Broncos, Frank Clark Agree To Deal
JUNE 15: Clark’s guarantee checks in at $5MM, GOPHNX.com’s Howard Balzer tweets. The Broncos will spread out the veteran edge defender’s $4.24MM signing bonus using void years, a common Payton-era Saints practice. As a result of the through-2026 void years, Clark’s 2023 cap number checks in at just $2.27MM.
JUNE 8: Another domino on the edge-rushing front fell Thursday afternoon. Not long after Leonard Floyd agreed to terms with the Bills, Frank Clark is set to join the Broncos. The former Seahawks and Chiefs edge defender intends to sign with Denver, The Score’s Jordan Schultz tweets.
Clark spent the past four years in Kansas City, but after being the team’s top edge player throughout that term, the Super Bowl champions released him ahead of free agency. The Broncos entered Thursday with a less certain edge group, one dependent on Randy Gregory staying healthy. Clark stands to add a veteran piece to the mix.
[RELATED: Broncos Interested In Dalvin Cook?]
The Broncos will give Clark a one-year deal worth up to $7.5MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Close in numbers to Buffalo’s Floyd deal, Clark’s Denver accord will include a $5.5MM base salary guarantee. The other $2MM will be divided into incentives, with Schefter adding that $1MM comes via potentially achievable incentives while the other million will be classified as unlikely to be earned escalators. Floyd signed for $7MM guaranteed Monday, likely laying the groundwork for the Broncos and Clark.
Clark, who will turn 30 next week, did not live up to the monster extension he signed with the Chiefs upon being acquired via trade in 2019. Despite not producing a 10-sack season in Kansas City, the eight-year veteran has three Pro Bowls on his resume. A former second-round pick, Clark has tallied two double-digit sack slates. Both came with Seattle.
Upon designating Brandon McManus as a post-June 1 cut late last month, the Broncos freed up $3.75MM in 2023 cap space. That will end up going toward Clark’s guarantee, with Sean Payton noting post-release the team was looking into other areas on its roster. Clark and Payton spoke this week and “hit it off,” Schefter tweets. While the Broncos still have George Paton in place as GM, Payton almost definitely has considerable personnel power given what it took to acquire his rights this winter.
“The situation with Sean Payton is good for me,” Clark said, via CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter). “I get to play alongside Randy Gregory and stay in my in division that I am very familiar with. I also want to help the Broncos get back to the mountaintop.”
Clark will join a pass-rushing stable featuring Gregory, converted inside linebacker Baron Browning and 2022 second-round pick Nik Bonitto. The Broncos struggled to consistently generate pressure after trading Bradley Chubb last year, with Gregory on the shelf for much of the campaign. Browning also missed time due to injury, while Bonitto totaled just 1.5 sacks in 15 games. Denver carried considerable edge depth coming into its 2022 training camp, but after trading Malik Reed to the Steelers and seeing Gregory go down with a knee injury early in the season, the Broncos created a need by dealing Chubb to the Dolphins. Denver did not draft a defensive lineman or outside linebacker this year, though third-round pick Drew Sanders totaled 9.5 sacks from his inside linebacker post at Arkansas last season.
While Clark’s regular-season numbers in Kansas City left much to be desired — based on the five-year, $104MM deal he signed in 2019 — the former Michigan talent did produce in the playoffs. Clark totaled five postseason sacks for the 2019 Super Bowl champion Chiefs squad, three in 2020 and added 2.5 during Kansas City’s latest Super Bowl run. His 13 postseason sacks trail only Willie McGinest (16) and Bruce Smith (14.5) in NFL history. Clark, however, has not topped six sacks in a regular season since 2019.
Off-field trouble followed Clark to Kansas City. After a domestic violence arrest led to Michigan booting him from the team in 2014, Clark was arrested on two gun-related charges in 2021. He resolved both matters but served a two-game suspension last season. The Chiefs reworked his lucrative contract earlier in 2022, avoiding a cap-casualty transaction, but ended up parting ways with Clark a year after doing so. He will attempt to aid the Broncos as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season.
Saints Sign WRs Keke Coutee, Lynn Bowden
Keke Coutee and Lynn Bowden worked out for the Saints at their minicamp this week, NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill notes (Twitter links). Each will earn an invitation to the next Saints round of practices.
