HEADLINES

Marcus Peters

49ers Notes: Peters, Armstead, Wright

April 13th, 2015 at 10:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers have been heavily involved in prospect visits Monday, with cornerback hovering at the center of their prospect search.

  • After visiting the Texans over the weekend and the Saints today, Washington cornerback Marcus Peters will speak with 49ers front office personnel Tuesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes on Twitter. Despite being dismissed from the Huskies’ program, Peters goes off the board in the first round in the latest two NFL.com mock drafts.
  • Fellow reported first-round corner Byron Jones will head to San Francisco for a Tuesday visit, reports DraftInsider.net’s Tony Pauline, via Twitter. The UConn corner already visited the Bills, Eagles and Bears.
  • Former Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead also visited the 49ers on Monday night, per CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco on Twitter. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Armstead going to the 49ers at No. 15 (subscription required).
  • Donovan Smith (Penn State) trekked to the 49ers’ facility today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
  • The 49ers’ cornerback interest is expected considering they lost 2014 starters Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox via free agency. They signed Shareece Wright to a low-cost deal in an effort to replace them, and the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch assesses his candidacy with Chargers broadcaster Hank Bauer. “He’s not a physically imposing guy, but I’d say he’s a good, solid, NFL starting corner,” Bauer told Branch. “Can he be a great player? Boy, I don’t know. I can’t sit here and say I think he will be … But he’s solid.” Agreeing to join the 49ers on a one-year deal, Wright’s battled a host of injuries over the past two years, missing five games in each.

NFC Notes: Edwards, Wilson, Saints, Vikes

April 13th, 2015 at 12:54pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys and Bears are among the teams to host Florida State defensive lineman Mario Edwards for a visit, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The timeline on Edwards’ visit to Dallas isn’t clear, but his trip to Chicago happened last week, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.

As Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com details in a column today, Edwards is a prospect worth keeping an eye on — while most mock drafts don’t include him in the first round, he’s generating plenty of buzz among talent evaluators around the NFL. One tells La Canfora that “in this [not overly talented] draft, he’s definitely a first-rounder for me.”

Here are a few more items from around the NFC:

  • Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk takes a closer look at Russell Wilson‘s contract situation, forecasting how things might play out if Wilson and the Seahawks don’t reach a long-term contract agreement this year. As Florio outlines, the Seattle signal-caller could still do very well for himself if the team were to use the franchise tag multiple times to keep him under contract.
  • Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks, and Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper are all visiting New Orleans today, as the Saints consider defensive options, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Advocate (Twitter link).
  • The Vikings have “clear interest” in North Dakota edge defender Kyle Emanuel, having observed him at his Pro Day and then later working him out privately, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
  • The Lions are hosting a Division II prospect, Western Oregon wide receiver Tyrell Williams, on a pre-draft visit today, writes Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
  • Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday will pay a visit to Washington this week to meet with GM Scot McCloughan and head coach Jay Gruden, a source confirms to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

AFC East Notes: Winston, Peters, Williams

April 11th, 2015 at 3:38pm CST by Rob DiRe

Many reports and mock drafts have the Jets chasing a quarterback in round one, either by waiting to select Marcus Mariota at No. 6 or by trading up with the Titans to ensure they get their quarterback at No. 2.

However, projected first-overall pick Jameis Winston will visit the Jets prior to the draft according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. They were originally planning on meeting with Winston following his Pro Day, but decided it would be unnecessary after a thorough exhibition of his talents.

Something must have changed between his Pro Day and now, as the visit is back on. It is still unlikely Winston would fall to the Jets at No. 6, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes if the Buccaneers are actually planning to pass on the Heisman Trophy winner, they might look to trade the pick. In that case, the Jets could consider moving all the way up to No. 1 for Winston.

Here are a few other notes from around the AFC East:

  • The Jets have shown interest in Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, according to Mehta (via Twitter). Peters will visit with the Jets before the draft, but it’s unlikely the team would target him with the sixth overall pick. The corner has had some off the field troubles, but is still widely regarded as a first-round talent.
  • The Patriots have been linked to two separate Williams in the NFL Draft, the first of which is tight end Maxx Williams from Minnesota. Nik Beimler of WEEI.com gives a draft profile of Williams, noting the Patriots could target him with the last pick of the first round to pair with Rob Gronkowski. Williams is expected to be the first tight end off the board.
  • The other Williams is P.J. Williams, the cornerback out of Florida State. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com looks at whether or not the team would take a chance on the troubled defensive back, who was arrested earlier this month with a DUI. Although the team would be wary, Curran could see them taking a chance on Williams.

