Texans To Release DE Mario Addison
With the new league officially underway, a flurry of roster moves continue to take place. The Texans remain busy, but their actions will result in veteran defensive end Mario Addison being released, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. 
The 30-year-old joined the Texans last offseason, as one of a pair of veteran pass rushers who headed to Houston ahead of a rebuilding year. That two-year, $7.7MM deal allowed him to continue his career with a sixth different franchise, following a two-year stint with the Bills.
Addison’s 12 sacks in Buffalo proved that he could still be a productive option on the edge, though he wasn’t able to replicate that success in 2022. Logging a snap share of 45% – his lowest mark since 2015 – he registered a single sack and only a pair of QB hits this season. He was limited to 12 games due to a groin injury, and was used in much more of a rotational capacity than fellow free agent signing Jerry Hughes.
The former UDFA was set to count for $4.4MM on the cap in 2023, and roughly one third of his base salary was guaranteed. This move will give Houston $2.3MM in cap savings, and generate a dead money charge of $2.1MM. Designating him as a post-June 1 release would make more sense financially, though a new contract allowing him to remain in Houston is also possible.
Wilson notes that the Texans are still open to the idea of re-signing Addison on a more modest deal. The team still has Hughes (who notched nine sacks in 2022) on the books for next season, but they are set to lose a key young member of their pass rushing corps with Obo Okoronkwo having agreed to terms on a deal with the Browns. Addison could help fill that void to a degree if he wises to come back, or he could look elsewhere on what would surely be another short-term deal in the waning stages of his career.
Texans Re-Sign DB M.J. Stewart
The Texans are bringing back a key special teamer. The team announced that they’ve re-signed defensive back M.J. Stewart. The 27-year-old is inking a two-year, $7.5MM deal, per Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com.
Stewart, a former second-round pick, had two-year stints with the Buccaneers and Browns before catching on with the Texans last offseason. He ended up getting into all 17 games for his new squad, compiling 41 tackles. Stewart also got into 84 percent of Houston’s special teams snaps.
It’s uncertain where Stewart will fit in the secondary heading into 2023. The Texans added Jimmie Ward on a two-year deal, and they’re also still rostering Jalen Pitre and Eric Murray. Either way, the Texans can expect Stewart to contribute on all ST plays.
Speaking of, Murray reworked his contract yesterday, per Wilson. The move provided the Texans with an extra $732K in cap space. The defensive back inked a two-year, $10MM contract with Houston last offseason.
Ravens Place Low RFA Tender On QB Tyler Huntley; Team Involved In Free Agent Market
Lamar Jackson is the Ravens quarterback which is drawing the most attention as the new league year officially begins, but he is not the only Baltimore quarterback facing an uncertain future. Backup Tyler Huntley is receiving the low (right of first refusal) restricted free agent tender, as noted (on Twitter) by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. 
Doing so will lock him into a 2023 salary of $2.63MM, presuming he signs the tender. From now until April 21, however, the 25-year-old will be able to receive offer sheets from other teams. Signing one of them would give the Ravens seven days to match, which could force them to keep him at a more cumbersome cap number. Since Huntley was a UDFA, however, Baltimore would receive no compensation if he were to depart.
The Ravens could have used the second-round tender, valued at just over $4.3MM. That would have required a larger financial commitment, of course, but provided less of an incentive to interested teams to prepare on offer sheet. It also would have guaranteed compensation had the Utah alum elected to leave in search of a different opportunity. The likeliest outcome in this situation still remains, however, Huntley remaining with the Ravens for at least one more season.
Huntley has seen action in 13 regular season games over the past two years, filling in for Jackson following the latter’s in injuries. His play in 2021 earned him the low tender this past offseason, allowing him to remain in place in the N0. 2 role. His most notable action to date was his start in the Ravens’ wild card loss to the Bengals, in which he threw for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns and added 54 yards on the ground.
Turnovers in that contest, and generally underwhelming play in the 2022 regular season in particular, are likely to hinder the market for Huntley (though they, coupled with a multitude of other absences, allowed him to be named a Pro Bowler) and represent the ceiling of his potential. Still, his future is currently in the balance, as is that of Jackson, who is now eligible to negotiate with other teams on a new contract.
Amidst their uncertainty under center, the Ravens have been “involved” in the free agent quarterback market, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). Specifically, he names Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett as veterans Baltimore has inquired about. They have since agreed to deals with the Buccaneers and Commanders, respectively, but other cost-effective options still remain if the team is forced to replace Jackson. Regardless of what happens at the top of the depth chart, the Ravens should still have Huntley available as a depth and spot-starter option.
Packers Place Second-Round Tender On OL Yosh Nijman
Yosh Nijman is sticking around Green Bay. The Packers have placed a second-round tender on the restricted free agent offensive lineman, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
Nijman joined the Packers as a 2019 undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech. He effectively red shirted as a rookie and mostly played on special teams as a sophomore, but he’s seen more playing time on offense over the past two years.
