Tag: Waivers

Is now the right time for the Saints to sign Odell Beckham Jr.?

Odell Beckham Jr. has flirted with the Saints before, saying they were the right team at the wrong time. Now that he’s been waived again, should they bring him in?

Odell Beckham Jr. has flirted with the New Orleans Saints before, saying they were the right team at the wrong time for him. Now that he’s being waived by the Miami Dolphins, should his hometown team bring him in?

It’s tough to see them meeting his criteria. Beckham wants a larger role than he’s had on the Dolphins (12 targets and 9 catches for 55 yards across 9 games), which the Saints could offer him given all their injuries at the position. But if he wants to join a playoff contender, that’s not where New Orleans stands at 5-8. Teams he’s played for in the past like the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens are both in the thick of the playoff race and those reunions might be more appealing.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Beckham is going on waivers like every other veteran this time of the year. That means he won’t have his choice of teams as a free agent unless he clears the waiver wire. A team that claims him (like the Saints) would be on the hook for about $200,000 for the final four games which easily fits under the salary cap. He isn’t really in a position to protest a landing spot given his low numbers this year, especially if the reason he sought a release from Miami was more targets on another team.

Let’s keep it real: Beckham isn’t the same player he once was. He’s 32 and hasn’t averaged even 50 yards per game since 2019. But the Saints need more help at receiver and it doesn’t seem like Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed are coming back any time soon. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has had success since joining the Saints (he currently leads the team with four touchdown catches this season, in just five games), so maybe Beckham could see a resurgence, too. You just have to wonder what his other goals are and whether he has any interest ending the year on a team dealing with instability at quarterback.

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Commanders claim former Vikings, Patriots receiver off waivers

With Noah Brown out, the Commanders added a veteran replacement.

The Washington Commanders will likely be without wide receiver Noah Brown for the rest of the season. On Wednesday, head coach Dan Quinn informed the media that Brown suffered a serious injury in the Week 13 win over the Titans and will be out for “a while.”

“He’s going to be out for a while, and so he had a significant internal injury from the game,” Quinn said of Brown. After expressing how much the team would miss Brown, Quinn acknowledged he’d likely be out for the remainder of the season. 

So, in another move, Washington claimed wide receiver K.J. Osborn off waivers. Osborn, 27, was released by the New England Patriots on Tuesday. Osborn signed with the Patriots in March after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings.

Osborn appeared in seven games for the Patriots this season, catching seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. However, the 2020 fifth-round pick from the University of Miami (Fla.) was coming back three consecutive productive seasons with the Vikings, where he caught 50, 60, 48 passes, respectively. He has 16 career touchdowns.

In his first two NFL seasons, Osborn had some experience returning punts and kickoffs for the Vikings.

After the addition of Osborn, Brown likely heads to injured reserve. This means more opportunities for players such as Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, and Olamide Zaccheaus.

But, with Osborn, he gives the Commanders some experienced depth and a player that has been productive recently in the NFL.

Saints should consider recently-waived former first round cornerback

Why the Saints should consider bringing in recently-waived cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, the former Washington Commanders first-round pick:

The New Orleans Saints’ cornerback room has had quite a bit of shuffling in recent weeks, with Paulson Adebo out for the year and Marshon Lattimore being traded off to the Washington Commanders. This has left the Saints with only five cornerbacks on the 53-man roster, two of whom were just brought there in Shemar Jean-Charles and Ugo Amadi, as they both came from the practice squad. The full depth at the position is something like:

  • Alontae Taylor
  • Kool-Aid McKinstry
  • Rico Payton
  • Shemar Jean-Charles
  • Ugo Amadi (nickel)

While Alontae Taylor has played well and been exceptionally explosive, and Kool-Aid McKinstry has been solid, there has been ups and downs with the rest of the group.

Ugo Amadi against the Cleveland Browns allowed 11 receptions on 12 targets (91.7%) for 96 yards, allowing a 100.0 passer rating, while also picking up four missed tackles on 11 attempts (36.4%).

Rico Payton absolutely deserves more playing time from what we saw in preseason, as he only has 21 snaps so far this year in the four games he has been in.

Finally, Shemar Jean-Charles, who in two games has allowed 7 receptions on 10 targets for 143 yards and a touchdown, worth a 106.3 passer rating against, with 1 missed tackle on 5 attempts. While he does have an interception, that was about the extent of his highly positive plays.

