NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/19/22
Here are the latest mid- and late-round draft picks to sign their four-year rookie contracts:
Cincinnati Bengals
- S Tycen Anderson (fifth round, Toledo)
New York Giants
- CB Cor’Dale Flott (third round, LSU)
Tennessee Titans
- T Nicholas Petit-Frere (third round, Ohio State)
Titans Considering Derrick Henry Extension?
Derrick Henry is coming off his first significant injury as a pro, having missed nine regular-season games before returning for the Titans’ divisional-round tilt. But the two-time rushing champion had amassed a staggering lead on the rest of the NFL at the time he suffered the foot ailment; he still finished ninth in rushing last season.
The Titans have Henry signed through 2023, by virtue of the four-year, $50MM extension the parties agreed to just before the 2020 franchise tag deadline. But the team is open to doing another deal with its star running back, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes.
Although third running back contracts for notable sums are exceedingly rare in the modern NFL, another Henry-Titans pact would help the team create near-future cap space. Henry would also collect some guaranteed money; the guarantees on his current deal ended after last season. A new deal, however, could tag Tennessee with dead money down the road. As is, Henry is attached to $15MM cap numbers in 2022 and ’23. The Titans are near the bottom of the NFL in cap space, holding barely $3MM.
Since paying Henry two summers ago, the Titans have opted not to extend Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith and A.J. Brown. Henry and Robert Woods‘ nonguaranteed contracts represent the only noteworthy veteran salaries among Titan skill-position players presently. Tennessee’s post-Brown plan will place pressure on first-round pick Treylon Burks, who will essentially replace the traded wide receiver, and for Henry to keep delivering top-shelf backfield work.
Henry is entering his age-28 season. He compiled workhorse carry totals for the past two-plus seasons, but his first three years — when he spent much of that time alongside DeMarco Murray — kept those numbers down. Henry’s per-carry average did drop to 4.3 last season, down from north of five yards per tote in 2019 and ’20, and he is sitting on 1,401 career carries (second-most among projected starting backs, behind only Ezekiel Elliott‘s 1,650). It will be interesting to see what kind of effect Henry’s recent handoff counts (303 in 2019, 378 in 2020 and 219 in an abbreviated ’21) have on his 2022 form.
2022 NFL General Manager Search Tracker
Along with the head coaches being fired, a few NFL teams are looking for new general managers. Listed below are the GM candidates that have been linked to each of the teams with vacancies, along with their current status.
If and when other teams decide to make GM changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here is the current breakdown:
Updated 5-24-22 (9:03pm CT)
Chicago Bears
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, vice president of football operations (Browns): Interviewed 1/13
- Morocco Brown, director of college scouting (Colts): Interviewed 1/24
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interview requested
- Glenn Cook, vice president of player personnel (Browns): Interviewed 1/12
- Ed Dodds, vice president of player personnel (Colts): Interview requested
- Jeff Ireland, assistant general manager (Saints): Interviewed 1/14
- Champ Kelly, assistant director of player personnel (Bears): Interviewed 1/13
- Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): Interviewed 1/24
- Reggie McKenzie, senior personnel executive (Dolphins): Interview requested
- Monti Ossenfort, director of player personnel (Titans): Second interview requested
- Ryan Poles, director of player personnel (Chiefs): Hired
- Joe Schoen, assistant general manager (Giants): Interviewed 1/16
- Rick Smith, former general manager (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
- Eliot Wolf, senior consultant (Patriots): Second interview requested
- JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interview requested
Las Vegas Raiders
- Trey Brown, scout (Bengals): Interviewed 1/21
- Ed Dodds, vice president of player personnel (Colts): Interviewed 1/26
- Brandon Hunt, pro scouting director (Steelers): Interviewed 1/25
- Dwayne Joseph, director of pro personnel (Raiders): To interview
- Champ Kelly, assistant director of player personnel (Bears): Interviewed 1/20
- John Spytek, vice president of player personnel (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Ruston Webster, senior personnel executive (Falcons): Interviewed 1/26
- Dave Ziegler, director of player personnel (Patriots): Hired
Minnesota Vikings
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, vice president of football operations (Browns): Hired
- Brandon Brown, director of player personnel (Eagles): Interviewed 1/18
- Glenn Cook, vice president of player personnel (Browns): Interviewed 1/20
- Monti Ossenfort, director of player personnel (Titans): Interviewed 1/16
- Ryan Poles, director of player personnel (Chiefs): Planned second interview 1/26
- Catherine Raiche, vice president of football operations (Eagles): Interviewed 1/17
- John Spytek, vice president of player personnel (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/17
- Eliot Wolf, senior consultant (Patriots): Interviewed 1/20
New York Giants
- Kevin Abrams, assistant general manager (Giants):Mentioned as candidate; interest waning?
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers):Interviewed 1/17
- Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans):Interviewed 1/14
- Quentin Harris, vice president of player personnel (Cardinals):Interviewed 1/13
- Joe Hortiz, director or player personnel (Ravens):Interviewed 1/15
- Monti Ossenfort, director of player personnel (Titans):Interviewed 1/14
- Adam Peters, assistant general manager (49ers):Conducted second interview 1/20
- Ryan Poles, executive director of player personnel (Chiefs):Conducted second interview 1/19
- Joe Schoen, assistant general manager (Bills): Hired
- Adrian Wilson, vice president of pro personnel (Cardinals):Interviewed 1/12; “close” to being hired by Jaguars?
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Morocco Brown, college scouting director (Colts): Interviewed
- Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interviewed
- Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans): Conducted 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): Conducted second interview
- Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): To be hired
- 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): Conducted second interview
- Doug Whaley, vice president of player personnel (XFL): Conducted second interview
- John Wojciechowski, co-director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed
- JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interviewed
Titans Reach Agreement With First Round WR Treylon Burks
The Titans made one of the most noteworthy moves on Day 1 of last month’s draft when they traded away A.J. Brown to the Eagles. They now have the wideout they selected to replace him – Treylon Burks – under contract on his four-year rookie deal worth $14.37MM (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). 
The Titans used the No. 18 pick on Burks after receiving it in exchange for Brown. The former will have significant expectations early on in his career, given not only the link between the two players but his impressive performances in college. Burks only posted 29 receptions in his freshman campaign in 2019, but he averaged over 16 yards per catch, something he would continue throughout his time at Arkansas He also showcased his open field abilities as a returner.
The following season, Burks took a significant step forward. He posted 895 scrimmage yards and scored seven total touchdowns in just nine games. The shortened season allowed him to demonstrate his run-after-catch skills, an aspect of his game which sets him apart from the other top wideouts in this year’s draft class. It also led to high expectations for him in the 2021 season.
Burks didn’t disappoint the Razorbacks or the many NFL teams that had him on their draft radars. He registered 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 112 yards and another score on the ground. That production and his frame (six-foot-three, 225 pounds), coupled with his multi-faceted skillset, have led to comparisons to Deebo Samuel.
Burks will enter a Titans offense which, just like that of the 49ers, is predicated on the run game. Still, he should see the field right away alongside Robert Woods, as the team moves forward with a re-vamped receiving corps.
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