2016 April - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Draft Updates: Lynch, Broncos, Bengals

April 12th, 2016 at 5:33pm CST by Luke Adams

A previous report had indicated the Broncos were expected to bring in Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch this week, and Troy Renck of the Denver Post confirms (via Twitter) that visit is taking place on Tuesday. The Broncos, of course, continue to consider all their options at QB in the wake of Peyton Manning‘s retirement and Brock Osweiler‘s departure.

UCLA guard Alex Redmond, who is drawing plenty of attention leading up to the draft, visited the Bengals on Monday, per Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Florida wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is paying a visit to the Raiders on Tuesday, tweets Mike Kaye of First Coast News.
Houston offensive lineman Alex Cooper also visited the Raiders on Tuesday, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle writes. Cooper participated in Houston’s local prospect workout on Saturday. Cooper started every game for UH at three different positions (left tackle, right tackle, and right guard) and served as a team captain.
The Colts are working out William & Mary middle linebacker Luke Rhodes, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
Purdue offensive lineman David Hedelin is drawing interest from the Chiefs, Lions, Falcons, Broncos, Patriots, Washington, and Dolphins, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.

Cole’s Latest: Raiders, Goff, Wentz, 49ers

April 12th, 2016 at 5:10pm CST by Luke Adams

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report released a series of videos today on a handful of noteworthy NFL topics. Let’s dive right in and round up the latest from Cole….

The idea of the Raiders potentially moving to Las Vegas is gaining some momentum, a “well-placed” NFL source tells Cole (video link). According to Cole, Raiders owner Mark Davis is scheduled to speak later this month in Las Vegas about the possibility of building a stadium in the city, and Las Vegas decision-makers will have to decide whether to devote tax funds to a stadium.
Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News notes (via Twitter) that the Raiders‘ interest in Las Vegas – assuming the funding falls into place – “can’t be overstated,” while Cole suggests that Davis would commit to attempting to relocate the franchise to Vegas if the city is prepared to put up the necessary money.
Contrary to a previous report, quarterback prospects Jared Goff and Carson Wentz won’t be visiting the 49ers this week, according to Cole (video link). That doesn’t mean the two top QB prospects won’t eventually make the trip to Santa Clara, but the 49ers have already worked them out individually and have gotten a closer look at them. Cole also hears that GM Trent Baalke really likes Michigan State signal-caller Connor Cook.
There’s a “growing sense within the Cowboys‘ organization” that Dallas is seriously considering drafting a quarterback at No. 4, a source tells Cole (video link). Per Cole, some members of the organization prefer to target a defensive player or even a running back (Ezekiel Elliott) at that spot, but there are others who are arguing for a QB since they don’t believe the Cowboys will be drafting this high again for quite some time.

Josh Gordon Denied Reinstatement

April 12th, 2016 at 4:16pm CST by Zachary Links

4:16pm: Gordon can apply for reinstatement on August 1st, a source tells NFL.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter). Gordon must show the league he is clean in all areas (drug tests, off-the-field behavior, etc.) if he hopes to be reinstated, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

3:57pm: Josh Gordon‘s petition for reinstatement has been denied by the NFL, as Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer writes. Gordon can apply for reinstatement later in the year.

On Monday we learned that Gordon failed a drug test administered by the NFL in March. Gordon was due to hear back about his application for reinstatement by March 20th but the failed test threw a wrench into things. Now, Gordon’s career will continue to remain in limbo until further notice.

Since his entry into the league in 2012, Gordon’s NFL career has been tumultuous to say the least. He missed the first two games of the 2013 season following a drug suspension, but then went on to lead the NFL in receiving yards, finishing with 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. Gordon will celebrate his 25th birthday tomorrow.

Hopes were high for the 2014 season, but Gordon’s off-the-field issues resurfaced, as he was first arrested for DUI, and then suspended for one year after again violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He was eventually reinstated after only 10 games as part of the NFL and the players’ union agreeing to a new drug policy, which reduced the sentences for some players-in-limbo. The Browns subsequently suspended Gordon for the final contest of the season after he reportedly violated team rules, and then a failed alcohol test resulted in the wideout’s ban of at least a year last February.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Patriots Re-Sign LeGarrette Blount

April 12th, 2016 at 3:56pm CST by Luke Adams

3:56pm: The Patriots officially announced the deal.

12:52pm: Blount’s one-year pact with the Patriots features a minimum base salary ($760K), plus a $100K signing bonus, a $100K roster bonus, and up to $1MM in incentives, a source tells Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link).

