Draft Notes: Murray, Barr, Mason, Hyde
Georgia quarterback prospect Aaron Murray, recovering from an ACL injury, has drawn significant interest, reports Pro Football Talk, which lists the Browns, Dolphins, Jaguars, Lions, Patriots, Rams and Titans as teams taking an extended look.
In other draft-related news and notes…
- LSU quarterback prospect Zach Mettenberger has a private workout scheduled with the Titans, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- Drafting UCLA pass rusher Anthony Barr is a better option for the Eagles than trading for Dolphins second-year pass rusher Dion Jordan (drafted third overall last year after playing for Chip Kelly at Oregon), according to NJ.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks, who provides a detailed comparison.
- BYU rush linebacker prospect Kyle Van Noy did an interview with Darren Smith of 1090 AM and said the Chargers would be his ideal landing spot.
- A pair of running back prospects, Auburn’s Tre Mason and Wisconsin’s James White, worked out for the Dolphins yesterday, per Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter).
- The Eagles have also shown interest in Mason, according to Shorr-Parks. The team sent running backs coach Duce Staley to Auburn’s pro day
- Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Liberty cornerback Walt Aikens visited the Bills yesterday, according to the team’s website.
- The 49ers are expected to draft a center to compete with Daniel Kilgore, writes Doug Williams of CSN Bay Area.
- Small-school pass rusher Howard Jones from Shepherd University spent two days meeting with the Cardinals, according to a story by David Fawcett on insidenova.com. Jones is also scheduled for a visit with the Cowboys, though a Chiefs scout advised him he has “got to eat.”
NFC Notes: Packers, Bucs, Vikings, Eagles
The Packers have two quarterbacks on the roster (Aaron Rodgers and Scott Tolzien), but the team is expected to sign a backup and draft a developmental passer, writes ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. In his mailbag piece, Demovsky also mentions the team is monitoring Johnny Jolly‘s progress from neck surgery and he could return.
Other NFC notes:
- Sticking with the Packers, Demovsky provides a salary-cap breakdown of the team’s defense.
- The Packers are famously conservative in their approach to free agency, but that has not been the Buccaneers’ philosophy this offseason, writes ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas. Since the start of free agency, the team has spent $74.3MM in guaranteed money, and “No other team is even close.”
- Pass protection is a skill the Vikings are prioritizing as they search for Toby Gerhart‘s replacement, says ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
- The Eagles prioritize size, speed and separation in their receivers, and believe this year’s draft crop is loaded with attractive prospects. In a piece for Philly.com, Jeff McLane says, “…the Eagles won’t have to stray from their promise to select the best available player because — as general manager Howie Roseman said in February at the NFL combine — there will be a receiver the team covets in every round.”
- The Redskins are also looking to add a receiver or two, but they’re looking to upgrade the bottom of the depth chart, writes the Washington Post’s Mike Jones and ESPN.com’s John Keim, who mentions the team “received little help on special teams from receiver last season.”
- USC center prospect Marcus Martin has met with the Saints, Eagles and Panthers, according to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post.
Pauline’s Latest: Pryor, Evans, Gaines, Pats
Here’s the latest draft buzz from Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net:
- Sources close to the club say that Louisville safety Calvin Pryor will be a priority for the Lions if he drops to the second day of the draft. I imagine that’d be the case for most teams, considering Pryor is widely considered one of the top two or three defensive backs in the draft.
- There’s a consensus that Texas A&M wideout Mike Evans will be a top-10 pick, and the team that lands him may ultimately trade up or down to do it. Pauline identifies the Rams, Eagles, and Ravens as possible landing spots for Evans. Philadelphia could also be in the mix for receivers like Brandin Cooks or Marqise Lee.
- Rice cornerback Phillip Gaines had dinner with the Jaguars last month and has worked out for the Bengals and Buccaneers. Gaines also has trips lined up with the Giants, Cardinals, and Dolphins.
- The Patriots recently worked out Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas and D.J. Coles, and Pauline suggests that there’s a belief New England will draft a quarterback this year, since the team expects to lose Ryan Mallett a year from now. As for Coles, the Pats had the receiver do plenty of tight end work during position drills.
- Prior to tearing his ACL during a workout with the Saints, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas had official visits set up with the Raiders, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Panthers. He was also scheduled to work out for the Buccaneers and Giants. The workouts are obviously off the table now, but it’s not clear which of the visits will still happen, if any, says Pauline.
- Towson running back Terrance West was impressive during his Pro Day and appeared to solidify himself as a fourth-round pick, according to Pauline.
