Buccaneers Add 8 UDFAs
The Buccaneers have been busy retaining their Super Bowl-winning starting lineup, but the team will also be welcoming a number of new faces this preseason. That includes eight undrafted rookies; the team announced the signing of the following players today:
- OT Calvin Ashley, Florida A&M
- K Jose Borregales, Miami (FL)
- S Augie Contressa, Stony Brook
- G Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina
- CB Cameron Kinley, Navy
- DL Elijah Ponder, Cincinnati
- WR T.J. Simmons, West Virginia
- S Lawrence White, Iowa State
Borregales was considered a potential draft pick after establishing himself as one of the best kickers in college football, as he earned the Lou Groza Award this past season. The rookie will serve as competition for Ryan Succop, who converted 90.3-percent of his field goals for the Buccaneers last year.
Meanwhile, the organization was apparently motivated to add Hutcherson. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that the offensive lineman received $130K guaranteed, which includes $100K of his base salary. Pro Football Focus named the South Carolina product to their second-team All-SEC squad this past season.
Broncos Sign OL Cameron Fleming
The Broncos have added another potential option to fill in for injured right tackle Ja’Wuan James. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reports (via Twitter) that Denver has signed offensive tackle Cameron Fleming. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that it’s a one-year deal worth up to $3.67MM.
[RELATED: Broncos, Bobby Massie Agree To Deal]
Following news that James had torn his Achilles, the Broncos brought in four offensive tackles for auditions: Fleming, Bobby Massie, Dennis Kelly, and Jermaine Eluemunor. The team added Massie yesterday on a one-year, $4MM deal, but the Broncos front office is assuring they have enough depth to make up for James’ absence.
Fleming started 16 games for the Giants last year. However, the G-Men let him walk after his one-year, $3.5MM deal expired. Before that, Fleming spent four seasons in New England and two in Dallas playing under Joe Judge and Jason Garrett. From 2017-2020, Fleming played between 230-400 snaps per season, working as a part-time starter throughout that stretch.
Fleming and Massie will likely go head-to-head for the starting gig, with Calvin Anderson and Ryan Pope also competing for the job. Whoever wins the starting position will be the Broncos’ ninth Week 1 Broncos right tackle starter in nine years.
WFT Signs First-Round LB Jamin Davis, Rest Of Draft Class
All 10 WFT rookies are now under contract. The team announced that they’ve signed each of their draft picks to rookie contracts.
This grouping is obviously highlighted by first-round linebacker Jamin Davis. The Kentucky product used a strong 2020 campaign to jump from a potential Day 3 pick to the No. 19 selection in the 2021 draft. Davis ultimately finished this past season with a team-leading 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and three interceptions. This standout performance earned him First-Team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus. Considering the rookie’s versatility and pass-rushing prowess, it won’t be long before he’s secured a consistent role on Washington’s defense.
Texas offensive tackle Sam Cosmi was selected by Washington with the No. 51 pick. The former Texas standout played both right tackle and left tackle in college, so WFT offensive line coach John Matsko will have plenty of opportunities to play the rookie.
The rest of the team’s draft class includes:
- Round 3: No. 74 (from 49ers) Benjamin St-Juste, CB (Minnesota)
- Round 3: No. 82 Dyami Brown, WR (North Carolina)
- Round 4: No. 124 John Bates, TE (Boise State)
- Round 5: No. 163 Darrick Forrest, S (Cincinnati)
- Round 6: No. 225 (from Eagles) Cameron Cheeseman, LS (Michigan)
- Round 7: No. 240 (from 49ers via Eagles) Will Bradley-King, DE (Baylor)
- Round 7: No. 246 Shaka Toney, DE (Penn State)
- Round 7: No. 258 (from Chiefs through Dolphins) Dax Milne, WR (BYU)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/21
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Parker Hesse
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): C Sam Jones
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Mike Bell, OL Steven Gonzalez
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Michael Pinckney
New York Giants
- Waived: DE Breeland Speaks
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): RB Austin Walter
- Waived: RB Pete Guerriero
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Joshua Moon, DT Walter Palmore, DE Marcus Webb, S LaDarius Wiley
Chiefs Sign Second-Round C Creed Humphrey
After completing a deal with their No. 58 pick earlier today, the Chiefs have now signed No. 63. The team announced that they’ve signed center Creed Humphrey to his rookie pact.
[RELATED: Chiefs Sign Second-Round LB Nick Bolton]
The six-foot-five, 312-pound lineman was a standout during his time at Oklahoma, earning a pair of Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year awards. After playing three years (not including a redshirt season) with the Sooners, Humphrey gave up his final year of eligibility and entered the draft. He was selected with Kansas City’s own second-round selection.
The Chiefs have been focused on revamping their offensive line this offseason, but Humphrey should have a good opportunity to start at center as a rookie. He’ll face competition from free agent addition Austin Blythe and 2020 undrafted free agent Darryl Williams.
