2014 Draft Rumors Thread

[B.BERSIN]

This thread is great, we could see how many rumors are true after the draft.

[stirs]

by Colin Lindsay

GBN Editor and Publisher

April 29

There were some interesting comments from Houston owner Bob McNair over the weekend. McNair, whose Texans have the first pick overall at the next week’s draft, said that if the Texans selected QB with the top pick they would not make the same mistakes the team made with David Carr whom they started from day one after selecting him with the first pick in 2002. Carr never really developed in part because he was subjected to an inordinate number of hits as the QB for an expansion team. McNair did not go so far as to say the Texans would take a QB with their first pick, but it would certainly seem to appear that Houston is at least still considering taking one at that spot. In particular, there is almost no positive smoke to be blown by the Texans talking about taking a QB at #1; in fact, it is likely that drawing attention to their interest in a QB at that spot could actually make the #1 pick harder to trade as a team such as Atlanta that might be considering moving up to take South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney might start to think that they jus might not have to trade all the way up to the #1 slot to get the latter.

Cleveland G.M. Ray Farmer also had some interesting comments in his pre-draft press conference on Monday, although needless to say he left most analysts still wondering what the Browns plan to do with the 4th and 26th picks next week. Farmer, though, did raise a few eyebrows with his effusive praise of Clemson WR Sammy Watkins whom he described as “explosive … he’s got really good hands … he can run all the routes ... So saddle him on the opposite side of Josh Gordon and wow.” Indeed, Farmer went on to describe Watkins’ potential impact on the team as ‘ginormous!‘ In fact, Farmer gushed so much about Watkins that more than one observer speculated that maybe he was just trying to gin up interest from another team thinking about moving up to get Watkins. Farmer, though, was also generous in his evaluation of just about every other top prospect this year including OLB Khalil Mack, OTs Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews, WR Mike Evans and QBs Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles. In particular, Farmer described the enigmatic Manziel as ‘exciting, electric and dynamic!‘ Farmer also talked about how much he valued mobility in his QB and Manziel is nothing if not mobile. Farmer closed his comments by saying that he knows which player he wants to take with the #4 pick, but added that he wasn’t sure he would not be taken with one of the first three picks. For the record, the players most often considered to be top 3 prospects are WR Watkins, LB Mack and OT Greg Robinson, along with South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney, if that makes it any clearer. 

While most observers see Detroit as perhaps the most likely team to move up into the top 5 to get one of this year’s blue chip prospects, Buffalo G.M. Doug Whaley indicated at his pre-draft presser late last week that the Bills, who pick 9th, one spot ahead of Detroit, might also consider trading up “if there’s a guy we think can get us to the playoffs.” And while Whaley wouldn‘t necessarily rule out taking a QB with their top pick, he made it pretty clear that the Bills‘ priority in this year‘s draft was to give incumbent starting QB E.J. Manuel every bit of help possible, presumably with a potential elite receiver or solid OT. Whaley also had a couple of interesting comments with a more general league-wide application. On the one hand, Whaley said that while the Bills already have a good LT in Cordy Glenn with so many defenses running exotic pass-rush schemes, that nowadays teams ‘need a right tackle as athletic as your left tackle” such that a RT would be good “value” at #9. Whaley also suggested that, because teams are now looking for athletic receivers who can stretch the field at TE, while their blocking skills are of lesser concern, that North Carolina TE Eric Ebron, whom the Bills will very likely seriously consider with 9th pick, is actually close to the prototype TE teams are looking for today.

While Clemson WR Sammy Watkins remains the consensus #1 wideout in this year’s draft, there is a buzz about that Texas A&M’s Mike Evans has closed the gap and that nobody should be surprised if Johnny Manziel’s former go-to guy is selected within the first 5-6 picks as teams are always in the market for big receivers who can run … There are also some rumblings that the odds are increasing that Pitt DT Aaron Donald and/or Alabama FS Hasean Clinton-Dix could be top 10 picks next week …  Meanwhile, in line with Buffalo G.M. Doug Whaley’s thoughts on the emerging value at RT, there has been a bit of a buzz about that no one should be surprised if Virginia OT Morgan Moses is selected in next week’s opening round. Not that buzz has grown to also include former Tennessee OT Ja’waun James as a potential late first rounder. Both are massive guys with huge wingspans who are simply a long way around, while they both also have reasonably active feet ... There have also been whispers that nobody should be shocked if Pitt QB Tom Savage is selected somewhere in the top 50 picks this year. And while he likely won’t go quite that high, it also appears a lot of teams looking for a developmental type QB are taking a second look at San Jose State’s David Fales.

