The Giants are doing their due diligence with the top quarterbacks in the draft, and that included a Josh Rosen summit on Monday, per Peter King of SI.com. However, they may not be that interested in the UCLA alum. An NFL scout continued the building Sam Darnold/Giants buzz by indicating he’s the Los Angeles-based quarterback the team wants, rather than Rosen.
“If Darnold is available, they’re taking Darnold,” the anonymous evaluator said, via Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. “They don’t like Rosen.”
This follows DraftAnalyst.com reporter Tony Pauline’s assessment of the Giants only being particularly interested in Darnold, among the quarterbacks, and more anonymous execs saying Darnold would be the Giants’ choice at No. 2 if he slipped past the Browns. If Darnold is unavailable, a Bradley Chubb–Saquon Barkley debate will transpire, the evaluator said, via Lombardo.
Seven teams have appeared on Rosen’s itinerary, and he will be on the east coast for much of this week. His Jets summit is set for Tuesday, with the Bills powwow occurring Wednesday, King reports. He’ll meet with the Chargers in a non-30 visit later this week. Longtime NFL exec-turned-analyst Gil Brandt rated the UCLA passer as his No. 1 quarterback in the draft, but it now looks like both the Browns — connected mostly to Darnold and Josh Allen — and the Giants will pass on him.
Here’s more from the Eastern divisions:
- Jeremy Maclin is without a team for the second time in two years. One of the wide receiver’s former employers did some work on him recently, however. The Eagles inquired on the nine-year veteran, per Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter), adding the Cowboys did the same. However, both have signed other wideouts. The Eagles added Mike Wallace, and the Cowboys signed both Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson. Maclin played for the Eagles from 2009-14 before signing with the Chiefs. The Chiefs and Ravens cut him in consecutive offseasons. He will turn 30 next month. Anderson adds Maclin is currently training in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
- Bill Belichick may have an issue with Rob Gronkowski being a TB12 client. Early last season, the Patriots coach chastised Gronk in front of other players for working out at the Alex Guererro-headed facility, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports. Nevertheless, Gronkowski remains a TB12 client and is now below his ideal playing weight, coming in at around 260 pounds presently, per Guregian.
- More for the burgeoning Jets/Baker Mayfield file: team CEO Christopher Johnson was part of the contingent that met with the reigning Heisman winner on Monday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes. Johnson was part of the Jets‘ contingent that spoke with the top four quarterbacks at the Combine, but Cimini writes he didn’t ask any questions. He was believed to have been more involved today.
- In the pros-and-cons debate surrounding Josh Allen, the Jets have done perhaps the most research. Cimini writes team brass loves the Wyoming prodigy’s arm strength but has “legitimate concerns” about his accuracy.
- South Dakota State-developed tight end Dallas Goedert will have spent plenty of time with the Dolphins by the time draft weekend arrives. He’s already worked out for Dolphins brass in South Dakota and will visit Miami this week, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. One of the top tight ends in the draft, Goedert has also visited the Vikings. The Dolphins are in need of a tight end, having cut Julius Thomas and submitted an unsuccessful waiver claim for Clive Walford.
With all the hesitation over these four guys it shows how smart Pace was moving up to grab Trubisky. Both Trubisky and Watson would be 1-2 in this draft without a doubt. 2 out of the 4 if not 3 will at best be average WB’s in the NFL. Question is which one of the 4 will be worth the first pick.
Have you watched the film? Watson is awful. He can’t pass accurately.
LMAO at Watson is awful. He throws just fine and the Texans offense was quite formidable with him at the helm.
Quit hating
Trading up to get the guy you could draft by standing pat is indeed the mark of a true genius. If Pace can do that half a dozen more times over the next couple of seasons, the Bears will be good enough to beat almost any XFL team.
Meant QB’s
Watson has actually looked like a decent qb before going down. Trubisky hasn’t looked anything close to it yet. So no pace doesn’t look like some genius yet considering everything he gave up to get him.
Nice try at justifying an awful trade by the bears though.
With the crap coaching and absolutely zero talent at the receiver position Trubisky did excellent all things considered. Not to mention the fact he had every starter on the O line miss at least 3 games.
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Trubisky had a tough rookie season but it’s no big deal. Jeff Goff had the same struggles in his rookie year. The important thing is that the Bears have finally closed the book on the Cutler era and are moving forward.
Trubisky will be fine. Goff now getting accolades. And yes. Cutler is gone . Cutler the Jeff George of Football.
It’s funny though because he makes a good point. Of these “top QBs”, there’s not really a stand out guy and all come with some bust risk..
Browns should consider Chubb and minkah/Ward with their two picks instead of a QB and RB trap. High value pick for RB that will touch the ball 10 times/game. Have to commit zek Elliot money to him and if they give duke a LT deal, which they’re discussing, browns would have highest or top 3 highest paid at the RB position.
Total salary committed to the RB position***
Forget about the Bears…49ers look brilliant.
Shh…….don’t blow the 49ers cover for next year or probably the year after
I guess the 49ers earned that “brilliant” tag by winning 5 meaningless games at the end of the season and placing themselves in a worst position on this years draft board. We can expect every team to copy that brilliant strategy now.
Apparently Josh Rosen is the Brady Quinn of the draft, not the Aaron Rodgers?
What would be the trade value for Gronk? Could the Pats climb high enough to be able to draft a potential replacement for Brady or another skill player?