Schrager’s Latest: 49ers, Kizer, Humphrey
The 49ers‘ interest in UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been “real” during the entire predraft process, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicated this morning that San Francisco is considering drafting a signal-caller with the No. 2 overall selection. LSU safety Jamal Adams and Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas are also possibilities for the Niners, per Schrager, who adds San Francisco is willing to trade down if another club is eyeing Trubisky.
Here’s more on the 2017 draft, all courtesy of Schrager:
- Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer could have a similar draft outlook to Paxton Lynch in 2016 and Teddy Bridgewater in 2014, wherein a club with a need under center trades back into the end of the first round in order to select him, reports Schrager (Twitter link). Any team that does move into the first round for Kizer would have the added benefit of a fifth-year option, enabling them to retain Kizer for a fifth season at a cheap price.
- One NFL general manager says he’d be “shocked” if Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey isn’t off the board by pick No. 20, tweets Schrager. Last week, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report indicated the Saints, Titans, and Ravens — all of whom pick in the top-20 — could be possible landing spots for Humphrey. Other clubs with picks early in the draft who have a need at corner include the Bills, Cardinals, Eagles, and Redskins.
- As previous reports have indicated, the Titans are willing to trade out of the No. 5 pick, per Schrager (Twitter link). If Tennessee doesn’t trade away that selection, however, Alabama’s O.J. Howard and Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore will be among the players in consideration at fifth overall. Howard would give the Titans another option at tight end to pair with veteran Delanie Walker, while Lattimore would help fill out one of the league’s worse cornerback units.
Titans Want To Trade Down
- King wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants move up from No. 23 or if the Texans move up from No. 25 to get a pick in the teens. The Giants are looking for a tackle and the Texans are in need of a quarterback. The Ravens (No. 16) and Titans (No. 18) “would be happy to move down,” King writes.
Titans, Bills Hoping To Trade Down In Draft
The Titans and Bills are among the teams currently holding picks in the top 10 of next week’s draft who are inquiring on possible trades down the board, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), who also confirms Peter King of TheMMQB.com‘s recent report indicating the Jets and 49ers are eager to trade back, as well.
Tennessee, of course, traded the first overall selection to the Rams in 2016, acquiring a bevy of draft picks in the process. Depending on how far back the Titans are aiming to drop this year, the resulting compensation package may not be as lucrative, as Cole reported earlier today that top draft picks aren’t worth as much in 2017 due to the lack of “overwhelming” prospects available at the outset of Round 1. The Titans own the fifth overall selection at present, and also holds the No. 18 pick.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is thought to be considering a quarterback at No. 10, and could theoretically look to trade down if the signal-caller it wants is not available when its turn come around, as Josh Norris of Rotoworld speculates (Twitter link). Bills general manager Doug Whaley is reportedly “in love” with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, but the club’s highest-graded QB may be UNC’s Mitch Trubisky.
The Browns stand out as one obvious team who may be willing to trade up, specifically with the Titans, and in fact have already been linked to such a trade. If Cleveland doesn’t select Trubisky with the No. 1 pick, it could move up with the intention of jumping — among other teams — the Bills, especially if Browns owner Jimmy Haslam continues to press for a quarterback.
Browns Considering Trade Up For Mitch Trubisky?
The Browns may be mulling a trade up from pick No. 12 in order to select quarterback Mitch Trubisky, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter links). The Titans at No. 5 and the Jets at No. 6 could be potential trade partners as Cleveland seeks to jump ahead of the Bills at No. 10.
Speaking to the media earlier today, Browns general manager Sashi Brown indicated he isn’t totally averse to the idea of trading up, but noted he isn’t interested in converting multiple picks into a single selection on a regular basis. “Open to it,” said Brown. “Positioned to do it. Don’t want to make a habit of it.” Peter King of TheMMQB.com recently speculated Cleveland could move up — perhaps as high as No. 2 — in order to acquire a quarterback after selecting Myles Garrett first overall.
Multiple reports have linked Trubisky to the Browns, and the club was reportedly considering him with the No. 1 pick at one point. But even if Cleveland goes with Garrett with the draft’s first pick, the club has enough ammunition to move back up in the first round. In addition to No. 12, the Browns own picks No. 33 and No. 52 in the second round and No. 65 in the third round. In 2018, they have two extra second-rounders, an extra fourth-rounder, and an extra sixth-rounder.
Tennessee, sitting at pick No. 5, doesn’t need a quarterback, and is in an excellent position to trade back if it so chooses. Notably, the Titans traded the first overall pick in 2016, sending the top selection, a fourth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick to the Rams in exchange for a first-rounder, two second-rounders, a third-rounder, a 2017 first-rounder, and a 2017 third-rounder. New York, meanwhile, could use a signal-caller, but may prefer to amass draft capital as they begin a rebuilding process.
