Bengals Exercise Jonah Williams’ Fifth-Year Option
The Bengals have exercised left tackle Jonah Williams‘ fifth-year option, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. As a result, Williams will remain under Bengals control through the 2023 season.
Although he was the 11th overall pick of the 2019 draft, Williams didn’t play as a rookie because of left shoulder problems. However, the former Alabama standout has since developed into a key member of the Bengals’ offensive line. Williams has started in all 26 of his appearances, including 16 last season for the AFC champions.
While Cincinnati could work out an extension with quarterback Joe Burrow‘s blindside protector sometime soon, the club currently doesn’t have to worry about losing Williams for at least another couple of years. Williams, 24, is due to earn $12.6MM in 2023 under his option.
Packers Pick Up Fifth-Year Options On Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage
For the second time in three years, the Packers used two first-round picks to bolster their defense. Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt will join 2019 first-rounders Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage. The Georgia products are in line to join the 2019 draftees for multiple seasons.
The Packers are picking up the fifth-year options on Gary and Savage, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Rob Demovsky (Twitter links). Despite Gary qualifying for a lower-tier option on the new four-tier hierarchy, his 2023 price tag comes in much higher than Savage’s due to positional value. The former Michigan pass rusher will be tied to a $10.89MM salary next year. A three-year Packers starter eligible for the Tier 3 option price, Savage is now attached to a $7.9MM 2023 salary.
Gary’s increased 2021 playing time did not lead to his option cost climbing, due to the 2019 and ’20 seasons he spent largely as a backup behind Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. The Packers broke up their edge-rushing Smith tandem this offseason, cutting Za’Darius to leave Gary a clear path to a starting role. The 2019 No. 12 overall pick impressed in his first extended run as a starter, registering 9.5 sacks and 28 QB hits. During a season in which Za’Darius Smith missed 16 games, Gary became a key part of Green Bay’s defensive future.
Green Bay traded out of the 2018 first round, allowing New Orleans to select Marcus Davenport. This gave the Packers a 2019 first, which became Savage after the Packers traded up to No. 21 with the Seahawks. Savage became a Day 1 starter in Green Bay. He has started all 46 games he’s played — including 17 last season — to help the Packers to three consecutive playoff byes. While Pro Football Focus viewed Savage’s 2021 as a step back from his 2020 showing, the Maryland alum’s lower option price allowed for a sensible pickup.
Saints WR Deonte Harris Signs RFA Tender
It wasn’t the biggest wide receiver news of the night, but on Thursday Deonte Harris signed his RFA tender to remain with the Saints (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). The 24-year-old will stay in New Orleans for at least one more season. 
[RELATED: Saints Move Up To No. 11, Select WR Olave]
Harris made an impact at the start of his career as the team’s primary returner. In 2019, he averaged 26.8 yards on kickoffs; he also led the league in punt returns (36) and yards (338), running one back for a touchdown. His special teams prowess earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, and has remained a staple of his game.
Given the state of the team’s WR corps this season, though, Harris took on a much larger offensive role. In the absence of Michael Thomas, he became a key figure in the Saint’s passing game. Despite only starting one of 13 games, he totalled 36 catches for 570 yards and three touchdowns. Not surprisingly, given his speed, he averaged an impressive 15.8 yards per reception. His offensive totals would have been higher if not for a three-game suspension he served in December for a DWI arrest.
Given that Harris was offered a second-round tender, he will earn just under $4MM in 2022. He may revert more towards his more familiar special teams role given the expected return of Thomas and the team’s addition of Chris Olave last night. If not, though, he has proven an ability to be at least a complimentary piece in the receiving corps.
Jaguars Acquire No. 27, Select LB Devin Lloyd
The Jaguars are moving up. Jacksonville has acquired No. 27 from the Buccaneers and will select Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd.
[RELATED: NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Utah LB Devin Lloyd]
In exchange for No. 27, Tampa Bay acquired picks No. 33, No. 106, and No. 180 from the Jaguars. Tampa Bay will unofficially be on the clock following tonight’s first-round festivities. If this ends up being the final deal of the night, it will make nine total trades.
