2020 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

NFL Draft Rumors: Falcons, Steelers, Cowboys

April 20th, 2020 at 2:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons could be the most aggressive team in the NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (on Twitter). Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time that GM Thomas Dimitroff went big on draft day – he gambled, and hit the jackpot, with his move up for Julio Jones in 2011. This time around, he could be looking to land one of the draft’s premier cornerbacks. As Mort notes, the Falcons will have to play against the likes of Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater this year. An elite defender like Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah or Florida’s C.J. Henderson could give them the artillery they need to keep up in the NFC South.

More draft rumblings from around the league:

The Steelers don’t have a first-round pick, but head coach Mike Tomlin says he isn’t “fretting at all” (Twitter link via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com). The Steelers turned that selection into Minkah Fitzpatrick back in September and the former Fins cornerback rewarded them with a first-team All-Pro season. Pittsburgh will have to make the most of their remaining picks, especially since they rank near the bottom of the league in available cap room.
Despite the Steelers featuring Joe Haden, Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton, they have drafted a cornerback in ten of the past eleven drafts. They also used a third-round pick on Justin Layne last year. Pittsburgh is slated to hold the No. 49 overall pick. After that, a compensatory selection landed in Round 3 (at No. 104). Should the Steelers feel compelled to further bolster this position, however, that move would more likely come on Day 3, per The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly (subscription required).
The Cowboys have done “a ton of work” on Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com hears. After racking up 17.5 sacks and 37 hurries over the last two seasons while providing solid work against the run, Gross-Matos is in demand.

Chiefs Eyeing Henry Ruggs?

April 20th, 2020 at 11:52am CST by Zachary Links

With the final pick in the first round, most analysts expect the Chiefs to prioritize their need at cornerback. However, Peter King of NBC Sports has heard that the Chiefs could also explore a move up for Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III if he falls into the twenties.

The Chiefs already have a loaded group of receivers, headlined by Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Sammy Watkins, and tight end Travis Kelce. They’re also short on ammo for a trade up the board, so a leap for Ruggs would be truly shocking.

It’s not hard to see why the Chiefs might be drawn to Ruggs, of course. He’s one of the very best receivers in a historically deep class for the position, alongside Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and teammate Jerry Jeudy. He also has the blazing speed that the Chiefs can’t get enough of – his 4.4 second 40-yard-dash shows that he has the moves to burn any corner in the pros.

While they don’t need another dynamic wide receiver, the Chiefs may view Ruggs as a long-term replacement for Watkins. The veteran re-upped with KC on a one-year deal earlier this month, which means that he probably won’t fit into their budget if he has a monster season. And, while the cornerback position is a must, they might be content to pass on CBs in the first round once Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson are spoken for.

Giants High On QB Justin Herbert?

April 20th, 2020 at 10:47am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants have spent lots of time researching and talking to Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Needless to say, it would be an absolute stunner if the Giants targeted Herbert, but RapSheet says it’s a note to file away this week.

Herbert has had lots of FaceTime conversations with head coach Joe Judge, but that could just be a part of their “exhaustive” draft prep for their top pick. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine any scenario where the Giants would draft Herbert with Daniel Jones already in place. NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter) speculates that the Giants could be playing the long game, using this opportunity to do their homework on him in case he becomes available at some point down the road.

The Giants probably won’t be in the mix for Herbert, but other QB-needy teams are taking a hard look at him. That list, of course, includes the Dolphins at No. 5 overall. For months, they’ve been heavily connected to Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa, but more and more insiders are hearing that they’re actually obsessed with Herbert. That may also explain the Giants’ deep dive on Herbert – an attempt to sweat the ‘Fins into trading up.

The Chargers are also a possibility for Herbert, but it doesn’t sound like they’re willing to trade up from No. 6 to get him.

49ers In Talks To Trade No. 13 & No. 31 Picks

April 20th, 2020 at 8:48am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers are talking trade. They’re taking calls on both of their first round picks at Nos. 13 and 31 overall, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, and they’re open dealing one or both those choices.

For months, the Niners have stood out as an obvious trade-down candidate. With no picks in the second, third, or fourth rounds, they’re eager to replenish their stockpile. After No. 31, their next pick doesn’t come until No. 156.

