Browns Request Interview With Vikings’ George Paton
The Browns requested permission to interview Vikings assistant GM George Paton for their GM vacancy, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Paton worked in Minnesota with new Vikings head coach Kevin Stefanski, so he’d be a logical fit for the job.
Paton has been a prominent GM candidate in the last few offseason cycles, though he has also pulled his name from consideration on multiple occasions, including the Jets’ search that resulted in Mike Maccagnan‘s hire in 2015. Late last offseason, after the Jets canned Maccagnan, he rejected their offer to interview for the third time in his career.
When Paton said no to Gang Green, it was speculated that he was wary of the team’s internal discord and complicated power structure. The same could be said of the Browns, though his relationship with Stefanski could sway him. Indeed, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Paton will interview for the Browns’ gig.
On Monday morning, Colts executive Ed Dodds turned down the Browns’ invitation to interview. Meanwhile, former Browns exec and current Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry figures to be a top candidate.
Cowboys Won’t Retain Kris Richard
The Cowboys won’t retain defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Kris Richard or quarterbacks coach Jon Kitna, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News hears. While new head coach Mike McCarthy looks to fill those vacancies, the shakeup could give Richard an opportunity to return to a defensive coordinator position elsewhere.
[RELATED: Cowboys To Give McCarthy Increased Power]
Richard was in the mix for the Giants’ head coaching vacancy and was a finalist for the Dolphins’ HC job last year, before that went to Brian Flores. And, before Jason Garrett was ousted in Dallas, many believed that Richard was next in line to take over as the Cowboys’ DC to eventually replace Rod Marinelli.
Richard’s fate was more or less sealed over the weekend when the Cowboys hired Maurice Linguist away from Texas A&M to manage their secondary. In other Cowboys news, safety Jeff Heath recently underwent shoulder surgery that could impact his Cowboys future.
Patriots’ David Andrews Plans To Continue Playing
David Andrews missed the entire 2019 season with blood clots in his lungs, but he intends to return to the field in 2020, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. 
“I feel great,” Andrews said. “I have a bunch of doctors’ appointments in February, [hopefully] get all that cleared up, and be good to go for next year.”
Andrews still has one year to go on the three-year, $9MM extension he inked with the Pats in 2017, so he should be back in New England, provided that he’s healthy enough to play. It remains to be seen who he’s be snapping the ball to, however. Tom Brady, Andrews’ longtime partner, is intent on exploring free agency for the first time in his career.
Before the blood clots, Andrews served as New England’s primary center since 2015. He went from UDFA to the Pats man in the middle for four AFC championship games and three Super Bowls.
Andrews allowed only four quarterback pressures in 2018, the fewest among Patriots linemen. In that year, he graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 center.
Without Andrews, the Patriots turned to Ted Karras as their starting center in 2019.
Updated 2020 NFL Draft Order
The stage has been set for the conference championships. The Titans, Chiefs, 49ers, and Packers are moving on to the semifinals, while the Texans, Seahawks, Ravens, and Vikings will begin planning for the offseason ahead. Unfortunately for the Texans, their first round pick belongs to the Dolphins.
Here’s an updated look at the 2020 NFL Draft order from Nos. 1-28:
1. Bengals (2-14)
2. Redskins (3-13)
3. Lions (3-12-1)
4. Giants (4-12)
5 Dolphins (5-11)
6. Chargers (5-11)
7. Panthers (5-11)
8. Cardinals (5-10-1)
9. Jaguars (6-10)
10. Browns (6-10)
11. Jets (7-9)
12. Raiders (7-9)
13. Colts (7-9)
14. Buccaneers (7-9)
15. Broncos (7-9)
16. Falcons (7-9)
17. Cowboys (8-8)
18. Dolphins (via Steelers 8-8)
19. Raiders (via Bears 8-8)
20. Jaguars (via Rams 9-7)
21. Eagles (9-7)
22. Bills (10-6)
23. Patriots (12-4)
24. Saints (13-3)
25. Vikings (10-6)
26. Dolphins (via Texans 10-6)
27. Seahawks (11-5)
28. Ravens (14-2)
James Lynch Enters NFL Draft
Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch announced that he’ll enter the 2020 NFL Draft. Lynch may wind up as a first round pick in April with many already connecting dots between him and new Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. 
Lynch was a part of Rhule’s first recruiting class at Baylor and met the lofty expectations set for him on campus. Together, they helped Baylor go from 1-11 in 2017 to 11-3 in 2019. In 2019, Lynch was named the Big 12’s defensive player of the year with 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss.
With evaluators drooling over his upside, Lynch will forgo his final year of eligibility with the Bears. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Lynch ranked as the fifth-best defensive tackle in this year’s crop and most prognosticators see him as a Day 2 pick, at minimum.
The Panthers’ pick at No. 7 is probably too high for Lynch, but, then again, we’ve seen teams reach before. Just last year, we saw two major surprises in the Top 10 when the Raiders took Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 overall and again at No. 6 when the Giants grabbed Duke’s Daniel Jones. A more likely scenario, if the Panthers want to pounce on Lynch: a second round selection, move up to pick again in the back end of the first round, or a trade back from No. 7 to add more picks to their arsenal.
