2014 April - Pro Football Rumors

NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Thomas

April 6th, 2014 at 3:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest out of the NFC West:

Despite his listing right tackle as the Cardinals’ biggest need, ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss doesn’t see the team re-signing Eric Winston. The veteran offensive lineman, who was recently elected president of the NFLPA, lacks the durability that the Cardinals need. The team will either look to the draft for an RT, or use Bobby Massie or Bradley Sowell, both of whom played left tackle last season.
The Cardinals signed two cornerbacks last week, but that doesn’t mean they won’t add to the position in the first round of the draft, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Neither of the two cornerbacks (LeQuan Lewis and Eddie Whitley) were given a signing bonus, and neither is guaranteed a roster spot. The signings point to the Cardinals’ preference for, in Urban’s words, “a fluid roster.” In terms of the draft, Arizona has been linked to TCU cornerback Jason Verrett.
Though the upcoming draft is considered one of the deepest in recent memory, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com wonders how far the Rams can trade down from No. 2 and still land an impact player. Wagoner also notes that simply finding a trade partner could prove difficult if the quarterback-needy teams remain lukewarm on this year’s class of signal-callers.
Earl Thomas is still considered first-in-line to get an extension from the Seahawks, and a deal could be struck between now and the draft, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
Condotta thinks the Seahawks will draft at least one defensive lineman to replenish the depth they lost during free agency, but also believes that several young players such as Greg Scruggs and Benson Mayowa could be contributors in 2014.
Pete Carroll’s extension probably won’t have much of an impact on contract discussions between Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers, notes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. Carroll had only a lone season remaining on his deal and now has a Super Bowl championship on his résumé , while Harbaugh has two seasons left on his contract, and has not won a title (despite reaching the NFC Championship game in each of his three seasons at the helm).

AFC Notes: Manziel, Patriots, Manuel, Draft

April 6th, 2014 at 1:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Johnny Manziel will be spending the next two days visiting with the Raiders, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The former Texas A&M quarterback, who met privately with the Patriots last week, is expected to be a top-15 pick in next month’s draft. Though the Raiders acquired veteran signal-caller Matt Schaub last month via trade, the team could still look to add youth at the quarterback position with the No. 5 overall selection. Oakland’s QB depth chart also contains Matt McGloin, who is expected to be the primary backup, and Terrelle Pryor, who will likely be traded or released.

Other news items from the AFC:

If the Patriots trade up from pick No. 29, it could be to select a receiver like USC’s Marqise Lee or LSU’s Odell Beckham, Jr., writes Doug Kyed of NESN.com.
Kyed notes within the same piece that running back Chris Johnson, released last week by the Titans, could interest the Patriots, but not at the price that he will likely command.
Middle Tennessee State offensive guard Josh Walker will have a private workout with the Colts’ offensive line coach, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Walker will also meet with the Saints on April 9.
The Bills are “all in” on second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel, meaning they will not select one of the “big three” QBs expected to go in the first round of the draft, opines Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.
Trading down in the draft makes sense for the Chiefs, says ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. The Chiefs do not have a second-round pick this year, having sent it to the 49ers in exchange for quarterback Alex Smith.

Alex Mack Notes: Sunday

April 6th, 2014 at 12:48pm CST by Rory Parks

We learned yesterday that it may only be a matter of time before the Jaguars extend an offer sheet to center Alex Mack. The parties met on Friday night, and it appears that they have been talking a potential deal since that meeting took place. If Mack does sign an offer sheet with another club, the Browns would have five days to match. We will start you off this Sunday with a few notes regarding Mack, and if any further developments unfold over the course of the day, we will post them here. Newest updates will be on top.

Overthecap.com looks at how the Jaguars might try to construct an offer sheet to pry Mack away from Cleveland, comparing the Mack situation to that of Andrew Hawkins, the restricted free agent wide receiver that the Browns signed away from the Bengals earlier this offseason.
In response to earlier reports that another club would have to extend Mack an offer sheet that includes $22MM in guaranteed money over the first three years of the deal to keep Cleveland from matching the offer, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of Mack’s situation, says that the Browns would match such an offer “in a second.”

