Steelers Sign Zach Frazier, Complete Rookie Signings
The Steelers have completed their draft pick signings. The team announced that they’ve signed second-round center Zach Frazier to his four-year rookie contract.
The West Virginia product got into 47 games during his collegiate career, including a 2023 campaign where he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors after not allowing a single sack. That performance helped put him firmly on the NFL map, and he was ultimately the second center off the board (behind Graham Barton) when he was selected at No. 51.
“They’re getting a hard worker who is going to give everything he has to the organization to win football games,” Frazier said in a team statement. “I couldn’t be more excited.”
The Steelers moved on from Mason Cole this offseason, opening a starting spot for Frazier. Considering the rookie’s versatility (he played both center and guard in college), the Steelers could shift Frazier around if necessary. The Steelers will also feature another rookie starting OL in first-round offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.
Today’s move completes the Steelers’ draft pick signings. The team’s entire draft class includes:
- Round 1, No. 20: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 84: Roman Wilson (WR, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 98 (from Eagles): Payton Wilson (LB, NC State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 119: Mason McCormick (G, South Dakota State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 178 (from Cardinals through Panthers): Logan Lee (DT, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 195: Ryan Watts (CB, Texas) (signed)
Vikings Moving N’Keal Harry To TE
N’Keal Harry has struggled to carve out a role as a receiver during his professional career. Now, the former first-round pick will be looking to make an NFL roster as a tight end. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that Harry will be switching positions ahead of the 2024 campaign.
“N’Keal is really fired up about it,” O’Connell said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “He has attacked the process, long before we even got started in the offseason program. But you’re hoping to see the receiving traits lead the way early on, as they get a little more comfort in maybe having their hand down, being a part of run schemes, the different kind of run schemes that we’re implementing, and N’Keal has shown that. . . . At this stage in his career a position change is unique, but we’re hoping we’re developing a guy who can be a real third-down weapon, red-zone weapon, with his skill set.”
Harry was a bust in New England, as the Arizona State product was unable to click with Tom Brady, Cam Newton, and Mac Jones. His best season came in 2020, when he hauled in 33 catches for 309 yards and two scores. Otherwise, his Patriots tenure saw him collect another 24 receptions. He caught seven passes for the Bears in 2022 before spending the 2023 campaign as a special teamer in Minnesota.
This position change should only help the 26-year-old’s chances of making the 2024 roster. Andrew Krammer of The Star Tribune passed along yesterday that star tight end T.J. Hockenson will likely start the season on injured reserve as he recovers from a torn ACL. That would open a spot on the depth chart for at least the first four weeks of the season.
The Vikings will return the same TE grouping next season, meaning Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt will be the likeliest candidates to fill in for Hockenson. Harry would be competing with the likes of Nick Muse and veteran Robert Tonyan for one of the final spots on the depth chart.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/5/24
One draft pick signing to pass along:
New England Patriots
- G Layden Robinson (fourth round, Texas A&M)
Robinson was a four-year starting lineman at Texas A&M, with the guard earning a pair of second-team All-SEC nods during his tenure. The 6-foot-3, 311-pound rookie could find himself in the starting lineup to begin the season, as Cole Strange could miss the start of the 2024 campaign.
With the signing, second-round wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk is now New England’s only unsigned draft pick.
No Timetable For Patriots QB Drake Maye To Enter Starting Lineup
The Patriots are hoping they found their QB of the future in third-overall pick Drake Maye. However, after signing veteran Jacoby Brissett as a seat-warmer, the organization isn’t in any rush to throw their rookie quarterback into the fire. While speaking with reporters, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said there’s no specific timetable to elevate Drake into the QB1 role.
“I think you have to take that as it comes,” Van Pelt said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “There is no timetable. Jacoby, again, is our starter and he’s playing excellent football for us in the spring. And Drake is coming on. So until that changes, we’re going to stick with what we got.
“We always talk about earning your reps around here. So as he continues to grow and have successful practices and start stacking those, then we can think about moving him up the depth chart. It’s a process. It’s a marathon. We’re going to take our time and do it the right way.”
As the OC noted, there are still some skills that Maye has to develop before he can enter the starting lineup. While the rookie has quickly adapted to the team’s footwork requirements, he’s still a work in progress when it comes to “calling plays from the huddle.” While there is certainly enthusiasm for Maye’s inevitable ascension into the starting lineup, Van Pelt opines that this developmental time will only help the player’s long-term outlook.
“I think of it as a marathon over a sprint,” Van Pelt said. “You just don’t go out and run a marathon. You have to train properly for a marathon. It’s the same with a quarterback,” he said, when asked the key tenets of developing a rookie at the position.
“There’s a process. We follow that process. We trust that process. You can’t just stick a guy out there and expect him to be successful without the proper training. We’re making moves in the right direction.”
