Bengals Sign Rookie Malik Jefferson
Linebacker Malik Jefferson has signed his rookie deal with the Bengals, according to a tweet from his agency. Jefferson, the No. 78 overall pick in the draft, will earn $3.83MM over the course of his four-year deal.
Jefferson opted to leave Texas after his junior season and was probably expecting to go late in the first round or somewhere in the second round. He ignored the College Advisory Committee’s recommendation that he stay in school and wound up as a third-round pick. For what it’s worth, he claims he does not regret the decision.
“It’s not really good feedback,” Jefferson said. “If a guy wants to come out early, they have to make a decision on their own. Really, if you’re not like a top-10 guy coming out early, it’s just up in the air from there. You just don’t know. Anything can happen…So you can be making money for the university, struggling, trying to eat dining hall food, waking up early, having to go through extreme pressures and not getting paid for none of that. Or you can not go to school, just play football all day, study film and get better and work out all day and max yourself out.”
Instead of continuing his education without being compensated for playing, Jefferson will now back up Nick Vigil and Vontaze Burfict. After racking up 233 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and six pass breakups over the course of his collegiate career, Jefferson feels like he’s prepared to play at the pro level.
Jefferson’s signing leaves Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard as the Bengals’ only unsigned draft pick. Hubbard went No. 77 overall, one pick before Jefferson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/21/18
Today’s minor moves:
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: DE Hercules Mata’afa
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR Paul Turner
East Notes: Cowboys, Prescott, Patriots
As a former fourth-round pick who is still on his rookie contract, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has one of the most team-friendly deals in the NFL. He has taken notice of the big money deals given to Matt Ryan ($30MM/year), Jimmy Garoppolo ($27.5MM/year) and Matthew Stafford ($27MM/year), but he says he’s staying patient at the same time.
“I know if I play well, they’ll take care of me,” said Prescott on SiriusXM (via the Dallas News). “It’s just part of it. All these guys out here getting these contracts, they’re getting them deservedly so because of the way that they’ve been playing. My [focus] this year is just winning games. That’s my main goal. That’s really my only goal, not any individual success or numbers or worry about the contract. It’s about going in and winning enough games to get us to the playoffs and then winning one game at a time at that point. The rest of the stuff will come.”
Prescott is entering the third year of a four-year rookie contract that pays him $681K annually. The fifth-year option will not be available to the Cowboys when his deal expires after the 2019 season, but the team – in theory – could control him for at least another two years via the franchise tag. Both sides, ideally, would like to hammer out an extension between now and ’19 that would provide security to Prescott while giving the Cowboys cost certainty.
Here’s more from the East divisions:
- The Patriots trading for Seahawks safety Earl Thomas doesn’t seem terribly likely, but Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes that the Pats often utilize the “Big Nickel” package, which could lead them to at least consider a deal. The Big Nickel allows a defense to add an extra defensive back who can support the passing game while also helping out against the run as a linebacker type. The Pats already have a solid top three at safety with Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, and Duron Harmon, but adding Thomas to the mix would give them additional depth and more options to work with as they look to keep up with the league’s best aerial attacks.
- Dolphins wide receiver Leonte Carroo could be on the roster bubble after having just seven catches for 69 yards last season, ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak writes. The departure of Jarvis Landry, in theory, could open up an opportunity for him, but he’ll have to stand out in a group that now includes free agent pickups Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson. Meanwhile, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills are also in line for playing time and 2017 seventh-round pick Isaiah Ford has impressed this offseason, which could push Carroo out of the picture.
West Notes: Seahawks, Thomas, Raiders
After safety Earl Thomas skipped the Seahawks‘ mandatory minicamp, ESPN.com writers huddled up suggest hypothetical trade scenarios for the Pro Bowler. The Cowboys and Chargers, they say, could offer draft picks, while the Patriots’ beat writer suggests a one-for-one deal with right guard Shaq Mason going to Seattle.
If a trade happens, any team acquiring Thomas will have to hammer out an extension with him. Writer Dan Graziano, playing the part of Thomas’ agent, proposes a four-year, $56MM extension starting in 2019, which would make him the league’s highest-paid safety ($14MM/year) in terms of new money. He also suggests $32MM in total cash flow between 2018 and 2019, which would give Thomas ample security as he enters his age-29 season.
