Patriots Sign Top Pick Derek Rivers
The Patriots’ top pick is officially under contract. Defensive end Derek Rivers has inked his rookie deal, according to his agents (on Twitter). 
The Pats selected Rivers with the No. 85 overall pick in the draft, their top selection thanks to the Brandin Cooks trade with New Orleans. The Youngstown State product finished school in style, tallying 14.0 sacks and garnering attention from talent evaluators all over the league. Rivers could be a factor at defensive end behind Kony Ealy and Trey Flowers this year, but we could also see him get some reps at outside linebacker where he can learn from Rob Ninkovich.
The Patriots have now signed all four members of their 2017 draft class. Here’s the full rundown of New England’s rookie class:
- 3-83: Derek Rivers, DE (Youngstown State)
- 3-85: Antonio Garcia, OL (Troy)
- 4-131: Deatrich Wise, DL (Arkansas)
- 6-211: Conor McDermott, T (UCLA)
Bengals Wrap Up Draft Class
The Bengals have signed third round pick Jordan Willis, according to a team announcement. With the defensive end signed, the Bengals now have all eleven members of their draft class under contract. 
Willis, a former standout at Kansas State, had 11.5 sacks in his final season on campus. Now with the Bengals, the 2016 Big 12 defensive player of the year figures to contribute as a reserve behind starting bookends Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap. Will Clarke, Wallace Gilberry, and trade acquisition Chris Smith are also on the DE depth chart. Willis, who has been widely praised for his versatility, may also see time at outside linebacker.
Here’s the full rundown of the Bengals’ draft class:
- 1-9: John Ross, WR (Washington): (story)
- 2-48: Joe Mixon, RB (Oklahoma): (story)
- 3-73: Jordan Willis, DE (Kansas State)
- 4-116: Carl Lawson, DE (Auburn)
- 4-128: Josh Malone, WR (Tennessee)
- 4-138: Ryan Glasgow, DT (Michigan)
- 5-153: Jake Elliott, K (Memphis)
- 5-176: J.J. Dielman, OL (Utah)
- 6-193: Jordan Evans, LB (Oklahoma)
- 6-207: Brandon Wilson, S (Houston)
- 7-251: Mason Schreck, TE (Buffalo)
Chiefs Sign DT Cam Thomas
The Chiefs have signed defensive tackle Cam Thomas, according to his agent (on Twitter). Thomas previously spent time with the Rams, Chargers, and Steelers. 
Thomas began his career with the Chargers and enjoyed his best season in 2013 as he appeared in every regular season games and made ten starts. After that, he parlayed his success into a free agent deal with the Steelers, but things did not go according to plan. Last year, he appeared in every regular season game for the Rams and made two starts with 15 tackles and one sack.
The 30-year-old Thomas isn’t a superstar, but he could be a worthwhile early-down player for Kansas City. Thomas will try to hook on as a reserve nose tackle in the Chiefs’ 3-4 scheme. Free agent Bennie Logan is projected to start in the middle with T.J. Barnes among the reserves.
Patriots, Julian Edelman Nearing Extension
The Patriots and wide receiver Julian Edelman are moving toward a contract extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The new deal should be completed in the next day or so, he adds. 
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Edelman’s current deal is set to expire after the 2017 season. He’s set to carry a $5.75MM cap number in the final year of the four-year, $17MM pact he inked in March 2014. As he enters his age-31 season, Edelman’s next deal could be his last in the NFL.
The Patriots added Brandin Cooks to the fold this offseason, but Edelman still figures to be a key part of Tom Brady‘s passing attack. Last year, Edelman set a career high in receiving yards (1,106) with 98 catches and three touchdowns. Over the last four years, Edelman has an average of 104 grabs and 1,113 yards with six touchdowns per 16 games. He has largely stayed healthy over that span too, with the exception of his nine-game 2015 campaign.
The Patriots currently have upwards of $19MM in cap room, so there is plenty of space to work with for New England.
AFC East Rumors: Bills, Maclin, Jets, Decker
Jeremy Maclin left his Bills visit without a contract, but that doesn’t mean Buffalo is out of the running, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Garafolo hears that Maclin enjoyed his visit in Buffalo, but he still wanted to pay a visit to the Ravens.
Earlier today, Eagles coach Doug Pederson said that the Eagles are not interested in signing Maclin at this time. Even if that’s the case, one has to imagine that other teams could get in on the former Pro Bowler, giving the Bills some additional competition.
Here’s more out of the AFC East:
- As the Jets get ready to move on from Eric Decker, Darryl Slater of NJ.com wonders if they’ll have fellow receiver Robby Anderson on the field. Anderson projects as the team’s No. 2 receiver behind Quincy Enunwa, but his arrest for allegedly pushing a police officer could impact his availability. Ultimately, Slater feels that the Jets will have Anderson for the full season, even though he is facing a felony charge. League discipline is always possible, but a suspension might not come down until the 2018 season, if it happens at all.
- More from Slater, who doesn’t like the Jets‘ chances of getting anything for Decker now that word of their plans is out. It’s hard to argue with Slater’s point: Decker played in just three games last season and has a hefty contract that runs through 2018, so why wouldn’t a rival club just wait for the Jets to release him? Either way, it sounds like we’ll have closure on the Decker situation before the week is through.
- The Dolphins and receiver Jarvis Landry have discussed an extension.
- Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo says he is open to discussing a new deal with the Patriots.
