2015 NFL Draft Pick Signings
Having made their draft picks for 2015, the next step for NFL teams is to get their draftees under contract. We’ll keep tabs on which players have signed in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order and a tally of their signed picks noted in parentheses. This page can be found on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”
Here’s the full list:
Arizona Cardinals (7/7):
- 1-24: D.J. Humphries, T (Florida): Signed
- 2-58: Markus Golden, DE/OLB (Missouri): Signed
- 3-86: David Johnson, RB (Northern Iowa): Signed
- 4-116: Rodney Gunter, DL (Delaware State): Signed
- 5-158: Shaq Riddick, DE (West Virginia): Signed
- 5-159: J.J. Nelson, WR (UAB): Signed
- 7-256: Gerald Christian, TE (Louisville): Signed
Atlanta Falcons (7/7):
- 1-8: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB (Clemson): Signed
- 2-42: Jalen Collins, CB (LSU): Signed
- 3-73: Tevin Coleman, RB (Indiana): Signed
- 4-107: Justin Hardy, WR (East Carolina): Signed
- 5-137: Grady Jarrett, DT (Clemson): Signed
- 7-225: Jake Rodgers, T (Eastern Washington): Signed
- 7-250: Akeem King, S (San Jose State): Signed
Baltimore Ravens (9/9):
- 1-26: Breshad Perriman, WR (UCF): Signed
- 2-55: Maxx Williams, TE (Minnesota): Signed
- 3-90: Carl Davis, DT (Iowa): Signed
- 4-122: Za’Darius Smith, DE/OLB (Kentucky): Signed
- 4-125: Buck Allen, RB (USC): Signed
- 4-136: Tray Walker, CB (Texas Southern): Signed
- 5-171: Nick Boyle, TE (Delaware): Signed
- 5-176: Robert Myers, G (Tennessee State): Signed
- 6-204: Darren Waller, WR (Georgia Tech): Signed
NFC Notes: Hardy, Kalil, Bucs
The arbitrator assigned to Greg Hardy‘ suspension appeal backed the NFL in the Adrian Peterson case, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports writes. That could be bad news for the Cowboys star as he looks to cut down his 10-game suspension. Hardy’s deal, signed in March, gives him a base value of $11.3MM for 2015, though much of it is tied into per-game roster bonuses. More out of the NFC..
- Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees this offseason, two people with knowledge of the procedures told Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. Kalil had his 2016 option exercised on Monday despite a frustrating 2014 campaign.
- The Vikings “tried hard” to land LSU offensive tackle La’el Collins, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets, but he rightly notes that most of the NFL did as well. Earlier today, Collins signed with the Cowboys. Collins wasn’t expected to make a decision on his NFL future for some time, but owner Jerry Jones clearly won him over.
- Buccaneers center Evan Dietrich-Smith has legally changed his name to Evan Smith, which is what he went by until he went to college, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com tweets.
- The Buccaneers have fired pro scouting director Scott Cohen, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Extra Points: Collins, Fletcher, Jets
How busy is commissioner Roger Goodell? So busy that LSU coach Les Miles couldn’t get through when he tried to call and vouch for La’el Collins, as Jim Kleinpeter of The Times-Picayune writes. “Why wouldn’t that (supplemental draft) be what it’s for. Explain to me why that’s not perfect for this (situation). Some guys would have passed and some said yeah. He (Collins) would have gotten his spot,” Miles said. “This is a guy who is still going to make money, long term. I’d like to see an adjustment made now.” Ultimately, Collins did not get into the supplemental draft, but he has found a home with the Cowboys. Here’s more from around the NFL..
- There’s nothing official yet, but there’s a “good chance” that Patriots will sign linebacker Dane Fletcher, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com tweets. The Pats have been seeking guys with experience to give depth to the linebacker position.
- Some wondered aloud if the Colts were taking T.Y. Hilton‘s eventual replacement when they selected Phillip Dorsett out of Miami. The choice came as a surprise to some, but not to Hilton himself, Zak Keefer of the Indy Star writes. “There’s nothing I can do about that. That’s who they picked. That’s cool with me…Nothing in this league should surprise anybody,” said Hilton, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. “(It was) a pick that they thought we needed, so I guess that’s what we needed to help this team.”
- Dom Green, who was recently let go as the Chiefs’ assistant college scouting director, is up for a job with the Jets‘ personnel department, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Draft Signings: Dolphins, Jets, Ravens
Here at PFR, we’re giving individual posts to players from the first and second-round that sign with their respective clubs. You’ll find news on the guys from rounds 3-7 in the roundups. Here are the latest..
- The Ravens agreed to a deal with fourth-round running back Buck Allen, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
- The Packers signed another sixth-round pick in tight end Kennard Backman, Silverstein tweets. Green Bay now has five picks under contract with three to go.
- The Giants announced the signings of fifth-round pick Mykkele Thompson and seventh-round choice Bobby Hart, according to Dan Graziano of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- The Dolphins have agreed in principle on a deal with fifth-round cornerback Bobby McCain, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). McCain will receive roughly $2.5MM over the course of his four-year deal and a $228K signing bonus.
- Not long after that, the Dolphins wrapped up their entire draft class by signing fourth-round guard Jamil Douglas, fifth-round safety Cedric Thompson, and fifth-round wide receiver Tony Lippett, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter).
- The Jets announced that they have signed fifth-round offensive guard Jarvis Harrison, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- The Ravens inked fifth-round tight end Nick Boyle, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun tweets. Boyle also auditioned for the divisional rival Browns during the draft process.
- The Packers have signed Christian Ringo, a defensive tackle taken in the sixth round, according to Tom Silverstein of the Journal-Sentinel (on Twitter).
