Bills To Sign WR Josh Palmer
One of the youngest receivers on the market has quickly managed to find a new home. Josh Palmer has a three-year, $36MM deal in place with the Bills, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
The Bills will pair the former Chargers supporting-caster with the recently extended Khalil Shakir and 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman. This looks to be Buffalo’s top trio for 2025, but the team still has Curtis Samuel under contract and gave Mack Hollins plenty of snaps last season. Still, it appears Amari Cooper‘s Bills tenure will be limited to barely a half-season.
While a Giants-Palmer connection (via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan) emerged just before the legal tampering period, the Bills are spending notable cash to bring in a player who had fallen out of favor with the Bolts. Palmer’s name came up in trade rumors before the 2024 deadline, as the Bolts had reduced his workload. Then again, Jim Harbaugh’s arrival cut down on Charger pass volume as a whole. Only Ladd McConkey stood out among the Chargers’ pass catchers in the accomplished HC’s first season back in the NFL.
Palmer is only 25, however, and he flashed as a replacement during Keenan Allen and Mike Williams injury spells. Williams’ September 2023 ACL tear brought Palmer into the role of WR2. He totaled 581 receiving yards that year and averaged 15.8 per catch, finishing off that season with the overmatched Easton Stick in as the Bolts’ starter (after Justin Herbert‘s thumb surgery). Palmer managed this in just 10 games, having needed an IR stint that year. In 2022, a season Allen missed nearly half of due to a nagging hamstring ailment, Palmer posted a career-high 769 receiving yards on 72 receptions.
Also supplying extensive experience out wide and in the slot, Palmer brings a versatile skillset to Buffalo. The Bills’ offense already runs through a slot receiver, as the team just gave Shakir a deal eclipsing $13MM per year. Buffalo used an egalitarian setup at WR last season, with Josh Allen spreading the ball around during a stretch that undoubtedly hurt Cooper’s free agency value. While Cooper was still viewed as in play to stay in Buffalo, Palmer — who snuck into our top 50 free agents list this year — will play with the reigning MVP in his prime.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
CB Paulson Adebo To Join Giants
This year’s free agency market features a host of cornerbacks seeking a second free agency payday, but the Giants are adding a first-time UFA. Paulson Adebo is joining the Giants, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reported during a TV appearance. It is a three-year deal. Adebo will collect $18MM per year with $36MM guaranteed, per a Garafolo update.
Joining Asante Samuel Jr. as a CB regular taking his first shot at free agency, Adebo also joins the four-year Charger in coming off an injury-marred season. Adebo sustained a broken femur last October, halting a strong run for a player who had seen extensive time as New Orleans’ No. 1 corner due to Marshon Lattimore‘s injury trouble.
Adebo’s last healthy season (2023) produced notable improvements in coverage. While we still do not have tremendously reliable metrics to measure coverage, Adebo was charged with yielding only 6.7 yards per target and allowing a 55% completion rate as the closest defender in 2023. He allowed one touchdown pass that year and yielded merely a 62.7 passer rating. In 2024, Adebo allowed a 60% completion rate and only a 71.9 passer rating as the closest defender.
Traditional metrics back Adebo’s case more, as he has been a consistent turnover-forcing presence. Adebo combined for seven interceptions over the past two seasons, breaking up 28 passes in that span. The Saints relied on the 6-foot-1 defender for extended stretches in that span, as the organization grew frustrated with Lattimore’s injury recovery paces. After trading Lattimore, the Saints had shown interest in retaining Adebo. But New Orleans’ annual cap issues may have impacted that effort.
The Giants have not seen their recent first-round pick, Deonte Banks, grow into a consistent option. They have questioned Banks’ work ethic, going so far as to bench him briefly last season. As Banks has struggled, the Giants now have a better option in Adebo to play alongside the 2023 draftee and slot Dru Phillips. With the team still housing a formidable pass-rushing trio in Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, it will hope a better cover man can round out a pass defense that ranked 24th last season.