Draft Updates: Mariota, White, Falcons, Jags

April 9th, 2015 at 12:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The previously-reported visits for top draft prospects Marcus Mariota, Leonard Williams, and Dante Fowler Jr. are all happening today for the Titans, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Although the Titans are getting a closer look at Mariota, another team in the top five apparently won’t get an opportunity to do so. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that Washington had planned to bring in Mariota for a visit, but the two sides couldn’t work out a time, so that trip is now off.

The news may not mean anything significant, but Charles Robinson notes in his latest piece for Yahoo! Sports that sources around the league are skeptical that Washington is truly interested in selecting Mariota with the No. 5 overall pick. “They’re trying to create leverage to get someone to [trade] up,” said one AFC personnel source.

With a report today suggesting that the Browns have real interest in moving up for Mariota, the Oregon quarterback is certainly generating the most draft buzz this week, but we have plenty of updates on other prospects as well. Here’s the latest:

  • Within Robinson’s previously-linked piece, he notes that Buccaneers ownership will ultimately make the final call on whether or not to draft Jameis Winston, adding that there have been some internal questions about the community relations impact of selecting Winston.
  • Kevin White, arguably the top receiving prospect in this year’s class, said today that he’s setting up visits with the Jets, Bears, Rams, and Giants, per Ross Tucker of SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
  • The Falcons are hosting a pair of top-tier pass rushers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Clemson’s Vic Beasley and Kentucky’s Bud Dupree are in town.
  • Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union provides a full list of the 20 prospects that visited the Jaguars this week. While we’ve passed along many of those names already, there are also plenty of new ones: Javorius “Buck” Allen (RB, USC), T.J. Yeldon (RB, Alabama), Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), Rashad Greene (WR, FSU), DeAndre Smelter (WR, Georgia Tech), Cedric Ogbuehi (T, Texas A&M), Andrus Peat (T, Stanford), Eli Harold (DE, Virginia), Arik Armstead (DL, Oregon), Landon Collins (S, Alabama), and Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State).
  • In addition to visiting the Eagles, UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman met with the Raiders, Colts, and Steelers this week, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, Stanford cornerback Alex Carter, and Virginia linebacker Max Valles made visits to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers today, tweets Scott Brown of ESPN.com.
  • The Giants, Steelers, and Texans have hosted visits for Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant, who has also worked out for the Cowboys, Raiders, and Buccaneers, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Ravens Notes: Peters, DGB, Collins, Draft

April 8th, 2015 at 2:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking to reporters today at the team’s pre-draft press conference, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome confirmed that Baltimore has hosted cornerback Marcus Peters and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham on visits, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Both Peters and Green-Beckham were dismissed from their college teams, so despite last year’s Ray Rice saga – and a handful of other Baltimore players being arrested – it appears the Ravens aren’t removing players from their draft board solely based on potential character red flags.

Here’s more on the Ravens:

  • According to Wilson (via Twitter), LSU cornerback Jalen Collins has visited the Ravens. Collins is considered a probable second-day selection.
  • Discussing the possibility of trading up in the draft, Newsome didn’t sound overly enthusiastic about the idea, but also didn’t rule it out, suggesting that he doesn’t like to “pigeonhole” himself (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Newsome said today that the Ravens won’t hesitate to draft an offensive lineman, even though the team is already fairly deep at that spot, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. The GM pointed out that Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda are entering the final year of their respective contracts.
  • Assistant GM Eric DeCosta echoed a comment made by John Harbaugh at the NFL meetings last month, indicating that drafting a wide receiver is a possibility for the Ravens in virtually any round (Twitter link via Zrebiec).
  • Joe Hortiz, Baltimore’s director of college scouting, said today that this year’s tight end class is on the “lighter side,” but added that there are potential targets for the Ravens in the middle and late rounds (Twitter link via Zrebiec).

49ers Notes: Crabtree, Nicks, Briggs

March 31st, 2015 at 6:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Sometimes, holding out for more can be the wrong move. Sources around the league believe that the market on Michael Crabtree has crashed and feel that it is no longer near the level that he expected, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. No. 15 expected to be a $9-$10MM player, but he now looks like he’s poised for a smaller one- or two-year make good deal. Also hurting Crabtree is the depth of the wide receiver position in this year’s draft. With many WR needs filled around the league and great young talent around the corner in May, the former 49ers star is in a tough spot. More out of SF…

  • When the 49ers brought in wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and linebacker Lance Briggs, it was for a tryout and not just a meet-and-greet, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Nicks just turned 27 in June and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, but seem to be generating a ton of interest on the open market at present. Briggs played his whole career with the Bears, playing in 173 games and earning seven Pro Bowl appearances while making a case for the Hall of Fame.
  • Cornerback Marcus Peters, regarded by many as the top player at his position in this year’s class, has a pre-draft visit scheduled with 49ers in April, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. Over the last season and a half, the physical corner has eight interceptions and 24 pass defenses.
  • West Georgia defensive lineman Tory Slater will meet with the 49ers, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Slater recorded 69 tackles, 16.5 for losses and 10 sacks last season.

