NFL Off Season News /Rumors And Discussion

[NewYorkKnight]

Chargers signed WR Keenan Allen to a four-year extension through 2020.

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Michael Gehlken reports the deal will be "worth more than $11 million per season." With Allen set to be woefully underpaid in the final year of his rookie contract, the Chargers were smart to lock up the 24-year-old to a long-term deal. Allen was on pace for 134 catches for 1,450 yards and eight touchdowns before a lacerated kidney ended his season in Week 8. Those pace numbers are unlikely to be repeated, but he is a great bet to top 100 catches.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Kirk Cousins said there has been "no progress to speak of" in contract negotiations.

Franchise tagged in March, Cousins and the Redskins have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. While the two sides might not have made much headway to this point, these deals usually go down the deadline, and Cousins appeared to acknowledge that reality. "July 15th will be a determining day," he said. "So stay tuned." We will Mr. Cousins.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Breshad Perriman suffered a partially torn ACL at OTAs.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Perriman will meet with Dr. James Andrews to undergo a scope next week. The results will determine if he needs reconstructive surgery, but Perriman is likely done for the year. It's another huge blow for the Ravens after Perriman lost his entire rookie season to a torn PCL. Perriman's injury locks in Steve Smith, Mike Wallace, and Kamar Aiken as Baltimore's top three receivers. Fourth-round vertical threat Chris Moore will get a much more serious look.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

CSN Philly's Dave Zangaro described the Eagles' backfield as a running-back-by-committee.

Ryan Mathews has seen most of the first-team reps, but it sounds like the Eagles are leaning toward a shared backfield with Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner all getting carries. "Ryan, he can handle all the stuff and the pounding," said coach Doug Pederson. "But with the guys we have ... Darren is obviously a big part of that and now with Wendell coming on, I think it could be a little bit of a running back by committee." While splitting up backfield duties might help Mathews stay healthy, it won't improve his fantasy value. Mathews is on the lower end of the RB2 spectrum.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Steve Smith Sr. (Achilles') declined to put a timetable on his return when asked by reporters Sunday.

Smith tore his Achilles' last November 1. "I don't know when I'm coming back," he said. "I just know I have to be able to do something in training camp to be able to play. That's just the way I operate. I can't go from doing absolutely nothing [and] sitting on my butt for all of training camp and then go out there and play." At Ravens CB Lardarius Webb's charity softball game over the weekend, Smith was seen jogging the bases but not running full speed. The Ravens' reliance on Smith to make a 2016 impact increased when Breshad Perriman partially tore his ACL.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Lions signed WR Andre Roberts, formerly of the Redskins, to a one-year contract.

He previously visited the Bills and Saints. Roberts has been productive on special teams, returning a kick 99 yards for a touchdown against the Panthers last season. Offensively, however, Roberts was a non-factor in Washington last year, catching just 11 passes for 135 yards in nine contests. The 28-year-old gives Detroit some depth behind starters Golden Tate and Marvin Jones.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Saints coach Sean Payton believes Hau'oli Kikaha's third torn left ACL is "not necessarily" career ending.

Going on 24, Kikaha tore his left ACL twice in college. In somewhat confusing reasoning for his optimism, Payton said the ACL could be repaired "as if it were the first ACL, not the third." Kikaha is holding off on surgery, but it's inevitable. It's not unheard of to return from three ACL tears, but the odds are sadly against the 2015 second-rounder.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Karlos Williams is being held out of minicamp because he's overweight.

Williams will be limited to conditioning all week. Coach Rex Ryan said Williams isn't "anywhere close to where he needs to be to play at a high level." Williams is listed at 230 pounds. Ryan also said the Bills don't want Williams to lose weight too fast, because it could lead to injury. It's disappointing from a second-year player, but is unlikely to remain a concern by the time Week 1 rolls around.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Broncos signed ILB Brandon Marshall to a four-year, $32 million extension through 2020.

According to NBC Denver, the deal includes a $10 million signing bonus. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports it includes $20 million in total guarantees. A restricted free agent, Marshall had yet to sign his $2.553 million tender. A 2012 fifth-round pick of the Jaguars, Marshall has turned into one of the league's best inside linebackers after getting plucked off the scrap heap by GM John Elway. He's been a playmaking force in the middle of the defense, stuffing the stat sheet and earning elite grades from Pro Football Focus.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Ravens coach John Harbaugh expects Breshad Perriman (knee) to return at "some point in camp," and to be ready for Week 1.

It's the best-case scenario after Perriman's season was feared lost last week. Of course, considering Perriman's knee misadventures as a rookie, his status can hardly be taken for granted. We would still consider him questionable for Week 1, and perhaps even a candidate for the reserve/PUP list.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Ravens OLB Elvis Dumervil is missing minicamp as he recovers from an undisclosed "preventative" operation, but is expected to be ready for training camp.

