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Broncos | Sean Payton gives Pat Bryant favorable comp Wed Apr 30, 12:03 AM
Denver Broncos third-round draft choice WR Pat Bryant has 'so many things about his game that reminded me of (Michael) Thomas,' head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Saturday, April 26.'We try to find comps. There were so many things about his game that reminded me of (Michael) Thomas. With respect to Mike who became ... I mean, holy cow. You don't ever want to put pressure on a rookie like that, we're just talking about traits. But really explosive off the line of scrimmage, he's very competitive, very tough,' Payton said.
Footballguys view: As USA Today suggests, that's quite a glowing endorsement, and a player who certainly sounds worthy of a third-round pick. Thomas was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, and he earned two first-team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl nods with the New Orleans Saints. He twice led the NFL in receptions during his time in Payton's offense. Still, with Courtland Sutton already commanding the majority of targets and offseason additions Evan Engram and RJ Harvey in the mix, Bryant might have a hard time getting targets. |
New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) was selected at No. 38 overall on Friday, April 25. However, the Chicago Bears reportedly tried trading up for the No. 35, No. 36 and No. 37 picks and were turned down.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Darius Lassiter (Brigham Young) and WR Dorian Singer (Utah) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday, April 29.
Link to storyGreen Bay Packers WR Bo Melton, P Daniel Whelan and RB Emanuel Wilson signed their exclusive rights free-agent tenders on Tuesday, April 29.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Taylor Morin (Wake Forest) agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the Philadelphia Eagles. Undrafted free-agents WR Ife Adeyi (Sam Houston State) and WR Nahsir Morgan Sr. (Delaware Valley) were invited to join on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agents QB Ben Wooldridge (Louisiana), RB Lan Larison (UC Davis), WR Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington), and WR Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts Monday, April 28, with the New England Patriots.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Tyrone Broden (Arkansas) agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the Seattle Seahawks. Undrafted free-agent WR Joey Hobert (Texas State) was invited to join on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agents RB Josh Williams (LSU) and WR Garrett Greene (West Virginia) agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Undrafted free-agents QB Jordan McCloud (Texas State), RB Tyler Echeverry (Mount Union), WR Dino Tomlin (Boston College) were invited to join on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Dymere Miller (Rutgers) agreed to terms on undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the New York Jets.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent TE Bentley Hanshaw (Liberty) was invited Monday, April 28, to join the San Francisco 49ers on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent RB Micah Bernard (Utah) agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the Tennessee Titans.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Redd Douglas (Findlay) agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the New York Giants. Undrafted free-agent WR Ja'Khi Douglas (Florida State) and WR Landon Ruggieri (Bryant) were invited to join on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Jacoby Jones (UCF) agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract Monday, April 28, with the Washington Commanders. Undrafted free-agent QB Collin Schlee (Virginia Tech) was invited to join on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agents RB Nate Noel (Missouri), WR A.J. Henning (Northwestern), WR Andrew Armstrong (Arkansas), WR Monaray Baldwin (Baylor), and WR Theo Wease (Missouri) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts Monday, April 28, with the Miami Dolphins. Undrafted free-agent QB Brett Gabbert (Miami) was invited to join on a tryout basis.
Link to storyFree-agent RBs Chris Evans (Bengals) and Trayveon Williams (Bengals) are scheduled to work out for the Houston Texans on Thursday, May 1.
Link to storyTrayveon Williams player page
Chris Evans player page
Free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets) remains unsigned, but the Pittsburgh Steelers 'are confident' that he 'will be a member of the Steelers,' according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Footballguys view: While this report is a further indication of their confidence, we already got that message directly from the man who matters most in Pittsburgh. In a radio interview last Friday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said that Rodgers "wants to come here" and could let the club know his intentions soon. "We're still kind of getting the same signals that we've been getting recently," Rooney said to Steelers Nation Radio. "He does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon." The Steelers passed on Shedeur Sanders twice in the first three rounds despite being linked to him before drafting Ohio State's Will Howard in Round 6. Rooney suggested Friday that drafting a Day 3 QB was possible, but he said it would be a developmental pick if the Steelers went in that direction. So, "Rodgers Watch" continues. Stay tuned. |
Aaron Rodgers player page
Detroit Lions WR Antoine Green was waived on Tuesday, April 29.
