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2017 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Draft Pick Signings: 6/1/17

June 1st, 2017 at 8:22pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest NFL rookies to put pen to paper on their first contracts:

  • The Saints signed their two third-round picks, linebacker Alex Anzalone (pick No. 76) and defensive end Trey Hendrickson (No. 103), as well as sixth-round DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (No. 196) on Thursday (via Anzalone’s Twitter account and Herbie Teope of NOLA.com). Thanks in part to shoulder injuries, Anzalone didn’t pick up significant playing time at Florida until last season, when he totaled 53 tackles and three sacks. Despite his relatively modest output with the Gators, Anzalone has the talent to be a three-down starter in the pros, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. Hendrickson, meanwhile, was quite productive at Florida Atlantic, where he tallied 41 tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks from 2013-16. Most of the damage came over the previous two years, as Hendrickson combined for 30 TFL and 23 sacks in that span. Muhammad, yet another prospect who played his college ball at a Florida-based institution (Miami), is coming off a troubled tenure with the Hurricanes. He missed all of 2014 on account of a suspension stemming from an altercation and then incurred yet another ban last year, one that led to his dismissal from Miami, for a violation of NCAA rules. The last time Muhammad took the field, in 2015, he put up 54 tackles (8.5 for loss) and five sacks.
  • The Packers have signed fourth-round running back Jamaal Williams (No. 134), leaving only one of their 10 picks – third-round defensive tackle Montravius Adams – without a contract. Williams, the first of three running backs the Packers drafted this year, was a two-time 1,200-yard rusher at BYU. He finished his Cougars tenure with a career year in 2016, amassing 1,375 rushing yards (with a 5.9 yards-per-carry average) and 12 touchdowns in 10 games.

Eagles Sign Derek Barnett

June 1st, 2017 at 5:34pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Eagles have signed their first-round pick, defensive end Derek Barnett, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). As the 14th selection, Barnett’s four-year contract is worth upward of $12.85MM, including a $7.49MM signing bonus.

Derek Barnett (Vertical)

Barnett starred in all three of his years at Tennessee, where he notched 52 tackles for loss and 32 sacks. Last season was his best, though, as Barnett made 19 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and took down opposing quarterbacks 13 times en route to first-team all-SEC honors. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com likens the 6-foot-3, 259-pound Barnett to Packers pass rusher Nick Perry, who posted 11 sacks in 2016.

With Barnett under contract, the Eagles have locked up all eight of their draft picks. Here’s a refresher on their other selections:

Bucs Sign WR Chris Godwin, Wrap Draft Class

June 1st, 2017 at 10:49am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers announced the signing of third round wide receiver Chris Godwin. The deal means that every member of the team’s 2017 draft class has now been inked. Chris Godwin (vertical)

Godwin, a Penn State product, recorded 154 catches for 2,421 yards and 18 touchdowns over his three seasons on campus. With the Bucs, he can pitch in as both a slot receiver and an outside option, depending on how he’s needed. Godwin represents one of two major additions at wide receiver for the team this year, along with free agent pickup DeSean Jackson.

Here’s the complete rundown of Tampa Bay’s draft class:

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/31/17

May 31st, 2017 at 7:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s draft pick signings:

  • The Packers have signed fourth-round linebacker Vince Biegel, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Biegel, a Wisconsin product, has already been hit by the injury bug during his short NFL tenure. After being sidelined by a hand injury during rookie minicamp, Biegel later suffered a broken foot and may not be available for the start of training camp. Nevertheless, NFL clubs are required to negotiate in good faith, meaning Biegel’s injuries won’t affect his contract status. Biegel, who posted four sacks during his senior season, will attempt to augment a Green Bay pass rush that already ranked sixth in adjusted sack rate a year ago. Third-round defensive tackle Montravius Adams and fourth-round running back Jamaal Williams are now the only unsigned Packers rookies.

Jaguars Sign Rookie OL Cam Robinson

May 31st, 2017 at 12:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jaguars have agreed to terms with second-round offensive tackle Cam Robinson, the club announced today."<strong

In need of offensive line help, Jacksonville moved up in the second round in order to acquire Robinson. Having already drafted LSU running back Leonard Fournette fourth overall, the Jaguars shipped the No. 187 pick to the Seahawks for the right to move up one spot, shifting their selection from No. 35 to No. 34.

For now, Robinson is Jacksonville’s starting left tackle while veteran Branden Albert sits out team activities. The Jaguars acquired Albert from Miami in March, but he’s not attending practice session as he holds out for a new contract. As such, Robinson would likely line up on Blake Bortles‘ blindside if the season began today. If Albert does report, Robinson could see time at right tackle or guard.

The Jaguars have now inked six members of their seven-man draft class, with only third-round cornerback Dawuane Smoot remaining unsigned.

Broncos Sign Rookie WR Carlos Henderson

May 26th, 2017 at 1:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos now have their entire 2017 rookie class under contract, as they’ve agreed to terms with third-round wide receiver Carlos Henderson, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter link).Carlos Henderson (Vertical)

Henderson, a Louisiana Tech product, will be making the leap from Conference USA to the NFL, but he would appear to have a clear path to playing time in Denver. Aside from Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, the Broncos’ other wideouts shouldn’t post much of a threat. Jordan Taylor, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, and fellow rookie Isaiah McKenzie will serve as Henderson’s primary competition.

