Draft Notes: Strong, Peters, Beasley, Fowler
Teams are in full swing in preparing for the 2015 NFL Draft, meeting with prospects and hosting workouts to fill out final draft boards. Here we will keep up with which prospects are garnering interest in a jam-packed notes post, with any updates added to the top:
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that Louisville tackle Jamon Brown will visit the Broncos, Lions, and Washington, and has private workouts scheduled with the Bengals and Bills.
- Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Rams have visited with LSU tackle La’el Collins and Louisville WR DeVante Parker (Twitter links). In a separate piece, Thomas offers a little more detail on Parker and provides a complete list of all the pre-draft visits that the Rams have hosted.
- Kevin White visited with the Giants today, tweets Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan adds that the team is doing its due diligence just in case the wideout should fall to New York, which holds the No. 9 overall pick.
Earlier Updates
- Jaelen Strong definitely has a wrist injury, but he contradicts the report that he will need surgery, according to Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter).
- In addition to Strong, Todd Gurley, Cedric Ogbuehi, and Tevin Coleman will be having Combine rechecks this weekend, writes Rapoport (via Twitter).
- The Seahawks will meet with University of Louisiana at Lafayette defensive tackle Christian Ringo, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). The team will also host Michigan defensive end Frank Clark (via Twitter). Clark had recently visited the Saints in New Orleans.
- In addition to Kendricks, the Falcons will work out UCLA defensive end Owa Odighizuwa, according to Chase Goodread of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Western Oregon wide receiver Tyrell Williams will visit the Chargers on Monday, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). The Division II star has already met with the Patriots, Lions, and Cardinals.
- Minnesota defensive tackle Cam Botticelli has a number of team’s interested in his services, writes Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (via Twitter). The Texans, Eagles, Lions, Seahawks, and Buccaneers have looked into him.
- University of Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux worked out for the Bengals at their local prospect day, according to the Associated Press in USA Today. Legaux will also have the opportunity to work out for the Saints later this week.
- The Saints will also host Tulane running back Dante Butler at their local prospect day on Friday, reports Tammy Nunez of NOLA.com.
- Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong has a fractured bone in his wrist, which should require surgery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). He will be among players that will get combine rechecks this weekend, and the injury could affect his draft stock (via Twitter).
- Potential first-round cornerback Marcus Peters met with the 49ers yesterday and the Falcons today, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Peters will visit with the Raiders tomorrow.
- Pass rusher Vic Beasley has met or will meet with at least six teams drafting in the top ten, writes Rapoport (via Twitter). He will meet with the Titans today, and visit the Jets and Washington sometime next week.
- Florida pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. will visit with Washington as well, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. The visit might be for naught, as most believe Fowler is going to land in Jacksonville on draft day. The Jaguars select third overall.
- Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat visited with the Broncos, who are need of help along the offensive line after losing Orlando Franklin in free agency, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Peat might not last that long, but could provide immediate impact for a team trying to return to the Super Bowl.
- Cardinals running backs coach Stump Mitchell attended Tevin Coleman’s workout at Indiana, writes Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (via Twitter). The Lions already had Coleman in for a workout earlier in the process, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Tony Paulie of DraftInsider.net adds that the Cowboys and Patriots have expressed interest in the Indiana tailback (via Twitter).
- The Rams have scheduled a workout with Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty in Waco, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com (via Twitter). Brandt notes the team has indicated that it will select a quarterback at some point in the draft.
- The Lions also hosted Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett for a visit, the sixth receiver the team has brought in according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
- The 49ers have expressed interest in a number of LSU players, including linebacker Kwon Alexander, running back Terrence Magee, and cornerback Jalen Collins, writes Eric Branch of SFGate.com.
- Ohio State speedster Devin Smith told SiruiusXM NFL Radio he had a visit with the 49ers, saying he got a “really good vibe from the coaches and staff,” and that the visit “went really well,” (via Twitter).
- UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks met with Saints’ assistant coaches Joe Vitt and Rob Ryan during his visit with the team earlier this week, writes Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com.
- Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks worked out for the Bengals at their local prospect day, and could be a player the team keeps an eye on in the middle rounds of the draft, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
- Florida State defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. has visited with the Patriots, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter). Edwards will visit with the Texans and Seahawks as well, although Garafolo believes Seattle will need to trade up from No. 63 to draft him.
- Old Dominion basketball player Richard Ross has drawn interest from NFL teams who believe he could be next in line of basketball players making the transition to tight end. The Vikings are among the teams interested in Ross, sending tight ends coach Kevin Stefanski to the school for a private workout, writes Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
- The Browns have conducted a private workout for quarterback Garrett Grayson at Colorado State, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). Assuming they don’t trade up in the draft, the Browns figure to miss out on at least the top two QBs in this draft class, meaning a player like Grayson probably represents a more realistic target.
