NFL Draft Rumors: Cowboys, Key, Bills

Bills Acquire No. 16 From Ravens

April 26th, 2018 at 8:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills are having a busy night. After acquiring the No. 7 pick earlier this evening (which they used on quarterback Josh Allen), the team has now acquired the No. 16 pick from the Ravens. The team tweeted that they’ll be sending Baltimore picks No. 22 and No. 65, and Buffalo will also be receiving No. 154. ESPN’s Mike Rodak was the first with the news (via Twitter).

The Bills are using the pick on linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The Virginia Tech product is considered to be one of the top defenders in the entire draft, as Daniel Jeremiah listed him sixth in his top-5o rankings. Edmunds had a productive junior season, compiling 108 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The rookie will likely compete with Matt Milano and Tanner Vallejo for a starting gig.

The trade will give the Ravens a second third-rounder, and it will give the organization nine picks for the entire weekend. Reports had indicated that the organization was eyeing offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Kolton Miller. With the two off the board, the team switched their focus to a trade.

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Bills Acquire No. 7 Pick From Buccaneers

April 26th, 2018 at 7:51pm CST by Ben Levine

We have our first trade of the night. The Bills have acquired the No. 7 pick from the Buccaneers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). In return, Tampa Bay will receive the Bills No. 12 pick and a pair of second-rounders (No. 53 and No. 56).

The Bills will use their newly-acquired pick on quarterback Josh Allen. The Wyoming product was among the top signal-callers available in the draft, and he had been connected to several teams in the top-10 (including the Broncos, who instead opted for Bradley Chubb). Allen had another solid campaign in 2017, completing 56.3-percent of his passes for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Allen will have to compete with A.J. McCarron, who signed a two-year deal with the Bills earlier this offseason, for the starting gig. The Bills are also rostering Nathan Peterman.

We heard moments ago that Buffalo was unwilling to sacrifice a pair of first-round picks in order to move up. Ultimately, it sounds like general manager Brandon Beane got his wish. The Bills had been connected to a number of early selections, including the first-round picks owned by the Browns (No. 4), Broncos (No. 5), and Colts (No. 6). With those teams ultimately holding on to their picks, Buffalo shifted their focus to Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers headed into the night with only a pair of picks in the first three rounds. Thanks to the trade, they’ll now have four picks in that span, including three second-rounders (No. 38, No. 53, and No. 56).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Bills Unwilling To Trade Two First Rounders

April 26th, 2018 at 7:47pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills won’t be selling the farm to trade up. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that general manager Brandon Beane isn’t willing to give up a pair of first-rounders in order to move up from the No. 12 pick.

The Bills have been connected to a number of early selections, including the first-round picks owned by the Browns (No. 4), Broncos (No. 5), and Colts (No. 6). By making a trade, Buffalo would presumably be looking to secure one of the top signal-callers. However, with only Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold off the board (through five picks), a quarterback may end up falling into their lap.

The writing has been on the wall for the Bills to make a move for a quarterback in this draft ever since the team dealt Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. Buffalo is armed with both the No. 12 and No. 22 selections, and it sounds like they’ll be hanging on to those picks for now.

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Draft Notes: Ravens, Seahawks, Saints, Browns

April 26th, 2018 at 4:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we get ready for the start of the draft…

There are a number of teams currently picking in the twenties that would be interested in moving up to the teens, reports Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). Interestingly, those teams may have some suitors, as the reporter notes that the Ravens and Seahawks are among the teams interested in trading back.
Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland told Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune that running back Saquon Barkley is the top player on their draft board (Twitter link). “He’s rare,” Ireland gushed. “He’s unique.” Of course, barring some crazy development, the Saints are unlikely to have an opportunity to select Barkley, as they’re only armed with one pick in the first two rounds. Plus, the team is already rostering several talented running backs, including Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram.
There could end up being a flurry of trades if the Browns select Baker Mayfield with the first-overall pick, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter video). All of the potential scenarios have seemingly stalled trade talks, although Rapoport notes that the Browns (No. 4), Broncos (No. 5), and Colts (No. 6) are among the teams who’d consider moving down. The Bills could be among the teams looking to trade into the top-six range, and the Broncos could ultimately choose to keep their pick if someone like Josh Allen falls into their lap.
Rapoport also notes (via Twitter) that several prospects are expected to be selected earlier than initially thought: Maryland wideout D.J. Moore, UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport, and Louisville Jaire Alexander. Davenport and Alexander both landed in the top-20 of Daniel Jeremiah’s rankings, while Moore was listed 37th.

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Browns, Colts Lead League In Cap Space

April 25th, 2018 at 2:13pm CST by Zach Links

The Browns and Colts have the most cap room of any team in the NFL heading into draft, as Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter) notes. Here’s the official rundown of every team’s cap space for 2018 on the eve of draft weekend:

Browns – $69.5MM
Colts – $59.8MM
49ers – $43.8MM
Titans – $35.8MM
Texans -$35.6MM
Bears – $24.1MM
Jets – $21.9MM
Bills – $19.4MM
Jaguars – $18.6MM
Cardinals – $18.1MM
Redskins -$17.1MM
Bengals – $16.8MM
Packers – $16.2MM
Vikings – $15.5MM
Broncos – $14.6MM
Patriots – $13.8MM
Buccaneers – $12.3MM
Cowboys -$11.9MM
Chargers – $11.4MM
Lions – $9.4MM
Giants -$9.4MM
Ravens – $8.8MM
Seahawks – $7.6MM
Chiefs – $6.7MM
Saints – $5.7MM
Panthers – $5.2MM
Dolphins – $2.9MM
Eagles – $2.2MM
Steelers – $2MM
Raiders – $1.8MM
Falcons – $1.3MM
Rams – $264K

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Bills Unlikely To Trade Up To Giants’ No. 2 Pick?

