2020 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Broncos, First-Rounder Jerry Jeudy Agree To Terms

July 23rd, 2020 at 10:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos and Jerry Jeudy have a deal. The first-round wide receiver will ink his four-year, $15.192MM deal soon, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The deal includes an $8.61MM signing bonus, of which 71% will be paid upfront.

Most of this year’s draft pick signings have come later than usual, in one giant burst. There was little doubt that Jeudy and the rest of this year’s 250+ player crop would eventually sign, but teams have been nervous about the current financial climate and the prospect of laying out millions of dollars early on. The first-round picks, in particular, have dragged, due to their larger signing bonuses.

Teammate Henry Ruggs came off the board before Jeudy, going No. 12 to the Raiders. At No. 15, the Broncos got the Alabama star that many evaluators actually preferred. Jeudy doesn’t have Ruggs’ speed, but he has the size to outstretch cornerbacks on the outside and tremendous route-running ability. The 6’1″ receiver averaged 72 catches for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns over his final two years on campus, and he could also see some time in the slot. In Denver, he’ll team with Courtland Sutton – mostly on the opposite side, while second-round pick KJ Hamler handles the slot.

The Broncos have also agreed to terms with rookies Lloyd Cushenberry, Justin Strnad, Tyrie Cleveland, and Netane Muti, meaning that there’s not much paperwork left for their 2020 class.

Cowboys, CeeDee Lamb Agree To Terms

July 23rd, 2020 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have agreed to terms with No. 17 overall pick CeeDee Lamb (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Per the terms of his slot, Lamb will earn just over $14MM on his four-year deal, fully guaranteed.

Lamb was regarded as one of the three best wide receivers in this year’s class, but he was left waiting longer than expected on draft night. With the Cowboys, Lamb will have to compete with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup for targets, but there should be plenty of opportunities to go around. He’s expected to mostly work from the slot, where his soft hands can shine, and his lack of top-end speed won’t be quite as glaring.

Lamb, a consensus All-American in 2019, finished last season with 62 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns. That was the 6-foot-2, 191-pound wideout second-straight season with at least 1,000 yards and 10+ touchdowns.

As a refresher, here’s the full rundown of the Cowboys’ 2020 class:

1-17: CeeDee Lamb, WR (Oklahoma)
2-51: Trevon Diggs, CB (Alabama)
3-82: Neville Gallimore, DT (Oklahoma)
4-123: Reggie Robinson, CB (Tulsa)
4-146: Tyler Biadasz, C (Wisconsin)
5-179: Bradlee Anae, DE (Utah)
7-231: Ben DiNucci, QB (James Madison)

Washington Signs Chase Young

July 23rd, 2020 at 8:49am CST by Zachary Links

It’s a done deal. No. 2 overall pick Chase Young has formally signed his rookie deal with Washington, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

Young was widely viewed as the top talent in this year’s class. Ron Rivera & Co. tried their best, but they couldn’t hide their affinity for the Ohio State sack machine. In fact, most teams didn’t even bother to reach out to Young – there was little chance that he’d be available after No. 2.

Young dominated in the Big Ten, racking up 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in only 12 games last year. Meanwhile, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus show that Young’s performance was positively off the charts. His 2019 score slotted him ahead of Josh Allen (Kentucky, 2018), Nick Bosa (Ohio State, 2017), Myles Garrett (Texas A&M, 2015), and every other collegiate edge rusher dating back to 2014.

It’s all even more impressive when you consider that Young was the focus of every opposing offensive line, including some of the nation’s most elite units. He was frequently double-teamed, and it rarely worked. He was slowed a bit by the extra attention against Michigan in December, but that only served to open up wider lanes for the rest of the front seven. In the end, Ohio State rolled to a 56-27 blowout.

Young’s four-year deal will pay him $34.56MM in total, including a $22.7MM signing bonus, paid up front.

