Jaguars Sign 18 Undrafted Rookies
The Jaguars added 11 players in the 2026 NFL Draft, many of them selected well above their consensus rank. Jacksonville then signed 18 undrafted free agents to fill out their roster, per a team announcement, as listed below:
- Joey Aguilar, QB (Tennessee)
- T.J. Bollers, DL (California)
- Brady Boyd, WR (Utah State)
- Alex Bullock, WR (South Dakota State)
- Ethan Conner, TE (Troy)
- Garrett DiGiorgio, OL (UCLA)
- Quindarius Dunnigan, DE (Michigan State)
- Preston Hodge, CB (Colorado)
- Jalen Hunt, DL (Cincinnati)
- Devin Neal, S (Virginia)
- Jimto Obidegwu, OL (North Texas)
- Ben Patterson, WR (Texas-Permian Basin)
- Trebor Peña, WR (Penn State)
- J’Mari Taylor, RB (Virginia)
- Bryan Thomas Jr., DE (South Carolina)
- Jordan White, OL (Vanderbilt)
- Michael Wortham, WR (Montana)
Aguilar, who turns 25 years old in June, threw for over 3,500 yards at Tennessee in 2025 after two years starting for Appalachian State. . At 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, he brings good size and a strong arm to the NFL, but his vision, anticipation, and mental processing will all need improvement. In Jacksonville, Aguilar will have to quickly learn Liam Coen’s offense and battle for a spot on the roster or (more likely) the practice squad over the next few months.
Neal spent time at Baylor and Louisville before arriving at Virginia as a graduate transfer in 2025. He led the Cavaliers defense with 88 tackles and eight passes defended. However after posting six interceptions in 2022 and 2023, he has not recorded one since. Neal received $231k in guarantees to sign with the Jaguars, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. He will join a safety room headlined by veterans Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray that just added Maryland’s Jalen Huskey with a third-round pick over the weekend.
After four quiet seasons at Syracuse, Pena burst onto the college football scene in 2024 with an ACC-high 84 receptions for 941 yards and nine touchdowns. He transferred to Penn State in 2025 in the hopes of boosting his stock further, but disappointed with just 49 catches for 522 yards and two touchdowns. He lacks high-end athletic or physical traits but plays bigger than his listed size (5-foot-10, 187 pounds) and brings value as a retuner, which may help him make the roster in Jacksonville.
Taylor spent his first five college seasons playing in the FCS at North Carolina State and also transferred to Virginia last year. He served as the Cavalier’ starting running back with 1,062 yards on 222 carries (4.8 yards per attempt). He also flashed as a pass-catcher with 43 catches for 259 yards, and his 15 total touchdowns led the ACC. The Jaguars let Trevor Etienne walk in free agency this offseason and will be counting on 2025 draft picks Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen to pick up the slack. Taylor may have an opportunity to carve out a role in Liam Coen’s offense as a rookie.
Thomas, 21, is an underside edge rusher with ascending production over the last three years, including seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2025. He received $248k to sign in Jacksonville, per Wilson, where his name may sow some early confusion among fans and beat writers. But for one letter, he shares a name with a current Jaguars: wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
WR Jermaine Burton To Participate In Bills’ Rookie Camp
Former Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is set to participate in the Bills’ rookie minicamp, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Burton, 24, was a third-round pick in 2024 and arrived in Cincinnati with the hopes of becoming a reliable complement to star wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He played little as a rookie (only 131 snaps over 14 games) and caught just four of his 14 targets for 107 yards. Pre-draft concerns about his character and maturity turned out to be well-founded. Burton was accused of assault in December and did not travel with the team for their season finale in Pittsburgh due to a coach’s decision.
The Bengals hoped Burton could turn things around in 2025, but he did not appear in a single game. He was suspended in Week 14, waived shortly after, and received virtually no interest this offseason until the Bills came calling.
At Buffalo’s rookie camp, Burton will have to first earn a 90-man roster spot by showing he can still be the player who led the SEC with 20.5 yards per reception in 2023 – without the off-field issues. The Bills’ current wide receiver room is headlined by D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir with Josh Palmer serving as the No. 3, though fourth-round pick Skyler Bell could push for a role as a rookie.
At present, Burton does not even factor into that equation, but the talent is there. He is still relatively young and will come cheap until and unless he proves he truly belongs in the NFL.
