Week In Review News & Rumors

Ravens land a wide receiver. After surprisingly not adding a wideout during either free agency or the draft, Baltimore finally signed a pass-catcher last week, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with former Chief Jeremy Maclin. Because Maclin was released, his addition won’t affect the Ravens’ 2018 compensatory picks. The Eagles were reportedly the runner-up for Maclin’s services, while the Bills and Browns also expressed interest. Maclin will earn $6MM in 2017.

A former No. 2 overall pick is traded. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson, the second selection in the 2014 draft, was dealt from the Rams to the Lions in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round pick, a trade that brings the (to this point) draft bust’s tenure with the Rams to an end. Robinson, selected over other offensive linemen such as Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan, and Zack Martin, had recently lost his starting job with Los Angeles. Detroit, meanwhile, also signed former Bill Cyrus Kouandjio in an effort to make up for the loss of left tackle Taylor Decker.

Saints lose a key offensive piece. The Lions aren’t the club that could be without its blindside protector for some time, as Saints left tackle Terron Armstead is down for 4-6 months after suffering a torn labrum in practice. Armstead missed nine games in 2016, so New Orleans is used to getting by without him, but his absence will undoubtedly be felt. Former first-round pick Andrus Peat, who’s recently lined up at guard, is a candidate to take over at tackle, as is 2017 No. 32 overall selection Ryan Ramczyk.

Chargers lock up their franchise player. Roughly a month before the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term extensions, Los Angeles inked defensive end Melvin Ingram to a four-year, $66MM deal.Ingram, who’s managed 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, will transition from outside linebacker to end in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s scheme. With Ingram under contract, Kirk Cousins, Le’Veon Bell, and Trumaine Johnson are the only franchise players who don’t have extensions in place.

Eric Decker officially hits the market. The Jets released Decker last week after failing to find a trade partner, and Decker has now garnered interest from several clubs. Decker, who lives near Nashville, met with the Titans and has also reportedly been linked to the Browns. Meanwhile, the Broncos are not interested in a reunion with Decker, and the Eagles aren’t pursuing him, either.

Chiefs release WR Jeremy Maclin. Kansas City’s decision to part ways with Maclin came as a surprise both for financial reasons and due to the lack of pass-catching depth on the Chiefs’ roster. KC could have designated Maclin as a post-June 1 release months ago, allowing him to hit the free agent market early while gaining cap space at the same date (June 2). Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley, and rookie Jehu Chesson, meanwhile, now top the Chiefs’ depth chart at wideout. Bills running back LeSean McCoy is now attempting to lure Maclin to Buffalo.

Jets trade a former first-rounder. New York shipped 2014 first-round safety Calvin Pryor to the Browns last week, re-acquiring linebacker Demario Davis in return. Pryor, whom the Jets reportedly wanted out of their locker room, will now try to restart his career on a rebuilding Cleveland roster. Davis, for his part, is now back with the club with which he spent the 2012-15 campaigns, but he may not make the roster without accepting a pay reduction.

Seahawks pass on Colin Kaepernick. While Seattle had genuine interest in adding Kaepernick as a backup to starter Russell Wilson, the Hawks aren’t giving Kaepernick a roster spot right now. Head coach Pete Carroll lauded Kaepernick, indicating that the former 49ers quarterback can still be a starter in the NFL. But reports indicated that the two sides were apart on money, as Kaepernick may be looking for a larger payday than the Seahawks are willing to provide.

Two Ravens go down. Fresh off a comeback season during which he led all NFL tight ends in receptions, Baltimore’s Dennis Pitta dislocated his hip for the third time in four years, a devastating injury which could lead to the end of Pitta’s career. While the veteran tight end hasn’t yet made a decision on his future, it’s difficult to imagine the 31-year-old will continue the risk of playing. Nickel cornerback Tavon Young, who shined during his rookie campaign in 2016, also suffered an serious injury, an ACL tear which will likely end his season before it began.

Christine Michael finds a home. One month after being cut by the Packers, Michael landed with the Colts last week. Indianapolis marks the fifth club that’s employed Michael over the past two years, joining the Seahawks, Cowboys, Redskins, and the aforementioned Packers. While the Colts are counting on Michael to play a lead back role, he’s landed in a favorable position, as Josh Ferguson, Robert Turbin, and rookie Marlon Mack represent Michael’s only competition to serve as Frank Gore‘s backup.

Ryan Fitzpatrick lands in Tampa Bay. After struggling through a dreadful season with the Jets in 2016, Fitzpatrick was going to be hard-pressed to find a starting job on the open market. Instead, the 34-year-old signed with the Buccaneers, with whom he’ll be a clear backup to starter Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick will earn $3MM on a one-year deal with the Bucs, but has a chance to bring in as much as $5MM.

Seattle interested in Colin Kaepernick. The Buccaneers didn’t consider Kaepernick before inking Fitzpatrick, but the Seahawks are eyeing the 29-year-old signal-caller, whom they prefer to fellow free agent Robert Griffin III. Kaepernick would seemingly be a solid fit behind Russell Wilson, who wouldn’t have any qualms about Seattle signing the former 49ers QB. The Cowboys, meanwhile, aren’t considered a fit for Kaepernick.

Eagles sign a Blount force. Despite the Patriots placing a May 9 tender on free agent LeGarrette Blount, the veteran running back has found a new home in Philadelphia. Blount, 30, will take in $1.25MM in base salary and can earn another $1.55MM via incentives. Both the Giants and Cardinals reportedly made offers to Blount before he signed with the Birds. With Blount in town, Ryan Mathews‘ roster spot is now tenuous (at best).

