Vikings Sign 16 UDFAs, Cut Four Players
TUESDAY, 1:33pm: The Vikings have officially signed their UDFAs, with Missouri Western quarterback Travis Partridge joining the group to make it 16 in total.
In order to make room for the new additions, the Vikings have cut four players: Linebackers Terrell Manning and Simoni Lawrence, running back Bradley Randle, and guard Josh Samuda.
SATURDAY, 8:29pm: The Vikings have agreed to terms with 15 undrafted free agents, according to the team. Here’s the complete list of new Vikes, per a press release:
- Conor Boffeli, G, Iowa ($4K bonus, per Ben Goessling)
- Pierce Burton, OT, Mississippi
- Kain Colter, WR, Northwestern ($8K bonus)
- Rakim Cox, DE, Villanova ($3K bonus)
- Isame Faciane, DT, Florida International
- Donte Foster, WR, Ohio ($1K bonus)
- Matt Hall, OT, Belhaven ($1.5K bonus)
- Zac Kerin, C, Toledo
- A.C. Leonard, TE, Tennessee State ($2.5K bonus)
- Erik Lora, WR, Eastern Illinois ($1.5K bonus)
- Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
- Tyler Scott, DE, Northwestern ($2.5K bonus)
- Jake Snyder, DE, Virginia
- Austin Wentworth, G, Fresno State ($2K bonus)
- Dominique Williams, RB, Wagner ($1K bonus)
Bengals Announce 11 UDFA Signings
TUESDAY, 1:00pm: The Bengals have officially signed an 11th free agent, Mississippi running back Jeff Scott, the team announced today (Twitter link). Scott received a $2K signing bonus, per ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey.
MONDAY, 4:13pm: The Bengals have made their undrafted free agent signings official today, announcing their 10 new players in a press release. Here are the newest Bengals:
- James Davidson, LB, Texas-El Paso
- Curtis Feigt, OT, West Virginia
- Dan France, G, Michigan State
- Ryan Hewitt, TE/FB, Stanford ($10K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
- Trey Hopkins, G, Texas
- Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State
- Colin Lockett, WR, San Diego State ($8K bonus, per Coley Harvey)
- Alex Neutz, WR, Buffalo
- Nikita Whitlock, FB, Wake Forest
- James Wilder Jr., RB, Florida State ($6K bonus, per Wilson)
Browns Sign Joe Haden To Extension
On the heels of Richard Sherman signing a record-setting contract to remain with the Seahawks through the 2018 season, another cornerback has agreed to an extension of his own. The Browns have signed Joe Haden to a new contract that will lock him up through the 2019 season, the team announced today (via Twitter).
The five new years on Haden’s deal are worth $68MM, meaning he’ll be in line for about $75MM in total over the next six seasons. While the $13.6MM annual value on the extension itself is a little less than what Sherman got ($14MM per year), Haden’s new contract includes a $14MM signing bonus, $22MM in fully guaranteed money, and another $23MM that’s guaranteed for injury only, all numbers that reportedly exceed what Sherman received.
Haden, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season, has graded as a top-20 cornerback in each of his first four NFL seasons, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). In 2013, the former seventh overall pick recorded 54 tackles, broke up 20 passes, and grabbed four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
Because Haden’s previous contract had been set to expire after the coming season, an extension for the standout cornerback had been viewed as a priority for the Browns. Haden becomes the second core piece the Browns have locked up to a long-term contract this offseason — of course, in the case of Alex Mack, the center agreed to an offer sheet with the Jaguars that Cleveland decided to match, so it’s a step in the right direction for the Browns that they didn’t let Haden reach unrestricted free agency.
The Haden extension is the latest update in what’s been a whirlwind week for the Browns, who landed a 2015 first-rounder in a trade with the Bills, and also drafted a potential franchise quarterback (Johnny Manziel) and a cornerback to play across from Haden (Justin Gilbert). On the flip side, word also broke that star receiver Josh Gordon is facing a lengthy suspension for violating the league’s drug policy, leaving the team’s receiving corps looking awfully thin.
We’ll have to wait for the specific year-by-year figures on Haden’s new deal, but it sounds to me as if the salary in the first year (2015) is fully guaranteed, and that the salaries for 2016 and 2017 are guaranteed for injury only. With Haden and Sherman locked up, Patrick Peterson of the Cardinals appears to be the next notable corner in line for an extension. We heard yesterday that Peterson and the Cardinals have discussed a new long-term deal, with the 23-year-old presumably looking to match or exceed the deals agreed to by his fellow Pro Bowl cornerbacks.
Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk first reported that Haden and the Browns had reached an agreement, and had the figures on the guaranteed money in the deal. Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter) added the overall amount of the contract.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC North Notes: Bridgewater, Steelers, Ravens
Let’s round up the latest out of the AFC North….
- Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show today, new Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater revealed that he knew he could land with the Browns during last week’s draft, but told his agent “that’s not the place I wanted to be.” Andrew Krammer of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities has the details and quotes from Bridgewater.
- Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review conducted a Q&A with Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, discussing the team’s draft preparation, its first-round pick (Ryan Shazier), and the apparent focus on adding speed to the roster.
- One of a handful of undrafted free agents who reportedly agreed to terms with a team and then didn’t land with that club, Texas Tech linebacker Terrance Bullitt saw a shoulder issue scuttle his deal with the Ravens, which would have included a $5.5K signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- UNLV wideout Jerry Rice Jr., the son of the Hall of Fame receiver, wasn’t among the Ravens’ UDFA signings, but he’ll participate in the club’s rookie minicamp in the hopes of earning a contract, a source tells Wilson.
NFC East Notes: Cousins, Colledge, Eagles
Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly drew renewed trade interest during last week’s draft, but GM Bruce Allen confirmed yesterday that the club never came close to moving Cousins over the past few days. With Cousins appearing likely to stay put in Washington, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets that the Browns’ previous efforts to acquire Cousins were rebuffed by the ‘Skins. Although many involved parties, including Cousins and starting QB Robert Griffin III, would welcome a deal that sent the No. 2 elsewhere, Allen doesn’t seem inclined to make such a move anytime soon, as La Canfora tweets.
Here’s more from around the NFC East:
- Free agent offensive lineman Daryn Colledge will pay a visit to Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles this week, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The Eagles didn’t select an offensive lineman in the draft despite planning to do so, so a veteran player like Colledge could provide some depth.
- Peter King of TheMMQB.com takes a behind-the-scenes look at the draft’s No. 22 pick, which the Eagles essentially put up for auction after a few of their top targets came off the board. While the Browns beat out the Vikings to land the pick, Philadelphia had two more “solid” offers from unknown teams, and one of those clubs was actually the leader until Cleveland swooped in and sweetened its offer. Had that mystery team acquired the pick, it would have drafted a player besides Johnny Manziel, says King.
- The Redskins made a pair of cuts yesterday, waiving kicker Jake Rogers and wide receiver David Gettis, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.
- Washington is the only NFC East team that has yet to announce its undrafted free agent signings. Earlier today we passed along the Cowboys‘ list, while we heard about the Giants‘ signings yesterday and the Eagles‘ additions over the weekend.
Ravens Sign 18 Undrafted Free Agents
TUESDAY, 9:56am: The Ravens have announced an 18th UDFA signing, adding Montana Tech linebacker Ryan Jones to the list (Twitter link). Jones got a signing bonus of $1K, per Aaron Wilson (via Twitter).
MONDAY, 2:38pm: The Ravens have signed 17 players who went undrafted over the weekend, the team announced today in a press release. Here’s the complete list of rookie free agents Baltimore has added to its roster:
- Xavius Boyd, LB, Western Kentucky ($1.5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
- Levi Brown, DT, Temple
- Jeremy Butler, WR, Tennessee-Martin ($4K bonus)
- Jace Davis, WR, Northern Colorado ($4K bonus)
- Parker Graham, OT, Oklahoma State ($9K bonus)
- Derrick Hopkins, DT, Virginia Tech ($10K bonus)
- James Hurst, OT, North Carolina ($9K bonus)
- Tramain Jacobs, CB, Texas A&M ($4.5K bonus)
- Richie Leone, P, Houston
- Jamie Meder, DT, Ashland ($3.5K bonus)
- Dexter Moody, S, Albany State
- Deji Olatoye, CB, North Carolina A&T ($6K bonus)
- Zachary Orr, LB, North Texas ($3K bonus)
- A.J. Pataiali’i, DT, Utah State ($1K bonus)
- Avery Patterson, CB, Oregon ($3K bonus)
- Sammy Seamster, CB, Middle Tennessee State ($8K bonus)
- Brett Van Sloten, OT, Iowa ($6K bonus)
Cowboys Sign 24 Undrafted Free Agents
No NFL team has been more active in undrafted free agency so far than the Cowboys, who announced that they’ve added two dozen new players to the roster following the draft. Courtesy of Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com, here’s the complete list of Dallas’ rookie free agent signings:
- Josh Aladenoye, OT, Illinois State ($5K bonus, per Todd Archer)
- Chris Boyd, WR, Vanderbilt ($3.5K bonus)
