NFL Draft Rumors: Cardinals, RBs, Downs, Woods, Terrell
As free agency slows, the general focus of the NFL is starting to shift to the 2026 NFL Draft. For one team, though, the focus appears to be the 2027 NFL Draft, per Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. As several teams work to secure optimal situations in their quarterbacks rooms, the Cardinals appear to be working around it.
After cutting veteran quarterback Kyler Murray, Arizona seems content to move forward in 2026 with journeyman backup Jacoby Brissett, who went 1-11 as the Cardinals’ starter last year. They supplemented the room with another frequent flier with starting experience in Gardner Minshew. Neither passer is viewed as the team’s future at the position but more as bridge options until that future comes along. The prevailing opinion throughout league circles appears to be that Arizona is tanking the 2026 season in hopes of setting themselves up well for a draft projected to be a bit more rich in quarterback prospects than this year’s draft.
With that in mind, the remainder of their offseason will be focused on building an offense around their future quarterback, starting with the construction of a reliable wall in front of him. For this reason, there’s belief the Cardinals will be targeting an offensive lineman with their No. 3 overall pick, and the popular opinion is that Hurricanes top tackle prospect Francis Mauigoa could be that target. The three-year starter out of Miami (FL) has a strong chance of being available as Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 to Las Vegas, and the Jets are expected to add to their defense with the second overall pick.
Here are a few other draft rumors from around the NFL:
- While only one or two running backs project to be top prospects in the draft, there are plenty of options for teams looking to build depth or add some fresher legs to their room. With Alvin Kamara‘s future in New Orleans in doubt, Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports reports that the Saints have shown interest in Arkansas running back Mike Washington. A Buffalo- and New Mexico State-transfer, Washington rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns for the Razorbacks last year.
- When it was thought that Aaron Jones would be departing from Minnesota, some at ESPN believed the team would go to the draft, as opposed to the free agent market, to fill out the room. With Jones returning on a re-worked contract that expires after this year, running back may still be a focus for the Vikings in this year’s draft.
- Despite re-signing J.K. Dobbins and restricted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin and having spent a second-round pick on RJ Harvey last year, the Broncos are doing research on the draft’s offerings at the position. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the team hosted Indiana running back Kaelon Black for a top 30 visit. The national champion rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns and has visited the Jets with visits with the Panthers, Bengals, and Raiders set in the future.
- According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, some post-combine conversations with scouts revealed a dramatic range of opinions for Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. The former five-star recruit took over a full-time starting position in his sophomore season and grabbed the attention of scouts everywhere with three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 11 games while proving to be an elite run-stopper. His production declined in his junior year, which Pro Football Focus (subscription required) still saw as good but graded as his worst campaign in Clemson. As a result, some scouts still see the potential and view him as a top 15 prospect, while others have him “solidly” as a Day 2 prospect.
- The Giants have had an incredibly busy (and in many views productive) offseason thus far, so many are eager to see what approach they will take with their fifth overall pick in the draft. According to La Canfora, despite their success rebuilding so far, New York still has a glaring hole in the secondary. New head coach John Harbaugh‘s former organization invested heavily in the safety position over the course of his tenure with the team, and it’s believed that that mentality has followed him to New York. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs has been tied to the Giants before, and La Canfora doubles down on the opinion that he could be the selection at No. 5 overall.
- Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons first-round cornerback and one-time second-team All-Pro AJ Terrell, is widely viewed as a top five prospect at his position. After suffering a minor hamstring injury at the combine, though, the younger Terrell will not be participating in the Tigers’ pro day, according to Jordan Reid of ESPN. Instead, he has scheduled a separate workout for scouts that will take place March 30.
Coaching Notes: Wink, Jets, Bisaccia, Broncos, Eagles, Martin
Former NFL defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale was a strong candidate to take the same role with the Jets this offseason. Martindale was the only coach to fly in for an interview and meet with the Jets twice, but talks fell apart after head coach Aaron Glenn decided he would rather call the plays than allow someone else to do it for the second straight year. Glenn wound up hiring first-time coordinator Brian Duker, the ninth and final candidate to interview for the position. Addressing the Jets’ DC choice with Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Martindale implied it was not Glenn’s call.
