NFL

Panthers sign CB Jaycee Horn to four-year, $100 million contract extension

The cornerback market hasn’t exploded anywhere close to the degree of other positions. Maybe this extension changes that. Horn, 25, is a good young corner, but he’s not on the level of some of his exemplary peers. That could change, as Horn is capable of playing much better football than he did last season. Even if that happens, the 2021 first-round selection probably won’t be worthy of being the league’s highest-paid corner.

Grade: C+

Chargers sign EDGE Khalil Mack to one-year, $18 million contract

Mack, 34, still has plenty left in the tank, so I like this contract. Not far removed from a 17-sack campaign, Mack remains in the upper echelon of edge defenders. Even after just a six-sack season, Los Angeles made the easy call of choosing Mack over Joey Bosa.

Grade: B+

Broncos sign DT D.J. Jones to three-year, $39 million contract

This might feel like a lot of money for Jones, but the 30-year-old has been a solid defensive tackle for years. The position also isn’t cheap in free agency, so Denver is doing the prudent thing by keeping a strong defense together.

Jones made 42 tackles and one sack last season.

Grade: C

Patriots receive: 2026 seventh-round pick

Saints receive: DT Davon Godchaux

The Patriots should be focused on building a more competitive roster, but I can’t fault New England for netting a seventh-round pick for the mediocre Godchaux. The 30-year-old is a respectable run stuffer, but is replaceable.

The opposite goes for New Orleans. Why ship out a late-round selection for the type of player that can be inked in free agency? The Saints make their fair share of puzzling decisions, and this trade is yet another.

Godchaux posted 67 tackles in 2024 for the Patriots.

Patriots Grade: B+

Saints Grade: C-

Texans sign DT Sheldon Rankins to one-year, $7 million contract

This is a slight overpay. I would’ve liked this deal last year, but Rankins is now on the wrong side of 30 and coming off a season in which he played just seven games. To make matters worse, Rankins’ run defense has cratered since 2022, though he still offers some ability as an interior rusher.

The 2016 first-round pick recorded 18 tackles and a sack in 2024.

Grade: C