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Paxton Lynch

East Notes: Bradford, Jets, Bills, Dolphins

April 27th, 2016 at 8:49am CST by Luke Adams

Before re-signing him, the Eagles didn’t tell Sam Bradford they intended to draft a quarterback high in the first round, agent Tom Condon tells Sal Paolantonio of ESPN.com. And while Bradford is put off by the Eagles’ plan to draft his replacement, the former first overall pick also isn’t thrilled about the fact that the team gave up so many other assets to move up to the No. 2 spot.

“It’s his right to demand a trade and he wants to be traded,” Condon said. “Basically, our contention is that the team could have used the draft picks on offensive and defensive players for this season, to win this season. If the plan was to build for the future, where does that leave Sam this year?”

As we wait to see if anything happens with the Bradford situation this week, let’s check in on several other items from out of the NFL’s East divisions…

  • Within his latest look at the Muhammad Wilkerson saga in New York, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News notes that the Jets made a “Hail Mary attempt” to move up to the No. 1 pick before Los Angeles nabbed that pick from Tennessee. Mehta suggests that Gang Green would have been targeting Jared Goff if the long-shot trade attempt had worked out.
  • Veteran running back Matt Forte, who signed with the Jets last month, is hoping that the team re-signs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, as he said during an appearance on CBS Sports Radio (link via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “I’d be disappointed [if I don’t] get to work with him [given that he was here] last year and the good job he did,” Forte said. “But at the same time, you have to prepare yourself for the worst or if that doesn’t happen.”
  • One source tells Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News (Twitter link) that Bills senior offensive assistant Chris Palmer “loves” quarterback Paxton Lynch. However, it’s very possible the Memphis product will be off the board by the time Buffalo picks at No. 19. On Tuesday, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported that the Bills are quite high on the QB.
  • Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald provides a handful of updates from the Dolphins‘ voluntary minicamp, noting within his piece that the team didn’t show any interest in cornerback Josh Norman when his camp was allowed to seek a trade before his franchise tag was rescinded.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Schrager’s Latest: Joseph, Kelly, Giants

April 26th, 2016 at 6:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier tonight, Peter Schrager of FOX Sports took to Twitter to pass along his latest draft buzz. Here’s a rundown of everything:

Cole’s Latest: Lynch, Jets, Bills, Manziel, Brady

April 26th, 2016 at 6:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest from Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via video links):

  • The Bills and Jets are “extremely” interested in quarterback Paxton Lynch, according to multiple NFL executives who spoke with Cole. Both teams see Lynch as a future star in the NFL and know that they will have to move up into the high teens to possibly land him. The Browns pick at No. 8 and are said to be fond of the Memphis product, though that’s probably a little too high to pull the trigger on him. By the same token, the belief is that Lynch will move up the board with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz going in the top two.
  • The NFL will speed up its ongoing investigation into Johnny Manziel‘s domestic violence incident this week, an NFL source tells Cole. The expectation that Manziel will get a suspension of some length of time since he narrowly escaped a suspension for a previous incident. Meanwhile, the attorney for Manziel’s ex-girlfriend tells Cole that she is unaware of any NFL investigation at this time.
  • Two NFL owners tell Cole that they would like to see Brady and the NFL reach a settlement rather than drag things out in court and in the public. A growing number of owners apparently share this sentiment, he adds. Owners generally feel that some suspension is appropriate for Brady, though a four-game ban is too much.

Draft Rumors: Saints, Browns, Treadwell, Vikes

April 26th, 2016 at 2:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the Saints “had talks” about potentially moving up to the No. 1 pick, before Tennessee ultimately sent the pick to Los Angeles. At the time, I noted that it wasn’t clear whether Rapoport was suggesting New Orleans actually engaged the Titans in trade talks, or whether the Saints simply had internal discussions about the possibility.

According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, however, a source said the Saints had no talks about trading for the first overall pick. Once again, it’s not entirely clear whether Triplett is referring to discussions between the Saints and Titans, or simply internal conversations in New Orleans, so it’s possible he and Rapoport are on different pages. In any case, it seems as though the team was never serious about the idea of moving way up in the first round.

In fact, that source tells Triplett that the Saints are more likely to trade down than up, adding that the idea of drafting quarterback Paxton Lynch appears to be a long shot, at best. The club is more likely to add a QB in the middle rounds of the draft, says Triplett.

With the start of the draft just a little over two days away, let’s round up several more updates and rumors from around the league…

  • The Browns remain “wide open” to the possibility of trading down from No. 8, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. In a full column detailing draft-day trade scenarios for the Browns and a handful of other teams, La Canfora goes into more detail, suggesting that Cleveland wouldn’t mind landing Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell or possibly Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin.
  • Speaking today to reporters, including Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune (Twitter link), Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said he has heard from a couple teams about trades involving the No. 23 pick. Both scenarios would involve the Vikings trading down, while one of the two would mean moving out of the first round entirely.
  • In his final Scouting Notebook before the draft, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report provides a ton of interesting tidbits, touching briefly on each of the league’s 32 teams to discuss which players or positions they’ll be targeting.
  • Clemson safety T.J. Green, Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, and USC linebacker/safety Su’a Cravens are all receiving consideration in the back half of the first round, according to tweets from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, respectively.

