Draft Notes: Collins, Mariota, Parker
The draft position of LSU cornerback Jalen Collins could be an indicator of how the NFL feels about drug use in 2015, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Collins, according to sources with four teams, has failed multiple tests in college. Collins is projected by many to be a first-round choice. Here’s more draft news..
- The likelihood now is that Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota goes second overall, Breer tweets. His personal feeling is that Tennessee likes him more than most think and Breer feels he could very well could be a member of the Titans.
- Breer (on Twitter) says that DeVante Parker is one to watch and some prefer him to Kevin White because he’s more NFL-ready. Parker, he says, is closer to White and Amari Cooper than the rest of the pack at wide receiver.
- Cooper could go anywhere between No. 3 and No. 6, Breer tweets. White and Parker, meanwhile, have a good shot at the top ten. After that, it’s wide open at wide receiver and Nelson Agholor could be the next one off the board.
- Cooper has emerged as the consensus No. 1 player at his position, according to GMs and scouts that spoke with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). White is a close second.
- The running back class is outstanding and that could hurt those guys’ first-round chances since teams believe that they can get a solid player later, Breer tweets.
Draft Rumors: Clemmings, Mariota, Gregory
Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings is the latest prospect to discover an injury during a team visit. A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Clemmings was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot, despite not feeling any pain. It remains to be seen how the injury will affect the draft position of Clemmings, who is viewed as one of the best offensive lineman in the draft.
More on next week’s draft:
- Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report spoke to five NFL personnel men, and all five believe that Marcus Mariota will be drafted by the Titans, either at No. 2 or at No. 5 (following a trade with Washington). Some of those execs points to the Jets as another strong contender for Mariota, but they don’t believe New York will move up, a belief supported by GM Mike Maccagnan‘s comments today.
- Of course, even if the Titans select Mariota, it doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of Tennessee trading him to another team. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com takes a look at how a Mariota trade could potentially happen after the draft.
- Randy Gregory may take a fall in the first round, but one exec tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) that Gregory won’t fall out of the first round. Personally, I’d be surprised if the Nebraska pass rusher is still on the board after the first 15 picks of the draft.
- One football executive tells Bob McGinn of the Journal-Sentinel that he sees a lot of former Raiders bust JaMarcus Russell in presumptive No. 1 pick Jameis Winston. “Lack of focus by JaMarcus is what I see in Winston,” the personnel man said. “They’re physically talented, but during the course of a game they kind of lose their focus and just put the ball up for grabs. I see the body. I see the lack of focus. I see the same coach and system. Only Winston’s not as good an athlete and his arm isn’t as strong as JaMarcus‘.”
- In addition to his previously-reported visits, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper also paid visits to the Buccaneers, Bears, Falcons, Giants, and Washington, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
- Wilson also provided an update on Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, writing that the Cowboys, Saints, and Panthers were among the teams to meet with intriguing deep threat.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Jets GM Talks Draft, Wilkerson, RFAs
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan will be running his first draft this year after arriving in New York from Houston this offseason, and it’ll be an important one for the franchise, which holds the sixth overall pick next Thursday. Speaking to reporters today, Maccagnan addressed a number of topics related to the upcoming draft and the Jets’ general plans. Here are a few highlights, with all links going to the Twitter accounts of beat writers Rich Cimini (ESPN.com) and Manish Mehta (New York Daily News):
- Maccagnan would prefer to add more picks, which increases the team’s chances of finding good players, rather than to give up picks to move up for someone. The Jets will still reach out to every team picking ahead of them to gauge the market value of those selections, but don’t necessarily expect to trade up.
- Asked about Muhammad Wilkerson‘s absence from the club’s offseason program, Maccagnan downplayed the defensive lineman’s absence, noting that the workouts were voluntary and adding, “I’m sure Mo is doing a good job wherever he’s working out.” For now, the club is too focused on the draft to deal with Wilkerson’s contract situation, but the GM says that will happen “at some point in time going forward.”
