OTAs are in full game and there is some actual football news.
Free Agent Moves
Some small moves have been in free agency in the NFC North.
Matt Asiata signed a one year deal with Detroit. Asiata is experienced and a good short yardage back. He has some good years of 9 and 6 TD seasons in his five year career. Asiata can block, catch and pass protect as well. Lions cut 2015 5th round pick full back Michael Burton to make room. OC Jim Bob Cooter doesn’t use a full back and the Lions are moving to a more zone blocking scheme.
Former Lions starting DE Devin Taylor signed with the Giants. Taylor had #bad and #notgood 2016 season and the Lions already did well to replace Taylor with Kerry Hyder, Cornelius Washington and Armonty Bryant.
Michael Floyd signed with the Vikings. Floyd is a former first round pick who had some success with the Cardinals before a DUI. Floyd moved to the Patriots last year and gets a shot with Minnesota. Floyd joins Adam Thielen, Stefan Diggs and Laquan Treadwell as the top wide receivers. Floyd’s deal was one year 1.4 million dollars. The Vikings also signed former Bears DT Will Sutton.
Chicago made a move at slot WR by adding Victor Cruz. Cruz will compete with Kendall Wright for the slot job in Chicago. Cruz had very successful seasons early with the Giants but had been hurt in 2014 and 2015. 2016 was subpar from Cruz and we will see if has anything left in the tank in 2017. The deal was one year for 2 million dollars.
Draft Pick Signings
Most draft picks are being signed around the league.
The Lions have inked all their draft picks except for 3rd round pick Kenny Golladay. Jarrad Davis signed a 4 year 10.9 million dollar deal as the 21st pick in the draft. These contracts are much different than the days of the old CBA.
The Bears signed some later picks and their second (Sheehan) and 4th round pick (Eddie Jackson) but haven’t signed their top pick Mitch Trubisky yet.
Green Bay signed most of their draft picks includeng Kevin King (4 year 7 million) and Josh Jones (4 years 4.23 million).
The Vikings signed some mid round and later picks. They don’t have a first round pick to worry about signing but still need to sign Dalvin Cook and Pat Efflein.
OTAs
OTAs continue this week with team drills. There are seven more OTAs for each team (out of 10) and then a 3 day mandatory mini-camp in June. We’ll see some position battle, health updates and hopefully no #bad injury news from these pads-less practices.