Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/26
Today’s midweek minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Raiders): WR Brenden Rice
Houston Texans
- Waived (with injury designation): OLB Xavier Thomas
Los Angeles Chargers
- Reverted to IR: CB Jeremiah Wilson
New York Jets
- Waived (with injury settlement): S Chris Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Makari Paige
Draft Rumors: Bucs, Raiders, Waller, Dolphins, Cowboys, Colts, Allen, Giants
Exiting a season without an eight-sack player for the fourth straight year, the Buccaneers attempted to take a big swing in free agency by being part of the Trey Hendrickson chase. The Ravens, after their Maxx Crosby about-face, ended up closing that market. Baltimore reneging on that agreement may have helped Tampa Bay land Rueben Bain Jr., with Jason Licht indicating during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the Raiders obtaining the No. 14 overall pick probably took an EDGE suitor out of the mix.
“Spytek, he and I are very close. He was taunting me a little bit, ‘Hey, we’re sitting right in front of you; I know what you need,’” Licht said of his former Bucs lieutenant-turned-Raiders GM (h/t the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin). “We’re all trying to help each other out here, especially the people that are good friends, so thanks, Spytek.”
Spytek worked under Licht before being hired as Raiders GM in 2025. The Raiders were all set to move Crosby’s $35.5MM-per-year contract off their payroll, and although the team signed Kwity Paye during the period where Crosby was all but certain to relocate to Baltimore, the team could have used more help at the premier position. (If nothing else, Spytek certainly appears to have needled his former boss about needing to trade up for a pass rusher.) Instead, Paye joins Crosby and Malcolm Koonce — re-signed before the Ravens’ seismic decision — in headlining the Raiders’ EDGE corps.
Keeping No. 14, the Ravens were connected to Penn State guard Vega Ioane. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft delivered a direct hit there, and the move allowed the Bucs access to Bain. Tampa Bay viewed the Miami EDGE as a top-five player on its board and was eyeing ex-Bain Hurricanes teammate Akheem Mesidor in the event Bain was off the board. The Ravens keeping their pick after signing Hendrickson may well have helped keep Bain in Florida. Here is the latest draft fallout:
- The Cowboys and Dolphins agreed to a first-round trade that allowed Dallas to climb up one spot for Caleb Downs. That swap was agreed to late during Miami’s time on the clock, and ESPN’s The Pick Is In special (h/t David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel) included a note about the Dolphins initially declining the Cowboys’ offer to move from No. 12 to No. 11. Dallas initially offered a fifth-round pick to climb one spot; this did not move the needle for new Miami GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. As the clock wound down, the Cowboys offered a second fifth-rounder and potentially another pick to seal the deal. Jerry Jones did not view the Dolphins as a threat to draft Downs but worried another team could jump the Cowboys for the Ohio State safety, leading to Nos. 177 and 180 going to Miami for No. 11. Jeff Hafley said during an interview with Richard Sherman (via Yahoo.com) the Dolphins would have drafted Kadyn Proctor at 11 had no trade occurred.
- Staying with the Dolphins, they will obtain an additional 2027 draft choice. The 2025 Darren Waller trade sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Giants after the tight end unretired; a conditional 2027 seventh went back to Miami. The conditions were ultimately satisfied, per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, and the Dolphins will hold an extra 2027 seventh-rounder from the Waller swap. Although Waller began the season late due to injury before being placed on IR twice last season, he caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games played. Waller is not expected to return to Miami.
- The draft signing process annually moves slowest with second-round picks, with guarantees providing the holdup. Round 2 draftees continue to make inroads on that front. Last year, a host of second-round talents — due in no small part to Tyler Shough going 40th overall — secured fully guaranteed deals. This year continues that growth, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting No. 53 overall pick C.J. Allen received 83.7% of his contract guaranteed from the Colts. That is up from 75.4% at No. 53 last year (Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison). The bar for fully guaranteed Round 2 deals will undoubtedly move past No. 40 this year, and Allen receiving this mostly guaranteed pact will have an impact on players drafted shortly before him this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Daveren Rayner
- Waived: TE Brandon Frazier, DT Ben Stille, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Carlos Washington
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Kyron Hudson, LB Wayne Matthews III, LB Jon Rhattigan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Michael Coats Jr.
