HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Giants Sign Round 1 CB Deonte Banks

May 18th, 2023 at 8:51am CST by Sam Robinson

The highest Giants cornerback pick in seven years, Deonte Banks is now under contract. The No. 24 overall pick agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets.

Banks’ contract — worth $13.58MM due to his draft slot — will be fully guaranteed. The deal contains a fifth-year option, which the Giants will need to decide on by May 2026. For the foreseeable future, however, the Maryland product will be attached to this deal.

Although the Giants put in considerable work on this year’s lot of first-round-caliber wide receivers, they saw all four chosen from Nos. 20-23. GM Joe Schoen made an attempt to trade up into receiver territory, with Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison believed to be on the team’s radar. Once those pass catchers ended up going off the board — to the Ravens and Vikings at Nos. 22 and 23, respectively — the Giants decided to trade up one spot (via the Jaguars) to take Banks.

Just as he later did with the Bills during their trade talks, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke made Schoen confirm the Giants’ trade-up move was not for an offensive lineman. (The Jags eyed Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison, whom they eventually took after both trade-down moves.) The Giants also expressed concern the Ravens would take Banks (video link). Baltimore represented one of Banks’ many pre-draft visits.

One of the teams to bring in Banks for a pre-draft visit, the Giants will make him the centerpiece of their cornerback plan. The team released James Bradberry shortly after the 2022 draft and has current No. 1 corner Adoree’ Jackson going into a contract year. As of now, no extension plans are in the works re: Jackson, who is set to play out his three-year contract this season. With Banks possibly signed through 2027, he will be expected to commandeer a starting job this year.

Banks bounced back from a shoulder injury that ended his 2021 season after two games, but the 6-foot cover man emerged as a Terrapins starter as a true freshman in 2019. Banks held up against potential 2024 top-five pick Marvin Harrison Jr. last season, helping limit the Ohio State superstar to five receptions for 68 yards and no touchdowns. Banks broke up two passes in that game and blocked an extra point. For the season, Banks totaled eight pass breakups and an interception.

The Giants used a first-round pick on eventual bust Deandre Baker in 2019 but last chose a corner higher than Banks seven years ago (Eli Apple, at No. 10 overall). The team will need Banks to perform better than each to justify this investment. The team played without both its boundary corners — Jackson and Aaron Robinson — for much of last season. Robinson was lost for the year due to an early-season knee injury. Banks will be expected to surpass the former third-round pick on the Giants’ depth chart this season.

Jets, Carl Lawson Agree To Reworked Deal

May 18th, 2023 at 8:22am CST by Sam Robinson

A Carl Lawson contract adjustment will create considerable cap space for the Jets. Going into the final year of his deal, the veteran defensive end will now be tied to a partially incentivized structure in 2023.

The Jets will create $12.7MM in cap space by reworking Lawson’s contract, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Previously due a nonguaranteed $15MM in base salary, Lawson will now be tied to a $9MM paragraph 5 number. But $8MM of the new total is guaranteed, Yates adds.

Although this represents a salary reduction, Lawson can make $3MM back via incentives. The Jets signed the former Bengals fourth-rounder to a three-year, $45MM deal in 2021. Thursday’s move bumps the Jets to nearly $19MM in cap space. Lawson’s cap number will now check in at $3MM, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini adding (via Twitter) the contract now contains void years. Four void years are now present, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets. This would stick the Jets with a dead-money cost if they do not re-sign Lawson before the 2024 league year.

This marks a bit of an interesting call, considering Lawson’s status as the Jets’ most proven edge rusher. The team’s D-line setup hinges on the seventh-year veteran, who anchors an edge group now featuring two recent first-round picks in Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald. Lawson finished with seven sacks last season, adding 24 quarterback hits in his first year back from a summer 2021 Achilles tear.

Robert Saleh indicated earlier this offseason Lawson’s status was secure, despite the $15.4MM in cap savings the Jets would have collected by moving on a year early. Given Lawson’s production, he did not seem in danger of not earning the $15MM in base pay — a number that would have been guaranteed once he landed on the Jets’ 53-man roster for Week 1 — but Cimini notes the Jets deemed the $15.7MM cap number too high (Twitter link). Rather than push the team to an impasse, Lawson will collect come guaranteed dough early.

