2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

Ravens Acquire No. 32 From Eagles

April 26th, 2018 at 10:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Baltimore’s wrapped up a busy evening with another trade. Sam Farmer of the LA Times reports (via Twitter) that the team has acquired the No. 32 pick from the Eagles. Baltimore has acquired the first-rounder and No. 132 (fourth round), and they’ll be sending No. 52 (second round), No. 125 (fourth round), and a 2019 second-rounder to Philly.

The Ravens have used the pick to select quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Louisville product and former Heisman winner is the fifth quarterback taken during the first round. He had another productive season in 2017, completing 59.1-percent of his passes for 3,660 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also added another 1,601 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 232 carries. Barring some unexpected transaction, Jackson will likely serve as a backup to Joe Flacco for at least the upcoming season.

This is the third trade of the night for Baltimore, who also completed deals with the Bills and Titans. Reports had indicated that the organization was eyeing offensive linemen like Mike McGlinchey and Kolton Miller, although there were whispers that the organization could pursue a future starting quarterback.

Titans Acquire No. 22 From Ravens

April 26th, 2018 at 9:29pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens are moving down… again. After trading down to the No. 22 pick earlier tonight, Baltimore is once again dealing their first-rounder. The Ravens are sending that No. 22 pick to the Titans, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Tennessee will also receive No. 215 (sixth round), while Baltimore will get No. 25 and No. 125 (fourth round), via ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter).

The Titans are using the pick on linebacker Rashaan Evans. The Alabama product is one of the top defensive prospects in the draft, as Daniel Jeremiah listed him 20th overall in his top-50 rankings. Evans had a breakout campaign as a senior, compiling 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Derrick Morgan, Wesley Woodyard, Jayon Brown, and Brian Orakpo are currently listed as the team’s starting linebackers, but Evans could work his way into the lineup.

After starting the night with the No. 16 pick, the Ravens sent the selection to Buffalo, acquiring picks No. 22 and No. 65. This recent trade will give the organization 10 picks for the entire weekend

Steelers Trade Martavis Bryant To Raiders

April 26th, 2018 at 9:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Martavis Bryant‘s tenure in Pittsburgh has come to an end. The Steelers announced that they have traded the wideout to the Raiders for a third-round pick (No. 79).

The 2014 fourth-round pick had spent his entire four-year career with the organization. His tenure was tumultuous, as he missed the entire 2016 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The 26-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance during his brief career, including a rookie campaign where he caught eight touchdowns. He had another solid season in 2017, catching 50 passes for 603 yards and three touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Bryant, a trade doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll see a bigger role. Rather, the wideout will slot in behind Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson on the Raiders’ depth chart, and he’ll compete with Seth Roberts to be the team’s third wideout.

Packers Acquire No. 18 From Seahawks

April 26th, 2018 at 8:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Packers have acquired the No. 18 overall pick from the Seahawks, per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Green Bay will pick up No. 18 and No. 248 (seventh round) from Seattle, which will acquire No. 27, No. 76 (third round), and No. 186 (sixth round) per Jason Wilde of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

The Packers are using the pick on cornerback Jaire Alexander. The Louisville product was considered to be one of the top defensive back’s in the entire draft despite the fact that he was limited to only six games last season. He did appear in 13 games during the 2016 campaign, compiling 39 tackles and five interceptions. Green Bay acquired the No. 27 pick earlier tonight in a trade with the Saints.

We had heard several times that the Seahawks were interested in trading back in the draft. Seattle previously only had one pick during the first three rounds, and this trade will now give them a second selection during this span.

Bills Acquire No. 16 From Ravens

April 26th, 2018 at 8:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills are having a busy night. After acquiring the No. 7 pick earlier this evening (which they used on quarterback Josh Allen), the team has now acquired the No. 16 pick from the Ravens. The team tweeted that they’ll be sending Baltimore picks No. 22 and No. 65, and Buffalo will also be receiving No. 154. ESPN’s Mike Rodak was the first with the news (via Twitter).

The Bills are using the pick on linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The Virginia Tech product is considered to be one of the top defenders in the entire draft, as Daniel Jeremiah listed him sixth in his top-5o rankings. Edmunds had a productive junior season, compiling 108 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The rookie will likely compete with Matt Milano and Tanner Vallejo for a starting gig.

The trade will give the Ravens a second third-rounder, and it will give the organization nine picks for the entire weekend. Reports had indicated that the organization was eyeing offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Kolton Miller. With the two off the board, the team switched their focus to a trade.

Saints Acquire No. 14 Pick From Packers

April 26th, 2018 at 8:33pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints and Packers have pulled off a deal. New Orleans has acquired the No. 14 pick from Green Bay, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Packers will receive No. 27, No. 147, and a 2019 first-rounder.

The Saints have used their selection on UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport. We heard earlier today that the pass rusher could end up being selected earlier than initially thought, although he was listed in the top-20 of Daniel Jeremiah’s prospect rankings. Davenport had another productive season in 2017, finishing with 55 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. The rookie will provide the Saints with another talented defensive end to play alongside Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor.

