HEADLINES

2018 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Saints Sign Rookie Tre’Quan Smith

May 21st, 2018 at 12:25pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints announced the signing of third-round wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith. With that deal done, the Saints now have all of their draft picks under contract. 

Smith, a 6’2″ receiver out of UCF, was the Saints’ second-highest pick in this year’s draft class thanks to their 2017 deal with the Niners that allowed them to select running back Alvin Kamara. Although there were players the Saints would have liked to have at No. 59 overall this year, it’s safe to say the trade was worthwhile.

Heading into the draft, many viewed Smith as a fourth or fifth-round prospect. The Saints clearly did not agree with that assessment as they grabbed him late in the third. Armed with a quick first step and a freakish wingspan, the Saints believe that Smith can be molded into a quality contributor.

Here’s a look at the Saints’ complete 2018 draft class:

You can view every team’s 2018 draft class and the contractual status of its rookies with PFR’s Results By Team tracker.

Extra Points: Rams, Manziel, Eagles, Colts

May 20th, 2018 at 9:00pm CST by Micah Powell

The majority of the 2018 NFL Draft class is now signed, but that’s not the case in Los Angeles. The Rams have yet to sign a single pick.

Should fans be concerned? To put it simply, no.

This isn’t new to the team, as Michael David Smith of PFT writes, as it likes to address financial planning with its players before giving them a large signing bonus. Like in years past, the Rams rookies will all generally sign at once sometime in the next few weeks.

“One of the things that we think is important with that is bringing the rookies in as a group, having them live together as a group, and not having any real differentiation between the first-round pick and the undrafted rookie,” Demoff said. “They’re in the hotel together. They’re eating meals together. They’re doing things together. And then [by the time] they all scatter, we’ll sign their contracts. They’ll leave knowing the contract’s done, so they don’t have to worry about that headache when they go on vacation.”

So no need to panic Rams fans. This is par for the course.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • The Eagles signed running back Matt Jones earlier in the week. The Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski has the details at two years for $1.5MM, none of which are guaranteed (Twitter link). He joins a crowded backfield that includes Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles.
  • The Colts have had visits from Kenny Vaccaro, Tre Boston and Bashaud Breeland in recent days. Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets, however, the meetings were merely informational and no signings are imminent.
  • And we’ll also make pitstop in the CFL, where Johnny Manziel is not guaranteed to start for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith writes. Smith quotes head coach June Jones, who praised current starter and former Oregon standout Jeremiah Masoli. “Let me tell you something right now, he’s got his work ahead of him to beat out Jeremiah,” Jones said of Manziel. “He’s got a lot to catch up on, but he’ll spend the time to get that done. I know he will because he’s already learned that lesson.” Though Masoli has the leg up, it won’t be long before Manziel is given the reins, given he can stay out of trouble.

Raiders Sign Rookie Kolton Miller

May 18th, 2018 at 1:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders officially signed first-round offensive tackle Kolton Miller, according to a team announcement. Per the terms of his slot as the No. 15 overall pick, Miller will receive a four-year deal worth $13.5MM. 

On draft night, the Raiders the No. 10 pick to the Cardinals in exchange for the No. 15 selection, plus third- and fifth-round selections. The deal allowed them to add additional draft capital while securing Miller at a cheaper rate. Had they taken Miller at No. 10, the Raiders would have doled out an extra $4.1MM over the course of his four-year deal while also facing a more expensive decision on his fifth-year option for the 2022 season.

It seems likely that Jon Gruden had his eye on Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey at No. 10, but the 49ers beat them to the punch by selecting him ninth overall. Even though he’s a bit green, Miller is not a bad consolation prize, especially when considering the extra draft picks acquired in the trade.

Oakland’s initial offseason workouts involving rookies have featured Miller at left tackle, where Donald Penn remains a mainstay. Penn’s entering his fifth season as the Raiders’ starter there but is also coming into his age-35 season. And the Raiders have had issues at right tackle for a couple of seasons now, the undeniable weak link on what’s been a strong offensive line over the past few years, and it’s possible the UCLA product could begin his career there.