Link to storyAntoine Green player page
Arizona Cardinals OL Matthew Jones and TE Bernhard Seikovits were released on Tuesday, April 29.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers WR Marquez Callaway was released on Tuesday, April 29. The Buccaneers also waived CB Dallis Flowers, LB Daniel Grzesiak and WR Tanner Knue.
Link to storyMarquez Callaway player page
Seattle Seahawks third-round draft choice QB Jalen Milroe is expected to see 'a small handful of plays a game,' according to ESPN.com's Brady Henderson. Head coach Mike Macdonald made it clear that Sam Darnold will likely take over 90% of the snaps in regular-season games this season if things go according to plan.However Jalen ... earns the right to go out there, then we'll do that, if it's going to help the team, if it's best for us to move the ball and give these defensive coordinators some headaches. I'm really happy it's not going to be us,' Macdonald said.
Footballguys view: While getting the super-athletic Milroe, who has high-end playmaking ability as a runner, into the mix immediately makes sense, fantasy managers should be looking at the long term here. As Sigmund Bloom wrote in his Post-Draft Bloom 100, Milroe landed on a team that could give him a chance to start in 2026. Sam Darnold's deal is basically year-to-year after 2025, and if you think Darnold bombs outside of Minnesota, then Milroe's immense fantasy upside could be unlocked. Bloom added, "[Milroe is] still a viable late first-round pick in superflex leagues and has as much upside as anyone going outside of the first in 1QB leagues." |
Sam Darnold player page
Chicago Bears first-round draft choice TE Colston Loveland (Michigan) was told by new head coach Ben Johnson that the No. 10 overall pick reminded him 'a lot' of Sam LaPorta.
Footballguys view: The 6-5, 245-pound Loveland, who had 56 receptions, including five for TDs, last season, is viewed as a key to unlocking the potential of Johnson's offense. That same offense allowed LaPorta to catch 86 passes and 10 touchdowns as a Pro Bowl rookie in 2023 when he finished as the No. 1 tight end in fantasy. While Loveland opens as TE21 on the Footballguys 2025 projections, we'll all be looking for signs that he might play a role in Chicago similar to LaPorta's in Detroit. |
Seattle Seahawks QB Jaren Hall, LB Michael Dowell, C Mike Novitsky and LB Kenneth Odumegwu were waived on Tuesday, April 29.
Link to storyJaren Hall player page
Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy told reporters he is back up to 215 pounds after getting as low as 'the high 180s' during his recovery from last season's knee injury.
Footballguys view: It's now been over eight months since McCarthy, the tenth overall pick in last year's draft, suffered a torn meniscus that ended his rookie season before it could begin. Speaking to local reporters on Tuesday for the first time since before that injury, the 22-year-old said he's back to full strength and is excited about the opportunity this year. "Overall, I feel 110 percent because I feel better than when I got hurt eight months ago," he said. The question is, will McCarthy be ready to fuel the fantasy fortunes of teammates like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson? Head coach Kevin O'Connell is one reason for optimism. His offenses have been productive regardless of the quarterback since he arrived in Minnesota. And for the record, Jefferson's Average Draft Position in early best balls, he's going as WR2 with the fourth pick overall, is an indication that most drafters aren't worried. |
New Orleans Saints QB Ben DiNucci was released, he announced on Tuesday, April 29, via X.com.
Link to storyBen DiNucci player page
Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward won't be handed the starting job, despite being the No. 1 overall pick, according to general manager Mike Borgonzi on Monday, April 28. 'Yeah, it's a great room we have right now with those four guys,' Borgonzi said about QBs Will Levis, Brandon Allen, Tim Boyle, and Ward. 'And that'll be up to Brian [Callahan] and his staff in terms of reps as we go through the offseason and get into training camp. But, we'll take it step-by-step here. And that'll be up to Brian in terms of who takes what reps at some point. So, we're not going to name any starters here, though, right now here in the offseason.'
