Minnesota

Vikings

Long snapper Andrew DePaola has played in every game for the Vikings over the last five seasons and he’s set to extend his run in Minnesota.

DePaola’s agent Sean Stellato told Adam Schefter of ESPN that his client has agreed to a new one-year deal with the Vikings. It comes with a fully guaranteed salary of $1.725 million.

DePaola played the final seven games of the 2020 season with Minnesota, so his consecutive game streak stands at 88 games heading into the 2026 season. He has 14 tackles and a fumble recovery over that span.

The Vikings also have kicker Will Reichard due back for another year, but they’ll need a new punter with Ryan Wright set to sign with the Saints this week.

The NFL announced 33 compensatory draft selections in the 2026 draft awarded to 15 teams.

Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible for compensatory draft picks. The compensatory picks are positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.

In addition to the 32 compensatory selections awarded under the net-loss formula, a special compensatory selection was awarded to the Lions for the Jets hiring Aaron Glenn as their head coach. The initiative is intended to promote minority hirings. The Lions traded the pick to the Jaguars.

The following 2026 compensatory draft picks were awarded for the 2026 draft, which will be held on April 23-April 25 in Pittsburgh:

The Saints landed a new punter in the early hours of the free agent negotiating window.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that they have agreed to sign Ryan Wright. It is a four-year agreement worth $14 million and includes $8 million in guarantees.

Wright will make the move to New Orleans after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Vikings. He’s appeared in every game for the team since joining the team and averaged a career-best 44.5 net yards per kick during the 2025 season.

Kai Kroeger was the Saints’ punter in 2025, but the commitment to Wright will likely lead to him moving on at some point this offseason.

The Raiders have plenty of needs, and they’re using free agency to fill some of them.

Las Vegas has lured receiver Jalen Nailor to town, on a three-year, $35 million deal, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.

A sixth-round pick in 2022, Nailor had a career-high 444 receiving yards in 2025. A deal supposedly worth $11.67 million per year suggests that the Raiders envision a much bigger role for Nailor.

For his career, Nailor has 69 catches for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns. It’s possible that Nailor could do much more than he has, but Minnesota has plenty of quality pass-catchers and only (if you haven’t heard) one ball.

The Vikings have landed a new cornerback in the early stages of the free agent negotiating window.

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media reports that they have agreed to terms with James Pierre on a two-year deal. The contract is worth $8.5 million with $3.7 million in guaranteed money.

Pierre signed with the Steelers after going undrafted in 2020 and returned to the team after failing to make the Commanders in 2024. Pierre appeared in 95 games over his six seasons in Pittsburgh.

Pierre had 147 tackles, four interceptions, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in those appearances. He also had six tackles in four playoff games with the Steelers.