HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Mychal Kendricks To Visit Browns, Raiders

May 29th, 2018 at 6:49pm CST by Ben Levine

We learned earlier today that former Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks met with the Vikings, and it sounds like he’s got several more visits on his docket. Chris Tomasson of St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (via Twitter) that the free agent will also visit with the Raiders and Browns. The 27-year-old expects to make a decision before the end of the week.

It didn’t take long for Kendricks, who was released by the Eagles last week, to start garnering some suitors. While the former second-rounder’s production has dropped the past two seasons, he’d still be a solid veteran presence for any team. After requesting a trade prior to the 2017 season, Kendricks went on to compile 51 tackles and two sacks in 15 games (13 starts) for Philly. He also earned a start during his team’s Super Bowl victory, finishing the game with four tackles.

While their depth charts are in good shape, the Browns and Raiders could use an additional body at linebacker. Jamie Collins, Joe Schobert, and Christian Kirksey are slotted in as Cleveland’s starting grouping. The latter two were solid in 2017, and Collins is the most accomplished of the three, but Kendricks could compete for a starting gig. Meanwhile, the Raiders have three free agent additions – Tahir Whitehead, Derrick Johnson, and Emmanuel Lamur – penciled in as their starters, so another free agent addition (Kendricks) would provide additional competition at the position.

Tomasson also passes along (via Twitter) that the Vikings haven’t made a definitive offer to Kendricks. When asked about Minnesota’s salary cap constraints, the linebacker acknowledged that he hasn’t “even thought that far.”

Chiefs Sign Third-Round LB Dorian O’Daniel

May 29th, 2018 at 6:01pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chiefs inked another one of their draft picks today. ESPN’s Adam Teicher reports that the team has signed linebacker Dorian O’Daniel.

The Clemson product, who was selected with the 100th-overall pick, followed up a stellar 2016 campaign with an even better 2017 season. As a senior, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound O’Daniel finished with 88 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, five passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. His performance earned him a second-team all-conference nod.

Of course, the rookie will struggle for playing time on a crowded Kansas City depth chart. With Justin Houston and Dee Ford penciled in as the team’s starting outside linebackers, O’Daniel will have to battle with Frank Zombo and former second-rounder Tanoh Kpassagnon for playing time.

With this signing, the Chiefs have signed five of their six draft picks. Third-round defensive lineman Derrick Nnadi remains unsigned. The list of other Chiefs’ draft picks includes:

Latest on Cowboys, Zack Martin

May 29th, 2018 at 5:18pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Although no deal is done, the Cowboys and All-Pro guard Zack Martin appear to be inching closer to an extension. Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones spoke to the media recently and offered some details on the negotiations with Martin’s camp.

Jones revealed that he’s met with Martin’s agent, Tom Condon, within the last two weeks. While he said there’s no timeframe for a deal, he’s confident one will get done.

“We think he’s one of the best offensive linemen in the league,” said Jones (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “Certainly we think the best offensive guard in the league (and) should be paid accordingly.”

Jones added that the holdup was just a “matter of structures.” In the meantime, while there remains no deal, Martin continues to be absent from OTAs.

Jones’ assertion that Martin is the best guard in the league and should be paid “accordingly” seems to suggest Martin will receive more than Andrew Norwell, the league’s highest paid guard. Norwell signed a five-year $66.5MM contract with the Jaguars back in March. His $13.3MM annual salary was the highest ever for a guard, but that might not last for much longer. Martin, who has anchored the Cowboys’ dominant offensive line the past several seasons, should reset the market for interior offensive linemen.

AFC Notes: Rivers, McCain, Browns

May 29th, 2018 at 4:36pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Before the dust had even settled after Hunter Henry‘s season-ending ACL tear, rumors began to swirl about the Chargers potentially bringing back Antonio Gates. It had just recently been reported that the Chargers were moving on from Gates after his historic 15-year run with the team.

