Giants, RB Devontae Booker Agree To Deal
The Giants will bring in a veteran backup to supplement Saquon Barkley. They agreed to terms with Devontae Booker on Monday night, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
A former Broncos draftee, Booker spent last season with the Raiders and enjoyed a productive season spelling Josh Jacobs. Booker agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $6MM, Fowler notes. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the deal includes $2MM guaranteed.
This marks an upgrade for Booker, who could only fetch a one-year deal worth barely league-minimum money last year. After receiving just two carries in 16 games with the 2019 Broncos, Booker took 93 handoffs and rushed for 423 yards and three touchdowns with the Raiders last season. While the former fourth-round pick worked as Denver’s primary back down the stretch in 2016, replacing an injured C.J. Anderson, he has mostly been a backup as a pro.
Barkley continues to work his way back from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 2. The star back is progressing on course and should be ready for Big Blue’s training camp. The Giants have used a few players as Barkley complementary help over his three-year career, and backfield depth became critical last season. Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris and Devonta Freeman handled the ball-carrying duties after Barkley’s injury. None are under contract with the team for 2021, putting Booker in position to hold New York’s RB2 role.
Patriots To Sign DL Henry Anderson
The Patriots have made another addition to their defensive line. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots have signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson. It will be a two-year deal worth $7MM, and it has a max value of $11MM based on achievable playtime incentives, per Rapoport (on Twitter).
Following three seasons with the Colts, Anderson was traded to the Jets in 2018 for a seventh-round pick. He proceeded to have a career year during his first season in New York, compiling seven sacks. That performance earned him a new three-year, $25MM extension from the organization, but he had a tough time living up to that contract. Despite appearing in 29 games (21 starts) for the Jets between 2019 and 2020, Anderson collected only 1.5 sacks.
Thanks in part to the reduced production, it always seemed unlikely that Anderson would stick around for the entirety of his contract. The Jets ultimately moved on from the defensive lineman earlier this month, saving the organization more than $8MM.
The Patriots have been busy adding to their defense today, signing linebacker Matt Judon, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and defensive back Jalen Mills. The team also brought back defensive end Deatrich Wise and defensive tackle Carl Davis.
Jets To Sign WR Corey Davis
While the Jets future at quarterback may be uncertain, the team is still adding pieces to their offense. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that New York is adding wideout Corey Davis. The former first-rounder will get a three-year, $37.5MM deal, including $27MM in guaranteed money.
The former fifth-overall pick overcame a disappointing rookie campaign and put together a solid three-year stretch with the Titans. The 26-year-old had a career year in 2020, hauling in 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Davis also had three touchdowns in six career playoff games with Tennessee. Back in February, Titans GM Jon Robinson made it sound like the team was prepared to lose the wideout in free agency.
The Jets entered the offseason with a solid core at wideout. Leading receiver Jamison Crowder is still under contract, and the team is also still rostering notables like Braxton Berrios (37 receptions) and 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims.
Davis has secured the largest contract of the day among wide receivers. The Patriots committed $26MM to Nelson Agholor and $22.5MM to Kendrick Bourne, while Jamal Agnew got a deal that could be worth up to $21MM from the Jaguars.
Titans To Sign DT Denico Autry
The Titans have secured their first big free agent, both literally and figuratively. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Tennessee is signing 6-foot-6 defensive tackle Denico Autry. It’s a three-year deal worth $21.5MM, including $9MM guaranteed.
Despite going undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2014, Autry has managed to put together a seven-year career. The defensive tackle spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, including a 2017 campaign where he finished with five sacks. That performance earned him a three-year, $17.8MM deal with the Colts, and he’s been a consistent presence on their defensive line ever since.
Autry ultimately appeared in 40 games (38 starts) during his three seasons in Indy, compiling 102 tackles, 20 sacks, and three forced fumbles. The 30-year-old also got into three postseason games for the Colts, compiling 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Prior to this move, we hadn’t heard much from the Titans today. The team was armed with around $18MM in cap space heading into the offseason.
Jaguars To Sign Carlos Hyde
The Jaguars have agreed to sign Carlos Hyde (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The former Seahawks running back will get a two-year, $6MM deal.
The veteran’s one-year stint with the Seahawks apparently improved his chances of securing a multiyear deal this time around. Hyde ultimately appeared in 10 games (one start) for Seattle, compiling 449 yards from scrimmage and four offensive touchdowns. The veteran was a 1,000-yard rusher as recently as 2019, when he ran for a career-high 1,070 yards with the Texans.
The Jaguars appear to have their long-term answer at running back in James Robinson, who ran for 1,070 yards during his rookie campaign. The 30-year-old Hyde will slide behind Robinson on the depth chart, although the Jaguars could turn to a variety of options at the position; the team is also rostering Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, Craig Reynolds, and Nathan Cottrell.
As Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com observes, this move will reunite Hyde with his college coach, Urban Meyer. Hyde was a first-team All-Big Ten running back during his time at Ohio State.