So, why should the Saints consider adding Forbes?

Well, first off, you are wasting absolutely nothing to bring him in and just see if you can spend some time developing him. He would end up being a waiver claim, which means he would be added with his current rookie scale contract. The need at corner is there beyond the top two at the position, and rather than use draft capital on the position (if possible), maybe you could snag someone serviceable off waivers and make other decisions with that draft capital. If he doesn’t pan out, you lost no picks and can revert back to drafting one anyways (or re-signing Paulson Adebo if that is their preferred alternative).

You have six regular season games left this season, and the ability to develop cornerbacks at a high rate from what we have seen with Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry (so far), and even Isaac Yiadom. The scheme allows for cornerbacks to flourish as they run the 4-2-6 lineup, allowing for an extra defensive back to come on the field at the expense of a third linebacker, hence why Willie Gay or Pete Werner sub off for presumed pass downs. Ultimately this gives the Saints a chance to grab and try to develop a young cornerback without trading anything away in the process.

What has gone wrong so far in his first two seasons?

One of the biggest issues for Forbes is he has been asked to play a lot of off-coverage, where he drops before the snap and is asked to stick with the receiver. His speed and lower weight would lead you to believe this is the right call, so the logic behind that decision is sound, but the receivers have been able to leverage short routes on the outside to counter that. So how do you fix it? You let the guy who ran a 4.35 40-yard dash shadow the receiver, and consider letting him press on a few snaps to see if he can offset the timing.

The other issue in his game is he has struggled with allowing the deep ball, giving up 16.3 yards per reception in his rookie year, and this season allowing 13.3 per reception on a limited snap count. Does most of this fall on him and his inability to contest at the catch point? No doubt. But you also have to consider that the safeties behind him in Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn have had down years in coverage as well, and you have to have some level of trust in your deep secondary to cover you over the top. The Commanders have run right around league average percentage zone coverage at 69.4%, which is slightly on the higher end of that middle group of teams. This could also be contributing to those problems as well, as zone is much more reliant on safeties in the deep game than man is, which does not suit Forbes whatsoever.

This is a similar result to what has happened with Shemar Jean-Charles and Ugo Amadi, as those two have run the highest percentage of man coverage on the team (61.8% and 62.0% respectively) and that has led to them struggling, even with Tyrann Mathieu deep. Then you look at Alontae Taylor, someone with a similar frame and play style to Forbes, and he has 57.9% zone coverage, the 101st highest percentage compared to 58th and 61st.

Why would the Saints be an optimal fit?

My belief is the Saints would be the perfect chance for Forbes to reset, find a new way to play the game, and develop with some other great defensive backs. He would have the chance to learn from a player with a similar frame and play style in Alontae Taylor, who has worked both in the slot and outside, so maybe that is ultimately where Forbes resides due to his speed and size.

The Saints have a former long-time defensive backs coach in Joe Woods running the show at defensive coordinator, and another one in Marcus Robertson working as the secondary coach. This would give Forbes the chance to learn from two minds that have specifically tailored their craft to get the best out of their secondary, which is exactly what he needs at this point in time.

Additionally, there is room for playing time as he grows over time. As previously mentioned, the cornerback position is extremely slim for the Saints, and for the future they need someone to come in and play slot with Alontae Taylor moving outside. This provides Forbes immediate opportunity to get reps if he is ready, or if not, a chance for something to work at.

Finally, Forbes would have two former teammates from his last squad to work with as well, in Chase Young and John Ridgeway III. Chase Young has been exceptional at getting pressure this season and has had a large role with the Saints over the course of the season. John Ridgeway III has also seen a snap bump in recent games, as he has 153 defensive snaps and 35 special teams snaps so far in 8 games played.

All of these could be boons to the success of Forbes, and could all help him develop into the potential he had coming into the NFL draft only one and a half years ago. Why not take a shot and see what happens if you’re the Saints?

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Titans claim former Colts cornerback off waivers

Titans look to division rival for cornerback depth.

The Tennessee Titans continue to remake their secondary. In the offseason, the Titans traded for L’Jarius Sneed and signed Chidobe Awuzie in free agency, giving them one of the NFL’s better cornerback tandems for 2024.

Tennessee didn’t stop there, selecting Jarvis Brownlee Jr. in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Brownlee was one of the Titans’ defensive standouts in training camp.

On Thursday, the Titans added more help to their secondary, claiming former Colts cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. off waivers. In a corresponding move, Tennessee placed rookie linebacker Cedric Gray on injured reserve.

