Latest On Dolphins’ WR Pursuit
The Dolphins continue to search for a third receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but the team isn’t willing to break the bank for the position. A league source that has talked with the Dolphins believes the organization is only willing to spend “a few million” on another wideout, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
[RELATED: Dolphins Submit Offer To OBJ]
The team reportedly made an offer to Odell Beckham Jr., and Jackson says the veteran “remains Miami’s top choice” for the role. Jackson also passes along that the two sides have continued to speak about a potential deal, but the writer believes OBJ isn’t looking for a significant discount on the $15MM he earned from the Ravens in 2023. In that case, the Dolphins’ offer of a “few million” might not be enough.
The organization has also been mentioned as a suitor for free agent Tyler Boyd. However, the long-time Bengals wideout isn’t looking to take a major pay cut on the $10.3MM he earned last season, per Jackson. Hill has pushed for the Dolphins to pursue Michael Thomas, but Jackson says the front office has been “more mindful” of pursuing players with significant injury histories.
The Dolphins will likely continue to be patient until after the draft, and Jackson believes the organization would be comfortable filling that WR3 hole with a rookie. In that scenario, the Dolphins would probably take themselves out of the running for the top remaining free agent WRs.
Cedrick Wilson Jr. served as the team’s third wideout in 2022 and 2023, but he left for the Saints this offseason. Besides Hill, Waddle, and slot receiver Braxton Berrios, the rest of the current WR depth chart lacks experience. That grouping includes River Cracraft, Braylon Sanders, Erik Ezukanma, and Anthony Schwartz.
Chiefs Sign QB Carson Wentz
APRIL 6: Wentz’s one-year deal has a base value of $3.325MM, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The deal includes $2.2MM in guaranteed money, and Wentz can earn another $1.1MM via per-game active roster bonuses.
This is a solid improvement on the one-year, $1.3MM deal that Wentz signed with the Rams in November. Of course, it’s also a massive drop from the four-year, $128MM deal he signed with the Eagles in 2019.
APRIL 1: Patrick Mahomes has a new backup. The Chiefs have signed veteran Carson Wentz, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. The veteran QB got a one-year deal from Kansas City.
The former second-overall pick spent the 2023 campaign as Matthew Stafford‘s backup on the Rams. Wentz ended up getting into two games, including a start against the 49ers in the regular season finale. The 31-year-old completed 17 of his 24 pass attempts in that game, throwing for 163 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in an eventual Rams victory. Wentz was also active on the ground in that game, compiling 56 yards and a touchdown on 17 rushes.
The Rams ended up pivoting in a different direction at QB2 this offseason, signing Jimmy Garoppolo despite the veteran’s impending suspension. That move all but ended Wentz’s chances of re-signing in Los Angeles, but he’s apparently landed on his feet with the defending Super Bowl champs.
Chad Henne served as Mahomes’ backup for a few years before Blaine Gabbert took on the QB2 role in 2023. Gabbert ended up getting into a pair of games for Kansas City (including one start), tossing three interceptions. The former first-round pick hit free agency after the season, leaving the Chiefs with only Chris Oladokun and Ian Book as the backup quarterbacks.
Wentz will surely slide into that primary backup role, with the veteran bringing 93 games of starting experience to Kansas City. He got his last extended look as a starter with Washington in 2022. In seven starts (eight appearances) that season, Wentz completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Wentz was briefly demoted to QB2 after returning from a fractured finger, but he regained the starting gig down the stretch of that season.
Of course, the Chiefs are hoping Wentz will barely see the field in 2024. Mahomes has been incredibly healthy in his six years as a full-time starter, only missing four regular season games.
NFL Teams Eyeing NC State’s D.J. Burns?
APRIL 4: It appears Burns will not be open to following up his NCAA Tournament surge with a pivot to the NFL. When asked (via the Associated Press) if he had any interest in a football career following his hoops season, the NC State big replied, “Zero.” Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said no NFL team has contacted him about Burns.
APRIL 1: D.J. Burns Jr. has become a household name during March Madness, guiding 11-seed NC State to the Final Four. This has led to some speculation about his chances of turning pro…but probably not in the sport you’re thinking (hint, hint: you’re not on HoopsRumors.com).
On Friday night, former NFL scout Jim Nagy noted how the 6-foot-9, 275-pound basketball player has the size, athleticism, and footwork of an NFL offensive lineman. Well, after hearing from an NFL general manager, assistant manager, and college director, Nagy is now saying that league interest in Burns “is real.” FOX Sport’s Peter Schrager is hearing similar things, noting that Burns would get a “big turnout” (and, potentially, money as a UDFA) if he holds a pro day once March Madness has concluded.
Even if Burns’ height is a bit exaggerated (Schrager estimates that the NC State big man is actually 6-foot-7), he would still rank among the tallest players in the NFL. Dan Skipper currently tops the league at 6-foot-9, followed by a handful of players (notably Trent Brown) at 6-foot-8.
