Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/24
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Jalen Camp
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): OT Kellen Diesch
- Waived: K Lucas Havrisik
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Chris Collins
- Waived: LB Brevin Allen
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Mario Kendricks
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: CB Joejuan Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Shakel Brown
- Waived: DL Earnest Brown IV, OL Corey Luciano
Washington Commanders
- Released: QB Jake Fromm
Commanders To Host WR Martavis Bryant
After getting cut by the Cowboys last week, Martavis Bryant will work out for a division rival. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Commanders will work out the veteran wide receiver tomorrow.
[RELATED: Cowboys To Release WR Martavis Bryant]
Bryant’s five-year ban from the NFL ended last November when the wide receiver was reinstated by the league. He subsequently caught on with the Cowboys practice squad but never made his way to the big-league roster. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the organization in January, but he was released shortly after the Cowboys added three rookies to the position.
The wideout burst onto the scene with the Steelers after being selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. He hauled in 14 touchdowns through his first two years in the NFL (plus another two playoff scores) before being sidelined for the entire 2016 campaign thanks to his second career suspension. He topped 600 yards following his return in 2017, and the Steelers quickly sent him to the Raiders for a third-round pick.
He got into eight games with Oakland before being hit with his most-recent suspension in 2018. Between that initial suspension and his 2023 comeback attempt with the Cowboys, Bryant spent time in a handful of other leagues, including stints in the CFL and XFL.
While Commanders head coach (and former Cowboys defensive coordinator) Dan Quinn didn’t deal with Bryant directly in Dallas, he did get an extended look at him at Cowboys practice. If the 32-year-old catches on with the Commanders, he’d have an uphill battle to make the active roster. Still, the team does lack experienced depth behind Terry McLaurin. Former first-round pick Jahan Dotson and third-round rookie Luke McCaffrey will likely take up two spots, but Bryant could compete with the likes of Dax Milne, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder, and Olamide Zaccheaus for a job.
Rams Sign Six Draft Picks
After previously completing their rookie agreement with second-round defensive tackle Braden Fiske, the Rams have signed six more of their draft picks. The team announced that they’ve signed the following players to rookie contracts:
- Round 3, No. 83: Blake Corum (RB, Michigan)
- Round 6, No. 196: Tyler Davis (DT, Clemson)
- Round 6, No. 209: Joshua Karty (K, Stanford)
- Round 6, No. 213: Jordan Whittington (WR, Texas)
- Round 6, No. 217: Beaux Limmer (C, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 254: KT Leveston (G, Kansas State)
Following a breakout 2021 campaign, Corum put together one of the best two-year stretches in Michigan football history. Between 2022 and 2023, the running back compiled 2,905 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns, earning him a pair of All-American nods and Heisman Trophy consideration during his junior campaign. He finished his college career with a standout performance in the national championship, earning the game’s offensive MVP award after compiling 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
He’ll land in a dynamic offensive in Los Angeles. Kyren Williams is coming off a breakout campaign, but the starter still missed five games last season. That allowed the likes of Royce Freeman, Darrell Henderson, and Ronnie Rivers to each top 100 snaps; Corum could soak up all of those backup reps in 2024.
With today’s moves, the team now has three draft picks left to sign: first-round edge defender Jared Verse, third-round safety Kamren Kinchens, and fifth-round wide receiver Brennan Jackson.
Packers Sign Six Draft Picks
The Packers are one step closer to completing their draft pick signings. The team announced the signing of six rookies today, with the group including:
- Round 3, No. 88: MarShawn Lloyd (RB, USC)
- Round 3, No. 91 (from Bills): Ty’Ron Hopper (LB, Missouri)
- Round 4, No. 111 (from Jets): Evan Williams (S, Oregon)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Bills): Jacob Monk (C, Duke)
- Round 5, No. 169: Kitan Oladapo (S, Oregon State)
- Round 6, No. 202: Travis Glover (T, Georgia State)
Lloyd is the biggest name on the list following his breakout lone season at USC. The running back finished the season with 1,052 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns, leading to him being the fourth RB off the board. In Green Bay, the rookie will likely compete with A.J. Dillon for any backup reps behind new addition Josh Jacobs.
Hopper is another notable addition to the squad following two standout seasons at Missouri. Between 2022 and 2023, the linebacker compiled 132 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 23 games, performances that put him firmly on the NFL radar. Considering his coverage skills in college, he’ll likely be called on as a weakside LB behind Quay Walker.
