2015 April - Pro Football Rumors

AFC South Draft Visits: Jags, Titans, Texans

April 6th, 2015 at 8:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The AFC South has been dominated by the Colts in recent seasons, and the other clubs in the division — two of whom own top-three selections — will hope the upcoming draft affords them the opportunity to acquire several top-notch prospects. Here’s the latest from Jacksonville, Tennessee, Houston…

Owners of the third overall pick, the Jaguars will visit some of the draft’s top prospects on Tuesday, meeting with USC’s Leonard Williams, Missouri’s Shane Ray, and Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
The Jaguars will also meet with another of the league’s top edge rushers tomorrow, as Albert Breer of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that Dante Fowler Jr. will head to Jacksonville following Florida’s Pro Day.
Williams and Fowler Jr. aren’t the only defenders meeting with the Jaguars tomorrow — Clemson’s Vic Beasley and Ohio State’s Michael Bennett will both take a visit with Jacksonville on Tuesday as well, tweets Rapoport.
Meanwhile, another club with a top-three selection — the Titans — will meet with Ray, Florida State Ronald Darby tomorrow, while Fowler Jr. has a visit scheduled for next week, according to Rapoport (Twitter link).
The Texans already signed two veteran quarterbacks this offseason, but UCLA QB Brett Hundley could draw the interest of the club, as Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Hundley will take a visit with Houston tomorrow.

Cowboys Re-Sign Rolando McClain

April 6th, 2015 at 8:11pm CST by Luke Adams

MONDAY, 8:11pm: McClain’s base salary will be just $750K, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), who adds that the linebacker can get another $1.5MM via gameday active roster bonuses.

WEDNESDAY, 8:34am: The signing is now official, tweets Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com.

7:42am: After visiting the Patriots earlier this week and receiving a contract offer from New England, linebacker Rolando McClain has instead agreed to re-sign with the Cowboys on a one-year deal, reports Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter). According to Werder, it’ll be worth $3MM, with another $1MM available in playing-time incentives.

McClain, 25, recorded 87 tackles and a sack to go along with two interceptions in 13 games for the Cowboys in 2014. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked the former first-round pick eighth out of 60 qualified inside linebackers, and he excelled in every aspect of the game — PFF’s grades placed him eighth as a pass rusher, seventh as a cover man, and 11th as a run defender, among inside linebackers.

Despite his impressive on-field showing, McClain still has some off-field question marks. He came back from retirement less than a year ago, and has failed multiple drug tests, making him a potential suspension risk. When I examined his free agent stock last week, I speculated that he may have to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal like the ones signed by Nick Fairley and Terrance Knighton. I also noted that returning to Dallas might be the best fit for the veteran linebacker.

That third failed drug test means a four-game fine for McClain, so that penalty figures to come out of his game checks for the upcoming season. The ex-Raider has appealed the fine, but history suggests he doesn’t have a great chance of winning that appeal, barring extenuating circumstances.

The Cowboys’ linebacking corps will look much different in 2015 than it did a year ago, as regular contributors Justin Durant and Bruce Carter have signed elsewhere. McClain will be joined by incoming free agents Jasper Brinkley and Andrew Gachkar on the new-look unit. Sean Lee, who missed the 2014 campaign due to a torn ACL, will also be back in the mix.

McClain initially ranked 35th last month on my list of this year’s top 50 free agents. Only three players on that list – Michael Crabtree, Joe Barksdale, and Stefen Wisniewski – remain unsigned.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC East Notes: McCoy, Wilkerson, Jets

April 6th, 2015 at 7:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Geno Smith probably wants to put lots of work in during the Jets‘ voluntary offseason program, but he also has financial incentive to do so, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes. Smith’s contract includes a clause that ties about 32 percent of his 2015 compensation to offseason attendance and he must put in a minimum number of workouts to earn the bonus. Of course, beyond the money, Smith needs to prove himself this season given the mounting criticism and the presence of Ryan Fitzpatrick behind him. Here’s more from the AFC East..

