HEADLINES

Month: April 2017

AFC South Notes: Mahomes, Titans, Jack

April 16th, 2017 at 7:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier today, Deshaun Watson‘s Texans visit schedule became known. He will have some company, it appears. Patrick Mahomes is also meeting with Texans brass, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports. Mahomes is already in Houston and will be visiting with the Texans tonight and on Monday, John McClain of the Chronicle adds (via Twitter).

The Texas Tech product is one of the fastest-rising commodities in this draft. He’s had 18 visits and private workouts thus far, but this one is among the more interesting for the high-volume college passer because of the Texans’ status as a two-time reigning division champion and void at quarterback.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports noted earlier this month Mahomes was unlikely to slip past the Texans at No. 25, and the team is now doing some work on him. Houston would have a better shot at drafting the strong-armed former Big 12 signal-caller at No. 25 than Watson, but the former looks to have gained extensive ground and could be a priority for a team holding a higher pick — or one that trades up in front of the Texans — at this point.

Here’s more from the AFC South.

  • Corey Davis made a trip to Nashville, Tenn., today to visit with the Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Davis will meet with the Titans tonight and Monday before flying to Baltimore for a Monday-Tuesday Ravens summit, per Rapoport. The Titans recently met with fellow first-round wideout prospects John Ross and Mike Williams. The franchise holds two first-round picks (Nos. 5 and 18) and is believed to be targeting wideout help. Their aggressive Brandin Cooks pursuit made this rather apparent.
  • The Jaguars will have some movement at linebacker, it appears. Last year’s second-round pick, Myles Jack has already learned middle and strong-side linebacker and is set to supplant Paul Posluszny in the middle, relocating the career-long middle ‘backer to the strong side. But the Jags view Jack as a natural fit on the weak side long-term, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Telvin Smith currently occupies that position and is expected to start there again in 2017. However, Smith is slated to be a 2018 UFA, and another Jack move would stand to impact Jacksonville’s decision on Smith. O’Halloran adds that Smith extension talks could pick up after the draft, but the fourth-year linebacker’s spot could be tenuous if Jack is viewed as the future at that position.
  • The Jags could also be exploring the idea of moving A.J. Cann to left guard, per O’Halloran. A third-year player, Cann’s been the Jags’ right guard starter the past two seasons. Recently re-signed Patrick Omameh and former Cardinal Earl Watford are the team’s other top guards presently. Jacksonville made a push for Kevin Zeitler but saw him sign with the Browns.
  • After picking up his fifth-year option, the Texans are expected to pursue an extension for Jadeveon Clowney. But they are waiting to see if he can deliver a repeat showing of last year’s Pro Bowl campaign.

Cardinals Targeting CBs In Draft?

April 16th, 2017 at 7:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the 2017 draft in slightly worse shape, depth-wise, at cornerback than they appeared last season, the Cardinals have identified that area as a place to target in the upcoming draft, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com notes.

Still housing a throng of uncertain cogs alongside Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals lost Marcus Cooper to the Bears and did not make any notable additions to the position group. Bruce Arians, though, identified cornerback as one of the positions the team could target a player to learn behind current veterans this season. The fifth-year Arizona coach also included wide receiver and inside linebacker in that category.

Arizona again has Justin Bethel and 2016 third-rounder Brandon Williams as top in-house candidates to start opposite Peterson. Arians could be counting on the Cardinals’ recent ability to unearth some Day 2 and Day 3 standouts to help out this group, however.

“I don’t know if we can get all those high picks, but we’ve been really, really lucky from round three to round six, I think, of getting some quality guys, and as college free agents, too,” Arians said, via Weinfuss.

The Cardinals added the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, John Brown, David Johnson, J.J. Nelson and Rodney Gunter in Rounds 3-5 over the past four years. Arians also called this draft “loaded with corners.” While ESPN.com’s Todd McShay (Insider link) placed Marshon Lattimore and Kevin King as second- and third-tier players in this draft, respectively, the ESPN draft guru put six corners — Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Quincy Wilson (Florida), Tre’Davious White (LSU), Marlon Humphrey (Alabama), Jourdan Lewis (Michigan) and Adoree’ Jackson (USC) — on his next tier of draftable prospects. McShay also includes Connecticut safety Obi Melifonwu, whom some teams like as a corner, in this group.