Jason McCourty signs with a rebuilding club. Instead of heading to contender after being cut loose by the Titans, McCourty latched on with the Browns last week, signing a two-year deal worth $6MM ($2MM guaranteed). At age-29, McCourty will be an elder statesman on a Cleveland team in the midst of a rebuild. The Patriots also had interest in McCourty, and that link was apparently mutual.

Steelers release Ladarius Green after one year. Although Green was effective when on the field in Pittsburgh (16.9 yards per catch), he simply couldn’t overcome his health issues — concussions and an ankle issue — in order to contribute on a consistent basis. The Steelers cut bait on Green just one season into a four-year, $20MM deal, a move that leaves them north of $3.5MM in dead money. Green, still only 26 years old, has no plans to retire.

Patriots deploy tender on LeGarrette Blount. Thinking outside the box as usual, New England utilized a May 9 tender on Blount, ensuring that it will reap a compensatory pick if Blount signs elsewhere. Blount, who had reportedly been nearing a deal prior to the tender, has until July 22 to reach a deal with another club. If he doesn’t sign by then, the Patriots control his rights. Rival teams are now trying to “navigate” the compensatory pick process in order to land Blount.

Josh Gordon denied reinstatement. The NFL refused Gordon’s attempt to re-enter the league, but the Browns receiver is eligible to re-apply in the fall. Gordon, 26, originally applied for reinstatement in March. Although he hasn’t played sine 2014 (and hasn’t been effective since 2013), Gordon may be welcomed back by Cleveland if Roger Goodell & Co. allow his reinstatement. Gordon’s agent terminated their relationship several weeks ago, so Gordon is currently without representation.

Bills find a new general manager. Having fired Doug Whaley one day after the conclusion of the draft, Buffalo hired former Panthers executive Brandon Beane as its new GM. Beane has a working history with Bills head coach Sean McDermott, and is expected to have final say over the club’s 53-man roster (although he and McDermott will work closely on personnel issues). The Bills have also poached ex-Dolphins staffer Joe Schoen and named him assistant general manager, while incumbent contract negotiator Jim Overdorf could be on the chopping block.

Victor Cruz market heating up. While Cruz had garnered scant free agent interest since being released by the Giants earlier this year (only the Panthers had set up a visit), the veteran wide receiver was linked to three clubs in the span of two days last week. The Jaguars and Bears are organizing meetings with Cruz, while the Ravens also have interest in the 30-year-old wideout.

Cardinals cut ties with Daryl Washington. Unlike Gordon, Washington was granted reinstatement, but he won’t be playing for Arizona in 2017. The Cardinals officially released Washington, who hasn’t been on the field since 2013. While Arizona had interest in retaining Washington, the two sides apparently couldn’t agree on a deal. Washington, 30, had been due $2.9MM next season.

Michael Floyd finds a landing spot. More than two months after the opening of free agency, Floyd finally landed a contract, agreeing to a one-year pact with the Vikings. The new contract is reportedly worth $1.5MM, but Floyd can earn up to $6MM via incentives. Floyd, who was charged with DUI last year, is likely to serve a suspension during the 2017 campaign.

Teams move up for quarterbacks. Three clubs made traded up the draft board to acquire long-term options under center on Thursday night, as the Bears moved up to No. 2 for North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, the Chiefs went to No. 10 for Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech), and the Texans came up to No. 12 for Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. Each of the three clubs sacrificed a good deal, as both Kansas City and Houston gave up 2018 first-round selections, while Chicago may have been bidding against itself to move up one spot. None of Trubisky, Mahomes, or Watson is entering training camp as a starter, but that could certainly change as the season progresses.

Browns land a quarterback, as well. Cleveland sat tight at No. 1 overall and selected Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett, and the club eventually made two other picks in the first round: Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers and Miami tight end David Njoku. After reportedly discussing trades for veteran quarterbacks during Round 1, the Browns ultimately drafted Notre Dame signal-caller DeShone Kizer during the second round, and could allow him to start during his rookie campaign. In Round 6, Cleveland picked up Florida’s Caleb Brantley, who is facing assault charges (but may not keep him on the roster).

Gareon Conley comes off the board in Round 1. Despite being accused of sexual assault in the week leading up to the draft, Conley was still drafted in the first round, as the Raiders selected him 24th overall. Conley has strongly refuted the allegations, and spoke with representatives of all 32 NFL clubs before the draft got underway. Initial reports suggested the Ohio State product could fall to the third round, but Oakland will have acquired a value pick if the accusations Conley prove unfounded.

Bills fire GM Doug Whaley. Just one day after the conclusion of the draft, the Bills fired Whaley, who had been running the club’s front office since 2013. The move was somewhat expected, as reports had indicated major changes could be coming to the Bills’ personnel staff. New head coach Sean McDermott has reportedly taken the lead in much of Buffalo’s machinations recently.

Veteran backs find new homes. A trio of running backs found landing spots this week, as the Saints signed Adrian Peterson to a two-year deal, the Raiders formally acquired Marshawn Lynch (and signed him to a new contract), and the Patriots landed Mike Gillislee after the Bills declined to match New England’s offer sheet. New Orleans, notably, selected another running back in the draft (Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara) despite now employing both Peterson and Mark Ingram.