Muhammad Wilkerson - Pro Football Rumors

AFC East Notes: Fitzpatrick, Wilkerson, Blount

March 19th, 2016 at 10:49am CST by Ben Levine

The Jets made it clear earlier this week that their goal is to sign free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but general manager Mike Maccagnan is still realistic about his team’s chances to retain the 33-year-old.

“We like Ryan — we’d like to have Ryan back — but at the end of the day, it’s free agency,” the Jets executive said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini). “You go through it. At some point in time, hopefully, we can find a middle ground we’re both happy with.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC East…

As Jets Pro Bowler Muhammad Wilkerson continues to recover from a broken leg, agent Chad Wiestling tweets that the defensive lineman will be playing for “someone” during the 2016 season.
Considering his age and price tag, it would make sense for the Jets to trade for Broncos offensive lineman Ryan Clady to replace incumbent D’Brickashaw Ferguson. However, if the team was truly looking for a Ferguson replacement, Cimini believes the team would have been better off pursuing Russell Okung, who signed with the Broncos earlier this week.
ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss doesn’t believe the Donald Brown signing would prevent LeGarrette Blount from returning to the Patriots. Even if the team does bring back the veteran, the writer still envisions the Patriots selecting a running back in the draft.
Before signing with the Patriots, linebacker Shea McClellin also met with the Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

West Rumors: Kaepernick, Clady, Mathieu

March 18th, 2016 at 2:02pm CST by Luke Adams

It looked increasingly likely last week that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would be on the move, with the Broncos and Browns among the teams exploring a potential deal. However, the tide appears to have turned on Kaepernick this week — at least for now.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com is the latest to report that the 49ers look poised to keep Kaepernick on their roster beyond April 1, the date when his $11.9MM base salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed. That guarantee date won’t preclude the Niners from surveying trade options for the QB prior to – or during – this year’s draft though, so it’s possible that talks with the Broncos, Browns, or another club could re-ignite in a few weeks.

Let’s round up some other Friday updates from out of the NFL’s West divisions….

There are four or five teams considering a trade for Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Clady is available now that Denver has added Russell Okung. Still, given the modest contracts signed by Okung and Kelvin Beachum this week (both deals have team opt-outs after year one), I’d be a little surprised if any clubs are willing to give up much to take on Clady’s $9.5MM salary. Like Okung and Beachum, Clady is no sure thing going forward when it comes to health.
During an appearance on PFT Live, Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu acknowledged that his lack of a defined position in Arizona’s secondary could complicate extension talks with the team. “It’s gonna be kind of a wrestling match,” Mathieu said of those contract negotiations. “But at the end of the day as long as we understand it’s a business and as long as we take care of our relationships I think it’ll be all right.”
The Raiders have already had an extremely eventful offseason, but there’s a case to be made that they should still make one more splash. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com lays out that case, making an argument for why general manager Reggie McKenzie should make an effort to land Muhammad Wilkerson in a trade with the Jets.
The 49ers have officially announced five coaching additions for Chip Kelly‘s staff, with the most notable changes coming on defense — Joe Bowden takes over as the team’s inside linebackers coach, replacing Hardy Nickerson, who left to become Illinois’ defensive coordinator.

East Notes: Vernon, Giants, Gipson, Wilkerson

March 2nd, 2016 at 8:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants will have nearly $60MM in cap room to work with when the free agent period begins next week, and the club is expected to use that ample space to target pass rushers, according to Ebenezer Samuel and Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Both Olivier Vernon — who was designated as the Dolphins’ transition player — and Mario Williams (recently released by the Bills) figure to “at least get a call” from general manager Jerry Reese & Co, sources tell the NYDN scribes. Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (Twitter link) agrees, guessing that Vernon will be the first player contacted by the Giants.

