Colts To Sign Phillip Lindsay
Running back Phillip Lindsay has found a new home. The veteran’s agent confirmed (on Twitter) Tuesday that he is signing with the Colts on a one-year deal. 
Lindsay, who will be 28 by the start of the season, burst onto the scene during his inaugural season in 2018. He topped 1,000 rushing yards and scored 10 total touchdowns as a rookie. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second time the following campaign, becoming the first UDFA in league history to do so.
Things changed dramatically after that, however. Competing with Melvin Gordon in the Broncos’ backfield, Lindsay’s workload was significantly reduced. He totalled just 502 rushing yards, albeit at a respectable rate of 4.3 yards per carry. Given the team’s commitment to Gordon (and its decision to draft Javonte Williams), it wasn’t a surprise when they rescinded Lindsay’s RFA tender, allowing him to depart in free agency.
That led him to Houston on a one-year deal to rebuild his value. He joined a backfield crowded by veterans David Johnson and Mark Ingram, and failed to produce at the level he was expecting. Having received only 50 carries in 10 games with the Texans, he found himself on waivers after the trade deadline.
The Dolphins claimed him, attempting to boost their underwhelming run game. While he saw a small uptick in terms of snap percentage in Miami, Lindsay didn’t do enough to garner interest in him as a starter this offseason. Now, he will join a Colts team already set at the top of the RB depth chart with Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. He is set to compete with Deon Jackson and a number of 2022 UDFAs for the No. 3 role.
Titans Reach Agreement With First Round WR Treylon Burks
The Titans made one of the most noteworthy moves on Day 1 of last month’s draft when they traded away A.J. Brown to the Eagles. They now have the wideout they selected to replace him – Treylon Burks – under contract on his four-year rookie deal worth $14.37MM (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). 
The Titans used the No. 18 pick on Burks after receiving it in exchange for Brown. The former will have significant expectations early on in his career, given not only the link between the two players but his impressive performances in college. Burks only posted 29 receptions in his freshman campaign in 2019, but he averaged over 16 yards per catch, something he would continue throughout his time at Arkansas He also showcased his open field abilities as a returner.
The following season, Burks took a significant step forward. He posted 895 scrimmage yards and scored seven total touchdowns in just nine games. The shortened season allowed him to demonstrate his run-after-catch skills, an aspect of his game which sets him apart from the other top wideouts in this year’s draft class. It also led to high expectations for him in the 2021 season.
Burks didn’t disappoint the Razorbacks or the many NFL teams that had him on their draft radars. He registered 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 112 yards and another score on the ground. That production and his frame (six-foot-three, 225 pounds), coupled with his multi-faceted skillset, have led to comparisons to Deebo Samuel.
Burks will enter a Titans offense which, just like that of the 49ers, is predicated on the run game. Still, he should see the field right away alongside Robert Woods, as the team moves forward with a re-vamped receiving corps.
Steelers Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents
The Steelers have added 14 undrafted rookies to their roster:
- OT Jake Dixon, Duquesne
- RB Mataeo Durant, Duke
- DL Donovan Jeter, Michigan
- LB Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M
- DL Trevon Mason, Arizona
- LB T.D. Moultry, Auburn
- G Chris Owens, Alabama
- CB Carlins Platel, South Carolina
- K Nick Sciba, Wake Forest
- WR Tyler Snead, East Carolina
- CB Chris Steele, Southern California
- OT Jordan Tucker, North Carolina
- RB Jaylen Warren, Oklahoma State
- CB Bryce Watts, UMass
Tucker is an intriguing prospect. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 338 pounds, the North Carolina product undoubtedly has the size to compete at the NFL level. During his senior season, Tucker started all 13 games for the Tar Heels, helping guide an offense that averaged 468 yards per game. Owens also provides some intrigue with his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
Steele and Watts could find themselves competing for a spot at the end of the depth chart. Steele finished his career at South Carolina with 95 tackles and three interceptions, while Watts had a 2021 campaign that saw him compiled 43 tackles and one pick.
