Minor NFL Transactions: 5/5/26
Here are Tuesday’s NFL minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: T Trevonte Sylvester
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: G Sidney Fugar
Miami Dolphins
- Received international exemption: TE Seydou Traore
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OLB Isiah King
- Reverted to IR: S Tucker Large
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to IR: S Daequan Hardy
The Ravens and Cowboys opted to cut two linemen from their recently signed undrafted free agent classes, while the Steelers and Eagles both made moves to waive their safeties with an injury designation then revert them to injured reserve. For as long as they are on IR during the offseason, they will not count against the team’s 90-man roster limit.
Traore will also not count against Miami’s 90-man limit; the team’s fifth-round pick out of Mississippi State was born in France but raised in London before moving to Florida in an attempt to play college ball. He earned a scholarship offer from Arkansas State, where he played for two years before transferring to the Bulldogs.
Replacing the UDFA they reverted to IR, the Eagles have added King, a versatile linebacker, after he went undrafted out of Idaho. A two-year starter for the Vandals, King split his time fairly evenly last year between the box, the slot, and the edge.
Chargers’ Jake Slaughter To Vie For LG Job
The guard position stood out as one of the Chargers’ few glaring needs entering the draft. Despite that, they did not use one of their early picks on a traditional guard. Rather, the Bolts are counting on second-round center Jake Slaughter to successfully transition to left guard as a rookie. They expect Slaughter to compete for the starting job, according to general manager Joe Hortiz (via Kris Rhim of ESPN).
Zion Johnson, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft, was the Chargers’ starting left guard in three of his first four seasons (he was their right guard as a rookie). Although Johnson was remarkably durable in Los Angeles, where he missed just two games and started in 65 of 66, he has not turned into a great lineman at the NFL level. The Chargers let him walk in free agency as a result.
After Johnson accepted the Browns’ three-year, $49.5MM offer in free agency, the Bolts responded by re-signing Trevor Penning to a one-year, $4.5MM pact and adding Kayode Awosika on a modest deal. Both players are likely better off as depth, which could clear the way for Slaughter to step in as a Day 1 starter. There may be growing pains, however, considering Slaughter did not play a single snap at guard in college.
A former Florida Gator, Slaughter was one of the nation’s best centers over the past couple of years. Slaughter earned first-team All-SEC honors in each of the previous two seasons. He was also a first-team All-American in 2024. The Chargers scooped him up at pick 63. They later selected guards Logan Jones and Alex Harkey in the sixth round, but they will likely vie for backup roles as rookies.
While Slaughter may eventually move back to center for the Chargers, the position is spoken for as of now. Earlier this offseason, the Chargers replaced the retired Bradley Bozeman with Tyler Biadasz, whom they brought in on a three-year, $30MM accord. Biadasz will man the pivot, free agent pickup Cole Strange will take over at right guard for the released Mekhi Becton, and the excellent Rashawn Slater–Joe Alt duo will handle the tackle spots. Slater missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon, and ankle issues held Alt to six games, but both blockers are ahead of schedule in their recoveries.
If Slater and Alt return to full strength, left guard will be the biggest question on the Chargers’ line heading into next season. In a best-case scenario for them, Slaughter will quickly adapt to a new position and help make life easier on franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Thanks to a combination of injuries and subpar blocking, Herbert suffered the third-most sacks in the league last year (54). While the Chargers still managed 11 wins and a playoff berth, they were unable to get out of the wild-card round. The Patriots sacked Herbert six times in a lifeless offensive showing for the Chargers, who fell 16-3.
Browns Considered Trading Into First Round For WR Denzel Boston
Reloading at wide receiver, the Browns did not stop after choosing KC Concepcion 24th overall. Cleveland made another big move at the position during the draft, tabbing Denzel Boston at No. 39.
The Browns entered this draft with two first-round picks, obtaining the No. 24 overall selection via the Jaguars’ 2025 Travis Hunter trade-up. The Jags’ dramatic improvement from 2024 to ’25 made that pick less valuable, but the Browns came out of Round 1 with a tackle and a receiver — their long-rumored preference.
Cleveland, however, considered joining the Jets in making it a three-first-rounder haul. The Browns pondered trading back into Round 1 to secure Boston, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who notes the team viewed the Seahawks (No. 32) as a potential option. Seattle GM John Schneider confirmed the team was looking to trade down, which the veteran exec has done many times in Round 1 during his lengthy tenure; the defending champs entered the draft with only four picks.
