Titans’ First-Round WR Carnell Tate Signs Rookie Deal
Having wrapped up the signings of their late-round picks, the Titans turned their attention to their top overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tennessee has reached an agreement with Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate on his rookie four-year deal worth $51.13MM. The No. 4 overall pick reportedly received a $33.65MM signing bonus on his fully guaranteed agreement.
Tate started his career with the Buckeyes coming off the bench as a true freshman, earning his first start in the team’s bowl game. As a full-time starter in Year 2, Tate finished third in all three major receiving stats, behind then-freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith and future first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, en route to a national championship title. In his final year of collegiate play, Tate finished second behind Smith with career highs in receiving yards (875) and touchdowns (9).
It was thought that the Titans would grab a pass rusher, if one of the top two slipped past Arizona, but when the Cardinals took the running back many predicted would end up in Tennessee, the team surprised by taking Tate. Opting to secure another new weapon for their No. 1 overall pick from last year’s draft, the Titans landed an athlete proficient in multiple areas.
With deceptive speed, Tate showed deep ball potential with nine catches of 40+ yards. Despite the fact that he routinely found the end zone from far out — his nine touchdown catches averaged 32.5 yards per reception — Tate’s size and length also make him a formidable redzone target. In 14 contested targets, Tate came down with 12 catches. He’s a savvy route runner, too. The only questions following him to the NFL have to do with his ability to play across the middle of the defense — something he was not asked to do much in Columbus — and whether he can produce as a main target as he finally steps out from Smith’s shadow.
Tate joins an impressively re-tooled passing attack in Tennessee. The Titans signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Daniel Bellinger in free agency to team up with last year’s impressive rookie pass catchers Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, and tight end Gunnar Helm. Quarterback Cam Ward has a much-improved group that expects to see Tate starting alongside Robinson and a healthy Calvin Ridley.
After inking Tate, the Titans have two more high draft picks to sign before they wrap a bow on this year’s rookie class:
- Round 1, No. 4: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 31 (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
- Round 2, No. 60 (from Bills via Titans): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 142 (from Jets via Ravens): Fernando Carmona (G, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 165 (from Bears via Bills): Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 184: Jackie Marshall (DT, Baylor) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 194 (from Ravens via Jets): Pat Coogan, C (Indiana) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Chiefs via Cowboys): Jaren Kanak (TE, Oklahoma) (signed)
Bills Sign Second-Round CB Davison Igbinosun
The Bills took a big step towards completing the signing of their entire rookie class today, inking second-round Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun to his four-year rookie deal.
After starting 10 of 13 game appearances at Ole Miss and earning Freshman All-American honors, Igbinosun entered the transfer portal when the Rebels chose not to bring back defensive coordinator Chris Partridge. After weighing his options, Igbinosun chose the Buckeyes over Michigan, Tennessee, and Rutgers. He would go on to become a three-year starter in Columbus, notching four interceptions and 19 passes defensed over his last two seasons.
At 6-foot-2 with length and a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, Igbinosun looks the part of an NFL cornerback, though he’s a bit on the lighter side. Even with a slight frame, he’s a physical defender who isn’t afraid to tackle. He has a tendency to make a little too much contact at times and will need to continue to develop some discipline at the next level of the game.
After rookie sixth-rounder Dorian Strong missed most of last season with a neck injury, the Bills relied on just three cornerbacks for most of their defensive snaps all last year. Only Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, and rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston saw more than 20 snaps at outside cornerback for the rest of the season. Buffalo signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Dee Alford in free agency, but neither player adds much depth at the outside position after White’s contract expired. Igbinosun will team up with Benford, Hairston, and Strong to bolster that outside cornerback spot, and he could have an outside shot at starting in Year 1.
