CB Jerry Jacobs To Visit Falcons, Vikings
Jerry Jacobs has been on the market since the Lions elected not to retain him via an RFA tender. The veteran corner has since drawn interest from a list of teams which is growing. 
Jacobs has visits lined up with the Falcons and Vikings, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Jacksonville recently hosted the 26-year-old as well, so he could have a few options to choose from when joining a new team this offseason. He has made 40 appearances (including 29 starts) over the past three seasons, all with Detroit.
The Lions’ secondary was a weak point last year, and it comes as little surprise the unit has seen plenty of turnover this offseason. Detroit traded for Carlton Davis and signed Amik Robertson, providing the team with a pair of starting-caliber newcomers. The team then used its top two draft picks on corners (Terrion Arnold in the first round, followed by Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second).
As Detroit moves forward with a number of new contributors at the cornerback spot, Jacobs seeks out a new landing spot. The former UDFA matched his previous career high with eight pass deflections last season, also setting a new personal mark with three interceptions. He struggled in coverage, however, surrendering six touchdowns and an opposing passer rating of 96.5 as the nearest defender.
Atlanta has had a quiet offseason to date in terms of cornerbacks. The team lost Jeff Okudah in free agency, bringing in veteran Antonio Hamilton to replace him. The latter played primarily on special teams early in his career, but he has logged a defensive snap share of 61% during each of the past two seasons. The Falcons did not select a corner in the draft.
Minnesota, by contrast, has made a few notable secondary moves so far. The team inked Shaquill Griffin to a one-year, $4.55MM deal in free agency. The former Pro Bowler has 79 starts to his name, and he could hold down a first-team role in 2024. The Vikings then used a fourth-round selection in the draft on Khyree Jackson as a developmental option at the cornerback spot.
The three teams connected to Jacobs so far are in vastly different financial situations. The Jaguars currently have just over $34MM in cap space, whereas that figure sits at $16.67MM for the Vikings and $4.85MM for the Falcons. A short-term Jacobs deal will likely not be an expensive one, but it will be interesting to see how urgently Minnesota and/or Atlanta proceed regarding an offer following his visits.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Ross Dwelley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Cam Gill, DL T.J. Smith
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR John Jackson, DT Dashaun Mallory, LB Paul Moala, WR Freddie Swain
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Kaden Davis, TE Parker Hesse
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): DL Spencer Waege
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OL Trente Jones
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: LB Cole Christiansen
- Released: DT Matt Dickerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Chris Collins
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Ireland Brown, CB Jason Maitre
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Sammis Reyes
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Terrell Jennings, G Ryan Johnson, LB Jay Person, DE Jotham Russell
- Waived: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Kendal Vickers
- Waived: NT John Penisini
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Elijah Chatman
- Waived: OLB Jeremiah Martin
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Hamze El-Zayat, RB Markese Stepp
- Waived: RB Jacques Patrick, DE Marquiss Spencer
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Shon Stephens
- Waived: TE Noah Togiai
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: OL Kellen Diesch
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Shakel Brown
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Nathan Pickering, LB Devin Richardson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Nick Vannett
Falcons Sign Round 2 DT Ruke Orhorhoro
The Falcons continue to add to the number of 2024 draftees on the books. Second-round defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro signed his rookie deal on Monday, per a team announcement. 
Atlanta provided the NFL world with the biggest surprise of the draft’s first night by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. The team added an eventual Kirk Cousins successor in the process, but they also tried to move back into the first-round order. The latter move would have seen the Falcons acquire No. 10 overall, thus allowing them to add a defensive player.
Edge rush was seen as a glaring need for Atlanta ahead of the draft, and the team has been linked to Dallas Turner with respect to its trade-up efforts. The same is also true for defensive tackle Byron Murphy, however. The latter was ultimately selected 16th overall (with Turner going one spot later), and he certainly would have been a logical target for Atlanta given the team’s later draft moves.
Upon trading up the second-round order, Orhorhoro was selected with the No. 35 pick. That surprisingly meant he heard his name called one slot before Jer’Zhan Newton, whom many viewed as a strong Day 1 candidates. Nevertheless, Orhorhoro and fourth-rounder Brandon Dorlus will have a notable role in the short- and long-term future on the defensive line.
The former spent five seasons at Clemson, developing as a pass rusher along the way. Orhorhoro posted eight tackles for loss in each of the past three years, totaling 11.5 sacks during that span. The 6-4, 295-pounder will earn just over $9.9MM across the next four campaigns, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Orhorhoro will split reps with Dorlus as well as veterans Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata along the Falcons’ defensive interior.