The Saints are signing both wide receivers, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Additionally, New Orleans waived wideout Malik Flowers, running back SaRodorick Thompson and offensive lineman Yasir Durant.
Coutee, 26, spent last season with the Colts; Bowden, 25, logged time on the Patriots’ practice squad. The former mid-round picks will vie for backup spots in New Orleans, which lost Jarvis Landry this offseason. The Saints still re-signed Michael Thomas, hoping the NFL single-season reception record holder can shake the injuries that have defined his 2020s, and return second-year speedster Rashid Shaheed. Longtime tertiary option Tre’Quan Smith also remains rostered, while the Saints signed Bryan Edwards and drafted A.T. Perry in the sixth round.
Best known for his time as a Texans slot receiver, Coutee failed to make Houston’s 2021 active roster and trekked to Indianapolis. The Texas Tech alum served as a regular punt returner with the Colts last season. That represented his most notable work since 2020, when the former fourth-round pick established a career highs with 33 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns. Since Deshaun Watson‘s on-field Houston finale, however, Coutee has only caught two passes. He auditioned for the Packers earlier this offseason.
A former third-round Raiders pick, Bowden is probably best known for being traded to the Dolphins before he could suit up for a game in Las Vegas. The 2020 draftee saw some action as a Dolphins slot/gadget performer as a rookie, hauling in 28 passes for 211 yards. He has not caught a pass since. The Dolphins dangled Bowden in trades last year before ultimately cutting him. The Patriots picked up the Kentucky alum and stashed him on their practice squad. The Pats waived Bowden in May. Like Coutee, Bowden has a return background — just not in the NFL. He saw punt-return action at Kentucky in each of his three seasons.
A three-year veteran, Durant played in one game for the Saints last season. The 6-foot-7 tackle out of Missouri has two career starts on his resume. A rookie out of Texas Tech, Thompson was part of New Orleans’ UDFA contingent last month. Flowers set the Division I-FCS record for kick-return touchdowns, with seven, and sits behind only Shaheed in Big Sky Conference history in return average.
Lions Sign Round 2 TE Sam LaPorta
After trading T.J. Hockenson on deadline day last year, the Lions looked to the same place to address the newly created tight end need. The latest Iowa-developed tight end to become an early-round prospect, Sam LaPorta is now signed to his rookie contract.
Detroit will give LaPorta the new terms for early second-rounders, fully guaranteeing his first three seasons, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. The No. 34 overall pick will also receive a partial guarantee for his Year 4 payout; $408K of LaPorta’s 2026 salary is locked in at signing, per Wilson.
The Lions drafted Hockenson eighth overall in 2019. While LaPorta does not join Hockenson, Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew as first-round Lions draftees over the past 15 years, he does follow a host of Iowa-produced tight ends into the league. Hockenson, George Kittle, Noah Fant and Parker Hesse have emerged from the Big Ten program in recent years. This batch came after the Dallas Clark–Tony Moeaki–Scott Chandler–Brandon Myers–C.J. Fiedorowicz crop entered the league from 2003-14. The Lions will again bet on the tight end factory.
LaPorta became this year’s second tight end taken, following Utah’s Dalton Kincaid. Despite Michael Mayer receiving first-round buzz, the Lions passed on the Notre Dame alum, leading him to the Raiders at No. 35. The Lions picked up the No. 34 pick from the Cardinals, who traded into Detroit’s No. 6 spot for Paris Johnson a night earlier. LaPorta topped 650 receiving yards in each of his final two Hawkeyes seasons, totaling 657 on 58 receptions in 2022. He earned first-team all-conference acclaim as a senior.
ESPN’s Scouts Inc. graded LaPorta as this year’s No. 43 overall prospect, which is in line with how NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah slotted him (42nd). The Lions paid little mind to pre-draft rankings in Round 1, taking Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 and LaPorta Iowa teammate Jack Campbell at No. 18. LaPorta was a bit more in step with consensus. The trio will be expected to make immediate contributions.
The Lions’ Hockenson trade — for a 2023 second-rounder and a 2024 third — cleared a path at tight end. Former UDFA Brock Wright remains on Detroit’s roster; the Notre Dame alum started 10 games last season. Gibbs and second-rounder Brian Branch are the only unsigned members of this Detroit draft class.