- Washington State wide receiver Vince Mayle has visited the 49ers, Chargers, Giants, Jets, Dolphins, Seahawks, and Washington, and is on his way to visit the Colts today, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter links).
- South Florida cornerback Chris Dunkley has visits lined up with a number of NFL teams, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Dunkley says by the end of the process he will have met with the 49ers, Chargers, Falcons, Dolphins, Patriots, Bills, Lions, and Ravens.
- Coastal Carolina interior offensive lineman Chad Hamilton will work out privately for the Falcons on Thursday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Hamilton previously had a private workout for the Texans.
- Wilson also reported that Western Kentucky tight end Mitchell Henry met with the Chargers for a private workout. Mitchell will meet with an NFC team this week. Additionally, Wilson reports that Marshall cornerback Darryl Roberts has had workouts for the Colts, Eagles, Chiefs, 49ers, and Packers.
- University of Washington pass rusher Andrew Hudson met with the Browns, Buccaneers, and Washington this week, as part of his pre-draft visits, writes Brett Tessler of Tessler Sports (via Twitter).
- Utah guard Junior Salt, BYU wide receiver Jordan Leslie, and San Diego State University linebacker Derek Largent are among the players the Dolphins are targeting as late-round picks or priority free agents, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
Rob DiRe and Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Minor Moves: Wednesday
Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL. As always, any additional moves will be added to the top:
- The Chiefs have waived tight end Sean McGrath, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). McGrath retired last year, but was reinstated and officially waived by the team.
- The Giants have waived cornerback Josh Victorian, according to Caplan (via Twitter). The team has also cut defensive end Paul Hazel, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Earlier Updates:
- The Packers have taken a flyer on developmental quarterback Matt Blanchard of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Blanchard joins Scott Tolzien on the depth chart behind Aaron Rodgers.
- The Giants have added two players, signing defensive back Josh Gordy and linebacker Ryan Jones, writes Michael Eisen of Giants.com. Gordy has played in 59 games since signing with the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie in 2010, and Jones was signed by the Ravens last June but was waived after a foot injury.
- The Saints have signed center Mike Golic Jr., according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Golic also spent time with the team last offseason.
- The Dolphins have re-signed wide receiver LaRon Byrd, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: AP, Wisniewski, Wootton, Saints
Today is April 15, which means that, under the terms of the NFL’s original suspension, Adrian Peterson is now eligible to be reinstated. Still, nothing has happened on that front so far today, and few expect anything definitive or formal to actually happen in the next few hours either, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
As Rapoport notes (via Twitter), the legal case related to Peterson’s suspension may still drag out for some time, but the league can reinstate him in the meantime, which will signal the end of his time served, making him eligible to start the 2015 season. Time will tell whether that happens with the Vikings or another team.
Let’s round up a few more items from across the NFC….
- Free agent center Stefen Wisniewski visited Washington this week, but the club is “probably” not the frontrunner for him at the moment, tweets John Keim of ESPN.com. Wisniewski has made a handful of visits since free agency opened, having met with the Patriots, Jaguars, and Titans as well. However, it’s not clear whether all those teams have real interest in him, or if the visits were more exploratory in nature — perhaps to get a closer look at Wisniewski’s surgically-repaired shoulder.
- Veteran defensive lineman Corey Wootton, who tried out for the Jaguars and Titans earlier in the offseason, is visiting the Saints today, according to Sean Fazende of FOX 8 in New Orleans (Twitter link).
- The Vikings and Saints, a pair of teams in need of a cornerback, are hosting Georgia corner Damian Swann for pre-draft visits, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- Florida State’s Cameron Erving, viewed as the top center in this year’s draft class, is paying a visit to St. Louis to meet with the Rams, today, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). The offensive line figures to be one of main areas of focus for the Rams during the draft.
- The Packers will take a closer look at BYU wide receiver Jordan Leslie, who is scheduled to visit the team prior to the draft, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
Contract Details: Crabtree, Ridley, Casey
The details for a few of the more notable recent free agent signings are in, so let’s take a look at some specifics, starting with the newest wide receiver in Oakland….
- Michael Crabtree, WR (Raiders): One year, $3.2MM base value. $1.4MM base salary. $1.3Mm signing bonus. $250K workout bonus. $250K in per-game roster bonuses. $1.8MM in not-likely-to-be-earned incentives — $400K for Pro Bowl and $1.4MM based on catches or receiving yards. Lowest incentive threshold is $400K for 70 catches or 900 yards. Can max out at $1.4MM by exceeding 100 catches or 1,400 yards (three Twitter links via Joel Corry of CBSSports.com).
