Sheldon Richardson - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Shopping Sheldon Richardson

April 28th, 2017 at 3:34pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have been making calls regarding a potential trade of defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This was the Jets’ plan coming into the draft, Rapoport writes, but they won’t just give him away.

Of course, we’ve been down this road before. The Jets shopped Richardson at different points over the last year, but they have so far been unable to find a deal to their liking. Unfortunately for Gang Green, Richardson’s trade value is not at a high point due to his inconsistent work ethic and off-the-field indiscretions. He’s also in a contract year, so any team acquiring him will have to pony up significant cash to keep him if he plays well.

The Jets, meanwhile, don’t have a ton of leverage. Teams know that they have already committed major dollars to Muhammad Wilkerson and they have a rising star in Leonard Williams at the other bookend, so keeping Richardson long-term isn’t really viable. The Jets say that they won’t just give Richardson away, but it’s hard to see them doing better than a third round pick at this juncture.

AFC East Rumors: Pats, Blount, Jets, Conley

April 16th, 2017 at 12:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots‘ offer to running back LeGarrette Blount may not be on the table forever, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. New England has met with other free agent backs in recent weeks, including Adrian Peterson, Damien Williams, and Mike Gillislee, perhaps in an effort to send a signal to Blount. Blount hasn’t generated any interest elsewhere, which is what he’d need to do in order to force the Patriots to up their proposal. As Reiss notes, the 2017 RB draft class is considered exceptionally strong, so Blount may want to ink a new contract with the Pats before the club selects a runner in the draft later this month.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley‘s previously-reported meeting with the Jets will take place on Monday, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. While Conley has generally been viewed as a lesser prospect than his Buckeye teammate Marshon Lattimore, that perception may be changing. While Lattimore’s injury concerns are troubling, Conley is viewed as an extremely safe player, and may end up being the first cornerback off the board. New York could certainly use help in the secondary after releasing Darrelle Revis earlier this year.
Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson isn’t garnering much interest on the trade market, meaning the Jets may have to hang onto him for the 2017 campaign, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Indianapolis may have been a logical trade partner, but the Colts probably aren’t in the Richardson hunt after signing Johnathan Hankins last week. Gang Green could still use Richardson as a trade chip on draft day, but as Cimini notes, the “clock is ticking” on any potential deal.
The Jets intend to re-sign recently-released linebacker Julian Stanford, and Stanford was aware of that when Gang Green cut ties last week, per Cimini. Stanford, 26, has bounced around the league since 2012, spending time with Detroit, Jacksonville, and New York. In 2016, Stanford appeared in nine games (two starts) for the Jets, playing on roughly a quarter of the club’s defensive snaps and a third of the team’s special steams snaps.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Dolphins, Richardson

April 1st, 2017 at 7:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets fined defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson “significant” amounts of money for tardiness before benching them for the first quarter of a November contest, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. Indeed, sources indicate to Vacchiano that head coach Todd Bowles — often viewed as overly tolerant of his players’ indiscretions — isn’t so mild-mannered behind the scenes. Still, New York certainly didn’t expect Wilkerson to show commitment issues after inking him to a hefty extension last year.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

While Richardson’s lateness issues (and poor play) could negatively affect his trade value, the Jets still may be able to use the pass-rusher as a trade chit in the coming weeks, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. If New York wants to trade back into Round 1 for a quarterback, for example, the team could potentially package Richardson and its second-round pick (No. 39) to move ahead of of a club like the Texans, who may also be looking for a QB. Getting back into the first round would also allow the Jets to pick up a fifth-year option on the signal-caller of their choice.
Dolphins defensive line coach Terrell Williams took a sojourn to East Lansing to work out Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. Recently linked to free agent Johnathan Hankins, the Dolphins are in the market for a tackle to play alongside Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips. McDowell could be on the board when Miami picks at No. 22, although the Fins are expected to target edge help in the first round. The Dolphins are the first known team to meet with McDowell.
Safety prospects Josh Jones (North Carolina State) and Justin Evans (Texas A&M) will meet with the Dolphins soon, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Although Miami recently extended defensive back Reshad Jones, the club is still looking for another safety after Isa Abdul-Quddus was released following a neck injury. Jones has also drawn interest from the Ravens, while Evans has met with the Cowboys.

