DT Brandon Williams Retires With Ravens
Old Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome was often known to dip into the lower levels of collegiate football and pluck diamonds out of the rough. A prime example would be Missouri Southern defensive tackle Brandon Williams. The Division II athlete spent nine of his 10 NFL seasons in Baltimore and retired today with his long-time team, per Ravens staff writer Clifton Brown. 
Taken at the back end of the third round in 2013, Williams arrived in Charm City to mixed expectations. With All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata nearing the end of his reign in Baltimore and former second-round pick Terrence Cody failing to live up to his draft stock, the Ravens took a swing on Williams hoping that he may be the defensive tackle of the future for a storied NFL defense.
As a rookie, Williams only appeared in seven games as he grew accustomed to the increased speed and level of talent in the NFL. Still, in limited time, Williams shone, with Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranking him the 19th best interior defender of 201 graded players at the position. Once he took over as a full-time starter the following year, his graded excellence continued with the increased playing time. His highest rankings came in 2014 and 2015, when he ranked 12th of 199 players and 15th of 221 players, respectively.
By 2016, Williams was firmly entrenched as an immovable force in the middle of the defensive line. While he never stunned with his pass rushing abilities, he was renowned for his run stopping prowess. Also by this time, the Ravens had finally found a suitable player to pair with Williams in the middle after signing another small school defender in undrafted Samford defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who rejoined the Ravens in 2022 after two years away from the team.
Near the end of his career, Williams struggled with some minor injuries that kept him out for a couple games each year, but he still remained a reliable interior defender on some of the NFL’s better defenses in Baltimore. He spent his final year in the NFL with the Chiefs in 2022, playing five games (and three more in the playoffs) and winning a Super Bowl on the Kansas City roster.
Williams got his ring with the Chiefs but gave his best years, which included a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, to the Ravens. In 10 years of NFL football, Williams made 114 starts in 128 games, recording 325 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and seven sacks. His last game came with the Chiefs in their Super Bowl win over the Eagles. He’ll now ride off into the sunset with that Super Bowl victory but will do so as a member of his long-time team in Baltimore.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DB Darren Hall
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Justyn Ross
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Vi Jones
For one game, at least, the Buccaneers have the Chiefs outflanked in the wide receiver injury department. Chris Godwin is out until at least the playoffs, should Tampa Bay qualify, and Mike Evans is expected to miss at least two more games due to the hamstring injury he suffered. The team endured another blow recently, with third-round rookie Jalen McMillan sustaining a hamstring injury during a Friday practice. A former Saints regular, Callaway has not played in a game this season.
Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco Targeting Return By Late November
Although the Bills have found their form early and the Ravens’ dismantling of the Broncos showcases their potential at their best, the Chiefs are still unbeaten in a conference featuring no one-loss teams. The two-time reigning champions have ridden their defense this season (and in 2023, for the most part), with the Steve Spagnuolo-led group providing Kansas City’s offense a sturdy safety net.
The Chiefs have gone about strengthening a receiving corps that has been lacking since the Tyreek Hill trade, acquiring DeAndre Hopkins, and they are still believed to be looking around for more help before the deadline. Andy Reid‘s team is also expected to have its top running back ready before month’s end.
Reid has praised Isiah Pacheco‘s recovery from a broken fibula, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicates the Chiefs are expecting their top back to be ready to return in late November. This would actually be on the conservative end, as Pacheco’s mid-September surgery brought a six- to eight-week timetable. The Chiefs have been able to get by with Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine as their top options, but unlike Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown, Pacheco will be a piece they are expected to have back during the regular season.
A 2022 seventh-round pick, Pacheco usurped former first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire as Kansas City’s starter before his rookie season concluded, and the Rutgers alum has been the team’s starter since. He played 17 games as a rookie and 14 last season, playing in each Kansas City playoff contest during that span as well.
