HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

East Notes: Cowboys, Gregory, Jets

June 26th, 2018 at 4:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys are hoping to learn about the fate of Randy Gregory around the start of training camp, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Gregory recently met with NFL officials in New York, but things have been quiet on that front over the last couple of weeks.

Dallas could use some clarity on the makeup of its defensive line, particularly as David Irving faces a four-game suspension for a violation of the substance abuse policy. It’s highly unlikely that Gregory would be plugged into the starting lineup, but he would be a useful reserve behind starters DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford if he is allowed to play.

Here’s more from the East divisions:

  • The Redskins won’t necessarily miss wide receiver Terrelle Pryor after his disappointing 2017 season, but they will have to make up for the departure of Ryan Grant. Rich Tandler of NBC Sports Washington believes that newcomer Paul Richardson can easily top Pryor’s 240 receiving yards, but exceeding Grant’s 573 yards receiving may be a challenge. Ultimately, he expects one of the team’s backup wide receivers to step up while Josh Doctson improves across the board. All in all, he anticipates a wide receiver group that is somewhat more productive than last year, even as they catch passes from a new quarterback.
  • This is a make or break year for Jets offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. Beachum has two years to go on the three-year, $24MM deal he inked in 2017, but the Jets can cut him after this season and save $8MM in cap space versus just $1.5MM in dead money. If he wants to stick in New Jersey, he’ll have to step his game up. Last year, Pro Football Focus ranked Beachum as its 35th best tackle. He did well in pass protection (18th), but he placed just 71st in run blocking.
  • Will Giants running back Saquon Barkley make the biggest impact of any top ten pick this year? Click here to cast your vote.

Extension Candidate: Taylor Lewan

June 26th, 2018 at 3:49pm CST by Zachary Links

This year, Taylor Lewan was one of several 2014 first-round picks to skip mandatory June workouts. Titans GM Jon Robinson has indicated that the two sides are discussing a new deal, but we haven’t heard much lately as the tackle gets set to enter his fifth-year option season. 

For now, Lewan is set to earn $9.341MM and is scheduled to reach free agency in 2019. After that, the Titans have the option of using the franchise tag on him, but that would be a costly move, as CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry recently noted.

Next year’s franchise tag for offensive linemen could be worth nearly $15MM. When factoring in the 20% increase of a second franchise tag, controlling Lewan in 2020 could cost somewhere between $17.5MM and $18MM. Technically, the Titans can kick the can down the road for a while, but it would cost them roughly $32.5MM in the interim. Then, after that, Lewan would hold all the cards as a third straight tag would be completely untenable.

So, all parties involved would like to hammer out a long-term deal this offseason. Unfortunately for the Titans, Lewan’s camp is likely to use Nate Solder’s four-year, $62MM contract ($34.8MM guaranteed) with the Giants as a guiding point in talks. It’s not apples-to-apples since Solder scored his deal on the open market, but Lewan is three years younger and arguably performed better than Solder in 2017.

The Titans aren’t necessarily eager to reset the tackle market here – particularly with Marcus Mariota scheduled for free agency after the 2019 season – but it may be their only choice given the dearth of quality tackles in the NFL. A multi-year extension for Lewan is sure to be costly, but it beats paying big bucks for less appealing free agent tackles, as many teams have been forced to do in recent years.

Trade Rumors App For iOS/Android

June 26th, 2018 at 3:20pm CST by Zachary Links

If you enjoy PFR on your smartphone or tablet then you’ve got to download the free Trade Rumors app!

Trade Rumors, available for iOS and Android, is the best way to consume our content on a mobile device. Here’s what it delivers, all for free:

  • All the articles from Pro Football Rumors, MLB Trade Rumors, Hoops Rumors, and Pro Hockey Rumors in an easy-to-navigate, eye-catching format. Swipe through stories to quickly consume all the news and rumors from our four sites. Not into all four sports? No problem – any sport can be easily removed.
  • Customize what you see. You can create feeds for any team or player across any of our sites.
  • Notifications! For any team or player, you can set up push notifications to ensure you always get breaking news instantly. Notifications can also be set up at the sport level.
  • Commenting! You can now read and contribute comments on the app.
  • Customer service! If you find a bug, we’ll fix it. If you have a feature request, we’ll consider it. The app is continually evolving and improving.
  • Did we mention Trade Rumors is a free app? What do you have to lose? Download now!

