Wednesday's NFL free agency roundup

Day 2 of the NFL's free agency frenzy began with another bunch of signings. Even Ray Lewis got a new deal — with ESPN.

The Denver Broncos pulled off perhaps the most notable signing Tuesday, agreeing to a two-year deal with Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker.

Broncos boss John Elway announced the move through his Twitter account Wednesday. Said Elway: "Excited to have Wes join the Broncos. His production & toughness will be a great asset!"

Welker is the premier slot receiver in the league, catching 118 passes for 1,354 yards and six TDs last season. He has developed quite a rapport with Tom Brady during his time with the Patriots. The Broncos are banking the same kind of relationship can develop between Peyton Manning and Welker.

Earlier in the day, Denver agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent linebacker Stewart Bradley, who played last season for Arizona.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the biggest splash in the financial sense, signing free agent safety Dashon Goldson to a $41.25 million, five-year contract Wednesday.

Goldson receives $8.25 million per year and $22 million in guaranteed money, a person with knowledge of the contract said, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the terms weren't announced. Goldson was expected to be introduced later Wednesday at team headquarters.

He spent the past two seasons on one-year contracts with the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, including last year with the franchise tag for $6.2 million. Goldson made it clear he sought a long-term deal for his future security, and he got it across the country with the Bucs.

The 28-year-old Goldson, a two-time Pro Bowler, had 69 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble for San Francisco last year in his sixth NFL season.

Tampa Bay is counting on the addition of Goldson to boost its defense and help a team that finished 7-9 last season — with three more wins than the Bucs had in 2011. The Bucs were last in the NFL defending the pass in 2012, and haven't re-signed 16-year veteran defensive back Ronde Barber.

Kansas City remained busy by adding cornerback Dunta Robinson, late of the Falcons, to the three free agents it signed the previous day when the marketplace opened. The Chiefs, who have the No. 1 pick in next month's draft after a 2-14 season, agreed to deals with tight end Anthony Fasano, defensive tackle Mike DeVito, and quarterback Chase Daniel on Tuesday, when they also finalized the trade with San Francisco for starting QB Alex Smith.

After hiring Andy Reid as coach and John Dorsey as general manager, the Chiefs signed wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt to long-term deals and franchised left tackle Branden Albert.

Cleveland, another NFL also-ran, was just as active, agreeing to terms with linebacker Quentin Groves and tackle Desmond Bryant to further bolster a defense that added Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger hours after free agency began.

"With the additions of Paul and Desmond, we believe that we have significantly improved our defense overall, particularly our front seven," Browns CEO Joe Banner said.

Kruger is one of many Super Bowl winners to leave the Ravens, including hard-hitting safety Bernard Pollard, who was released Wednesday. The biggest loss for Baltimore was an expected departure: Lewis announced in early January that he was ending his 17-year career. Then he led the Ravens to the championship.

On Wednesday, he joined ESPN as a studio analyst — an intense one, no doubt.

"I'm ready to bring the same level of passion to this next phase of my life as I brought to the field during my years as a player," Lewis said.

Baltimore signed defensive lineman Chris Canty, offensive lineman Ramon Harewood and running back Damien Berry.

Also Wednesday:

*Chicago released tight end Kellen Davis after signing Martellus Bennett away from the Giants on Tuesday to replace him.

*The Giants signed 11-year veteran kicker Josh Brown, who joins former Cowboys kicker David Buehler on the roster and apparently indicating free agent Lawrence Tynes won't be back. Tynes has made winning field goals in to NFC championship games in overtime and the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in those seasons.

*Pittsburgh found its backup to QB Ben Roethlisberger in a Steel City native, Bruce Gradkowski. The 30-year-old Gradkowski is 6-14 as a starter with Oakland, Cleveland and Tampa Bay. He spent the 2011-12 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in five games.

Pittsburgh also released oft-injured offensive lineman Willie Colon.

*Jacksonville released receiver Laurent Robinson, the latest high-priced player let go as part of the team's rebuilding project. Robinson signed a five-year, $32.5 million free agent-contract last season before missing considerable time with concussions.

"It's unfortunate, but it's part of the business," Robinson said. "Got to keep your head up and keep moving. Can't ever be surprised in this league."

*Tennessee agreed to terms on a multi-year deal with fullback Quinn Johnson, who has been one of Chris Johnson's lead blockers with the Titans.

*Buffalo addressed a need at linebacker by signing seven-year veteran Manny Lawson. The Bills are switching from a 4-3 alignment to a 3--4 under new coordinator Mike Pettine.