Myles Garrett

Latest On Browns’ Mitch Trubisky Interest

April 21st, 2017 at 9:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier today, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported the Browns were still mired in a Myles Garrett-vs.-Mitch Trubisky debate despite the former being the consensus top talent in the draft. More came out of Cleveland on Friday night to support the Browns are legitimately considering the North Carolina product.

The team is both pondering a trade-up for the former Cleveland-area high school quarterback and selecting him at No. 1 overall, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Cabot adds that the pro-Garrett vibes coming out of Sashi Brown‘s Wednesday press conference do not mean the team is going to take the defensive end, noting the Browns are “strongly considering” bypassing the Texas A&M sack artist and selecting Trubisky.

Cleveland’s line of thinking here is believed to be that the pro-Trubisky contingent within the Browns’ decision-making structure is uncertain he will be there at No. 12 and isn’t sure the team will be able to swing a trade back into the top 10 to select him. Sources informed Cabot the team is ready to select its quarterback of the future.

During the second-year GM’s pre-draft presser, Brown said the Browns have “just about finalized” their decision at No. 1. While that was believed to be interpreted as a sign the team was ready to take the best player available, sources told Cabot that Brown may have meant Trubisky is the emerging consensus choice.

Cabot also hears the 49ers are a threat to take Trubisky at No. 2 overall, and that the North Carolina-honed signal-caller won’t last past the Jets at No. 6. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported earlier this month some Jets officials are high on Trubisky, and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report noted the team could serve as a trade partner for the Browns if they wanted to get back into the top 10.

If the Jets are entertaining the thought of using another high pick on a passer, the Titans hold the No. 5 pick. Tennessee had to surrender a 2016 third-rounder and 2017 second-round choice to Cleveland in order to move from No. 15 to 8 to select Jack Conklin. The price could be similar for the Browns, who have been more known for stockpiling draft picks than trading up for talent since the Brown- and Paul DePodesta-led front office took over.

The Browns have turned down offers for the No. 1 pick, Cabot reports, but after the team traded out of No. 2 last year and passed on Carson Wentz, it’s now poised to make that quarterback pick this year. Cabot adds that the Browns missing out on Trubisky would result in them moving on to Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes — presumably with their No. 12 pick. Of course, a GM told NFL.com’s Charlie Casserly he believes two quarterbacks would go in the top nine selections. In that scenario, the Browns would have to trade back into the top 10 if they wanted to draft the second-best quarterback on their board.

This would wrap up another complex Browns pre-draft process. Reports about the Browns’ astronomical grade on Garrett and team brass being awed by his Combine showing eventually leading to a Trubisky pick would be quite interesting. As would the possibility that owner Jimmy Haslam, who was possibly connected to having made the decision to trade up for Johnny Manziel in 2014, being involved in the decision-making process, as La Canfora suggests he could be.

Browns Owner Wants QB At No. 1?

April 21st, 2017 at 4:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Complicating the divide between the Browns’ coaches and their front office regarding the No. 1 overall pick: Jimmy Haslam is believed to be weighing in on this process.

The team’s owner “badly wants” a quarterback, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). As the draft nears, Haslam has been asking about this draft’s quarterback class and wondering why there hasn’t been much clamoring for a passer at No. 1 overall among the team’s decision-makers (Twitter links, via La Canfora).

While this would seem to open up a bigger issue for the Browns, who have seen Haslam make quick decisions regarding previous head coaches during his tenure, the team still has a chasm between its coaching staff and new-era front office about which player to select first overall.

The coaching staff continues to prefer Myles Garrett, with La Canfora echoing what we’ve heard before about Jackson’s preference for the Texas A&M defensive end. But the front office, per La Canfora, is leaning more toward Mitch Trubisky as the pre-draft process enters its final week.

Trubisky has evidently made a late push for a Browns team that has probably experienced the biggest trouble at the quarterback spot of any team during the 21st century. The Cleveland-area native, though, could be viewed as a reach at No. 1 overall due to his one year of starting experience and the constant scrutiny about this year’s quarterback class having been present throughout the pre-draft months. But the Browns are also believed to be pondering a move up from their No. 12 spot to select the North Carolina-developed passer.