There have been a handful of college basketball players who have taken their talents from the court to the gridiron, and football experience hasn’t been considered a prerequisite for these developmental rooks. Generally, the basketball-player-turned-football-player mold has produced tight ends, a group that famously includes Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, and Jimmy Graham.
The transition to offensive line is especially rare. Wayne Moore had the most success with the switch, but that was more than 50 years ago. Around the same time, former Indiana basketball center Ken Johnson attempted to play offensive line in the NFL before switching to the defensive side of the ball, where he got into 79 games.
Burns hasn’t attracted much NBA hype. If he sticks with basketball, he’d likely have to settle for a G-League gig or overseas job. If he believes his chances of a basketball career are slim, there’s at least a chance he considers a future in football.
Latest On UNC QB Drake Maye
With Caleb Williams effectively locked in with the first-overall pick and J.J. McCarthy quickly climbing up draft boards, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye‘s chance of being a top-three pick isn’t as definitive as it once was.
Fortunately, the prospect can rest easy knowing that the Commanders (No. 2) and Patriots (No. 3) had the largest contingents at his pro day. The Commanders also met with Maye privately before his public workout, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB. Specifically, coach Dan Quinn, general manager Adam Peters, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury spoke with the prospect.
While there were reports from earlier today that the Patriots may prefer Jayden Daniels over Maye, the organization was still well represented at the prospect’s pro day. The Patriots also met with the quarterback before he threw, and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf got an up-close look at the prospect during his workout, according to Evan Lazar of the team’s website.
“It’s been awesome,” Maye said of his meeting with the Patriots (via Lazar). “Try to get to know them. Trying to get to know what they’re about, and their championship mindset to get back to the glory days.”
Interestingly, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com writes that the Broncos were also among the most represented teams at Maye’s audition. The Broncos currently sit with the No. 12 pick, and even if Maye does fall out of the top-three, it’s unlikely he drops all the way out of the top-10. In other words, the Broncos would surely have to move up in the first round if they want the UNC product.
As Adam Caplan of ProFootballNetwork.com passes along, NFL evaluators have lauded Maye for his size, arm strength, and aggressiveness. However, the prospect received criticism for hastily leaving the pocket and trying to make “hero throws,” a pair of attributes that could surely be curbed with experience.
Chargers Re-Sign K Cameron Dicker
The Chargers have officially retained Cameron Dicker for the 2024 campaign. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Chargers have signed the ERFA kicker.
Dicker was hit with the exclusive rights free agent tender earlier this offseason. This was always the likeliest path, as the kicker effectively had no path to joining another squad.
The former UDFA out of Texas had brief stints with the Rams, Ravens, and Eagles before catching on with the Chargers during the 2022 campaign. He ended up supplanting Dustin Hopkins as the team’s kicker, and he was all but perfect in his 11 games, converting 19-of-20 field goal attempts and all 22 of his extra point tries. He also got into one playoff game, adding 12 points.
Dicker stuck around as the Chargers kicker in 2023 and continued his remarkable efficiency. The 23-year-old finished the season converting 31 of his 33 field goal attempts and all 35 of his XPs.
The Chargers weren’t done making moves today, as the team also added fullback Ben Mason (per ESPN’s Field Yates). The former fifth-round pick spent the majority of his career in Baltimore, although he’s been limited to only a single appearance in three years.
DL Eddie Goldman Attempting Comeback With Falcons
Eddie Goldman is attempting another comeback with the Falcons. The veteran defensive tackle is signing with the Falcons, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 raised some eyebrows earlier today when he passed along that Goldman had been cut from Atlanta’s reserve/left squad list. The Falcons have since announced Goldman is back on their offseason roster.
The former Bears standout joined the Falcons during the 2022 offseason. After spending two weeks with the organization, Goldman suddenly announced his retirement.
The defensive lineman considered a comeback last offseason. The Falcons reinstated him from the reserve/retired list last March, and he reportedly looked “phenomenal” after reporting to camp in July. However, his comeback attempt was short lived, as he once again retired before being placed on the reserve/left squad list.
We’ll see if this second comeback attempt sticks, although the odds will be stacked against him. Goldman has only been active for one season over the past four years. That came during the 2021 campaign, when the defensive lineman started 10 of his 14 appearances for the Bears. He finished that season with 22 stops and half a sack, with Pro Football Focus grading him among the lowest interior defenders in the league.
Goldman was once one of Chicago’s most dependable defenders. The former second-round pick started all 46 of his appearances for the Bears between 2017 and 2019, with PFF grading him among the best at his position following his three-sack season in 2018. Goldman ended up opting out of the 2020 season before struggling in 2021.