The six-foot-three, 235-pound Lloyd had a massively productive four-year career in Utah. He saved his best for last, producing 111 tackles, including 22 for a loss, seven sacks and four interceptions in 14 games in 2021. His play earned him Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was a main reason why the Utes won their conference and made their first ever appearance in the Rose Bowl.
While he is on the leaner side for a middle linebacker (which probably contributed to his late-first draft stock), his length and speed should easily let him translate that production into NFL success.
Jets Acquire No. 26, Select Edge Jermaine Johnson II
The Jets are adding a third first-round selection to their squad. The Jets have acquired pick No. 26 from the Titans and will select FSU edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II.
Ultimately, New York acquired picks No. 26 and No. 101 from Tennessee. In exchange, the Jets will send the Titans picks No. 35, No. 69, and No. 163.
Johnson had an unexpected slide down the draft boards this evening. At one point, some pundits expected the FSU product to be a top-1o pick. Instead, the pass rusher reverted back to his original late-first-round draft stock, and the Jets took advantage of the opportunity.
Johnson II took a risk to play one year in Tallahassee, and he achieved the desired result. The red-shirt senior transferred from Georgia, where he enrolled as a JUCO prospect out of Independence Community College.In his lone season at Florida State, Johnson II led the ACC in tackles for loss (17.5) and sacks (11.5), surpassing both of his career Georgia totals (eight tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks) in half the time. He spent a lot of time harassing ACC quarterbacks as he racked up 12 quarterback hurries and forced 2 fumbles.
The Jets had two selections earlier this evening, selecting Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner at No. 4 and Ohio State wideout Garrett Wilson at No. 10.
Bills Acquire No. 23, Select CB Kaiir Elam
The Ravens have pulled off yet another deal. Baltimore is trading pick No. 23 to the Bills, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The Ravens will receive picks No. 25 and No. 130 in return. Buffalo will use their new draft pick on Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam.
Elam came into Gainesville as a top-100 recruit out of The Benjamin School near Palm Beach, FL. Elam wasted no time playing in all 13 games as a true freshman and earning 5 starts. From there Elam took over the starting cornerback position and became a leader on the Gators’ defense. Over his career, Elam totaled 6 interceptions and 20 pass breakups, demonstrating the ball skills that NFL teams will look for in a first round cornerback.
Elam has prototypical size and length at the position and was viewed in many circles as a potential Day One pick. Elam hoped to follow in the steps of his uncle and become a first-round draft pick and then follow in the steps of his father and become an NFL starter. He’s already accomplished that first task, and he’ll have a good chance to contribute (and maybe even start) on a Buffalo defense that could use some extra help in the secondary.
The Ravens made the first blockbuster move of the weekend when they traded receiver Marquise Brown to the Cardinals for pick No. 23. That selection will now be flipped to Buffalo, with Baltimore picking up an extra selection to move back only two spots. Following this most recent deal, the Ravens are now armed with six fourth-round picks.
Chiefs Acquire No. 21 From Patriots, Select CB Trent McDuffie
If you can believe it, the Patriots are trading back. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots are trading pick No. 21. The Chiefs are on the other side of the deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The Chiefs will use the selection on Washington corner Trent McDuffie.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), the Patriots traded pick No. 21 to Kansas City for picks No. 29, No. 94, and No. 121.
Armed with 12 selections entering the draft, the Chiefs were among the teams exploring a trade up the draft board. Many assumed Kansas City would make a trade in pursuit of a wideout. Instead, the front office decided to improve their secondary, a unit that needed some help after the organization moved on from cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.
McDuffie obviously can’t replicate the production of the former All-Pro, but the rookie has plenty of upside. The Washington product had a productive 2021 campaign, finishing with 35 tackles and six passes defended. His performance earned him third-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 honors after the past year.
