Vikings, Justin Jefferson Agree To Deal
The Vikings have agreed to terms with first-round pick Justin Jefferson, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. His four-year deal is worth $12.122MM in total, including a $7.1MM signing bonus. Beyond that, the Vikings will hold a fifth-year option on the wide receiver.
The Vikings selected the LSU standout with the No. 22 overall pick – the choice they received in the Stefon Diggs trade with the Bills. Jefferson might not be ready to produce like Diggs right off the bat, but he could develop into a top-end receiver before long.
Heading into the draft, most had Jefferson ranked as the fourth-best wide receiver in this year’s class, behind Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama standouts Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy.When the Eagles went for TCU’s Jalen Reagor at No. 21 overall, the Vikings pounced on the chance to nab Jefferson.
Last year, Jefferson led the nation with 111 catches and registered 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. With size, speed, good hands, and solid route-running ability, scouts say the sky is the limit.
Even with Jefferson signed, the Vikings still have some more paperwork to get through before they wrap their entire 15-man draft class.
Dolphins Sign Robert Hunt, Wrap Draft Class
On Wednesday morning, the Dolphins struck a deal with second-round guard Robert Hunt, sealing the deal on their full 11-man draft class (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). Here’s the full rundown, via PFR’s tracker:
1-5: Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Alabama): Signed
1-18: Austin Jackson, T (Miami): Signed
1-30: Noah Igbinoghene, CB (Auburn): Signed
2-39: Robert Hunt, OL (Louisiana): Signed
2-56: Raekwon Davis, DL (Alabama): Signed
3-70: Brandon Jones, S (Texas): Signed
4-111: Solomon Kindley, OL (Georgia): Signed
5-154: Jason Strowbridge, DT (UNC): Signed
5-164: Curtis Weaver, DE (Boise State): Signed
6-185: Blake Ferguson, LS (LSU): Signed
7-246: Malcolm Perry, WR/RB (Navy): Signed
Per the terms of his slot at No. 39 overall, Hunt is set to earn $8.065MM on his four-year deal. Hunt was first-string for his full run at Louisiana-Lafayette, including stints at left guard, left tackle, and, most recently, right tackle. In his final year, he missed significant time with a groin injury – if it wasn’t for that, the versatile blocker could have been in the first round mix.
At 6’5″ and 323 pounds, Hunt already has the bulk to hang with the pros. The Dolphins have suggested that Hunt could begin his pro career on the inside or the outside, though he’s a logical fit to backstop Michael Dieter at right guard.
Devonta Freeman Hires Drew Rosenhaus
Devonta Freeman has hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Freeman’s free agency has dragged, but Rosenhaus seems to think that the running back will sign in time for training camp. 
[RELATED: Devonta Freeman’s Asking Price Too High For Bucs]
“We want to work out a deal in the immediate future, and we are open to any team,” Rosenhaus said. “He’s healthy, he’s in shape, and I’m on a mission to have him give a team a lift in late July.”
Freeman was dropped by his former rep, Kristin Campbell, earlier this month. Reading between the lines, it’s possible that Campbell wanted the veteran to take the one-year, $3MM offer he received from the Seahawks. Freeman said no, believing that he could land something better.
At this point, the longtime Falcons star will probably have to ease his expectations. Freeman’s last deal was set to pay him about $8MM in 2020 before the Falcons released him. It’s hard to imagine him doing much better than $3MM in base comp at this stage of the offseason, especially in this economic climate.
The Buccaneers could be one landing spot for Freeman, if they want to solidify their group behind Ronald Jones. The Eagles – who have young talent in Miles Sanders and Boston Scott – could also give him a look. We haven’t heard much on either front lately, however.
NFL Cancels 2020 Preseason Slate
At least one gap has been closed in negotiations between the NFL and the NFLPA. The NFL has offered to wipe out the 2020 preseason entirely, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The NFLPA informed its constituents there will be no preseason games this year, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
[RELATED: NFL Proposes Practice Squad Expansion]
Previously, the league offered to reduce the schedule from four games to two. The union, meanwhile, wanted zero games. The NFL tried to meet the union in the middle with just one game – to be held on what would usually be Week 3 of the exhibition schedule – but the NFLPA wasn’t having it. Now, owners are willing to do away with the whole thing, but they’re likely expecting the players to cave on other matters.
