Quayshawne Buckley

Extra Points: Welker, Browns, Workouts

Earlier today, our own Zach Links joined David Schultz of 103.7 The Game to talk about all of the latest NFL head coaching rumors, including what might happen with the Saints and Sean Payton. You can listen to that conversation right here:

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL:

  • Wes Welker didn’t exactly make a huge impact for the Rams during his stint with the team this season, but he enjoyed getting back on the field, and intends to continue his career in 2016 “as long as I feel good and am having fun,” he tells Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • Although Chris Matthews and B.J. Daniels no longer play in Seattle, they’ll both probably be rooting for the Seahawks to come out of the NFC in the playoffs, since they could benefit financially from the team’s success. Joel Corry of CBSSports.com explains that situation, along with several others, in an enlightening breakdown of how the NFL’s postseason pay works.
  • The Browns‘ new front office structure is creating a little confusion, so Conor Orr of NFL.com explores how Paul DePodesta and Sashi Brown will work together, and what their roles will be in Cleveland.
  • According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the Packers recently worked out tackle Cody Booth, wide receivers Jarrod West and Conner Vernon, linebacker Kacy Rodgers, and defensive linemen Davon Walls, Ethan Hemer, Lavon Hooks, and Quayshawne Buckley.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has workout updates for a couple more clubs, tweeting that safety Shaun Prater, along with CFL wide receivers Eric RogersKenny Stafford, and Terrell Sinkfield, worked out for the Bears. Per Wilson (Twitter link), Washington recently auditioned CFL linebackers Willie Jefferson and Dexter McCoil, as well as wide receiver A.C. Leonard.

Buccaneers Trim Roster, Waive 10 Players

The Buccaneers have moved closer to the 75-man roster limit, announcing that they’ve cut 10 players:

  • Dominique Brown, RB
  • Quayshawne Buckley, DT
  • Antoine Everett, OL
  • Brandon Hartson, LS
  • Joey Iosefa, FB
  • Kimario McFadden, S
  • Karl Schmitz, P
  • Al-Hajj Shabazz, CB
  • George Uko, DE
  • Jamal Young, DE

Iosefa, a Hawaii product, was the club’s seventh-round draft pick.

Buccaneers Sign 13 UDFAs

The Buccaneers have announced the signing of 13 undrafted free agents to go along with their seven-man draft class.

If I were a guy that doesn’t get drafted that can rush the passer, I would certainly want to come here,” said GM Jason Licht in the release. “We could certainly use depth at linebacker and we could sure probably use some depth, some competition back there in the secondary. [In] all areas we could use depth and guys who want to push and compete.”

Here’s a rundown of the UDFAs who will be fighting to make the Bucs’ final roster this fall..

  • Quinton Alston, LB, Iowa
  • Dominique Brown, RB, Louisville
  • Quayshawne Buckley, DT Idaho
  • Courtland Clavette, LS, Brown
  • Ryan Delaire, DE, Towson ($15K signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun on Twitter).
  • Deshazor Everett, CB, Texas A&M
  • Chris Hackett, S, TCU
  • Rannell Hall, WR, UCF ($9.5K bonus, per Wilson)
  • Josh Keyes, LB, Boston College
  • Caushaud Lyons, DT, Tusculum
  • Josh Reese, WR, UCF
  • Michael Reynolds, LB, Kansas
  • Jamal Young, DE, Jones County Junior College

Draft Notes: Raiders, Williams, Winston

Peter King of The MMQB doesn’t believe in mock drafts, but today he gave us his “best guess” draft. Going by “the look in coach Ken Whisenhunt’s eyes when he talked about the pick last week at the league meetings,” King projects that the Titans will take Marcus Mariota at No. 2 after Jameis Winston is taken with the top pick. After that, he rounds out the top five with the Jaguars taking Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler at No. 3, the Raiders selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams at No. 4, and Washington taking West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White at No. 5, before trading him to the Rams for the No. 10 and 72 picks. Here’s a look at today’s draft news..

  • The Raiders are high on Williams and could trade up to land him, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Oakland is in the pivot spot at No. 4 and although people have pegged them to land a wide receiver, they want the USC superstar and fear that he’ll be gone by No. 3. If they can’t get up land him, Cole says that they could move back to still take White or Amari Cooper while adding another asset.
  • The NFL is still concerned about Winston’s maturity, according to Cole (video link). King (on Twitter) adds that the Bucs have done major homework on the FSU star. Their private eyes have interviewed more than 75 people in Winston’s past.
  • Winston isn’t the only FSU product tied to the Buccaneers. Guard Josue Matias said he is scheduled to visit the Bucs next week as well, as Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com writes. Matias is viewed by draft experts as a second- or third-round pick. The Bucs, meanwhile, have a glaring need at right guard and their offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL in 2014.
  • Former South Carolina guard A.J. Cann is drawing a ton of pre-draft interest, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets. Right now, Cann has visits and/or workouts scheduled with 14 different teams. Getlin adds that the Ravens, Saints, Vikings, and Buccaneers are among the teams the young lineman will meet with (link).
  • South Carolina running back Mike Davis would be a great fit for the Patriots and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that he indeed has a visit lined up with them.
  • Albany tight end Brian Parker will work out for the Eagles and visit the Bengals, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Parker has also drawn interest from the Vikings, Bills, and Seahawks. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder caught 39 passes for 500 yards and five touchdowns last season.
  • The Buccaneers worked out Idaho defensive lineman Quayshawne Buckley on Wednesday, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter). Pauline describes him as a sleeper and a strong fit for Tampa Bay’s system.
  • University of Miami tight end Clive Wafford has visits or workouts lined up with the Saints, Falcons, Dolphins, 49ers, Ravens, Chiefs, and Buccaneers, according to Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).