Schneider confirmed potential trade-down opportunities arose, but the Seahawks stayed put and drafted Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. It should be viewed as a safe bet the Browns represented one of those trade-down chances for the Seahawks, but the team viewed the 49ers as a threat to draft Price. San Francisco, after trading down twice in Round 1, held the No. 33 overall pick to start Round 2.
After the Browns stood down on a first-round trade-up — and what would have been their first three-first-rounder haul since 2017 (when the team added Myles Garrett, David Njoku and Jabrill Peppers) — Fowler adds discussions took place regarding a move up the board early in Round 2. We heard before the 49ers’ No. 33 pick the Browns were among the teams interested in climbing, but no Cleveland trade commenced.
Andrew Berry and Co. bet on a defense-heavy start to the second round and was mostly proven right. After the 49ers chose a receiver (De’Zhaun Stribling) and the Cardinals a guard (Chase Bisontis) to start the draft’s second night, four defensive players (EDGE T.J. Parker, DT Kayden McDonald, CB Colton Hood, S Treydan Stukes) respectively went to the Bills, Texans, Giants and Raiders. That left Boston on the board for longer than expected, and the Browns pounced at No. 39.
Boston was widely mocked as a first-round pick, with pre-draft rumors relaying the Washington product was viewed as a top-three receiver in this class by some teams. Those may not have been entirely accurate, though it is worth wondering if teams merely stood down and addressed other positions while still viewing Boston highly. The Browns conducted a “30” visit with Boston in mid-March and will plug him in alongside Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy. The team has no plans to trade Jeudy despite an underwhelming second season in Cleveland.
The Browns had not used a first- or second-round pick on a receiver under Berry or predecessor John Dorsey. Granted, Cleveland went three drafts without a first-round pick (due to the Deshaun Watson trade/fiasco), but the team has underinvested, draft-wise, at this premier position for a long time. After missing on Corey Coleman in the 2016 first round — when Berry worked under then-front office boss Sashi Brown — Cleveland opted to make other moves at receiver, like trading for Jeudy and Amari Cooper.
Giants Claim DT Zacch Pickens
The Giants made one of Tuesday’s most noteworthy moves in agreeing to sign defensive tackle D.J. Reader to a two-year, $12.5MM deal. Not content to stop adding at the position, the Giants have claimed Zacch Pickens off waivers from the Chiefs.
Pickens is quickly landing on his feet after the Chiefs cut him Monday. The 6-foot-4, 303-pounder spent all of last season in the Kansas City organization, mostly as a member of its practice squad. Pickens got into three games and played 59 defensive snaps.
Before arriving in KC, Pickens spent the first two years of his career in Chicago. The Bears invested a third-round pick (No. 64 overall) in the South Carolina product in 2023, but the move did not work out as hoped. Pickens logged his lone 17-game season as a rookie, though he did not make any starts. He finished with a 24.65% defensive snap share, 20 tackles and a half-sack. While Pickens made the first three starts of his career in 2024, he totaled just nine appearances, 19 tackles and a sack on the season. Led by then-rookie head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears waived Pickens last August.
For the Giants, the Pickens claim continues an active couple of weeks along their interior defensive line. The first domino to fall was the mid-April trade of nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick. The Giants have since brought in Reader, Pickens, Leki Fotu and sixth-rounder Bobby Jamison-Travis to join Darius Alexander, Sam Roberts and Marlon Tuipulotu
RB Isaac Guerendo In Uphill Battle To Make 49ers’ Roster; Latest On Team’s LG Situation
The 49ers have an established track record for mid-round running back investments during the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era. Unfortunately for the team, the moves have a high bust rate.
San Francisco drafted Joe Williams in the 2017 fourth round, trading up for the Utah back. Williams did not play an NFL snap. The team tried again by drafting Trey Sermon in the 2021 third round. Sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell outplayed Sermon, who saw minimal San Francisco action before being waived in 2022. The team misfired once again in Round 3, with its Tyrion Davis-Price pick (2022) yielding little before a 2023 separation.
The 2024 draft brought another swing, with Isaac Guerendo joining the team in Round 4. Shortly before Guerendo’s second season, however, the 49ers traded for Brian Robinson to serve as Christian McCaffrey‘s backup. Robinson moved on in free agency (to the Falcons) in March, but the 49ers went back to the draft well again by choosing Indiana’s Kaelon Black in Round 3 despite the Indiana product not being invited to the Combine.
