NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/12/23
Rookie minicamps started today and more rookies put the names on the dotted line of their four-year contracts. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who signed today:
Arizona Cardinals
- DT Dante Stills (sixth round, West Virginia)
Atlanta Falcons
- CB Clark Phillips III (fourth round, Utah)
- G Jovaughn Gwyn (seventh round, South Carolina)
Cleveland Browns
- DE Isaiah McGuire (fourth round, Missouri)
- QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (fifth round, UCLA)
- CB Cameron Mitchell (fifth round, Northwestern)
- C Luke Wypler (sixth round, Ohio State)
Denver Broncos
- CB Riley Moss (third round, Iowa)
- S JL Skinner (sixth round, Boise State)
Houston Texans
- LB Henry To’oTo’o (fifth round, Alabama)
- S Brandon Hill (seventh round, Pittsburgh)
Kansas City Chiefs
- S Chamarri Conner (fourth round, Virginia Tech)
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Daiyan Henley (third round, Washington State)
- WR Derius Davis (fourth round, TCU)
- T Jordan McFadden (fifth round, Clemson)
- DT Scott Matlock (sixth round, Boise State)
- QB Max Duggan (seventh round, TCU)
Minnesota Vikings
- CB Mekhi Blackmon (third round, USC)
- QB Jaren Hall (fifth round, BYU)
New England Patriots
- G Sidy Sow (fourth round, Eastern Michigan)
- CB Ameer Speed (sixth round, Michigan State)
- CB Isaiah Bolden (seventh round, Jackson State)
New Orleans Saints
- RB Kendre Miller (third round, TCU)
- T Nick Saldiveri (fourth round, Old Dominion)
- S Jordan Howden (fifth round, Minnesota)
- WR A.T. Perry (sixth round, Wake Forest)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- TE Darnell Washington (third round, Georgia)
- LB Nick Herbig (fourth round, Wisconsin)
- G Spencer Anderson (seventh round, Maryland)
Washington Commanders
- DE K.J. Henry (fifth round, Clemson)
- RB Christopher Rodriguez (sixth round, Kentucky)
Latest On Chargers, RB Austin Ekeler
The bulk of free agency, along with the draft, has now come and gone. Most major roster-building moves have thus been made for 2023, but the future of Chargers running back Austin Ekeler remains unresolved. 
Ekeler was given permission to seek a trade in March after extension talks failed to yield much in the way of progress. The 27-year-old has one year remaining on his current contract, and is due $6.25MM – a figure much lower than that of the other top backs in the league. After a second straight season in which he led the league in scrimmage touchdowns and eclipsed 1,500 total yards, Ekeler’s desire for a raise has been weighed against the underwhelming market direction his position has been headed in.
Given the overall devaluation of running backs – at least in 2023’s free agency period, if not the first round of this year’s draft – it comes as little surprise that a strong trade market for Ekeler has yet to take shape. Given the lack of willingness on other teams’ parts to move assets in acquiring him before making a signficant, multi-year financial commitment, the former UDFA acknowledged the possibility of playing out his contract year in Los Angeles. The chances of that taking place are increased by the Chargers’ lack of a desire to move him.
“Nothing’s changed,” general manager Tom Telesco said about Ekeler’s standing trade request during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (video link). “His situation is unique. I completely understand that, which is why we kind of allowed them to kind of look and see if there was something out there available. We had no intent, no interest of trading him, but, fully knowing his situation, said go ahead and do it.”
The Chargers have a number of young options on their RB depth chart, but none with the track record of two-way production Ekeler has established over the past few years in particular. Los Angeles did not draft a running back, further pointing to their intention of keeping Ekeler in the fold for the 2023 campaign, one in which the team’s offense in particular will face considerable expectations. If he can deliver another strong performance, he will boost his free agent value, but that route appears to be the only one in which he could land in a new NFL home next offseason.
Chargers Sign First-Round WR Quentin Johnston
The Chargers have signed their first-round pick to a rookie contract. Per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter), the Chargers have signed wideout Quentin Johnston.
The rookie’s four-year rookie pact includes $14.18MM and training-camp guarantees in both 2024 and 2025, per Wilson (on Twitter). Johnston will also have a chance to earn a significant chunk of money via his fifth-year option. While Johnston was technically the 21st pick in the draft, he’ll earn the contract of the 22nd selection as a result of Miami’s forfeited selection.
Johnston was the second wideout off the board during the first-round run on receivers. The 6-foot-2, 208-pounder showed off his potential during his time at TCU, but he truly established himself as a first-round pick during the 2022 campaign. This past season, the wideout hauled in 60 catches for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns, resulting in his second-straight All-Big 12 nod.
