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AFC Draft Notes: Steelers, Carr, Bengals, West

May 10th, 2014 at 11:01am CST by Matt Feminis

The Steelers first three picks — linebacker Ryan Shazier, defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt and receiver/running back/returner Dri Archer (he of the sub-4.3 speed) — have instant impact ability, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com.

Here’s a handful more AFC draft-related notes as we settle in for the completion of the draft:

The Raiders landed Derek Carr in the second round, and Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller (video) calls the Fresno St. gunslinger a “nicer Jay Cutler.”
In the wake of the Bengals’ second-round selection of LSU running back Jeremy Hill, veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis‘ days with the Bengals are officially numbered,” says ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey.
Did the Browns trade up to make sure they got Towson running back Terrance West, a Baltimore native, before the Ravens could? Tom Reed of Cleveland.com seems to think so.
The Jets have nine picks today, writes ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini, who says the team could tab a quarterback in the fourth round. He also points out GM John Idzik’s “next in-draft trade (for picks) will be his first. Ever.”
Of the Bills‘ predraft visitors, eight players — includuing Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk and Clemson cornerback Bashaud Breeland — remain undrafted, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550.

Extra Points: Evans, Broncos, Texans, Raiders

May 9th, 2014 at 5:35pm CST by Zachary Links

Mike Evans‘ hoops background helped him round out his football skills, writes Pat Yasinkas of ESPN.com. “It helps a lot,’’ the Buccaneers‘ first round choice said. “You see me go up for catches and treat it like a rebound. Boxing guys out and using my God-given talent, my big body. Boxing guys out for tough catches. The transition was easy because I had a lot of great coaches and a lot of great people around me to help me get here.’’ Evans could have been bound for the pages of Hoops Rumors, but instead, he’s here with us on PFR. Here’s tonight’s look around the NFL as we get set for Day 2..

The Broncos will try again to trade up from No. 63 in round two, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. They tried earlier but couldn’t find a partner to trade up from No. 31 in round one.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien told Steve Wyche of NFL Network (on Twitter) that the Texans will stay at No. 33 unless they’re “blown away” by a trade.
The Raiders will likely take Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr if he’s available at No. 36, writes Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Sulia link). That could be easier said than done: the Texans could use a QB and they have the No. 33 pick.
Trading back would have been a gamble for the Packers, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Thompson wouldn’t say whether the Browns called to offer up their No. 26 and No. 83 – the package the Browns gave the Eagles to move up and tap Johnny Manziel – but such a move would have put them in jeopardy of missing out on Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Many have panned the Jaguars‘ pick of quarterback Blake Bortles as a safe selection, but GM David Caldwell isn’t worried about that type of criticism, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. “We’re not about big splashes at all. We just want to go about our business.” For what it’s worth, Bortles may not be a sexy pick, but he was a pretty big surprise. Few analysts had Jacksonville taking the UCF product at No. 3 and the pick helped shake things up for the rest of the first round.
The Browns‘ top pick from last night, cornerback Justin Gilbert, has been overshadowed by fellow first rounder Johnny Manziel. One might think the Oklahoma State star is upset by the lack of attention, but that’s not the case at all. Gilbert told reporters at today’s introductory presser, including Pat McManamon of FOX Sports Ohio (on Twitter), that he’s happy to have Manziel alongside him “’cause it takes the pressure” off of him.
Maiocco (on Twitter) wonders if Brandon Lloyd is rethinking his decision to attempt a comeback with the 49ers in lieu of their Stevie Johnson deal.
The Bills just paid Johnson $1.75MM in a roster bonus, so the 49ers will only owe the WR $3.6MM in 2014, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Jets Draft Notes: QBs, Trading Up, CBs

May 8th, 2014 at 2:47pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Jets continue to be linked to quarterback prospects, writes NFL.com’s Mike Huguenin. His colleague Ian Rapoport tweeted the team is “doing a lot of groundwork” on fringe first-rounders, specifically naming Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo as players to watch. Here’s more on the Jets:

Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that New York may also be looking to trade up in the first round, likely in order to land a receiver. The Titans, who have the 11th overall pick, are one of the teams the Jets have spoken to about a deal, per Rapoport.
With Rapoport’s reports in mind, the Jets’ need for a man-cover cornerback make for an interesting storyline, if not a potentially conflicted draft room, as Manish Mehta points out in the New York Daily News. If the Jets stay put at No. 18 and have a chance at one of the draft’s top three corners – Justin Gilbert, Kyle Fuller, or Darqueze Dennard – it would be interesting to see what the club decides.
Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com provides five Jets-related items to watch for during the draft, reiterating that the club has interest in trading up.

