NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/25
We saw a busy day of 2025 NFL Draft pick signings today. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who inked their four-year rookie deals:
Arizona Cardinals
- OLB Jordan Burch (third round, Oregon)
- CB Denzel Burke (fifth round, Ohio State)
- G Hayden Conner (sixth round, Texas)
- S Kitan Crawford (seventh round, Nevada)
Buffalo Bills
- DE Landon Jackson (third round, Arkansas)
- CB Jordan Hancock (fifth round, Ohio State)
- TE Jackson Hawes (fifth round, Georgia Tech)
- CB Dorian Strong (sixth round, Virginia Tech)
- T Chase Lundt (sixth round, Connecticut)
- WR Kaden Prather (seventh round, Maryland)
Cincinnati Bengals
- G Dylan Fairchild (third round, Georgia)
- LB Barrett Carter (fourth round, Clemson)
- T Jalen Rivers (fifth round, Miami)
- RB Tahj Brooks (sixth round, Texas Tech)
Detroit Lions
- G Miles Frazier (fifth round, LSU)
- DE Ahmed Hassanein (sixth round, Boise State)
- S Dan Jackson (seventh round, Georgia)
- WR Dominic Lovett (seventh round, Georgia)
Houston Texans
- S Jaylen Reed (sixth round, Penn State)
- QB Graham Mertz (sixth round, Florida)
- DT Kyonte Hamilton (seventh round, Rutgers)
- TE Luke Lachey (seventh round, Iowa)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Caleb Ransaw (third round, Tulane)
- G Wyatt Milum (third round (West Virginia)
- LB Jalen McLeod (sixth round, Auburn)
- S Rayuan Lane III (sixth round, Navy)
- C Jonah Monheim (seventh round, USC)
- RB LeQuint Allen (seventh round, Syracuse)
Las Vegas Raiders
- WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. (fourth round, Tennessee)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DT Jamaree Caldwell (third round, Oregon)
- OLB Kyle Kennard (fourth round, South Carolina)
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round, Auburn)
- TE Oronde Gadsden II (fifth round, Syracuse)
- G Branson Taylor (sixth round, Pittsburgh)
- S RJ Mickens (sixth round, Clemson)
- S Trikweze Bridges (seventh round, Florida)
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Tai Felton (third round, Maryland)
- DE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth round, Georgia)
- LB Kobe King (sixth round, Penn State)
- TE Gavin Bartholomew (sixth round, Pittsburgh)
New England Patriots
- WR Kyle Williams (third round, Washington State)
- C Jared Wilson (third round, Georgia)
- DT Joshua Farmer (fourth round, Florida State)
- OLB Bradyn Swinson (fifth round, LSU)
- K Andy Borregales (sixth round, Miami)
- T Marcus Bryant (seventh round, Missouri)
- LS Julian Ashby (seventh round, Vanderbilt)
- CB Kobee Minor (seventh round, Memphis)
New York Giants
- G Marcus Mbow (fifth round, Purdue)
- TE Thomas Fidone II (seventh round, Nebraska)
New York Jets
- CB Korie Black (seventh round, Oklahoma State)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB Kaleb Johnson (third round, Iowa)
- OLB Jack Sawyer (fourth round, Ohio State)
- DT Yahya Black (fifth round, Iowa)
- QB Will Howard (sixth round, Ohio State)
- LB Carson Bruener (seventh round, Washington)
- CB Donte Kent (seventh round, Central Michigan)
San Francisco 49ers
- LB Nick Martin (third round, Oklahoma State)
- CB Upton Stout (third round, Western Kentucky)
- WR Jordan Watkins (fourth round, Ole Miss)
- RB Jordan James (fifth round, Oregon)
- S Marques Sigle (fifth round, Kansas State)
- G Connor Colby (seventh round, Iowa)
- WR Junior Bergen (seventh round, Montana)
Tennessee Titans
- S Kevin Winston Jr. (third round, Penn State)
- WR Elic Ayomanor (fourth round, Stanford)
- G Jackson Slater (fifth round, Sacramento State)
- CB Marcus Harris (sixth round, California)
- RB Kalel Mullings (sixth round, Michigan)
Washington Commanders
- WR Jaylin Lane (fourth round, Virginia Tech)
- LB Kain Medrano (sixth round, UCLA)
- RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (seventh round, Arizona)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/25
Here are the minor NFL transactions to close out the week:
Arizona Cardinals
- Received roster exemption (international player): OL Valentin Senn
Atlanta Falcons
- Received roster exemption (international player): K Lenny Krieg
- Waived: DT Junior Aho
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): DT Casey Rogers
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: DT Popo Aumavae
- Waived: OLB Kenny Dyson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Received roster exemption (international player): S Dante Barnett
Detroit Lions
- Received roster exemption (international player): DE Ahmed Hassanein
Houston Texans
- Waived: G Nick Broeker
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Ulysses Bentley IV
- Received roster exemption (international player): S Marcel Dabo
- Waived: G Atonio Mafi, DT Pheldarius Payne
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived (with failed physical designation): WR Jeff Foreman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OLB Chris Collins
Minnesota Vikings
- Received roster exemption (international player): P Oscar Chapman
New York Jets
- Received roster exemption (international player): G Leander Wiegand
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Dallis Flowers
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB D’Eryk Jackson
Dyson was cut from the team after news that running back Jonathon Brooks‘ placement on the physically unable to perform list would, in fact, still count him against the 90-man roster limit. They initially were told by the league that he would not count, but the updated guidance today necessitated that they lose a man.
