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AFC East Rumors: Dolphins, Jones, Tunsil, Bills

May 3rd, 2016 at 6:42pm CST by Zachary Links

As the Dolphins welcome their newest draft class this week, they are also saying goodbye to a recent third-round pick. Damontre Moore, who was taken with the No. 81 overall pick in 2013 by the Giants, was waived by Miami on Tuesday. While Moore has 45 NFL games to his credit, he’s perhaps best known by fans for his fight with former teammate Cullen Jenkins over a pair of free Beats by Dre headphones. That skirmish ultimately brought Moore to Miami where he racked up four tackles and one sack in three games.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

  • The Dolphins have kept in close contact with defensive end Jason Jones and a potential deal remains on the radar, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets. Jones met with Miami twice this offseason – once in early March and once in mid-April. The former second-rounder spent the past three seasons with Detroit, where he started each of his 34 games. In 2014 and 2015, Jones totaled 53 tackles, 9.5 sacks, four passes defended, and three forced fumbles through his two healthy seasons. In 2013, the soon-to-be 30-year-old was hampered with injuries.
  • It was previously reported that Dolphins first-round pick Laremy Tunsil would avoid instant enrollment in the league’s substance abuse program, but nothing has been determined yet one way or another, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today writes. “Any incoming player with behavior or conduct involving a substance of abuse will be evaluated by the program’s advisors. Those clinical professionals – not the club, league or union – will determine whether based on that evaluation the player should be entered into the program. Neither the club nor the league has a role in that process, and are not notified of their decision,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an email. Players in “Stage 1” of the program are subject to a treatment plan as well as drug tests which can vary in frequency depending on each case. Tunsil maintains that the infamous video of him from draft night was filmed more than two years ago. If that is proven to be true, then the offensive lineman will likely avoid increased monitoring for recreational drugs.
  • Now that the draft is out of the way, Bills GM Doug Whaley says that he’ll shift his focus to getting extensions done with the team’s key players in contract years. “Negotiations took a hiatus for draft weekend,” he told WGR 550 (audio link; transcript via BuffaloBills.com). “We’ll regroup this week and set a game plan through to the minicamp. I’ll sit down with Jim Overdorf and reach out and see if we can just keep the lines of communication open.” Earlier tonight, of course, Whaley reached agreement on a massive new deal with left tackle Cordy Glenn. Tyrod Taylor and Stephon Gilmore are also slated to hit the open market after the 2016 season and Whaley says he’s “supremely confident” that he can fit all three players on extensions under their salary cap heading into 2017.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/3/16

May 3rd, 2016 at 4:56pm CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings officially announced the signing of sixth-round pick Moritz Boehringer last night to a four-year pact worth about $2.49MM, including a $150K signing bonus. Boehringer, the NFL’s first player to ever be drafted directly from Europe, has become the first player from the 2016 class to sign.

The Vikings signed Boehringer quickly because he needs to apply for a P-1 visa — in order to be approved, an applicant must show proof that he is gainfully employed in the United States, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets. After putting pen to paper, the German wide receiver now has himself a job in the U.S.

Here are the rest of the latest minor transactions from around the NFL:

  • The Chiefs released veteran safety Jimmy Wilson, as ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher writes. Wilson, 29, appeared in 13 games with San Diego last season before the team released him in December. Roughly one month ago, he hooked on with KC, but that stint was short lived. Since entering the league as a seventh-rounder in 2011, Wilson has played in 73 regular-season games, logged 28 starts, and amassed five interceptions.
  • The Eagles continue to cut players to create room for additional undrafted free agents, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve cut fullback Ryan Mueller, linebacker Brandon Hepburn, and running back Ross Scheuerman.
  • The Colts have waived Nigerian-born outside linebacker Eze Obiora, according to a press release from the team. Obiora, who signed a contract with the club following the 2015 season, has yet to make his NFL debut.
  • The Ravens formally announced a pair of minor roster moves today, tweeting that they’ve waived guard Leon Brown and withdrawn their ERFA tender to tight end Konrad Reuland. That makes Reuland an unrestricted free agent, free to join any team.
  • The Chiefs have waived linebacker Cameron Gordon, who was initially signed to a reserve/futures contract in January, tweets agent Brent Tessler.
  • The Saints brought back long snapper Chris Highland, as Wilson tweets.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

