The Cardinals are signing RB James Conner to a 3-year contract worth up to $25.5 million ($13.5 million guaranteed). Conner, who scored 18 times in 2021, heads back to Arizona on the same day that Miami signed Chase Edmonds. Look for Arizona to add a complimentary backfield piece, either in the draft or in free agency. Conner’s currently coming off the board as the RB29 in FFPC drafts, but that number will certainly rise in the coming days.
The Dolphins signed RB Chase Edmonds to a 2-year deal worth $12.6 million ($6.1 million guaranteed). Edmonds gives a barren Miami backfield some much-needed speed (and skill). In 2021, he set career highs in carries (116) and yards (592) while matching a career-high in YPC (5.1). The 26-year-old (in April) has also racked up 96 catches over the past 2 years. Miami might still address RB with a top-3 round pick in the draft, but for now, Edmonds is the clear lead RB.
It looks like RB Melvin Gordon will hit free agency, according Denver radio host and Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright. "There had been mutual interest in RB Melvin Gordon and possible Broncos return, but looks like that's not gonna happen," he tweeted Monday. Should a Gordon departure come to fruition in unrestricted free agency, the ceiling on 2nd-year RB Javonte Williams would rank right with the RBs currently going in Round 1 of fantasy football drafts. We'll see, of course, what else Denver chooses to do at the position this offseason. Mike Boone also remains on the depth chart after signing in free agency last spring.
The Packers have inked a 4-year extension with EDGE Preston Smith that includes $52.5 million in new money, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Smith had 1 year remaining on his previous deal with no guaranteed money, which had led to him being mentioned as a cut candidate. The new contract lowers his 2022 cap number while securing Smith into his 30s.
The Lions have agreed to a 1-year, $2 million deal with QB Tim Boyle, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. That's not necessarily primary backup money, so we'll see what else Detroit elects to do at the position this offseason.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Chiefs and RB Darrel Williams have failed to reach a deal ahead of free agency, despite trying to work something out. So it sounds like Williams will hit the open market. With fellow RB Jerick McKinnon also set to hit free agency, we'll see how Kansas City fills out the backfield around Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
QB Brian Hoyer has agreed to a 2-year, $4 million deal with the Patriots, including $3 million guaranteed, ESPN reports. That will keep Hoyer in place as the backup to Mac Jones.
NFL Network reports that WR Davante Adams has told the Packers he doesn't plan to play under the franchise tag this season. The veteran is seeking a long-term deal as he heads into his 9th NFL season, which will find him turning 30 in December. Adams won't be required to show up for any team activities until he signs his tender, so there's potential for a training-camp/preseason holdout if the 2 sides can't nail down an agreement. Green Bay has already reportedly offered money that would make Adams the highest-paid WR by annual salary, so we'd guess they get something done. We'll keep watch on the situation, though.
The Cowboys and WR Michael Gallup have agreed to a 5-year extension worth $62.5 million, according to multiple reports. This has been the expected move. The question for Gallup in 2022 will be how soon he can make it back from the ACL tear.
QB Kirk Cousins is signing a 1-year extension with the Vikings. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that it's worth a fully guaranteed $35 million, locking him in through 2023. The deal also adds a no-trade clause. This move confirms that Cousins will at least remain Minnesota's starter through the 2022 season -- and likely through 2023 as well.
TE Zach Ertz has agreed to a new 3-year deal with the Cardinals worth $31.65 million, with $17.5 million of that guaranteed, according to multiple reports. Ertz averaged 5.1 catches and 52.2 receiving yards per game over 11 contests with Arizona after being traded from Philly last season. He's a solid-to-good value at the bottom of TE1 territory (or even high-TE2 range) in early best-ball drafting.
Tom Brady isn't ready to retire after all. He tweeted Sunday evening: "These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG." Brady's decision removes what had been a huge question about who will QB the Buccaneers. He'll return to an offense that will still have WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. We'll see now about TE Rob Gronkowski's decision -- though we'd bet, at the moment, that he'll also return to the Bucs.
The Bills on Sunday announced that they’ve re-signed WR Isaiah McKenzie on 2-year, $8 million deal. McKenzie caught just 20 passes last year and has yet to top 30 receptions in a season. But he carries upside well beyond that if he can wrest the primary slot job from Cole Beasley, a rumored cut candidate
The Bears claimed RB Darrynton Evans off waivers from the Titans. The 2020 3rd-round pick was a total bust in Tennessee. We'll see if the change of scenery gets him going, but Evans' best-case scenario in the short term is winning Chicago's #3 RB job behind David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Evans remains off the redraft radar.
The Browns have given WR Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. This, of course, comes on the same day that Cleveland acquired Amari Cooper to be its new #1 WR. Landry battled through injuries last season but should still have plenty to offer at just 29 years old. We'll see if he's dealt or ultimately released. Landry's departure from Cleveland would mean more opportunity for WRs Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.
The Cowboys traded WR Amari Cooper and a 6th-round pick to the Browns in exchange for 5th- and 6th-round picks. The compensation is minimal because Cleveland is taking on all of Cooper's $20 million cap hits over the next 3 seasons. The Cowboys were reportedly set to release Cooper if they couldn't find a trade partner. Dallas is believed to be the frontrunners to re-sign WRs Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson, who would join CeeDee Lamb as the team's top 3 WRs. In Cleveland, meanwhile, Cooper should establish himself as the #1 WR. Exactly how big a target share he garners will depend on whether the Browns bring back WR Jarvis Landry and/or add more to the WR room. But a run-first offense and questionable QB play puts a damper on Cooper's 2022 fantasy outlook.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby signed a 4-year extension with the Raiders on Friday, with $53 million guaranteed amid $95 million total. Crosby posted a middling 8 sacks in his 3rd season, but that belied his true performance. Crosby led all defenders in total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. And his 30 QB hits exceeded the combined total from his first 2 seasons (27).
The Cowboys released TE Blake Jarwin with an injury settlement. It's not a surprising move after recent reports that Jarwin underwent major hip surgery that's expected to cost him the start of the 2022 season. We'll see if another team takes a shot on him before then, but Jarwin isn't worth a pick in early best-ball drafts.
The Cowboys released K Greg Zuerlein, saving about $2.5 million against the 2022 salary cap. Zuerlein missed 6 FGs and 6 XPs last season but figures to get another shot at a starting job this summer. We'll see where he lands and who Dallas tabs to replace him.
A grand jury did not find enough evidence to criminally charge QB Deshaun Watson in relation to the sexual assault allegations levied against him. Watson is still facing civil suits, but this development would seemingly make it easier for teams to justify trading for him. "Expect his trade market to ramp up quickly," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets. "Teams have been waiting. This clears the path for a deal by the start of the league year [on March 16]."
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