NFC Notes: 49ers, Saints, Seahawks, Hayden

April 26th, 2016 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

The 49ers were one of several teams who talked with the Panthers about a possible trade for Josh Norman before his franchise tag was rescinded, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. However, the talks didn’t get far. It’s worth noting that Norman would have had to either sign his franchise tag or agree to a long-term deal in order to make such a trade possible. The 49ers were one of many clubs to be connected to Norman when he became an unrestricted free agent last week but they ultimately did not land him.

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

  • Before the Titans sent the No. 1 overall pick to Los Angeles, the Saints had discussions about moving up to No. 1 for a quarterback, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. It’s not clear whether New Orleans actually engaged in talks with the Titans, or simply discussed the idea internally, but Rapoport wonders if the team will target Paxton Lynch in the first round.
  • Free agent defensive tackle Nick Hayden visited the Seahawks on Monday, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. Hayden has started 60 career NFL games, including 47 over the last three seasons in Dallas, making him one of the more experienced interior defenders still available on the open market.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link) adds the Saints to the list of clubs that have worked out Cal running back Daniel Lasco in the weeks leading up to the draft. Lasco, whose stock is believed to be on the rise, worked out for at least five other teams besides New Orleans.
  • German wide receiver Moritz Boehringer expects to be selected in the draft this week, but if he isn’t picked, the Vikings would be a leading candidate to sign him as an undrafted free agent, as he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link).
  • The Buccaneers will bring in offensive lineman Nate Chandler and Brandon Mosley as tryout players for their three-day minicamp this week, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Chandler can play both tackle and guard.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Draft Rumors: Lawson, Lynch, Jack, Bosa

April 25th, 2016 at 1:00pm CST by Luke Adams

In his latest mock draft, Peter King of TheMMQB.com has Clemson edge defender Shaq Lawson coming of the board at No. 11 to the Bears. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report likes that prediction, tweeting that the idea of Lawson to the Bears is “heating up,” with Chicago having done a ton of homework on the young pass rusher.

According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via PhiladelphiaEagles.com), not all NFL teams are comfortable with Lawson’s shoulder — a few clubs believe he has a degenerative condition that will create problems down the road. However, Lawson believes his shoulder is good to go, and his camp sent a video to all 32 teams over the weekend to prove it, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Here are a few more draft-related odds and ends from around the league:

  • The NFL has notified all 32 teams that no player tested positive for banned substances during the February combine, league sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • Some clubs are concerned about Paxton Lynch‘s “alarmingly low score” on the Wonderlic test, and while there are still plenty of teams that like him, some people around the NFL believe the Memphis quarterback may be picked after Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg, according to Tony Pauline. Pauline cautions that he doesn’t buy that idea, but he does expect Hackenberg to be selected during the early part of the second round.
  • Despite concern about the long-term health of Myles Jack‘s knee, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) says that the UCLA linebacker is still a virtual lock to come off the board within the top 15 picks in the first round, while Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter link) doesn’t expect Jack to get out of the top 10.
  • The trades for quarterbacks at the top of the draft could push some defensive players down the board, but it’s “highly unlikely” that Ohio State pass rusher Joey Bosa slips beyond No. 7, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
  • Baylor basketball player and tight end Rico Gathers has his pro day at the Saints‘ facility today, with 24 teams sending reps, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Given how weak this year’s tight end class is, teams are more intrigued by Gathers than initially expected, says Rapoport.

Fallout From Eagles/Browns Trade

April 20th, 2016 at 6:58pm CST by Zachary Links

On Wednesday morning, the Eagles acquired the No. 2 pick from the Browns and opinions are split on whether it was a wise move for Philly. Quarterback Sam Bradford is one person who’s not a fan of the deal for the Eagles, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes (via Facebook):

“He’s hot,” said one source who spoke with Bradford. “Who wouldn’t be? This is Philly saying, ‘We don’t see (you) as long-term answer.’ He’s mad and wants to show everyone who’s best.’’

Here’s a look at the fallout from the trade for both the Eagles and the Browns:

  • Eagles GM Howie Roseman told reporters that Bradford will be the Eagles’ quarterback in 2016, though the team will be selecting a QB at No. 2 (Twitter link via Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer). This offseason, the Eagles gave Bradford a new deal which gives him $22MM fully guaranteed over the next two years while signing Chase Daniel to a contract that will give him $12MM guaranteed.
  • Paxton Lynch is a quarterback to watch for Cleveland, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. While the Browns could target Lynch at No. 8, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com (on Twitter) notes that coach Hue Jackson did not attend Memphis’ pro day.
  • One rival GM tells Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) that he doesn’t think the Browns are done trading. That GM believes that the Browns will try and acquire even more picks from this point forward.
  • The Browns announced that the 2017 fourth-round pick they gave up in the deal with the Eagles is conditional, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets. That means that the Eagles will be receiving the Browns’ latest fourth-round pick next year.
  • Mike Florio of PFT noted that the two teams that orchestrated the Nick Foles/Bradford deal are now controlling the top of the draft.