5 Key Stories: 4/19/26 – 4/26/26
As always, the NFL draft produced a number of interesting developments with rookie selections as well as veteran player movement. In case you missed some of the top stories from around the league this past week, here is a quick recap:
- Draft Produces Rams’ Simpson Pick, Other Surprises: It did not take long for the second quarterback to come off the board on Thursday night, with the Rams taking Ty Simpson 13th overall. Many were surprised by Los Angeles’ decision, one which will provide the team with a Matthew Stafford successor if things pan out. Connections with the Alabama passer persisted through the lead-in to the draft, but the Rams were expected to target more immediate help for an attempted Super Bowl run in 2026. Instead, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay agreed to proceed with the Simpson selection. Other notable draft developments included highly-rated cornerback Jermod McCoy dropping to the Raiders in the fourth round due to medical concerns along with several teams making depth QB investments (such as the Steelers with Drew Allar and the Chiefs with Garrett Nussmeier).
- Eagles, Vikings Finalize Greenard Trade: The Eagles were known to be seeking a pass rush addition well before the draft started. During the event’s second day, to little surprise, a trade agreement was reached with the Vikings to acquire the former Pro Bowler. Greenard and a 2026 seventh-round pick went to Philadelphia for a pair of third-rounders (this year and next). Upon arrival with the Eagles, Greenard – who had been seeking a raise in Minnesota – agreed to a four-year, $100MM extension. The 28-year-old is in line to collect $50MM guaranteed as a result of the new deal. Greenard (who totaled 24.5 sacks between the 2023 and ’24 seasons) will be tasked with helping replace the edge rush production lost when Jaelan Phillips departed in free agency.
- No Cowboys Extension, Trade Expected For Pickens: Shortly before the first round began, it was learned the Cowboys will not negotiate with wideout George Pickens on a long-term deal. The franchise tag recipient has until mid-July to sign an extension, but none will be forthcoming unless talks resume. Pickens, 25, is set to sign his tender and thus become eligible for a trade. However, Dallas does not intend to move on in this case. The Cowboys are scheduled to pay Pickens $27.3MM in 2026, making him an expensive partner for CeeDee Lamb next season. Keeping that tandem in place for the long term would cost even more, and it remains to be seen if the team is prepared to do so. Meanwhile, Pickens signing the tag will obligate him to attend events like mandatory minicamp in June and training camp the following month.
- Williams Agrees To New 49ers Deal: The 49ers managed to accomplish their goal of settling the Trent Williams situation in time for the draft. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $50MM extension. The new deal contains $37MM in guarantees and will set up Williams to continue serving as San Francisco’s left tackle through at least 2027. The 12-time Pro Bowler was in line to carry an untenable cap charge for this season without a new agreement, and he managed to secure a notable figure in terms of locked-in compensation once more. Williams is entering his age-38 campaign, but he will be expected to remain one of the league’s top blockers deep into his career. Doing so would go a long way in helping the 49ers return to the playoffs in 2026.
- Reed Lands Packers Extension: Jayden Reed was set to enter 2026 as the final year of his rookie contract. A potential free agent departure will not be taking place, though, with the fourth-year wideout agreeing to a Packers extension. Green Bay authorized $50.25MM in new money on a three-year contract, including $20MM guaranteed. Reed, 26, later this month, is thus under team control through 2029. He was limited to just seven games last season, but a return to full health could see Reed reprise his role as a focal point in Green Bay’s passing game. The Packers traded away Dontayvion Wicks, whereas Reed is joined by Christian Watson as a member of the team’s young receiving corps who has landed a deal beyond his rookie pact.
T Donovan Smith Retires
Donovan Smith‘s playing career has officially come to an end. The veteran left tackle announced on Sunday that he has retired at the age of 32.
“Dear Football,” Smith wrote in his announcement. “When I first started out this journey in 7th grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold… Football has made me feel and experience every emotion imaginable.
“Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career. It has allowed me to grow and experience life in ways I can’t put into words.”
Smith entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Buccaneers. He immediately handled starting duties on the blindside, a role he went on the hold for eight years. Smith totaled 124 appearances during the regular season with Tampa Bay, starting all of them. He also handled the left tackle gig for each of the Bucs’ seven playoff games from 2020-22. That span included the team’s Super Bowl LV victory.
Durability was a constant for most of Smith’s Tampa Bay tenure, although he missed four games in 2022. One of the team’s cost-shedding moves during the 2023 offseason was the decision to proceed with a release, something which made him a free agent for the first time. Shortly after the draft, Smith signed with the Chiefs on a one-year deal. That made him Kansas City’s stopgap left tackle for the year, and was a starting presence who helped the team win Super Bowl LVIII.
