Giants Sign First-Round WR Malik Nabers
The Giants were consistently mentioned as a suitor for one of the 2024 draft class’ top quarterbacks. The team made a notable offer for the No. 3 pick (and with it, Drake Maye), but ultimately remained in place at sixth overall. That allowed New York to draft LSU wideout Malik Nabers and add a dynamic option to the team’s passing game in the process. 
Nabers has signed his rookie contract, the Giants announced on Friday. Many players on the verge of their first NFL rookie minicamps have done the same recently in preparation for the weekend. This four-year pact will be worth just over $29MM fully guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. Nabers will collect a signing bonus of just over $18MM.
Like all other first-rounders, Nabers’ deal will also include a fifth-year option the team could pick up for the 2028 campaign. If things go according to plan over the next three seasons, that will not be a difficult decision on New York’s part. Nabers enters the league with major expectations after he solidified his status as one of the top three prospects in a loaded receiver class. Ahead of the draft, it was learned some teams had the All-American rated higher than Marvin Harrison Jr.
While the latter did wind up hearing his name called fourth overall, the Giants were among the teams high on Nabers leading up to the draft. He saw his production increase with each passing season at LSU, including a standout junior campaign to close out his college career. Nabers racked up 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns on 89 receptions in 2023, displaying explosiveness both before and after the catch.
Both Harrison and fellow top-10 receiver Rome Odunze are generally seen as more polished players, but Nabers’ size (6-1, 188) and athleticism give him plenty of upside at the NFL level. He will immediately take on a notable role on a Giants team which ranked 31st in the NFL in passing yards last season. Quarterback injuries hindered the team’s offense, but with either Daniel Jones or Drew Lock under center New York will aim to be more efficient moving forward.
Nabers will join the likes of Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson and recent addition Allen Robinson in the Giants’ receiving corps. Much of the team’s ability to rebound from a forgettable 2023 campaign will depend on their progress in the passing game, and Nabers will be a central figure in that regard.
Giants Add Eight UDFAs
The Giants exited the 2024 draft with six rookies, but the team has now added to that mix. Here are the undrafted free agents New York has signed:
- Ayir Asante, WR (Wyoming)
- John Jiles, WR (West Florida)
- Alex Johnson, DB (UCLA)
- Marcellus Johnson, T (Missouri)
- Jake Kubas, G (North Dakota State)
- Ovie Oghoufo, DE (LSU)
- Casey Rogers, DL (Oregon)
Of the seven players players listed above, five received a six-figure guarantee from the Giants. The largest commitment was made to Kubas, whom Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports landed $270K. That figure consists of $240K in base salary in addition to a $30K signing bonus, a strong sign the team expects him to at least secure a practice squad spot in 2024.
Rogers landed $220K in guaranteed compensation, per Duggan. The 6-4, 300-pounder transferred from Nebraska to Oregon after the 2021 campaign. During his two seasons with the Ducks, Rogers totaled 56 tackles (including six for loss) and 1.5 sacks. Jiles received $100K in guarantees, Duggan adds. That represents a strong compensation package for the Division II product.
New York gave Marcellus Johnson a $150K guaranteed base salary along with a $20K signing bonus, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. Alex Johnson, meanwhile, secured $115K in total guarantees, per Wilson. The latter spent four seasons with the Bruins, and his ball production saw a notable increase last season. Johnson racked up the only five interceptions of his career in 2023, adding three pass deflections.
The Giants’ UDFA class also includes kicker Jude McAtamney, and he represents their international roster exemption. Each team is allowed one designated international player who can be retained without using a 90-man roster spot. McAtamney only attempted one kick last season, but in 2022 he went 12-for-18 on field goals while converting all but one of his 24 extra point attempts. He will look to earn a taxi squad spot as depth behind Graham Gano.
CB Stephon Gilmore Addresses Free Agency
Stephon Gilmore remains on the open market as he seeks out a new deal. The former Defensive Player of the Year recently spoke about his lengthy free agent process, noting that he is eyeing an ideal fit with his next team. 
“I’m still focused on playing, but it has to be the right opportunity,” Gilmore told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. “I feel like it’s the age thing with some of these teams. If I was 28, I would already have been signed by now; at the same time, I know the value I still bring. If you watch the tape, I feel like I played well the last two years, and literally almost played every snap last year. So I’m staying patient.”
Indeed, Gilmore has logged over 1,000 defensive snaps in each of the past two seasons. That stretch includes his one-and-done campaign with the Colts, followed by his time with the Cowboys last year. The five-time Pro Bowler stated a desire to re-sign with Dallas earlier this offseason, but nothing has happened on that front. Gilmore has frequently been linked to a return to Carolina, where he played in 2021.
