The New York Jets are the winners in the Kris Jenkins sweepstakes.
FOXSports.com has learned that Carolina traded the defensive tackle to the New York Jets for third- and fifth-round draft picks. Although he has battled weight issues in the past, Jenkins should provide the big-bodied presence at nose tackle the team has sorely lacked since coach Eric Mangini instituted a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2006. Dewayne Robertson, who was manning the spot for New York, seems likely to get traded elsewhere. Robertson is better suited as a penetrating-style tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Jenkins had 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season while starting 15 of 16 games for Carolina. But that wasn't good enough for the Panthers, who wanted to avoid having to pay Jenkins a $1 million roster bonus due next week.
Damione Lewis, who was re-signed earlier this month, is expected to replace Jenkins in the starting lineup.
[h4]Stroud to visit Bills[/h4]
Jacksonville's Marcus Stroud will be taking a visit to Buffalo, which could lead to a trade between the two teams for the defensive tackle's services.
The Jaguars have given Stroud permission to shop himself in a trade. Stroud's lofty salary (a team-high $6.3 million in 200
and struggles to stay on the field have landed him on the trading block. Stroud has missed 12 games the past two seasons because of injuries and a steroid suspension.
Between 2003 and 2005, Stroud was one of the NFL's best defensive tackles. He could help upgrade a Bills defense that ranked 25th against the run (124.6-yard average) last season.
[h4]Friday a.m. note -- picking up Pace[/h4]
Don't be surprised if Arizona linebacker Calvin Pace leaves South Florida as a member of the Miami Dolphins following a free-agent visit.
A league source told FOXSports.com that Miami is preparing to offer Pace the same kind of mega-deal that linebackers Adalius Thomas and Joey Porter received in free agency last off-season. New England and Miami signed Thomas and Porter respectively to five-year, $32 million contracts that included $20 million in guaranteed money.
Incidentally, Thomas and Porter never made the kind of impact in 2007 that was expected for the money paid.
While the 2003 first-round pick struggled as a 4-3 defensive end in his first four NFL seasons, Pace blossomed last year when moved to outside linebacker in Arizona's new 3-4 scheme. Pace finished with career highs in tackles (9
, sacks (6.5) and passes defensed (6).
By franchising fellow outside linebacker Karlos Dansby, Arizona was willing to let Pace test the market. Unless wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald can be signed to a new contract that lowers his salary cap number of roughly $16 million, Arizona appears likely to lose Pace and wideout Bryant Johnson in free agency.
- San Francisco running back Maurice Hicks is planning to take a future free-agent visit to Minnesota, FOXSports.com has learned.
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Hicks started five games for the 49ers in 2004 and 2005 and has primarily handled kick returns for the past two seasons.
Philadelphia and Houston also have expressed interest in Hicks, a source said.
- Adam Caplan of scout.com reports that New Orleans will re-sign defensive tackle Brian Young and linebacker Mark Simoneau. Young is slated to receive a three-year, $12 million deal. [h4]Fawning over Faneca[/h4]
It's a three-team race for Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca.
FOXSports.com has learned that Faneca is receiving strong interest from San Francisco, St. Louis and the New York Jets. Faneca doesn't plan on making any free-agent visits while mulling impending contract offers but hopes to make a decision between those squads within the next 48 hours.
All three suitors are desperate for offensive line help.
Considered the NFL's top free-agent offensive lineman, Faneca has gotten named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls. But because of his age (31) and the high salary he is commanding, Faneca will not be re-signed by the Steelers.
Chris Kemoeatu is expected to replace Faneca as Pittsburgh's starting left guard provided he is re-signed as a restricted free agent.
[h4]Vikings off and running[/h4]
Expected to take a plunge into free agency, the Minnesota Vikings aren't disappointing.
FOXSports.com has confirmed reports that Chicago wide receiver Bernard Berrian and Cincinnati defensive end Justin Smith are drawing strong interest. The Vikings hope to visit with both players today.
Signing Berrian and Smith would address two Vikings needs. Minnesota is lacking a veteran wideout to pair with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, while Smith would fill the void created when starting end Kenechi Udeze was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
[h4]Name recognition[/h4]
Two of the biggest names in free agency are already set for free-agent visits.
FOXSports.com has learned Oakland wide receiver Jerry Porter is set to visit with Jacksonville and may already have reached agreement on a contract. Also, a source said Philadelphia is set to host New England cornerback Asante Samuel on a free-agent visit.
[h4]Quarterbacks on the move[/h4]
Starting for a 1-15 team in 2007 didn't temper interest in Miami quarterback Cleo Lemon.
FOXSports.com has learned that Lemon is taking a free-agent visit Friday to Jacksonville.
Lemon would serve as the backup to David Garrard, who is entering the final year of his contract. Quinn Gray, who was Jacksonville's second-string quarterback in 2007, is not expected to return as an unrestricted free agent.
Gray could draw interest from Minnesota, which is seeking a veteran quarterback to potentially push Tarvaris Jackson for a starting spot.
Lemon garnered the most extensive playing time of his four-year NFL career in 2007. He started seven games, posting a 1-6 record, and appeared in two others.
[h4]Packers staying in the division?[/h4]
FOXSports.com has learned Detroit defensive end Corey Smith is tentatively scheduled for a Monday free-agent visit with Green Bay. A seven-year NFL veteran, Smith saw action in 16 games last season with two starts.
Also, Adam Caplan of scout.com has reported that Oakland defensive end Tyler Brayton has a visit set with Carolina. Caplan says Oakland unsuccessfully tried to re-sign Brayton before the start of the free-agent signing period.
[h4]Staying put[/h4]
FOXSports.com has learned Cleveland has re-signed safety Nick Sorensen to a three-year, $2.5 million contract. A special teams ace, Sorensen played half the 2007 season with the Browns following his release by Jacksonville.
