2021 April - Pro Football Rumors

This Date In Transactions History: Raiders Trade Terrelle Pryor

April 21st, 2021 at 8:16pm CST by Ben Levine

When Terrelle Pryor was traded from the Raiders seven years ago today, many questioned whether he’d be able to stick around the NFL as a quarterback. Little did we know that the player would eventually transform into a 1,000-yard receiver.

Before we discuss that trade, let’s go back a bit. Following an autograph scandal and subsequent withdrawal from Ohio State, the former Big Ten star had to settle for the 2011 Supplemental Draft. The Raiders gave up a third-round to acquire the quarterback, and he later inked a four-year deal with the organization. Prior barely saw the field as a rookie, but he showed flashes during the 2012 season, tossing two scores and running for another on the ground.

He finally got a shot to start in 2013 following the Carson Palmer trade, and results were mixed. The Raiders went 3-6 in Pryor’s nine starts, with the quarterback completing only 57.4-percent of his passes for 1,798 yards, seven touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. However, he continued to show his talents on the ground, running for two more scores. During the 2014 offseason, Pryor found himself buried on the depth chart following the team’s signing of Matt Schaub. So, on April 21, 2014, the Raiders cleared a roster spot and saved a chunk of money by trading Pryor to Seattle for a seventh-round pick.

Pryor didn’t even make it to the regular season with the Seahawks, and he proceeded to bounce around the NFL a bit over the next few years, spending time with the Chiefs and Bengals. He spent time on the Browns roster during the 2015 campaign, and he got some recognition when he hauled in a 44-yard catch during the final game of the season.

He stuck around Cleveland for the 2016 season and proceeded to have a breakout campaign. Pryor played everywhere for the Browns: quarterback, wideout, safety. He was most productive at receiver, finishing the year with 1,028 yards from scrimmage and five scores (he also completed five of his nine passes). That performance earned him a one-year, $8MM deal from Washington, but he was unable to replicate his production from 2016, finishing the 2017 season with only 240 yards from scrimmage in nine games. Pryor had stints with the Jets, Dolphins, and Jaguars between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and he hasn’t been on an NFL roster since the end of the 2019 preseason.

While Pryor’s peak was brief, it was memorable. Pryor’s transformation from struggling quarterback to 1,000-yard wideout was one of the better comeback stories in recent NFL history, and that transformation was unexpected when Pryor was traded on this date in 2014.

What Are The Most Well-Traveled Draft Picks (Not Players) Of All Time?

April 21st, 2021 at 6:25pm CST by Ben Levine

We learned earlier this week that the Eagles were considering trades for the No. 12 pick. If Philly finds a trade partner, it will be the third time that the No. 12 selection has changed hands (San Francisco to Miami, Miami to Philly, Philly to final team) … and that draft pick would join some (um) distinguished company.

Dating back to 1994, there have been 10 first-round picks that have been traded three times:

2019, 1.30: Giants (via Seahawks, via Packers, via Saints) selected CB Deandre Baker
2018, 1.22: Titans (via Ravens, via Bills, via Chiefs) selected LB Rashaan Evans
2016, 1.8: Titans (via Browns, via Eagles, via Dolphins) selected OT Jack Conklin
2010, 1.24: Cowboys (via Patriots, via Broncos, via Eagles) selected WR Dez Bryant
2003, 1.13: Patriots (via Bears, via Jets, via Washington) selected DE Ty Warren
2002, 1.21: Patriots (via Washington, via Raiders, via Buccaneers) selected TE Daniel Graham
2000, 1.12: Jets (via 49ers, via Washington, via Panthers) selected DE Shaun Ellis
1997, 1.6: Seahawks (via Buccaneers, via Jets, via Rams) selected OT Walter Jones
1996, 1.17: Lions (via Seahawks, via Oilers, via Raiders) selected LB Reggie Brown
1994, 1.7: 49ers (via Rams, via Colts, via Falcons) selected DT Bryant Young

I was hoping for some Kevin Costner/Draft Day shenanigans, but alas. For what it’s worth, that grouping above combined for 15 All-Pro nods, 18 Pro Bowl appearances, and five Super Bowl championships (sure, the player accolades were via Jones and the championships were via the Patriots, but let me have this). The majority of these first-round picks started as future compensation; if No. 12 is traded again, it’d surely set some PFR-official record for timing (the pick first changed hands on March 23).

What’s the most traded draft selection, regardless of round? Three selections have switched hands five times (since 1994)

2018, 7.250: Patriots (via Eagles, via Seahawks, via Patriots, via Seahawks, via Eagles) selected TE Ryan Izzo
2010, 5.158: Saints (via Jaguars, via Raiders, via Patriots, via Broncos, via via Cowboys) selected C Matt Tennant
2005: 4.126: Eagles (via Packers, via Panthers, via Seahawks, via Browns, via Broncos) selected OT Todd Herremans

I won’t review the accolades of that trio.

What can we take away from this exercise? Teams should consider hiring Sonny Weaver Jr. to break one of these records.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!

Rams CB Darious Williams Signs First-Round Tender

April 21st, 2021 at 4:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Darious Williams is re-signing with the Rams. The restricted free agent signed his first-round tender today, the team announced on Twitter. This locks the cornerback into a $4.77MM price tag for next season.