La Canfora On Raiders, Browns, Cards, 49ers

May 6th, 2014 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Albert Breer of the NFL Network suggested earlier today that Johnny Manziel could end up on a team whose owner likes the idea of injecting some life into his franchise, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com makes a similar case in his latest column, pointing out that you should never underestimate the role an owner can play in the selection of a quarterback.

According to La Canfora, in the case of the Raiders, owner Mark Davis “is smitten” with Derek Carr. Fifth overall is too high to draft Carr, but if Oakland trades down, or perhaps decides to acquire a second pick later in the first round, it could be a sign that the team is targeting the Fresno State signal-caller.

Here are more highlights from La Canfora:

The Browns‘ ideal situation may involve taking a player such as Sammy Watkins or Greg Robinson at No. 4, then nabbing a QB like Carr or Teddy Bridgewater at No. 26. As La Canfora notes, Carr may not be available that late in the first round, and if ownership gets involved, that may tip the scales toward Manziel early in the first round. For what it’s worth, head coach Mike Pettine told Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com today that there are five or six guys he’d be happy to land with that fourth overall pick (Twitter link).
La Canfora continues to hear that teams who aren’t being frequently linked to quarterbacks will be the ones to draft them, and perhaps higher than expected. He goes on to cite affordable fifth-year options as one reason why clubs will pounce on QBs in the first round, though I feel as if seeing Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert, and Jake Locker have their options turned down last week will remind teams that the fifth-year option isn’t really a factor if you don’t select the right player.
La Canfora “would be surprised” if the Cardinals didn’t select Carr or Blake Bortles with the 20th overall pick. Peter King of TheMMQB.com tweeted this afternoon that, after sending Bortles to the Browns at No. 26 in his early-morning mock draft today, he now thinks that’s too low, and that the Browns or Cardinals will target him earlier in the first round.
Four tackles could come off the board within the first 12 picks on Thursday, and two or three more could be selected in the first round, says La Canfora.
The 49ers are likely to trade up if possible, with wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandin Cooks among their potential targets.
Several evaluators strongly believe A.J. McCarron will be the fourth or fifth quarterback drafted, and rave about his film.
La Canfora thinks Aaron Donald will be the third defensive player off the board, likely no lower than eighth overall.
The Patriots may end up drafting multiple tight ends, including a late-round project, in La Canfora’s view.

King’s Latest: Mack, Manziel, Beckham Jr.

May 5th, 2014 at 8:30am CST by Dallas Robinson

Once again, Peter King of TheMMQB.com has opened the week by sharing a number of intriguing notes, courtesy of his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column. Let’s work through the most interesting highlights:

There is still talk that the Texans would like to either trade down from the first overall pick, or select Khalil Mack rather than Jadeveon Clowney. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported as much yesterday, and King adds that though a team like the Falcons is expected to be interested in trading up to No. 1, the Texans likely wouldn’t receive an overwhelming return.
The Rams seem to be set on Greg Robinson at No. 2, rather than either Sammy Watkins or Jake Matthews. But things could get interesting when the Rams are back on the clock with the 13th pick — St. Louis’ GM Les Snead recently met with Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who was Johnny Manziel’s offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, and left the visit believing Manizel could flourish in the NFL.
The main concern of the Jaguars appears to be avoiding risk and making a safe selection; King observes that both Watkins and Matthews would fit that profile.
The Vikings may look to add a defensive contributor with the eighth pick (perhaps Aaron Donald), and then select their quarterback of the future at pick No. 40.
King hears that the Eagles are interested in trading up to select a receiver, with eyes on acquiring a versatile threat like Odell Beckham Jr. GM Howie Roseman has talked to at least two teams in the middle of the first round about moving up.
The Cardinals remain interested in Derek Carr, but King wonders if it is prudent for Arizona to use a first-round pick on a “redshirt” quarterback when the team is so close to contention.
Browns GM Ray Farmer has talked to one team with a low first-round pick about trading back into the first round, using Cleveland’s second-round pick as bait. This would mean the Browns would have three first-round picks in total, leading King to believe Cleveland wants to move ahead of the Texans at pick No. 33 in order to secure a franchise quarterback.
One team within the top ten is seriously considering selecting Zack Martin, who is picking up the most buzz of any player in the draft.

Prospect Notes: Manziel, Clowney, Mack, Carr

May 4th, 2014 at 7:53pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns are in need of a quarterback and this year’s draft class gives the team a number of different options. According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan seems to be particularly infatuated with former Aggies’ passer Johnny Manziel.

“It’s obvious how good of a player he is, how fun he is to watch,” said Shanahan. “I think it does translate to the NFL. If you can make those plays in college, you can do it in the NFL.

“He’s going to be able to make plays in this league. Eventually when they try to contain him, he’s going to have to do everything he didn’t always have to do in college.”

Shanahan and his staff put Manziel through a private workout at Texas A&M in addition to hosting him in Cleveland. The Browns have the fourth-overall pick.

