Minor NFL Transactions: 4/6/26
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: TE Brenden Bates, WR Malachi Corley, LB Winston Reid, LS Rex Sunahara, K Andre Szmyt, WR Jamari Thrash
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: C Will Putnam
New York Giants
- Waived: WR Da’Quan Felton, S Patrick McMorris, CB TJ Moore, CB Myles Purchase
A handful of exclusive rights free agents re-upped with their respective teams today, as the Browns and Raiders transactions exclusively featured these types of contracts.
Meanwhile, the Giants cleared some room off their offseason roster today. Patrick McMorris is the only player with any NFL experience, as the safety got into six games with the Dolphins in 2024, with 97 of his 105 snaps coming on special teams.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/4/26
More teams made tender/non-tender decisions on restricted and exclusive rights free agents today. Here are the latest updates:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Buccaneers: S Christian Izien, RB Sean Tucker
- Commanders: K Jake Moody
- Cowboys: G Brock Hoffman
- Patriots: CB Alex Austin
Before taking a backseat to second-year safety Tykee Smith this year, Izien served as a major contributor for the Bucs secondary. In his first two years as an undrafted player out of Rutgers, Izien started 14 of 31 game appearances, logging 140 total tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Meanwhile, Tucker made himself a bowling ball in the redzone this year, recording a team-leading seven rushing touchdowns on just 86 attempts. His 320 rushing yards were third in Tampa Bay’s running backs room behind Bucky Irving (588) and Rachaad White (572).
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Browns: TE Brenden Bates, WR Malachi Corley, LB Winston Reid, LS Rex Sunahara, K Andre Szmyt, WR Jamari Thrash
- Cowboys: CB Reddy Steward
- Lions: K Jake Bates
- Panthers: WR Jalen Coker, WR Brycen Tremayne
- Vikings: DT Jalen Redmond
While Moody seemingly continues to struggle to stay employed after getting draft in the third round three years ago, Bates and Szmyt will get another go around in Detroit and Cleveland.
Browns Place WR Cedric Tillman On IR, Sign WR Malachi Corley From Practice Squad
The Browns will be without their No. 2 wide receiver for a while. Cedric Tillman Jr. sustained a hamstring injury in the team’s loss to the Lions, and the team announced it will lead to an IR stay.
Kevin Stefanski had confirmed (via the Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling) Tillman would be out “in the weeks department”; the IR trip will sideline the third-year receiver for at least four games. The Browns signed wideouts Malachi Corley and Gage Larvadain to their 53-man roster from the practice squad. Cleveland also waived cornerback Cameron Mitchell, a 2023 fifth-round pick who started four games from 2023-24.
Although the Browns signed Diontae Johnson, he never appeared to threaten Tillman’s spot. Cleveland released the nomadic veteran on roster-cutdown day and turned to the player whose role had increased following last year’s Amari Cooper trade. The Cooper Bills swap opened the door for more Tillman work alongside Jerry Jeudy, and the former third-round pick did enough to keep that top sidekick gig entering this season. Tillman reached 75 receiving yards in his first three starts, teaming with Jameis Winston last year, but could not build on that momentum.
Tillman started six games last season but did not finish the campaign on Cleveland’s active roster, missing six games to close the season. Tillman, who did not enjoy a big role as a rookie, missed three games during that season. This represents another setback in the Tennessee product’s development. He has 11 catches for 106 yards this season.
Cleveland entered the season light on receiver experience, carrying Tillman as Jeudy’s top wingman. Only two other receivers — Jamari Thrash and rookie UDFA Isaiah Bond — are on the Browns’ 53-man roster. Bond, a draft prospect who fell off the board due to off-field trouble, figures to see a bigger role. The Texas alum caught three passes for 58 yards against the Lions. Bond was not indicted after an arrest on sexual assault charges, leading to his Browns signing soon after. Beginning his career at Alabama, Bond did not eclipse 700 receiving yards in a college season but garnered draft interest from several teams.
The Browns also placed wideout DeAndre Carter on IR, thinning their receiver position further. Journeying the league as a return specialist, Carter joined the Browns this offseason. A knee injury will lead Carter off Cleveland’s 53-man roster. This will force the Browns into multiple changes, with Carter serving as their primary kick and punt returner.
