Arizona Cardinals News & Rumors

NFL Front Office Updates: Titans, Browns, Eagles, Cardinals, Bears

We mentioned yesterday how a number of teams who have seen changes in the leadership of their front office may be making changes following the NFL Draft. These teams needed their staff at the time, with only weeks leading up to the draft, but with that process now over, the new leadership has started making changes.

The Titans are one such team making changes in recent days. One change is the apparent departure of college scout Tom Roth, who no longer appears on the team’s website, according to Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com. Roth had spent the last six years in Tennessee after serving 14 years as a college scout for the Bills.

It’s not all departures, like yesterday. Stratton noticed two promotions in Tennessee’s front office, as well. Previously the team’s pro scouting coordinator, Rob Riederer now appears on the team’s website as assistant director of football strategy. Likewise, Bryce Wasserman has been promoted from manager of football strategy to chief of staff of football strategy.

Here are a few other updates in player personnel offices around the league:

  • The Browns also see a departure, per Stratton, with Joe Dever reportedly not returning to the team for 2024. Joining the team as a scouting intern in 2019, Dever had spent five years with Cleveland. He had risen to the position of mid-Atlantic scout before his departure.
  • The Eagles are also losing a longtime staffer, according to Stratton. A 15-year veteran of the NFL, Brad Obee will use the expiration of his contract with Philadelphia as a reason to pursue new opportunities in the NFL. Obee began his scouting career on the personnel staff of the Eagles in 2009, working his way up the ladder for six years. He left to serve as a pro scout for the Bears for the next six years before ultimately returning to Philadelphia as a college/pro scout for the past three.
  • The Cardinals, who we noted lost a personnel staffer in yesterday’s post, will also part ways with area scout Darius Vinnett, per Stratton. Vinnett’s contract was expiring, as well, and though Arizona offered him an extension to return in 2024, Vinnett has declined and will seek other opportunities.
  • Lastly, the Bears are moving forward without area scouts Drew Raucina and Sam Summerville, according to Stratton. Raucina is a holdover from the Ryan Pace-era, serving the last six years with the team. He had previously been a combine scout for the NFL. Summerville’s departure is a bit more surprising. He had been with Chicago since 2012 and was voted the BART List as one of the NFC’s best scouts in 2022, per Stratton. He was also named NFC Scout of the Year in 2019. Regardless, general manager Ryan Poles is making changes for the 2024 NFL season.

NFL Front Office Updates: Panthers, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Raiders

Oftentimes, when there are staff and front office changes on NFL teams, a Black Monday-type of exodus can happen following the NFL Draft. With mere months or even weeks between the time of a new staff’s hiring and the draft, it can be advantageous to utilize the scouting and personnel department already in place. Though, after the draft concludes, those same teams may opt to clear house and in their own preferred employees.

The Panthers are one such team, with Joe Person of The Athletic reporting that both director of pro scouting Rob Hanrahan and assistant director of pro scouting Tyler Ramsey have been let go. Hanrahan had been with the team for seven years, while Ramsey had been there for three.

The two weren’t alone as Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com reported the departure of northeast area scout Michael Coe and senior personnel executive Jeff Morrow, as well. New general manager Dan Morgan had forecasted changes after the draft, which we’re seeing now.

Here are some other changes in NFL personnel departments:

  • Stratton also informs us that the Cardinals have parted ways with director of college scouting Josh Scobey. The former Arizona running back had just finished his second year in the role after 12 seasons as a part of the team’s scouting department.
  • The Buccaneers have also moved on from personnel department employees with Stratton reporting that neither veteran scout Mark Ellenz nor assistant director of pro scouting Alex Smith will return in 2024. Smith had been with the team for seven years and was elevated to his most recent position after four seasons as a pro scout.
  • The Raiders are the next team mentioned by Stratton with director of scout development Keith Kidd reportedly being removed from the team’s website.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/24

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Waived: WR Kaden Davis, CB Quavian White

Dallas Cowboys

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: P Seth Vernon

New England Patriots

The Patriots have added some linebacker depth in Oshane Ximines, who spent the first five seasons of his career with the Giants. A third-round pick in 2019, Ximines ended up getting into 48 games during his time in New York, compiling 71 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He was limited to only three games this past season while alternating between the Giants practice squad and active roster.

