Mike Gillislee - Pro Football Rumors

Patriots Sign Bills RB Mike Gillislee To Offer Sheet

April 18th, 2017 at 1:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots have signed Bills restricted free agent running back Mike Gillislee to an offer sheet, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The deal is worth $6.4MM over two years, and contains $4MM in year one, per Rapoport. Buffalo now has five days to match the Patriots’ offer, and while the Bills haven’t yet made a final decision, they “don’t believe” they’ll match the sheet, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

New England hosted Gillislee — and fellow RFA back Damien Williams — on a visit last week, and the club has now further signaled its interest in the 25-year-old Gillislee. Buffalo, suprisingly, only tendered Gillislee at the original round level (at a cost of $1.797MM). Because Gillislee was drafted in the fifth round, the Patriots would only have to sacrifice a fifth-rounder in order to sign him away. The Bills have the option of matching the contract, but for another $1MM or so, the Bills could have placed the second-round tender on Gillislee and likely warded off any potential suitors.

The Patriots already have a stocked backfield after adding free agent Rex Burkhead to a depth chart that includes Dion Lewis, James White, Brandon Bolden, and D.J. Foster. But that hasn’t stopped New England from pursuing other options, as they’ve been linked to veteran Adrian Peterson in recent weeks. The Pats also reportedly have an offer on the table for LeGarrette Blount, who scored 16 touchdowns for the club in 2016.

The Bills, meanwhile, currently have less than $10MM in cap space, meaning matching the Patriots’ terms could be a problem. Losing Gillislee, who averaged an NFL-best 5.7 yards per carry on 101 attempts last season, would leave Buffalo with Jonathan Williams, Mike Tolbert, and Joe Banyard as depth pieces behind starter LeSean McCoy.

Patriots Host Mike Gillislee, Damien Williams

April 13th, 2017 at 8:16am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots got a double dose of restricted free agent running backs on Wednesday. The Patriots hosted Bills RFA RB Mike Gillislee and Dolphins RFA RB Damien Williams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter links).

The Bills surprised many in the football world when they assigned Gillislee an original round/right of first refusal tender, which would only entitle them to a fifth-round pick if they did not match an offer sheet. For another $1MM or so, the Bills could have placed the second-round tender on Gillislee and that probably would have kept every potential suitor at bay. Gillislee averaged an NFL-best 5.7 yards per carry on 101 attempts as LeSean McCoy‘s understudy.

Williams, 25, was eclipsed by Jay Ajayi in Miami last year. Ultimately, he finished out with 35 carries for 115 yards (3.3 yards per carry average) and three touchdowns. Although the Dolphins would like to keep him, they would be able to get by just fine with Ajayi and Kenyan Drake holding down the RB position. They can also replenish the RB group in the late rounds of this year’s draft.

It’s fair to wonder whether the Patriots’ interest in either player is sincere. Already, the Pats have free agent addition Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, James White, D.J. Foster, and Branden Bolden on the roster and LeGarrette Blount remains available. The Patriots could be taking a real look at guys like Gillislee, Williams, and Adrian Peterson, but they could also be faking it to put additional pressure on Blount to re-sign. It doesn’t sound like Blount has much of an outside market for his services, so that could be an effective strategy for New England.

Bills Tender RFA RB Mike Gillislee

March 6th, 2017 at 8:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bills have assigned restricted free agent running back Mike Gillislee the original round/right of first refusal tender, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. As such, Gillislee is now slated to earn $1.797MM for the 2017 campaign, but Buffalo will attempt to hammer out an extension with its backup runner, per Rapoport.

Typically, PFR won’t devote a full post to restricted free agents that aren’t tendered at the first- or second-round level. But Gillislee is an intriguing case, especially given that he could interest another team given the slight draft pick compensation attached to him. While the Bills reportedly don’t want to lose Gillislee, they haven’t placed much of a barrier between him and an offer sheet.

Because Gillislee was drafted in the fifth round, a rival club would only have to sacrifice a fifth-rounder in order to sign away the 26-year-old back. Buffalo would have the option of matching any contract offered by another team, but for another $1MM or so, the Bills could have placed the second-round tender on Gillislee and likely warded off any potential suitors. Gillislee, who appeared in 15 games last season, averaged an NFL-best 5.7 yards per carry on 101 attempts behind LeSean McCoy.

Of course, that extra $1MM could be important for the Bills this offseason, as the club only has about $22.5MM in cap space and several free agents — including Stephon Gilmore and Robert Woods — it could consider re-signing.

Pauline’s Latest: Bengals, Chiefs, Seahawks

March 2nd, 2017 at 8:50pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest pre-free agency buzz from Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com….

