NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/16/21
Both Los Angeles teams were busy locking up their later-round draft picks as we wrap up the weekend:
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Nick Niemann (sixth-round; Iowa), DB Mark Webb (seventh-round; Georgia)
Los Angeles Rams
- DE Earnest Brown IV (fifth-round; Northwestern), RB Jake Funk (seventh-round; Maryland), WR Ben Skowronek (seventh-round; Notre Dame), LB Chris Garrett (seventh-round; Concordia St.-Paul)
Rams Sign Round 2 Pick Tutu Atwell
Lacking a first-round pick for the fifth straight draft, the Rams opted to add to one of their strongest position groups with their second-round choice. They selected Louisville receiver Tutu Atwell 57th overall.
The diminutive wideout agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Atwell will join a Rams receiving corps that houses Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and DeSean Jackson. The team also drafted Van Jefferson in the 2020 second round. It has invested considerable capital at this position.
Los Angeles’ pick surprised also because of Atwell’s stature. The 5-foot-8 target checked in at 149 pounds earlier this offseason. He will be one of the smallest players to suit up for an NFL game in generations. Atwell’s size did not prevent him from becoming one of this draft’s top receivers available, however. He caught 69 passes for 1,272 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019 and added a 46/625/7 line in 2020’s abbreviated season.
The Rams traded two first-round picks and change for Matthew Stafford earlier this year. Jackson and Atwell stand as players who could maximize the longtime Lion’s arm strength. They will pair with intermediate targets Woods and Kupp. Atwell, Woods, Kupp and Jefferson are signed through at least 2023, with the rookie’s deal running through 2024.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/21
Today’s minor moves:
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: C/G Sam Jones
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: LS Colin Holba
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: RB Austin Walter
Packers Tried To Claim LS Matt Orzech
The Packers attempted to claim long snapper Matt Orzech, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, the Rams had higher priority in the order due to their 10-6 finish. The Packers, meanwhile, went 13-3 (and nearly reached the Super Bowl).
[RELATED: Titans Cut Orzech, Orchard]
Orzech, a 2019 undrafted free agent, saw 16 games as a rookie with the Jaguars. In 2020, he had stints with the Jaguars and Dolphins before landing with the Titans’ practice squad. On Monday, the Titans waived him along with linebacker Nate Orchard and tight end Parker Hesse.
Meanwhile, the Packers have bigger fish to fry. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers still wants out and the Packers continue to insist that he’ll stay put. Still, the Broncos believe that they can swing a trade for Rodgers — especially since the other potential suitors have found other solutions at QB.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/21
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: K Matt McCrane
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: LB Anthony Butler
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Caleb Scott
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed (from Titans): LS Matthew Orzech
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Trill Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Calvin Bundage
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Quenton Meeks
NFC West Teams Add Players Via International Player Pathway Program
This year was the NFC West’s turn to participate in the International Player Pathway program, which allows teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squads. This year’s players include (via NFL.com):
- Cardinals: TE Bernhard Seikovits, Austria
- 49ers: OL Alfredo Gutierrez, Mexico
- Rams: OL Max Pircher, Italy
- Seahawks: LB Aaron Donkor, Germany
Per the league’s website, the “program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.”
These players will sit on their respective team’s roster until the end of training camp, at which time the teams will be granted “an international player practice squad exemption.” Assuming these players land on the practice squad, they’ll be ineligible to be activated during the 2021 campaign.
Each of the four players from the 2020 program will head into the preseason with the same teams: OT Isaac Alarcon (Cowboys), DE David Bada (Washington), DE Matt Leo (Eagles) and RB Sandro Platzgummer (Giants).
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LS Scott Daly, G Evan Heim
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed (from Jets): DL John Daka
- Signed: OL Max Pircher (Int’l Pathway Program)
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Adonis Alexander, WR Matt Cole, S Chris Edwards
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Aaron Donkor (Int’l Pathway Program)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Fred Brown
Rams Sign 9 UDFAs
The Rams had nine picks in this weekend’s draft, but three of them were seventh-rounders and only one was in the first 100 picks. As such, their undrafted free agent class should have plenty of opportunities to make good impressions. Los Angeles became the latest team to announce their group on Sunday, inking the following nine rookies to deals:
- Landen Akers, WR (Iowa State)
- Alaric Jackson, OT (Iowa)
- Paris Ford, S (Pittsburgh)
- Jovan Grant, S (Merrimack College)
- Jeremiah Haydel, WR (Texas State)
- Jordan Meredith, OL (Western Kentucky)
- Max Roberts, OLB (Boston College)
- George Silvanic, DT (Air Force)
- Troy Warner, S (BYU)
The Rams surprised everybody by drafting three receivers, but that didn’t stop them from signing another two. The fact they signed three safeties would seem to indicate one of those guys has a decent chance of cracking the roster. Warner might have a real shot since Aaron Wilson tweets that he got a $12.5K signing bonus. He’s also the brother of star 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who the Rams are quite familiar with.
