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Dak Prescott

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/31/16

May 31st, 2016 at 5:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

  • To fill the void left by Tim Wright – who landed on IR today – the Lions will sign free agent tight end Ben McCord, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. McCord went undrafted this year out of Central Michigan.
  • The Cowboys have signed their two fourth-round picks, defensive end Charles Tapper and quarterback Dak Prescott, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com. As a result, their only unsigned selection remaining from this year’s class is third-round defensive tackle Maliek Collins. Prescott, the more notable of today’s signings in terms of name recognition, was a three-year starter at Mississippi State and served as a major dual-threat weapon for the Bulldogs, totaling 111 touchdowns as a passer (70) and rusher (41). Tapper appeared in 39 games with Oklahoma in three seasons and piled up 13.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss.
  • The Cardinals have cut offensive tackle Edawn Coughman, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Arizona signed the 27-year-old in January, and he previously spent time with seven other NFL organizations. He hasn’t yet appeared in a game, however.
  • The Titans have signed second-round outside linebacker Kevin Dodd, as Jim Wyatt of Titans Online writes. Nine of the team’s ten draft picks have now reached deals with the team and safety Kevin Byard stands as the lone straggler. Dodd, who recorded 12 sacks last season at Clemson, has been sidelined from OTAs after undergoing foot surgery last week. The Titans have high hopes for Dodd and so does veteran Brian Orakpo. “He is just a natural pass rusher,’’ Orakpo said of Dodd. “He knows how to get after the quarterback. I love what he brings to the table. I am very excited to have him on the team. He is going to make everyone better, and we’re going to get him better and he is going to help the pass rush.”
  • The Texans have waived offensive lineman David Quessenberry with a Non-Football Injury designation, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Quessenberry has battled cancer in the past. The Texans are hoping to have him back in some capacity if he clears waivers, Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com writes. Houston could place him on the NFI list if he clears waivers. Alternatively, the team could welcome him back in a non-playing role. The Texans re-did Quessenberry’s deal on April 20th to include a full salary split, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. If and when Quessenberry lands on the team’s NFI list, he’ll earn $333K in 2016.
  • The Vikings have signed defensive lineman Bruce Gaston and waived/injured fellow defensive tackle B.J. Dubose, Matt Vensel of the Star-Tribune tweets. Dubose tore his ACL last week. Gaston made Green Bay’s opening day roster in 2015 and he’ll now try to do the same with an NFC North rival.

NFC Notes: Tulloch, Vikings, Cowboys

May 7th, 2016 at 11:44am CST by Ben Levine

There were whispers that Stephen Tulloch‘s tenure with the Lions would conclude this offseason, but the veteran linebacker remains on the roster. With the offseason coming to an end, ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein writes that there hasn’t been any clarity on the situation. Coach Jim Caldwell didn’t do much to clear up any of the confusion this past week.

“I think Bob [Quinn] has talked to you at length about that one,” Caldwell told Rothstein. “Know him and love him, but I think Bob’s answered that question.”

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFC…

  • Meanwhile, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Lions informed Tulloch three months ago that he wasn’t in the team’s future plans. The writer believes it’s time for the organization “to do Stephen Tulloch right” and release the 31-year-old.
  • Vikings sixth-round pick Moritz Böhringer has gotten plenty of hype considering his draft position. However, the wideout was expected to go undrafted, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll make the final roster. If the former German Football League standout ends up getting cut, ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling believes there’s a good chance he’ll land on the Vikings practice squad.
  • Despite having drafted Dak Prescott, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has shown an infatuation with Broncos rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch. While this would discourage most rookies, Prescott isn’t distracted. “I’m just going to go out there and prove myself everyday on the field, and prove myself everyday in here,” Prescott told Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram. “Just be the player and person that I am. It really doesn’t mean anything to me [that they wanted Lynch].”

NFC Draft Updates: Hackenberg, Cowboys, Lions

April 19th, 2016 at 10:55am CST by Luke Adams

Washington‘s quarterback depth chart for the coming season looks set, with Colt McCoy set to act as the No. 2 option behind starter Kirk Cousins. But it seems the team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of adding a developmental QB to its roster as a third option. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Penn State signal-caller Christian Hackenberg is making a pre-draft visit to Washington today.

Hackenberg projects as a day two pick, and it’s not clear if Scot McCloughan, Jay Gruden, and company have genuine interest in nabbing a QB that early, but the fact that Washington is bringing him in for a visit signals that the club is keeping its options open.