There were rumblings earlier today that the Saints had made a number of calls in an attempt to move up in the first round. It was thought that New Orleans could be targeting a potential Drew Brees replacement, but the front office apparently focused in on defense.

Instead of moving down in the draft, we had heard rumors that the Packers may instead move up. Reports indicated that the Packers were among a handful of teams “plotting a potential trade up…for a top-tier talent.” Green Bay’s targets were apparently off the board by the time they got to their selection, and they ended up bailing on the pick. The trade now gives the Packers 13 selections this weekend.

Cardinals Acquire No. 10 Pick From Raiders

April 26th, 2018 at 8:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders are trading out of the top-10. Darin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com reports (via Twitter) that Oakland is trading the No. 10 pick. The selection is headed to the Cardinals, who will be sending Oakland the No. 15 pick, a third-rounder (No. 79), and a fifth-rounder (No. 152), according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic (via Twitter).

The Cardinals have used the selection on quarterback Josh Rosen, making that four signal-callers taken within the first 10 picks. The UCLA product had a bounce-back season in 2017, connecting on 62.6-percent of his passes for 3,756 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. We had heard earlier this week that the Cardinals were considering trading up in pursuit of a top quarterback.

The rookie will have plenty of competition for playing time, as the Cardinals have acquired both Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon this offseason. The team is also rostering Brandon Doughty and Alek Torgersen, who could end up being roster casualties.

The Raiders were already armed with a number of late-round picks, including seven selections in the final three rounds. The new acquisitions will give them 13 total picks throughout the weekend.

Bills Acquire No. 7 Pick From Buccaneers

April 26th, 2018 at 7:51pm CST by Ben Levine

We have our first trade of the night. The Bills have acquired the No. 7 pick from the Buccaneers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). In return, Tampa Bay will receive the Bills No. 12 pick, a pair of second-rounders (No. 53 and No. 56), and No. 255 (seventh-round).

The Bills will use their newly-acquired pick on quarterback Josh Allen. The Wyoming product was among the top signal-callers available in the draft, and he had been connected to several teams in the top-10 (including the Broncos, who instead opted for Bradley Chubb). Allen had another solid campaign in 2017, completing 56.3-percent of his passes for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Allen will have to compete with A.J. McCarron, who signed a two-year deal with the Bills earlier this offseason, for the starting gig. The Bills are also rostering Nathan Peterman.

We heard moments ago that Buffalo was unwilling to sacrifice a pair of first-round picks in order to move up. Ultimately, it sounds like general manager Brandon Beane got his wish. The Bills had been connected to a number of early selections, including the first-round picks owned by the Browns (No. 4), Broncos (No. 5), and Colts (No. 6). With those teams ultimately holding on to their picks, Buffalo shifted their focus to Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers headed into the night with only a pair of picks in the first three rounds. Thanks to the trade, they’ll now have four picks in that span, including three second-rounders (No. 38, No. 53, and No. 56).

Bills Unwilling To Trade Two First Rounders

April 26th, 2018 at 7:47pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills won’t be selling the farm to trade up. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that general manager Brandon Beane isn’t willing to give up a pair of first-rounders in order to move up from the No. 12 pick.

The Bills have been connected to a number of early selections, including the first-round picks owned by the Browns (No. 4), Broncos (No. 5), and Colts (No. 6). By making a trade, Buffalo would presumably be looking to secure one of the top signal-callers. However, with only Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold off the board (through five picks), a quarterback may end up falling into their lap.

The writing has been on the wall for the Bills to make a move for a quarterback in this draft ever since the team dealt Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. Buffalo is armed with both the No. 12 and No. 22 selections, and it sounds like they’ll be hanging on to those picks for now.

Browns Select Baker Mayfield No. 1 Overall

April 26th, 2018 at 7:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Browns have a new franchise quarterback, as Cleveland has selected Oklahoma signal-caller Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

At various points in the pre-draft process, the Browns had reportedly been eyeing other quarterbacks, such as USC’s Sam Darnold and Wyoming’s Josh Allen. Instead, they’ve gone with a former Heisman Trophy winner in Mayfield in an effort to solidify their quarterback position for years to come.

Cleveland, of course, has been trying and failing to land a long-term passer for some time, and notably passed on prospects such as Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson in recent drafts. With a new general manager in place, and the first and fourth overall picks at their disposal, the Browns always seemed likely to use a top selection on a quarterback.

Mayfield, a former walk-on at both Texas Tech and Oklahoma, is a favorite of many in the analytic community, and posted at 3,700 yards and 35 touchdowns in each of his three campaigns for the Sooners. An excellent passer from the pocket, Mayfield stands at just over six feet tall.

The Browns acquired Tyrod Taylor from the Bills earlier this offseason, and also signed veteran backup Drew Stanton, so Mayfield isn’t expected to begin the 2018 season as the club’s starter. Cleveland has pledged to bring its next quarterback along slowly, but Mayfield could conceivably see the field as the year progresses.

As the first overall pick, Mayfield will sign a four-year, fully guaranteed contract that comes with a fifth-year option for the 2022 seasons. Mayfield’s deal should be worth nearly $33MM, per Over the Cap, including a $22MM signing bonus and a 2018 cap charge of roughly $5.9MM.