Jaguars DT DaVon Hamilton Signs Three-Year Extension
For the second year in a row, the Jaguars have reported another big extension just before the NFL Draft. This year’s recipient is fourth-year defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the new contract is essentially a three-year deal worth $34.5MM. He’ll get a fully guaranteed amount of $23MM and have an opportunity to push the maximum value of the contract to $36MM through incentives. 
Hamilton is being rewarded for an extremely strong season after his third year in the league. The former third-round pick out of Ohio State had found starting opportunities over his first two years in the league but took over as a full-time starter in 2022. With an increased snap percentage, Hamilton recorded career-highs in total tackles (56), tackles for loss (5), sacks (2.5), quarterback hits (6), and forced fumbles (1).
Hamilton is regarded as one of the better pass rushing interior lineman in the NFL, grading out with the 20th-best pass rush grade among the position, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He graded out as the 26th-best interior defender overall for 2023.
Jacksonville has worked hard to keep last year’s defense line intact, extending starter Roy Robertson-Harris in February, re-signing rotation lineman Adam Gotsis, and signing another rotation piece, Nick Thurman, to a reserve/futures contract at the end of the season. They also return a regular contributor in Folorunso Fatukasi, who signed with the team last year.
With a three-man defensive line, the Jaguars are expected to field Hamilton in the center with Robertson-Harris and Fatukasi on the ends. They may explore some depth options at the position in the draft or free agency, but their top contributors for the next two years, at least, have been established with today’s deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/26/23
Today’s only minor transaction:
Detroit Lions
- Signed ERFA tender: DL Benito Jones
Jets Release RB Ty Johnson
Just over a month after re-signing running back Ty Johnson, the Jets will be releasing the offensive depth piece with a non-football injury designation, according to Field Yates of ESPN. This leaves just three running backs on New York’s roster, not counting fullback Nick Bawden.
Johnson joined the Jets near the beginning of the 2020 season after being waived by the Lions. A 104-yard rushing performance later in the season likely established Johnson as a midseason addition that would continue earning opportunities with the team. He ended the year as the team’s second-most productive rusher behind veteran Frank Gore. The next year, he would start three games as he competed for touches with then-rookie Michael Carter and Tevin Coleman.
Over his three seasons with New York, Johnson only averaged about 15 yards per game with 652 yards in 44 contests, but he delivered strong performances here and there even as he slid down the depth chart. He also developed more and more of a role on special teams as his opportunities on offense dwindled.
There were three backs on the roster with more rushing yards than Johnson in 2022, and all three are returning next year. The Jets rushing attack is expected to be led by a newly healthy Breece Hall in his second season. The room exudes youth right now as Zonovan Knight was also a rookie last season and Carter will enter his third NFL season in 2023.
Despite the consistency in the running backs room, the Jets offense is expected to look very different this year with Aaron Rodgers under center and throwing passes to new receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman. Second-year receiver Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis add to the roster consistency in 2023, but an expected step up from Wilson and Hall in their sophomore seasons could help the Jets to be quite formidable during Rodgers’s first year in town.
Titans Haven’t Received Calls For RB Derrick Henry
Since early in the offseason, rumors have circulated around the availability of Titans running back Derrick Henry. Just before the free agency period officially opened, rumors came out that Tennessee was shopping their star offensive player. According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, though, general manager Ran Carthon continues to refute the veracity of those rumors. 
It’s hard to know who to believe since the sources of both rumors are general managers in the league. The sources of the initial rumor were reportedly all active general managers who claimed the Titans were attempting to deal the bell cow back. Just two weeks ago, more reports surfaced that the team was not only making Henry available but quarterback Ryan Tannehill, as well.
Carthon himself seems to be the only one claiming that there is no truth to the rumors. Nearly a month ago, Patra reported that Carthon had called the reports “erroneous.” He said as much in his pre-draft press conference today, as well, claiming he hasn’t received any calls for Henry, which isn’t nearly as pointed as saying they aren’t trying to trade him. He has called the reports “smoke,” thinking that some are just hoping Henry will become available.
As for Tannehill, Carthon had some conversations with the veteran passer about the Titans doing their fair share of homework on potential first-round quarterbacks. “Ryan knows where he stands with us. And that’s really all that matter to me,” Carton said on the matter.
