HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Browns Eyeing OL Ezra Cleveland?

April 16th, 2020 at 2:12pm CST by Zachary Links

“Buzz is building” around the Browns and offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The Browns could consider a trade back in the first round, allowing them to take the big man out of Boise State.

[RELATED: No Truth To Browns/OBJ Talk]

At 6’6″ and 300+ pounds, Cleveland has been moving up the boards over the past couple of months. At the combine, he impressed in his on-field drills, bringing him closer to the top tier of offensive lineman in this year’s class.

Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, and Andrew Thomas figure to be the first tackles selected, but Cleveland has also made a case to be an early pick. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein lauds Cleveland’s quick feet and ability to accelerate, skills that could allow him to thrive in the Browns’ multi-faceted offense. At the same time, the draft guru notes that Cleveland is green in some areas – his play strength, punch timing, and ability to separate all need some fine-tuning.

With help from the NFL Research team, Rapoport notes that this would be just the fifth time that a drafted player shared the same name as his team’s city. The Browns also have some experience in that area. Since 1970, they’ve selected seven players with the last name Brown. And, in 1957, they selected the legendary Jim Brown. Soon, we’ll know whether Cleveland gets share a similar status.

AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Draft

April 16th, 2020 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Want to know the Dolphins‘ plans for the NFL Draft next week? You’ll have to wait, because general manager Chris Grier says his lips are sealed (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald):

“We’ve spent a lot of time going through, spent a lot of time with the players. We’re going to do what’s best for the Miami Dolphins..My wife and kids are worse than you guys [asking who we’ll take].”

Grier claims there are “about eight or nine players” the Dolphins could select at No. 5 overall, but we’d wager that the list is much shorter than that. Based on what we’ve been hearing, the ‘Fins are most likely looking at quarterbacks, though no one is sure whether their preferred QB is Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert.

Here’s the latest from the AFC East:

  • It’s no secret that the Patriots are in the market for a QB and the feeling is that Bill Belichick will either find his next passer in the first round or in the middle rounds, with no real in between, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Meanwhile, one NFL GM tells Peter King of NBC Sports that the Pats “love” Herbert, though they’re not in love enough to vault way up from No. 23 to get him.
  • So, what is Belichick looking for as the Patriots try to replace Tom Brady? Recently, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah (Twitter link) unearthed scouting material from BB’s Browns days where he said the No. 1 trait is someone that makes “good decisions.” Arm strength, to BB, is secondary – he values accuracy over “a guy with a cannon.” Those descriptions fit Brady and they’ll likely be prerequisites for the Patriots’ QB of the future. Beyond Tua and Herbert, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe sees Jake Fromm as a solid fit.
  • Earlier this year, the Patriots exercised their option on Jason McCourty, which helped bring brother Devin McCourty back to New England. If the Patriots didn’t hold on to Jason, Devin would have left for the Dolphins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears.

NFL To Release 2020 Schedule By May 9

April 16th, 2020 at 12:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL still plans to release a full 2020 season schedule by May 9, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen (on Twitter). After that, the league will adjust the schedule and the length of the season, if necessary.

[RELATED: Rams’ Allen Tests Positive For COVID-19]

Meanwhile, the NFL is still weighing its options and potential contingencies. As one source explained to Mark Maske of The Washington Post (Twitter links), the league might have to move games in order to avoid coronavirus hotspot areas with restrictions.

“I would assume that’s something you’re going to have to look at. There’s no way of knowing which states will be open and which won’t,” the official said to Maske, adding that the contingencies have not yet been presented to teams. “There’s no question we’re going to have to think it through and put different scenarios to the owners.”

At the top level, the league is considering the possibility of fewer games, with zero fans in attendance. The NFL has not shortened a season since 1987, when the players’ strike took one game off of the schedule. If the season has to be shortened due to the pandemic, we could see a much larger reduction in games played.

Eagles’ Jason Kelce To Return In 2020

April 16th, 2020 at 11:29am CST by Zachary Links

In an Instagram post, Jason Kelce announced that he will return for another NFL season. Meanwhile, to keep the focus on the field, the Eagles center says that he’s retiring from the world of arm wrestling, where he’s amassed a 2-0 record. As Kelce says, he’s going out on top. 

[RELATED: Flacco Open To Joining Eagles?]

