2017 April - Pro Football Rumors

Chargers Considering WR Mike Williams?

April 26th, 2017 at 10:15am CST by Zachary Links

Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams worked out for the Chargers on Thursday and the Titans on Saturday, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). His workout with the Chargers is particularly noteworthy since they haven’t really connected to him much during the draft process. Earlier this morning, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report also indicated Williams could be a possibility for Los Angeles at No. 7.

It would make some sense for the Bolts to target a wide receiver in the first round, even though that hasn’t been the popular prognostication for them. After Keenan Allen, the Chargers’ top receivers are Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, and Dontrelle Inman. While Williams and Inman were surprising contributors in 2016, Allen hasn’t been able to stay healthy in recent seasons. Of course, Allen’s health issues have generally been on the one-time variety — lacerated kidney, torn ACL — but they’re still concerning.

Williams, at 6’4″, 218 pounds, would give Los Angeles’ offense another boost after the unit ranked 19th in DVOA a year ago. In his junior season at Clemson, Williams put up 98 receptions for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com favorably compares him to former NFLer Plaxico Burress.

Albert Breer On Foster, Trubisky, Watson

April 26th, 2017 at 9:47am CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest NFL Draft buzz from Albert Breer of The MMQB. All links go to Twitter:

Teams were aware of some drug history for linebacker Reuben Foster at Alabama and that wasn’t considered a big deal until his watered down combine test (link). Now, however, that history has taken on a different context. Depending on who you ask, Foster could be in for a draft day slide similar to Myles Jack in 2016.
Breer envisions a run on offensive linemen Ryan Ramczyk, Cam Robinson, Forrest Lamp, and Garett Bolles, and that may trigger some teams to trade up into the late teens (link). This year’s draft is thin on OL help and those four players are considered to be the best available.
Though it’s not a likelihood, there’s a chance that quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, and Patrick Mahomes go in the Top 15 (link).
The NFL at large likes Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey and USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson more than the public realizes (link). To date, most prognostications have them going late in the first round or early in the second. In yesterday’s dueling mock draft, I took Humphrey at No. 13 overall on behalf of the Cardinals.

Miller’s Latest: Cards, Mahomes, Bills, Bucs

April 26th, 2017 at 9:45am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals are expected to select a quarterback in the first round, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Sitting at No. 13, Arizona can look to secure a long-term replacement for incumbent Carson Palmer, who is entering his age-37 campaign. While the Cards have been linked to Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Miller cites “buzz” that the club actually prefers Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes, who would seemingly be a fit for Bruce Arians‘ vertical offense. In Round 2, meanwhile, Arizona is likely to target edge rushers, per Miller.

Let’s take a look at the highlight’s from Miller’s latest scouting notebook, which — as always — is worth a full read:

The Bills aren’t bluffing about their interest in this year’s class of quarterbacks, but Buffalo probably won’t trade up for UNC’s Mitch Trubisky, says Miller. However, the Bills could consider Watson if they stay put at No. 10.
While the Buccaneers may seem like a fit for Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, he’s unlikely to come off the board in Round 1 thanks to off-field issues, per Miller. Instead, Tampa Bay has been “all over” defensive back prospects, and Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie is a possible selection at No. 19. Additionally, the Bucs are likely to draft a defensive end by the end of Day 3.
Although Richard Sherman is now unlikely to be traded, the Seahawks are still thought to be targeting a cornerback on Day 1, reports Miller. In Rounds 2 and 3, Seattle could potentially go after pass-catchers and edge rushers before eyeing quarterbacks late in the draft.
The Redskins “love” Temple Haason Reddick and may even think about trading up to acquire him, per Miller. Reddick has steadily risen up draft boards and could conceivably be a top-10 pick. Washington current sits at No. 17.
Nearly every source expects the Eagles to select a cornerback in Round 1, according to Miller. Ohio State’s Gareon Conley had been in contention for the No. 14 pick, but that could have changed now that Conley has been accused of rape.
The Chargers could surprise and go with Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams at pick No. 7, a source told Miller. Los Angeles already boasts Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, and Dontrelle Inman at wideout, so the Bolts could also consider Ohio State safety Malik Hooker, per Miller.