The owner weighing in on the process would certainly appear to throw more weight behind Trubisky. Haslem wanting to leave the draft with a surefire starting signal-caller doesn’t necessarily mean the Browns are going to pass on Garrett, but it might mean the team will trade up from No. 12 or use multiple picks as currency in a trade. La Canfora tweets a trade scenario would be welcomed by Browns brass, as it would “appease” Haslam and allow the franchise to select Garrett. The Browns have been linked to Jimmy Garoppolo throughout the offseason, but the Patriots have shown increased reluctance to unload Tom Brady‘s backup.

Of course, Browns GM Sashi Brown said earlier this week the team doesn’t envision a trade for a veteran quarterback. So, the complicated offseason — one that has the Browns still trying to work a trade to get Brock Osweiler off the roster — continues in Cleveland.

AFC Notes: Browns, Raiders, Colts, Steelers

April 19th, 2017 at 6:31pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Browns head coach Hue Jackson reportedly likes Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett more than some members of the team’s front office do, but executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown made it clear Wednesday that he’s also fond of the possible No. 1 pick. “We’d be proud to have him,” said Brown (via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). Meanwhile, vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry downplayed worries that Garrett took too many plays off with the Aggies. “Sometimes those concerns are a little bit overstated,” Berry offered. “The reality is in college football the number of snaps these defensive linemen have to play on a down-in, down-out basis is usually greater than what they’ll have to play at the professional level.”

Hue Jackson Wants Browns To Draft Myles Garrett

April 14th, 2017 at 10:51am CST by Connor J. Byrne

While some members of the Browns organization want the team to select North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky with the first pick in the draft, head coach Hue Jackson isn’t among them. Jackson has thrown his support behind Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett, reports Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.

Considering both Jackson’s offensive background and the Browns’ lack of ideal quarterback options, it perhaps speaks volumes that he’d rather grab a defender No. 1 overall. He’s hardly alone in preferring Garrett over Trubisky, though, with one NFL personnel executive telling Cabot that “it’s not even close between Garrett and Trubisky.” However, Trubisky isn’t without his supporters – another personnel man informed Cabot he has more upside than Eagles signal-caller Carson Wentz, who went second overall last year after the Browns traded out of that spot.

The Browns have a second first-rounder, No. 12 overall, though it’s doubtful Trubisky will still be available when the time comes for them to make that pick. That means their bigwigs are going to have to make a choice between Garrett or Trubisky, which could be a problem. There’s “some discord” among the team’s decision-makers, with a clash potentially occurring between the old- and new-school members of the organization, multiple sources have told Cabot. Led by general manager Sashi Brown and chief strategy officer/former baseball executive Paul DePodesta, the Browns’ front office heavily emphasizes analytics. It doesn’t seem that everyone in Cleveland is on board with that, which bears watching for a club with a franchise-altering call to make in two weeks.

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Draft Rumors: 49ers, Jets, Fins, Mixon,

April 12th, 2017 at 8:38pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The 49ers are willing to trade the second pick in the draft, which has been the case since at least February. They’ll “listen to anything,” said general manager John Lynch, who revealed that teams have shown interest in acquiring the selection (via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area). Regardless of whether they trade the choice, the 49ers won’t have top prospects like Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett, Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas or Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey in for pre-draft visits. “I think we know those guys pretty well,” stated Lynch (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com). They did work out Cal quarterback Davis Webb on Tuesday, per Wagoner. Webb is gaining momentum as a potential first-rounder.

Browns Considering Mitch Trubisky At No. 1

April 11th, 2017 at 8:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Conventional wisdom has the Browns selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett with the first overall pick, but Cleveland has not yet made a final decision. Some in the Cleveland organization prefer UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds the Browns’ personnel team is split between Trubisky and Garrett.

[POLL: Is Myles Garrett A Lock For No. 1?]

The possibility of a Trubisky selection isn’t completely out of left field, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported last month that the Browns were strongly considering taking Trubisky first overall. The Browns — clearly — need help at the quarterback position, and while they own another pick in the first round, there’s no guarantee Trubisky will be available when Cleveland comes on the clock at No. 12.

By selecting Trubisky at No. 1, the Browns would secure a long-term option under center and still have the chance to draft a pass-rusher later in the first round. Solomon Thomas, Derek Barnett, Charles Harris, Takkarist McKinley, and others may be on the board at pick No. 12, giving Cleveland a wide selection of prospects. Plus, the Browns own five of the top 65 picks, ensuring the club plenty of chances to fill in its roster after it lands a quarterback.

