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AFC East Notes: Hoyer, Colon, Patriots

April 17th, 2016 at 6:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans’ decision to move on from Brian Hoyer after one season not only marks the third straight offseason the team has jettisoned its primary starter from the previous season, but it adds a layer of intrigue to the quarterback market.

A key fixture in last year’s tepid quarterback class, Hoyer has drawn interest from the Jets, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter). In addition to Gang Green’s interest in Hoyer, something which the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson corroborates (Twitter link), the Steelers also could be in on the 30-year-old as Ben Roethlisberger insurance.

Pittsburgh’s interest in Hoyer is interesting since the Cleveland-area native will be targeted for starting positions, with the Jets and Broncos having expressed interest. But Roethlisberger’s injuries harpooned the Steelers’ offense last season, with Big Ben missing four games and five starts in 2015. Neither Michael Vick nor Landry Jones proved to be up to the job of keeping Pittsburgh’s attack in high gear.

Hoyer didn’t enjoy a standout season but would be an upgrade over what the Jets and Broncos currently have among their respective quarterback contingents, although New York remains in prolonged talks with 2015 starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom the Texans acquired to replace Matt Schaub before trading him after a semi-productive 2014 showing in Houston. Houston traded Schaub to the Raiders during the previous offseason.

A two-year starter with the Browns, Hoyer threw 19 touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions in an injury-plagued 2015 season. The 19 touchdown tosses, in just nine starts, represented a career high for Hoyer, surpassing his 2014 mark (14 TD passes) compiled in 13 starts.

Hoyer’s release saves the Texans $5.015MM this year and moves Houston to $11.451MM under the cap, Wilson tweets.

Here’s some more from the AFC East.

  • Willie Colon is debating whether or not to return for an 11th season, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. The veteran lineman played the past three seasons with the Jets, starting 38 games, but remains an unrestricted free agent. The 33-year-old guard attended D’Brickashaw Ferguson‘s retirement ceremony at the Jets’ facility but isn’t sure he’s ready to commit to another year after missing 10 games in 2015 with a season-ending knee injury. “I’m getting in shape, trying to figure it out,” Colon told Cimini. “If my knee doesn’t respond, I’m just going to hang it up. Right now, it’s about me just getting in the best shape I can and see how it goes.” The former Steelers blocker graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 68 guard during his six games last season, and replacement Brian Winters — a former third-round pick now entering his fourth season — came in at No. 58.
  • The Patriots cutting Dominique Easley also could be signalling a move away from traditional 3-technique tackles, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. New England also waiving Chris Jones, who also profiled as a better fit in a 4-3 scheme represents a philosophical shift back toward bigger nose tackle-type players, a source tells Reiss. The Pats’ signing of Terrance Knighton falls in line with this rejiggering of sorts. Jabaal Sheard‘s ability to rush from an inside position on passing downs contributes to the team’s thinking here, per Reiss.

Week In Review: 4/10/16 – 4/17/16

April 17th, 2016 at 4:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Headlines:

Signed/Re-Signed:

Released/Waived:

2017 Fifth-Year Options:

Retired:

Seahawks Sign Brandon Browner

April 17th, 2016 at 3:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

3:41pm: The Seahawks have officially announced the signing.

1:15pm: The Seahawks will reunite with a familiar face, as they’re set to sign free agent cornerback Brandon Browner on Monday, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter link). Browner will sign a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).Jeremy Lane (Vertical)

Browner, of course, played for Seattle from 2011-13, starting 36 games and winning a Super Bowl title during that time. After one season in New England (with whom he also won a Super Bowl), Browner signed a signed a three-year, $15MM contract with the Saints and became one of the team’s starting corners. However, he disappointed in his only season in New Orleans, racking up penalties and struggling in coverage. Pro Football Focus rated him dead last in the league among 113 qualified cornerbacks.

Now 31 years old, Browner will return to the club where he’s had his best success as a pro, reuniting with his Legion of Boom compatriots Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. The Seahawks did re-sign fellow corner Jeremy Lane during the offseason, so Browner might not be immediately placed back in the starting lineup. But Lane does excel in the slot, so there should be an opportunity for Browner to see the field in Seattle’s nickel package.

