HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

NFL Draft Rumors: Taylor, Ford, Sweat

April 17th, 2019 at 9:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Florida offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor met with the Bengals on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Taylor, who stands 6’5″ and 328 pounds, certainly has the size requirements favored by new Cincinnati offensive line coach Jim Turner, but it’s unclear if the ex-Gator will be available when the Bengals make their first-round selection at No. 11. Along with Jonah Williams (Alabama), Andre Dillard (Washington State), and Cody Ford (Oklahoma), Taylor is considered one of the best tackle prospects available in the 2019 draft. If selected by the Bengals, Taylor could immediately take over at right tackle, displacing the recently re-signed Bobby Hart, and would be a long-term option to replace Cordy Glenn on the blindside.

Here’s more on the 2019 NFL draft:

  • Speaking of Ford, the Oklahoma offensive lineman has been extremely busy during the pre-draft season. Per Aaron Wilson the Houston Chronicle, Ford has met with and/or worked out for the Patriots, Eagles, Buccaneers, Vikings, Texans, Cardinals, and Falcons. That’s in addition to his previously-reported stops with the Bengals and Panthers. Ford was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2018 and helped Oklahoma win the Joe Moore Award, given to the country’s best offensive line. A left guard in both 2016 and 2017, Ford shifted to right tackle for the 2018 campaign.
  • The Texans are meeting with Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat on Wednesday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Sweat is considered of the best defensive ends in the draft (especially after blowing up the combine), so Houston would likely need to trade up from No. 23 overall in order to land him. After starting his collegiate career at Michigan State, Sweat spent two years with the Bulldogs, racking up 22.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss during that time.
  • Washington cornerback Byron Murphy has met with the Panthers, Chiefs, and Cardinals in addition to his visit with the Steelers, tweets Wilson. In 2018, Murphy earned a spot on the first-team All-Pac-12 list after putting up 37 tackles, four interceptions, and 13 interceptions. Regarded as a first-round pick by most observers, Murphy is the No. 6 overall player on Pro Football Focus’ draft board after allowing only a 47.7% completion percentage against and forcing 17 incompletions.
  • The Rams hosted Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram on Tuesday, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). Abram, who has also met with the Cowboys and Cardinals, is part of a closely-clustered safety class that could start coming off the board at the end of the first round. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, notably, ranks Abram as the No. 1 safety prospect of 2019. Arbam posted two interceptions, three sacks, and nine tackles for loss last year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/17/19

April 17th, 2019 at 8:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed: OL Brant Weiss (Alliance of American Football)

Chicago Bears

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Giants

Oakland Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seahawks OT George Fant Signs RFA Tender

April 17th, 2019 at 7:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender, while defensive end Quinton Jefferson has signed his original round RFA tender, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

A collegiate basketball player with only one year of NCAA football experience (which came as a tight end), Fant went undrafted in 2016 but still managed to start 10 games during his rookie campaign in Seattle. A torn ACL cost Fant the 2017 season, but he rebounded to appear in all 16 games and play 35% of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps in 2018.

Fant, who will now collect a $3.095MM base salary next year, graded out well in 2018, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as the No. 26 offensive tackle among 80 qualifiers. While he won’t be locked in as a starter heading into next season, Fant could compete with former fist-round pick Germain Ifedi for playing time at right tackle.

In addition to Fant and Jefferson, the Seahawks have also re-signed the following exclusive rights free agents:

AFC East Notes: Pats, Kraft, Jets, Bills, Fins

April 17th, 2019 at 6:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although prosecutors are planning to release video of Patriots owner Robert Kraft soliciting sexual acts at a Florida spa, Kraft and his legal team are attempting to stop the publication. Kraft filed a motion to block release of the video, and the judge overseeing the case has indicated the state may not disseminate the video until after a hearing occurs, as T.J. Quinn of ESPN tweets. The women who allegedly own the spa in question also filed a motion to stop the release, and a judge will hear their case on April 29, according to the Boston Globe, meaning the video won’t be issued until then at the earliest.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

