2020 May - Pro Football Rumors

Chiefs Sign DE Taco Charlton

May 2nd, 2020 at 9:18am CST by Ben Levine

Taco Charlton has found a new home. The defensive lineman is signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs, reports Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo (via Twitter).

Charlton’s brief stint with Miami came to an end earlier this week, as the Dolphins waived the 25-year-old. Of course, that’s not to say that the lineman’s lone season in Miami wasn’t a success; despite appearing in only 10 games (five starts), Charlton still managed to compile a career-high five sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 2017 first-round pick out of Michigan spent the first two-plus seasons of his career with the Cowboys. He wasn’t particularly productive when he saw the field, as he combined for only 46 tackles and four sacks between the 2017 and 2018 seasons (27 games). He missed five games during the 2018 campaign thanks to a shoulder injury, and he later underwent ankle surgery. Those ailments lingered into the early parts of the 2019 season, and the Cowboys cut the lineman in mid-September.

In Kansas City, Charlton will have another shot to rehabilitate his image. Of course, that might be easier said than done, as he’ll be inserted into a depth chart that already includes the likes of Alex Okafor, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, and Breeland Speaks.

Latest On Packers’ QB Situation, Draft Plan

May 1st, 2020 at 7:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The person most familiar with the situation in which Aaron Rodgers now finds himself, Brett Favre said his former successor was surprised the Packers traded up for Jordan Love in Round 1. Favre also expects Rodgers to finish his career with another team.

Rodgers has four years remaining on his Packers contract, one agreed to in 2018, and has said on multiple occasions he would like to play into his 40s. The two-time MVP will turn 37 in December.

“I’m not going to talk about all that we talked about, but he was … let’s just say surprised that they went in that direction,” Favre said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Podcast (via ESPN.com). “… I think he’ll play somewhere else.

“My gut tells me no,” Favre said of Rodgers finishing his career in Green Bay. “I don’t know this for certain, but I guarantee you, it’s got the wheels turning in Aaron’s mind. If that’s the case, then that means there’s a chip on his shoulder toward the organization that otherwise was not there. All he needs is a reason other than this reason to expedite that.”

GM Brian Gutekunst, who was with the Packers as a scout when predecessor Ted Thompson drafted a falling Rodgers at No. 24 overall in 2005, determined Love’s long-term potential was more valuable than picking a player who could help the 2020 Packers, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com notes.

Gutekunst did not expect Love to fall into the mid-20s and told NBC Sports’ Peter King the Packers had him rated too highly on their board to pass. The Packers had “significant intel” a team with an early-second-round pick was targeting Love, per King. While that may have been the case, no team appeared interested in taking Love late in Round 1.

As a result of this and some surprising choices as the draft progressed, the Packers have the same wide receiver depth chart — excluding UDFAs — they did coming into the virtual event. Rodgers and some other members of the Packers organization were “enamored” with LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson, per Demovsky. Jefferson ended up going to the Vikings at No. 22. And the Packers stunned most by exiting a stacked receiver draft without selecting one.

Gutekunst told King the Packers targeted two receivers in Round 2 and made attempts to trade up with several teams. After both were picked, they ended up selecting running back A.J. Dillon at No. 62. Tee Higgins (Bengals), Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts), Laviska Shenault (Jaguars), K.J. Hamler (Broncos), Chase Claypool (Steelers), Van Jefferson (Rams) and Denzel Mims (Jets) went off the board between Nos. 33 and 59.

The Packers received historically poor production from their pass-catcher group last season. For the first time since 1977, Green Bay had just one player (Davante Adams) record more than 500 receiving yards (excluding the 1982 strike-shortened season).

“They don’t draft any weapons — not just in the first round but any weapons that can help immediately, to my knowledge. And that just sends a disrespectful message to Aaron Rodgers,” Favre said. “He has every right to be disappointed if he is.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/20

May 1st, 2020 at 7:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Re-signed: DT Josh Tupou

New York Giants

Waived: DE Kevin Wilkins

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: DL Treyvon Hester

Tennessee Titans

Signed: S Ibraheim Campbell

2021 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2020 at 6:15pm CST by Zachary Links

NFL teams have until May 3 to officially pick up their 2021 options on players who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. These fifth-year options can only be exercised on first-round draft picks. The salaries are determined by where players were selected and what position they play.

If a player has his option exercised, his rookie contract will be extended by one year and he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2022, after the conclusion of the 2021 season. If a player’s option is declined, he’ll be eligible to hit the open market a year earlier. Of course, if a 2017 first-rounder is no longer on his rookie contract, there will be no option to exercise or decline.

