Broncos To Decline Shane Ray’s Option
The Broncos will not exercise Shane Ray’s fifth-year option for 2019, multiple sources tell Troy Renck of Denver7 (on Twitter). In recent days, we’ve been hearing that Denver was leaning in this direction. 
The Broncos bolstered their pass rush by selecting Bradley Chubb with the No. 5 overall pick in this year’s draft, which crowded their outside linebacker group even further. Rather than overcommitting dollars to the OLB unit, the Broncos will allow Ray to play out the 2018 season with unrestricted free agency on the horizon next year.
The option for the former No. 23 overall pick would have cost Denver $9.232MM. He’ll carry a much more palatable cap number of $2.9MM in 2018 , making him an interesting trade chip for Denver. An acquiring team would take on just $1.678MM in base salary and, unlike other members of the 2015 draft class who have had their options declined, Ray has produced in the past. In his first two NFL seasons, the Missouri product tallied 12 sacks. Unfortunately, he took a step back last season as he missed time and recorded only one sack.
Bengals To Decline Cedric Ogbuehi’s Option
The Bengals will not pick up offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi’s option for 2019, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). The former No. 21 overall pick in the 2015 draft is now on track to reach to free agency next year. 
The Bengals were not expected to tack on the additional year to Ogbuehi’s contract given his struggles thus far. The 26-year-old has started at tackle over the last two seasons (the right side in 2016 and the left side last year), but he seems unlikely to start this season. This year, coaches say that he’ll compete with Cordy Glenn and Jake Fisher for the starting tackle jobs, but that seems like a longshot, particularly when it comes to unseating Glenn on the left side.
The declining of his option could give Ogbuehi some extra incentive to perform, however. Even though his work so far has been underwhelming, there is a dire need for tackles all across the league and he could cash in with a strong year in 2018.
Giants Sign QB Alex Tanney
The Giants have signed quarterback Alex Tanney. The journeyman broke the news himself via Twitter on Wednesday.
Tanney becomes the fourth quarterback on the Giants’ roster, joining starter Eli Manning, 2017 third-round pick Davis Webb, and 2018 fourth-round pick Kyle Lauletta. Tanney comes with only limited NFL experience, but Lauletta is a late-round rookie and Webb did not throw a pass in his only pro season. As a holdover of the previous regime, Webb may be on shaky ground with GM Dave Gettleman, so Tanney may have an opportunity to stick on the roster.
Tanney, a product of Division III Monmouth College in Illinois, has bounced around the league since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has signed contracs with the Chiefs, Cowboys, Browns, Bucs, Titans (twice), Bills, and Colts. The Giants deal marks his ninth NFL pact and the eighth new jersey for his collection.
Tanney has 14 NFL passes to his credit (all coming in 2015), but he is perhaps best known for his trick shot highlight reel that went viral in 2011.
Titans Sign S Kendrick Lewis
The Titans have signed safety Kendrick Lewis, according to a team press release. In a related move, the Titans released linebacker Denzel Johnson. 
Lewis was out of football in 2017 but he offers a great deal of starting experience over the years. Out of 90 career games with the Chiefs, Texans, and Ravens, the safety was first-string for 81 of those contests.
Lewis turned in a standout season in 2014 with Houston as he finished the year with 84 tackles, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. His 2015 with Baltimore wasn’t too shabby either. In 2016, unfortunately, he only saw time in six games as a reserve and was limited due to injury.
It was a quiet offseason for Lewis up until his deal with the Titans. His only other previously reported workout came with the Saints in January and he left New Orleans without a deal.
Lewis, who has nine career interceptions, will look to make the Titans’ final cut. By the sound of it, Lewis is probably playing on a one-year deal with little or no guarantees.
Eric Reid Files Grievance Against NFL
Former 49ers safety Eric Reid has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. He adds that Reid has hired attorney Mark Geragos, who has also represented Colin Kaepernick. In a statement, the NFLPA expressed support for Reid and indicated that the union will also explore other avenues in the legal process to support his fight. 
Reid entered free agency as one of the best safeties available, but there hasn’t been much of a market for him so far. The NFL veteran personally believes that his participation in anthem protests has kept him from finding work.
“The notion that I can be a great signing for your team for cheap, not because of my skill set, but because I’ve protested systemic oppression, is ludicrous. If you think is, then your mindset is part of the problem too,” Reid tweeted in March.
Before the start of free agency, I ranked Reid as the 23rd best player available on our top 50 list with the caveat that Reid’s protest participation could hurt him. That does appear to be the case, as lesser free agents at his position have already found NFL homes for 2018. However, it should also be noted that Reid is not the only talented safety who is out of work. Kenny Vaccaro and Tre Boston are also floating in free agent limbo despite years of starting experience.
For his part, Reid believes that football evaluators are interested in signing him, but owners of teams are standing in the way of a deal. It’s unclear how Reid’s legal action will impact his bid to land with a club.