That said, the Giants were eighth in passing yards allowed. While teams did not run into many shootouts in Giants matchups during a dreadful Big Blue season, Shane Bowen’s defense was not the lead area to fix. That domino will fall later for the Giants, whose current regime’s futures likely depend on how the quarterback situation is addressed. For now, though, an early defensive addition could move the needle, as Adebo is not expected to be a candidate to end up on the reserve/PUP list following his broken leg.
Vikings Not Expected To Re-Sign Sam Darnold; Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers On Radar
Friday’s Raiders-Seahawks trade has shaken up the quarterback market. As Geno Smith‘s relocation moved the Seahawks into the group of teams needing a quarterback, Sam Darnold immediately became connected to Seattle. That has changed his status with the Vikings.
Although the Vikings came out of the franchise tag deadline with interest in retaining their 2024 starter at a lower rate, that no longer looks to be in play. In the wake of the Smith trade, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports the Vikings are not expected to re-sign Darnold. They are now focused on other options.
As J.J. McCarthy moves closer to the starting role, a Darnold defection will allow the Vikes to focus on a cheaper option. On that note, Daniel Jones remains in play to stay. Jones will not bring nearly the price tag Darnold will, but the Vikings might not be the only team that views the ex-Giant as a player who could conceivably traverse the Smith, Darnold and Baker Mayfield trajectory. A Colts-Jones link emerged earlier this week, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms Indianapolis will be a factor for Jones as they search for a veteran to compete with Anthony Richardson.
In addition to Jones, a much bigger name lurks. As the Giants have been the team primarily linked to Aaron Rodgers, Rapoport adds the Vikings loom as a dark horse for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Yes, Rodgers continuing to follow Brett Favre‘s late-2000s career path appears realistic. McCarthy is on track to practice in the spring, per Pelissero, but the Vikings remain expected to add a veteran as a stopgap — at the very least. Rodgers having options may dissuade him from a placeholder scenario like this, but it is not like the Giants would call it a day if they signed the 41-year-old QB.
Rodgers’ path to Minnesota would be slightly different than Favre’s, as the latter’s Packers successor spent two seasons with the Jets as opposed to one. A since-outlawed poison-pill provision stipulated the Jets would have needed to send the Packers three first-round picks had they traded Favre to the Vikings — the QB’s first choice back when Rodgers took over in Green Bay. After Favre retirement No. 2, the Jets merely cut Favre and watched as he joined the Vikings months later. He spent two years in Minnesota, with the first season going much better than the second. Rodgers is about to be cut, and Minnesota needs a veteran.
With no prospect on the Giants’ roster just yet, Rodgers could have a chance to be a full-season starter with the Big Apple’s NFC team. Though, the Giants have been closely tied to a trade-up for Cam Ward. Still, that is not a lock to take place. A veteran who joins Big Blue has a clearer path to keeping the job throughout 2025 compared to one who signs with the Vikings, who are close to beginning McCarthy’s time as a first-stringer. That will affect Minnesota’s QB approach.
The Vikings had elevated Jones from their practice squad late last season but did not dress him as Darnold’s backup in their wild-card game. Nick Mullens did so, but Jones — after six seasons of starter work with the Giants — would be in place to become McCarthy’s primary 2025 backup if he re-signs.
As Darnold’s market soared thanks to his bounce-back season in Kevin O’Connell‘s QB-friendly offense, Jones staying has always loomed as a possibility. With Darnold-Seahawks ties quickly emerging after the Raiders’ Smith acquisition, Jones being a much cheaper post-Darnold solution is not too difficult to envision. Will Jones be the Vikings’ preference to Rodgers?
NFC Notes: Carr, Horn, Kupp, Cowboys, Okereke
Derek Carr‘s contract will be restructured for the second straight offseason, ensuring he remains with the Saints for at least one more year. The veteran quarterback’s future had been in question until the news of his pact being reworked.
General Mickey Loomis said keeping Carr in place was the team’s plan, so it comes as no surprise he will play a third season in New Orleans. The four-time Pro Bowler apparently would have welcomed a change of scenery, though. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Carr was believed to be willing to head elsewhere this offseason by joining a QB-needy team. The Saints, however, never showed a desire to move forward with a trade or release.
