HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Commanders To Re-Sign T Cornelius Lucas

March 19th, 2024 at 10:50am CST by Adam La Rose

Cornelius Lucas is set to continue his time in the nation’s capital. The veteran offensive tackle has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $4MM, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

Lucas bounced around to four different teams during the first six years of his career. He played with the Lions, Rams, Saints and Bears between 2014-19, establishing himself as a spot-starter during that time. The 32-year-old primarily played at right tackle before arriving in Washington, but his Commanders spell has also included time on the blindside.

Playing on a two-year contract to begin his time in Washington, Lucas started eight games in 2020 and another seven the following season. He earned his two best PFF grades during that span (78.2 and 75,2), so it came as little surprise when the team re-upped him on another two-year pact. The former UDFA was used exclusively at right tackle in 2022, but last season he saw four starts on the left side (including the final three weeks of the season when he filled in for an injured Charles Leno).

The latter will not return to the Commanders this season, and the team has made a number of changes up front this offseason. That has included free agent deals with center Tyler Biadasz and guard Nick Allegretti, but this Lucas agreement represents the first move with respect to a tackle. A full-time starter on the blindside will likely be a priority during next month’s draft.

With Lucas still in the fold, though, the Commanders will have stability at the swing tackle spot. The Kansas State product has been charged with seven sacks allowed by PFF between the past two seasons, and as a result his overall grades have dipped compared over that time to his best showings. Still, Lucas will be in place as a familiar and experienced spot-start option for 2024.

Titans Sign DT Sebastian Joseph-Day

March 19th, 2024 at 10:10am CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after a free agent visit with the Titans, Sebastian Joseph-Day has a deal in place. The veteran defensive tackle is signing with Tennessee on a one-year deal, per an announcement from his agency.

Joseph-Day met with the Titans on Monday, as noted by ESPN’s Field Yates. That, in turn, came shortly after the 28-year-old visited the Bills, per Yates. He has elected to head to Nashville after beginning his career on the West Coast. The Titans will be Joseph-Day’s fourth NFL team.

The former sixth-rounder spent three seasons with the Rams, serving as a full-time starter throughout that period. His play in Los Angeles landed him a three-year, $24MM Chargers pact, but he found himself on the waiver wire well before that contract had been played out in full. Joseph-Day was waived in December shortly after the firings of head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco.

The 49ers moved quickly in signing him to finish out the campaign, part of the team’s overall efforts to add along the defensive line in advance of what turned out to be a run to the Super Bowl. Joseph-Day took on a much smaller workload in San Francisco than he did with both L.A. franchises, so it comes as no surprise he has departed in free agency. The Rutgers product has posted 11 sacks in 71 career games while recording between 36 and 56 tackles each season to date.

Joseph-Day will likely take on a starting role alongside Jeffery Simmons on Tennessee’s D-line. The Titans lost Denico Autry to the division-rival Texans in free agency last week, and Jaleel Johnson and Kyle Peko are unsigned. Tennessee ranked 13th against the run in 2023, and Joseph-Day’s arrival should help the team maintain (or improve upon) that success next year. The Titans entered Tuesday with more than $46MM in cap space, and this deal will likely represent a low-cost addition, meaning the team will still have considerable spending power moving forward.

Seahawks Interested In Randy Gregory

March 19th, 2024 at 9:30am CST by Adam La Rose

Randy Gregory finds himself in free agency after failing to live up to the big-money deal he signed with the Broncos in 2022. The veteran edge rusher has at least one known suitor for a potential new deal.

The Seahawks have shown “preliminary interest” in Gregory, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports. The 31-year-old appeared set to extend his Cowboys tenure in 2022 with a five-year, $69.5MM contract being worked out. In the end, though, issues over guarantees led to the deal falling through. He signed with the Broncos under the same terms, leading to substantial expectations for him in Denver.

Gregory played only 10 games with his new team between the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, however. A knee injury left him sidelined for an extended stretch, and when on the field the former second-rounder did not perform as hoped. Gregory totaled three sacks with the Broncos, and early last season he was set to be released. A trade partner was found in the form of the 49ers, though, and he finished the campaign in San Francisco. After serving in a rotational role in the Bay Area, Gregory is now set to move on as a free agent.

Given the nature of his health and performances over the past two years, a ‘prove-it’ deal would be reasonable in Gregory’s case. The Nebraska product would be working with a familiar face if he were to accept a Seattle deal. Aden Durde – now the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator – served as the Cowboys’ defensive line coach when Gregory played in Dallas. A reunion could help the latter regain his previous form, which included six-sack campaigns in 2018 and ’21.

Seattle already has a lucrative investment along the edge in the form of Uchenna Nwosu. The team has also used a second-round pick in consecutive years on outside linebackers (Boye Mafe in 2022, Derick Hall in 2023), meaning a signing amongst the remaining free agents does not need to be high priority. That is especially true given the fact Darrell Taylor was retained on a new pact taking the place of a potential RFA tender. Still, a Gregory deal could allow him to compete for a depth role as he attempts to rebuild his value in another new environment.

