Jaguars Sign T Anton Harrison, DE Tyler Lacy To Wrap Up Draft Class
The Jaguars became the latest NFL squad to wrap up the signing of their entire rookie class today after the reported signings of first-round Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison and fourth-round Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Lacy. 
Harrison was a two-year starter for the Sooners, spending all but one game at left tackle. He was coddled a bit by Oklahoma’s up-tempo, RPO scheme, but was able to show quite a bit of talent at such a young age. He has some inexperienced habits to shake and will face a bit of a learning curve in an NFL-scheme, but the upside to Harrison’s game made him an easy decision in the first round. With the departure of Jawaan Taylor and Cam Robinson‘s upcoming suspension, Harrison will probably be asked to step up right away and play a crucial role in the Jacksonville’s offense as a rookie.
Lacy is a versatile defensive lineman who faced off against Harrison in the Bedlam Series twice. The four-year starter for the Cowboys saw snaps all over the defensive line, from edge to 3-tech. Mainly a stout run defender during his time in Stillwater, Lacy plugs into gaps and can become a nuisance in the pass rush if the quarterback holds on for too long. He should be able to find some work in the rotation at end behind Roy Robertson-Harris and Folorunso Fatukasi.
With the signing of Harrison and Lacy, Jacksonville becomes the fifth team to wrap up their draft class signings. Here is the Jaguars’ 2023 draft class:
Round 1, No. 27 (from Bills): Anton Harrison, OT (Oklahoma) (signed)
Round 2, No. 61 (from Panthers through 49ers and Bears): Brenton Strange, TE (Penn State) (signed)
Round 3, No. 88: Tank Bigsby, RB (Auburn) (signed)
Round 4, No. 121 (from Buccaneers): Ventrell Miller, LB (Florida) (signed)
Round 4, No. 130 (from Bills): Tyler Lacy, DE (Oklahoma State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 136 (from Bears): Yasir Abdullah, LB (Louisville) (signed)
Round 5, No. 160 (from Giants): Antonio Johnson, S (Texas A&M) (signed)
Round 6, No. 185 (from Jets): Parker Washington, WR (Penn State) (signed)
Round 6, No. 202: Christian Braswell, CB (Rutgers) (signed)
Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles): Erick Hallett, DB (Pittsburgh) (signed)
Round 7, No. 226 (from Panthers): Cooper Hodges, OT (Appalachian State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 227 (from Saints): Raymond Vohasek, DT (North Carolina) (signed)
Round 7, No. 240 (from Giants through Ravens): Derek Parish, FB (Houston) (signed)
Patriots Sign Three Undrafted Free Agents
After selecting 12 rookies in the 2023 draft, the Patriots didn’t have much roster room to spare, leading them to signing a meager three undrafted free agent rookies. Here are the three who will attempt to defy odds for a roster spot:
- QB Malik Cunningham (Louisville) (story)
- LB Jourdan Heilig (Appalachian State)
- TE Johnny Lumpkin (Louisiana)
Cunningham was a four-year starter for the Cardinals, helping Louisville to find its identity following the Lamar Jackson-era. After Jawon Pass failed to inspire much optimism in Cunningham’s freshman season, Cunningham took the reins and never looked back. Over five years, Cunningham threw for 9,664 yards and 70 touchdowns, adding 3,184 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground. He can compete with Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley for backup duties behind Mac Jones and potentially provide as a scout team quarterback, especially for games against quarterbacks like Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray.
Lumpkin will be entering the NFL at 25 years old after spending two years at Hutchinson Community College and five years at Louisiana. He has ideal size at the tight end position and utilized it well for the Ragin’ Cajuns. While he didn’t light up the stat sheet, four of his 16 catches last year were for touchdowns.
Heilig is a surprising signing, even for New England. Drafted mostly off of potential, Heilig only had 34 total tackles in four seasons with the Mountaineers. He had actually entered his name in the transfer portal and was, reportedly, willing to move down to the FCS level, if necessary, to find more playing time. After not receiving any scholarship interest, Heilig took a job at Zaxby’s to make ends meet. Then, the Patriots called.
