With just less than four weeks remaining until the trade deadline, Le’Veon Bell-to-the-Eagles has surfaced on the rumor circuit. The Eagles are reportedly giving serious consideration to making a run at the likely rental running back. But SI.com’s Albert Breer isn’t so sure that’s going to happen. The Eagles don’t see running back as a spot to sink major resources into, per Breer. Bell’s approximately $10MM salary would qualify as a major investment, although that’s dropping by the week because of this unusual holdout. Philadelphia has just less than $5MM in cap room, and Breer notes the improving health of its running backs should help them steer clear of these interesting Bell sweepstakes. Corey Clement and Darren Sproles have yet to return to practice, and Jay Ajayi is playing with a back fracture. The Eagles traded a fourth-rounder for Ajayi before the 2017 trade deadline. Bell as of now plans to report to the Steelers during their Week 7 bye.
Here’s the latest from around the league as Week 5’s first game continues:
- Randy Gregory‘s reinstatement conditions caused him to miss the Cowboys‘ Thursday practice. The defensive end was in Chicago meeting with medical director of the NFL’s substance-abuse program, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). He most recently attended this type of summit during the preseason. The NFL reinstated Gregory this summer after his extensive substance-abuse-induced hiatus. His status for Week 5 doesn’t appear to be in question. Gregory’s played 64 snaps this season.
- Jimmy Smith‘s return to action this week doesn’t appear to mean Brandon Carr will be bumped from first-string duties. The 11th-year cornerback has started 164 straight games (and every game he’s played as an NFLer), and Ravens DC Wink Martindale doesn’t plan on stopping that run, Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com notes. Smith is eligible to return after a four-game suspension. Carr, Marlon Humphrey and slot man Tavon Young have worked as Baltimore’s top three corners this season. Smith was thriving prior to his season-ending injury last year, so it should be expected he’ll play a big role soon, even if he doesn’t start immediately. Carr’s 164-game start streak resides as the longest among defensive players by 28 games.
- While Jon Gruden wanted to take Derwin James in the first round, Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes (subscription required) the Raiders weren’t doing anything except taking a tackle in Round 1. However, if Kolton Miller was gone at No. 15 — where the Raiders dropped to after dealing the No. 10 selection to the Cardinals — Tafur notes they were going to take James or trade down further.
- The Dolphins were projected to be among the teams examining the crop of potential first-round quarterbacks, but their 3-1 start could change that. Early in the mock process, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has the Dolphins taking Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen, a player whom multiple area scouts have rising into the first round after a strong start to the season. As for where Miller projects the QBs to fall in Round 1, he has the Giants taking Oregon’s Justin Herbert and No. 5, the Patriots grabbing Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham at No. 17 (though, that draft slot seems certain to drop) and the Bengals selecting Missouri’s Drew Lock at 28.
Mock drafts should not be a thing this early in the season. The draft order will change drastically between now and Draft Day, and the players eligible for the draft will go up and down throughout the year. There’s no use in predicting anything at this point
This early in the season it’s more just a barometer for who’s stock is rising and who’s is falling. It’s definitely useful in a way
mock drafts have turned into data tables. each team evaluates data differently, whichever one does its diligence can find a gem
I can just imagine how George Allen would react to all the attention mock drafts receive nowadays…lol.
It’s also click bait for a lot of writers.
Jon Gruden is turning into a joke. If he really wanted Derwin James, why didn’t he pick him? He is running the show in Oakland. He needs to quit blaming McKenzie for his failings.
right!? You can’t use the excuse that you’ve already used high draft picks recently right after dumping one of those high picks. Dude is 100% a joke
Hey give Chucky a break. pass rushers are hard to find
Particularly when Chucky wants the average age on his roster to approach 30.
its a “mock” draft. so mock it all tou want. its a conversation point. thats all. its not a prediction. its a conversation about the future at a current point in time? why get your panties all in a bunch. this, and other sites keep traffic by having discussions year round. so, no one should discuss the draft until February 2019? tell that to the thousands of comments and questions that will be posted about it between now and then…
Mock drafts allow second rate bloggers to collect a paycheck while pretending to be Mel Kiper. Goodell and his NFL minions love mock drafts because they divert fans attention away from the bad officiating of games.