NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/22/21
We’ll keep track of today’s later round signings here:
Denver Broncos
- LB Baron Browning (third-round, Ohio State)
Los Angeles Rams
- LB Ernest Jones (third-round, South Carolina)
Tennessee Titans
- CB Elijah Molden (third-round, Washington)
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on NFI list: OT Ja’Wuan James
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Cardinals): C Lamont Gaillard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jake Luton
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: RB Taquan Mizzell
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Kadarius Toney
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: S Curtis Riley
Jets Sign Second-Round WR Elijah Moore
The Jets are one step closer to officially signing their entire draft class. The team announced this evening that they’ve signed second-round receiver Elijah Moore.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter, the four-year deal is fully guaranteed through the first three seasons of the pact. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that the deal is worth a total of $8.94MM, and ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweets that the deal includes a $3.86MM signing bonus.
Moore had a standout career at Ole Miss, and he had his best collegiate season during the 2020 campaign. The receiver finished with 1,257 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, earning him first-team All-SEC honors and a consensus All-American nod. Thanks to that performance, the Jets made Moore the second pick of the second round (No. 34 overall).
Despite the presence of free agent addition Corey Davis, 2020 second rounder Denzel Mims, and 2020 receiving leader Jamison Crowder, Moore should have an opportunity to contribute immediately. He’ll initially slot in as the fourth wideout behind that aforementioned trio, although the likes of Keelan Cole or Vyncint Smith could push for snaps with strong preseasons.
With this signing, the Jets only have one unsigned draft pick: second-overall pick Zach Wilson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/21/21
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on NFI list: TE Jacob Breeland, G Ben Cleveland
New England Patriots
- Placed on NFI list: S Joshuah Bledsoe, LB Cameron McGrone, RB Rhamondre Stevenson
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Jordyn Peters, RB Mike Weber
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): WR Nsimba Webster
49ers Sign Third-Round RB Trey Sermon
The 49ers have signed a key member of their draft class. The team announced today that they’ve signed third-round running back Trey Sermon to his rookie contract. Per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (on Twitter), the four-year deal is worth $4.87MM.
Sermon spent his first three years of college at Oklahoma, including a breakout 2018 campaign where he finished with 1,128 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. He had a fraction of the carries in 2019, leading to his transfer to Ohio State as a graduate student. During his lone season with the Buckeyes in 2020, Sermon ran for 870 yards and four scores on 116 carries.
The running back improved his draft stock with a standout postseason performance. He had an incredible game against Northwestern during the Big Ten Championship, setting a single-game school record with 331 rushing yards. He added another 254 yards from scrimmage in the Sugar Bowl, but he was knocked out of the National Championship after getting injured on the first play.
The 49ers ended up selecting the 22-year-old with the No. 88 pick in this year’s draft. An injury to Jeff Wilson could open some temporary playing time for the rookie, although he’ll likely find himself behind at least veterans Wayne Gallman and Raheem Mostert to start the season.
With the signing, the 49ers only have two unsigned draft picks: quarterback Trey Lance (1.3) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (3.102).
Cardinals Waive OL Lamont Gaillard
Lamont Gaillard‘s stint in Arizona has come to an end. The Cardinals waived the center today, according to veteran reporter Howard Balzer. The move will save the organization about $800K in 2021 and $900K in 2022.
The 2019 sixth-round pick out of Georgia didn’t appear in a single game during his rookie season, but he was able to secure a role on the 2020 squad. Gaillard ultimately saw time in 13 games with two starts, appearing in 19-percent of his team’s offensive snaps. The 25-year-old also appeared in 16-percent of his team’s special teams snaps.
The Cardinals have completely revamped their center position this offseason. The team acquired Rodney Hudson in a trade with the Raiders, and that ultimately led to the trade of former starter Mason Cole, who was dealt to the Vikings. Gaillard would have been competing for the same rotational/backup spot in 2021, but seventh-round rookie Michal Menet will now have the inside track at the gig.
As Balzer notes, the team could still be in the market for another center. The Cardinals are currently rostering only 14 offensive lineman, a modest number for training camp.
Steelers LB Vince Williams Announces Retirement
Vince Williams is calling it a career. The Steelers linebacker announced his retirement today, per an announcement from the organization.
