2020 April - Pro Football Rumors

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.

Leonard Williams Signs Franchise Tender

April 22nd, 2020 at 5:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants will have Leonard Williams in the fold for their virtual offseason program. The franchise-tagged defensive lineman intends to sign his tender, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard (on Twitter).

It remains unclear, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, if Williams will be tagged as a defensive end or tackle (Twitter link). Were Williams to be tagged as a tackle, his tender price would be $16.1MM. As an end, he would be attached to a $17.8MM figure.

When the Giants tagged Williams, they believed they were clear he will be tagged as a D-tackle; Williams, understandably, wants to be tagged as an end (Twitter link via SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano). Williams played 560 snaps inside last season and just 81 at end, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). That seems to make this a fairly open-and-shut case, despite Williams being listed as a defensive end for a 3-4 scheme.

Williams and the Giants are not believed to be close on an extension, per Vacchiano (on Twitter). Williams has until July 15 to sign an extension or play the 2020 season on the tag. Signing the tender now will prevent the Giants from rescinding it, locking in Williams to a big payday in what could end up being the most uncertain offseason in modern NFL history.

It surprised many when the Giants tagged Williams, just as it did when they acquired him via trade months before his contract was set to expire. While the former Jets No. 6 overall pick has not been productive as a sack artist, his 101 quarterback hits since 2015 rank 12th in the NFL. His 17.5 career sacks, however, do not even rank in the top 80 in that span. Williams registered no sacks in seven Giants games and collected just a half-sack in 15 total games last season.

The Giants are deep on their defensive line. Williams joins Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill and 2019 first-round pick Dexter Lawrence up front. All four graded in the top 40, per Pro Football Focus, among D-linemen last year. Williams, interestingly, graded lowest among Big Blue’s talented quartet last season. Dave Gettleman has referenced a Tomlinson extension may be in the cards. Tomlinson is going into a contract year. Williams will either be a high-priced rental — with 2020 doubling as a prove-it year — or the Giants’ D-line is about to become expensive.

Colts Sign TE Trey Burton

April 22nd, 2020 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trey Burton has found a landing spot after his Bears release. The former Eagles tight end agreed to terms with the Colts on Wednesday, according to his agency (Twitter link).

This will reunite Burton with Frank Reich, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator during the tight end’s final years in Philadelphia. This will be a Colts-friendly deal, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (via Twitter) Burton agreed to a veteran-minimum contract. However, Burton still has $4MM coming to him by virtue of his 2018 Bears pact.

Burton, 28, will not be asked to be Indianapolis’ clear No. 1 tight end the way he was in Chicago. Although the Colts let Eric Ebron defect to the Steelers, they still employ Jack Doyle. Burton will be in position to be an auxiliary weapon for Philip Rivers.

The passer on the Eagles’ “Philly Special” play in Super Bowl LII performed fairly well in 2018, suiting up for 16 games and hauling in a career-high 569 yards and six touchdown receptions. Last season, though, injuries hampered Burton. He only recorded 84 yards in eight games. Burton underwent hernia surgery during the 2019 offseason and went on IR after a calf injury.

The Colts will still head into the draft in need of a T.Y. Hilton complement at wide receiver, but this Burton agreement stands to make tight end a lower priority. Indianapolis also rosters Mo Alie-Cox and ex-Steelers blocking tight end Xavier Grimble.

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.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/20

April 22nd, 2020 at 3:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Signed: TE Colin Thompson (XFL)

Miami Dolphins

Signed exclusive rights free agent tender: LB Trent Harris

Buccaneers Haven’t Pursued Redskins’ Trent Williams This Week

April 22nd, 2020 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Two months ago, the Buccaneers nearly shipped tight end O.J. Howard to the Redskins in a deal that would have landed them Trent Williams. However, there are no active talks on Williams between the two teams, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets.

