HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Bengals Re-Sign TE Tyler Eifert

March 16th, 2019 at 12:36pm CST by Ben Levine

Tyler Eifert is sticking in Cincy. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the tight end is signing a one-year deal with the Bengals.

The 2013 first-round pick has spent his entire six-year career with the Bengals, and he’s been productive… when healthy. Eifert has only appeared in 13 or more games twice in his career, and he’s totaled only 14 contests over the past three years. The 28-year-old missed the majority of the 2017 season after undergoing both back and knee surgery, and a broken ankle limited him to only four games in 2018.

When Eifert’s been healthy, he’s been especially productive in the red zone. He had a breakout season in 2015 when he had 615 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He was even productive in his four games in 2018, hauling in 15 receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown. If the tight end is able to stay on the field, he’ll provide Andy Dalton with another target; the Bengals’ offense currently features running backs Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard as well as wideouts A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and John Ross.

Besides Eifert, the Bengals currently have five tight ends on their roster. This grouping includes former fifth-rounder C.J. Uzomah, who finished last season with 43 receptions for 439 yards and three scores.

Earl Thomas Was Close To Signing With Chiefs

March 16th, 2019 at 12:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Before he inked a lucrative contract with the Ravens, Earl Thomas thought he was heading to Kansas City. The veteran safety told the team website that he was set to sign a one- or two-year deal with the Chiefs before Baltimore came calling.

“I thought I was going to go Kansas City on like a two-year deal, one-year deal, and I was just going to bet on myself and hit the market again [next year or in 2021], and then my agents called me,” Thomas said (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). “They said that Baltimore has made a deal for you. I said, ‘Hell, yeah. That’s where I’m going.’”

Thomas ended up signing a four-year, $55MM deal ($32MM guaranteed) with Baltimore. The 29-year-old was hoping to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL, and he came relatively close to achieving that. While his $13.75MM average annual value is higher than Thomas’s $13MM asking price, it still trails the new contracts signed by Landon Collins (Redskins) and Tyrann Mathieu (Chiefs).

Speaking of Mathieu, it’s uncertain if the Chiefs were pursuing Thomas before or after they added their free agent acquisition. The team presumably could have slid both Mathieu and Thomas into the starting lineup, especially after Kansas City let go of veteran Eric Berry. As of right now, Eric Murray is projected to start opposite Mathieu. The Chiefs have also added safeties Dontae Johnson and Harold Jones-Quartey this offseason.

Thomas, 29, spent nine years in Seattle as arguably the premier safety in the NFL, but his final years with the Seahawks were tinged with his displeasure at not receiving a new contract. After angling for a trade or new deal prior to the 2018 campaign, Thomas suffered a broken leg in Week 4, ending his season prematurely.

Bengals Hosting DE Vinny Curry

March 16th, 2019 at 10:58am CST by Ben Levine

Vinny Curry is set for his first free agent meeting. Geoff Mosher of 97.3 ESPN in South Jersey reports (via Twitter) that the veteran defensive end is set to meet with the Bengals on Monday.

The 30-year-old signed a long-term deal with the Buccaneers last offseason, but the team cut him in early February. The former Eagles starter appeared in 12 games (seven starts) with Tampa Bay last season, compiling 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss.

While these numbers don’t jump off the page, Curry proved he was a capable starter in 2017. He surely won’t be able to receive a contract that approaches the three-year, $23MM deal he signed with the Bucs last offseason. However, pass rushers are always in demand, so Curry may be able to settle for a (relatively) big-money, short-term deal.

The Bengals aren’t hurting for defensive ends, with Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard slotted in as starters. However, if Curry signs with Cincy, he’ll be able to compete with the likes of Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis for backup reps.

Contract Details: Ford, Mosley, Crowder

March 16th, 2019 at 10:34am CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted contract details from around the NFL:

Broncos To Re-Sign DL Zach Kerr

March 16th, 2019 at 9:51am CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos are re-signing defensive lineman Zach Kerr, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal, according to the team.

