Draft Notes: Pats, Titans, Falcons, Bucs
Today’s draft news..
- Florida State offensive guard Tre Jackson told Rhett Lewis of NFL Network (on Twitter) that he’s had extended conversations with the Patriots and has a visit scheduled with them on April 12th. If the Patriots select Jackson, it would reunite him with center Bryan Stork, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (on Twitter) notes. Stork was a former FSU notable and was a Pats fourth-round pick last year.
- A source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter) that Oklahoma offensive tackle Daryl Williams is visiting the Titans today. The former four-star recruit was an All-Big 12 selection last season.
- Boston College linebacker Josh Keyes worked out for the Falcons and Buccaneers, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder started every game last season at strongside linebacker and was named third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as he recorded 63 tackles, 11.5 for losses and four sacks.
- Memphis cornerback Bobby McCain had a private meeting with the Buccaneers, league sources tell Wilson. McCain previously had private workouts with the Patriots and Colts. The All-Conference USA selection is projected as a late-round draft pick.
- FAU safety Damien Parms has pre-draft visits lined up with the Raiders and Cardinals, according to James Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Draft Notes: Crowder, Gurley, Thompson
A look at the latest draft news..
- Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder worked out for the Texans today, a source told Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter).
- A number of teams think former University of Georgia running back Todd Gurley will be selected before Melvin Gordon if his knee checks out, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets. While some teams believe Gordon is likely to have a more significant immediate impact, they believe Gurley may be better in the long-term (link).
- A respected evaluator told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter) that he sees Gurley as the best tailback in the draft since Adrian Peterson.
- Nine clubs have scheduled workouts or visits with University of Washington outside linebacker/safety Shaq Thompson, Rob Rang of CBSSports.com tweets. The Chargers, Falcons, Browns, Cowboys, Texans, Colts, Vikings, Eagles, and Panthers will all meet with the UW standout.
- Possible first-round pick P.J. Williams is set up for a pre-draft visit with the Ravens despite recent legal troubles, write Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The Florida State cornerback was arrested early this morning for driving under the influence.
Minor Moves: Thursday
We’ll round up today’s minor transactions from around the NFL in this space, with any additional moves listed at the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:
- Raiders defensive back Neiko Thorpe has signed his exclusive right free agent tender, placing him back under contract, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Earlier updates:
- The Bengals have brought back former backup signal-caller Josh Johnson, signing him to a new contract today, according to the team (Twitter link). Johnson, who visited Cincinnati today, spent time with the 49ers in 2014 after serving as Andy Dalton‘s backup for the Bengals in 2013.
- Zeke Motta, a 2013 seventh-rounder who played sparingly for the Falcons in his rookie year, was cut by Atlanta today, according to a team release. Matta missed the entire 2014 campaign due to a neck injury, and will have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent.
- Safety Anthony Walters, who played in 37 regular season contests during four seasons with the Bears, has been cut, the team announced today (via Twitter). Walters had primarily contributed on special teams for Chicago. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) wonders if Walters’ release opens up the door for the team to re-sign Danny McCray, which had been previously considered.
- After adding Mike Kafka to their roster, the Vikings have parted ways with another quarterback, formally announcing that they’ve waived Pat Devlin. The ex-Dolphin had signed a futures contract with Minnesota after spending some time on the team’s practice squad in 2014.
- Having visited Minnesota and Tampa Bay this week, tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi will be signing with the Buccaneers, reports Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). Ogbuehi, who spent time on the practice squads for the Ravens and Browns during the 2014 season, is getting a two-year deal, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Shayon Green has signed with the Steelers, according to PR rep Burt Lauten (via Twitter).
Draft Visits: Jets, M. Davis, Orchard, Raiders
It would be a little surprising to see the Jets take a receiver with the sixth overall pick after signing Eric Decker and trading for Brandon Marshall during the last two offseasons, but the team is bringing in wideout Amari Cooper today for a pre-draft visit, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). With Cooper viewed as a near lock to be selected in the top 10, it’s more likely the Jets are doing due diligence and keeping their options open rather than making the Alabama product a priority.
Here are some details on several more pre-draft visits around the NFL:
- We heard yesterday that South Carolina running back Mike Davis has a visit lined up with the Patriots, but New England is far from the only team eyeing him. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Davis also has workouts or visits scheduled with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Browns, and Falcons.
- Utah defensive end Nate Orchard, a projected second-round pick, confirmed that he met with the Browns, dining with defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil and outside linebackers coach Brian Fleury, per Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com.
