2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Contract Details: L. Miller, D. Johnson, Woods

March 14th, 2016 at 10:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are several of the latest contract details from around the AFC on recently agreed-upon and signed deals. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…

Lamar Miller, RB (Texans): Four years, $26MM. $14.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. $3.5MM roster bonus due on March 16. $750K in annual per-game active roster bonuses in 2018 and 2019 (all Twitter links).
Derrick Johnson, ILB (Chiefs): Three years, $21MM. $9.75MM guaranteed. $5.25MM signing bonus. $1MM in per-game active roster bonuses in 2017 (Twitter link).
Al Woods, DT (Titans): Three years, $10.5MM. $5MM guaranteed. $2.25MM signing bonus. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
Prince Amukamara, CB (Jaguars): One year, $5.5MM. $3MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $500K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link).
Rod Streater, WR (Chiefs): One year, $810K. $110K guaranteed. $10K signing bonus. $1MM in incentives based on touchdowns, catches, and yards (Twitter link).
Kellen Davis, TE (Jets): One year, minimum salary benefit. $230K guaranteed. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
Jamell Fleming, DB (Chiefs): One year, minimum salary benefit. $40K signing bonus. $40K first-game 53-man roster bonus (Twitter link).

Russell Okung Still Considering Seahawks

March 14th, 2016 at 9:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent tackle Russell Okung is still “very much” considering the Seahawks, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets. Okung, as previously reported, has offers in hand from the Steelers, Lions, and Giants. However, he’s still considering a new deal in Seattle.

As the No. 11 player on PFR’s list of 2016’s top 50 free agents, Okung is the top unrestricted free agent left on the market. Okung, entering his seventh-year in the NFL, has spent his entire career to date with the Seahawks.

The 28-year-old has two interesting wrinkles to his free agency situation. One is that Okung underwent surgery on his injured shoulder in January. The tackle is also representing himself, which is rather rare in the NFL. Okung’s decision to act as his own agent hampered him in one regard as he was barred from talking to every team except for the Seahawks during the legal tampering period.

The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Okung as the No. 31 tackle in the NFL last year with an overall grade of 72.1.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Robinson, Jaguars, Beachum

March 14th, 2016 at 8:59pm CST by Zachary Links

Well, that was fun while it lasted. Just days after announcing a planned attempt at playing in the NFL, former NBA guard Nate Robinson has signed a deal with an Israeli basketball team, as Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors writes. Robinson, a former football standout at the University of Washington, had not stepped on the gridiron in more than a decade. Now, his NFL dream is on hiatus and, perhaps, done for good.

Here’s the latest on the guys who are still hoping to play in the NFL in 2016:

Is this NFL free agency or a rom-com? The Jaguars tried to convince free agent Kelvin Beachum not to board his flight, hoping that he would stay and sign a contract before leaving (Twitter link via Josina Anderson of ESPN.com). However, the Steelers free agent tackle was already in his seat and could not leave the plane (link). Beachum is now on his way back to Pittsburgh where he says he will evaluate things (link). The tackle also has interest from the Jets and Jaguars.
Free agent defensive end Jason Jones visited the Steelers, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Jones, 29, has been a full-time starter for the Lions for the last two seasons, picking up a total of 9.5 sacks in his last two seasons. In 2015, Pro Football Focus ranked him 43rd out of 110 qualified edge defenders, assigning him solid grades as both as a pass rusher and a run defender.
Free agent tackle Andre Smith says that things are “even” between the Vikings and the Cardinals. Smith, the 38th-ranked player in PFR’s top 50 free agents list, was on the field for 567 pass snaps and 414 run snaps last season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/16

March 14th, 2016 at 7:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves, signings, and other deals:

The Bears announced (on Twitter) that they have re-signed tight end Rob Housler to a one-year deal. The former Cardinals tight end had some productive years in Arizona in 2012 and 2013, but saw his role reduced in 2014 before leaving the team in free agency. In December 2015, he found his way to Chicago.
The Falcons signed Charles Godfrey, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The safety is slated to earn $965K between his $885K base salary and $80K signing bonus.
The Packers have signed defensive end Ray Drew, a street free agent from Georgia, a source tells ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. Drew spent time on the Browns practice squad last year as a rookie. He originally signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.
The Raiders announced the signing of linebacker Daren Bates. Bates played in 44 games for the Rams over the last three seasons after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Andre Smith Deciding Between Vikings, Cardinals

March 14th, 2016 at 6:53pm CST by Zachary Links

6:53pm: Smith tells Tomasson (Twitter link) that his visit with the Vikings went well and that things are “even” between the Vikings and the Cardinals.

4:57pm: Tackle Andre Smith is still with the Vikings and they are still working on signing him, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter) reports. Minnesota hopes to get a deal done today with the veteran.

Smith spent 2009-15 with the Bengals after they selected him No. 6 overall and the tackle went on to make 73 regular season starts for them in 82 appearances. If Smith signs with the Vikings, he’d be the third starting-caliber O-lineman to do so this offseason, joining guards Alex Boone and Mike Harris.

The 38th-ranked player in PFR’s top 50 free agents list, Smith’s market has been somewhat slow to materialize. From the sound of it, however, his free agency could come to a halt rather soon.

The former first-rounder didn’t receive high marks based on the advanced metrics used by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Smith was ranked 56th out of 77 qualified tackles in 2015 with equally poor grades in pass blocking and run blocking. Smith saw 567 pass snaps and 414 run snaps last season.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Seahawks To Sign Sealver Siliga

March 14th, 2016 at 6:49pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks have agreed to sign defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth $1.4MM and $250K of that cash is guaranteed.

