2016 April - Pro Football Rumors

Case Keenum Signs RFA Tender With Rams

April 18th, 2016 at 1:44pm CST by Luke Adams

The only player to be tendered at a first-round level this offseason, Rams quarterback Case Keenum, has officially signed his RFA tender, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The transaction doesn’t come as a surprise, since the first-round tender made it extremely unlikely that Keenum would get an offer sheet.

By assigning him a high-end tender worth $3.635MM, rather than the second-round tender ($2.553MM) or the right-of-first-refusal tender ($1.671MM), the Rams ensured that any team attempting to poach Keenum would have to be willing to send a first-round pick to Los Angeles to do so.

Keenum, 28, took over as the Rams’ starter last season after Nick Foles was benched — he went on to start five games, completing nearly 61% of his passes for 828 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

Keenum’s solid 2015 performance had head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead talking this offseason as if he would head into the 2016 season as the team’s starting quarterback. Now that the club has acquired the first overall pick in the draft though, Keenum’s role looks a little less certain.

With Keenum, Foles, 2015 third-rounder Sean Mannion, and either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz all potentially in the mix at quarterback, the Rams will almost certainly have to trade or release at least one signal-caller before the season gets underway. While it’s possible that Keenum will be dealt, the Rams like him enough – and he’s cheap enough – that it would make sense to keep him around to compete for the starting job or to back up the No. 1 pick. Foles appears to be more expendable for now.

Still, now that Keenum has signed his RFA tender, he’s eligible to be traded, if the Rams do get an offer they like. A report last week suggested that the Broncos might have some interest in Keenum.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC East Rumors: Eagles, Cox, Cowboys, Hoyer

April 18th, 2016 at 1:31pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles were reportedly in discussions with the Titans about a potential trade for the No. 1 pick before Tennessee sent that pick to Los Angeles. Asked today about how serious those talks were, Howie Roseman downplayed them, suggesting that his team was doing its “due diligence,” as Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.

“I wouldn’t consider any discussions [serious] with any teams until you make deals,” Roseman, the de-facto Eagles GM, said. “I think it’s the same discussion with teams behind us. We’re having those discussions now. Teams in front us. We just have those conversations internally and weigh the cost-benefit of everything.”

While Roseman left the door open for plenty of trade possibilities, he shut at least one door, telling reporters today that the Eagles are “not trading” Fletcher Cox (Twitter links via Berman). Roseman made it clear that the team isn’t playing the “leverage game” with Cox, and plans on extending him and keeping him in Philadelphia for a long time.

Let’s check in on some other NFC East items….

The Cowboys wouldn’t mind landing a veteran backup for Tony Romo, and would have interest in Brian Hoyer “at the right price,” a source tells Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. However, Williams cautions that Hoyer will likely be able to get more money – and perhaps the chance to compete for a starting job – with another team.
In a conversation with TMZ Sports, free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie admitted that his “dream choice” for his new team would be the Cowboys. “[Dallas] is very high on my list,” Cromartie said.
Jeff Heath‘s new four-year contract with the Cowboys is worth $7.671MM, including a $1.8MM signing bonus, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. The defensive back and special-teamer also saw his cap number for 2016 reduced a little, going from $1.671MM to $1.35MM.
John Keim of ESPN.com breaks down the keys to success for Washington in 2016, identifying some players to watch and suggesting that the team should address its defensive line in the draft.

Giants Re-Sign Josh Brown

April 18th, 2016 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

12:17pm: The Giants have re-signed Brown, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (Twitter link).

12:07pm: The Giants are expected to bring back veteran free agent Josh Brown to handle kicking duties for the club, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Vacchiano reports that Brown is set to sign a two-year, $4MM deal, which will feature $1MM in guarantees and could be worth up to $4.75MM in total.

For Brown, it will be a raise on his previous salary with the Giants — his last two-year contract paid him $2.7MM. During those two years, Brown was one of the league’s most accurate kickers, converting 24 of 26 field goals in 2014, and 30 of 32 field goals in 2015. He also made all but one of his extra point attempts, for a total of five overall misses in two years.

Brown, who will turn 37 later this month, has racked up a total of 1,353 points over the course of his NFL career, with the Seahawks, Rams, Bengals, and Giants. His 134 points in 2015 represented a career high, and earned him his first Pro Bowl nod.