Passing on Garrett isn’t a cut-and-dry decision, however. He’s viewed as a the best overall player in the 2017 class, and the Browns reportedly have an “astronomical grade” on him. Additionally, Cleveland was “blown away” by Garrett’s combine performance, which included a 4.64 40-yard dash and 33 bench press reps.

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Will Someone Other Than Garrett Go No. 1?

April 11th, 2017 at 1:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The No. 1 overall pick is an open and shut case – unless it isn’t. Popular thinking in recent weeks has Myles Garrett going to the Browns, but they’re not ruling out Leonard Fournette with the top selection. The LSU running back is a possibility, per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, although JLC concedes that it’s still unlikely to happen.

Garrett is widely considered to be the best talent in this year’s class at any position and would be a strong choice for the rebuilding Browns. By the same token, there are other quality defensive ends to be had early in the draft and the Browns have a stockpile of picks to use. Solomon Thomas, Derek Barnett, Charles Harris, Takkarist McKinley, Taco Charlton, and T.J. Watt all hold varying levels of promise and some of those names can be had as late as the second round. The Browns presently own four picks in the top 52 and five picks in the top 65. Passing on Garrett could come back to haunt them – the Texas A&M actually says that he’ll “punish” the Browns in the NFL if he doesn’t hear his name called at the top of the draft – but there are still alternatives to consider later on.

Fournette isn’t the only non-Garrett player to be mentioned in connection with the top pick. Though Mitch Trubisky‘s momentum has cooled significantly, it wasn’t long ago that he was thought to have a chance at going No. 1. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who considers Trubisky to be the BPA (best player available), but Cleveland has an obvious need under center. If the Browns really like Trubisky or Deshaun Watson, they could theoretically play it safe and shock the world by taking a quarterback at No. 1 instead of waiting for pick No. 12 or later.

With a few weeks to go until the draft, what does your gut tell you about the Browns’ intentions with the top pick? Will they select Garrett, a player who they have bestowed with an “astronomical grade”? Or will they go in a different direction and take someone else? Alternatively, if they trade the pick, do you envision the deal being for someone other than the Texas A&M star? Cast your vote below to choose between Garrett and the rest of the field.

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Draft Notes: Browns, Bills, King, Fins

April 10th, 2017 at 7:31pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

There’s reportedly a chance LSU running back Leonard Fournette will go No. 1 overall to the Browns in this month’s draft, but Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com doesn’t expect that to happen. The odds of coming off the board with the top pick continue to favor Texas A&M edge defender Myles Garrett, though Cleveland could give some consideration to North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, notes Cabot. The Browns do have another first-rounder, No. 12 overall, and they’d have interest in taking Fournette there, Cabot writes. However, it doesn’t seem as if Fournette will still be available then.

Garrett, meanwhile, informed Sam Alipour of ESPN The Magazine that he wants the Browns to draft him, vowing to get revenge if they don’t. On why he should be the first choice this year, Garrett offered: “Because I’ll be a difference maker from day one. And I’m not gonna be in any trouble. I’m just gonna make plays and bring a good atmosphere to your organization. And I’m gonna start winning and winning now. And because if you don’t draft me No. 1, I will punish your team for the next 10 to 12 years. I’ll knock your QB out of the game every time we play you, and I’ll have to kick the hell out of No. 1, whoever it is.”

More of the latest draft-related news:

Buffalo continues to show interest in potential first-round quarterbacks. The Doug Whaley-led Bills, who are reportedly “in love” with Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, met with Trubisky on Sunday. Before doing that, the Bills worked out Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer on Saturday, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). Team brass, including owner Terry Pegula, also had dinner with Kizer.
University of Washington cornerback Kevin King will visit the Eagles, Raiders, Browns and Ravens this week, reports FOX Sports’ Charles Davis (on Twitter). King, a prospective first-rounder, received an invitation to the draft, adds Davis.
University of Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya met with Dolphins head coach Adam Gase last week, relays Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Dolphins are unlikely to end up with the projected mid-rounder, though, as they probably won’t consider selecting a signal-caller until late in the draft, per Jackson.

