The only minor moves to close out the week: Green Bay Packers Signed: WR Julian Hicks, C Lecitus Smith, WR Dimitri Stanley Seattle Seahawks Signed: DT Buddha Jones Some undrafted rookies may not get signed to three-year, undrafted free agent contracts but will, instead, be invited to rookie minicamps on a tryout basis. Such is the case for Hicks, Stanley, and Jones. Both the Packers and Seahawks had already announced the signings of their UDFA classes, but both will now add to that rookie group. Rookie minicamps also serve as an audition opportunity for some veteran free agents. Smith join ..read more

Going into this year’s draft, guard was arguably the Seahawks’ biggest need. And as ESPN’s Brady Henderson writes, Seattle had targeted Alabama’s JC Latham, who was selected by the Titans with the No. 7 overall pick (the ‘Hawks would have slid Latham, a collegiate tackle, to the interior of their O-line, at least in the early stages of his pro career). [RELATED: Murphy Signs Rookie Deal] A number of this year’s top defensive prospects fell lower than expected due to an unprecedented run on offensive talent. When the Seahawks were on the clock with the No. 16 pick, only one defensive player, U ..read more

NFL teams often use rookie minicamp as an opportunity to bring in some veterans for workouts. Here are a few such instances of teams who invited some veteran free agents for the weekend: The Steelers invited a former division-rival in cornerback Anthony Averett, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pittsburgh acquired veteran Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson in the trade that sent Diontae Johnson to Carolina, and Jackson is expected to start across from last year’s rookie starter Joey Porter Jr. Behind them, though, the team’s depth chart shows seventh-round rookie selection Ryan Watts and ..read more

Our first draft pick signings post for rookies taken in the third round or later: Green Bay Packers QB Michael Pratt (seventh round, Tulane) CB Kalen King (seventh round, Penn State) Philadelphia Eagles WR Johnny Wilson (sixth round, Florida State) Pratt was the final of 11 quarterbacks taken in the 2024 NFL Draft last week. A four-year starter for the Green Wave, Pratt was named first-team All-AAC and the AAC Offensive Player of the year in 2023, despite failing to recreate his breakout numbers from 2022 of 27 passing touchdowns to only five interceptions with 10 more scores on the ground ..read more

Tyler Smith delivering strong early returns at two positions — left tackle, left guard — gave the Cowboys options while constructing their draft board, and Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton became the team’s pick. The Guyton move points to Smith staying at guard. The Cowboys are set to give the ex-Sooners right tackle every opportunity to win the starting LT job, The Athletic’s Jon Machota notes (subscription required). Teams make the inverse move more often, with the college game’s top O-linemen most frequently coming from the left tackle spot. Guyton views himself as a more natural left tackle, h ..read more

A second fifth-year option decision has been made today. Just like the Titans with fellow corner Caleb Farley, the Packers will set Eric Stokes up for free agency next offseason. The latter will have his option declined, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. [RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker] Stokes was an impactful starter right away upon entering the NFL, logging 14 starts. He recorded 55 stops, 14 pass deflections and one interception that year, showcasing his potential as a long-term mainstay in the Packers’ secondary. Things have not gone according to plan on the injury fron ..read more

Only minor transactions for today: Green Bay Packers Signed: LB Kenneth Odumegwu Seattle Seahawks Waived: OLB Levi Bell ..read more

After leaving this past weekend with one of the league’s largest draft classes, the Packers are continuing to add rookies to their roster. The team announced that they’ve signed eight undrafted free agents: Peter Bowden, LS (Wisconsin) James Ester, DL (Northern Illinois) Ralen Gofort, LB (Washington) Jarveon Howard, RB (Alcorn State) Donovan Jennings, OL (South Florida) Trente Jones, OL (Michigan) Rodney Mathews, DL (Ohio) Messiah Swinson, TE (Arizona State) South Florida offensive lineman Donovan Jennings earned a significant pay day to join the Packers. The rookie got a $10K signing bonus ..read more

The Packers and Jets have been frequent trade partners in recent years, and the teams have pulled off another deal. The Packers have jumped to No. 111, with New York acquiring picks No. 126 and No. 190. The Packers will use their new pick on Oregon safety Evan Williams. There’s been a run on Ducks players today, with Williams representing the fourth Oregon player to be selected in the fourth round. After leading the Fresno State defense for four seasons, Williams transferred to Oregon for the 2023 campaign. He proceeded to earn second team All-Pac-12 honors after compiling 82 tackles, 4.5 sack ..read more

The 11th quarterback off the board will be Tulane passer Michael Pratt. After waiting around for six rounds, Pratt gets selected at No. 245 overall in the seventh round by the Packers. In college, Pratt was a four-year starter for the Green Wave. He earned Freshman All-American honors in 2020, starting nine games during the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season. His most productive season came two years later when Pratt earned second-team All-AAC honors with 3,010 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and only five interceptions, adding 478 yards and 10 scores on the ground. He followed that up w ..read more