Minor NFL Transactions: 5/8/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived/injured: DT Popo Aumavae, TE Colin Granger
- Released: TE Jordan Matthews, WR Dax Milne
- Waived: DT Jerrod Clark, WR T.J. Luther, C Andrew Raym
New York Giants
- Waived: DL Casey Rogers
New York Jets
- Waived (failed physical): LB Jimmy Ciarlo, WR Marcus Riley
- Waived: WR Easop Winston
Granger is a former Division I basketball player attempting to convert to tight end under the tutelage of George Fant, who also played D-I basketball before embarking on his NFL career. A hamstring injury led to his release, according to ESPN’s David Newton.
Jets Sign First-Round T Armand Membou, Four Other Draftees
The Jets have signed first-round offensive tackle Armand Membou to a four-year rookie contract worth $31.9MM, per a team announcement. Like all first-round picks, the deal is fully guaranteed and contains a fifth-year option for 2029.
Membou will likely take over the Jets’ starting right tackle job right away after Morgan Moses left New York in free agency this offseason. The Missouri product will face some competition from former Day 3 picks Carter Warren and Max Mitchell, but his three years of starting experience in the SEC and elite athleticism should help him adjust to the NFL quickly. With 2024 first-rounder Olu Fashanu set to take over at left tackle, the Jets are hoping they’ve found bookends to their offensive line for the foreseeable future.
The Jets also announced the signing of four other draft picks: third-rounder Azareye’h Thomas (No. 73), fourth-rounder Malachi Moore (No. 130) and fifth-rounders Francisco Mauigoa (No. 163) and Tyler Baron (No. 176).
Thomas brings even more talent to a Jets secondary that was already a team bright spot in 2024. The Florida State product is a long, physical corner who lacks elite athleticism or ball production. He doesn’t have slot versatility, so he will likely start behind Sauce Gardner and Brandon Stephens on the depth chart. Still, Thomas’ instincts and competitiveness will have him pushing for starting snaps quickly; in the meantime, his special teams experience will allow him to contribute from Day 1.
Moore brings plenty of experience in the slot from his time at Alabama, but he played some of his best football in 2024 as a free safety. He showed good range in coverage and a quick trigger against the run, though he has average size and athleticism. The Jets are set to start former UDFA Tony Adams and free agent signing Andre Cisco at safety in 2025, but neither are under contract past this season. Moore should be able to carve out a rotational role as a rookie with a clear shot at a starting job in 2026. Like Thomas, he has plenty of experience on special teams that will give him more opportunities to see the field.
Mauigoa led Miami’s defense in 2023 and 2024 and racked up 178 tackles (35 for loss). The 22-year-old is a durable, instinctive linebacker who will need to work on getting off blocks and consistently tackling ballcarriers in the NFL. He’ll have time to do that in an experienced Jets linebacker room while he plays special teams as a rookie.
Baron, who played with Mauigoa in 2024, is an explosive edge rusher with 21.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks across his final two college seasons. He has an enticing frame with long arms and a burgeoning understanding of how to use them to beat blocks. The NFL will test Baron’s ability to set the edge against the run and add more power to his game. The Jets’ pair of 2022 first-round edge defenders – Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson – profile as the team’s starters for the foreseeable future, but Baron could grow into a rotational pass rusher with more potential if he grows as a run defender.
The Jets have two draft picks who have yet to sign their rookie contracts: second-round tight end Mason Taylor and fourth-round wide receiver Arian Smith. Here is a full list of their 2025 draft class:
- Round 1, No. 7: Armand Membou (T, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 42: Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
- Round 3, No. 73: Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 110: Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 130 (from Lions through Broncos and Eagles): Malachi Moore (S, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Rams through Steelers): Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 176 (from Ravens): Tyler Baron (DE, Miami) (signed)
Raiders Sign Ashton Jeanty, Seven Other Draft Choices
The Raiders have signed No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $35.9MM, per a team announcement.
The former Boise State Bronco will receive a $22.75MM signing bonus as part of the deal, which includes a fifth-year option in 2029. He will immediately take over as the Raiders’ lead back and hope to continue his stellar performance in the NFL.