Here’s how the Bills’ rookie class signings are looking after securing the signatures of their top two picks:
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/8/26
Today’s rookie signings from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- WR Zavion Thomas (third round, LSU)
- CB Malik Muhammad (fourth round, Texas)
- LB Keyshaun Elliott (fifth round, Arizona State)
- DT Jordan van den Berg (sixth round, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- C Connor Lew (fourth round, Auburn)
- WR Colbie Young (fourth round, Georgia)
- T Brian Parker II (sixth round, Duke)
- TE Jack Endries (seventh round, Texas)
- DT Landon Robinson (seventh round, Navy)
Los Angeles Chargers
- T Travis Burke (fourth round, Memphis)
- S Genesis Smith (fourth round, Arizona)
- DT Nick Barrett (fifth round, South Carolina)
- G Logan Taylor (sixth round, Boston College)
- G Alex Harkey (sixth round, Oregon)
New England Patriots
- T Dametrious Crownover (sixth round, Texas A&M)
- LB Namdi Obiazor (sixth round, TCU)
- QB Behren Morton (seventh round, Texas Tech)
- RB Jam Miller (seventh round, Alabama)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Kaden Wetjen (fourth round, Iowa)
- DE Gabriel Rubio (sixth round, Notre Dame)
- S Robert Spears-Jennings (seventh round, Oklahoma)
The Bears, Bengals, Chargers, and Steelers all broke the seals on signing their rookie classes today. Chicago only has to sign its three first-, second-, and third-round picks to complete the class, Los Angeles still has its three first-, second-, and fourth-rounders remaining, and Cincinnati has only two unsigned rookies from the second and third round.
Minor NFL Transaction: 5/8/26
Friday’s minor NFL transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): LB Swayze Bozeman
- Signed: S Isaiah Nwokobia
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): DT Elijah Chatman
- Received international exemption: P Nik Constantinou
Denver Broncos
- Waived: T Marques Cox, OLB Garrett Nelson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Smith Vilbert
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Damon Bankston
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): WR Courtney Jackson
- Waived: WR Hal Presley
After the Giants waived Bozeman, Chatman, and Jackson yesterday, all three found new homes today on the waiver wire. Constantinou qualifies for the international exemption that allows him not to count against the team’s 90-man roster as one of several Australians who have found their way to the NFL as specialists. Lastly, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and New York all added to their UDFA classes today after Nwokobia, Vilbert, and Bankston went undrafted out of SMU, North Carolina, and New Mexico, respectively.
49ers Sign 33rd Overall Pick De’Zhaun Stribling To Fully Guaranteed Deal
The 49ers got the majority of their eight-player draft class under contract on Friday. The team announced six signings, including second-round wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. The 33rd overall pick secured a fully guaranteed deal worth $13.376MM over four years, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports. Stribling’s pact includes a $6.188MM signing bonus.
San Francisco entered the draft with the 27th selection, but general manager John Lynch chose to trade out of the first round. After making two deals to move down to No. 33, the first pick on Day 2, the Lynch-led 49ers chose Stribling. It surprised many that Stribling came off the board that high, especially when more hyped receivers like Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard were still available, but Lynch said that “our entire building had conviction” on the pick.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Stribling possesses a good mix of size and speed, having run a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. Stribling was also productive in a five-year college career divided among Washington State (2021-22), Okahoma State (2023-24) and Mississippi (’25). He totaled 216 catches, 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns in 56 games. Stribling played 15 games last year and hauled in 55 passes for 811 yards and six scores. As Stribling begins his pro career, the 49ers will count on him as an auxiliary receiver behind starters Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall.
As mentioned, five other 49ers draftees joined Stribling in signing their rookie deals. Here is the rest of the group:
- Round 3, No. 90: Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 127: Carver Willis (T, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 139: Ephesians Prysock (CB, Washington)
- Round 5, No. 154: Jaden Dugger (LB, Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 179: Enrique Cruz Jr. (T, Kansas)
The 49ers have two more picks to sign: third-round edge defender Romello Height (No. 70) and fourth-round defensive tackle Gracen Halton (No. 107).
Browns Sign First-Round T Spencer Fano, Seven Other Draftees
Friday has expectedly been busy with respect to teams working out rookie contracts. The Browns are among those which have finalized a number of deals with draftees.
