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Jaguars To Decline Leonard Fournette’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2020 at 5:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite Leonard Fournette‘s two 1,000-yard seasons, the Jaguars will not pick up his fifth-year option, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This is not a major surprise when considering the team shopped its three-year running back starter in trades. The Jags discussed Fournette deals with at least two teams — the Buccaneers and Dolphins — and began shopping him over a month ago.

Fournette’s option would cost the Jags north of $8MM. He is set to earn $4.16MM in 2020, what is now the final year of his rookie contract. Because Fournette was chosen in the top 10 three years ago, his option price comes in $3MM higher than it would have if he were a non-top-10 running back.

Thus far, the Jags have received tepid trade interest in Fournette. The former LSU running back has enjoyed an up-and-down tenure in Jacksonville. He has two 1,000-yard seasons but also missed eight games in 2018 — a year in which he averaged just 54.9 yards per game — and due to injury and a suspension. Fournette is, however, coming off his best season. He recorded 1,674 yards from scrimmage — 522 of which coming through the air.

Fournette was the first running back chosen in 2017. The Jags used their top pick in that draft on him, despite Blake Bortles coming off a down season and both Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes on the board. Now, it’s uncertain if Fournette will play another down in Jacksonville. The Jags did not draft a running back but did sign ex-Redskins passing-down back Chris Thompson on Friday. Thompson, 2019 fifth-rounder Ryquell Armstead (3.1 yards per carry as a rookie) and a host of UDFAs comprise Jacksonville’s running back depth chart beyond Fournette.

Broncos To Decline Garett Bolles’ Option

May 1st, 2020 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos will decline Garett Bolles‘ fifth-year option, according to Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). Instead of getting a guaranteed-for-injury 2021 salary of $11.064MM, Bolles will be ticketed for free agency after the 2020 season. 

[RELATED: 2021 Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

With that, Bolles will play out his original four-year rookie pact at a modest rate of $1.97MM. If he has a strong year, he’ll have an opportunity to cash in at a premium position, similar to D.J. Humphries. It’s not a terrible outcome for Bolles, even though he’s lost out on a bit of health insurance.

Bolles has had perfect attendance over the course of his three year career, appearing and starting in every possible game. At the same time, penalties have been a major problem for him.

“Well, it’s got to stop. Period. There are no more excuses for it,” GM John Elway said when asked about the flags back in September (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold). “He’s had 26 holding penalties in the last two years and two games, so it’s got to stop. The bottom line is if he thinks he’s getting singled out, he is. He’s got to understand that. He’s got to understand what he’s doing. And that was my question (to him last Sunday), ‘Does he know what holding is?’ Does he know what he can and can’t do?”

The Broncos will continue to work with him on his technique while putting him up against Elijah Wilkinson for the starting job. Last year, Bolles received 13 flags for holding.

Jaguars To Sign RB Chris Thompson

May 1st, 2020 at 2:56pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are set to sign Chris Thompson, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The deal will reunite the running back with his former head coach Jay Gruden, who now serves as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator. 

When he was healthy, Thompson was a strong pass-catching specialist out of the backfield for the Redskins. And, in an admittedly limited sample size, he was effective on the ground, too.

The former fifth-round pick enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, his fifth year as a pro. That year, he caught 39 passes for 510 yards, good for 13.1 yards per grab. Unfortunately, that campaign ended in November, thanks to a fractured fibula. For his career, Thompson’s averaged 4.8 yards per tote, though he’s never logged more than 68 carries in any single season.

The Redskins liked him enough to give him a two-year, $7MM extension under Gruden’s watch and he’ll get a chance to work for him in Jacksonville. For now, the Jaguars are forging ahead with Leonard Fournette as their primary back; Thompson could be an option to spell him and keep defenders on their toes.

Former Dolphins, Bears TE Dion Sims Retires From NFL

May 1st, 2020 at 1:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Dion Sims is calling it a career. On Friday, the former Bears and Dolphins tight end announced his retirement from the NFL. 

“Decided to hang my cleats up after 20 years of playing American football,” Sims tweeted. “God is good and I’m grateful!!!!!”

Sims spent six of those football playing years in the NFL – four with Miami and two with Chicago. We haven’t seen him on the field since 2018, however, so his retirement doesn’t come as a shock.

Sims, who turned 29 in February, never topped 30 receptions or 300 yards receiving during his six-year run. However, he was a solid blocker for most of his career. He also earned some solid money in his playing days: $11MM+ in total, with the bulk of it coming from the Bears.

The Bears gave Sims a three-year, $18MM deal in 2017, a solid payday at the time. That free agent class also featured TEs Vernon Davis, Jared Cook, Martellus Bennett, Jack Doyle, and Luke Willson.

Sims exits the sport with 91 receptions for 888 yards and nine touchdowns.

49ers To Decline Solomon Thomas’ Option

May 1st, 2020 at 10:52am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers will turn down Solomon Thomas‘ fifth-year option, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This was the expected move – Thomas has been a letdown for SF since being selected No. 3 overall back in 2017. 

[RELATED: Williams Willing To Wait On New Deal]

The Stanford product started at least 12 games in each of his first two seasons but was first string just three times in 2019. After playing on just 41% of the Niners snaps, he’s more of a role player than the star SF envisioned.

