NFL Off Season News /Rumors And Discussion

[NewYorkKnight]

ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker reports first-round OT Laremy Tunsil will not be placed in the league's substance abuse program.

A video surfaced minutes before the NFL draft began last Thursday allegedly showing Tunsil smoking weed using a bong and gas mask. The video prompted some teams to take Tunsil off their board completely and pushed him all the way down the Dolphins at No. 13. There was also speculation the NFL would use the video as evidence to place Tunsil in Stage 1 of their substance abuse program. That is not going to happen, but Walker reports "the league will closely monitor" Tunsil's situation. After a nerve-racking draft weekend, it looks like Tunsil will be able to put this situation behind him.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Chiefs exercised LT Eric Fisher's fifth-year option for 2017.

The option is worth $11.9 million. Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in 2013, it was not a slam dunk decision for the Chiefs to activate Fisher's option. Fisher played reasonably well at right tackle last season, but his play was inconsistent after moving back to the left side. It is not a given he ever develops into an above-average starter. With the option guaranteed for injury only, it is still possible Fisher is not with Kansas City in 2017.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Steelers OLB James Harrison confirmed he will play in 2016.

Despite turning 38 this month, it was widely expected Harrison would decide to play another year. Harrison remained an effective pass rusher in a limited role last season, recording five sacks in 611 snaps. The Steelers need to develop their young pass rushers, but Harrison should once again provide a nice boost on the edge.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

The Titans have declined RG Chance Warmack's fifth-year team option for 2017.

Warmack has been durable, but had a sub-par 2015. He's still only 25 in September, however, and was much better in 2014. There's a good chance he'll be locked up beyond this season, but he isn't worth the $11.9 million he would have made under the option.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Colts waived C Khaled Holmes.

TE Cameron Clear, LS Forrest Hill and OT Mitchell Van Dyk have also been cut loose. Holmes was named the Colts' 2015 center out of camp, but was benched following a Week 7 neck injury. He was a backup for the remainder of the season. He wasn't going to be in the mix for the job this year after the Colts used their first-round pick on Alabama C Ryan Kelly.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Redskins released CB Chris Culliver.

Culliver signed a "four-year, $32 million contract" last March, but tore his ACL and MCL in November. The remaining guarantees in his contract were voided by a Week 2 suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. Culliver was excellent in 2014, and is still only 27. He'll get a second chance, but will have to be healthy first. The Redskins used a third-round pick on Virginia Tech CB Kendall Fuller.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

The Rams have exercised Tavon Austin's fifth-year team option for 2017.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

The Jaguars declined LT Luke Joeckel's fifth-year option.

This was expected after Joeckel struggled mightily his first three seasons, and lost his starting job to free agent pickup Kelvin Beachum. Joeckel has not shown the ability to handle himself in an NFL running game, and has been pulverized in pass protection. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft. The No. 1 pick in that draft -- Chiefs LT Eric Fisher -- has been only slightly better.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

ESPN's Adam Caplan reports Raiders TE Clive Walford suffered a "big gash" on his knee in an ATV accident.

Caplan reports he suffered the injury a "while ago" and is expected to be "fine." Walford is still likely to miss the majority of the offseason program, but it sounds like the injury could have been worse. He should be ready for training camp. A third-round pick last year, Walford is a sophomore leap candidate.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel doesn't consider Davante Adams' roster spot a "sure thing" for 2016.

In breaking down the Pack's crowded receiver corps, reporter Tom Silverstein labels Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb as the only "sure things." We'd add Jeff Janis to that list. It would ultimately be surprising if Adams couldn't crack the 53-man roster, but he was one of the worst regularly-featured wideouts in the league last season, averaging a stunningly-bad 9.7 yards on 50 catches. Still only 23, Adams has youth and his 2014 draft position (No. 53 overall) working in his favor.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Saints signed LT Terron Armstead to a five-year extension through 2021.

The 2013 third-rounder had been set to make $705,000 in the final year of his rookie contract. Locking up Armstead became an offseason priority for the Saints after he emerged as one of the league's best tackles last season. Still only 25 (in July), Armstead graded up as Pro Football Focus' No. 3 overall tackle. Armstead could get somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-$30 million guaranteed.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Jets GM Mike Maccagnan insists the team could keep four quarterbacks for 2016.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Bills signed franchise player LT Cordy Glenn to a five-year, $65 million contract.