Let’s see what’s going on with some other notable prospects…

After speaking with people who know Texans general manager Rick Smith, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport is no longer certain that the team will take Jadeveon Clowney with the first pick (via Twitter). In a subsequent tweet, Rapoport adds that the team would be willing to trade down.
Following up on the report by SI’s Peter King, Rapoport confirms (via Twitter) that Khalil Mack is an option for the number-one pick.
If the Texans do indeed pass on Clowney, Rapoport points out the “incredible drama” the Rams would be presented with (via Twitter).
Derek Carr said that four or five teams told him that they would like to trade into the 20-29 range to select him, reports John Clayton of ESPN.com.
In the same post, Clayton adds that the Lions would like to move up a few spots to select receiver Mike Evans.
Washington State safety Deone Bucannon and Boise State linebacker Demarcus Lawrence could be surprise first-round picks, tweets Eric Galko of OptimumScouting.com.

Jon Gruden Talks Quarterbacks

May 3rd, 2014 at 8:23pm CST by Peter Sowards

Nobody is more enamored with quarterbacks than former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, and he’ll be the first to tell you so.

“Oh yeah, I like quarterbacks,” Gruden said to azcentral.com’s Bob McManaman and other reporters on a conference call Saturday. “I’ve been accused of that.”

In addition to his Monday Night Football analyst duties, Gruden runs the popular series on ESPN in which he breaks down film with quarterbacks, testing athletes on their ability to draw up plays, as well as putting them through a series of on-field workouts. “Chucky” hit on a number of quarterbacks that have been talked about as first- or second-round picks, as well as a couple late-round candidates.

On Fresno State’s Derek Carr:

I do like Carr. I like the fifth-year seniors,” he said. “I think Carr is going to come in and be further along than a lot of these guys because of his vast background, two different systems. I think he’s got an excellent arm. I think he’s been challenged from a protection standpoint … (but) the fifth-year seniors will be the guys that are obviously most ready.

On Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel:

“I realize he’s under 6 feet tall. Maybe he can’t see over the pocket. But we blew that theory in the water last year with (Russell) Wilson and (Drew) Brees. I know he can learn. I spent two days with him and I know he wants to learn.”

“He had four different offensive coordinators at Texas A&M. He had two different head coaches. It didn’t matter. He adapted and did extremely well. This is the first Heisman Trophy winner as a freshman. In two years at Texas A&M, he had the most productive back-to-back seasons in SEC history. I don’t know what you want him to do. He threw for eight thousand (yards), ran for two thousand, he has 93 touchdowns. All I know is I want Manziel.”

On Alabama’s A.J. McCarron:

“I can see him certainly going in the first round. McCarron’s production speaks volumes: 36 wins, four losses, all-time record holder at Alabama in a lot of different categories. … I think he’ll be a good acquisition for someone that has a long-term plan.”

On Georgia’s Aaron Murray:

“He’s in my top five. I realize he’s got some injuries, not just the knee that he’s rehabbing right now. I don’t think many kids have thrown for 3,000 yards for four straight seasons in that conference. I just like what he is off the field.”

On Clemson’s Tajh Boyd:

“What I like about Boyd is he’s a finisher. He went back to Clemson to finish with his teammates. He is a quarterback that has a live arm. He can run. He has production passing and running. The show we did on him that I think is relative to his performance; it’s all about peaks and valleys.”

On Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater:

“I’ve done a lot of individual workouts in my past as a receivers coach, as a quarterback coach, even as a head coach. If the player didn’t work that well for me, I didn’t move them down, I took them off our board. … I’d be concerned if I were any person and I didn’t have good private workouts or I had a typically bad pro date.”

On Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage:

“Savage is one of the great American mysteries right now. Rutgers, he lost his job. He left and went to Arizona. Rich Rodriguez brought the spread offense to Tucson. He left Arizona and went to Pitt. He threw for over 60 percent. He’s a pocket passer. You can see he has a big arm. … There’s not a lot of quarterbacks in college football that drop back and throw it anymore and Savage is clearly one of them.”

On Eastern Illinois’ Jimmy Garoppolo:

“He’s not a finished product. He’s going to have some growing to do because of the system he comes from. But he’s a big, sharp prospect that I know a lot of people like.”

On Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas:

“He reminded me of Cam Newton for obvious reasons. A dual threat that had physical presence at the position that was rare. He just hasn’t come along as a passer, a consistent passer, like maybe some people think.”

Browns Notes: Bortles, Watkins, Bridgewater

May 3rd, 2014 at 8:01pm CST by Peter Sowards

Currently armed with the No. 4 and 26 overall picks, the Browns are primed to come away from Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft with two potential difference makers. And, considering the team’s recent offensive woes — 27th in points scored last season — many have already written “quarterback to the Browns in the first round” in permanent ink.