The Packerspreviously signed seventh-round picks Michael Pratt and Kalen King. Following today’s moves, the Packers have three unsigned draft picks: first-round offensive tackle Jordan Morgan, second-round linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, and second-round safety Javon Bullard.
S Rodney McLeod Plans To Retire After 2024 Season
Rodney McLeod is intending for the 2024 campaign to be his final NFL season. The veteran Browns safety told NFL Network that he’ll be hanging up his cleats following the upcoming season.
“This is the last lap for me. It’s been a long career,” McLeod said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “I’m looking forward to rocking out with my teammates this year, giving it all, and hopefully ending up where we want to be, which is the last dance at the end of the year.”
McLeod wants to go out on a high note following a 2023 campaign where he was limited to 10 games thanks to a biceps injury. The 12-year veteran acknowledged that he considered retirement following this past season, but the player pointed to “unfinished business” as a reason for a 13th year.
The veteran joined the Browns last offseason and served as a backup to Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill. He finished the season with only 29 tackles, and while he didn’t earn enough snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings, his grade would have placed him towards the bottom of the safeties list.
However, McLeod is only a year removed from ranking seventh among 88 qualifying safeties on that same list, so there could still be something left in the tank. The Browns will return the same safeties grouping in 2024, although this time McLeod will have to compete with his 2023 fill-in, D’Anthony Bell.
This season, McLeod will be looking to complete a resume that already includes a Super Bowl championship and 718 career tackles. The former UDFA has also spent time with the Rams, Eagles, Colts throughout his career.
Broncos Re-Sign WR Phillip Dorsett
Phillip Dorsett is returning to Denver. After spending the majority of the 2023 campaign on the Broncos practice squad, the veteran wide receiver is re-signing with the team, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.
[RELATED: Latest On Broncos, WR Courtland Sutton]
The former first-round pick earned bust status during his time with the Colts, but he’s still managed to hang around the NFL for almost a decade. His best season came back in 2016 when he topped 500 receiving yards in Indy. He also didn’t look helpless during his three-year run in New England, including a 2019 season where he finished with 397 receiving yards and five touchdowns (he also had a pair of touchdowns during the Patriots’ 2018 Super Bowl run).
Since hitting free agency in 2020, the receiver has bounced around the NFL, spending time with the Seahawks (two stints), Jaguars, Texans, Raiders, and Broncos. He got into 15 games with Houston as recently as 2022, although he only got into a pair of contesets for Denver last season.
Of course, the team’s receiver depth will look different in 2024. Jerry Jeudy has already been shipped out, and Courtland Sutton is away from the team as he seeks a new deal (although the receiver has not requested a trade). The team did bring in free agent Josh Reynolds and selected Troy Franklin in the fourth round, adding the duo to a group of holdovers that also includes Marvin Mims Jr. and Tim Patrick. Dorsett will likely be competing for one of the final spots on the depth chart, although there’s a chance he goes back to his familiar practice squad role.
The Broncos have also signed undrafted cornerback Quinton Newsome and waived undrafted receiver Lincoln Victor and undrafted punter Nik Constantinou. Newsome emerged as one of Nebraska’s best defenders over the past few years. The defensive back finished his college career with 147 tackles, 17 passes defended, and one interception. He also was a standout special teams player, perhaps hinting at his potential role in Denver.
Bills Hosting WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
It sounds like Marquez Valdes-Scantling‘s market is heating up. After meeting with the Chargers last week, the veteran wide receiver is meeting with the Bills tonight, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
[RELATED: Chargers To Host Marquez Valdes-Scantling]
The former Packers draft pick has spent the past two seasons in Kansas City, earning Super Bowl rings in each campaign. Following a 2022 season where he compiled 687 receiving yards, Valdes-Scantling finished 2023 with a career-low 315 receiving yards. The wideout has also come up big in the playoffs, hauling in 24 receptions and three touchdowns, including one score in this past year’s Super Bowl.
The Chiefs moved on from the veteran earlier this offseason, saving the team $12MM against the cap. The veteran was set to enter the final season of a three-year, $30MM deal he signed with the Chiefs in 2022. Valdes-Scantling has been connected to the Chargers multiple times this offseason, but it’s been a relatively quiet free agency for the 29-year-old.