Smith was not retained following the Chiefs’ championship, although the offensive tackle spot remained an issue afterwards. When the team was considering in-seasons signings to fill in on the blindside in 2024, Smith was weighed as an option. In the end, though, he was not brought back. After spending the rest of the year unsigned, the Penn State product was once again a free agent through all of 2025. The initial waves of this year’s free agency – along with the draft – are now in the books, and Smith will officially turn his attention to his post-playing days.
In all, Smith made 147 combined regular and postseason appearances in the NFL. In addition to his two Super Bowl titles, he amassed over $66MM in career earnings.
Saints To Sign LB Anfernee Jennings
Anfernee Jennings saw his Patriots tenure come to an end last month. The veteran linebacker has managed to line up his next gig immediately after the draft, though.
Jennings has agreed to a deal with the Saints, as first reported by Nick Underhill of New Orleans.Football. Numerous free agent signings can be expected after Monday, since that is the point where the 2027 compensatory pick formula is no longer affected. Since Jennings was cut earlier this offseason, however, he was free to sign at any time without impacting the Saints’ outlook in that regard.
A third-round pick in 2020, Jennings spent each of his first six years (and five seasons) in New England. He joined the team as a middle linebacker but also saw time on the edge over time. Jennings served as a full-time starter in 2023 and ’24, but the arrival new head coach Mike Vrabel resulted in a drop in defensive playing time. The Alabama product handled a snap share of just 33% in 2025, although he managed a pair of sacks during the season (and another two during New England’s run to the Super Bowl).
Jennings was cut in March in a move which came as little surprise since he was a trade candidate leading up to the deadline. The 28-year-old will look to earn at least a rotational role upon arrival in New Orleans, a team which made an addition to its front seven yesterday. During Day 3 of the draft, the Saints swung a trade with the Raiders for edge rusher Tyree Wilson. He and Jennings will be in place for OTAs as they attempt to earn a spot with New Orleans.
The Saints entered Sunday with nearly $14MM in cap space. That figure will be reduced once the team’s draft class is signed, while the acquisitions of Wilson and now Jennings point further to New Orleans choosing to move on from Cameron Jordan. The franchise icon remains unsigned at this time, and general manager Mickey Loomis noted the draft would play a role in determining how the team proceeded with respect to a re-signing.
New Orleans did not select any edge rushers or linebackers this weekend. With Wilson and Jennings in place, though, the team has added depth at that spot entering spring practices. It will be interesting to see how things play out with Jordan moving forward.
Chargers Add 18 Undrafted Free Agents
The Chargers put the finishing touches on an eight-player draft class on Saturday. After quickly getting to work in the undrafted market, the Chargers announced 18 new rookie additions Sunday. Here is the list:
- Noah Avinger, S (Utah)
- Lander Barton, LB (Utah)
- Jerand Bradley, TE (Kansas State)
- Sincere Brown, WR (Colorado)
- Jahmeer Carter, DL (Virginia)
- Gregory Desrosiers, RB (Memphis)
- Devin Grant, S (Syracuse)
- Jacobian Guillory, DL (Louisiana State)
- Niles King, OLB (San Diego State)
- Devonte Ross, WR (Penn State)
- Rodney Shelley, CB (Georgia Tech)
- Avery Smith, CB (Toledo)
- Jacob Spomer, C (Fresno State)
- Evan Svoboda, TE (Wyoming)
- Nadame Tucker, OLB (Western Michigan)
- Terry Webb, DL (Southern Methodist)
- Jeremiah Wilson, CB (Florida State)
- Isaiah World, T (Oregon)
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked four of these players among his 300 best prospects entering the draft. At No. 181, Smith was highest on the pre-draft list. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith played four years at Toledo, where he was in the same secondary as Eagles 2024 first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and Browns 2026 second-round safety Emmanuel McNeill-Warren for various periods. Smith made second-team All-MAC in each of his final two seasons with the Rockets. He combined for 100 tackles, 25 passes defensed and three interceptions in that 26-game span. While Smith mostly lined up on the outside in college, Brugler expects him to work as a nickel corner if he makes it to the NFL.
