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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions To Re-Sign Rashean Mathis

April 16th, 2014 at 1:57pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 1:57pm: It’s a veteran’s minimum contract for Mathis, but along with his $65K signing bonus, $500K of his base salary is guaranteed, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

MONDAY, 10:23am: Free agent cornerback Rashean Mathis is returning to Detroit, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reports (via Twitter) that the veteran is signing a new one-year contract with the Lions.

Mathis, 33, joined the Lions last season after spending the first 10 years in Jacksonville, where he racked up 30 interceptions and earned an All-Pro spot in 2006. While the former second-round pick didn’t grab an interception last season, he logged 47 tackles and defended 16 passes. Mathis also ranked as Detroit’s top cornerback, the only one to record a positive grade according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).

While terms of Mathis’ one-year agreement haven’t been reported yet, it figures to be a minimum salary contract. Mathis’ minimum deal in 2013 didn’t include a signing bonus, but perhaps this year’s will, after his strong first year for the Lions.

North Notes: Vikings, Browns, Bears, Lions

April 15th, 2014 at 1:48pm CST by Luke Adams

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 Notes: Lions, Williams, Aldon Smith

April 14th, 2014 at 10:54pm CST by Rory Parks

The Lions‘ brass held a town hall meeting for season ticket holders on Monday, and there were a few highlights. For instances, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes that team president Tom Lewand is optimistic that a new deal for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will get done, although there is nothing new on that front just yet.

Vice President of Player Personnel Sheldon White also spoke at the meeting. Referencing the Lions’ late-game meltdowns in 2013, White said the team will be looking for “closers” in this year’s draft (Twitter link). And special teams coordinator John Bonamego said that finding a kicker is his “top priority” from a scouting standpoint (Twitter link) and that the team will compare Giorgio Tavecchio and John Potter with the players available in the draft to determine the best fit in that regard (Twitter link).

More notes from the NFC to close out the night:

  • Mark Craig of the Star Tribune tweets that free agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams visited with the Giants Monday night and that the visit will continue on Tuesday. As our Luke Adams recently wrote, Williams still offers solid value as a veteran run-stopper.
  • NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that it would be hard to imagine the 49ers picking up Aldon Smith‘s option by the May 3 deadline, given that the team will not have “enough answers” regarding his latest off-field incident by that time. Instead, he believes the team will go year-to-year with Smith (Twitter link).
  • After meeting with the Titans, Colts, and Redskins, Louisville DE Marcus Smith will have his final pre-draft visit with the Eagles next week, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.
  • Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert is visiting the Saints, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

North Notes: Lions, Ravens, Steelers

April 14th, 2014 at 11:18am CST by Luke Adams

Jadeveon Clowney won’t be working out for any more NFL teams prior to the draft, as we heard this morning from Peter King, but that doesn’t mean he’s done making visits. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Lions will be hosting Clowney for a visit soon. There’s obviously no chance the standout defensive end falls to Detroit at No. 10, so bringing in Clowney could be a further signal that the Lions are exploring moving up in the draft. The club has also been linked multiple times to wideout Sammy Watkins, who will almost certainly be off the board by No. 10 as well.

Here’s more on the Lions and a few other teams in the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • Rapoport’s previously linked tweet also includes word that the Lions are meeting today with UNC tight end Eric Ebron.
  • Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas, who visited the Bills earlier in the month, recently met with the Ravens, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Wilson also tweets a couple more players who were in attendance at the Ravens’ local prospect day: Dexter McDougle (CB, Maryland) and Louis Young (CB, Georgia Tech).
  • TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, Arizona corner Shaquille Richardson and Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton are visiting the Steelers today, tweets ESPN.com’s Scott Brown.
  • Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune takes a look at how the Vikings are spending their money by position, noting that the club is only among the top 10 NFL teams in spending at running back (first) and defensive end (ninth).
  • The Lions hosted Boston College linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis on a pre-draft visit last week, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). We heard on Friday that Pierre-Louis also visited the Steelers.

Draft Notes: Lions, Falcons, 49ers, Pats

April 13th, 2014 at 6:01pm CST by Ben Levine

The Lions are hoping to make it back to the playoffs in 2014, and Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com believes that the team is one player away from being a true contender. With that said, there are plenty of different directions the Lions could go in during the draft. If they select a wide receiver like former Clemson standout Sammy Watkins, Rothstein says the offense “would look extremely talented.” Of course, Rothstein also adds that it may be in the team’s best interest to draft defense.

