Trade Candidate: Darnell Washington
While the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick swap stole headlines earlier this week, the Steelers also added some major tight end depth in Jonnu Smith. It’s not hard to understand Pittsburgh’s thinking. As the team looks to load up around Aaron Rodgers, they added a savvy veteran who’s coming off a career year in Miami.
[RELATED: Steelers Acquire, Extend TE Jonnu Smith]
When paired with incumbent Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers now have one of the strongest TE tandems in the entire NFL. However, the Smith acquisition pushed another notable tight end down the depth chart…and potentially off the roster altogether.
Darnell Washington is known more for his measurables than his actual NFL production, and for very good reason. At six-foot-seven, the Steelers tight end is one of the most physically intimidating individuals in the entire league. He doesn’t lead his position in height; that achievement belongs to teammate Donald Parham Jr., who is out for the upcoming season thanks to a torn Achilles. Unlike Parham and similar to fellow 6’7″ tight ends like Colby Parkinson and Tyree Jackson, Washington stands out on the scale, where he weighs in at 264 pounds.
Also unlike those other physical behemoths, Washington has actually shown some major athleticism. During the 2023 combine, the tight end recorded a 4.64-second 40-yard dash time. For comparison’s sake, Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson recorded a 40-yard time of 4.57 seconds, and while 2025 first-round tight ends Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren didn’t participate in the dash, their estimated times came in lower than the Steelers TE (4.70 for Loveland, 4.68 for Warren).
Washington won a pair of National Championships during his time with the Bulldogs, and despite topping out at 454 receiving yards, the Steelers still snagged him with the 93rd-overall pick in the 2023 draft. Now known affectionally as “Mount Washington” in Pittsburgh, the tight end still hasn’t truly clicked on offense through his first two NFL seasons. After hauling in only seven catches as a rookie, the 23-year-old took a mini leap this past season, finishing with 19 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown. Understandably, the Steelers have clearly been looking for a bit more.
That lack of production probably explains why the Steelers anxiously inked Smith to an extension following yesterday’s trade, and with Freiermuth also signed to a long-term deal, Washington appears destined to play out his rookie contract as the Steelers’ third tight end. Considering his draft status, Washington’s contract hardly breaks the bank ($1.46MM cap hit in 2025, $1.70MM cap hit in 2026), so the Steelers certainly won’t feel any urgency to trade him.
However, that also doesn’t mean other teams won’t come knocking. Washington’s incredible size and skills certainly makes him a worthy gamble, especially if a team is looking for a giant red zone target. If he doesn’t end up working out, a suitor could also consider moving him to the offensive line. There were rumblings that Washington may be destined for an offensive tackle role in the NFL, and Pro Football Focus handed him the sixth-highest run blocking score among TEs in 2024 (he finished 25th for pass blocking).
Sure, Washington isn’t the biggest name, and there will probably be bigger-name tight ends who shake loose over the next few months. Still, not every trade candidate is intended to drive jersey sales. For squads seeking some high-upside tight end depth, Washington certainly warrants consideration.
Some Giants Personnel Preferred Jameis Winston To Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson remains penciled in as the Giants QB1, even after the team used a first-round selection on Jaxson Dart. However, if anyone was going to unseat Wilson from his unofficial starting gig, it’d likely be another notable name on the depth chart.
[RELATED: Russell Wilson Expects To Remain Giants’ Starting QB]
As Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes, there are some inside the franchise who preferred Jameis Winston to Wilson. Specifically, the Winston proponents were focused on how the two acquisitions “came off in their visits” with the franchise before putting pen to paper.
To Wilson’s credit, he’s been putting in work on building a rapport with his new teammates. Per Schwartz, the QB has gone into “overdrive” as he tries to build relationships with his new squad. The veteran also drew praise for his showing at spring practices, although he’ll obviously only be judged on his performance during the regular season.
The two veterans signed within a week of each other, but the Giants have made it clear all along that Wilson will lead the depth chart and Winston will serve as the QB2. Wilson, of course, brings the track record and recent starting experience. The former Super Bowl champ has continued to start in his post-Seahawks career, including stints with the Broncos and Steelers. He’s only gone 17-24 over those three seasons, and it’s fair to wonder how short of a leash he’ll have in New York as Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen remain on the hot seat.
Winston doesn’t bring the same recent starting experience as his new teammate. Since leaving the Buccaneers after the 2019 season, the former first-overall pick has started only 17 games across five years. He went 5-2 with the Saints in 2021, but he’s since gone 3-7 in his last 10 starts. While Winston seemed to temporarily curb his turnover issues in New Orleans, he’s seen his interception rate come in at 4.4 percent over the past three years.
