2020 July - Pro Football Rumors

COVID-19 Latest: Cases, Testing, Physicals

July 21st, 2020 at 5:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL is a week away from beginning training camps amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the latest from the league’s defining storyline in the final days of the offseason:

Ninety-five players have thus far tested positive for the coronavirus, the NFL announced Tuesday. This number, roughly 3.2% of players, will increase when the league begins to test every player. The NFL on Monday agreed on daily testing for the first two weeks of camp.
Players will not be permitted to enter their respective team’s facility until they test negative twice. The league revealed a schedule for player testing this week. Players will be tested August 1 before self-quarantining for the next two days before being tested again August 4. The daily testing period will begin August 5, when players can enter team facilities for the first time. The NFL can expect to spend about $75MM on coronavirus testing across the season, Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal reports. BioReference Laboratories, the company set to conduct testing, will charge a flat fee for up to 120 tests per day per team. Any additional tests will cost $125 per test, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.
Team doctors are expected to resume conducting physicals soon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Teams have not been able to examine players throughout the 2020 league year. Physicals will not take place, however, until health and safety precautions are fully in place, per Rapoport. Only eight teams’ infectious disease emergency response plans have been approved; the other 24 franchises’ plans are under review. Rookie physicals taking place would represent a key step toward free agents being permitted to visit teams.
The Rams announced SoFi Stadium’s debut season will feature limited capacity or a no-fan environment. The Rams and Chargers will begin play at the new Inglewood, Calif., stadium this year.
Two Division I-FCS conferences will not play football this fall. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association announced they will not play this fall. Both conferences have not ruled out tabling their seasons until the spring. The CAA and MEAC will follow the Ivy and Patriot Leagues in nixing their fall seasons. Junior college football is on track to take place in the spring.

NFL Discussing Injured Reserve Changes

July 21st, 2020 at 4:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

The COVID-19 pandemic will change how teams manage their rosters this season. It already prompted the NFL to create a separate list for players who contract the virus. The league is now considering a major change to its injured reserve setup.

The competition committee has endorsed a plan to allow an unlimited number of players to return from IR this season, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The committee is also recommending teams be permitted to move players from IR back to the active roster after three weeks instead of the usual eight. These items have surfaced during the NFL’s talks with the NFLPA ahead of training camps, Pelissero adds.

Considering the limitations teams traditionally have for their IR lists, these changes being implemented would represent a significant development for roster management. Last season, teams were only allowed to return two players from IR. The new CBA increased that to three, with the standard eight-week return period remaining in place.

As recently as 2011, an IR designation meant a player was out for the season. In 2012, the NFL permitted teams to return one player off IR — as long as the player was classified as “designated to return.” In 2016, the league scrapped the DTR part of the process but still limited teams to one IR-return player per season. A year later, two players were permitted to return to active rosters.

Allowing teams to return unlimited players from injured reserve would increase teams’ roster flexibility. It would enable them to stash certain contributors on IR for three weeks instead of potentially losing them for the season because of injuries that are not necessarily season-ending setbacks. Teams’ IR-return plans frequently change because of various in-season ailments. These new policies being introduced this season in a special circumstance would allow for more talented players to remain on rosters.

This marks another change that will help teams during the most uncertain period in modern NFL history. Teams are already set to have six additional practice squad players — up from 10 in 2019 to 16 this season — and could have the opportunity to promote them to the active roster on game days, depending on the coronavirus’ impact.

Bears Finalize Draft Class Deals

July 21st, 2020 at 3:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears completed a quick effort to have their 2020 draft class signed by the time their rookies were to report to training camp. All seven of Chicago’s draftees are now signed, with the group either inking deals Tuesday or seeing the team reveal an agreement is in place.

Second-round tight end Cole Kmet and Round 2 cornerback Jaylon Johnson highlight the group, which also included linebacker Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tackles Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons. Kmet, Johnson and Simmons signed their deals Tuesday.

This marked the second of two Bears drafts lacking a first-round pick because of 2018’s Khalil Mack trade. Chicago, however, gained a second-rounder in that deal and selected Kmet. The Bears took Hambright with a pick obtained in the deal with the Raiders as well.

The first tight end selected this year, Kmet will be expected to step in as Chicago’s starter fairly soon. The team has experienced issues filling this job in recent years. Dion Sims, 2017 second-rounder Adam Shaheen and Trey Burton failed to become the franchise’s long-sought-after answer here. The Bears did sign Jimmy Graham, but the soon-to-be 34-year-old tight end struggled for much of his Packers tenure.