O’Brien Schofield Wants To Rejoin Falcons

May 3rd, 2016 at 4:37pm CST by Zachary Links

Linebacker O’Brien Schofield is lobbying hard to return to the Falcons. However, it’s not clear if the interest is being reciprocated at this point in the offseason. "<strong

“You know I’ll bring 100 percent to that locker room and to the field,” Schofield told ESPN.com. “And you know, without a shadow of a doubt, I would help that ballclub. I’m looking for a more dominant role as a nickel pass-rusher. I would have to be able to compete as the nickel rusher.”

The veteran, who signed a one-year, $1.7MM deal with Atlanta last year, finished out the year with 28 tackles, four tackles for losses, two sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble. The Falcons did make Schofield an offer this spring, but it was not to the veteran’s liking. As of this writing, it appears that there is no longer an offer on the table from the Falcons. In last week’s draft, the Falcons added LSU linebacker Deion Jones in the second round and Minnesota linebacker De’Vondre Campbell in the fourth round, so they’re not exactly desperate for help in that area.

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. Fellow veteran linebackers Kroy Biermann, Calvin Pace, and Darryl Tapp finished out with similar grades and they are also presently without NFL employment.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Largest NFL Free Agent Contracts Of 2016

May 3rd, 2016 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

It can be difficult to determine the true value of an NFL contract, particularly one signed in free agency. We often evaluate contracts by their average annual value, but an agreement that pays $10MM for one year certainly isn’t as strong a commitment as one that pays $50MM over five years. Meanwhile, the overall value of a deal can make it look more more impressive than it actually is, since players often won’t get the opportunity to play out the full contract before they’re released or asked to take a pay cut.Brock Osweiler (vertical)

Fully guaranteed money may be the best barometer by which to assess a new free agent contract, but even that doesn’t tell the whole story. A player who signs a long-term contract with a small amount of guaranteed salary could eventually play out the entire deal and earn the non-guaranteed portion as well, depending on his performance.

One category doesn’t tell the whole story, and you can argue that even all three combined don’t necessarily tell us which players signed the “best” contracts, but using all three categories certainly helps provide a more complete picture.

A year ago, Ndamukong Suh‘s massive long-term contract with the Dolphins ranked first among free agents in terms of overall value, annual average, and fully guaranteed money, while Darrelle Revis‘ pact with the Jets placed second in each category. In 2016, there’s no clear-cut No. 1 deal like Suh’s. In fact, while the same names generally show up among the top five for overall value, annual average, and fully guaranteed money, a different player sits atop each of our three lists below.

Brock Osweiler, Olivier Vernon, Josh Norman, and Malik Jackson represent the top four players – in some order – on all three of our lists, having signed the biggest and best free agent deals of 2016. But there are some other names that show up just once or twice, whose contracts are more difficult to evaluate.

Russell Okung‘s five-year, $53MM contract with the Broncos, for instance, ranks seventh in terms of total value and average annual value, but doesn’t come anywhere close to cracking the top 10 in guaranteed money. Okung’s potential earnings hinge heavily on whether or not the Broncos pick up the option after the first year of the contract. If Denver declines that option, the total value of Okung’s deal will end up being far, far less than $53MM.

Josh NormanJason Pierre-Paul, meanwhile, shows up at No. 8 in terms of annual average value, but he’s on a one-year contract. The majority of his money is guaranteed, and he’s making a good one-year salary, but he doesn’t have the long-term security or the overall guarantees of the other guys mentioned below.

Finally, it’s also worth mentioning the players who received franchise tags from their respective clubs this offseason. Von Miller, Kirk Cousins, Eric Berry, Cordy Glenn, Alshon Jeffery, Trumaine Johnson, and Muhammad Wilkerson are all expected to make between $10-20MM in 2016, but they were never unrestricted free agents, and their contract situations aren’t resolved yet, so we haven’t included them in our free agency breakdown. Similarly, a player like Sam Bradford, who re-signed with his own team before the free agent period began, is not included below.