The cash-strapped Rams raised a few eyebrows when they extended Williams a first-round tender, making him the only RFA who was tendered at that value. Teams rarely use the Round 1 tender, but the team clearly wanted to ensure that Williams stuck around opposite Jalen Ramsey next season. Had another team signed Williams to an offer sheet, they would have had to sacrifice a first-round pick to the Rams. Williams’ deadline to sign an offer sheet was this Friday.

After taking on a larger role as a backup in 2019, Williams had a breakout season in 2020. The 27-year-old finished the campaign having set career-highs across the board, including tackles (44), interceptions (four), and passes defended (14). He ultimately ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 overall cornerback.

The Rams cornerbacks corps is set to look a bit different next season; Troy Hill left for Cleveland, while cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant went to Detroit.

49ers, DE Arden Key Agree To Deal

April 21st, 2021 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers have added depth pieces on offense and defense Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after San Francisco’s Wayne Gallman agreement surfaced, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets the team agreed to terms with Arden Key.

Like Gallman, Key visited the 49ers this week. Formerly an Oakland Raiders third-round draft choice, the three-year defensive end contributor will head back to the Bay Area on a one-year deal.

Las Vegas waived Key last week, doing so after adding former San Francisco defensive end Solomon Thomas in free agency. The 49ers lost Thomas and Kerry Hyder, who signed with the Seahawks, and injuries significantly affected their defensive end group last season. Both Nick Bosa and Dee Ford missed most of the season. Key may be in position to see frequent time, depending on how the 49ers proceed in the draft.

While Key went in the 2018 third round, he was viewed as a possible first-round pick at one point. The LSU product registered 11 sacks as a sophomore in 2016. While he has not produced much as a pro (three sacks in three seasons), Key did post 11 quarterback hits last season as a Raider reserve. Next season will be Key’s age-25 campaign.

49ers To Sign RB Wayne Gallman

April 21st, 2021 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following a visit with Wayne Gallman, the 49ers agreed to terms to add the veteran to their backfield mix on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

The four-year Giants back saw his role increase last season, when Saquon Barkley went down in Week 2. Gallman will join a 49ers backfield that includes Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson.

Gallman, 26, led the Giants with 682 rushing yards last season. Despite Big Blue bringing in veterans Alfred Morris and Devonta Freeman, Gallman kept his job as Barkley’s top understudy. He averaged a career-best 4.6 yards per carry and rushed for six touchdowns in his contract year.

San Francisco’s backfield featured Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon last season; neither are part of the current 49ers equation. Coleman signed with the Jets, and McKinnon is a free agent. Both Mostert and Wilson are signed to low-cost deals, and each missed extensive time due to injury last season.

The 49ers ended up using five backs during the 2020 season, with Jamycal Hasty also contributing. Hasty remains on San Francisco’s roster and, unlike Mostert and Wilson, is signed beyond 2021. The former UDFA will soon vie for time with Gallman as well.

Justin Fields Informs Teams Of Epilepsy Diagnosis

April 21st, 2021 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Fields revealed to teams he has managed epilepsy during his football career, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report.

Although Fields was diagnosed with the neurological disorder many years ago, teams became aware of the condition during the pre-draft process. While epilepsy can cause seizures, it is not believed to have impeded Fields’ football career. His bouts with symptoms have become less frequent in recent years, Rapoport and Pelissero note.

Team staffs have discussed treatment plans for Fields, per NFL.com, and whether concussions could place him at greater risk. Fields has not missed games because of epilepsy, which has affected other members of his family. The former Ohio State quarterback has indicated he does not battle seizures, so long as he takes his medication, and NFL.com notes doctors are confident he will move past symptoms. Members of Fields’ family have done so.

Fields is expected to be taken early in the first round. He would not be the only player to go through an NFL career with epilepsy. Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca, longtime cornerback starter Samari Rolle and former running back Jason Snelling battled it during their careers as well. Rolle missed six games due to the condition in 2007. Epilepsy affects over three million Americans.

Jaguars Fielded Calls On No. 1 Pick

April 21st, 2021 at 1:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite being penciled into 2021’s No. 1 overall draft slot for multiple offseasons now, Trevor Lawrence has not hovered at the center of this year’s pre-draft discussions. It is widely assumed he will become a Jaguar next week.

Still, the Jags have received inquiries on the No. 1 pick, GM Trent Baalke said Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, Jacksonville does not plan to trade this valuable selection.

“We’ve fielded a couple of calls, but I think we’re going to hold tight,” Baalke said, via James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter). “Again that decision is made organizationally and our ownership is involved with that as well.”

A 15-game losing streak secured the Jaguars the rights to Lawrence, who is viewed as the best quarterback prospect since at least Andrew Luck nine years ago. Urban Meyer confirmed the team is headed toward a Lawrence pick, and the team has peppered the Clemson-developed prodigy with playbook intel thus far. Meyer also helped Lawrence structure his pro day. This evidently did not stop teams from checking in here.

