NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/18/22
Here are the latest draft pick signings from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- DE Myjai Sanders (third round, Cincinnati)
Washington Commanders
- RB Brian Robinson (third round, Alabama)
Chargers Sign DL Morgan Fox
The Chargers have added to their defensive line. According to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter), the Chargers have signed defensive end Morgan Fox.
Fox went undrafted out of CSU–Pueblo before catching on with the Rams. He ended up spending five seasons with the organization, seeing time in 52 games. After missing the 2018 campaign with a torn ACL, Fox managed to return and appear in each of the Rams’ 32 games over the next two years, including a 2020 season where he collected six sacks. Per ESPN, Fox is the third member of the 2020 Rams defense to join the Chargers this offseason (along with defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day and linebacker Troy Reeder).
Fox inked a two-year pact with the Panthers last offseason and ended up getting into all 17 games for his new squad, compiling a career-high 34 tackles, seven QB hits, and 1.5 sacks. He was released by the organization back in March.
The Chargers made a major upgrade to their pass-rushing corps when they acquired edge rusher Khalil Mack from Chicago. Fox should play a secondary role on the depth chart, and the Chargers will likely turn to him for special teams reps.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert Hoping To Be Ready For Week 1
Raheem Mostert‘s 2021 season ended after only four offensive snaps. Now in Miami, the Dolphins running back is hoping to return to the field for the start of the 2022 campaign.
“His expectations are to play week 1 and we are not going to rush it,” said Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald on Twitter). “He’s come too far to have a setback. He’s diligently working day in, day out. When he’s ready he’ll be on the field.”
After exiting the 49ers’ Week 1 game, Mostert was diagnosed with significant cartilage damage in his knee. The injury ended up knocking him out for the entire 2021 season. The 30-year-old had been with the 49ers since the 2016 season, and between the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the running back collected 1,629 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns (including 10 scores in ’19).
The veteran inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins back in March, reuniting him with McDaniel, who previously served as San Francisco’s run game coordinator and (later) offensive coordinator. Mostert will be joining a running backs room that features holdovers (Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin) and newcomers (Chase Edmonds, Sony Michel). McDaniel told reporters that he doesn’t see an issue with so much depth at the position.
“I think one thing that’s unique about that particular room is no one shies away from competition,” he said (via NFL.com’s Grant Gordon). “Everybody in there is excited for the offense, for the opportunities and wants the best man to win and aren’t backing away from that.”
Bills Interview Brandon Hunt For Assistant GM Job
With Joe Schoen moving a few hours south, Brandon Beane and the rest of the Bills front office are hunting for an assistant GM. At least one candidate has emerged. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Bills interviewed Steelers Pro Scouting Coordinator Brandon Hunt for the job.
Hunt is also up for two jobs in Pennsylvania at the moment. He is in contention for a high-ranking gig in the Eagles’ front office, and he’s a candidate to replace Kevin Colbert in Pittsburgh. Hunt also met with the Raiders about their GM vacancy this offseason.
Hunt is in his second stint with the Steelers, having interned for the organization back in 2005 before returning in 2010. He’s well regarded within the front office, and he’s held a role that requires a deep knowledge of the NFL player pool. He was the assumed successor to Colbert, and this Bills gig is likely contingent on how that hiring process ends up working out. On the flip side, Hunt probably wouldn’t be taking an interview for a lesser opportunity unless he was confident he wasn’t getting the Steelers job.
Schoen left to be the Giants GM this offseason, and Beane is now looking for a replacement. There’s a chance more candidates emerge, although the list currently consists of only Hunt.
Cardinals Sign Second-Round TE Trey McBride
The Cardinals are almost finished signing their draft class. The team announced that they’ve signed second-round tight end Trey McBride, seventh-round cornerback Christian Matthew, and seventh-round offensive lineman Marquis Hayes to their rookie contracts.
Following a standout college career at Colorado State, the Cardinals made McBride not only their first selection of the draft. They also made him the first tight end off the board when they selected him in the second round (No. 55). After collecting 74 receptions through his first three collegiate seasons, McBride exploded in 2021, hauling in 90 catches for 1,121 yards. The performance earned him a number of accolades, including a unanimous All-American selection and the John Mackey Award, which is given to the top tight end in college football.
The Cardinals held on to Zach Ertz, so McBride will be playing behind the veteran to start his career. However, in a creative and (usually) high-flying offense, it shouldn’t take look for McBride to carve out a role.
