Vikings Sign Fourth-Round RB Kene Nwangwu
The Vikings have signed their sixth draft pick. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed fourth-round running back Kene Nwangwu. It’s a four-year pact worth $4.23MM, including a $752K+ signing bonus.
[RELATED: Vikings Sign First-Round Pick Christian Darrisaw]
Nwangwu didn’t really emerge on the NFL radar until the completion of his 2020 season. While the six-foot-one, 210-pound running back didn’t put up crazy counting stats (only 361 yards from scrimmage and four scores), he still had a solid 5.6 yards per rushing attempt (down a bit from his eye-popping 7.2 mark in 2019). Nwangwu was also productive on special teams during his college career, returning 92 kicks.
In Minnesota, the rookie will likely compete with Ameer Abdullah for the third spot on the depth chart behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. His real opportunity for playing time will be in the return game, where he’ll compete with Abdullah and rookie wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
The Vikings still have five of their draft picks unsigned, as our NFL Draft Results page shows:
Round 1: No. 23 (from Seahawks through Jets) Christian Darrisaw, OT (Virginia Tech) (signed)
Round 3: No. 66 (from Jets) Kellen Mond, QB (Texas A&M)
Round 3: No. 78 Chazz Surratt, LB (North Carolina)
Round 3: No. 86 (from Seahawks through Jets) Wyatt Davis, G (Ohio State)
Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) Patrick Jones II, DE (Pittsburgh)
Round 4: No. 119 Kene Nwangwu, RB (Iowa State) (signed)
Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) Camryn Bynum, CB (California) (signed)
Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) Janarius Robinson, DE (Florida State)
Round 5: No. 157 Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR (Iowa) (signed)
Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers through Ravens): Zach Davidson, TE (Central Missouri) (signed)
Round 6: No. 199 Jaylen Twyman, DT (Pittsburgh) (signed)
Seahawks Bring In 13 UDFAs
With their rookie minicamp underway, the Seahawks announced their undrafted free agent class. Here are the rookie hopefuls eyeing back-end-of-the-roster spots in Seattle:
- S Aashari Crosswell, Arizona State
- T Jake Curhan, California
- T Greg Eiland, Mississippi State
- RB B.J. Emmons, Florda Atlantic
- DT Jarrod Hewitt, Virginia Tech
- G Jared Hocker, Texas A&M
- WR Cade Johnson, South Dakota State
- RB Josh Johnson, Louisiana-Monroe
- G Pier-Olivier Lestage, Montreal
- CB Bryan Mills, North Carolina Central
- LB Jon Rhattigan, Army
- WR Tamorrion Terry, Florida State
- WR Connor Wedington, Stanford
Seattle drafted just three players this year, having sent its first- and third-round picks to the Jets in 2020’s Jamal Adams deal. The Seahawks’ large (for 2021) UDFA class includes a few under-the-radar prospects. The 10th overall pick in this year’s CFL draft, Lestage will give the NFL a try first. Both Johnson and Mills were Division I-FCS All-Americans.
Scouts Inc. viewed the 6-foot-2, 207-pound Terry as a fifth-round prospect. In 13 2019 games, the Seminoles receiver caught 60 passes for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns. Although the Seahawks drafted a receiver (D’Wayne Eskridge) in Round 2, they figure to have competition for backup roles. Josh Johnson surpassed 1,200 rushing yards in 2019, averaging 6.5 per carry, while Emmons was initially an Alabama recruit who transferred to the Conference USA program. The Seahawks re-signed Chris Carson but lost Carlos Hyde in free agency and did not pick up Rashaad Penny‘s fifth-year option.
Hocker joins Texans UDFAs Carson Green and Ryan McCollum as Texas A&M O-linemen to land post-draft deals. The Steelers drafted ex-Aggies tackle Dan Moore Jr. in Round 4. Hocker worked as a guard with the SEC team. Curhan started 40 games at tackle for the Golden Bears; he will join sixth-round tackle Stone Forsythe as a rookie edge blockers with the Seahawks. Eiland received starts at both tackle positions and right guard for the Bulldogs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: QB Eric Dungey, TE Cheyenne O’Grady
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Deuce Wallace
- Waived/injured: DB Eric Burrell, DB Trill Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Nate Meadors
Packers Sign Second-Rounder Josh Myers, 4 Other Draftees
As the Packers begin their rookie minicamp, they made quick work signing draft picks. Seven of Green Bay’s nine 2021 selections are now under contract, including second-rounder Josh Myers.
The Packers signed the Day 2 center pick and four other draftees Friday. Myers, fourth-round O-lineman Royce Newman, fifth-round defensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton, fifth-round cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles and sixth-round linebacker Isaiah McDuffie are signed.
