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Author: Luke Adams

Florida Rumors: Jags, Matthews, Pouncey, Fins

By | at April 29, 2014 11:00 am

Two Florida teams figure to have a significant impact on how next week’s top 10 draft picks play out, as the Jaguars hold the third overall pick and the Buccaneers pick seventh. This morning’s round of updates on the NFL’s Florida teams provides some insight into what direction the Jags might be leaning with that No. 3 pick, and checks in on the one Florida club not picking in the top 10 — the Dolphins. Let’s dive in….

  • After bringing in Jake Matthews for a visit last week, the Jaguars are believed to be targeting the Texas A&M offensive tackle with their third overall pick, a league source tells Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. While some teams may have Zack Martin or Taylor Lewan higher on their draft boards, Matthews and Greg Robinson are generally viewed as the top two tackles in this year’s class. Jacksonville’s pick is one of the most interesting to watch at the top of the draft, since a number of players, including Jadeveon Clowney, Sammy Watkins, and the top quarterbacks and tackles, could be fits for the club.
  • The Dolphins are expected to exercise their fifth-year option on center Mike Pouncey in advance of this weekend’s deadline, reports Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Based on Pouncey’s on-field production, the $7.438MM option is a lock to be picked up, but the center’s involvement in last year’s bullying scandal complicates the decision a little.
  • Teams are no longer allowed to host players for pre-draft visits, but the Dolphins will be working out Wyoming receiver Robert Herron today and tomorrow, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Jacksonville Jaguars Jake Matthews Miami Dolphins

Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS

By | at April 29, 2014 10:18 am

We’ve detailed how you can follow Pro Football Rumors on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or using an RSS reader to ensure that you receive all of our updates, 365 days a year. If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NFL team, PFR has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 32 teams.

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Draft Notes: Bortles, Askew, Mauro, Ward

By | at April 29, 2014 8:55 am

As we saw last month, a handful of the more successful and shrewder NFL franchises approach free agency with the draft in mind, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. As La Canfora writes, many clubs are more inclined to pursue free agents like Darrelle Revis, DeMarcus Ware, Steve Smith, and Julius Peppers, who were released by their previous teams, since those players aren’t linked to compensatory draft picks.

This approach also explains why the Ravens, who signed Smith after he was cut by the Panthers, were willing to give up a fifth-round pick to acquire Jeremy Zuttah — given how many compensatory picks Baltimore typically lands (a league-high 41 since 1996), the team should easily replace that fifth-rounder after letting notable free agents like Arthur Jones and Michael Oher depart.

Here’s a little more from La Canfora’s piece, as well as a few other draft notes from around the league:

  • La Canfora makes a couple draft-related predictions, forecasting a cornerback run in the first round (sometime in the 20s), and suggesting that drafted players may sign contracts more quickly this year than usual, since teams will be eager to address that business after waiting an extra two weeks for the draft.
  • Peter King of TheMMQB.com doesn’t expect Blake Bortles to still be available when the Vikings pick at No. 8 next week, but he sees Bortles as an ideal fit for Minnesota and offensive coordinator Norv Turner. King identifies the Texans and Browns as a couple teams that could snatch up the UCF signal-caller before the Vikings are on the clock.
  • Speedy Texas A&M linebacker Nate Askew, a converted receiver, has drawn “steady interest from NFL teams,” according to Aaron Wilson of the National Post, who reports that Askew visited the Panthers and Buccaneers. Wilson adds that the linebacker, who recorded a 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash, also worked out privately for the Falcons, Eagles, and the Texans.
  • Wilson also provides an update on Stanford defensive lineman Josh Mauro, who visited the Giants and worked out privately for the Cowboys, Raiders, and Falcons.
  • We heard earlier in the month that Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward paid a pre-draft visit to the Ravens, but according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link), Baltimore was just one of 12 teams to host the safety. The Falcons, Panthers, and Cowboys were among the other teams Ward visited.
  • Arizona State defensive back Alden Darby has worked out for the Patriots, Falcons, and Chargers, and still has a workout with the Raiders on the docket, tweets Doug Haller of AZCentral.com.
0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Houston Texans Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Minor Moves: Bengals, Browns, Lions, Packers

By | at April 28, 2014 5:01 pm

We’ll keep tabs on Monday’s minor transactions right here — that includes free agents accepting contract tenders, notable CFL signings, and roster moves involving players who haven’t seen much or any NFL action lately. Here are the day’s minor moves, with any new transactions added to the top of the list throughout the evening:

  • The Bengals have cut center Scott Wedige, the team announced today (Twitter link). Wedige, who didn’t appear in a regular-season game for Cincinnati last season, saw his only NFL action in 2012, briefly appearing in a pair of contests for Arizona.
  • Kicker Brandon Bogotay has been waived by the Browns, the club announced today (via Twitter). The move leaves Billy Cundiff as the only kicker on Cleveland’s roster.
  • The Lions have signed tight end Jordan Thompson, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Thompson’s signing was first broken by his old high school coach, who tweeted a congratulatory message on Friday.
  • Wilson also tweets that the Packers have cut running back Orwin Smith. The Georgia Tech product was on Green Bay’s practice squad last season before inking a futures deal with the team.
0 comments Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Transactions

AFC Notes: Knighton, Browns, Nicks, Pats

By | at April 28, 2014 3:37 pm

After seeing a number of defensive tackles cash in on the free agent market this year, Terrance Knighton knows he could’ve made out well if he didn’t have one year remaining on his contract with the Broncos. However, despite a modest $2.5MM 2014 salary, the man known as “Pot Roast” won’t be holding out, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

“I’m definitely going to honor the contract,” Knighton said. “I want to get something done and I’d like to get something done here. I don’t want to bounce around. But I’m at the point now where once the season starts, I’m just strictly football.”

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Speaking to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com, CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz strongly suggested that it was former Browns GM Michael Lombardi who was trying to land Jim Harbaugh for the Cleveland coaching job.
  • Meanwhile, Lombardi’s replacement, Ray Farmer spoke to reporters today and made a handful of interest comments about the draft’s top prospects as well as the possibility of trading up or down. The Browns general manager expects to speak to all 31 NFL GMs in the week leading up to the draft, and about eight or 10 GMs in the 24 hours before draft night. Marla Ridenour of Ohio.com has the quotes from Farmer.
  • As he tells Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, Ahmad Bradshaw did his part in recruiting former Giants teammate Hakeem Nicks to the Colts last month. “I went to his house a week before (his signing) and was just telling him how great it is over here,” Bradshaw said. “I think it kind of helped his decision. I was really encouraging him to come over.”
  • Recent Patriots signees Darrelle Revis, Julian Edelman, and Brandon LaFell all had deferred payments on their signing bonuses that won’t be paid out until March 31, 2015, writes Field Yates of ESPN.com. In total, more than $5MM of the trio’s $18MM in signing bonus money will be paid out next year. Yates also notes that Josh Hull‘s contract with the Pats is a minimum-salary deal with no bonuses.
0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts New England Patriots

NFC East Notes: Jackson, Orakpo, Kerrigan

By | at April 28, 2014 2:24 pm

Head coach Chip Kelly finally discussed the Eagles‘ decision to release DeSean Jackson, and he had an oft-repeated refrain today when asked about the move. Repeatedly asked about Jackson, Kelly stated several times that the move was “purely a football decision” (Twitter link). Here’s more from Kelly, as well as a few notes on a pair of the Eagles’ division rivals:

  • According to Kelly, the Eagles simply decided to go in “a different direction” at the wide receiver position and didn’t find any trade takers (Twitter link). Kelly added that the team came back from the owner meetings without any trade offers for the receiver, and simply decided to release him (Twitter link via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer). It may be hard to believe there were no offers on the table for such an explosive playmaker, but Jackson’s previous contract wasn’t exactly cap-friendly.
  • Although Brian Orakpo may play the 2014 season under the franchise tag, he’s still hoping for a long-term deal with the Redskins. However, he indicated today that he won’t let his contract situation affect his participation in offseason workouts and camp: “I’m not going to be in a situation where I’m holding out and all the distractions that come with it,” Orakpo said, according to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (Twitter link).
  • The Redskins‘ other outside linebacker, Ryan Kerrigan, is hoping the club decides to exercise his fifth-year option, as Boyer tweets. According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, GM Bruce Allen said today that the club will “have an announcement soon” on Kerrigan, which sounds to me like a signal that the team will be picking up that option.
  • Asked about Dallas’ potential interest in Johnny Manziel, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones was noncommittal, telling 105.3 The Fan that the team hasn’t finalized the quarterbacks on its draft board yet (link via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News).
0 comments Dallas Cowboys Philadelphia Eagles Washington Commanders

Colts Exercise Anthony Castonzo’s Option

By | at April 28, 2014 1:42 pm

The Colts have picked up their fifth-year option on Anthony Castonzo, according to Will Brinson of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The move will keep the team’s starting left tackle under contract through the 2015 season.

Castonzo, 25, took over the Colts’ left tackle job on a full-time basis shortly after being selected by the club in the first round of the 2011 draft. In 2013, he ranked 27th out of 76 qualified offensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Castonzo’s PFF grade was buoyed by solid run-blocking and an ability to avoid taking penalties.

ESPN.com’s Mike Wells had reported over the weekend that the Colts would pick up Castonzo’s option, which will be worth $7.438MM, as our fifth-year option tracker shows.