The Jets drafted Corley atop Round 3 last year, with the Western Kentucky alum famously drawing a Draft Day-like “no matter what” reference from then-decision-makers Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. After slogging through a rough rookie year, Corley did not impress the Jets’ new decision-making team and was waived last month. The Browns added him to their practice squad soon after. Corley, who caught just three passes for 16 yards last season, has not played in a Browns game yet.
Browns To Sign WR Malachi Corley, G Cole Strange
Waived by the Jets after one season, Malachi Corley went unclaimed today. But the 2024 third-round pick will land elsewhere, joining the Browns (per veteran reporter Jordan Schultz). 
This practice squad agreement comes about after Corley had multiple suitors to choose from, per Schultz. He will head to Cleveland in the hopes of rebuilding his value following a poor rookie campaign. The Jets’ new regime elected to move on despite depth questions at the WR position.
Corley managed just three scoreless receptions last year. The Western Kentucky product was seen as a project given his skillset, but his efforts to develop into an NFL regular will take place in a new home. It will be interesting to see if Corley finds himself amongst the Browns’ early taxi squad elevations or makes his way onto the active roster in September.
Cleveland’s receiver room will once again be led by Jerry Jeudy in 2025. The former Broncos first-rounder set a new career high in catches (90) and yards (1,229) during his first Browns campaign, and he will be relied on to duplicate that production as the team sorts out its quarterback situation over the course of the year. The likes of Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash and undrafted rookie Isaiah Bond are also in place on the depth chart.
Corley will be joined on the Browns’ taxi squad by guard Cole Strange. The latter was waived by the Patriots yesterday, marking an unceremonious end to his time in New England. Strange is heading to Cleveland with the expectation of also being elevated to the active roster at some point, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. A backup gig along the interior could be in store by the fall.
Strange’s entry to the NFL was marked by his surprising status as a first-round pick. The Chattanooga product was hampered by injuries, and he was limited to 13 appearances across the past two seasons. When on the field, Strange was part of a Pats O-line which struggled mightily in 2024. With plenty of changes taking place up front under head coach Mike Vrabel, he found himself amongst the team’s roster cuts yesterday.
Now, Strange will join Corley in seeking to take advantage of a change of scenery. At the ages of 27 and 23, respectively, both players could wind up offering upside to the Browns’ offense in time.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Jets To Waive WR Malachi Corley
Malachi Corley‘s time with the Jets is coming to an end. The 2024 third-rounder is among New York’s roster cuts, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.
This will bring a quick end to Corley’s Big Apple tenure. The move also comes despite the Jets still carrying considerable questions at receiver beyond Garrett Wilson. But Corley was drafted by the Joe Douglas regime. The Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn power structure has seen enough, evidently.
The Jets drafted Corley 65th overall last year, having traded up (via the Panthers) for the shifty prospect. But Corley produced a three-catch, 16-yard rookie season. The Western Kentucky prospect did not impress during Aaron Rodgers‘ season as the team’s starter, and his most memorable Jets sequence came when he dropped the ball before the goal line to deny the Jets a touchdown on a reverse during a nationally televised game.
Corley, 23, has three years left on his rookie contract. A claiming team would have Corley on a $1MM 2025 base salary. Even with Corley faceplanting in New York, it would not surprise to see a claim due to his draft status barely a year ago. Although the Jets carry significant questions about their Wilson sidekick contingent, Corley entered training camp uncertain to make the roster.
Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson and Tyler Johnson are among the players presently rounding out the Jets’ receiving corps. This creates natural concerns about the passing game’s viability in Justin Fields‘ first season, especially considering the new quarterback’s issues as a passer to date. But the Jets will pass on a second Corley season anyway.
Malachi Corley’s Jets Roster Spot Uncertain
Malachi Corley was in position to occupy at least a rotational role in the Jets’ during his rookie campaign. Instead, he proved to essentially be a non-factor.
2025 has seen the Jets bring in a regime other than the one which drafted Corley, a factor which often carries considerable weight in roster decisions. The 23-year-old made only nine appearances as a rookie, with his most memorable moment coming in a Thursday night game in which he prematurely dropped the ball and nullified what would have been a touchdown. Corley never managed to carve out a role, and he has been unable to do so this spring.
