2017 February - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Matt Elam Arrested On Drug Charges

February 26th, 2017 at 10:48am CST by Rory Parks

Ravens safety Matt Elam was arrested in Miami earlier this morning and charged with possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of cannabis with the intent to sell or deliver, and possession of a controlled substance, as Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports. Police say they initially stopped Elam for reckless driving, but they arrested him when they found 126 grams of marijuana and three grams of oxycodone in his vehicle.

The Ravens selected Elam in the first round (No. 32 overall) of the 2013 draft. Although his struggles in his rookie campaign were largely chalked up to growing pains and the fact that he was playing free safety when his skill-set is better-suited to strong safety, he continued to play poorly when he was moved closer to the line in 2014. Though he played in all 16 of Baltimore’s regular season games — including 11 starts — and both of the team’s postseason contests in 2014, he led the team in missed tackles and struggled mightily in coverage. He was ultimately bumped from the starting lineup in favor of Will Hill.

However, he seemed to demonstrate some improvement in offseason workouts and in training camp prior to the 2015 campaign, but a torn biceps forced him to miss the entire season (it should be noted that he did receive a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse in 2015, but he did not miss any action because he was already on season-ending IR).

The Ravens still had high hopes for him going into the 2016 season, but he was forced to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a chip in his knee last August and missed roughly half of the season as a result. He appeared in only nine games and recorded a total of one tackle.

The Ravens declined Elam’s fifth-year option for 2017, so he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. Given his draft pedigree and relative youth, Elam surely would have found work somewhere but today’s arrest, combined with his prior drug-related suspension, could change that.

The Ravens issued a brief official statement on the matter. Via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link):

“We are aware of the arrest of Matt Elam. Matt is not in our plans for the 2017 Ravens.”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that the league is “looking into” the incident.

Raiders To Let Latavius Murray Become FA

February 26th, 2017 at 10:13am CST by Rory Parks

The Raiders are not expected to re-sign running back Latavius Murray before free agency opens on March 9, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Anderson notes that the club is willing to bring him back after he tests the open market.

Oakland selected Murray in the sixth round of the 2013 draft, but he did not see consistent playing time until 2015, when he became the first Raider since Darren McFadden in 2010 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards. In 2016, he amassed just 788 yards rushing as rookies Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington ate into his workload. Both Richard and Washington surpassed 400 rushing yards and averaged over five yards per carry, as opposed to Murray’s more pedestrian four yards per carry (though Murray did rush for 12 touchdowns last season).

Murray’s 4.0 YPC average matched his 2015 figure, so he is not viewed as a particularly explosive back. Nonetheless, he will certainly have a market, as teams like the Giants, Buccaneers, and Vikings could be in need of a medium- or long-term backfield solution. Plus, Murray has less wear and tear than other backs who have entered free agency in recent years, with only 543 career carries. The Eagles have also been named as a potential destination for the UCF product.

The Raiders did engage in contract talks with Murray last month, but obviously those talks did not lead to a new deal. And while Oakland would be open to re-signing him later in the offseason, Anderson tweets that the club is focused on long-term deals for Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, and the team is also aware that this year’s draft is deep at running back. As such, it sounds like the Raiders would be happy to let Murray walk and allow Richard, Washington, and a rookie back carry the load moving forward.

PFR recently ranked Murray as the fourth-best running back eligible for free agency this year.

North Notes: LaFell, Levy, Garoppolo

February 26th, 2017 at 9:47am CST by Rory Parks

Brandon LaFell turned in a strong 2016 for the Bengals after signing a modest one-year, $2.5MM deal with the club last offseason. As a result, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer says that LaFell is one of Cincinnati’s top free agent priorities, as the Bengals believe his strong route-running skills and his red zone presence would be even more effective if they can get fully healthy seasons from A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert. LaFell indicated that he would like to return, though he should attract plenty of attention on the open market if he does not re-up with Cincinnati before free agency opens.

