2020 May - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Cowboys DE Randy Gregory

May 21st, 2020 at 10:10am CST by Ben Levine

Yesterday, the NFL granted reinstatement to Aldon Smith, but it sounds like his teammate will have to wait a bit longer. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that Randy Gregory “remains in the return process” from his suspension.

We heard back in March that the organization was expecting the defensive end to be reinstated and be back with the team next season. However, the former second-round pick remains suspended indefinitely, and a report from April indicated that we wouldn’t receive any clarity until after the NFL Draft. That event has obviously come and gone, and while Smith may have been reinstated by the league, it sounds like Gregory’s case is taking longer to settle.

Gregory missed the entire 2017 and 2019 seasons because of substance-abuse suspensions. The 27-year-old has been productive when he’s seen the field, including a 2018 campaign where he compiled 25 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games. Gregory was set to apply for reinstatement last summer, but an apparent slip-up in his aftercare program helped put those plans on hold.

While it sounds like Gregory still has a ways to go until he’s reinstated by the league, his agent, Peter Schaffer, sounded optimistic following yesterday’s news about Smith.

“We are very happy for Alden and wish him all the luck in the world and a successful resumption of his career,” Schaffer said. “It’s refreshing to see the NFL following through on their stated goal to focus more on rehabbing players than punishing players.”

Dolphins Receiving Calls About QB Josh Rosen’s Availability

May 21st, 2020 at 9:02am CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins’ quarterbacks depth chart is plenty crowded, and other teams have apparently caught on. NFL Network’s Michael Giardi reports that Miami has received calls regarding quarterback Josh Rosen‘s availability (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com).

The front office is reportedly in “no hurry” to make a trade, and Williams opines that the organization hasn’t received an offer to their liking.

Rosen, the 10th-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has struggled to find a home in the NFL. The Cardinals moved him to Miami last offseason after they opted for Kyler Murray with the first-overall pick. Rosen found himself playing behind Ryan Fitzpatrick during much of his first season in Miami, and he’s fallen further down the depth chart after the Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth-overall pick in this year’s draft.

The Dolphins gave up a second-rounder to acquire Rosen last offseason, but it’s unlikely they’d be able to recoup that value in another trade. The quarterback has gone only 3-13 as a starter during his brief career, completing 54.8-percent of his passes for 2,845 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.

We heard back in February that the 23-year-old could end up sticking around Miami, but that was before the organization used their top pick on a quarterback. For what it’s worth, it sounds like Rosen is optimistic about his future in the NFL, even if that means being a temporary backup.

“I’m very encouraged just in general day to day, in how I’ve developed and watching Fitz do his thing,” Rosen said in December, some time after losing his starting job. “It’s not really the window is opened and closed like that. But there’s a sense of understanding time and opportunity. I’m aware of it, but it’s all for you guys to write about more than for me to worry about. Opportunities will come and I’ll try to seize them.”

Jets, Eagles Interested In Devonta Freeman

May 20th, 2020 at 7:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Devonta Freeman‘s market is heating up. The Seahawks have reportedly offered the veteran back a one-year deal, and the Jets and Eagles have also expressed interest in adding Freeman, per Mike Silver of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Seattle is proposing a pact in the $3-4MM range, so New York and/or Philadelphia would likely need to top that figure in order to land Freeman. On the other hand, Freeman has already collected nearly $25MM in his NFL career, so he could be searching for the right role instead of the highest salary.

If that’s the case, the Eagles are arguably the best destination for Freeman. Miles Sanders is slotted in as Philadelphia’s top back, but Freeman could augment a backup group that also includes Boston Scott and Corey Clement. Freeman isn’t the only veteran option the Eagles have considered, as they’ve also discussed Carlos Hyde.

The Jets, meanwhile, don’t have an open role for Freeman, at least on paper. Le’Veon Bell will take the majority of the work both in the rushing and passing game, while Frank Gore is around to soak up any non-Bell carries.

In addition to Freeman and Hyde, other free agent backs still available include Lamar Miller, LeSean McCoy, Theo Riddick, and Alfred Blue.

