Draft Pick Signings: 4/30/19
The first 2019 draft pick signing commenced Tuesday. Only 253 to go.
- The 49ers signed their fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall), punter Mitch Wishnowsky, to the CBA-mandated four-year contract. Wishnowsky was the first specialist chosen in this year’s draft. Ranking second in Division I-FBS with a 47.7-yard punting average, the Utah alum earned second-team All-America honors last season. However, Wishnowsky broke into football late; this will be the Australia native’s age-27 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/19
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Marcus Baugh (AAF), TE Cole Hunt (AAF)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers from 49ers: LB James Onwualu
New York Giants
- Waived: T Jylan Ware
Oakland Raiders
- Waived: RB James Butler, LB Cayson Collins, WR Rashard Davis, G/C Cameron Hunt, WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers from 49ers: S Godwin Igwebuike
Washington Redskins
- Waived: DB Alex Carter, G Kyle Fuller, T Darius James, WR Tre McBride, DB Harlan Miller, OL Salesi Uhatafe
Redskins Sign 8 Undrafted Free Agents
Joining some other teams in announcing their UDFA hauls Tuesday, the Redskins added eight priority free agents to their roster. Here is the octet:
- Ryan Bee, DL (Marshall)
- B.J. Blunt, LB (McNeese State)
- Juwann Bushell-Beatty, T (Michigan)
- Elkanah Dillon, TE (Oregon)
- JoJo McIntosh, S (Washington)
- Chidi Okeke, T (Tennessee State)
- T.J. Rahming, WR (Duke)
- Steven Sims, WR (Kansas)
After the Rams added Daniel Jones‘ second-leading receiver as a UDFA, the Redskins agreed to terms with Duke’s top target from 2018. Rahming led the Blue Devils in receiving, by considerable margins, from 2016-18. The 5-foot-9 wideout totaled 2,919 yards and 13 touchdowns as a four-year contributor in David Cutcliffe’s offense. He and Sims join Terry McLaurin (Round 3) and Kelvin Harmon (Round 6) as Washington’s wideout pickups this offseason.
Washington added both a guard and a center in the draft, but Bushell-Beatty and Okeke represent the team’s top tackle additions this year. The Redskins signed former first-round tackle Ereck Flowers but plan to convert the thus-far-underwhelming blocker to guard. Swing tackle Ty Nsekhe departed as a free agent. Trent Williams and Morgan Moses remain atop the depth chart, but Washington’s offensive line has been one of the most injury-ravaged units in the league over the past two seasons.
Cowboys Add 13 UDFAs
The Cowboys announced their 13-man UDFA group Tuesday. One familiar-looking name appears on this list. Here is the full contingent:
- Larry Allen Jr., OL (Harvard)
- Andrew Dowell, LB (Michigan State)
- Luke Gifford, LB (Nebraska)
- Jalen Guyton, WR (North Texas)
- Nate Hall, LB (Northwestern)
- Mitch Hyatt, T (Clemson)
- Jon’Vea Johnson, WR (Toledo)
- Brandon Knight, T (Indiana)
- Justin Phillips, LB (Oklahoma State)
- Derrick Puni, T (Central Missouri)
- Ricky Walker, DE (Virginia Tech)
- Chris Westry, CB (Kentucky)
- Daniel Wise, DE (Kansas)
Allen is indeed the son of Hall of Fame Cowboy Larry Allen. Like his father, Larry Allen Jr. primarily works as a guard. He earned first-team All-Ivy League honors twice. While Clemson’s defensive line received the draft attention, Hyatt was a two-time first-team All-American.
The younger brother of Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, Daniel Wise was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 player. Westry stands 6-foot-4, making him a natural fit for Kris Richard‘s scheme. One of three linebackers in this group, Phillips led Oklahoma State in tackles last season. Dowell was among the Big Ten’s 2018 tackle leaders, registering 97 with the Spartans as a senior.
Broncos Sign 17 UDFAs
The Broncos UDFA list is up to 17 players, and it now officially includes quarterback Brett Rypien, whom the club agreed to sign several days ago. Today, Denver waived Garrett Grayson to make room for Rypien. Here’s the updated list (Mike Klis of 9News.com passes along the signing bonuses for all of the players for whom that information is available).
- George Aston, FB (Pittsburgh)
- Quinn Bailey, OL (Arizona State)
- Trinity Benson, WR (East Central)
- Ryan Crozier, OL (Connecticut)
- Joe Dineen, LB (Kansas)
- Austin Fort, TE (Wyoming)
- Ahmad Gooden, DL (Samford)
- Romel Guerrier, WR (Florida Tech)
- Alijah Holder, CB (Stanford)
- Devontae Jackson, RB (West Georgia)
- Jaylen Johnson, DL (Washington)
- John Leglue, OL (Tulane)
- Kelvin McKnight, WR (Samford)
- Malik Reed, LB (Nevada)
- Brett Rypien, QB (Boise State)
- Brian Wallace, OL (Arkansas)
- Josh Watson, LB (Colorado State)
The Broncos have been consistent in identifying UDFA talent during John Elway‘s tenure, with Chris Harris becoming a perennial Pro Bowler and C.J. Anderson and Phillip Lindsay each making the Pro Bowl during their initial years as starters.
Lindsay’s late-season injury may create a chance for Jackson, who rushed for 1,385 yards and 12 touchdowns last season at the Division II school. The 5-foot-7 ball carrier will give the Broncos a two-Devontae running back room, with Devontae Booker entering a contract year.
Denver lost two offensive linemen in free agency and only drafted one, Dalton Risner, pointing to an opportunity for its quartet of UDFA blockers.