Vikings Add Nine UDFAs
After adding 10 rookies via the draft, the Vikings have added nine more through free agency. The organization announced the signing of nine undrafted free agents:
- S Mike Brown, Miami (OH)
- WR Thomas Hennigan, Appalachian State
- RB Bryant Koback, Toledo
- LB Zach McCloud, Miami
- C Josh Sokol, Sacred Heart
- DT Tyarise Stevenson, Tulsa
- WR Tré Turner, VT
- LB Luiji Vilain, Wake Forest
- P Ryan Wright, Tulane
The Vikings were apparently eager to add a pair of defenders. According to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter), McCloud will earn $250K in guaranteed money, including a $225K base salary. The Miami Hurricanes standout finished his collegiate career with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, increasing his career numbers to 22.5 TFLs and 10 sacks.
Per PFF’s Doug Kyed on Twitter, the Vikings also gave Vilain $227K in guaranteed money. The linebacker had a breakout campaign after transferring from Michigan to Wake Forest, finishing the 2021 season with eight sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Raiders Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents
The Raiders rookie class grew significantly today, as the organization announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents:
- LB Darien Butler, Arizona State
- S Qwynnterrio Cole, Louisville
- CB Bryce Cosby, Ball State
- TE Cole Fotheringham, Utah
- QB Chase Garbers, California
- WR Justin Hall, Ball State
- LB Luke Masterson, Wake Forest
- RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA
- CB Malkelm Morrison, Army
- OT Bamidele Olaseni, Utah
- S Isaiah Pola-Mao, USC
- DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
- WR Tré Turner, Virginia Tech
- DE Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa
- CB Sam Webb, Missouri Western State
Tagovailoa-Amosa got a significant chunk of money from the Raiders, earning $207K in guaranteed money (including a $197K base salary guarantee), per ProFootballFocus.com’s Doug Kyed on Twitter. The cousin of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, the Notre Dame defensive end had a standout season in 2021, collecting six tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Another notable NFL-family connection is Pola-Mao, who is the nephew of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu. During his time at USC, Pola-Mao collected 178 tackles, five interceptions, and four fumble recoveries.
Olaseni grew up in London, England and didn’t start playing football until the age of 17 thanks to the British American Football Association. He played collegiate ball at Utah, where he earned All-Pac-12 Second Team honors.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/16/22
Several more mid- and late-round picks agreed to terms on their four-year rookie contracts Friday. Here are the latest agreements:
Chicago Bears
- T Zachary Thomas (sixth round, San Diego State)
Indianapolis Colts
- S Rodney Thomas II (seventh round, Yale)
New England Patriots
- OL Chasen Hines (sixth round, LSU)
- OL Andrew Stueber (seventh round, Michigan)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Christian Blake, S Tae Daley, QB Jarrett Guarantano, OL Greg Long, RB T.J. Pledger, WR Jared Smart
- Waived: LB Ron’Dell Carter, OL Marcus Henry, LB Changa Hodge, S Kekaula Kaniho, DL Will Miles, WR Stephon Robinson
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Tucker Fisk
- Waived: WR Chad Hansen, TE Daniel Helm, DB Luther Kirk
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Vince Biegel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT C.J. Brewer, DT Prince Emili, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, T Will Ulmer
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Wyatt Miller, TE Jared Scott
- Waived: DB Drew Hartlaub (left squad), CB Troy Pride Jr. (failed physical)
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Junior Faulk
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Zack Johnson
- Waived: CB Cortez Davis
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OLB Natrez Patrick
- Waived: OLB Jessie Lemonier
Houston Texans
- Claimed: DB Kendall Sheffield (from Falcons), WR Connor Wedington (from 49ers)
- Waived: CB Reggie Robinson
- Waived/injured: S Kolby Harvell-Peel
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Naz Bohannon, WR Marvin Hall, WR Willie Johnson, WR Ryan McDaniel
- Waived: WR Terry Godwin, WR Josh Hammond, S Sean Mahone, OL Marcus Tatum
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Stanford Samuels III, T Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
- Waived: C Brett Heggie, WR Tré Turner
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB William Kwenkeu
- Waived: LB Tuf Borland
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Ross Reiter
- Waived: DB Devin Hafford, QB/WR D’Eriq King
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Keric Wheatfall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Elijah Jones, T Liam Ryan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Kameron Brown, DL Mike Greene, TE J.J. Howland
- Waived: DL Kobe Smith, WR Austin Watkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kenneth George
- Placed on IR: S Jamal Carter
Washington Commanders
- Claimed (from Broncos): T Drew Himmelman
- Signed: CB Nijuel Hill, LB Bryce Notree
- Waived: G Zack Bailey, LB Jordan Kunaszyk
Jets Sign Round 1 DE Jermaine Johnson
The Jets are doing the heavy lifting in their rookie deals first. After agreeing to terms with No. 4 overall pick Sauce Gardner, the Jets have signed the third of their first-rounders — Jermaine Johnson — to his four-year rookie contract.
