2021 March - Pro Football Rumors

Giants, RB Devontae Booker Agree To Deal

March 15th, 2021 at 7:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants will bring in a veteran backup to supplement Saquon Barkley. They agreed to terms with Devontae Booker on Monday night, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.

A former Broncos draftee, Booker spent last season with the Raiders and enjoyed a productive season spelling Josh Jacobs. Booker agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $6MM, Fowler notes. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the deal includes $2MM guaranteed.

This marks an upgrade for Booker, who could only fetch a one-year deal worth barely league-minimum money last year. After receiving just two carries in 16 games with the 2019 Broncos, Booker took 93 handoffs and rushed for 423 yards and three touchdowns with the Raiders last season. While the former fourth-round pick worked as Denver’s primary back down the stretch in 2016, replacing an injured C.J. Anderson, he has mostly been a backup as a pro.

Barkley continues to work his way back from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 2. The star back is progressing on course and should be ready for Big Blue’s training camp. The Giants have used a few players as Barkley complementary help over his three-year career, and backfield depth became critical last season. Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris and Devonta Freeman handled the ball-carrying duties after Barkley’s injury. None are under contract with the team for 2021, putting Booker in position to hold New York’s RB2 role.

Patriots To Sign DL Henry Anderson

March 15th, 2021 at 7:13pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots have made another addition to their defensive line. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots have signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson. It will be a two-year deal worth $7MM, and it has a max value of $11MM based on achievable playtime incentives, per Rapoport (on Twitter).

Following three seasons with the Colts, Anderson was traded to the Jets in 2018 for a seventh-round pick. He proceeded to have a career year during his first season in New York, compiling seven sacks. That performance earned him a new three-year, $25MM extension from the organization, but he had a tough time living up to that contract. Despite appearing in 29 games (21 starts) for the Jets between 2019 and 2020, Anderson collected only 1.5 sacks.

Thanks in part to the reduced production, it always seemed unlikely that Anderson would stick around for the entirety of his contract. The Jets ultimately moved on from the defensive lineman earlier this month, saving the organization more than $8MM.

The Patriots have been busy adding to their defense today, signing linebacker Matt Judon, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and defensive back Jalen Mills. The team also brought back defensive end Deatrich Wise and defensive tackle Carl Davis.

Latest On Seahawks, Russell Wilson

March 15th, 2021 at 7:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Russell Wilson trade winds continue to blow, but this process may not reach that point in the near future. The Seahawks are not believed to be seriously listening to offers at this point, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).

The Bears’ rumored push for Wilson has yet to move the needle for the Seahawks, Rapoport adds, though it is unclear if an offer has come from Chicago. The Seahawks have received calls on Wilson since around Super Bowl LV, after which he took his concerns about his situation public.

While Wilson and Pete Carroll were viewed to be at odds at points last season, the two Seattle power brokers have spoken periodically this offseason, Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report (Insider link). This communication has not progressed to a sitdown meeting between the longtime coworkers, but it would back up talk about the Seahawks being uninterested in moving their franchise quarterback.

It would cost the Seahawks $39MM in dead money to deal Wilson before June 1 — by far a record dead-cap hit — and it would certainly be a major hit to the team’s contention hopes were it to unload the best quarterback in franchise history. Wilson has not formally requested a trade but has identified four destinations. Three of those — the Bears, Raiders and Saints — would remain viable, with the Cowboys having extended Dak Prescott last week.

Jets To Sign WR Corey Davis

March 15th, 2021 at 6:53pm CST by Ben Levine

While the Jets future at quarterback may be uncertain, the team is still adding pieces to their offense. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that New York is adding wideout Corey Davis. The former first-rounder will get a three-year, $37.5MM deal, including $27MM in guaranteed money.

The former fifth-overall pick overcame a disappointing rookie campaign and put together a solid three-year stretch with the Titans. The 26-year-old had a career year in 2020, hauling in 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Davis also had three touchdowns in six career playoff games with Tennessee. Back in February, Titans GM Jon Robinson made it sound like the team was prepared to lose the wideout in free agency.

The Jets entered the offseason with a solid core at wideout. Leading receiver Jamison Crowder is still under contract, and the team is also still rostering notables like Braxton Berrios (37 receptions) and 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims.

Davis has secured the largest contract of the day among wide receivers. The Patriots committed $26MM to Nelson Agholor and $22.5MM to Kendrick Bourne, while Jamal Agnew got a deal that could be worth up to $21MM from the Jaguars.

Mutual Interest Between Jets, K’Waun Williams

March 15th, 2021 at 6:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

It would be understandable for Robert Saleh to bring some familiar troops to New York, and the new Jets head coach has his eye on one of his former secondary pupils.

The former 49ers defensive coordinator appears to be interested in adding K’Waun Williams. The Jets have the veteran slot cornerback on their radar, per SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano (on Twitter).

Williams is also interested in rejoining Saleh, Vacchiano adds, though the Jets are not expected to move toward a deal for a bit. That would be a slight risk, given Williams’ status as one of the game’s top slot corners, but Saleh would seem to have a good read on the veteran’s free agency plans.

