HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Latest On Texans RB Darius Anderson

July 19th, 2022 at 8:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Texans running back Darius Anderson was charged with burglary with intent to commit assault following an incident on Friday morning, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com. Initial reports listed a charge of burglary with intent to commit rape, but per Wilson, a police official attributed that to a coding error.

According to his attorney, the player only learned of the arrest warrant when he saw the news on television, and he went to the courthouse on Monday morning. He was later released on $20K bond. Anderson’s arraignment was rescheduled from Wednesday to September 20.

According to court records, Anderson’s ex-girlfriend claimed that the athlete forced his way into her home on Friday morning and didn’t leave until she locked herself in a bathroom and called police. Anderson allegedly tried to assault the woman once they entered the home, and the player took “some shoes” before leaving (via Miya Shay of ABC13.com). Anderson denies the allegations.

“We are aware of the report involving Darius Anderson,” the Texans said in a statement. “We are gathering information and have no further comment at this time.”

Anderson scored 18 touchdowns in four seasons at TCU. He had one of his most productive collegiate seasons as a senior in 2021, finishing with 951 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 173 touches. He went undrafted during the 2020 draft, and after spending his rookie season with the Cowboys and Colts, Anderson joined the Texans late during the 2021 campaign. He inked a reserve/future contract with the organization back in January. The 24-year-old was already facing an uphill battle to make the roster; at best, he was battling with Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale to be the team’s fourth RB.

Latest On Raiders RB Kenyan Drake

July 19th, 2022 at 8:18pm CST by Ben Levine

Kenyan Drake‘s season ended a bit early when he suffered a broken leg in December. While the Raiders running back wasn’t cleared for minicamp last month, he’s optimistic he’ll be on the field for the start of training camp.

“I’m definitely going to be ready for camp,” Drake said during a recent appearance on the Silver and Black Pride podcast (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). “It’s not going to be full speed ahead once I get into camp, but for the regular season, I’m going to be definitely ready to go.

“A couple of preseason games or however I feel need to kind of get back into football shape. But really I’m excited about the opportunity to kind of get back on the field. I’ve been hurt for the [majority] of seven months now. … So I feel great just working through the things that you usually go through when you’re coming off a major injury and just ready to kind of get back on the field. It’s not my first rodeo.”

Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic recently echoed this sentiment, writing that Drake was “progressing nicely.” However, the duo didn’t necessarily say the RB would be ready for the start of training camp, instead writing that Drake was expected back “before the end of camp.”

Drake joined the Raiders last offseason on a two-year deal. He saw time in 12 games during his first season with Vegas, collecting 545 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 93 touches. While he didn’t get a whole lot of carries thanks to Josh Jacobs, he still contributed in the passing game, hauling in 30 catches. If Drake is forced to miss some time during training camp, rookies Zamir White (fourth round) and Brittain Brown (seventh round) could see increased reps. The Raiders are also rostering veterans Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah behind Jacobs and Drake.

Browns Not Interested In Ndamukong Suh, Could Have Interest In Sheldon Richardson

July 19th, 2022 at 6:50pm CST by Ben Levine

A report from last week hinted that the Browns could have some interest in Ndamukong Suh. That doesn’t appear to be the case, but the organization could still have interest in adding a defensive lineman. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, reports connecting Suh to Cleveland are “unfounded,” and “there doesn’t seem to be much interest” in adding the veteran. However, if the team does add a defensive tackle, Sheldon Richardson could be an option.

[RELATED: Browns Interested In DT Ndamukong Suh?]

Richardson spent two seasons in Cleveland, collecting 126 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 32 games with the organization. Richardson originally inked a three-year deal with the Browns in 2019, but after he refused to take a pay cut following the 2020 campaign, he was let go. He ended up catching on with the Vikings for the 2021 season, starting seven of his 17 games while collecting 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

As Cabot notes, the 31-year-old defensive tackle is still well liked from his time in Cleveland, with the reporter citing Richardson’s ability to help “patch things up” between Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield following the former’s suspension in 2019. Beyond his locker room presence, Richardson could also provide some guidance to the Browns’ younger defensive lineman, although Cabot hints that the organization may be content rolling with their current grouping.

The team is high on fourth-round rookie Perrion Winfrey, and they also want to see what they’ve got from third-year pro Jordan Elliott and free agent addition Taven Bryan. However, there’s always a chance a spot could open up, and if the Browns decide they need some reinforcement at defensive tackle, there’s a good chance Richardson will get a call.

