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Free Agent Roundup; Foles Agrees To Terms With Jags; Gore To Bills & More
In Jacksonville. ... The Jaguars had Nick Foles as their top target and they didn't waste any time reaching an agreement with the veteran signal caller.

The Super Bowl LII MVP is expected to sign a four-year, $88 million deal with the Jags. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Foles can make up to $102 million with incentives. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the deal includes just over $50 million in guaranteed money.

As NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman framed it, "The signing, which will become official when the new league year begins on Wednesday, ushers in a new era under center in Duval and brings another to a close."

The Jaguars are expected to release quarterback Blake Bortles when Foles' deal is made official on Wednesday. Bortles, who spent five years in Jacksonville and signed a three-year extension with the organization just 13 months ago, will be a free agent upon his release.

Jacksonville will have to pay $6.5 million of Bortles' 2019 salary, which was fully guaranteed when he signed his current contract last year.

Foles' potential market shrank when the Broncos traded for Joe Flacco and Washington acquired Case Keenum from Denver, leaving Jacksonville as Foles' only known suitor. The Jaguars hired John DeFilippo as their offensive coordinator in January. DeFilippo was Foles' quarterbacks coach with the Eagles in 2017.

Foles' primary objective this offseason was to find a team he could call his own following two incredible seasons as Carson Wentz's backup. He opted out of his contract with the Eagles by paying them back $2 million in February.

"I would love to lead a team," Foles said at the close of the 2018 season. "The starter thing, leading a team, impacting a locker room. ... That's why we play the game -- to impact people, to create an atmosphere."

Now he'll get that chance.

Originally drafted by the Eagles in the third round in 2012, Foles was traded to the St. Louis Rams before the 2015 season after a few up-and-down years in Philly and contemplated retirement following a difficult year in St. Louis. Instead, he rejoined coach Andy Reid as a backup with the Kansas City Chiefs before returning to Philly in a similar role in 2017.

As ESPN's Dan Graziano reminded readers, a signing that received little attention at the time proved to be one of the most important in Eagles history, as Foles took over for Wentz down the stretch that season and helped the team to its first Super Bowl title. He completed 73 percent of his passes -- an NFL single-season record -- and threw six touchdowns with one interception during that playoff run en route to being named Super Bowl MVP.

He proved that it was no fluke by saving the Eagles' season a second time this past year, helping them to three straight wins in place of an injured Wentz to close the regular season and a road victory over the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Jaguars finished 5-11 in 2018, and owner Shad Khan brought back executive VP of football operations Tom Coughlin, GM Dave Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone for 2019, but he said he expected significant improvement. Coughlin and Caldwell apparently believe that signing Foles instead of drafting a rookie gives them the best chance to return to the playoffs.

Although the Jaguars' defense did not sack the quarterback and force turnovers in 2018 at the rate it did in 2017, the unit still finished in the top five in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense. All but two -- and possibly three -- starters are expected to return in 2019.

With Foles as the starter, the Jaguars can concentrate on adding play makers on offense at tight end and receiver and addressing the right side of the offensive line in the early rounds of the draft.

Foles, 30, has completed 62 percent of his passes in 54 career games, with 68 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. He has the sixth-best career postseason passer rating (98.8) in NFL history.

As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio put it, "Though it often isn’t pretty, Foles gets it done. He’s cool under fire, and he finds motivation in those who doubt him. Even after everything that he accomplished in 2017 and 2018, the doubters are plentiful. And that’s good for Foles, and for the Jaguars.

"So keep doubting him, and he’ll keep finding a way to get it done — and to make his team better in the process. ..."

The Jaguars are banking on that being the case. ...

In Buffalo. ... Frank Gore and the Bills have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract, Schefter first reported.

Gore, who will turn 36 in May, started 14 games for the Dolphins last year and had 156 carries for 722 yards. In Buffalo he’ll join a backfield that also has a couple of 30-year-olds, LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory.

