HEADLINES

2020 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Talks For Lions’ No. 3 Pick Are Heating Up

April 23rd, 2020 at 8:47am CST by Zachary Links

Talks for the Lions’ No. 3 overall draft pick have “heated up” over the last 24 hours with multiple teams, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport adds that clubs are looking to work out trades before the draft begins, just in case there are glitches, which has led to increased activity.

The Lions, reportedly, are planning for the No. 5 pick, which means that they could be closing in on a deal with the Dolphins. That swap would allow Miami to get their preferred quarterback or offensive tackle. Meanwhile, the Lions would likely still be in range for the players they’re supposedly targeting – Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Over the weekend, Lions GM Bob Quinn said that if he’s going to trade back, he wants to have a deal in place by Thursday afternoon. Right now, it sounds like things are trending in that direction.

As of this writing, the Lions have nine picks in the draft, including two third-round choices and a pair of fifth-round selections. Their needs include (but are not limited to): cornerback, defensive tackle, defensive end/outside linebacker, and safety.

Lions Expect To Trade For Dolphins’ No. 5 Pick

April 23rd, 2020 at 6:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are “making plans for having the No. 5” pick in tonight’s draft, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter) hears. The Dolphins own that choice and they’ve been discussing a potential trade for the last few days.

At one point, the Dolphins were hoping to land the Lions’ No. 3 overall pick without sacrificing No. 5. Instead, they wanted to move up the board by dealing from the rest of their stockpile, which includes the Nos. 18 and 26 picks, plus a pair of Round 2 picks. No dice, it seems. If the Dolphins are to acquire Detroit’s No. 3 pick, they’ll have to cough up their own No. 5.

Had the Dolphins landed No. 3 and kept No. 5, they could have used those picks to address their two biggest needs at quarterback and tackle; not necessarily in that order, but probably in that order. If they send the No. 5 pick to Detroit, they could go either way at No. 3, where Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert should both be available. After weeks of Herbert talk, the Dolphins are now said to be eyeing the Alabama star.

Trade or no trade, the Dolphins will also have to address their tackle situation early in the draft. This year’s top tackles include Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton.

Draft Rumors: Hurts, Giants, Jags, Tua

April 22nd, 2020 at 8:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the draft in less than 24 hours, several names have started to surface as potential first-round upsets. It would not surprise some around the league to see TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor and Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet end up as first-round picks, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com notes. The Eagles have surfaced as a Reagor candidate; the TCU product clocked two sub-4.3-second 40-yard dashes recently. The tight end class is not viewed to be nearly as strong, but an AFC coach said Kmet’s landing spot will likely be in the back end of the first round or start of the second.

Notre Dame pass rusher Julian Okwara and Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette profile as players who could sneak into Round 1, per Pelissero. One exec compared Romeo Okwara‘s younger brother to an Anthony Barr type who could rush passers and drop into coverage. Julian Okwara registered 12 sacks over the past two seasons. Arnette would join Jeffrey Okudah as a first-rounder in this instance and follow a host of recent Buckeye corners by being a Thursday-night draftee. Arnette started 38 games in his Ohio State career.

Here is the latest from the draft world:

  • While Jalen Hurts is not expected to creep into the first round, Pelissero notes some NFL personnel believe he will go higher than most predict (Twitter link). So will Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Pelissero adds. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Hurts going off the board at No. 49 overall to the Steelers; Scouts Inc. grades the dual-threat quarterback as its No. 94 overall prospect. The Packers, Chargers and Raiders are among the teams believed to be interested. Winfield (29th per Scouts Inc.) is a second-generation NFLer, the son of former Vikings Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield. The younger Winfield intercepted seven passes last year and is also seen as a player who, like his father, could move into the slot.
  • Ex-Hurts teammate Tua Tagovailoa is “very well-regarded” in New England, per Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston. However, Curran also believes the scenario NBC Sports’ Peter King suggested of the Patriots moving up to No. 13 (the 49ers’ slot) to draft a falling Tagovailoa doesn’t make much sense for the team, due to the Pats’ various other needs. Tagovailoa may now be back in play for the Dolphins at No. 5 anyway.
  • Buzz has surfaced about the Giants having a trade partner. While it is not certain the Jaguars are that team, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets several GMs have pointed to the Giants moving down from No. 4 and the Jags climbing up from No. 8. The Giants are believed to be serious about wanting to move down. Although the Jaguars are believed to be planning to give Gardner Minshew a legitimate opportunity, JLC speculates a move up would be for a quarterback.
  • This draft could well see five tackles taken in the first round. With Hall of Fame executive Gil Brandt listing Ezra Cleveland as a player who will go higher than expected, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds that the Boise State tackle is a “mortal lock” to be chosen in Round 1 (Twitter link). The Browns were believed to be eyeing Cleveland, which would be a fun fit. If they pass on a tackle at No. 10, the Browns may need to consider making an early move back into Round 1 for the rising player.

