NFL Player News

The 49ers add Jones to their quarterback room, nearly four years after passing on him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Jones’ deal includes $5 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $11.5 million. Jones has started 49 of 52 games throughout his four-year career but with these contract terms is locked in as a backup quarterback. The 49ers give themselves a bit of cover if Brock Purdy goes down with Jones one of the better backup quarterbacks on the market, though throwing 18 touchdowns and 20 interceptions over the last two seasons.

Hall returns to Tampa Bay after his 2024 season ended on a fractured fibula in Week 1. Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Hall spent four seasons with the Jets, starting 17 games in 2021 and returning a fumble for a touchdown in 2023. He will be in the mix for the No. 3 cornerback spot in the Buccaneers secondary as veteran depth.

James has provided mostly league-average play at the pivot over the past four seasons, though 2024 was by far his worst year as he struggled through an ankle injury. We don’t have terms of the contract, but it’s plausible that James is a real challenger to playing time for Zion Johnson or Bradley Bozeman. Entering his age-28 season, James has never finished with a PFF pass block grade below 64.5 in four seasons as a starter.

He’s now visited the Vikings, Bears, and Jets since last Friday. Moore was carted off in training camp last season with the Falcons and is looking for a fresh start. Entering his age-25 season, it’s still within the band of possibilities that Moore is able to become a good NFL wideout, but he sure didn’t deliver much with the Cardinals in his first three seasons. He’ll be a reclamation project for whoever signs him.

Terms weren’t disclosed. Landman, who was nontendered by the Falcons this offseason, finds himself in the perpetual meat grinder that is Rams middle linebacker. The good news is that he has a pretty clear path to starting with Christian Rozeboom hitting free agency. Landman had a 73.9 PFF run defense grade last year despite missing Weeks 2-5 with a quadriceps injury. He’s capable-if-not-exciting on early downs, but probably needs a passing-downs caddy.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the contract contains $3.8 million in guarantees and can be worth “up to” $12 million. That’s not exactly guaranteed starter money for Bradbury, but the Patriots have quite a vacancy to fill after releasing David Andrews earlier this offseason. Cole Strange started two games at center for the Pats late last season and would appear to be the incumbent competition. We’d bet on Bradbury to win the battle, perhaps with Strange heading to left guard.

“McLaughlin, Estimé and Badie all led Denver in rushing during various games last season and could have a role in the 2025 backfield, but Denver needs a player capable of carrying a heavier workload,” Kosmider continues. Kosmider links Omarion Hampton to the Broncos at No. 20 overall, noting that he doesn’t believe Ashton Jeanty will fall that many picks. On this, National Beat Writer Reassessment Of Roster After Wave One Of Free Agency Day, the Broncos join many other clubs in looking strongly at what is expected to be a good running back depth class.

The Patriots can match any offer that Elliss receives as he has been given the right of first refusal tender. Elliss started five games for the Patriots last year, making 42 solo tackles and defending five passes. He finished with a pretty solid 72.6 PFF defensive grade. The Raiders could be looking to get the Patriots back for the Robert Spillane signing. However, the Raiders would likely have to craft a pretty creative and/or exorbitant contract for the Patriots to not match.

Moore had a career season in 2024, managing a 32/351/3 receiving line after last being targeted more than 40 times in 2020. The veteran enters his age-30 season as Carolina’s No. 4 receiver behind Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker. It’s possible that the Panthers will draft a receiver and give him even more roster spot competition. Moore has the special teams chops to hang on the back of a 53-man roster if needed, so this seems like a signing without any real downside for Carolina.

The 2022 Lions, coordinated by Ben Johnson, made a fairly quick decision to ditch D’Andre Swift the next offseason and pick up between-the-tackles pounder David Montgomery. Hunt seems cut from that cloth at this point, and while Swift’s contract essentially doesn’t allow the Bears to save any cap space without a trade, it isn’t completely surprising to see the Bears sniffing around help at running back. Chicago could be yet another team hunting for a true franchise back in the draft this year.

“Given the injury histories of [Christian] McCaffrey and [Isaac] Guerendo — as well as the running back riches in this year’s draft,” Barrows begins before noting that the 49ers could go down this road after parting ways with Jordan Mason on Sunday. It’s probable that Guerendo will start the year as the main McCaffrey backup in San Francisco, but the consistent drumbeat that a running back could be taken in this draft leaves us to believe the 49ers aren’t exactly locked in on him keeping that role long term.