Los Angeles Chargers Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

West Notes: Thomas, 49ers, Moore, Raiders

April 29th, 2014 at 8:24pm CST by Zachary Links

No matter how much money you have, nobody likes getting hit with a speeding ticket. On his way to a press conference to announce his lucrative new four-year extension with the Seahawks that will make him the highest paid safety in football, Thomas nearly got nabbed for doing 30 mph in a 25 mph zone. While he could have used his celebrity status to skirt the situation, he opted not to, writes the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. “I didn’t try to bulldog him and say ‘My name is Earl Thomas,’ because then he’d be like, ‘Man, this dude is cocky,’ and give me a ticket,’’ Thomas said. “But he let me off. That’s the moral of the story.” Here’s more out of the AFC and NFC West..

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee looks at pass rushers that might fit the 49ers in the upcoming draft. San Francisco hopes that Aldon Smith will be with the club for the long haul, but in the short-term, there’s no way of knowing where he’ll stand. General manager Trent Baalke on Friday said that the team was ready to count on Corey Lemonier, who is expected to improve upon a promising rookie campaign, as well as veteran Dan Skuta, but that doesn’t mean the Niners won’t look into reinforcements in the draft.
Defensive end Zach Moore of Division II Concordia University is picking up late interest, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (on Twitter). Moore has had nine visits and 14 workouts in total and checked in with the Cardinals, Chargers, and Raiders last week. Moore has the opportunity to be the first player drafted out of the small school in Minnesota.
Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com looks at middle linebackers that the Raiders may consider in the upcoming draft.

Seahawks Notes: Sherman, Williams, Thomas

April 29th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Now that the Seahawks have finalized an extension with one of the top two All-Pro players in their secondary, the team appears set to shift its focus to the other half of that duo. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, after locking up safety Earl Thomas through the 2018 season, the Seahawks are expected to resume contract talks with cornerback Richard Sherman. Reports last week indicated that Seattle and Sherman had made some progress in negotiations, and while no deal is imminent yet, the two sides could get something done in time for the draft.

Let’s check out a few more Seahawks items….

Free agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams paid a visit to the Seahawks on Monday, according to Howard Balzer of the SportsXchange (via Twitter). The former Viking is still looking for a home, and may end up signing after the draft is over, when potential suitors have a better idea of what holes they need to fill.
Marshall offensive tackle Garrett Scott worked out for the Seahawks this afternoon after doing the same for the Chargers this morning, tweets Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes a closer look at the Thomas extension, suggesting it’s the latest indication of the rising value of elite safeties in today’s NFL.

Draft Notes: Bortles, Askew, Mauro, Ward

April 29th, 2014 at 8:55am CST by Luke Adams

As we saw last month, a handful of the more successful and shrewder NFL franchises approach free agency with the draft in mind, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. As La Canfora writes, many clubs are more inclined to pursue free agents like Darrelle Revis, DeMarcus Ware, Steve Smith, and Julius Peppers, who were released by their previous teams, since those players aren’t linked to compensatory draft picks.

This approach also explains why the Ravens, who signed Smith after he was cut by the Panthers, were willing to give up a fifth-round pick to acquire Jeremy Zuttah — given how many compensatory picks Baltimore typically lands (a league-high 41 since 1996), the team should easily replace that fifth-rounder after letting notable free agents like Arthur Jones and Michael Oher depart.

Here’s a little more from La Canfora’s piece, as well as a few other draft notes from around the league:

