Whatever happened to...? Hey, where is...? Is there a Hokie on my favorite team? Don't worry: we've got you covered, team by team. As players come and go, we'll update this stream as expediently as possible.
Arizona Cardinals
Logan Thomas –QB
Experience: Rookie
Contract: TBD
Scoop: Thomas was drafted in the 4th round (#120 overall) by the Cardinals, becoming the 3rd Hokie QB to be drafted since 2000 (Michael Vick 2001, Tyrod Taylor 2011). The Cardinals currently have three other QB’s on their roster: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, and Ryan Lindley. Thomas is not expected to compete for the starting QB job currently held by Palmer. Rather, the intriguing piece here will be which QB’s the Cardinals elect to keep around, as they’re quite unlikely to carry 4 on their 53 man roster. Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians has gone on record as having said Thomas has the best arm he’s seen in the last decade. He gushes about LT3 here (helmet sticker to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com):
"When you are talking about a developmental quarterback, and in these rounds that’s what they all are, you want a guy who’s got all the tools," Arians said. "Outstanding intangibles, one of those guys everyone gravitates to.
"Now, is he ready to play? No."
Arians took part personally in the workout the Cardinals put Thomas through at Virginia Tech back in March. Arians said Thomas was hurt by coordinator changes and a lack of offensive talent in college, and called his accuracy issues "easily correctable" with better footwork.
For more on Logan’s selection, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to GC's own Flyers13).
Eddie Whitley –S
Experience: 1 contracted year, has appeared with the Cowboys (’12), Eagles (’12-13), Saints (’14), and Cardinals (’14-present)
Contract: In April, Whitley signed a 2-year, $930,000 deal with the Cardinals. He is slated to make $420,000 in 2014.
Scoop: After going undrafted in 2012, Eddie signed as an UDFA with the Cowboys, but was released in their final roster cutdown following the preseason. He spent the final 4 weeks of the 2012 season on the Eagles’ practice squad and resigned with the team on Dec 31, 2012. He was waived by the Eagles with an injury settlement in August 2013 and landed on the Saints’ practice squad in January 2014. In April, he signed with the Cardinals and will look to finally stick to a roster in Arizona this fall.
Atlanta Falcons
Hokieless.
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Hopkins –DT
Experience: Rookie
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Hopkins went undrafted in 2014 and signed a free agent deal with the Ravens. For an in-depth look at Skip Hopkins’s prospects of making the Ravens’ 2014 roster, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to...um...me).
Tyrod Taylor –QB
Experience: 4 years, all with the Ravens
Contract: In 2011, Taylor signed a 4-year, $2, 145,308 million contract with the Ravens that contained a $105,308 signing bonus. He is set to make $645,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Taylor was drafted by the Ravens in the 6th round (#180 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft. He has seen very limited regular season game action behind Ravens franchise QB Joe Flacco. Scheduled to be a free agent in 2015, it is highly unlikely he resigns with the Ravens, as their doubts about him fitting into their "system" and being better suited to backup one of the league’s scrambling QB’s began to leak out just before the 2014 NFL Draft. The Ravens did not select a QB in the draft, so odds are Tyrod plays out the remaining year of his contract in Baltimore and tests the open waters next year.
Buffalo Bills
Hokieless.
Carolina Panthers
Hokieless.
Chicago Bears
Kyle Fuller –CB
Experience: Rookie
Contract: On May 14, Fuller signed a 4-year deal (with a 5th year club option) worth $9.687 million, with a reported $5.3 million guaranteed signing bonus. His base salary for 2014 is a reported $1.761 million.
Scoop: Fuller was drafted in the 1st round (#14 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Bears. Bears GM Phil Emery gushed about his new toy here (helmet sticker to Larry Mayer of chicagobears.com):
Scouting Fuller in person last season at Georgia Tech, Emery marveled at how the cornerback was so willing to disrupt running plays by penetrating inside between the center and guards.
"I knew that day that that's the type of player that I wanted to represent the Chicago Bears," Emery said. "They lined him up as an inverted safety and ran him through the ‘A' gap against an option team. He was crashing through gaps, which means he had to go through offensive linemen to get to the ball, and he did that repetitively.
"That's very impressive. You don't see too many 190-pound guys willing to do that. That just tells you a lot about him as a football player and giving it up for his team."