Jackson joins Seattle’s undrafted free agent rookie class after they announced their 17 signees almost a week ago. A successful rookie minicamp tryout led to him securing a contract.
Similarly, Bentley, for whatever reason was also announced separately from the Colts’ UDFA class, even though the class was announced only a few hours before his signing. The 24-year-old hasn’t been a lead back since his 2020 season at SMU, but in three years apiece at SMU and Ole Miss, Bentley never averaged below five yards per carry in a season.
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.
2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 16: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, 174 (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 1, No. 15: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 26 (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 96 (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones (T, LSU) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 141* (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 178 (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 186 (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 210*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 212*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 41 (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 72 (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 109 (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 177 (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt (T, UConn) (signed)
- Round 7, 240 (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado) (signed)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 10: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 39 (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 56 (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 132 (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 169 (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 233 (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 1, No. 17: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 81: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 119: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 153: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 193: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech) (signed)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 5 (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 33: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 36 (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 67: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 94 (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) (signed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland) (signed)
2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:
- DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
- CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
- CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
- T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
- T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
- WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
- T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
- WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
- WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
- WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
- DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
- S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
- G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
- WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
- G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
- WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
- T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
- QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
- CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($13.63MM): Exercised
- LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
- CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
- G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
- C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
- DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
- LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
- G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
- DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
- DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
- S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A
* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025
Chargers To Decline Zion Johnson’s Fifth-Year Option
The Chargers are declining offensive guard Zion Johnson‘s fifth-year option, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, setting up the 2022 No. 17 pick to hit free agency in 2026.
The decision is no surprise given the $17.56MM price tag. Johnson has started 49 of the Chargers’ 51 regular-season games since he was drafted – all at left guard – but he has struggled to live up to his first-round billing.
General manager Joe Hortiz said that the team would try Johnson at center this offseason, but he’ll have veteran competition in 2024 starter Bradley Bozeman and free agent signing Andre James.
Johnson could still factor into the picture at left guard after starting there for the last three years, including 2024 under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. His competition would likely be Trey Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer, who both started multiple games at right guard in Los Angeles last year. (New Chargers signing Mekhi Becton is expected to take over at right guard in 2025 after his success in Philadelphia last season.)
Declining Johnson’s fifth-year option makes interior offensive line a significant need for the Chargers beyond 2025. Johnson, Salyer, Pipkins, and James will all be free agents after the season, and Bozeman and Becton only signed two-year deals this offseason. Despite that, the Chargers waited until the sixth round to draft an offensive lineman last weekend.
They used a sixth-round pick on Branson Taylor, who played both tackle spots at Pittsburgh but will likely be moved to guard in the NFL due to his sub-33-inch arms. His mass and power make him a strong fit in Roman’s scheme, but he will still need time to adjust to a new position and the jump in competition.
Johnson, meanwhile, will likely be seeking for a new home next offseason, as players whose fifth-year options are declined rarely stay with the team that drafted them. He may not have emerged as an elite guard worthy of a first-round pick, but he is still a capable start as a position whose value has skyrocketed over the last two seasons. If Johnson can keep a starting job in Los Angeles, either at guard or center, he could cash in next March.
AFC West Rumors: Chiefs, Chargers, Miller
The Chiefs took a gamble on injured tackle Josh Simmons, who saw a patellar tendon tear ding his draft stock a bit. The Ohio State standout went down six games into the season, and some debate existed going into the draft about his availability for the season. Simmons said (via The Athletic’s Mike Jones) a July return point, potentially in time for training camp, is expected. The Chiefs have doubled up on tackles this offseason, adding Simmons after giving Jaylon Moore a two-year, $30MM deal in the early hours of the legal tampering period. Kansas City, which used four LT starters last season before its makeshift setup unraveled in the Super Bowl, has seen extensive turnover here since Eric Fisher‘s 2020 AFC championship game injury. If Simmons makes his way to the LT role early, it is worth wondering the team’s Moore plan.
