HEADLINES

2022 NFL Draft News & Rumors

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/17/22

June 17th, 2022 at 1:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest mid- and late-round picks to sign their four-year rookie contracts:

Cleveland Browns

New England Patriots

  • RB Pierre Strong (fourth round, South Dakota State)

The Browns made York the highest-drafted kicker since 2016 (Roberto Aguayo, Round 2) by selecting him 124th overall. The team was eyeing Evan McPherson in the 2021 draft, and after seeing the Bengals pounce on the talented specialist, the Browns decided to make an early move for York. LSU’s kicker for three seasons, York earned second-team All-America acclaim in 2020. York will be poised to take over Browns kicking duties, which Chase McLaughlin held last season. Cleveland has gone through a number of kickers in the past decade. The team has not featured the same primary kicker in consecutive seasons since Billy Cundiff from 2013-14.

Chosen 127th overall, Strong surpassed 1,000 yards three times during his career at the Division I-FCS program, doing so in each season not interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He amassed a Division I-FCS-best 1,668 rushing yards last season. Strong will join a Patriots backfield that features Damien Harris, who is going into a contract year, and Rhamondre Stevenson.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/13/22

June 13th, 2022 at 9:35pm CST by Ely Allen

Two players signed their rookie contracts today:

Baltimore Ravens

Stout transferred to Penn State after two fairly inactive years at Virginia Tech. Stout served double-duty in Happy Valley kicking both punts and field goals. Stout kicked 100 punts during his time as a Nittany Lion, as well as converting 16 of 23 field goals and 34 of 36 extra points. Stout will be asked to fill big shoes after long-time Ravens punter Sam Koch announced his retirement last month. Stout will likely also be able to save All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker‘s leg a little stress, as Stout served as the kickoff specialist during his time at both Virginia Tech and Penn State.

Los Angeles Chargers

Woods’s role as a safety changed a bit over his time in Waco. His first two years saw him play a bit more in the box, as he recorded 2.0 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He developed a bit of range in his next two years as a Bear, totaling eight interceptions over that time period. Woods even had a knack for being dangerous with the ball in his hands, averaging 25.13 return yards per interception. He showed true play-making ability as a senior recording 4.5 tackles for loss while also returning both an interception and a fumble for a touchdown. He adds safety depth to a Chargers roster with Nasir Adderley, Derwin James, and Alohi Gilman at the top of the depth chart.

Dolphins Finalize 2022 Draft Class

June 11th, 2022 at 10:57am CST by Adam La Rose

Getting their 2022 draft class signed wasn’t as tall of a task for the Dolphins as it has been for any other team, due to the class’ size. The Tyreek Hill trade left Miami with only four selections, but each member of that quartet is now under contract, as the team confirmed.

The Dolphins signed receiver Erik Ezukanma to his four-year rookie contract. After a redshirt freshman year, he emerged as a significant contributor to Texas Tech’s offense in 2019. That season, he turned 42 catches into 664 yards and four touchdowns, setting him up for a bigger campaign the following year.

In 2020, Ezukanma posted only four more receptions than the previous year, but put up 748 yards and six scores on a 16.3 yards-per-catch average. His performance placed him in the top six across all categories in the Big 12. Last season, he put up similar receiving numbers, though he added 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

The fourth-rounder is one of several new faces in Miami’s receiving corps. Hill is the biggest addition, of course, but the signing of Cedrick Wilson Jr. in free agency should help offset the departure of DeVante Parker and compliment Jaylen Waddle. Considering his size (six-foot-three, 220 pounds), Ezukanma represents a different element than most of the rest of the team’s pass-catching options. He should be able to earn a rotational role early in his career, as the team looks to take a significant step forward on offense in 2022.

Here is the final look at Miami’s draft class:

Round 3: No. 102 Channing Tindall, LB (Georgia) (signed)
Round 4: No. 125 (from Steelers) Erik Ezukanma, WR (Texas Tech) (signed)
Round 7: No. 224 (from Texans through Patriots and Ravens) Cameron Goode, DE (California) (signed)
Round 7: No. 247 (from Titans) Skylar Thompson, QB (Kansas State) (signed)

Raiders Complete 2022 Draft Class

June 11th, 2022 at 8:51am CST by Adam La Rose

The Raiders announced the signing of fourth-rounder Neil Farrell Jr. on Friday. As a result, they now have each member of their 2022 draft class under contract.

