2019 March - Pro Football Rumors

Patriots Release Adrian Clayborn

March 15th, 2019 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots cut Adrian Clayborn on Friday. The defensive end broke the news himself on Twitter and indicated that he requested his own release.

“Thank you Patriots for my time with the organization,” Clayborn wrote “I gained so much respect for how you do things and win championships. It’s done the right way through hard work. Thank you for granting my release. I’m ready for this next chapter.”

The Patriots used Clayborn as a pass-rushing specialist and employed him in 14 regular season games. All in all, he played in 30% of the team’s defensive snaps last year, but he was a healthy scratch in the final two contests of the season. Following a 9.5-sack campaign with the Falcons in 2017, the veteran’s counting stats took a step back in 2018. Clayborn ultimately finished the season with 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

By releasing Clayborn, the Pats will save roughly $4MM against the 2019 cap. The move will leave New England with $2MM in dead money.

De’Vante Harris Re-Signs With Bucs

March 15th, 2019 at 11:03am CST by Ben Levine

De’Vante Harris is returning to the Buccaneers on a one-year deal, the team announced. The cornerback was previously non-tendered by the organization, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The 25-year-old was picked up by Tampa Bay last offseason after being waived by the Saints. He started the season on the injured reserve and was later waived by the Bucs, but the team re-signed him a month later. Harris proceeded to play in 10 games for Tampa Bay, compiling nine tackles and three passes defended. The former Texas A&M product has 31 career games under his belt.

He’ll be rejoining a crowded cornerbacks depth chart in Tampa Bay. If Harris has any hope of playing a significant role, he’ll have to somehow jump at least one of Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis, Ryan Smith and David Rivers III.

Lions To Host RB Malcolm Brown, WR/KR Tommylee Lewis

March 15th, 2019 at 10:47am CST by Ben Levine

The Lions are hosting a pair of offensive players on visits. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports (via Twitter) that wideout/returner Tommylee Lewis and running back Malcolm Brown will be visiting Detroit.

Brown was tendered by the Rams earlier this week. As a former undrafted free agent, the Lions wouldn’t be required to give up any compensation for signing the running back. The 25-year-old has spent his entire four-year career with the Rams organization, and he’s spent the better part of the past two seasons serving as the top backup to Todd Gurley. In 2018, Brown ran for 212 yards on 43 carries, good for a career-high 4.9-yard average. His season ended on the injured reserve, leading to the team’s signing of veteran C.J. Anderson.

In Detroit, Brown would likely slide into a depth chart that’s currently led by Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner. The team has also added a pair of running backs in Kerwynn Williams and Mark Thompson.

Lewis was non-tendered by the Saints the other day. The 26-year-old does have 20 career receptions, but he’s spent the majority of his three-year career on special teams. Lewis averaged 22 yards on kick returns and 9.3 yards on punt returns during his stint in New Orleans. The Lions recently added one potential returner in Danny Amendola, and they’re also rostering Jamal Agnew, who had 40 combined returns for Detroit in 2018.

Texans Sign Briean Boddy-Calhoun

March 15th, 2019 at 10:15am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans have signed cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Boddy-Calhoun was non-tendered by the Browns earlier this month, making him a free agent. The former undrafted free agent had spent the majority of his three-year career in Cleveland.

Boddy-Calhoun started 15 games for the Browns over the past two seasons, including a 2018 campaign where he appeared in a career-high eight games. The cornerback also finished with career-bests in tackles (56) and QB hits (three). Pro Football Focus on ranked Boddy-Calhoun 79th among 112 eligible cornerbacks, but his pass-rushing grade was just outside the top-20.

In Houston, the 26-year-old will likely take on more of a backup role behind Johnathan Joseph and free agent addition Bradley Roby. The Texans are also rostering Aaron Colvin and Kayvon Webster.

Titans Release OL Josh Kline

March 15th, 2019 at 10:00am CST by Ben Levine

Josh Kline‘s tenure in Tennessee has come to an end. The Titans are planning on releasing the offensive lineman, reports Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky (via Twitter).

