2014 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Acquire Pick No. 131 From Broncos

May 10th, 2014 at 12:56pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Bears traded up to get the Broncos’ 131st overall selection, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter). In a follow-up tweet, Klis provides details: the Bears sent the Broncos a fifth-rounder this year (No. 156) and a fifth-rounder next year in exchange for Nos. 131 and 246 (seventh round).

With the pick, the Bears tabbed Minnesota’s Brock Vereen, a defensive back with corner/safety versatility and terrific intangibles. Vereen is the brother of Patriots running back Shane Vereen.

Bengals Acquire No. 111 Pick From Seahawks

May 10th, 2014 at 11:51am CST by Matt Feminis

The Bengals have sent picks Nos. 123 and 199 (sixth round) to the Seahawks for the 111th selection, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). The Bengals used the pick to add North Carolina center Russell Brodine, a 6’3″, 310-pound interior blocker who pumped a Combine-best 42 bench press reps.

AFC Draft Notes: Steelers, Carr, Bengals, West

May 10th, 2014 at 11:01am CST by Matt Feminis

The Steelers first three picks — linebacker Ryan Shazier, defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt and receiver/running back/returner Dri Archer (he of the sub-4.3 speed) — have instant impact ability, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com.

Here’s a handful more AFC draft-related notes as we settle in for the completion of the draft:

The Raiders landed Derek Carr in the second round, and Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller (video) calls the Fresno St. gunslinger a “nicer Jay Cutler.”
In the wake of the Bengals’ second-round selection of LSU running back Jeremy Hill, veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis‘ days with the Bengals are officially numbered,” says ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey.
Did the Browns trade up to make sure they got Towson running back Terrance West, a Baltimore native, before the Ravens could? Tom Reed of Cleveland.com seems to think so.
The Jets have nine picks today, writes ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini, who says the team could tab a quarterback in the fourth round. He also points out GM John Idzik’s “next in-draft trade (for picks) will be his first. Ever.”
Of the Bills‘ predraft visitors, eight players — includuing Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk and Clemson cornerback Bashaud Breeland — remain undrafted, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550.

NFC Notes: Eagles, 49ers, Giants, Packers, Saints, Gettleman

May 10th, 2014 at 9:58am CST by Matt Feminis

Eagles GM Howie Roseman met with the media following the first-round selection of Marcus Smith 26th overall, and Philly.com’s Jeff McLane had seven follow-up thoughts. Most notably, Roseman shared his initial plan of attack. Plan A entailed the team having a list of six players likely to be gone by No. 22 (where the Eagles originally were position prior to the trade down) but worth moving up for. To the best of McLane’s knowledge, that list included Anthony Barr, Odell Beckham Jr., Kyle Fuller, Ryan Shazier, Brandin Cooks and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

When those players were gone, Roseman was prepared to move down, pick up an additional pick and choose the best player available. McLane is ” not convinced Smith was at the top of that list, but of the players there he played a premium position of need and thus was moved to the front.” McLane also spoke to other teams’ representatives whose grades on Smith ranged from second to fourth round.

Here’s several more quick-hitting, NFC news and notes:

The Eagles place on emphasis on college graduates, says Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
The Giants drafted Weston Richburg 43rd overall last night, and what made him attractive to the team was his ability to not only block effectively, but handle the responsibility associated with the position, says ESPN’s Dan Graziano. “[Tom] Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese both said the center’s responsibility for handling line and protection calls will increase under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Giants VP of player evaluation Marc Ross said Richburg scored an impressive 31 on the Wonderlic test and impressed the Giants in his combine interview with his intelligence.”
The 49ers were very active Friday night, making five trades that netted veteran receiver Stevie Johnson as well as running back Carlos Hyde (No. 57), center Marcus Martin (No. 76), linebacker Chris Borland (No. 77) and offensive lineman Brandon Thomas (No. 100). Eric Branch at sfgate.com recaps the team’s busy day here. The 49ers also have seven picks in the final four rounds.
The 49ers deep stable of running backs now includes Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Marcus Lattimore and Hyde. James wants more playing time and is open to a trade, but the team has no plans to move him, says ESPN’s Bill Williamson.
The Packers are confident Davante Adams is the next in a long line of productive receivers drafted in the second and third round, writes Bob McGinn in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Redskins second-rounder Trent Murphy, whom the team expects to contribute right away as a nickel rusher, “protects the team’s long-term interests at OLB,” tweets NFL Network’s Albert Breer.
With the selection of big cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste 53rd overall, the Saints continue to build a “Seattle-like secondary,” writes Larry Holder of Nola.com.
The Panthers announced via Twitter that GM Dave Gettleman will draft remotely via Skype today so he can be present for his son’s college graduation.

