Bengals To Sign First-Round Pick Daxton Hill
The Bengals have agreed to terms Daxton Hill (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Michigan defensive back is expected to put pen to paper today, making it all official. 
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Hill was viewed as the consensus second-best safety prospect heading into the draft, behind only Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton. After the Ravens nabbed Hamilton at No. 14 overall, the Bengals came in to pounds towards the end of Round 1. Many anticipated that Hill would still be on the board to start Day 2, but the Bengals weren’t willing to risk it.
Hill’s versatility is viewed as a major plus — he could see time at free safety, strong safety safety, or even reps as a slot receiver. On the defensive side, Hill notched 69 tackles for the Wolverines last year, including 4.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. He also nabbed eight passes defensed and two interceptions, giving him four picks across his three seasons.
In accordance with his slot, the No. 31 overall pick will earn $13MM over the course of his four-year rookie contract. This year, he’ll start with a modest $705K base salary and carry a $2.4MM cap figure. His salary will escalate over the life of the deal, ending with a $4.2MM cap charge in 2025. Of course, by then, the Bengals will reserve the right to keep him for ’26 via the fifth-year option.
Cardinals Sign Second-Round TE Trey McBride
The Cardinals are almost finished signing their draft class. The team announced that they’ve signed second-round tight end Trey McBride, seventh-round cornerback Christian Matthew, and seventh-round offensive lineman Marquis Hayes to their rookie contracts.
Following a standout college career at Colorado State, the Cardinals made McBride not only their first selection of the draft. They also made him the first tight end off the board when they selected him in the second round (No. 55). After collecting 74 receptions through his first three collegiate seasons, McBride exploded in 2021, hauling in 90 catches for 1,121 yards. The performance earned him a number of accolades, including a unanimous All-American selection and the John Mackey Award, which is given to the top tight end in college football.
The Cardinals held on to Zach Ertz, so McBride will be playing behind the veteran to start his career. However, in a creative and (usually) high-flying offense, it shouldn’t take look for McBride to carve out a role.
As our team-by-team 2022 NFL Draft results show, the Cardinals only have a pair of unsigned draft picks:
- Round 2: No. 55 Trey McBride, TE (Colorado State) (signed)
- Round 3: No. 87 Cameron Thomas, DE (San Diego State)
- Round 3: No. 100 (from Ravens) Myjai Sanders, DE (Cincinnati)
- Round 6: No. 201 Keaontay Ingram, RB (USC) (signed)
- Round 6: No. 215 Lecitus Smith, OG (Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 244 Christian Matthew, CB (Valdosta State) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 256 Jesse Luketa, OLB (Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 257 Marquis Hayes, OG (Oklahoma) (signed)
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/17/22
Here are the latest draft pick signings around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- WR Velus Jones (third round, Tennessee)
Dallas Cowboys
- DE Sam Williams (second round, Ole Miss)
- WR Jalen Tolbert (third round, South Alabama)
Detroit Lions
- S Kerby Joseph (third round, Illinois)
Indianapolis Colts
- WR Alec Pierce (second round, Cincinnati)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/22
Here are today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed: OLB Jessie Lemonier (from Lions)
- Released: DL LaRon Stokes
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DL Daniel Joseph
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OT Shon Coleman
- Waived: P Ryan Winslow
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed: S Luther Kirk (from Falcons), CB Reggie Robinson II (from Texans)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OG Zack Johnson
- Waived: DB Cortez Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OL Jahmir Johnson
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S Kolby Harvell-Peel
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed: OG Zack Bailey (from Commanders)
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Roger Carter, CB T.J. Carter, LB Andrzej Hughes-Murray, S Daniel Isom, WR Lance McCutcheon
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: OG Eric Wilson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed: WR Josh Hammond (from Jaguars)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: CB Bryce Watts
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Troy Fumagalli
- Waived: TE Garrett Walston
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)