Eagles GM Howie Roseman Addresses 2024 Draft Strategy
The Eagles were busy on the trade front during this year’s draft, executing eight pick swaps over three days. That figure ties the record for the most in a single year since the event took on its current seven-round format. 
[RELATED: Team-By-Team Draft Tracker]
Philadelphia’s efforts with respect to trades were notably aimed at acquiring extra draft capital in 2025. When speaking about that strategy, general manager Howie Roseman noted that the relatively shallow pool of prospects in this year’s class was a key factor. Added eligibility due to the pandemic as well as NIL deals led to just 58 underclassmen declaring for the 2024 draft.
That figure could change next year, though, something the Eagles are anticipating given their actions over the weekend. Philadelphia added three 2025 selections – a third-rounder from the Dolphins, a fourth-rounder from the Lions and a fifth-rounder from the Texans – through pick swaps. The team will also receive a second- or third-round selection next year through the Haason Reddick trade. As Roseman noted, the Eagles will also have a smaller UDFA class than usual in 2024.
“I think a big part of that is because we made a conscious decision after the season to try to get guys from team’s practice squads where we had some tape to watch,” Roseman said (via PHLY’s Zach Berman). “We felt like that was just for us kind of a unique opportunity that we wanted to try and take advantage of based on this class and knowing that this was a different class, and so it wouldn’t have a ton of the same opportunities in the undrafted market that maybe you’ll get next year…. I think it will be back to normal next year.”
The Eagles have yet to unveil their class of undrafted free agents, but Over the Cap lists the team has already having 88 players on their roster. The offseason limit in that regard is 90, so Roseman’s remarks will hold true in terms of signing free agents with the draft now in the books. Given the team’s added capital for next year, however, Philadelphia will certainly be worth watching closely in the spring of 2025.
Bills Exercise Greg Rousseau’s Fifth-Year Option
With the deadline for fifth-year options approaching, teams around the league are required to make firm decisions on 2021 first-round picks. In the Bills’ case, they will retain edge rusher Greg Rousseau for at least the next two years. 
[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Buffalo will pick up Rousseau’s option, Peter Schrager of NFL Network reports. This comes as little surprise, as a report from earlier this month indicated that would be the Bills’ preference. Rousseau will collect $13.39MM in 2025 as he remains a full-time starter moving forward. The option decision is now official, per a team announcement.
The 24-year-old was one of his draft class’ more intriguing prospects after he opted out of the 2020 college season. As a result of that decision, he played only 14 games at Miami, one of which came in his freshman campaign. The following year, though, he racked up 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss with the Hurricanes, showcasing his upside at the pro level.
Rousseau went 30th overall to the Bills, a team which has incrementally increased his usage year over year. The 6-6, 266-pounder has logged snap shares of 49%, 56% and 60% during his three years in Buffalo. Despite being limited to 13 games in 2022, that season represents his most productive one to date (eight sacks). Rousseau notched five sacks last year, though he reached a new career high with 25 QB pressures.
The Bills saw Leonard Floyd depart in free agency this offseason, and Von Miller was held without a sack in his second campaign with the team. As a result, Rousseau will be counted on as a key member of Buffalo’s front seven for at least the next two years. Fellow defensive end A.J. Epenesa recently signed a two-year deal which prevented him from heading elsewhere on the open market, and he will also take on a notable role.
The latter’s pact carries a base value of $12MM, though, and Rousseau will outpace him in earnings during the 2025 season given the decision to pick up his option. An extension could also be in play down the road, especially if he enjoys a career year in 2024. It will be interesting to see if Rousseau joins Miller in landing a lucrative long-term deal tying him to Buffalo for the foreseeable future. For now, though, he is positioned to continue in a first-team role as the Bills transition at a number of spots on defense.
WR Jarvis Landry Eyeing NFL Return
Jarvis Landry was sidelined for the 2023 season, but he is aiming to return in advance of the coming campaign. The veteran wideout is expected to participate in the Jaguars’ rookie minicamp, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 
Landry established himself as one of the league’s top slot receivers during the first six years of his career. During that span, he drew between 101 and 166 targets each season, eclipsing 1,100 yards three times. That production helped earn the former second-rounder five consecutive Pro Bowl nods straddling his tenure with the Dolphins and Browns.
