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Patriots To Decline G Cole Strange’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 4:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots’ Cole Strange pick generated scrutiny at the time for being a reach, and the young guard has yet to justify his first-round selection. New England will now shift Strange into a contract year.

As expected, Strange will not see his fifth-year option exercised, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. That would have brought a $16.69MM fully guaranteed 2026 salary, making it essentially a non-starter for the Pats.

Teams have less than 24 hours to make their fifth-year option calls, which has brought a flurry of updates on this front Wednesday. But Strange’s never appeared in doubt. He missed seven games in 2023 and 14 last season. A patellar tendon tear ended Strange’s sophomore season, and he did not return until December 2024. The Pats activated Strange from the reserve/PUP list in early December but did not give him an offensive snap until Week 17 more than two weeks later.

New England did, however, reinstall Strange as a starter — at center — to close last season. The pre-draft plan had been for the Chattanooga product to enter the offseason as a starter (back at left guard) as well. While that may still be a go, New England drafted Georgia interior O-lineman Jared Wilson in Round 3. Wilson is listed as a center, but a quicker path to the starting lineup may be at guard, where Strange has proven unreliable. The Pats signed Garrett Bradbury shortly after his Vikings release.

The Pats traded down from No. 22 (via the Chiefs, who climbed up for Trent McDuffie) in 2022, landing on Strange at 30 in Bill Belichick‘s penultimate draft running the team. Strange was not mocked as a first-rounder that year, but he started 17 games at left guard for the ’22 Pats. With the Morgan Moses signing set to entrench Michael Onwenu at right guard, the team will carry a left guard question into training camp.

For now, however, Strange will aim to prove he can hold down the gig. Doing so would put him on a path to free agency, though the Patriots will retain exclusive negotiating rights with the soon-to-be 27-year-old blocker until the 2026 legal tampering period. Strange has plenty to prove between now and then, but with the guard market taking off in free agency, he could secure a nice payday by staying healthy in 2025.

Packers To Pick Up DT Devonte Wyatt’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 1:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another team with two fifth-year option decisions to make before Thursday’s deadline, the Packers will make one by deciding to extend a contract to 2026. They are picking up Devonte Wyatt‘s fifth-year option, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

The young defensive tackle will lock in $12.94MM guaranteed for 2026 as a result of this transaction. The Packers still have a decision to make on linebacker Quay Walker, though recent history at the position points to that option being declined.

[RELATED: 2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

The No. 28 overall pick in 2022, Wyatt has notched 10.5 sacks across the past two campaigns while logging snap shares of 50% and 41% during that span. That usage left the Georgia alum — one of five Bulldogs defenders drafted in the 2022 first round — on the bottom tier among D-tackle option prices. Wyatt, 27, has rarely started in Green Bay. He made zero starts in 2022 or ’24 but still managed to make a steady impact over the past two seasons.

Pro Football Focus graded Wyatt 37th among interior D-line regulars last season, though the advanced metrics site assessed his interior pass rush as far better than his run defense. A heavier workload could result in stronger production, although improved play against the run would no doubt be needed for an uptick in usage to come to bear.

Wyatt has combined to total 20 QB hits and 15 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, making it interesting he has not served as a regular starter. The Packers still have veteran Kenny Clark on their payroll, and Wyatt’s option year will come when the longtime contributor’s contract has paid out its guarantees. The Packers, who pivoted from their long-held 3-4 scheme to Jeff Hafley‘s preferred 4-3 look last season, also lost nose tackle T.J. Slaton to free agency. Regardless of first-string status, Clark and Wyatt are Green Bay’s most valuable DTs. The team did not address the position until the sixth round this year.

Green Bay chose Wyatt with its own pick in 2022, doing so after drafting Walker with the first-round pick acquired in the Davante Adams trade. They will have until 3pm tomorrow to determine Walker’s 2026 status. The tea leaves point to the Pack declining Walker’s option, with Brian Gutekunst referencing the outside linebackers hiking the price of the off-ball LBs’ options. Still, the veteran GM wants to retain both players on second contracts.

Falcons To Pick Up Drake London’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Sam Robinson

A year after exercising Kyle Pitts‘ fifth-year option, the Falcons will keep their other pass-catching pillar from entering a contract year. The team is picking up Drake London‘s 2026 option, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This will lock London into a $16.82MM guarantee for next year. London is eligible for the third-tier wide receiver option, having been a regular in Atlanta but not a Pro Bowler. The former No. 8 overall pick, however, is now an essential piece to the organization’s aim to developing Michael Penix Jr. into a franchise quarterback.

