NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/7/21
We’ll keep track of today’s late-round signings here:
New York Jets
- CB Michael Carter II (fifth round; Duke)
- CB Jason Pinnock (fifth round; Pittsburgh)
- LB Hamsah Nasirildeen (sixth round; Florida State)
- CB Brandin Echols (sixth round; Kentucky)
- DT Jonathan Marshall (sixth round; Arkansas)
Jets Cut WR Josh Doctson
The Jets are doing some spring cleaning. On Friday, the Jets released six players from their offseason roster, including wide receiver Josh Doctson. Meanwhile, they also welcomed 12 new undrafted free agents. Here’s the full rundown:
Released:
- WR Josh Doctson
- K Chase McLaughlin
- CB Kyron Brown
- TE Connor Davis
- OL Leo Koloamatangi
- WR Jaleel Scott
Signed:
- Isaiah Dunn, DB, Oregon State
- Michael Dwumfour, DL, Rutgers
- Milo Eifler, LB, Illinois
- Parker Ferguson, OL, Air Force
- Grant Hermanns, OL, Purdue
- Tristen Hoge, OL, BYU
- Kenny Yeboah, TE, Mississippi
- Chris Naggar, K, SMU
- Jordyn Peters, S, Auburn
- Hamilcar Rashed Jr., DE, Oregon State
- Teton Saltes, OL, New Mexico
- Brendon White, LB, Rutgers
Doctson, a former first-round pick of the WFT, joined the Jets in February as a street free agent. In August, he exercised his right to opt out, tolling his one-year pact to 2021. While Doctson did not deliver on Washington’s investment, he did post multiple 500-plus-yard seasons from 2017-18 and profiled as a somewhat interesting candidate to factor into the Jets’ wideout mix last season. Now, he’ll seek employment elsewhere.
Patriots Sign UDFA K Quinn Nordin
The Patriots have finally added an undrafted free agent. The team announced today that they’ve signed rookie kicker Quinn Nordin.
Nordin appeared in 37 games during his four years at Michigan, connecting on 42 of his 58 field goal attempts and 119 of his 124 extra point attempts. This included a 2017 campaign where he led the Big Ten in field goals made (19) while finishing fifth in points (92). Nordin didn’t have many opportunities to show off his skills in 2020, as he was limited to only four games. He connected on two of his five field goal attempts this past year, although he did convert each of his 12 extra point tries.
The Patriots were already rostering a pair of kickers, including incumbent Nick Folk. The team also picked up former second-round pick Roberto Aguayo late last season. The team used a fifth-round pick last season on Justin Rohrwasser, but he was waived by the team back in March.
For a front office that seems to love their hidden gems, it’s a bit of a surprise that the Patriots have been so inactive following the draft. However, ESPN’s Mike Reiss provides a potential explanation, noting that the team could still be operating on 2020 rules as they await final word on 2021 rules. Specifically, teams were allowed to carry up to 90 players if they went with the “split-squad set-up” in 2020, but they were only allowed to keep 80 players if they went with the full-team route. The Patriots fell into the latter category, and as a result, the Patriots were forced to cut bait with a handful of undrafted free agents (including some with guaranteed money) to get to the limit. The team is currently rostering 83 players (including Nordin), so the team may be awaiting clarity on rules before they add a handful of players.
Reiss also wonders if a shallow group of UDFAs could be an explanation for the lack of moves, and the reporter also notes that Bill Belichick and co. may be more interested in bringing in players on a tryout basis.
If precedent tells us anything, the Patriots will probably add at least a couple more UDFAs. If any of them (or Nodin) make the active roster, it will be the 18th straight season that an undrafted free agent has made the team, the third-longest streak in the NFL behind the Chargers and Colts (per Reiss).
Dolphins To Sign CB Jason McCourty
Jason McCourty is switching AFC East squads. The veteran cornerback is signing with the Dolphins, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport tweets that it’s a one-year deal for the 33-year-old.