As PFT pointed out, adding running backs on the wrong side of 30 isn’t usually the way to build an NFL roster, but the Bills will hope that Gore, McCoy and Ivory can provide veteran leadership and help take some pressure off quarterback Josh Allen.

In addition, the Bills agreed to terms with former Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft on a three-year deal worth $18.75 million.

That's an average of $6.25 million per year and could be worth up to $21 million.

As Fansided.com recently noted, Kroft emerged as an effective player in 2017 racking up career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns while starting all 16 games for injured Tyler Eifert. He became a consistent go-to target for Andy Dalton. His impact was short-lived this past season as injury took him out early.

Kroft was developing nicely as a solid option in the tight end rotation, something that clearly wasn't lost on the Bills, who released Charles Clay last month (Clay recently signed with the Cardinals). The team also has Jason Croom and Logan Thomas on their roster, but neither are proven commodities. ...

In New York. ... The Jets are acquiring another pass-catcher for young quarterback Sam Darnold. The team has agreed to terms on a deal with Redskins receiver Jamison Crowder. Garafolo reports the expected deal for three years and is worth $28.5 million with $17 million fully guaranteed.

Crowder will likely slide into the slot alongside fellow Jets wideouts Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa. The 25-year-old can also contend with Andre Roberts on punt returns.

Last year, Crowder struggled with injuries and logged only 29 catches for 388 yards and a couple of scores in nine games for the Redskins. And for the fourth consecutive year, his catch percentage dropped and he posted a career-low 59.2 percent in that area. Of course, that figure may have been influenced by the quarterbacks he had to play with, but he also had four drops last season, tied for second-most on the team. His hands were also an issue at times in 2017, so this can’t be ignored.

As Fansided.com notes, Crowder still has game-breaking ability, as evidenced by his 79-yard touchdown catch this year, and he is a good route runner as well.

In New York, Crowder provides Darnold a shifty, speedy target in the middle of the field. Though the Jets still lack a true No. 1 receiver, Gang Green is not wanting for reliable pass-catchers with Crowder, Anderson, Enunwa and rising tight end Chris Herndon on the line of scrimmage.

The Jets are also closing in on an agreement with former Bears wideout Josh Bellamy.

Per Rapoport, this deal is expected to come in at two years with a maximum value of $7 million. He'll get $2.75 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Bellamy, 29, caught 14 passes last year for the Bears. He has more value as a special teamer, but should provide some experienced depth for a team looking to build up an offense around last year’s first-round pick.

In Indianapolis. ... Devin Funchess has agreed to terms with the Colts. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports it's a one-year, prove-it contract worth $13 million.

Funchess caught 44 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns for the Panthers last year and posted career highs of 63 catches for 840 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017. He had some solid moments after former GM Dave Gettleman traded up to take him in the second round in 2015. But like fellow big target Kelvin Benjamin (who was pawned off to Buffalo for a third rounder and eventually cut), the new administration wasn’t interested in keeping him around, building the offense around faster wideouts D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel instead.

In Indy, Funchess will provide a big-bodied counterpoint to the speedy T.Y. Hilton with Andrew Luck a more than capable triggerman.

For what it's worth, the Colts tendered talented but oft-injured wideout Chester Rogers at second-round level today. Rogers is a restricted free agent; the Colts will now get a chance to match any offers Rogers receives. ...

In Detroit. ... The Lions announced on Monday that they signed Danny Amendola. Former Steelers tight end Jesse James also agreed to terms with the team.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport advised his Twitter followers that Amendola inked a one-year deal that includes $4.5 million in guaranteed base salary. With incentives, that can bring him to $5.75 million.

Amendola enters his 11th NFL season after spending the 2018 campaign with the Miami Dolphins, where he appeared in 15 games (15 starts) and totaled 59 receptions for 575 yards and one touchdown. Prior to Miami, he spent five seasons with the New England Patriots (2013-2017) after beginning his NFL career with the St. Louis Rams (2009-12).