Carr made it clear before a final decision on his future was made that he would not welcome a pay cut. His $40MM in 2025 compensation will (to a large extent) now be paid out as a signing bonus, but it was already guaranteed under the pact’s previous setup. Trading or cutting their QB1 would therefore have not been feasible for the Saints, but it is still noteworthy Carr would have been on board with a fresh start after two years with the team.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- Extension talks are ongoing between the Panthers and Jaycee Horn. When healthy, the former No. 8 pick has proven to be an effective cornerback but injuries in 2021 and ’23 threaten to hurt his leverage. In spite of his missed time, Joe Person of The Athletic writes Horn is believed to be seeking a deal near the top of the position’s market (subscription required). Five corners are attached to an AAV of $20.1MM or more, and Jalen Ramsey leads the way at $24.1MM per year. That figure could very well be overtaken once Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Derek Stingley (Texans) have extensions in place, but Horn, 25, may not slot in very far behind them.
- Cooper Kupp is known to be on the trade market, with the Rams making clear their intention of moving on from the eight-year veteran. The team is prepared to retain salary to swing a deal, and general manager Les Snead hopes to have one in place by next week (when the 31-year-old’s roster bonus is due). In his first interview since learning of the team’s choice to move on, Kupp said (via Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times) head coach Sean McVay informed him of the move during a face-to-face meting in his office. McVay has left the door (slightly) open to a return with his recent comments, but Kupp has moved forward knowing he will be playing elsewhere in 2025.
- Brandin Cooks is one of many veteran receivers set to hit the market next week. The 31-year-old has spent the past two seasons with the Cowboys, and in an interview with The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson he said he is open to re-signing. Cooks – who missed seven games in 2024 – added he is fully healthy, and Anderson writes there could be interest from multiple teams. While a return to Dallas is firmly in play, Cooks said he feels he has not been utilized correctly during his time there so far. The 11-year veteran played out a two-year, $20MM deal with the Cowboys.
- Bobby Okereke‘s second season with the Giants was limited to 12 games due to a herniated disc in his back. The veteran linebacker is expected to be healthy in time for OTAs, but he could find himself on a new team by then. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News writes there have been rumblings this offseason about the Giants not viewing Okereke’s value in the same light as they did previously. A 2023 free agent signing for general manager Joe Schoen, the former Colt delivered 149 tackles and a pair of interceptions in his debut New York season. His production dropped this past campaign, though, and with two years left on his pact a trade or release could be under consideration. Moving on immediately would not yield notable savings, but a post-June 1 release would free up $9MM later in the offseason. Okereke, 28, is due a $3MM roster bonus March 17.
- With regard to other Cowboys updates, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News notes veteran defensive ends Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston could be on the way out. DeMarcus Lawrence hopes to re-sign, but he is also open to exploring his market. The Cowboys currently have Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland on their rookie deals and a pending mega-extension to work out with leading edge rusher Micah Parsons. Inexpensive depth will increasingly be a priority if any or all of Lawrence, Lawson and Golston sign elsewhere. Watkins adds that punter Bryan Anger and long snapper Trent Sieg are among the players Dallas aims to re-sign, something which has already been taken care of in the case of Osa Odighizuwa.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/8/25
Saturday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: LS Reid Ferguson
New York Giants
- Re-signed: TE Chris Manhertz
Ferguson’s new pact is four years in length, per a team announcement. The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Bills, and his Buffalo tenure will continue for the foreseeable future. Ferguson, 30, has only missed one game to date. His most recent pacts have averaged between $1.08MM and $1.33MM per year, and that will no doubt be the range for this latest one.
Darren Waller‘s retirement created an opening at the tight end spot for the Giants. Manhertz did not operate as a key pass-catcher, but the veteran served as a blocker as he has at other spots during his career. After playing in a rotational capacity on offense and chipping in on special teams, the 32-year-old will be counted on to handle a similar workload in 2025.
