Tag: Michael Burton

UDFA rumors: Former UCLA RB Carson Steele to sign with Chiefs

UDFA rumors: Former UCLA running back Carson Steele is signing with the Kansas City #Chiefs

The impact of pre-draft visits goes a long way for players before the stressful weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs held their meetings like many of the other 31 teams around the league, and although some of the players’ names weren’t called at the podium, they still found a home with a team.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Former UCLA running back Carson Steele will sign with Kansas City after going undrafted. Steele was one of the many players who visited Kansas City ahead of the NFL Draft, getting an early indication that there was mutual interest. The Indianapolis native led the MAC in rushing yards in his second season at Ball State before transferring to UCLA.

In 2023, Steele rushed for 847 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Bruins. He is projected to be a hybrid fullback and could be a part of the offense missing from Andy Reid’s system since Michael Burton’s departure.

The Chiefs didn’t draft a running back, so they have Clyde Edwards-Helaire slated as the third-down option and backup to Isiah Pacheco on the depth chart. As a versatile fullback, Steele could earn him a spot on the team, especially if his blocking is up to the task.

For more Chiefs UDFA signings, follow our tracker.

Broncos used an NFL rule to lower FB Michael Burton’s salary cap hit

Thanks to the NFL’s Veteran Salary Benefit rule, Broncos FB Michael Burton will have a salary cap hit lower than his total salary in 2024.

The Denver Broncos re-signed fullback Michael Burton to a one-year deal last week. Terms of that contract are now known.

The Broncos utilized the NFL’s Veteran Salary Benefit rule to give Burton a lower salary cap hit than his salary, according to the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson. Burton’s one-year deal will have a total value of $1,377,500, but his cap hit will be $1,152,500.

That’s thanks to the VSB rule that helps veterans re-sign on cap-friendly deals instead of being replaced by younger, cheaper options on rookie contracts. Burton’s base salary will be $1.21 million, and he also received a $167,500 signing bonus.

Because his salary is not guaranteed, Denver could release Burton with a “dead money” cap hit of just $167,500 and a net savings of $985,000. The fullback seems likely to make the 53-man roster, though, after he played well on special teams and as a blocker on offense in 2023.

We are tracking all of the team’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

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Rutgers football in the NFL: Michael Burton re-signs with the Denver Broncos

Former Rutgers football fullback Michael Burton is re-signed by the Denver Broncos.

On the second day of NFL free agency, fullback Michael Burton re-signed with the Denver Broncos. He was a fifth round pick in the 2015 NFL draft out of Rutgers.

Burton had 17 total yards last season. The former Rutgers standout participated in 189 offensive snaps last year with the Broncos, more than he had the previous two seasons, combined.

He was in for the Broncos on 18 percent of all offensive snaps.

His 290 special team snaps were the most in his career. Last year was his first with the Broncos. Previously, Burton spent two years with the Kansas City Chiefs where he won Super Bowl LVII.

Burton played his high school football at West Morris (Chester, New Jersey). He was part of Rutgers football’s 2010 recruiting class and joined the program as a Preferred Walk On (PWO).

News of Burton’s new contract was broken by Jason McCourty of the NFL Network. McCourty, a former All-Big East defensive back at Rutgers), and Burton are both represented by powerful agent Kevin Malast (who also is a former Rutgers standout).

 

He had an offer list that included Lehigh, Maine, Monmouth, New Hampshire and Towson among others.

Burton’s play at fullback is valuable in the Broncos’ offensive scheme under head coach Sean Payton.

In his career, he has 202 yards of total offense from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

6 in-house free agents Broncos should re-sign in 2024

The Broncos should make re-signing safety P.J. Locke a priority during NFL free agency.

The NFL’s free agency negotiating window will open on March 11. If the Denver Broncos do not give contract extensions to their in-house free agents before that date, other teams will be allowed to negotiate deals with Denver’s looming free agents.

The new league year and the official start of NFL free agency will kick off on March 13 and all signings can become official on that date.

The Broncos seem likely to lose center Lloyd Cushenberry. Denver has to clear salary cap space and Cushenberry is expected to get a big deal on the open market.

Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell is another in-house free agent to keep an eye on. Jewell had a $7.22 million salary cap hit last year and Denver might not be willing to commit that much cap space again in 2024.

