Eagles Favorites To Sign Mark Sanchez
WEDNESDAY, 9:20pm: Sanchez is in Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles and a deal could be done soon, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. The Eagles are putting the quartberack through a physical with an eye on his injured shoulder.
MONDAY, 4:23pm: While the Eagles are in the lead to sign Sanchez, it’s “not a lock,” a source tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta adds the Browns and Titans to the list of teams that have expressed some interest, and says the Giants probably aren’t a serious candidate for Sanchez, despite having some interest.
4:05pm: As expected, Mortensen clarifies (via Twitter) that the Eagles will at least have to do their own medical evaluation of Sanchez before signing him. As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, the Eagles look like the frontrunners for the ex-Jet, but there are still a few hurdles to clear.
3:59pm: Mark Sanchez received a “failed physical” designation when he was officially released by the Jets, but his recovery from shoulder surgery is going well, and it won’t stop him from signing with a new team, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. While it’s not entirely clear if he’s reporting that Sanchez already has an agreement in place, Mortensen at least suggests (via Twitter) that the veteran quarterback figures to land with the Eagles now that he’s a free agent.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicates (via Twitter) that it’s not quite a done deal yet, writing that the Eagles will take a “hard look” at Sanchez and his medicals, and may sign him. In a second tweet, Rapoport adds that the Giants and other teams should join the Eagles in the hunt for Sanchez. Earlier today, we heard that the Rams also have some interest in the 27-year-old.
Sanchez, a former fifth overall pick, spent four seasons as the Jets’ full-time starter before giving way to Geno Smith in 2013. After setting career-highs with a 56.7% completion percentage, 3,474 passing yards, and 26 passing TDs in 2011, Sanchez regressed in 2012, with those numbers dipping to 54.3%, 2,883, and 13, respectively.
If he officially signs in Philadelphia, Sanchez would be replacing the man that replaced him in New York, taking over Michael Vick‘s role as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback behind Nick Foles.
2014 NFL Draft Picks By Team
Earlier today, we published the complete 2014 NFL draft order. In that list of 256 picks though, it may be a little tricky to find all your favorite team’s selections, so we’ve created a separate list which shows the breakdown of the 2014 draft picks by club. Here’s the complete list of 2014 NFL draft picks by team, sorted in order of total picks:
- New York Jets (12): 1st (18), 2nd (49), 3rd (80), 4th (104), 4th (115), 4th (137), 5th (154), 6th (195), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213), 7th (233)
- San Francisco 49ers (12): 1st (30), 2nd (57), 3rd (70), 3rd (77), 3rd (100), 4th (106), 4th (129), 5th (150), 5th (170), 6th (180), 7th (243), 7th (245)
- St. Louis Rams (11): 1st (2), 1st (13), 2nd (41), 3rd (75), 4th (110), 6th (188), 6th (214), 7th (226), 7th (241), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Houston Texans (10): 1st (1), 2nd (33), 3rd (65), 3rd (83), 4th (135), 6th (177), 6th (181), 6th (211), 7th (216), 7th (256)
- Minnesota Vikings (10): 1st (9), 1st (32), 3rd (72), 3rd (96), 5th (145), 6th (182), 6th (184), 7th (220), 7th (223), 7th (225)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (9): 1st (3), 2nd (39), 2nd (61), 3rd (93), 4th (114), 5th (144), 5th (159), 6th (205), 7th (222)
- Atlanta Falcons (9): 1st (6), 2nd (37), 3rd (68), 4th (103), 4th (139), 5th (147), 5th (168), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9): 1st (15), 2nd (46), 3rd (97), 4th (118), 5th (157), 5th (173), 6th (192), 6th (215), 7th (230)
- Dallas Cowboys (9): 1st (16), 2nd (34), 4th (119), 5th (146), 7th (231), 7th (238), 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Baltimore Ravens (9): 1st (17), 2nd (48), 3rd (79), 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175), 6th (194), 7th (218)
- Green Bay Packers (9): 1st (21), 2nd (53), 3rd (85), 3rd (98), 4th (121), 5th (161), 5th (176), 6th (197), 7th (236)
