Draft Rumors: Lawson, Lynch, Jack, Bosa
In his latest mock draft, Peter King of TheMMQB.com has Clemson edge defender Shaq Lawson coming of the board at No. 11 to the Bears. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report likes that prediction, tweeting that the idea of Lawson to the Bears is “heating up,” with Chicago having done a ton of homework on the young pass rusher.
According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via PhiladelphiaEagles.com), not all NFL teams are comfortable with Lawson’s shoulder — a few clubs believe he has a degenerative condition that will create problems down the road. However, Lawson believes his shoulder is good to go, and his camp sent a video to all 32 teams over the weekend to prove it, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Here are a few more draft-related odds and ends from around the league:
- The NFL has notified all 32 teams that no player tested positive for banned substances during the February combine, league sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Some clubs are concerned about Paxton Lynch‘s “alarmingly low score” on the Wonderlic test, and while there are still plenty of teams that like him, some people around the NFL believe the Memphis quarterback may be picked after Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg, according to Tony Pauline. Pauline cautions that he doesn’t buy that idea, but he does expect Hackenberg to be selected during the early part of the second round.
- Despite concern about the long-term health of Myles Jack‘s knee, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) says that the UCLA linebacker is still a virtual lock to come off the board within the top 15 picks in the first round, while Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter link) doesn’t expect Jack to get out of the top 10.
- The trades for quarterbacks at the top of the draft could push some defensive players down the board, but it’s “highly unlikely” that Ohio State pass rusher Joey Bosa slips beyond No. 7, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
- Baylor basketball player and tight end Rico Gathers has his pro day at the Saints‘ facility today, with 24 teams sending reps, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Given how weak this year’s tight end class is, teams are more intrigued by Gathers than initially expected, says Rapoport.
Update On 2016’s Restricted Free Agents
Friday’s deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with rival teams came and went without any noteworthy RFA news, which can be attributed – at least in part – to the lack of restricted free agents remaining on the market. Although nearly 40 players eligible for restricted free agency this offseason were tendered by their respective teams, only three of those players remain unsigned.
Now that the deadline for offer sheets has passed, the three unsigned RFAs have little leverage when it comes to securing a long-term contract. At this point, an unsigned RFA could still get a multiyear offer from his own team, but he can’t sign elsewhere unless his current team rescinds his tender. As such, the players who haven’t yet signed their tenders will likely do so in the coming days or weeks.
These are the three RFAs who have yet to sign their tenders:
- Ronald Leary, G (Cowboys)
- Brandon Marshall, LB (Broncos)
- Michael Wilhoite, LB (49ers)
While Wilhote received a right-of-first refusal tender, worth $1.671MM, Leary and Marshall got second-round tenders, worth $2.553MM. As such, it’s no surprise that they were unable to land offer sheets from a rival team — any team signing Leary or Marshall would have had to surrender a second-round pick to do so.
Most other restricted free agents simply signed their tenders in recent weeks, but four RFAs signed offer sheets, with two of those players ultimately changing teams. Here’s a breakdown of that group:
- C.J. Anderson, RB: Signed four-year, $18MM offer sheet with Dolphins. Matched by Broncos.
- Josh Hill, TE: Signed three-year, $7.1MM offer sheet with Bears. Matched by Saints.
- Chris Hogan, WR: Signed three-year, $12MM offer sheet with Patriots. Bills did not match.
- Benson Mayowa, DE: Signed three-year, $8.25MM offer sheet with Cowboys. Raiders did not match.
The following players signed their RFA tenders, so they’re off the market and back under contract with their respective teams. These salaries are non-guaranteed, but if they play out the 2016 season on these one-year deals, they’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2017:
First-round tenders ($3.635MM):
- Case Keenum, QB (Rams)
Second-round tenders ($2.553MM):
- Jahleel Addae, S (Chargers)
- Kamar Aiken, WR (Ravens)
- Ryan Davis, DE (Jaguars)
- Abry Jones, DT (Jaguars)
- Bradley McDougald, S (Buccaneers)
- Matt McGloin, QB (Raiders)
- Mike Remmers, T (Panthers)
- Ryan Schraeder, T (Falcons)
- Neiko Thorpe, S (Raiders)
- Paul Worrilow, LB (Falcons)
Original-round/right-of-first-refusal tenders ($1.671MM):
- A.J. Bouye, CB (Texans)
- Jaron Brown, WR (Cardinals)
- Corbin Bryant, DT (Bills)
- Benny Cunningham, RB (Rams)
- Larry Donnell, TE (Giants)
- Jack Doyle, TE (Colts)
- Tony Jefferson, S (Cardinals)
- Don Jones, DB (Browns)
- Tim Lelito, G (Saints)
- Patrick Lewis, C (Seahawks)
- Zach Line, FB (Vikings)
- Matt McCants, T (Raiders)
- Jordan Mills, T (Bills)
- Austin Pasztor, OL (Browns)
- Terrelle Pryor, WR (Browns)
- Russell Shepard, WR (Bucccaneers)
- John Simon, LB (Texans)
- Scott Solomon, LB (Browns)
- D.J. Swearinger, S (Cardinals)
- Kenbrell Thompkins, WR (Jets)
- Matt Tobin, OL (Eagles)
Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post.
