HEADLINES

49ers Sign Round 2 CB Renardo Green, Two Other Draftees

May 9th, 2024 at 9:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dozens of undoubtedly high-end pens are being put to paper around NFL facilities today, and the 49ers are in on the rookie signing action. San Francisco inked three members of its rookie class Thursday night.

Second-round cornerback Renardo Green and fourth-round picks Isaac Guerendo, a running back, and Jacob Cowing (a wide receiver) are now signed to their four-year rookie deals. With Green being selected at No. 64, his contract will not be fully guaranteed. Last year’s second-round closer — Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims, who arrived at No. 63 — received two fully guaranteed years and no guarantees into Year 3.

Although this 49ers draft is best known for being the first since 2021 to feature a first-rounder, Green is the team’s first second-round selection since 2022. The Florida State alum operated as a starter for two seasons, earning second-team All-ACC acclaim last year. The 49ers appear set to attempt to plug in the 6-foot corner into the slot role.

Since letting K’Waun Williams walk in 2022, the 49ers have been unable to find a steady slot presence. Logan Ryan ended up in the role to close last season; the veteran DB has since retired. The 49ers had hoped 2023 free agent signing Isaiah Oliver would fill the void alongside perimeter starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, but he did not end up doing so and has since been released. Oliver caught on with the Jets.

While the 49ers have a host of young corners and veteran Isaac Yiadom on their roster and carry the option of moving Lenoir inside on passing downs, the team may still want a full-time slot cog. Though, 49ers GM John Lynch said the team views Green as a player capable of helping the cause inside or outside. With Lenoir and Ward in contract years, the team may need to turn to this year’s No. 64 overall pick as a regular by 2025 at the latest.

Panthers Sign Entire 2024 Draft Class

May 9th, 2024 at 9:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Thursday’s frenzy of draft-slot deals continues, and the Panthers are knocking this task off in one session. Carolina agreed to terms with its entire 2024 draft class tonight, locking in seven rookie contracts.

Xavier Legette headlines the list. Although the Panthers did not hold a first-round pick coming into the draft (thanks to the Bryce Young trade), they will have a fifth-year option on Legette’s contract by virtue of trading up one spot to No. 32 for the South Carolina prospect. The wide receiver’s rookie deal will be fully guaranteed.

The Panthers and Patriots both sent the Bills offers for No. 32, after Buffalo had traded down from 28, and Legette is believed to have been New England’s target as well. Buffalo chose Carolina’s offer, which included the Panthers sending over a fifth-round pick to climb from No. 33 to No. 32. Legette will join 2023 second-round wideout Jonathan Mingo, with the Panthers using two picks in the 30s — Mingo went 39th last year — to supplement veterans Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. With Thielen’s guarantees done after 2024 and Johnson’s Steelers-constructed extension expiring after this season, Legette and Mingo profile as the Panthers’ long-term Young targets.

Catching teams’ eye partially because he clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 227 pounds, Legette was not on the first-round radar for much of his Gamecocks career. While lauded for his blocking, Legette did not eclipse 200 receiving yards in any of his first four South Carolina seasons. Teaming with Spencer Rattler once again in 2023, Legette broke through for 1,255 yards and seven TD receptions. He and Mingo will give Young two big-bodied targets, with the latter checking in at 220 pounds.

Carolina traded second-round picks in the 2023 and ’25 drafts to obtain Young, but the team came into this draft with two picks in Round 2 thanks to the Brian Burns trade. That gave the Panthers the No. 39 pick in this draft. GM Dan Morgan accepted a Rams offer to move down to No. 52, picking up a fifth-round pick and a 2025 second-rounder in the process. Carolina then packaged that fifth-rounder (along with another 2024 fifth) to Indianapolis to climb to No. 46, making Jonathon Brooks this year’s first running back selected.

Joining a backfield housing Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard, Brooks comes to Charlotte after a November 2023 ACL tear. The Bijan Robinson Longhorns RB1 successor is expected to be cleared by training camp, but his 2023 injury undoubtedly affected his draft stock. This draft did not offer the type of RB prospects last year’s did, but another new Panthers regime dived in by making Brooks the only back chosen in the first or second round. Robinson’s former backup totaled 1,139 rushing yards (6.1 per tote) and 10 touchdowns in 11 games.

