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2016 NFL Draft News & Rumors

AFC Draft Updates: Bosa, Browns, McCaffrey

March 31st, 2016 at 3:24pm CST by Luke Adams

Defensive end Joey Bosa is headed to the Browns for a pre-draft visit today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Tennessee, who owns the No. 1 pick, looked at Bosa and his teammates on Wednesday.

Here’s the latest draft news out of the AFC:

  • Duke wide receiver Max McCaffrey – Christian McCaffrey‘s brother and Ed McCaffrey’s son – has a pre-draft workout set up next month with the Broncos, his dad’s old team, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
  • Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg went to dinner with the Cowboys on Tuesday and worked out for them on Wednesday, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. The signal caller also spent time with the Bills after the pro day, Breer adds.
  • Hackenberg is scheduled to visit the Jets on April 10th, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). GM Mike Maccagnan also attended Hackenberg’s pro day.
  • Southern Mississippi wide receiver Mike Thomas met with the Browns on Thursday, per Luke Easterling of Bleacher Report (on Twitter).
  • MTSU defensive back Kevin Byard is meeting with the Browns on Thursday night, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Byard ran a 4.46 40-yard-dash at his pro day and jumped 38 inches on his vertical.
  • The Bills will host Florida inside linebacker Antonio Morrison on a pre-draft visit, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (on Twitter).
  • Georgia pass rusher Leonard Floyd will take a pre-draft visit to the Ravens, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets.

Chargers Rumors: Stadium, Draft, Buckner

March 30th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers’ plan for a new stadium in San Diego calls for the team (and the NFL) to pay $650MM while a 4% hike in the local hotel tax would provide an additional $350MM, Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego writes. In total, that would add up to the $1 billion needed to construct a new stadium. All in all, the plan is asking less of the city than most stadium proposals do, but it remains to be seen whether San Diego will greenlight the pitch.

Here’s more on the Chargers’ stadium situation as well as draft news:

  • It’s not immediately clear what percentage of the electorate would be required for passage, Dan McSwain and Lori Weisberg of U-T San Diego write. Recently, a California appellate court ruled that a motion to tax marijuana dispensaries needed only a simple majority (50% plus one vote) to pass, but the old rules require two-thirds of a vote. “We’re operating as if it’s two-thirds,” Fred Maas, a development consultant to the Chargers, said Tuesday.
  • The Chargers released a comprehensive FAQ regarding the Citizens’ Initiative. Within the FAQ, the Chargers acknowledge that there will still be logistical hurdles to deal with if the initiative passes.
  • Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner visited the Chargers on Wednesday, per Rand Getlin of NFL Network (on Twitter). Buckner is regarded as one of the top prospects in the draft and could be in the mix for San Diego at No. 3.
  • The Chargers worked out former Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. Fajardo spent training camp with Oakland in 2015 as a UDFA.
  • UCLA product Myles Jack expects to play safety if he’s drafted by the Chargers, as Gehlken writes. “They feel like I can fill that spot Eric Weddle was at,” Jack said.

NFC Draft Rumors: Eagles, Lynch, Washington

March 30th, 2016 at 9:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles will work out Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch and it’s not just for kicks, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Despite having Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel under contract, Rapoport says they’re serious about Lynch and they’re taking owner Jeffrey Lurie on each trip.

While we wait to see if the Eagles’ QB situation could get even weirder, here’s a look at some more draft news from the NFC:

  • Boston College linebacker Steven Daniels worked out for the Eagles on Wednesday, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (for WalterFootball.com). Daniels has also auditioned for New Orleans.
  • Coach Jay Gruden says he wants Washington to draft a developmental quarterback, as Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes. “You have your starter. You got your quality backup. And you’ve got to have [another] one in the [quarterback meeting] room—whether it’s your third on the active roster or a practice squad guy—that you can develop,” Gruden said last week. Of course, Kirk Cousins will be the team’s starter with Colt McCoy as his primary understudy. However, Gruden would like to add a young QB who can be groomed without an immediate timeline.
  • The Buccaneers worked out UTSA tight end David Morgan on Tuesday, according to Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 (on Twitter). Morgan also worked out for Philadelphia recently.
  • The Falcons were at Stanford on Wednesday to work out tight end Austin Hooper and linebacker Blake Martinez, according to Tony Pauline for Walter Football. On Tuesday, Atlanta coaches were at Washington State to scope out Washington State offensive lineman Joseph Dahl, receiver Dominique Williams, and defensive lineman Destiny Vaeao.