Here are a few more draft updates from around the NFC:

  • The Cowboys worked out Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott earlier in the pre-draft process, and are now bringing him to their facility for an official visit, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Florida Atlantic safety Sharrod Neasman is also paying a visit to the Cowboys this week, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link). However, before heading to Dallas, Neasman is heading to Atlanta today to meet with the Falcons, says Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, adding that the Lions have also either worked out or hosted the safety.
  • Notre Dame cornerback Keivarae Russell revealed (via Twitter) that he visited the Lions. We heard on Monday that Detroit is one of the most active teams when it comes to exploring defensive back prospects leading up to the draft.
  • Speedy Notre Dame wideout Will Fuller is making a visit to Halas Hall to meet with the Bears today, per Greg Gabriel of 670 The Score in Chicago (Twitter link).
  • The Buccaneers have worked out and shown significant interest in Northwestern fullback Dan Vitale, who could be a late-round pick, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

NFC Rumors: Treadwell, Giants, Packers, Rams, Britt

April 14th, 2016 at 8:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the NFC:

  • Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell identified the Giants and Bears last month as two teams that had shown interest in him. Now, he’ll visit both of those clubs. Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweets that Treadwell will visit the Giants on Monday, then the Bears after that.
  • With seven members of the Packers‘ 2016 free agent class still unsigned, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com explores whether or not Green Bay will eventually re-sign players like fullback John Kuhn, linebacker Mike Neal, and others.
  • Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt has signed with agent Fadde Mikhail for representation, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. Britt, a Rutgers product, was formally repped by SportsTrust Advisors. Britt, 28 in September, caught 36 passes for 681 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. That was a step back from 2015 when he hauled in 48 passes for 748 yards and three scores. Britt is scheduled to carry a cap number of $4.85MM this season before hitting the open market.
  • The Cardinals met with Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott on Thursday, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
  • Texas-El Paso defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris is set to visit the Packers next, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
  • Linebacker Leonard Floyd has been visiting the Bears over the past two days, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Titans, Conklin, Broncos, Raiders

April 5th, 2016 at 8:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, but he’s not the only standout tackle the Titans are eyeing. A source tells Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com that the team is expected to host Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin for a visit soon. Conklin isn’t a candidate to come off the board first, but if Tennessee ends up moving down in the first round, he could be in play for the Titans.

Here’s more from across the AFC:

  • Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was hosted for a pre-draft visit by the Broncos today, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Prescott is unlikely to go in the first round, so the Broncos could look to target him in the second or third round of the draft.
  • Central Arkansas defensive end Jonathan Woodard had a visit scheduled with the Raiders on Monday and will meet with the Titans on Friday, as Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News tweets.
  • Oklahoma State defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah recently paid a visit to the Bills and will soon visit the Texans, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.
  • Seth Walder of the New York Daily News provides some details on Brandon Marshall‘s civil trial stemming from an altercation outside a Manhattan nightclub in 2012. As Walder notes, Marshall didn’t face criminal charges at the time, but it’s unclear if the NFL might still consider discipline, should the Jets wideout lose the civil trial.
  • Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett said he has a visit on Sunday with the Jets (Twitter link via Alex Marvez of FOX Sports). Vannett has frequently been linked to Gang Green in recent weeks, having already privately worked out for and met with the team.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Draft Rumors: Prescott, Miller, Kearse

March 25th, 2016 at 7:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest from the next wave of prospects set to enter the league, starting with a dual-threat quarterback.

  • Dak Prescott will work out for the Broncos and other teams in early April, according to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com. The former Mississippi State standout rushed for more than 800 yards in both his sophomore and junior campaigns. Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson and Cardinals QBs boss Freddie Kitchens trekked to Starkville, Miss., to work out Prescott this week as well. Following his Broncos workout, Prescott will visit the Bills and Eagles, Goodbread reports.
  • From one current dual-threat quarterback to a former standout hybrid signal-caller, Braxton Miller worked out for the Texans today, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller tweets. The former Ohio State standout and two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year at quarterback is working out as a slot receiver after being supplanted last season under center.
  • The Browns, Buccaneeers, Lions and Saints are gracing Ohio State safety Vonn Bell‘s itinerary for workouts and/or meetings, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. The early-entry Buckeyes safety already met with Tennessee.
  • Clemson safety Jayron Kearse will has summits and/or workouts with the Panthers, Saints and Titans on his spring docket, Getlin tweets. The 6-foot-5 safety registered 6.5 tackles for loss as a junior last season.
  • The Titans, Seahawks, Raiders and Falcons appear on Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard‘s schedule, Getlin reports (on Twitter). Bullard’s 6.5 sacks as a senior last season tied for a Gators-best mark, and his 18 tackles for loss were easily the best on the team.
  • Minnesota linebacker De’Vondre Campbell will meet with the Cardinals, Falcons, Chiefs and Vikings soon, Goodbread tweets.
  • The Texans and Patriots ventured to Minneapolis recently to look at some of the Gophers’ NFL prospects, Ryan Burns of scout.com tweets. The Texans’ contingent looked at the Gophers’ prospects last week, with the Patriots’ bevy of personnel making the trip earlier this week, per Burns. Cornerbacks Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun are also among Minnesota’s top draft-eligible players. According to Darren Wolfson of KTSP (on Twitter), the teams were scouting Murry, Boddy-Calhoun and Campbell.
  • Arizona safety William Parks will visit the Seahawks and Browns after showing well in his workout, Tony Pauline of Draftinsider.net reports. Wildcats offensive lineman Lene Maiava has visits scheduled with the Chargers and Seahawks, Pauline reports.
  • Tennessee wide receiver Marquez North worked out for the Cowboys, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle/National Football Post reports. North tore his labrum in 2014 and saw injuries limit him to six catches last season but decided to enter the draft as a junior anyway.

