2020 August - Pro Football Rumors

Jaguars Sign Tramaine Brock

August 10th, 2020 at 8:54am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars signed cornerback Tramaine Brock following his visit on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The eleventh-year pro has been brought in to fill the void left by Rashaan Melvin‘s opt-out.

Brock, long regarded as one of the league’s better slot corners, joined the Cardinals in April of last year. The deal reunited the veteran with Vance Joseph, who set out to build an experienced CB unit for 2019. The Cardinals dropped him in December – even though he was having a solid year – leading him to the Titans for their home stretch. With the Cardinals, Brock tallied 37 stops, two tackles for a loss, and three passes defensed across ten games. With the Titans, he made four regular season starts plus three starts in their memorable postseason run.

Brock was slowed somewhat by a hamstring injury last year, but he’s believed to be fully healed at this stage. In theory, he could be an upgrade over Melvin, who hasn’t truly shined since his 2017 season with the Colts. Brock will feature in Jacksonville’s new look secondary, a unit without Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. He’ll join D.J. Hayden and promising first-round pick C.J. Henderson in the revamped group.

Lions Trade Michael Jackson To Patriots

August 9th, 2020 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have agreed to trade Michael Jackson to the Patriots, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In exchange, the Pats will send an undisclosed 2022 draft pick to Detroit.

Jackson was initially set to be released, along with former first-round pick Joshua Garnett and others. Instead, the Patriots have made a low-cost move to leapfrog the rest of the waiver wire.

Jackson will give the Pats some additional secondary depth to consider after safety Patrick Chung exercised his right to opt out of the 2020 season. As far as the first-string goes, the Patriots can probably stand pat with Adrian Phillips and second-round rookie Kyle Duggar can slot in opposite Devin McCourty. The Pats still have holes to fill at tackle and linebacker, but they also have more than $33MM in cap space thanks to their league-high eight opt-outs.

Jackson, 23, entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Cowboys. The University of Miami product has suited up for just one game in his pro career.

Bengals Host DT Mike Daniels On Visit

August 9th, 2020 at 3:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals will meet with defensive tackle Mike Daniels this afternoon, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). If everything checks out, the Bengals are expected to sign the 31-year-old.

Daniels, a former Pro Bowler, has had his last two seasons short by injury. The Ravens considered Daniels after the Michael Brockers deal fell through, but they would up finding edge help elsewhere and adding former Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe.

After getting released by the Packers last summer, Daniels inked a one-year, $9.1MM deal with the Lions. He appeared in only nine games with two starts before landing on injured reserve. This time around, the Iowa product figures to come at a much cheaper rate.

The Bengals could use some additional interior help after the opt out of Josh Tupou and the release of Ryan Glasgow. Daniels seems to be their pick, even though there are a number of notable defensive tackles still on the market. Marcell Dareus, Damon Harrison, Timmy Jernigan, Antwaun Woods, Sylvester Williams, Domata Peko and Corey Liuget are among those available as the season draws near.

Quinton Dunbar Cleared To Join Seahawks

August 9th, 2020 at 9:22am CST by Zachary Links

Effective today, Quinton Dunbar has the greenlight to rejoin the Seahawks (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com). Dunbar has been removed from the NFL’s exempt list, which permits him to get back to offseason work.

The Broward State Attorney’s office declined to pursue charges against Dunbar for his alleged role in an armed robbery. Giants cornerback Deandre Baker, on the other hand, will be prosecuted for four counts of robbery with a firearm.

The Seahawks allowed Dunbar to participate in their offseason program up until he was placed on the league’s exempt list. That was, perhaps, an indication that they knew a little more about the case than the general public. At the outset, authorities claimed that Baker held partygoers at gunpoint while Dunbar robbed them. The Broward State Attorney’s office hasn’t cleared Dunbar of wrongdoing, per se, but insufficient evidence against him has led them to refocus the case on Baker.

The league office may still conduct its own investigation against Dunbar, especially in wake of witness tampering allegations. Dunbar’s ex-defense attorney Michael Grieco was accused of paying off victims in an effort to get them to change their story.

Dumbar, 28, graded out as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last year, per Pro Football Focus.

Washington Activates Reuben Foster

August 9th, 2020 at 9:11am CST by Zachary Links

The Washington Football Team has activated Reuben Foster from the PUP list, per a club announcement. The linebacker is now on track to play in the team’s season opener.

Foster suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and LCL in his first Washington practice back in May of 2019. Foster also suffered nerve damage, further complicating an already challenging recovery. The 26-year-old only just regained feeling in his toes earlier this year, so this marks a major step forward for him.

The controversial linebacker could provide a huge boost to Washington’s front seven in 2020. He’ll also have extra motivation as he retakes the field – Ron Rivera & Co. declined his fifth-year option for 2021, putting him on course for free agency in March.

Between his suspensions and injuries, Foster has played in just 16 games since being drafted No. 31 overall in 2017. In 16 total games for the Niners, Foster has registered 101 tackles and two passes defensed.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/20

August 9th, 2020 at 9:09am CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of this weekend’s minor moves here:

Cleveland Browns

Claimed: DB M.J. Stewart. (from Buccaneers)

Detroit Lions

Released: WR Travis Fulgham

Miami Dolphins

Signed: WR Ricardo Louis, WR Chester Rogers

New York Giants

Signed: CB Ross Cockrell

Lions Cut Joshua Garnett

August 9th, 2020 at 8:49am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions released former first-round pick Joshua Garnett on Sunday morning, per a club announcement. The Lions also dropped defensive back Michael Jackson, linebacker Christian Sam, defensive end Jonathan Wynn, and wide receivers Travis Fulgham and Chris Lacy to reach the 80-man limit for single squad practices.