While Fuller mentioned during his introductory conference call Thursday night that he could play safety if asked, the Bears plan to keep him at cornerback.
"That's how we see him," Emery said. "And we see him as a guy that has a lot of versatility in terms of covering different types of athletes. That's where his length really helps him. You see him on tape covering the North Carolina tight end [Eric] Ebron, you see him cover inside slots or bigger receivers, you see him cover outside. So that versatility of coverage is a big attraction for Kyle."
For more on Kyle’s selection, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to GC's own Flyers13).
Josh Morgan –WR
Experience: 7 years with the 49ers (’08-’11), Redskins (’12-13), and Bears (’14-present)
Contract: In April, Morgan signed a one-year free agent deal with the Bears worth $730,000.
Scoop: Morgan was drafted by the 49ers in the 6th round (#174) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He worked his way up the ladder and into the Niners’ starting lineup by the first week of his 2nd pro season. The next two seasons saw Morgan post career highs each year, but a broken right leg landed him on IR in 2011 and he left for his hometown Redskins in the 2012 free agency cycle. He signed a 5-year contract with the Skins that contained $12 million ($7.5 million guaranteed) the first two years with the final three voidable by the club. Morgan started opposite Pierre Garcon in 2012, but lost his starting position to young buck Leonard Hankerson in 2013. The Redskins voided the final 3 years of his contract, and Morgan headed to Chicago in free agency. Obviously, the Bears will start receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, but Morgan is set to battle Marquess Wilson for the #3 WR spot.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bruce Taylor – ILB
Experience: 2014 is Bruce’s second consecutive free agent go-round with the Bengals.
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Taylor was released from the Bengals in the 2013 preseason, after failing to crack a roster deep at inside linebacker. During his time with the Bengals, he notched 9 preseason tackles on 57 snaps. He was resigned by the Bengals on January 6, 2014.
Cleveland Browns
Andre Smith –TE
Experience: 2 years with the Bears (’11), Colts (’12), Cowboys (’12-’13), and Browns (’14-present)
Contract: In January, Smith signed a 2-year, $1.05 million contract with the Browns. He is set to make $570,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Smith was signed by the Bears as a UDFA after the 2011 NFL Draft and spent the first 8 weeks of the season on their practice squad before being elevated to the Bears’ roster but being labeled as inactive the season’s final 8 weeks. In the offseason, he was released by the Bears and picked up by Dallas. Smith was the 4th TE the Cowboys carried on their active roster due to his blocking ability and he appeared in 3 games for the ‘Boys, before ultimately being waived in 2013 due to his lack of special teams play. The Browns acquired him in late November 2013. He will look to be a blocking TE for the Browns in 2014.
Dallas Cowboys
Hokieless.
Denver Broncos
Will Montgomery –C
Experience: 9 years with the Panthers (’06), Jets (’07-’08), Redskins (’08-’13), and Broncos (’14-present)
Contract: Montgomery signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Broncos in April. His contract also provides bonuses and/or escalators based on playing time.
Scoop: Montgomery was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 7th round (#234) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played in 6 games his rookie season before being waived in September 2007. He was picked up by the Jets, where he played roster hop on/hop off for two years before signing with the Redskins in December of 2008 and settling into a starting role first at right guard, then at center and only missing 3 games for the Redskins from 2008-2013. Expressing a desire to get cheaper at the position, the Redskins waived Montgomery in March 2014. He signed with the Broncos and will compete with incumbent starting center Manny Ramirez for the honor of snapping the ball to Peyton Manning in 2014. A bonus for both Montgomery and Ramirez is that both possess both the size and skill set to play either center or guard, adding to both their value and their chances to remain a starter for the upcoming season.
Vinston Painter –OT
Experience: 1 year with the Broncos
Contract: Painter signed a 2-year rookie deal with the Broncos worth $930,000 and no money guaranteed. However, in January 2014, he signed a restructured 5-year deal worth $2.625 million.
Scoop: Painter was drafted in the 6th round (#173) of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He spent most of 2013 stashed on the Broncos’ practice squad as a developmental right tackle. In January, the Broncos promoted him to their 53 man roster after the 49ers showed interest in signing Painter off the Broncos’ practice squad for depth in the NFC Championship Game. Painter was inactive for both the AFC Championship Game and the Broncos’ Super Bowl trouncing at the hands of the Seahawks. The Broncos drafted RT Michael Schofield out of the University of Michigan in the 3rd round (#95), so Painter looks to have some stiff competition for a roster spot moving forward.
