2015 April - Pro Football Rumors

Michael Crabtree Signs With Raiders

April 13th, 2015 at 11:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

11:07pm: The Raiders made Crabtree’s accord official late Monday night, via Twitter.

10:42pm: Crabtree’s deal is for one year and worth $3MM, with another $2MM available via incentives, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter. Excluding the potential incentives, this contract represents Crabtree’s lowest base salary since his second season.

7:20pm: Michael Crabtree‘s time in the Bay Area will continue after the wideout reportedly reached an agreement with the Raiders, according to CSNBayArea.com’s Fallon Smith (via Twitter).

ESPN’s Adam Caplan also noted the deal was imminent.

Three wideout-needy teams — the Raiders, Ravens and Dolphins — made a late pursuit for the seventh-year receiver who enjoyed an inconsistent tenure with the 49ers, but the Raiders won out for the 27-year-old’s services. This marks a strange circle for these two parties, with the Raiders opting to take the faster but lower-regarded Darrius Heyward-Bey in the 2009 draft over Crabtree, who was viewed as that class’ top receiver at the time.

Crabtree’s asking price reportedly came way down from a $9MM-per-year request. The Raiders carry just more than $22MM worth of cap space after the Packers matched Sean Richardson‘s offer sheet earlier today.

Assuming he’s healthy, Crabtree will shoot to the top of a Raiders receiving corps that also houses James Jones and Andre Holmes. Crabtree caught 68 passes for 698 yards last season as he drifted down Colin Kaepernick‘s receiving hierarchy. But he’s shown the capability of being a go-to receiver as recently as 2012, when he piled up 1,105 receiving yards and scored a career-high nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-2 former top-10 pick in 2009 tore his Achilles the following spring, limiting him to five regular-season games in 2013.

Caplan adds this signing shouldn’t deter the Raiders from also bolstering the position early in the draft (Twitter link). They’ve been linked to Amari Cooper and Kevin White at No. 4 overall in the major mock drafts.

Marking the latest longtime 49er to depart after Frank Gore and Patrick Willis, Crabtree’s signing will count as a loss in the compensatory formula for 2016 draft choices. The 49ers lost two of their top four receivers from 2014, with Steve Johnson also not returning, but will deploy the former Ravens’ starting wideouts in Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith this season.

NFC Links: Gregory, Peterson, Forte

April 13th, 2015 at 11:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Randy Gregory will get his fill of airports and meeting rooms leading up until the draft. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter, the pass-rushing prospect will hit a new city every day for visitation purposes with eager teams.

The Nebraska product paid a visit to the Cardinals on Sunday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter, while the Saints will host him later this week (Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo on Twitter).

The Saints may have a shot at landing Gregory at No. 13 overall, but the Cardinals at No. 24 would have to bank on serious character-related doubts stemming from positive marijuana test in February to have a shot at Gregory.

Here are some other visits and newsworthy items as Monday winds down …

New Hampshire receiver R.J. Harris, who totaled more than 4,000 receiving yards at the Division I-FCS program, paid a visit to the Packers‘ headquarters on Monday, notes the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Weston Hodkiewicz. Already employing wideout Jeff Janis from Division II Saginaw Valley State, the Packers are continuing to pay attention to small-school prospects. Receiver Ricky Collins (Texas A&M Commerce), defensive end Rodney Gunter (Delaware State) and Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker join a host of larger-school standouts that have visited the Packers thus far.
Coming off a season-ending injury, quarterback Connor Halliday will visit Washington, reports the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson on Twitter. The Washington State quarterback suffered a broken ankle to end his senior campaign last season.
San Jose State receiver Akeem King, who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Spartans’ pro day, will visit the Seahawks and Falcons this week, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link).
While recent reports have viewed the best window at prying Adrian Peterson from the Vikings will open during the draft, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio explains how that might not be the case, considering how the running back’s potential new contract would have to be negotiated in a rapid sequence.
Matt Forte did not show up when the Bears opened their offseason training program today, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The longtime Bears starter is entering the last year of his second contract that pays $8.2MM this year, and $100K of that is tied to a workout bonus. Biggs points out that of the four running backs slated to make more than the 29-year-old Forte this year — Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch and DeMarco Murray — three of those four received new contracts. Forte, who is training in Florida, attempted to quell concerns on his personal Twitter account about the nature of these early voluntary strength workouts.

