Texans Sign Round 2 TE Marlin Klein
A run on tight ends occurred in the second round. Despite extending Dalton Schultz earlier this offseason, Texans participated by drafting Michigan’s Marlin Klein.
The Texans, who made two second-round choices in this draft, chose Klein 59th. They now have him signed to a four-year rookie deal, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. The deal is worth $8.18MM and will undoubtedly carry more guarantees at signing than the No. 59 pick in the 2025 draft received.
[RELATED: Texans Give Second-Round DT Kayden McDonald Fully Guaranteed Deal]
Four tight ends went off the board between Nos. 54 and 61. The Eagles began that stretch with Eli Stowers, while the Jaguars viewed this draft range as likely to produce a few TE picks; that led them to draft Nate Boerkircher much earlier than most expected him to go. The Texans chose Klein soon after, and the Rams added Max Klare at No. 61. Like each of the second-round TEs in this draft, Klein will go to a team with an established starter.
Stowers joins an Eagles team that re-signed Dallas Goedert, while the Jaguars have Brenton Strange lined up as an extension candidate. The Rams re-signed Tyler Higbee and used a second-round pick last year on Terrance Ferguson, and the Texans have Schultz signed through 2027 via a one-year, $12.6MM extension.
The Texans, whom Wilson notes used “30” visits on Klare and Georgia TE Oscar Delp (a third-round Saints pick), had discussions about trading down from No. 59. While sixth-year GM Nick Caserio confirmed discussions took place about moving down, the Texans added Klein after considering a move back into Round 1 for Kayden McDonald. The team ultimately did not need to make that move, though it did climb two spots (via the Raiders) to grab the Ohio State defensive lineman at No. 36.
A Germany native who played high school football in Georgia, Klein clocked a 4.61-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher was certainly not a prolific receiving option with the Wolverines, totaling 38 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown in four Ann Arbor seasons. He played behind 2025 first-rounder Colston Loveland while also waiting his turn behind future NFLers AJ Barner and Luke Schoonmaker at Michigan.
ESPN’s Scouts Inc. viewed Houston’s decision as a slightly bigger reach than Jacksonville’s, ranking Klein 176th among this year’s prospects. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board was more bullish, slotting Klein 84th. Klein’s blocking ability drew plus reviews heading into the draft, however, and the Texans should have room for him to develop while Schultz continues to operate as the team’s top receiving TE. Free agency addition Foster Moreau also stands to help Houston have Klein in place as a developmental option in 2026.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/26
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Stephen Dix Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Waived/failed physical: TE Luke Lachey
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Mante’ Morrow
- Waived: LS Peter Bowden
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Terrill Davis
- Waived: OLB Jordan Botelho
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Khalid Kareem
- Placed on IR: CB Thaddeus Dixon
New York Jets
- Waived: K Will Ferrin
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Rashad Rochelle, WR Trayvon Rudolph
- Waived: OLB Devean Deal
- Waived/failure to disclose physical condition: WR Michael Briscoe
Dixon suffered an Achilles tear during a Wednesday workout with the Giants, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Dixon was part of New York’s six-man UDFA class, joining the team after a college tenure at North Carolina. Ranked by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as a top-200 prospect in this year’s class, Dixon will likely miss the season. A return after an injury settlement would be the only way Dixon could play for the Giants this season.
The Jets included Ferrin among their 12-man priority free agent class, but he will not make it far into the offseason with the team. New York still rosters kickers Cade York and Lenny Krieg.
Knee Concerns Led To RB Jonah Coleman Falling To Round 4
This year’s draft only produced three running back selections over the first three rounds. Notre Dame produced two first-round picks (Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price), while an Indiana back not invited to the Combine (Kaelon Black) went to the 49ers in Round 3.
Jonah Coleman may well have joined Black as a Day 2 draftee had he been healthy throughout the 2025 season, but a knee injury limited the compact Washington prospect last year. Teams held concerns about Coleman’s knee entering the draft, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who notes this issue was a “major” factor in the former Arizona recruit falling to the fourth round.
The Broncos chose Coleman 108th overall, preparing to develop him as a presumptive long-term option alongside 2025 second-round pick RJ Harvey. Coleman’s “30” visit allowed the Broncos to examine his knee, and while Breer adds team doctors viewed it as a risk, Denver’s regime deemed it one worth taking.
Denver re-signed J.K. Dobbins in March, giving him a substantial raise ($8MM guaranteed), but the former Ravens second-rounder is a chronic injury risk. Dobbins has missed 57 career games; Coleman could be needed early if/when Dobbins — whose 2025 season ended due to a November Lisfranc injury — misses time in 2026. The Broncos, who also re-signed Jaleel McLaughlin this offseason, will hope Coleman shakes his recent knee setback.