In his final two seasons in Cleveland, though, Landry saw his involvement in the team’s offense and statistical output drop off. The LSU alum was released following the 2022 campaign, and the possibility of remaining with the Browns on a less lucrative pact soon went away. Landry ultimately joined the Saints on a one-year pact in an attempt to provide New Orleans with a complementary receiving option.
Injuries limited him to just nine contests, however, and Landry missed consecutive games at multiple points in the campaign. While his Saints debut (seven catches, 114 yards) was impressive, his subsequent performances never topped 37 yards. After a full campaign spent away from the game, though, it will be interesting to see if Landy is able to contribute as a secondary pass-catcher on a new team.
The 31-year-old will participate in a Jaguars camp featuring Brian Thomas Jr., the team’s first-round selection. Jacksonville lost Calvin Ridley in free agency, and Thomas will join veterans Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay as new faces in the team’s receiving corps. Landry’s inclusion in the camp may not yield interest from the Jags specifically, but if he lands on the radar of other teams he will join the list of veteran wideouts available in the post-draft wave of free agency.
Falcons HC Raheem Morris Addresses QB Situation
One of the draft’s biggest surprises came on Friday night when the Falcons used their top selection on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That move came about despite Kirk Cousins being on the books for the next four years (including fully guaranteed salaries in 2024 and ’25). 
Cousins will, of course, enter the coming season atop Atlanta’s depth chart. The presence of a successor in the form of Penix could nevertheless invite questions about a change in the pecking order in the event of poor performance on the part of the former. Cousins – who was stunned by the Penix selection – was the top free agent passer in this year’s class despite his age (35) and the fact his 2023 season was cut short by an Achilles tear.
A slow start in 2024 or further missed time brought about by a new injury could lead to calls for Penix to see the field. The Washington product dealt with plenty of health-related issues of his own in college, but his stock rose during the pre-draft process to the point where he was expected to hear his name called in the first round. Still, Atlanta was not thought by many to be a serious suitor for Penix, and owner Arthur Blank reportedly played a central role in the decision to select him.
Raheem Morris is back in place as the Falcons’ head coach after an interim stint with the team in 2020, and he will be tasked with overseeing the transition to Cousins under center. When speaking to the media following the arrival of Penix, Morris made it clear there is not a QB controversy entering the 2024 season.
“We came up with a decision, this is what we plan to do,” Morris said (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi). “And Kirk does not have to look over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass. Like, that is not the case. So I know I’m going to have to tell you guys once or twice that that is not the case. Like, we are here to go win, and we are here to go win it all. We are here to win as much as we can win.”
Indeed, expectations will be high for Atlanta’s offense after the team struggled to find a suitable Matt Ryan replacement. Cousins will provide a high floor for the unit, but plenty of attention will be on Penix as the Falcons’ intended starter down the road. If Morris’ stance holds true through the campaign (and likely the 2025 season as well), however, Cousins can be assured of his spot in the QB1 role.
5 Key Stories: 4/21/24 – 4/28/24
This past weekend saw the 2024 draft come and go, marking a major checkpoint on the offseason calendar. As usual, other key developments took place on the roster-building front leading up to the event, however. In case you missed anything from the past seven days, here is a quick recap:
- Williams, QBs Headline First Round: As expected, quarterbacks dominated the top of the Day 1 order. Caleb Williams (Bears), Jayden Daniels (Commanders) and Drake Maye (Patriots) were the first three players to hear their names called. Atlanta then provided the night’s largest surprise by selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. That was followed by a trade-up (albeit a smaller one than many predicted) by the Vikings, who drafted J.J. McCarthy at No. 10. Rounding out the run on signal-callers, Bo Nix was added by the Broncos. A record-breaking stretch of 137 picks ensued after that selection before the next QB, but those six teams each added an intriguing rookie to their depth charts.
- Chiefs Extend Reid, Veach, Donovan: Andy Reid has faced questions about retirement in recent years, but he put those to rest by agreeing to a new Chiefs extension. General manager Brett Veach as well as president Mark Donovan are also attached to new contracts, and as such Kansas City’s top decision-makers will be in place for the foreseeable future. Reid has climbed to fourth on the all-time wins list during his decorated time with the Chiefs while Veach has enjoyed considerable success alongside him since they joined the team in 2013. Four Super Bowl appearances in the past five years – including three titles – have helped the Chiefs become the league’s most decorated team in recent seasons, and the continued presence of a strong core headlined by Patrick Mahomes means they will likely remain contenders for years to come.
