HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

5 Key Stories: 5/7/23 – 5/14/23

May 14th, 2023 at 3:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of intriguing developments have taken place around the league in recent days. In case you missed any of the top headlines from the past week, here’s a quick recap:

  • Snyder, Harris Sign Commanders Sale Agreement: The sale of the Washington Commanders took another step forward with Dan Snyder and incoming owner Josh Harris announcing that they have signed an exclusive sale agreement. Harris has long been expected to take over the embattled franchise this offseason, but this latest development leaves only ratification by the league’s other owners as the final hurdle yet to be cleared. That process may not take place at the next owners’ meetings later this month, but it is nevertheless expected to occur rather smoothly. The $6.05 billion price for the team is another North American sports record, and Harris will join the league after finishing as a runner-up for the Broncos last offseason. Attention will increasingly turn, meanwhile, to the outcome of the latest investigations into Snyder and the Commanders, and the degree to which his alleged misconduct becomes public as he transitions away from his 24-year ownership tenure.
  • Vikings Deal Smith To Browns: Cleveland has made it a priority to add to their front seven this offseason, and that endeavor has now resulted in the trade acquisition of veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Vikings. A swap of Day 3 picks helped send the three-time Pro Bowler back to the AFC North, after his stint in Minnesota lasted only one season. Smith, 30, requested earlier this year to be released by the Vikings despite the presence of two more years on his contract and having recorded double-digit sacks for the third time in the past four seasons. The former Raven and Packer will give Cleveland a proven pass-rushing presence opposite Myles Garrett, and compliment the free agent signing of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Minnesota will now lean increasingly on their own March addition, Marcus Davenport, as both teams look to take a step forward on defense in 2023.
  • Texans To Extend Mason: The Texans continue to invest in their offensive line, and their right guard spot will be secure for years to come. Shaq Mason agreed to a three-year, $36MM extension, which will keep him on the books through the 2026 campaign. That accord is another notable one for the longtime Patriot, who had a one-year stint in Tampa Bay last season. One of the few healthy members of the Buccaneers’ offensive front in 2022, the 29-year-old confirmed his status as one of the better guards in the league. He was traded to Houston earlier this offseason in a cost-shedding move, though, allowing him to join a young interior o-line with the Texans. Mason, along with 2022 first-rounder Kenyon Green and second-round rookie Juice Scruggs, figure to be in the team’s plans at guard and center, respectively, for the foreseeable future.
  • Saints Sign Moreau: Not long after his decision to step away from football following a cancer diagnosis, tight end Foster Moreau signed with the Saints. The 26-year-old got a three-year, $12MM deal, which demonstrates how confident he and the team are that a full recovery from Hodgkin’s lymphoma will take place. Moreau will be reunited with quarterback Derek Carr after the pair played together with the Raiders, and the former has a path to signficant playing time on his new team. It was during a Saints free agent visit that Moreau was originally diagnosed, but talks between the parties on a potential contract picked up again after New Orleans traded away Adam Trautman. Moreau could be on the field as early as OTAs later this month, but even if not, his presence will be welcomed on a number of fronts.
  • Chargers Remain Intent On Retaining Ekeler: One of the ongoing storylines around the league has been the standing trade request from Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. The 27-year-old is seeking a new contract, one which will likely come from another organization on the free agent (rather than trade) market. Ekeler is thus expected to remain in Los Angeles for the 2023 campaign, as confirmed by general manager Tom Telesco. The latter made clear that the team has no intention of seeking out a trade partner, despite having granted the two-time touchdown leader permission to do so. Ekeler – who has amassed over 1,500 scrimmage yards in three of the past four seasons – is due $6.25MM this season, but could play his way into a larger figure (relative to the depressed RB market) with another strong campaign with the Bolts.

Saints TE Foster Moreau Could Participate In OTAs

May 14th, 2023 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Foster Moreau‘s return to football took an unexpected and encouraging step when he inked a deal with the Saints. That move suggests the veteran tight end will be able to suit up by the fall, but he could be on the field much sooner than that point.

Moreau – who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this offseason – could take part in OTAs in New Orleans, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. That would represent another surprising development, considering the 26-year-old is still receiving treatment at this time. Head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that Moreau’s prognosis has remained “extremely positive,” opening the door to his quick return to the field.

