Rashod Bateman, Quentin Johnston, Dontayvion Wicks Available In Trades?
The NFL features four primary trade windows; we are in the first of those as free agency approaches. Teams will be targeting free agents soon, but trades are already happening. More are likely, as clubs will look to fill needs with players currently on other rosters.
Rashod Bateman and 2023 draftees Quentin Johnston and Dontayvion Wicks have come up as players potentially available in trades, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. The Chargers and Packers‘ wide receivers are in the final years of their rookie contracts, though Johnston’s can be extended to 2027 via the fifth-year option. Bateman is signed through 2029, making his trade status rather interesting.
[RELATED: Ravens Land Maxx Crosby From Raiders In Blockbuster]
The inclusion of the sixth-year Ravens wideout is most interesting here considering he was discussed in trades last year — before signing a second Baltimore extension. The Ravens discussed Bateman with the Cowboys before they traded for George Pickens but circled back to the 2021 first-rounder on a three-year, $36.75MM extension. The Ravens had given Bateman permission to shop around last year, with the Patriots and Packers also showing interest. Bateman then went through a disappointing 2025 season, totaling only 19 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns after a strong 2024 performance.
Baltimore missed Lamar Jackson for a chunk of last season and did not exactly see MVP-caliber play from the superstar quarterback, for the most part, when he was available. During Jackson’s dominant 2024 season, the Ravens’ long-range threat produced career-best numbers in yardage (756) and touchdowns (nine). Bateman, 26, is due a $2MM base salary in 2026. As Nikhil Mehta’s Ravens Offseason Outlook detailed, Bateman is due a $4MM option bonus by Day 5 of the league year. With the ’26 league year starting Wednesday, the Ravens will need to make a call here soon.
Johnston appears unlikely to see his $16.47MM fifth-year option exercised. While the TCU product has been a productive auxiliary target around Ladd McConkey, the Chargers’ previous front office drafted him. Johnston has still improved under Jim Harbaugh, eclipsing 700 receiving yards and totaling 16 TDs over the past two years. The Bolts did draft Tre Harris in last year’s second round. Moving Johnston would allow for the Ole Miss alum to see a bigger role, though it would also create an ancillary need for a Bolts team flush with cap space.
The Packers appear likely to lose Romeo Doubs in free agency, even if they have him on the radar to stay. The team used first- and third-round picks on receivers last year and extended Christian Watson. Jayden Reed‘s rookie deal runs for one more season as well. Wicks may be the odd man out, though the Packers have been reluctant to cut into their WR depth in the recent past. Teams are interested in Reed, but Fowler adds it is unlikely the team’s 2023 and ’24 receiving leader is moved.
Wicks only totaled 332 receiving yards (on 30 catches) for two scores last season. That pedestrian stat line came with Watson missing half the season and Reed missing most of it. Still, with Doubs likely leaving, the Packers could need Wicks for a tertiary 2026 role before a 2027 free agency exit.
Packers WR Jayden Reed Has Foot Fracture
Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed has a Jones fracture in his left foot, according to Channel 3000.com’s Jason Wilde, but is planning to play through the injury.
Reed was spotted sporting a boot during Green Bay’s first preseason game but returned to practice on Wednesday. He said that he’s not at full strength, but is “working through” the injury.
It typically takes a few months to recover from a Jones fracture, per Wilde. The injury can also require surgery, but Reed is committed to avoiding that scenario. His status for Week 1 remains uncertain, but the Packers’ decision not to place him on IR with a return designation indicates that they expect him back within the first four weeks of the season.
Reed’s absence would leave the Packers without their primary slot receiver. Christian Watson is starting the season on the physicall unable to perform list and won’t be an option for at least four weeks, though the team is hoping that’s all he’ll need to complete his recovery from last year’s ACL tear. Neither of the Packers’ rookie wideouts – Matthew Golden and Savion Williams – lined up in the slot for a large portion of their college snaps, so third-year wideout Dontayvion Wicks could be the next man up after a secondary slot role in 2024. Wicks returned to practice on Wednesday after missing multiple weeks with a calf injury and may take on a bigger target share at the start of the season.