Detroit Lions
Corey Fuller –WR
Experience: 1 year with the Lions
Contract: Fuller initially signed a 4-year $2.28 million contract with the Lions, but he was waived and resigned for a reserve/future contract value of 2-years, $930,000. He is scheduled to earn $465,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Fuller was drafted by the Lions in the 6th round (#171 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was waived by the Lions in late August 2013 and resigned and subsequently stashed on the Lions’ practice squad last season as he developed. The Lions drafted Notre Dame WR T.J. Jones in the 6th round (#189 overall) this year and signed Appalachian State wideout Andrew Peacock as a UDFA, so Fuller certainly cannot become complacent in his pursuit of being on an NFL roster for the upcoming season.
Darryl Tapp –DE/LB
Experience: 9 years with the Seahawks (’06-’09), Eagles (’11-’12), Redskins (’13), and Lions (’14-present)
Contract: In March, Tapp signed a one-year, $920,000 deal with the Lions that contained a $65,000 signing bonus. He is scheduled to make $855,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Tapp was drafted by the Seahawks in the 2nd round (#63 overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. Aside from the 2007 season in which he started all 16 games for the Seahawks, he has been a special teamer and rotational rush DE. In his career, Tapp has accumulated 214 tackles, 25 sacks, 17 passes defended, 9 FF, 8 FR, 2 INT and 1 TD. In Detroit, he will be reunited with former Eagles’ DL coach Jim Washburn.
Green Bay Packers
Jarrett Boykin –WR
Experience: 3 years, all with the Packers
Contract: In 2012, Boykin signed a 3-year, $1.44 million deal. He is scheduled to take home $570,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Boykin went undrafted in 2012 and signed with the Jaguars. He was cut in May 2012, signed with the Packers, and made their roster for the 2012 season. In 2013, a long-term injury to WR Randall Cobb afforded Boykin the opportunity to step up and prove himself in game action, and Boykin thrived, becoming a reliable target for former MVP QB Aaron Rodgers. The departure of WR James Jones to the Raiders in free agency has kept the door open for Boykin who, despite the Packers’ draft additions of 3rd rounder Davante Adams (Fresno State), 5th rounder Jared Abbrederis (Wisconsin) , and 7th rounder Jeff Janis (Saginaw Valley), looks to be the Packers’ #3 receiver in the fall.
Houston Texans
Duane Brown –LT
Experience: 7 years, all with the Texans
Contract: In 2012, Brown signed a contract extension with the Texans for 7 years worth $56.2 million. The deal contains a $12.5 million signing bonus and $22.08 million guaranteed. In 2014, Brown is slated to bank $6 million.
Scoop: Brown was selected in the 1st round (#26 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Texans, becoming the 2nd Hokie OL to ever hear his name called as an NFL first-rounder (Eugene Chung, 1992). He started every game as a rookie, and has held down the prized LT spot for the Texans ever since, becoming one of the game’s elite pass-blockers. Brown was named to the 2012 Pro Bowl and was also voted an All-Pro that same year. In 2014, he will protect the blind side of a quarterback whose name is yet to be determined by current Houston Head Coach Bill O’Brien.
Indianapolis Colts
Hokieless.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Hokieless.
Kansas City Chiefs
Brandon Flowers –CB
Experience: 7 years, all with the Chiefs
Contract: In 2011, Flowers signed a 6-year contract extension with the Chiefs worth $49.35 million that included a $10 million signing bonus and $22 million guaranteed. His 2014 base salary is $5.25 million.
Scoop: Flowers was drafted in the 2nd round (#35 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. An elite cornerback with exceptional ball-skills, Flowers has quickly proven himself to be one of the NFL’s elite DB’s and has helped resurrect the Chiefs’ underachieving defense. A 2013 Pro Bowl selection, Flowers has started 87 games in his career and amassed 92 passes defended, 17 INT (3 returned for TD), 4 FF, and 5 FR. Rumor has it that the Chiefs floated his name in recent trade talks due to his contract value. The rumor appears to have legs, as the Chiefs appeared to plan for a future without Flowers by drafting former Rice CB Phillip Gaines in the 3rd round (#87 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Miami Dolphins
Tariq Edwards—LB
Experience: Rookie
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Edwards went undrafted in 2014 and signed a free agent deal with the Dolphins. For an in-depth look at Tariq’s prospects of making the Dolphins’ 2014 roster, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to me again).