Minor Moves: Monday

April 13th, 2015 at 10:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here, with any updates being added to the top of the list:

Offensive lineman Eben Britton incurred a four-game suspension, according to The Sports XChange’s Howard Balzer on Twitter. The 27-year-old is a free agent and started 34 games for the Jaguars and Bears the past six seasons, respectively. The reason for Britton’s suspension was not specified.
Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall signed his exclusive rights tender today, agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). The 25-year-old Marshall started 13 games for Denver last season, racking up 95 tackles. He’ll be one of the club’s starting inside linebackers when it debuts its new 3-4 front this year.
The Colts have placed linebacker Aaron Morgan on the reserve/retired list, tweets Mike Chappell of RTV6. Morgan appeared in 18 games during his five-year career, seeing time with the Jaguars and Buccaneers in addition to Indianapolis.
Running back Da’Rel Scott and defensive tackle Nate Collins have both signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Both players participated in the recent veteran combine, adds Caplan (link).
Former 49ers receiver Ronald Johnson, a sixth-round pick in 2011, has signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, tweets Caplan.

49ers Notes: Peters, Armstead, Wright

April 13th, 2015 at 10:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers have been heavily involved in prospect visits Monday, with cornerback hovering at the center of their prospect search.

After visiting the Texans over the weekend and the Saints today, Washington cornerback Marcus Peters will speak with 49ers front office personnel Tuesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes on Twitter. Despite being dismissed from the Huskies’ program, Peters goes off the board in the first round in the latest two NFL.com mock drafts.
Fellow reported first-round corner Byron Jones will head to San Francisco for a Tuesday visit, reports DraftInsider.net’s Tony Pauline, via Twitter. The UConn corner already visited the Bills, Eagles and Bears.
Former Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead also visited the 49ers on Monday night, per CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco on Twitter. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Armstead going to the 49ers at No. 15 (subscription required).
Donovan Smith (Penn State) trekked to the 49ers’ facility today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
The 49ers’ cornerback interest is expected considering they lost 2014 starters Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox via free agency. They signed Shareece Wright to a low-cost deal in an effort to replace them, and the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch assesses his candidacy with Chargers broadcaster Hank Bauer. “He’s not a physically imposing guy, but I’d say he’s a good, solid, NFL starting corner,” Bauer told Branch. “Can he be a great player? Boy, I don’t know. I can’t sit here and say I think he will be … But he’s solid.” Agreeing to join the 49ers on a one-year deal, Wright’s battled a host of injuries over the past two years, missing five games in each.

AFC Notes: Tannehill, Colts, Sanders

April 13th, 2015 at 9:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the Dolphins entrusting Mike Pouncey to spearhead their offensive line through the rest of the decade, their next aim is to sign Ryan Tannehill to an extension before the season begins, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (video link).

Although the two sides haven’t had contract discussions since the NFL Scouting Combine, the front office wants to make Tannehill the next Fins cornerstone player.

The Dolphins will certainly pick up the fourth-year quarterback’s fifth-year option by May 3, which will pay him more than $16MM next year if they cannot reach an agreement before Week 1.

Both Chris Perkins and Omar Kelly at the South Florida Sun Sentinel concur Tannehill will be the next Dolphin to sign a long-term extension, but Perkins argues Olivier Vernon should be next (video link). The fourth-year defensive end graded 17th in Pro Football Focus’ 2014 rankings, and Perkins notes paying Vernon before he potentially prices himself out with another solid season now that he’s playing next to Ndamukong Suh is the prudent move.

More from around the AFC, starting in Indianapolis …

The Colts are going to face a series of dilemmas regarding their strong 2012 draft class, writes Indianapolis Star reporter Stephen Holder. In discussing which of the non-Andrew Luck fourth-season cogs to extend, Holder ranked T.Y. Hilton, who has already fired and re-hired Drew Rosenhaus, as the priority here before following with Anthony Castonzo, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen in that order. The Colts reportedly view Castonzo, soon to be a fifth-year starter, as their long-term left tackle. Holder doesn’t see Fleener reaching the market and categorizes Allen as a deal on the back-burner despite the latter having profiled as a bigger part of the offense when he’s healthy, which hasn’t been his consistent status.
As expected, Emmanuel Sanders will now play in the slot when the Broncos go to three-wide receiver sets, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post. A slot at SMU and with the Steelers, Sanders dominated in a role shift to an outside position last season. But with Wes Welker not returning, it’s logical for Denver to deploy their quickest wideout inside, although they won’t feature as many three-wide looks in Gary Kubiak‘s offense.
Should the restricted free agent remain in the Browns‘ plans, Tashaun Gipson may be the premier safety in an AFC North division that now houses neither Ed Reed nor Troy Polamalu for the first time since 2002, writes Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cleveland placed a second-round tender on Gipson, who’s entering his age-25 season after a breakout 2014. But the Pro Bowler who’s due for unrestricted free agency next spring has yet to sign it.

Whisenhunt Wants Reunion With Rivers?

April 13th, 2015 at 8:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Operating as the fulcrum in this year’s draft, the Titans are down to three options with their selection with one of them including a blockbuster trade for Philip Rivers, according to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (video link).

