Latest On Adrian Peterson
As of tonight, the Cowboys have still yet to speak with the Vikings about Adrian Peterson, sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. Peterson would love to play in Dallas, but the Cowboys simply are not willing to pay the price to acquire him. Apparently, not even Jerry Jones himself is willing to part with the significant draft compensation and money it would take to pry AD loose.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are still refusing to part with a first-round pick in a Peterson deal and the Vikings don’t want to take a second-round choice for him, especially one as late as the Cards’ at No. 55. The Cardinals’ front office and coaching staff feels like they already have a really good team, particularly if quarterback Carson Palmer is healthy. While Peterson would represent a significant upgrade for their offense, they like the price of the No. 24 pick and three years of guaranteed money for a 30-year-old running back is too steep. However, Robinson cautions that things could theoretically change on draft day. Georgia running back Todd Gurley seems likely to go in the top ten, meaning that Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon probably won’t be there for Arizona at No. 24.
Ultimately, Vikings GM Rick Spielman is making the call and Robinson hears that he badly wants Peterson in purple next season. Sources say that Spielman has the support of everyone around him on this point, so it’ll be his call as to whether No. 28 is traded or not. And, if Peterson isn’t traded by Saturday morning, Robinson posits that he’ll stay a Viking in 2015. Draft picks would be in play in any trade, and because the Vikings are looking for high compensation, any deal would have to happen before the end of the second round.
Draft Notes: Vikings, Eagles, Pats
NFL teams morph into private detective units between the end of the season and the draft, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe writes. Most teams go to tremendous lengths to discover everything they can about a prospect, particularly the ones being considered for the top of the first round, with several millions of dollars and potentially the future of the franchise at stake. This year, Jameis Winston is the one under the microscope and teams have gone through to great lengths to learn everything possible about him. Here at PFR, we don’t do much sleuthing, but do keep a watchful eye on every bit of draft news. Here’s the very latest..
- North Dakota State defensive end/outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel remains a name to know for the Vikings next weekend, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets, but the Eagles have done more homework on him than anyone.
- Central Florida left tackle Torrian Wilson had a private workout for the Patriots and participated in the Dolphins’ local prospect day, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Wilson, a four-year starter, was an all-conference second-team selection and named the Golden Knights’ Outstanding Offensive Lineman. He was recruited by Stanford, Louisville, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Michigan and South Florida before committing to UCF years ago.
- Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star rated the top inside linebackers in this year’s draft. At the top of the list is UCLA’s Eric Kendricks, followed by Clemson’s Stephone Anthony, and Miami’s Denzel Perryman.
North Notes: Browns, A. Brown, Vikings
The Browns have drafted a quarterback in the first round in two of the past three seasons, and by the time their first pick in this week’s draft rolls around–they hold the N0. 12 overall selection–the top two quarterbacks in the class, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, will be long gone. After those two signal-callers, the general consensus is that the drop-off to the next tier of QBs is pretty steep.
But Cleveland needs a quarterback. They’ve needed one since they rejoined the league in 1999. Which is why, despite their recent investments at the quarterback position, investments that can only be classified as abject failures at this point, they may consider moving up in the draft to nab Mariota. Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that the Browns’ interest in Mariota is “very real,” but whether they decide to pull the trigger and trade up would of course depend on the price. Trading up to the No. 2 overall pick–which they may have to do, since the Titans, who currently hold that selection, are reportedly more interested in Mariota than many originally believed–would probably be too cost-prohibitive.
But if Mariota slides past Tennessee, than the Browns may be tempted. In addition to the No. 12 overall pick, they also hold the No. 19 selection, so they have the ammunition to move up. Given the team’s series of missteps at quarterback, such a move would certainly make Browns fans nervous, but until Cleveland gets a franchise player under center, they will continue to stare up at the other three teams in their division. Despite his shortcomings, Mariota has the chance to be that player if the system, and the price, is right.
