Commanders Expected To Draft QB Jayden Daniels?
The Commanders are set to host all three of the top quarterback prospects expected to be on the board when they are on the clock at No. 2 overall. While the team still has plenty to do in the ongoing evaluation process, a favorite may have emerged. 
Opinions are split on which passer out of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy will come off the board after Caleb Williams (who is widely expected to hear his name called first overall). Over the course of the pre-draft process, though, Daniels has seen his stock experience a boost in the wake of his Heisman-winning season from 2023. As such, he remains firmly in contention to head to the nation’s capital.
ESPN’s Matt Miller writes NFL executives and scouts consider Daniels the likeliest pick for the Commanders. None of the evaluators polled for that assessment are within the Commanders’ organization, however, so the team’s ultimate decision will likely not become clear until the night of Round 1. Still, it comes as little surprise that signs point toward a Daniels selection on Washington’s part.
The Arizona State transfer spent the past two years at LSU. He posted by far his most productive campaign in 2023, scoring 50 total touchdowns (40 passing, 10 rushing) while completing 72.% of his passes and throwing just four interceptions. Daniels has drawn praise for his processing ability in addition to his notable rushing totals.
However, he will be 24 by the end of his rookie campaign in the NFL, leading to concerns Maye and/or McCarthy could have more upside. Both members of the latter pair also have a much larger frame than Daniels, and questions have been raised regarding his ability to withstand the physicality of the pro game especially considering his dual-threat skillset. Still, Daniels should provide his next team with a relatively high floor, and the interest shown from other QB-needy teams suggests he should not need to wait long to hear his name called.
Washington has a ‘top 30’ visit lined up with each of Daniels, Maye and McCarthy next week. It is after that point that first-year general manager Adam Peters, new head coach Dan Quinn and Co. will arrive at a final commitment with respect to a new franchise signal-caller. As John Keim notes in the aforementioned ESPN piece, Quinn has stated post-snap processing is a trait being targeted in the Commanders’ ongoing search. That factor – along with the expectations of personnel around the league – could point in Daniels’ direction for the second overall pick.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/12/24
Friday’s minor moves:
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Tim Jones, CB Gregory Junior, OL Cole Van Lanen
Jean-Charles spilt his time between the 49ers and Saints in 2023, finishing the campaign in New Orleans. He was used all-but exclusively on special teams during that time, which has also been the case throughout the rest of his career. The 25-year-old will have the chance to carve out a larger role in his first full season with New Orleans if he can make the active roster at the start of the 2024 campaign.
Jones, Junior and Van Lanen were each tendered as exclusive rights restricted free agents, so their respective deals come as no surprise. Seattle’s OTAs began this week, and each member of the trio will now be in place to take part in on-field work when that takes place before competing for roster spots in training camp.
Steelers Eyeing OL Draft Additions
The Steelers have been active on both sides of the ball in free agency, but a few notable vacancies remain on their roster ahead of the draft. That includes the offensive line, a unit which could see multiple rookie additions later this month. 
Mark Kaboly of The Athletic notes Pittsburgh is interested in drafting a center and offensive tackle, which comes as no surprise given the team’s current setup along the O-line. The decision to release Mason Cole left the Steelers without an experienced option in the middle, and as such the team has frequently been linked to a center being selected in the first two rounds. The same holds true at the right tackle spot, particularly on Day 1.
“I can’t tell you the player, but I can tell you it’ll be an offensive lineman,” a Pittsburgh source informed ESPN’s Matt Miller regarding the team’s first-round pick (No. 20). A number of options will be available amongst blockers at all positions at that point, even with a number of the top tackles likely to come off the board before the Steelers are on the clock.
Graham Barton (whose stock is on the rise) has positional flexibility based on his usage at Duke, but he is expected to play at center in the NFL. He, along with the likes of Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier could be in play for Pittsburgh. The right tackle spot, meanwhile, currently belongs to 2022 first-rounder Broderick Jones. The Georgia product could move to his more natural spot on the blindside with the addition of a new RT prospect.
Miller names Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) and Amarius Mims (Georgia) as options who could still be on the board when the Steelers are due to pick. Both players have drawn praise for their athletic upside, although limited playing time in the latter’s case in particular could be a cause for concern – something which was also the case for Jones last year. Mims’ injury history is also seen as a red flag.