The wideout did have an issue with drops, leading to some inconsistency in his draft projections. However, it was generally agreed that Johnston had one of the highest upsides at his position, and the Chargers are fortunate that they won’t need to rely on the rookie right away. Johnston will join a depth chart that’s highlighted by Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
The Chargers will now shift their focus to signing the rest of the 2023 draft class. Johnston is the first of the team’s seven draft picks to be signed.
Latest On Chargers CB J.C. Jackson, QB Justin Herbert
Saying that cornerback J.C. Jackson‘s first year with the Chargers could have gone better would be an understatement. Jackson, who signed a five-year, $82.5MM contract with the Bolts last March, underwent ankle surgery in August to repair an issue that cropped up during training camp, which forced him to miss the 2022 regular season opener. He also missed Los Angeles’ Week 3 contest, and while he suited up for the club’s next four games, he suffered a patellar tendon rupture in a Week 7 loss to the Seahawks and was sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
Even when he was on the field, Jackson did not come close to living up to his contract. In five games, he surrendered a 149.3 QB rating on passes thrown in his direction, according to Pro Football Reference. Pro Football Focus was even less friendly, charging him with a 152.4 rating and assigning him a dismal 28.1 coverage grade.
Nonetheless, it is clear that the Chargers are continuing to count on Jackson in a big way. The team neither drafted nor signed a cornerback, save for a handful of UDFA’s, so it will return Asante Samuel Jr., Michael Davis, and Jackson as its top three boundary corners.
GM Tom Telesco‘s approach to the cornerback position not only suggests that he expects a rebound effort from Jackson, but also that he is confident in Jackson’s medical prognosis. While a torn patellar tendon can be one of the toughest injuries to overcome, Telesco says that Jackson is making good progress in his rehab (via Daniel Popper of The Athletic (subscription required)). Popper said that Jackson was working with a trainer on the first day of the Chargers’ offseason program, and that he had started running on a treadmill.
Telesco is optimistic that Jackson will be able to participate in training camp. That would obviously go a long way towards getting the 27-year-old back to the Pro Bowl form he displayed as a member of the Patriots, thus bolstering a defense that surrendered the seventh-fewest passing yards per game in 2022 despite what was essentially a lost season from last year’s biggest free agent investment.
Another high-profile Charger who is currently on the mend, quarterback Justin Herbert, provided a recent update on his recovery. Herbert, who underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, said he has not thrown a football since the procedure and estimates that he is 75% recovered (via ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry).
Herbert expects to begin throwing this month, and the five- to six-month recovery timeline he provided would allow him to be at full strength for training camp. Telesco, who picked up Herbert’s fifth-year option for 2024 and who has commenced negotiations on what will be a massive contract extension, clearly does not have any concerns about his quarterback’s health status.
When asked about those contract talks, Herbert did not provide much of an update.
“I’m kind of left out of those negotiations, and I think my job now, my focus is to be the best quarterback that I can be and to rehab my shoulder,” the 2021 Pro Bowler said. “I’ve got complete faith in the Chargers organization and the front office. They’ve done such a great job of taking care of us as players, and I’ve loved to be a part of this team, being a part of this organization, and it’s kind of beyond my control of as to what happens now. I’m just doing everything I can that I can control.”
Eight Players Join NFC North, AFC West Teams Via NFL International Player Pathway Program
Established in 2017, the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program “aims to provide elite athletes from around the world with the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster.” This year, eight international players joined NFC North and AFC West teams (per the league’s website):
- Bears: OL Roy Mbaeteka, Nigeria
- Lions: TE Patrick Murtagh, Australia
- Packers: DL Kenneth Odumegwu, Nigeria
- Vikings: DL Junior Aho, France
- Broncos: DL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, Nigeria
- Chiefs: OL Chukwuebuka Godrick, Nigeria
- Raiders: DL David Ebuka Agoha, Nigeria
- Chargers: DL Basil Chijioke Okoye, Nigeria
The NFC North and AFC West were the two divisions that had yet to participate in the program, and this is the first year that the NFL is opening the program to two divisions. The IPP program allows these teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squads during the regular season.
“To see this hugely talented group of players be allocated to NFL rosters is very exciting, and a testament to the success of the NFL’s global football development programs for international athletes,” said NFL executive Peter O’Reilly. “The International Player Pathway is a critical program in identifying, supporting and enabling athletes from around the world and we look forward to seeing each players’ NFL journey unfold as they become global ambassadors for the sport.”
