HEADLINES

Clinton McDonald

West Rumors: Gurley, Broncos, Raiders

July 24th, 2018 at 9:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The base value of Todd Gurley‘s four-year extension with the Rams in $57.5MM, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, who confirms previous reports that Gurley can max out at $60MM from 2020-2023. Gurley is now the NFL’s second-highest-paid running back to the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell, as Gurley will earn $14.375MM annually compared to Bell’s franchise tag value of $14.544MM. Of course, Bell is only playing on a one-year tag, so Gurley now holds the most lucrative multi-year deal in the league. Gurley reportedly received $45MM in guarantees, although it’s unclear whether that total refers to injury guarantees or full guarantees at signing.

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

  • The Broncos had a first-round grade on wide receiver Courtland Sutton before eventually landing him on Day 2 of the draft, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Athletic. Sutton, an SMU product, ultimately fell to the top of the second round (pick No. 40), so Denver did not have to sacrifice capital in order to move up for its preferred target. “He has a huge catch radius and he’s got great ball skills,” Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said of Sutton. “As a route runner, it’s coming, but he’s so big and strong that if he doesn’t win with the route, he wins with his body.” Sutton is likely too large to see much time in the slot, but veteran pass-catcher Emmanuel Sanders could move inside in three-wide sets if Sutton wins a starting role. He’ll be competing with fellow rookie DaeSean Hamilton, whom Denver selected out of Penn State in the fourth round. Over his final two collegiate campaigns, Sutton averaged 72 receptions, 1,166 yards, and 11 touchdowns per year.
  • Given that Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin sit atop the Raiders‘ running back depth chart, Oakland will likely decide between keeping Jalen Richard or DeAndre Washington, as Scott Bair on NBC Sports Bay Area writes. The only problem? Richard and Washington are extremely similar players, with close physical statures (each stands 5’8″ and 205 pounds) and overall production. Both Richard and Washington averaged greater than five yards per carry during their respective rookie seasons in 2016, but each took a backseat in 2017 after Lynch was acquired from the Seahawks. Making the decision even more difficult is that both Richard and Washington return punts and kicks (in 2017, they both played exactly 33.4% of Oakland’s special teams snaps!). Whichever player is ultimately cut is sure to quickly find another home, possibly through the wavier system.
  • Broncos defensive tackle Clinton McDonald is “good to go” for training camp after suffering from a bacterial infection related to a 2015 shoulder operation, reports Mike Klis of 9News. McDonald, who signed a two-year deal with Denver earlier this year, missed the club’s entire offseason program while recovering from the infection. He was also forced to accept a pay reduction as a result of the health issue, although he can earn the $3MM he sacrificed back by appearing in all 16 games for the Broncos during the upcoming campaign. McDonald, 31, appeared in 14 games for the Buccaneers a season ago, will join fellow interior defender Domata Peko on a Denver defensive line that already ranked fourth in Football Outsiders’ adjusted line yards in 2017.

Broncos’ Clinton McDonald Takes Pay Cut

June 12th, 2018 at 11:37am CST by Zachary Links

Broncos defensive tackle Clinton McDonald accepted a pay cut of $3MM for 2018, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. However, he can earn that back via $2MM in base salary and a $1MM roster bonus by being on the 53-man roster ($140,625/game) and 46-man roster ($46,875/game) for the full season. 

The Broncos’ likely requested the pay cut because of the shoulder injury that has kept the veteran from participating in OTAs. Per the terms of his free agent deal with Denver, McDonald had to pass a physical on or before June 11 in order to guarantee his $4MM salary for 2018. Because he was unable to get the medical greenlight, he is guaranteed just $1MM this year.

McDonald, 31, split time with Chris Baker in Tampa last year and recorded five sacks with 18 tackles. The sack total is impressive, though the advanced analytics at Pro Football Focus were not high on him.

The Broncos project to start Domata Peko in the middle with McDonald and Zach Kerr and/or Kyle Peko in support. DeShawn Williams, who signed a futures deal with the club in January, will also fight to make the final cut, but his path to the 53-man roster may be challenging unless McDonald is unable to play up to par this summer.

AFC West Notes: Chiefs, Ingram, Raiders

May 22nd, 2018 at 6:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having funneled their pass offense through Travis Kelce for several seasons and having not invested much in their No. 2 wide receiver job in many years, the Chiefs surprised most observers by authorizing a monster contract for Sammy Watkins. The fifth-year wideout’s three-year, $48MM deal — with $30MM guaranteed — is having a league-wide effect, Joel Corry of CBS Sports writes. Julio Jones, who is signed to a $14.25MM-per-year deal, is now seeking additional dollars. And Corry adds Odell Beckham Jr.‘s hopes to become the league’s first $20MM-AAV wide receiver is not a crazy demand anymore now that Watkins has signed a top-five contract without supplying production to justify it. Corry adds that Watkins’ $16MM-AAV contract will become Brandin Cooks‘ floor, assuming he fares well in Los Angeles this season.

