2018 May - Pro Football Rumors

49ers’ Reuben Foster Pleads Not Guilty

May 8th, 2018 at 11:59am CST by Zachary Links

49ers linebacker Reuben Foster has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges stemming from his alleged domestic incident, as Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com tweets. Foster’s trial is now set to begin on May 17.

Both Foster’s freedom and football future hang in the balance in the upcoming trial. If convicted, the Alabama product could serve up to eleven years in prison. Meanwhile, the Niners say they’ll cut Foster if he is found guilty of striking a woman.

“We do feel like patience is the right approach right now, that we are going to learn things through this legal process,” GM John Lynch said recently. “But I do want to be very clear, abundantly clear, that if these charges are proven true, that if Reuben did indeed hit this young lady, he won’t be part of our organization going forward.”

Two weeks ago, Foster’s accuser recanted her claim, which could make it more difficult for the prosecution to land a conviction in his case. Still, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has vowed to forge ahead. For the time being, Foster has been barred from participating in team activities.

On the field, Foster has been a solid contributor for the Niners. As a rookie last year, he recorded 72 total tackles in ten games (all starts). In November, he earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors.

Cowboys To Meet With Terrell McClain

May 8th, 2018 at 11:01am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have scheduled a meeting with defensive tackle Terrell McClain, Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan tweets. McClain played for the Cowboys from 2014-2016, so the team is already familiar with what he offers.

After McClain was cut by the Redskins last week, Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay indicated that the team would be open to a reunion.

“We’re gonna look at opportunities to improve the team. He had a great run here and if he wants to come back we’ll definitely look at it,” the exec said.

During his time in Dallas, McClain appeared in 30 games and started all 15 of his contests in 2016.

McClain played in 30 games for the Cowboys and started all 15 he played during the 2016 season. That ’16 season represented the best of his career as he put up 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Last year, however, he graded out as one of the three worst qualified defensive tackles in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. A change of scenery – or, rather, a return to the scenery that suited him best – could help him turn things around.

Bills Meet With RB Kenjon Barner

May 8th, 2018 at 10:42am CST by Zachary Links

Former Eagles running back Kenjon Barner will visit with the Bills on Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Barner could be a fit for Buffalo as a depth piece on the running back depth chart who can also offer help in the return game.

Barner, a 2013 sixth-round pick by the Panthers, spent the last three seasons with the Eagles. In 2015 and 2016, he was productive despite limited snaps, compiling 253 rushing yards on only 55 carries (4.6 yards per attempt). Last offseason, he signed a one-year free agent deal with the Chargers but returned to Philly after he missed the Bolts’ final 53-man cut. He saw less time at running back than ever in 2017, but he did average a respectable 8.9 yards per punt return. That could make him a candidate to replace Brandon Tate as the Bills’ primary returner.

The Bills already have Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet, Taiwan Jones, Marcus Murphy, and Aaron Green at running back to support starter LeSean McCoy, but Barner would have a real chance at making the roster if signed. A deal would reunite Barner and McCoy, who played together in Philly in 2014.

Chiefs Release Rakeem Nunez-Roches

May 8th, 2018 at 10:11am CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs have released defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches, as Terez A, Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets. The Southern Miss product was due $1.9MM this year as a backup, which was apparently too much for KC’s liking.

Nunez-Roches was a restricted free agent this offseason and was retained with the original-round tender. The 24-year-old (25 in July) took a while to explore his options and did not ink his tender until the last week of April. The deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets was on April 20, but Nunez-Roches did not sign an offer sheet and – to our knowledge – did not draw serious interest elsewhere. As a former sixth-round pick, a team would have had to sacrifice an equivalent choice in the event of an unmatched offer sheet.

Ultimately, Nunez-Roches was pushed out of a defensive line that added RFA Xavier Williams from the Cardinals and will return Allen Bailey to complement its Chris Jones-centered unit. The Chiefs also bolstered the D-Line through the draft by taking Mississippi’s Breeland Speaks in the second round and FSU nose tackle Derrick Nnadi in the third round.