“I think it was close. I’ve always respected and I like Aaron Glenn. He’s a good dude, and we think a lot alike on a lot of similar things defensively,” Martindale said. “But just to be honest with you, I think it was one of those decisions that was out of his hands, and we’ll just leave it at that. But that’s OK. Wherever you’re at is where you’re supposed to be.”
It would be easy to infer from Martindale’s comments that owner Woody Johnson meddled in the hiring process. Regardless, it will primarily be up to Glenn to turn the Jets’ defense around in 2026. With Steve Wilks and then Chris Harris in charge last year, the unit ranked 31st in scoring and somehow failed to intercept a single pass.
In other coaching news…
- Clemson hired longtime NFL special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia for the same job earlier this month. Bisaccia has previous experience at Clemson, where he coached special teams and running backs from 1994-98. The 65-year-old spent the past four seasons running the Packers’ special teams unit, leaving them surprised when he stepped down in February. Bisaccia has also been an ST coordinator with the Raiders, Chargers and Cowboys. After Jon Gruden‘s resignation in 2021, Bisaccia took over as the Raiders’ interim head coach and led them to a 7-5 record. The Raiders earned their most recent playoff berth under Bisaccia, but they did not promote him to the full-time post after the season. They instead hired Josh McDaniels, who stumbled to a 9-16 mark during his year and a half in Las Vegas.
- As part of an NFL career that spanned from 2014-24, former receiver Willie Snead spent three seasons playing for Sean Payton in New Orleans. The two are reuniting in Denver in 2026. Payton, now the Broncos’ head coach, hired Snead in an offensive quality control role, per Mike Klis of 9News. Payton also promoted Chris Morgan from assistant offensive line coach to O-line coach and added former NFL linebacker Zaviar Gooden as an assistant strength and conditioning coach (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2).
- Briefly an Eagles quarterback in 2011, Jerrod Johnson interviewed twice for their offensive coordinator vacancy in January. The job went to Sean Mannion, but the Eagles still added Johnson to their staff earlier this month (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia). After a three-year run as the Texans’ QBs coach, Johnson will serve as senior offensive assistant/special projects for the head coach in Philadelphia.
- Tee Martin was on the Ravens’ staff for the past half-decade, working as John Harbaugh‘s wide receivers coach for two years and then his quarterbacks coach for three. New head coach Jesse Minter did not retain Martin, who is now joining Lane Kiffin‘s LSU staff as an offensive analyst, insider Jordan Schultz reports. Martin, a former national title-winning QB at Tennessee, garnered over a decade of experience coaching at the college level before he moved to Baltimore.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/26
Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Teagan Quitoriano
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DT James Lynch
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: OLB Julian Okwara
- Signed: S Daniel Thomas
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Tycen Anderson
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: DE Sam Okuayinonu
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: WR Cody White
Okwara returns to Cleveland after spending the entire 2025 season on the practice squad. The former third-round pick has 10.0 sacks in his six years of NFL play with five coming in his sophomore campaign. The addition of Thomas provides the Browns with a veteran special teams contributor.
The 49ers are bringing back Okuayinonu after the fourth-year defender filled in for 12 starts and two postseason starts with San Francisco last year. He’s recorded three sacks in each of the past two years for the 49ers.
Broncos Acquire WR Jaylen Waddle From Dolphins
MARCH 18: Following the Maxx Crosby drama, fans of both teams were anxious for Waddle to complete his physical to formally complete the trade. The deal was formally announced on Wednesday by both teams, indicating that Waddle passed his physical in Denver and is now officially a member of the Broncos.
MARCH 17: The Broncos’ first outside addition of the new league year is certainly a notable one. Jaylen Waddle is heading to Denver. 
The Dolphins have worked out a trade to send Waddle to the Broncos, as first reported by Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Multiple picks in the 2026 draft will be exchanged as part of the deal, as detailed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Meanwhile, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes Denver will take on the remainder of Waddle’s contract in full, including his 2026 base salary ($1.22MM).
