Ravens Rumors: McClain, Barrett, Wenning
2014/04/ravens-rumors-mcclain-barrett-wenningBarrett, who had 246 collegiate tackles with 18 sacks and 32.5 tackles for losses, is graded anywhere from the fifth round to the seventh round by draft analysts. … A lesser player might be cut in order to save some cash but, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported earlier this winter, that was never really an option for Baltimore.
Draft Day Trades: Redskins, Rams, Pats
2014/04/draft-day-trades-redskins-rams-patsAs we have heard throughout the offseason, the depth of this year's draft class will make teams more inclined to trade down in the draft rather than trade up. … When that happens, we start to hear rumors that some teams may be willing to trade up, to sacrifice a pick or two (or three or four) in a deep draft in order to land the player they covet, just as the Falcons did to take Julio Jones in 2011 and the Broncos did to nab Tim Tebow one year earlier.
Brandt: Changes Needed For Cowboys To Return To Glory
2014/04/brandt-changes-needed-cowboys-return-gloryBrandt says the team has hurt itself by too often prioritizing need over value in the draft: "The Cowboys would likely improve their draft yield by first looking for the most talented player and then considering need. … Brandt insists the team must improve its contract valuation in order to avoid overpaying veterans (a consequence of poor drafting), entering into endless contract restructures, incurring dead money and hamstringing itself financially.
Remaining Salary Cap Space Per Team
2014/03/remaining-salary-cap-space-per-teamTeams generally need between $4-6MM in cap space for their rookie draft classes. … Curious about how much salary cap space your favorite team has? Thanks to the hard work by OverTheCap.com, they've procured estimates for all 32 NFL teams, and we're bringing the figures to you in order, from most to least.
AFC South Notes: Locker, Draft, Nicks, Jags
2014/03/afc-south-notes-locker-draft-nicks-jagsIn the above piece, and in a similar article summarizing the Titans defensive unit, Wyatt points to running back, offensive line depth, and speed on the defensive edge as the primary needs for Tennessee in the draft. … If not, he thinks their preferences are (in order) Khalil Mack and Sammy Watkins.
PFR Originals: 3/24/14 – 3/30/14
2014/03/pfr-originals-32414-33014The complete order of the 2014 NFL draft, which the Texans will kick off on May 8 with the first overall selection.
2014 Rookie Draft Pool Estimates
2014/03/2014-rookie-pool-estimatesYou can view the complete 2014 NFL Draft order here, as well as a breakdown of the draft picks by team. … These estimates are based on a number of factors -- the number of draft picks each team, the 2014 salary cap, and the salaries of the top 51 paid players under contract.
2014 NFL Draft Picks By Team
2014/03/2014-nfl-draft-picks-teamEarlier today, we published the complete 2014 NFL draft order. … In that list of 256 picks though, it may be a little tricky to find all your favorite team's selections, so we've created a separate list which shows the breakdown of the 2014 draft picks by club.
Complete 2014 NFL Draft Order
2014/03/complete-2014-nfl-draft-orderThe NFL officially announced the 32 compensatory picks for the 2014 draft earlier this week, which means the order for May's draft has been set.
Extra Points: Graham, McClain, Ryan, Jags
2014/03/extra-points-graham-mcclain-ryan-jagsThe seven-round draft order, updated with compensatory picks, can be found here, courtesy of ESPN. … Drafted eighth overall by the Raiders in 2010, McClain's trails and tribulations, including three arrests over a 17-month period, have been well-documented.
DeSean Jackson Could Be Released
2014/03/desean-jackson-releasedThe Raiders may be unwilling to part with a valuable draft pick, and even though the Jets have some extra picks, the report that Jackson will be released hurts the Eagles leverage in trade talks. … Mehta writes that Jackson seems uninterested in taking a pay cut, but believes that the 27-year-old playmaker will have to restructure his contract in order to get a deal done.
AFC West Notes: LBs, Watson, Wilfork, Chiefs
2014/03/afc-west-notesAs a result, Klis writes, the Broncos will be forced to compile a "Plan B" list of free agent linebackers and/or find a gem in the draft. … However, Williams also notes that San Diego has little cap room and would have to release someone in order to bring Wilfork in.
Darrelle Revis Rumors: Tuesday
2014/03/darrelle-revis-rumors-tuesdayA variety of details related to Revis' contract status, including his $13MM base salary, upcoming bonus payments, the team's ability to unilaterally restructure the deal, and the different draft pick compensation Tampa Bay receives if they release him this week, all contribute to creating a very murky situation. … The Bucs are trying to clear Revis' salary - ideally via trade - in order to free up space for several other free agent moves, says Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter).