Green Bay chose Myers, an Ohio State product, 62nd overall. Helping the likes of J.K. Dobbins and Trey Sermon find running lanes, the Buckeyes center earned first-team All-Big Ten acclaim in 2020 and landed on the O-linemen-producing conference’s second team in 2019. He figures to be a key player for the Packers, who lost All-Pro Corey Linsley in free agency.
Myers participated in workouts Friday after undergoing offseason foot surgery. The Ohio native encountered a turf toe issue last year. This marks the second time in three years the Packers have drafted a college center with their second-round pick. Mississippi State center Elgton Jenkins became a Pro Bowler at guard in 2020.
Here is how Green Bay’s draft class looks as the defending NFC North champions’ minicamp gets underway:
Round 1: No. 29 Eric Stokes, CB (Georgia)
Round 2: No. 62 Josh Myers, C (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 3: No. 85 (from Titans) Amari Rodgers, WR (Clemson)
Round 4: No. 142 Royce Newman, OG (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5: No. 173 Tedarrell Slaton, DT (Florida) (signed)
Round 5: No. 178 Shemar Jean-Charles, CB (Appalachian State) (signed)
Round 6: No. 214 Cole Van Lanen, G (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 6: No. 220 Isaiah McDuffie, LB (Boston College) (signed)
Round 7: No. 256 Kylin Hill, RB (Mississippi State) (signed)
Hawks Sign Round 2 Pick D’Wayne Eskridge
The Seahawks started their rookie minicamp Friday; their top 2021 draft pick is now under contract. The team agreed to terms with second-rounder D’Wayne Eskridge, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com tweets.
One of college football’s top deep threats in recent years, Eskridge went to the Seahawks at No. 56 overall. The team dipped into the Mid-American Conference’s talent pool here, with Eskridge attending Western Michigan, and will pair him with former Day 2 picks Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.
Eskridge played parts of five seasons at the mid-major program, redshirting after four games in 2019. In his final two full seasons, the 5-foot-8 wide receiver eclipsed 20 yards per reception. While Eskridge never tallied an 800-yard season, he was on pace to post a dominant stat line as a senior. The MAC limited its schedule to six games in 2020; Eskridge still posted 768 receiving yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.
Seattle lost backup wideout David Moore this offseason and recently severed ties with Josh Gordon, paving a path for Eskridge. Day 3 picks and UDFAs populate the rest of the Seahawks’ receiving corps.
Eskridge and sixth-round tackle Stone Forsythe are under contract. Fourth-round cornerback Tre Brown is participating in minicamp but is not yet signed.
Texans Sign 3 UDFAs
The Texans are the latest team to unveil a smaller-than-usual undrafted free agent class. Here are the three players added to Houston’s roster post-draft:
- OT Carson Green, Texas A&M
- WR Damon Hazelton, Missouri
- C Ryan McCollum, Texas A&M
The two ex-Aggie offensive linemen will each receive six-figure guarantees. Both will collect $125K, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Drew Davison noting the deals come with $100K base salary guarantees and $25K signing bonuses (Twitter links).
Scouts Inc. graded McCollum and Green as seventh-round-caliber prospects, slotting the former 236th overall and the latter 244th. Green started from 2018-20 for the Aggies, earning second-team All-SEC acclaim as a senior. McCollum started as a senior. The Aggies led the SEC in sacks allowed and yards per carry (5.45). Hazelton played a three schools, contributing for Ball State and Virginia Tech prior to spending his senior season in central Missouri.
Rams Sign Round 2 Pick Tutu Atwell
Lacking a first-round pick for the fifth straight draft, the Rams opted to add to one of their strongest position groups with their second-round choice. They selected Louisville receiver Tutu Atwell 57th overall.
The diminutive wideout agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Atwell will join a Rams receiving corps that houses Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and DeSean Jackson. The team also drafted Van Jefferson in the 2020 second round. It has invested considerable capital at this position.
Los Angeles’ pick surprised also because of Atwell’s stature. The 5-foot-8 target checked in at 149 pounds earlier this offseason. He will be one of the smallest players to suit up for an NFL game in generations. Atwell’s size did not prevent him from becoming one of this draft’s top receivers available, however. He caught 69 passes for 1,272 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019 and added a 46/625/7 line in 2020’s abbreviated season.
The Rams traded two first-round picks and change for Matthew Stafford earlier this year. Jackson and Atwell stand as players who could maximize the longtime Lion’s arm strength. They will pair with intermediate targets Woods and Kupp. Atwell, Woods, Kupp and Jefferson are signed through at least 2023, with the rookie’s deal running through 2024.
