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Top 8 Fits For Free Agent CB Darrelle Revis

May 27th, 2017 at 8:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Darrelle Revis is in the clear from the NFL’s point of view, as the league doesn’t intend to punish him as a result of his alleged role in a dustup earlier this year (one that ended with no charges being filed). While two teams reportedly recently checked in on Revis, some club executives simply don’t see a healthy market for the former All Pro.Darrelle Revis

Revis, 31, ranks as PFR’s No. 1 free agent corner at the moment, and while he’s certainly not the shutdown corner he was in days gone by, Revis is still a viable starting option. He graded out as the league’s No. 64 corner in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, which would place him right at the tail end of acceptable play. However, one general manager recently told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he wouldn’t go after the veteran cornerback even if he agreed to play “for free.”

Here’s a look at the top eight teams that could be interested in Revis:

Arizona Cardinals

Heading into the offseason, the Cardinals’ top need was arguably at cornerback, as the club doesn’t have a plethora of options to play opposite All Pro Patrick Peterson. Instead of targeting the position in either free agency or the draft, Arizona opted to stand pat, and will now enter the 2017 campaign with only Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, and Eli Bouka behind Peterson. Bethel is a career special-teamer, Williams struggled in his brief time as a starter, and Miler and Bouke have limited — or in Bouka’s case, zero — experience. Revis would allow the Cardinals to bump Bethel back into a reserve role while giving Williams, who was selected in the third round only a year ago, time to develop.

Dallas Cowboys

The free agent period took a massive toll on the Cowboys’ secondary, as cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, plus safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, all signed elsewhere. Unlike the Cardinals, Dallas did take steps to make up for its losses, signing veteran Nolan Carroll to a cheap deal while drafting Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie and Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis on Day 2. Along with 2016 sixth-round steal Anthony Brown and stalwart Orlando Scandrick, the Cowboys probably have enough secondary depth to get by. But team owner Jerry Jones has shown a proclivity for adding high-profile names in the past, and Revis would certainly fit that bill (and the Cowboys could even give him a look at safety).

Detroit Lions

The Lions finished dead last in DVOA against the pass in 2016, despite the fact that their top two corners — Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson — ranked a respectable 17th and 37th among 111 qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus. Detroit’s lack of quality depth is a concern, however. Quandre Diggs is a slot option at best and didn’t play well last season, and while the Lions spent a second-round pick on Teez Tabor, the Florida product’s slow 40-yard dash times could make it difficult for him to succeed at the next level. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn worked in New England during Revis’ lone season with the Patriots, so he has familiarity with the veteran corner.

Indianapolis Colts

Like the Lions, the Colts ranked as a bottom-five DVOA club against the pass last year. Vontae Davis dealt with nagging injuries all season, and his health concerns likely contributed to his poor play (No. 98 CB per PFF). Quincy Wilson (Florida) was Indianapolis’ second-round pick, and will likely have to immediately step into the starting lineup, as the Colts simply don’t have any other contributors on the roster. Darius Butler is a slot corner who will likely play safety in big nickel sets, while Rashaan Melvin, Darryl Morris, and Chris Milton aren’t exactly inspiring. Revis would likely see a good deal of playing time if Indy inked him to a deal.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have seemingly been looking for quality corners since trading Davis to the Colts in 2012. Byron Maxwell, a trade acquisition himself, finally lived up to his $10MM+ salary, and Tony Lippett also played well as he continues his conversion from collegiate wideout to cornerback. Xavien Howard, a second-round selection a year ago, didn’t seen many snaps during his rookie campaign, but could certainly be counted on for a larger role in 2017, and Miami also used a third-round pick on Cordrea Tankersley this year. Revis would give the Fins another body at cornerback, and like the Cowboys, Miami would be another team that could give Revis a try at safety.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ starting corners are currently projected to be Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson, which is a clear indicator Philadelphia needs to bring in another defensive back. Yes, the Eagles used second- and third-round picks on cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas, but Jones isn’t a lock to play this season following an Achilles tear, while Douglas could be need time to develop, according to PFF’s scouting report. Philadelphia uses a zone-based scheme, which is not Revis’ strength, but he’s an improvement over the likes of fellow veteran Ron Brooks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Revis, a Pennsylvania native, told reporters earlier this year that playing for the Steelers would be a “dream come true”, and the club still has a need at corner even after using early-round picks on the secondary in recent years. Former second-round pick Senquez Golson hasn’t even seen the field thanks to injuries, while 32-year-old veteran William Gay could be possibly be converted to safety or even released. A homecoming for Revis and the Steelers would likely see him playing behind Ross Cockrell and Artie Burns.

