Steelers Met With CB Cameron Sutton

April 27th, 2024 at 9:32am CST by Ben Levine

Following a one-season stop in Detroit, Cameron Sutton could be eyeing a return to Pittsburgh. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan met with the cornerback last week, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

After inking a three-year, $33MM deal with the Lions last offseason, Sutton was released by the team after facing charges of domestic battery by strangulation. Nearly three weeks after an arrest warrant was issued, Sutton turned himself in to police in late March.

The cornerback will surely face punishment from the NFL, and there were questions surrounding his future in the NFL. It sounds like Sutton could have at least one potential suitor in his former team, although there’s a good chance the Steelers let the legal process play out before they make a move.

The former third-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, starting 39 of his 84 appearances. After spending the first chunk of his career as a backup, Sutton emerged as a starter during his final two years with the team, starting 31 of his 32 appearances. That included a 2022 campaign where the defensive back finished with 43 tackles to go along with career highs in interceptions (three) and passes defended (15).

The 29-year-old started all 17 games for the Lions last season, finishing with 65 tackles and one interception. He also started each of Detroit’s three playoff games, adding another eight tackles. Pro Football Focus only ranked Sutton 104th among 127 qualifying cornerbacks last season.

The Steelers added Donte Jackson to start alongside Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback, but the team lacks experience beyond that duo. The team’s current depth options include upcoming sophomores Cory Trice, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and Darius Rush, who was limited to three appearances as a rookie.

Rams Spoke With Matthew Stafford About Contract Resolution

April 27th, 2024 at 8:13am CST by Ben Levine

Matthew Stafford is seeking guaranteed money beyond the 2024 campaign, and it sounds like the Rams are open to working with their franchise QB on a resolution. While speaking with reporters yesterday, coach Sean McVay acknowledged that the organization has spoken with Stafford about a reworked contract.

“I’ve had good dialogue with Matthew; we’ll keep those things in-house,” McVay said (via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic). “He’s been working with our guys, but we’ll keep those things in-house.”

In addition to speaking with Stafford, McVay also said the team’s decision makers (including himself, GM Les Snead, and vice president of football Tony Pastoors) “have been discussing the situation.”

Stafford is still playing on an $160MM extension he signed with the Rams back in 2022. The front office briefly considered trading the quarterback before locking themselves in to his near-$60MM commitment for the 2023 campaign. While the veteran has flirted with retirement in the past, he seems set to be under center for the Rams in 2024, when he’ll earn a guaranteed $31MM base salary.

Beyond that, it’s a bit murkier. Two years remain on Stafford’s deal beyond the 2024 season, but Stafford’s salaries in 2025 ($27MM) and ’26 ($26MM) are not locked in. His cap hits for those campaigns – as well as the coming one – range between $49.5MM and $50.5MM. If Stafford intends to continue playing beyond the 2024 season, it could make sense for both sides to guarantee more money while reducing the player’s upcoming cap charges.

Beyond the financials, McVay also thinks it’s important to continue showing gratitude for the quarterback who helped guide them to a Super Bowl championship.

“There’s nothing that’s more important than making sure that he feels appreciated and that he knows how much we love him and want him to lead the way,” McVay said, “and I think that commitment that I think he wants to have can be reciprocated. And we want to work toward figuring that out.”

49ers Did Not Consider Day 2 Trade Involving WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel

April 26th, 2024 at 10:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the top storylines surrounding the 2024 draft has been the uncertain status of 49ers wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Both have drawn trade interest, but a deal should no longer be considered likely in the immediate future.

Aiyuk in particular has been discussed in trade talks, and San Francisco reportedly sought a draft pick in the middle of the first round on Thursday to pull off a deal. The 2020 first-rounder is believed to be seeking $25MM per year on a new deal, a steep price to pay for the 49ers or an acquiring team (albeit one in line with the top of the receiver market). Samuel, by contrast, is already attached to a lucrative pact.

The latter is set to carry cap hits of $28.63MM and $24.2MM over the next two years. Samuel was the topic of conversation in trade talks between the 49ers and Patriots, while the Bills and Steelers have also checked in. After setting a price point for both Aiyuk and Samuel too high for an agreement to be reached, thought was not given to a new round of negotiations on Friday.

