2019 March - Pro Football Rumors

Aaron Lynch To Visit Colts

March 19th, 2019 at 9:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Lynch has enjoyed a busy free agency, and his itinerary will now include a trip to Indianapolis. The veteran edge rusher will visit the Colts on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Lynch has already trekked to Seattle and Oakland for meetings. The Colts obviously have quite a bit more cap room than the Raiders or Seahawks; they have quite a bit more cap room than anyone at the moment. But Chris Ballard‘s trend of being selective in free agency continues nonetheless.

With the Bears last season, Lynch registered three sacks. He has 18 in five NFL seasons, 12.5 of those coming during his first two years. The 26-year-old edge defender has spent most of his career as a 3-4 outside linebacker, with a one-year stay in San Francisco’s 4-3 look in 2017, but that fit matters less and less with teams using nickel and dime sets more than base looks now. Matt Eberflus‘ defense is a 4-3 scheme.

The Colts have not made any notable front-seven additions this offseason. They reached an agreement to retain Margus Hunt but have left their group alone for the time being. Ballard has added the likes of Jabaal Sheard and Denico Autry in free agency since taking Indianapolis’ GM reins. The Colts also have 2018 second-rounders Tyquan Lewis and Kemoko Turay in the fold, creating an interesting mix of linemen.

However, the team still probably has what can be considered a need for edge help.

A.J. McCarron, Texans Finalizing Deal

March 19th, 2019 at 8:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans’ meeting with A.J. McCarron looks set to produce a signed contract. McCarron and the Texans are finalizing an agreement that would make him their new backup quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

McCarron agreed to a one-year deal worth $3MM, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle notes (on Twitter).

Released by the Raiders last week, McCarron will land with his fourth AFC team in barely a year. But it appears the longtime backup will land on his feet, being set to work behind Deshaun Watson. Earlier this offseason, the Raiders indicated a desire to retain McCarron as Derek Carr‘s backup. But the former Bengals, Bills (sort of) and Raiders quarterback will likely head to Houston.

It has been a strange few years for McCarron. In 2015, he started a few games in Andy Dalton‘s stead and showed some promise. Then, last March, he appeared to finally be on his way toward becoming an NFL starter when he hooked on with the Bills.

Ultimately, he did not impress in his competition alongside Nathan Peterman and Josh Allen and was shipped to the Raiders. For the bulk of 2018, he held the clipboard and watched Derek Carr go 4-12 in his 16 starts. Since his work for the most recent Bengal playoff team, McCarron has attempted just 17 passes. Three came last season.

The Texans still have Joe Webb on their roster, but he contributes in other facets beyond the usual backup-QB job description. Houston will not bring back Brandon Weeden, according to McClain (on Twitter). Despite Watson taking a league-high 62 sacks and having suffered a torn ACL midway through his rookie season, he played all 16 games last year and took every snap.

Rams To Sign OLB Clay Matthews

March 19th, 2019 at 7:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Clay Matthews will be returning to southern California. The USC product and longtime Packer linebacker will sign with the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Via some uniform art, Matthews confirmed his decision (on Twitter).

The Rams and Matthews agreed on a two-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This deal will max out at $16.75MM, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). While it’s unlikely Matthews’ base salary surpasses $8MM, Ian Rapoport notes he was one of the Rams’ top free agency targets (Twitter link). With one of the linebacker’s homes located within minutes of the Rams’ training facility in Thousand Oaks, Calif., this seems like a convenient landing for the free agent sack artist.

More lucrative offers came Matthews’ way, per Garafolo, who adds staying close to home was a priority for the 11th-year linebacker. After entering last season with significant issues at outside linebacker, the Rams now have Matthews and Dante Fowler early in this offseason.

Matthews finished last season with a career-low 3.5 sacks. He saw his Packers job essentially given to younger pass rushers, with Green Bay replacing its Matthews-Nick Perry setup and going with a Preston Smith–Za’Darius Smith combination. Rams rumors emerged last week, and the soon-to-be 33-year-old edge rusher is set to be a key part of Los Angeles’ pass rush.

The former USC Trojan and L.A.-area high school standout went on to record 83.5 sacks with the Packers, en route to six Pro Bowls. While those honors came between 2009-15, the Packers’ all-time sack leader working as a pass-rush specialist in L.A. would be interesting. Matthews, who collected a Super Bowl ring eight years ago, follows Eric Weddle to the defending NFC champions’ defense.