The Panthers did not see their Sanders investment pay off last year, and they benched the ex-Super Bowl starter for Hubbard. Sanders’ guarantees wrap after 2024, and Hubbard’s rookie deal expires after this season. This points to Brooks having a route to being Carolina’s unquestioned RB1 by 2025, should he prove healthy following this rehab process. This year, however, may feature a committee approach in Carolina.

It will be interesting to learn how well Brooks’ side did regarding guarantees, as second-round slot deals are producing the most wiggle room as of late. With the rookie contracts done, here are the drafted rookies set to develop under the Panthers’ coaching staff this offseason:

  • Round 1, No. 32 (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina) (signed)
  • Round 2, No. 46 (from Colts): Jonathon Brooks (RB, Texas) (signed)
  • Round 3, No. 72 (from Jets): Trevin Wallace (LB, Kentucky) (signed)
  • Round 4, No. 101: Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas) (signed)
  • Round 5, No. 157 (from Browns through Vikings): Chau Smith-Wade (CB, Washington State) (signed)
  • Round 6: No. 200 (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills): Jaden Crumedy (DT, Mississippi State) (signed)
  • Round 7, No. 240 (from Steelers): Michael Barrett (LB, Michigan) (signed)

Colts Sign Round 1 DE Laiatu Latu, Four Other Draftees

May 9th, 2024 at 8:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Thursday’s run of first-rounders inking rookie deals will continue with Laiatu Latu. The Colts agreed to terms with their top pick, who is now signed through 2027.

The UCLA prospect — the first defender off the board in this year’s draft, at No. 15 — will see his contract fully guaranteed, as all first-rounders’ deals are, and the Colts can keep him on this deal through 2028 via the fifth-year option. For now, Latu will get to work building on his Los Angeles-based career resurgence.

[RELATED: Colts Pick Up Kwity Paye’s Fifth-Year Option]

A neck injury at Washington forced a medical retirement from Latu, but he resurfaced with the Bruins in 2022. Last season’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year showing (13 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss) solidified Latu’s value as a first-rounder. With six QBs going off the board in the first 12 picks, other teams opted to fill wide receiver and tackle needs. The Raiders opted for a value pick in Brock Bowers. This left Latu on the board for the Colts, who jumped at the chance to grab a player they viewed as the draft’s top defender.

Latu began to display first-round-level form with a 10.5-sack 2022 season at the then-Chip Kelly-run program. He also intercepted two passes last season. The Colts had made offers to trade up in Round 1, and pre-draft reports suggested Indianapolis was targeting a skill-position player. Malik Nabers may well have been Indy’s target, but the Colts circled back to the WR position in Round 2 by taking Texas’ Adonai Mitchell. Latu will be plugged into a suddenly deep DE corps.

The Colts did not meet with Latu on a “30” visit, but they joined most teams in being comfortable with his medical outlook. The Falcons were interested enough in Latu they attempted to trade back into the middle of Round 1 — after eschewing their edge-rushing need to take Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 — to draft the Pac-12 star.

In Indianapolis, Latu joins former first-rounder Kwity Paye, ex-second-rounder Dayo Odeyingbo and 2023 free agency pickup Samsom Ebukam. This trio fared well for the Colts last season; each posted at least eight sacks — career-high totals across the board. That group, with a heavy assist from DeForest Buckner, accumulated 51 — good enough for fifth in the league. Latu joining this rush cadre certainly should provide more strength for Indy’s suddenly formidable pass rush.

Additionally, linebacker Jaylon Carlies and cornerback Jaylin Simpson signed fifth-round rookie deals, while cornerback Micah Abraham and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu agreed to terms on their seventh-round contracts Thursday night.

Cowboys Sign Round 1 T Tyler Guyton, Six Other Draftees

May 9th, 2024 at 7:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

With some teams set for rookie minicamps this weekend, a flurry of draft pick signings is transpiring Thursday. The Cowboys are in on the action; all but one of their draftees is now under contract.

This includes a deal with first-round tackle Tyler Guyton, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. Dallas inked the Oklahoma prospect, whom the team drafted at No. 29 overall. Holdouts involving first-rounders are much rarer now thanks to the NFL’s slot system, which came to be as part of the 2011 CBA. Guyton’s four-year deal (feat. a fifth-year option) will be fully guaranteed.

The Cowboys have also signed offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (Round 3, Kansas State), linebacker Marist Liufau (Round 3), cornerback Caelen Carson (Round 5), wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, tackle Nathan Thomas (Round 6) and defensive tackle Justin Rogers (Round 7). Only second-rounder Marshawn Kneeland is unsigned. The second round has featured the longest waits in recent years, due to each draft seeing guarantee gains made by second-round picks.