“We didn’t entertain any of that today,” general manager John Lynch said of contemplating an Aiyuk and/or Samuel trade during the second and third rounds of the draft (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News). “We’re happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We’re thrilled with it. And thrilled to add Ricky to it to make it stronger.”

Indeed, San Francisco used the No. 31 pick to add Ricky Pearsall to a receiving depth chart already featuring (at least for now) Aiyuk, Samuel and Jauan Jennings. The 49ers are in position to command a high price for the former two contributors given the age and production, and Lynch has publicly stated a desire to hammer out a long-term Aiyuk agreement.

The sides are not believed to be close on terms, however, and the 49ers have several other skill-position commitments on offense and a Brock Purdy extension to budget for as early as next offseason. San Francisco already owns plenty of draft capital in 2024, and adding Day 3 picks would certainly not provide much incentive for a new round of trade talks to take place. With the window for a swap involving a Day 1 pick having closed, it would likely take massive new offer for Lynch’s stance to change.

Kirk Cousins ‘Stunned’ By Falcons’ Decision To Draft Michael Penix Jr.

April 26th, 2024 at 10:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Upon signing Kirk Cousins, the Falcons informed him they were planning to take a quarterback in the later rounds. Just before the team decided to shift course, the high-priced free agency pickup received a rather important phone call.

The Falcons did inform their $45MM-per-year quarterback they were planning to use the No. 8 overall pick on Michael Penix Jr. They did so upon going on the clock. But the longtime Vikings starter is believed to have been stunned by his new team’s decision, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.

As should be expected, Cousins is concerned this pick does not help the Falcons for the 2024 season, according to Russini (subscription required). Viewed at points as a potential late-first-round prospect, Penix did become connected to the Falcons early this week. But the team’s decision to follow up the Cousins contract — which includes a $100MM practical guarantee, one that ties the 35-year-old passer to Atlanta through 2026 — by selecting the recent national championship game starter was easily the most surprising first-round move.

“He got called on the clock, obviously because of the sensitive time with the issues of what you got going on,” Falcons HC Raheem Morris said of the team’s decision to notify Cousins. “It’s never a right time to talk to a quarterback about those things. And reactions are always going to be private when it comes to those things, unless Kirk decides to tell you some of those things that are whatever they may be. But he’s a competitor, just like us all. And you can always expect those things to go just like you kind of think.”

It is not unusual for teams to follow up free agency acquisitions with first-round QB picks, but those moves generally come after a team added a bridge-type passer on the market. Cousins is not that, and an unusual setup is now in place in which Penix learns on the job — potentially for multiple seasons. The Packers are the only team in the fifth-year option era to park a first-round passer for multiple years, but Jordan Love arrived as a No. 26 overall pick. With Penix going eighth, this marks new territory for QB commitment.

Atlanta’s No. 8 draft slot played a key role in the team’s logic here, as Morris said the team views it as unlikely — based largely on Cousins’ status — it will be picking in the top 10 again anytime soon. This is a common refrain among teams, though the Falcons have held a top-10 pick in each of Terry Fontenot‘s four offseasons as GM. Their odds to win the NFC South did improve after Cousins’ arrival, but Penix will probably not move the needle for 2024.

“Kirk Cousins our quarterback. We are very excited about Kirk and this team,” Fontenot said, via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. “We’re very excited about that quarterback room. Kirk is our quarterback. Adding Michael Penix is thinking about the future.”

The Falcons were confident in last season’s Division I-FBS passing leader throughout the pre-draft process, per ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel, who adds the team sent an eight-man contingent — which included Morris, GM Terry Fontenot and OC Zac Robinson — to Seattle to meet with the standout southpaw.

Penix did not take a “30” visit to Atlanta, Russini adds, though the sides had scheduled a meeting in March. While it is less common for a team to make this sort of investment without going through with a visit, that move could have tripped alarms around the league. That said, Penix was highly unlikely to be chosen before the Falcons went on the clock at 8 regardless of his visit schedule.