The Falcons should return much of their interior DL depth in 2024, although Grady Jarrett‘s early-season availability is in doubt as he recovers from a torn ACL. David Onyemata and Ta’Quon Graham will both be back up the middle, but Goldman could soak up some of the snaps left by Albert Huggins, who remains unsigned.
To clear up some of their depth, the Falcons released defensive lineman Ikenna Enechukwu earlier today (per the team). The 2023 UDFA out of Rice spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve.
Latest On 49ers Ownership
Jed York is now the principal owner of the 49ers. As David Lombardi of The Athletic writes, the now-former CEO officially bought out the shares of his mother, Denise DeBartolo York. This move means Jed York now owns a majority stake of the organization.
Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal reported the move last week, pending approval by the league. The move has apparently been given the go-ahead, and York is now assuring the 49ers remain with his family for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a move from a family standpoint to keep this team in our family for generations to come,” York said (via Lombardi). “I think that’s reflective of how we’ve operated. My parents are going to stay as co-chairmen. I don’t think you’re going to see any change. It’s more of a long-term family planning thing and making sure this team stays in our family for generations to come.”
Edward J. DeBartolo took over ownership of the 49ers in the late 1970s, purchasing the organization from the franchise’s founder, the Morabito family. Edward’s son, Eddie DeBartolo, eventually took over ownership of the team, and the franchise won five Super Bowls during his more than two decades as primary owner. Eddie’s sister, Denise DeBartolo York (along with her husband, Dr. John York), took over control of the 49ers in 2000, with Denise becoming one of the league’s first female owners.
Jed, the son of Denise and John, has worked for the 49ers for nearly 20 years, eventually earning the role of CEO in 2010. Since becoming the main “face” of the ownership group, the organization has made three more trips to the Super Bowl.
Latest On Connor Williams, Dolphins Offensive Line
Connor Williams‘ availability for the 2024 campaign is in doubt after he suffered a torn ACL in December. Whenever he’s ready to take the field, it sounds like a return to the Dolphins will be in play.
[RELATED: Drew Rosenhaus On Dolphins C Connor Williams’ Free Agency Timeline]
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Williams’ potential return to Miami has “not been ruled out as a possibility.” The two sides will “remain in occasional communication” while the center rehabs.
Williams joined the Dolphins on a two-year contract in 2022 and proceeded to start all 17 games for Miami. With the lineman set to earn a $6.5MM base salary on an expiring contract in 2023, Williams was absent from minicamp. The two sides didn’t resolve his contract situation, and Williams was ultimately in the lineup for Week 1.
A nagging groin injury forced him to miss four games during the first half of the 2023 season, but he started each of his five games following his return. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 that ended his season and put his 2024 campaign in doubt. Williams was setting himself up nicely for free agency prior to the injury, earning a stellar 86.5 grade from Pro Football Focus that positioned him behind only the Lions’ Frank Ragnow among qualified centers.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus previously said that Williams will be “methodical” and take his time as he considers his next landing spot, but it sounds like Miami will remain a possibility. The team brought in Aaron Brewer as a replacement at center, and the organization could also look towards the draft for more depth at the position.
Elsewhere on the OL, the team’s uncertainty at the two guard positions has led the front office to explore options via free agency. As Jackson writes, the Dolphins “have had at least some level of communication” with two “veteran free agent starting” offensive guards, and they’ve also talked with a player who profiles as a part-timer. However, the Dolphins are prepared to see how things unfold in the draft before they make an addition at the position.
As Jackson writes, Isaiah Wynn is in the driver’s seat to start at left guard. On the other side, the team could be eyeing some competition for the likes of Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones, Lester Cotton, and Jack Driscoll.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/1/24
One minor move to pass along today:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: G Jordan Meredith
After spending his rookie season with the Rams, Meredith caught on with the Raiders in 2022. He spent most of that season on the practice squad but earned a larger role in 2023. The lineman finished this past season having appeared in all 17 games, including one start. A major portion of his snaps came on special teams, but he still got looks on offensive beyond his one start.
Commanders Sign RB Jeremy McNichols
The Commanders are continuing to add to their running backs room. The team announced that they’ve signed running back Jeremy McNichols.
The 2017 fifth-round pick will now be joining his 10th NFL team. The running back got his longest look in Tennessee in 2020 and 2021, getting into 30 total games. He served as Derrick Henry‘s primary backup/third-down back during his first season with the Titans, finishing with 259 yards from scrimmage.
When Henry missed half of the 2021 campaign, McNichols still only served as a change-of-pace back, although he did garner a career-high 69 touches for 396 yards. The 28-year-old spent the 2023 season bouncing between the 49ers’ active roster and practice squad.
Austin Ekeler is now atop the depth chart in Washington, and the Commanders are still rostering Brian Robinson, who is coming off a season where he topped 1,100 yards from scrimmage and scored nine touchdowns. McNichols will likely compete for the RB3 spot with 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez, who got 53 touches as a rookie playing behind Robinson and Antonio Gibson.