Minor NFL Transactions: 4/18/24
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Placed on exempt/international list: OT Kilian Zierer
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on exempt/international list: DL C.J. Okoye
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived/non-football injury: OT Coy Cronk
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on exempt/international list: OT Isaac Alarcon
Each team is allowed an extra practice squad spot in 2024 if they carry an international player. By placing a player on the exempt/international list, these teams are all but declaring which international player they’re choosing to roster next season.
Panthers Still Considering Stephon Gilmore
The Panthers have been connected to old friend Stephon Gilmore over the past month, and it sounds like a reunion is still a possibility. Panthers GM Dan Morgan told reporters (including Darin Gantt of the team’s website) that they’re still considering a Gilmore signing and will revisit after the draft.
[RELATED: Stephon Gilmore Back On Panthers’ Radar]
“Yeah, we’re gonna leave the door open there,” Morgan said (h/t PanthersWire). “We’re still gonna stay in communication and after the draft, we’ll circle back and kinda see where it goes from there.”
It’s not a huge surprise that the Panthers are keeping their options open, as the team is set to see plenty of turnover at cornerback in 2024. The team lost two significant pieces in Donte Jackson, who was dealt to the Steelers for Diontae Johnson, and C.J. Henderson, who left via free agency. The organization did sign Dane Jackson, adding the veteran to a grouping that also includes former first-round pick Jaycee Horn and little-used 2023 backups Dicaprio Bootle and D’Shawn Jamison.
Gilmore would certainly provide some veteran experience to that grouping, and the defensive back has shown that he still has plenty left in the tank. Gilmore wasn’t elite during his time with the Cowboys in 2023, but Pro Football Focus still graded him 35th among 127 qualifying cornerbacks. Gilmore expressed interest in re-signing with the Cowboys after the season.
Gilmore was traded to the Panthers during the 2021 season and got into nine games (eight starts) for the team. He finished that campaign with 16 tackles and two interceptions. During his 2022 campaign with the Colts, Gilmore was ranked ninth in those same metrics, so the former DPOY has recently shown that he can be a top-end performer.
QB Prospect Notes: Williams, Patriots, Commanders, Giants
Caleb Williams is still expected to hear his name called first during next week’s draft, but the USC quarterback didn’t make the best impression on teams during the pre-draft process. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Williams’ interviews with teams were described as “good, not great” and “just OK.”
As Fowler notes, Williams declined medical exams and only did a handful of interviews, where he didn’t show the same poise and preparation as his fellow QB prospects. Naturally, some teams assumed this was a “byproduct of being a player who knows he’s going No. 1.” While Williams’ pre-draft strategy wasn’t considered a personality red flag by scouts, one AFC executive believes Williams left the door open for the Bears to pivot.
“I don’t think he’s had a great spring,” the executive told Fowler. “He’s still going first. That’s pretty much a done deal. But while he was a no-brainer three months ago, there’s at least a conversation now. Even still, I think he’s a smart kid, a good kid. He just knows where he’s going.”
Perhaps partly due to Williams’ offseason showing, there are some coaches who have actually graded LSU’s Jayden Daniels over the USC QB, per Adam Caplan of ProFootballNetwork.com. Of course, the only opinion that matters belongs to the Bears, but this recent grading adjustment at least leads Caplan to surmise that Daniels will be selected ahead of North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
While Maye is an underdog to be selected in the top-two, it’s no longer a guarantee that he’s even chosen with the third-overall pick. As Albert Breer of SI.com notes, there’s a “healthy debate” in New England between Maye and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. While there’s still a chance the Patriots trade out of the No. 3 spot in pursuit of future picks, Breer believes owner Robert Kraft “views this as a rare chance to get a quarterback at this level.” The organization has certainly made it clear they’re eyeing all of the top-tier prospects, as the Patriots have met with Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy.
Washington is currently sitting with the second-overall pick, and they’ve been equally active in scouting QB prospects. Interestingly, the team will be hosting all of Daniels, Maye, McCarthy, and Washington’s Michael Penix for their top-30 visits at the same time, per Breer. This stems from GM Adam Peters‘ experience from San Francisco, where the 49ers would bring in groupings of prospects to see how they interact with peers.
With the Cardinals and Chargers likely out of the running for a top QB prospect, the Giants are next in line at the position behind Chicago, Washington, and New England. There’s been recent buzz that the Giants could look to move up (per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post) or even move back (per Fowler, via WBG84), but either way, it’s pretty clear the organization is targeting a signal-caller.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes the Giants are high enough on Maye that they’d swing a trade up the draft board. The writer also believes the organization isn’t enamored with McCarthy, perhaps necessitating a trade back if the Michigan QB is there at No. 6. If the Giants do end up trading back, Duggan could see a scenario where the team is actively pursuing Penix or Oregon’s Bo Nix in the back half of the first round.
