2015 March - Pro Football Rumors

Chargers Sign Jimmy Wilson

March 13th, 2015 at 8:23pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

8:23pm: Wilson’s deal is worth $4.85MM, per Salguero (Twitter link).

6:59pm: The Chargers have signed free agent defensive back Jimmy Wilson to a two-year contract, the team announced (via Twitter). Financial terms of the deal have not yet been reported.

Wilson, 28, spent the first four years of his career in Miami. As recently as Wednesday, the Dolphins were in talks with Wilson’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in hopes of retaining him, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweeted.

Wilson appeared in 60 games as a Dolphin and intercepted four passes. He totaled just eight starts during his first three seasons before amassing a career-high 13 in 2014. Eight of those starts came at cornerback, while the other five were from the safety position. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t impressed with Wilson’s work as a corner last year, ranking him 94th out of 108 qualifiers. However, the site rated him a far better 34th out of 87 safeties.

Wilson will add depth and versatility to a Chargers defense that finished fourth against the pass in 2014. However, San Diego has already lost safety Marcus Gilchrist to free agency this year and could also see cornerback Shareece Wright depart.

Raiders Sign Dan Williams, Curtis Lofton

March 13th, 2015 at 7:26pm CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 13: Lofton’s deal is for three years and carries a total value of $18MM ($10MM in guarantees), according to ESPN’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter). Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweeted earlier Friday that Williams’ contract is worth $25MM over four years. It includes $15.5MM in guarantees.

MARCH 11: The Raiders missed out on a few of their top targets in the early wave of free agency over the weekend, but the team is poised to add two solid defenders to its roster, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports. According to Wright (Twitter link), the Raiders are signing defensive tackle Dan Williams and linebacker Curtis Lofton. The terms of the deals are not yet known.

Lofton, 28, was one of the most dependable and durable pieces on the Saints’ defense in recent years, starting all 48 regular season contests for the team since arriving in New Orleans in 2012. In 2014, he racked up 145 tackles to go along with a forced fumble. However, while his stats looked solid on the surface, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him as a bottom-five inside linebacker, out of 60 qualified players. Money was tight for New Orleans and Lofton no longer looked like he was worth his salary, so the Saints cut him loose earlier this week.

The Raiders were heavily connected to Terrance Knighton, one of the top defensive tackles on the open market this offseason, but they turned their attention to Williams once their appetite for Pot Roast had waned. We learned Tuesday afternoon that Williams had a deal in place with a team, and we now know that his home will be with the Raiders. Williams was also linked to the Lions, Giants, and Washington at different points in recent days. The 27-year-old Williams, who ranked as the No. 33 free agent on PFR’s Top 50 list, has started 40 games in his five-year career, all with the Cardinals, who selected him in the first round of the 2010 draft.

Broncos To Sign Shelley Smith

March 13th, 2015 at 5:57pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Broncos have agreed to a deal with free agent guard Shelley Smith. It’s a two-year pact worth $5.65MM, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

Miami released the 27-year-old Smith on Tuesday, but he wasn’t on the market for long. The four-year veteran appeared in 11 games for the Dolphins last season and started three. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 54th out of 78 qualifying guards for his 2014 performance.

Smith, who has made 40 appearances and 13 starts as a member of three different organizations during his career, will join a Denver team that lost starting left guard Orlando Franklin to the Chargers via free agency earlier this week. According to Mike Kils of the Denver Post (via Twitter), Smith will compete with Ben Garland for the spot Franklin vacated.

Patriots Eyeing Stevie Johnson

March 13th, 2015 at 5:44pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Patriots have addressed their receiving corps in multiple ways this week, first signing free agent Brandon Gibson and then restructuring the contract of Danny Amendola. Now they might do something more significant at the position. Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4 tweets that the Pats are “targeting” free agent Stevie Johnson, whom the 49ers released Wednesday.

