Texans To Bring Back DE Jacob Martin
MAY 23: Martin’s deal has a maximum value of $3.5MM, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 (Twitter link). That falls well short of what he earned on his Jets pact, but it should allow him to earn a rotational role in his return to the Texans. Another consistent season could earn Martin a more lucrative contract next offseason, in Houston or elsewhere.
MAY 19: Not long after Jacob Martin‘s hometown team cut him, he will reunite with his longest-tenured NFL employer. The Texans intend to bring back Martin, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
This is a one-year agreement for the veteran pass rusher, who initially played in Houston from 2019-21. Martin, who has now been part of two trades, spent last season with the Jets and Broncos.
Sean Payton said a Martin reunion was not out of the picture for the Broncos, but once the franchise moved on (to create some cap space), outside interest emerged. Martin visited the Texans a day later, and while he is obviously familiar with the organization, the former Seahawks draftee will soon learn a new system under DeMeco Ryans — the fourth Houston HC in four years.
Like No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr., Martin will transition from standup outside linebacker to defensive end in Ryans’ 4-3 scheme. The Texans lost Obo Okoronkwo and Rasheem Green in free agency, seeing the edge rushers defect to the Browns and Bears, respectively, in free agency. Martin, 27, stands to supply some depth to the now-Anderson-led edge group.
The Texans initially obtained Martin in 2019’s Jadeveon Clowney trade. Martin represented one of the throw-in pieces in a Texans haul headlined by a third-round pick. Martin played a supporting role for Houston’s most recent playoff-qualifying team, in 2019, and moved into a full-time starting position by 2021. Martin’s production has remained steady regardless of role. In each season from 2018-21, he recorded between three and four sacks. In 2021, he tallied four sacks, six QB hits and a safety on a Kyler Murray rushing attempt. That effort enticed the Jets to give Martin a three-year, $13.5MM deal that included $6MM guaranteed.
Down Randy Gregory and having traded Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins on deadline day last year, the Broncos acquired Martin’s contract in a pick-swap trade with the Jets. But injury trouble slowed the Aurora, Colorado, native. Martin played in just five Broncos games before finishing the season on IR. Last season marks Martin’s first NFL instance of failing to reach three sacks; he finished with 2.5.
GM Nick Caserio has made a habit of bringing batches of middling veterans on one- or two-year deals each offseason. Martin joins Denzel Perryman, Cory Littleton, Chase Winovich, Hassan Ridgeway and ex-Jets teammate Sheldon Rankins as front-seven Houston free agency additions this spring. Winovich, Martin, Jerry Hughes and fourth-round pick Dylan Horton currently comprise the team’s Anderson support staff on the edge.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/22/23
Today’s mid- to late-round draft pick signings from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- RB Roschon Johnson (fourth round, Texas)
Seattle Seahawks
- G Anthony Bradford (fourth round, LSU)
Johnson had a productive career at Texas, collecting 2,610 yards from scrimmage in four seasons. While his most productive season came back in 2019 (807 yards, eight touchdowns), he finished his senior season with a career-high six yards per carry. The rookie could have an opportunity to produce in 2023 after joining a depth chart that’s headlined by D’Onta Foreman and 2022 sixth-round pick Khalil Herbert.
The six-foot-four, 332-pound Bradford was one of the biggest lineman prospects in the draft. While he naturally lacks athleticism and speed, he could still develop into a productive offensive lineman for a power running game. He’ll likely find himself playing mostly special teams as a rook.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/22/23
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: LB Daelin Hayes
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Joel Wilson
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OT Max Pircher
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Emanuel Wilson
- Waived: K Parker White
Houston Texans
- Released: DB Darius Joiner
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Toby Ndukwe
- Released: LB Tae Crowder, LB Emeke Egbule, RB Master Teague
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: CB Artie Burns
- Signed: NT LaTrell Bumphus
- Waived: LB Chris Garrett
Max Pircher will be joining the Lions via the league’s International Pathways Program. The team originally signed Austalian tight end Patrick Murtagh, who had to back out of his deal due to a medical issue, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Pircher played football in Austria and participated on Italy’s National Team before a stint on the Rams’ practice squad in 2021.
Tae Crowder became a popular name after he compiled 130 tackles in 17 starts for the Giants in 2021. He found himself sliding down the depth chart in 2022 before ultimately getting waived. He landed back on New York’s practice squad before being signed by the Steelers, where he didn’t get into a game while sitting on their active roster.
