2021 April - Pro Football Rumors

Chargers, Falcons, Steelers, Texans, Jets To Skip OTAs

April 16th, 2021 at 3:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

3:57pm: Add the Jets and Texans to this list. They are the 13th and 14th teams to reveal players will not show up Monday. Veteran NFL reporter Aaron Wilson tweeted the Texans voted not to attend. Though, the Jets (Twitter link) join the Chargers and Falcons by pointing out that “many players” have agreed to do so. Some are likely to attend workouts.

3:47pm: Three more teams joined the lot of those who have pledged to pass on the NFL’s in-person OTAs this spring. The Chargers, Falcons and Steelers indicated all or most of their players will not attend workouts at team facilities.

The Bolts and Falcons’ statements said “many” of their respective players will not attend workouts (Twitter links), while the Steelers’ statement (on Twitter) provided no such qualifier.

Thus far, these three join the Broncos, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Bears, Browns, Giants, Patriots, Lions and Raiders in vowing to stay away from team facilities this offseason. The Steelers’ statement indicated the protocols that were in place last season are not entirely present for the NFL’s offseason program, creating confusion. Teams can begin holding onsite offseason workouts Monday, and more than half the league’s franchises are set to do so.

The NFL and NFLPA have been discussing offseason protocols for several weeks. No resolution has come, leading union president J.C. Tretter to call for these boycotts. The Chargers, Steelers and Falcons will proceed virtually, though some players — presumably the ones with workout bonuses — will likely show up. It will be interesting how teams navigate this matter after the draft. Draft picks and UDFAs can gain more from onsite offseason work, with the latter group not exactly in position to shun developmental opportunities. How rookies proceed may influence how certain veterans do as well.

For now, however, there are 12 teams who have come forward to say they will stay away from OTAs due to COVID-19 concerns. That list may continue expanding ahead of Monday.

Giants Meet With CB Jason McCourty

April 16th, 2021 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having already handed out a big cornerback contract this offseason, the Giants are still looking for additional help at the position. They are hosting Jason McCourty on a visit Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

This comes a few weeks after a report indicated mutual interest existed between McCourty and the Giants. He will huddle up with former Patriots assistant Joe Judge and other Giants brass to discuss a deal.

A Giants agreement would represent a homecoming of sorts for McCourty, who is a Rutgers alum who also played his high school ball in New Jersey. Jason McCourty, who entered the NFL a year ahead of twin brother Devin, spent the past three seasons with the Patriots. The 33-year-old corner intends to play a 13th season, and the Giants may ensure he does so in his home state. McCourty has a home in New Jersey and has a history with Judge.

The second-year Giants coach was on the Patriots’ staff for Jason McCourty’s first two seasons in New England, though he served as the Pats’ special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach during that span. Despite the Patriots having one of the NFL’s best cornerback contingents last season, McCourty played 65% of the team’s defensive snaps and started 11 games. Pro Football Focus observed a decline in play from the 12th-year veteran, however, dropping him outside the top 75 at cornerback after previously slotting him sixth (in 2018) and 18th (in ’19) at the position.

The Giants have made big-ticket additions at corner in each of the past two offseasons, having added James Bradberry last year and Adoree’ Jackson last month. They also have Logan Ryan locked down as well, after signing the former Patriots and Titans defender late last summer. McCourty, who has 18 career interceptions and three defensive touchdowns, would add to this overhaul under Judge.

Browns Release DT Sheldon Richardson

April 16th, 2021 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Active in adding defensive starters this offseason, the Browns subtracted one on Friday. They released Sheldon Richardson.

The former first-round defensive lineman had started for Cleveland over the past two seasons. The Browns will save $11MM by making this move, one that comes a month after free agency’s outset, while also leaving a void in the middle of their defensive front.

With Larry Ogunjobi having signed with the Bengals, the Browns now no longer employ either of their starting D-tackles from the past two seasons. On a three-year, $37MM deal agreed to in 2019, Richardson was due a $10.9MM base salary in 2021. This move comes two days after the Browns agreed to terms with Jadeveon Clowney. While Richardson and Clowney do not play the same position, the Browns committed to sign the edge rusher for one year and $8MM.

