Cardinals To Decline Zaven Collins’ Fifth-Year Option
Zaven Collins will be a free agent following the 2024 campaign. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort revealed that his team won’t be picking up the linebacker’s fifth-year option, per Darren Urban of the team’s website.
Had the Cardinals picked up Collins’ 2025 option, they would have been on the hook for a $13.25MM cap hit. It seems that the lofty financial commitment is the biggest reason why the fifth-year option won’t be picked up, and Ossenfort acknowledged that Collins remains in the organization’s plans.
“We want to keep Zaven around here,” Ossenfort told the “Burns and Gambo” show (via Urban). “It’s just the fifth-year option, it removes some flexibility in terms of the (salary) cap. We’re going to have some discussions here. Love Zaven, love where he’s at, love what he brings for our defense and hopefully (we) keep him around here for a long time.”
The 16th-overall pick in the 2021 draft spent most of his rookie season in a backup role, but he compiled 100 tackles in 16 starts as a sophomore. The Cardinals moved him to outside linebacker for the 2023 campaign, and Collins proceeded to compile 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks while getting into 58 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus ended up grading him 44th among 112 qualifying edge defenders, although his pass-rush grade left plenty to be desired.
The Cardinals intend to keep Collins on the edge once again in 2024, meaning the impending free agent could only increase his value with a strong performance. At the very least, Collins will have two paths to joining teams (ILB and OLB) when he hits free agency after the season.
Rams Sign RB Boston Scott
The Rams have added a veteran to their running backs room. The team has signed long-time Eagles back Boston Scott, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’ll be a one-year pact for Scott.
The former sixth-round pick has spent the majority of his career in Philadelphia, appearing in 75 regular season games and eight postseason contests. He saw a significant role between 2019 and 2021, averaging nearly 500 yards from scrimmage per season. Scott also made a name for himself with his continued dominance against the Giants, with the RB tallying 10 of his 17 career touchdowns against the division opponent.
He only started two of his 30 appearances over the past two years, averaging 185 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per season. This included a 2023 campaign where Scott finished with 138 yards from scrimmage, his lowest total since he was shut out in two games as a rookie.
Kyren Williams will be back to lead the Rams RB corps in 2024, but his backups will look different. Neither Royce Freeman nor Darrell Henderson were retained, and the team added Blake Corum in the third round of this year’s draft. Scott will likely compete with Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans for a spot on the bottom of the depth chart.
Falcons Sign 10 UDFAs
After finishing the weekend with one of the more questionable draft approaches, the Falcons have rounded out their rookie class with 10 undrafted free agents. The team announced that they’ve added the following UDFAs:
- Ryan Coll, OL (Richmond)
- JaQuae Jackson, WR (Rutgers)
- John Paddock, QB (Illinois)
- Nolan Potter, OL (Northern Illinois)
- Jayden Price, CB (North Dakota State)
- Anthony Sao, CB (MidAmerica Nazarene)
- Ryan Sanborn, P (Texas)
- Austin Stogner, TE (Oklahoma)
- Trey Vaval, CB (Minnesota State-Mankato)
- Isaiah Wooden, WR (Southern Utah)
The Falcons added another rookie QB to their roster in Illinois signal caller John Paddock. The prospect got a chance to start during his final season at Ball State before transferring to the Fighting Illini in 2023. At Illinois, Paddock only took over late in the season but still managed to finish the campaign with 1,278 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Falcons weren’t finished adding to their offense, signing three skill players to the roster. It’s actually the tight end, Austin Stogner, who has the most accomplished resume of the group. Stogner collected 84 receptions in a college career that saw him bounce from Oklahoma to South Carolina back to Oklahoma. This included a 2023 campaign where he finished with 17 catches for 196 yards.
The organization may be setting up a punting competition by adding Ryan Sanborn to the depth chart. Sanborn spent four years at Stanford before joining Texas for the 2023 campaign. The Falcons are still rostering last year’s starter, Bradley Pinion.
Lions Acquire No. 132, Select Utah’s Sione Vaki
The Eagles are apparently determined to add as many 2025 picks as possible. The team has made their third trade of the day, sending picks No. 132 and No. 210 to the Lions for picks No. 164, No. 201, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The Lions have used their pick on Utah Swiss Army Knife Sione Vaki.
The prospect played on both sides of the ball during his time in college. On defense, he mostly played safety, collecting 92 tackles in 26 games across two seasons. He started playing some running back for the 2023 campaign and ended up garnering 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns. He also added another 11 catches for 203 yards and three scores.
Considering that positional versatility, Vaki should have multiple paths to sticking around the NFL.
49ers Acquire No. 129, Select Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo
The 49ers are moving up the board, acquiring pick No. 129 from the Jets. In return, San Francisco will send New York picks No. 173 and No. 176.
The team has used their new selection on Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo.
After transferring from Wisconsin to Louisville for the 2023 campaign, Guerendo had a breakout season. The running back finished the year with 1,044 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, and he also returned 11 kickoffs for 211 yards.
Guerendo will look to compete for backup reps behind Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. The Niners are still rostering Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason, and they also added Patrick Taylor Jr. to the group. It may take the rookie some time until he’s able to break into the rotation, but he should be able to contribute on special teams for the time being.