Caldwell Didn’t Tell Anyone About Bortles

May 10th, 2014 at 8:42am CST by Matt Feminis

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell didn’t tell anyone Blake Bortles was his man at No. 3 overall until two days before the draft. Literally. In fact, his wife was the first to know, as we learned in an interesting Sports On Earth article by Dan Pompei, who details the process by which Caldwell settled on Bortles and kept the decision under wraps:

By October, Caldwell was already anticipating having a pick at the top of the draft.
Caldwell took notice of Central Florida’s near-upset of South Carolina, a game in which Bortles threw for 358 yards.
By Halloween, Caldwell felt Bortles had potential to be a No. 1 overall selection.
The Jags held scouting meetings in December, at which time Caldwell still had not mentioned Bortles to anyone, not even on his scouting staff.
Caldwell instructed his coaches and scouts not to share opinions on prospects. “I didn’t want to influence anyone, or for anyone to be influenced by anyone else,” said Caldwell. “I wanted guys to come back with their own evaluations and see if we could find a consensus. They came back with a consensus [that Bortles] was the best quarterback for our system.”
Coaches and a team crosschecker shared the same opinion: Bortles was the best QB available.
After Bortles passed the eye test, analytic evaluation revealed he excelled under pressure, on third down and outside the pocket. “For our system, we want a combination of a guy who can create outside the pocket, but also who can stand in the pocket and deliver with pressure in his face,” Caldwell said.
In February, Bortles impressed at the Combine. In March, he validated his standing with an impressive pro day in front of 70 NFL people.
By the end of the process, Bortles “checked all the boxes.” Furthermore, Caldwell is comforted when he hears other teams also value him highly.
Two days before the draft, Caldwell told his wife that Bortles is the Jags’ man. Bortles had no idea.
Come Thursday night, Caldwell was not swayed by trade offers, and head coach Gus Bradley was on board with the pick.
Said Caldwell: “We feel if we can solidify the quarterback position, that’s huge for 10, 12 years down the road. And when you evaluate quarterbacks, they aren’t making 6-5, 240-pound quarterbacks very often who are very athletic and have the production and arm strength that Blake has.”

NFC Notes: Panthers, Redskins, Finley, Eagles

May 10th, 2014 at 12:04am CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest news and notes from the National Football Conference:

Panthers GM Dave Gettleman says the team had a first-round grade on defensive end Kony Ealy, whom Carolina selected with the No. 60 pick, tweets ESPN.com’s David Newton.
Gettleman also hopes to draft a corner on Day 3, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Along with offensive line and receiver, both of which were addressed, defensive back was considered a strong need for the Panthers.
The Redskins, having missed out on Charles Sims, were hoping that running back Tre Mason would be available at pick No. 78, but he went No. 75 to the Rams, says Chris Russell of ESPN 980 in Washington (Twitter link).
Packers general manager Ted Thompson doesn’t rule out a return to Green Bay for tight end Jermichael Finley simply because the team selected Richard Rodgers. “I don’t necessarily think the two are tied at all,” said Thompson (via Jason Wilde of ESPN.com on Twitter).
The Eagles might want to draft some “redshirt” players on Day 3 (i.e. injured prospects who may miss most of their first year in the league), and Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that Philadelphia could be interested in Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin, who tore his ACL during Senior Bowl practice in January.
Nothing is official, but veteran offensive guard Brian Waters probably won’t return to the Cowboys in 2014, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (via Twitter), who notes that Waters still has not had surgery on his torn triceps.

AFC Notes: Browns, Texans, Pats, Jets, Jags

May 9th, 2014 at 11:31pm CST by Luke Adams

Despite reports of Josh Gordon facing a possible season-long suspension and Nate Burleson suffering a broken arm in minicamp, Browns GM Ray Farmer “isn’t concerned” with the team’s depth at receiver, he told reporters tonight, including Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Farmer indicated that Burleson’s injury isn’t expected to sideline him for any games, and pointed to the final day of the draft, trades, and additional free agent signings as ways the club can fortify its group of wideouts, if need be (Twitter link via Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle).

