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Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/19

July 24th, 2019 at 9:48pm CST by Rory Parks

Here are today’s minor moves, which feature a few recognizable names:

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Titans, Kevin Byard Agree To Extension

July 24th, 2019 at 8:15pm CST by Rory Parks

Kevin Byard is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Titans and Byard have agreed to a five-year, $70.5MM deal that includes $31MM in guaranteed money (Twitter link).

The $14.1MM AAV edges out the $14MM/year pacts signed by Landon Collins and Tyrann Mathieu earlier this year, but no one is faulting Tennessee for throwing a lot of money at Byard. A product of Middle Tennessee State, Byard wasn’t invited to the combine in 2016, and at least one prominent NFL talent evaluator gave him a sixth- to seventh-round grade. Now, however, he is widely regarded as one of the best safeties in the game, and he has been paid accordingly.

The Titans went against the grain by selecting Byard with the first pick in the third round of the 2016 draft, and he became a starter midway though his rookie campaign. He hasn’t looked back, as he earned a First Team All-Pro bid in his second professional season — which featured a league-leading eight interceptions — and was excellent again in 2018. Though he did not make it back to the Pro Bowl last year, the advanced metrics were still quite fond of his work and lauded him for his coverage as well as his run defense. He added another four picks, two sacks, and 90 tackles to his resume.

Byard was set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and he would have headlined a fairly weak FA safety class. In theory, the Titans could have put the franchise tag on him if they did not agree with Byard’s asking price, but they (probably rightly) elected to avoid the drama and take care of business.

Interestingly, Byard has the same agent (David Mulugheta) as Collins and Earl Thomas, who signed a hefty deal of his own back in March. Mulugheta has been instrumental in helping to rekindle a formerly stagnant safety market, and perhaps other safeties who have struggled to find jobs/market value contracts may be inclined to give him a call.

Our own Dallas Robinson profiled Byard as an extension candidate just two weeks ago, and he hit the nail on the head in terms of predicted AAV and guaranteed money.

AFC Notes: Gordon, Daniels, Pats, Succop

July 24th, 2019 at 8:01pm CST by Rory Parks

After rounding up some news from the NFC earlier tonight, let’s check out the AFC:

  • Chargers GM Tom Telesco says he did offer an extension to RB Melvin Gordon, as Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets, but there are no reports on how much the offer was worth. Gordon is holding out from camp and was put on the reserve/did not report list.
  • Before the Packers cut Mike Daniels earlier today, they discussed potential trades with the Browns, Patriots, and Chiefs, per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network (video link). Garafolo suggests those teams will continue to pursue Daniels, but at least seven clubs have already been in contact with him.
  • Browns GM John Dorsey confirmed that he met with Duke Johnson‘s new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on Tuesday, but Dorsey declined to say whether Johnson is still demanding a trade (via Josina Anderson of ESPN.com on Twitter). In related news, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports RB Kareem Hunt will miss the start of training camp with a groin injury, though the injury is not believed to be serious.
  • The Patriots have placed veteran O-lineman Brian Schwenke on the reserve/retired list, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Schwenke was taking first-team reps at left guard in the spring, but it sounds as if his career could be over.
  • Jets safety Marcus Maye is on the PUP list after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com says it’s not a sure thing that Maye will be ready to go by Week 1 (Twitter link). Head coach Adam Gase was non-committal when asked if Maye would miss any regular season action.
  • Titans K Ryan Succop had offseason knee surgery that did not go as well as planned, according to Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com. The team has placed Succop on the PUP list, but he is expected to be ready for Week 1 at the latest.
  • Ravens first-round WR Marquise Brown could be getting closer to completing his comeback from a Lisfranc injury. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports that Brown has passed his conditioning test and now needs to pass his physical (Twitter link). Hensley says it would not be surprising to see “Hollywood” on the field next week.

NFC Notes: Packers, Clark, Lynch, Giants

July 24th, 2019 at 6:56pm CST by Rory Parks

The Packers made the surprising decision to cut Mike Daniels earlier today, and GM Brian Gutekunst confirmed that the club did try to trade Daniels first (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). It sounds as if Green Bay made some headway in trade talks, but the talks broke down over the last couple of weeks. Gutekunst also mentioned Daniels’ foot injury as a factor in the decision.