Lawson led Jets edge players in sacks last season, though Quinnen Williams‘ 12 paced the team overall. Lawson’s return made a considerable difference in the Jets vaulting from last defensively in 2021 to fourth place last year. The 27-year-old pass rusher has yet to produce a 10-plus-sack season as a pro, but he has compiled four seasons of at least 20 QB hits. He stands to be one of the top edges available in free agency next year, should the Jets not come back to the table regarding an extension before the 2024 legal tampering period begins.

Thursday’s move also lays some groundwork for Aaron Rodgers‘ expected restructure, one that will increase the future Hall of Famer’s 2023 cap number. The recently acquired quarterback is tied to just a $1.2MM cap hit this year and a monstrous $107.6MM number in 2024. The Packers restructured Rodgers’ deal on his way out, and Jets GM Joe Douglas was surprised by how that came to pass. The team will hope Rodgers comes back for a 20th season next year, but an obvious contract adjustment will need to take place before that happens.

Latest On Potential Commanders Sale

May 17th, 2023 at 9:52pm CST by Ely Allen

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and John Keim recently reported on a prospectus drafted by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and its advisers. The “Harris” of that group is in reference to 76ers co-owner and potential buyer of the Commanders, Josh Harris. Harris and company drafted the 43-page document, titled “Commanders Investment Opportunity” and marked as “Privileged & Confidential,” to help pitch potential limited partners to buy into the deal with Harris.

The reason this seems unfamiliar is because, in the past, buyers of franchises have historically been able to afford the purchase without the help of limited partners. As franchise prices continue to skyrocket, though, it should be expected that what has become known as an unnecessarily complicated financial agreement will be become the new norm.

In the document, Harris paints the picture of a future for the Commanders that includes boosted attendance, increased ticket sales and sponsorship revenue, and even a new stadium. There are almost certainly specific plans to address these assignments, but the report focuses on Harris’s assertion that the mere removal of current ownership should greatly assist in propelling the franchise towards those end goals.

Harris argues that the recent spiraling in attendance, ticket sales, and sponsorship revenue are all direct consequences of “allegations against current ownership.” He points out that the franchise has, historically, ranked among the best in the league for local revenue metrics and attendance, and that, with new ownership, opportunities will arise to help restimulate and drive local revenue. Harris predicts that the potential new ownership will more than double this year’s local revenue ($173MM) by the 2031-32 season, quoting estimates of $380MM or $466MM if the team were to build a new stadium.

On that front, Harris offers both the idea of auctioning off naming writes as an instant opportunity for cash as well as hope that FedEx Field may soon be vacant. Soon is a relative term, as the prospectus offers 2031 as a moving date, much later than recent executive rumors of 2027-28, when the team’s current contract expires. It mentions that the new stadium could be built on its current site or at the site of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium near the Capitol but proposes that Virginia may offer the best incentives. A stadium bill had been passed in the Virginia House and Senate before the infamous allegations killed the bill before it could get to the governor.

The prospectus did its job of helping Harris to pool together multiple limited partners and make his bid, but the complications of the situation do not stop there:

  • It’s been reported plenty that the NFL finance committee has several points of contention with the current Harris-Commanders deal. One of the reported issues, according to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, is a reported “earnout” incentive in the deal. The “earnout” is reportedly a structure that would provide the seller, Dan Snyder, with “a deferred payment of an amount contingent on the franchise reaching specified financial benchmarks.” Its inclusion has been tabbed as one of many markers of an unusually complex agreement.
  • The Commanders face further turbulence as the sale continues to stall. Jhabvala and Maske report that the team has been fined $425K by the District of Columbia and required to “refund more than $200K in deposits to D.C. ticket holders.” This punishment is reportedly part of a settlement reached with the office of D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb. Schwalb told The Post that the team “improperly held on to security deposits that it was required to return…misused those moneys…knowingly used the security deposit for purposes it wasn’t supposed to use the money for…(and) knowingly made it unnecessarily difficult for fans to get their money back.” Despite agreeing to the settlement, the team denies all the allegations listed above by Schwalb, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
  • Lastly, in a bit of an older report from Maske and Jhabvala, legal representatives of more than 40 former Washington employees have urged for an added stipulation to the sale. The attorneys have asked NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the league’s team owners to prohibit Snyder “from suing his accusers who participated in the investigations as a provision of the sale of the franchise.” In a letter sent to Goodell, the attorneys requested that Goodell and company include “a contractual provision that forbids Mr. Snyder from initiating litigation against any of the individuals who participated in the various investigations into the team, including but not limited to” the 40-plus clients they represent. Due to Snyder’s “well-earned reputation for being vindictive and litigious,” the group fears retaliation for their clients’ participation.

