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Buccaneers Sign First-Round WR Emeka Egbuka, Four Other Draftees

May 9th, 2025 at 1:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

Five of the Buccaneers’ six draft picks are under contract. First-round wideout Emeka Egbuka is among the rookies who have signed their initial NFL pacts, per a team announcement.

Egbuka’s four-year contract is worth a total of $18.1MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. That figure is fully guaranteed, per standard operating procedure for Day 1 selections. Egbuka can be kept under team control through 2029 provided Tampa Bay exercises his fifth-year option.

The Ohio State product was surrounded by recent first-rounders (and wideouts who will no doubt be selected early in future drafts) throughout his four-year career. In spite of that, Egbuka’s 205 receptions are the most in school history and his 2,868 yards rank second. His route-running and other fundamentals made him one of the safest WR prospects in the 2025 class.

Given the Bucs’ needs at other positions, though, some eyebrows were raised when they selected Egbuka 19th overall. Tampa Bay’s effective tandem of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin is still intact, and 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan scored eight touchdowns as a rookie. Nevertheless, Egbuka is in position to compete for a rotational role early in his career with the potential to replace Godwin as a mainstay in the slot down the road.

Had the Buccaneers looked to move down the board, Egbuka would not have been available to them. The three-time All-Big Ten performer was the subject of trade interest from teams like the Texans and Rams, with the Broncos also eyeing him at pick No. 20. Given that level of interest, Egbuka will be expected to provide Tampa Bay with consistent production early and often in his pro career.

The Bucs have also signed cornerback Jacob Parrish (third round, Kansas State), edge rusher David Walker (fourth round, Central Arkansas), defensive lineman Elijah Roberts (fifth round, SMU) and receiver Tez Johnson (seventh round, Oregon) to their rookie deals. As a result, only second-round corner Benjamin Morrison has yet to ink his first NFL pact.

Commanders Sign 10 UDFAs

May 9th, 2025 at 12:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders made only five selections during the draft, leaving plenty of room for undrafted free agents to compete for a roster spot this summer. Washington has signed these 10 UDFAs:

Like all teams, Washington made a few noteworthy commitments in terms of guaranteed compensation on the UDFA front. McKay secured $275K locked in with his pact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 6-4, 311-pounder suffered a pectoral tear during his Pro Day, Pelissero notes. That helped contribute to the fact his name was not called during the draft, but he will now turn his attention to carving out a depth role along the interior of the O-line.

Vigers also received a lucrative incentive to head to the nation’s capital. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports his deal contains $259K in guarantees. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Vigers has NFL size at the CB spot, although a lack of ball production (two interceptions, six pass deflections over the past three years) confirms his path to a roster spot will come via special teams.

Wilson also notes that Cypress secured $145K in guarantees. His entire college career was spent in the ACC (four years at Virginia followed by a pair of campaigns at Florida State). That tenure only included one interception, but in 2022 he racked up 14 pass deflections as part of his career total of 27. Cypress will likewise aim to earn playing time on special teams with a defensive role likely unattainable.

Colts Sign TE Tyler Warren, Six Other Draft Picks

May 9th, 2025 at 11:16am CST by Adam La Rose

Seven of the Colts’ nine draft picks are on the books. First-round tight end Tyler Warren is among the draftees who are officially under contract, the team announced on Friday.

Warren’s four-year pact is worth $20.96MM, as noted by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. That figure is guaranteed in full and it includes an $11.88MM signing bonus. Like all Day 1 selections, Warren will be eligible to have his 2029 fifth-year option picked up.

The Penn State product entered the 2024 campaign ranked by many behind Colston Loveland as the top tight end in this year’s draft class. Warren made a strong push to change that perspective over the course of the campaign, though, finding success in a number of capacities on offense. During the pre-draft process, a number of evaluators saw him as TE1 as a result.

Just like Loveland, Warren was regularly connected to the Colts. Indianapolis has long struggled to find a productive contributor at the tight end position, and the No. 14 pick represented a prime opportunity to make an addition at that spot. Loveland came off the board 10th overall, but Warren was available when the Colts were on the clock. The team had the opportunity to trade down but chose to stay in place and add the Mackey Award winner. Warren will be counted on to contribute in the run and pass games right away, and if he develops as hoped he will serve a key role for years to come.

Indianapolis has also agreed to terms with cornerback Justin Walley (third round, Minnesota), offensive tackle Jalen Travis (fourth round, Iowa State), running back DJ Giddens (fifth round, Kansas State), quarterback Riley Leonard (sixth round, Notre Dame), defensive tackle Tim Smith (sixth round, Alabama) and safety Hunter Wohler (seventh round, Wisconsin). As a result, only second-round edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau and sixth-round quarterback Graham Mertz remain unsigned.

