Draft Notes: Manziel, Clowney, Easley
Texas A&M quarterback prospect Johnny Manziel, who will visit with Cleveland brass this week, is working out for Browns officials in College Station today, per ESPN insider Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
Here’s several more draft news and notes:
- Speaking of high-profile, scrutinized prospects, South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney has drawn heavy criticism, but Bleacher Report columnist Mike Freeman is skeptical about how much of it is legitimate and how much of it is draft propaganda. Meanwhile, Freeman thinks Clowney could set a precedent for how elite prospects handle (dictate?) the pre-draft process in the coming years.
- “The biggest difference under [Chiefs] general manager John Dorsey is that the requirements for players seem to be a lot less rigid,” says ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher in response to a mailbag question asking about the difference between the team’s current draft philosophy and that of the previous regime. “Where former GM Scott Pioli wanted players to fit into a certain system and tried to fit the players to the system, now the Chiefs are more just looking for good players. They will mold the system around the abilities of the players.”
- Chargers GM Tom Telesco and Jaguars GM David Caldwell have a good relationship, having known each other since high school, played together in college and worked together in Indianapolis. Accordingly, ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams speculates the two could work together on a draft-day trade that would enable the Jags to reenter the first round and grab a quarterback, perhaps Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, who is rumored to be sliding.
- Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley, reportedly 80% recovered from a torn ACL and meniscus, is embarking on busy pre-draft schedule, writes Aaron Wilson of National Football Post. Easley will visit with the Patriots and Cowboys after having worked out for 17 teams on Thursday, including the Bears, who had three representatives present. Though undersized, Easley shows the type of explosiveness and disruptive ability desired of a three-technique.
- Clemson receiver Martavis Bryant, who possesses intriguing measurables, has 22 combined visits and private workouts, according to Wilson via the Baltimore Sun.
- Georgia Tech pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, Southern Miss defensive tackle Khyri Thornton, Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp were among prospects who helped themselves with strong pro day efforts, according to NFL.com’s College Football 24/7 writer Bryan Fischer, who highlights defensive prospect risers.
NFC Notes: Amukamara, Bears, Bucs
Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, the 19th pick in the 2011 draft, is a candidate for a fifth-year option, but the team has “not made a decision about Amukamara’s option, and it’s not a slam-dunk decision,” says ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano: “The Giants like Amukamara. He plays hard, is a sound technician, keeps himself in shape and pays attention to detail.” However, the team could balk at paying a No. 2 cornerback $7.13MM.
In other NFC notes. . .
- In a mailbag, ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright points out the Bears have just two running backs on the roster, but second-year man Michael Ford will not be handed the No. 2 job behind Matt Forte. Additionally, Wright doesn’t think Shea McClellin will beat out Jon Bostic for a starting linebacker spot, which would relegate the 2012 first-rounder to a sub-package, pass-rush role.
- The Bears are expected to draft a starter-caliber safety, and who they tab will be telling in terms of which positional traits the team prioritizes, speculates Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.
- Thanks to a “pay-as-you-go” method of operation, the Vikings sit with $30MM in cap space for 2015, notes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
- The Buccaneers have done their due diligence on the top quarterback prospects and would be ready to pounce if one slipped to No. 7, writes Josh Sanchez at NFL.SI.com, who relays a report from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
Extra Points: Bears, Watt, Lee, Patriots
Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir is on the Bears‘ radar, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. A relative unknown after spending two years at Washburn, followed by the two seasons at Lindenwood, Desir finished his college career with 25 total interceptions and 52 pass breakups en route to being named a Division II All-American three times. The cornerback is projected by some to go in the second round and the Bears might be looking at him as a possibility at No. 51. More from around the NFL..
- Texans standout defensive end J.J. Watt will never play for his fifth year option, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. After the 2014 season he’s expected to sign a lucrative, long-term extension. As the Pro Football Rumors 2015 Fifth-Year Option Tracker shows, Watt’s option is worth $6.969MM.
- The Texans have holes to fill all over the roster, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. That could be part of the reason why there’s ostensibly several viable candidates for the No. 1 overall pick.
- USC All-American wide receiver Marqise Lee visited the Patriots and Lions this week, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Lee was named the Pac-12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, when he caught a career-high 118 passes for 1,712 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a junior last season, Lee’s production fell to 57 catches for 791 yards and four touchdowns as he dealt with injuries.
- Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio worked out for the Buccaneers and Panthers, tweets Gil Brandt of NFL.com. The Crimson Tide standout has seven visits and workouts in total.