A wrench was possibly thrown into those plans when Henry went down with a devastating non-contact injury during OTAs. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco refused to rule out re-signing Gates when asked about it last week. Now, Gates has at least one public supporter in his longtime quarterback Philip Rivers.

“Well, shoot, I’d always be excited if he walked back in the door obviously,” Rivers said (transcription via PFT). “That’s something that [GM] Tom [Telesco] and [owner] John [Spanos] and coach [Anthony Lynn] and those guys I’m sure will discuss and see about bringing anybody in for that matter, but certainly [Gates’ return] would get my vote.”

Rivers sounds excited about the potential reunion, which makes sense considering his history of utilizing tight ends. For years, Rivers had a reliable target in Gates and he continued that trend last year with Henry. Now, with Gates in limbo and Henry sidelined, Rivers lacks a quality middle-of-the-field and red zone threat at the tight end position.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • The Dolphins will look to extend cornerback Bobby McCain, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) speculaties. McCain, a fifth-round pick back in 2015, is heading into the final year of his contract. Salguero thinks the Dolphins will look to lock up McCain with an extension sometime after June 1, when the cap space they freed up from the release of Ndamukong Suh becomes available.
  • The Browns may look to trade one of their surplus wide receivers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer opines. After trading for Jarvis Landry and drafting Antonio Callaway and Damion Ratley, the Browns’ wide receiver room is a bit crowded. Cabot thinks returning players Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, and Rashard Higgins all will be available for trade at some point this summer. With Josh Gordon in the mix as well, the Browns simply have too many receivers, and will need to deal or cut at least a couple of them.

Mychal Kendricks Visits Vikings

May 29th, 2018 at 4:22pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Former Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks is in Minnesota to visit the Vikings, reports Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). Kendricks was released by the defending champs last week after spending the first six years of his career in Philadelphia.

Kendricks’ trip to Minnesota marks his first known visit since becoming a free agent. Kendricks’ release came as a surprise to some, but his relationship with the Eagles had been worsening for a while. After a dip in playing time in 2016, he requested a trade before the 2017 season started but his request was denied. Kendricks went on to have a pretty good season, receiving very high marks from Pro Football Focus. He ended up starting the Super Bowl, notching four tackles in the Eagles’ win over the Patriots.

Still able to play at a high level, Kendricks should have his pick of teams to play for. One possible angle drawing him to the Vikings is that his little brother Eric Kendricks currently plays for Minnesota.

The Vikings are currently a bit thin at inside linebacker, and could definitely use Kendricks. As one of the biggest name free agents left on the market, word on his decision should be coming sooner rather than later.

Kendricks, 28 in September, totaled 73 tackles and two sacks in 15 games last year. He also notched 16 tackles in the playoffs as the Eagles captured their first ever Super Bowl win.

Anthony Barr Reports To Vikings

May 29th, 2018 at 3:14pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Anthony Barr ended his short-lived holdout and reported to the Vikings’ offseason team activities on Tuesday, notes Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). Goessling had previously reported that Barr was a no-show for the first portion of OTAs. At the time, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer declined to share whether Barr’s absence was related to his contract, but did say Barr told him in advance that he wasn’t going to be there.

Barr, 26, is headed into the final year of his contract and will be earning $12MM this season after the Vikings picked up the fifth-year option on their former first-round pick. Barr became a star nearly instantly upon entering the league, and has made three straight Pro Bowls. The Vikings have a number of key players entering the final year of their deals, and definitely don’t want any headaches from one of their vital cogs.

Barr said back in January that he wanted a long-term extension with the Vikings, but the team has been reluctant to give him one. Since Barr isn’t a great pass rusher for an outside linebacker (he has just 10.5 sacks through four seasons) some have speculated the Vikings may just let him walk after this season.

After giving Kirk Cousins the first ever three-year fully guaranteed contract back in March, the Vikings don’t have a ton of disposable cap money. It’s entirely possible they decide to use their resources elsewhere and not retain Barr. If that’s the case, it makes sense why Barr was in no rush to report to the team. Either way, he’s back now, and the Vikings are surely glad to have one less distraction to deal with.