Washington Redskins

Josh Norman, clearly, gives the Redskins a legitimate No. 1 corner, but the club doesn’t have many options after that. After a solid 2015 campaign, Bashaud Breelan struggled last year, while rookie Kendall Fuller also didn’t show much. Washington used a third-round pick on UCLA’s Fabian Moreau last month, but he’s recovering from a torn pectoral and might not see action for awhile. Revis could start immediately in the nation’s capital.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/27/17

May 27th, 2017 at 6:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Cowboys have signed free agent offensive lineman Ruben Carter, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Carter, who played collegiately at both Florida State and Toledo, signed as a Dolphins undrafted free agent in 2016. He was waived during final cutdowns, and ultimately spent the season with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. In Dallas, Foster will compete for a reserve interior role along with veterans Joe Looney and Byron Bell.

North Rumors: Browns, Villanueva, Vikings

May 27th, 2017 at 4:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ryan Grigson will be working on a much lower level with the Browns than he did during his five seasons as the Colts’ GM, but his new employer wants to get the longtime exec back to what he’s believed to do best. The Browns are going to deploy Grigson as a “super scout” of sorts, with Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reporting the team believes that is Grigson’s biggest strength. Grigson worked as an NFL scout with the Rams and Eagles from 1999-2009 before becoming Philadelphia’s director of player personnel in 2010. Pluto notes the 45-year-old Grigson will scout pro and college players and travel to schools to gauge talent in his new role, one that will feature him reporting to former Colts subordinate Andrew Berry.

Here’s more out of Cleveland and some other northern NFL cities.

  • The Browns’ contract talks with Isaiah Crowell have stalled for the time being, per Pluto. But the Browns are expected to revisit discussions about an extension for their starting running back “at some point.” Crowell signed his second-round RFA tender earlier this month and as his contract year approaches is in position for a possible career campaign. The Browns devoted considerable resources to upgrading their offensive line this offseason, signing Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter, and extending Joel Bitonio. Crowell averaged 4.8 yards per carry, rushing for 952 on a 1-15 team, so the 24-year-old back could be in line to enhance his value with a strong 2017.
  • Returning Browns tackles leader Christian Kirksey also profiles as player the team wants to extend, Pluto notes, hearing extension talks between the team and the linebacker are progressing. The former third-round pick is moving from inside linebacker in Cleveland’s 3-4 look to the 4-3 weak-side ‘backer, but he should retain a three-down role alongside Jamie Collins. Kirksey’s 143 stops last season were nearly 50 more than the second-best Browns tackler, and the emerging player is entering a contract year.
  • Alejandro Villanueva hasn’t signed his Steelers ERFA tender yet. As it stands now, Pittsburgh’s left tackle starter would be paid $615K this season. Villanueva profiles as an interesting case, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes, noting the 28-year-old former Army Ranger is attending Carnegie-Mellon business school and could have options if an NFL career doesn’t unfold to his liking. Fowler also notes the Steelers won’t be keen on giving Villanueva more than high-end right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who makes $6.1MM per year. While the Steelers are in commanding position here due to ERFAs’ lack of leverage, Villaneuva obviously saw the going rate for steady tackles rise this offseason. The Steelers were working to extend their third-year left tackle starter in February, but Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the sides aren’t progressing on an extension. Gilbert believes Villanueva is “very deserving” of a new deal.
  • Jerick McKinnon has largely been forgotten in the Vikings‘ backfield competition this offseason, but the fourth-year back remains on the roster and has added some weight to his lighter (for an NFL running back) frame. The 5-foot-9 McKinnon bulked up to 211 pounds from 200 this offseason, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. That said, the Vikes signed Latavius Murray and used a second-round pick on Dalvin Cook. It’s likely McKinnon — a former college quarterback — will be the No. 3 back.

