Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Christian Blake, S Tae Daley, QB Jarrett Guarantano, OL Greg Long, RB T.J. Pledger, WR Jared Smart
- Waived: LB Ron’Dell Carter, OL Marcus Henry, LB Changa Hodge, S Kekaula Kaniho, DL Will Miles, WR Stephon Robinson
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Tucker Fisk
- Waived: WR Chad Hansen, TE Daniel Helm, DB Luther Kirk
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Vince Biegel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT C.J. Brewer, DT Prince Emili, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, T Will Ulmer
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Wyatt Miller, TE Jared Scott
- Waived: DB Drew Hartlaub (left squad), CB Troy Pride Jr. (failed physical)
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Junior Faulk
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Zack Johnson
- Waived: CB Cortez Davis
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OLB Natrez Patrick
- Waived: OLB Jessie Lemonier
Houston Texans
- Claimed: DB Kendall Sheffield (from Falcons), WR Connor Wedington (from 49ers)
- Waived: CB Reggie Robinson
- Waived/injured: S Kolby Harvell-Peel
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Naz Bohannon, WR Marvin Hall, WR Willie Johnson, WR Ryan McDaniel
- Waived: WR Terry Godwin, WR Josh Hammond, S Sean Mahone, OL Marcus Tatum
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Stanford Samuels III, T Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
- Waived: C Brett Heggie, WR Tré Turner
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB William Kwenkeu
- Waived: LB Tuf Borland
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Ross Reiter
- Waived: DB Devin Hafford, QB/WR D’Eriq King
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Keric Wheatfall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Elijah Jones, T Liam Ryan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Kameron Brown, DL Mike Greene, TE J.J. Howland
- Waived: DL Kobe Smith, WR Austin Watkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kenneth George
- Placed on IR: S Jamal Carter
Washington Commanders
- Claimed (from Broncos): T Drew Himmelman
- Signed: CB Nijuel Hill, LB Bryce Notree
- Waived: G Zack Bailey, LB Jordan Kunaszyk
Titans Sign 17 UDFAs & 1 International Allocation
After making a litany of moves on Draft Day, including trading away star wide receiver A.J. Brown, Tennessee added 17 undrafted free agents to their existing nine-man drafted rookie class:
- David Anenih, OLB (Houston)
- Tre Avery, CB (Rutgers)
- Julius Chestnut, RB (Sacred Heart)
- Haskell Garrett, DT (Ohio State)
- Jack Gibbens, LB (Minnesota)
- Michael Griffin II, S (South Dakota State)
- Hayden Howerton, OG (SMU)
- Brandon Lewis, WR (Air Force)
- Jalen McKenzie, OT (USC)
- Xavier Newman-Johnson, OG (Baylor)
- Thomas Odukoya, TE (Eastern Michigan)
- Sam Okuayinonu, DT (Maryland)
- Jayden Peevy, DL (Texas A&M)
- Reggie Roberson, WR (SMU)
- Andrew Rupcich, OL (Culver-Stockton)
- Caleb Shudak, K (Iowa)
- Ryan Stonehouse, P (Colorado State)
- Tre Swilling, CB (Georgia Tech)
Anenih set career highs this year for the Cougars and made himself a priority for the Titans, signing for a guaranteed $150,000, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Tennessee also saw the Hawkeye kicker as a priority, guaranteeing Shudak an impressive $40,000 at signing, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
Odukoya played 40 career games at Eastern Michigan and is one of four players joining the league from the International Player Pathway Program. Odukoya, who hails from the Netherlands, will look to help strengthen the pipeline of international players to the NFL.
