HEADLINES

Teez Tabor

AFC East Rumors: McCourty, Pats, QBs, Fins

April 14th, 2017 at 7:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Several connections between the Patriots, Titans and Jason McCourty point to the recently released cornerback having a logical route to New England. Bill Belichick‘s relationship with Tennessee GM Jon Robinson, along with McCourty having played for Belichick friend Greg Schiano at Rutgers help Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (video link via CSNNE.com) see a reasonable chance the parties unite. Of course, the obvious driving force here is twin brother Devin McCourty residing in the Patriots’ secondary. The Pats looked into trading for McCourty at the 2015 trade deadline. Due to these relationships, and the fact that Jason McCourty will be much cheaper, makes him a better fit for the Patriots than expensive trade-block defender Richard Sherman in Breer’s eyes.

Here’s more from the AFC East.

  • McCourty would be an insurance policy if the Patriots traded Malcolm Butler, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. He would become the Pats’ No. 2 corner if Butler ventured elsewhere as a restricted free agent, Reiss notes. We’re at a bit of a standstill on the Butler-to-Saints discussion, but Breer noted earlier this week there’s a slightly better chance the RFA corner ends up on the Saints than Patriots in 2017.
  • Butler’s RFA price — a first-round tender — will make a Jason McCourty/Pats union unrealistic, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com writes. Hannable expects Butler to play on that $3.91MM tender after signing it, believing no team will give up its first-round pick for a cornerback who isn’t a lock to re-sign. Of course, the Saints’ talks are believed to be based on the premise the sides would work out a different deal than New Orleans forking over its No. 11 overall pick. Other teams are almost certainly going to pursue the 29-year-old McCourty as well.
  • Some Jets brass are intrigued by Mitch Trubisky, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. But Mehta doesn’t envision Mike Maccagnan taking a quarterback in Rounds 1 or 2, believing the GM will save his franchise-passer pick for 2018 if necessary. However, if the Jets do bring in another high QB pick in addition to Christian Hackenberg, Mehta sees Bryce Petty being the odd man out. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report is also skeptical of any Jets/Trubisky talk, believing the franchise would love for a team to offer picks to move up to the No. 6 window to take the North Carolina passer.
  • The Dolphins hosted cornerback Teez Tabor on a visit, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. Tabor met with the Dolphins on Monday at their facility, according to Jackson. Miami is in need of cornerback help, but Jackson places that need below front-seven assistance. Miami did not add to its cornerback stable this offseason, leaving a higher-end need there.
  • As for the Bills‘ reported interest in Deshaun Watson, Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News is betting that’s a smokescreen tactic. The Bills are indeed sending some strong signals Watson’s way, it appears, but Carucci believes the Tyrod Taylor adjusted contract will allow them to keep an eye on future prospects as opposed to developing one now. Buffalo can again escape from Taylor’s deal a season after authorizing it.

Draft Rumors: Cook, Eagles, Conley, Panthers, Fins, Bengals, Texans

April 14th, 2017 at 12:00pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook‘s stock is reportedly slipping as the draft approaches, but the Eagles seem undeterred. The club has “heavy interest” in Cook, the runner revealed Wednesday in an interview with Philadelphia-based radio station 94WIP (via Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com). The feeling is mutual, with Cook adding that he “loved the city” when he visited. “It’s a great organization, great people,” he continued. “I think the program is on the rise, just need a couple more guys to fill in and help the program. I like the organization overall and the people that’s in the building.” Should the Eagles pass on Cook at 14th overall, their next opportunity to take him would be at No. 43, though he could certainly be gone by then.