A report from Monday indicated the Panthers are not close to an agreement with the 33-year-old, however. As a result, Gilmore remains available to any teams eyeing experience in the secondary. The former first-rounder was limited to nine games in his Carolina campaign, but he has missed just one contest since. Remaining a full-time starter over the past two years, he has totaled four interceptions and 24 pass breakups and could therefore be a productive contributor on a number of teams.
Around the NFL, teams are finalizing their rookie classes in anticipation of minicamps. Signing draft picks to their respective contracts will use up some of each team’s available cap space, but several potential suitors could comfortably afford a short-term Gilmore deal. It will be interesting to see what his asking price sits at, and the interest which is generated in the coming weeks with respect to teams being willing to meet it.
Lions Sign 15 UDFAs
The Lions came away with five rookies over the course of the draft. The 2024 event’s hosts have added to that group with 15 undrafted players. Here are Detroit’s rookie free agent signings:
- Jalon Calhoun, WR (Duke)
- Steele Chambers, LB (Ohio State)
- Duke Clemens, OL (UCLA)
- Kingsley Eguakun, OL (Florida)
- Chelen Garnes, S (Wake Forest)
- DaRon Gilbert, LB (Northern Illinois)
- Hogan Hatten, LS (Idaho)
- Bryan Hudson, OL (Louisville)
- Nate Lynn, DL (William & Mary)
- Morice Norris Jr., CB (Fresno State)
- Isaac Rex, TE (BYU)
- Loren Strickland, S (Ball State)
- James Turner, K (Michigan)
- Isaac Ukwu, DL (Ole Miss)
- Isaiah Williams, WR (Illinois)
Williams secured one of the largest guarantees in the league amongst undrafted rookies. The 5-9 speedster received $225K of locked in base salary in addition to a $15K signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Williams began his college career as a quarterback, but over the past three seasons he served as a key member of the Fighting Illini’s passing attack. The 180-pounder recorded 82 catches in 2022 and ’23, totaling a career-high 1,055 yards and five touchdowns last year.
The Lions finished the 2023 campaign with Michael Badgley as their kicker, and he was re-signed earlier this offseason. The 28-year-old entered Friday as the only kicker on Detroit’s roster, but Turner will provide offseason competition. The latter spent his first four seasons at Louisville, converting 79.7% of his field goal attempts. That figure rose to 85.7% with the Wolverines in 2023, and Turner connected on all but one of his extra point kicks
Like Williams, Chambers switched positions midway through his college tenure. He started his time with the Buckeyes as a running back, though he only received 28 carries across the 2018 and ’19 seasons. The move to linebacker prompted a spike in playing time, and Chambers increased his tackle total with each passing season over the last three years. In all, the 6-1, 220-pounder racked up 208 stops, three sacks and four interceptions; he will aim to translate that production into at least a special teams opportunity in Detroit.
Rams To Trade WR Ben Skowronek To Texans
Rather than moving on from Ben Skowronek by cutting him, the Rams will do so via trade. The fourth-year wideout is being dealt to the Texans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 
Reports from Thursday indicated the Rams were planning on waiving the 26-year-old. That process would have left all NFL teams available to put in a claim. Houston will jump the line by agreeing to swap sixth- and seventh-round picks with Los Angeles in 2026, per Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport. One year remains on Skowronek’s rookie contract.
As would have been the case by waiving the former seventh-rounder, this transaction will create just over $1MM in cap savings for the Rams. The Texans, meanwhile, have made another addition to their WR room, one which of course now includes Stefon Diggs. He will be counted on as a key member of the team’s passing attack, but Skowronek’s run blocking and special teams acumen will make him a valued role player.
The latter had a negligible role on offense in 2021 and ’23. In between that time, however, he logged a snap share of 82% and made 39 catches. Skowronek will not be counted on to command many targets in Houston, considering the other pass-catchers the team has aside from Diggs. The Texans return the likes of Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Robert Woods at the receiver position. They also have tight end Dalton Schultz under contract for the next three years.
Expectations will be high for the Texans moving forward after their surprise run to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2023. If Skowronek is able to hold down a depth role this season, he could set himself up for an extended stay in Houston or boost his free agent market in 2025. For the Rams, meanwhile, this move will place an increased emphasis on starters Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua remaining healthy and productive moving forward, as they were last season.
Los Angeles re-signed both Tyler Johnson and Demarcus Robinson this offseason, and the latter in particular will be counted on to serve as depth WR contributor. The Rams also have new tight end Colby Parkinson in place as another secondary pass-catcher. They will proceed without Skowronek’s third phase contributions as they look to build off their own postseason appearance from last season.