Buccaneers Looking To Trade Down

April 26th, 2017 at 9:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers are talking with at least three teams about moving back in the first round, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. They may even look to trade out of the first round altogether, he adds.

Currently, the Buccaneers are slated to pick at No. 19 where they have been widely connected to FSU running back Dalvin Cook. In a deep draft, it’s a good place to be, but the Bucs want to dive even deeper and garner more selections. Both the Giants (No. 23) and Texans (No. 25) may want to trade into the teens, so both teams would make sense as potential trade partners for the Bucs. Speculatively, I’d say that the Giants are probably targeting an offensive tackle while the Texans may be positioning themselves for one of this year’s top quarterbacks.

If the Bucs move down, Texas A&M defensive back Justin Evans may be among their targets.

Vikes To Decline Teddy Bridgewater’s Option

April 26th, 2017 at 9:10am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings are unlikely to pick up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater‘s fifth-year option, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Minnesota has until early May to formally make the call.

The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise when considering the medical battle that still lies ahead for the QB. Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer admitted that he has “no idea” whether Bridgewater will be able to play in 2017. When Bridgewater does return, he’ll be susceptible to further complications and with that in mind the Vikings are not inclined to guarantee his 2018 season for injury. The option year is worth upwards of $11MM.

Bridgewater, of course, missed all of last season after suffering an ACL tear and knee dislocation. After the injury, the Vikings traded for Sam Bradford and this year they signed Case Keenum to be his backup. The Vikings are hoping for the best with Bridgewater, but they are planning for the worst and proceeding as though they will not get him back on the field anytime soon.

Titans May Trade No. 5 Overall Pick

April 26th, 2017 at 8:16am CST by Zachary Links

The Titans have received offers for the fifth overall pick and are contemplating a trade, a league source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s not immediately clear where the pick might be headed. The Titans have also had discussions about moving down from No. 18, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets.

In recent days, we’ve been hearing that multiple teams in the top half of the draft are looking to move down, but there hasn’t been a strong market for teams looking to move up the board. But, there have been a few clubs looking to climb. The Browns may want to move up from No. 12 in order to nab UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky and satisfy team ownership. The Giants (No. 23) and Texans (No. 25) may want to trade up, but that would reportedly be to get a pick in the teens.

The Titans have been connected to Alabama’s O.J. Howard and Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore at No. 5, but they might prefer to move down and build their draft stockpile instead. For his part, Titans general manager Jon Robinson admits it’s “50/50” as to whether his club actually uses both the No. 5 and No. 18 selections.

Fins Eyeing Derek Barnett, Charles Harris

April 25th, 2017 at 10:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins have defensive ends Derek Barnett and Charles Harris high on their draft boards, league sources tell Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, and would consider selecting either with the No. 22 pick.

Miami does have other needs, and could consider other positions in the first round. In PFR’s live mock draft, for instance, I sent Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp to South Beach. Indeed, if Barnett and Harris are both off the board by the time the Dolphins’ turn comes around, the club may be open to targeting higher-rated players at positions other than defensive end, per Salguero. Edge rushers such as Michigan’s Taco Charlton and UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley don’t figure to interest Miami as much as Barnett or Harris, and the Dolphins may go another direction if those are the best defensive ends available.

The Dolphins “love” Barnett, as Salguero reported last month, and there’s a chance the Tennessee product could still be on the board at pick No. 22. Barnett posted 33 sacks over the past three seasons, and was a highly productive player at the collegiate level. Doubters, however, point to Barnett’s poor measurables which could indicate a lack of explosion. Harris, meanwhile, is shooting up draft boards after putting up 16 sacks for Missouri from 2015-16. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares the 6’3″, 253-pounder to NFL edge rusher Connor Barwin.

While Miami re-signed Andre Branch and extended Cameron Wake this offseason, the club still desperately needs depth at defensive end. Wake is now 35 years old, and the only other pass rushers on the roster aside from Branch are 32-year-old William Hayes and Terrence Fede, the latter of whom hasn’t made an impact in three NFL seasons.