Earlier this offseason, McCourty made it clear that he intended to continue his playing career, with the Giants being mentioned as a potential suitor. Instead of heading back to New Jersey (where he played both college and high school football), he’s heading to Miami. On the Dolphins, he’ll be reunited with head coach Brian Flores, who served as McCourty’s defensive coordinator during their lone season together in New England.
Besides the familiarity between the vet and the head coach, there could be another reason for the signing. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald wonders (on Twitter) if the McCourty signing is “insurance against a Xavien Howard contract issue.” Howard is seeking a raise, and Salguero seems to imply that the cornerback could miss time due to the negotiations. Even if Howard is in the lineup, McCourty is still a savvy veteran who the coaching staff can safely rely on. The defensive back could also be an option at safety.
The Patriots had one of the NFL’s best cornerback contingents last season, and McCourty was one of the captains of the defense. However, he saw a reduced role in 2020, as the 33-year-old (34 in August) played on 65% of the Pats’ defensive snaps and started eleven games. Pro Football Focus placed him outside of the top 75 at his position — a significant drop from 2018 (No. 6) and 2019 (No. 18) rankings. The veteran ultimately finished the campaign having compiled 42 tackles and three passes defended.
McCourty accomplished his goals of playing alongside his brother, Devin McCourty, and winning a Super Bowl during his three-year stint in New England. The former sixth-round spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Titans before a one-year stint with the Browns in 2017.
Packers OL Yosh Nijman Signs ERFA Tender
Yosuah Nijman is heading back to Green Bay. The offensive tackle has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender, reports ESPN’s Rob Demovsky (via Twitter).
The ERFA tender is a non-guaranteed, one-year deal worth $780K, which is the league minimum for a player with one season of experience.
The Virginia Tech product went undrafted during the 2019 draft, but he quickly caught on with the Packers. He spent time on the practice squad and active roster during his rookie season, but he didn’t see the field for a regular-season game. The lineman managed to get into all 16 games in 2020, although most of his playing time came on special teams; Nijman was limited to only 14 offensive snaps last season.
The 25-year-old has a chance to take on a larger role in 2021. As Demovsky notes, Nijman could be called upon to start in place of David Bakhtiari, who’s been named to an All-Pro team in each of the past five seasons. The veteran’s 2020 season was cut short by a torn ACL, but Bakhtiari is apparently ahead of schedule and could even be ready for the start of next season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/6/21
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Juwan Green
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Will Sunderland
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G Marquel Harrell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed (from Cowboys): DB Kemon Hall
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Albert Huggins, WR Easop Winston
New York Jets
- Waived: CB Kyron Brown
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed (from Cowboys): CB Saivion Smith
- Signed: TE Nick Guggemos
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed (from Cowboys): LB Ladarius Hamilton
- Signed: CB Nate Brooks
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Justin March-Lillard, CB Greg Mabin, RB Brian Hill
- Waived: CB Kareem Orr
Dolphins Sign TE Jibri Blount
The Dolphins added an interesting UDFA Thursday, coming to terms with former North Carolina Central basketball player Jibri Blount. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound football convert is the son of Steelers Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount.
Jibri Blount began his hoops career at Cleveland State, after playing at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, but did not break out until his transfer to North Carolina. With the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference program, Blount played a centerpiece role. As a senior, he scored 19.1 points per game and pulled down 9.3 rebounds per contest. This earned Blount MEAC Player of the Year acclaim. Jibri, however, did not play football in college.
This marks the second of Mel Blount’s sons to sign with the Dolphins. The team added Akil Blount as a UDFA in 2016. Akil did not play in a regular-season game but did have a football background, having played linebacker at Florida A&M. Jibri is attempting to make a basketball-to-football crossover, a move a few tight ends have completed over the past several years. Jibri will play tight end, according to the Dolphins.
Linked to Kyle Pitts ahead of the draft, the Dolphins were not in position to select the Florida star. They did add Boston College tight end Hunter Long in Round 3, however. Long joins Mike Gesicki on Miami’s roster. Jibri Blount certainly qualifies as a developmental player, but with practice squads expected to remain at or near the 16-player limit from last season, such gambles make sense.
