Dallas Robinson | Pro Football Rumors

Panthers Release TE Seth DeValve

June 3rd, 2020 at 5:33pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Panthers have released tight end Seth DeValve with a non-football injury designation, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com.

Signed to a one-year deal by Carolina in March, DeValve theoretically could have played a role with the Panthers had he been able to stick on the roster. Carolina released franchise icon Greg Olsen earlier this year, leaving Ian Thomas as the top tight end on the Panthers’ depth chart.

DeValve, 27, played the most snaps of any tight end in Jacksonville last year, but caught only 12 passes for 140 yards in an offense that didn’t prioritize the tight end. Prior to joining the Jaguars, DeValve spent three seasons with the Browns. The Princeton product’s best campaign came in 2017, when he managed 33 receptions for 395 yards.

DeValve inked a veteran minimum pact with the Panthers, so Carolina is only on the hook for $137K in dead money. Meanwhile, DeValve will hit a free agent tight end market that also includes Delanie Walker, Jordan Reed, and Geoff Swaim.

Jets, Jamal Adams Reach Stalemate

May 21st, 2020 at 8:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets and safety Jamal Adams have reached an impasse in extension negotiations, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Adams wants a new deal before the 2020 season gets underway, but New York is content to wait before agreeing to a long-term pact.

On Wednesday, the Jets and Adams discussed the idea of a trade, per Cimini, but it’s unclear how serious those talks have been. Adams, of course, has long been considered to be on the trade block, but Gang Green doesn’t have a desire to deal him right now, according to Cimini.

Adams, meanwhile, would welcome the idea of moving on from the Jets, as he and his agent feel the Jets have taken their time in working on a fresh contract, reports Cimini. More than half the teams in the NFL have reached out to New York about Adams’ availability, which is not all that surprising given his status as one of the league’s best defensive backs.

Adams, 24, became eligible for an extension at the end of the 2019 regular season. He’s under contract through 2021 after the Jets exercised his fifth-year option. Perhaps because of that level of team control, the Jets haven’t shown an inclination to rush an extension. In fact, New York and Adams haven’t even broached dollar figures yet in their negotiations, per Cimini.

Adams, who is surely to aiming to top Eddie Jackson ($14.6MM) as the NFL’s highest-paid safety, was publicly dangled at the 2019 trading deadline, with Gang Green reportedly posting an extraordinary asking price of a first- and two second-round picks. And while Jets general manager Joe Douglas has continued to rave about Adams, the two parties clearly aren’t any closer to a long-term agreement.

South Notes: Saints, Texans, Colts

May 21st, 2020 at 7:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Taysom Hill is expected to be “the guy” at quarterback for the Saints whenever Drew Brees decides to retire, as Jay Glazer of The Athletic writes. Brees has already signed a post-career deal with NBC Sports, and the 2020 season may or may not be his final year in the NFL, so Hill could be in line to become New Orleans’ starter as soon as next year. The drawbacks on Hill are apparent: he’ll be 31 years old when the 2021 campaign gets underway, and he’s only attempted 13 passes over the course of his career. But the Saints have nothing but shower with him praise in addition to extending him on a two-year pact that includes nearly $17.5MM in guaranteed money and a $16.1MM cap charge in 2021. Per Glazer, New Orleans isn’t attempting a “smokescreen” — the club is comfortable will Hill under center if Brees hangs up his cleats.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two South divisions:

Deshaun Watson is expected top Russell Wilson‘s league-leading $35MM annual salary whenever he signs an extension with the Texans, but it’s possible the Houston signal-caller inks a short-term deal, as Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com writes. As is the case with Dak Prescott, Watson may push for a short deal that would allow him to hit free agency again in a few years, after new NFL television contracts have been signed and subsequently increased the league’s salary cap. In April, the Texans began preliminary discussions with Watson, who could end up signing a new deal before Patrick Mahomes, who was also drafted in 2017.
After drafting Jonathan Taylor in Round 2, the Colts now have a pair of starting-caliber in running backs in the Wisconsin product and incumbent Marlon Mack. So where does that leave passing-game back Nyheim Hines? “I wouldn’t anticipate [Hines] is going to play as many snaps as Marlon and Jonathan, but there are still enough snaps for him to be very, very productive this year,” Colts head coach Frank Reich told Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. Indy is hoping Hines becomes its version of Danny Woodhead, who caught 80 passes in for the Chargers in 2015 with Reich as offensive coordinator.
PFR’s Zach Links recently examined the Buccaneers‘ pair of tight end trade candidates in O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/21/20

