Willie Snead - Pro Football Rumors

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/18

March 13th, 2018 at 9:35am CST by Dallas Robinson

Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions, with the list being updated throughout the day. All links go to Twitter unless otherwise noted:

RFAs

Tendered at original round level ($1.907MM):

Cardinals: DL Xavier Williams
Jets: S Rontez Miles (via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
Saints: WR Willie Snead (story)
Steelers: LB Anthony Chickillo (via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Non-tendered:

Saints: CB Delvin Breaux (story)

ERFAs

Tendered:

Bills: TE Nick O’Leary, DE Eddie Yarbrough, TE Logan Thomas, CB Lafayette Pitts (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
Browns: FB: Dan Vitale, C Austin Reiter (via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal)
Buccaneers: RB Peyton Barber (story)
Jaguars: WR Shane Wynn (story)
Packers: QB Joe Callahan, T Adam Pankey (reports via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com),
Ravens: RB Alex Collins, TE Vince Mayle, CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, on Twitter)

Non-tendered:

Bears: TE Daniel Brown, LB John Timu

Saints Use Lowest Tender On WR Willie Snead

March 13th, 2018 at 9:19am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have tendered restricted free agent wide receiver Willie Snead at the lowest level ($1.907MM), a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). New Orleans will have the first right of refusal, but there will be no draft compensation for the Saints in the event of an unmatched offer sheet

Snead, 26 in October, was hardly a factor in the Saints’ offense last year. However, he averaged 70 catches for 940 yards and four touchdowns over the previous two seasons. Last year, as an exclusive rights free agent, he pushed for an an amended contract and didn’t get it. Now, he’s a long way from that big-money contract he wanted, but there should still be a market for his services.

New Orleans has two locked-in receivers in Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn, but the club could see a bit of overhaul on its wideout depth chart. In addition to Snead, wide receiver Brandon Coleman is also a restricted free agent.

In other Saints news, the team has decided against a tender for restricted free agent cornerback Delvin Breaux. Breaux, a former CFL standout, turned in a strong season for the Saints in 2015. Unfortunately, things tailed off from that point and he lost his entire 2017 season to injury.

NFC South Notes: Winston, Panthers, Saints

November 30th, 2017 at 2:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jameis Winston is on track to return for the Buccaneers this weekend after missing time with a shoulder injury. But the third-year quarterback potentially has another battle to fight off the field. An Uber driver accused Winston of sexual assault, and although he’s denied the allegation, the NFL’s launched an investigation that is expected to carry over into the offseason. Thursday, Winston was asked if he’s worried a suspension would come his way. The Bucs quarterback (via the Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman, on Twitter) said he has “no fear at all.” ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this month many around the league expect the Winston proceedings to become a contentious process.

Here’s the latest from the NFC South.

Ron Rivera is comfortable playing Greg Olsen on Sunday even if he doesn’t practice this week, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets, adding the Panthers‘ Pro Bowl tight end’s rest thus far during the practice week is “precautionary.” Olsen aggravated the foot injury that sidelined him for most of this season on Sunday and returned this to see the Charlotte-stationed foot specialist who performed his surgery, Person reports (on Twitter). Olsen did not re-fracture his foot, per Person, but has a pain-tolerance decision to make before playing. He’s uncertain to face the Saints, who have their own issues at tight end.
Coby Fleener will not play in Sunday’s pivotal matchup with the Panthers. The Saints tight end is in concussion protocol and is week-to-week, but he’s not going to be ready for Week 13, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The NFL insider notes this unfortunate setback could linger for Fleener. While not a high-end threat in the Saints’ passing game, Fleener has suited up in all 11 Saints contests this season. Backup Josh Hill has just nine receptions this year.
Willie Snead has joined Fleener as a bit player in New Orleans’ passing game, being well off his paces set the past two seasons. The third-year wideout admitted he is frustrated about his current role, one that has him at just three receptions for 32 yards, Amos Morale III of NOLA.com notes. Snead served a three-game suspension and missed multiple games due to injury, but for an exclusive-rights free agent that came into training camp wanting an amended contract, Snead is having a disastrous season for that prospect. He caught 69 and 72 passes the past two years, respectively, and approached 1,000 yards in each. Snead will be a restricted free agent in 2018.
It will take a contract similar to the one the Panthers authorized for Trai Turner to keep the Turner-Andrew Norwell guard tandem intact long-term, Joel Corry of CBS Sports writes. The recent rise in guard money figures to benefit Norwell, a UFA-to-be and possibly set to be the top guard available on next year’s market. The franchise tag won’t be an option for Carolina, considering the system groups all offensive linemen together, and Corry writes Norwell could exceed Kevin Zeitler‘s guard-record five-year, $60MM pact.

