Tag: free agency

Report: Warriors showing interest in Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley buried 224 3-pointers with the Bucks during the 2023-24 campaign.

While the Western Conference finals are underway in the NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors are already preparing for the offseason. After being eliminated from the play-in tournament, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Steve Kerr and the Warriors have questions to answer, starting with how they will handle free agency.

In the early stages of the offseason, the Warriors are reportedly showing interest in a sharpshooting soon-to-be free agent. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Warriors are showing an early interest in Milwaukee Bucks wing Malik Beasley. Along with the Warriors, the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are showing interest in Beasley, per Iko.

Via @KellyIko on X:

https://x.com/KellyIko/status/1792950368441159880

During the 2023-24 campaign, Beasley drilled 224 3-pointers with the Bucks, ranking 11th for made 3-pointers in the NBA. During his only season with the Bucks, the Florida State product average 11.3 points on 44.3% shooting from the floor to go along with 3.7 boards and 1.4 assists in 29.6 minutes per contest.

Beasley has played seven seasons in the NBA, with stops in Denver, Minnesota, Utah, Los Angeles and Milwaukee. The 27-year-old guard has averaged 38.5% from beyond the arc on 5.9 3-point attempts per game over his career.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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Bucs GM Jason Licht admits letting Jordan Whitehead leave was a mistake

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht admits he never should have let safety Jordan Whitehead leave two years ago

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcomed back a friendly face to their defensive backfield this offseason, signing veteran safety Jordan Whitehead to a two-year deal in free agency.

Whitehead, a fourth-round pick by the Bucs out of Pitt in the 2018 NFL draft, spent his first four NFL seasons in Tampa Bay, and was a key member of a secondary that helped bring a second Lombardi Trophy to One Buc Place.

But the Bucs didn’t re-sign Whitehead to a contract extension after his rookie deal expired, so he spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets.

Tampa Bay struggled to replace Whitehead’s impact next to Antoine Winfield Jr. on the back end of the defense over the past two years, so when Whitehead hit the open market again this offseason, Bucs general manager Jason Licht jumped at the opportunity to bring him back.

Appearing on the “Loose Cannons” podcast, Licht admitted that it was a mistake to let Whitehead walk in the first place:

Considering his experience in Todd Bowles’ system, Whitehead should have no problem making an immediate impact now that he’s back in Tampa Bay.

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Commanders LB Bobby Wagner named one of the NFL’s best players over 30

Bobby Wagner remains one of the NFL’s best.

The Washington Commanders were busy in March, signing more outside free agents than any other NFL team. It’s not like Washington went on any wild shopping spree; instead, it chose to sign players familiar with the coaching staff and committed to mostly one-year contracts.

The Commanders’ splashiest signing was also their oldest one. Linebacker Bobby Wagner will be 34 next month as he enters his 13th NFL season. However, Wagner remains one of the NFL’s top linebackers. He led the NFL in tackles last season.

While Wagner may not be the same player he was five years ago, he’s still outstanding and represents a monumental upgrade for Washington on and off the field.

Pro Football Focus recently named the 30 best players over 30 years old, and Wagner came in at No. 15.

Wagner remains one of the top linebackers in the NFL, recording a 91.1-plus PFF run-defense grade in each of the past two seasons. His coverage ability has taken a hit, though, as he’s only graded above 70.0 once in the past five seasons in that facet.

Wagner has only missed 10 career games, and it’s reasonable to believe he’ll be in the lineup each week for Washington this season, too.

In case you were wondering, Trent Williams was named the NFL’s best player over 30.

Are the Commanders stuck at offensive tackle?

Are the Commanders stuck with the current group at offensive tackle?

Some of us are checking the NFL transactions daily to see if another offensive tackle becomes available.

Washington general manager Adam Peters has made some moves at offensive tackle. Starter Charles Leno was released early this 2024 offseason. He then re-signed swing tackle Cornelius Lucas to a one-year deal to remain with the Commanders.

During the NFL draft, Peters selected TCU tackle Brandon Coleman with the 67th selection. In addition, the other starting tackle is Andrew Wylie, who is on the right side.

Today, a good friend told me, “I think the Commanders are stuck at tackle.”

There have been some available tackles out there for a while, but most have signed contracts now. In April, some later signings took place: the Dolphins re-signed Kendall Lamm for one year at $2.6M, Former Cowboy La’el Collins was signed by the Bills for one year ($1.8M), Andre Dillard signed with the Packers ($1.1M), the Eagles signed Mekhi Becton to a one-year deal, and A.J. Jackson re-signed with the Rams for one year at $4.9M.

In May, Andrus Peat signed a one-year deal with the Raiders, and Chris Hubbard signed a one-year deal with the 49ers.

So, who are the offensive tackles out there who remain unsigned?

The Chiefs haven’t exactly rushed to re-sign Donovan Smith, so perhaps his penalties might be a good reason for this.

David Bakhtiari has spent 11 seasons with the Packers but will be 33 in September.

