Draft Notes: Manziel, Fiedorowicz, Lee, Latimer
While plenty of schools have held their Pro Days within the last few weeks, none have included more media members or notable guests than Texas A&M’s, which was attended by former president George H.W. Bush, among others. Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans, and the Aggies also attracted interest from most NFL teams, with representatives from 30 clubs showing up to check out the A&M prospects — only the Bears and Browns weren’t in attendance, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link).
According to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter links), GMs for the Jets, Texans, Vikings, Rams, Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, and Lions, along with head coaches for the Texans, Vikings, Jaguars, Steelers, Lions, Buccaneers, Eagles, and Raiders were in attendance today.
Meanwhile, Manziel will meet privately with the Texans, Jaguars, Bucs, and Raiders today, as well as the Vikings tomorrow, says Breer (Twitter links). And although the Browns didn’t show up today, they have a private workout lined up with the young quarterback, according to Williams (via Twitter).
Here’s more on the 2014 draft class:
- Iowa tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz is scheduled to work out privately for the Cowboys and Texans on Friday, and also has plans to visit the Bucs, Lions, Falcons, and Patriots in the next few weeks, writes Jeff Arnold at ChicagoFootball.com. The Packers and Panthers have also expressed interest in Fiedorowicz, according to the tight end.
- The Ravens are hosting USC wide receiver Marqise Lee for a visit this week, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Albany offensive tackle Kadeem Williams worked out for the Bucs and Chargers, and moved well in positional drills, a source tells Wilson (Twitter link).
- Indiana receiver Cody Latimer has visits lined up with the Panthers, Raiders, Eagles, Bills, and Lions, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter links).
- Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig will work out for the Falcons tomorrow, tweets Pauline.
- The Dolphins are scheduled to work out a pair of Monmouth players, tight end Mike McLafferty and cornerback Tevrin Brandon, according to Pauline (Twitter link).
- Syracuse cornerback Keon Lyn has visits scheduled with the Dolphins, Lions, and Raiders, says Pauline (via Twitter).
AFC Notes: Jets, Broncos, Blount, MJD, Titans
In addition to the Seahawks and Cowboys, the Jets may also have been in on Jared Allen before he agreed to sign with the Bears, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. According to Schefter, head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the veteran defensive end last week, and the Jets wanted to get involved in the bidding, though it’s not clear how serious the interest was from Allen’s end. As New York continues to search for upgrades in free agency, let’s check in on a few more AFC teams….
- Unsurprisingly, the Broncos are expected to exercise their fifth-year option for 2015 on defensive standout Von Miller, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The option, available for 2011 first-round picks, would pay Miller a little less than $10MM in ’15.
- The running back market is coming into focus, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). According to La Canfora, LeGarrette Blount, who is still receiving interest from the Patriots, will visit with the Steelers later this week. Pittsburgh is still considering Maurice Jones-Drew as well, though not at his original $3.5MM-per-year asking price.
- Free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, who has met with the Redskins and Rams since the start of free agency, is scheduled to visit the Titans tonight and tomorrow, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- The Raiders have added several players over age 30 in free agency, but GM Reggie McKenzie doesn’t view those players as stop-gap solutions. McKenzie told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that he wanted to bring in immediate contributors to show the team’s young players the Raiders are serious about winning.
- Colts GM Ryan Grigson said today that his team preferred its in-house options at center to the free agents available at the position, as Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star details. That’s not to say that no free agent center would have been an upgrade, but given the potential cost, Grigson didn’t feel a move would be worth it.
- Offensive line and wide receiver will be areas of focus for the Jaguars in the draft, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
- R.J. Stanford‘s new one-year deal with the Bengals includes a $730K base salary, a $50K signing bonus, and a $25K workout bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
AFC Notes: Titans, Browner, Clowney, Chiefs
The Eagles are considered the favorites to land Mark Sanchez, and it’s hard to determine which other teams may be a threat to Philadelphia for the signal-caller. The Seahawks have been ruled out as a destination, and reported interest from the Rams and Giants has been significantly downplayed. Now, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com suggests that another rumored suitor isn’t seriously in the mix, tweeting that the Titans don’t have interest in bringing Sanchez aboard. As we wait to see where the former Jet lands, let’s check out a few more notes from around the AFC….
- Chris Johnson‘s future with the Titans remains in limbo, as Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean writes.
- In a series of four tweets, Tom Pelissero of USA Today explains how Brandon Browner‘s contract with the Patriots works, complete with financial specifics.
- Field Yates of ESPN Boston (Twitter link) has the details on the playing-time incentives in Michael Vick‘s new deal with the Jets. As Yates outlines, Vick can earn bonuses up to $1MM depending on whether he appears in 50% ($100K), 60% ($300K), 70% ($550K), 80% ($900K), or 90% ($1MM) of the Jets’ snaps.