Baker is the third player the Titans claimed off waivers since Wednesday, joining linebacker Ali Gaye and defensive back Julius Wood.

Baker, 26, was undrafted out of Georgia Southern in 2022. After initially signing with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent, he was waived during final cuts that summer. He signed with the Colts’ practice squad in September of that year and was activated to the 53-man roster later that season.

Baker made the Colts’ roster last summer, appearing in 14 games with six starts. He signed a one-year extension in January, but was waived this week.

Baker has played in 17 games in two NFL seasons, making six starts, and has recorded 35 tackles and seven passes defended.

Baker joins a Tennessee cornerback depth chart featuring Sneed, Awuzie, Roger McCreary and Brownlee. That’s a much-improved unit for the Titans.

 

Dennis Allen on roster moves: ‘This is who we’re going to battle with’

Some roster moves will be made over the next few weeks, but Dennis Allen makes it clear options are slim at this point

The initial 53 man roster and practice squad is never the final roster and practice squad. The New Orleans Saints have already made a few transactions since roster cut day. Dennis Allen made it clear there isn’t going to be many huge moves made and the what you see is the core of the team.

Allen was asked if there was any particular area on the roster he wanted to add more depth, and he expressed comfort in the guys currently on the roster.

Over the next couple weeks, the Saints will continue to search for players that fit. For example, the Saints made a trade for John Ridgeway shortly after roster cuts. The trade featured a player and late round picks. The Saints aren’t in play for a Brandon Aiyuk-type player, so the Ridgeway trade is the type of move that could be made.

Dennis Allen said, “You’re always looking for ways you can improve the roster. But the reality is that when you get to this point. there’s not a lot of options that come available. There are a few moves to take place, but for the most part this is who we’re going to battle with.”

This is the team for better or worse. People may want a new right tackle, for example, but it’s unlikely that guy comes along via roster cuts. At this point, New Orleans has to go out and win or lose with who’s on the roster.

Kene Nwangwu waived due to failed physical a day after signing

Kene Nwangwu offered a potentially exciting kick return duo with Rashid Shaheed, but a failed physical stopped that thought in its tracks.

There was immediate excitement when the New Orleans Saints claimed running back Kene Nwangwu off waivers Wednesday. Unfortunately, Nwangwu failed his physical on Wednesday which led to him hitting waivers again.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was familiar with Nwangwu from his time in Minnesota. Nwangwu offered explosion that would have made a slightly bigger sample size an interesting possibility in New Orleans. His primary role would be as a returner, though.

Nwangwu was an All-Pro returner in 2022 and could have paired with fellow All-Pro returner, Rashid Shaheed, to give the Saints a dangerous tandem under the new return rules.

Prior to signing Nwangwu, Mason Tipton, Taysom Hill and Alontae Taylor joined Shaheed in taking kick return reps at practice.

K.J. Henry posts classy goodbye message to Washington

K.J. Henry thankful for his time in Washington.

K.J. Henry immediately became a fan favorite after the 2023 NFL draft when fans realized his father, a college football coach, was a longtime Washington fan.

When K.J. Henry received the call that he was coming to Washington, his father went upstairs, put on an old Redskins’ hat and jersey, and came back downstairs and embraced his son. It was a special moment.

We would later learn more about the special relationship between father and son. The younger Henry would use NIL money he earned at Clemson to help find a kidney for his father.

Henry played in 10 games as a rookie for the Commanders, but he was waived on Tuesday as Washington cut its roster to 53 players. Unsurprisingly, the Cincinnati Bengals claimed Henry on waivers on Wednesday.

Henry fondly remembered his short time in Washington and took to X to show his appreciation to the DMV and the Commanders.

Well over 100 Washington fans responded to Henry’s message, wishing him well.

Cutdown days are challenging for all 32 NFL teams but much harder for players. Sometimes, it takes longer for players to gather their emotions after their dream has ended. Henry did something many players don’t often do: show gratitude to the team that brought him into the NFL.

Pair of Cowboys DBs claimed off waivers, headed to AFC

From @ToddBrock24f7: Eric Scott Jr. and Julius Wood both flashed with their preseason play but failed to survive roster cuts. Now they’re on new 53-man rosters.

As NFL teams look to finalize their rosters for the 2024 season, many clubs are scouring the week’s cut lists to do so.

