The Cowboys were widely expected to add to their wide receiver room this offseason, but they didn’t sign any major free agents or draft a single player at the position.
Dallas would have drafted Tetairoa McMillanwith the No. 12 pick if he was available, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, but the Arizona wideout was selected three picks earlier by the Panthers. They also explored a trade for a veteran receiver from the AFC North, per Archer, but couldn’t come to terms to finalize the deal.
Now, Dallas will likely have to add one of the veteran receivers still available in free agency. One name has already jumped out at the team, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Amari Cooper. He had a down year in 2024, both in Cleveland before the trade deadline and in Buffalo after. The 30-year-old posted the lowest per-game numbers of his career and has received little interest in free agency as a result.
The Cowboys have discussed the possibility of a reunion with Cooper internally, but no deal is imminent, according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater. The team is still evaluating their options at the position, which also include veteran free agents like Keenan Allenand Nelson Agholor.
After missing out on McMillan, the Cowboys went with offensive guard Tyler Booker and by the time they were back on the clock in the second round, four more receivers were off the board. Dallas took Florida State edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with pick No. 44, and another four wideouts were taken before their next pick, which they used on Eastern Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel. All three players were ranked among the team’s top 35 prospects, according to Archer.
Though the Cowboys didn’t address their biggest need in the draft, it’s hard to argue with their process. They drew criticism for taking a guard with such a high first-round pick, especially since Booker was not considered a top-20 talent. However, he was thought to be the best guard in the draft, and the team’s acquisition of falling talents at premium positions in Ezeiruaku and Revel allowed them to finish Day 2 with three players who could start as rookies.
Six of the Cardinals’ seven draft picks were devoted to the defensive side of the ball. Arizona has now made the following additions in the form of undrafted free agent signings:
After the draft – during which only one addition was made to the unit – general manager Monti Ossenfort made it clear move moves along the offensive line would be coming. To no surprise, half of Arizona’s UDFA class is made up of blockers. Senn is among the players who received the largest financial commitments amongst undrafted rookies. The Austrian landed a $40K signing bonus along with $234K of his base salary being guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports.
Fryar also secured a notable guarantee total from Arizona, per Wilson. The four-year Buckeye received $35K up front coupled with the same $234K salary guarantee. Fryar and Senn will both look to carve out a depth role on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster during training camp. One or both could find themselves on the practice squad if they are among the team’s final roster cuts.
Green spent two seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to Wisconsin. The 6-2, 215-pounder was unable to parlay his size into a season with notable production at either program, but over the course of his career he averaged 14.7 yards per reception. Wilson reports Green received $264K in total guarantees to head to Arizona for the offseason.
Kenny Pickettis on his third career team, and he could find himself on the move again next offseason. The former first-round quarterback will head into next season as a pending free agent.
The Browns will decline Pickett’s 2026 fifth-year option, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. That comes as no surprise, of course. The former Steelers draftee is in position to compete for playing time on his new team, but he is far from a lock to handle starting duties. Picking up the option would have represented a $22.12MM commitment on the part of the Browns for 2026.
Widely seen as the most pro-ready prospect at the position in the 2022 draft class – one not held in high regard – Pickett was the first quarterback to hear his name called. That put him in position to handle starting duties right away in an attempt to represent a long-term Ben Roethlisberger successor for the Steelers. Things did not go according to plan, though, and the decision to bench him through the 2023 postseason after returning from injury signaled a departure could be coming.
Indeed, part of the Steelers’ efforts to rebuild their QB room last spring included dealing Pickett to the Eagles. In Philadelphia, he operated as Jalen Hurts‘ backup and made one start. Instead of remaining in Pennsylvania for 2025, though, the 26-year-old will spend the year in Cleveland. The Browns traded Dorian Thompson-Robinsonas well as a fifth-round pick to the Eagles to acquire Pickett; that move could very well prove to be a one-year rental.
The Browns’ new-look quarterback depth chart consists of Deshaun Watson(whose Achilles tear will cost him most, if not all, of 2025), Joe Flacco(who returned to the team after a one-year absence) and a pair of rookies. Cleveland selected Dillon Gabrielin the third round of the the draft, and followed that move by trading up in the fifth round to acquire Shedeur Sanders. The Browns did not plan on making multiple additions during the draft, but Gabriel and/or Sanders could find themselves in the team’s long-term plans depending on how they develop.
Pickett, meanwhile, will spend training camp vying for the QB1 gig. He has 25 starts to his name – a figure which falls well short of Flacco’s experience but obviously makes him more of a known commodity than the team’s rookies. If Pickett winds up atop the depth chart and has a successful stint this season, he could earn a new Browns commitment. For now, though, his future beyond 2025 is uncertain.