- Texans head coach Bill O’Brien plans to attend Jadeveon Clowney‘s Pro Day next week, and is looking forward to continuing the “good talk” he had with Clowney at the combine, tweets James Palmer of CSNHouston.com.
- Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that he spoke to free agent receiver Jason Avant, but suggested there’s nothing there when it comes to the team’s interest in the former Eagle. Reid instead hinted that he and Avant may work together down the road, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links).
- Chris Owens‘ one-year contract with the Chiefs is worth $800K, which includes a $730K base salary and a $70K workout bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. $80K of Owens’ base salary is guaranteed.
- Fullback Jamize Olawale has signed his exclusive rights tender to remain with the Raiders, the team announced today (Twitter link).
Rams Favorites To Sign Kenny Britt?
Free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt appears to be narrowing down his options, and Rams GM Les Snead believes Britt will ultimately decide on St. Louis. In an interview with Pro Football Talk, Snead pegged his team’s chances of signing Britt at “better than 50%.”
Although a number of Titans players have been linked to St. Louis, where former Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher is now working, the Rams aren’t the only team in the mix for Britt. The wide receiver has also visited the Redskins, Bills, and Patriots, and has drawn interest from the Seahawks and Panthers, as we heard earlier this week.
Pats owner Robert Kraft said New England won’t be signing Britt, and Titans GM Ruston Webster confirmed to PFT’s Mike Florio that the 25-year-old won’t be back in Tennessee. However, that still leaves the Redskins and Bills as potential threats to the Rams. It’s not clear whether there’s serious mutual interest between Britt and the Seahawks or Panthers.
Britt, a former first-round pick, has seen his first few NFL seasons frequently derailed by injuries and off-field issues, but still has plenty of upside. In 2010, arguably his best season, he racked up 775 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in just 12 contests.
Pats Rumors: Wilfork, Jones-Drew, Britt
It’s been nearly two weeks since it was first reported that Vince Wilfork had requested his release from the Patriots, and Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com now has some details on the conversation that apparently led to that request. According to Curran, the Pats wanted to convert Wilfork’s $7.5MM base salary into a figure that was attainable through playing time incentives.
Because Wilfork missed nearly all of the 2013 season, those incentives would be considered not likely to be earned, which would wipe them from the team’s cap, so it’s easy to see the Pats’ motives. Even though the deal would have included some form of extension, it’s not hard to see why Wilfork would be hesitant — he’s coming off a torn Achilles, so an incentive-laden deal would put a significant amount of pressure on him to stay on the field following a lengthy recovery.
Here’s more on Wilfork and the Pats:
- CSNNE’s Curran and ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss each examined recent comments made by Wilfork, owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick, surmising that the Wilfork situation may still be salvageable.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who initially reported that the veteran defensive lineman had asked to be cut, also reports (Twitter links) that there’s “slight optimism” on the Wilfork front. According to Rapoport, there are two parts to mending the fences: Making Wilfork feel wanted, and then working out his contract situation. Kraft has spoken to the 32-year-old, making progress on re-recruitment, but the contract still must be addressed.
- The Patriots were one of four teams mentioned as being in the mix for Maurice Jones-Drew yesterday, but a source tells CSNNE’s Curran that the Pats haven’t been in contact with the veteran running back.
- Kraft tells Ron Borges of the Boston Herald that the Patriots won’t be signing free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt. Britt is believed to still be weighing his options, and John Keim of ESPN.com tweets that the Redskins remain in the mix for him.
2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks
The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:
- 49ers: 3rd (100)
- Bears: None
- Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
- Bills: None
- Broncos: None
- Browns: None
- Buccaneers: None
- Cardinals: None
- Chargers: None
- Chiefs: None
- Colts: None
- Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Dolphins: None
- Eagles: None
- Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Giants: 5th (174)
- Jaguars: None
- Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
- Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
- Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
- Panthers: None
- Patriots: 4th (140)
- Raiders: None
- Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
- Redskins: None
- Saints: None
- Seahawks: None
- Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
- Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
- Titans: None
- Vikings: None
Four Teams In Mix For Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Jones-Drew recently paid a visit to the Steelers, and reportedly drew interest from the Jets earlier in the month, but those aren’t the only teams in the mix for the free agent running back. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, MJD is drawing interest from at least four clubs — the Steelers, Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots.
Although Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated last week that Jones-Drew is seeking $3.5MM per year on his next deal, Mehta hears from a pair of sources that MJD’s asking price isn’t quite that high. Sources also tell Mehta that GM John Idzik‘s “hard-line stance” cost the Jets their No. 1 running back target earlier in free agency. Mehta suggests that the mystery running back ultimately signed with another AFC team, so perhaps that player was Ben Tate, who was linked to the Jets a month ago.
In any case, the Jets will have competition for Jones-Drew from their division rivals in Miami and New England. The Dolphins, who are also in talks with Knowshon Moreno, appear to be in the market for an upgrade over their current backfield options, while the Pats are likely weighing alternatives to LeGarrette Blount, who may end up signing elsewhere in free agency.
