2016 May - Pro Football Rumors

Draft Signings: Packers, Seahawks, Chargers

May 9th, 2016 at 8:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers have signed second-round pick Jason Spriggs, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. The tackle from Indiana will earn just over $5MM on his four-year deal with nearly $3MM guaranteed. Spriggs is now the the fifth Packers draft pick to sign and only two rookies remain unsigned for Green Bay in first-round pick Kenny Clark and third-rounder Kyler Fackrell.

Here are the rest of today’s draft signings from round two and lower:

The Panthers announced the signing of second-round cornerback James Bradberry and seventh-round tight end Beau Sandland. Bradberry started his collegiate career at Arkansas State but finished up at Samford.
Derek Watt, former Wisconsin fullback-tight end and J.J. Watt‘s brother, signed his sixth-round rookie deal with the Chargers today, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
The Raiders announced the signing of seventh-round guard Vadal Alexander. Alexander is the first member of Oakland’s draft class to officially put pen to paper.
The Raiders also announced the signing of quarterback Connor Cook. The Michigan State product fell to Oakland in the fourth-round of last month’s draft.

Earlier Updates:

The Seahawks signed seventh-round pick Zac Brooks, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets. All ten of Seattle’s draft picks have now signed.
The Chargers signed fourth-round linebacker Joshua Perry, as Jenna Laine tweets.
The Ravens have signed fourth-round cornerback Tavon Young, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
The Bengals announced (Twitter link) the signing of seventh-round safety Clayton Fejedelem.
The Cardinals signed three of their rookies in cornerback Brandon Williams, center Evan Boehm, and cornerback Harlan Miller (Twitter link).

Giants Sign B.J. Daniels, Three Others

May 9th, 2016 at 8:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants announced the signing of a quartet of players, including quarterback/wide receiver B.J. Daniels. In addition to the versatile Daniels, the Giants confirmed the addition of wide receivers Kadron Boone and Donte Foster as well as defensive end Ishaq Williams (previously reported). To make room, wide receiver Ben Edwards was waived/injured while linebacker James Morris, quarterback Josh Woodrum, and tight end Cedrick Lang were waived.

Daniels has been with the 49ers, Texans, and Seahawks in the last three years. A former seventh-round draft pick of the Niners, Daniels did not appear in a game until last season, when he played in six for the Seahawks and two for the Texans. His final stat line for the year was one completion off of two passes, six rushing attempts for six yards, two receptions for 18 yards, and five punt returns for 25 yards.

Williams has not seen live football action since 2013 when he was punished at Notre Dame for alleged academic fraud. In his three seasons for the Fighting Irish, Williams played in 35 games and totaled 45 tackles, six tackles for losses, one sack and one forced fumble.

Boone, an LSU product, played in college with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and punter Brad Wing.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

No Contract Talks For DJax, Garcon

May 9th, 2016 at 7:34pm CST by Zachary Links

It appears that Washington plans on going into the 2016 with both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon on the roster, multiple sources close to the players tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). However, there have been no talks with either player about contract extensions or re-doing their contracts.

Garcon, 30 in August, has roughly $8MM tied up between salary and bonuses for 2016. Jackson, 29, is set to carry a $9.25MM cap number in 2016 before hitting the open market. Without contract talks for either player, it would seem that the team is getting ready to move on from one of the veterans – or perhaps both – after the 2016 season.

Based on their moves this offseason, it seems that Washington is already shifting its offensive focus away from Jackson and Garcon. The team used a first-round selection to grab TCU product Josh Doctson who was the third wide receiver to come off the board after Corey Coleman of Baylor (Browns) and Will Fuller of Notre Dame (Texans). And, more recently, Washington shook hands with tight end Jordan Reed on a brand new extension worth $48.421MM over five years. Cole posits that the team is looking to supplant one of its veteran wide receivers with Doctson while utilizing Reed as the star of its aerial attack.

Garcon caught 72 passes for 777 yards in 2015, a far cry from his 113 catches for 1,346 yards in 2013. Jackson spent a good chunk of 2015 on the sidelines and only managed to record 30 receptions for 528 yards across ten games last season. In his previous two campaigns, Jackson comfortably cleared 1,000 yards receiving.