NFL Issues Draft Penalties Against 49ers For 2022 ‘Payroll Accounting Errors’

March 19th, 2024 at 8:44am CST by Adam La Rose

The 49ers have received draft penalties from the NFL owing to an error with respect to the reporting of team compensation from the 2022 league year. As noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team’s 2024 fourth-round pick will be moved to the back of the round; San Francisco’s own 2025 fifth-round selection has also been forfeited.

“This action resulted from a league review that found administrative payroll accounting errors at the close of the 2022 league year that resulted in a misreporting of the club’s cumulative player compensation,” a league statement reads. “The NFL determined that the club would have remained under the salary cap at all times regardless of the error and there was no intent to circumvent the cap.”

NFL teams follow a number of strict rules with respect to the salary cap under the threat of draft or financial penalties to avoid accidental or deliberate miscalculations. Clubs are required to declare a number of elements of their financial situation to the league (such as rollover cap space brought forward into the following league year and designating bonuses as likely or not likely to be earned). The 49ers have confirmed the error on their part without specifying the nature of the mistake.

“We take responsibility and accept the imposed discipline from the NFL due to a clerical payroll error,” the team said in a statement. “At no time did we mislead or otherwise deceive the League or gain a competitive advantage in connection with the payroll mistake.”

As a result of the league discipline, the 49ers will see their fourth-rounder in next month’s draft drop to the end of the order behind all compensatory picks. The selection will therefore move from No. 132 to No. 135. San Francisco benefitted more than any other team this year in terms of compensatory picks being awarded, and the team’s total for 2024 will remain the same. The 49ers already owned a different 2025 fifth-round selection, so they still have seven picks (one in each round) for next year as things stand.

Saints Sign DE Chase Young

March 18th, 2024 at 11:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Chase Young‘s free agent period is likely to come to an end. The former No. 2 pick is set to visit the Saints today with the intention of signing, as first reported by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

Young will receive $13MM fully guaranteed on a one-year deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. That represents quite the ‘prove-it’ commitment on the part of New Orleans, a team which has shown interest in the former Defensive Rookie of the Year. Young’s visit with New Orleans was rescheduled to today, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. With that process having gone according to plan, the sides have a deal in place. The team has now announced the signing.

A trio of teams quickly emerged as Young suitors – New Orleans, Carolina and Tennessee. It thus comes as little surprise that the Saints appear to have won out the competition for his services as he profiled as one of the more intriguing free agents on the market. Young will be 25 at the start of the 2024 season, meaning he could have more upside and runway for high-end play than many other veterans who landed big-money deals last week.

The Ohio State product entered the league with massive expectations, but for the most part he did not deliver during his time in Washington. Injuries in 2021 and ’22, along with perception of freelancing during his time with the Commanders, hindered Young’s trade value leading up to this year’s deadline. Washington appeared committed to retaining one of he and fellow first-rounder Montez Sweat at that point. As such, Young’s contract year could have ended with him remaining in the nation’s capital.

However, he (like Sweat) was traded, finding himself in a deal which allowed him to reunite with former college teammate Nick Bosa in San Francisco. Young recorded five sacks in seven regular season games with the 49ers, adding one in the team’s postseason run. A deal keeping him on the Bay Area was in the cards, but Young made it clear upon arrival he would test the market. That suggested a departure could be coming, and he will now join a Saints team making another investment along the edge.

New Orleans has Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson in the fold, with both veterans having signed extensions last offseason. The team has also spent significant draft capital at the defensive end spot in recent years, including a first-round pick in 2021 (Payton Turner) and a second-rounder last April (Isaiah Foskey). Young will join that edge group for at least one season ahead of another potential trip to free agency.

The Saints – following yet another offseason filled with restructures and cuts needed to achieve cap compliance – entered Monday with $18.6MM in cap space. Young’s deal being fully guaranteed will eat into that figure considerably, although void years will no doubt be in place. It will be interesting to see how he fares in New Orleans and how his performance affects his value ahead of next offseason.

WR Odell Beckham Jr. Confirms Ravens Departure

March 18th, 2024 at 10:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Indications from earlier this month pointed to Odell Beckham Jr. departing the Ravens in free agency after his one-year stint with the team. The former Pro Bowl wideout confirmed that will be the case via an Instagram post.

“Swea on everything, I appreciate the Flock more than all could EVER imagine,” his message reads in part. “Did everything I could with the opportunities I had. Wish I got to do it big for yall.”

The Ravens restructured Beckham’s contract – a one-year deal including $15MM guaranteed – before ultimately releasing him with a post-June 1 designation, as detailed by ESPN’s Dan Graziano. That move added further to the expectation his tenure in Baltimore would be a one-and-done endeavor. Now, the 31-year-old will turn his attention to free agency once again.

Beckham missed the entire 2022 season while rehabbing an ACL tear, and his time on the open market was a prolonged storyline around the NFL last spring. He ultimately joined the Ravens on a more lucrative pact than many expected he would receive, given the relative lack of suitors Baltimore was bidding against. The Jets showed interest last year, though, and they could once again be a team to watch with respect to Beckham’s next move.