Andy Reid said the Chiefs view Moore as capable of playing multiple O-line positions. Seeing as Moore has never played a guard snap in the NFL, this would mean those positions are LT and RT. Jawaan Taylor has underwhelmed at RT, becoming known for penalties and a phantom start that could draw more. The Chiefs guaranteed Taylor’s $20MM 2025 compensation in 2024, but Moore could potentially compete with the free agency miss this offseason. For now, Moore appears to be a Chiefs stopgap at left tackle.
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- Although Kolton Miller has made it known he wants a new contract, The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes the veteran Raiders left tackle has reported for voluntary workouts. The mid-April report pertaining to Miller’s interest in a raise suggested the eighth-year blocker would stay away; his reporting could be a sign the new Las Vegas regime is willing to play ball. One season remains on Miller’s deal, and he saw a few of his LT peers (Dion Dawkins, Taylor Decker, Garett Bolles) extended in their contract years. Those deals helped bump Miller ($18MM AAV), with assists to Ronnie Stanley and Alaric Jackson‘s March re-signings, to the 13th-highest-paid player at his position. The team did not use a first-round pick on a tackle, a rumored scenario, but did add developmental option Charles Grant (William & Mary) in Round 3.
- Alex Cappa is expected to start after signing a two-year deal, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline places the ex-Buccaneers and Bengals blocker at right guard. That is unsurprising, as Cappa has started for six years and never taken a left guard snap. The Raiders have Jackson Powers-Johnson, Jordan Meredith and Dylan Parham competing for interior jobs as well. All three are expected to have a say in the center battle, with third-round rookie Caleb Rogers also in this mix as well.
- The Chargers did not use a draft pick on an O-lineman until Round 6 (Pittsburgh’s Branson Taylor). The Day 3 draftee will play guard, but the Bolts still have Trey Pipkins in place as their left guard frontrunner, ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes. This points to Mekhi Becton moving from Eagles RG to the same spot in Los Angeles and Zion Johnson‘s rumored center foray closer to reality. This would create a logjam at center, as the Bolts signed longtime starter Andre James after his Raiders release. That said, James agreed to only a one-year, $1.17MM deal (zero guarantees). It would seem James and the re-signed Bradley Bozeman give L.A. some insurance at center, should Johnson remain at LG over Pipkins. James and Becton have provided flexibility the team did not have in 2024.
- Two Charger starters recently underwent surgeries. Daiyan Henley played through a torn labrum last season, per Rhim, but the linebacker is recovering from surgery. The injury occurred in Week 4, but the former third-round pick did not miss a game. Recently re-signed safety Elijah Molden missed the end of last season due to injury, but The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes he is expected back for camp on time after a surgery.
Chargers Place UFA Tender On J.K. Dobbins
The Chargers’ offseason blueprint included two significant running back investments. The team added Najee Harris on Day 1 of free agency and then used its first-round pick on Omarion Hampton. This represents a more committed effort compared to last year, when two ex-Ravens RBs reunited with OC Greg Roman.
J.K. Dobbins rebounded from an injury-marred Baltimore stay to become the Bolts’ primary starter last season, but he has not signed anywhere as a free agent. With Monday being the deadline for signings affecting the 2026 compensatory formula, the Chargers made a move that could net them a compensatory pick if Dobbins were to depart.
The Bolts joined the Browns in using a UFA tender, with Cards Wire’s Howard Balzer noting the AFC West team used one on Dobbins. If Dobbins is unsigned by July 22, the Chargers would retain exclusive negotiating rights on him. The Ohio State alum would be attached to a $1.1MM tender (110% of his 2024 salary). This comes as the Browns placed a UFA tender on wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Having suffered ACL and Achilles tears during his time in Baltimore, Dobbins reemerged last season by rushing for 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for a newly run-oriented Chargers team. An ankle injury sidelined Dobbins, but his IR stint only covered four games. He returned to help the team to the playoffs, but the Bolts cut Gus Edwards and have not re-signed Dobbins. They added Harris on a one-year deal (worth $5.25MM), with Hampton’s fully guaranteed first-round contract positioning him to be the club’s long-term starter.