Dolphins Sign First-Round DT Kenneth Grant, Six Others

May 9th, 2025 at 8:52am CST by Adam La Rose

Many teams around the NFL are busy inking draft picks to their rookie deals. In the case of the Dolphins, that includes their top selection now being on the books.

Kenneth Grant has signed his rookie deal, the team announced on Friday. The defensive tackle was one of several prospects at his position seen as a strong candidate to hear his name called during the first round. While it therefore came as little surprise he came off the board on Day 1, the No. 13 draft slot was seen by many as a slight reach.

Grant spent each of his three college seasons at Michigan, handling a notable role along the defensive interior alongside Mason Graham. Those two were both key contributors in the Wolverines’ national title in 2023 and they remained impactful players last year. Whereas Graham showcased plenty of potential against the pass, though, Grant has not developed as much in that area. Still, the latter will be counted on to be an impactful producer on early downs as he transitions to the pro game.

In 2024 – their first season following Christian Wilkins‘ free agent departure – the Dolphins ranked ninth against the run. That level of success is a testament in part to the team’s D-line, a unit which lost Calais Campbell this spring. Grant will compete for snaps alongside Zach Sieler and Benito Jones; Miami had Neil Farrell in the fold until yesterday, when he was among the veterans cut in anticipation of rookie minicamp beginning.

Now, Grant will join fellow rookies Jordan Phillips (fifth round, Maryland) and Zeek Biggers (seventh round, Georgia Tech) in vying for playing time along the defensive line. Both Phillips and Biggers have signed their respective four-year contracts. The same is also true of fifth-round cornerback Jason Marshall (Florida), fifth-round safety Dante Trader (Maryland), sixth-round running back Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State) and seventh-round quarterback Quinn Ewers (Texas).

As a result, seven of the team’s eight draftees are on the books at this point. The lone exception is Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea, whom the Dolphins traded up to select in the second round.

Panthers Release Jadeveon Clowney

May 8th, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers’ offseason roster cuts will include Jadeveon Clowney. The veteran pass rusher is being released, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The move is now official.

Clowney’s future in Carolina has been a talking point this offseason, with the team engaging in trade talks prior to the draft. No deal was worked out during the event, but the Panthers added a pair of edge rushers on Day 2. As a result, Clowney’s tenure remained far from certain. Now, the former No. 1 pick will face free agency yet again.

2025 marked the final year of Clowney’s deal, the most recent short-term accord in his journeyman NFL career. This release will generate $7.78MM in cap savings while incurring a dead money charge of $6MM presuming it is not processed with a post-June 1 designation.

A Rock Hill, SC native and South Carolina alum, Clowney’s homecoming last spring set him up to handle a key role as the Panthers began the post-Brian Burns era along the edge. He started all 14 of his appearances, totaling 5.5 sacks along the way. Carolina will move forward without him in the fold, though, with Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on the books for the next four years.

The Panthers were widely expected to target a defender with the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft, and Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker were still on the board when they were on the clock. Instead, the team went the receiver route by drafting Tetairoa McMillan. That decision was based in part on Carolina’s view that Day 2 offered better options along the edge than at the WR spot. The team is certainly confident its new additions on defense will be able to make an impact right away since efforts to land draft capital in return for Clowney have now ended.

The 32-year-old had one-and-done tenures with the Seahawks and Titans following his five years in Houston to begin his career. Clowney then spent two seasons in Cleveland, a stretch which included a downturn in production with only a pair of sacks in 2022. He enjoyed a bounce-back campaign with the Ravens the following year, matching his career high with 9.5 sacks. Baltimore was interested in retaining him, and the Jets were in the market as well. In the end, Carolina’s two-year offer won out, although that has proven to only amount to a one-year commitment.

The Panthers ranked last in the NFL in scoring and total defense, and their 32 sacks placed the team 29th in the league. Improvement in that regard will be a key goal, but Clowney will not play a role in that effort. He will now join the likes of Von Miller, Za’Darius Smith and Matt Judon as veteran edge rushers still on the market.

Panthers Place Jonathon Brooks On PUP List

May 8th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Among the many roster moves the Panthers made on Thursday was the decision to place Jonathon Brooks on the physically unable to perform list. As a result, the second-year running back will miss the entire 2025 campaign.

Brooks’ college career ended due to an ACL tear. The injury delayed his NFL debut, and Brooks wound up making only three appearances as a rookie. The top running back in last year’s draft suffered another ACL tear in December, however, which cut short his season and led to questions about his 2025 availability. Now, his attention will turn to a lengthy rehab timeline.