Minnesota Vikings
Antone Exum –S
Experience: Rookie
Contract: TBD
Scoop: Exum was selected in the 6th round (#182) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Vikings. A standout CB at Virginia Tech—though injured the last two seasons—he is projected to transition to Strong Safety at the professional level. Exum can definitely come up and smack a ball carrier, but at safety, will have to learn to be more consistent in his tackling. Exum should excel under current Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, as he possesses enough skill to cover athletic slot receivers and isn’t afraid to come up and bang with a big-bodied TE. For more on Exum’s selection, check out this nifty article.
Jack Tyler—LB
Experience: Rookie
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Tyler went undrafted in 2014 and signed a free agent deal with the Vikings. For an in-depth look at Jack’s prospects of making the Vikings’ 2014 roster, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to GC’s own J_Mitchell_62).
New England Patriots
Hokieless.
New Orleans Saints
Shayne Graham –K
Experience: 12 years with the Saints ('00), Seahawks ('01), Bills ('01), Seahawks again ('02), Panthers ('02), Bengals ('03-'09), Ravens ('10), Giants ('10), Patriots ('10), Redskins ('11), Cowboys ('11), Dolphins ('11), Ravens again ('11), Texans ('12), Browns ('13), Steelers ('13), and Saints again ('13-present)
**Note: Gotta love the life of a Kicker. Whew.
Contract: In February, Graham inked a one-year deal with the Saints for the 10-year veteran minimum value of $955,000.
Scoop: Graham went undrafted in the 2000 NFL Draft. He made his professional debut in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League's now-defunct developmental league, AF2. He signed as a UDFA with the Saints in June 2000. After bouncing around the League a bit, Graham found a home with the Bengals, where he set the franchise record for field goal accuracy in 2003, making 88% of his field goals on the season (22/25). Since leaving the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent in '09, Graham has again bounced around the league, usually being called upon by a contending team late in the season once their starting kicker goes down with an injury or finds himself with a case of the "yips". Graham (again) landed with the Saints in December 2013 after they cut ties with the struggling Garrett Hartley. Graham kicked for the Saints throughout the playoffs, booting the game-winner versus the Eagles in the Wild Card round, then missing two field goals in the Saints' Divisional Round loss at the hands of the Seahawks. The Saints have one other kicker on their roster as of May 14: the University of Illinois's Derek Dimke, who signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints in January (that activated as of the start of the new league year in March). Clearly, the Saints aren't married to either kicker, as the other is still around. At his salary, though, it's pretty safe to say that as long as Graham is on the roster, he will be the starting kicker.
New York Giants
Jayron Hosley –CB
Experience: 3 years, all with the Giants
Contract: In 2012, Hosley signed a 4-year, $2.637 million deal which included a $515,000 signing bonus. He is scheduled to earn $570,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Hosley was drafted in the 3rd round (#94) of the NFL Draft by the Giants. He has struggled with various lower-body injuries since entering the league. Reportedly, he is on the roster bubble in 2014 after the Giants were unusually aggressive in free agency, signing CB’s Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond, and Zack Bowman, and took a late-round flyer on Bennett Jackson out of Notre Dame.
David Wilson –RB
Experience: 3 years, all with the Giants
Contract: In 2012, Wilson signed a 4-year, $6.684 million contract with the Giants that contained $5.4 million in guaranteed money and a $3,301,456 signing bonus. His base salary for 2014 is $997,682.
Scoop: Wilson was drafted by the Giants in the 1st round (#32 overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. An explosive, speedy back, he has yet to realize his full potential as a professional. Unfortunately, he has the current reputation around the league of being a fumbling machine due to his recent propensity to give up the football. In 2013, Wilson suffered from a herniated disc in his neck and spinal stenosis, which led to a trip to IR and mid-January neck surgery. Wilson is scheduled to be fully cleared and return for the start of training camp, but he will certainly have his work cut out for him to return to his former starting position: the Giants added Rashad Jennings, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, in free agency and spent a 4th rounder on former Boston College workhorse Andre Williams.
