2018 February - Pro Football Rumors

Month: November 2024

Franchise Tag Candidate: Sammy Watkins

February 19th, 2018 at 9:29pm CST by Micah Powell

The Rams pulled off a blockbuster move leading up to the 2017 season, trading defensive back E.J. Gaines and a second-round pick in 2018 to the Bills in exchange for former first-round receiver Sammy Watkins and a sixth-round selection in 2018.

The move was a mixed bag for Los Angeles. On the one hand, Watkins led the team with eight receiving touchdowns, averaged 15.2 yards per reception and helped the Rams post the No. 1 scoring offense in the league. On the other hand, however, the fourth-year wideout made only 39 receptions on the season and ranked fourth on the team with 593 yards. The thought is that the receiver will benefit of a full offseason with the high-powered offense.

“I just think he got on a roll with the guys that [Jared Goff] had during OTAs, and once a guy is used to throwing it to someone else, he throws to his guys,” Watkins said. “It’s just part of the game where you need more time, or maybe another year.”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Watkins would like the remain with the Rams and that they would like to have him back. His proficiency on vertical routes opens up the middle of the field for chain movers like Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, and frees up space in the flats for Todd Gurley. What could hold the team back from tagging the explosive wideout is twofold. First, the cost to franchise tag a receiver is projected to be $16.2 MM, according to overthecap.com. That’s a hefty price to pay for a receiver who has missed 12 games in the last three seasons and didn’t show much in 2018. The second reason is that the Rams are also debating placing the franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner. That would only cost Los Angeles a projected $11 MM.

In 2018, Pro Football Focus rated Watkins the No. 33 receiver in the NFL with a grade of 76.2, tying him with Ted Ginn. The site also published a piece on the receiver, detailing how his touchdown rate — 11.43 — is almost impossible to replicate. From the in-depth article:

So, from 2007 to 2016, 60 players had a 10-percent touchdown rate on 50-plus targets. Of those 60, two (2012-13 Danario Alexander and 2013-14 Marvin Jones) did not play at all the next season. So 58, then. Those 58 players averaged 10.8 touchdowns on 87.12 targets (12.7 percent). A year later, that same group averaged 5.5 touchdowns on 83.8 targets (6.8 percent). Essentially, guys who score touchdowns at a 10-percent rate one year see that rate cut in half the next.

There is no doubting the talent Watkins possesses. If he can recapture and build on his success from his Buffalo days, there is no doubt the Clemson product has the potential to be an 80-catch, 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown receiver in one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

As detailed earlier on Pro Football Rumors, receiver is not one of the Rams’ most pressing needs entering the 2018 offseason. With Woods, Cupp and the emerging Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles appears set with plenty of talent at the position. With a projected $51 MM in cap space, however, the team could afford to bring back Watkins for another year to see if Watkins can live up to his projected playmaker status coming out of college.

The choice is a boom-or-bust one for the Rams. Do they think he is likely to emerge as a No. 1 pass catcher in a potent attack with a full season working with Goff in the books? Or do they think that 2018 is the beginning of a trend rather than an outlier?

NFC Notes: Seahawks, Richardson, Redskins, Bucs, Lions

February 19th, 2018 at 8:32pm CST by Micah Powell

With teams officially able to place the franchise tag on players beginning tomorrow, there is growing speculation that the Seahawks will use the option on defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

Condotta cited a number of league insiders who believe the team is likely to use the tag due to the Seahawks paying a steep price to acquire him leading up to the 2017 season. Shortly before the 2017 campaign kicked off, Seattle sent wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick to the Jets in exchange for the fifth-year lineman.

With the Seahawks likely to have about $14 MM in cap space this offseason, they would likely need to rework some deals or extensions in order to afford the $14.5 MM tag the defensive tackle would command. In the piece, Eric Edholm of Pro Football Weekly said Richardson could be a transition-tag candidate, which would cost the Seahawks roughly $11.7 MM.

