Alabama in the NFL Offseason Tracker: Seahawks Claim Former Alabama DB Savion Smith

Keeping up with the coming and going of former Alabama football players as the NFL gears toward the 2021 season

Kristi Patrick | May 6, 2021

Well it didn't take for former Alabama defensive back Savion Smith to find a new home in the NFL.

On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks claimed Smith off of waivers just one day after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys. The news was first reported by NFL Network.

Seattle will be Smith's third NFL team since the spring of August 2019.

May 5: Smith was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday afternoon.

He signed with the Cowboys in 2020 as an a free agent and spent most of the season on the Cowboys’ practice squad. Smith played in six games and recorded three tackles in Week 14 against the Bengals as a starting cornerback.

In his lone season with the Crimson Tide in 2018, he appeared in 15 games with 12 starts and recorded 60 tackles, three interceptions, fI’ve passes defended and one forced fumble.

Smith went undrafted after the 2019 NFL draft then signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being waived in August of 2019. He later payed in two games for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in the spring of 2020.

Browns Sign Damion Square

May 4: The Cleveland Browns announced that they have signed former Alabama defensive tackle Damion Square.

Square spent the last seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he played in 81 games and started in 24. Over the last four seasons, Square did not miss a single game.

In the 2013 NFL Draft, Square went undrafted but was soon signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he saw action in 10 games as a rookie. He then played for the Kansas City Chiefs for the first half of the season in 2014 before being signed by the Chargers.

2018 was Square's best season to date, starting for the Chargers in 11 games and recording three sacks. He also registered 31 tackles and three passes defended. In 2020, Square posted 20 tackles and a sack.

For his career, Square totals 120 tackles, 6.5 sacks, nine passes defended and two fumble recoveries.

Square's contract details have yet to be released by the Browns organization.

Falcons Exercise Option on Calvin Ridley

May 3: The Atlanta Falcons announced that they have exercised wide receiver Calvin Ridley's fifth-year option for the 2022 season.

Ridley’s $11.116 million salary for next year is fully guaranteed.

Monday was the deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year options on 2018 first-round picks.

The Titans did not exercise Rashaan Evans’ option but reportedly hope to sign the linebacker to a contract extension before his current deal expires in 2022.

Ridley has seen played in 44 games making 30 starts, while totaling 217 receptions for 3,061 yards and 26 touchdowns.

The former Alabama standout had single-season career-highs in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,374) with nine touchdown catches in 15 games in 2020.

Ridley has recorded the most receptions (217), receiving yards (3,061) and touchdown receptions (26) through a player's first three seasons in franchise history.

Falcons add quarterback AJ McCarron

April 30: After opting not to select a quarterback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with former Crimson Tide player AJ McCarron.

McCarron is getting a one-year deal to back up starter Matt Ryan.

The 30-year-old McCarron, will fill the role left vacant by fellow former Texans QB Matt Schaub, who retired after 16 seasons.

McCarron made four appearances for the Texans during his two seasons at NRG Stadium, completing 22-of-38 passing attempts for 245 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

We have agreed to terms with QB AJ McCarron.

📝- https://t.co/IZfGgXRX4j pic.twitter.com/Y1P0Kp5FRx
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 30, 2021

Steelers exercise fifth-year option on Minkah Fitzpatrick

April 26: The Pittsburgh Steelers have exercised Minkah Fitzpatrick's fifth-year option, keeping the safety secured to the roster through the 2022 season.

NFL Network was the first to report the news.

Fitzpatrick's fifth-year option will cost the Steelers $10.612 million next season.

The free safety has made two Pro Bowls and two First-Team All-Pro teams since joining the team in 2019 through a trade with the Miami Dolphins.

He has nine interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two touchdowns in two seasons with the Steelers.

For the final year of his rookie contract, Fitzpatrick will make $2,722,878 million guaranteed base salary.

Washington exercises option on Da'Ron Payne

April 26: The Washington Football Team exercised the fifth-year contract option for defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne for the 2022 season.

The one-year salary is worth approximately $8.5 million and is fully guaranteed.

For the final year of his rookie contract, Payne will make a fully guaranteed $2.5 million base salary.

Washington had until May 3 to pick up Payne’s option,

Dolphins add offensive lineman D.J. Fluker

April 19: The Miami Dolphins made a big addition to their offensive line by adding another former Alabama player to the roster.