Rams Sign 19 Undrafted Free Agents
Two days after the draft’s conclusion, the Rams finalized their undrafted free agent list. Here are the 14 rookies that will comprise the defending NFC champions’ priority free agent contingent:
- Alex Bachman, WR (Wake Forest)
- Kendall Blanton, TE (Missouri)
- Chandler Brewer, G (Middle Tennessee)
- Romello Brooker, TE (Houston)
- Keenan Brown, TE (Texas State)
- Matthew Colburn, RB (Wake Forest)
- Marquise Copeland, DT (Cincinnati)
- Landis Durham, LB (Texas A&M)
- Brandon Hitner, G (Villanova)
- Vitas Hrynkiewicz, C (Youngstown State)
- Matt Kaskey, OL (Dartmouth)
- Johnathan Lloyd, WR (Duke)
- Natrez Patrick, LB (Georgia)
- Justice Powers, OL (UAB)
- Troy Reeder, LB (Delaware)
- Owen Roberts, DT (San Jose State)
- Justin Sumpter, WR (Kennesaw State)
- Tyrell Thompson, DT (Tarleton State)
- Nsimba Webster, WR (Eastern Washington)
The Rams did not use a draft choice on a tight end and have the same group they featured last season, one fronted by Tyler Higbee and 2018 second-rounder Gerald Everett. Third-year UDFA Johnny Mundt is also on Los Angeles’ roster at tight end. Neither Blanton nor Brooker exceeded 500 yards in their respective careers. Brown transferred to Texas State from Oklahoma State, and after being a bit part of the Cowboys’ passing attack, his 2018 numbers at the Sun Belt program — 51 receptions, 577 yards, five touchdown catches — were among the best of Division I-FBS tight ends last season.
Lloyd served as one of Daniel Jones’ top Blue Devils targets, going for 604 yards and five touchdown receptions last season. Sumpter led the Division I-FCS team in receiving in each of his final two seasons, posting 610 as a junior in 2017.
Titans Claim LB Riley Bullough
Shortly after the draft, the Buccaneers waived multiyear contributor Riley Bullough. The Titans will now see what the linebacker can do under their watch.
Tennessee submitted a successful waiver claim on the young linebacker on Tuesday. Bullough will now head to Nashville.
A 2017 UDFA who became a fan favorite on Hard Knocks that summer, Bullough made his way into Tampa Bay’s starting lineup in 2018. He was a first-stringer in three games last season. The Michigan State product started in three games and played in nine as an NFL sophomore. But he’s been mostly a special teams cog, having made just 15 career tackles in 12 games.
The Bucs waived Bullough with an injury designation prior to the 2018 regular season but brought him back in October. After waiving him again this year, they will not have an immediate chance to re-sign him.
The Titans closed their six-player draft with two linebackers — D’Andre Walker and David Long Jr., respectively chosen in the fifth and sixth rounds — but did not sign any veteran free agents at this spot.
Vikings To Decline Treadwell’s Option
The Vikings are not expected to pick up the fifth-year option for wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). The Vikings technically have until the Friday deadline to make the call, but barring a change in thinking, Treadwell will be on course for free agency after the 2019 season. 
The 2020 option for Treadwell would have called for a $10.162MM salary. Although it would have been guaranteed for injury only, it was a risk that the front office was unwilling to take. Treadwell, 24 in June, has done little to justify his selection at No. 23 overall in 2016. Last year, he had 35 catches for 302 yards and one touchdown, and that was his most productive season to date.
In fact, Treadwell profiles as a trade candidate after a series of costly mistakes in 2018. The Vikings probably won’t get much for him, but there are likely evaluators out there who feel that they can harness the talent he displayed just three years ago.
In 2016, Treadwell, was widely projected as a top-15 pick before a slow 40-yard dash time and other concerns about his game hurt his draft stock. Still, the Chiefs and other clubs were targeting him in the lower-third of the first round before the Vikings snatched him.
Jamaal Charles Retires From NFL
Jamaal Charles is calling it a career. The running back will sign a one-day contract in order to officially leave the game as a member of the Chiefs, according to 610 Sports Radio (Twitter link). 
Way back in October, Charles indicated that he was likely done with football. But, days later, he auditioned for the Ravens, leaving some question as to whether he would follow through on retirement. Months later, Charles has arrived at a decision – he’s done for good.
In his prime, Charles was one of the NFL’s most electrifying running backs. When he was young, healthy, and a member of the Chiefs, he had some brilliant seasons, including a 2010 campaign in which he ran for 1,467 yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Unfortunately, time is not kind to running backs, and he has not topped 1,000 yards since the 2014 season due to aging and injuries.
The Chiefs’ all-time rushing leader attempted to reignite his career with the Broncos in 2017 and again with the Jaguars in 2018. He wasn’t the same player, but it’s worth noting that he managed a 4.3 yards per carry average with Denver in a limited sample size of 69 attempts.
Charles will leave the game at the age of 32, presumably with enough money to do whatever he wants. We here at PFR wish Charles the best in retirement.
Broncos To Sign QB Brett Rypien
The Broncos are set to sign quarterback Brett Rypien, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (on Twitter). The Boise State product went undrafted last week, but there was a ripe market for his services. 
The Broncos are giving Rypien a “six-figure guarantee,” according to Jhabvala, which would give him one of the most lucrative signing bonuses of any UDFA.
With the signing, the Broncos’ quarterback room just got a bit more crowded. Already, Joe Flacco may be feeling some heat from second-round pick Drew Lock, and the club also has journeymen Kevin Hogan and Garrett Grayson on the depth chart.
Rypien completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,705 yards in his final collegiate season. He also threw for 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.
Rypien has been lauded for his intangibles, but many NFL evaluators wonder if he has the arm to compete at the NFL level. His 9-inch hand measurement at the combine also didn’t do him any favors.