Albert Breer On Foster, Trubisky, Watson
Here’s the latest NFL Draft buzz from Albert Breer of The MMQB. All links go to Twitter:
- Teams were aware of some drug history for linebacker Reuben Foster at Alabama and that wasn’t considered a big deal until his watered down combine test (link). Now, however, that history has taken on a different context. Depending on who you ask, Foster could be in for a draft day slide similar to Myles Jack in 2016.
- Breer envisions a run on offensive linemen Ryan Ramczyk, Cam Robinson, Forrest Lamp, and Garett Bolles, and that may trigger some teams to trade up into the late teens (link). This year’s draft is thin on OL help and those four players are considered to be the best available.
- Though it’s not a likelihood, there’s a chance that quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, and Patrick Mahomes go in the Top 15 (link).
- The NFL at large likes Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey and USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson more than the public realizes (link). To date, most prognostications have them going late in the first round or early in the second. In yesterday’s dueling mock draft, I took Humphrey at No. 13 overall on behalf of the Cardinals.
Buccaneers Looking To Trade Down
The Buccaneers are talking with at least three teams about moving back in the first round, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. They may even look to trade out of the first round altogether, he adds. 
Currently, the Buccaneers are slated to pick at No. 19 where they have been widely connected to FSU running back Dalvin Cook. In a deep draft, it’s a good place to be, but the Bucs want to dive even deeper and garner more selections. Both the Giants (No. 23) and Texans (No. 25) may want to trade into the teens, so both teams would make sense as potential trade partners for the Bucs. Speculatively, I’d say that the Giants are probably targeting an offensive tackle while the Texans may be positioning themselves for one of this year’s top quarterbacks.
If the Bucs move down, Texas A&M defensive back Justin Evans may be among their targets.
Vikes To Decline Teddy Bridgewater’s Option
The Vikings are unlikely to pick up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater‘s fifth-year option, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Minnesota has until early May to formally make the call. 
[RELATED: 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise when considering the medical battle that still lies ahead for the QB. Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer admitted that he has “no idea” whether Bridgewater will be able to play in 2017. When Bridgewater does return, he’ll be susceptible to further complications and with that in mind the Vikings are not inclined to guarantee his 2018 season for injury. The option year is worth upwards of $11MM.
Bridgewater, of course, missed all of last season after suffering an ACL tear and knee dislocation. After the injury, the Vikings traded for Sam Bradford and this year they signed Case Keenum to be his backup. The Vikings are hoping for the best with Bridgewater, but they are planning for the worst and proceeding as though they will not get him back on the field anytime soon.
Titans May Trade No. 5 Overall Pick
The Titans have received offers for the fifth overall pick and are contemplating a trade, a league source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s not immediately clear where the pick might be headed. The Titans have also had discussions about moving down from No. 18, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets. 
In recent days, we’ve been hearing that multiple teams in the top half of the draft are looking to move down, but there hasn’t been a strong market for teams looking to move up the board. But, there have been a few clubs looking to climb. The Browns may want to move up from No. 12 in order to nab UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky and satisfy team ownership. The Giants (No. 23) and Texans (No. 25) may want to trade up, but that would reportedly be to get a pick in the teens.
The Titans have been connected to Alabama’s O.J. Howard and Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore at No. 5, but they might prefer to move down and build their draft stockpile instead. For his part, Titans general manager Jon Robinson admits it’s “50/50” as to whether his club actually uses both the No. 5 and No. 18 selections.
NFL Reinstates Cards LB Daryl Washington
The NFL has conditionally reinstated Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Although he has been out of football for a long time, he plans to play in 2017, a source tells Schefter. 
Washington, 30, has been lobbying for a return for some time. Earlier this year, an anonymous source told Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic that the Cardinals are not interested in taking him back. The statement released by the team doesn’t do much to dispute that notion.
“Considering we have been prohibited from having contact with him over the last three years, it would be premature today to discuss a potential return to the team,” the Cardinals said in a statement (Twitter links).
Washington was suspended indefinitely in 2014 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and has not played since Week 17 of the ’13 campaign. The linebacker earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2012 when he notched 134 total tackles and 9.0 sacks and continued to be productive in his final NFL year, but the Cardinals have run out of patience with him. Now that he has been cleared, he’ll have to try and hook on elsewhere.
On Tuesday afternoon, the league also granted conditional reinstatement to Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant.
Steelers’ Martavis Bryant Gets Reinstated
Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant has been conditionally reinstated by the NFL, according to a press release from the Steelers. Bryant may join the Steelers at the training facility and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities. “Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Bryant’s clinical resources in Pittsburgh,” he will be permitted to participate in preseason practices and games, paving the way for him to suit up in Week 1 of the regular season.
“We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement,” GM Kevin Colbert said in the press release.
