Saints Sign OT Oli Udoh
The Saints have added some depth on the offensive line. The team announced that they’ve agreed to terms with offensive tackle Oli Udoh.
The former sixth-round pick spent five seasons with the Vikings to begin his career, appearing in 43 games. He only got an extended look during one of the those campaigns, starting 16 games for Minnesota in 2021. He landed back on the bench in 2022, starting one game (plus a playoff start) while appearing in only 131 offensive snaps.
Udoh re-signed with the Vikings last offseason and earned a starting nod in Week 2. However, he suffered a quad injury in that game, ending his season after only two appearances.
The Saints will be counting on Udoh to provide some depth in 2024. Ryan Ramczyk will be back in the starting lineup, but the team is currently eyeing one of Udoh, Trevor Penning, Landon Young, and Tommy Kraemer for the other starting tackle spot.
The Saints also made a move of the defensive side of the ball, re-signing safety Ugo Amadi. The former Seahawks draft pick spent the 2022 campaign bouncing between the Eagles, Titans, and Chiefs practice squads. He caught on with the Saints last offseason and proceeded to get into all 17 games, collecting 12 tackles while garnering the majority of his snaps on special teams.
Ravens To Re-Sign CB Arthur Maulet
After catching on with the Ravens late last summer, Arthur Maulet will be sticking with the organization for the next few years. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that the veteran cornerback is re-signing with Baltimore on a two-year deal.
The former UDFA bounced around the NFL to begin his career, never spending more than two seasons with any single team. After playing out the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Pittsburgh, it took Maulet until last July to catch on with another AFC North squad.
The 30-year-old proceeded to start three of his 14 games for the Ravens, tying or setting new career highs in sacks (two), QB hits (three), and passes defended (five). For his efforts, Pro Football Focus ranked him 45th among 127 qualifying cornerbacks, including a top-10 positional grade for his pass-rushing ability.
Maulet always had a built-in role as a nickelback, but he could see an even larger role in 2024. Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens will still be atop the cornerbacks depth chart, but Maulet will no longer have to compete with Ronald Darby for the CB3 role.
As ESPN’s Jamison Hensley notes, the Ravens have done some work in retaining free agent defenders. Maulet is the fourth defender to re-sign in Baltimore, joining defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebacker Malik Harrison, and defensive end Brent Urban.
Lions To Sign G Kevin Zeitler
MARCH 19: Zeitler agreed to a one-year, $6MM deal, The33rdTeam.com’s Ari Meirov tweets. Although the Ravens had begun discussions with Zeitler about a return for a fourth Baltimore season, the veteran guard is headed to Detroit. Following Jackson’s Rams defection, Zeitler and Glasgow will form an affordable tandem — comprised of two 30-somethings — at the position.
MARCH 18: The Lions have found their replacement for Jonah Jackson. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions are signing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler.
[RELATED: Rams, G Jonah Jackson Agree To Deal]
The lineman will be inking a one-year deal with Detroit. Zeitler is flying to Detroit tonight to take his physical before officially signing with the Lions tomorrow.
The 12-year veteran earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after starting 15 games for Baltimore. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 15th-best offensive guard last season, with Zeitler earning the second-highest grade at his position for pass blocking.
The 34-year-old is coming off a three-year stint with the Ravens that saw him start all 47 of his appearances. The former first-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career with the Bengals before his two-year stints with the Browns and Giants.
The Lions re-signed right guard Graham Glasgow last week, but Justin Rogers of The Detroit News believes Glasgow will likely shift to the left side of the line following Zeitler’s addition. After losing Jackson to the Rams, the Lions have been seeking a fifth starting lineman to play besides Glasgow, center Frank Ragnow, and tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker.
As ESPN’s Jamison Hensley notes, Zeitler marks the 10th player the Ravens have lost via free agency. That grouping includes fellow OL John Simpson who signed with the Jets, and the Ravens also dealt Morgan Moses to New York, meaning Baltimore will be eyeing a new-look offensive line grouping in 2024.
Falcons Re-Sign DL Kentavius Street
The Falcons have made their first defensive transaction of the offseason. The team announced that they’ve re-signed defensive lineman Kentavius Street.
The former journeyman seemed to settle in with the Falcons down the stretch of the 2023 campaign. After getting traded to Atlanta in October, Street proceeded to start all five of his appearances for his new squad. He compiled 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack before getting shut down early with a pectoral injury. Pro Football Focus only ranked Street 82nd among 130 qualifying interior defenders, although his grade was partly brought down by a dreadful coverage grade.
The former fourth-round pick played out his rookie contract in San Francisco but only got into 35 games across those four seasons. He had a career year off the bench for the Saints in 2022, finishing with 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks. That performance earned him a contract with the Eagles last offseason, but Philly shipped him to Atlanta in a swap for late-round picks.
