2019 May - Pro Football Rumors

Marshawn Lynch Open To Raiders Return

May 1st, 2019 at 4:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Maybe Marshawn Lynch isn’t dead set on retirement after all. The running back – who hung up his cleats just days ago – would be open to a Raiders return if the team wants him back, Steve Wyche of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.

A Lynch return made some degree of sense in the wake of Isaiah Crowell‘s (likely) season-ending injury. However, the Raiders moved fast on Wednesday by re-signing Doug Martin. Now, the Raiders running back room feels crowded once again with Martin, rookie Joshua Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, and DeAndre Washington under contract.

But, even if he’s not a fit for the Raiders in 2019, one has to wonder whether Lynch would entertain the idea of playing elsewhere. The 33-year-old is certainly past his prime, but he has averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for the Raiders over the last two years and would add toughness to any backfield.

For his career, Beast Mode owns five Pro Bowl nods, one First-Team All-Pro selection, and a Super Bowl ring.

Bills To Decline Shaq Lawson’s Option

May 1st, 2019 at 3:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Shaq Lawson is on track for unrestricted free agency following the 2019 season. The Bills will not pick up the defensive end’s fifth-year option, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Lawson, a 2016 first-rounder, was a trade/cut candidate last offseason, though he ultimately remained with the club. He performed reasonably well despite the uncertainty, compiling four sacks for the second year in a row across 14 games (six starts). Lawson also set a career-high in defensive snaps, and graded out as an above-average edge defender, per Pro Football Focus, but ultimately didn’t do enough to coax the Bills into picking up his pricey option for 2020.

In the draft, the Bills added top defensive tackle prospect Ed Oliver in the first round to further bolster their front seven. Next year, they could be in the hunt for edge help.

You can keep track of all fifth-year option decisions for 2016 first round picks by going here.

Titans To Decline Jack Conklin’s Option

May 1st, 2019 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans will not pick up Jack Conklin‘s 2020 option, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). This was not necessarily the expected outcome for the former First-Team All-Pro.

The 24-year-old (25 in August) started in every possible game in his first two seasons in the league. However, things turned a bit in the Titans’ divisional round loss to the Patriots following the 2017 season. Conklin’s torn ACL sidelined him for the offseason plus the first three games of 2018. Then, Conklin landed back on IR in December of last year.

In between the maladies, Conklin was not as sharp as his rookie self. Reading between the lines, it sounds as though the Titans have doubts about how well Conklin can recover from his knee injuries and concussions.

Last year, Conklin graded out as the 45th ranked tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. That positions Conklin as a starting-caliber tackle, but not an elite one, making his would-be $12.866MM salary for 2020 a bit too rich for the Titans’ blood.

Raiders Re-Sign Doug Martin

May 1st, 2019 at 2:34pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have agreed to re-sign running back Doug Martin, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). With that, Oakland has a “replacement” for Isaiah Crowell, who is likely done for the year after suffering a torn Achilles.

Last year, Martin led the team with 723 yards on the ground and averaged a respectable 4.2 yards per carry. This time around, he may not be the team’s top ball carrier. On Thursday, the Raiders used a first round pick on Josh Jacobs and all indications are that they have big plans for the Alabama product.

Back in November, Jon Gruden indicated that he wanted Martin back for another season. It took longer than anticipated, but the veteran has himself a deal for 2019.

“He’s a good back. I think I’ll say it again and again, he’s a very good player,” Gruden said. “He’s been a great player in this league. He’s running it. He’s catching it. He picked up some blitz that were flushed. We did a lot of good things on the film that I look at.”

Still, Martin should be able to carve out a decent role, particularly in the wake of Marshawn Lynch‘s retirement. In addition to Jacobs and Martin, the Raiders have Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, and DeAndre Washington on hand to keep the chains moving.

Jaguars To Sign Wilson, Goode

May 1st, 2019 at 1:52pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars added a pair of linebackers on Wednesday. The team agreed to terms with former Rams and Chiefs linebacker Ramik Wilson as well as Najee Goode, who spent last season with the Colts after five years with the Eagles.

Wilson, 27 in August, appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Rams, notching 35 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Although he spent much of the 2016 season as a starter for the Chiefs, he’s primarily been used as a backup throughout his career, which is likely how both he and Goode will fit in with Jacksonville.

Goode, 30 in June, entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Bucs in 2012, but only appeared in three games for them as a rookie. After that, he became a supporting linebacker and special teamer for the Eagles.

