Dallas Robinson | Pro Football Rumors

Bengals Will Not Trade No. 1 Pick

April 23rd, 2020 at 5:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bengals will officially not trade the No. 1 overall pick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

All throughout the predraft process, Cincinnati hasn’t expressed any willingness to move off the first selection, but that hasn’t stopped other teams from trying. The Dolphins, specifically, have reportedly even tried to acquire the No. 3 pick with the intent of packaging it with the fifth overall selection in exchange for No. 1. But even an offer that attractive hasn’t swayed the Bengals.

It’s hard to fault Miami for trying, of course, as the club had embarked on a 2019 tanking campaign in order to land a top quarterback. Cincinnati is widely expected to draft LSU signal-caller Joe Burrow with the No. 1 selection.

Ravens Tried To Trade For DeAndre Hopkins

April 23rd, 2020 at 5:43pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Ravens were among the teams that attempted to trade for wideout DeAndre Hopkins before the Texans dealt him to the Cardinals last month, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Ultimately, Houston sent Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick to Arizona in exchange for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-rounder, and a 2021 fourth-rounder, a price that Baltimore was apparently unwilling to meet. The Ravens, who didn’t sign any free agent wide receivers in March, are currently set to return Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, and Miles Boykin as their top-three wideouts in 2020.

Of course, the fact that Baltimore was interested in acquiring Hopkins means the club could be eyeing a wide receiver early in the 2020 draft. Baltimore holds the 28th overall selection plus two second-round picks, and could use one of those slots on a pass-catcher in what is considered a historically deep class.

Texans Discussing Trade Into First Round

April 23rd, 2020 at 5:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans and head coach/general manager Bill O’Brien haven’t been afraid to make deals this offseason, and they might not be done just yet. Houston, whose first pick currently sits at No. 40 overall, has called teams with an eye towards moving back into the first round, as Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets.

Frankly, it’s difficult to believe the Texans have the draft capital required to make any sort of significant move up the board. Previous trades have left their reserve of 2020 and 2021 picks relatively barren. This year, Houston has only two selections (Nos. 40 and 90) within the top-100 picks. In 2021, the club doesn’t have a first- or second-round pick.

Of course, the Texans could attempt other variations of trade proposals. Houston could consider reaching even further into the future and start trading 2022 selections, for example, or send a veteran player along in a potential deal. O’Brien, to be sure, has complete control in Houston and hasn’t been afraid to make all-in trades in the very recent past.

Vikings Expressed Interest In Trent Williams A Month Ago

April 22nd, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings have previously expressed interest in Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, as John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Minnesota’s interest came about a month ago, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.com.

Per Anderson, “nothing has transpired” between the Vikings and Redskins since that initial interest is conveyed. But it’s entirely possible Minnesota could continue to work the phones on Williams as we head into draft day. The Vikings currently hold five picks within the top-105, so they should certainly have the draft capital to make a move for Williams if they want to.

Riley Reiff has manned left tackle for the Vikings in each of the past three seasons, but he’d presumably move to guard if Minnesota were to acquire Williams. The Vikings’ front five was an above-average unit in 2019, ranking seventh in Football Outsiders‘ run-blocking metric and 14th in FO’s pass-blocking charting.

Washington has reportedly taken over the Williams trade process from Williams and his agent. Any club that picks up Williams will need to put him through an exhaustive physical exam, and will probably need to extend his contract. He’s currently signed only through the 2020 campaign.

Dolphins Considering Move To No. 3 Overall For OT

April 22nd, 2020 at 1:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins have contacted teams ahead of them in the draft order about a potential move up the board, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Instead of targeting a quarterback, however, Miami would be looking at an offensive tackle. The Dolphins — who currently hold the fifth overall selection — have spoken with the Lions about acquiring the No. 3 pick, per RapSheet.

The 2020 draft class contains at least four offensive tackle prospects who are expected to come off the board relatively early in the first round. In some order, most observers peg the top-four OTs as Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton.

Given that the Bengals and Redskins are almost assuredly taking Joe Burrow and Chase Young with pick Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, the Dolphins should be able to get one of those four tackles at No. 5 without making a move. But if they have their eye on a specific tackle, a trade up could potentially make sense.

Miami is in need of help at tackle after trading former first-rounder Laremy Tunsil to the Texans last year. The Tunsil deal allowed the Dolphins to acquire a haul of draft capital from Houston, but also left them short at a critical offensive position.

If Miami doesn’t end trade up, or doesn’t take a tackle at No. 5, there are still options for them further down the board. Houston’s Josh Jones, USC’s Austin Jackson, Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland, and Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson are also considered possible first-round selections.

