Lions Deal No. 55 To Chiefs
The defending Super Bowl champions are moving up in the second round. The Lions will allow the Chiefs to vault to No. 55, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Detroit will pick up Nos. 63, 122, 249 from Kansas City; in addition to No. 55, the Lions sent No. 194 to the Chiefs. After attempting to move up in Round 1, the Chiefs will climb in their home draft tonight.
With the new selection, the Chiefs will take SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice. A Danny Gray teammate at SMU, Rice spent four seasons as a contributor for the Mustangs. With Gray in San Francisco, Rice stepped up to deliver his best work as a senior. He caught 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Chiefs did extensive work on this year’s first-round crop of wideouts and discussed moving up with the Vikings on Thursday night. But Kansas City stayed at No. 31. Now, the team is moving to help fill the voids created by the exits of JuJu. Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.
Kansas City showed an ability to remain productive without Tyreek Hill in 2022, leading the league in passing, total and scoring offense. That leaves reason for optimism in their potential to carry on next season, and Rice will have a role in the team’s diverse passing scheme.
The Chiefs have only made one free agent addition at the WR spot so far (Richie James). Rice certainly won’t preclude a move for another veteran following the draft, but Rice represents another young addition to their pass-catching room. Former Giants first-rounder Kadarius Toney, along with 2022 second-rounder Skyy Moore, are set for large roles moving forward. Rice will join those as he looks to aid another Super Bowl run.
Lions Land No. 45 From Packers, Select DB Brian Branch
For a second straight year, the Lions and Packers will make a second-round trade. After the Packers moved up last year, the Lions will do so Friday. Detroit traded Nos. 48 and 159 to Green Bay. 
With the pick, the Lions chose Alabama defensive back Brian Branch. A popular name on the pre-draft interview circuit, Branch stands to give Detroit interesting options. He worked as a safety and slot cornerback with the Crimson Tide. Considering the Lions signed safety/corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson, suddenly Aaron Glenn‘s defense brings intriguing versatility.
Branch filled the stat sheet in his final season, racking up 90 tackles (including 14 for loss), three sacks, a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups. That allowed him to stand out from an otherwise underwhelming safety class, and led many to expect he would be selected on Thursday.
Instead, his wait will ultimately lead to him the Motor City and a new-look secondary. It will certainly be interesting to see how he is used in 2023 in particular, with Gardner-Johnson having signed only a one-year pact. He and Branch have similar skillsets and could compete for playing time at multiple spots as the Lions look to take a needed step forward on defense next season.
Detroit and Green Bay swapped spots in the move which allowed the Packers to select wideout Christian Watson in 2022. Now, their roles have been reversed in a deal seeing the Lions add what they hope will be a long-term mainstay on their backend. Even with the trade-up, Detroit has another Day 2 picked scheduled at No. 55 overall.
Colts Trade No. 38 To Falcons
Rumored as a team interested in trading up earlier Friday, the Falcons are joining the Titans and Raiders in following through early in Round 2.
Atlanta sent Indianapolis Nos. 44 and 110 for the right to move into the No. 38 slot. The Falcons are taking Syracuse tackle Matthew Bergeron. This move comes shortly after the Colts sent the Raiders No. 35 overall. Indianapolis is stockpiling picks to start the second round.
The first of a number of Canadians expected to hear their names called in this year’s draft, Bergeron established himself as one of the top members of a top-heavy tackle class. Notably, Bergeron was announced as a guard, and he could be a candidate to move inside for at least the early part of his pro career.
It was reported not long ago that Atlanta was interested in adding a lineman capable of doing just that with their first pick. The team went a much different direction, of course, selecting running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8. He will boost their rushing game, something also made possible by an offensive line which has few openings at the moment. Bergeron will look to establish a role for himself as at least a backup along the interior.
Atlanta has left tackle Jake Matthews under contract through 2026, but Bergeron could been seen as a potential long-term successor on the blindside depending on his development path. The Falcons’ RG situation is shored up with Chris Lindstrom, who became the league’s highest-paid guard earlier this offseason. Bergeron’s run blocking strength could allow him to compete for snaps opposite him in the short- and long-term future if he is to remain on the interior.
Raiders Move Into Colts’ No. 35 Slot, Draft TE Michael Mayer
Trades are coming swiftly to start Round 2. The Colts are sending No. 35 overall to the Raiders in exchange for Nos. 38 and 141, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. 
With the pick, the Silver and Black drafted tight end Michael Mayer. The Notre Dame product hovered as a potential first-rounder, and he did not last long on the board tonight.
Only one member of this year’s vaunted TE class was selected on Thursday (Dalton Kincaid, by the Bills). Mayer is already the second to hear his name called tonight, though, joining Lions addition Sam Laporta. Mayer was considered by many to be the most well-rounded option at the position, and he will have the opportunity to showcase his skillset with the Raiders.