Johnson, who can be controlled through 2026 via the fifth-year option, will be tied to a fully guaranteed deal. Projected to go off the board earlier than he did, at No. 26, the Florida State product will be tasked with boosting a Jets edge rush that has been one of the NFL’s least effective position groups over the past decade and change.
[RELATED: Jets, Gardner Agree To Rookie-Deal Terms]
Famously lacking an impact edge presence since the 2006 John Abraham trade, the Jets are now positioned to have Johnson and Carl Lawson. The latter is coming off a season-nullifying Achilles tear. He will now team with one of this draft’s best defensive end prospects.
Transferring from Georgia to Florida State last year, Johnson registered a career-high 11.5 sacks to go along with 17.5 tackles for loss last season. ESPN ranked Johnson as the No. 14 overall prospect, but he slid to the mid-20s, opening the door for the Jets to trade back into Round 1 for him. The Jets sent the Titans second-, third- and fifth-round picks to move up for Johnson, who will join Gardner in attempting to help a defense that ranked 32nd in both points and yardage in 2021.
Steelers Release OLB John Simon
A two-year starter for the Patriots and a nine-year NFL veteran, John Simon saw another team hand him walking papers Monday. A few months after the Titans cut the veteran edge defender, the Steelers did the same.
Pittsburgh had signed Simon to a reserve/futures deal in late January, after he played in one game with the team last season. The Steelers have questions behind their T.J. Watt–Alex Highsmith starting outside linebacker duo, but for the time being, younger players are positioned to answer them.
Simon, 31, has started 52 career games, played for six teams — the Ravens, Texans, Colts, Patriots, Titans and Steelers — and won a Super Bowl as a role player with the 2018 Pats. After the Colts bailed on Simon’s three-year, $14MM deal in 2018, the former Ravens fourth-rounder began that season unemployed. But he caught on with the Pats and became a full-time contributor by 2019. From 2019-20, Simon started 28 games with New England. The Titans signed the Ohio State product just ahead of training camp last year. He will look to catch on with yet another team before this year’s training camps open.
The Steelers have Genard Avery and ex-Broncos seventh-rounder Derrek Tuszka as potential backup edge options, and the team drafted Mark Robinson in the seventh round out of Ole Miss. It would still make sense if Pittsburgh looked into other edges this offseason, should its lower-profile lot of backups not impress.
Pittsburgh also waived wideout Rico Bussey and kicker Sam Sloman and waived rookie cornerback Bryce Watts with an injury designation. Sloman kicked in eight games for the Rams and Titans in 2020 but did not see action last year.
Colts Sign Second-Round WR Alec Pierce
The Colts used a second-round pick on a wide receiver for the third time in four years. They agreed to terms with the most recent of those — Cincinnati alum Alec Pierce — on his four-year rookie deal Monday.
Indianapolis took Pierce 53rd overall, after having traded down 11 spots via the Vikings on Day 2 of the draft. Pierce is Indy’s top draft pick this year, with the team having traded its 2022 first to Philadelphia for Carson Wentz, and will be expected to be an early contributor.
Although the Colts roster Michael Pittman Jr., they have not received much from 2019 second-rounder Parris Campbell, who has suffered numerous injuries as a pro. Indianapolis sat out the veteran receiver market, though they did add ex-Houston slot player Keke Coutee on a reserve/futures deal. This situation, one that does not include T.Y. Hilton presently, would point to the Colts being in the mix for one of the veteran wideouts still available. As is, Pierce will not receive much acclimation time.
Pierce went off the board in between wideouts George Pickens (Steelers) and Skyy Moore (Chiefs). A 6-foot-3, 211-pound target, Pierce helped Cincinnati become the first Group of Five program to advance to the College Football Playoff. He caught 52 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Although Pierce did not post a 1,000-yard season in college, a knee injury limited him to six games in a 2020 season already shortened by the pandemic. He led the 2021 Bearcats in receiving by a wide margin.