Timmy Jernigan reverses course after agreeing to a deal with the Houston Texans

Timmy Jernigan not signing with the Houston Texans

Timmy Jernigan appears to be out in Houston and the Philadelphia Eagles will likely be out of a compensatory pick.

Adam Schefter via Jernigan’s Instagram account is reporting that the defensive tackle has reversed course on joining the Texans.

The reversal by Jernigan is a hit to the Eagles’ chances of landing a compensatory pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

With Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Javon Hargrave, Hassan Ridgeway, Anthony Rush, Albert Huggins, Bruce Hector, and undrafted rookie free agent Raequan Williams on the Eagles roster, Jernigan will likely have to find employment in another city besides Philadelphia.

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Texans 2020 NFL draft target: TCU DT Ross Blacklock

The Houston Texans need help along their interior defensive line, and former TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock could be a premium option.

If the Houston Texans want to use one of their top two selections to beef up their interior defensive line, then former TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock should be an option.

Mark Schofield of the Touchdown Wire listed his 11-best defensive tackles coming out in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the former Horned Frog came in at No. 4.

His athleticism and quick first step make him very enticing. Disruption on the interior is not something you can get every play, but Blacklock brings that potential to an NFL team. His effort and motor will endear him to his defensive line coach, and his willingness, or even his desire, to attract double-teams will endear him to the linebackers flowing to the football from behind him. The scheme fit piece will be a big component, but in the right environment he can be a disruptive force for a defensive front.

In Schofield’s evaluation, he also writes that there is an apt comparison between Blacklock and new Texans free agent defensive tackle, Timmy Jernagin. If the Texans were willing to add Jernigan to the fold with his skill set, then Blacklock should at least get consideration given he is a similar player.

“Teams and fans are going to get a leader,” Blacklock told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February. “I’m a natural-born leader as a player. It’s something that just grew a part of me as an athlete — a guy that’s going to be accountable at all times, holds people to high standards, like myself. I want people to hold me to a high standard just like I will hold them to a higher standard as well.”

At 6-3, 290 pounds, Blacklock would have to add some weight to play the nose for the Texans, but he would be willing to do whatever it takes to excel at the professional level.

“I don’t do it for money,” said Blacklock. “Of course you get paid a lot of money, but I just do it for the passion of football.”

Texans agree to 1-year, $3.75 million deal with former Eagles DT Tim Jernigan

Timmy Jernigan agrees to 1-year deal with Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have strengthened their defensive front, agreeing to a one-year deal with former Eagles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan.

Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Jernigan was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles along with the 99th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft in exchange for the Eagles’ 74th pick in the draft.

Jernigan’s career was derailed by injury after signing a massive contract extension with the Eagles three years ago.

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7 remaining free agents who can still help the Lions before the draft

7 remaining free agents who can still help the Lions before the 2020 NFL draft

The NFL free agent market isn’t exactly the barren toilet paper aisle at the local superstore, but after two weeks of frenzied shopping, it’s pretty picked over. There are still some goodies stocked on the shelves, however.

If the Detroit Lions want to spend more of their remaining salary cap room to continue to stock the roster shelf before the draft, they will find a few remaining free agents worthy of putting in the cart.

Here are seven free agents I believe can still help fill some needs on the Lions, listed in alphabetical order and covering the gamut from premium to bargain-basement.

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5 DTs the Ravens could sign now after pulling Michael Brockers offer

The Baltimore Ravens aren’t going to sign DT Michael Brockers which leaves them with a big hole to fill. These five names could be an answer

With the Baltimore Ravens pulling their offer from free-agent defensive tackle Michael Brockers, it puts the team in an odd spot. All the top free agents have already signed, including their own in Michael Pierce, leaving the Ravens with a huge hole in the center of their defensive line. Baltimore will now have to take a look at a picked over free-agent market to hopefully find a replacement.

The Ravens still have some options and don’t necessarily have to rush to make any moves. They could look to the 2020 NFL Draft or even the second wave of free agency following the draft when aging players get cut. But with no guarantees in either situation, Baltimore could look at these five defensive tackles as options right now.

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Shelby Harris

Harris doesn’t have the same size as Brockers, falling three inches and 15 pounds lighter. But Harris can play all over the defensive line and was productive last year for the Denver Broncos.

Over the last three years, Harris has started 22 of the 48 games he’s played in, notching an interception, forced fumble, 14 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and 122 combined tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 76.8 overall grade last season, which ranked 17th among defensive linemen.

Harris has been a little hot and cold throughout his career. The question for the Ravens is if they feel he can remain more consistent with Baltimore and handle a sizeable workload as more of a space-eating defensive tackle.

4 players the Eagles should let walk in 2020 free agency

Ronald Darby among players the Eagles should let walk in free agency

NFL free agency is less than three weeks away and with the NFL draft approaching as well, it’s a great time to start shaping the Eagles 2020 roster on paper.

With 18 players set for free agency, Howie Roseman can’t keep them all and nor should he want to.

The Eagles have needs at several key positions and with a youth movement scheduled, here are four free agents the Birds should let walk next month.

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1. Ronald Darby CB 26 UFA –

Darby returned to the Eagles in 2019 after signing a one year deal and he again finished the season on injured reserve. Darby is likely to move on as the Eagles look to restructure the secondary.

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