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the guard turned down a pay cut, which would have kept him on the team. Instead, he’s set to his free agency for a second-straight offseason.

Kline signed a four-year, $26MM deal ($12MM guaranteed) with the Titans last offseason. He proceeded to start all 16 games last season, although the advanced metrics imply that he took a step back in 2018. After rating as a fringe top-20 guard in 2017, Pro Football Focus graded Kline 50th among 77 eligible guards in 2018.

The Titans have already added one offensive guard in Rodger Saffold. If the Titans don’t make any additions to their offensive line, they could turn to Kevin Pamphile, Corey Levin, or Dennis Kelly to start opposite their free agent addition.

Raiders, Bills GMs Discuss Antonio Brown Trade Talks

March 15th, 2019 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this week, the Steelers agreed to trade Antonio Brown to the Raiders in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick in this year’s draft. However, that deal wouldn’t have even materialized if a reported Pittsburgh/Buffalo deal hadn’t fallen apart.

Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said he initially told the Steelers that he was “not interested” in making a deal for the wide receiver. When Pittsburgh was willing to drop their asking price (and when trade talks with the Bills broke down), the two sides ended up agreeing on a trade.

“I kept saying we’re not interested,” Mayock said (via Andrew Perloff of the Dan Patrick Show on Twitter). “Then the Buffalo thing fell through. One of their guys reached out to Jon [Gruden]. … [Steelers GM] Kevin [Colbert] said to me, would you trade your two? I said no, but we might trade our three.”

The GM said similar things to Mike Florio earlier this week. Despite there potentially being two additional suitors for Brown, Mayock and the Raiders were still able to pull off the deal.

On the flip side, the Bills weren’t able to pull off a trade for Brown. Reports from last week indicated that Buffalo was on the cusp of acquiring the star wide receiver, but the deal ultimately broke down. While there have been several reports that the deal was nixed because of Brown’s unwillingness to play in Buffalo, Bills general manager Brandon Beane continues to claim that it was his decision to not make the trade. The executive told reporters (including ESPN’s Mike Rodak) that talks with Pittsburgh were “positive all around,” but the organization ultimately “just decided to withdraw.”

Brown’s decision to not join Buffalo has led some to claim that the Bills are not a free agent destination. Beane was quick to dismiss that “narrative,” saying the opinion “started with a bad rumor on the Antonio Brown thing when people were looking for reasons and didn’t have all the facts.”

“Don’t speak about Buffalo if you don’t know what this city and fan base is like,” Beane said. “It really pissed me off. It’s not true. How many [free agent signings] flowed through here today? … I can’t tell you how many players commented ‘This is amazing. This is awesome. What a facility. What a culture.’ This city, we love it. Anybody that says that doesn’t know Buffalo and really is speaking out of ignorance.”

The Bills have been relatively active in recent days. The added a pair of wideouts in Cole Beasley and John Brown, and they’ve also added Mitch Morse, Frank Gore, Kevin Johnson, and Tyler Kroft.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt Suspended Eight Games

March 15th, 2019 at 9:05am CST by Ben Levine

The NFL has suspended Browns running back Kareem Hunt eight games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

“I want to again apologize for my actions last year,” Hunt said in a statement (via USA Today’s Mike Jones on Twitter). “I know that my behavior hurt a lot of people, and I again apologize to them. I respect the league’s decision on discipline, and I appreciate the time I spent with Commissioner Goodell last week. I’m grateful for my time with the Browns over the last month and thankful to all the people in the organization that have welcome me. I also appreciate all of the support I received from my union through this process. My commitment to earning the trust of the league, my teammates, the organization, and this community through my actions will continue, and I understand there is a lot of work ahead of me before I’m able to fully return to playing the game I love.”

The eight-game suspension is about on-par with expectations, as Hunt was expected to receive at least a six-game ban. NFL Network’s James Palmer tweets that the running back did not appeal the ban. Now that the suspension has been assessed, the running back is allowed to attend Browns offseason activities (and, subsequently, training camp).

