Dolphins Announce 14-Man UDFA Class
After only adding four rookies through the 2022 Draft, the Dolphins signed a 14-man undrafted free agent class:
- Blaise Andries, OL (Minnesota)
- Owen Carney, DL (Illinois)
- Ty Clary, OL (Arkansas)
- Tanner Conner, TE (Idaho State)
- Kellen Diesch, OT (Arizona State)
- Elijah Hamilton, CB (Louisiana Tech)
- Tommy Heatherly, P (Florida International)
- Deandre Johnson, OLB (Miami)
- Kader Kohou, CB (Texas A&M-Commerce)
- Verone McKinley, S (Oregon)
- Braylon Sanders, WR (Ole Miss)
- Ben Stille, DL (Nebraska)
- ZaQuandre White, RB (South Carolina)
- Jordan Williams, DT (Virginia Tech)
Miami was able to add some potential gems for their offensive line, bringing in two four-year starters from the Big Ten and SEC in Andries and Clary. They also made sure to bring in Diesch, a two-year starter for the Sun Devils after transferring from Texas A&M, signing him with a guaranteed amount of $140,000, according the Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus.
The Dolphins also think they’ve uncovered a diamond in the rough out of northeast Texas. They signed Kohou out of Texas A&M-Commerce with a guaranteed amount of $130,000, according to Kyed.
Miami will also keep some prospects close to home. Johnson transferred from Tennessee to spend his last year of college close to home with the Hurricanes. Heatherly isn’t a Florida native, but he spent the last three years of college in Miami at Florida International.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/22
Today’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Kingsley Keke
- Placed on Non-Football Injury List: TE Alex Ellis
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: CB Kendall Sheffield, TE Ryan Becker
Chicago Bears
- Waived: TE Jesper Horsted
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Abu Daramy-Swaray
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: RB Tre Harbison (non-football injury)
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: K Chris Naggar
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-Signed: OL Jared Hocker
- Released: OL Denzel Okafor
New England Patriots
- Waived: OL Liam Shanahan (failed physical designation)
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: TE Dylan Soehner (failed physical designation), TE Ethan Wolf
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL Trenton Scott
- Released: OL Malcolm Pridgeon
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: WR Connor Wedington
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Deontez Alexander, WR Kevin Kassis
- Waived: WR Matt Cole, WR Jake Herslow, WR John Mitchell, WR Demetris Robertson
Washington Commanders
- Waived: S De’Vante Cross
Bills Finalize Draft Pick Signings
The Bills have completed the process of signing their entire draft class. The team announced on Friday that each of their eight rookies have inked their initial deal.
That list includes first-round corner Kaiir Elam. The Bills made a small move up the board from 25th to 23rd to make sure they could select him. The former Florida Gator quickly emerged as key piece on the team’s defense, putting up solid production to go along with a pro-ready frame (six-foot-two, 195 pounds). With the secondary identified by many as the position group most in need of assistance, Elam could have a path to significant playing time with the Bills early on.
Another position which Buffalo made considerably stronger was that of running back. The team took Georgia tailback James Cook in the second round, adding competition for touches with Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and Duke Johnson. The younger brother of Vikings Pro Bowler Dalvin, Cook enjoyed a breakout season in his final campaign with the national champions. He topped 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time, scoring 11 total touchdowns.
The rest of the Bills’ class contains depth options on both sides of the ball, as well as a special teams addition. The team drafted so-called ‘Punt God’ Matt Araiza in the sixth round. The San Diego State product averaged over 51 yards per punt during his college career, fielding kickoff and field goal duties as well.