Draft Notes: Hargreaves, Prescott, Cowboys

March 20th, 2016 at 4:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has visits lined up with eight clubs, including the Jaguars, Ravens, Cowboys, and Buccaneers, reports Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link). Hargreaves, considered one of the best defensive backs available in the draft, will probably garner interest from any team picking in the top 15.

Let’s take a look at some more draft news and notes…

  • The Cowboys have scheduled a private workout with Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Wilson says the meeting will take place today, while Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link) says the workout will occur on Monday, but regardless of the specifics, Prescott could make sense as a mid-round pick for the Cowboys. Prescott, who was arrested for DUI last week, has also met with the Panthers, Steelers, and Browns, per Wilson.
  • Prescott isn’t the only Mississippi State prospect to workout for the Cowboys, as Wilson reports (via Twitter) that receiver Robert Johnson will also audition for the club on Monday.
  • The Texans are doing their due diligence prior to the draft, as Wilson details in a story for the Houston Chronicle, reporting that the club worked out Maryland edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
  • Cal tight end Stephen Anderson has visits and/or workouts set up with the Patriots, Titans, Falcons, and Texans, tweets Getlin.
  • The Saints will work out Boston College safety Justin Simmons this week, a source tells Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com. Simmons has also drawn interest from the Lions.

Dak Prescott Arrested For DUI

March 13th, 2016 at 8:43am CST by Rory Parks

Former Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, who has been projected as a second- or third-round prospect in this year’s draft, was arrested for DUI early Saturday morning, according to a report from Michael Bonner and Sarah Fowler of The Clarion-Ledger. The arrest took place near the Cotton District in Starkville at 12:45 a.m., and Prescott was later released on bond. No further details are available at this time, and Prescott’s representation, Pro Sports Management, has refused comment.

Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) celebrates after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY SportsPrescott is one of the most-beloved Mississippi State players in the history of the program, having led the Bulldogs to a five-week stint as the No. 1 team in the country, as well as an Orange Bowl appearance, in the 2014 season. A dynamic dual-threat talent, Prescott holds every school passing record and was named MVP of this year’s Senior Bowl after guiding Mississippi State to a convincing victory in the 2015 Belk Bowl. The Bulldogs also took home the 2013 Liberty Bowl with Prescott under center, and he, along with head coach Dan Mullen, was a driving force behind the school’s rise to relevance in the powerhouse SEC.

NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock lists Prescott as the fifth-best quarterback in this year’s draft class, behind presumptive first-rounders Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, and Paxton Lynch, and one spot behind Michigan State’s Connor Cook. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets that Prescott has been moving up his draft board, and Prescott has been mentioned as at least a speculative fit for the Cowboys and Broncos. He met with every team in the league at this year’s scouting combine, and as Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News tweets, he was set to meet with the Bills prior to the draft.

Prescott was in Starkville for Mississippi State’s pro day on Thursday, which helped cement his status as a second-day prospect. His DUI arrest, however, will almost certainly impact his draft stock.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

East Notes: Cowboys, RGIII, Pats

January 31st, 2016 at 8:53am CST by Rory Parks

The Cowboys have been connected to North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, who is arguably the top QB prospect in this year’s draft, but recent reports indicated that Dallas was not likely to spend its first-round pick on Tony Romo‘s backup and eventual successor. If the Cowboys do, in fact, spend their early selections on players who can make more of an immediate impact, Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram identifies Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott as a potential mid-round option that could be too intriguing to pass up. Prescott had the best showing of any quarterback prospect in yesterday’s Senior Bowl, and he met with the Cowboys for an hour on Friday. During that meeting, Prescott watched film and interviewed with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson.

Now let’s dive into some more notes from the league’s east divisions:

  • We learned yesterday that Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence recently underwent back surgery but is expected to return “when it matters,” and Lawrence’s agent tweeted shortly thereafter that his client is “100%” and that reports regarding the surgery are “much ado about nothing.”
  • Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com explores why it is highly unlikely that Washington will be able to trade Robert Griffin III this offseason. Teams cannot trade players until the new league year begins on March 9, which is the same day RGIII’s $16.15MM guarantee for his fifth-year option kicks in, and there is no way any other club will trade for that type of guaranteed contract.
  • Count Tom E. Curran and Mike Giardi of CSNNE.com among those who believe the Patriots will not keep DE Chandler Jones beyond the 2016 season. Even with the recent marijuana-related blemish on his resume, Jones will likely be too expensive for the Pats to retain, especially since players like Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower are also upcoming free agents and should be a higher priority for the team.
  • Speaking of the Patriots, Phil A. Perry of CSNNE.com looks at the top five free agents that New England risks losing this offseason, a list headlined by players like Akiem Hicks and Nate Ebner, who might not be indispensable cogs but who nonetheless played a major role in New England’s run to the AFC title game this season.
  • Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com offers his predictions as to how the Patriots will fill the newly-created vacancies on their coaching staff, suggesting that incumbent safeties coach Brian Flores will become the new linebackers coach and tight ends coach Brian Daboll will become the new offensive line coach.