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Demarcus Lawrence

Extra Points: Savage, Jets, Redskins, Draft

April 20th, 2014 at 4:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

On Easter Sunday in 2009, the Eagles traded quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Redskins for a second-round pick (as noted on Twitter by Pro Football Talk). The transaction obviously occurred before the advent of Pro Football Rumors, but looking back, it was a clear win for the Eagles, as McNabb quickly entered his decline phase and Philadelphia prospered with Michael Vick at the helm. Of course, the division rivals were in the headlines again this offseason, as receiver DeSean Jackson was released by the Eagles and quickly bolted for the nation’s capital.

Here are some notes from around the league on this Sunday afternoon:

  • The Bengals visited with quarterback Tom Savage about a week ago in Cincinnati, and so far, he is the only QB the team has brought to its facilities, tweets Albert Breer of NFL.com. The Bengals are expected to select a quarterback at some point on day two or three of the draft.
  • Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro will meet with Jets this week, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
  • Metha also notes (on Twitter) that the Jets will take a visit with Boise State edge player Demarcus Lawrence on Tuesday.
  • There are several options to replace the retired London Fletcher at middle linebacker in the Redskins’ 3-4 defense, but the top two choices seem to be Keenan Robinson and Darryl Sharpton, according to Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com.
  • Receiver prospects who know how to run option routes — rather the predetermined plays, which are becoming less popular due to the spread offense — could have an edge both in terms of draft position and NFL success, explains Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

NFC West Rumors: 49ers, Kaepernick, Rams

April 18th, 2014 at 9:56am CST by Luke Adams

This morning’s round of rumors relating to NFC West clubs heavily involves the 49ers, with a specific focus on a couple San Francisco players dealing with off-field issues. Let’s dive in and check out the latest….

  • The 49ers aren’t expected to pick up Aldon Smith‘s fifth-year option for 2015, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Smith’s play on the field makes him worthy of such an investment, but given his off-field issues and what we’ve heard recently about his future in San Francisco (or lack thereof), it’s not surprising that the club would be reluctant to extend his rookie contract by a year.
  • Negotiations with Colin Kaepernick on a long-term extension have been tabled by the 49ers for the moment, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. San Francisco still hopes to get something done with its quarterback before the 2014 season begins, but the club is waiting for more clarity on an investigation being conducted by the Miami PD into an incident involving Kaepernick.
  • It’s a big day for the Rams and Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins, tweets Rapoport, noting that the team is sending a contingent to Clemson today for a private workout with Watkins. The Texans aren’t believed to be considering drafting a receiver at No. 1, but the Rams could use a wideout, meaning Watkins – the best one on the board – could be in play at No. 2.
  • The Seahawks will be conducting a private workout with Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Caplan adds the Redskins and Steelers to the list of teams who will host Lawrence for a visit, and says the Saints will also be privately working him out (Twitter link).

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Panthers, Cards, Saints

April 15th, 2014 at 4:27pm CST by Luke Adams

After hosting prospects such as defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Kony Ealy on Monday, the Cowboys are being visited by the likes of Florida State’s Timmy Jernigan, UCLA’s Anthony Barr, and Boise State’s Demarcus Lawrence today, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com adds (via Twitter) that Northwest Missouri State cornerback Brandon Dixon is also visiting the club today.

Here’s more out of the NFC:

  • A player like Donald may not be available at No. 16, but there’s no guarantee the Cowboys will be keeping that pick, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who points out that in the 25 drafts Jerry Jones has overseen, the team has traded up or down 20 times.
  • The Panthers worked out LSU receivers Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry today in Baton Rouge, according to David Newton of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) provides the specifics on Thomas DeCoud‘s two-year contract with the Panthers, which has a base value of $3.525MM. That includes a $500K signing bonus and base salaries of $900K (2014) and $1.675MM (2015). Meanwhile, Alex Hall‘s one-year deal with the Panthers is for the minimum, but included a modest $10K signing bonus, tweets Wilson.
  • Colorado State center Weston Richburg visited with the Cardinals on Monday, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
  • Ohio State’s Bradley Roby and Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir are among the five cornerbacks visiting the Saints today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The other three – Justin Gilbert, Aaron Colvin, and Demetri Goodson – had been previously reported.
  • Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports (via Twitter) that Stanford offensive tackle Cameron Fleming visited the Redskins today, while ESPN.com’s John Keim tweets that Demarcus Lawrence is also scheduled to visit Washington.
  • D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution lists more than a dozen players who worked out at the Falcons‘ local prospect day today, including Tennessee running back Rajion Neal and Georgia Tech safety Jemea Thomas, among others.

NFC Notes: Donald, Vikings, Herron

April 14th, 2014 at 5:49pm CST by Rob DiRe

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald expressed his interest in the Cowboys, writes David Helman of DallasCowboys.com. He had particular affection for defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. “He loves doing what he does, so that’s a coach I’d love to play for and learn from. Knowing he coached guys like Warren Sapp, that just gets you excited just knowing he’s got history and is one of the best to do it,” said Donald. “If I was able to play for Coach Marinelli that would be a blessing.”