Jaguars Sign S Rayshawn Jenkins
Rayshawn Jenkins is heading to Jacksonville. The veteran safety is signing a four-year deal with the Jaguars, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio (via Twitter).
The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Miami (FL) had spent his entire four-year career with the Chargers. After playing as mostly a backup and special teamer during his first two years in the NFL, Jenkins emerged as a starter in 2019. He’s started each of his 31 regular season games over the past two years, compiling 92 tackles, eight passes defended, and five interceptions. The Chargers made an effort to retain the 27-year-old, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).
The Jaguars were reportedly hunting for safeties. We learned earlier today that the team was a suitor for John Johnson before the veteran signed with the Browns.
Despite striking out of Johnson, the Jaguars have had a busy day. The team signed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, wideout Phillip Dorsett, and return man Jamal Agnew.
Jaguars To Sign Phillip Dorsett
The Jaguars are set to sign Phillip Dorsett (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it’s likely of the low-cost, short-term variety. 
The former Patriots receiver made two trips to the Super Bowl (including a victory in Super Bowl LIII) during his time in New England. However, he struggled to climb the depth chart, as he hauled in only 73 total receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns in 45 games for the Patriots. In March of last year, he hooked on with the Seahawks, but lost the year to injury.
His most productive year came in 2016. In 15 games with a career-high 7 starts, Dorsett caught 33 receptions for 528 yards and a pair of touchdowns with the Colts. If he’s healthy, he’ll have a chance to support D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault, Collin Johnson, and the rest of the group in Jacksonville.
Lions Re-Sign Jalen Reeves-Maybin
The Lions are bringing back Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Once finalized, it’ll be a one-year, $2.38MM fully–guaranteed deal. Much of that deal will be off of the books, however, due to the veteran salary benefit.
Reeves-Maybin, a 2017 fourth-round pick, has spent his entire career in Detroit. Despite the change in regime, he’ll get at least another year with the Lions. He’s appeared in 55 total games for the club, including three starts (all in 2019). But, he’s mostly shined on special teams. Over the last two years, he’s seen upwards of 70% of the Lions’ ST snaps.
The Lions have more work to do at linebacker, especially after Jarrad Davis left to sign a one-year contract with the Jets. Reeves-Maybin — who saw just 38 snaps on D — could see more time as a traditional LB this year to help fill the gap
Patriots To Sign Kendrick Bourne
5:58pm: The Pats have a deal with Bourne. They are signing the former 49ers receiver to a three-year, $22.5MM pact, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Bourne and Nelson Agholor are not on the top tier of available wideouts, they are off the market as part of New England’s receiver-retooling effort.
4:16pm: Usually fairly restrained early in free agency periods, the Patriots have been active on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. They are now moving toward a deal with 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
Multiple teams have made offers to Bourne, per Fowler, but he and the Pats are discussing terms at this juncture. Bourne would represent a notable add to a receiver room in dire need of 2021 contributors.
New England has given either Cam Newton (or a to-be-determined QB1) Jonnu Smith and added Matt Judon and Jalen Mills to its defense. Bourne would be the team’s first wideout addition this offseason. The Pats have been in transition at this spot for multiple seasons, so Bourne would be a welcome signing.
Despite missing time because of COVID-19 last season and the 49ers having lost Jimmy Garoppolo for much of the slate, Bourne emerged with his most productive year. He caught 49 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns. During San Francisco’s 2019 NFC championship season, Bourne played a key role but took a backseat to the likes of George Kittle, Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel in the 49ers’ aerial hierarchy.
Buccaneers To Bring Back Rob Gronkowski
Another major Buccaneers band-retention item can be removed from their to-do list. The Super Bowl champs are re-signing Rob Gronkowski on a one-year deal worth $8MM (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). With incentives, Gronk can earn up to $10MM. 
[RELATED: Bucs Re-Sign Shaq Barrett]
The Bucs have now moved to retain Gronk, Chris Godwin, Shaquil Barrett and Lavonte David. While more work remains, the Bucs have ensured their top would-be free agents will stay for the team’s title defense. That’s due to some slight hometown discounts and some serious cap maneuvering. Barrett, for example, will count for less than $6MM against the Buccaneers’ 2021 salary cap. But, in total, his four-year deal is worth $68MM and could go as high as $72MM.
After capturing his first Super Bowl ring without Bill Belichick, Gronk seemed pretty set on returning to Tampa Bay.
“Yeah, I’ll remain unretired,” the tight end said in February. “I’m a free agent. It’s the first time in my career that I’m a free agent…But I definitely see myself coming back, just the guys around here, the players around here, the coaches, the people in the front office, they’re all just great people. I loved working with them all year long.”
“So, obviously going to soak this in and see where I’m at in a couple weeks, but I don’t see why not. I don’t see why I won’t be back.”
Gronkowski, 32 in May, found his footing quickly as he hauled in 45 catches for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. That stat line wasn’t as gaudy as his best seasons with the Patriots, but he showed up big in the Super Bowl, leading all receivers with six grabs for 67 yards and two TDs en route to the ring.