Per NFL.com, the six Nigerian players participated in Osi Umenyiora‘s The Uprise initiative and were participants in the NFL’s inaugural talent camp in Ghana. Alumni of the IPP program include Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, Commanders defensive end Efe Obada and defensive tackle David Bada, and Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson.
2024 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2020 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. 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 the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) 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 get 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.
With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:
- QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
- DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
- CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
- T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
- QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
- QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
- DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised
- LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
- CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
- T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
- T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
- WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
- T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
- DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
- WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
- CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
- WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
- OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
- CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
- DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
- WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): To decline
- WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
- LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
- G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
- WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
- QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
- LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
- LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
- T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
- CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
- CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): To decline
* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022
Chargers Sign 18 UDFAs
After selecting seven new players in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chargers announced their undrafted free agent signings. Here are the 18 undrafted rookies who will be looking to make their mark this summer:
- OLB Brevin Allen, Campebll
- S Tyler Baker-Williams, NC State
- C Johari Branch, Maryland
- CB Cam Brown, Ohio State
- WR Terrell Bynum, USC
- DL Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina
- RB Elijah Dotson, Northern Colorado
- LB Nathan East, Samford
- TE Michael Ezeike, UCLA
- OLB Andrew Farmer, Lane College
- S A.J. Finley, Mississippi
- RB Tyler Hoosman, North Dakota
- LB Mikel Jones, Syracuse
- DL Terrance Lang, Colorado
- T Nicolas Melsop, Delta State
- CB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana
- CB A.J. Uzodinma, Ball State
- WR Pokey Wilson, Florida State
Clark is set to receive a $100K base salary, in addition to a $5K signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. He was a three-year starter as a nose tackle in Myrtle Beach. He overcame quite a few obstacles to find an NFL opportunity, switching from tight end in college, gaining muscle and weight, and working through multiple injuries. He’ll work hard to earn a spot in the defensive line rotation for Los Angeles.
Lang also earned a bit over the minimum, according to Wilson. His deal includes $50K guaranteed, $30K of salary and $20K in a signing bonus. The Colorado pass rusher had 9.5 sacks and 20.0 tackles for loss for the Buffaloes over four years of play.
Mullen is the younger brother of Ravens cornerback Trayvon Mullen. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2020 but was limited due to injuries after that. He ended his career at Indiana with five interceptions, 33 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles.
2023 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
As the 2023 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1, No. 6 (from Rams through Lions): Paris Johnson, OT (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 41 (from Titans): BJ Ojulari, DE (LSU) (signed)
Round 3, No. 72 (from Titans): Garrett Williams, CB (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 94 (from Eagles): Michael Wilson, WR (Stanford) (signed)
Round 4, No. 122 (from Dolphins through Chiefs and Lions): Jon Gaines II, G (UCLA) (signed)
Round 5, No. 139 (from Broncos through Lions): Clayton Tune, QB (Houston) (signed)
Round 5, No. 168 (from Cardinals through Lions): Owen Pappoe, LB (Auburn) (signed)
Round 5, No. 180: Kei’Trel Clark, CB (Louisville) (signed)
Round 6, No. 213: Dante Stills, DT (West Virginia) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1, No. 8: Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 2, No. 38 (from Colts): Matthew Bergeron, T (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 75: Zach Harrison, DE (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 113: Clark Phillips III, CB (Utah) (signed)
Round 7, No. 224 (from Raiders): DeMarcco Hellams, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 7, No. 225: Jovaughn Gwyn, G (South Carolina) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1, No. 22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College) (signed)
Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson) (signed)
Round 4, No. 124: Tavius Robinson, LB (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5, No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 6, No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
Round 1, No. 25 (from Giants through Jaguars): Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah) (signed)
Round 2, No. 59: O’Cyrus Torrence, G (Florida) (signed)
Round 3, No, 91: Dorian Williams, LB (Tulane) (signed)
Round 5, No. 150 (from Commanders): Justin Shorter, WR (Florida) (signed)