NFC North Notes: Vikings, Kuhn, Lions
2014/03/nfc-north-notes-vikings-kuhn-lions-watkinsWith Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman eligible for free agency, Vikings GM Rick Spielman told ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd today that he would like to draft a young quarterback and also sign a QB in free agency, writes Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune. … In order to draft Sammy Watkins, the Lions would almost certainly have to move up from No.
NFC Notes: Suh, Bethea, Ware, Graham
2014/03/nfc-notesThe Lions are still feeling the effects of selecting high in the draft under the previous collective bargaining agreement, when rookie salaries were much higher. … Suh has restructured his contract twice in as many years in order for the Lions to gain more cap space.
AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Martin, Clowney
2014/02/afc-south-notes-jaguars-martin-clowneyThe Titans hold the 11th pick in the NFL Draft, and while the team has many holes to fill, Nicholas Pitakos of TitanSized.com explored the possibility of the team moving up to draft Jadeveon Clowney out of South Carolina. … Nate Davis of USA Today advises that the team's general manager Dave Caldwell start by courting a big name wideout such as Hakeem Nicks, and handing out a big payday to Browns center Alex Mack in order to replace the retiring Brad Meester.
Freeman On Clowney, Texans, Harbaugh
2014/02/freeman-clowney-texans-harbaughFreeman keeps hearing that not many teams will trade up in this year's draft, since the class is believed to be incredibly deep. … Even though it appears neither the team nor Martin wants a reunion, it could be in the best interest of both sides to present that as a realistic possibility in order to create some trade value for the young lineman.
Falcons Expected To Release Thomas DeCoud
2014/02/falcons-expected-release-thomas-decoudThe free agent market should provide plenty of options for teams looking to address their secondary prior to the draft.… A portion of DeCoud's salary becomes guaranteed if he remains on the team's roster beyond March 14, but it's possible he'll be released even before then, as Atlanta looks to get its cap in order by March 11.
AFC North Notes: Whitworth, Steelers, Hood
2014/02/afc-north-notes-whitworth-steelers-hoodThough cornerback is thought to be the most pressing need on defense, the Bengals will not reach for one if a better player at a different position is available to them in the draft, new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther tells Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. … Guenther also stated that the defensive scheme won't change much, but he will employ multiple fronts in order to get better matchups.
Cowboys Win Coin Flip For No. 16 Pick
2014/02/cowboys-win-coin-flip-16-pickThe NFL flipped a coin today to determine whether the Cowboys or Ravens would pick 16th overall in the 2014 draft, and Dallas won the flip, according to director of NFC communications Randall Liu (via Twitter). … 17, the first round order has now been set.
Franchise/Transition Tags
2014/02/franchisetransition-tagsIf the offer is not matched, the player's previous team will receive two first-round draft picks as compensation from the signing team. … Due to the attached compensatory picks, the non-exclusive franchise tag is generally sufficient for free agents -- few rival suitors are willing to give up multiple first-rounders in order to sign a free agent to a lucrative deal, so there's not much risk for a team to give up exclusive negotiating rights.
AFC West Notes: Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs
2014/02/afc-west-notes-chargers-raiders-chiefsThe play of the Seahawks' secondary during their Super Bowl run has the NFL trending toward bigger defensive backs, and the Chargers are one team targeting tall corners in the draft, writes ESPN Insider Kevin Weidl (subscription required). … The Chiefs would like to clear some extra cap space in order to further improve their roster, but there aren't many veterans who would be logical cap casualties, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.
NFC Notes: Saints, Packers, Delmas
2014/02/nfc-notes-saints-packers-delmasIf they are serious about free agency, Scott Chandler or Brandon Pettigrew could be fits, but a more likely scenario is that they would address the position in the draft, where tight end is thought to be a deep class. … He believes Roberts would have to take less money and a smaller role in order to stay.
NFL Notes: Saints, Redskins, Vikings
2014/02/nfl-notes-saintsWhether or not the team intends to release center Will Montgomery, right guard Chris Chester and/or right tackle Tyler Polumbus is uncertain, but any of the three could be replaced via free agency or draft. … Accordingly, Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune lists a handful of veterans who could be released in order to create more room (cap figure in parentheses): Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1MM), Lance Moore ($5.1MM), Pierre Thomas ($2.9MM), Darren Sproles ($4.25MM) and Patrick Robinson ($2.8MM).
Free Agent Market For Running Backs
2014/02/free-agent-market-running-backsNo running backs are expected to be selected in the first round of this year's draft, and the one major trade for a back consummated during the 2013 season (the Colts giving up a 2014 first-round pick for Trent Richardson) turned into something of a cautionary tale when Richardson struggled to produce in Indianapolis. … Both players offer tantalizing upside and should still have something left in the tank, but they'll need to be paired with solid second and third options in order to keep their workloads in check.