La Canfora makes a couple draft-related predictions, forecasting a cornerback run in the first round (sometime in the 20s), and suggesting that drafted players may sign contracts more quickly this year than usual, since teams will be eager to address that business after waiting an extra two weeks for the draft.
Peter King of TheMMQB.com doesn’t expect Blake Bortles to still be available when the Vikings pick at No. 8 next week, but he sees Bortles as an ideal fit for Minnesota and offensive coordinator Norv Turner. King identifies the Texans and Browns as a couple teams that could snatch up the UCF signal-caller before the Vikings are on the clock.
Speedy Texas A&M linebacker Nate Askew, a converted receiver, has drawn “steady interest from NFL teams,” according to Aaron Wilson of the National Post, who reports that Askew visited the Panthers and Buccaneers. Wilson adds that the linebacker, who recorded a 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash, also worked out privately for the Falcons, Eagles, and the Texans.
Wilson also provides an update on Stanford defensive lineman Josh Mauro, who visited the Giants and worked out privately for the Cowboys, Raiders, and Falcons.
We heard earlier in the month that Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward paid a pre-draft visit to the Ravens, but according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link), Baltimore was just one of 12 teams to host the safety. The Falcons, Panthers, and Cowboys were among the other teams Ward visited.
Arizona State defensive back Alden Darby has worked out for the Patriots, Falcons, and Chargers, and still has a workout with the Raiders on the docket, tweets Doug Haller of AZCentral.com.

Draft Visits: Bradford, Vereen, Shembo, Tripp

April 28th, 2014 at 12:29pm CST by Luke Adams

2014’s period of pre-draft visits for prospects and NFL teams came to an end yesterday. Players will no longer be permitted to visit clubs between now and the draft on May 8, though teams are still allowed to work out players. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com have some details on some players who made visits prior to yesterday’s deadline, so let’s round up the highlights….

Arizona State outside linebacker Carl Bradford worked out for the Falcons and visited the Steelers, 49ers, and Chargers, reports Wilson. The Jaguars and Dolphins were among the other clubs to meet with Bradford, who is viewed as a potential second-round target.
The Giants hosted Richmond wide receiver Ben Edwards for a visit, according to Wilson. Edwards, who caught more than 200 passes during his college career, had his Pro Day attended by 20 NFL teams. Wilson adds that Minnesota safety Brock Vereen also visited the Giants.
Notre Dame outside linebacker Prince Shembo visited the Packers and also privately worked out for the Patriots, Jaguars, and Falcons, league sources tell Wilson.
Wilson also has the latest on Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins, the brother of Sammy Watkins. According to Wilson, the former Gators DB has visited the Redskins, Falcons, and Eagles, and worked out for the Panthers and Patriots. Watkins met with the Colts and Lions as well.
In addition to his previously reported visits with the Falcons and Eagles, Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp also had workouts for the Patriots and Panthers, tweets Caplan.
In a separate tweet, Caplan adds North Carolina State defensive back Dontae Johnson to the list of prospects who visited the Eagles.

AFC Notes: Latimer, Colts, Dolphins, Jags

April 27th, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Indiana receiver Cody Latimer’s name has been popping up all over the pages of PFR recently, as he continues to take visits with teams looking for a deep threat. Terez A. Paylor analyzes the factors that have contributed to Latimer’s rise from a projected mid-round selection to a potential late-first-round-pick, and quotes ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. in the process, who says of Latimer, “When you’re 6-2 1/2 and you’re 225 pounds and you run a 4.39 and you’re one of the strongest wide receivers you’ll ever come across, and you have real good hands and natural pass-receiving skills, that’s gonna push you up.” Paylor specifies that the Chiefs, at pick No. 23, would be a logical landing spot for the play-maker.

A few more notes from around the AFC:

Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com delves into the Colts’ offseason, during which they added the likes of Arthur Jones, Hakeem Nicks, and D’Qwell Jackson, and assigns them a grade of C+, noting that while the Colts’ free agent strategy may not be the most financially sound, the team does have the cap space to absorb large contracts, and needs to capitalize on being the best team in a weak division.
Twin UCF offensive guards Justin McCray and Jordan McCray each worked out for the Dolphins, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Jackson also writes that the Dolphins have met with Laurent Duvernay-Tardif of McGill University in Canada. Duvernay-Tardif, interestingly enough, wants to become a sports doctor, and only practiced football once a week due to a strenuous class schedule.
In a recent mailbag segment, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco guesses that the Jaguars will come away from the draft with one of Sammy Watkins, Khalil Mack, or Jadeveon Clowney, though he cautions not to rule out Greg Robinson.
The Chargers will aim to emulate the Seahawks’ physical nature on defense, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. To do so, San Diego will need to add defensive talent in the draft, likely in the form of a first-round lineman or defensive back.