While you ponder whether a team would be willing to part with significant compensation and give Thomas that sort of deal, let’s take a look at more items from the West divisions:
- There are rumblings of another suspension in Martavis Bryant‘s future, but Vic Tafur of The Athletic hears the Raiders wide receiver did not fail a drug test or miss a test. Bryant has missed 20 games due to failed drug tests and another violation of the league’s substance abuse policy could result in a lengthy ban. But, for now, it’s unclear as to whether Bryant has committed another infraction.
- The 49ers were among the teams on hand for Adonis Alexander‘s pro day at Virginia Tech, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes. The Niners are hardly alone in that regard as 25 other teams were said to be on hand for the audition. Alexander has declared for the supplemental draft in July and appears to be a strong candidate to be selected.
- It’s possible that wide receiver Brice Butler won’t make the Cardinals‘ final cut.
Extra Points: Anthem, Giants, Rams
Last month, the NFL changed its rules regarding the national anthem, allowing players who choose to not stand to remain in the locker room. So far, the new policy has not been well-received, and this week a group of civil rights organizations asked the NFL to eliminate the new rule.
“This policy represses peaceful, non-disruptive protest of police violence against unarmed African Americans and other people of color,” the various groups wrote (via USA Today). “It is disappointing that a league built on grit and competition lacks the constitution to stomach a call for basic equality and fairness.”
The groups want to meet with Roger Goodell to discuss the situation, but it’s not clear whether he’ll take them up on their offer, or if the league is willing to change course on its decision.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- In addition to some of the more obvious candidates for extensions this offseason, CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry suggests Giants safety Landon Collins, Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks, Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, and Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley are among those in line for new deals. Collins’ case is particularly interesting as the Giants shift to a different scheme under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. The Giants will ask Collins to play a good deal of man coverage, which isn’t necessarily his strong suit, so the Giants might not want to pay him at the top of the safety market.
- In an interview with SiriusXM, Steelers free agent safety Mike Mitchell indicated that he hasn’t received much interest on the open market. The Steelers said in March that a return was possible, but that seems unlikely after the team added rookie safeties Terrell Edmunds (first round) and Marcus Allen (fith round) as well as free agent Morgan Burnett.
AFC East Notes: Patriots, Gronk, Bills, Jets
Given what Rob Gronkowski brings to the field, he could make a legitimate case that he has transcended the tight end position and should be compared to game’s best pass catchers, CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry writes. A deal like that is out of the question given that Antonio Brown paces wide receivers with a $17MM/year deal, but it’s still food for thought as Gronk pushes for a revised contract.
Right now, Jimmy Graham is the league’s only $10MM/year tight end and Gronkowski can certainly make a case to earn more than him. And, if Gronk wants to weigh himself against wide receivers, his camp can point to the top of the second tier of the WR market which is in the $13MM/range with roughly $25-$30MM in guarantees.
Of course, the Pats still hold the cards as remains under contract through 2019 with base salaries of $8MM and $9MM in each of the next two seasons. Unless Gronk wants to start up the retirement talk again, or try to force his way out via trade, it seems unlikely that his next contract will be in line with the T.Y. Hiltons of the world.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson has gotten the sense that he could be traded this year if he does not step his game up. “Shoot, I’ve been on the trading block I feel like,” Lawson said (via Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic). “I’ve just been seeing it. Yeah, it’s been a wake-up call. I’ve been hearing trade rumors and then I kind of realized, ‘I’m a first-round pick, third-year now. It’s time to wake up.’ I know I’m a good player. I just have to put it all together and be not just a talented player but a talented player who works hard and works on his craft and skill all together.” Lawson probably has good reason to worry about his security in Buffalo. This offseason, the Bills signed Trent Murphy, who will likely squeeze him out of the starting lineup when he and Jerry Hughes are healthy. Meanwhile, the Bills have already shipped out a number of players from the Doug Whaley era, including Marcell Dareus, Sammy Watkins, Ronald Darby, Reggie Ragland, and Cardale Jones.