As Coleman attempts to develop behind the Dobbins-Harvey duo, he is coming off a season that included a strained knee ligament sustained Nov. 9. The 5-foot-8 ballcarrier missed the Huskies’ following game but opted to play hurt the rest of the way. Coleman struggled in his first two games back, gaining six yards on four carries against UCLA and 22 on nine totes against Oregon. He closed the season on a higher note, totaling 85 yards on 12 handoffs against Boise State. That came in a bowl game two weeks after Washington’s regular season wrapped. Coleman finished the ’25 season with 758 rushing yards.
Despite the injury-limited section of his season, Coleman led the Big Ten with 17 touchdowns. His two 100-yard rushing performances came against nonconference competition last September, but the 2024 season featured 1,053 Coleman rushing yards in 13 games (Coleman gained 871 rushing yards in 13 Arizona games in 2023.) Weight issues also affected Coleman in college, though Sean Payton said the fourth-round rookie was in “good shape” at the team’s rookie minicamp. Coleman weighed 220 pounds at the Combine but played heavier at points with the Huskies.
The Chiefs, Seahawks and Vikings showed interest in Coleman but each ended up drafting different RBs. Seattle viewed the local product as an option in the event it completed a first-round trade-down move, but the defending Super Bowl champions chose Price at No. 32. Coleman will now get to work as an intriguing option in Denver.
Packers Sign Round 2 CB Brandon Cisse, Wrap Draft Class Deals
The Packers were among the teams that did not make a first-round pick in this year’s draft. In Round 2, they made South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse their top investment this year.
Green Bay has now signed Cisse to his four-year rookie contract, per a team announcement. This wraps the Packers’ rookie business for 2026, with the team signing the rest of its picks and UDFA class this month.
Cisse arrived as the No. 52 overall pick in this year’s class. His deal should be expected to come in nearly fully guaranteed. The Falcons set a draft precedent today by fully guaranteeing No. 48 overall pick Avieon Terrell‘s rookie contract, moving the bar for fully guaranteed second-round deals by eight draft slots from 2025. As recently as 2024, no second-rounder had secured four guaranteed years. It would surprise if Cisse’s contract matches Terrell’s, but the new Wisconsin resident will likely see at least three fully guaranteed years with some 2029 money partially guaranteed.
The Colts gave linebacker C.J. Allen, chosen 53rd overall, three fully guaranteed years. He also received a $639K guarantee on his $2.13MM 2029 base salary. This package comes out to 83.7% of Allen’s rookie contract being guaranteed. Cisse will be expected to do a bit better due to his draft slot. By 2027, players chosen beyond 50th overall figure to see fully guaranteed deals. And Allen’s negotiating victory will help players chosen after Terrell in this year’s draft.
Playing primarily on the boundary with the Gamecocks, Cisse allowed catches on only 34.6% of his targets in 2025. He transferred from NC State to South Carolina in 2025. While only finishing his career with two interceptions (in three seasons), Cisse drew extensive pre-draft interest. He visited the Cowboys and Seahawks before being drafted by the Packers, who released Nate Hobbs one season into a four-year, $48MM deal. Hobbs’ quick exit came a year after the team cut Jaire Alexander and let Eric Stokes leave in free agency.
Cisse profiles as a player who will become a Green Bay starter, possibly as early as 2026, though the team does return Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. The Packers also signed Benjamin St-Juste to a two-year, $10MM accord. Counting slot defender Javon Bullard, Cisse is the sixth first- or second-round CB the Packers have drafted over the past decade.
Via PFR’s team by team tracker, here is how the 2026 Packers draft class breaks down:
- Round 2, No. 52: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Buccaneers): Chris McClellan (DT, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 120: Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 153 (from Falcons via Eagles): Jager Burton (C, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 201: Domani Jackson (CB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 216 (from Steelers)*: Trey Smack (K, Florida) (signed)
Falcons Sign Round 2 CB Avieon Terrell To Fully Guaranteed Deal
Second-round draft signings annually drag on longest during the offseason. Even as the 2011 CBA implemented a slot system for rookie deals, guaranteed money represents a variable — and the second round has brought a battleground of sorts on this front for several years.
Last year saw a slew of second-rounders receive fully guaranteed contracts, as the Saints’ decision to give No. 40 overall pick Tyler Shough four guaranteed years forced the hands of a few teams. The line of demarcation for fully guaranteed rookie contracts is moving well beyond No. 40 this year, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting the Falcons’ agreement with second-round cornerback Avieon Terrell will be fully guaranteed.