Jets To Meet With Trevor Siemian

March 19th, 2019 at 6:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trevor Siemian will travel east to meet with the Jets about their backup job, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). This meeting will occur Wednesday.

The Vikings are interested in keeping Siemian as their backup, but the first-time free agent has a few teams interested, Garafolo adds. The Jets have been connected to Siemian for a while now.

Siemian was on their radar a year ago, with the team connected to the then-Broncos quarterback via trade. New York had already re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater, leading to Minnesota’s trade acquisition. In 2017, when some brief Tony Romo-to-Denver smoke surfaced, rumors of Jets-Siemian interested emerged. But Siemian returned as the Broncos’ 2017 starter.

Now that Siemian’s a free agent and McCown is considering retirement, the Jets are exploring this addition for a third straight offseason.

Siemian did not appear in a Vikings game last season; Kirk Cousins took every snap for Minnesota. Siemian, 27, fared better as the 2016 Broncos’ starter, with Peyton Manning‘s immediate successor leading the team to a 9-7 record and throwing 18 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. In 2017, he rated as one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks, prompting the Broncos to abandon their unusual experiment with the former seventh-round pick.

Should Siemian defect to the Jets or sign with another team, the Vikings are interested in recent Rams backup Sean Mannion, Garafolo adds. The Rams just added Blake Bortles to be Jared Goff‘s backup. Mannion, who has thrown 53 career passes, is a free agent.

Robert Quinn Leaves Cowboys Visit, To Meet With Saints

March 19th, 2019 at 6:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Dolphins’ permission, Robert Quinn looks to be on his way to meet with another team. After his Cowboys meeting concluded, Quinn is on his way to visit the Saints, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets.

The Cowboys are not yet close on an agreement to acquire the Dolphins defensive end, Calvin Watkins of The Athletic adds (on Twitter). The Saints expressed interest in Quinn earlier Tuesday.

The Dolphins are willing to eat some of Quinn’s salary, which as of now is $11.8MM in 2019, in order to acquire a draft choice for the veteran defensive end. New Orleans holds just more than $19MM in cap space but will almost certainly not be paying all of Quinn’s salary, in the event a trade agreement is reached.

New Orleans lost Alex Okafor to Kansas City but still has Marcus Davenport in line to be Cameron Jordan‘s edge sidekick. Quinn would likely be a rotational presence. Hybrid defensive lineman Mario Edwards also signed with the Saints last week.

Although he is not on the same level he was when he earned All-Pro acclaim in St. Louis, with a 19-sack season that included seven forced fumbles, Quinn still has compiled 15 sacks over the past two seasons. Both the Saints and Cowboys use a 4-3 defense, which has been where Quinn has been the most productive in his eight-year career. Despite Quinn entering his ninth season, he will only be 29 by Week 1.

49ers To Sign P Justin Vogel

March 19th, 2019 at 5:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers appear to have a new punter. Justin Vogel agreed to terms on a 49ers deal, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes (via Twitter).

Vogel did not play in 2018 but was the Packers’ punter as a rookie in 2017. That remains his only NFL work. The 49ers, though, will give him a chance to earn their job. They did not bring back Bradley Pinion, who is now the Buccaneers’ punter.

A Pro Bowl alternate after that 2017 season, Vogel traversed the NFL’s workout circuit in 2018. The Packers waived him last offseason, and the Browns followed suit after claiming him. Vogel, 25, averaged 44.4 yards per punt in 2017 — 24th in the league that season.

Pinion served as San Francisco’s punter from 2015-18. He averaged 44 yards per boot in 2016 but did not eclipse that threshold in his other seasons.

Bucs Meeting With S Clayton Geathers

March 19th, 2019 at 5:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Clayton Geathers is going through his second free agent meeting of the week, traveling from Dallas to Tampa. The Buccaneers met with the UFA safety on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter).

Limited by injuries during his four-year career with the Colts, Geathers was a starter for most of his time in Indianapolis. While the Colts expressed interest in re-signing the former fourth-round pick, he is being allowed to test the second-wave market.

Geathers played 853 snaps for the Colts last season, his most significant work sample. Injuries limited the Central Florida product to 14 total games between the 2016-17 seasons. Pro Football Focus graded Geathers as the No. 51 safety last season. Geathers, 26, has yet to record an NFL interception.

The Colts have re-signed multiple 2018 starters — cornerback Pierre Desir, defensive lineman Margus Hunt and guard Mark Glowinski — but each of those players was brought in by the Chris Ballard regime. Ryan Grigson drafted Geathers, perhaps impacting the team’s decision to let him test free agency.