Without further ado, here are the biggest free agent contracts of 2016:

Largest contracts by overall base value:

  1. Malik Jackson, DE (Jaguars): $85.5MM, six years
  2. Olivier Vernon, DE (Giants): $85MM, five years
  3. Josh Norman, CB (Washington): $75MM, five years
  4. Brock Osweiler, QB (Texans): $72MM, four years
  5. Janoris Jenkins, CB (Giants): $62.5MM, five years
  6. Kelechi Osemele, G (Raiders): $58.5MM, five years
  7. Russell Okung, T (Broncos): $53MM, five years
  8. Damon Harrison, DT (Giants): $46.2MM, five years
  9. Mark Barron, LB (Rams): $45MM, five years
  10. Alex Mack, C (Falcons): $45MM, five years

Largest contracts by annual average:

  1. Brock Osweiler, QB (Texans): $18MM
  2. Olivier Vernon, DE (Giants): $17MM
  3. Josh Norman, CB (Washington): $15MM
  4. Malik Jackson, DE (Jaguars): $14.25MM
  5. Janoris Jenkins, CB (Giants): $12.5MM
  6. Kelechi Osemele, G (Raiders):$11.7MM
  7. Russell Okung, T (Broncos): $10.6MM
  8. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (Giants): $10MM
  9. Sean Smith, CB (Raiders): $9.5MM
  10. (tie) Damon Harrison, DT (Giants) / Bruce Irvin, LB (Raiders): $9.25MM

Largest contracts by fully guaranteed money:

  1. Olivier Vernon, DE (Giants): $40MM
  2. Brock Osweiler, QB (Texans): $37MM
  3. Josh Norman, CB (Washington): $36.5MM
  4. Malik Jackson, DE (Jaguars): $31.5MM
  5. Janoris Jenkins, CB (Giants): $28.8MM
  6. Kelechi Osemele, G (Raiders): $25.4MM
  7. Damon Harrison, DT (Giants): $20MM
  8. Alex Mack, C (Falcons): $20MM
  9. Brandon Brooks, G (Eagles): $17MM
  10. (tie) Mark Barron, LB (Rams) / Doug Martin, RB (Buccaneers) / Sean Smith, CB (Raiders): $15MM

Data from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post.

NFC Notes: Bradford, Seahawks, Lions, Rams

May 3rd, 2016 at 11:32am CST by Luke Adams

Tom Condon, the agent for Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford, continues to make a case for a trade on behalf of his client, appearing most recently on Andrew Brandt’s “Business of Sports” podcast. Condon reiterated that Bradford won’t be in attendance when Philadelphia’s voluntary workouts resume, though the podcast was recorded prior to the draft, so it’s not clear if that stance has changed within the last few days.

“I know people say, ‘Why doesn’t he just compete and win the job?'” Condon said, as Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News details. “[But] there is no real competition. [Eagles No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz] is playing, and that’s all there is to it.”

Although Wentz isn’t expected to start immediately, it would certainly be a surprise if the North Dakota State alum is not atop the Eagles’ depth chart by the start of the 2017 season, or even before then.

Here’s more from across the NFC:

  • Seahawks general manager John Schneider said during an appearance on KJR-AM today that his team prefers not to spread out Marshawn Lynch‘s cap hit over two years. As such, the team figures to place the running back on the reserve/retired list prior to June 1, ensuring that his cap charge only applies to 2016 (Twitter links via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times).
  • With the draft completed, the Lions have made a couple changes to their personnel department, parting ways with veteran scouts Chad Henry and Darren Anderson, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. It’s not uncommon for teams with new general managers – like Detroit with Bob Quinn – to make changes to the scouting department following that new GM’s first draft.
  • Michael Silver of NFL.com took an interesting, in-depth look at how the Rams decided they wanted to make California quarterback Jared Goff their QB of the future.
  • Receiver and return man Devin Hester underwent toe surgery in January and is scheduled to earn $3MM in 2016, making his hold on a roster spot in Atlanta tenuous. Still, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes, Hester expects to remain with the Falcons and contribute to the team as long as he can make a full recovery.

