2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

NFL Draft Notes: Dolphins, Browns, Jets, Raiders, Bucs

April 23rd, 2018 at 7:39pm CST by Micah Powell

The Dolphins are serious about moving back in the draft if the board operates as the team expects, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald writes.

Beasley says if the quarterbacks the team are targeting all go early, the team would be more than happy to trade back, pick up additional assets and target a linebacker like Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch.

Though the team did not have Vander Esch in for a pre-draft visit, Miami did meet with him at the Combine in February and not having a pre-draft visit did not stop it from selecting Charles Harris in 2017.

Trading back with the hopes of landing the Boise State standout could be a risky proposition. The quick linebacker has been one of the fastest rising names in the days leading up to Thursday’s NFL Draft.

Here’s more concerning the upcoming draft:

The MMQB’s Peter King released his first-round mock draft on Monday and has Sam Darnold pegged as the No. 1 pick to the Browns. King cites his pick on the team’s need to be safe and a source who is “someone I trust, who is very often right and is very well-connected, told me Sunday it’s not [Josh] Allen.”
In the same mock draft, King tabbed Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea to the Dolphins at No. 11. Miami was believed to be one of the teams looking to move up for a quarterback like Baker Mayfield. “I’ve started to think, through what I’ve heard in the pre-draft process, that Miami is more likely to stick with Ryan Tannehill (who has missed the last 19 games with injury) and continue the progress he was making with Adam Gase in the 2016 season.”
Unlike the Browns, who plan to have their drafted quarterback watch from the sidelines in 2018, the Jets are not opposed to having their top pick — should they draft a quarterback — starting from Day One, Jets head coach Todd Bowles tells Newsday’s Calvin Watkins. “It depends on the progress,” Bowles said. “I’m not afraid to play young players at any position. You go in and compete and as you gain confidence in the system, understand what you’re doing and go through training camp.” New York is highly expected to take a signal-caller at No. 3.
The Buccaneers could trade back with a team looking to land a quarterback and pick up a running back or pass rusher with the move, Florida Football Insiders speculates. Though the Broncos and Colts have been heavily linked to trade back, the Bucs also make sense. Should they land in the middle to late in the first round, they could target LSU running back Derrius Guice or UT San Antonio defensive end Marcus Davenport.
The Raiders are looking to upgrade their receiver depth and could target the position in the upcoming draft, Scott Bair of NBC Sports writes. Though it won’t likely look for a receiver at No. 10, several options like Christian Kirk and James Washington could be on the board in the second round.

Bills Unlikely To Trade Up To Giants’ No. 2 Pick?

April 23rd, 2018 at 6:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Many have speculated that the Bills will use the Nos. 12 and 22 picks to move up to the top 5 and the Giants, who are reportedly split on this year’s top quarterback prospects, appear to be logical trade partner. However, that might not be in the cards.

Right now, it seems unlikely that Bills GM Brandon Beane will “sell out” and trade up to the second pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link). Instead, the Bills are more likely to make a move if a QB they like falls to No. 5 or No. 6.

The writing has been on the wall for the Bills to make a move for a quarterback in this draft ever since the team dealt Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. Though there is a chance a quarterback they like could fall to No. 12, it has long been speculated the team will use both picks to go after the team’s No. 1 target.

With the Browns (No. 1 and No. 4) and Jets (No. 3) likely locked in to taking a quarterback, Buffalo could find more likely trade partners in the Broncos and Colts. Denver has the No. 5 pick and could be out of the quarterback market after they signed Case Keenum in the offseason. The Colts at No. 6 could also be looking to acquire additional assets from a team looking to get in on the quarterback feeding frenzy.

The Cardinals have been heavily linked to Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and could also be looking to move up into the top 10 if the Heisman Trophy winner falls.

