Bills Sign First-Round Pick Tremaine Edmunds
A day after signing half their draft picks, the Bills have officially inked one of their first-rounders to a deal. The team announced (via Twitter) that linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has signed a four-year contract.
The Bills had to trade up for the Virginia Tech product, sending the Ravens picks No. 22 and No. 65 in exchange for No. 16 and No. 154. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said he had been eyeing the Virginia Tech product, and he attempted to trade up to the 14th (Packers) and 15th (Raiders) spot to acquire the linebacker. The front office ultimately got the Ravens to pull the trigger, and the Bills got their guy.
“(Edmunds) was sticking out on our board, and it’s a need,” Beane said. “If a guy is sticking out on our board, and it’s really not a need, you might not do it. But with the hole we had there, and where he was on our board, it was a no-brainer. Even if we could have got to 14, we would have done it.”
Edmunds was considered to be one of the top defenders in the entire draft, and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah listed him sixth in his top-50 rankings. The linebacker had a productive junior season, compiling 108 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The rookie will likely compete with Matt Milano and Tanner Vallejo for a starting gig.
This signing leaves the Bills with three unsigned draft picks: first-round quarterback Josh Allen, third-round defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, and fourth-round cornerback Taron Johnson.
Steelers Sign WR James Washington
The Steelers have signed their second-round pick (No. 60 overall) wide receiver James Washington to a four-year deal, Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams reports. 
During the draft, the team sent receiver Martavis Bryant to the Raiders, so the Steelers were looking to fill the void left by the big-play, but often troubled receiver. They found their guy in Washington. The team will hope its recent run of selecting wide receivers continues with the college star, who joins Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster in a loaded aerial attack.
At Oklahoma State, the electric receiver set a new school record and finished second in Big 12 history with 4,472 career receiving yards. He added 39 receiving touchdowns during his career and claimed the prestigious Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver as a senior in 2017.
Washington said he is ready to step in and replace Bryant as the team’s go-to option on deep balls. “It all comes down to who wants it more, and nine times out of 10, I guarantee you I want it more,” Washington said.
The quarterback he achieved those eye-popping numbers with won’t be far away, either, after Pittsburgh selected Mason Rudolph in the following round as the potential successor to longtime signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger.
Falcons Sign DT Terrell McClain
The Falcons have won the Terrell McClain sweepstakes. The team announced an agreement with the UFA defensive tackle, and McClain will stay in Atlanta after taking an extensive post-draft tour.
McClain visited the Dolphins, 49ers, Cowboys and Falcons, making the trip to Atlanta on Friday. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports this is expected to be a one-year agreement and the max value of the contract will be more than $4MM (Twitter link).
A former Cowboys starter, McClain was in Dallas on Thursday and worked out for some of his former coaches. The Cowboys were negotiating terms with the 29-year-old defender on Thursday, and Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted (via Twitter) McClain received offers from multiple teams. Rod Marinelli wanted him to return to Dallas, per Hill, but he’ll join a sixth NFL franchise instead.
McClain stabilized his career with the Cowboys, playing three seasons and being a full-time starter in 2016. He used that season as a springboard to a semi-lucrative deal with the Redskins, but they released him just after the draft. He’ll now join a Falcons defense that houses Grady Jarrett and Jack Crawford on its interior. The Falcons were linked to Da’Ron Payne on draft night in a would-be trade-up scenario, but they stood pat and have now opted to add veteran help instead.
David Tepper Frontrunner To Buy Panthers?
The Panthers may be on the verge of having a new owner soon. David Tepper is the frontrunner to succeed Jerry Richardson and buy the Charlotte, N.C.-based franchise, Joe Person, Katherine Peralta and Rick Rothacker of the Charlotte Observer report.
Tepper refuted an April report that he was out of the mix to make this acquisition, and it appears the hedge-fund billionaire is close to moving forward with this purchase. Worth approximately $11 billion, the 60-year-old Tepper has the most capital of any of the men vying to buy the team, per the Observer trio. Tepper’s finances being the least complicated aided his bid, per Person, Peralta and Rothacker, who add Tepper was back in Charlotte on Wednesday meeting with team officials.
This comes after another potential buyer, Ben Navarro, wanted to involve Peyton Manning as a part-owner. Alan Kestenbaum and Michael Rubin represented the other bidders for the team. Richardson’s son, Mark, put weight behind Navarro to be his father’s successor. However, Tepper now appears to be leading the race, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting Jerry Richardson has zeroed in on Tepper. Although, the Observer reporters caution this deal is not finalized.