Eagles Notes: Foles, Bryant, Shittu

May 29th, 2018 at 2:40pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

A recent reported indicated that the Browns had offered the Eagles the 35th pick in the 2018 draft for Nick Foles at some point this offseason before they ultimately ended up trading for Tyrod Taylor. The report stated that the Eagles approached Foles with the deal, that Foles shot it down, and so the Eagles turned it down out of respect for his wishes.

Foles is now pushing back on that claim, saying there’s no truth to it. Foles said he “didn’t turn down any trade” and added that the first time he heard of the proposed deal was when people started texting him about the article (Twitter link via The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Zach Berman).

If the trade was indeed offered by the Browns and considered by the Eagles and it was not shot down by Foles, it’s an indicator that the Eagles are confident in the health of Carson Wentz as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL.

Here’s some more news on the Eagles as they continue OTAs:

Seahawks To Sign Brandon Marshall

May 29th, 2018 at 1:24pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Brandon Marshall has finally found a home. After struggling to draw much interest after being released by the Giants in April, Marshall has signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks, worth up to $2MM if incentives are reached, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Marshall visited the Seahawks a couple weeks ago, and apparently showed he’s still got enough left in the tank to earn a deal.

Marshall was let go by the Giants after just one injury-plagued season. Signed by the Giants to a two-year $12MM deal, Marshall ended up playing in just five games during his brief stay in New York. He never was able to develop any chemistry with Eli Manning and caught just 18 passes for 154 scoreless yards before an ankle injury ended his season.

The Seahawks were looking to add some receiver help after the departure of Paul Richardson in free-agency. Their depth chart was a bit thin behind starters Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett. They signed Jaron Brown in March, but Marshall should be able to beat him out for the starting job opposite Lockett, with Baldwin in the slot, if he’s healthy.

Marshall is 34 years old now, but was still productive in 2016 and was one of the best receivers in football in 2015. That year, he caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns, helping Ryan Fitzpatrick complete a career resurgence and very nearly leading the Jets to the playoffs.

With Marshall now signed, the veteran free-agent receiver market is even thinner. Dez Bryant continues to be the biggest name left, along with Jeremy Maclin and Eric Decker. Those three may sign quicker now that Marshall is off the board and has set the market for the past-his-prime receiver as Schefter points out.

Cowboys Working Out Darius Jackson

May 29th, 2018 at 12:15pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Despite reportedly planning on using the recently acquired Tavon Austin as a running back, and drafting Bo Scarbrough in the seventh round last month, the Cowboys are apparently considering signing another running back. They’re working out Darius Jackson, who was recently waived by the Browns (Twitter link via ESPN’s Todd Archer).

The Cowboys are quite familiar with Jackson, having taken him in the sixth-round back in 2016. Jackson made the 53-man roster his rookie season but was waived in December of that year to make room for Darren McFadden, who was returning from injury. Jackson was then claimed by the Browns where he spent the rest of the season. He missed all of 2017 with a knee injury.

Despite being on the active roster at various points for both the Cowboys and Browns, Jackson has never gotten a regular season carry. Before he was drafted, he was a standout at Eastern Michigan, scoring a school-record 16 touchdowns as a senior. Although the Cowboys already know a lot about him, they’re likely working him out to see how healthy he is and if he’s fully recovered from his knee injury.

With McFadden out of the picture, Rod Smith and Austin figure to soak up most of the playing time behind Ezekiel Elliott. If the Cowboys do decide to sign Jackson, that would leave him, Scarbrough, and journeyman Trey Williams all fighting for likely just one roster spot during training camp. Either way, whoever gets the final running back spot is unlikely to see the field much unless there’s a slew of injuries, as the Cowboys will want Elliott playing the vast majority of snaps. Jackson hasn’t shown much during his time in the league, but it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him get brought in for camp due to his familiarity with the team.

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