Cardinals, Texans, Bears Interested In Patrick Mahomes
Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of the more divisive prospects in the 2017 draft. While he received a second-round grade from the NFL’s College Advisory Committee, reports have indicated Mahomes could possibly be a top-three selection. Mahomes seems unlikely to slip out of the first round next week, and several teams have emerged as potential suitors.
The Cardinals are in search of Carson Palmer‘s long-term successor, and they “like” Mahomes, according to Peter King of TheMMQB.com, who adds Arizona may indeed “love” the Red Raider signal-caller. That jibes with reporting from Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, and Mahomes would seemingly be a good fit in head coach Bruce Arians‘ vertical offense. The Cardinals, who own the 13th pick in the first round, attended a Mahomes workout in March.
The Texans, too, are in need of a quarterback, and head coach Bill O’Brien “absolutely loves” Mahomes, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported last week Mahomes is unlikely to fall past Houston at pick No. 25, and the Texans are meeting with Mahomes today. Following the trade of Brock Osweiler, Houston only has two quarterbacks — Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden — on its roster.
Finally, Mahomes was scheduled to meet with the Bears last weekend, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Chicago inked Mike Glennon to a three-year deal last month, but that may not eliminate the club from selecting another passer with the third overall pick, according to Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com.
Bears Re-Sign Sam Acho
A starter in 13 Bears games between the 2015 and ’16 seasons, linebacker Sam Acho is returning to Chicago on a one-year deal, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Acho re-signed with the Bears in March of 2016 and played in all 16 contests last season, starting in six of those. The former full-time Cardinals starter made 24 tackles and registered a sack, helping an injured Bears linebacking corps by functioning as a fill-in part. Acho has also forced two fumbles since joining Chicago before the 2015 season.
The 28-year-old Acho played in 500 snaps for the Bears in 2016. The team did not have Leonard Floyd or Pernell McPhee‘s services for the full season. With those two players back in the fold, Acho — who will turn 29 in September — looks like a backup. Chicago also has Willie Young and Lamarr Houston rostered, crowding the outside linebacker spots.
A seventh-year veteran, Acho made the veteran minimum last season, so this contract should come in around that figure. Chicago cut Acho in September of 2015 but re-signed him soon after. He made seven starts for the 2015 Bears and will be in line to come back for John Fox‘s third season in the Windy City.
Executive: Bears Likely To Draft DB At No. 3
- Lattimore may well end up with the Bears at No. 3 overall. Whether it’s him or someone else, one executive is “99 percent sure” the Bears will wind up with a defensive back in Round 1.
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Bears Notes: Kizer, Kamara
The Bears worked out Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer today, tweets Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. Chicago has already met with Kizer on at least one other occasion, but today’s visit was deemed a local workout given Notre Dame’s proximity to the Windy City. Although the Bears signed veteran Mike Glennon to a three-year contract last month, that’s not expected to preclude them from drafting a quarterback this year. Kizer won’t be in play at pick No. 3, but Chicago could consider him if he falls to the top of the second round.
- The Eagles, Bears, and Panthers will all host Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Kamara, who recently fired his agent, could sneak into Round 1 despite being viewed as a Day 2 prospect for most of last year. A committee back with the Volunteers, Kamara managed less than 1,300 yards rushing during two years in Tennessee, but also averaged more than six yards per carry during that time. He’s also been linked to New Orleans and Minnesota.
Bears Eyeing Basketball Player
Virginia Commonwealth’s Mo Alie-Cox isn’t the only collegiate basketball player garnering interest from the Chiefs, as the club also has visits lined up with D.J. Johnson (Kansas State) and Najeal Young (Texas Wesleyan), according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Johnson, meanwhile, has also set up a meeting with the Bears, per Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle. As Paylor notes, Kansas City has used the basketball-to-football strategy before, as tight ends Demetrius Harris and Ross Travis both played hoops in college. Like Alie-Cox, Johnson and Young aren’t eligible for the draft and are allowed to sign NFL contracts immediately.
Bears Re-Sign Bryce Callahan
- CB Bryce Callahan (Bears)
Six Teams To Meet With Mo Alie-Cox
The jump from basketball to football may not be easy, but Mo Alie-Cox has plenty of believers in the NFL. The former Virginia Commonwealth University forward is already slated to visit the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Jets, Colts, Seahawks, and Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. More teams could request to meet with the 6’7″ athlete, Rapoport adds. 
Alie-Cox held an open audition for NFL teams recently and it seems like more than half the league had scouts in attendance. In addition to the aforementioned clubs, reps from the Bears, Lions, Dolphins, Vikings, 49ers, Browns, Patriots, Redskins, and Steelers were in the house (via Lane Casadonte of WTVR on Twitter).
Despite his lack of gridiron experience, teams are intrigued by Alie-Cox’s combination of size and athleticism. He is looking to play tight end and follow in the footsteps of Tony Gonzalez, Julius Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates, and other TE standouts with basketball backgrounds. At the same time, he is open to playing other positions and he took requests from scouts to perform drills that were suited for different roles.
What really sets Alie-Cox apart from other young NFL hopefuls is that he is not draft eligible and, therefore, can be signed as a free agent. A team that is really high on the hoopster could see this as an opportunity to effectively acquire a late-round draft pick for nothing.
Bears Hosting Garett Bolles
- Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles visited the Bears today, a source tells Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Bolles, though slightly older than the typical NFL draft prospect (he’ll be 25 when the season begins), is now viewed as a top-20 selection and could even find his way into the top 10. Chicago isn’t in dire need of an offensive tackle, and Bolles almost certainly won’t be in consideration at pick No. 3. Charles Leno and Bobby Massie are set to man tackle for the Bears in 2017.
Bears Release CB Tracy Porter
The Bears released cornerback Tracy Porter, according to a team announcement. Porter had two years to go on the three-year, $12MM deal he signed with the Bears in 2016. Now, the Bears will carry $600K in dead money for the coming season.
The former Super Bowl hero had a decent 2015 season with Chicago, but he was unable to reprise that performance last year as he played though a knee injury. Porter finished 2016 as the 107th ranked cornerback out of 111 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus. Now, the Bears are moving on from the 30-year-old (31 in August) as they look to improve their secondary.
This offseason, the Bears added free agents Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. Even after cutting Porter, the Bears still have eight corners under contract and they are expected to consider cornerback prospects early on in the draft. At No. 3 overall, Ohio State star Marshon Lattimore is expected to be in the mix.
Bears Set To Meet With TE Evan Engram
- The Bears are set to meet with Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram, reports Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times (via Twitter). The senior finished with career-highs across the board in 2016, collecting 65 receptions for 926 yards and eight touchdowns. Engram has been commended for his blocking ability, and his 6-foot-3 frame has led some to compare him to Redskins tight end Jordan Reed.
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