Arizona added veterans in recent years to team with Peterson, with Antonio Cromartie, Cooper and Mike Jenkins — the latter of whom did not play after a season-ending injury in camp — but Weinfuss notes the Cardinals may not want to go that route again. Some interesting options are out there if the Cards don’t like what they see early in the offseason, though. Tramon Williams, Shareece Wright, Alterraun Verner, Sam Shields and Darrelle Revis are UFAs. Teams are also monitoring former 49ers starter Tramaine Brock, should he not be charged with domestic violence for the alleged incident that prompted his Niners exit.

Furthering this sense the Cardinals may go with what they have: Arians also appears to have softened his stance on Bethel, whom he called a “failure in progress” last season. Bethel did accept a paycut this offseason, though.

“I think Justin Bethel is going to play a hell of a lot better if he can finally practice,” Arians said, via Weinfuss. “He hasn’t practiced for two years on that broken foot. I think he’s going to really, really take off with it this spring so I feel fine with those guys.”

Draft Notes: Watson, Texans, Eagles, Bolles

April 16th, 2017 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Deshaun Watson‘s pre-draft tour will go through an interesting place early this week. The former Clemson star passer will make a trip to Houston and meet with the Texans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter), who adds the visit will commence on Monday and Tuesday. This is the Texans’ first known summit with one of the high-profile quarterbacks expected to come off the board in Round 1.

The Texans may not have hosted such passers, but the team is expected to take a quarterback early, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. The reporter believes Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes won’t get past the Texans at No. 25. Watson has visited the 49ers, Browns, Jaguars and Cardinals thus far.

Houston hasn’t taken a quarterback in the first round of the draft since its first-ever draft pick (David Carr, 2002). Watson could require the Texans to trade up, being connected to the Browns at No. 12, but La Canfora noted recently the post-Mitch Trubisky tier of quarterbacks’ destinations are difficult to pin down. It’s not completely out of the question Watson is there at No. 25, but it would be unlikely.

Here’s more from the 2017 draft class.

  • Gareon Conley‘s early-week itinerary finally appears set. After some confusion, the Ohio State cornerback will be visiting the Jaguars on Monday then pack up for Floram Park, N.J., for a Jets powwow on Tuesday, Rapoport reports (on Twitter). Conley recently adjusted his travel schedule, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, after initially being scheduled to visit the Jets on Monday. Conley, interestingly, may be benefiting from doubts about his former Buckeyes teammate’s health. Perception about Marshon Lattimore‘s hamstring trouble could help elevate Conley’s stock, which looks to have risen into the top 10 and possibly the top five.
  • In more cornerback news, USC’s Adoree’ Jackson has a busy schedule lined up this week. The former Trojans standout will meet with three teams — the Eagles, Rams and Texans — in the coming days, per Rapoport (on Twitter). Jackson’s first stop this week will be in Philadelphia, where cornerback is a need area.
  • The Broncos‘ biggest need is probably at left tackle, and the team will meet with another expected first-round pick here in Garett Bolles. The Utah blocker will trek to Denver for a meeting this week, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. Denver met with Alabama’s Cam Robinson previously. Bolles will be 25 as a rookie, but the Broncos are believed to have “high interest” in him. Two of Pro Football Focus’ worst tackles in 2016, Donald Stephenson and Ty Sambrailo, represent the Broncos’ current top options on the left side.
  • Previously connected to an April Giants meeting, David Njoku will travel to New Jersey on Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. The Giants are “very high” on the Miami tight end, and also being believed to have O.J. Howard at or near the top of their draft board, it’s safe to assume Big Blue is targeting tight ends. The team has not had a difference-maker at this position in many years. Adding one would stand to give Eli Manning yet another weapon after the Giants signed Brandon Marshall last month.

Allen Robinson: I’ve “Earned” Jags Extension

April 16th, 2017 at 4:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract which will pay him just south of $900K for the 2017 campaign, and he believes he’s “earned” an extension from Jacksonville, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Still, Robinson doesn’t sound as though he’ll hold out or use any other negotiating tactics in order to secure a long-term deal.Allen Robinson (Vertical)

“If we get something done, we do and if not, I have a big year coming ahead for me and I have an obligation to my teammates to play at a high level,” Robinson said.

The Jaguars have already extended fellow pass-catcher Allen Hurns, handing him a four-year, $40.05MM deal after only two seasons. Hurns only had to wait two years to earn a long-term deal given that he was originally an undrafted free agent, while Robinson — a drafted player (second round) — had to finish his third NFL season before becoming eligible for a new deal.

