2021 March - Pro Football Rumors

Nick Easton To Visit Bengals, Texans

March 22nd, 2021 at 2:23pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Nick Easton‘s market is starting to heat up it seems. The veteran offensive lineman was cut by the Saints about six weeks ago, and not too long after we heard that he’d already been in touch with four teams.

Things went quiet after that though, until now. Easton has “possible visits” with the Bengals and Texans in the coming days, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Fowler notes that New Orleans has also expressed interest in bringing him back “if they can make it work cap-wise.” That tracks with what we heard back in February, as the Saints cut him in as part of their complicated maneuvering to get under the cap.

Easton entered the league as an UDFA in 2015, and became a part-time starter with the Vikings in 2016. He became a full-time starter in 2017, showed well, and after missing the entire 2018 season due to injury signed a four-year, $24MM pact with the Saints in 2019.

He made it just two years into that deal, and started nine games for New Orleans last year. He’s still only 28, and with his NFL experience at both center and guard would make for a solid late signing for teams in need of interior line help. The Bengals are looking to completely remake Joe Burrow‘s protection for 2021, and recently added fellow former Viking Riley Reiff to start at right tackle.

Sammy Watkins To Visit Ravens

March 22nd, 2021 at 1:26pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Ravens could be close to making a big addition to their receiving room. Sammy Watkins is on his way to Baltimore to visit with the team, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).

We initially heard right before the Super Bowl that there was mutual interest between Watkins and the Chiefs on a new deal, but then a few weeks ago Kansas City GM Brett Veach made it sound like it’d be hard to work financially, and obviously nothing has materialized. Before this, we haven’t heard of much interest in Watkins since free agency opened as the receiver market was slow to develop initially.

Things appear to be picking up though, with Kenny Golladay and Will Fuller both signing in recent days, and Watkins could be the next domino to fall. As Rapoport points out, the Ravens have been looking to add a wideout in free agency as their group of pass-catchers for Lamar Jackson last year was a bit underwhelming.

Meanwhile, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets that there are a couple of connections on Baltimore’s staff. Ravens pass game specialist Keith Williams has been Watkins’ personal receivers coach, and Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman coached Watkins in Buffalo.

Baltimore reportedly offered JuJu Smith-Schuster more money, but he chose to re-sign with the Steelers instead. The fourth overall pick of the 2014 draft, Watkins has never quite lived up to his potential but he’s capable of being a very solid player when healthy. In a down year in 2020, he had 37 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns across ten games. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we hear anything more.

Texas To Sign Chris Conley

March 22nd, 2021 at 12:26pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Texans are continuing to add players on smaller deals. Houston has now agreed to terms on a one-year deal with receiver Chris Conley, a source told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).

The Texans have been signing a flurry of under the radar receivers to one year deals, including Donte Moncrief and Alex Erickson just a few days ago. It appears like new GM Nick Caserio is just going to take a bunch of low-risk dart throws and see who ends up hitting, which isn’t a bad strategy for a rebuilding team. Caserio has been completely remaking the roster this offseason, and the receiver room has been no exception.

Will Fuller just left for the Dolphins last week, and they’re looking for replacements. Conley is a very solid athlete with good speed who entered the league as a third-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2015. He showed plenty of flashes in Kansas City, but was often buried in the depth chart.

After his rookie deal expired he signed with the Jaguars, and spent the past two years in Jacksonville. In 15 games and four starts last year, he had 40 catches for 471 yards and two touchdowns. He was much more productive in 2019, when he had 47 catches for 775 yards (16.5 Y/R), and five touchdowns. He turned 28 in October. It’s a decent flyer for the Texans, and Conley will have a clear path to playing time.

Cardinals To Sign Brian Winters

March 22nd, 2021 at 11:57am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have agreed to sign offensive lineman Brian Winters. Meanwhile, they’ve also re-upped backup lineman Max Garcia.

Winters joined the Bills last year after a number of seasons as the Jets’ starting right guard. In Buffalo, he played in all 16 games, including nine starts at RG. Now, he’s ticketed for a competition with incumbent Justin Murray and 2020 third-round pick Josh Jones.

The Cardinals have reshaped their offensive line in recent days by trading for Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson. They’ve also re-upped right tackle Kelvin Beachum in an effort to give Kyler Murray better protection up front. There’s still plenty of time to go between now and the start of the 2021 season, but the Cards’ starting OL currently projects to include D.J. Humphries at left tackle, Justin Pugh at left guard, Hudson at center, Winters at right guard, and Kelvin Beachum at right tackle.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/22/21

March 22nd, 2021 at 11:49am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Released: K Lirim Hajrullahu

Los Angeles Chargers

Re-signed: TE Stephen Anderson

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: DL Matt Dickerson

Miami Dolphins

Signed: WR/QB: Kai Locksley

Tennessee Titans

Signed: LB Ola Adeniyi

49ers To Sign Tavon Wilson

March 22nd, 2021 at 11:45am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have agreed to sign Tavon Wilson (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Wilson may wind up replacing free agent Jaquiski Tartt in San Francisco.

