2015 April - Pro Football Rumors

Seahawks Won’t Pick Up Bruce Irvin’s Option

April 29th, 2015 at 10:47pm CST by Zachary Links

10:47pm: A league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that chatter already has emerged regarding a possible trade that would send Irvin to the Falcons. Such a deal, of course, would reunite Irvin with new Atlanta coach Dan Quinn. Irvin was also born in Atlanta.

9:56pm: The Seahawks don’t plan on picking up the fifth-year option for pass-rusher Bruce Irvin, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears.

The news comes as a surprise given that the defensive end is coming off of a pretty solid season. In 2014, the former No. 12 overall pick racked up 43 total tackles in 15 games (13 starts). Irvin underwent hip surgery last offseason but appeared to have come back strong. Last season, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Irvin as the eleventh best outside linebacker in a 4-3 set. Irvin’s grade of 6.8 put him just behind Bears notable Lance Briggs.

Extra Points: Hardy, Randle, Jordan

April 29th, 2015 at 10:19pm CST by Zachary Links

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith firmly believes there is precedent for getting Greg Hardy‘s suspension reduced, Charean Williams of the Star Telegram writes. “In the last three years, we’ve had the league overturned three times in [the Saints’] Bounty, [Adrian] Peterson and Ray Rice,” Smith said as he gears up to defend the Cowboys star. “To me, it’s never a question about whether I’m confident or not. We start with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and if they continue to seek to impose penalties that are inconsistent with that agreement or inconsistent of the law of the case that has been developed under that agreement, this is what unions do. We fight that.” More from around the NFL..

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle won’t face domestic violence charges for his incident in Wichita, according to Drew Davidson of the Star Telegram tweets. There was a “lack of evidence” cited by the DA’s office in the case. More from around the NFL..
Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan issued a statement through the NFLPA regarding his suspension. “I’m very disappointed that I will not be playing in the NFL in the 2015 season,” the statement read. “Because of past positive tests and my status in the drug program, the consequence of dilute (not positive) tests is severe. I deeply regret putting myself in this position, and I apologize to my teammates and the Dolphins organization. I will use the time away from playing to finish my college degree. I will stay in excellent physical shape and look forward to returning to the NFL as soon as possible. I’m deeply grateful to my family and friends for their continued support.”
Before the Seahawks traded for tight end Jimmy Graham, they had trade discussions with the Bears about Martellus Bennett, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Alex Boone, who held out last offseason for a new contract, will skip all of the 49ers‘ voluntary activities in the final year of his contract, a source close to the guard tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Boone, who will earn $3.4MM in 2015, has not taken part in the 49ers’ offseason program, and he was not on the field Tuesday and Wednesday for the start of the team’s voluntary three-day minicamp at the team’s practice facility.
The Titans have gotten calls from multiple teams inquiring about what it will take to deal for the No. 2 overall pick, league sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Meanwhile, one team executive tells Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) that the Titans have been asking for three first round picks to part with the No. 2 choice. The executive laughed hard when passing that info along, he adds.

Eagles Pushing Hard To Trade Up

April 29th, 2015 at 9:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles are are “doing all they can” to make the move from No. 20, according to a source that spoke with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Presumably, they’re gunning for the No. 2 pick to take Oregon star Marcus Mariota.

The Eagles could potentially get up to the No. 2 pick without giving up much thanks to the Browns’ persistent interest in quarterback Sam Bradford. While the Eagles publicly and privately have denied that they’d want to trade Bradford shortly after acquiring him, they could be convinced to part with him if it would give them the assets necessary to get Mariota.

Florio speculates that the Eagles could use the No. 12 pick (from Cleveland), the No. 20 pick (their own), and a 2016 first round pick to meet the Titans’ exorbitant asking price. It’s possible that on top of that, the Titans would push for a third round choice, but Chip Kelly could meet that asking price if he’s really as smitten with Mariota as people say he is.

