Draft Visits: Latimer, Tripp, Croyle, Gilbert
A few updates on draft visits (all links are courtesy of NFL.com’s Gil Brandt on Twitter):
- Indiana receiver Cody Latimer will visit seven teams over the next three weeks: the Bills, Eagles, Lions, Raiders, Seahawks, Chargers, and Panthers.
- Additionally, Lattimer will have a private dinner with Panthers receivers coach Ricky Proehl and director of college scouting Don Gregory on April 8, and undergo a class-room exercise on April 9.
- Two Montana linebackers have scheduled visits — Jordan Tripp will meet with the Eagles on Monday and the Falcons later in the week, and Brock Croyle will visit with the Chargers and the Seahawks.
- Southern Methodist University quarterback Garrett Gilbert will work out for the Buccaneers, Falcons, and Panthers.
NFC Notes: Lions, Hawkins, Cooks
The Lions hosted Clemson wide receiver Martavis Bryant, Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, and Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan this week.
Lewan could be in the mix for the team in the first round.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- The Lions first-round pick could change drastically depending on how many quarterbacks are selected in the nine picks ahead of them, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. Rogers notes that the ideal scenario would find four quarterbacks selected in before the Lions are called to the podium, but two or three would be more realistic.
- The Buccaneers are finalizing their deal with wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, reports Mark Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The deal has already been agreed to in principle, but some specifics are being hammered out.
- Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks has been busy, meeting with the Jets earlier this week. Cooks will also meet with the Seahawks, Panthers, and Patriots, according to Bryan Fischer of NFL.com.
NFC Notes: Jackson, Hawkins, Coleman, Giants, Panthers
Former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson claims the team never specified why he was cut. “I was sitting there waiting for the reason why, but that’s basically all I can (recall) from the conversation,” Jackson told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “. … I got off the phone. I was like, ‘Are you sure? That’s it?’ We hung up. That was it.”
While the Eagles haven’t addressed the issue directly, more details of Jackson’s behavior have emerged thanks to Joseph Santoliquito of CBS Philly.
In other news and notes from around the NFC. . .
- Receiver Lavelle Hawkins worked out for the Buccanneers, according to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post. Hawkins, who was cut by the Patriots last year, played for Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford at Cal.
- Wilson also reports that former Eagles safety Kurt Coleman worked out for the Colts.
- The Bears are not actively seeking to replace second-year right tackle Jordan Mills, writes ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright in a mailbag piece. Says Wright: “…the Bears are fairly happy with Mills, and expect him to improve in his second year. Mills to me has a very bright future in the NFL, and has the right attitude in terms of doing what it takes day in and day out to be a pro.”
- The Packers’ biggest defensive weakness is a lack of speed at inside linebacker, writes ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who suggests Alabama’s C.J. Mosley for the 21st pick.
- The Panthers could very well draft two receivers and two offensive tackles, speculates ESPN.com’s David Newton, who also says the “Double Trouble” running back tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart should remain intact for two more seasons.
- The Giants earned a B-minus grade in free agency in the eyes of NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan, who recaps and reviews the team’s signings.
Buccaneers To Sign Major Wright
3:47pm: The Bucs and Wright have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
3:39pm: Free agent safety Major Wright will sign with the Buccaneers, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times confirms (via Twitter) that the team is expected to lock up Wright, who is on track to become the latest ex-Bear to join former Chicago head coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay.
As the Bears’ full-time starter at strong safety last season, Wright grabbed a pair of interceptions, and racked up more than 100 tackles, but earned the dubious honor of ranking dead-last out of 86 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). According to PFF’s data, quarterbacks completed 77.8% of their passes when throwing at Wright’s coverage, with a QB rating of 146.8.
Still, 2013 may have been an aberration for the former third-round pick. Under Smith, who is now the Bucs’ head coach, Wright’s PFF grades looked significantly better in 2011 and 2012, and at age 25, there’s still plenty of room for growth.
Buccaneers Expected To Sign Lavelle Hawkins
The Buccaneers are expected to finalize a contract agreement with free agent receiver Lavelle Hawkins, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reported earlier today that Tampa Bay was taking “a look” at Hawkins, though no agreement was in place at that point.
Hawkins, 27, grabbed 47 balls for the Titans in 2011, but typically hasn’t played a large role on offense during stints in Tennessee and San Diego. The former fourth-round pick is capable of returning kicks and can contribute on special teams as well.
The Bucs are in the market for receivers after agreeing to trade Mike Williams to the Bills earlier today. Assuming the club signs Hawkins, he of course won’t be expected to fill Williams’ role, but he’ll help provide depth at the position.
NFC South Notes: Bucs, Godfrey, Draft Visits
The Buccaneers, who agreed today to send Mike Williams to the Bills, talked to all 31 teams about a trade, but only had two clubs interested in a deal, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. As was the case with DeSean Jackson, potential off-field issues likely dissuaded many teams from getting involved, but unlike Jackson, Williams’ 2014 cap hit was extremely affordable, allowing the Bucs to get something for their diminished asset.
Here’s more on the Bucs and their division rivals in the NFC South:
- The Buccaneers will be in the market for receiving help now that Williams is gone, and the club has already started considering options, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, who tweets that the team took a look at longtime Titans receiver Lavelle Hawkins. Hawkins, who last played for the Chargers, had 47 receptions for Tennessee in 2011.
