D.J. Wonnum

Panthers To Meet With Jadeveon Clowney; Jets, Ravens Interested

March 14th, 2024 at 8:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 14: Clowney has another suitor in the Jets. The defensive lineman will visit with the Jets next week, according to Garafolo. The veteran will consider “multiple options” before making his decision. Clowney’s Jets visit is set for Tuesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

The Jets are in natural need of some reinforcement on the edge. The team lost Bryce Huff to the Eagles, opening close to 500 defensive snaps alongside Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers.

MARCH 13: Known to take his time during free agency, Jadeveon Clowney has spent the 2020s journeying the league on one-year deals. The South Carolina alum’s next trip will be in a familiar region.

The Rock Hill, South Carolina, native is set to make a trip to visit the Panthers, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. A few teams are monitoring the Clowney market; this includes the Ravens, who coaxed a quality season from the nomadic pass rusher in 2023. The Panthers are meeting with Clowney, Chase Young and D.J. Wonnum on Thursday, ESPN’s David Newton tweets.

It took Clowney until mid-August to land a deal last year, and the former No. 1 overall pick’s Baltimore pact was worth only $2.5MM. After another bounce-back season, the South Carolina alum can aim higher. Clowney has never secured a long-term deal since the expiration of his Texans rookie contract, but he has done well for himself on this bevy of one-year agreements. Though, the edge defender has never come especially close to the kind of top-market contract that once seemed in play while he was in Houston.

En route to a No. 1 defensive ranking, the Ravens received Clowney’s top sack season. Known more for an all-around game, Clowney has never reached double-digit sacks in a season. His three Pro Bowls came back in Houston. But the once-elite prospect has four seasons with at least nine sacks on his resume.

Injury issues and inconsistency have impeded Clowney on the contract front, as he was not especially productive in Seattle, Tennessee or during his second year in Cleveland. But he did total nine sacks opposite Myles Garrett in 2021 while helping a previously edge-deficient Ravens team thrive — opposite September addition Kyle Van Noy — last season. Clowney totaled 19 QB hits for the second time in three years.

The Panthers made a rather surprising decision to accept second- and fifth-round picks from the Giants to wrap their years-long Brian Burns saga. That tag-and-trade transaction leaves the Panthers with next to nothing at edge rusher, with former second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos agreeing to a two-year, $18MM 49ers deal as well. Clowney would help, though the move would remind — to a degree, at least — of last year’s Justin Houston stopgap addition.

Mentioned as being interested in retaining Clowney earlier this week, the Ravens are again in need on the edge. Their most recent band-aid pass rushers — Clowney and Van Noy — are both free agents. While Baltimore extended Justin Madubuike on a deal that set up the big-ticket Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins contracts, the team needs to fill out its outside linebacker depth chart once again.

Panthers To Sign D.J. Wonnum

March 14th, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings have already lost Danielle Hunter in free agency, and his edge partner will depart Minnesota as well. D.J. Wonnum has a two-year deal in place with the Panthers, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

Wonnum’s two-year deal with Carolina will be worth $12.5MM, according to Sheena Quick of 1340 Fox Sports.

The former fourth-round pick spent his entire career in Minnesota. His role fluctuated through his four years with the organization, with the edge rusher alternating between part-time player and full-time player. The 2023 campaign represented the latter, as Wonnum started 14 of his 15 appearances while appearing in more than 80 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

In each of his two seasons as a starter (including 2023), Wonnum compiled eight sacks. That performance didn’t earn him the best spot on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings in 2023. The 26-year-old ended up ranking only 74th among 112 qualifying edge defenders, although the pass-rusher did earn a surprisingly strong grade for his run defense.

The Panthers have been hunting for some depth to replace Pro Bowl defender Brian Burns, was was traded to the Giants earlier this week. The team hosted Chase Young earlier today, and they’re set to meet with Jadeveon Clowney. Wonnum will be part of the equation when it comes to Burns’ replacement, but he surely won’t be the only answer.

With Hunter and Wonnum out of the picture, the Vikings have completely revamped their pass-rushing corps. Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Blake Cashman are among the recent acquisitions who should get looks on the edge in 2023.

D.J. Wonnum To Visit Panthers, Bears

March 12th, 2024 at 4:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings appear poised to lose one starting edge rusher in Danielle Hunter, having made a lucrative commitment to Jonathan Greenard. Hunter’s edge partner could also soon be leaving Minnesota.

D.J. Wonnum has a free agent visit lined up with the Panthers for tomorrow, Sheena Quick of 1340AM reports. That will be followed one day later by a visit with the Bears, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Hunter has far more in the way of pedigree than Wonnum, but the latter could be set to cash in on a new deal soon.

