Draft Notes: White, Bears, Browns, Ravens
West Virginia wideout Kevin White is expected to be an early first-round pick in the upcoming draft, but the speedster hasn’t received much interest from NFL clubs. Earlier this week, the player told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that he hadn’t heard from any teams since the Scouting Combine:
“Until they call or I have a set workout schedule, I’m just going to continue to do what I have to do and wherever I do go, if I have a workout or prior workout, I’ll enjoy it and try to make the most out of it.”
White finally got a call late this week, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the receiver will meet with the Titans. For the time being, that’s White only scheduled visit.
Let’s take a look at some more draft notes from around the league, with updates added to the top:
- Toledo linebacker Junior Sylvestre visited with the Chiefs Friday, writes Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- The Patriots had UConn wide receiver Geremy Davis in for a private workout yesterday, writes Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter).
- The Eagles have a need at safety, and Alabama’s Landon Collins has been a popular target in mock drafts. However, he might not make it to the Eagles’ pick at No. 20, and might not be a fit for Chip Kelly anyway, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. Mosher picks out a number of safeties the team could target later in the draft, including Michigan State’s Kurtis Drummond and Northwestern’s Ibraheim Campbell.
Earlier Updates:
- Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley will visit the Bears, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. The writer notes that Chicago’s new 3-4 defense could be a perfect fit for Beasley.
- The Browns are going to be busy in the coming weeks, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the organization will be bringing in 30 draft prospects. The group includes Louisville wideout DeVante Parker and Miami left tackle Ereck Flowers.
- Maryland linebacker Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil will attend the Ravens local prospects day in late April, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The Patriots, Eagles and Chargers have each checked out the versatile defender.
West Draft Notes: Rams, Raiders, Chiefs
The Rams are focusing heavily on offensive lineman as they use their 30 allotted pre-draft visits, as Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch observes. According to Thomas (Twitter links), Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he’d be visiting the Rams, and Duke guard Laken Tomlinson visited the team earlier this week. Here’s more draft news out of the AFC and NFC West..
- Purdue tight end Gabe Holmes, who had a private workout last month with the Cardinals, paid a visit to the Raiders on Thursday, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Holmes projects as a potential late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
- After being dismissed from Iowa State last year following charges for fifth-degree theft, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief, defensive lineman David Irving is visiting the Chiefs, Raiders, and Seahawks, a league source tells Wilson. According to Wilson, Irving previously worked out for the Bears, Patriots, and Giants, as well as the Chiefs, Raiders, and Seahawks.
- Miami of Ohio safety Harold Jones-Quartey is scheduled to visit the Chiefs next week, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
Draft Notes: Packers, Pats, Dolphins
Here’s the latest draft news..
- Maryland nose tackle Darius Kilgo told Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter) that he has visited the Packers, Patriots, and Dolphins. He’ll also visit the Bengals and attend the Panthers‘ local prospect day.
- Maryland wide receiver Deon Long told Wilson (Twitter links) he’ll attend the Ravens‘ local prospect day on April 21st. He added that he has drawn interest from the Bears and Panthers. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com wrote about the intriguing prospect earlier today and noted that he has drawn the interest of the Patriots.
- The Patriots met with Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter).
- Rutgers fullback Michael Burton worked out for the Buccaneers this morning at RU, according to Dan Duggan of the Star-Ledger (via Twitter). Next up is a visit with the Browns on Friday.
Draft Notes: Raiders, Williams, Winston
Peter King of The MMQB doesn’t believe in mock drafts, but today he gave us his “best guess” draft. Going by “the look in coach Ken Whisenhunt’s eyes when he talked about the pick last week at the league meetings,” King projects that the Titans will take Marcus Mariota at No. 2 after Jameis Winston is taken with the top pick. After that, he rounds out the top five with the Jaguars taking Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler at No. 3, the Raiders selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams at No. 4, and Washington taking West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White at No. 5, before trading him to the Rams for the No. 10 and 72 picks. Here’s a look at today’s draft news..
- The Raiders are high on Williams and could trade up to land him, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Oakland is in the pivot spot at No. 4 and although people have pegged them to land a wide receiver, they want the USC superstar and fear that he’ll be gone by No. 3. If they can’t get up land him, Cole says that they could move back to still take White or Amari Cooper while adding another asset.
- The NFL is still concerned about Winston’s maturity, according to Cole (video link). King (on Twitter) adds that the Bucs have done major homework on the FSU star. Their private eyes have interviewed more than 75 people in Winston’s past.
- Winston isn’t the only FSU product tied to the Buccaneers. Guard Josue Matias said he is scheduled to visit the Bucs next week as well, as Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com writes. Matias is viewed by draft experts as a second- or third-round pick. The Bucs, meanwhile, have a glaring need at right guard and their offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL in 2014.