Giants Sign WR Allen Robinson
Another veteran wideout has landed a short-term opportunity with a new team in the wake of the draft. The Giants signed Allen Robinson on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
Veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson notes this one-year pact will qualify for the veteran salary benefit. As such, it constitutes a low-cost investment on New York’s part as the team looks to add in the passing game. For Robinson, this deal marks his fifth career team.
The 30-year-old established himself as a dependable target during his Jacksonville and Chicago tenures, stretches often marked by underwhelming quarterback play. Robinson still managed to reach the 1,100-yard mark three times (2015, 2019 and 2020). After playing on the franchise tag during his final Bears campaign, expectations were therefore high when he signed a $46.5MM Rams deal.
Robinson was limited to just 10 games in 2022, however, and he recorded only 339 yards with Los Angeles. As part of the Rams’ financial maneuvering during the subsequent offseason, he was traded to the Steelers. That move set the one-time Pro Bowler up for another starting position in Pittsburgh, though the team’s passing attack understandably leaned heavily on Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Robinson made 34 scoreless catches in 2023, although he did manage to remain healthy for the full season.
In spite of that availability, it came as little surprise when the Steelers cut Robinson earlier this offseason. Like many other veteran receivers, the Penn State product had a lengthy stay on the open market and needed to wait until after the draft to find a deal. The terms of this agreement demonstrate the limited market Robinson had coming off three straight seasons of underwhelming production. After totaling 200 receptions and 13 touchdowns between 2019-20, he has recorded only a 105-1,029-4 statline since then.
The Giants did extensive work on the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and the team submitted an offer to move up to No. 3 in the order to select Drake Maye. In the end, New York retained the sixth selection and used it on Malik Nabers. The LSU speedster will be tasked with helping the team rebound from a forgettable showing on offense endured in 2023. A number of incumbents are also in the fold, although the contractual future of Darius Slayton remains uncertain at this point.
Robinson will aim to earn a roster spot during training camp on a New York offense featuring short- and long-term questions under center. A strong outing in 2024 would help his market value while providing either Daniel Jones or Drew Lock with an experienced pass-catching option along the way.
Vic Fangio Aims To Finish Career As Eagles DC
Vic Fangio spent the 2023 season as defensive coordinator of the Dolphins, but his tenure there proved to be short-lived. After only a single season in Miami, the veteran coach quickly worked out a deal to take over the Eagles’ DC position. 
The Dolphins intended to keep Fangio in place for at least 2024, but his coaching style was not well-received by everyone in the organization. Conversations with head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear a parting of ways would be mutually beneficial, paving the way for his Philadelphia hire. When speaking to the media on Thursday, Fangio made it clear he intends to close out his career in his current capacity.
“It was exactly 40 years ago when I started my pro coaching career across the street at Veterans Stadium, and I thought it’d be cool to hopefully end it here,” the 65-year-old said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “So 40 years later, here I am. It was a thrill for me to go to work at Veterans Stadium 40 years ago because I used to go to games there all the time, and now it’s a thrill to come back 40 years later and hopefully finish it out here.”
Fangio – a native of Dunmore, Pennsylvania – started out as a coach with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars. That was followed two years later by a linebackers coaching gig with the Saints, something which set up a long tenure of DC roles. Fangio had been a coordinator with the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers and Bears prior to his one-and-done in Miami. That, in turn, was preceded by his only head coaching opportunity (with the Broncos) and a consultant stint in Philadelphia in 2022.
When asked about the timing of his return to the Eagles, Fangio confirmed (via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer) he likely would have been in his current posting one year ago had the timing of the Eagles’ and Dolphins’ DC postings been different. After bringing in Sean Desai as their Jonathan Gannon replacement, Philadelphia struggled on defense in 2023. That led to Matt Patricia taking over as play-caller midway through the season, one in which the team collapsed down the stretch and bowed out in the wild-card round.
Fangio will be tasked with overseeing a rebound on that side of the ball. The Eagles have paid plenty of attention to their secondary both in free agency and the draft, and the unit has plenty of potential to take a step forward this season. Fangio admitted nothing is certain in the coaching ranks, and a failure to meet expectations could of course change his plans. If he has his way, however, this latest coordinator opportunity will represent the final chapter of his time spent on the sidelines in the NFL.