Nunez-Roches started eleven games for the Chiefs last season and five in the 2016 campaign. He played 390 snaps in 2017 and registered a half-sack and made 24 tackles.

Dolphins Owner Confirms Trade Back Push

May 8th, 2018 at 8:45am CST by Zachary Links

Over the weekend, it was reported that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross pushed his front office to trade back in the first round in order to save money. On Tuesday, Ross told Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald that wanted the Dolphins to explore moving back from No. 11, but not for financial reasons.

“Correct,” Ross said in an email when asked about whether he wanted the team to consider alternative strategies. “Saving money will never be an issue when it comes to winning.”

The Dolphins, ultimately, stood pat at No. 11 and selected Minkah Fitzpatrick. Ross didn’t explicitly slam the pick, but he did indicate that he wasn’t sold on the Alabama defensive back, or second round tight end Mike Gesicki, or third round Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker. The Dolphins did not move from any of those Day 1 or Day 2 selections, which seems to bother Ross.

“We’ll see,” he said when asked about his team’s haul. “Nobody knows for sure with this stuff.”

Ross says he is hopeful about this year’s rookie class because his people have told him that there is a plan in place for these first-year players. Even if Ross isn’t thrilled about Fitzpatrick, GM Chris Grier is ecstatic about what he can offer.

“He’s like a Swiss army knife,” Grier said of Fitzpatrick after selecting him. “He does a lot of things really good. You’ve heard everybody talk, it’s his skill set. He gives your defense a chance to be flexible and do a lot of different things. It’s his football intelligence, his love for football and he’s been a productive player from the minute he stepped on campus at arguably one of the best programs in college football.”

Extra Points: Panthers, Fleener, Avril, Falcons, Witten

May 7th, 2018 at 9:18pm CST by Ben Levine

Earlier this week, we learned that Curtis Fuller had resigned from his gig as the Panthers defensive backs coach. While no explanation was provided at the time, ESPN’s David Newton reports that the decision stemmed from the NFL’s investigation into owner Jerry Richardson.

Ultimately, the team had received “complaints of workplace misconduct” by Fuller, with women describing his conduct as “inappropriate.”

“After approaching Coach Fuller with the findings of an investigation into complaints of inappropriate conduct, we accepted his resignation,” said team spokesperson Steven Drummond. “The Panthers are deeply committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally.”

Fuller had been with the organization since 2013. Following Steve Wilks promotion to defensive coordinator, Fuller was named the defensive backs coach prior to last season.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFL…

The Saints released tight end Coby Fleener earlier today, and ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that the team designated the transaction as a post-June 1st release. That means New Orleans will clear $3MM in cap space on June 2nd. The veteran’s $3.4MM base salary became guaranteed in February, and the team could have saved $3.2MM against the cap by releasing him prior to that date.
Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff says he’s still hoping to add defensive line depth in free agency (Twitter link via 92.9 The Game). That would help to explain Atlanta’s recent interest in former Redskins and Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain. After losing defensive tackle Dontari Poe to the Panthers and Adrian Clayborn to the Patriots earlier this offseason, the Falcons are looking to restock the front four.
Cliff Avril has not officially retired, but it sounds like he is prepared to move on from football. The former Seahawks defensive end will join Sports Radio 950 KJR as a midday co-host beginning in July, the station announced. The press release makes it sound as though Avril’s playing days are through. “Cliff had an amazing career and we are lucky to be part of his next chapter,” iHeartMedia Seattle exec Rich Moore said. However, Avril’s open letter to Seahawks fans last week indicated that he would make his decision after speaking further with medical experts. The Seahawks released the 10-year veteran last week amidst concerns about his neck.
Long-time Cowboys star Jason Witten announced his retirement earlier today, and his former quarterback penned the tight end a farewell letter. “Sometimes in life you are lucky to come across someone that will change your life,” Tony Romo wrote on Twitter. “Most of the time you don’t realize it at the moment the profound impact and impression someone will have on you. The difference with Jason Witten is that I knew right away the impact he would have on me. Not only was Jason the most talented, humble and hardest working individual on our football team, but he was one of the most genuine, good-hearted people you could ever meet.” Romo also referred to Witten as the “best” player he ever played with.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Draft Pick Signings: 5/7/18