Colin Kaepernick To Seahawks “Likely To Happen?”

May 27th, 2017 at 2:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks became the first team to meet with Colin Kaepernick this offseason about a potential roster spot, and the latest coming out of the league is pointing the former 49ers starter to the Pacific Northwest.

Many around the NFL expect this union to commence, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reporting (video link) the perception among the several sources he’s spoken with believe the Kaepernick-to-Seattle proposition is “likely to happen.”

The polarizing 29-year-old quarterback met with the Seahawks on Wednesday, doing so after Pete Carroll confirmed the team had interest in upgrading its backup quarterback post. Furthermore, Fowler hears the Seahawks may be the only true suitor for Kaepernick, with other teams not believed to be in the market for a backup quarterback.

Multiple teams ruled out Kaepernick, with the Cowboys and Buccaneers going with the likes of Kellen Moore and Ryan Fitzpatrick as their respective No. 2 signal-callers.

Fowler also reports that salary might be an issue here. A source involved in the quarterback market this offseason told Fowler he believed the Seahawks were only looking to pay the veteran minimum for a backup. Kaepernick profiling as an accomplished quarterback, albeit one who hasn’t been as consistent as he was when the Seahawks-49ers rivalry was at its apex during the early 2010s, leads Fowler to believe the Seahawks could give him a bit more money to spruce up the offer. But the team is not believed to be ready to make Russell Wilson‘s understudy one of the higher-paid backups in the league.

Excluding special-circumstances cases like the Bears’ situation and Brock Osweiler‘s Browns contract, the backup quarterback market tops out at Nick Foles‘ $5.5MM-AAV deal. Matt Schaub re-signed with the Falcons for $4.5MM per year, and Chad Henne makes $3.5MM annually with the Jaguars. Kaepernick obviously has a higher present pedigree than those passers, but with the Seahawks not believed to be negotiating against anyone, that doesn’t do much for the former second-round pick’s leverage.

The Seahawks would represent a logical fit due to Wilson and Kaepernick’s rushing skills and the team’s lack of quality behind its starter. Only Trevone Boykin and Jake Heaps, both ex-UDFAs, sit behind Wilson on the Seahawks’ depth chart. And Boykin was arrested twice earlier this year. The team also worked out Austin Davis this week.

Seattle has $9.49MM in cap space.

Michael Vick To Retire As A Falcon?

May 27th, 2017 at 2:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Michael Vick admitted in February his NFL career was likely over, after having not played since the 2015 season, but the dual-threat quarterback plans to make it official soon.

Vick plans to retire after 13 NFL seasons and is in discussions to do so as a member of the Falcons on a one-day contract, the 36-year-old free agent told Jon Chuckery of CBS Atlanta.

While it would be interesting if Vick retires as a Falcon given the way the parties ended their relationship, it would officially bring to a close the career of arguably the most athletic quarterback in NFL history. Vick played six seasons with the Falcons before going to prison for his involvement in the infamous dog-fighting scandal, and after missing the 2007-08 seasons, returned and became a starter again with the Eagles. Finishing his career with one-year stints with the Jets and Steelers, Vick has not played since October of 2015.

“I think I got my fill,” Vick said (via Chuckery) of football, adding that he wants to commence this retirement with the Falcons “hopefully soon.”

Vick did return to the Georgia Dome on New Year’s Day for a celebratory ceremony honoring Falcons who played in the 25-year facility. But the former No. 1 overall Falcons pick saw his employment in Atlanta end with the prison sentence and NFL suspension.