There’s a “belief” that the Bengals will make Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan their No. 1 target in free agency. The durable Ryan just finished his fourth straight 16-game season, one in which he logged 13 starts, 92 tackles and two interceptions, and ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 16th-best corner (112 qualifiers). PFR’s Zach Links regards the 26-year-old as the 10th-best free agent in the upcoming class.
After re-signing safety Eric Berry and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to mega-deals this week, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has told people at the combine that he won’t dip into free agency. If true, that could take the Chiefs out of the running to re-sign defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
On the heels of his productive season of his career in 2016, Cowboys defensive lineman Terrell McClain is drawing significant interest – including from the Seahawks and Falcons – as free agency approaches. McClain, 28, put up personal-best totals in starts (15), tackles (39), sacks (2.5) and forced fumbles (two) last year.
The Bills and restricted free agent running back Mike Gillislee are amid discussions regarding a long-term agreement. Even though he’s stuck behind LeSean McCoy in Buffalo, Gillislee would like to spend the rest of his career there, per Pauline. Gillislee has been quietly excellent with the Bills the past two seasons, having averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns on 148 rushes.

FA Notes: Jeffery, Mitchell, Gillislee, Bell

February 18th, 2017 at 9:46am CST by Ben Levine

“Those things will pick up as we get further down the road,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace said of contract negotiations with free agent receiver Alshon Jeffery. However, as Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times writes, those decisions will start to “pick up” next week. Wednesday is the first day teams can assign the franchise tag to their impending free agents, and Jefferey could surely be in line to be slapped with the designation.

Jeffery also received the franchise tag last offseason, meaning his projected tag value for this season would be around $17MM. Jefferey didn’t necessarily have a “prove-it” season thanks in part to a four-game suspension, so the organization may not want to make the 27-year-old one of the highest paid wideouts for a second-straight year. Additionally, the Bears may not want to invest in the receiver long-term.

Let’s take a look at some other notes pertaining to the league’s free agents…

Following his release by the Dolphins earlier this week, defensive tackle Earl Mitchell has lined up a number of visits. According to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the veteran is set to meet with the Seahawks, 49ers, Falcons, and Broncos next week. Mitchell joined Miami prior to the 2014 season, playing in 37 games over his three seasons with the team.
The Bills don’t want to lose running back Mike Gillislee like they did wideout Chris Hogan, writes ESPN.com Mike Rodak. The organixation assigned their former receiver the cheapest restricted free-agent tender last offseason, and the Patriots swooped in and signed him for practically nothing. The Bills have until March 9th to assign a similar tender to Gillislee. In 15 games last season, the running back ran for 577 yards and eight touchdowns on 101 carries.
Joel Corry of CBSSports.com writes that the franchise tag may be a “blessing” for Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. The former agent notes that front offices are wary of signing running backs to lucrative, long-term contracts, citing the deal signed by DeMarco Murray. The running back franchise tag is projected to be valued at around $12MM, and Corry is skeptical that Bell could earn that kind of money (per year) via a standard contract.
Defensive tackle Nick Fairley and the Saints would both embrace a reunion, but Nick Underhill of The Advocate wonders if the two sides can make the money work. Following a season where he recorded 6.5 sacks, the writer believes Fairley could be in line to make around $9.5MM next year. While the Saints have the financial flexibility to make that work, Underhill wonders if they’d actually be willing to commit that kind of money.

AFC East Notes: Blount, Patriots, Jets

December 14th, 2016 at 10:04am CST by Zachary Links

Three running backs have proven to be tremendous values for their respective teams this year, Will Eddowes of Over The Cap writes. That list includes Patriots tailback LeGarrette Blount, who is earning just $1MM on a one-year deal with $100K in full guarantees + $1MM in incentives. The Patriots have been leaning more on the run game this year than they have in recent seasons and that’s partially because of Blount’s effectiveness. The question now is whether the Patriots can retain him for next season. Blount has certainly earned himself a pay raise but the Patriots often prefer to replace free agents with cheaper options. Darren Sproles of the Eagles and Theo Riddick of the Lions are also highlighted as strong values.

Here’s a look at the AFC East:

Re-signing Brian Winters should be the Jets‘ top priority this offseason, Connor Hughes of NJ.com writes. After a rough first two years in the NFL, Winters has improved now that he has moved from left guard to right guard. So far this year, he ranks as one of Pro Football Focus’ best interior offensive linemen and he has been a bright spot in an otherwise dreary year for Gang Green. The Jets are going to have to get themselves new offensive tackles and they could be in the market for a center, but the 25-year-old is a player that must be kept. For his part, Winters wants to stay. “100 percent,” Winters said when asked if he wants to return. “I love what has been going on here. I would love to continue to play here. I’ve built something here. I don’t want to leave it.“
Bills running back Mike Gillislee has signed with NFL agent Ron Butler, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. He was formerly repped by Global Sports Advisors. Gillislee has shown potential as the primary backup to LeSean McCoy in Buffalo. He will be eligible for free agency after the season is over. For now, he’s on the books for just $600K.
Yesterday was the Dolphins‘ deadline for activating Dion Jordan and they declined to put him on the 53-man roster. Miami also shut Mike Pouncey down for the season while adding quarterback T.J. Yates.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/9/16

January 9th, 2016 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

The Bills agreed to one-year deals with running back Mike Gillislee, cornerback Mario Butler and punter Colton Schmidt, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets. The trio will be restricted free agents after the 2016 season. A 2013 fifth-round pick, Gillislee figures to be an intriguing part of the LeSean McCoy-led Buffalo backfield after he averaged 5.7 yards per carry in five games down the stretch, doing so following two nondescript seasons with the Dolphins.

