2019 March - Pro Football Rumors

Chiefs To Host CB Darqueze Dennard

March 15th, 2019 at 5:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chiefs are planning to meet with free agent cornerback Darqueze Dennard this weekend, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Dennard, a first-round pick of the Bengals in 2014, has experienced an extremely quiet market despite other slot corners receiving deals around the NFL. In fact, his trek to Kansas City will mark the first known interest Dennard has drawn this offseason. Cincinnati, for its part, had been willing to re-sign Dennard at around $8.5MM annually, but the club’s stance may have changed after it signed fellow slot defender B.W. Webb on Thursday.

The Bengals are often reticent to field young players during the early portions of their respective careers, and that was never more evident that in Dennard’s case, as the former Michigan State Spartan played fewer than 600 defensive snaps in his first three pro seasons.

Dennard became Cincinnati’s full-time slot corner in 2017, and saw action on roughly three-quarters of the Bengals’ snaps in each of the past two years. Football Outsiders ranked Dennard 29th among 85 qualifiers in yards allowed per pass attempt in 2018 but just 49th in success rate, while Pro Football Focus graded Dennard as the league’s No. 52 CB.

Kansas City is searching for defensive back help after losing starter Steven Nelson to the Steelers earlier this week. The Chiefs met with Ronald Darby during the opening hours of the free agent period, but he’s since returned to Philadelphia on a one-year deal.

Texans Work Out Jake Fisher

March 15th, 2019 at 5:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jake Fisher — who is attempting a conversion from offensive tackle to tight end — tried out for the Texans today, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

It’s unclear at what position Houston worked Fisher today, but the club could use help at both tackle and tight end. The Texans fielded one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines in 2018, giving up a league-leading 62 sacks while ranking 27th in adjusted line yards. But Houston’s tight end room is just as uninspiring, as its led by options such as Ryan Griffin and Jordan Akins.

Fisher reportedly had dropped to 285 pounds as of earlier this month, and if that’s the case, he won’t have the size for tackle and is probably trying out as a tight end. While any sort of position change is difficult, Fisher does come with prior tight end experience, as he was an acclaimed TE in high school.

A second-round pick of the Bengals in the 2015 draft, Fisher has been limited by injuries and ineffectiveness during his career. Over four years in Cincinnati, Fisher appeared in 48 games but made only 12 starts despite the Bengals’ severe need for competent offensive tackle play.

Broncos Hosting CB Bryce Callahan On Visit

March 15th, 2019 at 5:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Vic Fangio and Bryce Callahan will be reuniting soon, with the former Bears cornerback set to visit the Broncos, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post tweets.

A broken foot ended Callahan’s strong contract year, but Fangio coached the slot corner in all four of his NFL seasons. While Callahan would be a natural fit for Fangio’s defense in Denver, his injury and the makeup of the Broncos’ secondary could complicate it.

Chris Harris has handled the Broncos’ slot duties for most of this decade and has become one of this era’s top corners, being most identified for his inside coverage skills. While Harris plays outside in base sets, the Broncos use the veteran corner often in the slot. Harris, though, has requested at multiple junctures to be a full-time boundary corner, so Callahan being brought in may appease the incumbent.

Callahan, 27, finished his abbreviated season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 overall corner — just four spots behind Harris — and intercepted two passes in each of the past two seasons. The 5-foot-9 defender coming to Denver would, however, add another short corner to the Broncos’ secondary. Harris and Kareem Jackson stand 5-10.

The Broncos added Jackson on an $11MM-AAV deal earlier this week. Having played both corner and safety in Houston, though mostly corner, Jackson brings hybrid potential for the Broncos. However, Denver lost Bradley Roby and does not plan to re-sign Tramaine Brock, creating a need for two new cornerbacks. Callahan would potentially complete that trio.

The Jets have been the only other team linked to Callahan this offseason, with the Bears not expected to pursue him. But the Jets signed former Falcons slot man Brian Poole, possibly taking them out of the running.

Giants Not Looking To Move Up For QB?

March 15th, 2019 at 5:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants’ moves to add veterans Kevin Zeitler and Golden Tate while also trading one of the most talented players in team history in Odell Beckham Jr. have confused many this week. Eli Manning‘s status appears to be unchanged as well, further complicating New York’s status.