While the Chiefs moved on from Jerick McKinnon as their primary pass-catching back, Perine is in place thanks to an agreement shortly after his Broncos release. Hunt has also proven capable, despite not being on the level he was before his 2018 release. Hunt has surpassed 20 carries in each of the past three games, reaching 102 yards during a win against the Saints in that span. Hunt should be expected to retain a role once Pacheco is back, but the third-year player should also be penciled in as the Chiefs’ starter once he ramps back up from the injury he suffered in Week 2. Known as a hard-charging rusher — and one with rather unusual running form — Pacheco has 830- and 935-yard rushing seasons on his NFL resume. He also accumulated 313 rushing yards during the playoffs last season.
With the Chargers exiting Week 9 with three losses, the Chiefs have some breathing room in their division and within the conference. That should allow for caution with Pacheco, who is signed through the 2025 season. But Kansas City should have its preferred RB1 back in the fold as it attempts to secure home-field advantage in the AFC for the fourth time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Chiefs Among Teams Interested In Saints CB Marshon Lattimore; KC Also Targeting Another WR?
Trade rumors swirled around Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore this offseason, and with the trade deadline just two days away, those rumors are picking up again. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, multiple teams have called New Orleans about Lattimore, including the Chiefs.
Kansas City has already made two notable trades in the last couple of weeks, acquiring WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans and DE Josh Uche from the Patriots. However, both Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) indicate that the defending champions may not be done, with Russini noting that another receiver and a “young, fast corner” are on the club’s wish list.
Lattimore, 28, may not fit the sports world’s definition of “young,” but he is a four-time Pro Bowler who is still playing at a high level. Through seven games in 2024, Lattimore has attained a 71.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, the 26th-highest mark in the league out of 110 qualifiers. He has also yielded a modest 69.1 rating to opposing quarterbacks.
The Saints entertained the possibility of dealing Lattimore this offseason before deciding to retain the No. 11 overall pick of the 2017 draft, and they do have him under club control through 2026. As such, it may take a premium package to convince GM Mickey Loomis to pull the trigger, and FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz says it is unclear how interested Loomis might be in a Lattimore trade.
Plus, as Schefter observes, Lattimore’s health could give would-be suitors pause. Lattimore will miss today’s matchup with the Panthers due to a hamstring ailment, which already forced him to miss the club’s Week 2 contest. He also dealt with a hip injury in training camp. So, while Schultz acknowledges that a loss to lowly Carolina – which would drop the Saints to 2-7 – could convince Loomis to make multiple moves, Lattimore may not be one of the players leaving New Orleans.
The Chiefs, for the second year in a row, are winning games with their defense, as star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown just eight TDs against a league-worst nine interceptions. However, KC has lost starting CB Jaylen Watson for the season due to a fractured ankle, and adding Lattimore as a bookend to fellow boundary corner and First Team All-Pro performer Trent McDuffie would further strengthen DC Steve Spagnuolo’s already stout unit, which presently ranks fifth in the league in total defense.
The Chiefs’ WR corps was a weak spot for much of the 2023 campaign, and the club looked to solidify that group by selecting Xavier Worthy in the first round of this year’s draft and adding Marquise Brown in free agency. While Worthy has flashed at times, Brown suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in August, and Rashee Rice was lost for the year with a knee injury in Week 4. A late summer addition, JuJu Smith-Schuster, is battling a hamstring malady, and Skyy Moore recently landed on injured reserve with a core muscle injury. So, even with Hopkins now in the fold, it makes sense that the Chiefs would look for another pass-catcher to help Mahomes and the offense get back on track.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/24
Today’s minor NFL moves including standard gameday practice squad elevations for Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: NT Josh Tupou, DE Chris Wormley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: TE Jordan Matthews
- Elevated: CB Caleb Farley, WR Deven Thompkins
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: T Jake Curhan, CB Reddy Steward
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, WR Kendric Pryor
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: DT Sam Kamara
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, FB Michael Burton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
- Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
- Released: TE Parker Hesse
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Elijah Cooks, WR Austin Trammell
- Placed on IR: WR Christian Kirk (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: TE Peyton Hendershot
- Placed on IR: TE Jared Wiley
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LB Elias Neal, P Ty Zentner
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: DT Neil Farrell, LS Matt Overton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Millard Bradford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, RB Jordan Mims
- Elevated: CB Tre Herndon, S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, RB Kendre Miller
- Waived: G Kyle Hergel
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Justin Hardee, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Bryce Oliver
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: OL Andrew Rupcich
- Waived: TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/24
Chiefs Preferred Cooper Kupp To DeAndre Hopkins?
