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2024 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Jaguars Sign Round 1 WR Brian Thomas Jr.

June 7th, 2024 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

A day after the Jaguars inked second-round pick Maason Smith, they have their top pick locked in. The team announced Brian Thomas Jr. has agreed to terms on his rookie deal Friday.

Chosen 23rd overall, Thomas will be tied to a four-year deal that comes fully guaranteed. The Jaguars will have the option of extending the wide receiver’s contract through 2028 via the fifth-year option. The first of the Jags’ three LSU draftees this year will move forward as the team’s centerpiece of an offseason receiver overhaul.

The Jags have swapped out Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones for Thomas and free agent pickup Gabe Davis. Christian Kirk remains attached to the four-year, $72MM deal he signed in 2022, but his complementary crew has changed. The Jags also added former Ravens All-Pro return man/part-time wideout Devin Duvernay. Ridley joined the Titans, despite a Jags offer, in free agency. Jacksonville released Jones shortly after the draft; he has since committed to Arizona.

Linked to eyeing receivers and cornerbacks in the draft, the Jags went with a 6-foot-3, 209-pound pass catcher. They did so after trading the No. 17 overall pick to the Vikings, sliding down six spots and picking up additional draft assets in doing so. The Vikings sent the Jags No. 167, along with third- and fourth-round picks in the 2025 draft, to move up for Dallas Turner. Trent Baalke‘s team will reap the benefits of that deal next year while hoping Thomas can provide immediate production alongside their veteran WR cadre.

Thomas and fellow first-round wideout Malik Nabers teamed to help Jayden Daniels soar to Heisman honors last season. A bigger target than the No. 6 overall pick, Thomas also used last season to build a Round 1 profile. Not topping 400 receiving yards in either of his first two LSU campaigns, Thomas broke through for 1,177 yards and a Division I-FBS-most 17 touchdown receptions. No other player notched more than 15 receiving TDs last season. Thomas subsequently improved his draft stock by running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Averaging 17.1 yards per catch in 2023, Thomas joins Davis as a deep threat for Trevor Lawrence. This will also qualify as a cheaper WR trio for the Jags, as Ridley was tied to a fifth-year option last season and Jones an $8MM-per-year deal. Davis did sign a three-year, $39MM deal — one packed with three void years to keep the cap hits down — but Thomas will be tied to a rookie deal for four years. Considering only two teams in the fifth-year option era have extended a first-round wideout with two years of rookie-contract control remaining, it represents a safe bet the Jags will ride out Thomas’ rookie deal through 2027.

Browns Sign Round 2 DT Michael Hall, Wrap Draft Class

June 7th, 2024 at 1:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns signed second-round selection Michael Hall to his rookie contract on Friday, per a team announcement. As a result, each member of Cleveland’s draft class is on the books.

Owing to the Deshaun Watson trade, the Browns were without a first-round pick once again in 2024. Hall was the team’s top draft choice at No. 54 overall, and the Jerry Jeudy acquisition left Cleveland short on overall capital to make a move up the board. Still, Hall will face notable expectations at the NFL level.

The Ohio State product spent three seasons in college, playing a key role during his sophomore and junior campaigns. In 2022, he tied for the team lead in sacks (4.5) while posting 7.5 tackles for loss. The Streetsboro, Ohio native did not have as large of an impact in the pass-rush department last year, but he did set a new career high with 24 tackles. He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023.

The Browns’ defensive front has remained largely intact this offseason compared to 2023. Jordan Elliott departed in free agency, but veteran Quinton Jefferson was added. The likes of Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst and Sam Kamara were each retained. That group, coupled with former free agent signing Dalvin Tomlinson and 2023 third-rounder Siaki Ika, will carry much of the load along the D-line in 2024.

Hall should nevertheless be able to land a rotational role during his rookie season. The Browns attempted to add youth and a pass-rushing element to their defensive interior in 2022 with Perrion Winfrey, but he was cut last summer. Team and player will of course be hoping for a better outcome in the short- and intermediate-term future in Hall’s case.