Both players make sense on the trading block, and it makes sense that the Titans aren’t able to get much interest for them. Henry’s heavy usage has deteriorated his trade value over time, and Tannehill, at 34 years old, has found success in Tennessee but has never been a game changer behind center. Combine that with the fact that Tannehill is set for a $36.6MM cap hit in 2023, and Henry has a cap hit of $16.37MM, and there’s not a ton of questions concerning the lack of calls.
The Titans have moved on from a few offensive weapons over the last two offseasons, and so far, it has appeared that Henry and Tannehill are on the shelf, as well. No matter the optics and rumors, though, Carthon is sticking to his guns and assuring that the team has no intentions of trading King Henry.
49ers Not Actively Shopping QB Trey Lance
Throughout the offseason, the 49ers have insisted that quarterback Trey Lance remains in their plans for the 2023 season despite the late season heroics of then-rookie Brock Purdy, who is considered to favorite to start for the team when he returns from injury. That notion was questioned last week when it was reported that teams had called on San Francisco to inquire about Lance. The most recent reports now say that, while calls were made, the 49ers are not actively shopping Lance, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. 
49ers general manager John Lynch explained the reports on calls, telling reporters that the 49ers “listen to everything when it comes to trades.” This even includes San Francisco internally discussing available options such as Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers, but ultimately, Lynch said that he envisions Lance as a part of the team’s plan moving forward.
“I think there’s a lot of smoke, really, and that it hasn’t been extremely active,” Lynch explained. “And it’s not like we’ve put it out there that, ‘hey, we’re taking offers for Trey, call 1-800.’ It’s not been the process…I expect Trey to be here, and we’re excited about Trey’s ability to compete and what he can do for our franchise just as we were when we drafted Trey.”
Lynch went on to explain how Lance has done a really good job in striving to get himself healthy during the offseason. With Purdy recovering from an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and not expected to return very soon, Lance is working hard to make an impression in his window with the first-team offense. It’s been six weeks since Purday’s surgery and they don’t expect to even have a strong timeline for his return for another six weeks, giving Lance plenty of time to prove his worth.
Reportedly, Lynch also found it necessary to discuss the situation with Lance. With the rumor mill running rampant and the importance of the quarterback position, Lynch felt “it was necessary to have those conversations.”
“Trey and I have talked, and we’re on the same page, and Trey knows exactly where the situation is,” Lynch said. “His mindset is all about competing, and I think that’s exactly where his mindset should be.”
So, according to Lynch, the team is open to at least discussing all options on the table. That being said, the 49ers plan to retain Lance in 2023, and it would take a “substantial offer” to shake San Francisco from that plan.
Ravens QB Tyler Huntley Signs RFA Tender
Despite the questions that still remain with starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens secured their backup role today when Tyler Huntley signed his restricted free agent tender, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Huntley will return Baltimore after three years with the team. 
Despite signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Utah, Huntley has outlasted veterans and draft picks as the team’s preferred option to backup Jackson. He only appeared in minimal time in two games as a rookie but has since started four games in each of the last two seasons. In total, Huntley has found time in 15 games, leading the Ravens to a 3-5 record in his eight starts.
Huntley is an attractive athlete for Baltimore because he has a skillset that allows the Ravens to keep the same offensive game plan on the field when Jackson is absent. Huntley has throwing ability to go along with a talent rushing the ball.
The difference is that he doesn’t quite do it as effectively as Jackson. Huntley matches Jackson with a good completion percentage (65.6% to Jackson’s 63.7%), but averages nearly 60 fewer passing yards per game and over 30 fewer rushing yards per game. He is also less efficient, throwing five touchdowns to seven interceptions, compared to Jackson’s 101 passing touchdowns to 38 interceptions.
While Huntley isn’t quite ready to permanently take over under center, the Ravens value him as their primary backup. While they explored the free agent market, they placed the original round restricted tender on Huntley. They’ll stick with Huntley now on the $2.63MM that his tender pays out in 2023.
