2021 March - Pro Football Rumors

Patriots Re-Sign FB Jakob Johnson

March 25th, 2021 at 6:31pm CST by Rory Parks

The Patriots have re-signed exclusive rights free agent Jakob Johnson, per a team announcement. As an ERFA, Johnson could not negotiate with any other club, so this was mostly a foregone conclusion.

Johnson, a fullback, joined New England via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program in April 2019. He saw action in four games during the 2019 campaign, but he played in every game in 2020, appearing in 37% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps. He caught eight passes for 35 yards and a score and also served as a significant special teams contributor.

With this re-signing and yesterday’s James White re-up, the Pats will now return most of their 2020 backfield. Damien Harris and Sony Michel are also under contract, but Rex Burkhead — who sustained an ACL tear in November — remains a free agent.

Washington Signs WR Adam Humphries

March 25th, 2021 at 5:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Washington’s push to add Adam Humphries produced a contract agreement Thursday afternoon. The former Buccaneers and Titans wide receiver signed with Washington. It’s a one-year deal.

This will reunite Humphries and Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington’s recently signed quarterback who played with the slot target during his two seasons in Tampa. This move adds another experienced weapon for a Washington receiving corps that entered the offseason with a clear need alongside Terry McLaurin.

Humphries will follow Curtis Samuel to Washington. Although Washington returns a few of its lower-level wideout investments from last season, McLaurin, Samuel and Humphries represent an intriguing trio. Humphries’ Titans contract did not work out, with the team releasing him last month. Humphries is coming off a concussion-marred season. Washington will offer the six-year veteran a bounce-back opportunity, and Fitzpatrick will have a deeper pass-catching corps than he did during his Miami seasons.

A 27-year-old former UDFA, Humphries posted career-high marks in his most recent season with Fitzpatrick. In 2018, Humphries caught 76 passes for 816 yards and five touchdowns. That season also ended with Fitz averaging a historic 9.6 yards per attempt (in seven starts) and ended up securing Humphries a $9MM-AAV contract.

He did not match these numbers over the course of his two-year Titans tenure, but the Clemson alum also exceeded 600 yards during the 2016 and ’17 seasons with the Bucs. If healthy, Humphries provides an interesting weapon for Washington, where he will also join emerging tight end Logan Thomas as inside options for Fitz.

None of Washington’s complementary wideouts surpassed 500 yards in McLaurin’s first two seasons. Samuel and Humphries have combined to exceed 600 five times in their respective careers. These additions stand to help an offense that ranked 32nd in passing two years ago and 25th in 2020.

Colt McCoy To Visit Cardinals

March 25th, 2021 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cardinals are looking at backup quarterbacks and appear to have a veteran in mind. They are set to host Colt McCoy on a visit next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This visit has a good chance of producing a deal that will make McCoy Kyler Murray‘s backup, Schefter adds. McCoy has spent most of his career as a backup, playing that role for the Giants last season.

McCoy resurfaced on the free agent radar last year, signing with the Giants. He played the previous six seasons with Washington, with his role vacillating from third-stringer to spot starter during that run. McCoy helped the Giants to a crucial road win over the Seahawks last season.

The former Texas Longhorn is going into his age-35 season. This would be McCoy’s 12th NFL campaign. McCoy is 8-22 as a starter — with Cleveland, Washington and the Giants — but has extensive experience (22 starts, 989 pass attempts) since going off the 2010 draft board in the third round.

A 2019 acquisition to work as Murray’s backup, Brett Hundley is a free agent. However, Chris Streveler — who replaced Murray in Week 16 against Seattle — remains under contract. Hundley, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers injury replacement in 2017, did not take any snaps for the Cards last season. Murray has not missed a start in two NFL seasons.

Corey Davis Expects Sam Darnold To Be Jets’ QB1 In 2021; Team Receiving Calls

March 25th, 2021 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Faced with one of the more interesting quarterback decisions in recent years, the Jets handed out a nice chunk of cash to Corey Davis to catch passes from either Sam Darnold or a to-be-determined rookie.

GM Joe Douglas is believed to be deciding on keeping Darnold or drafting his replacement at No. 2 overall, where the Jets have been heavily tied to BYU breakout passer Zach Wilson. When Davis signed with the Jets, he received the impression Darnold will be throwing him passes next season.

“Obviously, I’m coming with my understanding that Sam is the guy,” Davis said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “That doesn’t scare me away at all. I’ve seen Sam do great things, and I have all the belief in him. Whatever direction they decide to go, it’s on me to make sure that I’m ready.”

Davis doubled down on this stance when asked again, indicating he signed with the Jets based the understanding Darnold will be back. On one hand, it is understandable for recently signed wide receiver to throw support behind the quarterback under contract. This also could provide some clarity to Douglas’ thinking, though the Jets moving to Wilson or Justin Fields should not be ruled out based on their new wideout’s comments. With the Jaguars expected to start the draft off with Trevor Lawrence, the Jets’ decision headlines the intrigue for this year’s class.

