Eagles To Bring In WR DeVante Parker
Following his Patriots release, DeVante Parker will land on his feet. The former first-round pick is heading to Philadelphia on a one-year deal.
Parker is signing a fully guaranteed contract worth $4.69MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. Due to offset language in his Patriots deal, the Eagles are only picking up $1.2MM of this tab. This helps the Patriots regarding dead money, and the Eagles will take a flier on the nine-year veteran to see how he fits alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
The Patriots agreed to terms on an extension with Parker last year, but after another down aerial season in New England, the team changed course. New England dangled Parker in trades recently but found no takers. The Eagles, who were in on Parker when the Dolphins made him available in 2022, will step in with a low-risk signing.
Philly has not been able to rely on a No. 3 wide receiver since assembling its Smith-Brown duo in 2022. Quez Watkins gave way to stopgap Julio Jones, brought in during the 2023 season. The Eagles also signed Olamide Zaccheaus last year. Jones, Watkins and Zaccheaus are out of contract, giving the Birds some work to do to staff this auxiliary job.
At 31, Parker still represents a risky bet — even alongside a potent starting duo. The former Dolphins starter has one 1,000-yard season on his resume, being a perennial trade candidate in Miami, and is coming off a 394-yard showing in his second Patriots slate. That said, Parker averaged 17.4 yards per catch with the 2022 Patriots and finished with 539 yards and three TDs. The Eagles receiving that kind of production would be a boon. If nothing else, Parker could provide a possession target for Jalen Hurts — even if the big-bodied target is not an above-average separator.
Packers To Re-Sign CB Keisean Nixon
Tuesday afternoon is providing developments on the slot cornerback market. Minutes after Kenny Moore‘s Colts deal came to pass, the Packers have an agreement in place to retain their inside cover man.
Keisean Nixon is staying in Green Bay on a three-year deal worth $18MM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The cornerback/return man’s contract can max out at $19.2MM.
The Packers came into the 2022 season with a play to move Rasul Douglas to the slot to accommodate Eric Stokes. Nixon emerged midway through that season as a regular, following Stokes’ season-ending injury, and came into last year solidified in the slot role. With Stokes unable to shake off injuries, the Packers will make a commitment to another of Jaire Alexander‘s CB sidekicks.
Nixon gives the Packers an interesting weapon, as he plays regularly on defense and resides as one of the NFL’s best return men. The former UDFA has scored back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods for return work. Contributing as a punt returner as well, Nixon led the NFL in kick-return yardage in 2022 and ’23, notching a return TD two seasons ago. While kick-return work is not nearly as prominent as it once was due to NFL rule changes designed to minimize that particular play, Nixon has been the game’s best recently.
The versatile performer’s coverage numbers were better in 2022, but the ex-Raider spent more time on defense last season. The Packers gave Nixon 809 snaps in 2023 — up by nearly 600 from his 2022 cameo. Pro Football Focus ranked him just outside the top 80 among corners. But Green Bay has a dual-threat player locked down through 2026, getting him signed at a reasonable rate months after sending Douglas’ $7MM-per-year deal to Buffalo.
Patriots, Josh Uche Agree To Terms
Transition-tagging Kyle Dugger and re-signing Kendrick Bourne and Michael Onwenu, the Patriots are doing well to retain their own. Another player mentioned in 2023 trade talks is sticking around under Jerod Mayo. 
Josh Uche will stay with the Patriots on a one-year deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report. After breaking through for a productive 2022 season, Uche took a step back last year. But the Pats will be the team that authorizes the Michigan alum’s ‘prove it’ pact. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated adds the contract is worth $3MM but has a maximum value of $8MM via incentives.
As the NFL Network report notes, Uche had “much more on the table elsewhere” with respect to interest from outside suitors. Tom Pelissero passes along that one of those offers was worth $15MM over two years, including $11MM guaranteed. Instead, Uche decided to stick in New England on a lesser contract.
The former second-rounder showed considerable potential as a sack artist in 2022, posting 11.5 sacks. He has not developed into a regular on defense due to deficiencies against the run, but teams are regularly willing to spend for sack production.
