2015 April - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Sign Erin Henderson

April 10th, 2015 at 5:24pm CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 5:24pm: Henderson’s one-year deal with the Jets is worth $745,000 and includes no up-front money, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

WEDNESDAY, 11:44am: The Jets have officially signed Henderson, the team announced today in a press release.

TUESDAY, 1:43pm: Former Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson will get an opportunity to resume his NFL career with the Jets this year, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com, who reports that the two sides have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

Henderson, 28, is a talented player, having racked up 112 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions for the Vikings in just 14 games in 2013. However, he has been arrested multiple times for DUI-related incidents, and has been suspended by the league for his off-field behavior. The Maryland product didn’t play in the NFL in 2014 following his latest round of legal issues.

According to Cosentino, after doing their due diligence on Henderson, the Jets are satisfied that he has turned his life around. The team met with the linebacker multiple times, working him out in Arizona last month and hosting him for a free agent visit last week. The one-year contract the Jets offered to Henderson likely won’t cost much, meaning it shouldn’t be hard for the team to cut ties if the six-year veteran runs into more trouble.

Before he reached a deal to join the Jets, Henderson reportedly received interest from the 49ers as well.

Minor Moves: Friday

April 10th, 2015 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL, with any additional minor transactions added to the top of the list throughout the day:

The Broncos re-signed exclusive-rights free agents Ben Garland and Paul Cornick, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun on Twitter. An undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State in 2012, Cornick has been with the team for three years and was one of three Broncos to start at right tackle last season, along with Chris Clark and Louis Vasquez. Cornick started three games in 2014, grading positively in one on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Garland, who signed with Denver in 2010 but spent two years on the team’s reserve/military list due to his commitments with the National Guard, served as a backup guard last year.

Steelers Re-Sign Will Allen

April 10th, 2015 at 4:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

A day after losing the best safety in their storied history in Troy Polamalu, the Steelers kept another by re-signing Will Allen to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).

Entering his age-33 season, Allen’s played with the Steelers in every season since 2010. Pittsburgh re-signed Allen after the Cowboys cut him in 2013. The former Buccaneers fourth-round pick in 2004 started four games for Pittsburgh last year.

Pro Football Focus gave Allen a modest minus-3.6 grade last season in 310 snaps.

Terms of the deal are not known, but it would be surprising if it’s for much more than the veteran minimum. Allen earned $955K last season.

NFC East Notes: Williams, Butler, Collins

April 10th, 2015 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

As Trent Williams enters his final year of his rookie contract, CSNWashington.com’s Rich Tandler examines whether Washington needs to re-up its best lineman at a top-end price.

The three-time Pro Bowl left tackle’s rookie deal signed under the old CBA and its lavish sums for high draft choices has Williams occupying more than $13MM of Washington’s cap this season — by far the highest figure on the team. The contracts for Tyron Smith ($12.2MM per year) and Joe Thomas ($11.5MM per) are probably what Williams, who left agent Ben Dogra, will use to negotiate with the struggling franchise. But Tandler offers another reality where the team drafts his potential successor in the first or second round this year and plays him at right tackle before allowing Williams to get his money elsewhere in 2016.

Although Tandler still bets Williams receives his checks in D.C. after this deal expires, he expands on Greg Cosell’s analysis from a recent MMQB.com podcast which illustrates a change in thinking regarding the importance of the blind-side protector.

“Most coaches, when they put together pass-protection concepts, they will slide the protection to one side or the other. You can slide the protection to the left. You can slide the protection to the right. The left tackle, just by gospel now these days, has become the most important position. But it’s not necessarily that way,” Cosell said to podcast host Andy Benoit.

Here are some more rumors coming out of the NFC East on Friday afternoon …

LSU offensive tackle La’el Collins visited the Eagles last week, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Collins is projected as a mid- to late first-round selection as a right tackle.
The Cowboys worked out quarterback Bryce Petty last week at Baylor, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports on Twitter.
Linebacker Victor Butler drew a four-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, becoming the fifth Giants player in five years to do so, reports Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. The former Cowboys, Saints, Cardinals and Colts backer signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants and should now be considered unlikely to make the roster or possibly make it to training camp. Butler, 27, joins Eric Herman, Will Hill, Tyler Sash and Jimmy Kennedy as Giants who’ve been suspended for PEDs since 2011, reports Vacchiano.
Robert Griffin‘s injury history makes Washington picking up the 2012 rookie of the year’s fifth-year option, at $16.16MM salary guaranteed against injury, an ill-advised move, writes ESPN’s John Keim. Washington has until May 3 to use this on Griffin.

North Rumors: Browns, Steelers, Price

April 10th, 2015 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

With two picks for the second straight year and reported interest in Marcus Mariota, the Browns have a complex Round 1 itinerary. Today, they will visit with two players who will almost certainly be first-rounders in DeVante Parker and Danny Shelton, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

ESPN’s No. 9 and 10 prospects overall comprise two of the Browns’ 30 allotted player visits, but there’s a possibility neither could be there when they pick at No. 12. Cleveland also owns the 19th selection.

