2018 August - Pro Football Rumors

Browns Notes: OBJ, Landry, Coleman

August 6th, 2018 at 1:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Could Odell Beckham Jr. join up with the Browns and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry? Landry seems to think so.

“If things like that are able to happen and the team can make it happen, then why not?” Landry said of the Browns and Beckham in the aftermath of the Corey Coleman trade (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). “He definitely would be (up for it). He would be…We’ve had talks, but at the end of the day, I want him to be happy. I want him to get what he deserves and you can’t put nothing on that regardless of where it’s at.”

As Beckham negotiates his next deal with the Giants, he’s a long way from being able to choose his next team. Even if the Giants and OBJ do not agree to a multi-year extension, the Giants still reserve the right to control him via the franchise tag, which could realistically keep him from hitting the open market until after the 2020 season.

While Browns fans dream of an OBJ/Landry duo, here’s more from Cleveland:

After trading Coleman, the Browns were refunded $3.5MM in fully guaranteed salary that was in escrow at the league office (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). In theory, that money could be used elsewhere this year. That extra flexibility could lead them to an impact free agent, such as wide receiver Dez Bryant.
A fun fact courtesy of PFT’s Michael David Smith – nine straight Browns first-round picks have been pushed off of the team before reaching their fifth-year option. Since 2011, only defensive lineman Phil Taylor has lasted a full four years. Everyone else – including Coleman, Johnny Manziel, and Barkevious Mingo – has flamed out quicker. All in all, those nine players have averaged 2.3 seasons in Cleveland.

Patriots To Release WR Malcolm Mitchell

August 6th, 2018 at 12:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots have released wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The Pats put Mitchell on the trade block earlier this summer, but were unable to find any takers for him.

Mitchell, a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, appeared in 14 games and made six starts as a rookie, posting 32 receptions on 48 targets for 401 yards and four touchdowns. The 26-year-old was also extremely efficient during the Patriots’ Super Bowl comeback in 2017, putting up six catches for 70 yards as New England defeated Atlanta.

Unfortunately, injuries have held him back as of late. Mitchell missed all of the 2017 season and was unable to fully participate in practice this offseason after undergoing a minor procedure on his knee.

Even though Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four games of the 2018 campaign and Jordan Matthews is no longer in the picture, the Patriots still have a busy wide receiver depth chart, particular with options such as Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, and the newly signed Eric Decker available. Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, and rookie Braxton Berrios are also in the mix and each player brings something different to the table.

Broncos Notes: Heckert, Kelly, Leary

August 6th, 2018 at 12:30pm CST by Zachary Links

On Monday, the Broncos announced that former personnel executive Tom Heckert has died. Heckert, who also served as the GM of the Eagles and Browns, was widely beloved in the football world. After battling amyloidosis for a lengthy period, Heckert passed away peacefully on Sunday night in the company of his family.

“Tom was an integral part of our organization and we’re all incredibly saddened today,” GM John Elway said in a statement. “With his many years of experience and time as a GM, Tom was a tremendous resource and a key member of our team. He was a very good evaluator—He had an eye for talent, and we always trusted his voice. It’s easy to see why Tom was widely respected and had so many great relationships across the league. I’ll always be grateful for how he helped me transition into this position. My prayers go out to Tom’s family, friends and everyone he worked with during his career.”

With Heckert’s memory in mind, here’s more from Denver:

Former Mr. Irrelevant Chad Kelly could wind up as the team’s backup quarterback behind Case Keenum, coach Vance Joseph told reporters on Sunday. For now, former first-round pick Paxton Lynch is taking practice reps with the second-team offense, but it’s a situation to keep an eye on. In theory, if the Broncos feel confident in Kelly’s ability, they could shop Lynch to other teams. Although Lynch hasn’t done a whole lot in his NFL career, he was on the radar of several teams before the Broncos selected him No. 26 overall in 2016, so the Broncos might be able to get something in return for him.
This week, Joseph told reporters that Broncos left guard Ronald Leary underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in late May (via Mike Klis of 9News). It appears that Leary is still dealing with some effects of the procedure, and he was held out of Sunday’s scrimmage as a precaution.
The Broncos and center Matt Paradis are discussing a new deal.

Packers Place LB Jake Ryan On IR

August 6th, 2018 at 12:05pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s officially official. On Monday, the Packers announced that they have placed linebacker Jake Ryan on season-ending IR.