In New England, he’ll be reunited with outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who previously served in the same role with the Giants. The Patriots will be hoping the new addition can provide some depth at strongside linebacker behind the likes of Matt Judon and Josh Uche.

Cardinals To Decline Zaven Collins’ Fifth-Year Option

Zaven Collins will be a free agent following the 2024 campaign. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort revealed that his team won’t be picking up the linebacker’s fifth-year option, per Darren Urban of the team’s website.

Had the Cardinals picked up Collins’ 2025 option, they would have been on the hook for a $13.25MM cap hit. It seems that the lofty financial commitment is the biggest reason why the fifth-year option won’t be picked up, and Ossenfort acknowledged that Collins remains in the organization’s plans.

“We want to keep Zaven around here,” Ossenfort told the “Burns and Gambo” show (via Urban). “It’s just the fifth-year option, it removes some flexibility in terms of the (salary) cap. We’re going to have some discussions here. Love Zaven, love where he’s at, love what he brings for our defense and hopefully (we) keep him around here for a long time.”

The 16th-overall pick in the 2021 draft spent most of his rookie season in a backup role, but he compiled 100 tackles in 16 starts as a sophomore. The Cardinals moved him to outside linebacker for the 2023 campaign, and Collins proceeded to compile 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks while getting into 58 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus ended up grading him 44th among 112 qualifying edge defenders, although his pass-rush grade left plenty to be desired.

The Cardinals intend to keep Collins on the edge once again in 2024, meaning the impending free agent could only increase his value with a strong performance. At the very least, Collins will have two paths to joining teams (ILB and OLB) when he hits free agency after the season.

Cardinals Sign Three UDFAs

The Cardinals are keeping their UDFA count low this year, announcing just three UDFA additions after making 12 draft choices last week. Here is Arizona’s trio of post-draft hopefuls:

Weaver was part of Deion Sanders‘ massive transfer haul last year. As the rookie Division I-FBS HC overhauled the Pac-12 program, Weaver joined the likes of Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. as imports who became Shedeur Sanders‘ top targets. While Hunter will be a big name to monitor ahead of the 2025 draft, Weaver led the Buffaloes in receiving by a wide margin last season. The South Florida transfer produced a career-high 68 receptions for 908 yards, adding four touchdowns.

Also serving as a punt returner at points, the 6-foot-1 target posted back-to-back 700-plus-yard showings in his final two seasons at South Florida. Weaver joins a Cardinals team — even after Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s arrival — that still has questions at wide receiver. The Cardinals are guaranteeing $225K of Weaver’s $255K base salary, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.

Shimko may be the top name to monitor here for longevity purposes. He won the Patrick Mannelly Award given to the nation’s top long snapper last season. Like many players in this UDFA class, Shimko played five college seasons due to the COVID-19 waiver. The Cardinals released long snapper Matt Hembrough on Monday but re-signed longtime snapper Aaron Brewer in March. Brewer, 33, has been with the Cards since 2016. Shimko’s award-winning season puts him on the radar for a gig elsewhere, should Brewer keep his job.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/24

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Waived: LS Matt Hembrough

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: T Roy Mbaeteka

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Waived: S Tyreque Jones

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Waived: DT Noah Elliss, WR Griffin Hebert, CB Tiawan Mullen, OL Lecitus Smith

The Eagles gave reserve/futures contracts to each of these players in January. Of this lot, only Smith — a 2022 Cardinals sixth-round pick — has played in a game. The young blocker started two games with Arizona as a rookie.