Chiefs To Decline Cameron Erving’s Option
The Chiefs will decline Cameron Erving‘s fifth-year option, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). This means that Erving is entering his contract year and will be on track for unrestricted free agency in 2019. 
[RELATED: 2019 Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
This doesn’t come as a huge shock as Erving is not likely to start for the Chiefs in 2018. Erving can theoretically play anywhere on the offensive line, but Kansas City projects to start Eric Fisher, Bryan Witzmann, Mitch Morse, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, and Mitchell Schwartz up front, as shown on Roster Resource.
The Browns selected Erving with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2015 draft, but he turned out to be yet another high-profile draft bust for Cleveland. Last August, the Browns bailed on the Florida State product and shipped him to the Chiefs for a fifth-round pick.
Erving started in 13 games at center for the Browns in 2016, but Pro Football Focus ranked him among the game’s worst centers. Last year, Erving started just four times for KC and saw just 276 snaps in total.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/18
Todays minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: LS Drew Williams, CB Jarell Carter, CB C.J. Goodwin, RB Darius Victor
- Waived/injured: LB Gabe Martin
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers: DB Kai Nacua (from Browns)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Korren Kirven
- Waived: TE Kent Taylor
Houston Texans
- Waived : OL Jake Rodgers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: TE Anthony Firkser, CB Sheldon Price, DT Mike Purcell
Oakland Raiders
- Suspended for four games: OL Vadal Alexander (PEDs)
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers: OLB Gimel President (from Texans)
Russ Brandon Steps Down As Bills’ Prez
Russ Brandon is out as the Bills’ president. Brandon has resigned his post as the managing partner and president Pegula Sports and Entertainment following an internal investigation into his workplace behavior, two sources tell Tim Graham of The Buffalo News.
Kim Pegula will take over the the Bills’ new president in what seems to be a permanent role, tweets Graham. The club is not planning to open a search for external candidates.
“I have been contemplating transitioning out of my role for some time,” said Brandon, who is in his early 50s. “My goal when the Pegula’s purchased the franchise was to reach 20 years with the Bills in which I achieved this past November. Given where we are from a timing standpoint, particularly with the conclusion of the NFL Draft, now seems like the time to make that transition. As grateful as I am for the amazing experience and the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to work with the past two decades, I am just as anxious for the professional opportunities that lie ahead.”
Brandon has been with the Bills since 1997 serving in a variety of high-ranking roles, including GM. After last year’s offseason shakeup which included the hiring of coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane, Brandon lost much of his control in the front office.
Two sources with knowledge of the investigation tell Graham that Brandon has been accused of inappropriate relationships with female employees. When confronted by owner Pegula, the sources said, Brandon denied the allegations. However, the investigation found that Brandon was less than truthful about what transpired and uncovered other issues.
Redskins’ Bruce Allen Won’t Join Raiders
There’s a belief in league circles that Redskins president Bruce Allen hopes to eventually return to the Raiders, Mike Florio of PFT reports. However, Allen tells SiriusXM (audio link) that he’s not leaving for Oakland. 
“Well, first of all, I do like the Silver and Black, and I think Mark Davis, [GM] Reggie [McKenzie] and Jon [Gruden] are going to do great. And I’m so excited for them to go to Vegas,” Allen said. “But I’m not going there. And I’m not going to play shortstop for the Nationals either tonight…I have a job to do, and we’re really looking forward to this season, and what we’re going to be doing off the field here, and future stadiums in Washington.”
Allen worked with Gruden while with the Raiders and Buccaneers, so the rumblings are only logical. If the Redskins struggle badly this year and Allen finds himself out of a job, it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on.
Last year, the Redskins finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for a second straight year. This year, they’ll try to right the ship with Alex Smith replacing Kirk Cousins under center.
Colts Sign 10 UDFAs
The Colts announced the signing of the following ten undrafted free agents:
- Michael Badgley, K (Miami)
- Chris Cooper, S (Stony Brook)
- Lashard Durr, CB (Mississippi State)
- Steve Ishmael, WR (Syracuse)
- Robert Jackson, CB (UNLV)
- Tomasi Laulile, DT (BYU)
- Skai Moore, LB (South Carolina)
- George Odum, S (Central Arkansas)
- William Ossai, LB (San Jose State)
- Henre’ Toliver, CB (Arkansas)
Moore, who seemed likely to be taken during Day 3 of the draft, is the biggest name in this group. Moore led his team in tackles in all four of his seasons (interrupted by a medical redshirt year to rehab from a herniated disk in 2016), but evaluators worried about his lack of size and speed. The slim 6’2″ linebacker will now try to catch on as a reserve behind starters John Simon, Antonio Morrison, and Najee Goode.
The Colts seem well set at kicker with Adam Vinatieri under contract for another season, but Badgley will try to give him a run for his money. At The U, Badgley connected on 79.4% of his field goal tries, including a career-long 57-yarder in 2015.
To help make room for the UDFAs, the Colts released a number of players on Tuesday morning, including running back Matt Jones.