Soon, we’ll learn the official salary figures for all 2021 fifth-year options. What we do know is that the option salaries for top 10 picks is equal to the transition tender at the player’s position during his fourth season. So, because the transition tag for defensive ends this year is worth more than $16MM, we already know the size of Myles Garrett‘s fifth-year option.

With the May deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league based on various reports and official announcements. Here are this season’s fifth-year option decisions so far:

Updated 5-4-20, 02:30pm CT

Myles Garrett, DE (Browns): Exercised
Mitchell Trubisky, QB (Bears): Declined
Solomon Thomas, DE (49ers): Declined
Leonard Fournette, RB (Jaguars): Declined
Corey Davis, WR (Titans): Declined
Jamal Adams, S (Jets): Exercised
Mike Williams, WR (Chargers): Exercised
Christian McCaffrey, RB (Panthers): Exercised; Followed by extension
John Ross, WR (Bengals): Declined
Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): Exercised
Marshon Lattimore, CB (Saints): Exercised
Deshaun Watson, QB (Texans): Exercised
Haason Reddick, LB (Cardinals): Declined
Derek Barnett, DE (Eagles): Exercised
Malik Hooker, S (Colts): Declined
Marlon Humphrey, CB (Ravens): Exercised
Jonathan Allen, DE (Redskins): Exercised
Adoree’ Jackson, CB (Titans): Exercised
O.J. Howard, TE (Buccaneers): Exercised
Garett Bolles, OT (Broncos): Declined
Jarrad Davis, LB (Lions): Declined
Charles Harris, DE (Falcons, from Dolphins): Declined
Evan Engram, TE (Giants): Exercised
Gareon Conley, CB (Texans): Declined
Jabrill Peppers, S (Giants): Exercised
Takkarist McKinley, DE (Falcons): Declined
Tre’Davious White, CB (Bills): Exercised
Taco Charlton, DE (Dolphins): Waived
David Njoku, TE (Browns): Exercised
T.J. Watt, LB (Steelers): Exercised
Reuben Foster, LB (Redskins): Declined
Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Saints): Exercised

Buccaneers Claim K Elliott Fry

May 1st, 2020 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier this week, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said he planned to bring in competition for Matt Gay. The Bucs are doing so via the waiver wire, claiming recently cut Panthers kicker Elliott Fry, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Fry has not yet kicked in a regular-season game. He spent four years as South Carolina’s kicker, entering the NFL as a UDFA in 2018. The Bucs will be his fourth NFL team.

Fry, 25, kicked in the short-lived Alliance of American Football then caught on with the Bears and Ravens in 2019. He then participated in several workouts but did not land a deal. The Panthers signed him to a reserve/futures contract. At South Carolina, he made 66 of 88 field goals. The former walk-on earned second-team All-SEC acclaim in 2014.

Tampa Bay has not enjoyed two straight seasons of kicker continuity since Connor Barth served in this capacity from 2009-12. The Bucs drafted Roberto Aguayo in Round 2 in 2016, but after that investment bombed, the team used multiple kickers in 2017 and ’18. Last season, Gay missed eight field goals and five extra points.

Saints Sign DL Margus Hunt

May 1st, 2020 at 5:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints are adding Margus Hunt to their defensive line group. The team announced a deal with the recent Colts starter on Friday.

Hunt played the past three seasons with the Colts, starting 15 games for them in 2018 and earning a contract extension. However, after benching the defensive tackle in 2019, the Colts cut bait earlier this year.

Set for his age-33 season, the 2013 Bengals second-rounder has not lived up to that draft slot. The Estonian NFLer has just 7.5 career sacks — though he registered 5.0 in 2018 — and has only made 25 career starts.

While Hunt struggled in 2019, Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-40 defensive tackle in 2017 and placed him 51st a year later. The SMU product remains Division I-FBS’ career leader in blocked field goals with 10, owing this skill to a 6-foot-8 frame.

With the Saints, he profiles as a depth piece who will not be guaranteed a roster spot. New Orleans now has three former first-round defensive tackles on its depth chart, with Hunt joining Sheldon Rankins and Malcom Brown. The team recently extended David Onyemata on a lucrative deal as well. Former Raiders second-rounder Mario Edwards is also part of this high-profile interior defender contingent.

Jaguars To Decline Leonard Fournette’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2020 at 5:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite Leonard Fournette‘s two 1,000-yard seasons, the Jaguars will not pick up his fifth-year option, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This is not a major surprise when considering the team shopped its three-year running back starter in trades. The Jags discussed Fournette deals with at least two teams — the Buccaneers and Dolphins — and began shopping him over a month ago.