Jets Rumors: Pryor, Richardson, McCown

March 24th, 2017 at 1:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets GM Mike Maccagnan addressed reporters moments ago and touched on a wide range of topics. Here’s a quick look at the highlights:

Maccagnan won’t say if they will pick up safety Calvin Pryor’s fifth-year option, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets. Pryor, a first-round pick made by the old regime in New York, is reportedly in some danger of being cut this offseason. The Jets have until early may to make the call on Pryor’s option and it sounds like they are hesitating over guaranteeing his 2018 season for injury. The Louisville product known for his hard hitting had 60 total tackles in 2016.
Maccagnan declined to commit to Sheldon Richardson‘s future with the Jets and says he’ll weigh all options with regards to the defensive lineman (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). The Jets once dangled Richardson with the hope of getting a first-round pick, but it now seems like they might have to settle for a third-round choice if they move him.
Maccagnan says it’s “highly unlikely” they will add another veteran quarterback, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. However, he won’t rule out drafting a QB. He also wouldn’t commit to Josh McCown being the team’s starter in 2017, saying that it’s a decision that will be made by coach Todd Bowles. McCown’s deal came with a $6MM guarantee, so it would be a bit surprising if he wasn’t the team’s Week 1 starter.
There were rumblings about Muhammad Wilkerson being out of shape this offseason, but the defensive lineman refuted that talk earlier this week.
The Jets signed Quinton Patton on Thursday, giving them seven wide receivers under contract.

Jets To Cut Richardson, Skrine?

March 3rd, 2017 at 2:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets aren’t done cleaning house. Sheldon Richardson, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist, and Calvin Pryor are among the players that are in danger of losing their roster spots, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini tweets. As previously reported, Eric Decker may be in the same boat.

Cimini writes that David Harris seems safe for now, but that could change if they add a free agent at inside linebacker. Gang Green could also try to deal Pryor and Richardson since the former first-round picks still have some trade value. The Jets once shopped Richardson with the hope of netting a first-round pick, but it now seems like they might have to settle for a third-round choice given Richardson’s down year and off-field red flags. Pryor, a big hitter in the secondary, has yet to really break out in his three NFL seasons. This past season, Pro Football Focus rated the Louisville slugger as the No. 73 safety in the NFL out of 89 qualified players.

In recent days, the Jets have released wide receiver Brandon Marshall, cornerback Darrelle Revis, center Nick Mangold, offensive tackles Ryan Clady and Breno Giacomini, kicker Nick Folk, and linebacker Erin Henderson. It sounds like that list is about to grow even more.

Jets Still Shopping Sheldon Richardson?

February 27th, 2017 at 6:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets entertained offers for pass rusher Sheldon Richardson prior to last year’s trade deadline, and Gang Green will “almost certainly” keep trying to deal him this offseason, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. While New York is likely to ask for a first-round pick in exchange for Richardson (as the club reportedly did in 2016), the Jets will likely have to settle for less attractive compensation, such as a third-rounder, per Cimini.

At least two known clubs — the Broncos and Cowboys — expressed interest in Richardson near last season’s trade deadline. Dallas, specifically, made an offer for Richardson, but it wasn’t enough for the Jets to part ways with the former first-round pick. Theoretically, the Cowboys could still be intrigued by Richardson’s talents as they seek to rebuild their lackluster pass rush. Denver, meanwhile, once again fielded one of the league’s best defenses in 2016, but might be able to use another pass rusher next year, especially if DeMarcus Ware leaves town.

Richardson certainly has his warts, however, which could contribute to a limited trade market. For one, the 26-year-old wasn’t all that effective last season, as he managed only 1.5 sacks in 15 games (though he still graded out as the NFL’s No. 31 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus). Richardson also comes with off-field question marks, as he has a substance abuse suspension in his past, and has dealt with commitment and tardiness issues.

Additionally, Richardson is only under contract for one more season. In 2017, Richardson will earn $8.069MM under the terms of his fifth-year option before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

Extra Points: Jackson, Seahawks, Jets, Colts

February 11th, 2017 at 1:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL on this Saturday afternoon…

If DeSean Jackson really wants to stay with the Redskins, he’ll probably have to turn down more money elsewhere, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. DJax says he wants to stay put, but the Redskins are reportedly lukewarm on him because of his inconsistency. Both Jackson and Pierre Garcon are free agents and it sounds like D.C. prefers the latter. Of course, with Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson already on the roster, the team doesn’t necessarily have to re-sign either one of the vets.
Knowing the way the Seahawks operate, it stands to reason that they will bring in a young kicker to compete with new addition Blair Walsh, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. It’s quite unlikely that Steven Hauschka will be kept around for competition, however. Hauschka made $2.7MM last season and Walsh will probably earn something in the $1MM range, so it’s hard to see a scenario in which he would agree to fight for the job and accept a 50 percent-plus pay slash.
ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini believes some members of the Jets organization are probably regretting having not traded defensive end Sheldon Richardson to the Cowboys prior to the trade deadline. While the Jets were steadfast in their desire for a first-rounder in return, Cimini believes a deal would have gotten done had the team been willing to accept a second-round pick. Now, the writer can’t envision the organization getting that kind of value for Richardson. After talking to several sources around the league, Cimini opines that the Jets could now get a third-round pick in return.
While Colts general manager Chris Ballard would prefer to build his team through the draft, Mike Chappell of CBS4Indy.com believes the front office may need to pursue some veteran free agents to help shore up their defense. The Colts ranked toward the bottom of the league in multiple defensive statistics, and the organization is staring at more than $55MM in cap space. Chappell cites the success of the previous regime, as several buy-low free agents ultimately helped the team.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC East Notes: Garoppolo, Jets, Workouts

December 10th, 2016 at 9:39am CST by Ben Levine

Where will Jimmy Garoppolo be playing next season? Well, if you ask former Browns and Patriots executive Mike Lombardi, he believes the young quarterback will be playing in Cleveland.

“The next quarterback that’ll be the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback perhaps is Jimmy Garoppolo in New England,” Lombardi said on FS1’s Speak for Yourself (via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). “I think Cleveland understands, [coach] Hue Jackson specifically understands he needs a quarterback. I think they’ll be very aggressive. I think Jimmy Garoppolo’s on top of their list, and I think they’ll go hard after him.”

The Browns are stocked with picks for the upcoming draft, including a pair of firsts and a pair of second-rounders. Furthermore, the two teams have already made a pair of trades this year in the Barkevious Mingo deal and the Jamie Collins deal.

Assuming the Browns aren’t going to pursue some of the available veteran options, Garoppolo could be the most attractive option. In two full games this season, the former second-rounder completed 70-percent of his passes for 496 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. The 25-year-old will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2017.

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

Ben Volin of The Boston Globe suggests (via Twitter) another suitor for Garoppolo: the Bears. Volin tweets that Chicago desperately wants a young quarterback, and he also notes that the Patriots signal-caller is from Chicago and went to Eastern Illinois. Volin also suggests the 49ers and Cardinals as potential landing spots.
ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini details how the Jets can get under the cap and clear about $50MM worth of space. In a vacuum, the team could cut or trade several notable veterans to get to that threshold, including Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, David Harris, Ryan Clady, Breno Giacomini, and Sheldon Richardson (trade). Of course, as Cimini notes, cutting that many veterans would create some giant holes on the roster.
Wideout Quincy McDuffie worked out for the Jets yesterday, tweets agent Brett Tessler. McDuffie spent the 2016 season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Tessler notes that the speedy wideout is widely regarded as the best return man in the CFL.

Latest On Jets’ Wilkerson, Richardson

November 10th, 2016 at 10:36am CST by Connor J. Byrne

After head coach Todd Bowles benched Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson for the first quarter of the Jets’ loss to the Dolphins last Sunday, a report indicated the decision stemmed from the defensive line duo’s lack of punctuality. Wilkerson and Richardson were late or absent from team meetings “all the time” prior to Sunday, per Connor Hughes of NJ.com.

Both players acknowledged their indiscretions Wednesday, though Wilkerson was the more penitent of the two. The 27-year-old admitted that tardiness to team meetings has been a problem, and he revealed that he missed the Jets’ walkthrough Oct. 22 – the day before their win over the Ravens – relays Brian Costello of the New York Post.

“Those actions are unacceptable and I definitely feel as a leader on this team I definitely need to do better,” Wilkerson said. “I respect the coaches and everybody in this building. I take responsibility for my actions. Moving forward, it won’t be an issue. I know as a leader on this team I have to show better, do better. That’s something I will do.”

Regardless of whether Wilkerson lives up to his word, it’s fair to say the Jets weren’t envisioning a mix of commitment issues and a decline in performance when they inked him to an extension in July with $37MM fully guaranteed. Wilkerson has amassed just two sacks and five quarterback hurries in eight games – both far cries from the 12 and 20, respectively, he totaled over 16 contests last season en route to his first Pro Bowl nod and second All-Pro selection.

With 1.5 sacks and nine hurries, Richardson’s pass-rushing production this year has been similar to Wilkerson’s, and a source told Costello that Richardson has indeed been late to multiple team meetings. The 25-year-old denied that, however, saying that it happened once – last Friday – and only because he overslept.

“It has been blown way out of proportion,” he opined. “I know me missing the first quarter isn’t blown out of proportion, but it was one meeting. It is how it is.”

Going forward, it’s possible the 3-6 Jets’ next seven games will be Richardson’s final stretch with the club. General manager Mike Maccagnan discussed a Richardson trade with at least two teams – the Cowboys and Broncos – in advance of the NFL’s Nov. 1 deadline and reportedly sought a first-round pick. Maccagnan will try to market Richardson again in the offseason, according to Costello, but the defender hasn’t helped his value this year. Richardson also has two league-imposed suspensions on his resume, of course, and just one year remaining on his contract. Add all of that up, and the Jets won’t have better luck moving Richardson during the offseason without decreasing their asking price.

Jets Wanted First-Rounder For Richardson

November 8th, 2016 at 5:49pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Pre-trade deadline talks between the Jets and Cowboys regarding defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson didn’t get very far, according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. The Jets wanted a first-round pick in either 2017 or 2018 for Richardson, per Hill, and the Cowboys understandably balked at their high asking price.

New York reportedly discussed Richardson with Denver, too, so it stands to reason the Jets also requested a first-rounder from the Broncos. Richardson ultimately didn’t go anywhere prior to last Tuesday’s deadline, though the Jets are likely to shop him again during the offseason. However, multiple general managers have told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report that there probably won’t be much demand for Richardson’s services then.

Although he has been one of the NFL’s top defenders during his four-year career, Richardson comes with obvious red flags that damage his value. He’s only signed through next season, for one, so trading for him would mean surrendering a haul for either a short-term fix or someone set to occupy a large chunk of cap space for the long haul. Perhaps of greater concern are Richardson’s off-field issues, as the league has twice suspended the 25-year-old. Richardson sat four games last year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and served a one-game ban earlier this season stemming from a July 2015 arrest.

Most recently, Jets head coach Todd Bowles benched both Richardson and fellow D-line stalwart Muhammad Wilkerson for the first quarter of the club’s loss to the Dolphins last Sunday because of their consistent absences from (and tardiness to) team meetings. Wilkerson is seemingly entrenched with the Jets, who signed him to an extension over the summer, as is second-year lineman Leonard Williams. That leaves Richardson as the likely odd man out, though the Jets are clearly going to have to lower their asking price after the season if they’re truly motivated to move him.