Here is the final breakdown of Cleveland’s draft class:

Jaguars Sign Round 2 DT Maason Smith

June 6th, 2024 at 5:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

In addition to making Brian Thomas Jr. a priority during the draft, the Jaguars invested heavily in LSU’s defensive line. Two former Tigers defensive tackles — Maason Smith, Jordan Jefferson — became Duval County-bound during the draft.

The first of those DT draftees, Smith, is now signed to his four-year rookie contract. The Jaguars inked the No. 48 overall pick Thursday; the contract — which will come mostly guaranteed — will run through 2027. Recent second-round deals — most notably the Colts’ agreement with No. 52 overall pick Adonai Mitchell — undoubtedly helped Smith on the contract front.

Indianapolis guaranteed $700K of Mitchell’s 2026 base salary. Being chosen four spots in front of the Texas wideout, Smith presumably secured better terms from the Jags. As second-rounders are making significant guarantee gains this year, Smith will step in and aim to provide a boost for the Jags’ defensive line.

Jacksonville fared better against the run (ninth) than against the pass (26th) last season, and the team added ex-Trent Baalke 49ers draftee Arik Armstead to provide a proven interior presence alongside Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton. As they did with Travon Walker, the Jaguars will bet on upside with Smith, who saw an injury disrupt his college career.

Smith sustained an ACL tear on LSU’s first defensive possession of the 2022 season, stalling the five-star recruit’s progress. As a freshman in 2021, Smith totaled four sacks. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound interior defender profiles as a bit of a project due to the major injury, and he was not quite as productive in nine games last season. Smith totaled 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2023.

The Jags nevertheless took a swing with their second-round pick, with the team clearly impressed with LSU’s D-line operation due to the fourth-round Jefferson investment.

Eagles Sign First-Round CB Quinyon Mitchell, Complete Draft Class

June 6th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

Quinyon Mitchell signed his Eagles rookie pact on Thursday, per a team announcement. With the first-round corner now on the books, each member of the team’s 2024 class is under contract.

Mitchell enjoyed one of the best pre-draft processes of any prospect this year. As a result, the Toledo product climbed up draft boards to the point where he was considered one of the candidates to be the first cornerback to hear his name called. It thus came as little surprise when Mitchell was selected at No. 22.

Likewise, it was far from a shock that the Eagles were the first team to add at the position. Following an historic run on offensive players to begin Day 1, Mitchell was one of several top defensive prospects left on the board. Given his status as a high-end CB prospect, he was firmly on Philadelphia’s radar. The Eagles double-dipped in the secondary by adding Cooper DeJean in the second round, and both player will provide an infusion of youth on the backend.

The Eagles have Darius Slay and James Bradberry in place as projected cornerback starters, but both players are in their 30s. Philadelphia’s defense was at the heart of the team’s late-season collapse in 2023, and improvements in the secondary were seen as a priority. The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson should help in that regard, as will the additions of Mitchell and DeJean.

Mitchell had strong seasons in 2022 and ’23, earning first-team All-MAC and second-team All-American honors. Posting six interceptions and 37 pass deflections during that span, he solidified his reputation as a playmaker in addition to strong coverage skills. He will look to earn a defensive role right away, but failing that he should be an impactful contributor in the near future.

Here is the full breakdown of Philadelphia’s draft class:

Chiefs Sign First-Round WR Xavier Worthy, Wrap Draft Class Deals

June 5th, 2024 at 3:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Opting to downgrade in wide receiver talent upon trading Tyreek Hill in 2022, the Chiefs managed fine without the All-Pro weapon. The team is riding back-to-back Super Bowl wins. Though, the wideout issues from last season clearly played a lead role in Kansas City’s 2024 offseason plan.