Guyton looks to have a clear path to being the Cowboys’ Week 1 left tackle. Although the prospect of the team moving Tyler Smith back to left tackle surfaced earlier this offseason, it looks like — for the time being, at least — the team plans to keep its versatile left-sider at left guard. The Cowboys saw both Smith and Zack Martin earn All-Pro honors last season, helping the team withstand the losses of All-Decade LT Tyron Smith and center starter Tyler Biadasz. Beebe, chosen out of Kansas State, has a decent shot at taking over at center.

Dallas held the No. 24 overall pick but moved down five spots (via Detroit) and landed Guyton at 29. The extra selection turned into Beebe. Guyton will be asked to make the less common transition from college right tackle to NFL LT. The Saints may well ask Taliese Fuaga to do the same this year, though that is not certain just yet. Guyton stands 6-foot-8 — three inches taller than Tyron Smith — and 322 pounds. This year’s draft featured one of the best tackle crops in recent draft history; Guyton became the ninth tackle — if Duke LT (and likely Buccaneers center) Graham Barton is counted — chosen this year.

A TCU transfer, Guyton only made 14 college starts and did not earn first- or second-team All-Big 12 acclaim while a Sooner. But he checked in as a first-round-caliber talent. And the Cowboys have found a number of standouts in Round 1 — from Martin to the Smiths to Micah Parsons to CeeDee Lamb — over the past several years. They will hope Guyton can become a long-term blindside presence post-Tyron Smith, who joined the Jets in free agency.

Texans Add Shane Vereen To Front Office

May 9th, 2024 at 5:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Texans GM Nick Caserio will extend an opportunity to one of the skill-position regulars he helped draft while with the Patriots. Houston is bringing in Shane Vereen for a front office role.

The former New England running back is joining the Caserio-led Houston front office as a player personnel assistant, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. This will mark a transition into the executive ranks for Vereen, who retired a few years back.

Most recently working as an analyst for the Pac-12 Network, Vereen is obviously best remembered for his on-field roles. The most notable of those came with the Patriots, who drafted Vereen in the 2011 second round out of Cal. Vereen, 35, enjoyed a seven-year playing career spent with the Pats and Giants.

As a New England cog, Vereen filled an important role in a Tom Brady-centered offensive scheme. The Patriots had employed the likes of Kevin Faulk and Danny Woodhead as previous passing-down backs; Vereen ended up taking over in this capacity and held the job until the team let him walk in free agency ahead of James White‘s lengthy run. Vereen topped 400 receiving yards from 2013-15, with his most productive season (838 scrimmage yards, five touchdowns) coming during the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX-winning 2014 slate.

After a catching 11 passes for 64 yards in the Pats’ last-second win over the Seahawks, Vereen signed a three-year, $12.35MM deal with the Giants in 2015. He played out that contract but did not catch on anywhere else following the 2017 season. Caserio, who was in place as Bill Belichick‘s right-hand man in personnel when the team drafted Vereen, will reunite with the four-year Patriot as the Texans enter their highest-profile season in many years.

Commanders Notes: Kingsbury, Stokes, Staff, Newton, Allen, Sainristil

May 9th, 2024 at 5:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Commanders did not end up zagging with their No. 2 overall pick. The team received only one offer — likely from the Raiders — for the selection, and the team went with Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. In reaching a conclusion Daniels was the top player at No. 2, Adam Peters kept his circle small. Only Josh Harris, Dan Quinn and advisor/ex-Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers comprised the new Washington football ops boss’ inner circle, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, who adds OC Kliff Kingsbury was brought in along the way and at least knew which way the new team braintrust was leaning.

Kingsbury, who coached Caleb Williams last year, was believed to be high on Daniels coming in. Many in the organization — including members of Harris’ ownership group — were not informed which player the team was picking until draft day, Vacchiano adds. Much of the front office and scouting department did not learn definitively it would be Daniels until the Bears went on the clock. While Harris was believed to be more involved than expected, the franchise had dealt with considerable Dan Snyder meddling in past drafts. Given the turmoil associated with Washington ownership and front office for much of the past two decades, this buttoned-up approach marked a change of pace.

