Broncos, Nik Bonitto Begin Extension Talks
Nik Bonitto picked a good time to deliver a breakout season. The edge rusher market is amid an offseason surge, after a bit of a lull (Nick Bosa‘s contract excluded) in recent years. More deals topping $40MM per year should emerge once T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson are extended. Hutchinson is not a lock to be paid this year, but the Lions dynamo’s trajectory places him as a clear candidate to be paid the new going rate for All-Pro-caliber edge rushers.
Becoming a second-team All-Pro in 2024, Bonitto may not be aiming as high. But it will still cost the Broncos to keep him on a second contract, as the team will seek to do. The former 2022 second-round pick is eyeing a deal at least north of the $20MM-per-year barrier, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson notes. Bonitto, 25, has said he wants to stay in Denver long term, Tomasson adds. The sides have begun extension talks.
[RELATED: Assessing Bonitto’s Extension Candidacy]
For the Broncos to have Bonitto extension talks start near $20MM AAV would probably be a win for the team, which saw its top edge rusher zoom to a 13.5-sack season that featured defensive touchdowns in back-to-back games. Bonitto, however, displayed difference-making potential in 2023 as well. His 2024 season included only four more QB hits (24) than he racked up in 2023. The Oklahoma product also tallied only three more tackles for loss (16-13) compared to 2023, when he only started four games.
Denver made a key decision about its EDGE future by trading Baron Browning and extending his former Ohio State teammate, Jonathon Cooper, before last year’s deadline. Cooper is signed to a team-friendly accord — four years, $54MM. It will cost far more to extend Bonitto, whose age and early-career production would give him a case to check in much higher than $20MM per year. Another impact season would crystalize that value and likely drive up the price, especially should Watt, Parsons and Hutchinson make $40MM-AAV deals a true salary bracket rather than a Myles Garrett-only zone. Twelve edge rushers are tied to deals worth at least $20MM per year now.
The Broncos carried a top-market OLB salary on their books for five-plus seasons, after having paid Von Miller before the 2016 franchise tag deadline. Denver used the pick the Rams sent over for Miller (No. 64 overall) on Bonitto and then passed on paying Bradley Chubb, trading him in 2022. Thanks to recent salary cap spikes, Bonitto will almost definitely land a higher AAV than Miller’s Broncos or Bills deals produced. When Denver extended Miller at $19.1MM per year nine summers ago, the cap stood at $155.3MM. It is now $279.2MM, creating a landscape in which a $40MM-per-year deal for a top-tier pass rusher can happen. Bonitto can make a case to secure a second-tier EDGE pact.
Bonitto may be the Broncos’ top extension candidate, in terms of earning potential, but the team has both Zach Allen and Courtland Sutton on the re-up radar this year. Sutton talks have begun, while Allen has expressed interest in staying beyond his 2025 contract year. Both players are tied to $15MM-per-year deals, and each has outplayed them. Allen having joined Bonitto as a second-team All-Pro last season offers a complication for the Broncos, who paid Patrick Surtain a then-market-setting rate at cornerback and gave eight-figure AAVs to D.J. Jones, Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw in March.
The Broncos were able lock in Surtain at a favorable rate ($24MM) on a deal that runs through 2029, but if they run into a value gap with Bonitto, a 2026 franchise tag would stand to be in play. While Allen and Sutton money will need to be factored in — if/once extensions are hammered out — the team is projected to hold $69MM-plus in cap space next year. It will carry more flexibility in 2026, as the Russell Wilson dead money will be off the books. Bo Nix must stay on a rookie contract through at least the 2026 season. Though, Nix’s progress — re: a potential 2027 payday — will become a factor as the Broncos consider long-term deals this offseason.
OL Notes: Conerly, Commanders, Dolphins, Patriots, Seahawks, Bears, Giants, Rams
As OTAs near, teams will begin evaluations regarding roles for rookie offensive linemen — and potential veteran relocations stemming from draft decisions. A couple of changes figure to come out of the Commanders‘ Josh Conerly Jr. draft choice. The Browns and Texans attempted to trade up for Conerly, but the Commanders ended up with the two-year Oregon left tackle starter at No. 29. Washington GM Adam Peters said (via ESPN.com’s John Keim) Conerly could play tackle or guard as a rookie.