And you thought the 40 was overrated !!! For years, the 40-yard dash, the bench press and the vertical leap have been standards by which NFL teams measure the athletic ability of potential draft prospects. However, that ‘drill’ that Jadeveon Clowney did with Atlanta last week may signal that sooner rather than later the NFL will be adopting some of the sports science athletic training and measurement techniques that are almost old-hat among so many other sports around the world. For the record, Clowney agreed to do an experimental biomechanical test with the Falcons in which a player moves around on a force plate which takes all sorts of precise measurements including their range of motion, how well they move, and how stable they are during that movement.

[davos]

The 49ers have so many picks at their arsenal and minimal holes..that's why it wouldn't be crazy to see them trade wayy up to grab Evans.  That's my crazy guess for the draft.  

[stirs]

The 49ers have so many picks at their arsenal and minimal holes..that's why it wouldn't be crazy to see them trade wayy up to grab Evans.  That's my crazy guess for the draft.  

 

We mentioned SF a long time ago here for that same reason.

 

Why pick a dozen guys, half or more that won't even make your team?  Either trade out for future picks or move up and get guys that will make your team.

[stirs]

Good Read

 

Of course with the lull, all reads are good I suppose.

 

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=9646

[carolina-chuck]

It would be disgusting to see the Whiners land Evans! I would be pissed if they did.

[stirs]

Lies, head fakes and misdirections.  It is that time of year.

 

 

April 30

• (9:00 AM): Browns unlikely to start rookie QB … Speaking to reporters after the team’s first mini-camp practice session, Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine said that he hopes to avoid starting a rookie signal caller this coming season and that ideally the Browns would draft one later than the 4th overall pick. The Browns also have the 26th and 35th picks this year and have done their due diligence on the deep second tier of QB prospects for this year’s draft as well as the top guys. However, Pettine also stressed that the Browns would stay true to their board and would not rule out taking a QB with the 4th pick if he were their top-rated guy. What’s it all mean? Who knows. On the one hand, its possible that that is exactly what the Browns plan to do in next week’s first-round and Pettine is just preparing th Dawg Pound for a season with Brian Hoyer as the team’s starter. Its also possible, though, that the Browns would actually like to take a QB at #4 - say Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel - and are blowing a little smoke Houston’s way hoping perhaps that the Texans might figure they could trade down to the 6th spot with Atlanta and still get Manziel if the Browns went in another direction (and of course assuming that neither Jacksonville nor Oakland took him at #3 or #5 or some other didn‘t jump ahead of them.) Meanwhile, Peter King of Sports Illustrated is reporting that both the QB that both Houston and Cleveland may be after is Blake Bortles of Central Florida. At the same time, our old-friend Russ Lande of the National Post tweeted yesterday that a source had told him that Atlanta actually wants to trade up to the #1 spot to get Auburn OT Greg Robinson and not South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney. Seems like a reach that Atlanta would actually be willing to pony up what it would take to move up to the #1 pick to get an OT, especially when its like that the Falcons would get a shot at at least one of OTs Jake Matthews of Texas A&M or Michigan’s Taylor Lewan if they stayed at #6. There also isn’t much for Atlanta to gain by smoke screening who they would take if they did get up to #1. However, Houston would probably be very happy if St. Louis offered to flip-flop the 1st and 2nd picks if they were sold on Robinson for their first pick. And Todd McShay of ESPN is reporting that sources have told him that Buffalo would like to move ‘way up’ in the draft from the 9th pick to get either Clowney, Robinson or Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, who makes the most sense. Interesting that Robinson’s name has come up in both rumors which may indicate his stock is rising, although it was already pretty darn high!

[SOJA]

honestly the 9ers problem isn't receivers, it's lack of playmakers at the pass rusher/secondary position

 

they have Crabtree, Davis, and Boldin 

 

that should be enough firepower

 

let them trade up for Evans

[MrBubba]

1. Gil Brandt ‏@Gil_Brandt 1h
2. Hearing lots of chatter about #Bills wanting to move up in the draft from 9, #Dolphins wanting to move down from 19.
3. Expand Collapse

1. Brandt ‏@Gil_Brandt 2h

1. Look for the #NFL to announce a 31st player to be in NYC for the #NFLDraft: C Marcus Martin from #USC.

 

 

[stirs]

Dolphins know that Lewan, Robinson and Matthews are going to be gone and nobody else is worth the 19th pick as far as tackle

