Jets Sign Rookie Jamien Sherwood
The first NFL Draft signing of 2021 is on the board. On Wednesday, the Jets inked fifth-round safety Jamien Sherwood (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter).
Sherwood, an Auburn product, was the combo breaker on the Jets’ early run of offensive players. Interestingly, the Jets listed him as a linebacker on their press released after he was taken No. 146 overall. The 6’2″, 220 pound defensive back may be moved to edge rusher, something that he told the Jets he’d be willing to do during the draft process.
“I take pride in that,” Sherwood said about his ability to cover the middle of the field (via the team website). “Being a safety, you’re the last line of defense, so that’s just stopping touchdowns. You do everything you can for your team. Whenever I get my chance to make a tackle, I make it.”
In his final year on campus, Sherwood notched 75 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. With Sherwood under contract, we’ve got 258 stragglers left to go. Most of those signings will be listed in our daily roundups, with dedicated posts for early round selections.
Vikings Sign Shane Zylstra
The Vikings have signed Shane Zylstra, according to his agent, Jaymeson Moten (via Twitter). Zylstra, who starred as a wide receiver at Minnesota State, will convert to tight end, as Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets.
If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Zylstra’s older brother, Brandon Zylstra, signed with the Vikings in 2018 after a terrific couple of years in the Canadian Football League. He has been with the Panthers in each of the past two seasons, and while the CFL’s 2017 receiving yards leader has just 12 catches in his NFL career, he has served as a significant special teams contributor for both Minnesota and Carolina.
The younger Zylstra set Minnesota State records with 81 receptions for 1,676 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2019 — he was basically the D-II version of Ja’Marr Chase — but went undrafted last year. He will hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow Minnesota State alumnus and new teammate Adam Thielen.
Zylstra has put on 15 pounds of muscle for his position switch and is now up to 230 pounds, per Tomasson (Twitter link). The Vikings’ TE depth chart is currently topped by Irv Smith Jr., but beyond that, the club is rostering unproven talents Tyler Conklin, Brandon Dillon, and fifth-round rookie Zach Davidson. So Zylstra has a shot to make the team with a strong summer.
Tomasson notes that Zylstra also attracted interest from the Colts and 49ers (Twitter link).
Raiders To Release Jeff Heath
The Raiders are releasing safety Jeff Heath, as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter). Las Vegas signed Heath to a two-year pact last March, but he only made it halfway through that deal.
Heath, who will turn 30 in a little over a week, has carved out a career that most college free agents dream of. Signed by the Cowboys as a UDFA out of Saginaw Valley State in 2013, he appeared in all 16 of Dallas’ games in his rookie season, starting nine of them. His defensive snaps took a downturn over the next few seasons as he settled in as a core special-teamer, but he became the Cowboys’ primary strong safety from 2017-19.
In thirteen games (five starts) for the Raiders in 2020, Heath intercepted three passes, tying his career-high mark set in 2017. He also graded out as the 16th-best safety in the league per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, which assigned him high marks for his coverage abilities.
However, the Raiders’ defense was their Achilles’ heel last season, and the club selected two safeties in last week’s draft (Trevon Moehrig and Tyree Gillespie), so Heath’s release is not terribly surprising. Vegas also reunited with Karl Joseph last month.
Heath should be able to catch on with a club in need of safety help, especially since he can still be a valuable contributor to a third unit. His release saves the Raiders $3.15MM in cap space, which will help subsidize today’s Casey Hayward signing.
Bears, WR Damiere Byrd Agree To Deal
With the deadline for signings affecting the 2022 compensatory formula having passed, the post-draft free agency wave is forming. The Bears are taking part, agreeing to terms with wide receiver Damiere Byrd, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal.
A role player in Carolina and Arizona, Byrd saw his responsibilities increase in New England. Byrd signed with the Patriots last year, and although the Pats’ passing production plummeted following Tom Brady‘s departure, Cam Newton frequently looked Byrd’s way. The former UDFA broke through with career-high marks — 47 catches, 604 receiving yards — last year.
Byrd, who never topped 150 yards in a season prior to his Cardinals stay in 2019, joins Marquise Goodwin as Bears free agency additions at the receiver position. Chicago added Goodwin just before the draft and selected North Carolina’s Dazz Newsome in Round 6 on Saturday.
The Bears franchise-tagged Allen Robinson and have Darnell Mooney in place going into his second season. Anthony Miller‘s status is murkier, with the fourth-year slot receiver coming up in trades at multiple junctures this offseason. The Byrd addition may provide more smoke for a potential Miller trade, but the 28-year-old target also stands to provide the Bears special teams help and give Andy Dalton and Justin Fields an auxiliary weapon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LS Scott Daly, G Evan Heim
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed (from Jets): DL John Daka
- Signed: OL Max Pircher (Int’l Pathway Program)
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Adonis Alexander, WR Matt Cole, S Chris Edwards
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Aaron Donkor (Int’l Pathway Program)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Fred Brown
Raiders To Sign CB Casey Hayward
Casey Hayward will stay in the AFC West. The former Chargers Pro Bowler intends to sign with the Raiders, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. It’s a one-year deal worth up to $4MM, Anderson adds (on Twitter).
The Bolts cut Hayward this offseason, ending a five-year tenure. The veteran cornerback will link up with former Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, whom the Raiders hired this offseason. Hayward met with Raiders coaches Tuesday, Anderson adds (via Twitter). He will also reunite with secondary coach Ron Milus, whom the Raiders brought over with Bradley. Milus was the Chargers’ DBs coach throughout Hayward’s tenure.