Reed’s choice to play through the injury is a significant gamble due to the risk of further damage to his foot and of decreased production while hobbled. He’s entering the third year of his rookie contract after collecting a total of 119 receptions, 1,650 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. With other Packers receiver like Watson, Wicks, and Romeo Doubs up for extensions, re-injury or regression might hurt Reed’s chances of staying in Green Bay long-term. Shutting himself down, at least temporarily, would give him a better chance of staying healthy and continuing to grow his production.
NFL Roster Updates: Doubs, Lazard, Smith, Ward, Bush
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur emphatically shut down rumors that wide receiver Romeo Doubs wouldn’t make the team’s 53-man roster.
“I’d be very shocked if he was going anywhere,” LaFleur told Kay Adams during an Up & Adams appearance on Thursday.
When asked again if Doubs would be cut, LaFleur responded, “No. That will not happen.”
The uncertainty surrounding the fourth-year wideout stems from the Packers’ depth at the position after adding Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in April’s draft. However, LaFleur noted that the team was “missing a lot of guys,” namely returning starters Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Watson, coming off an ACL tear in January, is expected to begin the year on the PUP list, while a sprained foot may sideline Reed for the beginning of the regular season. Williams (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) also missed practice on Tuesday, per ESPN.
As a result, Doubs’ roster spot is safe. Judging by LaFleur’s comments, he would’ve made the team even with a healthy receiver room.
“‘Rome’ is out there competing and doing everything that we need to see from him,” said LaFleur. “And obviously he’s played a lot of ball for us, and at a high level. He’s been a great teammate, he goes out there and you can count on him every day.”
Here are a few other updates on key roster situations around the league:
- Aaron Rodgers‘ departure from New York fueled offseason speculation regarding Allen Lazard, but the veteran wideout is set to remain with the Jets under Aaron Glenn, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Lazard told Glenn early in the offseason that he wanted to stay in New York and backed up his words by accepting a pay cut. The 29-year-old is currently dealing with a shoulder injury with the goal of being ready for Week 1.
- 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith may not make the Cowboys‘ 53-man roster, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. The 24-year-old defensive tackle earned poor grades from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in his first two seasons and played deep into Dallas’ second preseason game this past weekend. While owner and de facto general manager Jerry Jones won’t give up on a former first-rounder easily, Smith’s roster spot is by no means secure.
- Texans safety Jimmie Ward is facing a civil lawsuit in addition to third-degree felony charges in a domestic violence case, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Ward is accused of sexually and physically assaulting his son’s mother. The 34-year-old was arrested on August 7 for violating the terms of his bail.
- Browns linebacker Devin Bush will have a jury trial in his simple assault/harrassment case on December 2, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. That will likely push any league discipline to the 2026 season.
Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks Joins Athletes First
Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks will be eligible for an extension after the 2025 slate, which will mark his third season in the league. In anticipation of that, perhaps, Wicks has signed with powerhouse NFL agency Athletes First, as the agency itself recently announced.
Wicks, a fifth-round draft choice in 2023, led Green Bay in targets last year with 76, one more than 2023 second-rounder Jayden Reed. However, he was not terribly efficient with those looks, as he caught just 39 balls (a 51.3% catch rate) and recorded just 10.6 yards per reception.
In an effort to provide a jolt to their WR room, particularly since top deep threat Christian Watson could miss regular season time in the upcoming campaign, the Packers selected a first-round receiver for the first time since 2002, turning in the card for Texas pass catcher Matthew Golden. Green Bay also added Savion Williams in the third round, continuing the club’s recent trend of drafting and developing receivers rather than acquiring them on the free agency or trade markets.
The rookie additions obviously will create additional competition for targets for holdovers like Wicks, Reed, and Romeo Doubs, even with Watson’s health status up in the air. Reed’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has already expressed concern about the team’s plans for his client, though it sounds as if Reed – who has led the Packers in receiving yards in each of his first two professional seasons and who has scored 14 TDs during that time – will continue to operate as one of QB Jordan Love’s top weapons.
It is unclear if the same will be true for Wicks, who struggled with drops in 2024. It should be noted that a number of his targets from Love were uncatchable, and Reed dropped his fair share of balls as well. But if Wicks is to put himself in consideration for a new deal next offseason, he will need to clean up his drop issues while fending off his incumbent teammates and the incoming first-year talent. That is especially true given the fact that Reed is also extension-eligible for the first time in 2026 and since Watson and Doubs are entering walk years.