Black joins 2025 fifth-rounder Jordan James as McCaffrey backup options alongside Guerendo, but the third-year player may be on the outside looking in. Guerendo is now a long shot to make San Francisco’s 53-man roster this summer, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur writes. The 49ers are expected to feature an RB2 competition between James and Black, Tafur adds.
Guerendo, who clocked a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 Combine, averaged 5.0 yards per carry as a rookie (84/420) and scored four touchdowns. McCaffrey missed most of that season but returned to his full workload in 2025, with Robinson serving as the clear backup. Guerendo, who played alongside Mitchell in 2024, went from 227 offensive snaps as a rookie to zero last season. He could find himself elsewhere via waivers or perhaps in a low-level trade, though the 49ers could perhaps save a practice squad spot come August.
While McCaffrey’s backup — a rather important position considering the All-Pro’s injury history — has yet to be decided, the team will be looking for a Week 1 left guard starter as well. Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch defected in free agency (to the Raiders and Lions, respectively), leaving a hole opposite Dominick Puni. The team signed Robert Jones and will put him in a competition with second-year blocker Connor Colby and rookie fourth-rounder Carver Willis, Tafur adds.
Jones, who missed all of last season with a broken bone in his neck, comes over from the Cowboys but last made contributions with the Dolphins. The four-year Miami blocker, 27, started 30 games for the Dolphins — including 17 in 2024. Jones only commanded a one-year, $3.75MM Dallas deal and signed for $1.75MM ($1.64MM guaranteed) with the 49ers.
The 49ers initially turned to Colby after Bartch’s Week 2 injury last season but ended up going with Burford as a nine-game starter. Burford joined the Raiders on a one-year, $3.26MM contract. Willis played left tackle with Washington as a senior and was Kansas State’s starting right tackle in 2024. The 49ers, who signed Vederian Lowe as a swing tackle this offseason, are moving Willis to guard.
Although Jones has by far the most experience here, Colby — an Iowa product drafted in last year’s seventh round — will be given “every opportunity” to beat him out, per Tafur. Pro Football Focus ranked Colby 66th among guards as a rookie, but the 49ers look to remain bullish on his chances. Two years remain on Puni’s rookie deal, keeping the team’s RG situation stable for the foreseeable future.
Broncos Explored TE, LB Additions Earlier In Draft
Although glaring needs did not appear to exist on the Broncos’ depth chart entering the draft, the team carried a few positions that could use help. Tight end and inside linebacker were at or near the top of that list, but Denver waited until Day 3 of the draft to address those spots.
The Broncos chose tight ends Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley in Rounds 5 and 7, respectively, and made linebacker Red Murdock this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. But the team looked into these positions earlier in the draft.
Tight end was a consideration “somewhat early” for the Broncos, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Considering the pre-draft work the Broncos did at tight end, it is unsurprising the team looked into the position earlier. Denver held the No. 62 overall pick but traded down to No. 66. Two of the TEs the team used “30” visits on — Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Ohio State’s Max Klare — went off the board in Round 2, with the Rams taking Klare one spot before the Broncos’ second-round pick. The Texans also chose Michigan’s Marlin Klein at No. 59.
Joly, however, also made a trip to Denver for a pre-draft meeting. The NC State product was a consistent producer in Raleigh and put up notable stats at UConn from 2022-23. Joly caught a career-high seven touchdown passes last season but was more productive for a yardage standpoint in 2024, when he tallied a career-best 661 to go with four TD grabs (his 15.4 yards per reception ranked fourth among Division I-FBS tight ends). The Broncos preferred Joly’s 2024 tape, according to Fowler, who notes the pass catcher played at a lighter weight that season.
Joly weighed 241 pounds at the Combine but was listed at 263 on the Wolfpack’s 2025 roster. With the team trading up 18 spots to land Joly at No. 152, it will be interesting to see where he checks in during his first Bronco campaign. The team decided to retain Evan Engram, despite an unremarkable 2025 season, and $5MM of his $10.99MM 2026 salary is already guaranteed. Engram, 31, could serve as a bridge while Joly develops in Sean Payton‘s offense. Denver also re-signed Adam Trautman in free agency.