Per his agent, D.J. Fluker agreed to terms Monday evening.

He confirmed the moved on Instagram.

"Thank you Baltimore...it was a fun ride with great fans and tremendous support. Excited about my new journey to Southbeach! @Dolphins family let’s ride!!!"

Fluker played last season with the Baltimore Ravens, starting eight of 16 games. The massive offensive lineman who can line up at guard or tackle in front of Tua Tagovailoa, has played for four teams since being being a first-round pick in 2013.

At age 30, Fluker is the second-oldest player on the Miami roster.

Cam Robinson signs tender with Jaguars

April 9: Veteran offensive tackle Cam Robinson has signed his franchise tag tender with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Robinson made $1.422 million in 2020, which was the final year of his rookie contract, and will make nearly $14 million in 2021.

The deal makes one of the NFL's highest-paid left tackles in 2021, with the franchise tag set to earn Robinson $13,754,000.

According to Over The Cap, Robinson will have the third-highest base salary among all left tackles in 2021.

"Cam’s a good, young football player, 26 years old that’s developing and has done a good job. He knows where he stands with this organization. We have a lot of respect for him and where he can get to as a player," Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said last March.

"His ceiling is very high. I’ve studied him very much. I’ve spent some time with him," Jaguars coach Urban Meyer told Jaguar Report in March when the team placed the franchise tag on Robinson.

"We feel that the way this free agency is moving is that the left tackle position, as always but even more now this year from hearing from the guys who have been in the NFL, this a tough year for that left tackle position. We feel like with what’s just out there and with coaching, culture, and development, Cam [Robinson] has a lot of talent.”

Jacksonville is expected to selected Trevor Lawrence with the first selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, which would make Robinson the rookie quarterback's blindside protector.

Hale Hentges placed on reserve/retired list

March 30: The Minnesota Vikings placed former Alabama tight end Hale Hentges on the reserve/retired list, which is the designation for someone who retires before his contract expires.

If Hentges wants to return to play in the future, the Vikings would hold his rights.

Hentges was signed off of the Colts’ practice squad last December and played in one game for the Vikings on special teams. The tight end played 11 games for Washington in 2019 and caught eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Jarran Reed Inks One-Year Deal with Chiefs

March 28: The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a one-year contract.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN had the initial story. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the deal is worth up to $7 million with $5 million guaranteed for Reed, giving him a chance to be a free agent again next year.

"Had it been about the money, he would've stayed in Seattle," Rapoport tweeted.

The Seahawks attempted to trade Reed before ultimately releasing him on Friday. Corbin Smith of SeahawkMaven wrote about Reed's time in Seattle after his departure.

"Unfortunately, Seattle couldn't afford to retain both [Carlos] Dunlap and Reed this offseason. Though they released Dunlap earlier this month to create $14 million in cap space, the team preferred re-signing him at a more team-friendly rate over the long-term extension Reed sought. Unwilling to add more than an additional year to his contract to lower his 2021 cap hit, talks between the two sides reached an impasse, leading to his inevitable departure."

The Chiefs reportedly beat out seven other teams to sign Reed.

Linebacker Ryan Anderson joins New York Giants

March 25: According to numerous reports, outside linebacker Ryan Anderson reached a contract agreement with the New York Giants.

Anderson, 6-2 and 255 pounds, played his first four NFL seasons with Washington. He has played in 52 games with four starts and his career totals include 78 tackles (49 solo), seven tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

In 2020, Anderson played in nine games. He made seven tackles (four solo), including one for a loss. The previous season, Anderson played in all 16 games with four starts at weakside linebacker. He posted career-high totals of 43 tackles (29 solo), 4.0 sacks, nine quarterback hits and five forced fumbles.

Anderson was a second-round selection (49th pick overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft from Alabama.

Kareem Jackson gets one-year deal with Broncos

March 23: After declining veteran safety Kareem Jackson’s 2021 contract option at the start of free agency, creating $10 million in cap space for the 2021 offseason, the Denver Broncos have reportedly worked out a deal to bring Jackson back to Denver for the 2021 season.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network had the initial report, which was quickly confirmed.