- St. Brown, Sewell Land Massive Lions Deals: Prior to the draft kicking off, the Lions hammered out deals with two major contributors of their offense. Both wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell signed lucrative extensions keeping them in place through 2028 and ’29, respectively. The former inked a four-year pact averaging just over $30MM per year; it includes $77MM in guarantees, over $35MM of which is locked in at signing. The latter, meanwhile, is in line to collect $28MM per season on his own four-year accord. Sewell’s deal is the most expensive one ever given to an O-lineman and it shatters the record for value in terms of right tackles. Both All-Pros will be counted on to remain key producers for years to come in Detroit while commanding large financial commitments.
- Eagles Extend Brown: Not long after St. Brown reached the summit of the receiver market, A.J. Brown moved to the top of the pecking order with an Eagles extension. Two years still remain on the pact he signed upon arrival in Philadelphia, but the 26-year-old landed $96MM on a three-year add-on which will keep him in the fold through 2029. The Eagles recently gave DeVonta Smith a three-year, $75MM extension and that pact moved him into a tie with Brown in terms of annual average value. Coming off a second straight 1,400-yard season, though, the latter is now once again the highest earner in Philadelphia’s skill position group. In all, the Eagles have now made four lucrative investments regarding in-house players on the offensive side of the ball this offseason.
- Jets Deal Wilson To Broncos: Prior to selecting Nix – a decision which many pointed to being on the table – the Broncos acquired Zach Wilson from the Jets. The latter was known to be on the trade block, and New York received offers well before the Denver swap came to pass. Wilson, 24, struggled mightily during his time as a Jets starter and the team signed Tyrod Taylor this offseason to serve as Aaron Rodgers‘ backup. With Wilson’s trade having been worked out, four of the five QBs selected in the opening round of the 2021 draft (all but Trevor Lawrence) have now been dealt to a new team. In Wilson’s case, he will join a depth chart which features Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. Attached to his rookie pact for one more year, it will be interesting to see how Wilson develops under head coach Sean Payton as he aims to rebuild his value.
Jerry Jones On Cowboys’ Financial Approach
The Cowboys’ lack of outside additions in free agency and movement in terms of extending their top players has been a key talking point this offseason. Many of Dallas’ younger in-house options will be counted on to take a step forward in 2024, while plenty of attention remains focused on the financial futures of quarterback Dak Prescott, wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons. 
To no surprise, owner Jerry Jones has faced plenty of questions related to Dallas’ comparative inaction on the market in 2024. Linebacker Eric Kendricks and running back Royce Freeman represent the only veterans brought in to date, and the team’s tight cap situation is a key reason why. As Jones recently stated, retaining any or all members of the Prescott-Lamb-Parsons trio will lead to notable complications elsewhere on the roster.
“Our rules of this game is to have a salary cap,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota (subscription required). “There’s no question we’ve been operating on the credit card. That’s how we’ve had Dak Prescott plus his great supporting cast around him for the last three or four years… So if you decide to have a key player and you pay him to that extent, then he’s going to have less supporting cast around. Look around. That’s the way it works.
“We have known that you were going to basically have to have less in order to have some of the players that we want to have at the prices they are. You got to have less supporting cast. There’s no getting around it.”
The Cowboys have indeed enjoyed having Lamb and Parsons on their rookie contracts while retaining Prescott at a high cap hit. The latter is in line to play out 2024 on the final year of his pact, and while Dallas is hopeful a new agreement can be worked out, the 30-year-old recently suggested he is open to reaching free agency. Prescott could command $60MM per year on a new accord, and Lamb and Parsons could each approach the top of the market at their respective positions.
Especially in recent years, many teams around the league have attempted to get ahead of the curve by locking up top producers early and leaving others to react to a new price point. Jones confirmed the Cowboys are instead taking a different approach with their foundational players. In the case of Prescott and Lamb in particular, Dallas is content to wait for the next wave of new deals.