This move will send Richardson into free agency at an inopportune time — following the most significant cap reduction in the cap era and four-plus weeks after the market opened. The Browns did add veteran defensive tackle Malik Jackson — on a one-year, $3.75MM contract — and have Andrew Billings, who opted out in 2020. But the team now figures to be on the hunt for interior D-line help.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year, Richardson has played with four teams in his eight seasons. The Jets traded him to the Seahawks in 2017, and Richardson signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in 2018. After signing with the then-John Dorsey-run Browns a year later, Richardson accumulated 7.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits during his two Browns seasons. Richardson did not miss a game during his Cleveland stay.

Pro Football Focus graded the Mizzou product as a top-30 interior defensive lineman in 2019 and slotted him just inside the top 50 at the position last season. While now 30, Richardson will surely generate interest and should have a path to a starting lineup in 2021.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Hoping For NFL Return

April 16th, 2021 at 12:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Over the past week, veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been linked to a coaching job at his alma mater Tennessee State. DRC has interest in joining Eddie George‘s staff, but he hasn’t given up on the idea of playing, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).

Rodgers-Cromartie has post-draft workouts scheduled, RapSheet hears, so he’d only pursue a coaching opportunity if he’s unable to land a deal. The 35-year-old (36 in April) announced his retirement midway through the 2018 season, but he returned to join up with the Washington Football Team in 2019. He only got into a pair of games (one start) for the WFT, compiling seven tackles. His season ended in September when he tore a ligament in his ankle — we haven’t seen him on the field since.

All in all, Rodgers-Cromartie has 162 regular season games to his credit across parts of 12 NFL seasons. The 2008 first-round pick has also made a pair of Pro Bowls during his career. He’s no longer an elite cornerback, but he could appeal to teams in need of veteran support — especially clubs that miss out on their targeted prospects in the draft.

Patriots’ J.C. Jackson Signs Offer Sheet

April 16th, 2021 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson has signed his second-round tender (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of The Athletic). The second-round tender will keep Jackson in the fold for 2021 at a salary of $3.4MM.

The Patriots waited until the last minute to cuff Jackson, opting for the second-round tender instead of the pricier $4.8MM first-round tender. The gamble seems to have paid off, as Jackson did not sign an offer sheet elsewhere. Jackson’s decision to sign does not necessarily mean he’ll be in New England this fall, however — the Pats could still flip him, as they did with Malcolm Butler a few years ago.

Jackson performed as one of the league’s better corners in 2020. Playing on 84 percent of the Patriots’ snaps, he intercepted a whopping nine passes, good for No. 2 in the NFL. He also notched 14 passes defensed with three fumble recoveries. Not bad for a former UDFA. His ballhawking skills were also on display in 2018 and 2019, as he notched a combined five interceptions.

Even after the Patriots’ spending spree, there could be room to lock up Jackson for the long term. But, if they don’t, the Maryland product could fetch a sizable haul via trade.

Bills’ Trey Adams Retires

April 16th, 2021 at 11:24am CST by Zachary Links

Bills tackle Trey Adams has retired from the NFL, per a post on his Instagram page. Once a highly-touted prospect, Adams has spent more time on the trainer’s table than the football field.

“Thank you football for everything,” Adams wrote. “I have put much thought into this decision and it is time for me to retire from the game that has given me so much…I will always be a [University of Washington] dawg! And thank you to the Buffalo Bills for believing in me. And to every teammate I’ve had, Thank you for being my brothers and I will never forget the long practices, conditioning and locker room talk. Love you boys.”

The UW product suffered a torn ACL in 2017 and missed much of 2018 with back trouble. Before that, Adams earned a first-team All-Pac-12 nod and second-team All-American honors in 2016. When he turned pro last year, the 6’7″, 304-pound blocker went undrafted and landed on the Bills’ practice squad.

The Bills won’t have Adams in camp, but they will have a few new blockers to consider for their Week 1 roster, including former Chargers lineman Forrest Lamp.

Texans GM On Deshaun Watson’s Future

April 16th, 2021 at 11:16am CST by Zachary Links

In a Friday chat with reporters, Texans GM Nick Caserio declined to delve into the lawsuits against Deshaun Watson or the trade talk surrounding him. With respect to “the legal process,” Caserio explained that his focus is on the Texans’ offseason program and the upcoming draft.

