HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Draft Links: Cooper, Perriman, Raiders, Ravens

April 25th, 2015 at 2:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Alabama wideout Amari Cooper figures to be one of the first two wideouts selected in next week’s draft (along with West Virginia’s Kevin White). It seems unlikely that the talented 20-year-old will fall outside the top-10, as Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reports that Cooper met with nine teams drafting within that range.

That list includes Washington, the Buccaneers, Titans, Jaguars, Jets, Bears, Falcons, Giants, Rams and Browns. The Raiders and Vikings were the only teams selecting in the top-12 to not host Cooper.

Let’s take a look at some other draft notes from around the league…

  • While Cooper and White are expected to the be the first two receivers off the board, NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell believes Central Florida’s Breshad Perriman could emerge as a top pick. “I think Cooper is the top receiver prospect this year,” Cosell writes for Yahoo! Sports. “But if you asked me who is No. 2 among White and Perriman, that’s a tougher question. I really like Perriman…Perriman is a big powerful, explosive, fast guy. Although he and White are about the same size, on film Perriman looks like the bigger guy. I could see ranking Perriman even with or ahead of White, although I’m in the minority on that.” 
  • ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson wonders (on Twitter) if Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. could be in play for the Raiders during the first round. The junior compiled 2.5 sacks during the 2014 season, finishing his college career with 14.5 sacks.
  • CSNBaltimore.com’s Clifton Brown believes the Ravens will make trades during this year’s draft, but not during the first round. The writer wonders if the team could move up during the second round to secure Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Greene, Titans, Jags

April 25th, 2015 at 1:52pm CST by Ben Levine

The Colts have thought outside the box as they’ve attempted to round out the bottom of their roster. As Stephen Holder of the Indy Star points out, the team currently has four former CFL players, two college basketball players and a Kenyan rugby player under contract.

The mix of different backgrounds isn’t unusual to general manager Ryan Grigson, who is willing to look anywhere to make his team better:

“If you have elite athletic traits, you can do this. This isn’t one of those specialized sports, like golf. If you have a level of toughness and you can move and you have instincts, if you have those at an elite level, you’re going to get a chance.”

Let’s take a look at more notes out of the AFC South, including additional whispers from Indianapolis…

AFC Mailbags: Jets, Chiefs, Raiders, Bengals

April 25th, 2015 at 12:36pm CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN.com’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus to the AFC…

  • Rich Cimini wouldn’t be in favor of the Jets sacrificing a future first-rounder to secure Marcus Mariota at the second pick. However, the writer would be in favor of swapping the team’s first and third rounder to switch spots with Washington.
  • The Chiefs would presented with a “dilemma” if running back Todd Gurley is available at pick number-eighteen, says Adam Teicher. Gurley would certainly be the best player available at that point in the draft, but the team already has a stud running back in Jamaal Charles.
  • Meanwhile, among players who could “reasonably be available” for the Chiefs first pick, Teicher points to Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, Florida State center Cameron Erving and USC wideout Nelson Agholor could be potential targets.
  • Bill Williamson suggests the Raiders could target a guard in the middle rounds to pair with Gabe Jackson, sending Khalif Barnes to more of a reserve role.
  • Following the additions of Pat Sims and Michael Johnson, Coley Harvey has been told that the Bengals have no open spots on the defensive line. However, the writer believes the team could still pursue a rookie lineman if they could get good value at the draft spot.

Martin Mayhew on Ihedigbo, Gurley, Draft

April 25th, 2015 at 11:37am CST by Rob DiRe

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has the very difficult task of keeping the team in the playoffs despite losing their stud defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley this offseason.

Here are a few topics Mayhew weighs in on as he tries to keep the team competitive with the Packers in the NFC North, and among the top teams in the conference. :

On safety James Ihedigbo skipping spring workouts (via Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press):

These workouts are voluntary. As we talked last year, there was a guy (Suh) who missed last year, and you guys were irate. And I told you then it was voluntary. It’s voluntary now. I look forward to talking with James. I understand what he’s going through. I’ve been through that myself as a player, when I felt like, at a time in my career, that I was underpaid and I had to deal with that. So I have empathy for him and I understand what he’s going through. I look forward to sitting down and talking with him. I have great respect for him as a player, as a man. I’ve got to know him a little bit away from football, and I understand how he feels and I look forward to sitting down and talking with him, at some point.

On Georgia running back Todd Gurley (via Kyle Meinke of MLive.com):

I will sort of equate it to the character situation. Every individual player should be evaluated on his own merits. I wouldn’t just say this guy had an Achilles tear, so he’s off our board. You know, where is he in that process? How long ago was that? How did he perform last year? Who was his surgeon who did his surgery? How is he in the rehab process? Where is he right now? Every single guy is evaluated on his own merits and what his situation is specifically.

On trade activity during the NFL Draft (via Justin Rogers of MLive.com):

I made the point at the league meeting that we’ve never started a draft and finished a draft with the same picks, so I think we’ll have a different number of picks at the end of this draft. Frequently, we’ll be very comfortable that there are going to be a number of players where we are on the board and we’ll stay put, or if we feel like our guys are going ahead of us then we’ll move up. If we feel like there are a number of guys that are behind us that we’d like to have or guys within our range — if we have 10 players and we can go back eight spots and get one of those guys. So, it really varies depending on what’s going on with that particular draft.

On trading picks for veterans in the later rounds of the draft:

I think early on that was something a lot of times that we did because of the difficulty of signing those guys as free agents. I think we’re in a place now where we have a pretty solid core of quality players and we really want to add some youth to that group. I think the draft is the best way to do that.

AFC East Notes: Mariota, Gurley, Patriots

April 25th, 2015 at 10:51am CST by Rob DiRe

There has been a lot of talk about the Jets making a move to go up at get Marcus Mariota, but Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Daily News gives one big reason why the team shouldn’t trade up for the Heisman-trophy winner.

New general manager Mike Maccagnan was hired because of his track record as an evaluator who will build through the draft, and Cannizzaro wants him to trust his abilities and not give up future picks to move up in the draft. If Mariota should fall that would be different, but believes Maccagnan should give himself as many chances as possible to draft players and worry about the franchise quarterback another time without mortgaging multiple picks for one player.

Here are some more notes from around the AFC East:

  • The Dolphins seem to be very high on Todd Gurley, but that doesn’t mean they are planning on targeting the Georgia running back in the first-round, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. The Dolphins got a great season out of Lamar Miller in 2014, and Gurley’s injury history is a red flag that high in the draft for a team with so many needs.
  • The Patriots could go a number of ways in the draft, returning a solid roster from their Super Bowl team despite losing a few big names on the defensive side of the ball. Judy Cohen of WEEI.com picks out a player who could come in and help on that side in Arizona State defensive tackle Marcus Hardison. Hardison could be a day two pick, and could even fall to round four it the Patriots wait on him.
  • Another player Cohen takes a close look at is offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo. He could be a great pick as a swing tackle for the Patriots, with the physical tools to handle either side of the line. He played quarterback and tight end in the eighth grade and high school before moving to the defensive and offensive lines. Sambrailo is expected to be a day two pick.

NFC Mailbags: Collins, Bears, Vikings, Saints

April 25th, 2015 at 9:47am CST by Rob DiRe

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s writers are going through their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Here are some notes from the NFC:

  • The Packers are in a great position going into the draft, without any glaring needs on the roster. One spot the team could target in the first round is cornerback, and Rob Demovsky believes that team could target the 6’1″ Jalen Collins if he is on the board at No. 30.
  • The Bears could go a number of ways at No. 7, but the best options that are likely to be there are the leftover between Amari Cooper and Kevin White, writes Jeff Dickerson. One of them is likely to be off the board before the Bears come to the podium, but present good options at that spot. Dickerson also picks out Dante Fowler Jr., Leonard Williams, and Shane Ray as options.
  • Ben Goessling receives a great idea from an evil mastermind, saying the Vikings should take a running back with the 11th pick and create an even bigger market for Adrian Peterson. Unfortunately, Goessling rightly believes that would be a dangerous way to use the No. 11 pick in the draft.
  • The Saints are in an interesting position picking at No. 13, and Mike Triplett addressed the chances of the Saints of moving up or down from that spot. With nine picks in the draft, he could see them trading up if they have an elite grade on a player, but he could also see them moving down a few spots if they get the right offer. It seems more likely they stay put and wait for their guy at No. 13.

AFC North Notes: Steelers, Wilson, Mosley, Browns

April 25th, 2015 at 8:55am CST by Rob DiRe

For years, the Steelers have had no problem finding value in pass-rushing outside linebackers. It wasn’t long ago that they were one of the few teams running a 3-4 defense, and were able to find defensive ends that were considered undersized and transition them to a new position, writes Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Those times are gone however, as many other teams have transitioned to either a 3-4 or a multiple defense and have learned to value the athletic pass rushers who have questions about putting their hand in the dirt and playing like a traditional pass rusher. It is much harder to find those classic Steelers’ linebackers late in the draft, and that used to be a huge advantage for the team’s defense on draft day.