After starting eight of his 17 appearances in 2020, Nijman started 13 of his 17 appearances in 2021, appearing in 69 percent of his team’s offensive snaps. While Pro Football Focus only ranked him 54th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles, he earned high marks for his pass-rushing ability.
Any team is free to sign Nijman to an offer sheet, but if the Packers don’t match the offer, the suitor would owe Green Bay a second-round pick. If the 27-year-old lineman isn’t signed to an offer sheet, he’ll return to Green Bay on a $4.3MM deal.
Patriots S Devin McCourty To Retire
TODAY, 3:45pm: The Patriots have added a year to McCourty’s contract worth the minimum, per ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). This tactic will instantly open more than $5MM in cap space for the Patriots and will push the retired safety’s $6.2MM in dead money to 2024.
MARCH 10, 2:00pm: After 13 seasons, Devin McCourty intends to walk away from the game. The Patriots safety who played an integral role in the team’s 2010s dominance announced Friday he will retire.
McCourty, 35, was set to be a free agent, after having re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal worth $9MM in 2022. McCourty agreed to a few pacts with the Pats during his long run with the organization, but the team will see a significant change at safety in 2023.
This announcement comes a year after Devin’s twin brother, Jason, announced his retirement. The two had a chance to play together with the Patriots near the end of the latter’s career, but Devin enjoyed the opportunity to finish his career having played for one team. The Patriots drafted McCourty in the 2010 first round, and he was an essential piece during five seasons that ended in Super Bowl trips.
Only three players have played in more Super Bowls than McCourty’s five, and his 205 starts trail only Tom Brady and tackle Bruce Armstrong in Patriots history. McCourty managed to stay relatively injury-free as a pro, missing only five games during his career. He exited the 2022 season having not missed a game since 2015.
The Pats tacked void years onto McCourty’s deal for cap purposes; this retirement would accelerate $9.7MM in dead money onto New England’s 2023 cap. Though, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap notes (via Twitter) McCourty re-signing on a league-minimum deal (for procedural purposes) could push $6.2MM of that total to 2024.
McCourty agreed to four contracts with the Patriots during his career, earning more than $92MM. The Pats extending him on a five-year, $47.5MM deal in 2015 proved to be quite the pivotal transaction. McCourty continued to serve as the New England secondary’s linchpin during the late 2010s, helping the team join only the early-1970s Dolphins and early-1990s Bills by advancing to three straight Super Bowls. McCourty notched two postseason interceptions and 119 tackles, starting 24 playoff games.
Although McCourty closed his career with two Pro Bowls, he ended it as one of the most important players during the Patriots’ dynasty. The Rutgers product finishes his run with 35 interceptions, two pick-sixes and 11 forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus graded McCourty as a top-five safety three times and slotted him just outside the top 30 at the position last year.
Bill Belichick‘s teams have managed to maintain their place near the top of the league in points allowed despite regularly allowing talented cornerbacks to depart in free agency (Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, J.C. Jackson) or via trade (Stephon Gilmore). McCourty’s presence helped on that front. During McCourty’s tenure, the Pats finished as a top-10 scoring defense 11 times. They will attempt to do so again without their back-line general in 2023.
Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger remain under contract, but the two Super Bowl-era bastions in New England’s secondary — McCourty and Jonathan Jones — are not. Jones has said he wants to return, but the Pats may need to outbid other suitors once free agency commences next week.
Dolphins Re-Sign RB Myles Gaskin
The Dolphins are bringing back their entire RB depth chart. After re-signing Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, the team has now re-signed running back Myles Gaskin, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal.
Gaskin, a former seventh-round pick, has been given a handful of opportunities to seize the starting gig. He started 17 games for Miami between 2020 and 2021, but he only averaged 3.8 yards on his 315 rushing attempts. He did show some pass-catching ability during those two campaigns, hauling in 90 total receptions.
Despite an uncertain depth chart that also included Chase Edmonds at one point, Gaskin barely saw any time with a new coaching staff in place in 2022. He ultimately finished the season having appeared in four games, compiling 14 touches for 54 yards from scrimmage.
Mostert and Wilson will continue to lead the depth chart in 2023, but the duo has struggled to stay healthy in the past. Gaskin could see some competition for that RB3 spot from Salvon Ahmed, who has collected 532 rushing yards on 141 carries over the past three seasons.
Colts Re-Sign WR Ashton Dulin, Sign DT Taven Bryan
The Colts have finalized contracts with players on both sides of the ball. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (via Twitter) that the Colts are re-signing wide receiver Ashton Dulin. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Colts are signing defensive tackle Taven Bryan.
Dulin is inking a two-year deal worth $9.2MM. Doug Kyed clarifies (on Twitter) that Dulin will earn $7.2MM and can make another $2MM via incentives and base escalators. The wideout is due $3.5MM in guaranteed money.
