2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

NFL Draft Rumors: Browns, Price, Broncos

April 25th, 2018 at 2:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns‘ No. 1 pick remains a mystery to everyone, including head coach Hue Jackson, according to Robert Klemko of The MMQB (on Twitter). He also adds that Dorsey has already made his determination, contrary to what has been leaked to the press.

On Wednesday morning, it was reported that the Browns are likely to select either Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen or Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield. Of course, that could just be a smokescreen as many still believe the Browns will take USC’s Sam Darnold.

Here’s the latest NFL Draft buzz:

On Wednesday, the doctor for Billy Price announced that the Ohio State offensive lineman will be ready for training camp (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Now that Price is on track for this summer, it seems likely that he’ll still go within the first 32 picks. Price could be one of several interior offensive linemen to come off of the board in the bottom third of the first round.
The Broncos have received calls from teams interested in what it would take to trade up to their No. 5 pick, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets. GM John Elway has said that he is open to trading, so it’s a situation to keep an eye on.
Many believe the Vikings will select an offensive lineman with the No. 30 overall pick, but GM Rick Spielman says that’s not necessarily the case, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. Instead, Spielman says they could draft a player from four other positions.

Browns, Colts Lead League In Cap Space

April 25th, 2018 at 2:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns and Colts have the most cap room of any team in the NFL heading into draft, as Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter) notes. Here’s the official rundown of every team’s cap space for 2018 on the eve of draft weekend:

Browns – $69.5MM
Colts – $59.8MM
49ers – $43.8MM
Titans – $35.8MM
Texans -$35.6MM
Bears – $24.1MM
Jets – $21.9MM
Bills – $19.4MM
Jaguars – $18.6MM
Cardinals – $18.1MM
Redskins -$17.1MM
Bengals – $16.8MM
Packers – $16.2MM
Vikings – $15.5MM
Broncos – $14.6MM
Patriots – $13.8MM
Buccaneers – $12.3MM
Cowboys -$11.9MM
Chargers – $11.4MM
Lions – $9.4MM
Giants -$9.4MM
Ravens – $8.8MM
Seahawks – $7.6MM
Chiefs – $6.7MM
Saints – $5.7MM
Panthers – $5.2MM
Dolphins – $2.9MM
Eagles – $2.2MM
Steelers – $2MM
Raiders – $1.8MM
Falcons – $1.3MM
Rams – $264K

Latest On Cowboys, Earl Thomas

April 25th, 2018 at 2:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have long been connected with Earl Thomas, but they’re not about to sell out to land the Seahawks safety. A trade for Thomas is not a draft priority for Dallas, a source tells veteran NFL reporter Ed Werder (on Twitter). However, they remain interested in him as a player and they are willing to engage in trade talks if Seattle lowers its asking price.

In March, it was reported that the Seahawks were asking teams for a first-round pick and a third-round pick to part ways with the six-time Pro Bowler. Seahawks GM John Schneider recently went on the record to say that he expects Thomas to be a part of the team in 2018, but his contractual situation complicates things. Thomas is entering the final year of his four-year, $40MM accord and is pushing for an extension. The safety was absent from the start of Seattle’s offseason program and he has threatened to hold out if he does not get a new deal before the start of the season.

The Seahawks parted ways with stars Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman this offseason, so they are clearly not opposed to trading established veterans. The Cowboys, meanwhile, will have a spot for Thomas if they follow through on their plan to move Byron Jones from safety to cornerback. For a deal to go down, however, Seattle will have to meet Dallas somewhere in the middle.

Browns Consider Trading No. 4 Overall Pick

April 25th, 2018 at 1:48pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns plan to keep the No. 1 pick, but they could trade their other first-round selection. The Browns have had a lot of conversations about the No. 4 selection, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). Those talks could be a part of due diligence, but the Browns may also be also considering a scenario in which they get a large haul for the No. 4 choice from a team desperate to take their desired quarterback.

One decision-maker told Rapoport (Twitter link) that the No. 4 pick is the “pivotal point in the draft.” If the Browns were to keep both the No. 1 and No. 4 picks, the assumption is that a QB would be taken with the first pick and a non-QB would go at No. 4. If another team steps up and takes a QB at No. 4, it increases the likelihood that four QBs will be taken within the top 5. That would spell good news for teams that are already set under center and put other clubs in need of a passer in a precarious spot.