Here is the full breakdown of the trade terms:
Broncos acquire:
- Waddle
- Miami’s fourth-round pick (No. 111)
Dolphins acquire:
- Denver’s first-round pick (No. 30)
- Broncos’ own third- and fourth-rounders (Nos. 94 and 130)
Until today, the Broncos had focused on retaining as many of their own players as possible. The AFC’s top seed in 2025 still had a vacancy with respect to pass-catching options, however. Denver was linked yesterday to interest in the tight end market, with Evan Engram disappointing during his debut Broncos campaign. Regardless of what happens on that front, a high-profile receiving option is set to be in place for next season with GM George Paton taking a major swing early in the new league year. A physical is scheduled for tomorrow, per Schefter’s colleague Jeff Darlington.
The Dolphins dismissed general manager Chris Grier shortly before the 2025 trade deadline. That led to an increased expectation with respect to the team’s willingness to move on from players. Waddle, 27, generated considerable interest, and the Broncos were one of many teams which made calls. In the end, no suitors were willing to meet the Dolphins’ asking price of a first-rounder and more.
With new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley arriving, the Dolphins have begun a full-blown rebuild. Several veterans have been released recently in cost-shedding moves and to clear roster spots for younger replacements. That includes not only quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and edge rusher Bradley Chubb – both of whom quickly found new homes in free agency – but also receiver Tyreek Hill. It came as no surprise when Hill was cut, a move which seemed to put Waddle in position to operate as the Dolphins’ top wideout in 2026 and beyond.
Indeed, a report from last month named the former first-rounder along with lead running back De’Von Achane as core pieces the new regime was not looking to part with. Things have certainly changed in short order with a suitor willing to pay a premium for Waddle. Three years remain on his contract, a lucrative extension signed in 2024. Given the guarantees present in the pact, this swap will carry even more unwanted financial implications for Miami during an offseason full of major cap-related moves.
Waddle is owed an option bonus worth $6.06MM on Friday as part of his $17.24MM in overall compensation. That helps explain the timing of this trade, one which will see the Alabama product paired with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. Sutton’s pact runs through 2029, while Mims and Franklin – just like quarterback Bo Nix – are attached to their rookie contracts. Coming off the back of a second straight playoff appearance, Denver is aggressively pursuing an upgrade in the passing game.
Miami, meanwhile, will add yet another premium pick for 2026. Once the Waddle move is official, the Dolphins will own a pair of Day 1 selections and a total of seven picks across the first three rounds. Several roster holes will need to be filled next month, and receiver will no doubt be high on the priority list. With Hill and now Waddle out of the picture, Miami’s WR depth chart is currently topped by the likes of Malik Washington and recent additions Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert.
Putting together a cost-effective supporting cast around new quarterback Malik Willis will increasingly be the goal for Miami this offseason. This trade highlights to an even larger extent the long-term nature of the team’s rebuild. As the Broncos look to maximize their window with Nix on an affordable contract, bringing in a three-time 1,000-yard producer will generate increased expectations on offense.
Broncos Eyeing Tight End Depth?
At the moment, the Broncos are set to return much of their same offensive skill players from 2025. However, if the front office has its way, that grouping will ultimately feature some new faces.
[RELATED: Broncos, TE Adam Trautman Agree To Deal]
According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Broncos may not “done yet” at the tight end position. The reporter adds that the team did have interest in Dallas Goedert before he re-upped with the Eagles. Breer also notes that David Njoku remains unsigned, although the reporter doesn’t go as far as to report any definitive interest.
To the Broncos credit, they attempted to address the position last offseason when they gave Evan Engram a three-year, $23MM deal. While the veteran was coming off a nine-game showing in 2024, he topped 100 receptions as recently as 2023. While the free agent acquisition did get into 16 games for his new squad, he disappointed when he was on the field.
His 28.8-yards-per-game mark was the second-lowest of his career, and his 3.1 receptions per game represented a new career-low. He ultimately finished the campaign with 50 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown. He was limited to only 42 percent of his team’s offensive snaps, the first time in his career he finished below the 50-percent mark.
The Broncos ended up leaning heavily on Adam Trautman at TE, and the veteran continued to perform as one of the league’s elite blockers at the position. The team showed their commitment to the 29-year-old by handing him a three-year deal last week. However, Trautman would never be confused with an offensive threat, as his best pass-catching season saw him haul in 27 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns with the Saints in 2021.
