2014 May - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Raiders, Romo, Pats, Cowboys

May 14th, 2014 at 9:45pm CST by Zachary Links

Jack Bechta of the National Football Post is sick and tired of seeing people talk about players “slipping” and teams “reaching” for certain guys. In reality, there is no such thing as “slips and reaches” in the draft, since players go to the team that wants and needs them at a certain pick. There was a lot of talk about the supposed slides of Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater, but Bechta doesn’t think much of it. Here’s more from around the NFL..

The Raiders‘ draft class has real potential, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. While some have been critical of Oakland for not addressing their wide receiver need, Bair praises GM Reggie McKenzie for sticking to his board and getting the best player available. The Raiders could have taken an impact WR at No. 36, for example, but they went for Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr instead.
With talk about whether the Cowboys should draft a quarterback to eventually replace Tony Romo so prevalent, executive vice president Stephen Jones said he wanted to remind Romo about the team’s commitment to him by not taking a QB in the draft, writes ESPN.com’s Calvin Watkins. For his part, Romo’s confidence never wavered. “We did it, everybody had a visit with him along the way,” Jones told SiriusXM. “Jerry [Jones, Cowboys owner/GM] included, myself included, and told him how this is his football team and how much we think of him and with all the rumors flying around not to pay attention to that. His response is, as you might expect from Tony, it was ‘Well if you decide to, it ain’t going to matter, there’s not anybody out there that can beat me out.”
Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com wonders if the Patriots will hit with undrafted free agent Asa Watson. The North Carolina State tight end, who is the younger brother of former Pats first-rounder Ben Watson, has skill but has been hampered by a heart condition in recent years.
Many have been critical of the Cowboys‘ pick of Anthony Hitchens out of Iowa, but Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News defends Dallas’ pick. The main knock on Hitchens is his height (6’0″), but the linebacker can succeed in a Tampa 2 scheme.

NFC West Rumors: Sam, Crabtree, Williams

May 14th, 2014 at 8:42pm CST by Zachary Links

The Oprah Winfrey Network announced today (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk) that it is working with Rams draft pick Michael Sam on a reality TV project that will show his life as the first openly gay player in the NFL. The Rams have met with the OWN people about the show over the last few days, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network, and there won’t be Hard Knocks-type access for the program. The Rams, he tweets, want to treat Sam like any other seventh-round pick, so accommodating the show wouldn’t be a part of that. Tonight’s look at the NFC West..

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com looks at the 49ers‘ draft and the needs that were filled. Maiocco also touches on what the arrival of Stevie Johnson could mean for Michael Crabtree, who can hit the open market after this season.
Maiocco (on Twitter) notes that the 49ers have had 12 quarterbacks under contract since 2011 but only three have attempted passes in the regular season. Earlier today, San Francisco added another QB to their stable when they inked Josh Johnson.
The 49ers cut defensive tackle Christian Tupou, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The defensive end out of USC has been previously under contract with the Colts and Bears. Tupou was displaced today to make room for Johnson.
Ryan Williams was caught off guard when the Cardinals released him on Monday, writes Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Williams, who has struggled with knee issues, didn’t dress or see the field in 2013.

AFC South Rumors: Johnson, Titans, Texans

May 14th, 2014 at 7:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Andre Johnson is unhappy with the Texans, but he isn’t going anywhere, asserts John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Some have wondered if Johnson will get traded or might even retire, but McClain is confident that they’ll get things hammered out with the wide receiver like they always do. Johnson recently opened up to reporters about his frustrations and openly wondered about his future, but his sizable contract makes a trade rather difficult. Here’s more from the AFC South..

