News Around the NFL: Panthers Trade Jeff Otah, Bring In Louis Murphy

The Carolina Panthers made a couple of interesting trades on Monday, moving former first round pick Jeff Otah to the New York Jets for a seventh round conditional draft pick, as well as acquiring wide receiver Louis Murphy from the Oakland Raiders for a seventh rounder, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The deal for Murphy is a very good one in my opinion for the Panthers. Murphy is used to playing in a run-oriented offense, and the Raiders could afford to get rid of him because they have excellent overall depth at the receiver position. For Carolina, it gives Cam Newton another speedy weapon with some size, and a guy who is a really tough receiver who has had some injury problems.

Otah has been injury prone throughout his career, and he will compete with Wayne Hunter to start at right tackle for the Jets. He was a starter for the Panthers, but they apparently like their situation at the right tackle position without him.

In other NFL news, the top five picks of the draft are almost all under contract now. According to reports, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a deal with first round pick Trent Richardson. Richardson was the third overall pick in the draft after the Browns traded up one slot to ensure his spot on their roster. Now, he will be in time for training camp.

Ian Rappaport of NFL.com also reported that the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a four year deal with first round pick Morris Claiborne. Claiborne was the sixth overall pick of the 2012 draft and figures to be one of the top rookies in the 2012 class of players. The Cowboys moved up from the 14th slot in order to acquire the rights to draft him.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks have reached a new contract agreement with defensive end Chris Clemons, who was scheduled to make four million dollars this season.

Also, Chad Johnson is back. The new Miami Dolphins receiver changed his name for just over 400 bucks to no longer be an “Ochocinco.”