PFR’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

April 5th, 2017 at 9:31am CST by Dallas Robinson

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away, and while the first overall pick may be nearly set in stone, the rest of the first round is as muddled as its ever been. A lot can and will happen between now and April 27th, and there are still plenty of teams near the top that could go in a number of different directions on draft day.

Pro Football Rumors’ first mock draft of 2017 is below. To be clear, this is our projection of what will happen – not necessarily the choices we would make – based on reports and information gathered from beat and national writers, our general assessment of this year’s crop of prospects, and, of course, team needs. Let’s dive in:

1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, LB, Texas A&M
The easiest prediction of the first round, Garrett was considered the favorite to be selected first overall for much of the collegiate season. Nothing Garrett has done since the 2016 campaign concluded has changed that outlook, and the Browns reportedly have an “astronomical grade” on the Aggie edge rusher. At the scouting combine, Garrett weighed in at 272 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, and posted 33 bench press reps. Cleveland was “blown away” by the numbers, and it will pick Garrett knowing he can single-handedly alter their front seven.

2. Carolina Panthers (projected trade with San Francisco) – Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
Rumor has it the Panthers are interested in acquiring the No. 2 pick from the 49ers, and I’ve projected that trade will indeed occur (last week, I examined what sort of package Carolina may need to sacrifice in order to move up). While Leonard Fournette could also garner consideration, the Panthers will take Thomas, another signal that Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman values the defensive line above all else. Veteran defensive ends Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers are only signed through 2017, and Thomas would give the Panthers long-term security on the edge. He can slide inside, as well, protecting Carolina against free agent defections by Star Lotulelei and/or Kawann Short.

3. Chicago Bears – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
While the Bears have a number of needs on both sides of the ball, they could stand to add another cornerback, and in Lattimore they’ll secure the best CB in the draft. Chicago did add Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper in free agency, but Amukamara signed a one-year deal and Cooper has done nothing to prove he’s a starting NFL defensive back. Former first-round pick Kyle Fuller‘s time with the Bears may be coming to an end, and Lattimore would give Chicago shutdown corner potential from day one. Chicago hosted Lattimore on a predraft visit on Monday.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars – O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Defense shouldn’t be a problem in Jacksonville this season, as the team has invested heavy resources — both dollars and draft capital — on the defensive side of the ball over the past two years. The Jaguars’ offense, however, ranked just 27th in DVOA in 2016, and while much of the struggle can be attributed to Blake Bortles and a poor front five, Jacksonville isn’t going to replace Bortles immediately, and there are no offensive linemen worthy of the No. 4 pick. Instead, the Jags will select one of the safer players in the draft, pinpointing Howard to replace free agent whiff Julius Thomas, who was traded to Miami last month.

5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams) – Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
The Titans could still use help at both wide receiver and cornerback, but with another pick in Round 1 to address other needs, general manager Jon Robinson goes with the best player available and selects Allen. At least one AFC personnel director believes Allen’s shoulder issues could lead to a draft-day tumble, but Allen would give Tennessee a truly dominant defensive line. He’d team with lineman Jurrell Casey and Sylvester Williams and edge rushers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan on one of the league’s more underrated front sevens.

6. New York Jets – Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Gang Green isn’t in a great position at No. 6. Lattimore and Howard may have been the club’s best options, but they’re now off the board, and it’s difficult to see the Jets selecting another linebacker or defensive lineman given their first-round investments over the past several years. Under center, New York seems to want to give 2016 second-rounder Christian Hackenberg a chance to play, and the team’s visits with this year’s top quarterback prospects are largely viewed as smokescreens. Safety probably isn’t a priority for the Jets, but the the team simply needs talent, and Hooker is the best player left.

7. Los Angeles Chargers – Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Hooker is a better fit for new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s scheme, but Adams will work as well. While he’s not the center fielder that Hooker is, Adams offers the type of versatility the Chargers covet. Los Angeles has yet to replace Eric Weddle, who left after the 2015 season, and while it re-signed Jahleel Addae last month, Adams would serve as an improvement over Dwight Lowery. The Bolts could begin eyeing a long-term replacement for Philip Rivers this year, but they won’t use the seventh pick to find their franchise quarterback.

