HEADLINES

Eagles WR John Ross Addresses 2023 Retirement Decision

May 31st, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

John Ross retired less than one year ago, but his comeback attempt resulted in an Eagles deal last week. The former top-10 pick recently spoke about the regret he felt following his decision to hang up his cleats.

Ross admitted he immediately considered the retirement call a mistake when speaking to the media as Philadelphia’s newest receiver. Veteran DeVante Parker decided to end his career, a move which opened up a roster spot for Ross. The latter worked out for the Eagles before signing to their offseason roster.

“You look at it like this,” Ross said (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia). “In my situation, I was a top-10 draft pick and we all talk about it all the time. ‘If we ever get to the point where we have to try out, then we’ll be done.’ But then you get to that point and you don’t have no other choice. When I go the opportunity, I was probably the happiest person on Earth.”

In many cases, veterans who land deals last in the offseason are unable to survive roster cutdowns at the end of the summer. Ross will face a steep challenge in Philadelphia to carve out an offense role considering the team’s wide receiver depth chart. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith (both of whom are attached to new, lucrative deals) are set to remain focal points of the Eagles’ passing game for 2024 and many years beyond that.

Ross – whose draft stock was boosted by a then-record in the 40-yard dash – struggled to establish himself as a consistent option on offense with the Bengals from 2017-20. Injuries kept him sidelined for stretches during that time, and he managed just 11 catches with the Giants in 2021. The 28-year-old did not play the following year, so his retirement decision appeared to mark an underwhelming end to his career. If he can catch on with the Eagles in 2024, though, he will have the opportunity to continue in the NFL.

Lions Sign Second-Round CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

May 31st, 2024 at 3:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is on the books for the first time in his NFL career. The Lions announced on Friday that he has inked his rookie contract.

The hosts of the 2024 NFL draft showed a willingness to double-dip at the cornerback spot with their first two selections. After adding Terrion Arnold on Day 1, the Lions selected Rakestraw at the No. 61 spot. Both players will have a path to signficant playing time in 2024 and beyond if they live up to their potential.

Rakestraw spent four seasons at Missouri, establishing himself as an integral member of the team’s defense over the past two years in particular. Returning from an ACL tear in 2022, he racked up 12 pass deflections and 4.5 tackles for loss. The following season, Rakestraw was limited to nine contests due to core muscle surgery. That injury history no doubt hurt his draft stock, but he was still considered one of the top members of this year’s CB class.

Size was mentioned as a potential concern for the 5-11, 183-pounder in addition to a relative lack of ball production in college. Rakestraw recorded only one interception in 35 games, though he notched 107 total stops (including eight tackles for loss) and 24 pass breakups over that time. He also drew praise for his run defense and overall physicality, something which could help him carve out a role early in with Detroit.

Struggles in the secondary (and in particular at the cornerback spot) were a theme for the Lions last season. That drove the team to acquire Carlton Davis via trade and add Cameron Sutton during free agency. The latter’s arrest for domestic violence resulted in his release, however, and as a result it came as no surprise Detroit focused on further secondary additions during the draft. Arnold was the second corner selected, and he will be positioned to compete for a starting role this offseason. Rakestraw likewise could establish himself as a regular on defense in relatively short order.

With the Rakestraw deal now official, Arnold is the only member of the Lions’ draft class yet to sign his rookie contract. The latter’s pact will be four years in length like all the others, but it will also include a fifth-year option covering the 2028 campaign.

Giants Sign Round 2 S Tyler Nubin, Complete Draft Class

May 31st, 2024 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Giants announced on Friday that second-round safety Tyler Nubin has signed his rookie deal. As a result, all members of New York’s draft class are now on the books.

Nubin spent his entire five-year college career at Minnesota. He played in only five games as a freshman, but after that he was a key contributor to the team’s secondary. Each season from 2021-23 featured multiple interceptions being recorded (including a career-high five this past campaign to go along with 53 tackles and one sack).

Nubin earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times during his tenure with the Golden Gophers, something which added to his on-field production in helping his draft stock. He was the first true safety to hear his name called during the 2024 draft (Eagles prospect Cooper DeJean has experience at that spot but also at corner), coming off the board 47th overall. Nubin should have an immediate path to playing time in New York.