May 21st, 2020 at 7:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s 2020 NFL draft pick signings:

The Jaguars have signed fourth-round linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Quarterman, whom Jacksonville selected with the draft choice it acquired from the Bears in exchange for quarterback Nick Foles, was a four-year starter at the University of Miami, and posted at least 80 tackles in all four of his seasons with the Hurricanes. In a pre-draft profile, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com praised Quarterman’s hustle and mentality, but indicated 6’0″, 235-pounder may not have the short-area quickness required to play linebacker in the NFL. The Jaguars already have Myles Jack and Joe Schobert starting at linebacker, meaning Quarterman will likely begin his pro career on special teams.

AFC North Rumors: Browns, Landry, Steelers

May 21st, 2020 at 6:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After undergoing hip surgery in February, Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry has pronounced himself “a little bit ahead of schedule,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Landry said he should be ready to return to field action at some point in August. At the moment, obviously, it’s unclear when/if training camp will officially get underway, but Landry figures to be ready during the preseason. Fresh off a campaign in which he posted 83 receptions for 1,174 yards and six touchdowns, Landry had hoped to avoid surgery in favor of a rest-and-rehab schedule, but ultimately went under the knife.

Here’s more from the AFC North:

Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the majority of the 2019 season after suffering an elbow injury, had already resumed throwing in February, but this week, he started throwing to his teammates. In a video tweeted by Roethlisberger, the veteran quarterback is shown throwing to Steelers pass-catchers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ryan Switzer, and James Conner (and subsequently undergoing a haircut and shave). Now 38 years old, Roethlisberger had hoped to gain full medical clearance by the summer. He’s signed for two more years, with a whopping $41.25MM cap charge on the books for 2021.
Former Packers area scout Charles Walls has joined the Browns‘ front office, reports Rob Demosky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Walls will receive a promotion in Cleveland and will hold the title of national scout, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Walls, who had been with Green Bay since the 2013 season, had covered the Southeast region for the Packers.
In case you missed it, the Ravens are considering an out-of-state training camp location due to COVID-19 concerns.

Falcons Sign LB Deone Bucannon

May 21st, 2020 at 4:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons have signed free agent linebacker Deone Bucannon, the club announced today.

Bucannon, 27, will return to the NFC South after spending part of his 2019 season with the Buccaneers. The former first-round pick signed a one-year, $2.5MM deal with Tampa Bay last offeason, but only appeared in five games before being cut. Bucannon’s play contributed to his release, but the Bucs also enhanced their compensatory pick selections by parting ways with the veteran linebacker.

After leaving the Buccaneers, Bucannon latched on with the Giants. He appeared in nine games down the stretch, and although he played on just eight defensive snaps, he did contribute on special teams (78 snaps). All told, Bucannon has made 57 career starts since being selected 27th overall by the Cardinals in the 2014 draft.

Atlanta lost linebacker De’Vondre Campbell in free agency, leaving Foyesade Oluokun as the most likely option to start next to Deion Jones. Bucannon, with his experience and ability to play multiple roles, should compete with Oluokun for playing time.

Saints Sign LB Anthony Chickillo

May 21st, 2020 at 4:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Saints have agreed to sign free agent linebacker Anthony Chickillo to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

A sixth-round pick in the 2015 draft, Chickillo had spent his entire career with Pittsburgh until being released earlier this year. After completing his rookie contract, Chickillo inked a two-year, $8MM contact with the Steelers in 2019 despite receiving free agent interest from the Patriots. Pittsburgh decided to cut bait halfway through the deal, saving $5MM in the process.

Chickillo, 27, spent most of his Steelers career as a reserve (65 games, nine starts). His most productive campaign came in 2016, when he made seven starts and played on roughly a third of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps. Last year, Chickillo played in 11 games, racking up a half-sack and 19 total tackles.

