2017 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Browns Rumors: Garoppolo, Pryor, Zeitler

March 7th, 2017 at 2:26pm CST by Zachary Links

It sounds like talk of Jimmy Garoppolo being pulled off the trade block was not entirely accurate. Still, if he is still available, it could take an awful lot to pry him loose. It might take as much as a No. 1 pick this year plus a No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. That’s a price the Browns are very unlikely to meet, Cabot adds.

The Browns would very much like to have Garoppolo and their dream scenario right now would be to land him via trade while drafting pass rusher Myles Garrett No. 1 overall. Failing that, they have their eyes on getting Garrett at the top of the draft and landing either Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson at No. 12. That scenario will become a little more realistic if teams like the 49ers, Jets, and Bears address their QB situations before the draft. The Browns could also conceivably use their draft stockpile to trade up from No. 12 and get their desired signal caller.

In other Browns news, one source estimates that Terrelle Pryor is seeking somewhere between $13MM and $15MM per year. If that’s the asking price, Cabot believes the Browns will let him walk. Reportedly, he has been contacted by the Giants, 49ers, Titans, and Eagles. The Steelers, depending on who you ask, may also have interest.

A Pryor return may or may not be in the cards, but the Browns will likely pursue Bengals free agent guard Kevin Zeitler, a league source tells Cabot. Zeitler played for coach Hue Jackson in Cincinnati and that connection could help lead to a deal.

Pauline’s Latest: Savage, 49ers, Conley

March 6th, 2017 at 9:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although some around the league reportedly believe the Texans are the best fit for quarterback Tony Romo, other front office members don’t see the fit, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com. If Romo does land in Houston, the Texans could end up trading fellow signal-caller Tom Savage to the 49ers, per Pauline. San Francisco is known to be in the quarterback market, and have been tied to options like Mike Glennon, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kirk Cousins.

Here’s more from Pauline:

A.J. Bouye and Stephon Gilmore will ink new contracts and set the market for free agent cornerbacks before Logan Ryan and Dre Kirkpatrick sign deals, reports Pauline. Although Bouye is apparently far apart in talks with the Texans, a feeling exists that he could re-sign with Houston at a cost of $12MM per season. Ryan and Kirkpatrick, PFR’s No. 2 and No. 5 free agent corners, respectively, could earn $10-11MM annually, per Pauline.
While the 2017 cornerback draft class doesn’t offer as much top-end talent as the safety class, it does boast more depth, opines Pauline. UCLA’s Fabian Moreau, for example, won’t be selected in the first round, but most scouts expect him to come off the board within the first 15 picks of Day 2, according to Pauline.
Some evaluators believe Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley is a superior player to former Buckeye defensive back Eli Apple, who was drafted 10th overall by the Giants in 2016. Conley, per Pauline, could be the “steal” of the cornerback position.

Latest On Reuben Foster

March 4th, 2017 at 11:44am CST by Sam Robinson

Top prospect Reuben Foster was sent home from the Combine due to a dustup with a hospital employee, potentially affecting his draft stock. More information emerged on this situation on Saturday morning, with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reporting (Facebook link) the argument stemmed from Foster having to wait longer than expected for his Combine “pre-exam.”

The NFL is reviewing this matter in hopes it doesn’t happen again in the future, one source told Schefter, who adds another said this was a miscommunication. That said, multiple sources are reporting about Foster’s heated exchange with a hospital worker. Foster did not take kindly to having to wait in a long line and played the “Do you know who I am?” card with the worker, Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com reports (on Twitter). The employee said Foster would have to wait like everyone else, and, per Klemko, the Alabama-developed linebacker threatened to lay hands on the hospital worker. That led to the heated argument.

Foster took to Instagram (via Michael Casagrande of AL.com) to respond, saying, “Y’all, stop asking me what happened, for real. Nothing happened.

“Talk to Tim [Williams]. Talk to Ryan [Anderson]. Talk to Dalvin [Tomlinson]. Them boys know. They were there,” Foster said. “My agent backs me. I’m staying low. When I get my chance, I’m taking advantage of it.”

One league official told Schefter the league has to inform the players better regarding this process. The ESPN reporter adds other players are being interviewed about this sequence, one that will likely follow Foster until at least the draft. The standout Crimson Tide linebacker was scheduled for team interviews on Saturday. Rotator cuff surgery intervened on initial plans to work out at the Combine.