The Broncos also re-signed linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, recommitting to each and releasing Dre Greenlaw. Singleton is 32, while Strnad will turn 30 before Week 1. The team not identifying a linebacker prospect earlier than No. 257 (Murdock) may inject some risk into the proceedings and make the Broncos a candidate for a pre-Week 1 signing. The team does still roster Drew Sanders, who has battled injuries as a pro, and is planning to try edge rusher Jonah Elliss at ILB this offseason.
Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt said (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) the team wanted to add a linebacker in the draft but did not see it as a critical area of need. The draft also saw some ILB options go off the board shortly before No. 62. The Vikings, Colts and Titans respectively chose Jake Golday (No. 51), C.J. Allen (No. 53) and Anthony Hill Jr. (No. 60). The Broncos opted to trade down, and they made Texas A&M interior D-lineman Tyler Onyedim their first draftee.
Cowboys To Host CB Adoree’ Jackson
Adoree’ Jackson has spent the past five years in the NFC East, and he may remain in the division for 2026. The veteran corner has lined up his first known visit of the offseason.
Jackson is set to visit the Cowboys today, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Dallas has already taken the free agent route to make a pair of veteran CB additions this spring, bringing in ex-Rams Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick. The team then added fourth-rounder Devin Moore during the draft, but with over $8MM in cap space another low-cost move could be in store.
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker coached Jackson last season with the Eagles. As Philadelphia’s secondary coach, Parker oversaw Jackson’s age-30 season. That included 10 starts and a 63% snap share on defense. Jackson has made 76 career starts during his nine-year career.
The Eagles’ boundary cornerback position opposite Quinyon Mitchell was an issue last season, as both Mitchell and slot ace Cooper DeJean earned first-team All-Pro acclaim. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson 92nd among CB regulars in 2025. Although the Eagles traded for Michael Carter and Jaire Alexander last season, the latter did not end up playing a down for Philly. Jackson continued to work as a regular following the trades, and he started the Eagles’ wild-card game after retaining a heavy role down the stretch.
A former Titans first-round pick, Jackson has played in the NFC East since 2021. Tennessee not exercising the 5-foot-11 cover man’s fifth-year option led to a three-year, $39MM Giants contract. He worked alongside future Eagle James Bradberry in 2021 and became the Giants’ No. 1 corner a year later, as GM Joe Schoen made Bradberry a cap casualty. Jackson helped the Giants make a surprise divisional-round run, though he missed time due to injury, and helped the Giants contain Justin Jefferson in their wild-card upset.
After Jackson played out his contract in 2023, the Giants attempted to go in a younger direction at corner. But they were not ultimately satisfied with the results and re-signed the veteran just before the 2024 season. Jackson only started five games that year but ended up being the preferred Eagles option opposite Mitchell over Kelee Ringo last year. Jackson played for just $1.75MM in 2024 and $1.76MM in ’25.
The Cowboys return the recently extended DaRon Bland at corner and used a third-round pick on Shavon Revel in 2025. The team missed both for extensive portions of last season, with Bland suffering another injury and Revel making a late debut due to his 2024 ACL tear. Parker will see what he has in Durant and Kendrick soon, and Jackson could fit into the puzzle — likely at a low rate, if a deal is to happen — after this mid-offseason meeting.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Charges Dropped Against L’Jarius Sneed
In November, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was indicted by a grand jury. The charge Sneed faced as a result of that development has now been dropped, however.
Attorney Michael J. Todd revealed on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) Sneed’s case was recently dismissed by the state of Texas. Sneed originally faced an aggravated assault charge stemming from an alleged December 2024 incident. The grand jury wound up indicting him on a charge of failure to report a felony, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
This latest development, Sneed’s attorney confirms, means the legal matter is now settled. The veteran no longer has any pending charges and his case included no admission of guilt. Sneed appears to still be one of the defendants in a civil suit, but this news should help his chances of landing a deal in free agency before the start of the 2026 season.
Sneed was a starter for the Chiefs while playing out his rookie contract. Kansas City used the franchise tag in 2024 before working out a trade to the Titans. Part of that agreement was a four-year, $76.4MM extension with Tennessee upon arrival. Expectations were high as a result, but the former fourth-rounder made only five appearances during his debut season with his new team. Sneed was limited to seven contests in 2025, and his performance in coverage when on the field fell short of his peak Kansas City showings.
