HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Chiefs’ Leo Chenal, Chamarri Conner, Joshua Williams On Track For Starting Roles

July 2nd, 2024 at 9:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

Many members of the Chiefs’ defense from the 2023 season are still in place, but a few notable departures have created room for rotational returnees to take on an increased workload. At the linebacker spot and in the secondary in particular, new faces are positioned to ascend to a starter’s role.

Willie Gay signed a free agent deal with the Saints, leaving Kansas City without a three-year starter on the second level. The team still has Nick Bolton in place for one first-team spot, but Leo Chenal is poised to fill Gay’s vacancy. The 2022 third-rounder is on track to see an uptick in defensive usage, Nate Taylor of The Athletic writes (subscription required).

Chenal has played in all 34 regular season games during his career to date, along with seven playoff contests. During that combined span, he has made 21 total starts but his largest workload so far has come on special teams. The 23-year-old racked up 65 tackles and three sacks last year, adding 15 stops and a forced fumble in the postseason. An increased workload in 2024 would lead to expectations for further growth in pass coverage in particular.

Needing to devote resources to defensive tackle Chris Jones this offseason, the Chiefs tagged-and-traded cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans in March. That created a notable opening in the secondary, but second-year defensive back Chamarri Conner is a strong candidate to step into a larger role. The 2023 fourth-rounder has experience at multiple spots dating back to his time in college, and he served as a fill-in at safety during his rookie campaign. Taylor notes, though, that in spring workouts Conner took first-team reps at the nickel corner position.

At times, All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie could slide to the inside. During those instances, Taylor writes Conner will likely move to the safety spot, something which will no doubt lead to a notable uptick in usage. The Virginia Tech product was on the field for 28% of defensive snaps in 2023, a figure which could check in much higher this fall. With respect to the perimeter spot opposite McDuffie, Taylor notes Joshua Williams received the most reps during OTAs and minicamp.

The latter has also been a special teams mainstay while seeing part-time usage on defense during his career. Williams, 24, has totaled 58 tackles and 12 pass breakups over his first two years in Kansas City; his coverage statistics saw a notable improvement last season. That could give the Chiefs cause for optimism a first-team role would suit the former fourth-rounder, although Taylor adds that Jaylen Watson is also in the mix for a starting position.

Kansas City’s defense played a central role in the team’s second straight Super Bowl title, and the unit will again face high expectations in 2024. New faces in starting positions could change the Chiefs’ performance on that side of the ball, but their familiarity with DC Steve Spagnolo should lead to a relatively smooth transition.

Eyioma Uwazurike’s Potential Reinstatement Hits Snag

July 2nd, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike is eligible to apply for reinstatement from his indefinite gambling suspension on July 24. However, Mike Klis of 9News in Denver passes along a wrinkle that may delay Uwazurike’s return.

The Colorado Department of Revenue is looking into whether Uwazurike violated any state gambling laws. While Klis notes that no charges have been filed, he does report that the state has teamed with Arapahoe County for a criminal investigation against Uwazurike. The Story County (Iowa) Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against the athlete last year.

The Iowa State product made approximately 801 wagers in the years prior to his suspension, including bets that featured the Cyclones and the Broncos. Klis passes along that the initial gambling allegations from Iowa were “suppressed and dismissed,” with attorneys successfully arguing that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation violated constitutional rights when using geolocation software to collect incriminating information.

That factor bodes well for Uwazurike’s chances of overcoming this latest investigation in Colorado. Attorney Harvey Steinberg told Klis that the state will have difficulties prosecuting the player following the Iowa dismissal.

“Iowa court suppressed all evidence seized, finding it was taken illegally,’’ Steinberg said. “That ruling is binding on the Colorado courts and the Colorado prosecutors. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to attempt to prosecute a case here when all the charges were dismissed in Iowa as result of that ruling.”

