2016 April - Pro Football Rumors

Reggie Nelson Unlikely To Sign With Raiders?

April 6th, 2016 at 2:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Just a few days ago, it seemed like an inevitability that Reggie Nelson would sign with the Raiders. However, the safety left his Oakland visit without an agreement between the two sides, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. While a deal could still get done, a pact is not necessarily likely.

The Raiders have a need at safety and Nelson stands as the best available option left on the open market, so it’s not quite clear what has gotten in the way of a potential deal. Nelson is 33 and coming off of one of his best seasons to date, so he could be looking for a sizable payday on a multi-year deal. However, given his age, a team like the Raiders might be more comfortable with a one-year deal that includes incentives.

Nelson placed No. 41 on our Top 50 NFL Free Agents List and graded out as our No. 5 free agent safety behind George Iloka, Eric Weddle, Rodney McLeod, and Tashaun Gipson. The tenth-year veteran had 77 tackles and a league-leading 8 interceptions last year for Cincinnati.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Draft Updates: Bills, Lynch, Jags, Broncos

April 6th, 2016 at 11:57am CST by Luke Adams

Most NFL teams have at least one representative in attendance at the pro day for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch on Wednesday, but the Bills got a closer look at the young signal-caller on Tuesday night, according to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN, who reports that Buffalo took Lynch out for dinner (Twitter link via Mike Rodak).

The Bills have a quarterback they like in Tyrod Taylor, but Taylor has just one year remaining on his contract with the team, and an extension is not believed to be close, so it will be interesting to see if Buffalo nabs a QB early in this year’s draft. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is in Memphis to check out Lynch.

Let’s round up a few more draft updates from across the AFC…

We can add Alabama center Ryan Kelly, Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the extensive list of pre-draft visitors meeting with the Jaguars today, according to tweets from John Oehser of Jaguars.com and Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
The Broncos remain in the market for running back help, and are hosting Utah RB Devontae Booker for a visit today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
According to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter links), Akron outside linebacker Jatavis Brown, Michigan State cornerback Arjen Colquhoun, and Baylor offensive lineman Blake Muir recently met with the Chiefs, who are hosting UTSA defensive tackle Brian Price for a visit today.
UCLA offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch, Florida safety Keanu Neal, Boise State safety Darian Thompson, and Temple cornerback Tavon Young are in Pittsburgh today to visit the Steelers, per Bob Labriola (Twitter link).
The Jets met extensively with Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell, a potential second-round pick, on Tuesday, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, who tweets that Fackrell would fit a “big need” for Gang Green.

Contract Details: A. Smith, V. Davis, Knighton

April 6th, 2016 at 10:19am CST by Luke Adams

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

Aldon Smith, OLB (Raiders): Two years, $11.5MM. Annual salaries of $1.25MM. Up to $4MM annually in per-game roster bonuses. $500K annual workout bonus. Up to $3.5MM in annual incentives (Twitter link).
Vernon Davis, TE (Washington): One year, $2.4MM. $500K signing bonus. $600K of $1.35MM base salary is guaranteed. $150K roster bonus due on August 22. Up to $300K in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $2.1MM in incentives (Twitter links).
Terrance Knighton, DT (Patriots): One year, $2.018MM. $250K signing bonus. Up to $500K in per-game roster bonuses. $100K workout bonus. Up to $300K in performance incentives. Up to $2MM in playing-time incentives. $500K Pro Bowl incentive (links via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Jasper Brinkley, LB (Giants): One year, $1.8MM. $1.2MM base salary is guaranteed. $500K roster bonus paid on April 1. $100K workout bonus. Up to $500K in incentives for playing time (Twitter link)
Stefen Wisniewski, C/G (Eagles): One year, $1.51MM. $500K signing bonus. Up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1.25MM in incentives (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports).
Wallace Gilberry, DE (Lions): One year, $1.25MM. $340K signing bonus. $25K workout bonus. Up to $500K in incentives for performance and playing time (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
Jack Crawford, DE (Cowboys): One year, $1.1MM. $240K signing bonus. $100K workout de-escalator. Up to $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
Spencer Paysinger, LB (Dolphins): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $120K of $760K base salary is guaranteed. (Twitter link).
Kyle Love, DT (Panthers): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).

AFC South Notes: Watt, Jaguars, Titans, Draft

April 6th, 2016 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Will Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt retire sooner rather than later? It’s probably too early to make any assumptions about how many years the perennial All-Pro has left, but as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets, Watt did tell SportsRadio 610 in Houston that he won’t be one of those players who attempts to extend his career as long as possible.