[stirs]

by Colin Lindsay

GBN Editor and Publisher

May 2

Its down to one … sort of …  After weeks of speculation what Houston will do with the #1 pick overall at next week’s draft, Texans G.M. Rick Smith says the team has set their board and he knows who they will take if they ultimately make the first pick. That’s the kicker, though, as Smith openly admitted at a pre-draft presser yesterday, that the Texans are engaged in trade discussions with at least one team and possibly more. “There’s a bunch of options out there for us,” said Smith, who added that he expects talks to increase during the days leading up to the start of the draft next Thursday. In fact, one can probably fairly accurately translate what Smith said to: the Texans have set their board and DE Jadeveon Clowney is the top-rated player and he’s the guy Houston will take if they don’t trade down so anybody who wants him better be trading up to that spot! Or something along those lines anyway. Of course, its no secret around the league that Atlanta would like to move up to get Clowney from the 6th pick, while its possible that other teams such as Jacksonville at #3 could also be interested. So far, though, the Texans have not indicated how far they will be willing to drop down, although its unlikely they’d considerer dropping down much below the Falcons’ pick as they would likely still want to come out of this draft with one of this year’s elite prospects. Just who the Texans really want to take this year also remains open to speculation, although the two most likely targets appear to be either of QBs Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles …

 

#2 does try harder !!! … While most teams around the league, including Houston, have pretty well set their boards for next week’s draft and will only do some minor tweaking over the next week, St. Louis will be criss-crossing the country conducting a series of late private workouts with the leading prospects for their two opening round picks this year. Nothing unusual here - at least for the Rams - as the Rams have used the final week before the draft to check out a variety of prospects in private workouts since the arrival of head coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead three years ago. The Rams have already confirmed that they will work out QB Johnny Manziel, OT Jake Matthews and WR Mike Evans at Texas A&M, while they will also be in Auburn to work out OT Greg Robinson and Georgia for a final check on QB Aaron Murray. ESPN reported Wednesday that the Rams were heading to Texas A&M to work out offensive tackle Jake Matthews, wide receiver Mike Evans, and quarterback Johnny Manziel. There have also been unconfirmed reports that the Rams will also be holding private workouts this week at Notre Dame (G/T Zack Martin and DE Stephon Tuitt), Michigan (OT Taylor Lewan), Alabama (possibly for FS Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, LB CJ Mosley, OT Cyfrs Kouandjio and QB AJ McCarron), and Tennessee (OTs Ja‘waun James and Tiny Richardson.) What isn‘t clear is what the Rams plan to accomplish with their tour. One would assume that like the rest of the teams around the league their board is pretty well set; its also unclear how the create any smoke and mirrors as to which player or players they actually like because they are checking out so many. What is pretty well known, though, is that the Rams like the Texans would really like to trade down a few spots and add some extra picks ...

 

One of the interesting sub-plots of this year’s draft has been how teams have adjusted to having two extra weeks to prepare. Because there was no change to the schedule for the rest of the process, teams generally have had their final boards pretty much in place for a time. In fact, the concern for a lot of teams is that they don’t overanalyze the situation. According to Arizona head coach Bruce Arians, for example, the danger is "you have a grade on a guy, you go back and watch him and you try to find out more stuff.  Pretty soon, there won't be anybody worth drafting. You won't like anybody." In fact, what it appears a lot of teams are actually doing is cutting their work days. In the past, for example, personnel staffs would put in 10-12 hour days during the final stretch leading up to the draft as they weighed out all the potential options they could face once the picking starts; this year, though, a lot of teams have been packing up and going home after only 7-8 hours each day almost like regular folks. Minnesota GM Rick , although it helped the Vikings as they were tied up early in the process with a head coaching search. As for the future, though, Spielman said that he thinks “it's a long drawn-out process and you guys (the media) are getting to the point where how much more do you have to write? You've been writing about it for a month and a half." Sad, but true!!  … 

 

The general consensus around the league has been that this is  a very deep, talented draft class. That has been supported by reports that Baltimore currently has 180 rated as draft-worthy whereas in earlier years the number tended to ranged between 140 to 150 ... The fact that this looks to be a loaded draft may have an impact on how many teams are willing to move around the board especially in the first round. In fact, most years there are plenty of teams that are willing to move down, but fewer indicating an interest in moving up. However, it seems pretty clear that Atlanta, Buffalo, and Detroit are already all looking at their options to move up within the top ten. At the same time, there are rumblings that the Jets, who pick 18th and enter the draft with a league-leading 12 picks, may be positioning themselves to move up closer to the top 10 to hopefully find themselves an impact receiver. Same story out at San Francisco where the 49ers have 11 picks, including 6 in the first three rounds, and could be inclined to move up from the 30th pick; and like the Jets the 49ers could be looking to add a potential elite receiver … Meanwhile, one can probably add both Oakland and Tampa Bay, which pick 5th and 7th respectively, as teams with top 10 picks that are looking to trade down.