Extra Points: Clark, Oakman, Dolphins, Randle
Texas Tech offensive tackle Le’Raven Clark had 10 visits and 12 private workouts for teams in recent weeks, and has two more workouts this week with teams that pick in the back half of the first round, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Rapoport sounds bullish on Clark’s draft stock, I think the former Red Raider is more likely to come off the board late in the second round than late in the first.
Here are a few more Saturday odds and ends from across the NFL:
- Although Baylor defensive lineman Shawn Oakman technically doesn’t yet face any charges stemming from his arrest for an alleged sexual assault, his case is expected to be presented to a grand jury, and there won’t be any resolution before next week’s draft, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk details. Per Florio, some observers believe Oakman’s draft stock will be affected to such an extent that he won’t be selected.
- The Dolphins didn’t publicly announce their pre-draft visits with prospects, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald was able to confirm 20 of those visits, and notes that the previously-reported visit with USC safety/linebacker Su’a Cravens never materialized, due to a schedule conflict.
- Reports from The Associated Press and The Wichita Eagle provide the latest updates on free agent running back Joseph Randle, who has repeatedly run into legal trouble since being released by the Cowboys in 2015.
- Bryce Johnston of Over The Cap takes an analytical look at Josh Norman‘s new five-year deal with Washington, examining the expected contract value and concluding that the standout cornerback is unlikely to be released until at least 2019.
Josh Norman Updates: Friday
Thursday’s reports on cornerback Josh Norman suggested that Washington and the 49ers were the frontrunners for the former Panther, with both teams discussing five-year contracts. Norman is headed to D.C. first, which could give Scot McCloughan‘s club the upper hand in negotiations, but nothing has been finalized yet.
Here are the latest Friday updates on Norman’s situation, with new items added to the top of the list throughout the day:
5:47pm:
- Norman is down to Washington and the Saints, who are making a legitimate push for him, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). The Saints have the second-lowest cap space in the league ($3.44MM), so they’d have to get creative to sign Norman, Schefter adds (on Twitter).
4:32pm:
- Norman did file the necessary paperwork on his agent switch, but there are still some logistics to work through as the corner tries to avoid having to wait five days to sign somewhere, per Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter links).
- The 49ers are “in deep” for Norman, tweets CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (on Twitter) that they and Washington are in a two-team race for his services. However, Michael Silver of NFL.com doesn’t expect San Francisco to make a serious run at signing Norman (Twitter link).
3:16pm:
- Norman has family with him at Washington‘s facility, including his mother, reports John Keim of ESPN (Twitter links). That would seem to bode well for the team in its attempt to reel in Norman.
1:32pm:
- Norman is in Washington as the team’s facility now, and it would be a surprise if he left without a deal in place, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
- Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) hears that, in addition to Washington and the Niners, there are three more teams who are “strongly in [the] running” for Norman. Two of those clubs are the Jaguars and Buccaneers, per Cole’s source. Based on the Jags updates below, it doesn’t sound as if Jacksonville is a probable landing spot for the star cornerback.
12:44pm:
- Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) would be surprised if Norman lands with any team besides Washington or the 49ers, and adds that the deal is expected to be worth upwards of $15MM per year, which would make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Norman will likely reach an agreement by Saturday, says Cole.
- The Titans have been cited as a potential suitor for Norman, but after exploring the possibility, the team won’t be in the mix, says Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones also confirmed, unsurprisingly, that Norman’s price tag is too rich for his team (Twitter link via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
- Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com lays out a few reasons why the Panthers may have decided to move on from Norman.
- Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell, who acknowledged his team has interest in Norman (as noted below), admitted that the two sides are far apart on the cornerback’s perceived value. Caldwell added the Jags haven’t made a formal contract offer, and talks didn’t progress to the point where a possible visit was discussed (all Twitter links via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union).
