Vikings Swap Picks With Eagles, Move To 188
Minutes after trading an original Dolphins pick back to the Dolphins, the Vikings used the selection they just received — No. 196 — to move up to No. 188 courtesy of the Eagles.
Minnesota, which held the No. 186 pick before trading it to Miami, drafted tight end David Morgan from Texas-San Antonio with the choice two spots later. Philadelphia received No. 240 in exchange for allowing the Vikings to move back into the 180s.
After the whirlwind of transactions, the Vikings add a tight end to a depth chart that could use another prospect, particularly now that the offense features a careful quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater that’s leaned on tight ends early in his career.
Starter Kyle Rudolph has been a decent option for the Vikings after signing a five-year, $36.5MM extension in 2014, but he’s not a dynamic receiver with which that price correlates. The former Notre Dame standout managed to stay healthy last season and established a new career high with 495 air yards. Behind Rudolph, the Vikings’ second-round pick in 2011, Minnesota houses Rhett Ellison and MyCole Pruitt. Ellison’s contract expires after 2016.
Pederson: Seumalo Could Start
- The Eagles selected offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo in the third round, and Les Bowen of Philly.com writes that members of the organization believe the rookie can start right away. “I think this kid can come in here and compete and give us great depth … challenge for a starting job,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said.
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Draft Rumors: Jets, Cravens, Pats, Ravens
The Jets’ second-round selection of Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg won’t affect their pursuit of free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick, general manager Mike Maccagnan said Friday (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post). Maccagnan added that he wouldn’t rule out carrying four QBs if the team does re-sign Fitzpatrick, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Fitzpatrick, who reportedly hasn’t had meaningful contract discussions with the Jets in weeks, would be at the helm of a signal-calling corps that also includes Hackenberg, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty.
Here’s the latest on the draft with the second day in the books:
- USC linebacker Su’a Cravens said he was surprised to end up with Washington, which took him 53rd overall. He expected to land with the Patriots, who picked 60th (Twitter link via Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic).
- The Ravens tried unsuccessfully to get back into the second round after selecting Boise State edge defender Kamalei Correa at No. 42, GM Ozzie Newsome told reporters, including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
- Had the Giants not taken Boise State safety Darian Thompson with the 71st pick, the Bears would’ve scooped him up at No. 72, per Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (on Twitter).
- The Eagles considered moving back from 79th overall – where they selected Oregon State center Isaac Seumalo – but they became uncomfortable as names were sliding off the board and decided to stay put, reports Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Bradford, Kaepernick
There were indications earlier today that the Cowboys were exploring a possible move up to No. 32, but it doesn’t appear that will happen. The team’s executive VP, Stephen Jones, told reporters, including Todd Archer of ESPN.com, that Dallas isn’t moving up from No. 34 — the club will either stand pat or move down.
Assuming they stay at No. 34, the Cowboys will be targeting a defensive player, tweets Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link), there are two players left on the team’s board with first-round grades, so perhaps the Cowboys will move down if those two players are selected by the teams ahead of them. Moore adds (via Twitter) that Jones expects the remainder of Dallas’ draft to be heavy on defense, with perhaps a quarterback and an interior offensive lineman mixed in.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Quarterback Sam Bradford has not responded to anyone from the Eagles organization, including the team’s coaches, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link via 97.5 The Fanatic). The Eagles’ brass has indicated it won’t honor Bradford’s trade request, so the two sides may have to mend some fences at some point.
- According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), the 49ers currently have no plans to release quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose odds of being traded took a significant hit when Denver drafted Paxton Lynch on Thursday. While San Francisco may prefer not to pay Kaepernick’s full salary, the team appears willing to do so, with no pay cut imminent. Considering the Niners still have $50MM+ in cap room for 2016, they can certainly afford to carry Kaepernick’s contract.
- The Lions believe that Taylor Decker was one of the most versatile tackles in this year’s class, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. “We’re going to put him in the mix with the rest of the tackles on the roster and see who the players are at the right position,” GM Bob Quinn said. “We’re not going to pinpoint him now or until we’re ready to play a game, at what position, what side of the ball. He is a tackle, so he’ll either be right tackle or left tackle and that’s really to be determined.”
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Elway: Eagles Asking Price On Bradford Too High
- Elway also told King that the Eagles were asking “way too much” for Sam Bradford when the Broncos reached out to the Eagles.
Eagles GM: Bradford Discontent Coming From Agent
- When asked if he was surprised by Sam Bradford‘s reaction to the Eagles‘ trading up for Wentz, Eagles GM Howie Roseman said, “Some of this is agent driven,” (On WIP, Twitter link via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
Eagles Will Not Trade Sam Bradford
The Eagles selected Carson Wentz with the No. 2 pick earlier tonight, but he’s not the only quarterback on the Philadelphia roster in the news. Sam Bradford, unhappy with the drafting of Wentz, has requested a trade, but according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link), Eagles de facto GM Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson say the club will not honor that request.
