NFL Notes: Bengals, Cardinals, Eagles, Raiders, & Texans

Bengals

• Paul Dehner Jr points out that the Bengals will actually receive a third-round compensatory pick this year for losing Michael Johnson in free agency last year.
• Cincinnati just signed him to a four-year deal, so this really worked out for them in the end.

Cardinals

• Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reiterates that he doesn’t expect the Cardinals to trade up in this year’s draft.
  Weinfuss mentions that the idea of signing a situational pass-rusher like Dwight Freeney probably doesn’t make sense. Although, he admits Freeney could be an option in the coming weeks if his asking price is reasonable.
• Weinfuss can see the Cardinals adding a fourth tight end to go along with John Carlson, Darren Fells and Troy Niklas.
• If Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon is on the board at No. 24 overall, Weinfuss believes the Cardinals would have to strongly consider drafting him.
  Weinfuss doesn’t see the Cardinals targeting DE Greg Hardy or Stefen Wisniewski in the coming weeks.

Eagles

• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that if Eagles HC Chip Kelly wants to end the speculation that they could trade up for Marcus Mariota, he could sign QB Sam Bradford to a contract extension, and include a no-trade clause.

Raiders

• Bill Williamson of ESPN writes that the available pool of receivers — Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Bowe, Cecil Shorts and Greg Jennings — aren’t very appearling options in regards to the Raiders.
• Williamson adds that of this group, Crabtree, Jennings and possibly Shorts would be the best options for the Raiders.

Texans

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Brian Hoyer‘s contract with the Texans will pay him $10.5 million deal with $4.75 million fully guaranteed over the course of two years.

Meanwhile, Ryan Mallett signed a two-year deal is worth $7 million that included just $1.75 million guaranteed.

Florio takes this as an earlier sign that Hoyer is the favorite to be the Texans’ starting quarterback next year.