Saleh and Williams each spent four seasons in San Francisco, with the 49ers signing the ex-Browns slot stopper in 2017. Williams excelled for much of his Bay Area stay, helping Saleh form one of the NFL’s top defenses over the past two seasons. He will turn 30 this offseason.

The Jets used Brian Poole as their slot corner in both years of the ill-fated Adam Gase–Gregg Williams partnership, re-signing Poole last year. But the veteran is now a free agent. With Saleh coming in, Poole may need to head elsewhere to continue his career. Williams and Poole would not seem to fit as teammates.

The 49ers had nearly their entire cornerback corps due to be free agents but have moved to re-sign both Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett. They are expected to let Richard Sherman walk, and it remains to be seen how they will proceed with Williams.

Titans To Sign DT Denico Autry

March 15th, 2021 at 6:30pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans have secured their first big free agent, both literally and figuratively. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Tennessee is signing 6-foot-6 defensive tackle Denico Autry. It’s a three-year deal worth $21.5MM, including $9MM guaranteed.

Despite going undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2014, Autry has managed to put together a seven-year career. The defensive tackle spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, including a 2017 campaign where he finished with five sacks. That performance earned him a three-year, $17.8MM deal with the Colts, and he’s been a consistent presence on their defensive line ever since.

Autry ultimately appeared in 40 games (38 starts) during his three seasons in Indy, compiling 102 tackles, 20 sacks, and three forced fumbles. The 30-year-old also got into three postseason games for the Colts, compiling 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Prior to this move, we hadn’t heard much from the Titans today. The team was armed with around $18MM in cap space heading into the offseason.

Jaguars To Sign Carlos Hyde

March 15th, 2021 at 6:18pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have agreed to sign Carlos Hyde (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The former Seahawks running back will get a two-year, $6MM deal.

The veteran’s one-year stint with the Seahawks apparently improved his chances of securing a multiyear deal this time around. Hyde ultimately appeared in 10 games (one start) for Seattle, compiling 449 yards from scrimmage and four offensive touchdowns. The veteran was a 1,000-yard rusher as recently as 2019, when he ran for a career-high 1,070 yards with the Texans.

The Jaguars appear to have their long-term answer at running back in James Robinson, who ran for 1,070 yards during his rookie campaign. The 30-year-old Hyde will slide behind Robinson on the depth chart, although the Jaguars could turn to a variety of options at the position; the team is also rostering Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, Craig Reynolds, and Nathan Cottrell.

As Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com observes, this move will reunite Hyde with his college coach, Urban Meyer. Hyde was a first-team All-Big Ten running back during his time at Ohio State.

Jaguars Sign S Rayshawn Jenkins

March 15th, 2021 at 6:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Rayshawn Jenkins is heading to Jacksonville. The veteran safety is signing a four-year deal with the Jaguars, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio (via Twitter).

The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Miami (FL) had spent his entire four-year career with the Chargers. After playing as mostly a backup and special teamer during his first two years in the NFL, Jenkins emerged as a starter in 2019. He’s started each of his 31 regular season games over the past two years, compiling 92 tackles, eight passes defended, and five interceptions. The Chargers made an effort to retain the 27-year-old, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).

The Jaguars were reportedly hunting for safeties. We learned earlier today that the team was a suitor for John Johnson before the veteran signed with the Browns.

Despite striking out of Johnson, the Jaguars have had a busy day. The team signed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, wideout Phillip Dorsett, and return man Jamal Agnew.

Jaguars To Sign Phillip Dorsett

March 15th, 2021 at 6:10pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are set to sign Phillip Dorsett (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it’s likely of the low-cost, short-term variety.

The former Patriots receiver made two trips to the Super Bowl (including a victory in Super Bowl LIII) during his time in New England. However, he struggled to climb the depth chart, as he hauled in only 73 total receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns in 45 games for the Patriots. In March of last year, he hooked on with the Seahawks, but lost the year to injury.

His most productive year came in 2016. In 15 games with a career-high 7 starts, Dorsett caught 33 receptions for 528 yards and a pair of touchdowns with the Colts. If he’s healthy, he’ll have a chance to support D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault, Collin Johnson, and the rest of the group in Jacksonville.

Lions Re-Sign Jalen Reeves-Maybin

March 15th, 2021 at 6:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are bringing back Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Once finalized, it’ll be a one-year, $2.38MM fully–guaranteed deal. Much of that deal will be off of the books, however, due to the veteran salary benefit.

Reeves-Maybin, a 2017 fourth-round pick, has spent his entire career in Detroit. Despite the change in regime, he’ll get at least another year with the Lions. He’s appeared in 55 total games for the club, including three starts (all in 2019). But, he’s mostly shined on special teams. Over the last two years, he’s seen upwards of 70% of the Lions’ ST snaps.

The Lions have more work to do at linebacker, especially after Jarrad Davis left to sign a one-year contract with the Jets. Reeves-Maybin — who saw just 38 snaps on D — could see more time as a traditional LB this year to help fill the gap