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

Along with the edge rush, safety is another area on the Giants‘ roster that could use improvement, as PFR’s Zach Links pointed out in his preview of the New York’s offseason. Browns free agent Tashaun Gipson will be one of the top safeties available on the open market, and Raanan hears (via Twitter) that Gipson would “welcome” the idea of playing in New York. Gipson is widely expected to move on from Cleveland and find a new club next week.
The Jets have long been rumored to be willing to explore the possibility of trading franchise player Muhammad Wilkerson, but Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News doubts that the team will find a suitor willing to not only part with a first-round pick, but pony up the $40MM+ that Wilkerson is said to covet. One general manager told Mehta that he wouldn’t sacrifice a second- and third-round pick package for Wilkerson, so it’s fair to wonder if a market will develop for the star defensive end.
Receiver Brian Tyms tweeted his goodbyes to the Patriots organization today, a sign that he won’t return to New England in 2016, writes Tom Curran of CSNNE.com. Tyms, who spent the 2015 season on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, was set to be a restricted free agent, so the Patriots apparently won’t tender him a contract.

AFC Notes: Aiken, Glenn, Fins, Texans, Jets

March 2nd, 2016 at 11:17am CST by Luke Adams

On the surface, it looks like a no-brainer decision for the Ravens to assign wide receiver Kamar Aiken a second-round RFA tender, but the franchise has been willing to roll the dice on the low-end tender for restricted free agents in the past, and could use all the cap space they can get this offseason, writes Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

If the Ravens use the second-round tender (worth $2.553MM), they would be entitled to a second-round pick if Aiken signs elsewhere. The low-end tender ($1.671MM) would only give Baltimore the right of first refusal, with no potential compensation.

With Aiken coming off a 75-catch breakout season, it probably makes sense for the Ravens to pull the trigger on the second-round tender — there’s a dearth of talent on the wide receiver market this offseason, and Baltimore risks losing Aiken or paying him even more if a rival team signs him to an offer sheet.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

It wouldn’t be a surprise if one or more franchised players – including Bills tackle Cordy Glenn – sign their tenders by the end of the day, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald takes a detailed look at the Dolphins‘ plan to improve their defense this offseason, noting that the team would like to add starters at linebacker (preferably MLB), cornerback, and safety, while also picking up a run-stopping defensive end. Miami’s limited flexibility will make it a little tricky to add viable starters at all those spots, though the team figures to use the No. 8 overall pick in the draft to address at least one if its defensive needs.
With Arian Foster expected to be cut in the near future, the Texans will need to explore free agency and the draft for a potential solution at running back, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. In McClain’s view, it might make more sense for the club to sign a veteran free agent rather than counting on finding a starter in the draft.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News field Jets-related inquiries in his latest mailbag, writing that he doesn’t expect the club to draft running back Ezekiel Elliott, and noting that GMs around the league are skeptical that any team would give up a first-round pick in a trade for Muhammad Wilkerson.

Jets Franchise Muhammad Wilkerson

February 29th, 2016 at 5:35pm CST by Luke Adams

FEBRUARY 29, 5:35pm: The Jets aren’t convinced Wilkerson is fit to serve as the centerpiece of head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, and will entertain trade offers for him as a result. Mehta adds that the Jets are higher on Richardson, who is entering a contract year and will require a significant financial commitment to retain past next season.

GMs and front office executives relayed to Mehta at the combine that they expect the Jets to have difficulty dealing Wilkerson because acquiring him would cost a club plenty in the form of at least one high draft pick and a new contract for the defender. Wilkerson is seeking at least $40MM to $45MM in guaranteed money, per Mehta.

5:08pm: The Jets have applied the non-exclusive franchise tag (worth $15.7MM) to Wilkerson, reports Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter link). As a non-exclusive tag recipient, Wilkerson is free to negotiate a new contract with other teams, but the Jets will have the right to match the offer or let him go and collect two first-round picks in return.

9:46am: While nothing is official yet, the Jets still intend to place the franchise tag on Wilkerson before Tuesday afternoon’s deadline, a source tells Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network (Twitter link). The tag will be worth $15.701MM.