11:07am: A familiar face will return to the Patriots’ backfield for the 2016 season, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, who reports (via Twitter) that New England has re-signed running back LeGarrette Blount. It’s a one-year deal for Blount, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Blount, 29, had a brief stint in Pittsburgh in 2014, but has otherwise spent the majority of the last three seasons with the Patriots. In 2015, he ran for 703 yards on 165 carries (4.3 ypc), picking up six touchdowns on the ground and adding one more through the air. Blount missed New England’s playoff run, having been placed on injured reserve in December due to a hip injury.

The Patriots’ backfield is filling up for training camp, with free agent signee Donald Brown joining the mix and Dion Lewis returning from a season-ending injury of his own. James White, Brandon Bolden, and Joey Iosefa remain under contract as well, and it’s possible New England will use a draft pick on a running back.

Still, assuming Blount earns a spot on the 53-man roster, he’s a good bet to see a decent workload. Blount’s 378 carries for New England from 2013 to 2015 are easily the most for any Patriots running back during that three-year span.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Silas Redd Suspended Indefinitely

April 12th, 2016 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Washington running back Silas Redd has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse, tweets Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post. While Redd may be reinstated sometime down the line, the decision appears to rule him out for the 2016 season.

Redd, 24, joined Washington as an undrafted free agent out of USC in 2014, and totaled 182 yards from scrimmage on just 24 touches (16 carries, eight receptions) over the course of 15 games for the team.

As John Keim of ESPN.com observes (via Twitter), Redd wasn’t a lock to earn a regular-season roster spot in 2015, but ultimately tore his ACL in the summer, before roster decisions had to be made.

Since then, Redd has been suspended multiple times by the NFL. In November, a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy cost him four games — while he wouldn’t have been able to play in those games anyway, he lost the pay checks as well due to the ban. Now, faced with an indefinite suspension, Redd likely won’t be a part of Washington’s plans going forward.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Draft Visits/Workouts: Joseph, W. Jackson, Valles

April 12th, 2016 at 2:44pm CST by Luke Adams

West Virginia safety Karl Joseph, who is recovering from a torn ACL, won’t be able to run before the draft, but that isn’t stopping several teams around the NFL from bringing him in for a visit to get a first-hand look at him.

According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link), Joseph, who was in Pittsburgh on Monday, also has visits with the Cowboys, Vikings, Broncos, Bengals, Giants, Texans, and Colts on his pre-draft schedule. In Pro Football Rumors’ first 2016 mock draft, our Rob DiRe had Joseph coming off the board 21st overall, but there’s a good chance health concerns will drop him into the second round on draft day.

Here are several more of the latest updates on draft visits and workouts for prospects. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson unless otherwise indicated:

We can add the Rams, Bengals, and Jaguars to the list of teams hosting Houston cornerback William Jackson III for pre-draft visits (Twitter link). Jackson is a probable first-round pick.
Monmouth tight end Hakeem Valles worked out for the Seahawks on Monday and will work out for Falcons tight ends coach Wade Harman on Thursday. Valles also has meetings (or has had meetings) with the Buccaneers, Falcons, and Chargers and will work out at the Eagles‘ and Giants‘ local days (Twitter links).
Mississippi State cornerback Taveze Calhoun has or had workouts with the Cowboys, Lions, Jaguars, 49ers, and Buccaneers, and is visiting the Patriots and Dolphins (Twitter link).
San Diego State offensive lineman Darrell Greene has worked out – or will work out – for the Texans, Browns, Eagles, Colts, and 49ers, and has visited the Vikings and Chargers (link).
There usually aren’t more than a couple punters drafted in a given year, but Texas Tech punter Taylor Symmank is drawing some interest. He recently worked out for the Jets and participated in the Cowboys‘ local workout, and is meeting with the Lions today (Twitter link).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Bills Sign Lorenzo Alexander, Colt Anderson

April 12th, 2016 at 2:01pm CST by Luke Adams

After hosting them on free agent visits last week, the Bills have added a pair of defensive players and special-teamers to their roster, the team announced today. Per a press release, Buffalo has agreed to terms with linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and safety Colt Anderson.

Alexander, 32, has spent time in Washington, Arizona, and Oakland since entering the league in 2007, making 16 starts during that span. However, a significant chunk of Alexander’s playing time during his 127 career NFL games has come on special teams — he was named a Pro Bowler in 2012 based on his special teams contributions.

As for Anderson, the veteran safety has similarly established a reputation as a special teams ace. Out of his 77 career NFL contests for the Eagles and Colts, he has started only seven, playing sparingly on defense.

As Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News tweets, the Bills view both new additions as special teams signings rather than players expected to contribute much on defense, since the special teams unit was a problem for the Bills in 2015.