Both options are relatively uninspiring, especially for a Giants regime that’s on the brink of losing their jobs. Dart represents the unknown, and on most squads, it wouldn’t be surprising for a coach to eventually give their rookie a shot. In New York, it sounds like Dart may have to leapfrog two veterans if he has any hope of starting in 2025.
Bills’ Maxwell Hairston Accused Of Sexual Assault In Civil Suit
Bills first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston has been accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit filed in Kentucky, according to WKBW News in Buffalo.
The case stems from a 2021 allegation during Hairston’s freshman year at the University of Kentucky that drew little attention during the pre-draft process. Hairston was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, per Jana Bardahl and Tim Graham of The Athletic. The alleged victim, an Ohio woman, eventually transferred out of the school.
In the suit, the unnamed woman accuses Hairston of sexually assaulting her in her dorm room on March 25, 2021. The suit alleges Hairston removed the woman’s pajamas, after she had indicated she was tired and uninterested in sexual intercourse, and assaulted her. The woman filed a police report at the time, according to Bardahl and Graham, and went through a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner exam at a hospital.
Shortly after selecting Hairston, Bills general manager Brandon Beane called him “an impeccable kid” and said that the incident was “fully investigated” by both the university and his own staff in Buffalo.
“It was one of those where there was zero — zero — information saying that this actually happened,” Beane said in April (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). Today, the University of Kentucky and the Bills both declined to comment on the lawsuit, per WKBW.
As of 2023, the NFL’s personal conduct policy includes language that allows the league to investigate and discipline players for conduct from before they were drafted, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. That would include the allegation against Hairston, though the league may wait for the civil proceedings to play out before making a determination of its own.
The Bills chose Hairston 30th overall, making him the second pure cornerback taken in this draft. His rookie contract — worth a fully guaranteed $15.28MM — runs through 2028 and includes a fifth-year option for 2029.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report
Jaguars’ Montaric Brown Could Start As CB2
Jaguars fourth-year cornerback Montaric Brown has steadily moved up the depth chart since he was drafted in the seventh round in 2022.
He was only active for eight games as a rookie with one start before carving out a part-time role in 2023 with 12 games played and six starts. Last year, he appeared in every game with 10 starts and a 72% snap share that led an injured cornerback room.
Now, Brown is contending for a full-time starting job opposite Tyson Campbell, according to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. He performed well in first-team reps during spring practices, which should put him in the lead as training camp approaches later this month. Behind him is 2023 third-rounder Jarrian Jones, who primarily played nickel last season and said in the spring that he had no experience with the zone coverages run by new Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Another factor is No. 2 pick Travis Hunter, who spent some time at cornerback in the spring. Jacksonville is still ironing out the details of its plans to use him on both sides of the ball, but he is expected to primarily play receiving while rotating in at cornerback.
If Jones is able to adapt to Campanile’s scheme while moving to the boundary, he could push Brown for the CB2 job and offer an easy solution to the questions surrounding Hunter’s usage. Jones could start opposite Campbell and slide into the slot in nickel and dime sets with Hunter replacing him on the boundary.
A Campbell-Brown starting duo, however, would complicate Hunter’s path to getting on the field. He primarily played on the outside in college and saw substantially higher slot usage in 2024. That may have to continue in Jacksonville to share the field with Campbell and Brown, neither of whom have spent much time at nickel.
The Jaguars also signed Jourdan Lewis to a three-year, $30MM contract this offseason, indicating the team’s new regime has a plan for him, too. He has played 3,400 snaps in the slot during his eight-year career in Dallas, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so he will likely push for the starting nickel job as well.
Jacksonville will have to juggle its recent investments and assorted positional fits into a functioning secondary during training camp. Campanile will likely test a number of cornerback duos and trios to figure out which grouping offers the most upside.
Saints’ Trevor Penning Likely To Start At LG
Trevor Penning struggled at both tackle spots across his first three seasons with the Saints, so the team’s new coaching staff has moved him inside to compete for the starting left guard job.
Penning played with the first team “all throughout OTAs and minicamp,” according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, giving him a strong chance at to start in Week 1. The Saints will be hoping that he can bring some stability to the position after using five different players at left guard in 2024.
New Orleans’ primary option, Lucas Patrick, started eight games last year, including Week 1, but injuries forced him first to center, and then the sidelines. Patrick signed with the Bengals this offseason, so Penning’s main competition will be 2023 fourth-rounder Nick Saldiveri, who started six games at left guard in 2024. Landon Young saw time at both guard spots last year, so he could be in the mix as well.