The 49ers turned their draft depth into edge rusher Dee Ford and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (now with the Saints). Earlier this year, they shipped defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the Colts, bringing them the No. 13 overall pick – ammo they desperately needed.

That No. 13 pick could put them in range for an elite wide receiver, like Oklahoma star CeeDee Lamb. As tempting as that might be, they have other needs to address, including cornerback, interior offensive line, and defensive tackle.

Extra Points: Kinlaw, UDFAs, Lions, Vaitai

April 19th, 2020 at 7:26pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

2020 draft prospect Javon Kinlaw has an incredible story. The South Carolina defensive tackle had a rough upbringing, and was homeless for much of his childhood. As he prepares for the next chapter of his journey, Kinlaw gave an interview to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com. He said he doesn’t think about his past all that much, and called himself “hands down, without a doubt,” the best defensive tackle in the draft. He’s competing with Auburn’s Derrick Brown for that title, and is a lock to be a first-round pick. Although providing for his young daughter will be great, Kinlaw said his large rookie contract won’t be the best part. “Money’s going to be there and that’s cool,” he said. “But I love football. I’m just happy I get the chance to do what very few get a chance to do. I get a chance to play the game you grow up seeing. To have it as a job? You can’t ask for more than that.”

Kinlaw didn’t play in the Senior Bowl because of knee tendinitis and then didn’t work out at the combine, but it doesn’t sound like there are serious injury concerns. One team evaluator told Jones that Kinlaw’s recent medical reports came back clean. The former Gamecock said he’s spoken with “about 14 teams” in advance of the draft. Kinlaw could very well go inside the top ten, and he shouldn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called.

Here’s more from around the league as draft week approaches:

For all the talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the draft and potential technical malfunctions that could ensure while conducting it virtually, it could be even more disruptive for the undrafted free agent process. Undrafted free agency normally moves very fast as the draft wraps up, and Ben Volin of the Boston Globe spoke to some agents who think it’ll get complicated. One agent said it will be a “complete mess” and that “if they operate the same way this year there’s going to be more deals being reneged because they filled too many spots.” There are apparently concerns of communication issues in the frenzy that usually takes place, and as an example Volin writes that a “safeties coach could call a player and tell him to expect an offer, not realizing that [his team doesn’t] have the roster space.” Some around the league are calling for a gap to make things smoother. “Make it a separate day. Doing it on the third day of the draft this year is going to be miserable,” one agent argued. “I don’t see why everybody wouldn’t be on board with that.” Volin notes that he reached out to a league spokesman to see if they’d consider pushing it back, but got no response.
When the Lions gave Halapoulivaati Vaitai a big five-year, $50MM deal, most assumed he would take over for Ricky Wagner at right tackle, but that’s apparently not necessarily the case. Detroit GM Bob Quinn recently indicated the team might opt to play him at right guard, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). “We feel like we can plug him in either spot. … We’ll kind of see where the roster shapes up,” Quinn said. Birkett notes in a follow-up tweet that they certainly paid him like a right tackle, but may opt to kick him inside if there’s a tackle they really want early in this draft. They have Taylor Decker at left tackle. Vaitai was highly regarded in Philadelphia, but was buried behind the Eagles’ surplus of tackles, so he only started four games over the past two years.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Williams, Thuney, Dolphins

April 19th, 2020 at 4:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Throughout the offseason, the Jets have been unwilling to part with a second-round pick for Trent Williams. With days to go before the draft, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY hears that their position hasn’t changed.

And, even if the Jets were willing to cough up a second-round pick, Vacchiano doesn’t think that would be enough to bring the Redskins’ left tackle to Gang Green.