Instead of trying to carve out a larger role with a new team, Uche will prepare for a fifth New England campaign. The 25-year-old saw his sack total drop to three in 2023, with his QB pressures also falling from 25 to 15. He was limited to 15 games last year (as was the case in 2022), and injuries were a factor taken into consideration on the trade front. In spite of that, New England came very close to working out a trade. In the end, no swap martialized, and Uche later confirmed his desire for a Patriots re-up.
The 240-pounder is undersized compared to most edge rushers, something which has been a factor in determining his playing time. Uche has seen snap shares between 30% and 38% throughout his career, and the potential classification as a part-time contributor no doubt worked against him. Nevertheless, Uche has elected to turn down more money to play under Mayo in 2024. Team and player could reap the rewards if a productive campaign ensues.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Colts To Re-Sign CB Kenny Moore
Chris Ballard has shown a steady track record of retaining homegrown players. This now extends to third contracts. After retaining Grover Stewart, the eighth-year Colts GM has struck a deal with Kenny Moore.
The veteran slot cornerback is re-signing with the Colts, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting a three-year, $30MM deal is coming Moore’s way. This will be a record-setting deal for a pure slot corner, at $10MM per year. Moore has been one of the NFL’s top slot players in recent years. After angling for a raise, the former UDFA will end up receiving it in free agency. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported the sides were talks earlier this afternoon.
Coming off his Pro Bowl nod, Moore pushed for a new contract in 2022. With two years remaining on the inside cover man’s previous deal, the Colts did not come off their stance. No known talks transpired in 2023, and Moore played out his contract. Despite the slot market having stalled out and Moore going into his age-29 season, he still looks to have done well. Of course, the guarantees here will better illustrate that.
The Colts gave Moore a four-year, $33MM deal following his second season, paying him in 2019 due to the CBA allowing undrafted players to re-sign a year early. Like Stewart, Moore rewarded the Colts on this contract; both players brought in during Ballard’s first offseason as GM will be kept on contracts that run into their 30s. Corners in their 30s bring more volatility compared to DTs in the back halves of their careers, but Moore has been Indy’s top cornerback for several years.
Indianapolis ranked third in defensive DVOA in the slot compared to 25th in outside coverage. At 5-foot-9, Moore has made his bones in the slot. Moore’s 13 INTs from the slot position are five more than any other player since 2017 (h/t ESPN’s Ed Werder).
Although this market has dried up in the years since Chris Harris‘ Broncos deal came off the books back in 2020, the Colts are making Moore another commitment. With the team facing big questions at its boundary corner positions — after a year that brought the Stephon Gilmore trade and Isaiah Rodgers gambling ban — Moore will be back to anchor the CB group.
Commanders, DE Dante Fowler Agree To Deal
Cowboys free agents continue to trek to the nation’s capital. Defensive end Dante Fowler has agreed to a deal with the Commanders, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. 
Fowler joins Dorance Armstrong as the latest defender set to follow former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington. The latter is in place as head coach, and he will have multiple familiar faces along the defensive front as the team looks to re-build along the edge in particular.
Like Armstrong, Fowler occupied a rotational role as part of a deep edge contingent during his time with the Cowboys. The 30-year-old logged snap shares of only 30% and 25% over the past two years, so it comes as little surprise he will head elsewhere in search of more playing time. The Commanders will mark the fifth career team for the 29-year-old.
Fowler combined to post 10 sacks and 33 pressures during his run with the Cowboys. The former third overall pick has only managed double-digit sacks once in his career – the 2019 campaign when he was with the Falcons – and his journeyman status will continue this offseason. Fowler played on consecutive one-year pacts with Dallas, and it would come as no surprise if this Commanders accord was likewise a short-term investment.
Washington’s edge group was thinned out at the 2023 trade deadline with Montez Sweat and Chase Young beind dealt prior to the expiration of their respective rookie deals. Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell as well as hybrid linebacker Frankie Luvu – added on a big-money deal in part for his ability as a pass rusher – and now Fowler will be among players the faces brought in by Washington’s new regime.