In a move which thus came as no surprise, Sneed was released in March. The Titans will move forward with free agent signings Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott as key figures at the cornerback spot while attempting to improve in the secondary this season. Sneed, 29, remains unsigned at this time. With several veterans lining up deals at this time of year, however, he could be among those landing an opportunity relatively soon.
On the other hand, it will be interesting to see if a league investigation takes place. The NFL often waits until legal proceedings run their course before looking into a situation, and convictions are not required for fines and/or suspensions to be handed down under the personal conduct policy. Nonetheless, Sneed’s path to a third NFL contract (one which will no doubt be worth far less than his second) should be clearer moving forward.
Patrick Mahomes Expected To Participate In Chiefs’ OTAs
MAY 5: During an appearance on SiriusXM radio (audio link), Chiefs GM Brett Veach confirmed Mahomes is “way ahead of schedule.” Nevertheless, he added the team will proceed with caution once training camp – and thus contact practices – begins.
MAY 2: The Chiefs will begin their organized team activities later this month. Patrick Mahomes has progressed in his injury recovery to the point he is expected to take part.
“He is in a good position to be able to do some things,” head coach Andy Reid said (via ESPN’s Nate Taylor). “Phase 2 [of the offseason program], remember, there’s no contact and there’s no offense versus defense. It’s Phase 3 that you get into that… He’s in a position where he can do everything, I think.”
Mahomes suffered ACL and MCL tears late in the 2025 season, setting him up for a lengthy rehab process and leading to questions about his Week 1 availability for next year. Even limited participation in spring practices would obviously be an encouraging sign, though. Kansas City’s OTAs will take place from May 26-28 along with June 1-3.
That will be followed by mandatory minicamp; contact practices will not commence until training camp in July. By that point, the Chiefs will no doubt have a clearer picture of Mahomes’ rehab status. The team will presumably proceed with caution over the coming weeks, with trade acquisition Justin Fields a candidate to handle first-team reps. Kansas City also has Chris Oladokun and seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier on the QB depth chart.
Mahomes’ deal was once again restructured this offseason, and he remains under contract through 2031. The three-time Super Bowl MVP will play a key role in the Chiefs’ efforts to return to the playoffs in 2026 after Kansas City’s underwhelming showing this past campaign. A clean bill of health will of course be critical to the team’s short- and long-term outlook. As Kansas City’s offseason programs unfold, the involvement of Mahomes will remain a story to follow closely.
Cowboys Have Not Discussed Trade With WR George Pickens
George Pickens recently signed his franchise tag, confirming the draft-day revelation that he would be doing so well before mandatory practices commenced. A trade has been floated as a possibility in this case, but the Cowboys have publicly stated their intention of keeping Pickens in the fold for 2026.
When speaking to the media over the weekend, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) Dallas has not engaged in any conversations with Pickens about a trade. That falls in line with EVP Stephen Jones’ remarks at the draft indicating a swap is not being sought out by the Cowboys. Pickens is in line to collect $27.3MM in 2026 while carrying a cap charge of the same amount.
Affording that figure – not to mention the higher cost of a long-term extension – while retaining fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb will be challenging. That factor has led many to believe a trade could receive consideration on Dallas’ part, especially if Pickens displays frustration with his lack of security beyond 2026. Nevertheless, Schottenheimer said (h/t ESPN’s Todd Archer) he was not surprised to see Pickens sign his one-year tender as early as he did. That move obligates Pickens to attend mandatory minicamp in June along with training camp one month later.
July 15 looms as the deadline for franchise tag recipients to sign a long-term deal. In spite of that, the Cowboys have already made it clear they will not negotiate a multiyear contract with Pickens, who was among the league’s top receivers during his debut Dallas season. The 25-year-old will be in line for a major payday (or a second tag) in 2027 if he manages a strong follow-up campaign, although the possibility still remains for a trade to result in an acquiring team authorizing a new deal sooner.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora writes Pickens is indeed displeased with his situation, something which is common among franchise tag recipients. He adds a trade sending the former Steelers draftee out of Dallas is not “an impossibility by any stretch” with plenty of time remaining before any potential swap could take place. A general manager La Canfora spoke with suggested a young player coupled with draft capital could be enough to change the Cowboys’ stance on Pickens.
Dallas expectedly devoted much of the draft toward the defensive side of the ball, and improvement in that regard will be critical in rebounding from the 2025 season. Pickens remains on track to again play a key offensive role for the Cowboys, although his participation in mandatory offseason work will be something to monitor as the summer unfolds.