NFC Rumors: Vikings, Decker, Saints
It doesn’t sound like the Vikings will be going after Eric Decker. When asked about the veteran receiver, GM Rick Spielman indicated that the team is content at the position.
“We always look at everybody that is released, but we feel pretty confident with our receiving corps right now,’’ Spielman said (via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press). “Just watching Stefon Diggs (and) Adam Thielen. … Laquon Treadwell is totally different (than as a rookie last year). … And to pick up a Michael Floyd, he’s been real impressive. Jarius Wright, he’s been kind of a forgotten man, but he’s out there making plays every day and we have two rookies that are pretty impressive so far (in Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley). So we feel pretty confident at this point where our depth is at that position, that we do have some weapons. … But … you never know. We always keep the door open for everybody.’’
Here’s more from the NFC:
- He might be getting ahead of himself a little bit, but Saints running back Adrian Peterson says that he wants to play several more years. Peterson was sporting No. 37 at a charity softball game this week and he told reporters that 37 might be a good age for him to hang ’em up. “I’d be lying to you say it doesn’t give you a chip [on your shoulder]. Especially being a competitor,” the 32-year-old said, via Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. “It’s not my main focus. It’s something that drives you a little bit. After 30, because it was the same back then. ‘Oh, he’s 30.’ Then I ended up leading the league in 2015. Same thing the next year. Stuff will continue to repeat itself until I finish.” Peterson inked a two-year deal with New Orleans this offseason.
- Lions safety Tavon Wilson, who is in a contract year, has changed agents. He’s now represented by Wesley Spencer (Twitter link).
- This week, the Cardinals shifted Andre Ellington back to running back. The Cardinals were experimenting with the idea of moving Ellington to wide receiver.
Eagles HC: No Interest In Jeremy Maclin
It has been reported that the Eagles have interest in a reunion with Jeremy Maclin, but head coach Doug Pederson says that isn’t the case. Pederson told reporters that the team is not pursuing Maclin “at this time,” (Twitter link via NFL.com’s James Palmer). 
Maclin spent his first five NFL seasons with the Eagles, but it doesn’t sound like a reunion is in the cards if Pederson is to be believed. Earlier this week, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter heard that the Eagles have some degree of interest in signing him, so perhaps Pederson’s words should be taken with a grain of salt.
Even if the Eagles do want to add Maclin to the fold, they’ll have some stiff competition for his services. The Bills’ meeting with Maclin stretched into a second day and the Ravens, who met with Maclin on Wednesday afternoon, are making a hard pitch to add the wide receiver. The Browns, per Schefter’s aforementioned report, are also interested in Maclin.
The Eagles’ receiver group was disappointing in 2016 but the team is banking on free agent pickup Alshon Jeffery providing a boost in that department. Philly also signed Torrey Smith and added a pair of rookies – Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson – in the draft.
Cowboys To Audition QB Ryan Nassib
The Cowboys are auditioning four players today, including former Giants quarterback Ryan Nassib, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Safeties Jeron Johnson and Duke Williams and wide receiver Lance Lenoir are also working out for the team. 
To date, Nassib has spent his professional career as a clipboard holder for Eli Manning. Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, the Syracuse product hasn’t made a single start for the Giants. Nassib received praise from Giants coaches for his work in practice, but the team didn’t make much of an effort to retain him this offseason.
Nassib’s workout will be key for the Cowboys since they only have have preseason games and the occasional regular season cameo on film to evaluate him on. If signed, Nassib could compete for the No. 3 QB role behind Dak Prescott and Kellen Moore. Recently, the Cowboys claimed Zac Dysert off waivers from the Cardinals and he is also hoping to make the cut.
RB Darrin Reaves Arrested
It might be a while before we see Darrin Reaves sign with a team. The free agent running back was arrested over the weekend after an alleged a domestic incident involving two women (via WRMJ). 
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Details are sparse, but what we do know is that Reaves faces two felony counts of unlawful restraint plus a misdemeanor count of criminal trespassing. The state’s attorney’s office says that Reaves had a previous relationship with one of the women and both have filed restraining orders against him. The running back is currently free on $10K bond but is due back in court on July 10.
Reaves first entered the league as a UDFA with the Panthers in 2014. He then spent time on the Chiefs’ practice squad from 2015 to 2017. Two months ago, KC released the 24-year-old.
Lions Sign DTs Ego Ferguson, Bruce Gaston
The Lions have signed free agent defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Bruce Gaston, the team announced. To make room on the roster, the Lions waived defensive tackles Nick James and Maurice Swain. 
Ferguson has now signed contracts with three of the NFC North’s four teams this offseason. After being cut by the Bears in April, Ferguson’s deal with the Packers was scuttled when he could not pass a physical. Apparently, he was healthy enough this week to sign a deal with Detroit. If he doesn’t make the Lions’ 53-man roster, perhaps he can try his luck with the Vikings.
Ferguson, 26 in September, appeared in all 16 games during his rookie campaign with the Bears in 2014, but ailments have limited him to just four games since then. The Raiders auditioned him after the Packers deal fell through, but the Lions are the only other team we’ve heard linked to him in the last two months. As Justin Rogers of The Detroit News (on Twitter) notes, Lions fans may remember Ferguson from a 2014 incident in which Lions center Dominic Raiola stepped on Ferguson’s leg. That dirty play resulted in a one-game suspension for Raiola.
Gaston, another former Bear, appeared in seven games for Chicago in 2015. Last year, he was with the Panthers’ practice squad. Gaston had shoulder surgery in 2016, but he has likely recovered by now.