While Uwazurike may avoid legal consequences, it won’t necessarily speed up his return to the NFL. Per Klis, the NFL is “waiting until state and local authorities conclude their review” before considering reinstatement. So, while Uwazurike can apply for reinstatement in a few weeks, he may not be immediately granted his return. Players are set to attend Denver’s training camp on July 23, right before Uwazurike’s first potential day of reinstatement.

The Broncos used Uwazurike as a backup D-lineman in eight games in 2022; he got into 165 defensive snaps. Even with the lack of production, the organization (including coach Sean Payton, who didn’t even get to coach Uwazurike during the 2023 campaign) has continued to support the former fourth-round pick. A source told Klis that the 26-year-old “has shown contrition and a willingness to change” by attending therapy and gambler’s anonymous meetings. It sounds like Denver is at least willing to give him a chance to rehabilitate his career, even if it ends up with the defensive lineman temporarily landing on the practice squad.

S Tashaun Gipson Handed Six-Game Suspension

July 2nd, 2024 at 7:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

7:05pm: Gipson has been suspended for violating the league’s policy against performance-enhancing substances, per Cam Inman of The Mercury News.

3:30pm: Tashaun Gipson is among the numerous veteran safeties still on the free agent market, and that will likely continue for the foreseeable future. Gipson has been handed down a six-game suspension by the NFL, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

The cause of the ban is unclear, but it will nevertheless limit his availability at the start of the 2024 campaign. Gipson spent his last two seasons with the 49ers, and the team has been open to a reunion this offseason. With it remaining unclear if the 33-year-old intends to continue his career, though, San Francisco has elected to remain patient and allow him to decide on his future.

The team has struggled with injuries at the safety spot in recent years, and the draft addition of Malik Mustapha has lowered any potential urgency the 49ers would have proceeded with regarding a Gipson deal. The latter has played 173 games (165 starts) across time with the Browns, Jaguars and Bears prior to his two-year San Francisco spell. It will be interesting to see if today’s news impacts his aspirations regarding his playing career.

Gipson has not previously received a suspension in his career, one which included a Pro Bowl nod in 2014. His resume features five seasons with at least three interceptions, the most recent of which came in 2022. The former UDFA has remained steady in terms of coverage statistics as well, although in his case and others past performances has not translated to interest on the market this offseason.

The safety position has not fared well with respect to veteran producers in 2024, and the expectation remains most or all players still unsigned will be forced to settle for low-cost deals this summer. Gipson was already on track to be in such a position, but his stock will no doubt take another hit in the wake of today’s suspension.

Latest On Dolphins’ OT Depth

July 2nd, 2024 at 6:12pm CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins are hoping second-round pick Patrick Paul can eventually replace Pro Bowl offensive tackle Terron Armstead, but the rookie wasn’t expected to play a significant role in 2024. However, Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com believes Paul could quickly climb the depth chart and displace incumbent swing OT Kendall Lamm.

Lamm is entering his third year in Miami and is coming off a 2024 season where he got into 613 offensive snaps, the second-highest total of his career. With Armstead having missed 11 regular season games through his first two years in Miami, the team’s OT3 will surely be counted on at several points during the upcoming campaign.

At the moment, that would be Lamm, who is penciled in behind Armstead and Austin Jackson on the depth chart. But Beasley believes Paul “has a real chance” at jumping into that role for the 2024 campaign. On some teams, Paul might be in line for a starting role after establishing himself as one of the draft’s top OT prospects. The Houston product was first-team All-Big-12 in 2023 before being selected by the Dolphins with the No. 55 pick. The six-foot-seven, 331-pound lineman was obviously lauded for his size, but Dolphins OL coach Butch Barry recently noted that the rookie has displayed other elite skills.

“You can see that he’s got great length and great athleticism,” Barry told Beasley. “A guy that wants to learn, a guy that wants to be the best that he can be. I think that we have quality veterans that can really help in that…But he’s got so much upside for us to work with, and we just have to keep honing in.”

As the coach noted, Paul will lean on his veteran teammates throughout training camp. He’s already found a mentor in Armstead, who has been more than happy to help his newest teammate.