[RELATED: Falcons Were Prepared To Draft James Pearce Jr. At No. 15]

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decide on options for 2022 first-round picks. Considering the team’s Pitts decision, London never seemed a candidate to see his option declined. Kirk Cousins, with a late-season assist from Penix, helped London post his first 1,000-yard season. He cruised past that benchmark, accumulating 1,271 yards in his third season. This marked a boost from London’s first two years, when he was tethered to Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder as his primary QBs.

Part of Terry Fontenot‘s annual commitment to restock the Falcons’ skill positions with top-10 picks, London was the second of those selections. After taking Pitts fourth overall, Fontenot chose London eighth out of USC in 2022. The 6-foot-4 target quickly replaced Calvin Ridley as the Falcons’ No. 1 receiver, arriving as the team’s previous top target had incurred a gambling suspension months before the 2022 draft. London, however, was tied to two run-oriented offenses.

That led to the Falcons’ scrutinized two-QB offseason project last year. While Cousins no longer factors into the Falcons’ plans — barring a season in which the high-priced passer actually sits behind Penix — London will be tasked with helping the 2024 No. 8 overall pick take steps forward in his first full starter season. This is not exactly new territory, as London paired with Ridder after the Falcons anointed the 2022 third-round pick as their 2023 starter — after four 2022 starts. Penix showed more promise by comparison in his late-season cameo, pointing London’s arrow up regarding extension value.

London totaled 866 receiving yards as a rookie in a Falcons offense that led the league in rushing attempts; he added 905 in 2023. After scoring six combined touchdowns during his first two seasons, London broke through for nine last year. That season upped London’s extension price, as an exploding receiver market will help his cause there. The league now has eight $30MM-per-year receivers, and with the cap rising by at least $20MM over the past two years, London — who will not turn 24 until July — can make a clear case he deserves to be in that group. Building on last season to accelerate Penix’s development would cement that case.

The Falcons paid Julio Jones before his fifth-year option season, authorizing the since-retired receiver’s first extension just before the 2015 season. While the team bought time by picking up London’s option, his price would stand to rise with another 1,000-yard season. The Falcons can enter extension talks with London this offseason, and it will be interesting to see if anything serious develops. While extending first-round receivers a year early simply did not occur in the option era prior to last year, the Eagles (DeVonta Smith) and Dolphins (Jaylen Waddle) did so. The Falcons would probably be wise to strongly consider making an early strike. No known talks have occurred just yet.

Jaguars To Decline LB Devin Lloyd’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:50am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars will continue the string of teams declining fifth-year options on off-ball linebackers. As the NFL’s option formula still groups all linebackers together, Devin Lloyd will become the latest ILB to see his not exercised.

Lloyd is now in a contract year, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler confirms. He would have been due a fully guaranteed $14.75MM had the Jaguars’ new regime signed off on his 2026 option. Lloyd is extension-eligible, so he could factor into the Jags’ long-term plans. It would also make sense if the team’s James Gladstone-Liam Coen duo wanted to see how he fit into a new defensive scheme.

[RELATED: 2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

No team has exercised a fifth-year option for an off-ball LB since the Buccaneers picked up Devin White‘s in 2022. That decision did not turn out well, as the All-Pro’s value cratered soon after. Over the past three offseasons, Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray, Isaiah Simmons, Jordyn Brooks and Jamin Davis had seen their options declined. The Cardinals passed on Zaven Collins‘, despite moving him to the edge, and it should be expected the Packers will decline Quay Walker‘s ($14.75MM) by Thursday’s deadline.

This wrinkle reminds of the guard market, as the price of franchise-tagging a player at that position is complicated due to all O-linemen being grouped together under this formula as well. Guards and ILBs have easier paths to free agency as a result, and Lloyd could end up as a key piece on next year’s market because of the Jags’ Wednesday decision.

The Jags did pick up Travon Walker‘s fifth-year option, but the former No. 1 overall pick serves as an edge player. Lloyd has been a locked-in starter since his rookie year, but Trent Baalke‘s second pick since the Urban Meyer firing moved him to the top of the franchise’s personnel pyramid could use a quality contract year to display his value to both the Jags and other teams. Jacksonville traded up from No. 33 (via Tampa Bay) to acquire Lloyd at No. 27 overall. He has been a consistent producer despite the Jaguars continuing to change defensive coordinators.