While losing both Cushenberry and Jewell seems possible (maybe even probable), the team has a few other contributors who should be easier to re-sign. Here’s a quick list of six in-house free agents the Broncos should try to re-sign in March.

PFF names Broncos FB Michael Burton a 2023 All-Pro

Broncos FB Michael Burton made PFF’s 2023 All-Pro Team after leading all fullbacks with a 67.2 run-blocking grade this season.

Pro Football Focus, the prestigious sports analytic site geared toward college and NFL football, announced their 2023 All-Pro Team last week and Denver Broncos fullback Michael Burton made the list.

Although Burton only carried the ball seven times for nine yards, according to PFF his impact landed more than just on carries or lack thereof.

“There aren’t many true fullbacks in today’s NFL, but of the 15 players to record at least 50 snaps lined up as a fullback this season, Burton led the way in PFF run-blocking grade (67.2),” Gordon McGuinness wrote on PFF’s website.

While teams don’t employ fullbacks, due to the NFL leaning toward pass-heavy attacks, Payton used Burton to help establish a physical component to their offensive attack. However, was Burton used due to Russell Wilson’s limitations? Will Payton lean toward the aerial attack and draft a QB that favors his New Orleans Saints days in 2024? Whichever way Payton lands, it doesn’t take from the impact Burton made with the Broncos this season.

In addition to Burton, Broncos long snapper Mitchell Fraboni was also named a second-team All-Pro by PFF (Ross Matiscik of the Jacksonville Jaguars got the first-team nod).

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Broncos CB Pat Surtain snubbed by 2023 AP All-Pro Team

Broncos safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims earned second-team AP All-Pro recognition. Cornerback Pat Surtain was snubbed.

The Associated Press announced its 2023 NFL All-Pro Team on Friday and two Denver Broncos players made the cut.

Broncos safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims received second-team recognition. Surtain was snubbed.

Surtain (23) totaled 69 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one interception this season. Simmons (30) recorded 70 tackles, eight pass breakups, three interceptions and one sack (he also missed two games due to injury). Mims (21) averaged 26.5 yards per kickoff return and 16.4 yards per punt return this season.

Surtain was named to the NFLPA’s All-Pro Team, and Simmons, Surtain and Mims were all elected as AFC starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl.

Additionally, Pro Football Focus named Denver fullback Michael Burton to its All-Pro Team, and Broncos long snapper Mitchell Fraboni earned a second-team All-Pro nod from PFF.

Simmons and Surtain were named first-team AP All-Pros last season. Denver’s secondary is in good hands with Simmons and Surtain leading the way, despite PS2’s omission this year.

18 Broncos players scheduled to become free agents in March

The Broncos’ list of players scheduled to become free agents in March includes Lloyd Cushenberry, Josey Jewell, P.J. Locke and Wil Lutz.

The Denver Broncos wrapped up their 2023 season on Sunday afternoon and attention now turns toward the 2024 NFL offseason.

The Broncos will be in a bit of a salary cap mess this offseason (a mess that will become even more complicated if quarterback Russell Wilson is released), but they can find ways to make things work.

Once they sort things out, Denver will have to make decisions on in-house free agents. The Broncos have 18 players scheduled to become free agents in March, 14 of which will be unrestricted free agents. If Denver does not give contract extensions to those UFAs before the new league year begins, those players will be free to sign with any team.

The Broncos also have three restricted free agents that Denver will have the option to “tender,” giving them a right of first refusal to match any offer made to those RFAs (and compensation if an RFA leaves).

The Broncos also have one exclusive rights free agent, a player who has no option but to re-sign with Denver if given an offer from the club.

Here’s a quick look at the Broncos’ full list of players scheduled to become free agents this spring, including UFAs, RFAs and an ERFA.

Sean Payton identifies unsung hero from Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s touchdown

Jarrett Stidham and Lil’Jordan Humphrey deserve praise, but coach Sean Payton also pointed out an unsung hero on the play: Michael Burton.

The Denver Broncos’ best play from their 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week was a 54-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham and wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey both deserve praise for the score, but coach Sean Payton also pointed out an unsung hero on the play: fullback Michael Burton.

“If you watch that play and you guys will at some point I hope, watch Burton in the pickup,” Payton said after the game. “There’s times when we bring him on just from a physicality standpoint.