Buccaneers, Tristan Wirfs Agree To Deal

July 22nd, 2020 at 5:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tampa Bay agreed to terms with its projected right tackle starter Wednesday. Tristan Wirfs is now in the fold for the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The fully guaranteed deal tethers Wirfs to the Bucs through 2023, with the fifth-year option covering 2024.

The Bucs traded up one spot, from No. 14 to No. 13, with the 49ers to nab the Iowa blocker. Wirfs was viewed as one of this draft’s top four tackles. He ended up going fourth out of that group, but he is in position to play a key role for the highest-profile Bucs team in at least 17 years.

Wirfs primarily played right tackle for the Hawkeyes, which will make this an easier transition compared to some of his first-round tackle brethren. He blazed to a 4.85-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, doing so despite weighing 320 pounds. Wirfs also set Combine O-line records for the vertical (36.5 inches) and broad jumps (10 feet, 1 inch).

The Bucs opted not to re-sign longtime right tackle starter Demar Dotson, who remains in free agency. Dotson was the Bucs’ primary right tackle for the past eight seasons, but Wirfs is now on track to join left tackle Donovan Smith in Tampa Bay’s starting lineup.

Here is the Bucs’ 2020 draft class:

1-13: Tristan Wirfs, T (Iowa): Signed
2-45: Antoine Winfield Jr., S (Minnesota)
3-76: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB (Vanderbilt)
5-161: Tyler Johnson, WR (Minnesota): Signed
6-194: Khalil Davis, DT (Nebraska): Signed
7-241: Chapelle Russell, OLB (Temple)
7-245: Raymond Calais, RB (Louisiana): Signed

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/22/20

July 22nd, 2020 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest draft pick signings. With rookies set to report to teams’ training camps this week, teams are busy on this front.

The Vikings were the busiest team in the draft, making 15 picks this year. They have been active signing them Wednesday. Beyond first-rounder Justin Jefferson, Minnesota has agreed to terms with second-round tackle Ezra Cleveland, fourth-round linebacker Troy Dye, fourth-round defensive tackle James Lynch and seventh-round offensive lineman Kyle Hinton. Cleveland, rumored as a possible late-first-round selection, will be groomed to become a near-future starter for the Vikings.
The Broncos began signing some of their picks, most notably getting third-rounders Michael Ojemudia and McTelvin Agim under contract. A cornerback, Ojemudia is set to compete for a starting job opposite A.J. Bouye; Agim profiles as D-line depth behind established starters this season. Denver also signed fourth-round tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, a Mizzou alum set to rejoin his former quarterback (Drew Lock) in the Mile High City. The Broncos also reached an agreement with seventh-round outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka.
Despite having T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree under contract, the Steelers used a third-round pick on outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. The Charlotte alum agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal. Highsmith recorded 15 sacks at the mid-major program last season.
Packers third-round pick Josiah Deguara also agreed on his four-year rookie contract. Green Bay eschewed its wide receiver need throughout the draft, using Day 2 to add a running back (A.J. Dillon) and Deguara, who profiles as a tight end/fullback. The Cincinnati product surpassed 900 yards between his final two college seasons, totaling 12 touchdown grabs in that span.
Tennessee third-round running back Darrynton Evans signed his rookie deal as well. Evans looks set to replace Dion Lewis as the Titans‘ Derrick Henry change-of-pace back. The Appalachian State alum rushed for 1,480 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He added five receiving TDs.
The Giants used first- and third-round picks on tackles. The latter selection, UConn’s Matt Peart, agreed to the terms of his rookie deal Wednesday. Peart profiles as a developmental lineman, working behind expected starters Nate Solder and Andrew Thomas. He stands to join Cameron Fleming as depth for Big Blue.
Washington has agreed to terms with third-round running back/wideout Antonio Gibson, fourth-round receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden and fifth-round center Keith Ismael. Gibson and Gandy-Golden figure to be key parts of a Washington offense that is limited, beyond Terry McLaurin, in the passing game. Gibson totaled 1,104 yards from scrimmage at Memphis last season, while Gandy-Golden caught 20 touchdown passes in two years at Liberty.
Fourth-round Cowboys pick Reggie Robinson agreed to terms as well. The Tulsa cornerback joins a Cowboys team that lost Byron Jones in free agency. Dallas was active in an effort to replace the Pro Bowler, drafting Trevon Diggs in Round 2 and signing Daryl Worley.
Sixth-round Chargers safety Alohi Gilman, a Notre Dame alum, signed his Chargers contract Wednesday. Gillman joins a deep Bolts safety corps.
The Buccaneers drafted two running backs this year. On Wednesday, they agreed to terms with the second of those picks — seventh-rounder Raymond Calais. In addition to his work as a running back at Louisiana, Calais was a four-year kick returner for the Rajin’ Cajuns.

