More Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/19
Here’s the latest round of minor moves from around the NFL (For this morning’s minor moves, click here.):
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Tyler Sigler
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Moral Stephens
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Tom Kennedy, WR Jordan Smallwood
- Waived: TE Nate Becker, TE Donald Parham
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Xavier Woodson-Luster
- Waived: LB Chase Middleton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Cyril Grayson
Steelers Sign Devin Bush
The Steelers made an uncharacteristically aggressive jump in the first round of last month’s draft, trading up from No. 20 to No. 10 to select Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. Today, they signed Bush to his rookie contract, as Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter). It will be a four-year, $18.8MM deal (all guaranteed), with a fifth-year option for 2023.
In addition to their No. 20 overall selection, Pittsburgh shipped the No. 52 overall pick in the 2019 draft plus a 2020 third-rounder to Denver. But Bush’s talent could more than justify that type of gamble, as he will immediately slide into the Steelers’ starting lineup as an inside ‘backer.
Bush is a three-down player who has shown an ability to thrive in both man-to-man and zone coverage, and he also flashed some pass-rushing prowess during his tenure at Michigan. He finished his final collegiate season with 41 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks.
The Steelers have found it difficult to replace Ryan Shazier‘s presence in the middle of their front seven since Shazier’s devastating injury towards the end of the 2017 campaign, and Bush should be able to replicate, or even exceed, Shazier’s production. He doesn’t turn 21 until July 18, and Pittsburgh has every reason to believe it may have found the next great Steel City defender.
With Bush’s signing, third-round CB Justin Layne is the only member of the Steelers’ nine-man draft class who has yet to ink his rookie deal.
Dolphins Sign Mark Walton
The Dolphins auditioned running back Mark Walton several days ago, and they apparently liked what they saw. Per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Miami has given Walton a contract.
The Bengals cut Walton in April after he was arrested for the third time in three months. But Cincinnati used a fourth-round pick on Walton in 2018, so even if he faces a suspension of some sort for his legal troubles, the rebuilding Dolphins — who don’t need Walton to contribute right away — may have found good value.
Assuming Walton sticks around, he should have an opportunity to carve out a role in Miami’s backfield along with Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage. He tallied just 34 yards off of 14 carries as a rookie, but he rattled off 1,100 yards and scored 14 TDs as a sophomore with the Hurricanes, which offers a glimpse of his potential.
In addition to Walton, the Dolphins have also signed fellow tryout players CB Jamar Summers and C Kirk Barron.
Eagles To Sign Cody Kessler
The Eagles are expected to sign quarterback Cody Kessler tomorrow, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Kessler joins 2019 fifth-round pick Clayton Thorson and former AAF signal-caller Luis Perez as new additions to Philadelphia’s QB room.
The Eagles strongly believe that a team can never have enough opportunities to develop a quarterback with talent, and the team’s acquisitions this offseason are certainly in line with that philosophy. Carson Wentz is obviously the first-string signal-caller — though he has dealt with serious concerns over the past two years — and the team has long been high on current backup Nate Sudfeld.
But Sudfeld has only attempted 25 passes in his professional career, and Kessler could theoretically push him for the No. 2 job. Or, if Wentz’s recovery doesn’t go as hoped, Kessler could even compete for the interim starting gig. At the very least, he and Thorson could battle it out for a role as the team’s third-string signal-caller.
Kessler, whom the Browns selected in the third round of the 2016 draft, has compiled an unattractive 2-10 record as a starting QB in his career, but he hasn’t exactly been in environment that are conducive to winning. Cleveland traded Kessler to the Jaguars last March in exchange for a conditional seventh-rounder, and Kessler ultimately appeared in five games (four starts) for Jacksonville. He went 2-2 and completed 64.9% of his passes with two TDs and two interceptions en route to a modest 77.4 QB rating.
The Jaguars cut Kessler just a few days ago.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/19
Here are today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WRs Tom Kennedy, Jordan Smallwood
- Waived: TEs Nate Becker, Donald Parham
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Charles Jones, CB Jocquez Kalili, TE Michael Colubiale
- Waived: TE Carson Meier, CB Marquez Sanford, WR Papi White
- Waived/injured: S Cody Brown, DT Roderick Young
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S D’Cota Dixon
Kennedy is an interesting story, as he was taken in the third round of last year’s Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Boston Cannons, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. He appeared in six games for the Cannons while also suiting up at wide receiver for Bryant University. Despite only playing two years of football at Bryant, Kennedy is eighth in school history in catches and receiving yards, and he posted 57 receptions for 888 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017. He missed four games due to injury in 2018, but he still finished with 33 catches for 410 yards and a touchdown.
Jets Sign Jachai Polite
The Jets have signed third-round draft choice Jachai Polite, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). That leaves only No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams and fellow third-rounder Chuma Edoga left unsigned from Gang Green’s 2019 class.
Polite will be an interesting story to follow, as the Florida product is a player who once had first-round buzz but who slipped after bombing at the combine. Polite also saw his stock plummet thanks to rumblings about his work ethic and unwillingness to do what was asked of him by coaches, and he was battling hamstring issues as of last month.
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, though, seems to think his coaching staff can maximize Polite’s potential. Maccagnan said after the draft, “We know some of the risk in [Polite]. We also think there are some very good qualities about him.”
