Ravens Officially Sign Ja’Wuan James
It’s officially official. On Thursday, free agent offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James inked his Ravens contract. 
James was cut loose by the Broncos earlier this year after suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon. The injury happened outside of the team facility, so he still has some business to settle with his former club. Given the nature of the injury, most assumed that James would spend the year rehabbing before signing his next deal in 2022. Instead, the Ravens moved quickly to sign him to a two-year deal worth up to $9MM in total.
James could even suit up sometime this year, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. If James can stay healthy and return to the form he exhibited in South Beach, this could prove to be one of the savviest signings of the year. James’ last full season came in 2018 with the Dolphins. In that year, Pro Football Focus measured the former first-round pick as a top-35 tackle. He’s been a starter ever since he entered the league — save for his stints on the IR.
For now, longtime Steelers starter Alejandro Villanueva is ticketed to handle the right tackle job with Ronnie Stanley returning to his spot on the left side.
Bears Sign Justin Fields
It’s a done deal. On Thursday, the Bears struck agreement with first-round quarterback Justin Fields (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). 
Per the terms of his slot, Fields will collect $17.9MM on his fully guaranteed four-year deal. That includes a healthy $11.1MM signing bonus for the No. 11 overall pick.
The Bears already had Andy Dalton heading into the draft, but they couldn’t pass up Fields. Meanwhile, Giants GM Dave Gettleman couldn’t resist the urge to trade. With that, the Bears moved up to No. 11 in exchange for pick No. 20, pick No. 164, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2022 fourth-round pick.
Some evaluators preferred Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, who were the first QBs to come off the board after Trevor Lawrence. Regardless, the Bears were thrilled to land the Ohio State product. In just two short years as a Buckeye, he cemented himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history. The dual-threat QB threw for 5,373 yards, 63 touchdowns, and nine interceptions across 22 starts.
Now, the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year will try and work his magic in Chicago.
Chiefs’ Charvarius Ward Signs Second-Round Tender
Charvarius Ward has officially signed his second-round tender (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). Now, the Chiefs have the cornerback locked in for 2021 at a salary of ~$3.4MM. 
[RELATED: Chiefs Promote Mike Borgonzi To Asst. GM]
Ward joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee in 2018. After seeing time in 13 games as a rookie, Ward ended up starting 16 games in 2019 for the eventual Super Bowl champs. Ward finished that season with 74 tackles, ten passes defended, and two interceptions. He also added another nine tackles in three postseason games.
The 25-year-old started 13 of his 14 games in 2020, finishing the year with 51 tackles, one sack, and six passes defended. Then, he started in each of Kansas City’s three playoff games, collecting 18 tackles. Needless to say, the Chiefs didn’t want to let him get away. The second-round tender was enough to scare away would-be suitors, so he’ll return to KC and the starting lineup again this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/9/21
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: RB Mike Weber
Houston Texans
- Waived/failed physical: LB Duke Ejiofor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Michael Walker
Eagles Waive QB Jamie Newman
The Eagles are back down to two quarterbacks on their offseason roster. They waived rookie UDFA Jamie Newman on Wednesday. They also waived wide receivers Khalil Tate and Trevon Grimes, cutting the latter with an injury designation.
Newman agreed to terms with the Eagles minutes after the draft concluded, but the team appears to have determined the former Wake Forest quarterback is not ready to compete for a roster spot. This transaction leaves Jalen Hurts and Joe Flacco as Philly’s QBs. It would seemingly put the Eagles on the hunt for another developmental/third-string passer.
A 6-foot-4 passer, Newman transferred from Wake Forest to Georgia but did not end up playing for the Bulldogs after opting out of last season. He worked as the Demon Deacons’ starter in 2019, throwing 26 touchdown passes and averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. Newman participated in the Senior Bowl, being one of the 2021 showcase’s two QBs — along with Falcons UDFA Feleipe Franks — to go undrafted. Scouts Inc. graded Newman 184th among this year’s prospects. Despite the sixth-round grade, Newman is on the waiver wire.
After changing coaching staffs, the Eagles switched up their QB depth chart. Carson Wentz and Nate Sudfeld, teammates for the past four seasons, are elsewhere now. Hurts, viewed as a developmental player coming out of Oklahoma in 2020, is on track to start this season. On his fourth team in four years, Flacco is in position to back him up. Ahead of training camp, the Eagles will likely add a third player to this equation.
Cowboys Sign First-Round LB Micah Parsons
The Cowboys have their first-round pick under contract. They agreed to terms with No. 12 overall selection Micah Parsons on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Parsons is set to make more than $17MM on his rookie pact.
Parsons’ four-year rookie deal, featuring the customary fifth-year option, is fully guaranteed. Despite being an off-ball linebacker and opting out in 2020, the Penn State product became this year’s first front-seven defender drafted. That obviously points to a key role early on a Cowboys team that has some big investments at this position.
Dallas used a first-round pick on Leighton Vander Esch three years ago and has Jaylon Smith signed long-term. But the former has battled injuries since his breakout rookie year. Smith also entered the offseason on shakier-than-usual ground, though he has managed to stay healthy despite sitting out his rookie season due to a severe college injury. Parsons will change Dallas’ equation at linebacker, however.
The Cowboys traded back two spots but still landed Parsons at No. 12. As a sophomore in 2019, the Nittany Lions ‘backer dominated by registering 109 tackles (14 for loss) and forcing four fumbles. Parsons showed pass-rushing ability that season, recording five sacks, and displayed coverage chops. The versatile defender became a consensus All-American in his second college season. The Cowboys have been using Parsons at all three linebacker spots during their offseason program, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota (subscription required).