- The CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos have added former Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg to their negotiating list, according to Justin Dunk of 3DownNation.com. It’s unclear whether the former second-round pick is willing to play in Canada, but it’s also unclear as to whether he’ll get another NFL opportunity this year. The Raiders released Hackenberg shortly after acquiring him from the Jets and a recent visit with the Patriots did not result in a deal.
Broncos To Sign Bradley Chubb
Rookie defensive end Bradley Chubb is finalizing a contract agreement with the Broncos, a league source tells Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). Chubb’s No. 5 slot dictates that he’ll earn a $17.914MM signing bonus on a four-year deal worth about $27.27MM in total. 
Chubb was regarded by many as the best overall talent in this year’s draft. Luckily for the Broncos, the Browns (pick Nos. 1 and 4), Giants (No. 2), and Jets (No. 3) all had bigger needs to address elsewhere.
In his final year at N.C. State, Chubb won the Hendricks (best defensive end) and Bronko Nagurski (best defender) Awards while also earning first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC honors. After tallying 26 tackles for loss and ten sacks, he solidified his place as one of the very best prospects in the 2018 draft.
Chubb will be a Day 1 starter for the Broncos, lining up at defensive end opposite of Derek Wolfe. With the support and mentorship of Von Miller behind him, the Broncos are ecstatic about what Chubb can bring to the table this year and in the long run.
With Chubb taken care of, third-round running back Royce Freeman stands as the Broncos’ only unsigned selection. For a complete look at which rookies have signed and which rookies have not signed their deals, check out PFR’s tracker.
Jets’ Robby Anderson Receives Probation
Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson pled no contest to charges of reckless driving this week, attorney Ed O’Donnell tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). As a result, he’ll get six months of “non-reporting” probation. With that, all of the charges from Anderson’s two arrests have been addressed. 
This particular arrest was for Anderson’s speeding incident, in which he was pulled over for driving 105 mph in a 45 mph zone. The 25-year-old was hit with nine charges in total after he threatened to sexually assault the wife of the arresting officer. The majority of those charges were dropped, which was good news for Anderson since three of the nine charges were felonies.
This incident is not to be confused with the one at a Miami music festival in which Anderson was said to have resisted arrest with violence after getting into a fight. Last month, Florida prosecutors dropped the felony charges associated with that incident.
Legally speaking, Anderson is pretty much in the clear. However, it’s possible that he will face league discipline after the NFL completes its investigation into both incidents.
Losing Anderson for any period of time would be tough for the Jets, but they do have some depth at the wide receiver position. Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor (if healthy), Quincy Enunwa, ArDarius Stewart, and Andre Roberts are among those who can pick up the slack if Anderson misses time.
Half Of Teams Have Wrapped Draft Class
Half of the NFL’s teams have wrapped up their NFL draft classes, as shown in PFR’s tracker. There are still 16 teams with at least one draft pick left to sign, but the following clubs have no more work left in that area as we get ready for training camp:
Arizona Cardinals
- 1-10: Josh Rosen, QB (UCLA): Signed