Assuming Brown continues to hold the Giants’ kicking job until his new contract expires, he has a good chance to become one of the NFL’s top 20 scorers of all time. He currently ranks 30th on the league’s all-time scoring list.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Tony Jefferson, D.J. Swearinger Sign RFA Tenders

April 18th, 2016 at 11:53am CST by Luke Adams

With their voluntary offseason workouts getting underway, the Cardinals have secured three of their restricted free agents, the club announced today. As Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com details, safety Tony Jefferson, safety D.J. Swearinger, and wide receiver Jaron Brown all signed their RFA tenders.

All three players received low-end RFA tenders worth $1.671MM from the Cardinals, and there was some speculation that Jefferson, who drew some interest from other teams, including Oakland, might sign an offer sheet, which the Cardinals would have to decide whether or not to match. However, Jefferson and his two teammates will all return to Arizona on one-year, $1.671MM contracts, making them potentially eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2017.

Jefferson, who has started 17 games for the Cardinals over the last three seasons, filled up the stat sheet in 2015, recording 74 tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks, and a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown. He suggested earlier in April that he didn’t mind the idea of playing as an RFA this year rather than signing a below-market offer sheet.

“You don’t want to get yourself locked into long-term deals where you don’t even like your salary, and you’re unrestricted next year, so you have a chance to make more money,” Jefferson said.

Swearinger, a former second-round pick, joined the Cardinals last December and appeared in four regular-season games for the team down the stretch, while Brown played in all 16 games, but caught just 11 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Draft Updates: Jack, J. Smith, Reed, Elliott

April 18th, 2016 at 11:23am CST by Luke Adams

Linebackers Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith are two of the biggest wild cards in this year’s draft, as both players have the talent to be top-five picks, but the health concerns to take them entirely off some teams’ boards.

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link) spoke to one source who calls Jack a “time bomb,” suggesting that his knee issues may limit him to just a few good seasons, if that. One source – possibly the same one – also tells Bowen that Smith’s re-check showed a “drop-foot problem, caused by nerve damage,” adding that his prognosis hasn’t improved since the combine.

Not every team will agree with that source’s assessment of Jack and Smith – some teams are said to be encouraged by Jack’s latest medicals – but many other clubs will likely view those prospects the same way, meaning there’s a chance that both players, particularly Smith, could slip a little further than expected on draft day next week.

Here are several more draft updates from around the league:

At least three more teams are getting a first-hand look at Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Reed will visit the Jets on Monday, the Chargers on Tuesday, and the Texans on Wednesday.
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott will have his previously-announced visit with the Bears this Wednesday, tweets Ian Rapoport.
The Lions are hosting Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander for a visit today, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that Detroit is actively exploring the defensive back market in this year’s draft more than most other teams.
Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller, who received positive reports following his medical re-check last week, is visiting the Jets today and will meet with the Panthers on Wednesday, per Rand Getlin (Twitter link).
Middle Tennessee State defensive back Kevin Byard, who has already visited seven teams, will visit four more this week. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, Byard is making trips to visit the Ravens, Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Panthers.
Boston College linebacker Steven Daniels is visiting Washington this week, and has previously worked out for the Browns and Colts, among other teams, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.

Ravens Sign Kamar Aiken, Trent Richardson

April 18th, 2016 at 9:42am CST by Luke Adams

With their offseason program set to get underway, the Ravens have confirmed a series of signings, including officially locking up several of their own players for 2016. Per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), wide receiver Kamar Aiken has formally signed his RFA tender, while the team has announced in a press release that running back Trent Richardson has signed a contract to join the Ravens.

In addition to re-signing Aiken and adding Richardson, the Ravens also secured a few exclusive-rights free agent. According to the team (via Twitter), wide receiver Jeremy Butler, wide receiver and return specialist Kaelin Clay, and offensive lineman Ryan Jensen have all signed their ERFA tenders.

Aiken, who turns 27 next month, had a breakout 2015 campaign, leading the team with 75 catches for 944 yards. Although Aiken didn’t fully emerge as a go-to option in Baltimore’s offense until after Steve Smith went down for the season with an Achilles injury, the Central Florida product figures to have a significant role going forward. Despite their limited cap flexibility in March, the Ravens assigned Aiken a second-round tender worth $2.553MM, signaling how much they value him.

Richardson, meanwhile, visited Baltimore back in February and has been expected to sign with them for quite some time. GM Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens had been somewhat concerned about Richardson’s conditioning, but agreed to sign him if he lost some weight, which he has. The former third overall pick may have an uphill battle to earn a roster spot in a crowded backfield in Baltimore, but it looks like a low-risk flier for the Ravens.