"Kareem Jackson gets one-year, $5 million, per source. Which ain’t bad in brutal second wave market. Was supposed to make $10 million in final year of three-year deal. Look at it this way: Jackson got three-year, $28 million all in. Pretty good for safety about to turn 33," 9NEWS' Mike Klis tweeted.

Reggie Ragland Heading to Giants

March 20: The New York Giants and inside linebacker Reggie Ragland have reached an agreement on a one-year contract, pending a physical, according to multiple reports.

Ragland, 6-2, 252 pounds, was a second-round draft choice (41st overall) in 2016 by the Buffalo Bills, but never played a down for the team. He suffered a torn ACL during his rookie training camp and was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round draft choice on Aug. 28, 2017.

He played three seasons for the Chiefs before joining the Detroit Lions as a free agent last year.

Ragland has played in 58 regular-season games with 38 starts and in six postseason games with four starts – including Kansas City's victory against San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV, a game in which he had two tackles.

His career totals include 210 tackles (130 solo), 3.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the regular season and 30 tackles (21 solo) and one interception in the postseason.

Last season, Ragland played in all 16 games with six starts for the Lions. He had 51 tackles (30 solo), 1.0 sack, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

Raiders sign Kenyan Drake

March 18: The Las Vegas Raiders apparently like having a former Alabama running back on the roster so much they signed another through free agency.

According to numerous reports including the NFL Network, Kenyan Drake inked a two-year, $14.5 million deal.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the deal is for $11 million, but incentives can push it to the $14.5 million mark.

Drake, a third-round draft pick in 2016, is joining his third team, having already played for the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. He's tallied 3,130 career rushing yards and 1,244 receiving, with 33 total touchdowns.

He's expected to supplement start Josh Jacobs, and be more of a receiving option for the Raiders.

Robert Foster signs with Dolphins

March 17: Former Alabama wide receiver Robert Foster signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins as free agency officially began Wednesday.

Foster, who spent his last season at Alabama when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was still with the Crimson Tide, caught just two passes while with Washington last season. He also spent time on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.

Foster was an undrafted free agent in 2018 who initially signed with the Buffalo Bills. He played in 13 games and caught three touchdowns on 27 receptions. He averaged 20 yards per catch as a rookie.

He played in 13 games in 2019, and averaged 21.3 yards per catch, but only had three receptions.

Meanwhile, the Bills singed cornerback Levi Wallace to a one-year contract, and the Cincinnati Benagls re-signed defensive back Tony Brown.

Dalvin Tomlinson Lands Lucrative Deal with Vikings

March 16: Former Alabama defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson had said it would be a blessing to re-sign with the New York Giants. But then the Minnesota Vikings came calling.

Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Tomlinson has agreed to a two-year deal for $22 million, of which $20 million is guaranteed.

Tomlinson was considered the biggest free agent among former Crimson Tide players. The second-round draft pick in 2017 has appeared in every game over the past four years and was a team captain last season.

He posted back-to-back seasons with 49 total tackles and 3.5 sacks, with 207 career tackles and eight sacks.

Meanwhile, the NFL Network also reported Monday that the New York Jets have been receiving trade calls on four-time Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley. The former Crimson Tide player opted out last season, and still has $22 million in guarantees remaining on his contract.

Source: Dalvin Tomlinson to #Vikings
2 years, $22M
$20M total guarantee
$16M fully guaranteed
$15M Signing Bonus
$16M First Year
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021

Which Crimson Tide Players Are Free Agents?

March 14: Free agency in the National Football League officially begins on Wednesday, and a number of former Alabama players will be on the move.

Monday, teams were permitted to start contacting and enter contract negotiations with players who will become unrestricted free agents. Beginning at 4 p.m., any agreed-upon contracts made during the legal tampering period can be finalized.

Unrestricted: Ryan Anderson, Kenyan Drake, D.J. Fluker, Reuben Foster, Dre Kirkpatrick, AJ McCarron, Reggie Ragland, Damion Square, Dalvin Tomlinson, DeAndrew White, T.J. Yeldon

Street/Other Free Agents: Bo Scarbrough, Chance Warmack

Restricted: Tony Brown, Robert Foster, Cam Sims, Levi Wallace

Mark Ingram II reaches one-year deal with Texans

March 11: Former Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints running Mark Ingram II has reached a 1-year deal worth around $3 million with the Houston Texans.