And New York could certainly use Polite’s pass rushing ability. Polite racked up 11 sacks during his final season with the Gators, and the Jets finished in the middle of the pack last year with 39 quarterback takedowns.
Polite joins a revamped front seven that includes Williams — viewed as perhaps the best overall player in the 2019 draft — and C.J. Mosley. The team also re-upped 2018 breakout performer Henry Anderson.
Per the CBA slotting system for rookies, Polite’s deal will be a four-year pact worth a total of $3.6MM. It includes a $1.1MM signing bonus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/19
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Tony Brooks-James (Oregon)
- Waived/injured: RB Jeremy Langford
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Josh Moon (Georgia Southern), OL Jordan Agasiva (Utah)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Spencer Schnell (Illinois State), DE David Kenney, OL Riley Mayfield (North Texas)
With the exception of Kenney, all players signed were undrafted rookies who were inked to deals after participating in their respective teams’ rookie minicamps. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network tweeted a cool story about Schnell, who’s late father Dave briefly played for the Bills. Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets that Schnell was impressive during minicamp, and that he’ll “get a look” returning kicks in addition to his receiving work.
Langford initially looked promising after entering the league as a fourth round pick of the Bears back in 2015. He opened the 2016 season as Chicago’s starting running back, but he’s struggled with injuries and turned into a journeyman ever since. Drafted only a few years ago, the Falcons were already the fifth stop of his career. He only appeared in one game for the Falcons last year, rushing nine times for 25 yards.
Giants, Mike Remmers Agree To Deal
The Giants will add a possible right tackle solution. Following two visits this offseason, Remmers intends to sign with the Giants, according to his agent (Twitter link).
Remmers’ agent, Brett Tessler, indeed confirmed the Giants are signing Remmers with the intent of using him as a right tackle. The Vikings initially stationed Remmers at that spot, during part of their 2017 NFC championship game-qualifying season, but played him exclusively at right guard last season. A former Dave Gettleman addition in Carolina, Remmers will attempt to resurface as a steady right tackle option in New York.
After trading for Kevin Zeitler, the Giants were linked for several weeks to veteran right tackles. They had trouble staffing that position last season, moving from failed first-round pick Ereck Flowers to former UDFA Chad Wheeler. Gettleman has voiced a continued desire to upgrade the Giants’ offensive front, and after 2018 brought Nate Solder and Will Hernandez into the fold, Big Blue now has two more veterans — in Zeitler and Remmers — in its projected lineup.
Remmers, 30, did not grade especially well on an embattled Vikings front last season — which preceded a Vikings release. But he started 16 games and has proven durable since becoming a full-timer in 2015. He manned Minnesota’s right edge to start 2017 but was moved inside during the season. Remembered for his struggles against Von Miller in Super Bowl 50, Remmers nonetheless will bring 59 games’ worth of starting experience to the Giants’ O-line.
While some of Gettleman’s personnel moves have been hotly debated, the Giants undoubtedly feature a much better offensive line compared to when the 67-year-old GM took over.
Chargers Sign Four Draft Picks
The Chargers inked half of their draft class to contracts this morning. The team announced (via Twitter) that they’ve signed four rookies:
- 4-130: Drue Tranquill, LB (Notre Dame)
- 5-166: Easton Stick, QB (North Dakota State)
- 6-200: Emeke Egbule, LB (Houston)
- 7-242: Cortez Broughton, DT (Cincinnati)
Tranquill has the best shot of establishing a role with the Chargers in 2019. While Los Angeles did add free agent Thomas Davis, the team is only rostering 11 linebackers at the moment (not including undrafted rookies). Plus, Tranquill previously played safety in college, and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will surely look for creative ways to capitalize on the rookie’s versatility. The Notre Dame product finished the 2018 season having compiled 86 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Egbule should also have a chance to rise up the linebackers depth chart. At the very least, the sixth-rounder out of Houston should contribute on special teams, and his speed will put him in position for plenty of tackles. Egbule wrapped up his collegiate career with 69 tackles and two sacks.
Stick is another intriguing prospect, but mostly because of his position. Philip Rivers and Tyrod Taylor will start the season atop the Chargers’ depth chart, but Stick will have an opportunity to compete with Cardale Jones for that third spot. Last season, Stick completed a career-high 62.3-percent of his passes for 2,752 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also added another 677 rushing yards.
Bengals Waive LB Brandon Bell
Brandon Bell‘s tenure with the Bengals has come to an end. ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reports (via Twitter) that the organization has waived the linebacker. Cincy also cut wideout Charles Holland, and they’ve added a trio of undrafted tryout players: wideout Ventell Bryant (Temple), linebacker Noah Dawkins (The Citadel), and linebacker Sterling Sheffield (Maine).
Bell joined the Bengals as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State back in 2017, and he proceeded to appear in nine games for Cincy over his two years with the organization. He appeared in a career-high six games this past season, compiling four tackles. The 24-year-old was waived last offseason before landing on the team’s practice squad, so there could still be some hope that Bell will rejoin the organization.
Holland was one of three undrafted wideouts to join the Bengals earlier this week. The Tiffin product had another productive season in 2018, hauling in 77 receptions for 976 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Bryant will seemingly be taking Holland’s spot on the roster. The Temple product had another standout season in 2018, compiling 51 receptions for 690 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, the Bengals brought in a pair of linebackers to replace Bell. Dawkins set a school record with 23 sacks in 2018, while Sheffield completed his senior season with 8.5 sacks.