Saints Sign LB Josh Martin
The Saints have signed linebacker Josh Martin, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Martin, 27, spent most of last year on injured reserve with the Jets after suffering a concussion in Week Four. He has also spent time with the Chiefs, Bucs, and Colts.
Martin was placed on IR in early October after suffering his second concussion in five weeks. After he missed eight weeks of action, the Jets had the option of bringing him back, but chose to keep him sidelined once they were clearly out of playoff contention. In theory, the Jets’ lackluster pass rush could have used him.
Martin profiles as a depth option and special teams player for New Orleans.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/19
Here are today’s minor moves, which feature a few recognizable names:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR/RS Jaydon Mickens, G Norman Price, DL Bijhon Jackson
- Waived: RB Elijah Hood, G Ian Silberman, DT Elijah Qualls
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: QB Taryn Christion
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Daniel Munyer, RB Aca’Cedric Ware
- Waived: DE Dadi Nicolas, G Nico Siragusa
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: TE Neal Sterling
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Derrick Gore
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: LB Jayrone Elliott
New York Giants
- Claimed: WR Da’Mari Scott
- Released: CB Tony Lippett
- Signed: TE Isaiah Searight
- Waived: TE Eric Dungey
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Temuchin Hodges (formerly known as Bucky Hodges)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Damontre Moore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE Troy Niklas
- Waived: WR Xavier Ubosi
Titans, Kevin Byard Agree To Extension
Kevin Byard is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Titans and Byard have agreed to a five-year, $70.5MM deal that includes $31MM in guaranteed money (Twitter link).
The $14.1MM AAV edges out the $14MM/year pacts signed by Landon Collins and Tyrann Mathieu earlier this year, but no one is faulting Tennessee for throwing a lot of money at Byard. A product of Middle Tennessee State, Byard wasn’t invited to the combine in 2016, and at least one prominent NFL talent evaluator gave him a sixth- to seventh-round grade. Now, however, he is widely regarded as one of the best safeties in the game, and he has been paid accordingly.
The Titans went against the grain by selecting Byard with the first pick in the third round of the 2016 draft, and he became a starter midway though his rookie campaign. He hasn’t looked back, as he earned a First Team All-Pro bid in his second professional season — which featured a league-leading eight interceptions — and was excellent again in 2018. Though he did not make it back to the Pro Bowl last year, the advanced metrics were still quite fond of his work and lauded him for his coverage as well as his run defense. He added another four picks, two sacks, and 90 tackles to his resume.
Byard was set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and he would have headlined a fairly weak FA safety class. In theory, the Titans could have put the franchise tag on him if they did not agree with Byard’s asking price, but they (probably rightly) elected to avoid the drama and take care of business.
Interestingly, Byard has the same agent (David Mulugheta) as Collins and Earl Thomas, who signed a hefty deal of his own back in March. Mulugheta has been instrumental in helping to rekindle a formerly stagnant safety market, and perhaps other safeties who have struggled to find jobs/market value contracts may be inclined to give him a call.
Our own Dallas Robinson profiled Byard as an extension candidate just two weeks ago, and he hit the nail on the head in terms of predicted AAV and guaranteed money.
Vikings Claim RB De’Angelo Henderson
Shortly after cutting ties with suspended running back Roc Thomas, the Vikings added a possible depth piece off waivers. The Vikings claimed De’Angelo Henderson off waivers from the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In a corresponding move, the club released safety Micah Abernathy.
A former Broncos sixth-round draft choice in 2017, Henderson made it just past the midway point on the waiver wire. He will join a Vikings team that has third-year player C.J. Ham and third-round rookie Alexander Mattison in place behind Dalvin Cook.
After setting an NCAA Division I record by recording a rushing touchdown in 35 consecutive games, Henderson could not stick with the Broncos last year. Denver’s additions of Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman led Henderson to New York. Between his time with the Jets and Broncos, the 5-foot-7 back has taken just nine regular-season handoffs.
Mike Zimmer said recently Ham may be the favorite to begin as Minnesota’s complementary back behind Cook, with Mattison learning the ropes as a pass protector in the meantime. Henderson figures to be competing for a spot behind that duo, should the Vikings keep four backs.
Cardinals Sign OLB Matt Longacre
Matt Longacre‘s stay in free agency ended Wednesday, with the Cardinals reaching an agreement to sign the former Rams edge defender. The team announced the deal.
The latest veteran edge player to sign with the Cards this offseason, Longacre will head to the desert after news of another one of those acquisitions — Brooks Reed — beginning camp on the active/PUP list. Reed has battled a hip injury this offseason. Longacre, who is four years younger than Reed, figures to compete for a depth spot behind Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs.
The Rams used Longacre, 27, as both a starter and a reserve. The former Division II star started one game in his first three seasons but seven in 2018, after the Rams went with a lower-profile edge corps to start the season. After a 5.5-sack 2017, Longacre registered one last season. He did play in each of the Rams’ playoff games and visited the Ravens this offseason; Baltimore opted for Shane Ray and Pernell McPhee.
Reed signed for $1.6MM, helping his case to stick on Arizona’s 53-man roster. Longacre joins a cast of aspiring backups, including Vontarrius Dora, Cameron Malveaux and Pita Taumoepenu. Dora played for the Broncos under new Cardinals DC Vance Joseph.