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Waived: TE Luke Lachey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: WR Brenden Rice
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: FB DJ Herman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Bangally Kamara, DL Smith Vilbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Xavier Holmes, S Peter Manuma
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Brock Rechsteiner
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jaden Keller
- Waived: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C Greg Crippen
- Waived: OT Sataoa Laumea
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Larry Worth III
- Waived: LB Milo Eifler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
- Waived: LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, LB Benton Whitley, RB Owen Wright
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/26
Today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: OL DJ Wingfield
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Jonathan Brady
- Placed on IR: WR Justin Shorter
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: TE Jaheim Bell
The Raiders placed WR Justin Shorter on IR today with an undisclosed injury. The 26-year-old has spent the past two seasons in Las Vegas, appearing in 17 games while spending the majority of his time on special teams. He stuck with the organization via a reserve/futures contract following the 2025 campaign.
He’ll be replaced by UDFA Jonathan Brady, who is coming off a 2025 season when he hauled in 14 catches for Indiana. The Raiders have been busy surrounding first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza with familiar faces, as Brady will join Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams on the offseason roster.
Raiders Release DE Charles Snowden
In a flurry of moves following their second day of rookie minicamp, the Raiders released veteran defensive end Charles Snowden. Along with Snowden, the team waived offensive guards McClendon Curtis and Layden Robinson and recently signed undrafted free agent tight end Matt Lauter out of Boise State. It appears the four players were moved to make room for four undrafted players at the rookie minicamp for a tryout, Cincinnati tight end Patrick Gurd, Queens (CAN) offensive tackle Niklas Henning, UTSA offensive tackle Kamar Missouri, and Utah Tech safety Devyn Perkins.
Snowden started off as an undrafted free agent himself. In a COVID-shortened 2020 season, Snowden’s senior year was cut even shorter when he suffered a broken ankle in a cupcake game against Abilene Christian. Through only eight games, he had already recorded a career-high six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In a normal season, his performance would’ve been on track for a breakout year, but ultimately, aside from second-team All-ACC honors, the end of his collegiate career ended up hurting his prospects for the NFL.
After going undrafted, Snowden signed with the Bears as an UDFA, landing on the practice squad after he failed to make the initial 53-man roster. He did get called up for two games but mostly played special teams with minimal snaps on defense. Over the next two years, Snowden spent offseasons with the Bears, Buccaneers, and Raiders without appearing in a single regular season game. Once landing in Vegas, though, he stopped moving around and was able to establish himself on the roster.
In 2024, Snowden made nine starts while playing in 16 contests. He didn’t prove too effective as a pass rusher but showed promise defending against the run. Given similar opportunities this past season (nine starts in 15 games), he was a bit more disruptive of a pass rusher, factoring solidly into the team’s rotation on the edge. Snowden had been playing on one-year deals for Vegas each season, so it was fairly easy to let him go from his current deal.
Robinson was a near full-time starter for the Patriots just two years ago, logging 11 starts in 13 games played with the team. After starting last year on injured reserve in New England, Robinson was waived in mid-October and signed to the Raiders practice squad after clearing waivers. He didn’t appear in any games but signed a reserve/futures deal to stay. After starting as an UDFA signing for the Raiders in 2023, Curtis spent two years in Seattle as a depth piece on the offensive line. He bounced around to taxi squads with the Cardinals and Giants before landing back with the Raiders just before Robinson.
It’s not a common move to see a team make during rookie minicamps, especially when three of the players cut are not in attendance, but clearly the Raiders felt the need to see more from Gurd, Henning, Missouri, and Perkins than they were going to be able to in just three days. Vegas may have made handshake agreements to pick up any of the other four in the near future, or their time with the team may be over. Snowden is available to sign anywhere at anytime, but the other three will have to clear waivers before getting that same free will.
Raiders Optimistic CB Jermod McCoy Can Play In 2026, Avoid Immediate Surgery
As the 2026 draft rolled along, cornerback Jermod McCoy‘s continued slide down the board became one of the event’s biggest storylines. That was not a surprising development; an obvious first-round talent, predraft reports indicated McCoy’s stock could be undermined by the long-term prognosis for his medically-repaired knee.
Eventually, the Raiders put an end to McCoy’s free fall by selecting the Oregon State and Tennessee product with the first pick of Round 4 (No. 101 overall). Naturally, Las Vegas did plenty of research on the knee, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes. Fowler says the club is optimistic about McCoy’s chances to suit up in 2026 and to avoid immediate surgery, even if he will need some sort of operation in the future.