Key issues that are still TBD: finances, the overall return-to-work acclimation period, and testing procedures. On the safety front, the league has agreed to daily COVID-19 testing for players. If the positive rate for players (plus coaches, staffers and select execs) dips below 5% over the first two weeks of camp, the league will move to every-other-day tests.
Meanwhile, other measures are being considered to bolster rosters. Earlier this week, the NFL proposed an expansion of the practice squad. Currently, each team has a maximum of ten spots.
Jets Sign Mekhi Becton
Done deal. The Jets have inked first-round offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The No. 11 overall pick will receive $18.45MM over the course of his four-year deal. 
Becton – who stands at 6’7″ and 364 pounds – has scouts all over the league buzzing. With Trent Brown’s bulk and a 5.1-second 40-yard dash, there was little doubt that he’d come off the board early. The Jets weren’t sure he’d be there at No. 11, but they were pleasantly surprised, and they pounced. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas was the first tackle to go at No. 4 overall to the Giants, and he was viewed as the safest of the bunch. Becton – who pushes trucks for fun – may have a higher ceiling.
Becton is coming off of a breakout season in which he registered 60 knockdown blocks and the Jets are counting on him keeping up the good work in 2020. Here’s the full rundown of the Jets’ class:
1-11: Mekhi Becton, T (Louisville): Signed
2-59: Denzel Mims, WR (Baylor): Signed
3-68: Ashtyn Davis, S (California)
3-79: Jabari Zuniga, DE (Florida): Signed
4-120: Lamical Perine, RB (Florida): Signed
4-125: James Morgan, QB (Florida International): Signed
4-129: Cameron Clark, OT (Charlotte): Signed
5-158: Bryce Hall, CB (Virginia): Signed
6-191: Braden Mann, P (Texas A&M): Signed
Panthers Wrap Draft Class
The Panthers have signed their entire 2020 NFL Draft class, per a club announcement. First-round pick Derrick Brown got the party started in the spring, but the rest waited until this week to put pen to paper. The full rundown:
1-7: Derrick Brown, DT (Auburn): Signed
2-38: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE (Penn State): Signed
2-64: Jeremy Chinn, DB (Southern Illinois): Signed
4-113: Troy Pride Jr., CB (Notre Dame): Signed
5-152: Kenny Robinson, S (West Virginia): Signed
6-184: Bravvion Roy, DT (Baylor): Signed
7-221: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB (Florida International): Signed
Gross-Matos stood out with 17.5 sacks and 37 hurries over the last two seasons, plus solid work against the run. On the flipside, some evaluators had concerns about his bulk. He’ll have to put some more muscle on his 6’5″, 265-pound frame in order to be a reliable three-down defensive lineman.
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers say they’ll be hanging on to wide receiver Curtis Samuel, despite an offseason full of trade rumors.
Falcons Sign A.J. Terrell, Wrap Draft Class
It took a little while, but the Falcons wrapped their entire draft class in one shot. Per a club announcement, all six of their rookies have officially signed: 
1-16: A.J. Terrell, CB (Clemson)
2-47: Marlon Davidson, DT (Auburn)
3-78: Matt Hennessy, C (Temple)
4-119: Mykal Walker, LB (Fresno State)
4-134: Jaylinn Hawkins, S (California)
7-228: Sterling Hofrichter, K (Syracuse)
Per the terms of his slot, Terrell will receive a four-year deal worth $14.31MM – fully guaranteed. The Clemson star put himself on the radar in 2018 with 53 tackles and three interceptions, including a pick six at the expense of Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa in the 2019 title game. After an All-ACC season in 2019, Terrell had little reason to return for his final year of eligibility. Some saw him as a second-round type heading into the draft, but the Falcons nabbed him midway through the first, giving them some help in the wake of Desmond Trufant‘s departure.