Lloyd, 26, has missed just three career games. He has made at least 113 tackles in each of his three seasons, working as a regular under Mike Caldwell and Ryan Nielsen. After making just two tackles for loss during his first two seasons combined, Lloyd — a former 27 overall pick out of Utah — made seven last season. The Jags hired Anthony Campanile to run their defense this year. Lloyd will undoubtedly be a key piece. Pro Football Focus has graded Lloyd as a top-15 linebacker in each of the past two seasons.

That status becomes more impressive when factoring in the organizational turnover in that span. Doug Pederson fired Caldwell after the 2023 season, and Nielsen again became a one-and-done DC (as he had in Atlanta) thanks to a head coach being fired a year later. Lloyd will attempt to prove himself valuable in Campanile’s defense this season.

Eagles To Exercise DT Jordan Davis’ Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:10am CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles plan to keep their all-Georgia defensive tackle duo together beyond 2025. They will pick up Jordan Davis‘ fifth-year option, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, ensuring he and Jalen Carter will remain under contract through 2026.

Davis has proven to be an important piece for the Eagles, though his playing time will make this an affordable option to exercise. Because the nose tackle has yet to play 50% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in a season, he will be eligible for the lowest of the four option prices at the position. Philadelphia will have Davis on a fully guaranteed $12.94MM in 2026.

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decline on fifth-year options tied to the 2022 first-round class. Davis represented the first member of the Georgia products to arrive on Philly’s defense, coming in as the No. 13 overall pick in 2022. Nakobe Dean followed in that year’s third round, while Carter, Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo were 2023 draftees.

With Milton Williams departing for a monster Patriots payday in free agency, the Eagles will lean into their Georgia connection inside. Davis, however, has been a regular starter in Philly. He has started every Eagles game over the past two seasons, not missing any time since a short IR stint during his rookie season.

Although Carter has revealed himself to be a more impactful player, Davis’ presence helps his ex-Bulldogs teammate disrupt offensive game plans. Davis has only 3.5 career sacks and six tackles for loss. But his imposing presence frees up his D-line mates, most recently evidenced by Philly smothering Kansas City’s offense in Super Bowl LIX.

The Eagles only used Davis on 388 defensive snaps last season, even as Fletcher Cox announced his retirement, but his starter status has not been in question. Davis finished eighth in run stop win rate during the 2023 season, and he helped Vic Fangio‘s defense rebound as the team returned to a Super Bowl the following year. Davis, 25, was a central figure in an Eagles unit that led the NFL in yards allowed and ranked second in scoring.

A stunning Davis 40-yard dash performance at the 2022 Combine crystalized his value as a mid-first-round pick. Despite weighing 340 pounds, he blazed to a 4.78-second 40. The Eagles traded up two spots (via the Texans) to select Davis at 13. Howie Roseman‘s team had come into the draft with three first-round picks that year, acquiring one via the Dolphins’ DeVonta Smith trade-up maneuver and the other from the Colts for Carson Wentz. The pick obtained in the Smith swap went to Davis, and Roseman sent the No. 18 pick to the Titans for A.J. Brown. These moves came shortly after the Eagles sent the Saints the No. 19 pick; the first-rounder acquired in that deal went to Carter a year later.

Davis will not command an extension in the Carter range, but he has made an early case to be locked up long term. The Eagles have been proactive with deals along their lines, so it would not surprise to see the team enter extension talks with Davis’ camp this offseason. Carter does not become extension-eligible until next year.

49ers, George Kittle Agree To Extension

April 29th, 2025 at 11:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

Extension talks with George Kittle have produced an agreement. The All-Pro tight end announced during an appearance on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he has signed a new deal.

This will be a four-year pact, per Kittle. The deal is worth $76.4MM in total and includes $40MM in guarantees. The latter figure consists of $35MM locked in at signing along with $5MM in guarantees covering the 2027 campaign. 2025 had represented the final year of Kittle’s contract, but he is now on the books through 2029; his scheduled cap charge for the coming year ($22.03MM) will no doubt be lowered as a result of the agreement.