Farrell spent five years at LSU. After playing sparingly as a freshman, he took a step forward the following season with four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2019, he took on an even larger workload during the team’s undefeated run to the national title, finishing the campaign with 46 stops, three sacks and one forced fumble.

The 6-foot-4, 319-pounder stayed with the Tigers for two more years. Over the course of his 51-game career, he amassed a total of 143 tackles, including 22 for loss, to go along with 7.5 sacks. His final season in particular showed his ability to be a disruptive presence, which led to Las Vegas selecting him in the fourth round.

Despite being chosen 126th overall, Farrell was the Raiders’ third-highest selection, owing to the draft capital given up in the Davante Adams trade. He will join a plethora of new faces along the defensive line in Las Vegas; the team brought in Tyler Lancaster, Vernon Butler, Bilal Nichols, Andrew Billings and Kyle Peko during free agency, and doubled up on the position after the Farrell pick with Matthew Butler. While Farrell will face plenty of competition for playing time, he has the opportunity to see the field in at least a rotational role early on in his career.

Here is the complete breakdown of the Raiders’ class:

Round 3: No. 90 (from Titans) Dylan Parham, G (Memphis) (signed)
Round 4: No. 122 (from Vikings through Colts) Zamir White, RB (Georgia) (signed)
Round 4: No. 126 (from Raiders through Vikings): Neil Farrell, DT (LSU) (signed)
Round 5: No. 175 (from Rams): Matthew Butler, DT (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 7: No. 238 (from Dolphins through Rams) Thayer Munford, OT (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 7: No. 250 (from Vikings through 49ers and Broncos) Brittain Brown, RB (UCLA) (signed)

Chiefs Sign WR Skyy Moore, Complete Draft Class

June 10th, 2022 at 8:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

More teams continue to finalize their 2022 draft class’ rookie contracts. The Chiefs are the latest to do so; the team reached an agreement with Skyy Moore, as the receiver confirmed on Instagram.

Moore enjoyed a productive three-year career at Western Michigan. He totaled 51 catches and 802 yards in his first season there, though he only played in five games during the pandemic-shortened season the following year. While he averaged over 15 yards per catch in each of his first two seasons, he only found the endzone six times across that span.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder took another step forward last year. Suiting up for 12 contests, he totaled 95 receptions, which placed him second in the Mid-American Conference and ninth in the country. He also ranked second in the MAC with 1,292 yards, and more than doubled his touchdown total with 10 — leading the conference in that category.

That placed him in the conversation to be drafted amongst the second tier of wideouts in this year’s class. Not surprisingly, the Chiefs selected him in the second round, as the team continued to rebuild its receiving corps. After the departures of Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle, a number of new faces have been brought in. The most notable additions include JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and perhaps the most intriguing UDFA of the 2022 class, Justyn Ross.

Moore’s size and run-after-catch skillset could lead to usage similar to the way Hill was deployed. His speed should be well-utilized in Andy Reid‘s offense, and give the Chiefs a long-term option in the passing game, compared to the short-term deals signed in free agency to round out the position’s depth chart.

With Moore under contract, here is the full breakdown of Kansas City’s draft class:

Round 1: No. 21 (from Patriots) Trent McDuffie, CB (Washington) (signed)
Round 1: No. 30 George Karlaftis, DE (Purdue) (signed)
Round 2: No. 54 (from Patriots) Skyy Moore, WR (Western Michigan) (signed)
Round 2: No. 62 Bryan Cook, S (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 3: No. 103 Leo Chenal, LB (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 4: No. 135 Joshua Williams, CB (Fayetteville State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 145 (from Seahawks) Darian Kinnard, OG (Kentucky) (signed)
Round 7: No. 243 (from Raiders through Patriots) Jaylen Watson, CB (Washington State) (signed)
Round 7: No. 251 Isaih Pacheco, RB (Rutgers) (signed)
Round 7: No. 259 Nazeeh Johnson, S (Marshall) (signed)

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/9/22

June 9th, 2022 at 7:13pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s draft pick signings in the NFL:

Baltimore Ravens

Kansas City Chiefs

  • CB Joshua Williams (fourth round, Fayetteville State)

New England Patriots

Tampa Buccaneers

Rams Sign 8-Man 2022 Draft Class

June 6th, 2022 at 7:24pm CST by Ely Allen

Likely overshadowed by the massive news of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald‘s raise and guaranteed return in 2022, the Rams were able to sign all eight of their selections from the 2022 NFL Draft today.