The Hurns deal is a clear floor for Robinson, who has eclipsed Hurns’ production since entering the league in 2014 and is easily viewed as Jacksonville’s No. 1 wideout. Robinson, 23, posted a breakout campaign in 2015, hauling in 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns. 2016 was a down year, however, as Robinson managed only 73 catches, 883 yards, and six scores (quarterback Blake Bortles‘ decline certainly didn’t help Robinson).

While Hurns’ $10MM annual average is the bare minimum asking price for Robinson, he’ll certainly target a higher total. Antonio Brown recently reset the wide receiver market with a $17MM AAV, and A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, and T.Y. Hilton are all earning $13MM or more per season.

5 Key Stories: 4/9/17 – 4/16/17

April 16th, 2017 at 3:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Beast Mode-to-Oakland heats up. After meeting with the Raiders last week, retired running back Marshawn Lynch has officially started the reinstatement process. The Seahawks are now expected to trade Lynch to Oakland, and while he doesn’t need to be reinstated for a deal to go through, he would need to formally apply for reinstatement before suiting up. Any trade is contingent on Lynch first working out a new deal with the Raiders, something that the two sides are working on now.Richard Sherman (vertical)

Seahawks drop Richard Sherman price. While Seattle is set to trade one franchise icon, the club could soon send Sherman away, as well. After originally asking for “a very good player” plus a high draft pick in exchange for Sherman, the Seahawks are now looking for a first-round pick in the upcoming draft plus a conditional mid-round choice in 2018. That ask could entice more teams to join the running for Sherman, who so far has only been linked to the Patriots (who are now not expected to deal for him).

Jonathan Hankins finds a home. After sitting on the free agent market for more than a month, Hankins finally landed a three-year, $30MM deal with the Colts. The Giants, notably, were offering only $28MM over a four-year term, making the decision to head to Indianapolis an easy one for Hankins. Hankins had been the top player who still remained unsigned, and now only three of PFR’s top 50 free agents are still on the board: Adrian Peterson, Perry Riley, and Ryan Clady.Mitch Trubisky Instagram

Browns still deciding at No. 1? While 84% of PFR readers believe Cleveland will ultimately select edge rusher Myles Garrett with the first overall pick, the club may have not yet made up its mind. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky is still in the conversation to be drafted first, and the Browns are reportedly split between the UNC signal-caller and Garrett, the latter of whom is regarded as 2017’s best overall prospect. Head coach Hue Jackson, for what it’s worth, prefers that Cleveland goes with Garrett.

Pats, 49ers play the RFA game. The Patriots are seemingly more involved in the restricted free agent market than any other club, and this year is no different. Last week, New England hosted division rival running backs Mike Gillislee (Bills) and Damien Williams (Dolphins) in addition to Giants defensive end Kerry Wynn. San Francisco, meanwhile, made an offer to Seahawks offensive tackle Garry Gilliam, and although Gilliam rejected the initial proposal, the two sides are expected to keep talking.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images and Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Latest On Jason McCourty’s Market

April 16th, 2017 at 2:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Recently-released cornerback Jason McCourty was scheduled to earn $7MM in 2017, but he’s not expected to come close to that figure on the open market. A one-year deal with a maximum of $2MM — similar to the pact Leon Hall inked with the Giants last season — could be a likely outcome for McCourty, a source tells Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.Jason McCourty (vertical)

[RELATED: Top NFL Defensive Free Agents]

There are at least a few reasons to think McCourty can earn more than Hall was forced to accept, however. As Reiss notes, McCourty is nearly three years younger than Hall, who was 31 when he agreed to his New York contract. Additionally, Hall had undergone offseason back surgery, which potentially worried teams about his availability. Hall didn’t land a free agent deal until August of 2016.

On the other hand, McCourty has dealt with recent injury concerns of his own. He suffered shoulder and chest ailments in 2016, while groin surgeries that caused him to miss 12 games the year prior. Plus, McCourty hasn’t posted an above-average campaign since the 2013 season. Hall, meanwhile, had largely maintained his level of play over the past few years.

Teams have already begun inquiring on McCourty, who is expected to be officially cut on Monday. I recently speculated that clubs such as the Bills, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, Lions, Packers, Saints, and Cardinals could all show interest, while Reiss called the Patriots a “ideal match” for McCourty.