The 6-4, 249-pounder had two years of high-end production with the Fighting Irish. Between 2021 and ’22, he totaled 16 touchdowns while operating as a dependable red zone threat. He earned consensus All-American honors last year after posting 67 catches and 809 yards while serving as an effective blocker in the run game.
The Raiders traded away Darren Waller earlier this offseason in a move which has left a vacancy at the position, one which was the source of considerable production when he was available. Vegas added veterans Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard, but Mayer should be able to carve out at least a backup role early on in his rookie season. Over the long-term, he could develop into an impactful starter.
In the build-up to the draft, the Packers and Cowboys were named as suitors for Mayer on Day 1. Both teams elected to add on the defensive side of the ball last night, however, leaving them in the market for a seam-stretcher at some point in the remainder of the weekend. Plenty of options will be available given the depth of the class, but Mayer will be well-positioned in his new home to put together a successful NFL career.
Titans Obtain No. 33 From Cardinals, Select QB Will Levis
While the Steelers rebuffed trade offers, the Cardinals are making their third trade of the draft thus far. Arizona will send No. 33 to Tennessee, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. With the pick, the Titans are taking Will Levis.
Levis visited the Titans during the pre-draft process. While the Kentucky quarterback did not opt to attend the draft tonight — after his full-night green room stay last night — he will go off the board quickly in Round 2.
The Titans are sending the Cardinals Nos. 41 and 72 this year for Levis; the Cardinals will also pick up a 2024 third-rounder in this swap, Rapoport tweets. The Cards will send the Titans No. 81 this year as well. This will move a first-round-caliber quarterback onto the Titans’ roster. One season remains on Ryan Tannehill‘s four-year contract.
A cannon-armed talent, Levis both brought questions regarding injury (a late-emerging big toe concern) and performance. Levis fared better in 2021, breaking into the mix as a first-round-caliber player. With Wan’Dale Robinson and OC Liam Coen leaving for the NFL in 2022, Levis regressed. But he was not believed to have fallen too far. Oddsmakers slotted him as a good bet to be drafted in the top 10. After the Colts took Anthony Richardson, Levis slipped out of the first round.
Levis won 10 games for the Wildcats in 2021, completing 66.01% of his passes for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns. Levis also displayed an ability to run the ball that year, producing 376 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2022, injuries and the loss of his top targets led to a down year in which Levis completed 65.37% of his passes for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, all without displaying the rushing ability of prior years.
This pick comes a year after the Titans chose Malik Willis in the third round. The Liberty product did not appear ready as a rookie, and the Titans canned the GM — Jon Robinson — who selected him. The Titans are believed to have soured on Willis, and the Levis investment certainly reflects it. Now, Ran Carthon has a potential long-term option under center. The new Titans GM also trekked to Levis’ pro day last month.
It will be interesting to see if the Titans make an attempt to move on from Tannehill early. The team dangled its four-year starter in trades earlier this year. Finding a destination might depend on where the rest of this draft’s QBs are dispersed. That said, Tannehill is a proven starter who has piloted the Titans to three playoff berths. He is coming off an injury-shortened season, one in which the team traded away his top receiver (A.J. Brown), and would be far readier to step in next season compared to Levis. But the writing appears on the wall for Tannehill in Tennessee.
Steelers Select CB Joey Porter Jr. At No. 32
Although the Steelers received multiple offers to move out of No. 32 overall, the team will follow through and partner with a familiar face. They are taking cornerback Joey Porter Jr. atop the second round. 
As they did with ex-Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers have extensive intel on Porter. He is the son of longtime Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and attended a Pittsburgh-area high school and Penn State. The second-generation NFLer worked out at the Steelers’ facility at points leading up to the draft.
The Steelers hosted Porter on a pre-draft visit, going through an official meeting with a player they knew well. Pittsburgh also met with other corners during the visit window, but after addressing their tackle need in Round 1, the team will tab Porter. The Steelers lost Cameron Sutton in free agency and are planning to experiment with Patrick Peterson at safety.
Porter declared for the draft after his redshirt-junior season, and although he did not intercept a pass in 2022, Pro Football Focus charged him with just one 15-plus-yard completion allowed. The second-team All-American deflected a career-high 11 passes last year. He will join a Steelers team that signed Peterson but one that entered the draft with a dire need at corner. The Steelers still have Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon on their roster, but each is going into contract years. And each is signed to a lower-middle-class contract.
While the No. 32 pick normally comes with a fifth-year option, the Dolphins being stripped of their first-rounder for tampering moved this into the second round. Porter’s rookie contract will run through 2026.