NFC Notes: Guion, Seahawks, Rams, Falcons

March 27th, 2015 at 4:52pm CST by Luke Adams

With Letroy Guion‘s legal case now resolved, the Packers continue to explore a potential reunion with the free agent defensive lineman, but it sounds like he’s drawing interest from the team that knocked Green Bay out of the postseason earlier this year. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Guion visited the Seahawks today.

More than other most other teams in the NFL, Seattle has shown a willingness to bring in players for visits without necessarily pushing hard to sign him, so there’s certainly no guarantee Guion will become a Seahawk, but it appears the Packers aren’t his only suitor.

Let’s check in on a few more Friday items from across the NFC….

  • Despite acquiring Nick Foles from the Eagles, the Rams still intend to draft a quarterback, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Foles is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so St. Louis figures to use the 2015 season to determine whether or not the ex-Eagle can be the Rams’ QB of the future.
  • For now, T.J. Yates appears to be the favorite to back up starting quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn hasn’t ruled out the possibility of signing a veteran like Matt Schaub, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “Schaub is certainly somebody that we could [add],” Quinn said. “As we get through it, we’ll let you know if we go down that road.”
  • The Giants‘ five-year, $17.5MM contract for Dwayne Harris, which includes $7.1MM in guaranteed money, has taken its share of criticism over the last couple weeks. However, agent Chad Speck tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com that 14 teams reached out to him about Harris, and the Giants “weren’t the only team involved in the numbers that Dwayne ultimately signed for.”
  • A pair of prospects who were dismissed from their respective college teams will visit the Vikings, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is scheduled to host cornerback Marcus Peters and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

Draft Rumors: Peters, Williams, Ray, Peat

December 16th, 2014 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

For the first time ever, the number of NCAA underclassmen entering the NFL draft in 2014 cracked the triple digits, establishing a new record, but that record may not last long. According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link), one source thinks it’s possible that last year’s number (102) will be “dwarfed” this year. As Getlin adds in a second tweet, the most commonly cited reason for underclassmen making the leap to the NFL early is that players are “sick of playing without market-based compensation.”

With that in mind, Getlin has updates on several potential early entrants for the 2015 draft. Let’s dive in….

  • Washington defensive back Marcus Peters will enter the 2015 draft, multiple sources tell Getlin (Twitter link). Peters currently projects as an early-to-mid-round pick.
  • Despite his public hedging, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams is viewed as a virtual lock to enter the draft, sources tell Getlin (Twitter links). According to Getlin, Williams, who is considered one of NCAA’s top prospects, is believed to have already selected an agent, based – in part – on “a long-standing family relationship.”
  • Missouri defensive end – and SEC sack leader – Shane Ray is seriously considering entering the draft, writes Getlin, who notes that Ray’s mother has been vetting potential agents for her son. The redshirt junior is viewed as a likely top-10 pick.
  • Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, a probable first-rounder, is currently on the fence about whether or not to leave school early, according to Getlin (Twitter link).
  • Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead is “strongly” leaning toward leaving school early and entering the draft, says Gatlin. Armstead hasn’t decided anything officially yet, but his father has been meeting with agents in order to be prepared if and when his son declares his intent.
  • Tevin Coleman has been meeting with agents, and while the Indiana running back hasn’t signed with anyone, the signs are pointing to him entering the draft, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.

Extra Points: Murray, Cowboys, Roc Nation

November 7th, 2014 at 10:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s look at some assorted notes from around the league…

  • In his latest chat for the Dallas Morning News, Jon Machota argues that the Cowboys must make all attempts to re-sign running back DeMarco Murray, reckoning that Joseph Randle isn’t cut out for lead-back duties. If Murray does leave via free agency, writes Machota, Dallas would look to give Ryan Williams, a second-round pick by the Cardinals in 2011, a bigger role.
  • Machota’s Morning News colleague, Rick Gosselin, also chatted with readers today, and opined that it’d be an upset if defensive tackle Henry Melton doesn’t return to the Cowboys roster in 2015. Melton has played well in 250 snaps this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. Per the terms of his contract signed earlier this year, Melton will be automatically trigger a three-year, $24MM extension ($9MM guaranteed) if he’s on Dallas’ roster through the first day of the 2015 league year.
  • Roc Nation has hired a football lifer to its staff in the form of Ari Nissim, reports Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link). Nissim was the Jets’ director of football administration from 2006-2013, and has recently been contributing articles to the National Football Post.
  • University of Washington redshirt junior cornerback Marcus Peters has been dismissed from the team, reports Adam Jude in the Seattle Times. Peters, who was recognized on NFL.com’s Midseason All-America team, is considered a potential first-round pick.

Matt Feminis contributed to this post.