Poll: Which Top 10 NFL Draft Pick Will Make Biggest Impact In 2018?

June 26th, 2018 at 1:10pm CST by Zachary Links

This year’s NFL Draft was one of the most entertaining in recent memory and chock full of polarizing prospects. With no true consensus on this year’s top talent, we want to know which top ten pick you expect to make the biggest impact right out of the gate. 

Early on in the draft process, few expected Baker Mayfield to be in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. As it turns out, the Browns were laser-focused on the Oklahoma quarterback and took him first overall. We’ve heard nothing but praise for Mayfield’s competitive nature, but questions persist about his size. And, while many like Mayfield’s potential in the long run, he’s positioned behind Tyrod Taylor on the Browns’ depth chart.

Many football evaluators feel that Saquon Barkley is not only the best talent in this year’s crop, but also the safest. The Giants’ decision to use the No. 2 overall pick on a running back was not well received by everyone, but he profiles as a star at the next level with a prime opportunity to excel immediately. Barkley will anchor the Giants’ running game and should have room to run as opposing defenses account for an aerial attack led by Odell Beckham Jr.

The other tenants of MetLife Stadium also feel good about their top overall pick. Sam Darnold was the darling of the scouting world for years and few expected him to fall to No. 3 back in January. Darnold continues to draw rave reviews from camp, but he is still stationed behind Josh McCown – and maybe Teddy Bridgewater – on the depth chart. It’s possible that Darnold will wind up as the Jets’ starter at some point this year, but it’s also possible that he will not see the field in his rookie season.

Beyond the much ballyhooed top three, there are plenty of other quality bets in the top ten. New Broncos defensive end Bradley Chubb has the size and athleticism to excel right away, guard Quenton Nelson could help to fix the Colts’ porous offensive line, and Roquan Smith‘s top-end speed could make him a terror right off of the bat for the Bears. Alternatively, you may feel bullish about Denzel Ward‘s coverage ability, Josh Allen‘s cannon of an arm, Mike McGlinchey‘s pro-ready blocking technique, or Josh Rosen‘s potential to overtake a pair of veterans to become the Cardinals’ top QB.

Click here to cast your vote and defend your choice in the comments section below:

This Date In Transactions History: Julius Peppers

June 26th, 2018 at 12:12pm CST by Zachary Links

After a mysteriously quiet 2007, Julius Peppers mounted a strong comeback campaign in ’08. Then, on the heels of notching a career-high 14.5 sacks and helping the Panthers return to the playoffs, Peppers wanted out. Specifically, Peppers expressed a desire to join a team with a 3-4 scheme so that he could move from defensive end to linebacker. 

Peppers insisted that he would never sign a long-term deal with Carolina and tried hard to discourage the team from using the franchise tender on him in the 2009 offseason.

“The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month,” Peppers said in a statement (via ESPN.com). “At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field.”

The Panthers held firm, however, and applied the one-year, $16.7MM placeholder on their top defender. In theory, another team could have signed Peppers as a restricted free agent, but that would have required the forfeiture of two first-round picks on top of a mammoth contract. While he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, Peppers abstained from offseason activities. The multiple-time Pro Bowler’s absence cast a serious shadow over the Panthers’ offseason and made the football world wonder whether the Panthers would cave and trade him.

Ultimately, Peppers’ agent was unable to find a suitable deal for him. And, on June 26, 2009, Peppers inked his one-year deal with the Panthers.

Peppers earned another Pro Bowl nod in 2009, and that proved to be the final season of his first Panthers run. After the season, the Panthers declined to use the franchise tag on him, allowing him to reach unrestricted free agency and to a six-year, $91.5MM deal with the Bears. When that deal was terminated in 2014, he stayed in the NFC North and signed with the Packers.