Cleveland announced today that eight draft picks have been signed. First-rounder Spencer Fano is among them. The Utah offensive lineman was taken ninth overall after the Browns executed a long-anticipated trade down the board. That swap with Kansas City allowed Cleveland to move to the No. 9 slot.
Eyeing an offensive addition in the top 10, the Browns were comfortable with the trade upon finding out the Chiefs would be taking cornerback Mansoor Delane. That left Cleveland with three targets at the time of the swap: Fano, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson was drafted at No. 8, and the Browns went with Fano one pick later to make him the top blocker of the 2026 draft.
After one year at left tackle with Utah, Fano moved to the right side to accommodate Caleb Lomu. Fano thrived in that new role, but his arm length led to questions about the possibility of holding up on the blindside at the NFL level. Nevertheless, he will at least begin his Browns tenure at left tackle. Fano succeeding in that spot or finding another in short order would be critical for a Cleveland O-line which will field five new starters compared to last season.
Denzel Boston is the next highest-drafted rookie to sign with the Browns today. The Browns gave him a fully guaranteed contract worth $12.385MM over four years, including a $5.467MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The Washington receiver was on the radar of plenty of teams leading up to the draft, and Cleveland considered trading back into the Day 1 order to acquire him. Instead, Boston remained on the board through to pick No. 39. He will look to contribute right away for a Browns team desperate for improved production and efficiency in the passing game.
Given today’s news, only first-round receiver KC Concepcion and second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren have yet to sign their rookie deals. That comes as little surprise, with many other players selected in the same range as them still unsigned at this point. In any event, the Browns will begin their rookie minicamp with most of necessary work already done on the contract front.
Here is an updated look at where things stand with the Browns’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Cardinals Sign No. 3 Pick Jeremiyah Love
Cardinals first-round running back Jeremiyah Love has signed his four-year rookie contract, the team announced. The third overall pick will earn a fully guaranteed $53.9MM, a record for his position.
Although he has yet to play an NFL game, the 20-year-old Love also ranks first among running backs in total contract value. The former Notre Dame star’s $13.25MM average annual salary checks in at seventh overall.
While Love does not play a premium position, many considered him the most talented prospect available in this year’s draft class. The Cardinals had more glaring needs at other spots (right tackle and edge defender, to name a couple), but they could not pass on the home run-hitting dual threat. They made Love the highest-drafted RB since the Giants took Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018.
Love is moving to the desert after winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best back in 2025. He ended his three-year college career with a jaw-dropping 6.7 yards per carry on 433 attempts and 42 touchdowns (36 rushing, six receiving) in 41 games.
The Cardinals were not expected to draft Love in early March, when they made multiple moves to address their backfield. They kept James Conner around on a revised contract and picked up former Falcon Tyler Allgeier on a two-year, $12.25MM deal in free agency. Love is now the unquestioned top dog at the position, though, which will leave Allgeier to once again sit behind one of the most talented backs in the sport.
Allgeier surpassed the 1,000-yard mark as a fifth-round rookie in 2022, but it did not stop the Falcons from spending the eighth overall pick on Bijan Robinson in the ensuing draft. Robinson has been the Falcons’ starter since then. While Allgeier likely signed with the Cardinals expecting to take over as their lead back, he will instead play second fiddle to Love.
Commanders Complete Draft Signings
Friday saw the Commanders sign first-round linebacker Sonny Styles to his rookie contract. Washington has since worked out an agreement with the rest of its 2026 class.
All six Commanders draftees are now on the books, as noted by ESPN’s John Keim. Friday marks the beginning of Washington’s rookie minicamp, so it comes as no surprise each of these deals have been sorted out in time. Styles is one of only two players Washington added prior to Day 3 of last month’s draft.
The other is wideout Antonio Williams, who came off the board at pick No. 71. The Clemson product will look to carve out a depth role on offense right away with the Commanders looking to replace Deebo Samuel‘s 2025 production. Samuel is unsigned at this point, and a return to the nation’s capital is not expected.