LeSean McCoy hasn’t spoken to Chip Kelly since the trade that sent him to the Bills, but he has his own theory as to why he was shipped out, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “I don’t think he likes or respects the stars. I’m being honest,” McCoy said on Monday. “I think he likes the fact that it’s ‘Chip Kelly and the Eagles.’ ” McCoy set a franchise record with 1,607 rushing yards in 2013, but apparently wasn’t the right fit for Kelly’s offense. He was replaced this offseason in Philadelphia by Cowboys star DeMarco Murray.
Muhammad Wilkerson‘s situation illustrates how fast things change in the NFL, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes. It was rumored last year that he and former Jets GM John Idzik had worked on paramters of a new deal and the sides were somewhat close on an extension. Now, there’s obviously a significant gulf between the two sides and it’s not clear when or if it might be bridged.
Wilkerson deserves to cash in big, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News opines. The Jets star defensive lineman played the good soldier last year, hoping his big pay day would come as other standouts got their pay days. However, that didn’t happen and he was forced to take a stand this year during voluntary workouts.

Minor Moves: Monday

April 6th, 2015 at 7:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves..

Chiefs linebacker Josh Martin signed his exclusive-rights tender today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Martin, 23, recorded 14 tackles in 14 games for the Chiefs last year.
The Toronto Argonauts of the CFL announced that they have signed defensive back Jacob Lacey. The Oklahoma State product started for the Colts and Lions during the course of his five-year NFL career. Lacey was out of the NFL last season and could be using the CFL as a springboard to try and get back.

South Notes: Lewis, Wisniewski, Winston

April 6th, 2015 at 5:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Former kicker Lawrence Tynes has filed a lawsuit against the Buccaneers stemming from his contraction of MRSA at the team’s facilities a couple of years ago, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter). Tynes’ lawsuit alleges Bucs’ handling of the MRSA situation “ended his career and cost him over $20 million in expected future earnings” (link).

The Jaguars could create demand for Marcedes Lewis by converting some of his $6.65MM base salary into a bonus, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union writes. He adds that such a move would appear to be the best route for the Jaguars to acquire an extra late-round pick. Last month it was reported that the tight end was drawing trade interest. At the time, Jaguars GM David Caldwell told reporters that Lewis would “have to compete to be” with the Jaguars in 2015. Lewis, 31 in May, played in only eight games last season after suffering a high ankle sprain in September.
If the Titans signed Stefen Wisniewski, he’d compete with Brian Schwenke for the starting center job, and Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (on Twitter) posits that he could find a more clear-cut starting job elsewhere.
The Buccaneers need to win quickly and that’s why Jameis Winston will likely be their No. 1 pick over Marcus Mariota, Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com writes. The Bucs have talked to more than 75 of Winston’s acquaintances while doing their homework. Before all is said and done, the ESPN.com scribe says that number could be closer to 100.

Latest On Adrian Peterson

April 6th, 2015 at 4:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Adrian Peterson‘s dream scenario would be a trade to the Cowboys, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Sources close to the running back believe that he is going to be reinstated after April 15th, the date on which he could be considered for return.

In addition to the Cowboys, the Colts and Cardinals are viewed as the likely teams to be heavily interested in Peterson. Even though Peterson is confident that he’ll be reinstated in a matter of days, Cole adds that the NFL could throw a wrench in the works by delaying his process. However, if the league office stalls, things could get litigious between the two sides and the NFL would have to justify dragging things along.

Peterson is set to visit with commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday, but it remains unlikely that he will be given the greenlight before April 15th, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter links). When the league does meet with Peterson tomorrow, there will probably be NFL behavioral experts involved in the discussion. The league wants to see Peterson receive treatment and counseling if he is to return to football.

Cowboys Notes: Hardy, McFadden, Peterson

April 6th, 2015 at 2:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Not sure who to root for in Monday’s NCAA basketball championship game between Duke and Wisconsin? Well, the Dallas Morning News decided to pit Wisconsin fan Aaron Rodgers against Duke fan Tony Romo to better handicap the odds. While we wait to see whether the Cowboys quarterback will be celebrating tonight, here’s a look at the latest out of Dallas..