The Saints traded up in the first round to draft Penning in 2022, envisioning him as the team’s long-term left tackle after the departure of Terron Armstead. The move was questioned at the time given that Penning largely faced FCS-level competition at the University of Northern Iowa. Multiple foot injuries limited him to one start as a rookie, so those concerns were not substantiated until 2023, when Penning was benched after starting the first five games at left tackle.
Penning flipped to right tackle last offseason amid uncertainty around Ryan Ramczyk‘s knee; the former All-Pro ended up starting the entire year with the veteran on the PUP list before retiring this offseason. Penning still struggled to protect the quarterback and allowed 54 quarterback pressures, the second-most of any offensive tackle, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Starting the entirety of the previous season would normally position Penning to at least compete for the starting right tackle job this year, but it is expected to be filled by 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga. This is the second straight offseason that Fuaga has bumped Penning out of his spot; last year, he took over at left tackle after primarily playing right tackle at Oregon State.
With Fuaga returning to his natural position, Penning has instead kicked inside to left guard in a contract year after the Saints declined his fifth-year option in May. That is typically a sign that a team plans to move on from a former first-round pick, so a smooth transition to the interior will be crucial for his market in 2026 free agency. Of course, impressing the Saints’ new coaches could keep Penning in New Orleans, but a guard market that continues to explode could price him out of the Big Easy.
Tom Brady Clarifies Raiders Role, Describes Himself As “Sounding Board”
While much has been made of Tom Brady‘s influence as a minority owner of the Raiders, the iconic quarterback was quick to clarify his position in the franchise’s hierarchy. During a recent chat with Paul Gutierrez of the team’s website, Brady simply described himself as a “sounding board” for the organization’s true decision makers.
“Well, I’m just a limited partner, so Mark’s the boss,” Brady said. “And then Pete does his job and Spy does his job and, I think, we trust them to make the right decisions. I’m there as a great sounding board for anything they want to do.”
As Brady noted, majority owner Mark Davis still calls the shots, and the team is clearly empowering new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek to shape the roster as they want. Of course, Brady’s fingerprints are still all over the Raiders organization, and there were reports of his influence over offseason personnel moves.
We heard that Brady’s arrival in Las Vegas played a big role in Carroll signing on, and the seven-time Super Bowl winner also reportedly had a major say on the team’s approach to the quarterback position. Brady reportedly pushed for a Matthew Stafford acquisition, and we heard recently that he rejected a pursuit of free agent Sam Darnold. The team ultimately landed on Geno Smith as a temporary stopgap at the position, and the veteran acknowledged that the entire new regime (including Brady) played a role in his decision to sign an extension.
Even if Brady wants to assign credit elsewhere, he was still involved in many of the organization’s other offseason moves. While the team’s new HC/GM tandem and quarterback commanded attention, the team also stole headlines by signing free agent linebacker Devin White and using the sixth-overall pick on dynamic running back Ashton Jeanty.
“I’ve loved it,” Brady said of the Raiders’ offseason. “And, again, just trying to contribute in the ways that I can to help the team be the best they can be, on and off the field. We’ve got a great group of people. I love Mark. He’s done an incredible job getting the team to Vegas, getting the stadium built.”
Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Offense
Last offseason brought about a record-breaking jump in the salary cap. This year, the ceiling rose to $279.2MM, another notable spike. The market at a number of positions will benefit from the ongoing surge in spending power available to teams, with quarterbacks obviously the largest standout in that respect.
In 2024, a pair of signal-callers surpassed the $50MM mark in terms of cap charges for the season. That will not be the case this time around, but to little surprise quarterbacks once again lead the way in terms of representing the largest share of many teams’ financial commitments for 2025. Positions such as receiver and offensive tackle have also generally not reached the same peak in terms of cap commitments as last year.
Leading up to training camp, are the NFL’s top 25 cap charges for offensive players:
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $50.52MM
- Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $47.47MM
- Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $46MM
- Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $43.5MM
- Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $43.33MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $40MM
- Geno Smith, QB (Raiders): $40MM
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Dolphins): $39.18MM
- Justin Herbert, QB (Chargers): $37.35MM
- Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $36.34MM
- Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $35.97MM
- Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $32.6MM
- Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $31.35MM
- Jordan Love, QB (Packers): $29.69MM
- Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $28.06MM
- Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans): $28MM
- Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $27.7MM
- Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $27.39MM
- Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers): $26.48MM
- Terry McLaurin, WR (Commanders): $25.5MM
- Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $25.36MM
- D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $24.9MM
- Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $24.06MM
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Bengals): $23.57MM
- Trey Smith, RG (Chiefs): $23.4MM
Prescott’s last-minute 2024 Cowboys extension made him the first player in NFL history to carry an AAV of $60MM. That pact will have lasting impacts well beyond the coming campaign, as the team looks to also fit in the big-ticket extension CeeDee Lamb inked last summer and the one Micah Parsons is in position to sign at some point before Week 1. 