Browner didn’t take any other known visits after being released by the Saints, but since he was a street free agent, clubs wouldn’t have had to announce if they met with him. Teams could have been scared off by his dismal year in New Orleans, but Browner recently said that he played through a torn MCL last season, which could help explain some of his woes.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

La Canfora’s Latest: Titans, Rams, Browns

April 17th, 2016 at 3:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the latest from Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com…

  • Following up on his report from last week, La Canfora continues to hear that the Titans and general manager Jon Robinson are trying to trade back into the top 10 of the draft. “He’s moving back up,” one executive told La Canfora. “He has the ammo to do it and it’s heading in that direction.” While Tennessee might be able to stay at No. 15 and land someone like Michigan State’s Jack Conklin, the club could make a move for Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley or maybe even Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil, who was thought to be the Titans’ choice had they stayed at No. 1.
  • La Canfora has “yet to talk to an executive who does not believe” the Rams will take Cal’s Jared Goff with the first overall pick, as the belief is that Goff is more pro-ready than Carson Wentz, who spent his collegiate career at an FCS school. Wentz may need a few years to develop, and Los Angeles wants to contend immediately.
  • The Browns also prefer Goff, per La Canfora, which means they are a prime candidate to move off of the No. 2 pick (we first heard rumors of Cleveland making their pick available last week). While the Browns would be missing out on pass-rushers like Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner, the optics of not passing on a quarterback at No. 2 is appealing.
  • Several executives believe the Browns should have already traded left tackle Joe Thomas, according to La Canfora. Cleveland could have used any draft capital they received from a Thomas deal to try to move up to No. 1, and have the chane to select the quarterback they truly want. Alternatively, trading Thomas would have made a Tunsil selction obvious.

Broncos, Ronnie Hillman Progressing In Talks

April 17th, 2016 at 2:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Contract negotiations between the Broncos and free agent running back Ronnie Hillman are “heating up,” according to Mike Klis of 9News, and Denver is hopeful that it can re-sign him. Hillman has spent the past four years — the entirety of his NFL career — with the Broncos.Ronnie Hillman

Klis first reported last week that Hillman and Denver had exchanged contract proposals, but no signing has appeared imminent since that time. Hillman, who is still only 24 years old, hasn’t drawn a ton of interest around the league since he entered the free agent market over a month ago. The Packers were reportedly “poking around” on Hillman (and other running backs) near the end of March, and a few unnamed clubs apparently expressed interest at the beginning of April, but for the most part, news surrounding Hillman has been non-existent.

If Hillman does re-sign with the Broncos, he’d once again team up with C.J. Anderson to form a one-two punch in the Denver backfield. Anderson, of course, was retained by the Broncos after signing a four-year, $18MM offer sheet with the Dolphins, which Denver then matched. In 2015, Hillmn rushed for more than 800 yards and scored seven touchdowns, and also added 24 receptions.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Draft Notes: AFC North, NFC South

April 17th, 2016 at 12:52pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some notes from around the AFC North and NFC South as the draft draws ever closer:

  • The Browns were expected to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick even after signing Robert Griffn III, and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes that the Rams’ leapfrogging Cleveland to take the No. 1 overall selection should not change that. Regardless of whether Los Angeles selects Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, Cabot believes the Browns should simply take whichever player is still on the board, as both have franchise quarterback potential.
  • The Steelers have not drafted a cornerback in the first round since 1997, and as Mark Kaboly of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review observes, no team has gone longer without drafting a first-round CB; indeed, half the league picked a corner in the first round during the past five years alone. But with a shaky secondary and as many as six corners with first-round potential in this year’s draft class–all of whose pro days were attended by the Steelers–2016 could be the year that Pittsburgh finally breaks that streak, injecting some much-needed talent in its defensive backfield in the process.
  • Another AFC North club is on the lookout for cornerback help, and as Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com writes, the fact that Virginia Tech corner Kendall Fuller had a positive medical recheck on his injured right knee is great news for the Ravens. Baltimore assistant GM Eric DeCosta believes there will be a run on corners between the 25th and 40th overall picks, and a healthy Fuller projects to be drafted in that range. If the Ravens do not draft Jalen Ramsey or Vernon Hargreaves III with their No. 6 overall selection, they will certainly be in the market for a CB with the No. 36 overall choice.
  • Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer attempts to decipher what the Panthers‘ offseason moves say about their draft intentions, noting that while GM Dave Gettleman checked a number of boxes this offseason, he did not address all of his team’s needs. For instance, although Charles Johnson will return on a team-friendly one-year deal, Person believes 2016 will be Johnson’s last season in Charlotte, which means that a young, disruptive pass rusher like Clemson’s Kevin Dodd might be a good selection for the club with its 30th overall pick. And, since Carolina did not bring back Roman Harper and may be a little reluctant to hand a starting safety job to Tre Boston, the team may elect to nab a safety like Vonn Bell or Jayron Kearse on Day 2 of the draft. Given that there is little cornerback depth behind Josh Norman–who may also be playing his last year in Charlotte–a corner might also be a high-round target for the club.
  • Taking a page out of the Rams’ and Cardinals’ playbooks, the Falcons are searching for safety-linebacker hybrids that are strong against the run but who can also cover running backs and tackle in the open field, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. To that end, Atlanta has visited and/or had private workouts with players like Su’a Cravens, Keanu Neal, and Deion Jones, whose physical tools are similar to those of Los Angeles’ Mark Barron and Arizona’s Deone Bucannon.
  • The Buccaneers need to improve their pass rush, and they addressed that need to some degree in free agency by signing defensive end Robert Ayers. But as Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht observes, Malik Jackson and Sylvester Williams proved last year that an interior defensive lineman is often just as valuable to jump-starting a team’s flagging pass rush unit (article via Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times). As such, an interior lineman like Louisville’s Sheldon Rankins and Mississippi’s Robert Nkemdiche may be just as intriguing to Licht as ends like Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence and Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah.