Here is the latest out of Washington:

  • Retooling teams often make changes after the draft, as continuity in scouting departments is preferred due to the work done on draft classes in the months prior. The Commanders will make a key change. They are not renewing the contract of senior director of player personnel Eric Stokes, InsidetheLeague.com’s Neil Stratton tweets. Stokes joined the Commanders in 2020, following Ron Rivera‘s arrival, and moved to his most recent title in 2021. The veteran exec should land elsewhere soon, with Stratton adding he his a name to watch in scouting circles. This exit comes after Peters retained Rivera-era bastions Martin Mayhew, who worked with the current Commanders FO boss in San Francisco, and Marty Hurney.
  • Peters said earlier this offseason the team is not planning to trade Jonathan Allen, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes some around the league are wondering if the selection of Jer’Zhan Newton will prompt the team to listen on the veteran defensive tackle. Washington, which disbanded its DE contingent at the trade deadline, still has two high-priced DTs — in Allen and Daron Payne — and has used second-round picks on the position in 2022 and ’24. Phidarian Mathis played 203 defensive snaps last season but has yet to make much of an impact; Newton now joins him and does so as a Peters-Quinn-era draftee. Allen, who said last year he was not eager to be part of a rebuild, has come up in trade rumors before and is due base salaries of $14MM and $15.5MM over the next two years.
  • One of the three second-rounders the Commanders chose, Mike Sainristil is expected to begin his NFL run in the slot. Washington is planning to train the Michigan product as an inside cornerback, ESPN.com’s John Keim notes. He will accompany Benjamin St-Juste, 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes and UFA addition Michael Davis at the position. The Commanders, who lost Kendall Fuller and Kamren Curl from their secondary, will attempt to climb back from a last-place defensive finish.
  • The team will hire a longtime league office exec to be part of its staff. Dave Gardi will come over after 10 years as NFL VP of football operations to take on the title of Commanders senior VP of football initiatives. In-game management and assisting the coaching staff in terms of compliance with NFL protocols will be among Gardi’s duties in Washington, with the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala offering that Gardi will be on headsets during games and concentrate on the coaching side during the season. That will certainly be a shift for a longtime league office staffer.

Saints Sign Round 1 T Taliese Fuaga

May 9th, 2024 at 3:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Seeing their tackle situation create a dire need entering the draft, the Saints benefited by that deficiency forming this year. This draft produced one of the highest-regarded tackle crops in years, and New Orleans indeed addressed the position in Round 1.

The player the Saints chose, Taliese Fuaga, is now under contract. The Saints signed the Oregon State alum Thursday. This will lock in Fuaga through the 2027 season, with a fifth-year option included that would cover the 2028 campaign. Fuaga’s four-year deal is fully guaranteed. Fuaga is the first Saints draftee to sign this year.

Having done well to fortify their O-line under Sean Payton, the Saints saw their early-2020s plan go sideways when 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning struggled early. The Saints have been unable to count on Penning, due to injury and underwhelming play, leading to early-season changes at the position last year. Their primary left tackle in 2023 — longtime guard Andrus Peat — signed with the Raiders earlier this week. James Hurst, the team’s regular LT from 2021-22 and LG starter last year, retired just before the draft. New Orleans’ All-Pro right tackle, has hit a career crossroads thanks to a nagging knee issue. Ramczyk is uncertain to play in 2024.

This year’s tackle class played into the Saints’ hands, with Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board slotting seven tackles among the top 25 prospects. Fuaga became this draft’s fourth tackle taken, going off the board at No. 14 — after Joe Alt (No. 5), JC Latham (7) and Olu Fashanu (10). While Fashanu is not a lock to start for the Jets in Week 1, the Saints’ situation points to Fuaga being needed immediately.

Ahead of their weekend rookie minicamp, the Saints have not indicated if they view Fuaga as a left tackle or a player who will continue his career on the right side. Oregon State slotted Fuaga as its starting RT from 2022-23; he did not allow a sack in 25 starts at the position. Fuaga earned consensus first-team All-American acclaim last season, establishing himself as a first-round prospect.

Buzz about the Saints eyeing Fuaga emerged weeks before the draft, and New Orleans finished off this year’s run of offensive prospects. The Colts snapped that record-setting streak by choosing Laiatu Latu at No. 15. The Saints will bet on Fuaga filling their tackle need, though it will be interesting to see how New Orleans’ line looks come Week 1. As of now, only the positions of two starters — center Erik McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruiz — are known.

