2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

Cardinals Sign Tyvon Branch

March 10th, 2016 at 2:27pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 2:27pm: The Cardinals have officially signed Branch, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).

WENDESDAY, 3:26pm: The two sides have reached agreement, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a two-year deal with a base of $7MM, per Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter). Branch can earn up to $10MM through incentives.

3:08pm: The Cardinals are expected to sign safety Tyvon Branch, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter) first reported that the two sides were closing in on an agreement. It’ll be a two-year deal worth potentially as much as $10MM, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. The deal includes $5MM in fully guaranteed cash (link).

Branch, whom the Chiefs signed to a one-year deal last winter, appeared in all 16 of their games last season and started one. The 29-year-old added 43 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble, and four passes defensed. The advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) placed Branch as the 30th best safety in the NFL last year, slotting him ahead of free agents Chris Conte, Eric Weddle, and David Bruton. While he did not start in 2015, many teams believed that Branch was capable of handling a starting role once again. The Cardinals, ostensibly, are one of those teams.

Branch was PFR’s No. 11 ranked safety this offseason, placing him behind George Iloka, Eric Weddle, Rodney McLeod, Tashaun Gipson, Reggie Nelson, Walter Thurmond, Rashad Johnson, Dwight Lowery, Isa Abdul-Quddus, and Husain Abdullah.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Rams Re-Sign Brian Quick

March 10th, 2016 at 2:26pm CST by Ben Levine

THURSDAY, 2:26pm: Quick has officially re-signed with the Rams, per his agency SportsTrust Advisors (Twitter link).

WEDNESDAY, 5:01pm: Brian Quick will be joining the Rams as they make their move to Los Angeles, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the team has re-signed the wideout to a one-year contract. The deal is worth $3.75MM, with $1.5MM in guaranteed money.

Brian Quick has yet to flash the potential that was expected of him when he was selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. The wideout has compiled only 64 career receptions for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. His 2015 campaign may have been the least productive of his four-year career, as he finished with career-lows in receptions (10), receiving yards (102), and touchdowns (zero). The 26-year-old has battled injuries throughout his career, including a season-ending shoulder issue in 2014.

Based on his performance last season, Pro Football Focus placed Quick just outside their list of the top-100 receivers. He barely earned a spot on our ranking of the top free agent wideouts, placing 14th.

Saints Sign Coby Fleener

March 10th, 2016 at 2:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

THURSDAY, 2:20pm: The Saints announced (on Twitter) that Fleener’s deal is official.

WEDNESDAY, 5:57pm: Drew Brees lost his starting tight end during each of the past two offseasons, but now the Saints spent to fill the void. Coby Fleener has agreed to join the Saints, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (on Twitter).

It’s a five-year deal for Fleener, per Saints official spokesman Greg Bensel (on Twitter), one worth $36MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter).

Fleener’s deal falls squarely into the top 10 in terms of tight ends’ average annual earnings. It’s very close to the $7.3MM-per-year figure former Colts teammate Dwayne Allen signed for to stay in Indianapolis.

After trading Jimmy Graham last season, the Saints received solid production from Ben Watson in 2015. But Watson departed to join the Ravens, leaving Brees with another hole at tight end.

Fleener operated in a perpetual timeshare with Allen during his four seasons with the Colts but now looks to be the clear-cut No. 1 tight end on his new team.

The 6-foot-6 tight end provided a consistent-if-unspectacular presence for Andrew Luck in 2013-14, when the ex-Stanford teammates were again in sync. Fleener, 27, caught 103 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns during those seasons. Fleener’s top season came in 2014, when he averaged 15.2 yards per catch and served as Luck’s No. 2 option.

Tight ends in Sean Payton‘s system have thrived for years, and Fleener should be a key fixture in Brees’ progression hierarchy as he winds down his career.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

Steelers Sign Ladarius Green

March 10th, 2016 at 2:03pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 2:03pm: The Steelers officially announced the signing.

WEDNESDAY, 8:30pm: Green is in line for a $20MM deal across four years, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). When he signs, Green will receive a signing bonus of $4.75MM. As presently structured, Green’s contract will pay out base salaries $1.25MM, $5MM, $4.5MM and $4.5MM, respectively, the next four seasons.

11:47am: Tight end Ladarius Green is expected to sign with the Steelers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Green is set to visit Pittsburgh on Thursday, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Chargers have re-signed Antonio Gates, but they apparently will not retain their other primary tight end. Green is viewed as the superior run-blocker to the 35-year-old Gates (36 in June), but Gates proved last season that he is still an effective pass catcher. Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowler, racked up 56 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games last season. Green, meanwhile, caught 37 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games (11 starts).