0 comments Indianapolis Colts Transactions

King’s Latest: Falcons, Manziel, Rams, Mack

By | at April 28, 2014 1:14 pm

With teams reluctant to reveal any of their plans, the weeks leading up to the draft are often filled with a mix of real and false information on teams’ preferences and players’ stocks. Peter King of TheMMQB.com points to a Johnny Manziel rumor as one example of potential misinformation, noting that he heard from one reliable source that the Eagles are considering moving up to draft the young quarterback. However, King goes on to say that a second source, who would know even better, insists it “absolutely won’t happen.”

While it seems there’s nothing to that Manziel rumor, King cites it as an instance where a team may be trying to make a “misdirection play” and passes along several more draft-related updates that he considers to be more reliable. Here are the highlights from the latest MMQB column:

  • “Momentum is gaining” for the Falcons to trade up to No. 1 to draft Jadeveon Clowney, according to King, who estimates the odds of a deal are about 40% at this point. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com also reported today that the Falcons are exploring trade options, though he notes that the club hasn’t engaged in negotiations with the Texans for that first overall pick yet. In King’s view, it would take at least Atlanta’s 2015 first-rounder in addition to this year’s No. 6 overall pick to get Houston’s attention.
  • It’s a safe bet that Rams GM Les Snead will trade at least one of his two first-round picks, if not both, says King. The team currently holds the second and 13th overall selections.
  • An offensive coordinator whose team likely won’t be drafting a quarterback early, to King: “If I had the first pick in the draft, I’d take Manziel.”
  • King spoke to Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack, who is pushing to be the first player off the board and would love to play with J.J. Watt in Houston. Although Mack hasn’t yet gotten a sense of where he’ll be selected, King would be surprised if the linebacker lasted more than six picks.
  • King passes along the top 10 players on one team’s draft board, though he’s not sure of the order: Clowney, Mack, Manziel, Blake Bortles, Aaron Donald, Sammy Watkins, and four offensive tackles (Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Zack Martin, Taylor Lewan).
  • Nevada offensive lineman Joel Bitonio could be a top target for the Panthers in the second round if he’s still on the board at No. 60, says King.
0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Houston Texans Los Angeles Rams Philadelphia Eagles

Draft Visits: Bradford, Vereen, Shembo, Tripp

By | at April 28, 2014 12:29 pm

2014’s period of pre-draft visits for prospects and NFL teams came to an end yesterday. Players will no longer be permitted to visit clubs between now and the draft on May 8, though teams are still allowed to work out players. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com have some details on some players who made visits prior to yesterday’s deadline, so let’s round up the highlights….

  • Arizona State outside linebacker Carl Bradford worked out for the Falcons and visited the Steelers, 49ers, and Chargers, reports Wilson. The Jaguars and Dolphins were among the other clubs to meet with Bradford, who is viewed as a potential second-round target.
  • The Giants hosted Richmond wide receiver Ben Edwards for a visit, according to Wilson. Edwards, who caught more than 200 passes during his college career, had his Pro Day attended by 20 NFL teams. Wilson adds that Minnesota safety Brock Vereen also visited the Giants.
  • Notre Dame outside linebacker Prince Shembo visited the Packers and also privately worked out for the Patriots, Jaguars, and Falcons, league sources tell Wilson.
  • Wilson also has the latest on Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins, the brother of Sammy Watkins. According to Wilson, the former Gators DB has visited the Redskins, Falcons, and Eagles, and worked out for the Panthers and Patriots. Watkins met with the Colts and Lions as well.
  • In addition to his previously reported visits with the Falcons and Eagles, Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp also had workouts for the Patriots and Panthers, tweets Caplan.
  • In a separate tweet, Caplan adds North Carolina State defensive back Dontae Johnson to the list of prospects who visited the Eagles.
0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Los Angeles Chargers New England Patriots New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Washington Commanders

Rams Pick Up Option On Robert Quinn

By | at April 28, 2014 11:53 am

The Rams have officially exercised their fifth-year option on Robert Quinn, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had indicated earlier in the month that it was just a matter of time until the Rams picked up the 2015 option on the defensive end.

Quinn, 23, has emerged as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers over the course of his first three years with the Rams. In 2013, the North Carolina product finished a close second to Robert Mathis in total sacks, with 19 to Mathis’ 19.5. Quinn also placed second behind the standout Colts edge defender in forced fumbles, with seven to Mathis’ eight. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Quinn was the league’s best 4-3 defensive end in 2013 by a wide margin, with an incredible grade of +77.2. Greg Hardy was the runner-up with a +28.0 grade.

Because Quinn was drafted outside of the top 10 in 2011, he’ll be in line for a $6.969MM salary in 2015. That’s the figure that applies to defensive ends selected between 11th and 32nd — fellow ends like Muhammad Wilkerson, Corey Liuget, and Cameron Jordan have also seen their options picked up in advance of the May 3 deadline.

To keep tabs on all of this year’s fifth-year option decisions, be sure to check out our tracker.

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