- New England Patriots (9): 1st (29), 2nd (62), 4th (105), 4th (130), 4th (140), 6th (179), 6th (198), 6th (206), 7th (244)
- Seattle Seahawks (9): 2nd (45), 2nd (64), 4th (108), 4th (123), 4th (132), 5th (172), 6th (199), 6th (208), 7th (227)
- Oakland Raiders (8): 1st (5), 2nd (36), 3rd (81), 4th (116), 4th (107), 7th (219), 7th (235), 7th (247)
- Detroit Lions (8): 1st (10), 2nd (40), 3rd (76), 4th (133), 4th (136), 5th (158), 6th (189), 7th (229)
- Chicago Bears (8): 1st (14), 2nd (51), 3rd (82), 4th (117), 4th (131), 6th (183), 6th (191), 7th (246)
- Miami Dolphins (8): 1st (19), 2nd (63), 3rd (67), 4th (125), 5th (155), 5th (171), 6th (190), 7th (234)
- Cincinnati Bengals (8): 1st (24), 2nd (55), 3rd (88), 4th (111), 5th (164), 6th (212), 7th (239), 7th (252)
- Washington Redskins (8): 2nd (47), 3rd (66), 3rd (78), 4th (102), 5th (142), 6th (186), 7th (217), 7th (228)
- Buffalo Bills (7): 1st (4), 2nd (44), 3rd (73), 4th (109), 5th (153), 7th (221), 7th (237)
- New York Giants (7): 1st (12), 2nd (43), 3rd (74), 4th (113), 5th (152), 5th (174), 6th (187)
- Philadelphia Eagles (7): 1st (26), 2nd (42), 3rd (86), 4th (101), 5th (141), 5th (162), 7th (224)
- Arizona Cardinals (7): 1st (27), 2nd (52), 3rd (84), 3rd (91), 4th (120), 5th (160), 6th (196)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6): 1st (7), 2nd (38), 3rd (69), 5th (143), 5th (149), 6th (185)
- Cleveland Browns (6): 1st (8), 1st (22), 2nd (35), 3rd (71), 3rd (94), 4th (127)
- Tennessee Titans (6): 1st (11), 2nd (54), 4th (112), 4th (122), 5th (151), 6th (178)
- New Orleans Saints (6): 1st (20), 2nd (58), 4th (126), 5th (167), 5th (169), 6th (202)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6): 1st (23), 3rd (87), 4th (124), 5th (163), 6th (193), 6th (200)
- San Diego Chargers (6): 1st (25), 2nd (50), 3rd (89), 5th (165), 6th (201), 7th (240)
- Carolina Panthers (6): 1st (28), 2nd (60), 3rd (92), 4th (128), 5th (148), 6th (204)
- Denver Broncos (6): 1st (31), 2nd (56), 3rd (95), 5th (156), 6th (207), 7th (242)
- Indianapolis Colts (5): 2nd (59), 3rd (90), 5th (166), 6th (203), 7th (232)
AFC Notes: Jets, Broncos, Blount, MJD, Titans
In addition to the Seahawks and Cowboys, the Jets may also have been in on Jared Allen before he agreed to sign with the Bears, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. According to Schefter, head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the veteran defensive end last week, and the Jets wanted to get involved in the bidding, though it’s not clear how serious the interest was from Allen’s end. As New York continues to search for upgrades in free agency, let’s check in on a few more AFC teams….
- Unsurprisingly, the Broncos are expected to exercise their fifth-year option for 2015 on defensive standout Von Miller, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The option, available for 2011 first-round picks, would pay Miller a little less than $10MM in ’15.
- The running back market is coming into focus, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). According to La Canfora, LeGarrette Blount, who is still receiving interest from the Patriots, will visit with the Steelers later this week. Pittsburgh is still considering Maurice Jones-Drew as well, though not at his original $3.5MM-per-year asking price.
- Free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, who has met with the Redskins and Rams since the start of free agency, is scheduled to visit the Titans tonight and tomorrow, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- The Raiders have added several players over age 30 in free agency, but GM Reggie McKenzie doesn’t view those players as stop-gap solutions. McKenzie told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that he wanted to bring in immediate contributors to show the team’s young players the Raiders are serious about winning.
- Colts GM Ryan Grigson said today that his team preferred its in-house options at center to the free agents available at the position, as Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star details. That’s not to say that no free agent center would have been an upgrade, but given the potential cost, Grigson didn’t feel a move would be worth it.
