NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks: Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag Players who achieve any of the following will receive the a ..read more

The Titans bailed on their Andre Dillard contract after one season, making the former first-round pick a cap casualty in March. Dillard has not justified his draft status, but the five-year veteran tackle will have another chance in 2024. Dillard is signing with the Packers; the team announced the move Thursday. The Packers parted ways with 11-year veteran David Bakhtiari, amid a run of knee trouble, and will bring in a player who has experience as a left tackle starter and swingman. Prior to making this Packers commitment, Dillard met with the Chiefs, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. [RELATED ..read more

As the countdown to the draft continues, teams around the league are finalizing their strategies for Day 1 in particular. Those which are flush with draft capital are generally among the ones to watch with respect to a trade up the board, but in the case of the Packers such a move may be unlikely. [RELATED: Packers Planning Late QB Draft Addition] Green Bay has 11 total selections in 2024, tied for the most picks in the league this year. Coming off a surprise run to the divisional round of the postseason, the Packers’ first-rounder currently sits at No. 25. A trade-up maneuver is of course so ..read more

Both wideout Rashard Higgins and linebacker Christian Kirksey have officially decided to hang up their cleats, but they will do so as members of the team which drafted them. Both players will sign one-day contracts with the Browns, the team announced on Tuesday. Higgins spent his first six years in Cleveland, serving as a complementary receiver along the way. His best campaign came in 2020, when he posted 37 catches for 599 yards and four touchdowns. His 16.2 yards per catch average demonstrated his ability as a vertical threat, but by 2022 signs pointed to a free agent departure. Indeed ..read more

Here are Monday’s minor moves: Cincinnati Bengals Re-signed: LB Joe Bachie Signed ERFA tender: LS Cal Adomitis Cleveland Browns Re-signed: LB Sam Kamara Waived/failed physical: G Drew Forbes Detroit Lions Signed ERFA tender: OL Kayode Awosika, LB James Houston, RB Craig Reynolds Green Bay Packers Signed ERFA tender: P Daniel Whalen, RB Emanuel Wilson Jacksonville Jaguars Signed: TE Patrick Murtaugh Waived: S Ayo Oyelola Los Angeles Rams Signed ERFA tender: RB Ronnie Rivers New Orleans Saints Re-signed: CB Shemar Jean-Charles New York Giants Signed RFA tender: CB Nick McCloud Ne ..read more

As the 2024 draft nears, numerous picks have already changed hands. A handful of picks have already been moved twice, with a few being traded three times. Multiple deals from 2021 impact this draft. Here are the 2024 picks to have been traded thus far: Round 1 Bears hold Panthers‘ pick (No. 1 overall) sending over 2023 No. 1 overall selection (QB Bryce Young) Texans acquired Browns‘ first-rounder in March 2022’s QB Deshaun Watson trade Vikings obtained No. 23 from Texans via March 2024 exchange Cardinals acquired Texans‘ pick (No. 27) in Houston’s climb up for DE Will Anderson Jr. at ..read more

Wednesday’s only minor NFL move: Green Bay Packers Signed: CB Gemon Green Green was an undrafted rookie last year who signed with the Giants but ultimately failed to make the 53-man roster. He was subsequently signed to New York’s practice squad before getting released the next day. Before the NFL, Green recorded an interception and 15 passes defensed in five years at the University of Michigan. After 24 starts in 42 game appearances, Green finished his career as an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team in his senior season ..read more

The top two spots on the Packers’ quarterback depth chart are accounted for with Jordan Love and Sean Clifford. General manager Brian Gutekunst is open to using the upcoming draft to add further depth at the position, though. [RELATED: NFL To Allow Unlimited Practice Squad QB Elevations] “I’d love to continue to bring in quarterbacks, not only for the competition but for the development of them because I do think it takes time,” Gutekunst said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required). “It takes time, any player, but a quarterback, particu ..read more

Ranked as the No. 3 defensive tackle on Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board, T’Vondre Sweat has an off-field issue to navigate ahead of the draft. The Texas alum was arrested on a DWI charge over the weekend. Sweat was involved a two-car accident, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg, who indicates the DT’s SUV collided with a sedan shortly before 5am on Sunday. The Seahawks and Titans are among the teams performing some due diligence on Sweat, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicating the ex-Longhorns D-lineman met with the Titans on Monday and will fly to Seattle for a “30” visit later this ..read more

Here are some details on recent new contracts around the NFC: Eric Wilson, LB (Packers): One year, $1.38MM. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Wilson’s new contract with Green Bay includes a base salary of $1.21MM and a signing bonus of $167.5K. Kristian Welch, LB (Packers): One year, $1.21MM. Demovsky also tells us that Welch’s re-signed deal will have a base salary of $1.13MM and a signing bonus worth $20K. Welch can earn an additional $20K with a workout bonus as well as a per game active roster bonus of $2,647 for a potential season total of $45K. Chris Moore, WR (Cardinals): One year, $2M ..read more