“I’ve had a short time with Patrick so far. I’ve seen some great things on the field, impressive for sure,” Armstead said. “Got a lot to learn, a lot of areas to improve in, but you see it — for sure, you see the potential. You see why he’s here. Smart young man, but any and everything that I can possibly give, show, say, see is going to be offered to him.”

Lamm doesn’t bring the same upside as his newest teammate, but he obviously provides more experience. The former UDFA has managed to stick around the NFL for nearly a decade, getting into 104 career games. The veteran inked a new one-year, $2.5MM deal with Miami this offseason, and the team could clear $900K if they decide to move on from the 32-year-old during training camp.

Latest On Bills’ WR Situation

July 2nd, 2024 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bills will have several new faces at the receiver position in 2024 with Gabe Davis having departed in free agency and Stefon Diggs expectedly being traded away. Training camp will prove to be a crucial point in the offseason as Buffalo looks to rebuild its WR depth chart.

Plenty of uncertainty remains regarding the final roster spots, and performances this summer will dictate who survives final cuts. Before camp opens, however, a shortlist of wideouts can be considered locks to make the Bills. As ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg writes, returnee Khalil Shakir, free agent addition Curtis Samuel and second-round rookie Keon Coleman fall into that category.

Shakir is the only receiver currently on the roster who has caught a pass from Josh Allen in his career. The 24-year-old has operated in a rotational capacity to date, although his 15.8 yards per catch average suggests he could establish himself as a notable vertical threat in Buffalo’s passing game. Samuel has much more experience – 91 games, 58 starts – during his time with the Panthers and Commanders, although he has generally served in a complementary role.

Samuel, 27, has recorded more than 656 yards only once in his career (2020). He could manage to match or exceed his career-best 851 yards during his tenure in Buffalo if it includes starting duties, though. The former second-rounder signed a three-year deal with a base value of $24MM in March, so he will be expected to serve as a consistent producer for the Bills.

Coleman’s addition came about after Buffalo traded out of the first round. Allen supported the decision to draft the Florida State alum, whose size (6-4, 210 pounds) and jump-ball skills make him an intriguing prospect. Regardless of how he, Samuel and Shakir fare, second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid and lead running back James Cook are of course in line for an uptick in targets in 2024.

To little surprise, Getzenberg adds that Marquez Valdes-Scantling can also be considered a roster lock. The former Packers and Chiefs speedster joined the Bills on a one-year deal after dining with Allen. Valdes-Scantling has struggled with drops during his career, but he will provide Buffalo with a known commodity in the pass-catching corps during a season in which uncertainty is present.

Other wideouts like Mack Hollins, Chase Claypool, KJ Hamler and Andy Isabella are also in place to compete for a roster spot. Their performances over the course of the summer will be worth watching, but the bulk of Buffalo’s receiver room is in place based on where things currently stand.

Colts DE Kwity Paye Not Eyeing 2024 Extension Agreement

July 2nd, 2024 at 2:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Earlier this offseason, the Colts elected to pick up Kwity Paye‘s fifth-year option. The ascending edge rusher is therefore on the books through 2025, and neither team nor player appears to be interested in working out an extension in the near future.

A report in May indicated the Colts have not engaged in extension talks with Paye, who has seen incremental improvement in production during each of his three seasons in the NFL. The former No. 21 pick is part of an edge contingent which also features the likes of Dayo Odeyingbo, Samson Ebukam and first-round rookie Laiatu Latu. His performance working alongside them will go a long way in determining his value on a second Colts contract.

“I’m excited that [general manager] Chris Ballard picked up my fifth year,” Paye said in an interview with Justin Melo of the Draft Network. “I see it as a prove-it thing now more than anything. I want to prove that I’m what this team needs in a pass rusher moving forward. I’m going to get out there and get the sacks, get the production.

“After I do that, we’ll have those contract discussions next offseason. For the most part, I’m not really worried about that [in 2024]. I’m worried about having my best season yet. We’ll discuss all that other stuff next offseason.”

