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Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/24

May 16th, 2024 at 5:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: WR De’Angelo Hardy

Cleveland Browns

  • Waived/failed physical: OL Kellen Diesch

Detroit Lions

A former Cowboys UDFA, McKeon spent the past four seasons in Dallas. He worked as a backup to the likes of Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson in that span. Used more as a run blocker, McKeon played between 100 and 128 snaps on offense over the past three seasons. The Michigan alum joins a Lions tight end group that includes Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, the latter drawing a matched RFA offer sheet.

Ravens Wrap Up Draft Class Signings

May 13th, 2024 at 5:33pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens have officially signed their entire draft class. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the team has signed third-round linebacker Adisa Isaac, fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker, fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali, and sixth-round quarterback Devin Leary to their rookie contracts.

Isaac followed up a breakout 2022 campaign with an even better performance in 2023. The Penn State product finished this past season with 16 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, earning him a first-team All-Big Ten nod. The rookie could be in line for a significant role in Baltimore, as the team currently has Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy penciled atop the depth chart at outside linebacker.

Leary was the second-to-last QB selected in the draft (ahead of Packers seventh-round pick Michael Pratt), and with Josh Johnson back for another stint as Lamar Jackson‘s backup, the rookie can spend some much-needed time as Baltimore’s QB3. Leary tossed 35 touchdowns for North Carolina State in 2021 before being limited to only six appearances in 2022. He transferred to Kentucky for the 2023 campaign and put himself back on the NFL radar, tossing 25 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions.

The Ravens finished the draft having added nine rookies to their roster. The draft class includes:

Latest On Odell Beckham Jr., Dolphins

May 8th, 2024 at 1:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Making the No. 3 wide receiver post a priority, the Dolphins made an offer to Odell Beckham Jr. weeks ago and finalized an agreement last week. The former superstar’s terms with Miami reflect a value drop, as the deal brings a $12MM reduction from his base Ravens payment.

After Beckham drove Baltimore to guarantee him $15MM, he will land on Miami’s books at $3MM. The wideout is believed to have turned down more money elsewhere, via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, though no connection between the nine-year vet and another team emerged this offseason.

Beckham’s Dolphins contract can max out at $8MM; this comes a year after his Ravens deal featured an $18MM max value. Beckham used the leverage of Lamar Jackson‘s holdout in 2023, with SI.com’s Albert Breer noting the now-two-time MVP — then near the end of a long-running negotiation that involved an 11th-hour trade request — wanted the well-traveled wide receiver on the roster. (When Beckham signed, the Ravens officially gave him no assurances Jackson was coming back.) The Ravens obliged, but the outcome fell short of the team’s hopes.

The Ravens used Beckham as a part-timer last season, giving him a 60% snap rate on offense during just one of the 16 games he played. The 31-year-old target totaled 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns. Clubs understandably view Beckham as in decline, with one exec whose team looked into signing the WR it was clear the gear he had once displayed is not there anymore. Another exec did not go that far, viewing Beckham’s form as improving as last season progressed.

OBJ’s 16.1 yards per catch represented a career-high mark, coming in 12th in the NFL; his yards per route run (1.92) and yards per target (8.8.) each ranked in the top 35 last season. The former Giants Pro Bowler has likely submitted his final 1,000-yard season — he has five — but the Dolphins appear fine with the version of Beckham the Ravens received.

A No. 1 wideout essentially from the start of his Giants career through the point he was traded, Beckham added two more 1,000-yard years in Cleveland. OBJ played a 1-A role alongside Jarvis Landry with the Browns. The three-time Pro Bowler lined up as the Rams’ WR2 during his short but memorable stint in Los Angeles, and the Ravens ended up placing him as their No. 2 pass catcher — behind Zay Flowers — following Mark Andrews‘ injury. The Dolphins, however, will slot Beckham as their clear WR3 behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. This will be new territory for the former top-10 pick.

A wide gap formed between Miami’s second- and third-leading pass catchers last season. Waddle’s 1,014 yards (in 14 games). Tight end Durham Smythe checked in as Miami’s third-leading target last year; he totaled 366 yards. The Dolphins’ nominal No. 3 wideout — Cedrick Wilson Jr. — tallied 296 yards. The team will hope Beckham can bridge the gap between the two speed merchants and the rest of their receiving cadre.

The team released Wilson, who later caught on with the Saints, and used a sixth-round pick on a wideout (5-foot-8 Virginia prospect Malik Washington). Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft remain on the team, as does ex-Browns third-rounder Anthony Schwartz. But the Dolphins will expect Beckham to deliver better WR3 work than the team received last season.

2024 NFL General Manager Search Tracker

May 7th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Patriots hiring Eliot Wolf as their de facto GM after having moved on from Bill Belichick, all five teams in need of a GM have filled their post this offseason. If other teams decide to make GM changes, they’ll be added to this list.

Updated 5-11-24 (4:35pm CT)

Carolina Panthers

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

Washington Commanders

Ravens Notes: Rosengarten, Leary, Wiggins

May 7th, 2024 at 12:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Offensive line was seen as an area of need for the Ravens entering the draft. Baltimore lost starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson in free agency, and the team traded away right tackle Morgan Moses.