Wilson, 31, has spent time with the Patriots, Lions, and Colts since entering the league in 2012. At his latest stop in Indy, the Illinois product suited up for 15 games including two starts. He’s best known for his time in Detroit, where he started in 39 of his 56 games across four seasons. Tartt, meanwhile, has started in all of his games since 2017, but he’s missed roughly half of all possible games due to injuries.

The Niners know that Wilson isn’t far removed from his best work. In 2019, he graded out as the No. 26 ranked safety in the leaggue, per Pro Football Focus,. That marked his best showing since 2016, his first go-round with the Lions.

As it stands, the Niners have Jimmie Ward, Wilson, Tarvarius Moore, and Marcell Harris in their safety unit.

Raiders Re-Sign Andre James

March 22nd, 2021 at 11:38am CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have re-signed offensive lineman Andre James with a new three-year contract worth $12.5MM (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The deal includes roughly $6MM guaranteed and keeps him beyond his would-be final year before restricted free agency. James, billed as the team’s center of the future, is now locked in through 2023.

Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson, right tackle Trent Brown, and longtime right guard Gabe Jackson are out of the picture, leaving James with an opportunity to take the next step forward. It’s not clear on how the team will use James and newly-acquired center Nick Martin, however, but both players figure to factor into the front five.

The Raiders were set to release Hudson outright before they struck a deal with the Cardinals last week. After paving the way for three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, he leaves some big shoes to fill. Just last year, Pro Football Focus graded the veteran as its No. 8 overall center in the NFL.

Texans’ Deshaun Watson Facing Ten Lawsuits

March 22nd, 2021 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

Three more civil lawsuits have been filed against Deshaun Watson, as Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com tweets. The Texans quarterback is now facing ten suits in total with allegations of inappropriate conduct and sexual assault.

“I’m extremely proud to represent Deshaun Watson and wholly stand behind him against what we believe are meritless allegations,” his attorney, Rusty Hardin, said recently. “However, we will wait to comment in detail until we’ve completed our review of the numerous, evolving allegations from Mr. Buzbee. We will respond next week and ask you to keep an open mind until we do so.”

Last week, three massage therapists filed against Watson with one accuser alleging that Watson forced her to perform oral sex. Through the first seven cases, Watson denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the Texans say they are cooperating with the investigations.

Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, was previously in the news for his long-standing trade request. Obviously, his off-the-field matters could put those discussions on pause.

Chiefs To Meet With K’Waun Williams

March 22nd, 2021 at 10:01am CST by Zachary Links

K’Waun Williams will get together with the Chiefs on Tuesday, as Mike Kaye of NJ.com tweets. The Jets are also said to have interest in the former 49ers corner, so he could be on the verge of a deal this week.

Pro Football Focus graded Williams as the league’s No. 7 overall corner in 2019. In 2020, he was slowed down by knee and ankle injuries. Ultimately, he played in just eight games, compiling 22 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. Of course, he wasn’t the only Niners player to be hit by the injury bug. All in all, eight different players started at corner for the 49ers last year.

The 49ers recently re-upped Jason Verrett on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5MM, so it’s not clear if there’s still room to retain Williams. Meanwhile, the Chiefs could install Williams as their new starting slot corner, push L’Jarius Sneed to the outside.

Eagles To Meet With Joe Flacco

March 22nd, 2021 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles are bringing in Joe Flacco for a visit (Twitter link via PFT). This marks the second known meeting for Flacco this year, following a get-together with the 49ers.

Flacco profiles as a potential backup for Jalen Hurts, though Nate Sudfeld remains unsigned in free agency. Flacco, 36, obviously comes with credentials, but he’s bounced around since parting ways with the Ravens a few years ago. His Broncos tenure was cut short by a neck injury and later found his way to the Jets, where he wound up making four starts in Sam Darnold‘s stead. Flacco threw for six touchdowns against three interceptions, but he averaged just 6.4 yards per throw with a 55% completion rate.

Still, the Eagles see Flacco as a steady hand who can backstop and mentor Hurts as they enter the post-Carson Wentz era. He wouldn’t hurt the cap, either — the South Jersey could likely be had on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.