AFC Notes: Browns, Garoppolo, Texans, Watt

April 25th, 2014 at 7:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Drafting an elite non-quarterback with the fourth overall pick and addressing the QB position with pick No. 26 is one option for the Browns, but as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, it’s not without risk. Since other teams recognize the Browns are very likely to select a signal-caller at some point early in the draft, those clubs could try to trade ahead of the No. 26 spot in order to snatch up one of the QBs Cleveland is considering.

Here’s more from around the AFC, including a note on one possible quarterback target for the Browns:

Eastern Illinois signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo visited the Texans yesterday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), and then headed to Cleveland to visit the Browns today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link) thinks Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Manziel are the Texans‘ most likely targets at No. 1, and adds that the club would have to be “overwhelmed” by an offer to trade down.
In an entertaining piece for the National Football Post, Joel Corry and Ari Nissim act out a hypothetical contract extension negotiation between the Texans and the agent for defensive star J.J. Watt.
Minnesota defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman has visited or worked out for the Titans, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Hageman has previously checked in with the Falcons, Cardinals, Colts, and Steelers. The 6-foot-6, 318-pound athlete, one of the most physically impressive defensive linemen in the draft, ran the 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds.
Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego wonders if tall Clemson wide receiver Martavis Bryant would help the Chargers.
Michael Lombardi of the Patriots worked out Coastal Carolina running back Lorenzo Taliaferro today, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Pauline’s Latest: Dolphins, Donald, Latimer

April 24th, 2014 at 1:59pm CST by Luke Adams

In past years, we’d be gearing up for the NFL draft to begin in a matter of hours, but with this year’s event pushed back into May, we still have two more weeks of build-up until the big night. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net is helping to bridge that gap by continuing to pass along noteworthy tidbits on this year’s prospects. Here’s the latest from Pauline, with these notes coming from his latest blog entries unless otherwise indicated:

The Dolphins like offensive lineman Zack Martin, but don’t expect him to be available when they pick in the first round. Sources tell Pauline that Miami could end up trading down and targeting a player like Nevada’s Joel Bitonio — Alabama’s Cyrus Kouandjio isn’t expected to be a first-round option for the club. Bitonio, meanwhile, is also drawing interest from the Panthers and Buccaneers.
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald figures to come off the board somewhere between picks No. 6 and 16, according to Pauline, who identifies the Falcons (6th), Giants (12th), Bears (14th), and Cowboys (16th) as potential landing spots.
At least 23 teams will travel to Bloomington, Indiana tomorrow for Cody Latimer‘s on-campus workout. Pauline hears that the receiver is one of the draft’s fastest risers, and even has a shot to be selected in the first round.
Fresno State wideout Davante Adams is working out with the Panthers for a second time. Adams has also visited the Lions, Chargers, and Falcons, and worked out for the Titans.
The Colts brought in Wisconsin safety Dez Southward for a pre-draft visit, according to Pauline.
The Steelers, Colts, and Eagles are displaying the most interest in Oregon defensive end Taylor Hart.
Wake Forest linebacker Justin Jackson is paying a visit to the Chiefs today, Pauline reports in a tweet.
The Jets have reps at Clemson today to work out quarterback Tajh Boyd, running back Roderick McDowell, and linebacker Quandon Christian, tweets Pauline.
Pauline also reports (via Twitter) that the Packers, Patriots, and Chiefs are at Mississippi State today to work out quarterback Tyler Russell and safety Nickoe Whitley.

Draft Visits: Falcons, Bryant, Martin, Jets

April 24th, 2014 at 11:33am CST by Luke Adams

Teams only have until Sunday to bring in draft prospects for pre-draft visits, so even though workouts are still permitted after that date, plenty of clubs are hosting players this week. Here’s a round-up of several of the latest reports on these visits:

