2019 March - Pro Football Rumors

Giants To Sign Markus Golden

March 14th, 2019 at 5:43pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants have agreed to a one-year deal with edge rusher Markus Golden, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Golden will leave the Cardinals to follow former Arizona defensive coordinator James Bettcher to New York. At only 28 years of age, Golden had developed a market in free agency, with the Raiders, Buccaneers, and Chiefs all expressing various levels of interest.

In 2016, Golden notched 12.5 sacks for the Cardinals. Unfortunately, a torn ACL ended his 2017 campaign early and cost him time in 2018. He managed to return for eleven games last year, but he wasn’t the same player – Golden had just 2.5 sacks and 30 tackles and graded out as one of the lowest-ranked edge defenders in the league, per Pro Football Focus.

Golden should get plenty of opportunities to rush the passer in New York. No other Giants player has posted more than 10 career sacks, and Big Blue finished 31st in adjusted sack rate a year ago.

Bennie Logan Visits The Patriots

March 14th, 2019 at 5:33pm CST by Micah Powell

Veteran defensive tackle Bennie Logan visited with the Patriots on Thursday, ESPN’s Mike Reiss tweets.

Logan spent the 2018 campaign with the Titans and appeared in 15 games. It was the first season in the defensive tackle’s career that he didn’t operate primarily as a starter. Logan played on 288 snaps, roughly 21 percent of the team’s defensive plays.

Before his one-year run in Tennessee, Logan spent a season in Kansas City where he started 12 games, and opened his career with a four-year stay in Philadelphia, where he started 51 of his 59 games.

The Patriots defensive line depth has thinned so far this offseason with the departures of Malcom Brown and Trey Flowers to the Saints and Lions, respectively.

Cardinals Sign WR Kevin White

March 14th, 2019 at 5:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals will sign free agent wideout Kevin White after meeting with him on Thursday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The Cardinals also confirmed the signing and announced that it is a one-year pact.

It’s difficult to call White anything other than a first-round bust at this point. Many observers were high on White’s talent when he left West Virginia to enter the 2015 draft, and that upside made him the seventh overall pick of the Bears. But he simply hasn’t been able to stay on the field.

Various injuries have cost White time over the past four seasons, with shin and shoulder ailments doing the most damage. White missed the entirety of his rookie campaign, and subsequently appeared in only 16 games in the following three years. 2018 actually marked White’s healthiest years (he played in nine games), but he only posted four receptions for 92 yards.

Arizona is looking to surround its quarterback of the future — be that Josh Rosen or Kyler Murray — with weapons. At present, the club’s wide receiver depth chart is topped by Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and Chad Williams.

49ers Cut Brock Coyle, Who Will Retire

March 14th, 2019 at 5:21pm CST by Micah Powell

The 49ers released linebacker Brock Coyle on Thursday, the team announced. San Francisco also signed linebacker David Mayo to a two-year deal and announced linebacker Elijah Lee has signed his exclusive rights tender.

Coyle later announced his retirement from football due to the back injury that cut his season short in 2018 [Twitter link].

Injuries are a part of this game and it is a risk all players willingly take when we step onto the field. Unfortunately, the injury I sustained last season is one that will prevent me from returning to the field again.

Coyle, 28, joined the 49ers in 2017 on a one-year deal and impressed, starting 10 games and appearing in all contests while registering a career-high 62 tackles. He signed a three-year deal in the ensuing offseason but only played in one game in 2018 due to the injury.

Mayo, 25, was a fifth-round pick by the Panthers out of Texas State in 2015. He has appeared in all but one regular season game in the last three seasons with Carolina, making four starts and logging a combined 35 tackles. While he didn’t see a ton of action on the defensive side of the ball, Mayo is a strong contributor on special teams.

Lee, 23, was a seventh-round pick by the Vikings in 2017. The 49ers signed the Kansas State product off Minnesota’s practice squad that same season and he has appeared in 30 of a possible 32 games in his career. In 2018, the linebacker made five starts and logged 65 tackles with a sack and forced fumble.

Saints Re-Sign Teddy Bridgewater

March 14th, 2019 at 5:18pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Saints have re-signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the team announced. The news was first reported by Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

It’s a one-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $7.25MM for Bridgewater, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The pact has a maximum value of $12.5MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

The Dolphins were also interested in Bridgewater, and met with him when the free agent period opened on Wednesday. Miami likely could have offered Bridgewater a starting role, but he only would have joined the Dolphins for “life-changing money,” tweets Russini. Bridgewater may see himself as Drew Brees‘ heir apparent, although Brees has shown no signs of slowing down, and Bridgewater’s pact will only keep him with the Saints for a single season.

