Cardinals Claim Tanner Vallejo Off Waivers
Tanner Vallejo has found a new team. After being waived by the Browns yesterday, the linebacker has been claimed by the Cardinals (via the team’s website).
While the 24-year-old has been waived twice over past five months, there were still plenty of teams lining up to make a claim. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Jets, Giants, Bengals, Vikings, and Chargers also made an attempt to claim Vallejo off waivers. Thanks to Arizona’s league-worst 3-13 record, they got first dibs on the player.
The Boise State product was selected by the Bills in the sixth-round of the 2017 draft, and he proceeded to appear in 15 games as a rookie. Vallejo was waived by Buffalo prior to this past season before landing on the Browns. In fact, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo points out (via Twitter) that the Cardinals made an unsuccessful claim on the linebacker at that time, so their interest in the linebacker isn’t anything new.
Vallejo ended up being relatively productive in Cleveland, compiling 27 tackles and one forced fumble in 13 games (one start). He ultimately finished the season on IR due to a hamstring injury. The Cardinals will now pick up the two years remaining on his rookie contract.
Eagles Will Pick Up Nick Foles’ Option
The rumors surrounding the Eagles-Nick Foles situation appear accurate. The Eagles informed the Super Bowl LII MVP they are going to pick up his $20MM option, Tim McManus of ESPN.com tweets.
Rather than hitting free agency, Foles remains under Eagles control. However, this is likely the start of an extensive process.
Foles is expected to pay $2MM to free himself from this option and become a free agent, but the Eagles in turn are then rumored to be planning a rare tag-and-trade strategy. Philadelphia’s target is somewhat modest: a third-round pick. But that draft choice would likely come in the 2019 third round, rather than the 2020 draft in a compensatory scenario. Foles, 30, is expected to sign the franchise tender immediately. It would be worth approximately $23MM.
This is a complicated scenario for a player who almost certainly will not be part of the 2019 Eagles, but the franchise is likely going to take the chance another team will part with draft compensation to acquire Foles.
The Jaguars make sense, possessing a veteran-fueled defense held down by Blake Bortles. Former Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo is now the Jaguars’ OC. The Jags will have to perform considerable cap gymnastics to make this work, though. A new Foles contract will be expected to be authorized by whichever team trades for him.
To some degree, the Redskins fit the profile of a Foles buyer — although, they might be aiming lower in a veteran pursuit — and Pat Shurmur coached Foles in Philadelphia. Neither of these teams will be sought as a trade partner, however, with the Eagles not eager to trade another quarterback within the NFC East like they did when they shipped Donovan McNabb to Washington in 2010.
The Dolphins are also moving on from their longtime quarterback, but they are not likely to be big spenders in free agency and are eyeing a rebuild centered around a 2020 first-round passer. Denver is in need of a long-term answer, too, after receiving below-average 2018 work from Case Keenum. But the Broncos targeting a first-round quarterback adds up better than replacing Keenum with Foles. Despite Derek Carr‘s presence, the Raiders might be a long-shot possibility, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94 WIP writes, adding Mike Mayock is a “big believer” in Foles.
They of the NFL’s worst cap situation ($13MM over the projected salary ceiling), the Eagles will need to know they have a bidder willing to part with appropriate compensation before tagging Foles. The early consensus is the Jaguars will be that team.
Falcons To Release CB Robert Alford
Robert Alford‘s six-season tenure with the Falcons will come to an end. They are planning to release the veteran cornerback, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
The 30-year-old defender’s four-year deal already paid out most of its guarantees, and Alford was scheduled to carry a $9.1MM cap figure in 2019. The Falcons will be tagged with just $1.2MM in dead money.
This move will create $7.9MM in cap space for the Falcons, who entered Tuesday with barely $14MM to spend.
Cutting Alford still will sever ties with one of Atlanta’s longest-tenured players. The Southeastern Louisiana success story had been a Falcons starting corner since the 2014 season, a year after the team selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. Alford went on to start 76 games, five playoff contests — including a Super Bowl LI duel that saw him return a Tom Brady interception 82 yards for a touchdown.
The Falcons drafted Isaiah Oliver in the 2018 second round, and the Colorado product profiles as the player being groomed to start alongside Desmond Trufant. Oliver saw only 240 snaps of action as a rookie, but he graded better than Alford did last season. Pro Football Focus viewed Alford’s sixth season as his worst in years, tabbing him as one of the league’s most ineffective corners. That said, he should still receive another opportunity soon.
In becoming a street free agent, Alford now has a head start on the cornerback market. While teams eyeing the top UFA corners may stay away, others believing a mid-level addition can help would profile as those who stand to be interested.
Browns Waive LB Tanner Vallejo
The last time Tanner Vallejo hit the waiver wire, he generated some interest. The linebacker will again have a chance to see how teams view him.
The Browns cut Vallejo on Monday, sending the third-year player back to the waiver wire. Vallejo played in 13 games with the Browns last season, making one start.
Three teams, including the Dolphins, submitted claims for the Boise State product when the Bills cut him prior to last season; the Browns’ top priority landed sent Vallejo to Cleveland. A sixth-round Bills pick in 2017, Vallejo made 27 tackles and forced a fumble in his lone season with the Browns.
He finished the season on IR due to a hamstring injury. Two years remain on Vallejo’s rookie contract.