Earlier this month, Ryan was ruled out for the year with a torn ACL. The move to place Ryan on IR was long expected, but the Packers’ front office dreaded having to make the move.

The Packers were expecting a big season out of Ryan after he excelled in 506 snaps last season. His one career sack doesn’t jump off of the page, but he consistently pressured quarterbacks last year and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19 overall ranked linebacker last year.

It’s an equally tough blow for Ryan, who was hoping to parlay a successful 2018 into a lucrative new contract. Ryan will be eligible for free agency next March, and the injury is a clear blow to his market.

Without Ryan, third-round rookie Oren Burks could be thrust into action alongside Blake Martinez. The Packers may also lean on rookie UDFA Greer Martini, who has looked sharp in practice.

Browns To Move Josh Gordon To NFI List

August 6th, 2018 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are expected to move Josh Gordon from the “did not report” list to the non-football injury (NFI list) by Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The move will prevent Gordon from losing an accrued season toward free agency while he’s tending to his health.

The good news here is that Gordon is reportedly getting closer to making his return. There’s no timetable for Gordon to come back, but teammate Rashard Higgins is optimistic after speaking with Gordon recently.

“We were texting [Friday]. He’s in good spirits,” Higgins said. “We don’t talk about anything about the field or anything. We just talk about, ‘Hey, what’s up bro? How you doing?’ We’re not too concerned. We know Josh is handling his business off the field. When he comes back, he’ll be ready to go.”

In theory, the Browns could have prevented Gordon from becoming a restricted free agent until after the 2019 season (at the earliest) and from being eligible for unrestricted free agency until after the 2020 campaign. By taking this measure, the Browns will leave the door open for Gordon to be an RFA next March.

Gordon would have taken his first trip through free agency by now if not for his past troubles. As a selection in the 2012 supplemental draft, Gordon should have hit the open market after the 2015 season after completing his four-year rookie contract. Although he missed out on some serious cash, he could be able to take advantage of the booming wide receiver market down the line if he stays clean.

Tuesday Marks Important Date For Donald

August 6th, 2018 at 10:48am CST by Zachary Links

If Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald does not report to camp by Tuesday, he will loose an accrued season. That would make Donald a restricted free agent after the 2018 season, as opposed to an unrestricted free agent.

That’s a big deal, or at least, it would be a big deal for most players. In the case of Donald, he doesn’t see restricted free agency as a major issue since the team will likely franchise tag him anyway. As an RFA without a franchise tag, teams would be likely to consider a first-round tender for Donald, and that’s not something the Rams want to chance.

Ultimately, Donald would still prefer to be on course for unrestricted free agency, but it’s a sacrifice that he’s willing to make in order to get what he wants. The truly hard decisions begin on Thursday, the date of the Rams’ first preseason games. Donald can be fined a regular season game check for every exhibition game he misses, and the fines could total more than $3.2MM if he does not show up between now and the start of the season.

Donald’s camp has been indicating that he will not report to the Rams until he gets a new contract, so this could potentially turn into a messy situation.

Giants Offer OBJ Less Than $16MM/Year

August 6th, 2018 at 10:18am CST by Zachary Links

Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. says he’s optimistic about a new deal coming together, but the two sides still have a ways to go. The Giants latest offer to OBJ would give him an average annual salary below that of Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Watkins signed a three-year, $48MM deal with the Chiefs this offseason, meaning that the Giants have offered Beckham less than $16MM per year. Assuming the offer is still in the $15MM/year range, it’s not quite chump change, but it would put Beckham outside of the top five for wide receivers when it comes to new money.

At the moment, Watkins is at the top of the list, but that will change in 2019 when new deals kick in for Antonio Brown ($17MM per year), Mike Evans ($16.5MM), DeAndre Hopkins ($16.2MM), and Brandin Cooks ($16.2MM) leapfrog Watkins. OBJ’s team, meanwhile, is likely seeking a deal to make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. So, clearly, there’s a large divide that needs to be bridged. In the the meantime, OBJ’s agent Zeke Sandhu has left town, Anderson tweets.

If OBJ does not sign an extension with the Giants, the club can still control him through two consecutive franchise tags. No new deal for OBJ means taking a risk and potentially not seeing the open market until after the 2020 season.

