Raiders Sign 12 Undrafted Free Agents
SUNDAY, 9:36pm: The Raiders have brought in another undrafted free agent, Utah State LB Bojay Filimoeatu, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
FRIDAY, 12:54pm: The Raiders have become the last of the 32 NFL teams to formally announce their rookie free agent signings, revealing in a press release that they’ve added 11 undrafted players to the roster. Here’s the list of the newest Raiders:
- George Atkinson III, RB, Notre Dame
- D.J. Coles, WR, Virginia Tech
- Mike Davis, WR, Texas
- Carlos Fields, LB, Winston-Salem State
- Noel Grigsby, WR, San Jose State
- Dan Kistler, OT, Montana ($12.5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
- Erle Ladson, OT, Delaware
- Jake Murphy, TE, Utah
- Seth Roberts, WR, West Alabama
- Scott Simonson, TE, Assumption
- Karl Williams, FB, Utah
Saints Sign 20 Undrafted Free Agents
7:57pm: In addition to Hull, the Saints have signed former Tulane defensive back Derrick Strozier, according to Strozier’s Twitter. Per Katherine Terrell of the Times-Picayune, Strozier, who also played a little offense in college, tried out for New Orleans as a running back.
SUNDAY, 4:43pm: The Saints have also signed former Illinois receiver Steve Hull, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
WEDNESDAY, 4:24pm: The Saints added one more undrafted free agent to their haul, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who tweets that Akron DT Moses McCray signed with the club.
MONDAY, 11:53am: The Saints have become the latest club to formally announce their undrafted free agent class, confirming in a press release that they’ve agreed to terms with 17 new players. Here’s the complete list:
- Matthew Armstrong, OL, Grand Valley State
- Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
- Brian Dixon, DB, Northwest Missouri State
- Kasim Edebali, OLB, Boston College
- Tim Flanders, RB, Sam Houston State
- Spencer Hadley, LB, Brigham Young
- Je’Ron Hamm, TE, Louisiana-Monroe
- Nic Jacobs, TE, McNeese State
- Seantavius Jones, WR, Valdosta State
- Logan Kilgore, QB, Middle Tennessee State State
- Brandon McCray, DL, Louisiana-Lafayette
- Micajah Reynolds, OL, Michigan State
- George Uko, DL, USC
- Chidera Uzo-Diribe, OLB, Colorado
- Lawrence Virgil, DL, Valdosta State
- Pierre Warren, S, Jacksonville State
- Ty Zimmerman, S, Kansas State
Patriots Sign 13 Undrafted FAs
SUNDAY, 4:55pm: The Patriots have added one more undrafted free agent in the form of Maine receiver Derrick Johnson, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com. The Pats roster now stands at 87, three shy of the 90-player maximum.
FRIDAY, 4:17pm: The Pats have added three more undrafted free agents, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, who tweets that the club has officially signed Rutgers defensive back Jeremy Deering, Iowa linebacker James Morris, and Harvard long snapper Tyler Ott.
MONDAY, 3:17pm: The Patriots have signed nine rookie free agents, according to a team release. Here’s the full list of the undrafted free agents who will be heading to New England:
- Tyler Beck, TE, Bowling Green ($1.5K bonus, per Mike Reiss)
- Roy Finch, RB, Oklahoma ($5K bonus and $5K in other guarantees)
- Shamiel Gary, S, Oklahoma State ($5K bonus and $5K in other guarantees)
- Cameron Gordon, LB, Michigan ($15K bonus and $20K in other guarantees)
- Travis Hawkins, DB, Delaware ($5K bonus and $5K in other guarantees)
- Stephen Houston, RB, Indiana ($7.5K bonus and $15K in other guarantees)
- Justin Jones, TE, East Carolina ($5K bonus and $10K in other guarantees)
- Deontae Skinner, LB, Mississippi State ($5K bonus)
- Asa Watson, TE, North Carolina State ($3K bonus and $17K in other guarantees)
Redskins Sign Four More Free Agents
SATURDAY, 6:09pm: The team announced the signings of four free agents today:
- Frank Kearse, DE, Alabama A&M
- Courtney Bridget, CB, Hampton
- Ross Madison, S, Toledo
- Blake Sailors, CB, Georgia
Kearse was a seventh-round pick by the Dolphins in 2011, and most recently spent time with the Panthers in 2013. The latter three players attended rookie minicamp practices on a tryout basis.
