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Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/24

November 8th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor roster moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Taylor was waived today in anticipation of everyone’s expectation that Christian McCaffrey will finally be coming off of injured reserve to make his season debut this week.

Virgil was previously on the Broncos but landed on waivers as part of final roster cuts before the start of the regular season. According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Denver tried desperately to sign him to their practice squad after he cleared waivers, but Virgil ultimately decided to sign with Buffalo’s practice squad. He’ll now get an opportunity on the team’s active roster after two standard gameday elevations this year.

Despite being a vested veteran, McMillan will need to clear waivers in order to be re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. The team already has Joe Giles-Harris and Monty Rice on the practice squad at the position.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Davis, Vikes

November 7th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Questions about Matt Eberflus‘ status have emerged once again, as the Bears have lost two straight — the first of which featuring one of the more shocking endings in franchise history — to drop to 4-4. Eberflus fended off firing rumors to receive another chance this year, though he hired a new offensive staff upon being retained. Eberflus did not necessarily enter the season with the kind of playoffs-or-bust mandate Robert Saleh faced in New York, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs writes, but it is fairly clear the Bears will again need a good second half for the defense-minded coach to feel comfortable.

Eberflus is 14-28 as a coach, though his first season — a 3-14 campaign — featured a gutted roster early in a rebuild. Ryan Poles did not conduct the search that produced Eberflus, being hired only two days before the HC. But the GM is probably a better bet to outlast the coach, should this season go south. Poles and team president Kevin Warren are aligned in their vision, Biggs observes, pointing to the prospect of Poles being given the chance to hire a second coach. Poles would obviously have a greater influence in the Bears’ HC hire a second time around, should a 2025 change take place.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • John Cominsky went down with an MCL tear early in training camp, but the Lions waited until setting their 53-man roster to place the defensive lineman on IR. Cominsky is still in the mix to return at some point for the NFC North leaders, though Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers notes no reemergence is expected during the regular season. Cominsky is only in play to return if/once the Lions make the playoffs.
  • Elsewhere along the Lions’ front seven, Josh Paschal is on the way back after undergoing a recent treatment. The former second-round edge rusher needed to have a noncancerous mass removed. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer in 2018, Paschal has needed yearly scans; his latest led to a two-game absence due to the mass needing to be removed, via DetroitLions.com’s Tim Twentyman. Paschal, who worked as a Lions starter in the two games before the hiatus, did not go on IR and is expected to return in Week 10. He will now be joined by trade pickup Za’Darius Smith, and a big role could await as both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are out for the regular season’s remainder.
  • Jamin Davis spent time as an edge defender during his final season with Washington, but in Green Bay, the former first-round pick has returned to his initial NFL role. The Packers have the 2021 draftee working as an off-ball ‘backer, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman notes. The Pack added Davis to their practice squad but have yet to elevate him for a game. Green Bay drafted two linebackers on Day 2 this year, though as a 36-game Washington starter from 2021-23, Davis now represents Green Bay insurance and perhaps an intriguing rebound piece.
  • Placed on IR due to an ankle injury, Luke Musgrave will not be back for a while. The second-year tight end ultimately needed surgery, Matt LaFleur said recently. LaFleur indicated the hope is Musgrave can return later this season. A second-round pick, Musgrave has seen 2023 third-rounder Tucker Kraft become the Packers’ top tight end. Musgrave also missed six games as a rookie, though he remains in the Packers’ IR-return puzzle for this season.
  • After coming up in trade rumors before the deadline, Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah ended up staying with the team. Minnesota did, however, end up discussing Asamoah with teams, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Some degree of interest existed, but the former third-round pick does not have a role on defense right now. Asamoah has yet to start an NFL game, despite having been in the league for three seasons, further limiting his trade value.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/7/24

November 7th, 2024 at 5:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Logue will lose his roster spot after the Bills signed both Quinton Jefferson and Jordan Phillips on Wednesday. Both vets landed on Buffalo’s active roster. A sixth-round Falcons draftee this year, Logue had caught on with the Bills last month; Buffalo signed the rookie off Atlanta’s practice squad. Logue played 36 defensive snaps with the Bills.

Joseph, who has been with four teams since 2024 began, will head back into free agency. The length of his injury settlement will determine how quickly he can join a team. The three-year Vikings kicker signed with the Packers in free agency and landed with the Lions’ practice squad shortly after not making Green Bay’s 53-man roster. The Giants had signed Joseph off the Detroit taxi squad after Graham Gano‘s injury. Gano is in the IR-return window now, and New York used former Irish Gaelic footballer Jude McAtamney against Washington last week. McAtamney is back on the Giants’ practice squad.

