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Devin Funchess

Latest On Ron Rivera, Marty Hurney, Panthers’ Vets

December 30th, 2018 at 12:39pm CST by Rory Parks

Last week, we heard that Panthers head coach Ron Rivera would likely remain with the team in 2019, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirm as much. Both reporters believe there could be changes made to Rivera’s coaching staff, however, and Rapoport expects such changes would be made primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Having Rivera take over defensive play-calling duties earlier this season has already paid dividends, but Rapoport suggests that the team could look to reunite with former DC Steve Wilks if Wilks is fired by the Cardinals (as is expected).

In any event, JLC says that Rivera and new owner David Tepper will have a candid conversation after the season, and if Rivera balks at Tepper’s demand for changes to the composition of Rivera’s staff, then the situation could deteriorate. But for the moment, it appears as if Rivera will be back for his ninth year at the helm, though he will have at least a few different subordinates. Rapoport says that GM Marty Hurney is likely safe as well. David Newton of ESPN.com spoke to Tepper today, but Tepper declined to comment on Rivera’s status.

Meanwhile, as Joe Person of The Athletic writes, the Panthers are expected to bid adieu to at least a couple franchise icons. Julius Peppers is expected to retire, and Thomas Davis has indicated he would like to be back with the club, but his contract is up at the end of the year and there is no guarantee he will be back. Of course, Ryan Kalil announced back in January that this season would be his last, and he has not given any indication that he has changed his mind. While Greg Olsen expects to return in 2019, and though the team is exploring a new deal with safety Eric Reid, there will be significant turnover to a roster that has been one of the league’s oldest over the past several seasons. Person offers his take on what the Panthers should do with their top ten players on expiring contracts.

It has become clear to most everyone, including Person and Newton, that Devin Funchess will not be back with the club in 2019. Funchess is inactive for today’s finale, and his playing time had already decreased significantly in the second half of the season.

Extra Points: Cowboys, Elliott, Panthers, Funchess, Jets, Offensive Line

November 24th, 2018 at 10:11pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Cowboys are riding high off their recent three game winning streak, but they’ll have to get serious soon. While head coach Jason Garret’s future with the team has been discussed endlessly, they have some personnel decisions to make that have flown mostly under the radar. The Cowboys have a bunch of young players, and will need to make some tough decisions soon, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.

The Cowboys have a bunch of players who will need to either be extended or let go in the near future, including Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Ezekiel Elliott. All three will be looking for a ton of guaranteed money, and they might not be able to keep everybody. While owner Jerry Jones has said repeatedly the team plans on extending Prescott, Florio notes that Jones hasn’t “said much if anything about Elliott getting a new deal.” Florio writes that “it’s possible that the Cowboys won’t ever make a major financial commitment to Elliott”, and points to how they handled the DeMarco Murray situation a few years ago as evidence they might not value running backs that highly. It hasn’t been talked about much, but it’s a very interesting perspective and it definitely seems possible Elliott doesn’t get locked up longterm in Dallas.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • Panthers receiver Devin Funchess is set to be a free agent after this season, and it’s up in the air about what type of contract he might land. Former NFL agent and current CBS Sports Analyst Joel Corry thinks Funchess will get somewhere between what Marqise Lee and Stefon Diggs got on the open market, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. Corry thinks Funchess is a “1.5” type of receiver, better than a number two receiver, but not quite good enough to be a top option. Funchess’ free agency will be one of the most interesting in a pretty weak free agent class.
  • The Jets’ offensive line could end up looking a lot different next year. In order to free up salary cap space, it’s possible the Jets cut all three of Kelvin Beachum, Spencer Long and Brian Winters, according to Matt Stypulkoski of NJ.com. The Jets already have a lot of salary cap space, but Stypulkoski thinks all three aren’t worth their salaries next year, and that the Jets will be looking to totally revamp their offensive line and better set up Sam Darnold for the future.
  • In case you missed it, the Jets are discussing an extension with receiver Quincy Enunwa.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/16

December 29th, 2016 at 6:48pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Thursday’s minor moves from around the NFL:

  • The Panthers placed wide receiver Devin Funchess on injured reserve and promoted wideout Damiere Byrd from their practice squad, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Funchess has a knee issue that won’t require surgery, but it will cut his second NFL season a bit short. With just 23 catches on 58 targets, the 2015 second-round pick from Michigan had an unspectacular year, but he did average 16.1 yards per reception and add four touchdowns.
  • The Cowboys cut receiver Vince Mayle, who went without a catch for the second year in a row. Most of Mayle’s work (94 of 130 snaps) came on special teams.