But it was not McCoy’s short-term availability that gave teams pause. Despite missing the entirety of the 2025 slate due to an ACL tear, McCoy performed well at Tennessee’s pro day in March. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, logged a 38-inch vertical jump, and registered a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. His ACL is reportedly a non-issue; the bigger concern is a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee, a plug that may need to be replaced down the road. Such a procedure could sideline McCoy for an entire season, and an unsuccessful surgery could end his career.
Fowler polled eight teams after Day 2 of the draft, and five of them said they had removed McCoy from their draft boards entirely. The Raiders clearly believed McCoy’s upside was worth a Day 3 gamble, and if his knee holds up, Las Vegas may have gotten a steal.
McCoy solidified his status as one of the most talented CBs in the country with a tremendous 2024 campaign in which he had more interceptions (four) than touchdowns allowed (two). He also limited opposing passers to a miniscule 53.6 passer rating, and his performance led to second-team All-American and second-team All-SEC honors.
The rebuilding Raiders also acquired Taron Johnson to bolster their secondary this offseason, although Johnson is ticketed for the slot. If healthy, McCoy will join Eric Stokes and Darien Porter as Vegas’ top boundary options.
In his report on McCoy, Fowler quoted a rival executive who said, “this felt like [general manager] John Spytek’s draft.” Given that Spytek’s first draft in the GM chair was heavily influenced by one-and-done head coach Pete Carroll, that is considered positive news.
Raiders Announce 17 UDFA Signings
The Raiders had a busy offseason. They made several high-profile additions in free agency and drafted Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in last week’s draft. But even with all that investment, like any other team, they have to fill out their 90-man offseason roster. Here are Las Vegas’ 17 undrafted free agent signings, including a few of Mendoza’s Hoosier teammates:
- Jacob Clark, QB (Missouri State)
- Tyler Duzansky, LS (Penn State)
- Roman Hemby, RB (Indiana)
- Isaiah Jatta, OT (BYU)
- Devin Lafayette, S (Troy)
- Matt Lauter, TE (Boise State)
- Kansei Matsuzawa, K (Hawaii)
- Caleb Offord, CB (Kennesaw State)
- Justin Pickett, G (Duke)
- Chase Roberts, WR (BYU)
- Corey Rucker, WR (Arkansas State)
- Cian Slone, DE (NC State)
- Gary Smith III, DT (UCLA)
- Xavian Sorey, LB (Arkansas)
- Chris Thomas, LB (Maine)
- Tanner Wall, S (BYU)
- E.J. Williams, WR (Indiana)
Clark was a one-year starter at Missouri State and led the Conference USA in completion percentage, passing touchdowns, and passer rating in 2025. With Mendoza, Kirk Cousins, and Aidan O’Connell already in the Raiders’ quarterback room, it is hard to see Clark as much more than a developmental camp arm.
Duzansky was a reliable long-snapper at Penn State and could easily push Alex Ward, who spent the last three years with the Rams, for the starting job in Las Vegas.
Hemby was a three-year starter at Maryland, but other running backs ate into his touches in 2023 and 2024. He decided to transfer to Indiana, where he served as the Hoosiers’ bell cow with 230 carries for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns. He should have a chance to make the 53-man roster in Las Vegas, as the team only has four other running backs under contract. Ashton Jeanty and recent fourth-round pick Mike Washington both have secure spots, but Hemby could certainly beat out Dylan Laube and/or Chris Collier this summer.
Matsuzawa, a Japanese native, is continuing his incredible football journey in Las Vegas. The former soccer player and self-taught placekicker only attracted interest from Hocking College, a school that plays in Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association. He transferred to the University of Hawaii in 2023 and took over the starting kicker job in 2024, converting 12 of his 16 field goal attempts and all 32 of his extra points. In 2025, he made 27 of his 29 field goals (93.1%) in addition to another perfect 40-for-40 mark on extra points. Those kicks were good for 121 total points, which led the Mountain West Conference, and Matsuzawa was named a Consensus All-American at the end of the year.
The Raiders moved on from Daniel Carlson this offseason and signed veteran Matt Gay, but he only has $1.35MM in guaranteed money on his deal. Matsuzawa could have a chance to unseat him.