Corner has resided as a perennial Raiders need, and they have extensive experience going against Hayward to judge his credentials. Experience in Bradley’s system will benefit the nine-year veteran as well. This move, however, likely will send Richard Sherman elsewhere. The former All-Pro spoke with the Raiders about a deal this offseason, but Hayward’s impending Las Vegas stay likely will point Sherman to another team.
Hayward, 32 in September, operated as one of the league’s better corners for a while. He signed what turned out to be a bargain deal for the Chargers in 2016, coming over from the Packers, and made the Pro Bowl that season and under Bradley in 2017. Hayward intercepted 11 passes between the 2016-17 seasons. This led the Bolts to reward him with a $12MM-per-year extension. While 2020 can be classified as a down year for Hayward, he is not far removed from elite work. Pro Football Focus graded the former second-round pick as a top-five corner in 2019.
Las Vegas drafted a corner this year — Nate Hobbs — but not until the fifth round. The team still has highly drafted cogs Damon Arnette and Trayvon Mullen; Hayward will provide veteran support for these young defenders. Arnette missed much of last season due to injury.
Lions TE Josh Hill To Retire
Despite signing with the Lions earlier this offseason, veteran tight end Josh Hill intends to retire, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets.
Hill will walk away from the NFL having spent his entire playing career with the Saints. New Orleans, however, cut its long-tenured pass catcher this offseason. The soon-to-be 31-year-old vet signed a one-year, $1.2MM Lions deal soon after.
While the Saints frequently shopped for pass-catching tight ends, bringing in the likes of Coby Fleener, Ben Watson and Jared Cook in attempts to fill the Jimmy Graham-created void, Hill stuck around. The 2013 UDFA out of Idaho State played in 117 Saints games, catching 116 passes for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hill followed former Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell to Detroit. Campbell’s team will now need to look at other solutions, having not drafted a tight end.
The Lions brought in Darren Fells for a workout earlier Tuesday. This certainly explains why the team is interested in another tight end. Detroit has first-round pick T.J. Hockenson signed through at least 2022, but Hill was poised to work as his backup. His exit could point to a near-future Fells addition.
Saints Sign 11 UDFAs
The Saints have assembled their initial group of undrafted free agents. The four-time reigning NFC South champions agreed to post-draft deals with 11 rookies, per a club announcement. Here is New Orleans’ full list:
- Josiah Bronson, DL (Washington)
- Mike Brown, OL (West Virginia)
- Eric Burrell, S (Wisconsin)
- Nolan Cooney, P (Syracuse)
- Alex Hoffman, OL (Carroll)
- Stevie Scott, RB (Indiana)
- Shaq Smith, LB (Maryland)
- Dylan Soehner, TE (Iowa State)
- Bryce Thompson, CB (Tennessee)
- Trill Williams, DB (Syracuse)
- Lawrence Woods, DB (Truman State)
Bronson received interest from several teams but agreed to sign with the Saints. New Orleans will guarantee $140K of Bronson’s base salary, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. In addition to the base guarantee, Bronson will collect a $25K signing bonus. A Temple transfer who began his college career back in 2015, Bronson was a three-year Huskies contributor.
A tight end out of Iowa State, Soehner will receive a $120K base salary guarantee, veteran NFL reporter Aaron Wilson tweets. Scott will vie for a backup job with the likes of Latavius Murray, Ty Montgomery and Dwayne Washington. The Indiana product, however, will head to the NFL after seeing his production drop in each of his three college seasons. Scott’s 1,137 freshman-year rushing total came with a 5.0 yards-per-carry figure. By 2020, Scott averaged just 3.6 per tote in Big Ten play.
One of two ex-Orange players to join the Saints in this class, Cooney may have a clear path to a roster spot. The Saints released longtime punter Thomas Morstead this offseason and do not have another punter on the roster. Should Cooney make the Saints’ 53-man roster, he would join Riley Dixon as Syracuse punting alums in the NFL.
Browns Sign DT Damion Square
The Browns have signed veteran defensive tackle Damion Square, per a club announcement. This is just the latest in a string of defensive tackle upgrades, following the additions of Malik McDowell and promising UDFA Marvin Wilson.
[RELATED: Browns Sign Malik McDowell]
The Browns could use the interior support after shedding Sheldon Richardson earlier this year. Square, a nine-year vet, spent the past seven seasons with the Chargers, appearing in 81 games (24 starts). He’s served mostly as a rotational piece for the Bolts and he hasn’t missed a game in four years. During his time in San Diego and L.A., he’s picked up 6.5 sacks, thanks in part to seeing snaps at defensive end in 2018.
Of course, he’ll have to prove himself over the summer in order to stick on the roster this fall. Given Wilson’s $192K guarantee, the Florida State product may have a leg up on Square and others vying for a place on the depth chart.
Browns Sign 5 UDFAs
The Browns have added five undrafted free agents to their offseason roster, per a club announcement. The group is headlined by Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, who will receive a hefty $192K guarantee:
- Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
- Tre Harbison, RB, Charlotte
- Romeo McKnight, DE, Charlotte
- Emmanuel Rugamba, CB, Miami of Ohio
- Kiondre Thomas, CB, Kansas State
Wilson was a ballyhooed recruit out of high school who could have been a second-round pick in last year’s draft. After a lackluster 2020, he may regret his decision to return to campus. The 6’5″ defensive tackle notched 44 stops and 8.5 sacks as a junior, but finished last year with 17 tackles and one sack in six games. Given his guarantee, he’s a safe bet to make the final cut. Harbison, who topped 1,000 yards twice at Northern Illinois before transferring to Charlotte, may also have a shot at the Week 1 roster.