Giants To Target CB In Free Agency
Free agency is just around the corner, and after four years with Joe Schoen at the helm as general manager, the Giants are still looking for additions to their roster that can take them to the next level. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan did a deep dive yesterday on some of the players and positions New York will be focusing on in the coming weeks. 
Internally, Raanan identified the Giants’ top free agents as wide receiver Darius Slayton, outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, safety Jason Pinnock, and right guard Greg Van Roten. Of the four, Raanan notes that it looks likely that most, if not all, will hit the open market.
Slayton is looking to join a contender on his next deal. While he hasn’t caught more than five touchdowns in a season since his rookie year, Slayton has surpassed 700 receiving yards in four his six seasons. Receiver-hungry teams like the Chargers and Steelers are likely to seek services like his.
Ojulari has never quite broken out, only averaging 5.5 sacks per year and missing notable time in each of the past three seasons. That could hurt his market, especially with several notable veterans (including the likes of recent cuts Joey Bosa and Harold Landry) available in free agency. Still, while teams which are unable to make a notable addition in the coming days could look to a highly regarded draft class in the pass-rush department, the 24-year-old Ojuari could be an attractive option on a short-term deal.
Pinnock and/or Van Roten departing would create vacancies in the secondary and offensive line, areas which are already in need of help for the Giants. Raanan notes a starting-caliber addition will be sought out at the guard spot, even if Evan Neal (who has not developed as hoped at right tackle) is moved inside. A modest investment at safety can also be expected, whether that consists of retaining Pinnock or signing one of the middle class free agent options.
With respect to priorities for outside addition, cornerback will be a position to monitor. Raanan reports the Giants are looking to make a free agent move at the top of the market. Adding a cover man like D.J. Reed, Paulson Adebo, Charvarius Ward or Byron Murphy – names listed by Raanan as targets New York has looked into (or likely will) – will be expensive. Bringing in any of those veterans to lead a depth chart featuring Deonte Banks and Dru Phillips would, though, go a long way in helping a defense which ranked 31st in the NFL in interceptions last year.
Another potential target could be Isaiah Rodgers. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports the 2024 Eagles pickup is worth watching as free agency approaches. Rodgers, 27, only logged a 36% snap share on defense for the Super Bowl winners but he played a key role on special teams and could secure a larger workload on a new deal. Philadelphia has moved on from Darius Slay and James Bradberry, creating the opportunity for Rodgers to work as a starter if he re-signs.
The Giants currently find themselves with $45.62MM in cap space, a figure which will drop slightly once the new deal for punter Jamie Gillan becomes official, but plenty of funds will be available to make a notable splash at the cornerback position. It will be interesting to see who the team targets at the onset of the negotiating window.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Giants Extend P Jamie Gillan, Re-Sign Tommy DeVito
The Giants shored up two under-the-radar positions today, locking down both punter Jamie Gillan and quarterback Tommy DeVito to return in 2025. Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Gillan is staying in New York on a three-year extension, while DeVito’s signing was announced by Dan Salomone, the senior managing editor of Giants.com. 
According to Pelissero, Gillan’s deal is worth up to $10.2MM over the three-year period, placing him somewhere in the top five highest-paid punters in the NFL, depending on what the final numbers turn out to be. If the face value of the deal ends up being over $9MM, he will be in the top four.
Gillan just finished his sixth year in the NFL, splitting his time almost evenly between New York and Cleveland, where he first started. The Scotland-native signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2019. He took over punting duties as a rookie, demonstrating a strong leg and an ability to pin opposing offenses inside the 20 with regularity. Near the end of his third season with the Browns, Gillan was waived after sitting out of two games, and he signed with the Bills’ practice squad, though he failed to appear in any games with them.
When that season ended, the Giants signed him to a reserve/futures deal, and he became their primary punter in 2022. He’s held the role ever since, aside from four games last year when Matt Haack filled in due to injury. Gillan took his job back after returning to health, and with today’s extension, it looks like he’ll spend another three years in New York.