Chiefs Sign Round 2 WR Rashee Rice, Wrap Draft Class Deals
The Chiefs are done with the rookie signing portion of their offseason, announcing an agreement with second-round pick Rashee Rice.
Choosing a receiver in Round 2 for the second straight year, the Chiefs will hope Rice can make an early impact. The team exited its minicamp Thursday with some questions at wide receiver, having lost J.J. Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency. Rice represents the defending Super Bowl champions’ top addition here.
Eyeing a more cost-conscious approach at receiver now that Patrick Mahomes‘ contract comes with high cap numbers annually, the Chiefs were not believed to have come too close on terms with Smith-Schuster before he bolted for New England on a three-year, $25.5MM deal ($16MM guaranteed). The team eyed a new Smith-Schuster deal this offseason, but the team’s second-leading pass catcher from 2022 is gone. Younger players are now supplementing Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Kansas City is expecting a jump from Kadarius Toney, now that the ex-Giants first-rounder is going through the offseason program with the Chiefs, and used a second-round choice on Skyy Moore last year. Moore did not make much of an impact as a rookie, though he emerged for two key playoff contributions — a pivotal fourth-quarter punt return in the AFC title game and a short Super Bowl touchdown grab — and should be expected to play more with Smith-Schuster and Hardman gone.
The Chiefs have been connected to DeAndre Hopkins, discussing the 10-year veteran with the Cardinals in a trade. But with the former All-Pro not wanting to take too much of a discount from his Cardinals deal — an issue during trade talks — Hopkins-Chiefs rumors have been scarce over the past several days.
Chosen 55th overall, Rice played a regular role for the past four SMU squads. Last season, however, the 204-pound wideout broke through for the American Athletic Conference school. Rice caught 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 TDs in 2022, ranking in the top five in Division I-FBS in receptions and yards. Still, ESPN’s Scouts Inc. viewed this pick as a considerable reach, having ranked Rice 124th as a prospect. The Chiefs did work on this draft’s first-round-caliber wideouts and were on the radar for a potential Zay Flowers or Jordan Addison trade-up, but Rice ended up being the player tabbed.
Here is the Chiefs’ seven-man draft class:
Round 1, No. 31: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE (Kansas State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 55 (from Vikings through Lions): Rashee Rice, WR (SMU) (signed)
Round 3, No. 92 (from Bengals): Wanya Morris, T (Oklahoma) (signed)
Round 4, No. 119 (from Lions through Vikings): Chamarri Conner, CB (Virginia Tech) (signed)
Round 5, No. 166: BJ Thompson, LB (Stephen F. Austin) (signed)
Round 6, No. 194 (from Lions): Keondre Coburn, DT (Texas) (signed)
Round 7, No. 250: Nic Jones, CB (Ball State) (signed)
Buccaneers To Sign K Rodrigo Blankenship
Going into training camp, the Buccaneers’ 2023 kicker room will have a Colts-y vibe. After bringing in Rodrigo Blankenship for a minicamp tryout, Tampa Bay is signing the young specialist, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
Blankenship spent part of three seasons with the Colts, being the team’s first non-Adam Vinatieri Week 1 leg since 2005, but was waived last year. The player who both replaced Vinatieri late in the 2019 season and took over for Blankenship in September 2022, Chase McLaughlin, is already on the Bucs’ 90-man roster.
McLaughlin kicked in 16 games for the Colts last season, replacing Blankenship after the latter’s rough day during a Week 1 tie with the Texans. Tampa Bay gave the fifth-year kicker a one-year, $1.13MM deal this offseason. That pact came with just $100K guaranteed, giving the Bucs flexibility. With Blankenship representing competition, the two recent Indianapolis kickers will vie to replace Ryan Succop in Tampa.
This will mark a rematch between McLaughlin and Blankenship, who squared off in a kicking battle in 2020. The Colts had signed McLaughlin, who kicked in four games for the team in 2019, to a reserve/futures deal in 2020. But they went with Blankenship, a 2020 UDFA out of Georgia, to be Vinatieri’s full-time successor. That move, however, only produced one full season of work. A 2021 injury and the struggles in Houston last September led Blankenship out of Indiana. The Colts paid up for ex-Rams standout Matt Gay in March.
