2018 August - Pro Football Rumors

Bears To Sign Rookie LB Roquan Smith

August 13th, 2018 at 3:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears and first round linebacker Roquan Smith have finally agreed to terms on his rookie deal, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The agreement means that the longest rookie holdout of 2018 is finally over.

[RELATED: Bears Sign Knile Davis]

Smith stayed away from the Bears as his agents balked at language in the Bears’ proposal. His reps wanted his guarantees protected in the event of league discipline, which spans off-the-field issues as well as late hits and things of that nature on the field. It’s not immediately clear where things landed, but we should know the specifics soon.

Smith, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 draft, is believed by some to have one of the highest ceilings of any player in this year’s class. Smith finished in the top ten of Heisman voting in his final year at Georgia as he tallied 137 total tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks.

The rookie projects to start at outside linebacker for the Bears this year, opposite of Leonard Floyd. Smith may be behind the 8-ball in learning every part of the scheme, but the Bears are hopeful that he’ll be able to get on track quickly.

Per the terms of his slot, Smith’s deal will come in as a four-year, $18MM guaranteed pact.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/18

August 13th, 2018 at 3:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Waived/Injured: LB Jeremy Cash

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: DT Simeyon Robinson

Denver Broncos

Signed: S Shamarko Thomas, LB Alexander Johnson
Released: LB Stansly Maponga

Houston Texans

Waived: WR DeAndrew White

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: RB Ray Lawry

Minnesota Vikings

Signed: G Kaleb Johnson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: C Oni Omoile
Waived/Injured: OL Parker Collins

Washington Redskins

Signed: WR Dan Williams III

West Notes: Rams, Donald, Raiders, Mack

August 13th, 2018 at 2:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Another day, another report of progress between the Rams and Aaron Donald. The latest positive word comes from Mike Florio of PFT, who hears from a league source that chatter of a deal happening soon is increasing.

Last week, both GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay indicated the club is moving in the right direction with the star defensive tackle. If the deal does come together, it’s likely that Donald will become the league’s highest-paid defensive player with a contract that tops Von Miller‘s six-year, $114.6MM contract.

Here’s more from the West divisions:

Despite common speculation, the Raiders do not appear to be waiting on the Rams to sign Donald before they lock up Khalil Mack, Florio opines. That theory would make some sense if the Raiders and Mack were actively negotiating, but they haven’t talked since February, so it seems unlikely that they would wait on Donald before starting from square one late in the offseason. The notion of waiting on Donald seems especially unlikely, Florio adds, when considering that Donald waited until the last minute before reporting to the team last season.
Seahawks rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin has shown that having just one arm is not an obstacle for him on the field and he appears on course to make the final cut, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com writes.
The Chiefs worked out running back Darius Victor on Monday, Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports tweets. Victor appears to have lost out to fellow RB Ray Lawry, who was signed shortly after the audition.

49ers To Sign Alfred Morris

August 13th, 2018 at 2:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers plan to sign running back Alfred Morris, coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Monday. Morris’ deal is pending a physical.

Morris, at the very minimum, will provide the Niners an extra body in camp as Jerick McKinnon heals up from a calf strain and Matt Brieda deals with a shoulder injury. If Morris can show some of his old form, then he could have a new home for the 2018 season.

“Alf did a great job for us for the two years I was with him,” Shanahan said of their time together in Washington, via 95.7 The Game (on Twitter). “It’s not flashy, but he runs extremely hard. He’s very reliable. You block him for zero, usually he can get at least one. He’s a hard-nosed runner you can keep handing the ball off to.”

Morris led the Redskins in rushing for four straight seasons, including his rookie season in which he topped 1,600 yards on the ground. Last year, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry as the Cowboys’ primary starter during Ezekiel Elliott‘s suspension.

The Niners are also rostering 2017 fourth-round pick Joe Williams, Raheem Mostert, and Jeremy McNichols at running back.

Dolphins Shopping For Cornerback Help

August 13th, 2018 at 1:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins are actively shopping for a starting cornerback, Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel (on Twitter) reports. So far, the ‘Fins have been dissatisfied with every cornerback on the team besides Xavien Howard and Bobby McCain, Kelly hears.

The Dolphins’ interest in adding a cornerback doesn’t come as a huge surprise, particularly after they met with free agent Bashaud Breeland last week. Howard has locked down one starting outside spot and McCain will serve as the main slot guy, but the Dolphins are still looking for a second starting outside corner. Cordrea Tankersley, Tony Lippett, and Torry McTyer have been battling for the job, but it sounds like none of those players have impressed thus far in camp.

Miami has apparently been exploring cornerback upgrades throughout the summer and even considered taking Sam Beal in the supplemental draft before the Giants pounced on him. There aren’t a lot of difference makers left on the open market besides Breeland, but the Dolphins could find an impact corner as the final cut draws near.

Eagles’ Alshon Jeffery To Miss Games?

August 13th, 2018 at 1:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Alshon Jeffery may need more time to recover than initially expected. Jeffery is progressing according to plan, but the timing of his rotator cuff surgery means there’s a chance that he might not be ready to go in Week 1, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Jeffery is currently on the offseason PUP list, which has no real bearing on his roster status for the regular season. However, if Jeffery remains on PUP when the season starts, he’ll be forced to miss at least the first six weeks of the season. That would be a major blow to the Eagles, particularly when considering that quarterback Carson Wentz is not a lock to play in the opener either.