The Super Bowl winner flashed the potential to remain a high-end producer during his brief time with the Rams prior to suffering the ACL tear. Beckham remained mostly healthy in 2023, suiting up for 14 games and posting a 35-565-3 statline. His 16.1 yards per catch average was the highest of his career, and he could prove to be a secondary receiving option on a new team with a short-term agreement in particular.

Many of the top WR options in the 2024 free agent class are already off the market, and the depth of highly-regarded draft prospects at the position could lead to many veterans remaining unsigned for the time being. Baltimore will be a team to watch regarding an addition next month to provide depth in the pass-catching department, as Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and the recently re-signed Nelson Agholor are on the books. Beckham will not be a part of that group in 2024, however.

Cowboys Restructure Dak Prescott’s Contract

March 18th, 2024 at 10:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Talks on a Dak Prescott extension are ongoing, and the Cowboys would likely see significant cap savings in 2024 by working out a new deal. The team’s alternative, of course, has remained a restructure to lower Prescott’s cap charge in case a long-term arrangement cannot be worked out.

Dallas has indeed taken the latter route, as detailed by ESPN’s Field Yates. The Cowboys converted a $5MM roster bonus Prescott was owed on Sunday into a signing bonus, creating $4MM in cap space. As a result, the 2023 MVP runner-up’s cap charge now sits at $55.46MM, a figure which more than doubles the amount from last season.

Two void years were tacked onto Prescott’s deal, Yates adds. As a result, void years now extend into 2028 on the contract as currently structured. Yates’ colleague Dan Graziano notes Prescott’s permission was required to add void years, so this short-term agreement is a sign the parties remain willing to work out more permanent solution. The parties are discussing a deal, although owner Jerry Jones has publicly stated he is prepared to carry out the season with Prescott carrying a massive cap hit. The latter has considerable leverage given his no-tag and no-trade clauses coupled with the 2024 cap relief an extension would yield.

The $4MM in immediate savings will become dead money next year in the event Prescott were to depart in free agency. If that were to be the case, the Cowboys would be hit with roughly $40MM in cap charges, another factor which will no doubt influence extension efforts on the team’s part. Dallas also has monster second contracts to work out with wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons, both of whom are now eligible for a deal keeping them in place beyond their respective rookie pacts.

2023 trade acquisition Trey Lance will remain in place for the coming season, and he is set to occupy the backup quarterback role as a result. Prescott’s play as Dallas’ starter in 2024 will be a key determinant in the value of his next contract if he and the Cowboys are not able to agree to a new deal this spring. Even with this small move aimed at providing short-term flexibility, though, an extension remains firmly on the table.

Falcons Re-Sign DL Kentavius Street

March 18th, 2024 at 10:25pm CST by Ben Levine

The Falcons have made their first defensive transaction of the offseason. The team announced that they’ve re-signed defensive lineman Kentavius Street.

The former journeyman seemed to settle in with the Falcons down the stretch of the 2023 campaign. After getting traded to Atlanta in October, Street proceeded to start all five of his appearances for his new squad. He compiled 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack before getting shut down early with a pectoral injury. Pro Football Focus only ranked Street 82nd among 130 qualifying interior defenders, although his grade was partly brought down by a dreadful coverage grade.

The former fourth-round pick played out his rookie contract in San Francisco but only got into 35 games across those four seasons. He had a career year off the bench for the Saints in 2022, finishing with 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks. That performance earned him a contract with the Eagles last offseason, but Philly shipped him to Atlanta in a swap for late-round picks.

The Falcons have made headlines this offseason with their offensive moves, but the front office has been quiet on the defensive side of the ball, with Street representing their first signing. The 27-year-old probably won’t step back into the starting lineup in 2024 since Grady Jarrett should be back to full health, but he could still see an important role as a rotational piece for the Falcons.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/24

March 18th, 2024 at 9:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Seattle Seahawks

Cowboys To Re-Sign RB Rico Dowdle

March 18th, 2024 at 8:55pm CST by Ben Levine

There will be plenty of uncertainty in the Cowboys’ running backs room heading into 2024, but the team can at least count on some continuity at the position. SportsTrust Advisors announced that running back Rico Dowdle is sticking in Dallas.

Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports that Dowdle will be inking a new one-year deal with the Cowboys. The contract is worth $1.255MM and includes a $200K signing bonus.

The South Carolina product joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020. After appearing in only 19 offensive snaps through his first three seasons in the NFL, Dowdle saw a larger role in 2023. The fourth-year player served as Tony Pollard‘s primary backup and finished the season with 505 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 106 touches. The 25-year-old also returned six kickoffs this past season.

Pollard left for the Titans in free agency, and the Cowboys have yet to add a replacement. That would leave Dowdle and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn atop the depth chart, with Malik Davis and Snoop Conner also around to soak up snaps.

Load More Posts