If the Giants select running back Saquon Barkley – as many believe they will – and pick Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5 are all used on QBs, many of this year’s top overall talents will be available outside of the top five. The Colts, in particular, would be in a position to benefit. After already landing three second-round picks to trade down from No. 3 to No. 6, the Colts could command a serious haul if defensive end Bradley Chubb, Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, Florida State safety Derwin James, and Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick are all on the board. The Colts could also stand pat and select one of this year’s best players available for themselves.

Dez Bryant Rejects Offer From Ravens

April 25th, 2018 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant turned down a multi-year offer from the Ravens, according to veteran NFL reporter Ed Werder (on Twitter). Bryant is seeking a significant one-year deal that will allow him to secure a lucrative long-term contract as an unrestricted free agent next year.

It’s not clear if the Ravens are still pursuing Bryant, but it would be surprising if their offer was still on the table after the signing of restricted free agent Willie Snead was finalized earlier this week. Baltimore now boasts a wide receiver group that is headlined by three newcomers in Michael Crabtree, John Brown, and Snead and as well as Chris Moore and former first-round pick Breshad Perriman, so it’s hard to see how there could be enough targets for everyone to share.

The Ravens wanted to lock Bryant down for multiple seasons, but other Bryant suitors will likely be willing to do a one-year deal. Bryant was once amongst the league’s very best wide receivers, but there are tons of question marks about his ability after he posted just 838 yards off of 69 catches in 2017. A one-year deal would also help to ensure that Bryant is exceptionally motivated as he chases another high-paying contract.

Earlier this month, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter identified the Cardinals, Bills, and Packers as potential fits, along with the Ravens. So far, the Ravens have been the only team concretely connected to Bryant. Ideally, Bryant says that he would like to sign with an NFC East team in order to exact revenge on Dallas twice in 2018. On paper, the Giants would make the most sense of any team in the division, but they have yet to express interest in him, even after releasing Brandon Marshall. Meanwhile, we’ve heard nothing connecting the Eagles to the wide receiver and the Redskins do not have him on their radar.

Latest On RB C.J. Anderson

April 25th, 2018 at 1:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Bronco C.J. Anderson has drawn interest from eight teams, a source close to the running back tells Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). However, it’s not clear when he will sign with a club.

It seems probable that Anderson will have to wait until after the draft to sign with a team. Former Cowboys star Dez Bryant finds himself in the same boat as teams will have to reassess their needs after the weekend is through.

Anderson turned in his first career 1,000-yard season in 2017 after tearing a meniscus in 2016. However, with no guaranteed money remaining on his deal, the Broncos opted to save $4.5MM and go in a different direction.

We don’t know the identity of these eight teams yet, but one has to imagine that the Dolphins are among the clubs in the mix. Miami discussed a swap of right tackle Ja’Wuan James for Anderson earlier this offseason and he could give the Fins a formidable three-headed rushing attack if the price is right. It’s hard to see the Dolphins getting into a bidding war for Anderson, however, given that they already have Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore under contract and little cap room remaining.

Speculatively, teams like the Patriots, Texans, Giants, Redskins, Lions, Panthers, and Seahawks could also have interest in the 27-year-old.

Pats Met Twice With Lamar Jackson

April 25th, 2018 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s fair to wonder whether the Patriots’ reported interest in Lamar Jackson is a smokescreen, but the latest word indicates that they are legitimately considering the Louisville quarterback. In addition to their meeting at team headquarters, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also conducted a private workout with Jackson in South Florida, Jenny Vrentas of The MMQB tweets.

A few weeks ago, it seemed likely that Jackson would still be on the board for the Patriots’ initial first-round pick at No. 23. Now, with talk that four QBs could be taken inside of the first five picks, it’s far from a certainty that Jackson will be available. Assuming that Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield are taken inside of the top 10, the Patriots would have to hope that the Dolphins (No. 11), Bills (Nos. 12 and 22), Cardinals (No. 15), Ravens (No. 16), and Chargers (No. 17) pass on the speedy signal caller.

