2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

Draft Rumors: Dolphins, Washington, Nkemdiche, Ogbah

March 18th, 2016 at 9:27pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Having lost running back Lamar Miller and struck out on potential replacements C.J. Anderson, James Starks and Chris Johnson in free agency, the Dolphins could select a go-to rusher with the 13th pick of the draft. Their potential target? Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott, says Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (video link). Elliott is the type of cutback runner rookie head coach Adam Gase covets for his offense, Cole notes.

More of the latest draft-related info:

Ohio State’s Michael Thomas is the No. 1 wide receiver on Washington‘s board, according to Cole (video link). Washington is enamored of Thomas’ mix of size (6-foot-3, 212 pounds), speed (4.57 forty-yard dash) and competitiveness, per Cole. Thus, he could be the club’s target at No. 21 overall in the first round.
The stock of Mississippi defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche – arguably a top-10 talent – is dropping because of character concerns, and he could end up a second-round selection, Cole reports (video link). Nkemdiche was charged with possession of marijuana after he fell out of an Atlanta hotel window in December.
Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has lined up visits with the Bears and Buccaneers, he told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The Bengals, Patriots and Jets sent defensive line coaches to observe Michigan D-lineman Willie Henry‘s workout on Friday, reports Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com.
The Patriots also met with Michigan linebacker Desmond Morgan on Friday, as did the Vikings and Lions, per Pauline.
The Lions “spent hours” with Eastern Michigan running back Darius Jackson after his Friday workout, according to Pauline.
The Lions and Titans met with Cal receiver Trevor Davis on Friday, Pauline writes.
Davis isn’t the only Cal wideout the Titans are eyeing, Pauline notes. They met with Kenny Lawler, too, and so did the Jets.

Browns Add Alvin Bailey, Justin Tuggle

March 18th, 2016 at 8:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 18: Bailey’s deal is a three-year accord worth $6MM, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). The contract contains $500K in incentives next season and $1.4MM in base escalators in 2017 and ’18.

MARCH 11: Identified mostly for the players they’ve lost this week, the Browns added a couple of players today, signing Alvin Bailey and Justin Tuggle, according to the team’s website.

Bailey served as mostly a depth piece on the Seahawks’ offensive line, starting in eight games in three seasons in Seattle. The 24-year-old ex-UDFA has started at left tackle, right tackle and left guard during his career, which includes two playoff starts.

Tuggle played three seasons for the Texans as a reserve linebacker, starting 11 games and playing in 42.

NFC Contract Details: Starks, Galette, Mathis

March 18th, 2016 at 8:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are several of the latest contract details on deals which were agreed upon or signed within the last week. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.

NFC North:

James Starks, RB (Packers): Two years, $6MM. $1.5MM signing bonus. $300K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $600K in annual Pro Bowl and rushing-yard incentives (Twitter link).
Andre Smith, T (Vikings): One year, $3.5MM. $500K of $2.5MM base salary guaranteed. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $1MM in playing-time and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link).
Terence Newman, CB (Vikings): One year, $2.5MM. $1MM guaranteed. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
Mitch Unrein, DL (Bears): Two years, $2.26MM. $500K guaranteed. $300K signing bonus. $200K roster bonus due April 1. $500K base escalator for 2017 (Twitter link).
Matt Asiata, RB (Vikings): One year, $840K. $60K signing bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time, rushing-yard, and catch incentives (Twitter link).
Marc Mariani, WR (Bears): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).

NFC East:

Nolan Carroll, CB (Eagles): One year, $2.36MM. Can be worth up to $3MM. $1MM in per-game active roster bonuses. $600K for eight games active. Up to $640K in playing-time and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link).
Junior Galette, OLB (Washington): One year, $1.6MM. Can be worth up to $4.1MM. $1MM base salary. $500K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $2.5MM in playing-time, Pro Bowl, and sack incentives (Twitter link).
Will Blackmon, CB (Washington): Two years, $2.05MM. $150K signing bonus (Twitter link via John Keim of ESPN.com).
Josh LeRibeus, G/C (Washington): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).