The coaching staff will naturally have a major say in Maye’s development, with Van Pelt and new head coach Jerod Mayo having significant influence over the decision. The OC revealed that the recently promoted Eliot Wolf, who is serving as New England’s executive vice president of player personnel, will also be involved with the decision.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa: There’s Been “A Lot Of Progress” On Extension Talks
While Tua Tagovailoa was in attendance for the start of Dolphins OTAs, there’s still uncertainty surrounding his extension talks with the organization. We learned recently that the front office had indeed submitted an offer to the quarterback, but the player’s no-show from offseason workouts indicated that the offer was rejected.
[RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa In Attendance For Dolphins’ OTAs; QB Rejected Extension Offer]
Despite both sides expressing interest in speedy negotiations, Tagovailoa is still sitting with only a year remaining on his contract. However, the quarterback did express some optimism in completing a deal while speaking with reporters yesterday.
“Well, I think there’s been a lot of progress at this point,” Tagovailoa said (via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network). “From where we started, there’s been a lot of progress. Now, you can ask the other question — then why aren’t we seeing an agreement? Well, that’s the tough part about it. That’s why it’s business. That’s why you’ve got one side and the other trying to work to meet in the middle.”
While Tagovailoa described himself as “antsy” as he awaits a new contract, he said he’s not “frustrated” or “concerned.” The QB did acknowledge that he’s more than aware of the rising QB market, including Jared Goff‘s recent contract with the Lions.
“Well, I’ll tell you one thing, the market is the market,” Tagovailoa said (via Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald). “If we didn’t have a market, then none of that would matter, it would just be an organizational thing. It didn’t matter if that guy got paid that because it’s an organizational thing. So that’s what I would say — the market is the market. That’s it.”
Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says there’s “some optimism” that the two sides will agree to a deal and it’s simply “a matter of time.” Rapoport notes that Tagovailoa has done everything he can do to establish himself as a franchise QB, including playing a full season and leading his team to the postseason. The top of the quarterback market surged past $50MM per year last offseason, and Tagovailoa’s attendance at OTAs should signal that the front office is willing to hit that mark.
In terms of on-the-field developments, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that Tua lost between 10 to 15 pounds this offseason. That brings the QB’s playing weight down to around 220 pounds.
Bears, Teven Jenkins Haven’t Talked Extension
Teven Jenkins is entering the final year of his contract. While the offensive guard is interested in extending his stay in Chicago, it sounds like the organization hasn’t been especially active in attempting to re-sign the veteran.
While speaking with reporters today (including Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times), Jenkins acknowledged that his camp “reached out” to the Bears about an extension but “nothing is on the table.” When asked about the front office’s inaction, the offensive lineman described the potential negotiations as “up in the air.”
The former second-round pick is entering the fourth and final season of his rookie contract. As Finley notes, general manager Ryan Poles has recently handed out a handful of extensions, with the reporter pointing to tight end Cole Kmet, defensive end Montez Sweat, nose tackle Andrew Billings, kicker Cairo Santos, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
“I mean, it’s good to see that stuff — that the Bears are willing to do that,” Jenkins said. “But every situation is different. We have to go about it, me and my agent, however ‘upstairs’ wants to do it.”
Jenkins has yet to play a full season, so the Bears may be a bit wary of extending the player too soon. The 26-year-old did stay relatively healthy in 2024; after sitting on injured reserve for the first four games, Jenkins played in 12 of his team’s remaining 13 contests.
After struggling as an offensive tackle, Jenkins took off after switching to guard during his sophomore season. Pro Football Focus graded him as the third-best guard during the 2022 campaign, and he finished 2023 ranked 14th among qualifying players. The lineman also spent time at both LG and RG, and that versatility could end up helping the Bears down the line.
The organization has been especially active in surrounding Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible. While the team may be dragging their feet a bit with Jenkins, the organization will surely want the offensive lineman locked in for the foreseeable future if he has another strong campaign.
Keenan Allen Open To Bears Extension
The Bears acquired veteran wideout Keenan Allen with the understanding that it could be a one-season pairing. While the two sides have yet to discuss an extension, Allen made it clear that he’d be interested in re-signing with Chicago…although the Bears would have to pay him accordingly.
[RECENT: WR Keenan Allen Addresses Chargers Departure]
“I’m going to play as long as I can,” Allen told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times. “As far as an extension, I’m going to let the play speak for itself, and if they offer me something that I like, we’ll go from there.”
Allen is entering the final season of a four-year, $80.1MM extension he signed with the Chargers back in 2020. The wideout is attached to a $34MM-plus cap hit in 2024 and an $18MM-plus base salary, which contributed to his trade from the Chargers. Before Los Angeles dealt their star receiver, the front office attempted to negotiate an extension with the player. Allen was presented with “multiple contract options,” although it sounds like each of those routes would have come with a 2024 pay cut.