Jackrabbits safety Griffin II holds no relation with former Titans safety Michael Griffin.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/12/22
Thursday has featured several rookie deals finalized. Here are the mid- and late-round draftees to sign their four-year contracts today:
Arizona Cardinals
- RB Keaontay Ingram (sixth round, USC)
- OL Lecitus Smith (sixth round, Virginia Tech)
- LB Jesse Luketa (seventh round, Penn State)
Atlanta Falcons
- RB Tyler Allgeier (fifth round, BYU)
- G Justin Shaffer (sixth round, Georgia)
- TE John FitzPatrick (sixth round, Georgia)
Buffalo Bills
- LB Terrel Bernard (third round, Baylor)
Cleveland Browns
- CB Martin Emerson (third round, Mississippi State)
- DE Alex Wright (third round, UAB)
- WR David Bell (third round, Purdue)
- RB Jerome Ford (fifth round, Cincinnati)
- WR Mike Woods (sixth round, Oklahoma)
- DE Isaiah Thomas (seventh round, Oklahoma)
- C Dawson Deaton (seventh round, Texas Tech)
Dallas Cowboys
- DT John Ridgeway (fifth round, Arkansas)
Denver Broncos
- WR Montrell Washington (fifth round, Samford)
Detroit Lions
- TE James Mitchell (fifth round, Virginia Tech)
Houston Texans
- RB Dameon Pierce (fourth round, Florida)
- DT Thomas Booker (fifth round, Stanford)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB Snoop Conner (fifth round, Ole Miss)
- CB Gregory Junior (sixth round, Ouachita Baptist)
- CB Montaric Brown (seventh round, Arkansas)
Las Vegas Raiders
- G Dylan Parham (third round, Memphis)
- DT Matthew Butler (fifth round, Tennessee)
- T Thayer Munford (seventh round, Ohio State)
- RB Brittain Brown (seventh round, UCLA)
Miami Dolphins
- DE Cameron Goode (seventh round, California)
Minnesota Vikings
- DE Esezi Otomewo (fifth round, Minnesota)
- RB Ty Chandler (sixth round, North Carolina)
- T Vederian Lowe (sixth round, Illinois)
- WR Jalen Nailor (sixth round, Michigan State)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- RB Rachaad White (third round, Arizona State)
- CB Zyon McCollum (fifth round, Sam Houston State)
- TE Ko Kieft (sixth round, Minnesota)
- OLB Andre Anthony (seventh round, LSU)
Tennessee Titans
- RB Hassan Haskins (fourth round, Michigan)
- WR Kyle Philips (fifth round, UCLA)
- CB Theo Jackson (sixth round, Tennessee)
- LB Chance Campbell (sixth round, Ole Miss)
Titans To Sign DL DeMarcus Walker
DeMarcus Walker‘s partial tour through the AFC South will lead to a Titans agreement. The sixth-year veteran defensive lineman, who met with the Colts and Titans recently, will latch on with the latter, according to his agent (Twitter link).
A former second-round pick, Walker spent last season in the AFC South as well. The Texans used the Florida State alum as a rotational defensive lineman. He will continue to work in a 3-4 scheme, transitioning from the one in Denver to Houston and now Tennessee.
While the Broncos tried the ex-Seminoles defensive lineman as an outside linebacker during his rookie year, he fared better at his natural interior defender position. Walker started slow but compiled eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss from 2019-20. The Broncos did not opt to re-sign him, as they transitioned from the John Elway regime to current GM George Paton, and Walker landed with the Texans on a one-year deal worth $1.5MM.
This Titans pact likely comes in at a similar price. Tennessee returns starters Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Teair Tart up front. Walker will look to position himself as one of Simmons and Autry’s D-end backups. Tennessee did not draft a defensive lineman this year, increasing the need for depth here.
DL DeMarcus Walker Visiting Colts, Titans
DeMarcus Walker is starting to generate some interest around the NFL. According to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter), the veteran defensive lineman visited the Colts today and will meet with the Titans tomorrow.
Walker was a second-round pick by the Broncos back in 2017, but he mostly disappointed during his four years in Denver. To his credit, he improved a bit following rookie and sophomore seasons where he collected only 11 tackles and two sacks in 13 games. Between 2019 and 2020, Walker got into 23 games (five starts), collecting 40 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
That two-year stretch earned him a contract from the Texans last offseason. During his lone season in Houston, the 27-year-old collected a career-high 31 tackles to go along with two sacks, seven QB hits, and one forced fumble in 13 games (two starts). He had a stint on injured reserve in December while recovering from a hamstring injury.
Walker has spent some time at outside linebacker, but he’s done his best work as a 3-4 defensive end. That versatility probably played a role in him getting a pair of auditions this week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/22
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Waived: LB Jaylan Alexander, S Amari Carter, WR Landon Lenoir, LB Ledarius Mack, RB Master Teague
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Kobe Jones
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: LB Justin March
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Dylan Cantrell
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Derrick Kelly
- Waived: TE Brandon Dillon, WR D.J. Montgomery
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Greg Mabin
Steelers To Hold Second GM Interviews With Ryan Cowden, John Spytek
With the draft over, longtime Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert’s tenure in that role has officially come to an end. As a result, the team’s search for his replacement is now front and center. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (on Twitter) that second interviews will be conducted with Ryan Cowden and John Spytek, among others.
[RELATED: Colbert Officially Steps Down]
Cowden has been with the Titans since 2016. After 16 years in Carolina, Tennessee hired him to work in the player personnel department, and he has played a key role in the team’s recent success. As a result, he has generated interest in recent GM searches, including an interview with the Giants earlier this year for their opening and his first meeting with Pittsburgh one month later.
Spytek has followed an almost identical recent career path to Cowden. He too was hired in 2016 (after spending time as a scout with the Browns and Broncos) and has served as first director, then vice president, of player personnel for the Buccaneers. Likewise, his contributions to the team’s success has caught the attention of other clubs. He interviewed with the Vikings and Raiders before doing so with the Steelers this offseason.