Cardinals Round Out Draft Class Deals

July 22nd, 2020 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

In addition to signing first-round pick Isaiah Simmons, the Cardinals finished out their draft class’ rookie-contract agreements Wednesday.

Arizona agreed to terms with third-round tackle Josh Jones, fourth-round defensive linemen Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence, sixth-round linebacker Evan Weaver and seventh-round running back Eno Benjamin. These are all four-year deals.

Jones profiles as the most interesting of these selections, having a path to being Arizona’s starting right tackle in the near future. The Houston blocker was considered a potential first-round talent or a player who would go off the board in Round 2.

Kliff Kingsbury admitted he was stunned to see Jones on the board in Round 3. The Cardinals re-signed Marcus Gilbert, but the longtime Steelers right tackle missed all of last season and much of the 2018 campaign due to injuries. Jones was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Cougars, but the Cards just re-signed longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries.

Benjamin, who played at Arizona State, joins a backfield that lost David Johnson this offseason. The Cards kept Kenyan Drake via the transition tag. Backup Chase Edmonds is signed through 2021, however. Both Fotu and Lawrence figure to compete for rotational spots on a Cards D-line that recently added 2019 Bills sack leader Jordan Phillips.

Here is the Cards’ 2020 draft class:

1-8: Isaiah Simmons, LB (Clemson)
3-72: Josh Jones, T (Houston)
4-114: Leki Fotu, DT (Utah)
4-131: Rashard Lawrence, DT (LSU)
6-202: Evan Weaver, LB (Cal)
7-222: Eno Benjamin, RB (Arizona State)

Ravens Sign Patrick Queen, Wrap Draft Class

July 22nd, 2020 at 1:59pm CST by Zachary Links

That’s a wrap on the Ravens’ 2020 NFL Draft class. On Wednesday, the club announced deals with first-round linebacker Patrick Queen and third-round wide receiver Devin Duvernay, the final stragglers in their ten-man group.

Queen put himself on the radar as a sophomore at LSU, but he saved his best for last. In 2019, Queen registered had 85 tackles last season, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks. A three-down ‘backer with solid coverage skills, GM Eric DeCosta says Queen is a “guy that plays like a Raven.”

While the Ravens address the LB need early, they sat back while this year’s big-name wide receivers came off the board. Towards the end of Round 3, they nabbed Duvernay, a short and speedy receiver with the ability to stretch the field.

“The No. 1 priority for us was to get a fast guy,” John Harbaugh said earlier this year (via The Baltimore Sun). “We just wanted to get another fast guy in the offense, a speed guy. One, you got a guy that caught 106 balls. In his career, he had over 160 catches with one drop. That’s what we had in our count. I didn’t see a drop on tape this last year…He’s only 5-[foot]-10, [but he’s a] strong, tough, real competitive guy. He has a little chip on his shoulder.”

Here’s the full rundown of the Ravens’ frosh:

1-28: Patrick Queen, LB (LSU): Signed
2-55: J.K. Dobbins, RB (Ohio State): Signed
3-71: Justin Madubuike, DT (Texas A&M): Signed
3-92: Devin Duvernay, WR (Texas): Signed
3-98: Malik Harrison, LB (Ohio State): Signed
3-106: Tyre Phillips, OL (Mississippi State): Signed
4-143: Ben Bredeson, G (Michigan): Signed
5-170: Broderick Washington Jr., DT (Texas Tech): Signed
6-201: James Proche, WR (SMU): Signed
7-219: Geno Stone, S (Iowa): Signed

Vikings, Justin Jefferson Agree To Deal

July 22nd, 2020 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have agreed to terms with first-round pick Justin Jefferson, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. His four-year deal is worth $12.122MM in total, including a $7.1MM signing bonus. Beyond that, the Vikings will hold a fifth-year option on the wide receiver.