Despite playing through the rotator cuff injury, Jeffery caught 57 passes for 789 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He went on to add three more TDs in the playoffs, which came shortly after he signed a substantial four-year extension with the Eagles.

The Eagles have depth at the wide receiver position, but none of the other receivers have the same big-play ability as Jeffery. If Jeffery misses time, Nelson Agholor and Mike Wallace figure to see extra targets while Mack Hollins and Markus Wheaton may get more involved than previously expected. Recent addition Kamar Aiken, meanwhile, would have improved odds of making the 53-man cut.

AFC Notes: Jaguars, Ramsey, Jets, Decker

August 13th, 2018 at 12:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars suspended cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a week of preseason action, but the ban won’t void his guarantees, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). That’s because the Jags suspended Ramsey for “violating team rules and conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars football player,” rather than “conduct detrimental.” The small difference in language made a huge difference in the outcome for Ramsey, and probably kept the team on good terms with one of its defensive stars.

Unfortunately, there’s no loophole to help defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. Thanks to a previous suspension under the personal conduct policy, Fowler’s future guarantees have already been eliminated.

Here’s more from the AFC:

Jets linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin will miss another week with a hamstring injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mauldin will wind up missing the first two preseason games of the year, and that’s a bad sign for his odds of making the roster. Over the weekend, we heard that the former third-round pick could be released sooner rather than later.
Can wide receiver Eric Decker make the Patriots’ 53-man roster cut? Right now, Doug Kyed of NESN.com doesn’t think so. So far, Decker has yet to impress, and Kyed sees him missing the cut along with Braxton Berrios. Kyed projects that the Pats will keep the following five receivers, in addition to the suspended Julian Edelman: Chris Hogan, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Matt Slater.
Last week, the Patriots sweetened Tom Brady‘s contract.

Broncos’ Jamal Carter Done For Season

August 13th, 2018 at 11:24am CST by Zachary Links

Broncos safety Jamal Carter is done for the year, according to Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). Carter suffered a torn hamstring in Saturday’s preseason contest against the Vikings that will require surgery. The Broncos will place Carter on IR in order to free up a roster spot.

Carter played in all 16 games for the Broncos last season as a reserve. Although he was not a star for Denver, the Broncos were counting on him to serve as an important special teams player in 2018.

Luckily, the Broncos still have quality depth behind starting safeties Darian Stewart and Justin Simmons. Will Parks and Su’a Cravens figure to see a fair amount of snaps while Dymonte Thomas and Jordan Moore may have improved odds of making the final cut.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Ealy, Eagles

August 13th, 2018 at 10:37am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys are pondering a position change for free agent addition Kony Ealy, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram tweets. Ealy has not impressed at defensive end this summer, so he’ll get a longer look at defensive tackle.

Starting defensive tackle David Irving will serve a four-game ban to start the season and Maliek Collins‘ status is up in the air thanks to a foot injury, so Ealy could carve out a role for himself in the middle. The veteran was initially expected to fill Benson Mayowa‘s role as the team’s third defensive end, but Taco Charlton, Charles Tapper, fourth-round pick Dorance Armstrong, and the returning Randy Gregory may be ahead of him on the depth chart at this point.

Here’s more from the NFC East:

The Eagles‘ decision to sign Christian Hackenberg has been in development for some time and wasn’t just based off of one workout, SiriusXM’s Adam Caplan tweets. The Eagles are reportedly high on Nate Sudfield as their No. 3 QB behind Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, so Hackenberg may face long odds of making the roster.
As expected, Nigel Bradham‘s one-game suspension will void out his guarantees with the Eagles (Twitter link via Joel Corry of CBSSports.com). Bradham re-signed with the Eagles this offseason on a five-year, $40MM deal with $14MM guaranteed at signing.
Kamar Aiken has had a great showing since signing with the Eagles so far and that should make for an interesting call when it comes to the team’s decision on their No. 6 wide receiver, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com tweets. The Eagles inked Aiken to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum in late July. He’ll fight to make the roster behind fellow receivers Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mike Wallace, Mack Hollins, and Markus Wheaton. Shelton Gibson and Bryce Treggs are also among those hoping to make the cut.
The Giants worked out free agent defensive lineman Drew Iddings over the weekend, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
Redskins wide receiver Robert Davis is out for the year with a broken leg.

Browns Unsure About Dez Bryant’s Fit

August 13th, 2018 at 10:18am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns finally got their date with Dez Bryant. However, they’re not necessarily certain about signing him. There is internal discussion about whether Bryant is the right fit for the Browns at this time, sources tell Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland.

When Josh Gordon experienced a setback in his recovery earlier this summer, the Browns were concerned about their group at wide receiver. However, they’re not feeling quite as desperate after seeing their group of young receivers improve in recent weeks. Beyond Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins, they’ve also gotten positive results out of C.J. Board, UDFA Da’Mari Scott, and sixth-round pick Damion Ratley.

It has been said that Bryant is focused on finding the right fit, but the same goes for the Browns in this instance. When the two sides meet – likely on Thursday – the Browns will also be careful to gauge Bryant’s temperament as they consider the effect he may have on the team.

Bryant, 29, hasn’t topped 1,000 yards receiving since 2014 and his 12.1 yards per reception in 2017 was the lowest average of his career. But he can still post up opposing defensive backs near the end zone and he’s motivated to silence his critics in 2018.