While Rosenhaus is the most recognizable NFL agent for most fans, Athletes First and star agent David Mulugheta have done quite well for themselves. The agency noted on Instagram that Mulugheta was the first agent in history to close contracts totaling $1 billion in a single year, a feat he accomplished in 2024. Athletes First’s website boasts its representation of 115 first-round picks and 102 Pro Bowlers, among other accomplishments.
WR Notes: Watson, Metchie, Chark, McLaurin, Smith-Njigba
Jordan Love‘s tenure as the Packers‘ full-time starting quarterback will have a bit of a hurdle to navigate this week. In his first start since November 2021, Love will be without the team’s top returning receiver Christian Watson, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Watson is dealing with a hamstring injury that could potentially lead to an extended absence. Head coach Matt LaFleur claimed that he doesn’t think Watson will reach a three- or four-week absence but classified the second-year wideout as week-to-week.
The top target in Watson’s absence, fellow sophomore receiver Romeo Doubs, is also dealing with a hamstring injury but is only listed as questionable heading into the weekend. Rookie wideout Dontayvion Wicks is the third such receiver on the team dealing with a hamstring injury, but he managed to avoid the injury report altogether. Star tackle David Bakhtiari is also available after staying off the injury report.
Here are a few more reports on wide receiver injuries from around the league heading into Week 1:
- The world will have to continue to wait for the NFL debut of Texans wide receiver John Metchie III, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Despite making a recovery from both a torn ACL and leukemia, Metchie is still dealing with a nagging hamstring injury. Houston is being patient, taking a “big-picture approach” to Metchie’s return. The team will be without safety Jimmie Ward and linebacker Blake Cashman for Week 1, as well.
- The Panthers are slowly working their way back to full health in their receiving corps, according to Panthers writer Augusta Stone. Back ups Terrace Marshall and Ihmir Smith-Marsette are now fully participating in practice after recent injury trouble. Starters Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark Jr. both returned to practice today in a limited capacity. While Thielen was listed as questionable and could still play, Chark has been ruled out for the team’s season opener.
- The Commanders drew lots of criticism when leading receiver Terry McLaurin sustained an injury as the team played its starters fairly deep into a preseason game in an effort to end the Ravens’ preseason win streak. They’ll dodge a bullet, though, as McLaurin will be active this week after making good progress from his turf toe injury, according to Commanders senior writer Zach Selby. He’s had a couple of full participation practices and should be good to go for Week 1. Defensive end Chase Young has been listed as questionable, though. Head coach Ron Rivera claimed that “if (Young’s) cleared, he’ll go.”
- Despite undergoing wrist surgery just two and a half weeks ago, Seahawks rookie first round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba is expected to play in the team’s season opener against the Rams this Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Head coach Pete Carroll, who was optimistic on the recovery timeline, confirmed as much this week.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/5/23
Here are a few more mid- to late-round draft picks who signed their four-year rookie contracts today:
Green Bay Packers
- DL Colby Wooden (fourth round, Auburn)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (fifth round, Virginia)
- DL Karl Brooks (sixth round, Bowling Green)
- K Anders Carlson (sixth round, Auburn)
- CB Carrington Valentine (seventh round, Kentucky)
- RB Lew Nichols (seventh round, Central Michigan)
- S Anthony Johnson Jr. (seventh round, Iowa State)
Indianapolis Colts
- CB Darius Rush (fifth round, South Carolina)
- S Daniel Scott (fifth round, California)
- DE Titus Leo (sixth round, Wagner)
- CB Jaylon Jones (seventh round, Texas A&M)
- T Jake Witt (seventh round, Northern Michigan)
New York Giants
- RB Eric Gray (fifth round, Oklahoma)
- CB Tre Hawkins (sixth round, Old Dominion)
- S Gervarrius Owens (seventh round, Houston)
New York Jets
- RB Israel Abanikanda (fifth round, Pittsburgh)
- LB Zaire Barnes (sixth round, Western Michigan)
- TE Zack Kuntz (seventh round, Old Dominion)