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KeiVarae Russell

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.

NFL Draft Rumors: Russell, Hall, Henry

January 4th, 2016 at 1:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell declared for the 2016 NFL draft, as Pete Thamel of SI writes. Russell missed the 2014 season due to an honor code violation, which put his final season of eligibility in NCAA limbo. For his part, Russell says that he planned to declare regardless of the NCAA’s decision. Russell’s missed year stemmed from academic dishonesty and he knows that he’ll face questions about that from interested teams in the coming months.

Here’s the latest draft news:

  • Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall is leaning towards entering the draft, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter). Hall, who stands at 6’6″ and weighs 260 pounds, registered 54 tackles, a career-high 7.0 sacks, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles in 2015.
  • Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry announced that he will apply for early eligibility into the NFL draft. “After a great deal of prayer and reflection, I have made the very difficult decision to pursue my childhood dream and enter the 2016 NFL Draft,” Henry wrote. “I have grown so much as a person and player these past three years at the University of Arkansas. I have enjoyed my experience more than I could have ever imagined.”
  • Arkansas offensive lineman Denver Kirkland, who projects more as a guard in the pros, also intends to enter the 2016 draft, Chase Goodbread of NFL.com tweets.
  • Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell officially announced that he’ll enter the NFL Draft, as Joe Schad of ESPN.com tweets.