Browns Sign OT Dawand Jones, Wrap Draft Class Deals
The Browns have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced that they’ve inked fourth-round offensive tackle Dawand Jones to his four-year rookie pact.
Jones got into 41 games across four seasons at Ohio State, including a 2022 campaign where he earned All-Big Ten honors after starting 13 games at right tackle. The lineman started 13 games at right guard in 2021, so his versatility could lead to some snaps as a backup in 2023.
The rookie probably profiles as more of an offensive tackle long-term. In Cleveland, he’ll have an opportunity to play under (and potentially supplant) All-Pro veterans Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio.
Jones was the seventh and final of the team’s draft picks to sign. The Browns entire draft class included:
Round 3, No. 74 (from Jets): Cedric Tillman, WR (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 3, No. 98: Siaki Ika, DT (Baylor) (signed)
Round 4, No. 111: Dawand Jones, OT (Ohio State)
Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings): Isaiah McGuire, DE (Missouri) (signed)
Round 5, No. 140 (from Rams): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB (UCLA) (signed)
Round 5, No. 142: Cameron Mitchell, CB (Northwestern) (signed)
Round 6, No. 190: Luke Wypler, C (Ohio State) (signed)
Bills Re-Sign S Dean Marlowe
The Bills’ safety retention effort continues. Dean Marlowe, who returned to Buffalo via trade at last year’s deadline, agreed to terms to stay. He signed a one-year deal Monday, according to the team.
Marlowe came back to the Bills just more than a month after Micah Hyde‘s season-ending injury and became a starter following Damar Hamlin‘s terrifying January injury. The Bills are running it back with Hyde, the recently re-signed Jordan Poyer, Hamlin and Marlowe in 2023.
Initially signed during Brandon Beane‘s first free agency period as GM, in 2018, Marlowe spent three years in Buffalo. He left for a Detroit free agency deal in 2021 and signed with Atlanta last year. But the Falcons traded Marlowe back to the Bills on deadline day, when the AFC East champions also acquired Nyheim Hines.
Marlowe, 30, played one defensive snap during his first two months back in Buffalo. But the Bills needed him following Hamlin’s cardiac arrest scene. The Bills turned to Marlowe as a full-time starter against the Patriots in Week 18 and in both their playoff contests. Marlowe intercepted a pass in Buffalo’s narrow wild-card win over Miami.
The Bills have employed their Hyde-Poyer safety tandem for six seasons now, and Poyer’s two-year, $12.5MM deal will bring a seventh season of this pair working together. Marlowe served as a top backup for the Bills from 2018-20, starting seven games during that span. Hamlin’s progress will obviously be worth monitoring as the season approaches, but the inspirational defender has received full clearance. If Hamlin indeed returns to game action as expected, he is expected to be the Bills’ top safety reserve — as he was last season. Marlowe, however, provides additional depth for an injury-plagued unit and a seasoned special teams presence. Marlowe saw action on 75% of the Falcons’ ST snaps before being traded.
Although the Bills let Tremaine Edmunds walk in free agency — via a Bears pact for top-five off-ball linebacker money — they have brought back several pieces on defense this offseason. Poyer, Marlowe, Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson signed deals to stay in Western New York. The Bills ranked second in points allowed last season.
Falcons Sign WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
The Falcons have made another depth addition to their receiver room. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has signed a deal with Atlanta, the team announced on Monday. 
Arcega-Whiteside visited the Falcons recently, and it has now resulted in a contract. This deal will give the former Eagles second-rounder another opportunity to rebuild his value, after his first three seasons in the NFL resulted in underwhelming production. Arcega-Whiteside’s best season to date came as a rookie, with 169 yards and one touchdown on 10 catches.
Since then, the 26-year-old saw his playing time drop considerably in each of the past two seasons. The Eagles experimented with moving him to tight end, but his time in Philadelphia appeared to be numbered regardless of the role he occupied. In August, he was traded to the Seahawks, a move which could have allowed him to find his footing in a new offense.
However, the Stanford product was among Seattle’s final roster cuts, and spent the beginning of the campaign on their practice squad. After failing to make any appearances in the Emerald City, he was released in November. It came as little surprise that Arcega-Whiteside was left on the market deep into the offseason, with a number of other pass-catching options available for teams via the free agent and draft routes.