Ingram was released by the Ravens back in January. The former Alabama running back was originally drafted by the Saints in 2011 where he spent four seasons.

Ingram signed a one-year, $2,500,000 contract, including a $500,000 signing bonus, $500,000 guaranteed.

James Carpenter Released by Atlanta Falcons

Mar. 9: Former Alabama guard James Carpenter is slated to be released by the Atlanta Falcons.

The news was first reported by NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

Carpenter spent the last two season with the Falcons and started in 24 games for the organization. Carpenter still had two seasons remaining on his contract with Atlanta, but the organization will save $4 million in cutting him.

Carpenter was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, where he played four seasons before playing four more years with the New York Jets.

Jacksonville Jaguars to Use Franchise Tag on Cam Robinson

Mar. 9: The Jacksonville Jaguars have opted to use their franchise tag on former Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, coach Urban Meyer confirmed on Tuesday.

Should Robinson sign the tender, he will make $14.507 million for the 2021 season, one of the highest salaries in the NFL for an offensive lineman.

"[Offensive line coach] George Warhop feels very strong about his future and the development," Meyer told ESPN. "We realize that he has a great future. His ceiling is very high. I've studied him very much. I spent some time with him. We feel that the way this free agency is moving is that left tackle position — as always, but maybe more now this year, I'm hearing from the guys that have been in the NFL — this is a tough year for that's left tackle position and we feel just what's out there and with coaching, culture and development, Cam has a lot of talent."

Robinson has started all 47 games with the Jaguars that he has seen action in. He was drafted by the organization in 2017, where he was selected at the 34th-overall pick in the NFL Draft.

J.C. Hassenauer Signs a One-Year Deal with Steelers

Mar. 4: Former Alabama offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $780,000.

Hassenauer, last season, started in four games at center for the Steelers after Maurkice Pouncey went down with a foot injury.

Hassenauer signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He spent a little time on the Falcons practice squad. In 2019 Hassenauer played in the Alliance of American Football league with the Birmingham Irons before signing with the Steelers. He was waived before the 2019 NFL season. Later in the season, he signed with the Steelers’ practice squad. On December 24, 2019, Hassenauer was promoted to the active roster.

Gehrig Dieter Signs Reserve/Futures Deal with Kansas City Chiefs

Feb. 12: The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a reserve/futures deal with former Alabama wide receiver Gehrig Dieter, assuring him a spot with the team for the 2021 season.

Dieter initially signed with the Chiefs back in 2017 as a rookie free agent, meaning that the 2021 season will be his fifth season with the organization. Since his initial joining with the team, he has spent time bouncing back and forth between the team's practice squad and active roster.

During his time in Kansas City, Dieter has seen action in 10 games over the last three seasons, and has two passes for 32 yards. However, he has seen most of his time on the Chiefs' special teams unit, playing in 124 snaps compared to just 63 snaps on offense.

Lester Cotton Sr. back with Raiders

Feb. 10: Lester Cotton Sr. will have another go-around with the Las Vegas Raiders, the team that waived him last year.

The 6-foot-4, 335-pound guard initially signed by the Raiders as a free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He ended up on the practice squad and played in one game in 2019.

Cotton was cut prior to the start of the the 2020 season. Check out the FanNation Raiders site for more info.

Shaun Dion Hamilton officially lands with Lions

Feb. 8: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton was acquired from the Washington Football Team via waivers. The move was announced Jan. 12 but didn't become official until Monday.

Hamilton joins Detroit after three seasons on Washington's roster, where he appeared in 46 games (seven starts), recording 89 tackles (63 solo), 2.5 sacks, two pass defenses, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Hamilton was originally selected by Washington in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Seahawks release Chance Warmack

Feb. 8: Seattle released guard Chance Warmack, who never played a down for the Seahawks.

Warmack had signed with Seattle last year, but opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The No. 10-overall pick of the 2013 draft hasn't played since 2018, when he was a reserve for the Eagles.

However, the door is reportedly open for Warmack to return to Seattle:

The Seahawks have released G Chance Warmack, as @FieldYates said. I'm told Warmack wants to play in 2021 after taking a COVID opt-out this past season. A source said the Seahawks want to bring Warmack in for a physical/workout to see how he looks after a year away from football.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) February 8, 2021

Check out the FanNation Seahawks site for the latest developments.