FEBRUARY 15: The Jets and pending free agent Muhammad Wilkerson haven’t come close to an agreement on a new contract, and with the 2016 franchise-tag window set to open on Tuesday, the team intends to use its tag on the defensive end, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.

[RELATED: 2016 NFL franchise tag candidates]

Wilkerson, 26, enjoyed his best season as a pro in 2015, racking up a career-high 12 sacks and forcing three fumbles, to go along with 64 tackles. Arguably the best defensive player for the Jets last season, Wilkerson also earned his first Pro Bowl berth.

Although Wilkerson’s performance showed he was worthy of franchise-tag consideration, there were also a handful of factors working against him. He broke his leg during the Jets’ regular-season finale, and while that injury isn’t expected to sideline him at all next season, it complicated his contract situation a little. Additionally, the Jets have two other talented defensive ends on their roster, in Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams, so re-signing Wilkerson could be viewed as something of a luxury.

Still, according to Cimini, GM Mike Maccagnan recognizes that Wilkerson is a valuable asset and that the Jets can’t simply let him reach the open market and sign with a new team without getting any real compensation in return. New York will have to clear some salary cap space in order to make a franchise-tag salary fit under the cap, but that appears to be the team’s plan for now.

Based on a projected $154MM salary cap, the franchise salary for defensive ends would amount to nearly $15.5MM, the highest figure for any non-quarterback position. Even though Wilkerson is a 3-4 end, rather than the sort of 4-3 edge rusher who would typically command higher contracts, that defensive end franchise salary will apply to him.

While Cimini predicts Wilkerson will ultimately play out the 2016 season with the Jets on his franchise salary, there are other ways the situation could play out. The club could entertain trade offers for its star defensive lineman after franchising him, or recommit to working out a longer-term agreement to keep him in New York. If the Jets franchise Wilkerson and don’t trade him, the two sides would have until July 15 to work out a multiyear deal this year. Otherwise, Wilkerson would be locked into his franchise salary for 2016.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

East Rumors: Vernon, Wilkerson, Cowboys

February 27th, 2016 at 3:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins and Olivier Vernon‘s representatives haven’t spoken much about the possibility of a long-term deal in Miami, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports.

Recognizing the interest the 25-year-old defensive end will draw in free agency if he reaches the market, the Dolphins will entertain the possibility of tagging Vernon with the intent to then trade him, sources inform La Canfora.

The franchise tag for defensive ends is $15.7MM, and the Dolphins already employ the league’s highest-paid defender in Ndamukong Suh, who makes $19.06MM per year. Suh and Cameron Wake‘s cap numbers add up to $38.4MM in 2016 if those contracts are not restructured, making a potential Vernon extension tricky.

PFR’s Dallas Robinson rated Vernon as a top-15 free agent in this year’s class.

Here’s some more news coming out of the Eastern divisions on Combine Saturday.