Currently housing 2014 sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger as their starting quarterback, the Titans’ first two options at No. 2 look to be drafting Marcus Mariota or taking Leonard Williams, who Cole calls the best player available at that spot. The third plan features the Titans, whose most recognizable player from a national sense may be Brian Orakpo or Kendall Wright, attempting to re-establish relevance by trading the pick for a veteran quarterback.

Cole goes on to mention Ken Whisenhunt‘s fondness for Rivers during their time together in San Diego in 2013, and that the second-year Titans coach’s choice is “obvious”: trade for a veteran quarterback to attempt to rocket the Titans back to contention after missing the playoffs the past six years. Cole added Jay Cutler or Sam Bradford fit into this line of thinking, but that Rivers is Whisenhunt’s preferred choice in that event.

“Whisenhunt worked with Rivers two years ago, loves Rivers, would love to change the whole attitude of the franchise and thinks bringing in an established quarterback would do that,” Cole said. “Finally, Whisenhunt had so much success with Kurt Warner in Arizona at turning around that moribund franchise that he thinks he can do the same thing in Tennessee and make them an immediate competitive team.”

Although Warner’s best season didn’t come under Whisenhunt, the future Hall of Famer revived his career during Whisenhunt’s first head-coaching gig. Rivers’ best season probably came under Whisenhunt’s watch two years ago, when the former No. 4 overall pick completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and threw for 32 touchdowns.

The Chargers own pick No. 17 in Round 1 and have encountered mild turbulence amid what’s been a stable signal-calling situation for nearly a decade. Rivers’ hesitance to negotiate a new contract with his current deal expiring after 2015 and his potential reluctance to play in Los Angeles make the Chargers an interesting fringe contender in the Mariota sweepstakes. Although Sports Illustrated’s Peter King still considers a deal for the 33-year-old Rivers deal “highly unlikely.”

They are working out Mariota in Eugene, Ore., a day earlier than expected, with Chargers brass set to observe the Heisman Trophy winner Tuesday instead of Wednesday, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Gehlken adds that Mariota ordinarily wouldn’t be permitted by his camp to work out for a team that picks so far away from where he’s predicted to be selected, but several sources informed the San Diego-based writer they think Mike McCoy, OC Frank Reich and others are in Oregon with the possibility of a draft-day trade in mind.

The Titans, however, have many needs and may not be able to bypass a potential young star at No. 2 overall, writes ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky. Despite drafting offensive linemen the past two first rounds, the Titans still need a right tackle after releasing Michael Oher one year after signing him. Needs also exist at running back and wideout. Kuharsky adds the team could release last season’s opening day starter, Shonn Greene, before this year begins.

NFL analysts also believe the Titans should not hesitate to draft Jameis Winston, should Mariota go No. 1 as ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski now believes he will, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean.

“The latest I’m hearing now from my sources around the league, who are pretty wired in, is that he’s going to go No. 1 now to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Jaworski said during an appearance on Philly Sports Talk.

“Mariota’s stock, remember it was quiet for a while, and there’s a reason for that. There’s a lull every year until about 30 days before the draft. Now the coaches get involved. Prior to that, it’s the scouts, it’s the roadies that are filling out the paper work. Now the coaches get involved. Now team owners get involved. Now general managers get involved. So you’re starting to see, in my opinion, Winston’s stock starting to slide a little bit and Mariota’s stock starting to go up a little bit.”

This obviously remains a fluid scenario between these two prospects and various would-be-affected veterans, but one that should continue to gain steam as the draft nears.

Raiders, Dolphins, Ravens Eyeing Crabtree

April 13th, 2015 at 6:54pm CST by Luke Adams

6:54pm: The Raiders have emerged as the frontrunners to land Crabtree, report ESPN’s Adam Caplan and Bill Williamson, via Twitter. The pair expect an agreement as soon as tonight.

1:59pm: More than a month into 2015’s NFL free agent period, former Niners receiver Michael Crabtree is arguably the biggest name still on the board. While it doesn’t appear Crabtree is on the verge of a deal, he’s drawing the most interest from three teams, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, who identifies the Raiders, Dolphins, and Ravens as the wideout’s top suitors.

None of those three clubs is a surprise contestant in the Crabtree sweepstakes. The former first-round pick has already paid a visit to two of those three suitors, having traveled to Oakland and Miami. As for Baltimore, our Rory Parks detailed yesterday how the Ravens are very much in the market for receiving help, so it makes sense that the team would be considering the top free agent at the position.

In 2014, Crabtree appeared in all 16 games for the 49ers, hauling in 68 catches for 698 yards and four scores. While San Francisco was undoubtedly delighted to see Crabtree play a full season after missing the bulk of 2013, those numbers didn’t match his best production in 2012, when he had 85 grabs for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns. I’d bet that the 27-year-old is seeking a deal that pays him for something closer to that 2012 production than his modest 2014 numbers, though perhaps his asking price has come down over the last few weeks.