If the Broncos are looking for a legitimate pass-catcher at the position, then Njoku would likely be the best bet. Otherwise, the team is eyeing the likes of Jonnu Smith, Darren Waller, and an injured Zach Ertz. The team could also look to the draft, where Kenyon Sadiq would be a logical target. However, considering the Oregon product is the only tight end with a definitive first-round grade, the Broncos would likely have to move up from No. 30 to acquire the prospect.
2026 NFL Draft Visits: Browns, Cooper, Proctor
Though free agency is dominating the news feed this week, the 2026 NFL Draft is fast-approaching and teams around the league have been welcoming draft prospects for top 30 visits. The Browns got busy with these early into March, hosting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on March 4, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Cleveland hosted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate the next day.
The Browns’ passing attack struggled in 2025, ranking 31st in the NFL. Cleveland didn’t have a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time since 2021. Despite playing every game this year, WR1 Jerry Jeudy‘s receiving line totals (50 receptions-602 yards-2 touchdowns) were nearly all half what they were in 2024 (90-1,229-4). The team’s leading receiver in 2025 was third-round rookie tight end Harold Fannin (72-731-6).
Seeing this, it makes sense the Browns are looking to add elite talent to the receiving corps. Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com ranks Tate as the sixth-best prospect in the class and the best wide receiver, slotting Tyson in at 21st overall and WR4. Both pass-catchers are explosive playmakers with prototypical size and length. They own similar skillsets when it comes to their control of changing speed and direction, but Tyson slides down the board a bit as some health issues in college have led to durability questions.
Simpson is the bridge between projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and the rest of the QB crop projected to go in the third or fourth round of the draft. Simpson is currently hovering near the back of the first round in most projection but could easily jump up if a quarterback-needy team gets antsy. After only playing one season as a starter in college, some scouts feel Simpson would benefit from sitting and developing a year or two before starting. The Browns currently are slated to watch Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders battle for the QB1 job. The team could consider drafting Simpson to sit behind them both for a year before competing for the job himself.
Here are a few other draft visits from around the league:
- According to Luca Evans of The Denver post, the Broncos hosted Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. this past Friday. Jeremiah slots Cooper in at 18th overall and WR3. The AFC West Champs return all their top receivers from last year but may be looking for more consistent production in an upgrade at the WR3 role. Alongside many transfer additions, Cooper’s championship season with the Hoosiers was the culmination of four years of work from the bottom. He led the No. 1 team in the country in receptions (69) and receiving yards (937) and finished second on the team in receiving touchdowns (13).
- Lastly, the Texans hosted Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor on March 6, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The Texans return three starters on the offensive line from last year, and signed Braden Smith and Evan Brown to potentially fill the empty two spots. Still, the Texans have struggled to find consistent lineups on the interior line and could benefit by adding a lineman in the draft to compete at both guard and tackle, allowing Smith to do the same. Proctor slots in as Jeremiah’s 23rd-best overall prospect and the sixth-best offensive lineman.
NFL Restructures: Broncos, Bosa, Burns, Granderson, Tranquill
Teams around the NFL have been engaging in their usual financial gymnastics to create enough cap space to sign new players – or for some – simply retain the ones already under contract.
The Broncos restructured Quinn Meinerz‘s deal earlier in the week to ensure they were compliant with the 2026 salary cap by the start of the new league year on Wednesday. But with more than a dozen signings – including multi-year pacts with Alex Singleton, J.K. Dobbins, and Adam Trautman, plus a second-round restricted free agent tag signed by Ja’Quan McMillian – Denver needed to free up more cap space.
To do so, they completed a restructure of outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper‘s contract, per Luca Evans of the Denver Post. His salary was reduced to the veteran minimum with $10.2MM converted into a signing bonus that was prorated across the remaining five years of the contract, which includes two added void years. Cooper’s 2026 cap hit dropped by $8.2MM to $5.78MM as a result, with $17.55MM cap hits now scheduled for 2027 and 2028, per OverTheCap.
