2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM): Declined
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
- LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/1/26
Here are Friday’s rookie signings from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Baltimore Ravens
- DT Rayshaun Benny (seventh round, Michigan)
Green Bay Packers
- DT Chris McClellan (third round, Missouri)
- OLB Dani Dennis-Sutton (fourth round, Penn State)
- C Jager Burton (fifth round, Kentucky)
- CB Domani Jackson (sixth round, Alabama)
- K Trey Smack (sixth round, Florida)
New England Patriots
- CB Karon Prunty (fifth round, Wake Forest)
Philadelphia Eagles
- G Micah Morris (sixth round, Georgia)
- DT Uar Bernard (seventh round, IPPP)
For both the Ravens and Packers, today’s signings leave them with only one unsigned rookie draft pick. Both teams still need to ink their second-round picks to closeout their 2026 draft class signings.
Discovered playing basketball at 16 years old in Nigeria, Bernard earned invitations to the NFL Nigeria camp in 2024 and the NFL Africa camp in Cairo in 2025. As part of the league’s International Player Pathway program, if Bernard is unable to make the initial 53-man roster, he can be placed on the practice squad without counting against the unit’s 16-player limit.
Saints Made Multiyear Offer To K’Lavon Chaisson
The Saints have been shopping around for edge rushers this offseason. Connected to Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain Jr. before the draft, New Orleans also made an offer for Kayvon Thibodeaux. The team ultimately pivoted to Tyree Wilson when the Giants rejected their proposal.
Weeks earlier, however, New Orleans was in the K’Lavon Chaisson market. This would have been a homecoming of sorts for the LSU product, and the Saints outflanked the Commanders in terms of contract length. But it sounds like the former first-round pick was willing to bet on himself rather than be tied down to a multiyear deal at a less-than-desirable rate.
Chaisson’s YouTube channel presented a look into his free agency decision. The seventh-year pass rusher’s agent (David Mulugheta) communicated to him a Saints three-year offer, though it does not sound like NFC South team would have placed him much higher — in terms of AAV — than Washington’s proposal (one year, $11MM). Mulugheta indicated he attempted to move the Saints to $13MM per year; the team not getting there created a decision on term length.
As Mulugheta explained to his client the Patriots did not make an offer, preferring Dre’Mont Jones to help in run defense from the EDGE position, the two discussed the Saints and Commanders (Jones signed a three-year, $36.5MM Pats contract). Mike Vrabel said at the Combine he would “love” to retain Chaisson, but nothing ended up materializing on that front.
It is not known how much guaranteed money New Orleans was offering, but the video points to guarantees into Year 2. Chaisson, however, preferred to bet on himself. This led to the late-blooming sack artist declining to return to Louisiana.
“I’m not gonna lie, I think that Commanders (offer), only because … you know, they’re competitive. So, we’re going to be in some time of playoff race,” Chaisson said. “I’m going to have more opportunities to be ahead (in) the game. I don’t know about the Saints; I don’t know what they offense look like. To know, like, we’ll be playing from ahead to even have rush opportunities.”
Chaisson, who is heading into an age-27 season, broke through with the Patriots after failing to justify his draft slot with the Jaguars. He joined the Raiders on a one-year, $1.13MM after the Panthers released him in 2024; his 2025 Pats contract came in at one year and $3MM. Chaisson recorded 7.5 regular-season sacks and three more in the playoffs. Mulugheta advised his client to avoid a multiyear deal for less than $11MM per when the Commanders were offering that in a “prove it” scenario.
After the EDGE market transformed throughout 2025, Chaisson opted to take the Commanders’ offer in hopes teams present better proposals — he mentioned a future deal beyond $20MM per year — in 2027. This is an interesting behind-the-curtain look at Chaisson’s process. In the video, he also inquires about the Buccaneers and Ravens, but without much traction from either, the decision came down to the Commanders or Saints.
PFR ranked Chaisson 32nd in this year’s free agent class, predicting some teams would deem his Patriots breakthrough as insufficient for a big multiyear offer. The Saints gave Chase Young a three-year, $51MM deal in 2025, but they had seen him excel with the team in 2024. Chaisson, who will team with Odafe Oweh in Washington, will hope to make a similar jump (Young played on a one-year, $13MM deal in 2024). Meanwhile, Oweh signed a four-year, $100MM deal with the Commanders.