AFC West Rumors: Broncos, Gordon, Chiefs

May 20th, 2020 at 6:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Melvin Gordon is sticking in the AFC West in 2020 after defecting from the Chargers to the Broncos, and the veteran running back feels Denver’s offense is much more suited to his playing style, as he described to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

“They run a lot of inside zones, and that’s what I did a lot at Wisconsin,” Gordon said, noting that he never felt truly comfortable in Los Angeles’ offensive scheme. “It’s going to really help me get back in the feel of what I do best. I’m an inside-zone runner.”

How Gordon’s role will play out in Denver remains to be seen. Phillip Lindsay, who topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first two NFL seasons, remains on the Broncos’ roster, as does Royce Freeman. But Gordon, who inked a two-year, $16MM deal ($13.5MM guaranteed), figures to be Denver’s primary back.

Here’s more from the AFC West:

Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman made the Pro Bowl as a returner during his rookie campaign in 2019, but his role on special teams may be scaled back going forward. Kansas City special teams coach Dave Toub says that while he doesn’t want to lose Hardman’s return skills, the former second round pick may not handle as much ST duty as his role on the Chiefs’ offense increases (Twitter link via James Palmer of NFL.com). Hardman posted 26 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns a season ago, but those numbers could increase if he leapfrogs Sammy Watkins to become KC’s No. 2 wide receiver.
Free agent signee Nick Vannett is expected to replace Jeff Heuerman as a backup Broncos tight end, as Mike Klis of 9News writes. Vannett left the Steelers to sign a two-year, $5.7MM deal with Denver, while Heuerman has one year and $4MM remaining on his pact. It’s highly unlikely that Denver will choose to retain tight ends given their similar skill set, so Heureman looks like a candidate to be released.
Frank Clark played an integral role in bringing former Cowboys/Dolphins defensive end Taco Charlton to the Chiefs.

Chargers Re-Sign OL Ryan Groy

May 20th, 2020 at 5:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chargers announced that they’ve re-signed offensive lineman Ryan Groy, who appeared in nine games for the club in 2019.

Groy, 29, has served mostly as a backup during his six-year NFL career, but that could prove to be a critical role on Los Angeles’ roster in 2020. Chargers center Maurkice Pouncey missed most of the 2019 campaign with a neck injury, and while he was recently medically cleared, there’s always a chance Groy could be asked to fill in at the pivot. New right guard Trai Turner, meanwhile, has missed three games in each of the past three years, so there could be ample opportunity for Groy to play.

An undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 2014, Groy has appeared in 65 games and made 17 starts throughout his NFL tenure. After spending his rookie campaign with the Bears, Groy played for the Bills for four years before joining the Chargers last October.

Seahawks Interested In Carlos Hyde

May 20th, 2020 at 4:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Devonta Freeman isn’t the only veteran back on the mind of the Seahawks’ decision-makers. Carlos Hyde has also drawn the interest of Seattle, tweets Mike Silver of NFL.com.

Hyde will be turn 30 years old during the 2020 NFL campaign, but he’s still generated interest on the open market despite his age. That’s perhaps unsurprising given that the former Ohio State Buckeye is coming off the best statistical season of his career. After being traded to the Texans last fall, Hyde surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground for Houston while scoring eight total touchdowns.

The Texans reportedly offered Hyde a multi-year extension of unknown value near the start of the offseason, but he rejected the proposal in favor of reaching the open market. In addition to the Seahawks, the Eagles have also discussed the possibility of signing Hyde.

Seattle boasts Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer, and rookie Deejay Dallas in its run-heavy backfield, but Penny may not be ready for the start of training camp after suffering a knee injury last season. The Seahawks have also discussed a reunion with Marshawn Lynch.

Seahawks, Devonta Freeman Discussing Deal

May 20th, 2020 at 3:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks are showing interest in one of the NFL’s best remaining free agents. They’ve made an offer to running back Devonta Freeman, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM reports (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). However, they’re not aligned on dollars, and the Seahawks are holding their ground for now. Seattle is offering a one-year deal with a base value of less than $3MM and a maximum value of up to $4MM, tweets Mike Silver of NFL.com.

The Seahawks’ interest in Freeman is partially due to Rashaad Penny‘s knee injury. Penny is unlikely to be available for the start of training camp and Caplan hears that his Week 1 availability is in question. Beyond Penny, the Seahawks also have Chris Carson, Travis Homer, and fourth-round pick Deejay Dallas on the depth chart.

