2017 December - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Notes: Kizer, Wilkerson, Broncos, Yates

December 20th, 2017 at 6:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Hue Jackson took a step back from championing DeShone Kizer following the Browns‘ 14th loss of the season, and on Wednesday, the second-year coach backed off previous talk that the second-round rookie would be the team’s quarterback of the future.

“We did not draft a quarterback in the first round and say, ‘This is our quarterback of the future.’ We took a quarterback. We’re trying to grow him,” Jackson said Wednesday when asked of Kizer’s longer-term status, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. ”

“… I understand when you take a guy in the second round, everybody suspects that that’s the guy. We wish it is. I mean you hope it is. But if it isn’t, that’s OK, too. And hopefully guy will continue to grow and get better, but you also have to continue to get better at the position.”

Jackson has said this season Kizer could be the Browns’ long-term quarterback solution but said Sunday he wondered if the Notre Dame product — who has 19 interceptions, five more than any other passer this season — would ever “get it.” The then-Sashi Brown-led front office may have viewed the 2018 quarterback crop as superior to this year’s, inducing the Browns to bypass a first-round quarterback in order to not block a possible 2018 Round 1 pick. The Browns are almost certainly going to hold the No. 1 overall pick, so they’ll have their chance at the best quarterback prospect come April.

Here’s the latest from the AFC, shifting to the Muhammad Wilkerson situation.

In response to a question about if he’d like to stay with the Jets, Wilkerson said it wasn’t going to be up to him. “That’s up to Todd (Bowles) and the organization,” Wilkerson said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (video link). Although Wilkerson returned to the Jets on Wednesday, he is not expected to be a part of next year’s team due a turbulent season and disappointing run following his 2016 contract extension.
Conversely, Brock Osweiler still wants to stay with the Broncos next season despite the team presumably not viewing him as a starter going into a pivotal offseason. Osweiler’s contract is up after Week 17, but he wants to stay in Denver, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post relays (on Twitter). The Broncos have not decided if he or Paxton Lynch will start on Sunday against the Redskins. Osweiler may be amenable to again being the backup in Denver, with the franchise likely to explore options in what promises to be one of the more unique groups of available quarterbacks in the free agency era, and is unlikely to be be viewed as a starter-level talent by another team.
With the Broncos having little inclination Lynch can be counted on as a potential above-average starter, Troy Renck of Denver7 explores the idea of the team adding Kirk Cousins. While it would surely cost a team Derek Carr or Matthew Stafford money to sign Cousins, should be become a free agent, Renck notes the Broncos’ inability to replace Peyton Manning has cost them dearly. Manning wasn’t even making $20MM per year, so the prospect of Cousins — whom Renck lists as a player who figures to be pursued by the Jaguars, Bills, Browns, Cardinals and Jets as well — would be interesting. The Broncos are projected to have $30MM in 2018 cap space.
On the subject of cap space, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap analyzes some of the league’s worst situations. He lists the Chiefs, who are projected to be $3MM-plus over the ’18 cap, but notes the Alex Smith contract could be moved to create relief. The Chiefs would save $17MM by moving Smith’s deal off their books. Veterans like Tamba Hali or Derrick Johnson ($8MM apiece in cap savings) could also be cap casualties at little cost (less than $5MM between them). The Chiefs will also have decision regarding Dee Ford‘s $8.718MM fifth-year option to make. Fitzgerald adds the Chiefs’ failure to be proactive in extending Justin Houston or Eric Berry helped put them in this place.
The Texans will indeed start T.J. Yates again Sunday. Tom Savage could well miss the rest of the season. Savage is a free agent at season’s end.

Rams To Place Greg Zuerlein On IR

December 20th, 2017 at 5:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams endured a surprising setback Wednesday that will affect their top-flight special teams units. Greg Zuerlein will go on IR because of a back injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

He cannot return this season once placed on IR. Zuerlein’s back flared up during the Rams’ road win in Seattle, Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News tweets.

The Rams will replace their kicker by signing Sam Ficken, Schefter reports. The former Penn State kicker has not attempted an NFL kick.

Zuerlein was just voted to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday night. He leads the league with 38 made field goals and has missed just two attempts. The sixth-year kicker, and one half of the Rams’ Pro Bowl specialist duo along with punter Johnny Hekker, has also made 44 of his 46 extra point tries.

A sixth-round pick out of Missouri Western in 2012, the strong-legged kicker has missed just two games in his career. Zuerlein missed two contests for the 2015 Rams. He’s enjoyed his best season this year.

The six 50-plus-yard field goal makes — including a season-long of 56 — are the second-most of his career. He of two 58-yard field goals in college and two 60-yard makes in the NFL, the 29-year-old Zuerlein provided the suddenly explosive Los Angeles offense with a safety net once it ventured into field goal range.