Washington, which let Cornelius Lucas walk in free agency (to Cleveland), had already planned to move primary 2024 LT Brandon Coleman to RT before the draft. Two-year RT starter Andrew Wylie accepted a pay cut this offseason, and his past as a guard could become relevant again. Wylie has only played RT over the past four seasons, but the ex-Chief worked almost exclusively at guard from 2018-20. Wylie and potentially Coleman could be in the guard mix if Conerly stays at tackle opposite new LT Laremy Tunsil. The Commanders have ex-Chief Nick Allegretti at LG and a rehabbing Sam Cosmi at RG; the latter’s spot obviously will not be in jeopardy once he recovers from his January ACL tear, but he will not be a lock to avoid the PUP list to open the season.
Here is the latest from O-lines around the league:
- The Dolphins are slotting second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea at guard, per GM Chris Grier, who expects (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) the No. 37 overall pick to start from Day 1. Miami traded up for the Arizona product, outflanking the Patriots, who were (via the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard) believed to be eyeing him at No. 38. Savaiinaea will likely be set to displace Liam Eichenberg, who played all five O-line spots during his Dolphins rookie deal. Eichenberg, a 2021 second-round pick who re-signed on a one-year deal worth $2.23MM, is now set to operate as a swingman behind new starters Savaiinaea and James Daniels.
- Bears second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo served as Boston College’s RT starter in 2023 and ’24. Chicago choosing Trapilo at No. 56 points to him being eyed as a 2026 starter, as LT starter Braxton Jones is in a contract year. Ryan Poles said during a Kap & J-Hood ESPN 1000 interview (h/t ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin) the Bears will begin Trapilo at LT this offseason, as the team is sufficiently confident Trapilo in Trapilo’s RT seasoning. That opens the door to starter work while Jones recovers from ankle surgery; Chicago’s three-year LT is expected to miss training camp time.
- Seattle will use its first-round pick, Grey Zabel, at guard, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar notes. As our Ely Allen noted in his mock draft, the North Dakota State product played across the O-line with the Bison. Zabel saw time at both guard spots and each tackle position in college, and a center NFL future came up as well. The Seahawks, who did not allocate much in the way of resources to guard following Damien Lewis‘ 2024 exit, are set to place Zabel at LG, per Hall of Fame ex-Seahawk guard Steve Hutchinson (h/t ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson). Zabel would replace Laken Tomlinson at LG, while Henderson adds primary 2024 RG starter Anthony Bradford competes with 2024 third-rounder Christian Haynes, Sataoa Laumea and rookie sixth-rounder Bryce Cabeldue at the other guard post.
- As Evan Neal transitions to guard, a player viewed as a potential Giants guard starter — fifth-round rookie Marcus Mbow — will begin his career at tackle, Brian Daboll said (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz). Mbow was a full-time guard starter at Purdue in 2022, while he finished his career as the Boilermakers’ starting right tackle. Mbow will begin his career behind Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor. The latter being in a contract year opens the door for an early-career move into the starting lineup, should Mbow prove ready.
- Rob Havenstein joins Jones in recovering from surgery, confirming (via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue) he underwent cleanup procedures on both shoulders. Havenstein, 33 next week, will miss some offseason time but is not expected to be sidelined to start training camp. Missing six games last season, Havenstein is going into his 11th year as the Rams‘ RT starter.
Browns Sign WR Diontae Johnson
MAY 6: To no surprise, ESPN’s Field Yates notes Johnson’s pact is one year in length and is worth the veteran minimum ($1.17MM). No money is guaranteed, so this move represents a low-risk investment on the Browns’ part. Johnson will turn his attention to securing a roster spot knowing a return to his previous form could greatly help his 2026 market value.