The presumption is that the Patriots intend to utilize Heilig as a dedicated special teams player. Yes, the Patriots do have plenty of those in players like Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, Cody Davis, and perhaps Chris Board, but after one of their worst special teams seasons in recent memory, New England was willing to take a flyer on Heilig. It’s really the perfect landing place for him as the Patriots lend more opportunities to specialists than any other NFL franchise.
Broncos Sign XFL QB Ben DiNucci
After hosting the Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback for rookie minicamp, the Broncos have officially signed Ben DiNucci to their offseason roster, according to JL Sports agency. The XFL’s passing yards leader returns to the NFL after a year in the alternative league. 
DiNucci was a seventh-round pick for the Cowboys in 2020 out of James Madison, after transferring over from Pitt. He played and started in relief of Andy Dalton that year to discouraging results, completing only 53.3 percent of his passes for 219 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in three game appearances.
Garrett Gilbert, a more experienced backup passer, overcame him on the depth chart, leading to DiNucci’s release in the final roster cuts leading into the 2021 season. He remained on the team’s practice squad for that year and was finally released for good in final roster cuts leading into the 2022 season.
Being drafted by the Sea Dragons in the XFL’s draft, DiNucci joined former Bengals, Raiders, and Texans quarterback A.J. McCarron as the only XFL quarterbacks with NFL experience. He would go on to lead the fledgling league in passing yards in 2023 with 2,671 while throwing 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over 10 starts.
It’s unclear where DiNucci will fit into the pecking order at quarterback after nailing his audition in Denver. Behind starter Russell Wilson, the Broncos have two relievers in Jarrett Stidham and Jarrett Guarantano. Stidham started the final two games of the season for the Raiders last year against two teams that would make conference championship games, including a three-point loss to the 49ers. In those two starts, he completed 64.29 percent of his passes for 584 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also added 84 yards on the ground on 14 rush attempts. Guarantano doesn’t have any NFL time after a disappointing end to his college career.
Likely, DiNucci will battle with Guarantano for the QB3 role, but DiNucci’s recent experience as a starter may give him a chance to push Stidham for QB2. We’ll be able to glean more once all the quarterbacks are in town for OTAs, but DiNucci should have a strong opportunity at winning a roster spot in Denver.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/23
Today’s minor moves to wrap up the weekend:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Slade Bolden, S Clifford Chattman, LB Andre Smith
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Isaiah Bowser, LB Travin Howard, DE Shane Ray
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR David Moore, OLB Markees Watts
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB LJ Davis
Ray is making a long-awaited return to the NFL. When he finished out his rookie contract with the Broncos after the 2018 season and failed to make the Ravens roster for the next year, Ray was away from professional football for about a year and a half. After a long hiatus, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. The Bills will give Ray a chance to return to the NFL, reuniting him with Von Miller from their days in Denver.
Ray saw early success in Denver, racking up 12.0 sacks in his first two years. But after earning a starting job in 2017, Ray suffered a season-ending wrist injury after only eight games. In 2018, another wrist surgery would force him to miss five more games. His injury problems did not leave him in Canada, as a torn bicep would force him to miss the Argonauts’ Grey Cup victory. He’ll hope to stay healthy in his NFL return.
Texans Sign Second-Round C Juice Scruggs
The Texans have already signed their final four draft picks from this year’s class, but they have now come to terms with their second-rounder as well. Houston signed former Penn State center Juice Scruggs to his rookie deal, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPCR2. The four-year contract is worth slightly more than $6MM.
[RELATED: Texans Extend G Shaq Mason]
Scruggs’ path to the NFL was a tumultuous one, with a 2019 car accident leaving his playing future in serious doubt. He recovered in full, though, and became a team captain with the Nittany Lions by the end of his college career. That completed a notable turnaround from a high-profile recruiting process coming out of high school in which he had a number of notable offers to choose from.
The 6-3, 315-pounder earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022, cementing his status as one of the top interior linemen in this year’s class. The Texans made a small trade up to No. 62 to select him, and he was the third center to hear his name called. While Scruggs has experience at guard, he is expected to primarily see time in the middle of Houston’s o-line.