The Broncos also altered the contract of guard Ben Powers. He was set to earn a $500k roster bonus on Sunday, but that has instead been moved into his base salary for the season, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
Powers was viewed as a potential cap casualty entering the final year of his deal, but the team affirmed their commitment to him before free agency. However, this move – pushing a financial obligation months into the future – indicates that Denver may still be open to moving on the seven-year veteran after re-signing Alex Palczewski at the beginning of the month.
Here are some other recent restructures from around the NFL:
- The 49ers restructured defensive end Nick Bosa‘s contract to clear $17.7MM in salary cap space, per Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap. Like Cooper, his salary was reduced to the veteran minimum by converting $21.465MM to a signing bonus and prorating it across the four remaining years of the contract plus one new void year. His cap hits in each of those seasons has risen by $4.293MM as a result.
- The Giants also restructured a starting edge rusher, like the Broncos with Cooper and the 49ers with Burns, though they did not add any void years to his deal to maximize the cap savings from the move. $22.75MM of Brian Burns‘ 2026 salary was converted to a signing bonus and prorated across the remaining three years of the contract. The move yields $15.16MM in cap savings this year, though ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes that the money is for “operating funds” – such as contracts for the upcoming draft class – as opposed to another major free agency signing. Burns will now have cap hits of just over $44MM in 2027 and 2028, which will likely cause the Giants to explore another extension next offseason to reduce those obligations.
- Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill accepted a pay cut in the last year of his contract, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. He was previously due a non-guaranteed salary of $6MM; now, he will make $3.5MM with $3MM of his guaranteed. The deal ensures Tranquill will remain in Kansas City in 2026, his fourth season with the team.
- The Saints already began their annual tradition of restructuring most of their top contracts to become cap-compliant before the start of the new league year, and they added another to the ledger this week with an edge rusher of their own. Carl Granderson‘s $2MM roster bonus and $9.45MM of his 2026 salary was converted into a signing bonus and prorated across the remaining four years of the contract, per Fitzgerald. Interestingly, the Saints, who have been one of the NFL’s most aggressive teams in terms of using void years, did not add another void year to Granderson’s deal (which already contained two) to maximize their cap savings, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. As a result, his 2026 cap hit was reduced by $8.59MM, creating a $20.924MM cap hit in 2027.
Broncos Showed Interest In Travis Etienne, Romeo Doubs
Denver is the only NFL team that has not signed an outside free agent this year, but it did target at least a couple of high-profile names earlier this week. The Broncos were in on newly signed Saints running back Travis Etienne, the former Jaguar told Jeff Nowak of WWL Radio. They also inquired about wide receiver Romeo Doubs before he joined the Patriots, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
After the Jets placed the franchise tag on Breece Hall, Etienne and ex-Seahawk Kenneth Walker entered free agency as the best backs available. The Broncos eyed Hall before the Jets kept him off the market. They pivoted to Etienne as a result, but the Louisiana native took the Saints’ four-year, $52MM deal. Etienne said that it was an easy decision to return to his home state.
It is unclear if the Broncos made Etienne an offer, but his desire to go back to Louisiana suggests the odds were stacked against them. AFC West rival Kansas City also vied for Etienne before it inked Walker to a three-year, $43.05MM pact.
Once Etienne and Walker found new homes, the Broncos addressed the position by re-signing J.K. Dobbins to a two-year, $16MM arrangement and retaining Jaleel McLaughlin on a cheap agreement. Despite missing seven games with a ligament tear in his foot, the oft-injured Dobbins secured a raise over last year’s $5.25MM accord.
Production has never been an issue for Dobbins, who has averaged 5.2 yards on 582 carries during his six-year career. He added 772 yards and four touchdowns on 153 attempts (5.0 YPC) in 10 games last year. The problem is that the former Raven and Charger has missed 57 regular-season games with a laundry list of injuries.
Dobbins was not around past Nov. 6 last year, leaving the No. 1-seeded Broncos to finish the season with rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey as their lead back. Harvey scored an eye-opening 12 touchdowns (seven rushing, five receiving) and caught 47 passes, but he averaged a meager 3.7 yards on 146 carries. He managed just 37 yards on 13 attempts in the Broncos’ 10-7 loss to the Patriots in the AFC title game.