- With Thomas DeCoud visiting the Panthers, there are question marks about Charles Godfrey’s future with the team, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer details. Godfrey’s cap number jumps to $7.1MM in 2014, and he’s returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for most of last season.
- The Panthers and Saints will be hosting USC wideout Marqise Lee for pre-draft visits, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
- Alabama-Birmingham offensive tackle Kaycee Ike will have a private workout with the Falcons on April 15, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
Bills To Acquire Mike Williams From Bucs
The Bills and Buccaneers have agreed to a trade that will send wide receiver Mike Williams to Buffalo in exchange for a sixth-round pick, a league source tells James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link), the deal is pending a physical.
We heard back in February that Williams’ future in Tampa Bay was uncertain due to a variety of off-field issues, and an incident last month in which the receiver was hospitalized after being stabbed by his brother only raised more questions. At the time, at least one report suggested that there would limited trade interest in Williams, making it possible that the team would release him at some point. However, it seems as if the Bucs were able to salvage something of value in the deal with the Bills — the sixth-rounder included in the swap will be the 185th overall pick next month.
Williams, a Buffalo native, saw his 2013 season cut short due to a torn hamstring, but flourished with the Bucs from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 64 receptions, 910 yards, and eight touchdowns per year. He’ll join a Bills receiving corps led by Steve Johnson, and will presumably be catching balls from E.J. Manuel in 2014, barring an unexpected change in Buffalo.
The Bills had been seeking receiving help throughout free agency, having been linked to DeSean Jackson and Kenny Britt, among others. Perhaps the team simply didn’t view those players as the right fit for the system, or wasn’t willing to match their asking prices. However, it’s also fair to wonder if it’s simpler for the Bills to trade for a player rather than to convince a free agent to commit to a long-term future in Buffalo, which isn’t one of the league’s perennial contenders or bigger markets.
While Williams is in the midst of a lucrative long-term contract, his 2014 base salary is only $1.2MM, to go along with a $600K workout bonus, so the acquisition represents a fairly inexpensive, low-risk pickup for the Bills. If things don’t work out this time around between Williams and Doug Marrone, his former coach at Syracuse, the team could cut ties with him without being on the hook for any dead money in 2015 or beyond.
As for the Bucs, Williams is the second big-name, big-money player the team has parted ways with this offseason, having previously cut Darrelle Revis. With Williams gone, Vincent Jackson will shoulder more responsibility as the team’s No. 1 receiver, and the position figures to become a greater priority for the club in the draft.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
FA Visits: Heyward-Bey, Wright, Ayers, Coleman
We heard this afternoon that veteran cornerback Champ Bailey is in New Orleans to meet with the Saints, but Bailey’s trip to Louisiana isn’t the only free agent visit that has been reported today. Let’s round up a few more….
- Former top-10 pick Darrius Heyward-Bey is scheduled to visit the Steelers on Wednesday, tweets Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The former Raider grabbed 29 balls last season for the Colts.
- Free agent safety Major Wright will meet with his old head coach Lovie Smith as he visits the Buccaneers today and tomorrow, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Wright himself tweeted that he’s looking forward to seeing “familiar old faces in Tampa,” while Rapoport adds that the Bucs will look to sign the 25-year-old before he leaves town.
- Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange passes along word of a pair of New York free agent visits, tweeting that the Giants hosted defensive end Robert Ayers and safety Kurt Coleman met with the Jets. Ayers was linked to the Giants earlier in the offseason.
Bucs Sign Jorvorskie Lane, Josh Baker
10:48am: In addition to confirming the signing of Lane, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com tweets that the team has also inked former Jets fullback Josh Baker to a deal. Lane and Baker will likely compete for the fullback roster spot vacated by Erik Lorig.
9:47am: Former Dolphins fullback Jorvorskie Lane has signed with the Buccaneers, according to agent David Canter (via Twitter). Terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed, but it’ll likely be a minimum salary pact, giving Lane a chance to earn a roster spot.
Lane, 27, appeared in all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2012, logging 307 offensive snaps and playing a little on special teams as well. However, he didn’t earn a spot on the team’s regular season roster in 2013, and was cut last August. In 2012, Lane recorded 13 carries, primarily in short-yardage situations, and caught 11 passes out of the backfield.
NFC Notes: Moore, Panthers, Bailey, Rams
We’ve taken a turn around the NFC North and the NFC East, so let’s cover the news items in the rest of the NFC:
- Receiver Marlon Moore, formerly of the Dolphins and 49ers, will have a tryout with the Buccaneers, tweets Howard Balzer. Moore is more of a special teams contributor than an offensive weapon.
- Sam Houston State running back Timothy Flanders will visit with the Saints, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter).
- The Panthers, who could still use help at receiver and on the offensive line, will “keep their eye out for free agent bargains,” but are mostly preparing for the draft, says Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link).
- The 49ers have several cornerbacks who have had run-ins with the law, including the recently-arrested Chris Culliver, and veteran Champ Bailey could be a valuable addition to replace some of the leadership lost with the departures of Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, writes Matt Barrows the Sacramento Bee.
- Another NFC West team looking to add to its secondary is the Rams, opines ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. “It would have been nice [to add a veteran], but honestly that market got priced out of what we were looking for,” said head coach Jeff Fisher. Wagoner expects the team to add a cornerback at some point in the draft.