Dolphins To Cut Bobby McCain
The Dolphins have informed safety Bobby McCain that he’ll be released today (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). By cutting the team captain, the Dolphins will nix the final two years of his four-year, $27MM deal. 
McCain was set to count for $7.14MM against the 2021 cap. The Dolphins will be left with just $1.48MM in dead money while saving $5.66MM on the books. At least, that’ll be the breakdown if he’s formally released. NFL teams will occasionally leak word of an impending release in order to stir up trade talks. That could the case here, with the Dolphins aiming to get something in return for McCain before the end of the business day.
McCain, a 2015 fifth-rounder, has been a staple of the Dolphins’ defense over the last six years. All in all, he’s started in 55 of his 87 games, collecting seven interceptions and four sacks along the way.
Last year, McCain was first-string for 15 of his 16 games, notching one INT, 46 stops, and five passes defensed. However, his performance left something to be desired — he ranked just 55th out of 94 qualified safeties, per Pro Football Focus. Ultimately, the Dolphins chose to go younger and cheaper. One way or another, they’ll shed McCain’s contract while working third-rounder Jevon Holland into the rotation.
Without McCain, the Dolphins project to use Eric Rowe, Brandon Jones, and Holland as their top safeties.
Chiefs Sign Kamalei Correa
The Chiefs have signed linebacker Kamalei Correa, according to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. The Jaguars cut Correa in February, but he’s found a home well in advance of training camp.
Correa, a sixth-year pro, has bounced around throughout his career, including two trades. The Ravens dealt the outside linebacker to the Titans just before the 2018 season. The former second-round pick went on to play 32 games for Tennessee, making nine starts and tallying 8.5 sacks. Then, in October of last year, the Titans traded him to the Jaguars in a swap of late-round picks.
The veteran played in three games for the Titans and started six games for the Jaguars before going on the reserve/left squad list in December. Now, Correa will look to find a spot in the LB rotation alongside Willie Gay, Anthony Hitchens, and new second-round pick Nick Bolton.
WFT Signs TE Deon Yelder, CB Linden Stephens
The Washington Football Team added a pair of veterans today. The team announced this evening that they’ve signed tight end Deon Yelder and cornerback Linden Stephens.
Yelder is the notable name in this grouping, as the tight end appeared in 26 games for the Chiefs over the past three seasons. This included a 2020 campaign where he set career-highs across the board, including games played (14), receptions (seven), receiving yards (36), and offensive snaps (194). He also has four playoff games (including three in 2019) and a Super Bowl ring on his resume.
Logan Thomas sits atop the depth chart in Washington, meaning Yelder will end up battling with the likes of Temarrick Hemingway, John Bates, Marcus Baugh, Tyrone Swoopes, and Sammis Reyes for backup reps.
Stephens has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2018, spending time with the Saints, Rams, Broncos, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Seahawks (second stint). He saw time in 13 games for Seattle last season, appearing mostly on special teams.
Lions To Waive RB Kerryon Johnson
Kerryon Johnson‘s stint with the Lions has come to an end. Detroit is waiving the running back, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
The 2018 second-round pick was a major part of the Lions offense as a rookie, compiling 854 yards from scrimmage and four scores. He saw a similar workload in 2019 before succumbing to a knee injury after only eight games (seven starts).
When Johnson returned from injury in 2020, he was no longer atop the depth chart. The team seemed to priortize 2020 second-round running back D’Andre Swift over Johnson, with the third-year pro also having to battle Adrian Peterson for snaps. Ultimately, Johnson finished this past season with only 368 yards from scrimmage in 16 games, although he did earn praise for his pass-blocking ability.
While Peterson won’t be back next season, the team did add former Packers running back Jamaal Williams on a two-year deal. The team also added Jermar Jefferson in the seventh round of the draft, meaning Johnson wasn’t even guaranteed a spot as a third running back.
Now, the 23-year-old Johnson will hit the waiver wire, and there’s a solid chance he’s scooped up by another squad. Johnson still has a year left on his rookie contract, with his contract counting $2MM against the cap. The Lions save about $1.3MM with this move.
Buccaneers To Re-Sign QB Blaine Gabbert
Recently, the Buccaneers became the first defending champ since 1993 to bring back all 22 starters for the following season. The front office is also making an effort to retain their backups. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (via Twitter) that Tampa Bay is re-signing backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert. It’s a one-year deal worth $2.5MM for the veteran.
While the Buccaneers re-signed third-stringer Ryan Griffin and drafted Kyle Trask in the second round, the organization has made it clear that they intended to re-sign Gabbert. Bruce Arians explicitly said that he wanted to keep the veteran around, while GM Jason Licht went as far to insinuate that Gabbert could be an eventual successor to Tom Brady.