8. San Francisco 49ers (projected trade with Carolina) – Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Even after signing 13 external free agents, the 49ers still have holes all over their roster. Foster would be in consideration for San Francisco even if it holds on to the No. 2 selection, but in this scenario, the club has traded down to acquire more assets while still getting the player it originally targeted. Foster has some negatives — a February shoulder surgery, a dust-up with a hospital worker at the combine — but he’s unquestionably one of the more talented players in the 2017 class. An inside ‘backer by trade, Foster would likely slide into the weak side in the Bay Area given the presence of NaVorro Bowman.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
If the Bengals have a “type,” it’s productive players from the SEC. During Marvin Lewis‘ 14-year run as head coach, Cincinnati has selected a first-round SEC prospect half the time. Barnett fits that mold, as he topped Reggie White’s Tennessee sack record of 33 in only three years. Doubters, however, worry Barnett’s physical traits don’t match his production. But the Bengals need to upgrade on defensive end Michael Johnson, who hasn’t posted an above-average season since 2013. Wide receiver could be another option here, as could a trade back, especially if quarterback-needy clubs want to jump ahead of Buffalo, New Orleans, and Cleveland.

10. Buffalo Bills – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Corey Brown. Andre Holmes. Dezmin Lewis. Brandon Tate. Jeremy Butler. Those are the names on the Bills’ wide receiver depth chart behind Sammy Watkins. It’s the worst group of supplementary pass-catchers in the NFL, and while Buffalo’s offense is heavily run-focused, Tyrod Taylor still needs someone to throw to besides Watkins. Davis comes from a small school, but he’s been extremely productive against lesser production, topping 1,400 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. He’d immediately become the Bills’ No. 2 receiver.

11. New Orleans Saints – Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
The Saints are still pursuing Patriots restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler, and if they’re able to work out a trade with New England, New Orleans will probably use this pick on a pass-rusher. Until that happens, however, corner will be the pick, as Saints general manager Mickey Loomis recently called defensive backs “must” additions. New Orleans will have its pick of the cornerback litter at No. 11, but Conley — whom Lance Zierlein of NFL.com favorably compares to Aqib Talib — is the best of the remaining bunch.

12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia) – Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Unless they’re able to reverse the Patriots’ apparent decision not to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, the Browns need to find a quarterback in the 2017 draft. At one point, Cleveland was reportedly “strongly considering” Trubisky with the No. 1 overall pick, but if the club is lucky, it will hold tight until No. 12 and still land the North Carolina signal-caller. Having only started one year at Chapel Hill, Trubisky doesn’t offer the lengthy collegiate résumé that teams might prefer, but he has the potential to become a long-term starter in the NFL.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Finding a cornerback to play opposite Patrick Peterson was arguably the Cardinals’ No. 1 need heading into the offseason, but the club hasn’t added any talent in the defensive backfield thus far. In fact, they’ve actually lost talent, and though Marcus Cooper wasn’t a great option, he was preferable to Justin Bethel or Brandon Williams. Humphrey gives Arizona a cornerback that can play immediately, and at least one NFC scout ranks Humphrey as the single best corner in the 2017 class.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota) – Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The Eagles addressed a hole at wide receiver during free agency by inking Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, but Philadelphia still needs help at running back. Darren Sproles isn’t a foundational back, Wendell Smallwood can’t yet be trusted with the No. 1 job, and Ryan Mathews is still a release candidate (Philadelphia would pick up $4MM in cap space by cutting the injury-prone Mathews). While McCaffrey is viewed a gadget player/passing down back in some circles, I think he can become an every-down player in today’s NFL, and he’d be a perfect fit in the Eagles’ offense next to Carson Wentz.

15. Indianapolis Colts – Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
New Colts general manager Chris Ballard spent the past four years in Kansas City’s personnel department, but the Chiefs’ recent top picks — which include an offensive tackle, an edge rusher, a cornerback, and a defensive tackle — don’t offer any clue as to what position Ballard might highly value. But Indianapolis can’t go wrong by adding to its defense, which ranked 29th in DVOA last season. Every level of the defense needs reinforcements, but the Colts go with Reddick, an impressive athlete — with a well-rounded spider chart on MockDraftable.com — who can play either inside or outside linebacker.