Foster is expected to be the first non-rush linebacker to be selected in April. He’s viewed as a top 10 pick by most, and one executive told Schefter on Thursday night Foster was a legitimate top 3 choice. That wasn’t the first such view of Foster as a potential top 3 pick.

Extra Points: Foster, Worrilow, 49ers, Chip

March 3rd, 2017 at 9:51pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

In a development that could hurt his draft stock, Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster is being sent home from the combine after he and a hospital worker engaged in a “heated argument,” reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter links). What’s more, Foster’s combine interviews didn’t go particularly well, per Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Foster was supposed to continue interviews with teams Saturday, but he’ll instead head home to Tuscaloosa. As of last week, one club had Foster ranked as the third-best player in this year’s class. He at least looked like a shoo-in top 10 pick prior to Friday, though that’s now in question.

As we wait for more on Foster, let’s take a look around the NFL:

Falcons impending free agent linebacker Paul Worrilow has drawn interest from the Patriots, Lions, Eagles and Colts leading up to March 9, relays Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link). The 26-year-old wasn’t much of a factor last season as a member of the NFC champions, with whom he collected one start and 18 tackles in 12 games. But Worrilow did garner significant playing time with the Falcons from 2013-15, when he logged 47 appearances, 42 starts and made between 95 and 143 tackles in each season. Worrilow also totaled four sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions during that three-year span.
Former Eagles and 49ers head coach Chip Kelly hasn’t been able to find an NFL job this offseason, even as an assistant, and is now trying to break into the media ranks. Kelly auditioned for FOX last week, tweets Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson.
Kelly’s successor in San Francisco, Kyle Shanahan, isn’t impressed with the 49ers’ pass catchers, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. When asked which of the 49ers’ receivers and tight ends have stood out on film, Shanahan said, “No one in particular,” and added that the club will look for help this offseason. Jeremy Kerley and Quinton Patton, the 49ers’ top receivers from 2016, are set to become free agents, making the need to add options all the more obvious. San Francisco might pursue Alshon Jeffery in free agency, and signing him would give the team a much-needed No. 1 target.
Defensive guru Monte Kiffin is leaving the Jaguars to join up with son Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic University, Alex Marvez of The Sporting News writes. The elder Kiffin, 77, only spent one season in Jacksonville, where he worked as a defensive assistant.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

East Notes: Romo, Cowboys, Redskins, Jets

March 3rd, 2017 at 6:57pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Redskins could attempt to acquire Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in a trade also involving the 49ers, but it’s not going to happen on Jerry Jones‘ watch, tweets Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Of course, it’ll be interesting to see if that will be Jones’ stance if the Redskins make the only trade offer for Romo, who’s a prime release candidate.

Draft Notes: Fournette, Cook, Peppers

March 3rd, 2017 at 2:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest from the NFL combine:

LSU running back Leonard Fournette had a lackluster 28 1/2″ vertical leap today the fifth-worst vertical for a running back since 1999. However, moments later, he wowed scouts with a 4.5 second 40-yard-dash time. The posting was roughly the same as Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, but Fournette is 30 pounds heavier than him at 240 lbs. Speaking of Cook, his 30 1/2″ inch vertical wasn’t much better than Fournette’s.
Fournette had the fastest 40-time at the combine among all running backs weighing 240 lbs or more, dating back to 2003 (Twitter link via NFL Media).
Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers will working out with linebackers on Sunday and defensive backs on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. As Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) notes, it’s an uncommon move. Some guys have worked out with both defensive linemen and linebackers, but not linebackers and defensive backs.
Former Texas running back D’Onta Foreman was held out of today’s Combine workout due to a small stress fracture in his foot, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. He’ll wait until UT’s Pro Day to audition for clubs. Foreman is considered to be one of the best RBs in this year’s class.

Eagles Win Coin Flip Over Colts

March 3rd, 2017 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

Just after noon on Friday, the league held a coin flip to settle the Nos. 14 and 15 overall picks plus the Nos. 46 and 47 picks and beyond. The results are in: the Eagles will have the 14th pick while the Colts will select at No. 15. The No. 14 pick originally belonged to the Vikings, but it is now property of the Eagles by way of the Sam Bradford trade.

Meanwhile, in the second round, the Colts will get the 46th pick, the Ravens will get No. 47, and the Vikings will get the 48th pick. For rounds three through seven, the Colts, Ravens, and Vikings will alternate in the order since all three clubs finished with identical 8-8 records and strength of schedule. The complete order can be found here.

