Latest On Cardinals No. 1 NFL Draft Pick
With hours to go before the 2019 NFL Draft, the Cardinals’ plans for the No. 1 overall pick remain shrouded in secrecy. Just recently, Cardinals GM Steve Keim reached out to Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to let him know he’s still a possibility to go first overall, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. 
At this point, only GM Steve Keim and a few others know the identity of the top pick, Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). It still sounds like Kyler Murray will be the pick, but no one knows for sure, especially since there have been no trade talks surrounding Josh Rosen at this time.
Further complicating matters is a split of opinions in the Arizona front office about whether Rosen and Murray could co-exist on the roster together. One team source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that the situation would not work after Rosen was selected to be Arizona’s QB of the future just one year ago. Another team source, however, feels that it could work.
Stay tuned.
Eli Manning Plans To Play In 2020
Giants quarterback Eli Manning plans to play in 2020, according to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN (link via PFT). However, that doesn’t mean he’ll be playing in New York next year. 
Manning is in his walk year and, eventually, the Giants will have to move on to a younger QB. The Giants are sticking with Manning for now, despite his rocky performances over the last couple of years, but it’s hard to see them sticking with the two-time Super Bowl hero into his age-39 season, unless he turns back the clock in a dramatic way.
Manning may prefer to spend his entire career with one franchise, but that might not be an available option. Manning may also prefer to be surrounded by better offensive weapons – the Giants’ aerial attack may have shed some headaches with the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, but it’s also without much of its former firepower.
Last season, Manning raised his completion rate to a career-high 66% and his 7.5 yards-per-attempt average was considerably higher than it was in the previous two seasons. He also dropped his interceptions total (11) to the lowest its been during his 14 seasons a full-time starter. The Giants also won four of five games during a midseason stretch behind improved play from Manning, so there’s some reason to believe in the old signal caller.
Redskins Split On NFL Draft QBs
The Redskins are not only in disagreement about whether to select a quarterback with their top pick – they’re also not sure about which quarterback to select, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. Team president Bruce Allen and owner Dan Snyder are fixated on Dwayne Haskins, but there is a case being made in the building for Duke quarterback Daniel Jones, according to Russini’s sources. 
It would be troubling, to say the least, if the Redskins are indeed deeply fractured on which quarterback to take with just hours to go before the start of the NFL Draft. Picking at No. 15 overall, the Redskins need to quickly decide whether it’s Haskins or Jones that they want. Right now, it seems doubtful that Haskins will be available with the No. 15 choice, so Washington will probably have to move up into the top 10 if they want a shot at the Ohio State standout.
Jones, meanwhile, could potentially be had at No. 15, but nothing is guaranteed in the draft, particularly when it comes to QBs.
For now, the Redskins are set to go into 2019 with Case Keenum as their QB. Alex Smith, of course, is sidelined after his gruesome leg injury from last year and Colt McCoy is also working his way back from a broken leg of his own.
Texans Open To Trading Jadeveon Clowney
Could Jadeveon Clowney be on the move? The Texans are open to trading the star linebacker, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN (via PFT). 
Clowney was cuffed with the franchise tag earlier this offseason, but he has yet to sign his tender. Meanwhile, the two sides remain far apart on negotiations for a new deal.
Last week, Texans GM Brian Gaine expressed optimism about reaching an accord, though we haven’t heard positive news on that front.
“That’s the spirit of the franchise tag,” Gaine said. “You know, there’s a reason why we did that with every hope and intention to continuing to work on that. That’s a negotiation, it’s a process. It has to be a deal that makes sense for both sides, for the player, for the organization as it relates to short term and long term. That’s still the plan.”
Clowney wouldn’t be the first defensive star to be tagged-and-traded. Just this week, the Seahawks shipped standout Frank Clark to the Chiefs and Clowney could be the next to don a new jersey.
The outside linebacker was the No. 1 overall pick in 2015. Last year, he racked up nine sacks in 15 games. He’s also a difference-maker in the run game – he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ tenth-best edge defender in 2018.
Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat Misdiagnosed?
Well, this is interesting. Teams now believe that Montez Sweat‘s heart condition was misdiagnosed at the combine, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Follow-up tests on the Mississippi State defensive lineman revealed no risk to the player, which is phenomenal news for Sweat’s health and football future alike. 
Sweat was initially flagged for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes a thickening of artery walls. As a result, some teams to removed him from the draft board completely. Now, two sources say the situation is not nearly as dire as once thought.
Two sources tell RapSheet that the thickness of Sweat’s heart wall is actually 1.5 centimeters, not ~2.0, which makes for a much lower risk of problems. If Sweat’s wellbeing is not in danger, his stock could be restored just in time for Thursday night’s draft.
Sweat was previously listed among the 23 attendees for the NFL Draft’s green room, an indication that he was in the first round mix. Sweat changed his plans after the medical tests scared teams away, but it sounds like he could be in line to receive some good news tonight when he’s watching the telecast from elsewhere.