Dolphins Hoping To Acquire No. 3 Pick Without Trading No. 5?

April 22nd, 2020 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked to quarterbacks at No. 5 throughout the pre-draft process (and connected to a 2020 first-round passer before the 2019 draft), the Dolphins are now believed to have a top-five tackle in sight. A report earlier Wednesday indicated Miami is interested in moving up to No. 3 for a tackle. However, the Dolphins are not conceding that they will have to give up their No. 5 pick to do so.

Instead of dealing the fifth overall pick to move up for the third, the Dolphins are trying to work out a deal that will allow them to acquire No. 3 and keep No. 5, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. Only one team in the past 19 years — the 2018 Browns — has made two top-five picks in the same draft.

The Dolphins have spoken with the Lions about a move. Miami signed ex-top-10 tackle Ereck Flowers but will play him at guard; the team features a major need at tackle. Climbing to No. 3 would put the Dolphins in position to draft the best one — ahead of the likely tackle-seeking Giants at No. 4. The Dolphins have an interesting ammo arsenal to try and obtain two top-five picks, holding the Nos. 18 and 26 selections and two second-round choices.

Acquiring the No. 3 pick without giving up No. 5 would open the door to the Dolphins drafting a tackle and a quarterback. The latest out of Miami has pointed back to Tua Tagovailoa — after a stream of Justin Herbert buzz. The Dolphins taking a tackle at 3, however, opens the door to the Giants then holding an auction for any team wanting to climb ahead of Miami’s No. 5 pick to land Tagovailoa.

In addition to eyeing left tackles atop the draft, the Dolphins are interested in a right tackle. Dolphins GM Chris Grier likes Andrew Thomas at left tackle and his ex-Georgia teammate, Isaiah Wilson, Jackson adds. Wilson is viewed as a second-round-level talent.

Raiders, 49ers, Broncos, Eagles Eyeing Henry Ruggs

April 22nd, 2020 at 4:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Alabama will likely have two receivers drafted in the top 20 Thursday night. The faster of those two talents has generated interest from several teams with mid-first-round selections and clear wideout needs.

The 49ers, Broncos, Raiders and Eagles have contacted Henry Ruggs the most, the ex-Crimson Tide speedster told Ian Rapoport on the RapSheet and Friends Podcast (Twitter link via NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark). The Raiders, 49ers and Broncos pick at Nos. 12, 13 and 15, respectively, while the Eagles possess the No. 21 selection.

Ruggs has sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash speed. While he was not as productive as Jerry Jeudy, there could be a genuine chance he goes off the board before his former teammate. The Jets, who pick 11th, have also expressed interest in Ruggs. But they are believed to be zeroing in on tackles over wideouts. However, if the Dolphins are in play for a tackle, teams with mid-round picks hoping to land one of the coveted top four at the position could be in trouble.

The Raiders and 49ers carry two first-rounders and possess clear receiver needs opposite Tyrell Williams and Deebo Samuel, respectively. A player like Ruggs would make sense for a Broncos team that rosters the 6-foot-4 Courtland Sutton. The Broncos have been linked to a trade-up, but for Jeudy and not Ruggs. As for the Eagles, they have been connected to receivers throughout the pre-draft process. But at this point, it is looking like Philly will have to move up from No. 21 to land Ruggs.

Falcons Could Target OT

April 22nd, 2020 at 3:11pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have been ultra aggressive in their play to move up the board in Round 1. Many have assumed that they’d leap for a big-time cornerback, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that they’ve also spent time chatting with some of this year’s top offensive tackles. 

The elite cornerbacks – Jeffrey Okudah and C.J. Henderson – still seem to be the most likely targets for Atlanta if they vault into the Top 10. Still, Rapoport hears they’re at least considering the possibility of tapping a tackle near the top of the order. The offensive lineman in this year’s class aren’t getting as much love as the wide receivers, but it’s another area of strength in this year’s crop.

Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas (a local fave, of course), Louisville standout Mekhi Becton, and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills could all be there for the taking if the Falcons manage to soar high enough. Assuming the Redskins and Lions stand pat at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively, getting the Giants’ No. 4 pick should allow them to grab any of the aforementioned targets, with the possible exception of Okudah. Of course, the Giants are also in the hunt for OL help and they’ve been linked to Wirfs for several weeks, so it’s not a given that they can pry that pick away.

Last year, the Falcons fortified their offensive line in the draft by taking Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom in the first round. They’re still looking for lineman, so it’s a situation worth monitoring.

Dolphins Rumors: Herbert, Tagovailoa, Thuney

April 22nd, 2020 at 2:31pm CST by Zachary Links

With ~24 hours to go until the NFL Draft, the Dolphins have succeeded in their mission to confuse everyone in the football world. Here’s the latest on what the Dolphins might be thinking at No. 5, plus more from South Beach:

Dolphins Considering Move To No. 3 Overall For OT

April 22nd, 2020 at 1:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins have contacted teams ahead of them in the draft order about a potential move up the board, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Instead of targeting a quarterback, however, Miami would be looking at an offensive tackle. The Dolphins — who currently hold the fifth overall selection — have spoken with the Lions about acquiring the No. 3 pick, per RapSheet.

The 2020 draft class contains at least four offensive tackle prospects who are expected to come off the board relatively early in the first round. In some order, most observers peg the top-four OTs as Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton.

Given that the Bengals and Redskins are almost assuredly taking Joe Burrow and Chase Young with pick Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, the Dolphins should be able to get one of those four tackles at No. 5 without making a move. But if they have their eye on a specific tackle, a trade up could potentially make sense.

Miami is in need of help at tackle after trading former first-rounder Laremy Tunsil to the Texans last year. The Tunsil deal allowed the Dolphins to acquire a haul of draft capital from Houston, but also left them short at a critical offensive position.

If Miami doesn’t end trade up, or doesn’t take a tackle at No. 5, there are still options for them further down the board. Houston’s Josh Jones, USC’s Austin Jackson, Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland, and Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson are also considered possible first-round selections.

Latest On WR Jerry Jeudy

April 22nd, 2020 at 12:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Teams are well aware of Jerry Jeudy‘s past knee troubles, but they aren’t worried about it, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic (on Twitter). As Brugler notes, the wide receiver is two seasons removed from his scope in April of 2018 and they’ve done ample homework on his lateral meniscus. With that in mind, Brugler hears that the Alabama star is still expected to land somewhere in the Top 20. 

Two teams at the scouting combine expressed concern over Jeudy’s left knee, but his doctor has issued a letter to all 32 clubs to quell such talk. “Jeudy has not required any treatment” on the knee since his surgery, says the doctor, who expects him to progress “without limitations” from here on out. Some teams may still have Jeudy’s knee flagged to a degree, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) has yet to speak with a club that believes it will seriously impact his career.

Jeudy is right up there with CeeDee Lamb in a draft that is positively loaded with exceptional WR talent. Both players are mortal locks to come off the board early – it’s just a matter of when the run will start. Some say the WRs will start flying at No. 11, when the Jets have their turn at the virtual podium. Or, the run could start earlier if teams like the Jets, Raiders, or Broncos move up to get their man.

Tua Tagovailoa Passed Dolphins’ Physical In February

April 22nd, 2020 at 11:38am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins might not be overly concerned with Tua Tagovailoa‘s medical situation. Team doctors gave him a passing grade on his physical at the scouting combine, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

[RELATED: Dolphins Considering Non-QBs At No. 5?]

Presumably, Tagovailoa is even closer to 100% health today than he was in late February. In addition to his major hip injury, the southpaw suffered multiple high ankle sprains, a knee sprain and a broken wrist during his collegiate career. Predictably, Tagovailoa’s camp claims the medical concerns are overblown, though at least one team failed Tagovailoa on a physical earlier this year.

Over the last week, there’s been more and more talk of the Dolphins preferring Oregon’s Justin Herbert to Tagovailoa, but that could very well be a smokescreen. For months, Tagovailoa has been connected to the Dolphins, at the No. 5 spot or perhaps with a move up the board. Some evaluators are troubled by Tagovailoa’s issues, but the QB says he’s ready to rock.

“I feel 100 percent,” the Alabama quarterback said earlier this month. “I feel like if there was a game today, I’d be able to go out and perform the same way I was able to perform in previous years. I feel as mobile as possible. I feel 100 percent.”

As a sophomore, Tagovailoa threw for almost 4,000 yards and 43 touchdowns while lobbing just six interceptions. He finished that 2018 season as the runner-up for the Heisman trophy, just behind eventual No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray.

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