APRIL 28: Diontae Johnson‘s eventful 2024 effectively torpedoed his free agency stock, the now-well-traveled wide receiver has found a new home.
The Browns are signing the veteran wideout, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. This will be Johnson’s third AFC North stop, as the formerly productive Steelers pass catcher’s turbulent year wrapped with the Ravens. Johnson visited the Browns on Monday.
As expected, we heard next to nothing about Johnson during the pre-draft free agency period. His having been moved four times last year — twice traded, twice waived — saw to it that the former 1,000-yard Ben Roethlisberger target would need to rebuild his stock. The Browns will give him a chance after not selecting a receiver in the draft.
Johnson follows Tyler Lockett off the board at receiver. Lockett joined the Titans just before Round 1, leaving Keenan Allen and ex-Browns 1,000-yard target Amari Cooper as the most notable unsigned talents at the position.
Going into 2024, Johnson carried a reputation as a high-end route runner and a player who dealt with drop issues. Effort concerns also cropped up late in his Pittsburgh tenure, but that no longer defines the former third-round pick. Instead, Johnson burned bridges at every turn last season. He asked out of Pittsburgh, which traded him to Carolina for cornerback Donte Jackson. Johnson, 28, then sought a trade from the Panthers. It only worsened from there, as he wore out his welcome quickly in Baltimore and Houston.
The Ravens acquired Johnson in a pick-swap deal involving Day 3 choices. At the time, that seemed like a win for Baltimore due to the experience and production Johnson accumulated during his first five seasons. But Johnson’s Ravens tenure showed why that trade price emerged. The Ravens suspended the trade pickup for refusing to enter a Week 13 Eagles matchup after Rashod Bateman had gone down with an injury. This led to the Ravens waiving Johnson, who did not reach free agency thanks to claims from the Chargers and Texans. Houston’s waiver priority won out, but the team — even after injuries ended Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell‘s seasons — barely deployed its late-season addition and waived him barely two weeks after making the successful claim.
Johnson, who had signed at two-year Steelers extension worth $36.7MM in 2022, was believed to have been needed to be calmed down by teammates after he was sparsely used in the Texans’ wild-card win over the Chargers. The six-year veteran played all of 16 offensive snaps across two Texans games, as the team did not deem him a reliable auxiliary cog. The Ravens then claimed Johnson for the sole purpose of potentially recouping a late-round comp pick, as they are known to hoard those. No such reward will arrive, as no team signed Johnson until after that deadline passed.
Cleveland has not re-signed Cooper, whom it traded to Buffalo before last year’s deadline. As Cooper has resurfaced as a Dallas option, the Browns will take a flier on Johnson. This will mark an interesting Johnson-Kenny Pickett reunion. Pickett’s rookie year famously involved Johnson setting an NFL record for most receptions (86) in a season without a touchdown. Johnson scored five TDs in 2023, but the Steelers had begun to sour on Pickett by then. Pickett is now one of four QBs in the picture for the Browns, who drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders after re-signing Joe Flacco.
The Browns have Jerry Jeudy entrenched as their top receiver, with Cedric Tillman Jr. tentatively in place as their No. 2 option. The team has also not re-signed Elijah Moore, who served as a slot performer following a 2023 trade.
Johnson, who totaled at least 680 receiving yards each year from 2019-23 (including a 1,161-yard 2021 to help the Steelers to the playoffs), has a resume that would support a starting role. But he will need to prove he can be relied upon again. It is interesting that Cleveland would make this move with two rookie QBs set to begin development, but Johnson has been one of the league’s better separators. If he can reestablish himself as a usable piece, the Browns would benefit.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 16: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, 174 (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 1, No. 15: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 26 (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 96 (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones (T, LSU) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 141* (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 178 (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 186 (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 210*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 212*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 41 (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 72 (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 109 (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 177 (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt (T, UConn) (signed)
- Round 7, 240 (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado) (signed)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 10: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 39 (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 56 (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 132 (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 169 (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 233 (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 1, No. 17: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 81: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 119: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 153: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 193: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech) (signed)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 5 (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 33: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 36 (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 67: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 94 (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) (signed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland) (signed)
Vikings, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel Agree On Extension
MAY 2: Van Ginkel’s new guaranteed money includes a $10MM signing bonus, as detailed by Over the Cap. His cap charges now sit at $11.4MM for 2025 and $19.4MM the following season. $510K in per-game roster bonuses are included for both campaigns. Four void years are present in the deal.
