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Arik Armstead

Draft Updates: Mariota, White, Falcons, Jags

April 9th, 2015 at 12:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The previously-reported visits for top draft prospects Marcus Mariota, Leonard Williams, and Dante Fowler Jr. are all happening today for the Titans, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Although the Titans are getting a closer look at Mariota, another team in the top five apparently won’t get an opportunity to do so. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that Washington had planned to bring in Mariota for a visit, but the two sides couldn’t work out a time, so that trip is now off.

The news may not mean anything significant, but Charles Robinson notes in his latest piece for Yahoo! Sports that sources around the league are skeptical that Washington is truly interested in selecting Mariota with the No. 5 overall pick. “They’re trying to create leverage to get someone to [trade] up,” said one AFC personnel source.

With a report today suggesting that the Browns have real interest in moving up for Mariota, the Oregon quarterback is certainly generating the most draft buzz this week, but we have plenty of updates on other prospects as well. Here’s the latest:

  • Within Robinson’s previously-linked piece, he notes that Buccaneers ownership will ultimately make the final call on whether or not to draft Jameis Winston, adding that there have been some internal questions about the community relations impact of selecting Winston.
  • Kevin White, arguably the top receiving prospect in this year’s class, said today that he’s setting up visits with the Jets, Bears, Rams, and Giants, per Ross Tucker of SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
  • The Falcons are hosting a pair of top-tier pass rushers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Clemson’s Vic Beasley and Kentucky’s Bud Dupree are in town.
  • Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union provides a full list of the 20 prospects that visited the Jaguars this week. While we’ve passed along many of those names already, there are also plenty of new ones: Javorius “Buck” Allen (RB, USC), T.J. Yeldon (RB, Alabama), Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), Rashad Greene (WR, FSU), DeAndre Smelter (WR, Georgia Tech), Cedric Ogbuehi (T, Texas A&M), Andrus Peat (T, Stanford), Eli Harold (DE, Virginia), Arik Armstead (DL, Oregon), Landon Collins (S, Alabama), and Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State).
  • In addition to visiting the Eagles, UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman met with the Raiders, Colts, and Steelers this week, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, Stanford cornerback Alex Carter, and Virginia linebacker Max Valles made visits to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers today, tweets Scott Brown of ESPN.com.
  • The Giants, Steelers, and Texans have hosted visits for Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant, who has also worked out for the Cowboys, Raiders, and Buccaneers, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

NFC Notes: Peterson, Vikings, 49ers, Draft

April 8th, 2015 at 11:02am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest mailbag at TheMMQB.com, Peter King examines a potential trade for Adrian Peterson, suggesting that the Cardinals and Cowboys remain “the leaders in the clubhouse.” However, King doesn’t think either team will do anything rash to acquire the former MVP from the Vikings, pointing out that with the second-round pick it might take to trade for Peterson, potential suitors might be better off simply drafting a much younger, cheaper back.

Let’s check out a few more notes from around the NFC, with a focus on pre-draft visits:

  • The Vikings are taking a closer look at a ton of draft prospects this week, and we can add at least a couple more new names to the list today. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets that Mississippi State defensive end Preston Smith is in Minnesota to meet with the team, while Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune says (via Twitter) that Virginia safety Anthony Harris is also in town.
  • Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who grew up in Sacramento, is making a pre-draft visit to meet with the 49ers, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The Niners added Darnell Dockett in free agency but could be in the market for more defensive line help if and when Justin Smith decides to retire.
  • Utah cornerback Eric Rowe, who is viewed as a first- or second-day pick, is visiting the Lions today, says Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Rowe, a four-year starter at Utah, is a versatile defensive back, with experience at safety as well.
  • Tight end Nick O’Leary was among the players to have a private workout with the Buccaneers, a source tells Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (Twitter link).
  • The Packers are hosting Pittsburgh offensive lineman Matt Rotheram for a visit today, tweets agent Jeff Jankovich.

Draft Notes: Buckner, Armstead, Perriman

January 14th, 2015 at 5:33pm CST by Zachary Links

As expected, Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner will return to school for his final season of eligibility, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). However, one of his underclassman teammates will be making the jump to the NFL. Here’s the latest NFL draft news..

  • Oregon junior defensive lineman Arik Armstead filed paperwork Tuesday making himself eligible for the 2015 NFL draft, according to the Ducks’ official website. “After three years preparing with my teammates and coaches, I feel I’m ready to test myself at the next level,” Armstead said. “All the support I’ve received from Coach Pellum and Coach Aiken, the rest of the Oregon coaches and staff and in my academics has prepared me to make this jump.” Armstead, who led the team with six quarterback hurries in 2014, is considered a potential first-round choice.”
  • UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman will enter the NFL draft, as Shannon Owens-Green of the Orlando Sentinel writes. The junior ends his UCF career with 2,243 yards, an average of 19.5 yards per reception and 16 touchdowns in 39 games played.
  • USC wide receiver George Farmer will forgo his senior season to enter the draft, according to a press release on the Trojans’ website. The redshirt junior had 25 receptions for 314 yards (12.6 avg) with 4 TDs this past season, including a pair of touchdown catches against Notre Dame.

Draft Rumors: Peters, Williams, Ray, Peat

December 16th, 2014 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

For the first time ever, the number of NCAA underclassmen entering the NFL draft in 2014 cracked the triple digits, establishing a new record, but that record may not last long. According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link), one source thinks it’s possible that last year’s number (102) will be “dwarfed” this year. As Getlin adds in a second tweet, the most commonly cited reason for underclassmen making the leap to the NFL early is that players are “sick of playing without market-based compensation.”

With that in mind, Getlin has updates on several potential early entrants for the 2015 draft. Let’s dive in….

  • Washington defensive back Marcus Peters will enter the 2015 draft, multiple sources tell Getlin (Twitter link). Peters currently projects as an early-to-mid-round pick.
  • Despite his public hedging, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams is viewed as a virtual lock to enter the draft, sources tell Getlin (Twitter links). According to Getlin, Williams, who is considered one of NCAA’s top prospects, is believed to have already selected an agent, based – in part – on “a long-standing family relationship.”
  • Missouri defensive end – and SEC sack leader – Shane Ray is seriously considering entering the draft, writes Getlin, who notes that Ray’s mother has been vetting potential agents for her son. The redshirt junior is viewed as a likely top-10 pick.
  • Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, a probable first-rounder, is currently on the fence about whether or not to leave school early, according to Getlin (Twitter link).
  • Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead is “strongly” leaning toward leaving school early and entering the draft, says Gatlin. Armstead hasn’t decided anything officially yet, but his father has been meeting with agents in order to be prepared if and when his son declares his intent.
  • Tevin Coleman has been meeting with agents, and while the Indiana running back hasn’t signed with anyone, the signs are pointing to him entering the draft, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.