Patriots To Sign Alex Redmond, James Ferentz
The Patriots are set to sign guard Alex Redmond (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). In addition, the Pats have also re-signed center James Ferentz, as ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss tweets. 
Redmond worked out for the Patriots last week, alongside fellow ex-Bengal Dre Kirkpatrick. The cornerback remains a free agent, but Redmond is now in the fold to provide depth on the offensive line. Redmond, 26, first joined Cincy as a UDFA in 2016. In 2018, he found his way to the starting lineup and was first-string for 15 games. Over the last two seasons, he’s made nine starts. Barring an injury, he’ll likely act as a reserve in New England behind Shaq Mason and Michael Onwenu.
Ferentz is the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, a friend of Bill Belichick‘s. Still, the younger Ferentz has earned his playing time, seeing 24 games over the last three years. Previous to that, Ferentz spent time with the Texans and Broncos.
49ers To Sign Marqise Lee
The 49ers are set to sign former Jags and Pats receiver Marqise Lee (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Barring any snags, the deal should become official before the end of the business day. 
Lee joined the 49ers’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis over the weekend and quickly earned a contract. It’s a California homecoming for the Long Beach native who made his national mark at USC. His standout career with the Trojans led to him being selected No. 39 overall by the Jaguars in 2014, but he struggled to live up to his draft stock early on.
The wideout compiled only 660 yards from scrimmage and two scores through his first two seasons in the NFL. Then, he managed to carve out a larger role in the offense in 2016 and 2017. During those two years, Lee averaged 59.5 receptions and 776 receiving yards with only three touchdowns per year. Lee went on to land a four-year, $38MM extension from Jacksonville, but he was cut last year after missing most of 2019 with a knee injury.
Lee, 30 in November, caught with the Patriots, but opted out of the 2020 season. New England gave the receiver his walking papers back in March. Now, he’s got a chance to stick behind Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Mohamed Sanu.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed CB Tae Hayes
- Released S Chris Miller, WR Darece Roberson
Atlanta Falcons
- Cut: OLB Eli Howard
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OLB Pita Taumoepenu, OT Cody Conway
- Cut: OT Ryan Pope, LB David Curry
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Alex Brown
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Daurice Fountain, DB Manny Patterson
- Waived: DB Jaylon McClain-Sapp
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers from Saints: CB Trill Williams
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed CB Parry Nickerson, OT Evin Ksiezarczyk
San Francisco 49ers
- Cut: WR Austin Proehl
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Kalija Lipscomb
- Released: LB Davin Bellamy (non-football injury), WR Rashard Davis
Eagles Sign Ryan Kerrigan
Ryan Kerrigan is staying in the NFC East. On Monday morning, Kerrigan bid farewell to the Washington Football Team. And, minutes later, we learned that he’s agreed to join up with the Eagles (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Eagles have since confirmed the signing as a one-year deal. 
“I’ll never be able to sum up what these past ten years have meant to me in an Instagram post, but what I can say is that they have been some of the best of my life,” Kerrigan wrote (Instagram link). “I hope you had as much fun watching me as I did playing for you. Thank you, Washington, for everything.”
Up until now, the former first-round pick had spent his entire career in D.C. Along the way, he collected four Pro Bowl nominations and 95.5 sacks to top Dexter Manley for the franchise record. Kerrigan started every game for his first nine seasons with the club. But, last year, he was mostly relegated to a reserve role and notched just 5.5 sacks for Ron Rivera. As a result, it was widely expected that he would move on.
Now, the 32-year-old (33 in August) will suit up for his longtime rival. The Steelers and Bengals (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter) also showed interest, but he felt that the Eagles would be his best fit. Currently, he profiles as the Birds’ No. 4 DE, likely behind Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, and Josh Sweat.
With Kerrigan off the board, other edge-needy teams can still consider the likes of Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston, Everson Griffen, Olivier Vernon, Ezekiel Ansah, Dion Jordan, and Adrian Clayborn.
Bengals To Sign Trent Taylor
The Bengals are set to sign Trent Taylor (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). The slot receiver/punt returner auditioned for the club over the weekend and emerged from rookie minicamp with a deal. 
The Niners selected Taylor in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. As a member of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch‘s first class in San Francisco, he showed early promise as a rookie. Unfortunately, he had to undergo back surgery prior to the 2018 season — Taylor says he never felt fully healthy that year. Then, he missed all of the 2019 season.