North Rumors: Bears, Ravens, Mosley
The Bears met with Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Sutton, considered a good fit as the 3-technique defensive tackle in the Bears’ 4-3 system, had 20.5 sacks in college, including 13 as a junior. Double-teamed as a bulked-up senior, Sutton had three sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception. More out of the AFC and NFC North..
- Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley visited the Ravens, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. In 2012, Mosley had 107 tackles with two interceptions and a forced fumble before dislocating his hip in the national championship game and undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
- The Ravens aren’t making any immediate decision on Rolando McClain, so don’t expect any resolution over the weekend, cautions Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Earlier today, the Ravens reinstated the troubled linebacker from the reserve/retired list.
- While the Jets’ Eric Decker is the highest-paid free agent at wide receiver, the Lions‘ Golden Tate may be in a position to have a bigger statistical year, says John Clayton of ESPN.com (video link).
- The Ravens haven’t brought in Boston College running back Andre Williams for visit or worked him out yet but they’ve talked to him a lot, tweets Wilson.
Extra Points: Easley, Murray, Lions, Visits
Defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who tore his ACL in September, held a personal Pro Day to attempt to prove his health to NFL teams today, and Jeff Barlis of ESPN.com (Twitter links) reports that at least 17 clubs were in attendance. According to Barlis (via Twitter), Easley feels like his knee is at “about 80%” and that he’ll be fully prepared for summer mini-camps. In his ESPN.com piece on Easley’s performance, Barlis adds that the former Florida Gator will visit NFL clubs for seven straight days starting on Sunday.
Here are a few more notes from around the NFL, including one additional update on Easley:
- Easley is drawing “heavy interest” from the Seahawks, Bears, Patriots, and 49ers in particular, and looks like a second-round pick, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
- Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links) adds the Lions, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Rams to the list of teams who have met or will meet with Georgia signal-caller Aaron Murray.
- In addition to tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, whose visit was previously reported, the Lions are also hosting USC receiver Marqise Lee and Mississippi State defensive end Denico Autry today, says Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
- Jason Fitzgerald’s evaluatons of each team’s free agent periods continued today at OverTheCap.com with pieces on the Redskins, who received a C grade, and the Eagles, who got an impressive grade of B+.
- Towson running back Terrance West, who has had private meetings with the Cardinals and Dolphins, will visit the 49ers, Falcons, and Bills next week, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Steelers hosted Minnesota defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, UMass tight end Rob Blanchflower, and Rice cornerback Phillip Gaines for pre-draft visits today, tweets Bob Labriola of Steelers.com.
NFC Draft Notes: Falcons, Lions, Eagles
To kick off the day, we rounded up a handful of draft-related items out of the AFC. Now let’s shift our attention to the NFC and check out the latest….
- We heard earlier in the week that Jake Matthews has a visit scheduled next week with the Falcons, but before that happens, Atlanta is sending a contingent to Auburn to meet with the draft’s other top offensive tackle, Greg Robinson, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter).
- Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post passes along word of a pair of tight ends visiting or working out for NFC teams. According to Wilson, Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz, who was previously visited the Jets and Buccaneers, is visiting the Lions today, while Cincinnati’s Blake Annen recently had a private workout for the Eagles.
- Cal linebacker Khairi Fortt, who met with the Ravens earlier in April, is visiting the Seahawks today, tweets Rich Cirminiello of CampusInsiders.com.
- Chris Russell of ESPN 980 reports (via Twitter) that the Redskins are bringing in Georgia tech outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu for a visit this week. Attaochu indicated last month that Washington was one of the teams showing the most interest in him.
- The 49ers hosted Cumberlands running back Terrance Cobb for a pre-draft visit, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times takes a look at Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees, who is scheduled to visit the Bears on Friday.
North Notes: Bears, Vikings, Steelers, Browns
Louisville safety Calvin Pryor, who has already visited Chicago in advance of next month’s draft, believes that he’d be a good fit with the Bears, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I bring a certain type of physicalness to the defense,” Pryor said. “The Bears are already known to be physical. That playmaker ability, that’s what I can bring to the team…. If I get added to the team.”
Here’s more from the NFC and AFC North divisions:
- The Vikings have already had a private workout with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner watched Manziel go through a workout on March 27th at College Station that was attended by 30 NFL teams, but Minnesota has also gotten an exclusive look. The Vikings have the No. 8 pick in the draft.
- Linebacker Lamin Barrow is visiting the Vikings today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The Ravens met with the LSU product back in February.