The former Lou Groza award winner, Blankenship made 32 of 37 field goals as a rookie but suffered a hip injury during a pivotal 2021 Monday night in Baltimore. Blankenship’s efforts to kick through the injury resulted in a missed extra point and two missed field goals, opening the door to a 19-point Ravens comeback that dealt the Colts what would be a crushing blow — since the team finished one win shy of the playoffs that season. Blankenship booted two kickoffs out of bounds and missed a 42-yard field goal in overtime during his comeback game against the Texans in Week 1 of last season. He later caught on with the Cardinals, making both his field goal tries in two games.
Tampa Bay had gone through numerous kickers during the 2010s, shuffling through a new option annually, but Succop gave the team some sought-after stability. Encountering cap issues this offseason, the Bucs released Succop in March. The 13-year veteran remains a free agent.
Colts S Daniel Scott Out For Season
The Colts depth at safety took a bit of a hit on the last play of last week’s OTAs when rookie fifth-round safety Daniel Scott tore his ACL, ending his rookie season before it had even begun. Scott will be out for the season and Indianapolis has moved him to injured reserve as a result, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. 
Scott was only a two-year starter at Cal, but he made the most of his time in the lineup, leading his team in interceptions in both of those years and earning the Team Captain moniker for his final college season. He’s a rangy defensive back that the Golden Bears trusted back in coverage or defending the run. He didn’t have the most consistent film in Berkeley, but Scott had attractive traits for an NFL safety and tested out of the gym at the scouting combine.
Scott wasn’t likely to start for the Colts as a rookie, but behind projected starters Rodney Thomas II and Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis lacks experienced depth. Last year’s third-round pick, Nick Cross, returns for his sophomore season, as do undrafted signings from last year Trevor Denbow and Marcel Dabo. The only other safeties on the roster are also previously undrafted free agents: Henry Black, signed by the Packers in 2020, and undrafted rookie out of Campbell Aaron Maddox.
So, while Scott wasn’t expected to start games, his loss hurts the two-deep in Indianapolis. With his diverse skill-set and rotational ability, Scott could’ve earned a strong snap count if he could’ve adjusted quickly to the speed of the NFL. He also likely would’ve been a strong contributor on special teams. Instead, he’ll spend the 2023 season on IR, rehabilitating his injury and hopefully learning as much as he can soak in in the meantime.
Raiders Sign Second-Round TE Michael Mayer
The Raiders came one step closer to completing the signing of their 2023 rookie class today, announcing the signing of former Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, whom they drafted in the second round of this year’s draft. 
After being named a Freshman All-American in 2020, Mayer followed his first college season up with two more stellar performances. In his final year with the Fighting Irish, Mayer was named a first-team All-American after leading all FBS tight ends with nine touchdown catches. He was the only FBS tight end to eclipse 800 receiving yards in each of the past two years, as well.
For much of the pre-draft process, Mayer was considered the top tight end on the board. While others may have projected higher as a large pass catcher, Mayer was easily viewed as the most well-rounded tight end prospect. Instead, he slid slightly down the board into the second round as the third tight end drafted, following Utah’s Dalton Kincaid (1st round, 25th pick by Buffalo) and Iowa’s Sam LaPorta (2nd round, 34th pick by Detroit).
Over his three years in South Bend, Mayer set program records for a tight end in receptions (180), receiving yards (2,099), and receiving touchdowns (18). With such recent successes as Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Cole Kmet, and several others coming out of Notre Dame, that’s no small feat. Mayer is set to add to a tight end alumni group that rivals the success of schools like Iowa and Miami (FL).
In Las Vegas, Mayer should have a bit of time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. The Raiders currently roster two experienced veterans in Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard, whom, together, can easily hold down the position until Mayer is NFL-ready. That’s if he needs any time at all. Given how quickly Mayer adjusted and became a major contributor at the college level, Mayer may be pushing for snaps by the season opener.
With Mayer’s contract in the books, the Raiders have signed eight of their nine draft selections. Only fourth-round Maryland cornerback Jakorian Bennett remains unsigned in Las Vegas’s rookie class.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/14/23
Today’s minor roster moves across the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: T Julien Davenport
- Waived: S Josh Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: TE Zach Davidson
It’s unfortunate news for Davidson, who was hoping to make a push for a roster spot this offseason after signing a futures deal with the Bills after their postseason elimination last season. He won’t be eligible to be activated off of injured reserve for this season, either. He would have to be released with an injury settlement in order to be eligible to play this year.