As for the Chiefs, Watkins justifying the contract could be difficult, as Corry writes, since the newcomer may be the No. 4 option in his next offense. Kelce and Kareem Hunt are entrenched as the top components of Kansas City’s attack, and Tyreek Hill put together a strong 2017 featuring 1,183 air yards and seven touchdowns. Watkins caught 39 passes for 583 yards last season, and his career-best numbers were 1,047 and nine with the 2015 Bills. Hill becomes extension-eligible after this season and his contract expires after 2019. Those talks could be tricky if he outproduces Watkins this season. Only two teams — the Packers and Broncos — are paying two wideouts eight figures annually, and the Chiefs could be set to encounter an interesting dilemma once Hill talks begin.

Here’s the latest from the AFC West:

  • Melvin Ingram may not be attending the Chargers‘ OTA sessions. The star pass rusher missed Tuesday’s session and is training in Florida, Eric Williams of ESPN.com reports, adding that Ingram cleared his absence with Anthony Lynn. Ingram skipped the start of these workouts last year, but he was not under contract because he had yet to sign his franchise tender. He’s now signed a long-term Bolts deal.
  • Bruce Irvin played as a 4-3 outside linebacker the past two seasons with the Raiders, but new DC Paul Guenther is moving him to defensive end, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter). Irvin often played end during his first two seasons in Oakland, but did so in sub-packages while lining up as a stand-up ‘backer in most base sets, similar to the Broncos’ usage of Von Miller from 2011-14. Irvin began his career as a defensive end before the Seahawks relocated him. Now that Irvin is at end, Gutierrez notes Tahir Whitehead and Emmanuel Lamur lined up as outside linebackers with the Raiders’ first-stringers at Tuesday’s OTA session.
  • Also at Raiders OTAs, Gareon Conley participated fully, per Gutierrez. A shin injury wiped out most of the 2017 first-rounder’s rookie season, and only recently did the former Ohio State standout receive full clearance.
  • Donald Penn will be limited during these workouts, with Gutierrez noting the longtime Oakland left tackle is still recovering from Lisfranc surgery. Penn is not expected to be ready to participate fully until training camp. For now, second-year player David Sharpe took the reps in 11-on-11 work while Breno Giacomini opened with the starters at right tackle. The Raiders are planning to have Kolton Miller train as a left tackle to start his career.
  • The Chiefs will be without their backup tight end in Week 1. Demetrius Harris received a one-game suspension for a 2017 marijuana arrest that induced a multi-day jail stay, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Harris established new career-high marks last season with 18 receptions for 224 yards. The Chiefs added former Jets second-rounder Jace Amaro this offseason, but Harris has been with the team for the past four seasons. Amaro hasn’t played since 2016.
  • Clinton McDonald did not participate in Broncos OTAs on Tuesday, and Mike Klis of 9News notes the veteran defensive lineman is still recovering from a March shoulder operation. The Broncos knew of this procedure when they signed him in March, per Klis. He adds McDonald is expected to be ready for camp.

Contract Details: Burnett, Bodine, Williams

March 23rd, 2018 at 8:45pm CST by Ryan Posner

Let’s take a look at the most recent new contracts around the NFL:

AFC

NFC

Broncos Sign DT Clinton McDonald

March 21st, 2018 at 4:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have signed former Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a two-year deal worth $7MM, according to Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). McDonald has spent the past four seasons as a rotational lineman with Tampa Bay. 

McDonald met with the Raiders late last week, but left Oakland without a deal. Instead, he’ll be joining up with their divisional rivals.

McDonald, 31 split time with Chris Baker in 2017 and recorded five sacks with 18 tackles. The sack total is impressive, though the advanced analytics at Pro Football Focus were not high on him.

The Broncos will start Domata Peko in the middle with Zach Kerr and Kyle Peko in support. DeShawn Williams, who signed a futures deal with the club in January, will fight to make the final cut, but his path to the 53-man roster just got a lot tougher.

Raiders Meet With DT Clinton McDonald

March 17th, 2018 at 9:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders have met with free agent defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).

McDonald, who is now entering his age-32 campaign, has spent the past four seasons as a rotational lineman with the Buccaneers. In 2017, McDonald split time with high-profile free agent addition Chris Baker, managing five sacks and 18 tackles from the interior. However, Pro Football Focus graded McDonald as a bottom-10 defensive tackle among 121 qualifiers.

Oakland has made a flurry of free agent signings this week, and the club’s defensive line was not forgotten. Defensive tackle Justin Ellis was re-signed on a three-year deal, while former 49ers end Tank Carradine was also added. The Raiders did lose Denico Autry, however, so McDonald could help fill out the club’s interior.