Here is an updated look at the Falcons’ rookie class:
- Round 1, No. 8: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Cardinals): Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 74: Bralen Trice (EDGE, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 109: Brandon Dorlus (DT, Oregon)
- Round 5, No. 143: JD Bertrand (LB, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 186 (from Vikings through Cardinals): Jase McClellan (RB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 187: Casey Washington (WR, Illinois) (signed)
- Round 6, 197 (from Browns): Zion Logue (DT, Georgia) (signed)
Falcons Add DB Dane Cruikshank, DL Bradlee Anae
The Falcons are adding a pair of defenders to their offseason roster. The team is signing defensive back Dane Cruikshank and defensive lineman Bradlee Anae, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The duo auditioned for the Falcons yesterday.
Cruikshank is the more experienced of the two, with the defensive back having appeared in 54 career games (plus four playoff appearances). The majority of that playing time came with the Titans, where the former fifth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career.
After compiling a career-high 43 tackles in 2021, Cruikshank has bounced around the NFL over the past couple of years. The defensive back joined the Bears in 2022, primarily appearing on special teams before landing on IR midway through that season. He was released by the Jets last offseason before catching on for his second stint with the Titans, where he got into a pair of games.
Cruikshank’s versatility makes him a valuable back-of-the-depth-chart option for a team. However, considering the Falcons will return much of their secondary depth in 2024 (plus the fact that they also added former Cardinals part-time starter Antonio Hamilton), Cruikshank’s best chances of making the roster would come via special teams.
Anae was a fifth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2020 and got into 11 games across two seasons with the organization. He’s spent the past two seasons bouncing between the Jets practice squad and active roster.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/10/24
Yesterday’s rush of rookie signings continued today. Here are Friday’s draft pick signings:
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Tip Reiman (third round, Illinois)
Atlanta Falcons
- LB JD Bertrand (fifth round, Notre Dame)
- RB Jase McClellan (sixth round, Alabama)
- WR Casey Washington (sixth round, Illinois)
- DT Zion Logue (sixth round, Georgia)
Cincinnati Bengals
- DT McKinnley Jackson (third round, Texas A&M)
- CB Josh Newton (fifth round, TCU)
- TE Tanner McLachlan (sixth round, Arizona)
- S Daijahn Anthony (seventh round, Mississippi)
- C Matt Lee (seventh round, Miami (FL))
Cleveland Browns
- G Zak Zinter (third round, Michigan)
- WR Jamari Thrash (fifth round, Louisville)
- LB Nathaniel Watson (sixth round, Mississippi State)
- CB Myles Harden (seventh round, South Dakota)
- DT Jowon Briggs (seventh round, Cincinnati)
Detroit Lions
- T Giovanni Manu (fourth round, British Columbia)
- RB Sione Vaki (fourth round, Utah)
- DT Mekhi Wingo (sixth round, LSU)
- G Christian Mahogany (sixth round, Boston College)
Las Vegas Raiders
- T DJ Glaze (third round, Maryland)
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Junior Colson (third round, Michigan)
- CB Tarheeb Still (fifth round, Maryland)
- CB Cam Hart (fifth round, Notre Dame)
- RB Kimani Vidal (sixth round, Troy)
- WR Brenden Rice (seventh round, USC)
- WR Cornelius Johnson (seventh round, Michigan)
Minnesota Vikings
- K Will Reichard (sixth round, Alabama)
- C Michael Jurgens (seventh round, Wake Forest)
- DT Levi Drake Rodriguez (seventh round, Texas A&M-Commerce)
New England Patriots
- CB Marcellas Dial (sixth round, South Carolina)
- QB Joe Milton III (sixth round, Tennessee)
- TE Jaheim Bell (seventh round, Florida State)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- G Mason McCormick (fourth round, South Dakota State)
- DT Logan Lee (sixth round, Iowa)
San Francisco 49ers
- OL Dominick Puni (third round, Kansas)
- S Malik Mustapha (fourth round, Wake Forest)
- LB Tatum Bethune (seventh round, Florida State)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- RB Bucky Irving (fourth round, Oregon)
- G Elijah Klein (sixth round, UTEP)
Washington Commanders
- WR Luke McCaffrey (third round, Rice)
- LB Jordan Magee (fifth round, Temple)
- S Dominique Hampton (fifth round, Washington)
- DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (seventh round, Notre Dame)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/10/24
Friday’s minor transactions as we head into the weekend:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Dylan Drummond
Buffalo Bills
- Deemed international roster exemption: T Travis Clayton
Carolina Panthers
- Released: RB Tarik Cohen
- Waived: WR Jalen Camp, TE Chris Pierce Jr.