After the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Big Ten’s schedule, Parsons opted out and began preparing for the draft. This move did not ding his stock much. Parsons’ arrival figures to shake up the Cowboys’ Vander Esch-Smith long-term partnership. The Cowboys passed on LVE’s fifth-year option shortly after the draft.
Raiders To Sign CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
After five seasons in Atlanta, Blidi Wreh-Wilson will head west. The veteran cornerback agreed to terms with the Raiders on Wednesday, according to his agency (Twitter link).
This marks the sixth straight year Wreh-Wilson has signed a contract. The Falcons kept the former Titans third-round pick around via a series of one-year deals.
Wreh-Wilson played 41 games with the Falcons, operating mostly as a backup. Despite not lasting throughout his rookie contract in Tennessee, the eight-year veteran has managed to carve out a decent career for himself. The Raiders showed interest just before the draft, hosting him on a visit in late April.
The Raiders have brought in multiple veteran corners this offseason, with Casey Hayward and Rasul Douglas now in the fold. The team also drafted Nate Hobbs in the fifth round. Las Vegas used a 2019 second-round pick on Trayvon Mullen and acquired Damon Arnette in the 2020 first. The team has taken a few swings at this position, which has proved difficult to fill.
Wreh-Wilson, 31, did start 11 games for the 2014 Titans. But he settled into a second-string role soon after, and the Titans cut him after their 2016 training camp. Despite not starting any games last season, Wreh-Wilson intercepted a career-high three passes. The 6-foot-1 defender has four picks in his career.
Cardinals Sign Round 2 WR Rondale Moore
Shortly after coming to terms with first-rounder Zaven Collins on his first NFL contract, the Cardinals signed their second-round pick as well. Rondale Moore agreed to his four-year rookie deal Wednesday.
The Purdue wide receiver navigated a jagged path to Arizona, suffering an injury as a sophomore before becoming one of the players to opt out and then opt back in in 2020. Moore also will be the rare 5-foot-7 NFL wide receiver. But the shifty prospect will be expected to contribute in Kliff Kingsbury‘s offense early.
The Cards drafted Moore 49th overall, making him the third Round 2 wideout the franchise has chosen in four years. Christian Kirk went to Arizona in the 2018 second round, and Andy Isabella went off the board to the Cardinals a year later. Both remain on the roster, but neither has been especially consistent. Isabella has yet to carve out much of a role. The Cards, who signed A.J. Green this offseason, may also be without Larry Fitzgerald for the first time since 2003. Nearly three months into free agency, the future Hall of Famer is unsigned.
A highly regarded recruit in 2018, Moore dominated as a freshman. He totaled 1,471 scrimmage yards — 114 catches, 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air — and earned All-American acclaim and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Injuries limited Moore in 2019, and he did not begin the conference’s COVID-19-shortened season until midway through the docket.
Moore played just seven games over the past two years, but the Cardinals saw enough over the course of the electric Boilermaker’s run to identify him as a slot helper for Kyler Murray. The Cards now have their entire draft class under contract.
Dolphins Sign First-Round DE Jaelan Phillips
The Dolphins have their other first-round pick under wraps. After quickly signing Jaylen Waddle in mid-May, they’ve now inked the 18th overall pick from that weekend.
Miami has signed defensive end Jaelan Phillips to his rookie contract, the team announced Wednesday. A Miami product, Phillips won’t have to move very far to start his pro career. A decorated recruit out of high school, Phillips started his college career at UCLA and was very highly regarded. Unfortunately concussions and other injuries caused him to medically retire from football in 2018, before he reversed course and returned to play at Miami last year.
Phillips was a second-team All-American for the Hurricanes last season, as he finished with 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 10 games. Scouts were very high on his talent, although there were naturally some concerns about his medicals.
Clearly teams felt comfortable enough, as he was a consensus first-rounder entering the draft. It’s often been stated that had it not been for his medical issues at UCLA, he would’ve been a top-ten pick.
The Dolphins don’t have a ton at edge rusher after cutting Kyle Van Noy this offseason, so Phillips should see a lot of immediate playing time if he’s ready. Miami now has four of their seven picks locked up.
Eagles Sign JaCoby Stevens
The Eagles announced that they’ve officially signed sixth-round safety JaCoby Stevens. Per the terms of his slot, the former LSU safety will earn $3.6MM on his four-year deal. 
Stevens was a three-year starter for the Tigers, helping the program capture the 2019 National Championship. In total, Stevens notched 190 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and four interceptions across 42 games. Stevens struggled at times in his final year on campus, but scouts say he has the potential to play multiple positions in the secondary with occasional cameos at linebacker. He certainly has the size and athleticism to pull it off — the 6’1″ prospect weighs in at ~215 pounds and notched a 42” vertical jump at LSU’s pro day.
No matter where the Eagles slot him, Stevens says he’s ready to perform and outplay his No. 224 overall slot.
“I know that’s one of the things people are questioning because I’m playing linebacker here for the Eagles and I played safety at LSU,” said Stevens last month. “And that’s one thing that I said, I basically played linebacker at LSU as well. It’s just a position title.”
With Stevens signed, the Eagles have the majority of their draft class wrapped up. At the time of this writing, econd-round center Landon Dickerson stands as the last straggler.