Bucs Place Clinton McDonald On IR

November 3rd, 2015 at 3:56pm CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers have placed defensive tackle Clinton McDonald on their injured reserve list, ending his season, the team announced today in a press release. McDonald suffered a pectoral injury last month, and won’t be able to play through it.

McDonald, who joined the Buccaneers prior to the 2014 season, has started 19 games for the team since then, recording 46 tackles and five sacks last year. In just six games this year, the 28-year-old had racked up 31 tackles for Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers now have an opening on their 53-man roster which figures to be filled within the next 24 hours. As Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times observes (via Twitter), that open spot could be taken by tackle Demar Dotson, who is eligible to come off IR-DTR this week.

Buccaneers Notes: McCoy, Smith, Barron

October 29th, 2014 at 10:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Buccaneers signed defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to a big money extension earlier this week, with initial numbers reported to be $98MM over seven years, with $51MM guaranteed. While more information trickled out about the details of the contract, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports has more information on the specifics, which he released in a series of tweets. He reports that $20.3MM of that total will be earned in 2014, and the rest of the money is paid out on a pay-as-you-go system. It only becomes guaranteed in the event of injury.

La Canfora gives out how much money will be owed going forward. “McCoy will make $11.5M in 2015 ($5m base/$6.5 roster bons). $12.5M in 2016 ($6M/$6.5M). $13.75M in 2017 (all base salaries), $12.75M 2018, $13M in 2019.” He also notes that McCoy will have base salaries of $10MM in 2020 and 2021, with an additional $2.5MM in roster bonuses.

Overall, after the contract guarantees kick in on the third day of the 2015 league year, the contract becomes a three year, $44.3MM deal at its minimum.

Here are some other notes from around the Buccaneers:

  • Head coach Lovie Smith does not believe the team is bereft of talent after deadline deals saw a few key players move to new teams, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “The move we made gave us the best chance to win right now. … Yeah, we picked up draft picks on both of those players — moved up on one and picked up (picks) on the other,” said Smith. “But no, it’s not about the future. Yeah, it’s always about the future, but it’s about our current roster. As I said, you don’t trade players unless you feel pretty good about the other players you have.” Smith also noted that moving on from former first-round pick Mark Barron will give Major Wright and Bradley McDougald a chance to shine. Smith said Wright has been playing as well as any safety on the roster, and praised McDougald’s future as a star on the defense. He also mentioned his desire not to have any player who was one-dimensional, saying he wanted his safeties to be able to play both the pass and the run.
  • Speaking of Barron, the Rams should be very happy with the player they acquired, writes Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He considers the trade the first move of the 2015 offseason, and believes that the Rams will correctly use him as an in-the-box safety to strengthen the run defense. He writes that in 2012 Barron was the ninth ranked safety against the run in the box by Pro Football Focus.
  • With the exit of Barron, the Buccaneers are left with only three first round picks on the roster, the others being McCoy, this year’s pick Mike Evans, and Adrian Clayborn (who is on the IR), according to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. (However, Doug Martin was also drafted in the first round, with the team trading back into the first round to grab him in 2012.) Guard Logan Mankins, defensive end Larry English, and cornerback Mike Jenkins are also first-rounders, although they were acquired via trade and free agency. Altogether, the first rounders have played 1,699 snaps, third worst in the NFL after the Jaguars and Raiders. Those three teams are a combined 2-20 this season.
  • The Buccaneers also made a big splash in free agency this offseason, but those investments have not paid dividends, writes Yasinskas. Anthony Collins, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Josh McCown, and Michael Johnson have all disappointed, while Alterraun Verner and Clinton McDonald have merely been solid.

NFC Notes: Williams, Seahawks, Vikings

June 22nd, 2014 at 10:48pm CST by Peter Sowards

New Seahawks defensive tackle Kevin Williams has a Hall of Fame résumé, but Seattle isn’t getting that player, Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times writes.

That’s not such a bad thing, though.

The Seahawks employ one of the deeper defensive line rotations in the league. Williams played more snaps last season for the Vikings than any Seattle end or tackle, and he’s looking forward to being used more sparingly: “I think if I’m playing 500 plays versus 700 plays at this age I can definitely still get after the quarterback.”

Williams, who played 718 defensive snaps in 2013, will look to replace Chris Clemons, Red Bryant and Clinton McDonald, former Seahawks defensive linemen who took their talents elsewhere in free agency.

Elsewhere around the NFC…

Bucs To Sign Clinton McDonald

March 11th, 2014 at 3:48pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers have agreed to sign Clinton McDonald, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). The former Seahawks defensive tackle gets $12MM over four years.

McDonald may not be a household name but he could prove to be a solid pickup for the Bucs and a significant loss for Seattle. The 27-year-old enjoyed breakout season with 5.5 sacks, 35 tackles, and one interception. At just $592K in 2013, he was a solid value for the Seahawks alongside fellow DT Brandon Mebane.