Texans Acquire No. 123, Select Ohio State TE Cade Stover
The Eagles have made yet another trade. Philly is sending No. 123 to the Texans for No. 127 and a 2025 fifth-round pick, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano.
Houston has used their new pick on tight end Cade Stover. The Ohio State product is the eighth TE off the board, including the fifth of the fourth round.
The six-foot-four, 255-pound tight end had productive 2022 and 2023 seasons at Ohio State, combining for 77 receptions, 982 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.
The Texans continue to add to their offense. Besides the team’s headline-grabbing Stefon Diggs trade, the team has also signed lineman David Sharpe and drafted lineman Blake Fisher. Now, they’ll be adding Stover to a depth chart that is led by veteran Dalton Schultz.
Dolphins Acquire No. 120, Select RB Jaylen Wright
The Dolphins have given up a future pick to trade into the fourth round. Miami has acquired pick No. 120 from the Eagles, sending Philly a 2025 third-round pick (per ESPN’s Field Yates).
The Dolphins have used their pick on Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. Miami wasn’t set to pick until No. 158, so the team believed strongly enough in the prospect to sacrifice a surefire earlier pick in the 2025 draft.
After finishing his first season as a starting RB with 883 yards from scrimmage, Wright took it to another level in 2023. The prospect led the Tennessee offense with 1,154 yards from scrimmage, although he only finished the campaign with four touchdowns (down from the 10 touchdowns he scored in 2022).
The Dolphins used a third-round pick in last year’s draft on De’Von Achane, and they’re still rostering veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.. Wright is known for his dynamic speed (he ran a sub-4.4-second 40 time), so Mike McDaniel will surely find a way to use his newest weapon.
Packers Acquire No. 111, Select Oregon S Evan Williams
The Packers and Jets have been frequent trade partners in recent years, and the teams have pulled off another deal. The Packers have jumped to No. 111, with New York acquiring picks No. 126 and No. 190.
The Packers will use their new pick on Oregon safety Evan Williams. There’s been a run on Ducks players today, with Williams representing the fourth Oregon player to be selected in the fourth round.
After leading the Fresno State defense for four seasons, Williams transferred to Oregon for the 2023 campaign. He proceeded to earn second team All-Pac-12 honors after compiling 82 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. While the defensive back didn’t posses the same upside as other prospects at the position, his defensive savvy should keep him on NFL rosters.
The Packers have been one of the more active teams through the first two days of the draft, selecting five rookies. The team added Georgia’s Javon Bullard in the second round, and the two rookies will join a new-look safeties room that also features new addition Xavier McKinney.
Broncos Acquire No. 102, Select Oregon WR Troy Franklin
The Broncos have traded for the second selection of Day 3. Denver has acquired picks No. 102 and No. 235 from the Seahawks, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. In return, Seattle will receive picks No. 121, No. 136, and No. 207.
The Broncos have used the pick on Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin.
Following a breakout 2022 campaign, Franklin had an even bigger season in 2023. He finished the year setting a school record with 14 receiving touchdowns, and he compiled 1,383 yards on 81 receptions. Knocked for his size and physicality, Franklin wasn’t able to parlay his performance into a selection in the first three rounds. Fortunately, he’ll land in a perfect spot in Denver.
Franklin, of course, is plenty familiar with new Broncos QB Bo Nix, with the duo playing alongside each other for the past two seasons. The Broncos reportedly had their eye on several Ducks players, as Mike Klis of 9News in Denver notes that the team hosted Nix, Franklin, and running back Bucky Irving for private workouts on the same day.
With Jerry Jeudy out of the picture, the rookie could carve out a role on a Denver depth chart that also includes Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and offseason acquisition Josh Reynolds.
Chargers Pick Up OT Rashawn Slater’s Fifth-Year Option
After snagging the draft’s top offensive line prospect, the Chargers have committed to another first-round lineman through the 2025 campaign. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Chargers have picked up Rashawn Slater‘s fifth-year option.
[RELATED: Chargers Select Joe Alt At No. 5]
As our 2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker shows, Slater will now be attached to a fully guaranteed $19MM for the 2025 campaign. The lineman will earn a $2.9MM base salary in 2024 via the fourth year of his rookie contract.
The 13th-overall pick in the 2021 draft (and the second offensive lineman off the board), Slater has started all 36 of his appearances since joining the Chargers. The Northwestern product had a standout rookie season, earning a second-team All-Pro nod after starting all 16 of his games. He ruptured his biceps tendon three games into the 2022 campaign, ending his sophomore season prematurely.
Slater managed to return for the start of the 2023 season and proceeded to appear in every offensive snap for the Chargers. Pro Football Focus ranked Slater 17th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles last season, including one of the highest grades at the position for pass blocking.
The Chargers selected Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt with the fifth-overall pick. While Slater has more than proven himself at LT in front of Justin Herbert, the organization is leaving the door open to Alt taking over the blind side.
“We don’t know yet. Those things are to be determined,” coach Jim Harbaugh said of the OL configuration (via the team’s website). “Count on us playing our best five offensive linemen. What position each guy plays within the offense and within the offensive line is to be determined.”