- The Jets expect restricted free agents Damon Harrison and Jaiquawn Jarrett to sign their tenders. Today is the last day RFAs can sign offer sheets with rival teams, and neither player appears poised to do so.
- Maccagnan and the Jets “absolutely” feel comfortable with the amount of homework they’ve done on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom they saw during a visit, a private workout, and his pro day.
- Maccagnan, point to the Steelers as an example, said he’d like to create a “pipeline” of 3-4 outside linebackers, since those players take some time to develop.
- The Jets evaluated just under 1,400 prospects, and ended up with just under 300 on their draft board, per Maccagnan.
- According to Maccagnan, his philosophy involves using free agency to fill needs (such as cornerback), and using the draft to select the best players available.
East Notes: Mariota, Dolphins, Cowboys
Earlier today, the Jets opted to pick up their 2016 option on former first-round pick Quinton Coples. While he has yet to blossom into the player they envisioned, the Jets aren’t quite ready to give up on him, as Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. “You see potential,” head coach Todd Bowles said at the league meetings last month. “He’s a lot like Geno (Smith). . . . You see him make plays and then you see him do other things at times. He can make strides this year and become a better player.” Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- The Jets quietly brought Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota to Florham Park, New Jersey for a visit on April 2nd, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. That meeting was five days after privately evaluating him in Eugene, Oregon. That makes the Jets one of three teams, joining the Bucs and Titans, to both work Mariota out on campus and bring him in to their facility (link).
- Former Falcons guard Mike Johnson worked out for the Dolphins, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Johnson was selected 98th overall in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Falcons and was with Atlanta through 2014. Johnson has had some bad luck over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old suffered an ankle and leg injury that sidelined him for the entire 2013 season and also lost 2014 to the injured reserve.
- Dorial Green-Beckham was at the Cowboys complex on Wednesday to meet with coaches and scouts, a source tells David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. There was a report last week that Green-Beckham declined an invitation to meet with Dallas, but it appears that he has had a change of heart. In terms of pure talent, DGB is regarded as one of the best receivers in the draft. His off-field issues complicate matters, however.
Pauline’s Latest: Mariota, Saints, Mannion
Earlier this week, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested that a three-way trade between the Browns, the Eagles, and a team in the top five could be mutually beneficial, with Cleveland landing Sam Bradford, Philadelphia getting Marcus Mariota, and the third team stockpiling extra draft picks.
The piece sounded like informed speculation, but Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net hears that both the Eagles and Chargers have explored the possibility of moving up for Mariota through the Browns, and have had conversations about the idea. A league source tells Pauline that if the Titans decide to deal that No. 2 overall pick, Cleveland is in the best spot, since the Browns hold two top-20 picks, and could either move up for Mariota themselves or get involved in another team’s deal.
Here’s more from Pauline, with the draft just one week away:
- According to Pauline, the Saints (the other team with two first-round picks), will consider trading up if they feel like they have a chance to land pass rusher Vic Beasley, whose potential DC Rob Ryan loves.
- Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion, who recently worked out for the Rams and Cowboys, ranks as the third-best quarterback available on more than a dozen teams’ boards, per Pauline.
- Pauline hears that the Seahawks would “love to grab” wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham if he’s available at No. 63, but the team expects him to come off the board in the first round, or within the first 15 picks of round two.
- Michigan State’s Marcus Rush will be drafted earlier than originally predicted, having “blown teams away” during the interview process, says Pauline, adding that the defensive end could be a fifth-round pick.
- Speaking of Michigan State players, a number of teams view former Spartans outside linebacker Taiwan Jones as a potential “gem,” and grade him as a third-round pick, according to Pauline.
- The Raiders, Chiefs, and Patriots are expressing interest in Villanova offensive lineman Vince Kowalski, who could be a late-round gamble or an undrafted free agent, tweets Pauline.