Quarterback doesn’t seem like an under-the-radar position to lock down, but DeVito’s role on his renewed deal will likely continue to be as a backup. DeVito shined in backup duty as a rookie, filling in for an injured Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. In six starts, he went 3-3, throwing eight touchdowns to just three interceptions. He lost both of his starts last year as a fill-in, completing 70.5 percent of his passes but failing to register a touchdown or interceptions.
DeVito was set to be an exclusive rights free agent, but the team tendered and re-signed the former undrafted Illinois product, barring him from communicating with other teams on the market. While DeVito and Drew Lock return as the top two passers on the roster, it’s unlikely that either will be the preferred starter by the time the season swings around.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/7/25
More teams made tender/non-tender decisions on restricted and exclusive rights free agents today. Here are the latest updates:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Panthers: C Cade Mays
Non-tendered:
- Browns: OLB James Houston
Carolina has tendered Mays with an original-round tender worth $3.26MM. A former sixth-round draft pick, the third-year center will be able field offers from the rest of the league. If an offer comes in, the Panthers would have the chance to match it or let the team sign Mays in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Mays started eight games in 11 appearances last year.
Houston flashed early, particularly when he tallied eight sacks in seven games (only two starts) for the Lions as a rookie. Since then, injuries and inconsistency have kept him from sticking in Detroit or Cleveland.
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Buccaneers: S Kaevon Merriweather
- Chiefs: P Matt Araiza, G Mike Caliendo
- Commanders: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Giants: LB Tomon Fox
- Jets: WR Irvin Charles, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson
- Packers: WR Bo Melton, RB Emanuel Wilson
- Panthers: DT LaBryan Ray
- Raiders: DE Charles Snowden
- Seahawks: TE Brady Russell
- Titans: DT Keondre Coburn, LB Otis Reese
Non-tendered:
- Dolphins: LB Quinton Bell
- Ravens: CB Christian Matthew
FA Notes: Bucs, Mack, Dolphins, Holland, Panthers, Titans, Giants, Bills, Falcons
The Buccaneers did not see their Joe Tryon-Shoyinka first-round pick pay off, and the 2021 draftee is close to hitting free agency. As the Bucs prepares a pass-rushing plan for 2025, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler connects Khalil Mack to the team. Also mentioning the Bears (a previously noted Mack suitor), Fowler notes the Bucs are looking for pass-rushing help. The team has YaYa Diaby under contract for two more seasons, but it has struggled to find a complementary piece since Shaquil Barrett began to decline post-Achilles surgery. Anthony Nelson, who posted four sacks last season, is nearing free agency as well.
While the Bucs have D-line regulars Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, they will need to look for a second OLB starter. Mack rebounded from an injury-marred 2021 season by starting all but one game in three Chargers years. He soared to 17.5 sacks in 2023 but saw his usage rate drop and his sack total along with it (to six) in 2024. Mack, however, has been a durable player and one of this era’s best edge rushers. Although he considered retirement this offseason, the Chargers want him back. The 34-year-old’s market will be interesting.
Here is the latest from the free agent market:
- A player who will command more in total than Mack, Jevon Holland is likely this year’s top safety available. PFR’s No. 6 free agent, Holland escaped the franchise tag deadline and may be poised to follow Robert Hunt and Christian Wilkins out of Miami. The Panthers and Titans are expected to show interest in the four-year Dolphins starter, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes. Holland’s market is likely to stretch past $15MM per year and could reach $20MM AAV, Wolfe adds. Antoine Winfield Jr. is the highest-paid safety, at $21MM per annum; no one else has reached $20MM. The Dolphins are still interested, but the former second-rounder will carry a robust market. If Holland leaves, the Dolphins would need two new safety starters; Jordan Poyer is not expected back, per Wolfe.
- The Giants are bracing to lose Azeez Ojulari in free agency, the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy writes. Considering their investments in Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, it has looked for months like Ojulari would depart. Despite an extensive injury history, Ojulari has been productive when available. He registered 22 sacks on his rookie deal, including six last season as he filled in for an injured Thibodeaux. After holding onto Ojulari at the deadline, the Giants would only recoup a compensatory pick — depending on the team’s FA activity — once he leaves.