“If you want to speculate, you should probably go buy Bitcoin,” Caserio said when asked about the QB’s future in Houston (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero).

We’re not entirely sure about cryptocurrency, but, right now, it doesn’t seem likely that the Texans and Watson will be moving forward together. Before the slew of suits, Watson had been demanding a trade for months. Now, it makes even less sense for the Texans to keep the embattled quarterback.

One of the civil suits against Texans QB Deshaun Watson has been dropped, but another lawsuit has been filed, bringing the plaintiff count back to 22. Meanwhile, five of Tony Buzbee’s clients have spoken to police, raising the possibility of criminal charges.

Oregon’s Penei Sewell Training At Both LT, RT

April 16th, 2021 at 10:58am CST by Zachary Links

Oregon’s Penei Sewell is already regarded as the best tackle in this year’s draft. Still, versatility is critical for today’s offensive linemen. To market himself to teams with left tackles already in place, Sewell has also been training at right tackle (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).

Sewell projects as a top ten pick and, in all likelihood, a Week 1 starter. Still, he’s hoping to appeal to teams that may already have an older left tackle in place. That way, a team could draft him and play him at RT in his rookie year before shifting him to LT down the road.

The draft is expected to start with three quarterbacks coming off the board, giving the Falcons a chance to snag Sewell at No. 4 overall. Sewell would be a solid and safe choice, though they could opt for a young quarterback or a dynamic playmaker instead (i.e. Florida’s Kyle Pitts or LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase). If the Falcons pass on him, the Bengals will have Sewell on the table at No. 5 overall. They already have Jonah Williams on the left side, but Sewell is willing to man the right tackle position.

Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, but he is still regarded as one of the top prospects in the ’21 class. The 6’6″, 330-pound prospect did not allow a single sack in 2019 while surrendering just seven quarterback pressures.

Texans Sign DL DeMarcus Walker

April 16th, 2021 at 9:03am CST by Zachary Links

Defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker took to Instagram to announce that he has signed with the Texans. The former second round pick will fight for an uptick in playing time after spending the last four years as a rotational player for the Broncos.

[RELATED: Texans Add Lane Taylor]

Walker has spent some time at outside linebacker, but he’s done his best work as a 3-4 defensive end. Last year, he notched 4.5 sacks, giving him 8.5 combined over the past two seasons. He saw time on 35% of the Broncos’ snaps last year, but the Broncos chose to replace him with former Viking Shamar Stephen this offseason. Meanwhile, Shelby Harris has been re-upped to reprise his role on the line.

Walker will be joined by ex-Broncos teammate Phillip Lindsay in Houston, plus a host of other defensive newcomers like Derek Rivers and Maliek Collins. For his career, Walker has appeared in 36 games (five starts), notching 51 tackles, 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Details On Jadeveon Clowney’s Deal With Browns

April 15th, 2021 at 10:18pm CST by Ben Levine

We learned yesterday that Jadeveon Clowney would be joining the Browns on a one-year, $10MM deal, and we’ve now got details on the new pact. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the deal includes a $4.5MM signing bonus and a fully guaranteed base salary worth $2.5MM.

The deal also includes $1MM in 46-man roster bonuses and $2MM in incentives (including $1MM in playing time bonuses and $1MM in sacks bonuses), making the deal effectively a one-year, $8MM deal that could be worth up to $10MM. Interestingly, the deal is technically a five-year pact, but that ultimately voids to a one-year pact for cap purposes.

Clowney didn’t necessarily have a robust market following an underwhelming season with the Titans that saw him collect 19 tackles and zero sacks in eight games; the Browns were one of three teams (along with the Colts and Ravens) who were connected to the former first-overall pick. While Clowney denied Cleveland last offseason, the team’s pursuit was successful this time around. The 28-year-old told NFL.com’s Nick Shook that the team’s continued interest (along with the money) ultimately changed his tune.

“It meant a lot, man,” Clowney said. “It means you’re wanted by somebody. You can tell that [if] somebody really wants you, they’re gonna use you the right way, so that was another big part of me making my decision. They wanted me and when you’re wanted by somebody, you can’t just turn it down like a relationship.”