Rapoport adds (via Twitter) Tepper wants to keep the Panthers in Charlotte. This deal could be ready to be approved by the next set of owners’ meetings in Atlanta later this month, per Rapoport, who also reports Tepper is the only one of these potential buyers who could be approved by the upcoming meetings. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora writes he’d be “shocked” if Tepper wasn’t the next Panthers owner, adding this sale could be announced early next week.
The report indicating Tepper was out doesn’t appear to have been entirely off base, either, with La Canfora reporting Tepper has told confidants at multiple times during this process he was out. But evidently he’s back in and ready to finish the process. Additionally, La Canfora reports Manning was unlikely to join Navarro’s ownership group.
Since Tepper has been a part-owner of the Steelers since 2009, he also would not need to be approved by the NFL. Many NFL owners wanted Tepper to win this race, the New York Times reported in April.
Josh Rosen Signs Cardinals Deal
A second first-round pick signed his rookie deal on Thursday. The Cardinals reached an agreement with quarterback Josh Rosen, the team announced, on the eve of Arizona’s rookie minicamp.
Rosen follows Redskins defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne in agreeing to terms with his team. Rosen signed the customary four-year rookie accord, one that contains a 2022 option year.
The Cardinals have been looking for a bit now for their next franchise quarterback, and Rosen will be expected to give Sam Bradford a strong push for the job this season. The UCLA product was viewed by most as this class’ most polished passer and one that will need the shortest acclimation process before seeing game action.
Interestingly, Rosen follows Patrick Mahomes as the No. 10 pick. The Cardinals were rumored to be interested in trading up for Mahomes, but they’ll now being paying their quarterback a salary customary for that draft slot. Mahomes’ Chiefs deal was worth $16.425MM over four years, so Rosen’s pact will come in north of that ($17.6MM with a $10.9MM signing bonus, per Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Twitter link) but south of 2018 peers Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen.
However, with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, David Johnson and now Christian Kirk in place with the Cardinals, Rosen could be best-positioned to make an impact as a rookie.
Cowboys DT Maliek Collins Breaks Foot
A starter since coming into the league as a third-round pick in 2016, Maliek Collins has encountered an offseason obstacle that could threaten playing time this season.
Collins suffered a broken foot on Thursday while working with the Cowboys in their offseason program, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. No definite timetable exists for Collins’ recovery just yet. Collins is going to need surgery after sustained a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot, Todd Archer of ESPN reports. He underwent a similar surgery on this foot in January, per Archer, who adds the hope at this point is for Collins to be ready by the middle of training camp.
While there isn’t a certain timeline here, Collins has been down this road before. Essentially this exact road. The former Day 2 pick broke his right foot two summers ago and was sidelined for 10-12 weeks. However, he returned to action in time to start 14 games that season after undergoing a similar surgery to what he will now undergo this week. Archer reports this procedure could happen as soon as Friday.
The Cowboys worked out their other 2016 defensive tackle starter Thursday in Terrell McClain and may be on the verge of bringing him back. The Redskins released McClain in April. Now that Collins could be on the shelf for a while, the team would have a much bigger need at defensive tackle.
Top 10 Remaining NFL Free Agents: Defense
The most high-profile free agent signings occurred more than two months ago, but as we near June there are still talented NFL free agents available on the open market. Most of these players (with a few exceptions) won’t command much guaranteed money, and none will factor into the compensatory draft pick formula given that we’ve passed the May 8 deadline for comp selections. Let’s take a look at the defensive players who will try to find a home as training camp approaches:
1. Eric Reid, S
There’s no question that Reid’s history of protesting the national anthem has factored into his ongoing free agency. Reid was asked about his plans to kneel during the anthem by the Bengals, the only club yet to have him in for a visit, and Reid has since filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, one that is backed by the NFLPA. Colin Kaepernick, of course, has failed to land an NFL job after initiating the protest, and it’s quite possible Reid will be similarly blackballed. On the field, Reid is a solid starter capable of playing either defensive back or linebacker, but the safety market as a whole has been incredibly slow to develop.
Possible fits: 49ers, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Panthers, Redskins, Chiefs
2. Tre Boston, S
To date, Tyrann Mathieu‘s one-year, $7MM deal with the Texans is the most expensive safety contract (non-franchise tag department) handed out this offseason, and one agent told Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com that safeties aren’t even getting offers of “one year, $3 million.” Like Reid, Boston has generated scant interest over the past two months, although four clubs — the Cardinals, Raiders, Browns, and Giants — reportedly expressed interest in March. Boston is only 25 years old, coming off the bet season of his career, and can handle deep safety. He’s admitted his history of social activism could be working against his prospects, although Boston hasn’t taken as public of stances as has Reid.