Poll: Which Team Has Improved Most This Offseason?

May 17th, 2023 at 9:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although several starter-caliber veterans remain unsigned, NFL teams have largely taken their big swings this offseason. Be it through free agency, the trade market or the draft, franchises have updated their rosters in hopes of improving in 2023.

Any conversation of 2023 improvement efforts probably needs to start with the Jets. Thanks to the Sacramento Kings’ playoff advancement, the Jets hold major North American sports’ longest postseason drought — at 12 years. After missing on a few rookie-contract QBs in the time since their last playoff run, the Jets now have Aaron Rodgers. The six nationally televised games on Gang Green’s docket illustrate Rodgers’ impact on the team’s perception, and although the four-time MVP will turn 40 before year’s end, he has made the Jets a free agency destination of sorts. The team added ex-Rodgers Packer wideouts Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, with those moves coming after the addition of safety Chuck Clark via trade.

As the Jets stands to be a factor in the one of the deepest conferences in recent memory, the Dolphins added Jalen Ramsey via trade and will pay Vic Fangio upwards of $4.5MM to run their defense. Miami will bank on Tua Tagovailoa health and showed faith in the oft-scrutinized passer by picking up his fifth-year option two months early.

The Ravens took their biggest steps yet — in the Lamar Jackson era, at least — to strengthen their receiving corps, keeping Odell Beckham Jr. from a Big Apple return (via a $15MM guarantee) and drafting Zay Flowers in the first round. The Browns bolstered their receiving corps as well, trading for Elijah Moore and drafting Cedric Tillman in Round 3. Cleveland also has now added two edge rushers — with Jadeveon Clowney not expected back — in Za’Darius Smith and Obo Okoronkwo to complement Myles Garrett. Cincinnati may have made the biggest outside addition in the AFC North, signing Orlando Brown Jr., though the team did lose both starting safeties (Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell) in free agency. The Steelers added two likely O-line starters, in Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo, and made changes at cornerback by signing Patrick Peterson and drafting Joey Porter Jr.

The returns from this year’s top AFC South headlines likely will not emerge until the mid-2020s, but the Texans, Colts and Titans drafted hopeful long-term QBs (C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis). Houston also gave up a bounty to move back into the top three for Will Anderson Jr.

Making Nathaniel Hackett just the third HC since the 1970 merger to be fired before his first season ended, the Broncos paid up — both in terms of draft capital and salary — to add Sean Payton. They also spent heavily to better protect Russell Wilson, signing Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey. The latter will be Denver’s 11th Week 1 right tackle in 11 years. The Raiders added Tyree Wilson in Round 1, but the team’s Derek Carr-to-Jimmy Garoppolo transition injects considerably more injury risk into their equation.

Darren Waller going from Las Vegas to New York provided the centerpiece of the Giants’ hopeful pass-game upgrade, which includes a few midlevel wide receiver investments. The team added likely starters in cornerback Deonte Banks and center John Michael Schmitz. Dallas brought in Pro Bowlers Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore via trade, and Mike McCarthy will dust off his play-calling chops after Moore’s Chargers exit. The Eagles drafted two more Georgia defenders (Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith) in Round 1 but lost Javon Hargrave and both coordinators.