Titans GM Ruston Webster said today (via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com on Twitter) that he expected to get more calls about trading his No. 11 pick. He also added that he didn’t get an offer from the trade-happy Browns for the selection.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has already spoken to Johnson, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. O’Brien says that he thinks highly of Johnson and believes that he’s a great fit for the offense.
Maggie Hendricks of USA Today doesn’t fault Johnson for being unhappy with the Texans. Johnson, she points out, has been the teams top receiver for the last eleven years, with the exception of his injury-shortened 2011. Despite his individual performance, Johnson has yet to get near a Super Bowl ring.

Draft Signings: Reaser, Chiefs, Packers

May 14th, 2014 at 7:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a rundown of tonight’s draft signings from rounds 3-7. For a look at the signings that went down earlier today, check out our previous post..

The 49ers have signed fifth-round pick Keith Reaser, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The cornerback out of Florida Atlantic might have gone higher if he hadn’t suffered a torn ACL last October. Despite not being able to compete in on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, Reaser put up 22 reps of the 225-pound bench press.
The Chiefs signed sixth-round offensive tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). After Tennessee guard Zach Fulton agreed to terms yesterday, Duvernay-Tardif became the second KC rookie to sign. The 6’5″ offensive tackle out of McGill in Canada was the 200th overall pick and looks to be competing for the Chiefs swing tackle spot with starters Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson already on either side.
The Packers have signed seventh-round pick Jeff Janis, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Press-Gazette (on Twitter). The receiver out of Saginaw Valley State was the third wideout taken by Green Bay in the draft.

49ers Sign Josh Johnson

May 14th, 2014 at 6:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers announced that they have signed quarterback Josh Johnson to a one-year deal, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The Bengals released Johnson earlier this week after taking A.J. McCarron in the draft.

Johnson, who turns 28 tomorrow, made five starts for the Buccaneers between 2009 and 2011. Since then, the 6’3″ quarterback spent a season each with the Browns and Bengals. Johnson played for San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, which presumably played a role in the deal.

Johnson signed a two-year deal with the 49ers in March of 2012 but was unable to make the 53-man roster. The QB will hope for a better outcome this time and an opportunity to help support starter Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers traded for former top-10 pick Blaine Gabbert this offseason while McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Kory Faulkner are also under contract, so Johnson will have his work cut out for him.

East Rumors: Jets, Wilkerson, Austin, Pats

May 14th, 2014 at 6:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Jets cornerback (and scout) Aaron Glenn is heading to the Browns to serve as their assistant defensive backs coach, according to Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. In 2013, Glenn became a college scout for the Jets and was the area scout for second-round selection tight end Jace Amaro.

Muhammad Wilkerson still wants a new deal but he’s in no rush for it, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. “I would like a deal, but when it happens, it happens,” the Jets‘ defensive lineman said. “I’m not saying I want it to be before the regular season. When it happens, it happens. I’m going to come in and work hard and take every day like I always do.”
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett says that wide receiver Miles Austin is “absolutely” a possibility to come back to the team, writes Rowan Kavner of DallasCowboys.com. However, the fifth-round selection of Devin Street may make the Cowboys comfortable with what they’ve got. Dallas designated Austin as a post-June 1 cut to free up $5.5MM on the salary cap in 2014. Austin was a 1,000-yard receiver twice, catching 81 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009 and 69 passes for 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns 2010, but he has been marred by hamstring issues ever since.
Jimmy Garoppolo may eventually have the difficult task of replacing Tom Brady in New England, but he says he hasn’t given that much thought, writes Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union. Belichick, meanwhile, has thought about it a great deal and says that the pick made sense given Brady’s age and Ryan Mallett‘s impending free agency.

Minor Moves: Saints, Cardinals, Packers

May 14th, 2014 at 4:35pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up today’s minor transactions below, including waiver claims and signings and cuts of players who don’t have much NFL experience. Any additional moves will be added to the top of the page throughout the evening:

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the Saints have signed offensive lineman Manase Foketi, who went undrafted out of West Texas A&M a year ago. Foketi signed with the Broncos last April and joined the Bills’ practice squad during the season.
The Cardinals have waived wide receiver Javone Lawson with a non-football injury designation, tweets Wilson.
Cornerback James Nixon has been cut by the Packers with a failed physical designation, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter).
Josh Samuda, who was cut by the Vikings yesterday, was done so with the failed physical designation and moved to injured reserve today, tweets Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.