New York Jets
Michael Vick –QB
Experience: 13 years with the Falcons (’01-’06), Eagles (’09-’13), and Jets (’14-present)
Contract: In March, Vick signed a 1-year, $4 million contract with the Jets. His deal included a signing bonus of $1 million and contains another potential $1 million via incentives.
Scoop: Vick was drafted #1 overall by the Falcons in 2001. He is Virginia Tech’s second #1 overall draft pick (Bruce Smith, 1985), and is also the 1st African-American QB ever selected #1 overall. In 2006, he became the first NFL QB to ever rush for 1,000 yards in a season, also setting a record for averaging 8.4 ypc. In his career to date, he has passed for 21,489 yds and 128 TD and rushed for 5,857 yds and 36 TD. He is a 4-time Pro Bowl selection (’02, ’04, ’05, ’10), and won the 2010 AP Comeback Player of the Year award. Vick became a free agent this past cycle after playing out his contract with the Eagles and elected to sign with the Jets, where he will be the first QB in Jets history to wear #1.
Oakland Raiders
D.J. Coles—WR
Experience: Rookie
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Coles went undrafted in 2014 and signed a free agent deal with the Raiders. For an in-depth look at D.J’s prospects of making the Raiders’ 2014 roster, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to GC’s own 1Iron).
Philadelphia Eagles
Roc Carmichael –CB
Experience: 4 years with the Texans (’11-13) and the Eagles (’13-present)
Contract: Carmichael signed a 2-year deal with the Eagles worth $1.05 million. He is set to make $570,000 in 2014.
Scoop: Carmichael was drafted by the Texans in the 5th round (#127 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He suffered a shoulder injury early on and missed his entire rookie year. He was stashed away on the Texans’ practice squad until mid-September 2013, when the Eagles signed him away from the Texans. Originally thought to be signed for special teams or to provide depth behind 2012 draftee, undersized slot-corner Brandon Boykin, the Eagles pulled a fast one and left Boykin inside, giving Carmichael a shot outside at CB. He managed to contain the Packers’ Jordy Nelson in a late-season matchup with the Packers, earning him a little breathing room with Eagles’ brass. The Eagles spent a 2014 4th round draft choice on former Florida CB Jaylen Watkins—he’s the man Carmichael will look to outplay for a roster spot in 2014.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Danny Coale –WR
Experience: 1 contracted year, has appeared with the Cowboys (’12-13), Colts (’13), and Steelers (’14-present)
Contract: In January 2014, the Steelers signed Coale to a 1-year reserve/future contract worth $420,000.
Scoop: Coale was drafted in the 5th round (#152) by the Cowboys in the 2012 NFL Draft. He suffered a broken toe early on in Dallas that kept him out of OTA’s and most of training camp. Largely due to the injury, he was resigned to the Cowboys’ practice squad. Then, that same November, Coale tore his ACL. He again was relegated to the practice squad due to swelling in his surgically-repaired knee last fall before he was waived in mid-September of 2013. Two days later, Coale was signed to the Colts’ practice squad; he lasted only a week there before being released again. In January 2014, the Steelers signed Coale to a reserve/future contract. He is expected to compete with an array of guys practically no one has ever heard of to hold down the Steelers’ #3 receiver spot behind Darrius Heyward-Bey and Antonio Brown.
Jason Worilds—OLB
Experience: 5 years, all with the Steelers
Contract: In March 2014, the Steelers signed Worilds to a fully guaranteed one-year, $9.754 million contract.
Scoop: Worilds was drafted by the Steelers in the 2nd round (#52 overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. A 4-front defensive end at Virginia Tech, he has developed into a solid 3-4 edge rusher and reportedly, along with Redskins OLB Brian Orakpo, would have been one of the hottest free agent commodities had he reached the open market this past free agency cycle. The Steelers decided to slap the transition tag on Worilds, resulting in his current contract as he and the team theoretically progress toward a long-term deal.
St. Louis Rams
Hokieless.
