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Benson Mayowa

Cowboys To Cut DE Benson Mayowa

March 7th, 2018 at 3:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have released defensive end Benson Mayowa, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Cutting Mayowa will give Dallas $2.75MM in cap room while leaving just $1MM in dead money. 

The Cowboys signed Mayowa in 2016 when he was a restricted free agent of the Raiders. Dallas inked him to a three-year offer sheet with a $3.3MM signing bonus, a deal that Oakland declined to match.

At the time, Mayowa had just three starts to his credit but demonstrated serious potential in his limited game film. Not wanting to cap his long-term earning potential, Mayowa’s reps pushed for a clause that would have allowed him to opt out this offseason if he appeared in 60% of Dallas’ snaps between ’16 and ’17. That never became a factor as Mayowa did not blossom as expected.

Mayowa, 27 in August, had just 31 tackles and one sack in his 381 snaps last season.

In a related move, the Cowboys have also cut defensive tackle Joe Vellano. Vellano hooked on with Dallas’ practice squad late last season and re-signed on a futures deal in January.

NFC East Notes: McFadden, Mayowa, Giants

June 14th, 2016 at 1:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett announced that two notable players are dealing with injury issues. Offseason acquisition Benson Mayowa will undergo a very minor knee scope and will miss minicamp, but should be OK for most or all of training camp (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Furthermore, running back Darren McFadden has a broken elbow and will miss two months while he recovers (Twitter link via Gil Brandt of NFL.com). The good news is that both players should be healed up well in advance of the regular season.

Here’s more out of the NFC East:

  • In a recent mailbag, a reader asked ESPN.com’s Todd Archer to weigh in on the Ronald Leary situation. Archer feels that if a deal were to materialize for the offensive lineman, it would happen later on in training camp when injuries start popping up. The Cowboys value Leary and their offensive line depth, so they’ll be holding out for a good deal. Archer adds that Dallas would rather wait for a potential compensatory pick in 2018 than settle for a fifth- or sixth-rounder for the 2017 draft.
  • James Kratch of NJ.com ran down seven Giants players to watch in minicamp this week, including undrafted rookie Donte Deayon. The cornerback out of Boise State made lots of plays during OTAs and if he keeps it up, he could put himself in the mix for a roster spot. Deayon still has a long road to make the 53-an roster, but Kratch writes that he’s a camp underdog that could stick.
  • Cornerback Josh Norman figures to be one of at least eight new starters for the Redskins in 2016, though only Norman and safety David Bruton are new to the team, Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com writes. Bruton, however, is not guaranteed to start at strong safety and he will probably compete with Duke Ihenacho who missed most of the 2015 season. They’ll look to fill the hole left by Trenton Robinson, who started seven games at strong safety in 2015 but is no longer with the team.
  • On Monday night, the Eagles announced that they have signed standout defensive tackle Fletcher Cox to a massive multi-year extension. Earlier today, we rounded up some of the reactions to the deal and the potential fallout that could occur for other defensive linemen from around the NFL.

FA Rumors: Norman, Dolphins, Eagles, Chiefs

March 31st, 2016 at 4:25pm CST by Luke Adams

As players like Olivier Vernon and Malik Jackson signed huge, long-term contracts earlier this month, players like Broncos pass rusher Von Miller and Panthers cornerback Josh Norman were forced to watch, unable to land lucrative new mega-deals of their own. As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) details, Miller and Norman have been frustrated by the franchise tag system, which prevents star players from cashing in like some lesser free agents have.

In Norman’s case, fellow cornerback Janoris Jenkins got a five-year, $62.5MM as an unrestricted free agent, but according to David Newton of ESPN.com, the Panthers haven’t gone to that $12.5MM-per-year range in their extension talks with Norman. If the Carolina corner had been able to reach the open market himself, he likely would’ve surpassed easily, so it’s not a surprise that Miller and Norman would like to see the franchise tag system go away, according to Cole.

Here’s more on free agency:

  • The Dolphins signed Isaiah Pead today, but they continue to seek running back help, and worked out former Buccaneers back Bobby Rainey, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rainey ran for nearly 1,000 total yards in 2013 and 2014, but had just five carries last season.
  • After paying a visit to Pittsburgh, free agent offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski met with the Eagles today, a source tells Rapoport (Twitter link). Wisniewski is arguably the top center still on the board, though he’d be unlikely to start in the middle if he were to sign with Philadelphia.
  • The Chiefs hosted free agent safety Jeron Johnson for a visit on Wednesday, a source tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). After serving as a backup DB and a special-teamer for several years in Seattle, Johnson signed with Washington last year and appeared poised to get the opportunity to player more. However, things didn’t work out in D.C., and Johnson was cut earlier this month.
  • In addition to having hosted Johnson, the Chiefs are bringing in another defender, linebacker Andy Mulumba, for a visit, per Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (Twitter link). Mulumba, who has played 22 games for the Packers during the last three seasons, also visited the Patriots, according to Hodkiewicz.
  • Free agent defensive lineman Jack Crawford is paying a visit to the Jets, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Crawford, who visited Pittsburgh this week, picked up four sacks as a part-timer in Dallas in 2015
  • Todd Archer of ESPN.com explains how recently-signed free agent defensive end Benson Mayowa can opt out of his deal with the Cowboys after two seasons and hit the open market again in 2018.