In 2017, Thomas was widely regarded as the second-best defensive lineman in the class, behind only Myles Garrett. On draft night, the Niners sent their No. 2 overall pick to the Bears and tapped Thomas, even though they already had a loaded defensive front featuring Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. With that, the Bears got Mitchell Trubisky and the 49ers got a king’s ransom for sliding down just one spot. Unfortunately, they missed on Thomas.

In three seasons, Thomas has registered six sacks in total while starting just 28 games. Now that the 49ers have first round pick Javon Kinlaw in the fold, they have little reason to commit to Thomas and risk being stuck with his salary in the event of an injury.

Titans To Pick Up Adoree’ Jackson’s Option

May 1st, 2020 at 10:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Titans will exercise Adoree’ Jackson’s fifth-year option, according to Paul Kuharsky (Twitter link). He’s now under contract for the 2021 season for roughly $10MM. Meanwhile, wide receiver Corey Davis’ option has been turned down. 

[RELATED: Titans To Decline Corey Davis’ Option]

Last year, Jackson graded out as the eighth-best cornerback in the NFL, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus. Even with a raise to an eight-figure salary, the 24-year-old (25 in September) profiles as a major bargain. After this, the Titans are expected to discuss a long-term deal with the USC product to keep him out of reach for rival teams in early 2022.

Jackson has offered solid defense as an outside corner, but GM Jon Robinson recently suggested that the Titans may kick him over to nickel this season. Alternatively, they could use some combination of rising sophomore Amani Hooker and second-round rookie Kristian Fulton to handle the slot.

As shown in PFR’s fifth-year option tracker, there are still a number of decisions that need to be made on 2017 first-round picks between now and the Sunday deadline.

Titans Decline Corey Davis’ Option

May 1st, 2020 at 10:33am CST by Zachary Links

The Titans will decline Corey Davis‘ fifth-year option, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The wide receiver is now on course for unrestricted free agency following the 2020 season.

Davis was the first of three wide receivers selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the No. 5 overall pick has yet to realize his potential at the pro level. He showed promise in 2018 with 65 catches, 891 yards, and four touchdowns (all career highs), but he regressed last year. In 2019, Davis finished out with just 43 grabs for 601 yards and two TDs. For his career, Davis has found pay dirt only six times.

The option would have paid Davis $15.68MM in 2021, far too much given his track record. Instead of guaranteeing his year for injury at an exorbitant rate, the Titans will let the year play out and take it from there.

Davis’ hip injury didn’t help matters, of course. While he was hampered, second-round rookie A.J. Brown stepped up as the team’s WR1, eclipsing 1,000 yards and scoring eight times.

Meanwhile, the Titans have exercised the fifth-year add-on for cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, the No. 18 overall pick in the ’17 class.

Dolphins To Trade Charles Harris To Falcons

May 1st, 2020 at 8:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have agreed to trade defensive end Charles Harris to the Falcons (Twitter link via Jason Butt of The Athletic). In exchange, Atlanta will send a 2021 seventh-round pick to Miami, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. 

[RELATED: Dolphins Release Taco Charlton]

The Dolphins have been doing some spring cleaning with former first-round picks this week. On Thursday, they released defensive lineman Taco Charlton. Today, they’re moving on from Harris, who was the No. 22 overall pick in the 2017 draft.

The 6’3″ edge rusher impressed in his final two seasons at Missouri, combining for 30.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to keep up the good work at the pro level. In three years, Harris has just 3.5 sacks to his credit. He’s also made just eight starts in his 41 games.

Now, with reduced expectations, he’ll try to get his career back on track with the Falcons. He’ll provide support behind Dante Fowler Jr., the former No. 3 overall pick who broke out just in the nick of time to find free agent riches. Harris, still only 25, is under contract for just $1.94M this season.

Without Harris, the Dolphins will forge ahead with Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah as their top bookends. Ogbah inked a two-year, $15MM deal to take his talents to South Beach in March. Lawson, who notched a career-high 6.5 sacks with the Bills last year, agreed to a three-year, $30MM free agent contract.

Redskins Sign 4 UDFAs

April 30th, 2020 at 8:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins have signed four undrafted rookie free agents, according to a team press release:

Montez could face long odds of making the Redskins’ roster with Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen already under contract (not to mention Alex Smith), but he’s still a prospect to keep an eye on. At 6’5″, he has the size that pro scouts drool over for quarterbacks. He was also a three-sport standout coming out of high school; his athleticism is a major plus, even though he didn’t do quite enough for the Buffaloes to earn a spot in the seven-round draft. He did, however, break 31 program records during his run. Montez’s deal includes $35K guaranteed (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle), a solid sum for a UDFA.

The biggest name on the list, however, is Moss – the son of Hall of Famer Randy Moss. At LSU, the tight end showed promise in spurts, so the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. If not for a fracture in his right foot, Moss likely would have been drafted somewhere during Day 3.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/20

April 30th, 2020 at 5:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Oakland Raiders

  • Re-signed: WR De’Mornay Pierson-El

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Signed: DT Josiah Coatney, FB Spencer Nigh

 

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