Extra Points: LeSean, Rivers, Raiders, Steelers
The Eagles originally wanted draft picks from the Bills in exchange for LeSean McCoy, writes Jenny Vrentas of TheMMQB.com in a profile of new Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan. But because the Bills lack a 2015 first-rounder, general manager Doug Whaley told Philadelphia to look over Buffalo’s roster, at which the Eagles decided on linebacker Kiko Alonso. The entire piece is worth a read, as it includes interesting notes about Ryan’s hiring and, of course, grade-A quotes from Ryan himself.
Let’s take a look at more from around the league…
- The Chargers have the option of using the franchise tag on Philip Rivers for the 2016 season, but they’re concerned he may simply retire instead of playing for the team, especially if it relocates to Los Angeles, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). If Rivers is going to walk away from football rather than play for San Diego, the Chargers feel they must get some sort of compensation for him, adds Rapoport.
- NFL officials will meet with representatives of Oakland and Alameda County on Wednesday to discuss the status of an East Bay stadium proposal for the Raiders, per Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. NFL executive Eric Grubman will lead the discussions for the league, and report the results to the NFL’s Los Angeles committee on April 22.
- The recent retirements of Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor have helped the Steelers’ dire cap situation, writes David Steele of the Sporting News, who examines the costs of paying a franchise quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger market value.
- Because the league continually fails to conceal the results of draft prospects’ Wonderlic tests (Jameis Winston‘s score was reported earlier), players should simply refuse to take the exam, argues Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Chargers Notes: Los Angeles, Draft, D. Smith
NFL executive Eric Grubman says the league is considering moving up the deadlines in place for relocation to Los Angeles, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). Accelerating the current timeframe, which runs from January 1 to February 15, makes sense, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, because a shorter window would limit distractions for the applying team. Altering the deadline would seem to make it more likely that the Chargers (or Rams or Raiders) will eventually move to L.A.
Here’s more from San Diego…
- Grubman said a club interested in relocating simply needs to “engage in a good faith effort” to remain in their home city, tweets Gehlken. “It doesn’t need to exhaust all possibilities,” Grubman added, before noting that in his opinion, the Chargers have done enough to justify relocating (link).
- Adam Day, the chairman of the stadium task force in San Diego, said his group is “on target” to present a stadium funding plan to the city’s mayor by its May 21 deadline, per Gehlken (Twitter link).
- Fresno State safety Derron Smith has worked out for the Chargers, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter links), who adds that Smith has also had workouts with the Bengals, Jaguars, and Raiders, while also meeting with the Colts.
- Earlier today, we learned that the Chargers worked out quarterback prospects Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley.
Draft Notes: Winston, Gurley, Gordon
The Jets, who hold the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, are in need of a franchise quarterback and have already worked out Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, one of the top two signal callers available. They’d also like to visit with Florida State’s Jameis Winston, who joins Mariota as a likely top five pick, but that meeting may not happen. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Winston was unable to meet with the Jets when they wanted him to and the sides are now having difficulty finding a time.
Here’s the rest of the latest draft news:
- The Browns, who are in search of a running back, have already visited with Georgia’s Todd Gurley, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan, and will next meet with Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon. ESPN’s Josina Anderson tweets that Gordon will be in Cleveland for a visit Thursday that could last through Friday. Both Gordon and Gurley are potential first-round picks. The Browns hold the 12th and 19th overall selections.
- Having worked out Mariota, the Chargers will next head to Los Angeles to do the same with UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).
- The receiver-needy Panthers will meet with Central Florida’s Breshad Perriman tonight and tomorrow, per Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). They’ll also work out USC’s Nelson Agholor, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
- The Broncos will visit with Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi next Tuesday, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Klis believes Ogbuehi could be a second-round target for the Broncos.
- Mississippi State running back Josh Robinson recently visited with the Colts, per Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).
- San Jose State’s Akeem King, a former wide receiver who converted to safety, is drawing interest as a cornerback, tweets Matt Barrow of the Sacramento Bee. The Raiders, Falcons, Saints and Seahawks are all eyeing King.
- The Falcons worked out Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah, according to Ross Jones of FoxSports.com (Twitter link).
- Cincinnati linebacker Jeff Luc will meet with both the Jets and Patriots prior to the draft, tweets Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.