This setup would leave little room for Dobbins, but the Chargers will be tied to him for a bit longer. If Dobbins signs elsewhere before July 22, he could factor into the Bolts’ compensatory formula for the 2026 draft. The team hired ex-Ravens exec Joe Hortiz as GM last year; no club prioritizes comp picks more than Baltimore. That undoubtedly factors into this tender decision. A team signing Dobbins, however, will likely do so at a low rate due to the former second-rounder’s 46 missed games over the past four seasons.
UFA tenders have led to separations in the recent past. The Chiefs and Ravens placed them on Melvin Ingram and Justin Houston, respectively, in 2022 and saw each sign elsewhere before the July 22 deadline. The Patriots slapped one on LeGarrette Blount in 2017 and saw him join the Eagles soon after. The Giants, however, used the tender on Markus Golden in 2020 and reunited with him — after he signed it that July. (The Giants traded Golden to the Cardinals that October.) There would seem to be no place for Dobbins on Los Angeles’ 2025 roster, but he remains loosely tied to the team during free agency.
Chargers Working On Rashawn Slater Extension
The Chargers are continuing extension talks with left tackle Rashawn Slater, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, and general manager Joe Hortiz is “hopeful” that the two sides will come to an agreement.
Slater, the 13th overall pick in 2021, is entering the final year of his rookie deal on a fifth-year option worth $19MM. He has been one of the league’s premier blindside protectors since he entered the league, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie. A torn biceps tendon ended his second season after just three games, and he’s starting 48 of the Chargers’ 51 regular-season games in his other three years in Los Angeles.
The former Northwestern Wildcat has been ultra-consistent in pass protection, with only two games in his career with more than four pressures allowed, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Slater is also an excellent run-blocker, though the Chargers have not posted strong team-wide rushing numbers in his tenure.
Slater’s extension could make him the league’s highest-paid left tackle. Christian Darrisaw reset the market at $26MM per year last July, and Trent Williams surpassed him in September with a $27.55MM APY. However, this offseason saw Ja’Marr Chase and Myles Garrett reset their positional markets by significant figures, and Slater could push to do the same by becoming the first offensive lineman to earn at least $30MM per year.
The Chargers would likely balk at such a figure this year, as the 2026 franchise tag for offensive linemen is projected to be $27.6MM, per OverTheCap. Los Angeles could tag Slater next offseason and continue negotiations after another increase in the salary cap. A second franchise tag in 2027 would cost another $33.1MM, resulting in a two-year average of $30.4MM that could help the two sides find a middle ground on a long-term deal.
Chargers Announce 18 UDFA Signings
After adding nine players throughout this weekend’s draft, the Chargers still had plenty of room for rookie additions. Los Angeles announced their 18-man undrafted free agent signing class shortly after the event closed, disclosing these players as signees:
- TeRah Edwards, DT (Illinois)
- Josh Fuga, DT (Virginia Tech)
- Luke Grimm, WR (Kansas)
- Kylan Guidry, OLB (Western Kentucky)
- Nash Jones, G (Texas State)
- Jaylen Jones, S (Virginia Tech)
- Josh Kaltenberger, C (Maryland)
- Stevo Klotz, TE (Iowa State)
- Jordan Oladokun, CB (Bowling Green State)
- Myles Purchase, CB (Iowa State)
- Garmon Randolph, OLB (Baylor)
- Nikko Reed, CB (Oregon)
- Eric Rogers, CB (Rutgers)
- Raheim Sanders, RB (South Carolina)
- Corey Stewart, T (Purdue)
- DJ Uiagalelei, QB (Florida State)
- Savion Washington, T (Syracuse)
- Marlowe Wax, LB (Syracuse)
After slightly favoring offense (five players to four on defense) during the draft, Los Angeles evens things out by favoring the defense (10:8) in the undrafted class, giving them 13 offensive rookies and 14 defensive rookies in 2025.
Once heralded as the quarterback of the future set to take over the Clemson program after Trevor Lawrence, Uiagalelei ends up in Los Angeles after stops with Oregon State and the Seminoles. Sanders was expected to be a late-Day 3 selection. Sanders rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 for Arkansas before injuries limited him in 2023. He transferred to South Carolina and tallied 881 yards and 11 scores on the ground, adding 316 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air.
The team loaded up on flyers in the secondary this year. After drafting safeties with each of their last two picks, the Chargers added one more in free agency and signed four undrafted cornerbacks. Reed is maybe the most capable of the group. One of Deion Sanders‘ cast-outs at Colorado, Reed transferred to Oregon for two strong years, collecting 26 passes defensed and five interceptions in his four years of college. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Reed’s UDFA contract includes $100K of base salary guaranteed plus a $15K signing bonus.