Dulin, a 2019 UDFA out of Division II Malone, has transformed into a key special teams player for the Colts. He earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2021 after he finished with 17 tackles and three fumble recoveries (one of which was returned for a TD), and he’s even seen some time returning kickoffs. Dulin has also managed to contribute on offense, hauling in 28 catches and three touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Bryan will sign a one-year deal worth $4.5MM. The former first-round pick collected 5.5 sacks in four seasons for the Jaguars. After having his fifth-year option declined, he signed with the Browns for the 2022 campaign. The 27-year-old proceeded to start all 16 games for Cleveland, collecting 26 tackles and three sacks.
Titans Place Second-Round Tenders On OL Aaron Brewer, DT Teair Tart
The Titans made a handful of decisions on impending restricted free agents today. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the Titans are placing a second-round tender on restricted free agent offensive lineman Aaron Brewer, while Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports (via Twitter) that the Titans are placing a second-round tender on restricted FA defensive tackle Teair Tart.
Brewer joined the Titans as a 2020 undrafted free agent out of Texas State. and he started six games through his first two seasons in the NFL. He started all 17 games this past season and, assuming he doesn’t get an offer in RFA, will be sticking around the Titans starting lineup in 2023, either at the same position or as a fill-in at center for Ben Jones.
Tart also joined the Titans as an undrafted FA in 2020. He started 10 of his 11 games during the 2021 season and started all 16 of his appearances in 2021, finishing with 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Another team could sign either player to an offer sheet but would be required to send a second-round pick to Tennessee if the Titans don’t match. If the players don’t receive an offer sheet, they’ll earn $4.3MM in 2023.
Meanwhile, two impending Titans RFAs who won’t receive tenders are wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (per Terry McCormick of Titans Insider) and tight end Cody Hollister (per McCormick on Twitter). Westbrook-Ikhine started 20 of his 33 appearances over the past two years, hauling in 63 receptions for 873 yards and seven touchdowns. Hollister has had a minor role on offense over the past four years, collecting 10 receptions for 112 yards.
Dolphins To Sign S DeShon Elliott
Another new arrival is expected in Miami’s secondary. The Dolphins have agreed to terms on a deal with safety DeShon Elliott, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweets that it is a one-year contract. 
The 25-year-old hit the open market for the first time in his career last offseason, following an injury-plagued start to his career in Baltimore. Elliott flashed potential as a starting-caliber producer on the backend when healthy, though, making 109 tackles and adding 3.5 sacks in the three seasons he played with the Ravens.
That earned him a one-year deal from the Lions last April, with a value of $1.1MM. The Texas alum’ market was hampered by his injury troubles, which cost him his entire rookie season. His struggles defending the pass relative to his effectiveness as a run-stopper also limited his value on the open market. In his debut season in the Motor City, Elliott was a full-time starter across 14 games, the second-highest number of contests he has been able to suit up for in his NFL career.
The former sixth-rounder totaled a career-high 96 tackles with the Lions, adding one interception and a forced fumble. In terms of completion percentage (81.6%) and passer rating (125.3) allowed, however, Elliott had the worst season of his career to date. In general, he was also a key member of a Lions defense which significantly hampered the team’s performance, and has already resulted in changes in the secondary.
In Miami, Elliott will join a defense which likewise was tapped for upgrades in the offseason. One has already taken place with the acquisition of All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey, who should help new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio lead the team to a rebound on the backend. Elliott will be joined by Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones near the top of the Dolphins safety depth chart as he makes his return to the AFC.
Bills Agree To Terms With WR Deonte Harty
The Bills have added to their receiving corps, but more significantly, to their special teams. Buffalo has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with returner Deonte Harty, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that the contract has a base value of $9.5MM with the potential to max out at $13.5MM, and includes $5MM guaranteed (Twitter link). 
Harty has spent the past four seasons in New Orleans, operating as the team’s kick and punt returner. As a rookie, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, demonstrating his potential in the third phase. Over the course of his first three years in the league, the 25-year-old racked up over 3,400 all-purpose yards as one of the top returners in the league.
The 5-6, 170-pounder signed played on the RFA tender in 2022, which earned him just under $4MM. Given his production on offense in the previous year (36 catches, 570 yards, three touchdowns), he was said to be seeking a more long-term accord in the offseason. Nothing materialized on that front, though, leading him to Buffalo on this new pact.
The Bills are thought to be in the market for an addition to their receiving corps to help compliment Stefon Diggs. While Harty is unlikely to fill a consistent role on offense, he can give them a productive option in the return game. Buffalo used seven different kick returners in 2022, though the midseason acquisition of Nyheim Hines gave them a proven producer in the third phase.
Hines is under contract for two more years, and re-worked his contract to lower his base salary this season. His compensation, along with that of Harty, shows how willing the Bills are to remain productive in the return game as they continue to re-shape their offense.