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Kendall Fuller

Draft Updates: Jack, J. Smith, Reed, Elliott

April 18th, 2016 at 11:23am CST by Luke Adams

Linebackers Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith are two of the biggest wild cards in this year’s draft, as both players have the talent to be top-five picks, but the health concerns to take them entirely off some teams’ boards.

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link) spoke to one source who calls Jack a “time bomb,” suggesting that his knee issues may limit him to just a few good seasons, if that. One source – possibly the same one – also tells Bowen that Smith’s re-check showed a “drop-foot problem, caused by nerve damage,” adding that his prognosis hasn’t improved since the combine.

Not every team will agree with that source’s assessment of Jack and Smith – some teams are said to be encouraged by Jack’s latest medicals – but many other clubs will likely view those prospects the same way, meaning there’s a chance that both players, particularly Smith, could slip a little further than expected on draft day next week.

Here are several more draft updates from around the league:

  • At least three more teams are getting a first-hand look at Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Reed will visit the Jets on Monday, the Chargers on Tuesday, and the Texans on Wednesday.
  • Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott will have his previously-announced visit with the Bears this Wednesday, tweets Ian Rapoport.
  • The Lions are hosting Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander for a visit today, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that Detroit is actively exploring the defensive back market in this year’s draft more than most other teams.
  • Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller, who received positive reports following his medical re-check last week, is visiting the Jets today and will meet with the Panthers on Wednesday, per Rand Getlin (Twitter link).
  • Middle Tennessee State defensive back Kevin Byard, who has already visited seven teams, will visit four more this week. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, Byard is making trips to visit the Ravens, Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Panthers.
  • Boston College linebacker Steven Daniels is visiting Washington this week, and has previously worked out for the Browns and Colts, among other teams, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.

Draft Notes: AFC North, NFC South

April 17th, 2016 at 12:52pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some notes from around the AFC North and NFC South as the draft draws ever closer:

  • The Browns were expected to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick even after signing Robert Griffn III, and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes that the Rams’ leapfrogging Cleveland to take the No. 1 overall selection should not change that. Regardless of whether Los Angeles selects Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, Cabot believes the Browns should simply take whichever player is still on the board, as both have franchise quarterback potential.
  • The Steelers have not drafted a cornerback in the first round since 1997, and as Mark Kaboly of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review observes, no team has gone longer without drafting a first-round CB; indeed, half the league picked a corner in the first round during the past five years alone. But with a shaky secondary and as many as six corners with first-round potential in this year’s draft class–all of whose pro days were attended by the Steelers–2016 could be the year that Pittsburgh finally breaks that streak, injecting some much-needed talent in its defensive backfield in the process.
  • Another AFC North club is on the lookout for cornerback help, and as Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com writes, the fact that Virginia Tech corner Kendall Fuller had a positive medical recheck on his injured right knee is great news for the Ravens. Baltimore assistant GM Eric DeCosta believes there will be a run on corners between the 25th and 40th overall picks, and a healthy Fuller projects to be drafted in that range. If the Ravens do not draft Jalen Ramsey or Vernon Hargreaves III with their No. 6 overall selection, they will certainly be in the market for a CB with the No. 36 overall choice.
  • Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer attempts to decipher what the Panthers‘ offseason moves say about their draft intentions, noting that while GM Dave Gettleman checked a number of boxes this offseason, he did not address all of his team’s needs. For instance, although Charles Johnson will return on a team-friendly one-year deal, Person believes 2016 will be Johnson’s last season in Charlotte, which means that a young, disruptive pass rusher like Clemson’s Kevin Dodd might be a good selection for the club with its 30th overall pick. And, since Carolina did not bring back Roman Harper and may be a little reluctant to hand a starting safety job to Tre Boston, the team may elect to nab a safety like Vonn Bell or Jayron Kearse on Day 2 of the draft. Given that there is little cornerback depth behind Josh Norman–who may also be playing his last year in Charlotte–a corner might also be a high-round target for the club.
  • Taking a page out of the Rams’ and Cardinals’ playbooks, the Falcons are searching for safety-linebacker hybrids that are strong against the run but who can also cover running backs and tackle in the open field, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. To that end, Atlanta has visited and/or had private workouts with players like Su’a Cravens, Keanu Neal, and Deion Jones, whose physical tools are similar to those of Los Angeles’ Mark Barron and Arizona’s Deone Bucannon.
  • The Buccaneers need to improve their pass rush, and they addressed that need to some degree in free agency by signing defensive end Robert Ayers. But as Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht observes, Malik Jackson and Sylvester Williams proved last year that an interior defensive lineman is often just as valuable to jump-starting a team’s flagging pass rush unit (article via Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times). As such, an interior lineman like Louisville’s Sheldon Rankins and Mississippi’s Robert Nkemdiche may be just as intriguing to Licht as ends like Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence and Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah.