Bridgewater, of course, suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2016 that knocked him out of action for the following two seasons. He inked a one-year deal with the Jets last offseason, but was eventually dealt to the Saints for a third-round pick. Bridgewater started New Orleans’ final regular season game, completing 14-of-22 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Bridgewater started 28 games for the Vikings from 2014-15, averaging 3,075 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions during that time. Among the 30 quarterbacks who attempted at least 500 passes in those two seasons, Bridgewater ranked 22nd in passer rating, 25th in adjusted net yards per attempt, and 29th in touchdown percentage

Giants To Re-Sign CB Tony Lippett

March 14th, 2019 at 5:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants have re-signed cornerback Tony Lippett to a one-year deal, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Lippett, who transformed from a collegiate wideout to an NFL corner, was a 13-game starter for the Dolphins in 2016, but didn’t make it through final cutdowns in 2018 after missing the previous season with a torn Achilles. He worked out for a number of teams last season, and ultimately landed with the Giants in October. Although he appeared in three games, Lippett saw only 12 snaps on defense.

Lippett could potentially be in for more work in 2019, as the Giants don’t have much at cornerback behind Janoris Jenkins, especially now that B.W. Webb departed via free agency. Still only 26 years old, Lippett will fight Sam Beal, Antonio Hamilton, and others for playing time.

Patriots To Sign Mike Pennel, Matt LaCosse

March 14th, 2019 at 4:47pm CST by Zachary Links

While some teams are splurging, the Patriots are spreading the wealth. On Thursday afternoon, the Pats agreed to sign former Jets defensive lineman Mike Pennel and former Broncos tight end Matt LaCosse, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a two-year deal for Pennel, per his agent (Twitter link).

Pennel was a staple of the Jets’ defense in recent years, appearing in every game over the last two seasons. His Jets stint, which included ten starts, yielded an average of 31 tackles per season with zero sacks. His traditional stats did not jump off of the page, but the advanced metrics were very high on his work in 2018. Pennel was tied as the 14th best defensive tackle in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus, though his 358 snaps were the lowest sum of anyone in the top 40. Earlier this month, the Jets turned down his option.

LaCosse had 24 catches and 250 yards while filling in as the Broncos’ starting tight end for a period last year, but Denver non-tendered him this offseason. With Rob Gronkowski‘s status for next year still up in the air, LaCosse could be an option to help fill the gap, albeit one with less star power.

Falcons To Sign RB Kenjon Barner

March 14th, 2019 at 4:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have agreed to terms with Kenjon Barner, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). McClure hears that it’ll be a one-year deal for the running back.

Barner, 28, has gotten to travel the country over the course of his pro career. He’s suited up for the Panthers (twice), Eagles, and Patriots and also signed a deal with the Chargers somewhere in between. Last year, he split time between the Panthers and Pats and finished out with 19 carries for 71 yards. He also offers kick return experience with a lifetime average of 23.2 yards per try.

After allowing Tevin Coleman to walk, the Falcons had a need for a running back behind Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith. Barner should have a chance to catch on in Atlanta and maybe even get some carries.

Patriots To Sign WR Maurice Harris

March 14th, 2019 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

On Thursday morning, the Patriots met with Redskins free agent Maurice Harris and fellow free agent wide receiver Bruce Ellington. After agreeing to sign Ellington, they said, “Why choose?”

The Patriots have agreed to sign Harris, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known.

Harris had 28 catches for 304 yards last season, but the Redskins opted against tendering him as a restricted free agent. The Patriots, in need of wide receiver help, have moved to add two solid options in one day. Of course, they aimed higher earlier in the week, but pursuits of Golden Tate, Cole Beasley, and Adam Humphries came up short.

Currently, the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart is topped by Julian Edelman, Ellington, and Harris. With the draft and the second wave of free agency still ahead, you can expect that to change.

Lions To Sign Andrew Adams

March 14th, 2019 at 4:30pm CST by Rory Parks

After meeting with him earlier today, the Lions will sign former Tampa Bay safety Andrew Adams per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). It will be a one-year pact for the 26-year-old free agent.

Adams had four interceptions last season, but he did not receive a restricted free agent tender from the Bucs. He did play for Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni at UConn, so he could be a natural fit in Detroit. He will help to replace Glover Quin, who was released in February.

Adams, a former undrafted free agent, compiled nine passes defended and 38 tackles in 2018, giving him his third-straight season with at least 30 tackles. On the flip side, he ultimately ranked 78th in Pro Football Focus‘ safety rankings, and he earned his worst score in three years.