- Waived (with injured designation): RB Spencer Brown, T Ilm Manning, DT Raequan Williams
- Waived (with non-football injury designation): CB AJ Parker
Dallas Cowboys
- Deemed international roster exemption: DT Denzel Daxon
Denver Broncos
- Deemed international roster exemption: TE Thomas Yassmin
Houston Texans
- Waived: RB Gerrid Doaks
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: WR Terrell Bynum
Miami Dolphins
- Deemed international roster exemption: T Bayron Matos
New York Giants
- Waived (with injured designation): RB Deon Jackson
Cohen hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since his time in Chicago, where he earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as a punt returner, ended in 2020. The North Carolina A&T product had been part of an effective 1-2 punch with Jordan Howard but saw his role diminish with the arrival of David Montgomery in 2019. Since then, injuries have limited the explosive rusher’s ability to make an impact.
Bud Dupree Visits Chargers; OLB Drawing Interest From Falcons, Steelers
The Chargers elected to keep both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack in the fold this offseason, but the team is still interested in at least one of the top veteran edge rushers still on the market. Bud Dupree visited the team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
While the Bolts are interested in adding what would be a high-profile rotational rusher behind their Pro Bowl OLB tandem, Dupree has seen a bit of a post-draft market emerge for his services. Two of his previous three employers — the Steelers and Falcons — have engaged in talks about a return, Schefter adds.
The NFL’s compensatory formula not including free agency moves made in May annually leads to a host of post-draft signings. A handful of notable free agents have signed since the draft, with additions and subtractions no longer affecting teams’ 2025 compensatory hauls. Dupree looks likely to be a post-draft signee, and of these three teams, one carries a clear need compared to the others.
When the Falcons surprised most by drafting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall, they passed on bolstering their edge rush. Atlanta has been unable to generate consistent edge pressure for years, but Dupree made some contributions following his Titans release. Dupree’s 6.5 sacks last season were his most since 2020, when an ACL tear ended his Steelers run. Dupree tied with Calais Campbell for the team lead in sacks; Campbell is also not currently with the Falcons, though the team has kept the door open to a return for an age-38 season.
Dupree, 30, tallied just eight QB hits last season; his 24 pressures ranked 49th in the league. The Falcons attempted to trade back into Round 1, eyeing defensive help. The Falcons were aiming to land Laiatu Latu as well; that certainly would have depleted the team’s draft capital, considering where its second-round slot checked in. As it stands, Atlanta features Lorenzo Carter and 2022 second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie as its top OLBs. The team also chose Bralen Trice in Round 3.
The Steelers, who drafted Dupree in the 2015 first round and kept him through 2020 via the fifth-year option and franchise tag, has two clear-cut starters in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The latter took over as Watt’s top sidekick when Dupree defected to the Titans in 2021. Highsmith has emerged as one of the NFL’s better edge players since, and the Steelers rewarded him with an extension last year. The team has placed a priority on its OLB3 role, having Melvin Ingram and Markus Golden in that position in recent years.
A Chargers add would be perhaps the most interesting, seeing as the Bolts reached restructure agreements to keep Bosa and Mack (while unloading expensive wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams). The team also received promising early returns from 2023 second-round OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, who totaled 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 12 QB hits as a rookie. While Bosa’s injury history makes backup pass-rushing firepower important for the Bolts, Tuipulotu already provides some bench assistance.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/24
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DE Kehinde Oginni
Cleveland Browns
- Waived/failed physical: C Dawson Deaton
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed (from 49ers): DL Spencer Waege
- Waived: DL Rodney Mathews
49ers Notes: Cousins, Deebo, Gipson, Green
No matter how successful the 49ers become, we cannot seem to move past “what if?” scenarios involving bigger-name QBs. Although Tom Brady is retired (for the time being, at least), Kirk Cousins made a second free agency defection. The former Kyle Shanahan Washington pupil received a $100MM practical guarantee from the Falcons, tying him to the team for at least two seasons. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. pick raised the most eyebrows of any in the draft (and stunned Cousins), and one GM said (via the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora) the Falcons do not choose Penix at No. 8 if they do not believe a Cousins trade destination will emerge. Another GM viewed the Penix pick as a path for Cousins to, at long last, reunite with Shanahan in San Francisco.
It would cost the Falcons $37.5MM in dead money to trade Cousins before June 1 next year, and while one of the GMs who spoke to La Canfora the NFC South team would likely be willing to eat dead money to move the high-priced starter (presuming Penix is ready), the 49ers passing on a Brock Purdy extension to bring in a QB ahead of his age-37 season would be quite the development. Jed York has spoken of a Purdy extension, though La Canfora posits the former Mr. Irrelevant’s asking price could point Shanahan back to Cousins.