Bears Sign Nine UDFAs
The Bears kicked off the 2024 draft, and the team also owned the No. 9 pick. Chicago only made three other selections during the weekend, though, leaving room for a number of undrafted players to take part in rookie minicamp. Here are the Bears’ UDFA additions:
- Brenden Bates, TE (Kentucky)
- Theo Benedet, T (British Columbia)
- Carl Jones Jr., LB (UCLA)
- Jamree Kromah, DL (James Madison)
- Peter LeBlanc, WR (Louisiana)
- Keith Randolph Jr., DT (Illinois)
- Austin Reed, QB (Western Kentucky)
- Reddy Steward, DB (Troy)
- Ian Wheeler, RB (Howard)
Randolph did not enter the draft with nearly as much acclaim as fellow Illinois D-lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, but he received a notable financial commitment from the Bears. Randolph secured $200K in guaranteed salary along with a $20K signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The 6-5, 270-pounder amassed 10 sacks over the past three seasons and he will aim to provide depth along the defensive interior this year.
Chicago’s other lucrative financial investment was made in Benedet. Just like college teammate Giovanni Manu, Benedet put himself on the NFL radar during his time with the Thunderbirds. The latter received $100K in total guarantees, per Wilson. Benedet earned first-team All-Canadian honors in each of the past two seasons, and he was selected by his hometown BC Lions in this year’s CFL draft. If he does not make the Bears’ initial roster, therefore, he will have a path to playing time north of the border.
Reed began his college career at Southern Illinois, redshirting with the team in 2018. That was followed by a transfer to West Florida, with whom he won the Division II championship. Reed sat out the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign before ultimately finishing his college tenure at Western Kentucky. Over two seasons with the Hilltoppers, he amassed 8,086 passing yards while throwing 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Reed added 12 rushing scores over that span, and he will aim to parlay that dual-threat skillset into at least a practice squad spot in 2024.
Lions GM Brad Holmes Addresses Jared Goff Extension Negotiations
Jared Goff remains a key financial priority for the Lions, but no new deal is in place for the team’s franchise passer. When speaking about the status of contract talks Thursday, general manager Brad Holmes expressed confidence an agreement will be reached, however. 
“First and foremost, he’s earned an extension,” Holmes said during an appearance on WXYT-FM (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “It’s important, it’s a high priority for us and both sides are working really, really hard and these things just take time.”
As Goff confirmed last month, talks on an extension are ongoing. Detroit worked out mega-deals with a pair of offensive cornerstones by inking wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell to extensions. A Goff agreement has not followed, though, and a recent report on the latter front indicated team and player are not close on contract talks. Holmes admitted it would have been ideal to have a Goff deal in place by now, but he added the financial implications of one have been budgeted for.
“The whole process of budgeting and preparation and all that, that kind of goes into it, we’ve been preparing for a while,” Holmes said. “And look, in a perfect world, we’d have had all three of them done, bang, bang, bang, but these things just kind of take a while, especially with the quarterback market. But I do have faith that it’s going to get done.”
Four quarterbacks reached the $50MM-per-year mark last offseason (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts). Any or all of Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa could join that group in the near future. At 29, though, Goff’s age represents a complicating factor; his next deal will not be an extension coming off his rookie contract (as is the case for most ascending passers).
As things stand, Goff is due $27.3MM in 2024 and his cap hit stands at $32.3MM. The former figure will be much higher on a new pact, while the latter could be lowered depending on the structure of the agreement. In any case, the former Rams No. 1 pick clearly remains his second team’s projected starter for years to come despite the presence of Hendon Hooker as a potential successor. With the draft in the books and the St. Brown and Sewell extensions finalized, Detroit’s attention for the remainder of the offseason can turn squarely to the Goff front.
Rams To Waive WR Ben Skowronek
As teams around the NFL continue to churn out the bottom of their offseason rosters, Ben Skowronek is set to see his time in Los Angeles come to an end. The former seventh-round wide receiver will be waived, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. 
Skowronek joined the team in 2021, and during his rookie campaign he played all-but exclusively on special teams. Things changed the following season with respect to his playing time, however. Skowronek logged an offensive snap share of 82% in 2022, a season in which the Rams dealt with a number of injuries on both sides of the ball. He totaled 376 scoreless yards on 39 receptions.
Los Angeles had Cooper Kupp available for 12 games this past season, and he and standout rookie Puka Nacua formed an effective receiver tandem. That relegated Skowronek back to a rotational role on offense, although his special teams abilities gave him a heavy third phase workload. The 26-year-old was a team captain in 2023, but this move will bring an end to his Rams tenure.
Skowronek had one year remaining on his rookie contract, and a release will save the Rams just over $1MM in cap space. Los Angeles entered Thursday with $11.3MM in breathing space, although a portion of that will be required to sign the team’s rookie class. Moving on from Skowronek will create a bit more flexibility for late offseason additions.
If he clears waivers, the Notre Dame product will now be free to join a new team as many veterans seek out deals in the post-draft wave of free agency. Skowronek’s limited production will hurt his market, but his experience and blocking abilities could lead to interest from teams seeking out WR depth.