We’re a week into the NFL Free Agency period and we’re still moving some big pieces off the board. Thursday afternoon the Los Angeles Rams signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Connor Barwin to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million. The move reunites Barwin with his original defensive coordinator with the Houston Texans.
Reunited and it feels so good #MobSquad pic.twitter.com/b8VNqrX8HX
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 17, 2017
Barwin was a second round pick of the Texans in 2009 and played their until 2012 before leaving for the Eagles as a free agent. Barwin will return to his original edge-rushing outside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense Phillips is installing with the Rams. Last year Barwin started all 16 games for the Eagles, recorded 34 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and two pass defenses.
Barwin has crossed double-digit sacks twice in his career, with his best season coming in 2014 with 14.5.
Connor Barwin brings veteran presence, consistency and knowledge of the 3-4 to Los Angeles
Rams Report 🎥 » https://t.co/AkTYkRi8li pic.twitter.com/e2j8CBXfsd
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 17, 2017
The Rams added a weapon to the offense in former Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar. Dunbar joins Los Angeles on a one-year, $3 million contract. Dunbar’s primary skillset is as a third-down back and pass-catcher out of the backfield. Last year Dunbar carried the ball nine times for 31 yards and a touchdown. He caught 16 passes for 122 yards.
Done deal for @Dunbar_CDB5 ✅
Now back to our brackets. pic.twitter.com/ElU0sXbILg
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 16, 2017
The Rams did get some bad news Thursday. The Buffalo Bills decided to match the offer the Rams made to center Ryan Groy, meaning he will remain in Buffalo on a two-year, $5 million contract.
Oakland Raiders
With the Green Bay Packers pulling out of the Jared Cook sweepstakes, the Oakland Raiders stepped in to nab the AFC Divisional Round hero with a two-year, $12.2 million contract. Last year Cook started five games for the Packers and played in 10, catching 30 passes for 377 yards and a touchdown.
.@RAIDERS sign @JaredCook89: https://t.co/cKD5CilFCp (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/luSjf86Iq9
— NFL (@NFL) March 16, 2017
It was his performance in the playoffs that got him paid, however. In three games Cook caught 18 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns, and made the biggest catch of his life in the overtime 34-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round.
The Raiders are also adding a new back up quarterback to the fold, signing former Buffalo Bills first round pick E.J. Manuel. Contract length and financial terms have not been disclosed. With Manuel’s signing, free agent Matt McGloin can go ahead and buy his ticket out of town. I’ve never been impressed with anything I’ve seen from McGloin, but he’ll probably land on another team’s roster. Back up NFL QBs are tougher to get rid of than a cold sore.
Raiders are signing former Bills first round pick EJ Manuel.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 16, 2017
Manuel started one game last season and played in seven for some reason. He completed 42.3 percent of his passes for 131 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys continue to lose defensive backs. Thursday the Baltimore Ravens signed cornerback Brandon Carr to a four-year contract worth $24 million. Carr has started every game for the Cowboys since they drafted him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. Last season he had 61 tackles, nine passes defended and one interception.
We have reached a 4-year agreement with CB Brandon Carr.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 16, 2017
The Cowboys did manage to keep an offensive player in the fold, signing a one-year deal with running back Darren McFadden. Financial details haven’t been released. McFadden missed most of last season after injuring his arm in his own kitchen. He finally played in four games and started two, gaining 87 yards and catching three passes for 17 yards.
Other NFL moves
Speaking of the Raiders, former Oakland running back Latavius Murray signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings with $8.5 million guaranteed. Murray’s signing effectively ends the relationship between the Vikings and Adrian Peterson. Murray started 12 games for the Raiders in 2016 and played in 14. He carried the ball 195 times for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 264 yards.
The #Vikings signed RB Latavius Murray to a 3-year deal worth roughly $15M, source said. Similar to Eddie Lacy’s value but on a multi-year
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2017
Back before free agency began there was a though that the Kansas City Chiefs would franchise defensive tackle Dontari Poe after they cut a long-term deal with safety Eric Berry. Not only were the Chiefs content to let Poe walk, he apparently had to settle for a one-year, $8 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The Chiefs obviously played the market right or just knew that Poe wasn’t worth anything near the franchise tender. Last year Poe started all 16 games for the Chiefs, recorded 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three pass defenses.
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