A Utah product, Johnson can be expected to compete for the Bears’ starting cornerback job opposite Kyle Fuller. Chicago released Prince Amukamara this offseason. The Bears also traded up for Mooney in Round 5, doing so just before signing Ted Ginn Jr. to serve as a stopgap option. Chicago also cut Taylor Gabriel this offseason.

Here is the Bears’ draft class:

2-43: Cole Kmet, TE (Notre Dame)
2-50: Jaylon Johnson, CB (Utah)
5-155: Trevis Gipson, LB (Tulsa)
5-163: Kindle Vildor, CB (Georgia Southern)
5-173: Darnell Mooney, WR (Tulane)
7-226: Arlington Hambright, T (Colorado)
7-227: Lachavious Simmons, T (Tennessee State)

Seahawks Interested In Re-Signing Josh Gordon

July 21st, 2020 at 3:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

If Josh Gordon is cleared from his latest suspension, he will have at least one known suitor. The Seahawks will attempt to re-sign the veteran wide receiver, should he be reinstated, John Clayton of ESPN 710 Seattle notes.

Gordon, 29, applied for reinstatement just more than a month ago. The veteran, however, has been given numerous chances to stay in the league. While the new CBA is more lenient regarding non-performance-enhancing drugs, Gordon’s latest suspension involved PEDs as well as substances of abuse. Just prior to the December ban, Gordon indicated he wanted to stay with the Seahawks.

The Seahawks placed a successful waiver claim on Gordon last year; they were the only team to claim the ex-Browns and Patriots receiver. Seattle signed fellow ex-New England target Phillip Dorsett this offseason but was linked to Antonio Brown for much of this year. Brown’s latest retirement may help clear a path for Gordon to return.

Playing in five Seahawks games last year, Gordon caught seven passes for 139 yards. This marks the former All-Pro’s first time as a free agent. He is one of many veterans in limbo. Teams still are not allowed to conduct visits with free agents, but Gordon must first be reinstated to join fellow high-profile veterans in that uncertain free agent group.

Jets Sign Mekhi Becton

July 21st, 2020 at 12:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Done deal. The Jets have inked first-round offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The No. 11 overall pick will receive $18.45MM over the course of his four-year deal.

Becton – who stands at 6’7″ and 364 pounds – has scouts all over the league buzzing. With Trent Brown’s bulk and a 5.1-second 40-yard dash, there was little doubt that he’d come off the board early. The Jets weren’t sure he’d be there at No. 11, but they were pleasantly surprised, and they pounced. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas was the first tackle to go at No. 4 overall to the Giants, and he was viewed as the safest of the bunch. Becton – who pushes trucks for fun – may have a higher ceiling.

Becton is coming off of a breakout season in which he registered 60 knockdown blocks and the Jets are counting on him keeping up the good work in 2020. Here’s the full rundown of the Jets’ class:

1-11: Mekhi Becton, T (Louisville): Signed
2-59: Denzel Mims, WR (Baylor): Signed
3-68: Ashtyn Davis, S (California)
3-79: Jabari Zuniga, DE (Florida): Signed
4-120: Lamical Perine, RB (Florida): Signed
4-125: James Morgan, QB (Florida International): Signed
4-129: Cameron Clark, OT (Charlotte): Signed
5-158: Bryce Hall, CB (Virginia): Signed
6-191: Braden Mann, P (Texas A&M): Signed

Panthers Wrap Draft Class

July 21st, 2020 at 12:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have signed their entire 2020 NFL Draft class, per a club announcement. First-round pick Derrick Brown got the party started in the spring, but the rest waited until this week to put pen to paper. The full rundown:

1-7: Derrick Brown, DT (Auburn): Signed
2-38: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE (Penn State): Signed
2-64: Jeremy Chinn, DB (Southern Illinois): Signed
4-113: Troy Pride Jr., CB (Notre Dame): Signed
5-152: Kenny Robinson, S (West Virginia): Signed
6-184: Bravvion Roy, DT (Baylor): Signed
7-221: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB (Florida International): Signed

Gross-Matos stood out with 17.5 sacks and 37 hurries over the last two seasons, plus solid work against the run. On the flipside, some evaluators had concerns about his bulk. He’ll have to put some more muscle on his 6’5″, 265-pound frame in order to be a reliable three-down defensive lineman.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers say they’ll be hanging on to wide receiver Curtis Samuel, despite an offseason full of trade rumors.