San Diego Chargers
Nick Becton –OT
Experience: 2 years, all with the Chargers
Contract:
Scoop: Becton went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft and signed a free agent deal with the Chargers. He made the team’s practice squad and was eventually promoted to their active roster in late-September 2013. In mid-November, he was again released by the Chargers, again cleared waivers, and was resigned to their practice squad. He will look to climb back up to the active roster in 2014.
Eddie Royal—WR
Experience: 7 years with the Broncos (’08-’11) and Chargers (’12-present)
Contract: In March 2012, the Chargers signed Royal to a 3-year, $13.5 million contract containing $6 million guaranteed, including a $4.5 million prorated signing bonus. In 2014, he is slated to earn $1.75 million (and $2.75 million of his signing bonus).
Scoop: Royal was drafted in the 2nd round (#42 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He was selected by then-Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, reportedly for his strength at getting off the line and beating press man coverage. His faith in Royal was rewarded when Eddie had a breakout rookie year, amassing 980 receiving yards and 5 TD. His 91 receptions as a rookie are the second-most in NFL history (Anquan Boldin – 101). Then, the bottom fell out: Shanahan was fired, Jay Cutler traded to the Bears, and the Broncos’ next two head men (Josh McDaniels & John Fox) reportedly only saw Eddie as a special teams player. Shanahan allegedly tried to lure him to Washington in free agency with a low-rent deal; but, Royal elected to sign with the Chargers as part of their post-Vincent Jackson WR makeover. Despite a series of lower-body injuries early on in San Diego, Royal has been a productive slot receiver/punt returner for the Chargers.
San Francisco 49ers
Hokieless.
Seattle Seahawks
Kam Chancellor –SS
Experience: 5 years, all with the Seahawks
Contract: In April 2013, Chancellor inked a 5-year contract extension with the Seahawks worth $29.323, including a $5 million signing bonus, $17 million of guaranteed money, and another $5.7 million available via incentives. His base salary for 2014 is $4.725 million.
Scoop: Chancellor was drafted by the Seahawks in the 5th round (#133 overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played in all 16 games as a rookie but did not start until 2011, when he began the season as the starting SS. His strong season led to his being named to the 2012 Pro Bowl as a replacement for 49ers’ Dashon Goldson. Since, Chancellor’s career skyrocketed and he is widely recognized as one of the best SS’s in the league. Chancellor recently earned a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks, notching 9 tackles and an INT during the game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andrew Miller—OL
Experience: Rookie
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Miller went undrafted in 2014 and signed a free agent deal with the Bucs. For an in-depth look at Andrew’s prospects of making the Buccaneers’ 2014 roster, check out this nifty article (helmet sticker to GC’s own patsawyer11).
Tennessee Titans
James Gayle—DE
Experience: Rookie
Contract: UDFA
Scoop: Gayle surprisingly went undrafted in 2014 and signed a free agent deal with the Titans. For an in-depth look at James’s prospects of making the Titans’ 2014 roster, check out this nifty article (another helmet sticker to GC’s own flyers13).
Washington Redskins
DeAngelo Hall –CB
Experience: 11 years with the Falcons (’04-’07), Raiders (’08), and Redskins (’08-present)
Contract: In February 2014, Hall signed a 4-year, $17 million extension with the Redskins that included $5.4 million guaranteed. In 2014, he is set to make $1.25 million.
Scoop: Hall was drafted by the Falcons in the 1st round (#8 overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. His rookie season, he set the NFL record for youngest player to return an INT for a TD (21 yrs, 44 days). He starred in Atlanta, but was traded to Oakland (’08 2nd round pick & ’09 5th rounder) curiously, after displaying public support for then-legally embattled teammate Michael Vick. He agreed to terms with the Raiders on a 7-year $70 million contract that included $24.5 million in guaranteed money. He played 8 games in Oakland (for which he was paid $8 million: $7 million signing bonus and $1 million base salary) before signing with the Redskins, where he finished the season and has held down a starting cornerback spot since. In his career, Hall has started 143 games and has amassed 135 passes defended, 43 INT (5 returned for TD), 9 FF and 13 FR (4 returned for TD). He is a 3-time Pro Bowl selection (’05, ’06, ’10) and was the 2010 Pro Bowl MVP. He doesn’t appear to be leaving Washington anytime soon, as he signed a 4-year contract extension with the team in February 2014 which contains no guaranteed money after the 2014 season.