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Seahawks To Re-Sign OL Cedric Ogbuehi

March 24th, 2021 at 9:12pm CST by Ben Levine

Cedric Ogbuehi is heading back to Seattle. The offensive tackle is re-signing with the Seahawks, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (on Twitter).

When Ogbuehi joined the Seahawks last offseason, he was expected to play a backup role for the team. However, an injury to Brandon Shell led to Ogbuehi garnering his first starts since 2017. The 28-year-old ended up seeing time in eight games (four starts) for Seattle, appearing in 26-percent of his team’s offensive snaps.

The 2015 first-round pick out of Texas A&M spent his first four seasons with the Bengals, starting 25 of his 35 games. After having his fifth-year option declined, Ogbuehi only got into two games with Cincy in 2018, and he ended up moving on to the Jaguars for the 2019 campaign.

Quarterback Russell Wilson has been clamoring for reinforcement along the offensive line, and the Seahawks have somewhat been obliging. Bob Condotta of the The Seattle Times reports (via Twitter) that Ogbuehi is now the 12th offensive lineman under contract for next season.

Cowboys To Sign S Jayron Kearse

March 24th, 2021 at 8:03pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys held auditions for safeties today, and it sounds like at least one of the auditionees will be joining the team. Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the team will be signing safety Jayron Kearse to a one-year deal.

Kearse signed a one-year, $2.75MM deal with the Lions last offseason and proceeded to have a career year. He was suspended for the first three games of the 2020 campaign for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, but he ultimately finished the year with a career-high 59 tackles in 11 games (seven starts). He was waived by the Lions late in the season and spent the rest of the season on the Ravens practice squad.

Malik Hooker and Damontae Kazee were also among the safeties who were visiting the Cowboys today, and Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets that the Kearse signing doesn’t preclude the team from adding another player at the position. In fact, Gehlken adds that the Cowboys are “engaged in contract negotiations” with Kazee’s camp, but the sides haven’t agreed on a deal.

The Cowboys have been busy revamping their safeties corps. The team is set to add Keanu Neal, adding the veteran to a core that includes 2020 starter Donovan Wilson.

Saints To Sign TE Nick Vannett

March 24th, 2021 at 7:48pm CST by Ben Levine

It didn’t take long for Nick Vannett to find a new home. The free agent tight end is signing with the Saints, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Vannett got a three-year deal from New Orleans.

The 28-year-old tight end spent the first three-plus seasons of his career with the Seahawks, including a 2018 campaign where he put up some of the best offensive numbers of his career. That season, Vannett finished with 29 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns.

He was traded to the Steelers during the 2019 season, and he signed a two-year deal with the Broncos last offseason. Over the past two years, Vannett has mostly served as a blocking tight end, and he finished this past year with 95 yards from scrimmage and one score. Denver moved on from the veteran yesterday, saving the team $2.68MM against the salary cap with $875K left in dead money.

The Saints tight ends room will look different in 2021. The team released Jared Cook earlier this month, and they saw Josh Hill join his former positions coach (and current Lions head coach), Dan Campbell. 2020 third-rounder Adam Trautman is currently atop the team’s depth chart.

Chargers Sign OLB Kyler Fackrell

March 24th, 2021 at 5:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kyler Fackrell will make his way to a third team in three seasons. The veteran edge defender signed with the Chargers on Wednesday.

Formerly a four-year Packer, Fackrell played the 2020 season with the Giants. He started nine games and recorded four sacks and a pick-six with Big Blue, but he will head west ahead of his sixth NFL season.

A third-round Packers pick in 2016, Fackrell mostly served as a rotational rusher in Green Bay. However, he did record a career-high 10.5 sacks despite playing the off-the-bench role in 2018. That season, which did include seven starts, helped lead Fackrell to New York. He signed a one-year, $4.6MM deal with the Giants in 2020. While the 29-year-old defender spent some time on IR last season due to a calf injury, he returned for Week 17 and played 12 games with New York.

The Chargers have some questions at their edge spots. The five-year Joey Bosa–Melvin Ingram partnership may be disbanding, with Ingram taking free agency visits. Ingram was a Charger for nine seasons but played out his contract last season, which came after the former first-round pick attempted to secure a new deal. With Bosa signed to a defender-record $27MM-AAV pact, the Chargers are unlikely to pay up at the other edge-rushing spot.

Falcons To Sign CB Fabian Moreau

March 24th, 2021 at 4:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Washington cornerback Fabian Moreau will head to Atlanta. The Falcons are signing the veteran cover man, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal.

