Minor NFL Transactions: 6/18/21
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Jake Butt
- Released: DL Thomas Schaffer, OT Gunnar Vogel
Falcons Sign Richie Grant
The Falcons have formally signed second-round pick Richie Grant. The safety out of UCF will earn $8.3MM on his four-year deal, including a $3.4MM signing bonus.
Atlanta inked both of its fourth-round picks on Thursday, taking care of business with center Drew Dalman and defensive back Darren Hall. Now, with Grant taken care of, first-round tight end Kyle Pitts stands as the last straggler. That shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Falcons, though the two sides may be haggling over some particulars like offset language.
The Falcons moved down from No. 35 overall to No. 40, scoring Grant and adding a fourth-round choice in the process. Grant notched 290 tackles, one sack, 17 passes defensed, ten interceptions, and five forced fumbles while on campus. At the pro level, he’ll be a part of the Falcons’ secondary reboot, with Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Ricardo Allen out of the picture.
If he’s able to pick up the playbook quickly, Grant could be the first safety off of the bench behind new starters Duron Harmon and Erik Harris.
Jaguars Sign Laquon Treadwell
The Jaguars have signed Laquon Treadwell, per a club announcement. Treadwell participated in the Jaguars’ minicamp as a tryout player earlier this week and wound up earning a spot on the 90-man roster. 
Treadwell, 26, came into the league as a first-round pick for the Vikings. Scouts had high hopes for the Ole Miss product, but he has yet to reach his potential. Across four seasons in Minnesota, Treadwell recorded a total of 65 receptions for 701 yards and two scores. His best season came in 2018, when he set career-highs in receptions (35) and receiving yards (302). For what it’s worth, he finished the ’19 slate with a 20.4-yard-per-catch average, but did so on just nine catches.
Last year, he hooked on with the Falcons’ practice squad and saw some time on the varsity roster. In 2020, he notched six grabs for 49 yards and two TDs in five games. Now, he’ll look to solidify his spot behind Jacksonville receivers D.J. Chark, longtime Lions WR Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault. Phillip Dorsett and veteran returner Pharoh Cooper are also among those vying spots.
Jets To Stick With Current CBs?
The Jets’ cornerback group is extremely green, but that doesn’t seem to bother new head coach Robert Saleh. In a conference call with reporters, Saleh indicated that the Jets aren’t planning to add an experienced vet to the mix. 
“The difference between Player A and Player Z is minimal, and the only thing that keeps Player Z from becoming Player A is an opportunity and reps,” Saleh said (via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “Let’s see what happens. Does it always happen? It doesn’t, but unless you’re willing to be bold enough to coach your tail off and to invest as much as you can into these young men and give them the opportunity to be seen, give them the opportunity to get reps, and give them the opportunity to get better, you’ll never know what you might find. So, that’s just the belief and the philosophy of not only our coaching staff but the entire organization, and that’s something we’re committed to.”
Saleh also quoted his old mentor, Pete Carroll: “You can’t be afraid to play young guys.” Saleh must have taken that to heart, because Justin Hardee is the Jets’ only corner with 3+ years of NFL experience, and he’ll mostly be on special teams. As it stands, the Jets project to start Bless Austin and Bryce Hall on the outside with either Javelin Guidry or rookie Michael Carter II on slot duty.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go between now and September. But, for now, it sounds like the Jets won’t be in the mix for veteran corners like Richard Sherman.
Surgery For Texans’ Marcus Cannon
Texans tackle Marcus Cannon underwent minor knee surgery following the team’s OTAs (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Fortunately, Cannon’s already on the mend and he’s expected to be ready in time for training camp.
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New Texans GM Nick Caserio traded for Cannon in March, bringing a familiar face to Houston. The deal saw the Texans and Patriots swap draft positions in the fourth round, fifth round, and sixth round, a reasonable sacrifice for an experienced starter.
Cannon has appeared in 115 games over the course of his career, including 69 starts, mostly at right tackle. The Texans are planning to slot him at right guard with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard manning the outside. Tackles are typically pricier than guards, but Cannon is owed just $4.7MM over the next two seasons, so his salary isn’t prohibitive for an interior lineman.
Cannon opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but the Texans believe that the 33-year-old is in game shape, or close enough to it. But, if his health proves to be an issue, they have recently-signed ex-Packer Lane Taylor as insurance.