Saints Activate Willie Snead, Place John Kuhn On IR

September 28th, 2017 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Kuhn‘s September of transactions saw the latest chapter reveal itself Thursday, and the veteran fullback’s time with the team took a bad turn.

The Saints placed Kuhn on IR because of a biceps injury Ian Rapoport of NFL.com refers to as “potentially serious” (Twitter link). Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com tweets Kuhn likely tore a biceps muscle during practice this week.

Kuhn, who re-signed with the franchise again on Monday, looks like he will be out for the season. The Saints used his roster spot to officially activate Willie Snead, who is set to return after serving a three-game suspension.

The 35-year-old Kuhn played in two Saints games this season after suiting up for all 16 in 2016. New Orleans released the blocking back twice this month but re-signed him soon after.

Snead returns after a suspension for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. The third-year wideout has been a consistent part of New Orleans’ offense since debuting in 2015.

Saints, Bengals Get Roster Exemptions For Willie Snead, Vontaze Burfict

September 25th, 2017 at 8:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Saints and Bengals have been given roster exemptions for wide receiver Willie Snead and linebacker Vontaze Burfict, respectively, as they return from suspension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Both exemptions expire on Thursday, so New Orleans and Cincinnati will each need to clear a roster spot by that time.

Snead, 24, was suspended three games following an offseason DUI arrest. A former undrafted free agent, Snead has been a revelation for the Saints since entering the league out of Ball State in 2015. In two seasons in New Orleans, Snead has averaged 70 receptions for 940 yards and four touchdowns. An exclusive rights free agent in 2017, Snead could potentially be in line for a new contract.

New Orleans is 1-2 after a win against the division rival Panthers on Sunday, but the club’s problems haven’t come on offense. Instead, it’s the Saints’ defense (31st in DVOA heading into Week 3) that’s been the team’s Achilles heel. However, Snead will give New Orleans another dimension on offense as the team seeks to replace the production void left by Brandin Cooks, who was traded to the Patriots in the spring.

Burfict, meanwhile, was originally handed a five-game ban for an illegal preseason hit on Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman, but that suspension was originally reduced to just three contests. In the meantime, the Bengals extended Burfict through the 2020 campaign on a three-year, $33.234MM deal. However, the specifics of that contract aren’t nearly as impressive as initial reports suggested.

Like Snead with the Saints, Burfict’s return won’t help the Bengals’ true woes, which have mostly occurred on the offensive side of the ball. But Burfict — whom Pro Football Focus graded as the NFL’s No. 6 linebacker a season ago — will give Cincinnati another playmaker on defense, and allow the club to push Vincent Rey back into a reserve role.

NFL Suspends Saints WR Willie Snead

September 1st, 2017 at 4:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL has suspended Willie Snead for the first three games of the season, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Snead’s ban is for a personal conduct violation that stemmed from an off-season DUI, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. He was booked by police in Kenner. La., on June 11 after he struck another vehicle and registered a blood alcohol content level of .125, per Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com (on Twitter). Snead was initially suspended for four games, but he had it reduced to three games following a successful (and quiet) appeal.

The suspension is a big blow for the Saints as Snead was being counted on as one of Drew Brees‘ top targets to open the season. The team will have to lean more on supporting receivers Ted Ginn and Brandon Coleman as well as tight end Coby Fleener until they get Snead back in October. Of course, the Saints no longer have the services of Brandin Cooks after trading him to New England earlier this year.

Snead and the Saints were said to be working on a long-term deal this summer, but he wound up signing his exclusive rights free agent tender in July instead. The DUI may or may not have had something to do with the talks breaking down.