The conditions of Bryant’s reinstatement are not yet known, but drug tests will surely be a part of his regimen. At some point during the season, he’ll receive full reinstatement if everything checks out.
Bryant had been suspended since March 2016 for multiple failed drug tests. The 25-year-old has looked great when on the field, but he has appeared in only 21 regular season games since entering the league in 2014. If he can stay on track, Bryant has the ability to become the team’s top option at wide receiver after Antonio Brown.
Titans Exercise Taylor Lewan’s Option
The Titans announced that they have exercised Taylor Lewan‘s fifth-year option. The move will keep him under team control through 2018. 
[RELATED: 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
Lewan has started 31 of 32 possible regular season games in the last two seasons. Last year, thanks in part to his play at the left tackle spot, the Titans finished out third in rushing yards. Lewan was Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 ranked offensive tackle, putting him ahead of big names like Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, and Donald Penn. The Titans were fully expected to trigger his 2018 option and a new long-term deal could be in the near future for Lewan.
Teams have until May 3rd to exercise the fifth-year options on 2014 first-round draft picks, but many teams have already made their calls. With Lewan, the No. 11 pick, out of the way, only three players in the top dozen are left in limbo: Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, and Lions tight end Eric Ebron.
Saints Sign Adrian Peterson
It’s a done deal. The Saints have signed Adrian Peterson, according to a team announcement. It’s a two-year deal with a base value of $7MM, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via these Twitter links). Peterson gets $3.5MM guaranteed at signing for 2017 and a totally non-guaranteed $3.5MM for 2018. If he plays out the contract and reaches all of his incentives, the total value could get as high as $15.25MM. 
“I am excited to be joining the New Orleans Saints. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” Peterson said in a statement to Anderson (Twitter link). “Most importantly, I chose this team because it just felt right within my spirit. Additionally, my wife and family added their confirmation with the same feelings. On offense, it goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skill set can make them even more dominant as a unit. They have a great offensive line, which is something that stood out to me as well. I could tell from talking to head coach Sean Payton over the last two weeks that he did his due diligence in evaluating how I could contribute. I also did a lot of homework on the defense as well. While I know that injuries have played a role in performance, I also see areas of potential with a lot of younger guys having the ability to step up. Lastly, it goes without saying that the Saints have an amazing fan base and I look forward to making them proud and creating everlasting memories.”
The expectation now is that Peterson will serve as the main complement to top running back Mark Ingram. The 32-year-old missed the majority of the 2016 season, but he was highly productive in 2015 and he has been able to come back from devastating injuries in the past. After signing Peterson, the Saints can use their impressive stockpile of draft picks in the first three rounds to address other holes (primarily on defense) while leaving the running back position alone.
After the Vikings declined Peterson’s option, he was linked to a whole host of contenders. However, it turned out that teams like the Seahawks, Patriots, Packers, and Giants only had tepid interest in him. Peterson has every reason to play with a chip on his shoulder this season and he should be extra motivated for New Orleans’ season opener against the Vikings.
Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Gareon Conley Accused Of Sexual Assault
Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley has been accused of rape by a woman who met him in a Cleveland hotel, according to TMZ. Conley, meanwhile, adamantly denies the allegations. 
The woman alleges that Conley invited her to partake in a foursome. She declined and instead offered to watch the other three people have sex. Conley, she alleges, forced her to go from spectator to participant and had sex with her against her will. The woman went to the hospital for a rape kit, but refused to speak with police afterward.
Two of Conley’s friends were interviewed by police and they said that Conley never had intercourse with the woman. According to them, the woman was looking for revenge after being asked to leave the hotel room. Meanwhile, Conley’s attorney told Cleveland19 that the accusations against him are “ludicrous and ridiculous.”
Conley is widely projected as a first round pick and some mock drafts have him pegged in the top ten. PFR’s first mock draft, based on what we think will happen, has Conley going No. 11 overall to the Saints. Our dueling live mock draft on Tuesday morning, based on what we think should happen, had him going in the top five.
Mutual Interest Between Giants, LeGarrette Blount
There’s mutual interest between the Giants and free agent running back LeGarrette Blount, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He adds that there could be a potential match between the two sides before the draft. 
Blount, at one point, had an offer on the table from the Patriots, but there’s no room for him now that Mike Gillislee is on board. The Giants, meanwhile, are looking to bolster a depth chart currently headlined by rising sophomore Paul Perkins. There are some good running backs near the top of this week’s draft, but the Giants have bigger fish to fry and would probably prefer to first address holes at offensive tackle, linebacker, and other spots.
At this stage of the offseason, the Giants might be able to sign the 30-year-old for cheap, giving them one of the league’s most productive power backs. Last year, Blount signed an incentive-laden deal with the Pats that featured a meager base salary of $760K. It’s not crazy to think that he would settle for something similar this time around.
If signed, Blount would likely split carries with Perkins while Shane Vereen serves as the team’s primary pass-catching option out of the backfield.