Just when I think I can calmly wrap up Day 1 of the NFL Free Agency period, the Los Angeles Rams slip a trade in at 1 a.m. EST. The Rams are sending defensive end William Hayes to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Miami’s sixth round pick. The Dolphins also get the Rams’ seventh round pick.
#Rams agree to trade William Hayes to Miami Dolphins
Trade Details 📰 » https://t.co/YvyBpGSUv0 pic.twitter.com/uu3G4IDHLQ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 10, 2017
The move frees up $5.5 million in precious cap money for the Rams, who have been shockingly active in the first 36 hours of free agency. Hayes was a Jeff Fisher pet, but a productive one. Last year he started 14 games for the Rams and recorded 43 tackles and five sacks.
The Dolphins opened the day re-signing their own man, safety Reshad Jones, to a five-year, $60 million extension. Jones missed most of last season with an injury, but was probably the best safety in football in 2015, finishing with five picks and two defensive touchdowns.
After spending the last four seasons in Kansas City and Tennessee, tight end Anthony Fasano returns to Miami with a free agent deal. Fasano played with the Dolphins from 2008-2012.
More Bucs moves
In addition to DeSean Jackson and Chris Baker, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also re-signed Jacquizz Rodgers and safety Chris Conte. Conte gets a new, two-year, $5 million contract. Last season Conte had 64 tackles, one fumble recovery, five pass defenses, two interceptions and touchdown.
Rodgers was productive when he played last season, carrying the ball 129 times for 560 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
More 49ers moves
San Francisco added three more players on day one as well, with the biggest get being linebacker Malcolm Smith, stolen from across the bay at Oakland. Smith signed a five-year, $26.5 million deal with the Niners. Last season Smith notched 113 tackles, defended three passes, forced two fumbles, recovered one and picked off a pass.
49ers and former Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith agreed to a 5 year, $26.5M deal.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 9, 2017
The 49ers also brought in tight end Logan Paulsen, kicker Robbie Gould and wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, who played for 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta last season. According to the NFL Network, they’ll also add former Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers didn’t make free agent tackle Russell Okung stay unemployed long. Thursday he signed a four-year, $53 million deal with $13.2 million guaranteed. The Chargers will also get to keep safety Jahleed Addae with a four-year extension.
.@Chargers signing OT @RussellOkung to 4-year deal.
(via @RapSheet + Josina Anderson) pic.twitter.com/PjzNfk7g3U
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 9, 2017
Last year Addae picked up 48 tackles, defended four passes and picked off one pass which he took to the house.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will retain the services of defensive end Courtney Upshaw. They managed to steal away defensive end Jack Crawford from the Dallas Cowboys, signing him to a three-year, $10.3 million agreement. Crawford had 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. Upshaw had 23 tackles and half a sack. The team re-signed tight end Levine Toilolo to a three-year, $12 million deal. Toilolo caught 13 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns last season, averaging 20.3 yards per catch.
The Falcons cut defensive lineman Tyson Jackson.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have set up a family reunion, signing free agent left tackle Matt Kalil to play on the same line as his brother, center Ryan Kalil. The move shores up the Panthers’ offensive line issues and allows the team to push Michael Oher to right tackle. Oher missed most of last season with concussion symptoms and has yet to be cleared to play at all.
Former Vikings' OT Matt Kalil expected to sign with brother Ryan's Panthers if no snags in final talks, per sources. Kalil brother reunion.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Other moves
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed backup quarterback Landry Jones to a two-year, $4.4 million contract.
The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Barkevious Mingo to a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
Former first round offensive tackle Luke Joeckel will join the Seattle Seahawks after signing for a single season.
The New York Giants shouldn’t need a new fullback for a while after signing a four-year, $18 million deal with Rhett Ellison.
Safety Johnathan Cyprien will be patrolling the back end in Nashville after signing with the Tennessee Titans.
The New York Jets re-signed offensive lineman Ben Ijalana with a two-year, $11 million contract.
The Kansas City Chiefs did not pick up his second-year contract option, making quarterback Nick Foles a free agent.
To be continued…
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