Green has long been viewed as a potential star in the game thanks to the athleticism he provides coupled with his 6-foot-6, 237-pound frame. Many expected 2015 to be the year that Gates would cede the torch to Green, particularly given Gates’ suspension to start the season, but that was simply not the case. Now, if he signs with Pittsburgh, Green could very well break out as one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the game.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was always been fond of feeding tight end Heath Miller and he’ll need a new target underneath now that the 33-year-old has retired. Green could also see additional looks with so much attention devoted to Antonio Brown by opposing defenses.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Texans Exploring Brian Hoyer Trade Scenarios

March 10th, 2016 at 1:58pm CST by Luke Adams

1:58pm: Hoyer would be available for a “very modest price,” a source tells Mark Maske of the Washington Post (Twitter link). I speculated below that the Texans probably wouldn’t be expecting more than a sixth-round pick.

12:39pm: With Brock Osweiler set to play under center for the Texans in 2016, Houston’s primary 2015 starter is expected to be on his way out. Pro Football Talk reported earlier today that Hoyer will likely leave Houston “sooner rather than later,” and Albert Breer of the NFL Network confirms (via Twitter) that the Texans are exploring trade scenarios for the veteran quarterback. No deal is imminent at this time, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Hoyer, 30, started nine games for the Texans in 2015, playing in 11. His numbers for the season were respectable — he threw 19 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, and racked up 2,606 yards through the air. For the second year in a row, he led his team to a winning record in his starts.

Despite his solid performance last season, Hoyer becomes expandable with the arrival of Osweiler, especially since the Texans have a backup they like in Tom Savage. Hoyer is in line for a $4MM base salary, plus $1.25MM in game-day roster bonuses, for the 2016 season, making him reasonably affordable for teams looking for quarterback help.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), several teams are in fact interested in Hoyer. Those potential suitors aren’t yet known, but the Broncos, Rams, and Browns are among the clubs potentially in the market for a QB, and the Jets are believed to have interest in Hoyer as a fallback option if Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t re-sign. Mike Klis of 9NEWS tweets that the Broncos are in “no rush” when it comes to adding a QB — Denver is exploring all its options, so GM John Elway figures to at least kick the tires on Hoyer.

Given Hoyer’s fairly modest salary, which is in line with top backups around the NFL, it’s also possible that there will be teams with interest in acquiring him as a No. 2 option.

When the Texans sent Fitzpatrick to the Jets a year ago, Houston received a seventh-round pick that had the potential to turn into a sixth-rounder (which it did). I wouldn’t expect the Texans to land any more than that if they find a taker for Hoyer.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Contract Details: Harrison, Benjamin, Massie

March 10th, 2016 at 1:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are some of the latest details on recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the NFL. All Twitter links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…

NFC:

Damon Harrison, DT (Giants): Five years, $46.25MM. $24MM guaranteed. $8MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
Bobby Massie, T (Bears): Three years, $18MM. $6.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $2MM roster bonus due on March 14 (Twitter links).
Thad Lewis, QB (49ers): One year, $760K. Minimum salary benefit. $25K playing-time incentive. $428K split salary (Twitter link).

AFC:

Travis Benjamin, WR (Chargers): Four years, $24MM. $13MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. $2.75MM salary for 2016 and $4.25MM salary for 2017 fully guaranteed (Twitter link).
Antonio Gates, TE (Chargers): Two years, $11MM. $6MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
Ramon Humber, LB (Patriots): One year, $885K. Minimum salary benefit. $25K signing bonus. $30K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald).

Giants Sign Janoris Jenkins

March 10th, 2016 at 1:52pm CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 1:52pm: The Giants’ signing of Jenkins is official, as Dan Salomone of Giants.com writes.

For a sneak peek at what Jenkins might look like in his new jersey, follow Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

WEDNESDAY, 9:39am: Jenkins is expected to get $29MM in fully guaranteed money, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (Twitter link).

9:29am: Jenkins’ five-year deal with the Giants is expected to be worth $62.5MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). That’s an annual average of $12.5MM.

Janoris Jenkins/Giants Uniform (Vertical)

Photo courtesy of @ProFootballRumors on Instagram

6:48am: The Giants are prepared to sign cornerback Janoris Jenkins when the free agent market officially opens later today, reports Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link). According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), Jenkins’ new contract is expected to be worth in excess of $12MM per year.

Jenkins, 27, has spent the first four years of his career with the Rams since being selected by the team with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Since entering the league, Jenkins has been a starter at cornerback in St. Louis, picking up a total of 10 career interceptions, including five for touchdowns. However, it appears he won’t join the team in Los Angeles.