Earlier updates:

Citing a league source, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets that an offer sheet to Mack would need to include $22MM in guaranteed money over the first three years of the deal to dissuade Cleveland from matching.
Cleveland may have no other choice but to match an offer sheet to Mack, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. It would have cost the Browns an additional $1.6MM to put the franchise tag on Mack, rather than the transition tag, but the two first-round draft picks associated with the franchise tag would have prevented any other team from extending an offer to the talented center. Given that the Browns still have about $30MM in cap space–compared to the Jaguars’ $25MM–Florio wonders how the Cleveland brass could justify letting Mack walk without receiving any sort of draft pick compensation for the sake of a relatively paltry $1.6MM savings.
Tony Grossi of ESPN.com writes that Mack’s purported interest in the Jaguars serves to refute the notion that all he cares about is winning. Instead, as Grossi writes, “maybe stepping off the treadmill in Cleveland is his main goal.“

Extra Points: Wheaton, Wilson, Ravens

April 6th, 2014 at 12:44pm CST by Rory Parks

Although the Steelers were prepared to lose WR Emmanuel Sanders in free agency, they did not expect to lose Jerricho Cotchery as well, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gaztte. Although the team replaced Cotchery with the similarly-reliable Lance Moore, Pittsburgh is still looking to add a big-bodied receiver in the draft.

The Steelers, like many teams, would like to draft Texas A&M WR Mike Evans, but Evans’ strong combine performance might have put him out of reach for Pittsburgh, who hold the N0. 15 overall selection. So, even though they are still likely to take a receiver early in the draft–perhaps with that No. 15 pick–the development of second-year player Markus Wheaton will be critical to the Steelers’ offensive success.

Wheaton dazzled in training camp last year but was primarily a special teams contributor during the regular season, appearing in 11 games and catching 6 passes for 64 yards. He will have ample opportunity to show Steelers coaches what he can do this summer, but he will likely have at least one high-ceiling rookie nipping at his heels.

Some more notes from around the league:

Mike Wells of ESPN.com examines whether recently-released S Adrian Wilson could be a fit for the Colts. He writes that while GM Ryan Grigson will explore all options, the Colts already have two players in the secondary who could not stay healthy last season–LaRon Landry and Greg Toler–and do not need to add another. Free agent safety Kurt Coleman visited the team last week, and safeties Jimmie Ward and Terrence Brooks are possibilities in the second round of the draft.
Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, just as he did yesterday, takes a look at some more impacts of Chris Johnson‘s departure on the Titans, noting that the team is likely to take a running back-by-committee approach.
Although inside linebacker has not been discussed as a major position of need for the Ravens after the re-signing of Daryl Smith and the expected emergence of second-year man Arthur Brown, head coach John Harbaugh would like to add one or two inside linebackers to the roster, according to Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com. Harbaugh made no mention of Rolando McClain, whose rights the team still holds.

Pro Day Dilemma: Cleveland Browns

April 6th, 2014 at 11:35am CST by Rory Parks

Although the Browns have taken some heat for failing to attend the Pro Day workouts of some of the more talented prospects in this year’s draft, a number of writers and analysts have come to the team’s defense. Citing an NFL executive whose team holds a top-10 selection in the draft, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that a Pro Day can be useful for a number of things, including the chance to see how a player interacts with coaches, scouts, and teammates, and how the player has improved or declined since the combine, which helps to evaluate work habits.

Nonetheless, the executive notes that, “At the end of the day, the tape and the fall grades are the most important grades.” Volin adds that the private visits and workouts that follow a player’s Pro Day are the evaluations that “really matter,” and although the Browns have been a no-show at a number of notable Pro Days, they are still “working each player individually and likely bringing them to Cleveland for visits with coaches and top personnel.” And, as long-time college scout Greg Gabriel says, “Cleveland is on the right page with this. [Private workouts are] more of a reactive than prepared workout. The Cleveland coaches are running the workout, the quarterback doesn’t know what to expect. They can put him in the meeting room, put him on the board, teach him some things, see how fast he can repaint it, and then carry it over to the practice field right away.”