Taking finances out of consideration, the Howard-for-Williams scenario would make more sense than ever right now. The arrival of Rob Gronkowski arguably makes Howard an expendable luxury and the Bucs still need quality protection for Tom Brady. Meanwhile, the Redskins are still looking to solidify the tight end position after parting ways with Jordan Reed. While sensible – again, when taking cap limitations and Williams’ demand for a hefty new contract out of the equation – nothing seems to be in the works between the Redskins and Bucs at present.

Instead, the Redskins could look to mid-round tight end options in this year’s class, or explore the late wave of available veterans. Last week, the Bears put Trey Burton on the free agent pile – he could be a low-risk option on a one-year deal with a modest base and incentives.

For the Bucs, the lack of Williams talk may signal a trade up for one of this year’s best offensive linemen. Bucs GM Jason Licht is already burning up the phone lines to explore a move, one that could put him in range for Mekhi Becton (Louisville), Jedrick Wills (Alabama), Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), or Andrew Thomas (Georgia).

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:

If the Dolphins choose anyone other than quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick, it’ll come as a surprise to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington based on what he’s been hearing (Twitter link). This, of course, comes after weeks of reports that the Dolphins have shifted their attention to Oregon’s Justin Herbert, who perhaps offers a higher floor and lower ceiling at QB. They’ve also spoken with the Lions about No. 3 with interest in trading up for an offensive tackle.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald recently speculated that the Dolphins could explore a trade for Patriots offensive lineman Joe Thuney. Later on, a Dolphins source confirmed to Salguero that they are indeed fans. It could be a situation to keep an eye on – the Patriots have lots of holes to fill, the Dolphins could use the help up front, and they’ve got the draft capital to get a deal done. Thuney is set to play on the franchise tag this year, which means that the ‘Fins – or any other club with interest – would have to consider the cost of a long-term deal.
As we noted earlier today, Salguero also hears that the Dolphins passed Tagovailoa on his physical in February.

Vikings Expressed Interest In Trent Williams A Month Ago

April 22nd, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings have previously expressed interest in Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, as John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Minnesota’s interest came about a month ago, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.com.

Per Anderson, “nothing has transpired” between the Vikings and Redskins since that initial interest is conveyed. But it’s entirely possible Minnesota could continue to work the phones on Williams as we head into draft day. The Vikings currently hold five picks within the top-105, so they should certainly have the draft capital to make a move for Williams if they want to.

Riley Reiff has manned left tackle for the Vikings in each of the past three seasons, but he’d presumably move to guard if Minnesota were to acquire Williams. The Vikings’ front five was an above-average unit in 2019, ranking seventh in Football Outsiders‘ run-blocking metric and 14th in FO’s pass-blocking charting.

Washington has reportedly taken over the Williams trade process from Williams and his agent. Any club that picks up Williams will need to put him through an exhaustive physical exam, and will probably need to extend his contract. He’s currently signed only through the 2020 campaign.

Tom Brady Didn’t Demand Gronk

April 22nd, 2020 at 1:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Tom Brady made no demands for a Tampa reunion with longtime pal Rob Gronkowski, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. However, the QB did “mention” to head coach Bruce Arians and GM Jason Licht that Gronk would love to play for the Buccaneers.

The speculation over Gronk’s potential return to football has raged ever since his retirement in March of 2019. Once Brady left the Patriots for the Bucs in March of this year, everyone connected the dots, speculating that Gronk could force a move to Florida. This week, the deal went down. Gronkowski will be traded to the Bucs, along with a seventh-round pick. In exchange, the Patriots will receive a fourth-round pick in this weekend’s draft, a compensatory pick at No. 139 overall.

To date, Gronkowski has registered 521 receptions, 7,861 yards, and 79 touchdowns over the course of his legendary career. The majority of those throws, of course, came from Brady. Together, they’ve racked up multiple Super Bowl rings while securing their status as future first ballot Hall of Famers.

Gronk, the one-man fiesta, will look to silence any on-field doubts after a down 2018. In his last NFL season, he appeared in 13 games, catching 47 passes for 682 yards and three touchdowns. Still, with incredible offensive skills plus blocking ability, he’s one of the best (if not the best) tight ends of all-time.