Extra Points: Gregory, Texans, Bengals
Here’s a look at the latest from around the NFL as the 2015 draft continues:
- Representatives for Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, whom the Cowboys chose 60th overall, made it clear before the draft that he’d need significant support from his NFL team, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That support is expected to include a security person and personal handler for Gregory, whose draft stock plummeted because of off-field concerns – notably marijuana use and potential mental health issues.
- The Texans aren’t going to trade cornerback Johnathan Joseph, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). The nine-year veteran is entering the final season of his contract, but McClain reports that his place on the team is safe.
- The Bengals filled a need along their offensive line Thursday when they used their first-round pick on Texas A&M tackle Cedric Ogbuehi. Had Ogbuehi been gone before then, the Bengals would’ve selected Oregon’s Jake Fisher, tweets ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. As luck would have it, Fisher was still available at No. 53, the Bengals’ second-rounder, so they were also able to land him.
- Before drafting Mississippi cornerback Senqeuz Golson with the 56th pick, the Steelers attempted to move up and grab LSU’s Jalen Collins, who went 42nd to the Falcons, reports Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (via Twitter). They also liked Utah’s Eric Rowe, whom the Eagles selected at No. 47.
- Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said he traded up for Hobart guard Ali Marpet because offensive line depth in the draft was shrinking, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com tweeted. The Bucs selected Marpet in the second round after sending the 65th and 109th picks to the Colts for Nos. 61 and 128.
- Michigan defensive end Frank Clark, whom the Seahawks chose with the 63rd pick, said he had a lot of pre-draft contact with the team, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Clark’s agent told him that the Seahawks “had a man crush on [Clark],” according to Condotta.
Chiefs Acquire No. 76 Pick From Vikings
The Chiefs have moved up four spots in the third round of the draft, acquiring the No. 76 from the Vikings (Twitter link). Minnesota GM Rick Spielman had talked earlier this week about wanting to pick up extra picks, and he’ll do so here, sliding down to No. 80 — the Vikes receive a sixth-round pick (No. 193) as part of the swap (Twitter link).
With that 76th pick, the Chiefs selected a wide receiver, adding Georgia speedster Chris Conley to the roster. Conley figures to be a deep threat to complement noteworthy free agent signee Jeremy Maclin in Kansas City.
Texans Acquire No. 70 Pick From Jets
The Texans have acquired the 70th overall pick from the Jets and used it to selected Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong. Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links) reported the trade, which sees Jets GM Mike Maccagnan striking a deal with his old team.
According to Mike Wilkering of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link), in exchange for moving down 12 spots to No. 82, the Jets also received a fifth-round pick (No. 152), a seventh-round pick (No. 229), and wide receiver DeVier Posey.
Posey, 26, has 22 career receptions for the Texans in his three NFL seasons. Meanwhile, that 229th pick was initially acquired by Houston earlier tonight from Cleveland.
Seahawks Acquire 69th Pick From Washington
The Seahawks have acquired the 69th overall pick from Washington, tweets Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan. Jayson Braddock of ESPN 97.5 reports (Twitter) that Seattle will select Kansas State wide receiver and returner Tyler Lockett. In addition to swapping third-round picks (69 for 95), Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets that Washington will acquire a fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-rounder from the Seahawks. Those are the 112th, 167th, and 181st picks, respectively.
Buccaneers Acquire 61st Pick From Colts
The Buccaneers have acquired the 61st pick from the Colts in exchange for No. 65, according to Mike Chappell of Fox59 (Twitter link), and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that the Bucs will select Hobart guard Ali Marpet. Stroud also reports (Twitter) that the teams will swap fourth-round picks, Indy receiving the 109th choice and Tampa getting No. 128.
Ravens Acquire 55th Pick From Cardinals
The Ravens have acquired the 55th pick from the Cardinals, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, and Andy Slater of 940-AM WINZ reports (Twitter) they will select Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams. The Cards will receive a second-round pick (No. 58) and fifth-rounder (No. 158), according to the NFL’s official Twitter account.
Draft Notes: Gregory, Jags, Eagles, Titans
The latest notes concerning the ongoing 2015 NFL Draft:
- Despite possessing immense talent, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory wasn’t one of the first 50 players taken in the draft. One reason, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is that Gregory missed at least three pre-draft meetings with various teams, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. That “alienated” some clubs, per Schefter.
- Jaguars general manager David Caldwell, who selected Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon in the second round, tried to trade back into the first round Thursday to land either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon, tweets NFL.com’s Michael Silver. Both went in the top 15, however, which was too high for the Jags to trade up.
- The Eagles tried to acquire the 45th pick from the Vikings, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link), before Minnesota used the selection on UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks. Philadelphia ended up moving from the 52nd pick to No. 47 and taking Utah defensive back Eric Rowe – whom Chip Kelly expected to go higher, per Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter).
- After the Titans traded down from the 33rd overall pick to the 40th selection on Friday, general manager Ruston Webster said they were able to do so because there were four or five players on the board they liked. Therefore, Webster felt moving down was a worthwhile risk, tweets Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com. The Titans ended up taking former Missouri and Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham with the 40th pick.
- The mother of new Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker, the 14th pick, had some choice words for Cleveland. “We didn’t want him going to Cleveland,” Reneca Parker said Friday, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald.“They don’t have a team, really, or a quarterback.” The Browns passed on Parker at No. 12, which pleased Dolphins football czar Mike Tannenbaum.“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the result,” he said.
Eagles Acquire 47th Pick From Dolphins
The Eagles will acquire the 47th overall pick from the Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), and will select Utah defensive back Eric Rowe, tweets Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. In return, Miami will receive Philly’s second-round choice and two fifth-rounders (Nos. 52, 145, and 156). The Eagles will also get a sixth-rounder (No. 191), per Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk (Twitter).
Texans Acquire 43rd Pick From Browns
The Texans have swung a deal with the Browns, moving up to the 43rd overall pick, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Houston will also receive a seventh-rounder from Cleveland (the 229th pick), while the Browns will get a second-, fourth-, and sixth-rounder (the 51st, 116th and 195th selections), reports Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
With the 43rd pick, the Texans chose Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney.
Panthers Acquire 41st Pick From Rams
The Panthers have acquired the 41st pick from the Rams for a second-, third-, and sixth-rounder, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The selections the Rams will receive are the 57th, 89th, and 201st, respectively.
Carolina will take Michigan tight end/wide receiver Devin Funchess with the 41st choice, according to ESPN’s David Newton (Twitter link).