The Jets have received several calls on either Darnold or the No. 2 pick, Cimini adds. Multiple teams have discussed Darnold with the Jets. The 23-year-old passer is under contract for one more season but could be retained in 2022 at a fifth-year option price ($18.86MM). The Jets could certainly obtain more for the No. 2 overall pick than Darnold, who has been linked to a second-round pick. But the team passing on taking another QB at No. 2 would place considerable pressure on Darnold to show considerable progress compared to his first three seasons.

Multiple teams have acquired likely 2021 starters since Darnold emerged as a trade chip. Washington and Chicago signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton, respectively, while Carolina is not believed to be interested in Darnold. Denver has not added at the position but plans to acquire a veteran, and although John Elway ceded his GM reins to George Paton, the longtime decision-maker was a Darnold fan going into the 2018 draft. But the Jets’ options for unloading Darnold are not as plentiful as they were going into free agency.

Ravens Offered T.Y. Hilton More Than Colts

March 25th, 2021 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a report emerged indicating the Ravens out-offered the Steelers for JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes the team also submitted T.Y. Hilton a better offer than the Colts did (video link).

Hilton agreed to stay with the Colts on a one-year, $8MM pact. All $8MM is guaranteed, with the Colts including $2MM in incentives. The 31-year-old wide receiver has spent his entire career in Indianapolis and will now team with a fourth starting quarterback in four years, agreeing to become perhaps the centerpiece target of a Carson Wentz-led attack.

The four-time Pro Bowler said he was on the cusp of becoming a Raven, being dissatisfied with a Colts offer as late as Wednesday afternoon. A Jim Irsay call helped influence Hilton to stay in Indianapolis.

“I was almost gone. Five seconds away, man. That was it,” Hilton said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show of his prospects of joining the Ravens (via Fox 59’s Mike Chappell). “I’ve been talking to (the Ravens) the whole time. They came in and made a great push at the end and they wanted to get it done.”

Baltimore’s offer may have exceeded Indy’s by a notable amount, with Hilton saying he would have “made more money the day I signed (with the Ravens) than my whole contract with Indy.” Hilton committed to picking a destination Wednesday and said he was set to move on after hearing what may have been the Colts’ penultimate offer.

“I’ve been texting Chris Ballard the while time,” Hilton said. “By 2:30, I’m like, ‘By 3:00, I’m signing somewhere. Wherever it’s at, I’m signing.’ Then 2:55 I got off the phone with Chris and I’m like, ‘Are we going to get this thing done? How can we get this done?’

“… I’m like, ‘It’s all right. I guess it’s good for me to go to this next team. As soon as I close his message, Irsay texted me.”

It is unclear how big the gap between the Baltimore and Indianapolis offers was, but Hilton’s decision represents a win for a Colts team that featured a void at receiver. As a result of the Colts’ 11th-hour push to keep their nine-year weapon, the Ravens’ receiver deficiency remains.

The Ravens were not expected to be aggressive for a No. 1 wide receiver, but their actions have shown they want a veteran to join their Marquise Brown-led group. They pursued Kenny Golladay and offered Smith-Schuster $9MM, with $4MM through incentives. That offer topped Pittsburgh’s. Both players committed elsewhere. Sammy Watkins is also on Baltimore’s radar, having visited last week. Watkins also visited the Colts but remains a free agent.

Baltimore has missed out on most of the big-name targets. It should not be considered a surprise that veteran receivers are not especially eager to become part of the NFL’s run-heaviest offense. John Harbaugh said in January the Ravens would love to add at this position but indicated the team’s winning culture, not its propensity (or lack thereof) for helping receivers to big numbers, would be what drove wideouts to Baltimore. So far, this year’s top available wideouts have been unwilling to sign on.

Since the Ravens retooled their offense around Lamar Jackson, they have made the playoffs three times and re-established themselves as an AFC power. However, their passing attack ranked last in 2020 and 27th in 2019. While Brown did improve in his second season, compiling 769 receiving yards, the team has sought bigger-name players to join him. The Ravens, as they did when they acquired Brown and Miles Boykin, may need to look to the draft to upgrade at receiver. In addition to Watkins, Golden Tate, Adam Humphries and Dede Westbrook are some of the names available. Antonio Brown, Marquise’s cousin that was connected to the Ravens last year, is still unsigned as well.

Washington Hosts Adam Humphries On Visit

March 25th, 2021 at 4:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having already made a significant addition to its receiving corps this offseason, Washington is looking for more help for its Terry McLaurin-led crew. Adam Humphries visited Washington on Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Washington signed Curtis Samuel to pair with his former college teammate, but Pelissero adds the team is hoping to complete a deal with Humphries as well. The Titans released Humphries last month, backtracking after their four-year contract agreement in 2019.

Humphries operated as an intriguing slot weapon in Tampa Bay, surpassing 800 receiving yards on a 2018 team that rostered Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and DeSean Jackson. During that 2018 Bucs season, new Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick made several starts. Humphries eclipsed 600 yards in his previous two Bucs seasons, with his Tampa run helping him secure a four-year, $36MM Titans accord. That pact did not work out, with Humphries totaling just 602 yards in two injury-plagued seasons.