Coaches were viewed as generally higher than scouts on Penix, with some mechanical issues impacting thet deep-ball maven’s stock. He should have plenty of time to iron those out. Sean Payton said Thursday night he believed the Raiders were targeting Penix, and they had been linked to the Washington prospect. But their plans may well have changed when the Falcons doubled down at the game’s premier position.

Expected to devote the No. 8 choice to defense, the Falcons will be tasked with addressing that side of the ball beginning tonight. Not using No. 8 overall to help a Cousins-led team does create an uphill battle on the roster-building front. Their timeline with Cousins will be fascinating now, as the team will not stand to benefit much from Penix’s rookie contract thanks to the Cousins commitment. The Falcons gave Cousins a no-trade clause, according to OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald, who adds it would cost $35MM for Atlanta to cut ties with the veteran in 2026.

The Packers did not benefit much from Love’s rookie deal, stashing him behind Aaron Rodgers — which created a few headlines during the four-time MVP’s final Green Bay years — for three seasons. That blueprint also involved the Pack trading up for a 21-year-old QB; Penix will turn 24 in May. Green Bay is the only team to execute an extended-runway plan at QB since the 2011 CBA reshaped roster building; it will be interesting to see how the Falcons’ Cousins-Penix effort goes.

Steelers Draft NC State LB Payton Wilson Near End Of Third Round

April 26th, 2024 at 10:25pm CST by Ely Allen

The freefall is over for NC State linebacker Payton Wilson. Despite being ranked as the 48th overall best prospect, according to ESPN, Wilson finally comes off the board late in the third round at 98th overall to the Steelers. The Steelers used the top pick acquired in the trade that sent Kenny Pickett across the state to Philadelphia to select their new defender.

ESPN weren’t the only ones to like Wilson coming out of Raleigh. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network ranked Wilson as the 41st best prospect on his board. Wilson received lots of interest from NFL teams, as well, with both the Lions and Cowboys showing interest in particular.

Medical concerns will be the main reason people point to for his fall to the back of the third round. Wilson suffered season-ending knee and shoulder injuries in 2018 and 2021, respectively, but had been healthy over his last two seasons with the Wolfpack. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network mentioned in draft coverage that one of Wilson’s knees doesn’t even have an ACL, making his collegiate accomplishments all the more impressive.

Despite starting only one game in his redshirt freshman season, following the knee surgery in 2018, Wilson led NC State in tackles. As a full-time starter again in 2020, Wilson earned first-team All-ACC honors while leading the team in tackles and tackles for loss. He rebounded strongly after 2021’s season-ending injury but really shined as a sixth-year redshirt senior last year.

In his final season with the Wolfpack, Wilson saw career highs in tackles (138), tackles for loss (17.5), sacks (6.0), forced fumbles (1), passes defensed (9), and interceptions (3) en route to unanimous All-American honors. He was given the Butkus Award for the best linebacker in the FBS and was named First-Team All-ACC after leading the conference in tackles. His injury history aside, Wilson makes plays all over the field with instincts, effort, and toughness. If his health can keep him on the field, he’ll be the kind of four-down linebacker that we don’t see often anymore.

The Steelers bring Wilson into a strong group, where he’ll have to compete for snaps. Pittsburgh upgraded the position group in a big way by signing Patrick Queen from their division rival this spring. Now they’ll add Wilson to a group that also returns starters Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. This takes a little pressure off of Wilson, in case there are any injury bugs that still need to get worked out, but entering the NFL at 24 years old, Wilson won’t be content to sit and learn.

If health provides to limits to Wilson’s rookie year, he could step into a talented group of linebackers and potentially earn significant snaps next to Queen, who isn’t likely to come off the field very often. Depending on how he compares to the incumbent starters Holcomb and Roberts, Wilson could be a surprise third-round contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

49ers Acquire No. 86 Pick From Eagles

April 26th, 2024 at 9:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 49ers have traded up the third-round order, swapping places with the Eagles. San Francisco has dealt Nos. 94 and 132 to Philadelphia in exchange for the 86th pick.