Patrick Mahomes‘ status as the league’s most accomplished active quarterback notwithstanding, the Chiefs’ megastar has not been nearly as productive over the past two seasons compared to his stratospheric first five as Kansas City’s starter. The two-time defending champions attempted to reignite their cornerstone player by revamping their receiving corps this offseason, but injuries intervened.
Rashee Rice is out for the season, and Marquise Brown is done for at least the regular season. Xavier Worthy is still developing, not yet offering much consistency despite his first-round draft status. With JuJu Smith-Schuster going down with a hamstring issue in Week 7, the Chiefs gave Mahomes another piece by acquiring DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans. Hopkins, who cost only a conditional fifth-round pick to acquire, debuted for his new team in Week 8.
[RELATED: Bills, Steelers Discussed Kupp With Rams]
The Chiefs had pursued Hopkins in a trade with the Cardinals last year and then made him an incentive-laden offer in free agency. Although they had done plenty of work on the potential Hall of Famer, the Chiefs may have been more interested in a player who recently came up in trade rumors. Before finalizing a Hopkins swap, the Chiefs engaged in talks with the Rams on Cooper Kupp. Kansas City looks to have preferred Kupp to Hopkins, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, but multiple factors kept the former Super Bowl MVP in Los Angeles.
The Rams may well have dangled Kupp, but they were mostly believed to be on the receiving end of calls rather than making them. L.A. wanted a second-round pick, and while the team was open to taking on some of Kupp’s remaining base salary (nearly $9MM ahead of Week 9), Kansas City was not in position to acquire a player with a lofty paragraph 5 number. The Chiefs and Titans are splitting the Hopkins tab, with the acquiring team having the 12th-year vet on its 2024 payroll at $5.56MM.
Kansas City restructured Jawaan Taylor‘s contract to create space for Hopkins, who is playing out a two-year deal worth $26MM. The Taylor adjustment, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates, created $5.3MM in cap space. Kansas City has not seen the right tackle addition live up to expectations, and the base-to-bonus restructure will make him more difficult to part ways with down the line. Taylor’s 2025 salary is already guaranteed, however, so this adjustment would stand to affect a 2026 separation.
As for Kupp, the Rams effectively took him off the market not long after the trade rumors swirled. Kupp and Puka Nacua returned in Week 8, helping the Rams upset the Vikings. L.A. is one game out of the NFC West lead and figures to use its standout receivers to make another playoff push, health-permitting, rather than unload a player who has contributed so much to the cause since he was drafted in Sean McVay‘s first year as HC.
Indeed, multiple GMs informed La Canfora they do not expect the 31-year-old wideout to be moved. Kupp’s injury past and the Rams’ high asking price never seemed to support a trade. Kupp is still signed through the 2026 season; $5MM in guarantees remain on the three-year, $80.1MM contract following this season.
The Chiefs will move forward with Hopkins, who stands to help free up space for Worthy, Travis Kelce and Co. as a now-defense-powered version of Andy Reid‘s juggernaut will attempt to hold off challengers in the coming months.
Chiefs Acquire Josh Uche From Patriots
Josh Uche is indeed on the move. The fifth-year edge rusher is being traded from the Patriots to the Chiefs, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. 
