HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Dolphins Sign Xavien Howard To Extension

May 9th, 2019 at 6:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins have signed cornerback Xavien Howard to a five-year extension worth $76.5MM, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Howard will collect $46MM in guarantees, per Schefter, and receive $51MM over the first three years of the deal, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).

On both a total value and annual basis, Howard will now become the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. His new deal with surpass that of Josh Norman, who signed a five-year, $75MM deal with the Redskins in 2016. While Howard will reportedly pocket $46MM in guarantees, those likely aren’t full guarantees. At present, Norman also holds the record for the most fully guaranteed money given to a cornerback ($36.5MM).

Miami is entering a rebuilding period, and it had been unclear whether the club wanted to extend its best defensive player in Howard, attempt to retain him via the franchise tag in 2020, or explore his trade market. Collecting assets for a shutdown cornerback may have been an option, but instead the Dolphins will keep the 25-year-old Howard around for the long haul.

Howard, the 38th overall selection in the 2016 draft, is coming off the best campaign of his three-year career. In 12 games, Howard posted a league-leading seven interceptions and graded as the NFL’s No. 19 cornerback, per Pro Football Focus. Football Outsiders, meanwhile, ranked Howard eighth in success rate, meaning he was extremely successful at stopping opposing receivers short of the sticks.

Derek Anderson Announces Retirement

May 9th, 2019 at 6:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Longtime NFL quarterback Derek Anderson has announced his retirement, the Bills announced today.

Anderson, 35, spent the 2018 campaign in Buffalo, starting two games while completing 42-of-70 attempts for 465 yards, zero touchdowns, and four interceptions. Despite has lackluster performance on the field, the Bills valued his off-field presence enough to sign him to a one-year extension through the 2019 campaign. Anderson has apparently had a change of heart since that December accord was reached, however.

A sixth-round draft choice of the Ravens in 2005, Anderson’s most notable season came in 2007, when he helped lead Cleveland to a 10-6 record and earned a Pro Bowl berth. Anderson subsequently signed a three-year deal to remain with the Browns despite the fact that Cleveland had used a first-round selection on fellow signal-caller Brady Quinn in 2007. The Oregon State product wasn’t able to hold onto his full-time gig, but still started 16 games over the next two seasons.

After making nine starts for the Cardinals in 2010, Anderson signed up for a long-term gig: Cam Newton‘s backup in Carolina. Anderson spent the 2011-17 seasons with the Panthers but was rarely asked to play. During those seven years, Anderson made only four starts and attempted just 168 passes.

The Bills will now move forward with Matt Barkley as the No. 2 to starting quarterback Josh Allen, although the club did also sign Buffalo alum Tyree Jackson as an undrafted free agent.

Titans Sign Two Draft Picks, 12 UDFAs

May 9th, 2019 at 6:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Titans have signed a pair of rookie linebackers, fifth-round pick D’Andre Walker and sixth-round pick David Long, the club announced today.

Walker projects as an edge rusher at the NFL level, while Long is more likely to play off-ball linebacker. Neither looks to have an easy path to playing time in 2019. The Titans already boast Harold Landry and Cameron Wake on the edge, while Long is blocked by Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, and Wesley Woodyard on the inside.

Tennessee also agreed to terms with the following 12 undrafted free agents:

Dolphins Sign Christian Wilkins, Two Other Draft Picks

May 9th, 2019 at 5:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins have signed first-round defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, fifth-round linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, and sixth-round offensive tackle Isaiah Prince, the club announced today.

Entering a rebuild phase, Miami could have gone in any number of directions with the 13th overall pick. Some observers had the Dolphins pegged as landing spot for a first-round quarterback, but the club passed on Dwayne Haskins in order to land Wilkins. A high-effort player from Clemson’s fearsome defensive line, Wilkins brings excellent character to a Dolphins locker room that’s attempting to modify its culture.

Wilkins should see ample playing time during his rookie campaign, and Prince might, as well. The Dolphins’ offensive line performed like one of the worst units in the league last season, and their right tackle spot is currently manned by Zach Sterup. Prince should a decent chance at beating him put for the starting role.

Third-round guard Michael Deiter is now the only Miami draft pick left unsigned.

Cardinals Sign Kyler Murray, Five Other Draft Picks

May 9th, 2019 at 5:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals have signed first overall selection Kyler Murray, the club announced today. Arizona also signed following draft choices:

Like all first-round picks, Murray has signed a four-year deal with a fifth-year option for the 2023 season. Per Over the Cap, Murray’s contract should be worth $33.159MM in total. He’ll receive a signing bonus of roughly $23.59MM, and carry a cap charge of $6.392MM during his rookie campaign. Murray’s contract contains language that will void the deal if he leaves the NFL to pursue his baseball career, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. 

Murray, of course, spurned MLB’s Oakland Athletics in order to enter the NFL Draft. The Cardinals have since traded 2018 first-round quarterback Josh Rosen to the Dolphins, and intend to install an Air Raid system under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Along with new weapons like rookie wideouts Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler (neither of whom was signed today), the Cardinals will look to improve an offense that ranked among the league’s worst last year.

While Murray is the headliner, Murphy is a name-brand prospect in his own right. Projected by many observers to become the first cornerback off the board, Murphy ultimately lasted until the first pick of the second round. An excellent zone coverage corner, Murphy will fit in well with new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph‘s zone-heavy scheme.