DeflateGate: Brady, Patriots, Wells
At an event at Salem State on Thursday evening, Tom Brady sat down with reporter Jim Gray and while the Wells Report was discussed, the Patriots quarterback wasn’t willing to say a whole lot about it. “I don’t have really any reaction, Jim,” Brady said, according to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling. “Our owner commented on it yesterday. And it’s only been 30 hours, so I haven’t had much time to digest it fully. But when I do, I’ll be sure to let you know how I feel about it.” While we wait to see if Brady gives a more direct response to the findings of the report, here’s a look at other news regarding the Pats’ scandal..
- Brady’s agent, Don Yee, released a statement on the matter and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter) passes it along in its entirety. It reads, in part, “The Wells report, with all due respect, is a significant and terrible disappointment. It’s omission of key facts and lines of inquiry suggest the investigators reached a conclusion first, and then determined so-called facts later.”
- Disciplinary decisions for the Patriots and Brady are “coming soon,” a source tells Mark Maske of The Washington Post (on Twitter). Fines, suspensions, and loss of draft picks are all “under consideration” as forms of punishment.
- Four unnamed head coaches want to see Brady suspended and the Patriots fined, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). One of the coaches told Cole that the situation is a “mess” that needs to be put to an end once and for all.
Lions Sign Five Rookies
The Lions announced that they have signed draft picks Alex Carter, Gabe Wright, Michael Burton, Quandre Diggs, and Corey Robinson, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets.
Carter, a third round choice, was the highest draft pick of any of the players that signed today. The former Stanford standout was ranked as the third-best safety prospect of his class coming out of high school. Carter hit the ground running as a true frosh and after a solid 2014 season, he decided to enter his name in the draft early.
First-round choice Laken Tomlinson and second-round pick Ameer Abdullah remain unsigned.
Giants Sign Six UDFAs
The Giants announced the signing of six undrafted free agents this evening. The newest prospective members of Big Blue are listed below, along with contract information from Jordan Raanan of NJ.com:
- Justin Currie, S, Western Michigan ($5K signing bonus)
- Sean Donnelly, OT, Tulane ($15K bonus, plus $15K guaranteed salary)
- Cole Farrand, LB, Maryland ($5K bonus)
- Brad Harrah, DE, Cincinnati ($5K bonus)
- Akeem Hunt, RB, Purdue ($12.5K bonus, plus $7.5K guaranteed salary)
- Matt LaCosse, TE, Illinois ($5K bonus, plus $5K guaranteed salary)
As senior in 2014, Currie started in 13 games and led the Broncos in both total (105) and solo (69) tackles. Harrah’s uncle, Toby Harrah, played for the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers and is in the Rangers Hall of Fame.
In related moves, the Giants bid farewell to Kevin Ogletree and Terrell Manning earlier today.
West Notes: 49ers, Bennett, Weddle
49ers CEO Jed York says that GM Trent Baalke has no problem making draft-day deals for the future because he figures to be around awhile, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “You have to make sure your guys feel like they’re going to be a part of it for a while,” York said. “And with Trent, I watch it when we draft. Trent will always trade for next year’s picks because he feels comfortable that he’s going to be here.” Here’s a look at the AFC and NFC West..
- Michael Bennett said during a TV appearance that he doesn’t want to be traded, but he wouldn’t mind a salary increase, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. Reports have indicated that he would like the Seahawks to renegotiate his contract and today’s comments seem to confirm that. “People assume when you ask for a little more money, they assume that you want to be traded or something like that,” he said. “But that’s not what I’m trying to go for.”
- Eric Weddle wants a new deal and he won’t be in attendance for workouts until he gets what he wants from the Chargers, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com writes. “I’m not coming in anytime soon until something on their side is said,” Weddle told 1090 AM. “They know where we’re at, and they obviously know their stance, so we’ll see what happens from there.” Weddle is scheduled to make $7.5MM in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40MM deal, making him the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015.
- Broncos defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are already in their walk years, Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. Both players say they’re determined to earn contract extensions this year.
Minor Moves: Thursday
Today’s minor moves..
- The Vikings announced that they have waived safety Ahmad Dixon, running back Henry Josey, tight end Ryan Otten, offensive tackle Antonio Richardson, and guard Austin Wentworth.
- Ravens defensive end Steven Means has signed his $510K exclusive-rights tender, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
- Washington cut offensive tackle Xavier Nixon, according to Wilson (on Twitter). Washington originally acquired him off waivers from the Colts.
- The Eagles re-signed defensive end Frank Mays and cut wide receiver Will Murphy, Wilson tweets.
- The Cardinals released wide receiver Nathan Slaughter, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter).
- The Raiders announced (on Twitter) that they have signed former Fresno State wide receiver Josh Harper.
- The Patriots waived wide receiver Kevin Dorsey and defensive end Michael Buchanan, Doug Kyed of NESN tweets.
- The Seahawks waived Brendan Kelly, who signed as a free agent earlier this year, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets.
Panthers Sign Shaq Thompson
The Panthers announced that they have signed three of their five draft picks, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). First-round linebacker Shaq Thompson, fourth-round tackle Daryl Williams, and fifth-round linebacker David Mayo are now under contract.
Thompson has exceptional speed and agility for a linebacker and he originally arrived at Washington as one of the most highly-ranked safeties in the nation. At the combine, Thompson ran a 4.64 40-yard-dash, faster than a lot of his peers at the position. Some projected Thompson as a second-round pick, but the Panthers ID’d him as the best player there in the first.
The Panthers had only five picks this year, so they only have two unsigned players left to go.