Cowboys Sign RB Royce Freeman
After sitting out the initial phase of the running back carousel, the Cowboys have finally added to the position. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys have signed veteran Royce Freeman. It’s a one-year deal for the running back.
The Cowboys have seen some massive turnover in their backfield over the past year. After moving on from Ezekiel Elliott last offseason, the Cowboys weren’t able to retain Tony Pollard this year. While a long list of free agent RBs switched teams, the Cowboys ended up sticking with a current grouping that’s led by Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle.
While it’s no guarantee that Freeman will slide atop the depth chart in Dallas, the 28-year-old brings much more experience than his two newest teammates. Freeman has seen time in 79 career games, and while he hasn’t been able to replicate his early-career success in Denver, he’s still been serviceable in recent years. He most recently got into 14 games with the Rams last season, collecting 319 yards and two touchdowns on 77 carries.
While his 2023 performance was fine for a backup, the Cowboys will surely be seeking more upside from their running game. It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Archer notes that today’s signing doesn’t take the Cowboys out of the running for an early-round rookie RB. Archer even says the Cowboys could look to add more depth via free agency.
Lions, Jared Goff Have Discussed Extension
Following another successful season in Detroit, there was optimism that the Lions and Jared Goff would agree to an extension this offseason. While it’s been relatively quiet on that front over the past few months, it sounds like the two sides have privately started negotiations. The quarterback told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he’s discussed a new deal with the organization.
[RELATED: Lions, QB Jared Goff Expected To Finalize Extension In Offseason]
“You never want to like say something,” Goff said today. “There’s discussions and Brad (Holmes) has said what he’s said to you guys and I’ll say the same thing. There’s been discussions. Yeah, my agent’s on top of it, he’s doing a good job and I trust those guys.”
After being replaced in Los Angeles and winning only three games during his first season in Detroit, Goff revived his career in 2022, tossing 29 touchdowns while guiding the Lions to a winning season. The team took another step forward in 2023, with Goff helping lead the squad to a 12-win regular season and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
As a result of Goff’s standout performance, the quarterback is expected to earn a lucrative extension. Back in January, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports estimated that Goff would earn an average annual value that was at $40MM-plus. While the quarterback could push for a deal that pays more than $50MM per year via the open market, it sounds like he could give the Lions a slight discount in order to stick around Detroit.
“It’s been amazing, man,” Goff said. “I love it here and would love to be here for a long time. It’s been really special like I mentioned playing in front of these fans and being able to provide a winning culture in the last year and a half or so. To see them experience that and be able to be a part of that has been fun but by no means are we satisfied or happy to be here or any of that. It’s about what’s next now.”
Goff has one year remaining on his contract and is set to earn more than $27MM in 2024. He’s still playing out the four-year, $134MM extension he signed with the Rams back in 2019.
Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa Engaged In “Ongoing” Extension Talks
The Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa have kicked off extension talks. General manager Chris Grier told NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe that the two sides have engaged in positive and “ongoing” discussions surrounding a new contract.
[RELATED: QB Tua Tagovailoa Expects To Remain With Dolphins Long-Term]
With the former first-round pick set to enter the final year of his rookie contract, an extension had been described as the most “consequential matter” in Miami. The last we heard, an agreement wasn’t imminent and there was “no rush” to finalize a deal. Indeed, Grier confirmed there’s no deadline on extension talks, with both sides understanding that the current focus is on the draft.
However, there were rumblings earlier this offseason that both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa’s camp were hoping for speedy negotiations. There was a general sentiment that everybody wanted to avoid “a storyline that hangs over training camp or the regular season.” The two sides can still accomplish that goal; when the draft ends next weekend, there will still be three months until the start of training camp.
Both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa have publicly endorsed a long-term deal. While the player’s health and the rising cost of QB contracts will complicate negotiations, it’s sounded like the two sides have generally been on the same page. Indeed, Wolfe notes that the Dolphins are preparing for a Tagovailoa-led future via this year’s draft, with the team potentially targeting offensive linemen with their two top-100 picks.
Tagovailoa has been working this offseason to repeat a standout 2023 campaign that saw him stay healthy for the first time in his career. Wolfe notes that the QB has dropped his weight down to 220 pounds, a decrease from his 235-pound playing weight last year.