Now for more from the league’s North divisions:

The Lions may approach linebacker DeAndre Levy about a restructure that allows him to make the same amount of money that he would earn under his current deal if he stays healthy, but Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press says that, from Levy’s perspective, it may be best to rebuff any such efforts. After all, if Levy were to be released, plenty of teams would be happy to pay him and gamble on his health (Twitter links).
The Lions need to address their pass defense in a big way, having yielded the highest completion percentage in modern NFL history (72.7%) in 2016. Nate Atkins of MLive.com says that Detroit is more likely to focus on pass rushers and cornerbacks, but he adds that the team should not ignore the safety position either, especially since Glover Quin is in his 30s and Tavon Wilson is entering the final year of his contract. To that end, Atkins names a few safeties the team could select in this year’s draft.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes that if the bidding for Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo gets high enough, the Browns should be willing to send their No. 1 overall pick to New England to acquire him. After all, if they’re willing to spend that pick on UNC signal-caller Mitch Trubisky, whose collegiate experience is limited, they should be willing to use that selection on a QB who has a little professional experience and who has a lot of upside in his own right.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the biggest objective for the Steelers this offseason is to find an outside linebacker that can generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Bud Dupree showed some promise down the stretch in 2016, but Jarvis Jones is unlikely to return, and if the club re-signs the ageless James Harrison, Dulac believes it would not make much sense to acquire another veteran free agent OLB. As such, he writes that Pittsburgh could once again address the position in the first round of the draft.
We learned earlier today that former Ravens first-rounder Matt Elam was arrested on serious drug charges in Miami.

NFC Notes: Vikes, Packers, Saints, Redskins

February 25th, 2017 at 9:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Pending free agent Captain Munnerlyn would prefer to return to the Vikings, but he’s also prepared to move on if the right offer comes along, as he explained to SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier this week. “I’ve got to put myself in the position to try to get that Super Bowl trophy,” Munnerlyn said. “I’m an older guy. I’m going on year nine, so I definitely want to win. So I’m definitely going to look at the roster, the coaches, to see where I can take my talent and plug it in and try to help those guys get to the playoffs and make that Super Bowl run.” PFR recently ranked Munnerlyn, who plays exclusively in the slot, as the 12th-best cornerback on the free agent market.

Here’s more from the NFC:

Although the Packers want to re-sign offensive lineman J.C. Tretter, the club won’t “break the bank” in order to bring him back, according to Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com. Corey Linsley is expected to serve as Green Bay’s starting center in 2017, meaning Tretter would be stuck in a reserve role, though he could potentially start if T.J. Lang is not retained. Tretter played on nearly half the Packers’ snaps in 2016, grading as the No. 9 center in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Lucas Patrick, who spent the 2016 campaign on Green Bay’s practice squad, is a candidate to take over on the interior of the offensive line if both Tretter and Lang depart, writes Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley is expected to test the free agent market, and he could get a better sense of his value at the scouting combine next week, as Nick Underhill of the Advocate details. Technically, agents aren’t allowed to talk numbers with rival executives until the legal tampering period begins on March 7, two days before the official opening of free agency. That rule isn’t usually observed, however, meaning Fairley — who could be looking for $10MM annually — and his representatives will get the chance to assess his market.
Free agent defensive lineman Calais Campbell could make sense as a target for the Redskins, opines John Keim of ESPN.com. Washington ranked 27th in adjusted line yards allowed in 2016, so Campbell — who excels at run defense — would make for a logical acquisition as the club seeks to remake its defense under new coordinator Greg Manusky. However, general manager Scot McCloughan has displayed an aversion to pursuing free agents over the age of 30, and I wrote that the Redskins should aim to get younger along their defensive line when assessing the team’s top offseason needs.

Jets Likely To Retain LB David Harris

February 25th, 2017 at 8:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets have cleared a good deal of cap space in the past week by parting ways with offensive linemen Ryan Clady, Nick Mangold, and Breno Giacomini, linebacker Erin Henderson, and kicker Nick Folk, but one veteran may not face the same fate as that cadre. Linebacker David Harris is in “no immediate danger” of being released, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.

Harris, 33, started 15 games for Gang Green last season and played 250 more defensive snaps than any other Jets linebacker, grading as the NFL’s No. 35 ‘backer, per Pro Football Focus. All told, Harris racked up 94 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a half-sack in his 10th New York campaign. He’s started 147 contests during his Jets tenure, and if he starts all 16 games in 2017, he’ll move into fifth all-time among Jets players (right behind Mangold).

Harris is due a base salary of $6.5MM in 2017, but because none of that total is guaranteed, and no prorated bonus money remains on Harris’ deal, the Jets could hypothetically part ways with the veteran linebacker without incurring any dead money. As Cimini writes, however, Harris is the leader of the Jets’ defense, so perhaps the club wants to retain him even if they’re going through a rebuilding stage.