The latter signed a three-year, $12MM pact to continue playing with quarterback Derek Carr after the pair spent time together with the Raiders. Moreau received $8MM guaranteed, illustrating the Saints’ confidence that he can recover in full and play a large part in the team’s passing attack. Moreau will compete with Juwan Johnson for snaps and targets in what is now a Carr-led offense.

The Saints created a vacancy in the TE room by trading Adam Trautman to the Broncos. After that deal was complete, New Orleans – one of the teams which hosted Moreau on a free agent visit – circled back to the latter to work out a deal knowing his absence from football was expected to be temporary.

“I think we knew that he was going to be cleared to participate and we felt like we were a destination that he was certainly interested in,” Allen said, via Terrell. “And so soon as the draft was over we had some communication. I will say that we knew where we were looking and it was just a matter of trying to get something done.”

New Orleans will begin OTAs on May 23, which will be the first point at which Moreau could practice with his new team. To no surprise, Allen insisted that the team will remain cautious in their approach with the LSU product, but his latest remarks point further to a quick recovery on Moreau’s part not long after what could have been a career-ending diagnosis.

Latest On Commanders Sale

May 14th, 2023 at 1:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

The next major step toward a formal sale of the Commanders took place recently, with Dan Snyder and Josh Harris announcing that a sale agreement is in place. The deal may not become official in time for the next owners’ meetings, however.

A report from the Washington Post’s Mark Maske and Nicki Jhavbala notes that the agreement in place “probably would not be approved without some revisions” under normal circumstances. Momentum for Harris taking over the embattled franchise, they add, stems primarily from the “strong desire” to see Snyder displaced as owner, rather than the offer being clear of issues.

The latter point has been mentioned as a potential hurdle to a quick approval of the deal. Finances are at the heart of concerns the NFL’s finance committee may have, though clarity has recently emerged regarding the various investors involved in the Harris bid. NBA icon Magic Johnson and billionaire Mitchell Rales are among those contributing to the record-breaking $6.05 billion sales price, though several other individuals are on board as well.

The next league meeting will take place May 22-23, which will be after the recommendation from the finance committee regarding approval of the sale is made. As the Post report notes, it is now “increasingly unlikely” that ratification will take place at that time. Instead, the league’s owners (at least 24 of whom will need to vote in favor of the deal to make it official) might only be updated on the status of the Harris bid, with a formal vote taking place “in the coming months.”

That would follow a similar timeline to last year’s Broncos sale, in which Harris was the runner-up. The vetting process on the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner already took place then, which should help the Commanders sale move along at a steady pace in the coming weeks. Barring any further complications regarding Snyder and the ongoing investigations into sexual misconduct and financial improprieties, this saga could still reach an end during the 2023 offseason.

Eagles’ Jalen Carter Named In Civil Lawsuit Related To Fatal Crash

May 13th, 2023 at 10:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jalen Carter‘s involvement in a fatal car crash in January has been put to rest with respect to criminal proceedings via his plea agreement. The Eagles defensive tackle is now facing a new legal hurdle, however.

Carter has been named as a defendant in a $40MM civil suit filed by Devin Willock Sr., as detailed by Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports. Willock’s son, along with staffer Chandler LeCroy, were killed in an accident resulting from a racing incident following Georgia’s national championship victory. The lawsuit also names the school’s athletic association and LeCroy’s estate as defendants.

Of the $40MM total, Carter is individually being sued for $10MM, per Callie Lawson-Freeman of Yahoo! Sports. The latter figure, the suit states, represents what Willock believes his son would have earned in the NFL. Carter recently signed his four-year rookie contract with the Eagles, which has a total value of $21.8MM and includes the potential for a fifth-year option being exercised.

The fatal accident – which included Carter fleeing the scene and later being booked on misdemeanor charges – was a key talking point during the pre-draft process. An underwhelming pro day performance added to character concerns for the All-American, leading a number of teams to take him off their draft boards. Philadelphia (a team which has added several ex-Bulldogs in recent drafts) traded up one spot to select him, though, after an evaluation process which did not include extensive vetting of the crash.