Jared Verse Drawing Interest From Seahawks, Bucs, Broncos, Bears
APRIL 12: Verse has found himself on Chicago’s radar as well. A ‘top-30’ visit with the Bears has been lined up, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. Chicago owns pick No. 9, and the team is heavily scouting edge rush prospects for that slot. That process has included a pre-draft meeting with Dallas Turner, but Verse will also make a trip to the Windy City.
APRIL 9: One of the draft’s top pass rushers is generating interest around the NFL. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse is set to meet with the Seahawks tonight and tomorrow. Garafolo also passes along that Verse previously met with the Buccaneers and Broncos.
After spending his first three collegiate seasons at Albany, Verse put himself on the NFL map following two standout campaigns at Florida State. The edge rusher earned first-team All-ACC and first-team All-American nods in each of the past two seasons, compiling 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss along the way.
Described as a “violent tempo setter” by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, Verse has earned high draft grades for his versatility. The prospect lined up both on the outside and inside of Florida State’s defensive line, excelling in both pass-rushing and run-stopping situations. At six-foot-four and 260 pounds, Verse should be able to carry over that positional versatility to the NFL.
Thanks to his impressive performance over the past two seasons, Verse will likely hear his name called during the first round of the 2024 draft. He’s competing with the likes of Alabama’s Dallas Turner and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu to be the first edge rusher off the board.
Both the Broncos (No. 12) and Seahawks (No. 16) pick towards the middle of the first round, putting them in prime position to score one of the draft’s top pass rushers. The Buccaneers, armed with the 26th pick, may need to make a trade if they hope to snag one of draft’s elite edge prospects.
Latest On Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.’s Draft Stock
Throughout the pre-draft process, there’s been a general consensus that the top tier of quarterback prospects consists of USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. While Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy has recently climbed up the draft boards, it sounds like a fifth signal caller has drawn increased attention of NFL evaluators.
Albert Breer of TheMMQB recently passed along that some NFL coaches have Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. listed above some of “the presumed top guys.” In fact, one anonymous NFL offensive coach declared Penix as his “No. 2 guy” at the position.
“I love Penix,” the coach told Breer. “He’s a stud, a born leader, calm and collected and in a genuine way. He’s a baller. He turns it loose, can throw it into tight windows. He stands in the pocket, lets plays develop, takes hits, throws it down the field. He’s just a winner.”
As Breer details, there are a handful of reasons why Penix has started to climb up the draft boards. Primarily, Penix’s rise could be attributed to coaches being inserted into the draft conversation. Scouts weren’t as high on the Washington prospect, criticizing the player’s “sometimes-scattershot accuracy underneath.” Coaches, however, have been more focused on Penix’s skills, including deep-ball accuracy that Breer describes as “off the charts.”
Penix also helped his draft stock with a strong pro day. His 4.5-second 40-yard dash time certainly warranted attention, with the unexpected speed being a nice revelation besides Penix’s lauded arm strength. In meetings with teams, the QB has come off “as humble, confident, and introspective,” per Breer, only improving coaches’ confidence in the prospect.
The quarterback’s health updates have also helped. Despite suffering four season-ending injuries during his time in college, Penix’s “medical evaluations did get a thumbs up,” per Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. Teams will surely still be wary of Penix and his health, but they now might be a bit more comfortable with improving his spot on the draft board.
Colts To Host LSU WR Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers continues to be a popular name for receiver-needy teams, and the LSU star is adding another top-30 visit to his agenda. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Nabers is expected to fly to Indy tomorrow to meet with the Colts.
[RELATED: LSU WR Malik Nabers To Visit Titans, Jets, Bears]
We previously heard that the receiver was set to meet with the Titans, Jets, and Bears, all squads that currently hold top-10 picks. The Colts are sitting with the No. 15 pick, meaning they’ll likely need a trade (and/or some luck) if they want to snag Nabers.
The Colts are hoping to surround second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson with as many weapons as possible. While the team was quick to re-sign top wideout Michael Pittman Jr., the front office has otherwise been quiet when it comes to skill players. At the moment, the team is set to return basically the same WR depth chart next season, a grouping that includes Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and D.J. Montgomery.
Nabers would surely provide the Colts with some offensive firepower. The six-foot-one receiver followed up a breakout 2022 campaign with an even better 2023 season. Nabers finished the year with 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him a unanimous All-American nod.
Thanks to that performance, Nabers is now considered one of the draft’s top receiver prospects. While Marvin Harrison Jr. is widely considered the top player at the position, Wolfe notes that some teams actually have Naber as the top wideout in the class. The LSU product’s first-round draft stock is secure, and it seems like there’s an increasing chance that Nabers lands in the top-10.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/9/24
Today’s minor moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: G Mike Caliendo, S Nazeeh Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Max Pircher
- Placed on reserve/retired list: RB Bryant Koback