The Steelers are viewed around the league as being content to wait until Day 2 to select a receiver, Miller adds. Pittsburgh has generated a reputation for finding valuable players at the WR spot beyond the first round, and continuing along that path could pave the way to a high-profile addition up front. It will be interesting to see if general manager Omar Khan follows through with the internal expectation an offensive lineman will be the team’s first addition.
Giants Sign LB Matthew Adams
The Giants have added depth at the linebacker spot head of the upcoming draft. New York has signed Matthew Adams, per a team announcement. 
[RELATED: Giants Sign DT Jordan Phillips]
Adams spent his first four seasons with the Colts, playing 58 games with Indianapolis. He started nine games across his first two seasons in the league, but throughout his career his primary contributions have come on special teams. That remained true during his one-year stints in Chicago and Cleveland.
The former seventh-rounder was limited to 10 games with the Bears in 2022, but he still managed to record the second-most tackles of his career (26). Upon seeing his one-year Chicago deal expire, Adams joined the Browns on another low-cost contract of the same length. He played every game in 2023, logging a career-high 85% snap share on special teams.
The Giants have a number of options in place for the time being at the linebacker spot. That contingent includes Isaiah Simmons, who re-signed on a one-year deal last week. The former Cardinals first-rounder logged a rotational defensive role last season alongside Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. Each of the latter two are under contract for 2024 and beyond, so Adams will be hard-pressed to carve out a workload unrelated to his special teams duties on his latest team.
Still, the 28-year-old will be able to contribute in the third phase with New York. Adams will aim to help the Giants improve on special teams in 2024 after they ranked 21st in DVOA in that regard last season. The team entered Friday with $6.3MM in cap space, but this agreement will not dramatically lower that figure if it is in line with the deals Adams played on over the past two years.
Browns Trade T Leroy Watson To Titans
The Browns and Titans have pulled off a minor swap in advance of this month’s draft. Cleveland has sent offensive tackle Leroy Watson to Tennessee in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round selection (No. 227). Both teams announced the move Friday. 
Watson entered the league as an undrafted free agent. He joined the Patriots’ practice squad ahead of the 2022 season, but in matter of days he took a spot on the 49ers’ taxi squad. San Francisco signed him to a reserve deal at the end of the campaign, one in which he did not see playing time. Watson was waived during 2023 roster cutdowns, but he was retained on the practice squad to begin the season.
As Cleveland dealt with a number of injuries along the offensive line, however, additions were needed up front. That led the Browns to sign the UTSA product to their active roster in November, paving the way for Watson to see his first regular season action. He made a total of seven appearances last season, playing sparingly at both left and right tackle. In a total of 55 offensive snaps, Watson did not commit a penalty and PFF did not charge him with any sacks or pressures allowed.
The 23-year-old will now be able to continue working alongside Bill Callahan. The longtime Browns offensive line coach took the same position with Tennessee this offseason to work with his son, first-time head coach Brian Callahan. Watson will aim to carve out a roster spot during the summer while working under a familiar face on the coaching staff.
The Titans still have two seventh-round selections in 2024 as a result of this deal (although No. 227 was the team’s highest pick in the round), and seven in total. The Browns, meanwhile, will see their pick total increase to six (including a pair of Round 7 selections) with this swap. 2024 marks the third and final draft in which Cleveland will not have a first-rounder owing to the Deshaun Watson trade, but the team will now have extra Day 3 capital.
Latest On Titans’ RB Plans
For the first time since 2016, Derrick Henry will be absent from the Titans’ backfield when the 2024 season kicks off. Tennessee was one of the teams which quickly made a notable addition at the running back spot, though, adding Tony Pollard to the fold. 
The ex-Cowboy took a three-year deal worth $21.75MM ($10.5MM guaranteed) to head to Nashville. Not long before that agreement was worked out – on the first day of the negotiating window – Pollard was reported to be willing to take a discount and remain in Dallas. Instead, the $7.25MM annual average value of his pact has led to the expectation he will handle lead back duties in his new home.
When speaking about the team’s backfield approach, though, new offensive coordinator Nick Holz said (via Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com) Pollard and Tyjae Spears will operate on a 1A-1B basis. The former has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons (although his efficiency in doing so last year led to criticism related to his ability to handle a large workload).