May 7th, 2018 at 8:38pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are today’s draft pick signings:

The 49ers announced that they have signed defensive lineman Kentavius Street. The fourth-round pick (No. 128) out of North Carolina State appeared in 51 games (35 starts) during his collegiate career, compiling 9.5 sacks. He had one of his best seasons as a senior in 2017, finishing with 38 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games. The rookie figures to compete with Cassius Marsh for reps behind Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas.
The Chiefs signed sixth-round pick Tremon Smith to his four-year rookie contract today. The cornerback had a productive career at Central Arkansas, compiling 146 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 15 interceptions, and a pair of forced fumbles. Smith will have some competition for playing time, as he’s currently listed behind Kendall Fuller, David Amerson, Steven Nelson, Keith Reaser, and Will Redmond on the depth chart.

Saints Waive Four Players

May 7th, 2018 at 7:34pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints cut bait with four players today, according to The Advocate’s Nick Underhill (on Twitter). New Orleans waived tight end Alex Ellis, linebacker Shayne Skov, offensive guard Nate Theaker and offensive tackle John Theus. The move was made to open roster spots for undrafted free agents, which the team has yet to announce.

Theus, who was waived with an undisclosed injury, is the most notable name in the group. The 2016 fifth-round pick was claimed off waivers from the Panthers back in February. The 24-year-old, who also had a stint with the 49ers, has appeared in four career games (one start). His 2017 campaign ended on the injured reserve.

Ellis, Skov, and Theaker all spent the 2016 season on the Saints’ practice squad. Ellis, a former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, has three career receptions for 11 yards. Besides New Orleans, he’s also spent time with the Titans and Jaguars organizations. Skov, a Stanford product, has 12 career tackles, and he’s had stops with the 49ers, Buccaneers, and 49ers. Theaker, a former undrafted free agent out of Michigan, has yet to appear in an NFL game.

Colts Waive TE Jason Vander Laan

May 7th, 2018 at 7:01pm CST by Ben Levine

The Colts claimed tight end Randall Telfer off waivers earlier today, but the transaction cost another player a roster spot. Mike Chappell of Indysportscentral.com reports (via Twitter) that the Colts have waived tight end Jason Vander Laan.

After joining the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Vander Laan was converted from quarterback to tight end. The Ferris State product ended up spending the entire campaign on New York’s practice squad, but he was waived by the team last September. He ended up landing with the Colts, and he had a brief stint on the active roster in November.

Telfer provides a slight upgrade to Vander Laan, as the former Browns tight end is known for his blocking ability. However, the 25-year-old is limited offensively, having hauled in only five catches for 40 yards in 30 career games (19 starts). Following today’s transactions, the Colts are now rostering six tight ends. Telfer, Darrell Daniels, Ross Travis, and Erik Swoope will compete for reps behind Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle.

Browns Claim P Justin Vogel, Waive QB Joel Stave

May 7th, 2018 at 5:32pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have swapped a quarterback for a special teamer. Cleveland claimed punter Justin Vogel off waivers from the Packers today. To make room on the roster, the team has waived quarterback Joel Stave.

After selecting J.K. Scott during last week’s draft, the Packers waived Vogel on Friday. The 24-year-old joined the organization last season as an undrafted free agent out of Miami, and he proceeded to appear in all 16 games. He finished the campaign averaging 44.4 yards per attempt, with a net average of 41 yards. He also landed 19 of his 71 punts inside of the 20-yard line. Cleveland is seemingly setting up a punter competition, as the team is also rostering Britton Colquitt.

Stave, a former standout at Wisconsin, has bounced around the league since going undrafted in 2016. He’s had brief stints with the Vikings, Seahawks, Chiefs, Redskins, Jets, and Browns. Cleveland is now rostering three signal-callers in Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, and Drew Stanton.