2015 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

49ers Notes: Crabtree, Nicks, Briggs

March 31st, 2015 at 6:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Sometimes, holding out for more can be the wrong move. Sources around the league believe that the market on Michael Crabtree has crashed and feel that it is no longer near the level that he expected, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. No. 15 expected to be a $9-$10MM player, but he now looks like he’s poised for a smaller one- or two-year make good deal. Also hurting Crabtree is the depth of the wide receiver position in this year’s draft. With many WR needs filled around the league and great young talent around the corner in May, the former 49ers star is in a tough spot. More out of SF…

When the 49ers brought in wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and linebacker Lance Briggs, it was for a tryout and not just a meet-and-greet, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Nicks just turned 27 in June and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, but seem to be generating a ton of interest on the open market at present. Briggs played his whole career with the Bears, playing in 173 games and earning seven Pro Bowl appearances while making a case for the Hall of Fame.
Cornerback Marcus Peters, regarded by many as the top player at his position in this year’s class, has a pre-draft visit scheduled with 49ers in April, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. Over the last season and a half, the physical corner has eight interceptions and 24 pass defenses.
West Georgia defensive lineman Tory Slater will meet with the 49ers, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Slater recorded 69 tackles, 16.5 for losses and 10 sacks last season.

AFC Notes: Welker, Colts, Jaguars, Draft

March 31st, 2015 at 10:05am CST by Luke Adams

As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk writes, there haven’t been any reports linking Wes Welker to any teams, which suggests the veteran free agent isn’t drawing much interest on the open market. Welker indicated earlier in the offseason that he has no plans to retire, despite a history of head injuries, but the Broncos don’t seem to be all that enthusiastic about a reunion, and the receiver’s injury history may be scaring off other potential suitors.

While we wait to see if April brings better news for Welker, let’s round up a few more items out of the AFC….

Although they locked up veteran safety Mike Adams at the start of this year’s free agent period, the Colts remain on the lookout for more help at the position, writes Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. According to Bowen, the club is still “actively pursuing” another safety to help fortify the secondary.
It’s only been a little more than two years since general manager Dave Caldwell assumed control of the Jaguars, but just seven players remain from the roster that he inherited in 2013, writes Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
Speaking of those Jaguars, they likely won’t be all that active in free agency in the weeks leading up to next month’s draft, but Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union points to a few positions where the team may still consider veteran options, including center and wide receiver.
Memphis cornerback Bobby McCain has had private workouts for the Patriots and the Colts, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. McCain projects as a probable late-round pick.
Wilson also passes along an update on Indiana wide receiver Shane Wynn, reporting that Wynn has visits lined up with the Browns and Raiders. The Cleveland native ran the 40-yard dash in 4.23 seconds, making him one of the fastest players in this year’s draft class.

Draft Notes: Lions, Goldman, Holliman

March 30th, 2015 at 10:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions hosted Texas A&M offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi for a pre-draft visit at their training facility, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes. Ogbuehi was an All-SEC performer last season, but he tore his ACL in the team’s bowl game against West Virginia. Even though he could have jumped ship early and been a first-round pick in the 2014 draft, he says that he doesn’t regret his decision to return to campus for his senior year. Here’s more draft news..

Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman has pre-draft visits with the Browns, 49ers, Colts, Lions, Panthers, and Patriots, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). In his junior year with the Seminoles, Goldman recorded four sacks to go along with 51 tackles and a forced fumble.
The Lions canceled a meeting with safety Gerod Holliman, according to Miller (on Twitter). The Louisville star already met with the Bucs and will meet with the Dolphins prior to the draft.
Of the presumptive seventh-round cornerbacks, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) would rather take a gamble on De’Vante Bausby than most of the players he’s competing with at his position.

NFC East Notes: RGIII, Murphy, Carr

March 27th, 2015 at 10:42pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Scot McCloughan has been putting his stamp on Washington’s roster since he took over as the team’s general manager in January. That’s not going to stop anytime soon, according to Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com (video link). McCloughan didn’t draft a single one of Washington’s players, which means he has no built-in loyalty toward those individuals and could look to replace anyone on the roster, per El-Bashir. One of those players is quarterback Robert Griffin III, whose future in Washington beyond next season is nebulous. RGIII has a player option for 2016 worth over $16MM, and El-Bashir speculates that Washington is either still discussing what to do with that option or has decided not to pick it up. The club has until May 3 to make its decision known.