Here are several more items from out of the AFC South…

Several of this week’s pre-draft visitors for the Jaguars have already been reported, but Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) identify a few more. According to O’Halloran, UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark, Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland were among the players at EverBank Field on Tuesday, while Rapoport reports that UGA linebacker Leonard Floyd is there today.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle passes along a pair of Texans pre-draft updates, writing that Texas A&M kicker Taylor Bertolet has a private workout lined up with Texans assistant Larry Izzo and that FIU cornerback Richard Leonard worked out for the club.
The Titans will soon host Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader for a pre-draft visit, a league source tells Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. As McCormick observes, Tennessee has been doing its homework on defensive lineman, and could use some depth at nose tackle.

Extra Points: Wisniewski, Fuchs, Cards, Vikings

April 5th, 2016 at 10:05pm CST by Luke Adams

The one-year contract for new Eagles offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski is worth slightly more than the $2.5MM he earned from Jacksonville last season, a source tells Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. Still, Wisniewski was somewhat disappointed that he couldn’t land a longer-term deal this offseason.

“It’s been tough,” Wisniewski said. “I certainly was hoping to sign a long-term deal for some good money. I thought I’d played well enough to deserve that – a lot of people did. It just kind of didn’t work out, with circumstances and whatnot.”

Wisniewski, who said the Jaguars were “kind of lowballing me, to be honest,” is hoping to parlay his one-year pact with the Eagles into a multiyear agreement in Philadelphia or elsewhere in 2017, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. In order to have a chance to do that, Wisniewski will probably have to win the starting left guard job — otherwise, his playing time could depend on the health of center Jason Kelce.

Here are a few more Tuesday odds and ends from around the NFL…

Leicester City defender Christian Fuchs told Patrick Davison of Sky Sports that he has “ambitions to become an NFL kicker.” The 29-year-old isn’t planning on moving on from soccer quite yet, but when he does, he believes he could potentially make the transition to American football. “If NFL managers want a footballer in their team, I know I can kick a 60-yard field goal,” Fuchs said. “Let’s see. Dreams can come true you know if you don’t dream you won’t reach anything.”
Virginia Tech defensive end/linebacker Dadi Nicolas visited the Cardinals on Tuesday, as Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. The Cardinals also worked out Portland State long snapper Kameron Canaday – for a second time – and Portland State cornerback Aaron Sibley, tweets Getlin.
The Vikings are hosting Vanderbilt pass rusher Stephen Weatherly on a pre-draft visit, and are also bringing in Clemson safety T.J. Green, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter links). Wolfson adds that Green – who visited Arizona on Monday – will also make a trip to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers.
Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones visited with the Eagles today, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic tweets.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Titans, Conklin, Broncos, Raiders

April 5th, 2016 at 8:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, but he’s not the only standout tackle the Titans are eyeing. A source tells Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com that the team is expected to host Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin for a visit soon. Conklin isn’t a candidate to come off the board first, but if Tennessee ends up moving down in the first round, he could be in play for the Titans.

Here’s more from across the AFC:

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was hosted for a pre-draft visit by the Broncos today, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Prescott is unlikely to go in the first round, so the Broncos could look to target him in the second or third round of the draft.
Central Arkansas defensive end Jonathan Woodard had a visit scheduled with the Raiders on Monday and will meet with the Titans on Friday, as Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News tweets.
Oklahoma State defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah recently paid a visit to the Bills and will soon visit the Texans, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.
Seth Walder of the New York Daily News provides some details on Brandon Marshall‘s civil trial stemming from an altercation outside a Manhattan nightclub in 2012. As Walder notes, Marshall didn’t face criminal charges at the time, but it’s unclear if the NFL might still consider discipline, should the Jets wideout lose the civil trial.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett said he has a visit on Sunday with the Jets (Twitter link via Alex Marvez of FOX Sports). Vannett has frequently been linked to Gang Green in recent weeks, having already privately worked out for and met with the team.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Contract Details: Harbor, A. Smith, Z. Brown

April 5th, 2016 at 6:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are several specific details on some recently agreed-upon and signed contracts from around the NFL:

Clay Harbor, TE (Patriots): Two years, $3MM. $400K signing bonus. Roster bonuses of $200K (2016) and $400K (2017). $200K option bonus for 2017. Up to $500K annually in playing-time incentives (all Twitter links via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com).
Aldon Smith, OLB (Raiders): Contract features $250K for each game Smith is on the Raiders’ 53-man roster in 2016 and 2017. Those per-game roster bonuses could max out at $4MM in 2017, but not in 2016 due to suspension (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
Zach Brown, LB (Bills): One year, $1.25MM. $450K signing bonus. (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW).
Corey White, CB (Bills): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link via Buscaglia).