After rumors surfaced last week that Bradford would ask for at trade, news broke Monday that the veteran quarterback had officially requested to be dealt out of Philadelphia. The Broncos reportedly inquired on Bradford, who has not been attending voluntary Eagles workouts, but Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported earlier today that Denver was moving on, as the Broncos don’t believe that Philadelphia is likely to trade Bradford to any team — that sentiment, it appears, has been borne out.
Bradford agreed to a two-year deal worth $35MM in March that includes $22MM in guarantees. But because of the structure of the contract, any team that acquired Bradford would only be on the hook for his $7MM base salary in 2016, before becoming responsible for his $17MM cap charge in 2017. I explored a few potential fits for Bradford earlier this week, identifying the Broncos, Jets, and Bills as landing spots.
If he isn’t dealt, Bradford is likely to open the 2016 season as the Eagles’ starting quarterback, giving Wentz more time to develop. Of course, while the statement from Philadelphia management sounds official, it’s hard to completely rule out posturing — until Bradford is under center in Week 1, his status with the Eagles figures to be a hot topic.
Eagles Select Carson Wentz With No. 2 Pick
The Eagles sent a ransom of picks to the Browns to acquire the No. 2 overall pick, but they’ve landed the quarterback they wanted. Philadelphia has selected North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, locking in its signal-caller of the future.
The 23-year-old Wentz becomes the first FCS quarterback to be drafted in the first round since the Ravens picked Joe Flacco in 2008. But Wentz has the size (6’6″, 235 pounds), arm strength, and numbers to back up the selection. In his two seasons as NDSU’s starter, Wentz threw for more than 4,700 yards and 42 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions, while helping the Bison win two FCS titles.
Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff were considered the top two quarterbacks available in this year’s class, and while Goff is thought to be bit more polished, Wentz’s upside might be unmatched. PFR’s Rob DiRe ranked Wentz as the No. 2 QB on the board, noting that Wentz’s size and mobility wowed scouts, he may need some time to develop.
With the Eagles, Wentz should be in a position to get that developmental time. Philadelphia re-signed Sam Bradford to a two-year deal with an eye towards making him a bridge quarterback, but Bradford, upset by the Eagles’ plans to draft Wentz, has now requested a trade. Even if Bradford is shipped out, Philadelphia still has the option of starting experienced backup Chase Daniel until Wentz is deemed pro-ready.
The Eagles will also receive a 2017 fourth-round pick from the Browns, while Cleveland acquired a bevy of compensation. The Browns will receive the No. 8 pick, a 2016 third-round pick, and a 2016 fourth-round pick, a 2017 first-round pick, and a 2018 second-round pick.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Eagles Interested In Cedric O'Neal
- The Texans have displayed late-round draft interest in Valdosta State running back Cedric O’Neal, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. O’Neal, an All-Gulf South Conference running back who led the conference with 17 touchdowns last season, has also drawn interest from the Chiefs and Eagles.
Broncos Moving On From Sam Bradford
The Broncos reached out to the Eagles to inquire on Sam Bradford earlier this week, but they will now shift their focus in their quarterback search. Denver does not expect Philadelphia to trade Bradford to the Broncos or to any team, for that matter, according to sources who spoke with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Recently, Bradford requested a trade from the Eagles, but the Eagles refused to give Bradford and his representatives permission to seek a trade. Furthermore, they have been steadfast in saying that Bradford will be their starting QB in 2016. Bradford is reportedly upset with the Eagles following their trade up to the No. 2 pick in the draft with the intent of selecting a quarterback. That deal came just six weeks after the Eagles re-upped Bradford on a lucrative two-year contract and the Eagles apparently did not let him or his agent in on the plan.
Agent Tom Condon and Bradford also feel that the team is not built to win in the immediate future after so many assets were shipped to the Browns.
“It’s his right to demand a trade and he wants to be traded,” Condon said. “Basically, our contention is that the team could have used the draft picks on offensive and defensive players for this season, to win this season. If the plan was to build for the future, where does that leave Sam this year?”
Bradford, acquired a year ago by Chip Kelly‘s Eagles in a trade with the Rams, had his ups and downs in 14 starts for Philadelphia in 2015, but his overall numbers have been solid. The Oklahoma product set new career-highs with a 65.0% completion percentage, and 3,725 yards passing. He also tossed 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, leading the club to a 7-7 record in his starts.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.