While dealing with an undisclosed injury, the Western Kentucky product has missed considerable time during the offseason (including the Jets’ recent minicamp). As a result, Corley is behind in terms of his acclimation to new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand‘s scheme. Between the missed reps, his lack of connection to the new decision-makers and his underwhelming rookie season, ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes Corley does not have a clearly defined role at this point, adding his roster spot is not a lock.
“There’s a plan for him, and we’re going to make sure that we try to utilize him to what he can do best, and we’ve seen that in college,” head coach Aaron Glenn said. “Hopefully, he gets well soon, and we get a chance to utilize his skillset.”
Corley did not showcase a strong route-running ability in college, but he was dynamic with respect to yards after the catch. A role as a gadget player on offense and/or as a returner would be sensible as a result, but the New York’s third-rounder from last April will need to impress during training camp to solidify a roster spot. The Jets’ WR depth chart no longer includes Davante Adams, although Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds and fourth-round rookie Arian Smith are in place. Xavier Gipson is in position to round out the receiver room but he could also handle return duties, something which would make it more challenging for Corley to lock down a spot.
The latter is attached to his rookie contract for the next three years, meaning he will provide the Jets with a cost-effective depth option provided he survives roster cutdowns. Unless Corley can return to full health in time for training camp and play his way into a defined role, though, he will face an uncertain future.
Assessing Jets’ Compensation In Potential Davante Adams Trade
One of the most popular potential new destinations for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams is New York. The Jets form an obvious connection to Adams due to the presence of a few former Packers, including offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and wide receiver Allen Lazard. But what would it take to make this deal happen? Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York dove into this hypothetical today, looking into just what options were available for the Jets. 
For starters, Las Vegas reportedly wants draft compensation. The Jets do not lack for that this year. They currently have their full cache of draft picks in 2025 (minus a seventh-round pick that was sent to Kansas City along with Mecole Hardman in return for a sixth-round pick). In addition to the Chiefs’ sixth-round pick, the Raiders also hold an additional third-round pick from the Lions, who received a fourth-round 2024 draft pick in exchange.
They’ll have six picks in 2026. Their second- or third-round pick will go to Philadelphia depending on the playing time and sack production of Haason Reddick. Based on Reddick’s holdout for a new contract, it’s looking more likely to be their third-round pick that changes hands. The Jets also gave up their seventh-rounder in 2026 along with undrafted rookie cornerback and return man Brandon Codrington in exchange for the Bills’ sixth-round pick, and they sent John Franklin-Myers to Denver for their sixth-rounder, as well.
New York doesn’t just have draft compensation to offer, though. If the Raiders are looking for a receiver in return for Adams, the Jets would likely be willing to part ways with one, since too many mouths to feed on offense can be a detriment at times. Garrett Wilson is surely not on the table, but Hughes notes that Lazard, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, and Malachi Corley could all be included in a trade package.
Lazard and Williams aren’t too likely to be included. In a resurgent year with his former Packers quarterback, Lazard leads the team in receiving yards (206) and touchdowns (3). Williams started the season slow as he works his way back from offseason knee surgery but has improved each week en route to eight catches for 120 yards. The young receivers, Gipson and Corley, have been virtual non-factors this year on the offense, but Gipson’s return ability and Corley’s third-round draft stock could both add value to a trade package.
As for Reddick, Hughes reports that there is belief that he could be included, but as of today, that is not the case, though the situation remains fluid.
Another factor in the trade could come from the Raiders’ side of things. Financially, taking on this year of Adams’ contract at this time would require the Jets to pay him around $13MM this year. It’s expected that, in order to lessen the financial burden of taking on Adams, the Jets could request that Las Vegas restructure their deal with Adams before trading him. The request would entail the Raiders converting a portion of his remaining salary for the year into a signing bonus (that would be paid by Las Vegas), lowering the remaining salary for New York to pay. The restructuring part of the agreement would likely need to be compensated for with an additional late-round draft pick.
Like Reddick’s involvement, everything about this situation remains fluid. General manager Joe Douglas has lots of options if he and the Jets decide that Adams is worth pursuing. They won’t be lacking for competition to land the talented wide receiver, though, so every one of those options could prove to be a valuable trade piece in the making.