Chickillo has spent a great deal of time on special teams duty (at least 67% playtime in each of the past four seasons), and that’s likely what he’ll do for the Saints. New Orleans is projected to start Demario Davis, Kiko Alonso, and Alex Anzalone in base sets, with Craig Robertson and rookie Zack Baun in reserve, so Chickillo isn’t even necessarily guaranteed a place on the Saints’ final roster.

Jets, Eagles Interested In Devonta Freeman

May 20th, 2020 at 7:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Devonta Freeman‘s market is heating up. The Seahawks have reportedly offered the veteran back a one-year deal, and the Jets and Eagles have also expressed interest in adding Freeman, per Mike Silver of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Seattle is proposing a pact in the $3-4MM range, so New York and/or Philadelphia would likely need to top that figure in order to land Freeman. On the other hand, Freeman has already collected nearly $25MM in his NFL career, so he could be searching for the right role instead of the highest salary.

If that’s the case, the Eagles are arguably the best destination for Freeman. Miles Sanders is slotted in as Philadelphia’s top back, but Freeman could augment a backup group that also includes Boston Scott and Corey Clement. Freeman isn’t the only veteran option the Eagles have considered, as they’ve also discussed Carlos Hyde.

The Jets, meanwhile, don’t have an open role for Freeman, at least on paper. Le’Veon Bell will take the majority of the work both in the rushing and passing game, while Frank Gore is around to soak up any non-Bell carries.

In addition to Freeman and Hyde, other free agent backs still available include Lamar Miller, LeSean McCoy, Theo Riddick, and Alfred Blue.

AFC West Rumors: Broncos, Gordon, Chiefs

May 20th, 2020 at 6:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Melvin Gordon is sticking in the AFC West in 2020 after defecting from the Chargers to the Broncos, and the veteran running back feels Denver’s offense is much more suited to his playing style, as he described to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

“They run a lot of inside zones, and that’s what I did a lot at Wisconsin,” Gordon said, noting that he never felt truly comfortable in Los Angeles’ offensive scheme. “It’s going to really help me get back in the feel of what I do best. I’m an inside-zone runner.”

How Gordon’s role will play out in Denver remains to be seen. Phillip Lindsay, who topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first two NFL seasons, remains on the Broncos’ roster, as does Royce Freeman. But Gordon, who inked a two-year, $16MM deal ($13.5MM guaranteed), figures to be Denver’s primary back.

Here’s more from the AFC West:

Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman made the Pro Bowl as a returner during his rookie campaign in 2019, but his role on special teams may be scaled back going forward. Kansas City special teams coach Dave Toub says that while he doesn’t want to lose Hardman’s return skills, the former second round pick may not handle as much ST duty as his role on the Chiefs’ offense increases (Twitter link via James Palmer of NFL.com). Hardman posted 26 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns a season ago, but those numbers could increase if he leapfrogs Sammy Watkins to become KC’s No. 2 wide receiver.
Free agent signee Nick Vannett is expected to replace Jeff Heuerman as a backup Broncos tight end, as Mike Klis of 9News writes. Vannett left the Steelers to sign a two-year, $5.7MM deal with Denver, while Heuerman has one year and $4MM remaining on his pact. It’s highly unlikely that Denver will choose to retain tight ends given their similar skill set, so Heureman looks like a candidate to be released.
Frank Clark played an integral role in bringing former Cowboys/Dolphins defensive end Taco Charlton to the Chiefs.

Chargers Re-Sign OL Ryan Groy

May 20th, 2020 at 5:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chargers announced that they’ve re-signed offensive lineman Ryan Groy, who appeared in nine games for the club in 2019.

Groy, 29, has served mostly as a backup during his six-year NFL career, but that could prove to be a critical role on Los Angeles’ roster in 2020. Chargers center Maurkice Pouncey missed most of the 2019 campaign with a neck injury, and while he was recently medically cleared, there’s always a chance Groy could be asked to fill in at the pivot. New right guard Trai Turner, meanwhile, has missed three games in each of the past three years, so there could be ample opportunity for Groy to play.

An undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 2014, Groy has appeared in 65 games and made 17 starts throughout his NFL tenure. After spending his rookie campaign with the Bears, Groy played for the Bills for four years before joining the Chargers last October.