It took a while, but Peppers ultimately came full circle. In 2017, the veteran joined the Panthers on a one-year, $3.5MM deal. A few months later, the Panthers canned GM Dave Gettleman and brought back Marty Hurney as their top football executive, but there were no hard feelings between Peppers and Hurney. This past March, Peppers and Hurney shook hands on a new one-year, $5MM deal to keep the 38-year-old in Carolina.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Wilcox, Edelman

June 26th, 2018 at 11:14am CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this month, the 49ers thought they had a deal with free agent J.J. Wilcox. However, the safety backed out of the agreement at the last minute in order to sign with the Jets. Ultimately, Wilcox says it was an easy call for him to make.

“It was a three-way decision. It was the 49ers, the Jets and my family,” Wilcox said (via NewYorkJets.com). “We came to a decision that it was best to come here. It was an opportunity that was un-turn-down-able and you’ve just got to take it.”

Wilcox indicated that the presence of head coach Todd Bowles was a significant factor in his decision. Wilcox and Bowles first became acquainted with each other during his pre-draft process. Although Bowles’ Cardinals did not draft him in 2013, Wilcox said he gained a great deal of respect for Bowles and liked the idea of playing for a former safety.

“He was a defensive-minded coach, he played the position,” Wilcox said. “When you look at that kind of stuff, you want to go to a guy that knows your position who knows how to make players into great players.”

After signing a one-year, $1.25MM deal with the Jets, Wilcox is now set to be one of the team’s top reserve safeties in the wake of Rontez Miles‘ knee injury.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

  • Julian Edelman should learn the outcome of his appeal rather soon, but it’s hard to say exactly when that will happen, as Mike Florio of PFT writes. The Patriots wide receiver is fighting a four-game ban for a violation of the PED policy and the appeal reportedly got underway on Monday. The CBA dictates that the arbitrator must deliver a ruling within three business days of the completion of the hearing or receipt of the transcript, whichever comes later. Hypothetically, if the transcript is received by the arbitrator on Friday, June 29, a ruling could come down by Thursday, July 5. If the suspension sticks, Edelman will miss games against the Texans, Jaguars, Lions, and Dolphins.
  • The Jets‘ belief in Eric Tomlinson probably factored into their decision to let Austin Seferian-Jenkins walk in free agency, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. The Jets are hoping that Tomlinson’s blocking – along with the play of Jordan Leggett, Neal Sterling, and Chris Herndon – will get the job done. Tomlinson also flashed receiving skills in a limited sample last year, so he could be a factor in the passing game as well.

Le’Veon Bell Optimistic About Contract Talks

June 26th, 2018 at 10:14am CST by Zachary Links

With less than three weeks to go before the deadline for a pre-season extension, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is feeling fairly optimistic about a deal coming together. 

“Obviously, the people in the organization try to do what’s best for them and I’m trying to do what’s best for me,” Bell said on NFL Network (via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com). “We’re working on it. We’re a lot closer than we were last year at this time. That’s what I’m happy about. None of that matters if we don’t get it done. Hopefully we’ll try to get something done. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I got confidence we’ll get it done. I want to do it.”

Bell is currently set to earn $14.5MM this year after being franchise tagged for a second straight year. The two sides have until July 16 to reach an accord on a long-term deal. If that doesn’t come to fruition, the two sides won’t be able to reconvene until after the season.

The dynamic running back is reportedly seeking $17MM per year on a new deal, a number that reflects his work as a top-flight running back plus his production as a receiver. Last year, the Steelers were only willing to offer him a $60MM deal with $42.5MM coming in the first three years of the pact. It’s not clear how much of that proposal was to be fully guaranteed at signing.

After the two sides were unable to reach agreement last July, Bell stayed away from the team until the last minute. This year, Bell has given mixed messages about what he’ll do if a deal doesn’t happen.

“Yeah. You know regardless that’s what I want to do,” Bell said when asked whether he’ll report to training camp. “I don’t want to have the replications of what happened last year. But if that came down to that, obviously I got to do what I got to do. Take my stand and protect myself. I don’t want to have to do that. I want to go to camp and play for the Steelers long term.”

Extra Points: Barr, Seahawks, Hardy, Freeman

June 25th, 2018 at 9:53pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

After Anthony Barr ended his short-lived absence from the Vikings‘ offseason program and reported to the team, all appeared to be well in Minnesota. Beat reporters suggested there had been good talks between Barr and the Vikings and that a deal could get done soon. But now there appears to be more tension, and judging by Barr’s recent statements, a deal doesn’t seem to be on the horizon.