- 2-47: Christian Kirk, WR (Texas A&M): Signed
- 3-97: Mason Cole, C (Michigan): Signed
- 4-134: Chase Edmonds, RB (Fordham): Signed
- 6-182: Christian Campbell, CB (Penn State): Signed
- 7-254: Korey Cunningham, T (Cincinnati): Signed
Baltimore Ravens
- 1-25: Hayden Hurst, TE (South Carolina): Signed
- 1-32: Lamar Jackson, QB (Louisville): Signed
- 3-83: Orlando Brown, T (Oklahoma): Signed
- 3-86: Mark Andrews, TE (Oklahoma): Signed
- 4-118: Anthony Averett, CB (Alabama): Signed
- 4-122: Kenny Young, LB (UCLA): Signed
- 4-132: Jaleel Scott, WR (New Mexico State): Signed
- 5-162: Jordan Lasley, WR (UCLA): Signed
- 6-190: DeShon Elliott, S (Texas): Signed
- 6-212: Greg Senat, T (Wagner): Signed
- 6-215: Bradley Bozeman, C (Alabama): Signed
- 7-238: Zach Sieler, DE (Ferris State): Signed
Carolina Panthers
- 1-24: D.J. Moore, WR (Maryland): Signed
- 2-55: Donte Jackson, CB (LSU): Signed
- 3-85: Rashaan Gaulden, CB (Tennessee): Signed
- 4-101: Ian Thomas, TE (Indiana): Signed
- 4-136: Marquis Haynes, DE (Ole Miss): Signed
- 5-161: Jermaine Carter Jr., LB (Maryland): Signed
- 7-234: Andre Smith, LB (North Carolina): Signed
- 7-242: Kendrick Norton, DT (Miami): Signed
Dallas Cowboys
- 1-19: Leighton Vander Esch, LB (Boise State): Signed
- 2-50: Connor Williams, G (Texas): Signed
- 3-81: Michael Gallup, WR (Colorado State): Signed
- 4-116: Dorance Armstrong, DE (Kansas): Signed
- 4-137: Dalton Schultz, TE (Stanford): Signed
- 5-171: Mike White, QB (Western Kentucky): Signed
- 6-193: Chris Covington, LB (Indiana): Signed
- 6-208: Cedrick Wilson, WR (Boise State): Signed
- 7-236: Bo Scarbrough, RB (Alabama): Signed
Detroit Lions
- 1-20: Frank Ragnow, C (Arkansas): Signed
- 2-43: Kerryon Johnson, RB (Auburn): Signed
- 3-82: Tracey Walker, S (Louisiana-Lafayette): Signed
- 4-114: Da’Shawn Hand, DE (Alabama): Signed
- 5-153: Tyrell Crosby, T (Oregon): Signed
- 7-237: Nick Bawden, FB (San Diego State): Signed
Green Bay Packers
- 1-18: Jaire Alexander, CB (Louisville): Signed
- 2-45: Josh Jackson, CB (Iowa): Signed
- 3-88: Oren Burks, LB (Vanderbilt): Signed
- 4-133: J’Mon Moore, WR (Missouri): Signed
- 5-138: Cole Madison, T (Washington State): Signed
- 5-172: JK Scott, P (Alabama): Signed
- 5-174: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR (USF): Signed
- 6-207: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR (Notre Dame): Signed
- 7-232: James Looney, DT (California): Signed
- 7-239: Hunter Bradley, LS (Mississippi State): Signed
- 7-248: Kendall Donnerson, LB (Southeast Missouri): Signed
Houston Texans
- 3-68: Justin Reid, S (Stanford): Signed
- 3-80: Martinas Rankin, T (Mississippi State): Signed
- 3-98: Jordan Akins, TE (UCF): Signed
- 4-103: Keke Coutee, WR (Texas Tech): Signed
- 6-177: Duke Ejiofor, DE (Wake Forest): Signed
- 6-211: Jordan Thomas, TE (Mississippi State): Signed
- 6-214: Peter Kalambayi, LB (Stanford): Signed
- 7-222: Jermaine Kelly, CB (San Jose State): Signed
Los Angeles Chargers
- 1-17: Derwin James, S (Florida State): Signed
- 2-48: Uchenna Nwosu, LB (USC): Signed
- 3-84: Justin Jones, DT (North Carolina State): Signed
- 4-119: Kyzir White, S (West Virginia): Signed
- 5-155: Scott Quessenberry, CB (UCLA): Signed
- 6-191: Dylan Cantrell, WR (Texas Tech): Signed
- 7-251: Justin Jackson, RB (Northwestern): Signed
Los Angeles Rams
- 3-89: Joseph Noteboom, OL (TCU): Signed
- 4-111: Brian Allen, C (Michigan State): Signed
- 4-135: John Franklin-Myers, DE (Stephen F. Austin): Signed
- 5-147: Micah Kiser, LB (Virginia): Signed
- 5-160: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB (Oklahoma): Signed
- 6-176: John Kelly, RB (Tennessee): Signed
- 6-192: Jamil Demby, T (Maine): Signed