Jeanty’s contract shows how taking a running back in the top 10 isn’t as cost-effective as targeting other positions. His $8.97MM APY is the 11th-highest at the position, while No. 7 pick Armand Membou‘s $7.98M APY ranks 40th among offensive tackles.
By no means does that mean that Jeanty was a bad pick or won’t live up to his rookie contract. All indicators – his production, durability, and leadership – point to the opposite. He’s a true three-down back who can shoulder a large load as a rusher while contributing in the passing game as a blocker and receiver. After leading the Mountain West with 1,347 yards in 2023, he set his sights higher in 2024 and led the FBS with 2,601 yards, plus 30 total touchdowns and 6.95 yards per carry.
Las Vegas is also a favorable landing spot for Jeanty. The Raiders stabilized their quarterback situation by trading for Geno Smith this offseason, but new head coach Pete Carroll still has an affinity for running the football. Jeanty will have minimal competition for touches in a backfield with Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, and Dylan Laube.
The Raiders signed seven other members of their rookie class: third-rounders Caleb Rogers (No. 98) and Charles Grant (No. 99), fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway (No. 135), sixth-rounders J.J. Pegues (No. 180), Tommy Mellott (No. 213), Cam Miller (No. 215), and seventh-rounder Cody Lindenberg (No. 222).
Rogers played both guard and tackle at Texas Tech, but his length will likely restrict him to the interior in the NFL where he could compete for a starting job right away. Grant is a physically-impressive left tackle prospect who could be a long-term replacement for Kolton Miller.
Hemingway and Pegues will both look to carve out rotational roles behind the Raiders’ veteran defensive linemen. Both players offer intriguing versatility; Hemingway’s undersized, athletic frame could see him take some snaps from wider alignments, while Pegues excelled as a short-yardage weapon on offense at Ole Miss.
Mellott played quarterback at Montana State but will play receiver in the NFL. His athleticism and playmaking instincts could help him get some designed touches early on as he grows as a route-runner and pass-catcher. Miller will stay under center in Las Vegas, likely as the third-string quarterback behind Smith and Aidan O’Connell. The North Dakota State product earned the endorsement of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady during the draft, according to The Athletic’s Dan Pompei.
Lindenberg will compete for a roster spot in a Raiders linebacker room that lacks a clear leader after the departure of Robert Spillane. Lindenberg is a solid athlete with good size who can contribute on special teams right away as he works his processing up to NFL speed.
The Raiders have yet to sign three draft picks to rookie contracts: second-rounder Jack Bech, third-rounder Darien Porter, and fourth-rounder Dont’e Thornton Jr. Here’s a full list of their draft class:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Round 1, No. 6: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
- Round 3, No. 68: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
- Round 3, No. 98 (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 99 (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 108: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 135 (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway ((DT, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 180: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 213*: Tommy Mellott (QB, Montana State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 215*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 222: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota) (signed)
QB Desmond Ridder Will Not Try Out For Broncos
MAY 8: Ridder’s tryout will not take place after all. Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post reports the veteran will not actually be in Denver during the team’s rookie minicamp. Ridder will no doubt still have plenty of other opportunities to compete for a roster spot this offseason, though.
MAY 6: Desmond Ridder continues to look for his next gig, and he may find that opportunity in Denver. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the veteran quarterback will participate at Broncos rookie minicamp as a veteran tryout player.
Ridder got into six games for the Raiders in 2024, but the team didn’t place a tender on him after the season, making him an unrestricted free agent. A number of backup-quality QBs have since signed new contracts, leaving Ridder as one of the few experienced options left on the market. Outside of Aaron Rodgers, the rest of the current free agent options include Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater, and Tyler Huntley.
Ridder got one start for the Raiders last season, completing 23 of his 39 pass attempts for 208 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a loss to the Falcons. He had a handful of additional relief appearances, and he ultimately finished the season with 85 pass attempts.
The former third-round pick got an extended look as a starter in 2023, when he went 6-7 with the Falcons. He tossed 12 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions that year, and he added another five touchdowns on the ground. He was traded to the Cardinals after the season and spent the first month of the 2024 campaign on Arizona’s practice squad.
The top of Denver’s depth chart is settled with Bo Nix as the starter and Jarrett Stidham as the QB2. If Ridder does catch on with the Broncos, he would likely compete with Sam Ehlinger for the QB3 role or the first shot at a practice squad gig.