Latest On Colin Kaepernick, Broncos

April 5th, 2016 at 6:15pm CST by Zachary Links

TUESDAY, 6:15pm: While Kaepernick isn’t totally opposed to the idea of reducing his salary as part of a trade, he isn’t interested in a pay cut as significant as Denver has proposed, writes Mindi Bach of CSNBayArea.com.

A source tells CSNBayArea.com that the Broncos actually want to reduce Kaepernick’s salary to $7MM for 2017 in addition to 2016. Considering the Niners quarterback currently has the ability to earn more than $14MM in 2016 alone through base salary and bonuses, it makes sense that he wouldn’t have interest in a deal that would pay him about the same amount over the course of two years.

MONDAY, 6:43pm: The talks have stalled due to the issue with Kaepernick’s salary, but they’re not necessarily done for good, Mark Maske of The Washington Post tweets.

1:18pm: Colin Kaepernick is staying put in San Francisco, at least for now. The 49ers quarterback refuses to take a pay cut and the Niners are refusing to pay off part of his contract to help facilitate a trade with Denver, according to a source who spoke with Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter).

Trade speculation involving Kaepernick swirled all weekend, with conflicting reports on whether or not the Broncos and 49ers were close to reaching a trade agreement. Although there was some disagreement on how close the two sides were on agreeing to trade compensation, virtually every report suggested that Denver would want Kaepernick at a reduced salary. Now we know that No. 7 is unwilling take a pay cut from his current $11.9MM figure, which is fully guaranteed. The Niners are also unwilling to eat a portion of that to ease the Broncos’ financial commitment.

Earlier today we learned that Kaepernick was spotted on a flight from Denver to the Bay Area, meaning that he is reporting to the 49ers. By reporting, Kaepernick is able to cash in on his $400K workout bonus, but he likely won’t be able to do much as he continues to rehab from injuries.

The Broncos’ quarterback depth chart currently consists of Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian and while they have said that they would be willing to head into the season with Sanchez as the starter, they have been exploring their options and heavily considering a Kaepernick deal. The 49ers, meanwhile, have Blaine Gabbert under contract and theoretically could afford to part with Kaepernick. Still, they have been steadfast in their desire to get value in return for the one-time superstar and unwilling to split the check.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC North Notes: Harrison, Steelers, Ravens

April 5th, 2016 at 5:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran outside linebacker James Harrison remains under contract with the Steelers for another season, and is due a $1.25MM base salary for 2016. However, it remains to be seen whether Harrison, who would be the NFL’s oldest defensive player, will return for one more year. Among those interested in Harrison’s decision on his future? His teammates in Pittsburgh.

Steelers guard Ramon Foster tweeted to Harrison today, asking whether he’s coming back for 2016, to which Harrison replied, “I can’t say for sure but it’s looking good for the home team!” Agent Bill Parise tells Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link) that his client has yet to make a final decision, suggesting that may not happen until camp, but it sounds like Harrison may not be ready for retirement quite yet.

Here are a few more items from out of the AFC North:

Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson is visiting Pittsburgh and meeting with the Steelers today, per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). Even in a strong draft class for interior defensive linemen, Robinson projects as a probable first-round pick.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says wide receiver Breshad Perriman and left tackle Eugene Monroe making good progress from their respective injuries, as Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com writes. Perriman, a 2015 first-round pick, has resumed running but is still working to get back to full strength.
Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta says the team has talked extensively with Eastern Kentucky outside linebacker Noah Spence, as Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes. “We’ve studied him at length and we’ll make the best decision for the team,” DeCosta said.
As we detailed earlier, free agent wideouts Hakeem Nicks and Mike Williams worked out today for the Bengals.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Hakeem Nicks, Mike Williams Work Out For Bengals

April 5th, 2016 at 4:09pm CST by Zachary Links

TUESDAY, 4:09pm: In addition to Williams, veteran free agent Hakeem Nicks also worked out for the Bengals today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Having lost two key receivers this offseason, Cincinnati appears to be surveying the market for potential depth, and the team will likely address the position in the draft as well.

MONDAY, 4:20pm: The Bengals will work out wide receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday, as Jim Owczarski of The Enquirer tweets.

Williams, a Buffalo native, signed with the Bills prior to the 2014 season and was expected to bolster the team’s passing game after the departure of Steve Johnson. Instead, he compiled just 142 yards and one touchdowns on eight receptions in 2014. Williams was reportedly unhappy in Buffalo and, in December of that year, the Bills decided to cut ties with him. Aside from a workout with the Giants in October of 2015 and a workout for the Patriots in late March, we haven’t heard much about the former fourth-round pick in recent months.

In other Bengals news, the team recently signed linebacker Karlos Dansby to a one-year, $2MM deal with another $250K available in incentives. For an early look at Dansby in his new Bengals jersey, head to our Instagram page and give us a follow.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.