“He does a great job of picking up the A-gap pressure player, and it doesn’t seem like a lot, but what it did was allow ‘Stiddy’ to have a pocket to kind of climb. If you don’t get that pressure while it’s in the gap, then it’s a lot more difficult and the play doesn’t happen. I’d say [Burton’s] block was important.”

After that key block, Burton then ran down the field to deliver more key blocks to help Humphrey reach the endzone.

Here’s the play:

Notice Burton, who lines up in the backfield with Stidham before delivering a key block, then bolts down field to continue blocking.

That kind of play exemplifies why Payton signed Burton during free agency last spring. Burton is scheduled to become a free agent again in March, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Payton bring him back for another season.

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Pro Bowl voting update: Good news and bad news for Broncos players

Be sure to cast your #ProBowlVote for these deserving Broncos players!

Initial results from fan voting for the 2024 Pro Bowl are in and they offer a mixed bag for Denver Broncos players.

The Broncos have five players ranked among the top 10 vote-getters at their respective positions, but Denver also has a few very notable omissions.

Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry has received the tenth-most fan votes at his position (fifth-most among AFC centers). Safety Justin Simmons has received the third-most votes at safety (second in the AFC behind Geno Stone of the Ravens). Kicker Wil Lutz has received the eighth-most votes (fourth-most in the AFC). Ex-Denver kicker Brandon McManus (now with the Jaguars) has received the ninth-most votes among kickers.

Broncos returner Marvin Mims ranks ninth among returners (fourth in the AFC). It’s going to be hard for any AFC returner to top Dolphins returner Braxton Berrios in fan voting given that Berrios is dating a social media influencer, likely leading to more votes for him on social media.

Denver fullback Michael Burton ranks eighth among fullbacks in fan voting (fourth among AFC fullbacks). It’s not very difficult to rank among the top ten at fullback given that there are 12 fullbacks in the entire NFL, with half of them in the AFC. Former Broncos fullback Andrew Beck ranks above Burton at No. 6 among FBs.

That’s the good news for Broncos players — Cushenberry, Simmons, Lutz, Mims and Burton rank among the top ten at their respective positions. The bad news is that cornerback Pat Surtain, guard Quinn Meinerz, wide receiver Courtland Sutton and left tackle Garett Bolles do NOT rank among the most popular fan choices at their respective positions for the Pro Bowl.

AFC cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (Dolphins), Cam Taylor-Britt (Bengals), Rasul Douglas (Bills), L’Jarius Sneed (Chiefs) and Kenny Moore (Colts) all rank above Surtain. The fact that neither Surtain nor Sauce Gardner are among the top ten suggests that fans are voting based on interception stats instead of based on overall performance.

AFC guards Kevin Zeitler (Ravens), Joe Thuney (Chiefs), Joel Bitonio (Browns), Quenton Nelson (Colts), Trey Smith (Chiefs) and Robert Hunt (Dolphins) rank above Meinerz. AFC offensive tackle Terron Armstead (Dolphins), Laremy Tunsil (Texans) and Dion Dawkins (Bills) rank above Bolles.

AFC receivers Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Keenan Allen (Chargers), Stefon Diggs (Bills), Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals) and Tank Dell (Texans) rank above Sutton. Dell is now sidelined by injury, so Sutton might move up in fan voting over the next few weeks.

Fan voting is not over yet — it runs through Christmas — so there’s still time to vote for your favorite players at NFL.com/ProBowl. It’s also worth noting that fan voting only accounts for one-third of the vote (the other two-thirds of the voting is done by coaches and players). So the Broncos players not doing well in fan voting (most notably Surtain) will likely make up ground when players and coaches vote later this month.

The 2024 Pro Bowl will be a flag football game in Orlando next February with Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) serving as coaches.

4 ex-Saints made Sean Payton’s first 53-man roster with Broncos

Broncos coach Sean Payton has four ex-Saints on his 53-man roster in Denver.

Sean Payton finalized his first 53-man roster with the Denver Broncos earlier this week and it includes four of his former players from the coach’s time with the New Orleans Saints.

Payton kept three players on offense — tight ends Adam Trautman and Chris Manhertz and fullback Michael Burton. On special teams, Payton acquired kicker Wil Lutz in a trade with New Orleans on the day of roster cuts.

The Broncos also signed four former Saints to their practice squad, including two players who spent time with Payton in New Orleans. Here’s a quick look at the former Saints who have reunited with Payton in Denver.