Some evaluators still believe that Jackson would fare better as a wide receiver in the NFL, but he says that he is solely focused on playing quarterback. He didn’t help his case at the combine as he performed poorly in interviews and whiteboard exercises, but that apparently has not dissuaded Patriots brass.

The Patriots own two first-round picks and two second-round picks in this year’s draft thanks to the Brandin Cooks and Jimmy Garoppolo trades.

Browns To Take Allen Or Mayfield?

April 25th, 2018 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

For weeks, we have been hearing that the Browns will select either USC quarterback Sam Darnold or Wyoming QB Josh Allen with the top pick. Then, this week, it was reported that Oklahoma signal caller Baker Mayfield is also in the mix. Now, sources say the Browns appear to be down to either Allen or Mayfield as team executives have cooled on Darnold, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes.

Much has been made about Mayfield’s lack of height, but GM John Dorsey has made it clear that he is not concerned. Dorsey has also indicated that he would not rule out Mayfield over his red flags, which include a public intoxication arrest, grabbing his crotch against Kansas, and planting a flag on the Block O at Ohio State.

“Every young man will make a mistake in his life, I bet you,” he said. “And I think he’s very remorseful of that mistake and I think he’s moved forward from that, and he’s trying to make himself a better person, going through the process.”

Allen, meanwhile, has been praised for his arm strength, but his low completion rate in college underscores his lack of accuracy. If the Browns believe that they can harness his raw skills, then he could be a real consideration for the top choice. However, some would argue that he has the most bust potential of this year’s top four quarterback prospects.

Have the Browns truly drifted away from Darnold? At this point, it is impossible to tell whether the Browns are actually deciding between Mayfield and Allen or if they are simply working to try and drum up a better trade offer. Still, it’s a situation worth monitoring as whispers about Darnold’s lack of polish continue to circulate.

Browns GM: No Real Offers For Top Pick

April 25th, 2018 at 10:46am CST by Zachary Links

Right now, it sounds like the Browns will be keeping the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Browns GM John Dorsey says he has not received any legitimate trade offers for the top choice (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Steve Wyche). Meanwhile, he claims that he is keeping the identity of the No. 1 pick under wraps

“I haven’t even told my wife,” Dorsey said.

Since 1990, the No. 1 overall pick has been traded just six times before draft day. The most recent occurrence took place in 2016 when the Rams acquired the top choice in the draft in order to select quarterback Jared Goff. The Rams are happy with how things turned out, though the Titans did come away with four starters as a result of that deal in running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver Corey Davis, tight end Jonnu Smith, and offensive lineman Jack Conklin.

Teams have almost certainly engaged in trade talks with the Browns regarding the top pick, but it’s a tricky calculation for any club. The Browns are ostensibly asking for a lot and, so far, no one is willing to meet that sticker price.

Dez Bryant Won’t Sign Before Draft

April 25th, 2018 at 9:35am CST by Zachary Links

Dez Bryant will land somewhere, but it won’t happen today or tomorrow. The former Cowboys wide receiver is not expected to sign before the draft and his free agency stint could last into May, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.

At this point, it only makes sense for teams to wait until after the draft to assess their level of need for Bryant. Bryant won’t match the $12.5MM he was set to earn with Dallas in 2018, but it’s safe to say that he’ll command at least a few million on a one-year contract and that’s not exactly chump change for teams. If a club that is interested in Bryant drafts someone like Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore, or Christian Kirk, they’ll be less apt to spend on the 29-year-old.

It’s not clear which teams are after Bryant at this stage. The Ravens were said to have interest, but the addition of Willie Snead likely takes them out of the running. For his part, Bryant is reportedly looking to sign with an NFC East team in order to exact revenge on Dallas, but there’s no obvious fit within the division. The Redskins are not interested, it’s not clear whether the Eagles have him on the radar, and the Giants are not pursuing him at this time. A return to Dallas is not in the cards either.

Bryant averaged 91 catches for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Cowboys between 2012 and 2014. Over the last three years, however, those averages have plummeted to 50 catches for 678 yards and 6 TDs. He also missed ten games due to injury between 2015 and 2016.