NEWSLETTER
The NFL free agency knows no limits, not even late-night hours. As Team USA put a late-night beatdown on Canada in the WBC, the Rapoports and Schefters of the world were still hammering out NFL signings 280 characters at a time. Dre’Mont Jones, Dalvin Tomlinson, Kaden Ellis, and more found new homes last night. Let’s discuss this.
DT Dre’Mont Jones: Seahawks – 3 years, $51 million
The Seattle Seahawks have inked former Broncos DT Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $51 million deal. Jones will receive $23.5 million in the first year and $35.02 million over the first two seasons.
Dre’Mont Jones entered free agency as PFF’s 23rd-best free agent. The former third-rounder in the 2019 NFL Draft has become a solid starter on the defensive line. Jones logged 47 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hits in 13 games last season.
The 26-year-old has 133 tackles, 22 sacks, and 38 quarterback hits in his career.
LB Kaden Elliss: Falcons – 3 years, $21.5 million
The Falcons were one of the busiest teams on Monday. They continued their spending into the evening, inking former Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss to a deal.
Elliss gets a three-year, $21.5 million deal from Atlanta. Elliss will get $11 million guaranteed. Elliss joins a familiar face in Atlanta, reuniting with former Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who is now the DC in Atlanta.
The Falcons also signed former Saints DT David Onyemata on Monday.
DT Marcus Davenport: Vikings – 1 year, $13 million
The Saints drafted Davenport in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Last season Davenport only had 0.5 sacks in 15 games. However, he recorded 9.0 sacks for the Saints in 2021.
Davenport became the third Saints defender to find a new home on Monday, joining Kaden Elliss and David Onyemata. For the Vikings, Davenport could be a solution to their Za’Darius Smith problem.
Smith asked for a release last week, and the Vikings are yet to grant that request. Having Davenport in two could make that a possibility.
DB Jimmie Ward: Texans – 1 year, $3.25 million
Jimmie Ward is heading to Houston to reunite with his former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ward will get a one-year, $3.25 million deal to play for the Texans.
Ward spent nine years with the 49ers and the last six with Ryans on the 49ers’ staff. Ward racked up 451 tackles, seven interceptions, and five forced fumbles in his nine seasons with the 49ers.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson: Browns – 4 years, $57 million
Finally, we have another Vikings defender heading elsewhere. Dalvin Tomlinson is heading to Cleveland on a four-year, $57 million deal.
Tomlinson will get $27.5 million guaranteed. He had 2.5 sacks in six starts for the Vikings last season and has spent the last two seasons in Minnesota after spending his first four seasons with the New York Giants.