In corresponding moves, the team also announced the release of four players: Rees, Davenport, Perry and FS Jose Gumbs.
THURSDAY, 11:03am: Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees rounds out the Redskins’ list of undrafted free agent signings, according to the team.
WEDNESDAY, 4:10pm: Coming into today, the Redskins were one of just three teams that had yet to formally announce their class of rookie free agents. The league has remedied that, officially revealing that Washington has added nine UDFAs to the roster. Courtesy of Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (all Twitter links), here’s the list:
- Chris Davenport, DT, Tulane
- Lee Doss, WR, Southern
- Kofi Hughes, WR, Indiana
- Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU ($7.5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
- Rashad Lawrence, WR, Northwestern
- Kevin Perry, TE, UTEP
- Silas Redd, RB, USC
- Bryan Shepherd, CB, North Dakota State
- Robert Thomas, DT, Arkansas
Draft Signings: Jets, Pats, Saints, Chiefs
With many rookie minicamps underway, it’s clear that a good portion of the players drafted last week have been eager to get their contract situations taken care of so they can focus solely on football. Several more draftees reached agreements or signed their deals today, so let’s round up the latest….
- No team drafted more players than the 12 the Jets selected last week, and few clubs have been more proactive about getting those draftees under contract. The club announced today in a press release that Jalen Saunders, a fourth-rounder, is the latest player to sign on the dotted line, meaning only first-round safety Calvin Pryor and two other Jets draft picks still need to ink their deals.
- Fourth-round running back James White and seventh-round receiver Jeremy Gallon have signed with the Patriots, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. We heard earlier today that Cameron Fleming had also signed, so New England is putting a dent into its draft class.
- In addition to confirming the previously reported signing of sixth-rounder Tavon Rooks, the Saints announced today that they’ve also locked up a pair of fifth-round picks, safety Vinnie Sunseri and linebacker Ronald Powell. Both players should receive four-year deals worth a little less than $2.4MM, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, and their signings mean New Orleans has secured half of its 2014 draft class.
- Fourth-round running back and receiver De’Anthony Thomas is the latest draftee to sign with the Chiefs, tweets Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. Thomas should be in line for a signing bonus of about $420K, per Fitzgerald.
- Safety Ahmad Dixon became the fourth Cowboy taken in the seventh round to sign his rookie deal, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- According to Robert Herron himself (via Twitter), the former Wyoming receiver officially put pen to paper today for the Buccaneers, making him the first Tampa Bay draftee to sign his deal. The club has since confirmed Herron’s tweet, and noted that fifth-round pick Kadeem Edwards has also signed (Twitter link).
Minor Moves: Eagles, Cards, Pats, Bengals
The Eagles have released wide receiver Arrelious Benn, the team announced today (via Twitter). The former second-round pick, who is returning from a torn ACL, had been set to earn a base salary of $1MM, so it’s not a real surprise that the club decided to cut him. However, multiple Eagles beat writers, including Zach Berman and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links) believe the former Buccaneer could be re-signed at a lesser salary.
Here are a few more of Friday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:
- The Cardinals have claimed defensive tackle Christian Tupou off waivers from the 49ers, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- Another former Niner, linebacker Darius Fleming, has signed with the Patriots, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (via Twitter).
- A day after he was cut by the Jaguars, quarterback Matt Scott has been claimed off waivers by the Bengals, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Scott essentially takes the spot on the depth chart vacated by Josh Johnson, who was recently released by Cincinnati.
Earlier updates:
- Just days after signing him as a rookie free agent, the Dolphins have waived defensive end Gannon Conway, the club announced today (via Twitter).
- To make room on the roster for Okoye, whose signing is noted below, the Cowboys cut linebacker Jonathan Stewart, the team announced today.
- The Cowboys have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, the veteran’s agents told ESPN’s Adam Caplan. The former 10th overall pick was a longtime starter for the Texans before joining the Bears for the 2011 season. Okoye saw limited action in Chicago during the 2012 season and missed the entire 2013 campaign due to health issues, but the Cowboys have long had interest in him, having checked in on him last summer.
- Shortly after he was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Saginaw Valley State, offensive tackle Tevon Conrad has been waived, according to the team (via Twitter).
- The Bills have cut wide receiver Brandon Kaufman, the club announced today in a press release. Kaufman joined the Bills last summer, was waived before the regular season, then rejoined the team’s practice squad in December before inking a futures deal at season’s end.