Although the Saints finished with a better record than the Commanders last season, Chaisson looks to view the latter in higher regard because of Jayden Daniels‘ presence. The team, after all, voyaged to the NFC championship game during Daniels’ healthy rookie season before regressing as its quarterback battled multiple injuries. The Saints finished 6-11 last season and saw promise from Tyler Shough, but Chaisson will bet on Daniels presenting him with more pass-rushing snaps in Washington.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/28/26
Today’s minor moves:
New England Patriots
- Released: RB Elijah Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: TE Jaheim Bell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: QB/WR John Rhys Plumlee
Mike Vrabel Back With Patriots Following Draft, Did Not Communicate With Team On Day 3 Picks
APRIL 28: As confirmed by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Vrabel will continue to attend counseling moving forward while also attending to his head coaching duties in between. The balance struck on this front will be key for Vrabel and the Patriots as the offseason progresses.
APRIL 27: Last week injected a football element to the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini saga, bringing it to the PFR pages. The second-year Patriots HC said he would miss Day 3 of the draft, spending time with his family as he confirmed he would begin counseling.
Vrabel’s announcement came after the New York Post dropped more incriminating photos of he and Russini, the latest batch showing them together at a New York City bar in March 2020. Vrabel spoke briefly at a news conference before Day 1 of the draft but has not been available to the media since. Coaches speak after draft days, and the Patriots made six picks on Day 3.
Although Vrabel was away from the team Saturday, NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry notes the 2025 Coach of the Year has returned to the Pats’ facility Monday as voluntary workouts continue.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager indicated Saturday that Vrabel was in contact with the Patriots, but the veteran reporter later backtracked, indicating that while an expectation existed the HC would be in contact with the team during the draft the sides ultimately were not in communication. De facto GM Eliot Wolf said Saturday that he and Vrabel did not communicate regarding draft matters.
“Last night we kind of talked through things and made the decision that the time away really needs to be time away,” Wolf said, via MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian, “so we were not in contact with Mike today other than some just, ‘Hope everything’s going OK’ kind of texts early this morning.”
The initial photographs from 2026 released by the Post showed Vrabel and Russini hugging and holding hands at a resort in Arizona. The Post’s subsequent photo drop came hours after Vrabel announced he would be away from the Patriots on Day 3 of the draft. The 2020 photos showed Vrabel and Russini kissing at a New York bar. Vrabel, 50, was the Titans’ HC in March 2020; Russini was an ESPN reporter at that time. Vrabel and his wife, Jen, have two sons; the couple has been married since 1999. Russini has been married since September 2020. She had been The Athletic’s top NFL insider in recent years but resigned her post this month as an internal investigation began.
Vrabel was with Wolf, Ryan Cowden and Co. in the Pats’ draft room on Thursday and Friday; still, his Day 3 absence became the story coming out of the defending AFC champions’ draft. Vrabel said (via the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed) he could not confirm whether he would miss more football-related activities because of this scandal.
“I can’t answer that. I can only say that whatever my family needs, that’s what I’m going to provide,” Vrabel said. “But I also understand what’s needed for me here.”
Wolf held final say on Day 3 of the draft, he confirmed (via Guregian). Vrabel and Wolf work collaboratively, but when the Patriots won the Vrabel derby last year, it was understood he would hold significant sway regarding personnel. Both Vrabel and Wolf report to ownership. It is worth wondering if Wolf will take on more responsibility as Vrabel navigates continued fallout from these reports.
The Patriots will begin OTAs May 27; their mandatory minicamp will run from June 15-17. It will be interesting to see how available to the media Vrabel will be during those periods, as a lengthy break falls annually between mid-June and training camp in late July. This scandal has not shown signs of slowing down yet, and Vrabel beginning counseling during the draft made this one of the stranger draft-weekend storylines in recent NFL history. The Patriots backed their successful HC when he revealed he would be absent for Day 3. While Vrabel’s high-profile off-field issue has the potential to overshadow more Pats matters, he will certainly be expected to attend OTAs and minicamp before the midsummer hiatus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/27/26
NFL teams have begun making roster adjustments following the conclusion of the 2026 draft. Here are the latest moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: P Trenton Gill
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Received international exemption: OL Kilian Zierer
New England Patriots
- Waived: WR John Jiles, TE Marshall Lang
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR Samori Toure, WR, Elijah Cooks, RB Evan Hull
New York Giants
- Waived: DL DeMarvin Leal
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: WR Brandon Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: RB Cam Akers
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Patrick McMorris, RB Sincere McCormick
Gill was a Bears seventh-round pick in 2022 who ranked among the league’s bottom 10 punters during his first two seasons in Chicago. He then served as one of the Buccaneers’ three punters in 2024 and did not sign with another team until joining Atlanta’s practice squad this past January. He then signed a reserve/futures contract with the Falcons. Former Patriots All-Pro Jake Bailey then arrived in March on a three-year, $9MM deal, solidifying the team’s punter situation in 2026 and resulting in Gill’s release.