Slater, the 13th overall pick in 2021, is entering the final year of his rookie deal on a fifth-year option worth $19MM. He has been one of the league’s premier blindside protectors since he entered the league, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie. A torn biceps tendon ended his second season after just three games, and he’s starting 48 of the Chargers’ 51 regular-season games in his other three years in Los Angeles.
The former Northwestern Wildcat has been ultra-consistent in pass protection, with only two games in his career with more than four pressures allowed, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Slater is also an excellent run-blocker, though the Chargers have not posted strong team-wide rushing numbers in his tenure.
Slater’s extension could make him the league’s highest-paid left tackle. Christian Darrisaw reset the market at $26MM per year last July, and Trent Williams surpassed him in September with a $27.55MM APY. However, this offseason saw Ja’Marr Chase and Myles Garrett reset their positional markets by significant figures, and Slater could push to do the same by becoming the first offensive lineman to earn at least $30MM per year.
The Chargers would likely balk at such a figure this year, as the 2026 franchise tag for offensive linemen is projected to be $27.6MM, per OverTheCap. Los Angeles could tag Slater next offseason and continue negotiations after another increase in the salary cap. A second franchise tag in 2027 would cost another $33.1MM, resulting in a two-year average of $30.4MM that could help the two sides find a middle ground on a long-term deal.
After trading back into the first round on Thursday night, the Falcons made only five selections during the draft. That group of rookies has now been supplemented by an 11-man class of undrafted free agents:
Manning is among the players who received a six-figure commitment upon going undrafted. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports he received a $100K base salary guarantee in addition to a $10K signing bonus. Manning spent each of his five years at Oregon, totaling 54 games with the Ducks. He racked up 80 tackles in his career while notching one interception and six pass breakups during each of the past two seasons.
Skinner was also a clear Atlanta target given the financial commitment he received. The Falcons gave him a $15K signing bonus as part of his $150K guarantee package, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 6-2, 204-pounder will look to compete for a roster spot by adding size to the team’s WR room.
Nash represents an interesting addition at that position. After starting his college career as a quarterback, he converted to receiver; that move proved to be highly beneficial in 2024 in particular. Nash led the FBS in receiving touchdowns (16) last season while totaling 1,382 yards on 104 receptions. The fact he will turn 26 in July hurt his draft stock, but Nash will look to carry over the momentum of his ’24 production into a roster spot at the NFL level.
Ryan Wattsjoined the Steelers as a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft. The defensive back’s time in the organization has come to an end, however, and his playing days appear to be over as well.
“Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster,” a statement from general manager Omar Khan reads. “After consulting with our medical team, medical experts, and Ryan’s representatives, we all agree that it is in Ryan’s best interest to discontinue playing football at this time. We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions to the next phase of his life.”
Watts suffered a neck injury during Pittsburgh’s preseason finale last summer. As a result, he was placed on injured reserve and was ineligible to play during the regular season. Given today’s update, the 23-year-old’s prognosis is obviously not conducive to continuing his football career.
After a pair of seasons at Ohio State, Watts transferred to Texas. He played a pair of seasons with the Longhorns, totaling 89 tackles and six pass breakups during that span. His size (6-3, 212 pounds) offered plenty of potential at the NFL level. As things stand now, though, a major turnaround with respect to his health will be required for a pro career to be possible.
In the build-up to the draft, many saw a skill position addition (in particular a wide receiver) as a logical move for the Cowboys. Dallas ultimately went the offensive line route on Thursday, however, selecting Alabama guard Tyler Booker12th overall.
In the end, the Cowboys did not make any receiver additions over the course of the draft. As a result, attention will once again turn to the team’s efforts aimed at bolstering the position. Finding a complementary option to CeeDee Lambwas known to be a priority before the draft, and that remains the case at this point.
“It was definitely a big time thought,” owner Jerry Jonessaid when asked about adding at the receiver spot in relation to a “substantive trade” Dallas discussed recently (via the team’s website). “The train has not left the station if improvement is needed from what we’ve got on campus.”
In addition to Lamb, the Cowboys have 2024 trade acquisition Jonathan Mingo in the fold at the WR position. The 24-year-old made just five scoreless catches with Dallas last season, but a larger snap share than the one he handed upon arrival (29%) could be in store for next season. The Cowboys also have Jalen Tolbert, Parris Campbell, Ryan Flournoyand Jalen Brookson the depth chart as things stand. Returner KaVontae Turpin– who logged over 300 offensive snaps last season – could also see his workload continue to increase in 2025.