NFC East Notes: Eagles, Jordan, Redskins
Earlier this morning, we heard that free agent signal-caller Josh Freeman will work out for the Giants this week. There are a few more NFC East items to round up though, so let’s dive right in….
- When Dion Jordan‘s name surfaced in trade rumors earlier in the offseason, the Eagles were immediately identified as a potential trade partner for the Dolphins, given Chip Kelly‘s connection to the defensive end. And according to at least one report, from Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Daily Times, Philadelphia did make an offer for Jordan — according to Grotz, the Eagles’ offer is believed to have included a second-round pick and edge defender Brandon Graham.
- Following up on Grotz’s report, Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com says he has heard “similar whispers” about an Eagles offer for Jordan, and suggests that offering a first-round pick rather than a second might be enough to get it done if Philadelphia really wants Jordan. For what it’s worth, the Dolphins denied shopping Jordan when rumors first started to swirl, but I’d imagine the team would have to strongly consider any offer that includes a first-rounder.
- Although the team didn’t immediately sign Austin Collie or Anthony Armstrong after hosting them for visits this week, the Redskins are looking to add more competition and depth to their receiving corps, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
- Speaking of that receiving corps, Andre Roberts, who initially signed with the Redskins expecting to be the team’s No. 2 wideout, will have to reconsider his role in Washington after the club signed DeSean Jackson, as he admitted on ESPN 980 in Washington yesterday (link via John Keim of ESPN.com).
Extra Points: Bush, Dalton, Draft Visits
The Saints recently matched the Falcons‘ offer sheet for Rafael Bush, and as is the case with many offer sheets, the structure of the deal is a little unusual. There are no signing, workout, or roster bonuses on Bush’s two-year contract, which features base salaries of $1.85MM and $1.95MM, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. $850K of that first-year salary is fully guaranteed and $350K is deferred until March 31, 2015. Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Bush can also earn up to $750K in incentives if he makes the Pro Bowl and grabs a certain number of interceptions in 2015, so the deal can max out at $4.55MM.
Here’s more from across the NFL:
- Former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes an in-depth look at Andy Dalton’s contract situation and explores whether or not the Bengals should commit to paying him $15MM per year. Ultimately, Corry suggests that the team would be better off suspending negotiating with its quarterback for now.
- The Steelers are hosting three players on pre-draft visits today, according to ESPN.com’s Scott Brown (via Twitter): Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier and UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt.
- Wyoming wide receiver Robert Herron met with the Saints yesterday and today on a pre-draft visit, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Herron reportedly worked out for the Panthers last week.
- The Redskins are hosting Scott Crichton on a pre-draft visit, according to Rapoport, who notes (via Twitter) that the Oregon State defensive end has already worked out for the Patriots, Falcons, and Panthers.
- Connecticut edge defender Jesse Joseph is among the players working out for the Eagles today, tweets Aaron Wilson.
- Bloomsburg defensive end Larry Webster has several more visits on the docket in addition to the ones we heard about last month. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets that the Eagles, Jets, and Giants will meet with Webster, while the Chargers will work him out.
- According to Pauline (via Twitter), Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo worked out Colorado State center Weston Richburg, who is likely to be a second-day pick.
NFC Notes: Rams, Bucs, Eagles, Packers
Speaking to Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk, Seahawks tight end Zach Miller suggested he had been willing to accept a pay cut this offseason because he was open to doing whatever it took to remain in Seattle. Miller’s restructure reduced the veteran’s overall compensation for 2014 and 2015.
“I’ve been around long enough that I know the business of the NFL,” Miller said. “It’s something you hear rumors about. You never know until you hear from the horse’s mouth. I’m just happy to be back. Love to be on this team, love playing with these guys. For me, it never was a question of being anywhere else, I wanted to be here.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- After he visits the Jaguars, Clemson wideout Sammy Watkins will meet with the Rams, then has a private workout lined up with St. Louis on April 18, says ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
- The Buccaneers are hosting Marshall left tackle Garrett Scott for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. However, the more noteworthy visit for the Bucs looks like it’ll come tomorrow, as Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune says (via Twitter) Johnny Manziel will be in town to meet with the club.
- USC receiver Marqise Lee has met with the Eagles multiple times already, and will pay an official visit to the team this week, tweets Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
- According to Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com, the Packers maintain interest in a few of their unsigned free agents, including tight end Jermichael Finley and defensive linemen Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Redskins, Eagles
Let’s check in on the NFC East, where we have Wednesday morning updates on three of the division’s four teams….