- Offensive line and wide receiver will be areas of focus for the Jaguars in the draft, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
- R.J. Stanford‘s new one-year deal with the Bengals includes a $730K base salary, a $50K signing bonus, and a $25K workout bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Knowshon Moreno, Dolphins Making Progress
Free agent running back Knowshon Moreno is “moving closer” to a deal with the Dolphins, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). It doesn’t sound like anything is necessarily imminent, but Miami looks to be the frontrunner for Moreno’s services at this point.
Moreno, 26, visited the Dolphins last week, and GM Dennis Hickey confirmed on Monday that the club remains interested in signing the former Bronco. While Denver GM John Elway indicated this week that his team hasn’t closed the door on the possibility of bringing back Moreno, it appears players like Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman will get increased roles with the Broncos next season, with the team’s 2013 starter likely to land elsewhere.
The 12th overall pick in 2009, Moreno posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2013, racking up 13 overall regular-season touchdowns. Although the Broncos’ explosive offense aided those numbers, Moreno would likely be an upgrade for a Dolphins’ running game led by Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas, who failed to consistently produce last season.
Buccaneers Sign Louis Murphy
The Buccaneers have signed free agent wide receiver Louis Murphy to a one-year contract, the team announced today.. Murphy, who visited the Bucs last week, also met with the Bengals before reaching an agreement with Tampa Bay.
A former University of Florida standout, Murphy returns down south after spending the first five years of his NFL career with the Raiders, Panthers, and Giants. The fourth-round pick got off to a strong start in Oakland, grabbing 75 balls for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns in his first two seasons with the team, but has played an increasingly diminished role in offenses since then. At age 26, Murphy has bounce-back potential, and could contribute as an occasional deep threat off the bench in Tampa Bay.
Although the Bucs have been very busy in free agency over the last two weeks, adding players like Josh McCown, Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, and Alterraun Verner, Murphy is the first receiver signed by the team since free agency opened. The club will likely look to further fortify the position in free agency or the draft over the next couple months.
NFC Notes: Panthers, Allen, Rams, Bucs, Lions
Speaking to reporters today, including ESPN.com’s David Newton, head coach Ron Rivera attempted to clear the air when it came to the Panthers‘ decision to release Steve Smith. While there had been a belief that Smith was viewed as a locker-room distraction, that wasn’t the case, according to Rivera, who said the decision was purely a football one.
“This is not a fly-by-night decision,” Rivera said. “This was not a personal decision…. There was nothing personal about it. I’m a little disappointed that so many people reacted the way they did without truly understanding there was a lot of things that go into this. This was not a willy-nilly, fly-by-night vengeful thing. This was a very calculated [decision].”
Here’s more from around the NFC, with a focus on head coaches’ comments from Orlando….
- Rivera also made it clear this morning that the Panthers will be drafting at least one receiver, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
- Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who originally reported that Jared Allen was expected to sign with the Seahawks, hears from the defensive end that the Bears entered the mix for him at the last minute.
- Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that his team hasn’t had trade talks involving the No. 2 pick at this point. Of course, that’s not to say discussions won’t occur at some point.
- The Rams will host Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews for a private workout, according to Fisher (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
- Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter links) passes along a couple highlights from Lovie Smith‘s conversation with the media today. According to the Buccaneers head coach, the team feels good about Josh McCown and Mike Glennon but could add another quarterback in the draft. Smith also said that extending Gerald McCoy‘s contract is a priority: “We want him around for a long time.”
- Before tight end Jim Dray signed with the Browns, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was very interested in bringing Dray back to the Cardinals, tweets Nate Ulrich.
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said today that the club would like to add a pass-rushing outside linebacker, and are looking for “a little bit different flavor” rusher to pair with Ezekiel Ansah, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- Caldwell and Lions GM Martin Mayhew will both attend Texas A&M’s Pro Day tomorrow to check out wide receiver Mike Evans, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
Saints To Re-Sign Luke McCown
The Saints have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with backup quarterback Luke McCown, according to agent Mike McCartney (via Twitter). The announcements comes on the heels of head coach Sean Payton expressing this morning that he’d like the club to re-sign the veteran signal-caller.