More of the latest on the draft:

  • The Panthers, Browns, Eagles, Bengals, Lions, Titans, Saints and Jets are among the teams with the most interest in Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley, writes Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Conley should go somewhere between ninth and 18th overall, per La Canfora, whom one NFL decision-maker told: “Conley has always been a first-round corner, and I understand why he is the top guy on some boards. He may not be as flashy as some of the other corners, and maybe the upside isn’t quite as high, but neither is the risk. This is a clean player who started for two years and who made big plays in big games. There is a lot to like.”
  • Though they’re interested in Conley, the Panthers hosted another cornerback – Florida’s Teez Tabor – on Thursday, and both Tennessee edge defender Derek Barnett and LSU corner Tre’Davious White are visiting Charlotte on Friday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Barnett (13th) and White (18th) are each top 20 prospects, according to NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, who places Tabor 48th.
  • Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles is currently visiting the Bengals, relays Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). Cincinnati lost starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth to free agency, potentially creating a major need, but it’s only two years removed from using first- and second-round picks on OTs Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. Bolles would require yet another sizable investment via the draft in the position. The Bengals are set to pick ninth overall, in the neighborhood of where Bolles could slide off the board.
  • The Dolphins are hosting Connecticut safety Obi Melifonwu on Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. This isn’t the first connection between Miami and Melifonwu – the two sides spent “significant” time together last week. Given their interest in Melifonwu, the defender might be a target for the Dolphins at No. 22 overall.
  • Texans offensive line coach Mike Devlin has met with Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, a source told Wilson. PFR’s Dallas Robinson currently has Houston selecting Ramczyk with the 25th pick in the draft, noting he’d give the team a much-needed upgrade at right tackle.

La Canfora’s Latest: Conley, Cowboys, Tabor

April 11th, 2017 at 6:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Ohio State’s Gareon Conley is now being considered the safest cornerback prospect in the draft, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Fellow Buckeye Marshon Lattimore may have chronic hamstring issues that are scaring NFL teams, while Florida’s Teez Tabor posted poor measurables and reportedly isn’t fairing well during the predraft interview process. Conley, however, is viewed as a “super-clean” player, per La Canfora, and could be the top corner off the board later this month.

Here’s more from on the draft, all courtesy of La Canfora:

  • The Cowboys will likely look into Conley and the rest of the defensive back class after losing their top two corners — and two of their top three safeties — in free agency, writes La Canfora. Dallas has used an ample portion of its predraft visit allotment on cornerbacks, and may look to add a back-end defender at pick No. 28. A trade up to draft an “impact” corner isn’t out the question, says La Canfora.
  • Jarrad Davis (Florida) is expected to be the second off-ball linebacker selected in the draft, following Alabama’s Reuben Foster, reports La Canfora. Davis’ Pro Day, during which he posted a 4.56 40-yard dash and 38.5 inch vertical jump, impressed pro clubs, per La Canfora, and Davis is viewed as a leader who could immediately step into an NFL defense. Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com compares Davis to the Panthers’ Shaq Thompson, noting Davis’ “plus acceleration” and “closing burst.”
  • NFL teams have been “turned off” by Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook, according to La Canfora, who notes Westrbook’s combine interviews left a negative impression. Westbrook, who has a history of off-field trouble, is reportedly deemed “undraftable” by some clubs, as Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com indicated last month. Based on his on-field production, Westbrook is a projected fourth-round pick, per Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com, who compares Westrbook to Houston’s Will Fuller.
  • Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard could be the sixth quarterback off the board following Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, DeShone Kizer, and Davis Webb, says La Canfora. NFL teams like Beathard because he comes from a pro-style system, and La Canfora would be surprised if Beathard isn’t drafted by the conclusion of Round 4. In his senior season, Beathard completed 56.5% of his passes for 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Draft Rumors: Williams, Allen, Fournette

April 11th, 2017 at 12:17pm CST by Zachary Links

There seems to be a difference of opinions on the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft. When asked about the 2017 crop, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said, “I wouldn’t take any of these guys in the first round,” (Twitter link).

Early on, UNC QB Mitch Trubisky was regarded as a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. Now, it seems much more likely that the Browns will select Myles Garrett and it’s not a given that Trubisky will even be the first QB to come off of the board. Deshaun Watson could instead be the first signal caller drafted and DeShone Kizer and Patrick Mahomes seem to be strong candidates for round one.

Of course, the draft isn’t a meritocracy – it’s about team needs and, often, team desperation. Several teams, including the Jets at No. 6, have a clear need for a young QB and there is no realistic scenario in which there isn’t a QB taken in the first round.