Of course, Cleveland’s front office turmoil this offseason could explain some of the team’s Pro Day absences. As Tony Grossi of ESPN.com writes, new head coach Mike Pettine prefers having his full staff assembled at this time to construct and finalize the team’s playbooks. Grossi adds, however, that Pettine’s explanation and the front office shuffle, while explanatory factors, do not excuse the team’s failure to attend certain Pro Days.

Grossi’s tone suggests that he might be in the camp that believes Cleveland should be a more active attendee. Nonetheless, the logic of those who defend the Browns in this regard is sound, and it should at least give Browns fans one less reason to panic.

For what it’s worth, the Browns were represented at Jadeveon Clowney‘s impressive Pro Day last week.

AFC East Notes: Beckham, Martin, Jacobs

April 6th, 2014 at 10:26am CST by Rory Parks

We learned Friday that the Jets would be hosting LSU WR Odell Beckham, Jr. for a pre-draft visit later this week. According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. believes that of the three wideouts most frequently linked to the Jets–Beckham, Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks, and USC’s Marqise Lee–Beckham and Cooks make the most sense.

Kiper states that Beckham offers a complete skill-set as a pure receiver, and Cooks offers the explosiveness that would complement newly-signed Eric Decker nicely while allowing Jeremy Kerley to shift to the slot. Lee, meanwhile, might not have the speed that the Jets would covet at this point.

Now for some more news on the AFC East:

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald takes an extensive look at how the Dolphins might go about upgrading their offensive line in the draft. Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin is one possibility for Miami, who holds the No. 19 overall pick, as he is a technically-gifted player capable of playing both guard and right tackle at a high level. However, he would have to fall past Pittsburgh at No. 15 and Baltimore at No. 17, both of whom have needs on the offensive line and who have been linked to Martin.
We learned yesterday that the Patriots have structured their salary cap to allow for the addition of Tom Brady‘s successor. Although Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com does not state that the team believes it will land that successor in this year’s draft, he does write that, with Ryan Mallett entering his contract year, adding a third quarterback is a guarantee.
Reiss adds that there is no chance New England will trade Mallett, given that his value as a player who knows the system and who looks to be capable of serving as an adequate insurance policy for Brady is far greater than the late-round pick the team might be able to land in a trade.
Jerry Zremski of the Buffalo News writes that billionaire Buffalo native and Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs would be interested in buying the Bills. Jacobs’ emergence on the scene–along with other factors that could complicate a move to a larger, more lucrative market–is another reason for Bills fans to remain optimistic that the team will stay put.

Lions Notes: Fairley, Backup QBs

April 6th, 2014 at 9:37am CST by Rory Parks

As a first-round pick under the the new CBA, Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley received a four-year deal with a fifth-year club option. As our Luke Adams wrote several weeks ago, the Lions declined to exercise that fifth-year option, which is worth about $5.5MM this season. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News says that the Lions’ decision in that regard is a “proactive risk.”

As McCosky writes, after several years of toiling at community college and Auburn, Fairley saw a “multi-million dollar-carrot dangling in front of him in the form of the NFL draft,” so Fairley re-dedicated himself in 2010. Indeed, “Fairley finally put in the time to get his body in shape, finally put in the time to understand the finer points of playing defensive tackle and, lo and behold, he became the most dominant player defensive player in the country, helping Auburn win the national championship.”

According to McCosky, the Lions are hoping that history repeats itself. By not picking up his option, Detroit hopes that Fairley will devote himself to his craft with the same intensity he displayed in 2010 and that the team will reap the rewards. Of course, if that should happen, then it will suggest that perhaps Fairley is one of those players that can consistently perform at an elite level only when he is at risk of losing a big payday.

Several other quick notes from Motown:

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press names Fairley as one of the five players for whom this offseason looms largest. He writes that the Lions continue to insist they are interested in a long-term deal with the big defensive tackle if he shows up to camp in shape and demonstrates a more consistent work ethic.
Another player who faces a pivotal offseason, writes Birkett, is quarterback Kellen Moore. The Lions signed Dan Orlovsky several days ago, and although Moore could still win the job as Matthew Stafford‘s backup, ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein writes, “There was no way new Lions coach Jim Caldwell, who lost his job in Indianapolis in part due to not having an experienced backup behind Peyton Manning in 2011, was going to go into his first season without a seasoned backup.“
In the same piece, Rothstein says it would not be a surprise to see the Lions draft a QB late to provide even more camp competition.