That will allow him to immediately compete for a starting role. The Texans re-signed veteran Scott Quessenberry earlier in the offseason, but Scruggs could displace him as a first-teamer during training camp. If that were to take place, he would become the second consecutive interior blocker to see signficant playing time as a rookie in Houston. First-rounder Kenyon Green played 15 games at left guard last season, and represents a part of the team’s long-term plans up front.
The same is also true of Laremy Tunsil, of course. The Pro Bowl left tackle inked a three-year, $75MM extension in March, ensuring stability on the blindside for the rebuilding team. Tunsil, Green and Scruggs could form the left side of their offensive line for years to come if all goes according to plan.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: OL Jarrett Horst, OL Alex Jensen, OL DJ Scaife
All three players were part of Miami’s UDFA class. As teams continue to sort out their rosters for rookie minicamps and tryouts, though, many deals fail to result in extended looks in the spring. Horst, Jensen and Scaife will look to find new opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Texans To Sign CB Shaquill Griffin
After getting an early release from his three-year, $40MM deal in Jacksonville, veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin will reportedly be signing a one-year deal with the Texans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal has a reported maximum value of $4.5MM and includes $3MM of guarantees, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. After the Jaguars failed to find a trade partner for Griffin, they’ll face him twice this season as a division opponent. 
Griffin signed with Jacksonville after finishing out his rookie contract in Seattle. He produced at a high level from the jump but really gained recognition in 2019 when he was voted to the Pro Bowl and ranked as the 10th best cornerback in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
He initially rewarded the Jaguars with another strong season, ranking as the 19th best cornerback in the NFL, according to PFF. In 2022, though, injuries tanked his season. Already underperforming a bit through six weeks, Griffin’s season ended when he suffered a season-ending back injury. The Texans are hoping he will bounce back for a strong performance in 2023.
Griffin could slot in as another new starter for a new-look defense that is expected to field rookie defensive end Will Anderson, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, rookie linebacker Christian Harris, linebacker Denzel Perryman, and safety Jimmie Ward as starting newcomers. He’ll compete with Desmond King and Steven Nelson for starting snaps opposite Derek Stingley.
Bills Wrap Up Draft Class Signings, Ink TE Dalton Kincaid
The Bills today became the fourth team to wrap up their draft pick signings. The first tight end taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid has officially signed his four-year rookie contract, with a fifth-year option, becoming the last of the Bills’ rookies to sign. He also becomes the latest in the recent run of first-rounders to ink their deals. 
Many had pegged the Bills as candidates to vie for a first-round receiver, but they opted for the draft’s best receiving tight end instead. Some posited that Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer was the position’s best prospect due to some injury history with Kincaid, but Kincaid may have jumped back up draft boards after being medically cleared in the days leading up to the draft.
Buffalo clearly had their eye on Kincaid as the draft progressed. General manager Brandon Beane and company got a little antsy as their time drew near and feared that the Cowboys might have their eyes on the Utah tight end. They resolved to ensure they got their guy by trading up in the first round for Kincaid.
Kincaid’s skillset should mashup well with returning Bills tight end Dawson Knox. Knox doesn’t blow away with his receiving ability but is a strong asset in the redzone and a good blocker, as well. Kincaid should be able to add a bit more receiving yards across the middle and has the ability to stretch the field on linebackers and safeties. Here is the entire 2023 draft class for Buffalo:
Round 1, No. 25 (from Giants through Jaguars): Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah) (signed)
Round 2, No. 59: O’Cyrus Torrence, G (Florida) (signed)
Round 3, No, 91: Dorian Williams, LB (Tulane) (signed)
Round 5, No. 150 (from Commanders): Justin Shorter, WR (Florida) (signed)
Round 7, No. 230 (from Buccaneers through Jets, Texans, Eagles and Bills): Nick Broeker, G (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 7, No. 252 (from Buccaneers through Rams): Alex Austin, CB (Oregon State) (signed)
Dolphins Sign 21 UDFAs
The Dolphins had to add a large number of undrafted free agents after finishing the 2023 draft with only four selections. Here are the rookies that will join the four-man draft class:
- LB Mitchell Agude (Miami)
- QB James Blackman (Arkansas State)
- CB Ethan Bonner (Stanford)
- RB Chris Brooks (BYU)
- DE Randy Charlton (Mississippi State)
- WR Chris Coleman (Cal Poly)
- WR Daewood Davis (Western Kentucky)
- TE Julian Hill (Campbell)
- OT Jarrett Horst (Michigan State)
- OL Alex Jensen (South Dakota)
- LB Aubrey Miller (Jackson State)
- DT Anthony Montalvo (UCF)
- LB Garrett Nelson (Nebraska)
- DT Brandon Pili (USC)
- OL DJ Scaife (Miami)
- S Keidron Smith (Kentucky)
- OT James Tunstall (Cincinnati)
- P Michael Turk (Oklahoma)
- OL Alama Uluave (San Diego State)
- LB Zeke Vandenburgh (Illinois State)
- S Bennett Williams (Oregon)
The Dolphins added a number of prospects who played in the South Florida area, either in college or high school. Scaife did both, starting 52 games for the Hurricanes at guard and tackle after a high school career at Miami Southridge. His teammate, Agude, only spent one season as a Hurricane after transferring over from UCLA. Charlton was a high school teammate of Scaife’s and spent time at UCF before transferring to Mississippi State.
