2019 May - Pro Football Rumors

Bengals To Move Cordy Glenn To Guard

May 20th, 2019 at 5:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jonah Williams was rumored to be a possible fit at right tackle or guard with the Bengals, but the team will relocate a veteran lineman instead to accommodate its first-round pick.

Cordy Glenn will slide from left tackle to left guard, with Williams taking over on the left edge, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter). Williams made 44 starts at Alabama in three seasons, and 29 of those came at left tackle.

Glenn has not played guard as a pro, breaking into the Bills’ starting lineup as a rookie in 2012. He has played left tackle throughout his career but does have guard experience in college. The former second-round pick lined up at guard for much of his time at Georgia before moving to tackle his senior year.

The Bengals traded for Glenn last year and received 13 starts during his first season in western Ohio. Glenn graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 60 tackle, his 60.9 overall grade his worst as a pro, and surrendered the most pressures of his seven-year career as well. Perhaps a move inside will be beneficial for the soon-to-be 30-year-old blocker.

Clint Boling has been the Bengals’ left guard for most of the 2010s, beginning his run there in 2012. He did not participate in team drills during OTAs, according to the Enquirer’s Fletcher Page. Boling started at right guard for the Bengals as a rookie in 2011, so it’s conceivable Cincinnati could slot him there. The Bengals signed former Bills guard John Miller to a three-year, $16.5MM deal, however, so Cincy’s 2019 line could feature two former Bills as first-string guards. One year (at $4.85MM) remains on Boling’s deal. He graded as PFF’s No. 39 guard in 2018.

This, interestingly, stands to leave Bobby Hart in place at right tackle. Most questioned why the Bengals gave Hart a three-year, $16.2MM deal this year, but the scrutinized edge protector may well be part of Cincinnati’s first-unit line after all.

Reuben Foster Believed To Have Torn ACL

May 20th, 2019 at 5:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The injury that saw Reuben Foster carted away from a Redskins workout Monday appears to indeed be serious. Foster is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, along with additional damage, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

This occurred on the first series of the first drill during Redskins OTAs, the Washington Post’s Kareem Copeland tweets. Foster was seen slamming the turf in agony and sobbing while being driven off of the field.

Foster will continue to see specialists in the near future, Rapoport adds, but this is expected to wipe out his 2019 season. The linebacker has one year remaining on his rookie contract, though the Redskins have a fifth-year option decision to make by May 2020.

Washington made a controversial waiver claim on Foster last season, after the 49ers cut him following another incident allegedly involving domestic violence. The Redskins were the only team to submit a claim. But Foster avoided another suspension and was likely set to be a starting inside linebacker in Washington. That future will be on hold after Monday’s injury.

The Redskins released Zach Brown this offseason and, behind Foster, have only late-round picks at this position. Shaun Dion Hamilton (2018 sixth round), Josh Harvey-Clemons (2017 seventh round) and rookie fifth-round pick Cole Holcomb reside on Washington’s roster. Foster’s setback may prompt the Redskins to gauge the free agent market for possible help alongside Mason Foster. Among the off-ball ‘backers available: Jon Bostic, Josh Bynes, Kelvin Sheppard and Kyle Emanuel.

Reuben Foster has already missed 16 games — due to either injury or suspension — in his first two seasons. By the time the 2019 campaign concludes, the former first-round pick will have missed 32 of a possible 48 regular-season games.

Colts Sign Rock Ya-Sin, Parris Campbell

May 20th, 2019 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nine of the 10 Colts draft picks are now signed. Two second-rounders — cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and wide receiver Parris Campbell — signed their rookie deals on Monday, the Colts announced.

This leaves only third-round linebacker Bobby Okereke unsigned. This is not atypical, due to the CBA’s vague language regarding third-rounders’ contracts. Many third-rounders remain unsigned around the league.

The Colts, who have made seven second-round picks over the past two years, traded out of the first round but stuck at their No. 34 slot to select Ya-Sin. The 6-foot cornerback played just one season of major college football, at Temple, after transferring from Presbyterian College after the university dropped football. Ya-Sin became a hot commodity during the pre-draft process and will be in the mix for immediate playing time.

Campbell led Ohio State in receiving yards (1,063) as a senior, becoming Dwayne Haskins‘ top target during the first-round pick’s lone season as the Buckeyes’ starter. Both Campbell and the Redskins’ Terry McLaurin (701 yards) were Day 2 picks, but Campbell’s 12 touchdown receptions led the team as well. Campbell’s 90 catches marked a single-season school record. Campbell will join Devin Funchess and 2018 sixth-rounder Deon Cain as new cogs for Andrew Luck, assuming Cain completes his recovery from an ACL tear.

Rams’ Cory Littleton Signs RFA Tender

May 20th, 2019 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Rams’ OTAs kicked off Monday, they will have their top off-ball linebacker back at work. Cory Littleton signed his RFA tender, according to Pro Football Talk.

The Rams placed a second-round tender on Littleton. If an extension is not reached, his 2019 salary will be $3.095MM.

A fourth-year UDFA, Littleton broke out for a 125-tackle, four-sack season in 2018 — his first as a full-time starter. Littleton also made the Pro Bowl and intercepted Tom Brady during Super Bowl LIII. He stands to be an unrestricted free agent in 2020, though the Rams have exclusive negotiating rights until the new league year begins.

The Rams did not address their inside ‘backer position this offseason until the seventh round of the draft. Texas Tech’s Dakota Allen represents the top outside investment the team made at inside linebacker. The Rams also released Mark Barron, placing more importance on Littleton’s return.