While the Giants’ acquisition of the No. 17 overall pick could be interpreted as gaining a major asset in an effort to move up and draft Manning’s successor, that may not be the Dave Gettleman-led front office’s line of thinking. The team is not believed to be interested in packaging its two first-round picks to move up for a quarterback, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report notes.

Instead, many around the league believe the Giants are targeting a defensive lineman with their No. 6 overall choice, with Miller adding those sources point to Big Blue targeting a quarterback or wide receiver with the Browns pick.

Mentioned earlier this offseason as being likely to draft a quarterback with an early-round pick, and if so they would select Manning’s heir apparent in Round 1, the Giants then shocked the football-following world by trading Beckham to the Browns. The Giants could be in position to land Dwayne Haskins at No. 6, but that is not certain. Two quarterbacks have gone of the board in the top five in the past four drafts.

New York also has significant needs on defense. Olivier Vernon and Landon Collins are now on other teams, leaving the Giants with little in the way of long-term pieces at any defensive position. (Though, they do have Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill up front.) So it would be understandable if the team felt it had to address its defense early. But by the time the Giants pick at No. 17, assuming that is where they stay for their second first-round pick, Kyler Murray, Haskins and possibly Drew Lock will be off the board.

Danny Shelton Met With Bengals

March 15th, 2019 at 4:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former first-round pick Danny Shelton met with the Bengals recently, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter).

Shelton is a first-time free agent, hitting the market after the Patriots in 2018 declined to pick up his fifth-year option. He played well in a part-time capacity this past season, grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 27 overall interior defender. But Shelton was also a healthy scratch for multiple Pats games, clouding his appeal on the market.

A better run defender than pass rusher, the 6’2″, 345-pound Shelton played on roughly a third of New England’s defensive snaps a year ago, the lowest playing time percentage of his career. In 13 games, Shelton 21 tackles (one for loss) and one quarterback hit. The Patriots originally acquired Shelton and a fifth-round pick from the Browns in exchange for a third-round selection in March 2018.

Cincinnati’s entire defense was a mess last season, and the Bengals couldn’t stop anyone on the ground, ranking 30th in Football Outsiders‘ adjusted line yards. Shelton could potentially help in that capacity, although his playing time would likely come at the expense of promising fourth-year nose tackle Andrew Billings.

Kaepernick Interested In Dolphins’ QB Job

March 15th, 2019 at 4:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both Tyrod Taylor and Teddy Bridgewater were linked to the Dolphins this week, with the latter being brought in for a visit. Each agreed to be backups elsewhere, Taylor in Los Angeles and Bridgewater in New Orleans.

The Dolphins also traded Ryan Tannehill to the Titans on Friday. No team has less at quarterback presently. The Dolphins have been connected to a strategy of pursuing 2020 quarterback prospects, perhaps leading to Taylor and Bridgewater signing elsewhere. But Colin Kaepernick is interested in the position, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter).

This comes after the passer’s camp spoke to both the Alliance of American Football and the XFL. In each instance, a $20MM salary demand surfaced. Kaepernick would not get that with the Dolphins, who have not shown interest in the long-unattached quarterback, but La Canfora notes the 31-year-old free agent continues to train and would be “ready to play” if the team contacted him.

While Kaepernick has been mentioned in connection with numerous jobs since his 49ers stay ended in 2017, he has continually been passed over. The NFL settled grievances from Kaepernick and Eric Reid earlier this year, lending some credence to the players’ case they were avoided as free agents due to their decisions to kneel during the playing of the national anthem before 49ers games.

Since becoming a free agent, Kaepernick has only received a workout invitation from one team — the Seahawks — and that was in the summer of 2017. The Seahawks cancelled a 2018 Kaepernick visit. Reports have surfaced of the former Super Bowl starter working out independently, but nothing has transpired regarding a possible return to the NFL.

The Dolphins’ current quarterback contingent consists of Luke Falk and Jake Rudock. They have combined for five regular-season pass attempts (from Rudock in Detroit). Other options for veteran help include Ryan Fitzpatrick, Blake Bortles, Josh McCown, Geno Smith and Brock Osweiler. None are as accomplished as Kaepernick, but given what has occurred on this front over the past two years, it would certainly be a surprise if the Dolphins went in this direction.

Eagles Re-Sign CB Ronald Darby

March 15th, 2019 at 4:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Ronald Darby is returning to Philly. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the 25-year-old cornerback is re-signing with the Eagles. It will be a one-year deal for Darby worth $8.5MM (via Rapoport on Twitter).