Draft Rumors: Cravens, Lions, Dolphins, Raiders

March 30th, 2016 at 8:58pm CST by Zachary Links

USC safety/linebacker Su’a Cravens says he has six visits lined up and another eight potentially on the horizon as well, Mike Florio of PFT writes. In addition to the previously reported teams with interest, Cravens says he will visit the the Lions, Raiders, and Dolphins.

Here are the latest draft rumors:

  • Maryland outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue said he has visits scheduled with the Jaguars, Eagles, Titans, and Jets, according to Daniel Gallen of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter) adds that the Bills and Browns both met with him today.
  • Boise State lineman Rees Odhiambo will meet with the 49ers, Saints, and Buccaneers in the next couple of weeks, agent Ron Slavin tells Jay Tust of KTVB (on Twitter).
  • Ohio State safety Vonn Bell has (or has had) meetings, workouts and/or visits with the Jets, Patriots, Panthers, and Giants, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets.
  • South Carolina offensive lineman Brandon Shell says he has individual workouts coming up with the Panthers, Ravens, and 49ers, David Caraviello of the Post And Courier tweets.
  • Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he has probably heard the most from the Bears, Falcons, Saints, and Dolphins. He also confirmed personal workouts with the Bears, Colts, Ravens, Jaguars, Vikings, Rams, and the Bills.
  • Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd confirmed that he has had workouts with the Cowboys, Patriots, Chargers, and Rams (Twitter link via SiriusXM). He’ll also have formal visits with the Panthers and Cowboys next week.
  • Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Moore has visits/workouts scheduled with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Texans, Eagles, and Bengals, Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 tweets.
  • Defensive line coaches from the Eagles, Titans, Steelers, and Bengals put Javon Hargrave through a workout which lasted almost 45 minutes, according to Tony Pauline for Walter Football.
  • The Cardinals are bringing in linebacker Victor Ochi for an official visit, Pauline writes.

AFC Notes: Bills, Broncos, Titans, Dolphins

March 30th, 2016 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

In an interview with NFL Network this week, Bills head coach Rex Ryan admitted that his roster isn’t particularly deep at several positions. As Mike Rodak of ESPN.com details, though, Ryan is confident that Buffalo will be able to replenish those spots in the draft.

“We don’t have a whole lot of depth right now, so we’re going to have to do a great job in the draft, which we will,” Ryan said. “[Bills GM] Doug Whaley is an outstanding evaluator of talent. We have to hit in the draft, there is no doubt, but I think there are some opportunities there to help us.”

Let’s round up a few more items from across the AFC…

  • Despite the departures of Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler, it’s not time to panic for Broncos fans, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who writes that GM John Elway still has plenty of quarterback options available. As La Canfora outlines, Denver ranked in the bottom 10 in the NFL in most passing categories in 2015, meaning the team doesn’t have to land a star QB to match or exceed last year’s production.
  • Ohio State director of player personnel Mark Pantoni announced today (on Twitter) that Titans head coach Mike Mularkey, GM Jon Robinson, and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau were at the school to work out five Buckeyes prospects. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that Tennessee was getting a closer look at DE Joey Bosa, LB Darron Lee, S Vonn Bell, S Tyvis Powell, and DL Adolphus Washington
  • As they prepare for the 2016 draft, the Dolphins‘ top priority in the first two days of that draft will be landing a starting cornerback, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. According to Salguero, cornerback is one of two positions – along with running back – that is a “must-have” for the team.
  • In a piece for CBSSports.com, former player agent Joel Corry provides a cheat sheet for Andrew Luck‘s representatives as they prepare to ramp up contract extension negotiations with the Colts.

AFC Rumors: Titans, Tunsil, Chiefs, Steelers

March 29th, 2016 at 1:24pm CST by Luke Adams

Although a report on Monday suggested that Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa remains in the mix for the Titans with the first overall pick, Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil still appears to be the overwhelming favorite to be Tennessee’s pick, as Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) outlines. According to Cole, the fact that Tunsil won’t run a 40-yard dash and is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue shouldn’t have any real impact on his draft stock.

Still, while Tunsil is the odds-on favorite to be the first player off the board next month, not everyone agrees he should be. Writing for the Florida Times-Union, Hays Carlyon makes the case that the Titans should select Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey first overall. As Carlyon details, landing Ramsey would fill a hole for Tennessee and would keep a talented defender away from the division-rival Jaguars, who would probably love to grab him with the fifth overall pick.

