Seahawks signed No. 14 overall pick CB Earl Thomas to a five-year, $21.1 million contract, including $12.32 guaranteed.
Last year’s 14th pick, Malcolm Jenkins, received $19 million with $11 million guaranteed. Thomas, possessing the best ball skills of any safety in the draft, will step right into the starting lineup at free safety. A favorite of NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, he’s a potential impact player on a defense starving for big plays.
According to Greg Johns of the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Pete Carroll doesn’t expect guard Chester Pitts (microfracture surgery) to be ready for football activities any time soon.
Our View: Carroll added that it could be a “couple months” before Pitts is ready to go. Although the newly acquired guard will be a backup when he does return, Carroll stressed a desire to get him on the field in the preseason.
Donald Driver returned to full-contact practices for the first time since the end of the 2009 season, according to Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Our View: Driver said that both of his knees felt fine after undergoing dual scopes, and he added that he had no problems cutting in and out of breaks. He is 35 years old, however, and eventually his production will drop.
Jets agreed to terms with No. 29 overall pick CB Kyle Wilson on a five-year contract.
Terms were not disclosed. Last year’s 29th pick, Hakeem Nicks, received $12.54 million contract over five years with a $6.5 million signing bonus. Wilson received the bulk of the punt return reps and is expected to step right in as the nickel back in the NFL’s most dominant secondary. Coach Rex Ryan (and possibly his brother Rex as well) believes Wilson was the best corner talent in the draft.
Donald Driver (knee surgeries) returned to full contact practices Saturday for the first time since the end of last season.
"[Both knees] felt fine," Driver said. "I didn’t have any problems cutting today." Coordinator Joe Philbin had recently expressed concern about Driver’s condition after the dual scopes, but this is a positive sign. He’s still a candidate for a dropoff in production at age 35.
The Jets agreed to terms with rookie corner Kyle Wilson on a five-year contract Saturday, according to Rod Boone of New York Newsday.
Our View: Financial terms weren’t released, but last year’s 29th overall pick, Hakeem Nicks, received $12.54 million over five years. Wilson joins a talented corner group that includes Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, but he’s talented enough to make an immediate impact in the slot and could have gone much higher in the draft. He’ll help New York deal with Wes Welker and Randy Moss this season.
Percy Harvin admitted that a “tweaked” ankle caused him to leave practice on Saturday, according to Tom Pelissero of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities.
Our View: Harvin returned in time to participate in the afternoon practice after trainers helped quell the swelling. He made a few acrobat plays after returning so he should be fine going forward.
Titans agreed to terms with No. 16 overall DE Derrick Morgan on a five-year contract.
Kevin Smith (ACL surgery) was cleared to resume practicing on the Lions’ first day of training camp.
Smith "was considered to go on the PUP," explained coach Jim Schwartz, "but he’s been here an awful lot and he’s done an awful lot and he’s recovered well. He was able to go in and go pretty much without any limitations." Smith will only take part in one practice per day, but he’s well on his way to suiting up for the regular season opener. He’s a "handcuff" for Jahvid Best owners this year.
Giants signed No. 15 overall pick DE Jason Pierre-Paul to a five-year, $20.05 million contract, including $11.63 million guaranteed.