Carter was driving with a suspended license at the time of the accident, ESPN’s Tim McManus notes. That did not factor into the charges (reckless driving and racing) which he faced, however, and his plea agreement prevents any further proceedings taking place stemming from the crash. The Willock suit notes two other occasions which Carter received citations or tickets for. In addition to facing 12 months of probation, paying a $1,000 fine and serving 80 hours of community service, the latter is required to complete a driving course.

A statement from Georgia’s athletic association calls the allegations “baseless,” and makes clear its intention of fighting them in court. Whether or not Carter looks to match that approach will be a key storyline to follow as this process unfolds.

Texans Sign Second-Round C Juice Scruggs

May 13th, 2023 at 9:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans have already signed their final four draft picks from this year’s class, but they have now come to terms with their second-rounder as well. Houston signed former Penn State center Juice Scruggs to his rookie deal, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPCR2. The four-year contract is worth slightly more than $6MM.

[RELATED: Texans Extend G Shaq Mason]

Scruggs’ path to the NFL was a tumultuous one, with a 2019 car accident leaving his playing future in serious doubt. He recovered in full, though, and became a team captain with the Nittany Lions by the end of his college career. That completed a notable turnaround from a high-profile recruiting process coming out of high school in which he had a number of notable offers to choose from.

The 6-3, 315-pounder earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022, cementing his status as one of the top interior linemen in this year’s class. The Texans made a small trade up to No. 62 to select him, and he was the third center to hear his name called. While Scruggs has experience at guard, he is expected to primarily see time in the middle of Houston’s o-line.

That will allow him to immediately compete for a starting role. The Texans re-signed veteran Scott Quessenberry earlier in the offseason, but Scruggs could displace him as a first-teamer during training camp. If that were to take place, he would become the second consecutive interior blocker to see signficant playing time as a rookie in Houston. First-rounder Kenyon Green played 15 games at left guard last season, and represents a part of the team’s long-term plans up front.

The same is also true of Laremy Tunsil, of course. The Pro Bowl left tackle inked a three-year, $75MM extension in March, ensuring stability on the blindside for the rebuilding team. Tunsil, Green and Scruggs could form the left side of their offensive line for years to come if all goes according to plan.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/23

May 13th, 2023 at 6:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Miami Dolphins

All three players were part of Miami’s UDFA class. As teams continue to sort out their rosters for rookie minicamps and tryouts, though, many deals fail to result in extended looks in the spring. Horst, Jensen and Scaife will look to find new opportunities elsewhere in the league.

Texans To Sign CB Shaquill Griffin

May 13th, 2023 at 4:13pm CST by Ely Allen

After getting an early release from his three-year, $40MM deal in Jacksonville, veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin will reportedly be signing a one-year deal with the Texans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal has a reported maximum value of $4.5MM and includes $3MM of guarantees, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. After the Jaguars failed to find a trade partner for Griffin, they’ll face him twice this season as a division opponent.

Griffin signed with Jacksonville after finishing out his rookie contract in Seattle. He produced at a high level from the jump but really gained recognition in 2019 when he was voted to the Pro Bowl and ranked as the 10th best cornerback in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

He initially rewarded the Jaguars with another strong season, ranking as the 19th best cornerback in the NFL, according to PFF. In 2022, though, injuries tanked his season. Already underperforming a bit through six weeks, Griffin’s season ended when he suffered a season-ending back injury. The Texans are hoping he will bounce back for a strong performance in 2023.

Griffin could slot in as another new starter for a new-look defense that is expected to field rookie defensive end Will Anderson, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, rookie linebacker Christian Harris, linebacker Denzel Perryman, and safety Jimmie Ward as starting newcomers. He’ll compete with Desmond King and Steven Nelson for starting snaps opposite Derek Stingley.

Bills Wrap Up Draft Class Signings, Ink TE Dalton Kincaid

May 13th, 2023 at 3:20pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bills today became the fourth team to wrap up their draft pick signings. The first tight end taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid has officially signed his four-year rookie contract, with a fifth-year option, becoming the last of the Bills’ rookies to sign. He also becomes the latest in the recent run of first-rounders to ink their deals.

Many had pegged the Bills as candidates to vie for a first-round receiver, but they opted for the draft’s best receiving tight end instead. Some posited that Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer was the position’s best prospect due to some injury history with Kincaid, but Kincaid may have jumped back up draft boards after being medically cleared in the days leading up to the draft.