Publicly seeking a long-term deal for some time, Muhammad Wilkerson could also be a tag-and-trade candidate, La Canfora reports. The Jets and Wilkerson’s reps aren’t close on a long-term deal and haven’t discussed it much since talks broke off last year. The 25-year-old’s been the game’s second-best 3-4 defensive end over the past few seasons, and the $15.7MM Wilkerson would draw as a tagged player would make Gang Green’s auxiliary moves — like keeping Ryan Fitzpatrick — more difficult. The Jets possess $21.9MM worth of cap space. League executives told La Canfora Wilkerson is “plenty worth” the deal Marcell Dareus signed to stay in Buffalo last year (six years, $95.1MM, with a $25MM signing bonus) and would be incredibly sought-after on the open market. La Canfora lists the Giants, Raiders and Jaguars as teams who would listen in a tag-and-trade scenario.
Jerry Jones expects Tony Romo to be the Cowboys‘ quarterback for another four or five years, he tells media, including Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Although this isn’t the first year Dallas’ owner tossed out that timetable for the soon-to-be-36-year-old quarterback, it wouldn’t mesh with Dallas drafting Romo’s successor at No. 4 overall, but either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz probably reaches the Cowboys at that spot barring a trade-up scenario.
Romo’s leaning toward having a plate surgically inserted to stabilize his collarbone, which he injured twice last year, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports. Such a procedure would allow the 11th-year Cowboys starter to participate in offseason workouts despite suffering his latest setback on Thanksgiving Day.
Romo’s backup could be a higher-profile player than Wentz or Goff, at least according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. The veteran reporter expects Robert Griffin III to be in play for the Cowboys next month despite previous reports indicating tepid interest on Dallas’ behalf, Schefter said on a radio appearance with Cowlishaw and Mosley (via JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com).
The lengthy legal battle between DeSean Jackson and former agent Drew Rosenhaus ended with a judge ruling the Washington wideout doesn’t have to pay back the $516K he was previously ruled to have owed Rosenhaus, Daniel Kaplan of the SportsBusiness Journal reports (on Twitter). Jackson and Rosenhaus had been mired in a legal tussle since 2013, when Jackson fired Rosenhaus in favor of Joel Segal. In April 2014, an NFLPA arbitrator ruled in Rosenhaus’ favor after the agent filed a grievance to recoup unpaid loans and agent fees.

AFC Notes: Colts, Jets, Pats, Chiefs

February 27th, 2016 at 10:06am CST by Ben Levine

Last offseason was a busy one for the Colts, as the organization spent big money to secure veterans like Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Trent Cole and Kendall Langford. As Stephen Holder of the Indy Star writes, we may be seeing a different strategy this time around.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson told reporters that the team won’t be as aggressive on the free agent market this offseason.

“I would say this year is a little different than in years past just because of some of the financials we have on the horizon,” Grigson said. “Somewhat like 2012, where we tightened our belt.”

Holder attributes part of that strategy to Andrew Luck‘s inevitable contract extension, but he also notes that many of the team’s recent free agent acquisitions haven’t necessarily worked out.

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC…

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini would support a Sheldon Richardson trade if it meant the Jets could ink Muhammad Wilkerson to an extension. However, the writer notes that Richardson’s trade value currently isn’t at its highest, and the Jets are in no rush to trade the defensive tackle due to his affordable contract. Ultimately, Cimini believes the two will remain teammates for at least one more season.
The Patriots and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks are “still in the strategy phase” of the re-signing process, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. The writer believes it will be a few weeks until there’s clarity on the situation, although he did list Hicks as the Patriots free agent with the most value on the open market.
The Chiefs are interested in retaining defensive end Mike DeVito, tweets Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. The 31-year-old appeared in 13 games (five starts) for the Chiefs last season, compiling 19 tackles and three sacks.

Jets Rumors: Wilkerson, Cromartie, Harrison

February 24th, 2016 at 6:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets head coach Todd Bowles says cutting Antonio Cromartie was a “hard decision,” but the team needed to upgrade the position, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. There’s a chance he could still return, according to the coach, but in the opinion of Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter), it sounds like he has moved on from Cromartie.

Here’s more on Gang Green:

Bowles said the team has not made a decision on the franchise tag regarding Muhammad Wilkerson, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets. Maccagnan, meanwhile, says the organization has a good idea as to whether it will place the franchise tag on Wilkerson (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the Daily News).
Maccagnan claims Damon Harrison and Wilkerson are “both options” for the franchise tag, as Cimini tweets. I have a hard time imagining that the Jets would use the tag on Harrison, even though he is a very valuable nose tackle.
Maccagnan says it’s “not outside realm of possibilities” they keep Wilkerson plus their two young defensive ends long term, but that’s a significant investment for the team (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports).
GM Mike Maccagnan says he has scheduled meetings with agents of all his free agents, Cimini tweets.
Maccagnan says he’s looking into moves to create more cap space (link via Cimini).

