Transactions - Pro Football Rumors

Seahawks Trade Sam Howell To Vikings

April 26th, 2025 at 9:45pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks added Jalen Milroe on Friday night, doing so after reacquiring Drew Lock. As Sam Darnold‘s backup crew looks set, the team is moving on from Geno Smith‘s final QB2.

Seattle is sending Sam Howell to the Vikings, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Minnesota will add the former Washington starter, who had been on the trade block ahead of his contract year. The Seahawks paired Howell with the No. 172 pick, and they acquired pick No. 142, per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.

According to Jeremy Fowler, also of ESPN, the two teams have been quietly working on this deal since last week. Once the Seahawks’ offseason moves and draft intentions made it clear that they were ready to move on from Howell, conversations began the ultimately led to today’s trade.

There’s plenty of natural connections with this trade. The Seahawks, of course, poached Darnold from the Vikings with a lucrative free agent offer. Despite Aaron Rodgers heavily hinting at his desire to join the Vikings, the organization has made it clear they’re content to roll with J.J. McCarthy as their QB1.

Assuming the Vikings stuck with the status quo, that meant they still had an opening for a backup ahead of Brett Rypien. So, in comes Howell, who brings plenty of experience to the role. The former fifth-round pick started all 17 games for Washington in 2023. The Commanders went 4-13 in those outings, with Howell completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.

The Vikings have been pretty adamant that they won’t be adding Rodgers to their QBs room, and the team’s depth chart seems to be taking shape with this latest acquisition. Rypien brings four games of starting experience, so the Vikings now have two fallback options should McCarthy struggle or suffer an injury.

The Seahawks traded from their surplus and managed to move up 30 spots in the draft. The team used their new selection on Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills. The lineman finished his Fighting Irish career with 17 sacks, including a career-high 7.5 this past season. A late-season knee injury may have slightly impacted his draft position, and the Seahawks are getting an agile defensive lineman who should be able to contribute right away.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report.

Panthers To Exercise LT Ikem Ekwonu’s Fifth-Year Option

April 26th, 2025 at 9:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ikem Ekwonu has served as the Panthers’ starting left tackle throughout his time in the NFL so far. That will continue for at least the next two years.

When speaking to the media after the draft, general manager Dan Morgan said Carolina will pick up Ekwonu’s fifth-year option. As a result, he will be on track to earn $17.56MM in 2026. Morgan added a long-term extension is something the team will pursue in this case.

Selected sixth overall in his draft year, Ekwonu faced questions about his ability to handle tackle duties at the NFL level rather than moving inside to guard. He has remained on the blindside despite struggling in pass protection for much of his pro career. The NC State product was charged with six sacks allowed as a rookie by PFF; that figure rose to 11 the following year before dropping to seven in 2024 (a season in which he missed two games).

While continued development in that regard (along with a reduction in penalties) will be needed, Ekwonu has lived up to expectations in terms of being a strong run blocker. The 24-year-old finished 11th among qualifying tackles last season with respect to PFF grade on that front. Continued strong play would be welcomed by a Panthers team looking to take a necessary step forward on offense in 2025 and beyond.

The Panthers have relied on right tackle Taylor Moton as a starter for the past seven years, and he remains under contract for 2025. An extension or restructure aimed at lowering his cap figure ($31.35MM) for this season could be in store, and it will be interesting to see if agreements can be worked out on that front and/or the Ekwonu one during the summer. For one more season, at least, that tandem will remain intact for Carolina.

This Ekwonu update comes as teams remain split with respect to fifth-year options on offensive lineman from the 2022 draft class. The top blocker from that year will remain in Charlotte through at last 2026, but his time there could stretch further based on Morgan’s extension comment.

Vikings To Sign QB Max Brosmer As UDFA

April 26th, 2025 at 6:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the 2025 draft in the books, UDFA signings have already begun. At least one notable quarterback deal is included among the first ones to be agreed to.

Max Brosmer – who finished his college career at Minnesota – will be staying in the state this offseason. The Vikings are set to sign him as an undrafted free agent, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. He adds this pact includes $250K guaranteed.

Brosmer spent four years at New Hampshire, serving as the school’s full-time starter during that span. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2023 before a one-and-done campaign with the Golden Gophers. Brosmer set a new career-high in completion percentage last year (66.5%), but he only threw 18 touchdowns (coupled with six interceptions). Given the 24-year-old’s age, coupled with that level of production, the chance loomed that Brosmer would not hear his name called during the draft.

In spite of that turning out to be the case, he has not needed to wait long to land an NFL opportunity. With his deal in hand, Brosmer will turn his attention to competing for a third-string gig in Minnesota. The Vikings are in position to hand starting duties over to J.J. McCarthy after the 2024 first-rounder missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury.