This deal carries an annual average value of $19.1MM, surpassing the AAV of Trey McBride‘s recent Cardinals extension. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cautions, though, that the final year of the contract contains an inflated figure to push that mark from $18MM to its record-breaking point. Kittle had been attached to a $15MM-per-year pact, but his future has now been secured by means of another lucrative 49ers commitment on the offensive side of the ball.

Kittle surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career in 2024, and his eight touchdowns marked the second-highest total in a single season for him to date. That production helped his leverage in contract talks, and prior to the draft it was reported team and player were far apart on terms. Originally, the 31-year-old was absent from the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Kittle did attend on Friday, though, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes negotiations gained steam from that point on.

A report stating the former fifth-rounder was aiming to become the league’s highest-paid tight end – with that being the reason for his early absence – drew a public rebuttal from the six-time Pro Bowler himself. Nonetheless, Kittle is now atop the position’s financial pecking order as he looks to remain a mainstay in the pass and run games for San Francisco. The team’s list of remaining extensions now includes quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner, both of whom are in attendance for the start of offseason work.

The 49ers made 11 selections in this year’s draft, tied for the most in the NFL. None of those picks were used on a tight end, an indication the team would continue relying on Kittle (along with free agent addition Luke Farrell) for 2025 and beyond. San Francisco’s season did not go according to plan last year as the team dealt with a slew of injuries at key positions. Kittle continued a run of making at least 14 appearances which dates back to 2021, though, and the 49ers will be counting on that stretch of availability extending deep into his career.

As San Francisco prepares for a period with Purdy attached to one of the league’s most lucrative deals, the team also has big-ticket commitments in place with Kittle, wideout Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey. If that nucleus is to guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl, Kittle will no doubt continue operating as a central figure in the team’s success.

Rams Announce 17 UDFA Signings

April 29th, 2025 at 10:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Los Angeles didn’t have many draft picks, checking in with only six drafted rookies after trading out of the first round, so they’ve added a large contingent of undrafted players to form a 23-man rookie class. Here are the 17 UDFA signings:

The biggest of these additions probably come on the offensive line with Lampkin and Wedig. After starting three seasons at Coastal Carolina (two at left guard and one at center), Lampkin transferred to Chapel Hill. In his first season with the Tar Heels, he started eight games at right guard, two at left guard, and one at center before starting 12 games at right guard in 2024 with first-team All-ACC honors. His versatility gives him value at multiple interior positions for the Rams, but their listing him at center likely means they see the most value for him there.

Wedig was another transfer, earning the starting right tackle job at Indiana after spending four years at Wisconsin. He found some starting time with the Badgers in his redshirt sophomore season, starting five games at right tackle, two at right guard, and one at left guard, but he lost first-team duties the following year. He didn’t earn any accolades as a Hoosier, but he attended the East-West Shrine Bowl where he stood out and likely earned himself this NFL opportunity.

On defense, Dolac continues to prove he belongs despite the value that is assigned to him. Dolac walked on as a freshman at Buffalo, playing minimal time. He earned a scholarship as a sophomore starting two games and notching 1.5 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss. He started all 13 games in 2022, totaling 147 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, before missing eight games with a shoulder injury the following year. He returned for a fifth season (granted due to COVID-19) and started all 13 games once again, showing up all over the field and stat sheet with 168 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, and five interceptions — all career highs. Once again, he’ll come into a new situation itching to prove he belongs in Los Angeles.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/25

April 29th, 2025 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor transactions from across the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Received roster exemption (international player): WR Louis Rees-Zammit

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

A fifth-round pick out of BYU, Hall was part of a three-quarterback solutions to a season-ending Kirk Cousins injury in 2023. Alongside Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs, Hall started two of three game appearances for Minnesota as a rookie, only attempting 20 passes in that time. After trading for Sam Howell to back up J.J. McCarthy, in addition to retaining Brett Rypien and signing undrafted Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer, Hall became the odd man out.

Seahawks To Re-Sign DT Johnathan Hankins

April 29th, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the NFL shortly after his 21st birthday has helped Johnathan Hankins enjoy a long career. The Seahawks will give the veteran defensive tackle a chance at a 13th season.

The team is re-signing Hankins, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Hankins, now 33, played in all 17 Seattle games last season and worked as a part-time starter. The Seahawks are Hankins’ fifth team, but he has a connection stemming from stop No. 4.