According to Maiocco, the Niners have kept the door open for a possible return for Crabtree, but he appears set on getting a fresh start somewhere else.

East Rumors: Mariota, Grayson, Flowers

April 13th, 2015 at 6:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

In the escalating derby to become the team that drafts Marcus Mariota second overall, the Jets may have the trump card, writes ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

The sweepstakes featuring the Jets, Browns, Rams, Eagles, Bears, Chargers and Saints, according to Cimini, vying to vault into the Titans’ No. 2 spot may hinge on how far a team devoid of blue-chip talent will be to fall in the draft order.

The Jets pick the highest of these teams, but Cimini notes that the No. 2 overall slot is worth 2,600 points on the draft value chart, meaning the Jets would have to throw in not only their second-round selection this year (No. 37) but their first-rounder in 2016 to make the numbers match up. Cimini also notes the Chargers would be the favorite if they part with Philip Rivers. Washington should probably also be included among those interested, and it holds the No. 5 pick, which would make things interesting despite their complex Robert Griffin situation.

Other notes from the eastern divisions on Monday night …

Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson will work out for the Jets a few days before the draft, notes Cimini on Twitter. Grayson projects anywhere from being the No. 3 quarterback in the top-heavy class to a mid-round pick.
Ereck Flowers‘ flight log will expand further in the Eastern Time Zone soon when the Miami tackle visits the Giants, according to a Flowers interview with Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. The prospective first-round right tackle already visited or has meetings scheduled with the Browns, Panthers, Colts, Buccaneers and Jets.
Texas Southern’s Tray Walker worked out with the Patriots today and will visit the Rams on Tuesday, reports Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net on Twitter.
Washington will host Nebraska guard Jake Cotton on Friday and Washington Huskies edge defender Andrew Hudson this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun and NFL agent Brett Tessler, respectively (Twitter links).
Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk each of the roster’s four quarterbacks — EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel, Jeff Tuel and Tyrod Taylor — will receive first-team reps as they vie for the job. Although Cassel and Manuel are the frontrunners here, Florio notes Taylor, signed from the Ravens this offseason, is the only QB Rex Ryan‘s openly praised thus far.
The Eagles‘ infatuation with Oregon talents continues, kind of. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Eagles are categorizing Southeastern Louisiana signal-caller Bryan Bennett as a safety. Bennett played under Kelly at Oregon but transferred from Eugene when he lost a position battle with Mariota.

North Notes: Bears, Perriman, Draft, Peterson

April 13th, 2015 at 4:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As the Bears search for Brandon Marshall‘s replacement at receiver, they’ve brought in one of the top draft prospects at the position for a visit, meeting with UCF receiver Breshad Perriman today, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Perriman, who posted a 4.25 40-time at his Pro Day, is fighting with Louisville’s Davante Parker to be the third receiver chosen behind Amari Cooper and Kevin White.

Let’s take a look at more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

The Steelers met with three prospects today, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter), who says the club visited with Texas A&M tight end Cameron Clear, West Virginia guard Quinton Spain, and Auburn receiver Sammie Coates.
Having already brought in UAB return specialist J.J. Nelson for a visit, the Lions met with another special teamer/receiver — Utah’s Kaelin Clay — today, writes Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
Though Adrian Peterson was in Minneapolis over the weekend, he did not meet with any Vikings officials, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.
Rob Housler‘s one-year, $1.76MM deal with the Browns contains $750K guaranteed, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.
Washington defensive end Andrew Hudson just wrapped a predraft visit with the Browns, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), and he’ll meet with the Buccaneers next.

Broncos Sign James Casey

April 13th, 2015 at 4:13pm CST by Ben Levine

MONDAY, 4:13pm: Casey officially signed his contract today, per Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link).

SATURDAY, 12:48pm: Casey will official sign his contract on Monday during phase one of the Broncos offseason program, according to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post.

11:29am: Former Texans fullback/tight end James Casey will be reunited with former coach Gary Kubiak, as the Broncos have announced (via Twitter) that they have signed the 3o-year-old.

After being released by the Eagles in late February, the veteran received interest from a variety of clubs, including the Cardinals, Titans, Browns, Jaguars, Bengals and Washington. Casey visited with Denver in late February, but ultimately left without signing a contract.

A 2009 fifth-round pick out of Rice, Casey saw his snap count progressively increase during his tenure with the Texans. His best season came in 2012, when he caught 34 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns. In 2013, he inked a three-year, $14.6MM contract with the Eagles. His role was diminished while playing in Philadelphia, as his snap count decreased from 609 in 2012 to only 173 last season. Still, Casey continued his six-year run of receiving a positive rating from Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Of course, Casey isn’t the first former Texan to be brought in by Kubiak. The new Broncos head coach also signed tight end Owen Daniels earlier this offseason.