Taking advantage of the move up the board, the 49ers have drafted Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni. He has experience at tackle but also on the inside, and it will be interesting to see where he is used at the pro game. This marks the first selection on either side of the ball with respect to line of scrimmage additions during this year’s draft for San Francisco.

The 49ers have been deemed a team which could be in the market for help along the offensive line, though they elected to add at the receiver spot on Thursday night by selecting wideout Ricky Pearsall. That was followed by the decision to help fill the cornerback spot (Renardo Green), but Puni has the potential to see action early in his career, particularly if he is shifted to guard.

The latter began his college career at Division II Central Missouri. Puni spent four years there, seeing time at left and right tackle. That was followed by his decision to transfer to Kansas, and he was a first-teamer with the Jayhawks as well. Puni started all 13 of his appearances in 2022 at the left guard spot before kicking back to the blindside during this past season.

San Francisco has Trent Williams entrenched as a foundational offensive piece at the left tackle position, although his future has been called into question with retirement as an option in the not-too-distant future. Colton McKivitz is on the books for the next two years, meanwhile, and he is in line on the right side. Puni’s quickest path to playing time will thus come at guard, and he is regarded as having starting upside – something which would go a long way to filling a notable need for the NFC champions.

Colts Move Up To No. 79

April 26th, 2024 at 9:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Colts have moved up the third-round order, swapping places with the Cardinals. Indianapolis has acquired No. 79 in exchange for 82 and 191.

With the newly-acquired pick, the Colts have drafted Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves. That makes him the second player taken on the offensive side of the ball to join the Colts today, after the team selected the first defender (Laiatu Latu) during Thursday’s opening round. This latest choice will provide depth up front after wideout Adonai Mitchell was added in the second round.

Goncalves spent four seasons at Pitt, redshirting in his freshman campaign. After that point, though, he developed into a key figure on the Panthers’ offensive line by seeing time at both tackle spots. The 6-6, 330-pounder started three of nine contests in 2021 before becoming a full-time starter in the following campaign. He split his time between left and right tackle that year.

Goncalves entered the 2023 season with high expectations, and he was the only Pitt player named to the preseason All-ACC list. His senior year came to an abrupt end after just three contests due to injury, however, something which no doubt impacted his draft stock. Goncalves, if healthy, will provide a high-floor option capable of seeing time at either tackle spot early in his time with the Colts.

Indianapolis has Bernhard Raimann in place on the blindside along with high-priced Braden Smith at the right tackle spot with respect to first-team options. Both players are under contract for multiple years, so Goncalves will likely not have a path to a starting spot right away. He could serve as a capable backup in the short- and long-term, though.

Texans Move Up Eight Spots In Third Round, Trade With Eagles

April 26th, 2024 at 9:18pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans have made a big move in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, trading up eight spots to select in the slot formerly owned by the Eagles. Houston is sending the Eagles its third- (86th) and fourth-round (123rd) picks in exchange for the 78th overall pick in third round.

With the pick, the Texans have selected USC safety Calen Bullock, ballhawk in Los Angeles for the Trojans. Earning a starting role partway through his freshman season, Bullock tallied two interceptions and five passes defensed en route to Freshman All-American honors. Bullock exploded onto the scene as a sophomore, leading USC with five interceptions and 10 passes defensed. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors for his efforts.

Last year, despite opposing quarterbacks having plenty of tape telling them not to throw his way, Bullock continued to dominate. With 61 tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defensed, Bullock finished his collegiate career with first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

It was interesting to hear the team announce Bullock as a “defensive back” as some NFL draft boards had Bullock as a cornerback at the professional level. He has the ball skills and body control to play cornerback, though his college production came at safety and nickel.

Steven Nelson, a two-year Houston starting CB, remains in free agency; the Texans needed to find a cornerback to start opposite Derek Stingley. They brought in Jeff Okudah, a former top-three overall pick who has struggled so far at the NFL level, and then drafted Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter earlier tonight in the third round. Lassiter could thrive more in a nickelback role, though, so perhaps Houston doesn’t see Bullock as a cornerback.