Veterans Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones each departed on the open market knowing McCarthy was in place to assume the QB1 role. Questions remained entering the draft, therefore, about the Vikings’ depth under center. That was addressed to an extent earlier today with the trade acquisition of Sam Howell. The former Commander and Seahawk will be counted on to operate as a backup, while Brosmer will aim to win the third-string role. Doing so could ensure a roster spot during cutdowns; otherwise, a practice squad arrangement could be in store.

Texans Draft QB Graham Mertz At No. 197

April 26th, 2025 at 3:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans have made another move up the draft board. Sending picks 216 and 241 to the Broncos, Houston has acquired No. 197 and used it on Florida quarterback Graham Mertz.

Mertz’s college career began at Wisconsin in 2019. He did not start either of his two appearances that season, but for three years after that he operated as the Badgers’ QB1. That tenure was followed by a pair of seasons with the Gators, including a 2023 slate featuring a 20:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Last season, Mertz suffered an ACL injury. As a result, he was limited to only five games (during which time he remained highly efficient with a 76.6% completion percentage). The 24-year-old’s 8.4 yards per attempt average was the highest of his career, but the injury left him sidelined to close out the campaign. It also no doubt hindered his draft stock and helped influence his long wait to be selected on Day 3 of the draft.

Houston will once again be led by C.J. Stroud on offense next season. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year will play a crucial role in determining if the team is able to progress past the divisional round of the postseason. The Texans also have Davis Mills and 2024 UDFA Kedon Slovis on their quarterback depth chart.

Mertz will compete with those two for the backup or third-string gig during training camp. Depending on how that plays out, he could find himself on the back end of the roster or as a practice squad candidate.

Jets Add No. 176, Draft DE Tyler Baron

April 26th, 2025 at 2:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets have moved up 10 spots in the order, swinging a deal with the Ravens in the process. New York has added pick No. 176 along with a 2026 sixth-round selection. Baltimore acquires No. 186 along with a fifth-rounder next year (h/t ESPN’s Jamison Hensley).

With pick No. 176, the Jets have selected Miami edge rusher Tyler Baron. The five-year senior spent the first four seasons of his college tenure at Tennessee. That stretch included a starting role in 2023 which resulted in a career-high six sacks.

Last year, Baron transferred to the Hurricanes and started nine of his 13 games with the team. The 23-year-old led Miami with 5.5 sacks and he set a new career-high with 11 tackles for loss. Those figures helped earn him honorable mention All-ACC honors.

As things stand, this selection represents the final pick of the draft for New York. The regime now led by general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn could of course add new picks for 2025, but for now the team has brought in seven rookies. Baron is the only one who will add depth along the defensive line.

The Jets have former first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in place along the edge. As expected the team will pick up Johnson’s 2026 fifth-year option ensuring that tandem remains in place for at least two more years. Baron will spend the offseason aiming to compete for a rotational role as part of New York’s edge rush group.

Lions Trade Up To No. 171 For G Miles Frazier

April 26th, 2025 at 2:31pm CST by Ely Allen

The Lions have traded up, exchanging places with the Patriots, in order to select LSU guard Miles Frazier. In order to acquire the pick, Detroit sent pick Nos. 182 and 228 to New England.

The Lions gained access to the 182nd pick, an early-sixth-rounder, from the Jaguars. The 228th pick, a seventh-rounder, was acquired from Dallas in a package that allowed Detroit to select cornerback Terrion Arnold last year.

It’s a bit shocking to see Frazier come off the board in the fifth round. The 23-year-old was projected to be a Day 2 pick after three years starting in Baton Rouge (and a year starting at FIU before that). Frazier played all over the offensive line in college, starting 28 games at right guard, 12 games at left tackle, nine games at left guard, and two games at right tackle. That kind of versatility made Frazier the 61st-best prospect in NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah‘s rankings.

Frazier is a mauler in the run game who can drive defenders backwards and refuses to release his blocks. He doesn’t do too much exceptionally in pass protection, which may have hurt his stock here. He struggles to move laterally in order to cover quick gap rushers, and when he does recognize the rush, his feet can get caught in quicksand, leaving him lunging off balance.

Guard was a perceived weakness in Detroit, and they already added a potential starter in the second round with Georgia’s Tate Ratledge. Graham Glasgow is slotted in at left guard, and despite a 2024 step back, he has proven reliable in the past. The other spot, vacated by Kevin Zeitler‘s departure in free agency, is up for competition between Kayode Awosika, Netane Muti, and Christian Mahogany, at the moment. Awosika started two games for the team last year, and Muti has logged only four starts in a five-year career; Mahogany flashed promising form in his one start and across limited backup time as a rookie last season. Frazier adds some depth, where Ratledge provides starting potential.