The Giants saw Xavier McKinney depart in free agency this offseason when he landed a Packers deal averaging $17MM per year. New York elected not to match that offer, leaving McKinney free to follow in the footsteps of Julian Love one year ago in finding a new home on the open market. With the former no longer in the fold, a starting safety spot is up for grabs this offseason.

Nubin will be competing for the opportunity to join Jason Pinnock as a first-teamer in 2024 and beyond. The 6-2, 205-pounder was lauded for his well-rounded skillset in college, and he should be able to contribute right away at the NFL level. If that turns out to be the case, New York will have a McKinney replacement for at least the next four seasons.

Here is the final breakdown of the Giants’ 2024 draft class:

Packers’ Eric Stokes Addresses Injury Trouble; Zach Tom, Tucker Kraft Rehabbing Pec Tears

May 31st, 2024 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries have largely defined Eric Stokes‘ NFL career thus far. The Packers have seen their 2021 first-round pick miss 21 games over the past two seasons; the Lisfranc injury the cornerback sustained in 2022 is at the root of the availability issues.

Once Stokes recovered from his foot issue, hamstring trouble hindered him for most of last season. Stokes began the season late thanks to multiple hamstring setbacks during the summer. The Packers ended up placing the three-year veteran on IR twice — both times due to hamstring trouble. The team predictably declined the former No. 29 overall pick’s fifth-year option earlier this month.

Now in a contract year, the oft-injured starter will aim to shake the lingering injury trouble and attempt to boost his value ahead of free agency — or a potential Packers extension. Stokes, who underwent knee and foot surgeries following his midseason 2022 setback, views the 2022 foot setback as the catalyst for his ensuing health issues.

“It was dealing with everything from the foot injury that I had,” Stokes said, via the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood. “It was bouncing back from that. It’s crazy how everything is connected in your body to where if one area is weak, the other parts of your body will try to take control, or put more workload on it. So that’s what pretty much was going on. My hamstring was taking on so much workload that it pretty much kept messing up.”

Stokes, who blazed to a 4.25-second 40-yard dash clocking as a prospect in 2021, displaying starter-level form would certainly boost the Packers’ cause. Matt LaFleur said Stokes looks in his best form as a Packer. The team traded Rasul Douglas to the Bills at last year’s deadline and turned to former seventh-rounder Carrington Valentine opposite Jaire Alexander. Of course, Alexander also missed much of last season due to injury. Former Giants sixth-rounder Corey Ballentine ended up starting six games. Both former Day 3 picks are still on Green Bay’s roster.

The Packers re-signed slot corner Keisean Nixon in March but did not make a notable addition on the outside (beyond seventh-rounder Kalen King), keeping the door ajar for Stokes, who started 23 games over his first two seasons. Stokes’ health figures to be a key variable for the Packers, who have Alexander signed to the current top cornerback deal (four years, $84MM).

Elsewhere on the injury front in Green Bay, right tackle Zach Tom and tight end Tucker Kraft are rehabbing pectoral tears. Neither regular is participating in the team’s OTA sessions, but training camp returns are in play.

Tom has a better chance of being available, having suffered his tear in April. Kraft, however, sustained his pec injury less than three weeks ago. That would put the second-year pass catcher as a clear candidate to start camp on the active/PUP list. Adding to an interesting spring of chest injuries, LaFleur — per SI.com’s Bill Huber — is also rehabbing a pec tear sustained while lifting weights.

It might still be optimistic for either player to be ready in time for camp. Tom said his surgery calls for an eight- to 12-week recovery timetable. Undergoing the operation in late April, the third-year tackle said he hopes to return by “at least” mid-August. Tom showed promise last season, starting 19 games at right tackle and grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 15 overall tackle.

The Packers moved Stokes from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP, which sidelines players for at least four games, last year. Tom has a clear path to keeping his RT job, even with the team’s additions of Andre Dillard and first-rounder Jordan Morgan. Kraft operated as a complementary option to Luke Musgrave during the duo’s rookie season.

Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle Agree On Extension

May 30th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

10:00pm: Waddle’s 2024 and 2025 base salaries are fully guaranteed, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio relays the Dolphins are giving their younger 1,000-yard receiver early security for 2026. Waddle’s ’26 base salary ($16.6MM) will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee in March 2025.