The Bears were willing to absorb Allen’s financial commitment for the 2024 campaign, as the organization was focused on surrounding first-overall pick Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible. Allen was certainly a worthy target. In addition to his lengthy resume, the wideout notably rebounded from a disappointing 2022 campaign, finishing the 2023 season with 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns.
If the Bears hope to retain Allen beyond the 2024 campaign, they’ll have to compete with a rapidly increasing WR market. Allen noted as much, saying that Justin Jefferson‘s four-year, $140MM extension with the Vikings once again “reset” the market. With the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb also set to receive lucrative new deals, it’s in Allen’s best interest to remain patient.
It sounds like the Bears also aren’t feeling much urgency to complete an extension. As Finley notes, the Bears have “yet to engage Allen on a new deal.” As the writer notes, the team also somewhat prepared for a potential Allen exit when they selected Rome Odunze with the ninth-overall selection.
While neither side is in any particular rush to complete a deal, it sounds like they’re both interested in a long-term arrangement. After spending his entire professional career in California, Allen said it hasn’t been difficult getting used to Chicago.
“It wouldn’t be hard to adjust to a city like this,” Allen said.
Dolphins Sign Five Rookies
The Dolphins finally inked some of their rookies to contracts. The team announced that they’ve signed five of their 2024 draft picks:
- Round 4, No. 120 (from Rams through Steelers and Eagles): Jaylen Wright (RB, Tennessee)
- Round 5, No. 158: Mohamed Kamara (EDGE, Colorado State)
- Round 6, No. 184 (from Bears): Malik Washington (WR, Virginia)
- Round 6, No. 198: Patrick McMorris (S, Cal)
- Round 7, No. 241: Tahj Washington (WR, USC)
These five rookies kick off the organization’s draft-class signings. First-round edge defender Chop Robinson and second-round offensive tackle Patrick Paul remain unsigned.
Considering how much the Dolphins have gotten out of their running backs in recent years, Jaylen Wright is certainly an intriguing addition. The Tennessee prospect took it to another level this past season, finishing with 1,154 yards from scrimmage. The rookie has an uphill battle for playing time behind the likes of Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, and Jeff Wilson, but he could easily slide up the depth chart if/when the team faces injuries.
Patrick McMorris is another prospect who could see a role in 2024. After two standout seasons at SDSU, the safety continued his production after transferring to California, finishing with 90 tackles and eight passes defended. The rookie will compete with Elijah Campbell for any leftover snaps at the safety position.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/4/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Claimed off waivers (from Patriots): OL Andrew Stueber
- Waived: WR JaQuae Jackson
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Shayne Simon
- Waived/injured: OL Tommy Doyle
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: K Lucas Havrisik
Houston Texans
- Waived from IR (with injury settlement): DE Marcus Haynes
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Grayland Arnold
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: DL Raymond Johnson III
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Ryan Jensen
Washington Commanders
- Signed: K Ramiz Ahmed
After missing most of the past two seasons due to a knee injury, Ryan Jensen announced back in February that he was going to retire. The Buccaneers made the move official today, although that won’t be the end of their cap commitment to the offensive lineman. As Greg Auman of FOX Sports notes, since Jensen’s contract was pro-rated, the Buccaneers will be hit with a combined $16.6MM in dead cap over the next two seasons.
The Browns cleared up their depth chart a bit by cutting kicker Lucas Havrisik, leaving the organization with Dustin Hopkins and Cade York to compete for the starting job. Havrisik got into nine games with the Rams last season, connecting on 15 of his 20 field goal tries and 19 of his 22 extra points. In other kicker moves, the Commanders have added Ramiz Ahmed in the wake of the Brandon McManus release.
Bills Sign Cole Bishop, Seven Other Draft Picks
The Bills signed a significant portion of their draft class today. The team announced that they’ve signed the following players to rookie contracts:
- Round 2, No. 60: Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
- Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): DeWayne Carter, DT (Duke)
- Round 4, No. 128: Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)
- Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C, Georgia)
- Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers): Edefuan Ulofoshio (LB, Washington)
- Round 5, No. 168 (from Saints): Javon Solomon (EDGE, Troy)
- Round 6, No. 204: Tylan Grable (T, Central Florida)
- Round 6, No. 219 (from Packers): Daequan Hardy (CB, Penn State)
The team previously signed seventh-round offensive tackle Travis Clayton. Second-round wide receiver (and the Bills’ top-overall pick) Keon Coleman is the only remaining unsigned rookie.
Cole Bishop had a standout career at Utah that saw him collect 197 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors this past season, finishing with 60 stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions. That performance helped establish Bishop as one of the draft’s top safety prospects, and he was ultimately selected by the Bills with the 60th-overall pick.
After releasing Jordan Poyer and with Micah Hyde remaining unsigned, the Bills should have an opening for Bishop in the starting lineup. Last year’s third safety, Taylor Rapp, is temporarily penciled in as the other starting safety, so even if the Bills add some reinforcement, there’s a good chance Bishop will still see significant playing time.