NFC West:

Evan Mathis, G (Cardinals): One year, $4MM. Can be worth up to $6MM. $3MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $1MM guaranteed base salary. $1MM in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $2MM in playing-time, Pro Bowl, and All-NFL incentives (Twitter link).

Patriots Sign Shea McClellin

March 18th, 2016 at 7:35pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

FRIDAY, 7:35pm: McClellin’s three-year contract is worth $12MM, including $3.5MM guaranteed, ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets.

4:03pm: The Patriots have officially signed McClellin, the team announced in a press release.

WEDNESDAY, 9:08pm: After agreeing to acquire tight end Martellus Bennett from the Bears on Wednesday, the Patriots will add another ex-Chicago player. The Pats have reached an agreement on a three-year accord with free agent linebacker Shea McClellin, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (Twitter links). Financial details are not yet available.

In landing McClellin, the Pats have kept him from the AFC East rival Jets, who visited with the 26-year-old last week. McClellin was the Bears’ first-round pick in 2012, but he never lived up to his draft status, totaling just 161 tackles and 7.5 sacks in four years. As a result of his disappointing play, the Bears declined his fifth-year option for 2016 last offseason. McClellin responded by notching a career-best 81 tackles in 12 games. Eleven of those 12 appearances were starts, giving him 31 overall. Pro Football Focus wasn’t impressed with McClellin’s output last season, though, grading him 88th among 97 qualifying linebackers.

With the Patriots, he’ll join a linebacking corps that features two stars – Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower – as well as Jonathan Freeny. The Patriots liked McClellin prior to the 2012 draft, notes Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (on Twitter), and he has shown versatility by taking snaps along the defensive line and as both an inside and outside linebacker during his career.

The addition of McClellin is the latest move in a week of seemingly nonstop transactions by the Pats. The club has added (unofficially in some cases) receiver Chris Hogan, guard Jonathan Cooper, defensive end Chris Long, Bennett and McClellin since March 11.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Contract Details: Okung, Penn, Pacman

March 18th, 2016 at 5:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are several of the latest contract details on deals which were agreed upon or signed within the last week. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.

AFC West:

Russell Okung, T (Broncos): Five years, $53MM. No guaranteed money. Option after year one. $2MM base salary, $1MM workout bonus, and $2MM Week 1 roster bonus for 2016. Up to $3MM in incentives available in 2016 ($1.5MM for 80% of snaps, $3MM for 90% of snaps). Option must be exercised between fifth day after Super Bowl and first day of 2017 league year. If option is exercised, $2MM salary for 2017 and $9.5MM salary for 2018 become fully guaranteed, and an $8MM roster bonus is paid out (links via Pro Football Talk, ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Tom Pelissero of USA Today, and Wilson)
Donald Penn, T (Raiders): Two years, $11.9MM, $5.5MM guaranteed. $2MM roster bonus due 20th day of 2016 league year. $300K in annual weigh bonuses (six weigh-ins worth $50K each). Up to $750K in annual playing-time, Pro Bowl, and playoff incentives (Twitter links).
Andre Holmes, WR (Raiders): One year, $2MM. $750K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $250K of $1.25MM base salary guaranteed. $250K workout bonus. Up to $1MM in catch, yardage incentives (Twitter links).

AFC North:

Adam Jones, CB (Bengals): Three years, $22MM. $6MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $4MM roster bonus due March 18. $500K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. $500K playing-time escalator for 2017. $750K playing-time escalator for 2018. $200K punt return average incentive for 2018. 2018 option to be exercised by last day of 2017 league year. (Twitter links).
Demario Davis, LB (Browns): Two years, $8MM. $4.1MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. Annual $100K workout bonus (Twitter link).
Ryan Harris, T (Steelers): Two years, $3.9MM. $675K signing bonus (Twitter link).
Pat Sims, DT (Bengals): Two years, $2.3MM. $250K guaranteed roster bonus due March 18. $200K in annual playing-time incentives. $200K playing-time escalator for 2017 (Twitter links via Wilson and Pelissero).