More on the Jets and the rest of the AFC East:

The Jets want to keep Jamal Adams for the long haul, but they’re also willing to slow-play negotiations to get the best possible price, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini writes. Meanwhile, Adams’ camp has not set a deadline for talks, so the Jets don’t feel rushed or pressured to get something done. As it stands, Adams is under contract through the 2020 season, and the Jets also hold a fifth-year option on his deal that could take him through 2021.
If rival teams call with trade interest in guard Joe Thuney, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss expects the Patriots to pick up the phone and listen with an open mind. The Pats stunned everyone by using the franchise tag on Thuney, cuffing him at a $14.78MM rate for 2020. That’s not Bill Belichick‘s style, of course, so Reiss thinks he’d consider dealing Thuney if they’re offered a second-round choice or even a high third-rounder.
The Dolphins have done lots of homework on mid-round running backs and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wouldn’t be surprised to see them come out of draft weekend with two new RBs. They’ve also done lots of interviews with kickers like Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship, which could spell the end for Jason Sanders.
After undergoing wrist and groin surgeries, Jerry Hughes says he’s “on schedule” for the 2020 season (via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News). That’s fantastic news for the Bills, who hope to feature Hughes at defensive end alongside Trent Murphy and newcomer Mario Addison.

Eagles Interested In Baylor WR Denzel Mims

April 19th, 2020 at 12:33pm CST by Rory Parks

It’s not surprising that the Eagles, whose need for young wide receiver talent is obvious, have been connected to a number of the best pass catcher’s in this year’s draft class. Just yesterday, we learned that Philadelphia is taking a look at Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk and TCU’s Jalen Reagor, and we already knew that the club is interested in LSU’s Justin Jefferson.

You can now add Baylor wideout Denzel Mims to that list. Mims himself tells Jon Marks and Ike Reese of 94 WIP that the Eagles have expressed more interest in him than any other club, and that he chatted with Philly four or five times last week.

“I actually have talked to the Eagles a lot,” Mims said. “I felt like I killed the interview.”

While Jefferson may be gone by the time the Eagles are on the clock with the No. 21 overall pick, Mims should be available. He offers an intriguing blend of size and speed, and he is a willing blocker in the run game. He did struggle with drops at times, but in 2019, he managed to post over 1,000 yards for the second time in his collegiate career despite playing with a broken hand.

Of course, Eagles GM Howie Roseman is one of the most aggressive execs in the game, and he could try to move up the board to land one of this year’s consensus top WRs like Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes (subscription required). But the Eagles are also staring down the barrel of a bleak salary cap situation in 2021, so it would make sense for them to try and load up on as much cheap talent as possible. Given the depth of this year’s WR class, the team could trade down from No. 21 if all of the top-tier receivers are gone, and it could pick up a defensive playmaker in the process while still securing an impact wideout.

Depending on how far down the board Roseman moves in this hypothetical scenario, he may still be able to land Mims or Aiyuk. Reagor, meanwhile, could last until the end of the second round, though he’s also generating buzz as a potential first-round talent.

Draft QB Rumors: Bolts, Raiders, Pats

April 19th, 2020 at 10:52am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s round up some of the recent QB-related rumors that are swirling in advance of Thursday’s draft:

The Chargers hold the No. 6 overall pick and are not inclined to trade up from that spot, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. The Bolts are fans of both Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, and it seems almost certain that at least one of those passers will be available when Los Angeles is on the clock. The team could still go in a non-QB direction with the No. 6 pick, but it would be difficult to pass up a franchise-altering talent at the most important position in sports, especially since the Chargers will probably not be picking nearly as high in 2021.
Although the Raiders have Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota on the roster, La Canfora hears that the club could make a play for a QB with one of their two first-round picks. Las Vegas holds the No. 12 and No. 19 overall selections, and JLC believes the team could target a CB with the No. 12 pick and go after a QB like Tagovailoa — if he falls that far — or Jordan Love with the No. 19 pick. While the Raiders need a receiver and don’t have a second-round selection, this year’s draft is deep enough at WR that Las Vegas could still find an impact player with one of its three third-round choices.
The Patriots are in the market for a collegiate signal-caller, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com says it’s a question of “when,” not “if”, New England drafts a QB this week. We recently heard that the Pats would find a passer in either the first round or middle rounds, and if a player like Herbert or Tagovailoa should start to slide, it would not be surprising to see them pull the trigger. Coincidentally, new personnel consultant Eliot Wolf was a Packers staffer in 2005, when Green Bay was the beneficiary of Aaron Rodgers‘ famous draft-day slide.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote before last year’s draft that Jarrett Stidham was the QB that represented the best fit for the Patriots, and the Pats ultimately selected Stidham with a fourth-round pick. Bowen believes the rookie signal-caller that makes the most sense for New England this year is Washington’s Jacob Eason (subscription required). Eason profiles as a Day 2 pick, so he would not be the Pats’ target with their No. 23 overall choice, but he may be off the board by the time New England is on the clock again at No. 87.
Colts GM Chris Ballard will not force a QB pick in this year’s draft, though Indy has been linked to rookie passers. The team could select a signal-caller like Eason with one of its second-round choices, though the Colts remain high on Jacoby Brissett. It may seem unlikely, but Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star says the team continues to insist that it could forgo a quarterback in the 2020 draft and look to bring Brissett back in 2021.