Extra Points: Johnson, Mack, Carroll, Clowney

April 5th, 2014 at 9:57pm CST by Zachary Links

This probably wasn’t what Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had when he built AT&T Stadium. Jones was in attendance for tonight’s first Final Four game between UConn and Florida and was showered with boos in his own house when he was put on the 72×160 feet big screen, writes Chris Chase of USA Today. For Jones to get cheers in North Texas once again, the Cowboys will have to do better than 8-8 in 2014. Here’s tonight’s look around the NFL..

Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk ran down the potential suitors for free agent running back Chris Johnson. Wilkening rightfully notes that the Jets are in need of a playmaker on offense while the Colts know the former Titans tailback well and are willing to spend for veteran talent. The Giants could also be in the mix since they got little out of their tailbacks last season.
What direction will the Titans go in after moving on from the face of their franchise? Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean looks at life after CJ2K in Tennessee.
The feeling one year ago was that Browns center Alex Mack wanted a short-term contract so that he could go through free agency for a second time in his prime, tweets Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland.
Pete Carroll‘s new deal with the Seahawks ensures that he’ll continue to lead in Seattle with his unusual tactics, writes Larry Stone of the Seattle Times. Carroll agreed to a new three-year extension with the defending champs earlier this week.
Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle wonders if Jadeveon Clowney is the next Lawrence Taylor, the next Mario Williams, or a monumental bust waiting to happen.
The staff at CSNChicago.com profiled Stanford tailback Tyler Gaffney and looked at how he could possibly fit with the Bears. Gaffney figures to be a fourth or fifth round selection.

Browns Rumors: Burleson, Mack, Jaguars

April 5th, 2014 at 7:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars hosted Browns free agent center Alex Mack earlier today and it sounds like Jacksonville could be on the verge of extending an offer sheet to him. As the Browns anxiously await the outcome of that situation, let’s take a look at the latest out of Cleveland..

Free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson is having dinner with head coach Mike Pettine and wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel tonight in Cleveland, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. We heard earlier today that Burleson was set to meet with Browns brass, so tonight’s pow-wow doesn’t come as a surprise. The 32-year-old racked up 191 catches from 2009-2011 but has struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons. Burleson met with the Dolphins earlier this week and Cabot says they’re still in play.
If the Browns sign Burleson, he’ll be there as a depth signing, writes Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. If Cleveland added the veteran, Reed notes that it likely wouldn’t dissuade them frm drafting a wide receiver to play opposite Josh Gordon. The Browns also added Andrew Hawkins last month to help them in the slot.
If the Jaguars are serious about signing Mack, they may need to play with the pay structure to scare off the Browns, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap. Of course, the Browns did something similar with Hawkins’ contract in order to get the Bengals to back off.
To keep the Browns from matching, the Jaguars might have to offer $25-30MM guaranteed to Mack over the first three years, Cabot suggests (on Twitter).
With more than $30MM in cap room to work with, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal looks at Cleveland’s remaining holes.

Latest On Jaguars, Alex Mack

April 5th, 2014 at 6:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars and center Alex Mack met last night and it may not be long before Jacksonville extends an offer sheet to the restricted free agent. League sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer that if both sides feel it’s a good fit, the Jaguars will make a pitch to take the Pro Bowler away from the Browns. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com) hears from a pair of sources that the two sides continue to talk about a potential deal.

Jacksonville has a significant void at center following the exit Brad Meester, who retired after 14 seasons with the team. Mack, 28, represents the very best available option at the position and would fortify the Jaguars’ offensive line for 2014 and beyond. By the same token, losing Mack would leave the Browns with a sizable hole in the middle. If Mack signs an offer sheet with the Jags, or any other club, Cleveland will have five days to match.

As the Browns’ transition player, Mack would make a little more than $10MM in 2014 if he stays put. The Browns could have kept him out of reach from other clubs with the franchise tag, but that would have called for a $11.6MM salary in ’14. The Browns have an estimated ~$31MM of cap space which should give them the financial flexibility to match an offer sheet.