Offseason Outlook: Indianapolis Colts
2015/02/offseason-outlook-indianapolis-coltsESPN's Mike Wells reported Monday that the Colts are "likely" to draft a rusher to complement Mathis and Jonathan Newsome, also noting that they'll keep an eye on free agency. … In order to get there, though, the Colts will need a highly productive offseason - one which sees general manager Ryan Grigson fortify the roster around his 25-year-old franchise quarterback.
Extra Points: Giants, Revis, Bears, Browns
2015/02/extra-points-giants-revis-bears-browns-titansMost teams have a number one position of need as the NFL draft approaches, but the Bears and general manager Ryan Pace have a different goal: to improve the draft class in general, writes John Mullin of CSNChicago.com. … Acho only needs one more in order to officially be included on the ballot.
AFC Links: Johnson, Forsett, Spiller, Richardson
2015/02/afc-links-johnson-forsett-spiller-richardsonWith Johnson out of the picture, the Jets could target Bills' former first-round draft pick C.J. … Still, he believes the former third overall pick needs to set new goals for himself in order for him to stay in the league long enough to change his image.
Offseason Outlook: Cincinnati Bengals
2015/02/offseason-outlook-cincinnati-bengalsMaualuga could be re-signed, but I'd guess the rest of the LB reinforcements will come through the draft. … Whitworth will probably retire as a Bengal, so a deal to secure that future is in order, but I wouldn't be surprised if Cincinnati lets Smith walk.
Jets, Raiders Expected To Target Top WRs
2015/02/jets-raiders-expected-target-top-wrsThat cap space will increase for the Jets if they release Harvin, and such a move would probably have them in the market for two new receivers, either in free agency or the draft. … The Raiders, meanwhile, have Denarius Moore, Vincent Brown, Rod Streater, and Andre Holmes all eligible for either unrestricted or restricted free agency, and will be looking for an impact wideout to complement James Jones in order to help advance Derek Carr's development.
Offseason Outlook: Dallas Cowboys
2015/02/offseason-outlook-dallas-cowboysAlternatively, the Cowboys could turn to the draft for their next starting tailback. … In order to repeat, however, they'll have to find a way to keep their needle-movers without compromising too much for future seasons.
Week In Review: 2/1/15 – 2/8/15
2015/02/week-review-2115-2815The order for the first round of the 2015 draft is now set.
East Notes: Wallace, Cowboys, Foles
2015/02/east-notes-wallace-cowboys-folesFinding a way to retain both Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray is at the top of the Cowboys' priority list this offseason, but Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News writes that Dallas desperately needs to draft upgrades at every level of its defense. … Former Pro Bowl tackle Tra Thomas, who served as a coaching intern and offensive assistant coach with the Eagles for the past several seasons, says that the team needs a running quarterback in order to effectively run Chip Kelly's offense.
Offseason Outlook: Buffalo Bills
2015/02/offseason-outlook-buffalo-billsManuel, whom the Bills chose 16th overall in the 2013 draft, has disappointed so far and the team is expected to at least seek competition for him this offseason. … Ryan's first order of business was to replace Marrone's much-maligned offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett.
Extra Points: Winston, Mariota, Keisel, Schaub
2015/02/extra-points-winston-mariota-keisel-schaubLes Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News tweets that he has not heard anyone from a team's personnel department say that they would draft Jameis Winston over Marcus Mariota. … If we get better in all those areas, we'll be pretty good next year." Lofton said the Saints had not yet approached him about a contract restructure, but New Orleans is expected to convert his $4.5MM roster bonus into a signing bonus in order to drop his cap number from $9.25MM to $6.25MM.
Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia Eagles
2015/02/offseason-outlook-philadelphia-eaglesChip Kelly awarded final say over all draft, roster decisions. … The Eagles' struggles on offense were mitigated by touchdowns by the defense and special teams, but all those wins without a playoff appearance could keep the team from drafting the one player it might need the most in order to take the next step into a Super Bowl contender.
Offseason Outlook: Miami Dolphins
2015/02/offseason-outlook-miami-dolphinsIn the draft, the Dolphins picked tackle Ja'Wuan James and receiver Jarvis Landry in the first two rounds, selections that would prove astute. … Cap space remains a problem in Miami, so a series of cuts probably need to be made in order to free up financial room.