- 6-195: Sebastian Joseph, DT (Rutgers): Signed
- 6-205: Trevon Young, LB (Louisville): Signed
- 7-231: Travin Howard, LB (TCU): Signed
- 7-244: Justin Lawler, DE (SMU): Signed
New Orleans Saints
- 1-14: Marcus Davenport, DE (UTSA): Signed
- 3-91: Tre’Quan Smith, WR (UCF): Signed
- 4-127: Rick Leonard, T (Florida State): Signed
- 5-164: Natrell Jamerson, S (Wisconsin): Signed
- 6-189: Kamrin Moore, CB (Boston College): Signed
- 6-201: Boston Scott, RB (Louisiana Tech): Signed
- 7-245: Will Clapp, G (LSU): Signed
Oakland Raiders
- 1-15: Kolton Miller, T (UCLA): Signed
- 2-57: P.J. Hall, DT (Sam Houston State): Signed
- 3-65: Brandon Parker, T (North Carolina A&T): Signed
- 3-87: Arden Key, DE (LSU): Signed
- 4-110: Nick Nelson, CB (Wisconsin): Signed
- 5-140: Maurice Hurst, DT (Michigan): Signed
- 5-173: Johnny Townsend, P (Florida): Signed
- 6-216: Azeem Victor, LB (Washington): Signed
- 7-228: Marcell Ateman, WR (Oklahoma State): Signed
Philadelphia Eagles
- 2-49: Dallas Goedert, TE (South Dakota State): Signed
- 4-125: Avonte Maddox, CB (Pittsburgh): Signed
- 4-130: Josh Sweat, DE (Florida State): Signed
- 6-206: Matt Pryor, T (TCU): Signed
- 7-233: Jordan Mailata, T (Australia): Signed
Seattle Seahawks
- 1-27: Rashaad Penny, RB (San Diego State): Signed
- 3-79: Rasheem Green, DE (USC): Signed
- 4-120: Will Dissly, TE (Washington): Signed
- 5-141: Shaquem Griffin, DE (UCF): Signed
- 5-146: Tre Flowers, S (Oklahoma State): Signed
- 5-149: Michael Dickson, P (Texas): Signed
- 5-168: Jamarco Jones, T (Ohio State): Signed
- 6-186: Jacob Martin, LB (Temple): Signed
- 7-220: Alex McGough, QB (Florida International): Signed
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 1-12: Vita Vea, DT (Washington): Signed
- 2-38: Ronald Jones, RB (USC): Signed
- 2-53: M.J. Stewart, CB (North Carolina): Signed
- 2-63: Carlton Davis, CB (Auburn): Signed
- 3-94: Alex Cappa, G (Humboldt State): Signed
- 4-117: Jordan Whitehead, S (Pittsburgh): Signed
- 5-144: Justin Watson, WR (Pennsylvania): Signed
- 6-202: Jack Cichy, LB (Wisconsin): Signed
Tennessee Titans
- 1-22: Rashaan Evans, LB (Alabama): Signed
- 2-41: Harold Landry, DE (Boston College): Signed
- 5-152: Dane Cruikshank, CB (Arizona): Signed
- 6-199: Luke Falk, QB (Washington State): Signed
Washington Redskins
- 1-13: Da’Ron Payne, DT (Alabama): Signed
- 2-59: Derrius Guice, RB (LSU): Signed
- 3-74: Geron Christian, OL (Louisville): Signed
- 4-109: Troy Apke, S (Penn State): Signed
- 5-163: Tim Settle, DT (Virginia Tech): Signed
- 6-197: Shaun Dion Hamilton, LB (Alabama): Signed
- 7-241: Greg Stroman, CB (Virginia Tech): Signed
- 7-256: Trey Quinn, WR (SMU): Signed
Texans Claim Roderick Johnson Off Waivers
The Texans have claimed offensive tackle Roderick Johnson off of waivers from the Browns, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Johnson was released by Cleveland on this week to make room for the addition of former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. 
Johnson, a fifth-round pick in the 2017 draft, missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. The new regime, led by GM John Dorsey, preferred to the potential of Robinson over that of Johnson, even though Johnson is ostensibly back to full health.
The Texans will assume the remainder of Johnson’s rookie contract, which has three years remaining. He’ll carry a cap number of just $547K if he sticks on the roster.
The Texans project to start Julie’n Davenport and Seantrel Henderson at the tackle spots to open the season. Meanwhile, they’re looking to fortify the bench with Jeff Allen on the PUP list. Johnson could fit in as a reserve, along with third-round tackle/guard Martinas Rankin.