Jets, Morgan Moses Nearing Deal
The Jets and offensive tackle Morgan Moses are making progress on a multi-year deal, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). Other teams have been in the mix, but it sounds like the Jets are the frontrunners for the seven-year vet. 
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Moses went six straight seasons without missing a game for the Washington Football Team and earned a lucrative re-up in 2017. However, Washington opted to revamp their tackle group this year by drafting Samuel Cosmi in the second round and signing longtime Bears left tackle Charles Leno.
Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Moses as a top-20 tackle. However, the advanced metrics framed him as a middle-of-the-road tackle from 2017 through 2019. For the Jets, he’d be a solid choice for their right tackle job, where George Fant and Chuma Edoga are currently duking it out to start opposite of Mekhi Becton.
Meanwhile, they have the dollars available to add Moses after convincing wide receiver Jamison Crowder to take a pay cut. Originally set to make $10MM this year, it’s believed that Crowder will earn something in the neighborhood of $5MM.
Lions Sign Levi Onwuzurike
The Lions have another draft pick in the fold. On Thursday, they formally signed second-round defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike.
Onwuzurike, a Washington product, opted out of the 2020 season and spent the year preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 288-pound lineman earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019, and finished his Huskies career with 95 tackles and seven sacks.
The 6’3″, 293-pound lineman played defensive tackle with the Huskies. However, he’ll be slotted in as a defensive end that moves inside on clear passing downs, according to defensive line coach Todd Wash. As the No. 41 overall pick, Onwuzurike will earn $8.14MM across four years, including a signing bonus of $3.2MM.
With Onwuzurike signed, the Lions have just a couple of draft picks to go. Here’s the full rundown of their 2021 draft class:
Round 1: No. 7 Penei Sewell, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 2: No. 41 Levi Onwuzurike, DT (Washington) (signed)
Round 3: No. 72 Alim McNeill, DT (North Carolina State) (signed)
Round 3: No. 101 (from Rams) Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB (Syracuse)
Round 4: No. 112 Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR (USC)
Round 4: No. 113 (from Panthers through Browns) Derrick Barnes, LB (Purdue)
Round 7: No. 257 Jermar Jefferson, RB (Oregon State) (signed)
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/17/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL George Obinna, DL John Atkins
- Released: LB Alani Putuau, WR Greg Dortch, LB Jeff Holland, DL Eli Ankou
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL T.J. Wheatley Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Amara Darboh, WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
- Waived: P Max Duffy
- Waived/injured: OLB Natrez Patrick
Falcons Sign Shareef Miller
The Falcons have signed edge rusher Shareef Miller, according to agent David Canter (Twitter link). Originally a fourth-round Eagles pick, Miller has played in one regular-season game to date.
The Birds waived Miller last summer, leading him to the Panthers. He was later released, freeing him up to return to the Eagles as a practice squad player. The Cardinals inked him to a futures deal in January, but he became a free agent last week when he was dropped to make room for defensive tackle Xavier Williams.
Now, Miller will compete for a spot behind projected starters Dante Fowler and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. Jonathan Bullard, Barkevious Mingo, and fifth-round pick Ta’Quon Graham are also in the mix at defensive end.
Panthers, Terrace Marshall Agree To Deal
The Panthers have agreed to terms with second-round pick Terrace Marshall. The wide receiver will play on a four-year deal worth $5.7MM, per the terms of his slot at No. 59.
After trading down twice in Round 2, the Panthers planned to select BYU tackle Brady Christensen and add LSU wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. with a subsequent trade-up shortly after. However, they changed course after hearing the Saints’ footsteps. Unwilling to let him get away, the Panthers leapfrogged their rivals and reunited Marshall with offensive coordinator Joe Brady. It all worked out for the Panthers, who still managed to take Christensen in the third round.
Marshall played a key role for LSU’s national championship team alongside Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. He totaled 23 touchdown grabs between 2019 and 2020, a promising sign of what’s to come.
“Not too many people are 6-2, 200-plus and run a 4.3, and are able to make plays on the ball like Terrace does,” Brady said earlier this year. “When the ball’s in the air, Terrace always finds a way to come down with it, and I think he showcased that every time he was on the football field. Not a lot of games but a lot of production.”
Now, he’ll play alongside Panthers vets D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, helping to replace ex-WR2 Emmanuel Sanders. Christensen and third-round tight end Tommy Tremble now stand as the Panthers’ last stragglers.