Just moments after announcing a trade for Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy, the New England Patriots worked another deal, this time sending a first round (No. 32) and third round (No. 103) pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and the Saints fourth round pick (No. 118).
BREAKING: @Patriots acquire @BrandinCooks from the @Saints in exchange for a package that includes their no. 32 pick. pic.twitter.com/jY935E2tx6
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 11, 2017
Cooks and the Saints had been working to consciously uncouple since the offseason began and he was always part of a trade rumor nearly every week. Now the deal is done and Cooks can look forward to being part of that final ride into the sunset for Tom Brady and the Pats.
Last season Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. By adding Cooks to the roster, the Patriots will probably part ways with another wideout on their roster. My money is on Danny Amendola, but we’ll see.
Washington Redskins
It’s been a crazy couple of days for the Washington Redskins. As ridiculous as it may seem, the Kirk Cousins trade rumors will not die, even after he signed his franchise tender Friday morning. In doing so, barring a trade, Cousins will quarterback the Redskins for at least one more season and make $23.94 million in guaranteed salary.
There’s no question that the Redskins are working on a long term deal for Cousins. There’s also no question he holds all the cards. If he plays out the current deal and plays anywhere near the level he reached the past two seasons, he’ll make $24-25 million on the open market next year. And there’s no way Washington can franchise him, since the tag will be something like $34 million. There’s every reason to get the deal done before July 15, because Cousins is just going to bet on himself again and he’s probably going to win that bet.
This Just In: Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins signed his franchise tender this morning, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/XLeotxLkQ8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 10, 2017
Yesterday to no one’s surprise the Redskins fired general manager Scot McCloughlan. McCloughlan has been absent from the Redskins’ facilities for weeks and did not attend the scouting combine in Indianapolis.
Cousins now becomes the first free agent of any kind that the Redskins have actually signed this free agent period. They’ve lost plenty of free agents in the process and the team Cousins comes back too will look very different on offense than the one he played on in Week 17 of the 2016 season.
Cousins completed 67 percent of his passes last season for 4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens did their heavy lifting on day one of free agency, locking up their own best free agent, defensive tackle Brandon Williams, with a five-year, $54 million contract with $27.5 million in guaranteed money. Williams is now the highest paid nose tackle in the league.
Brandon Williams wanted to beat the 5-year $46.5m deal Damon Harrison got from the Giants last year. I'm told he did. Waiting on numbers.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2017
Williams was a third round pick in the 2013 draft. Last season he amassed 51 tackles, one sack and one pass defense.
Baltimore also added former Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson and Los Angeles Chargers running back Danny Woodhead. Jefferson recorded 92 tackles, two sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and defended five passes last season. Woodhead spent most of last season injured and only appeared in two games.
With Jefferson added to the team, starting safety Lardarius Webb lost his job and the Ravens cut him Friday. The move adds $5.5 million to the Ravens’ salary cap.
Other moves
The Carolina Panthers weren’t done after shipping Kony Ealy out of town. They signed former Minnesota Vikings safety Captain Munnerlyn to a four-year, $21 million deal. Munnerlyn began his career in Carolina, playing for the Panthers from 2009-2013.
Source: The #Panthers have agreed to terms to sign CB Captain Munnerlyn. The band getting back together.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2017
The Cleveland Browns released quarterback Robert Griffin III Friday right before his $750,000 roster bonus is due. It adds $7 million to the Browns’ available salary cap this season. Last year RG3 played in five games for Cleveland, going 1-4 and completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 886 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Some of new Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon’s contract numbers were released Friday. The deal is for three years with $18.5 million in guarantees. If Glennon plays out the entire deal, he’ll make $45 million. Most of the guarantees are loaded into the first year of the contract.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