Contending Clubs To Pursue Nick Mangold

February 25th, 2017 at 7:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets released Nick Mangold earlier today, but it doesn’t sound as if the veteran center will be on the free agent market for long, as he’s expected to garner interest from contending clubs, according to to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Entering his age-33 season, Mangold clearly isn’t the same player he was just a few years ago, when he was a regular presence on All Pro and Pro Bowl rosters. In 2016, Pro Football Focus graded Mangold as the No. 25 center in the league — still starting caliber, but not performing at an elite level of play. Still, Mangold could theoretically offer a veteran presence to a team that needs a final piece along its front five.

Speculatively, clubs such as the Buccaneers, Bengals, Lions, Vikings, Redskins, and Cardinals are among the teams that could both use interior reinforcements and are near enough to a postseason berth to fit into Garafolo’s “contenders” label. The Browns, 49ers, and Rams could also show interest in Mangold, but he may not want to join a club that’s in rebuilding mode at this stage of his career.

The Jets did not approach Mangold about a paycut informing him of his release, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Although Cimini labels the breakup as an “amicable parting”, the fact that Gang Green didn’t even attempt to lower Mangold’s salary before parting ways indicates that a reunion — on a cheaper deal — is probably unlikely.

Derek Newton Unlikely To Play In 2017

February 25th, 2017 at 6:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After tearing patellar tendons in both legs last October, Texans right tackle Derek Newton is not expected to play during the 2017 campaign, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.

Newton, 29, was facing a lengthy recovery process that included time in a wheelchair and an inability to walk for three months. Fellow Houston offensive lineman Duane Brown said Newton is “in great spirits” and is “doing everything he can to get back as quickly as possible,” but also confessed Newton has “a long road ahead of him,” reports Barshop. At the time Newton went down, former NFL doctor David Chao described the incredibly serious nature of the veteran tackle’s injury.

“I am not aware of an NFL athlete, who came back to play at a similar level after this injury,” said Chao.. “The injury is very rare. It’s not a once-a-year injury. This is a once-every five years. This is harder to come back from than a torn ACL. To have two of them is devastating, but, yes, he should be walking in three months. There’s a big difference between walking and playing.”

Chris Clark, Newton’s replacement at right tackle, graded as the league’s sixth-worst tackle in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, so the Texans could possibly invest in an offensive lineman with pick No. 25. Ryan Ramczyk (Wisconsin), Garett Bolles (Utah), and Cam Robinson (Alabama) are among the best tackles that could be available near the end of the draft’s first round.

West Notes: Mitchell, Broncos, Poe, Raiders

February 25th, 2017 at 5:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite being released off a defense that ranked 29th last season, Earl Mitchell logged an extensive street free agency tour before signing with the 49ers. After a Broncos offer to Mitchell was reported last night, the new 49er said the Seahawks also made him an offer, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (on Twitter), before he opted for the Bay Area. The Seahawks joined the Falcons as fellow NFC teams pursuing Mitchell, who played four seasons with the Texans and three with the Dolphins. This is his third four-year contract.

That pact came partially because of Mitchell’s history in Houston. New 49ers defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina coached Mitchell with the Texans, and DeMeco Ryans being hired as defensive quality control coach meant a former teammate was going to be on staff. Both hires helped sway Mitchell, per Wagoner (on Twitter). New GM John Lynch also called Mitchell “a priority for us to sign.”

Here’s more from some teams out west, beginning with one of the suitors Mitchell declined:

The Broncos lost an assistant offensive line coach who was affiliated with the organization for less than a month when John Benton agreed to become the 49ers’ O-line instructor. They plan to fill his position by bringing in a college coach of their top lineman, with former Boise State and Washington offensive line coach Chris Strausser set to succeed Benton, Mike Klis of 9News reports. Strausser coached Broncos center Matt Paradis — and Bears left tackle Charles Leno — during his time in Idaho before spending the past three seasons with the Huskies. Strausser has coached in college for more than 25 years; this will be his first NFL job.
Spotrac calculates Dontari Poe‘s market value as being just north of $12MM per year, putting the Chiefs defensive tackle on the Gerald McCoy/Michael Brockers plane. But someone like Nick Fairley on a shorter-term, lower-cost deal be more effective, Conor Orr of NFL.com writes. Poe hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since 2014 and only has 2.5 sacks since his six-sack slate that year. He stands to join Brandon Williams, Johnathan Hankins and Bennie Logan among free agent defensive tackles. The Chiefs are negotiating with Poe and Eric Berry, with the franchise tag almost certainly coming into play for one.
Jason Pierre-Paul could also make it to free agency, although there’s a reasonable chance the Giants tag him. However, should he venture onto the market, Matt Mosley of the Dallas Morning News writes the Broncos or Raiders could be fits. Pass rush isn’t exactly high on the Broncos’ radar, with Von Miller and Shane Ray under contract, but it wasn’t two years ago when Denver drafted Ray in Round 1. However, the Broncos have plenty of greater needs and JPP could aim for Olivier Vernon-type money — which they don’t realistically possess. The Raiders play a 4-3 scheme but obviously have Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin employed, so that would be an interesting fit.