The draft order, of course, is determined by the reverse order of the standings. Naturally, with 16-game seasons, there are often ties. There are multiple tiebreakers, but when those fail, it goes to a coin toss. Here’s the full breakdown from the NFL rule book:

“In situations where teams finished the previous season with identical records, the determination of draft position is decided by strength of schedule — the aggregate winning percentage of a team’s opponents. The team that played the schedule with the lowest winning percentage will be awarded the higher pick. If the teams have the same strength of schedule, their records against common opponents in their division or conference are applied, if applicable. If the divisional or conference tiebreakers are not applicable, ties will be broken by a coin flip.”

Extra Points: Saints, Jags, 49ers, Falcons

March 2nd, 2017 at 10:18pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks is drawing trade interest from multiple teams, but it would take something “real significant” for New Orleans to deal the 23-year-old, head coach Sean Payton told the team’s website (video link). Still, Payton didn’t deny that talks have taken place and he says the Saints are “always listening,” particularly when there are opportunities to improve their defense.

Browns Strongly Considering Trubisky At #1

March 2nd, 2017 at 2:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are strongly considering drafting Mitch Trubisky No. 1 overall, league sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Trubisky has long been connected to Cleveland, so today’s news doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

Before this week’s combine, there were rumblings that the UNC product would measure in closer to 6’1″ than his billed 6’2″+ height. On Thursday, he silenced that talk when he officially came in at 6’2″ and one-eighth of an inch. The difference might seem trivial, but talent evaluators are obsessed with height at the quarterback position and the extra inch or two can make a huge difference when trying to see over the defensive line. Johnny Manziel and Rex Grossman are the only two QBs under 6’1″ that have been selected in the first round in the last 15 years. Neither pick panned out.

Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett is also believed to be a leading candidate at No. 1 overall.

Extra Points: Falcons, Lions, Raiders, Draft

March 1st, 2017 at 9:53pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With their contracts soon to expire, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford should each be in line for extensions this offseason. But their respective general managers indicated Wednesday that new deals aren’t imminent.

“I’m saying that eventually, we will address Matt Ryan and his contract,” said the Falcons’ Thomas Dimitroff (via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com). “Right now, our focus is going to be on this year’s class, understanding that Matt is a very important part of our future, as every knows — an extremely important part of our future.”

The Lions’ Bob Quinn took a similar tack, stating (per Kyle Meinke of MLive.com): “We’re kind of taking it one step at a time with the current free-agent class, the current draft class. I mean, these things don’t usually happen in April or May. That’s not a realistic timeline for an extension for a quarterback. But that’s something we do have on the agenda, and we’ll hopefully be able to have some discussions.”

Ryan and Stafford have the same representative, Tom Condon, who figures to help them become two of the league’s highest-paid passers in the coming months. Ryan still has another two years left on the extension he signed in 2013, while Stafford is due to become a free agent after next season.

Elsewhere around the league:

Like Stafford, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is going into a contract year, though Carr hopes his status changes soon. “I’m a Raider for life,” he told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday (via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com). “I don’t want to play anywhere else. When I got drafted, this is where I wanted to be anyway. I don’t want to go anywhere, ever. They told me they don’t want me to go anywhere, ever. Now it’s about two people who want to be together, and how do we make that happen? We’ll see.” GM Reggie McKenzie made it clear in January that he’s aiming to extend Carr sooner than later.
Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas is drawing similar buzz to highly touted DE prospects Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) and Jonathan Allen (Alabama) at the combine, tweets Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. All three seem like good bets to end up among the first players to come off the board, with Garrett standing a strong chance to go No. 1 overall. The 6-foot-3, 271-pound Thomas piled up 61 tackles, including 14 for loss, and 8.5 sacks last season.
Quinn is “disappointed” controversial Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon did not get a combine invite, and the Lions executive isn’t closing the door on drafting him (Twitter link via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News). Mixon is a high-round talent, but his draft stock is in question on account of a disturbing July 2014 physical altercation that led Oklahoma to redshirt him that season. Mixon was caught on video striking a fellow student, Alicia Molitor, who he claims used a racial slur and spit in his face. As a result, Mixon was placed on probation for one year and ordered to release the video.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

2017 NFL Draft News & Rumors