The latter, meanwhile, had an encouraging rookie campaign in 2023. Splitting time with Henry, Spears saw a healthy 53% offensive snap share. The former third-rounder recorded 453 yards and two touchdowns on 100 carries, adding another 352 yards and one score on 52 receptions. Remaining productive as a pass-catching option could help Spears maintain a regular role in the Titans’ new-look offense.
Of course, Tennessee’s offseason has also included the big-money addition of wideout Calvin Ridley. He, DeAndre Hopkins and 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks will play a pivotal role in the Titans’ passing game during the first full season with Will Levis under center. First-time head coach Brian Callahan will call plays on offense, and his success in that regard will go a long way in determining the Titans’ fate in 2024. With respect to the RB position, a committee approach appears to be in place.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Taken Into Custody
APRIL 11: Rice has turned himself in, Lopez reports. The Chiefs wide receiver was moved to the DeSoto (Texas) Jail, posting a combined bond of $40K. All eight of Rice’s charges are felony counts. Additionally, SMU suspended the driver of the other vehicle in this accident — Knox — earlier Thursday.
APRIL 10: Rashee Rice‘s legal situation stemming from a hit-and-run incident in Dallas has seen a notable but expected development. The second-year Chiefs receiver is the subject of an arrest warrant, WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez and Paul Livengood report. 
Rice is facing a total of eight charges, per the warrant: six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated assault. The report indicates Rice now has one day to turn himself in to police.
The 23-year-old was one of two people behind the wheel when a Lamborghini SUV and a Corvette lost control the night of March 30. The drivers were believed to be racing, and they fled the scene immediately after the crash. 10.8 grams of marijuana was found in Rice’s vehicle after the crash, per a separate WFAA report. That amount would lead to a Class B misdemeanor charge in Texas. The latter report adds that all occupants (six in total, between the two vehicles) fled the scene of the crash.
Rice has since retained legal counsel, and he has accepted responsibility for his role in the crash (which caused two of its victims to be hospitalized). Rice is also leasing the Corvette, which was being driven at the time by Theodore Knox. The latter now faces the same charges as Rice, per the Dallas Police Department. Knox is listed on SMU’s football roster; Rice spent his four-year college career with the Mustangs.
Rice’s attorney acknowledged last week that he and his client expected charges to be laid in this situation. He added the latter intends to cover the expenses facing the victims of the crash. Rice has publicly stated he will cooperate with authorities in their investigation, and doing so will now include surrendering himself to police in the immediate future.
Kansas City endured plenty of struggles in the receiving corps last season, but Rice had a productive rookie season with 938 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 receptions. He added another 26 catches and one score during the team’s run to a second straight Super Bowl, positioning himself as a key figure in the team’s offense for 2024 and beyond. The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown in free agency, but the team could make further additions during the upcoming draft.
The NFL indicated (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post) the league continues to monitor the Rice situation. Legal action is not required for fines or suspensions to be handed down, but it would not come as a surprise if the league elected to await further developments now that formal charges are in place.
QB J.J. McCarthy To Visit Commanders
The Commanders are projected to select a quarterback second overall, but three candidates are in place to become the team’s next franchise passer. By the time the draft takes place, all three will have made a visit to the nation’s capital. 
[POLL: How Will Commanders Proceed At No. 2?]
Washington will meet with J.J. McCarthy next week, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. He adds the same is also true of Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, both of whose ‘top 30’ visits have previously been reported. Considering every signal-caller not named Caleb Williams will likely be on the board when the Commanders make their selection, it comes as no surprise the team is evaluating each option at the position.
McCarthy entered the pre-draft process as part of the second tier of passers behind the Williams-Maye-Daniels trio. The Michigan product has seen his stock soar in recent weeks, however, owing in large part to an impressive showing at his Pro Day. A report from last month indicated McCarthy could be in play at second overall, and Washington’s interest in an in-person visit certainly suggests that is still the case.
Helping lead the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a national title, McCarthy was not leaned on heavily by Michigan’s run-first offense. His performances in workouts along with his age (21) has led to strong projections based on his upside, though. As is the case with Daniels and Maye, opinions are split amongst NFL evaluators regarding where McCarthy should (and will) end up being selected later this month.