Chargers Plan To Exercise Melvin Gordon Fifth-Year Option

April 23rd, 2018 at 5:36pm CST by Micah Powell

Though nothing is official, the Chargers intend to exercise the fifth-year option on running back Melvin Gordon, general manager Tom Telesco told reporters at his pre-draft press conference, ESPN’s Eric D. Williams writes.

“I think right now the plan is to exercise the option,” Telesco said. “But right now we’re just focused on the draft.”

As a running back drafted at No. 15 in 2015, Gordon would be scheduled to make $5.605MM in 2019. Though Gordon has been inconsistent throughout his three-year career, that number is still a solid bargain for the Chargers.

Gordon has rushed for 2,743 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career. He is coming off a career-high 1,105 yards on the ground and he also added 58 grabs for 476 yards and four touchdowns. In 2016, Gordon rebounded from a difficult rookie campaign to earn his only Pro Bowl selection.

Jets Work Out FB Derrick Coleman

April 23rd, 2018 at 3:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets auditioned fullback Derrick Coleman on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Coleman was one of several veterans to audition for the team, joining edge rusher Lamarr Houston, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and defensive linemen Tyrunn Walker and Lavar Edwards.

Coleman, 28 in October, appeared in all 16 of the Falcons’ regular season games in 2017. He is regarded as one of the best at his position, but hasn’t found much of a market this offseason as most teams do not utilize a fullback in their offense. Known mostly for his blocking ability, Coleman has just three catches in his last two NFL seasons and 13 grabs across four active years in the league.

Coleman made headlines for the wrong reasons during his Seahawks tenure. An alleged hit-and-run incident in 2015 kept him out of football in 2016, but he avoided jail by agreeing community service plus 12 months of community supervision. The Jets already have multiple players who are dealing with legal trouble, so they’ll do some serious homework on Coleman before extending him an offer.

Chargers WR Tyrell Williams Signs Tender

April 23rd, 2018 at 3:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams signed his restricted tender on Monday, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). As of this writing, there are now only two restricted free agents who have yet to sign their tenders: Falcons cornerback Ricardo Allen and Chiefs defensive end Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

The Chargers will return Williams to a WR group that also includes Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin, and 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams. Per the terms of the second-round tender, T. Williams will earn $2.914MM in 2018.

Williams, 26, caught 69 passes for a team-leading 1,059 yards in a breakout 2016 campaign. He came back to earth somewhat in 2017 with 43 grabs for 728 yards and four scores, but remains a dangerous receiving threat.

With four quality receivers under contract, the Chargers theoretically could deal from their surplus in advance of this weekend’s draft.

Cowboys’ David Irving Under Investigation

April 23rd, 2018 at 3:03pm CST by Zachary Links

David Irving is under investigation from Frisco, Texas police, as Drew Davison of the Star Telegram tweets. Irving has been accused of domestic violence from a woman claiming to be his girlfriend. Cops are looking into allegations of assault for bodily injury of a family member; assault against a family member while impeding breath/circulation, and unlawful restraint. The charge of impeding one’s breath/circulation (which, effectively, means choking someone) is a felony.

On Monday afternoon, his girlfriend retracted her allegations, per Davison (Twitter link). The Frisco Police Department plans to continue with its investigation. “We’re still going to do our due diligence,” officer Radd Rotello told Davison.

This is not Irving’s first instance of off-the-field trouble, but it is the first of its kind during his NFL career. Last year, he began the season with a four-game ban for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He rebounded well from that suspension, however, as he racked up seven sacks in eight games. This offseason, he signed his one-year, $2.9MM restricted tender to remain in Dallas.

If the allegations have merit, Irving could be looking at another suspension to begin the 2018 season, not to mention a host of legal trouble.

Raiders To Sign CB Daryl Worley

April 23rd, 2018 at 2:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have agreed to sign cornerback Daryl Worley, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Worley was released by the Eagles last week following a bizarre arrest.