D.J. Humphries has been with the Cardinals all his career (2016-2023).

Charles Leno has yet to be signed by anyone, and Geron Christian is also unsigned.

Ok, yes, I threw the last one in there to keep your attention.

Perhaps Peters honestly feels that unless another tackle is released in one of those post-June releases or there is a training camp release that interests him, he is going to stick with the current tackles on this Commanders roster.

In fairness, Peters can’t make all the deals he desires. Remember, he did attempt to trade back into the first round for a tackle and could not agree on compensation with another team.

Panthers named best fit for free-agent CB Stephon Gilmore

ESPN’s Matt Bowen believes the Panthers are the best fit for free-agent CB Stephon Gilmore.

After the first outing of organized team activities, Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn told reporters that there’s “plenty of room” when it comes to potentially adding Stephon Gilmore. Well, ESPN’s Matt Bowen would agree.

Bowen played matchmaker on Monday, finding the best fits for the NFL’s best remaining free agents. He connects Gilmore back to the Panthers—who do, in fact, have room:

Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has three corners to start in his nickel sets with Jaycee Horn and Dane Jackson on the boundary and Troy Hill in the slot. But there’s a lack of proven depth here, and the availability concerns with Horn are real. He played in six games last season and 22 over his first three pro seasons.

With Gilmore, the Panthers would be adding an established veteran who can play outside or at the nickel spot. And even though he will turn 34 years old this season, Gilmore still has the physical coverage traits and savvy technique to find the ball. Last season in Dallas, Gilmore had two interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

The latest development regarding a reunion between the former Defensive Player of the Year and the Panthers wasn’t a necessarily a positive one. Joe Person of The Athletic reported a few weeks back that there has been “no movement” towards a deal.

Gilmore, who turns 34 in September, would later tell NFL insider Josina Anderson that he’s waiting on a situation that works for him.

“I’m still focused on playing, but it has to be the right opportunity,” he stated. “I feel like it’s the age thing with some of these teams. If I was 28, I would already have been signed by now; at the same time, I know the value I still bring. If you watch the tape, I feel like I played well the last two years, and literally almost played every snap last year. So I’m staying patient, while watching my son who’s a wide receiver and cornerback lock people up on the field with his defensive back skills too.”

In addition to Horn, Jackson and Hill, the Panthers may be entering the 2024 campaign with D’Shawn Jamison, Dicaprio Bootle and/or fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade at the cornerback position.

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Panthers CB Jaycee Horn speaks on Xavier Legette’s growth from college

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn is already pretty familiar with the team’s 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette.

The Gamecocks have flocked to Charlotte.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn has been joined by a trio of fellow University of South Carolina players this offseason. He was asked about the additions following the first session of team organized activities on Monday.

“It is crazy having Gamecocks on the team,” he said. “I was in school with D.J. [Wonnum]. So I’m closer to him than [Jadeveon] Clowney because he was gone when I got there. But me and D.J. was there for two years. And it’s good having Clowney here.”

Wonnum, who played in Columbia, S.C. from 2016 to 2019, was the first Gamecock to sign on with the Panthers this spring. Clowney followed up two weeks later—inking a two-year deal worth up to $24 million.

But the Panthers weren’t done there. They’d go on to trade up into the 2024 draft’s 32nd overall slot to select wide receiver Xaiver Legette, who Horn is also pretty familiar with.

“I was there two years with X,” he said. “So we got a chance to have some practice battles and he’s a hell of a player. Now, we’re still gonna be competing every day. I’ma just be trying to help him a lot more and try to go as hard as I can against him so when he gets out there on Sunday, it’ll be a lot easier for him.”

Horn was then asked if he’s seen any growth out of Legette since their South Carolina days.

“Oh yeah,” he replied. “He’s a different receiver than when I was going against him in college. He got way more technical with his routes. Just works at a different speed. So I’m excited to see him this year.”

Legette broke out for the Gamecocks in 2023. He recorded 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns en route to a second-team All-SEC selection.

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Mickey Loomis says Saints made several attempts to re-sign Andrus Peat

Mickey Loomis says the Saints made several attempts to re-sign Andrus Peat. But the former Pro Bowler wanted to go somewhere he’s valued:

Every NFL team hopes to draft good prospects and develop them into great pros, and to see them play out their careers in the same uniform — so it’s disappointing when that doesn’t end up as planned. That’s the place the New Orleans Saints found themselves when Andrus Peat, a three-time Pro Bowl alternate left guard, left in free agency to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders.

General manager Mickey Loomis spoke about Peat’s situation at the Saints Hall of Fame golf tournament on Monday. He says the Saints tried to retain Peat once his contract expired, but the two sides couldn’t reach a deal.

“We made attempts to get him re-signed and he chose to go someplace else. Which, that’s what free agency is about,” Loomis reflected. “Andrus was a good pick for us, played for us for a long time, I’m excited for him. I know he’s got a new chapter he’s probably excited about a new team. I wish him nothing but the best of luck.”