- According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (all Twitter links), the Raiders are taking a look at a handful of prospects today, working out South Dakota offensive lineman Matt Huffer, and hosting New Hampshire center Mike Coccia and Texas Southern defensive back Tray Walker.
- Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell, a potential second-day pick, has worked out for the Buccaneers, Browns, and Texans, and has workouts on deck with the Bears and Eagles, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
- Delaware State defensive end Rodney Gunter, who had 57 tackles and seven sacks in his senior season, visited the Chiefs, a league source tells Wilson.
- The Broncos are hosting New Hampshire tight end Harold Spears for a pre-draft visit, according to Wilson.
Draft Notes: Raiders, Williams, Winston
Peter King of The MMQB doesn’t believe in mock drafts, but today he gave us his “best guess” draft. Going by “the look in coach Ken Whisenhunt’s eyes when he talked about the pick last week at the league meetings,” King projects that the Titans will take Marcus Mariota at No. 2 after Jameis Winston is taken with the top pick. After that, he rounds out the top five with the Jaguars taking Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler at No. 3, the Raiders selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams at No. 4, and Washington taking West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White at No. 5, before trading him to the Rams for the No. 10 and 72 picks. Here’s a look at today’s draft news..
- The Raiders are high on Williams and could trade up to land him, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Oakland is in the pivot spot at No. 4 and although people have pegged them to land a wide receiver, they want the USC superstar and fear that he’ll be gone by No. 3. If they can’t get up land him, Cole says that they could move back to still take White or Amari Cooper while adding another asset.
- The NFL is still concerned about Winston’s maturity, according to Cole (video link). King (on Twitter) adds that the Bucs have done major homework on the FSU star. Their private eyes have interviewed more than 75 people in Winston’s past.
- Winston isn’t the only FSU product tied to the Buccaneers. Guard Josue Matias said he is scheduled to visit the Bucs next week as well, as Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com writes. Matias is viewed by draft experts as a second- or third-round pick. The Bucs, meanwhile, have a glaring need at right guard and their offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL in 2014.
- Former South Carolina guard A.J. Cann is drawing a ton of pre-draft interest, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets. Right now, Cann has visits and/or workouts scheduled with 14 different teams. Getlin adds that the Ravens, Saints, Vikings, and Buccaneers are among the teams the young lineman will meet with (link).
- South Carolina running back Mike Davis would be a great fit for the Patriots and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that he indeed has a visit lined up with them.
- Albany tight end Brian Parker will work out for the Eagles and visit the Bengals, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Parker has also drawn interest from the Vikings, Bills, and Seahawks. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder caught 39 passes for 500 yards and five touchdowns last season.
- The Buccaneers worked out Idaho defensive lineman Quayshawne Buckley on Wednesday, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter). Pauline describes him as a sleeper and a strong fit for Tampa Bay’s system.
- University of Miami tight end Clive Walford has visits or workouts lined up with the Saints, Falcons, Dolphins, 49ers, Ravens, Chiefs, and Buccaneers, according to Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: Rams, Kaepernick, Draft, Boykin
Let’s check in on a few Wednesday items from around the NFC….
- Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, and Louisville offensive tackle Jamon Brown are among the prospects paying pre-draft visits to the Rams today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (all Twitter links).
- Colin Kaepernick‘s long-term outlook in San Francisco isn’t entirely clear yet, but for the foreseeable future, he’s the 49ers‘ starting quarterback, and that became even more certain today — as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com details, Kaepernick’s $10.4MM salary for 2015 became fully guaranteed when the calendar turned to April.
- The son of former Detroit wide receiver Brett Perriman visited his father’s old team today, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, who writes that the Lions hosted Central Florida wideout Breshad Perriman for a pre-draft visit. The younger Perriman is one of the fastest players in this year’s draft class.
- Another speedy receiving prospect, Miami’s Phillip Dorsett, said today that he has visits lined up with the Falcons and Panthers, per James Walker of ESPN.com.
- Prior to his Pro Day today, Towson cornerback Tye Smith had a dinner meeting with the Saints, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Smith is expected to be a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
- Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com provides the details on wide receiver Jarrett Boykin‘s one-year deal with the Panthers, tweeting that it’s a minimum salary pact with a $20K bonus.
