HEADLINES

Paxton Lynch

Chiefs, Cardinals, Titans, Cowboys Trying To Trade up

April 28th, 2016 at 10:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chiefs, Cardinals, Titans, and Cowboys all have interest in trading up, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Kansas City and Arizona would be moving up, while Tennessee and Dallas would be trading back into the first round, having already selected once.

The Chiefs, Cardinals, and Cowboys could all conceivably have interest in acquiring a quarterback. Paxton Lynch just went off the board at No. 26, but Connor Cook and Christian Hackenberg have been rumored as first-round options. Indeed, a sorce tells Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star Telegram (Twitter link) that Dallas “was” trying to trade up, and Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys’ target was Lynch.

Broncos Acquire No. 26 Pick From Seahawks

April 28th, 2016 at 9:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos have acquired the No. 26 pick from the Seahawks, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Denver will send the 31st pick and a 2016 third-rounder (No. 94) to Seattle, per Broncos PR man Patrick Smyth (Twitter link). The Broncos will use the pick to draft Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, tweets Mike Klis of 9NEWS.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) reported just prior to the trade that Denver was looking to move up with its eye on a quarterback, and now they’ve acquired Lynch, who was widely viewed as the third-best QB in the draft. He’ll head to the Mile High City and presumably compete with Mark Sanchez for the starting quarterback gig.

The Broncos, of course, have been linked to a multitude of veteran QB options, including Colin Kaepernick, Sam Bradford, Brian Hoyer, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, with Lynch in the organization, it’s probably safe to say that any efforts to land an outside quarterback option will cease.

Browns, Cowboys To Explore Adding Extra First-Round Pick?

April 28th, 2016 at 6:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

6:55pm: If the Cowboys take Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4, Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears that they won’t move back into the first round for a quarterback. Rather, Dallas could target a defensive lineman.

6:41pm: Both the Browns and the Cowboys could consider trading into the back end of the first round, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who speculates that a quarterback — such as Memphis’ Paxton Lynch — could be the target of both clubs.Paxton Lynch (Vertical)

Both Cleveland and Dallas had been rumored to be in the market for quarterbacks earlier in the draft process (especially when the Browns still held the No. 2 overall pick), but with the Rams and Philadelphia all but certain to select Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, there might not be another QB option who either club is willing to take at either No. 4 (Cowboys) or No. 8 (Browns). But if either team is able to move up from the beginning of the second round — where Cleveland currently holds pick No. 32 and Dallas has pick No. 34 — it might leap at the chance to secure a signal-caller.

One added benefit, of course, would be obtaining a fifth-year option on whatever player (quarterback or no) the Browns or Cowboys might select at the end of the first round. Fifth-year options only pertain to first-round picks, so for Cleveland, moving up just one spot might be critical, as a fifth-year option would enable the team to control its draftee through the 2020 season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Draft Rumors: Elliott, Ravens, Browns, Cowboys

April 28th, 2016 at 5:37pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys are currently “struggling” with the decision of whether or not to draft running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Owner Jerry Jones is believed to prefer Elliott, while presumably some other members of the front office would rather go in another direction.

Dallas isn’t the only team at the top of the draft considering taking Elliott, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that the Ravens would “strongly consider” the Ohio State back if he’s on the board at No. 6.

In just a matter of hours, we should find out exactly how serious teams like Dallas and Baltimore are about taking a running back in the top six. With some other clubs, including the Dolphins, said to be coveting Elliott, it’s possible that teams are overstating their interest in the ex-Buckeye in an attempt to get another club to trade up for him. And it sounds like there will be no shortage of trades tonight, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).

As we wait to see where Elliott lands, let’s round up some other draft updates from around the NFL:

  • The Browns have spoken to teams about the possibility of moving down from No. 8, but they’ve also had conversations about moving up from the second round into the late-first, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who wonders if Cleveland might be eyeing a particular quarterback. Earlier this evening, a Browns source told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that there was “nothing new” on the trade front for the club.
  • Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears the Cowboys aren’t likely to move down from No. 4 tonight. Two GMs whose teams are picking in the top 10 tell Werder they haven’t heard from Dallas about a possible trade.
  • Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link) has heard that the Ravens are “hot on” Eastern Kentucky edge defender Noah Spence, though the team won’t take him as high as No. 6. It will be interesting to see if Baltimore likes Spence enough to consider trading up for him if he’s on the board near the end of the first round.
  • Having spoken to multiple general managers and other NFL sources, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report has updates on where a few prospects are expected to be selected in the draft. Cole suggests Georgia pass rusher Leonard Floyd could go in the top 10 (video link), Clemson edge defender Shaq Lawson should go between No. 7 and No. 19 (Twitter link), and Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith appears likely to be a day two pick (Twitter link). Cole also hears that Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch may not be selected quite as high as expected in the first round (video link).
  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com has published his first and only mock draft of 2016, sprinkling plenty of interesting draft tidbits throughout his look at the first 31 picks.