Leal never lived up to his third-round draft billing in Pittsburgh, appearing in just 32 games with one sack and three tackles for loss across the last four seasons. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants in January, but he was deemed surplus to requirements after defensive line additions in free agency and the draft.
Akers, 26, finished the 2025 season as a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks. The departure of Kenneth Walker in free agency preserved the possibility of a 2026 role in Seattle, but the team quickly restocked their backfield by signing former Packer Emanuel Wilson and drafting Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price. Akers has played for four different teams across his six-year career and will now be looking for a new home.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina) (signed)
Patriots Draft QB Behren Morton At No. 234
The Patriots are among the teams which have opted to bring in a signal-caller late on Day 3. Texas Tech’s Behren Morton has been taken by New England at No. 234. He becomes the ninth quarterback off the board and the first out of Lubbock since Patrick Mahomes was taken in 2017.
While much of the Red Raiders’ success in 2025 came from the transfer portal, Morton was a redshirt senior in his final year with the program. Where most find their way to Lubbock for college, Morton was born and raised there. A move to New England will mean quite a change in scenery.
Morton earned his first starters at Tech over a four-game stretch in his redshirt freshman year as an injury replacement. He began the 2023 season as the backup to eventual Saints starter Tyler Shough but took over the starting role in Week 5 and held on from there.
Morton showed a lot of promise in his first extended look as a starter. The team went 6-2 with him behind center, but Morton only averaged about 175.7 yards per game en route to 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His production took a huge jump the next season. He added over 100 yards per game to his weekly average as he threw for 3,335 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 12 games. While his total yardage fell short in 2025, his efficiency increase as his yards per attempt increased from 7.2 in 2024 to 8.8.
While Morton displayed a versatile arm at Tech, throwing from multiple arm slots, his arms strength has been called into question. He can throw with anticipation, but his accuracy leaves room for improvement, and his mechanics could use some refinement. He proved to be a tough athlete over the years, but injuries will be something to keep an eye on moving forward. Morton missed at least two games in three of his five years in school.
Morton is set to join a quarterbacks room that has a clear starter and backup in Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito. He’ll have the opportunity throughout the offseason to convince the Patriots to hold on to three passers for the 2026 NFL season, even if that might destine him for a spot on the practice squad.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Vikings Acquire No. 198, Select RB Demond Claiborne
For the second time in a few minutes, the Patriots have traded down. The defending AFC champions traded No. 191 to the Jaguars and have now moved No. 198 to the Vikings.
Minnesota will send No. 234 and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New England, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed tweets. The Vikings are using the 198th choice on Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne.
Claiborne totaled just 14 carries in 2022, his first year with the Demon Deacons, before taking over as their lead back. He had a breakout season in 2024, a 12-game showing in which he rushed for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 attempts. Claiborne added another 254 yards and two scores on 23 catches.
Claiborne amassed fewer carries (179) in a dozen games last season as he dealt with ball security issues. While he finished with five fumbles, he put up 907 yards on 5.1 per tote and recorded 10 TDs. Claiborne also pulled in a personal-best 28 grabs, though his yardage total fell to 140 (a paltry 5.0 per reception).
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Claiborne possesses 4.37 speed and is similar in size to Dolphins star De’Von Achane (5-9, 191). Between his athleticism and pass-catching skills, Claiborne is “low-calorie” version of Achane, Dane Brugler of The Athletic observes.
Claiborne will begin his NFL career behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, but those two are only under contract for another year. That could give Claiborne a chance to carve out an important role in the Vikings’ offense in the near future.