AFC Notes: Chargers, Bills, Dolphins, Jets
The Chargers appear to be contemplating the post-Philip Rivers era in San Diego, as they take a closer look at Oregon signal-caller Marcus Mariota today. After working out Mariota, the team’s brass will head to Los Angeles to put UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley through a workout of his own, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
GM Tom Telesco and head coach Mike McCoy have repeatedly stated they want Rivers to retire as a Charger, so there may be no need to identify his successor quite yet. But Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes this offseason is the prime time for San Diego to trade Rivers in a deal to snag Mariota, arguing that all the factors in play point to it being a win-win move for the franchise and for the veteran quarterback, who is entering the final year of his contract.
We still have a little more than two weeks until the draft gets underway, so it will be interesting to see if the Rivers trade rumors pick up steam or die down as April 30 approaches. In the meantime, here are a few more notes from across the AFC:
- Free agent wide receiver Brad Smith is paying a visit to Buffalo to meet with the Bills, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com details. Smith played for Rex Ryan on the Jets, but it’s not clear if there’s a spot for him on Ryan’s new club, with players like Percy Harvin, Marcus Easley, and Marcus Thigpen already in the mix as potentially versatile offensive weapons, returners, or special-teamers.
- Given where we’ve seen running backs drafted in the last couple years, it would be surprise to see one go as high as No. 14 overall this year. Nonetheless, the Dolphins, who hold that pick, are hosting Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon for a visit next week, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter).
- Outside pass rushers Bud Dupree and Shane Ray will be visiting the Jets, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter links). Although there has been plenty of chatter linking Mariota to New York, the team is in a good spot at No. 6 to add a top pass rushing prospect.
- The Steelers hosted Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper, Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman, and UAB tight end Kennard Backman on pre-draft visits today, tweets ESPN.com’s Scott Brown. Cooper met with the Saints in New Orleans yesterday, but we haven’t heard much to date about the tight ends.
- Florida State cornerback Ronald Darby is visiting the Colts today, according to Rapoport (via Twitter).
- On the heels of the Raiders‘ agreement with free agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com shares a few initial thoughts on the deal, outlining why the former Niner is worth the risk on a one-year investment.
Whisenhunt Wants Reunion With Rivers?
Operating as the fulcrum in this year’s draft, the Titans are down to three options with their selection with one of them including a blockbuster trade for Philip Rivers, according to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (video link).
Currently housing 2014 sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger as their starting quarterback, the Titans’ first two options at No. 2 look to be drafting Marcus Mariota or taking Leonard Williams, who Cole calls the best player available at that spot. The third plan features the Titans, whose most recognizable player from a national sense may be Brian Orakpo or Kendall Wright, attempting to re-establish relevance by trading the pick for a veteran quarterback.
Cole goes on to mention Ken Whisenhunt‘s fondness for Rivers during their time together in San Diego in 2013, and that the second-year Titans coach’s choice is “obvious”: trade for a veteran quarterback to attempt to rocket the Titans back to contention after missing the playoffs the past six years. Cole added Jay Cutler or Sam Bradford fit into this line of thinking, but that Rivers is Whisenhunt’s preferred choice in that event.
“Whisenhunt worked with Rivers two years ago, loves Rivers, would love to change the whole attitude of the franchise and thinks bringing in an established quarterback would do that,” Cole said. “Finally, Whisenhunt had so much success with Kurt Warner in Arizona at turning around that moribund franchise that he thinks he can do the same thing in Tennessee and make them an immediate competitive team.”
Although Warner’s best season didn’t come under Whisenhunt, the future Hall of Famer revived his career during Whisenhunt’s first head-coaching gig. Rivers’ best season probably came under Whisenhunt’s watch two years ago, when the former No. 4 overall pick completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and threw for 32 touchdowns.
The Chargers own pick No. 17 in Round 1 and have encountered mild turbulence amid what’s been a stable signal-calling situation for nearly a decade. Rivers’ hesitance to negotiate a new contract with his current deal expiring after 2015 and his potential reluctance to play in Los Angeles make the Chargers an interesting fringe contender in the Mariota sweepstakes. Although Sports Illustrated’s Peter King still considers a deal for the 33-year-old Rivers deal “highly unlikely.”