Buffalo clearly had their eye on Kincaid as the draft progressed. General manager Brandon Beane and company got a little antsy as their time drew near and feared that the Cowboys might have their eyes on the Utah tight end. They resolved to ensure they got their guy by trading up in the first round for Kincaid.

Kincaid’s skillset should mashup well with returning Bills tight end Dawson Knox. Knox doesn’t blow away with his receiving ability but is a strong asset in the redzone and a good blocker, as well. Kincaid should be able to add a bit more receiving yards across the middle and has the ability to stretch the field on linebackers and safeties. Here is the entire 2023 draft class for Buffalo:

Round 1, No. 25 (from Giants through Jaguars): Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah) (signed)
Round 2, No. 59: O’Cyrus Torrence, G (Florida) (signed)
Round 3, No, 91: Dorian Williams, LB (Tulane) (signed)
Round 5, No. 150 (from Commanders): Justin Shorter, WR (Florida) (signed)
Round 7, No. 230 (from Buccaneers through Jets, Texans, Eagles and Bills): Nick Broeker, G (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 7, No. 252 (from Buccaneers through Rams): Alex Austin, CB (Oregon State) (signed)

Dolphins Sign 21 UDFAs

May 13th, 2023 at 12:44pm CST by Ely Allen

The Dolphins had to add a large number of undrafted free agents after finishing the 2023 draft with only four selections. Here are the rookies that will join the four-man draft class:

The Dolphins added a number of prospects who played in the South Florida area, either in college or high school. Scaife did both, starting 52 games for the Hurricanes at guard and tackle after a high school career at Miami Southridge. His teammate, Agude, only spent one season as a Hurricane after transferring over from UCLA. Charlton was a high school teammate of Scaife’s and spent time at UCF before transferring to Mississippi State.

Additionally, Blackman went to high school just south of Lake Okeechobee in South Bay before making starts at Florida State and Arkansas State. The lanky quarterback comes in as QB4 behind Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, and Skylar Thompson. Davis went to Deerfield Beach in South Florida before transferring from Oregon to Western Kentucky. Davis brings some interesting versatility, playing cornerback for the Ducks before catching 15 touchdowns over two years as a Hilltopper receiver. Finally, Smith grew up in West Palm Beach before transferring from Ole Miss to Kentucky.

After Thomas Morstead‘s short stint as the team’s punter, Miami signed former Patriot Jake Bailey. Bailey missed some time in New England with both injury and suspension, so perhaps Turk’s signing here is a backup plan to stash on the practice squad in case Bailey misses more time next season.

Titans Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents

May 13th, 2023 at 12:44pm CST by Ely Allen

The Titans have added to their six-man draft class to bring in 20 total rookies. Here are the 14 undrafted free agents vying for a roster spot this summer:

Murphy is an intriguing addition to a Titans defense that had some good pass rush performances in 2023 but nothing elite with the absence of Harold Landry. Murphy was virtually unblockable while leading Ferris State to two consecutive Division-II national titles. He put up two monster performances for the Bulldogs in those seasons, combining for 40.0 sacks and 60.5 tackles for loss over the last two years. He has the potential to provide to the rotation and compete for snaps behind Landry and Denico Autry with Arden Key and Rashad Weaver.

McClendon will compete as well after tallying six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss for the Colonels last year. Reese could surprise as a contributor at inside linebacker. He was a tackling machine for the Rebels, finishing second on the team last year with 84.

Copeland and McClelland will be joining their respective drafted teammates, sixth-round tackle Jaelyn Duncan and fifth-round tight end Josh Whyle, at minicamp. Jackson will join McClendon as a Mountaineer addition after leading the defense with 87 total tackles last year. He’s also a Nashville native, having attended high school at Hillsboro.

Tennessee inked another pair of teammates in Jones and Ojukwu. Ojukwu brings a strong resume after earning All-Mountain West first-team honors in each of the past two seasons as the Broncos starting left tackle. Jones has experience throughout college at both safety and nickelback.

Wolff comes in with the intention of battling Caleb Shudak for the responsibility of replacing Randy Bullock. Shudak only appeared in one game of his rookie year out of Iowa last season. He made three of four kicks, missing a 35-yard attempt. Wolff converted 42 of 52 field goal attempts and 107 of 110 of his PATs as a Red Raider. They’ll likely face off for kicking duties this summer.

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