Mbaeteka will receive a second crack at developing with an NFL team through the league’s International Pathway Program. A Nigerian who did not play in high school or college, Mbaeteka spent last year on the Bears’ practice squad. Chicago cut the aspiring offensive lineman in March. Mbaeteka will not count against the Browns’ 90-man roster limit.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

Here is every team’s haul from the 2024 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Read more

2024 NFL Draft Results: Round By Round

From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2024 NFL Draft:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
11. New York Jets (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA)
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jaguars): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns through Texans and Vikings): Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
24. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (T, Arizona)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (T, Oklahoma)
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
32. Carolina Panthers (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)

Round 2

33. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers): Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
34. Los Angeles Chargers (via Patriots): Ladd McConkey (WR, Georgia)
35. Atlanta Falcons (from Cardinals): Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson)
36. Washington Commanders: Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois)
37. New England Patriots (via Chargers): Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
38. Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat (DT, Texas)
39. Los Angeles Rams (from Giants through Panthers): Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State)
40. Philadelphia Eagles (from Bears through Commanders): Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa)
41. New Orleans Saints (from Jets through Packers): Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama)
42. Houston Texans (from Vikings): Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia)
43. Arizona Cardinals (from Falcons): Max Melton (CB, Rutgers)
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Powers-Johnson (OL, Oregon)
45. Green Bay Packers (from Broncos through Saints): Edgerrin Cooper, LB (Texas A&M)
46. Carolina Panthers (from Colts): Jonathon Brooks (RB, Texas)
47. New York Giants (from Seahawks): Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maason Smith (DT, LSU)
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Kris Jenkins Jr. (DT, Michigan)
50. Washington Commanders (from Saints through Eagles): Mike Sainristil (CB, Michigan)
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Frazier (C, West Virginia)
52. Indianapolis Colts (from Rams through Panthers): Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas)
53. Washington Commanders (from Eagles): Ben Sinnott (TE
54. Cleveland Browns: Michael Hall (DT, Ohio State)
55. Miami Dolphins: Patrick Paul (T, Houston)
56. Dallas Cowboys: Marshawn Kneeland (EDGE, Western Michigan)
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Braswell (EDGE, Alabama)
58. Green Bay Packers: Javon Bullard (S, Georgia)
59. Houston Texans: Blake Fisher (T, Notre Dame)
60. Buffalo Bills: Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
61. Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB, Missouri)
62. Baltimore Ravens: Roger Rosengarten (T, Washington)
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from 49ers): Kingsley Suamataia (T, BYU)
64. San Francisco 49ers (from Chiefs): Renardo Green (CB, Florida State)

Round 3

65. New York Jets (from Panthers): Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)
66. Arizona Cardinals: Trey Benson, RB (Florida State)
67. Washington Commanders: Brandon Coleman (OL, TCU)
68. New England Patriots: Caeden Wallace (T, Penn State)
69. Los Angeles Chargers: Junior Colson (LB, Michigan)
70. New York Giants: Andru Phillips (CB, Kentucky)
71. Arizona Cardinals (from Titans): Isaiah Adams (G, Illinois)
72. Carolina Panthers (from Jets): Trevin Wallace (LB, Kentucky)
73. Dallas Cowboys (from Vikings through Lions): Cooper Beebe (G, Kansas State)
74. Atlanta Falcons: Bralen Trice (EDGE, Washington)
75. Chicago Bears: Kiran Amegadjie (T, Yale)
76. Denver Broncos: Jonah Elliss (EDGE, Utah)
77. Las Vegas Raiders: Delmar Glaze (T, Maryland)
78. Houston Texans (from Seahawks though Commanders and Eagles): Calen Bullock (S, USC)
79. Indianapolis Colts (from Jaguars through Falcons and Cardinals): Matt Goncalves (T, Pittsburgh)
80. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Burton, WR (Alabama)
81. Seattle Seahawks (from Saints through Broncos): Christian Haynes (G, UConn)
82. Arizona Cardinals (from Colts): Tip Reiman (TE, Illinois)
83. Los Angeles Rams: Blake Corum (RB, Michigan)
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Roman Wilson (WR, Michigan)
85. Cleveland Browns: Zak Zinter (G, Michigan)
86. San Francisco 49ers (from Eagles through Texans and Eagles): Dominick Puni (OL, Kansas)
87. Dallas Cowboys: Marist Liufau (LB, Notre Dame)
88. Green Bay Packers: MarShawn Lloyd (RB, USC)
89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tykee Smith (S, Georgia)
90. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Elijah Jones (CB, Boston College)
91. Green Bay Packers (from Bills): Ty’Ron Hopper (LB, Missouri)
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Lions): Jalen McMillan (WR, Washington)
93. Baltimore Ravens: Adisa Isaac (EDGE, Penn State)
94. Philadelphia Eagles (from 49ers): Jalyx Hunt (EDGE, Houston Christian)
95. Buffalo Bills (from Chiefs): DeWayne Carter (DT, Duke)
96. Jacksonville Jaguars*: Jarrian Jones (CB, Florida State)
97. Cincinnati Bengals*: McKinnley Jackson (DT, Texas A&M)
98. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Eagles)*: Payton Wilson (LB, NC State)
99. Los Angeles Rams*: Kamren Kinchens (S, Miami)
100. Washington Commanders*: Luke McCaffrey (WR, Rice)