With the entire class under contract, here is the complete list of Bills draftees:
- Round 1: No. 23 (from Cardinals through Ravens) Kaiir Elam, CB (Florida)
- Round 2: No. 63 (from Bengals) James Cook, RB (Georgia)
- Round 3: No. 89 Terrel Bernard, LB (Baylor) (signed)
- Round 5: No. 148 (from Bears) Khalil Shakir, WR (Boise State)
- Round 6: No. 180 (from Jaguars through Buccaneers) Matt Araiza, P (San Diego State)
- Round 6: No. 185 (from Panthers) Christian Benford, CB (Villanova)
- Round 6: No. 209 (from Bengals) Luke Tenuta, OT (Virginia Tech)
- Round 7: No. 231 (from Falcons) Baylon Spector, LB (Clemson)
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/13/22
Several more mid- and late-round picks agreed to terms on their four-year rookie contracts Friday. Here are the latest agreements:
Denver Broncos
- TE Greg Dulcich (third round, UCLA)
Detroit Lions
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (sixth round, Oklahoma State)
- LB James Houston (sixth round, Jackson State)
Houston Texans
- WR John Metchie III (second round, Alabama)
- TE Teagan Quitoriano (fifth round, Oregon State)
- OL Austin Deculus (sixth round, LSU)
Indianapolis Colts
- S Nick Cross (third round, Maryland)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DL Otito Ogbonnia (fifth round, UCLA)
- CB Ja’Sir Taylor (sixth round, Wake Forest)
- CB Deane Leonard (seventh round, Ole Miss)
- FB Zander Horvath (seventh round, Purdue)
Miami Dolphins
- QB Skylar Thompson (seventh round, Kansas State)
New England Patriots
- CB Marcus Jones (third round, Houston)
- RB Kevin Harris (sixth round, South Carolina)
New Orleans Saints
- LB D’Marco Jackson (fifth round, Appalachian State)
- DT Jordan Jackson (sixth round, Air Force)
New York Giants
- LB Micah McFadden (fifth round, Indiana)
- DT D.J. Davidson (fifth round, Arizona State)
- OG Marcus McKethan (fifth round, North Carolina)
- LB Darrian Beavers (sixth round, Cincinnati)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR George Pickens (second round, Georgia)
- TE Connor Heyward (sixth round, Michigan State)
- LB Mark Robinson (seventh round, Ole Miss)
- QB Chris Oladokun (seventh round, South Dakota State)
Cowboys Sign First-Round OL Tyler Smith
The Cowboys came to terms with first-round pick Tyler Smith on his four-year rookie contract Friday and are putting him to work at a new position, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets.
Smith lined up at left guard at Dallas’ rookie minicamp Friday, marking the first time he has played the guard position since his senior year of high school, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram relays. The Tulsa product played exclusively at left tackle in college.
Tackle-to-guard transitions are common in the NFL; Zack Martin made the move as a rookie in 2014. Like Smith, Martin did not make any starts at guard in college. The Cowboys are still planning on a Tyron Smith-to-Tyler Smith transition at left tackle someday, with Hill noting the younger Smith will receive left tackle reps this offseason. But for now, the first-rounder will vie to line up next to the perennial Pro Bowler up front.
The Cowboys let previous left guard Connor Williams defect to the Dolphins in free agency, pitting Tyler Smith against Connor McGovern. While Smith could make sense at right tackle, the Cowboys are high on frequent starter Terence Steele to take over for La’el Collins full-time at that spot.
Smith, who goes 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, was the Golden Hurricane’s full-time starter at left tackle in 2020 and ’21. As the No. 24 overall pick, Smith will be tied to a fully guaranteed deal worth $13.38MM, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets. The Cowboys can keep Smith on that rookie contract through 2026, via the fifth-year option.
The Cowboys also signed fifth-round offensive lineman Matt Waletzko (North Dakota State), fifth-round cornerback DaRon Bland (Fresno State), fifth-round linebacker Damone Clark (LSU) and sixth-round linebacker Devin Harper (Oklahoma State)on Friday, The Athletic’s Jon Machota tweets.
Steelers Sign Round 2 WR George Pickens
The Steelers continued their trend of Day 2 wide receiver investments with George Pickens, and the former Georgia pass catcher is now under contract. Pickens is the first Steelers 2022 draftee to sign his four-year rookie deal.