Adding to what is a player-friendly structure, the Dolphins will guarantee a sizable portion of Waddle’s 2027 base ($23.4MM) a year early too. By March 2026, $15.2MM of that ’27 salary converts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee, Florio adds. The rest of the salary becomes fully guaranteed in March 2027. Waddle’s 2028 salary ($25.8MM) is nonguaranteed.

9:06am: The Dolphins picking up Jaylen Waddle‘s fifth-year option bought them another year on the extension front, and coming into Thursday, only one team in the fifth-year option era had extended a wide receiver with two years of rookie-contract control remaining. Miami will join Philadelphia in bucking this trend.

Waddle and the Dolphins are in agreement on a three-year deal worth $84.75MM, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This deal, which had been on Miami’s radar for a bit, will come with a whopping $76MM guaranteed. With Waddle’s option exercised, this will tie the 2021 first-rounder to the Dolphins through the 2028 season.

[RELATED: Early Extensions For First-Rounders In Fifth-Year Option Era]

In terms of average annual value, Waddle’s $28.25MM number checks in fourth at wide receiver — between the 2022 deals given to Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams. While Waddle’s deal comes in south of the pacts given to A.J. Brown and 2021 draft classmate Amon-Ra St. Brown earlier this year in terms of AAV, it includes more in total guarantees than Hill received two years ago. Waddle’s $76MM guaranteed comes in behind only Brown ($84MM) and St. Brown ($77MM). It is not yet known how much the Dolphins are guaranteeing Waddle at signing.

This breaks with trends on multiple fronts. The Eagles struck early on a deal with ex-Waddle Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith, giving the slender target a three-year, $75MM extension earlier this offseason. In the option era (2014-present), that marked the first instance of a team extending a rookie-deal wideout with two seasons of control remaining. The Dolphins are wading into deeper waters by comparison, now employing two of the NFL’s top five highest-paid wideouts in Hill and Waddle.

Illustrating the increased value of the receiver market, the Dolphins join the Eagles, Buccaneers, Bears and Texans with two $20MM-per-year WRs. Though, only Philly and Miami have two wideouts at $20MM per annum through 2026.

Hill’s $30MM-per-year agreement, the position’s top number between March 2022 and April 2024, included a lofty final-year salary to prop up the AAV. Waddle’s accord, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, does not contain any fluff to reach the $28.25MM-per-year figure. It will now be interesting to see if the Dolphins adjust their All-Pro wideout’s deal, which runs through 2026. While Hill’s contract carries that oft-referenced $30MM-per-year average, the future Hall of Famer’s guarantees run out by 2025. And Hill has long been viewed as unlikely to play on his 2026 base salary ($43.9MM), setting up another negotiation between the parties.

As for Waddle, he has joined Smith in providing quality WR2 work in a high-octane offense. The Dolphins, who slid down nine spots to help the 49ers add Trey Lance in 2021, traded a future first-round pick to climb from No. 12 to No. 6 for Waddle in that draft. They ended up with an instant weapon, albeit one that dropped into a No. 2 role once the team acquired Hill in 2022.

Waddle, 25, has ripped off three straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career. His 3,385 receiving yards through three seasons rank 16th in NFL history. Though, that number sits third in his own draft class — behind St. Brown and Ja’Marr Chase. Waddle is, however, the first player in Dolphins history to start a career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons.

Although Waddle missed three games last season, he had only missed one contest over his first two years. In 17 games alongside Hill in 2022, Waddle totaled 1,356 yards and eight touchdown receptions. The younger of Miami’s two elite WR speedsters led the NFL with 18.1 yards per reception that season, playing a central role in Tua Tagovailoa‘s ascent under Mike McDaniel. Waddle’s 2.73 yards per route run ranks fourth in the NFL (among wideouts with 800-plus routes run) over the past two years, per ESPN.

The Dolphins have not yet extended Tagovailoa, but they are committing to his former Crimson Tide target early. That could certainly prove wise, given where the WR market could end up by offseason’s end.

The Vikings and Cowboys face the prospect of approaching or surpassing the $35MM-per-year mark for their top wideouts — Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb — and this Waddle extension will likely impact the 49ers’ talks with fellow 2020 first-rounder Brandon Aiyuk. The Bengals have some time with Chase, but seeing as three other receivers from the 2021 draft are now signed to second contracts, the price is rising for Cincinnati.