Should Vick be done, he will finish with the most rushing yards from the quarterback position in NFL history, with 6,109. That’s over than 1,000 more than Randall Cunningham, second place on this list, compiled during his career. Vick rushed for 36 touchdowns and surpassed 1,000 ground yards in his final year with the Falcons.

As a passer, Vick would stand to finish with a 56 percent completion rate. The former No. 1 overall pick earned four Pro Bowl bids, the first three with the Falcons before a comeback 2010 campaign with the Eagles, and won two playoff games — in 2002 and ’04 as the Falcons starter.

Extra Points: Agholor, Eagles, Steelers, Robinette

May 27th, 2017 at 12:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL…

  • The Eagles signed free agent wideouts Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith this offseason, putting former first-rounder Nelson Agholor‘s spot on the depth chart in doubt. However, the 24-year-old made it clear that he embraces the competition. “I think I was worried about taking such a large leap in a day. It’s all about getting better consistently each day, even if it’s just a little bit,” Agholor told ESPN.com’s Tim McManus. “Some of the best players in this league, they didn’t just become really great the first day they’re there. It took a process and continuous progression every day, so that’s my focus right now.” In 28 career games, Agholor has collected 59 receptions for 648 yards and three touchdowns.
  • Earlier this offseason, the Eagles signed safety Rodney McLeod to a five-year, $37MM deal ($17MM guaranteed). The team has apparently slightly altered the contract to open up some cap space, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com tweets that the team saved $2.4MM by converting $3.225M of his salary into a bonus.
  • There have been whispers that the Steelers could convert William Gay to safety or even release the veteran. However, as Chris Bradford of the Beaver County Times notes, the 32-year-old is seemingly still the team’s slot cornerback ahead of Senquez Golson and Cameron Sutton. Gay has spent 10 seasons with the Steelers, and last year was the first time since 2010 that he started less than 10 games.
  • We learned yesterday that The Air Force Academy had barred wideout Jalen Robinette from graduating, putting both his Air Force and NFL future in doubt. Following the announcement, the player’s agency released a statement to Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post: “Jalen Robinette is currently awaiting a determination on a non-criminal disciplinary proceeding. Jalen continues to look forward to serving the country that he loves and remains committed and loyal to the United States Air Force.” Robinette finished his collegiate career as the team’s all-time leader in receiving yards.

Poll: Where Will Sheldon Richardson Play Next Season?

May 27th, 2017 at 11:49am CST by Ben Levine

Sheldon Richardson‘s name has been included in rumors since last season’s trade deadline, but the Jets have been unable to find a suitable deal. We learned yesterday that the organization had shopped the defensive end to the Buccaneers, Colts, and Seahawks, and previous reports indicated that the Broncos and Cowboys had expressed interest. However, reports continually suggest that the Jets won’t simply give Richardson away. As a result, it’s uncertain if Richardson will be playing in New York or elsewhere in 2017.

Sheldon Richardon (vertical)The former first-rounder’s best campaign arguably came during his 2013 rookie season, when the Defensive Rookie of the Year compiled 78 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Following an eight-sack 2014 campaign, Richardson’s production has dropped in recent years, including a 2016 season where he only compiled 1.5 sacks. Given his previous suspensions, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that trade interest has been lukewarm.

Further clouding a Richardson acquisition is his contract situation. The defender is set to make $8.069MM next season after the Jets previously picked up his fifth-year option. Following the 2017 campaign, Richardson will be a free agent, meaning any trade for the lineman could end up just being a rental.

The Colts could certainly use Richardson on their defensive line, as the 26-year-old could surely provide an upgrade over Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson. The Buccaneers’ defensive end depth chart is rather crowded behind starters Robert Ayers and William Gholston, and it’s unlikely that Richardson could displace Michael Bennett or Cliff Avril in Seattle.