Here’s the latest draft news:

  • Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams is with the Titans today on a top 30 visit, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport adds that the Titans have done extensive work on Williams, which makes sense given their clear WR need. Our mock draft has Williams going to Tennessee at No. 18 overall.
  • Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen visited with the Titans and has the Chargers and 49ers on deck, Rapoport tweets.
  • Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette will visit the Bengals today (Tuesday), according to Kat Terrell of ESPN (on Twitter). The Bengals have hosted multiple running backs on visits this year and that could be tied to Jeremy Hill‘s contractual status. Hill is eligible for free agency following the 2017 season.
  • The Dolphins are hosting Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor and Miami tight end David Njoku on visits this week, Rapoport tweets.
  • Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett did a personal workout for the Falcons, a source tells Rapoport (on Twitter).

Extra Points: Saints, Pats, Cards, Broncos

April 10th, 2017 at 9:49pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

There’s a slightly better chance cornerback Malcolm Butler will be a member of the Saints than the Patriots in 2017, says Albert Breer of The MMQB (video link). If New England does trade Butler, it could happen during the week leading up to the draft, notes Breer. Butler, a restricted free agent, is facing an April 21 deadline to sign an offer sheet with someone. Once that passes, he won’t be allowed to negotiate a contract with anyone other than the Patriots. While the Saints have discussed a contract with Butler, they aren’t going to tender him an offer sheet because they’d risk losing the 11th pick in the draft. But the Saints also own the 32nd choice, which they acquired from the Pats in the Brandin Cooks trade, and could send that back to them in a Butler deal.

More from New England and a couple other NFL destinations:

Cowboys Meet With 21 NFL Draft Prospects

April 4th, 2017 at 6:20pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cowboys have now used more than two-thirds of their 30 allotted predraft visits, and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link), Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), and Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News have provided the list of prospects with whom Dallas has met:

The Cowboys’ visits with Michigan DE Taco Charlton, UCLA DE Takkarist McKinley, UConn S Obi Melifonwu, UCLA CB Fabian Moreau, and Wisconsin LB T.J. Watt had all been previously reported.

Draft Notes: Trubisky, Mahomes, Steelers

March 31st, 2017 at 8:49pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky figures to go early in this year’s draft, though Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is concerned that he only started one year with the Tar Heels. “A really talented player,” Arians said of Trubisky (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com). “The growth potential is obviously there. The question is why wasn’t all that talent starting for the last three years? That’s always bugging me. So you have to go and answer those questions with him, with his coach, but the physical talent is there.” Arians isn’t the only talent evaluator around the NFL who’s leery that Trubisky was a backup prior to 2016, as another one told Cabot he has similar concerns.

More on the upcoming draft…

  • Cognizant that Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to be around forever, the Steelers have made it known that they’ll consider drafting a potential long-term successor this year. That could be Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes, whom the Steelers observed Friday at his pro day. Pittsburgh sent “at least one” representative to watch Mahomes, writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.
  • The Browns worked out Florida cornerback Teez Tabor on Friday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. It’s unclear how early Tabor might go in the draft – while Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com places him 35th overall among prospects, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report could see the defender lasting until Day 3. Tabor’s stock seems to be dropping on account of subpar 40-yard dash times.
  • Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt, brother of Texans superstar J.J. Watt, is drawing interest from a bevy of teams and getting looks at various front seven positions. The younger Watt has lined up at outside linebacker, inside linebacker and along the defensive line in recent workouts. Watt told Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com that he has worked out for the Cowboys, Lions and Patriots in the past week. He’s scheduled to work out for the Panthers, too, and will visit the Cowboys’ and Redskins’ facilities soon.

Miller’s Latest: Panthers, 49ers, Saints, Mixon, Webb, Mahomes, Chiefs, Tabor

March 31st, 2017 at 6:55pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Panthers, who own the eighth pick in the draft, are interested in trading up to No. 2, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report hears. If they were to swing a deal to acquire the 49ers’ selection, the Panthers would draft either LSU running back Leonard Fournette or Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera will attend Fournette’s pro day April 5, and he attended Thomas’ last week. San Francisco, meanwhile, has expressed a willingness to move down, and Miller notes that the Panthers could use the second-rounder they received from New England in the Kony Ealy swap (No. 64) to help facilitate a trade. The 49ers would hope to land Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 8.