AFC East:

Andre Branch, DE (Dolphins): One year, $2.75MM. $2.5MM guaranteed base salary. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $250K in incentives (Twitter link).
Nate Ebner, S (Patriots): Two years, $2.4MM. $500K guaranteed. $125K in annual per-game roster bonuses. $250K first-day camp reporting bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time, Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter links via Wilson and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com).
Frank Kearse, DT (Patriots): One year, minimum salary benefit. $30K signing bonus. $30K first-day camp reporting bonus. $20K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
Robert Blanton, S (Bills): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).

AFC South:

Antwon Blake, CB (Titans): One year, $1.5MM. $200K signing bonus. Up to $750K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).

Cowboys Sign Benson Mayowa To Offer Sheet

March 18th, 2016 at 5:22pm CST by Luke Adams

5:22pm: The deal is for three years and contains a $3.3MM signing bonus and base salaries of $700K, $2.5MM and $2.75MM, per Getlin (on Twitter). The final year of the contract, 2018, is voidable based on sack and playing-time incentives (Twitter link).

4:08pm: The Cowboys have signed Mayowa to an offer sheet, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. The Raiders have until Wednesday at midnight ET to match the offer.

2:49pm: The Cowboys are expected to sign defensive end Benson Mayowa to an offer sheet today, assuming his physical goes well, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Todd Archer of ESPN.com first reported that Mayowa was making the trip to Dallas, while Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweeted that a physical would be a part of the visit.

Assuming the Cowboys finalize an offer sheet and Mayowa signs it, the Raiders would have five days to decide whether or not to match it. The team assigned the defensive end a low-end tender, worth $1.671MM. Because Mayowa came into the league as an undrafted free agent, the Raiders wouldn’t be entitled to any compensatory draft picks if they opt not to match an offer sheet.

Mayowa, 24, has only made three starts so far in his NFL career, but he has appeared in 30 total games for the Raiders and Seahawks. In 2015, he recorded 16 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a safety.

We’ll have to see whether the Cowboys and Mayowa officially get something done, and what the terms of the deal are, but if the Raiders want to keep him in the fold, they’ll have the flexibility to match. Per OverTheCap.com, Oakland entered the day with the seventh-most cap room in the league — I don’t believe that figure includes Donald Penn‘s new contract with the team, but the Raiders should still have more cap flexibility than the Cowboys.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ravens’ Tray Walker Dies

March 18th, 2016 at 5:07pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Ravens cornerback Tray Walker has died as a result of serious injuries sustained in a Thursday night motorcycle accident, according to his agent, Ron Butler (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun). Walker was 23 years old.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Walker was headed westbound on Northwest 75th Street on a dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape heading southbound on Northwest 21st Avenue. Police said Walker’s bike didn’t have lights and that he was wearing dark clothing.

Walker was in critical condition as of Thursday night at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was reportedly in surgery all night and spent Friday “fighting for his life” after suffering serious head injuries, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Walker, a former Texas Southern standout, was a fourth-round pick last spring. He played sparingly for the Ravens during his rookie season, seeing some time on special teams but appearing in just eight defensive snaps. As Luke Jones of WNST.net tweets, Walker had dedicated his rookie year to his father, who passed away in November of 2014.

”He loved his college, his teammates, coaches. He was big in terms of giving back,” Butler said (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh echoed Butler’s statement.

“Tray was a young man with a good and kind heart,” said Harbaugh. “He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens’ team.”

Added quarterback Joe Flacco, “Tray was a young man who was full of energy and promise. This is very hard to wrap my head around, and I am devastated” (link via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley).

The Ravens organization and many of its players took to Twitter after the news of Walker’s passing to express their sadness.

“We are grieving the loss of a special young man. #RIPTrayWalker,” the club tweeted.

“I just heard the news.. I can’t believe it. I was just with him two weeks ago. That was like my little bro. RIP Tray Walker,” said receiver Marlon Brown.

“Hate we lost our brother and teammate! #ripTray #25,” added linebacker C.J. Mosley.

PFR sends its condolences and best wishes to Walker’s family and friends.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Rams Sign Quinton Coples

March 18th, 2016 at 4:32pm CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 4:32pm: The Rams’ signing of Coples is official, as Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets.