According to reports from ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (Twitter link), Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the Falcons have worked out Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews and Connecticut linebacker Yawin Smallwood, and are heading to Columbia, South Carolina tomorrow to work out wideout Bruce Ellington.
Florida State linebacker Telvin Smith has visited the Broncos, Eagles, and Panthers, as well as worked out privately for the Panthers, Falcons, Patriots, and Buccaneers, according to Wilson.
Martavis Bryant has been extremely busy over the last few weeks, with a combined total of 22 visits and private workouts, writes Wilson at the National Football Post. According to Wilson, the Buccaneers are one team that has hosted and privately worked out the Clemson wide receiver.
Wilson, who has been busy lately himself, also passes along updates on two more prospects: USC center Marcus Martin has met with the Chargers, Panthers, Saints, and Eagles, while Kansas State safety Ty Zimmerman is visiting the Bengals.
Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is among the players visiting the Jets today, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). We heard last night about several other prospects the Jets are hosting this week, including Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Cornerback Justin Gilbert‘s previously reported visit with the Lions is happening today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
McGill offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is projected to be the first overall pick in the CFL draft, but he’s also drawing plenty of interest from NFL teams. As Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com details, the 49ers are the latest club to host the Canadian prospect for a visit.

AFC West Notes: Raiders, MJD, Ware, Chargers

April 23rd, 2014 at 9:35am CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders don’t need an immediate starting quarterback out of the draft, but they would hardly be blamed for addressing the position, writes Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. Between trade acquisition Matt Schaub and backup Matt McGloin, Oakland could ride things out for 2014, but they probably have to start thinking about the future at the position. Beyond QB, the Raiders could use some reinforcements at defensive end, defensive tackle, safety, and cornerback. Here’s more from the AFC West..

Maurice Jones-Drew isn’t concerned about the talk that the Raiders are too old, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “We’re just the throwaways it seems like,” Jones-Drew said. “The guys we have, supposedly a lot of people didn’t want them. I hear reports that this is great team if it were 2009. Whatever, man.” Oakland picked up multiple veterans this offseason, including MJD and Justin Tuck.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are excited about pairing MJD with Run DMC (Darren McFadden), Bair writes. The big question will be whether the duo can stay healthy. McFadden has had a host of issues and saw his 2013 ruined by hamstring injuries. Jones-Drew dipped below 4 yards per rush for the first time in eight years thanks in part to foot and ankle troubles.
Broncos newcomer DeMarcus Ware is passing his knowledge on to Von Miller, writes Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. The duo could be troublesome for opposing teams in 2014. As Ware put it, “if he comes back where needs to be, you can’t double-team both of us.“
If the Chargers want a shot at one of the top two cornerbacks in the draft, they will have to trade up at least ten spots ahead of their No. 25 selection, writes Pat Kirwin of CBSSports.com. It would require expensive compensation, but if Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard falls below No. 17, Kirwin says they should make the move. While Dennard and Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert are fine prospects, Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego feels that the Bolts have bigger needs to address and don’t need to trade up to land either one.

West Rumors: Baldwin, Tuck, Jones, Chargers

April 22nd, 2014 at 8:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Doug Baldwin told 710 ESPN in Seattle that he has not yet signed his second-round tender, but he is working out with the Seahawks at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, tweets Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (on Twitter). Seattle extended the one-year, $2.187MM tender to Baldwin back in early March. Baldwin is coming off of a solid season in which he hauled in 50 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns. Baldwin added that he still hopes to work out a long-term pact with the team, tweets Terry Blount of ESPN.com. More from the AFC and NFC West..

Justin Tuck knows the Raiders‘ history and reputation, but he says he’s ready to help turn it all around, writes ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez. “A lot of people always say you go to Oakland for your career to die. I’m not looking at it like that. I’m looking at it like this is an opportunity to revive a storied franchise in a city with a great fan base behind this football team. The energy and excitement around this football team should be good. I’m excited about it,” said the veteran.
New Raiders receiver James Jones spoke glowingly of his relationship with GM Reggie McKenzie when they were together in Green Bay, writes Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Sulia link).
Former Ohio State cornerback Brandon Roby is en route to San Diego to visit the Chargers, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter).
The 49ers hosted three draft prospects today, according to Adam Caplan of NFL.com (on Twitter). Arizona State outside linebacker Carl Bradford, University of South Florida defensive end Aaron Lynch, and defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt of Notre Dame all flew out to San Francisco.

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