Poll: Who Should The Rams Take With The No. 1 Overall Pick?

April 17th, 2016 at 10:43am CST by Rory Parks

When the Rams traded a king’s ransom to the Titans to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, it was apparent that Los Angeles made the move in order to select one of this year’s top two quarterback prospects, Carson Wentz or Jared Goff. After all, as good as Laremy Tunsil and Jalen Ramsey might be, no team, especially a team that needs a franchise signal-caller, will give up what LA gave up in order to select a tackle or a defensive back.

Since the trade, of course, there have been a number of conflicting reports as to which of the two QBs the Rams prefer. Last night, we learned that Los Angeles would meet with both Wentz and Goff–both of whom have already worked out for the club–in an effort to firm up their final, critical decision. But most writers and pundits are skeptical that the team would forfeit so much draft capital without knowing exactly which player it wants, and it appears that the Rams may just be trying to create a smokescreen in order to generate interest in the first overall pick, or, at the very least, to maximize the buzz around the team as it moves to Los Angeles.

So while the Rams may know full well which player they will take–assuming they do not trade down to the No. 2 overall selection–the rest of us do not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss who the Rams should select to guide them into the next era of the franchise.

With Goff, the Rams would be getting a player who set Pac-12 conference records in 2015 with 4,719 passing yards and a whopping 43 TD passes. He also let California to its first Bowl victory since 2008. Scouts love his ability to make every throw on the field and his mechanics, although there is some concern about the fact that he struggles with his accuracy from time to time and that he is a “rhythm passer” who benefited from an uptempo passing game where he could take all of his snaps from the pistol or shotgun.

The biggest knock on Wentz, of course, is that he played for an FCS program, North Dakota State, and even though the Bison have become the Patriots of the FCS, the competition that Wentz faced was not nearly as daunting as what Goff went up against on a weekly basis. On the other hand, Wentz also has good mechanics and good field vision, and unlike Goff, he played in a pro-style offense. Wentz sometimes struggles with his footwork and with anticipatory throws–i.e., throwing receivers open–and although his intelligence and work ethic are undisputed, it will surely take him a little longer to adjust to the speed of the professional game.

What do you think? Is Goff the right man for the job in LA, or is it Wentz? Is Goff, who has already been exposed to some degree of spotlight at California, more ready to lead Hollywood’s new club, or is small-school wonder Wentz ready to emerge from the shadows? And, even though we all know the Rams will take one of the two, do you think they should shock the football world and draft someone else entirely?

East Notes: Wilkerson, Pats, Giants

April 17th, 2016 at 9:25am CST by Rory Parks

We have known for some time that the Jets are looking to trade Muhammad Wilkerson, who is an immensely talented but also highly expensive and potentially movable asset. Wilkerson, who has not yet signed his franchise tender, is not expected to show up tomorrow for the start of New York’s voluntary offseason program, as we learned last night, and Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com does not expect him to sign the tender anytime soon.

But Cimini believes that the only way a Wilkerson trade makes sense is if the team is able to use him to land one of the top two quarterbacks in this year’s draft, Carson Wentz or Jared Goff. And now that the Rams have grabbed the No. 1 overall selection from the Titans, the only way that the Jets can assure of themselves of Wentz or Goff is if they swing a deal with the Browns, who hold the No. 2 overall pick. The Browns, who of course have a number of roster holes to fill and a good deal of cap space, may be willing to swap first-round picks with the Jets, while netting Wilkerson and a few more draft picks in the process, and then select a quarterback from the second-tier of this year’s class of signal-callers. The question, though, is whether Wilkerson would want to sign a long-term deal with the Browns, which is probably not the case, even though the Browns could meet his contractual demands.

This is just my speculation, but unless the Browns select a player other than Wentz or Goff with the No. 2 overall pick–assuming of course, that the Rams take one of the two with the No. 1 selection–then it’s hard to imagine the Jets moving Wilkerson. As Cimini writes, it does not make much sense for Gang Green to use Wilkerson as a trade chip to move up to select a player like Memphis QB Paxton Lynch, who may fall to the Jets anyway and who is not a considerably more promising prospect than, say, Michigan State’s Connor Cook.