Raiders Decline Benson Mayowa’s Offer Sheet; Cowboys Sign Mayowa

March 22nd, 2016 at 8:38am CST by Zachary Links

Defensive end Benson Mayowa is now a member of the Cowboys. The Raiders have declined to match the offer sheet on the up-and-coming edge rusher (per agency Reign Sports on Twitter), allowing him to go to Dallas. Benson Mayowa

Earlier this month, the Cowboys signed Mayowa to an offer sheet promising him a three-year deal and a $3.3MM signing bonus with base salaries of $700K, $2.5MM, and $2.75MM. The final year of the contract, 2018, is voidable based on sack and playing-time incentives.

The Raiders had until Wednesday to decide whether to match Mayowa’s offer sheet, but they used only four of their five allotted days to reach a verdict. Because Mayowa came into the league as an undrafted free agent, the Raiders are not entitled to any compensatory draft picks.

Mayowa, 24, has only made three starts so far in his NFL career, but he has appeared in 30 total games for the Raiders and Seahawks. In 2015, he recorded 16 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a safety. Despite his lack of experience, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones has said that the Raiders see a tremendous amount of upside in the youngster. Ultimately, Dallas believes that Mayowa possesses the attributes they want in an edge rusher and they’re willing to roll the dice on him a bit to see if they can mold him into a star.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cowboys Rumors: Robinson, Morris, Mayowa

March 21st, 2016 at 6:59pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones spoke with reporters to address a pair of open items. Here are some of the highlights:

  • The Cowboys are still talking with free agent cornerback Patrick Robinson and free agent running back Alfred Morris, but there is no deal for either player yet (Twitter link via David Moore of The Dallas Morning News). Both players visited Dallas on Monday and it was expected that one of them would sign with the club, with Robinson being the more likely of the two to land with the Cowboys. The Cowboys had interest last offseason in Robinson before he ended up inking a $2MM deal with the Chargers.
  • Jones said Cowboys are still awaiting the Raiders’ decision on whether to match their offer for Benson Mayowa, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. The Cowboys signed the defensive end to an offer sheet that would give him a three-year deal and a $3.3MM signing bonus with base salaries of $700K, $2.5MM, and $2.75MM. Oakland has until Wednesday to reach their verdict.
  • The Cowboys see a great deal of upside in Mayowa and they believe that he possesses the attributes that they want in a pass rusher (Twitter link via Archer). Mayowa, 24, has only made three starts so far in his NFL career, but he has appeared in 30 total games for the Raiders and Seahawks. In 2015, he recorded 16 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a safety.

Cowboys Sign Benson Mayowa To Offer Sheet

March 18th, 2016 at 5:22pm CST by Luke Adams

5:22pm: The deal is for three years and contains a $3.3MM signing bonus and base salaries of $700K, $2.5MM and $2.75MM, per Getlin (on Twitter). The final year of the contract, 2018, is voidable based on sack and playing-time incentives (Twitter link).

4:08pm: The Cowboys have signed Mayowa to an offer sheet, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. The Raiders have until Wednesday at midnight ET to match the offer.

2:49pm: The Cowboys are expected to sign defensive end Benson Mayowa to an offer sheet today, assuming his physical goes well, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Todd Archer of ESPN.com first reported that Mayowa was making the trip to Dallas, while Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweeted that a physical would be a part of the visit.Benson Mayowa

Assuming the Cowboys finalize an offer sheet and Mayowa signs it, the Raiders would have five days to decide whether or not to match it. The team assigned the defensive end a low-end tender, worth $1.671MM. Because Mayowa came into the league as an undrafted free agent, the Raiders wouldn’t be entitled to any compensatory draft picks if they opt not to match an offer sheet.

Mayowa, 24, has only made three starts so far in his NFL career, but he has appeared in 30 total games for the Raiders and Seahawks. In 2015, he recorded 16 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a safety.