16. Baltimore Ravens – Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Ravens ranked 28th in rushing yards and 21st in yards per attempt in 2016, and the team’s inability to get the run game started ultimately led to the firing of offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. Terrance West averaged only four yards per carry on 193 touches, and while Baltimore signed Danny Woodhead last month, sophomore back Kenneth Dixon is suspended four games to begin the 2017 campaign. Enter Fournette, a mammoth 240-pounder who still managed a 4.51 40-yard dash. The Ravens “love” Fournette, as Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun recently reported, and the LSU back is likely the only RB Baltimore would select in the first round.

17. Washington Redskins – Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
Lamp has been generating a ton of buzz in recent weeks, and many NFL insiders reportedly believe the Western Kentucky product will be selected somewhere in the 20s. We’ve got Lamp going even higher, as Washington looks to replace Shawn Lauvao, the weak link on an excellent offensive line. The Redskins clearly value the guard position, as they selected Brandon Scherff fifth overall in 2015. It’s unclear how the dismissal of general manager Scot McCloughan will affect Washington’s draft preparations, but the club won’t go wrong with Lamp, who’s been compared to Cowboys lineman Zack Martin.

18. Tennessee Titans – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
After selecting the best player available at No. 5 (Jonathan Allen), the Titans can draft for need at pick No. 18. Wide receiver and cornerback stand out as glaring areas of potential focus for Tennessee, and because the club already added Logan Ryan in free agency, we’ve given them Williams with their second first-round pick. At present, the Titans’ wide receiver corps is headlined by Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Harry Douglas, and Eric Weems — not exactly world-beaters. Williams, whom one scouting director called the “best player on the field” in the Clemson-Alabama Championship Game, would slot in as Tennessee’s No. 1 pass-catcher.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Buccaneers have already found a complement to Mike Evans this offseason by signing DeSean Jackson to a three-year deal, and now Tampa Bay will add yet another element to its rapidly improving offense by drafting Njoku. One of the youngest players in the 2017 draft, Njoku doesn’t turn 21 years old until July, so he still has room to develop. Njoku is a dynamic athlete who will team with fellow tight end Cameron Brate in the passing game, and the former Hurricane is also a willing and able blocker in the run game.

20. Denver Broncos – Garett Bolles, T, Utah
While Njoku’s age is a positive mark for his stock, Bolles is one of the older players in this year’s class — he’ll turn 25 in May. That shouldn’t matter to the Broncos, who can immediately plug Bolles in at left tackle. Denver’s offensive line was among the league’s worst last season, and has now lost Russell Okung to free agency. If the season started today, either Menelik Watson or Donald Stephenson would likely line up at left tackle. If Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch is going to succeed, they’ll need to have solid protection, and Bolles represents a large improvement on the blindside.

21. Detroit Lions – Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
The Patriots weren’t afraid to draft off-ball linebackers early while Bob Quinn worked in New England, as the club made Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and Jerod Mayo Day 1 or 2 picks in recent years. Quinn will continue that trend in Detroit, where the linebacker depth chart is almost entirely barren. The Lions are reportedly intent on adding more ‘backers this offseason, and Davis would give the team a leader in the middle of a defense that needs assistance.

22. Miami Dolphins – Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Heading into the offseason, the Dolphins were expected to buttress their defensive end rotation, and the club did in fact do some work on that front, as Andre Branch was re-signed and William Hayes was acquired from the Rams. But given that Miami ranked 31st in adjusted sack rate last season, the club needs to add more on the edge. Enter Charlton, who registered 10 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in Ann Arbor in 2016. Given the presence of Cameron Wake, Branch, and Hayes, Charlton — who is expected to meet with the Dolphins — won’t be expected to contribute right away.

23. New York Giants – Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
Despite drafting Ereck Flowers ninth overall just two years ago, the Giants have made no promises that Flowers is their left tackle of the future. New York didn’t add any tackles during the free agent period, however, so if the club wants to upgrade its line, it will have to do so during the draft. Robinson is one of the more divisive prospects of 2017, as some observers, such as FanRag’s Kyle Crabbs, believe Robinson is the best left tackle in this year’s class, while others, like Mike Mayock of the NFL Network, list Robinson as a guard. The one thing Robinson would give Big Blue is options, as he could theoretically take over at either tackle spot or right guard.