Broncos Release T Ja’Wuan James
Ja’Wuan James revealed Friday he underwent surgery to repair his torn Achilles’ tendon (Twitter link). He is also now a free agent. The Broncos released the veteran tackle late this afternoon, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
This will be a post-June 1 cut, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. The transaction will allow the Broncos to spread out the dead-money hit caused by James’ signing bonus. What may well become a contentious matter, however: James’ $10.58MM base salary. James suffering the injury while working out away from the Broncos’ facility leaves him vulnerable on this front.
The Broncos will likely move to void James’ salary, Klis adds (on Twitter). This will likely precede an NFLPA grievance, though that is not certain. Following fellow Bronco DaeSean Hamilton‘s offsite ACL tear Friday, James tweeted the NFLPA needs to have players’ backs after advising them to boycott voluntary offseason workouts. This figures to set off a bigger-picture issue, with Hamilton’s 2021 salary — worth more than $2MM — now in jeopardy as well. Both would have been protected had they been training at the Broncos’ facility, which the NFL reiterated in a memo following James’ injury.
Denver had previously placed James on its reserve/NFI list, laying the groundwork for Friday’s move. The remaining $9MM in prorated signing bonus money will be due. The Broncos could go after James’ 2021 prorated amount ($3MM), but Klis tweets that is unlikely. The post-June 1 move means the Broncos will be docked less than $5MM in dead-money charges. That number would have been considerably higher had James, whose salary was guaranteed for injury (an onsite injury, that is), opted to attend the team’s voluntary workouts.
James’ injury will mean the Broncos’ run of different Week 1 right tackle starters will reach nine. The team has moved on and is set to hold a Bobby Massie–Cameron Fleming competition come training camp. Both veterans signed earlier this week. Each worked as a starter last season, Massie for the Bears and Fleming with the Giants. Signed to a four-year, $51MM deal in 2019, James was ticketed to be the Broncos’ long-term starter. But knee injuries in 2019 limited the former first-round pick to three games that season. Because of his 2020 opt-out and this Achilles development, the 29-year-old lineman’s Denver career will be capped at 63 snaps.
Washington To Sign DB Bobby McCain
After meeting with the Washington Football Team earlier this week, Bobby McCain will join the defending NFC East champions. The parties agreed to a one-year deal Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
The Dolphins released the veteran defensive back last week. Now, McCain will follow Ryan Fitzpatrick to the nation’s capital. McCain has worked as both a starting safety and cornerback in his six seasons as a pro.
A former fifth-round pick, McCain joined the Dolphins two regimes ago. But he endured and signed an extension with the Chris Grier-era front office. The Dolphins moved McCain from cornerback to safety in 2019. After an injury-shortened season, the veteran bounced back to play in 16 games for the 2020 Dolphins edition. He will join Washington’s Landon Collins-led safety corps.
Washington may be lining up McCain, 27, to play alongside Collins. The team has Kamren Curl, a seventh-round pick last year, in place at safety and used a fifth-round pick recently on Darrick Forrest. Although McCain ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 55 overall safety last season, he brings considerable experience (55 pro starts) and possesses the versatility that would allow Washington to use him in multiple capacities.
Vikings Sign First-Round Pick Christian Darrisaw
The Vikings have their first-round pick under contract. According to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Minnesota has signed No. 23 overall selection Christian Darrisaw.
Darrisaw, a Virginia Tech product, is likely to become the Vikes’ starting left tackle right away. The team had a major need there after parting ways with Riley Reiff this offseason, and Darrisaw has a high floor thanks to his natural athleticism and the proficiency he has already displayed as both a pass-blocker and run-blocker. Some scouting reports suggest he will need to do a better job of finishing his blocks at the professional level, but there is no reason to believe he won’t develop that ability with time.
The Vikings originally held the No. 14 overall pick, and they discussed trading up from that spot in an effort to land quarterback Justin Fields. Ultimately, the Bears beat them to the punch by jumping up from the No. 20 selection to No. 11 — a move that required the forfeiture of a 2022 first-rounder — and with Fields and Northwestern LT Rashawn Slater off the board, Minnesota GM Rick Spielman dropped from No. 14 to No. 23.
However, as we later learned, Spielman was prepared to trade back up from No. 23 to make sure he landed Darrisaw (as Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes, Minnesota may have made an offer to the Raiders, who were holding the No. 17 pick). Ultimately, Spielman was able to keep the draft capital he acquired as part of his trade down while still getting the former Hokie to protect Kirk Cousins‘ blind side.
In addition to Darrisaw, the Vikings have signed fourth-round selection Camryn Bynum. Bynum, a cornerback out of California-Berkeley, was one of three fourth-rounders for the Vikings this year. Minnesota just traded fellow corner Mike Hughes to the Chiefs, thereby giving Bynum a bit of a better shot at immediate playing time. Over 42 collegiate games, he tallied 184 total tackles (eight TFL) and six interceptions.