AFC Draft Updates: Ravens, Lynch, Texans

April 19th, 2016 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The final visit for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch will take place in Baltimore, according to agent Leigh Steinberg, who tweets that Lynch will meet with the Ravens on Wednesday. Holding the No. 6 overall pick, the Ravens seem like an improbable first-round suitor for Lynch, so perhaps the team is just doing its due diligence in case it trades down in the first round or Lynch slips to round two.

Here are more draft updates from out of the AFC:

  • The Texans hosted Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel for a visit this week, and are also hosting Eastern Michigan running back Darius Jackson today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Houston fortified its offensive backfield by signing Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller in free agency, but could still be eyeing additional depth.
  • We heard yesterday that Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller had a Monday visit with the Jets and a Wednesday visit in Carolina this week. Aaron Wilson fills in the gap in Fuller’s schedule, tweeting that the young corner is meeting today with the Titans.
  • The schedule for Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah includes a pre-draft visit with the Chargers this Wednesday, writes Aaron Wilson in a piece for the Chronicle. Wilson reported yesterday that Ogbah was also visiting Carolina and Atlanta this week, though he doesn’t include the Panthers in his list of Ogbah’s visits in his latest piece.
  • Texas A&M cornerback Brandon Williams has been busy during the pre-draft visit, making five visits and taking part in 14 private workouts, according to Aaron Wilson, who tweets that Williams is meeting with the Steelers today. Utah running back Devontae Booker and Michigan safety Jarrod Wilson are also in Pittsburgh to visit the Steelers, Wilson adds (via Twitter).

Extra Points: Broncos, Kaepernick, P. Lynch, Bears

April 15th, 2016 at 10:23pm CST by Luke Adams

The blockbuster trade between the Rams and Titans that saw Los Angeles acquire the first pick in the draft, with which it will presumably select a quarterback, could have a notable ripple effect on the Broncos’ pursuit of Colin Kaepernick, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. If the Rams take Cal signal-caller Jared Goff and the Browns, who hold the second choice, prefer Goff to North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, it might lead Cleveland to trade down with a team that wants Wentz. If that team isn’t San Francisco, which is scheduled to pick seventh, it could result in the 49ers closing the door on trading Kaepernick. Renck doesn’t expect the 49ers to deal him without a legitimate solution at quarterback in place, and their best non-Kaepernick option right now is the less-than-stellar Blaine Gabbert.

More from around the NFL:

  • Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch is still making pre-draft visits, and the Bears are one of the teams hosting him next week, per Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link). PFR’s Rob DiRe had Chicago picking Lynch in our first mock draft last week.
  • Before releasing him, the Steelers asked cornerback Cortez Allen to take a pay cut, tweets Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, it seems the two sides couldn’t find common ground on a reworked contract.
  • Georgia edge defender Jordan Jenkins, who projects as a probable day two pick, recently worked out for the Jets, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.
  • Eastern Michigan running back Darius Jackson visited the Jets on Monday, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets. Jackson also has visits with the Ravens, Dolphins, and Lions on his schedule.
  • The one-year contract cornerback Greg Toler inked with Washington earlier this week is worth $840K, including an $80K bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
  • Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander‘s one-year deal with the Bills is worth $885K – $75K of which is guaranteed – with a $428K split, Wilson reports (Twitter link).
  • Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com provides the full list of the 23 prospects with ties to the Tampa area who participated in the Buccaneers‘ local workout day on Friday.

Connor Byrne and Zach Links contributed to this post.

Draft Rumors: Lawson, Jack, Eagles, Bills

April 15th, 2016 at 11:44am CST by Luke Adams

Medical re-checks are taking place this week for some prospects, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has updates on how they went for a pair of top defenders. According to Rapoport (Twitter links), the re-check for Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson confirmed that there’s no concern about his availability for 2016 — one team had flagged Lawson’s shoulder, but was comfortable with it after getting a closer look at the combine.

Meanwhile, although UCLA linebacker Myles Jack told ESPN’s Stephania Bell that his re-check went great, adding that “no one had any concerns,” Rapoport says that’s not quite the case. Teams had “differing opinions,” with some clubs believing the knee is a potential issue. Still, Rapoport says that teams who believe in Jack won’t be deterred by today’s medicals (Twitter links).

Let’s round up a few more draft updates and rumors from around the NFL…

  • The Rams gave the Titans a massive haul of picks to get the No. 1 selection because they believed Tennessee was about to pull the trigger on a deal with the Eagles, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets.
  • With Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel both entering contract years, the Bills are “very much” in the hunt for a quarterback in this year’s draft, sources tell Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
  • In an article for FOX Sports, Schrager lays out the case for why there’s a chance the Browns, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, might become the second team to trade down from the very top of this year’s draft.
  • Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch met with the Saints on Thursday and will visit with the Jets on Friday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
  • Gannon quarterback Liam Nadler is drawing interest from the Texans, Steelers, Chargers, Jets, Eagles, and Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that the Texans, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Patriots, and Bears are among the teams to show interest in South Florida edge defender Eric Lee.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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