The Chargers can take their time with World (No. 199), a four-year college starter who is recovering from a serious injury. After spending four years at Nevada, World transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 campaign. He went on to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors as the Ducks’ left tackle, but the 6-8, 318-pounder’s season ended in brutal fashion. World tore his left ACL in a loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff in January. The injury took a sledgehammer to World’s draft stock, but he now in position to develop behind the Chargers’ elite tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
Tucker (No. 236) is reuniting with new Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who held the same position at Western Michigan in 2025. Their one-year partnership at the college level could not have gone any better. Tucker posted jaw-dropping numbers (21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks) en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. While Tucker was excellent at WMU, he mustered just 1.5 tackles for loss and went without a sack at Houston in 13 games from 2022-24. Also a former junior college player, Tucker will already be 26 when the season starts. Nevertheless, “his high-effort pass rush can earn him a subpackage role” in the pros, Brugler writes. Tucker will earn a guaranteed $287,500 on his undrafted deal, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
Barton, 286th in Brugler’s rankings, joined the Chargers on a $264,500 guaranteed (via Wilson). The former Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2022) recorded 208 tackles, 17 TFL, eight sacks and five INTs over 46 games and 34 starts at Utah. Some teams regard the 6-4, 233-pound as a potential tight end convert, per Brugler, but the Chargers announced him as a linebacker. He is the brother of Titans linebacker Cody Barton and free agent offensive tackle Jackson Barton.
Poll: Grading Rams’ Ty Simpson Pick
After acquiring a first-round pick from the Falcons at last year’s draft, the Rams entered this offseason with two No. 1s. They were scheduled to select 13th and 29th until general manager Les Snead made yet another win-now move in a March trade with the Chiefs. Snead gave up No. 29 in a package for star cornerback Trent McDuffie, whose presence should boost the Rams’ Super Bowl chances next season.
Once the Rams lost the 29th pick, their odds of using a first-rounder on a developmental quarterback reportedly decreased. Expectations were they would look for immediate aid at No. 13, where USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq were still on the board. Either could have improved an already formidable offense and provided another weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, instead of drafting Lemon, Sadiq or another pro-ready prospect, Snead decided to take a long-term gamble on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
With Stafford entering his age-38 season and the unproven Stetson Bennett as the Rams’ only other quarterback, it is not surprising they drafted a passer. It did come as a shock that they spent their top pick on one, though, especially in a weak class for the position.
Simpson was considered the second-best QB available throughout the pre-draft process, trailing Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, but there was some doubt he would go in the first round. After making a mere 15 starts at Alabama, Simpson entered the draft as a polarizing prospect. He had Snead in his corner all along, though. Even before Simpson officially left school in January, Snead had a first-round grade on him. He said as much to Simpson’s father, Tennesee-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, back in December.
While there was talk that Rams head coach Sean McVay was unhappy with the Ty Simpson pick in the immediate aftermath, he and Snead “were on the same page on this,” Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic said as a guest on Check The Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson. Rodrigue added that the Rams would not have taken Simpson without McVay’s blessing.
If Simpson stayed in school for his senior season, the 23-year-old could have taken a $6.5MM offer from Miami to transfer and replace Cardinals third-rounder Carson Beck, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Had he fallen out of the first round, Simpson would have made more money playing for the Hurricanes in 2026. As the 13th overall pick, though, he will sign a four-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $25.41MM.
At least from a financial standpoint, Simpson made the right move leaving college for the pros. The question is: Did the Rams make the right move when they picked him? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Grade the Ty Simpson pick
Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. Undecided On Potential Reunion
Odell Beckham Jr. has played for five teams in his 10-year NFL career, but the majority of his success came as a member of the Giants from 2014-18. Although the free agent wide receiver has not suited up since Dec. 8, 2024, the Giants brought him in for a workout on Monday. While head coach John Harbaugh said Beckham “looked good,” it is unclear if the 33-year-old will rejoin the Giants.
“We’re not decided on that yet, he’s not quite decided on that yet,’’ Harbaugh revealed (via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post). “I think we just have to kind of see where we’re at this next week.’’
The Giants entered this week’s draft needing at least one receiver. After addressing other weaknesses with their first three selections, they traded up 31 picks to grab former Notre Dame wideout Malachi Fields in the third round. Fields is now part of a receiving corps that also includes Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, free agent signings Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin, and 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt, among others. If the Giants are not fully content with their current group, they could take a cheap flier on Beckham or another available veteran.
