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Danielle Hunter

Vikings Rumors: Smith, Kalil, Kendricks

May 3rd, 2015 at 9:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings are going down to the wire in announcing their decision on whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options for Harrison Smith and Matt Kalil. GM Rick Spielman will announce those moves Monday, reports ESPN’s Ben Goessling on Twitter.

Today was initially the deadline for teams to decide on whether or not to extend their 2012 first-round picks, but since it fell on a Sunday, teams now have until midnight tomorrow to make those calls. Goessling noted he doesn’t expect drama with either decision, with Smith’s fifth year in Minneapolis certainly forthcoming.

Kalil’s option, which would cost $11.096MM, won’t be as easy of a decision. A late first-rounder in 2012, Smith’s become one of the league’s better safeties, while Kalil has regressed considerably since a promising rookie campaign, bottoming out last season with a Pro Football Focus ranking (subscription required) of 81st among 84 graded tackles.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune reporter Mark Craig expects Kalil’s option to be picked up (Twitter link).

Some other rumors coming out of Minnesota on Sunday night …

  • Beyond first-round cornerback Trae Waynes, the Vikings expect multiple-position availability from their draft picks, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Chief among the potential versatile draftees are second-rounder Eric Kendricks (middle and weakside linebacker), third-rounder Danielle Hunter (multiple defensive line positions) and fourth-rounder T.J. Clemmings (left and right tackle), according to Tomasson.
  • The Vikings not drafting a safety is a vote of confidence for 2014 sixth-rounder Antone Exum, reports Tomasson. Spielman noted to Tomasson he’s “excited about” Exum’s progress despite the second-year safety only playing 16 snaps last season behind Smith and Robert Blanton, who both graded out positively last season on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics.
  • Also from Tomasson: the Vikings will slot former Alabama tackle Austin Shepherd at guard, where he played at the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-5 rookie said half of the teams he spoke to before the draft sought him at tackle, with the other half preferring to see how he can transition to guard.
  • Kendricks will be the Vikings rookie that flashes most this season, writes Matt Vensel of the Star-Tribune. Kendricks’ coverage ability stood out to draft experts, and Vensel notes the ex-UCLA backer has a good chance of starting Week 1 between Chad Greenway and Anthony Barr. Waynes could have to open the season behind either Captain Munnerlyn or Terence Newman.
  • Former Vikings offensive line coach Jim Hueber was surprised Clemmings, who he coached at Pittsburgh, made it to Day 3 without finding an employer, viewing the former college defensive lineman and standout basketball player as a steal, per Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

NFC Notes: Staley, Draft, Cowboys, Lions

April 6th, 2015 at 9:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers converted Joe Staley‘s option bonus to a signing bonus, affecting his cap number for 2015, as CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry (Twitter links) explains. Staley’s cap number has gone from $6.4MM to $7.6MM after his $6MM option bonus was converted. San Francisco, meanwhile, will get a salary cap credit of $1.2MM in 2016. The accounting move won’t result in a salary increase for the offensive tackle. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap explicates the transaction.

Here’s more the NFC…

  • The Buccaneers‘ private workout with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota is set for tomorrow in Eugene, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets.
  • The Cowboys have filled most their 30 allowed spots for draft visits, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, who reports the following players have headed or will head to Valley Ranch in the coming days: running backs T.J. Yeldon, Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, Jay Ajayi, and Ameer Adbullah; defensive lineman Bud Dupree and Danielle Hunter; linebacker Benardrick McKinney; and defensive backs Josh Shaw and Damarious Randall.
  • The Cowboys will also take a look at a defensive lineman tomorrow, as they’ll meet with UCLA DE Owa Odighizuma, per Rapoport (Twitter link), who adds that the former Bruin will also visit with the Saints. Odighizuma has already visited the Eagles.
  • Dallas will be flush with prospects on Tuesday, as the Cowboys will also visit with both versatile Washington product Shaq Thompson and UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks, according to Rapoport (Twitter link).
  • Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com takes an overview of the Lions’ roster, noting that while linebacker is a deep position group, Detroit could afford to spend draft resources on the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Draft Notes: Mariota, Cowboys, Ravens, Giants