Pauline’s Latest: Webb, Bolles, Robinson

April 25th, 2017 at 9:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Cal quarterback Davis Webb is expected to be selected at some point in the middle of Round 2 of the draft, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com. Webb has been mentioned as a possible first-round pick, and the dearth of quarterback options could certainly push him up the board. But Day 2 looks more likely, per Pauline, who adds the Jets, Saints, Chargers, and Cardinals have shown the most interest in Pauline thus far. Those final three teams, notably, currently employ veteran signal-callers, which would allow Webb at least one year of development.

Here’s more on the 2017 draft, all courtesy of Pauline:

While Garett Bolles is reportedly considered the top offensive lineman by some clubs, the Utah product may ultimately slip into the second round, reports Pauline. That would certainly be surprising, especially given that the 2017 offensive tackle class is considered especially weak (meaning top options such as Bolles should come at a premium). The clubs most heavily linked to Bolles are the Broncos, Giants, Raiders, and Texans, says Pauline. Bolles’ age is the one key factor working against him, as he’ll already be 25 years old when the upcoming season begins.
If the Ravens don’t trade down from No. 16, Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson is expected to in consideration, per Pauline. After losing right tackle Ricky Wagner during the free agent period, Baltimore could use another offensive lineman to help protect Joe Flacco. Given the presence of 2016 first-rounder Ronnie Stanley, Robinson would presumably play on the right side for the Ravens (though he could conceivably play guard, as well). Meanwhile, if Baltimore does trade down, the team would probably target UCLA edge rusher Takkarist McKinley, whom Pauline says is a favorite of general manager Ozzie Newsome.
The Packers are gearing up to select Wisconsin pass rusher T.J. Watt in the first round, a team source tells Pauline. Zach Links sent Watt to Green Bay in at pick No. 29 in PFR’s live mock draft earlier today. Watt, who managed 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2016, is a local product, as he hails from Pewaukee, Wisconsin and spent three seasons with the Badgers. The Packers re-signed edge defender Nick Perry last month, but could still use another outside linebacker, especially if the move Clay Matthews Jr. back inside.

Sam Bradford, Vikings Haven’t Discussed Extension

April 25th, 2017 at 8:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings have not yet discussed an extension with quarterback Sam Bradford, as Bradford himself tells Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). Bradford is entering the final year of his contract in 2017.

Bradford, 29, signed a two-year deal with the Eagles before being traded to Minnesota last year. Under the terms of that pact, Bradford will earn $18MM in 2017: $14MM in base salary, and $4MM as a roster bonus. Unless he’s extended before next spring, Bradford would become a free agent in a 2018 quarterback class that’s currently scheduled to include Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Matthew Stafford, and others (although, clearly, some of those signal-callers will never truly approach free agency).

Of course, Bradford’s contract status is directly tied to the health of fellow quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who missed the entirety of the 2016 season with a severe knee injury. Bridgewater’s injury necessitated the Bradford trade, and if the Vikings don’t believe Bridgewater will be ready to take the field any time soon, a new deal for Bradford could make sense. For what it’s worth, Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer recently said he has “no idea” if Bridgewater will be able to suit up for the 2017 campaign.

In his first season with the Vikings, Bradford posted best year of his career, at least based on metrics such as quarterback rating and QBR. Bradford tossed 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions while passing for more than 3,800 yards, and led the league in completion percentage (71.6).

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/25/17

April 25th, 2017 at 8:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor move:

Restricted free agent wide receiver Dontrelle Inman has signed his second-round tender, the Chargers announced today. Inman will now earn a non-guaranteed $2.797MM base salary for the 2017 campaign. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent broke out last season, catching 58 balls, 810 yards, and four touchdowns from quarterback Philip Rivers. Inman will return to a Los Angeles wideout corps that includes Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, and Travis Benjamin.
The Lions have signed free agent punter Kasey Redfern, according to a team announcement. Redfern, 25, was sent to the Browns last August as part of the Panthers’ Andy Lee acquisition, but didn’t end up making Cleveland’s final roster. A Wofford alum, Redfern has bounced around the NFL since entering the league in 2014, but has yet to appear in a pro contest. Detroit signed punter Sam Martin to a four-year extension in September, so Redfern won’t act as anything more than a camp body in the Motor City.