Extra Points: Wilkerson, Jack, Fuller, K. White

April 16th, 2016 at 9:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Unsigned franchise player Muhammad Wilkerson is not expected to attend the Jets‘ voluntary workouts, according Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Wilkerson will follow the same pattern as fellow franchise players Josh Norman (link) and Von Miller (link), who also won’t participate in their respective team’s offseason program.

Let’s take a look at a few more notes from around the NFL…

  • The Cowboys are unlikely to use the No. 4 pick on UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, reports Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Jack, who underwent knee surgery last fall, said his medical recheck earlier this week went smoothly, but other sources say that some clubs are concerned.
  • Like Jack, Virginia Tech corner Kendall Fuller underwent a medical recheck on his knee this week, and he received positive reports, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Fuller, who is expected to be selected on Day 2 of the draft, should be ready by training camp, per Rapoport.
  • After missing his entire rookie season with a shin injury, Bears receiver Kevin White — the No. 7 overall pick in 2015 — is now expected to be ready for Chicago’s offseason program. Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune has the details on White’s arduous recovery.
  • Elsewhere in the NFC North, Mike Spofford of Packers.com examines Green Bay’s running back situation, noting that Eddie Lacy is not guaranteed to be a member of the Packers beyond 2016. Lacy’s rookie contract expires after this season, and it’s not clear if Green Bay has plans of extending him.
  • Though an immature attitude was reportedly one factor in defensive tackle Dominique Easley‘s release from the Patriots, at least one New England veteran has spoken up on Easley’s behalf. “I loved Easley, especially his work ethic,” the unnamed player told Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. “I hope he gets a second chance. . . . He’s a great (guy) and teammate in my eyes.”

North Rumors: Browns, Gordon, Kuhn, Packers

April 11th, 2016 at 8:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the football world was rocked by the news that embattled Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has apparently failed another drug test, putting his NFL future in jeopardy. However, top execs in the Cleveland front office probably weren’t all that shocked. The Browns were getting the sense for weeks that Gordon wasn’t going to be reinstated anytime soon and felt that it was possible that he might not get reinstated at all, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. The league office had concerns about who Gordon was continuing to associate with (link) and, after some initial optimism, the Browns started to fear the worst.

While we wait to learn more about Gordon, here’s the latest from the North divisions:

  • With one week to go before the start of the Packers‘ offseason program, veteran fullback John Kuhn remains unsigned, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. Agent Kevin Gold says he is still waiting to hear whether the Packers will re-sign Kuhn or instead roll with second-year player Aaron Ripkowski. In 2015, the Packers did not re-up Kuhn until April 13th, so it’s possible that he could still be in the mix for 2016.
  • Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link), tight end Hunter Henry said he has had five or six workouts with teams, but has only visited one club so far — the Bears. The former Arkansas Razorback is widely viewed as the top tight end in the draft.
  • The Lions, with wide receiver Corey Fuller already on their roster, will take a look at another Fuller brother this week, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who reports that Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller is visiting Detroit.

Draft Rumors: Cowboys, Ramsey, Bosa

March 16th, 2016 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys want Jalen Ramsey, but they fear that he’ll be gone by No. 4, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net writes (via PhiladelphiaEagles.com). With that in mind, Dallas is eyeing Ohio State standouts Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott. Bosa would help bolster the team at defensive end while DeMarcus Lawrence recovers from surgery and Randy Gregory serves his first month suspension. Elliott, meanwhile, would give the team help at running back.