Round 4

101. Carolina Panthers: Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas)
102. Denver Broncos (from Commanders through Seahawks): Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
103. New England Patriots: Layden Robinson (G, Texas A&M)
104. Arizona Cardinals: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (S, Texas Tech)
105. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Eboigbe (DL, Alabama)
106. Tennessee Titans: Cedric Gray (LB, North Carolina)
107. New York Giants: Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State)
108. Minnesota Vikings: Khyree Jackson (CB, Oregon)
109. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Dorlus (DT, Oregon)
110. New England Patriots (from Bears through Chargers): Javon Baker (WR, Central Florida)
111. Green Bay Packers (from Jets): Evan Williams (S, Oregon)
112. Las Vegas Raiders: Decamerion Richardson (CB, Mississippi State)
113. Baltimore Ravens (from Broncos through Jets): Devontez Walker (WR, North Carolina)
114. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Foster (T, Missouri)
115. Cincinnati Bengals: Erick All (TE, Iowa)
116. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Saints): Jordan Jefferson (DT, LSU)
117. Indianapolis Colts: Tanor Bortolini (C, Wisconsin)
118. Seattle Seahawks: Tyrice Knight (LB, UTEP)
119. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason McCormick (G, South Dakota State)
120. Miami Dolphins (from Rams through Steelers and Eagles): Jaylen Wright (RB, Tennessee)
121. Seattle Seahawks (from Dolphins through Broncos): AJ Barner (TE, Michigan)
122. Chicago Bears (from Eagles): Tory Taylor (P, Iowa)
123. Houston Texans (from Browns through Texans and Eagles): Cade Stover (TE, Ohio State)
124. San Francisco 49ers (from Cowboys): Malik Mustapha (S, Wake Forest)
125. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving (RB, Oregon)
126. Detroit Lions (from Packers through Jets): Giovanni Manu (T, British Columbia)
127. Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Will Shipley (RB, Clemson)
128. Buffalo Bills: Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)
129. San Francisco 49ers (from Lions through Vikings and Jets): Isaac Guerendo (RB, Louisville)
130. Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Tampa (CB, Iowa State)
131. Kansas City Chiefs: Jared Wiley (TE, TCU)
132. Detroit Lions (from 49ers through Eagles)*: Sione Vaki RB/S, Utah)
133. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills)*: Jaden Hicks (S, Washington State)
134. New York Jets*: Braelon Allen (RB, Wisconsin)
135. San Francisco 49ers*: Jacob Cowing (WR, Arizona)