Atlanta announced Terrell’s signing earlier this afternoon, but the guarantee component is certainly the most notable takeaway here. The Falcons chose Terrell 48th overall. By striking a fully guaranteed agreement with the Clemson product in mid-May, the Falcons will box in a handful of teams who made picks between Nos. 41 and 47. The agents for those players will have clear paths to ensure their clients land fully guaranteed rookie contracts.
The Falcons have also signed fourth-round defensive linemen Anterio Thompson to his rookie contract, per a team announcement. This completes Atlanta’s rookie-class signings. The team did not hold a first-round pick in this year’s draft, but it will set an interesting precedent for a player with a close connection to a former Falcons first-rounder. Avieon enters the NFL six years after brother AJ did. The Terrells will headline Atlanta’s CB room moving forward.
Trading their 2026 first-rounder to the Rams to move up 20 spots (for James Pearce Jr.) in the 2025 first round, the Falcons made Avieon Terrell the centerpiece of their ’26 draft. The younger Terrell has a path to starting alongside his brother, who has been Atlanta’s No. 1 corner for many years. Viewed as a player who may fit best in the slot, Avieon Terrell earned second-team All-American acclaim at Clemson last season. The first Tigers All-American CB in nine years, Terrell earned this accolade without notching an interception. He did, however, force five fumbles to bring his career total to eight.
Avieon, 21, is nearly seven years younger than AJ. The younger Terrell CB sibling is also an Atlanta native. Expectations will be relatively high for the younger Terrell, though with the Falcons rostering AJ and other vets at the position, an onramp exists here. Atlanta has Mike Hughes as a starter option opposite AJ Terrell, while 2025 draftee Billy Bowman saw extensive slot time during an injury-plagued rookie season.
When the 2011 CBA reshaped rookie-scale deals, that year’s first-round group did not all receive fully guaranteed pacts. As recently as 2024, no second-rounder secured one. The Saints’ Shough decision has become transformative, as after eight second-rounders received fully guaranteed accords in 2025, the Terrell contract positions this year’s second round on track to have at least 16 such players.
The prospects chosen between Nos. 41 and 47 (Bengals EDGE Cashius Howell, Saints DT Christen Miller, Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez, Lions EDGE Derrick Moore, Ravens EDGE Zion Young, Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter and Steelers WR Germie Bernard) will have Terrell’s camp to thank for favorable terms soon.
Florida AG Subpoenas NFL Over Rooney Rule
In March, Florida attorney general James Uthmeier threatened legal action against the NFL unless it suspended the Rooney Rule, the league’s longtime initiative to promote diversity on coaching and front office staffs.
The NFL has since responded, telling Uthmeier in a May 1 letter (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic), “Simply put, the NFL does not permit the consideration of race, sex, or any other legally protected characteristic in any hiring decisions or employment actions.”
The letter goes on to detail that the Rooney Rule seeks to expand opportunities for minorities to interview for top coaching and front office jobs, but teams remain free to hire (and fire) whomever they wish. Focusing on the interview process keeps the Rooney Rule in compliance of Florida and federal civil rights law, which prohibit discrimination in actual decision-making, not merely the consideration of certain candidates.
“In short, the Rooney Rule does not impose any hiring quota or mandates, nor does it even limit who may be interview,” the letter continues. “Most importantly, it does not license clubs to consider race or sex in making hiring decisions, consistent with NFL policy and applicable law.”
The letter addresses some of Uthmeier’s other concerns regarding developmental programs for coaches, executives, and referees, which are open to all applicants regardless of their demographics. It further clarifies that compensatory picks are awarded to teams who develop and lose minority talent to other clubs, making them a retroactive reward for investing in minority coaches and executives rather than incentivizing a team to hire them. In a footnote, the league mentions that no Florida team has ever received a compensatory pick via this system.
The NFL also acknowledged that a program promoting the hiring of minority offensive assistants had already been “sunset.” The initiative was originally launched in 2022, shortly after Brian Flores filed his employment discrimination lawsuit against the league, according to Rhim and his ESPN colleagues, Kalyn Kahler and Jason Reid. It mandated each team to have a minority offensive assistant on their coaching staff and provided funding for half of those coaches’ salaries.
The NFL’s response did not satisfy Uthmeier, and their alterations may have instead emboldened him. He issued an investigative subpoena to the league on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, and in a letter to the league, took credit for the end of the minority offensive assistant program. Crucially, though, the mandate and funding for that initiative was phased out this past winter, long before Uthemeier’s first letter in March, making it impossible to ascribe its termination to him.