The Broncos, meanwhile, added defensive end DeMarcus Walker in the draft, as well as Kasim Edebali and Bobby Richardson via free agency, so it’s unlikely that they still have interest in Richardson. The same goes for the Cowboys, especially after they selected Taco Charlton in the first-round.

If Richardson wants to continue playing defensive end, he seemingly doesn’t even have a fit in New York. Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams are slotted in as the Jets starting defensive ends, forcing Richardson to linebacker.

There don’t really seem to be any logical suitors for Richardson, although the Jets are clearly motivated to move him. That leads to our question: where will Richardson be playing in 2017? If your choice isn’t included in the poll, mention it in the comments below!

New York Notes: Beckham, Giants, Marshall

May 27th, 2017 at 10:21am CST by Ben Levine

Odell Beckham Jr. is a notable no-show from Giants OTAs, although this isn’t necessarily anything new. While the practices aren’t mandatory, coach Ben McAdoo made it clear that he’d prefer full attendance over the 10 days.

“You want all your players here, especially your great players,” the coach said (via Steve Serby of the New York Post). “It’s a time to build fundamentals and communication and chemistry and trust, so you want all your players here, especially the great ones. They facilitate a lot of those things for you, but you coach who’s here. That’s what time of year it is for us.”

As Anthony Barstow of the New York Post points out, Beckham seemingly responded to those comments on Friday night. The star receiver retweeted a tweet from NewsOne Now managing editor Roland Martin that read “I’m sick of folks acting like star athletes must always do what a coach asks. McAdoo wants @OBJ_3 at workouts? See ya when it’s mandatory.”

While Beckham’s absence can presumably be attributed to his unwillingness to travel across the country for non-mandatory practices, the 24-year-old could also be sending a subtle hint regarding his contract. The wideout’s salary for 2017 is at $1.8MM, an absolute bargain considering Beckham’s three straight seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards. The Giants picked up his $8.5MM fifth-year option, and the receiver is now eligible for an extension.

For what it’s worth, Beckham made it clear that he’d be attending the team’s mandatory minicamp in mid-June.

Let’s take a look at some other notes from out of New York…

  • Tara Sullivan of NorthJersey.com says Beckham is unable “to stop making everything so hard on himself.” The writer believes it would have been in the receiver’s best interest to attend OTAs, especially following the “hole-punching” fiasco and a public call-out by Giants general manager Jerry Reese.
  • Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like Beckham’s teammates are concerned with his (or defensive end Olivier Vernon‘s) absence. “It’s voluntary,” Damon Harrison told Sullivan. “I’m more than sure OV and OBJ are somewhere working out just as hard, or maybe even harder than we are. I’m confident they’ll come in and be ready. … They have some valid reasons why they’re not here; I’m sure they’re not here just because they didn’t feel like coming. If I didn’t live in New Jersey I probably wouldn’t be here right now. OV is from Miami. Have you seen the weather here lately? I’d run from it too. I’m sure they got some good reasons why.”
  • Jalin Marshall‘s impending four-game suspension means the Jets wideout has to prove that he’s worth a roster spot during the preseason, and the second-year player recognizes this uphill battle. “I can’t really think about what’s going to happen when the season starts,” he said (via Ethan Greenberg of NewYorkJets.com). “I do have four preseason games to play. If you play well, everything else speaks for itself. They can’t rid of a guy who’s going to help the team win, so that’s what I try to do day in and day out. Go out there and make sure they know I can help the team win.”
  • Earlier this week, Collette Smith became the first woman to ever join the Jets’ coaching staff.

NFC Notes: Vikings, Peterson, 49ers

May 27th, 2017 at 9:05am CST by Ben Levine

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is taking some time off as he recovers from eye surgery, but the 60-year-old vowed that he’d be back before long.

“I’ll be back shortly. One eye or two, it really doesn’t matter. I’m going to be back,” Zimmer said (via Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune). “So we can put the retiring thing or whatever to bed quickly.”