March 28th, 2015 at 9:42am CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted draft notes on this Saturday morning…

  • Marcus Mariota is scheduled to meet with the Chargers in mid-April, reports NFL.com’s Albert Breer (via Twitter). The writer notes that Washington is also trying to set up a visit with the prospect.
  • The group over at CSNChicago.com analyzed the draft stock of prospect Gerod Hollimon, and the group concluded that the former Louisville safety would be a fit for the Bears. Despite the team’s addition of Antrel Rolle, the prospect’s “ballhawking” and “good coverage skills” are sorely need in Chicago.
  • Cowboys representatives were on hand at TCU’s Pro Day on Friday to watch linebacker Paul Dawson workout, writes Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. Despite the player’s disappointing performance at the league’s scouting combine, scouts were much more impressed this time around, Sabin reports.
  • Louisville wideout DeVante Parker is set to meet with the Ravens, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The projected first-round pick is also scheduled to meet with the Titans and Dolphins. Despite missing seven games this past season, Parker still finished with 43 catches for 855 yards and five touchdowns.
  • The Giants attended LSU’s Pro Day on Friday, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. The writer points to offensive lineman La’el Collins as a realistic target for the G-Men, and he also includes cornerback Jalen Collins, linebacker Kwon Alexander and defensive end Danielle Hunter among the school’s top prospects. The Giants have selected numerous LSU alumni in recent years, including wideout Odell Beckham last season.

Draft Notes: Hunter, Darby, Hackett, Harper

January 9th, 2015 at 9:24pm CST by Luke Adams

A report last month suggested that LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter was leaning toward playing college ball for one more season, but Hunter announced today that he’ll turn pro after all.

“After fully considering all aspects related to mine and my family’s future, I have decided to declare for the NFL draft,” Hunter wrote in a statement on Twitter. “Coming to LSU was the best decision of my life so far. It has been an incredible experience and I thank you all for the opportunity and the great support.”

Hunter appears likely to come off the board on the second day of the draft this spring. He doesn’t currently place among Mel Kiper’s top 10 defensive end prospects, but Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has him ninth at the position, while CBSSports.com ranks him fifth among DEs.

Here are a few more updates on NCAA underclassmen who will be entering the 2015 draft:

  • According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), cornerback Ronald Darby is leaving Florida State a year early and declaring for the 2015 draft. CBSSports.com projects Darby as a fourth-rounder, and he falls outside of Kiper’s top 10 cornerbacks, but Miller is bullish on the FSU product, giving him a second-round grade and tweeting that he has “big room to rise,” given his speed and instincts.
  • TCU junior safety Chris Hackett will forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2015 draft, tweets Travis L. Brown of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Hackett doesn’t project as a top pick, but Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net wrote earlier in the season that scouts were “raving” about the safety’s play.
  • Cal wideout Chris Harper announced this week that he’ll forgo his final college season and enter the draft, according to a press release from the school. Harper racked up 159 receptions, 1,969 receiving yards, and 14 touchdown grabs during his three years with the team.

Draft Notes: Thursday

December 18th, 2014 at 7:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Yesterday we learned that Nebraska star Randy Gregory is preparing to enter draft. The 6’6″ defensive lineman is likely to go top five, and there are many more underclassman draft candidates that will have a tough decision to make in the days ahead. We’ll keep track of today’s draft news here…

  • Florida State defensive back Ronald Darby is considered a lock to enter the 2015 NFL draft, multiple sources familiar with the underclassman’s thinking tell Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports. The junior hasn’t declared anything officially, but he has met with agents and begun the vetting process. Right now, Darby projects as a second- or third-round choice.
  • LSU defensive lineman Danielle Hunter is leaning toward staying in school for his senior year, sources tell Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (Twitter links).