Fournette’s option would cost the Jags north of $8MM. He is set to earn $4.16MM in 2020, what is now the final year of his rookie contract. Because Fournette was chosen in the top 10 three years ago, his option price comes in $3MM higher than it would have if he were a non-top-10 running back.

Thus far, the Jags have received tepid trade interest in Fournette. The former LSU running back has enjoyed an up-and-down tenure in Jacksonville. He has two 1,000-yard seasons but also missed eight games in 2018 — a year in which he averaged just 54.9 yards per game — and due to injury and a suspension. Fournette is, however, coming off his best season. He recorded 1,674 yards from scrimmage — 522 of which coming through the air.

Fournette was the first running back chosen in 2017. The Jags used their top pick in that draft on him, despite Blake Bortles coming off a down season and both Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes on the board. Now, it’s uncertain if Fournette will play another down in Jacksonville. The Jags did not draft a running back but did sign ex-Redskins passing-down back Chris Thompson on Friday. Thompson, 2019 fifth-rounder Ryquell Armstead (3.1 yards per carry as a rookie) and a host of UDFAs comprise Jacksonville’s running back depth chart beyond Fournette.

Broncos To Decline Garett Bolles’ Option

May 1st, 2020 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos will decline Garett Bolles‘ fifth-year option, according to Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). Instead of getting a guaranteed-for-injury 2021 salary of $11.064MM, Bolles will be ticketed for free agency after the 2020 season.

With that, Bolles will play out his original four-year rookie pact at a modest rate of $1.97MM. If he has a strong year, he’ll have an opportunity to cash in at a premium position, similar to D.J. Humphries. It’s not a terrible outcome for Bolles, even though he’s lost out on a bit of health insurance.

Bolles has had perfect attendance over the course of his three year career, appearing and starting in every possible game. At the same time, penalties have been a major problem for him.

“Well, it’s got to stop. Period. There are no more excuses for it,” GM John Elway said when asked about the flags back in September (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold). “He’s had 26 holding penalties in the last two years and two games, so it’s got to stop. The bottom line is if he thinks he’s getting singled out, he is. He’s got to understand that. He’s got to understand what he’s doing. And that was my question (to him last Sunday), ‘Does he know what holding is?’ Does he know what he can and can’t do?”

The Broncos will continue to work with him on his technique while putting him up against Elijah Wilkinson for the starting job. Last year, Bolles received 13 flags for holding.

NFC South Notes: Saints, Bucs, Brady

May 1st, 2020 at 3:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Despite the three Pro Bowl selections on his resume, Larry Warford‘s standing with the Saints is in flux. The Saints have been pondering his status throughout the offseason, according to Larry Holder of The Athletic.

Warford has started in every game he’s played throughout his career, including these last three Pro Bowl seasons with the Saints. Still, Sean Payton followed through on his promise to prioritize the interior line by drafting center Cesar Ruiz in the first round. He’s also indicated that Ruiz could be a first-stringer and that Warford will have to compete for his starting gig.

Warford is still on the right side of 30 (he turns 29 in June), but the Saints aren’t sold on him. It’s a situation to monitor as he enters the final year of the four-year, $34MM deal he inked as a free agent in 2017. If released, Warford would count for $5.125MM in dead money versus $7.75MM in cap savings.

The Saints are giving real thought to shedding that deal, especially with a combined $28MM committed to Terron Armstead and Andrus Peat in 2020. They also have an extension on the horizon for standout tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who just recently had his 2021 option exercised.

Jaguars To Sign RB Chris Thompson

May 1st, 2020 at 2:56pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are set to sign Chris Thompson, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The deal will reunite the running back with his former head coach Jay Gruden, who now serves as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.

When he was healthy, Thompson was a strong pass-catching specialist out of the backfield for the Redskins. And, in an admittedly limited sample size, he was effective on the ground, too.

The former fifth-round pick enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, his fifth year as a pro. That year, he caught 39 passes for 510 yards, good for 13.1 yards per grab. Unfortunately, that campaign ended in November, thanks to a fractured fibula. For his career, Thompson’s averaged 4.8 yards per tote, though he’s never logged more than 68 carries in any single season.

The Redskins liked him enough to give him a two-year, $7MM extension under Gruden’s watch and he’ll get a chance to work for him in Jacksonville. For now, the Jaguars are forging ahead with Leonard Fournette as their primary back; Thompson could be an option to spell him and keep defenders on their toes.