One name that apparently won’t be called is Suh. The veteran’s run of Pro Bowls stopped in 2016, but Suh became a key piece for Rams and Bucs Super Bowl-bound teams in the years that followed. Last season, he registered six regular-season sacks and added four hits on Matthew Stafford in Tampa Bay’s narrow divisional-round loss.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/22

July 19th, 2022 at 6:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

  • Waived: QB Nate Stanley

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Placed on NFI: WR Rashid Shaheed

New York Jets

Raiders Place Three Defenders On PUP

July 19th, 2022 at 6:04pm CST by Ben Levine

A trio of Raiders defenders landed on the Physically Unable to Perform List today. The team announced that defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr., and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols were all placed on PUP.

It’s uncertain what ailments the two defensive linemen are dealing with, but Mullen underwent foot surgery back in May, so it was always unlikely that he’d be ready to go for the start of training camp. If any of the players remain on PUP past August 23, they’ll be forced to miss the Raiders’ first four games of the 2022 season (a change from last year’s six-game rule).

The Raiders traded for Rock Ya-Sin and signed Anthony Averett earlier this offseaosn, so Mullen’s delayed start could cost him a starting gig. The former second-round pick has spent his entire three-year career with the Raiders, starting 31 of his 37 games. After starting all 16 games in 2020, the 24-year-old started each of his five games for the Raiders in 2021, finishing with 20 tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. He had two stints on the IR during the 2021 campaign.

Hankins and Nichols both missed a chunk of OTAs, but at the time, it was assumed the defensive tackles were healthy scratches. Instead, the two veterans will be limited to start training camp. Hankins started 14 games for the Raiders last season, collecting 38 tackles. Nichols signed a two-year deal with the Raiders this past offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Bears. With the duo sidelined to start training camp, rookies like Neil Farrell Jr. and Matthew Butler could have a chance for extra reps.

The Raiders also announced that they’ve signed wide receiver Isaiah Zuber. The receiver spent the 2021 campaign on the 49ers, Browns, and Jets practice squads. He’s seen time in four career games, totaling 50 yards from scrimmage on four touches.

Deshaun Watson Rumors: Tuesday

July 19th, 2022 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL’s defining offseason story continues to head toward its conclusion, though disciplinary officer Sue Robinson’s decision should be expected to be the first of a few involving Deshaun Watson. Appeals and a potential legal fight may well be up next to determine the punishment for the Browns quarterback. Here is the latest on the Watson front:

  • Robinson’s decision is not expected to emerge this week, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweets. The post-hearing briefs were not due until July 12, and while an announcement this week would clear the way for this saga’s next chapter to begin before the Browns break for training camp, the retired judge has been expected to take her time and issue a detailed report. This delay opens the door to the Browns not knowing how long Watson will be suspended until well after camp begins. Appeals could push this process close to Week 1, while a court fight would likely drag the matter into the regular season. Recent NFL suspensions that went to court led to Tom Brady and Ezekiel Elliott playing after receiving injunctions, but both players eventually served their original-length bans.
  • The NFL has made its push for a full-season suspension clear, with three sources informing USA Today’s Mike Jones the league’s long-rumored intent did, in fact, come to light during the three-day June hearing.
  • Continuing the roundabout news cycles associated with potential Watson punishment, Robinson’s ruling could put Roger Goodell and NFL brass to the test. A two- to eight-game ban stands to be the most likely outcome, a source informed Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. This verdict would likely require the NFL standing down regarding an appeal. While overturning an independent arbitrator’s decision in this disciplinary process’ first go-round would further damage the NFL’s relationship with the NFLPA, the league would run into more bad PR if a two- or four-game ban came to pass. This is, however, the second report this week to predict the 26-year-old QB playing in 2022.
  • Part of the reason for Watson’s side to hope for lighter punishment: the NFL’s case. Anderson adds the NFL focused on four accusers’ accounts (Twitter link) — based on what has been uncovered during the league’s lengthy investigation — instead of the previously reported five during the hearing. Multiple women still suing Watson accused him of sexual assault, but Jones notes the NFL’s presentation did not include examples of sexual assault, force or violence. The attorney for the accusers, Tony Buzbee, was unsurprised by this, indicating the majority of Watson’s accusers allege the quarterback committed “indecent exposure and assault; that is, touching without consent.” The CBA calls for a baseline suspension of six games for “sexual assault involving physical force,” pushing Watson’s alleged misconduct into a gray area with regards to league punishment.
  • The NFLPA indeed referenced minimal or no punishment given to owners Dan Snyder, Robert Kraft and Jerry Jones during the hearing. The NFL, in its post-hearing brief, countered that by indicating the union’s issues with owner discipline (or lack thereof) are irrelevant to the Watson matter, Anderson adds (on Twitter).
  • If Watson ends up receiving a suspension that covers much of 2022, the Browns plan to sign a backup quarterback. They are not expected to pursue a starter-caliber passer, with the team confidence Jacoby Brissett can handle those responsibilities during Watson’s absence.