Bills Sign Cody Ford, Five Other Draft Picks, Eight UDFAs

May 9th, 2019 at 5:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After signing first-round pick Ed Oliver earlier today, the Bills have signed six more draft picks and eight undrafted free agents.

Draft Picks

Ford, whom many teams had earmarked as a Day 1 selection, will give the Bills options along their revamped offensive line. He’s capable of playing either guard or tackle, so Buffalo can deploy the Oklahoma product in any number of ways. Singletary, meanwhile, becomes yet another new running back on the Bills’ roster, joining T.J. Yeldon and Frank Gore. LeSean McCoy, therefore, could potentially either become trade bait or be released.

UDFAs

Jackson was widely expected to be drafted, but he was instead able to choose his destination and remain close to home. He received $75K guaranteed on his deal with the Bills, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Eagles Sign Entire 2019 Draft Class, 10 UDFAs

May 9th, 2019 at 5:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Eagles have moved quickly to not only wrap up their entire 2019 draft class, but announce their crop of undrafted free agents.

Draft Class

Philadelphia moved up to pick No. 22 to acquire Dillard, sending pick Nos. 25, 127, and 197 to Baltimore in order to get ahead of the Texans, who had their own needs along the offensive line. Many analysts viewed Dillard as the best offensive tackle available in the draft, especially given the number of pass sets he took in Washington State’s pass-happy offense. With the Eagles, he’ll likely act as a swing tackle in 2019 before moving into the starting lineup in 2020 (if Jason Peters ever decides to hang up his cleats).

Sanders and Arcega-Whiteside give quarterback Carson Wentz a few more weapons to play with in 2019. The Eagles acquired running back Jordan Howard from the Bears, but Sanders should also be in the mix for carries. Meanwhile, Arcega-Whiteside will give Philadelphia a big body at the receiver position, and could potentially lead to the Eagles trading former first-round pass-catcher Nelson Agholor.

Undrafted Free Agents

Among Philadelphia’s UDFAs, Opeta may have the best chance to stick given his contract. The Weber State product received a $55K base salary guarantee and a $25K signing bonus from the Eagles, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Texans Sign Tytus Howard

May 9th, 2019 at 5:20pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans have signed offensive lineman Tytus Howard, their first-round draft choice, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Houston has also agreed to terms with second-round cornerback Lonnie Johnson, second-round offensive tackle Max Scharping, and seventh-round fullback Cullen Gillaspi, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).

Houston selected Howard with the 23rd overall pick after the Eagles jumped one spot ahead of the Texans to draft fellow offensive tackle Andre Dillard. Howard has his own strengths, but Dillard was widely viewed as the superior prospect after spending his collegiate career at Washington State. Howard, meanwhile, is coming from the FCS’ Alabama State.

The Texans had a dire need for offensive line reinforcements heading into the draft after ranking dead last in sacks allowed, adjusted sack rate, and pressure rate in 2018. But it’s unclear just how soon Howard or Scharping (a Northern Illinois product) will be able to adjust to the NFL game.

After ranking just 19th in pass defense DVOA a season ago, the Texans have spent the offseason addressing their cornerback crew. Free agent additions Bradley Roby and Briean Boddy-Calhoun are in line for playing time alongside holdovers Johnathan Joseph, Aaron Colvin, and Kayvon Webster, and Johnson becomes the latest defensive back added to the mix.

Giants Never Made Offer To Landon Collins

May 9th, 2019 at 4:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants had 14-plus months of exclusive negotiating rights with Landon Collins. Although his contract came up in reports in that span, no serious negotiations were reported to have commenced.

Collins took that a step further, indicating (via NJ.com’s Ryan Dunleavy) the Giants did not make him an offer.

“I wanted to be one of those guys to finish his career on one team,” Collins said. “They didn’t give me the opportunity to do that. It’s a business. I can’t do anything about that. … They never made an offer. I knew when they were about to trade me how it was going to go. Very, very eye-opening.”

Trade offers, one from the Buccaneers including a third-rounder, came in for Collins before the 2018 deadline. But the Giants stood pat. They then opted not to use their franchise tag, which would have meant an $11.15MM 2019 price, letting Collins hit free agency. His Redskins deal reset the safety market in a major way. Collins signed for $14MM per year; he and Tyrann Mathieu are now the league’s highest-paid safeties.

The Giants prioritized an Odell Beckham Jr. extension in 2018, doing so as Collins entered his contract year. Neither are part of the 2019 Giants. New York replaced Collins with Jabrill Peppers, acquired in that Beckham trade with the Browns.

Bills Sign DT Ed Oliver

May 9th, 2019 at 4:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bills have their top 2019 draft choice under contract. Ed Oliver signed his four-year deal on Thursday, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).

Oliver can be under Bills control through 2023, via the fifth-year option. He signed a $19.675MM deal, the slot price for this year’s No. 9 overall pick, that contains a $12.239MM signing bonus. The Houston alum is expected to be a regular contributor in his first NFL season.

Having received Aaron Donald comparisons, Oliver drew interest from numerous teams. The Jets were linked to him at No. 3 overall, but after the Raiders and Giants made unexpected picks, Oliver fell to the Bills at 9. They will likely plug him into their three-technique slot.

Oliver joins a Bills defense that ranked second in yardage and DVOA last season. He will succeed Kyle Williams on Buffalo’s front, the 21-year-old trekking to western New York after recording 53 tackles for loss in three Cougars seasons.

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