“I wanted to allow my body and mind to fully recover from the rigors of an NFL season and take time with my family to see what lies ahead,” Kelce wrote. “I am fully excited for the 2020 season and will be out there with my teammates, coaches, and hopefully fans this coming season…Can’t wait to be out there this season, can’t wait to have sports back, and I can’t wait till this lockdown is over.”

After the Eagles were knocked out by the Seahawks, Kelce was reportedly the last player to take off his uniform. To some, that signaled retirement. However, the 32-year-old (33 in November) will return for another season in Philly, where he’s under contract through the 2021 season, plus a few void years for salary cap purposes.

With that, Kelce will be on the books for a $7.4MM figure in 2020. He’s well worth the price – last year, Kelce graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center for his work across 1,227 snaps.

Draft Rumors: Dolphins, Herbert, Edwards-Helaire, Aiyuk, Shenault

April 16th, 2020 at 11:18am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins held a predraft video meeting with Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who reports no NFL team has done as much work on Herbert as the Dolphins. Herbert is fully expected to come off the board in Round 1 of next week’s draft, but it’s unclear if Miami will be comfortable taking him with the fifth overall selection. Per Jackson, the Dolphins’ questions about Herbert are twofold: he’s more of an introvert than an extrovert, and he is occasionally inaccurate.

Miami also conducted a video conference with LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, per Jackson, who indicates the Dolphins could consider Edwards-Helaire with pick Nos. 39 or 56 in the second round. While the Dolphins already signed veteran Jordan Howard this offseaon, Edwards-Helaire, who caught 55 passes in 2019, would add another dimension to Miami’s backfield.

Here’s more on the upcoming draft, which is now only one week away:

  • Speaking of the Dolphins, former NFL executive Gil Brandt says it would not not be a surprise for Miami to take a non-quarterback with the fifth overall pick (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). While the Dolphins have seemingly spent the past year-plus acquiring draft capital in order to land a quarterback, it’s possible that they could go in a different direction. If Miami opts for another position at No. 5, offensive tackle could speculatively be a target area.
  • A number of prospects– including Arizona State receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Colorado receiver Laviska Shenault, and Cal safety Ashtyn Davis — recently underwent core muscle surgery but have medically cleared, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). All three should be ready for the start of the 2020 regular season. Meanwhile, Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall (ankle) has also been medically cleared, while South Carolina receiver Bryan Edwards (fifth metatarsal) and Utah safety Julian Blackmon (ACL) should be cleared by May and July, respectively.
  • While NFL teams aren’t all that concerned about the upcoming remote draft format, they are potentially worried about the undrafted free agent process, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (video link). The UDFA signing period is often a frenzy as is, and clubs think the virtual nature of the process could make it even more difficult.

Broncos’ Mike Purcell, Elijah Wilkinson Sign RFA Tenders

April 16th, 2020 at 10:52am CST by Dallas Robinson

Broncos defensive tackle Mike Purcell and guard Elijah Wilkinson have both signed their second-round restricted free agent tenders, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). They’ll each earn $3.259MM for the 2020 campaign.

While Purcell isn’t much of a pass-rusher, he’s excellent as stopping the run. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranked 6’3″, 330-pounder as the league’s best run-defending interior player in 2019. Purcell, who turns 29 years old later this week, played in 13 games (seven starts) for the Broncos last season while posting 48 tackles (eight for loss).

Purcell, an undrafted free agent in 2013, bounced around the league before finding a landing spot in Denver. The Wyoming product spent time with six other NFL teams and the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF before signing with the Broncos last April.

An undrafted free agent like Purcell, Wilkinson joined the Broncos out of UMass in 2017. Promoted to the starting lineup last season, the 25-year-old played on nearly 90% of Denver’s offensive snaps.

The Broncos have since added free agent Graham Glasgow on a multi-year deal, so it’s unclear if Wilkinson will still have a starting job in 2019. Glasgow can play center as well as guard, leaving Denver with multiple possible combinations up front.

Bucs TE O.J. Howard On Trade Block?

April 16th, 2020 at 9:23am CST by Dallas Robinson

Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard was reportedly available prior to the 2019 trade deadline, and he could be shopped again. As former NFL executive Michael Lombardi indicated on a recent episode of his GM Shuffle podcast, Tampa Bay could trade Howard either before or during next week’s draft.

