cherish the great times that I had playing this game.”
In his farewell address, Lang thanked the Packers for his development and the Lions for allowing him to finish his career near his friends and family in Michigan.
“Thank you Green Bay Packers for taking a chance on a 21-year-old kid and giving me the opportunity and patience to grow into a man and reach my full potential as a football player. Thank you Detroit Lions for granting me a chance to finish my career in the place that I call home,” said Lang. “It would’ve been impossible to play this game for ten years without great teammates, coaches, trainers, strength staff, doctors, agents, fans, family, and friends. I thank each and every one of you for the unwavering support over the years. Whatever the next chapter holds, I hope to stay around the game in some capacity. Its been an amazing ride. Thank you all for being a part of it.”
Lang, 31, was released by the Lions earlier this month after spending the past two seasons in Detroit. It’s not a total surprise Lang has decided to hang up his cleats, as he’s dealt with a myriad of injuries throughout his career. Lang ended the 2018 campaign on injured reserve with a neck injury, and last season suffered the sixth known concussion of his playing career.
While Lang only played in 19 of a possible 32 games while in the Motor City, he was relatively durable during his eight-year career with the Packers. After becoming a full-time starter in 2011, Lang proceeded to appear in 91 games over the next six seasons, missing only five contests during that span.
A former fourth-round pick, Lang earned two Pro Bowl nods (one with Green Bay in 2016, the other with Detroit in 2017), and also won a Super Bowl XLV ring with the Packers. Lang wasn’t able to complete the three-year, $28.5MM contract he signed with the Lions in 2017, but he’ll still end his playing days with more than $43MM in career earnings.
PFR extends it best wishes to Lang and his family as he enters his post-playing career.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/28/19
Here are today’s minor moves:
New York Jets
- Re-signed: QB Davis Webb
- Re-signed: WR Deontay Burnett
- Re-signed: DB Jeremy Clark
Bears Trade RB Jordan Howard To Eagles
There were rumors earlier this month about the Bears exploring a trade of running back Jordan Howard. On Thursday, those rumblings were proven true as the Eagles are acquiring the back for a 2020 draft pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. 
According to Schefter, the pick is a sixth-round selection that could become a fifth-round pick.
In early March, it was reported “multiple teams” approached Chicago about a potential deal for the 24-year-old back and that discussions were ongoing. With less than a month to go until the NFL Draft, the Bears found a taker in the Eagles, who would appear to be out of the running to reunite with Jay Ajayi.
Howard is entering the final year of his contract and will make about $2MM this season. Linked to running backs early in many mock drafts, the Eagles could still land a back in the middle rounds and let him develop under Howard. Like he did in Chicago, Howard is expected to fill first- and second-round duties with Philadelphia, while a collection of Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams vie for third-down responsibilities. Obviously, this could change if the team looks to add another back in the draft.
With the Bears, Howard burst on the scene in 2016, finishing second in the league in rushing yards with 1,313 yards and earning a Pro Bowl nod. He again topped the 1,000-yard mark in Year No. 2, tallying 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns. Though trade rumors swirled last season about this time, Howard returned to the team and amassed 935 yards and nine touchdowns on 250 carries, averaging just 3.7 yards a tote.
With the move, the Bears appear to be confident in the one-two punch of Tarik Cohen and the newly signed Mike Davis. Cohen broke out in 2018, tallying 1,169 yards from scrimmage and eight total offensive touchdowns. Davis impressed in limited work with Seattle in 2018, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and tallying 34 receptions.
Bills Sign RB Senorise Perry
The Bills have added a key special teamer. The team announced that they’ve signed former Louisville standout Senorise Perry.
After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Bears, Perry had spent the past two campaigns with the Dolphins. The 27-year-old had 21 tackles during his two years in Miami, including a team-leading 12 special teams tackles in 2018. He also added a forced fumble to his resume last season.
The running back hasn’t done much offensively throughout his career. The Dolphins gave him eight carries in 2017, and Perry finished the campaign with 30 yards and a pair of first downs. The veteran also has two career receptions and 22 career kick returns.
In Buffalo, we can probably expect more of the same from Perry. New special teams coordinator Danny Crossman will likely find ways to capitalize on his talents, but it’s unlikely he’ll unseat any of LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, or Marcus Murphy for snaps on offense.