Barring further acquisitions, the Broncos will continue with Dobbins and Harvey as their one-two punch in the backfield next season. They also have all of their main receivers from 2025 – Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims and Lil’Jordan Humphrey – under contract. Having averaged around 51 catches, 606 yards and five scores per season over his first four years, Doubs would have been a noteworthy addition to the group. But the Patriots, who had a greater need at receiver after releasing Stefon Diggs, pulled in the ex-Packer on a four-year contract worth up to $80MM.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/26
Here are Friday’s minor NFL moves as free agency continues into the weekend:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: WR Simi Fehoko
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: G Corey Bullock
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: LB Claudin Cherelus
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: CB Jaylon Jones
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: CB D’Angelo Ross
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: TE Princeton Fant
Denver Broncos
- Signed RFA tender: CB Ja’Quan McMillian
Houston Texans
- Waived: DT Kurt Hinish
Miami Dolphins
- Signed ERFA tender: CB Ethan Bonner
- Signed: P Seth Vernon
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: C Zeke Correll
New York Giants
- Signed: S Elijah Campbell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Re-signed: TE Ko Kieft
After making the call not to tender him as a restricted free agent, the Panthers were able to come to an agreement to re-sign Cherelus. The undrafted linebacker has started six of 27 game appearances in his last two years with Carolina, logging 60 total tackles.
Unlike Cherelus, McMillian did get tendered in Denver. With 16 starts in 51 games appearances over four years with the Broncos, McMillian’s tender is worth $5.77MM for the 2026 season, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
The Texans signed Hinish to a one-year deal last year, but the Notre Dame product spent the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Instead of holding on to him for the upcoming season, they’ve decided to cut him from the roster.
Broncos To Re-Sign RB Jaleel McLaughlin
As the low-end RFA tender figure has climbed near $4MM, those are being handed out at a lower rate. The Broncos declined to tender running back Jaleel McLaughlin, but he is still in their 2026 plans.
Despite re-signing J.K. Dobbins, Denver is re-signing McLaughlin (per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The diminutive running back is rejoining the team on a one-year deal, continuing a string of re-signings for a Broncos team that has otherwise been inactive in free agency.
McLaughlin will receive a $125K signing bonus, according to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. This likely represents the RB’s only guaranteed money on the deal, making it far from certain he makes the 53-man roster.
Denver now has its top four RBs from 2025 under contract, with Tyler Badie remaining in the fold. Badie’s increased usage on passing downs led to McLaughlin — a regular from 2023-24 — being a healthy scratch for a chunk of the season, but Dobbins’ Lisfranc injury opened the door for another opportunity.
Sean Payton‘s team has yet to sign an outside free agent this week, but plenty of re-signings have commenced. Denver has brought back linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad to go with tight ends Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins. Third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger is also returning. While the Broncos’ inactivity with regards to outside FAs is a bit unexpected — as the Russell Wilson contract is off the books during what will likely be Bo Nix‘s final rookie-contract year — the team is doing plenty to retain contributors from a 14-3 roster.
The NCAA’s all-divisions rushing leader — from his time at Youngstown State and Notre Dame College (Ohio) — McLaughlin impressed as a UDFA. Playing as a Javonte Williams complementary piece, the 5-foot-7 RB totaled 410 rushing yards as a rookie and 496 in Year 2. The elusive back combined for six touchdowns in those seasons. The Broncos only gave McLaughlin 37 carries last season, but he averaged 5.1 yards per tote as a reserve option behind rookie RJ Harvey.
Dobbins will only count $6MM against Denver’s cap this year, per Spotrac, as his $8MM guarantee (on a two-year, $16MM deal) will produce a 2027 cap hit of $10MM. Dobbins’ health history effectively makes this a one-year, $8MM pact with a team option. Trautman’s four-year, $17MM contract will bring $9.5MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. This includes a partial 2027 guarantee, with $3.76MM of the ex-Saint’s $4.99MM base salary locked in at signing. Adkins is back on a one-year, $1.64MM deal, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The TE/FB received $300K guaranteed at signing.