If the team doesn’t use the tag, it is likely to lose out on the impact defensive tackle. In January, it was reported the Richardson has a soft spot for the Jets and could land back with his former team.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

The Redskins are interested in re-signing receiver Ryan Grant, according to ESPN’s John Keim. In 2017, Grant posted career highs with 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns. Keim notes the team is expected to look for a speed wideout to pair with Josh Doctson on the outside. If the team brought back Grant, that would essentially relegate him to fourth-wideout duties.
The Lions plan to bring back tight end Eric Ebron, and unrestricted free agent Darren Fells and the team are not close to a contract extension, the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett writes. Should Fells leave, which seems likely, Birkett says Michael Roberts is planning on playing a starter’s role in 2018. Ebron’s $8.25 MM deal becomes guaranteed on the first day of the new league year.
The Buccaneers are hiring Brentson Buckner as their new defensive lineman coach, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (Twitter link). Buckner spent the last five seasons working with the Cardinals in the same position.

Cousins Notes: Jets, Vikings, Broncos

February 19th, 2018 at 7:34pm CST by Micah Powell

With free agency less than a month away, speculation is beginning to pick up around Kirk Cousins. The Redskins quarterback is set to hit the open market after the team pulled off a trade for Alex Smith in recent weeks and there are expected to be plenty of suitors.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Jets are willing to pay whatever it takes to land the star free agent. This comes on the heels of news out of Denver that the Broncos are also all in on the quarterback.

That’s just the beginning of the list of suitors who are expected to be in play for the fifth-year signal-caller. The Browns, Vikings and Cardinals could all make a run at Cousins, who is expected to become the highest-paid player in NFL history once he decides on a team.

Here is a collection of the latest rumors and predictions surrounding the top free agent:

The MMQB’s Peter King predicted landing spots for all free agent and draft-eligible quarterbacks and pegged Cousins to the Broncos. King notes Cousins’ reported desire to win and John Elway’s willingness to swing for the fences as reasons for the move. King also says that Elway appears ready to move defenders like Aqib Talib and Derek Wolfe to create the cap room to go after his guy. Among other noted quarterbacks, King listed A.J. McCarron to the Cardinals, Sam Darnold and Sam Bradford to the Browns, and Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater to the Vikings.
If his teammates have any insight on the situation, then Cousins might be indeed headed for Denver. Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger appeared on NFL Network on Monday and gave his thoughts on Cousins’ likely landing spot. “With the situation they have out there on defense, they’re missing their quarterback. I think Kirk will be getting a healthy payday and I think Denver is the team that can do that.”
If the Vikings do not place the franchise tag on Keenum, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport fully expects the reigning NFC North champions to be in the mix for Cousins (Twitter link). Minnesota, fresh off posting a 13-3 mark in 2017, arguably offer the quarterback the greatest chance to win right off the bat with a strong defense and solid weapons at receiver, tight end and running back.
Sticking with the Vikes, the Star Tribune’s Michael Rand writes that the Jets’ willingness to back up the Brinks truck for Cousins might force the team to look elsewhere. “If suddenly Cousins — hardly a sure thing as a franchise-altering QB in the first place — can command that kind of contract from a desperate team, the Vikings (if they are interested in the first place) might have no choice but to look in other directions.”

OT Ben Ijalana To Hit Free Agency

February 19th, 2018 at 6:48pm CST by Micah Powell

It appears that veteran offensive tackle Ben Ijalana will be able to test free agency, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports.

The Jets had until today to exercise their $500,000 bonus on the offensive lineman that would’ve triggered a $4.5 MM base salary for the veteran tackle. By not picking up the option, the Jets will save roughly $4.672MM in cap space but incur $1.25MM in dead money. Cimini reports the team could bring him back as a free agent.

Ijalana appeared in 11 games in 2017 but only played 56 offensive snaps and 42 on special teams. In 2016, he started 13 games and played 83% percent of the team’s snaps. He lost out on a starting spot in 2017, however, to Brandon Shell.

A versatile lineman who can play both tackle spots, Ijalana is sure to command attention for a team looking to add depth to its offensive line in 2018.

Panthers Not Expected To Use Franchise Tag

February 19th, 2018 at 5:49pm CST by Micah Powell

In 2016, the Panthers placed the franchise tag on cornerback Josh Norman before rescinding it, allowing him to sign with the Redskins. The following year, they placed the tag on Kawann Short and signed him to a long-term deal the following month.

They are not expected to use it this year, however, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

The most obvious candidate on the roster to receive the tag was Andrew Norwell, the undrafted free agent in 2014 who earned All-Pro honors in 2017. With the team signing Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner to a four-year extension in the 2017 offseason, it is not likely to invest the $14.3 MM tag on another guard. Person also notes guards are typically not franchise tag candidates, with Logan Mankins in 2011 with the Patriots being the last guard to receive the distinction.