Prior to the franchise-tag deadline, the Rams had been mulling over whether to use their tag on Jenkins or fellow cornerback Trumaine Johnson. The club ultimately opted to lock up Johnson with the non-exclusive franchise tag, clearing the path for Jenkins to reach the open market.

While the Rams did want to keep Jenkins, negotiations between the two sides didn’t appear to progress the way the four-year veteran anticipated. After a report surfaced suggesting that Jenkins had declined a five-year offer worth about $45MM, the former second-round pick changed agents, and tweeted. “Total disrespect when u held down one side all 4 years and force the ball the other way.. #ThanksButNoThanks.”

For the Giants, Jenkins looks poised to team with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the secondary, suggesting free agent corner Prince Amukamara likely won’t be back in New York.

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (Twitter links), the Giants may be targeting other big-name free agents on the defensive side of the ball. Graziano reports that Big Blue may make a run at defensive end Olivier Vernon, and adds that the team has also expressed interest in Jenkins’ former teammate, safety Rodney McLeod.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On O’Brien Schofield

March 10th, 2016 at 1:47pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 1:47pm: “I would love to be back in Atlanta. [I] thought I did some good things. We aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on a contract,” Schofield told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Meanwhile, Schofield says (Twitter link) that the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Seahawks have made preliminary inquiries on him.

TUESDAY, 10:54am: The Falcons and outside linebacker/defensive end O’Brien Schofield are working together on a deal, but Schofield also is generating interest from a trio of rival teams, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. The Cowboys, Bears, and Titans have also expressed interest in adding the veteran.

When speaking to the media late last month, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said that he’d like to Schofield re-signed this offseason. Schofield, 29 in April, appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season and made 11 starts. In total, he racked up 28 tackles and 2.0 sacks with 1 forced fumble.

The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) weren’t necessarily enamored with Schofield’s play last season. Schofield earned a 69.0 overall grade, placing him as the No. 71 edge defender in the NFL last season. That ranking did, however, place him ahead of fellow free agents Kroy Biermann, Calvin Pace, and Darryl Tapp.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Falcons To Sign Mohamed Sanu

March 10th, 2016 at 1:36pm CST by Zachary Links

1:36pm: It’s a five-year, $32.5MM deal for Sanu, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The receiver will earn $14MM fully guaranteed.

1:30pm: The Falcons agreed to terms with former Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu on a five-year deal, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Agent Mike McCartney confirmed the agreement on Twitter.

Sanu, a third round pick of the Bengals in the 2012 draft, totaled 152 receptions and 15 touchdowns in Cincy. Eleven of those scores came as a receiver, while he also ran and passed for two apiece. The 26-year-old took a backseat in the Bengals’ passing game last season to A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert and Marvin Jones, catching 33 passes for 394 yards and no TDs. He was far more productive in 2014, though, putting up career bests in catches (56), receiving yards (790), YPC (14.1) and TDs (five).

He’s a good bet to return to similar form as the Falcons’ top option behind Julio Jones. That spot has been cleared for him now that the Falcons have released Roddy White. White made four Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2010, when he caught a career-high 110 passes for 1,389 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, the 34-year-old’s production has fallen off in recent years, leading Atlanta to seek out alternatives.

Sanu is the second Bengals wideout to depart Cincinnati this week, joining M. Jones – who’s headed to the Lions on a five-year, $40MM accord. Prior to free agency, Sanu ranked as PFR’s seventh-best available receiver, putting him behind M. Jones, Travis Benjamin, Rishard Matthews, Rueben Randle, Anquan Boldin, and Jermaine Kearse. He earned honorable mention on PFR’s Top 50 List of NFL Free Agents.

Prior to signing with the Falcons, Sanu was also pursued by the Patriots.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bengals Re-Sign Vincent Rey

March 10th, 2016 at 1:23pm CST by Zachary Links

1:23pm: Rey has signed his new three-year, $11.5MM contract, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com tweets.

10:32am: It’s a three-year deal worth roughly $11-$12MM, a league source tells Jim Owczarski of The Enquirer.

10:19am: The Bengals have reached agreement on a new deal with linebacker Vincent Rey, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It was reportedly earlier today that the Bengals were working hard to close the deal with Rey and they have done just that.

Rey picked up interest from other clubs this week, including the Vikings where he has a connection with coach Mike Zimmer.

Rey performed admirably in place of injured starter Rey Maualuga in 2014 and posted 57 tackles, four sacks, five passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble. This past season, he registered 95 tackles with 1 sack in 16 games (8 starts). Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Rey as the No. 74 linebacker in the NFL last season with a poor grade of 43.8. The advanced metrics were pretty evenly down on his run defense, coverage, and pass rush across 557 pass snaps and 218 run snaps.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.