Snead, a former undrafted free agent out of Ball State, has established himself as one of Drew Brees‘ top targets over the past two seasons. Between the last two campaigns, the 24-year-old has appeared in 30 games (12 starts) and compiled 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns.

Saints WR Willie Snead Signs ERFA Tender

July 24th, 2017 at 4:56pm CST by Ben Levine

With training camp set to open this week, it sounds like Saints wideout Willie Snead won’t be among those who are holding out. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the receiver has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender. The receiver will now be playing on a one-year deal that pays him $615K. According to Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, the wideout has confirmed that he will not be holding out and will be on the practice field this Thursday.

There were whispers throughout the offseason that Snead and the Saints were working on a long-term contract. Due to the tender, Snead didn’t have the ability to sign with another team, clearly limiting his options. However, the wideout sounded optimistic that the Saints front office and agent Drew Rosenhaus (who he hired in June) would agree on a new contract.

“I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.”

Snead, an undrafted free agent out of Ball State in 2014, has established himself as one of Drew Brees‘ top targets over the past two season. Between 2015 and 2016, the 24-year-old has appeared in 30 games (12 starts) and compiled 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns. Following the Brandin Cooks trade, Snead figures to start alongside Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr..

Saints WR Willie Snead Changes Agents

June 20th, 2017 at 5:34pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Saints wide receiver Willie Snead is now represented by Rosenhaus Sports, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). Snead’s previous agency was Off Tackle Sports Management.

At first glance, Snead’s agent change isn’t much of a story, especially given that the 24-year-old pass-catcher is a exclusive rights free agent at the moment. But despite the fact that New Orleans isn’t obligated to pay Snead more than the minimum salary in 2017, the club is reportedly working on a “more lucrative” deal for the former undrafted free agent.

“I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said last week. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.”

Snead has been a revelation for the Saints since entering the league out of Ball State in 2015. In two seasons in New Orleans, Snead has averaged 70 receptions for 940 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll return as one of the Saints’ top receivers in 2017 alongside Michael Thomas, filling the void left by the Brandin Cooks trade.

NFC South Notes: Freeman, Panthers, Oher

June 16th, 2017 at 10:01am CST by Zachary Links

Devonta Freeman is staying patient with regards to his contract talks with the Falcons, as ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure writes. Freeman has already made a major mark on the franchise after becoming the first Falcons running back since Michael Turner (2010-11) to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The Falcons obviously want to keep him in the fold beyond the final year of his rookie contract, but it may take some time for the two sides to come to terms. Freeman’s agent famously said that he wants him to be paid like an “elite” running back, but Atlanta would like to avoid going into Le’Veon Bell/LeSean McCoy territory with a new deal.

Here’s more out of the NFC South:

When asked about tackle Michael Oher, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he’s preparing for camp with the 90 guys who will be on the roster, adding that the front office is “taking care of it,” (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). Reading between the lines, it sounds like Rivera is not banking on having Oher with the team in 2017. Oher reported to Carolina’s minicamp this week, but he did not practice on the field with the rest of the team. As Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) notes, nobody has ever been in the concussion protocol as long as Oher and returned to play in the NFL.
Wide receiver Willie Snead remains optimistic and hopeful that he’ll sign a long-term deal with the Saints before the season starts, Joel Erickson of The Advocate writes. “I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.” Snead was retained for this year via the $615K exclusive rights free agent tender.
The Panthers named Bryan Porter as the team’s new director of football operations. Porter has been with the team since 2001 and has gradually moved his way up the ladder.
The Saints intend to sign linebacker/defensive end Royce LaFrance before the start of training camp, Nick Underhill of The Advocate hears (on Twitter).

Saints Notes: Butler, AP, Ingram, Snead

April 26th, 2017 at 8:32pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

New Orleans hasn’t “really had any discussions for quite some time” about acquiring Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, according to Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, while head coach Sean Payton notes that the 27-year-old is “with New England, and I don’t think anything has changed. I don’t see anything being imminent as well (links via Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com).” Their statements came on the heels of a report suggesting the Pats are unlikely to trade Butler, whom the Saints have chased throughout the offseason. New Orleans courted Butler as a restricted free agent and even agreed to a multiyear contract with him, but the club doesn’t want to meet the Patriots’ asking price for the onetime Pro Bowler.