Round 5

136. Seattle Seahawks (from Panthers through Browns and Broncos): Nehemiah Pritchett (CB, Auburn)
137. Los Angeles Chargers (through Patriots): Tarheeb Still (CB, Maryland)
138. Arizona Cardinals: Xavier Thomas (EDGE, Clemson)
139. Washington Commanders: Jordan Magee (LB, Temple)
140. Los Angeles Chargers: Cam Hart (CB, Notre Dame)
141. Buffalo Bills (from Giants through Panthers): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C, Georgia)
142. Indianapolis Colts (from Titans through Panthers): Anthony Gould (WR, Oregon State)
143. Atlanta Falcons: JD Bertrand (LB, Notre Dame)
144. Chicago Bears (reacquired from Bills): Austin Booker (EDGE, Kansas)
145. Denver Broncos (from Jets): Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri)
146. Tennessee Titans (from Vikings through Eagles): Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (CB, Louisville)
147. Denver Broncos: Audric Estime (RB, Notre Dame)
148. Las Vegas Raiders: Tommy Eichenberg (LB, Ohio State)
149. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Newton (CB, TCU)
150. New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina)
151. Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Carlies (S, Missouri)
152. Philadelphia Eagles (from Seahawks through Commanders): Ainias Smith (WR, Texas A&M)
153. Jacksonville Jaguars: Deantre Prince (CB, Ole Miss)
154. Los Angeles Rams: Brennan Jackson (WR, Washington State)
155. Philadelphia Eagles (from Steelers through Rams, Panthers and Colts): Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB, Clemson)
156. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles through Cardinals): Jamari Thrash (WR, Louisville)
157. Carolina Panthers (from Browns through Vikings and Jets): Chau Smith-Wade (CB, Washington State)
158. Miami Dolphins: Mohamed Kamara (EDGE, Colorado State)
159. Kansas City Chiefs (from Cowboys): Hunter Nourzad (C, Penn State)
160. Buffalo Bills (from Packers): Edefuan Ulofoshio (LB, Washington)
161. Washington Commanders (from Buccaneers through Eagles): Dominique Hampton (S, Washington)
162. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Christian Jones (T, Texas)
163. Green Bay Packers (from Bills) Jacob Monk (C, Duke)
164. Indianapolis Colts (from Lions through Eagles): Jaylin Simpson (S, Auburn)
165. Baltimore Ravens: Rasheen Ali (RB, Marshall)
166. New York Giants (from 49ers through Panthers): Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, Purdue)
167. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Chiefs through Vikings): Keilan Robinson (RB, Texas)
168. Buffalo Bills (from Saints through Packers)*: Javon Solomon (EDGE, Troy)
169. Green Bay Packers*: Kitan Oladapo (S, Oregon State)
170. New Orleans Saints*: Bub Means (WR, Pittsburgh)
171. New York Jets (from Eagles)*: Jordan Travis (QB, Florida State)
172. Philadelphia Eagles*: Trevor Keegan (G, Michigan)
173. New York Jets (from Chiefs through 49ers)*: Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State)
174. Dallas Cowboys*: Caelen Carson (CB, Wake Forest)
175. New Orleans Saints*: Jaylan Ford (LB, Texas)
176. New York Jets (from 49ers)*: Qwan’Tez Stiggers (CB, Toronto Argonauts)

Round 6

177. Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers through Jaguars): Walter Rouse (T, Oklahoma)
178. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cardinals through Panthers): Logan Lee (DT, Iowa)
179. Seattle Seahawks (from Commanders): Sataoa Laumea (G, Utah)
180. New England Patriots: Marcellas Dial (CB, South Carolina)
181. Los Angeles Chargers: Kimani Vidal (RB, Troy)
182. Tennessee Titans (reacquired from Eagles): Jha’Quan Jackson (WR, Tulane)
183. New York Giants: Darius Muasau (LB, UCLA)
184. Miami Dolphins (from Bears): Malik Washington (WR, Virginia)
185. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Johnny Wilson (WR, Florida State)
186. Atlanta Falcons (from Vikings through Cardinals): Jase McClellan (RB, Alabama)
187. Atlanta Falcons: Casey Washington (WR, Illinois)
188. Houston Texans (from Raiders through Patriots and Vikings): Jamal Hill (LB, Oregon)
189. Detroit Lions (from Broncos through Rams, Bills and Texans): Mekhi Wingo (DT, LSU)
190. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints through Packers and Jets): Dylan McMahon (C, NC State)
191. Arizona Cardinals (from Colts): Tejhaun Palmer (WR, UAB)
192. Seattle Seahawks: DJ James (CB, Auburn)
193. New England Patriots (from Jaguars): Joe Milton III (QB, Tennessee)
194. Cincinnati Bengals: Tanner McLachlan (TE, Arizona)
195. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Watts (CB, Texas)
196. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Davis (DT, Clemson)
197. Atlanta Falcons (from Browns): Zion Logue (DT, Georgia)
198. Miami Dolphins: Patrick McMorris (S, Cal)
199. New Orleans Saints (from Eagles): Khristian Boyd (DT, Northern Iowa)
200. Carolina Panthers (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills): Jaden Crumedy (DT, Mississippi State)
201. Indianapolis Colts (from Buccaneers through Lions and Eagles): Micah Abraham (CB, Marshall)
202. Green Bay Packers: Travis Glover (T, Georgia State)
203. Minnesota Vikings (from Texans through Browns, Broncos and Jets): Will Reichard (K, Alabama)
204. Buffalo Bills: Tylan Grable (T, Central Florida)
205. Houston Texans (from Lions): Jawhar Jordan (RB, Louisville)
206. Cleveland Browns (from Ravens): Nathaniel Watson (LB, Mississippi State)
207. Seattle Seahawks (from 49ers and Broncos): Michael Jerrell (T, Findlay)
208. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chiefs): Dylan Laube (RB, New Hampshire)
209. Los Angeles Rams*: Joshua Karty (K, Stanford)
210. Detroit Lions (from Eagles)*: Christian Mahogany (G, Boston College)
211. Kansas City Chiefs (from 49ers)*: Kamal Hadden (CB, Tennessee)
212. Jacksonville Jaguars*: Cam Little (K, Arkansas)
213. Los Angeles Rams*: Jordan Whittington (WR, Texas)
214. Cincinnati Bengals*: Cedric Johnson (DE, Ole Miss)
215. San Francisco 49ers*: Jarrett Kingston (G, USC)
216. Dallas Cowboys*: Ryan Flournoy (WR, Southeast Missouri State)
217. Los Angeles Rams*: Beaux Limmer (C, Arkansas)
218. Baltimore Ravens* Devin Leary (QB, Kentucky)
219. Buffalo Bills (from Packers)*: Daequan Hardy (CB, Penn State)
220. Tampa Bay Buccaneers*: Elijah Klein (G, UTEP)