Seattle hired Aden Durde as DC last year, and the team brought in one of his former charges from Dallas. Previously the Cowboys’ D-line coach, Durde mentored Hankins from 2022-23. That partnership continued in Seattle last year, as the Seahawks used the big-bodied defender as an eight-game starter. Hankins did not miss a game during his first Seahawks season.

This will reequip the Seahawks with a true nose tackle. The team has Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams up front, but Hankins will be back as a complementary piece who will help allow that pass-rushing trio better opportunities. Hankins played 35% of Seattle’s defensive snaps last season, logging 390.

Originally a Giants second-round pick in 2013, Hankins made his way into the team’s then-Tom Coughlin-led team’s starting lineup by Year 2. Helping the team to the playoffs in 2016, the 325-pound NT scored a three-year, $27MM commitment from the Colts. Indianapolis, however, cut bait on that deal after one season. The NFL then collectively viewed Hankins as a lower-value player, though he has continued to land gigs.

The Raiders gave Hankins four contracts during a partnership that lasted nearly five seasons; none of the deals topped $4.5MM per year. (Hankins played for $2.1MM on his first Seahawks contract.) The team traded Hankins to the Cowboys during the 2022 campaign, and he helped Dallas against the run during a 12-5 season. The Cowboys then used him as a 14-game starter in 2023. He registered three sacks that year, but as the Cowboys transitioned to Mike Zimmer‘s defensive scheme in 2024, Hankins rejoined Durde out west.

Last season, Hankins tallied five tackles for loss — his most since 2019 — and batted down a pass. He added an interception against the 49ers in Week 11. Not many players remain active from the 2013 draft, but a handful of second-round picks that year have signed one-year deals this offseason. Zach Ertz, Darius Slay and Robert Woods caught on, while Geno Smith — as QB careers can obviously last longer — scored a two-year Raiders extension earlier this month.

Chargers Place UFA Tender On J.K. Dobbins

April 29th, 2025 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers’ offseason blueprint included two significant running back investments. The team added Najee Harris on Day 1 of free agency and then used its first-round pick on Omarion Hampton. This represents a more committed effort compared to last year, when two ex-Ravens RBs reunited with OC Greg Roman.

J.K. Dobbins rebounded from an injury-marred Baltimore stay to become the Bolts’ primary starter last season, but he has not signed anywhere as a free agent. With Monday being the deadline for signings affecting the 2026 compensatory formula, the Chargers made a move that could net them a compensatory pick if Dobbins were to depart.

The Bolts joined the Browns in using a UFA tender, with Cards Wire’s Howard Balzer noting the AFC West team used one on Dobbins. If Dobbins is unsigned by July 22, the Chargers would retain exclusive negotiating rights on him. The Ohio State alum would be attached to a $1.1MM tender (110% of his 2024 salary). This comes as the Browns placed a UFA tender on wide receiver Elijah Moore.

Having suffered ACL and Achilles tears during his time in Baltimore, Dobbins reemerged last season by rushing for 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for a newly run-oriented Chargers team. An ankle injury sidelined Dobbins, but his IR stint only covered four games. He returned to help the team to the playoffs, but the Bolts cut Gus Edwards and have not re-signed Dobbins. They added Harris on a one-year deal (worth $5.25MM), with Hampton’s fully guaranteed first-round contract positioning him to be the club’s long-term starter.

This setup would leave little room for Dobbins, but the Chargers will be tied to him for a bit longer. If Dobbins signs elsewhere before July 22, he could factor into the Bolts’ compensatory formula for the 2026 draft. The team hired ex-Ravens exec Joe Hortiz as GM last year; no club prioritizes comp picks more than Baltimore. That undoubtedly factors into this tender decision. A team signing Dobbins, however, will likely do so at a low rate due to the former second-rounder’s 46 missed games over the past four seasons.

UFA tenders have led to separations in the recent past. The Chiefs and Ravens placed them on Melvin Ingram and Justin Houston, respectively, in 2022 and saw each sign elsewhere before the July 22 deadline. The Patriots slapped one on LeGarrette Blount in 2017 and saw him join the Eagles soon after. The Giants, however, used the tender on Markus Golden in 2020 and reunited with him — after he signed it that July. (The Giants traded Golden to the Cardinals that October.) There would seem to be no place for Dobbins on Los Angeles’ 2025 roster, but he remains loosely tied to the team during free agency.

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