The Denver Broncos are interested in getting a long-term deal done with impending free-agent safety Justin Simmons, but he will be a candidate for the franchise tag for the second straight season if a multi-year contract isn't worked out before the March 9 deadline. If he's tagged again, the two sides would have until mid-July to strike a long-term deal. Denver doesn't want to let the All-Pro safety go after he finished with 96 total tackles, a career-high five interceptions and nine passes defensed. Simmons has recorded nine interceptions in the last two seasons and has 16 in his five-year career to this point. The 27-year-old finished as a top-10 fantasy defensive back in 2020 and should be in play as a starter at the position again next year in IDP formats.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are re-signing inside linebacker Vince Williams to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to sources. Williams was released in March in a move to get the team under the salary cap. In 14 starts for Pittsburgh last year, he had 70 tackles and three sacks for the Steelers. Williams' usage jumped significantly in 2020 after the departure of Mark Barron, as he played 65 percent of the defensive snaps, up from 37 percent in 2019. The 31-year-old was a full-time starter for the team in three of the last four seasons after he was a sixth-round pick in 2013. Williams has two interceptions (one returned for a TD), 20.5 sacks and 333 solo tackles in 121 career games (69 starts) in eight seasons with Pittsburgh. There's a good chance he could retire after the 2021 season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed defensive tackle Steve McLendon to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday. McLendon is the latest player to return from the team's Super Bowl-winning squad from a year ago. The Buccaneers acquired McLendon last year in a trade with the New York Jets, and he played a key role in the team's championship run while filling in for the injured Vita Vea on the defensive line. In nine games for the Bucs (no starts), the 35-year-old managed 17 tackles (two for loss) and 10 assists. In six starts for the Jets before being traded, McLendon racked up 14 combined tackles (eight solo). He'll continue to serve as valuable defensive line depth for a stacked Tampa Bay roster in 2021.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said that "Justin could come back" in reference to veteran free-agent defensive end Justin Houston. Houston is visiting with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, but there's still a chance he re-signs with Indianapolis this offseason. If Houston isn't retained, Irsay is confident that the team can draft an edge rusher later this month. Houston had 19 sacks in the last two seasons with the Colts and was a solid starter on the defensive line. However, last year also showed that the 32-year-old was more inconsistent as a pass-rusher. Houston is hoping to sign before the draft later this month, but the Ravens want to wait until after the draft so that they do not lose a compensatory pick.
Veteran free-agent wide receiver/returner Cordarrelle Patterson is visiting with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday, according to sources. The expectation is that the two sides will agree on a deal soon. Patterson hasn't done much offensively in his eight-year career, but he remains one of the league's best kick returners who can also be effective on offense in spot duty. He was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro with the Chicago Bears on special teams the last two years, leading the NFL in kick-return yardage each season. Patterson returned 35 kicks for 1,017 yards, with a 104-yard touchdown, in 2020 alone. In his career, he's averaging 29.8 yards per kick return, with Atlanta averaging 20.5 yards per return in 2020. The Falcons haven't had a kick returner with more than 700 yards since Andre Roberts in 2017. Unless your league counts return yardage, Patterson has very limited fantasy appeal.
A Pittsburgh attorney intends to seek assault charges against Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald on behalf of his client, according to multiple reports. Todd Hollis said that Donald assaulted his client, DeVincent Spriggs, on April 11 at a club in the Pittsburgh area. Spriggs was left with a concussion and other injuries. Donald is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowler with 85.5 career sacks. "We are collecting more information and will have no further comment at this time," the Rams statement said. The former 13th overall pick in 2014 is in the middle of a six-year, $135 million contract extension. It's unclear if this incident could lead to a suspension for one of the NFL's best pass-rushers. Stay tuned.
The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal to re-sign quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Wednesday, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. Dobbs will return to Pittsburgh as the fourth signal-caller on their roster, joining Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and former Washington Football Team QB Dwayne Haskins. Dobbs spent his first two seasons with the Steelers after being taken in the fourth round. He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 but returned to Pittsburgh last year as a free agent. Dobbs has completed 10 of 17 passes for 45 yards and an interception in six games played in the NFL. Obviously, Dobbs won't be on the fantasy radar.
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks players were the first groups in the NFL to announce that they won't attend voluntary offseason workouts this year due to concerns over COVID-19. Players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions later announced that they would do the same. Voluntary workouts for NFL teams are set to begin next Monday, and the league and Players Association have been in talks regarding how much in-person work will take place this offseason after it was scrapped last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The players union has pushed for no in-person workouts this year. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said "you can expect" more announcements from teams in the coming days.
The Cleveland Browns are signing free-agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million on Wednesday after he passed his physical, according to sources. Clowney has been on Cleveland's radar for years, so they finally get their man. The pass-rusher is fresh off another lost season in 2020 due to a knee injury, but he has high hopes with his new team. In eight games with the Tennessee Titans last year, Clowney failed to record a sack but did register six QB hits. The former first overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2014 is fully recovered from knee surgery that he had last December. He can play any position on the defensive line and can be incredibly disruptive on the interior or off the edge, but he'll need to remain healthy to make an impact for a potentially nasty Browns defense in 2021.
Alabama running back Najee Harris' ankle checked out well with no concerns recently, and the injury shouldn't affect his draft stock, according to sources. Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith's (finger) dislocated finger with torn ligaments is healing fine, and he doesn't have any issues ahead. Wideout Jaylen Waddle (ankle), the top pass-catching prospect in this year's draft, is also healing properly after an ankle dislocation last season. All three Alabama offensive weapons should come off the board early in this year's NFL draft, and the injuries that they suffered last season shouldn't make teams hesitant to select them in the early rounds. Smith's size is his biggest question mark moving to the next level.
Former Dallas Cowboys free-agent pass-rusher Aldon Smith is visiting the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. Smith is a potential low-risk, high-reward defensive addition for the Seahawks if he checks out. Smith returned to the NFL in 2020 and had 50 QB pressures and five sacks for Dallas. The 31-year-old's promising career was derailed for years due to off-the-field issues, but he managed to play in 16 games for the Cowboys last year and was impressive in his return to action after a long layoff. Smith was among the best pass-rushers in the league in his first two seasons in the NFL, but that was all the way back in 2011 and 2012.