As we look forward to seeing what Tennessee decides, let’s round up a few more updates from around the AFC…

  • A report earlier in March suggested that the Chiefs and 49ers had discussed a possible trade that would send De’Anthony Thomas to San Francisco. However, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter links), Kansas City GM John Dorsey said today that Thomas isn’t going anywhere, denying that he had spoken to the Niners about a deal. Even if the two sides did have a conversation about Thomas, it’s unlikely that Dorsey would confirm it now that the 23-year-old appears likely to stay put.
  • The Steelers remain on the lookout for defensive line help. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that free agent defensive tackle Mike Martin recently visited Pittsburgh, while Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the club will also bring in defensive end Jack Crawford for a visit this week. Martin has been a backup in Tennessee for most of the last four seasons, while Crawford picked up four sacks as a part-timer in Dallas in 2015.
  • Houston cornerback William Jackson III is visiting the Dolphins today, a source tells Wilson (Twitter link). Jackson projects as a probable first-round pick.
  • The Texans guaranteed $37MM to a player that the team’s decision-makers had essentially never met, as Peter King of TheMMQB.com writes. Using the Brock Osweiler signing as a point of reference, King makes the case for why the NFL should expand its annual legal tampering period to allow for free agent visits.

Draft Rumors: Tunsil, Nkemdiche, Giants

March 28th, 2016 at 6:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Laremy Tunsil has yet to run the 40-yard-dash and, apparently, he won’t be doing so anytime between now and the draft, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. Tunsil, who is a candidate for the No. 1 pick, apparently tweaked his hamstring last Thursday and is therefore reluctant to be timed on the 40. While teams like to be thorough before taking a player high in the draft, one can’t help but wonder if the 40-yard-dash is all that important for an offensive tackle.

Here’s the latest draft news:

  • Defensive line coaches from the Dolphins and Bengals ran the defensive line workout at Ole Miss’ pro day and tried to break Robert Nkemdiche but they could not, Tony Pauline writes for WalterFootball.com. Everyone in attendance was impressed with his position drills with some calling it a “special workout,” Pauline writes.
  • The Broncos and Giants will conduct an official visit with Nkemdiche, Pauline writes. While it has been reported that Giants GM Jerry Reese was at Ole Miss’ pro-day to watch Laquon Treadwell, Pauline hears that he was there equally for Nkemdiche.
  • Treadwell could see his draft stock take a hit after a disappointing performance at the Ole Miss pro day, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link). Treadwell had a chance to cement himself as the No. 1 wide receiver in the draft at his pro day but, instead he ran a (unofficially timed) 4.63 second 40-yard-dash and posting only 33 inches on his vertical leap. Treadwell’s bad day could open the door for Michael Thomas and Corey Coleman to go ahead of Treadwell next month, Miller says.
  • Of course, Treadwell drew quite a crowd with wide receiver coaches from the Chargers and Cardinals on hand to see him along with Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and top officials from the Rams, Pauline writes.
  • Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link) is hearing first round buzz for former Ohio State standout Braxton Miller. Miller is looking to play wide receiver in the NFL after playing under center earlier in his college career. Miller worked out for the Texans recently and sources tell Miller that Houston sees him as possibility at No. 22. The Bengals, Vikings, and Panthers could also consider Miller late in the first round.

Draft Updates: Treadwell, Nkemdiche, Goff

March 28th, 2016 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The pro day for Ole Miss players took place on Monday, meaning all eyes were on prospects like wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and defensive end Robert Nkemdiche. Treadwell said today that he has private workouts lined up with the Bengals and Dolphins, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com (Twitter link). The young wideout met with the 49ers last night, per Tony Pauline at WalterFootball.com.

Nkemdiche had dinner with the Cowboys last night and will officially visit the team’s facility prior to the draft, but Dallas is just one of 14 teams he’s scheduled to visit, according to Pauline. The Niners, Chargers, Raiders, Buccaneers, and Bears are also on the docket for Nkemdiche.

Here are several more draft updates from around the league:

  • The Eagles invested significant money in a pair of quarterbacks this month, signing Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel to new contracts, but that doesn’t mean the team has entirely ruled out the possibility of drafting one early. Per John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game (Twitter link), Philadelphia is doing its homework on Jared Goff, working out the Cal QB in Berkeley today.
  • Writing for PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Tony Pauline reports that he has spoken to insiders who believe the Titans are considering Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa with the No. 1 overall pick. The general consensus is that Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil will come off the board first overall, but some of Pauline’s sources believe it’s a “coin flip between Tunsil and Bosa” at this point.
  • During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link), Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones revealed that, while he hasn’t made any trips yet, he has private workouts scheduled with the Bills and Cardinals.
  • Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (via Twitter) adds the Dolphins to the list of teams looking at Georgia outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who has been linked to at least five other teams.
  • Defensive tackle Vernon Butler, a Louisiana Tech product, said on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that he has a visit with the Bengals lined up for Thursday.