Let’s take a further look at the most recent news regarding Washington and one of its NFC East rivals:

Washington used a 2014 second-round pick on outside linebacker Trent Murphy, who had just 2.5 sacks as a rookie. Now there’s speculation that Washington will spend another high selection on an outside linebacker this year, perhaps its first-rounder (fifth overall). Despite that, head coach Jay Gruden still believes in the 24-year-old Murphy, writes El-Bashir. “He’s very young up top, his frame, and he’s going get a lot stronger,” said Gruden. “He’s got the hands. He’s got the hips. He’s got the flexibility to be an effective pass rusher.”
Pittsburg State cornerback De’Vante Bausby is an unheralded draft prospect to keep an eye on for Washington, El-Bashir tweeted. Washington attended his pro day Thursday.
The Cowboys’ pass defense ranked 26th in the NFL last season, but Bob Sturm of the Dallas Morning News reports that the team hasn’t hosted any cornerback prospects as the draft nears. The Cowboys have instead focused on running backs and linemen.
Speaking of Dallas’ corners, Sturm took a look at Brandon Carr‘s situation. Carr’s agent said earlier this week that the 28-year-old is not going to take a pay cut for 2015, when he’s due to count $12.7MM against the salary cap, which means Dallas could eventually cut him loose. Doing so after June 1 would save the Cowboys $8MM on next season’s cap. However, Sturm thinks Carr will ultimately stick around at a reduced rate – perhaps with the help of a contract extension – as the Cowboys aren’t in position to find another corner to adequately replace the seven-year veteran and the 1,000-plus downs he’ll play in 2015.

Extra Points: Pagano, Bradford, Broncos

March 27th, 2015 at 9:23pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano is entering the final year of his contract and, despite news this week that the team isn’t planning to extend him prior to the 2015 campaign, the 54-year-old isn’t concerned about his long-term status. Pagano issued a statement Friday that expressed his excitement about “coaching the Colts this season and for many years to come,” tweeted Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.

NFC Links: Cowboys, AP, Saints, Bears, 49ers

March 27th, 2015 at 8:13pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Cowboys seemingly downgraded significantly at running back this offseason in replacing reigning rushing champ DeMarco Murray, who signed with the NFC East rival Eagles, with Darren McFadden. Given that and Adrian Peterson‘s unhappiness with the Vikings, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com took a look at whether Dallas should attempt to acquire the former NFL MVP.

Peterson, 30, has three years left on his current contract, and missed all of last season because of domestic violence issues. His off-field problems aside, Fitzgerald opines that Dallas would be better off steering clear of Peterson because of the difficulty that would come with fitting him under the team’s salary cap. The Cowboys have worked hard in recent years to better their long-term cap situation and they still have to find a way to retain wide receiver Dez Bryant beyond the 2015 season. Adding Peterson, although enticing, would be imprudent.

Here’s a look at some other NFC clubs currently in the news:

The Saints need an edge rusher and could take one with their first-round pick, the 13th overall selection, writes Larry Holder of NOLA.com. “I think we’ll have to draft at least one if not two defensive linemen and or outside linebacker pass rushers,” head coach Sean Payton said. The Saints must generate a better pass rush going forward after finishing an underwhelming 21st in the league in sacks last year.
The staff at CSNChicago.com is analyzing possible draft prospects the Bears could target. The site examined Colorado State offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo, whom it sees as a fit for the Bears in the second or third round.
The 49ers waived cornerback Cameron Fuller on Friday, according to the team’s website. San Francisco signed Fuller to its practice squad late last season and activated him for one game, in which he didn’t play.

Draft Notes: Gregory, Mariota, Flowers, Collins

March 27th, 2015 at 5:41pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

News broke earlier this week that Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory failed a drug test at last month’s combine, but there’s still no shortage of interest in the highly touted 22-year-old as the NFL draft approaches. According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.Net (Twitter link), almost a half-dozen new teams have scheduled visits with Gregory since finding out about his failed drug test. Pauline names the Chargers and Steelers as a couple of clubs that will meet with Gregory, whom draft experts regard as a first-round talent.

Here’s more on several draft prospects and the teams interested in their services:

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes that Jets brass will head to Oregon on Saturday to work out quarterback Marcus Mariota. Representing the Jets will be general manager Mike Maccagnan, head coach Todd Bowles, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, quarterbacks coach Kevin Patullo, director of college scouting Rex Hogan and director of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger. The Jets have the sixth overall selection in the draft and are in need of a franchise quarterback, but it’s not expected that Mariota will fall to their pick.
Miami’s Ereck Flowers, who might be the first offensive tackle taken in this year’s draft, will visit the Buccaneers and Panthers, per Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Campbell writes that “all four NFC South teams are showing significant interest” in Flowers, who will also powwow with the Browns, Colts and Chargers.
Michael DiRocco of ESPN tweets that LSU cornerback Jalen Collins will meet with the Jaguars.
The Dolphins will host Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan on April 2, according to ESPN’s James Walker.
Former Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham will visit the Titans sometime in April, Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com reports.
Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that the Browns will meet with Indiana center Collin Rahrig prior to his Pro Day workout.