NFC South Notes: Winston, Bucs, Saints

April 29th, 2015 at 9:25pm CST by Zachary Links

Ed Werder of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears that the Buccaneers will not inform the player they’re picking of their decision until they’re on the clock Thursday night. Get ready for some nail biting from this year’s top two prospects. Here’s more from the NFC South..

There’s a rumor that Buccaneers players have been told that Jameis Winston will be the pick, but Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that’s false based on conversations with four Tampa Bay players.
The Saints worked out quarterback Garrett Grayson on Monday, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). Today was the final allowable day for workouts of draft prospects. The Saints have been previously linked to Grayson.
Texas A&M corner Deshazor Everett worked out for the Buccaneers, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The speedster also auditioned for the Chargers, Bengals, Dolphins, and Jets.

East Notes: Mayo, Kendricks, Jets

April 29th, 2015 at 8:47pm CST by Zachary Links

A look at the AFC and NFC East..

Jerod Mayo‘s reworked three-year deal with the Patriots calls for $4.5MM guaranteed with a $3MM bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). He has a $1.5MM guaranteed base salary in 2015 and a chance to earn $1.8MM through incentives. Mayo (link) has $11.4MM 2016 cap figure under the new pact with a $3.25MM base and a $4MM roster bonus (due first day of league year) in his option year.
Mychael Kendricks plans to be back in Philly with the Eagles in a few weeks, assuming he still plays there, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News tweets.
The Jets have been more active than any other team, calling around about potentially trading up and down as they explore all options, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The Jets worked out defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick today, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).

Pats To Pick Up Dont’a Hightower’s Option

April 29th, 2015 at 8:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots will keep Dont’a Hightower around for another season by exercising his fifth-year option, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets. The Pats had until May 3rd to make that determination, but it sounds like they won’t be pushing it to the limit.

The decision on Hightower has been widely expected considering his critical role in the team’s Super Bowl run last season, which included establishing himself as a playmaker, a leader, and a play-caller in Jerod Mayo‘s absence. Mayo, of course, recently reworked his deal with the Patriots in order to help their financial situation.

The Pats have had Hightower’s contract in mind for some time and owner Robert Kraft cited his deal as one of the reasons why he didn’t outbid the Jets for Darrelle Revis this offseason.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

April 29th, 2015 at 7:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves..

The Bengals cut linebacker L.J. Fort, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Cincy first signed Fort on a reserve deal in January. Fort is listed as a linebacker but last year the Seahawks were experimenting with him as a fullback in practice.
Ravens running back Fitzgerald Toussaint signed his exclusive-rights tender, Wilson tweets. Toussaint was a training camp standout for Baltimore and many expected him to be the star of the Baltimore backfield following Ray Rice‘s suspension.
The Giants placed Troy Kropog on reserve-physically unable to perform list, Wilson tweets. Kropog, 29 in July, signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants in January.
The Buccaneers cut defensive back Jocquel Skinner, Wilson tweets. The safety signed a reserves deal with the Bucs in January. Skinner previously spent time with the Giants before being cut with an injury settlement last summer.
The Packers cut Travis Dekker from the reserve-military list and cut Aleric Mullins from the reserve-did not report list, according to Wilson (on Twitter).

Titans To Sign Hakeem Nicks

April 29th, 2015 at 5:23pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 5:23pm: It’s a one-year, $1.4MM deal with $100K fully guaranteed, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).

FRIDAY, 12:46pm: It’s a one-year deal for Nicks, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

12:04pm: Teams with interest in free agent wide receiver Hakeem Nicks have been informed that he’ll be signing with the Titans, reports Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link). Nicks had visited Tennessee to meet with the Titans earlier this month.

Nicks, 27, first reached unrestricted free agency in March 2014, and signed a modest one-year contract with the Colts after spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Giants. While fellow 2009 first-round wideout Jeremy Maclin parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2014 into a huge, long-term contract, Nicks was unable to do the same in Indianapolis.

After receiving 100 or more targets in each of his previous four seasons in New York, Nicks saw a career-low 68 passes thrown his way in 2014, as Andrew Luck and the Colts relied more on T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne, and Coby Fleener in the passing game. Nicks finished the season with 405 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions, and visited the 49ers before catching on with the Titans.