Saints Won’t Conduct Offseason Program

April 22nd, 2020 at 12:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While many NFL teams have kicked off “virtual” offseasons, with players taking part in online meetings and workout sessions, the Saints don’t plan on doing the same. Head coach Sean Payton recently told New Orleans’ players that the club won’t hold a virtual offseason at all, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter links).

Saints players won’t be required to show up at the team facility even if league rules change. Payton told his players to take care of their families and “show up for training camp in the best shape of [their] lives,” per Russini.

While not holding an offseason program may give Saints players peace of mind, it could have complicated the payment of workout bonuses, which were intended to be earned through the virtual program. As Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets, linebacker Demario Davis is due a $250K workout bonus, while other players like Terron Armstead, Cameron Jordan, and Larry Warford have bonuses of $100K in their contracts.

However, the Saints have already contacted the NFLPA about their plan to not hold virtual sessions, tweets Jane Slater of NFL.com. Players who have workout bonuses will still receive them, per Slater.

Colts To Re-Sign WR Marcus Johnson

April 22nd, 2020 at 11:08am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts have agreed to re-sign wide receiver Marcus Johnson, according to his agents at EnterSport Management (Twitter link).

Johnson, 25, reached restricted free agency last month, but Indianapolis opted not to tender him an offer. Thus, the former undrafted free agent almost surely re-signed at a cost cheaper than the lowest RFA tender of $2.133MM.

Johnson was injured for the first half of last season, but took on a prominent role down the stretch, starting six games and posting a 105-yard performance against Tampa Bay. Overall, he finished with 277 yards and two touchdowns in only eight games.

Jets Not The Frontrunner For Trent Williams

April 22nd, 2020 at 10:43am CST by Dallas Robinson

While the Jets remain interested in Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, they are not considered the frontrunner for the veteran lineman, according to Connor Hughes of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Washington is attempting to move Williams ahead of the draft this week, and they’ve apparently taken over complete control of the process by “closing the window” on allowing Williams and his agent to speak with other clubs. The Redskins are reportedly speaking with multiple teams regarding Williams.

New York has been tied to a Williams acquisition since early March. However, later reports indicated the Redskins were holding out for a second-round pick. The Jets, who hold the 48th overall selection, decided that was too rich an ask.

The Jets made several additions to their offensive line during free agency in signing George Fant, Connor McGovern, and Greg Van Roten, but none are on the level of Williams, who would immediately become the best Jets lineman in quite some time.

Latest On Trent Williams

April 22nd, 2020 at 10:30am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins have “closed the window” on allowing Trent Williams and his agent to seek a trade, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets, Washington has had “some really good constructive conversations” and there is “hope” a trade can be worked out shortly.

So, what does this all mean? It’s possible the Redskins gave Williams and his agent a timeline during which they could attempt to find a trade partner, and it would make sense if that deadline was the week of the draft. That time may have come and gone, so Washington is now asserting more control over the process.

As of this morning, the Redskins are still discussing Williams with multiple teams. They’d likely want to have a trade in place by draft day and acquire as many 2020 selections as possible. Of course, dealing Williams is no easy task: not only does he want a new contract, but, given his health issues, he’ll be subject to a robust physical, which isn’t a small hurdle thanks to COVID-19 concerns.

Williams, 31, has one year and a $12.5MM base salary remaining on his current contract. While some reports have indicated he wants to become the NFL’s highest-paid tackle with a new deal that averages something near $20MM annually, Williams’ agent has denied those claims.

Bucs Nearly Traded O.J. Howard For Trent Williams

April 22nd, 2020 at 10:08am CST by Dallas Robinson

Now that Rob Gronkowski has joined Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, incumbent Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard has become an even more obvious trade candidate than he previously was. Turns, out, the Bucs already tried to deal him earlier this year.

Two months ago, Tampa Bay nearly traded Howard to the Redskins in exchange for offensive tackle Trent Williams, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. It’s unclear if the proposed swap would have involved other players or draft picks, but in either case, the deal fell through.

Williams, of course, has been on the trade block for some time, and may still be moved this week. Had Tampa Bay been able to acquire him, Williams almost surely would have taken over at left tackle, allowing the Buccaneers to move Donovan Smith to the right side and improving their offensive line in one fell swoop.

Notably, talks involving Howard and the Redskins occurred before Brady decided on Tampa Bay and before Gronkowski came out of retirement to join him. That’s perhaps not altogether surprising, as Howard was reportedly available since the 2019 trade deadline. But a Howard deal makes all the more sense now given that Gronk has made his way to the Buccaneers.

Howard, who’s posted 34 receptions in each of the past two seasons, has one year plus a 2021 option remaining on his contract. Tampa Bay — or whatever team potentially acquires Howard — has until May 5 to exercise that option, which would be fully guaranteed.