2018 October - Pro Football Rumors

Lions, Marvin Jones Restructure Deal

October 30th, 2018 at 1:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions restructured the contract of wide receiver Marvin Jones, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The adjustment will save the Lions $2.2MM against the salary cap.

After the Lions traded Golden Tate to the Eagles on Tuesday, Jones is in line for an even bigger role in the offense. And, by tweaking his deal, Jones may have opened the door for some of his teammates to receive extensions.

Jones inked a five-year, $40MM free agent deal with the Lions prior to the 2016 season. He’s contract, with two years to go, allows the Lions to release him after the season with $3.2MM in dead money versus $4.9MM in savings. Details of the restructure are unknown, but Jones may have gained some security for 2019 in exchange for his concession.

Jones, 28, caught seven passes for 117 yards and two scores against the Seahawks on Sunday. Heading into a Week 9 matchup against the Vikings, Jones has 26 grabs for 387 yards and five scores on the year.

Texans Inquire On Patriots’ Phillip Dorsett

October 30th, 2018 at 1:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans might not be done shopping for wide receivers. The Texans have called about Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (on Twitter).

Time is ticking on the trade deadline clock, and Howe hears that there hasn’t been much progress on the Dorsett trade front. But, as we saw last year, teams are often willing to up the ante as the 4pm ET/3pm CT deadline approaches.

The Texans acquired Demaryius Thomas from the Broncos on Tuesday, giving them an experienced receiver to carry the load in the wake of Will Fuller‘s season-ending injury. That deal alone could be a big difference maker for Houston, but the Texans are unwilling to take chances after injuries ruined their playoff aspirations last year.

Dorsett, 25, has just 20 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns this season. The Patriots are on the lookout for wide receiver help themselves, and they could free up a roster spot for a new pass catcher by dealing the Miami product.

Steelers Unable To Trade Le’Veon Bell

October 30th, 2018 at 1:18pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re in the midst of an action-packed deadline day, but Le’Veon Bell won’t be among the star players changing teams. The running back has yet to sign his franchise tender, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, so the Steelers will not be able to trade him before the 4pm ET/3pm CT trade deadline.

Bell and the Steelers are almost certainly headed for divorce in the offseason, but Bell has boxed the team in by holding out and refusing to go along with any potential midseason trade. Bell wants to turn in the best second half possible in order to maximize his free agent value and that means staying in the only NFL offense he’s ever known.

Of course, that’s a bit of a gamble on Bell’s part. When Bell returns to the Steelers, he’ll join a club that has found a bonafide RB1 in James Conner. Bell may see less touches than he has in previous years – something that he is in favor of as he looks to protect his odometer – which could cap his production.

Despite all of the drama, the Steelers are undoubtedly eager to get Bell back on the field. Barring any additional hiccups, the All-Pro should be in uniform for the Steelers’ Week 9 game against the Ravens and no later than the team’s Week 10 tilt against the Panthers.

Lions Trade WR Golden Tate To Eagles

October 30th, 2018 at 12:48pm CST by Zachary Links

Golden Tate is Philly-bound. The Lions wide receiver broke the news of his own trade via Twitter.

“It’s been real DETROIT! I’ll love ya forever. Philly Philly let’s get it!!,” Tate tweeted.

The Eagles will send a third-round pick to the Lions in exchange for the 30-year-old. Tate is in the final year of his contract and profiles as a rental for the free-spending defending champs, but GM Howie Roseman has no qualms about making aggressive moves near the trade deadline.

In seven games this year, Tate has 44 catches for 517 yards and three touchdowns. He’s on pace for numbers that are similar to his 2016 and 2017 stat lines, but the Lions couldn’t resist the offer of a high draft pick for the veteran. By moving Tate, they’ll open up more opportunities for the younger Kenny Golladay while also getting Marvin Jones more involved in the passing game.

With a 4-4 record, the Eagles felt compelled to upgrade the roster. It could be argued that wide receiver should not have been the Eagles’ top priority this week, but no one can argue with the club’s talent at the position after the trade. Alshon Jeffery is back in action, Jordan Matthews is contributing, Mike Wallace could be nearing a late-season return, and Tate is now in the fold to put them over the top.

Nicknamed “Showtime,” Tate is known for his tenacity and ability to eek out tough yards after drawing initial contact. He also offers the ability to play on the outside or the inside. This year, 25 of his 44 catches came from the slot.

If the trade works out as well as last year’s Jay Ajayi swap, then Roseman will be happy. Ajayi, acquired from the Dolphins for a fourth-round pick, led the Eagles in rushing yards in the playoffs on the way to the Super Bowl.

Falcons Sign OL Zane Beadles

October 30th, 2018 at 12:38pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons signed free agent offensive lineman Zane Beadles, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Beadles was most recently with the 49ers.

The Falcons aren’t working the phones much in advance of Tuesday’s trade deadline, Rapoport hears, but they made a minor upgrade by signing Beadles. With experience at guard and tackle (and even a little bit at center), Beadles can factor in as a versatile backup.

Beadles, 32 in November, joined the Niners on a three-year, $11.75MM deal in 2016. He started all 16 games in his first season with the Niners, but he was mostly relegated to a reserve role last year as he played at left guard and right tackle. In May, the Niners cut him loose.