Pittsburgh let former Day 2 picks J.J. Smith-Schuster and James Washington walk in free agency, turning instead to Pickens, who will join ex-second-round pick Chase Claypool and ex-third-rounder Diontae Johnson as the Steelers’ top targets. Given the development of non-first-round receivers in Pittsburgh in the fairly recent past — a list that also includes Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders — Pickens will be expected to contribute early.
Some teams had Pickens off their respective draft boards due to character concerns, and the three-year Georgia cog fell in the draft due to the ACL tear he sustained during spring workouts last year. But Pickens did not sit out his junior season, rehabbing to be a contributor late in the Bulldogs’ national championship campaign. Prior to the ACL setback, Pickens was poised to make a run at the 2022 first round. He totaled more than 1,200 receiving yards and notched 14 touchdown receptions as an underclassman. This year, the 6-foot-3 target ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.
Pittsburgh’s Pickens pick may also be indicative of potential plans with Johnson, who is going into a contract year. The Steelers did re-sign Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal in 2021 but have famously been stingy with second contracts for receivers. Brown’s two extensions mark the exception. Pickens and fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III supply rookie-contract talent here. Johnson has said he wants to stay with the Steelers beyond his first contract. Two years remain on Claypool’s rookie deal.
Saints To Sign WR Jarvis Landry
For the second time in two weeks, a Pro Bowler from New Orleans agreed to sign with the Saints. Following Tyrann Mathieu‘s agreement, the team is signing Jarvis Landry.
The former Dolphins and Browns wide receiver confirmed his decision Friday on Twitter. It’s a one-year deal, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that the contract is worth up to $6MM (video link). Landry visited the Saints before the draft and will now join a receiving corps that, if Michael Thomas can stay healthy, could be formidable. The team has made two major investments at the position this offseason, with the Landry addition coming after a trade-up maneuver for Chris Olave.
Absent Thomas last season, the Saints deployed perhaps the league’s worst receiving corps. The team did not have a 700-yard receiver in 2021. This year’s crew now features the NFL’s single-season reception record holder, a five-time Pro Bowler, and a top-15 pick. The Saints also re-signed former third-rounder Tre’Quan Smith and still have 2021 receiving leader Marquez Callaway under contract. This corps stands to give Jameis Winston a better chance of succeeding after ACL rehab.
Connected to the Falcons and Ravens as well, Landry had been in the mix to return to the Browns. But that door closed recently, with Cleveland — which made Landry a cap casualty in March — intent on seeing how its younger players perform around Amari Cooper. The Saints opted for veteran stability, and the LSU product will be positioned as a key contributor.
Landry, 29, is coming off his worst season as a pro — 52-catch, 570-yard campaign. But Baker Mayfield‘s shoulder injury did well to sink the Browns’ passing attack. Battling an MCL injury last season, Landry also missed five games. Prior to 2021, Landry served as the top receiver on a 2020 Browns team that snapped a 17-year playoff drought. He also has three 1,000-yard seasons and five 900-yard slates on his resume. Used as a slot player in Miami, Landry also has compiled 110- and 112-catch seasons as a pro. The latter showing led the NFL in 2017, leading to the Dolphins franchise-tagging Landry and trading him to the Browns.
Raiders To Trade Bryan Edwards To Falcons
Days after the Raiders signed Keelan Cole, they are moving on from one of their other auxiliary wide receivers. They are trading Bryan Edwards to the Falcons, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal tweets.
The Raiders will add a 2023 fifth-round pick in this deal and send the Falcons a 2023 seventh, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). It should not surprise this pick swap-based deal reminds of the kind the Patriots have made frequently in recent years, with the Raiders’ new regime coming over from New England.
Two years remain on Edwards’ rookie contract; this will both give a former Day 2 pick a fresh start but also provide an opportunity to impress for a team with a thinner receiver depth chart. Although the Falcons drafted Drake London eighth overall, they entered Friday light on supporting-casters at the position. Edwards will join the likes of Olamide Zaccheaus, Auden Tate, Damiere Byrd and KhaDarel Hodge. The Falcons now possess a host of big targets for ex-Raider Marcus Mariota, with the 6-foot-3 Edwards joining London (6-4), Tate (6-5) and Kyle Pitts (6-6).