A fourth-round pick in 2020, Wonnum has alternated between notable and complementary production. In the 2021 season, he took on a starting role for the first time and recorded eight sacks. His playing time dropped considerably the following year, though, and he saw his production fall off. A return to first-team duties ensued for 2023, and Wonnum responded by again posting eight sacks with 21 QB pressures.

The 26-year-old could thus generate a notable market for his services on a second contract. Carolina has a massive need along the edge with Brian Burns having been traded to the Giants. The Panthers have a visit lined up with Chase Young, although they are not alone in that regard.

Carolina ranked last in the league in sacks in 2023, and Chicago finished 31st. The Bears made a major move aimed at addressing their pass-rushing problems at the trade deadline, though acquiring Montez Sweat from the Commanders. He was quickly handed a monster extension, giving Chicago one foundational player on the edge. More additions could be coming, and with just over $57.5MM in cap space the Bears could outbid the Panthers or most other teams in any potential Wonnum pursuit. It will be interesting to see how many other suitors show interest in this situation.

Latest On Vikings’ Edge Rush Situation

February 19th, 2024 at 4:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

With a Kirk Cousins free agency spell looming, the Vikings are among the teams to watch over the coming days and weeks. Minnesota’s defense faces a number of question marks as well, though, particularly in the edge rush department.

Danielle Hunter is also on track for free agency, and he could command a lucrative market. After agreeing to a fully-guaranteed one-year Vikings pact last offseason, Hunter enjoyed a healthy and productive campaign. He set a new career high in sacks with 16.5, earning him a fourth Pro Bowl invite. Minnesota’s direction with respect to retaining Hunter will of course depend in large part on what happens with Cousins, but Minnesota has another pass rusher to consider re-signing.

D.J. Wonnum is set to see his rookie contract expire, but his performances when given a starting role could help his market value. Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network reports Wonnum could be an under-the-radar free agent, and he could be worth watching as an element of Minnesota’s offseason plans. Caplan notes the Vikings should be expected to pursue a new deal with at least one of Hunter or Wonnum.

The latter matched his career high with eight sacks in 2023, having posted the same total when he handled first-team duties in 2021. Wonnum, 26, recorded 62 tackles, 15 QB hits and 21 pressures. The former fourth-rounder is thus in line for a notable raise on his second contract, whether that comes from the Vikings or a team better positioned to make a lucrative long-term commitment.

Fellow edge rusher Marcus Davenport was set to have his contract void today, falling in line with a number of other players around the NFL in that regard. However, the void date on Davenport’s pact has now been moved to March 13 (lining it up with Cousins and Hunter), per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Instead of creating a dead money charge for 2024 today, Davenport and the Vikings will now have more time to negotiate a deal.

The former Saints first-rounder came to Minnesota last offseason on a one-year deal worth $10MM guaranteed. Four void years were included in the deal, though, and Davenport is set to carry a $6.8MM cap hit in 2024 even if he departs. An ankle injury limited him to just four games in his debut Vikings season. Whether he is retained alongside one or both of Hunter and Wonnum or replaced with a new group of edge rushers will be an intriguing storyline for the team.

Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson Out For Season

December 26th, 2023 at 2:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Signs from the aftermath of the Vikings’ loss over the weekend pointed to an extended absence for T.J. Hockenson. That has now been confirmed, as head coach Kevin O’Connell said Tuesday the Pro Bowl tight end will require surgery to repair ACL and MCL tears.

Hockenson was forced to exit Minnesota’s game against Detroit due to the injury, and O’Connell admitted not long after that signs were pointing to a lengthy absence. After further testing, the 2022 trade acquisition is now out for the year. The news puts an end to a productive campaign, and leaves the Vikings without another key member of their offense due to a major injury.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered an Achilles tear earlier in the year, something which threatened to derail the team’s season. Especially given the time missed by star wideout Justin Jefferson, Minnesota’s playoff prospects appeared to take a turn for the worse. The Vikings are now 7-8 on the year, but they face uncertainty under center and they will now be without a major weapon in their passing game as they push for an NFC wild-card berth.

Hockenson was acquired at the trade deadline last season in a deal which put an end to his hot-and-cold tenure with the Lions. The intra-divisional swap resulted in a strong showing in the second half of the season, however, as he posted a 60-519-3 statline in 10 games. That production proved his effectiveness in O’Connell’s system, and set him up for a major payday in the offseason.