Here are a few more notes from around the AFC North:

  • The Ravens have shown interest in 6’2″, 205-pound cornerback Julian Wilson out of Oklahoma, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I met with them and it was really good,” said the versatile cornerback. “We went over board work, going over coverages my team was doing and some Ravens stuff. They wanted to see if I had a good understanding of the game.“
  • With the NFL Draft less than a week away, the Ravens are looking at the success of last year’s first-round pick for what they expect to add to the team. C.J. Mosley is following an excellent rookie season by doing all the right things, writes Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. “Learning the little things about the defense, definitely,” Mosley said. “Definitely getting back stronger after I get this cast off [he had left wrist surgery this offseason] and still learning from my vets, because there are still a lot of things to learn as far as [being a] defensive player, being a young player. Getting in touch with Daryl Smith more and seeing the things that helped him progress each year in his long career, that can help me out.“
  • The Browns have been quiet about their plans for the NFL Draft despite having two top-20 picks, but that hasn’t stopped other teams from dreaming about them. Tucker Bagley of PhillyMag.com has rounded up a few Eagles’ stories, two of which has Philadelphia using Cleveland as a jumping board in a three-team trade to get Marcus Mariota. Cleveland would likely settle for some combination of Sam Bradford and draft picks in those situations.

Extra Points: Jets, Eagles, Peterson

April 24th, 2015 at 9:45pm CST by Zachary Links

It sounds as if Jets GM Mike Maccagnan is more likely to trade back in the draft to acquire more picks than move up, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. “Philosophically, I’m not opposed to moving up in the draft to go get a player if you feel that is a player that is going to be an extremely good player, but I would personally like to get more picks,” said Maccagnan. “To me, it’s more opportunities to get more talent.” Here’s more from around the NFL..

Draft Notes: Collins, Mariota, Parker

April 24th, 2015 at 8:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The draft position of LSU cornerback Jalen Collins could be an indicator of how the NFL feels about drug use in 2015, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Collins, according to sources with four teams, has failed multiple tests in college. Collins is projected by many to be a first-round choice. Here’s more draft news..

  • The likelihood now is that Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota goes second overall, Breer tweets. His personal feeling is that Tennessee likes him more than most think and Breer feels he could very well could be a member of the Titans.
  • Breer (on Twitter) says that DeVante Parker is one to watch and some prefer him to Kevin White because he’s more NFL-ready. Parker, he says, is closer to White and Amari Cooper than the rest of the pack at wide receiver.
  • Cooper could go anywhere between No. 3 and No. 6, Breer tweets. White and Parker, meanwhile, have a good shot at the top ten. After that, it’s wide open at wide receiver and Nelson Agholor could be the next one off the board.
  • Cooper has emerged as the consensus No. 1 player at his position, according to GMs and scouts that spoke with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). White is a close second.
  • The running back class is outstanding and that could hurt those guys’ first-round chances since teams believe that they can get a solid player later, Breer tweets.

Dolphins VP Tannenbaum On Jordan, Draft

April 24th, 2015 at 7:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier tonight, Jaguars GM David Caldwell addressed local reporters to tackle a number of topics. Keeping things in the great state of Florida, here are some highlights from Dolphins VP Mike Tannenbaum‘s chat with local media..

  • When asked directly if the Dolphins expect Dion Jordan to be at the team’s mandatory camp, Tannenbaum punted, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. Beasley and the rest of the Miami beat writers seem to believe that Jordan’s future with the club is in jeopardy.
  • Jordan’s suspensions in 2014 voided the $5,4MM of 2015/2016 guarantees in his contract, which makes it easier for Miami to cut him, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter).
  • Tannenbaum said they haven’t made any final decision on QB Ryan Tannehill‘s contract as his fifth-year option approaches,James Walker of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Tannenbaum made it clear that GM Dennis Hickey has final say in the draft room, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Tannenbaum told the press that the team is “an equal opportunity trader,” Beasley tweets. The VP indicated that the Dolphins could move up or go back.
  • Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) hears that the Dolphins like 19 first round prospects. Miami will pick at No. 14 on April 30th.
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