Once again, Stafford and the Rams entered the spring with plenty of uncertainty. Retirement was a consideration quickly done away with in the case of the 37-year-old, but it remained to be seen if he would remain in Los Angeles. Trade offers came in from numerous suitors, and the chance existed for Stafford to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the end, though, team and player reached agreement on another reworked pact. Stafford is now in line to receive $84MM over the next two years, including guaranteed money in 2026. A bit of continuity will thus be in place under center for the Rams.
2020 draft classmates Burrow, Tagovailoa and Herbert are understandable top-10 players on this list given their respective deals. All three are on the books for years to come as they look to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC. Burrow spoke about restructuring his pact to create the cap space necessary for the Bengals to retain or extend each of their key in-house players this offseason. That has yet to take place, and it will be interesting to see if a reworking is explored while talks on the Trey Hendrickson front continue.
The Ravens have worked out a few extensions on offense already (Derrick Henry, Rashod Bateman) but Jackson looms as a candidate for a new deal. Three years remain on his pact, but starting in 2026 his cap charge is scheduled so spike well past its current figure. The two-time MVP has discussed a new arrangement this offseason, and a bump in guarantees and overall compensation similar to what the Bills did with Allen would come as no surprise.
Cousins’ figure stands out, of course, given the fact he is slated to operate as Atlanta’s backup this season. With no release coming and no trade imminent, the four-time Pro Bowler is set to stay in place behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins has made progress in his rehab from shoulder and ankle injuries suffered prior to his benching midway through his debut Atlanta season. With $10MM already guaranteed for next year, it will be interesting to see if a trade market develops in the coming months in his case.
With the exception of Watson – whose second Achilles tear is set to sideline him for most or all of the coming campaign – the remaining quarterbacks on the list are positioned to serve as starters for their respective teams. Only Geno Smith will be suiting up for a new organization after he was traded from the Seahawks to the Raiders. That swap was followed up by a two-year, $75MM extension and allowed him to reunite with head coach Pete Carroll. A short-term upgrade under center will be key as Vegas looks to find stability on the sidelines and in the front office.
Moton’s cap figure was a talking point earlier this offseason, but the Panthers are content to avoid a fourth restructure in his case. The pending free agent hopes to finish his career in Carolina, but an extension would have helped ensure that while lowering his immediate cap charge. In the absence of such an agreement, it will be interesting to see if Moton, 30, can deliver another strong showing in 2025.
Ridley is perhaps a surprising figure to lead the way in terms of cap charges at the receiver spot. He will operate as a key member of the Titans’ offense, a unit whose success will of course depend in large part on the play of rookie Cam Ward. Ridley has two more years left on his deal beyond 2025, but with limited guarantees owed over that span his Tennessee future could be greatly impacted by who this season plays out. 
The likes of Hill, Evans and Moore are not currently the subject of speculation regarding their future. McLaurin, however, was absent from much of the Commanders’ spring practices with little progress being made at the negotiating table. Plenty of work is still required at this point to avoid a potential free agent departure next spring. Coming off a career-high in touchdowns while thriving alongside Jayden Daniels, the two-time Pro Bowler is in line for a raise which will likely lower his cap hit this season.
Chase and Higgins inked their deals simultaneously, putting an end to questions regarding where the latter in particular would play on his second contract. Those two, together with Burrow, will serve as foundational players for years to come in Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how long Chase (with an AAV of $40.25MM) remains the league’s top earner in that respect for non-quarterbacks.
Kansas City’s offensive line faces questions entering the season. Despite his big-ticket contract, Taylor is not a lock to remain a starter at this point. With no guaranteed left on the final year of his deal (2026), a parting of ways could be in store next spring if a backup gig ensues. Trey Smith, meanwhile, remains attached to the franchise tag although an extension is among the team’s remaining offseason priorities.
Bengals Not Expected To Add More Guard Depth
The Bengals have added depth to both guard positions this offseason, opening the door for position battles on both sides of the offensive line. While a handful of notable veteran guards remain unsigned, it sounds like Cincy is currently content rolling with their current options at the position. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes, it’s unlikely the Bengals make any additions as they evaluate their options at the guard position.
On the flip side, Dehner opines that the front office should at least be considering adding another body to the fray, even if that acquisition would face an uphill battle for a starting spot. The writer points to a handful of veterans who remain unsigned, including Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, and Will Hernandez.