Lions Designate CB Emmanuel Moseley, S Ifeatu Melifonwu For Return

November 6th, 2024 at 1:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The most significant of the Lions’ defensive injury matters will not clear up anytime soon, but beyond Aidan Hutchinson, the team should have some pieces back for Aaron Glenn‘s unit soon. Both Emmanuel Moseley and Ifeatu Melifonwu are returning to practice.

Dan Campbell said Wednesday (via ESPN.com’s Eric Woodyard) the veteran cornerback and safety’s IR-return clocks will start. Both will have 21 days to return to the Lions’ 53-man roster. Moseley has been on the shelf since going down early in training camp; Melifonwu also suffered an injury during practice, his occurring in early September.

This is familiar territory for Moseley, who has proven a resilient player. The former 49ers starter suffered an ACL tear midway through the 2022 season and needed more time to recover than the Lions expected. Moseley finally returned but ended up sustaining another ACL tear two plays into his Detroit debut. The Lions still re-signed the veteran boundary corner, and they still have him in their 2024 plan despite the latest injury — a torn pec.

The Lions initially gave Moseley a one-year, $6MM deal in 2023, with Brad Holmes noting he likely would have been out of their price range had the 2022 ACL setback not occurred. Moseley ended up needing a second procedure last summer but was ready to debut by Week 5 of last season. Expected to play a regular role as a boundary defender, Moseley went down once again.

Signed to a one-year, $2.88MM deal this offseason, Moseley was not on the Lions’ active/PUP list to start training camp this year. He suffered the pec tear during the second week of camp. The Lions did not place him on IR until setting their 53-man roster, however, keeping the door open to an in-season return.

Detroit’s CB equation has changed considerably since Moseley’s initial signing. The team ditched Cameron Sutton after his domestic violence arrest and used first- and second-round picks on corners (Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw). That came after a trade for Carlton Davis. It will now be interesting to see what kind of a role Moseley will play. When he was last healthy for an extended stretch, the former UDFA started for the 49ers. Moseley has 33 starts on his NFL resume.

A former third-round pick, Melifonwu has not yet played this season. He suffered the ankle setback shortly before the Lions’ opener. The Syracuse alum started the Lions’ final six games last season and worked with the first-stringers during each playoff contest. The Lions did not bench him when C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned from his pec tear in Week 18, keeping the free agency addition on the bench.

The NFC North leaders, however, have moved Brian Branch to safety to play with ascending talent Kerby Joseph. Both are having strong years, with Pro Football Focus ranking them at Nos. 1 and 2 at the position. Melifonwu, who is in a contract year, now looks to have a ceiling as a depth piece.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Browns, Lions Complete Za’Darius Smith Trade

November 5th, 2024 at 7:16am CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored to be near the finish line while the Browns were playing their Week 9 game, the team’s deal with the Lions involving Za’Darius Smith is now done. The veteran pass rusher will be dealt to a third NFC North franchise.

As it turns out, Detroit will end up paying less for Smith than initially reported. The Lions will receive Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports, while the Browns will acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder.

Cleveland’s hopes in acquiring a better return for Smith led to the delay here, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the AFC North team was hoping someone would send over a fourth-round pick for the veteran edge defender. Exiting Week 9, no club was willing to do so. That will lead to the Browns accepting the Lions’ offer.

These terms are not far off from those involved in the 2023 trade that sent Smith from Minnesota to Cleveland. Following the 2023 draft, the Vikings dealt Smith and 2025 sixth- and seventh-round picks to the Browns for 2024 and 2025 fifths. Eighteen months later, Smith is involved in another trade that includes at least three Day 3 draft choices.

The Lions will take on Smith’s remaining salary, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. That only requires a $605K payment, however. The Browns, as they are wont to do under GM Andrew Berry, inserted void years in Smith’s contract to reduce his cap hits. He entered the season with just $1.21MM due in 2024 base salary. Smith re-signed with the Browns on a two-year, $23MM deal in March. The Lions will take on this through-2025 contract, giving them flexibility to keep the well-traveled defender next season as well. Smith is due a $1.5MM base salary in 2025; that money is not guaranteed.

Aidan Hutchinson suffering a broken leg made the Lions an obvious pass-rushing suitor, and Smith ended up being asked about a potential trade to Detroit not long after the then-Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner went down. Smith, 32, expressed intrigue about a Lions fit; soon after, a report pointed to the Lions showing interest. The former Packers and Vikings edge rusher will move from Myles Garrett sidekick on a 2-7 team to the most accomplished healthy pass rusher for a 7-1 squad.

