Tag: DeDe Westbrook

Tommylee Lewis joins Dede Westbrook for Vikings free agents tryouts

Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis joined ex-Jaguars draft pick Dede Westbrook for a free agent tryout with the Vikings:

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The Minnesota Vikings reported some free agent tryout news to the daily NFL transactions wire that New Orleans Saints fans might find interesting. Minnesota hosted free agent wide receivers Dede Westbrook and Tommylee Lewis on Saturday, with quarterback Jackson Erdmann throwing to them.

Westbrook has been a trendy pick by fans on social media hoping for reinforcements following news of Michael Thomas’ prolonged absence after ankle surgery. And Lewis has always seemed to reappear with the Saints over the years, with some fans speculating he could get another call now that New Orleans has a spot open in the training camp rotation.

Lewis, 28, caught on with the Saints as an undrafted rookie out of Northern Illinois back in 2016. He went on to catch 21 passes in 39 regular season (also taking the field in four playoff games) while doing the bulk of his work on special teams, where he averaged 9 yards per attempt on 45 tries as a punt returner.

Westbrook, 27, has a larger body of work (160 receptions in 40 regular season games, with three postseason appearances, plus an average of 9.8 yards on 47 punt returns), and most of the media focus in Minnesota has rightfully centered on him. But he and Lewis aren’t too far apart at this point in their careers — each caught just one pass last season, with Lewis gaining 5 yards against Westbrook’s 4 yard-pickup.

The workout went well for Westbrook, who spoke glowingly about his experience with the Vikings organization. We’ll see if he leaves town without a contract or if the Saints show interest in either him or Lewis. For now, it seems New Orleans is content to work with who they already have.

Update: NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that Westbrook intends to sign a one-year contract with Minnesota on Sunday. So that’s that. The Saints’ already-limited options just got thinner.

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Bengals could still get a visit from free-agent WR Dede Westbrook

The Bengals could have a visit with a free-agent WR soon.

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Free-agent wideout Dede Westbrook says he could have a workout with the Cincinnati Bengals soon if meetings with other teams don’t go as planned.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press caught up with Westbrook, who told him he might work out with teams like the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in addition to the Bengals:

“Free-agent WR Dede Westbrook said his agent is handling contract terms and he didn’t give any desired numbers. It sounds like #Vikings can land him with good offer Saturday. If not, he’ll work out with Seattle. He said he still might also go in for workouts with 49ers and Bengals”

This isn’t the first time the Bengals have been linked to Westbrook this offseason. In May, a report said the Bengals had contact with him.

For now, Westbrook will meet with the Minnesota Vikings. But if he doesn’t get a deal there, he could work his way toward Cincinnati. He only played in two games last year but has some big upside worth exploring — he scored nine touchdowns over four seasons and is still just 27 years old.

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Free agent WR Dede Westbrook talks about the Vikings

Free agent wideout Dede Westbrook would be a great fit for the Vikings.

Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell was once the wideouts coach for the Jaguars. That has given him some familiarity with former Jaguars WR and current free agent Dede Westbrook.

“I was kind of set on Seattle and McCardell was like ‘Darn you’re not even going to come out and give me a chance?” Westbrook told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I coached you the past four years, you’re just going to fly out to Seattle and not give Minnesota a shot?'”

Westbrook could be a perfect fit for the Vikings, a team that desperately needs a third wideout. He’s boom or bust, but that’s fine as the third best wide receiver on the team. He’s also recovering from an ACL tear, but that may make him cheaper in the free agency market.

Not only has Westbrook proven to be an explosive wide receiver in the NFL, he has also been a serviceable punt returner.

“That’s been an asset of my game, going out there and potentially returning punts, putting the team in the best position to win each week,” Westbrook told Tomasson.
Westbrook said he “definitely” could help with kickoff returns, too. He will receive ample competition for those spots, with Kene Nwangwu, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Ameer Abdullah and others all being viable candidates.
It’s hard to see how Westbrook couldn’t make this team better. With the lack of positional strength past Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen on the wide receiver depth chart, he can help out there. He can maybe even be a much-needed special teams ace.
“I love everything about the Vikings,” Westbrook told Tomasson. “I like their offensive scheme, I like the things that they’re doing as far as gidget-gadgets that they have going on. …. Just their whole offensive scheme and I think I can fit in perfectly.”

