Titans To Sign DL DeMarcus Walker
DeMarcus Walker‘s partial tour through the AFC South will lead to a Titans agreement. The sixth-year veteran defensive lineman, who met with the Colts and Titans recently, will latch on with the latter, according to his agent (Twitter link).
A former second-round pick, Walker spent last season in the AFC South as well. The Texans used the Florida State alum as a rotational defensive lineman. He will continue to work in a 3-4 scheme, transitioning from the one in Denver to Houston and now Tennessee.
While the Broncos tried the ex-Seminoles defensive lineman as an outside linebacker during his rookie year, he fared better at his natural interior defender position. Walker started slow but compiled eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss from 2019-20. The Broncos did not opt to re-sign him, as they transitioned from the John Elway regime to current GM George Paton, and Walker landed with the Texans on a one-year deal worth $1.5MM.
This Titans pact likely comes in at a similar price. Tennessee returns starters Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Teair Tart up front. Walker will look to position himself as one of Simmons and Autry’s D-end backups. Tennessee did not draft a defensive lineman this year, increasing the need for depth here.
Jaguars Reach Agreement With No. 1 Pick Travon Walker
The top pick in this year’s draft is about to sign his rookie contract. The Jaguars have agreed to terms with Travon Walker, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
Walker gained steam throughout the pre-draft process as a member of the class’ deep edge rusher pool. One month before the draft, though, he was named as a candidate for the Jaguars to be selected first overall. Even at that time, many still believed the team would lean towards the more known commodity in Aidan Hutchinson, or look to bolster their offensive line by choosing either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu.
One day before the first round, Jacksonville signed left tackle Cam Robinson to an extension, a move which took the latter two prospects out of consideration. By that point, Walker had become the favorite for the top pick, having been identified as an attractive blend of size and athleticism for general manager Trent Baalke. While there was a reported disagreement between he and owner Shad Khan on the Walker-Hutchinson debate, Baalke ultimately landed his preferred option.
Across three seasons at Georgia, Walker flashed his potential as a disruptive force against both the pass and the run. His final season was his most productive, as he totalled 33 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss, along with six sacks. The contrast between those numbers and those of more accomplished pass rushers like Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux were weighed against Walker’s perceived ceiling and the limitations placed on him in the Bulldogs’ highly-talented defense.
As a result of being the top pick, Walker will earn a fully-guaranteed $37.4MM over four years. The deal also includes a $24.4MM signing bonus. In Jacksonville, he will look to pair with 2019 first-rounder Josh Allen as the focal points of a re-vamped defensive unit.
Patriots To Trade Jarrett Stidham To Raiders
After they added more depth to their quarterback room, the Patriots were likely to make a move with Jarrett Stidham. They have done so today, as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports (on Twitter) that New England is trading him to the Raiders. 
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that New England is sending a seventh round pick along with Stidham in exchange for a sixth-rounder from Vegas (Twitter link). The deal represents a new beginning for the 25-year-old, but it will reunite him with a familiar face on the Raiders’ staff in Josh McDaniels.
After being drafted in the fourth round by New England in 2019, Stidham worked with the new Vegas head coach when he served as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. That season marked Tom Brady‘s last with the team, so it came as no surprise that he only attempted four passes in the regular season. After Brady’s departure, though, expectations were raised for Stidham to be able to take over the starting role.
That didn’t end up happening, however, as the Baylor and Auburn alum sat behind Cam Newton. Stidham made five appearances, completing 22 of 44 passes for 256 yards, a pair of touchdowns and three interceptions. Between the level of play showed by both signal-callers, the Patriots entered the subsequent draft needing a new quarterback. They filled that need by selecting Mac Jones in the first round.
This year, the team selected Bailey Zappe in the fourth round to further add to the depth chart. Given the presence of the Western Kentucky product, as well as veteran Brian Hoyer, Stidham would have faced stiff competition for a roster spot. The same could be true in Vegas, as he will join Nick Mullens, Garrett Gilbert and Chase Garbers in vying for the backup job behind Derek Carr.
Contract Details: Addison, Michel, Chargers
We’ve compiled some updated numbers on recent NFL signings:
- Mario Addison, DE (Texans): two-year deal. Contract has a $7.7MM base value, including a $2MM signing bonus, per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter.
- Bryce Callahan, CB (Chargers): signed. It’s a one-year deal worth $1.27MM, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). The deal has a cap hit of $1.04MM thanks to the veteran salary benefit. Callahan will earn a base salary of $1.12MM and a signing bonus worth $152.5K.
- Mike Davis, RB (Ravens): signed. It’s a one-year deal for the veteran running back, per Yates (on Twitter). The deal is worth a bit more than $1.20MM, meaning Davis’s cap hit will qualify for the veteran salary benefit contract.
- Tyrann Mathieu, CB (Saints): three-year, $33MM deal ($18MM guaranteed). The deal features a $9.5MM signing bonus and fully guaranteed base salaries in 2022 and 2023. The contract is effectively a three-year pact worth $27MM, with $18MM guaranteed and $2MM in yearly bonuses (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com).
- Sony Michel, RB (Dolphins): one-year, $2.1MM deal. The contract includes a $1.75MM base value, including a $350K signing bonus (per Yates on Twitter).
- E.J. Perry, QB (Jaguars): signed. The UDFA received $230K in guaranteed money from Jacksonville, including a $23K signing bonus and a guaranteed $207K salary, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
- Kyle Van Noy, LB (Chargers): one-year deal. The contract’s base value and cap hit are worth $2.25MM. Includes $1.5MM base salary and $750K signing bonus, per Yates on Twitter.