Bears To Sign TE Gerald Everett
As the Bears assemble what will almost certainly be their first Caleb Williams-directed offense, they are adding a second tight end for the likely No. 1 pick to target. Gerald Everett will commit to Chicago, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets.
Everett has bounced around since his Rams rookie contract expired, but teams have continually sought the former second-round pick as a starter. The recent Chargers and Seahawks pass catcher will be in place behind Cole Kmet in Chicago.
Despite the Bears extending Kmet last year, they are devoting some notable funds to their complementary TE post. Everett’s deal is for two years and $12MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds the veteran will receive $6.1MM fully guaranteed. Kmet is signed to a four-year, $50MM extension.
The Bears lost Darnell Mooney to a big Falcons deal earlier today, and while the team is still determining its WR2 plan, it will soon carry a solid one-two TE punch.
Everett, 29, spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles — for the exact terms he signed for in Chicago (2/12) — and totaled 966 receiving yards and seven touchdowns working with Justin Herbert (and some lesser QBs to close last season). With Herbert at the controls throughout 2022, Everett tallied 58 catches for 555 yards.
This Chicago agreement will likely come about because of new OC Shane Waldron‘s history with the South Alabama alum. Waldron was with the Rams when the team drafted him, working as Everett’s position coach in 2017, and throughout his rookie-contract duration. Everett later followed Waldron to Seattle, playing one season there — Waldron’s first as Seahawks OC — in 2021. Set to be Chicago’s new play-caller, Waldron will have a pretty good idea of Everett’s strengths and weaknesses in the scheme the veteran assistant will implement.
Browns To Re-Sign DT Shelby Harris
Being on three teams since 2021, Shelby Harris is set to enjoy more continuity in the mid-2020s. The Browns have reached an agreement to keep the veteran defensive tackle.
Harris will stay in Cleveland on a two-year deal worth $9MM, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. The Browns had picked up Harris weeks after his 2023 Seahawks release, and the former Broncos starter will stay in Cleveland to work alongside Dalvin Tomlinson once again.
After adding a few outside pieces at defensive tackle last year, the Browns are spending resources to keeping their own at the position this year. A day after re-signing Maurice Hurst Jr. (and Za’Darius Smith), the Browns will retain Harris, whom they signed midway through training camp last year.
Harris’ most noticeable skill comes in re-routing passes. The veteran D-tackle batted down five passes in 2023 and has two more seasons with at least seven deflections up front. The Browns used the former seventh-round pick as a seven-game starter last year, but Harris was active for all 18 Cleveland contests. He finished with 1.5 sacks and six tackles for loss with the team.
Known more for his interior pass rushing (two six-sack seasons) than his work against the run, Harris rated well in this area last season. Pro Football Focus slotted him just outside the top 20 among interior D-linemen. After being part of a No. 1-ranked Browns pass defense, the 32-year-old defender will be asked to keep going toward his mid-30s.
The Broncos gave Harris a three-year, $27MM deal to stick around in 2021, which marked his fifth season with the team. But the team included the starting D-lineman in the Russell Wilson trade. The Seahawks bailed on the $9MM-per-year contract after one season, however, leading to the Cleveland arrival. Harris has 71 starts on his resume. Harris and Tomlinson helped the Browns go from 25th in run defense in 2022 to 11th in this category last season.
Giants To Sign QB Drew Lock
Tyrod Taylor decided late Monday night to join the Jets. While the Giants may have a multifaceted QB plan this offseason, they are in need of a backup in the short term. It looks like Drew Lock will fill that role.
The Giants are signing Lock, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero. He is coming to New York on a one-year, $5MM accord, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The true value will check in south of $5MM, in all likelihood, with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe noting the contract can max out at that number. The former Broncos draftee spent the past two seasons as Geno Smith‘s backup in Seattle. With the Seahawks changing their coaching staff, Lock will land on a third NFL team.