Latest On Baker Mayfield’s Panthers Deal

July 19th, 2022 at 3:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers are only responsible for $4.86MM of Baker Mayfield‘s 2022 salary. The Browns are paying $10.5MM. While the recently traded quarterback agreed to a trade-facilitating pay cut, incentives are present in his deal that would allow him to recoup some of his $3.5MM cut.

Team- and statistical-based incentives are present here, with Field Yates of ESPN.com detailing the escalator package Mayfield agreed to with Carolina (Twitter link). Though, most of them are not likely to be earned. The most realistic team-based bump would come if Mayfield plays 75% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps and the team wins 10 games. Additional incentives are in place for Panthers divisional-round wins, a Super Bowl LVII appearance and a Super Bowl win.

If the Panthers rank in the top 10 in total offense (or top five in the NFC), Mayfield would earn $300K, Yates notes. An additional $300K bump would come if the Panthers’ offense ranked in the top 10 (or top five in the NFC) in scoring. Mayfield attempting at least 224 passes and ranking top 10 in the NFL (or top five in the NFC) in completion percentage would result in another $300K bonus. A $500K Pro Bowl incentive also exists here.

Mayfield is 0-for-4 in Pro Bowl invites, leading to the original $18.9MM fifth-year option price tag. He has also not previously ranked in the top 10 in completion percentage in a season, topping out at 24th (63.8) during his 2018 rookie year. The Browns also fell short of the points and yardage thresholds in each of Mayfield’s four seasons, adding to the uphill climb here.

The recently traded QB has banked $32.7MM, through his four-year rookie deal. While it looks like he will have to wait until 2023 to cross the $50MM career-earnings barrier, the trade to Carolina stands to put the ex-Cleveland starter in a better position to cash in on the 2023 open market. The Panthers also have exclusive negotiating rights until next year’s legal tampering period, but GM Scott Fitterer said the team is likely a ways away from going down that road.

Falcons DT Eddie Goldman To Retire

July 19th, 2022 at 1:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Less than two weeks ago, Eddie Goldman agreed to terms with the Falcons. But the veteran nose tackle has changed his mind. Goldman instead intends to walk away from the game, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Goldman’s one-year Falcons deal was worth $1.3MM, and it came with just more than $1MM guaranteed. Goldman, who had previously spent his entire career with the Bears, will pass on a seventh NFL season to retire at 28. The Falcons have since confirmed Goldman’s intention (Twitter link).

This news comes days from the Falcons’ training camp report date for veterans. It also marks the second time in three years Goldman has made a late-summer decision not to play football. In 2020, the former second-round pick informed the Bears he was opting out due to COVID-19 concerns. Goldman returned to play one more season in Chicago, but the Bears’ new regime released him to start this offseason.

Goldman did well for himself as a pro, starting for a No. 1-ranked Bears defense in 2018. That unit, which featured accomplished veterans at most spots, helped snap an eight-season Bears playoff drought. More pivotal to Goldman’s path, the Bears took care of him shortly before that season commenced. Goldman signed a four-year, $42MM extension during the 2018 offseason. That deal came with $25MM guaranteed. While part of that contract tolled after his opt-out choice, the Florida State alum collected most of the money from that deal.

While Goldman later teamed with Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith on one of the league’s top front sevens, he beat all of those vets to Chicago by going in the 2015 second round. Pace misfired with his first pick as Bears GM (wideout Kevin White) but hit on Goldman, who started 73 of the 81 games he played with the Bears. Though known more for run defense, Goldman finished his career with 13 sacks. One of those was a safety, coming when Goldman sacked Jared Goff to give the Bears a second-half lead in a 2019 upset win in Los Angeles.

The Bears disbanded this decorated front seven, for the most part, this year. Mack, Hicks and Trevathan are also gone, and Robert Quinn skipped minicamp as he aimed to be traded. The Falcons still have Grady Jarrett, but their defensive line still invites questions. Atlanta is starting over on the edge, having drafted two Day 3 pass rushers after signing Lorenzo Carter. Inside, Atlanta used Anthony Rush as its first-string nose tackle during the offseason. The team also has former second-round pick Marlon Davidson (one start in two seasons) as an interior D-line cog.

Nine Second-Round Picks Remain Unsigned

July 19th, 2022 at 12:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

All 32 first-round picks have signed their rookie deals, and only a few players drafted from Rounds 3-7 — most notably quarterbacks Malik Willis and Matt Corral — have not signed their four-year contracts. But nearly a third of the second-round draftees remain unsigned as rookie camps open.

The Falcons, Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Giants and Jets begin their rookie camps Tuesday. That will soon classify Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo as a holdout. In addition to Baltimore, six other teams — the Buccaneers, Packers, Titans, Seahawks, Vikings and Bears — have unsigned Round 2 picks.