Extra Points: Richardson, RG3, Beachum, Cowboys

March 25th, 2016 at 9:44pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Free agent running back Trent Richardson expects to sign with the Ravens before the start of their voluntary conditioning program on April 18, he told Matt Zenitz of AL.com as part of a highly interesting, recommended piece. Richardson looked on the verge of signing with the team in late February, which obviously didn’t happen, but head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that he thinks a deal will get done. The delay is thanks in part to Richardson’s conditioning.

When he visited the Ravens in February, Richardson didn’t expect to work out with the team. The Ravens had other ideas, though, and after eating heavily both the night before and the morning of the meeting, Richardson weighed in at 238 pounds. General manager Ozzie Newsome told Richardson that “we really want you here,” but with the caveat that the four-year veteran would first have to get his weight down to 225 pounds. Richardson is now at 218, his lightest weight since high school, and is hoping to play more like the Alabama back who went third in the 2012 draft than the disappointing pro version who couldn’t even crack anyone’s roster last season.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • The Browns’ Robert Griffin III will head to Los Angeles to conduct offseason workouts with quarterback guru Tom House, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. House, an ex-Major League Baseball pitcher who’s close with Browns head coach Hue Jackson, has worked with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer, Terrelle Pryor, A.J. McCarron, Alex Smith and Tim Tebow in the past. He spent a large portion of last offseason with Dalton, who went on to have a career year.
  • Recently signed Jaguars offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, who’s recovering from a torn ACL, told Tom Pelissero of SiriusXM NFL that he will put on a knee brace next week and begin football movements. “I’ll be starting Week 1,” Beachum added (Twitter link). In order to do that, Beachum will have to beat out incumbent No. 1 left tackle Luke Joeckel.
  • The Cowboys are the latest of seven teams that have ventured to UCLA to work out offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch, reports Gil Brandt of NFL.com (on Twitter). Benenoch is regarded as a potential top-75 draft choice.
  • Saints head coach Sean Payton isn’t a fan of today’s football helmets, saying, “[W]e’re way behind where should be right now with what we’re putting on the players.” However, he expects the safety of helmets to improve at “warp speed” over the next couple years, per Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. “If you took the analogy of an automobile in the ’60s and ’70s and how much of the impact passengers received in a collision and fast-forward to where we are now … I think the same thing is happening and needs to happen with the helmet that we’re wearing,” Payton stated.

AFC Notes: Jets, Fitzpatrick, Chiefs, Pats, Colts

March 25th, 2016 at 10:58am CST by Zachary Links

When it comes to potentially re-signing Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets would like to do a contract containing incentives, but the quarterback’s camp has resisted that idea, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post.

That’s an interesting tidbit, since QB contracts that feature playing-time and performance incentives are often used for backups, not starters. Chase Daniel‘s deal with the Eagles is one such example, and – perhaps not coincidentally – it has been cited as a comparable for the Jets’ offer to Fitzpatrick. Daniel’s three-year contract has a base value of $21MM, with a max value of $36MM if he ends up starting and hitting incentives.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Paxton Lynch has a Friday meeting lined up with the Chiefs, according to Chris Boyle of The Daytona Beach News-Journal (via Twitter). The Memphis product has met with other teams, including the Cowboys, who plan on getting an additional look at him between now and the draft.
  • Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti pointed to pass rushers and cornerbacks as two types of players he’d like to see Baltimore continue to add this offseason, as Garrett Dowling of BaltimoreRavens.com outlines. Speaking specifically about pass rushers, Bisciotti offered: “We have to fill those spots with constant pressure. You need five pass rushers in the rotation.”
  • The Patriots worked out speedy UCLA receiver Devin Fuller earlier this week, and also have a private workout with University of Houston wideout Demarcus Ayers, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links).
  • The signing of cornerback Patrick Robinson won’t necessarily be the last move the Colts make in free agency before the draft, writes Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. As Holder notes, GM Ryan Grigson has said the team will “lay in the weeds,” monitoring the market to see if any ideal opportunities arise.
  • The Chargers met with former Buffalo tight end Matt Weiser this week, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter). The 6’4″, 245-pound athlete had the second most catches (63) of any tight end in the country last year. However, Weiser did not make the cut in Walter Football’s top 15 list of tight ends for the 2016 draft.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

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