WEDNESDAY, 1:51pm: It will be a two-year contract with a base value of $6.5MM for Coples, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link), who adds that the deal can max out at $9.75MM.

1:37pm: The Rams are signing defensive end Quinton Coples, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to terms on a two-year contract. Coples paid a visit to the Rams earlier this week, having previously met with the Panthers.

Coples, selected 16th overall in the 2012 draft, was cut by the Dolphins last month before his fifth-year option for the 2016 season became fully guaranteed. The veteran edge defender had previously spent most of his career with the Jets, before being claimed off waivers by Miami last fall.

Coples had his best year as a pro in 2014, but even that amounted to just 35 tackles and 6.5 sacks, modest totals for a first-round pass rusher. When Todd Bowles took over as the Jets’ head coach a year ago, Coples was further marginalized in New York. Due to his poor fit in Bowles’ defense – and perhaps an alleged incident on a team flight, though Bowles denied that – the 25-year-old was waived by the club in November.

A fresh start should benefit Coples, and the Rams look like a good fit for him. With Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Aaron Donald, and Michael Brockers penciled in as the starters up front, Los Angeles should have a formidable defensive line even if Coples doesn’t contribute much. The former first-round pick will likely be a better fit in the Rams’ 4-3 system than he was as a 3-4 outside linebacker, so we’ll see if he can muster a bounce-back season in 2016.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/16

March 18th, 2016 at 4:31pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL…

The Dolphins announced on Twitter that they’ve signed receiver Griff Whalen, who spent the first three years of his career in Indianapolis. Whalen totaled 19 receptions, 205 yards and a touchdown in 14 games last season. His best output came in 2013, when he amassed career highs in catches (24), targets (40), yards (259) and scores (two) in just nine games.
The Colts have signed running back Jordan Todman, they announced via press release. The Colts are the fifth organization for Todman, a sixth-round pick in 2011 who was most recently with the Steelers. After combining for 147 touches (108 rushes, 39 receptions) from 2013-14, he totaled a mere four last season.
The Chiefs tweeted the signing of linebacker Tautvydas Kieras, a native of Lithuania who attended Mississippi State. Kieras didn’t play college football there, however, instead starring in track and field. He set the school record in the discus.
The Vikings have signed tight end Brian Leonhardt to a one-year, $600K deal, per ESPN’s Ben Goessling (on Twitter). Leonhardt has appeared in seven career games with the Raiders and 49ers since entering the NFL in 2014. He has seven catches and a touchdown to his name.

Patriots Sign Chris Long

March 18th, 2016 at 4:00pm CST by Zachary Links

FRIDAY, 4:00pm: The Patriots have announced the signing of Long, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweets.

WEDNESDAY, 5:23pm: Long will get $2MM on his one-year deal, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

TUESDAY, 8:21pm: The Patriots will sign Chris Long, according to Trey Wingo of ESPN (on Twitter). Long will now join a defensive line that has been weakened by today’s trade of Chandler Jones to the Cardinals. It’s a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Rams cut Long on February 19 after he endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. The soon-to-be 31-year-old suited up for just 18 of 32 regular-season games during that span, but he’s reportedly “100% healthy” and since hitting the open market, Long has indicated that his priority would be to link up with a Super Bowl contender. The Patriots certainly fit the bill in that respect, and they have a connection to Long in in defensive assistant Brendan Daly, who was the D-line coach in St. Louis from 2009-11.

From 2010 to 2013 – his last four healthy seasons – Long totaled 41.5 sacks, an average of more than 10 per year. Considering he’ll turn 31 in a few weeks, though, and is coming off two seasons in which he totaled just four sacks, his earning potential was somewhat limited.

For comparison, Jones appeared in 15 games for the Patriots last year, totaling 44 tackles to go along with a career-high 12.5 sacks. The former first-round pick also added four forced fumbles, two passes defended, and his first career interception, earning a Pro Bowl spot for the first time. Needless to say, the Pats are badly in need of Long’s help on the D-Line if they hope to offer a tough defense in 2016.

Prior to signing with the Pats, Long was also being courted by the Cowboys, Falcons, and Washington.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.