Panthers Sign Devin Funchess

May 12th, 2015 at 8:14am CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have signed second-round wide receiver Devin Funchess to his rookie contract, the team announced on Monday in a press release. The move ensures that all five of Carolina’s draft picks are now locked up.

Funchess, who played his college ball at Michigan, will be in line for a four-year worth about $5.521MM, including a signing bonus of about $2.275MM and a cap hit of just over $1MM for 2015. While it’s not clear yet if he’ll immediately earn a spot in the starting lineup, Funchess and 2014 first-rounder Kelvin Benjamin figure to head Cam Newton‘s new-look receiving corps in Carolina.

The Rams originally held the 41st overall pick, which was ultimately used by the Panthers on Funchess. St. Louis reportedly received plenty of action on the selection, getting trade inquiries from five or six teams in the moments leading up to the pick before ultimately deciding to accept Carolina’s offer.

NFC Notes: Lions, Giants, Panthers

May 9th, 2015 at 8:54am CST by Ben Levine

Lions safety James Ihedigbo is seeking a new contract, and the 31-year-old will not be attending his team’s voluntary workouts as he presumably negotiates a new deal.

While Ihedigbo isn’t breaking any rules by not attending, that doesn’t mean he isn’t drawing the ire of his coach. On Friday, Jim Caldwell talked to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press about his desire to have a full team at workouts.

“What I try to do is to make certain that they understand that, in our business, it’s unique. They have things that they have to look at from their vantage point, what they think is best. My business is to make certain we’ve got the best team we possibly can. So my interest is getting him here, and getting him here pronto, right?

“I’d like to have every guy here. But the fact of the matter is it doesn’t always happen that way. Guys got to look at things. He’s been around long enough and make his own determination and make his own decisions in that regard. But he’s not mandated to be here at this point in time, so we’ll see when he is mandated, what happens.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of the NFC…

  • Birkett wonders if undrafted rookie quarterback Anthony Boone could make the Lions roster. While the Duke product would have to leapfrog veterans Dan Orlovsky and Kellen Moore for the backup gig, one of his former coaches is confident he’ll make the leap. “Anthony’s real smart,” David Cutcliffe said. “He’s going to pick the system up quickly. And I told Anthony: Odds are, you’re probably a backup quarterback, which means you’ve got to be able to know the system and perform well without a lot of snaps, period. That’s the National Football League. And I think he’s capable of being that. I really, really do.”
  • After missing most of last season with an injured knee, Giants defensive back Bennett Jackson is looking forward to competing for a roster spot. It appears that his coaching staff appreciates the player’s versatility, as Newsday’s Tom Rock writes that the cornerback has been asked to play safety in 2015. “I didn’t ask any questions,” Jackson said. “I was all for it.”
  • Panthers second round pick Devin Funchess tweaked a hamstring and was carted off the field yesterday, reports ESPN.com’s David Newton (via Twitter). The severity of the injury is not yet known.

Panthers Acquire 41st Pick From Rams

May 1st, 2015 at 6:49pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Panthers have acquired the 41st pick from the Rams for a second-, third-, and sixth-rounder, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The selections the Rams will receive are the 57th, 89th, and 201st, respectively.

Carolina will take Michigan tight end/wide receiver Devin Funchess with the 41st choice, according to ESPN’s David Newton (Twitter link).

NFC Draft Notes: Winston, Bears, Rams

April 14th, 2015 at 10:18am CST by Luke Adams

Having already met with Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, the Bears will get a closer look at the other top quarterback in this year’s draft class on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Schefter reports that Jameis Winston is set to meet with the Bears, who hold the seventh overall pick. Of course, the Florida State signal-caller is unlikely to make it past the No. 1 pick, so Chicago is likely just doing its due diligence.

Here are a few more draft-related updates from around the NFC:

  • Mississippi State’s Benardrick McKinney, widely considered the top inside linebacker in this year’s draft class, is in St. Louis today to visit the Rams, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
  • The Cowboys haven’t drafted a quarterback since 2009, but perhaps this is the year they buck that trend. A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the team will work out Oregon State signal-caller Sean Mannion tomorrow.
  • Michigan pass catcher Devin Funchess, who has experience at both wide receiver and tight end, is set to visit the 49ers, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. A report last week suggested that concerns about Funchess’ route-running was causing teams to drop him on their draft boards.
  • According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter), Kansas cornerback Dexter McDonald is among the prospects who will pay a pre-draft visit to Washington this week. McDonald projects as a likely late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

La Canfora’s Latest: Patriots, Parker, Gregory

April 10th, 2015 at 1:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Their four Super Bowl wins in the past 14 seasons notwithstanding, the Patriots‘ track record for drafting wideouts high hasn’t been positive. This is an area they will likely attempt to take another shot at, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.