At the very least, Henderson figures to act as the Broncos’ top return man during his rookie campaign. Denver finished just 22nd in special teams DVOA a season ago, and lost 1.1 points on kick returns and 6.8 points on punt returns. Henderson, meanwhile, averaged 32.2 yards per kick return and scored two touchdowns.

Here’s an overview of the Broncos’ class:

Redskins Sign Rookie CB Fabian Moreau

May 26th, 2017 at 11:13am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins announced that they’ve signed third-round cornerback Fabian Moreau, meaning the club has now locked up its entire 2017 draft class.Fabian Moreau (vertical)

Moreau, a UCLA product was considered a late first-round or early second-round prospect before tearing his pectoral during the predraft process. Following the injury, Moreau fell to the 81st overall pick, but should still have a chance to compete for playing time during his rookie campaign pending the speed of his recovery. Washington’s cornerbacks behind Josh Norman currently include Bashaud Breeland, Quinton Dunbar, Kendall Fuller, and Dashaun Phillips.

Here’s a complete overview of the Redskins’ rookie class:

Seahawks Sign Malik McDowell

May 25th, 2017 at 5:59pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Seahawks have signed second-round pick Malik McDowell, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). McDowell was the first pick in this year’s draft for Seattle, which moved down from No. 26 overall to No. 35 in a series of trades before landing the ex-Michigan State defensive tackle. He’ll receive a four-year contract worth approximately $6.96MM, including $3.2MM signing bonus.

Malik McDowell (Vertical)

The 6-foot-6, 295-pound McDowell tallied 24.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 32 games at Michigan State, where he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in each of the previous two seasons. McDowell’s new head coach, Seattle’s Pete Carroll, revealed earlier this month that he won’t just play D-tackle with the Seahawks. Rather, they’ll also McDowell as a Michael Bennett-esque defensive end. Moving to end could benefit McDowell and help him realize his All-Pro potential, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com noted entering the draft.

McDowell is the eighth member of the Seahawks’ 11-player draft class to sign his rookie contract. Second-round offensive lineman Ethan Pocic, third-round cornerback Shaquill Griffin and third-round safety Delano Hill remain without deals.

Draft Pick Signings: 5/25/17

May 25th, 2017 at 4:40pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest draft picks to sign their first NFL contracts:

  • The Cardinals have signed their second-round selection, former Washington safety Budda Baker, leaving first-round linebacker Haason Reddick as the only member of their seven-pick class without a contract. Baker, whom Arizona drafted after trading up from No. 45 overall to No. 36 in a deal with the Bears, closed out his college career last year with an All-America season, piling up 70 tackles (9.5 for loss), three sacks and two interceptions. He should emerge as the Cardinals’ long-term answer at strong safety, potentially giving the team an enviable tandem with Baker and free safety Tyrann Mathieu.
  • The Buccaneers have inked second-round safety Justin Evans to a deal, tweets FanRag’s Roy Cummings. With Evans under contract, the only one of the Bucs’ six picks who’s unsigned is third-rounder Chris Godwin. Evans, the 50th pick, played the previous two seasons at Texas A&M, breaking out as a playmaker in 2016 with four interceptions. The 6-foot, 199-pound Evans is an “extremely physical hitter,” per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, who notes that he has the makings of a “plus NFL starter.”
  • The Jets now have eight of their nine selections under contract, having signed third-round wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (first-round safety Jamal Adams is the lone straggler). The 5-11, 204-pound Stewart went 79th overall after emerging as a legitimate weapon at Alabama in 2015 and combining for 117 receptions and 12 touchdowns in his final two years with the Crimson Tide. Stewart now joins Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson and fourth-rounder Chad Hansen as intriguing Jets wideouts who are 25 or younger.
  • The Titans have signed the 155th overall pick, fifth-round linebacker Jayon Brown. The ex-UCLA Bruin ended his college tenure in 2016 with career highs in tackles (119), tackles for loss (7.5), interceptions (three) and sacks (two), though Zierlein pegs the 6-foot, 231-pounder as an undersized player who “lacks the functional strength to become anything more than a sub-package cover linebacker.”
  • The Vikings have finally gotten to work on signing their 11 picks, having come to terms with fifth-round receiver Rodney Adams (No. 170 overall) and seventh-round defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (No. 220), per Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. Formerly with both Toledo and South Florida, the speedy Adams is likely to make an impact as a kick returner and/or a fourth or fifth receiver early in his career, according to Zierlein. Odenigbo, meanwhile, was a prolific sack artist at Northwestern, where he took down opposing quarterbacks 23 times over four seasons – including a personal-best 10 in 2016.

Dolphins Sign Charles Harris

May 24th, 2017 at 4:29pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Dolphins have signed their first-round pick, former Missouri defensive end Charles Harris, according to a team announcement. As the 22nd overall selection, Harris will receive a four-year deal worth upward of $10.84MM, including a $6MM-plus signing bonus.

Charles Harris

The 6-foot-3, 253-pound Harris debuted at Missouri in 2014 and developed into a force for the Tigers from 2015-16, combining for 30.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks en route to a pair of second-team all-SEC selections over those two seasons. Now Harris, whom Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares to Rams edge defender Connor Barwin, will give Miami another pass-rushing threat to join Cameron Wake, Andre Branch and William Hayes.

With Harris under contract, the Dolphins have now signed their entire seven-player draft class. After finishing last season 19th in the NFL in defensive DVOA, the Dolphins addressed that side of the ball with their first- through third-round choices, grabbing Harris, ex-Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan and former Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley.

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