Jets To Waive TE Jordan Leggett

May 20th, 2019 at 3:39pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are waiving tight end Jordan Leggett, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This marks the second draft pick of Mike Maccagnan to be jettisoned from the roster, following the trade of linebacker Darron Lee to the Chiefs.

Leggett showed promise after being selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and was slated to start the season at tight end while Austin Seferian-Jenkins served a two-game ban for a DUI. However, a preseason knee injury and subsequent surgery wound up shutting him down for the year. The Clemson product finally took the field last year, but finished out with just 14 catches for 114 yards and one touchdown.

Leggett was targeted frequently in Clemson’s offense over his final two seasons. He notched 46 catches for 736 yards and seven TDs as a senior, but has yet to impress at the pro level. It seems likely that Leggett will catch on elsewhere, but it’s not a given that he’ll be claimed on his current deal.

Patriots Re-Sign Danny Shelton

May 20th, 2019 at 3:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots have re-signed defensive tackle Danny Shelton, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known.

Shelton hit the open market for the first time this offseason after the Pats declined his fifth-year option. He played well in a part-time capacity last season, grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 27 overall interior defender. But it’s worth noting that Shelton was also a healthy scratch for multiple Pats games.

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. This offseason, his market was pretty quiet outside of a meeting with the Bengals.

Daniel Jeremiah: I Haven’t Heard From Jets

May 20th, 2019 at 2:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are reportedly targeting NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah for a high-ranking role in the front office. Meanwhile, Jeremiah claims he has not heard from Gang Green.

“Look, I haven’t said anything on any of this stuff with the Jets,” Jeremiah said on the Move The Sticks podcast (Twitter link). “The reason I haven’t said anything [is because] I have not been contacted by anybody with the Jets. I’m very happy doing what I’m doing here. I couldn’t be happier, things couldn’t be better.”

After firing GM Mike Maccagnan, the Jets installed new head coach Adam Gase as the team’s interim GM. Soon after, we learned that Eagles executive Joe Douglas is at or near the top of the team’s list for the GM role. Meanwhile, the club is also said to be courting Peyton Manning, who has no experience as a front office executive.

It’s not immediately clear whether the Jets see Jeremiah as a possibility for the GM job or if he would be a candidate for a top scouting position. But, for what it’s worth, the draft analyst says he is not interested in following Mike Mayock‘s footsteps with a jump into NFL decision making.

Latest On Eagles’ Carson Wentz

May 20th, 2019 at 1:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is progressing well from his back injury and sources say he has no limitations for on-field drills heading into the start of OTAs, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The Eagles will be cautious with Wentz when things get underway on Tuesday, but he is expected to be involved in the majority of drills.

Wentz has been unable to stay healthy the past couple of seasons, but the Eagles are all in-on the young QB after allowing Nick Foles to leave for the Jaguars. The 26-year-old was playing at an elite level in 2017 before tearing his ACL and LCL but was unable to really build off of that thanks to back problems in 2018.

Despite the health complications, the Eagles are already discussing an extension with Wentz that would take him beyond his fifth-year option season in 2020. That’s yet another sign that the Eagles believe in the long-term outlook of their franchise QB.

For his career, Wentz owns a 23-17 record, including an 11-2 mark in the 2017 season. Last year, Wentz completed a career-high 69.6% of his throws and threw for 21 touchdowns against seven interceptions in eleven games.

Jets Won’t Try To Trade Le’Veon Bell

May 20th, 2019 at 12:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets head coach/interim GM Adam Gase didn’t want the team to sign Le’Veon Bell this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they’ll try to trade him just months after inking him to a four-year, $52.5MM contract. When asked about the possibility via text, a team source replied to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano with a flat “No.”

This should come as no real surprise – the Jets have already paid out $12MM in bonuses to Bell and that’s money that could not be recouped in the event of a trade. Meanwhile, any team acquiring Bell would only be on the hook for $40MM over four years with $13MM remaining in guarantees.

Hypothetically, that would make Bell more attractive to other clubs, but it’s hard to see the Jets getting an offer strong enough to justify that financial hit. In all likelihood, shopping Bell would not result in a trade and would only serve to create a divide between the club and its best playmaker. That would be a disaster for the Jets, especially since Bell is already aware of Gase’s opposition to his signing.

Over the weekend, Veteran NFL reporter John Clayton said that he could “absolutely see” the Jets trading Bell before the start of the season, but it’s hard for us to imagine such a scenario. Moving Bell would leave the Jets with unproven options like Elijah McGuire and Ty Montgomery in the backfield and make the Jets look even more foolish in the midst of a bizarre turnover.

Jets Sign P Matt Darr

May 20th, 2019 at 11:46am CST by Zachary Links

On Monday, the Jets announced the signing of punter Matt Darr. This officially marks the first signing by interim GM/head coach Adam Gase.

Gase coached Darr in Miami, so he’s already familiar with his skill set. For now, he’ll give Gang Green a second punting option to evaluate alongside Lachlan Edwards.

Darr beat out Brandon Fields to become the Dolphins’ punter in 2015 and held the job in 2016, Gase’s first season in Miami. He was out of work in 2017, but hooked on with the Bills for five games last year. For his career, Darr owns 45.4 yards per kick average.

This is Gase’s first signing as the placeholder GM, but his second transaction –his first move came hours after Mike Maccagnan‘s dismissal when he shipped linebacker Darron Lee to the Chiefs for a late draft choice. Meanwhile, the Jets appear to be eyeing Peyton Manning for the permanent post, but it’s not clear if the QB is interested.