APRIL 29: Andrew Van Ginkel impressed upon reuniting with Brian Flores, enjoying a productive season as a pass rusher to help the Vikings finish the season as a top-five defense. The team will reward the former Dolphins defender for his work.
The Vikings are giving Van Ginkel a one-year, $23MM extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal comes nearly fully guaranteed, with $22.4MM being locked in. Minnesota now has Van Ginkel signed through 2026. This will bring a significant bump for Van Ginkel, who was due a $10.78MM 2025 base salary that featured $4MM guaranteed.
Coming up earlier this offseason as an extension candidate, Van Ginkel drew interest from the Rams and Eagles last year. He has shown himself to be a viable starter on the edge — after previously working as a backup.
Reinserted into Miami’s starting lineup as a pass rusher due to Jaelan Phillips‘ 2023 injury, Van Ginkel upped his free agency stock in the weeks that followed. He signed a two-year, $20MM Vikings deal in 2024. That contract was to void if no extension occurred before the start of the 2026 league year. The Vikings have checked off that piece of business Tuesday.
Van Ginkel, 29, built on his 2023 pass-rushing production by registering 11.5 sacks last season. The former Dolphins fifth-rounder, who arrived during Flores’ first offseason in charge, accumulated an impressive 18 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits last season. Van Ginkel had previously never posted 10 TFLs in a season. In addition to his sack production, Van Ginkel also intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns in his Vikings debut. He now has three pick-sixes in two years.
Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick in 2024. While most assumed it was to become key ammo in the franchise’s quest to select a quarterback, the Vikings — after seeing the Patriots decline their trade-up offer for Drake Maye — then traded up from that spot (via the Jaguars) to take edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. Despite the lofty investment, Turner played behind Van Ginkel and big-ticket free agent signee Jonathan Greenard. This extension certainly looks like that setup will continue in 2025.
This one-year bump resembles the Bengals’ 2023 move for Trey Hendrickson, though it comes after just one Van Ginkel season. Hendrickson signed a one-year, $21MM extension in 2023, doing so after he had outplayed his previous deal during his first two Bengals seasons. Van Ginkel’s profile does not check in on Hendrickson’s level, minimizing the chance he and the Vikings will later be at odds. Instead, a former Day 3 draftee collected a key payment during an offseason in which the Vikings both moved on from Sam Darnold and saw Kirk Cousins‘ $28.5MM dead money hit come off the books.
The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy signed through 2027, affording them opportunities to make payments previously unrealistic due to Cousins’ six-year tenure (and seven-year run on the payroll). They will bet on Van Ginkel, who has scheme familiarity but a thin record of consistent pass-rushing production. Also seeing early-career time as an off-ball linebacker, Van Ginkel had previously topped out at six sacks in a season (2023). But he has settled as an edge presence.
The Vikings, who lost Patrick Jones in free agency, will continue to send a Greenard-Van Ginkel-Turner pass rush at opponents, with this contract ensuring all three are signed for at least two more seasons.
2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:
- DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
- CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
- CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
- T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
- T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
- WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
- T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
- WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
- WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
- WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
- DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
- S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
- G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
- WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
- G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
- WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
- T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
- QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
- CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($13.63MM): Exercised
- LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
- CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
- G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
- C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
- DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
- LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
- G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
- DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
- DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
- S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A
* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025
Seahawks Looking Into CB Addition
The Seahawks added a key piece to their secondary in the draft, trading up to No. 35 for South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. The team also added two guards, two tight ends and two wide receivers to round out an 11-pick class.
