Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that free agent DE Robert Ayers plans to drive up to next week’s owner’s meeting to speak with several interest teams including the Falcons, Panthers and Saints.
This is the first reported interest in Ayers since he became available.
It’s worth mentioning that signing Ayers to a contract won’t impact a team’s 2019 compensatory picks, given that he was released this offseason.
Ayers, 32, is a former first-round pick of the Broncos back in 2009. He spent five seasons in Denver before signing on with the Giants in 2014. After two years in New York, the Buccaneers signed Ayers to a three-year, $19.5 million contract that includes $10.5 million guaranteed.
Ayers was set to make a base salary of $5 million for the 2018 season when the Buccaneers released him last week in a move that freed up $6 million of available cap space.
In 2017, Ayers appeared in 12 games for the Buccaneers and recorded 31 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Buccaneers. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 10 pass rusher out of 106 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 50 Available 2018 NFL Free Agents list.
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