The NFL has viewed the seven photos it wanted to see from the Greg Hardy domestic violence case and as agreed upon dropped its complaint, David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. Of course, the league’s investigation will continue, as a league spokesman told Newton (link). The NFLPA will reportedly fight hard for the Cowboys star if he is given a penalty stiffer than a two game suspension.
Newly acquired Cowboys running back Darren McFadden joined the NFL Network to talk about his new team and he explained that the rumors about Adrian Peterson have not bothered him. “Coming into it, that wasn’t a question I asked,” McFadden said, via The Dallas Morning News. “Once DeMarco Murray was released, I felt like it was an opportunity for me step in there and try to go in and get whatever carries I could. Whether they decide to sign Adrian Peterson wasn’t going to make my decision change.”
The Cowboys are confident that they can get the most out of McFadden, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News writes. In 2008, the year that the Cowboys selected Felix Jones, Dallas spent a great deal of time studying McFadden and also met with him, as head coach Jason Garrett explained. While injuries have set him back, Garrett is optimistic that he can stay healthy since his problems have been related to soft tissue-type injuries.

Draft Notes: Pats, Titans, Falcons, Bucs

April 6th, 2015 at 1:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s draft news..

Florida State offensive guard Tre Jackson told Rhett Lewis of NFL Network (on Twitter) that he’s had extended conversations with the Patriots and has a visit scheduled with them on April 12th. If the Patriots select Jackson, it would reunite him with center Bryan Stork, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (on Twitter) notes. Stork was a former FSU notable and was a Pats fourth-round pick last year.
A source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter) that Oklahoma offensive tackle Daryl Williams is visiting the Titans today. The former four-star recruit was an All-Big 12 selection last season.
Boston College linebacker Josh Keyes worked out for the Falcons and Buccaneers, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder started every game last season at strongside linebacker and was named third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as he recorded 63 tackles, 11.5 for losses and four sacks.
Memphis cornerback Bobby McCain had a private meeting with the Buccaneers, league sources tell Wilson. McCain previously had private workouts with the Patriots and Colts. The All-Conference USA selection is projected as a late-round draft pick.
FAU safety Damien Parms has pre-draft visits lined up with the Raiders and Cardinals, according to James Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Bengals To Sign Denarius Moore

April 6th, 2015 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals are set to sign wide receiver Denarius Moore to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The deal reunites the former Raiders wideout with Hue Jackson, who now serves as Cincy’s offensive coordinator.

Moore, 26, showed some promise during his first three seasons with the Raiders, averaging about 43 receptions, 685 yards, and six touchdowns per season in spite of inconsistent quarterback play. However, he had a poor 2014 campaign, as Andre Holmes took on a bigger role in Oakland’s offense and free agent signee James Jones entered the mix. Moore caught just 12 balls for 115 yards and no TDs, and missed the final few weeks of the season with knee and ankle issues.

Moore, a proven deep threat, likely didn’t require much of a financial commitment from the Bengals and his relationship with Jackson likely played a significant role in the signing. The 26-year-old visited the Bengals late last week.

Adrian Peterson To Meet With NFL This Week

April 6th, 2015 at 11:54am CST by Zachary Links

11:54am: The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets.

8:58am: Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will meet with the NFL this week to discuss his possible reinstatement, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Peterson is eligible to be considered for reinstatement on April 15th.

The Vikings tailback is currently on the commissioner’s exempt list and whether he seeks a return to Minnesota or elsewhere, he’ll first need the greenlight from the league office. Peterson has made his dissatisfaction with the Vikings very well known and agent Ben Dogra is going “full throttle” in his efforts to get the running back somewhere else. Of course, at this stage of the offseason, most running back situations throughout the league have been addressed, so the market might not be as robust as it would have been just a month ago. It’s also entirely possible that Peterson’s camp is looking to leverage the Vikings into a new deal that would give him more guaranteed money.

The Vikings have made it clear that they have no intentions of trading or releasing No. 28, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation. Recently, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com listed seven teams that could be players for AD, including clubs like the Falcons and Chargers joining oft-mentioned suitors such as the Cowboys and Cardinals. The Cowboys’ have been linked to the Texas native for a very long time, but adding him would have some serious salary cap ramifications.