Broncos Agree To Terms With 21 UDFAs

May 3rd, 2016 at 9:37am CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos have officially agreed to terms with 21 rookies who went undrafted over the weekend, according to the team’s official website. Denver’s undrafted free agent class is heavy on front-seven defenders and wide receivers — those players make up 13 of the 21 UDFAs headed to the Broncos.

Here’s the full list:

East Rumors: Rolle, Tunsil, Jets, Cousins

May 3rd, 2016 at 8:08am CST by Zachary Links

Safety Antrel Rolle is on the open market and he tells SiriusXM (audio link) that he would like to return to the Giants.

“I’ve never hidden it. New York is where the heart is. New York is where I feel comfortable,” Rolle said (transcript via PFT). “New York is a place where I would love to play. You know, there’s a difference playing for an organization, you know, you’re there to play and to win, and you’re there because that’s where your contract is. And there’s a difference in playing where your heart is. I would absolutely be open to the situation if it presents itself. Obviously it would have to make sense for both [sides]. The New York Giants, I think it would definitely make sense for both myself and the team. But let’s see what happens.”

The Giants added third-round pick Darian Thompson to the safety mix, but there is no slam-dunk starter at the free safety position. Still, as Jordan Raanan of NJ.com writes, a reunion between Rolle and Big Blue seems unlikely.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s East divisions:

  • Despite the gas-mask/bong video that surfaced on draft night, Dolphins first-round choice Laremy Tunsil will avoid entering Stage 1 of the NFL’s substance-abuse program, a source tells James Walker of ESPN.com.
  • While many speculated that Tunsil’s stepfather was behind the shocking draft day leak, Tunsil’s attorney, Steve Farese, says that’s not the case. “Initially, that would be the low-hanging fruit,” Farese said on SiriusXM (audio link; transcription via PFT). “Now I’ve drifted away from those thoughts and don’t believe he had anything to do with it.” The Dolphins believe Tunsil’s former financial advisor was responsible for the leak, according to a source who spoke with Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter).
  • Jets GM Mike Maccagnan “all but confirmed” that he explored trading up for Tunsil last Thursday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Per Cimini, Maccagnan also didn’t rule out the possibility of keeping cornerback Dee Milliner on the roster beyond 2016 if he plays well this year, even after turning down his 2017 option today.
  • Before the Titans shipped the No. 1 overall pick to the Rams, the Jets inquired about trading up for the No. 1 pick in order to draft Jared Goff, according to Manish Mehta of the Daily News (on Twitter). It was previously reported that the Jets explored trading up to the top two, but it wasn’t clear which QB they were targeting.
  • Kirk Cousins believes “there’s a chance” that a long-term deal could be hammered out with Washington between now and the July 15th deadline, but he tells 106.7 The Fan that he’s also comfortable with playing the year out. “If they feel like they have enough information and want to make that call right now, then great,” Cousins said. “But I think the ball’s in their court and I will react accordingly to whatever decision they make… I am totally comfortable playing more football, and frankly if I don’t play well next season, I don’t deserve to be back. I don’t deserve a long-term deal. So I want to go out and earn it, and prove myself, and if I need to prove myself again, that’s fine. I’ll go see if I can do that.”

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Fifth-Year Option Decisions For 2017

May 2nd, 2016 at 11:20pm CST by Luke Adams

The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2013 draft has come and gone, with only 17 of 32 players having their options exercised. An 18th player, Lane Johnson of the Eagles, has already signed a long-term extension, so he shouldn’t be grouped with the 2013 draftees whose options were declined or were not applicable for other reasons, but overall, this year’s option decisions reflect how unspectacular 2013’s first round was, particularly at the top.

The 2012 draft was also considered to be bust-heavy in the top 10, but a year ago, six of those 10 players had their fifth-year options exercised for 2016. This time around, only three top-10 picks had their options picked up (plus Johnson’s extension), and Eric Fisher and Tavon Austin certainly weren’t no-brainer decisions. Luke Joeckel, Barkevious Mingo, Jonathan Cooper, and Dee Milliner are among the underachieving top-10 picks whose options were declined by their respective teams.