Bears Sign WR Dante Pettis
The Bears have made another move at wide receiver. Chicago is signing wideout Dante Pettis, the receiver announced on Twitter.
[RELATED: Bears To Sign WR Tajae Sharpe]
Pettis was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2018, and he had a solid showing during his rookie campaign, hauling in 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns. Since then, the receiver has collected only 15 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns during stints with the 49ers and Giants.
After getting waived by San Francisco during the 2020 campaign, Pettis landed in New York. In one-plus seasons with the Giants, Pettis averaged 32.6 yards per game in five contests while adding a pair of touchdowns. The receiver’s 2021 season ended on injured reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury.
The Bears have been busy reshaping their receivers depth chart this offseason. While they let Allen Robinson walk in free agency, they’ve added Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, David Moore, Tajae Sharpe (who they signed earlier today), and now Pettis via free agency. The team also drafted Tennessee wideout Velus Jones in the third round of the draft, meaning the majority (if not all) of the receivers depth behind Darnell Mooney will consist of newcomers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/22
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: DT Xavier Kelly
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: LB Azur Kamara
Chicago Bears
- Claimed (from Giants): TE Rysen John
- Waived/failed physical: TE Jesper Horsted
Detroit Lions
- Waived: QB Steven Montez
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed (from Colts): TE Eli Wolf
- Waived: WR Chris Blair
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: OL Jared Hocker
New England Patriots
- Claimed (from Lions): TE Matthew Sokol
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: RB Josh Adams, DT Braxton Hoyett
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to IR: CB Isaiah Johnson
Bears To Sign WR Tajae Sharpe
The Bears’ new regime has been busy at receiver this offseason, adding a host of veteran auxiliary options to what promises to be a Darnell Mooney-centered position group. They made another move Wednesday.
Tajae Sharpe agreed to terms on a one-year Chicago deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Bears will be Sharpe’s fifth team, and he will rejoin ex-Chiefs teammate Byron Pringle on Chicago’s new-look receiver depth chart. The Bears hiring ex-Chiefs front office staffer Ryan Poles as GM likely provided a clearer route for Sharpe to Chicago.
A former Titans fifth-round pick back in 2016, Sharpe spent last season with the Falcons. The 6-foot-2 receiver caught 25 passes for 230 yards with Atlanta, which saw its receiving corps take a major hit from Calvin Ridley‘s midseason exit. Sharpe, 27, has bounced around since his Titans rookie contract expired in 2020. The Vikings and Chiefs brought him in that year, though he did not catch a pass for Minnesota and did not suit up for a game with Kansas City. The Chiefs stashed Sharpe on their practice squad to close out the 2020 season and re-signed him last year, but they cut bait shortly after the draft.
Allen Robinson left the Bears as a free agent, joining the Rams, and Poles has gone with a quantity-driven approach around Mooney this offseason. Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown and David Moore joined the Bears as free agents. The team also used a third-round pick on Tennessee wideout Velus Jones.
Raiders, WR Keelan Cole Agree To Deal
The Raiders are adding another prospective Davante Adams complementary piece. Former Jaguars and Jets wideout Keelan Cole will head to Las Vegas on a one-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Cole will join Adams, Demarcus Robinson and Mack Hollins as Raider receiver additions this offseason. The team still rosters Bryan Edwards, who is going into his third season. Hunter Renfrow is entrenched as Vegas’ slot player. The Raiders did not draft a wideout last month.
A Division II success story, Cole caught on with the Jaguars out of Kentucky Wesleyan in 2017. With Allen Robinson going down early that season, Cole led the Jags with 748 yards as a rookie — for a team that made a surprise venture to the AFC championship game. Cole, 29, has only missed two games throughout his career — both coming last season.
The Jets gave Cole a one-year deal worth $5.5MM last year. Given the timing of this pact, it is unlikely Cole’s Raiders agreement surpasses that price. Cole caught 28 passes for 449 yards and a touchdown with the Jets. He scored a career-high five touchdowns in his Jaguars contract year in 2020.
Vikings Sign First-Round S Lewis Cine
The closeout pick on the Georgia defense’s banner night, Lewis Cine signed his rookie contract Wednesday. The Vikings have their first-round safety signed to his four-year pact.
Cine’s rookie contract, which can run through 2026 via the fifth-year option, is fully guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It is worth $11.5MM.
Georgia’s dominant defense produced five first-round picks — Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt and Cine — and had representation on all three levels. Cine was the only Bulldogs secondary cog selected in Round 1, and it came after the Vikings traded back 20 spots to allow the Lions to move up for Jameson Williams. Minnesota acquired the Nos. 32 and 34 overall picks from its division rival, before trading down from No. 34 to enable the Packers to grab wideout Christian Watson to start the draft’s Friday session. The Vikings picked up two Packers second-rounders to do that, and new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used that ammo to move up in Round 2 for Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth.
ESPN.com’s No. 41 overall prospect, Cine established new career-high marks in tackles (73) and passes defensed (nine) as a junior to both help the Bulldogs to a 14-1 national championship-winning season and move himself toward the first-round radar. Cine earned second-team All-SEC acclaim last season and became the Vikings’ first Round 1 safety pick since Harrison Smith 10 years ago. Cine figures to team with Smith in Minnesota’s starting lineup soon.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/11/22
We’ll keep track of today’s late-round signings here:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Delarrin Turner-Yell (fifth round, Oklahoma)
- Signed: C Luke Wattenberg (fifth round, Washington)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Jamaree Salyer (sixth round, Georgia)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Nick Muse (sixth round, South Carolina)
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Sam Roberts (sixth round, Northwest Missouri State)