“We’d like to see some more leaves fall,” Jones added. “We’d like to see some more action… It’s on your mind. It’d be madness not to know that the contracts are ahead. I want to see a few more cards played, candidly. If you got trouble with when the timing is around here, it’s because I’m not ready to go.”
The top of the QB market has surpassed $50MM per season, while the league’s ascending receivers are benefiting from the position’s lucrative nature. Recent extensions for the likes of DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown have offered a potential framework for a Lamb deal. The likes of Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle could also push the top of the market even higher.
Lamb is absent from Dallas’ offseason program amidst the lack of negotiations on an extension. Given the way things are headed from a financial standpoint, any new deal (which could avoided for several months since he is set to play out his fifth-year option in 2024) will drastically alter Dallas’ cap situation. That is certainly true of Prescott and Parsons as well (both of whom also are still firmly in the team’s long-term plans), but a patient approach will apparently remain the Cowboys’ preference.
Jaguars To Exercise Fifth-Year Options On Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne
Much of the attention around the football world has been focused on the draft in recent days, but the deadline on fifth-year option decisions is approaching. The Jaguars had a pair of calls to make regarding quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. 
In both cases, the options will be picked up, general manager Trent Baalke said during his post-draft press conference. Lawrence will therefore collect $22.66MM in 2025, while Etienne will receive $6.14MM. With respect to the former in particular, though, this decision could easily serve as a placeholder for a long-term extension.
Talks on a new deal with Lawrence are ongoing, and the monster extension recently worked out with edge rusher Josh Allen has cleared a major item of the Jags’ offseason to-do list. Next up will likely be a second pact with Lawrence, as ascending passers have increasingly been extended within their first offseason of eligibility. Baalke is optimistic something can worked out, though he has preached patience with respect to terms being finalized.
Like the rest of the team, Lawrence struggled as a rookie under head coach Urban Meyer. The arrival of Doug Pederson as a replacement sparked a major uptick in production and a run to the divisional round of the playoffs. Injuries throughout the 2023 campaign limited the 24-year-old’s success and led to missed action for the first time in his NFL tenure. Even when at full strength, though, Jacksonville’s offense struggled and the team wound up outside the postseason picture.
Last offseason saw four young QBs – Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts – surpass $50MM in terms of the annual average value of their extensions. Many have pointed to Lawrence as the next in line to approach the top of the market, although the generally underwhelming nature of his time in Duval County to date could hurt his value. In any case, Lawrence will lock in an AAV much higher than the value of his option if a Jags extension can be agreed to in the near future.
Etienne was selected late in the 2021 first round to continue his time alongside Lawrence. The pair formed a dynamic duo at Clemson, and expectations were high for Etienne once he was able to take the field at the NFL level. After missing his rookie season due to injury, the 25-year-old had a strong showing in 2022 (1,125 yards, five touchdowns on the ground; 316 receiving yards). This past campaign saw a notable drop in efficiency, though – Etienne averaged 3.8 yards per carry, down from 5.1.
Jacksonville is aiming to share the load more in the backfield this season, with Etienne having logged 580 touches to date. The team’s draft efforts in that regard consisted of adding Keilan Robinson in the fifth round. Regardless of how the workload is divvied up, Etienne will no doubt be counted on as a key figure in the Jags’ offense for the foreseeable future knowing he will be in place over at least the next two years.
Jets Pick Up OL Alijah Vera-Tucker’s Fifth-Year Option
When healthy, Alijah Vera-Tucker has been a critical member of the Jets’ offensive line. His injury history led to some questions about whether or not the team would exercise his fifth-year option, but they have taken the expected route in this case. 
[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Vera-Tucker’s 2025 option will be picked up, general manager Joe Douglas announced in his post-draft press conference. As a result of this decision, the 24-year-old will receive $15.31MM guaranteed that season. Considerable missed time prevented him from attaining a higher slot in terms of option value.
The USC product has split his time between guard and tackle with New York as the team has dealt with availability and performance issues up front. Vera-Tucker would ideally settle into a role on the interior, and the Jets’ actions so far this offseason suggest that will be possible moving forward. Tackle upgrades have been a priority for Douglas and Co. in free agency and the draft.
