Browns gain speed, trade draft picks as they get Jets’ Moore
Raiders, ex-Titan Hooper sign deal
CLEVELAND — Elijah Moore wanted out of New York. The Browns wanted speed. Both got their wish. Cleveland added another offensive playmaker and target for quarterback Deshaun Watson on Wednesday, acquiring Moore in a trade with the Jets, who have overhauled their receiving group this offseason — perhaps in advance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ arrival.
The Browns have agreed to send the No. 42 pick in this year’s draft to the Jets for Moore and the No. 74 selection. The deal’s completion is pending a physical.
The Jets are parting ways with Moore, a second-round pick in 2021, shortly after agreeing to terms with former Kansas City wide receiver Mecole Hardman on a one-year deal, according to a person with knowledge of the contract.
New York will have picks No. 42 and 43 — as well as No. 13 overall. Earlier in free agency, the Jets signed former Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard and have been working toward a possible deal for Rodgers.
Cleveland made its major quarterback move last year, sending three first-round picks to Houston for Watson in a controversial trade. Now they’re adding a downfield threat for Watson in Moore, who can play in the slot, backfield or line up outside. He’ll complement receivers Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
RAIDERS: Las Vegas might have found its replacement for Darren Waller, signing tight end Austin Hooper.
Las Vegas also announced it had signed cornerback David Long Jr., who played for the Los Angeles Rams the past four seasons.
Hooper caught 41 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Tennessee Titans.
TEXANS: Houston doesn’t know who its quarterback will be next season and beyond.
But whoever it is will be well protected with left tackle Laremy Tunsil signing a three-year $75 million extension that makes him the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL and will keep him in Houston through the 2026 season.
Tunsil was entering the final year of a three-year $66 million contract extension he signed in 2020.
“I’m glad to be here with H-Town for another four years,” he said Wednesday. “It was very important to stay here. I consider this home.”
The Texans have the No. 2 pick in the draft and will likely draft Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud to try and find a franchise quarterback after dealing Deshaun Watson to Cleveland last season following his trade request and legal problems.
VIKINGS: Minnesota agreed to terms with two free agents: wide receiver Brandon Powell and linebacker Troy Reeder. The contracts were pending completion of their physical exams.
Powell played the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and had 24 catches for 156 yards in 2022. He initially latched on as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2018 with the Detroit Lions. Powell is also a return specialist, with 57 career kickoff returns and 49 career punt returns. He had a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Vikings on Dec. 26, 2021.