Paye, 25, has started all 43 of his games and logged a steady defensive snap share during that span. Further progress both against the run and in the pass-rush department would help the Colts’ defense (a unit which was already strong up front last year) as well as his bargaining power. Paye could make a case for a deal near the top of the edge market if he takes a notable step forward in 2024, especially if the salary cap continues to rise and Indianapolis remains committed to quarterback Anthony Richardson on his rookie deal.

The Colts are currently on track to sit mid-pack with respect to cap space next offseason, although plenty of things will change in that respect between now and then. Part of the team’s plan will be centered on whether or not a lucrative Paye commitment will be worthwhile, and he appears to be content letting his 2024 performance dictate his value.

Lions DT D.J. Reader Likely To Miss Time During Training Camp

July 2nd, 2024 at 9:46am CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions made a considerable addition to their defensive interior during free agency with the signing of D.J. Reader. The veteran defensive tackle is continuing to recover from his second career quad tear, though, and it could very well lead to missed time once training camp opens.

Reader is expected to be sidelined when camp begins later this month, as noted by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required). He adds, however, that the 30-year-old remains on track to recover in full by the start of the regular season. Having Reader available for Week 1 would be a key development for the Lions’ front seven.

The quad tear ended Reader’s fourth Bengals campaign, and it threatened his free agent stock ahead of this spring. The former fifth-rounder inked a two-year deal with Detroit worth up to $27.25MM. The pact only includes $7.4MM locked in at signing, though, and with a $4MM roster bonus due early in the 2025 league year Reader’s health and performance come the fall will be key deciding factors in his future.

During his time in Cincinnati, the Clemson product served as a full-time starter and exceled as a run defender. Reader also posted 20 quarterback hits and seven pass knockdowns, and he faces high expectations in Detroit. The Lions underwhelmed in a number of defensive categories last season, although they were second in the league against the run. The team’s defensive front will likely remain strong in that regard with Reader in the fold.

If he is not fully healthy once training camp opens, Reader will be a candidate for the active/PUP list. Player can be activated from that list at any time, and the progress he makes with respect to rehab will be worth watching closely during the summer.

Vikings Open To Re-Signing RB Cam Akers?

July 2nd, 2024 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Cam Akers closed out the 2023 season in Minnesota after his Rams tenure ended in a trade. The free agent running back is still on the market, but a deal allowing him to remain with the Vikings could be worked out shortly.

Akers is set to take part in a physical, and Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press writes passing it could put him on track to re-sign in Minnesota. That would allow the 25-year-old to compete for a depth spot in the backfield during training camp. Akers’ Vikings tenure proved to be short-lived when he suffered an Achilles tear in November.

That represented the second such injury of his relatively brief career, and to little surprise it hurt his free agent value. The former second-rounder was limited to one regular season contest in 2021, although he did manage to return to action in time for the Rams’ Super Bowl run that year. A falling out with head coach Sean McVay made it clear Akers would not have a long spell in Los Angeles, however, and the trade which sent him to Minnesota paved the way for a fresh start.

Across six games with the Vikings, the Florida State product posted 138 yards and one touchdown on a 3.6 yards per attempt average. Akers did chip in with respect to the passing game (11 receptions, 70 yards) but those figures will limit expectations for him on Minnesota or any new team he joins this summer. Regardless of if he is brought back into the fold, the Vikings have a number of backfield options available.

Allowing Alexander Mattison to depart, the team added former Packer Aaron Jones on a one-year deal. He will occupy lead back duties in 2024, while recent draftees Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride will compete for backup snaps. The Vikings also have Kene Nwangwu in place as their kick returner, as well as Myles Gaskin as an option for veteran depth. The latter in particular would be in competition for a roster spot if Akers were to re-sign. The Vikings currently have over $26MM in cap space.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton Contemplating Training Camp Holdout

July 1st, 2024 at 9:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of contract-related disputes are ongoing around the league, many of which affect the receiver position. In the case of the Broncos and Courtland Sutton, no resolution is imminent.