Hennessy, a Temple product, agreed to terms with the Falcons on Monday. That selection brought disappointment in Denver – the Broncos wanted him at No. 79, but the Falcons struck first and nabbed him at No. 78.
Raiders, Henry Ruggs Agree To Deal
The Raiders have agreed to terms Henry Ruggs, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot at No. 12, the speedy wide receiver will earn $16.67MM on his four-year deal. 
Ruggs didn’t put up gaudy numbers in Alabama’s talent-laden offense, but teams were more focused on a sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash. That was evident on draft night when he went ahead of Jerry Jeudy, who tallied ~1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns over the last two years. Ruggs, meanwhile, cleared 700 yards in each of his final two seasons.
More importantly, he averaged 17.5 yards per grab over the course of his collegiate career. The 6’0″ receiver projects as a potent deep threat, one that Jon Gruden & Co. could not pass up. Along with Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, Ruggs figures to give fits to opposing defenses.
Here’s the full rundown of the Raiders’ 2020 class, via PFR’s tracker:
1-12: Henry Ruggs III, WR (Alabama): Signed
1-19: Damon Arnette, CB (Ohio State)
3-80: Lynn Bowden Jr., WR (Kentucky)
3-81: Bryan Edwards, WR (South Carolina)
3-100: Tanner Muse, LB (Clemson)
4-109: John Simpson, OL (Clemson)
4-139: Amik Robertson, CB (Louisiana Tech)
Cardinals, Isaiah Simmons Agree To Deal
The Cardinals have agreed to terms with Isaiah Simmons, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot, the No. 8 overall pick will earn $20.66MM over the course of his four year deal, with $12.58MM coming in the form of a signing bonus. 
[RELATED: Cardinals To Sign Kelvin Beachum]
Evaluators were enamored by Simmons’ versatility heading into the draft, seeing him as a player who could seamlessly move between outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and the secondary. However, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury says he’ll allow the Clemson star to focus on just one position as he learns the ropes.
“His ability to play so many positions and not really having a chance to focus on one, we just think the sky could be the limit for what he can be if we really lock him in one position for the majority of the time,” said Kingsbury.
Kingsbury didn’t specify which position that would be, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has indicated that he’ll play linebacker.
Simmons broke out as a sophomore in 2018 with 88 total stops, including nine tackles for a loss and two sacks. Things only picked up from there – Simmons managed 104 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions as a junior en route being named the nation’s best linebacker. With freakish athleticism and a 6’4″, 230-pound frame, the Cardinals say the sky is the limit for Simmons.
Michael Bennett Retires From NFL
Michael Bennett is calling it a career. After eleven years in the NFL, the longtime Seahawks defensive end announced his retirement on Instagram. 
“Retiring feels a little like death of self, but I’m looking forward to the rebirth — the opportunity to reimagine my purpose,” Bennett wrote. “I would like to thank my wife and children, who have sacrificed so much for me to succeed. I’m looking forward to supporting them the same way they have me these past 11 years. I have never been more at peace in my life.”
Bennett, 34, went undrafted in 2009 after an up-and-down tenure at Texas A&M. His first deal technically came with the Seahawks, but he didn’t make the final cut, so he moved on to the Buccaneers. In 2013, he returned to Seattle as a free agent, and that’s where he really came into his own. The ’13 Seahawks won the Super Bowl and boasted the league’s best D, thanks in large part to Bennett. With the Seahawks, Bennett went on to rack up three straight Pro Bowl appearances and 39 total sacks across five seasons.
Bennett spent time with the Eagles, Cowboys, and Patriots across the last two seasons and was still solidly productive – he had 15.5 sacks between 2018 and 2019. Still, Bennett was mulling retirement even before the pandemic, and quarantining with the family reminded him of everything he had missed off of the field. With that, Bennett is walking away from the game with 359 tackles, 69.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and a Super Bowl ring.