New York signed Tyron Smith to protect Aaron Rodgers‘ blindside, and the team reunited with Morgan Moses at the right tackle spot. Both veterans have dealt with injuries, though, and their age led to many believing a long-term investment would be needed this weekend. Indeed, New York used the No. 11 selection on Olu Fashanu. The Penn State product could see the field as a rookie if Smith and/or Moses miss time, but he profiles as a starter no later than 2025.
Vera-Tucker was limited to seven games in 2022, and this past season saw a repeat of considerable time spent on the sidelines. An Achilles tear ended his 2023 campaign, though he is expected to be healthy in time for the start of the regular season. In that case, the Jets would have a key member of their new-look offensive line in place ahead of the 2024 season, one in which better luck on the health front will be critical.
Across his three seasons to date, Vera-Tucker has drawn consistent PFF grades; run blocking in particular has been a strength. A healthy season in 2024 during which his level of performance was maintained could very well put him on the extension radar, but for now his intermediate future is clear.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor Addresses Trey Hendrickson’s Trade Request
On the eve of the draft, it was learned Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade. At the heart of the issue is not a desire to find a new team but rather one for an adjustment to his contract, a pact which has two years years remaining. 
Neither of Hendrickson’s bases salaries in 2024 and ’25 are guaranteed, and the three-time Pro Bowler is seeking a firm up front commitment from Cincinnati. Recent contract talks did not produce a new agreement (unlike last offseason), however, and team and player know where each other stand in this case. Following the draft, head coach Zac Taylor spoke about the matter.
“You let Trey voice his concerns. I’m listening. I’ve got an open ear to him,” Taylor said (via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic). “I love Trey. I’ve told Trey that. We want Trey to play here next year for us. He’s gonna play here next year for us. He’s gonna have success, and we’re gonna have success and I’m excited for that.”
Indeed, Cincinnati has made it clear to Hendrickson the team will not seek out a trade partner. The 29-year-old thus faces the possibility of a training camp holdout or playing out the 2024 season as his contract is currently constructed. A short-term solution came about with a $5MM raise in 2023, and it will be interesting to see if a similar approach is used depending on how this situation develops over the coming weeks.
Regardless of Hendrickson’s stance, the Bengals’ lack of sack production led many to name edge rush as a position of need during the draft. Cincinnati filled a number of holes – including at right tackle and defensive line – but the team’s only investment at the defensive end spot was sixth-rounder Cedric Johnson. He will be counted on as a rotational option during his rookie year with Sam Hubbard and Hendrickson in place as starters. Based on Taylor’s stance, the latter can still be expected to be in the 2024 lineup.
Colts Sign QB Kedon Slovis As UDFA
Once the seventh round of the 2024 draft concluded, reports quickly emerged regarding undrafted free agents agreeing to deals. A number of quarterbacks have already found a home, and that includes Kedon Slovis agreeing to terms with the Colts (h/t NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). 
The 23-year-old began his career at USC, and he stormed onto the scene in 2019. That season, he threw for 3,502 yards while recording a 30:9 touchdown-to interception ratio. As a result of that production, Slovis earned Freshman Player of the Year honors and was named a freshman All-American. Things did not go according to plan after that point, however.
Slovis was limited to 15 games over the following two seasons due to the pandemic and a leg injury. That was followed by a transfer to Pitt, and a single campaign there did not yield the desired results. Slovis then transferred once again, moving to BYU. He again struggled with turnovers as a Cougar while missing four games due to injury in 2023. To little surprise, then, he did not hear his name called this weekend.
Indianapolis already has the QB1 gig accounted for with Anthony Richardson. The team lost effective backup Gardner Minshew in free agency, something which prompted the signing of veteran Joe Flacco. The latter will be counted on to provide capable play under center should Richardson once again miss time through injury in 2024. Slovis will compete for the No. 3 role alongside 2021 sixth-rounder Sam Ehlinger.
Not content to only bring Slovis into the fold at the QB, the Colts have also brought in Jason Bean. The North Texas and Kansas alum has also been signed as a UDFA, per his agency. Bean made 30 starts in college, and 2023 marked his best season with the Jayhawks (2,130 yards, 18 touchdowns) He and Slovis will look to earn a roster spot on what is suddenly a crowded quarterback depth chart in Indianapolis.