Patriots Sign BYU LB Harvey Langi
Brigham Young linebacker Harvey Langi might have been the most wanted undrafted free agent of 2017. Langi received a $100K base salary guarantee and a $15K bonus to sign with the Patriots, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter). 
Heading into the draft, Langi was viewed as a potential middle-round selection, but he did not hear his name called on Day 3. He’ll now try and make the Patriots’ 53-man roster as an inside linebacker, though he also has previous experience at defensive end. Despite not getting drafted, it’s safe to say that Langi had interest from several teams after things wrapped on Saturday. His $115K package is by far the most lucrative deal given to any UDFA, dwarfing the $62K collected by Colorado linebacker Jimmie Gilbert when he signed with the 49ers.
Langi’s 2015 season was arguably his best as he tallied 66 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 6.5 tackles for a loss in ten games. In his senior campaign, he had 57 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and 5.0 sacks in 13 games.
The Patriots also shelled out $31K to sign UCF defensive back D.J. Killings. Typically, UDFAs receive something closer to $5K to sign.
Lions, Giants In On LeGarrette Blount
The Lions and Giants are in play for LeGarrette Blount, league sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. The Giants’ interest has been known for a few weeks now, but the Lions connection is new. 
[RELATED: Lions Pick Up Eric Ebron’s Option]
The Lions did not select a running back in the draft but they might look to bring in some extra competition at the position. Ideally, the Lions would like to use Ameer Abdullah as their main ball carrier with Theo Riddick as the pass-catching specialist, but Abdullah’s health cannot be counted upon. Zach Zenner, who impressed at times last season, and Dwayne Washington round out the running back depth chart. If signed, Blount could potentially squeeze Washington out of Detroit.
Blount remains on the market after turning down a modest one-year offer from the Patriots. At this stage of the game, he may have to settle for a similar deal if he wants to find an NFL home.
Panthers Cut Tre Boston
The Panthers announced that they have released safety Tre Boston. Fullback Devon Johnson, cornerback Lou Young, and tackles Jack Rodgers and Jordan Rigsbee have also been shown the door. 
Less than two months ago, it was reported that “at least one team” had reached out to the Panthers to inquire about Boston. His release at this juncture of the offseason comes as a bit of a surprise since the Panthers did not draft a safety last week. Boston appeared in 15 games (10 starts) last season and was projected to return as the team’s starting free safety in 2017.
Boston graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 46 safety last season, putting him in a three-way tie with Jairus Byrd and George Iloka. Boston’s coverage grades were not as strong as Byrd or Iloka, but he made up ground with a better showing in terms of pass rush. Boston’s 78.1 overall score stands as a career high, though he was roughly on the same plane in 2014 and 2015.
The Panthers currently have 86 players on the roster. After dropping Boston, they still have eight safeties on the roster: Mike Adams, Kurt Coleman, Colin Jones, Dean Marlowe, Travell Dixon, Dezmen Southward, Brian Blechen, and L.J. McCray.
Bears To Sign OT Bradley Sowell
The Bears have agreed to sign tackle Bradley Sowell, as Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com tweets. Sowell spent the 2016 season with the Seahawks. 
Sowell appeared in ten games for Seattle last season and started in nine of those contests. A knee injury in October took a big chunk out of his season, but the good news is that he was able to avoid surgery.
The 27-year-old (28 in June) won’t be starting for Chicago, but he’ll have an opportunity to be one of the first tackles off of the bench if things go well this summer. After a season in which he graded out as one of Pro Football Focus’ worst qualified tackles, he’ll aim to get back on track in his new surroundings.
The Bears wound up with only five draft picks last week and their only addition to the offensive line came in the fifth round when they selected Jordan Morgan out of Kutztown. Sowell becomes the third outside addition to the offensive line this offseason, joining fellow free agent pickup Tom Compton.
Department Of Defense Changes Policy
Last summer, the Department of Defense changed its rules to allow graduates going into professional sports to fulfill their requirements in the reserves rather than active duty. Now, the DoD has changed its mind. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis signed an order to rescind the pro sports policy, meaning that athletes will be required to fulfill their active duty requirement before joining a professional sports team (link via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post). 
This year, the rule change burned Air Force wide receiver Jalen Robinette. Robinette had a chance of being taken in the late rounds on Saturday, but the Air Force disclosed just prior to the draft that its athletes would have to serve in active duty. The rule change does not apply retroactively to Ravens wide receiver Keenan Reynolds, however (Twitter link via PFT).
The DoD’s flip-flop may hurt the ability of the service academies to recruit high-level football players going forward.
Nick Saban Signs Extension With Alabama
Maybe this will keep Nick Saban‘s name out of NFL consideration for a little while. Saban has agreed to a long-term contract extension with Alabama that could keep him in place through the 2024 season. 
As part of the deal, Saban gets a $4MM signing bonus plus an additional $4MM spread out between the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons. The second bonus is likely meted out over those seasons to incentivize Saban to stay. Of course, college coaches break contracts all the time and it’s unlikely that Saban would agree to anything ironclad.