Here are the latest rumors on the 2016 NFL Draft (all of which come from Pauline, unless otherwise indicated):

  • Insiders believe that we could se three offensive tackles – Laremy Tunsil, Ronnie Stanley, and Jack Conklin – go in the first top 12 picks of the draft. That could start a run and Pauline writes that we could see six tackles taken in the first round.
  • The Cowboys would consider trading down, Pauline hears, but they want to stay ahead of the Giants at No. 10.
  • Observers at the UCLA pro day described Myles Jack as a “remarkable athlete.” One source told Pauline (in his running log for Walter Football) that “he looked like a defensive back doing linebacker drills.”
  • Aaron Wallace, the Bruins’ other notable linebacker, is gaining a lot of momentum in the scouting community, Pauline hears. Wallace currently has official visits set up with the Buccaneers, Browns, and Raiders with more likely on the way.
  • UCLA offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch has been graded as a top-75 selection, according to Pauline. Many believe that Benenoch can play tackle and guard in addition to center.
  • Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins says that he’ll have private workouts with the Raiders, Patriots, and Saints, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter) reports that Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has private workouts scheduled with the Cowboys and Dolphins.
  • All 32 NFL teams were in attendance at MSU’s pro day, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. At the event, Cook met with the 49ers and Rams before the workout and met with the Browns‘ staff after.
  • Michigan State defensive tackle Joel Heath says that he will have a private workout with the Patriots this week, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets. In addition to that, he’ll meet with the Titans later this month. Heath previously met with the Colts and Buccaneers.
  • Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd looked great at his Pro Day and the slowest unofficial 40-year-dash time that has been reported was in the low 4.5s.
  • Pittsburgh corner Lafayette Pitts recorded 40-yard-dash times under 4.4 seconds, with some watches marking him at 4.35.
  • There’s no definitive word on whether Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller will work out before the draft.
  • Youngstown State linebacker Terrell Williams is drawing interest from clubs. The Jets and Eagles, in particular, see him as a quality backup linebacker/core special teams guy.
  • The Lions have a private workouts set up with Michigan State offensive linemen Jack Conklin, Jack Allen, and Donavon Clark later this month, Birkett tweets.

Draft Updates: Fuller, Nkemdiche, Cravens

December 16th, 2015 at 8:45am CST by Luke Adams

Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer (Twitter link) confirmed that Hokies cornerback Kendall Fuller has informed him of his decision to go pro and enter the 2016 draft. Fuller will now forgo his senior season in an effort to join brothers Kyle Fuller (Bears) and Corey Fuller (Lions) in the NFL. The oldest Fuller brother, Vincent Fuller, also played in the NFL.

Here are a few more draft-related notes:

  • Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was charged with possession of marijuana after he fell out of a hotel window in Atlanta this weekend, as Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk writes. However, it’s still not clear why the 6’4″, 296-pound athlete tumbled out of the building — that’s a mystery that NFL teams will try to solve between now and the 2016 draft. It is widely believed that Nkemdiche will go pro, but he has yet to announce his decision.
  • USC outside linebacker Su’a Cravens is expected to declare his intent to enter the 2016 draft today, sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Cravens is a potential first-round pick, with Miller ranking him 18th on his most recent big board. CBSSports.com isn’t quite as high on the Southern California junior, ranking him 42nd overall.
  • Eastern Kentucky defensive end Noah Spence is forgoing his final season of collegiate eligibility and entering the 2016 draft, as he announced in a statement last week. Spencer, who recorded 11.5 sacks this season, is viewed as a borderline first-round pick, with both Miller and CBS ranking him in the 30s on their big boards.
  • ESPN’s Todd McShay (Insider-only link) has published his first 2016 mock draft, which features the Titans selecting defensive end Joey Bosa first overall, followed by the Browns snagging quarterback Paxton Lynch. Nkemdiche, Fuller, and Cravens all come off the board in the first round of McShay’s mock as well.

Zach Links contributed to this post.