By January, Brooks had undergone surgery on his right knee, the same one affected by his previous ACL tear. The timing of that procedure left the door open to a return late in the 2025 season, but that is no longer the case. The 21-year-old – whose rookie contract runs through 2027 – will look to return to full health by next fall in a bid to live up to expectations in Carolina.

In the meantime, the Panthers will move forward with a backfield which will likely once again be led by Chuba Hubbard. The 25-year-old Canadian enjoyed a career year last season and he earned a four-year extension along the way. Hubbard can be expected to reprise his role as Carolina’s top running back as the team looks to take a needed step forward in the passing game in 2025. Free agent addition Rico Dowdle (who parlayed his one and only year as a Cowboys starter into a 1,000-yard campaign) is also in the mix.

The Panthers also made an addition at the RB spot during the draft. Trevor Etienne was selected in the fourth round, and he could provide depth contributions as a rookie with Brooks out of the picture for this season. The latter enjoyed a successful final year at Texas, topping 1,400 scrimmage yards and scoring 11 total touchdowns. That helped make him a second-round pick, but to date things have not gone according to plan at the pro level.

While efficiency through the air was an issue for Carolina in 2024, the team finished mid-pack in rushing production. Brooks could have been counted on to play a role in duplicating or improving upon that mark late this season, but that will no longer be the case.

Bears Sign Colston Loveland, Four Other Draft Picks

May 8th, 2025 at 10:04pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bears have signed five of their 2025 draft picks, including first-round tight end Colston Loveland, according to a team announcement.

Loveland, the No. 10 pick, will receive $26.64MM over four years with a $16.01MM signing bonus, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Like all contracts for first-round selections, his deal is fully guaranteed with a fifth-year option for the 2029 season.

The Bears have veteran tight end Cole Kmet under contract through 2027, but they thought highly enough of Loveland to draft him with a top-10 pick. That suggests that new head coach Ben Johnson plans to use plenty of two tight-end sets in 2025, which could lean into Loveland’s primary skillset. Kmet could play as an inline tight end with Loveland flexing out to the slot, which will highlight his receiving strengths and help compensate for his weaknesses as a blocker.

In the long term, though, Loveland profiles as a starting three-down tight end, especially since Kmet has no guaranteed money on his deal past 2025. He could become a trade or cut candidate after this season if Loveland lives up to his draft billing with a strong rookie year.

The Bears also signed all four of their Day 3 picks: fourth-rounder Ruben Hyppolite II (No. 132), fifth-rounder Zah Frazier (No. 148), sixth-rounder Luke Newman (No. 195), and seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai (No. 233).

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/8/25

May 8th, 2025 at 9:23pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Waived (failed physical): LB Jimmy Ciarlo, WR Marcus Riley
  • Waived: WR Easop Winston

Granger is a former Division I basketball player attempting to convert to tight end under the tutelage of George Fant, who also played D-I basketball before embarking on his NFL career. A hamstring injury led to his release, according to ESPN’s David Newton.

Jets Sign First-Round T Armand Membou, Four Other Draftees

May 8th, 2025 at 9:04pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Jets have signed first-round offensive tackle Armand Membou to a four-year rookie contract worth $31.9MM, per a team announcement. Like all first-round picks, the deal is fully guaranteed and contains a fifth-year option for 2029.

Membou will likely take over the Jets’ starting right tackle job right away after Morgan Moses left New York in free agency this offseason. The Missouri product will face some competition from former Day 3 picks Carter Warren and Max Mitchell, but his three years of starting experience in the SEC and elite athleticism should help him adjust to the NFL quickly. With 2024 first-rounder Olu Fashanu set to take over at left tackle, the Jets are hoping they’ve found bookends to their offensive line for the foreseeable future.

The Jets also announced the signing of four other draft picks: third-rounder Azareye’h Thomas (No. 73), fourth-rounder Malachi Moore (No. 130) and fifth-rounders Francisco Mauigoa (No. 163) and Tyler Baron (No. 176).

Thomas brings even more talent to a Jets secondary that was already a team bright spot in 2024. The Florida State product is a long, physical corner who lacks elite athleticism or ball production. He doesn’t have slot versatility, so he will likely start behind Sauce Gardner and Brandon Stephens on the depth chart. Still, Thomas’ instincts and competitiveness will have him pushing for starting snaps quickly; in the meantime, his special teams experience will allow him to contribute from Day 1.

Moore brings plenty of experience in the slot from his time at Alabama, but he played some of his best football in 2024 as a free safety. He showed good range in coverage and a quick trigger against the run, though he has average size and athleticism. The Jets are set to start former UDFA Tony Adams and free agent signing Andre Cisco at safety in 2025, but neither are under contract past this season. Moore should be able to carve out a rotational role as a rookie with a clear shot at a starting job in 2026. Like Thomas, he has plenty of experience on special teams that will give him more opportunities to see the field.