Round 7

221. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs): Travis Clayton (T, England)
222. Washington Commanders: Javontae Jean-Baptiste (EDGE, Notre Dame)
223. Las Vegas Raiders (from Patriots): Trey Taylor (S, Air Force)
224. Cincinnati Bengals (from Cardinals through Texans): Daijahn Anthony (DB, Mississippi State)
225. Los Angeles Chargers: Brenden Rice (WR, USC)
226. Arizona Cardinals (from Giants): Jaden Davis (CB, Miami)
227. Cleveland Browns (from Titans): Myles Harden (CB, South Dakota)
228. Baltimore Ravens (from Jets): Nick Samac (C, Michigan State)
229. Las Vegas Raiders (from Vikings): MJ Devonshire (CB, Pitt)
230. Minnesota Vikings (from Falcons through Browns and Cardinals): Michael Jurgens (C, Wake Forest)
231. New England Patriots (from Bears): Jaheim Bell (TE, Florida State)
232. Minnesota Vikings (from Broncos through 49ers and Texans): Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT, Texas A&M Commerce)
233. Dallas Cowboys (from Raiders): Nathan Thomas (T, Louisiana-Lafayette)
234. Indianapolis Colts: Jonah Laulu (DT, Oklahoma)
235. Denver Broncos (from Seahawks): Devaughn Vele (WR, Utah)
236. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Cole (DE, Texas Tech)
237. Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Lee (C, Miami)
238. Houston Texans (from Saints): Solomon Byrd (EDGE, USC)
239. New Orleans Saints (from Rams through Broncos): Josiah Ezirim (T, Eastern Kentucky)
240. Carolina Panthers (from Steelers): Michael Barrett (LB, Michigan)
241. Miami Dolphins: Tahj Washington (WR, USC)
242. Tennessee Titans (from Eagles): James Williams (S, Miami)
243. Cleveland Browns: Jowon Briggs (DT, Cincinnati)
244. Dallas Cowboys: Justin Rogers (DT, Auburn)
245. Green Bay Packers: Michael Pratt (QB, Tulane)
246. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin Culp (TE, Washington)
247. Houston Texans: Marcus Harris (DT, Auburn)
248. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): C.J. Hanson (G, Holy Cross)
249. Houston Texans (from Lions): LaDarius Henderson (G, Michigan)
250. Baltimore Ravens: Sanoussi Kane (S, Purdue)
251. San Francisco 49ers: Tatum Bethune (LB, Florida State)
252. Tennessee Titans (from Chiefs): Jaylen Harrell (EDGE, Michigan)
253. Los Angeles Chargers*: Cornelius Johnson (WR, Michigan)
254. Los Angeles Rams*: KT Leveston (G, Kansas State)
255. Green Bay Packers*: Kalen King (CB, Penn State)
256. Denver Broncos (from New York Jets*: Nick Gargiulo (C, South Carolina)
257. New York Jets*: Jaylen Key (DB, Alabama)

* = compensatory selection

Colts Move Up To No. 79

The Colts have moved up the third-round order, swapping places with the Cardinals. Indianapolis has acquired No. 79 in exchange for 82 and 191.