Kansas City will send New England a 2026 sixth-round pick, Rapoport adds. That level of compensation comes as little surprise given Uche’s status as a pending free agent. He was a healthy scratch yesterday, an indication that a trade was possible. After the Patriots elected not to pull of a trade in his case last year, he will now be on the move.
Nearing the end of his rookie contract last year, Uche drew trade interest and the Pats nearly worked out a deal ahead of the deadline. Instead, he remained in place and ultimately re-signed on a one-year deal. That pact included a base salary of only $1.3MM, and with much of that total already being paid out this will be a very low-cost addition on the Chiefs’ part. The league’s only remaining undefeated team will now have another rotational option along the edge.
Uche’s best year came in 2022 when he posted 11.5 sacks. Considering he only logged a snap share of 38% that season, expectations were raised for continued production or at least a heavier workload moving forward. Neither has turned out to be the case, with the Michigan product totaling five sacks since the start of last season and logging a similar snap count to the earlier portion of his career. He will be viewed as a third-down specialist upon arrival with Kansas City.
The Chiefs have of course continued to rely on Chris Jones as a foundational contributor in the pass-rush department. Along the edge, the team has Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu along with recent draftees George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Uche will aim to carve out a role as part of that group while attempting to boost his free agent stock. For Kansas City, meanwhile, this move marks another midseason addition (following the DeAndre Hopkins trade) as a third straight Super Bowl title is sought.
The Chiefs entered Monday near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, so any further moves could be challenging unless they were also of the short-term, low-cost variety. Kansas City has been linked to pursuing a cornerback in the wake of Jaylen Watson‘s (likely season-ending) injury, and it will be interesting to see if anything happens at that position before the November 5 deadline.
Kansas City currently sits 22nd in the NFL with 15 sacks through seven games. Improving in that department could provide a notable boost to the league’s No. 5 scoring defense, and Uche will look to chip in on that front. At 2-6 on the year, meanwhile, New England could be a team to watch from a seller’s perspective regarding further moves.
Trade Notes: 49ers, Chiefs, Ravens, Hawks
With the 49ers dealing with a number of injuries at the receiver spot – punctuated by Brandon Aiyuk‘s ACL tear – the team has been floated as a potential buyer in terms of pass-catching help. General manager John Lynch is confident in San Francisco’s incumbent options, though.
“I wouldn’t say that specifically,” Lynch said when asked about pursuing a receiver trade (via David Bonilla of 49ersWebZone.com). “I mean, we look into every situation to see if it can help us at every position. It’s a lot harder to do than people realize. People aren’t into giving up players that can really help you.”
When the unit is at full strength, the 49ers’ WR corps will consist of Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing, Ronnie Bell and first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall. The latter has made two appearances since recovering from his offseason gunshot wound, totaling seven catches for 59 yards. Pearsall emerging as a dependable contributor would certainly soften the blow of losing Aiyuk. San Francisco has been connected to a reunion with Kendrick Bourne, but the veteran prefers to remain in New England.
Here are some other trade-related notes from around the NFL:
- DeAndre Hopkins made his Chiefs debut on Sunday, recording a pair of catches. The three-time All-Pro recently became the latest receiver to be dealt ahead of the November 5 deadline, and his presence will help a Kansas City team which will be without Rashee Rice or Marquise Brown for the rest of the season and which is currently missing Skyy Moore. On the other side of the ball, another move could be in store. Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the defending champions could be in the market for a cornerback (subscription required). Jaylen Watson‘s fractured ankle makes it unlikely he will return in 2024, so the Chiefs could stand to make a move at the CB spot.
- During their Week 8 loss to the Browns, the Ravens struggled once again on the defensive side of the ball. Baltimore currently sits 26th in scoring defense, owing in large part to a league-worst 291 passing yards allowed per game. To little surprise, then, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec writes the Ravens would likely prefer to add a defender ahead of the deadline (subscription required). The team has already been connected to pursuing edge rush help, but the decision to bench safety Marcus Williams could also be an indication a safety is on the radar. The Ravens currently have $4.36MM in cap space, enough for a modest midseason acquisition.