According to police, Worley was found passed out inside of a car in Philadelphia at around 6am on the morning of Sunday, April 15. The cornerback was combative with the cops, who ultimately tasered him. After that, police found a gun in Worley’s possession that was not properly registered. He now faces multiple charges, including a violation of the uniform firearms act, driving under the influence, and disorderly conduct.

Worley is now on his third team of 2018. In March, the former third-round pick was shipped from the Panthers to the Eagles in the Torrey Smith trade. The defending champs did not want to wait for things to shake out in court, but the Raiders are apparently willing to take a flier on him.

The Raiders will start Gareon Conley and free agent pickup Rashaan Melvin at the main cornerback spots. Worley joins Melvin, Shareece Wright, Leon Hall, Senquez Golson, and Shaquille Richardson as newcomers to Oakland’s CB group.

In two seasons with Carolina, the West Virginia product recorded three interceptions and two sacks while starting 25 of his 31 games.

Raiders Exercise Amari Cooper’s Fifth-Year Option

April 23rd, 2018 at 2:18pm CST by Zachary Links

No surprise here. The Raiders have exercised their fifth-year option on wide receiver Amari Cooper, per a club announcement.

As a wide receiver taken in the top 10, Cooper’s salary for 2019 will be $13.924MM. That’s not exactly cheap, but it’s well worth it for one of the best young wide receivers in the game.

The Raiders have already begun discussing a long-term deal with Cooper’s agent. There’s mutual interest in a long-term deal, but Cooper’s reps will push for a deal that will position him as one of the highest-paid players at his position.

“We’ve been in contact with his agent,” McKenzie said. “I don’t want to put anything out there, don’t want to put the cart before the horse so to speak, but we like Amari.”

Cooper, 24 in June, was inconsistent last year and had eight games with less than 40 yards receiving. However, he was excellent in the previous two years as he averaged 78 catches for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns.

Latest On Ohio State C Billy Price

April 23rd, 2018 at 1:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Good news for Ohio State center Billy Price. Price tells SiriusXM that he has regained full range of motion after suffering a partially torn pectoral muscle (via PFT).

Price hurt himself while doing the bench press at the combine in February. As one of the draft’s top offensive linemen, he was widely projected as a first-round pick prior to the injury. The torn pec is a definite setback, but based on the latest info, it sounds as though he could still be a top 32 pick. The belief is that Price will be ready in time for training camp, so any team drafting him will not have to worry about Price being behind the 8-ball.

There are rumblings of a potential late-round run on interior offensive linemen, which could involve Price, Arkansas center/guard Frank Ragnow, Iowa center James Daniels, and Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn. The Eagles, who count tackle among their top needs but aren’t hard up for a guard or center, could score a decent haul for their pick at No. 32 if that happens.

Tom Brady’s Agent Says He’ll Play In 2018

April 23rd, 2018 at 12:57pm CST by Zachary Links

Tom Brady reportedly hasn’t told the Patriots that he’ll play for them in 2018, but his agent says there’s no real uncertainty. Don Yee expects Brady to return to the field, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes.

“Tom’s intentions have not changed,” Yee said Monday. “He’s consistently said he’ll play beyond this contract and into his mid-40s, or until he feels he isn’t playing at a championship level. I understand the constant speculation, but this is one point he’s been firm about.”

Last week, multiple sources told Schefter that Brady’s status was up in the air. One source said there was a “75% chance” of Brady coming back, which means a 25% chance that he would not be back. Since then, word has surfaced that Brady wants to continue playing, but he would like a new contract from the team. Yee admitted that Brady, “like every player,” pays attention to his financials, but he continues to train every day.

“He customizes his preparation to each season in order to maximize his performance,” Yee said. “His training methods are always evolving and getting better. The year he missed the first four games — that month of training on his own was particularly efficient.”

In all likelihood, it sounds like Brady will continue to play into his age-41 season and intends to keep going well beyond 2018. The Patriots may need to address his contract, however, in order to keep their star player happy. As it stands, Brady is set to carry below-market cap numbers of $22MM in each of the next two seasons.