The only rookie with any expectations of starting, Logan Bruss out of Wisconsin, was their first pick in the draft, despite not hearing his name called until the third round. After the retirement of tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Austin Corbett‘s departure to the Panthers is free agency, Los Angeles needed to address its offensive line. Veteran tackle Joseph Noteboom is expected to slide in a left tackle for Whitworth, but Bruss will compete with Bobby Evans and Tremayne Anchrum for the the right guard starting job left vacant by Corbett. The Rams ended their draft addressing the offensive line, as well, selecting Michigan State tackle AJ Arcuri with one of their three seventh-round picks.

Los Angeles made several additions to its secondary, as well, through the draft. Cornerbacks Darious Williams and Donte Deayon hit the free agent market, but the Rams were able to bring back Troy Hill via trade after a one-year vacation in Cleveland this offseason. They may not be expected to start right away, but South Carolina State’s Decobie Durant and Georgia’s Derion Kendrick will add some depth to help make up for the free agency losses. With Nick Scott, Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, and Terrell Burgess all returning at safety, UCLA’s Quentin Lake and Kansas State’s Russ Yeast will try to unseat them and each other in order to earn a roster spot at the end of camps.

The Rams lost Sony Michel to the Dolphins this offseason but bring back running backs Cam Akers, who returned from a preseason tear of his Achilles tendon in the last week of the regular season last year, and Darrell Henderson. Los Angeles selected Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams in the fifth round not only for his prowess as a runner but because he showed a talent in college for receiving the ball, as well, a skill that has been missing from the Rams’ backfield since the days of prime Todd Gurley.

Lastly, if Daniel Hardy, an outside linebacker from Montana State, can nab a roster spot, he’ll serve as a depth piece in a stacked linebacker room that houses Bobby Wagner, Leonard Floyd, Ernest Jones, Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, and others.

Here are the draft picks the Rams will take into camps with them this summer:

Round 3: No. 104 Logan Bruss, G (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 4: No. 142 Decobie Durant, CB (South Carolina State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 164 Kyren Williams, RB (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 6: No. 211 Quentin Lake, S (UCLA) (signed)
Round 6: No. 212 Derion Kendrick, CB (Georgia) (signed)
Round 7: No. 235 Daniel Hardy, OLB (Montana State) (signed)
Round 7: No. 253 Russ Yeast, S (Kansas State) (signed)
Round 7: No. 261 AJ Arcuri, OT (Michigan State) (signed)

Texans Finish Signing 2022 Draft Class

June 2nd, 2022 at 10:34pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans wrapped up their nine-man draft class today when they were able to reach an agreement with third-round pick Christian Harris. The Power Five-heavy class includes a plethora of Day 1 and 2 picks and brings home three Houston-natives in guard Kenyon Green, safety Jalen Pitre, and offensive lineman Austin Deculus. 

The Texans started their haul with four selections in the 2022 NFL Draft’s first 44 picks. Their first addition was cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who will immediately improve a group that currently includes Steven Nelson, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Desmond King II. The Texans’ secondary struggled greatly at times last year, and defensive-coordinator-turned-head-coach Lovie Smith decided that addressing that weakness was a top priority. Their addition of Pitre in the second round further addresses that need. While listed as a safety, Pitre spent the majority of his career with the Bears in the slot. Whether at safety or slot cornerback, Pitre is a strong addition alongside Stingley to a struggling defense.

Green was the next selection, midway through the first round, and his ability to play on the inside of the line should allow Houston to establish Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard at the tackle positions. The later addition of the swing tackle, Deculus, continued the Texans’ efforts at improving the protection in front of second-year quarterback Davis Mills.