24. Kansas City Chiefs (projected trade with Oakland) – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Trade alert! Now that Tony Romo is no longer on the table, the Texans may be looking to draft their quarterback of the future, but the Chiefs will make a three-spot jump, trading with a division rival in order to move ahead of Houston and select Watson. While rumors have persisted involving Kansas City acquiring a signal-caller to displace Alex Smith (with options such as Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo having been tossed out), Chiefs management has been adamant that Smith is the club’s quarterback…for 2017. That doesn’t mean the club won’t target a long-term alternative such as Watson, who might be able to lead KC to postseason success.

25. Houston Texans – Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
With both Trubisky and Watson off the board, the Texans won’t force a quarterback, and instead opt to augment their damaged offensive line. Derek Newton is unlikely to play in 2017 after tearing patellar tendons in both legs, and his replacement — Chris Clark — graded as one the NFL’s worst tackles last year, per Pro Football Focus. As such, Ramczyk would constitute major improvement at right tackle, and may add to the long line of successful Wisconsin offensive lineman (Joe Thomas, Travis Frederick, Kevin Zeitler, Ricky Wagner).

26. Seattle Seahawks – Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
The Seahawks papered over their offensive line concerns in free agency, and given that the draft’s top four lineman are no longer available, Seattle will look to fortify its defensive line with the addition of Harris. To be sure, the Seahawks boast two of the league’s most talented and versatile ends in Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, but neither are spring chickens (both are now 31 years old). Cornerback could also be in consideration, but Seattle head coach Pete Carroll is more likely to find a developmental defensive back in the mid rounds.

27. Oakland Raiders (projected trade with Kansas City) – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
While Cook is ranked as the top available running back by a number of draftniks, his combine numbers worry me. As Zach Whitman of 3SigmaAthlete.com notes (Twitter link), no running back who tested at less than the 10th percentile in SPARQ score — as Cook did — was selected in the first round from 1999-2016. It’s difficult to imagine betting on a physically limited back such as Cook, but the results are there on tape. The Raiders can take the risk, especially if they bring in Cook to play behind an un-retired Marshawn Lynch.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Cornerback stands out as a pressing need for the Cowboys following the first month of free agency. Dallas lost both Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, and now field a depth chart led by Orlando Scandrick, Anthony Brown, and Nolan Carroll. Given that relative lack of talent and depth, Wilson would probably start right away, and he’s well-equipped to do so. He’s a better player than his Florida teammate Teez Tabor, and his size (6’1″, 210 pounds) will entice clubs with vacancies in the back end.

29. Green Bay Packers – John Ross, WR, Washington
Jordy Nelson will be 32 years old when the 2017 campaign begins. Randall Cobb struggled last season, managing only 610 receiving yards, and Davante Adams is a free agent next spring. The Packers have made contributors out of no-name pass-catchers before (Geronimo Allison says hello), but I’d like to see Aaron Rodgers work with a burner like Ross. A speed demon, Ross memorably set a combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash last month. He’d give Green Bay another dimension to an already productive offense.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers – T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
The Steelers have struck out on first-round edge rushers in recent years, as neither Jarvis Jones nor Bud Dupree (at least, thus far) developed into a top-notch force. 38-year-old James Harrison is still Pittsburgh’s best pass rusher, so the club clearly needs to infuse some youth at outside linebacker. Watt will represent the Steelers’ next first-round swing, and he’d been on the Day 1 radar even if he wasn’t the brother of the NFL’s best defender. He’s third among edge players in SPARQ score, and put up 11.5 sacks during his final year at Wisconsin.

31. Atlanta Falcons – Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
The Falcons’ pass rush, which ranked dead last in DVOA in 2015, improved to 24th last season thanks largely to a step forward by Vic Beasley, but Atlanta still needs to add another body on the edge. While they signed Dontari Poe to clog the middle of the line, the Falcons’ pass-rushers aside from Beasley aren’t that impressive. Adrian Clayborn, Brooks Reed, Jack Crawford, Derrick Shelby, and Courtney Upshaw are all average to below-average, while McKinley has the opportunity to be more than that. He’d probably go earlier were it not for a shoulder injury that threatens to knock him out for the early part of the regular season.