Seahawks Sign Rookie RB Rashaad Penny

May 16th, 2018 at 5:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks have signed first-round running back Rashaad Penny, the club announced today.

Like every first-round pick, Penny has inked a four-year deal that includes a fifth-year option for the 2021 campaign. Per Over the Cap, Penny’s new contract should be worth roughly $10.765MM and come with a $5.909MM signing bonus. His 2017 cap charge will come in around $1.957MM.

Seattle traded back from No. 18 to No. 27 in the first round before selecting Penny, picking up an extra third-rounder in the process. Penny, a San Diego State product, should front the Seahawks’ backfield as the team attempts to reinstall the ground-and-pound approach that made them successful earlier this decade. Penny, who stands 5’11”, 220 pounds, posted a whopping 2,248 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns during his final collegiate season.

With Penny under contract, the Seahawks have only three members of its nine-man draft class unsigned: defensive end Rasheem Green, defensive end Shaquem Griffin, and defensive back Tre Flowers.

Seahawks Sign Two Draft Picks

May 15th, 2018 at 8:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks have signed fifth-round offensive tackle Jamarco Jones and seventh-round quarterback Alex McGough, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).

Jones was widely viewed as a third- or fourth-round pick, so the Seahawks scored solid value by picking up the Ohio State product in the fifth. While Seattle’s offensive line has been (rightly) maligned, the club actually appears relatively set up front. Jones could conceivably compete with former first-rounder Germain Ifedi for right tackle duties, but he’s more likely to open the season as a reserve.

McGough, meanwhile, was deemed the “surprise” of rookie minicamp by Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, tweets Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. Seattle recently waived quarterback Stephen Morris, leaving only McGough and veteran Austin Davis behind starter Russell Wilson. If he shows well during training camp, McGough could emerge as Wilson’s backup during his rookie campaign.

With Jones and McGough under contract, Seattle has signed five picks from its nine-man draft class. Selections that remain unsigned include first-round running back Rashaad Penny, third-round defensive end Rasheem Green, fifth-round defensive end Shaquem Griffin, and fifth-round defensive back Tre Flowers.

Lions Sign Rookie S Tracy Walker

May 15th, 2018 at 6:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions announced that they’ve signed third-round safety Tracy Walker, and in doing so have now inked their entire 2018 draft class.

It’s not clear exactly how quickly Walker will see the field in Detroit’s starting lineup, as the Lions already have Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson in place as starters at safety. Quandre Diggs, meanwhile, is capable of playing both nickel corner and safety, further pushing Walker down the depth chart.

Many draft analysts had Walker pegged as a late-round selection, but the Lions weren’t the only club that was targeting the Louisiana product on Day 3. Following the draft, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported the Panthers were prepared to take Walker at pick No. 85 before Detroit scooped him up three slots earlier.

Walker’s four-year rookie pact will be worth roughly $3.3MM and comes with an $847K signing bonus, per Over the Cap. During his rookie campaign, Walker will count for just $691K on the Lions’ salary cap.

Here’s the entire Lions crop of rookies:

Packers Sign CB Jaire Alexander

May 15th, 2018 at 10:24am CST by Zachary Links

The Packers announced the signing of first-round pick Jaire Alexander. The cornerback out of Louisville was the No. 18 overall selection in the draft.

Alexander put himself squarely in the Round 1 conversation despite missing time with a knee injury in 2017. Some evaluators had concerns about Alexander’s slender build leading to another injury, but the potential was too much for Green Bay to pass up.

The Packers moved around on draft night and still came away with the cornerback they wanted. The Packers shipped their original pick to the Saints for the No. 27 pick, a fifth-round choice, and the Saints’ first-round selection in 2019. Then, the Packers moved up nine spots by giving up their third and sixth-round choices in a swap with the Seahawks.

