2022 July - Pro Football Rumors

Cowboys To Re-Sign K Lirim Hajrullahu

July 1st, 2022 at 12:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys will have a familiar face on special teams during training camp later this month. The team is re-signing kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link).

The 32-year-old put himself on the NFL radar with his play in the CFL over the course of a six-year career there. That tenure included two all-star seasons and a Grey Cup championship. It earned him the opportunity to showcase himself in the United States, beginning in the 2020 offseason.

In April of that year, Hajrullahu signed with the Rams as they searched for Greg Zuerlein‘s replacement. He wasn’t able to win the job, however, as Los Angeles tapped Sam Sloman for the top spot. That began a cycle of brief stints in the Spring League and on multiple NFL teams’ practice squads for Hajrullahu in the proceeding two years.

That included time with the Panthers and, later, Cowboys in 2021. He made a total of four appearances last season, converting four of five field goal attempts and going eight-for-eight on extra points. His time in Dallas has earned him another opportunity to replace Zurlein, whom the Cowboys released earlier this offseason.

The team previously had only undrafted rookie Jonathan Garibay on the roster, leading to expectations that they would add competition at the position. Hajrullahu represents a veteran option, but Dallas could still bring in further candidates for the starting role in the coming weeks.

Latest On Steelers’ TE Competition

July 1st, 2022 at 10:15am CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers are set at the top of the depth chart when it comes to the tight end position, but there could be an intriguing competition for backup roles. Training camp and the preseason will dictate the futures of several players on the roster bubble, including Jace Sternbeger.

The 26-year-old was highly acclaimed coming out of college, after he earned All-American honors in his lone season at Texas A&M. That led to significant expectations when he was drafted in the third round of the 2019 draft by the Packers, but he has yet to live up to them. After a catch-less rookie season, he took only a small step forward in 2020 with 114 yards on 12 receptions.

That limited production, compounded by a two-game suspension to start the 2021 season, led to his release from Green Bay. He spent the remainder of the campaign on the practice squads of the Seahawks, Commanders and Steelers. His current home features standout performer Pat Freiermuth and top blocker Zach Gentry on the roster, who represent part of the reason that Sterberger faces “an uphill battle” to make the 53-man roster, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic (subscription required).

Another factor is the way rookie hybrid fullback/tight end Connor Heyward has been used in practice so far. Kaboly notes that he has taken snaps exclusively at tight end, leaving Derek Watt to operate as a full-time fullback. That also raises his chances of catching on as the team’s No. 3 tight end, ahead of Sternberger and Kevin Rader. The younger brother of teammate Cameron Heyward, the Michigan State product totalled 825 rushing yards and five touchdowns in college, adding 711 yards and another six scores in the passing game.

With many of the top skill-position pieces in place for the Steelers, the remainder of the offseason will prove pivotal as they establish the tight end pecking order, particularly at the bottom of the depth chart.

Ravens A Viable Destination For Free Agent WRs?

July 1st, 2022 at 9:05am CST by Adam La Rose

Historically known as a franchise left out of contention for free agent wide receivers to join, the Ravens may find themselves in unfamiliar territory. According to PFF’s Doug Kyed, Baltimore was labelled by a source as “an attractive landing spot” for veterans still on the open market.

The Ravens have seen a number of changes to their WR room this offseason. Departures at the position include Miles Boykin being claimed off waivers by the Steelers, and Sammy Watkins signing with the Packers after his one-year stint in Baltimore. The most impactful loss, of course, was that of Marquise Brown, whose trade request was honored during the draft when he was dealt to the Cardinals.

Those moves left the team thin on the depth chart, and with very little experience at the position. 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman is slated to become the No. 1 wideout in Brown’s absence, and will look to build off of an injury-shortened rookie campaign in which he flashed potential. The rest of the position group is led by Devin Duvernay, James Proche and Tylan Wallace – a trio which has combined to make 72 catches in the NFL.

That left many expecting the Ravens to select at least one wideout during the draft; while the team did add pass-catchers in the form of tight ends Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, no perimeter players were brought in. Free agency then represented the next avenue by which additions could be made, something general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged when speaking about the roster.

“We like our receivers, we do” he said last month, adding, “we will add players to the mix. We’re doing that right now, and we’ll look at veteran players as well.” One such veteran is Will Fuller, whom Kyed names as a logical candidate for Baltimore to sign. The 28-year-old could add a speed element which was lost with Brown being traded away, and would, in all likelihood, represent another short-term, low-cost commitment the team has regularly made at the position. Baltimore could also consider T.Y. Hilton, who returned to the Colts in 2021 after receiving a larger offer from the Ravens.

With a roster spot and, quite possibly, a healthy number of targets available, those two and other wideouts still searching for a home may consider coming to Baltimore more than others have in recent years.