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Under Investigation For Alleged Assault

May 9th, 2024 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

MAY 9: The police report detailing the incident notes the suspect – whom FOX4’s Steven Dial confirms is Rice – contacted the photographer while the latter was in his car shortly after departing the Lit Kitchen and Lounge. Upon returning, Rice is alleged to have shown the victim records of a conversation involving the victim and another person on Rice’s phone before punching the victim in the face. That and other police-related developments in this case will no doubt be considered by the NFL regarding any potential league discipline.

MAY 7: Rashee Rice is facing eight felony charges in connection with a hit-and-run incident earlier this year. The Chiefs wide receiver has run into more trouble. He is now being investigated for an alleged assault.

The investigation centers on Rice allegedly hitting a photographer Monday night a Dallas nightclub, WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez, Rachel Snyder and Joe Trahan report. Police are interviewing witnesses about the alleged assault.

Rice, 24, is likely to face an NFL suspension — which presently is the least of his concerns, given the charges from the March hit-and-run development — for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. It is not known if a ban will come down in 2024, but a suspension at some point is expected. Another incident will add to the second-year wide receiver’s distractions and potentially tack on suspension time or introduce a second ban that comes at a separate point.

A 2023 second-round pick, Rice did well to bail the Chiefs out from an ill-conceived wide receiver plan last season. Becoming a consistent presence during season’s second half, the SMU product totaled 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. Rice remained a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes — during a season in which few of those were present — in the playoffs. The two-time reigning Super Bowl champs have since made major updates to their receiving corps. The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and traded up for Xavier Worthy in Round 1. Rice, however, is expected to remain a key part of Kansas City’s passing attack.

Rice was believed to be street racing in a Lamborghini SUV, helping to cause a six-car accident on a Dallas highway in March. Rice’s vehicle reached 119mph just before the crash, and the young wideout fled the scene. Rice later turned himself in. He is believed to be helping financially with crash victims’ expenses, though a civil suit has since emerged. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound receiver did not show for the start of the Chiefs’ offseason program but took part in meetings virtually.

From Kareem Hunt to Tyreek Hill to Frank Clark, the Chiefs have seen a number of high-profile players run into off-field trouble in recent years. Charles Omenihu began his Kansas City tenure with a six-game suspension stemming from a domestic violence arrest. Clark and Hunt also served suspensions, the latter’s ban coming after the Chiefs waived him. This latest Rice development will certainly be a storyline to monitor for the defending champions.

Vic Fangio Aims To Finish Career As Eagles DC

May 9th, 2024 at 1:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Vic Fangio spent the 2023 season as defensive coordinator of the Dolphins, but his tenure there proved to be short-lived. After only a single season in Miami, the veteran coach quickly worked out a deal to take over the Eagles’ DC position.

The Dolphins intended to keep Fangio in place for at least 2024, but his coaching style was not well-received by everyone in the organization. Conversations with head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear a parting of ways would be mutually beneficial, paving the way for his Philadelphia hire. When speaking to the media on Thursday, Fangio made it clear he intends to close out his career in his current capacity.

“It was exactly 40 years ago when I started my pro coaching career across the street at Veterans Stadium, and I thought it’d be cool to hopefully end it here,”  the 65-year-old said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “So 40 years later, here I am. It was a thrill for me to go to work at Veterans Stadium 40 years ago because I used to go to games there all the time, and now it’s a thrill to come back 40 years later and hopefully finish it out here.”

Fangio – a native of Dunmore, Pennsylvania – started out as a coach with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars. That was followed two years later by a linebackers coaching gig with the Saints, something which set up a long tenure of DC roles. Fangio had been a coordinator with the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers and Bears prior to his one-and-done in Miami. That, in turn, was preceded by his only head coaching opportunity (with the Broncos) and a consultant stint in Philadelphia in 2022.

When asked about the timing of his return to the Eagles, Fangio confirmed (via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer) he likely would have been in his current posting one year ago had the timing of the Eagles’ and Dolphins’ DC postings been different. After bringing in Sean Desai as their Jonathan Gannon replacement, Philadelphia struggled on defense in 2023. That led to Matt Patricia taking over as play-caller midway through the season, one in which the team collapsed down the stretch and bowed out in the wild-card round.

Fangio will be tasked with overseeing a rebound on that side of the ball. The Eagles have paid plenty of attention to their secondary both in free agency and the draft, and the unit has plenty of potential to take a step forward this season. Fangio admitted nothing is certain in the coaching ranks, and a failure to meet expectations could of course change his plans. If he has his way, however, this latest coordinator opportunity will represent the final chapter of his time spent on the sidelines in the NFL.

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