Week In Review News & Rumors

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Draft:

• The Texans selected South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney with the first overall pick.
• The Bills traded up to the No. 4 pick to draft Clemson WR Sammy Watkins.
• After much maneuvering, the Browns acquired pick No. 22 and selected Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel.
• The Vikings traded back into the first round and picked Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater with the 32nd pick.

Find the full results of the 2014 draft at the PFR Draft Tracker.

Major Move:

• The Seahawks signed CB Richard Sherman to a four-year, $56MM extension.

Other Signings:

• Broncos – DT Marvin Austin (link)
• Patriots – DE Will Smith (link)
• Cardinals – LB Larry Foote (link)
• Redskins – S Tanard Jackson (link)

Trades:

• 49ers – acquired WR Stevie Johnson from the Bills in exchange for a conditional 2015 third-round pick.
• Bills – acquired RB Bryce Brown from the Eagles in exchange for a conditional 2015 fourth-round pick or a 2016 third- or fourth-rounder.

Restricted Free Agency:

• Panthers offensive tackle Byron Bell signed his one-year, $2.187MM tender.

Retired:

• LB Bradie James (link)

Other:

• Browns receiver Josh Gordon is reportedly facing a season-long suspension following repeated violations of the league’s substance policy.

Follow all the latest news at PFR’s Transactions Page.

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Major Move:

• The Seahawks signed All-Pro safety Earl Thomas to a four-year, $40MM extension, with $27.725MM guaranteed.

Other Signings:

• Browns – quarterback Vince Young (link)
• Browns – quarterback Tyler Thigpen (link)
• Falcons – tight end Bear Pascoe (link)
• Seahawks  – cornerback A.J. Jefferson (link)
• Seahawks – linebacker O’Brien Schofield (link)

Fifth-Year Options Exercised:

• Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (link)
• Colts offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (link)
• Saints running back Mark Ingram (link)
• Falcons receiver Julio Jones (link)
• Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (link)
• Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (link)
• Broncos linebacker Von Miller (link)
• Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (link)
• Browns defensive lineman Phil Taylor (link)
• 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (link)

Fifth-Year Options Declined:

• Titans quarterback Jake Locker (link)
• Packers offensive lineman Derek Sherrod (link)
• Seahawks offensive lineman James Carpenter (link)
• Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (link)

Follow all the latest news at PFR’s Transactions page.

Here’s the original content produced by PFR during the past week:

• We began our prospect profile series, examining the strengths and weaknesses of the top players available in next month’s draft. Zach Links scrutinized Blake Bortles (link) and Sammy Watkins (link), and Rob DiRe took a look at Jadeveon Clowney (link), Teddy Bridgewater (link), and Mike Evans (link).
• David Kipke investigated the importance of the 2014 draft for the Browns, specifically in terms of finding a long-term answer at quarterback.
• Rob wrote an interesting piece focusing on recent free agent signings who will be facing their former teams during the 2014 season.
• Luke Adams looked at the largest 2014 free agent contracts by position, separated by overall value, average annual salary, and guaranteed money.
• Rory Parks delved into the trend of teams instantly throwing first-round quarterbacks into the fire as starters, and how this strategy could affect the draft stock of the this year’s crop of QB prospects.
• In our polls last week, Peter Sowards asked if Ndamukong Suh should be with the Lions during for offseason workouts (with about 44% responding “Yes”), and Luke wondered which quarterback should be selected first in the draft (with Bortles garnering almost 40% of the vote). Thanks for voting!

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key Signings:

• The Bears signed receiver Josh Morgan to a one-year contract.
• The Cowboys signed quarterback Caleb Hanie to a one-year deal.
• The Cowboys re-signed pass rusher Anthony Spencer to a one-year pact.

Trade:

• Seahawks – acquired quarterback Terrelle Pryor from the Raiders in exchange for a 2014 seventh-round-pick.

Fifth-Year Options Exercised:

• Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (link)
• Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (link)
• Bengals receiver A.J. Green (link)
• Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (link)
• Patriots offensive lineman Nate Solder (link)
• Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus (link)
• Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (link)

Fifth-Year Options Declined:

• Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn (link)

Retired:

• Center Phil Costa (link)
• Linebacker Rolando McClain (link)
• Cornerback Marcus Trufant (link)

Front Office:

• The Seahawks hired former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland as a draft consultant.

Rumors:

• The Seahawks are progressing towards an extension with All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.