The team elected against adding an O-lineman in the first round, selecting cornerback Nate Wiggins instead. In the second round, however, the Ravens added Washington tackle Roger Rosengarten. He was one of several highly-regarded blockers in the 2024 class, though it did not come as a surprise he was still on the board following Day 1. Rosengarten could nevertheless see immediate playing time as a rookie.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said after the draft Rosengarten – who did not allow a sack over the past two seasons – will be “in the mix” for the starting right tackle spot this offseason. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec writes he could be the favorite for the position (subscription required). Baltimore has incumbents Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele as well as free agent signing Josh Jones in place as competition. After protecting southpaw Michael Penix Jr.‘s blindside in college, Rosengarten could also be a candidate to succeed Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley down the road.

Here are some other notes out of Baltimore:

  • The Ravens were among the teams which drafted a depth quarterback on Day 3, selecting Devin Leary in the sixth round. The NC State transfer did not help his stock during his single season at Kentucky, and nine other passers were drafted ahead of him. Leary will compete for the third-string spot in Baltimore; after losing Tyler Huntley in free agency, Harbaugh said (via Zrebiec) that journeyman Josh Johnson is the team’s Lamar Jackson backup. Leary’s primary competitor will be Malik Cunningham, who faces the possibility of transitioning to receiver with the Ravens. Baltimore signed Emory Jones as a UDFA yesterday, giving the team five QBs at the moment.
  • Offensive lineman (and starting guard candidate) Andrew Vorhees missed his rookie season as he recovered from an ACL tear. The 2023 seventh-rounder returned to the practice field this weekend, though, with Harbaugh noting he is in a good spot regarding his recovery (h/t ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). Fifth-round rookie running back Rasheen Ali, meanwhile, will participate in the team’s rookie minicamp on a limited basis. Harbaugh said (via Zrebiec) Ali is expected to be healthy by training camp as he rehabs a torn bicep suffered at the Senior Bowl.
  • Wiggins is among the Ravens rookies who have already signed their initial NFL contracts. That $12.82MM deal includes a signing bonus of $6.14MM, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. Baltimore turned down eight trade offers for the No. 30 pick, electing to retain it and select Wiggins. The Clemson product will no doubt be counted on heavily in his rookie season and beyond.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/6/24

May 6th, 2024 at 7:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Signed: QB Emory Jones, DE C.J. Ravenell
  • Waived: WR Jelani Baker, DT Tre Colbert

Green Bay Packers

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: CB Shon Stephens

Ravens Received Eight Trade Offers For No. 30 Pick

May 4th, 2024 at 10:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Before the Ravens scooped up one of the draft’s top defensive prospects in Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, the team fielded many trade offers for the No. 30 pick. According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, the front office rejected eight trade offers for the team’s first-round selection.

[RELATED: Ravens Sign First-Round CB Nate Wiggins]

The decision to turn down the trade offers wasn’t entirely due to the underwhelming returns. Instead, the Ravens were ecstatic to land a prospect of Wiggins’ caliber late in the first round. The organization didn’t expect the Clemson product to fall to No. 30, with GM Eric DeCosta declaring Wiggins the draft’s top CB prospect and defensive coordinator Zach Orr declaring Wiggins the draft’s top defensive prospect. So, when Baltimore was on the clock, it was unlikely that any trade suitor would pony up the necessary assets to get them to move on from the defensive back.

“For us, it was always, ‘If Nate [is] there, we [are] going to pick,'” DeCosta said (via Hensley). “In our opinion, [he’s] a guy that can be a true shutdown-type corner.”

The unprecedented run on offensive players allowed the Ravens to snag the elite defensive prospect. Wiggins was only the ninth defensive player off the board, and he was the third defensive back to hear his name called (after Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold).

The 6-2, 175-pounder faced questions about his playing weight, but his length and agility clearly appealed to the Ravens. The cornerback finished his Clemson career having compiled three interceptions and 21 passes defended, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he earned a first-team All-ACC selection.

While the organization clearly has high hopes for their first-round pick, the team has the luxury of not immediately throwing him into the fire. Baltimore has Marlon Humphrey in place as a cornerback cornerstone, and Brandon Stephens had a productive campaign on the opposite side in 2023. Stephens, however, is set to hit free agency following the 2024 campaign, so it shouldn’t take long for Wiggins to force himself into the starting lineup.

“With the guys that we have in our room, they’re truly interchangeable,” said defensive passing game coordinator Chris Hewitt said. “[We’re] trying to get the best guys on the field. Whatever that position is, or how we get them on the field, that’s what it’s all about.”