Taylor returned last year, but recorded just ten grabs for 86 yards in 12 games. On the plus side, he averaged 12.4 yards on his nine punt returns.
Now, he’ll look to get back to his old form with the Bengals. Both sides will be pleased if Taylor’s able to stick on the roster and reprise his 43 grabs for 430 yards and two TDs.
Latest On Texans’ Deshaun Watson
May 16: ESPN obtained text messages and a recording which show a member of Buzbee’s team approaching a member of Watson’s team to discuss “working things out,” as Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com writes. Buzbee, for his part, has said that he is the only person at his firm that has the authority to discuss a settlement.
May 14: Earlier this week, the lawyer representing 22 women suing Deshaun Watson criticized the NFL’s conduct during interviews with some of his clients. As a result, Tony Buzbee says he might advise against more of his clients to avoid speaking with the league. Meanwhile, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says league has handled the investigation appropriately. 
“The allegations are very concerning and the league immediately began investigating the matter under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy,” McCarthy said (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX26). “The investigation includes gathering information, monitoring law enforcement developments and conducting interviews with relevant people willing to participate with counsel present.”
McCarthy also went to bat for investigation lead Lisa Friel.
“Throughout her decades-long career as the chief of the sex crimes unit in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and most recently as the NFL’s special counsel for investigations for the last six years, Lisa has earned a stellar reputation as a consummate professional who conducts investigations and interviews with compassion and fairness in an effort to determine the truth,” said McCarthy.
Meanwhile, Buzbee and Watson attorney Rusty Hardin continue to exchange comments through the media. Recently, Hardin claimed that Buzbee approached him about a settlement, though the Texans QB won’t consider it unless “the terms are made public and all participants are allowed to speak in their own defense at all times,” (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). In response, Buzbee took to Instagram and denied ever seeking a settlement.
Settlement or no settlement, Watson’s availability for the coming season probably won’t be clarified for some time.
Giants To Sign RB Corey Clement
The Giants are set to sign running back Corey Clement, as Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News writes. Clement auditioned on Friday and Saturday, impressing coaches and beating out a handful other vets vying for a spot on the team’s offseason roster. That group included fellow RB Ito Smith, per Leonard. 
Clement is best known his Super Bowl LII touchdown and taking the Eagles’ “Philly Special” snap. He spent the last four years with the Birds, though his usage has fluctuated over time. In 2019, he did not see a carry in four games. Last year, after Jordan Howard left, he still only saw 21 carries in 15 games, spending most of his time on special teams.
All in all, Clement has logged 655 yards and seven touchdowns off of 163 carries, plus 37 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Now, he’ll look to solidify his place behind Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker.
Smith, meanwhile, will look for work elsewhere. The 2018 fourth-round pick cut by the Falcons in April, even though he’s shown a penchant for game-changing plays in the past. As a rookie, Smith made noise with 6.4 yards per carry in an admittedly small sample. He hasn’t looked quite as sharp lately, but he still managed to take 63 carries for 268 yards (4.3 ypc).
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: QB Eric Dungey, TE Cheyenne O’Grady
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Deuce Wallace
- Waived/injured: DB Eric Burrell, DB Trill Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Nate Meadors
NFL Draft Signings: 5/14/21
We’ll keep track of today’s lower round signings here:
Baltimore Ravens
- WR Tylan Wallace (fourth round; Oklahoma State)
Detroit Lions
- RB Jermar Jefferson (seventh round; Oregon State)
New England Patriots
- LB Cameron McGrone (fifth round, Michigan)
Seattle Seahawks
- OT Stone Forsythe (sixth round, Florida)
Giants To Work Out RB Corey Clement
The Giants will audition running back Corey Clement this weekend (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan). Clement will audition alongside wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and other vets vying to join the G-Men.
[RELATED: Giants To Have WR Kelvin Benjamin Tryout]
Clement is best known his Super Bowl LII touchdown and taking the Eagles’ “Philly Special” snap. He’s spent the last four years with the Birds, though his usage has fluctuated. In 2019, he did not see a carry in four games. Last year, after Jordan Howard left, he still only saw 21 carries in 15 games, spending most of his time on special teams.
All in all, Clement has logged 655 yards and seven touchdowns off of 163 carries, plus 37 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns. If the workout goes well, Clement could join Saquon Barkley, Devontae Booker, and Elijhaa Penny on the Giants’ RB depth chart.