They are working out Mariota in Eugene, Ore., a day earlier than expected, with Chargers brass set to observe the Heisman Trophy winner Tuesday instead of Wednesday, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Gehlken adds that Mariota ordinarily wouldn’t be permitted by his camp to work out for a team that picks so far away from where he’s predicted to be selected, but several sources informed the San Diego-based writer they think Mike McCoy, OC Frank Reich and others are in Oregon with the possibility of a draft-day trade in mind.
The Titans, however, have many needs and may not be able to bypass a potential young star at No. 2 overall, writes ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky. Despite drafting offensive linemen the past two first rounds, the Titans still need a right tackle after releasing Michael Oher one year after signing him. Needs also exist at running back and wideout. Kuharsky adds the team could release last season’s opening day starter, Shonn Greene, before this year begins.
NFL analysts also believe the Titans should not hesitate to draft Jameis Winston, should Mariota go No. 1 as ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski now believes he will, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean.
“The latest I’m hearing now from my sources around the league, who are pretty wired in, is that he’s going to go No. 1 now to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Jaworski said during an appearance on Philly Sports Talk.
“Mariota’s stock, remember it was quiet for a while, and there’s a reason for that. There’s a lull every year until about 30 days before the draft. Now the coaches get involved. Prior to that, it’s the scouts, it’s the roadies that are filling out the paper work. Now the coaches get involved. Now team owners get involved. Now general managers get involved. So you’re starting to see, in my opinion, Winston’s stock starting to slide a little bit and Mariota’s stock starting to go up a little bit.”
This obviously remains a fluid scenario between these two prospects and various would-be-affected veterans, but one that should continue to gain steam as the draft nears.
King’s Latest: Gordon, Cards, Gregory, WRs
Peter King of The MMQB.com leads off his Monday Morning Quarterback column this week by discussing Troy Polamalu‘s legacy, Hall-of-Fame-worthy safeties, and new referee Sarah Thomas, before he dives headfirst into the latest news and rumors on the draft. That section of King’s piece includes plenty of noteworthy tidbits, so let’s round up some of the highlights….
- Melvin Gordon won’t get past the Ravens at No. 26, according to King. It would be a little surprising to see Baltimore nab a running back in the first round, with plenty of other holes on the roster, including a big one at wide receiver.
- The Cardinals will “very seriously” consider a running back with the 24th overall pick.
- Although Randy Gregory‘s failed drug test initially scared off some teams near the top of the draft, many of those clubs are feeling more comfortable with the Nebraska pass rusher after taking a closer look at him.
- USC wideout Nelson Agholor, initially viewed as a late second-round pick, is moving up on draft boards, since teams think he can play inside or outside with equal effectiveness. Chip Kelly and the Eagles are known to like Agholor.
- Multiple teams have Louisville receiver DeVante Parker as a top-10 player on their boards, says King.
- According to King, UCF wideout Breshad Perriman is receiving serious consideration from at least two teams picking in the teens. Nearly all the teams with picks in that range – including the Saints, Dolphins, 49ers, and Browns – could use a wideout. In our first mock draft of the year, we had Perriman going to the Chiefs with the 18th overall pick.
- The Rams and Chargers are both working out Marcus Mariota this week, and while King doesn’t expect St. Louis to trade up to land the Oregon quarterback, he isn’t 100% sure about San Diego. As King writes, the Chargers may simply be doing their due diligence in case Mariota slides down the first round, since it still seems “highly unlikely” that the team would trade Philip Rivers.
Extra Points: Gregory, Texans, Peterson
Some assorted notes as we wrap up the week…
- The Chargers are bringing Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory in for an official visit after he tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine, writes Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego. Gregory would not have been in the cards this late in the first round without the drug concerns, but the Chargers will be ready to make a decision on this top-10 talent should he fall in the draft.
- The Texans re-signed backup guard Cody White on Thursday, and his one-year deal with the team will be worth $585K with no guaranteed money, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson writes that White has a split salary, which reduces the amount he is owed if he is forced onto the IR due to an injury.