Amendola has appeared in 126 career regular season games (61 starts). His career totals include 485 receptions for 4,684 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 13 career postseason games, including three Super Bowl appearances, he has totaled 57 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns.

The move reunites the veteran wideout with GM Bob Quinn and HC Matt Patricia, both of whom were in New England during Amendola's tenure there.

He'll be s solid addition to the locker room and -- if he stays healthy -- on the field.

Meanwhile, James will help fill a glaring need for the lines. The former Steeler is capable of delivering as a receiver and blocker.

The 6-7 veteran has started 36 games for Pittsburgh, and while he hasn't had more than 43 catches in a season over his four-year career, his size and athleticism make him a threat.

Beyond that, Pro Football Focus graded him at a 76.8 in pass protection for the 2018 season, which could help to explain why his receiving numbers were not so great. With Vance McDonald serving as the “receiving” tight end, James was often used as an extra offensive tackle, and he was outstanding in his role.

Overall, Pro Football Focus graded James as the league’s number 30 tight end, grading him at a 66.4, which was above-average for his position. And the Lions need that.

In Tennessee. ... According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Garafolo, the Titans agreed to terms with former Buccaneers wideout Adam Humphries, taking another top slot threat off the market -- with Humphries being one of the NFL’s most efficient on third down. Multiple reports indicate his contract with the Titans expected to be $36 million over four years.

Humphries is coming off a standout season with the Bucs, as he had career-highs in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He finished his fourth season with 76 catches, 816 yards and five touchdowns.

He caught 219 passes for 2,329 yards and nine touchdowns over the last four seasons and, as Rotoworld pointed out, posted better than a 70 percent catch rate in his final two years with Tampa Bay. He gives Marcus Mariota a bankable possession solution between Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor. Beyond that, the 26-year old Humphries adds a reliable veteran presence to an otherwise young and inexperienced wideout group. ...

The Titans also announced they signed exclusive rights free agent David Fluellen to a one-year contract.

The running back will backup Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis and is a core special teams player.

He joined the Titans in 2015 as an undrafted free agent. Flulellen has played 23 games for the Titans the last two seasons.

Fluellen, 27, ended last season on injured reserve after injuring his knee against the Patriots on Nov. 11. He played seven games.

Fluellen has eight carries for 37 yards in his career and 11 special teams tackles.

In Chicago. ... There’s a new running back coming to the Bears backfield. As PFT reported, Mike Davis tweeted a bear emoji next to a smiling face one and multiple reports followed that confirmed he was referring to a deal with the Bears.

The two sides agreed to a two-year deal worth $6 million, a source told Rapoport. It has a max value of $7 million.

Davis’ arrival in Chicago could lead to Jordan Howard moving on. Recent reporting indicates the Bears have been shopping Howard, which would require another back to team with Tarik Cohen. This signing makes Howard’s departure a likelier turn of events.

Davis spent the last two years with the Seahawks.

He started all six games he played in 2017 and moved into a complementary role last season. He wound up running 112 times for 514 yards and four touchdowns. Indeed, Davis has proven to be a versatile player in an offensive landscape that demands it.

Not only was he the NFL's 37st best rusher with 514 yards on 112 attempts (4.6 yards per carry) along with four rushing touchdowns but he also provided 34 receptions out of 42 targets for an additional 214 yards and a touchdown. Rising from the fourth running back on the depth chart at the beginning of the season to the team's unquestioned third-down back and fill-in when Chris Carson was hurt, Davis put himself in position for a new opportunity. ...

Also. ... According to SiriusXM NFL Radio's Adam Caplan, the Bears and tight end Ben Braunecker agreed to terms on a two-year deal.

The Bears didn't tender him as a restricted free agent so getting a deal done early secures his services before he was able to hit the open market.

Remember, the Bears recently released veteran Dion Simms, so Braunecker will be third man on the depth chart behind Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen. The Harvard product caught three passes for 42 yards last season, but is also a key special teamer for the Bears.