32. New Orleans Saints (from New England) – DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Drew Brees is now 38 years old and entering the final year of his contract, and the Saints haven’t shown any urgency in signing him to an extension. Head coach Sean Payton said in February that his club is always in the “quarterback business,” and it’s now time to find Brees’ successor. Kizer, who tossed 26 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 2016, can be the next man up. As quarterback guru Cian Fahey explained yesterday in a series of GIFs, Kizer displays exceptional movement within the pocket and doesn’t wilt in the face of pressure. Personally, Kizer is my favorite quarterback of the 2017 class.

Neither the Rams, Vikings, nor Patriots have a first-round pick as the result of trades, but we’ll take a look at a few second- and third-round options for those clubs in order to ensure Los Angeles, Minnesota, and New England aren’t completely left out of this exercise.

37. Los Angeles Rams – Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
The Rams handed Robert Woods a $34MM contract on the first day of free agency, but the former Bill won’t fix Los Angeles’ problems at wide receiver. Jared Goff still needs more weapons if he is to have any chance at improvement in his sophomore campaign, and Godwin would add another element to the Rams offense. In his Reception Perception series, Matt Harmon calls Godwin the most underrated wideout in this year’s draft, noting the Penn State product’s ability to handle contested catches and run a full route tree.

48. Minnesota Vikings – Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State
While Minnesota spent vast sums of money on the tackle position last month, bringing in both Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers, the club’s interior offensive line hasn’t yet been addressed. Incumbent center Joe Berger‘s contract expires after 2017, so the Vikings could afford to bring in a long-term option at the pivot. Elflein is an absolute mauler in the middle who destroys opposing defenders in the run game (evidence: this GIF), and Rob Rang of CBSSports.com compares him to another Ohio Stater, former Jets center Nick Mangold.

72. New England Patriots – Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Malcolm Butler seems likely to be in a different uniform soon, whether that be through trade in the coming weeks or via free agency in 2018. As such, Stephon Gilmore will need a running mate at corner, and the Patriots can afford to redshirt Jones, who suffered an Achilles injury at Washington’s Pro Day. Jones, who was arguably the No. 1 corner in the draft prior to going down, thinks he’ll be able to play in 2017, but he wouldn’t be rushed into doing so in New England.

Photos courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram and USA Today Sports Images.

South Notes: Jaguars, Saints, Titans, Bucs

April 4th, 2017 at 7:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jaguars will host Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker later this week, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). Jacksonville holds the fourth overall pick, but both Foster and Hooker seem like unlikely selections given the club’s recent draft picks (Myles Jack) and free agent additions (Tashaun Gipson, Barry Church). Still, the Jaguars are likely simply doing due diligence on the draft’s top prospects. Indeed, the club is also slated to meet with running back Dalvin Cook (Florida State), running back Leonard Fournette (LSU), edge rusher Myles Garrett (Texas A&M), and running back Joe Mixon (Oklahoma), as O’Halloran writes in a full piece.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two South divisions:

Count the Saints among the clubs that may consider Mixon, as the controversial prospect met with New Orleans today, tweets Nick Underhill of the Advocate. While a number of teams, including New England and Miami have ruled out selecting Mixon due to an assault incident, the Saints are reportedly among the clubs “digging in” on the 20-year-old. In New Orleans, Mixon would pair with Mark Ingram to give the Saints a lethal running back combination.
Missouri defensive end Charles Harris worked out for the Titans on Monday, as he detailed to SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Harris is expected come off the board during the second half of the first round, and could conceivably be an option for Tennessee at pick No. 18. He put up 16 sacks over the past two seasons for the Tigers.
The Buccaneers are hosting USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson on Monday, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Jackson, who ranks as Daniel Jermiah of NFL.com‘s 37th overall player, would give Tampa Bay another young defensive back after the team spent a first-round pick on Vernon Hargreaves in 2016. Also a dynamic returner, Jackson could augment a Buccaneers special teams unit that was below average on both kick and punt returns last year.
While Chase Daniel had other proposals on the table, the longtime backup chose a reunion with the Saints in part because Drew Brees‘ contract expires after 2017, as Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com writes. “[Brees] could play until he’s 45 if he wanted to,” Daniel said. “And the way his contract is sort of set up, yeah, it’s the last year of his contract, but for me, I’d be crazy to say that didn’t play a little bit into effect to come here, to play behind Drew again, to learn this offense, to get noticed in this offense and to see where it takes me.” Daniel, however, only signed for a single season, as well.

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