Seahawks, DT Earl Mitchell Agree To Deal
After a methodical approach to defensive line upgrades this offseason, the Seahawks moved quickly this week. Jarran Reed‘s suspension prompted the team to revisit Earl Mitchell, who agreed to terms Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
Mitchell was one of a few defensive tackles to visit Seattle this offseason, making his trip in March. The team passed at that point and did the same after Corey Liuget paid a visit in April. The Seahawks opted for Al Woods, who joined Liuget on that visit. Now, the team — the only one connected to Mitchell this offseason — will employ both Woods and Mitchell.
News of Reed’s six-game ban led the Seahawks to pursue outside help, and Mitchell will join Woods, Poona Ford, Quinton Jefferson and Jamie Meder as key Seattle interior linemen. Mitchell, 31, has started for three teams in a nine-year career. Most recently, he worked as a first-stringer for the 49ers, joining their crew of first-round defensive line investments. Mitchell has started 66 games for the Texans, Dolphins and 49ers.
After failing to find a trade partner, the 49ers released Mitchell just before free agency. He spent four seasons in Houston, three in Miami and will likely serve as a lower-cost option for a Seahawks team that will be without Reed (10.5 sacks in 2018) for six games.
In addition to the Mitchell signing, Seattle also signed WR Daniel Williams. To make room, the club waived RB Marcelias Sutton and CB Derrek Thomas.
Saints To Sign DT Ziggy Hood
The Saints are making a move to address a sudden hole on the interior of their defensive line. The team is signing veteran defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link).
David Onyemata was slapped with a one game suspension last month, which left the Saints a bit thin at defensive tackle. Stud tackle Sheldon Rankins tore his Achilles in the playoffs last year, and isn’t expected to be ready for the start of the season. With Onyematta sidelined for the first game, the Saints were going to need some defensive tackle help for Week 1.
Hood was the 32nd overall pick of the Steelers all the way back in 2009. He’s bounced around ever since, spending time with five different teams. Hood was a starter for the Redskins in 2016 and 2017, but was relegated to a backup role last season. He was then cut in October, but got swooped up by the Dolphins not long after. This is the first we’ve heard of him all offseason, and he didn’t draw much known interest on the open market.
Hood is 32 now, and ideally the Saints won’t count on him for too much. In his lengthy career, he has 141 appearances and 73 starts under his belt. He’s always been primarily used as a run-stuffer, entering the 2019 campaign with 235 career tackles and 14 sacks.
Patriots To Sign TE Lance Kendricks
The Patriots have signed tight end Lance Kendricks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Kendricks, they hope, will help to fill the void after Rob Gronkowski‘s retirement. 
Kendricks, of course, is not as accomplished as Gronk, though no other tight end in the NFL can make that claim. However, Kendricks did have 19 catches for the Packers last year and offers the experience of 125 career games for the Rams and Packers.
Kendricks’ best recent season came in 2016 when he hauled in 50 catches for 499 yards and two touchdowns for L.A. Earlier in his career, he had a 42/519/4 campaign for St. Louis as an NFL sophomore.
In addition to Kendricks, the Pats have Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Andrew Beck, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo, and Jakob Johnson at tight end. With Watson set to start the year on suspension, LaCosse may open the year as the club’s No. 1 tight end, unless Kendricks has something to say about it in the coming weeks.
Packers Release Mike Daniels
The Packers have released Mike Daniels, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Given his Pro Bowl resume, the move comes as a total surprise. 
Daniels was due $8.1MM this season in base salary and roster bonuses, which was apparently too rich for Green Bay’s blood. By cutting Daniels, the Packers will save $8.3MM versus $2.4MM in dead money.
The Packers explored a Daniels trade, but couldn’t find a suitable deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Garafolo suggests that the Browns, with all their former Packers connections, are likely to take a look at Daniels after trying, and failing, to sign Gerald McCoy earlier this year.
The Packers extended Daniels via four-year, $41MM contract during the 2015 season. For the most part, the deal has paid off. Daniels earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2017, though he was less productive in 2018 before ultimately landing on IR in December with a foot injury.
In his Pro Bowl campaign, Daniels notched five sacks and 49 tackles across 14 games. Last year, he had two sacks and 18 tackles in ten contests.
Daniels is now free to sign with any club. His preference is to sign with a Super Bowl contender, Schefter hears (on Twitter).
Panthers Sign Brian Burns
It’s a done deal. On Wednesday, the Panthers agreed to terms with No. 16 overall pick Brian Burns, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). With that Burns, will report on time and partake in activities on Wednesday. 
Burns, a Florida State product, saved his best for last. In 2018, Burns registered ten sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss, and 52 total stops. In the eyes of the Panthers and at least one other team, he was the best pass rusher left on the board in the middle of the first round.
Here’s the full recap of the Panthers’ 2019 draft class, via PFR’s tracker:
- 1-16: Brian Burns, DE (Florida State): Signed
- 2-37: Greg Little, T (Ole Miss): Signed
- 3-100: Will Grier, QB (West Virginia): Signed
- 4-115: Christian Miller, LB (Alabama): Signed
- 5-154: Jordan Scarlett, RB (Florida): Signed
- 6-212: Dennis Daley, T (South Carolina): Signed
- 7-237: Terry Godwin, WR (Georgia): Signed
With Burns under contract, there are only two first-round picks unsigned: No. 2 overall choice Nick Bosa (49ers) and No. 3 pick Quinnen Williams (Jets).