A survey of various active and former general managers, scouts, coaches and ex-players who are now analysts conducted by The Athletic’s Ben Standig slotted McCarthy as the class’ fourth-best quarterback (subscription required). Two of those who were polled ranked him second overall, however, and it will be interesting to see which assessments match the one ultimately made by Commanders’ new regime.
First-year general manager Adam Peters, new head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will be key players in the decision-making process at No. 2 overall. Washington has Marcus Mariota in place, but a rookie selected with the team’s top pick would have the chance to earn the starting gig right away. Passers with more college experience will be on the board when the time comes to make a selection, but McCarthy will nevertheless receive consideration.
Vikings Schedule Meeting With QB Jayden Daniels
As one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class, Jayden Daniels remains busy with respect to in-person meetings with potential NFL destinations. That process will see him take part in a private visit with the Vikings.
Minnesota has lined up a second summit with the reigning Heisman winner, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Daniels had already booked a ‘top 30’ visit with the Vikings, and it comes as no surprise the team is taking an extended look in this case. Minnesota has frequently been linked to a trade moving the team up the order from 11th overall into the top five.
In the event that were to take place, Daniels may very well be the target. Plenty of intrigue exists at the top of the board with the draft drawing nearer, as only Caleb Williams-Bears connections with the No. 1 pick are believed to be certain. After Williams (presumably) hears his name called first on Day 1, Daniels (who is also set to visit Washington) is one of the top candidates to be selected second overall by the Commanders. Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy join him in that regard.
Daniels threw at LSU’s Pro Day, after he declined to take part in testing or measurements at the NFL Combine. As a result, it would come as little surprise if the Vikings preferred to have him take part in a workout when making his return to Minnesota. The team has not sent large contingents to many Pro Days this offseason, instead opting for private visits. Daniels’ frame has been the only main criticism he has faced so far, as detailed by Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network. Compliments based on his processing and ability to make throws while on the move has helped his stock’s notable rise during the build-up to the draft.
After watching Kirk Cousins depart in free agency, Minnesota signed Sam Darnold on a one-year deal. The Vikings have nevertheless been named as a team to watch regarding a long-term investment under center, and the acquisition of a second Day 1 pick (No. 23, from the Texans) has given them the capital to move up the board. Daniels is firmly on Minnesota’s radar as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Co. contemplate an aggressive QB addition later this month.
Browns Rework Nick Chubb’s Contract
Ahead of free agency, signs pointed to Nick Chubb remaining with the Browns as he continues to recover from the major knee injury which ended his 2023 campaign. That will indeed be the case, with team and player working out a revised contract for the upcoming season. 
The four-time Pro Bowl running back has agreed to a restructured deal, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. Chubb has lowered his base salary ($11.78MM) for 2024, the final year of his contract. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that figure will now check in at $6.28MM. His scheduled cap hit – $15.83MM – will unsurprisingly come down as well, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com adds.
Incentives are in place on this new arrangement, which will give Chubb the opportunity to earn back the $12.2MM in total compensation he was previously due. Much of his ability to do so, of course, will depend on when he is able to return to game action. Cleveland expects the 28-year-old to play at some point in 2024, and in the event that happens both sides will enter next offseason with more clarity regarding his future in the organization.
The high cap hit the Browns were set to carry in the final year of Chubb’s deal led some to speculate he could become a cut candidate. However, the team has remained confident the former second-rounder can return to his pre-injury form upon receiving medical clearance. Chubb has undergone two operations aimed at repairing the damage done to his MCL during Week 2 of the 2023 season. Prior to that injury, he had generally been healthy throughout his career.
The Browns’ run game is at its best with Chubb in the picture, and the team took a step back in production on the ground without him last year. Cleveland was not among the big spenders at the RB spot during free agency, but both pass catcher/returner Nyheim Hines and journeyman D’Onta Foreman have been added on one-year deals this offseason. They will join incumbents Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong in the backfield to start the season.
Cleveland entered Thursday with $3.9MM in cap space, one of the lowest figures in the league. The Browns’ financial situation remains tight in large part because a new restructure has not been agreed to with quarterback Deshaun Watson; the latter is set to carry a cap hit of $63.77MM in 2024 as things currently stand. While it will be interesting to see what happens in Watson’s case, Chubb’s immediate financial future has been clarified.