- The Falcons finished 31st in sacks last season, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter notes they are doing heavy research on defense in the draft. This comes after Atlanta’s effort to trade back into Round 1 for a defender, after the surprising Michael Penix Jr. pick, failed. As the team changes DCs for a third straight year, Fowler adds it is expected to also pursue defensive upgrades in free agency. The Falcons are expected to let Matt Judon hit the market, and Ledbetter adds fellow OLB Lorenzo Carter is also likely to hit free agency. A pass-rushing overhaul, as Grady Jarrett may be on the trade block, may be afoot in Atlanta.
- Count the Panthers as a team also readying to bolster its defense in free agency, Fowler adds. Carolina fell from fourth in total defense to 32nd last season, and while they are again retaining DC Ejiro Evero, the DC should have more to work with in 2025. After Carolina traded Burns and did not do much to replace him, it is safe to expect a pass-rushing pursuit to commence. Safety Xavier Woods will be among the Panthers who will test the market next week, The Athletic’s Joe Person tweets. He will join kicker Eddy Pineiro in doing so.
- Preston Smith has lingered in free agency for a bit, after his Steelers release, but Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes the Bills are believed to have interest. Although Smith (4.5 sacks last season) signed two healthy Packers contracts, it will not take too much to land the 32-year-old EDGE after he disappointed as a Steelers deadline addition.
Patriots Expected To Pursue Chris Godwin
Although many big-name receivers are available in free agency, Chris Godwin is probably the top prize — now that Tee Higgins is again out of play. PFR’s No. 7 free agent in this year’s class, Godwin is indeed expected to draw major interest.
Leading the way in cap space, the Patriots are expected to be a lead the way in driving Godwin’s market, per the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi. Considering the work the Pats did at wide receiver last year, it is unsurprising they are readying for a major pursuit to help Drake Maye on a rookie contract.
Maye’s rookie deal plays into one of the strongest hands in free agency history. The Patriots lead the way in cap space, by a wide margin, with more than $125MM. They chased Calvin Ridley last year, seeing the Titans outbid them, and explored the trade market. New England is believed to have submitted the top AAV to Brandon Aiyuk, at around $32MM, but the late-summer trade chip opted to stay with the 49ers on an extension. With Pats target Higgins again franchise-tagged (and again being kept out of trades), the team may need to focus on Godwin.
The longtime Mike Evans sidekick’s price will be high, as the cap has climbed another $24MM. The Godwin derby could go beyond $25MM per year, Giardi adds, even though he is coming off a dislocated ankle. Godwin, who played out a three-year deal worth $60MM, also suffered ACL and MCL tears in 2021 but responded with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Although Godwin was second in the NFL in receiving yards when he went down last year, as he had looked like his pre-ACL-tear version, a second major injury could induce some pause.
Godwin is going into an age-29 season and has four 1,000-yard years on his resume. The Super Bowl-winning wideout will have options. One of them appears to be a return to the Buccaneers, with Jason Licht expressing a desire to retain him once again. Franchise-tagged twice, Godwin has never hit free agency previously. The Bucs were able to keep Evans and Baker Mayfield off last year’s market, but time is running out here. Godwin can begin talking to other teams at 11am CT Monday. While the Bucs were able to convince Shaquil Barrett, Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean to re-sign after they had hit the market earlier this decade, Godwin’s price may be too high for a team still paying Evans and one that handed out market-setting deals at left tackle (Tristan Wirfs) and safety (Antoine Winfield Jr.) last year.
The Giants figure to need a Malik Nabers complementary piece, and the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy notes they were interested in Godwin as a trade target back in 2023. Though, Dunleavy expects the Giants to be priced out here. New York is still on the hook for more than $20MM in Daniel Jones dead money, and its cap-space figure ($45MM-plus) is dwarfed by the Patriots’ number.