Browns Attempting To Trade For Kirk Cousins?
The Browns are trying to trade for Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). At this time, Rapoport says the Browns aren’t particularly interested in dealing Cousins, but anything is possible.
Meanwhile, Redskins sources are telling Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that Cousins will not be traded to the Browns. Also, top Cleveland exec Sashi Brown told reporters that the Browns have not called on Cousins (via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer).
For his part, Cousins has said that he wants to remain with the Redskins.
“I want to be where I’m wanted, and that’s what I’ve said all along,” Cousins said recently. “When a team is willing to step up and commit to me fully for the long haul, then why would I want to be anywhere else? I mean, this is an incredible fan base. It’s one of the top five fan bases in the history of the NFL. It goes all the way back to the early 1930s. There’s three Super Bowl trophies, there’s multiple Hall of Famers, there’s high character players still living in the area — Darrell Green, Art Monk, guys that we can learn from. I love this organization and want to see us get back to those glory days that they had with Coach (Joe) Gibbs in the ’80s and early ’90s. And I want to add to that great history. There’s really no reason to want to look elsewhere. It’s a matter of wanting to be where you’re wanted, and I think that’s what all of us want — not just in football but in any walk of life.”
Cousins started in all of the Redskins’ games over the past two seasons and helped the team to a 17-14-1 record, including an NFC East title in 2015. Along the way, Cousins combined for over 9,000 yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
Jaguars Select Leonard Fournette
With the No. 4 overall pick, the Jaguars have selected running back Leonard Fournette. Fournette gives the Jaguars a big-time running back that might be able to keep defenses honest against quarterback Blake Bortles. 
The Jaguars have been heavily connected to Fournette in recent weeks, but no one knew their plans for certain until tonight. There was some talk on Thursday that Jacksonville could consider Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson with the pick. Ultimately, it seems like their plan will be to give Bortles at least another season to turn things around, but we won’t really know for sure until the draft is through.
Fournette is widely regarded as the best running back in this year’s class and he impressed evaluators at the combine with his faster than expected 40-yard-dash time. If he stays healthy, the Jaguars could have a superstar on their hands.
49ers Select Solomon Thomas No. 3 Overall
With the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, the 49ers have selected Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Thomas was regarded by most as the best defensive end available after Myles Garrett. 
Thomas enters the NFL after two strong collegiate seasons. In 2016, Thomas had 61 total tackles – including 14 tackles for a loss – and 8.5 sacks. He’s a three-technique player with the ability to play on the inside when asked, though most evaluators would like to see him beef up in order to hold his ground on the interior. Depending on who you ask, Thomas is either labeled as versatile or as a “tweener”. Either way, no one denies that he is a high-level talent.
With the Niners, he projects to start at defensive end with 2015 first round pick Arik Armstead on the other side. The Niners will have free agent pickup Earl Mitchell and 2016 All-Rookie selection DeForest Bucker on the inside.
Moments ago, the Niners traded down from No. 2 to acquire Chicago’s No. 3 overall selection plus more. The 49ers also received picks No. 67 and No. 111 this year plus a 2018 a third-round pick next year. Ultimately, they got a king’s ransom to move back just one spot and land one of this year’s very best talents.
Bears Acquire No. 2 Pick, Take Mitch Trubisky
The Bears have acquired the No. 2 overall pick from the 49ers. With the pick, the Bears have shocked the world by taking UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky. 
The selection comes as a massive surprise. There have been a number of players connected to the Bears over the last few months, but no one anticipated Chicago taking Trubisky. The Bears paid a fortune to sign Mike Glennon this offseason and they have now put major resources into landing Trubisky. Glennon was supposedly signed to be the Bears’ starter, but he might wind up holding the clipboard for a highly drafted QB yet again.
The Niners will be acquiring Chicago’s No. 3 overall selection plus more. The 49ers will receive picks No. 67 and No. 111 this year plus a 2018 a third-round pick next year to move back one spot, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com tweets.
Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Extra Points: Redskins, Allen, Steelers
The Redskins are high on Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Redskins currently own the No. 17 pick in the draft, so they’ll likely need to move up to get him. Then again, Allen might not make it out of the top five.
Here’s more news before the draft gets underway:
- Washington defensive backs Kevin King and Budda Baker are on the Steelers‘ “radar”, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Pittsburgh has used early picks on secondary help over the past few seasons, as Artie Burns, Sean Davis, and Senquez Golson have all been added to the defensive backfield since 2015. Golson, however, hasn’t been able to get on the field due to injuries, and the Steelers could use more help in the back end. King would give the club a physical corner to play outside, while Baker can play deep safety and the slot.