While Emmanwori will add a 4.35 40-yard dash time to Seattle’s secondary, the team looks to be a bit light at cornerback coming out of the draft. No corners arrived last weekend, and GM John Schneider described the situation (via The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar) as needing more work.
[RELATED: Seahawks Make Team History, Pick Up Charles Cross’ Fifth-Year Option]
Seattle lost part-time contributor Tre Brown to San Francisco in free agency. After injuries marred Brown’s first two seasons, he started 10 games from 2023-24. The team still rosters Riq Woolen, but he is now going into a contract year. Ditto Josh Jobe, a UDFA who started six games for the team last season. The Seahawks re-signed Jobe to a one-year, $2MM deal before free agency; that deal checked in considerably lower than the bottom-end RFA tender price ($3.26MM) that otherwise would have been required to retain Jobe. As Devon Witherspoon anchors this group, adding competition for the spot alongside he and Woolen makes sense.
Pro Football Focus ranked Jobe near the bottom (107th) among CB regulars last season. He logged 443 defensive snaps, the third-most among Seattle corners in 2024. The Seahawks have 2024 fifth-round pick Nehemiah Pritchett at the position, but Emmanwori’s arrival could open the door to another solution. Safety Coby Bryant spent extensive time at corner in college; the Cincinnati product converted to safety while a Seahawk but was twice a first-team All-American Athletic Conference CB. Regardless of Bryant’s position, he joins Woolen and Jobe in entering a contract year.
If another Bryant shift is not deemed a sufficient solution, the Seahawks would have a few intriguing outside options. The run on third-contract-seeking corners stopped without Rasul Douglas landing a job. Asante Samuel Jr. also has not signed as a free agent. PFR ranked both among the top 50 free agents in this year’s class. The Dolphins also cut Kendall Fuller after one season, while the Commanders did not re-sign 2024 Fuller replacement Michael Davis. The Raiders also recently released two-year starter Jack Jones, while the Steelers have not re-signed Cameron Sutton. Ex-Seahawk Shaquill Griffin worked out for the team in April.
The dead money remaining on Jalen Ramsey‘s contract would point to the Dolphins giving strong consideration to making that trade after June 1; the Rams are one of the interested teams. Clubs, however, are balking at taking on the All-Pro’s 2025 money. And the Seahawks have not traditionally spent heavily at corner, mostly relying on rookie-deal players following Richard Sherman‘s 2014 extension. They let Griffin and Reed find big money elsewhere in the past, and with Witherspoon set to command upper-crust CB money come 2026, the team has a Woolen decision to make. Though, the Seahawks’ past decisions to let CBs find paydays elsewhere came during Pete Carroll‘s watch — and most of that period involved a top-market Russell Wilson contract headlining the payroll.
For now, the Seahawks have several options to choose from if they are committed to finding a player to work alongside Witherspoon and Woolen this season. Bigger-picture questions loom in the not-too-distant future.
Texans Attempted To Trade Up For WR Emeka Egbuka; Rams Showed Interest?
As we come out of the draft, the annual tradition of what-ifs regarding high-value investments persists. The Falcons probably would not have traded a 2026 first-round pick had Jalon Walker been off the board (as the team expected) by No. 15, while the Cowboys had Tetairoa McMillan in their sights — before a Panthers move for the WR preceded Dallas not selecting a wideout at all last weekend.
The Broncos also eyed a trade-down move for TreVeyon Henderson; instead, they stood pat and circled back to their running back need at No. 60 (R.J. Harvey). Henderson saw four of his Buckeyes teammates go in Round 1. While Donovan Jackson (Vikings), Tyleik Williams (Lions) and Josh Simmons (Chiefs) came off the board during the second part of the round, Emeka Egbuka looks to have drawn the most interest.