As our team-by-team 2022 NFL Draft results show, the Cardinals only have a pair of unsigned draft picks:
- Round 2: No. 55 Trey McBride, TE (Colorado State) (signed)
- Round 3: No. 87 Cameron Thomas, DE (San Diego State)
- Round 3: No. 100 (from Ravens) Myjai Sanders, DE (Cincinnati)
- Round 6: No. 201 Keaontay Ingram, RB (USC) (signed)
- Round 6: No. 215 Lecitus Smith, OG (Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 244 Christian Matthew, CB (Valdosta State) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 256 Jesse Luketa, OLB (Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 257 Marquis Hayes, OG (Oklahoma) (signed)
Steelers Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents
The Steelers have added 14 undrafted rookies to their roster:
- OT Jake Dixon, Duquesne
- RB Mataeo Durant, Duke
- DL Donovan Jeter, Michigan
- LB Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M
- DL Trevon Mason, Arizona
- LB T.D. Moultry, Auburn
- G Chris Owens, Alabama
- CB Carlins Platel, South Carolina
- K Nick Sciba, Wake Forest
- WR Tyler Snead, East Carolina
- CB Chris Steele, Southern California
- OT Jordan Tucker, North Carolina
- RB Jaylen Warren, Oklahoma State
- CB Bryce Watts, UMass
Tucker is an intriguing prospect. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 338 pounds, the North Carolina product undoubtedly has the size to compete at the NFL level. During his senior season, Tucker started all 13 games for the Tar Heels, helping guide an offense that averaged 468 yards per game. Owens also provides some intrigue with his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
Steele and Watts could find themselves competing for a spot at the end of the depth chart. Steele finished his career at South Carolina with 95 tackles and three interceptions, while Watts had a 2021 campaign that saw him compiled 43 tackles and one pick.
Vikings Add Nine UDFAs
After adding 10 rookies via the draft, the Vikings have added nine more through free agency. The organization announced the signing of nine undrafted free agents:
- S Mike Brown, Miami (OH)
- WR Thomas Hennigan, Appalachian State
- RB Bryant Koback, Toledo
- LB Zach McCloud, Miami
- C Josh Sokol, Sacred Heart
- DT Tyarise Stevenson, Tulsa
- WR Tré Turner, VT
- LB Luiji Vilain, Wake Forest
- P Ryan Wright, Tulane
The Vikings were apparently eager to add a pair of defenders. According to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter), McCloud will earn $250K in guaranteed money, including a $225K base salary. The Miami Hurricanes standout finished his collegiate career with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, increasing his career numbers to 22.5 TFLs and 10 sacks.
Per PFF’s Doug Kyed on Twitter, the Vikings also gave Vilain $227K in guaranteed money. The linebacker had a breakout campaign after transferring from Michigan to Wake Forest, finishing the 2021 season with eight sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Raiders Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents
The Raiders rookie class grew significantly today, as the organization announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents:
- LB Darien Butler, Arizona State
- S Qwynnterrio Cole, Louisville
- CB Bryce Cosby, Ball State
- TE Cole Fotheringham, Utah
- QB Chase Garbers, California
- WR Justin Hall, Ball State
- LB Luke Masterson, Wake Forest
- RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA
- CB Malkelm Morrison, Army
- OT Bamidele Olaseni, Utah
- S Isaiah Pola-Mao, USC
- DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
- WR Tré Turner, Virginia Tech
- DE Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa
- CB Sam Webb, Missouri Western State
Tagovailoa-Amosa got a significant chunk of money from the Raiders, earning $207K in guaranteed money (including a $197K base salary guarantee), per ProFootballFocus.com’s Doug Kyed on Twitter. The cousin of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, the Notre Dame defensive end had a standout season in 2021, collecting six tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Another notable NFL-family connection is Pola-Mao, who is the nephew of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu. During his time at USC, Pola-Mao collected 178 tackles, five interceptions, and four fumble recoveries.
Olaseni grew up in London, England and didn’t start playing football until the age of 17 thanks to the British American Football Association. He played collegiate ball at Utah, where he earned All-Pac-12 Second Team honors.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/16/22
Several more mid- and late-round picks agreed to terms on their four-year rookie contracts Friday. Here are the latest agreements:
Chicago Bears
- T Zachary Thomas (sixth round, San Diego State)
Indianapolis Colts
- S Rodney Thomas II (seventh round, Yale)
New England Patriots
- OL Chasen Hines (sixth round, LSU)
- OL Andrew Stueber (seventh round, Michigan)
Giants Agree To Terms With First-Round DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal
The Giants have agreed to terms with their two first-round picks. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (on Twitter), that the Giants will sign defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackle Evan Neal to their rookie pacts following practice today.
Thibodeaux’s four-year rookie deal is worth a fully guaranteed $31.3MM (not including the non-guaranteed fifth-year option), per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan (on Twitter). The four fully guaranteed years on Neal’s contract are worth $24.6MM.
Thibodeaux was a candidate to go first-overall, but he was ultimately selected by the Giants with the fifth-overall pick. In three years at Oregon, Thibodeaux led the squad in sacks and tackles for loss. He finished his career with 19.0 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss, and he also added 14 quarterback hurries over his career, leading the team last year with eight. In early February, Thibodeaux started to see his draft stock affected in a way not uncommon to Oregon alumni, with one pundit questioning the player’s”fire.”
Neal’s status as the top blocker in this year’s class was challenged by NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu throughout the draft process. At one point, the Alabama product was the definitive top OT prospect in the draft, but his stock seemingly fell a bit leading up to the draft. Despite falling below Ekwonu, Neal was still selected with the seventh-overall pick. At six-foot-seven, 360 pounds, Neal’s size and frame are certainly NFL-ready. He projects well as a powerful right tackle, though he started every game this season on the blindside. He earned a PFF grade of 84.5 for the 2021 season, in which he was a consensus First-Team All American.
Once the two signings are complete, 20 of the draft’s 32 first-round picks will have inked their rookie pacts, including every player in the top-eight (per Pelissero on Twitter).