In Atlanta, he will join a receiving corps which is topped by 2022 first-rounder Drake London, but which has also seen a number of moves this offseason. Atlanta has added veterans Mack Hollins, Scotty Miller and Penny Hart in 2023. They will help fill the void left by the departures of Olamide Zaccheaus and Damiere Byrd. Arcega-Whiteside will look to earn a spot near the bottom of the team’s WR depth chart, with his size (6-2, 225) and blocking ability potentially giving him a path to a role on what should be one of the league’s most run-heavy offenses.
In a corresponding move, the Falcons have placed fellow receiver Jared Bernhardt on the reserve/retired list. The 25-year-old made just two appearances with Atlanta last season after dealing with injury for much of the campaign.
Eagles Sign First-Round LB Nolan Smith
Both of the Eagles’ first-round picks in the 2023 draft are now officially on the books. The team announced on Monday that they have signed edge rusher Nolan Smith to his four-year rookie deal. 
Smith was one of multiple former Georgia defenders to be selected by the Eagles this year, joining fellow first-rounder Jalen Carter and fourth-round corner Kelee Ringo in that regard. With Smith now signed, only the latter has yet to ink his first NFL deal out of Philadelphia’s seven-man class.
Smith was a consistent contributor on the Bulldogs’ vaunted defense, a unit which was key in leading the team to consecutive national championships. The 6-3, 235-pounder’s best season came in 2021, when he totaled 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Those figures fell slightly to three and seven, respectively, last year. Smith still found himself squarely on the first-round radar given his skillset against the pass and run.
A very strong performance at the Combine led many to believe he would be one of the top edge rushers to hear his name called on draft night. Instead, Smith fell to the No. 30 slot before the Eagles added him to a draft class which already included Carter, the class’ top defensive tackle. The latter was the draft’s most polarizing figure, but Smith will join the Eagles with one of the safest floors in the class given the praise he has received on and off the field.
Size was raised as a potential concern for Smith, though his frame has yielded Haason Reddick comparisons. The veteran enjoyed a highly successful first campaign in Philadelphia last season, recording 16 sacks and a league-leading five forced fumbles. Reddick will once again be a key member of the Eagles’ pass rush, though they had several contributors in 2022 en route to registering 69 regular season sacks.
Smith will look to carve out a role alongside Reddick and the likes of Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat in his rookie season. With Graham likely nearing the end of his career, an increased role could emerge for Smith down the road, but in the immediate future he will join a deep edge rushing group aiming to repeat the Eagles’ success from last year.
Ravens, QB Josh Johnson Agree To Deal
Josh Johnson has once again landed a new deal with a familiar team. The journeyman quarterback is signing with the Ravens for a third time, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
Johnson, 37, has been a member of an NFL-record 14 teams over the span of his career, also spending time in the UFL, AAF and XFL along the way. His previous stints in Baltimore came in 2016 and 2021; it was during the latter campaign that he made his only start as a Raven. Given the team’s current depth chart, it would come as a surprise if he were to see any game action this time around.
Baltimore has Lamar Jackson on the books for the next five years after they brought his contract saga to an end earlier this offseason. That will allow the team to move forward with certainty at the top of the depth chart, but the former MVP has been sidelined to close out the season in each of the past two years. That leaves their backup and third-string options a point of interest.
The Ravens tendered restricted free agent Tyler Huntley at the low-round level ($2.63MM). The former UDFA would have been able to head elsewhere on an offer sheet which would not have put Baltimore in line for compensation, but Huntley ultimately signed the one-year deal. The 25-year-old has made four starts in each of the past two regular seasons, and started the team’s wild-card loss to the Bengals in 2022.
Johnson – who began last season on the Broncos’ practice squad before signing with the 49ers amidst their quarterback injuries – will likely be competing for the third-string role in training camp. That spot currently belongs to Anthony Brown, a UDFA who made one start as a rookie last season. The Ravens also included one signal-caller (Nolan Henderson) in this year’s group of undrafted rookie signings. Johnson will look to outperform those two as a means of at least earning a spot on the Ravens’ practice squad.