McCown, who has also played for the Browns, Bucs, Jaguars, and Falcons, will be returning to New Orleans for a second season. In 2013, the 32-year-old didn’t see much action behind a healthy Drew Brees, appearing in just three games for the Saints. McCown misfired on his only pass attempt of the season.
The Saints also have youngster Ryan Griffin under contract, and Payton had high praise for him this morning as well (Twitter link via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com). Still, McCown will probably enter the summer as the favorite to be Brees’ primary backup.
Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but McCown undoubtedly won’t make out as well as his older brother Josh McCown, who signed a two-year, $10MM deal with the Bucs earlier this month. Luke’s contract is more likely to be a minimum salary benefit deal, which is what he played on in 2013.
Complete 2014 NFL Draft Order
The NFL officially announced the 32 compensatory picks for the 2014 draft earlier this week, which means the order for May’s draft has been set. We’re still a few weeks away from the draft getting underway on May 8, so picks could still change hands in trades right up until that date. If they do, we’ll be sure to update this list, which can be found anytime on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”
Here’s the complete 2014 NFL draft order:
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Mike Wallace On Trade Block?
11:14am: As expected, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, who cited a Dolphins source in shooting down La Canfora’s initial report, has done the same today, tweeting that the Dolphins haven’t spoken to anyone about Wallace, before or during this week’s league meetings. La Canfora clearly has at least one source who says otherwise, but as I noted below, Wallace’s contract makes a trade virtually impossible for now, so I doubt he’s going anywhere anytime soon.
10:45am: About a month ago, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that the Dolphins were gauging the trade value of a few notable players, including wide receiver Mike Wallace. The report was quickly and unequivocally shot down by the team, but La Canfora has doubled down today, tweeting that Miami has “renewed attempts” to trade Wallace during this week’s league meetings.
Considering the Dolphins moved quickly to deny the first round of trade rumors involving Wallace, Cameron Wake, and Dion Jordan, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team did so again this time around — after last month’s strong denials, not responding to this report might essentially confirm that the club has interest in trading Wallace.
Either way, there are some reasons why the Dolphins could have interest in a deal. A new decision-making group is in place this offseason, led by GM Dennis Hickey, and with several holes still to fill on the roster even after adding a few free agents, the team might be better off using the cap space and/or draft picks created in a Wallace deal on multiple players.
Still, the Dolphins are just one year removed from signing Wallace to a huge long-term deal, and the club’s receiving corps would be pretty thin without him. According to La Canfora, teams are “doing homework” on Wallace, whose contract would make him a tough piece to move. The 27-year-old has a base salary of $15MM for 2014, and there aren’t many clubs who would still be able to take on that amount, even if they had interest. Considering the apparent lack of trade interest in DeSean Jackson, who has a base salary of $10.5MM, I’d be pretty surprised if there was a taker out there this offseason for Wallace, whether or not the Dolphins are actively looking for one.
Saints Rumors: Graham, Lorig, McCown
There was speculation after Jimmy Graham received the franchise tag from the Saints a few weeks ago that the standout pass catcher could draw interest from a team willing to part with two first-round picks to sign him, but so far nothing has materialized. Instead, Saints head coach Sean Payton believes Graham will eventually reach a long-term agreement with the club, suggesting that “a lot of us feel it’s not a matter of if, but when” (Twitter link). Here are a few Wednesday updates related to Graham and more Saints-related issues:
- Payton tells Pro Football Talk that he believes a deal with Graham before the grievance deadline of April 22 is likely. However, the head coach believes the franchise tag system is “antiquated” and said this morning that it was only a matter of time before a player like Graham battled his position designation (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
- The Saints didn’t go into free agency intending to sign a fullback, but jumped at the opportunity to sign a “very good” football player in Erik Lorig, said Payton (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett).
- According to Payton, New Orleans will always pay attention to quarterbacks in the draft, but the club would like to re-sign veteran backup Luke McCown (Twitter links via Triplett).
- Tim Lelito will be in the mix at center for the Saints, according to Payton, but the situation is still unfolding and the club could bring in a veteran (Twitter link via Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune).
- Payton also said today that there’s always a premium on cornerbacks and pass-rushers, and teams always have interest in adding another one (Twitter link via Holder).