Other candidates included defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and kicker Graham Gano. After signing Short to a long-term deal in the previous offseason, the Panthers can let Lotulelei head to free agency and give more playing time to 2016 first-round pick Vernon Butler, Person writes.

Teams can officially put the franchise tag on players beginning on February 20. They have until March 6, about a week before the start of free agency, to decide to use the tag.

PFR Glossary: Franchise/Transition Tags

February 19th, 2018 at 4:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Tuesday will mark the first day that teams can apply the franchise tag to free-agents-to-be for 2018. While no clubs have designated franchise players yet, there will likely at least a handful of players receiving the tag before the March 6 deadline, so it’s worth taking an in-depth look at what exactly it means to be designated as a franchise player.

Essentially, the franchise tag is a tool that a team can use to keep one of its free agents from freely negotiating with rival suitors on the open market. Designating a franchise player means tendering that player a one-year contract offer. The amount of that offer varies from year to year and from position to position, and also differs slightly depending on what sort of specific tag the team employs. Here’s a breakdown of the three types of franchise/transition tags:

Exclusive franchise tag:

The amount of the one-year offer is either the average of the top five highest-paid players at the player’s position in the current league year or 120% of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater. The top five highest-paid players at the position are determined once the free agent signing period ends in May, so the exact amount isn’t known until then.
The player isn’t allowed to negotiate with other teams.
The player and his team have until July 15 (or the first business day thereafter, which falls on Monday July 16 this year) to work out a multiyear agreement. After that date, the player can only sign a one-year contract.
The exclusive tag is generally only used for extremely valuable free agents, such as franchise quarterbacks.

Non-exclusive franchise tag:

The amount of the one-year offer is determined by a formula that includes the salary cap figures and the non-exclusive franchise salaries at the player’s position for the previous five years. Alternately, the amount of the one-year offer can be 120% of the player’s previous salary, if that amount is greater.
The player is free to negotiate with other teams. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, his current team has five days to match the offer.
If the offer is not matched, the player’s previous team will receive two first-round draft picks as compensation from the signing team.
As is the case with the exclusive franchise tag, July 15 (which, again, falls on July 16 this year) represents the deadline for a multiyear agreement.
Due to the attached compensatory picks, the non-exclusive franchise tag is generally sufficient for free agents — few rival suitors are willing to give up multiple first-rounders in order to sign a free agent to a lucrative deal, so there’s not much risk for a team to give up exclusive negotiating rights.

Transition tag:

The amount of the one-year offer is either the average of the top 10 highest-paid players at the player’s position in the previous league year or 120% of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater.
The player is free to negotiate with other teams. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, his current team has five days to match the offer.
If the offer is not matched, the player’s previous team does not receive any compensatory draft picks.
Because it does not include any draft compensation or exclusive negotiation rights, and is only slightly more affordable, the transition tag is rarely used.

The exact amounts of these tags won’t be known until the salary cap number for 2018 is announced, and even then, the exclusive franchise tag amount won’t be established immediately. However, OverTheCap.com has a breakdown of the projected non-exclusive figures, ranging from around $5.06MM for a punter or kicker all the way up to $23MM+ for a quarterback. We already know that the Cowboys intend to use the tag on defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, with an eye on hammering out a long-term pact before the deadline. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell also appears to be a very likely candidate for the designation. Others in the franchise tag mix include Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson, Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and Panthers guard Andrew Norwell.

Here are a few relevant details on franchise tags:

Each year, the period for teams to designate franchise players runs from the 22nd day before the new league year begins, right up until the eighth day before that new year. In 2018, that means February 20 to March 6, with the 2018 league year set to start on March 14.
A team can withdraw a franchise or transition tag at any time once when the free agent period begins, but it would immediately make the player an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to sign with any team.
If a player is designated a franchise player for a third time, the amount of his one-year offer is equal to the exclusive franchise salary for the highest-paid position (QB), 120% of the five largest prior-year salaries at his position, or 144% of his previous salary. That’s why, for instance, the Rams won’t franchise cornerback Trumaine Johnson this offseason — it would be his third straight franchise tag, so he’d be eligible for roughly $20MM for 2018.
Teams are allowed to designated one franchise player and one transition player per offseason. A team can also designate two transition players if it doesn’t designate a franchise player, but can’t designate two franchise players.
Restricted free agents can be designated as franchise players.
If a player chooses to sign the one-year franchise tender, his salary is essentially guaranteed. The CBA notes that if a team releases the player due to a failure “to establish or maintain his excellent physical condition,” the team may recoup his salary. However, a franchise player released due to poor performance, injury, or cap maneuvering will receive his full salary.