Recently, PFR’s own Dallas Robinson highlighted Jackson and Garcon as two veterans who could be seriously impacted by the NFL Draft.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/16

May 9th, 2016 at 6:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

The Jets announced that they have claimed tight end Jerome Cunningham and waived running back/kick returner Dri Archer. Cunningham played in nine games for New Jersey’s other team in 2015, catching the first eight passes of his NFL career. Cunningham, a three-year starter at Southern Connecticut State, has managed to stay local since entering the NFL in 2014.
The Jets also signed cornerback Bryson Keeton and waived tight end Adrien Robinson (link). Keeton, a 6’2” defensive back, played two seasons at Montana State and defended a total of 21 passes over the last two years.
The Chiefs claimed guard Jordan Devey off waivers from the 49ers, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Devey unexpectedly made his way into the Niners’ starting lineup to open the 2015 season. Although he was replaced down the stretch, the 28-year-old made nine starts and played nearly 400 offensive snaps for San Francisco in 2015.
The Buccaneers signed three tryout players (link): Texas Tech linebacker Micah Awe, Kansas State defensive tackle Travis Britz, and Louisville tackle Kelby Johnson. The team also welcomed back wide receiver Andre Davis. To make room, UDFAs tight end Tim Brown (West Chester), linebacker Tyson Coleman (Oregon), and defensive tackle Jontavius Morris (Western Kentucky).
Kutztown wide receiver Anthony Kelly, signed last week by Buccaneers as undrafted free agent, is no longer with team due to an issue with his knee, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets.
The Vikings (Twitter link) announced the signing of cornerback Tre Roberson and wide receiver Troy Stoudermire. Kentucky State cornerback Eric Rawls, announced as a UDFA signee last week, did not end up inking his deal, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). The team’s roster is now at 90.
The Cardinals signed running back Elijhaa Penny (Idaho) and wide receiver Chris Hubert (Fayetteville St.) while cutting running back Jared Baker and outside linebacker Mike Reilly (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com).
Washington released safety Tevin Carter (link).
The Texans signed former New Mexico outside linebacker Ryan Langford following a successful tryout, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
The Packers cut former Rice wide receiver Dennis Parks, Wilson tweets.
The Chiefs cut offensive lineman Mike Liedtke, according to freelance reporter Jenna Laine (on Twitter).
The Vikings signed running back C.J. Ham out of Augustana University, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets. The deal should become finalized on Tuesday.
The Packers signed tight end Casey Pierce, defensive tackle Demetris Anderson, running back Brandon Burks, fullback Alstevis Squirewell, and guard Cory Tucker and released defensive tackle Josh Boyd, defensive tackle William Campbell, tight end David Grinnage, and tackle Jeremy Vujnovich.

Lions Acquire Jon Bostic From Patriots

May 9th, 2016 at 5:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have acquired linebacker Jon Bostic from the Patriots, as Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). New England will receive a conditional 2017 seventh-round draft pick in return.

Bostic, a former second-round pick, is no stranger to being traded after a September swap shipped him from the Bears to the Pats. In 2015, he appeared in eleven games (one start) for New England, recording two tackles. Not long ago, however, Bostic was looked at as a promising youngster. As a rookie with the Bears, Bostic played in all 16 games with nine starts on the year. In total, he notched 57 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and an interception in 2013. He followed that up in 2014 with a career high of 83 tackles. Now, he’ll try and get back to his old form with Detroit in 2016.

The swap marks the first deal between Lions GM Bob Quinn and his former team. Given the relationship there and Quinn’s knowledge of Pats player, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more deals go down between the two clubs in the future.

The Pats have also signed defensive lineman Anthony Johnson, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Raiders To Sign Damontre Moore

May 9th, 2016 at 4:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders signed defensive end Damontre Moore, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com writes. Moore was released by the Dolphins last week. The news was first broken by Raiders coach Jack Del Rio in an appearance on The Jim Rome Show.

Moore, 24 in September, could add depth to the Raiders’ group of pass rushers which already includes rising star Khalil Mack, offseason addition Bruce Irvin, and third-round pick Shilique Calhoun. Depending on the situation, the former third-round pick could be used as either a defensive end or a linebacker in Ken Norton Jr.‘s defense. The Raiders could use some help in that department in the first half of the season as they await the return of Aldon Smith, though Moore will probably have to ease some concerns about his off-field behavior if he is to make the team.

The Texas A&M product was unexpectedly waived by the Giants in December after getting into a fight with fellow defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins. It was later learned that the quarrel happened over pair of free Beats by Dre headphones. Moore was “fighting his [Giants] teammates since Day 1 of training camp,” and had previously “yelled at” both head coach Tom Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese. With all of those things put into consideration, the Giants felt like they had enough.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints Sign Sheldon Rankins

May 9th, 2016 at 4:05pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints have secured three of their 2016 draft picks, including their top two selections, general manager Mickey Loomis formally announced today in a press release. In addition to signing first-round defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, second-round wide receiver Michael Thomas, and seventh-round running back Daniel Lasco, the club parted ways with running back Vick Ballard, defensive end Phillip Hunt, and fullback Toben Opurum.

All three veterans cut today by New Orleans have appeared in regular-season NFL games. Ballard notably ran for 814 yards and a pair of touchdowns during the 2012 season, when he served as the Colts’ primary back for most of the year. Hunt, 30, has been a part-time player for the Eagles and Lions in parts of four seasons since 2011, picking up four career sacks. Opurum, meanwhile, appeared in his first two regular-season games for the Saints in 2015.