Additionally, Blackman went to high school just south of Lake Okeechobee in South Bay before making starts at Florida State and Arkansas State. The lanky quarterback comes in as QB4 behind Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, and Skylar Thompson. Davis went to Deerfield Beach in South Florida before transferring from Oregon to Western Kentucky. Davis brings some interesting versatility, playing cornerback for the Ducks before catching 15 touchdowns over two years as a Hilltopper receiver. Finally, Smith grew up in West Palm Beach before transferring from Ole Miss to Kentucky.
After Thomas Morstead‘s short stint as the team’s punter, Miami signed former Patriot Jake Bailey. Bailey missed some time in New England with both injury and suspension, so perhaps Turk’s signing here is a backup plan to stash on the practice squad in case Bailey misses more time next season.
Titans Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents
The Titans have added to their six-man draft class to bring in 20 total rookies. Here are the 14 undrafted free agents vying for a roster spot this summer:
- DT Shakel Brown (Troy)
- WR Jacob Copeland (Maryland)
- WR Tre’Shaun Harrison (Oregon State)
- S Matt Jackson (Eastern Kentucky)
- CB Steven Jones (Appalachian State)
- S Tyreque Jones (Boise State)
- CB Anthony Kendall (Baldwin Wallace)
- RB Charles McClelland (Cincinnati)
- DE TK McClendon (Eastern Kentucky)
- OLB Caleb Murphy (Ferris State)
- OT John Ojukwu (Boise State)
- LB Otis Reese (Mississippi)
- OLB Thomas Rush (Minnesota)
- K Trey Wolff (Texas Tech)
Murphy is an intriguing addition to a Titans defense that had some good pass rush performances in 2023 but nothing elite with the absence of Harold Landry. Murphy was virtually unblockable while leading Ferris State to two consecutive Division-II national titles. He put up two monster performances for the Bulldogs in those seasons, combining for 40.0 sacks and 60.5 tackles for loss over the last two years. He has the potential to provide to the rotation and compete for snaps behind Landry and Denico Autry with Arden Key and Rashad Weaver.
McClendon will compete as well after tallying six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss for the Colonels last year. Reese could surprise as a contributor at inside linebacker. He was a tackling machine for the Rebels, finishing second on the team last year with 84.
Copeland and McClelland will be joining their respective drafted teammates, sixth-round tackle Jaelyn Duncan and fifth-round tight end Josh Whyle, at minicamp. Jackson will join McClendon as a Mountaineer addition after leading the defense with 87 total tackles last year. He’s also a Nashville native, having attended high school at Hillsboro.
Tennessee inked another pair of teammates in Jones and Ojukwu. Ojukwu brings a strong resume after earning All-Mountain West first-team honors in each of the past two seasons as the Broncos starting left tackle. Jones has experience throughout college at both safety and nickelback.
Wolff comes in with the intention of battling Caleb Shudak for the responsibility of replacing Randy Bullock. Shudak only appeared in one game of his rookie year out of Iowa last season. He made three of four kicks, missing a 35-yard attempt. Wolff converted 42 of 52 field goal attempts and 107 of 110 of his PATs as a Red Raider. They’ll likely face off for kicking duties this summer.