New England is familiar with Johnson, who spent the first six years of his career with AFC East rival Buffalo. The 28-year-old impressed as a member of the Bills from 2008-13, racking up three different seasons of 70-plus catches and over 1,000 yards. The Bills traded him to San Francisco last offseason and he wasn’t nearly as successful as a 49er, for whom he totaled just 35 catches in 13 games.

If Johnson lands with the Patriots, he’ll join a receiving corps that already includes Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Amendola and Gibson. Edelman and LaFell had far more productive 2014 campaigns than Johnson, whose numbers were more in line with the unspectacular ones amassed by Amendola and Gibson. Nevertheless, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Johnson a terrific 22nd out of 110 qualifying wideouts last season.

Minor Moves: Friday

March 13th, 2015 at 5:07pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Today’s minor moves…

The Jaguars have signed return specialist Bryan Walters, according to the team’s official website. The 27-year-old spent last season with the Seahawks and is hoping to earn a chance as a slot receiver. He may get that opportunity in Jacksonville, per John Oehser of Jaguars.com.
Washington re-signed cornerback Justin Rogers, the team tweeted. Rogers appeared in Washington’s final three games last season. He spent the first three years of his career in Buffalo (2011-13), where he played 34 games and totaled three interceptions.
Fullback Ray Agnew tweeted that he’s joining the Cowboys. The 24-year-old Agnew’s only NFL experience came last season in Cleveland, with which he appeared in 12 games.
Cornerback James Dockery has officially signed with the Raiders (via Instagram). The four-year veteran will join his third NFL team. He was previously with the Browns and Panthers, having spent the last three seasons with the latter. His career includes 39 appearances and 31 tackles.

Contract Details: Orakpo, D. Williams, Allen

March 13th, 2015 at 5:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are some key details on some of the notable contracts agreed to or signed by free agents this week:

Brian Orakpo, OLB (Titans): Four years, $31MM base value. $8.5MM fully guaranteeed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
Dan Williams, DT (Raiders): Four years, $25MM base value. $15.2MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
Nate Allen, S (Raiders): Four years, $23MM base value. $6.9MM fully guaranteed (Twitter links via Wilson)
Lance Kendricks, TE (Rams): Four years, $18.5MM base value. $6.75MM fully guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson).
Malcolm Smith, LB (Raiders): Two years, $7MM base value. $3.75MM fully guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
Blaine Gabbert, QB (49ers): Two years, $4MM base value. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Henry Melton, DT (Buccaneers): One year, $3.75MM base value. $3.25MM fully guaranteed. $1.25MM available in incentives (Twitter link via Pelissero).
Adrian Clayborn, DE (Falcons): One year, $3MM base value. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM available in incentives (Twitter links via Wilson).

NFC Notes: Housler, Barksdale, Wright

March 13th, 2015 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Cardinals tight end Rob Housler visited the Falcons, ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure pointed out on Twitter. Although benched in favor of 2014 free agent acquisition John Carlson, Housler, with a 4.46 40-yard dash to his credit, was serviceable as a part-time starter in 2012 and 2013 and could be an upgrade in Atlanta.

The former Florida Atlantic talent would join a corps fronted by Levine Toilolo, who Pro Football Focus rated as its fourth-worst tight end last season (subscription required) in his bid to replace Tony Gonzalez.