With the newly-acquired pick, the Colts have drafted Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves. That makes him the second player taken on the offensive side of the ball to join the Colts today, after the team selected the first defender (Laiatu Latu) during Thursday’s opening round. This latest choice will provide depth up front after wideout Adonai Mitchell was added in the second round.

Goncalves spent four seasons at Pitt, redshirting in his freshman campaign. After that point, though, he developed into a key figure on the Panthers’ offensive line by seeing time at both tackle spots. The 6-6, 330-pounder started three of nine contests in 2021 before becoming a full-time starter in the following campaign. He split his time between left and right tackle that year.

Goncalves entered the 2023 season with high expectations, and he was the only Pitt player named to the preseason All-ACC list. His senior year came to an abrupt end after just three contests due to injury, however, something which no doubt impacted his draft stock. Goncalves, if healthy, will provide a high-floor option capable of seeing time at either tackle spot early in his time with the Colts.

Indianapolis has Bernhard Raimann in place on the blindside along with high-priced Braden Smith at the right tackle spot with respect to first-team options. Both players are under contract for multiple years, so Goncalves will likely not have a path to a starting spot right away. He could serve as a capable backup in the short- and long-term, though.

Draft Notes: Morgan, Commanders, Cardinals, Harrison, Bills, Dolphins, Texans

A pre-draft report indicated the Commanders were making an effort to trade into the bottom half of Round 1, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline adds the team made that effort with the goal of adding Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan. The three-year Wildcats starter ended up going to the Packers at No. 25, being part of a historic run of tackles in the round. Washington has gone in another direction tonight, trading down (via the Eagles, who parted with two second-rounders to climb to No. 40 for Cooper DeJean). The Commanders did not take a tackle in the second round. Although the team has added a host of former Dan Quinn charges, no tackle move has emerged this offseason.

As we head into Round 3, there is the latest from the draft:

  • The Cardinals were linked to having conversations about moving down from No. 4 overall. GM Monti Ossenfort agreed to move down from No. 3 to No. 12 last year, allowing the Texans to take Will Anderson Jr.. This year? No dice. The second-year Arizona GM confirmed conversations occurred and offers emerged but said (via NFL.com’s Omar Ruiz) none were close to convincing the team to pass on Marvin Harrison Jr. Teams like the Raiders, Broncos, Giants and Vikings were linked to No. 4, but only one of those teams — Minnesota — ended up moving in Round 1. And the Vikings only needed to climb one spot for J.J. McCarthy.
  • Moving down twice in Round 1, the Bills accumulated some additional assets. The team was linked to perhaps trading into the top 10 in Round 1, but GM Brandon Beane confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg) no calls were made to move up Thursday night. The Bills ended up trading with the Chiefs and Panthers, picking up additional third- and fifth-round picks. The Bills had chances to trade into the 40s or 50s from Round 1, Beane added (via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia), but did not want to move back that far. Buffalo also did not want to move its own Round 2 selection (No. 60); they ended up making two second-round picks tonight.
  • The Dolphins did, in fact, try to trade up Thursday night. GM Chris Grier confirmed Miami made an effort to move back into the first round. No action occurred, however, and the Dolphins exited Round 1 with edge rusher Chop Robinson.
  • Trading their first-round pick to the Vikings — who did not end up needing it to trade up for a quarterback — the Texans did try to trade back into Round 1 late Thursday night, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. GM Nick Caserio was rumored to be targeting a move back into Round 1, as he had dealt the last first-rounder of the Deshaun Watson haul to the Cardinals last year. But Houston stood pat, remaining at No. 42.