- With the NFL draft three weeks away, much of the pre-draft speculation surrounding the Steelers is whether they’ll take a cornerback or a wide receiver at No. 15. However, Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review argues that their greatest need is at defensive end. Ziggy Hood left the team to sign with the Jaguars this offseason and at last check, the club hasn’t shown any interest in re-signing unrestricted free agent Brett Keisel. Pittsburgh’s only defensive line addition has been former Charger Cam Thomas, who seems better suited to play nose tackle than end.
- Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is set to meet with the Browns next week, a league source confirmed to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter). Murray, who has also drawn interest from the Titans and Cowboys, will work out for Cleveland the following weeks, says Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
- Due to the philosophy of new head coach Mike Pettine, the Browns are less likely to follow a quarterback-centric model as they build their roster, writes Vic Carucci of ClevelandBrowns.com.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Bears Waive Cheta Ozougwu
The Bears have cut defensive end Cheta Ozougwu, the team announced today (via Twitter). If no team puts in a waiver claim on Ozougwu, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent later this week.
Ozougwu, 25, was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by Houston, but never played in a regular-season game for the Texans. In two seasons with the Bears, Ozougwu appeared in nine total games, playing less than 100 total defensive snaps. He did, however, record his first career sack and forced fumble in 2013.
North Notes: Vikings, Browns, Bears, Lions
After working out for the Vikings on the weekend, Teddy Bridgewater visited with the team yesterday and is still there today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who notes that the Vikes are taking an extended look at the Louisville signal-caller. Bridgewater could very well still be on the board when Minnesota picks at No. 8.
Here’s more from out of the NFC and AFC North divisions:
- The Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph are said to have mutual interest in working out a long-term agreement to keep Rudolph in Minnesota, but the team has yet to approach the 24-year-old about an extension yet, as he tells Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
- Johnny Manziel‘s previously reported workout for the Browns is scheduled for this weekend, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- After meeting with the Texans today, Blake Bortles will have finished with his pre-draft visits and workouts, with the exception of a visit with the Browns next week, according to Caplan (Twitter links).
- Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will meet with the Bears this week, tweets Rapoport, adding that Clinton-Dix has also met with the Panthers and Falcons, among other teams. The Bears, meanwhile, have their eye on safeties, having already hosted Calvin Pryor.
- Rapoport passes along word of a couple more pre-draft visits, tweeting that Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard visited the Bengals today and yesterday, while Minnesota safety Brock Vereen visited the Steelers last week. The brother of Patriots running back Shane Vereen will also meet with the Vikings this week, says Rapoport (via Twitter).
- The Lions announced pre-draft visits for Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Boston College kicker Nate Freese, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com details.
- Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune takes a look at Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix, who recently visited the Bears.
- Matthew Mulligan‘s one-year deal with the Bears is a minimum salary benefit contract, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Chris Pressley‘s one-year pact with the Browns falls into the same category, Wilson adds (via Twitter).
NFC Draft Notes: Ellington, Falcons, Saints
A trio of NFC teams have shown interest in South Carolina wide receiver Bruce Ellington, the cousin of Cardinals running back Andre Ellington. The former Gamecock will be meeting with the Rams and Cards this week, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com chimes in (via Twitter) to add that Ellington has already worked out for the Falcons, while both Garafolo and Rapoport mention the Patriots‘ interest in the player. Ellington had 775 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2013.
Let’s dive into some more draft notes from around the NFC…
- Portland State running back D.J. Adams and Tennessee-Chattanooga cornerback Kadeem Wise are among the players scheduled to work out at the Falcons’ local prospect day tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Saints are “definitely interested” in former Alabama wideout Kevin Norwood, tweets Larry Holder of NOLA.com.
- In one of his articles, Holder projects the Saints‘ draft and has the team selecting wide receiver Marqise Lee with its first-round pick. Other notable Saints selections in Holder’s draft include defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu and cornerback Pierre Desir.
- Despite tearing his ACL at Senior Bowl practice, Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin has been busy with pre-draft visits, meeting with the Eagles, Saints, and 49ers, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter).
- Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com and Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provide the details on several prospects scheduled to visit with the 49ers, including receivers Martavis Bryant and Albert Wilson, Louisville linebacker Preston Brown, and Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence.
- The Cowboys have interest in Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, and plan to attend his Pro Day this week, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- The Bears recently brought in Wisconsin running back James White for a workout, reports Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (via Twitter).
Ben Levine contributed to this post.