The Vikings selected the LSU standout with the No. 22 overall pick – the choice they received in the Stefon Diggs trade with the Bills. Jefferson might not be ready to produce like Diggs right off the bat, but he could develop into a top-end receiver before long.

Heading into the draft, most had Jefferson ranked as the fourth-best wide receiver in this year’s class, behind Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama standouts Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy.When the Eagles went for TCU’s Jalen Reagor at No. 21 overall, the Vikings pounced on the chance to nab Jefferson.

Last year, Jefferson led the nation with 111 catches and registered 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. With size, speed, good hands, and solid route-running ability, scouts say the sky is the limit.

Even with Jefferson signed, the Vikings still have some more paperwork to get through before they wrap their entire 15-man draft class.

Dolphins Sign Robert Hunt, Wrap Draft Class

July 22nd, 2020 at 10:44am CST by Zachary Links

On Wednesday morning, the Dolphins struck a deal with second-round guard Robert Hunt, sealing the deal on their full 11-man draft class (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). Here’s the full rundown, via PFR’s tracker:

1-5: Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Alabama): Signed
1-18: Austin Jackson, T (Miami): Signed
1-30: Noah Igbinoghene, CB (Auburn): Signed
2-39: Robert Hunt, OL (Louisiana): Signed
2-56: Raekwon Davis, DL (Alabama): Signed
3-70: Brandon Jones, S (Texas): Signed
4-111: Solomon Kindley, OL (Georgia): Signed
5-154: Jason Strowbridge, DT (UNC): Signed
5-164: Curtis Weaver, DE (Boise State): Signed
6-185: Blake Ferguson, LS (LSU): Signed
7-246: Malcolm Perry, WR/RB (Navy): Signed

Per the terms of his slot at No. 39 overall, Hunt is set to earn $8.065MM on his four-year deal. Hunt was first-string for his full run at Louisiana-Lafayette, including stints at left guard, left tackle, and, most recently, right tackle. In his final year, he missed significant time with a groin injury – if it wasn’t for that, the versatile blocker could have been in the first round mix.

At 6’5″ and 323 pounds, Hunt already has the bulk to hang with the pros. The Dolphins have suggested that Hunt could begin his pro career on the inside or the outside, though he’s a logical fit to backstop Michael Dieter at right guard.

Texans Complete Draft Class Deals

July 21st, 2020 at 6:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans signed three draft picks Tuesday, finalizing the contracts for their five-man 2020 draft class.

Houston agreed to terms with second-round defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, fourth-round cornerback John Reid and fifth-round wide receiver Isaiah Coulter.

One of the teams that traded away its first-round pick, doing so in last summer’s Laremy Tunsil deal, Houston led off its draft with Blacklock at No. 40 overall. The TCU product will be in line to replace D.J. Reader, a 2019 breakout performer whom the Bengals poached in free agency.

Coulter will join a new-look Texans wideout corps that could see another change before the regular season begins. The Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins, acquired Brandin Cooks‘ $16.2MM-per-year salary and signed Randall Cobb to a three-year, $27MM deal. They already have Will Fuller on a fifth-year option salary and Kenny Stills on a $7MM 2020 cap number. It would seem the latter is a trade candidate (again).

Here is the Texans’ 2020 draft class:

2-40: Ross Blacklock, DT (TCU)
3-90: Jonathan Greenard, LB (Florida): Signed
4-126: Charlie Heck, OL (North Carolina): Signed
4-141: John Reid, CB (Penn State)
5-171: Isaiah Coulter, WR (Rhode Island)