Few position groups received more attention than the Lions’ secondary. The rising team added Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley and second-rounder Brian Branch. This came after Jameson Williams‘ six-game gambling ban and after two first-round picks (Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell) receiving positional value-based criticism. While the Bears collected future assets from the Panthers in the Bryce Young swap, they pried D.J. Moore from Carolina and added two likely O-line starters in Nate Davis and Darnell Wright.

Carolina stopped its QB carousel with the Young move, and Frank Reich will be tasked with developing the atypical prospect. The Panthers also lured Ejiro Evero from the Broncos, despite Denver’s interest in retaining its DC. Though, the team’s receiving situation — now featuring Adam Thielen and DJ Chark — may take multiple years to fix post-Moore. The rest of the NFC South will also include new Week 1 starting QBs. The Saints made the second-most notable veteran quarterback addition this year — in giving Carr what amounts to a three-year, $100MM deal — and will hope this brings the QB stability Drew Brees‘ retirement stripped away two years ago.

While the 49ers lost another coordinator (DeMeco Ryans) to a head coaching job, they gave new DC Steve Wilks superior D-line talent via Hargrave’s $20MM-AAV deal. With the Colts taking Richardson at No. 4, the Seahawks doubled down on the recently re-signed Geno Smith by beginning this year’s receiver run with Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20. Seattle also zagged from its Pete Carroll–John Schneider M.O. by taking cornerback Devon Witherspoon at 5. This and the Dre’Mont Jones contract headlined a big year for Seahawks defensive investments.

What other teams deserve mention here? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Coaching Notes: Raiders, Castillo, Colts

May 17th, 2023 at 8:18pm CST by Ely Allen

The Raiders have made four new additions to their coaching staff for the offseason, naming their Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellows. On offense, Las Vegas will be mentoring Torrey Gill. On defense, Jamie Sharper and Troy Vincent Jr. will be joining the staff. Lastly, Matt Willis was hired with a focus on special teams.

Gill is currently an offensive graduate assistant at Oregon State. He’s previously coached wide receivers at New Mexico State and Whittier College after playing the position at Itawamba Community College and NAIA Tabor College.

Sharper is former Super Bowl champion linebacker for the Ravens who spent time with the Texans and Seahawks, as well. He just finished the 2022 XFL season where he worked as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the DC Defenders. He previously worked as a scouting intern for Houston before serving as linebackers and defensive line coach for Georgetown.

Vincent is the son of NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent. His career has thus far consisted mainly of roles in Georgia high school football.

Willis is a former NFL wide receiver who spent time with the Ravens, Broncos, and Lions. He’s had two other stints with the fellowship, working with the Bears in 2017 and 2018.

Here are a few other rumors from around the NFL:

  • The Commanders have made some minor adjustments to their offensive staff, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. Juan Castillo, who was hired to coach tight ends despite his wealth of experience with the offensive line, has been working more with the offensive line at camp recently. They expect that he will be “toggling between the two positions” under the new title of run-game coordinator. The current assistant offensive line coach, Travelle Wharton, is expected to be promoted to offensive line coach, while Todd Storm will remove the “assistant” from his title to become tight ends coach.
  • Colts head coach Shane Steichen has added a new assistant to his staff, according to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports. The staff now rosters Charlie Gelman, who will serve as game manager.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/23

May 17th, 2023 at 6:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the league:

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: P Daniel Whelan
  • Waived: CB Benjie Franklin

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/17/23

May 17th, 2023 at 6:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The only NFL rookie to sign his four-year contract today:

Green Bay Packers

  • TE Tucker Kraft (third round, South Dakota State)

Kraft helped lead the Jackrabbits to an FCS National Championship last year. The 2022 season was a bit down for him statistically after a breakout junior season, but over his last two years in Brookings, Kraft caught 92 balls for 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns. He figures to work alongside Packers second-round rookie Luke Musgrave out of Oregon State to replace the production of Robert Tonyan, who signed with the division rival Bears this offseason.

Broncos Sign Third-Round LB Drew Sanders, Wrap Draft Class Deals

May 17th, 2023 at 5:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos did not have many draft choices this year, but they will have all their picks under contract before OTAs begin. Third-round linebacker Drew Sanders agreed to terms on his rookie deal Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.