While the Lions have steamrolled their way to the top of the NFC, they have done so without reliable production from their non-Hutchinson edge players. Hutchinson racked up 7.5 sacks before going down in Week 5. Through eight games, no other Lions player has tallied more than 2.5 sacks. Among outside rushers, no Lion has accumulated more than one sack this season.

Smith checks a key box for a team that allocated significant offseason resources to locking down the core GM Brad Holmes assembled. The former Pro Bowler helped the Packers to two NFC championship games and aided the Vikings to the 2022 NFC North title during his one Minnesota season; the Lions will hope their former rival can push their effort over the top.

It will cost the Browns nearly $19MM in dead money to move Smith, which certainly presents an interesting scenario for a team tied to Deshaun Watson‘s contract through 2026. The Smith dead money will be spread over two years for the Browns. As the Watson contract has done the most to sink this Browns team after a 2023 playoff season, Berry and Co. have been tied to more seller’s moves before today’s 3pm CT deadline.

Despite the Browns’ struggles this season, is on a better pace compared to his 2023 form. Helping last year’s Cleveland squad to the No. 1 pass defense ranking, Smith finished with 5.5 sacks. Through nine games this year, he has five. Smith posted 20 QB hits last season; he has seven thus far this year.

The former Ravens, Packers and Vikings EDGE has reeled off three double-digit sack seasons — each of which coming in the NFC North. He reached 13.5 sacks upon signing with Green Bay in 2019 and added 12.5 to help the Pack return to the NFC title game a year later. Upon signing with the Vikings in 2022, Smith teamed with Danielle Hunter to record 10 sacks.

The Browns have now moved Smith and Amari Cooper. They are not planning to trade Garrett or Denzel Ward, but other names have come up. Greg Newsome‘s name has come up. It will be interesting to see if the retooling squad unloads more pieces over the next several hours. The Lions have not shown they need much, but they also could further augment their roster before today’s trade endpoint.

Lions WR Jameson Williams Reinstated From Suspension

November 4th, 2024 at 9:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Jameson Williams is back on Detroit’s 53-man roster. The Lions wideout was reinstated from his two-game suspension today, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Williams was suspended last month for violating the NFL’s PED policy.

[RELATED: Lions’ Jameson Williams Facing Gun Charge]

However, the receiver isn’t completely out of the woods when it comes to impending league punishment. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted yesterday that the NFL continues to monitor developments surrounding Williams’ gun issue. In an early-October incident, Williams was placed in handcuffs and nearly booked on a gun charge before ultimately being released from custody.

While the player initially avoided an arrest warrant and police report, an internal affairs investigation was later launched. That investigation ultimately led to an official charge for Williams. Pelissero notes that this legal process will surely take time to play out, and Williams will once again be subject to punishment when everything is resolved. A suspension under the personal conduct policy would mark Williams’ third career ban. Prior to his recent PED suspension, the Alabama alum was hit with a ban last season after violating the league’s gambling policy.

For the time being, Williams will return to the high-powered Lions offense. Dan Campbell told reporters that Williams will be “ready to roll” for Week 10, and the coach revealed that the player has been working out and training throughout his suspension (per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). Williams was in the midst of a career season before being hit with his two-game suspension. In six games (four starts), Williams has already established career-highs in receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (three).

The Lions were 2-0 with Williams out of the lineup, with the likes of Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond seeing an uptick in snaps during that span. Still, the Lions will surely welcome back the receiver for the second half of the season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/24

November 4th, 2024 at 6:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For one game, at least, the Buccaneers have the Chiefs outflanked in the wide receiver injury department. Chris Godwin is out until at least the playoffs, should Tampa Bay qualify, and Mike Evans is expected to miss at least two more games due to the hamstring injury he suffered. The team endured another blow recently, with third-round rookie Jalen McMillan sustaining a hamstring injury during a Friday practice. A former Saints regular, Callaway has not played in a game this season.

Lions, Browns Expected To Finalize Za’Darius Smith Trade

November 3rd, 2024 at 10:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

10:42pm: Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer confirms the Browns and Lions have had talks regarding a Smith deal. He adds the price, should this agreement be finalized, will likely be around a fourth-round pick. That level of compensation would, of course, set the market for any other edge rush trades over the coming days.

1:16pm: Za’Darius Smithhas long been connected to a trade sending him from the Browns to the Lions. Signs continue to point in that direction.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports a deal between the teams is expected to be finalized tonight or tomorrow. At the moment, Smith is taking part in Cleveland’s Week 9 contest against the Chargers. Provided he does not suffer an injury during today’s game, attention will turn to the status of negotiations for a swap to be worked out.