Footballguys view: While their public stance makes sense, all signs point to Ward taking the reins as the Titans' franchise quarterback of the future. Levis went 2-10 during his 12 starts last season, finishing with 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Realistically, given those numbers, investing the first pick overall in Ward suggests the outcome is a foregone conclusion. Ward is QB26 on the current Footballguys 2025 Projections. |
Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis wasn't shopped during the 2025 NFL Draft, general manager Mike Borgonzi said on Monday, April 28. He went on to praise Levis for raising the level of competition, stating the QB adds value to the franchise.
Footballguys view: With the selection of Cam Ward, Tennessee now has the rookie, Levis, Brandon Allen, and Tim Boyle at quarterback on their 90-man roster. "Yeah, it's a great room we have right now with those four guys," Borgonzi said. "And that'll be up to Brian [Callahan] and his staff in terms of reps as we go through the offseason and get into training camp. But, we'll take it step-by-step here. And that'll be up to Brian in terms of who takes what reps at some point." Despite Borgonzi's comments, Ward is fully expected to be a Day 1 starter in Tennessee. Any other outcome will be a surprise. |
Will Levis player page
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' fall into the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft was addressed by SI.com's Albert Breer, who cited several factors in the slide. Breer highlighted one coaching staff intentionally planted mistakes in a drawn-up play that Sanders didn't catch. When called out on it, the Colorado prospect's response didn't sit well with the unnamed organization. Sanders also reportedly didn't take responsibility at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine when a coaching staff asked him about his on-field mistakes, leading to Sanders saying maybe the two parties weren't a good fit. Breer went on to mention that NFL executives simply didn't hold Sanders' ability in as high regard as the general public, and once the draft-day fall began, many possible suitors may have opted to pass on Sanders as a backup to avoid an ensuing media circus.
Footballguys view: It's hard to argue that Sanders' precipitous fall was solely about his level of play; he was widely viewed as one of the top prospects at his position heading into the week. So, the interest in all the behind-the-scenes pre-draft gossip is understandable. But it's time to put the post-mortems behind us. Sanders joins fellow rookie, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett in a four-way competition for the starting job in Cleveland. While his past attitude might offer insight into how Sanders will handle that competition, we'll keep most of our focus on the field, where we have Flacco currently projected as the starter. |
Washington Commanders PK Zane Gonzalez was released Tuesday, April 29.
Footballguys view: Gonzalez joined Washington midway through the 2024 season after not kicking in a regular-season game since 2021. He connected on 5-of-7 field goals and 19-of-19 extra points in the regular season, plus 7-of-8 field goals and 8-of-8 extra points in three postseason games. In 2024, Gonzalez was 31-of-37 on his field goal attempts, with all six of his misses coming from at least 50 yards out. He made all 33 of his extra points. The Commanders signed Matt Gay to fill their place-kicking needs this season. |
Zane Gonzalez player page
Free-agent PK Matt Gay (Colts) agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million fully guaranteed deal with the Washington Commanders Tuesday, April 29. He can earn up to $5 million in incentives.
Footballguys view: Gay, 31, was recently released by the Colts. If the contract figures reported hold up, this will be the most guaranteed money for a kicker on a one-year deal in league history. He played the last two seasons for Indianapolis, connecting on 82.1 percent of his field goals for the club. Gay has made 85.5 percent of his career field goals for the Buccaneers, Rams, and Colts in 90 games. Incumbent kicker Zane Gonalez was released in a corresponding move. |
Matt Gay player page
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension Tuesday, April 29. The deal includes $40 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid tight end in the league.
Footballguys view: Kittle caught 78 passes and posted 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. More importantly, for our purposes, while he was third in total fantasy points at the position behind Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, Kittle was first in points per game, with 15.8. This kind of finish is not new. Since his breakout in 2018, Kittle has been a top-five fantasy TE in six seasons where he played at least 14 games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. now a Washington Commander and with Brandon Aiyuk coming off a torn ACL, Kittle, currently TE3 on our 2025 projections, will continue to play a prominent role in the Niners' passing attack. |
George Kittle player page
Undrafted free-agent WR Montorie Foster Jr. (Michigan State) will participate in the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns rookie minicamps on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Derwin Burgess Jr. (Georgia Southern) has been invited to participate in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to a source.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent TE Thomas Gordon (Northwestern) has been invited to participate in the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent TE Kyle Morlock (Florida State) will participate in the New York Giants rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Link to storyNew Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (shoulder) said he has undergone an MRI on his injured shoulder and has been in consistent contact with team about the situation.