Alexander will get an opportunity to prove himself right off the bat with the Packers as he projects to start alongside free agent addition Tramon Williams. Veteran Davon House, 2017 second-round pick Kevin King, and this year’s second-rounder Josh Jackson are also in support.

As shown on PFR’s rookie contract tracker, the Alexander signing leaves Jackson and third-round linebacker Oren Burks as the last remaining unsigned members of the Packers’ draft class.

Chargers Sign Five Draft Picks

May 13th, 2018 at 2:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

First-round safety Derwin James is now the only Chargers 2018 draft pick without a contract, as Los Angeles announced that the following selection have signed their rookie deals:

Third-round defensive tackle Justin Jones is also under contract, leaving James as the sole holdout. NFL rookie deals are now a breeze to negotiate thanks to the league’s most recent collective bargaining agreement, but James will likely sign his deal soon. First-rounders are often able to push for certain contractual issues, such as timing of bonus payments, but James is participating in the Chargers’ rookie minicamp even without a pact.

Most of the players signed by Los Angeles today will likely need to make their rookie mark on special teams duty, but Nwosu could have a chance at playing time in 2018. Although largely an edge rusher at USC, Nwosu probably won’t see much time as a pass-rusher given that the Chargers already employ Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. But the 6’2″, 240-pounder could find a role as a inside ‘backer, an area of weakness for the Bolts.

Lions Sign RB Kerryon Johnson

May 11th, 2018 at 11:15am CST by Zachary Links

Kerryon Johnson is officially a member of the Lions. On Friday, the Auburn running back inked his rookie contract. 

The Lions sent their No. 51 overall choice plus a fourth-round pick to the Patriots for the 43rd pick in order to select Johnson. He’ll have an opportunity to get significant playing time right out of the gate in the Lions’ mishmash backfield. Veteran LeGarrette Blount still projects as the team’s top ball carrier with Theo Riddick as a pass-catching specialist, but Johnson could tilt things in his favor with a strong summer. For what it’s worth, Riddick says he’s not concerned about losing ground to Johnson.

“It’s never a conflict,” Riddick said recently (via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press). “I put my teammates first. I was always taught that as a player, as a young kid, and I continue to put that out. So, it really doesn’t affect me. Even, again, with Blount being here I’m just trying to get him to soak up the playbook as fast as possible, because if I can do that then that helps us all. I just want to win.”

In addition to Blount and Riddick, the Lions also have Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington, and former second-round pick Ameer Abdullah under contract.

Johnson holds the potential to be a three-down back in the NFL, but some evaluators worry that his running style and frame will make him injury prone. He didn’t seem to have any trouble at Auburn, however, as he ran for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final year on campus. He also recorded 24 catches for 194 yards and two scores.

Redskins Sign Da’Ron Payne

May 10th, 2018 at 3:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins have signed first-round pick Da’Ron Payne, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The defensive tackle has become the first Round 1 pick from the 2018 NFL Draft to ink his rookie deal. 

[RELATED: 2018 NFL Draft Results By Team]

Payne, an Alabama product, vaulted up the draft boards this year thanks to his run-stuffing ability. The Redskins pounced on him at No. 13 overall with the belief that he can also develop into a strong defender on passing downs.

“I think [fellow Alabama alum] A’Shawn Robinson was more talented than Da’Ron and I know Robinson had better (tackle-for-loss) and sack production than him, but Payne plays harder and I think he’ll be the better NFL player,” one NFC executive told NFL.com prior to the draft. “He’s thick and strong, but he’s also a really good athlete and I see his best football in front of him.”

Last year, Payne had 53 total tackles, a sack, and an interception as Alabama captured yet another National Championship.

Payne projects to be the Redskins’ starting nose tackle this year with defensive ends Matthew Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen on either side of him. Between Payne, Allen, and outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, the Redskins’ starting front seven boasts three former first-round picks.

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