The 49ers made early preparations to sign Cousins in 2018, before their Jimmy Garoppolo extension, but Shanahan has long been a fan — to the point the 49ers were willing to offer No. 2 overall for the then-Washington QB in 2017. While dot connecting makes sense after the surprising Penix pick, several hurdles appear in the path to Cousins joining the 49ers this late in the game. Here is the latest out of San Francisco:
- The 49ers have All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga on the way back from ACL surgery, and they turned to 2023 third-rounder Ji’Ayir Brown as a starter late last season. Hufanga’s uncertainty about being ready for Week 1 may lead the 49ers to another veteran safety. This has been on the radar for a bit. The team is likely to give two-year starter Tashaun Gipson more time to determine if he wants to play an age-34 season, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. If not, the 49ers will likely want to add more safety help as Hufanga insurance. This job description may not be ideal for some of the safeties still available, but the market remains flush with veteran options after a salary crunch. Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Eddie Jackson and Marcus Maye remain unsigned.
- With Logan Ryan retired and Isaiah Oliver cut, the 49ers are preparing to see if second-round pick Renardo Green can hold his own in the slot. The 49ers will begin Green there, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News notes. While a widespread competition may still take place for the role alongside starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, Shanahan said Green has the makings of a slot defender. Giving Lenoir a chance to push for a boundary-CB payday in a contract year would be interesting, and the 49ers have been unable to turn to a slot cog on a full-time basis since K’Waun Williams‘ 2022 exit.
- The team going with Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 and then drafting Jacob Cowing on Day 3 will put more pressure on Danny Gray, and Barrows adds the former third-rounder’s roster spot is in jeopardy. Drafted as a speed option out of SMU, Gray spent last season on IR and has one career reception.
- Pearsall’s addition would seem to double as preparation for the point the team breaks up the Deebo Samuel–Brandon Aiyuk pairing. The 49ers appear prepared to push this situation to 2025, with John Lynch saying the team is done talking trades involving one of its high-end WRs. With Samuel being discussed on Day 2, a future in which the 49ers pay Aiyuk and trade their multipurpose threat is in play. On this road, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch does predict 2024 will be Samuel’s final 49ers season. Due to void years, it would cost the 49ers $15.1MM in dead money to trade Samuel before June 1 of 2025.
NFL Workouts: Jones, Ward, Summers, Tagovailoa
Veteran wide receiver Zay Jones continues to make the rounds after getting released by the Jaguars last week. Since then, the 29-year-old pass catcher has taken visits with the Titans, Cardinals, and Cowboys. The newest report has Jones scheduling a visit with the Chiefs tomorrow, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
An impressive 2022 campaign that saw Jones catch 82 balls for 823 yards and five touchdowns, all career highs except for the touchdowns, was virtually erased by a disappointing 2023 campaign in which the receiver missed eight games due to a PCL issue and femur damage. The Jaguars opted not to finish out Jones’ final season of a three-year contract, for which Jones would have represented a $6.57MM cap charge.
In Kansas City, Jones could be a part of a completely new-look wide receiving corps for Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have added Marquise Brown in free agency and Texas first-round rookie Xavier Worthy in the draft. They also return Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, and Noah Gray from last year, but Rice could be facing some legal trouble, and if healthy, Jones would be an improvement over the other three while playing alongside Brown and Worthy.
Here are a few other workouts happening around the NFL:
- Career depth running back Jonathan Ward is participating in the Steelers rookie minicamp, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Over four years with the Cardinals and Titans, Ward only has 69 career rushing yards on 17 carries. He’s proven to be an active special teams contributor during that time, though.
- The Broncos took a look at veteran linebacker Ty Summers at their rookie minicamp this past weekend, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. Summers only has one career start over five years with the Packers, Jaguars, and Saints but has appeared in 71 games over that span. A linebacker with some speed, Summers is a productive special teamer, as well.
- After agreeing to participate in the Seahawks’ rookie minicamp, undrafted Maryland quarterback, and brother of the Dolphins’ starting passer, Taulia Tagovailoa will attend the Cardinals‘ rookie minicamp this week, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The rookie will audition to join last year’s fifth-round pick Clayton Tune and 2022’s third-round pick for Atlanta Desmond Ridder as potential backup arms for Kyler Murray in 2024.
- An undrafted linebacker who graduated from Harvard before playing as a graduate transfer at Villanova, Daniel Abraham has been invited to minicamps for both the Falcons and the Seahawks, per Wilson. The speedy linebacker obviously poses some interest due to both his athleticism and his intellect.