- Some folks in the Dolphins organization are really high on linebacker Haason Reddick, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald hears. His fans in Miami believe that he can be a great weakside linebacker right off of the bat and they like his explosive pass rush skills.
- An official from one team tells Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) that Gareon Conley will go in the first round.
- Colts defensive lineman David Parry will avoid jail time after reaching a plea agreement this week, Stephen Holder of the Indy Star writes. Originally, he was facing felony charges stemming from a February arrest in Arizona. It remains to be seen whether he’ll face team or league punishment.
Bears Mulling Trade Back From No. 3
The Bears are considering trading back from No. 3, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears. It’s not immediately clear which teams have expressed interest in the pick.
We’ve been hearing reports that the Bears are eager to trade back, and we’ll find out soon whether they’re able to find a suitable deal. The Bears could stay pat and take a top cornerback like Marshon Lattimore, but it seems that they would prefer to add more picks to their arsenal by moving back.
Even if the Bears are thinking cornerback in round one, this year’s class is deep at the position and they’ll have plenty of opportunities to upgrade at CB. Other top corners include the embattled Gareon Conley, Marlon Humphrey, Kevin King, Tre’Davious White, and Adoree’ Jackson.
Dolphins Eyeing Florida LB Jarrad Davis?
Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis won’t get past the Dolphins and the No. 22 pick represents his floor, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears. It’s not clear where his ceiling is, however, and he could very well be off the board before it’s Miami’s turn to pick. 
There are multiple teams in the teens who will be looking for linebacker help. The Redskins at No. 17 and the Lions at No. 21 could both be possibilities for him, as Florio writes. Peter Schrager of NFL Network previously reported that Davis could go as high as No. 15, where the Colts pick. On most boards, Davis ranks as the second-best off-the-ball linebacker in the draft, behind Alabama’s Reuben Foster.
Davis impressed scouts at his Pro Day when he posted a 4.56 40-yard dash and 38.5 inch vertical jump.
Malcolm Butler Trade Still Possible
A Malcolm Butler trade is “unlikely … but not impossible,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link via Zack Cox of NESN). With just hours to go before the draft, the Saints and Patriots will have to act fast to get something done. 
The Saints and Butler have reportedly agreed to terms on a potential contract, but the Saints and Patriots have been far apart on trade compensation. The Saints could have signed Butler to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, but an unmatched sheet would have forced them to part with the No. 11 overall pick. Some believed that the two sides would ultimately compromise on a trade sending the Patriots’ No. 32 pick back to New England, but that has not materialized thus far. The Patriots, reportedly, are not interested in acquiring 2018 draft compensation for Butler, so time is ticking for a trade to go down.
As it stands, Butler is set to play out the 2017 season on his $3.91MM one-year tender.
Draft Rumors: Broncos, Titans, Peppers
The latest NFL Draft rumors:
- I’d caution you to take this with a grain of salt, but that disclaimer comes with most of the draft rumblings that you’ll hear today. The Broncos have talked to the Titans about trading up to the No. 5 pick, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. The asking price might be too rich for the Broncos, Cole notes, but it’s at least something that they’re exploring.
- It sounds like teams are more concerned with Jabrill Peppers‘ fit in an NFL defense than his diluted urine sample at the combine, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. His stock, apparently, remains the same as it was a few weeks ago: he could go late in the first, but it’s more likely he goes in the second round, per Pelissero.
- In a bit of a surprise, Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram is making a push to sneak into the first round, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). That could lead to three tight ends being taken in the first round between Alabama’s O.J. Howard, Miami’s David Njoku, and Engram. The Giants, Falcons, and Browns are among the potential fits for him in the No. 23-33 area, Pelissero tweets.
David Njoku, Forrest Lamp To Slide?
For weeks, Miami tight end David Njoku and Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp have often been projected as middle first round picks. It appears both players could fall further than expected based on what Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com is hearing. 
The Dolphins have been connected to Lamp for some time, but as Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald reported on Wednesday, Miami has cooled on the idea of taking him at No. 22. Instead, they’re expected to target defensive help. If the right guy isn’t there, Pauline hears that they may trade down if the opportunity arises. They’ll instead focus on guards in round two and their target there could be Utah’s Isaac Asiata, Pauline hears. At 6’3″ and 323 lbs, teams like his potential on the interior line.
Njoku could be a target of the Lions at No. 21, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hinted earlier today, and it sounds like he’ll be available based on the word Pauline is getting.