Ficken went to camp with the Chiefs this summer and the Jaguars in 2016, being cut after both summers. He worked out for the Chargers earlier this season and will now be one of the more important kickers in the league, with the Rams having authored one of the better turnaround seasons in NFL history. As of now, Ficken — who has not kicked in a game since suiting up with the 2014 Nittany Lions — will be called upon come playoff time.

Trent Williams Likely Done For Season

December 20th, 2017 at 4:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Redskins tackle Trent Williams says he likely won’t play again this season, barring an emergency situation (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s John Keim).

Williams said earlier this season an offseason knee surgery will be required, and an approximate six-month rehab process will come with it. However, the eighth-year left tackle said there’s a chance he’ll undergo surgery on his knee next week before the team’s season finale. It’s not immediately clear whether the team will place Williams on IR, however.

Williams played through this injury and started 10 games this year. This surgery rehab going as planned would put him in line to be ready by training camp, witht eh former first-round pick presumably missing all other Washington offseason activities while he recovers.

The 29-year-old Williams is entrenched as the Redskins’ left tackle. He’s under contract through 2020, including a $13.95MM cap number for next year.

Rams Sign OLB Kasim Edebali

December 20th, 2017 at 4:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kasim Edebali began his 2017 season playing in a scheme initially put together by Wade Phillips, in signing with the Broncos in March. Now, the fourth-year edge defender will play for Phillips in Los Angeles.

The Rams signed Edebali on Wednesday and placed Brandon Allen on IR, the team announced.

The Lions claimed Edebali off waivers in November after the Broncos parted ways with him, but Detroit followed suit in cutting him. Edebali, who initially played with the Saints from 2014-16, was a free agent for nearly a week. He played 56 snaps for the Broncos and Lions, mostly serving as a special teams presence this season. He received more playing time for the Saints, registering eight sacks in three seasons.

Allen spent all season on the Rams’ active roster after arriving in September via waiver claim. The Redskins also put in a claim for the former Jaguars draft choice in September, but the Rams attained Allen’s rights due to a higher waiver priority.

The 2016 sixth-round pick has yet to throw an NFL pass, and his IR venture — as a result of a back injury — leaves Jared Goff and Sean Mannion as the Rams’ only active-roster quarterbacks.

Jets Notes: Wilkerson, Bowles, Maccagnan

December 20th, 2017 at 3:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at Gang Green:

Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson reported to the team facility today (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News). Wilkerson, who has repeatedly been tardy for team functions this year, did arrive at the morning meeting on time. It is expected that the Jets will cut ties with Wilkerson this offseason. He is slated to earn $16.75MM in 2018, but that figure is guaranteed for injury only until the third day of the league year. Therefore, the Jets will probably bench Wilkerson for the final two games of the season to avoid getting stuck with his salary. Meanwhile, the Jets are reportedly considering a reunion with his former trench-mate Sheldon Richardson.
Wilkerson, who was not allowed to travel with the team for the Jets‘ Week 15 game, has “served his sentence,” coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday (Twitter link via Mehta). Bowles added that the defensive lineman “made a mistake” and the team has “moved on,” but he did not indicate whether Wilkerson will play this week. Again, it would be a surprise if they had him suit up.
The Jets have about $80MM to spend this offseason, but Brian Costello of the New York Post isn’t sure that GM Mike Maccagnan is the right guy to conduct the spending spree. In 2016, Maccagnan had money to work with and doled out ill-advised deals to Wilkerson (five-year, $86MM) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (one-year, $12MM). Technically, he was also responsible for Darrelle Revis‘ five-year, $70 million deal in 2015, though that was at the behest of owner Woody Johnson. Maccagnan has shown that he can identify talented small-ticket players like Demario Davis, Kony Ealy, and Jermaine Kearse, but it remains to be seen whether he can get it right with major dollars involved.

Giants Interview Dave Gettleman For GM Job

December 20th, 2017 at 2:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants interviewed Dave Gettleman for their GM vacancy on Wednesday. He is the second person to sit for a formal interview with team brass, following VP of player evaluation Marc Ross.

The former Panthers GM has been connected to the position ever since Jerry Reese was fired in early December. It has been widely reported that he is the frontrunner for the position, though he is in competition with Ross, interim GM Kevin Abrams, and likely several other experiences executives.

There’s a lot of work to be done in New York, but Gettleman has experience with turning around a franchise that is behind the 8-ball. When Gettleman took over in Carolina, the Panthers were in a horrendous salary cap situation. He fixed things in short order as the Panthers made the postseason in each of his first three years in Carolina, including a Super Bowl appearance. The Panthers went 6-10 in his final year at the helm, but they’re riding high once again this season with the roster that he constructed.

Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi is serving as a consultant in the team’s search and he has a longstanding relationship with Gettleman. In 2013, Accorsi helped to steer Gettleman into the Panthers GM seat.

According to a press release put out by the team, Gettleman interviewed with Accorsi, team president John Mara, and chairman Steve Tisch. If history is any indication, it might not take long for the Accorsi-led search to wrap up. The 76-year-old consulted with the Panthers (2013), Bears (2015), and Lions (2016) and each team made their hire roughly one week after the regular season ended.

Gettleman’s own ties to the Giants organization should also give him an advantage. He served as an assistant to then-pro personnel director Tim Rooney in 1998, which was Accorsi’s first season as GM. He was promoted to pro personnel director in 1999 upon Rooney’s retirement and remained in the position for 13 years.

Bengals Place Andre Smith On IR

December 20th, 2017 at 1:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals have placed tackle Andre Smith on injured reserve. In related moves, the Bengals signed fellow tackle Justin Murray off the Saints practice squad. They also signed linebacker Connor Harris to the taxi squad.

Smith, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with Cincinnati after being selected No. 6 overall in the 2009 draft, reunited with the Bengals in the offseason. He signed a one-year deal with the notion that he would be the team’s starting right guard. He lost that competition to Trey Hopkins, but a spot opened up at right tackle when Jake Fisher was shut down for the year with a heart condition.

Even at his native tackle position, Smith didn’t really deliver. Pro Football Focus rates him as just the No. 64 tackle in the league out of 85 qualified players. Smith hasn’t earned a quality score from PFF since 2014, a sign that he has declined in recent years.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in January. He’s lost a step or three, but his experience and versatility could allow him to find work in 2018.

Buccaneers Place TE O.J. Howard On IR

December 20th, 2017 at 1:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Tight end O.J. Howard and safety Justin Evans have been ruled out for the year, the Buccaneers announced. As previously reported, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, guard J.R. Sweezy, and linebacker Adarius Glanton have also been placed on IR, meaning that the Bucs have shut down five players for the year on the same day.

Howard (first round) and Evans (second round) were the Bucs’ top draft picks in 2017. Howard was productive in the end zone this year, notching six touchdowns with 26 catches and 432 yards. Evans, meanwhile, made nine starts and recorded 49 tackles with three interceptions. Needless to say, both players will play a major role on the team next year.

Fellow tight end Cameron Brate, who also had a strong season, is expected to be retained with a high restricted free agent tender.

The 4-10 Buccaneers would have the No. 7 pick in the draft if the season ended today. The Texans (pick belongs to the Browns), 49ers, and Bears all have equal records, but the Bucs rank lower in the draft order due to their strength of schedule.

Patriots’ Alan Branch To Miss Time

December 20th, 2017 at 12:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots will be without Alan Branch for the final two games of the regular season, at minimum. The defensive lineman does not need surgery to fix his injured meniscus, but he is expected to miss “a few weeks,” Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears.

The Patriots have already locked up the AFC East title, but they’re still looking to shore up a first-round bye over the next couple of weeks. If they can manage that, then Branch could theoretically return to action for the Pats’ first playoff game, which would be on January 13th. If they have to play in the Wild Card round, then they might have to start the playoffs without one of their starting defensive tackles.

At 11-3, the Patriots have a 90% chance of getting a first-round bye and a 70% shot at being the AFC’s top seed, per the New York Times’ playoff calculator. A win over the Bills this weekend coupled with a Jaguars loss to the Niners would seal up the bye.

Buccaneers Place Vernon Hargreaves On IR

December 20th, 2017 at 11:47am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers are placing cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III on injured reserve, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Hargreaves’ hamstring injury has kept him off the field in recent weeks and the team has decided not to chance things in the final two games of the season.

Hargreaves, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2016 draft, appeared in only nine games this year with seven starts. Because of the hamstring issue, we haven’t seen him on the field since the Bucs’ November 12th win over the Jets.

The Bucs are still waiting to see the Florida product fulfill his potential. Hargreaves was healthy for all of last season and recorded 76 tackles, but he surrendered the most targets (127), catches (86), and yards (1,271) in the NFL.

He earned a 44.4 overall score from Pro Football Focus in ’16, placing him among the worst qualified corners in the league. This season, he showed some improvement in that regard, finishing out with a 72.8 score, though that barely places him among the top 70 players at his position.

Hargreaves, 23 in June, is under contract through 2019. He’ll be back in Tampa Bay next year with a $3.866MM cap figure.