Round 7, No. 230 (from Buccaneers through Jets, Texans, Eagles and Bills): Nick Broeker, G (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 7, No. 252 (from Buccaneers through Rams): Alex Austin, CB (Oregon State) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
Round 1, No. 1 (from Bears): Bryce Young, QB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 2, No. 39: Jonathan Mingo, WR (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 3, No. 80 (from Steelers): D.J. Johnson, DE (Oregon) (signed)
Round 4, No. 114: Chandler Zavala, G (North Carolina State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 145: Jammie Robinson, S (Florida State) (signed)
Chicago Bears
Round 1, No. 10 (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, OT (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida) (signed)
Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami) (signed)
Round 3, No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 5, No. 148 (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon) (signed)
Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 7, No. 218: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1, No. 28: Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 60: DJ Turner, CB (Michigan) (signed)
Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jordan Battle, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4, No. 131: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue) (signed)
Round 5, No. 163: Chase Brown, RB (Illinois) (signed)
Round 6, No. 206: Andrei Iosivas, WR (Princeton) (signed)
Round 6, No. 217 (from Chiefs): Brad Robbins, P (Michigan) (signed)
Round 7, No. 246: DJ Ivey, CB (Miami) (signed)
Chargers Take QB Max Duggan At No. 239
The Chargers’ first- and fourth-round rookie wide receivers should have a familiar face throwing to them at rookie minicamp as Los Angeles has selected TCU quarterback Max Duggan in the seventh round at No. 239 overall. Duggan is the eighth Horned Frog taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Duggan was a four-year starter in Fort Worth who broke out in his senior year. Duggan’s breakout year saw him take TCU to the College Football Playoff National Championship game where the overmatched Horned Frogs ran into the buzzsaw that was the Georgia Bulldogs. His disaster game occurred in what will now be his new home stadium, SoFi Stadium.
The blowout loss in the season finale shouldn’t overshadow a stellar senior season in which Duggan completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns while only tossing eight interceptions. Duggan adds an element on the ground, as well, rushing for 1,856 yards and 28 touchdowns over his four years in college.
The Chargers are obviously set at quarterback with Justin Herbert returning for a fourth season. Los Angeles picked up Herbert’s fifth-year option but are hoping they won’t need it as they continue to work on extending the 25-year-old. The team had used Chase Daniel as a backup passer in recent years, but with Daniel remaining a free agent, Easton Stick, who hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since 2020, is the only other quarterback on the roster.
Duggan obviously won’t be expected to challenge Herbert for a starting position, but he can push Stick for the backup job. Despite Stick’s experience of being with the team since 2019, Duggan brings a familiarity and chemistry with two of the team’s new targets. He, Quentin Johnston, and Derius Davis will be following in the footsteps of Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson, wearing the Bolt on their helmet after college in Fort Worth.
Chargers Won’t Pick Up LB Kenneth Murray’s Fifth-Year Option
The Chargers are set to pick up Justin Herbert‘s fifth-year option, but another one of their 2020 first-round picks will now be entering a contract year. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told reporters that the organization won’t be picking up linebacker Kenneth Murray‘s fifth-year option.
[RELATED: Chargers To Pick Up Justin Herbert’s Fifth-Year Option]
The announcement came on the heels of the team’s selection of Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third round of last night’s draft. However, Telesco made it clear that the draft pick and Murray’s fifth-year option were unrelated, and he indicated that the front office could explore a new deal with Murray after the 2023 season.
“No, those are kind of two completely separate things,” the GM said (video via the team’s website). “Kenny is doing a great job for us … [The decision was] more salary-cap related, down the road. But we’ll talk when the season’s over.”
Telesco could be sincere when it comes to the financial restrictions of Murray’s fifth-year option. The cash-strapped Chargers would have had to commit $12.7MM to the linebacker, a move that would have made Murray the eighth highest-paid player at his position. Still, the decision has to come as a disappointment to the 24-year-old. Before Murray, Telesco has picked up seven of the last eight Chargers’ fifth-year options, but following a rebound 2022 campaign, the linebacker will now be playing for his next contract in 2023.
Murray had a strong rookie campaign, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after compiling 107 tackles in 16 starts. He started the first three games of the 2021 season before suffering an ankle injury during practice, landing him on injured reserve. After sitting out five games, Murray returned and saw a reduced role on defense, starting only three of his team’s final nine games. The linebacker finished his sophomore season with only 31 tackles, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 83rd among 87 qualifying linebackers.
He managed to rebound a bit this past year, finishing with 76 tackles and a career-high seven tackles for loss in 17 games (16 starts). Murray only graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 73rd-ranked linebacker among 81 qualifiers, but the site did give him solid marks for his pass-rush ability and coverage.
With Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill out the door, the Chargers will continue to rely on Murray. The team added inside linebacker Eric Kendricks this offseason, and the veteran should start alongside Murray, with Henley likely having the edge as the top backup in that grouping. Telesco said the team’s second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu profiles as more of an edge defender.