April 23rd, 2018 at 6:15pm CST by Zach Links

Many have speculated that the Bills will use the Nos. 12 and 22 picks to move up to the top 5 and the Giants, who are reportedly split on this year’s top quarterback prospects, appear to be logical trade partner. However, that might not be in the cards.

Right now, it seems unlikely that Bills GM Brandon Beane will “sell out” and trade up to the second pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link). Instead, the Bills are more likely to make a move if a QB they like falls to No. 5 or No. 6.

The writing has been on the wall for the Bills to make a move for a quarterback in this draft ever since the team dealt Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. Though there is a chance a quarterback they like could fall to No. 12, it has long been speculated the team will use both picks to go after the team’s No. 1 target.

With the Browns (No. 1 and No. 4) and Jets (No. 3) likely locked in to taking a quarterback, Buffalo could find more likely trade partners in the Broncos and Colts. Denver has the No. 5 pick and could be out of the quarterback market after they signed Case Keenum in the offseason. The Colts at No. 6 could also be looking to acquire additional assets from a team looking to get in on the quarterback feeding frenzy.

The Cardinals have been heavily linked to Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and could also be looking to move up into the top 10 if the Heisman Trophy winner falls.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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NFC West Notes: ‘Hawks, Thomas, Kaep

April 20th, 2018 at 12:45pm CST by Zach Links

Seahawks GM John Schneider says he has not talked to Earl Thomas‘ representatives since the combine, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets. However, Schneider added that is not unusual. Despite his name being floated in trade rumors this offseason, the GM says that he hopes to have Thomas on the roster when the season begins.

Here’s more from the NFC West:

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll went on the record to say that the team is still considering Colin Kaepernick, despite cancelling a workout with him earlier this month. “The discussion and the opportunity is still open,” Carroll said on KJR, via Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune (Twitter link). Reportedly, the Seahawks are hesitant about signing Kaepernick since he will not commit to standing for the anthem in 2018.
Before signing with the Cardinals, cornerback Marcus Williams drew interest from the Vikings, Dolphins, and Bills, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets. Williams starred at Hopkins High School in Minnesota, so he would have been looking at a homecoming with the Vikings.
Running back Todd Gurley says he understands the Rams‘ priority to get a new deal done with Aaron Donald before worrying about his own contract.
49ers linebacker Reuben Foster is still facing quite a bit of legal trouble, but he did have a misdemeanor charge dropped on Thursday.

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Breer On NFL Draft, Dolphins, Moore

April 19th, 2018 at 11:21am CST by Zach Links

Have pre-draft workouts gotten out of control? Many in the football world believe that is the case, Albert Breer of The MMQB writes.

“I worked out a guy who was dead because he got smoked by the team that worked him out two days before,” said one NFC assistant coach. “I had some questions about his toughness coming in, but I had to give him a pass on the whole thing. And it’s on the coaches for doing that.”

After a workout season that saw Wisconsin cornerback Nick Nelson tear his meniscus while working out for the Lions and N.C. State defensive tackle Kentavius Street tear his ACL while with the Giants, it may be time to bring some reform to the way teams conduct auditions with prospects.

Here’s more from Breer:

The Dolphins say they have the ammo to get into the Top 6 of the draft if there is a player they like, but Breer gets the sense that Miami probably won’t deal up for any of this year’s top quarterbacks. If they stand pat at No. 11, Breer believes that UCLA’s Josh Rosen is the most likely signal caller to fall to them. Of course, Miami has holes to fill elsewhere, so a Ryan Tannehill successor/alternative isn’t necessarily their top priority.
The Cardinals seem unlikely to make a big play to land one of the best four QBs. However, if a QB they like slips into the bottom part of the Top 10, Breer could see them making a move.
More than one team prefers Maryland’s D.J Moore to Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, Breer hears. This is consistent with recent buzz we’ve heard about the rise of Moore. Recently, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport categorized Moore as a firm first-round prospect, which is a change from what we were hearing just a couple of weeks ago. Still, Breer thinks Ridley will be the first WR off of the board and pegs the Cowboys as a likely destination since they have a clear need after cutting Dez Bryant.
Overall, this draft has depth that will lead to better-than-usual quality into the fourth round, Breer writes. However, the feeling is that this group isn’t stocked with blue-chippers, which means that teams in the 20s feel that they essentially have high second-round picks. “(Picks) 20 and 55 may wind up being the same,” one exec said. “The guy in the last third of the first round, you might be paying a first-round premium on him and he’s no different than the guy at 35 to 40. And those guys in the last third of first round, top half of the second, they’re the same not only in ability but value of their role in the game.” Breer wonders if this could hamper the Bills in their efforts to trade up using the No. 22 pick.

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Bills Host Harold Landry

April 18th, 2018 at 9:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bills are hosting Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Almost assuredly a first-round pick, Landry is viewed a notch below the draft’s consensus best defensive end, North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb. Landry, who notched 48 sacks during his collegiate career, isn’t expected to last until pick No. 23 (Patriots), per Rapoport. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as he’s drawn plenty of interest during the pre-draft process. Landry has also recently met with the 49ers and Falcons, report Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). In a draft that lacks depth at the pass rusher position, Landry should be highly coveted on Day 1.

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