The former Pro Bowler confirmed earlier this month that he and the team are at a standstill with respect to negotiations on a new pact. Two years remain on Sutton’s contract, with $2MM of his 2024 base salary guaranteed. He is open to an adjustment to the deal consisting of new compensation – as opposed to an extension – but it remains to be seen if the Broncos will accommodate that wish.

Sutton skipped OTAs while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, and he gave thought to remaining away from the team during minicamp. Instead, the 28-year-old took part in the mandatory event while noting progress still needs to be made on the contract front. With that remaining the case, he could be absent once training camp opens later this month.

When asked if he will hold out in the absence of a new agreement, the former second-rounder replied, via The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider, “We’ll see” (subscription required). Players have stayed away from teams during training camp on plenty of occasions before, although more recently the ‘hold-in’ approach has become common. The latter avenue consists of players attending camp but not taking part in any on-field work.

Being attached to a non-rookie pact, Sutton would be subject to mandatory daily fines if he elected to skip training camp. The SMU product helped his bargaining position with a career-high 10 touchdown catches in 2023, and the Broncos’ decision to trade away Jerry Jeudy left Sutton in place as an experienced receiving option for a new-look QB room. On the other hand, Sutton has just one season on his resume (2019) with more than 1,000 yards.

The top of the receiver market has reached new heights this offseason, and the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk are positioned to land monster extensions from their respective teams. Sutton is not in an identical position given his age and production, but his situation is still one to monitor closely as training camp approaches. It will be interesting to see if traction is gained with respect to negotiations given the possibility of a holdout.

Extension Candidate: A.J. Terrell

July 1st, 2024 at 8:56pm CST by Ben Levine

A.J. Terrell has established himself as one of the league’s top young cornerbacks. The former first-round pick is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, meaning he’s eyeing a lucrative pay day within the next 12 months. There’s no question that the Falcons want to re-sign their star cornerback to a long-term pact, with Josh Kendall of The Athletic expecting the organization to sign their star defensive back to an extension “before the negotiations get tense.”

There is a question of how much an impending extension will cost. Terrell has undeniably set himself up for a sizable contract. The former 16th-overall pick has started all 61 of his appearances through four NFL seasons, including a sophomore campaign where he earned All-Pro honors. He finished that season ranked as Pro Football Focus’ second-best cornerback, with the Clemson product compiling 81 tackles, 16 passes defended, and three interceptions.

Since that 2021 campaign, Terrell has failed to pull in an interception, and he finished the 2022 season ranked only 62nd at his position. He rebounded this past year (24th among 127 qualifiers), but he still finished the season without a pick while collecting a career-low 45 tackles.

In other words, Terrell can justify being one of the league’s highest-paid cornerbacks, but probably not the highest-paid cornerback. From an average-annual-salary perspective, that honor currently belongs to Jaire Alexander, who is making $21MM per year. Kendall suggests the Falcons should push for a $17MM AAV, which would put Terrell ninth at his position (but well above No. 10, Carlton Davis, at $14.8MM).

Even a sub-$20MM AAV would be a win for the organization. Fellow 2020 draft picks Trevon Diggs, L’Jarius Sneed, and Jaylon Johnson have all come in between $19MM and $20MM with their respective extensions, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Terrell is pushing for that range. The 2025 cornerback franchise tag is currently projected at $19.4MM (per OverTheCap.com), so that number could be a fair compromise between the two sides.

Terrell would headline the CB class if he somehow got to 2025 free agency. The non-first-round 2021 cornerbacks will also be hitting the market, a grouping that includes Tyson Campbell, Asante Samuel Jr., and Paulson Adebo. In the unlikely event that Terrell banks on a standout 2024 campaign (and succeeds), he could push for the Alexander/Denzel Ward/Jalen Ramsey tier at the position.

More likely, Terrell misses that mark but still signs a pricey extension with the Falcons. It sounds like the front office isn’t intending to drag out negotiations, which probably bodes well for Terrell’s chances of cracking the top-10 at his position. At the moment, the cornerback is attached to his $12.3MM fifth-year option, but he’ll likely add to that total before the 2024 campaign begins.

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