NFL Player News

Dillard, a former first-round pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, has battled through a number of injuries since entering the league. He lost all of his 2020 season to a torn biceps and appeared in just five games as a backup last season after breaking his forearm in training camp. Dillard started a handful of games at left tackle his first two years in the league but slotted in at guard during what little action he saw this past season. The Titans are giving Dillard starting money, although it’s unclear where he’ll line up at next season.

Jackson was acquired just before the start of the 2024 regular season in a trade with the Seahawks and now remains with the Panthers on a new two-year deal. He played all but 13 defensive snaps for the Panthers a season ago and should remain the team’s top perimeter cornerback option moving forward.

The transaction will be finalized when the new league year starts on Wednesday, at which point Tomlinson will be free to sign with any team. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tomlinson will be designated as a post-June 1 cut. His release will create $6.4 million in cap space while leaving the Browns with a $5 million dead cap charge. Tomlinson had two years left on his four-year, $57 million contract with the Browns. The big man notched three sacks and six TFLs in 2024 with a nearly identical stat line in 2023. While not an elite defender, Tomlinson is a solid interior lineman who should earn a multi-year deal on the open market.

The nine-year veteran has played his entire career with the Colts and now moves to a Vikings team desperate for interior offensive line help. His $9 million average annual value drops him from the fifth highest paid center to the eighth highest paid center, but still is representative of his dominating nature on the interior when healthy. Kelly has missed a combined 10 games the previous two seasons and turns 32 shortly, making the hefty contract somewhat of a gamble for the Vikings.

According to FOX NFL’s Jordan Schultz, the deal is worth over $54 million, though we don’t have the full details yet. Wharton appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs and totaled 6.5 sacks plus seven TFLs. He added two sacks and a TFL to that tally during Kansas City’s run to the Super Bowl. Wharton never ascended to an every-down role with the Chiefs but will have the opportunity to do so in Carolina. The Panthers have been aggressive in fixing their defense early in free agency, signing multiple defensive linemen on top of other key moves.

The longtime Raven heads to the division-rival Steelers on a $10 million contract, seemingly an excellent fit in the 3-4 defensive scheme in Pittsburgh. He’ll likely take on more of a rotational role with the Steelers considering their depth at the position, but his athleticism and veteran presence give the Steelers yet another animal on the interior of their defense.

The deal is reported to be fully guaranteed and carries a maximum value of $10 million, the incentives of which have yet to be disclosed. The Dolphins have struggled while playing with their backup quarterback in each of the previous two seasons as starter Tua Tagovailoa struggled through head injuries. Whether or not Wilson is the answer to those woes remains to be seen, but he joins a situation where he’s likely one of the favorite backups to see playing time in the coming season.

The Rams’ intentions of trading Kupp have been known for weeks and there have hardly been any rumors about potential landing spots. It’s possible the Rams were asking for too much and the price is about to go down, but we’re not holding our breath waiting for a trade to come together before Wednesday. With Davante Adams signed as Kupp’s replacement and their intentions of cutting him already known, the Rams have no leverage in trade talks. Kupp is owed $29.7 million this year. The Rams can save $7.5 million but cutting him and that number doubles if he is designated as a post-June 1 release, though the money can’t be spent yet. Either way, expect the 31-year-old wideout to hit the open market in the next 48 hours.

A “glue guy” role player for the Chiefs’ undermanned receiver corps the past three seasons, Watson will serve the same role in Houston as the Texans wait on Tank Dell (leg) to get healthy behind Nico Collins. Houston is also presumably moving on from Robert Woods, and is unsure if Stefon Diggs (ACL) will be back. Despite those depth issues, we would fully expect 29-year-old (next month) Watson to remain in the 15-20 reception range for 2025.

Hours after agreeing to a deal with safety Cam Bynum, the Colts were at it again. Ward joins the team on a three-year deal that could net him up to $60 million, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, and will be due $20 million at signing. Ward is a former UDFA from the 2018 draft class who emerged as a starter during his second season with the Chiefs. He’s proven over time to be a reliable defender in coverage, and was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 2023 while also being named as a second-team All-Pro. His 23 pass breakups led the league that season. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo continues to get pieces to add to a secondary that ranked among the league’s worst last season.

Two weeks shy of his 28th birthday, Taylor was a late summer trade addition for Chicago last year. His three sacks for the Bears were a new career low after three decent-ish years with the Seahawks. Taylor has struggled to develop into more than a rotational pass rusher, but that is all he needs to be for the Texans’ amped up pass rush.