A former third-round Washington draftee, Moreau played in the slot and outside at points with his original team. The Falcons, who added longtime Washington exec Kyle Smith to their front office this year, will bring in Moreau to help their secondary.

Moreau will join a secondary that fared poorly in Dan Quinn and Raheem Morris‘ final seasons with the Falcons. The Falcons ranked last in pass defense in 2020. They have a young group of corners, headed by 2020 first-round pick A.J. Terrell, due back but certainly will need some outside help going into Dean Pees‘ first season as DC.

After Moreau enjoyed a steady gig for the 2018 and ’19 Washington squads, Ron Rivera reduced his role last season. The UCLA product played just 15% of Washington’s defensive snaps in 2020. Washington was still believed to be interested in re-signing Moreau, per ESPN.com’s John Keim (on Twitter). Instead, Moreau will head to Atlanta looking to bounce back. He should be expected to see more frequent playing time than he did last season.

Packers To Re-Sign TE Marcedes Lewis

March 24th, 2021 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Marcedes Lewis will be back for a 16th NFL season. The veteran tight end agreed to re-sign with the Packers on Wednesday. He will return to Green Bay on a two-year, $8MM contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Lewis will see $4MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, and $2.1MM fully guaranteed. The 2006 first-round pick has played with the Packers since 2018. He has missed just one game since joining the team.

The 2021 season will be Lewis’ age-37 campaign. Should he continue his run of health, Lewis will surpass 230 career games played this season. The Packers have continually found a role for the former Jaguars first-rounder, involving him as a blocker and as an occasional receiver. Most of Lewis’ Wisconsin work has come without the ball, however. He has just 28 receptions in his three Packers slates. Pro Football Focus graded Lewis as a top-10 run-blocking tight end last season.

This marks Lewis’ first multiyear Packers agreement. He signed one-year pacts in 2018, ’19 and ’20. While the guarantees on this deal do not solidify Lewis’ place on the 2022 Packers, the UCLA alum has bucked the odds to make it this far. It would certainly not surprise if he plays out this contract. Lewis and Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth are the only non-specialists from the 2006 draft still on NFL rosters.

The Packers kept 2020 breakout talent Robert Tonyan via second-round RFA tender and still have Jace Sternberger on their roster. Lewis will remain the leader of this tight end contingent, however.

Jets To Add RB Tevin Coleman

March 24th, 2021 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Robert Saleh will bring one of the 49ers’ running backs with him to the Jets. Tevin Coleman agreed to terms with the team Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Coleman played out his two-year San Francisco agreement. He will follow the 49ers’ former defensive coordinator to the Big Apple, joining a backfield in transition after the Le’Veon Bell free agency misstep. Coleman agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $2MM, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Originally a Falcons third-round pick, Coleman will have scheme familiarity upon trekking to New York. Longtime Kyle Shanahan assistant Mike LaFleur will call the Jets’ plays next season. LaFleur was with Coleman from 2015-16 in Atlanta and for the past two seasons in San Francisco.

While Coleman proved a valuable contributor in his first 49ers season, he is coming off a forgettable contract year. The 27-year-old back suffered an injury against the Jets in Week 2 and finished last season with just 53 rushing yards. He totaled 544 in 2019, playing a key role in San Francisco’s backfield committee.

However, Coleman suffered two injuries during the 2019 season as well. In 2019, Coleman suffered a high ankle sprain and a shoulder injury. While he only missed two games because of the oft-troublesome ankle ailment and surmounted what Shanahan called a Lethal Weapon injury to play in Super Bowl LIV, the knee strain he encountered at MetLife Stadium last September wrecked his 2020 season.

Coleman teamed with Devonta Freeman in multiple productive Falcons rushing attacks, including the one that helped Shanahan’s offense reach historic success in 2016, and ended his Falcons tenure with an 800-yard rushing season in 2018. Coleman will enter the 2021 season with a 4.2 career yards-per-carry average. He will join a Jets backfield that may need more help via the draft. The team, which cut bait on its disastrous Bell deal midway through last season, has La’Mical Perine, ex-Lion Ty Johnson and ex-Eagle Josh Adams. Frank Gore remains a free agent but is interested in playing a 17th NFL season.

Jets Sign DE Vinny Curry

March 24th, 2021 at 3:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

3:17pm: This visit will produce an agreement. Curry will sign with the Jets. Moving fast here, the team has already announced the agreement. The Jets will be Curry’s third NFL team, and the 2021 season will be his 10th in the league. Curry will sign for close to the league minimum, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeting the veteran defensive lineman agreed to a one-year, $1.3MM pact. Curry secured $1.1MM fully guaranteed.