After Denver traded into the back of the second round for Oklahoma wideout Marvin Mims, the team stuck with its No. 67 draft slot — obtained in a 2022 deal with the Colts, who traded up for safety Nick Cross — to select Sanders. The Arkansas prospect will be tied to a four-year deal worth approximately $5.7MM.

Sanders transferred from Alabama to Arkansas in 2022 and came through with strong sack production — especially for an off-ball linebacker. The 6-foot-4 defender totaled 9.5 sacks as a junior last year, pairing that eye-catching number with 103 tackles. Sanders skipped the Razorbacks’ Liberty Bowl game to prepare for the draft and will be expected to carve out a key role on Sean Payton‘s first Broncos team.

After cutting ties with Super Bowl 50 ILB starter Brandon Marshall in 2019, the Broncos have not devoted much in the way of resources to the off-ball linebacker spots. They do have both their starters from last season — Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton — attached to similar contracts. Tied to a two-year, $11MM pact, Jewell — a former fourth-round pick — is going into a walk year. The Broncos re-signed Singleton (three years, $18MM), but the former UDFA is heading into his age-30 season.

The Broncos have not made a notable edge defender investment this offseason; the team released 2022 trade acquisition Jacob Martin last week. Randy Gregory, Baron Browning and 2022 second-rounder Nik Bonitto remain in place as Denver’s top OLBs. With Gregory missing much of last season, the Broncos may be in the market for one of the many veteran edge defenders still available. The team’s situation also opens up a potential hybrid role for Sanders, who forced three fumbles last year.

Here is how the Broncos’ draft class turned out:

QB Carson Wentz Generating Interest

May 17th, 2023 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Traded in each of the past two offseasons, Carson Wentz has now been in free agency for almost three months. The former Eagles, Colts and Commanders quarterback will likely land another opportunity, and he is preparing for that path.

Wentz is training in Los Angeles, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, who adds the seven-year veteran is generating interest (Twitter link). A starter for most of his career, Wentz is open to continuing his career as a backup. It would seem, barring an injury shaking up a team’s depth chart, that is his only option at this point.

It seems Wentz might try to wait out a potential injury, with Fowler adding the former No. 2 overall pick may well wait longer into the offseason before committing. Wentz, 30, is more accomplished than just about every backup quarterback on a roster. But three teams have jettisoned him over the past three years. One of the few franchises Wentz could conceivably serve as a starter upgrade — the Commanders — just cut him, moving on from the Eagles-constructed extension the one-time MVP candidate had played on since 2019.

The Commanders have continued to praise 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell, and they signed Jacoby Brissett as competition. One of the many other teams that passed on pursuing a franchise-tagged Lamar Jackson, the Falcons signed ex-Wentz teammate Taylor Heinicke to be Desmond Ridder‘s backup. While neither of these situations check off long-term boxes at the sport’s marquee position, Wentz does not appear a candidate to be a starter again for a bit. A summer injury — something Jimmy Garoppolo unsuccessfully waited for during his time on the trade block last year — would likely need to happen in order for that avenue to open up.

The Raiders make sense as a potential Wentz suitor, given Garoppolo’s health history. The Silver and Black signed ex-Josh McDaniels charge Brian Hoyer, who is going into his age-38 season, and used a fifth-round pick on Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell. Should Garoppolo suffer another injury, the Raiders would be a logical spot for Wentz or Teddy Bridgewater. Unless the team plans on stashing O’Connell on its practice squad as a QB4, however, Garoppolo remaining healthy does not leave much room for either unemployed veteran.

Arizona is not expected to have Kyler Murray available to start the season. Colt McCoy‘s health, after a concussion ended his season, would determine whether the Cardinals — who drafted Houston’s Clayton Tune in Round 5 — pivot toward adding one of the few bridge-type options left available. Cards HC Jonathan Gannon was in his first weeks on the Eagles’ DC job when the NFC East team traded Wentz in 2021. Only fifth-round rookie Sean Clifford resides behind Jordan Love in Green Bay, while Wentz’s North Dakota State successor — Easton Stick (one career pass attempt) — is Justin Herbert‘s top Chargers backup. Chase Daniel is no longer with the Bolts.