The Chiefs have been active today, signing all of their draft picks and acquiring Mike Hughes from the Vikings. The team also announced that they’ve added eight undrafted free agents:
- DB Zayne Anderson
- DB Dicaprio Bootle
- QB Shane Buechele
- DB Marlon Character
- LB Riley Cole
- DE Malik Herring
- DB Devon Key
- DB Jaylon McClain-Sapp
QB J.T. Barrett Joining Cowboys On Tryout Basis
J.T. Barrett is getting another shot at an NFL gig. The journeyman quarterback is joining the Cowboys on a tryout basis, reports ESPN’s Todd Archer. Dallas is also auditioning quarterback Brady Davis.
Barrett had a standout career at Ohio State, earning three first team All-Big-Ten nods and setting a number of school records. He ultimately finished his collegiate career with a 38-6 record, tossing 104 touchdowns vs. only 30 interceptions. While many of his teammates were ultimately drafted following their stints with the Buckeyes, Barrett went undrafted in 2018.
Since that time, the quarterback hasn’t been able to hold a steady gig in the NFL. He’s had two stints with the Saints, and he also spent time with the Seahawks and Steelers, but the 26-year-old has yet to see the field for a regular season game. 2020 was the first season where Barrett didn’t have a job, so this could be his final chance to crack an NFL roster.
While he has some familiarity with a handful of Cowboys players (including college teammate Ezekiel Elliott), Barrett will be hard pressed to make the regular season roster. Barrett will have to leap at least two of Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci for the opportunity to be one of Dak Prescott‘s backup.
Davis, an undrafted free agent in 2020, split his collegiate career between Memphis and Illinois State. In 27 games for the Redbirds, the quarterback compiled 3,514 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Auditioning For Texans
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is auditioning for the Texans. The veteran defensive back will join Houston on a tryout basis for their upcoming minicamp, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
The 2014 first-round pick spent the first four-plus seasons of his career with the Packers, including a 2016 campaign where he earned a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro recognition after finishing with 80 tackles, five interceptions, and seven passes defended. He was traded to Washington midway through the 2018 campaign, and he started all 16 games for the Bears in 2019, finishing with 78 tackles and two interceptions.
Clinton-Dix signed a one-year, $3.75MM deal with the Cowboys last offseason, teaming him up with former coach Mike McCarthy. However, after earning more than $2MM in guaranteed money, the safety was released by the organization in early September. Clinton-Dix sat in free agency for the remainder of the season.
The Texans current grouping of safeties include Lonnie Johnson Jr., Justin Reid, Terrence Brooks, and Jonathan Owens. Clinton-Dix has the versatility to play both safety positions, so there’s a chance he makes the team as a backup.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/21
Today’s minor moves:
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: C/G Sam Jones
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: LS Colin Holba
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: RB Austin Walter
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/12/21
A summary of today’s minor draft pick signings:
Baltimore Ravens
- CB Shaun Wade (fifth round; Ohio State)
- DL Daelin Hayes (fifth round; Notre Dame)
- FB Ben Mason (fifth round; Michigan)
Denver Broncos
- WR Seth Williams (sixth round; Auburn)
- S Kary Vincent Jr. (seventh round; LSU)
Houston Texans
- WR Nico Collins (third round; Michigan)
- TE Brevin Jordan (fifth round; Miami)
- DT Roy Lopez Jr. (sixth round; Arizona)
Steelers CB Justin Layne Pleads Guilty To Three Misdemeanors
May 11: In an effort to resolve his legal situation as expeditiously as possible, Layne recently pled guilty to three misdemeanor charges — possession of criminal tools, speeding, and driving without an operator’s license — as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk details. He received a six-month suspended sentence, but he will not serve any of that sentence if he pays a $500 fine, forfeits a handgun, and performs 32 hours of community service.
Theoretically, Layne could still be suspended by the league, but getting rid of the felony charge that he was facing can’t hurt. With the offseason departures of Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton, Layne stands to get an uptick in playing time in 2021.
Apr. 24: Steelers cornerback Justin Layne has found himself in hot water. The 23-year-old was arrested early Friday morning “on suspicion of felony transportation of a firearm inside of a vehicle,” per ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Layne was also charged with a pair of misdemeanors: “driving with a suspended license and exceeding speed limits.” According to police, the player was pulled over after he was observed going 89 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone. Police searched the car after smelling marijuana, and they proceeded to find a loaded pistol (via NFL.com). The player didn’t have the proper license for a conceal-carry permit. Layne later acknowledged the gun was his.
Police also learned that Layne “had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a traffic violation in another jurisdiction.” Following his arrest, he was granted release on a personal bond, with his next court appearance coming in early May.
“We are aware of the incident but still gathering information,” the Steelers said in a statement. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
Following a standout career at Michigan State, Layne was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 draft. After barely playing during his rookie season (despite officially appearing in 10 games), he saw more time on the field in 2020. He finished this year having appeared in all 16 games, collecting 22 tackles.