Let’s take a look at a few more notes from the league’s east divisions:

  • As Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has developed a “blind spot” for former Florida and current Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and his program, and Reiss believes Belichick needs to reevaluate his reliance on Meyer. Reiss observes that Chad Jackson, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes, Aaron Hernandez, and now Dominique Easley have all produced poor results considering their draft position, and all were products of Meyer’s program.
  • Paul Schwartz of The New York Post examines what the Giants might do to address their back seven in this month’s draft, and he writes that the team would “definitely” select a corner with the No. 10 overall selection, particularly if Vernon Hargreaves III is still available–which become a little more likely after the Rams-Titans blockbuster trade–but that the No. 10 pick is a little too high for Eli Apple or Mackensie Alexander. Schwartz believes it is also too high for the only inside linebacker that could reasonably be considered at that spot, Alabama’s Reggie Ragland. The team seems content to go into 2016 with a youngster at free safety to pair with Landon Collins, and while Jalen Ramsey will be long gone by the time the Giants are on the board, there are a number of worthwhile Day 2 and Day 3 targets that could step in and compete with New York’s current crop of safeties. Schwartz names Karl Joseph, Justin Simmons, and Keanu Neal as a few possibilities.
  • Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com reports that Washington is likely to release Andre Roberts and perhaps Adam Hayward at some point in the near future, which would give the club enough cap room to sign its draft picks and still have about $5MM to roll over into next year (unless Jordan Reed gets a contract extension).
  • In the same piece, Tandler also observes that Noah Spence, who visited Washington last week, may be a perfect fit for the team’s No. 21 overall selection. Spence has some off-field red flags, but he is arguably the best pure pass rusher in this year’s draft, and given Junior Galette‘s potential departure at the end of the 2016 season, Spence could make a great deal of sense.

Extra Points: Wilkerson, Jack, Fuller, K. White

April 16th, 2016 at 9:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Unsigned franchise player Muhammad Wilkerson is not expected to attend the Jets‘ voluntary workouts, according Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Wilkerson will follow the same pattern as fellow franchise players Josh Norman (link) and Von Miller (link), who also won’t participate in their respective team’s offseason program.

Let’s take a look at a few more notes from around the NFL…

  • The Cowboys are unlikely to use the No. 4 pick on UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, reports Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Jack, who underwent knee surgery last fall, said his medical recheck earlier this week went smoothly, but other sources say that some clubs are concerned.
  • Like Jack, Virginia Tech corner Kendall Fuller underwent a medical recheck on his knee this week, and he received positive reports, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Fuller, who is expected to be selected on Day 2 of the draft, should be ready by training camp, per Rapoport.
  • After missing his entire rookie season with a shin injury, Bears receiver Kevin White — the No. 7 overall pick in 2015 — is now expected to be ready for Chicago’s offseason program. Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune has the details on White’s arduous recovery.
  • Elsewhere in the NFC North, Mike Spofford of Packers.com examines Green Bay’s running back situation, noting that Eddie Lacy is not guaranteed to be a member of the Packers beyond 2016. Lacy’s rookie contract expires after this season, and it’s not clear if Green Bay has plans of extending him.
  • Though an immature attitude was reportedly one factor in defensive tackle Dominique Easley‘s release from the Patriots, at least one New England veteran has spoken up on Easley’s behalf. “I loved Easley, especially his work ethic,” the unnamed player told Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. “I hope he gets a second chance. . . . He’s a great (guy) and teammate in my eyes.”

Rams To Meet With Jared Goff And Carson Wentz

April 16th, 2016 at 8:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Though Rams general manager Les Snead has said he’s “97% sure” which quarterback his club will select with its recently-acquired No. 1 overall pick, reports have conflicted as to whether Los Angeles prefers California’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz. In an effort to choose between the two, the Rams will meet with both QBs in advance of the draft, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).Rams Draft No. 1 Pick (Square)

Los Angeles has already worked out both Goff and Wentz, and has surely spent the past few months watching game film of the two signal-callers, so it’s not clear what else can be learned by more meetings with the pair. Additionally, it’s somewhat difficult to believe that the Rams would trade up to No. 1 — and sacrifice so much draft capital — without having a clear idea of whom they want to select.

There are several reasons why the Rams may have yet to announce whom they’ll draft, with one being simply that they haven’t decided between Goff and Wentz. Los Angeles might also be trying to create a smokescreen in order to generate interest in the first overall pick (an idea postulated by PFR’s Zach Links earlier this week) — such a scenario would probably have to include the Rams moving down to No. 2 via a three-team trade, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk outlined earlier today. Alternatively, it’s possible the Rams are hoping to create a buzz around the team by not announcing the pick, allowing the club to get headlines while they make the move to Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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