The Cowboys have seen two of their promising defensive back prospects claimed off waivers by AFC opponents ahead of Wednesday’s midday deadline.

Cornerback Eric Scott Jr., a sixth-round draft pick just last year out of Southern Mississippi, has been awarded to the Kansas City Chiefs. While he didn’t appear in any games for Dallas as a rookie, he did have a productive preseason, logging an interception versus the Rams and showing flashes during training camp with multiple pass breakups in practice.

Safety Julius Wood has been claimed by the Tennessee Titans. Wood joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina this spring. Wood also impressed during the three exhibition contests, notching a pair of picks and recording 11 tackles.

As waiver wire pickups, Scott and Wood will go immediately to the 53-man rosters for their new teams. The Chiefs and Titans will each have to make a corresponding roster move- cut a player who survived Tuesday’s releases- in order to make room.

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The Cowboys were not awarded any players via waivers; it was not immediately known if they submitted any claims.

Several of the players initially released by Dallas– including Josh Ball, Jalen Cropper, Malik Davis, and Carl Lawson- were brought back after they officially cleared waivers for a spot on the Cowboys’ 2024 practice squad.

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Former Packers OL Royce Newman claimed off waivers by Buccaneers

Former Packers offensive lineman Royce Newman was claimed off waivers by the Buccaneers on Wednesday.

After spending three years with the team, the Green Bay Packers released offensive lineman Royce Newman during Tuesday’s final roster cutdowns. On Wednesday, Newman was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A 2021 fourth-round draft pick, Newman played in 51 games and made 24 starts in Green Bay, 16 of which came as a rookie. The team initially hoped Newman would develop into a reliable starter at right guard, but unfortunately, that potential never fully materialized. His next two seasons were marked by miscues and blown blocking assignments, which gradually pushed him down the depth chart.

Green Bay restructured Newman’s contract during the offseason to make his deal more affordable. However, even that didn’t secure him a roster spot.

According to Pro Football Focus, Newman played 146 offensive snaps over three preseason games. He excelled in pass protection, earning an impressive pass-blocking grade of 84.7 while surrendering zero sacks and no pressures. However, he struggled as a run blocker, receiving a much lower grade of 46.8.

The Packers ultimately chose to keep 10 offensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster, opting for youth and upside over Newman’s experience. At 27 years of age, Newman could still be a valuable depth piece if he can regain his footing in the NFL.

Seahawks lose OLB Jamie Sheriff, LB Jon Rhattigan to waiver claims

Seahawks lose OLB Jamie Sheriff, LB Jon Rhattigan to waiver claims

Releasing a player and exposing them to the waivers claim process always comes with a risk. Unfortunately, the Seattle Seahawks were burned on two occasions when Wednesday’s claims were officially processed by the league office. The Carolina Panthers claimed Seahawks EDGE rusher Jamie Sheriff and off-ball linebacker Jon Rhattigan, according to multiple sources.

 

Both Rhattigan and Sheriff were waived during Tuesday’s final roster cuts. Sheriff is the one Seahawks fans will especially mourn. The rookie undrafted free agent from South Alabama recorded three sacks during the preseason and was a constant thorn in the backside of quarterbacks. He finished just half a sack away from leading the league in exhibition sacks.

The Seahawks clearly didn’t think Sheriff was ready for regular-season football. Instead of keeping him on the active roster, general manager John Schneider traded for veteran EDGE Trevis Gipson, who made the team. Sheriff was waived as a result, and the Panthers used their top waiver-wire priority to pounce on his availability.

The issue between the Seahawks and Rhattigan was apparently salary related. By claiming Rhattigan, the Panthers are inheriting his base salary of $2.985 million, which the Seahawks felt was bloated, per Bob Condotta. Again, the Panthers utilized their top priority here.

The Seahawks revamped their linebacker room earlier this offseason. Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson are expected to serve as the starters. They also drafted Tyrice Knight, and recently traded for rookie linebacker Michael Barrett, who is expected to re-join Seattle via the practice squad after he was waived on Tuesday. All of those moves made Rhattigan and his salary more expendable.

It’s worth acknowledging new Panthers general manager Dan Morgan worked under Schneider for five years in Seattle, first as a scout (2010), and later as assistant director of pro personnel (2011-14). Carolina’s staff features various ex Seahawks coaches, including their head coach Dave Canales. It’s not surprising that the Panthers opted to claim two Seahawks players.

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