Falcons Sign A.J. Terrell, Wrap Draft Class

July 21st, 2020 at 11:41am CST by Zachary Links

It took a little while, but the Falcons wrapped their entire draft class in one shot. Per a club announcement, all six of their rookies have officially signed:

1-16: A.J. Terrell, CB (Clemson)
2-47: Marlon Davidson, DT (Auburn)
3-78: Matt Hennessy, C (Temple)
4-119: Mykal Walker, LB (Fresno State)
4-134: Jaylinn Hawkins, S (California)
7-228: Sterling Hofrichter, K (Syracuse)

Per the terms of his slot, Terrell will receive a four-year deal worth $14.31MM – fully guaranteed. The Clemson star put himself on the radar in 2018 with 53 tackles and three interceptions, including a pick six at the expense of Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa in the 2019 title game. After an All-ACC season in 2019, Terrell had little reason to return for his final year of eligibility. Some saw him as a second-round type heading into the draft, but the Falcons nabbed him midway through the first, giving them some help in the wake of Desmond Trufant‘s departure.

Hennessy, a Temple product, agreed to terms with the Falcons on Monday. That selection brought disappointment in Denver – the Broncos wanted him at No. 79, but the Falcons struck first and nabbed him at No. 78.

Raiders, Henry Ruggs Agree To Deal

July 21st, 2020 at 11:29am CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have agreed to terms Henry Ruggs, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot at No. 12, the speedy wide receiver will earn $16.67MM on his four-year deal.

Ruggs didn’t put up gaudy numbers in Alabama’s talent-laden offense, but teams were more focused on a sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash. That was evident on draft night when he went ahead of Jerry Jeudy, who tallied ~1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns over the last two years. Ruggs, meanwhile, cleared 700 yards in each of his final two seasons.

More importantly, he averaged 17.5 yards per grab over the course of his collegiate career. The 6’0″ receiver projects as a potent deep threat, one that Jon Gruden & Co. could not pass up. Along with Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, Ruggs figures to give fits to opposing defenses.

Here’s the full rundown of the Raiders’ 2020 class, via PFR’s tracker:

1-12: Henry Ruggs III, WR (Alabama): Signed
1-19: Damon Arnette, CB (Ohio State)
3-80: Lynn Bowden Jr., WR (Kentucky)
3-81: Bryan Edwards, WR (South Carolina)
3-100: Tanner Muse, LB (Clemson)
4-109: John Simpson, OL (Clemson)
4-139: Amik Robertson, CB (Louisiana Tech)

Cardinals, Isaiah Simmons Agree To Deal

July 21st, 2020 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with Isaiah Simmons, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot, the No. 8 overall pick will earn $20.66MM over the course of his four year deal, with $12.58MM coming in the form of a signing bonus.

Evaluators were enamored by Simmons’ versatility heading into the draft, seeing him as a player who could seamlessly move between outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and the secondary. However, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury says he’ll allow the Clemson star to focus on just one position as he learns the ropes.

“His ability to play so many positions and not really having a chance to focus on one, we just think the sky could be the limit for what he can be if we really lock him in one position for the majority of the time,” said Kingsbury.

Kingsbury didn’t specify which position that would be, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has indicated that he’ll play linebacker.

Simmons broke out as a sophomore in 2018 with 88 total stops, including nine tackles for a loss and two sacks. Things only picked up from there – Simmons managed 104 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions as a junior en route being named the nation’s best linebacker. With freakish athleticism and a 6’4″, 230-pound frame, the Cardinals say the sky is the limit for Simmons.

Michael Bennett Retires From NFL

July 21st, 2020 at 9:23am CST by Zachary Links

Michael Bennett is calling it a career. After eleven years in the NFL, the longtime Seahawks defensive end announced his retirement on Instagram.

“Retiring feels a little like death of self, but I’m looking forward to the rebirth — the opportunity to reimagine my purpose,” Bennett wrote. “I would like to thank my wife and children, who have sacrificed so much for me to succeed. I’m looking forward to supporting them the same way they have me these past 11 years. I have never been more at peace in my life.”

Bennett, 34, went undrafted in 2009 after an up-and-down tenure at Texas A&M. His first deal technically came with the Seahawks, but he didn’t make the final cut, so he moved on to the Buccaneers. In 2013, he returned to Seattle as a free agent, and that’s where he really came into his own. The ’13 Seahawks won the Super Bowl and boasted the league’s best D, thanks in large part to Bennett. With the Seahawks, Bennett went on to rack up three straight Pro Bowl appearances and 39 total sacks across five seasons.

Bennett spent time with the Eagles, Cowboys, and Patriots across the last two seasons and was still solidly productive – he had 15.5 sacks between 2018 and 2019. Still, Bennett was mulling retirement even before the pandemic, and quarantining with the family reminded him of everything he had missed off of the field. With that, Bennett is walking away from the game with 359 tackles, 69.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and a Super Bowl ring.