HEADLINES

Nick Easton

Saints To Sign Nick Easton

March 17th, 2019 at 9:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints are acting fast in their effort to replace Max Unger. They made the winning offer to sign Nick Easton, according to the lineman’s agent (Twitter link).

Easton will sign a four-year, $24MM deal with the Saints, Adam Caplan of Sirius XM Radio reports (on Twitter). Easton had been considering the Saints, Vikings and another team and had hoped to sign by Monday. While the NFL originally disapproved Easton’s deal with New Orleans over a minor incentive issue, the league has since officially announced the transaction.

Indeed, the Saints will install Easton at center, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Easton played both center and guard with the Vikings, his most recent season coming at guard. Easton missed all of 2018 with an injury. This $6MM-per-year pact represents a strong deal for a player who has not suited up since December 2017. A fractured ankle ended Easton’s 2017 season early, and a neck injury sidelined him throughout 2018.

This will add another veteran contract to New Orleans’ offensive line payroll. Easton Terron Armstead and Larry Warford up front for the Saints, and Andrus Peat is due to make more than $9MM this season on his fifth-year option. With 2017 first-rounder Ryan Ramczyk in place at right tackle, the Easton deal continues the franchise’s significant investment on its offensive front.

That has paid off in the recent past, however, given what Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram have achieved. Set for his age-27 season, Easton will now be involved in blocking for Kamara and former teammate Latavius Murray. While the Saints have been high on backup Cameron Tom, per The Athletic’s Larry Holder (via Twitter), a near-future promotion does not appear to be in order. Tom will likely stay on as a reserve option next season.

The Vikings submitted an offer to keep Easton in Minnesota, and the interior lineman’s defection is a blow to a less acclaimed offensive line. A UDFA out of Harvard, Easton started five games at center for the 2016 Vikings and was a 12-game starter in ’17.

Minnesota has not made any additions up front yet, despite this area being a major problem for last season’s underwhelming team. The contracts of Mike Remmers, Tom Compton and Brett Jones expired after last season, thinning out Minnesota’s guard options considerably. Josh Kline, however, recently appeared on the Vikings’ radar.

NFC Notes: Giants, Diggs, Easton

March 16th, 2019 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Eli Manning collected his $5MM roster bonus Saturday afternoon, essentially ensuring he will be with the Giants for a 16th season. This confirms what has been reported throughout the offseason. Less certain: whether or not this will be the year the Giants draft a true option to be Manning’s successor. After early indications that move would be coming this year, that now appears far from a locked-in strategy. Not only are the Giants not believed to be looking to package their Nos. 6 and 17 picks to move into the top five for a quarterback, sources informed The Athletic’s Mike Lombardi the team is not enamored with any of the passing prospects in this year’s draft (subscription required). This follows an SNY report that pegged the Giants as less bullish on Dwayne Haskins, the most popular Giants mock pick at this point. Issues with Kyler Murray‘s height also may persist among Giants brass, though that may be a moot point given that Murray could be the No. 1 overall pick.

The Giants may be looking to solidify their defense, which is full of holes, instead of using a first-round selection on a quarterback. Shifting away from the Giants, here is the latest from the NFC:

  • Interesting NFL art emerged this weekend. Stefon Diggs‘ brother shared an image of the Vikings wide receiver in a Redskins uniform, but this does not appear to be an indication of another wide receiver trade. A Vikings source emphatically informed ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter there has been no talk of dealing Diggs to Washington (Twitter link). (A Redskins source informed ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini, via Twitter, they may not be in position to make such a move.) The Diggses are from Maryland, which may be at the root of this Photoshop job.
  • Three teams remain in the mix for Nick Easton, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). The Vikings submitted an offer to their two-year starter, who also visited the Saints. These two comprise two-thirds of the interior lineman’s suitor list, with an unnamed third team also in the mix, per Tomasson. Easton wants to make his decision by Monday. It’s possible Max Unger‘s retirement prompts the Saints to make a stronger push for Easton, but they have two veteran salaries and Andrus Peat‘s fifth-year option price allocated to their offensive line.
  • In case you missed it, the Rams are set to host five-year Jaguars starter Blake Bortles on a visit.

Vikings Make Offer To OL Nick Easton

March 15th, 2019 at 2:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings are looking to retain one of their former starting offensive guards. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets that the organization made an offer to free agent Nick Easton.

Tomasson notes that Easton met with the Saints yesterday, and there are several other teams currently in the mix for the lineman. The 26-year-old may take several additional visits before making a decision at some point over the next week.