Earlier updates:

The Raiders have waived safety Tony Dye, linebacker Eric Harper and defensive end Chris McCoy, according to the team (via Twitter). Like the Texans (mentioned below), Oakland appears to finally be gearing up to announce its UDFA signings.
The Texans have yet to announce their undrafted free agent class, but it looks like they’re preparing to do so, having made a series of cuts today. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), the team has parted ways with running back Ray Graham, tight end Phillip Supernaw, wideout Rico Richardson, cornerback Loyce Means, fullback Chad Spann and safety Steven Terrell. Graham had four carries and a reception for the Texans last season.
The Buccaneers have re-signed long snapper Andrew DePaola and cut cornerback Anthony Gaitor, tweets Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Neither player saw any regular-season action for the team in 2013.
Cut by the Bills earlier this week, offensive lineman Jamaal Johnson-Webb has been claimed off waivers by the Giants, the club announced today (via Twitter). It’s been a whirlwind year for the Alabama A&M product, who has also spent time on the Cardinals’, Bills’, and Bears’ rosters or practice squads since going undrafted last April.

Bears, Kyle Fuller Agree To Terms

May 14th, 2014 at 4:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears continue to lock up their 2014 draft picks faster than any other team in the league, becoming the first club to reach an agreement with a first-rounder. According to the team (via Twitter), Chicago and cornerback Kyle Fuller have agreed to terms on a four-year contract, which includes a fifth-year club option.

Fuller, the 14th overall pick in the draft, should be in line for a signing bonus worth about $5.365MM, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, who projects the overall four-year value of the corner’s contract at $9.687MM.

The Bears now have just one draftee left to sign, having locked up all their picks except for Arizona State’s Will Sutton. I’d expect the club to announce a deal for Sutton within the next few days.

Ravens Sign Three Draftees

May 14th, 2014 at 3:16pm CST by Luke Adams

In addition to reportedly locking up seventh-round pick Michael Campanaro, the Ravens have officially signed three more draftees, according to Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com. Mink writes that third-round tight end Crockett Gillmore, fifth-round guard John Urschel, and sixth-round quarterback Keith Wenning are now under contract with the club.

According to Jason Fitzgerald’s estimates at Over The Cap, Gillmore should receive a signing bonus of about $506K, Urschel’s bonus should be about $145K, and Wenning’s should be worth about $104K. With the trio, plus Campanaro, under contract, the Ravens have five remaining draft picks to address, including first-round pick C.J. Mosley.

You can keep track of all this year’s draft pick signings right here.

Chargers Sign Four Draft Picks

May 14th, 2014 at 2:59pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers had one of this year’s smaller draft classes, with just six picks, and the team has already been busy locking up most of them. According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter), the team signed four picks today. In addition to inking guard Chris Watt to a contract, which we heard about earlier, San Diego also signed fifth-round pick Ryan Carrethers, sixth-rounder Marion Grice, and seventh-rounder Tevin Reese.

When Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported Watt’s deal this afternoon, he suggested the third-rounder agreed to a $419K bonus and a $2.691MM overall value. That’s noticeably lower than the figures Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap predicted, and Fitzgerald has been on point with most of his other projections, so we’ll have to wait for confirmation on that amount. Assuming Fitzgerald’s other numbers are accurate though, Carrethers, Grice, and Reese should be in line for signing bonuses worth about $179K, $99K, and $49K respectively.

With four of their six draftees now under contract, the Chargers can shift their attention to signing first-round cornerback Jason Verrett and second-round linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu. To keep tabs on all of this year’s draft pick signings, you can use this page, which will be consistently updated over the next few weeks.