2:49pm: Vinny Curry is back on the Jets’ radar. The veteran defensive end is meeting with former Eagles exec Joe Douglas on Wednesday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).

The veteran defensive end has played eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Eagles; three of those came during Douglas’ tenure in Philadelphia. However, the Douglas-run Jets showed interest in Curry last year. Curry opted to re-sign to stay in Philly at that point but appears interested in relocating this year.

Curry, 32, has served as a key rotational player for much of his career. However, he did work as a full-time starter during the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl-winning season. Curry started all 16 games for the Birds that year. He parlayed that season into a deal with the Buccaneers. After that accord did not work out, Curry played the 2019 and ’20 seasons with the Eagles. He recorded eight sacks and 22 quarterback hits between those two seasons.

The Jets have been fairly busy in stocking new HC Robert Saleh‘s defensive front this offseason. They have signed edge rusher Carl Lawson and D-tackle Sheldon Rankins. At this stage of his career, Curry would come cheaper than both but could be a worthwhile piece in Saleh’s 4-3 scheme.

Patriots, DL Lawrence Guy Agree To Deal

March 24th, 2021 at 3:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots will have a host of new starters next season, but they are finalizing an agreement to keep one of their own first-stringers. Lawrence Guy and the Pats are closing in on a new four-year deal, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.

Guy’s second Pats contract is worth $11.5MM over four years, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). This represents a discount from the sides’ 2017 agreement, and it will keep Guy in New England — where he will join a brigade of incoming talent acquired over the past two weeks.

Guy visited the Dolphins on Monday, but it does not look like ex-Patriots assistant Brian Flores will be able to lure the veteran defensive tackle to Miami. A staple on the Pats’ defensive line, Guy has been with New England for the past four seasons.

A role player who bounced around prior to joining the Patriots in 2017, Guy started for each of New England’s most recent Super Bowl-qualifying teams and has been a steady first-stringer on each of the Pats’ past four squads. Guy, 31, has started 60 of the 62 games he has played with the Pats.

Flores did bring ex-Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler to Miami, leaving the Pats thinner on their defensive front. However, the Pats — quite busy in this free agency period — have added on their D-line as well. New England signed Henry Anderson, Davon Godchaux, Montravius Adams and Carl Davis to help up front.

A 2011 Packers seventh-round pick, Guy has played a similar role on each of the Patriot teams on which he has played. He has logged between 50-55% of New England’s defensive snaps from 2017-20. The Pats gave Guy a four-year, $20MM deal in 2017 and agreed to a slight pay bump ahead of his 2020 contract year. It appears the sides are set to continue this partnership, with Guy set to be joined by numerous new faces on the 2021 Pats.

Colts To Re-Sign T.Y. Hilton

March 24th, 2021 at 1:57pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

T.Y. Hilton isn’t going anywhere. The Colts legend will be returning to Indianapolis on a new deal, his agents the Katz Bros tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).

It’ll be a one-year deal for the veteran receiver worth $10MM with $8MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a nice payday for a player on the back half of his career. Hilton has been with the Colts ever since they drafted him back in 2012, but this offseason for the first time it looked like a divorce was possible. Both sides had insisted they would like a reunion, but we heard right before free agency opened that there had been little progress on talks and Hilton would test the market.

Another team is believed to have submitted Hilton a stronger offer, according to The Athletic’s Stephen Holder (on Twitter). But the 31-year-old wideout opted to stay in Indianapolis. The Chiefs were not the team that offered more to Hilton, per Holder.

Owner Jim Irsay had said back in January he’d want to see the franchise icon return if the financials could be worked out. Hilton had been one of the top receivers left on the market. The wideout market in general has been heating up recently, with big names like Hilton, Kenny Golladay, and Will Fuller all signing over the past week. Teams like the Ravens looking to add a veteran pass-catcher are running out of top options.

He was still dominant as recently as 2018, when he put up 1,270 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. Injuries limited him to ten contests in 2019, but he bounced back with a healthy 2020.

He wasn’t a true number one option as Indy had a lot of mouths to feed in a diverse offense, but he developed a rapport with Philip Rivers down the stretch and finished with a solid 56 catches for 762 yards and five scores in 15 games.

Hilton made four straight Pro Bowls from 2014-17, and although he’ll turn 32 this season, showed last year he’s still got something left in the tank. He’ll be catching passes from his fourth quarterback in as many years in 2021, this time from Carson Wentz.

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