- The Rams are said to be considering the possibility of trading the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but don’t count the Cowboys among the interested teams, says Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. According to Watkins, while the Cowboys would be open to moving up for the right player, jumping from 16th to second overall is probably too big a leap.
- Former Ravens fourth-round pick Christian Thompson will work out for the Redskins today, reports Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. The 23-year-old safety, who was suspended for the first four games of 2013 for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, didn’t see any regular-season action last season and was released by Baltimore in October.
- Given how many snaps DeMeco Ryans played last season for the Eagles, the team may look to reduce his workload a little in 2014 by drafting an inside linebacker who excels in pass coverage, suggests Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com.
- Rich Hofmann of the Philadelphia Daily News examines three issues facing the Eagles‘ offense now that DeSean Jackson is no longer in the mix.
Pauline’s Draft Notes: Latimer, Johnson, West
In this nugget-filled piece on draftinsider.net, NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline drops some knowledge on the latest workouts and visits from eligible prospects around the league. Here are a few of the notes PFR has yet to touch on:
- The Eagles hosted Indiana receiver Cody Latimer for an official visit today in addition to Brandon Coleman, Quron Pratt and Kelvin Benjamin.
- The Chargers and Saints will host New Mexico offensive lineman Darryl Johnson, whom Pauline describes as a practice squad developmental prospect who projects to guard in the NFL.
- Terrance West has already worked out for the Falcons and has made an official visit to see the Titans. At least 22 teams were represented at the Towson running back’s pro-day today.
- Georgia State offensive tackle John Ulrich has trips scheduled to visit the Falcons and Seahawks.
- Sources tell Pauline to expect the Seahawks to target offensive tackles in the upcoming draft.
- Pauline hears that the Buccaneers hope to draft at least one tackle and/or guard with starting potential.
- South Carolina edge rusher Chaz Sutton recently met with the Texans and Raiders.
Draft Notes: Manziel, Matthews, Mettenberger
As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review takes a look at five players the Steelers could draft in the first round. The list includes receivers Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin, cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard and Justin Gilbert and defensive lineman Louis Nix. Robinson also brings up Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald, but believes that the defender is not a good fit for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has the 15th pick in the first-round of this year’s draft.
Here are some more prospect notes…
- Johnny Manziel will begin meeting with the Jaguars tomorrow, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Manziel spent that last two days with the Raiders.
- Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews will visit with the Bills tomorrow, tweets Joe Buscaglia of WGR Sports Radio.
- While the team will meet with the quarterback, the Titans have no intention of working out Zach Mettenberger, according to Jim Wyatt of Tennessean (via Twitter).
- University of Tennessee offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James is scheduled to visit the Titans this week, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
- Running back De’Anthony Thomas will visit with the Bears, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets.
- Scouts for the Bills and Saints were at Terrance West‘s pro day, Wilson tweets. The Bengals also met with the Towson running back (via Twitter). West ran for 2295 yards last season.
- Center Bryan Stork will visit the Saints this week, according to Larry Holder of NOLA.com (via Twitter). The Florida State alumni won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center.
- Former Boise State defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe met with the Chargers, reports Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (via Twitter). According to Gehlken, the Amsterdam-native is relatively new to the sport.
- Eagles coach Bob Bicknell worked out Rutgers receivers Quron Pratt and Brandon Coleman, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
- The Dolphins hosted offensive tackle Garrett Scott, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. The team has already added linemen Shelley Smith, Branden Albert and Jason Fox during free agency.
NFC Links: Harbaugh, Buccaneers, Eagles
After Pete Carroll signed his recent extension with the Seahawks, it was assumed that the deal would at least have some influence on a new Jim Harbaugh contract. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com thinks a deal is now less likely for the 49ers head coach. Maiocco cites team CEO Jed York‘s opinion that Harbaugh should not be paid like a championship coach until he actually wins a championship. With that thought it mind, Maiocco thinks Harbaugh will pass up a smaller extension and gamble on trying to win a Super Bowl this upcoming season.
More news from around the NFC…
- After having traded Mike Williams, the Buccaneers need to draft a wide receiver in the draft, opines to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. The team lacks any real depth behind Vincent Jackson, and the draft would be the most likely place to find a number-two receiver. Yasinskas suggests Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans.
- The Buccaneers waived linebacker Marvin Booker, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. The 24-year-old spent 2013 on the team’s injured reserve list.
- Receiver Kelvin Benjamin, cornerback Aaron Colvin and linebacker Jordan Tripp visited the Eagles today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The Eagles have the 22nd pick in this year’s first-round.
- Kellen Davis‘ new contract with the Giants is worth $795K, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. The deal only counts for $570K against the cap.