AFC East Notes: Reddick, Jets, Corley, Barmore, Patriots, Godchaux, Farley, Bills
The 49ers and Cowboys ended their holdouts recently, but the Jets‘ impasse persists. Robert Saleh has not made any recent contact with defensive end Haason Reddick. The fourth-year Jets HC confirmed he has not spoken to the team’s holdout edge rusher since before training camp. As one source informed veteran reporter Josina Anderson, “nothing has changed” in this standoff. Reddick is on the verge of missing out on an $838K came check. The trade acquisition has already cost himself more than $2MM in nonwaivable fines thanks to this holdout.
Having expected the Jets to revisit extension talks only to see the team balk at doing so, Reddick has not been seen in the building since his introductory news conference April 1. Reddick has requested a trade, and rumblings about him extending the holdout into the season have surfaced. The Jets, who have been linked to being open to sweetening Reddick’s Eagles-constructed deal rather than extending him in advance, are certainly short on time to integrate him into their defense before the 49ers opener.
Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- Malachi Corley competed for the Jets’ slot receiver role in training camp, but the rookie third-rounder might be trending toward healthy-scratch status to begin his career. Xavier Gipson is expected to be the Jets’ slot receiver, and the New York Post’s Brian Costello does not see a path for Corley to be on the 48-man gameday roster Monday. Viewing the Western Kentucky alum as a long way away from being an offensive regular, Costello notes the rookie’s lack of a special teams role hurts his chances of suiting up early.
- The Jets also created some cap space recently, adjusting Quincy Williams and Tyler Conklin‘s deals. The move created $8MM in cap space for the team, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. These moves will inflate the Jets’ cap-space total past $18MM.
- While Christian Barmore is on the Patriots‘ reserve/NFI list, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms the team will continue to pay him his full salary. Considering Barmore is dealing with a blood clot issue, the Pats not paying him would have generated extensive backlash. Barmore signed a four-year, $84MM extension this offseason and already collected an $18MM signing bonus. Common with extensions, Barmore’s base salary is low ($1.82MM) in Year 1.
- The Pats giving Barmore the $21MM-per-year extension affected Matt Judon‘s New England outlook, and SI.com’s Albert Breer notes it changed the equation for Davon Godchaux as well. Godchaux’s push for a raise intensified after the Pats paid Barmore. The veteran nose tackle held in during minicamp and expressed a desire for a new deal to open training camp. Paying numerous Bill Belichick-era pieces, New England’s Eliot Wolf-led front office agreed to terms with Godchaux on a two-year, $16.5MM deal soon after.
- Caleb Farley struggled to stay healthy with the Titans and has not seen game action since November 2022. The 2021 first-round pick, whom the Titans waived last week, also missed camp time with a hamstring injury. The malady-prone cornerback auditioned for the Patriots on Tuesday, Yates tweets. Farley, 25, has two ACL tears and three back surgeries on his medical sheet since college.
- The Bills also completed some minor restructures recently, with Yates noting the team adjusting DaQuan Jones and A.J. Epenesa‘s deals. Both D-linemen re-signed with Buffalo this offseason. The moves created $2.78MM in cap space.
- After the Vikings cut running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu, the Saints made a waiver claim but also moved on with a failed physical designation, the Jets checked in on him. Nwangwu visited the Jets on Monday, per KTSP’s Darren Wolfson. Nwangwu has three career kick-return TDs on his resume, each coming from 2021-22.
Jets Sign Round 3 WR Malachi Corley, Complete Draft Class Deals
We are now down to four unsigned rookies. Entering Wednesday morning, two third-round draftees had not provided signatures on their rookie deals; that list is trimmed to one.
The Jets now have Malachi Corley under contract, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The team agreed to terms with the No. 65 overall pick on a four-year rookie deal. The terms of the wide receiver’s pact will likely precede a near-future Cardinals agreement with the final unsigned third-rounder, running back Trey Benson.
Corley will compete for the Jets’ slot receiver post, with Xavier Gipson representing the Western Kentucky alum’s main competition during training camp. The Jets have notable plans for Corley, however, as their Day 2 investment showed. The team began making calls on potentially trading up for the mid-major product at No. 45.
