HEADLINES

Leonard Floyd

AFC Draft Notes: Broncos, Jaguars, Patriots, Jets

April 16th, 2016 at 10:53am CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos have pitched a bid to host the 2019 NFL draft. Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post writes that team president and CEO Joe Ellis met with commissioner Roger Goodell and league officials to discuss the proposal.

“The NFL sent out some requests to a lot of cities and we expressed our interest. They reciprocated in saying that they, of course, like Denver as a city,” said Matthew Payne, the executive director of Denver Sports Commission. “And now it’s just really a chance for us to invite them to our city within the year to kind of do a site inspection and talk further about how we can make it work.”

The organization would be open to hosting the draft in 2017 or 2018, although Jhabvala writes that 2019 “fits better.” The draft would presumably be held at Bellco Theatre inside the Colorado Convention Center.

Let’s check out some more draft notes from around the AFC…

  • Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley traveled to Los Angeles today to meet with UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, tweets Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network. Ian Rapoport later tweeted that Jack is “under consideration” for the fifth overall pick.
  • Considering the defensive tackle depth in this year’s draft, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss believes it’d be best if the Patriots improved their defensive line depth with rookies. After having selected Malcom Brown last year, the writer wonders if they could pursue his former teammate, Texas defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway.
  • Jets coach Todd Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers flew to Georgia to work out Bulldogs linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).

East Notes: Cowboys, Goff, Bills, Jets, Pats

April 15th, 2016 at 9:16am CST by Luke Adams

The blockbuster Rams/Titans trade involving the first overall pick will have an impact on several of the teams picking after Los Angeles, and the owner of one of those clubs acknowledged as much. As Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes, the Cowboys, who pick at No. 4, may have to prepare for a different set of players to be available in the wake of the trade.

“Well, I don’t want to make any assumptions, but yeah, it does impact because that kind of movement up ahead of you in a lot of different ways it took a lot of the consideration out of the marketplace,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “If you think draft picks are consideration, then it is. It certainly made a difference below that No. 1 pick as to what might be available trading or in terms of making a decision with a player. It took two commodities out. It took picks, it took a player.”

As Archer details in a separate story, the Cowboys’ brass is headed to the Bay Area for a private workout with Cal quarterback Jared Goff, who may or may not be available at No. 4 — it’s possible Goff could be the Rams’ target at No. 1, but if L.A. opts for Carson Wentz and the Browns don’t select a quarterback, Goff would likely be on the board when Dallas picks. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Cowboys prefer to target their QB of the future or a top defensive player.

Here are a few more Friday morning updates from out of the NFL’s East divisions:

  • The Bills continue to eye defensive prospects, having brought in Georgia pass rusher Leonard Floyd for a visit, per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. Floyd, a probable first-round pick, arrived in Buffalo on Thursday and will continue his visit with the team on Friday.
  • Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter) has the details on wide receiver/kick returner Jeremy Ross‘ one-year deal with the Jets. The minimum salary pact has a total value of $840K, with a $50K signing bonus plus a $30K roster bonus if Ross is on the 53-man roster.
  • Mike Reiss of ESPN.com explains why the Patriots waived running back Tyler Gaffney earlier this week, only to sign him back to their roster three days later.
  • East Carolina tight end Bryce Williams says he had a workout with the Patriots, as Tyler Dunne tweets. The Pats, of course, already have Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett at tight end.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC Rumors: Treadwell, Giants, Packers, Rams, Britt

April 14th, 2016 at 8:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the NFC:

  • Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell identified the Giants and Bears last month as two teams that had shown interest in him. Now, he’ll visit both of those clubs. Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweets that Treadwell will visit the Giants on Monday, then the Bears after that.
  • With seven members of the Packers‘ 2016 free agent class still unsigned, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com explores whether or not Green Bay will eventually re-sign players like fullback John Kuhn, linebacker Mike Neal, and others.
  • Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt has signed with agent Fadde Mikhail for representation, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. Britt, a Rutgers product, was formally repped by SportsTrust Advisors. Britt, 28 in September, caught 36 passes for 681 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. That was a step back from 2015 when he hauled in 48 passes for 748 yards and three scores. Britt is scheduled to carry a cap number of $4.85MM this season before hitting the open market.
  • The Cardinals met with Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott on Thursday, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
  • Texas-El Paso defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris is set to visit the Packers next, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
  • Linebacker Leonard Floyd has been visiting the Bears over the past two days, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

NFC Notes: Falcons, Jennings, Giants, Draft

April 8th, 2016 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Could the Falcons be considering a local standout with their first-round pick? D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who was born in Atlanta and played his college ball at Georgia, is paying a visit to the Falcons on Friday. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) reports that the Falcons also hosted Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs on a visit this week, while Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets that Stony Brook defensive end Victor Ochi is in Atlanta today to meet with the team.

Let’s round up a few more updates from across the NFC….

  • During an interview with KFAN earlier this week, free agent wide receiver Greg Jennings admitted that he missed playing in Minnesota, and left a voicemail for Vikings GM Rick Spielman expressing interest in a reunion. Aj Mansour of KFAN.com has the details and the quotes from Jennings.
  • Southeastern Louisiana defensive back Harlan Miller had a private workout with the Panthers on Thursday, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that Tennessee wideout Marquez North is among the players working out for Carolina at the team’s local prospect day.
  • According to Aaron Wilson (Twitter link), the Giants recently tried out a handful of veteran free agents, including running back Bobby Rainey and defensive back Jaiquawn Jarrett.
  • Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld has privately worked out for the Cardinals twice, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Caplan suggests Sudfeld projects to come off the board on day two of the draft, or early on day three, though that could be an optimistic forecast.
  • University of Minnesota cornerback Eric Murray recently met with the local NFL team, paying a visit to the Vikings, and has a visit on tap with the 49ers next week, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.

AFC South Notes: Watt, Jaguars, Titans, Draft

April 6th, 2016 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Will Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt retire sooner rather than later? It’s probably too early to make any assumptions about how many years the perennial All-Pro has left, but as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets, Watt did tell SportsRadio 610 in Houston that he won’t be one of those players who attempts to extend his career as long as possible.

Here are several more items from out of the AFC South…