Zay Jones Visiting Titans
- East Carolina receiver Zay Jones is meeting with the Titans today, per Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Jones, who put up an eye-popping 158 receptions, 1,746 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2016, is the draft’s No. 46 overall player in the estimation of Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, who lauds his “strong hands” and “clean, efficient” route running. Tennessee is in dire need of help at the wideout position, as their current depth chart is lead by Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, and Harry Douglas. Jones could be an option for the Titans with the 18th pick.
Stephen Tulloch To Retire
Former NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch will announce his retirement later this week, according to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News (Twitter link).
Tulloch, 32, entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Titans in 2006. After serving as a backup during his first two seasons with Tennessee, Tulloch became a full-time starter in 2008 and never looked back, starting 107 games over the next eight years. He joined the Lions one a one-year deal in 2011, but played well enough to be handed a five-year extension in 2012.
Injuries plagued Tulloch during his final few years in Detroit, and he was ultimately released in 2016. Subsequently, he followed former Lions head coach (and current Eagles defensive coordinator) Jim Schwartz to Philadelphia, inking a one-year pact with the club last August. Tulloch played sparingly, however, seeing the field for just seven percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps.
PFR wishes Tulloch all the best in retirement.
Titans’ Da’Norris Searcy, Harry Douglas Accept Paycuts
The Titans have agreed to contract restructures with defensive back Da’Norris Searcy and wide receiver Harry Douglas, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
Searcy, 28, has actually agreed to reduce his salary in each of the next two seasons. In 2017, Searcy’s pay will decrease from $5.625MM to $3.4MM, while in 2018, his salary will drop from $6.125MM to $2.8MM. He’ll now have $750K worth of incentives built into each season, per Yates. Searcy started 14 games for the Titans last year as part of safety rotation. Tennessee has since added free agent Jonathan Cyprien, but has lost Daimion Stafford and Rashad Johnson.
Douglas, meanwhile, will see his salary cut from $3.75MM to $1.75MM, reports Yates. The 32-year-old Douglas can make up nearly all of that total ($1.75MM) through incentives. Douglas played a far less critical role than Searcy for the Titans in 2016, as he managed only 15 receptions for 210 yards in his eighth NFL campaign. He’ll be on a wideout depth chart that also includes Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Eric Weems, and Tre McBride.
Corey Davis Visiting Titans
- Corey Davis made a trip to Nashville, Tenn., today to visit with the Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Davis will meet with the Titans tonight and Monday before flying to Baltimore for a Monday-Tuesday Ravens summit, per Rapoport. The Titans recently met with fellow first-round wideout prospects John Ross and Mike Williams. The franchise holds two first-round picks (Nos. 5 and 18) and is believed to be targeting wideout help. Their aggressive Brandin Cooks pursuit made this rather apparent.
Latest On Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley
NFL clubs are beginning to worry about the fragility of Ohio State Marshon Lattimore‘s hamstrings, and have concerns about him staying healthy for a full season, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Those injury issues could push Lattimore down draft boards, and may lead to him falling outside the top 10 picks.
Lattimore had been widely viewed as the draft’s No. 1 corner prospect, and was expected to be selected first among that strong position group. In PFR’s first mock draft of 2017, I sent Lattimore to the Bears at pick No. 3. The Titans, too, have shown a good deal of interest in Lattimore and are not expected to pass on him if he falls to pick No. 5.
But those hamstring issues may affect Lattimore’s stock — his hamstring tightened up during the scouting combine in March, and he had similar problems during his time with the Buckeyes. Those problems — and the fact Lattimore is only a one-year starter — could lead to the rise of his Ohio State teammate, fellow cornerback Gareon Conley.
Conley is considered a safer pick than Lattimore, and may now be overtaking the latter as this year’s No. 1 CB. The Jaguars will host Conley for a visit on Monday, reports Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com, who adds the Titans and Saints have also exhibited “a lot” of interest in Conley. NFL teams like Conley’s “work ethic and temperament,” per Pauline, and feels he’s ready to play in the pros immediately.
Titans Draft Rumors: Lattimore, M. Williams, Humphrey
- The Titans are likely to draft Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore if he’s still available at No. 5, according to Miller; in the event he’s gone by then, Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams will garner consideration. The club met with Lattimore earlier this month, and it subsequently created a need at corner when it released Jason McCourty on Thursday. Tennessee hosted Williams on Tuesday, and has done its homework on the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder.
- The Saints “would love” to select Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 11, per Miller. Otherwise, New Orleans is a possible destination for one of Foster’s college teammates, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, as are the Titans and Ravens.
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