As for the Saints’ draft pick signings, Rankins’ deal represents the most significant of the three, of course — it’s worth $12.802MM over four years, with a $7.51MM signing bonus and a fifth-year option for 2020. Thomas will receive a signing bonus of $1.923MM on his four-year rookie pact, while Lasco will get a modest $75K bonus.

No NFL team had a smaller 2016 draft class than the Saints, who selected just five players, so New Orleans has now locked up more than half of its draftees.

Ravens’ Jumal Rolle Tears Achilles, Out For Year

May 9th, 2016 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

The Ravens have suffered their first season-ending injury of 2016, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, who reports that cornerback Jumal Rolle tore his Achilles tendon recently while participating in a workout. Rolle is expected to be sidelined until 2017, per Zrebiec.

Rolle, who turns 26 later this month, may not have played a huge role in Baltimore this season even if he had stayed healthy, but he had the opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster and see some action on special teams, if not in the Ravens’ secondary.

The former undrafted free agent appeared in 10 games for the Texans in 2014, recording 19 tackles and three interceptions. Rolle was cut by Houston last season, at which point the Ravens picked him up, adding him to their practice squad. He received a promotion to the 53-man roster in December, and was active for one game down the stretch.

As an exclusive rights free agent, Rolle had been on a one-year contract, so if the Ravens intend to bring him back when he’s healthy, they’ll have to sign him to a new deal for 2017.

NFC Notes: Tulloch, Schofield, Reed, Cardinals

May 9th, 2016 at 2:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Way back in February, a report surfaced suggesting that the Lions were planning to release veteran linebacker Stephen Tulloch when the new league year opened. However, the first week of the league year came and went without any roster moves involving Tulloch, and he has remained a Lion for nearly two more full months since then.

Appearing on PFT Live on Monday, Lions general manager Bob Quinn said there’s still “a chance” that Tulloch remains with the team for the 2016 season. However, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the linebacker’s release is likely “imminent.” That comes as no surprise — Detroit reportedly made efforts to work out a trade involving Tulloch, but it seems there hasn’t been any movement on that front.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

We heard last week that free agent linebacker O’Brien Schofield is interested in rejoining the Falcons. According to head coach Dan Quinn, the door is “never closed with Scho.” However, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com details, the two sides have been unable to agree on contract terms, despite the fact that Atlanta made Schofield an offer.
Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post breaks down the specific details on Jordan Reed‘s long-term extension with Washington, which is worth $48.421MM over five years.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk previews the extension talks between the Cardinals and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, which should become more serious in the coming weeks or months.
Ex-NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich has a new job, having joined the Cardinals as a coaching intern under Bruce Arians, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com outlines. The former Jaguars starting quarterback will be with Arizona throughout the offseason and in training camp. “After that, we’ll see,” Arians said. “Hopefully I can keep him all year. I think he’s got a great, bright future in coaching.”

Titans Sign Delanie Walker To Extension

May 9th, 2016 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

MONDAY, 1:49pm: Walker has officially put pen to paper, making his two-year extension official, as the Titans announced today (Twitter link).

FRIDAY, 5:34pm: Tight end Delanie Walker, who was preparing to head into a contract year, has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Titans that will lock him up beyond the 2016 season, the team announced today. Although the club didn’t specify the terms of the deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that it’s a two-year, $14.7MM extension, with $8.2MM in guarantees.

“Delanie is an integral piece of the offense,” Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. “In my short time around him, he came in and bought into our philosophy of what Titan football is going to be about. Obviously he’s a Pro Bowl player with great individual statistics, but his commitment and his desire and willingness to compete to the team concept of wanting to win is as important. We are looking forward to his on-field performance, but his positive impact in the community as well.”

Schefter initially reported Walker’s new deal as a three-year pact, so it seems likely that it will keep him under contract through 2018 — two new years, and three overall. Assuming that’s the case, and $14.7MM is the base value of the extension, it would represent a nice salary bump for the veteran tight end, whose last deal was worth $4.375MM annually. A $7.35MM per-year salary would put Walker in line with Dwayne Allen, and right in between Jason Witten and Kyle Rudolph.

Walker, 31, enjoyed a career year and earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2015, his 10th NFL season. After averaging about 18 receptions per season from 2006 to 2012 in San Francisco, Walker has seen his production spike in Tennessee during the last three years. The former sixth-round pick broke the 60-catch threshold in 2013 and 2014, then exploded for 94 receptions, 1,088 yards, and six touchdowns in 2015 — all of those numbers are career highs.

Having landed a franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota a year ago, the Titans continue to attempt to surround the young signal-caller with weapons — this offseason, the team has brought in running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, along with wide receiver Rishard Matthews. So while Walker figures to remain one of Mariota’s favorite targets going forward, the veteran tight end may not be leaned on quite so heavily in 2016.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.