Now for some more notes from the league’s north divisions:
- Antonio Brown, who is coming off a magnificent 2014 campaign, is reportedly trying to renegotiate his current contract with the Steelers. But as Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, Pittsburgh holds all the cards at the moment. Brown would suffer significant fines, signing bonus give-backs, and lost wages if he were to hold out beyond voluntary workouts and OTAs this spring, and the Steelers simply do not renegotiate this early in a player’s contract (Brown still has three years left on his current deal).
- Matt Vensel of The Star Tribune looks at a few key positions the Vikings might target in the first round of the 2015 draft and makes an argument for each. Ultimately, he concludes that trading back might represent the team’s best option.
- Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press says all signs point to the Vikings selecting Michigan State corner Trae Waynes in Thursday’s first round.
- Although Matt Forte‘s decision to skip the opening phase of the Bears‘ offseason program was reported, Martellus Bennett‘s decision to do the same thing went unannounced. Bennett is coming off a career year, but the average annual salary of his current deal ($5.1MM) puts him fairly low on the list of the league’s highest-paid tight ends. As ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson writes, the team has a three-day voluntary minicamp scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday of the coming week, and the Bears will have a better idea of Forte’s and Bennett’s offseason intentions at that time.
- Kyle Meinke of MLive.com ranks the Lions‘ pre-draft needs, with the guard position topping the list.
NFC Mailbags: Collins, Bears, Vikings, Saints
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s writers are going through their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Here are some notes from the NFC:
- The Packers are in a great position going into the draft, without any glaring needs on the roster. One spot the team could target in the first round is cornerback, and Rob Demovsky believes that team could target the 6’1″ Jalen Collins if he is on the board at No. 30.
- The Bears could go a number of ways at No. 7, but the best options that are likely to be there are the leftover between Amari Cooper and Kevin White, writes Jeff Dickerson. One of them is likely to be off the board before the Bears come to the podium, but present good options at that spot. Dickerson also picks out Dante Fowler Jr., Leonard Williams, and Shane Ray as options.
- Ben Goessling receives a great idea from an evil mastermind, saying the Vikings should take a running back with the 11th pick and create an even bigger market for Adrian Peterson. Unfortunately, Goessling rightly believes that would be a dangerous way to use the No. 11 pick in the draft.
- The Saints are in an interesting position picking at No. 13, and Mike Triplett addressed the chances of the Saints of moving up or down from that spot. With nine picks in the draft, he could see them trading up if they have an elite grade on a player, but he could also see them moving down a few spots if they get the right offer. It seems more likely they stay put and wait for their guy at No. 13.
Extra Points: Jets, Eagles, Peterson
It sounds as if Jets GM Mike Maccagnan is more likely to trade back in the draft to acquire more picks than move up, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. “Philosophically, I’m not opposed to moving up in the draft to go get a player if you feel that is a player that is going to be an extremely good player, but I would personally like to get more picks,” said Maccagnan. “To me, it’s more opportunities to get more talent.” Here’s more from around the NFL..
- The Eagles worked out at least three players Friday at UConn, including cornerback Byron Jones, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- With or without Adrian Peterson, running backs are on the Vikings‘ draft list, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. The Vikings have Matt Asiata, but he’s not considered a long-term starter. The 5’9″, 208-pound Jerick McKinnon, drafted in the third round last year, was solid as a rookie but is not regarded as durable enough for a No. 1.
- Recent history suggests waiting until after the first round to draft a tight end is the right move, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union writes. The Jaguars believe they have a potentially effective duo in Julius Thomas and Marcedes Lewis, so they probably won’t be in the market for a tight end high in the draft.
- Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell has a poker face heading into the draft, Gene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union writes. Earlier today, we rounded up highlights from Caldwell’s chat with local reporters.
Extra Points: Draft, Falcons, Chiefs, Joseph
The 2015 NFL draft is now just six days away, and trade talks figure to heat up very soon. According to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter), Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said today that he’s fielded calls about the No. 4 overall pick, and Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has taken calls about moving up or down from No. 8, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Additionally, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that Chiefs GM John Dorsey has called around and told teams that his club is open to trade discussions.
As we wait to see whether any of those teams make some moves before or during the draft, here are a few more items from around the league, including additional notes on the Falcons and Chiefs:
- Among the other updates from today’s Falcons presser: Dimitroff dimissed the idea that Atlanta is pursuing Adrian Peterson (per Ledbetter), and head coach Dan Quinn said the club plans to address the linebacker spot in the draft, despite having signed free agents (Twitter link via ESPN’s Vaughn McClure).
- The Chiefs have been in contact with Justin Houston‘s representatives, having spoken to the linebacker’s camp within the last three days, Dorsey said today (link via Paylor). Houston, who was franchised by Kansas City, has yet to sign his one-year tender, and there’s a chance the two sides could work out a long-term deal this spring.
- Players and agents aren’t thrilled that general managers have publicly voiced doubts about whether certain 2016 fifth-year options will be exercised, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Whatever the intention of those comments is, players tend to regard them as an expression of uncertainty about their abilities, and a signal that the team may not want to keep them around for the long term.
- Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com takes an in-depth look at the Browns‘ decision to draft Johnny Manziel over Teddy Bridgewater a year ago, writing that a league source with knowledge of the Vikings‘ draft plans said Minnesota had determined a few days before the draft that Cleveland was leaning toward Manziel rather than Bridgewater.
- Free agent guard Davin Joseph told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he’d love to join a contender and try to get a championship ring. Joseph, 30, spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the Buccaneers, starting 99 of the 100 games he played for the team, before signing with the Rams last spring.
- Idaho center Mike Marboe had a private workout today for the Seahawks, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
East Notes: Jennings, Eagles, Cowboys
When Greg Jennings reached a contract agreement with the Dolphins earlier this week, we learned almost immediately that it was a two-year, $8MM pact. Now, Alex Marvez of Fox Sports has a breakdown of the specifics. Per Marvez (Twitter link), the wideout’s deal features a $3MM signing bonus, base salaries of $900K (2015) and $3.9MM (2016), and annual workout bonuses of $100K. That means Jennings’ cap hit for this season should be $2.5MM before jumping to $5.5MM in ’15.
According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), before the Vikings released Jennings, they offered him a pay cut to $4MM, plus $3MM in incentives. However, that offer didn’t include any guarantees, so it makes sense that the veteran would elect to hit the open market instead.
Here are a few more Friday morning items out of the NFL’s East divisions:
- UConn cornerback Byron Jones, who has already visited the Eagles and has been cited as a potential target for the club, is working out for Philadelphia’s brain trust this morning, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. According to Pauline, Huskies wideout Geremy Davis and defensive tackle B.J. McBryde are also participating in the Eagles’ workout.
- The Cowboys are working out Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney today, per Pauline, who notes (via Twitter) that the club is sending a defensive line coach to attend the workout.
- Even if they expect Greg Hardy to have to serve his full 10-game suspension, the Cowboys aren’t likely to elevate pass rusher above running back or cornerback when it comes to their draft needs, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.
- Washington is sending its defensive staff to Macon, Georgia to meet with University of Kentucky edge rusher Bud Dupree on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
- Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that the Giants called him Thursday night to chat as a part of their pre-draft process. The Giants pick at No. 9, but Fowler could very well be gone by that point.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Field Yates identifies five general managers who need a strong draft in 2015, lest they find themselves in hot water after the season. Bills GM Doug Whaley tops Yates’ list.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
North Notes: Manziel, Peterson, Browns
Browns GM Ray Farmer told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter), that he did not try to trade Johnny Manziel to the Eagles, despite rumors to the contrary. Recently, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported that the Browns tossed out the idea in a conversation with Philadelphia, but it didn’t gain any traction. As for the Eagles, they apparently didn’t have any real interest in making that happen. Here’s more on the Browns and the rest of the AFC North..
- Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that the Cowboys are not in the running for Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson. “Whoever says otherwise is 1,000 percent wrong,” he said. “The Cowboys have not spoken to the Minnesota Vikings about Adrian Peterson. It has not happened. They haven’t offered a draft pick, they have not picked up the telephone to talk to the Minnesota Vikings about Adrian Peterson. It simply has not happened.” Robinson says the Cardinals, Buccaneers, and Jaguars are the teams in the mix for No. 28 at present and he wouldn’t rule out the Falcons joining that group. Robinson is 100% confident that the Vikings would trade Peterson to the Cardinals if they were to offer up their first-round pick, but it remains to be seen if they’re willing to do that.
- Farmer said that he’ll add to the competition at quarterback if he finds a viable option, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets. He’s not, however, desperate for a signal caller. “It’s constantly reported we’re [quarterback] starved and we’ll do whatever it takes to get one person. I don’t know why that is,” the GM said (link). The Browns’ collection of quarterbacks currently includes Manziel and veteran Josh McCown.
- When asked if he’d take a running back in the first round, Farmer responded, “Sure. Why not?” (via Ulirch on Twitter). The Browns own the No. 12 and No. 19 picks in the draft.
- The team has yet to decide on an interim GM that will be in charge while Farmer is suspended, Cabot tweets.
North Notes: Bengals, Peterson, Ravens
Working out extensions with cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and guard Kevin Zeitler before May 4 is “a big priority” for the Bengals at the moment, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. Both 2012 first-round draftees are eligible for fifth-year options for 2016, and if Cincinnati is happy enough with both players to want to extend them, I’d imagine the team would exercise those options.
While it’s possible that the Bengals agree to an extension with one or both players within the next week and a half, it seems more likely that a deal would be struck sometime later in the offseason. A year ago, no club extended a former first-round pick before exercising his fifth-year option, but several teams finalized new deals with those players later.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- A reader asked Peter King of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) if he thinks the Vikings will trade Adrian Peterson before or during the draft. King says his gut feeling is that Minnesota won’t do that. With $45MM due to the 30-year-old running back over the next three years, it’ll be hard to find the right deal. On top of that, the Vikes want a high draft pick to part with AD.
- Elsewhere at TheMMQB.com, former Packers executive Andrew Brandt is less convinced that the Vikings will hang on to Peterson. As Brandt writes, the key person to smooth tension between a player and his team is usually the agent, but in this case, Ben Dogra has clashed with Vikings management and is doing all he can to get his client on a new team. Brandt views the Cowboys as the best fit for the running back.
- Miami receiver Phillip Dorsett recently paid a visit to the Ravens, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team also met with Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson and worked him out, Wilson writes in a separate piece for the Sun.
- Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review provides a breakdown of the Steelers‘ 29 pre-draft visits, while Lindsay Selengowski of DetroitLions.com lists all 30 prospects the Lions brought in for visits.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Latest On Adrian Peterson
9:54pm: A source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of PFT that a recent report that the Vikings want a first-round pick and a starting cornerback isn’t accurate, which suggests it would take even more than that to even get them to consider dealing Peterson.
6:39pm: The Adrian Peterson saga continues and while many are speculating that No. 28 will be donning a different uniform this season, that isn’t necessarily the case. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) hears that Peterson would be just as happy to play out his three-year contract with the Vikings, provided that they are willing to guarantee most of it. Peterson still doesn’t trust team COO Kevin Warren, but, as Cole says, that’s something that can be repaired.
Meanwhile, a source close to the situation believes that if the disgruntled running back isn’t traded before or during next week’s draft, the Vikings wouldn’t deal him to another team before the 2015 season, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes.
“If he’s not traded next week, they’re going to keep him,” the source said.
The source’s reasoning was that if the Vikings want to trade Peterson, they never will have more leverage than during the draft. Minnesota, he posited, could be able to entice a team once top backs Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley are off the board. Interestingly, the source did not believe that the Raiders were truly in the mix for AD, despite reports indicating that they are.
Peterson’s deal calls for cap numbers of $15.4MM in 2015, $15MM in 2016, and $17MM in 2017. With assurance that a good chunk of his $40MM+ deal will be guaranteed, it sounds like the running back could change his tune about staying in Minnesota.