- Former South Carolina guard A.J. Cann is drawing a ton of pre-draft interest, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets. Right now, Cann has visits and/or workouts scheduled with 14 different teams. Getlin adds that the Ravens, Saints, Vikings, and Buccaneers are among the teams the young lineman will meet with (link).
- South Carolina running back Mike Davis would be a great fit for the Patriots and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that he indeed has a visit lined up with them.
- Albany tight end Brian Parker will work out for the Eagles and visit the Bengals, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Parker has also drawn interest from the Vikings, Bills, and Seahawks. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder caught 39 passes for 500 yards and five touchdowns last season.
- The Buccaneers worked out Idaho defensive lineman Quayshawne Buckley on Wednesday, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter). Pauline describes him as a sleeper and a strong fit for Tampa Bay’s system.
- University of Miami tight end Clive Walford has visits or workouts lined up with the Saints, Falcons, Dolphins, 49ers, Ravens, Chiefs, and Buccaneers, according to Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
FA Notes: Wisniewski, Lowery, Housler, Sam
One of the last of our top 50 free agents who is still without a deal, center Stefen Wisniewski has seen his market move slowly in part because he underwent shoulder surgery this offseason to repair a torn labrum. However, things may be picking up for the former Raider.
According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter), Wisniewski visited the Patriots earlier this week, and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that the center visited the Jaguars today. There’s no deal with either team in place yet, but it could just be a matter of time until Wisniewski find a new home.
Here’s more on Wisniewski and a few other free agents:
- The Vikings could use an interior lineman like Wisniewski, but Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities says (via Twitter) that Minnesota hasn’t expressed any interest in the veteran free agent.
- According to Breer (via Twitter), free agent safety Dwight Lowery visited the Colts this week. The last update on the Lowery front came two weeks ago, when he admitted the Falcons hadn’t shown a ton of interest in re-signing him.
- The Bengals are hosting tight end Rob Housler for a free agent visit on Thursday, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Tyler Eifert figures to take on a bigger role for Cincinnati in 2015 if he’s back to full health, but with Jermaine Gresham unlikely to return, the Bengals could use another tight end. Housler has also visited Atlanta and Baltimore, and received a contract offer from the Ravens.
- Tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi, who spent time on the Browns‘ and Ravens‘ practice squads in 2014, is visiting the Vikings and Buccaneers this week, according to Wilson.
- The Montreal Alouettes hold Michael Sam‘s CFL rights, and general manager Jim Popp told Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette this week that he believes his team has a “50/50” shot at signing the former Rams draftee.
East Rumors: Pats, Dolphins, Boykin, Eagles
While linebacker Rolando McClain opted to return to Dallas, re-signing with the Cowboys today, the Patriots made a competitive offer to the former eighth overall pick. According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (via Twitter), New England offered McClain a $4MM contract that was structured similarly to the Dallas deal, which has a $3MM base and $1MM in incentives. If the money was equal, McClain likely made his decision based on the familiarity of the Cowboys’ system, as well as the opportunity for more playing time.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- There’s a chance the Dolphins make a trade to acquire either a veteran guard or cornerback right before or during the draft, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. According to Salguero, one potential cornerback target is Brandon Boykin, whom the Eagles are said to be willing to trade. Evan Mathis is another possible trade option for Miami, with Philadelphia reportedly open to considering a deal for just about anyone if the price is right.
- Speaking of Eagles trades, safety Malcolm Jenkins says he and his teammates weren’t too shocked by the team’s decision to send LeSean McCoy to the Bills last month. “You look at the style of runner that Chip [Kelly] wants in his offense and even though Shady is one of the best backs in the league, he’s not necessarily what Chip is looking for all the time,” Jenkins said, per NFL.com. “Chip thinks he’s a great running back, he knows his talent is there, but our (system) is really predicated on downhill, somebody who is going to hit the hole every time.”
- The Eagles hosted UCLA edge defender Owamagbe Odighizuwa for a pre-draft visit yesterday, a source tells Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com (Twitter link).
Draft Notes: Washington, Crowder, Shelton
Washington might not want to trade down in this year’s draft, Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com writes. Even if Washington trades back from No. 5 into a pick somewhere in the early teens they could be looking at a major drop off in the quality of the player they will get in the first round. Meanwhile, they can still add to their arsenal of picks by trading down from the later round choices they have this year. The latest draft news..
- Duke receiver Jamison Crowder discussed his workout for the Patriots and chronicled his latest happenings in a chat with Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. Crowder also disclosed that he’ll be working out for the Buccaneers on Wednesday, the Texans on Friday, and the Panthers on April 10th.
- Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton is scheduled to visit the Browns, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Shelton, who had 89 tackles and 9.5 sacks last season, has drawn comparisons to Lions defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.
- Florida State cornerback Ronald Darby will be visiting the Cowboys, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter).