The former undrafted free agent out of Harvard bounced between the Ravens and 49ers as a rookie before landing in Minnesota, where he’s spent the past three years. The offensive guard emerged in 2016 by starting five of his 11 appearances, and he proceeded to start all 12 of his games during the 2017 campaign. However, a fractured right ankle ended his season early, while a neck injury forced him to miss the entirety of the 2018 campaign.

Still, considering his starting experience and versatility (he’s also played some center), it isn’t surprising that several teams are eyeing Easton. Danny Isidora and Aviante Collins are currently slotted in as the Vikings’ starting guards, and Easton could realistically beat out either of the two for a starting nod.

Saints Hosting Nick Easton, Vikings Still Interested

March 14th, 2019 at 5:49pm CST by Micah Powell

Free agent offensive lineman Nick Easton visited with the Saints on Thursday, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. A return to the Vikings, however, is not out of the question and the team still has interest in retaining his services, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune tweets.

After starting 12 games with the Vikings in 2017, Easton suffered a season-ending injury when he fractured his ankle in late December. He signed a one-year restricted free-agent deal with the team in hopes of signing a long-term deal the following offseason. However, the Harvard product missed the entire 2018 season after having surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck in August.

Although he has seen time at center, left guard, and right guard, he was slated to be the team’s top LG in 2018. Kramer adds that Vikings general manager Rick Spielman says Easton fits the athletic type that team is looking for along the line.

Coming back from back-to-back season-ending injuries, Easton would likely serve as depth no matter where he signs.

NFC North Notes: Howard, Vikings, Packers

February 27th, 2019 at 9:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Jordan Howard matched his career high with nine rushing touchdowns last season, his overall and per-carry yardage numbers continued to decline. The Bears‘ starting running back failed to eclipse 1,000 yards for the first time and averaged 3.7 per tote, as Tarik Cohen gained a bigger foothold in Matt Nagy‘s offense. Howard did not make progress as a receiving back, either, in his third year. The Bears are indeed shopping Howard at the Combine, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. One season remains on the former fifth-round pick’s rookie contract.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • Also being dangled for a trade, per JLC: Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes. One of three first-round picks in Minnesota’s corner corps, Waynes has been a two-year starter. But he is going into his fifth-year option season, which will cost the Vikings just more than $9MM. With Kirk Cousins‘ fully guaranteed contract on their books, along with several recently extended homegrown talents, the Vikings are up against the cap, holding barely $7MM.
  • One place the Vikings may need funding for is their offensive line. Guard starter Nick Easton missed all of last season, hurting an already embattled unit, and is slated for unrestricted free agency. Rick Spielman said (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer) Easton should be medically cleared to resume his career soon. Easton underwent surgery to address a herniated disk in his neck. Easton also fractured his ankle in December 2017, so he may have to settle for a one-year deal somewhere.
  • Brian Gutekunst confirmed what we heard recently: Jimmy Graham will have a second chance to make an impact with the Packers. A possible cap casualty, Graham is in line to come back, per Gutekunst (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky). When asked Wednesday about Graham, Matt LaFleur was not yet sure the 32-year-old is the type of tight end that can create matchup problems at this point in his career, adding the caveat of not being in Green Bay last year to observe the physical issues with which Graham dealt.
  • Gutekunst was non-committal about Nick Perry‘s future with the team. Indicating the veteran outside linebacker has been productive when on the field, the second-year Packers GM said a decision has not been made on this front. “Nick’s struggled through some injuries,” Gutekunst said. “It’s been unfortunate. When he’s been out there, he’s been a good player for us. We’ll make those decisions as they come.” It would not be financially advantageous for the Packers to cut Perry. The cap savings would barely exceed $3MM, while the dead-money figure would surpass $11MM. Three years remain on the contract Perry signed in 2017. Perry played in nine games last season and 12 in 2017. He registered just 1.5 sacks last season.

Vikings Place Nick Easton On IR

August 9th, 2018 at 12:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Vikings guard Nick Easton done for the season after undergoing surgery to correct a herniated disc in his neck, agent Joe Linta tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Fortunately, it is not expected to be a career-ending injury. After Schefter’s report, the Vikings confirmed that Easton will head to IR.

Easton was retained this year via a one-year, $2.9MM restricted free agent tender. He was hoping to sign a long-term extension with the Vikings, but his malady will keep that from happening this year.