Uthmeier also referenced new language on the league’s webpage about the Rooney Rule, changes that “appear to soften or remove explicit references to increasing minority hiring, a central criticism raised by Uthmeier in his challenge to the policy,” Rhim adds. Uthmeier then asserted that the NFL’s recent adjustments raised more questions that will have to be answered via his subpoena.
Next steps remain unclear. Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the Rooney Rule in April, and league messaging has continued to promote their commitment to diversity and inclusion, indicating that the NFL intends to stand firm against Uthmeier’s efforts to interfere with their hiring practices.
Lions DBs Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph Recovering Well
The Lions are hoping their secondary can come back strong in 2026 after being decimated by injuries last year.
Detroit’s starting four – D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph – all missed several games with the latter three ending the season on injured reserve. Daniel Thomas and Ennis Rakestraw also landed on IR, and Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper missed multiple games as well.
Arnold underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder after injuring it multiple times during the season. He was also sidelined by a concussion for two games. At present, he is unsure about his availability for OTAs or mandatory minicamp.
“That’s kind of up to [the team] and just where I’m at with my recovery and my treatment and stuff,” Arnold said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “But as far as training camp and stuff, I know I’m expected to be there.”
The Lions signed Roger McCreary and drafted Keith Abney this offseasonto give themselves some depth in their cornerback room, but it appears that Arnold, Reed, and last year’s No. 3 boundary starter, Rock-Ya Sin, will be ready for the start of the regular season.
There is more uncertainty in Detroit’s safety room. General manager Brad Holmes said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith) that both Branch and Joseph are “heading in the right direction.” Detroit did sign veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien in free agency as insurance, but they declined to target the position in the draft.
However, Holmes added that the Lions’ decision not to draft a safety was not a reflection of their confidence in their current stars’ recoveries.
“We didn’t ignore [the safety position],” Holmes continued. “There were some good ones that were out there that just got picked before we were able to, but it just didn’t quite line up. I didn’t really think that class was as deep either, so it had to line up and you had to strike right.”
CB Nazeeh Johnson Met With Eagles, Arranges Giants Visit
Nazeeh Johnson remains unsigned deep into free agency. The veteran cornerback may have a new deal lined up relatively soon, though.
Johnson met with the Eagles earlier this month, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He adds a Giants visit has been scheduled. Johnson will meet with New York today. This interest from multiple NFC East teams comes after a Chiefs tenure which spanned 2022-25.
While playing out his rookie contract in Kansas City, Johnson totaled 35 regular and postseason appearances. He took on a notable defensive role in 2024, handling a 48% snap share that season. Otherwise, however, the former seventh-rounder has been used exclusively on special teams. A third phase workload will be expected in Johnson’s case regardless of where he winds up.
The Eagles will have a number of returnees at the cornerback spot in 2026. The likes of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Michael Carter II and Kelee Ringo are set to continue their respective Philadelphia tenures next season. Free agent addition Riq Woolen is also in the fold. The Eagles have over $25MM in cap space, so a low-cost Johnson signing would be feasible.
The cornerback spot has seen plenty of change this offseason in the case of the Giants. New York signed Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome on the open market before selecting Colton Hood in the second round of the draft. Those new arrivals will be joined by Andru Phillips and Deonte Banks in training camp this summer. Bringing in Johnson, 27, would add further depth in the secondary at a low cost. The Giants currently have roughly $11MM in cap space.
Johnson missed the entire 2023 season, and he was limited to just two games last year. That factor has kept the Marshall product available deep into free agency, but recent interest could yield an offer in the near future.
Giants’ Malik Nabers Undergoes Second Knee Surgery
MAY 14: ESPN’s Jordan Raanan confirms this second surgery still has Nabers on course for a return closer to the end of training camp. Week 1 participation will be a question mark for a few more months as a result, although Raanan adds the Giants are still “hopeful” Nabers will be available by that point.
MAY 13: The subject of follow-up surgeries surfaced recently when it was revealed Bo Nix underwent one to address his ankle issue. Malik Nabers is now in the same boat.
Nabers, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 4 of last season, has undergone a second surgery during his knee rehab. This procedure removed scar tissue that had caused stiffness, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports. Like Nix’s, this is being described as a cleanup operation.
This procedure occurred multiple weeks ago, Duggan adds. Although it is certainly not ideal to need a second surgery, this mid-offseason development is not viewed as one that will alter Nabers’ recovery timeline. That said, Nabers is not expected to be ready for training camp on time. Considering when Nabers went down (Sept. 28), it is notable he is unlikely to avoid the active/PUP list come late July.
