Will Blackmon - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Sanchez, 49ers, Blackmon, Washington

March 11th, 2016 at 10:10pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Eagles traded quarterback Mark Sanchez to Denver on Friday, but the Broncos were just one of several teams that had interest in acquiring the seven-year veteran. The 49ers were among the intrigued clubs, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Had the Niners landed him, it would’ve reunited Sanchez with head coach Chip Kelly. The two were together in Philly the previous two seasons, when Sanchez completed 64.3% of his passes and tossed 18 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.

Here’s more from around the NFL as Friday wraps up:

Washington and free agent cornerback Will Blackmon are discussing a contract, reports Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic (Twitter link). Blackmon, a nine-year veteran, spent last season in Washington and put up impressive numbers in 15 games (10 starts, 49 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions), though he ranked just 84th out of 111 qualifying corners at Pro Football Focus.
The Chargers will continue looking for tight end help after losing Ladarius Green in free agency and missing out on James Hanna earlier today, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. There are some decent veteran options in Jermaine Gresham, Zach Miller, Jared Cook and Owen Daniels left on the market, notes Gehlken, though he expects the Chargers to address the position via the draft.
Northern Illinois linebacker Perez Ford had a busy Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The draft prospect talked with the Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets, Lions, Chargers, Seahawks, Bears and Washington.

Free Agency Rumors: Osweiler, Vernon, Miller

March 7th, 2016 at 11:17am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans are expected to make a competitive offer to Brock Osweiler in both guaranteed money and per-year average salary, an NFL source tells Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Recently, the Broncos reportedly upped their offer to Osweiler, submitting one that’s worth more than $45MM over three years. From the sound of it, Houston might be ready to top that. A source tells Robinson that a $15-$16MM per year average for Osweiler will be a legitimate number for his market (link).

Here are the latest free agency rumors:

We can expect the market for Olivier Vernon to include the Giants, Raiders, Jaguars, Browns, and Titans, Robinson tweets. Vernon was hit with the transition tag by the Dolphins earlier this month and he currently stands to earn $12.734MM on a one-year contract in 2016. However, if he signs an offer sheet that the Dolphins decline to match, they will lose him for nothing as they did with Charles Clay one year ago.
Dolphins running back Lamar Miller will hit the open market when free agency opens, a source close to the player tells Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. Miller, 24, ran for 872 yards off of 184 carries with eight touchdowns in 2015. Miller is hoping to land a deal similar to DeMarco Murray‘s pact, but Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears his market is in the $4-5MM range rather than $8MM.
Doug Martin‘s market includes at least six teams, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
The Ravens are bracing for Kelechi Osemele to leave, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. Florio adds that while it has been speculated that the offensive lineman could get $11MM/year on the open market, some think the number will be closer to $9MM.
Chris Long‘s first visit will be to Washington tomorrow, Trey Wingo of ESPN.com tweets.
There’s mutual interest between Washington and cornerback Will Blackmon about a return in 2016, Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic tweets.
Texans free agent guard Brandon Brooks could be in line for a deal in the range of $8MM per season, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears. He adds that multiple teams are interested.

Washington Signs CB Will Blackmon

September 15th, 2015 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Washington has announced the signing of cornerback Will Blackmon, as Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets. Blackmon will take the roster spot formerly held by safety Duke Ihenacho, who is being placed on IR.

The Jaguars released the 30-year-old in late February and he hooked on with the Seahawks in March. However, on September 5th, Seattle sent him packing too. Blackmon spent the last two seasons with the Jaguars and was one of the top three cornerbacks for the team during his time there, starting 12 of 23 games. His 2014 campaign was cut short by a broken finger, which landed him on the injured reserve list with about two months left in the season. In 2013, Blackmon graded out as the 22nd best cornerback in the league according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Ihenacho’s season ended early when he dislocated and fractured his left wrist in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.

NFC East Notes: Dez, Washington, Eagles

September 15th, 2015 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys are hoping Dez Bryant returns in four to six week after undergoing foot surgery, but ESPN’s Dr. Mark Adickes thinks eight to 12 weeks might be a more realistic recovery time frame for the star wideout (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). For now, the Cowboys have no plans to use their IR/designated to return slot on Bryant — such a move would sideline him for at least eight weeks.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC East….

With starting cornerback Chris Culliver set to miss Washington‘s Week 2 contest due to a one-game suspension, the club is bringing in free agent corner Will Blackmon for a visit today, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Blackmon, who was cut by the Jaguars earlier in 2015, signed with the Seahawks in March but was released by Seattle during the cutdown to 53 players.
Before Washington signed free agent kicker Dustin Hopkins yesterday, the team also worked out former Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis, along with punter Brandon Fields, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
The Eagles auditioned tight ends Connor Hamlett, Brian Leonhardt, and Jacob Maxwell, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Presumably, those workouts took place before the club was certain that Zach Ertz – coming off groin surgery – would be ready for such a significant role on Monday night.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell, the Eagles‘ biggest free agent addition of the winter, was also the team’s biggest disappointment in Week 1, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane also notes that the offensive line – featuring Allen Barbre and Andrew Gardner in starting roles – was overmatched by Atlanta’s defensive front, which could raise questions about Philadelphia’s decision to cut both Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans in the offseason.

Seahawks Confirm McCray Trade, Set Roster

September 5th, 2015 at 5:05pm CST by Luke Adams

The Seahawks have confirmed one of their two recently-reported acquisitions, announcing that they’ve traded for safety Kelcie McCray, sending a fifth-round draft pick to the Chiefs in the swap, as we heard earlier. According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter), the deal for McCray is a public sign of what the team has privately told Kam Chancellor: Seattle isn’t willing to negotiate with him.