Last season, Humphries battled a lingering concussion issue. He suffered the head injury in Week 8 but remained in the protocol for a while. The Titans needed to shelve their slot receiver on IR because of the issue. Humphries played in just one of Tennessee’s final nine games last season. But Washington is looking into the six-year veteran, providing a positive sign for his NFL future.

During McLaurin’s first two seasons, Washington did not roster much in the way of complementary help for its No. 1 receiver. Samuel will change that. Humphries would be an interesting addition as well, but no deal has been agreed to just yet.

Jaguars Re-Sign DL Adam Gotsis

March 25th, 2021 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the Jaguars’ starting defensive linemen from last season will stay with the now-Urban Meyer-coached team. The Jags re-signed Adam Gotsis on Thursday.

Originally a second-round Broncos pick, Gotsis joined the Jaguars after suffering an ACL tear late in his fourth Denver season. He started 14 of the Jags’ 16 games and will stay in Jacksonville for Meyer’s first season in charge.

The veteran D-lineman recorded 37 tackles, three for loss, and four quarterback hits in his first Jaguars season. With the ACL injury now nearly 18 months behind him, the Australian defender stands to be closer to his top form. Pro Football Focus graded Gotsis as a middle-of-the-road edge player last season, slotting him 73rd at that position.

Gotsis worked as a Broncos starting end, in their 3-4 scheme, for much of his four-season Denver tenure. However, he fell out of favor in Vic Fangio‘s defense during the longtime defensive coordinator’s first season in Denver. Gotsis lost his rotation spot in 2019, but he played in all 16 Jaguar games last season and logged 52% of their defensive snaps. Despite the Jags having changed D-coordinators, moving to Joe Cullen, Gotsis still has a spot on their D-line.

Bills Sign RB Matt Breida

March 25th, 2021 at 2:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Breida will leave the Dolphins but stay in the AFC East. The Bills are signing the four-year veteran running back, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Breida is expected to sign a one-year deal. The Bills announced the move.

The Dolphins acquired Breida from the 49ers during the 2020 draft but did not receive much production from the elusive back. Breida, however, has rushed for more than 600 yards in multiple seasons — including 814 in 2018 — and is one of the league’s fastest ball carriers. He will join Devin Singletary and Zack Moss in Buffalo.

The 49ers shipped Breida to the Dolphins for a fifth-round pick, but he ended last season with just 254 rushing yards despite having played in 12 games. Miami has since pivoted to former Rams back Malcolm Brown, who will team with Myles Gaskin. The Bills’ backfield suddenly looks crowded, with Breida set to vie for time with recent Day 2 picks.

A former UDFA out of Georgia Southern, Breida played a key role for multiple Kyle Shanahan offenses. He topped five yards per carry in both 2018 and ’19, doing so on 153 carries in 2018. Raheem Mostert ended up usurping Breida in San Francisco, but Breida still helped a 49ers backfield that was without high-end signing Jerick McKinnon for two full seasons. The 26-year-old back will look to re-establish his career in Buffalo.

Buccaneers To Re-Sign OL Josh Wells

March 25th, 2021 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Wells is on track to spend another season in Florida. The Buccaneers are re-signing the veteran offensive lineman, Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets.

The former Jaguars tackle agreed to stay with the Bucs on a one-year deal, with Auman adding the agreement will be worth the veteran minimum. Wells will sign for $990K; $500K of this low-end pact is guaranteed (Twitter link via Auman).

Wells has served as a swing tackle during his two seasons in Tampa. He played that role for the Bucs’ Super Bowl champion team, starting one game and playing in 15. Wells, 30, has operated in this capacity for most of his career. The former UDFA topped out at five starts, doing so with the 2018 Jaguars, but has opened with the Bucs’ first-stringers three times in two seasons.

Wells will join a host of free agents that have agreed to stay in Tampa this month, following the likes of Shaquil Barrett, Lavonte David, Rob Gronkowski and Ndamukong Suh. This is not a similar needle-moving agreement, but Wells has provided depth behind the likes of Donovan Smith and Tristan Wirfs.

Cowboys’ Tyrone Crawford Retires From NFL

March 25th, 2021 at 1:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Tyrone Crawford has retired from the NFL, head coach Mike McCarthy announced. Crawford, still only 31, has been limited by serious hip injuries on both sides.

[RELATED: Cowboys To Sign Kearse]

Crawford, a 2012 third-round pick, struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. He battled back from a 2013 Achilles tear to deliver a solid 2014 campaign. He notched 37 tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for loss that season, leading to a five-year, $45MM re-up. He kept up the solid work despite positional changes and shoulder injuries, but his damaged hips halted him after from 2019 onward.

Last year, Crawford appeared in all 16 games, but didn’t look like his old self. So, after 25 sacks across eight seasons, one of the Cowboys’ longest-tenured players is calling it a career. We here at PFR wish Crawford the best in retirement.