The active/PUP list is a camp-only designation that came up involving a key Giant last summer. Andrew Thomas, who went down with a Lisfranc injury in October 2024, was not moved off the active/PUP list until August 19 of last year. While that meant a stay on the reserve/PUP list (and a four-game absence) was off the table, the All-Pro left tackle did not debut until Week 3. Nabers, who needed rehab time on an injured toe during the Giants’ 2025 offseason program, will be a player to monitor with regards to practice participation once pads come on this summer.
During the pre-draft process, the Giants were connected to using one of their top-10 picks on a receiver; Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson came up during Big Blue’s complex runup to the first round. The Titans took Tate fourth overall, and the Giants scooped up a falling Arvell Reese at No. 5. The decision to add yet another pass rusher with a top-10 pick left Tyson on the board, and he went eighth to the Saints. The Giants did address the receiver position by making a 31-spot jump (via the Browns) for Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields in Round 3.
A rumor indicating the Giants’ receiver interest may be partially due to Nabers not expected to be 100% by Week 1 surfaced. While I contended at the time such a protection measure would be a misguided use of a top-10 pick, Nabers’ timeline will be one to follow in the coming months. The Giants still roster Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt, though the latter has disappointed after being a 2024 third-round pick. The team signed Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin in March. Slayton is also recovering from offseason surgery.
Dolphins Extend RB De’Von Achane
After months of discussions and trade rumors, the Dolphins have closed the deal to extend running back De’Von Achane. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Miami rusher has agreed to a four-year, extension worth up to $68MM with $32MM in guaranteed money.
Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN clarified that Achane’s new deal has a base value of $64MM with bonuses worth up to $4MM. His annual average value ($16MM per year) and guarantee total are both all-time highs for running backs coming off their rookie deal. Achane is now set to enter the 2026 season with the position’s third-highest AAV, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey, and fourth-most guarantees, behind Barkley and recent top draft picks Ashton Jeanty and Jeremiyah Love.
Achane came to the NFL after three years at Texas A&M. Despite sitting second on the depth chart behind Isaiah Spiller for two years in College Station, Achane broke out in his sophomore season as RB2. After averaging 8.5 yards per carry as a true freshman in limited time, Achane continued that outrageous efficiency with more touches, averaging seven yards per carry en route to a 910-yard, nine-touchdown season. Unfortunately, Achane’s lone season leading the backfield for the Aggies was the 12th Man’s only losing season since 2009, but he continued to produce with 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns rushing.
In a loaded draft class for running backs, Achane received high grades, but his short, stout frame caused him to slip far behind the first-round ranks of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. After getting selected in the third round by Miami, Achane joined a backfield that had struggled through the 2022 season led by Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Chase Edmonds, Salvon Ahmed, and Myles Gaskin. With Achane spelling him, Mostert excelled in a starting role, rushing for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and leading the league in rushing touchdowns with 18.
Used to coming off the bench with efficiency, Achane was not slowed down by the transition to the NFL. After receiving one carry in the team’s first two contests, he exploded onto to the scene with rushing lines of 18 carries-203 yards-2 touchdowns, 8-101-2, and 11-151-1 in his next three games before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. Despite the time missed due to injury, Achane finished the year with 800 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
Achane took lead back duties from Mostert the following year, but a far less effective all-around unit resulted in Achane finishing with just 907 yards and six touchdowns rushing, though he added a new element to his game with 78 catches for 592 yards and six more scores. Last year, Achane bounced back much closer to the expectations that followed his explosive start in 2023. Starting all 16 games for Miami, he totaled 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, adding 488 yards and four touchdowns receiving.
Unfortunately for Achane, as he’s gotten healthier and returned to form, the Dolphins have backslid into what looks now to be a rebuild. Former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was released, shouldering Miami with record-setting dead money, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was released, and WR2 Jaylen Waddle has been traded away. While the Dolphins were okay parting ways with those key assets, it seemed Achane was where they drew the line.
As the team’s 2025 campaign finally began to come to a close, Achane made it known that he intended to stay in Miami, telling reporters he was seeking an extension. As a lack of team success spurred several teams to inquire about potential assets the Dolphins might be willing to move, the team made it clear that Achane was not available. The 24-year-old was absent from voluntary team activities once April came, but extension talks were well underway by then and really starting to gain traction. He’s landed his new deal now and become a key building block for the franchise.
To ease the financial pains of the transactions that removed Tagovailoa, Hill, and Waddle, Achane and center Aaron Brewer agreed to restructured deals. Well, according to Louis-Jacques, Brewer is believed to be one of two other players expected to follow Achane’s lead to a new extension. The other player Louis-Jacques beileves could land a new deal soon is veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks.