With the 2015 scouting combine winding down in Indianapolis, draft guru Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net has several tidbits to pass along, having spoken to a number of league insiders over the past week. While most of Pauline’s updates relate to the draft, he also has some info on the upcoming free agent period. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights from his latest report….
- It’s no secret that the Falcons will be targeting a pass rusher in the first round of this year’s draft, and while there are a few players who could fit that bill in the top 10, Pauline writes that Shane Ray‘s name was “constantly associated” with the team as the leading choice.
- The Jets spent a significant amount of time in Indianapolis with speedy Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who also drew interest from the Packers. According to Pauline, Green Bay is also “very high on” Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony, who is a favorite of Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers.
- The Jets are expected to be very active in free agency, as GM Mike Maccagnan has suggested, and Pauline hears that the team will target outside linebackers and defensive line depth in addition to cornerbacks. New York would also like to add a mid-value guard, though the belief is that they won’t spend big on a player like Mike Iupati.
- Per Pauline, the Chiefs are eyeing Benardrick McKinney as a potential replacement for Justin Houston, if they lose Houston in free agency. While Kansas City may like McKinney, I’m skeptical that the club would let Houston get away, as he seems like a logical franchise tag candidate.
- Echoing what we’ve already heard this offseason, Pauline writes that it doesn’t sound as if the Browns‘ front office is working in harmony these days. Sources familiar with the situation compared Cleveland’s situation to the one that has played out in San Francisco in recent years, and Pauline hears there’s a good deal of dissension within the organization.