The WR-needy Bills would be a natural landing spot for any of the available free agent wideouts, so it’s not a surprise that they’re considering Valdes-Scantling. Both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis will be playing elsewhere in 2024, leaving the team with a questionable depth chart at the position. The team still has holdover Khalil Shakir, and they added a list of veterans (including Curtis Samuel, Chase Claypool, and Mack Hollins) before selecting Keon Coleman in the second round of the draft.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/13/24
Front offices around the NFL continue to chip away at their draft pick signings. That was no exception today, as a number of teams inked players to rookie contracts:
Cincinnati Bengals
- DE Cedric Johnson (sixth round, Mississippi)
Indianapolis Colts
- OT Matt Goncalves (third round, Pittsburgh)
- C Tanor Bortolini (fourth round, Wisconsin)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Jarrian Jones (third round, Florida State)
- OT Javon Foster (fourth round, Missouri)
- DT Jordan Jefferson (fourth round, LSU)
- CB Deantre Prince (fifth round, Ole Miss)
- RB Keilan Robinson (fifth round, Texas)
- K Cam Little (sixth round, Arkansas)
- DE Myles Cole (seventh round, Texas Tech)
New York Jets
- RB Braelon Allen (fourth round, Wisconsin)
- QB Jordan Travis (fifth round, Florida State)
- RB Isaiah Davis (fifth round, South Dakota State)
- CB Qwan’tez Stiggers (fifth round, Toronto Argonauts)
- S Jaylen Key (seventh round, Alabama)
Philadelphia Eagles
- EDGE Jalyx Hunt (third round, Houston Christian)
- RB Will Shipley (fourth round, Clemson)
- WR Ainias Smith (fourth round, Texas A&M)
Seattle Seahawks
- TE AJ Barner (fourth round, Michigan)
- CB Nehemiah Pritchett (fifth round, Auburn)
- G Sataoa Laumea (sixth round, Utah)
- CB DJ James (sixth round, Auburn)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- TE Devin Culp (seventh round, Washington)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Ross Dwelley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Cam Gill, DL T.J. Smith
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR John Jackson, DT Dashaun Mallory, LB Paul Moala, WR Freddie Swain
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Kaden Davis, TE Parker Hesse
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): DL Spencer Waege
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OL Trente Jones
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: LB Cole Christiansen
- Released: DT Matt Dickerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Chris Collins
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Ireland Brown, CB Jason Maitre
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Sammis Reyes
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Terrell Jennings, G Ryan Johnson, LB Jay Person, DE Jotham Russell
- Waived: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Kendal Vickers
- Waived: NT John Penisini
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Elijah Chatman
- Waived: OLB Jeremiah Martin
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Hamze El-Zayat, RB Markese Stepp
- Waived: RB Jacques Patrick, DE Marquiss Spencer
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Shon Stephens
- Waived: TE Noah Togiai
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: OL Kellen Diesch
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Shakel Brown
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Nathan Pickering, LB Devin Richardson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Nick Vannett
Ravens Wrap Up Draft Class Signings
The Ravens have officially signed their entire draft class. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the team has signed third-round linebacker Adisa Isaac, fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker, fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali, and sixth-round quarterback Devin Leary to their rookie contracts.
Isaac followed up a breakout 2022 campaign with an even better performance in 2023. The Penn State product finished this past season with 16 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, earning him a first-team All-Big Ten nod. The rookie could be in line for a significant role in Baltimore, as the team currently has Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy penciled atop the depth chart at outside linebacker.
Leary was the second-to-last QB selected in the draft (ahead of Packers seventh-round pick Michael Pratt), and with Josh Johnson back for another stint as Lamar Jackson‘s backup, the rookie can spend some much-needed time as Baltimore’s QB3. Leary tossed 35 touchdowns for North Carolina State in 2021 before being limited to only six appearances in 2022. He transferred to Kentucky for the 2023 campaign and put himself back on the NFL radar, tossing 25 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions.
The Ravens finished the draft having added nine rookies to their roster. The draft class includes:
- Round 1, No. 30: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Roger Rosengarten (T, Washington) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 93: Adisa Isaac (EDGE, Penn State)
- Round 4, No. 113 (from Broncos through Jets): Devontez Walker (WR, North Carolina)
- Round 4, No. 130: T.J. Tampa (CB, Iowa State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 165: Rasheen Ali (RB, Marshall)
- Round 6, No. 218 (from Jets): Devin Leary (QB, Kentucky)
- Round 7, No. 228 (from Jets): Nick Samac (C, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 250: Sanoussi Kane (S, Purdue) (signed)