2014 May - Pro Football Rumors

Panthers Acquire Pick No. 148 From Vikings

May 10th, 2014 at 1:25pm CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have moved up in the fifth round, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Carolina has acquired the 148th overall pick from the Vikings. Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports (via Twitter) that the Panthers used the pick to select San Jose State cornerback Bene’ Benwikere.

According to Goessling (via Twitter), Minnesota will moved back to 168th in the sixth round, and also picked up the 225th selection in the deal.

Cowboys Acquire No. 146 Pick From Lions

May 10th, 2014 at 1:24pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Cowboys have traded up to the 146th pick, finding a trade partner with the Lions, reports Detroit Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman (via Twitter). The Cowboys used the pick to select Pittsburgh wide receiver Devin Street (via Twitter). The Lions have moved down 12 spots to No. 158, and pick up pick No. 229 from the Cowboys in the trade, reports the SideLionReport (via Twitter).

Bills Acquire Bryce Brown From Eagles

May 10th, 2014 at 1:14pm CST by Luke Adams

1:14pm: The pick the Eagles received from the Bills could become a third-rounder in 2016 only if Johnson meets his conditions that would defer the pick to 2016, and then Brown also meets his conditions, reports Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 Sports Radio (via Twitter).

12:22pm: The Eagles have confirmed the trade (via Twitter) and provided more details. In exchange for Brown, the Birds will receive either a 2015 fourth-rounder or a 2016 third- or fourth-rounder. Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer points out (via Twitter) the condition is tied into Stevie Johnson’s performance in San Francisco because he was acquired from Buffalo for a conditional fourth-rounder.

Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the trade is simply a depth move, and Jackson’s job is safe (via Twitter).

11:49am: The Eagles have traded a player for a draft pick, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com, who reports (via Twitter) that running Bryce Brown will be sent to the Bills. Philadelphia acquires a future pick in the deal, per Mosher.

Brown became expendable following the addition of Darren Sproles. In Buffalo, Brown will provide depth behind C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, both of whom are entering the final year of their deals.

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.