Chargers Acquire No. 165 From Eagles, Select TE Oronde Gadsden II

April 26th, 2025 at 2:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers have moved up to acquire pick No. 165 late in the fifth-round order. Los Angeles will send selections 181 and 209 to the Eagles as a result.

The Bolts have selected Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II with their newly-acquired pick. The son of a Super Bowl champion, he will look to follow in his father’s footsteps at the pro level. He will join a Chargers team which has now added three pass-catchers during this weekend’s draft (the first two being wideouts Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith).

A four-year contributor for the Orange, Gadsden showed plenty of potential during his sophomore year when he posted an FBS-leading (for tight ends) 969 yards on 61 receptions. The converted receiver was limited to only two games the following year, however, due to a foot injury. Nevertheless, 2024 allowed Gadsden to rebound in a notable way.

Finishing the year with a 73-934-7 statline, Gadsden earned first-team All-ACC honors last season. That helped his draft stock to a notable extent, although this year’s class has long been known to feature many highly-regarded tight end prospects. Now that his name has been called, the 21-year-old can turn his attention to competing for a roster spot in Los Angeles.

The Chargers saw Stone Smartt depart in free agency this spring, and Hayden Hurst remains unsigned at this point. The team added Tyler Conklin on the open market, however, and the veteran will be counted to play a regular role with his new team. Los Angeles still has Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk on the depth chart as well. Gadsden will have plenty of competition during training camp as a result, but he could serve as a depth pass-catching option at the pro level.

Chiefs Acquire No. 156, Select LB Jeffrey Bassa

April 26th, 2025 at 1:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chiefs are moving up eight spots in the draft. Kansas City has acquired pick No. 156 from the Steelers, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. In return, Pittsburgh will receive picks No. 164 and No. 226.

The Chiefs will use their upgraded pick on Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. This is the team’s fourth defensive selection through six picks.

Bassa is coming off four productive seasons at Oregon, where he collected 236 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three interceptions in 55 appearances. His standout 2023 campaign culminated in him earning Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP honors, and his slight step back in 2024 may have contributed to his fifth-round selection.

A former safety, Bassa mostly served as a Mike linebacker during his time with the Ducks. His leadership and versatility should help him stick around the NFL, and improved consistency could eventually lead to a starting gig.

He lands in a great spot in Kansas City, although he may have to wait a bit to play a significant role. Nick Bolton is entrenched as the MLB, with Cam Jones serving as the backup. Perhaps Bassa could emerge as the main backup by the end of the 2025 campaign, but he’ll temporarily compete with Cole Christiansen and Shaun Bradley for third-string reps.

Cowboys Trade Up To 152nd Pick, Select Florida LB Shemar James

April 26th, 2025 at 1:41pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cowboys have traded up with the Cardinals to acquire the 152nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Dallas sent picks 174 and 211 to Arizona for No. 152, which they used to select Florida linebacker Shemar James.

James is a speedy, undersized defender who is entering the NFL at just 20 years old with 25 SEC starts under his belt. His play strength will need to improve in the NFL, but that won’t be his biggest obstacle to finding a starting job.

Like most young linebackers, James will face a significant jump in game speed and processing in the NFL. He wasn’t a particularly instinctive player in college, which will further hamper his mental development in the NFL. He has the athleticism to contribute in coverage and as a blitzer, but that will require better play recognition and finishing skills.

James’ athletic abilities give him special teams upside right away as he works on other aspects of his game to compete for a role on defense towards the end of his rookie contract. He joins a Cowboys linebacker room that has Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, and Jack Sanborn. Dallas is also hoping that DeMarvion Overshown will be ready for training camp

Rams Acquire No. 148, Select DT Ty Hamilton

April 26th, 2025 at 1:30pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams are moving up and making their fourth selection of the 2025 draft. The team has acquired pick No. 148 from the Bears, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. In return, the Bears will receive picks No. 195 and a 2026 fourth-round pick, per Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network.

The Rams have used their new selection on Ohio State defensive tackle Ty Hamilton. This is now the 11th Buckeyes player to be selected in the 2025 draft, and Hamilton is the fourth Ohio State product to be selected on Day 3.

Hamilton came into his own over the past two years. He set career-highs across the board in 2024, finishing with 51 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. The six-foot-three, 299-pound defensive tackle is expected to immediately be a useful run stopper, although scouts wanted to see more out of his pass-rush ability.

The rookie will join a defensive line that added Poona Ford this offseason. With Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske also penciled in as starters, Hamilton will temporarily find himself competing with Desjuan Johnson and Tyler Davis for backup reps.

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