- Stevan Ridley, RB (Jets): One year, $1.25MM base value. $750K base salary. $80K signing bonus. $50K workout bonus. $20K first-game roster bonus. $350K in per-game roster bonuses. Has injury waiver, which voids if he’s on 53-man roster in Week 1 (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- James Casey, TE (Broncos): One year, $1.25MM base value. $750K base salary. $500K roster bonus. Has injury waiver, split salary (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Joe Mays, LB (Jets): One year, minimum salary benefit. $870K base salary. $20K first-game roster bonus. $60K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- John Kuhn, FB (Packers): One year, minimum salary benefit. $870K base salary. $25K workout bonus. $25K Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Zackary Bowman, CB (Dolphins): One year, minimum salary benefit. $745K base salary. $80K signing bonus. Has injury waiver (Twitter link via Wilson).
Draft Notes: Winston, Gregory, Steelers, Rams
The NFL announced (via Twitter) that 26 prospects will attend the draft in Chicago later this month, but neither of the two biggest names — quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota — will be present to hear their respective names called. Receiver Amari Cooper, also expected to be a top-five pick, will also skip the event, but the likes of Leonard Williams, Kevin White, and Dante Fowler Jr. will be on hand.
Let’s look at some more draft news as we get closer to April 30:
- Winston reportedly scored a 27 on the Wonderlic, the NFL’s predraft intelligence test, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who notes Winston’s mark is just one shy of Peyton Manning‘s grade in 1998. It’s unclear what role the Wonderlic plays in teams’ draft decisions, but it’s an interesting note nonetheless.
- We previously heard that Nebraska edge rusher Randy Gregory was set to visit Pittsburgh at some point this week, and it looks like he’ll meet with the Steelers on Thursday, writes Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- In the market for offensive line help, the Rams met with guards Ali Marpet, Tre Jackson, and Jamil Douglas today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- Oklahoma fullback Aaron Ripkowski met with the Packers today, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
- Texas long snapper Nate Boyer (a former Green Beret whose story can be read here) has a predraft visit lined up with the 49ers, he tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- More from the Bay Area: The 49ers have maintained heavy interest in a pair of LSU players — linebacker Kwon Alexander and running back Terrence Magee — a source tells Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link).
NFC Notes: Wilson, Mara, Raji, Cards
With Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson a year from free agency, the two sides have begun discussions on a new contract. However, there hasn’t been much progress toward keeping Wilson in a Seahawks uniform long term, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Seahawks used a 2012 third-round pick on Wilson, who has since made two Pro Bowls and helped lead the team to three straight playoff berths, a pair of NFC championships and, most importantly, a Super Bowl title. Wilson has made a relative pittance during that time span and will soon be in position to cash in as one of the highest-paid QBs in the NFL. Whether he’ll cash in as a Seahawk or a member of another franchise remains to be seen, of course.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- A change in the league’s playoff format won’t happen this year, but Giants owner John Mara believes it’s coming sooner than later, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. While 12 of the league’s 32 teams currently qualify for the postseason, a change would likely elevate the total to 14. Mara isn’t particularly gung-ho about it. “I still would prefer to keep it the way it is, but I don’t think it’s the end of the world if we end up making the change,” said Mara.
- Mara expects changes to the extra point next season, tweets the New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano.
- Defensive lineman B.J. Raji will be one of the most important Packers in 2015, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Raji, 28, missed all of last season after tearing his bicep and then signed a one-year deal to remain in Green Bay earlier this offseason. If healthy, the 337-pounder should boost a Packers defense that finished just 23rd against the run last year. “I can either take away or add to the legacy – and I want to add to it,” Raji said, according to Dunne.
- Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians seems committed to young quarterback Logan Thomas for the long term, but ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss writes that UCLA’s Brett Hundley might be a better fit for the franchise. The Cardinals have visited with Hundley, who’s expected to be a third- or fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft. Weinfuss believes Hundley is a more skilled player than Thomas, whom the Cards used a fourth-rounder on a year ago, and would be a perfect third-stringer to sit behind starter Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton in 2015. Then, when Stanton becomes a free agent next year, Hundley would be able to slide in immediately behind Palmer – who will turn 37 during the 2016 campaign.
NFC Links: Gregory, Peterson, Forte
Randy Gregory will get his fill of airports and meeting rooms leading up until the draft. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter, the pass-rushing prospect will hit a new city every day for visitation purposes with eager teams.
The Nebraska product paid a visit to the Cardinals on Sunday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter, while the Saints will host him later this week (Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo on Twitter).
The Saints may have a shot at landing Gregory at No. 13 overall, but the Cardinals at No. 24 would have to bank on serious character-related doubts stemming from positive marijuana test in February to have a shot at Gregory.