Jaguars DE Dante Fowler Drawing Interest

October 30th, 2018 at 12:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars’ phones have been ringing with serious interest in defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The asking price is high, but Pelissero says Fowler is a player to watch as a teams look for pass rush help.

Fowler, the former No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, has immense talent, but also comes with baggage. The pass rusher has a history of off-the-field missteps and was sidelined for the first game of the season for racking up three misdemeanor charges in a 2017 arrest. Fowler was also hit with an unusual preseason suspension this year for “fighting and violation of team rules.”

On the field, Fowler has been an effective reserve, notching two tackles in seven games. As far as Pro Football Focus is concerned, he’s in the midst of his best season to date. Fowler currently ranks as the league’s No. 34 ranked edge defender, though his sample size of 165 snaps pales in comparison to many others on the list.

Last year, Fowler recorded a career-high eight sacks, but the club declined his fifth-year option for 2019. Still, even as they declined the option, it was reported that the Jaguars had not ruled out a long-term deal with Fowler down the road, so they’re not likely to give him away for cheap today. It’s also worth noting that the Jaguars could get a compensatory pick for Fowler if he leaves in free agency.

The Jets, who are in desperate need of pass rush help, inquired on Fowler over the summer.

Broncos Trade Demaryius Thomas To Texans

October 30th, 2018 at 12:07pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have agreed to trade Demaryius Thomas to the Texans, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The deal will send Thomas and a seventh-round pick to Houston for a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The trade paves the way for Courtland Sutton to receive an uptick in targets and gives the Texans a veteran receiver for the final stretch of the season.

Thomas’ name has been all over Pro Football Rumors for weeks and he wound up being involved in the first major trade of deadline day. Thomas, 31 in December, entered the league as a first-round pick of the Broncos in 2010 and was in his ninth season with the club. Along the way, Thomas racked up four Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl ring after the 2015 season.

When Thomas was at his best, he was among the most feared wide receivers in the NFL. From 2012-2015, Thomas averaged 100 catches for 1447 yards and ten touchdowns. Thomas cleared 1,000 yards in 2016 and nearly hit four digits last year, but he has not looked the same in 2018.

Thomas supporters would argue that Case Keenum‘s woes are to blame for his drop off in production. Soon, we’ll find out whether Thomas can turn back the clock with Deshaun Watson under center.

“I’ve been watching him for a long time, since he was at [Georgia Tech] and since he’s been in the NFL,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said when asked about Thomas (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post). “Excellent athletic skills. Great hands. Really good route runner. Very smooth route runner. He’s a tough guy to defend.”

The Patriots were said to be considering Thomas this month and the Titans and Eagles were also linked to the veteran. Those clubs and other WR-needy teams may pivot elsewhere between now and the Tuesday afternoon deadline.

The Broncos’ return may not seem impressive at first glance, but they did manage to shed $4MM in cap space this season and $14MM next season. And, given Thomas’ age and perceived decline, there was no way they were getting more than a fourth-rounder for him.

Thomas’ first game with the Texans will come against the Broncos, in Denver.

Dolphins To Sign DT Ziggy Hood

October 30th, 2018 at 11:51am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have signed defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). Hood auditioned for the Dolphins on Tuesday morning and it did not take long for a deal to come together.

Hood, a one-time starter for the Redskins, profiles as a reserve for the Dolphins. Davon Godchaux and Akeem Spence start in the middle for the Dolphins, but Hood will be one of two true reserve defensive tackles for Miami. Incumbent backup Vincent Taylor has played well in the first half of the year, so it will be interesting to see how Hood’s arrival affects his usage.

The Dolphins, with Hood in tow, will face the Jets on Sunday.

Police Arrest Giants QB Kyle Lauletta

October 30th, 2018 at 11:27am CST by Zachary Links

Giants quarterback Kyle Lauletta was arrested this morning for an incident that occurred while he driving to the team’s practice facility, Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com (on Twitter) hears.Dunleavy hears that Lauletta nearly struck police with car when he failed to obey the directions of an officer.

The fourth-round pick has yet to see a snap this year, but there has been talk of him seeing the field as Eli Manning continues to struggle.

“We’re trying to do what we can to win this season and you always do what you can in the short run,” head coach Pat Shurmur said Monday when asked if it was important for Lauletta to play (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). “It’s hard not to look at things in the long run, but what’s important is we try to beat the 49ers [in two weeks].”

The Giants, who have a Week 9 bye, are 1-7. Their next game will be in primetime on Monday Nov. 12 against the 49ers.

NFL Suspends Kendricks For Eight Games

October 30th, 2018 at 11:02am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL suspended linebacker Mychal Kendricks for eight games, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). The Seahawks defender will be credited for the three games served under his previous “indefinite” suspension, making him eligible to practice with the club in Week 12.

Kendricks’ first game back is slated to come on Monday, Dec. 10 when the Seahawks host the Vikings. In theory, Kendricks could appeal, but he might just accept his punishment since it’s more lenient than expected. The league seemed determined to keep him off of the field until his insider trading case was settled in court, but he will instead be allowed to return to action for the Seahawks’ playoff push.

At 4-3, the Seahawks have an uphill battle in trying to beat out the Rams for the NFC West crown. However, they’re very much in Wild Card contention, and Kendricks can be a game-changer if they’re still afloat in December.

Kendricks was playing well in his brief time as a Seahawk, posting 15 tackles and two sacks in three games with the club.