The Cowboys entered Monday with $37.66MM in cap space, so they have plenty of financial flexibility to add a veteran. The free agent pool includes Amari Cooper, although no signs of a reunion being contemplated have emerged yet. As Jones noted, a trade acquisition could also be on the table as teams sort out their post-draft depth charts.
After making an addition along the defensive interior during the opening round of the draft, the Steelers are parting ways with a veteran at that spot. Defensive tackle Montravius Adamsis being released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
A rotational player throughout his eight years (and seven seasons) in the NFL, Adams had been in Pittsburgh since the midway point of the 2021 campaign. He made a total of 46 appearances and 21 starts during his tenure with the Steelers, with his heaviest workload coming in 2023. Last year, the 29-year-old saw his snap share fall to 27% while playing 11 games.
During this weekend’s draft, the Steelers – which still have the likes of Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton and Logan Leein the fold – made a pair of moves along the D-line. That included the selection of Oregon’sDerrick Harmonon Day 1 along with Iowa product Yahya Black during the fifth round. With those two now in the mix, the decision to move on from Adams comes as little surprise.
One season remained on the former third-rounder’s contract, but none of his scheduled base salary was guaranteed. As a result, Pittsburgh will yield $2.25MM in cap savings with this release while generating a dead money charge of only $875K. The team entered Monday with over $31MM in cap space, but this cut will add even further to that figure.
Adams has reached or surpassed 20 tackles on three occasions during his career, but he has eclipsed five QB pressures or one sack only once in a single season. Known to be a non-factor against the pass, he will now look to find a new opportunity with a team eyeing help against the run.
The Bills focused heavily on defense during the draft, leaving their receiver room essentially intact. As the post-draft wave of free agency begins, Buffalo is hosting one of the top options still on the market.
Elijah Moorewill visit the Bills today, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. The former Jets second-rounder only spent his first two years in New York, and he was traded to the Browns halfway through his rookie contract. Moore handled snap shares of 73% and 76% in Cleveland, receiving triple-digit targets both seasons during his time there.
In 2024, the Ole Miss product set a new career high with 61 catches. While his yards per reception average (8.8) marked a step back from his three previous campaigns, the Browns’ quarterback play was lacking throughout the season and their offense struggled as a whole. Considering his age (25), Moore could be seen as a more attractive option to suitors than the other, older wideouts still on the market.
Buffalo’s decision to move on from Stefon Diggslast offseason led to questions at the receiver position. Taking a more balanced approach on offense, the team managed to finish top-10 in passing yards in 2024 while ranking second in the NFL in scoring. Duplicating that success will include continued reliance on Khalil Shakir, who comfortably led the team in yards (821). Shakir was one of several Bills to receive a long-term extension this spring.
Keon Colemanflashed potential during his rookie campaign, averaging an impressive 19.2 yards pre catch (albeit on only 29 receptions). The No. 33 pick in last year’s draft will likely take on an increased workload in 2025, a year in which free agent addition Josh Palmerwill occupy a starting role. Buffalo’s WR room lost Mack Hollinsin free agency while trade acquisition Amari Cooperremains unsigned at this point.
Room therefore exists for an addition late in free agency. Moore could take on at least a rotational role in Buffalo if today’s visit produces an agreement. One would likely need to be a low-cost flier, though, since the Bills entered Monday near the bottom of the league in cap space ($3.14MM) with rookie signings and UDFA additions still to be added to the team’s books.
As the Browns follow the Texans in constructing an extended departure ramp for Deshaun Watson, they have since added four quarterbacks. Each of the players would have a path to starting for a team that saw its highest-paid passer wildly disappoint before suffering two Achilles tears.
As Watson rehabs, the Browns are effectively moving on (though, a monumental dead money hit will loom if that happens in 2026). And the draft brought an unusual outcome. The Browns surprised most by taking Oregon’s Dillon Gabriellate in the third round. Gabriel came off the board 94th, shortly after Jalen Milroebut a full round before Shedeur Sanders. Widely anticipated to go in the first or second rounds, Sanders tumbled to 144th overall. The Browns stopped his skid hours after Andrew Berryhad deemed Gabriel a better fit.
Becoming the rare team to select two quarterbacks in the same draft, the Browns added the rookies to a position group housing Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. (Flacco’s return and the ensuing draft moves will cut off a Kirk Cousins-to-Cleveland path.) The former arrived via trade in March, while the latter is back for a second tour of duty in Cleveland. Both veterans, Flacco especially, have extensive starting experience and could serve as placeholders. Though, we do not know yet who the bridge QBs will be setting up just yet.