Following three seasons with the Colts, Kerr joined Denver on a two-year deal prior to the 2017 season. The defensive lineman has appeared in 27 games over the past two seasons, including a 16-game campaign in 2018.

Despite not starting a single game last season, the 334-pound lineman still finished with 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one pass defended. While Pro Football Focus gave him a solid score, he still only ranked 73rd among 112 eligible interior defenders.

Assuming Kerr is indeed returning, the Broncos will presumably continue to hunt for defensive tackles. The team is only rostering one player at the position in Caushaud Lyons.

Falcons Re-Sign TE Logan Paulsen

March 16th, 2019 at 9:15am CST by Ben Levine

Logan Paulsen is signing another one-year pact with the Falcons. The team announced that they’ve re-signed the veteran tight end.

The 32-year-old joined the Falcons last offseason and proceeded to appear in 15 games (10 starts). The tight end didn’t contribute much in the passing game, finishing with nine catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. However, Paulsen did contribute as a blocker, with Pro Football Focus giving him solid grades for his pass-blocking. Ultimately, the site ranked the veteran 39th among 70 eligible tight ends.

Paulsen has had previous stints with the Redskins, Bears, and 49ers. His best season came in 2013 with Washington when he hauled in 28 receptions for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

Paulsen will be rejoining a Falcons tight end corps that already includes Austin Hooper and free agent addition Luke Stocker. The team is also currently rostering Eric Saubert, Alex Gray, and Jaeden Graham.

Jaguars Sign OL Cedric Ogbuehi, WR Chris Conley

March 16th, 2019 at 8:14am CST by Ben Levine

The Jaguars are starting to shape their offense around Nick Foles. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and wideout Chris Conley.

The 26-year-old Ogbuehi was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft by the Bengals, but he only appeared in 35 total games through four years. The Bengals declined his fifth-year option back in May, and the lineman proceeded to appear in only two games in 2018.

The Jaguars do have a major need at offensive tackle. The team currently has Cam Robinson slotted in as one of the starters, and the former second-rounder did take a step forward last season. 2018 fourth-rounder Will Richardson is projected to start on the other side of the line, although he missed his entire rookie campaign with a knee injury.

Conley, 26, is an intriguing addition to the Jacksonville offense. The 26-year-old has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career, but he still put together a solid season with the Chiefs in 2018. The wideout finished the season having hauled in 32 receptions for 334 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.

Conley should have a chance to contribute in Jacksonville. The Jags’ current receiver corps consists of Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, DJ Chark, and Keelan Cole.

Saints Notes: Ansah, Emanuel, Rankins

March 15th, 2019 at 10:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest from New Orleans:

  • Although the Saints recently met with free agent defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, no deal is imminent between the two parties, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link). That’s because New Orleans — and other clubs with interest — want to evaluate the status of Ansah’s shoulder before signing him. Ansah was limited by that shoulder issue all year long, and ultimately appeared in only seven games while trying to work through the ailment. The Bills have also met with Ansah, who was the Lions’ franchise player in 2018.
  • The Saints hosted linebacker Kyle Emanuel for a visit on Thursday, tweets veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. Emanuel, 27, started 33 games for the Chargers over the past four years, but only topped 50% playing time in a season once during that span. He’s been a force on special teams, however, seeing at least 150 ST snaps in each of his pro campaigns. New Orleans already has Alex Anzalone, Demario Davis, and A.J. Klein as is starting linebackers, so Emanuel would serve as depth if signed.
  • After tearing his Achilles in the Divisional Round of the postseason, Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is likely to begin the 2019 regular season on the physically unable to perform list, which would force him to miss the first six games of the year, per Nick Underhill of the Advocate (Twitter link). Rankins, 24, played the most snaps of any Saints defensive tackle in 2018, managing 40 tackles (12 for loss), eight sacks, and 15 quarterback hits in the process. Pro Football Focus, meanwhile, graded Rankins as the No. 23 interior defender among 119 qualifiers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/19

March 15th, 2019 at 10:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Los Angeles Chargers

Oakland Raiders

Contract Details: Foles, Tate, Crowder, Desir

March 15th, 2019 at 9:38pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently-signed NFL contracts:

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