A former Broncos second-round pick, Lock did not stick as Denver’s starter for too long. Proving erratic in the role in leading the NFL in interceptions during an injury-shortened 2020 season, the Mizzou alum returned to the bench once the Broncos signed Teddy Bridgewater in 2021. Lock has not worked as a regular starter since. But Lock did make a memorable cameo last season, leading the Seahawks to a win over the Eagles. That included a game-winning drive that culminated with a Lock toss to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Granted, the Eagles’ Sean Desai– and Matt Patricia-supervised defensive swoon made that performance look slightly less impressive than it was in the moment. But Lock is a five-year veteran who has handled a backup role for a bit. With Daniel Jones rehabbing an ACL tear, Lock appears set to take first-team reps in the Giants’ offseason program. His status as the backup for 2024 may hinge on how the Giants proceed with their first-round pick.
Taylor served as the Giants’ backup for the past two years, but after the team kept him on the bench to play Tommy DeVito, rumors emerged the veteran was likely to leave. GM Joe Schoen had confirmed the Giants would add a quarterback this offseason, and Lock is the Taylor replacement. This gives the Giants some insurance in case Jones cannot make it back by training camp, though that is the expectation. But how the Giants’ QB depth chart looks coming out of the draft looks represents the bigger storyline.
The Giants have been linked to exploring trade-up moves for a quarterback in Round 1, and while we are entering smokescreen season, a regime that did not draft Jones has a chance to add an upgrade — with J.J. McCarthy now on the radar as a target — and get off the Jones contract by 2025. Jones will be on the team in 2024, however, and if the Giants do not draft a QB early, a QB depth chart comprised of 2019 prospects will take shape.
Lions To Sign CB Amik Robertson
Having already made one notable cornerback addition via trade, the Lions are set to add further to their secondary. Detroit has agreed to a two-year deal with Amik Robertson worth $9.25MM, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
The four-year Raiders contributor will join Carlton Davis as outside additions coming in to help the Lions’ cornerback situation. Detroit has re-signed Emmanuel Moseley as well, rounding out a still-Cameron Sutton-led CB corps. Robertson is coming off a 12-start season.
Patrick Graham turned to Robertson as a starter more than the Jon Gruden-era Raiders DCs did; the 2020 fourth-round pick logged 19 starts over the past two seasons. The Louisiana Tech product has spent time in the slot and on the boundary in Las Vegas. The Lions have Brian Branch stationed in the slot, but with the 2023 second-round pick also bringing safety experience to the table, the Robertson addition — as the C.J. Gardner-Johnson pickup did last year — provides Aaron Glenn options.
At 5-foot-8, Robertson certainly has a slot frame. Starting only two games before Graham’s arrival, Robertson has also forced three turnovers in each of the past two seasons (after a 12-INT college career). He intercepted two passes during both the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, forcing a fumble in each season as well. Robertson allowed a career-low 87.4 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage last season. He fared better in Graham’s two years in this department, and considering both seasons featured more than 670 snaps, the numbers mean a bit more than early-career struggles as a seldom-used DB.
Gardner-Johnson has not committed anywhere yet, as the torn pec sustained early last season clouds his market. If the Lions do consider moving Branch to safety, they would have a potential slot option in Robertson. Though, that setup may not excite like a Branch-CJGJ duo would.
49ers To Extend S George Odum
George Odum did not profile as a free agent the 49ers wanted to retain, but the veteran special-teamer remains in the club’s plans. San Francisco has reached an Odum extension agreement.
The All-Pro special-teamer’s deal will now run through 2026, via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who reports the team and player have agreed to a deal worth up to $10MM. Odum has been with the 49ers since 2022.
Sporting first- and second-team All-Pro nods over a six-year career, the former Colts safety made an unexpected return to help the 49ers last season. Suffering what was believed to be a season-ending biceps injury on Thanksgiving, but he made it back during the NFC playoffs. The 49ers are extending this partnership soon after.
Sustaining an injury that required surgery, Odum rehabbed and was activated from IR in time for the 49ers’ divisional-round game. He played in each of San Francisco’s playoff contests, helping the team play even with the Chiefs until their overtime walk-off. Odum, 30, does not play much on defense. But the 49ers have used him often on special teams. The ex-Colts UDFA logged 79% of the 49ers’ ST work in 2022 — a second-team All-Pro season — and was on the field for 69% of those plays last season.