Former Jags WR Dede Westbrook to work out for Vikings Saturday, expected to visit Seahawks Sunday

Former Jags receiver Dede Westbrook appears to be fully recovered from the ACL tear he sustained last season.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook appears to be fully recovered from the ACL tear he sustained last season and will begin making stops to find a new team this weekend. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he’ll be working out for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, then afterward, he’ll be making a trip to Seattle to meet with the Seahawks on Sunday, according to NFL reporter Josina Anderson.

Westbrook’s meeting with the Vikings makes sense because former Jags receivers coach Keenan McCardell now has the same title with Minnesota. And though the group is led by Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, the team seems to believe there could be room for some speed at the position. They could also be looking at him for help on special teams as Westbrook has return experience, too (47 punt returns for 461 yards and a touchdown).

Westbrook was drafted by the Jags in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Throughout his tenure, he was decently productive in Duval accumulating 160 catches for 1,720 career receiving yards and nine touchdowns. His career-high came in 2017 when he accumulated 66 catches for 717 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

If Westbrook doesn’t sign with either team, there could be other opportunities on the table as Anderson reported that players from the Kansas City Chiefs reached out to him about potentially signing back in May. Anderson reported that the Cincinnati Bengals also had preliminary conversations with Westbrook.

Report: WR Dede Westbrook to work out with Vikings

Do you want the Vikings to sign free agent wide receiver Dede Westbrook?

The Vikings have had a void to fill at wide receiver three for all of the offseason.

Could that spot be filled by a free agent? WR Dede Westbrook, who worked with Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell when they were both with the Jaguars, will work out in Minnesota on Saturday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Westbrook has three teams interested in him, but if all goes well with the Vikings, he will likely sign, per Rapoport.

Westbrook fits the billing of a wide receiver three. He is coming off an injury-marred 2020, but he has proven to be explosive in the past. In 2019, he had 660 receiving yards in 15 games played for Jacksonville. He had a PFF grade of 63.5 that year. He can be boom or bust at times, but that’s not a huge issue for the third best wideout on the roster, which is what he would be if he were to sign with Minnesota.

With better wide receivers around him — and a better quarterback in Kirk Cousins — Westbrook could be looking at some decent numbers with the Vikings, assuming Minnesota uses its third wide receiver more often. That’s also assuming that Westbrook ends up signing. We’ll wait and see.

Where former Sooners rank in Fantasy Rankings for the upcoming season

As you get ready for your fantasy football drafts, let’s take a loot at where former Oklahoma Sooners land on Fantasy Pro’s Expert Consensus Rankings for 2021.

The Oklahoma Sooners have produced quite a bit of NFL talent on the offensive side of the ball in the last decade. They’ve provided fantasy football players with highly productive players at various positions. In the last couple of years, former Sooners have broken onto the scene in the form of Joe Mixon (2017), Baker Mayfield (2018), Kyler Murray (2019), and CeeDee Lamb (2020).

Fantasy football players will find incredible value in certain Sooners while others will require high draft picks.

Let’s take a look at where former Oklahoma Sooners rank in the most recent Expert Consensus Rankings over at FantasyPros.com. The Expert Consensus Rankings collect rankings from around the fantasy football industry and collate them into a consensus.

Top college wide receivers: Two former Sooners make list, CeeDee Lamb snubbed

Sooners present on top 50 wide receivers of the last 50 years

Over the years under Bob Stoops and now Lincoln Riley, the Oklahoma Sooners have produced many top wide receivers in college football. Two of those former Oklahoma pass catchers were named among the top 50 greatest college wide receivers.

Bill Connelly of ESPN (subscription required) put together the list of the top 50 greatest wide receivers of the last 50 years. While two former Oklahoma players were named among the 50, one such player was noticeably missing with current Dallas Cowboy, CeeDee Lamb.

During Lamb’s tenure in Norman, Oklahoma, he racked up 3,292 yards with 32 touchdowns on 173 receptions. As a senior Lamb averaged 21.4 yards per reception and 15 total touchdowns. Not me mention he provided one of the greatest highlights in the Red River Rivalry against the Texas Longhorns’ defense or lack thereof.

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Looking now at the two Oklahoma Sooners who made the top 50 greatest wide receivers list.

Dede Westbrook: 2015-16

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Coming in at No. 43 on the list, Westbrook compiled 2,267 yards and 21 touchdowns on 126 catches. He was a problem for many defenses in the Big 12 Conference.