Bill Belichick and co. have always had an affinity for trading back, especially in the first round. With New England having plenty of holes to fill throughout their roster, it only makes sense that the organization would look to pick up some extra assets while still retaining a first-round pick.
Titans Planning To Trade WR A.J. Brown To Eagles
And we’ve got a run on receiver trades! According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), the Titans are planning to trade wideout A.J. Brown to the Eagles. Tennessee will receive picks No. 18 and No. 101, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The Eagles will also ink the receiver to a hefty extension; NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (on Twitter), that the Eagles will sign Brown to a four-year, $100MM extension with $57MM in guaranteed money.
2021 was the first time Brown failed to amass 1,000 receiving yards and 9 total touchdowns in a season. While the season certainly wasn’t up to Brown’s usual standards, it was still a solid overall campaign. Despite being limited to the fewest games of his career, Brown finished with 53 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns.
The Eagles were hunting for receiver help this offseason, even after using a 2021 first-round pick on DeVonta Smith. The team was reportedly eyeing some of the draft’s top receiving prospects. Instead, the front office decided to make a splash with an established target for Jalen Hurts.
Brown and the Titans had preliminary talks on an extension, but after a deal couldn’t be reached, the wideout made it clear that he wouldn’t be participating in offseason programs. Considering the deals being handed out to wide receivers, Brown’s camp was seeking a contract that would pay him north of $20MM per season. The Titans could still use a player of Brown’s caliber, but the player’s pending extension and growing frustration ultimately led to a trade.
With their new selection, the Titans have selected Arkansas WR Treylon Burks. The wideout burst onto the scene following a solid 2020 campaign, and he took it to another level in 2021, finishing with 66 receptions for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ravens Trade WR Marquise Brown To Cardinals
The Ravens have traded a former first-round pick. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), Baltimore has traded wideout Marquise Brown to the Cardinals, reuniting the receiver with his college QB. Cardinals GM Steve Keim announced that the team will also be picking up Brown’s fifth-year option (via Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com).
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter), the Ravens will trade Brown and pick No. 100 to Arizona for pick No. 23. It’ll be interesting to see which direction the Ravens go with their second selection of the night, and with plenty of talented wideouts still on the board, the team could instantly look to replace Brown in the lineup.
“Hollywood” was the 25th-overall pick in the 2019 draft. Following two up-and-down seasons to start his career, the receiver had a career year in 2021. Brown finished the campaign with a career-high 1,013 yards from scrimmage to go along with six touchdowns. His 92 receptions almost surpassed the totals from his first two seasons combined.
Considering their lack of reliable depth at the position, the Ravens certainly aren’t done at receiver. At the moment, the team’s depth chart is led by Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay.
The Cardinals could use some reinforcement at the position after losing Christian Kirk to the Jaguars. DeAndre Hopkins is still around to serve as Kyler Murray’s top targets, but Brown will provide another reliable target for the explosive offense.
Jaguars Pick Up Josh Allen’s Fifth-Year Option
While there is another, more well-known NFL player with the same name, defensive end Josh Allen has established himself as worthy of a raise going into 2023 in Jacksonville’s eyes. The Jaguars announced on Thursday that they have exercised his fifth-year option. 
Allen, 24, went seventh overall to Jacksonville in 2019, making him the third edge rusher off the board. He had an immediate impact as a rookie, posting 44 tackles and 10.5 sacks. That sent him to the Pro Bowl, and earned him consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year, an honor which ultimately went to second overall pick Nick Bosa.
His 2020 season was hampered by a knee injury, but Allen responded well this past year. In 16 games, he totalled a career-high 71 tackles, along with 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and an interception. His level of play certainly hasn’t stopped edge rusher from becoming the expected position of tonight’s first overall pick from Jacksonville, but it has provided a foundation for what the team hopes will be a defensive turnaround beginning in 2022.
As a result of today’s news, Allen will earn just over $16MM in 2023. As is the case with most (if not all) players whose options have been picked up in recent days, however, the possibility exists for a long-term extension to be worked out in the not-too-distant future.