As for Butler, Clay, and Jensen, while they were technically considered free agents, the Ravens held their exclusive rights, so none of those players could explore the market.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

No Pre-Draft Deal Expected For Fitzpatrick, Jets

April 18th, 2016 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

Barring a “significant breakthrough” in their contract negotiations, the Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick aren’t expected to reach a contract agreement prior to the draft, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). As Rapoport notes, that could add some intrigue to the Jets’ draft approach.

While the Jets have made it clear that Fitzpatrick is their preferred option at quarterback, the two sides have been at an impasse since the signal-caller’s contract expired last month. The team has reportedly offered the 33-year-old an incentive-heavy deal which doesn’t feature an annual average salary in line with what most other veteran starters around the league are earning.

Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has been pushing for a per-year salary closer to what quarterbacks like Brock Osweiler and Sam Bradford received on their new deals — neither Osweiler nor Bradford had as strong a season as the Jets signal-caller did in 2015, but they each got contracts in the neighborhood of $18MM annually. Fitzpatrick, who is several years older than Osweiler and Bradford, likely isn’t seeking that sort of money, but it makes sense that he’d be after a salary in the $14-15MM range.

An 11-year veteran, Fitzpatrick is coming off the best season of his NFL career. The former seventh-round pick established new career highs by throwing for 3,905 yards and 31 touchdowns, and led the Jets to a 10-6 record, just narrowly missing a playoff berth.

With the Jets and Fitzpatrick not making real progress, the club will likely continue to mull its fallback options as the draft approaches. The Texans are releasing Brian Hoyer, and there have been indications that the Jets will at least kick the tires on Hoyer, perhaps bringing him in for a visit.

Additionally, as Rapoport alludes to, the Jets could target a quarterback on one of the first two days of the draft if they’re not optimistic about bringing back Fitzpatrick. Of course, the threat of signing Hoyer or drafting a QB could also create some additional leverage for the Jets in their talks with Fitzpatrick.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC North Notes: Kuhn, Vikings, Lawson

April 17th, 2016 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers have discussed bringing back fullback John Kuhn but haven’t decided to keep their longtime backfield blocker in the fold as of yet, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Kuhn’s agent, Kevin Gold, has talked with the Packers and other teams about the three-time Pro Bowl fullback, but Silverstein reports no decision is imminent on the eve of Green Bay’s start to its offseason program.

The 33-year-old Kuhn has played 156 games for the Packers, suiting up in green and gold for 10 of his 11 years in the league. Kuhn played ahead of 2015 sixth-rounder Aaron Ripkowski last season and made his third Pro Bowl. The Packers, who are also expected to sign Don Barclay on Monday, have $10.6MM in cap space currently.

A Division II product, Kuhn has been in this situation in recent years. Despite Kuhn being the fullback on the 2014 All-Pro first team, the Packers were able to re-sign him for the league minimum last April after agreeing to a similar one-year pact in advance of the ’14 season. Kuhn played in 23.4% of the offensive snaps last season, per Silverstein.

Here’s the latest coming out of the Packers’ top rivals’ camps.

This season will almost certainly be Chad Greenway‘s Vikings farewell tour, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The 33-year-old outside linebacker signed a one-year, $2.75MM deal (with $750K guaranteed) to remain in Minnesota for an 11th season recently. “I have sort of that direction that, yeah, I want to walk away a Minnesota Viking in sort of on my own terms,” Greenway told media Sunday, including Tomasson. “Few NFL players get to do that and have the opportunity to do that. This organization and my career has allowed me to do that and kind of be in the situation.” Greenway has started 140 regular-season and playoff games with the Vikings since being taken by the team in Round 1 of the 2006 draft. He remains the favorite to start alongside Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks this season.
Linval Joseph has nearly recovered fully from the turf toe that shelved the emerging defensive tackle late last season, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com tweets. Pro Football Focus’ best interior defender not named Aaron Donald or J.J. Watt, Joseph missed four Vikings games with the malady last season.
The Vikings do not expect Adrian Peterson to attend the start of voluntary portion of their offseason workouts Monday, Tomasson reports. Peterson has been training near his home in Houston and rarely shows for the start of these gatherings.
Shaq Lawson drew a lofty comparison during his Lions workout, according to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com (on Twitter). During one drill, Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek told the former Clemson pass-rusher during an explosiveness drill he’d only seen one player flash more during that particular drill, 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. Lawson accumulated 45.5 tackles for loss in his three years at Clemson, 24.5 last season — his only as a starter.

West Rumors: Browner, Broncos, Cards, Allen

April 17th, 2016 at 8:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks and the newly reacquired Brandon Browner set in motion Sunday’s signing with a back-and-forth negotiation that lasted “a while,” Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports.