In other news as the second wave of free agency persists …

Bruce Arians told radio station 97.5 TheFanatic he’s excited to venture into draft preparations without any actual needs, per a tweet from ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss. Most notably, the Cardinals fortified their offensive front with premier guard Mike Iupati and underrated center A.Q. Shipley and brought in second-level defensive help in linebackers Sean Weatherspoon and LaMarr Woodley.
The Rams‘ push to retain Joe Barksdale remains pertinent with some teams calling him the best right tackle left, ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets. Of course, the LSU product’s decision may linger with his wedding set for tomorrow, relays ESPN Rams beat man Adam Wagoner via Twitter.
Lance Kendricks‘ decision to sign a second contract with the Rams, a four-year, $18.5MM accord, featured a Falcons bid reportedly higher, adds Wagoner on Twitter. This could be good news for Housler.
After losing Chris Culliver to Washington earlier today, the 49ers are hosting Shareece Wright on a visit with “lots of mutual interest,” notes NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter. A soon-to-be 28-year-old corner coming off two seasons as a starter for the Chargers, Wright has interest from three other teams, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken reported on Twitter.
The Texans‘ acquisition of ex-Broncos free safety Rahim Moore didn’t come without a fight from the Vikings, ESPN1500 Twin Cities reporter Darren Wolfson notes (Twitter link). Moore requested more money from the Vikings than the Texans had to bid, and Minnesota wouldn’t oblige.

Chiefs Re-Sign Jason Avant, Two Others

March 13th, 2015 at 4:47pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs have re-signed three players who finished the 2014 season with the team, according to a press release. The club announced that wide receiver Jason Avant, tight end Richard Gordon, and safety Kelcie McCray will all be returning to Kansas City.

Avant, who turns 32 next month, joined the Chiefs late last season after being cut by the Panthers, and grabbed 13 balls for 152 yards in his five games with the club. He’ll reunite with Jeremy Maclin, his old Eagles teammate, under Andy Reid in Kansas City this season.

Gordon also joined the Chiefs late in the season, playing 17 offensive snaps for the team over the last two weeks of the year. He also saw a little time on special teams, though not nearly as much as McCray, who logged nine tackles in kick and punt coverage for the Chiefs.

Steelers Sign DeAngelo Williams

March 13th, 2015 at 4:44pm CST by Luke Adams

4:44pm: It’s a two-year deal for Williams and the Steelers, the team announced (via Twitter).

3:23pm: After paying a visit to the team’s facility today, running back DeAngelo Williams will sign a new contract with the Steelers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported (via Twitter) that it looked as if the two sides would strike a deal, and the veteran back himself has since tweeted about his new team as well, assuring his followers that he has plenty of gas left in the tank.

Williams, a former first-round pick, is coming off the worst season of his career, one marred by injuries. The 31-year-old played only six games for the Panthers, and wasn’t productive when he did play, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry on 62 total attempts. Carolina had been on track to head into the 2015 league year with three running backs among their top 10 cap numbers — Jonathan Stewart, Williams, and Mike Tolbert counted for about $18MM combined, so it came as no surprise when the club decided to part ways with Williams, a longtime Panther.

For the Steelers, Williams certainly won’t be asked to carry the load — that task will fall to Le’Veon Bell, the AFC’s leading rusher in 2014. Williams figures to have the inside track on the backup role in Pittsburgh, with Dri Archer serving as a change of pace and all-purpose weapon.

Reactions To Kenny Stills Trade

March 13th, 2015 at 4:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the Dolphins acquired promising young wide receiver Kenny Stills from the Saints in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick. Here’s a look at some of the latest reaction and fallout:

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) heard that Saints brass had soured on Stills, prompting the trade. Many teams were surprised that he was being shopped given that his contract was so inexpensive, but that might help to explain it. Meanwhile, the Saints are looking to load up on draft picks.
Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) heard that quarterback Drew Brees was not happy with Stills or Ben Grubbs, so it’s no coincidence that they’ve both been shipped out.
According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter), there were questions in New Orleans about Stills’ work ethic, and he apparently enjoys the nightlife quite a bit.
The Saints are telling their traded players that they’re going all in to build a quality defense, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. New Orleans now has two first-round picks, a second-round choice, and two third-round picks to work with. Even with Rob Ryan at the helm, the Saints’ defense was a major disappointment in 2014.
Miller (on Twitter) doesn’t necessarily like that approach, and he notes that the Saints are loading up on draft picks in what projects to be a very average draft class. Still, the strongest position in this draft is wide receiver, so the Saints may feel that they can replace Stills with one of their many picks (link).