Easton, a Harvard product, has appeared in 23 games with 17 starts. Although he has seen time at center, left guard, and right guard, he was slated to be the team’s top LG in 2018. Easton didn’t fare all that well according to the advanced metrics, but the Vikings had enough confidence to put him in that starting role.

Without Easton, the Vikings may turn to Tom Compton, Danny Isidora, or sixth-round pick Colby Gossett to fill the void.

Vikings OL Nick Easton Pushing For Extension

May 30th, 2018 at 5:54pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

When talking to the media at OTAs, Vikings guard Nick Easton made it clear he’d like to stay in Minnesota longterm and would like an extension sooner rather than later. He told The St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson that he’d “love to be here long-term” and answered “I hope so” when asked about the possibility of the Vikings giving him an extension soon (Twitter link).

Easton is playing under a one-year $2.9MM restricted free agent tender after he was tendered at the second-round level by the Vikings. Easton signed the tender back in April and will be a free agent after the season.

While Easton has now made his preference publicly known, he may have to wait a while. After giving Kirk Cousins a historic fully guaranteed contract, the Vikings currently don’t have a ton of cap space with which to sign their impending free agents, and will have to allocate their limited resources wisely. They have a slew of young players all set to be free agents at the end of the year. Young defensive studs Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, and Eric Kendricks are all heading into the final year of their contracts, as is star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

The Vikings may decide to let Easton walk in favor of signing some of their other young guys. What they decide to do will likely depend on how they feel about the rest of their interior linemen. Easton is locked in as the starting left guard, and the other guards on the roster are underwhelming and not realistic options to replace him. If the Vikings don’t add more guard help between now and next offseason, there’s a good chance Easton will get the extension he’s looking for.

Vikings OL Nick Easton Signs RFA Tender

April 17th, 2018 at 7:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Vikings offensive lineman Nick Easton has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Easton will now be paid $2.914MM for the 2018 campaign.

Minnesota and Easton have mutual interest in hammering out a long-term agreement, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pionner Press. Easton won’t hit unrestricted free agency until next spring, so the Vikings have plenty of time to work out an extension.

The Vikings have invested heavily in their offensive line over the past year, as they inked free agent tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers while deploying a third-round pick on Pat Elflein, who became the club’s starting center in his rookie season. Easton, a former undrafted free agent, spent most of his 2017 time at left guard, and played 92% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps overall. Pro Football Focus ranked the 25-year-old as the No. 58 guard among 77 qualifiers a year ago.

Easton was one of 14 NFL restricted free agents to be tendered at the second-round level. There was no rush for Easton to ink his tender, as RFAs have until April 20 to work out offer sheets with other clubs. However, it was unlikely that any NFL team would have been willing to sacrifice a second-round pick in order to land Easton.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/12/18

March 12th, 2018 at 1:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions, with the list being updated throughout the day.

RFAs

Tendered at second-round level:

Tendered at original-round level:

Non-Tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-Tendered:

Vikings Notes: Cousins, Forbath, Johnson

March 11th, 2018 at 6:19pm CST by Ben Levine

Kirk Cousins appears to be atop the Vikings offseason wish list. Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com writes that the organization will “go hard” after the free agent quarterback, adding that negotiations with their 13 unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents are on hold until the front office understands how much they’ll need to commit to a signal-caller.

The 29-year-old Cousins finished last season having completed 64.3-percent of his passes for 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. If the Vikings fail in their pursuit of the former Pro Bowler, they can turn their focus to any of the other three quarterbacks they were rostering in 2017: Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, or Sam Bradford.

Let’s take a look at some other notes out of Minnesota, all via Tomasson…

  • The Vikings want to re-sign kicker Kai Forbath, but the team has yet to make an offer to the veteran. The 30-year-old, who earned $775K last season, had one of the best seasons of his career with Minnesota in 2017. Forbath converted 32 of his 38 field goal attempts, and he made 34 of his 39 extra point tries.
  • The front office still hasn’t decided what tender they’ll place on restricted free agent offensive guard Nick Easton, but they want him back in 2018. A former undrafted free agent out of Harvard, the 25-year-old has started 17 of his 23 games over the past two seasons with the Vikings. Tomasson notes that the team is unlikely to tender restricted free agent running back Bishop Sankey or offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles.
  • There’s no guarantee that defensive tackle Tom Johnson will be back with the team next season. Tomasson notes that Minnesota is willing to pay the 33-year-old, but his return will “depend on other offers he might get.” The writer also writes that Johnson asked for a one-year, $4MM extension last season, but the Vikings ultimately balked. Johnson started 15 of 16 games last season, compiling 32 tackles and two sacks.
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