In terms of weapons for Mills, after extending leading receiver Brandin Cooks, Houston added another weapon in slot receiver John Metchie III. The Alabama alum tore his ACL in December, but is assumed to be ready to return to the field sometime this summer.

From there, Houston added linebacker Christian Harris, who is a menace in opposing teams’ backfields. They followed that by addressing a league-worst 3.4 yards per rush and 8 rushing touchdowns by bringing in Gator running back Dameon Pierce. Thomas Booker adds some depth to the defensive line. Teagan Quitoriano will compete to back up second-year tight end Brevin Jordan with Pharaoh Brown and Antony Auclair.

Here are the draft picks the Texans will take into camps this summer:

Round 1: No. 3 Derek Stingley Jr., CB (LSU) (signed)
Round 1: No. 15 Kenyon Green, G (Texas A&M) (signed)
Round 2: No. 37 Jalen Pitre, S (Baylor) (signed)
Round 2: No. 44 John Metchie III, WR (Alabama) (signed)
Round 3: No. 75 Christian Harris, LB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4: No. 107 Dameon Pierce, RB (Florida) (signed)
Round 5: No. 150 Thomas Booker, DT (Stanford) (signed)
Round 5: No. 170 Teagan Quitoriano, TE (Oregon State) (signed)
Round 6: No. 205 Austin Deculus, OL (LSU) (signed)

49ers Sign Entire 9-Man Draft Class

June 2nd, 2022 at 5:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

In the middle of their second week of OTAs, the 49ers managed to sign all their draft picks in a day. Each of San Francisco’s nine draftees agreed to terms on their four-year rookie contracts Thursday.

Because no first-rounders were part of this class, because of the 49ers’ Trey Lance trade-up, none of this group has a fifth-year option in his contract. While second- and third-rounders’ deals occasionally cause issues, this year being a moderately interesting one for Round 2 choices due to guaranteed years, each of the three 49ers Day 2 choices is locked in.

The 49ers began their draft by taking USC edge rusher Drake Jackson at No. 61 overall. Jackson, who recorded 12.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in three Trojans seasons, will be expected to play at least a rotational role for the 49ers this year. Jackson received $3.14MM of his $5.8MM slot deal guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

San Francisco’s Dee Ford bet largely did not pay off. Ford is expected to be released soon. The team brought back Kerry Hyder, after his one-and-done Seattle tenure, and signed ex-Colts second-rounder Kemoko Turay. Ex-Ram Samson Ebukam also remains on the 49ers’ roster, after signing last year. But Jackson will certainly be expected to be part of the 49ers’ Nick Bosa-fronted edge mix as a rookie.

San Francisco added third-round skill-position players Tyrion Davis-Price (No. 93) and Danny Gray (No. 105) as well. Davis-Price, a 211-pound LSU-produced running back, joins 2021 third-rounder Trey Sermon, starter Elijah Mitchell and veteran Jeff Wilson in San Francisco’s crowded-looking backfield. Davis-Price left LSU after his junior season — a 1,003-yard slate. A 5-foot-11 wideout, Gray played a prominent role in SMU’s pass-happy offense. A former Texas 3A 100-meter champion while in high school, Gray caught 49 passes for 803 yards and nine touchdowns as an SMU senior.

Here are the draft picks the 49ers are set to take into minicamp and training camp:

Round 2: No. 61 Drake Jackson, DE (USC) (signed)
Round 3: No. 93 Tyrion Davis-Price, RB (LSU) (signed)
Round 3: No. 105 Danny Gray, WR (SMU) (signed)
Round 4: No. 134 Spencer Burford, OL (Texas-San Antonio) (signed)
Round 5: No. 172 Samuel Womack, CB (Toledo) (signed)
Round 6: No. 187 (from Broncos) Nick Zakelj, OT (Fordham) (signed)
Round 6: No. 220 Kalia Davis, DT (Central Florida) (signed)
Round 6: No. 221 Tariq Castro-Fields, CB (Penn State) (signed)
Round 7: No. 262 Brock Purdy, QB (Iowa State) (signed)

Load More Posts