South Notes: Saints, Gregory, Beasley, Colts
The Saints have been one of the league’s busiest teams this month, stockpiling several early-round draft picks and trading core contributors like Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, and Ben Grubbs. According to Peter King of TheMMQB.com, the team wants to continue to be active over the course of the next month, which could mean trading veteran guard Jahri Evans, or perhaps extending or dealing defensive end Cameron Jordan. As we wait to see what else GM Mickey Loomis and the Saints have up their sleeves, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFL’s two South divisions….
- While Randy Gregory‘s failed drug test at the combine may result in him not being a top-10 pick, it hasn’t necessarily diminished interest in him around the league. Faced with the possibility of Gregory being available, clubs with picks in the second half of the first round are taking a closer look at the Nebraska product. According to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Panthers are the latest team to work out Gregory.
- Clemson’s Vic Beasley, one of this year’s top edge-rushing prospects, had a workout today with the Falcons, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com is confused by the Colts‘ apparent decision not to make head coach Chuck Pagano a serious contract extension offer this offseason. Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explores whether Ryan Grigson‘s involvement in the Deflategate saga could cause a strain on the relationship between Indianapolis’ coach and general manager.
Matt Schaub To Visit Ravens
Earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that quarterback Matt Schaub would likely sign a new contract this week, with the Ravens, Jets, and Falcons among the teams in play. Now, Aaron Wilson of the Balimore Sun writes that Schaub is expected to visit Baltimore to meet with the Ravens early this week.
According to Wilson, Schaub has also drawn “solid interest” from the Falcons, but the Sun scribe doesn’t list the Jets as one of the clubs in the mix for the former Raider. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that it’s “fair to say” the Jets probably won’t add another quarterback of consequence until at least the draft, so it sounds like they’re not serious suitors for Schaub. Per Wilson, the Cowboys and Titans have also expressed interest in the veteran QB.
The Ravens would make some sense as a fit for Schaub. Baltimore lost its top backup earlier this month when Tyrod Taylor signed a new deal with the Bills. Keith Wenning currently looks like the No. 2 option behind Joe Flacco, so I imagine the Ravens wouldn’t mind adding a veteran to the roster.
FA Rumors: Schaub, Barnes, Myers, Jaguars
The Raiders opted to replace Matt Schaub with Christian Ponder as their backup quarterback heading into 2015, releasing Schaub earlier this month. However, it doesn’t appear that the veteran signal-caller will be out of work for long. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Schaub will likely sign a new deal this week. The Jets, Ravens, and Falcons are among the teams in the running to land him.
Let’s check in on a few other items related to free agents….
- Free agent offensive lineman Tim Barnes, who played center and guard for the Rams, is visiting the Chiefs today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). Kansas City already fortified its interior offensive line by acquiring Ben Grubbs from the Saints, but the team is looking for additional pieces, having lost a big one in center Rodney Hudson.
- Speaking of free agent centers, ex-Texans lineman Chris Myers is visiting the Seahawks today, a source tells Schefter (Twitter link). Seattle sent Max Unger to New Orleans earlier in March, and has been eyeing free agent centers, including Stefen Wisniewski.
- Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union takes a closer look at free agent wideout Greg Jennings to determine whether he’s a fit for the Jaguars.
- The Ravens aren’t necessarily done adding free agents, but there aren’t many noteworthy players still on the board at the positions they’d want to target. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun examines some of the free agent options for the team at wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, and a couple other spots.
Falcons Fined $350K, Lose Fifth-Round Pick
After announcing the penalties levied against the Browns for their “Textgate” scandal, the NFL has also confirmed the discipline for the Falcons for piping artificial crowd noise into their home stadium. According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter links), the Falcons have been fined $350K, and will lose a fifth-round pick in 2016.
Per McClure (via Twitter), team president Rich McKay will also be suspended from the league’s competition committee, as Adam Schefter reported earlier today. That ban will begin on April 1, and McKay can’t be reinstated until at least June 30. As for the draft pick, McClure notes that if the team ends up holding multiple fifth-rounders, the higher pick will be taken away.
The Falcons’ former director of event marketing, Roddy White (not to be confused with the wide receiver of the same name), was found responsible for implementing the fake crowd noise at the club’s home games in 2013 and 2014. According to McClure (via Twitter), White will face an eight-week suspension if he gets a job with another team.
The penalty for the Falcons’ rule violations is perhaps a little harsher than the one the Browns received after GM Ray Farmer was found to have sent text messages to the sidelines during games. Cleveland was hit with a $250K fine, and Farmer will have to stay away from the team during the first four weeks of the regular season, but the Browns didn’t lose a draft pick.