Of course, just because a player has his option exercised or declined, that doesn’t necessarily dictate his future earnings. These fifth-year options are only guaranteed for injury only for now, so assuming a player stays healthy, his team could still release him by March 2017 without being on the hook for any ’17 salary, even if his option was exercised today. Conversely, a player who had his option declined could have a bounce-back year and do well on the open market next March.

Last year, Mark Barron, Bruce Irvin, and Doug Martin were among the players whose options were turned down. All three signed long-term pacts worth north of $35MM last month. On the other end of the spectrum, Robert Griffin III had his option exercised, but was cut before it became fully guaranteed, and “settled” for a $15MM contract in free agency.

As we wait to see how the latest round of option decisions looks a year from now, let’s recap the action. Here’s a full breakdown of the fifth-year option decisions for 2017:

Exercised:

  1. Eric Fisher, T (Chiefs), $11.902MM: Exercised
  2. Ezekiel Ansah, DE (Lions), $12.734MM: Exercised
  3. Tavon Austin, WR (Rams), $12.268MM: Exercised
  4. D.J. Fluker, G (Chargers), $8.821MM: Exercised
  5. Sheldon Richardson, DE (Jets), $8.069MM: Exercised
  6. Star Lotulelei, DT (Panthers), $6.757MM: Exercised
  7. Kenny Vaccaro, S (Saints), $5.676MM: Exercised
  8. Eric Reid, S (49ers), $5.676MM: Exercised
  9. Justin Pugh, G (Giants), $8.821MM: Exercised
  10. Kyle Long, G (Bears), $8.821MM: Exercised
  11. Tyler Eifert, TE (Bengals), $4.782MM: Exercised
  12. Desmond Trufant, CB (Falcons), $8.026MM: Exercised
  13. Sharrif Floyd, DT (Vikings), $6.757MM: Exercised
  14. Xavier Rhodes, CB (Vikings), $8.026MM: Exercised
  15. DeAndre Hopkins, WR (Texans), $7.915MM: Exercised
  16. Alec Ogletree, LB (Rams), $8.369MM: Exercised
  17. Travis Frederick, C (Cowboys), $8.821MM: Exercised

Not exercised:

  1. Luke Joeckel, T (Jaguars), $11.902MM: Declined
  2. Dion Jordan, DE (Dolphins): Not applicable this year due to suspension (contract tolled)
  3. Lane Johnson, T (Eagles): Not applicable due to long-term extension
  4. Barkevious Mingo, OLB (Browns), $11.925MM: Declined
  5. Jonathan Cooper, G (Patriots), $11.902MM: Declined
  6. Dee Milliner, CB (Jets), $11.913MM: Declined
  7. Chance Warmack, G (Titans), $11.902MM: Declined
  8. D.J. Hayden, CB (Raiders), $8.026MM: Declined
  9. EJ Manuel, QB (Bills), $11.357MM: Declined
  10. Jarvis Jones, OLB (Steelers), $8.369MM: Declined
  11. Bjoern Werner, OLB: Not applicable due to release
  12. Datone Jones, OLB (Packers), $8.369MM: Declined
  13. Sylvester Williams, DT (Broncos), $6.757MM: Declined
  14. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR (Vikings), $7.915MM: Declined
  15. Matt Elam, S (Ravens), $5.676MM: Declined

Dolphins Waive Damontre Moore

May 2nd, 2016 at 9:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins announced (via Twitter) that they have waived defensive end Damontre Moore, a former third-round pick. In related moves, the team has also bid farewell to running back Jahwan Edwards and wide receiver Christion Jones.Damontre Moore (vertical)

Moore, 24 in September, was taken with the No. 81 overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Giants. The Texas A&M product was unexpectedly waived by the G-Men in December of last year after getting into a skirmish with fellow defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins after failing to get free Beats by Dre headphones. That incident alone might have been met with a lesser punishment than an outright release, but it was not Moore’s only clash with team personnel. Moore was “fighting his [Giants] teammates since Day 1 of training camp,” and “yelled at” both head coach Tom Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese, according to one report.

Moore hooked on with Miami in December and appeared in three games for the Dolphins, racking up four tackles and one sack.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints Sign 19 Undrafted Free Agents

May 2nd, 2016 at 8:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have announced the signing of 19 undrafted rookie free agents. The full list of Saints UDFAs is below:

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