Let’s round up a few more leftover Day Two draft items from around the AFC…

General manager Rick Smith confirmed that the Texans had a few conversations about moving down from the No. 33 pick, but the club ultimately liked UCLA guard Xavier Su’a-Filo better than any trade offers (Twitter link via James Palmer of CSN Houston).
Discussing the Patriots‘ selection of Eastern Illinois signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, head coach Bill Belichick said the club wanted to address its quarterback situation “too soon rather than too late” (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe). The Pats would have been set for the 2014 season, with Tom Brady returning and Ryan Mallett on the last year of his deal, but there’s a good chance neither of those players will be on the roster within a few years.
We heard earlier tonight that the Jets were pushing hard to trade up in the second round to nab USC wideout Marqise Lee, and while GM John Idzik didn’t confirm that Lee was his target, he admitted he made calls about moving up (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News).
Asked about whether he’ll use all nine of the Jets‘ remaining 2014 draft picks, Idzik was noncommittal: “It’s good to have some ammunition” (Twitter link via Mehta).
In non-draft news, Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley strongly suggested today that wide receiver Justin Blackmon is done in Jacksonville, as Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union details.

NFC West Notes: Seahawks, Cards, Rams, 49ers

May 9th, 2014 at 11:07pm CST by Luke Adams

The Seahawks traded down multiple times before picking for the first time in this year’s draft, from 32nd to 40th to 45th. However, when they eventually did make a selection, they nabbed the player they had ticketed for that No. 32 pick in the first place, in Colorado wideout Paul Richardson — Richardson’s name was the one the Seahawks had ready at the end of the first round on Thursday, GM John Schneider told reporters, including Terry Blount of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Here’s more from around the NFC West:

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said his team has interest in a big receiver, but hasn’t found the right guy yet and doesn’t want to force the issue (Twitter link via Blount).
Cardinals GM Steve Keim admitted that he tried to get back into the second round via trade tonight, but didn’t find a taker, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets. It’s not clear which player Arizona was targeting.
According to Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, St. Louis suspected that another team wanted to draft Lamarcus Joyner, which is why the Rams moved up to No. 41 to take him. The club the Rams suspected of targeting Joyner then ended up trading down, says Fisher (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com). As Wagoner suggests (via Twitter), the Titans were the only team between No. 41 and the Rams’ original spot to trade down, so perhaps Fisher’s old team was eyeing Joyner as well.
Asked about the possibility of acquiring more draft picks after a flurry of trades today, 49ers GM Trent Baalke replied, “The more darts you have, the more balloons you can pop” (Twitter link via Scott Kegley of 49ers.com).
Baalke also weighed in on the topic of the team’s punt returner, suggesting that it’s not an area the 49ers feel a need to address: “LaMichael James did an excellent job for us a year ago, and that’s his job. We don’t feel an urgency to go out and replace LaMichael. That’s his job” (Sulia link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee).

Vikings Notes: DBs, RBs, McKinnon

May 9th, 2014 at 11:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings were busy during the first round of the draft, selecting Anthony Barr and trading up to get Teddy Bridgewater. On Day 2, Minnesota supplemented its defense by adding Scott Crichton, and then added to its running game by drafting Jerick McKinnon. The team still has some holes, though, and Day 3 will be important as the Vikings aim to add depth and role players.

More notes from Minnesota:

GM Rick Spielman says the Vikings tried to make some more moves in the draft, but a deal never came together, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.
Spielman also adds that the team will continue to look for defensive backs, and suggested that DB help could come in the form of undrafted free agents. “You have to remember, you’re not done when the draft’s done,” said Spielman (per Goessling on Twitter).
The Viking will continue with a best-player-available strategy, says Spielman, and Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune tweets that the team’s picks have reflected that plan.
Spielman continues, noting that the Vikings will continue to look for a third-down back to play behind Adrian Peterson, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link).
McKinnon, a versatile athlete who played both running back and quarterback at Georgia Southern last season, said the Texans, Ravens, and Bills were interested in selecting him as a defensive back, the position at which he began his college career, says Tomasson (via Twitter).

Poll: Best Player Left In Draft?

May 9th, 2014 at 10:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Over the past few years, many noteworthy players have been selected in the fourth round, with Geno Atkins, Alterraun Verner, and Julius Thomas among them. Even after two days, three rounds, and 100 picks, the odds are that at least a few players selected early tomorrow will turn out to be Pro Bowlers. With that in mind, we ask you: who is the best player left on the board? Is it a quarterback like A.J. McCarron or Tom Savage? A receiver such as Martavis Bryant or Bruce Ellington? Corner Pierre Desir? Or perhaps a defensive lineman like DaQuan Jones? Vote below!

2014 NFL Draft News & Rumors