Broncos Eyeing Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy?

April 19th, 2020 at 9:57am CST by Rory Parks

We heard last week that the Broncos may be trying to trade up from their No. 15 overall pick in Thursday’s draft, and those reports suggested that Denver would be targeting an offensive tackle with such a move. Although LT Garett Bolles actually performed surprisingly well in 2019 according to advanced metrics, he has not come close to living up to his status as a former first-round pick, and RT Ja’Wuan James saw his first season with the Broncos almost entirely wiped out due to injury.

So a tackle would make plenty of sense for Denver, but if the team does engineer a trade-up, it would be for a wide receiver, not a lineman, per Woody Paige of The Gazette (Twitter link). Specifically, the longtime Denver-based reporter says the club is targeting Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy.

Jeudy is seen as one of the top receivers in a draft that is historically deep at the position, and the run on wideouts is expected to start no later than the No. 11 overall selection, when the Jets are on the clock. As such, if the Broncos want Jeudy, they may need to get up to No. 8 (Cardinals) or No. 10 (Browns). Both Arizona and Cleveland profile as trade-down candidates, so Denver could have a trade partner should they choose to be aggressive.

Denver’s current WR depth chart looks pretty thin beyond budding star Courtland Sutton, and while it may make more sense to wait until the second or third round to nab another pass catcher — after all, a second-rounder in this year’s draft may be a first-rounder in any other year — there’s no denying that a Sutton-Jeudy combo is sorely tempting.

Jeudy is lauded for his route-running, and he averaged for 1,239 yards and 12 TDs over his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. With him, Sutton, and second-year TE Noah Fant, QB Drew Lock would have a young and talented arsenal at his disposal.

One way or another, Paige does not expect the Broncos to stay put at No. 15. If they cannot trade up, or if they decide the price to do so is too high, Paige expects them to explore trade-down scenarios to further bolster their draft capital. As of this writing, they have 10 picks in the draft.

Poll: Will The Lions Draft Jeff Okudah At No. 3?

April 18th, 2020 at 8:30pm CST by Zachary Links

We could ask you whether the Bengals will take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick. We could also ask you whether the Redskins will select Ohio State sack machine Chase Young, who profiles as the best overall talent in the entire 2020 NFL Draft class. We could also ask you whether you think pancakes are delicious. Or whether your front lawn is green.

That doesn’t mean for sure that Burrow and Young will be the first players off the board on Thursday, but that’s the general sense in the NFL world. The real question marks start at No. 3, where the Lions may be split between their favorite draft crushes. Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown could provide them with the run-stopping solution they hoped to have in Damon Harrison. Clemson standout Isaiah Simmons could bolster them at both edge and safety, all in one shot. Still, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is very much in the mix, and the Lions have reportedly been zeroing in on him for weeks.

There’s a convincing case to be made for each, but the Lions have a massive hole to fill at cornerback after trading Darius Slay to the Eagles. Simmons and Brown may have attributes that they want, they don’t address the team’s biggest need. Okudah, with cheetah-like speed and the smarts to stay on the good side of zebras, seems like a sensible pick.

“I would put Okudah down as the safest [defensive player in this draft],” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said recently. “I know exactly what position he plays, I’ve seen him play that position against elite competition and I’ve seen him play at a very high, consistent level. To me, Okudah is the safest.”

Now, it’s time for your take. Will the Lions take Okudah with the No. 3 pick? Or, will they go in a different direction (perhaps by trading from No. 3)?

Cast your vote below (link for app users) and break it all down in the comments.

2020 NFL Draft News & Rumors