I expected the Carolina Panthers and first overall pick Cam Newton to reach terms Friday, and the two sides have agreed on a four-year, $22 million contract, according to a league source.

I continue to hear a lot of rumblings about the Bengals and unrestricted free agent Cedric Benson, who is still on the list of free agent running backs on the white board in my man cave at NFL Network.

The New York Giants are working diligently to retain their key free agents, mostly notably RB Ahmad Bradshaw.

A trade sending Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton to the Miami Dolphins is now very unlikely.

The Arizona Cardinals made a splash this week by trading for QB Kevin Kolb, and now they’re close to adding to their defense — pulling again from the Eagles roster.

Matt Moore is reportedly signing with the Dolphins. The big question now: Where does that leave the rumored trade for Kyle Orton?

The Broncos expect to audition running backs over the weekend, a group that could include Willis McGahee.

The Buffalo Bills signed DT Marcell Dareus, the third overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, to a fully guaranteed four-year, $20.4 million contract, according to a league source.

According to a league source, FB Brian Leonard has agreed to a two-year deal to stay in Cincinnati.

A league source has told me the New York Jets will release QB Kevin O’Connell and are in the process of re-working the contract of veteran QB Mark Brunell.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to terms with Atlanta Falcons unrestricted free agent Michael Koenen on the biggest contract in NFL history for a punter on Friday. The six-year deal is worth $19.5 million with $6.5 million guaranteed, according to a league source.

For what its worth, Daunte Culpepper tells me still wants to play NFL.

Michael Crabtree is injured, Darren Sproles is in New Orleans, and Roy Williams is a Bear. Find out the fantasy implications right here.

Prize free agent Nnamdi Asomugha will choose between signing with the Jets and Cowboys, reports NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi.

Safety Dawan Landry is very close to a deal with the Jaguars, according to a league source. The deal could be completed Friday.