Jets To Decline Erin Henderson’s Option

February 25th, 2017 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets’ salary-shedding spree looks to be continuing with Erin Henderson. The team will not pick up the linebacker’s 2017 option, Darryl Slater of NJ.com reports.

Henderson signed a two-year deal in 2016, but that pact did not contain any guaranteed money for ’17. Henderson missed 11 games last season, landing on the non-football injury list in October. The Jets will save $2.75MM in cap space by making this move. The former Vikings UDFA success story was due a $250K roster bonus on the first day of the 2017 league year, but the Jets are making this move early.

This continues Gang Green’s string of veteran cuts, with Henderson now joining Nick Mangold, Ryan Clady, Breno Giacomini and Nick Folk as free agents. Altogether, the Jets have added more than $29MM in cap room by making these moves. More could be coming when a decision on Darrelle Revis is made, but for now, the Jets are sitting on $19.2MM in space as the new league year nears.

Henderson spent two seasons with the Jets, spending 2015 as a backup but playing in all 16 games. Last season, he played in five and started four. The 30-year-old, though, landed on that NFI list for reasons that remain unknown. The Jets signed him to a one-year contract in 2015 but re-upped him for two a year later. However, the team selected Darron Lee in the first round last year. With David Harris also still under contract, Henderson became a potentially superfluous commodity, especially after the mysterious injury.

Draft Rumors: Peterman, Foster, CBs

February 25th, 2017 at 3:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Like Russell Wilson before him, Dak Prescott‘s standout rookie season at the controls of a run-based offense has teams hoping to duplicate the middle-round gold the Cowboys struck. As for the identity of said quarterback, Nathan Peterman has emerged in this discussion realm. The Pittsburgh product profiles as “this draft’s best chance at a Dak Prescott,” a scout told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. A two-year starter at Pitt, Peterman threw 47 touchdown passes compared to 15 interceptions during the 2015 and ’16 seasons and rates as the No. 5 quarterback in the class, according to ESPN.com’s Todd McShay (Insider link). The 6-foot-2 passer who began his career at Tennessee didn’t receive much buzz last season, but Miller notes his accuracy and poise give the prospective Day 2 pick a chance to be a rookie starter for a team.

Here’s more from the upcoming draft, courtesy of Miller.

A team wanting to employ the top traditional linebacker in this year’s draft may have to use a top-three pick. Although Reuben Foster underwent rotator cuff surgery and won’t work out at the Combine, one team has the former Alabama ‘backer ranked as the No. 3 player in this class, per Miller. While noting his stock could be affected by medical background checks at the Combine, Miller now has Foster going No. 2 overall to the 49ers in his latest mock draft. That’s seven spots ahead of where ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. (Insider link) projects Foster to land.
Ryan Ramczyk won’t work out at the Combine, joining the likes of Foster, Jarrad Davis, Corey Davis, Malik Hooker and Kendell Beckwith in that regard. A hip labrum issue will halt teams from getting an early look at how the Wisconsin tackle tests.
Ramczyk is jockeying for position with Cam Robinson and Garrett Bolles as the class’ top tackle. Similar uncertainty exists at cornerback, with scouts placing different cover men atop their draft boards at this position. While Miller rates Florida’s Quincy Wilson as his No. 1 corner, an AFC personnel man ranks Ohio State’s Gareon Conley as his. An NFC scout places Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey atop his 2017 corner hierarchy. Speaking of Conley, his being overshadowed in Columbus by the likes of Eli Apple and Marshon Lattimore the past two years may not affect his draft status. A source informed Miller he has the ex-Buckeyes corner rated higher than both Lattimore or the Giants’ Apple by comparison. Further complicating the corner class, Kiper and McShay rank Lattimore as their preferred player here.
An area scout for a team told Miller Dalvin Cook‘s history in terms of character issues and fumbling scares his particular franchise. Suspended indefinitely from Florida State for a time before being reinstated and enjoying a standout career, Cook was charged with misdemeanor battery in 2015 and cited for mistreatment of pitbull puppies in 2014. Cook, though, scored 20 touchdowns in both 2015 and ’16 and is viewed as the second-best running back prospect in the draft.

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