2014 February - Pro Football Rumors

Dolphins Gauged Dion Jordan’s Trade Value?

February 28th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

4:08pm: Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald hears from a Dolphins source that the team is not shopping Jordan or attempting to gauge his trade value. If the Dolphins ever considered dealing Jordan, it seems as if they’ve moved away from that idea at this point.

1:47pm: Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 also heard Miami was exploring potential Jordan trades, but adds that the team has since told the defensive end he’s not going anywhere (Twitter links). Perhaps the Dolphins were unimpressed with what they heard when they were gauging Jordan’s value, though Garafolo as notes (via Twitter), the club’s dismissal of the rumors doesn’t necessarily close the door on the possibility of a trade.

1:24pm: The Dolphins have been gauging the potential trade value of defensive end Dion Jordan, league sources tell Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Less than a year ago, the team traded up to the third overall pick in the draft to nab Jordan.

Jordan, who turns 24 next week, appeared in all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2013, but was just a part-time player, seeing action in 339 overall snaps. The Oregon product recorded a pair of sacks and graded around the middle of the pack among 4-3 defensive ends, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

While it’s a little surprising that the Dolphins already seem to be considering trade options for Jordan, the club has numerous holes to fill this offseason, including several on an offensive line that will be almost entirely overhauled. There may also be some concerns about Miami’s appeal to free agents, given last year’s bullying scandal and a lengthy GM search in which potential candidates reportedly questioned the structure of the front office. On top of all that, it was the previous regime, led by Jeff Ireland, that traded the team’s 12th and 42nd picks in 2013 to move up to No. 3. So if the Dolphins could add multiple draft picks or young players for Jordan, a deal might make sense.

As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, the Eagles will likely be mentioned as a potential destination due to Jordan’s history with former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. However, despite the obvious fit, a trade would still be difficult to pull off (Twitter links).

Dolphins Deny Shopping Wallace, Wake

February 28th, 2014 at 4:06pm CST by Luke Adams

4:06pm: Speaking to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, a Dolphins source strongly denied that the team is open to trading Wallace and Wake. As was the case with the team’s dismissal of the Jordan trade talk earlier, I don’t think this necessarily rules out the possibility of a deal. Still, a trade isn’t likely, and if there were any discussions, Miami’s new regime may have just been doing due diligence to gauge the value of its current assets

2:23pm: In addition to exploring the trade value of last year’s No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan, the Dolphins may also be putting out feelers on potential deals involving wide receiver Mike Wallace and defensive end Cameron Wake. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com hears from numerous league sources that Miami might be open to moving both Wallace and Wake, adding that that perception has only grown within the last week or so.

As I noted when La Canfora first reported the trade rumblings involving Jordan, there are plenty of reasons why the Dolphins might dangle players as trade chips. The team has many holes to fill, including several on the offensive line, and a new decision-making group is in place this offseason, led by recently hired GM Dennis Hickey. Still, Wake is one of the league’s top pass-rushers, and Jordan and Wallace were Miami’s two big offseason additions just a year ago. I’d be somewhat surprised if the Dolphins moved any of them in the coming weeks, though La Canfora hears from sources close to all three players that they wouldn’t be shocked by a trade.

Wallace and Wake are both under contract for several more seasons – Wallace through 2017 and Wake through 2016 – and their deals would make it tricky to find a trade partner. Presumably, in any swap, the Dolphins would be looking to add draft picks and perhaps move up in the first round, as well as creating additional cap flexibility. La Canfora writes that adding an elite tackle will be a priority for the club in either the draft or free agency.

Panthers Use Franchise Tag On Greg Hardy

February 28th, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

3:52pm: The Panthers have officially placed the franchise tag on Hardy, according to a team release.

“The franchise mechanism gives us time to secure the services of a very good player while we continue to look at the future of Greg with the Carolina Panthers,” GM Dave Gettleman said in a statement. “We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together.”

3:01pm: The Panthers have notified defensive end Greg Hardy that they’ll use the franchise tag on him prior to Monday’s deadline, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). The designation will keep Hardy from becoming an unrestricted free agent if the two sides haven’t reached a longer-term agreement by March 11.

