Patriots Cut WR Devin Smith
Bill Belichick has had some previous success with former-Jets reclamation projects, but Devin Smith apparently won’t be one of them. The Patriots announced today that they’ve released the wide receiver.
Smith joined the NFL as a second-round pick (No. 37) in 2015, but he didn’t show much during his first two seasons in the NFL. In two years with the Jets, the wideout collected only 10 receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown in 14 games (three starts). To be fair, a torn ACL derailed his rookie campaign, and another ACL tear in 2017 forced him to miss the entire season. The receiver was ultimately waived by the team in 2018 and ended up sitting out that entire season, as well.
He got another chance in 2019 with the Cowboys, finishing with five receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown in four games (two starts). He was released by Dallas prior to last season, and he spent most of the 2020 campaign on the Texans and Patriots practice squad.
New England held on to him for the entire offseason but ultimately decided to move on. Smith would have been an interesting piece for the Patriots, but the organization already has plenty of their own projects behind Jakobi Meyers and free agent additions Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor.
Texans Release WR Donte Moncrief
With the Texans set to begin camp tomorrow, the team is already making some roster changes. The team released wideout Donte Moncrief with a non-football injury designation, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
Moncrief spent the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, including a 2015 campaign where he hauled in a career-high 733 yards. Since leaving for the Jaguars in 2018, the veteran has spent time with five different organizations (including Houston).
He joined the Jets right before the start of the 2020 season, but he was released in October without having appeared in a game with the team. He ended up getting picked up by the Patriots, and he proceeded to appear in six games for New England, compiling 19 yards from scrimmage.
Moncrief was signed by the Texans back in March, and it was believed he’d add another veteran presence to the receivers room. However, even with the impending trade of Randall Cobb, Moncrief may have found himself squeezed off the roster by recent acquisition Anthony Miller. The team is also rostering the likes of Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee, Isaiah Coulter, Andre Roberts, and rookie Nico Collins.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/21
We’ve collected today’s minor moves below:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DL Ryan Bee
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Justin Hardy, WR Jon’Vea Johnson
- Waived: DB Rojesterman Farris, WR Khalil McClain
Denver Broncos
- Signed: C Brett Jones
- Released: C Patrick Morris
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from Titans): DT Bruce Hector
Minnesota Vikings
- Reverted to reserve/NFI list: DT Jaylen Twyman
New York Jets
- Signed: DE Jeremiah Valoaga
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DT Anthony Zettel
- Waived: WR Andy Jones
Washington Football Team
- Signed: DE Bunmi Rotimi
- Waived: TE Deon Yelder
- Waived/injured: DE Jalen Jelks
Packers WR Allen Lazard Signs ERFA Tender
While the Packers pursue a trade for one wideout, another Packers receiver inked their deal today. Wide receiver Allen Lazard signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender today, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Packers, Texans Discussing Randall Cobb Trade]
The wideout was slapped with the tender earlier this offseason. The ERFA deal ties Lazard up for another year.
After going undrafted out of Iowa State in 2018, Lazard has spent the majority of his three-year career with the Packers. Following a breakout campaign in 2019, the receiver put up similar stats in 2020, albeit in six fewer games. Lazard ultimately finished last season having appeared in 10 games (nine starts) with 33 receptions for 451 yards and three touchdowns. He also came up big during the postseason, hauling in seven receptions for 158 yards and a touchdowns in two contests.
With Aaron Rodgers seemingly recommitted to playing next season in Green Bay, it remains to be seen how much they’ll do to add to their receivers corps. For instance, earlier today we learned that the organization was pursuing former Packers wideout Randall Cobb via trade. At the moment, Lazard joins a grouping (includeing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, and Devin Funchess) that’s battling for targets behind Davante Adams.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/27/21
We’ll keep track of today’s late-round signings here:
Los Angeles Chargers
- TE Tre’ McKitty (third-round, Georgia)
Packers Cut Blake Bortles
The Packers have released quarterback Blake Bortles (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). In addition, they’ve also waived fellow QB Jake Dolegala, according to Joe Buscaglia of TheAthletic (Twitter link).
Aaron Rodgers reported to the Packers on Tuesday, but these backups didn’t have long to catch up with him. With the MVP back in action, both players faced long odds of making the final cut. Now, the Packers will move forward with Rodgers, Jordan Love, and Kurt Benkert as their top QBs, though Benkert may find himself battle with a fourth signal caller at some point.