On the right side of the line, Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick were clearly battling it out for reps during OTAs. Ford is the holdover, and the veteran actually garnered nine starts for the Bengals in 2024 (his highest total since his rookie season with the Bills in 2019). Pro Football Focus has never been particularly fond of Ford’s performance, and while the Bengals signed the veteran to a two-year extension this offseason, they’re clearly setting the stage for a position battle.
That’s because the team brought in Patrick on a one-year deal. Patrick has continued to start during his post-Packers career, including stops with the Bears and Saints. PFF graded him 37th among 77 qualifying guards in 2024, when he started 10 of his 11 appearances for New Orleans. His season ended early thanks to a knee injury.
Cordell Volson has been the team’s starting left guard for the past three years, as the 2022 fourth-round pick has started 48 of his 50 appearances since joining the organization. Unfortunately, he hasn’t truly impressed, and following a 2024 campaign where he allowed 43 pressures in 984 offensive snaps, the team is considering some alternatives.
That competition would come via Dylan Fairchild, who the Bengals just selected in the third round of this year’s draft. The Georgia product brings a winning pedigree to Cincinnati, and at six-foot-five and 318 pounds, he brings the necessary size to the position. The Bengals clearly haven’t been afraid of starting late-round lineman in the past, and Fairchild could end up replacing a former example at left guard.
Both guard positions will be competitions to watch heading into training camp. If the Bengals don’t like what they see, then perhaps they reconsider pursuing a free agent option.
WR Alec Pierce, Colts Haven’t Discussed Extension
Alec Pierce had a breakout campaign in 2024, as the receiver paced the NFL with 22.3 yards per reception. As a 2022 second-round pick, the wideout is set to enter the final season of his rookie pact, and it sounds like the Colts are going to let the player simply play out that contract.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, there are no current contract talks between the Colts and Pierce. The reporter writes that “there remains much uncertainty” about the player’s future in Indy, and there’s a “looming possibility” of Pierce playing elsewhere in 2026.
As Holder points out, both sides may be struggling to assign a price tag to Pierce. The receiver has only topped out at 823 receiving yards, and his 41 receptions as a rookie still represents a career-high. While there’s uncertainty if the 25-year-old can truly lead a depth chart, there’s no denying his big-play ability. According to Holder, Pierce’s seven catches of 40 or more yards is second to Ja’Marr Chase since 2022.
Part of Indy’s apprehension about a Pierce extension may be due to their continued investment at the position. The Colts have used some recent draft capital at the position, even after using their 2022 second-round pick on Pierce. The team used a 2023 third-round pick on Josh Downs, and they used a 2024 second-round selection on Adonai Mitchell. The team handed Michael Pittman Jr. a three-year, $71.5MM extension last offseason, so the team already has their WR1 spot accounted for.
For what it’s worth, Pierce isn’t overly concerned about his lame-duck status. In fact, the receiver told Holder that he’s ignoring his expiring contract altogether, and he’s simply focused on taking his game to another level in 2025.
“I like to take a very day-to-day approach with things,” Pierce said. “I don’t really think too far in advance. … That’s why I’ve got agents. They focus on that type of stuff and what’s coming up in the short term.”
Josh Reynolds Leading Jets’ WR2 Battle
The Jets overhauled their offense this season, replacing Aaron Rodgers with Justin Fields under center and parting ways with three other starters: WR Davante Adams, TE Tyler Conklin, and RT Morgan Moses.
Adams’ departure, though expected, still left the Jets with an unclear hierarchy in their wide receiver room behind 2022 first-rounder Garrett Wilson.
Enter veteran wideout Josh Reynolds, who arrived in New York on a one-year, $2.75MM contract in March. He will be looking to bounce back in 2025 after missing nine games last year due to a finger injury and wounds sustained in a Denver shooting.
Based on his performance this spring, Reynolds seems poised to carve out a consistent target share in the Jets’ offense. He is “the clear-cut leader for the WR2 job” in New York after an impressive offseason,” according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Reynolds outplayed fellow veterans Allen Lazard and Tyler Johnson during spring practices, positioning for first-team reps during training camp.
Of course, that could quickly change once pads and contact are introduced later this month. Reynolds could also see expanded competition from the Jets’ younger wide receivers, including recent draft picks Malachi Corley and Arian Smith.
The team will be hoping that Corley, a 2024 third-rounder, can establish himself in the pros after a disappointing rookie year, while its investment of a fourth-round pick in Smith this April indicates that offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has a vision for him, as well. Third-year wideouts Xavier Gipson and Irvin Charles will also be working hard during training camp to upgrade their roles after spending most of the 2024 season on special teams.