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Vikings weighing Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon

GM Rick Spielman confirmed the Vikings will decide between USC LT Matt Kalil, LSU CB Morris Claiborne, and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon if they keep the No. 3 overall pick.

Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is not in the mix. The Vikes have all three players listed as equals on their draft board, with no favorite yet to emerge. Spielman hopes to have a decision by Wednesday after spending the weekend pouring over film with his staff. Although the team has fielded trade calls, Spielman plans to hold off until Thursday night to see what develops on that front.

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

Thu, Apr 19, 2012 03:35:00 PM

Justin Tuck, Woodley are visiting the Raiders

Free agents Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley are visiting the Raiders Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie let his best offensive lineman (Jared Veldheer) walk, overpaid for Rodger Saffold, let reliable Rashad Jennings walk, let his best defender Lamarr Houston walk and re-signed injury-prone Darren McFadden. So how will he spend the rest of his money? Perhaps on two aging, declining edge rushers in search of a payday. Tuck, who will turn 31 later this month, looked done prior to his 9.5-sack outburst over the final six games of last year. Woodley, 29, has missed 14 games over the last three seasons.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 12 - 7:47 AM

Bengals plan to match Andrew Hawkins' sheet

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals plan to match the four-year, $12.2 million offer sheet restricted free agent Andrew Hawkins signed with the Browns.

It's a surprise given the $5.3 million guaranteed in the deal and the Bengals depth chart at wideout. It also speaks to just how underrated Hawkins' talent is outside of the league. NFL teams realize that the undersized yet jitterbug quick slot man can be a very valuable piece of a passing game. The Bengals are going to pony up the cash to keep him away from their division rival.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 12 - 7:36 AM

Eric Decker visiting WR-needy Jets Wednesday

Free agent Eric Decker is visiting the Jets Wednesday.

Decker made the flight from Denver to New Jersey on Tuesday night. The top wideout available is meeting with the team that has the biggest need, as the Jets currently feature Jeremy Kerley, David Nelson and Stephen Hill as their top-three receivers. Decker's stats have been inflated by Peyton Manning over the last two years and he may not be a "true" No. 1 wideout, but he'd be a massive upgrade for Geno Smith.

Source: Kimberly Jones on Twitter

Mar 12 - 7:31 AM

Raiders steal RT Austin Howard away from Jets

Raiders agreed to terms with RT Austin Howard, formerly of the Jets, on a five-year, $30 million contract with $15 million guaranteed.

Howard, 27, spent the last two seasons starting at right tackle in New York. In 2013, he graded out 47th among 76 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' tackle ratings. (New bookend Rodger Saffold came in 18th among 81 guards, though he will play left tackle in Oakland.) Howard is a 6-foot-7, 333-pound power blocker, though he struggled in the run game last season. Either way, it's a solid pickup for GM Reggie McKenzie at the end of free agency's first day.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 12 - 12:16 AM

Broncos end talks with CB Rodgers-Cromartie

The Broncos have ended negotiations with free agent CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie after signing Aqib Talib.

They gave Talib a six-year, $57 million deal with an NFL cornerback record $25.5 million guaranteed, surpassing Brandon Carr's $25 million guarantee. Rodgers-Cromartie could shop his wares to the Patriots or Jets, who are both now corner needy. Despite a standout 2013 campaign, "DRC" has otherwise generated no free agent buzz since pondering retirement during Super Bowl week.

Source: Lindsay Jones on Twitter

Mar 11 - 11:50 PM

Bolts sign Donald Brown for 3 years, $10.5M

Chargers agreed to terms with RB Donald Brown, formerly of the Colts, on a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

The deal includes $4 million guaranteed. With the Chargers already having Danny Woodhead and Ryan Mathews, this one is a definite head scratcher. Mathews is coming off a breakout year, while Woodhead is due just $1.75 million after another strong season. It's worth noting that Bolts GM Tom Telesco is the Colts' former VP of football operations. He clearly has a soft spot for "Dammit Donald," who seemed like a lost cause until picking up the pieces for Trent Richardson last season. He'll likely serve as a deluxe Ronnie Brown, catching passes and picking up blitzes, though he's never been a terribly effective pass protector.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mar 11 - 11:26 PM

Broncos net Talib on 6-year, $57M blockbuster

Broncos signed CB Aqib Talib to a six-year, $57 million contract with $26 million guaranteed.

Denver attacked its secondary on the first day of free agency, landing Talib and top strong safety T.J. Ward. Talib, 28, has gotten his act together off the field in recent seasons and when healthy is a top-five press-man corner in the game. Look for DC Jack Del Rio to utilize him in shadow coverage of opposing No. 1 receivers. The Broncos have drafted well under GM John Elway, have a lot of salary cap space to show for it with so many players on cheap rookie deals, and Peyton Manning has 1-2 years left. We can't blame them for going all in.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 11 - 11:18 PM

Bears & Seahawks in talks with Jared Allen

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports free agent Jared Allen is in talks with the Bears and Seahawks.

Allen apparently wanted to go to Denver, but the Broncos look to be closing in on a contract with DeMarcus Ware. Allen is not as desirable a commodity as Ware at this stage of their careers, despite the 2013 sack statistics. Seattle tried trading for Allen prior to last year's deadline and has maintained interest. Allen would book end new $35 million man Lamarr Houston in Chicago.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 11 - 10:32 PM

Saga over: Dolphins ship Jon Martin to 49ers

49ers acquired OT Jonathan Martin from the Dolphins for a conditional draft pick.

The conditional pick is almost certainly a day-three selection. It's possible the Dolphins could end up with no compensation if Martin doesn't make the 49ers' 53-man roster, but that's just speculation. Martin had been on a leave of absence from the Dolphins since Week 9. A 2012 second-rounder, Martin hasn't looked like he can cut it at the NFL level, but was miscast as a left tackle last season. Reuniting with college coach Jim Harbaugh should be a boon for his confidence, and perhaps his game. He'll fight for swing-tackle duties in camp.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 11 - 10:10 PM

Report: Broncos favorites for DeMarcus Ware

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Broncos have emerged as the favorites to sign free agent DE DeMarcus Ware.

It's worth noting Schefter reported the Seahawks had "emerged as the favorites" to sign Michael Bennett on Monday -- before signing Michael Bennett on Monday. So there's surely substance here. Denver always seemed like a strong landing spot for free agent Jared Allen, but Ware has more juice left in the tank and would form one of the NFL's most imposing pass-rush duos with Von Miller.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 11 - 9:59 PM

Report: Jets have 'serious interest' in MJD

The New York Daily News reports the Jets are showing "serious interest" in free agent Maurice Jones-Drew.

Jones-Drew won't be returning to Jacksonville after the Jags gave Toby Gerhart $4.5 million guaranteed. He'd be a nice addition to a Jets backfield without a reliable back. Chris Ivory is injury prone, while Mike Goodson is recovering from a torn ACL. MJD is very much on the downslope, however. He's not going to get as much money as Gerhart.

Source: Manish Mehta on Twitter

Mar 11 - 9:50 PM