Elsewhere around the league’s North divisions …

The Steelers brought in several prospects for visits Friday, including Central Florida wideout Breshad Perriman, according to ESPN’s Scott Brown on Twitter. Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy and South Alabama tight end Wes Saxton joined Perriman on visits, per Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Mark Kaboly (via Twitter). Perriman is Scouts Inc.’s No. 21-rated prospect.
Boise State running back Jay Ajayi is visiting the Cowboys local pro day today, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). The All-American who totaled 2,300+ yards from scrimmage last season met with Ravens officials last week, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Recently signed Browns tight end Rob Housler knows fans aren’t expecting him to replicate what Jordan Cameron did in his brief stint as the Cleveland tight end but noted his Cardinals numbers were more a reflection of the scheme than his ability, reports Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Housler topped out at 454 receiving yards in 2013, the year he scored his only touchdown despite starting in 28 games in four seasons. “The production was a direct reflection of the opportunity, and I just went out there and did what they asked me to do,” Housler told Ulrich. “It was a blue-collar mentality. It wasn’t pretty. I can see the stats, and they’re not pretty.”
The Browns are on the lookout for a return specialist after a shaky year in that department, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Tom Reed. Beyond lower-round draft targets like Tyler Lockett or Jamison Crowder, Justin Gilbert and Taylor Gabriel are in-house options for a team that ranked 28th on punt returns last season, adds Reed.
Vikings 2014 seventh-round pick Jabari Price had his December charge for suspicion of drunken driving reduced to careless driving, reports Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Used mostly on special teams as a rookie, Price remains subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

La Canfora’s Latest: Patriots, Parker, Gregory

April 10th, 2015 at 1:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Their four Super Bowl wins in the past 14 seasons notwithstanding, the Patriots‘ track record for drafting wideouts high hasn’t been positive. This is an area they will likely attempt to take another shot at, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.

Bill Belichick reportedly attended many pro days involving receivers this spring and grilled college coaches about various pass-catching prospects, which drew notice from other league staffs, reports La Canfora.

The Patriots have drafted six wideouts in the top three rounds since Belichick’s arrival in 2000 — although none in Round 1 — and mostly received little in return for their investments, with Aaron Dobson (second round, 2013), Taylor Price (third round, 2010) and Chad Jackson (second round, 2006) being notable examples in the past decade.

Although La Canfora mentions defensive line and cornerback as other options with the defections there this offseason, he notes the Patriots’ lack of consistency outside will lead to another early selection at the position. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have the Patriots springing for defensive line and cornerback help, respectively, in the first round. Former prized recruit Dorial Green-Beckham could be a target, however, muses La Canfora.

Also from La Canfora …

DeVante Parker carries a similar buzz around the scouting community that Odell Beckham did last season, and La Canfora doesn’t expect the Louisville product to fall past No. 11 (Vikings). Minnesota scouted several of Parker’s games last season and happens to employ his former quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. La Canfora said some teams have Parker rated higher than West Virginia’s Kevin White, who has commonly been tabbed the second-best wideout prospect behind Amari Cooper.
A name we haven’t heard as much on heading into the draft could surprise should an early run on wideouts take place. USC’s Nelson Agholor may creep into the late first round, La Canfora said.
Randy Gregory‘s failed drug test is raising teams’ eyebrows, but they’re not backing off the stance that the Nebraska talent’s a top-two or top-three pass-pursuer in this class and a potential top-five pick. Washington and Chicago are organizations La Canfora believes will be in the mix for Gregory. Conversely, various concerns envelop Dante Fowler Jr., Vic Beasley and Shane Ray, the CBS pundit hears from sources.
Tight ends Maxx Williams and Devin Funchess are reportedly receiving bad reviews on their route-running, causing them to fall down draft boards in an already-diminished class at the position.
Several executives also informed La Canfora they wouldn’t take top safety Landon Collins in the first round, viewing the Alabama prospect as an “in-the-box” performer.
League execs apparently rate this draft poorly compared to a good year when “22 to 24” players warrant first-round grades. Per La Canfora, less than 20 are grading that way this year.

Anthony Spencer Signs With Saints

April 10th, 2015 at 12:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

12:32pm: The team confirmed Spencer’s pact, although terms of the deal are not yet disclosed.

12:10pm: Longtime Cowboys defensive end/linebacker Anthony Spencer agreed to a one-year contract with the Saints, reports NFL.com’s Albert Breer via Twitter.

Spencer, who played for Dallas for eight seasons and started from 2009-12, made the Pro Bowl after an 11-sack campaign in 2012 when he served as a 3-4 outside linebacker under current Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

A former first-round pick, the 31-year-old Spencer played as a backup defensive end last season after undergoing microfracture knee surgery in 2013.