East Notes: Harvin, Giants, Cowboys
2015/02/east-notes-harvin-giants-cowboysIf Percy Harvin remains on the Jets' roster after 3pm CT on the 10th day of the league year (March 19th), the Jets must give their fourth-round draft pick to the Seahawks. … Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News says that the Cowboys should restructure Tony Romo's contract to improve this team's offseason rather than stand pat in order to avoid dead money down the line.
Offseason Outlook: New York Giants
2015/02/offseason-outlook-new-york-giantsThe Giants aren't going to find a bonafide superstar defensive end on the open market, leaving them to explore possible trades and, more likely, the upcoming draft. … Rolle is proven, but at 32 it's not clear how much the Giants will be willing to spend in order to keep him.
2015 NFL Draft Order Set For First Round
2015/02/2015-nfl-draft-order-set-first-roundWhen the NFL officially releases the full draft order later in the offseason, it will include all compensatory picks, and every traded pick. … Following Sunday's Super Bowl, the order for the first round of the 2015 NFL draft has officially been set, with the Buccaneers kicking things off at No.
North Notes: Bears, Tucker, Gordon
2015/01/north-notes-bears-tucker-gordonIt's rather unlikely that the Bears can find a suitable successor to Jay Cutler in the draft, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. … If GM Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine really want to change the atmosphere in Cleveland, they have to sacrifice the star wide receiver in order to let the rest of the players know they are running a professional operation.
Extra Points: Pats, Cutler, Adams, Olsen
2015/01/extra-points-pats-cutler-adams-olsen9 pick in the 2012 draft, by exercising their fifth-year option on him. … Kraft gave up quite a bit in order to work out the trade for me to be part of this organization after I resigned from the Jets," the coach said.
Release Candidate: Tamba Hali
2015/01/release-candidate-tamba-hali1 overall draft pick after posting a 2-14 record to finishing 11-5. … Of course, Hali isn't the only Chief who could be cut in order to save the club money.
NFC South Notes: Colston, Bucs, Falcons
2015/01/nfc-south-notes-colston-bucs-falconsThe Falcons like Missouri defensive end Shane Ray, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. … Colston is set to make $6.9MM in base salary, but he would be open to a modest cut in order to stay in New Orleans.
84 Underclassmen Declare For 2015 NFL Draft
2015/01/84-underclassmen-declare-2015-nfl-draft74 underclassmen who met the NFL's three-year eligibility rule and formally applied to enter the 2015 draft have been granted special eligibility, the league announced today in a press release. … Here's the full list of underclassmen eligible for the 2015 draft, in alphabetical order:
AFC Notes: Jaguars, Gase, Bills, Jets
2015/01/afc-notes-jaguars-gase-bills-jetsof ESPN has projected Oregon star and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota to be selected by the Titans with the second pick of the draft. … Seth Walder of the New York Daily News lists six moves that new general manager Mike Maccagnan must make in order to point the Jets in the right direction.
Fallout From John Fox, Broncos Parting Ways
2015/01/fallout-john-fox-broncos-parting-waysFor his part, Fox wanted more control over personnel, and preferred to have a say over the draft and the roster. … Given Mike Shanahan's relationship with Elway, it would've been fair to wonder if a reunion was in order.
Extra Points: Newman, McCloughan, Bradham
2015/01/extra-points-newman-mccloughan-bradhamThe draft order has been set for picks 21 through 24 this year, as Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk details.
Draft Order Set For Non-Playoff Teams
2014/12/draft-order-set-non-playoff-teamsThe 2015 NFL Draft is looking clearer now, after the Ravens clinched the final playoff seed in the AFC. … That means the 20 teams to miss the playoffs have their orders set.
Jets Notes: Idzik, Ryan, GM Candidates
2014/12/jets-notes-idzik-ryan-gm-candidatesAs Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes, the new Jets GM will have a top-six draft pick and more than $40MM in cap space to work with, meaning that the job could be viewed as attractive through the right lens. … However, the new hire will have a lot of work to do in order to reshape a roster that lacks impact talent, and Cimini provides a to-do list that includes finding a franchise quarterback, making a decision on Percy Harvin, and adding cornerback depth.