Central Florida’s Blake Bortles, who led the Knights to a 12-1 season behind 25 touchdowns and 3,581 passing yards, has been described by Browns head coach Mike Pettine as an ideal quarterback, writes Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

“He has all the measurables,” Pettine said in late March at the NFL owners meetings in late March. “If you look at him, if you said, ‘Draw me an NFL quarterback,’ that’s probably who you’d draw. I think the thing that’s impressive about him is his ability in crunch time in a lot of tight games, a lot of come-from-behind wins, you can see he’s confident, can make all the throws. I think he’s a better athlete than some people give him credit for.”

Ulrich writes that Pettine “made it clear” last week during minicamp that he’d prefer to sit a rookie quarterback behind incumbent starter Brian Hoyer as opposed to throwing the rookie’s feet to the fire immediately. This jived with what ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said on a recent conference call, noting that Bortles needs another year to develop.

If the Browns do end up selecting Bortles with the No. 4 selection, being able to sit him behind Hoyer would be a nice luxury, as well as having Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron to throw to when he does get handed the reins. As touched on by PFR’s David Kipke in this enlightening piece on the Browns’ quarterback draft options, next week could prove to be a watershed event in the team’s history.

More draft notes from Cleveland Browns camp…

Responding to a question as to whether the Browns could grab Sammy Watkins at No. 4 and then possibly trade up from No. 26 for Teddy Bridgewater, Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer said she just doesn’t know if the team likes him enough to make the move. She does think it’s likely the team selects a QB with its second first-round pick if they do go with Watkins with the fourth selection.
Asked who the Browns are legitimately considering at No. 4, Cabot gave three names: Watkins, Buffalo edge rusher Khalil Mack and Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson.
Cabot said she’d go with Fresno State’s Derek Carr if she were GM of the Browns and had to select a quarterback with the No. 4 pick.
Joe DeLamielleure, a 2003 Hall of Fame enshrinee who played five season on the Browns offensive line in the ’80s, said he would take Watkins and Johnny Manziel, via Bill Landis of cleveland.com.

AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Carr, Bucannon

May 3rd, 2014 at 3:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

A lot of talk has been made about what the Jaguars are going to do in the first round. A team with so many holes and needs is in a unique position to take the best player available or trade down in the draft. The team’s biggest need is arguably quarterback, and general manager David Caldwell has some interesting thoughts about some of those top prospects, specifically Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel, writes Daniel Lago of BlackAndTeal.com.

“Johnny would probably be the one guy you could plug in there sooner rather than later,” Caldwell said. “Just because his style of play isn’t going to change much from Year 1 to Year 2.”

Caldwell also noted the team would not have to drastically change their playbook to accommodate Manziel’s unique skill set.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC South:

While he either really likes Manziel or just wants to help find a trade partner looking to move up for the star quarterback, Caldwell also had good things to say about Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. Lago notes that while most teams have downgraded Bridgewater due to poor workouts, the Jaguars remain relatively high on him. Although, the team would still be considered unlikely to select him with the third-overall pick.
The Jaguars are not the only team in the division looking for a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. It has been made clear that the Texans are going to bring in a signal caller in the first two rounds, but the Titans have shown a lot of interest in improving the position as well. Paul Kuharskey of ESPN.com pegs the Titans as having major interest in Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr, and could either move down in the first round or up in the second round to acquire his talents.
The Colts do not come to the podium until the 59th overall selection late in the second round, but that doesn’t stop those draftniks from trying to figure out who they will select. Mike Chappell of IndyStar.com wrote that the team would be ecstatic if safety Deone Bucannon of Washington State was still available that late in Day 2 of the Draft. Chappell writes that it would help ease the blow of losing Antoine Bethea.

Draft Updates: Texans, Browns, Carr, Watkins

May 1st, 2014 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

After declaring yesterday that he knew who the Texans would pick first overall, GM Rick Smith added a caveat today when he spoke to reporters, including Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle: “I don’t know exactly who we will take. What I do know is, I know the order of our board. If we take the first pick, we know who we want.”

In other words, Houston has a good idea which player it will grab if it doesn’t trade down, but the team remains very much open for business. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), at least four teams have inquired on that No. 1 pick, but as McClain notes, checking in on the Texans and being ready to consummate a deal with them are two very different things.

Here are a few more Thursday draft updates:

It seems as if one way to forecast which teams might draft Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr is figuring out which clubs are expressing interest in his older brother. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link), David Carr said the Browns are one of about six teams that have talked to him about signing him if they draft the younger Carr.
Many of the teams interested in Clemson wideout Sammy Watkins view him as a potential impact kick returner as well, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Buffalo cornerback Najja Johnson visited the Falcons and has worked out for the Chargers and Colts, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
The Rams and Patriots worked out SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert this week, tweets agent Leigh Steinberg.