Here are some other visits and newsworthy items as Monday winds down …
- New Hampshire receiver R.J. Harris, who totaled more than 4,000 receiving yards at the Division I-FCS program, paid a visit to the Packers‘ headquarters on Monday, notes the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Weston Hodkiewicz. Already employing wideout Jeff Janis from Division II Saginaw Valley State, the Packers are continuing to pay attention to small-school prospects. Receiver Ricky Collins (Texas A&M Commerce), defensive end Rodney Gunter (Delaware State) and Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker join a host of larger-school standouts that have visited the Packers thus far.
- Coming off a season-ending injury, quarterback Connor Halliday will visit Washington, reports the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson on Twitter. The Washington State quarterback suffered a broken ankle to end his senior campaign last season.
- San Jose State receiver Akeem King, who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Spartans’ pro day, will visit the Seahawks and Falcons this week, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link).
- While recent reports have viewed the best window at prying Adrian Peterson from the Vikings will open during the draft, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio explains how that might not be the case, considering how the running back’s potential new contract would have to be negotiated in a rapid sequence.
- Matt Forte did not show up when the Bears opened their offseason training program today, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The longtime Bears starter is entering the last year of his second contract that pays $8.2MM this year, and $100K of that is tied to a workout bonus. Biggs points out that of the four running backs slated to make more than the 29-year-old Forte this year — Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch and DeMarco Murray — three of those four received new contracts. Forte, who is training in Florida, attempted to quell concerns on his personal Twitter account about the nature of these early voluntary strength workouts.
Packers Re-Sign John Kuhn
Shortly after they reportedly matched the Raiders’ offer to bring back safety Sean Richardson, the Packers have re-signed another one of their own free agents. Agent Kevin Gold tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter links) that his client, fullback John Kuhn has agreed to a new one-year deal with Green Bay. The contract is worth the minimum ($870K), but includes a workout bonus and a Pro Bowl incentive.
Kuhn, the Packers’ longtime fullback, is typically a blocking specialist, but continued to receive occasional touches during the 2014 season, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The 32-year-old recorded 85 yards and a touchdown on 24 rushing attempts last season, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a spot on the league’s All-Pro team.
Kuhn has rushed for at least one touchdown every year since 2008, combining for 21 total TDs on the ground or through the air during those seven seasons. His new deal figures to include up to $80K in workout bonuses, tweets Demovsky.
Packers Match Offer For Sean Richardson
The Packers have matched the Raiders’ offer sheet for safety and special-teamer Sean Richardson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The move, which comes in advance of this afternoon’s deadline, ensures that Richardson will remain in Green Bay for the coming season.
By matching the Raiders’ offer, the Packers are now on the hook for the same deal Oakland would have paid Richardson. The Raiders’ offer sheet was reportedly for one year and $2.55MM — that total includes a $1MM base salary, a $1.35MM signing bonus, and a $200K reporting bonus.
Richardson, 25, has yet to play a major role on defense for the Packers since joining the team in 2012, logging a career-high 135 defensive snaps in 2014. However, he has been a special teams ace for the club, recording 12 tackles in kick and punt coverage last season. With Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Micah Hyde still in the mix in Green Bay, it’s not clear whether there will be room for Richardson to take on a larger role in 2015, but the fact that the club is willing to pay him $2.55MM suggests it’s possible.
As for Oakland, the team still has Nate Allen and Charles Woodson at the safety position, but the Raiders’ offer to Richardson indicated they viewed him as a potential starter. The club may have to return to the free agent market in search of another safety, or earmark that position as one to address in the draft.
FA Notes: Bell, Titans, Bowman, Dolphins
Let’s check in on the latest updates on a pair of unrestricted free agents searching for jobs, as well as a pair of restricted free agents who will soon find out where they’ll be playing next season….
- Offensive tackle Byron Bell, who recently worked out for the Chiefs, is now receiving consideration from another AFC team, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. According to Wyatt, Bell is visiting the Titans today. The Titans saw longtime tackle Michael Roos retire this offseason, and release Michael Oher, so the club is in the market for a tackle to complement Taylor Lewan, and brought in Joe Barksdale for a visit last week. If Tennessee were to sign Bell, the team would essentially be swapping tackles with the Panthers, with Bell’s old team having signed Oher.
- Free agent cornerback Zackary Bowman is visiting the Dolphins today, according to Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter). Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that there’s a “pretty good chance” Bowman ends up signing with Miami. I didn’t mention Bowman when I examined the notable defensive free agents still on the market over the weekend, but the former Giant did play 458 defensive snaps last season, starting five games for New York.
- Safety Sean Richardson was in Green Bay for a visit and a physical on Sunday, per Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link), who notes that could be a sign that the Packers will match the Raiders‘ offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Green Bay’s decision is due today.
- The Lions‘ decision on whether or not to match the Buccaneers‘ offer sheet for RFA defensive end George Johnson is also due today. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press points out (via Twitter), that Johnson has already signed eight contracts with Tampa Bay, having frequently been shuttled on and off the team’s roster and practice squad earlier in his playing career.