East Notes: Eagles, Peerman, Jets, Mays
Having signed DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews already this offseason, the Eagles are apparently still considering running backs. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the team hosted former Bengals back Cedric Peerman for a visit on Tuesday.
Of course, unlike Murray and Mathews, Peerman contributes much more on special teams than on offense — he racked up an impressive 18 regular season tackles in kick and punt coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Let’s check in on some other items out of the NFL’s two East divisions….
- If running back has been the focus of the Eagles‘ offseason on the offensive side of the ball, they’ve been keying in on cornerbacks on the defensive side. Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes that the club is hosting Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones for a pre-draft visit after taking a look at Jalen Collins yesterday. Philadelphia has signed cornerbacks Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond, and E.J. Biggers within the last month.
- According to Caplan (via Twitter), the Jets have some interest in signing free agent linebacker Joe Mays, who visited the Chargers after being cut by the Chiefs. New York appears to be working on addressing its linebacker depth this week, having agreed to terms with Erin Henderson yesterday.
- Earlier today, we learned that free agent wide receiver Wes Welker will be paying a visit to the Dolphins.
AFC Mailbags: Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Jags
We took a look at ESPN.com’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now switch our focus over to the AFC…
- When asked about the opportunity for the Jets to add a veteran quarterback, Rich Cimini said he’d eagerly swap the sixth pick for Chargers‘ star Philip Rivers.
- Meanwhile, Cimini believes there’s a good chance the Jets will select a running back in the draft. With Bilal Powell, Chris Ivory and Daryl Richardson under contract, the writer says the team could use a versatile, pass-catching back.
- Jamison Hensley predicts the Ravens will either select a wide receiver, tight end, cornerback or pass rusher with their first-round pick.
- Hensley says the Ravens could look to bring in a veteran tight end. When asked about former Seahawks weapon Zach Miller, the writer says the organization should be wary of the injury risk. For an “under-the-radar” pick, Hensley points to Cardinals tight end Rob Housler.
- Quarterback Jason Campbell and running back Cedric Peerman are “the most likely” of the Bengals free agents to return, according to Coley Harvey.
- If the Jaguars don’t select a pass rusher with their first-round pick, Michael DiRocco could envision the team selecting a wide receiver. Looking towards veteran help at the position, DiRocco suggests Greg Jennings as an option.
AFC Mailbags: Bengals, Steelers, Colts, Jags
ESPN’s NFL writers answered questions from their readers this weekend. Let’s take a look at some interesting notes from the AFC…
- Jay Cutler‘s deal with the Bears and Alex Smith‘s likely extension with the Chiefs will have an impact on the Bengals negotiations with Andy Dalton, writes Coley Harvey.
- Even though the team selected Jeremy Hill in the second round this year (and Giovani Bernard in the second round last season), Harvey would be surprised if the Bengals let go of veteran running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
- In spite of the above opinion, Harvey says the team will likely part ways with one of Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman or Rex Burkhead. The writer believes that Burkhead is at the most risk of being cut.
- Scott Brown says “it would make all the sense in the world” for the Steelers to bring back Brett Keisel. In an another article, Brown writes that Heath Miller‘s recent quote (the tight end stated that the linebacker was not with the team “right now”) is an indication that the veteran will return.
- LaVon Brazill, Da’Rick Rogers and Griff Whalen will likely be competing for the Colts‘ final wideout spot, writes Mike Wells. The writer believes that Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks and Donte Moncrief are locks to make the roster.
- If the Jaguars weren’t in such good shape cap-wise, Michael DiRocco thinks the team would have cut or tried to restructure the contract of tight end Marcedes Lewis.
AFC Mailbags: Raiders, Patriots, Bengals
We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier tonight. Let’s dive into the AFC mailbags to end this Saturday night…
- If Raiders rookie Khalil Mack ultimately starts, veteran Kevin Burnett could be expendable, writes Paul Gutierrez.
- Gutierrez projects that Raiders‘ seventh-round pick Travis Carrie and undrafted rookie George Atkinson III will stick around on special teams.
- It wouldn’t shock Gutierrez if the Raiders add a veteran tight end to compete with Mychal Rivera and David Ausberry.
- When asked if the Patriots would go after Lions tight end Joseph Fauria, Mike Reiss writes that a trade isn’t likely. Reiss says the Lions wouldn’t trade the red zone target for “anything less than a high-round pick.” Fauria is the nephew of former Patriots tight end, Christian Fauria.
- After the Bengals added Jeremy Hill to Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, it’s easy to forget about former sixth-round picks Rex Burkhead and Cedric Peerman. Coley Harvey thinks there is room for all five running backs, adding that Burkhead was “redshirted last season for a reason.”