AFC East Rumors: Wilfork, Dolphins, Bills
We haven’t heard much on the Vince Wilfork front since a report earlier this month suggested the defensive lineman had asked the Patriots to release him. Reporters at the NFL’s owner meetings in Orlando asked Robert Kraft about the situation, and the New England owner expressed optimism that some compromise could be worked out to keep Wilfork in New England, since the veteran is one of Kraft’s “favorite” Pats. Still, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald hears from sources that Wilfork cleaned out his locker around the time he asked for his release, so it doesn’t sound like he expects to return.
Here are a few more notes from around the AFC East:
- Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey confirmed today in Orlando that his team still has interest in signing running back Knowshon Moreno, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “Free agency is ongoing, so we have talks,” Hickey said. “We’ll continue to go through [it] and continue dialogue and see where it goes from there.”
- Even if the Dolphins don’t reach an agreement with Moreno, the team could add another free agent elsewhere, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who suggests that linebacker may still be an area of focus for the club. Jackson also adds that the Dolphins spoke to Darrelle Revis‘ agent before the cornerback signed with the Patriots. However, Miami was never a serious suitor since Revis wanted to play for a championship contender, and likely wanted more than the Dolphins were willing to pay.
- John Kryk of the Toronto Sun spoke to Bills GM Doug Whaley about a number of topics, including the team’s quarterback position. According to Whaley, the Bills never looked into signing Michael Vick or Ryan Fitzpatrick, and consider their QB position “secure.” Whaley added that Keith Rivers and Brandon Spikes had been at the top of Buffalo’s list of targets heading into free agency.
Pats Notes: Blount, Ayers, Wilfork, McCourty
Even though the Patriots may lose LeGarrette Blount this offseason, Christopher Price of WEEI.com notes that the team is still ahead of the game with its stable of running backs and the complementary skill-sets those backs possess. Although Price notes that Maurice Jones-Drew and Knowshon Moreno are still available, he believes that if the Pats want to replace Blount, they are more likely to do so with a big-bodied back in the middle rounds of the draft.
Now for some more Patriots notes:
- As far as the team’s need for a pass-rusher is concerned, although Andre Carter may want to come back to New England, it is unclear if the feeling is mutual. Given Carter’s age (he will turn 35 in May) and Jared Allen‘s price tag, both Price and Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald believe that Robert Ayers is a more realistic option to bolster the team’s pass rush and provide some support to the revamped secondary. Guregian notes that Shaun Phillips might also be a potential fit.
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com notes that there is a belief that, the longer Vince Wilfork remains under contract, the greater the possibility that the two sides will work something out. Wilfork, of course, requested his release from the team a little more than a week ago, but the Patriots have not obliged just yet. For his part, Reiss believes every option is still on the table as far as Wilfork is concerned, and he is intrigued to see what owner Robert Kraft has to say about the situation when he speaks with reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in Orlando over the next several days.
- Considering the big-money deal that Jairus Byrd recently landed with New Orleans and Earl Thomas‘ impending free agency, Reiss believes the Patriots will approach Devin McCourty with a lucrative contract extension before he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.
- Reiss also expresses surprise that free agent guard Ryan Wendell, who started every game for New England in each of the past two seasons, has not garnered more interest on the open market.
Teams Inquiring On DeSean Jackson
SATURDAY, 7:42pm: The Jets have had internal discussions about adding Jackson and will consider trading for him, a source told Brian Costello of the New York Post.
TUESDAY, 6:57pm: A source close to Jackson tells Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (on Twitter) that the Eagles have not contacted the receiver about the trade talks and rumors.
6:10pm: Albert Breer of the NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that the 49ers aren’t interested in Jackson. Right now, they have just $4.22MM in cap space and they have to budget for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
4:29pm: Rumblings and rumors of potential unease between wide receiver DeSean Jackson and the Eagles have resulted in some trade speculation this month, and according to Derrick Gunn of CSNPhilly.com, those reports have prompted NFL teams to call the Eagles to inquire about Jackson’s availability.
Gunn reports that while the Eagles aren’t shopping Jackson, they’re not hanging up on teams calling to ask about him either. The Patriots and 49ers are among the clubs that have inquired, according to Gunn, who adds that Philadelphia would be seeking at least a third-round pick and potentially more than that for the standout receiver.
I’d be a little surprised if a deal happens, but there are plenty of reasons it might make sense. Jackson has an annual cap hit of $12MM+ for the next three seasons, and with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin having been locked up this offseason, the Eagles have two cheaper receivers capable of starting, even if neither Cooper and Maclin is a true No. 1. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer also suggested that Jason Avant often acted as the go-between for Jackson and wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell, and Avant has since been released.
ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (video link) also reported earlier today that the Eagles weren’t actively trying to trade Jackson, but would be willing to listen to offers.