After Wentz started 17 Colts games in 2021, Jim Irsay instructed his front office to unload the quarterback. While that ended up causing more problems for the Colts, Wentz could not stick as the Commanders’ starter last year. Heinicke kept the starting job despite Wentz recovering from his finger injury, and while Ron Rivera reinserted his initial 2022 starter late in the season, Howell finished out the campaign. Now, the well-traveled veteran awaits a move to a fourth NFL employer.

WR Rumors: Ravens, Chiefs, Giants, Mooney, Lockett, Chargers, Falcons

May 17th, 2023 at 3:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Ravens gave Lamar Jackson the biggest contract in NFL history — in terms of average annual value — their top two outside investments this offseason have gone to wide receivers. Following their Odell Beckham Jr. signing, the Ravens chose Zay Flowers 22nd overall. Baltimore took calls from teams during the first round, and GM Eric DeCosta indicated teams wanted to move up. Leery of losing their chance to add a first-round-caliber wideout, the Ravens passed on offers.

“We had gotten some calls from some teams behind us. It didn’t take a rocket scientist … to tell me that they were coming up for receivers,” DeCosta said during The Lounge podcast (via BaltimoreRavens.com). “We decided to stand pat at that point because we knew there was a legitimate risk that we were going to lose the guys that we coveted. The Giants being one of those teams. The Chiefs were behind us as well.”

Both teams showed interest in wideouts, with the Chiefs being connected to moving up for Jordan Addison. The Giants made an effort to trade up for a receiver — with their target believed to be Flowers — but after the Vikings chose Addison at No. 23, Big Blue moved up one spot (to No. 24) for cornerback Deonte Banks. DeCosta also expected the Chargers to pass on Flowers at No. 21, indicating the Bolts generally like “the bigger receivers, the route runners.” The biggest of this year’s first-round receiver lot, 208-pound Quentin Johnston, went to the Chargers. The Ravens have added Beckham, Flowers and Nelson Agholor to their receiver group, one previously headlined by Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay. Both holdovers are coming off season-ending foot injuries.

Here is the latest receiver news from around the NFL:

  • Darnell Mooney missed the final five games of the Bears‘ 3-14 season due to an ankle injury. The three-year starter underwent surgery, with NFL.com reporting he had sustained ligament tears. But Mooney is on track to return to football work fairly soon. The contract-year wideout has a chance to be cleared before the end of Chicago’s offseason program, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Should that benchmark not be met, Mooney will be expected to be full-go by training camp. Mooney totaled 1,055 receiving yards in 2021 and will be expected to join D.J. Moore as Justin Fields‘ top targets this season, one that will potentially set him up for a lucrative extension or free agency accord.
  • The Chargers did not retain DeAndre Carter this offseason; the veteran returner/auxiliary wideout signed with the Raiders. They are expecting the other TCU wideout they drafted — fourth-rounder Derius Davis — to pick up the slack in the return game, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com notes. Davis posted the second-fastest wide receiver 40-yard dash time (4.36 seconds) at the Combine and tallied six return touchdowns (five on punts) with the Horned Frogs from 2018-22. While Brandon Staley is not limiting the 5-foot-8 rookie to return duty, the Bolts did draft Johnston and are also still rostering Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton as Keenan Allen–Mike Williams backups.
  • The Seahawks created some cap space recently by restructuring Tyler Lockett‘s contract. By converting $8.5MM of Lockett’s base salary into a signing bonus, the Seahawks created $5.7MM in space (per ESPN’s Field Yates). As Lockett’s 2023 cap hit drops to $11MM, his 2024 and ’25 numbers balloon to $26.7MM apiece. Lockett is tied to his third Seahawks contract, a four-year, $69MM deal agreed to in April 2021.
  • Former Eagles second-round pick JJ Arcega-Whiteside received a tryout opportunity at the Falcons‘ recent rookie minicamp, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman (on Twitter). Arcega-Whiteside has been unable to establish himself as a pro, being tried at tight end and then traded to the Seahawks before last season. The Seahawks cut the Stanford product in November. He remains unsigned.
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