Sweat finished his two-year Bulldogs career with 22.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. He spent his first two collegiate campaigns at Michigan State, where he did not see a whole lot of playing time.
Darnell Savage To Be First-Round Pick?
Maryland safety Darnell Savage, a virtual unknown just weeks ago, has emerged as a possible first rounder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. He’s visited the Panthers, Seahawks, Rams, Steelers, Eagles, and six other clubs, and at least one of those clubs has him in consideration for the Top 32. 
Savage put himself on the map as a junior with 59 tackles, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions. He delivered yet again last year with four picks, two pass breakups, and 52 tackles (5.5 tackles for loss). He really impressed in workouts, however, and evaluators now see him in a whole different light.
At 5’11 and 198 pounds, Savage lacks ideal size for the next level. However, he has some scouts thinking that his football IQ and innate instincts will make him a success story in the NFL. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has heard comparisons between Savage and Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner, which is pretty high praise for the Maryland product.
Eagles To Re-Sign Tim Jernigan
Timmy Jernigan is back with the Eagles. After the Eagles declined Jernigan’s option in March, the defensive tackle agreed to return on a new one-year deal, according to James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Jernigan signed a four-year, $48MM extension with the Eagles late in the 2017 season. Ultimately, that deal only lasted for one year. This time around, both sides will have their options open after just one campaign.
By declining Jernigan’s option, the Eagles saved $7MM with $6MM left over in dead money. Jernigan’s latest deal will give him a smaller base salary, but he’ll have the opportunity to cash in next March if he can reestablish himself.
The Ravens traded Jernigan to the Eagles in 2017, and he performed well enough for the eventual Super Bowl champions to ink him to a high-end extension. Unfortunately, he played just 100 snaps last season, suiting up for just three regular-season games.
49ers Shopping Solomon Thomas
The 49ers are shopping Solomon Thomas, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). This comes as a bit of a shock considering that Thomas was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 draft. 
Thomas, still only 23, hasn’t lived up to his draft billing thus far. As a rookie, Thomas managed three sacks and 41 tackles, but last year he registered only one sack with 31 total stops.
Thomas showed improvement from Year One to Year Two, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus, but still didn’t perform at the level you’d expect from a No. 3 overall pick. He earned a 64.0 overall grade from PFF, putting him in a three-way tie as the No. 63 ranked edge defender in the NFL last year. That’s lightyears behind where new pickup Dee Ford (No. 11) and Arik Armstead (No. 26) placed.
Thomas’ rookie deal calls for him to earn paltry base salaries of $645K and $735K in each of the next two seasons. Next year, the 49ers (or whichever team may acquire him) can pick up his pricey fifth-year option for the 2021 season. At this rate, Thomas doesn’t seem on track for that, but he could turn things around with a strong showing in ’19.
Latest On Raiders’ NFL Draft Plans
The Raiders have kept their draft plans shrouded in secrecy, to the point where they dismissed their core scouts in order to keep a lid on things. With hours to go before the draft, we may have some insight into their strategy, courtesy of ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano (on Twitter).
If the Raiders stay put at No. 4, Graziano does not expect the Raiders to select a quarterback, despite the rumblings we’ve heard as of late. If Alabama defensive end Quinnen Williams is available, which seems increasingly unlikely, Graziano thinks he’ll be the pick, or the Raiders could opt for Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver as a Plan B.
If the Raiders move up, Graziano hears they’ll target Nick Bosa. They could conceivably land this year’s consensus top talent by sliding up to the Niners’ No. 2 overall choice if SF is eyeing Josh Allen, as has been rumored.
Should the Raiders could choose to keep all three of their first-round picks, they could surprise by using the No. 24 or No. 27 on Marquise Brown, Graziano hears. That would be a stunner after the Raiders added Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams in the offseason, but crazier things have happened on draft day.
No Charges Filed Against Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill
The Johnson County District Attorney’s offense has declined to file charges in the investigation involving Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, DA Stephen Howe announced on Wednesday. However, Howe is far from convinced that there was no wrongdoing. 
“We believe the a crime has occurred,” Howe said, before adding, “The evidence does not conclusively establish who commit the crime.”
On Thursday, Hill issued a statement through his attorneys, though he did not speak specifically to the case:
“I love and support my family above anything. My son’s health and happiness is my number one priority. I want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs, my attorneys, my agent and my union for supporting me through this. My focus remains on working hard to be the best person for my family and our community I can be and the best player to help our team win.”
Authorities say Hill’s three-year old son suffered injuries, including a broken arm, at Hill’s home. At one time, authorities were also looking into Hill’s involvement in another incident where officers were called to Hill’s home to investigate a different instance of “child abuse or neglect.”
All of the accusations are troubling, especially in light of Hill’s pre-NFL history with domestic violence. And, given the way the NFL has operated in recent years, Hill is certainly not out of the woods when it comes to league discipline.
So far, Howe says his office has not spoken to the league or the Chiefs about Hill’s case.