After drafting Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick last year, the Titans signed Xavier Restrepo, one of his favorite targets at Miami as an undrafted free agent. Similarly, the Raiders have brought in Williams, who caught 36 catches for 438 yards and six touchdowns at Indiana last year. Those numbers pale in comparison to Restrepo’s college production, but Williams’ rapport with Mendoza could give him a chance to impress his coaches in spring and summer practices.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 4/30/26
Today’s draft pick signings:
Baltimore Ravens
- WR Ja’Kobi Lane (third round, USC)
- TE Matt Hibner (fourth round, SMU)
- CB Chandler Rivers (fifth round, Duke)
- TE Josh Cuevas (fifth round, Alabama)
- RB Adam Randall (fifth round, Clemson)
- P Ryan Eckley (sixth round, Michigan State)
- G Evan Beerntsen (seventh round, Northwestern)
Las Vegas Raiders
- S Treydan Stukes (second round, Arizona)
- G Trey Zuhn III (third round, Texas A&M)
- RB Mike Washington Jr. (fourth round, Arkansas)
- S Dalton Johnson (fifth round, Arizona)
- CB Hezekiah Masses (fifth round, Cal)
- WR Malik Benson (sixth round, Oregon)
Philadelphia Eagles
- QB Cole Payton (fifth round, North Dakota State)
- S Cole Wisniewski (seventh round, Texas Tech)
- EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby (seventh round, New Mexico)
Seattle Seahawks
- CB Julian Neal (third round, Arkansas)
- G Beau Stephens (fifth round, Iowa)
- WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (sixth round, Kansas)
- CB Andre Fuller (seventh round, Toledo)
- DT Deven Eastern (seventh round, Minnesota)
- CB Michael Dansby (seventh round, Arizona)
Tennessee Titans
- G Fernando Carmona (fifth round, Arkansas)
- RB Nicholas Singleton (fifth round, Penn State)
- DT Jackie Marshall (sixth round, Baylor)
- C Pat Coogan (sixth round, Indiana)
- TE Jaren Kanak (seventh round, Oklahoma)
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/26
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed ERFA tender: S Devon Key
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: G Bill Murray
- Waived: DE Viliami Fehoko Jr., LB Joseph Vaughn
- Waived-injured: OT Jack Wilson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: LB Jamin Davis
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Tre Tomlinson
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: EDGE Ali Gaye, LB Nate Lynn, NT Isaiah Raikes, LB Cam Riley, G Clay Webb, RB Blake Watson
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: DE David Ebuka Agoha
It wasn’t long ago that Jamin Davis was a first-round pick by the Commanders and appeared to be a foundational part of the team’s defense. The Kentucky product compiled 269 tackles and seven sacks through his first three NFL seasons, but the team wouldn’t commit to a fifth year, declining his option in 2024. He didn’t make it through that subsequent fourth year in Washington, getting cut in late October. Since then, the defender has bounced around the NFL a bit.
He spent last offseason with the Jets but didn’t make it to the regular season with the squad. He caught on with the Raiders and spent most of the year on the team’s practice squad. He made two appearances (one start) for Las Vegas, tallying three tackles in 16 defensive snaps. Now, the 27-year-old will look to revive his career elsewhere.
David Ebuka Agoha joined the Titans practice squad midway through the 2025 season, and he was retained via a reserve/futures contract after the season. With the team declaring him as an international player, he’ll no longer count on the team’s 90-man offseason roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/26
Wednesday’s midweek minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: FB Ben VanSumeren
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed franchise tender: WR George Pickens (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Joe Bachie, DT Jay Tufele
Kansas City Chiefs
- Received international exemption: T Chukwuebuka Godrick
- Waived: RB ShunDerrick Powell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Leki Fotu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Received international exemption: TE Thomas Yassmin
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Eric Johnson II
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Harrison Bryant
The Seahawks are adding some depth in their tight ends room by bringing in the former Mackey Award winner out of FAU. Seattle relied heavily on a two-man crew featuring AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo until a knee injury placed the second-round rookie, Arroyo, on injured reserve for most of the rest of the team’s Super Bowl run. When Arroyo went down, veteran Eric Saubert came in to supplement Barner with minimal contributions from undrafted Minnesota rookie Nick Kallerup.
In his rookie year, Bryant looked like he might displace David Njoku as TE2 behind Austin Hooper in Cleveland. He found himself third in the pecking order in Year 2, but returned to TE2 duties, this time behind Njoku, after Hooper was no longer on the team.