Davenport started games for three different teams over the first five years of his career but hasn’t appeared in a game since 2021. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the veteran tackle is already drawing interest around the league.
Buccaneers Sign Round 1 DT Calijah Kancey
This afternoon has brought movement in first-round signings. Both the Buccaneers and Ravens have agreed to terms with their top draft choices. In addition to Zay Flowers signing his rookie deal, Calijah Kancey is now locked down.
The Bucs announced Kancey signed his contract, which runs through 2026 and would allow the Bucs — if they choose — to keep him through 2027 via the fifth-year option. The interior pass rusher will be expected to play a key role for Todd Bowles‘ defense as a rookie.
Chosen 19th overall out of Pittsburgh, Kancey checked out as a clean prospect. No team brought the ACC standout in for a pre-draft visit. The Bucs will bet on the player from Aaron Donald‘s alma mater and a prospect who drew some probably unfair comparisons to the all-time defensive tackle great.
Kancey will fill in up front alongside 2022 second-round pick Logan Hall and Vita Vea, the latter of whom annually making things a bit easier for three-techniques. The Bucs also signed ex-Rams D-tackle Greg Gaines this offseason. The Bucs have not re-signed Akiem Hicks or William Gholston up front, but the team needed to work its way down from a $50MM-plus cap deficit, as Tom Brady’s void-years bill came due.
Kancey totaled 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Standing 6-foot-1 and 281 pounds, Kancey blazed to a 4.67-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. He earned first-team All-American acclaim last season, becoming the Panthers’ first unanimous All-American since Donald did so in 2013. Kancey received a first-team All-ACC nod in 2021.
Tampa Bay also agreed to terms with third-round edge rusher Yaya Diaby, who starred at Louisville. After the Bucs agreed to terms with five draftees last week, only second-round O-lineman Cody Mauch is unsigned.
Ravens Sign Round 1 WR Zay Flowers
Part of a record-setting receiver run in the first round, Zay Flowers joined the other three wideouts chosen consecutively in signing his rookie contract. The Ravens rookie agreed to terms on his deal Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Flowers’ No. 22 slot deal will be worth $14MM, with Schefter adding the Boston College product will receive his entire $7.2MM signing bonus this year. This draft’s Nos. 20, 21 and 23 picks — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston and Jordan Addison — had previously agreed to terms on their four-year rookie deals (feat. fifth-year options).
A four-year contributor at the ACC school, Flowers will be part of a revamped Ravens receiving corps this year. Flowers joins Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor as outside additions expected to boost Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson-piloted attack. With Flowers under contract, the Ravens have now agreed to terms with all six of their 2023 draftees.
Flowers attracted interest from other teams, with the Giants making an effort to trade up for the shifty pass catcher. Leery of both the Giants and Chiefs, the Ravens did not overthink their strategy and made Flowers the draft’s third straight receiver selected — behind Smith-Njigba and Johnston. This draft featured a record four consecutive wideouts going off the board in the first round.
While Flowers is now the fifth first-round wideout on the Ravens’ roster, joining Beckham (2014), Agholor (2015), Laquon Treadwell (2016) and Rashod Bateman (2021), he is also the franchise’s fourth first-round receiver pick since 2015. The Ravens have repeatedly tried to staff their receiving corps with first-rounders, taking Breshad Perriman in 2015, Marquise Brown in 2019 and adding Bateman two years ago. Perriman did not finish out his rookie contract in Baltimore, while the team dealt Brown to Arizona for a package headlined by a first-round pick. Bateman is coming off a foot injury that ended his season in October.
At Boston College, Flowers led the team in receiving for three straight seasons. In 2022, the 5-foot-9 target caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. Not much in the way of precedent exists for 5-9 receivers going in Round 1. Only two other wideouts shorter than 5-10 went in the first round in the 21st century. Brown was one of those, with Tavon Austin (Rams, 2013) being the other. The Ravens are betting big on Flowers, who they attempt to give Mark Andrews better support now that Jackson is signed to a record-setting extension.
As rookies prepare for their first training camps, here is how Baltimore’s 2023 draft class looks:
Round 1, No. 22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College) (signed)
Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson) (signed)
Round 4, No. 124: Tavius Robinson, LB (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5, No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 6, No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC) (signed)