While the Jets and Saints have avoided holdout situations with their respective second-rounders — Breece Hall (No. 36 overall) and Alontae Taylor (No. 49) — already on Tuesday, here is the remaining unsigned contingent:

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers

  • No. 34: Christian Watson, WR (North Dakota State)

Minnesota Vikings

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Desmond Ridder also came to terms on his rookie deal Tuesday, avoiding a Falcons holdout situation. But, whereas third-rounders have less bargaining power due to only their signing bonuses being guaranteed, second-round picks have made inroads with guarantees. Second-rounders have made gains since the 2011 CBA changed the rookie salary model. The player to start off the 2011 second round (Patriots wideout Ras-I Dowling) did not receive any fully guaranteed money beyond Year 2. Although previous years have seen incremental guarantee progress, the 2022 offseason has brought substantial developments on this front.

Certain Round 2 picks’ guarantee structures have caused this year’s signing gridlock. The Texans’ decisions to guarantee three full years of No. 37 overall pick Jalen Pitre‘s rookie deal and give No. 44 choice John Metchie 56% of his third year guaranteed have understandably led to players drafted in these neighborhoods to clamor for the same structure, causing a slowdown in signings compared to where Round 2 picks normally are at this point on the calendar.

With Pitre being drafted after Logan Hall, Watson and McCreary, the agents for the Houston, North Dakota State and Auburn talents are undoubtedly calling for their clients to see three years fully guaranteed. To end their long negotiation with Breece Hall, the Jets fully guaranteed the running back’s third year, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. Last year, that draft slot received just 58% of Year 3 salary guaranteed, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter). Only seven 2021 second-rounders received even a partial Year 3 guarantee, illustrating the gains being made this offseason. The Hall, Watson and McCreary deals will likely reflect this soon.

The Falcons and Giants recently signed draftees chosen in this now-murky draft sector, and Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes both Arnold Ebiketie and Wan’Dale Robinson received major guarantee bumps compared to the previous players chosen at these respective draft slots (Nos. 38 and 43). Just more than 90% of Ebiketie’s third season is fully guaranteed, per Wilson, who adds just more than 60% of Robinson’s 2024 salary is guaranteed (Twitter links).

The jump from 2021’s No. 43 pick (Trevon Moehrig, Raiders) to Robinson perhaps best shows the contractual strides second-round picks have made this year. Moehrig’s rookie deal does not include any fully guaranteed money in Year 3. Ebiketie’s third-year guarantee is up 20% from last year’s No. 38 slot (Christian Barmore, Patriots), per Wilson. These deals should provide road maps for the other second-round deals yet to be inked while giving future second-round picks more security.

Saints Sign Round 2 CB Alontae Taylor

July 19th, 2022 at 12:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

As rookies begin reporting to training camp, teams are ending unusually lengthy negotiations with second-round picks. After the Jets came to terms with Breece Hall on Tuesday morning, the Saints signed their second-round pick — cornerback Alontae Taylor — to wrap their draft class, per NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill (on Twitter).

One of 10 unsigned second-rounders, Taylor finishes out New Orleans’ five-man 2022 draft class. The holdup likely stemmed from how much of Taylor’s third-year salary would be guaranteed. That issue has led to a gridlock atop the second round, and a few mid-second-round draftees have taken months to sign as well.

The Saints chose Taylor 49th out of Tennessee. This marks the second straight year the Saints have used a second-day pick on a corner, with the team choosing Stanford’s Paulson Adebo in the 2021 third round. Taylor and Adebo together gives the Saints a rather crowded corner cadre. New Orleans still rosters Bradley Roby alongside Marshon Lattimore, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson is back to patrol the slot. Gardner-Johnson is going into a contract year. The team also has corner/safety P.J. Williams rostered; this will be Williams’ eighth NFL season.

Taylor represents the Saints’ top draft investment at the position since Lattimore came off the 2017 draft board in Round 1. ESPN ranked Taylor as this year’s 109th-best prospect, but the Saints clearly see more in the 6-foot defender.

At Tennessee, Taylor started a chunk of games in each of his four seasons. He intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, last season and broke up six more. Taylor’s rookie deal runs through 2025. Here is how the Saints’ draft class rounds up:

Round 1: No. 11 (from Commanders) Chris Olave, WR (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 1: No. 19 (from Eagles) Trevor Penning, OT (Northern Iowa) (signed)
Round 2: No. 49 Alontae Taylor, CB (Tennessee)
Round 5: No. 161 D’Marco Jackson, LB (Appalachian State) (signed)
Round 6: No. 194 (from Colts through Eagles) Jordan Jackson, DT (Air Force) (signed)
Round 6: No. — Selection forfeited

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