NFC Notes: Guion, Seahawks, Rams, Falcons

March 27th, 2015 at 4:52pm CST by Luke Adams

With Letroy Guion‘s legal case now resolved, the Packers continue to explore a potential reunion with the free agent defensive lineman, but it sounds like he’s drawing interest from the team that knocked Green Bay out of the postseason earlier this year. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Guion visited the Seahawks today.

More than other most other teams in the NFL, Seattle has shown a willingness to bring in players for visits without necessarily pushing hard to sign him, so there’s certainly no guarantee Guion will become a Seahawk, but it appears the Packers aren’t his only suitor.

Let’s check in on a few more Friday items from across the NFC….

Despite acquiring Nick Foles from the Eagles, the Rams still intend to draft a quarterback, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Foles is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so St. Louis figures to use the 2015 season to determine whether or not the ex-Eagle can be the Rams’ QB of the future.
For now, T.J. Yates appears to be the favorite to back up starting quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn hasn’t ruled out the possibility of signing a veteran like Matt Schaub, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “Schaub is certainly somebody that we could [add],” Quinn said. “As we get through it, we’ll let you know if we go down that road.”
The Giants‘ five-year, $17.5MM contract for Dwayne Harris, which includes $7.1MM in guaranteed money, has taken its share of criticism over the last couple weeks. However, agent Chad Speck tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com that 14 teams reached out to him about Harris, and the Giants “weren’t the only team involved in the numbers that Dwayne ultimately signed for.”
A pair of prospects who were dismissed from their respective college teams will visit the Vikings, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is scheduled to host cornerback Marcus Peters and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

Bills Notes: Free Agency, Spikes, Draft

March 27th, 2015 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bills have been active during the first couple weeks of free agency, landing LeSean McCoy and Matt Cassel in trades, re-signing Jerry Hughes, and adding Percy Harvin and Charles Clay in free agency. What’s next for the team? According to GM Doug Whaley (Twitter link via Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News), Buffalo is still considering adding a veteran receiver, and would also like to bring back linebacker Brandon Spikes.

Here’s more on the Bills:

Offensive line is another spot the Bills need to address, but that will happen in the draft rather than in free agency, tweets Carucci. As Carucci notes, Buffalo pursued offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga in free agency and tried to trade for Saints guard Jahri Evans, but didn’t land either player.
Whaley tells Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that the Bills are open to the idea of drafting a quarterback. However, as Rodak points out, that could be tricky, since the salaries of both E.J. Manuel and Tyrod Taylor are guaranteed for 2015. Drafting a quarterback would mean either carrying four on the roster, or parting ways with one of Cassel (just acquired), Taylor (just signed), or Manuel (guaranteed salary; former first-rounder).
In his look at 20 contract situations around the league, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com examines a pair of Bills-related issues, discussing Buffalo’s offer to Clay and the increasing price of the team’s defensive line.

Extra Points: Falcons, Ridley, Chargers, Magee

March 27th, 2015 at 8:53am CST by Luke Adams

Having reportedly been informed at the NFL’s meetings in Arizona this week that they’ll face “severe” discipline for piping in artificial crowd noise at home games, the Falcons are bracing for the loss of a draft pick, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Appearing on 680 The Fan this morning, general manager Thomas Dimitroff indicated that as the Falcons prepare for the draft, they’re taking into consideration scenarios in which they lose an early- or mid-round draft pick. Depending on the penalty, Dimitroff and the Falcons would even consider the possibility of trading the eighth overall pick to help recoup the loss.

As we wait to see what kind of penalty the Falcons will face for their violation of league rules, let’s check in on a few other items from around the league….

Mark Dominik of ESPN told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM (on Twitter) that he expects running back Stevan Ridley to sign in the next week, but he doesn’t see him inking another deal with the Patriots. Ridley could become the second running back to leave New England this offseason, with Shane Vereen having landed with the Giants.
Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com passes along the latest details on the city of San Diego’s efforts to keep the Chargers and to facilitate talks for a new NFL stadium.
Despite the fact that he’s elected to join the Red Sox at spring training after being cut by the Buccaneers, linebacker Brandon Magee isn’t planning on changing career paths permanently, agent Blake Baratz tells Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. “While he does attend spring training for a few weeks up until the beginning of the NFL off-season program, he is 100% fully committed to playing in the NFL,” Baratz said of his client.
Although the NFL’s efforts to expand the game internationally have primarily focused on London thus far, the team is eyeing other international markets, including Mexico, Canada, and China, as Albert Breer of the NFL Network details.
With the 2015 NFL draft just five weeks away, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap takes an in-depth look at how the “rookie pool” works, providing specific cap figures for each of the league’s 32 teams.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

2015 NFL Draft News & Rumors