- The 2024 trading period began when the Seahawks acquired Roy Robertson-Harris from the Jaguars. The move gave Seattle an experienced presence along the defensive interior, something which was a priority for the team. As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes, injuries were not a factor in the deal. Rather, the Seahawks have used Robertson-Harris as a rotational member of their D-line amidst their younger incumbent options. The 31-year-old has made seven tackles during his two Seattle appearances.
2024 NFL Cap Space, By Team
With the trade deadline nearing, more player movement can be expected during the coming days. Of course, a key factor in any deals will be the financial situation for contenders aiming to bolster their rosters for the second half of the campaign.
Courtesy of Over the Cap, here is an updated look at each teams’ cap space:
- San Francisco 49ers: $54.13MM
- Cleveland Browns: $45.16MM
- New England Patriots: $36.61MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $34.59MM
- Detroit Lions: $27.53MM
- Washington Commanders: $23.44MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $20.75MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $19.44MM
- Tennessee Titans: $18.26MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $17.12MM
- Green Bay Packers: $13.96MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $11.11MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $10.36MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $9.48MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $8.98MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $8.93MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $8.19MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $8.16MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $7.83MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $7.72MM
- Chicago Bears: $6.14MM
- Houston Texans: $6.01MM
- New York Jets: $5.1MM
- Miami Dolphins: $5.02MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $4.36MM
- Buffalo Bills: $2.37MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $2.35MM
- New Orleans Saints: $2.15MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $1.91MM
- Denver Broncos: $1.77MM
- New York Giants: $1.51MM
- Carolina Panthers: $1.12MM
Just like last year, the 49ers find themselves with considerable cap space to work with. The team has several reasons to roll over as many funds as possible into the offseason, however, with Brock Purdy eligible for an extension and the likes of Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Talanoa Hufanga on track for free agency. Major investments including a commitment beyond 2024 would thus come as a surprise. 
San Francisco is among the teams to watch regarding an addition, and major injuries on both sides of the ball could lead to a stop-gap solution being targeted. The 49ers may also be open to moving away players before the deadline, though, with Ward being named as potential candidate to be dealt. Sitting at 3-4, the team’s bid to return to the Super Bowl has not gone as planned to date, but a notable midseason addition could certainly change things.
Having lost Aidan Hutchinson until at least the Super Bowl, the Lions have an obvious need along the edge. Replacing his production with any one addition will not be feasible, but bringing in at least a rotational option would not come as a surprise. Indeed, Detroit has been involved in the edge market with respect to showing interest in some of the veterans who could be on the move.
That list no longer includes Haason Reddick, but the Lions have also been connected to Za’Darius Smith. The Browns have already moved Amari Cooper, so it would come as little surprise if the team were to deal away the three-time Pro Bowler in a move which would allow him to return to the NFC North. Smith certainly seems to be open to a trade, and Detroit would easily be able to absorb the remainder of his $1.2MM 2024 salary.
While Smith could be on the move, fellow Cleveland edge rusher Myles Garrett is (understandably) seen as untouchable. That is also the case for Raiders start Maxx Crosby, with owner Mark Davis making it clear a trade will not be considered before or after the deadline. Even though the Titans have been active already on the trade front, they too will not entertain a deal involving two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. While talks have taken place related to Cooper Kupp, the Rams do not expect to move on from the former Super Bowl MVP.
The receiver position remains one to watch even with Davante Adams (Jets), Cooper (Bills) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs) already joining new teams. As the Panthers consider selling off pending free agents, Diontae Johnson could be available for a mid-round pick. In the case of the Jaguars, Christian Kirk is still a candidate to be dealt (although he is not a pending free agent). Teams like the Steelers and Chargers have yet to add a pass-catcher, but they have shown interest and could pull off a move in the coming days.