NFL | Report: Saints/Graham on verge of record deal

Welcome, Guest Login | Register | Contact / Help | My Roto

Latest Headlines

Report: Saints/Graham on verge of record deal

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Saints and franchise player Jimmy Graham are "closing in" on a deal that would make Graham the highest-paid tight end in league history.

Reports of a long-term deal have been seconded by FOX Sports and Profootballtalk. The sides have until Tuesday to finalize a long-term agreement. If talks fall apart, Graham would be forced to play out 2014 under the tight-end franchise tag (though he's appealed his tag as a tight end). Graham will blow by the $16 million guaranteed — the most for any current tight end — Dennis Pitta and Jared Cook received in their recent deals.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mon, Jul 14, 2014 05:16:00 PM

Mariota to play lighter at 215 pounds in 2017

Marcus Mariota plans to play at 215 pounds this season.

Mariota came out of Oregon at 222 and is listed at that weight on the Titans' website. The team told him to bulk up to the 225-230 range this year, but Mariota instead opted to side with his personal trainer and instead cut weight. The thinking is that Mariota will be faster and more elusive to avoid hits, but 215 is borderline-fragile for an NFL quarterback and could make Mariota even more prone to injury if he does get squared up for a big hit by a defender. It will be interesting to see if the Titans force him to put on weight during camp.

Source: Oregon Live

Jul 24 - 9:45 PM

Smallwood to have 'pretty significant role'?

CSN Philly's Reuben Frank expects Wendell Smallwood to have a "pretty significant role" with the Eagles this season.

Smallwood has been talked about as potentially needing a big camp to even make the team after the Eagles signed LeGarrette Blount and drafted Donnel Pumphrey, but Frank believes the team "really likes" Smallwood. Last year's fifth-rounder appeared to be the No. 4 back in the spring. However, there are roles to be carved out in this backfield, and Blount isn't going to be ridden hard like he was in New England. This likely will remain a committee. And an unreliable one at that. Blount and Darren Sproles are the only two being drafted in 12-team leagues right now.

Source: Reuben Frank on Twitter

Jul 24 - 8:10 PM

FA RGIII to work out for Chargers on Tuesday

Free agent Robert Griffin III will work out for the Chargers on Tuesday.

It will be RGIII's first known visit and workout since he was released by the Browns on March 10. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Griffin has been working out down in Florida with ex-Colts and Stanford OC Pep Hamilton, who also worked briefly with the Browns. The Bolts have Kellen Clemens currently as their backup.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jul 24 - 7:15 PM

Raiders to limit Marshawn under 200 carries?

The San Jose Mercury News' Jimmy Durkin suggests the Raiders could hold Marshawn Lynch under 200 carries.

Durkin believes Lynch equaling Latavius Murray's 195-carry total from last year "should suffice," even suggesting Lynch could end up with "perhaps less" if sophomores DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard earn increased roles. After Lynch took a year off from football, it's hard to imagine the Raiders suddenly forcing him back into 300-carry usage, particularly in an offense so explosive in the passing game. Lynch remains a health risk at age 31 after his body broke down in 2015, leading Lynch into a year-long "retirement." Lynch is one of the riskiest early-round fantasy picks on the board this year.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Jul 24 - 6:12 PM

Carlos Hyde could be surprise cut by Niners?

Gregg Rosenthal mentioned on the most recent Around the NFL podcast that he's heard Carlos Hyde could be a surprise training camp cut.

A former longtime Rotoworld editor, Rosenthal now writes for NFL.com, frequently appears on NFL Network, and has cultivated enough connections that what he's hearing is noteworthy. Since the 49ers' new regime took over, coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch have been outwardly clear that San Francisco's running back situation needs upgrading, whether by signing (Tim Hightower), trading for (Kapri Bibbs), and drafting (Joe Williams) backs or Shanahan's suggestion that Hyde has personal improvement to make. We still believe Hyde could fetch something via trade, even in a contract year at a devalued position. The Niners would probably be willing to part with Hyde for a fourth-round pick, if not less.

Source: Around the NFL Podcast

Jul 24 - 5:43 PM

Greg Olsen opts against holdout, will report

Greg Olsen will report to Panthers training camp on time Tuesday.

Olsen considered a holdout due to dissatisfaction with his contract, but the Panthers are doling out money now that Marty Hurney has replaced Dave Gettleman as GM. Their first order of business was extending RG Trai Turner, and Olsen is likely now a priority. It's believed so-far-failed contract talks with Olsen and WLB Thomas Davis were at the root of Gettleman's ouster.

Source: Charlotte Observer

Jul 24 - 5:16 PM

Willie Snead signs 1-year, $615K ERFA tender

Saints re-signed exclusive rights free agent WR Willie Snead to a one-year, $615,000 contract.

As an exclusive rights free agent, Snead essentially had no real rights, and was forced to sign this minimum-salary tender in continued hopes the Saints will make a longer-term commitment in the future. Not yet 25 years old, Snead remains an underrated asset in Dynasty leagues. He has posted consecutive top-35 PPR receiver finishes and should see a potentially significant uptick in volume this year with Brandin Cooks gone to New England.

Source: Field Yates on Twitter

Jul 24 - 5:04 PM

Broncos extend GM John Elway through 2021

Broncos signed GM John Elway to a five-year extension through 2021.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the deal will make Elway the NFL's highest-paid general manager. The head of Denver's football operations since 2011, Elway has overseen five straight winning records amid heavy coaching and quarterback turnover, going from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning and Trevor Siemian, as well as John Fox to Gary Kubiak and now Vance Joseph. Elway's drafts and free agent moves had spectacular results to begin his tenure, although his recent drafts haven't been quite as strong. Nevertheless, Elway is extremely respected in Denver and throughout the Broncos' organization. He's more than earned a multi-year rope while the Broncos determine if 2016 first-round QB Paxton Lynch can become a franchise solution.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jul 24 - 4:52 PM

Eagles take flier on rugby star Adam Zaruba

Eagles signed TE Adam Zaruba.

Listed at 6-foot-4, 277, Zaruba is transitioning from Canadian rugby to big-league football as an obvious project. The 26-year-old from Vancouver worked out for the Eagles on Sunday and was signed to a non-guaranteed three-year deal the next day. Zaruba is entering a deep Philly tight end depth chart, where the Eagles have Brent Celek and Trey Burton backing up Zach Ertz.

Jul 24 - 4:38 PM

Cole Beasley (hamstring) is cleared for camp

Cole Beasley (hamstring) has been cleared for Cowboys training camp.

Beasley played through hamstring tendinitis in the second half of last season and missed all spring workouts, but the Cowboys never expressed significant concern with his health. He's now all systems go. Entering his age-28 season, Beasley was quick to establish a chain-moving rapport with Dak Prescott in 2016, drawing career highs in targets (98) and receptions (75).

Source: Brandon George on Twitter

Jul 24 - 4:14 PM

Cards, Pats interested in CB Brandon Flowers

Free agent CB Brandon Flowers will meet with the Cardinals on Wednesday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter adds Flowers has "also been talking with the Patriots." Once among the league's most underrated corners, Flowers flamed out in San Diego while battling a multitude of concussions. He drew some interest from the Steelers in March, but nothing came of it. Flowers would compete for snaps opposite Patrick Peterson in Arizona. He would likely man slot corner between Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler in Foxboro.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jul 24 - 3:46 PM