Schrager’s Latest: Chargers, Buckner, Lynch

April 28th, 2016 at 12:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest from Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (all links to go Twitter):

NFL Draft Rumors: Lynch, Hackenberg, Elliott

April 28th, 2016 at 12:09pm CST by Zachary Links

During interviews on official visits with teams, Paxton Lynch seemed to deflect blame to many of the critical questions thrown his way, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net writes (via WalterFootball.com). The Memphis product “did not throw anyone under the bus,” but he seemed to make ‘a number of excuses,” Pauline hears. Overall, teams left with the concern that Lynch is not yet ready to be the guy to lead a franchise. Many now believe that Lynch may be able to eventually blossom into a franchise guy, that time is not today and he may be better off with a situation where he can take his time. Lynch’s poor interviews may help to explain his apparent stock drop in recent days.

  • Conversely, Pauline is hearing good things about quarterback Christian Hackenberg‘s interviews. The Penn State signal caller apparently took responsibility when asked uncomfortable questions and admitted that certain things were his fault. There have been reports of Hackenberg throwing Penn State coach James Franklin under the bus, but Pauline doesn’t buy it based on conversations that he has had.
  • If Laremy Tunsil does not fall into their laps, the Ravens will consider Ezekiel Elliott with their No. 6 choice unless they are able to trade down, Pauline hears.
  • In the last week, there have been conflicting reports on how much the Jets like Lynch. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter) doesn’t believe that the Jets like him very much at all. He also doesn’t believe that he’ll last until pick No. 20.
  • If the Cowboys take Elliott, Miller (on Twitter) expects the 49ers to try very hard to move up for FSU defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
  • The Texans have displayed late-round draft interest in Valdosta State running back Cedric O’Neal, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. O’Neal, an All-Gulf South Conference running back who led the conference with 17 touchdowns last season, has also drawn interest from the Chiefs and Eagles.
  • Cincinnati defensive back Leviticus Payne is drawing late interest from the Colts, Vikings, Jets, 49ers, and Texans, Wilson tweets.

Peter King’s Latest: Chargers, Stanley, Jaguars

April 28th, 2016 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

In his column this morning, Peter King of The MMQB writes that he is skeptical of the idea that the Chargers will trade down. The Bolts were fielding tons of calls from teams prior to the Browns-Eagles trade for the No. 2, but the interest has “dried up since then,” according to King. Football people continue to link the Chargers to Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley, which echoes a report from Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller on Wednesday night.

Here’s more from King:

  • Stanley is also the No. 1 tackle on the Jaguars‘ board, King hears, but GM Dave Caldwell is more likely to go with a front-seven player or trade down.
  • Two anonymous teams say that Jalen Ramsey’s lack of productivity and his lack of plays made at Florida State are scaring them off. Ramsey notably had just two interceptions in his final 40 college games. A third team that is actually high on Ramsey is worried that he was moved from cornerback to safety in college.
  • King hears that there weren’t many trade calls made on Wednesday, but that could change today. King anticipates the Ravens to call around and gauge interest in their No. 6 pick. He anticipates that the Titans (No. 15) will continue to look into trading up for a tackle. The Dolphins (No. 13) could try and move up for Ezekiel Elliott if the Cowboys don’t beat them to the punch. The Jaguars (No. 5) and Browns (No. 8), he expects, will “aggressively” try to move down.
  • King doesn’t believe that the Jets or Browns will take Paxton Lynch.
  • Despite talk of a slide, King guesses that Myles Jack will not fall out of the top 15. The Giants have reportedly taken the UCLA product off of their board and other teams with interest are thinking about having him sign an injury waiver before selecting him.