As Garafolo notes, the list of candidates to be interviewed a second time will grow longer than these two. For now, though, here is an updated look at Pittsburgh’s search:
- Morocco Brown, college scouting director (Colts): Interviewed
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interviewed
- Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans): To conduct second interview
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interviewed 2/4
- Joe Hortiz, director of player personnel (Ravens): Interviewed
- Brandon Hunt, pro scouting director (Steelers): Interviewed
- Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): Interviewed
- Dan Morgan, assistant general manager (Panthers): Interviewed
- Jerry Reese, former general manager (Giants): Interviewed
- Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed
- Rick Spielman, former general manager (Vikings): Interviewed
- John Spytek, director of player personnel (Buccaneers): To conduct second interview
- Andy Weidl, vice president of player personnel (Eagles): Interviewed
- Doug Whaley, vice president of player personnel (XFL): Interviewed
- John Wojciechowski, co-director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed
- JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interviewed by 2/4
AFC South Teams Add Players Via International Player Pathway Program
This year was the AFC South’s turn to participate in the International Player Pathway program, which allows teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squads. This year’s players include (via the NFL on Twitter):
- Colts: DB Marcel Dabo, Germany
- Texans: DL Adedayo Odeleye, Nigeria/UK
- Titans: TE Thomas Odukoya, Netherlands
- Jaguars: DB Ayo Oyelola, UK
Per the league’s website, the “program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.”
These players will sit on their respective team’s roster until the end of training camp, at which time the teams will be granted “an international player practice squad exemption.” Assuming these players land on the practice squad, they’ll be ineligible to be activated during the 2022 campaign.
Patricipants in last year’s program included tight end Bernhard Seikovits (Cardinals), offensive lineman Alfredo Gutierrez (49ers), offensive lineman Max Pircher (Rams), and linebacker Aaron Donkor (Seahawks).
2023 NFL Fifth-Year Option Results
Monday marked the deadline for NFL clubs to officially pick up their options on 2019 first-rounders. Fifth-year option seasons are no longer just guaranteed for injury — they’re now fully guaranteed, which makes these decisions a little tougher for teams.
Nineteen players had their options exercised, a tick up from 14 last year. Here’s the full rundown:
1. QB Kyler Murray, Cardinals – Exercised ($29.7MM)
2. DE Nick Bosa, 49ers: Exercised ($17.9MM)
3. DE Quinnen Williams, Jets: Exercised ($11.5MM)
4. DE Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: Declined ($11.5MM)
5. LB Devin White, Buccaneers: Exercised ($11.7MM)
6. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Declined ($22.4MM)
7. DE Josh Allen, Jaguars: Exercised ($11.5MM)
8. TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions: Exercised ($9.4MM)
9. DT Ed Oliver, Bills: Exercised ($10.8MM)
10. LB Devin Bush, Steelers: Declined ($10.9MM)
11. OT Jonah Williams, Bengals: Exercised ($12.6MM)
12. LB Rashan Gary, Packers: Exercised ($10.9MM)
13. DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: Exercised ($10.8MM)
14. G Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: Exercised ($13.2MM)
15. QB Dwayne Haskins:
16. DE Brian Burns, Panthers: Exercised ($16MM)
17. DT Dexter Lawrence, Giants: Exercised ($10.8MM)
18. C Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: Declined ($13.2MM)
19. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans: Exercised ($10.8MM)
20. TE Noah Fant, Seahawks: Exercised ($6.9MM; originally drafted by Broncos)
21. S Darnell Savage, Packers: Exercised ($7.9MM)
22. OT Andre Dillard, Eagles: Declined ($12.6MM)
23. OT Tytus Howard, Texans: Exercised ($13.2MM)
24. RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders: Declined ($8MM)
25. WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals: ($13.4MM; originally drafted by Ravens)
26. DE Montez Sweat, Commanders: Exercised ($11.5MM)
27. S Johnathan Abram, Raiders: Declined ($7.9MM)
28. DE Jerry Tillery, Chargers: Declined ($11.5MM)
29. DE L.J. Collier, Seahawks: Declined ($11.5MM)
30. CB Deandre Baker — N/A (released by Giants)
31. OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons: Declined ($13.2MM)
32. WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots: Declined ($12.4MM)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: S Charles Washington
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: OL Willie Beavers, LB James Vaughters
- Placed on IR: LS Beau Brinkley
Cleveland Browns
- Released: K Chris Blewitt, K Chase McLaughlin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: OL Brandon Murphy, LB Elijah Sullivan
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: FB Jake Bargas
New England Patriots
- Released: RB Devine Ozigbo
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: OL Nate Herbig
Tennessee Titans
- Released: TE Austin Fort, LB Nate Hall, LB Kobe Jones, LB Tuzar Skipper