The 23-year-old is under investigation for three separate 2018 events — most notably the incident captured on video that showed him shoving and kicking a woman at a Cleveland hotel/apartment complex in February of last year. After that video surfaced, Hunt was placed on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt, and the Chiefs soon waived the Pro Bowl running back.

After going unclaimed on waivers, Hunt was connected to multiple teams before landing with the Browns. The running back signed a one-year deal that included a base salary of $645K, a $25K per-game roster bonus for each game that he is active, and a $55K offseason workout bonus. Hunt will ultimately give up around $303K of that $645K base salary, and he’ll have a chance to earn around $200K in per-game bonuses upon his return (via ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter). He would have earned $678K via his rookie contract in Kansas City.

The 2017 third-round pick broke onto the scene as a rookie, compiling 1,782 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense. He continued that production in 2018, as he collected 14 touchdowns through 11 games.

When the running back eventually returns from his suspension, he’ll be joining a talented Cleveland offense. While Hunt is out, the team can lean on 2018 second-rounder Nick Chubb and pass-catcher Duke Johnson Jr., while the passing game will revolve around quarterback Baker Mayfield and wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.

Jaguars Sign TE Geoff Swaim

March 15th, 2019 at 8:46am CST by Ben Levine

Geoff Swaim is heading to Florida. The Jaguars have signed the free agent tight end, reports ESPN’s Dan Graziano (via Twitter).

The 2015 seventh-round pick had spent his entire four-year career with Dallas, including a 2018 campaign where he took on a more important role in the Cowboys’ offense. After hauling in nine total receptions through his first three seasons in the NFL, Swaim finished last year with 26 receptions for 242 receiving yards and one touchdown in nine games (nine starts). He broke a bone in his wrist midseason and was placed on the injured reserve in late December.

Swaim had traditionally been touted for his blocking prowess. However, his ability to also contribute in the passing game means he could take on an even bigger role in Jacksonville in 2019. As of right now, the Jags are only rostering two other tight ends in Ben Koyack and Pharoah McKever.

Eagles Rework Chris Long’s, Nigel Bradham’s Contract

March 15th, 2019 at 8:28am CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles have created a chunk of cap space. ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that the team has adjusted the contracts of defensive end Chris Long and linebacker Nigel Bradham. The move will open up about $5.032 in cap space.

Long had signed a new deal with the Eagles last offseason, but there were still whispers that the defensive end could end up calling it a career. The 33-year-old still hasn’t necessarily committed to playing, as the veteran tweeted that he’s still weighing his options.

“I love Philly so much,” Long wrote. “The fans, all of it. I’m making a football decision, though. Money moved doesn’t mean it’s been made.”

The veteran had another productive season as an Eagles reserve in 2018, compiling 23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 16 games.

Bradham re-signed with the Eagles last offseason, inking a new five-year, $40MM deal with the organization. However, his one-game suspension last season voided all guarantees, which were estimated to be around $14MM. The 29-year-old has emerged as one of the Eagles’ top defenders in recent years. He had another productive season in 2018, compiling 97 tackles, two sacks, and four pass defended.

The Eagles have been relatively busy so far this offseason. The team is set to sign Malik Jackson, they traded for DeSean Jackson, and they re-signed Jason Peters.

Three Teams Interested In DB Kentrell Brice

March 15th, 2019 at 8:10am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like three teams have interest in defensive back Kentrell Brice. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports (via Twitter) that the former Packers safety is set to meet with the Colts today. This comes after the 24-year-old visited with the Texans yesterday. Demovsky notes that the Buccaneers also have interest in the free agent.

The Packers decided to non-tender Brice earlier this week after the team added defensive back Adrian Amos. Brice, a former undrafted free agent out of Louisiana Tech, had spent his entire three-year career with Green Bay, including a career-season in 2018.

The safety ultimately finished last season having started a career-high 10 games (in 14 appearances), compiling 50 tackles, one sack, two passes defended. Pro Football Focus wasn’t as fond of his performance last season, ranking him in the bottom-six among 93 eligible safeties.