Siliga, 26 in April, has been with the Patriots since 2013. In 2014, he was a member of the team’s Super Bowl championship team. For his career, which also includes a one-game appearance with the Broncos in 2012, the nose tackle has totaled 96 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 26 games (13 starts).

In other Seahawks news, the team agreed to sign tackle Bradley Sowell earlier tonight. Meanwhile, free agent offensive tackle Russell Okung has offers on the table from the Lions, Steelers, and Giants.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Giants Sign Keenan Robinson

March 14th, 2016 at 5:53pm CST by Zachary Links

MONDAY, 5:53pm: The Giants announced that the deal is official, as Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets. Click here for financial details on Robinson’s deal.

THURSDAY, 5:34pm: Robinson’s agreement with the Giants is on a one-year, $3.5MM contract, Master Tefatsion of the Washington Post (via Twitter) reports.

5:12pm: The Giants will sign linebacker Keenan Robinson, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

On Wednesday, it was reported that the two sides were talking and numbers were exchanged. After Robinson posted a farewell message to Washington’s fans on Instagram, it was clear that he would not be returning in 2016. Instead, he’s headed to a divisional rival. Robinson now becomes the latest addition to a revamped Giants defense, though he’s certainly not the biggest name in the bunch. Other new faces for Big Blue in 2016 include cornerback Janoris Jenkins, defensive end Olivier Vernon, and former Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison.

In 2015, Robinson appeared in 12 games (8 starts) and racked up 62 tackles and 3 pass deflections. In 2014, he enjoyed his best season to date when he appeared in 13 games (all starts) with 104 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bears Re-Sign Zach Miller

March 14th, 2016 at 5:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears announced that they have re-signed tight end Zach Miller. Miller will return on a two-year deal. Miller’s deal with the Bears is worth $6MM with another $2MM available in incentives, a source told Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter).

The Bears are looking to trade Martellus Bennett, so Miller could now take over as the Bears’ No. 1 tight end. Not to be confused for former Pro Bowler Zach Miller, who spent time with the Raiders and Seahawks, this Zach Miller had an improbable comeback to the NFL in 2015 after not having appeared in a game since the 2011 season due to various injuries. The former sixth-round pick, who came into the season having recorded 45 career receptions, set new career highs by grabbing 34 balls for 439 yards and five touchdowns in 2015.

Before signing with the Bears, Miller drew interest from the Rams. Los Angeles would have made a lot of sense for Miller, especially after the club released fellow tight Jared Cook earlier this month. Los Angeles still has Lance Kendricks on the roster, but the team doesn’t have a lot of other reliable receiving options, so Miller could have added another dynamic in the passing game. Alas, he’ll be staying put in Chicago and won’t be moving to L.A.

The 31-year-old Miller isn’t a great run-blocker, but his offensive ability gives him considerable value. Miller was said to be seeking $5MM annually, but he wound up settling for less on his new deal with the Bears. Miller was considered the best tight end remaining on the free agent market, as Antonio Gates, Coby Fleener, Allen, and Ladarius Green have all signed new contracts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Raji, Packers, Pats

March 14th, 2016 at 5:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest free agent rumors:

Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel (on Twitter) heard that Packers lineman B.J. Raji had “five legit offers,” though as Silverstein notes, “legit” is in the eye of the beholder. Raji, he hears, had to weigh those offers versus wanting to spend time with his family plus his own health concerns.
Free agent receiver Nate Washington met with the Patriots on Monday, according to FOX 26’s Mark Berman (via Twitter). Washington was ranked as Pro Football Rumors’ No. 13 free agent wide receiver in early March.
Browns free agent linebacker Craig Robertson is on his way to visit the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Robertson just got done visiting with Seattle. As Schefter notes, the Browns have already lost five unrestricted free agents this month and they could be on their way to losing free agent No. 6 if Robertson signs elsewhere.
Cornerback Antwon Blake will visit the Patriots on Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. Blake visited the Titans today and also has a visit scheduled with the Lions on Wednesday.
The Giants are looking for cornerbacks, particularly corners that can play in the slot, Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger tweets. He adds that Patrick Robinson and Jerraud Powers are two players to keep an eye on. The Eagles, Dolphins, and Bears have also been connected to Robinson.
Free agent defensive end Chris Clemons completed his visit with the Dolphins, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.

Rams To Sign Coty Sensabaugh

March 14th, 2016 at 5:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams will sign cornerback Coty Sensabaugh to a three-year deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Sensabaugh’s deal could be worth up to $19MM, per Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The deal carries a base value of $15MM, per Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Sensabaugh, 27, started 15 games for the Titans last year. Now, he joins a Rams cornerback group which features Trumaine Johnson and E.J. Gaines. Of course, the Rams’ secondary is slated to look different from last season, mainly thanks to the departure of former top corner Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins inked a five-year deal with the Giants, expected to be worth $62.5MM.

In 2015, Sensabaugh recorded 58 total tackles with 8 passes defended. He also hauled in two interceptions and scored one defensive touchdown.

Sensabaugh was not ranked amongst our top 15 free agent cornerbacks for this offseason, but he did earn honorable mention. Our Top 15 cornerback list, in order, was comprised of Jenkins, Sean Smith, Prince Amukamara, Casey Hayward, Adam Jones, Brandon Boykin, Jeremy Lane, Leon Hall, Patrick Robinson, Nolan Carroll, Josh Robinson, Jerraud Powers, Antonio Cromartie, Shareece Wright, and William Gay. Others receiving honorable mention included Sterling Moore, Charles Tillman, Kyle Wilson, and Terence Newman.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.