11:18am:
- Norman is scheduled to arrive in Washington and begin his visit with the team this afternoon, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Per Anderson, Norman is inclined to keep his options open and explore other opportunities, while Washington will make a strong effort to sign him before the visit ends.
- As Mike Jones and Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post explain, Norman informed his agent – Michael George – on Wednesday that he was firing him, but the paperwork for that move has yet to be filed with the NFLPA. If Norman were to officially fire George and move forward with agent Ryan Williams, he would have to wait five days before negotiating a new contract. As long as both agents are technically representing him, Norman can enter into contract talks immediately.
- Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell confirmed today that his team has “continuing interest” in Norman, and is doing its homework on the standout cornerback (Twitter link via Tad Dickman of the Jaguars).
- Lions wide receiver Golden Tate would “love” the chance to be teammates with Norman in Detroit, but GM Bob Quinn has been noncommittal about the idea of pursuing the corner, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Draft Rumors: Conklin, Stanley, Chargers, Elliott
There’s growing buzz around Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, who tweets that Conklin is getting top-10 consideration. Meanwhile, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) suggests that there are some coaches around the NFL that prefer Conklin to Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, who is generally considered the draft’s second-best tackle after Laremy Tunsil.
Still, while Tunsil is viewed as the top tackle – and perhaps even the top player – by many teams around the NFL, there’s not a complete consensus on that. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock (Twitter link) suggests there has been some “momentum” for Stanley to go in the top 10, perhaps even before Tunsil. While that seems unlikely, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds (via Twitter) that teams aren’t all set yet.
Here are a few more draft rumors and updates from across the league:
- Speaking today to reporters, including Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter links), Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said that trade talks involving the No. 3 pick have “really slowed down” since Wednesday. The team will continue to explore trade opportunities and won’t make a final decision on the pick until next Thursday, but trade discussions have “quieted considerably.”
- Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott could come off the board as high as No. 4 next Thursday, and likely won’t last beyond pick No. 13, says Jason Cole (video link). Cole suggests that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is very fond of Elliott, but as we saw a couple years ago when Dallas took Zack Martin over Johnny Manziel, Jones is willing to defer to other decision-makers in the team’s front office during the draft.
- Bills officials are traveling to Alabama today to meet with defensive tackle Jarran Reed, multiple sources tell John Wawrow of The Associated Press. Reed had previously been scheduled to visit Buffalo, but had to cancel due to the birth of his child, says Wawrow. Since teams can no longer host players on pre-draft visits, the Bills will travel to Reed, rather than vice versa.
- During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link), Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew said that he paid a visit to the Seahawks.
Jets Notes: Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, Wilkerson
As they have insisted for the last month and a half, the Jets said again today that re-signing Ryan Fitzpatrick remains their top priority when it comes to adding a quarterback to the roster. As Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets, general manager Mike Maccagnan said that the team’s visit with Brian Hoyer was “due diligence,” and that the club’s focus is Fitzpatrick.
Although the Jets want to bring back Fitzpatrick, the team won’t alter its draft plans based on whether or not the veteran is back under contract by next Thursday, according to Maccagnan (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). The Jets GM said today that he’d consider selecting a QB “at any point in the draft” (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
Let’s round up a few more Jets-related items…
- Maccagnan said today that the Jets aren’t actively shopping Muhammad Wilkerson. However as Cimini points out (via Twitter), this may simply be an issue of semantics. Cimini and Mehta (Twitter link) both believe Gang Green would like to trade Wilkerson.
- One scenario that’s not in play for Wilkerson? His franchise tag won’t be rescinded like Josh Norman‘s was in Carolina, Maccagnan said today (Twitter link via Mehta).
- Maccagnan acknowledged that he and the Jets did inquire about the No. 1 overall pick in the draft before the Titans sent it to Los Angeles (Twitter link via Costello).
- The Jets have a solid starting duo at wide receiver, in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, but the team uses plenty of four-wideout packages, and may explore adding to its receiving corps at some point during the draft, writes Cimini in an ESPN.com piece.
Falcons Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Desmond Trufant
The Falcons have become the latest team to formally exercise their fifth-year option on a 2013 first-round pick. The team announced today (via Twitter) that it has exercised cornerback Desmond Trufant‘s option for 2017. Trufant had indicated earlier this week that he wasn’t thinking much about his option, but that he hopes to remain in Atlanta for the long term.
“That’s just for my agent to handle,” Trufant told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “I’m here. I plan on being here a long time. And I’m just here working, bonding with the team. But I know, that’s my agent. They’re going to handle all that. But I’m just here ready to work.”