- Brian Clarke, G, Bloomsburg ($1.5K bonus)
- Davon Coleman, DT, Arizona State ($1.5K bonus)
- J.C. Copeland, FB, LSU ($2K bonus)
- Andre Cureton, G, Cincinnati ($3K bonus)
- Casey Kreiter, LS, Iowa ($1.5K bonus)
- Ben Malena, RB, Texas A&M ($2K bonus)
- Cody Mandell, P, Alabama ($2K bonus)
- Glasco Martin, RB, Baylor
- Jordan Najvar, TE, Baylor ($1.5K bonus)
- Ronald Patrick, G, South Carolina ($1.5K bonus)
- Dashaun Phillips, CB, Tarleton State ($7.5K bonus)
- Jarrod Pughsley, G, Akron ($5K bonus)
- Marvin Robinson, S, Ferris State ($2K bonus)
- Dontavis Sapp, LB, Tennessee ($1K bonus)
- Jocquel Skinner, CB, Bethel ($1.5K bonus)
- Keith Smith, S, San Jose State ($2K bonus)
- Ryan Smith, S, Auburn ($1.5K bonus)
- Dustin Vaughan, QB, West Texas A&M ($5K bonus)
- L’Damian Washington, WR, Missouri ($7K bonus)
- Chris Whaley, DT, Texas ($5K bonus)
- Joe Windsor, Northern Illinois ($1.5K bonus)
- Evan Wilson, Illinois State ($2.5K bonus)
Falcons Sign 20 Undrafted Free Agents
The Falcons are the latest team to make their undrafted free agent class official, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed 20 new rookies to contracts. Here’s the complete list:
- Geraldo Boldewijn, WR, Boise State
- Brenden Daley, LB, Hawaii
- Nosa Eguae, DE, Auburn
- Devonta Glover-Wright, CB, Utah State
- Maurice Hagens, FB, Miami (FL)
- Julian Jones, WR, Arkansas State
- Freddie Martino, WR, North Greenville
- Jeff Mathews, QB, Cornell
- Walker May, OLB, Vanderbilt
- Kimario McFadden, S, South Carolina State
- Roosevelt Nix, FB, Kent State ($15K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
- Jacob Pedersen, TE, Wisconsin
- Bernard Reedy, WR, Toledo
- Donte Rumph, DT, Kentucky
- Jacques Smith, OLB, Tennessee
- Jerome Smith, RB, Syracuse
- James Stone, C, Tennessee
- Tramaine Thompson, WR, Kansas State
- Brian Wozniak, TE, Wisconsin
- Matt Yoklic, P, Pittsburgh
Minor Moves: Seahawks, Cowboys, Colts, Chiefs
With teams adding draft picks and undrafted free agents, cuts may have to be made in order to clear spots on 90-man rosters for the new arrivals. We can expect those cuts to dominate today’s list of minor transactions. Here are the latest moves, with updates added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- A little over a month after signing a three-year deal with the Seahawks, long snapper Jorgen Hus is on waivers, having been cut by Seattle, per Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
- Guard Chris DeGeare, defensive tackle Frank Kearse, wide receiver Lance Lewis, defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo, linebacker Quinton Spears, and linebacker Jabara Williams have been cut by the Cowboys, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Earlier updates:
- The Colts have waived four players, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter): Linebacker Alan Baxter, fullback Stephen Cambell, tight end Martell Webb, and kicker Carson Wiggs.
- Wideout Rashad Ross has been waived by the Chiefs, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- After adding a quarterback (A.J. McCarron) in the draft, the Bengals have released Josh Johnson, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter).
- The Dolphins have also parted ways with a quarterback, cutting Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Aaron Rodgers, the team announced today (via Twitter). In addition to Rodgers, wide receiver Michael Rios was also waived.
- The Bills have released running back Anthony Allen, according to a team release. Allen had signed a futures contract with the club in January.
- The Bills are waiving offensive tackle Jamaal Johnson-Webb, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Johnson-Webb spent some time on Buffalo’s practice squad last season and signed a futures contract with the club after the season.
- The Chiefs are cutting fullback Eric Kettani, according to Wilson. Like Johnson-Webb, Kettani didn’t actually see any playing time for his club, having signed a futures contract following the 2013 season. Wilson notes that the Navy product is expected to draw some interest in free agency, however.
- Defensive back Charles Mitchell has been waived by the Broncos, the team announced today (via Twitter). The former Falcon didn’t appear in a regular season game for Denver.
Chiefs Add Six Undrafted Free Agents
The Chiefs have officially announced their undrafted free agent class, one of the league’s smaller groups, though more additions may be on the way. Here’s the list of the six UDFAs signed so far by Kansas City, via the team’s Twitter account:
- Ben Johnson, LB, Tennessee-Martin
- Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU
- Darryl Surgent, WR, Louisiana-Lafayette
- David Van Dyke, CB, Tennessee State
- Charcandrick West, RB, Abilene Christian
- Albert Wilson, WR, Georgia State