The 49ers took Garnett No. 28 overall in 2016, but he never lived up to his pre-draft hype. The Stanford product started in 11 of his 15 games as a rookie, but failed to impress. Then, knee surgery wiped out his 2017 season and he played in just seven games as a reserve in 2018. The Niners cut him before 2019, and his ensuing workout tour didn’t result in a contract. The Lions picked Garnett up in February, but they’ve put him back on the free agent pile as the season draws near.

The Lions’ O-line was not particularly good at run-blocking or pass protection in 2019 and earned below-average DVOA marks in both categories. On the plus side, Russell Bodine was Detroit’s only offensive line opt-out, so they might be able to stand pat with their current group of linemen.

49ers To Sign Spencer Long

August 8th, 2020 at 12:44pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers are signing Spencer Long, according to an announcement from his agent (Twitter link). The offensive lineman was released by the Bills earlier this week, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Bills’ decision to release Long came as a bit of a surprise. Buffalo exercised the 2020 option on his deal in March and he appeared to be a strong fill-in option for Jon Feliciano at right guard. Instead, they dropped him to save $2.4MM against the salary cap.

The versatile vet saw time in 14 games for the Bills last year. Before that, Long made a total of 44 starts for Washington and the Jets between 2014 and 2018. In San Francisco, he’ll provide the 49ers with some sorely needed depth after offensive lineman Jake Brendel and tackle Shon Coleman opted out. Long, who can play multiple positions, will support the Niners’ front five of Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg, Tom Compton, and Mike McGlinchey.

The Niners had ample room to sign Long. After the opt outs, GM John Lynch was left with $12.5MM in cap space.

Washington Football Team Releases Derrius Guice

August 8th, 2020 at 12:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Shortly after his arrest for domestic violence charges, Washington released running back Derrius Guice. Guice is facing charges for three separate incidents that took place earlier this year, and Washington moved fast to drop the former LSU star.

Guice was viewed by many as the second-best running back in the 2018 draft class behind Saquon Barkley, but rumored off-field issues caused him to fall to Washington at No. 59 overall. Guice went on to miss his his entire rookie campaign after a summer ACL tear. Then, complications from surgery caused his rehab to drag. Last year, a knee injury put him back on IR and he appeared in just five games. From a football perspective, Washington was excited to see what Guice could do – in that limited sample, he averaged 5.8 yards per carry.

With Guice out of the picture, Washington will move forward with Adrian Peterson, former Seahawk J.D. McKissic, and ex-Buc Peyton Barber, on the depth chart. They also have rookie RB/WR Antonio Gibson on the roster, plus Bryce Love. That could be enough backfield firepower for Ron Rivera & Co., especially if Love stays healthy. Still, it stands to reason that they’ll explore the open market between now and Week 1.

NFC South Rumors: Arians, Saints, Okung

August 7th, 2020 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having battled three different types of cancer and being set to turn 68 in October, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians falls into the higher-risk category for potential coronavirus complications. But Arians will coach this season, and he is not planning to do so from the press box. The second-year Bucs HC will coach from the sideline while wearing a mask and a face shield, he said recently.

“As far as on the field, I’ll maintain a mask and probably a shield just for personal use and coach like I’ve always coached,” Arians said. “I’m very confident. Like I said, the protocols that are in place are extremely safe.”

Arians has had cancerous tumors to be removed from his prostate, skin and kidney. He enters the season as NFL’s third-oldest head coach, behind Pete Carroll, who are both 68. Two head coaches — Sean Payton and Doug Pederson — have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far. The Eagles HC tested positive earlier this week. Players and coaches are currently being tested daily. This arrangement will continue for two weeks before the league reassesses.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

Russell Okung dealt with a health scare last year but did not opt out of the 2020 season. However, the Panthers‘ recently acquired left tackle is considering retirement. But Okung will wait on a decision for now. The 11th-year veteran will keep his options open as he goes further into camp, advisor J.I. Halsell told NFL reporter Josina Anderson (Twitter link). It’s possible the 31-year-old blocker wants to learn more about what this season’s COVID-19-defined environment will bring. Okung has a $13MM salary awaiting him this season but has already made a considerable amount of money in his career.
Emmanuel Sanders made the initial contact between he and the Saints in free agency, the 11th-year wide receiver said, per The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell (on Twitter). The former Steelers, Broncos and 49ers wideout wanted to play with Drew Brees in New Orleans, and that helped lead to the two-year, $16MM deal he signed in March. Sanders also assisted the Saints with another free agent receiver, with a Brees-Sanders-Bennie Fowler workout in Denver leading to the latter’s signing this week (Twitter link via Terrell).
The Falcons plan to use recently signed cornerback Darqueze Dennard as a slot and boundary cornerback in training camp, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes. Dennard mostly worked as a slot defender in Cincinnati. Atlanta signed Dennard earlier last week. He will join a cornerback crew that features third-year player Isaiah Oliver and first-round rookie A.J. Terrell.
Given Brees’ year-to-year status, the Saints are obviously not eyeing a contract-year trade of Alvin Kamara. But no known extension talks have taken place between the Saints and their standout back. However, a deal that pays the three-down back just less than what Christian McCaffrey and Ezekiel Elliott make ($16MM and $15MM AAV, respectively) is a solution The Athletic’s Larry Holder envisions (subscription required). Kamara, one of several running back starters in contract years, has said he wants to stay in New Orleans.