Chargers GM On Rivers, Mariota, Stadium
Minutes ago, Chargers GM Tom Telesco addressed reporters and took questions on a wide range of topics, including the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Philip Rivers. Here’s a look at the highlights with all links going to Twitter..
- Telesco says that Rivers is the Chargers’ quarterback and his “intent” is to keep it that way, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. That statement probably won’t stop the chatter, and neither will this one: “I figure at least half of you are here for a Philip Rivers update. … There really is no update,” the GM said (link).
- Still, Telesco told reporters (including Gehlken) that he’d be as honest as possible about Rivers and other matters, explaining, “I’m Cathlolic. I tell the truth.“
- The GM dodged a question about whether he’s spoken to the Titans about Rivers (via Gehlken).
- Telesco said the Chargers are evaluating Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota because “it’s what we do,” Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean tweets.
- Like Rivers, Telesco said he wants safety Eric Weddle with the Chargers long-term, Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets. Weddle, of course, is absent from camp as he pushes for a contract extension. Even though the interest is mutual, the two sides probably won’t hammer out a new deal in the next eight days. “Right now, we’re focused on the draft,” Telesco said (via Gehlken).
- When asked about Weddle’s no-show, Telesco emphasized that they are voluntary (via Williams).
- Telesco said the stadium issue has not affected day-to-day football operations, but he’s not naive about what is going on, Williams tweets.
- Telesco says he’s pleased with what the organization has got done so far this offseason (via Williams).
NFC Notes: Saints, Wilson, Winston
Heading into the draft, Don Banks of Sports Illustrated (video link) says the Saints will probably continue their pattern of making surprising moves this offseason. New Orleans will hope that a top talent like Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory will fall to the No. 13 pick after his positive drug test, but they could instead trade up for him or settle for Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree. More from the NFC..
- The Seahawks feel that Russell Wilson‘s stated interest in transitioning to baseball is nothing more than a bargaining ploy for a new contract, sources tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Wilson hasn’t played minor league ball in four years, never got beyond Single-A, and didn’t demonstrate a whole lot of power. Cole hears that Wilson would be looking at a three- or four-year path before he could even approach the majors, which would be around age 29 or 30. Wilson’s MLB rights are owned by the Texas Rangers.
- On a conference call, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. told reporters, including Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter), that it’s “not etched in stone” that Jameis Winston will go No. 1 to the Buccaneers with Marcus Mariota going No. 2 in the draft.
- The Cowboys have to use their first pick on a defensive lineman, Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News opines. Even beyond Ndamukong Suh, defensive linemen Jared Odrick, Pernell McPhee, Dan Williams, and Stephen Paea all signed contracts this offseason that placed them among the top 25 deals in free agency. Dallas, he argues, will find it much cheaper to find an impact defensive lineman in the draft rather than on the open market.
Browns Notes: Pettine, Manziel, Mariota
The Browns traded down, then up, then up again during the first round of last year’s draft, and if the right opportunity arises, the team likely won’t hesitate to move up again this year. Head coach Mike Pettine told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that the Browns showed last year they were willing to move, and he’s sure GM Ray Farmer‘s phone will ring again this time around.
Field Yates of ESPN.com (Insider-only link) agrees that the Browns, armed with a pair of first-round picks, are in a good spot to trade up if they want to, listing them among the teams most likely to make a deal during the first round next Thursday.
We’ve got a few more Browns-related notes to pass along, so let’s round them up, with all links going to Ulrich’s Twitter account…
- ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported earlier this month that the Browns have “90%” moved on from Johnny Manziel in their minds, but Pettine said today that the young signal-caller is still very much in the team’s plans. Pettine quipped that the report was “90% inaccurate,” adding that it could be filed in the “ridiculous category.”
- When asked if he was willing to trade up in the draft for Oregon star Marcus Mariota, Pettine said, “Sure. Why not?” with a smile, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets.
- Pettine said that there were a handful of guys absent from workouts, but they all reached out to him and he was well aware of it ahead of time, Ulrich tweets.