Jackson got a $20K signing bonus, Wilson tweets, and since the Rams also shocked everybody by not drafting an offensive lineman, he could gave a good chance as well. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection this past year, and started 42 games at left tackle for Iowa. He was a projected sixth-round pick by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
2021 NFL Draft Results By Round
The 2021 NFL Draft is here! We’ll be keeping tabs here, from pick No. 1 through No. 259:
Round 1
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson)
2) New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB (BYU)
3) San Francisco 49ers (from Texans via Dolphins): Trey Lance, QB (North Dakota State)
4) Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida)
5) Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR (LSU)
6) Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): Jaylen Waddle, WR (Alabama)
7) Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT (Oregon)
8) Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina)
9) Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB (Alabama)
10) Philadelphia Eagles (from Cowboys): DeVonta Smith, WR (Alabama)
11) Chicago Bears (from Giants): Justin Fields, QB (Ohio State)
12) Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers via Dolphins via Eagles): Micah Parsons, LB (Penn State)
13) Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT (Northwestern)
14) New York Jets (from Vikings): Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL (USC)
15) New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB (Alabama)
16) Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins, LB (Tulsa)
17) Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood, OL (Alabama)
18) Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, DL (Miami)
19) Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis, LB (Kentucky)
20) New York Giants (from Bears): Kadarius Toney, WR (Florida)
21) Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DL (Michigan)
22) Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB (Virginia Tech)
23) Minnesota Vikings (from Seahawks via Jets): Christian Darrisaw, OT (Virginia Tech)
24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB (Alabama)
25) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams): Travis Etienne, RB (Clemson)
26) Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome II, CB (Northwestern)
27) Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR (Minnes0ta)
28) New Orleans Saints: Payton Turner, DE (Houston)
29) Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes, CB (Georgia)
30) Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau, DL (Miami)
31) Baltimore Ravens (from Chiefs): Jayson Oweh, DE (Penn State)
32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon, LB (Washington)
2021 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
The 2021 NFL Draft has arrived! As the picks come in, we’ll keep track of each team’s haul right here:
[RELATED: 2021 NFL Draft Order By Round]
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1: No. 16 Zaven Collins, LB (Tulsa) (signed)
Round 2: No. 49 Rondale Moore, WR (Purdue) (signed)
Round 4: No. 136 (from Ravens) Marco Wilson, CB (Florida) (signed)
Round 6: No. 210 (from Ravens) Victor Dimukeje, LB (Duke) (signed)
Round 6: No. 223 (from Vikings) Tay Gowan, CB (Central Florida) (signed)
Round 7: No. 243 James Wiggins, S (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 7: No. 247 (from Bears through Raiders) Michal Menet, C (Penn State) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1: No. 4 Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida) (signed)
Round 2: No. 40 (from Broncos) S Richie Grant (Central Florida)
Round 3: No. 68 Jalen Mayfield, OT (Michigan) (signed)
Round 4: No. 108: Darren Hall, CB (SDSU) (signed)
Round 4: No. 114 (from Broncos) Drew Dalman, C (Stanford) (signed)
Round 5: No. 148 Ta’Quon Graham, DT (Texas) (signed)
Round 5: No. 182 Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DE (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 5: No. 183 Avery Williams, CB (Boise State) (signed)
Round 6: No. 187 Frank Darby, WR (Arizona State) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1: No. 27 Rashod Bateman, WR (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 1: No. 31 (from Chiefs) Jayson Oweh, DE (Penn State)
Round 3: No. 94 (from Chiefs) Ben Cleveland, G (Georgia)
Round 3: No. 104 Brandon Stephens, CB (SMU)
Round 4: No. 131 Tylan Wallace, WR (Oklahoma State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 160 (from Cardinals) Shaun Wade, CB (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 171 Daelin Hayes, LB (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 5: No. 184 Ben Mason, FB (Michigan) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
Round 1: No. 30 Gregory Rousseau, DL (Miami) (signed)
Round 2: No. 61 Carlos Basham Jr., DE (Wake Forest) (signed)
Round 3: No. 93 Spencer Brown, OT (Northern Iowa)
Round 5: No. 161 (from Raiders) Tommy Doyle, OT (Miami (Ohio) (signed)
Round 6: No. 203 Marquez Stevenson, WR (Houston) (signed)
Round 6: No. 212 (from Saints via Texans) Damar Hamlin, S (Pittsburgh) (signed)
Round 6: No. 213 Rachad Wildgoose, CB (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 7: No. 236 (from Panthers) Jack Anderson, G (Texas Tech) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
Round 1: No. 8 Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 2: No. 59 (from Browns) Terrace Marshall Jr., WR (LSU)
Round 3: No. 70 (from Eagles) Brady Christensen, OT (BYU) (signed)
Round 3: No. 83 (from Bears) Tommy Tremble, TE (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 4: No. 113 Chuba Hubbard, RB (Oklahoma State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 158 Daviyon Nixon, DT (Iowa) (signed)
Round 5: No. 166 (from Titans) Keith Taylor, CB (Washington) (signed)
Round 6: No. 204 (from Bears) Shi Smith, WR (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 6: No. 222 Thomas Fletcher, LS (Alabama) (signed)
Round 7: No. 232 (from Titans) Phil Hoskins, DT (Kentucky) (signed)