The Falcons have made headlines this offseason with their offensive moves, but the front office has been quiet on the defensive side of the ball, with Street representing their first signing. The 27-year-old probably won’t step back into the starting lineup in 2024 since Grady Jarrett should be back to full health, but he could still see an important role as a rotational piece for the Falcons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/24
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Byron Cowart
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: CB Robert Rochell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Troy Dye
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Jack Driscoll
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: G Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
Cowboys To Re-Sign RB Rico Dowdle
There will be plenty of uncertainty in the Cowboys’ running backs room heading into 2024, but the team can at least count on some continuity at the position. SportsTrust Advisors announced that running back Rico Dowdle is sticking in Dallas.
Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports that Dowdle will be inking a new one-year deal with the Cowboys. The contract is worth $1.255MM and includes a $200K signing bonus.
The South Carolina product joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020. After appearing in only 19 offensive snaps through his first three seasons in the NFL, Dowdle saw a larger role in 2023. The fourth-year player served as Tony Pollard‘s primary backup and finished the season with 505 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 106 touches. The 25-year-old also returned six kickoffs this past season.
Pollard left for the Titans in free agency, and the Cowboys have yet to add a replacement. That would leave Dowdle and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn atop the depth chart, with Malik Davis and Snoop Conner also around to soak up snaps.
Panthers To Sign OT Yosh Nijman
The Panthers have been seeking some offensive tackle depth, and they found an answer in a former Packers starter. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Panthers have signed free agent tackle Yosh Nijman.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Nijman is inking a two-year deal worth $8MM. The contract can hit a max value of $15MM and contains $5MM in guaranteed money.
Nijman joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech in 2019. After redshirting as a rookie and mostly playing special teams as a sophomore, Nijman got more offensive reps during his third season in the NFL.
After starting eight games in 2021, Nijman started a career-high 13 games blocking for Aaron Rodgers in 2022. Despite the uptick in playing time, the OT only ranked 54th on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings that season. Nijman reverted to a backup role in 2023, starting only one of his 17 appearances.
The Panthers have invested in guards this offseason, adding both Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to their starting lineup. The team is now adding some experience to the tackle spot, where Nijman will likely compete with Brady Christensen to serve as the swing tackle behind Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu.
Vikings To Sign DL Jonah Williams
After spending a single day with the Vikings in 2021, Jonah Williams will be eyeing a longer stay in Minnesota this time around. The defensive lineman will be signing with the Vikings, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Williams will be inking a one-year deal worth up to $1.5MM, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota. Fowler adds that the deal contains $350K in guaranteed money. Williams visited with the organization earlier today.
The former UDFA spent a year-plus with the Rams to begin his career before getting waived during the 2021 campaign. He caught on with the Vikings, but Minny cut bait following a failed physical. Williams landed back on the Rams practice squad and proceeded to win a Super Bowl ring that season.
He saw a bigger role over the past two years, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he started 16 of his 17 appearances. Williams finished the season having compiled 49 tackles and a pair of sacks, but Pro Football Focus only graded him 88th among 130 qualifying interior defenders.
In Minnesota, Williams will reunite with defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, who previously served as an assistant on the Rams staff. Williams also crossed paths with Vikings head coach (and former Rams OC) Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles. The Vikings have been busy this season adding veteran reinforcement to the defensive line. In addition to re-signing Jonathan Bullard, the Vikings have also signed Jerry Tillery.
49ers Sign OT Brandon Parker
The 49ers are adding some depth to their offensive line. The team announced that they’ve signed offensive tackle Brandon Parker.
The former third-round pick had spent his entire career with the Raiders. He had an inconsistent role through his six years with the organization, alternating between starter and backup. Parker started a career-high 13 games for the Raiders in 2021, but his follow-up campaign was erased thanks to a triceps injury.
During his comeback season in 2023, Parker bounced on and off the Raiders active roster. He ultimately got into five games for the team, starting one. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of his performance this past season, ranking him as a middle-of-the-road lineman. However, they did hand him the highest grade of his career, so there was some positive.
Parker provides the 49ers with some veteran experience in the OTs room. The 28-year-old will likely compete with the likes of Jaylon Moore and Isaac Alarcon for snaps behind Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz.
Chargers Sign C Bradley Bozeman
The Chargers are adding an experienced lineman to their offense. The team announced that they’ve signed center Bradley Bozeman.
The former Ravens sixth-round pick emerged as a consistent starter in Baltimore during his sophomore season. Between 2019 and 2021, Bozeman started all 51 of his appearances for the Ravens (including postseason). After spending the early portion of his career as a left guard, he transitioned to center for the 2021 campaign.
He settled for a one-year deal with the Panthers in 2022. After starting 11 of his 17 appearances during his first season in Carolina, the OL signed a new three-year extension last offseason. Bozeman proceeded to start all 17 of his appearances in 2023, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 21st among 36 qualifying centers. He was released by the Panthers last week.
Bozeman can likely be penciled in as the Chargers starting center heading into 2024. A heart-related issue limited starting center Corey Linsley to only three games this past season, and there’s a chance the veteran ends up calling it a career. Career backup Will Clapp was forced into the lineup following Linsley’s absence, but the veteran is currently unsigned.