Falcons To Exercise CB AJ Terrell’s Fifth-Year Option
Non-draft news is transpiring as we move closer to the second round. The Falcons will make their top 2020 draftee’s contract run through 2024. They are picking up AJ Terrell‘s fifth-year option, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
This will guarantee Terrell a $12.34MM salary for 2024, though the Falcons now have an additional year to work out an extension. Terrell has a second-team All-Pro honor on his resume, but since the Atlanta cornerback does not have a Pro Bowl honor, he checks in on the third tier of the option structure.
Terrell, 24, has been an anchor of the team’s secondary since his arrival in Atlanta. The 16th overall pick in 2020, he has started all 44 of his games with the Falcons, establishing himself as one of the top young corners in the league during that span. Terrell has posted four interceptions and 32 pass defections, ball skills which will likely be rewarded with a long-term deal at some point.
The Clemson product will be joined by another former notable draftee in 2023. Atlanta traded for former Lions third overall pick Jeff Okudah earlier this month, a buy-low gamble which could prove to be highly fruitful if he is able to remain healthy and live up to his potential. That move also marked another addition on the Falcons’ part to their backend, as part of their investments on defense.
The likes of Okudah and free agent safety Jessie Bates should help improve the team’s underwhelming ranks in a number of defensive categories from 2022. Terrell took a sizeable step back last season in terms of PFF grade (earning an overall rating of 63.9, compared to 82.6 in 2021). A bounce-back campaign would help both team and player, but in any event, Terrell is set to remain in the fold for at least the next two years as he looks to continue his career ascent.
Jets Re-Sign LS Thomas Hennessy
In advance of the second day of this year’s draft kicking off, the Jets have taken care of some special teams business. Long snapper Thomas Hennessy has signed a four-year extension, as noted (on Twitter) by his agency. The deal includes the most guaranteed money at the position around the league (which was previously the case for Cowboys snapper Joe Cardona, at $2.6MM).
The 28-year-old joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017, signing with the Colts. He was traded to the Jets later that offseason, though, and has remained in New York ever since. Hennessy has played in 98 games, making him the longest-tenure player on the team; he has yet to miss a contest during his career.
The Duke alum has been consistent during his time with the Jets, making multiple tackles in each season (and 20 in total). His track record in that department – and, more importantly, with respect to accurate snaps – has landed him another long-term extension. Hennessy inked a four-year, $4.4MM deal in 2019, and his level of play will allow him another, similar, pact.
The Jets re-signed kicker Greg Zuerlein last month, giving them familiarity at that position, as this Hennessy agreement will also do. New York reunited with veteran Thomas Morstead to handle punting duties, meaning their special teams battery is now in place for the 2023 campaign.
Chargers To Pick Up Justin Herbert’s Fifth-Year Option
Day 2 of the NFL draft is about to begin, but the Chargers have made a noteworthy (if entirely unsurprising) decision with the central figure already on their roster. Los Angeles will pick up quarterback Justin Herbert‘s fifth-year option, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Doing so will lock him in to a cap hit of just over $29.5MM in 2024. 
The news comes on a busy week of QB developments, including the Jets’ long-awaited trade acquisition of Aaron Rodgers being agreed upon and Lamar Jackson‘s Ravens extension materializing. Herbert’s 2020 draft classmate, Joe Burrow, also had his option picked up by the Bengals. The Chargers are taking the same path with their franchise signal-caller, as attention is sure to turn on the possibility of a long-term extension soon following.
Herbert, 25, is eligible for a second contract, and his market may have seen two benchmarks established recently. The deals signed by Jalen Hurts with the Eagles and by Jackson (worth $51MM and $52MM per season, respectively) will no doubt be used during negotiations for both Herbert and Burrow. The former has one Pro Bowl nod on his resume, along with a first career postseason appearance in 2022.
The Oregon product earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020, but has been maligned for the team’s lack of sustained success during his tenure. Herbert has nevertheless done enough to convince the Chargers to commit to him for the 2024 campaign, as they prepare to presumably take contract negotiations to a new level in the near future.
The Chargers have made it clear they have started talks with Herbert on what will be a monster deal. He may not land a contract with the AAV of Jackson, Hurts and (quite possibly, Burrow), but he should still be well-positioned to spend the foreseeable future in Los Angeles. At a minimum, he will be in place for the next two years as he and the team look to build off their success from last year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/28/23
Today’s lone minor move in advance of the draft’s second night:
Chicago Bears
- Released: DL Gerri Green
Green, 27, was a Colts sixth-rounder in 2019 but his only appearance came with the Bears last season. That came after he bounced around several other teams’ practice squads, and saw him play only four defensive snaps (though it was enough to earn him a futures deal in January). The Mississippi State product will now look to catch on with another team in the post-draft wave of free agency. The Bears elected not to add a rookie to their D-line last night, leading many to expect they will do so on Day 2.