The deal includes $36 million guaranteed, $26.5 million of which is "fully" guaranteed. That's the second most in history for a left tackle. The No. 41 overall pick of the 2012 draft, Glenn has manned the blindside since his rookie year, and developed into one of the league's better left tackles. Headed into his age-27 season, Glenn hasn't missed a game since 2012. Locking Glenn up now allows the Bills to focus on long-term deals for Stephon Gilmore and Tyrod Taylor.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie talked up fifth-round RB DeAndre Washington, calling him "more than just a third-down back; he's a complete back."

"He can pound it up in there," McKenzie continued. "When he gets out in space, he can make you look silly. He can catch the ball, but he can run between the tackles as well as well as bouncing it outside. We think he’s the total package as a runner." It's notable because the Raiders spent a good portion of the offseason talking about how they wanted to add to their backfield and get Latavius Murray some help/competition. Washington has been the only addition. He'll have a chance to carve out a significant role in year one.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

According to TE Garrett Celek, Blaine Gabbert has been "definitely taking control" as the starting quarterback at 49ers' voluntary workouts.

"Whoever’s at quarterback needs to take control and be our leader out there. And he’s definitely doing that," Celek said. "I think he’s definitely developing more and more as the days go on." Gabbert is the unquestioned No. 1 quarterback at these very elementary workouts because Colin Kaepernick (thumb, knee, shoulder) remains on the shelf and isn't expected to be cleared until June 1. When Kap does gain clearance, he and Gabbert are expected to compete for the starting job. Gabbert is getting an early leg up in coach Chip Kelly's new offense.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Franchise-tagged OLB Von Miller said he is going to stay with the Broncos "no matter what."

"The contract is going to take care of itself," Miller added. Despite little apparent progress in negotiations, Miller has been consistently optimistic. Although it may come down to the July 15 deadline, it is likely the two sides work out a long-term deal.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Browns coach Hue Jackson said Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson "are as good as I've seen in a while."

Jackson said he was "very happy" with the running backs on the roster earlier this week, but he took it a step further Tuesday. "I really think Isaiah Crowell is a really good running back," Jackson said. "Obviously, Isaiah is very explosive. He's got quick feet, he's fast in the hole, he runs with good pad level." Crowell has struggled to consistently contribute in the pros, but he was a highly-rated prospect with a tantalizing skill set. It sounds like he will be given every chance to earn a workhorse role, and he has the talent to make the carries count.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Redskins OC Sean McVay used the term "every-down back" to describe second-year RB Matt Jones' potential.

After the Redskins drafted only Keith Marshall in the seventh round -- and added no running backs in free agency -- Jones is set up for a huge workload if he hangs onto the ball and improves on last year's poor efficiency. "He had some growing pains, but I think, when you look at the things he was able to do both in the run game and in the pass game, he’s got the skills and traits you’re looking for in that every-down back," said McVay. "He’s a violent finisher. I think he’s a little bit more sudden than people give him credit for." Jones fumbled five times as a rookie and averaged 3.40 yards per carry, but his arrow is pointing up for 2016.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Redskins signed TE Jordan Reed to a five-year, $46.5 million extension through 2021.

The deal includes $22 million guaranteed. Despite a checkered injury history, Reed has established himself as one of the most dynamic passing weapons in the league. He caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 14 games last year before adding a 9-120-1 performance in Washington's playoff loss to the Packers. Reed will undoubtedly live up to this contract if he is able to stay on the field, but he has a long and concerning history of concussions. As long as he is playing, however, Reed will be an important piece of the Redskins' passing attack and a top-flight TE1.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Jerry Jones said the Cowboys will not place second-round LB Jaylon Smith (knee) on injured reserve.

Smith suffered serious nerve damage when he tore his ACL and LCL in January. Everyone else in the Cowboys' organization seems to accept Smith will not play this year, but Jerry is holding out hope of a late-season or playoff return. Despite his optimism, it is unlikely we see Smith on an NFL field before 2017.