It’s been a busy week on Pro Football Rumors. Here are the major headlines…

Signings:

• The Bengals signed punter T.J. Conley.
• The Browns signed fullback Chris Pressley.
• The Colts re-signed restricted free agent Joe Reitz.
• The Colts signed fullbacks Stephen Campbell and Cameron White.
• The 49ers signed receiver Brandon Lloyd to one-year contract.
• The Giants signed quarterback Josh Freeman to a one-year deal.
• The Jaguars re-signed running back Jordan Todman.
• The Jaguars re-signed receiver Mike Brown.
• The Jets signed running back Chris Johnson to a two-year deal.
• The Lions re-signed cornerback Rashean Mathis to a one-year deal.
• The Packers re-signed quarterback Matt Flynn.
• The Ravens signed linebacker D.J. Bryant
• The Redskins signed safety Akeem Davis.
• The Saints re-signed receiver Robert Meachem to a one-year contract.
• The Seahawks re-signed receiver Sidney Rice to a one-year deal.
• The Steelers signed punter Adam Podlesh to a one-year contract.
• The Texans signed defensive lineman Ricardo Mathews to a one-year deal.
• The Vikings signed tight end Allen Reisner to a one-year deal.
• The Vikings signed safety Kurt Coleman to a one-year contract.
• The Montreal Alouettes signed former NFL receiver Chad Johnson.

2015 Options:

• The Cardinals exercised the option on cornerback Patrick Peterson.
• The Cowboys exercised the option on offensive tackle Tyron Smith.
• The Jets exercised the option on defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
• The Texans picked up the option on defensive end J.J. Watt.

Release/Waivers:

• The Bears waived defensive end Cheta Ozougwu.
• The Chargers cut linebacker Terrell Manning.
• The Falcons waived defensive back Saeed Lee and tight end Adam Nissley
• The Jaguars released linebacker Russell Allen. They also waived wide receiver Jabin Sambrano and defensive ends Will Pericak and D’Aundre Reed.

Waiver Claims:

• The Vikings claimed linebacker Terrell Manning off waivers.

Reinstatement:

• The Ravens reinstated linebacker Rolando McClain.

Follow all the latest news at PFR’s Transactions page.

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Major Move:

• The Browns matched the Jaguars’ five-year, $42MM offer sheet for Alex Mack, which allows Cleveland to retain the veteran center for at least two seasons before Mack has the option to void the remainder of the deal.

Signings:

• Bears – center Brian De La Puente – one year (link)
• Browns – receiver Nate Burleson – one year (link)
• Texans – running back Andre Brown – one year (link)
• Saints – safety Rafael Bush – two years (matching Falcons’ offer sheet) (link)
• Panthers – receiver Jason Avant – one year (link)
• Bears – tight end Matthew Mulligan – one year (link)
• Bengals – receiver Dane Sanzenbacher – one year (link)
• Panthers – defensive lineman Colin Cole – one year (link)
• Panthers – tight end Ed Dickson – one year (link)
• Dolphins – receiver Damian Williams – one year (link)
• Panthers – safety Thomas DeCoud – two years (link)

Waivers:

• Bears – claimed receiver Josh Bellamy off waivers from the Redskins (link)

Follow all the latest news at PFR’s Transactions page.

The headline from the past week at PFR:

Key Signings:

• The Rams signed receiver Kenny Britt to a one-year contract.
• The Giants re-signed defensive tackle Mike Patterson to a one-year deal.
• The Jets signed cornerback Dimitri Patterson to a one-year pact.
• The Raiders signed cornerback Carlos Rogers to a one-year deal.
• The Redskins signed receiver DeSean Jackson to a four-year contract.
• The Giants signed defensive lineman Robert Ayers to a two-year pact.
• The Redskins signed safety Ryan Clark to a one-year deal.
• The Jets signed receiver Jacoby Ford to a one-year contract.
• The Broncos signed center Will Montgomery to a one-year pact.
• The Steelers signed receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to a one-year contract.
• The Ravens signed tight end Owen Daniels to a one-year deal.
• The Lions signed quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a one-year contract.
• The Bengals signed safety Danieal Manning to a one-year pact.
• The Saints signed cornerback Champ Bailey to a two-year deal.

Trades:

• Bills – acquired receiver Mike Williams from the Buccaneers in exchange for a 2014 sixth-round-pick.

Extensions:

• Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll – three years (link)
• Broncos head coach John Fox – three years (link)

Contract Tenders:

• Broncos cornerback Chris Harris signed his restricted free agent tender.
• Browns center Alex Mack, who was extended a transition tag tender, met with the Jaguars, who are reportedly mulling signing the veteran to an offer sheet.
• Saints restricted free agent safety Rafael Bush signed an offer sheet with the Falcons.