Here are some more draft notes from around the NFL…

  • A Falcons congregation travled to Towson University to workout running back Terrance West and cornerback Jordan Love, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
  • The 49ers will bring in former Sooners cornerback Aaron Colvin for a pre-draft visit, reports Eric Branch of SFGate.com. Colvin is currently rehabbing from an ACL tear sustained during the Senior Bowl.
  • Considering Vince Wilfork‘s age and questionable future in New England, the Patriots need another elite defensive tackle, writes Tom E. Curran of CSNNewEngland.com. Specifically, Curran looks at Notre Dame’s Louis Nix, stating that the defender would be “the most reasonable replacement” for Wilfork.
  • One scout referred to Jadeveon Clowney as “spoiled” and “lazy,” writes Mark Eckel of the Times of Trenton. While the scout can’t see Clowney overcoming his apparent lack of commitment, he still acknowledges that the defensive end will be a top-five pick.

Draft Day Trades: Redskins, Rams, Pats

April 13th, 2014 at 8:43am CST by Rory Parks

As we have heard throughout the offseason, the depth of this year’s draft class will make teams more inclined to trade down in the draft rather than trade up. However, as the 2014 draft draws ever closer, and as more prospects get the opportunity to show off their skills at various pro days and official visits, some of those prospects may start to shine a little brighter in the eyes of certain clubs.

When that happens, we start to hear rumors that some teams may be willing to trade up, to sacrifice a pick or two (or three or four) in a deep draft in order to land the player they covet, just as the Falcons did to take Julio Jones in 2011 and the Broncos did to nab Tim Tebow one year earlier. Here are some quick notes regarding draft-day trades:

  • The Redskins, who are without a first-round pick in this year’s draft, do hold an early second-rounder, No. 34 overall. Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com believes the reversing fortunes of two young signal-callers may allow Washington to add to its satchel of picks. LSU QB Zach Mettenberger‘s stock is on the rise while Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater‘s is on the decline, and both players might be available after the first round closes on May 8. Quarterback-needy teams that filled a different position in the first round may be looking to land one of those two players in the early stages of the second, which would put the Redskins in a prime position to swing a deal.
  • The Jaguars have 11 total picks in the draft, including the N0. 3 overall selection, but GM Dave Caldwell has indicated he wants to add more, according to Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union. The Rams, who have the No. 2 overall pick, may want to trade down as well; the Falcons have expressed interest in making a deal with St. Louis, and it was recently reported the Lions might be willing to trade up to land Clemson WR Sammy Watkins.
  • As Stellino notes, the Rams and Jaguars could switch spots in the first round, giving Jacksonville the opportunity to land Texas A&M tackle Jake Matthews, who has been linked to the Rams in various mock drafts. Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reported that the Jaguars are interested in Matthews, but perhaps not with the No. 3 (or No. 2) overall pick. They would be more inclined to draft the seasoned tackle if they traded back a few spots.
  • Although his willingness to trade back in the draft is the aspect of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick‘s draft strategy that is discussed the most, he has had just as much success moving up, writes Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. She notes that the Pats seem to be in “go-for-it mode,” so they may stand pat and make a selection with their No. 29 overall pick, or even consider moving up. However, given the depth of this year’s class, she believes the chances New England drops back is “fairly strong.” Guregian cites NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt, who believes there is not much difference between picks 25 and 40.

 

Draft Notes: Murray, Barr, Mason, Hyde

April 12th, 2014 at 12:29pm CST by Matt Feminis

Georgia quarterback prospect Aaron Murray, recovering from an ACL injury, has drawn significant interest, reports Pro Football Talk, which lists the Browns, Dolphins, Jaguars, Lions, Patriots, Rams and Titans as teams taking an extended look.

In other draft-related news and notes…

  • LSU quarterback prospect Zach Mettenberger has a private workout scheduled with the Titans, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • Drafting UCLA pass rusher Anthony Barr is a better option for the Eagles than trading for Dolphins second-year pass rusher Dion Jordan (drafted third overall last year after playing for Chip Kelly at Oregon), according to NJ.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks, who provides a detailed comparison.
  • BYU rush linebacker prospect Kyle Van Noy did an interview with Darren Smith of 1090 AM and said the Chargers would be his ideal landing spot.
  • A pair of running back prospects, Auburn’s Tre Mason and Wisconsin’s James White, worked out for the Dolphins yesterday, per Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter).
  • The Eagles have also shown interest in Mason, according to Shorr-Parks. The team sent running backs coach Duce Staley to Auburn’s pro day
  • Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Liberty cornerback Walt Aikens visited the Bills yesterday, according to the team’s website.
  • The 49ers are expected to draft a center to compete with Daniel Kilgore, writes Doug Williams of CSN Bay Area.
  • Small-school pass rusher Howard Jones from Shepherd University spent two days meeting with the Cardinals, according to a story by David Fawcett on insidenova.com. Jones is also scheduled for a visit with the Cowboys, though a Chiefs scout advised him he has “got to eat.”