Bill Belichick reportedly attended many pro days involving receivers this spring and grilled college coaches about various pass-catching prospects, which drew notice from other league staffs, reports La Canfora.

The Patriots have drafted six wideouts in the top three rounds since Belichick’s arrival in 2000 — although none in Round 1 — and mostly received little in return for their investments, with Aaron Dobson (second round, 2013), Taylor Price (third round, 2010) and Chad Jackson (second round, 2006) being notable examples in the past decade.

Although La Canfora mentions defensive line and cornerback as other options with the defections there this offseason, he notes the Patriots’ lack of consistency outside will lead to another early selection at the position. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have the Patriots springing for defensive line and cornerback help, respectively, in the first round. Former prized recruit Dorial Green-Beckham could be a target, however, muses La Canfora.

Also from La Canfora …

  • DeVante Parker carries a similar buzz around the scouting community that Odell Beckham did last season, and La Canfora doesn’t expect the Louisville product to fall past No. 11 (Vikings). Minnesota scouted several of Parker’s games last season and happens to employ his former quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. La Canfora said some teams have Parker rated higher than West Virginia’s Kevin White, who has commonly been tabbed the second-best wideout prospect behind Amari Cooper.
  • A name we haven’t heard as much on heading into the draft could surprise should an early run on wideouts take place. USC’s Nelson Agholor may creep into the late first round, La Canfora said.
  • Randy Gregory‘s failed drug test is raising teams’ eyebrows, but they’re not backing off the stance that the Nebraska talent’s a top-two or top-three pass-pursuer in this class and a potential top-five pick. Washington and Chicago are organizations La Canfora believes will be in the mix for Gregory. Conversely, various concerns envelop Dante Fowler Jr., Vic Beasley and Shane Ray, the CBS pundit hears from sources.
  • Tight ends Maxx Williams and Devin Funchess are reportedly receiving bad reviews on their route-running, causing them to fall down draft boards in an already-diminished class at the position.
  • Several executives also informed La Canfora they wouldn’t take top safety Landon Collins in the first round, viewing the Alabama prospect as an “in-the-box” performer.
  • League execs apparently rate this draft poorly compared to a good year when “22 to 24” players warrant first-round grades. Per La Canfora, less than 20 are grading that way this year.

Draft Notes: Gardner, Funchess, Irving

March 21st, 2015 at 1:56pm CST by Rob DiRe

With teams beginning to set their draft boards in stone, many are meeting with prospects to try to learn as much as they can as they prepare for the 2015 NFL Draft.

Here are a few prospects that have visited with organizations, with new updates added to the top:

  • LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins will visit with the Ravens prior to the NFL draft, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Collins had already met with the team during both the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl.
  • Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner says that between three and four teams are interested in him as a passer, while the rest of the league views him as a wide receiver, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN (via Twitter). Gardner has already worked out with the Falcons and Bengals, and has visits with the Patriots and Chiefs coming up next week (via Twitter). He will also be meeting with the Steelers before the draft as well (via Twitter).
  • Rothstein also notes thats fellow Wolverine Devin Funchess worked out for the Falcons last week, at both wide receiver and H-back (via Twitter).
  • Former Iowa State defensive tackle David Irving will work out in San Jacinto, California on Monday morning. Despite being dismissed from the team due to an arrest and missing the 2014 season, at least two NFL teams are expected to attend, writes Gil Brandt of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Devin Funchess Declares For NFL Draft

December 9th, 2014 at 4:31pm CST by Luke Adams

4:31pm: Funchess will be represented by CAA agents Tom Condon and Patrick Collins, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (via Twitter).

2:45pm: University of Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL draft, the school announced today in a press release.

“I would like to thank my family, coaches and teammates for their support,” said Funchess, who also thanked recently-fired Wolverines coach Brady Hoke in a statement. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, and I am prepared to take the next step in my journey.”

A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Funchess grabbed a team-leading 62 passes for 733 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the 2014 season, his first full year as a wide receiver. The Michigan junior currently ranks as the 19th-best prospect in the 2015 class, according to ESPN.com, whose rankings place him fourth among wideouts.