Seattle believes Carson will be good to go this year and feels big things are in store for Homer after he averaged 6.3 yards per carry as a rookie. Still, they could use more help at RB and Homer’s impressive showing came in a limited sample size of totes.

Freeman, 28, appeared in 14 games for the Falcons in 2019 but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on 184 attempts. Advanced metrics weren’t any more complimentary of Freeman’s performance, as Football Outsiders ranked him just 41st among 43 running backs in success rate.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks have also discussed a reunion with Marshawn Lynch. There’s likely only room for one of the two vets in Seattle.

NFL Draft Signings: 5/20/20

May 20th, 2020 at 3:49pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s late-round signings here:

The Browns signed fourth-round tight end Harrison Bryant and sixth-round wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). They were the Browns’ final two selections in the draft, but they’re the first picks to sign in Cleveland. Peoples-Jones was one of the country’s hottest WR recruits coming out of high school and he selected Michigan over roughly 30 other schools. However, he failed to top 650 yards in any of his three seasons with the Wolverines. On the plus side, he tallied 14 touchdowns between 2018 and 2019 and the potential is still there.

Patriots Sign Rookie Kyle Dugger, Wrap 2020 NFL Draft Class

May 20th, 2020 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots’ entire 2020 NFL Draft class is now in the fold. The Pats have agreed to terms with second-round safety Kyle Dugger, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). With that, the Pats have become the first team in the league to sign their entire lot of draft picks.

Although he was a second round choice, Dugger was the first player chosen by the Patriots at No. 37 overall. Evaluators around the league were high on the Division-II Lenoir-Rhyne product, even though most fans weren’t familiar with him.

Dugger definitely isn’t your average rookie – he’s already 24 and he comes to the Patriots with only seven games worth of footage from 2019, thanks to a hand injury. He was, however, a second-team All-American last year, and the Pats like his upside.

Here’s the full breakdown of the Patriots’ 2020 draft class, via PFR’s tracker:

2-37: Kyle Dugger, S (Lenoir-Rhyne): Signed
2-60: Josh Uche, LB (Michigan): Signed
3-87: Anfernee Jennings, OLB (Alabama): Signed
3-91: Devin Asiasi, TE (UCLA): Signed
3-101: Dalton Keene, TE (Virginia Tech): Signed
5-159: Justin Rohrwasser, K (Marshall): Signed
6-182: Michael Onwenu, G (Michigan)
6-195: Justin Herron, T (Wake Forest): Signed
6-204: Cassh Maluia, LB (Wyoming): Signed
7-230: Dustin Woodard, C (Memphis): Signed

Cowboys’ Aldon Smith Reinstated By NFL

May 20th, 2020 at 3:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL has granted reinstatement to Aldon Smith, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Smith will be allowed to join the Cowboys virtual offseason program next week, as NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets, and he’ll be on course to join his new team in Week 1.

The Cowboys surprised everyone when they agreed to sign Smith in April. The edge rusher hasn’t played in an NFL game since the 2015 campaign, but the Cowboys were encouraged by his sobriety and excited about his potential. Smith is a former All-Pro and when he was on top of his game, he was among the league’s very best defenders.

“I would say first-hand that I know that [Smith] is very diligent in his work to do the things the NFL looks at to reinstate,” Jones said in April. “I wouldn’t dare get into where the league is and how they will go about this process … [but] as a league, we really are bent toward the medical aspect of many of these problems or many of these things that have been in consideration when a player has to have some type of suspension. We’ve made it more medically oriented to where you can have good grades from doctors, and that weighs into being a player in the NFL.”

In his first two pro seasons with the Niners, Smith registered 33.5 sacks, including a league-leading 19.5 sacks in 2012. And, even when he was limited to just eleven contests in 2013, he still managed 8.5 sacks.

The Cowboys believe that Smith’s off-the-field trouble is behind him. That’s a good thing, because his rap sheet won’t give him much wiggle room if he runs into any issues. Smith has been arrested for DUI and suspended for substance abuse policy violations on multiple occasions. The Cowboys, of course, have been willing to dole out second and third chances to talented players like Smith, and they’ve gotten mixed results. The hope is that Smith will follow through on his vow to stay clean, and that he’ll be joined by Randy Gregory, who is also making his case to Roger Goodell.