Now for more from the NFC:

  • The decision to cut Daniels has opened the door for the Packers to sign NT Kenny Clark to a lucrative extension, as Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Silverstein suggests (via Twitter) that such a deal could happen at the end of the season.
  • Matt Barrows of The Athletic suggests that, although John Lynch is the 49ers‘ GM, he is primarily in charge of the defense, while head coach Kyle Shanahan picks the offensive talent. And Lynch has missed on a few major decisions on the defensive side of the ball, so if that unit should struggle again, not only will defensive coordinator Robert Saleh be in danger of losing his job, but Lynch could be as well.
  • The Giants worked out free agent safeties Johnathan Cyprien and Tre Boston several days ago, but Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com does not believe Big Blue is going to pay for a starting-caliber safety at this point (Twitter link). He thinks the club was simply doing its due diligence.
  • The Panthers will give Daryl Williams some reps at left tackle and left guard in training camp, per GM Marty Hurney (via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic on Twitter). Williams signed a one-year deal in March to remain with Carolina, but Hurney is said to prefer Taylor Moton at right tackle — where Williams has spent most of his time as a pro — and the club drafted LT Greg Little in the second round this year. So if Williams is to earn the big FA contract that he missed out on this year, he may have to do so at an unfamiliar spot.
  • The Buccaneers have placed Jason Pierre-Paul on the active/non-football injury list, as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets. Although a player on the active/NFI list can be activated from that list at any time before the start of the season, that will almost certainly not happen with JPP, who is expected to miss at least a chunk of the regular season.

Trent Williams Does Not Report To Training Camp

July 24th, 2019 at 5:44pm CST by Rory Parks

Redskins LT Trent Williams did not report for training camp today, as John Keim of ESPN.com writes. This was the expected outcome after a report on Monday indicated that Williams would stay away from the team.

We kept hearing that Williams did not like how the Redskins handled his “medical situation,” and Keim says that Williams had a growth removed from his head this offseason and was upset with how many years it took for Washington to address the situation. However, a team source said the Redskins did make appointments for him over the years, but Williams did not keep the appointments.

Williams is also angling for a new contract, and Keim says it’s uncertain whether the club is willing to extend the former first-rounder’s deal — which has two years left — or guarantee some of the remaining money on the deal. The ESPN scribe also suggests that Washington could cut or trade Williams, though a trade likely wouldn’t happen until just before the season.

For what it’s worth, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden is optimistic that Williams will be back soon. Gruden said, “We expect him here shortly. Right now, there are some things he has to work out individually, personally, with his agent … whatever that may be. Love Trent, love what he’s done for this franchise and this team.”

Ziggy Ansah Avoids PUP List

July 24th, 2019 at 5:05pm CST by Rory Parks

Although Seahawks fans are surely frustrated by the surprising and controversial six-game suspension for DT Jarran Reed, they will be happy to hear that new defensive end Ezekiel Ansah will avoid the PUP list and will open training camp on the active roster. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network passes along the good news (via Twitter), though he cautions that Ansah will be limited early as he continues to rebuild strength in his shoulder.

But as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes, the fact that Ansah will not start training camp on the PUP list indicates that his recovery has gone at least as well as expected thus far. Although reports from May indicated that Ansah could miss games, today’s news suggests he could be ready for Week 1.

Health, of course, has been an issue for the former Lions standout. The 30-year-old has 48 career sacks to his credit, including 14.5 from his Pro Bowl campaign in 2015. He also notched 12 sacks in 2017, but the years sandwiched in between have been filled with injuries and disappointment. Last year, Ansah registered four sacks in seven games after the Lions hit him with the pricey franchise tag.

In case you missed it, the Seahawks bolstered their D-line by signing Earl Mitchell earlier today.

Russell Okung Could Miss All Of Training Camp

July 24th, 2019 at 4:47pm CST by Rory Parks

Reports last month indicated that Chargers left tackle Russell Okung was dealing with an undisclosed injury, but that may not be quite accurate. As Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com tweets, the team placed Okung on the NFI listed with an undisclosed illness, and GM Tom Telesco said that Okung started dealing with a “pretty serious medical issue” in early June (via Daniel Popper of The Athletic on Twitter).