  • Earlier today, we learned Demaryius Thomas‘ one-year deal with the Patriots contains a $150K signing bonus and a $1.2MM base salary, and now Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) has provided more details on the veteran receiver’s pact. Thomas can collect a $150K reporting bonus and a total of $1.406MM in per-game roster bonuses. Additionally, Thomas can also earn $750K for reaching each of the following incentives: 60 catches, 800 yards, 1,000 yards, and 1,200 yards. Clearly, Thomas isn’t a lock to make New England’s roster, but he can bring in up to $6MM by posting an excellent campaign.
  • Alabama State offensive tackle Tytus Howard met with the Jets today, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com lauds Howard’s size (6’2′”, 322) and ability to “explode out of his stance,” but notes potential concerns about Howard’s level of competition in the FCS. Howard, who could be available for New York in either the second or third round, would be in contention to displace Jets tackles Kelvin Beachum and/or Brandon Shell, if not immediately than in the long-term.
  • In an engrossing profile, Bills executive Lake Dawson reveals to Tim Graham of The Athletic that he turned down the Dolphins‘ general manager job in 2014 following conversations with team owner Stephen Ross. “In terms of commitment,” Dawson said, “they weren’t going to give me the time, and they weren’t going to allow me to hire some of the people that I wanted to hire. The owner wanted a fast change.” Things have clearly changed in Miami, as the Dolphins are now embarking on a serious rebuild. Dawson, for his part, interviewed for the Panthers’ GM job earlier this year.

Vikings Re-Sign RFA Anthony Harris

April 17th, 2019 at 5:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings announced that safety Anthony Harris has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender. Offensive tackle Rashod Hill, meanwhile, has inked his original round RFA tender.

Harris, 27, had primarily been a special teams player throughout his Vikings career until midway through last season, when starting safety Andrew Sendejo went down with a groin injury. Harris stepped in opposite Harrison Smith and went on to post a breakout campaign, posting 46 tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defensed. Pro Football Focus was incredibly impressed with Harris’ play, ranking him as the NFL’s third-best safety.

Harris will earn a $3.095MM base salary in 2019 before hitting unrestricted free agency. While the Vikings could pursue an extension for Harris, they’re already projected to be among the most cap-strapped clubs in the NFL, and have several other players — including cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander and tight end Kyle Rudolph — scheduled to hit the open market next year. If Harris isn’t extended, he’d join a free agent safety class that will also include Kevin Byard, Devin McCourty, Damarious Randall, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Cowboys Unlikely To Trade Into First Round

April 17th, 2019 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Because of their Amari Cooper trade, the Cowboys do not have a first-round pick. Their first draft window will not open until pick No. 58. It appears the franchise is content with this arrangement.

The Cowboys are unlikely to trade into the first round and are not expected to move up too far in the second, executive VP Stephen Jones said, pointing to the potential cost of a future first-round pick in order to move into this year’s first round.

“I don’t think so,” Jones said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, on the subject of trading into Round 1. “It took an act of Congress to give up a first-round pick (for Cooper). We know how valuable those are. It took a lot of discussion, a lot of homework, a lot of really getting your hands around giving up a first round pick, and certainly, it’s something that you don’t love to do without.

“Looking at this draft now even in more depth at what would have been there for the future at receiver we’re certainly glad we made the deal, but I don’t see us making that a habit of putting first-round picks into play. At the same time, I think, and without that, it makes it real hard to think that you’re going to make some huge moves to move that second-round pick up significantly.”

Cooper cost the Cowboys what turned out to be the No. 27 overall pick. Dallas’ late-season success, though, made Oakland’s selection worse than many envisioned when the October deal was made. The Cowboys have since started extension talks with their new No. 1 wide receiver, who has beaten Ezekiel Elliott to the bargaining table.

This draft will be the first since 2009 that does not feature a Cowboys first-round pick. The team’s list of visits did not include many players who are expected to be first-round choices, though safety Johnathan Abram visited Dallas.

Seahawks Meeting With Liuget, Woods

April 17th, 2019 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two more veteran defensive linemen are visiting the Seahawks. In addition to Allen Bailey heading to Seattle for a meeting, Corey Liuget and Al Woods will follow suit, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

This marks Liuget’s second meeting of the offseason, with the longtime Chargers interior defender having met with the Giants recently. The Chargers released Liuget earlier this offseason. While the Bolts were believed to be open about re-signing Liuget at a reduced rate, no rumors of a reunion have surfaced since.

Liuget signed a lucrative Chargers deal in 2015 but did not live up to it. A suspension and pay cut ensued, and the Bolts cut bait prior to that contract’s final season. The 29-year-old Liuget played in six games last season, starting three. The former first-round pick started 103 games for the Bolts but only recorded three sacks over the past three seasons.