Smith spoke about the possibility of a Lions arrival last month, stating an openness to a deal which would send him to the Motor City. Presuming this trade does indeed get worked out, the three-time Pro Bowler will return to the NFC North. A former Packer and Viking, Smith will have the chance to play two of his former teams during the latter stages of the 2024 season if he does indeed wind up with the Lions.

Detroit is without Marcus Davenport for the year, something which was exacerbated by Aidan Hutchinson‘s broken tibia. The latter could make a Super Bowl return, but his absence created a massive vacancy along the edge for the time being. In the build-up to Week 9, Lions head coach Dan Campbell strongly hinted at a pass rush addition being around the corner, so today’s report comes as no surprise.

The Lions are short on established options along the edge with their top two options on the mend, so Smith will have plenty of playing time available provided he does wind up changing teams. The 32-year-old recorded at least 10 sacks in each healthy season between 2019 and ’22, but he had a quieter debut Cleveland campaign last year (5.5). So far in 2024, though, Smith has racked up five sacks, a sign that he has remained productive deep into his career. Providing at least a depth presence on the edge for Detroit would be key for the team’s Super Bowl hopes.

The NFC North figures to be highly competitive throughout the season, and any acquisitions on the Lions’ part could tip the scales in their favor. The team has been connected to other trade candidates, but Smith has remained the most common target for some time now. He is attached to a base salary of just $1.21MM for 2024, along with a non-guaranteed $1.5MM in base pay next year. Smith is owed a $2MM roster bonus not long after the start of the next league year, so an adjustment from the Lions – should they end up acquiring him – would not come as a surprise.

Trade Notes: Lions, Ojulari, Browning, Raiders, Neal

November 3rd, 2024 at 10:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

A report from Sunday afternoon indicated the Lions are close to completing a trade for Za’Darius Smith. The veteran Browns edge rusher has long been linked to Detroit, a team which has been on the lookout for help in that area since losing Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport to major injuries.

Of course, the Lions have explored other options as well. Their process of seeking out suitable targets has included interest in Maxx Crosby, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. To no surprise, though, the Lions have been told Crosby is unavailable. Raiders owner Mark Davis has made it clear on multiple occasions the three-time Pro Bowler will not be dealt, recently adding that sentiment also applies beyond this year’s deadline.

Detroit could show interest in the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and/or Chase Young, and the Titans’ Arden Key is the most recent name to emerge as a potential target. The members of that group would likely no longer be on the Lions’ radar provided a Smith agreement came to fruition, but they could be in play if that does not turn out to be the case. Detroit’s willingness to aim big by inquiring about Crosby is another indication of the team’s intention of making another deep playoff run in 2024.

Here are some more trade-related notes from around the league:

  • Neither Darius Slayton nor Azeez Ojulari are believed to have been the subject of any Giants extension talks, pointing further in the direction of one or both being traded. After New York’s Week 9 loss, Ojulari confirmed to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com no talks have taken place on the contract front. While that has made him the trade target of multiple teams, the 24-year-old said he prefers to remain with the Giants. Slayton has similarly made public his desire to stay in place despite the team’s 2-7 record, although he has been the subject of trade speculation on multiple occasions over the years. Ojulari could offer a notable rental boost to many teams, but it remains to be seen if the Giants will entertain offers including minimal draft capital.
  • The Broncos sit at 5-4 on the year after Sunday’s loss. The team might not adopt a firm buyer’s or seller’s stance in advance of the trade deadline, but that could still result in a move being made. Edge rusher Baron Browning has previously been floated as a trade candidate, and his name continues to be mentioned in rumors. Both Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk report the 25-year-old is a name to watch over the coming days. Browning, who is nearing the end of his rookie contract, wants to remain in Denver, although he recently acknowledged an extension does not seem to be around the corner.
  • Crosby is off limits, but the Raiders could be open to selling off at other positions with a 2-7 record. Jakobi Meyers is among the receivers who could still be on the move, and plenty of teams who have yet to add in the pass-catching department could be active before the deadline. With that said, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes the Raiders are not actively shopping Meyers or any other players. SI’s Albert Breer corroborates that, adding Crosby is set to remain in place. The team will, of course, take calls from potential suitors while looking ahead to at least one QB addition ahead of 2025. Adding draft capital could aid Vegas’ attempts to acquire a franchise passer.
  • Evan Neal‘s time with the Giants so far has – to put it lightly – not gone according to plan. The 2022 No. 7 pick has found himself out of the starting lineup at guard and tackle, although with injuries up front that could change somewhat soon. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Neal is a “nonstarter” on the trade front from New York’s perspective. That comes as little surprise since the Alabama product’s value in a swap would fall well short of the capital invested in him two years ago. Neal is attached to his rookie contract through 2025, leaving him some runway to bounce back from his earlier struggles in time for free agency.
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