Hardy, considered one of the top free agents available this offseason, if not the very best, has been engaged in talks with the Panthers about a long-term deal, and those talks will to continue, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Last month, Hardy expressed a willingness to give the team a “small” discount, but it will still take a significant commitment to keep him in Carolina on a multiyear deal.

The 25-year-old has racked up 26 total sacks in the last two seasons, and ranked as the third-best and sixth-best 4-3 defensive end in those two years, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Charles Johnson is on a six-year contract with the Panthers worth $76MM, and it wouldn’t be surprise if Hardy’s price tag approaches that neighborhood.

With Monday’s deadline looming, teams are starting to make decisions on their franchise players. Besides Hardy, Jimmy Graham is on track to be designated as a franchise player by the Saints, and kicker Nick Folk has already received the Jets’ tag.

Cowboys Release Everette Brown

February 28th, 2014 at 3:44pm CST by Luke Adams

3:44pm: The Cowboys have officially released Brown, the team announced in a press release.

1:36pm: The Cowboys will release defensive lineman Everette Brown, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). While the move won’t leave any dead money on the Cowboys’ cap, the savings will be minimal, since Brown had been slated to earn the minimum salary ($730K).

Brown, a former second-round pick, saw 159 snaps for the Cowboys in 2013 as a backup defensive end. The 26-year-old Florida State product recorded one sack and forced a fumble in his seven regular-season contests with the team.

While every little bit of flexibility will come in handy for the Cowboys this offseason, this move will be one of the team’s more minor cap-saving maneuvers. Dallas will create $235K of cap savings with Brown’s release.

Cowboys Cut Olson, Dominguez, Irvin

February 28th, 2014 at 3:44pm CST by Luke Adams

3:44pm: The Cowboys have made the cuts official, according to a press release from the team.

2:34pm: Earlier this afternoon, we heard that the Cowboys were set to release defensive end Everette Brown. Now, Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com adds three more names to the team’s list of cuts. According to Watkins (via Twitter), the Cowboys will release offensive linemen Jeff Olson and Ray Dominguez, along with defensive tackle Corvey Irvin.

Like Brown, none of these three players were set to earn more than the minimum salary in 2014. Olson, Dominguez, and Irvin also don’t have any prorated bonuses that will count against the cap, so waiving them will wipe their entire cap numbers from the Cowboys’ books. Given how small those cap hits were though, the combined savings of the four cuts will total less than $1MM.

Of the three players, only Irvin saw real action for the Cowboys in 2013, playing 119 snaps for the club over the final six weeks of the season.

Cardinals Cut Jasper Brinkley

February 28th, 2014 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cardinals have made a cap casualty out of Jasper Brinkley, releasing the veteran linebacker today, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). Brinkley’s cap number of $2.2MM will be reduced to $200K in dead money, saving Arizona $2MM on the 2014 cap.

Brinkley, 28, spent one season with the Cardinals after starting his NFL career with the Vikings. As a full-time starter in Minnesota in 2012, Brinkley ranked among the worst inside linebackers in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In part-time action for Arizona this past season, he received better grades, particularly as a run-stopper, but he was too expensive for the Cardinals to keep around as a bench player.

As a five-year veteran, Brinkley will immediately become an unrestricted free agent without having to pass through waivers. He’ll be able to sign with another team prior to March 11.

Jets Use Franchise Tag On Nick Folk

February 28th, 2014 at 3:11pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jets have officially placed their franchise tag on Nick Folk, the team announced today in a press release. The exact franchise figure for kickers isn’t known yet, but it figures to be in the neighborhood of $3.4MM. That would represent a sizable raise for Folk, who earned $780K in 2013.

In addition to making all 27 of his extra-point tries in 2013, Folk converted on 33 of 36 field goal attempts, including three game-winners. His 91.7% rate for the season was a career-high, and the first time since 2008 that his conversion rate was higher than 80%.

As Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News points out (via Twitter), no kickers received the franchise tag a year ago, but five kickers were designated as franchise players in 2012. The tag can be appealing for teams with free agent kickers, since the salary is so modest.

Seahawks Release Sidney Rice

February 28th, 2014 at 3:07pm CST by Zachary Links

FEBRUARY 28: Rice has officially been released by the Seahawks, the team announced today (Twitter link).

FEBRUARY 21: The Seahawks are releasing Sidney Rice, a league source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The wide receiver signed a five-year, $41MM contract in July 2011. Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com (via Twitter) estimates that parting ways with Rice will give the Seahawks an extra $7.3MM in cap space.

Rice, 27, missed eight games this past season due to injury, a common theme throughout his career. The veteran tallied just 15 receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns before an ACL tear ended his campaign in late October. Rice’s medical records also include a serious hip injury and multiple concussions.

It’s possible that the Seahawks will redirect the savings on Rice’s contract towards re-signing fellow wide receiver Golden Tate, who has expressed willingness to take a hometown discount to stay in Seattle. Defensive end Michael Bennett is also hitting free agency this offseason and the club may also look to hammer out extensions with cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas.

Seahawks Release Red Bryant

February 28th, 2014 at 3:05pm CST by Rob DiRe

FEBRUARY 28: The Seahawks have officially released Bryant, the team announced today (Twitter link).

FEBRUARY 23: The Seahawks are planning to release defensive lineman Red Bryant in order to free up cap space for unrestricted free agent Michael Bennett, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).

According to OverTheCap.com, cutting Bryant would create $5.5MM in cap savings in 2014.

Bennett was a huge part of the Seahawks Super Bowl winning defense. He was set to hit free agency as one of the most prominent pass rushers available, after signing a one-year deal to play with the Seahawks last season. The team released Sidney Rice earlier this week in hopes to free up cap space as well.

Bennett has been expected to be re-signed by the Seahawks, and expressed interest in returning to the team on a long-term contract. At the same time, he indicated that he would not be giving the team a hometown discount, saying there is “no such thing as a discount” in the NFL.

General manager John Schneider has singled out Bennett as a priority this offseason.

Eagles Re-Sign Maclin To One-Year Deal

February 28th, 2014 at 2:40pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles and Jeremy Maclin have reached an agreement on a one-year, $5.5MM contract, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). It’s the latest in a series of new deals for Eagles players, on the heels of multiyear contracts for offensive linemen Jason Peters and Jason Kelce and wide reciever Riley Cooper. The team has confirmed the agreement, which could be worth up to $6MM, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 (Twitter link). $3.5MM of that figure is guaranteed, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

“Jeremy is an ideal player for our scheme with his combination of size, speed, strength and route-running ability, in addition to his dynamic playmaking talent,” Eagles GM Howie Roseman said in a statement. “We’re happy to see him rehabbing well and to get him under contract for the 2014 season.”

When the Eagles re-signed Cooper, a report suggested that a new deal for Maclin was expected as well. However, we heard yesterday that Maclin was seeking a one-year, make-good contract, while the team preferred a multiyear pact. By the looks of it, the Eagles relented, which will allow the former first-round pick to hit the open market a year from now, if he so chooses.

Maclin, 25, grabbed between 56 and 70 balls for the Eagles in each of his first four seasons, with 26 total touchdowns. However, he suffered a torn ACL in training camp in 2013, sidelining him for the season and derailing his chances of putting up big numbers in a contract year. By inking a one-year deal, Maclin, who should be healthy for the 2014 season, will get a chance to be a part of Chip Kelly‘s explosive offense — a return to his usual form could result in more lucrative multiyear offers for Maclin next winter.

The Eagles’ agreement with Maclin takes another top-tier receiver off the 2014 market. The Jets and Broncos were among the teams prepared to make a run at the Missouri alum, according to Schefter (Twitter link). Now, those clubs will have to look elsewhere in a free agent class that could feature Eric Decker, Julian Edelman, Hakeem Nicks, Golden Tate, and Emmanuel Sanders, among others.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.