Spencer’s return from surgery went well, with the former linebacker serving as a decent run defender off the bench last season. Pro Football Focus graded Spencer as its 21st-best defensive end in a 4-3 alignment (subscription required), with his strong run defense being the primary reason for the resurgence.

Although Spencer convened with the Seahawks, he also met with the Saints last month and will now serve as an edge player in a Saints look that meshes 4-3 and 3-4 principles. The Saints introduced Spencer as a linebacker, meaning he could compete with Parys Haralson and Ramon Humber for time on the outside. Last season’s work, however, showcases a flexibility for Spencer to potentially join a defensive end corps fronted by stalwart Junior Galette.

West Notes: Barksdale, Dunkley, Vincent

April 10th, 2015 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

As teams attempt to expand their prospect visit itineraries, here is some early-afternoon news from the western divisions.

Offensive tackle Joe Barksdale paid a visit to the Titans this week, but according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter links), the veteran free agent left Tennessee without a deal, and the Rams remain in the mix for him.
Missouri defensive tackle Lucas Vincent has a workout today with the Chiefs, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun passes along word of another local workout, tweeting that the Broncos are taking a look at Colorado State-Pueblo defensive lineman Josh Bredl.
Also from Paylor (via Twitter): cornerback prospect DeVante Bausby is attending the Chiefs’ local pro day. A longtime starter at Division II power Pittsburg State, Bausby attended high school in Kansas City, Kan.
South Florida cornerback Chris Dunkley will trek to the 49ers‘ and Chargers‘ facilities this week, respectively, according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman on Twitter. The converted wide receiver who also returned kicks for the Bulls previously visited the Patriots and Bills.
In addition to lining up summits with DeVante Parker and Sammie Coates, the 49ers will also meet with Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith next week, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. ESPN’s Todd McShay rates the ex-Buckeyes deep threat as his 34th-best prospect (subscription required). The 49ers have also had discussions with wideouts they’d have to trade up to draft in Amari Cooper and Kevin White, reports Barrows.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report

Miller’s Latest: Draft, Eagles, Browns, White

April 10th, 2015 at 10:49am CST by Luke Adams

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has plenty of draft updates for us today, including a new big board, a new first-round mock, and a handful of notable tidbits he has picked up from speaking to sources around the league. Here are a few highlights from Bleacher Report’s draft expert:

I noted last week that the Eagles appear to have genuine interest in Nelson Agholor, having been linked to him multiple times, and team sources tell Miller that Philadelphia does indeed “love” the USC wide receiver.
While some pundits have linked the Browns to right tackles in the first round, one high-ranking Cleveland scout tells Miller that the position “isn’t a priority” for the club.
Louisiana Tech’s Houston Bates and Cincinnati’s Jeff Luc are two college linebackers who are receiving some consideration as potential fullbacks, according to Miller.
While West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White does have a handful of visits on his schedule, he’s the type of player who doesn’t have many question marks, which explains why teams may not want to “waste” one of their 30 visits on him, writes Miller. So far, White has only visited the Titans, though he has the Bears, Giants, Rams, and Jets coming up.
Miller has heard from two separate teams that Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams didn’t come across well in his interviews with them. One said Williams seems “cocky [and] bored, and came off as too good for us.”

Draft Notes: Bucs, Fowler, Mariota, Bears

April 10th, 2015 at 9:56am CST by Luke Adams

As previously reported, Dante Fowler Jr. visited the Buccaneers, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht “really likes” the Florida pass rusher. However, Fowler himself seems to recognize that he’s unlikely to land with the Bucs, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times details.

“They’re going with a quarterback,” Fowler said. “I feel like there’s no need for them to talk to me and waste my time unless something happens with Jameis [Winston] or Marcus [Mariota] or something like that. They know where they’re going. I understand that.”

While the Bucs cover all their bases, Mariota appears to be doing the same thing — Adam Schefter of ESPN.com said Thursday on ESPN 1000 in Chicago that the Oregon signal-caller recently paid a visit to the Bears. Mariota is considered the favorite to come off the board at No. 2, and may not be available when Chicago’s No. 7 overall pick rolls around, but as our Rob DiRe laid out this morning in PFR’s first 2015 mock draft, there are scenarios in which Mariota is still in play at that point. It sounds like both he and the Bears are doing their due diligence.

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and the Baltimore Sun has updates on several more draft prospects for us this morning, so let’s round those up….

Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, Auburn): Met with the Patriots and Browns (link).
Adrian Coxson (WR, Stony Brook): The Giants were “very impressed’ with him at their local prospect day (Twitter link).
Tyler Murphy (QB, Boston College): Visiting the Steelers today (link).
Nick Perry (S, Alabama): Had private workouts for the Patriots and Colts (link).
Tray Walker (CB, Texas Southern): Visits with the Ravens, Chiefs, Packers, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Falcons, plus private workouts with the Cardinals and Texans (link). Had a previously-reported visit with the Raiders.