Bears Meet With Kayvon Webster

May 1st, 2019 at 1:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears will host free agent cornerback Kayvon Webster on Wednesday, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Even after drafting two cornerbacks last week, the Bears are apparently still in the hunt for secondary help.

Webster joined the Texans late last offseason but played in just two games thanks to multiple injuries and two separate IR stints. Webster, who was lauded for his talent while buried behind big name corners in Denver, has failed to take the next leap forward in his career. Many expected big things when he reunited with Wade Phillips as a member of the Rams in 2017, but he failed to make a major impact in eleven games before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear.

The Bears project to start Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller at outside cornerback with new addition Buster Skrine manning the slot. After those three, the Bears have veteran Sherrick McManis, Kevin Toliver, John Franklin, Michael Joseph, Jonathon Mincy, and two late-round draft picks in Kansas State’s Duke Shelley and Valdosta State’s Stephen Denmark.

Saints To Decline Eli Apple’s Option

May 1st, 2019 at 10:59am CST by Zachary Links

This will be a prove-it year for cornerback Eli Apple. The Saints will not exercise the former first-round pick’s option for 2020, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Saints had until Friday to exercise the 2020 option for Apple, which would have paid him $13.7MM (guaranteed for injury only) in the additional season. Given that Apple has missed time in the past, the extra year would have been a bit of a gamble.

Still, Apple has given the Saints reason to believe in his abilities. After coming over from the Giants in a midseason trade, the 23-year-old (24 in August) logged two interceptions and started in all ten of his games in New Orleans. Apple graded out as just the No. 64 ranked corner in the NFL, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus, but it’s clear that the change of scenery has helped him.

For now, Apple will earn just $2.5MM in base pay for 2019, making him a solid value as a starter. If he takes another step forward in 2019, a more lucrative deal could be in his future.

Eagles, Chris Long Adjust Bonus Date

May 1st, 2019 at 9:21am CST by Zachary Links

Chris Long still isn’t sure about whether he wants to play in 2019. This week, the defensive end worked with the Eagles to kick the can down the road.

Originally, Long was set to earn a $1MM roster bonus on Wednesday. Instead, Long’s bonus date has been moved until the first day veterans report to training camp, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

The 34-year-old had another productive season as an Eagles reserve in 2018, compiling 23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 16 games. Still, he has other interests outside of playing football, and this marks at least the second straight year in which Long has considered retirement.

With two Super Bowl rings already on his hand, it’s possible that Long could call it a career before camp gets underway this summer.

Bears Pick Up Leonard Floyd’s Option

May 1st, 2019 at 9:03am CST by Zachary Links

As expected, the Bears have picked up the fifth-year option on outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). The former first-round pick is now under club control through the 2020 season.

Floyd, who has registered 15.5 sacks through three seasons, is slated to earn $13.3MM in 2020. The additional year is guaranteed for injury only, so the Bears could theoretically escape the additional season without cap consequences if Floyd is able to pass a physical heading into the ’20 campaign.

Floyd, the ninth overall pick in 2016, played in all 16 games last season, marking his first ever campaign with perfect attendance. While he managed a career-low four sacks, Floyd ranked 31st among pass rushers with 30.5 quarterback pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions’ charting data. He also put up nine tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and graded as the NFL’s No. 45 edge defender among 105 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.

Floyd is eligible for a contract extension after completing his third NFL season, but the Bears have plenty of time to cross that bridge.

Raiders’ Isaiah Crowell Suffers Torn Achilles

May 1st, 2019 at 8:50am CST by Zachary Links

Isaiah Crowell‘s season may already be over. During workouts on Tuesday, the new Raiders running back suffered an Achilles tear, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Crowell is unlikely to suit up for the 2019 season, but as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) notes, there have been some instances of players tearing their Achilles in the spring and managing to play in the same season. Michael Crabtree, for example, tore his Achilles in May of 2013 but managed to play in five regular season games and two playoff contests for the 49ers. Still, the early read from the Raiders’ medical staff is that Crowell won’t be able to suit up.

The Raiders signed Crowell to a one-year deal in late March, positioning him as one of Oakland’s top rushers. Instead, it now appears that first-round pick Josh Jacobs is slated for an even bigger role than anticipated. The Raiders also have Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, and DeAndre Washington to help keep things moving following the retirement of Marshawn Lynch. Meanwhile, last year’s top rusher Doug Martin remains in free agent limbo.