What ESPN Says…

Despite playing only two years — at a school that has produced endless wideout talent, no less — Westbrook stood out. As Baker Mayfield’s go-to in 2016, Westbrook caught 80 passes for 1,524 yards and 17 TDs as a senior.

Ryan Broyles: 2008-11

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Coming in at No. 21 on the list, Ryan Broyles was one of the most consistent Oklahoma pass catches. During his time in Norman, Broyles racked up 4,586 yards and 45 touchdowns on 349 receptions.

What ESPN Says…

No power-conference receiver has ever gained more career receiving yards than Broyles (a feat made even more impressive by the fact that he missed four games during his senior season), and only Michael Crabtree’s 134-catch campaign in 2007 can top the 131 Broyles generated in 2010.

Report: 49ers interested another former Jags WR

The 49ers gave Marqise Lee a brief look, now they are looking at another former Jags receiver.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted their share of receivers over the last five years and some have worked out, while others haven’t. One of those who has been the most puzzling to figure out is former receiver Dede Westbrook, who saw a significant decline in play time last season and ended his time with the Jags with an unfortunate ACL injury Week 7 against Los Angeles.

However, since free agency has started, Westbrook has received a good amount of interest, and once late June arrives, he’ll be eight months removed from his injury. Earlier in the month it was revealed that the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings all had some type of interest, but it appears another team has joined the mix. That team is the San Francisco 49ers, who’ve seeming been looking at help at receiver this offseason, and recently signed former Jags Marqise Lee for a brief period.

With the most significant part of free agency over with, it makes sense that teams would start taking chances on a player like Westbrook, who is coming off a significant injury, but has proven to be a playmaker on occasions. Bright offensive minds like Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid could especially give Westbrook a chance at a resurgence, and as the season gets closer, it appears he’ll have a decision to make.

Westbrook will enter the season with 160 catches for 1,720 career receiving yards and nine touchdowns. His best season came in 2017, where he was able to haul in 66 catches for 717 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also could help a team as a returner with 47 punt returns for 461 yards and a touchdown to his name.

49ers in contact with another former Jaguars WR

The 49ers are looking to add depth to their receiving corps, and talked to former Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook.

The Marqise Lee experiment was brief, but the 49ers are now in contact with another former Jaguars wide receiver in their quest to bolster their depth at that position. NFL insider Josina Anderson on Monday reported San Francisco had preliminary talks with free agent WR Dede Westbrook.

Westbrook is returning from a torn ACL he suffered in late October last season, and expects to be ready for at least some of training camp after surgery in November according to Anderson.

The pickings at receiver are slim at this point, and Westbrook had fallen out of favor in Jacksonville last year after a couple strong seasons in 2018 and 2019. He was inactive for the Jaguars in five of the team’s first seven games, and managed just one catch for four yards before his injury.

His two years prior to that were strong enough though to warrant a look from the 49ers. Westbrook in 2018 and 2019 combined for 132 catches, 1,377 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 31 games.

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Report: Former Jags WR Dede Westbrook drawing interest

The former Jaguars receiver has reportedly been in contact with players from the Chiefs, as well as with the Bengals and Vikings.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the decision this offseason not to extend the contract of receiver Dede Westbrook, and though he remains a free agent and didn’t receive a deal during the initial free agency rush, there seems to be some interest now.

According to a report from Josina Anderson, players with the Kansas City Chiefs have reached out to Westbrook to gauge his interest in joining the team. Additionally, the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals have shown interest in Westbrook, as well.

The Jags’ fourth-round pick in 2017, he surpassed 650 yards receiving in 2018 and 2019. But with the emergence of D.J. Chark (and Laviska Shenault in 2020), Westbrook saw his targets decline. He entered the 2020 season fourth on the depth chart, but a torn ACL landed him on the injured reserve list after Week 7. In the seven games he did appear in, he made just one grab for four yards.

Ignoring his injured season, Westbrook was decently productive for Jacksonville, and it’s hard to believe the 27-year-old won’t get another shot. Landing with a contender like the Kansas City Chiefs may just bury him within a deep group when considering their talent, but a team like the Cincinnati Bengals still may have some space for him.

Westbrook was a standout for Oklahoma in college, winning the Biletnikoff Award for the best pass-catcher in college football his final season with the Sooners. Despite being a bit undersized at 6-foot, he’s been too productive in the NFL to not be on a roster at this point.