Washington remains heavily linked to a Brandon Aiyuk acquisition. The team is not looking to swing a trade with the 49ers to bring him into the fold, though, so a lengthy wait for a potential release could be in store. In the meantime, Williams will aim to establish himself during spring work leading into training camp. A strong showing in that regard could result in a depth role even if Aiyuk winds up in Washington to pair with Terry McLaurin.
Joshua Josephs will join a pass rush room which has undergone plenty of changes this spring. He, too could occupy a rotational role right away before taking on a larger workload. Washington’s other Day 3 picks will aim to provide young depth to a team which has fielded one of the league’s oldest rosters in recent years. Contributions from new arrivals would be key in helping the Commanders return to the playoffs in 2026.
Here is a final look at Washington’s draft class:
- Round 1, No. 7: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 71: Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 147: Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 187: Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 209 (from 49ers): Matt Gulbin (C, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 223: Athan Kaliakmanis (QB, Rutgers) (signed)
Jets Sign No. 2 Pick David Bailey
The Jets announced a four-year agreement with first-round edge defender David Bailey, the second overall pick in the draft. Bailey’s pact is worth approximately $54.68MM.
It was clear throughout the pre-draft process that the Raiders would select former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. There was less certainty surrounding the Jets’ top choice, as reports went back and forth on whether they would take Bailey or ex-Ohio State linebacker/edge defender Arvell Reese. Looking for an immediate pass-rushing upgrade, the Jets landed on Bailey, a former Stanford and Texas Tech standout.
The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Bailey played three years at Stanford, where he notched 14.5 sacks in 32 games. After transferring to Texas Tech for his senior season last year, his production skyrocketed. Bailey piled up a nation-leading 14.5 sacks in 14 games, and he finished second in pressures (81) and tackles for loss (19.5). He earned unanimous All-America honors and the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Award for his efforts.
The Jets, who finished last in the NFL in pressure rate and 31st in sacks in 2025, have made it a point to boost an anemic pass rush this offseason. Before using a premium pick on Bailey, they signed Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare in free agency. Ossai and Enagbare will complement the Jets’ top edge rushers, Bailey and 2023 first-rounder Will McDonald.
With Bailey under wraps, the Jets have already signed all three of their first-round picks. They previously reached deals with tight end Kenyon Sadiq (16th overall) and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (30th). Fourth-round defensive tackle Darrell Jackson is the only member of their eight-player draft class who has not signed yet.
Saints Sign First-Round WR Jordyn Tyson
The Saints announced deals with seven draft picks, including first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. As the eighth overall pick, Tyson’s fully guaranteed contract is worth approximately $32.49MM over four years.
Tyson was the second receiver taken in the draft, falling behind Carnell Tate (Titans, No. 4), after an excellent couple of seasons at Arizona State. The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder combined for 136 receptions, 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns over 21 games from 2024-25. However, injuries were a problem throughout Tyson’s time in college, which likely dinged his draft stock to some extent.
Tyson began his college career in 2022 at Colorado, where he averaged a robust 21.4 yards per catch on 22 receptions and totaled four TDs in nine games. His freshman year ended with a torn ACL, MCL and PCL. Tyson, who then transferred to Arizona State, missed almost all of 2023 while recovering from his knee injury. He went on to suffer a broken collarbone late in 2024, and hamstring issues nagged him last year.
Tyson’s hamstring continued bothering him during the pre-draft process, which prevented him from working out at the Combine or participating in ASU’s pro day. He recovered in time to hold a workout for NFL teams on April 17. The Saints clearly came away impressed, and they will turn to Tyson as their top complement to No. 1 receiver Chris Olave in 2026.
Tyson was the first of four pass catchers the offense-needy Saints drafted this year. They spent a third-rounder on former Georgia tight end Oscar Delp and later selected wideouts Bryce Lance (fourth round, North Dakota State) and Barion Brown (sixth round, LSU). The team announced agreements with Delp, Lance and Brown on Friday. The Saints also signed guard Jeremiah Wright (fourth round, Auburn), safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. (fifth round, Ohio State) and cornerback TJ Hall (seventh round, Iowa). Second-round defensive tackle Christen Miller is now the lone unsigned member of their eight-player draft class.