Bills Sign Greg Salas To Contract Extension

January 4th, 2016 at 7:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they have signed wide receiver Greg Salas to a contract extension. In addition to Salas, cornerback Mario Butler, running back Mike Gillislee, and punter Colton Schmidt have all been given new deals.

A fourth-round pick in 2011, Salas has spent time with several teams, recording a total of 46 regular-season receptions for the Rams, Jets, and Bills. Salas joined the Bills in late December and apparently made enough of an impression on team brass to get a second look for 2016. In two games for the Bills, Salas drew five targets and three receptions, good for 41 total yards. Salas was a fourth-round pick of the Rams in 2011 after he enjoyed a 1,889-yard, 14-touchdown campaign in his final collegiate season. He is still looking to make an impact of a similar magnitude at the NFL level.

Bills Notes: Carpenter, Gillislee, Harvin, Easley

December 29th, 2015 at 9:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Bills coach Rex Ryan indicated that he has some pause about keeping kicker Dan Carpenter for next season, although it would take a worthy replacement to push him off the roster, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. Carpenter has now missed five extra points on the season.

After converting 91.7% of his field goals upon arriving in Buffalo in 2013, Carpenter signed a four-year extension in March 2014 that included $2.15MM in guaranteed money. The Bills can save $1.7625MM by cutting Carpenter after this season, including a $250K roster bonus that they can avoid paying if he’s released prior to the seventh day of the 2016 league year.

As Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News details, Ryan provided a few more noteworthy tidbits on the Bills this week, so let’s round them up…

Ryan expects running back Mike Gillislee to be a part of next year’s roster. “Without question, he’s a guy, him, Karlos [Williams], LeSean McCoy, we’re in good hands there” Ryan said. “Maybe we look to expand his role on special teams. Could be something we look into.”
Asked about Percy Harvin, Ryan said he has talked to the wide receiver once and texted with him a few times and “gets the sense” he wants to play. There were rumors earlier in the season that Harvin was contemplating retirement.
Wide receiver Marcus Easley was placed on injured reserve by the Bills this week, and it sounds like he’ll have a long road back to full health. Calling the knee injury a “major, major” one, Ryan explained that Easley dislocated his knee cap and broke his knee in three spots.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/15

December 5th, 2015 at 5:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Saturday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, including practice squad moves:

The Falcons have released an injury settlement with tackle Lamar Holmes, releasing him from the reserve/PUP list, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Holmes’ four-year rookie deal had been set to expire at season’s end, but since he was on track to spend all year on the PUP list due to a foot injury, his contract would’ve tolled, keeping him on Atlanta’s roster. Instead, he’ll reach the open market a little early.
To fill the roster spot formerly held by Trent Robinson, whose release was noted below, Washington promoted linebacker Carlos Fields from its practice squad, Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com reports. The 25-year-old Fields should serve as depth for a depleted Washington linebacking corps Monday night, with Mason Foster and Will Compton expected to start. Perry Riley remains out, and Keenan Robinson is questionable, so Fields figures to see extensive special teams time.

Earlier updates:

Darius Jennings joins the Browns‘ active roster after the team promoted the wide receiver from their practice squad. Cleveland cut linebacker Darrian Miller to make room, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). A former Virginia wideout, Jennings caught on with the Browns after a minicamp tryout this May. Miller played in two games as a backup after spending nine weeks on the team’s practice squad prior to his promotion.
The Dolphins signed defensive end Jordan Williams from their practice squad and cut tight end Brandon Williams to make room, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets. Initially signing with the Jets as a rookie UDFA this offseason, Jordan Williams signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad in October.
The Giants waived cornerback Leon McFadden and signed linebacker James Morris to take his spot on the 53-man roster, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). A 24-year-old inside backer, Morris played in three games with the Giants this season after spending time with the Patriots in 2014.
Washington waived/injured safety Trent Robinson, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Robinson was backing up Dashon Goldson and Kyshoen Jarrett previously. If Robinson clears waivers, he’ll land on Washington’s IR, per Jay Gruden (via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com, on Twitter).
The Bills have promoted running back Michael Gillislee to the active roster, reports Joe Buscaglia of WKBW in Buffalo (via Twitter). The former fifth-round pick hasn’t played in the NFL since a three-game stint with the Dolphins in 2013. To make room on the roster, the team has waived offensive lineman Gabe Ikard. The Oklahoma product has only made three appearances this season, although Buscaglia believes his absence will lead to Ryan Groy being active for the first time.
With the Bengals dealing with a banged up secondary, the team has promoted cornerback Troy Hill from the practice squad, reports ESPN’s Coley Harvey (via Twitter). To make room on the roster, the team waived cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris, who was injured during last week’s victory over the Rams.