The Packers signed Bortles to a one-year deal with zero guarantees back in May. The former No. 3 overall pick spent last season with the Broncos and Rams but saw zero action. And, in 2019, he threw two passes while serving as Jared Goff‘s backup in Los Angeles. Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett worked as Bortles’ OC for nearly four years in Jacksonville, but the familiarity wasn’t enough for him to keep his job.
Dolegala, meanwhile, was added in June to fill reps during Rodgers’ absence. The 24-year-old will go up for grabs on the waiver wire and hope to see his first live action.
Dolphins Sign Second-Round Pick Liam Eichenberg
The Dolphins have signed second-round offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg. With Eichenberg inked, the Dolphins have wrapped up their 2021 draft class.
Eichenberg, taken No. 42 overall, served as Notre Dame’s starting left tackle for three seasons. As a pro, he may be ticketed for more work on the interior. Either way, the Dolphins are high on his potential. Initially set to pick at No. 50 overall, the Dolphins packaged it with a 2022 third-rounder to move up and snag Eichenberg.
Here’s the full rundown of the Dolphins’ (totally signed) 2021 class:
- Round 1: No. 6 (from Eagles) Jaylen Waddle, WR (Alabama) (signed)
- Round 1: No. 18 Jaelan Phillips, DL (Miami) (signed)
- Round 2: No. 36 (from Texans) Jevon Holland, S (Oregon) (signed)
- Round 2: No. 42 (from Giants) Liam Eichenberg, OT (Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 3: No. 81 Hunter Long, TE (Boston College) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 231 (from Texans) Larnel Coleman, OT (Massachusetts) (signed)
- Round 7: No. 244 (from Washington) Gerrid Doaks, RB (Cincinnati) (signed)
Chargers Sign Rashawn Slater
Northwestern alum Rashawn Slater is officially in the fold. Per a team press release, the Chargers’ first-round offensive lineman has formally signed his rookie deal. 
[RELATED: Vikings Wanted Slater At No. 14]
The Bolts took Slater No. 13 overall, beating the Vikings and other interested clubs to the punch. The son of former eight-year NBA veteran Reggie Slater, Rashawn started 37 games at either left or right tackle between 2017 and 2019. This included a sophomore season where he earned Third-team All-Big Ten honors. Slater also fared well against Chase Young in their final matchup of the 2019 campaign, not allowing the ex-Buckeyes phenom to record a quarterback hit when they were matched up. Despite shifting from right to left tackle as a junior, Slater did not allow a sack in eleven games that year.
Slater managed to maintain his high draft stock despite sitting out the 2020 campaign. Some say the 305-pounder lacks the elite length needed for the outside. The Bolts disagree — they’ll use him at left tackle. They’ll be counting on him big time after watching quarterback Justin Herbert eat 32 sacks last year.
Broncos Sign S Tedric Thompson
The Broncos have signed safety Tedric Thompson, per a club announcement. Thompson will now push to make the final cut and provide support for Denver’s secondary.
Thompson, a fourth-round pick in 2017, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Seahawks. He started 16 games for Seattle between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, collecting 76 tackles and three interceptions. However, a shoulder injury limited him to only six games in 2019, and he was released by the Seahawks last offseason.
He later landed with the Chiefs, where he mostly served in a rotational role up until his late November release. After 13 tackles in eight games for KC, he joined the Browns, but he didn’t appear in any games for them. For his career, Thompson has 37 appearances to his credit with three INTs, five passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
WFT, Logan Thomas Agree To Extension
The Washington Football Team has agreed to a three-year extension with tight end Logan Thomas (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). The new deal is worth $24MM with $10.3MM in guarantees, making Thomas the seventh-highest paid TE in the NFL.
[RELATED: Washington, Allen Agree To $72MM Extension]
Thomas is coming off of a career year with 72 catches, 670 yards receiving, and six touchdowns, so it’s safe to say that the former quarterback has been successful in his transition. His 72 grabs last year put him third among all tight ends while his yardage (670) put him seventh at the position. It all seemingly happened overnight, but Thomas spent multiple seasons trying to prove himself as a blocker and receiver.
Thomas, 30, entered the NFL as a signal caller in 2014 and transitioned to tight end in 2016 when he joined the Lions’ taxi squad. After a few years with the Bills, he returned to Detroit in 2019. From 2017 through 2019, Thomas had a grand total of 35 catches for 317 yards and two TDs. Now, after doubling/tripling those totals, he’s got a fresh deal to take him through his prime seasons.
Thomas should continue his role as WFT’s top tight end, ahead of fourth-round pick John Bates, Ricky Seals-Jones, and ex-basketballer Sammis Reyes.