Joe Hortiz Addresses Chargers’ WR Plans
Coming off the 2024 campaign – during which the Chargers were without Keenan Allen and Mike Williams – wide receiver was named as a position for the team to target this spring. Williams is back in the fold, and Los Angeles used a pair of draft picks on wideouts. 
While further moves could of course be in store, the team is not looking to add further at the WR spot right now. General manager Joe Hortiz was asked during an appearance on Up & Adams about the possibility of acquiring another wideout (video link). His response made it clear spring workouts will take place before any move on that front is made.
“I think we’re going to see what we have out there this weekend [during rookie minicamp] and through OTAs, but I’d never say we’re done adding anything,” Hortiz said. “Any chance we can get – if we need the help, if we can help improve the team and the competitiveness of the team and competition at the position.”
Williams spent his first seven years with the Bolts, topping 1,000 yards twice during that span. Last offseason – Hortiz’s debut campaign at the helm – he was released in a cost-shedding move similar to the trade which ended Allen’s tenure in the organization. Williams had an underwhelming tenure with the Jets before finishing the 2024 season in Pittsburgh. His one-year, $3MM pact will provide him with the opportunity to bounce back in a familiar environment, though.
Los Angeles took Tre Harris at No. 55 in last month’s draft, and the Ole Miss product will be expected to carve out at least a rotational role early in his career. Fellow rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith will likewise be able to contribute as part of the team’s new-look WR room. They are joined by other recent draftees in the form of Quentin Johnston (first round, 2023) and Ladd McConkey (second round, 2024). Former first-rounder Jalen Reagor is also in position to compete for a roster spot.
The Chargers lost Josh Palmer in free agency, and Allen remains on the market as a potential signing to help replace him. The latter has previously been linked to interest in remaining a member of the Bears (something which appears unlikely at this point) or returning to Los Angeles via a Rams or Chargers pact. Bolts head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed an openness to reuniting Allen with the team prior to the draft, although Hortiz did not further that sentiment.
With more than $29MM in cap space, the Chargers can certainly afford to add Allen or another veteran receiver. Based on Hortiz’s remarks, though, nothing should be considered imminent at this time.
George Pickens Planning To Play Out Cowboys Contract Year
MAY 8: When speaking to reporters for the first time since the trade, Pickens confirmed (via NFL Network’s Jane Slater) his focus is not on his contract situation at this point. Playing out the 2025 campaign as a pending free agent would certainly add a layer of intrigue to his debut Dallas season.
MAY 7: The Cowboys are now the team evaluating George Pickens regarding an extension, having acquired the contract-year wide receiver from the Steelers on Wednesday morning. With CeeDee Lamb already on Dallas’ payroll at $34MM per year, Pickens should not be considered a lock to receive his second contract in Dallas.
Sending the Steelers a trade haul headlined by a third-round pick, the Cowboys should certainly be considered open to a Pickens extension. As of now, however, Pickens may not be overly interested in one. The fourth-year wideout is not believed to be interested in an immediate payday, according to AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill. The trade pickup sounds prepared to increase his value in Dallas.
Pickens, 24, could certainly boost his stock by thriving as a Lamb complementary piece with Dak Prescott targeting him. Russell Wilson‘s eventual Hall of Fame case notwithstanding, Prescott is a better option than the former Super Bowl winner’s age-36 season presented Pickens. A player previously tied to Wilson, Justin Fields and Kenny Pickett during his Pittsburgh run, Pickens wanting to show he can put up better numbers with Prescott makes sense. A Cowboys team that has been known to delay high-profile extensions is familiar with such patience, even as prices rise.
Steelers hesitancy regarding a Pickens extension cropped up months before the trade. The Georgia product entered the NFL with maturity concerns, and he has not dispelled those. The Steelers dealt with Pickens’ occasional issues while using him as their No. 1 wide receiver last season. A position group that housed Pickens and the mercurial Diontae Johnson together for two years proved challenging for the Steelers, who have remade their receiver room around D.K. Metcalf‘s $33MM-per-year contract. Going all the way back to the Hines Ward days, the Steelers have refrained from giving two receivers notable extensions. Ward, Antonio Brown and, briefly, Johnson held slots as extended Steelers wideouts. Metcalf now steps into that role, one Lamb holds in Dallas.