The coach revealed that there haven’t been any setbacks since he underwent surgery earlier this month, and he indicated that a recent examination revealed that everything was progressing positvely. Zimmer is ultimately hoping to be back on the sideline in early June for organized team activities.

“I miss being in the meetings with players and I especially miss being out on the field, where I can give immediate feedback on technique and things like that,” he said.

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFC…

  • During the NFL Draft, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan called tight end Vance McDonald to update him on potential trade talks. The 26-year-old offensive weapon appreciated his coach’s willingness to be completely transparent about the rumors. “Basically, it’s just like any other team in the NFL would do,” McDonald told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “If you’re a 2-14 team, obviously, there are a lot of things you can improve on, a lot of spots that need to be filled. There are a lot of things you need to improve upon in the offseason. So if teams are going to call and inquire about you, then obviously the next step is to … call around to every other team…So that’s exactly what happened to me. It isn’t like they don’t want me here. There was never a lack of communication on any level.” McDonald finished last season with career-highs in receiving yards (391) and touchdowns (four).
  • Running back Adrian Peterson is still trying to figure out his fit with the Saints, but his teammates are confident that his presence will result in one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. “I think he’s looking forward to that,” said fullback John Kuhn (via Brett Martel of the Associated Press). “Not to put words in his mouth, but everybody in here, especially on the offensive side, realizes that the more weapons that we have, the more explosive we can be.”
  • Cardinals wideout Jaron Brown was expected to play a significant role during the 2016 season, but a torn ACL ended his campaign prematurely. Despite the injury, the organization still decided to sign the former undrafted free agent to an extension. Now, Brown is hoping to repay the Cardinals for their good will gesture. “That meant a lot,” Brown told Kent Somers of AZCentral.com. “You don’t see that too many times, and it kind of shows that faith and loyalty in me to get back to where I was. It was good for both sides.”

AFC Notes: Chiefs, Browns, Kap, Bills

May 26th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest news and notes from the AFC:

  • The Chiefs have announced several changes to their front office, including the hiring of Tim Terry as director of pro personnel and the promotion of Ryan Poles from college scouting coordinator to director of college scouting. Terry is joining his second NFL organization after spending the first 13 years of his career in Green Bay, where he was most recently the team’s assistant director of pro personnel. General manager John Dorsey was in the Packers’ front office before the Chiefs hired him in 2013, so he’s already familiar with Terry. Kansas City’s Dorsey-led front office also pried Chris Shea away from Philadelphia. Shea, the Chiefs’ new salary cap and legal executive, previously served as the Eagles’ director of scouting administration.
  • Former NFL head coach and current 49ers assistant Eric Mangini believes that Colin Kaepernick would be a great fit for the Browns.  “I think as the market settles and people start looking at these young quarterbacks they brought in and start evaluating the quarterback situation, they might realize it may not look as good as they hoped it would be,” Mangini told PFT. “I always thought he would be a good fit for the Browns. Hue [Jackson’s] system is multiple shifts and motions, and that’s what he did in San Francisco. Hue has an element of quarterback-driven runs, I think Colin is excellent as that. As a candidate, him vs. RGIII a year ago, I’d take Colin 10 times out of 10.” So far, the Browns have shown no interest in Kaepernick. To date, only Seattle has given him a real look.
  • Currently, the Bills are not projected to receive any 2018 compensatory picks because they signed more unrestricted free agents (seven) to qualifying contracts than they lost to other teams (five). However, the Bills can change that, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. By releasing a total of four of their seven signed free agents between now and Week 10, the Bills would be projected to tack on two compensatory picks – one being a third-rounder for losing cornerback Stephon Gilmore plus a fourth-rounder for losing wide receiver Robert Woods. The most likely UFAs to go, in Rodak’s estimation, are defensive end Ryan Davis, offensive lineman Vlad Ducasse, and wide receiver Andre Holmes. To secure that fourth-round pick, they could also cut fullback Patrick DiMarco or kicker Steven Hauschka.
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