2021 June - Pro Football Rumors

Falcons Sign Richie Grant

June 18th, 2021 at 9:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have formally signed second-round pick Richie Grant. The safety out of UCF will earn $8.3MM on his four-year deal, including a $3.4MM signing bonus.

Atlanta inked both of its fourth-round picks on Thursday, taking care of business with center Drew Dalman and defensive back Darren Hall. Now, with Grant taken care of, first-round tight end Kyle Pitts stands as the last straggler. That shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Falcons, though the two sides may be haggling over some particulars like offset language.

The Falcons moved down from No. 35 overall to No. 40, scoring Grant and adding a fourth-round choice in the process. Grant notched 290 tackles, one sack, 17 passes defensed, ten interceptions, and five forced fumbles while on campus. At the pro level, he’ll be a part of the Falcons’ secondary reboot, with Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Ricardo Allen out of the picture.

If he’s able to pick up the playbook quickly, Grant could be the first safety off of the bench behind new starters Duron Harmon and Erik Harris.

Jaguars Sign Laquon Treadwell

June 18th, 2021 at 9:24am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have signed Laquon Treadwell, per a club announcement. Treadwell participated in the Jaguars’ minicamp as a tryout player earlier this week and wound up earning a spot on the 90-man roster.

Treadwell, 26, came into the league as a first-round pick for the Vikings. Scouts had high hopes for the Ole Miss product, but he has yet to reach his potential. Across four seasons in Minnesota, Treadwell recorded a total of 65 receptions for 701 yards and two scores. His best season came in 2018, when he set career-highs in receptions (35) and receiving yards (302). For what it’s worth, he finished the ’19 slate with a 20.4-yard-per-catch average, but did so on just nine catches.

Last year, he hooked on with the Falcons’ practice squad and saw some time on the varsity roster. In 2020, he notched six grabs for 49 yards and two TDs in five games. Now, he’ll look to solidify his spot behind Jacksonville receivers D.J. Chark, longtime Lions WR Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault. Phillip Dorsett and veteran returner Pharoh Cooper are also among those vying spots.

Jets To Stick With Current CBs?

June 18th, 2021 at 8:27am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets’ cornerback group is extremely green, but that doesn’t seem to bother new head coach Robert Saleh. In a conference call with reporters, Saleh indicated that the Jets aren’t planning to add an experienced vet to the mix.

“The difference between Player A and Player Z is minimal, and the only thing that keeps Player Z from becoming Player A is an opportunity and reps,” Saleh said (via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “Let’s see what happens. Does it always happen? It doesn’t, but unless you’re willing to be bold enough to coach your tail off and to invest as much as you can into these young men and give them the opportunity to be seen, give them the opportunity to get reps, and give them the opportunity to get better, you’ll never know what you might find. So, that’s just the belief and the philosophy of not only our coaching staff but the entire organization, and that’s something we’re committed to.”

Saleh also quoted his old mentor, Pete Carroll: “You can’t be afraid to play young guys.” Saleh must have taken that to heart, because Justin Hardee is the Jets’ only corner with 3+ years of NFL experience, and he’ll mostly be on special teams. As it stands, the Jets project to start Bless Austin and Bryce Hall on the outside with either Javelin Guidry or rookie Michael Carter II on slot duty.

Of course, there’s still a long way to go between now and September. But, for now, it sounds like the Jets won’t be in the mix for veteran corners like Richard Sherman.

Surgery For Texans’ Marcus Cannon

June 18th, 2021 at 8:14am CST by Zachary Links

Texans tackle Marcus Cannon underwent minor knee surgery following the team’s OTAs (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Fortunately, Cannon’s already on the mend and he’s expected to be ready in time for training camp.

New Texans GM Nick Caserio traded for Cannon in March, bringing a familiar face to Houston. The deal saw the Texans and Patriots swap draft positions in the fourth round, fifth round, and sixth round, a reasonable sacrifice for an experienced starter.

Cannon has appeared in 115 games over the course of his career, including 69 starts, mostly at right tackle. The Texans are planning to slot him at right guard with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard manning the outside. Tackles are typically pricier than guards, but Cannon is owed just $4.7MM over the next two seasons, so his salary isn’t prohibitive for an interior lineman.

Cannon opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but the Texans believe that the 33-year-old is in game shape, or close enough to it. But, if his health proves to be an issue, they have recently-signed ex-Packer Lane Taylor as insurance.

Chiefs Sign WR Darrius Shepherd, Cut OL Martinas Rankin

June 17th, 2021 at 9:32pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chiefs are swapping an offensive lineman for a wideout. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed wide receiver Darrius Shepherd and released offensive lineman Martinas Rankin.

Shepherd, a 2019 undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State, spent the first two seasons of his career in Green Bay, where he appeared in 14 total games. The wideout finished his Packers career with six receptions for 47 yards and a pair of fumbles. The 25-year-old also contributed on special teams, returning 20 kickoffs for 374 yards.

The Chiefs certainly aren’t lacking for receivers; the team is currently rostering 15 players (including Shepherd) at the position. In other words, the latest acquisition’s best chance of seeing the field would probably be on special teams, although it’d be tough to knock off Mecole Hardman as the team’s top returner (not to mention Tyreek Hill waiting in the wings).