The 26-year-old signed a $16.5MM-per-year extension in August, keeping him on the books through 2027 and making him the league’s second-highest paid tight end in terms of annual compensation. That pact raised expectations for Hockenson, and he delivered in 2023 despite Cousins’ missed time. The Iowa alum set new career highs in catches (95) and yards (960) in 15 games this season. As a result, his absence will deal a substantial blow to the Vikings’ offense.

O’Connell also confirmed that edge rusher D.J. Wonnum is headed to injured reserve due to a torn quad. That was the expected outcome in this situation, but it confirms his season is over, something with signficant financial implications given his status as a pending free agent. Minnesota’s defense will be shorthanded as the team approaches a pair of must-win games, while the offense will likewise be without a top contributor.

With Hockenson out of the picture, Josh Oliver will likely assume starting duties at the TE spot. A free agent addition from this past offseason, Oliver has established himself as a strong blocker in recent years, which led to a three-year, $21MM contract. The former third-rounder has made only 19 catches this season serving as a complement to Hockenson this season, though. Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse have likewise seen small workloads in the passing game to date, but that could change in the immediate future.

Vikings OLB D.J. Wonnum Likely Out For Remainder Of Season

December 25th, 2023 at 8:12am CST by Ely Allen

Unfortunately, it looks like the contract year for Vikings outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum has come to an early end. Luckily, Wonnum has done plenty this season to set himself up well for his pending free agency. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though, Wonnum has suffered a partially torn quadriceps muscle that will likely hold him out of the remainder of the 2023 NFL season.

Wonnum, a fourth-round draft pick for Minnesota in 2020, has seen his role wax and wane over the years of his rookie contract. After a rookie campaign in which Wonnum would come off the bench for most of the year behind Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jalyn Holmes, and Yannick Ngakoue, the South Carolina product would lead the team in sacks (8.0) as a full time starter in his sophomore year across from Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen. Last year saw Wonnum’s role decrease again with the arrival of Za’Darius Smith, who would combine with Hunter for 20.5 sacks, but with Smith out of Minnestoa, Wonnum has retaken his starting place this year, now alongside Hunter.

In the final year of his rookie deal, Wonnum has put up career numbers, setting himself up well for his impending free agency. He has matched his career-high totals for sacks (8.0), tackles for loss (7), and quarterback hits (15), while setting new highs in total tackles (62) and passes defensed (6). Adding to an already impressive season, Wonnum has also freed up Hunter, taking enough focus away from Hunter’s side of the ball to allow the veteran to reach a new career-high sack total himself (15.5).

While the injury is likely bad news that indicates he’s is done putting together his free agent resume, there’s still a bright side to the injury. A partial tear in the muscle should likely keep him out of play for a bit of time, but it’s minor enough that it shouldn’t affect how prospective teams view his free agency in the months to come. Wonnum has proven he can be an effective counterpart for a star pass rusher while providing some quarterback pressure himself, as well. If evidence points to a clean recovery, there should be a number of teams looking to add him to their pass rush.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/23/20

July 23rd, 2020 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s draft pick agreements, with the list being updated throughout the day.

The Vikings picked an interesting year to make 15 draft choices, given the pandemic’s impact on developmental work. But the team is nearly finished with rookie contract agreements. Minnesota signed third-round cornerback Cameron Dantzler (Mississippi State), fourth-round defensive end D.J. Wonnum (South Carolina), fifth-round corner Harrison Hand (Temple), fifth-round wideout K.J. Osborn (Miami), sixth-round tackle Blake Brandel (Oregon State), sixth-round safety Josh Metellus (Michigan), seventh-round defensive end Kenny Willekes (Michigan State) and seventh-round safety Brian Cole (Mississippi State). Minnesota lost Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander this offseason and tripled up on corners in the draft. First-round corner Jeff Gladney is the Vikes’ lone unsigned pick.
Top 2020 Steelers pick Chase Claypool, a second-rounder, is now under contract. The Steelers have their latest Day 2 wide receiver investment signed, along with Round 6 safety Antoine Brooks (Maryland). Claypool’s addition means the top four Pittsburgh wideouts — JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Diontae Johnson and Claypool — came from the second or third rounds. The Notre Dame product has quite the SPARQ profile, going 6-foot-4, 238 pounds and running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.
Washington wrapped up its 2020 draft class by signing Round 4 tackle Saahdiq Charles, Round 5 linebacker Khaleke Hudson, Round 6 safety Kamren Curl and Round 7 defensive end James Smith-Williams.
The Bengals signed one of Claypool’s former Fighting Irish teammates, fifth-round defensive end Khalid Kareem. He is the first of Cincinnati’s seven 2020 picks to agree to terms.