- The head coach is optimistic that something will get worked out with free safety Tashaun Gipson, Ulrich tweets. “[You] never want the business side to affect the football side. We’re very optimistic we’ll get that worked out,” the coach said. Gipson has yet to report to Cleveland’s voluntary program. The safety received a second-round RFA tender from the Browns in March and was less-than-thrilled about that.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Pauline’s Latest: Mariota, Browns, Rams
With just 10 days left until the 2015 NFL draft gets underway, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net has plenty of updates for us this morning, including news on visits, workouts, and possible risers and fallers. Here’s Pauline’s latest:
- According to Pauline, trade rumors involving teams looking to move up for Marcus Mariota should “pick up intensity” in the next week or so. Pauline hears the Browns may be the frontrunners for the Oregon quarterback, but the Titans asked Cleveland for a second-round pick in addition to the 12th and 19th picks, and the Browns balked. Cleveland may be willing to part with its two first-rounders to move up to No. 2, but wouldn’t want to give up its second-rounder too.
- The Rams love Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney, but No. 10 would be too high for him. Per Pauline, many around the league believe that St. Louis could trade down in the first round or trade up from the second round in order to try to land McKinney.
- McKinney has also been linked to the Broncos, who are eyeing TCU linebacker Paul Dawson as well.
- A number of teams have red-flagged Boise State running back Jay Ajayi over a knee injury, according to Pauline.
- The domestic violence charges against Frank Clark were reduced – the Michigan defensive end accepted a plea deal – and now Pauline says Clark will likely be drafted higher than most expect, likely within the top 125 picks.
- A pair of Utah offensive linemen, Junior Salt and Jeremiah Poutasi, are working out today for the Panthers, per Pauline (via Twitter).
- The Patriots worked out UConn defensive lineman B.J. McBryde last week, tweets Pauline.
- The Jaguars hosted Monmouth wide receiver/tight end Neal Sterling for a pre-draft visit last week, according to Pauline (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: Bucs, Peterson, Washington
We rounded up some AFC links earlier this morning, so let’s have a look at a few notes from the NFC.
- Although the Glazer family has never meddled in the Buccaneers‘ personnel decisions to the same degree Jerry Jones has meddled with the Cowboys, Tampa Bay’s ownership has a tradition of assuming a powerful role in the team’s football operations at key moments. According to Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune, the Glazers have been very active in deciding what the Bucs should do with their No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.
- The Vikings would want at least a second-rounder and a late-round pick for Adrian Peterson, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, who does not expect the team to lower its asking price just to move Peterson.
- The Lions will likely wait until after the draft to address their left guard spot, and when they do, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com expects the team to add a veteran at the position.
- John Mullin of CSNChicago.com writes that, with each signing the Bears make, the job security of those already on the roster becomes more uncertain. That is especially true on the defensive side of the ball, where Chicago has added two linebackers and is moving a 2014 defensive end back to outside linebacker. That means the three Game 16 starters of last season, Jonathan Bostic, Christian Jones, and Shea McClellin, are competing for one vacancy.
- Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if the Rams will select a quarterback in this year’s draft, noting that if they do, they better strike early.
- Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com examine Washington‘s depth chart at quarterback. El-Bashir believes the team will draft a signal-caller, which will leave Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins fighting for one job.
- John Keim of ESPN.com does not believe Washington will bring back Tyler Polumbus or Brandon Meriweather, and he would not be surprised if the team drafted Marcus Mariota if the former Oregon signal-caller is still available when Washington is on the clock.
- Dan Graziano of ESPNNewYork.com writes that, in a perfect world, there would be a clear-cut option at pass-rusher for the Giants to select with their No. 9 overall pick. The problem is that most of the premium pass rushers, outside of perhaps Bud Dupree, look more like 3-4 outside linebackers than 4-3 defensive ends. As such, the team may end up with one of this year’s top offensive lineman, like Brandon Scherff or Ereck Flowers.