Rankin, a 2018 third-round pick by the Texans, was acquired by the Chiefs in the 2019 trade that sent Carlos Hyde to Houston. The lineman started five of his six games at left guard in 2019, but he was sidelined during Kansas City’s run to a championship. Rankin only saw time in one game in 2020, and he saw a limited number of special teams snaps during the 2020 postseason.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/17/21

June 17th, 2021 at 8:22pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are the latest mid-round rookie signings from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: CB Darren Hall (SDSU, fourth round)
Signed: C Drew Dalman (Stanford, fourth round)

Detroit Lions

Signed: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC, fourth round)
Signed: LB Derrick Barnes (Purdue, fourth round)

Bears Sign DT Mike Pennel

June 17th, 2021 at 6:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Mike Pennel has found his next gig. The veteran defensive tackle is signing a one-year deal with the Bears, according to his agent, Andy Simms (via Twitter).

The 2014 undrafted free agent has managed to put together a solid seven-year career, starting games for the Packers, Jets, and Chiefs. He spent the past two seasons in Kansas City, including a 2019 campaign where he started a pair of playoff games en route to a Super Bowl championship. After serving a two-game ban to start the 2020 season, Pennel saw time in 14 games (one starts) with the Chiefs last year, collecting 29 tackles and one QB hit. He also saw time in each of Kansas City’s three playoff contests, collecting a single tackle.

In total, Pennel has seen time in 91 career games (16 starts), collecting 155 tackles, two sacks, and 13 QB hits. The veteran has also appeared in 10 playoff games, collecting 11 tackles.

We heard earlier this week that the 30-year-old was trying out for the Bears. The team could be looking for some extra reinforcement along the defensive line after nose tackle Eddie Goldman decided to no-show mandatory minicamp.

Patriots Cut K Roberto Aguayo

June 17th, 2021 at 5:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Roberto Aguayo will have to find his next NFL gig elsewhere. The Patriots waived the kicker today, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss (via Twitter). The team also waived long snapper Wes Farnsworth and signed offensive lineman R.J. Prince.

Following a standout career at Florida State, Aguayo was selected with the 59th-overall pick by the Buccaneers back in 2016, making him the first kicker since 2005 (Mike Nugent, Jets) to be selected in the second round. Aguayo struggled throughout his rookie campaign, connecting on only 71-percent of his field goal attempts. He was replaced the following offseason, and he hasn’t seen the field for an NFL game since.

Following stints with the Bears, Panthers, and Chargers, Aguayo joined the Patriots last Decemnow ber. After spending time on their practice squad, he inked a reserve/futures deal. Barring another signing, New England’s kicking competition will come down to veteran Nick Folk and undrafted free agent Quinn Nordin.

Farnsworth joined the Patriots back in May and participated in their minicamp. The former undrafted free agent was competing with Joe Cardona for the starting gig, but it sounds like the veteran long snapper has won the job.

Prince, a 2018 undrafted free agent out of North Carolina, has spent time with the Steelers and Ravens. He hasn’t seen time in an NFL game.

49ers DE Jordan Willis Suspended Six Games

June 17th, 2021 at 5:09pm CST by Ben Levine

49ers defensive end Jordan Willis has been suspended for the first six games of the 2021 season, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Willis was banned for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The suspension would basically sideline the defensive lineman through the end of October. However, Willis will be allowed to participate in all offseason practices and preseason contests.

The former third-round pick was already going to be hard pressed to make the 49ers roster. Willis was acquired by the 49ers last season, and he was re-signed by the organization earlier this year. However, the team also added Zach Kerr and Maurice Hurst this offseason, pushing Willis down the depth chart.

In 50 career games split between the Bengals, Jets, and 49ers, the 26-year-old has collected 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He collected 13 tackles and five QB hits in seven games for San Francisco last season.

Raiders Sign LB Darron Lee

June 17th, 2021 at 4:46pm CST by Ben Levine

A former first-round pick is heading to Las Vegas. The Raiders announced that they’ve signed linebacker Darron Lee. The team also signed cornerback De’Vante Bausby and waived cornerback T.J. Morrison.

Lee, the No. 20 pick of the 2016 draft, disappointed during his three seasons with the Jets, collecting a total of 273 tackles and four sacks in 58 games (38 starts). He won a Super Bowl ring after getting traded to the Chiefs in 2019, but he was limited to mostly a backup role during his lone season in Kansas City. He caught on with the Bills in 2020, seeing time in only a pair of games.

Lee will have an uphill battle to find snaps, as the Raiders have put in work over the past few years to revamp their linebackers depth chart. Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski will once again lead the depth chart, but Lee would still have to overcome the likes of Nicholas Morrow, Tanner Muse, and Divine Deablo for playing time.

Bausby has bounced around the league a bit since going undrafted in 2015. The 28-year-old actually ended up having a career season in 2020, collecting 21 tackles and five passes defended in 11 games with the Broncos (and briefly the Cardinals).

Morrison went undrafted out of Stony Brook in this past year’s draft. He signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent back in May.