Perhaps, the Texans see Bullock as the eventual replacement to veteran safety Jimmie Ward, who missed seven regular-season games and two playoff matchups in his age-32 season. Ward’s two-year deal concludes after this season, so Bullock may be seen as the eventual starter next to Jalen Pitre in 2025 and beyond. Regardless, Bullock’s versatility should help him see the field plenty as a rookie.

Draft Notes: Morgan, Commanders, Cardinals, Harrison, Bills, Dolphins, Texans

April 26th, 2024 at 9:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

A pre-draft report indicated the Commanders were making an effort to trade into the bottom half of Round 1, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline adds the team made that effort with the goal of adding Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan. The three-year Wildcats starter ended up going to the Packers at No. 25, being part of a historic run of tackles in the round. Washington has gone in another direction tonight, trading down (via the Eagles, who parted with two second-rounders to climb to No. 40 for Cooper DeJean). The Commanders did not take a tackle in the second round. Although the team has added a host of former Dan Quinn charges, no tackle move has emerged this offseason.

As we head into Round 3, there is the latest from the draft:

The Cardinals were linked to having conversations about moving down from No. 4 overall. GM Monti Ossenfort agreed to move down from No. 3 to No. 12 last year, allowing the Texans to take Will Anderson Jr.. This year? No dice. The second-year Arizona GM confirmed conversations occurred and offers emerged but said (via NFL.com’s Omar Ruiz) none were close to convincing the team to pass on Marvin Harrison Jr. Teams like the Raiders, Broncos, Giants and Vikings were linked to No. 4, but only one of those teams — Minnesota — ended up moving in Round 1. And the Vikings only needed to climb one spot for J.J. McCarthy.
Moving down twice in Round 1, the Bills accumulated some additional assets. The team was linked to perhaps trading into the top 10 in Round 1, but GM Brandon Beane confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg) no calls were made to move up Thursday night. The Bills ended up trading with the Chiefs and Panthers, picking up additional third- and fifth-round picks. The Bills had chances to trade into the 40s or 50s from Round 1, Beane added (via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia), but did not want to move back that far. Buffalo also did not want to move its own Round 2 selection (No. 60); they ended up making two second-round picks tonight.
The Dolphins did, in fact, try to trade up Thursday night. GM Chris Grier confirmed Miami made an effort to move back into the first round. No action occurred, however, and the Dolphins exited Round 1 with edge rusher Chop Robinson.
Trading their first-round pick to the Vikings — who did not end up needing it to trade up for a quarterback — the Texans did try to trade back into Round 1 late Thursday night, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. GM Nick Caserio was rumored to be targeting a move back into Round 1, as he had dealt the last first-rounder of the Deshaun Watson haul to the Cardinals last year. But Houston stood pat, remaining at No. 42.

Jets Acquire No. 65 From Panthers

April 26th, 2024 at 8:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets have jumped up the board to begin the third round. New York has sent Nos. 72 and 157 to the Panthers in exchange for the 64th selection.

New York has opted to choose Western Kentucky receiver Malachi Corley. He will add a unique skillset to the team’s receiving room, having frequently drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel in the pre-draft process. Corley’s abilities as a receiver, rusher and returner make him one of the more intriguing members of a deep WR class.

The Jets addressed the receiver spot earlier this offseason by signing Mike Williams to a one-year deal. The ex-Chargers Pro Bowler will provide a vertical threat on his new team, whereas Corley will likely operate in a different capacity. The latter thrived on turning short passes into notable run-after-catch gains during his time in college.

Corley flashed considerable potential in 2021 when he amassed 691 yards and seven touchdowns. He followed that up with a stellar campaign, leading Conference USA in catches (101) and yards (1,295), adding 11 scores. That led to high expectations this past season, and Corley delivered again with a 79-984-11 statline.

New York already has Garrett Wilson atop the depth chart in terms of pass-catching options, and the team is open to bringing back Corey Davis. Regardless of if the latter winds up in the fold for the 2024 campaign, Corley should be able to carve out a role in the team’s offense for the short- and long-term future.

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