Carrying the cheapest contract of the bunch, Sanders will undoubtedly bring by far the most attention. The Browns were once connected to potentially drafting the two-year Colorado starter second overall. A historic draft fall then commenced, allowing the team to trade up (via the Seahawks) for the polarizing prospect in the fifth round. Cleveland certainly did not plan to draft Sanders, but the value proved too enticing. A player viewed as a top-35 (or top-five, in Mel Kiper Jr.’s case) overall prospect will begin training for a potential starting role.
QBs chosen in Round 5 or later obviously have a low percentage shot of hitting, and the NFL effectively showed how it viewed Sanders this weekend. Sanders’ draft slide dwarfed Malik Willis‘ from 2022, as it appeared teams deemed Deion Sanders‘ son/pupil not worth the potential distractions he may bring. Shedeur’s attitude during pre-draft visits came up as one of the reasons he fell, and he is not going to a team that has done well at the quarterback position, for the most part, since rebooting in 1999. That said, Sanders could also make the highly unusual trek from fifth-round rookie to starter. Not too much is blocking him, should outside evaluators’ view be accurate (compared to a perception within the league).
The Browns saw Flacco deliver one of the most memorable QB stretches since they reemerged at the turn of the century, having seen the then-38-year-old join the practice squad and serve as a stunningly effective emergency replacement for Watson. Although Flacco earned Comeback Player of the Year acclaim for his five-game run that lifted an injury-plagued Browns offense to the playoffs, he is now 40 and coming off an unremarkable Colts cameo.
Indianapolis had benched Anthony Richardson in hopes Flacco could stabilize the offense, as a potential playoff berth was deemed a priority over Richardson development. After already subbing for an injured Richardson early last year, Flacco could not hold the job as an non-injury fill-in.
Shane Steichen benched Flacco after a three-INT game in Minnesota, and although he did return to replace Richardson late in the season (featuring a 330-yard loss to the Giants — in a game that cost the NFC East team Cam Ward), the Browns stand to have a diminished version of the former Super Bowl MVP compared to their 2023 edition. Still, Flacco has a path to the Week 1 gig as well.
Pickett could also lay claim to the role, but the Browns picking two quarterbacks by Round 5 also could lead him out of town. The former Steelers No. 20 overall pick has now been traded in back-to-back offseasons, with the second sending historically ineffective Browns backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Philly. Pickett did not impress in his second Steelers season, wrapping a 24-start tenure with 13 TD passes. Pittsburgh traded Pickett after he did not respond well to the Russell Wilson signing, as the Pitt alum sought a new team. Pickett’s struggles against the Commanders led to a late-season Eagles loss, and he left his lone Jalen Hurts relief start with a rib injury.
One season remains on Pickett’s rookie deal, which calls for a $2.62MM base salary. The Browns would take on that amount in dead money if they were to waive Pickett. That did not appear much of a possibility before the draft, as 2022’s top QB choice arrived before Flacco to at least compete for the starting job. But subsequent events complicate that route. Although, two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski having a crack at Pickett — after embattled OC Matt Canada did not do much with him — at least represents an intriguing wild card here.
The first QB the Browns chose this year will step into the unusual spot of being overshadowed by a rookie in his own position group. Gabriel will come to Ohio having been Cleveland’s preference over Sanders, but he will now have to prove it in a way he may not have before the latter investment. Ranked 148th on Daniel Jeremiah‘s NFL.com big board (128 spots behind Sanders), Gabriel started throughout his college career — at Central Florida, Oklahoma and Oregon.
The Ducks’ Bo Nix successor played in a tougher conference, after Oregon’s Big Ten move, and won the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award. That did not result in draft gurus viewing the 5-foot-11 QB as anything but a Day 3 prospect, but the Browns disagreed and will give him a chance to start.
While one of these QBs could be sent to the practice squad, it would be unlikely if Sanders or Gabriel cleared waivers. Pickett would also need to clear waivers to be stashed. Though, it is now easier to imagine Pickett reaching free agency than one of Cleveland’s two recent QB draftees. This complicated situation will be the runaway lead Browns story moving forward, as the Myles Garrett matter is settled. The team’s QB future was supposed to loom large in the Browns regrouping with Garrett, but if this plan does not work out, Berry also secured an extra 2026 first-round pick by trading out of the Travis Hunterdraft slot.
Who will win the offseason competition? And, more importantly, who do you think will end the season as the team’s primary starter? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this swiftly evolving setup in the comments section.
Dallas would have drafted Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 12 pick if he was available, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, but the Arizona wideout was selected three picks earlier by the Panthers. They also explored a trade for a veteran receiver from the AFC North, per Archer, but couldn’t come to terms to finalize the deal.
