NFL

Vikings sign TE Josh Oliver to three-year, $23.25 million contract extension

This pact is a bit rich for a backup tight end, even one of Oliver’s caliber. The 28-year-old mostly shines as a blocker alongside pass-catching threat T.J. Hockenson. There’s value in that archetype, but Minnesota would’ve been better suited by finding a cheaper option.

Oliver tallied 22 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Grade: C-

Seahawks sign P Michael Dickson to four-year, $16.2 million contract extension

Apparently, we’ve reached the punter-focused portion of the offseason. Just one day after Jacksonville made Logan Cooke the NFL’s highest-paid player at the position, Seattle one-ups it with Michael Dickson.

Dickson, for all his acclaim, hasn’t been an All-Pro since his rookie season in 2018. That’s more on the voters than the player, though, as the 29-year-old has always been one of the better punters in the sport. Now, he’ll be paid as such.

Grade: B-

Broncos sign RB J.K. Dobbins to one-year, $2.75 million contract

This contract is worth up to — my favorite caveat — $5.25 million, based on incentives. If Dobbins reaches those unspecified incentives, this will be a good deal for Denver. If he doesn’t and his injury woes continue, it won’t be. It’s really that simple.

The Broncos’ running back situation was one of — and probably still is — the worst in the NFL, so a healthy Dobbins will boost the attack. The team selected RJ Harvey in the second round of this past draft, but the pick was an obvious reach. Any belief that the UCF product could be the feature back as a rookie was mostly unfound.

A time share in the backfield in Denver is a near certainty, especially given Dobbins’ history of missing games. It’s still a surprise how cool the 26-year-old’s market was. This isn’t much of a risk for the Broncos, as Dobbins remains an interesting talent. After all, he boasts a career average of 5.2 yards per carry. The tailback’s mark was a bit lower last season, but he still recorded 905 rushing yards on 195 carries.

The ability has always been there for the 2020 second-round pick. The question, since 2021, has been whether or not Dobbins can stay on the field. A Broncos team hoping to win a playoff game or two in 2025 sure hopes so.

Grade: B+