Note: This is a PFR Glossary entry, modified from an earlier entry by editor emeritus Luke Adams. Our glossary posts explain specific rules relating to free agency, trades, or other aspects of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Information from Joel Corry and OverTheCap.com was used in the creation of this post.

Extra Points: Tags, Cowboys, Cards, Vikings

February 19th, 2018 at 3:42pm CST by Ryan Posner

ESPN.com’s NFL Nation reporters took a crack at predicting how each team may use its franchise tag this offseason. Of note, Jeff Dickerson predicts the Bears will use their tag to retain free agent-to-be Kyle Fuller, despite a report he would not be returning to Chicago. The franchise tag for cornerbacks last season was $14.21MM. Other notable predictions included the Seahawks tagging Sheldon Richardson, the Dolphins placing their top tag on Jarvis Landry and the Giants keeping a key offensive line piece in Justin Pugh. All are among the top players at their respective positions set to hit unrestricted free agency. Miami tagging Landry would make for an interesting situation considering the fifth-year receiver and the Dolphins have been at an impasse about an extension for several months. This led to a report that Landry doesn’t believe he’ll be back in Miami. Landry’s also believed to want a deal in the $14MM-AAV range. With the wide receiver tag is expected to be worth approximately $16.2MM, Landry could be a candidate to sign a franchise tender early in the event the Dolphins proceed this way.

Here’s the latest from around the league:

The Cowboys have reportedly expressed they will slap a franchise tag on free agent-to-be Demarcus Lawrence, but Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram believes the team will look to work out a long-term deal within the two-week window before it’s forced to designate its tag. A tag will not come before next week, Hill reports. Hill points to Dez Bryant, whom the team tagged in 2015 but worked out a long-term deal with prior to the season. The franchise tag for defensive ends is expected to be in the neighborhood of $17.5MM for the upcoming season.
Hill also correlates Lawrence’s contract situation to the Cowboys’ plans for defensive tackle David Irving, who’s set to become a restricted free agent. The Cowboys have approximately $19MM in cap space, according to Hill, and a second-round tender for Irving plus a tag for Lawrence would consume nearly all of Dallas’ cap space. Hill notes this could lead to the restructuring of contracts for players such as Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith and Sean Lee.
With Carson Palmer retiring, and fellow quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Drew Stanton and Matt Barkley due to hit free agency, the Cardinals could be in the market for up to four quarterbacks this offseason, according to Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (on Twitter). The team will obviously seek out a starter to replace Palmer, but Jurecki believes they’ll also add at least one quarterback in the draft and add another through free agency to create depth. A combination of Palmer, Stanton and Gabbert led Arizona to an 8-8 record and third-place finish in the NFC West last year.
Mike Remmers is set to start on the Vikings‘ offensive line next season, but where he starts on the line is still up in the air. Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune dives into the subject, noting how the team stuck with him at right guard for its two postseason games, despite the return of center Pat Elflein. An Elflein injury forced Remmers to move from right tackle to right guard in the first place. The retirement of 35-year-old Joe Berger, who Remmers filled in for at right guard, could also determine the Vikings’ course of action. Minnesota signed Remmers to a five-year, $30MM contract last offseason.

North Notes: Bengals, Matthews, Bears

February 19th, 2018 at 2:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Now that quarterback A.J. McCarron has been granted unrestricted free agent status, there’s essentially no chance the Bengals will seek to re-sign him for the 2018 season. Cincinnati will likely collect a compensatory draft pick in 2019 as a result of losing McCarron, but the Bengals need to solidify their backup quarterback position in the near-term, as Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. With starter Andy Dalton locked up through the 2020 campaign, the Bengals could add a developmental signal-caller — as they did when selecting McCarron in the fifth round of the 2014 draft — or ink a veteran backup.