Released:

• Raiders offensive lineman Mike Brisiel (link)
• Titans running back Chris Johnson (link)
• Patriots safety Adrian Wilson (link)

Retired:

• Linebacker Tim Shaw (link)
• Defensive lineman Marcus Spears (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key Signings:

• The Steelers signed linebacker Arthur Moats to a one-year contract.
• The Lions signed safety James Ihedigbo to a two-year deal.
• The Bears signed defensive end Jared Allen to a four-year pact.
• The Rams signed quarterback Shaun Hill to a one-year deal.
• The Redskins signed linebacker Brian Orakpo on a one-year franchise tender.
• The Rams signed defensive lineman Alex Carrington to a one-year contract.
• The Vikings signed offensive lineman Vlad Ducasse to a one-year deal.
• The Titans signed edge defender Shaun Phillips to a two-year pact.
• The Eagles signed quarterback Mark Sanchez to a one-year contract.
• The Raiders signed running back Maurice Jones-Drew to a three-year deal.
• The Patriots re-signed center Ryan Wendell to a two-year pact.
• The Steelers signed running back LeGarrette Blount to a two-year contract.
• The Texans signed safety Chris Clemons to a two-year deal.
• The Dolphins signed running back Knowshon Moreno to one-year contract.

Extensions/Options:

• The Cardinals will exercise their 2015 option on cornerback Patrick Peterson.
• The Bengals signed defensive tackle Domata Peko to a two-year extension.
• The Ravens signed newly-acquired center Jeremy Zuttah to a five-year extension.
• The Patriots signed defensive tackle Vince Wilfork to an extension through 2016.

Waiver Claims:

• The Redskins claimed defensive end Brandon Moore off waivers from the Chiefs.
• The Jaguars claimed fullback Bradie Ewing off waivers from the Falcons.

Released:

• Receiver DeSean Jackson (link)

Rumors:

• Terrelle Pryor is likely to be traded or cut (link)
• DeSean Jackson rumors (link)

Other:

• Bills owner Ralph Wilson passed away at the age of 95.

View the PFR Transactions page for more news and notes.

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key Signings:

• The Saints re-signed offensive lineman Zach Strief to a five-year deal.
• The Giants signed cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a five-year contract.
• The Patriots signed receiver Brandon LaFell to a three-year pact.
• The Raiders signed receiver James Jones to a three-year contract.
• The Browns signed restricted free agent receiver Andrew Hawkins, after the Bengals declined to match an offer sheet.
• The Cowboys signed defensive tackle Henry Melton to a deal that could have a duration of up to four years.
• The Raiders signed offensive tackle Donald Penn to a two-year pact.
• The Bills re-signed tight end Scott Chandler to a two-year deal.
• The Panthers signed receiver Jerricho Cotchery to a two-year contract.
• The Cardinals signed cornerback Antonio Cromartie to a one-year deal.
• The Falcons signed return specialist Devin Hester to a three-year contract.
• The Texans signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a two-year pact.
• The Steelers signed receiver Lance Moore to a two-year contract.
• The Jets signed quarterback Michael Vick to a one-year deal.

Trades:

• The Raiders acquired quarterback Matt Schaub from the Texans in exchange for a 2014 sixth-round-pick.
• The Ravens acquired center Jeremy Zuttah from the Buccaneers in exchange for a 2015 mid-round-pick.

Released:

• Receiver Earl Bennett (link)
• Quarterback Mark Sanchez (link)

Retirements:

• Cornerback Chris Carr (link)
• Quarterback Greg McElroy (link)

Other:

• Free agent offensive tackle Eric Winston was elected president of the NFL Players Association.