Gabbert has spent the past two seasons in Tampa, throwing for 143 yards and two scores (all in 2020). The former first-rounder hasn’t been a full-time starter since back in 2012, and he’s started only 21 games since the 2015 season. Still, Gabbert has familiarity with the system (he played for Arians in Arizona) and his teammates, so he’s a natural fit to back up Brady for at least another season.
With teams rarely carrying four active-roster quarterbacks, Gabbert re-signing would point Griffin to either the practice squad or another team, while Trask would settle into a developmental third-stringer role.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/5/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: CB Kemon Hall, DE Ladarius Hamilton, DT Walter Palmore, C Adam Redmond
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Malik Jefferson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Chris Finke
New York Jets
- Claimed (from 49ers): WR Matt Cole
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed (from Jaguars): LB Nate Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Raven Greene, LB Joseph Jones
Vikings Bring In 11 UDFAs
The Vikings have filled out their initial undrafted free agent class, according to a team announcement. Here are the 11 rookies the Vikings will bring in to join their 11-man draft class:
- Turner Bernard, LS (San Diego State)
- Tuf Borland, LB (Ohio State)
- Christian Elliss, LB (Idaho)
- Zeandae Johnson, DT (Cal)
- Myron Mitchell, WR (UAB)
- Riley Patterson, K (Memphis)
- Whop Philyor, WR (Indiana)
- Blake Proehl, WR (East Carolina)
- A.J. Rose, RB (Kentucky)
- Jordan Scott, NT (Oregon)
- Zach Von Rosenberg, P (LSU) (story)
The Vikings are guaranteeing $100K of Proehl’s base salary and adding a $15K signing bonus, veteran NFL reporter Aaron Wilson tweets. This will mark another second-generation NFL wideout for the Vikes, who already employ Don Beebe‘s son, Chad. Blake Proehl’s father, Ricky Proehl, played 17 NFL seasons. Christian Elliss joins Proehl in being the son of an NFLer; his father, Luther Elliss, played 10 seasons as a defensive tackle (nine with the Lions).
Patterson will join Greg Joseph as the Vikings’ kickers. Minnesota added Joseph in February, but he has not kicked in a regular-season game since 2019. He and Patterson, who kicked in 51 games for the Tigers, figure to compete for the job in camp. Patterson missed seven field goals as a senior but made 23 of 25 kicks in 2019. They will vie to succeed Dan Bailey, who struggled last season.
Philyor proving to be an NFL-caliber receiver could potentially land him an endorsement deal, at least at Minneapolis-area Burger Kings, with his nickname being geared around his affinity for Whoppers as a boy. At Indiana, he posted a 1,002-yard receiving season as a junior in 2019.
Lions To Sign Darren Fells
The Lions have agreed to a deal with Darren Fells, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets. It’s a reunion for Fells, who spent the 2017 season in Detroit. 
Last time with the Lions, Fells notched 17 catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Back then, he was known solely for his blocking ability. But, in 2019, he made waves with 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns. His second season with the Texans wasn’t as flashy. In 2020, Fells notched 21 catches for 312 yards and four TDs. Still, that makes eleven scores in two years and the Lions are more interested in Fells for his blocking ability.
Fells will help replace TE Josh Hill, who signed with the Lions this year only to retire earlier this week. Hill, 31, was set to play on a one-year, $1.2MM deal.
Chiefs To Sign S Will Parks
The Chiefs have agreed to sign safety Will Parks (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). Parks, a free agent for the second straight year, also received interest from the Vikings and Lions.
Instead of the NFC North, he’ll join up with one of the AFC’s strongest teams. The five-year veteran agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.13MM, according to Schefter (on Twitter).
Despite entering the league as a seventh-round pick, Parks has seen considerable playing time as a pro. He spent most of his career with the Broncos before moving on to the Eagles in 2020. Injuries led to Parks’ release in December, bringing him back to the Broncos. Parks missed six games last year, but previous to that, he was only scratched for two.
Now on the verge of his 27th birthday (in July), the versatile vet figures to serve as a supporting safety in Kansas City — perhaps with some time as a sub-package linebacker. Parks played that role at points in Denver and will now attempt to carve out a spot with the Broncos’ top rivals.
Cowboys Cut Antwaun Woods, Saivion Smith
The Cowboys are waiving starting defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). Woods was retained as a restricted free agent, but the Cowboys will shed his salary instead after drafting multiple defensive linemen. In addition, the Cowboys have also cut cornerback Saivion Smith, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter).
Woods has started 32 of his 39 games for Dallas over the past three years, compiling 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries. By cutting the former UDFA, the Cowboys will save $2.133MM on the books for 2021.
The veteran was a favorite of Rod Marinelli, but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants to move the D-Line in a new direction. Now, the interior will be bolstered by UCLA fourth-rounder Osa Odighizuwa and Kentucky sixth-rounder Quinton Bohanna.
Smith, meanwhile, spent the bulk of last year on the practice squad. He’s been pushed out by the arrival of rookies Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright.