NFL - NEWS & NOTES

There goes Rodgers want to play in Denver

 

Mike Mayock: We had an offer to trade down but it wasn’t worth losing Alex Leatherwood



The Raiders have been heavily criticized for taking offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Leatherwood was widely regarded as a player who would still be available much later than 17th overall, which means the Raiders likely could have traded down and still taken Leatherwood.

Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock acknowledges that the Raiders could have traded down. But he said the only trade offer they got wasn’t a very good one, and that he and the Raiders’ staff were high enough on Leatherwood that they didn’t want to risk losing him.

“Just when we got on the clock a team did call us and inquired about moving up but they gave us a very poor trade offer and it was a team that needed a tackle,” Mayock said, via ESPN. “So the combination of the poor offer and their need kind of pushed us away from that. There’s a risk/reward scenario and, in this case, we didn’t feel that it was worth it.”

As it turned out, only one other offensive tackle was selected in the first round after Leatherwood, Christian Darrisaw to Minnesota at No. 23. So there was no run on offensive tackles, and the Raiders could have moved down and still taken one of the top tackles on the board. But Mayock insists that the value of trading down wouldn’t have been worth the risk of losing their preferred tackle.

NBC

 

Tony Khan: Urban Meyer believes Tim Tebow can help the Jaguars



The Jaguars sound enthused about the possibility of signing Tim Tebow.

Tony Khan, the son of Jaguars owner Shad Khan and a member of the Jaguars’ front office with the title of Chief Football Strategy Officer, says head coach Urban Meyer thinks Tebow can help the Jaguars.

“Tim has definitely come in and worked out,” Khan told BleacherReport.com. “So beyond that, I can’t say too much, but Tim has come in and worked out as a tight end. That’s not a position that we’ve seen him play, but it’s a position that he’s been practicing at with us. So that will be interesting to see how that contributes to us on offense, too. Obviously Urban knows Tim really well and Tim has got a great history of winning. Urban really believes he can help us, and I think it makes a lot of sense. And it’s a position where we need to get better.”

A Tebow signing would make a lot of sense for the Jaguars, as Tebow remains enormously popular in the Jacksonville area. Tebow played for Meyer at Florida, and Meyer has said many times that he loved coaching Tebow. Although Tebow has never played any position other than quarterback and would have to be viewed as a long shot to make the regular-season roster, teams have 90 roster spots in the offseason, and it sounds likely that Tebow will soon occupy one of those roster spots.

NBC

 

Marcus Peters can't wait to face his former team.

The Chiefs, you ask? No, it's the Los Angeles Rams, the club that sent him packing to the Ravens in 2019 only to replace him hours later with a deal for Jalen Ramsey. That season, Peters was letting it fly verbally through Baltimore's bludgeoning of the Rams, and made sure to give Ramsey an earful during postgame meetings near midfield.

Over a year later, Peters still despises the Rams just as passionately.

"F--- them," Peters said in a clip from Catching Fades with Aqib Talib released Tuesday, via ESPN. "I felt disrespected. In the sense of, yeah, you can trade me. That's part of the business. But two minutes after that, you bring in another guy who do the same s--- I do, maybe a little bit different. If we want to play this compare game, I do a little bit more. That s--- was disrespectful to me."

Clearly, the disrespect Peters perceived still drives him to prove Los Angeles wrong in its decision to send him to Baltimore, where he's proven to be a valuable piece of the Ravens' defense. As he said, "that's how I was feeling, and I'm still feeling like that."

The 2019 season was one of disappointment for the Rams, who had reached the previous campaign's Super Bowl, but fell sharply to the rest of the pack in the following year. Baltimore, meanwhile, was on the rise, going 14-2 and reaching the Divisional Round before the Ravens were upset by the Tennessee Titans.

For Peters, the move has been good. But he hasn't forgotten how he felt he was wronged by a team that signaled it believed Ramsey was superior to Peters.


He'll get another chance to prove them wrong when the Ravens and Rams meet in 2021. We'll learn when that comes with next week's schedule release on May 12.

NFL.com

 

I agree with, Marcus... fuck the Rams, hell, fuck everybody and everything!!!!!!!

Now that I have your attention; GOOD MORNING!

 

Fuck that. That’s some fucking bullshit.

 

T.J. Hockenson: We’re moving in the right direction



The Lions have a new regime with General Manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell to make the club contenders. In choosing offensive tackle Penei Sewell at No. 7 overall, the team is setting up a strong line to be the basis of its offense.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson has only been around since 2019, as the team’s No. 8 overall pick that year. But after seasons with 12 and 11 losses, Hockenson thinks Holmes and Campbell have put Detroit on a positive trajectory.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” he said, via Eric Woodyard of ESPN. “[Penei Sewell] is just another piece to our puzzle that we can use. … I think you ask anybody on this team, i think we’re all ready to get this thing rolling.”

Hockenson started all 16 games for Detroit in 2020 and was a Pro Bowler for the first time, making 67 receptions for 723 yards with six touchdowns. Hockenson will have to become plenty familiar with Sewell as they’ll line up next to one another on the right side.