Footballguys view: Carr's comments came in the context of rebuffing supposed rumors that the injury was fabricated. "I have an MRI report to prove it," Carr said. "The team knows about it. We've been in constant communication. There's nothing wrong. We're figuring it out, and we're going to go forward with that. Is that OK?" The comments are Carr's first since NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the quarterback suffered a shoulder injury that could put his 2025 season in jeopardy. General manager Mickey Loomis said last week that the club was waiting for "clarity" on Carr's shoulder. With Carr's future in question, the Saints drafted 25-year-old quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. |
Derek Carr player page
Free-agent WR Elijah Moore (Browns) has received an unrestricted free agent tender from the Cleveland Browns and will receive a one-year contract from the Browns worth $3.428 million if he does not sign with another team.
Link to storyElijah Moore player page
Free-agent WR Diontae Johnson (Ravens) agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns Monday, April 28, according to sources. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: The Steelers made Johnson a third-round pick in 2019, and he has 424 receptions for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowls honors in 2021 with his lone 1,000-yard season and a career-high eight touchdowns. But over the past year, Johnson has bounced between four teams. He began last season with the Panthers, who traded him to the Ravens. Baltimore later waived him after a suspension stemming from his refusal to enter a Dec. 1 game against the Eagles. The Texans claimed him on Dec. 23, but released him during the postseason. In total, Johnson appeared for three teams in 2024, recording 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Although the Browns' depth chart at wide receiver remains thin, expectations for Johnson should be tempered. |
Diontae Johnson player page
Free-agent WR Diontae Johnson (Browns) recently met with the Cleveland Browns.
Link to storyDiontae Johnson player page
Free-agent WR Robert Woods (Texans) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, April 28, worth $2 million, according to a source.
Footballguys view: Woods spent the last two seasons with the Texans and caught 60 passes for 629 yards and a touchdown in 29 regular season games. He also had four catches for 39 yards in the playoffs. DK Metcalf and George Pickens are at the top of the receiver depth chart in Pittsburgh. Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek are also on hand. As Profootballtalk.com noted, we still don't know who their quarterback will be. Still, word from Steelers owner Art Rooney II over the weekend suggested Aaron Rodgers will be making his decision about joining the Steelers sooner rather than later. |
Robert Woods player page
Las Vegas Raiders WR Ramel Keyton, DT Tyler Manoa, LB Kana'i Mauga, LB Jackson Mitchell and RB Isaiah Spiller were waived Friday, April 25.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Amari Cooper (Bills) is being considered by the Dallas Cowboys as a possible option to sign this offseason, according to a source.
Link to storyAmari Cooper player page
Undrafted free-agent WR Dino Tomlin (Boston College) will participate in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent TE Mark Redman (Louisville) agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams Monday, April 28. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent TE Mitch Van Vooren (St. Norbert) has been invited to participate in the Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Link to storyUpdating a previous report, free-agent WR Elijah Moore (Browns) is meeting with the Buffalo Bills Monday, April 28, but no deal is close at this point, according to general manager Brandon Beane.
Link to storyElijah Moore player page
New England Patriots C Jake Andrews, DE Marcus Harris, WR JaQuae Jackson, LB Titus Leo, S Mark Perry and TE Giovanni Ricci were released Monday, April 28.
Link to storyGiovanni Ricci player page
Undrafted free-agent TE Carter Runyon (Towson) and TE Pat Conroy (Old Dominion) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, April 27.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent RB Elijah Young (Western Kentucky), RB Qualan Jones (Stephen F. Austin), WR Elijhah Badger (Florida) and WR Mac Dalena (Fresno State) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, April 27.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent RB Ulysses Bentley IV (Ole Miss), WR Blayne Taylor (Abilene Christian), WR Coleman Owen (Ohio) and WR Landon Parker (Troy) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, April 27.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent RB Jordan Waters (North Carolina State), WR Brennan Presley (Oklahoma State) and TE Anthony Torres (Toledo) agreed to terms on undisclosed contracts with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, April 27.
Link to story