This trade marks another Raiders separation from an early-round 2020 draftee. They have waived first-rounders Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette and traded third-rounders Lynn Bowden Jr. and Edwards. The South Carolina product battled injuries as a rookie but showed progress last season, hauling in 34 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns. Las Vegas’ Dave Ziegler– and Josh McDaniels-led regime, however, has since acquired Cole, Demarcus Robinson and Mack Hollins, crowding the depth chart around top targets Davante Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow.
Atlanta has seen even more changes at the receiver position than Las Vegas, having seen its Julio Jones–Calvin Ridley–Russell Gage depth chart splinter. Ridley is banned for the year on a gambling suspension, and the Falcons were close to trading the former first-rounder to the Eagles. Gage, who led Falcon wideouts in receiving yardage by a wide margin last season, is now a Buccaneer.
Lions Sign 12 UDFAs
As teams’ classes of undrafted free agents continue to be announced, the Lions have confirmed their group of signings. Here is their list of UDFAs:
- RB Greg Bell, San Diego State
- CB Cedric Boswell, Miami (OH.)
- TE Derrick Deese Jr., San Jose State
- OT Obinna Eze, TCU
- TE Nolan Givan, Southern Louisiana
- G Kevin Jarvis, Michigan State
- WR Josh Johnson, Tulsa
- G Zein Obeid, Ferris State
- WR Kalil Pimpleton, Central Michigan
- WR Corey Sutton, Appalachian State
- DL Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State
- CB Jermaine Waller, Virginia Tech
The team’s two largest commitments were amongst the offensive linemen in the group. PFF’s Doug Kyed reports (on Twitter) that Eze is receiving $170K in guaranteed money. The Memphis transfer has the size (six-foot-eight, 315 pounds) to at least compete for a place at the end of the roster on an NFL team. Jarvis, likewise, is set for notable compensation; the former Spartan will earn $155K in total guarantees, per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network (Twitter link).
On the offensive side of the ball, Bell and Deese stand out in terms of contract details. In a pair of tweets, Wilson details that each of them will earn $100K in guaranteed money. A Nebraska transfer, Bell played two seasons with the Aztecs, recording over 1,000 scrimmage yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 2021. Deese also enjoyed a career year this past season, totalling 47 receptions for 730 yards and four touchdowns. Each will compete for depth roles behind entrenched starters D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson at their respective positions.
Saints Agree To Terms With First-Rounders Chris Olave, Trevor Penning
Friday has seen each of the Saints’ first round picks from this past draft sign their rookie contracts. New Orleans has reached an agreement with both receiver Chris Olave and offensive tackle Trevor Penning. 
As ESPN’s Adam Schefter details (on Twitter), the deal for Olave is worth just over $19.27MM. The Ohio State alum put up consistent production over the course of his four seasons there. He was the team’s leading receiver in 2019 and 2020, but his best individual season came this past campaign.
Over the course of 11 games, Olave totalled 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. While those figures were eclipsed by 10th overall pick Garrett Wilson and phenom sophomore Jaxon Smith-Njigba, they represented his ability to produce despite a heated competition for targets. Given the Saints’ lack of receiving options, Olave was named as a candidate for the team to consider, so there was little surprise when the team traded up to select him at No. 11.
Penning, meanwhile, had already agreed to terms on his rookie contract before the Olave deal was announced (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). The Northern Iowa blocker showcased an appealing combination of size, length and athleticism throughout his time there, earning stellar PFF grades along the way. He held up against higher-quality competition at the Senior Bowl, confirming his status as a first-rounder. Predictably going later than Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross, Penning was the fourth tackle off the board, landing at 19th overall.
Given the concerns related to his level of competition, as well as discipline, the six-foot-seven, 325-pounder might not be able to occupy the left tackle spot vacated by Terron Armstead right away. He is nevertheless viewed as a candidate to do so at least down the road, which would make him, like Olave, a pick aimed at filling glaring roster holes on Day 1. Penning will earn $14.1MM on his pact, per Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter link).