The Lions brought in Woods for a visit last month. The 32-year-old nose tackle has played for five teams, including the Seahawks (for two games in 2011), in his nine-year career. Woods started 24 games for the Colts over the past two seasons.

Pete Carroll mentioned earlier this offseason the Seahawks would like to further fortify their defensive tackle corps, so one of the Bailey-Liuget-Woods trio may be set to sign. Bailey and Liuget have been used mostly as 3-4 defensive ends during their careers, while Woods has played almost exclusively inside. Both Woods and Liuget graded better as run-stoppers last season, per Pro Football Focus, though Bailey saw far more action (959 snaps).

Latest On Reshad Jones, Dolphins

April 17th, 2019 at 2:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

The combination of the Dolphins having purged several high salaries from their 2019 payroll and Reshad Jones not reporting for the start of Brian Flores‘ offseason program does not provide much optimism the Pro Bowl safety will be in Miami this coming season.

But as of now, Jones remains a Dolphin. And GM Chris Grier said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, on Twitter) he expects the veteran safety to be a part of the 2019 team. Additionally, Grier said Jones has not asked the Dolphins for a trade, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com tweets.

Jones has missed the start of the Dolphins’ voluntary minicamp. This isn’t the first bump in the road for Jones and the ‘Fins. In 2016, he skipped a day of mandatory minicamp as he pushed for a new contract. In 2017, he secured a new deal, but he clashed with team brass once again in 2018 when he quit after 10 snaps against the Jets.

The 2019 season will be Jones’ age-31 campaign. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and ’17, but the Dolphins have parted ways with ex-Pro Bowlers this offseason. They traded Robert Quinn and allowed Cameron Wake and Frank Gore to defect as free agents. The large salaries of Ryan Tannehill and Andre Branch are also gone.

Jones is set to make a team-high $13MM in 2019 and carry a $17.1MM cap number. Jones’ four-year, $48MM contract — which would tag the Dolphins with $25MM-plus in dead money were they to release him — runs through 2021. No other Dolphin carries a cap charge of more than $10MM this year, and considering how the franchise has operated thus far this offseason, the prospect of Jones playing elsewhere this coming season obviously cannot be ruled out.

Cowboys To Pick Up Ezekiel Elliott’s Fifth-Year Option

April 17th, 2019 at 1:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

In one of the least dramatic decisions in the history of the fifth-year option, the Cowboys will exercise Ezekiel Elliott‘s. Stephen Jones confirmed Wednesday (via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, on Twitter) the team will pick up the Pro Bowl running back’s 2020 option.

Selected with the 2016 No. 4 overall pick, Elliott quickly became one of the league’s best backs. He has emerged as an impact player in Dallas, continuing the franchise’s storied running back history.

This option will mean a $9.09MM 2020 salary for the Ohio State product, though negotiations for a new contract in the meantime figure to begin fairly soon. However, the Cowboys and Elliott have not started extension talks, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Elliott reported for the start of the Cowboys’ offseason program this week, despite being viewed as a holdout risk. But now that he is extension-eligible, this situation is one to monitor this offseason. Both Todd Gurley and David Johnson signed extensions before the start of their fourth seasons, and Elliott — who joins them in having an All-Pro nod on his resume — will stand to want a similar contract.

Despite Gurley being named All-Pro last season, Elliott finished with a career-high 2,001 yards from scrimmage and needed only 15 games to get there. The Cowboys gave him 381 touches, far more than the 354 he amassed during the 2016 season in which he won the rushing title. He has already accumulated 1,003 touches — far more than Gurley or Johnson when they signed their second contracts — so this summer could be important in securing his landmark deal, before the Cowboys attempt to tack on another 350-plus touches to his odometer.

Dallas appears to be putting new deals for Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper on the front-burner, however.

Patriots Notes: Thomas, Kraft, Brady

April 17th, 2019 at 12:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Demaryius Thomas‘ deal with the Patriots includes a $150K signing bonus and a modest base salary of $1.2MM, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The wide receiver will have the chance to earn more through incentives/bonuses, however, bringing his cap number to $2.9MM. Reportedly, Thomas can earn all the way up to $6MM if he checks all the boxes.

The low guarantee and base pay of Thomas’ deal suggests that he’s not quite a lock to make the final roster. This makes sense given Thomas’ lack of serious production in recent years and the Patriots’ tendency to jockey playmakers in the late stages of the offseason.

For now, Thomas will focus on recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in December. The hope is that Thomas will be ready for training camp, but nothing is certain just yet.

Here’s more out of New England:

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