Titans Cut QB Austin Davis
The Titans have cut reserve quarterback Austin Davis, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Davis was signed prior to the team’s Week 17 game when Marcus Mariota was sidelined by injury. 
Blaine Gabbert wound up starting, and finishing, the Titans’ final game of the season The 33-17 Colts romp vanquished the Titans’ playoff hopes, meaning that Davis never took a snap in Tennessee.
Davis, 30 in June, has 16 career games and ten starts under his belt. He’s 3-7 in those starts, with the bulk of his action coming in 2014 as a member of the Rams. Ex-Rams QBs Nick Foles and Case Keenum found success outside of the organization, but Davis is still waiting for his moment to shine.
In addition to the Rams, Davis has suited up for the Browns and Seahawks. However, he did not take a snap while in Seattle in 2017.
Giants Release LB Connor Barwin
It’s officially official. On Monday, the Giants released linebacker Connor Barwin, per a team announcement. 
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The Giants first decided to part ways with Barwin in late January, but the move was not finalized until Monday afternoon. Barwin joined the Giants on July 25 at the start of training camp and, at the time, it seemed as though he’d have a significant role on defense. Eventually, his playing time dwindled. The 32-year-old appeared in 15 games but started in just three and had just one sack to his credit in 2018.
If Barwin wants to continue playing, he should be able to find a market for his services. He may have to settle for something near the veteran’s minimum, but he’s already earned big bucks throughout his career.
Before his release, Barwin’s 51 sacks were the highest of any player on the Giants’ roster.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 2/1/19
Today’s reserve/futures contracts will be posted here:
Miami Dolphins
- CB Dee Delaney
Delaney was a rookie undrafted free agent this past year who first signed with the Jaguars. He bounced between Jacksonville’s practice squad and active roster, before he was ultimately cut and scooped up by the Dolphins, who stashed him on their practice squad. Delaney played his college ball at Miami, so it makes sense why two of the Florida NFL teams were interested.
Panthers’ Julius Peppers Retires From NFL
Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers announced his retirement from football on Friday morning. The 39-year-old is hanging ’em up after 17 seasons in the league. 
Peppers leaves the game after a storied career and the fourth-most sacks in NFL history. Many thought Peppers would have continued to play for at least another season to jump to third on the all-time list – his 159.5 sack total is just half a sack behind Kevin Greene.
“Anybody who knows me knows I’m not big on words and I don’t like to put myself out there, so I’m just gonna get right to it,” Peppers wrote in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. “Seventeen years is a long time to be playing this game. It’s two careers for a lot of people. I’m thankful that I have been able to play so long and still be healthy. I’m not all banged up and beaten down. I still feel good. But as much as I would love to play forever, I know that I can’t. It’s gotta end at some point. That point is now. Today, I’m retiring.”
The UNC product was a star from the get-go as he tallied 12 sacks in 12 games as a rookie. He spent his first eight years in the league with the Panthers, but when the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on a new deal in 2010, he joined up with the Bears on a six-year, $91.5MM deal. Later, he hooked on with the Packers before returning home to Carolina in 2017.
“In getting to know Julius over these past months, I’ve learned that he is a man of few words. When he speaks, everyone listens. With that in mind, I will be brief. He’s one of the best to ever wear a Carolina uniform,” new Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement released by the team. “He carries himself with dignity, integrity and class, and will always be a Panther.”
Peppers was hoping for something better than back-to-back 7-9 seasons to wrap up his career, but he came full circle nonetheless and excelled on a personal level. He notched eleven sacks in ’17 and was still productive last season with five QB takedowns. According to Pro Football Focus, Peppers graded out as the No. 21 DE in the NFL last year (tied with Ryan Kerrigan and Michael Bennett).
We here at PFR wish Peppers the best in retirement.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/31/19
Here are Thursday’s reserve/futures contracts:
Kansas City Chiefs
Ripkowski is most well known for spending a few years as the Packers’ fullback. Green Bay drafted him in the sixth round in 2015, but cut him this past September. For his career Ripkowski has rushed 39 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, with 17 catches for 103 receiving yards and another touchdown. The Chiefs already have Pro Bowler Anthony Sherman at fullback, but he is set to be a free agent this March, so perhaps the Chiefs are signing Ripkowski as insurance in case Sherman departs.
Eagles Re-Sign LB Paul Worrilow
Paul Worrilow‘s ACL tear nixed his debut season with the Eagles, but he will have a chance to make a second impression.
The Eagles and Worrilow agreed to terms on another one-year deal Wednesday. Worrilow signed a one-year pact with Philadelphia last year but suffered the season-nullifying knee injury in May.
This may not lock Worrilow into a surefire role with the 2019 Eagles, but this helps the team keep some experience around for depth purposes. A three-year Falcons starter who saw eight first-string appearances with the 2017 Lions, Worrilow joins Nigel Bradham as an experienced option in Philly. Should Worrilow bounce back and be part of the Eagles’ linebacking corps in 2019, it will be his age-29 season
Jordan Hicks is a free agent, and the Eagles’ cap situation is the NFL’s worst at present. The team is projected to be well over the 2019 salary ceiling, so big-ticket expenditures will be difficult. Young talents Kamu Grugier-Hill (10 2018 starts) and converted safety Nate Gerry are also under contract for 2019.