 

According to GM Reggie McKenzie, the Raiders have had some contact with other teams, but have "no firm offers" to date. At the same time, there has been some speculation that because McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen are both on the hot seat this season, the Raiders are likely to be looking to draft players than can make an immediate impact, but McKenzie indicated that he won’t be sacrificing the team’s future with his picks this year. Tampa Bay also looking to deal down from the 7th pick and may be willing to include last year’s starting QB Mike Glennon, a 3rd round pick at the 2013 draft as part of the deal after signing veteran free agent Josh McCown in the off-season. The Buccaneers, who have checked out this year’s QB class as thoroughly as any team in the league, are expected to take a QB at some point in next week’s draft, possibly as early as the first round …

 

Tennessee has opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on QB Jake Locker's rookie contract. The fact that Locker will now be in the final year of his contract will do nothing to quell speculation that the Titans will take a QB with an early pick at the 2014 draft. Of course, Tennessee could still resign Locker at some point next fall, or tag him with a franchise or transition designate next winter, but that would require Locker, the 8th pick overall at the 2011 draft, a) to stay healthy in 2014 and b) play much, much better than he has to date. The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year option for players from the 2011 draft is Saturday.

[stirs]

Do you think we might be one of the teams looking to move up to Chicago position?  I doubt it.  San Fran more likely.

 

 

by Colin Lindsay
GBN Editor and Publisher

May 3

Houston owner Bob McNair appeared to make it even clearer during a pre-draft interview yesterday that the Texans wants to trade down from the #1 pick in next week’s draft and select a QB a little further down the draft. Texans’ GM Rick Smith hinted at pretty much the same thing at his pre-draft presser earlier in the week, but McNair was even more explicit in talking about Houston’s plans. McNair said the team still views South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney as the top prospect overall this year and will select him if they are still at #1 on Thursday, but indicated they would still try and trade him as the first-round unfolded …

 

Meanwhile, Jacksonville GM Dave Caldwell, whose Jaguars’ have the 3rd pick overall and could be a team that might have some interest in acquiring Clowney, said during his pre-draft presser that the team viewed Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel as the most NFL ready QB in this year’s draft class. In fact, Caldwell said that Manziel was “probably be the one guy you could plug in there sooner rather than later just because his style of play isn’t going to change much from Year 1 to Year 2.” Interesting because while the Jaguars desperately need a young QB, the assumption has been that the Jags would take a position player - likely either Clemson WR Sammy Watkins or Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack - with the 3rd pick and then select a QB with their early second-rojd selection to groom behind veteran starter Chad Henne. Of course, in mentioning Manziel by name, the Jaguars could also be putting a little heat on Houston not to think about dropping any farther down than the third pick if in fact Manziel is the QB the Texans would be targeting if they moved down … And speaking of Jacksonville, local beat writer Gene Frenette may have the best label for the NFL’s decision tto push the draft back into May when he wrote that the “NFL should be flagged for delay of game” for creating a process which has become almost “torture” rather than hype ..

 

New Cleveland offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan also had some kind words for Manziel during a mini-camp interview. Shanahan described Manziel as a ‘guy who can play football‘. Shanahan also said he thins that Manziel’s unique style will translate to the NFL, although he may have to make some adjustments along the way. Shanahan, who will have a major input into which QB the Browns select at next week’s draft, say he has his guys ranked, but wouldn’t say how, although he also had some positive things to say about Fresno State’s Derek Carr. Interestingly, there have been some reports that the Bron shave gone so far as to talk with Carr’s older brother David about coming to Cleveland as a backup were the Browns to select Derek next week …

 

Chicago GM Phil Emery said in his pre-draft presser that the Bears have received a number of calls about moving down in the opening round. Its likely something the Bears will consider as they have multiple needs on defense and unless they really like one specific player when they get on the clock a #14 could actually have multiple guys on their short list at that time. And several teams could be tempted to move in search of an offensive lineman like Michigan's Taylor Lewan, if still available, or Notre Dame's Zach Martin, or possibly a top DB prospcet such as Oklaloma State CB Justin Gilbert or Alabama FS Ha-ha Clinton-Dix ...

[Soul Rebel]

Wow, that would be a pretty big leap.  According to the value chart, we're looking at our 1st, 2nd & 3rd to move up or something next year.  At 14, we'd have to be looking at  

 

Lewan

OBJ

Martin

Ebron (doubtful)

 

 

Any of those players would be great additions, but not at the cost of losing two valuable picks.  Grabbing Lewan in the first and Abbrederris or Herron in the 4th would not exceed the quantity of starters we could add in the 2nd and 3rd.  Not to mention gambling on Lewan's character and that those 2 WRs will be there at the end of the 4th round. .... That's Riverboat Ron gambling territory.

[stirs]

Yeah, hope it is not us.

 

As always, I am one hoping to drop back with Jax or Minny and acquire another pick at the top of the third.

 

2 2nds and 2 thirds would be awesome.

 

OT  James

WR Adams

WR Robinson

OT Richardson

 

Then on to the fourth