For Miami, it will be interesting to see how the team proceeds with Tagovailoa. The talented QB’s talks, which have already produced one rejected offer, remain the centerpiece storyline in this Dolphins offseason. A re-up beyond the $50MM-plus going rate will change the equation for the Dolphins, who now have both Tagovailoa’s top weapons locked up long term. While the team acted early with Waddle, Tagovailoa is in a contract year.

The Colts are believed to have targeted Waddle in Jonathan Taylor trade talks with the Dolphins last year, but GM Chris Grier predictably shot down that ask. Less than a year later, Waddle is tied to the Dolphins for five more seasons. Dolphins’ decision with the fifth-year veteran will overshadow its other moves, though this Waddle pact continues an impactful offseason on the receiver front and will impact other teams conducting WR extension talks.

Bengals, Tee Higgins Have Not Discussed Extension Since Early 2023

May 30th, 2024 at 9:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the “deadlines spur action” disclaimer applies, no signs point to the Bengals reaching an extension with Tee Higgins by the July deadline. Higgins stands alone among this year’s tagged contingent, as the seven franchise players and transition-tagged Kyle Dugger have since been locked up long term.

With Ja’Marr Chase the priority for the Bengals at wide receiver, Higgins resides in limbo. The former second-round pick has been there a while. The Bengals did not approach $20MM per year when they last negotiated with Higgins’ camp. Those talks transpired more than a year ago, with ESPN.com’s Ben Baby indicating the parties have not resumed negotiations since they broke off.

Going more than a year without talking terms covers most of Higgins’ time as an extension-eligible player. The Clemson alum became eligible for a long-term deal in January 2023. As it stands, the Bengals may be in the early stages of a rental arrangement.

Higgins requested a trade in March but said later he expects to play this season with the Bengals. Not exactly a team known for coming off its position — as the Jonah Williams and Trey Hendrickson situations recently remind — the Bengals could be interested in a multiyear rental setup.

The Bengals have Higgins tied to a $21.8MM franchise tag. Higgins, 25, has not signed his franchise tender and joins Chase in staying away from Bengals workouts. It should not be expected Chase’s sidekick resurfaces anytime soon. Jessie Bates‘ 2022 run on the franchise tag involved the standout safety staying away well into training camp; Higgins and Bates share an agent. The fifth-year receiver cannot be fined for a failure to report due as long as he refrains from signing his tender.

Should Higgins and the Bengals not come to terms by July 15, the sides cannot resume negotiations until season’s end. The Bengals would have the option of re-tagging Higgins, at 120% of his 2024 salary, in 2025. That would make for an interesting plan, as receiver salaries skyrocket — to the point Chase should be in commanding position when this year’s round of deals wrap. This would certainly not go over well with Higgins, who would be denied multiple key windows to capitalize on his earning potential. That said, the Bengals could retain their WR2 for $26.2MM in 2025.

That would be a lofty cap number, especially as Joe Burrow‘s cap hit spikes from $29.6MM to $46.2MM, but the Bengals are projected to hold — several months out, at least — more than $45MM in cap space next year. Going by the pace of these negotiations and the statuses of Burrow and Chase, the prospect of Higgins being cuffed once again should not be discounted.

With Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown and Jaylen Waddle signing extensions, Higgins’ price stands to rise. Even if Higgins could be on track for a second-tier WR contract, this year’s early deals will help his cause — whenever he enjoys the chance to negotiate. The Bengals not going near $20MM per year in 2023 would suggest the sides would not be close now, especially after Higgins’ underwhelming 2023 (656 receiving yards, five touchdowns).

The Bengals’ history with the franchise tag furthers evidence Higgins is highly unlikely to be extended this year. Prior to Higgins, Cincinnati has tagged 10 players since the tag’s debut in 1993 — Bates, A.J. Green, defensive end Michael Johnson, kickers Mike Nugent and Shayne Graham, tackle Stacy Andrews, defensive lineman Justin Smith, running back Rudi Johnson, wideout Carl Pickens, D-tackle Dan Wilkinson); only two (Johnson, Pickens) signed an extension with before that year’s deadline. The Johnson deal transpired back in 2005. (Nugent also circled back to an extension the following year.) While Higgins is obviously a central piece in the Bengals’ Super Bowl quest, his 12-plus-month negotiating wait continues.