“Vince Williams notified us today that he will retire from the game of football,” said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. “We respect his decision and want to thank him for his time with us as he consistently showed great character and leadership in addition to his contributions on the field. We wish Vince and his family all the best.”
The 2013 sixth-round pick spent his entire career in Pittsburgh, appearing in 121 games. Williams will retire having collected 479 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, and 45 QB hits, a mark that ranks 11th in franchise history. The linebacker also saw time in eight playoff games for the Steelers, collecting 26 tackles.
The 31-year-old continued to produce in 2020, compiling 70 tackles, three sacks, and a career-high 14 tackles for loss in 14 starts. The organization cut the veteran early in the offseason, saving the team $4MM against the cap. Williams later re-signed with the team, inking a one-year deal worth just over $1MM.
Williams was likely going to find himself behind Devin Bush and Robert Spillane at middle linebacker (per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic on Twitter), but he was still going to see plenty of playing time. With the veteran out of the picture, the team could now turn to the likes of Buddy Johnson or Ulysees Gilbert.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/21/21
We’ll keep track of today’s later round signings here:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OL Quinn Meinerz (third round, Whitewater)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OL Robert Hainsey (third round, Notre Dame)
Ravens Sign Brandon Stephens, Wrap Draft Class
That’s a wrap. On Wednesday, the Ravens inked third-round defensive back Brandon Stephens to his rookie deal. With Stephens taken care of, the Ravens now have their entire 2021 draft class in the fold.
Stephens began his collegiate career as a running back at UCLA. Then, he transferred to SMU, switched to the secondary, and put himself on the NFL’s radar. Last year, Stephens notched ten passes defensed to lead the American Athletic Conference and also came away with one interception. Between ’19 and ’20, he batted down 22 passes in total, showing the length and coverage skills needed to make it at the next level.
Stephens spent most of his time on campus as a cornerback, but the Ravens believe that he can play both corner and safety. As the No. 104 pick, he’s slotted for a four-year, $4.8MM deal. That sum includes an $840K signing bonus with escalating salaries from now through 2024.
With less than a week to go before rookies report for duty, here’s the full recap of the Ravens’ 2021 class:
- Round 1: No. 27 Rashod Bateman, WR (Minnesota) (signed)
- Round 1: No. 31 (from Chiefs) Jayson Oweh, DE (Penn State)
- Round 3: No. 94 (from Chiefs) Ben Cleveland, G (Georgia)
- Round 3: No. 104 Brandon Stephens, CB (SMU)
- Round 4: No. 131 Tylan Wallace, WR (Oklahoma State) (signed)
- Round 5: No. 160 (from Cardinals) Shaun Wade, CB (Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5: No. 171 Daelin Hayes, LB (Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 5: No. 184 Ben Mason, FB (Michigan) (signed)
Patriots Sign Christian Barmore
The Patriots have inked defensive tackle Christian Barmore, per a club announcement. As the No. 38 overall pick, Barmore will earn $8.5MM on his four-year contract. 
Barmore skipped two years of Alabama eligibility to go pro, joining fellow underclassmen Jaylen Waddle, Patrick Surtain II, and Mac Jones in the 2021 NFL Draft pool. After taking Jones in Round 1, the Pats shipped pick Nos. 46, 122 and 139 to the Bengals for No. 38, where they grabbed Barmore.
Barmore, the defensive MVP of the National Championship Game, notched 37 tackles, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles last year. He finished 2020 as Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked interior lineman in college and seemed to be on track for the first round. For one reason or another, he slipped, leading him to Bill Belichick & Co. in the second round.
With Barmore in the fold, the Patriots now have their entire 2021 draft class signed. Here’s the full breakdown:
- Round 1: No. 15 Mac Jones, QB (Alabama)
- Round 2: No. 38 (from Bengals) Christian Barmore, DT (Alabama)
- Round 3: No. 96 Ronnie Perkins, DE (Oklahoma)
- Round 4: No. 120 (from Cardinals through Texans) Rhamondre Stevenson, RB (Oklahoma)
- Round 5: No. 177 Cameron McGrone, LB (Michigan)
- Round 6: No. 188 (from Texans) Joshuah Bledsoe, S (Missouri)
- Round 6. No. 197 William Sherman, OT (Colorado)
- Round 7: No. 242 Tre Nixon, WR (Central Florida)