Minor Moves: Packers, Panthers, Lions, 49ers

April 11th, 2014 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor transactions, our post for rounding up cuts of little-used players, under-the-radar signings, and contract restructures. Any additional moves will be included at the top of the list throughout the afternoon and evening….

  • Wide receiver Sederrik Cunningham has been waived by the Packers, says Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). As Hodkiewicz notes, Cunningham missed last season after injuring his wrist on the first day of training camp.
  • The Panthers have cut wide receiver R.J. Webb, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Webb spent last season on injured reserve after being signed by Carolina as an undrafted free agent.
  • Defensive end Kourtnei Brown has been claimed off waivers by the Lions, tweets Wilson. Brown, who has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game, had been cut by the Bills yesterday.

Earlier updates:

  • CFL standout Alex Hall has signed with the Panthers, according to the team’s Twitter account. Hall, a former Giant and Brown who played his college ball at St. Augustine’s in Raleigh, racked up 16 sacks last season for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The pass rusher visited the Titans earlier this week.
  • The 49ers have waived wide receiver Brandon Carswell, the club announced today in a press release. Carswell signed with the Niners last June, but suffered a torn ACL during his first practice with the team, and subsequently spent the season on injured reserve.

Pauline’s Latest: Pryor, Evans, Gaines, Pats

April 11th, 2014 at 2:12pm CST by Luke Adams

Here’s the latest draft buzz from Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net:

  • Sources close to the club say that Louisville safety Calvin Pryor will be a priority for the Lions if he drops to the second day of the draft. I imagine that’d be the case for most teams, considering Pryor is widely considered one of the top two or three defensive backs in the draft.
  • There’s a consensus that Texas A&M wideout Mike Evans will be a top-10 pick, and the team that lands him may ultimately trade up or down to do it. Pauline identifies the Rams, Eagles, and Ravens as possible landing spots for Evans. Philadelphia could also be in the mix for receivers like Brandin Cooks or Marqise Lee.
  • Rice cornerback Phillip Gaines had dinner with the Jaguars last month and has worked out for the Bengals and Buccaneers. Gaines also has trips lined up with the Giants, Cardinals, and Dolphins.
  • The Patriots recently worked out Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas and D.J. Coles, and Pauline suggests that there’s a belief New England will draft a quarterback this year, since the team expects to lose Ryan Mallett a year from now. As for Coles, the Pats had the receiver do plenty of tight end work during position drills.
  • Prior to tearing his ACL during a workout with the Saints, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas had official visits set up with the Raiders, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Panthers. He was also scheduled to work out for the Buccaneers and Giants. The workouts are obviously off the table now, but it’s not clear which of the visits will still happen, if any, says Pauline.
  • Towson running back Terrance West was impressive during his Pro Day and appeared to solidify himself as a fourth-round pick, according to Pauline.

North Notes: Coleman, Vikings, Lions, Steelers

April 11th, 2014 at 10:59am CST by Luke Adams

After hosting Kurt Coleman for a visit this week, the Vikings offered the free agent safety a contract, but it wasn’t enough to get him to pull the trigger, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Although the two sides may revisit talks at a later time, Coleman appears to still be exploring all his options.

Here are a few more notes from the NFL’s two North divisions, with a focus on pre-draft visits:

  • The Vikings are conducting a private workout today with Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
  • We know the Lions have real interest in receiver Sammy Watkins, but apparently he’s not the only member of the family drawing attention from the club. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that the Lions also had a private workout for Florida defensive back Jaylen Watkins, Sammy’s brother.
  • Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby, Boston College linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Arizona State linebacker Carl Bradford are visiting the Steelers today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The Ravens recently met with Virginia Tech signal-caller Logan Thomas, who has also met with the Bengals, according to Wilson. As Wilson details, in addition to those AFC North teams, Thomas has also worked out for or met with the Patriots, Cardinals, and Texans.
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