- The Saints have scheduled a dinner meeting with wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and linebacker Denzel Perryman ahead of tomorrow’s Miami pro day, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets.
Poll: Best Major Free Agent Signing Of 2015?
A year ago, no free agent received more fully guaranteed money than the $20MM offensive tackle Branden Albert got from the Dolphins. However, this time around, several big-name players blew by that threshold, with eight players in total matching or surpassing $20MM in fully guaranteed money, per Over The Cap. Here’s the full list of those signees, along with the terms of their new deals:
- Ndamukong Suh, DT (Dolphins): Six years, $114.375MM. $59.955MM guaranteed.
- Darrelle Revis, CB (Jets): Five years, $70MM. $39MM guaranteed.
- Charles Clay, TE (Bills): Five years, $38MM. $24.5MM guaranteed.
- Jeremy Maclin, WR (Chiefs): Five years, $55MM. $22.5MM guaranteed.
- Byron Maxwell, CB (Eagles): Six years, $63MM. $22MM guaranteed.
- Devin McCourty, S (Patriots): Five years, $47.5MM. $22MM guaranteed.
- Julius Thomas, TE (Jaguars): Five years, $46MM. $21MM guaranteed.
- Kareem Jackson, CB (Texans): Four years, $34MM. $20MM guaranteed.
We’ll take a closer look in the coming weeks at how exactly these contracts stack up against one another, and which players made out the best, but for now, we’re just concerned with evaluating which teams made the best and worst decisions among this group.
What do you think? Is the $60MM in guaranteed salary for Suh a mistake for the Dolphins, or does his talent ensure that he’ll be well worth the money? Perhaps one of the other players on the list represents a more worthwhile investment for his team? Which of these players was the best major free agent signing of the offseason? Cast your vote below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Which major free agent signing was the best?
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Darrelle Revis, Jets ($39MM guaranteed) 24% (299)
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Devin McCourty, Patriots ($22MM guaranteed) 23% (279)
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Ndamukong Suh, Dolphins ($59.955MM guaranteed) 16% (195)
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Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs ($22.5MM guaranteed) 12% (148)
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Byron Maxwell, Eagles ($22MM guaranteed) 10% (119)
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Julius Thomas, Jaguars ($21MM guaranteed) 7% (85)
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Charles Clay, Bills ($24.5MM guaranteed) 5% (67)
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Kareem Jackson, Texans ($20MM guaranteed) 3% (39)
Total votes: 1,231
AFC Notes: Welker, Colts, Jaguars, Draft
As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk writes, there haven’t been any reports linking Wes Welker to any teams, which suggests the veteran free agent isn’t drawing much interest on the open market. Welker indicated earlier in the offseason that he has no plans to retire, despite a history of head injuries, but the Broncos don’t seem to be all that enthusiastic about a reunion, and the receiver’s injury history may be scaring off other potential suitors.
While we wait to see if April brings better news for Welker, let’s round up a few more items out of the AFC….
- Although they locked up veteran safety Mike Adams at the start of this year’s free agent period, the Colts remain on the lookout for more help at the position, writes Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. According to Bowen, the club is still “actively pursuing” another safety to help fortify the secondary.
- It’s only been a little more than two years since general manager Dave Caldwell assumed control of the Jaguars, but just seven players remain from the roster that he inherited in 2013, writes Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
- Speaking of those Jaguars, they likely won’t be all that active in free agency in the weeks leading up to next month’s draft, but Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union points to a few positions where the team may still consider veteran options, including center and wide receiver.
- Memphis cornerback Bobby McCain has had private workouts for the Patriots and the Colts, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. McCain projects as a probable late-round pick.
- Wilson also passes along an update on Indiana wide receiver Shane Wynn, reporting that Wynn has visits lined up with the Browns and Raiders. The Cleveland native ran the 40-yard dash in 4.23 seconds, making him one of the fastest players in this year’s draft class.
Draft Notes: Lions, Goldman, Holliman
The Lions hosted Texas A&M offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi for a pre-draft visit at their training facility, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes. Ogbuehi was an All-SEC performer last season, but he tore his ACL in the team’s bowl game against West Virginia. Even though he could have jumped ship early and been a first-round pick in the 2014 draft, he says that he doesn’t regret his decision to return to campus for his senior year. Here’s more draft news..
- Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman has pre-draft visits with the Browns, 49ers, Colts, Lions, Panthers, and Patriots, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). In his junior year with the Seminoles, Goldman recorded four sacks to go along with 51 tackles and a forced fumble.
- The Lions canceled a meeting with safety Gerod Holliman, according to Miller (on Twitter). The Louisville star already met with the Bucs and will meet with the Dolphins prior to the draft.
- Of the presumptive seventh-round cornerbacks, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) would rather take a gamble on De’Vante Bausby than most of the players he’s competing with at his position.