A first-rounder of the Giants 12 years ago, Beckham earned all three of his Pro Bowl nods and his two second-team All-Pro selections in their uniform. Among pass catchers, the former LSU star ranks second in franchise history in yards (5,467) and fourth in both receptions (390) and touchdowns (44). Beckham largely shined as a Giant, but they cut ties in a March 2019 trade with the Browns. The deal delivered a first-round pick (No. 17), which the Giants used on Dexter Lawrence, among other assets.
Beckham played a full season and hauled in 74 catches for 1,035 yards in his first year in Cleveland, but he has not approached those numbers since then. Various injuries limited Beckham to 44 of a possible 84 regular-season games from 2020-24. In addition to the Browns, he spent time with the Rams, Ravens and Dolphins during that five-year run. While he was effective during his short stint with the Rams in 2021, he tore his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. Beckham caught a touchdown in the Rams’ 23-20 triumph over the Bengals, but he has not reached those heights since.
After sitting out 2022 to rehab his knee injury, Beckham returned to post decent complementary production with the Harbaugh-coached Ravens in 2023. Beckham snagged 35 receptions for 565 yards (16.1 YPC) and three TDs in Baltimore, but he made no impact in a nine-game, nine-catch year with the Dolphins in 2024. Although Beckham did not find a job last season, he still served a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Rams Not Closing Door On Jimmy Garoppolo
Free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is weighing retirement at the age of 34. Garoppolo spent the past two seasons with the Rams, who seemingly replaced him this week with the surprising selection of No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson. However, if Garoppolo decides to play in 2026, head coach Sean McVay is not ruling out re-signing the 12-year veteran.
On whether the Rams have closed the door on Garoppolo, McVay said (via Mike Florio of PFT): “I wouldn’t say that. I don’t want to say completely closed, but I would say this. You guys know how much I appreciate Jimmy and what he could really do. I always viewed him as a starting-caliber quarterback.”
McVay added that Simpson’s presence “probably lessens the level of urgency” to address the position. The Rams have an MVP-winning signal-caller Matthew Stafford, who is nearing an extension ahead of his age-38 season. Unless the Rams re-sign Garoppolo or add another passer, the untested Stetson Bennett is expected to compete with Simpson for the No. 2 job. Bennett joined the Rams as a fourth-rounder in 2023. Three years later, the former Georgia starter and two-time national champion has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL.
It goes without saying that Stafford and Simpson are locks for roster spots. It may be preferable to have Garoppolo or another experienced third option over Bennett, though the Rams have rarely needed a Stafford sub in recent seasons. Concussions and a neck injury limited Stafford to nine games in 2022, but he has missed just three since then.
Last season was the second 17-game season of Stafford’s superb five-year Rams tenure. That left just 18 snaps for Garoppolo, who went a year without attempting a pass for the first time. While Garoppolo is now one of the most established QBs left on the open market, whether he will re-sign with the Rams or go to another team is up in the air.
Saints To Acquire OLB Tyree Wilson From Raiders
A former top-10 pick chosen two Raider regimes ago, Tyree Wilson will not play for Klint Kubiak. The Raiders are trading the fourth-year edge rusher to the Saints, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
The Raiders will receive No. 150 from the Saints in exchange for Wilson and a seventh-round pick (No. 219 overall), Rapoport adds. New Orleans will now decide on Wilson’s fifth-year option, which was not expected to be exercised by Las Vegas.
With the 150th pick, the Raiders are selecting safety Dalton Johnson, reuniting him with Arizona teammate and second-round pick (No. 38 overall) Treydan Stukes. Las Vegas has now rebuilt a room that entered the draft with just two players: Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Both started for the Raiders in 2025, but they only have one year remaining on their contracts. Stukes will have a role right away, and in a rebuilding year, the team may also give Johnson some playing time to see what he can do and how he can develop.
New Orleans was in the Kayvon Thibodeaux market, with Rapoport indicating the team spoke with the Giants on the former No. 5 overall pick. But with New York not budging on compensation, the Saints moved on and will add Wilson. The latter has not shown comparable form to Thibodeaux, but the draft pedigree is similar. The Raiders chose Wilson seventh overall out of Texas Tech in 2023.
Wilson has never gotten close to living up to that billing. He has just seven career sacks with never more than two in a single season. He has been more productive against the run with 22 tackles for loss, including 10 in the last two years.
The 25-year-old will add depth to the Saints’ stable of edge rushers, which currently lacks proven talent outside of Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Despite having the size to flip to the interior as a pass rusher, Wilson has rarely been used in that role. His new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley could attempt to unlock some versatility to get more production out of the 6-foot-6, 275-pound defender.