Broncos Acquire 23rd Pick From Lions
FRIDAY, 2:43pm: Ramirez has passed his physical, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com on Twitter, making the trade official.
THURSDAY, 9:31pm: The Broncos have traded up, acquiring the No. 23 pick from the Lions, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 (Twitter link). Denver will use the pick to select Missouri pass rusher Shane Ray, tweets Mike Klis of 9 News. Detroit will receive the Broncos’ No. 28 pick, a fifth-rounder (143), a 2016 fifth-rounder, and offensive lineman Manny Ramirez.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link), the deal was agreed to on Wednesday. Presumably, Denver agreed to the deal in principle with the hope that Ray was still on the board. Of course, Ray, once projected as a top-ten pick, saw his stock tumble following his recent arrest for marijuana possession. He’s also dealing with a foot injury that could force him to miss the beginning of the season.
Ramirez, meanwhile, will slot in at left guard for Detroit, who has yet to re-sign their own free agent guard, Rob Sims. Ramirez played more than 1,000 snaps for the Broncos last season, seeing time at both center and guard.
Extra Points: Falcons, Bennett, Spikes, Stacy
Some assorted, non-prospect related notes from around the NFL…
- Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff denied a report that the team was working a trade to land Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. “He’s under contract,” Dimitroff said on 92.9 The Game this morning. “I didn’t give it a second thought.” Irvin, an Atlanta native, played for Falcons head coach Dan Quinn for the past two seasons in Seattle.
- Bears tight end Martellus Bennett told NFL Network (video link) that he’s extremely high on first round choice Kevin White. While it’s not proof positive that Bennett is staying in Chicago, it could be a sign that he anticipates staying put this season. Bennett was rumored to be a trade candidate earlier this week.
- Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was contacted on Thursday night about his interest in free agent linebacker Brandon Spikes, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP TV in Minneapolis (via Twitter). Spielman passed on the offer, as Wolfson notes that the GM is confident he’ll get a linebacker in the draft.
- Following reports that Rams running back Zac Stacy requested a trade, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets that representatives for the former fifth-rounder met with the organization. While it was a productive meeting, Thomas notes that a a decision hasn’t been made regarding Stacy’s future with the team. The Rams selected Georgia running back Todd Gurley with the tenth pick of the first round.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Latest On La’el Collins
It was only two weeks ago that La’el Collins was expected to be selected in the first round. Plenty has changed since then, as Baton Rouge police would like to speak to the former LSU offensive lineman regarding the murder of his ex-girlfriend. The vicarious involvement in the case has resulted in the guard’s stock plummeting, even though he hasn’t been named a suspect.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), Collins will meet with investigators on Monday, and teams are hoping to have “reports from security directors” by this evening. Meanwhile, NFL.com’s Albert Breer tweets that the player’s attorney contacted all 32 NFL teams to “explain Collins’ situation.”
More on Collins…
- LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron told Gil Brandt of NFL.com (on Twitter) that he never had a single problem with Collins in college. “He was perfect for us,” Cameron said. Of course, teams are concerned about much more than Collins’ work ethic and attitude at this juncture.
- Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that Collins isn’t getting drafted.
- Meanwhile, Saints head coach Sean Payton said on PFT Live that he believes the offensive lineman will be selected on Friday evening (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com)
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC Draft Notes: 49ers, Thompson, Bucs, Gregory
NFL.com’s Marc Sessler explores which teams could move up during Friday’s portion of the draft. The Cowboys and Cardinals top the list, as the writer believes the teams could make a move for a targeted running back. The Lions are a candidate to move up and grab a defensive lineman, while the Saints could target a young quarterback.
Let’s take a look at some more draft notes from the NFC…
- 49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters (video link on 49ers’ website) that he didn’t draft defensive end Arik Armstead as insurance against Justin Smith‘s possible retirement. Smith’s status for 2015 and beyond is still up in the air but Baalke has said all along that his uncertain status wouldn’t affect the team’s draft plans.
- If linebacker Shaq Thompson hadn’t been selected by the Panthers at pick No. 25, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times says (via Twitter) the Cowboys were ready to “pounce” at No. 27.
- Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says (via Twitter) the Buccaneers are “thrilled” that offensive tackles Jake Fisher (Oregon) and T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) are still one the board. The writer notes that the team will target one of the lineman with pick No. 34.
- Meanwhile, ESPN’s Ed Werder says Randy Gregory is on the Buccaneers draft board, which indicates that the embattled linebacker is also being considered at pick No. 34 (Twitter link).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Titans Select Marcus Mariota With No. 2 Pick
FRIDAY, 12:35pm: Despite reports suggesting that Mettenberger was seeking a trade, his agent, Joe Linta, told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that the quarterback does not want to be moved (Twitter link). Instead, last year’s sixth-round pick just wants an opportunity to compete with Mariota.
THURSDAY, 7:21pm: The Titans have selected Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick. Mariota, the 2014 Heisman trophy winner, will head to Tennessee, despite rampant rumors of the Titans trading down.
Mariota passed for more than 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading Oregon to the National Championship Game against Ohio State. Multiple clubs were reportedly interested in trading up to the second overall pick to draft Mariota, with Mariota’s former college coach, Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly, among those most interested in moving up. The Browns, Bears, and Chargers all had varying levels of interest in moving up for Mariota, but he’ll be a Titan instead.
2014 draftee Zach Mettenberger, the Titans’ incumbent QB, presumably now has no future with the club, and as such, his agent wants his client traded, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). On the flip side, the Titans aren’t expected to trade Mariota, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
AFC Draft Notes: Pats, Browns, Chargers, Titans
The Patriots have had a number of successful drafts during Bill Belichick‘s tenure, but Malcom Brown is confident he’ll be regarded as one of the best picks in team history.
Following the Patriots’ selection of the hulking defensive lineman last night, the University of Texas standout expressed his confidence to reporters (including Phil Perry of CSNNE.com):
“Ya’ll about to get the best player ya’ll have ever drafted so just be ready for when I touch the field.”
Of course, that may be a bit of an overstatement, especially since the team stole future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady in the sixth round. However, Brady made similar comments following the 2000 draft (also via Perry):
“I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.”
Let’s take a look at some more draft notes out of the AFC…
- Browns GM Ray Farmer denied trying to move up to the No. 2 pick for quarterback Marcus Mariota, as Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. “No, no, no,” Farmer said. “Again, I’ve tried to tell people without telling them specifically, but the answer is no. There were no conversations of trading.”
- The Chargers traded up to No. 15 because Melvin Gordon was the last of seven “impact players” left on their board, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes.
- Meanwhile, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told reporters (including Michael Gehlken of UTSanDiego.com) that he’s open to trading down either Friday or Saturday.
- ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini examines some possible targets for the Jets on the second day of the draft. Among the possibilities are Virginia outside linebacker Eli Harold and Ohio State wideout Devin Smith.
- The Titans like Dorial Green-Beckham, and Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com says he wouldn’t be “shocked” if the team selects the wideout with the 33rd pick (via Twitter).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Draft Rumors: Williams, Gurley, Collins
Some of the latest fallout from the first round..
- Some promising news for Jets fans and Rams fans: teams had USC defensive end Leonard Williams as their top-rated defensive player and at least three had Todd Gurley as their top-ranked offensive player, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- The view on Williams’ shoulder problem is that it’s not a long-term issue and is only a problem that might slow his development a bit, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Jets nabbed the USC star with the No. 6 overall pick last night.
- Several scouts and execs tell John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game (on Twitter) that they feel Randy Gregory is the best player left on the board.
- La’el Collins’ attorney reached out to the security directors for all 32 teams to try to provide clarity on his situation, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Breer (link) feels that it’s unlikely that the LSU offensive lineman will hear his name called tonight, but he could be drafted tomorrow.
Latest On Adrian Peterson
For several weeks, Adrian Peterson‘s agent Ben Dogra has been angling to get his client out of Minnesota. Now, Dogra is changing his tune and says that Peterson is happy to stay, but only if his contract is re-worked.
“One of the things that I appreciate with the Vikings is their resolve to say ‘we’re not trading him,’” Dogra told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “That tells me they value him not only as a football player, but what he’s done for the organization. I actually, as an agent, not only appreciate it — I accept it. But actions speak louder than words. If that’s going to happen, and you want to keep him, then show him a commitment to make him retire as a Viking. And I haven’t had that solution.”
Peterson is scheduled to earn $46MM over the next three years, making him the highest-paid running back in the league. However, none of that cash is guaranteed and Dogra is likely looking for the majority of it to be locked in. Despite the months of rumors and speculation, it sounds like Peterson has resigned himself to the fact that he’ll be in Minnesota for 2015. The question now is whether the Vikings will cave and acquiesce to his contract demands.
East Rumors: Jets, Flowers, Giants
The Jets had cursory talks with the Titans about moving up for the No. 2 , but they weren’t exploring the move to try and land Marcus Mariota, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- Brandon Scherff was higher on the Giants‘ board than Ereck Flowers, but they did not expect Scherff to get to No. 9, Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News tweets. Many speculated that the Giants were left scrambling at No. 9 with Scherff off the board, but it sounds like they were never banking on the Iowa standout.
- The Giants did not make any effort to trade up to the Jets‘ No. 6 pick when USC defensive end Leonard Williams fell to the Jets at that spot, Vacchiano tweets.
- Despite a report to the contrary, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) says the Dolphins have never expressed interest in Evan Mathis of the Eagles.
- More from Salguero (link), who notes that the Dolphins wanted Todd Gurley. According to a team source, they were prepared to move up for him, but didn’t expect him to go as high as he did. “It’s not like we sat on our hands while he went No. 13. He went No. 10,” the source said.
- The Cowboys taking Byron Jones in the first round should create some leverage for a Brandon Carr pay cut and give the Cowboys the upper hand in Orlando Scandrick‘s contract dispute, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com tweets.
Eagles Rumors: Bradford, Kelly, Mariota
Chip Kelly did not trade up for Marcus Mariota, but he did manage to make himself one of the most talked about people last night. The latest from Philly..
- The Eagles are backpedaling publicly, but they were offering up Sam Bradford to the Titans and Buccaneers “like he was a slice of pizza,” Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report tweets.
- The Titans communicated to the Eagles last night that they’d have to top the Robert Griffin III deal to get Mariota, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Despite denials from both Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt and Kelly, Breer hears (link) that one concept discussed would have had the Eagles sending first-round picks in ’15, ’16, and ’17, plus a second-round pick, but that still wasn’t enough. He adds that players were not seriously discussed in those talks.
- After the Eagles tried to trade Bradford and failed, the quarterback now has the upper hand in contract talks, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.