The week after the NFL Draft was filled with transactions. Most teams released a few players in order to make room for more undrafted free agents. While most moves revolved around this, three major contract extensions were signed. These three signing are discussed below and, as always, the rest of the transactions are down below with some of the more significant ones highlighted in red.
New Orleans Saints re-sign OT Terron Armstead
The week started off with Armstead, 24, signing a contract extension with the Saints.
He signed a five-year extension worth $64.5 million with $25 million fully guaranteed.
Many football fans outside of Louisiana probably haven’t heard of Armstead, who has been the Saints’ starting left tackle for the past two seasons. He also started a few games at the end of the 2013 season.
New Orleans selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff. He was one of the most athletic offensive tackle prospects in recent years.
Last season, Pro Football Focus graded him as the third-best offensive tackle in the NFL after he allowed just three sacks all season.
Under Sean Payton, the Saints have built their offensive line from the inside out, valuing guards over tackles. Players like Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks and Ben Grubbs (all guards) anchored the Saints’ offensive line.
Armstead’s signing doesn’t necessarily signify a shift from this philosophy. If a team has an above-average left tackle, which Armstead clearly is, they don’t let him leave.
Buffalo Bills re-sign OT Cordy Glenn
Tuesday was a big day for left tackles, as both Armstead and Glenn, 26, agreed to new contracts.
Earlier in the offseason, the Bills applied their franchise tag to Glenn, keeping him under contract at $13.7 million for the 2016 season.
He signed a similar contract to Armstead. Glenn’s contract is also for five-years and worth $65 million with $26.5 million fully guaranteed, making it worth slightly more than Armstead’s.
Since Buffalo selected Glenn in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he has been their starting left tackle.
During this time frame, he has only missed three games (all in 2012). This means he has started 57 straight games for the Bills.
Last season, Pro Football Focus graded him as their No. 10 offensive tackle, and he allowed only two sacks the entire season.
Glenn is the first player on the franchise tag to sign an extension with his team. These players have until July 15 to sign a long-term deal.
Washington Redskins re-sign TE Jordan Reed
Rounding out the contact extensions this week is another offensive player.
Reed, 25, signed a five-year extension worth $46.5 million with $22 million guaranteed.
This contract puts him in the upper echelon of tight end contracts. Jimmy Graham leads the way at $10 million per season and Travis Kelce, Julius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski all earn at least $9 million per season.
The 2015 season was Reed’s breakout year. He flourished in Jay Gruden’s offense with Kirk Cousins throwing the ball.
Reed caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his two other NFL seasons, he had a total of 95 receptions for 964 yards and three touchdowns.
Talent has never been a question mark for the 2013 third round pick. The thing holding Reed back is his health.
He has yet to play a complete 16-game season. In 2013, he missed seven games. He then missed another six and two games in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
If Reed is able to stay healthy, then he should continue to be one of football’s best tight ends and post statistics like he did in 2015.
Other Moves:
The Arizona Cardinals cut CB Kevin White.
The Arizona Cardinals cut C Valerian Ume-Ezeoke.
The Arizona Cardinals cut CB Joel Wilkinson.
The Arizona Cardinals cut S Tyrequek Zimmerman.
The Arizona Cardinals release G John Fullington.
The Baltimore Ravens cut G Leon Brown.
The Buffalo Bills release TE Jacob Maxwell.
The Buffalo Bills release DE Jarius Wynn.
The Buffalo Bills waive CB Merrill Noel.
The Buffalo Bills waive C Ronald Patrick.
The Carolina Panthers claim DT Robert Thomas off waivers.
The Chicago Bears sign QB Brian Hoyer to a one-year contract.
The Chicago Bears release S Antrel Rolle.
The Chicago Bears release G Matt Slauson.
The Chicago Bears cut DT D’Anthony Smith.
The Cleveland Browns waive WR Saalim Hakim.
The Cleveland Browns cut LB Scott Solomon.
The Denver Broncos cut S Ryan Murphy.
The Denver Broncos cut P Will Johnson.
The Denver Broncos waive TE Richard Gordon.
The Detroit Lions sign LB Zaviar Gooden.
The Detroit Lions waive C Braxton Cave.
The Detroit Lions waive TE Casey Pierce.
The Detroit Lions sign WR Andre Caldwell.
The Detroit Lions cut TE Jordan Thompson.
The Detroit Lions waive C Darren Keyton.
The Indianapolis Colts waive TE Cameron Clear.
The Indianapolis Colts waive LS Forrest Hill.
The Indianapolis Colts waive C Khaled Holmes.
The Indianapolis Colts waive OT Mitchell Van Dyk.
The Indianapolis Colts cut LB Eze Obiora.
The Kansas City Chiefs cut LB Cameron Gordon.
The Kansas City Chiefs cut S Jimmy Wilson.
The Kansas City Chiefs cut WR Fred Williams.
The Los Angeles Rams cut CB Eric Patterson.
The Miami Dolphins trade CB Jamar Taylor to the Cleveland Browns.
The Miami Dolphins cut RB Jahwan Edwards.
The Miami Dolphins cut WR Christion Jones.
The Miami Dolphins cut DE Damontre Moore.
The New England Patriots waive CB Rashaan Melvin.
The New England Patriots waive LB James Vaughters.
The New Orleans Saints sign LS Chris Highland.
The New York Giants cut TE Jerome Cunningham.
The New York Giants cut S G.J. Kinne.
The New York Jets waive WR Joe Anderson.
The Philadelphia Eagles waive S Jerome Coupin.
The Philadelphia Eagles release WR Freddie Martino.
The Philadelphia Eagles cut FB Ryan Mueller.
The Philadelphia Eagles cut LB Brandon Hepburn.
The Philadelphia Eagles cut RB Ross Scheuerman.
The Philadelphia Eagles waive RB Kevin Monangai.
The Philadelphia Eagles waive DT Travis Raciti.
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-sign QB Bruce Gradkowski.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waive OT Mike Adams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waive K Ty Long.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waive RB Abou Toure.
The Seattle Seahawks sign QB Jake Heaps.
The Seattle Seahawks waive C Drew Nowak.
The Seattle Seahawks waive RB Cameron Marshall.
The Seattle Seahawks waive DE Josh Shirley.
The Seattle Seahawks waive TE Ronnie Shields.
The Seattle Seahawks waive WR Tyler Slavin.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive WR Andre Davis.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive LB Darius Eubanks.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive G Antoine Everett.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive S Gerod Holliman.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive DT Derrick Lott.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive S Kimario McFadden.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive LB Jermauria Rasco.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive CB C.J. Roberts.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut K Connor Barth.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut DE Martin Ifedi.
The Washington Redskins cut CB Chris Culliver.
The Washington Redskins cut WR Laron Byrd.
The Washington Redskins cut DT Christo Bilukidi.
The Washington Redskins cut LB Desmond Bishop.
The Washington Redskins cut DT Anthony Johnson.
The Washington Redskins cut DT Kamal Johnson.
The Washington Redskins cut CB Al Louis-Jean.
The Washington Redskins cut LB Derrick Matthews.
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