The Cowboys had the opportunity to extend Lamb in 2023, his first year of eligibility, and drew criticism for not doing so and letting the market rise. Justin Jefferson‘s deal drove up Lamb’s price, and he eventually agreed on a four-year, $136MM contract. Though, Lamb also did not sound overly eager to land an extension before his fourth season. The 2020 first-rounder reshaped his market by posting a first-team All-Pro season in 2023. Pickens may not have that ceiling in Dallas, assuming Lamb stays healthy, but his work with Pickett, Fields and Wilson point to upside — especially as the proven deep threat enters only his age-24 season.
The receiver market has seen two boom periods since Pickens’ debut, as the 2022 and ’24 offseasons brought fireworks. Ja’Marr Chase has since taken the market past $40MM per year. This ceiling lift probably will not closely impact Pickens, but Tee Higgins having secured $28.75MM per year could. With a $40MM-plus-AAV Micah Parsons accord — to top Chase as the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB — likely coming before Week 1, the Cowboys may have a difficult time paying Pickens, especially if the former No. 52 overall pick is committed to betting on himself.
With Higgins off the board as a potential 2026 free agent, Pickens could become the WR market’s prize next year. As it stands, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are out of contract in 2026. So are Mike Evans and Courtland Sutton. Being much younger than this group, however, will stand to vault Pickens to the top of the line. With no Cowboys WR2 extension imminent, Pickens appears to be aiming to land a No. 1-level deal after a season in Dallas.
Broncos LB Alex Singleton Still Aiming For Week 1 Return
The timing of Alex Singleton‘s ACL tear raised questions about his ability to rehab in time for the start of the 2025 campaign. The Broncos linebacker recently made it clear he still expects to be at full strength in time for Week 1, though. 
“I feel like I’m on schedule. It’s feeling really good,” Singleton said when speaking about his rehab during an interview with DNVR’s Zac Stevens. “I’m working my way in to doing things with the guys, which has been the most important thing to kind of be on that timeline with everyone else during the offseason. I’m able to do that. Full speed ahead for me.”
The 31-year-old noted he does not have a firm timetable for when he will receive full clearance. He has not encountered any setbacks to date, though, and as a result Singleton added “there should be no worries” about his ability to suit up for the start of the season in September. Training camp had previously been targeted as a return date, so this latest update comes as little surprise.
Still, it is notable Singleton remains on track to be cleared by Week 1 given his importance to Denver’s defense. The former CFLer set a new career high with 163 tackles during his debut Broncos campaign in 2022. He upped that figure to 177 the following year. Expectations will remain high for a productive first-team role this year provided the final stages of rehab go according to plan.
Singleton is on the books for one more season, and he is owed $6MM in 2025. A strong showing would help his value on another Broncos pact or one sending him elsewhere on the open market next spring. Denver lost linebacker Cody Barton in free agency, while Zach Cunningham remains unsigned. Justin Strnad was retained, however, and he will aim to provide depth behind Singleton and free agent addition Dre Greenlaw.
The latter will aim to help Denver remain among the league’s top defenses in 2025. The Broncos finished third in points allowed last year, and the new Singleton-Greenlaw tandem at the linebacker spot will be counted on to maintain that strong performance. Both of its members should be on the field for Week 1.
Dolphins Release LS Blake Ferguson
Blake Ferguson‘s five-year tenure in Miami has come to an end. The veteran long snapper was released by the Dolphins on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
Ferguson took over deep snapping duties in 2020, his rookie campaign. The former sixth-rounder remained in that role throughout his rookie contract, and he landed a three-year extension in 2023. Ferguson did not miss a contest during his first four seasons in the league, but in 2024 he was limited to only five games.
The 28-year-old spent much of the campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list but the reason why remains unclear. In Ferguson’s absence, the Dolphins relied on a number of replacements during the season. None of Zach Triner, Matt Overton or Jake McQuaide are under contract at this point, but that could soon change given the decision to move on from Ferguson. Two years remained on the latter’s deal.
None of Ferguson’s base salaries for 2025 or ’26 were guaranteed, however. As a result, this release will yield $1.17MM in cap savings without generating a dead money charge. It will be interesting to see if Ferguson will draw interest from other teams once his health issue is resolved. In the meantime, the Dolphins will move in a different direction at the position.