The onset of free agency brought a flurry of news this past week:

• The Jets released receiver Santonio Holmes.
• Defensive end, Michael Bennett, perhaps the top free agent available, re-signed with the Seahawks.
• The Dolphins signed safety Louis Delmas.
• Veteran cornerback Carlos Rogers was released by the 49ers.
• Slot receiver Andre Roberts agreed to a four-year deal with the Redskins.
• Offensive guard Jon Asamoah struck a deal with the Falcons.
• The Buccaneers signed defensive end Michael Johnson to a five-year contract.
• Longtime Texans tight end Owen Daniels was released by the team.
• Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux re-signed with the Falcons.
• The Browns signed linebacker Karlos Dansby to a four-year deal.
• The Falcons released safety Thomas DeCoud.
• The Browns signed safety Donte Whitner to a four-year contract.
• Receiver/special teamer Dexter McCluster signed with the Titans.
• The Ravens re-signed offensive tackle Eugene Monroe.
• Cornerback Vontae Davis re-signed with the Colts on a four-year pact.
• The Eagles added to their defensive backfield by signing safety Malcolm Jenkins.
• Safety T.J. Ward signed on with the Broncos.
• The Raiders re-signed running back Darren McFadden to a one-year deal.
• Safety Mike Mitchell signed with the Steelers.
• The Bears signed defensive end Lamarr Houston to a five-year contract.
• The Falcons bolstered their defensive line by signing defensive lineman Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson.
• The Browns signed Bengals restricted free agent wide receiver Andrew Hawkins to an offers sheet which the Bengals are unlikely to match.
• The oft-rumored deal between offensive tackle Branden Albert and the Dolphins officially came to fruition.
• The Colts signed defensive lineman Arthur Jones to a five-year deal.
• Cornerback Aqib Talib signed with the Broncos.
• Running back Donald Brown signed with the Chargers.
• Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell agreed to a deal with the Dolphins.
• The Buccaneers signed quarterback Josh McCown, and coach Lovie Smith immediately named him the starter.
• The Giants and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz agreed to a deal.
• Defensive tackle Randy Starks re-signed with the Dolphins.
• The Browns released former first-round quarterback Brandon Weeden.
• The 49ers signed safety Antoine Bethea to replace Donte Whitner.
• The Lions signed receiver Golden Tate to start opposite Calvin Johnson.
• Running back Rashad Jennings agreed to a pact with the Giants.
• Receiver Jacoby Jones re-signed with the Ravens.
• The Buccaneers signed cornerback Alterraun Verner.
• The Jaguars signed running back Toby Gerhart.
• Cornerback Corey Graham agreed to a four-year deal with the Bills.
• The Broncos signed veteran linebacker DeMarcus Ware to a three-year contract.
• The Saints signed safety Jairus Byrd to a six-year pact.
• Offensive tackle Austin Howard signed a five-year deal with the Raiders.
• The Cardinals signed offensive tackle Jared Veldheer.
• Defensive tackle Linval Joseph signed with the Vikings.
• The Eagles acquired running back Darren Sproles from the Saints in exchange for a fifth-round-pick.
• The Buccaneers signed offensive tackle Anthony Collins to five-year deal.
• Receiver Eric Decker agreed to a deal with the Jets.
• The Patriots signed cornerback Darrelle Revis to a one-year contract.
• Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork asked the Patriots for his release.
• The Raiders signed defensive lineman Justin Tuck to a two-year pact.
• Defensive lineman Ziggy Hood signed with the Jaguars.
• The Jaguars signed defensive end Chris Clemons.
• Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold agreed to re-sign with the Rams after his contract with the Raiders fell through.
• The Vikings signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
• Defensive lineman LaMarr Woodley agreed to a two-year deal with the Raiders.
• The 49ers acquired offensive tackle Jonathan Martin from the Dolphins.
• Receiver Ted Ginn signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals.
• The Titans signed linebacker Wesley Woodyard.
• Tight end Brandon Pettigrew re-signed with the Lions on a four-year deal.
• Linebacker Daryl Smith returned to the Ravens on a four-year pact.
• The Redskins signed defensive lineman Jason Hatcher.
• The Giants re-signed linebacker Jon Beason.
• Center Evan Dietrich-Smith signed with the Buccaneers.
• The Jets signed offensive tackle Breno Giacomini.
• Veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins.
• The Bears brought back cornerback Charles Tillman on a one-year contract.
• Receiver Steve Smith signed a three-year pact with the Ravens.
• Defensive lineman B.J. Raji re-signed with the Packers.
• The Titans signed offensive lineman Michael Oher.
• Receiver Hakeem Nicks signed a one-year deal with the Colts.
• The Bills signed linebacker Brandon Spikes.
• Defensive lineman Julius Peppers signed with the Packers.
• The Patriots signed cornerback Brandon Browner to a three-year contract.
• The Patriots also re-signed receiver Julian Edelman.
• Running back Ben Tate signed with the Browns.
• Receiver Brandon LaFell agreed to a three-year deal with the Patriots.
• The Broncos signed receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

You can view the rest of the week’s many moves at the PFR Transactions Page.