Ranked in Daniel Jeremiah’s final NFL.com top 50, Corley joins Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams as the top Jets receiver investments. Corley contributed to Bailey Zappe‘s record-setting 2021 season but became a bigger part of the Hilltoppers’ offense over the past two years. He totaled 101 receptions for 1,295 yards in 2022 and added 79 grabs for 984 yards last season. Snaring 11 touchdown passes in each of those seasons, Corley earned first-team All-Conference USA in 2022 and ’23.
At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Corley brings a big-bodied slot profile for the Jets, who will not be nearly as dependent on ex-Aaron Rodgers Packers targets as they were in 2023. The Jets have not re-signed Randall Cobb, and after underwhelming in his debut with the team, Allen Lazard is essentially only still around due to a $22MM guarantee the team authorized. A Wilson-Williams-Corley setup may be where the Jets end up at receiver before too long, though Gipson will have a say in that trio forming.
Here is how the Jets’ 2024 draft class looks ahead of training camp:
- Round 1, No. 11 (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 65 (from Panthers): Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Ravens): Braelon Allen (RB, Wisconsin) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 171: Jordan Travis (QB, Florida State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173 (from Chiefs): Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 176 (from 49ers): Qwan’Tez Stiggers (CB, Toronto Argonauts) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 257: Jaylen Key (DB, Alabama) (signed)
Ten Unsigned 2024 Draft Picks Remain
The NFL collectively is ahead of where it was last year with regards to draft signings. Teams have navigated the guarantee issue second-round contracts presented in recent years. Unlike 2023, when 30 players were unsigned in late June and nearly half the second round was without contracts entering July, we are down to 10 unsigned rookies from the 2024 class. Here is the lot still without NFL contracts:
Round 1:
- No. 1 (Bears): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
- No. 8 (Falcons): Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
- No. 9 (Bears): Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
- No 10 (Vikings): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
- No. 17 (Vikings): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
- No. 18 (Bengals): Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
- No. 31 (49ers): Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
Round 2:
- No. 34 (Chargers): Ladd McConkey (WR, Georgia)
Round 3:
- No. 65 (Jets): Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)
- No. 66 (Cardinals): Trey Benson, RB (Florida State)
The clearest difference between this year and last comes from the second round. On June 17, 2023, half the second-rounders were unsigned. The 2011 CBA introducing the slot system has removed most of the drama from rookie-deal negotiations, but second-rounders continue to make guarantee gains. This contractual component has complicated matters for teams in the past, but that has not been the case — for the most part — this year.
A number of 2021 second-round picks remain attached to their rookie deals. Those terms illustrate the improvements Round 2 draftees have made on that front since. The Jaguars did guarantee 2021 No. 33 pick Tyson Campbell‘s first three seasons; his fourth brought $50K guaranteed. This year, the Bills needed to guarantee nearly Keon Coleman‘s entire rookie contract. Coleman has three years locked in and $1.74MM of his $2.1MM 2027 base salary is guaranteed at signing. This year’s No. 59 overall pick (Texans tackle Blake Fisher) secured more in Year 4 guarantees than Campbell’s deal contains.
A sizable gap does exist between Coleman’s final-year guarantees and those of Falcons DT Ruke Orhorhoro (No. 35 overall). The Clemson product has $966K of his $2.1MM 2024 base guaranteed. This gulf has likely caused the holdup for the Chargers and McConkey, a player who — after the exits of longtime starters Keenan Allen and Mike Williams — stands to be a central figure in the Bolts’ first Jim Harbaugh-era offense. With the top players in Round 2 on the cusp of seeing fully guaranteed deals, McConkey can set another notable precedent while gaining some additional security for himself.
First-round contracts have only been fully guaranteed en masse since 2022, when Vikings safety Lewis Cine — chosen 32nd overall — secured those terms. Though, matters like offset language still have been known to slow negotiations. Extended holdouts into training camp no longer occur among rookies, with players risking the loss of an accrued season toward free agency — a product of the 2020 CBA — by doing so. Corley and Benson were this year’s top third-round picks. The 49ers gave No. 64 overall pick Renardo Green two fully guaranteed years. That has likely caused a holdup for the Jets and Cardinals, considering the progress made via contracts agreed to by earlier draftees.