While Nicks has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, his mediocre recent production suggests that his signing shouldn’t affect the Titans’ draft plans significantly. There has been some recent speculation that the Titans could draft a wideout in the first round, particularly if the team trades down. A roster lacking star power could particularly benefit from selecting a player like Amari Cooper or Kevin White.

Still, having added Nicks and Harry Douglas to go along with presumed starting receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, Tennessee probably has other positions more in need of fortification.

Browns Make Titans Offer For No. 2 Pick?

April 29th, 2015 at 5:04pm CST by Luke Adams

5:04pm: Browns GM Ray Farmer tells NFL Media’s Andrea Kremer that he spoke to Webster, but specific compensation for the No. 2 pick wasn’t discussed.

“Things remain fluid and you always have to listen,” Farmer said. “When you get needy, you get desperate. We aren’t either.”

11:59am: In his full report on the trade talks between the Browns and Titans, McManamon writes that the Browns’ offer to the Titans “includes” the team’s first-round picks, which implies there may be more to it. However, he adds that another source close to the Browns says there have been “no substantive talks” yet with the Titans.

Presumably, McManamon is confident in enough in his first source to believe that there’s something to the story — it sounds to me like the two sides have definitely discussed a potential deal, even if nothing is imminent at this point.

11:53am: In an effort to move up to land Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Browns have offered their two first-round picks – 12th and 19th overall – to the Titans for the No. 2 overall pick, according to Pat McManamon of ESPN.com (Twitter link). However, fellow ESPN.com reporter Paul Kuharsky (Twitter link) hears from a Titans source that the Browns have not made an offer for that second overall pick.

Throughout the draft process, the Browns have been viewed as a candidate to shake up the first round, since they hold two top-20 picks. However, it would be a surprise if the 12th and 19th overall picks were all it took to move up to No. 2 to snag Mariota, so even if the Browns have made those picks available for the Titans, I’d expect further discussions to take place.

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reported last week that the Titans had asked the Browns for their second-round pick in addition to the Nos. 12 and 19 selections, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it took a little more than that to sway Tennessee — John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game tweeted today that the Titans would want both 2015 first-rounders, a 2015 second-rounder, and a 2016 first-rounder.

Additionally, Titans general manager Ruston Webster said yesterday that he has first-round grades on 16 or 17 players in this class, so that No. 19 selection may not appeal as strongly to Tennessee as it would to other clubs.

With the Eagles, Jets, and Chargers all still being linked to Mariota and the No. 2 pick as well, it would be a surprise if the Bucs moved the pick before they’re on the clock tomorrow night, even if there are currently offers on the table.

Eagles Shopping Mychal Kendricks

April 29th, 2015 at 4:38pm CST by Luke Adams

With the draft just over 24 hours away, the Eagles are shopping linebacker Mychal Kendricks, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). According to La Canfora, teams are currently balking as Philadelphia’s asking price of a second-round pick, but there’s still a chance something happens.

Kendricks, 24, has been a starting inside linebacker for the Eagles since entering the league as the 46th overall pick in 2012. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the former second-round pick was one of the league’s best ILBs last season, despite only playing 12 games — his grades as a pass rusher and in pass coverage were among the best at his position.

Nonethless, there have been some questions about how committed the Eagles are to Kendricks. The team brought in former Bill Kiko Alonso in a trade earlier in the offseason, and reworked DeMeco Ryans‘ deal to keep him in the mix, rather than parting ways with the veteran. Kendricks is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and there has been no indication that the club has interest in extending him, which led to some trade speculation earlier in April.

As La Canfora points out in a pair of subsequent tweets, Kendricks’ apparent availability adds another wrinkle to the rumors about the Eagles potentially trading up in the first round for Marcus Mariota. Kendricks – or the draft pick(s) acquired for him – could be included as part of a package for that sort of move.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), rival teams believe the Eagles would also be willing to part with cornerback Brandon Boykin, which is something we heard a few weeks ago.