Jaguars Part Ways With John DeFilippo
The Jaguars announced that they have parted ways with offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. This marks yet another short-lived stint for DeFilippo – all three of his OC stints have lasted one season, or less.
DeFilippo served just one year as the Browns’ OC in 2015 and was fired as the Vikings’ OC after Week 14 in the 2018 season. Although the Jaguars say this divorce was mutual, it was likely a decision made by the team.
In 2019, the Jaguars finished 26th in points scored and with an overall record of 6-10. Losing Nick Foles to a broken collarbone in Week 1 was an obvious blow to DeFilippo’s plans, but Garner Minshew stepped up in his absence and, for a while, looked the part of a quality NFL starter. Unfortunately, they were unable to ride Minshew Mania into sustained success, and the Jaguars are now looking to move in a new direction.
The Jaguars’ next OC will be tasked with developing Minshew and getting the most out of running back Leonard Fournette, who turned in a healthy season and a solid 4.3 yards-per-carry average. On the flipside, there might not be much room to add offensive firepower. The Jaguars currently have a projected $208MM cap figure, which means they’ll have to shed veteran contracts in order to have any breathing room in March.
Ed Dodds Declines Browns Interview
Over the weekend, the Browns requested an interview with Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds, making him the first known candidate in their GM search. However, Dodds has declined the invite, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Dodds, Pelissero hears, feels there is unfinished business in Indy. Speculatively, one has to wonder if he might also have some reservations about the power structure in Cleveland. The Browns fired Freddie Kitchens after one (disappointing) season at the helm and parted ways with GM John Dorsey despite some savvy moves on Dorsey’s part to restock the roster.
The new structure will see new head coach Kevin Stefanski and the GM TBD each report directly to Haslam. Meanwhile, chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta is expected to carry significant influence in the front office.
Eagles exec and old friend Andrew Berry is also in the mix for the GM job and could be the favorite to land it.
Lions To Hire Cory Undlin As DC
The Lions are hiring Eagles defensive backs coach Cory Undlin as their new defensive coordinator, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Undlin and Lions head coach Matt Patricia began their NFL careers together as coaching assistants with the Patriots in 2004 and they’re teaming up more than 15 years later. 
Undlin takes over for Paul Pasqualoni, who stepped down/retired at the end of the 2019 season. He comes with ample NFL experience, including stops with the Browns and Broncos, in addition to the aforementioned Pats and Eagles stints. The Eagles’ secondary has not performed well in recent years, but many feel that Undlin was stuck with some iffy personnel.
Even though Undlin is taking over as DC in Detroit, he won’t necessarily call the plays. Patricia quietly took that responsibility away from Pasqualoni last year and he may opt to ease Undlin into that responsibility.
Undlin’s departure leaves yet another vacancy on the Eagles’ coaching staff. They’ll have to find a new DB coach, offensive coordinator, and wide receivers coach after firing Mike Groh and Carson Walch last week.
Cowboys’ Jeff Heath Undergoes Surgery
On Friday, Cowboys safety Jeff Heath underwent surgery on his left shoulder, sources tell ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (on Twitter). Heath dealt with pain in both shoulders throughout the year and he may still require an operation on the other side. 
Somehow, the shoulder trouble did not interrupt his streak of starting in the last 44 games he has played. He finished 2019 with 59 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, and seven passes defensed in 13 appearances.
Heath will look to heal up as soon as possible, especially since this is a pivotal offseason for him. He’s due to reach unrestricted free agency in March, where he’ll look to secure a pay bump over the four-year, $7.761MM extension he signed with the Cowboys back in 2016. Last time around, he was a restricted free agent who spent the previous two years largely relegated to special teams. Now, with three straight years as a starter, he has a case for a better deal.
Top free agent safeties this offseason include Justin Simmons (Broncos), Devin McCourty (Patriots), Anthony Harris (Vikings), Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Bears), and Tre Boston (Panthers).
Browns Still Mulling Coaching Hire
The Browns completed their interview with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Friday, but they not quite ready to make their decision, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The Browns’ coaching search will roll on, likely with McDaniels, Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski, and Eagles DC Jim Schwartz representing the three finalists. 
[RELATED: 2020 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
The Browns watched the Redskins, Cowboys, Panthers, and Giants beat them to the punch in their head coaching searches. That stripped away candidates like Mike McCarthy, but it also left the Browns with their pick of the remaining litter. At this time, the Browns are the only NFL team in search of a head coach.
Despite all of their dysfunction over the years, the Browns job holds obvious appeal – and not just because they’re the only game in town. Quarterback Baker Mayfield still stands as one of the most dynamic players at his position with potential to rebound from his rocky 2019. Meanwhile, he’s surrounded by seriously talented weapons including Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb, and pending free agent Kareem Hunt.
Some feel that McDaniels would be the best hire and the right coach to get the most out of the team’s offensive talent. Still, Stefanski is also a highly-respected offensive mind and there’s also a case for the Browns to tighten up their defense under someone like Schwartz.
We’ve been hearing that the Browns are looking to make their decision by Saturday, so the search could be coming to its conclusion very soon.