Here’s more from Miller:

  • At least five teams won’t consider drafting controversial Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, per Miller, who notes that “many” others “are digging in hard” on the 20-year-old. The Saints are among the latter clubs, with Miller reporting they could reel in Mixon in Round 2 (No. 42). Head coach Sean Payton said earlier this week that the Saints plan to meet with Mixon soon.
  • Count Miller among the latest pundits who expects Cal quarterback Davis Webb to come off the board in the opening round – in the late 20s, to be specific. Someone could trade up from the second round to draft Webb in order to get his rights for an extra year, Miller adds.
  • Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes has visited with the Chiefs, according to Miller. Kansas City is set to pick 27th overall, when Mahomes still might be available. The second-round-graded Mahomes has drawn plenty of interest from around the league.
  • Florida cornerback Teez Tabor gave an interview at the combine that was “the worst we had all year,” one scout told Miller. Between that and his poor 40 times, it’s possible Tabor will be a Day 3 selection, writes Miller. That would be a notable drop for a player who entered the season as a prospective first-rounder.

Draft Rumors: Tabor, Lamp, Charlton, Conley

March 28th, 2017 at 4:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although Florida cornerback Teez Tabor has generally been viewed as a first-round pick, his times in the 40-yard dash may push his draft stock down. After posting a disappointing 4.62 time at the scouting combine, Tabor put up an even worse time at Florida’s Pro Day, finishing the sprint in 4.75 seconds, according to Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, who notes that any time greater than 4.6 seconds is a red-flag for cornerbacks.

Here’s more on the 2017 draft:

  • Most NFL teams believe Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp will be selected in the 20s, per Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Lamp will likely play guard in the NFL after playing tackle in college, but he offers versatility that intrigues clubs, as he could slide to the blindside or even to center if needed. Following his Pro Day, Lamp had dinner with the Chargers‘ staff, writes Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com, who reported last week that a number of clubs are interested in Lamp.
  • The Saints have “shown a lot of interest” in Michigan edge defender Taco Charlton, tweets Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune. Last week, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reported Charlton has visits lined up with Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Miami in addition to New Orleans. Charlton ranks as Todd McShay of ESPN.com’s No. 17 overall player, and the ESPN scribes calls Charlton “one of the more underrated players” in the draft.
  • Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley will take a predraft visit with the Browns on Friday, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Although Conley attended college in-state, he won’t work out at Cleveland’s local prospect day, meaning he will count against the Browns’ 30-prospect limit. Conley is a projected first-round pick, and could be in the mix for the Browns at pick No. 12.
  • The Cowboys are meeting with UConn safety Obi Melifonwu today, a source tells Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Dallas is in dire need of secondary help after losing both Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox in free agency. Currently, special-teamer Jeff Heath is the starter next to Byron Jones at safety. A number of teams — including the Buccaneers, Steelers, Seahawks, and Saints — have expressed interest is Melifonwu.

Florida CB Jalen Tabor To Enter Draft

January 5th, 2017 at 10:57am CST by Zachary Links

Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor is going pro. In an essay for The Players’ Tribune, the player known as “Teez” explained why he’s leaving Coral Gables for the NFL. Jalen Tabor (vertical)

[RELATED: Draft Rumors: Kaaya, Watt, Conley, Thomas]

“It’s an exciting time for me,” Tabor wrote. “I’ve decided to do what’s best for me and my family by continuing to pursue my dreams. But I’m not saying goodbye. I’m saying see you later. Hopefully I’ll make y’all proud and show how my passion for this game continues to shine through.”

Tabor now figures to be one of the best cornerbacks in this year’s class. Many have Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore ranked as the top CB, but Tabor could be the next one to come off the board and he could hear his name called in the first round. If that’s the case, that will give Florida two cornerbacks go in the first round in back-to-back years after Vernon Hargreaves was selected No. 11 overall in 2016. Fellow Florida corner Quincy Wilson also figures to go early on in the process, though he might be more of a second or third round prospect.

Load More Posts