Prior to the Buccaneers drafting Egbuka at No. 19, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the Texans (No. 25) were believed to have made a trade-up effort to land him. An accomplished Buckeyes receiver who profiled as a slot option, Egbuka landed in Tampa despite the Buccaneers already carrying an apparent surplus at the position. The Bucs moving Egbuka off the board at 19 looks to have stopped the trade calls, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero said during a Dan Patrick Show appearance.
The Rams (No. 26) also were believed to be eyeing Egbuka, per Pelissero, who corroborates Breer’s account on the Texans’ interest. Both the Texans and Rams, who had been calling teams in front of them before the Bucs’ surprise WR move, then traded out of the first round.
Houston lost Tank Dell to a second major injury — this one potentially threatening to sideline him for much of the 2025 season — and a visibly distraught C.J. Stroud looked on as an ambulance transported Dell out of Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans then let Stefon Diggs defect to the Patriots in free agency, after seeing the veteran tear an ACL near the midseason point. Although receiver reinforcements came later in the draft, the Texans attempted to reunite Stroud with one of his college weapons.
Egbuka stayed at Ohio State for four years, moving past 2004 first-rounder Michael Jenkins to become the Buckeyes’ career receiving leader (2,868 yards). A four-year career and an extended season boosted Egbuka’s chances to reach No. 1 on that list, but he entered the draft as one of this year’s safest prospects. The Bucs concurred, as GM Jason Licht said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (h/t JoeBucsfan.com) Egbuka carried a top-10 grade on the team’s board.
The Bucs drafted Egbuka despite using a third-round pick on Jalen McMillan and continuing to re-sign Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The latter turned down bigger offers elsewhere — one almost definitely from the Patriots — to sign a three-year, $66MM Bucs deal. Evans is in a contract year once again, but for 2025 at least, Tampa Bay is quite deep at receiver thanks to Egbuka’s arrival.
Stroud’s Buckeyes career overlapped with Egbuka from 2021-22. Although Egbuka shifted to a Marvin Harrison Jr. sidekick (after playing alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson in 2021), his career-best 1,151-yard receiving total came with Stroud at the controls in ’22. The Texans later targeted Iowa State’s receiving corps to stock theirs, adding Jayden Higgins in Round 2 and Jaylin Noel in Round 3. That Cyclones duo will join Nico Collins, Christian Kirk and John Metchie in Houston.
The Rams did not draft a receiver until Round 7 (Pitt’s Konata Mumpfield), but they did see Puka Nacua miss a chunk of last season. That said, Los Angeles both re-signed Tutu Atwell (on a one-year deal) and added Davante Adams. The latter’s contract also includes an out after Year 1, keeping another WR addition on the L.A. radar.
Cowboys Passing On CB Kaiir Elam’s Fifth-Year Option
The Bills effectively admitted a mistake on Kaiir Elam, trading the former first-rounder in a pick-swap deal that only produced a 2025 fifth. The Cowboys took a flier on the fourth-year cornerback, but they will not authorize an eight-figure guarantee to conduct an extended evaluation.
One of this year’s easier fifth-year option decisions to predict, Elam will see his declined, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Elam will move into a contract year. Although Elam’s lack of playing time would have tied him to the lowest number on the CB option ladder ($12.68MM), that still represents a tough ask based on his performance to date.
[RELATED: 2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Buffalo traded up to No. 23 for Elam in 2022, though it is believed the team’s top CB target was Trent McDuffie. The future Chiefs standout is now a two-time All-Pro (though, his lack of a Pro Bowl nod left him eligible for a cheaper fifth-year option price), and Elam’s Bills swan song featured Kansas City targeting the backup after Christian Benford‘s latest ill-timed injury. Elam’s chance to rebound after the extended AFC championship game cameo will come in Dallas.
While Elam was ticketed to play opposite Tre’Davious White once the former All-Pro recovered from a 2021 ACL tear, Benford’s rise impeded that. Elam was given more chances to start, but the Florida alum could not capitalize on them. Following White’s Achilles tear in October 2023, the Bills traded for Rasul Douglas to play opposite Benford. That setup lasted 1 1/2 years, as Elam only played as a backup during Douglas’ time in Buffalo.