The team signed Marquise Brown to a one-year deal and further bolstered its receiving corps with a first-round trade-up for Texas’ Xavier Worthy. He of a Combine-record 4.21-second 40-yard dash, Worthy will be expected to infuse Kansas City’s passing game with a long-range upgrade. The Chiefs and Worthy moved past one offseason hurdle Wednesday, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reporting the sides have agreed to terms on the receiver’s rookie contract.

[RELATED: Prospect Profile: Xavier Worthy]

Worthy is now signed through the 2027 season, and the Chiefs have a fifth-year option on the player chosen 28th overall. The deal is fully guaranteed. Worthy is the first Round 1 wideout the Chiefs have chosen during Andy Reid‘s tenure and the franchise’s first since Jonathan Baldwin in 2011. Worthy will enter the NFL in a considerably better situation, having Reid calling the shots and Patrick Mahomes targeting him.

The former Longhorns standout generated interest from multiple teams. The Patriots made an effort to move up for Worthy; they are believed to have presented the Bills an offer for No. 28. The Chiefs’ offer to climb up from No. 32 clearly impressed the Bills more, as they were willing to move down to accommodate the team that has knocked them out of the playoffs in three of the past four seasons. Kansas City’s trade allowed Buffalo to jump up 38 spots (to No. 95) and move up in Round 7 as well. While many have questioned the Bills for allowing this, the perennial AFC East champs clearly did not have Worthy too high on their board. Though, Worthy’s progress in Missouri will spotlight the Bills’ choice.

Worthy’s size likely presented an issue for some teams; he checked in at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds. The 4.21 talent did not operate purely as a downfield producer with the Longhorns, though it will be interesting to see how his frame translates to the NFL. The Chiefs are banking on the coach that drafted DeSean Jackson 16 years ago boosting Worthy, as both the team’s top WR acquisitions are diminutive targets; Brown goes 5-9, 180.

Worthy brings both a strong body of work and an explosive final college season. Last year, the Texas speedster caught 75 passes for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns. That was Worthy’s only 1,000-yard season, but he topped 750 in both his other college campaigns and combined for 21 TDs from 2021-22. Texas saw its top two receivers drafted in the first two rounds, with Adonai Mitchell going off the board in Round 2 (Colts). Worthy led the CFP semifinalist in yardage, while Mitchell paced the Big 12 in receiving TDs.

Although the Chiefs prevailed in Super Bowl LVIII, they dealt with inconsistency at WR throughout 2023. Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (playoff contributions aside) proved largely unreliable. Toney remains in the team’s plans, though it is unclear for how much longer, while Rashee Rice — the team’s lead WR last season — is headed for a likely suspension. A Rice ban would put more pressure on the Chiefs’ new wideouts to pick up the slack during the upcoming threepeat effort.

Here is how the Chiefs’ 2024 draft class wrapped up:

Titans Sign DT T’Vondre Sweat, Complete Rookie Signings

June 4th, 2024 at 5:44pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced today that they’ve inked second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat to his four-year rookie contract.

Sweat gradually took on a larger role during his time at Texas, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he earned the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, a unanimous All-American nod, and the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best college interior defensive lineman. That performance (which included eight tackles for loss and two sacks) played a role in him being the fourth defensive tackle off the board during the 2024 draft.

Chosen 38th overall, Sweat will see his rookie deal almost entirely guaranteed. Sweat’s first three seasons are locked in at signing, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who indicates the Texas DT also received $472K of his 2027 base salary guaranteed. This is well north of the 2023 No. 38 pick’s Year 4 guarantee; Falcons O-lineman Matthew Bergeron received $10K of his final-year salary locked in. Sweat’s deal continues the run of success this year’s second-rounders are having with guarantees.

The Titans lost some defensive line depth this offseason in Denico Autry and Teair Tart, so the rookie should have plenty of opportunities for a significant role. He’s currently penciled in as the team’s starting nose tackle ahead of the likes of Keondre Coburn, Marlon Davidson, and Quinton Bohanna.

