Minor NFL Transactions: 3/21/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed exclusive rights free agent tender: TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Atlanta Falcons
- Re-signed: WR Justin Hardy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed ERFA tender: DE Bryan Cox Jr.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed ERFA tender: DT Josh Tupou
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Logan Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: LB Mike Hull
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: OL Jordan Devey
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/6/19
Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions:
RFAs
Tendered at original-round level:
- Giants: WR Corey Coleman
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Dolphins: G Isaac Asiata, G/T Jesse Davis, T Zach Sterup, DE Jonathan Woodard
- Lions: S Charles Washington
- Giants: OL Jon Halapio, FB Elijhaa Penny, K Aldrick Rosas
- Panthers: DE Bryan Cox Jr.
Non-tendered:
- Giants: DL Jordan Williams
Panthers Place LB Jeremy Cash On IR
The Panthers injury woes continue. The team has placed linebacker Jeremy Cash on the injured reserve, reports Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The team has promoted defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. from the practice squad to take Cash’s place on the roster.
Cash, a standout at Duke, surprisingly wasn’t selected during the 2016 draft. The former safety ultimately signed with the Panthers, and the team subsequently converted him to linebacker. He played in eight games during his rookie campaign, compiling six tackles (mostly on special teams). He appeared in his team’s season-opening win over the 49ers, but he hasn’t gotten into a game since. The Panthers could be seeking some more linebacker depth down the road, as they’re only rostering a trio of reserves in Ben Jacobs, David Mayo, and Jared Norris.
Cox signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of Florida following this past year’s draft. After being waived in early September, he caught on with the organization’s practice squad. The son of former Pro Bowler Bryan Cox, the rookie should provide the organization with some depth on the defensive line. Julius Peppers is currently dealing with an injured shoulder, and the team would have only been left with defensive ends Wes Horton and Daeshon Hall on the bench had he missed tomorrow’s game.
Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC South
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC South teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Falcons, Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to practice squad:
- DB Marcelis Branch
- OT Daniel Brunskill
- WR Deante Burton
- TE Alex Gray
- WR Marvin Hall
- DE J’Terius Jones
- TE Joshua Perkins
- RB Jhurell Pressley
- DT Taniela Tupou
- DT Joe Vellano
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed:
- DB Demetrious Cox
- QB Brad Kaaya (story)
- Waived:
- FB Alex Armah
- Placed on IR:
- CB Corn Elder
- Signed to practice squad:
- QB Garrett Gilbert
- WR Keyarris Garrett
- WR Mose Frazier
- OT Blaine Clausell
- DE Bryan Cox Jr.
- DE Zach Moore
- DE Efe Obada
- DT Eric Crume
- S Damian Parms
- S Dezmen Southward
New Orleans Saints
- Claimed:
- WR Austin Carr (story)
- QB Taysom Hill (story)
- Cut:
- FB John Kuhn (story)
- DE Darryl Tapp
- Signed to practice squad:
- DL Alex Jenkins
- OL Landon Turner
- WR Max McCaffrey
- OL Kristjan Sokoli
- TE Garrett Griffin
- LB Adam Bighill
- OL John Fullington
- CB Arthur Maulet
- C Cameron Tom
- WR Travin Dural
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to practice squad:
- DE Sterling Bailey
- LB Riley Bullough
- RB Russell Hansbrough
- FB Austin Johnson
- S Isaiah Johnson
- G Michael Liedtke
- T Marquis Lucas
- WR Freddie Martino
- CB Jonathan Moxey
- WR Bobo Wilson
Panthers Reduce Roster To 53
The Panthers trimmed their roster to 77 players yesterday, and it appears that they’ve reached the 53-man limit today (via Max Henson of Panthers.com):
Waived:
- LB Ben Boulware
- LB Zeek Bigger
- OT Blaine Clausell
- DE Bryan Cox Jr.
- DT Eric Crume
- WR Austin Duke
- WR Mose Frazier
- WR Keyarris Garrett
- QB Garrett Gilbert (story)
- DT Toby Johnson
- DE Zach Moore
- S Damian Parms
- CB Jeff Richards
- RB Jalen Simmons
- S Dezmen Southward
- TE Eric Wallace
- DE Larry Webster
Released outright (vested veterans who are not subject to waivers):
- P Andy Lee (story)
- QB Joe Webb (story)
- FB Darrel Young
Placed on IR:
Panthers Sign Christian McCaffrey
The Panthers are now the first club to reach a deal with a 2017 first-round pick, as the club announced it has signed running back Christian McCaffrey. Carolina has also inked second-round offensive lineman Taylor Moton and sixth-round fullback Alex Armah.
McCaffrey, the eighth overall pick in last week’s draft, should immediately factor into a Panthers offense that ranked 25th in DVOA last season. A running back by trade, McCaffrey may end up playing a good deal of receiver, especially with established veteran Jonathan Stewart still lurking in the backfield. McCaffrey should be in line for a four-year deal worth roughly $17.241MM (signing bonus of ~$10.679MM). Carolina will also hold a fifth-year option on McCaffrey for the 2021 campaign.
Moton, meanwhile, should compete for the Panthers’ starting right tackle job. Third-year pro Daryl Williams looks to be Moton’s primary competition, as Michael Oher is still dealing with concussion issues (and was recently cited for misdemeanor assault). Moton, a Western Michigan product, will earn $6.454MM over the life of his four-year contract.
In addition to signing three of their seven draft picks, the Panthers announced they’ve also agreed to terms with the following undrafted college free agents: linebacker Ben Boulware, defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., wide receiver Austin Duke, cornerback Cole Luke, and wide receiver Fred Ross.