Possible fits: Bengals, Giants, Cowboys, Panthers, Buccaneers, Cardinals
3. Robert Ayers, EDGE
The Buccaneers swapped out Ayers in favor of Vinny Curry this spring, and it’s not readily apparent that Tampa Bay found a better player. While Curry is three years younger than Ayers, the latter finished as the league’s No. 10 edge defender in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus, while Curry ranked 21st. Ayers hit a career-high in sacks with nine in 2015 and managed only two quarterback takedowns a season ago, but he’s highly adept at generating pressure, even if it doesn’t show up in the stat sheet. Instead of taking multiple free agent visits, Ayers met with several clubs at the league’s meetings in March, but he’s yet to ink a new deal.
Possible fits: Lions, Panthers, Seahawks
4. Bashaud Breeland, CB
Breeland originally signed a three-year, $24MM pact with the Panthers on the first day of the free agent period, but that contact was nullified after Breeland failed his physical. A freak injury resulted in a cut on Breeland’s foot that will require a skin graft, meaning he won’t be able to sign until he heals, which could be at some point this summer. Overall, the health issue — which occurred when a stray golf ball hit Breeland and re-opened a wound he suffered in grade school — sounds relatively minor, and shouldn’t scare teams once the 26-year-old is ready to meet with teams again. The Packers, for one, were reportedly interested in Breeland before he landed with Carolina (but have since added multiple corners via the draft), while the Redskins don’t appear ready to discuss a reunion.
Possible fits: Cardinals, Lions, Eagles, Raiders, Chiefs, Colts, Bills
5. Junior Galette, EDGE
The 2018 pass rushing market was extremely thin, as there were few options available via either free agency or the draft. Veterans such as Demarcus Lawrence and Ezekiel Ansah were quickly franchise-tagged, while only two edge rushers — Bradley Chubb and Marcus Davenport — came off the board in the first round of the draft. Enter Galette, who dominated in limited playing time with the Redskins a season ago. Although he put up only three sacks, Galette registered 37 pressures on just 258 pass-rushing snaps. His age (30) and history of off-field issues should drive his price down, meaning an edge-needy club could be in line for a bargain. One team that’s not interested? Washington, which is moving on after inking fellow outside ‘backer Pernell McPhee.
Possible fits: Browns, Raiders, Rams, Ravens, Texans
6. Kenny Vaccaro, S
Vaccaro offers a more versatile skill-set than other defensive backs on this list, as he’s demonstrated the ability to play slot cornerback. Coming off the worst season of his five-year NFL career, Vaccaro was admittedly putrid in coverage in 2017. Pat Thorman charted the former first-round pick allowing a 84.2 completion percentage, 11.7 yards per attempt, and a 147.3 passer rating (for comparison, Eric Reid‘s numbers: 64.7%, 7.8 YPA, 81.8 passer rating). The Dolphins met with Vaccaro earlier this year, but seem unlikely to sign him after adding Minkah Fitzpatrick in the draft.
Possible fits: Cowboys, Bengals, Colts, Eagles, Buccaneers, 49ers
7. Delvin Breaux, CB
The Saints opted not to tender Breaux as a restricted free agent, passing on the opportunity to keep the 29-year-old at a one-year price south of $2MM. Since hitting the open market, Breaux has generated a good deal of interest, meeting with the Broncos, Patriots, Packers, and 49ers in March. That he hasn’t yet signed is likely an indication that Breaux is asking for too much money, as teams are likely wary of paying a player who hasn’t been healthy since 2015. That 2015 campaign was a massive success for Breaux, however, as he finished 16th in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning the former CFLer was proficient at stopping receivers short of the sticks.
Possible fits: Patriots, Broncos, Texans, Colts, Chiefs, Eagles, Panthers
8. NaVorro Bowman, LB
Although Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has not ruled out a reunion with Bowman even after signing fellow linebacker Derrick Johnson last week, it’s difficult to see how Bowman would fit on the Oakland Roster. Johnson wasn’t the only Raiders ‘backer addition this spring, as the club has also brought in Tahir Whitehead, Emmanuel Lamur, and Kyle Wilber. Bowman, 30, has stated that he’d like to re-sign with the Raiders, and noted his affinity for the Bay Area. If Bowman wants to stay in California, the Chargers or even the 49ers (Reuben Foster insurance?) could make sense as a potential destinations.
