Latest On Bears’ Selection Of Mitch Trubisky
Bears head coach John Fox was unaware of his club’s intention to draft North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky until a “couple hours” before the draft, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The effects of that news aren’t immediately clear, but it should indicate general manager Ryan Pace has complete control over personnel machinations in Chicago. Speculatively, the Bears could have been concerned about leaks, especially with other clubs — including the Browns — reportedly interested in trading up for Trubisky. In 2014, for example, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell famously kept his plan to select quarterback Blake Bortles to himself for fear of the news affecting other teams’ strategy.
In the end, the Bears traded a haul of draft picks for the 49ers for the right to move up one spot. While one earlier report indicated Chicago was bidding against itself to acquire the No. 2 pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets San Francisco did have an additional “real and legitimate offer” for the second selection. Cleveland, Kansas City, Houston, and Arizona all reportedly had interest in moving up.
Browns Inquired On Jimmy Garoppolo During Round 1
The Browns once again asked about the availability of Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the draft on Thursday night, but New England rebuffed Cleveland’s advances, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Cleveland, of course, has been interested in acquiring Garoppolo for some time, but the Patriots aren’t inclined to give up the 25-year-old backup. Just last week, Schefter reiterated that a draft-day trade involving Garoppolo was “not happening”, indicating that New England fully intends to hang onto Garoppolo for the 2017 campaign.
At least one report last night also indicated the Browns were attempting to deal for Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, and Cleveland is still in the market for a signal-caller after failing to land one last night. At present, Cody Kessler is the incumbent Browns’ starter, while the club also employs Brock Osweiler and Kevin Hogan.
If the Browns do want to make a trade at some point, they’ll certainly have the assets to do so. They own seven more picks in 2017, and picked up an extra 2018 first-rounder in a trade with the Texans on Thursday.
Browns Select Myles Garrett With No. 1 Pick
After what was reportedly ample internal debate, the Browns have officially selected Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick.
Garrett had been the consensus top prospect in the 2017 draft for some time, as nearly every draft board listed the Aggie pass rusher atop the list. Both of PFR’s mock drafts projected Garrett to Cleveland, as did most of the draft community, but the Browns’ need for a franchise quarterback seemingly invaded the club’s recent thinking. Cleveland’s front office was reportedly also considering North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky with the first overall selection — perhaps at the behest of owner Jimmy Haslam — and may still trade up from pick No. 12 in order to secure the signal-caller.
Instead of opting for a passer, however, the Browns have selected Garrett, who’s viewed as an eminently safe pick with the upside of one of the NFL’s best defenders. Cleveland had placed an “astronomical grade” on Garrett during the 2016 collegiate football season, and was subsequently “blown away” by Garrett’s combine performance: he weighed in at 272 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, and posted 33 bench press reps.
Garrett boasts the measurables of a No. 1 overall pick, and his statistical production at Texas A&M was also eye-popping. In three seasons in College Station, Garrett posted 31 sacks and 47 tackles for loss (even while dealing with injuries during his final year with the Aggies). He also graded as a top-three edge defender during all three of his collegiate campaigns, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Browns can use that type of performance, as they ranked just 30th in sacks and 23rd in adjusted sack percentage in 2016. Garrett immediately becomes the best pass-rusher on the Cleveland defense, which saw rookie Emmanuel Ogbah lead the club with six sacks last season. Garrett will now line up in a Browns front seven that also includes Jamie Collins, Demario Davis, Desmond Bryant, Danny Shelton, Carl Nassib, and Ogbah.
Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Bills Aiming To Trade Down
The Bills are “pushing hard” to trade down from the No. 10 pick, according to Vic Carrucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link). The club doesn’t see enough value where they’re currently sitting, and could look to pursue Temple linebaker Haason Reddick if they are able to trade back, per Carrucci.
Buffalo has been linked to a possible quarterback selection at 10th overall, but if the Browns are able to leap ahead of them to take UNC’s Mitch Trubisky, the Bills might lost their top target. The club has also been tied to Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, but as Carrucci notes, the 2017 class is viewed as exceptionally deep, meaning Buffalo may believe it can move back, acquire more draft assets, and still land a quality prospect.
Reddick has steadily risen up draft boards in recent weeks, and is now considered a lock to be drafted within the top-20 picks. He’d give the Bills and new head coach Sean McDermott a Luke Kuechly-esque option at linebacker, while Reddick is also versatile enough to rush the passer.
Chiefs Mulling Trade Into Top-10 Picks
The Chiefs are the club “making the most noise” about a trade into the top-10 picks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, Rapoport cautions that Kansas City could simply be putting in due diligence, and tweeted earlier this evening that “everyone” is contacting teams in the top-10 to feel out prices.
The natural inclination is to assume the Chiefs are aiming to move up for a quarterback, but clearly that has not been reported as of yet. Kansas City has been linked to quarterback upgrades all offseason, even though team management has publicly stood by incumbent Alex Smith. Texas Tech signal-caller Patrick Mahomes, specifically, has been tied to the Chiefs for weeks, but North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky or Clemson’s Deshaun Watson could also be in consideration.
Of course, the Chiefs could conceivably be looking at other positions. Depending on how high the team is willing to move, they could possibly be going after a running back such as Christian McCaffrey or Leonard Fournette, a wide receiver like Mike Williams, Corey Davis, or John Ross, or a defensive lineman such as Solomon Thomas or Jonathan Allen.
Pauline’s Latest: McCaffrey, Harris, Barnett
With the draft roughly four hours away, let’s take a look at the latest from Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com:
- The Eagles are reportedly “infatuated” with Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, per Pauline. Philadelphia might have trouble selecting McCaffrey with the 14th overall pick, however, as the Panthers also are interested in the dynamic athlete at No. 8. As such, the Eagles may have to trade up if they want to land McCaffrey. Potentially, the Eagles could make a deal with the Jets, but Pauline wonders if Philadelphia has enough draft capital to make a move up given that they sacrificed a haul of picks in 2016.
- Pass rushers Charles Harris (Missouri) and Derek Barnett (Tennessee) are both shooting up draft boards and could potentially be selected earlier than most observers currently believe, according to Pauline. The Dolphins, for one, are known to have interest in both players, but if Pauline’s report is correct, both might be gone by the time Miami picks at No. 22.
- The most undervalued player in the draft may be Colorado defensive back Chidobe Awuzie, says Pauline. Awuzie has been linked to a number of teams during the predraft process, including the Titans, Buccaneers, and Cowboys, whiles scouts like his size and level of experience.
- While Awuzie may be underrated, fellow cornerback Marlon Humphrey is being overvalued, reports Pauline, who adds the Alabama alum could even potentially fall out of the first round. Most mock drafts have placed Humphrey in Day 1, but the plethora of defensive back options in this year’s class could conceivably push him down.
Miller’s Latest: Cards, Mahomes, Bills, Bucs
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.
Fins Eyeing Derek Barnett, Charles Harris
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
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
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).