“Terry and I are pleased and happy to agree to the contract extension The University of Alabama has offered us, ensuring our time here in Tuscaloosa will continue for many more years,” Saban said. “This has become our home and we are looking forward to finishing our career at Alabama. I want to thank President Bell, Greg Byrne, our athletic administration, football staff and the entire University community for all of their support, which has been instrumental in the success of our organization. We are extremely proud of the young men who have represented the Crimson Tide on the football field, and more importantly, what they have been able to accomplish in their lives off the field because of their involvement in our program.”
Saban’s last go-round in the NFL was not so successful, but he has consistently been linked to NFL jobs in every offseason for the last few years. It remains to be seen whether Saban has the itch to try the NFL again and whether this new contract would be a barrier to him going pro.
Jets To Decline Calvin Pryor’s Option
The Jets are not going to pick up safety Calvin Pryor‘s fifth-year option, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He is now eligible to reach the open market after the 2017 season. 
[RELATED: “50-50 Chance” Jets Trade Sheldon Richardson]
After the Jets used their first two picks in the 2017 draft on safeties, it was expected that they would turn down Pryor’s option for the 2018 season. The John Idzik regime drafted Pryor in 2014 with the hope that his hard-hitting style would translate well at the professional level. The Louisville slugger brought some big hits, but he has not improved enough in coverage. The Jets will now focus on Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye while saving themselves $5.597MM on Pryor in 2018.
The Jets would reportedly like to trade Pryor, though GM Mike Maccagnan claims that he would like to keep him.
Lions Pick Up Eric Ebron’s Option
The Lions have exercised Eric Ebron‘s option for the 2018 season, according to a team announcement. As shown in PFR’s Fifth-Year Option Tracker, Ebron is now scheduled to earn $5.194MM in ’18. 
[RELATED: 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
Detroit took its time making the call on the tight end and it wasn’t a given that he would get the additional season tacked on to his contract. Since entering the league in 2014, Ebron has struggled with drops (he had seven in 2016) and hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations set for him when he was selected No. 10 overall.
On the bright side, Ebron has been steadily improving as a receiver. The 24-year-old went from 25 catches as a rookie to 47 in 2015 to 61 in 2016. Last season, only nine tight ends had more receptions than Ebron. The Lions are hoping that he can take yet another step forward in 2017 while losing the Roberto Duran act.
Jaguars Sign 16 UDFAs, Cut 11 Players
The Jaguars announced that they have signed 16 undrafted free agents. In order to make room, they have released eleven players from the roster. Here’s the full rundown:
Signed:
- Caleb Bluiett, TE (Texas)
- Keelan Cole, WR (Kentucky Wesleyan)
- Parker Collins, C (Appalachian State)
- Tim Cook, RB (Oregon State)
- Jeremy Cutrer, CB (Middle Tennessee)
- P.J. Davis, LB (Georgia Tech)
- Hunter Dimick, DE (Utah)
- Amba Etta-Tawo, WR (Syracuse)
- Avery Gennesy, G (Texas A&M)
- Justin Horton, LB (Jacksonville)
- Tueni Lupeamanu, DT (Idaho)
- I’Tavius Mathers, RB (Middle Tennessee State)
- Charlie Miller, S (Dartmouth)
- Carroll Phillips, DE (Illinois)
- Ezra Robinson, CB (Tennessee State)
- Kenneth Walker, WR (UCLA)
Released:
- E.J. Bibbs, TE
- Bronson Hill, RB
- Colin Kelly, OL
- Sean Porter, LB
- Daryl Richardson, RB
- Gannon Sinclair, TE
- Elijah Shumate, S
- Arturo Uzdavinis, OL
- Greg Van Roten, OL
- Tony Washington, WR
- Raphael Kirby, LB
Dimick led the Pac-12 in sacks last season with 13.5 and earned a first-team All-Conference selection. Prior to the draft, one NFC West Coast scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com that Dimick’s work ethic is admirable, but his lack of natural talent may inhibit him at the next level.
“He’s more try-hard than talented. His effort is great. I love how hard he plays, but when you are as sawed-off as he is on the edge and you can’t unlock your hips, I don’t know how he is going to see the field,” the scout said.
Horton got $25K guaranteed from the Jaguars between his $5K bonus and $20K guaranteed base, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets.
The Jags’ roster is now at the 90-man max.
Vikings Decline Teddy Bridgewater’s Option
As expected, the Vikings have declined Teddy Bridgewater‘s fifth-year option. The news was confirmed by the team today as it picked up the 2018 option for linebacker Anthony Barr. 
Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer admitted that he has “no idea” whether Bridgewater will be able to play in 2017. With that kind of uncertainty surrounding the one-time face of the franchise, it’s hard to argue with the Vikings’ decision. The 2018 option is not a full guarantee, but it is guaranteed for injury and the Vikings could not reasonably take that kind of risk since Bridgewater may never be the same player.
In fact, we don’t know for sure that Bridgewater can return to football after suffering a gruesome leg injury last summer. For now, the Vikings will plan on having Sam Bradford as the starting QB with new pickup Case Keenum as the backup.