While the Jaguars could have certainly fetched a staggering trade package for this pick, both they and the Jets are poised to stay at their top slots and draft QBs. Although the Jags have made a stunning 18 top-10 picks in just 26 drafts, this marks the first time they have held the No. 1 overall choice. The intrigue of this year’s draft is not slated to commence until the 49ers pick at No. 3.

Cardinals Eyeing CBs, Jaylen Waddle?

April 21st, 2021 at 12:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Quarterbacks and other top-10 prospects have dominated this year’s draft discussions, overshadowing the rest of this year’s class. The Cardinals hold pick No. 16 and are considering multiple paths, including one that involves a highly coveted pass catcher.

Arizona is interested in cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline, who adds the team is also eyeing Jaylen Waddle. However, it is quite possible all three of these players will be gone by the time the Cardinals go on the clock. This would point the Steve Keim-run team to a trade-up scenario.

The Cards gave A.J. Green a one-year, $6MM deal to see if he can rediscover his pre-2019 form. They have Christian Kirk, but he is going into a contract year and has not been especially consistent as a pro. Larry Fitzgerald remains unsigned and is expected to retire after 17 seasons. Waddle would certainly make for a flashy DeAndre Hopkins complementary piece, but the Cards would almost certainly have to trade up to land him.

Patrick Peterson defected to the Vikings in free agency, and although Arizona agreed to terms with Malcolm Butler, he is going into his age-31 season. The Cardinals have Byron Murphy signed through 2022 but could use additional help at corner. Surtain has been viewed as a player likely to go off the board in the top half of the first round for months, while Horn has made a late climb. However, Todd McShay’s latest ESPN.com mock has the South Carolina corner falling to the Cards at 16.

The team is believed to view linebacker Zaven Collins as a potential contingency plan, according to Pauline. A Tulsa product, Collins has a versatile skill set that could be utilized as a pass rusher or pure linebacker. The Cards going in this direction would be interesting, given Haason Reddick‘s struggles in a hybrid role for most of his Arizona tenure and the team’s selection of versatile ‘backer Isaiah Simmons in last year’s first round.

Seahawks To Sign CB Pierre Desir

April 21st, 2021 at 12:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Veteran cornerback Pierre Desir will venture to a new team. The Seahawks are signing the well-traveled defender, according to his agency (on Twitter).

Desir, who has spent time with five franchises since entering the NFL in 2014, agreed to a one-year Seattle deal Wednesday. He will join Ahkello Witherspoon as corners who have agreed to terms with the Seahawks this offseason. The Seahawks are also moving Damarious Randall back to corner.

Following three seasons in Indianapolis, Desir played in Baltimore and with the Jets last season. The Seahawks, however, have been interested in Desir for a bit now. They pursued him last year, after the Colts released him, but Desir opted to sign with the Jets. A year later, Seattle will bring him in.

The Colts extended Desir following his successful 2018 season, when the Division II product worked as a 12-game starter for an improved Indianapolis defense. But Desir was not as reliable in 2019, which led to the Colts bailing on the deal in 2020. The 6-foot-1 cover man graded outside Pro Football Focus’ top 100 corners last season, allowing quarterbacks to complete 77% of their passes when targeting him — well up from the 54% clip he posted in 2018 — during his time with the Jets and Ravens.

Nevertheless, the Seahawks will take a flier on the seven-year veteran who has also spent time with the Browns and Chargers. Seattle lost Shaquill Griffin this offseason and should still be considered a candidate to add a corner early in the draft. But the team will try Desir, who is going into his age-31 season.

Bengals Expect Week 1 Joe Burrow Return

April 21st, 2021 at 11:32am CST by Sam Robinson

During a recent interview, Joe Burrow expressed optimism he would be ready to return by the start of the regular season. The second-year quarterback is attempting to make his way back from severe knee injuries sustained in late November.

The Bengals are also optimistic their franchise centerpiece can complete his recovery from ACL and MCL tears, along with other knee damage, by Week 1. Player personnel director Duke Tobin said Wednesday he expects Burrow to be ready when the Bengals open their season, via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. (on Twitter).

Appearing on the Cris Collinsworth Podcast featuring Richard Sherman, Burrow said he is ahead of schedule on the approximate nine-month rehab process. While it cannot be assumed the 2020 No. 1 overall pick will participate fully in training camp or take any snaps during Cincinnati’s preseason slate, a Burrow Week 1 return would be a positive development after these injuries sidetracked his strong rookie season.

“I’m very optimistic about where I’m at and also where the team’s at,” Burrow said during the podcast, via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby. “Rehab is going very, very well. Lifting is going very, very well. I’m in great shape. Legs feel good. Knee feels good.

“… It’s about a nine-month recovery process. So there’s still a long way to go. There’s still opportunities for setbacks. But the way I’m feeling right now, I’m very optimistic that I’ll be ready Game 1.”

Previously during Burrow’s rehab odyssey, he faced the prospect of being out well into the regular season. But throughout 2021, the former Heisman-winning passer’s timeline has pointed to Week 1. The Bengals re-signed Brandon Allen this offseason. The longtime NFL backup/third-stringer would seemingly be tabbed to start the season, should Burrow’s return goal prove too ambitious.