At present, 2016 sixth-rounder Jeff Driskel is Cincinnati’s No. 2 quarterback, but it’s unclear if the Bengals will trust Driskel to serve as Dalton’s backup next year. Per Owczarski, the Bengals asked Driskel to take practice reps at wide receiver heading into their 2017 regular-season finale. Driskel did so, but broke his left arm making a leaping, one-handed catch. He’s undergone surgery, and should be ready for offseason workouts in April.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

While veteran defender Clay Matthews has been viewed as a potential candidate for release, the Packers and new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine could see enough value in Matthews to stave off a parting of ways, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. “When you can move guys around and trade jobs, not just within game but week to week, because a big part of offense is identifying who the rushers are and what positions they’re playing,” said Pettine in discussing Matthews’ ability to play inside and outside linebacker. “When you have guys like that, the creative part, you can do a lot more with those players.” Matthews ranked as the league’s No. 27 edge defender in 2017, per Pro Football Focus, which assigned the 31-year-old his highest grade since 2012. The Packers could clear the entirety of Matthews’ ~$11.369MM cap charge by cutting him this offseason.
A number of key Bears players have roster bonuses and guarantees due on March 16, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. While defensive end Akiem Hicks ($3MM bonus), guard Kyle Long ($5MM bonus), and tackle Bobby Massie ($1MM bonus) are likely to be retained, the same can’t be said for several other veterans. Tight end Dion Sims, cornerback Marcus Cooper, linebacker Willie Young, safety Quintin Demps, and quarterback Mike Glennon will be due guarantees or bonuses in mid-March, meaning Chicago will have to make decisions on their respective fates. The Bears currently rank 11th in 2018 salary cap space with more than $41MM available, but the club could increase that figure to greater than $70MM by releasing Sims et al.
Don’t expect the Browns to shift left guard Joel Bitonio to left tackle if Joe Thomas does indeed retire this offseason, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland (Twitter link). Bitonio started all 16 games at left guard for the Browns last season. He does have experience at left tackle, though. Bitonio played left tackle at Nevada before being taken by the Browns with the 35th overall pick of the 2014 draft. Thomas is still undecided on if he’ll return in 2018 after missing the first nine games of his 11-year career last season.
In case you missed it, the Vikings recently hired former Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing as a senior offensive assistant. Downing, 37, is a Minnesota native, and will be joining ex-Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo as new additions to the Vikings’ offensive staff.

Ryan Posner contributed to this report.

Julius Peppers Leaning Toward Returning

February 19th, 2018 at 1:00pm CST by Ryan Posner

Julius Peppers is leaning toward returning for a 17th NFL season rather than retiring, a source close to the Panthers defensive end told Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer.

Fowler notes that the future Hall of Fame candidate has already undergone shoulder surgery this offseason and was believed to have played through the injury this past season. That wasn’t enough to stop the now-38-year-old from leading the Panthers with 11 sacks while fulfilling a part-time role.

A 2002 Panthers first-round pick, Peppers returned to his native North Carolina last year after spending three seasons with the Packers and the previous four with the Bears. Peppers has still been a reliable contributor despite approaching age 40. He’s appeared in all 16 games in each of the past 10 seasons while collecting at least seven sacks each year. Peppers also holds the Panthers’ all-time record for career sacks (92).

Peppers is set hit unrestricted free agency this offseason after signing a one-year, $3.5MM deal with the Panthers last offseason. The Panthers, who returned to the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, also have another key free agent on its defensive line in Star Lotulelei. Mario Addison and Charles Johnson represent the other key Panthers defensive ends under contract, though the latter might profile as a cut candidate.

Jets Unlikely To Pick Up Ben Ijalana’s Option

February 19th, 2018 at 11:18am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets are unlikely to exercise offensive tackle Ben Ijalana‘s option for the 2018 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Even so, New York could potentially re-sign Ijalana during free agency, per Rapoport.

Due to the structure of Ijalana’s two-year contract, the Jets must decide by today whether to pay a $500K bonus that would trigger the 2018 season of his deal. By not picking up the option, New York will save roughly $4.672MM in cap space but incur $1.25MM in dead money.

Ijalana, 28, started 13 games and played more than 83% of Gang Green’s offensive snaps in 2016, and even spent time at left tackle when called upon. While he wasn’t spectacular — Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 60 tackle among 78 qualifiers — Ijalana provided depth and looked to be the frontrunner for the Jets’ starting right tackle position in 2017.

Instead, Brandon Shell took over at right tackle, relegating Ijalana to swing tackle duty. In all, Ijalana played only 56 offensive snaps and 42 special teams a season ago, making his $4.5MM salary for 2018 untenable. He’ll hit free agency, and given the dearth of tackles available on the open market, it’s not out of the question that Ijalana could compete for a starting job elsewhere.

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