The Dolphins also announced that three players have been waived from their offseason roster. Defensive tackle Neil Farrell – who made seven appearances with Miami last year and signed a futures deal in January – is among them. In addition, cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr. (who was claimed off waivers in February) and offensive lineman Chasen Hines have been let go. If any member of the trio is claimed off waivers, they will immediately join a new team in advance of minicamps. Otherwise, they will join Ferguson in free agency.
Latest On Jags’ Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby
New Jaguars general manager James Gladstone made one of the most impactful moves of the draft by trading up to the No. 2 slot and selecting Travis Hunter. At the time Jacksonville was slated to pick fifth overall, though, running back Ashton Jeanty was closely linked to the team. 
The Heisman runner-up wound up being drafted sixth overall by the Raiders, but he drew interest from multiple teams (the Jags and Bears among them) eyeing an addition in the backfield. The Jaguars have Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby atop the depth chart as things stand. Etienne’s name was mentioned as a trade candidate in the event Jacksonville took Jeanty, and his future may still be in the air.
The new Jags regime led by Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen is “not so high” on Etienne, multiple league sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 2021 first-rounder missed his entire rookie campaign before taking on starting duties the following three years. Etienne topped 1,000 rushing yards in both of those seasons, but his workload and production took a noticeable step back in 2024. Bigsby saw his workload spike compared to the previous year, logging 168 carries and a 36% snap share.
As Fowler notes, though, ball security is an issue in the latter’s case. Bigsby has fumbled a total of six times during his two-year career, and a continuation of that trend could limit his usage with Coen guiding the offense. Fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten could handle a notable workload early on depending on how the team divvies up backfield carries in 2025. Adding options to lower Etienne’s usage has been a goal in recent years, but a true committee approach would of course have notable consequences for the Clemson product heading into free agency next spring.
The Jaguars’ previous regime picked up Etienne’s fifth-year option last spring, tying him to $6.14MM in earnings for 2025. The 26-year-old will look to bounce back from last year’s showing (during which he missed a pair of games and averaged a career-worst 3.7 yards per carry, leading to questions about his RB1 status). With new decision-makers in place, it will be interesting to see if Etienne plays his way into a deal beyond 2025 by changing the team’s opinion of him. Bigsby, meanwhile, has more time to do that since two years remain on his rookie pact.
Brandon Beane: Bills Not Expecting James Cook Holdout
As James Cook approaches the final year of his rookie contract, his future beyond 2025 remains a talking point. The Bills are confident he will be in place for at least next season, and a holdout this summer is not expected by the team at this time. 
“I know we’ve had people in the building that he’s been talking with, and I have no doubt when it’s time to play football, he’ll be ready to roll,” general manager Brandon Beane said during an interview with Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio (video link).
Since Cook went public with his asking price ($15MM annually) on a long-term extension, attention has been focused on whether or not he will join the list of Bills who have received a second contract this offseason. The likes of Khalil Shakir, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford have been extended in recent weeks, but Beane made it clear no such commitment would be made in Cook’s case until after the draft. Now, mandatory minicamp in June and training camp one month later represent potential flashpoints depending on how negotiations proceed.
A report from one month ago indicated initial talks did not go well, and it will be interesting to see if that changes in the near future. Cook was absent from voluntary workouts, but the 25-year-old would become subject to fines he if skipped minicamp and/or training camp. Players have increasingly turned to hold-ins during recent years, and Cook could elect to take that route if no deal is in place by the summer.
The Bills have a second contract for the two-time Pro Bowler on their radar, although Beane has suggested Cook will need to duplicate his production from the past two campaigns for Buffalo to proceed with a long-term commitment. Since taking over starting duties in 2023, Cook has amassed 2,131 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. The Georgia product has added 703 yards and six touchdowns in the passing game, illustrating his dual-threat ability. Cook faced questions coming out of college about his ability to operate as a full-time lead back, but he has handled over 200 carries each of the past two seasons.
Buffalo also has Ray Davis and Ty Johnson in place for backfield options beyond the coming season. They will both have a role in 2025 once the season starts, but it remains to be seen what Cook’s outlook will be by that point.