Although Bucs head coach Bruce Arians has never heavily featured a tight end in his offense, Howard’s 2019 reception and yardage totals were largely in line with his career norms, but he scored only a single touchdown. Arians spoke repeatedly about getting Howard more involved in Tampa Bay’s offense, but the former first-round pick still has yet to truly break out.

Last year, the Buccaneers were reportedly only willing to deal Howard for a “substantial return.” Per Lombardi, the club was looking for a second-round pick. The Patriots, for one, inquired on Howard at the 2019 trade deadline, and although talks didn’t go anywhere, it’s possible New England could reach out again.

Howard, 25, has one year remaining on his rookie contract, although the Bucs (or any team that acquires Howard) can exercise a fifth-year option for the 2021 campaign. Under the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement, that fifth-year option would be fully guaranteed.

Rams C Brian Allen Tests Positive For COVID-19

April 16th, 2020 at 8:14am CST by Dallas Robinson

Rams center Brian Allen is the first active NFL player to test positive for COVID-19, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (Twitter link).

Allen first tested positive three weeks ago before testing positive again earlier this week. Fortunately, Allen now says he’s symptom-free and expects to receive the “all clear” this week.

The Rams, whose facilities had only been open to injured players, were forced to close down their building due to Allen’s positive test. Now that Allen is recovering, Los Angeles will be able to re-open next week, per Glazer.

It seemed inevitable that COVID-19 would eventually work its way into the NFL, and it’s entirely possible Allen won’t be the only NFL player diagnosed. It’s unclear if this news will force the league’s hand in terms of schedule; while events like free agency, the draft, and offseason workout programs have been moved to remote settings, no part of the NFL’s has been canceled as of yet.

Allen, 24, entered the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft. He became the Rams’ starting center in 2019 and appeared in nine games before suffering an MCL injury.

Latest On Aldon Smith, Randy Gregory

April 15th, 2020 at 8:59pm CST by Zachary Links

Cowboys defenders Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory will probably have to wait until after the draft to see if they’re cleared to play by the NFL, ESPN.com’s Ed Werder hears. Both players are under suspension for substance abuse policy violations and they won’t be able to take the field unless Roger Goodell gives them the green light. 

[RELATED: Latest On Cowboys, Prescott]

Smith hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since his 2015 season with the Raiders due to off-the-field trouble and personal issues. Before that downward trend, Smith was one of the league’s brightest stars. In his first two pro seasons, Smith notched 33.5 sacks. And, even when he was limited to just eleven games in 2013, he still managed to bring down the QB 8.5 times.

For the last few years, Smith has mostly been off of the NFL radar. Then, this offseason, the Cowboys gave him a chance at redemption. Smith is set to earn just $2MM in base salary, plus another $2MM in sack incentives, but the deal is completely non-guaranteed. If Smith isn’t cleared to play, he won’t get paid.

Gregory has also been plagued by personal issues – he’s played a grand total of 28 games across five years with the Cowboys. Jerry Jones has stood by the former second round pick and, this year, he’s especially hopeful that Gregory will be able to stay on the right track. Without Robert Quinn, the Cowboys badly need the help.

2020 NFL Draft Order By Round

April 15th, 2020 at 8:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL Draft is just around the corner. The Bengals kick things off with the first pick on Thursday April 23rd. Then, the “fully virtual” party will continue through Saturday April 25th, with 255 selections in total.

Here’s the complete rundown of every pick, from Round 1 through Round 7.

Round One:

1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Washington Redskins
3. Detroit Lions
4. New York Giants
5. Miami Dolphins
6. Los Angeles Chargers
7. Carolina Panthers
8. Arizona Cardinals
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Cleveland Browns
11. New York Jets
12. Las Vegas Raiders
13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15. Denver Broncos
16. Atlanta Falcons
17. Dallas Cowboys
18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh)
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago)
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
21. Philadelphia Eagles
22. Minnesota (from Buffalo)
23. New England Patriots
24. New Orleans Saints
25. Minnesota Vikings
26. Miami Dolphins (from Houston)
27. Seattle Seahawks
28. Baltimore Ravens
29. Tennessee Titans
30. Green Bay Packers
31. San Francisco 49ers
32. Kansas City Chiefs

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