Schefter’s Latest: Lynch, Cowboys, Kaepernick

April 28th, 2016 at 9:03am CST by Zachary Links

The very latest from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:

  • Unless the Cowboys trade back into the first round, it’s hard to find a landing spot for quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Schefter cautions that another team could be “laying in ambush.” This is surprising news considering the level of buzz that has been around the Memphis product for the last few weeks. Many reports have indicated that Lynch is regarded as the third-best quarterback in this year’s class behind Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. The Browns (No. 8), Bills (No. 19), and Jets (No. 20) have all been said to have a fondness for Lynch, though there have been conflicting reports on Gang Green’s interest level. In v2.0 of PFR’s 2016 NFL Mock Draft, Dallas Robinson has Lynch going No. 7 to the 49ers, with the assumption that a Colin Kaepernick deal has already been agreed upon.
  • Speaking of which, 49ers GM Trent Baalke told Bob Holtzman of ESPN that it’s possible Kaepernick could be traded this week (Twitter link via Schefter). The Broncos, of course, have been heavily connected to Kaepernick in recent weeks. Trade talks have reportedly been at a standstill as the QB refuses to take the kind of pay cut that Denver is pushing.
  • Quarterback Dak Prescott is going to go “higher than people expect,” Schefter tweets. The former Mississippi State standout rushed for more than 800 yards in both his sophomore and junior campaigns. A dynamic dual-threat talent, Prescott hurt his stock in March when he was arrested for a DUI.

Draft Rumors: Lynch, Floyd, Giants

April 27th, 2016 at 5:27pm CST by Zachary Links

NFL GMs are dying to know where Paxton Lynch gets picked, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes. Some teams are hoping that he makes it to the 20s in order to facilitate a trade at their pick. Others are hopeful that he’ll go just outside the top 10, allowing a different player to fall to them. Overall, no one really has a clear understanding of where he might go.

“He could go anywhere from 12-to-31,” one GM posited.

While we wait to see what happens with Lynch on Thursday night, here’s a rundown of the latest NFL Draft rumors:

  • Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd is generating big buzz heading into the draft, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Floyd, he says, could be a candidate for the Jaguars at No. 5, the Buccaneers at No. 9, the Giants at No. 10, and the Bears at No. 11. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) says that he appears destined to go inside the top ten. Schrager (link) hears that a team with a top 10 pick scheduled a meeting with Floyd on Tuesday to get one last look.
  • Hours before the NFL Draft, former Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil is being sued by his stepfather over an alleged attack which took place last June, Daniel Paulling of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger writes. “I don’t know anything about it,” Tunsil said when asked by reporters on Wednesday. Tunsil is widely projected to be a top five pick.
  • Oregon wide receiver Byron Marshall visited the Ravens and worked out for the Cardinals and Eagles, Wilson tweets. Marshall suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss all but four games last season, but he is said to be healthy now. In 2014, Marshall cracked 1,000 receiving yards for the Ducks.
  • Air Force defensive end/outside linebacker Alex Hansen is drawing late interest from the Chargers, Eagles, Ravens, Texans, Broncos, Rams, and Lions, Wilson tweets.

Jets Rumors: Wilkerson, WRs, Lynch, Hackenberg

April 27th, 2016 at 1:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Ever since he received the franchise tag from the Jets nearly two months ago, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson has been considered a trade candidate, but with the draft right around the corner, there’s still no momentum toward a deal. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the club has fielded calls on Wilkerson, but there hasn’t been much action on that front.

At this point, a Wilkerson trade is considered unlikely, per Rapoport. That could always change — if a team misses out on its top defensive line target(s) on Thursday, perhaps that club puts a Friday pick on the table as part of a trade package for Wilkerson and the Jets like the offer. For now though, Gang Green is content to move forward with a very talented defender on the roster, says Rapoport.

Let’s check in on a few other draft-related Jets notes…

  • The Jets may be targeting a wide receiver in the first round, according to Rapoport, who tweets that TCU’s Josh Doctson and Notre Dame’s Will Fuller are among the names to watch. That would be a surprising direction for New York, since the club already has a solid receiving corps and has more significant question marks elsewhere.
  • Rich Cimini of ESPN.com is hearing that the Jets have cooled on Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, suggesting that Lynch is “too boom-or-bust to take a chance in the first round.” Cimini believes it’s more likely that the club will target Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg on day two of the draft.
  • While the Jets would like to add an edge rusher, they may have to wait until the second round to address that spot, tweets Cimini, adding that Boise State’s Kamalei Correa is on the team’s radar.
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