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • The Vikings are expected to bring in a linebacker in the upcoming draft, writes Master Tesfatsion of StarTribune.com. The team has targeted Khalil Mack of Buffalo and Demarcus Lawrence of Boise State during recent visits, already having seen Preston Brown of Louisville and Anthony Barr of UCLA. The Vikings will also host North Dakota State offensive tackle Billy Turner.
  • The Panthers‘ quest to find a receiver in the draft continues, as the team will host Wyoming wideout Robert Herron, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The team had previously worked out Herron earlier this month.
  • The Falcons will host Brandon Watts on Tuesday, reports Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The linebacker was not a big name in the draft process before running a 4.4 40 yard dash at his Georgia Tech pro day.

NFC Draft Notes: Ellington, Falcons, Saints

April 14th, 2014 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

A trio of NFC teams have shown interest in South Carolina wide receiver Bruce Ellington, the cousin of Cardinals running back Andre Ellington. The former Gamecock will be meeting with the Rams and Cards this week, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com chimes in (via Twitter) to add that Ellington has already worked out for the Falcons, while both Garafolo and Rapoport mention the Patriots‘ interest in the player. Ellington had 775 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2013.

Let’s dive into some more draft notes from around the NFC…

  • Portland State running back D.J. Adams and Tennessee-Chattanooga cornerback Kadeem Wise are among the players scheduled to work out at the Falcons’ local prospect day tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The Saints are “definitely interested” in former Alabama wideout Kevin Norwood, tweets Larry Holder of NOLA.com.
  • In one of his articles, Holder projects the Saints‘ draft and has the team selecting wide receiver Marqise Lee with its first-round pick. Other notable Saints selections in Holder’s draft include defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu and cornerback Pierre Desir.
  • Despite tearing his ACL at Senior Bowl practice, Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin has been busy with pre-draft visits, meeting with the Eagles, Saints, and 49ers, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter).
  • Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com and Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provide the details on several prospects scheduled to visit with the 49ers, including receivers Martavis Bryant and Albert Wilson, Louisville linebacker Preston Brown, and Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence.
  • The Cowboys have interest in Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, and plan to attend his Pro Day this week, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • The Bears recently brought in Wisconsin running back James White for a workout, reports Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (via Twitter).

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

NFC South Notes: Panthers, Graham, Saints

April 11th, 2014 at 6:49pm CST by Zachary Links

There’s a lot of talk about the moves that the Panthers have made after parting ways with Steve Smith, but the receiver himself isn’t losing sleep over it. “What I think about what’s going on is I concern myself with what’s going on in Baltimore and I no longer concern myself with what’s going on with the Carolina Panthers,” Smith said, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. “But I concern myself with what’s going on in Charlotte, N.C. “I do my football camp here. But I no longer have the luxury to be a part of that [team], so I don’t concern myself with it. Not that I’m upset. Not that I’m mad. It’s just the fact of the business.” Panthers GM Dave Gettleman brought in Jerricho Cotchery, Tiquan Underwood, and Jason Avant in an effort to replace the team’s all-time leading receiver and it remains to be seen how that will pan out. More out of the NFC South..

  • Albert Breer of NFL Network (on Twitter) gets the sense that a deal for Saints tight end Jimmy Graham will get done but, as is often the case, not until closer to the deadline in July.
  • Breer adds (link) that he believes that after the roster purge, the Saints could still bring back some of the vets like Robert Meachem, Jonathan Goodwin, and Jabari Greer between now and training camp. Meachem, 29, had 16 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns in his 2013 return to New Orleans.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) adds the Saints to the list of teams hosting Boise State pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence for visits. The Patriots, Jets, and Cowboys will also get a good look at the 6’3″, 245-pound prospect. We heard earlier today that the Falcons were one of 10 teams Lawrence was scheduled to visit.

Draft Visits: Raiders, Falcons, Bucs, Dolphins

April 11th, 2014 at 12:34pm CST by Luke Adams

It would be a surprise if Jadeveon Clowney is still on the board when the Raiders pick fifth overall in next month’s draft, but Oakland will nonetheless host the standout defensive end for a visit next week, according to John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game (via Twitter). The team is also hosting Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage for a visit today, according to ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez. Savage isn’t a candidate for that No. 5 pick, but he’s drawn plenty of attention lately, and seems to be rising up a few draft boards.

Here’s more on pre-draft visits around the NFL:

  • The Falcons are hosting Boise State pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence for a pre-draft visit, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. Agent David Canter recently tweeted that Lawrence has visits to 10 teams scheduled in a two-week span.
  • McClure also reports (via Twitter) that Texas A&M tackle Jake Matthews has a visit lined up with the Falcons for the week of April 21.
  • Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post passes along updates on a pair of prospects. According to Wilson, Arizona State linebacker Carl Bradford has met with the Jaguars, Dolphins, Chargers, and Falcons, while Marshall offensive tackle Garrett Scott is visiting the Raiders today after having also visited the Chiefs, Dolphins, and Buccaneers.
  • Florida State running back Devonta Freeman is among the players visiting the Dolphins today, writes Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, adding that Freeman has also visited the Falcons and Patriots.
  • Another Florida State running back, James Wilder Jr., tells Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link) that he worked out for the Buccaneers today.
  • We’ve already heard plenty of reports about Kyle Fuller’s pre-draft visits, but Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter link) adds a few more teams to Fuller’s list. According to Brandt, the Virginia Tech cornerback has worked out for the Titans, Buccaneers, and Falcons, and will also do so for the Bills and Rams, among other clubs.
  • Ole Miss wideout Donte Moncrief, who previously visited the Steelers, will work out for the Dolphins and Broncos next week, tweets Brandt.
  • UCF running back Storm Johnson will visit the 49ers on Monday and the Falcons later this month, says Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter links).