Ravens Add 22 UDFAs

May 3rd, 2024 at 12:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens made nine selections over the course of the weekend, but that still left plenty of room for post-draft additions. That has paved the way for a large UDFA class. Here are the 22 players Baltimore has agreed to terms with:

  • Jelani Baker, WR (Limestone)
  • Beau Brade, S (Maryland)
  • Corey Bullock, G (Maryland)
  • Tre’Darious Colbert, DT (Maryland)
  • Chris Collier, RB (Lock Haven)
  • Ryan Cooper, DB (Oregon State)
  • Darrian Dalcourt, G (Alabama)
  • Joe Evans, DE (Iowa)
  • Ja’Mion Franklin, DT (Duke)
  • De’Angelo Hardy, WR (North Central)
  • Deion Jennings, LB (Rutgers)
  • Julian Pearl, T (Illinois)
  • Randen Plattner, LS (Kansas State)
  • Yvandy Rigby, LB (Temple)
  • Mike Rigerman, TE (Findlay)
  • Tayvion Robinson, WR (Kentucky)
  • Riley Sharp, TE (Oregon State)
  • Darrell Simpson, T (Tulsa)
  • Jordan Toles, DB (Morgan State)
  • Dayton Wade, WR (Ole Miss)
  • Tramel Walthour, DT (Georgia)
  • Isaiah Washington, WR (Rutgers)

It came as something of a surprise when Brade did not hear his name called on Day 3. The senior earned an Honorable All-Big Ten nod in each of the past two seasons, leading the Terrapins in tackles both years. Brade racked up 177 stops, three interceptions and 14 pass breakups across his four seasons in college. The Clarksville, Maryland native will be able to begin his pro career with his hometown team if he makes the Ravens’ opening roster.

Baltimore added a vertical threat (fourth-rounder Devontez Walker) to the passing game during the draft, but two of the team’s undrafted wideouts will receive a look in part based on their size. Hardy (6-2) and Washington (6-3) each have a larger frame than that of the Ravens’ current receiver options. The former owns the school record for career touchdowns with 58, 20 of which were scored last season. The latter, meanwhile, put up much smaller production (74 receptions, 927 yards and five seasons). Both will look to earn a depth roster spot or a place on the practice squad.

By not drafting a linebacker, the Ravens all-but assured Trenton Simpson of a starting role in 2024. That place was opened up by Patrick Queen‘s free agent departure, and the team’s other options are in line for special teams duties. The faith shown in Simpson is further illustrated by the fact Baltimore’s UDFA class only contains two linebackers. Both Rigby (who posted 5.5 tackles for loss in 2022) and Jones (who eclipsed 90 stops in each of the past two seasons) will look to carve out a spot based on third phase capabilities at a minimum.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/24

May 2nd, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Deemed international roster exemption: LB David Ojabo

Minnesota Vikings

The Ravens carved out an extra roster spot after having been granted an international roster exemption for linebacker David Ojabo. The NFL allows teams to carry an extra international player on their roster as long as the individual “is a person whose citizenship and principal place of residence are outside the United States and Canada” and has “a maximum of two years of United States high school experience.”

Normally, this is reserved for undrafted players, with many of those players entering the league via the NFL International Pathway Program. However, the Ravens got creative with Ojabo, who is a former second-round pick. The linebacker was born in Nigeria and grew up in the United Kingdom, and he only came to the United States when he was 17. The Michigan product’s NFL career has been highlighted by injuries, with Ojabo being limited to only five appearances through two seasons in Baltimore.

The move allows the Ravens to now carry 91 players on their offseason roster.

Ravens Sign First-Round CB Nate Wiggins

May 2nd, 2024 at 5:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the draft complete, teams are now able to turn their attention to adding UDFAs and inking their selected prospects to their rookie deals. The Ravens have moved quickly on the latter front.

Baltimore has signed five of nine draft picks from this weekend, per a team announcement. That list includes cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was selected with the No. 30 pick. Wiggins was considered a round one lock, and it came as something of a surprise when he was still on the board at the Ravens’ slot. Based on his draft spot, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap projects a $12.8MM deal over four years (with the potential of a fifth-year option in 2028)

Two corners – Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold – were added 22nd and 24th overall, respectively. Both members of that pair were expected to come off the board before all others at the position, although they (like every other player on the defensive side of the ball) had to wait quite some time to be selected. Wiggins, like Mitchell and Arnold, has considerable potential based on his college production.

The Clemson alum totaled three interceptions and 21 pass deflections during his three-year tenure at the school. Wiggins served as a starter over the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, and he was a first-team All-ACC selection this past season. The 6-2, 175-pounder faces questions based on his playing weight at the pro level, but his fluidity and length should allow him to carve out a role early on.

Baltimore has Marlon Humphrey in place as a cornerback starter, and Brandon Stephens had a surprisingly productive campaign opposite him in 2023. The latter is a pending free agent, so Wiggins could take on a first-team role if he were to depart next offseason. Even before that, Wiggins should be able to find playing time on special teams while rotating in the Ravens’ secondary during his rookie campaign.

The team also announced on Thursday that second-round offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten, fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa, and their seventh-rounder additions (center Nick Samac and safety Sanoussi Kane) have inked their respective rookie deals. That leaves Adisa Isaac, Devontez Walker, Rasheen Ali and Devin Leary as the prospects yet to put pen to paper.

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