Sweat was the final member of Tennessee’s 2024 draft class to ink a rookie pact. The rest of the team’s draft class includes:

Colts Sign Round 2 WR Adonai Mitchell, Wrap Draft Class Deals

June 4th, 2024 at 2:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Four Day 2 picks are now part of the Colts’ wide receiver depth chart — to the point the most recent of those selections might not start early. But Adonai Mitchell will almost definitely see a key role for Indianapolis before season’s end.

The Colts used the No. 52 overall pick on Mitchell, and the team now has the former Texas pass catcher signed to his four-year rookie contract. Mitchell’s contract continues the second-round contingent’s gains this year. The Colts are guaranteeing 65% of Mitchell’s rookie deal, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who notes $700K of the wideout’s 2026 base salary is locked in.

Last year’s No. 52 overall pick, Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet, did not receive any Year 3 guarantees. Neither did No. 50 overall choice Jayden Reed. After the Texans guaranteed 4% of Blake Fisher‘s Year 3 base salary, Mitchell’s contract will further move the needle for players chosen just beyond No. 50 overall. These terms will certainly benefit the rest of the players in this draft sector. Mitchell can now focus on earning an early role with a Colts team that has been active on Day 2 with wideouts in the 2020s.

Although Indy’s Parris Campbell investment did not pan out, the team has shown a Steelers-like commitment to adding wideouts this way. After a few seasons as the team’s No. 1 target, Michael Pittman Jr. signed a three-year, $70MM extension. Alec Pierce (Round 2, 2022), Josh Downs (Round 3, 2023) and Mitchell flank the 2020 second-rounder. Mitchell comes to Indiana after a belated college breakout.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout caught 55 passes for 845 yards and Big 12-most 11 touchdowns last season. A 2023 transfer to Texas undoubtedly boosted Mitchell’s draft stock, as he was not especially productive as a Georgia underclassman from 2021-22. The relocation helped Texas as well, lifting the program to the CFP semifinals. Although Mitchell did not top 450 receiving yards during either of his Bulldogs seasons, the Colts will bet on the 2023 Longhorn’s size-speed combination. Mitchell blazed to a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Indianapolis has been a Pittman-dependent aerial operation for years, though Downs (771 yards) showed immediate promise from the slot during Gardner Minshew‘s season at the controls. The Colts have seen Pierce eclipse 500 yards in each of his two seasons, though the team drafted the Cincinnati alum during Frank Reich‘s tenure. Downs and Mitchell came in under Shane Steichen. Regardless of coach affiliation, the Colts have all four of their Day 2 wideouts signed beyond 2024. That creates an interesting setup for a team that will hope to keep Anthony Richardson healthy as the high-end talent aims to improve as a passer.

This signing wraps the Colts’ 2024 draft class. Ahead of Indianapolis’ minicamp, here is how Chris Ballard‘s latest haul breaks down:

Packers Sign Second-Round S Javon Bullard

June 3rd, 2024 at 6:59pm CST by Ely Allen

The Packers continued to make progress on signing their rookie class today. They’ve now narrowed their list of unsigned draft picks to one after announcing that second-round safety Javon Bullard has inked his rookie deal.

Playing his high school football at Baldwin HS (GA), Bullard chose to stay relatively close to home for college, committing to Georgia about two hours up the road. As a three-star recruit, Bullard played more of a reserve/special teams role as a true freshman. As a sophomore, Bullard earned a starting spot on the Bulldogs defense before a DUI arrest would lead to a short suspension. He would return to help lead the team to its second consecutive national title, earning Defensive MVP honors in the 2022 season finale after recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery before exiting the game with injury.

While he didn’t improve his resume too much in his junior season, Bullard showed enough in his two years as a starter at Georgia to forego his senior year of eligibility and declare early for the 2024 NFL Draft. Ranking in the top five of most prospect lists, Bullard was the second safety off the board in the draft, following Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, who was drafted by the Giants 11 picks earlier.