It’s easy to understand things from Peat’s perspective. Last year he was asked to take a steep pay cut, and then he was benched to start the season — only to save Loomis and Allen’s skin when they needed him to play left tackle. He stepped into his college position for the first time in years after their handpicked choice, Trevor Penning, became a turnstile. And all offseason Loomis and Allen have spoken about Peat as if he were expendable.

So even if the Raiders aren’t paying him highly or guaranteeing him a starting job, at least they wanted him. The Saints already tried to get rid of him last year and they were willing to take on $13 million in dead money by letting him walk away. Those actions speak louder than their words. With Peat leaving town, the Saints have had to sign a number of veteran free agents like Oli Udoh, Shane Lemieux, and Lucas Patrick. We’ll see if any of them can fill in for him at left guard, and whether Peat is in the lineup when the Raiders visit New Orleans late in 2024.

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Where are the Commanders in ESPN’s post-draft power rankings?

Did the Commanders rise in the latest post-draft power rankings?

The 2024 NFL draft is over. NFL teams are now in the third phase of their offseason program and will have a mandatory minicamp next month before breaking for training camp in July.

NFL rosters are mostly set unless a team releases a veteran in a salary-cap move. This gives other teams a chance to add a potential starter, much like Washington did in 2021 with Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby McCain.

With 90-man rosters set, ESPN released its first power rankings since the NFL draft. After adding quarterback Jayden Daniels, did the Commanders move up in the power rankings?

Washington received plenty of praise for its draft haul and free-agency signings.

ESPN has the Commanders at No. 27, which is higher than where they ended the 2023 season. ESPN’s John Keim said Washington’s most improved position this offseason is at linebacker:

For the long term, they’re in a better spot at quarterback with Jayden Daniels. But he remains an unknown in the NFL. So for right now the Commanders improved their linebacking play considerably by adding Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Wagner might not be a Pro Bowl, three-down linebacker anymore, but he led the NFL in tackles (183) last season, and Luvu’s pass-rush ability — 12 combined sacks the past two years and 29 tackles for loss — will provide a boost.

It’s indisputable that linebacker is Washington’s most improved spot. Former first-round pick Jamin Davis is not a starter after the additions of Luvu and Wagner. Davis will have a role, but it will not be as an every-down linebacker.

The future looks good for the Commanders, but, as Keim noted, Daniels remains an unknown until he proves himself on the field. If Daniels is the player that Washington thinks he is, the Commanders are in excellent shape for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Free agency: Four players who hurt their stock in the playoffs

HoopsHype breaks down four impending NBA free agents who hurt their value, stock with their 2023-24 playoff performances.

Very often, an impending NBA free agent will get hot in the playoffs and up their value heading into the offseason when they can negotiate for a new contract.

Unfortunately, the opposite can also occur where a player who’s about to hit free agency will perform poorly in the playoffs and cost himself up to millions of dollars in free agency.

Below, we discuss four players we believe hurt their value, or stock, heading into 2024 free agency.

49ers roster: Most improved position group on defense

The 49ers most improved position group on defense isn’t hard to find.

The 49ers’ defense was good in 2023, but it lacked some of the edge that came to define that unit beginning in the 2019 campaign. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was let go this offseason and replaced with first-time coordinator Nick Sorensen in an effort to get San Francisco’s defense back on track. That wasn’t the only change that needed to be made though.

There was a personnel problem for the 49ers as well that sparked some of their defensive woes, particularly along the defensive line. It was clear they needed upgrades up front and they addressed those needs often during the offseason, making their defensive line the most improved position group.

Defensive end Nick Bosa didn’t put up another Defensive Player of the Year campaign, but despite notching just 10.5 sacks he was still excellent as an edge setter against the run and at pressuring quarterbacks. The pressures just didn’t turn into sacks as often as they had in the previous two seasons where Bosa averaged 17.0 sacks per year.

Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was also good despite not reaching the lofty standards he’d set with a dominant 2022 campaign for the Eagles.

Beyond that the 49ers had a ton of trouble finding production from their defensive line, which spurred a dramatic overhaul up front in the offseason.

DL Arik Armstead was released after not agreeing to a pay cut to stay with the 49ers. Neither DE Chase Young nor DE Randy Gregory were re-signed. DT Javon Kinlaw also exited in free agency.

With glaring needs up front, San Francisco signed Browns free agent DT Jordan Elliott and added DT Maliek Collins in a trade with the Texans. Both players have good track records as run stuffers which should help the 49ers shore up a run defense that got torched in the postseason.

They also secured DEs Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos in free agency to help lead the way in front of unproven players like Drake Jackson and Robert Beal Jr.

Floyd has consistently produced with at least 9.0 sacks in each of the last four seasons, while Gross-Matos offers the same type of versatility and upside that made Charles Omenihu such a valuable player for them in 2021 and 2022.

Adding proven veterans was something the 49ers didn’t do on the defensive front last year and it forced them to try and fix it on the fly mid-season. Now they’ve aimed to fix it in the offseason, and on paper it appears that group will be their most improved in 2024.

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