Coach John Harbaugh didn't offer any other details. Dumervil missed a handful of snaps with a groin issue last season, but no games. The Ravens are the latest team to use the "preventative" buzzword to describe a surgery, but there's really no such thing in the NFL. Players don't undergo procedures they don't need. Dumervil remained effective in 2015, registering six sacks and grading out as a top-15 3-4 outside linebacker in Pro Football Focus' ratings.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Ravens coach John Harbaugh admitted the team is trying to trade LT Eugene Monroe, and said the situation is in GM Ozzie Newsome's hands.

Monroe is being held out of practice until his status is resolved. The Baltimore Sun believes it's "clear" Monroe won't be back with the team. Monroe's status has been murky since the Ravens selected Ronnie Stanley with the No. 6 overall pick. The Ravens evidently don't want to mess with RT Ricky Wagner's success, making Monroe the odd man out. Monroe was once a dominant player, but has had back-to-back seasons interrupted by injury.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday he wants the Steelers to go for two-point conversions after every touchdown this season.

Big Ben said he's "discussed it" with coach Mike Tomlin. "Why not?" Roethlisberger said. "Put it in our hands. I want the ball. Any player would relish that opportunity." The Steelers converted the most two-pointers in the league last season, executing eight while the next-best team only executed four. Pittsburgh also led the NFL with 11 two-point attempts. While going for two every touchdown probably won't happen, a likely uptick in two-point tries is good news for Roethlisberger's fantasy outlook and bad news for the Steelers' kicker.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Dolphins SS Reshad Jones reported for Day 2 of Miami's three-day minicamp Wednesday.

Up until now, Jones had been skipping the entire offseason program, including the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. It resulted in a fine, but owner Stephen Ross got into the mix, and Jones has now decided to show. With two years left on a four-year, $30 million extension, the sides are again expected to try and renegotiate and add more guaranteed money onto it.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the "expectation" is the Ravens will have made a decision on LT Eugene Monroe by the end of the day Thursday.

Per RapSheet, the move could even come down sometime Wednesday. At least by the end of the week, Monroe should be out of Baltimore and looking for his next opportunity. If the Ravens are going to trade him, they're unlikely to get much more than a conditional late-rounder in return. Monroe is coming off extensive shoulder surgery and has missed 15 games the past two years.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

According to ESPN Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, fifth-round WR Tajae Sharpe has passed Dorial Green-Beckham on the depth chart "for now."

Sharpe has been getting a ton of work with the first team and continues to do so at minicamp, working alongside Rishard Matthews and Kendall Wright. WRs coach Bob Bratkowski said DGB's year away from football in college is playing a big part in his slowed development. "That kind of a gap, it has an effect on them," he said. "It takes time." DGB is far-and-away the Titans' most talented pass catcher, but he's going to need to step up his game this summer.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Suspended DE Dion Jordan's agent expects him to be reinstated in time for training camp.

"I feel very strongly he will be reinstated without question," agent Doug Hendrickson said. "He's done everything he has been asked to do. We expect Dion to start training camp with the Dolphins." Jordan applied for reinstatement last month, and commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to have a ruling by the end of July. The Dolphins have said they'll welcome back the former No. 3 overall pick. Jordan is due a $1.69 million bonus if on the roster on the fifth day of camp.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Marquess Wilson re-broke his left foot at minicamp on Tuesday and could start the season on reserve/PUP.

Wilson initially broke his left foot in practice ahead of Week 13 last season and required surgery after the season. He was just easing back into action this spring. Coach John Fox conceded Wilson is in serious question for the start of the season. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, 2016 is shaping up as a potentially lost season for Wilson. He was the favorite for No. 4 duties.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell said LT Kelvin Beachum (ACL) has a "very" good chance to be ready for the start of training camp.


The Jaguars have always expected Beachum to return early in training camp, but it now sounds like he might not miss any snaps at all. Signed to replace first-round bust Luke Joeckel, Beachum should easily win the left tackle job in camp if he is healthy. Joeckel could end up at left guard.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports Ryan Tannehill struggled with accuracy during the offseason program.

Jackson reports Tannehill made a "handful of impressive" throws, but he also suffered from bouts of "errant ball placement." New coach Adam Gase appeared to notice the inconsistency as well. "There have been a few throws where I would like to see the ball placement be a little better," Gase said. "There have been a few times, too, where they haven’t been on the same page ... [and as a result] it looks like a poor throw. That’s the development of the offense. You’re not going to be perfect from the get go." With a proven offensive mind like Gase in town, the makings of a solid line, and quality weapons around him, Tannehill will have few excuses if he does not take a step forward this season.