The Cowboys have some questions at corner, having seen Trevon Diggs go down with a second major knee injury. The former All-Pro is not viewed as a lock to begin the season on time, opening a door for Elam. But the Cowboys also used a second-round pick on East Carolina’s Shavon Revel. A first-round talent, Revel slipped to the second because of an ACL tear sustained last year. Revel is expected to be ready before the regular season. Elam, then, profiles as a backup and potential insurance option for a Cowboys team that returns All-Pro DaRon Bland.
The recoveries of Diggs and Revel will open the door to extensive offseason work, and potentially training camp first-string reps, for Elam. The soon-to-be 24-year-old defender has made 12 career starts. It will be interesting to see if Dallas adds another starter-level option as Diggs insurance, but as of now, Elam is that player heading into OTAs.
J.J. McCarthy Addresses Recovery From Meniscus Procedures
J.J. McCarthy has seen the Vikings present him with a golden opportunity. The team passed on franchise-tagging Sam Darnold and then let the bounce-back starter walk, and it did not outbid the Colts for Daniel Jones.
The Vikings have since effectively stiff-armed Aaron Rodgers, who had informed the team it stood atop his destination list. Rodgers may be down to Steelers or retirement, though he has continued to keep the AFC North team at arm’s length. Minnesota, however, added a clear backup option during the draft by acquiring Sam Howell from the Seahawks. Howell’s full 2023 season as a Commanders starter notwithstanding, McCarthy’s path to a 2025 starting job remains clear.
As this chance awaits, McCarthy said he is fully recovered from the two meniscus procedures that defined his rookie year. Kevin O’Connell said (via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert) the second-year quarterback will have no restrictions during the Vikings’ offseason program. While pressure will await as McCarthy prepares to take the reins for a team that went 14-3 last season, the former national championship-winning passer expects to be at the controls in Week 1.
“I know I’m ready to start,” McCarthy said (via Seifert), “because of all the work I’ve put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job. And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me.”
Although McCarthy’s weight dropped into the 180s during his recovery, the Michigan product said he is back up to his 215 playing weight. This post-surgery road, though, included a November hiccup; swelling led to a PRP injection. Since that point, McCarthy has ramped up and will be ready to throw once the Vikings begin OTAs this month.
McCarthy, 22, was poised to challenge Darnold for Minnesota’s starting job at some point last year. While Darnold was to be the Vikes’ Week 1 starter, McCarthy was on track to put that status in question. Though, the way Darnold performed, a full-season redshirt for the rookie would have certainly been in the equation had McCarthy stayed healthy. Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5MM Seahawks deal, removing a bridge from the Vikings’ 2025 QB blueprint.
In addition to McCarthy, O’Connell said Christian Darrisaw has not endured any setbacks during rehab from ACL and MCL tears. With that injury occurring in late October, Darrisaw returning by Week 1 will be in play. The Vikings let fill-in Cam Robinson defect to the Texans in free agency. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who suffered an ACL tear in July, will be expected to return to football activities by spring’s end, O’Connell added (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling). O’Connell added Javon Hargrave and Will Fries, free agents coming off season ending injuries (pectoral tear, broken leg), will likely be limited to start the offseason program.
Elsewhere on the Vikings’ roster, Isaiah Rodgers is set to compete for a starting job. The team re-signed Byron Murphy hours after it added Rodgers, but O’Connell confirmed (via Seifert) DC Brian Flores targeted the recent Eagles contributor for his defense. Flores also pushed for Blake Cashman and for an Andrew Van Ginkel reunion. Those additions helped Minnesota form a top-five defense, and they could help give the veteran coach some room to give Rodgers a long look as a starter.
A nine-game Colts starter in 2022, Rodgers has started three games since his 2023 gambling suspension. Veteran Jeff Okudah, given a one-year deal worth $2.35MM, is aboard as potential insurance. Rodgers signed a two-year, $11MM contract that came with nearly $8MM guaranteed at signing.