Barr, who is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, recently sat down for an interview with Nick Shook of NFL.com. The 2014 first-rounder deflected when asked about his contract and implied there had been little progress. About his deal, he said “it’s more about feeling valued and respected than the actual dollar amount” and added that while he wants “to be there long term… It’s not my decision; it’s on them, and I would like to get it.” Barr put the ball firmly in the Vikings’ court, and made it seem like the Vikings hadn’t made him an offer yet.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • The Seahawks could make a selection in the upcoming Supplemental Draft, speculates Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Condotta thinks Adonis Alexander “may be the most ‘Seahawky'” of the players available due to his arms being over the team’s required 32 inches in length. Alexander reportedly could go as high as the third round.
  • In a recent profile by Robert Klemko of SI.com, former Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy revealed he took two visits to NFL teams after the Cowboys opted not to re-sign him, but his potential signing was ultimately shot down by the owners each time. Hardy had been accused of domestic violence and is currently pursuing a career in UFC.
  • The Broncos released veteran running back C.J. Anderson this offseason, and now appear ready to let rookie Royce Freeman be the leader of their ground game, according to Troy Renck of Denver 7. Renck said about Freeman, the third round pick out of Oregon, “I believe the kid starts in September.” If Freeman starts right away it could make returning young backs Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson expendable.

Oregon State LB Bright Ugwoegbu Added To Supplemental Draft

June 25th, 2018 at 7:57pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu has officially been added into this year’s Supplemental Draft, a source told ProFootballTalk (Twitter link). He will join three other defensive players, defensive backs Brandon Bryant, Sam Beal, and Adonis Alexander in the draft, which will be held on July 11th. 

Ugwoegbu started 20 games for the Beavers during his college career before he was indefinitely suspended back in April. Last year, he notched 55 tackles and one sack. As a sophomore in 2016, he had 54 tackles and 5.5 sacks. It’s unclear why exactly Ugwoegbu left Oregon State or if he is seen as a probable pick in the Supplemental Draft.

Ugwoegbu was given a sixth or seventh round grade by Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com before last season, so it sounds like he has a realistic shot at being drafted. At the time, Pauline wrote he “could be a good nickel linebacker for the next level” calling him “explosive” and saying that “he covers a lot of area on the field going sideline to sideline.”

The Supplemental Draft process is starting to heat up, with the a couple of the aforementioned prospects recently having their Pro Days. Bryant had his earlier today, while Alexander had his last Wendesday. Alexander also reportedly met with the Jets, Saints, Chiefs, and Colts privately. This year’s Supplemental Draft is shaping up as the busiest in recent memory, as only two players have been selected in the past six years.

 

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Edelman, Jets, Darnold, Long

June 25th, 2018 at 7:20pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Julian Edelman took the next step in fighting his four game suspension when his team made their arguments in his suspension appeal today. It was reported earlier today that the star Patriots receiver would be challenging the process through which Edelman tested positive for a banned substance, claiming that the league mishandled his samples and that there were errors in the chain of custody.

Now that the hearing is over, more details are trickling in. The hearing reportedly “lasted most of the day” according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Pelissero adds that there’s “no firm timetable” for a ruling on the matter but that “it could be next week.” While the overturning of suspensions in the appeals process is rare, it’s certainly not unheard of. It could be a while before we have any clarity on the situation.

For now, here’s more from the AFC East:

  • Although the Jets signed center Spencer Long to a four-year $27.5MM deal this past March, the team isn’t necessarily committed to him longterm, according to Brian Costello of the NY Post. Costello points out that while the deal “looks big on the surface”, all the “guaranteed money is in this season.” Costello thinks “if Long struggles or cannot stay on the field, the Jets could move on after this season easily.”
  • Sam Darnold might be one of the youngest quarterbacks drafted in league history, but that doesn’t mean he can’t start for the Jets right away. “There’s a better than 50-50 chance he wins the job outright in camp” opines Albert Breer of SI.com. In that scenario, Josh McCown would likely back up the rookie, which would make it more likely that popular trade candidate Teddy Bridgewater is dealt.
  • In case you missed it, check out the latest on Edelman and the details about what exactly his appeals team of high-priced lawyers are arguing.
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