Giants’ Teddy Williams Requests Release

August 6th, 2018 at 10:02am CST by Zachary Links

Giants cornerback Teddy Williams has requested his release from the team, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). Williams has been away from the Giants for the last few days to deal with a family health issue and wants additional time to help address it.

Williams still expects to play in 2018, Garafolo hears, and he hopes to be playing with the Giants. However, he does not want to tie up a roster spot in the interim.

Williams, 29, has been in the NFL since 2012, but he has never started a game. Working mostly on special teams as a member of the Panthers in 2015 and 2016, his history with GM Dave Gettleman helped bring him to New York. It stands to reason that the team will grant Williams’ request before the end of business on Monday.

Browns Get Seventh-Rounder For Coleman

August 6th, 2018 at 9:44am CST by Zachary Links

In 2016, the Browns selected Corey Coleman with the No. 15 overall pick. This week, when they shipped the wide receiver to the Bills, all they got in return was a 2020 seventh-round choice, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

Coleman has flashed at times during his two NFL seasons, but he has struggled for the most part. Injuries have been a big part of the problem, including two hand fractures.

When considering the Browns’ needs at wide receiver, the weak return in the deal shows how little the Browns expected out of Coleman this year. While the Browns added Jarvis Landry in free agency, Josh Gordon‘s status is up in the air as he tries to stay on the straight and narrow. At the same time, it sounds like the Browns are confident in their other receivers such as Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway.

For his career, Coleman has 56 catches for 718 yards and five touchdowns. With the Bills, he has a chance to shine alongside Kelvin Benjamin and Zay Jones. With tons of question marks around Jones, Coleman should have an opportunity to make an impact.

Raiders Rumors: Switzer, DL, Kickers

August 5th, 2018 at 9:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Jon Gruden‘s yet to bestow much praise upon Martavis Bryant, the Raiders’ other wide receiver trade acquisition has impressed the new coach. It’s looking like the former Cowboys draft choice will have a role in the passing game, and Ryan Switzer certainly will contribute on special teams. Switzer returned seven punts for touchdowns while at North Carolina, including five his freshman year. He returned a punt for a score last season as a rookie.

“He’s a guy that can change the game, I think, on third down. He’s a tough matchup,” Gruden said, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic (subscription required). “He’s quick. He has vertical speed. He has special teams ability. … I love Switzer. I think he’s one of the best punt returners of college football, perhaps the history of college football. He’s as good as I saw.”

Seth Roberts has served as the Raiders’ top slot option for the better part of the past three seasons for a team that hasn’t featured much depth at the position. Switzer, if nothing else, may supply that.

Here’s the latest out of Oakland.

It’s not finalized the Raiders will play the 2019 season in Oakland, but they will remain in Napa, Calif., for training camp next year. It could be their last one in northern California, however. In 2020, Reno has emerged as the favorite, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes. Reno officials visited Raiders camp this weekend, Gehlken reports, and Las Vegas has been ruled out as a camp site. The Raiders hope to play the 2019 season in Oakland, and while 2020 represents the franchise’s relocation goal, a firm departure date hasn’t been established.
Giorgio Tavecchio‘s kicking foot looks to have played a key part in his Raiders downfall. Holder Johnny Townsend had to switch sides when the Silver and Black alternated reps between last year’s kicker (Tavecchio, who is left-footed) and rookie UDFA Eddy Pineiro, and Gruden was tired of that continuing to be required, he said today (via Tafur). Gruden added that Pineiro has kicked well in camp and that he views Mike Nugent as a legitimate option, rather than a mere mentor.
The Raiders have not been able to supplement Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin with much in the way of complementary pass rushers the past two seasons, but a growing belief exists among Raiders coaches and scouts their rookie contingent of defensive linemen — P.J. Hall, Arden Key and Maurice Hurst — can be early contributors, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. The team has injury-prone defensive end Mario Edwards entering a contract year and fifth-year nose tackle Justin Ellis back. And the Raiders signed Tank Carradine in March. Eddie Vanderdoes enters his second season after being a primary starter as a rookie, but he’s coming off an ACL tear. The team looks to have a deeper pool of options up front.
The Raiders are also making some history on their strength and conditioning staff. Kelsey Martinez is signed on to work as an assistant strength assistant, Gehlken writes. The 26-year-old becomes the franchise’s first woman to work in this department. Martinez worked under new Raiders strength boss Tom Shaw at the Tom Shaw Performance facility in Orlando, Fla., the past four years.