The cornerback had additional suitors, including the Chiefs, with whom he met this week. Other teams were interested in Darby as well, with Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweeting he discussed one-year and multiyear deals as well.

However, Darby decided to opt for a one-year deal with a familiar franchise as he works his way back from an ACL tear. The former second-rounder underwent surgery in November, so there’s a chance that he won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.

Darby started all nine of his appearances in 2018, compiling 43 tackles, 12 passes defended, and one interception. However, an ACL tear ended his season prematurely, forcing him to sit out the second half of the campaign. Despite his injury, Darby still earned high marks from Pro Football Focus; the site ultimately ranked him 39th among 112 eligible cornerbacks.

If Darby is forced to miss any time, the Eagles have enough depth to get by. Rasul Douglas and Jalen Mills are currently projected as the team’s starters, while the team is also rostering Sidney Jones, Cre’Von LeBlanc, and Chandon Sullivan.

Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill Under Investigation

March 15th, 2019 at 4:02pm CST by Zachary Links

Chiefs star Tyreek Hill is under investigation for allegations of battery, as Steve Vockrodt and Brooke Pryor of the Kansas City Star write. The police report indicates that a juvenile was a victim of an assault perpetrated by Hill. Hill’s fiancee, Crystal Espinal, is listed under “others involved.”

“The club is aware of the investigation involving Tyreek Hill,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “We’re in the process of gathering information and have been in contact with the league and local authorities. We’ll have no further comment at this time.”

The allegations are especially troubling in light of Hill’s history. Hill reportedly punched and choked Espinal, who was then eight weeks pregnant with their son, in 2014. He pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation in 2015 and, in 2016, the Chiefs made the controversial decision to draft him in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.

From a football perspective, it was a brilliant selection. Hill immediately made a huge impact with his absurd speed and led the league as a rookie with 15.2 yards per punt return. As an NFL sophomore, he nearly tallied 1,200 receiving yards with seven touchdowns. Then, last year, he set new career highs with 87 catches for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Recently, the Chiefs began discussing an extension with Hill that could make him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. Presumably, those talks will be put on hold while Hill’s situation plays out.

Titans To Release QB Blaine Gabbert

March 15th, 2019 at 3:55pm CST by Ben Levine

After acquiring Ryan Tannehill earlier today, the Titans are set to cut one of their other quarterbacks. Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports (via Twitter) that the team will release Blaine Gabbert.

The 29-year-old spent last season as Marcus Mariota‘s primary backup. In eight games (three starts), Gabbert completed 60.4-percent of his passes for 626 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. The 2011 first-round pick has had stints with the Jaguars, 49ers, Cardinals, and Titans during his eight-year career, and he’s presumably set to add another team to that list this offseason.

The Titans gave up a 2019 seventh-rounder and a 2020 fourth-rounder in exchange for Tannehill and a 2019 sixth-rounder earlier today. The front office subsequently reworked their acquisition’s 2019 contract, although the veteran is still set to be among the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL. As a result, it’s not entirely surprising that the Titans decided to move on from Gabbert. His release will provide Tennessee with $1.5MM cap savings vs. $500K in dead cap.

Considering Mariota’s extensive injury history, it’d be surprising if the Titans don’t add another quarterback to the mix during the offseason. Even if the team rolls into the regular season with only two quarterbacks on the roster, we’ll presumably see the team give a third-stringer some reps during the preseason.

Mark Nzeocha To Re-Sign With 49ers

March 15th, 2019 at 3:36pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Mark Nzeocha is heading back to San Francisco. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (via Twitter) that the linebacker intends to re-sign with the 49ers.

The 29-year-old spent that past two seasons with the Niners, appearing in 26 games between two seasons. The former seventh-rounder appeared in 16 games (three starts) last season, compiling 22 tackles, one sack, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. Nzeocha also led the 49ers with seven special-teams tackle. The linebacker didn’t play enough snaps to earn a spot on Pro Football Focus‘ positional rankings, but his pass-rushing ability received some praise.

Nzeocha will likely continue to have a special teams role in San Francisco, but he may occasionally see time at linebacker. He’ll have to compete with Dekoda Watson, Ryan Delaire, and free-agent addition David Mayo for backup reps.

We learned yesterday that Nzeocha met with the Bills.