Popper adds that Okung could miss all of training camp, though there is no word yet on whether his regular season (or his career) are in jeopardy at this point. Telesco said that the 31-year-old is doing better and getting great care, and Okung plans to provide additional details when training camp opens tomorrow.

If Okung is forced to miss time, it would be a huge blow to the Bolts, who are widely considered to be a legitimate championship contender. Okung earned a Pro Bowl nod during his first year with the Chargers in 2017, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the 11th-best tackle in the league in 2018.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2010 draft has missed just one regular season game in each of the past two seasons, and he suited up for both of Los Angeles’ playoff contests last year.

Jason Garrett Expects Ezekiel Elliott To Report To TC

July 24th, 2019 at 4:27pm CST by Rory Parks

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett expects running back Ezekiel Elliott to report to training camp and is not anticipating a holdout, as Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News tweets.

It’s uncertain whether Garrett has any inside information or if this is just coach-speak. In any event, Elliott’s reporting would be a welcome development for the Cowboys, who are contemplating a future without Elliott but who obviously want Zeke to be a focal point of their offense for at least 2019. Elliott, for his part, must report to camp by August 6 in order to earn an accrued season towards free agency.

A report last week indicated that Elliott was considering a holdout, and although we heard at the time that the situation could go sideways in a hurry, we also heard that the relationship between player and team had not yet become strained and that the two sides were still working towards an agreement. However, another report on Saturday suggested that Elliott was planning to leave the country this week, and it’s unclear how long he was planning on being away.

It’s also unclear if Dallas and Elliott’s camp have made any progress towards an extension. The Cowboys do not seem to be close to striking a long-term pact with any of their extension-eligible standouts, but if Elliott does report, at least they could avoid a little drama.

Vikings Claim RB De’Angelo Henderson

July 24th, 2019 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shortly after cutting ties with suspended running back Roc Thomas, the Vikings added a possible depth piece off waivers. The Vikings claimed De’Angelo Henderson off waivers from the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In a corresponding move, the club released safety Micah Abernathy.

A former Broncos sixth-round draft choice in 2017, Henderson made it just past the midway point on the waiver wire. He will join a Vikings team that has third-year player C.J. Ham and third-round rookie Alexander Mattison in place behind Dalvin Cook.

After setting an NCAA Division I record by recording a rushing touchdown in 35 consecutive games, Henderson could not stick with the Broncos last year. Denver’s additions of Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman led Henderson to New York. Between his time with the Jets and Broncos, the 5-foot-7 back has taken just nine regular-season handoffs.

Mike Zimmer said recently Ham may be the favorite to begin as Minnesota’s complementary back behind Cook, with Mattison learning the ropes as a pass protector in the meantime. Henderson figures to be competing for a spot behind that duo, should the Vikings keep four backs.

Cardinals Sign OLB Matt Longacre

July 24th, 2019 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Longacre‘s stay in free agency ended Wednesday, with the Cardinals reaching an agreement to sign the former Rams edge defender. The team announced the deal.

The latest veteran edge player to sign with the Cards this offseason, Longacre will head to the desert after news of another one of those acquisitions — Brooks Reed — beginning camp on the active/PUP list. Reed has battled a hip injury this offseason. Longacre, who is four years younger than Reed, figures to compete for a depth spot behind Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs.

The Rams used Longacre, 27, as both a starter and a reserve. The former Division II star started one game in his first three seasons but seven in 2018, after the Rams went with a lower-profile edge corps to start the season. After a 5.5-sack 2017, Longacre registered one last season. He did play in each of the Rams’ playoff games and visited the Ravens this offseason; Baltimore opted for Shane Ray and Pernell McPhee.

Reed signed for $1.6MM, helping his case to stick on Arizona’s 53-man roster. Longacre joins a cast of aspiring backups, including Vontarrius Dora, Cameron Malveaux and Pita Taumoepenu. Dora played for the Broncos under new Cardinals DC Vance Joseph.

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