NBC
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Im afraid these Lions may not be too shabby this season... and that will suck for the rest of the North. Good and improved coaching staff with a good draft also. Im not liking this!

 

1 - BEARS
2 - Vikings
3 - Lions
4 - Packers

Just don't think Rodgers is going to be suiting up for them, I think he means that much to this team.

 

The Colts added a veteran linebacker to the roster on Wednesday.

The team announced the signing of Malik Jefferson. No terms of the deal were announced.

Jefferson was a Bengals third-round pick in 2018 and he played 12 games for them as a rookie before being waived ahead of the 2019 season. He was claimed by the Browns, played nine games for them, and then moved on to the Chargers last year.

Jefferson barely played on defense, but saw over half of the team’s special teams snaps while playing in 13 games. He had five tackles in those appearances and has 16 tackles over his entire career.

NBC

 

Kinda surprised me...

Lions to cut Kerryon Johnson



Three years after he was a second-round draft pick, running back Kerryon Johnson is on the way out in Detroit.

Johnson is being released, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Because he has only three years in the NFL, Johnson will go on waivers, where the 31 other teams have the opportunity to claim his contract. Given that he’s just 23 years old and has shown flashes of big-play ability, it won’t be surprising if some team claims him.

New Lions General Manager Brad Holmes has made no secret that he wants to completely reshape the roster he inherited from former GM Bob Quinn. Johnson was a player the old Lions regime invested a prime pick in, but the new regime is moving on.

The Lions like what they have in the backfield with newly arrived seventh-round pick Jermar Jefferson joining incumbent starter D'Andre Swift and free agent signing Jamaal Williams. That made Johnson expendable.

NBC

 

Lions General Manager Brad Holmes says the status of running back Kerryon Johnson has not been determined.

Despite a report that Johnson will be released, Holmes said this morning on PFT Live that Johnson’s status isn’t certain.

Holmes described the situation with Johnson as “a work in progress.”

Even if the Lions have decided that Johnson won’t be on the roster this year, it may be worth trying to trade him, rather than release him. Johnson is just 23 years old and has shown enough flashes of talent that some team may be willing to trade a late-round pick for him.

Johnson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and has a salary of $1.37 million this season.

 

Lions make Frank Ragnow highest-paid center in NFL with extension through 2026

The Detroit Lions' focus on building a mauling offensive line continues.

The Lions agreed to a four-year contract extension with center Frank Ragnow, making him the highest-paid pivot in the NFL, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a source informed of the deal.

Ragnow's extension is worth $13.5 million per year, according to Pelissero. The new-money average beats Corey Linsley's $12.5 million per year on a five-year, $62.5 million contract the former Packer signed with the Chargers earlier this offseason. Ragnow also gets $25.5 million fully guaranteed at signing and $42 million in total guarantees, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Now the highest-paid center in the NFL, Ragnow is under contract through 2026 at around $70 million total. The 2018 first-round pick was under contract for the next two seasons after the Lions picked up his fifth-year option.

Drafting Penei Sewell No. 7 overall last week, the Lions boast three-first rounders along their offensive line, including Ragnow and Taylor Decker (2016). With Ragnow and Decker getting extensions in the past year, Detroit ensured the strength of its team wouldn't be siphoned.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in the aftermath of the NFL Draft that their next order of business was locking down Ragnow long-term. It didn't even take a week to get the deal done.

"We already view him as a long-term piece, and he is a foundational piece because Frank is a guy that plays the game the right way," Holmes said at the time. "He's everything that we look for and what we want as a Lion."


Extending Ragnow was an easy decision for the Lions' new brass. Turning 25 years old in 11 days, the center is a mauler who can plow the road and is stellar in pass protection. Pro Football Focus graded Ragnow as its second-rated center in the NFL last season, behind only Linsley. Ragnow allowed just nine total pressures.

Beyond his physical exploits, Ragnow is the brain trust of the offensive line, who aided former signal-caller Matthew Stafford with protections and shifts. Locking the center down for the foreseeable future is a boon for Jared Goff and any other QB who takes snaps in the coming years in Detroit. Ragnow will be particularly helpful to an eventual young franchise QB.

The 6-foot-5 center put his toughness on display last season, finishing a Week 13 game despite fracturing his throat in the first quarter. Yes, Ragnow broke his throat and kept playing. He missed the next two games out of precaution but returned to finish the season in Week 17.

Fewer than five months later, now Ragnow is the highest-paid center in the NFL.

NFL.com

 

He looks surprised!

 

kinda looks surprised like WTF

 

Former Patriots DB Jason McCourty signing with Dolphins

Jason McCourty s reuniting with a familiar face in a new place.

The veteran defensive back is signing with the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported it's a one-year deal.

McCourty played for Brian Flores in his first season (and Flores' last) in New England in 2018, joining a defense directed by Flores one year before he'd leave to take the head coaching job in Miami.

After playing three seasons alongside his brother, Devin, Jason McCourty follows Flores to Miami, staying in the AFC East and joining a team that could use a veteran voice as it learns how to finish a playoff push.

Miami informed safety Bobby McCain he'd be released earlier Thursday, shedding salary cap in the process while also saying goodbye to a team captain. McCourty has a history of success and brings instant credibility with him to Miami, but it will be interesting to see where he lines up in Miami's defense.

Multiple teams in McCourty's past have at least considered moving McCourty to safety in the last four years, beginning with his time in Cleveland and continuing in New England, where he was viewed as a potential emergency replacement at the position despite spending his entire career as a corner. Signing McCourty on the same day the Dolphins determined they were moving on from McCain leads one to believe McCourty might at least be considered at the position.

Miami is strong at corner, starting the NFL's leader in interceptions in 2020, Xavien Howard, on one side and Byron Jones on the other. The Dolphins also have Noah Igbinoghene at the position, as well as Justin Coleman to play nickelback. With all of this considered, we'll have to wait to see how Flores sees McCourty fitting into his scrappy defense.

Miami hosted free-agent safety Malik Hooker for a visit earlier in the week, and after releasing McCain and signing McCourty, it's clear they're exploring all options at safety and in the defensive secondary. This might not end up being the last move the Dolphins make on the back end.

NFL.com

 

Colts DE Kwity Paye becomes first 2021 first-round pick to sign deal

The draft compensation slotting system adopted in the 2011 CBA essentially took the excitement out of rookie contract negotiations, but that doesn't mean we can't still get jazzed up about the first of the first-rounders to sign his deal.

The title for fastest first-round pick to sign his first NFL contract belongs to Michigan's Kwity Paye, who is part of five of the newest Indianapolis Colts who signed their rookie contracts on Thursday, the team announced. Paye joined teammates defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, safety Shawn Davis, receiver Mike Strachan and offensive lineman Will Fries in signing.

The 21st overall pick of last week's NFL draft, Paye is the headliner of an interesting class for the Colts. He fills a starting spot vacated by the departure of Justin Houston after one year with Indianapolis.

Paye is set to account for approximately $2.4 million in 2021, per Over The Cap's rookie pool estimations. Indianapolis, meanwhile, still has approximately $22 million in cap to work with and a left tackle void to fill.

NFL.com

 

Former first-round pick Josh Doctson was released by the New York Jets on Friday.

The wide receiver, who opted out of the 2020 season, didn't see a snap of football with Gang Green. Doctson was among six players the Jets cut Friday, along with cornerback Kyron Brown, tight end Connor Davis, offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi, kicker Chase McLaughlin and wide receiver Jaleel Scott.

The No. 22 overall pick in 2016 by the Washington Football Team, Doctson continues to bounce around the NFL. He spent three seasons in Washington, compiling 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 81 catches. He signed in Minnesota in 2019, but after returning from injured reserve, he played just seven snaps in one game without a target before being released. The Jets signed the wideout last February.

Along with making cuts, New York announced it signed four draft picks and signed 12 undrafted free agents. The Jets came to terms with 2021 draft selections Jamien Sherwood (linebacker; fifth round), Jason Pinnock (cornerback; fifth round), Jonathan Marshall (defensive tackle; sixth round) and Brandin Echols (cornerback; sixth round).

In other Jets news, star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams underwent successful surgery Thursday with Dr. Robert Anderson to repair a broken bone in his foot, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a source informed of the situation.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Williams' surgery went well and added the team is expecting him to be back by training camp.

Word surfaced earlier this week that Williams broke his foot working out. The average recovery period is 10-12 weeks, but, as aforementioned, the Jets expect the DT to be ready for camp.

NFL.com

 

The Steelers made an addition to their secondary on Friday.

The agents for defensive back Arthur Maulet announced that their client signed with the Steelers. No terms were announced.

Maulet spent the last two seasons with the Jets and started 11 of the 23 games he played for the AFC East team. He had 67 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in those appearances.

Maulet, who was undrafted in 2017, also had 10 tackles in 12 games for the Saints and Colts in 2017 and 2018.

The Steelers drafted Tre Norwood in the seventh round last week and signed four more defensive backs who went undrafted.

NBC

 

The Texans have added another free agent.

After visiting with Houston on Thursday, linebacker Neville Hewitt has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the club on Friday, Hewitt’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Hewitt played for the Jets for the last three seasons, making a career-high 134 tackles for New York in 2020. He started all 16 games last season, recording 2.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and four passes defensed.

He’s played 82 career games with 39 starts. Hewitt began his career playing three seasons for the Dolphins after entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall.

NBC

 

The Eagles claimed running back Kerryon Johnson off waivers from the Lions, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Johnson, 23, will join a running backs room that includes Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard.

The Lions made Johnson a second-round choice in 2018.

Johnson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and has a salary of $1.37 million this season.

He was limited to 18 games in his first two seasons with the team because of injuries before playing all 16 games in 2020. But Johnson saw his fewest carries of any season in his career, however, as D'Andre Swift and Adrian Peterson took most of the work.

In three seasons in Detroit, Johnson played 34 games with 16 starts and had 344 touches for 1,752 yards and 11 touchdowns.