- Adrian Peterson “deserves” an exit and the Vikings “should grant his wish,” opines Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. The writer emphasizes that Peterson’s apparent resentment towards the organization (including his belief that they didn’t show enough support) is unwarranted. However, the running back could use a fresh start, and Renck believes that won’t happen in Minnesota.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
AFC Notes: Pats, Gregory, Bolts, Steelers, Jets
Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler went from a little-known name to a Super Bowl hero when his late-game interception of the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson helped New England earn its fourth championship in February. Now, with the departure of star corner Darrelle Revis, Butler will have a chance to make a full-season impact in 2015. One of Butler’s teammates, linebacker Chandler Jones, believes he’s up to the task.
“I know you guys only heard of Malcolm Butler during the whole Super Bowl thing and that big play, but Malcolm has been making plays for us the whole season in practice, and he’s been getting good looks for us,” Jones said, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “So I’m excited for him to step up as one of the impact players as well.”
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory will visit the Chargers on Saturday, and Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the team has to weigh the risk and reward of drafting the 22-year-old. Gregory is already in the NFL’s substance-abuse program for a failed drug test at the combine, but he is worth the Chargers’ first-round pick (17th overall) based on talent alone. Gregory says his past issues are behind him and he is “focused” on his dream to play in the NFL. The Chargers will have an opportunity to gauge his sincerity this weekend.
- Gregory will visit the Steelers next week, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
- The Jets will visit with Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty early next week, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Petty could be a target for the Jets in the second round (37th overall).
- In the unlikely event Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers hits the trading block, Bills general manager Doug Whaley will do everything in his power to land the five-time Pro Bowler, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (Twitter link).
West Notes: Barksdale, Dunkley, Vincent
As teams attempt to expand their prospect visit itineraries, here is some early-afternoon news from the western divisions.
- Offensive tackle Joe Barksdale paid a visit to the Titans this week, but according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter links), the veteran free agent left Tennessee without a deal, and the Rams remain in the mix for him.
- Missouri defensive tackle Lucas Vincent has a workout today with the Chiefs, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun passes along word of another local workout, tweeting that the Broncos are taking a look at Colorado State-Pueblo defensive lineman Josh Bredl.
- Also from Paylor (via Twitter): cornerback prospect DeVante Bausby is attending the Chiefs’ local pro day. A longtime starter at Division II power Pittsburg State, Bausby attended high school in Kansas City, Kan.
- South Florida cornerback Chris Dunkley will trek to the 49ers‘ and Chargers‘ facilities this week, respectively, according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman on Twitter. The converted wide receiver who also returned kicks for the Bulls previously visited the Patriots and Bills.
- In addition to lining up summits with DeVante Parker and Sammie Coates, the 49ers will also meet with Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith next week, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. ESPN’s Todd McShay rates the ex-Buckeyes deep threat as his 34th-best prospect (subscription required). The 49ers have also had discussions with wideouts they’d have to trade up to draft in Amari Cooper and Kevin White, reports Barrows.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report
AFC West Notes: Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders
The Chiefs could have training camp battles at several positions, writes Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. At center, third-year player Eric Kush is the favorite to replace Rodney Hudson, but as Teicher notes, it’s unlikely that Kansas City will hand Kush, who has appeared in only three games during his career, the starting job without competition. As such, it’s possible that the club could bring in other options, either through the draft, where Florida State’s Cameron Irving is the top available center, or through free agency, where former Raiders Stefen Wisniewski remains unsigned.
Let’s take at look at some draft news from the rest of the AFC West:
- Central Michigan wide receiver Titus Davis is visiting the Chargers today, according to U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken (on Twitter). The wideout ran a 4.51 second 40-yard-dash at the combine and is projected as a third-to-fifth round choice given this year’s deep wide receiver class. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) is hearing a lot of mid-round buzz on Davis.
- The Raiders will be bringing in cornerback Travis Lee for a visit, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter). Pauline views the Miles College product as a sleeper in this year’s class.
- UConn defensive lineman B.J. McBryde is visiting the Chiefs today, according to Pauline (on Twitter).
- Chargers running backs coach Ollie Wilson spent 1-on-1 time with a handful of prospects before their pro days, including Jay Ajayi of BSU and Matt Jones of Florida, according to Gehlken (on Twitter).
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.