Seattle entered Sunday with $5.6MM in cap space, although terms of Browner’s deal with the Seahawks haven’t been disclosed. Browner’s agent tells Condotta the Seahawks were priced out of Browner’s negotiations after their Super Bowl XLVIII victory, and the veteran went on to spend 2014 with the Patriots and 2015 with the Saints.

“That was more of a (salary) cap issue,” Peter Schaffer told Condotta. “Brandon was going to get more money then they had. … it wasn’t like ‘we don’t want him back’ but like ‘shoot, if you are going to get that kind of money there’s no way we can afford him.”

The Pats ended up signing Browner, who will turn 32 in August, to a three-year, $12.35MM contract. This one-year pact with the Seahawks won’t be as pricey, especially after the Saints released Browner earlier this offseason. Pro Football Focus’ worst full-time corner in 2015, Browner revealed last month he’d played last season on a torn meniscus. Schaffer said Browner will be healthy for the ’16 season, and the Seahawks saw value in a healthy Browner coming off a down year.

Here’s some more from the teams out west, beginning with an unlikely pre-draft visit.

The Cardinals recently met with University of Calgary cornerback Elie Bouka, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports. Chiefs officials also contacted the corner, who plans to work out for other teams as the draft approaches. The 6-foot-1 Bouka missed the 2015 season with a torn left Achilles. Bouka initially signed with Weber State on 2011 national signing day but backed out after a coaching change.
Duke wideout Max McCaffrey worked out for the Broncos on Tuesday at the team’s local pro day, as did Colorado State receiver Joe Hansley, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports. McCaffrey was eligible for the Super Bowl champions’ showcase for local prospects due to residing in the Denver area. The son of former Broncos wideout Ed McCaffrey and older brother of Heisman Trophy finalist and likely 2017 draft prospect Christian McCaffrey, Max ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Blue Devils’ pro day last month.
Denver plans to give 2015 second-round pick Ty Sambrailo a long look at guard, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. Sambrailo started three games as the Broncos’ left tackle last season after moving from the right-edge post he was supposed to occupy just after Ryan Clady was lost for the season. Pro Football Focus tabbed Sambrailo as a low-end tackle in his three starts, but the Super Bowl champions have an opening at guard after losing Evan Mathis to the Cardinals and cutting Louis Vasquez.
Russell Okung won’t participate in these workouts, per Renck, as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. Okung signed a nonguaranteed contract with the Broncos in March, a deal that includes a $1MM workout bonus. Okung doesn’t have to participate fully in the Broncos’ workouts to collect that sum, only do report and do what he’s able to.
Keenan Allen will be full-go when the Chargers open their offseason workouts Monday after missing eight games last season with a lacerated kidney, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The fourth-year player also plans to shed some weight coming into the season, hoping to move down to around 200 pounds.

Draft Updates: Dolphins, Jets, Texans, Eagles

April 17th, 2016 at 7:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Having already worked out for the Giants, Jets, Texans, and Dolphins, Texas Tech receiver Jakeem Grant will take a pre-draft meeting with Miami on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Grant, who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, is expected to serve as a return man in the NFL.

Here’s the latest news on draft prospects and their visits and workouts around the league…

The receivers most connected with the Jets during the pre-draft process have been Corey Coleman and Will Fuller, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. La Canfora reports the Jets, who pick at No. 20, have done “extensive work” on both the Baylor and Notre Dame wideouts, respectively.
North Carolina State offensive lineman Joe Thuney had a private meeting with the Texans, per Wilson. Thuney, who started all along the offensive line in college, is expected to play on the interior in the NFL, but clubs are excited about his versatility, says Wilson.
Punters are people too: Texas Southern Cory Carter punter took part in the Texans’ local pro day and is expected to generate interest around the league, writes Wilson. Carter tells Wilson he drew rave reviews from Houston based on his hangtime and directional punting.
Two prospects — Penn State corner Trevor Williams and Purdue defensive tackle Ryan Watson — have been invited to Washington‘s local pro day, according to Wilson (Twitter links).
Kolby Listenbee will visit the Eagles on Monday after recently meeting with the 49ers, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The TCU wide receiver. The 6-foot-1 target who blazed to a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the Horned Frogs’ pro day amassed more than 1,300 receiving yards and nine TDs the past two seasons. Listenbee underwent sports hernia surgery, per Caplan (on Twitter), after the ailment kept him from participating in the Combine.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report