Possible fits: Chargers, 49ers, Patriots, Steelers, Jaguars, Giants, Rams
9. Johnathan Hankins, DT
Despite having five NFL seasons under his belt, Hankins is still only 26 years old. So why aren’t teams banging down his door? Massive defensive tackles of Hankins’ stature (6’3″, 320 pounds) simply are relied on very much in today’s pass-heavy league, so clubs aren’t willing to shell out money for what is effectively a part-time player. Hankins has steadily played about two-thirds of his team’s defensive snaps, meaning he’s taken off the field on passing downs. Still, he should be able to fill a specific role for a team with a need on the interior. Thus far, Hankins has met with the Redskins and Jets.
Possible fits: Dolphins, Browns, Texans, Falcons, Saints
10. Kayvon Webster, CB
Webster ruptured his Achilles tendon last December before ultimately being released by the Rams in April, so any interested party will need to closely inspect his health status before agreeing to a deal. In his first full season as a starter, Webster was relatively successful, ranking as a top-35 cornerback in Football Outsiders’ success rate and yards per pass allowed. Los Angeles probably won’t have any interest in re-signing Webster after landing both Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib this offseason, but the Broncos — with whom Webster spent the first four years of his career — might be an option.
Possible fits: Broncos, Cardinals, Dolphins, Eagles, Giants, Bills
Panthers Bidder Wants To Involve Peyton Manning
Panthers bidder Ben Navarro has made contact with former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning regarding a limited ownership role if Navarro were to land the Carolina franchise, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, who adds Manning is considering the offer.
Manning has long been connected to NFL front office openings, but Person’s report doesn’t mention any possibility that Manning would be involved in personnel decisions. That could certainly change, of course, if Navarro does indeed secure the Panthers, as he’d likely want to remake the club’s front office. General manager Marty Hurney recently had the interim tag removed from his title, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be asked to stick around once new ownership is in place.
Manning, 42, hasn’t made a re-entrance to NFL life since retiring following the 2015 campaign. He was recently linked to a position within the Browns’ front office, but Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam denied ever making Manning an offer. Earlier this year, both ESPN and FOX heavily pursued Manning as a television analyst, but he rejected overtures from both networks.
The remaining bidders for the Panthers include Steelers minority owner David Tepper, steel magnate Alan Kestenbaum, and entrepreneur Michael Rubin, according to Person.
Seahawks Meet With WR Brandon Marshall
Former Jets and Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall is visiting the Seahawks, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). This marks Marshall’s first known visit since his release from the Giants in April. 
Marshall was one of several Giants receivers to go down with a serious injury in 2017. The veteran missed the missed the bulk of the year after undergoing ankle surgery in October. Without the services of Odell Beckham Jr. and Marshall, the Giants went into a tailspin and finished out with a 3-13 record last season.
Marshall topped 1,500 yards in his 2015 season with the Jets, but he has not been able to reprise that production in the last two years. In 2016, he had just 59 catches for 788 yards and three touchdowns, a big step back from the previous year in which he had a league-leading 14 TDs. Last year, he caught 18 passes for 154 yards in five games with zero TDs.
The Seahawks replaced Paul Richardson with Jaron Brown this offseason, but they could still use some additional firepower in their wide receiver group. Marshall would give the Seahawks a formidable top four of Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Marshall, and Brown, perhaps with the speedy Marcus Johnson rounding out the bunch.
Appeal Denied For Saints RB Mark Ingram
On Wednesday morning, Mark Ingram‘s representatives issued a statement to dispute the league’s claim that he violated the policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Apparently, the case has already been open and shut. Ingram’s appeal has already been heard and denied, Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune tweets. At this point, Ingram’s reps are just waiting for the full written decision from the arbitrator. 
[RELATED: Did Saints Consider Trading Ingram This Offseason?]
Ingram’s camp argued that the test results were somehow illegitimate while also noting that the substance in question “permissible with the proper use exemption with the NFL.” Of course, without the exemption, Ingram would still be in violation of league rules for having that substance in his system. Ingram’s fight may not be over, however, as the statement from his agents indicated that he would “explore what further options are needed” after reviewing the ruling.
Ingram is slated to miss the first four games of the season, but luckily for the Saints, it’s a relatively soft portion of the schedule with the Buccaneers, Browns, Falcons, and Giants on deck. They will lean a bit more heavily on Alvin Kamara to carry the ball, though they may take a closer look at veteran options to hold them over for the first month of the season.