Colts Haven’t Discussed Extension With Kwity Paye

May 30th, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite coming off a breakout 2023 campaign, Kwity Paye probably won’t see an extension offer this offseason. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the Colts are “not believed” to have engaged Paye’s camp in extension talks. Further, Holder believes the Colts will use the 2024 campaign to evaluate whether the defensive lineman is an extension-worthy piece.

Even though Paye is eligible for an extension, there isn’t any urgency on the Colts’ part. The team already committed to the pass rusher’s fifth-year option, meaning Paye will be locked in through at least the 2025 campaign. As of right now, the 25-year-old is set to hit free agency during the 2026 offseason.

The 21st pick in the 2021 draft, Paye has had a relatively consistent role on Indy’s defense in recent years. He earned All-Rookie team honors after finishing with four sacks in 2021, and despite only appearing in 12 games as a sophomore, Paye managed to add another six sacks to his resume.

The third-year player took it to another level in 2023, finishing with career-highs in tackles (52), sacks (8.5), and forced fumbles (two). For his efforts, Paye was ranked 36th among 112 qualifying edge defenders in Pro Football Focus’ rankings, including one of the best positional grades for his run defense.

After appearing in around 66 percent of his team’s defensive snaps through his first three NFL seasons, the Colts will surely be hoping that the defensive lineman can take on an even larger role before they hand him a lucrative extension. If Paye can’t put up the same numbers next season, the Colts have already prepared for the future by selecting UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu with the 15th-overall pick in this year’s draft.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/30/24

May 30th, 2024 at 8:45pm CST by Ben Levine

Two draft pick signings to pass along:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson had a standout career at Texas Tech, collecting 238 tackles and 10 interceptions in 58 games. That included a 2023 campaign where he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after finishing with four interceptions and eight passes defended. In Arizona, the rookie will serve as a significant backup to Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson.

Brandon Dorlus‘s Oregon career saw him earn three All-Pac-12 recognitions. Between the 2021 and 2023 campaign, the defensive lineman compiled 27 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, putting him firmly on the NFL radar. With Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell off the roster, the rookie should be Zach Harrison‘s main competition for playing time at defensive end.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/30/24

May 30th, 2024 at 7:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Kansas City Chiefs

New York Giants

Malik Herring was an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he was all but destined to return to Kansas City. The former UDFA has spent the past two seasons with the organization, compiling 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 14 games. Herring also got into all four playoff games this past season.

Elijah Riley joins the Giants after having appeared in 30 games with the Eagles, Jets, and Steelers. He got into a career-high 13 games with Pittsburgh this past season, finishing with 12 tackles while earning the majority of his snaps on special teams. Gary Brightwell was a sixth-round pick by the Giants in 2021, but he struggled to carve out a role behind Saquon Barkley. Brightwell’s tenure in New York will end with the RB having collected 256 yards from scrimmage.

Buccaneers Waive/Injured WR Deven Thompkins

May 30th, 2024 at 7:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers will have a new primary returner in 2024. The team has waived Deven Thompkins with an injury designation, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

Thompkins joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State in 2022. After playing sparingly on offense as a rookie, the wideout got into close to one fourth of his team’s offensive snaps in 2023. He ultimately finished the campaign with 17 catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

The 24-year-old really showed out on special teams this past season. He finished the year with 16 kick returns for 327 yards (20.4 yards per return) and 25 punt returns for 234 yards (9.4 yards per return). He was especially active in the postseason, returning another three punts and one kickoff in two games.

As Greg Auman of FOX Sports points out, the NFL’s new kickoff rules should result in more returns and more contact. This means the league may be shifting away from the “smaller, shifty receivers” as their primary kick and punt returners. Thompkins is listed at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds; Auman suggests Tampa Bay’s new options could be fourth-round RB Bucky Irving (5-foot-9, 192 pounds) and third-round WR Jalen McMillan (6-foot-1, 197 pounds).

On offense, Thompkins’ exit shouldn’t shake up the depth chart. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will continue to soak up the majority of the targets, with McMillan and Trey Palmer sliding in behind that duo. The Buccaneers are also rostering a long list of former UDFAs (including Rakim Jarrett) and current UDFAs (including Tanner Knue, Latreal Jones, and Kameron Johnson).

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