The Saints and Jimmy Graham are expected to reach an agreement on a long-term deal before April 22, reports Pro Football Talk, citing a league source. That date represents the deadline by which Graham must file a grievance over the league designating him a tight end for franchise tag purposes (Graham sought to be tagged as a receiver, which would have netted him a tender worth approximately $5MM more than the $7MM tight end tender).
Rounding up a few more miscellaneous links from around the league:
- Retired linebacker Rolando McClain, whose rights are held by the Ravens, intends to return to the field in 2014, and owner Steve Biscotti is open to it, according to the Carroll County Times’ Matt Zenitz. Drafted eighth overall by the Raiders in 2010, McClain’s trails and tribulations, including three arrests over a 17-month period, have been well-documented. Recently, however, he has returned to school at Alabama, gotten his personal life in order and stayed in good enough shape to consider a comeback. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, an Alabama alumnus, has received “glowing reports” from Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and been in contact with McClain’s agent.
- It’s no secret Jets head coach Rex Ryan has not been pleased with the team’s inability to land a marquee cornerback, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted DeMarcus Ware was the big fish Ryan really wanted to reel in.
- Entering free agency, Redskins GM Bruce Allen sought to “address team chemistry as much as the talent,” writes ESPN.com’s Steve Keim.
- Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell believes the depth of this year’s draft class will enable the team to land three or four starters, says John Oehser of Jaguars.com (via Twitter). One of those starters could be a quarterback, as the team will meet privately with Texas A&M Johnny Manziel, as they did with Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater and Central Florida’s Blake Bortles, tweets Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
- The seven-round draft order, updated with compensatory picks, can be found here, courtesy of ESPN.