Tampa Bay is coming off another poor coverage season, ranking 26th in pass defense — a year after a last-place showing. The Bucs have already signed former Packers safety Kentrell Brice, potentially impacting their decision to add Geathers. Recent draftees Justin Evans and Jordan Whitehead comprise Tampa Bay’s top safeties presently.

Lions Sign Rams’ Brown To Offer Sheet

March 19th, 2019 at 4:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rams reserve running back Malcolm Brown agreed to the terms of an offer sheet with the Lions, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The Rams have until Monday to match it and retain Brown.

The Lions’ offer sheet is worth $3.25MM over two years, with $1MM guaranteed and a $100K signing bonus, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets.

A 2015 UDFA, Brown has been with the Rams his entire career. However, the restricted free agent visited the Lions last week. Since Los Angeles placed an original-round tender on the back, Detroit will not need to surrender any draft compensation in order to pry Brown away.

Brown suffered a clavicle injury that prevented him from playing in the team’s three playoff games. The Rams then signed C.J. Anderson, and the well-traveled-in-2018 back thrived behind Todd Gurley. Anderson remains a free agent, but given his quick assimilation in Sean McVay‘s offense, he would be a candidate to return and back up Gurley — especially given the injury-related uncertainty surrounding the starter. The Rams also have 2018 sixth-round pick John Kelly on their roster, so this process may end up with Brown in Detroit.

The Lions re-signed Zach Zenner and still have Theo Riddick, but Brown may profile as a better run-downs backup for Kerryon Johnson.

Brown, 25, averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season. He received 63 and 43 carries, respectively, the past two seasons, playing behind a first-team All-Pro. With Johnson coming off a rookie season limited to 10 games, it would stand to reason Brown would receive more work in Detroit.

Cowboys To Sign Randall Cobb

March 19th, 2019 at 4:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

A high-end auxiliary wide receiver will be coming to Dallas. The Cowboys agreed to terms Tuesday with Randall Cobb, Jay Glazer of The Athletic tweets. Cobb will sign a one-year, $5MM deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Cobb visited the Cowboys on Monday and will join the Amari Cooper-fronted receiving corps. This will provide Dak Prescott with a proven complementary target. This move figures to be about replacing slot receiver Cole Beasley, who defected to Buffalo despite considering a return to Dallas. It also gives the Cowboys a more complete receiving corps.

Cobb will join a pass-catching corps that includes 2018 third- and sixth-round picks Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson, along with 2017 seventh-rounder Noah Brown and the recently unretired Jason Witten. Allen Hurns is also set to be back in the mix, despite a season-ending injury and minimal production during his first Cowboys campaign. Tavon Austin is in line to return, too, making for an interesting mix of talent vying to form Cooper’s sidekick crew.

His 2018 season shortened by injury, Cobb surpassed 600 yards each year from 2014-17. While he did not quite live up to the four-year, $40MM deal he signed with the Packers in 2015, Green Bay kept him around throughout that contract. And despite being set for his ninth NFL season, the former second-round pick is only 28.

For his career, Cobb has caught 41 touchdown passes and has accumulated more than 5,500 receiving yards. Beasley, 29, has just two 600-plus-yard seasons — including one last year. Cobb has five, and given Cooper’s status and the Cowboys’ reliance on Ezekiel Elliott, the longtime Packers cog will not be expected to produce as much as he was under the terms of his previous pact.

CB Nevin Lawson To Visit Raiders

March 19th, 2019 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Lions cap casualty, Nevin Lawson will make his first free agency visit on Wednesday. The veteran cornerback will meet with the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The Raiders have made a few key additions this offseason, including bringing in safety Lamarcus Joyner, but have not bolstered their cornerback situation — one that fluctuated in 2018. Lawson would be a step in that direction.

Oakland did place a second-round tender on Daryl Worley and still has Reggie McKenzie-era draft choice Gareon Conley, but the team’s cornerback corps is far from settled.

Beyond Conley and Worley, only Nick Nelson, Rico Gafford and Makinton Dorleant reside on the Raiders’ roster at corner. There will surely be changes before this situation is finalized.

Lawson spent five seasons in Detroit, the former fourth-round pick starting 54 games. The 27-year-old defender was the Lions’ primary Darius Slay complementary starter from 2016-18. Despite his place on the Lions’ depth chart and Slay being entrenched as Detroit’s No. 1 corner, Lawson has yet to record an interception. He stayed with the Lions last year via a two-year, $9.2MM deal.