We’re still awaiting official word on Seattle’s reported agreement with running back Fred Jackson, so an additional cut will be required when that move is finalized. For now though, the Seahawks are down to 53 players. Via a team release, here’s how they got there:

Released:

CB Will Blackmon
TE Anthony McCoy

Waived:

LB Tyrell Adams
TE Rashaun Allen
QB R.J. Archer
DE Obum Gwacham
S Keenan Lambert
S Ronald Martin
DT T.Y. McGill
CB Douglas McNeil
OL Keavon Milton
S Ryan Murphy
OL Will Pericak
LB Eric Pinkins
OL Terry Poole
LB Alex Singleton
WR Kevin Smith
RB Rod Smith
DE Julius Warmsley
WR Kasen Williams

Placed on injured reserve:

CB Mohammed Seisay
RB Robert Turbin

Placed on reserve/non-football illness list:

DT Jesse Williams

Seahawks Sign Will Blackmon

March 9th, 2015 at 7:35pm CST by Zachary Links

7:35pm: The Seahawks have officially announced the transaction, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

4:28pm: The Seahawks have signed cornerback Will Blackmon, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The veteran had a solid season for Jacksonville in 2014.

The Jaguars released the 30-year-old late last month. Blackmon spent the last two seasons with the Jaguars and been one of the top three cornerbacks for the team during his time there, starting 12 of 23 games. His 2014 campaign was cut short by a broken finger, which landed him on the injured reserve list with about two months left in the season.

Jacksonville wanted to go younger, but Seattle is happy to add the seasoned cornerback to its already loaded secondary. In 2013, Blackmon graded out as the 22nd best cornerback in the league according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Jaguars Release Will Blackmon

February 26th, 2015 at 1:48pm CST by Luke Adams

1:48pm: The Jaguars have officially released Blackmon, the team announced this afternoon in a press release.

8:11am: Although the move isn’t yet official, the Jaguars will be cutting veteran defensive back Will Blackmon from their roster, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Garafolo notes that Jacksonville intends to go younger in the secondary, adding that the 30-year-old Blackmon shouldn’t have trouble finding work elsewhere.

Blackmon, who has spent the last two seasons with the Jaguars, has been one of the top three cornerbacks for the team during his time in Jacksonville, starting 12 of 23 games. His 2014 campaign was cut short by a broken finger, which landed him on the injured reserve list with about two months left in the season.

While the Jags are moving in a younger direction at cornerback, led by 2013 draftees Dwayne Gratz and Demetrius McCray, the team’s willingness to cut Blackmon may suggest that they’re close to reaching a deal to retain Alan Ball as the club’s token veteran corner, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Like Blackmon, Ball finished the 2014 season on injured reserve — if he’s not re-signed, he’ll hit the open market next month.

Blackmon’s cap hit for 2015 had been just $945K, and releasing him will leave $25K in dead money on the Jags’ cap. While Jacksonville clears $920K from its books with the move, the actual amount of cap room created will be less than that, since Blackmon will be replaced in the team’s top 51 salaries by a minimum-salary player. Of course, armed with over $60MM in projected cap space, that’s not a big concern for the Jags.

Jags Place Will Blackmon On IR, Sign Fortt

November 3rd, 2014 at 11:39am CST by Luke Adams

The Jaguars have made a change to their 53-man roster, the team announced today, confirming in a press release that cornerback Will Blackmon has been placed on injured reserve. To replace Blackmon, the Jags signed linebacker Khairi Fortt from off the Bengals’ practice squad.

Blackmon, who re-signed with Jacksonville in the offseason, had been one of the team’s top three corners throughout most of the first half before breaking his finger in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Dolphins. The nine-year veteran remains under contract with the Jags for the 2015 season, so while his ’14 campaign may be over, he could still return to the club next year.

As for Fortt, the rookie is already playing for the third team of his young NFL career. After having been drafted by the Saints in the fourth round in May, Fortt was placed on IR with the designation to return, but was cut shortly thereafter, landing with the Bengals’ 53-man roster, and then Cincinnati’s practice squad. The 22-year-old has yet to make his regular season NFL debut.

Contract Details: Whitner, Jenkins, Blackmon

March 11th, 2014 at 8:49pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest particulars from various contracts signed today..

Donte Whitner‘s four-year, $28MM deal with the Browns includes $11MM fully guaranteed in 2014, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
Malcolm Jenkins‘ three-year deal with the Eagles is worth $15.5MM, Pelissero tweets. He gets $6MM fully guaranteed in 2014, plus $2.5MM of the $4MM base in ’15 now guaranteed for injury.
Will Blackmon‘s two-year, $1.725MM deal with the Jaguars included $500K guaranteed, Pelissero tweets. He earn up to $250K with playing time in ’14 and ’15.
Zane Beadles‘ five-year, $30MM deal with the Jaguars has $12.5MM in guaranteed money, Pelissero tweets. He’s scheduled to get roster bonuses of $4.5MM in ’14 and $2MM in ’15 is guaranteed for skill/injury.

Jaguars Re-Sign Will Blackmon

March 11th, 2014 at 4:52pm CST by Rob DiRe

Will Blackmon signed a two-year deal to remain with the Jaguars in 2014, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Blackmon came to the Jaguars last season after playing sparingly in his first six seasons with the Packers and Giants. He started eight games for the Jaguars in 2013.