Giants Add Ryan Cowden To Front Office
Ryan Cowden was unable to land in New York as Dave Gettleman‘s successor in the role of general manager two years ago when Joe Schoen, Cowden’s coworker of six years back in the early 2000s, got the job, but according to Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports, Cowden has found his way to the Giants, nevertheless. Dunleavy reports that Cowden is expected to be hired to a role in the Giants’ front office. 
Cowden got his start in the NFL as a scouting analyst for the Panthers in 2000, shortly after graduating from Wofford. A year later, he was assigned to the southeast area, covering his assignment as an area scout for the next six years alongside Schoen. He was promoted to national scout in 2008, once again holding the position for six years but, this time, adding on the title of senior college scout, as well, in 2012. Schoen was also promoted to national scout in 2008 but for the Dolphins, ending his time with Cowden. In 2014, the Panthers promoted Cowden once again, this time to assistant director of college scouting, a position he held for two years.
In 2016, Cowden was hired in Tennessee as the Titans’ director of player personnel. A year later, he found himself receiving some interest for general manager positions, interviewing for the Chiefs’ open role in 2017 and the Panthers’ open job in 2018. He failed to land the big opportunity but accepted the consolation prize of a promotion into the position of vice president of player personnel for Tennessee. He continued to interview for general manager jobs, talking to Washington in 2021 before interviewing with the Steelers and Giants, as mentioned above, last year.
There were only two general manager positions open this offseason but, luckily for Cowden, one of them was his own team. After Jon Robinson was fired early in December of last year, Cowden was appointed as the interim general manager in his stead. Everything was lining up for Cowden to finally land his first job as an NFL general manager. Instead, he was passed over as the Titans decided to hire former 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon.
Since getting passed over, many felt Cowden’s time in Nashville quietly ended. The Titans, who also saw key Robinson lieutenant Monti Ossenfort leave (for the Cardinals’ GM job) this offseason, removed Cowden’s name from their website earlier this month. Cowden’s role with the Giants has yet to be determined, but as an annual general manager candidate, he joins the team as a highly experienced executive.
As he and Schoen are near the same age, it’s hard to imagine this being a GM-in-waiting scenario, but perhaps Cowden’s old friend wanted to give him a solid jumping off point for the league’s next general manager vacancy. Regardless, the Giants’ front office is looking stacked with Schoen and Cowden back together.
AFC Notes: Raiders, Bills, Titans, Steelers
Last year, the Raiders offensive line was viewed as a major weakness, forcing Las Vegas to shuffle the depth chart until they found a workable solution. Oddly enough, though, by the end of the season, the team found a reliable starting five and some dependable reserves that didn’t blow anybody away but routinely got the job done. With the position no longer a weakness, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal posits that the Raiders may not have much urgency in addressing the position before next season.
Returning a likely starting five of Kolton Miller at left tackle, Dylan Parham at left guard, Andre James at center, Alex Bars at right guard, and Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle, the Raiders don’t necessarily have any holes in the offensive line. Bonsignore asserts that the team still may look for potential upgrades from younger reserve linemen pushing for playing time or potential outside additions, if they present themselves, but right now, the team’s roster may be set after the recent additions of free agent Greg Van Roten and undrafted rookies McClendon Curtis and Dalton Wagner.
Here are a few other rumors from around the AFC:
- The Bills made a number of moves within their scouting department this offseason. Formerly the team’s pro personnel director, Malik Boyd has been named senior personnel advisor in Buffalo. The former Vikings defensive back and veteran scout with personnel experience for the Colts and Cardinals will work as an executive scout in both pro and college mediums. Additionally, Chris Marrow and Curtis Rukavina have both been named co-directors of pro scouting. The two remain entwined after joining the team as pro scouts in 2017 and both working as assistant directors of pro scouting until their recent promotions.
- With a new general manager in Ran Carthon, the Titans, too, have begun to make some front office adjustments, according to Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com. Max Curtis has been named as the team’s new player personnel coordinator, being from promoted from dual roles last year as coordinator of football administration and executive assistant to the executive vice president and general manager. Bryce Wasserman will now be the Titans’ director of team strategy after serving last year as staff counsel. Lastly, a football development coordinator last year, John Streicher will now be in the role of director of football administration.
- Finally, the Steelers have poached a scout from the in-state Eagles, according to Colin Dunlap of 93.7 The Fan, Pittsburgh. After five years as an area scout for Philadelphia, Jim Ward will cross the state to serve a similar role in Pittsburgh.