Mauigoa led Miami’s defense in 2023 and 2024 and racked up 178 tackles (35 for loss). The 22-year-old is a durable, instinctive linebacker who will need to work on getting off blocks and consistently tackling ballcarriers in the NFL. He’ll have time to do that in an experienced Jets linebacker room while he plays special teams as a rookie.

Baron, who played with Mauigoa in 2024, is an explosive edge rusher with 21.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks across his final two college seasons. He has an enticing frame with long arms and a burgeoning understanding of how to use them to beat blocks. The NFL will test Baron’s ability to set the edge against the run and add more power to his game. The Jets’ pair of 2022 first-round edge defenders – Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson – profile as the team’s starters for the foreseeable future, but Baron could grow into a rotational pass rusher with more potential if he grows as a run defender.

The Jets have two draft picks who have yet to sign their rookie contracts: second-round tight end Mason Taylor and fourth-round wide receiver Arian Smith. Here is a full list of their 2025 draft class:

Raiders Sign Ashton Jeanty, Seven Other Draft Choices

May 8th, 2025 at 7:15pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Raiders have signed No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $35.9MM, per a team announcement.

The former Boise State Bronco will receive a $22.75MM signing bonus as part of the deal, which includes a fifth-year option in 2029. He will immediately take over as the Raiders’ lead back and hope to continue his stellar performance in the NFL.

Jeanty’s contract shows how taking a running back in the top 10 isn’t as cost-effective as targeting other positions. His $8.97MM APY is the 11th-highest at the position, while No. 7 pick Armand Membou‘s $7.98M APY ranks 40th among offensive tackles.

By no means does that mean that Jeanty was a bad pick or won’t live up to his rookie contract. All indicators – his production, durability, and leadership – point to the opposite. He’s a true three-down back who can shoulder a large load as a rusher while contributing in the passing game as a blocker and receiver. After leading the Mountain West with 1,347 yards in 2023, he set his sights higher in 2024 and led the FBS with 2,601 yards, plus 30 total touchdowns and 6.95 yards per carry.

Las Vegas is also a favorable landing spot for Jeanty. The Raiders stabilized their quarterback situation by trading for Geno Smith this offseason, but new head coach Pete Carroll still has an affinity for running the football. Jeanty will have minimal competition for touches in a backfield with Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, and Dylan Laube.

The Raiders signed seven other members of their rookie class: third-rounders Caleb Rogers (No. 98) and Charles Grant (No. 99), fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway (No. 135), sixth-rounders J.J. Pegues (No. 180), Tommy Mellott (No. 213), Cam Miller (No. 215), and seventh-rounder Cody Lindenberg (No. 222).

Rogers played both guard and tackle at Texas Tech, but his length will likely restrict him to the interior in the NFL where he could compete for a starting job right away. Grant is a physically-impressive left tackle prospect who could be a long-term replacement for Kolton Miller.

Hemingway and Pegues will both look to carve out rotational roles behind the Raiders’ veteran defensive linemen. Both players offer intriguing versatility; Hemingway’s undersized, athletic frame could see him take some snaps from wider alignments, while Pegues excelled as a short-yardage weapon on offense at Ole Miss.

Mellott played quarterback at Montana State but will play receiver in the NFL. His athleticism and playmaking instincts could help him get some designed touches early on as he grows as a route-runner and pass-catcher. Miller will stay under center in Las Vegas, likely as the third-string quarterback behind Smith and Aidan O’Connell. The North Dakota State product earned the endorsement of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady during the draft, according to The Athletic’s Dan Pompei.

Lindenberg will compete for a roster spot in a Raiders linebacker room that lacks a clear leader after the departure of Robert Spillane. Lindenberg is a solid athlete with good size who can contribute on special teams right away as he works his processing up to NFL speed.

The Raiders have yet to sign three draft picks to rookie contracts: second-rounder Jack Bech, third-rounder Darien Porter, and fourth-rounder Dont’e Thornton Jr. Here’s a full list of their draft class:

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Round 1, No. 6: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State) (signed)
  • Round 2, No. 58 (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
  • Round 3, No. 68: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
  • Round 3, No. 98 (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech) (signed)
  • Round 3, No. 99 (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary) (signed)
  • Round 4, No. 108: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
  • Round 4, No. 135 (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway ((DT, South Carolina) (signed)
  • Round 6, No. 180: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
  • Round 6, No. 213*: Tommy Mellott (QB, Montana State) (signed)
  • Round 6, No. 215*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State) (signed)
  • Round 7, No. 222: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota) (signed)
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