East Notes: Wilkerson, Eagles, Cousins, Jets

February 18th, 2016 at 3:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jets reportedly intend to use their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson within the next couple weeks, but that doesn’t mean Wilkerson won’t have suitors this offseason. Given the Jets’ depth at defensive end, the team is expected to at least listen to trade offers for Wilkerson, and it sounds like the standout defender wants to make it clear that he’s recovering from well from the broken leg that ended his season last month.

“Great visit w/ Dr. Anderson 2day in NC,” Wilkerson tweeted today. “Leg responded gr8, starting rehab ahead of schedule. Anxious to get to work. Thx for all the support!”

Wilkerson’s leg injury was never expected to sideline him for any of the 2016 season, but the fact that he’s ahead of schedule in the rehab process is a good sign for the Jets and for any teams that may be considering making a play for him in the coming weeks.

Let’s check in on several more updates from out of the NFL’s East divisions…

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Chase Daniel will be a “name to watch” this offseason for the Eagles. Daniel, a free-agent-to-be, has been previously linked to Philadelphia, due to the team’s hiring of former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. Rapoport suggests the Eagles’ new head coach views Daniels as “more than a backup.”
John Keim of ESPN.com and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports each examine the Kirk Cousins contract situation in Washington, with Keim suggesting the team must maintain future cap flexibility, with many other extension candidates on deck in a year or two. As for Garafolo, he still sees the franchise tag as the most likely outcome for Cousins, since the quarterback has far more leverage at this point than Washington does.
Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t a franchise quarterback, but he’s a great bridge option for the Jets, who must re-sign him, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Cimini projects a three-year, $24MM pact, including $12MM guaranteed, for Fitzpatrick, whom the ESPN scribe expects to be back in New York next season.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald expects the Dolphins to either lock up Olivier Vernon to a multiyear contract or use their franchise tag on him, since “it makes no sense” to allow a young pass rusher like Vernon to reach the open market.
Although Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft has the Cowboys selecting Jared Goff with the No. 4 overall selection, Todd Archer of ESPN.com remains skeptical that Dallas will use that pick on a quarterback.

Giants Rumors: Wilkerson, Sanu, JPP, Ayers

February 17th, 2016 at 7:23pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Giants will enter free agency hoping to land two New Jersey natives – Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu – CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports.

The Jets will place the franchise tag on Wilkerson, a two-time second-team All-Pro, but La Canfora writes that they could trade the 26-year-old because they already have Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams under control along their defensive line and need help elsewhere. If the Jets do deal Wilkerson, the Giants are potential candidates to trade a first-round pick (and maybe more) for the Pro Bowler, per La Canfora, who opines that he’d be worth Big Blue’s 10th overall selection.

The Giants would also have to give Wilkerson a new contract, one that La Canfora estimates could be in Marcell Dareus territory. Dareus signed a six-year, $95MM deal with the Bills last year and is currently second among D-tackles (behind only Ndamukong Suh) in total value, yearly average ($15.85MM) and guarantees ($42.9MM).

Sanu, on the other hand, is coming off a less-than-stellar season in terms of productivity (33 catches, zero touchowns). Nevertheless, La Canfora argues that the 26-year-old would make a good complement to Odell Beckham and could merit $5MM per year.

Here’s more on the Giants:

The Giants will try to re-sign pending free agent Jason Pierre-Paul, but they will not place the franchise tag on the defensive end or bring him back on a huge contract, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Cole adds that there’s a debate within the organization in regards to Pierre-Paul’s value.
As we touched on earlier tonight, a USA Today report states that JPP’s time with the Giants is likely up.
Like Pierre-Paul, fellow Giants defensive end Robert Ayers is also on the verge of becoming a free agent. There’s a good chance Ayers will re-sign with the team, however, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan asked five league sources what kind of deal Ayers, 30, will get off a career-best 9.5-sack season, then averaged out their projections. The end result: three years, $18MM – including $9MM in guarantees.