[RELATED: 2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
The Falcons’ decision to exercise Trufant’s 2017 option comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old cornerback, who hasn’t missed a game (or a start) in his three seasons in Atlanta, earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015.
Trufant recorded 42 tackles, an interception, a sack, and a pair of fumble recoveries last season, and placed 13th out of 111 qualified cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus’ grades. PFF also ranked Trufant as a top-five defender against the run, among corners.
Trufant’s 2017 option salary will be worth $8.026MM, though he and the Falcons could reach a long-term agreement at any time before or during the ’17 season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Chargers To Exercise 2017 Option On D.J. Fluker
The Chargers are picking up their 2017 option on offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, a source tells Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link). The move, which was confirmed today by GM Tom Telesco (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune), extends Fluker’s rookie contract from four years to five, delaying his potential free agency until 2018.
[RELATED: 2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
After spending most of his first two years at right tackle, Fluker slid inside for the 2015 campaign, serving as the Chargers’ starting right guard for the majority of the season. Pro Football Focus wasn’t all that impressed with his play at the new position, however, ranking him 67th out of 81 qualified guards. His teammates, Kenny Wiggins and Orlando Franklin, placed 71st and 78th respectively.
Although Fluker perhaps hasn’t developed into the sort of dominant lineman the Chargers had hoped for, the 25-year-old has started 43 of 48 regular-season games for the team since entering the league, and figures to start again in 2016.
Because he was selected 11th overall in the 2013 draft, Fluker’s 2017 option salary is $8.821MM, $3MM+ less than it would have been if he had come off the board in the top 10. That salary also doesn’t become fully guaranteed until the first day of the 2017 league year. It’s guaranteed for injury only for now.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Justin Houston Expected To Play In 2016
After undergoing a procedure on his ACL earlier in the offseason, star pass rusher Justin Houston had an uncertain outlook for the 2016 season. However, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said today that the team fully expects to have Houston back in 2016, telling reporters that “our doctors have reassured us that Justin will be playing this season” (Twitter links via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star).
Houston underwent postseason arthroscopic surgery on his knee, at which point his ACL was found to be “intact but not functioning.” While a separate procedure ensured that Houston’s ACL is now repaired, the original diagnosis suggested a recovery timetable of 6-12 months following the February surgery. When the club announced the news last month, head coach Andy Reid said he hoped Houston would be able to play in 2016.
While Dorsey sounded confident today that Houston will be back on the field in 2016, it’s not clear whether the club expects to have him for all 16 regular season games. Asked exactly when the 27-year-old would be back, the GM was noncommittal: “When is a good [question]. Not being a medical expert, I really can’t definitively tell you that answer” (link via Adam Teicher of ESPN.com).
Even if Houston only takes six months to recover, that would mean he’d return sometime in August — if he misses a portion of training camp and the preseason, it may take him a little extra time to get up to speed for the regular season. Still, it sounds like positive news for the Chiefs, whose pass rush would be significantly impacted by the loss of Houston for an extended period of time.
One of the league’s top outside linebackers, Houston inked a six-year, $101MM extension with the Chiefs less than a year ago, but was hampered by injuries in the first season of his new deal. After leading the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014, Houston still played very well in 2015, but totaled just 7.5 sacks in 11 games. The outside linebacker also showed some versatility by grabbing a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Draft Notes: Jack, Raiders, Dolphins, Conklin
Many teams believe that reported concerns about Myles Jack‘s knee issues have been overblown, but just in case he slips out of the top 10 as a result of those concerns, the Raiders are doing their homework on the linebacker. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets that Oakland sent a contingent to UCLA on Thursday to work out Jack.
Here are several more draft updates from around the NFL:
- The Dolphins have genuine interest in Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin as a possible target at No. 13, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald indicated that Miami hasn’t ruled out the idea of drafting a tackle early and playing him at guard to start his NFL career, but I’d be surprised if the Fins actually went in that direction.
- Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears that the Steelers and Colts are among the teams that have been doing most due diligence on West Virginia safety Karl Joseph. Joseph, who is coming off a major knee injury, is viewed as a probable day two pick.
- Cal wide receiver Kenny Lawler has worked out for the Saints, Falcons, Cowboys, Eagles, and Colts in the weeks leading up to the draft, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Lawler is also believed to have met with the Titans and Jets last month.
- The Patriots have displayed “steady interest” in South Florida defensive end Eric Lee, according to Aaron Wilson, who says Lee is working out for Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel today (Twitter links).