Robert Mathis Suspended For Four Games
The NFL’s 2013 sack leader will be hard-pressed to defend his title in 2014, as a suspension will force Robert Mathis out of action for the first month of the upcoming season. The Colts and the NFL announced today that the standout pass rusher will have to serve a four-game suspension as a result of violating the league’s policy on prohibited substances (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan).
“Like many families, my wife and I faced fertility challenges, and I sought medical assistance,” Mathis said in a statement explaining the situation (TwitLonger link). “I specifically asked the doctor if the medication he prescribed for me would present a problem for NFL drug testing, and unfortunately, he incorrectly told me that it would not. … The union has worked very closely with me to present all of the facts and medical records for consideration of discipline that does not include a suspension because of the unique facts of my case, but the Commissioner refused the request.”
Missing the first four contests of the 2014 season means that Mathis won’t be available to chase former teammate Peyton Manning during the league’s opening game in Denver. He also won’t be available when the Colts play the Eagles, Jaguars, and Titans. In addition to sitting out for four games, Mathis will also have to forgo about $706K in base salary, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). The silver lining for Mathis and his family? His wife did indeed became pregnant shortly after Mathis took the medication.
The NFL and the Colts also released statements on the suspension (Sulia links via Caplan).
Jets Claim Daryl Richardson Off Waivers
The Jets have claimed running back Daryl Richardson off waivers, a day after the back was cut by the Rams, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). We heard earlier today that the Ravens had been considering placing a claim on Richardson, but he was ultimately awarded to New York instead.
Richardson started the 2013 season as the Rams’ primary running back, but saw most of his carries usurped by Zac Stacy over the course of the year. The former seventh-round pick accumulated 690 rushing yards on 167 carries and also added 38 receptions over the course of his two seasons with the Rams. Richardson became the odd man out in St. Louis’ backfield after the club drafted Tre Mason last week.
By claiming Richardson, the Jets assume his previous contract, so if he earns a roster spot and works out well for the team, the 24-year-old could remain on his current deal through 2015.
AFC Notes: Bills, Ravens, Richardson, Broncos
The Bills made one of the biggest splashes during the first round of last week’s draft when they traded up to fourth overall to land wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Although the team was able to land its man at No. 4, Buffalo made efforts to move up even higher than that, as director of player personnel Jim Monos confirmed in a video on the club’s website.
“We went with Houston right off the bat,” Monos said. “We tried to go to No. 1. They weren’t having it. They knew who they wanted, so we started working our way right down.”
The video hints that the Bills also spoke to the Jaguars about the possibility of moving up to No. 3, since Jacksonville’s target at that spot was unclear. As for the Rams, Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk notes that there are strong signals Buffalo spoke to them about the No. 2 pick as well.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Ohio State quarterback Kenny Guiton headlines the invitees at the Bills‘ rookie minicamp, notes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com in a pair of tweets.
- The Ravens are considering placing a waiver claim on running back Daryl Richardson, who was cut by the Rams yesterday, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- While some teams are auditioning dozens of players during this week’s rookie minicamp, the Broncos just have eight invitees in camp, hoping to earn roster spots, as Mike Klis of the Denver Post details.
Draft Signings: Vikings, Giants, Packers, Pats
We’re continuing to track which draft picks have signed their rookie contracts with their new NFL clubs. Here are the latest transactions:
- The Vikings have officially confirmed the signings of three draft picks, announcing the moves in a press release. While we’d already heard that the club locked up offensive lineman David Yankey, we can add cornerbacks Kendall James and Jabari Price, the 184th and 225th overall picks, to the list of Minnesota draftees who have signed.
- Two Giants draft picks have officially signed with the club, according to a team release. Fourth-round running back Andre Williams and fifth-round safety Nat Berhe have inked their rookie deals, which should put them in line for respective signing bonuses of about $454K and $193K, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.
- The Packers have agreed to terms with sixth-round cornerback Demetri Goodson, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan. Green Bay has now secured its final five draftees, though it still needs to sign the first four, including first-rounder Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun passes along a pair of signings, via Twitter: The Patriots have agreed to terms with fourth-round offensive tackle Cameron Fleming on a four-year, $2.52MM deal (Twitter link), while the Saints and sixth-round tackle Tavon Rooks reached an agreement on a four-year, $2.317MM pact (Twitter link).