We’ll have to see whether the Cowboys and Mayowa officially get something done, and what the terms of the deal are, but if the Raiders want to keep him in the fold, they’ll have the flexibility to match. Per OverTheCap.com, Oakland entered the day with the seventh-most cap room in the league — I don’t believe that figure includes Donald Penn‘s new contract with the team, but the Raiders should still have more cap flexibility than the Cowboys.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

FA Rumors: Upshaw, Cowboys, Hall, Dansby, Mays

March 16th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Free agent linebacker Courtney Upshaw will meet with the Jets on Thursday, reports Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Upshaw has made 64 straight regular-season appearances (51 starts) since Baltimore took him in the second round of the 2012 draft. The 26-year-old recorded 51 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles last season. In terms of overall performance, Pro Football Focus ranked Upshaw 84th out of 110 qualifying edge defenders for his work during the 2015-16 campaign. He was an honorable mention on PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents list.

The latest on some other unsigned players around the NFL:

  • Linebacker Karlos Dansby, whom the Browns released Wednesday, would like to join the Cardinals, Bengals or Packers, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “Yeah, I think the Bengals are licking their chops right now,” he said. “I hope they are. We’ll see what it is.” Notably, Dansby started his career in Arizona as a second-round pick in 2004 and piled up 25.5 sacks before leaving at the close of the 2009 season.
  • The Cowboys aren’t working toward a deal with Wednesday visitor Leon Hall, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link). The veteran cornerback has thus far spent his entire career with the Bengals since they chose him in the first round of the 2007 draft. Hall started in four of 14 appearances last season, picked off two passes, and graded as Pro Football Focus’ 33rd-best corner (111 qualifiers). Like Upshaw, Hall also earned an honorable mention from PFR before free agency.
  • Even though Hall to the Cowboys doesn’t exactly appear imminent, they are working on a deal with restricted free agent Benson Mayowa, tweets Rand Getlin of NFL.com. The Raiders gave Mayowa, a defensive end, an original-round tender. As a former undrafted free agent, that means they won’t get any compensation for him if they decide against matching a hypothetical offer. Mayowa, 25 in August, has accrued 30 appearances (three starts) and two sacks during his three-year career.
  • The Bengals “have made good progress” on a contract with Taylor Mays, writes Geoff Hobson of their official website. Mays is scheduled to miss the first four games of next season because of a suspension. Nevertheless, Cincinnati wants him back as a nickel linebacker to replace Emmanuel Lamur – who signed with the Vikings – Hobson notes. Mays spent 2011-14 with the Bengals before joining the Raiders last season.
  • Linebacker O’Brien Schofield took to social media Wednesday to discuss his future. “By no means have I counted the Falcons out but I’m waiting for the right opportunity for my family and I. It’s a business so I’m patient,” Schofield tweeted. The 28-year-old signed with Atlanta last offseason and then made 30 tackles and two sacks in 16 appearances (11 starts). Schofield said last week that he and the Falcons “aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on a contract.”

Raiders Tender RFA Offer To Neiko Thorpe

March 5th, 2016 at 10:37am CST by Ben Levine

Quarterback Matt McGloin wasn’t the only member of the Raiders to be receive a second-round tender offer. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), the team has assigned an identical tender to safety Neiko Thorpe. The second-round tender is worth $2.553MM, which would ultimately be the 26-year-old’s non-guaranteed base salary for next season. If Thorpe signs elsewhere, the Raiders will now be able to recoup a second-round pick.

Neiko Thorpe

The former undrafted free agent out of Auburn had a career season in 2015. Thorpe compiled career-highs in tackles (40), passes defended (six), and interceptions (one) while starting two of his 14 games. The cornerback joined the Raiders in early 2014 after having spent time with the Chiefs and the Toronto Argonauts.

We learned yesterday that the team had also assigned a low-end tender to offensive lineman Matt McCants, and Pelissero tweets that defensive end Benson Mayowa had received an identical tender offer. The 24-year-old spent the past two seasons with Oakland, and he finished 2015 with 16 tackles and one sack.

Sunday Transactions: AFC West

August 31st, 2014 at 7:12pm CST by Luke Adams

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC West teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.

Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.

Here are Sunday’s AFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:

Denver Broncos:

Kansas City Chiefs:

Oakland Raiders:

San Diego Chargers:

  • Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Chas Alecxih, DL; Torrence Allen, WR; Greg Ducre, CB; Javontee Herndon, WR; Cordarro Law, OLB; Ryan Lindley, QB; Adrian Phillips, S; Jeremiah Sirles, T; Craig Watts, G

Seahawks Roster Down to 53

August 30th, 2014 at 6:26pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks have stayed relatively quiet the past 24 hours, but they did manage to steal a couple of headlines. Yesterday, the team waived Terrelle Pryor, and they followed that up by releasing veteran offensive tackle Eric Winston earlier today. The team also acquired defensive back Marcus Burley from the Colts.

The team eventually revealed the rest of their moves via a press release, and the team’s transactions are listed below:

Waived:

Released:

Placed on Injured Reserve:

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