In Green Bay, the Packers will likely ask Bullard to start next to free agent addition Xavier McKinney as they attempt to fill the roles left vacant by the departures of both starters, Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens, from last year. If either Bullard or McKinney don’t quite fit in a starting role, the Packers bolstered their depth at the position by drafting two other safeties in the fourth (Evan Williams) and fifth round (Kitan Oladapo).

With Bullard under contract, first-round offensive tackle Jordan Morgan out of Arizona remains the only remaining draft pick to sign. Here’s a look at the rest of the class:

Steelers Sign Round 1 T Troy Fautanu

June 3rd, 2024 at 4:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Using a first-round pick on a tackle for the second straight year, the Steelers have revamped their situation at this position. The more recent of the two investments, No. 20 overall pick Troy Fautanu, is now signed.

The Steelers agreed to terms with Fautanu on Monday, locking him down through the 2027 season. This contract, as all first-rounders’ do, includes a fifth-year option that will need to be exercised or declined by May 2027. Fautanu joins Broderick Jones as Pittsburgh’s hopeful long-term tackle answers.

Rumors about Pittsburgh using Fautanu at right tackle, and sliding Jones to the left side have emerged, but the team could also opt to bring the Washington product along slowly — as it did Jones in 2023. The team still rosters three-year LT starter Dan Moore, though he has struggled at points over the course of his rookie deal. One season remains on Moore’s rookie contract, pointing to a near-future reality in which the Steelers roll out a Jones-Fautanu tandem.

The Steelers viewed Fautanu as a superior prospect to Jones and looked into trade-up avenues, but the recent left tackle starter for the national championship game-bound Huskies dropped to No. 20 in a tackle-rich draft. Playing left tackle opposite eventual second-round Ravens draftee Roger Rosengarten, Fautanu became a high-end tackle prospect during his Washington stay. The 6-foot-4, 317-pound blocker earned first-team All-Pac-12 acclaim while blocking for Michael Penix Jr.

It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh arranges its blockers come Week 1. The team kept Jones on the bench behind Moore and then-RT Chukwuma Okorafor to start last season, but the Georgia prospect took over on the right side midway through. The Steelers cut Okorafor earlier this offseason; he is now competing for the Patriots’ LT post. One of the team’s first-round tackle investments will be a right tackle in the not-too-distant future, however, as Moore’s time in Pittsburgh appears to be winding down.

Should Fautanu supplant Moore as a starter, this season will mark a shift for a Steelers team that has used midlevel investments at tackle for many years. Jones represented the first Round 1 tackle to see extended time with the Steelers since Wayne Gandy in 2002. The team has used an array of blockers chosen outside the first round, most recently slotting the likes of Moore (fourth round), Okorafor (third round) and UDFA Alejandro Villanueva into its lineup. The Steelers will aim for a higher ceiling with Jones and Fautanu.

Broncos Sign WR Troy Franklin, Complete Draft Class Signings

June 1st, 2024 at 12:27pm CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos have officially completed their draft pick signings. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the Broncos have signed Troy Franklin to his rookie deal.

The wideout’s four-year rookie contract is worth $4.875MM and includes an $854K signing bonus. Franklin was Denver’s only remaining unsigned draft pick.

After barely missing out on a 900-yard campaign in 2022, Franklin easily topped that mark in 2023. The Oregon product finished the season with 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Pac-12 honors and a second-team All-American nod.

Franklin landed in an ideal situation, as he’ll team up with his college QB Bo Nix, who was Denver’s first-round pick. While the Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy this offseason, the team is still rostering Courtland Sutton. The veteran will be joined by former second-round pick Marvin Mims Jr. and new addition Josh Reynolds atop the depth chart, but Franklin should have an easy path to the WR4 role ahead of Tim Patrick and rookie seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele.

The Broncos’ seven-man draft class is officially signed. The grouping includes:

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