The two signings also increase the Bills’ roster count to 75 players. The team still needs to add its drafted players to that total, meaning there won’t be much room left to sign many undrafted rookies unless some cuts are made within the next few weeks. Buffalo may be counting on veteran players to fill the back-of-the-roster openings that might otherwise be occupied by UDFAs or late-round picks.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints Pick Up Kenny Vaccaro’s 2017 Option

April 12th, 2016 at 1:48pm CST by Luke Adams

1:48pm: Vaccaro’s option will be worth $5.676MM, per Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).

12:07pm: Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro has become the first player from the 2013 draft class to officially have his fifth-year option for 2017 exercised, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that New Orleans has picked up Vaccaro’s option.

Vaccaro, 25, has been a full-time starter at safety since joining the Saints three years ago as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft. He played all 16 games for the first time in his career in 2015, and while he failed to record an interception for the first time, he set new career highs in tackles (104) and sacks (three).

Pro Football Focus viewed Vaccaro’s play favorably in 2015 as well, ranking him 27th out of 89 qualified players. Out of that group, only five safeties received a higher grade as a run defender than Vaccaro.

As is always the case under the league’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, first-round picks have an extra year available on their four-year rookie contracts, but their teams must decide whether to exercise or decline that option year well in advance. The deadline for 2017 option decisions for 2013’s first-rouners is May 3rd.

The fifth-year option amount for safeties drafted in 2012’s first round is $5.278MM for 2016, so the 2017 figure should be a little higher than that. However, that salary doesn’t become fully guaranteed unless a player remains on his team’s roster on the first day of the 2017 league year, next March. For now, Vaccaro’s 2017 option salary will be guaranteed for injury only.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Draft Notes: Titans, Bills, Ragland

April 12th, 2016 at 1:13pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s no secret that the Titans are willing to trade down from No. 1 in this year’s draft, and one high-level executive from a team in the top half of the draft suggests to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Tennessee may be torn between top tackles Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley. Tunsil is widely expected to be selected first, but if the Titans were to move down a little, the team could potentially draft whichever tackle is still on the board at that point – likely Stanley – while picking up an extra selection or two in the process.

As we wait to see what general manager Jon Robinson ultimately decides to do with that first overall pick, let’s round up another handful of draft updates from out of the AFC….

The Bills are hosting Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland for a visit today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). Ragland, who visited the Rams on Monday, is projected to be a first-round pick, and could still be on the board when Buffalo picks at No. 19.
After making a visit to Kansas City last week, Northern Illinois linebacker Perez Ford is meeting with another AFC West team today, per Aaron Wilson, who tweets that Ford is visiting the Raiders.
UCLA pass-catching tight end Thomas Duarte is visiting the Dolphins today, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Getlin suggests that Duarte may be an ideal match for Adam Gase’s offensive scheme.
Most of the Steelers‘ pre-draft visitors so far have been defensive players, but the team took a look at an offensive prospect today, bringing in Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard, tweets Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Having already worked out for New Orleans and Philadelphia, Boston College linebacker Steven Daniels is paying a visit to New England to meet with the Patriots, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, who tweets that the Pats would be a good fit for Daniels.

NFC Notes: Baker, Washington, Panthers

April 12th, 2016 at 10:12am CST by Luke Adams

Washington defensive end Chris Baker is entering the final year of his contract and is extension-eligible, but he’s not clamoring for a new deal, as he tells John Keim of ESPN.com. As Keim details, Baker also hopes to stick at left end rather than sliding over to nose tackle for just 10 plays per game.

“I’ve solidified myself as a good left end,” Baker said. “So I’d like to stay at my position and use my athleticism to make plays. I’m willing to do what it takes to make sure the team wins, but hopefully they leave me at left end and use the other noses we have or some of the younger guys we’re going to draft.”

Washington saw last year’s starting nose tackle, Terrance Knighton, depart in free agency, signing a new deal with the Patriots, so the club will likely look to address the position in the draft.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

Even though they hold the 30th overall pick in this year’s draft, the Panthers are more likely to move out of the first round than they are to trade up, writes David Newton of ESPN.com.
Oklahoma cornerback Zack Sanchez visited with the Panthers on Monday, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Sanchez, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, has started 37 games over the past three seasons. In 2015, Sanchez hauled in seven interceptions, 45 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and seven pass breakups. Last month it was reported that Sanchez was moving up draft boards around the league, potentially putting him in position to be a late first-round pick.
Florida State linebacker Reggie Northrup traveled to D.C. to meet with Washington on Monday, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link).
Defensive back Blake Countess, who played his final college season at Auburn after several years at Michigan, has a visit on tap with the Giants, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
The 49ers have done their homework on defensive lineman Vernon Butler, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. The former Louisiana Tech standout measured in with the fourth-highest arm length and hand size of any defensive lineman in this year’s class. Branch notes that head coach Chip Kelly and GM Trent Baalke are both fans of bigger defensive linemen, and Butler fits the bill at 323 pounds.

Zach Links contributed to this post.