Huntley is joined in the quarterbacks room by a fellow Pac-12 undrafted passer in Anthony Brown. They’re obviously expected to enter the season as backup quarterbacks, but with Jackson still not having signed his franchise tag, Huntley will want to be ready in case of a holdout.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/24/23
Minor moves from around the league today:
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: CB Kevon Seymour
Chicago Bears
- Signed ERFA tender: CB Josh Blackwell
- Waived: CB Harrison Hand
Dallas Cowboys
- Released with failed physical designation: LB Devante Bond
- Waived with failed physical designation: TE Ian Bunting, CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed ERFA tender: TE Tyree Jackson
- Released with NFI designation: S Marquise Blair
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: WR Miles Boykin
2023 Prospect Profile: CB Deonte Banks
Cornerback is one of the most difficult positions for analysts to evaluate from the college to professional levels, especially once you get past the first few names on the board. That’s currently where Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks sits: in that danger zone that normally falls from the middle to the end of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 
Banks is a hometown kid, going to Edgewood High School (Maryland), about an hour north of the University of Maryland. He was a three-star athlete that, despite some impressive play-making ability, struggled to attract much attention on the recruiting circuit. He didn’t receive his first offers until just after his junior season when he received interest from a number of Division II and FCS schools, eventually attracting the attention of a couple of Group of 5 schools like Buffalo and Kent State. Just before his senior season, Banks got the dream offer from his home-state school. He committed two weeks later.
Banks became an earlier contributor for the Terrapins as a freshman, making 28 tackles and tallying one interception and two passes defensed while starting eight of 11 games. He returned as a starter in 2020, but due to the COVID-shortened nature of the season, he was only able to make three starts in five games. His junior season was cut short, as well, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder surgery in just his second start of the season.
Coming back from the long-term injury, Banks shined in his return to the field as a redshirt junior. He reached career highs in total tackles (38) and passes defensed (9) while adding on another interception, half of a sack, and half of a tackle for a loss. He had perhaps his strongest game under the brightest lights, limiting Ohio State’s star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to five catches for 68 yards and no touchdowns. In that game, Banks tallied two pass breakups and blocked an extra point that got returned by a teammate for a defensive two-point conversion.
There are a couple parts of his game that could cause him to struggle in the NFL. A lack of production isn’t uncommon in college football, where the easiest way to avoid turnovers is to not target the opposing team’s best corner, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Banks only recorded two interceptions during his four years in College Park. He’s not too far behind the draft’s top corners in that regard, though. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez only had four interceptions, with all of them coming this season. Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois has five interceptions even though he had zero in two of his four seasons of play. Joey Porter Jr. at Penn State had even less that Banks, recording only one interception in four years.
Besides that, Banks is physical, which defensive coaches love, until they don’t. If he draws too much attention at the NFL level with his aggression on defense, he’ll be the target of quite a few penalties, which are much more costly in the NFL than in college.
On the positive side, though, Banks has an ideal frame, matching size, strength, and speed. He uses his aggression to perfection to slow receivers off the line of scrimmage then uses quick hips and smooth footwork to trail receivers relentlessly. He could do a better job of reading between the quarterback and receiver, usually focusing only on the receiver, but he reads the receiver with impressive consistency and does a good job playing through their hands. He utilizes his aggression just as successfully on run plays and special teams and has the relentless motor needed for both.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which team may end up selecting Banks, as pretty much any team could use more depth at cornerback, besides maybe the Dolphins, but it’s hard to imagine Banks slipping out of the first round with how many playoff teams in the back half of the first round desperately need help at cornerback. The Steelers would love a young Day 1 starter opposite Patrick Peterson. The Giants need someone to hold down the other side opposite Adoree’ Jackson. The Vikings are short on big names at the position, as well. I imagine Banks would love nothing more than to continue putting on for his city and playing for the nearby Ravens, who need someone opposite Marlon Humphrey with Marcus Peters still on the free agent market.
So far, there’s been no shortage of interest in Banks. All four of the above-mentioned teams, and an impressive 11 more, have met with the 22-year-old. It seems the biggest indicator for when he will be picked is going to be when the cornerbacks ranked above him get drafted. If Gonzalez and Witherspoon get selected relatively early, the teams in the late 20s likely won’t see Banks on the board. But if the draft is slow to cornerbacks, Banks could find himself in a pivotal role for a playoff contender.