AFC East Rumors: Pats, Blount, Jets, Conley

April 16th, 2017 at 12:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots‘ offer to running back LeGarrette Blount may not be on the table forever, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. New England has met with other free agent backs in recent weeks, including Adrian Peterson, Damien Williams, and Mike Gillislee, perhaps in an effort to send a signal to Blount. Blount hasn’t generated any interest elsewhere, which is what he’d need to do in order to force the Patriots to up their proposal. As Reiss notes, the 2017 RB draft class is considered exceptionally strong, so Blount may want to ink a new contract with the Pats before the club selects a runner in the draft later this month.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

  • Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley‘s previously-reported meeting with the Jets will take place on Monday, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. While Conley has generally been viewed as a lesser prospect than his Buckeye teammate Marshon Lattimore, that perception may be changing. While Lattimore’s injury concerns are troubling, Conley is viewed as an extremely safe player, and may end up being the first cornerback off the board. New York could certainly use help in the secondary after releasing Darrelle Revis earlier this year.
  • Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson isn’t garnering much interest on the trade market, meaning the Jets may have to hang onto him for the 2017 campaign, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Indianapolis may have been a logical trade partner, but the Colts probably aren’t in the Richardson hunt after signing Johnathan Hankins last week. Gang Green could still use Richardson as a trade chip on draft day, but as Cimini notes, the “clock is ticking” on any potential deal.
  • The Jets intend to re-sign recently-released linebacker Julian Stanford, and Stanford was aware of that when Gang Green cut ties last week, per Cimini. Stanford, 26, has bounced around the league since 2012, spending time with Detroit, Jacksonville, and New York. In 2016, Stanford appeared in nine games (two starts) for the Jets, playing on roughly a quarter of the club’s defensive snaps and a third of the team’s special steams snaps.

Draft Deadline For Malcolm Butler Trade?

April 16th, 2017 at 11:37am CST by Dallas Robinson

April 27 — the first day of the 2017 NFL draft — is the likely deadline for a Malcolm Butler trade, as the Patriots probably won’t deal Butler for 2018 picks, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.Malcolm Butler (vertical)

The Saints, of course, have shown extreme interest in Butler, bringing in the restricted free agent cornerback for a visit and beginning work on a contract negotiation. New Orleans doesn’t intend to propose an offer sheet to Butler, however, as doing so would cost the club the No. 11 pick if the Patriots declined to match the terms. A trade could still be worked out, but Butler needs to sign his RFA tender first.

Butler has until April 21 to ink an offer sheet with another club. New England can still trade him after that point, but he needs to be under contract to be dealt. Butler will earn $3.91MM under the terms of his RFA tender, but if he doesn’t sign by June 15, the Patriots can reduce his salary to $600K.

New England has been linked to other defensive backs this offseason, including Seattle’s Richard Sherman (whom the Patriots are now not expected to trade for). Recently released cornerback Jason McCourty, too, may be on the Pats’ radar, but New England probably won’t add another corner unless Butler isn’t part of their 2017 plans.

Draft Rumors: Fournette, Falcons, Broncos

April 16th, 2017 at 9:51am CST by Dallas Robinson

There’s a belief that LSU running back Leonard Fournette is “driven by stardom” and may lack a commitment to football, sources tell Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. Of course, the quickest way to achieving fame in the NFL is by producing results on the field, so concerns about Fournette’s makeup may be overblown. Recent reports indicate Fournette is still a candidate to go No. 1 overall, but that seems incredibly unlikely, and I sent Fournette to Baltimore in PFR’s first 2017 mock draft.

Here’s more on the 2017 draft:

Latest On Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley

April 16th, 2017 at 8:37am CST by Dallas Robinson

NFL clubs are beginning to worry about the fragility of Ohio State Marshon Lattimore‘s hamstrings, and have concerns about him staying healthy for a full season, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Those injury issues could push Lattimore down draft boards, and may lead to him falling outside the top 10 picks.Marshon Lattimore (Vertical)

Lattimore had been widely viewed as the draft’s No. 1 corner prospect, and was expected to be selected first among that strong position group. In PFR’s first mock draft of 2017, I sent Lattimore to the Bears at pick No. 3. The Titans, too, have shown a good deal of interest in Lattimore and are not expected to pass on him if he falls to pick No. 5.

But those hamstring issues may affect Lattimore’s stock — his hamstring tightened up during the scouting combine in March, and he had similar problems during his time with the Buckeyes. Those problems — and the fact Lattimore is only a one-year starter — could lead to the rise of his Ohio State teammate, fellow cornerback Gareon Conley.

Conley is considered a safer pick than Lattimore, and may now be overtaking the latter as this year’s No. 1 CB. The Jaguars will host Conley for a visit on Monday, reports Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com, who adds the Titans and Saints have also exhibited “a lot” of interest in Conley. NFL teams like Conley’s “work ethic and temperament,” per Pauline, and feels he’s ready to play in the pros immediately.

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