Colts Sign Kwity Paye, 4 Other Draft Picks
The Colts have jumped out to an early lead in draft pick signings. They agreed to terms with five draftees Thursday, including their top two picks — defensive linemen Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Chosen 21st overall, Paye will be expected to play a key role for the Colts as a rookie. The team entered the draft with a significant edge rusher need, and the Michigan product was viewed as one of the top outside pressure artists available. Paye ranked as Scouts Inc.’s top pass-rushing prospect in this year’s draft, and for good reason. This was thanks in part to a 2019 campaign where the Michigan product finished with 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
While this was not viewed as a strong D-line draft class, the Colts have not re-signed Justin Houston and did not have a steady edge presence opposite him in 2020. The team doubled up at this position group to start the weekend. Chosen 54th overall out of Vanderbilt, Odeyingbo may profile as a player who operates both outside and inside — perhaps similar to Denico Autry, who departed for Tennessee in free agency. Odeyingbo, however, qualifies as a project. He may miss his rookie season, having suffered an Achilles’ tendon tear in January while training for the draft.
Only fourth-round pick Kylen Granson, a tight end, and former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (Round 6) are unsigned from Indianapolis’ draft class. Here are the Colts’ rookie signees thus far:
- Kwity Paye, DE (Michigan, Round 1)
- Dayo Odeyingbo, DL (Vanderbilt, Round 2)
- Shawn Davis, S (Florida, Round 5)
- Mike Strachan, WR (Charleston, W.V., Round 7)
- Will Fries, OL (Penn State)
Panthers Sign Fourth-Round RB Chuba Hubbard
The Panthers have signed fourth-round running back Chuba Hubbard, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Per the terms of his draft slot, the Oklahoma product will earn $4.2MM over the next four years. 
After finishing eighth in the 2019 Heisman Trophy voting, Hubbard caught the attention of scouts everywhere. He also made an impression on Julie Rhule, the wife of Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. Julie encouraged her husband to take the 6’0″ tailback and got her wish on Saturday.
This past year, Hubbard rushed for just 625 yards and saw his yards-per-carry figure drop from 6.4 to 4.7. Still, he compiled four straight 100-plus-yard outings, which gave him a good enough platform to go pro. And, just one year ago, he was a 2,000-yard rusher. Late last year, Scouts Inc. had him slotted him as the third best RB in this year’s class, behind only Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris.
Now, Hubbard will fight for reps behind star Christian McCaffrey. Veteran RBs Trenton Cannon and Reggie Bonnafon are also in the mix for Carolina.
Lions, Frank Ragnow Agree To Record Extension
Lions center Frank Ragnow has agreed to a brand new four-year deal (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The extension will position Ragnow as the highest-paid center in NFL history and keep the young center in Detroit through 2026. 
On average, Ragnow will make $13.5MM per year (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). In total, the deal is worth approximately $70MM with $25.5MM fully guaranteed and $42MM in total guarantees. That’s not chump change, but new Lions GM Brad Holmes has long said that he’d be willing to pay the price.
“It’s extremely important. We already view him as a long-term piece and he is a foundational piece because Frank is a guy that plays the game the right way,” Holmes said (via Kyle Meinke of MLive.com). “He’s everything that we look for and what we want as a Lion. I’ll never forget when it first got announced that I got the job, Frank reached out immediately. I told him, ‘Man, huge fan of you and you play the game the right way.’ So, very important to get it done. Not going to comment on timetable right now — that would be a little bit premature — but we’re not sitting back and waiting on that one.”
Ragnow has been first-string for the Lions ever since he was taken with the No. 20 overall pick in 2018. At first, the Lions used the Arkansas product at left guard. In 2019, they shifted him to the middle. He’s started in every game since, save for three missed contests due to injury.
Earlier this spring, the Lions made the easy call to pick up Ragnow’s fifth year for $12.657MM. Now, Ragnow has a fresh deal to top Chargers center Corey Linsley for the richest contract at the position.