AFC South Rumors: Pittman, Leonard, Texans
After trading away one half of their outstanding cornerback duo in Stephon Gilmore, the Colts expressed some interest in adding to the position room, according to Bobby Kownack of NFL.com. The team still has Isaiah Rodgers, who ranked as the NFL’s fifth-best cornerback last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), but across from him is Kenny Moore, who ranked at 96th.
Indianapolis is unlikely to use the No. 4 overall pick to select a cornerback in the draft, but there is likely to be some strong options at 35th overall at the front of the second round. Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes and Georgia’s Kelee Ringo are projected to be borderline first-round players who could fall just outside. If not, Michigan’s DJ Turner and Utah’s Clark Phillips III are expected to last into Day 2.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard also mentioned free agency as a possible route to address the position, claiming that “there’s still some free agents out there, too, that could help…if need be.” He’s not wrong. Even if the Colts don’t want to reunite with Rock Ya-Sin, veterans Shaquill Griffin, Marcus Peters, and Ronald Darby are all still available on the free agent market.
Here are a few other rumors from around the AFC South:
- After sitting out his entire rookie season with an Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia diagnosis, Texans wide receiver John Metchie is hoping to make his NFL debut in 2023. According to Texans TV host Drew Dougherty, Metchie has been involved since Houston began offseason conditioning earlier this month. They plan to continue to take it one day at a time, but it’s a promising sign for a young player who is overcoming tremendous adversity to get back to the football field.
- The Colts have a few young offensive players’ contracts expiring after the 2023 season, and earlier this month, one of those players, wide receiver Michael Pittman spoke on the topic of an extension, according to Colts staff writer JJ Stankevitz. “I wouldn’t say it’s a goal,” Pittman said. “I think that happens naturally with performance. And if it doesn’t happen this year, that’s no big deal. I mean, it’ll happen eventually. I just kind of…leave that to my agent.”
- Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard missed making an All-Pro team for the first time in his career last season due to a combination of a concussion and the recurrence of a back injury that kept him out of 14 games. New head coach Shane Steichen gave a minor update on the situation, according to Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star, saying that Leonard is “progressing well,” but Steichen did not give a timetable for when Leonard might return. Indianapolis is staying optimistic but patient, something that is crucial when dealing with the tricky nature of back injuries.
Growing Certainty Jaxon Smith-Njigba Will Be First WR Drafted
There are a number of wide receivers with first round grades, including TCU’s Quentin Johnston, USC’s Jordan Addison, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, and Boston College’s Zay Flowers. All have their pluses and minuses and can bring different things to an NFL offense. But, for a number of reasons, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is starting to run away with the title of WR1 in the 2023 NFL Draft class. 
Smith-Njigba is a true slot receiver, spending almost 90% of his time at Ohio State on the inside. He makes up for a lack of size and top end speed with agility, body control, and strong hands. Despite being a Buckeye for the past three years, he only has one full season of production at the college level, after missing 10 games with a hamstring injury last year.
He benefitted in that full season from having first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave surrounding him. Still, Smith-Njigba outperformed both players in 2021, with 95 receptions, to Wilson’s 70 and Olave’s 65, and 1,606 receiving yards, to Wilson’s 1,058 and Olave’s 936. He didn’t have as many receiving touchdowns as Wilson (12) or Olave (13), but he still managed to find the end zone nine times.
The Eagles, holding the 10th overall pick, have reportedly been doing some last-second research on wideouts, according to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, specifically doing homework on Smith-Njigba. The Jets are another team to watch here. New York would prefer to take a top offensive tackle prospect, but if none are available, it’s hard to see Smith-Njigba slipping past them at No. 13. The Cowboys have also shown some recent interest in the wide receivers of the draft, but at No. 26 overall, Smith-Njigba isn’t likely to be around.
Regardless of where he hears his name called, it’s becoming more and more apparent that Smith-Njigba is establishing himself as one of the best, if not the best, pass catching prospect in the draft. If Pauline is correct, Smith-Njigba could find himself catching passes from Jalen Hurts or Aaron Rodgers next September.