We’re keeping track of the best draft tidbits so you don’t have to.
This time of the year, it’s hard to keep up with every single NFL Draft rumor. Pro days are in full swing. Teams are bringing in players. Secret meetings are happening. Anyone with a connection to a player, team or agent will be unloading the hottest of theories and dangerously absurd proclamations will be made.
Update: Read our 2015 NFL Draft scouting reports for the top prospects.
We’ve already seen action in the draft with the trade of tight end Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints to the Seattle Seahawks. In exchange for the Pro Bowl pass catcher, the Saints got the No. 31 pick in the draft. The Saints also added a third-round pick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Kenny Stills. They even added an extra fifth-round pick for guard Ben Grubbs. The New York Jets got wide receiver Brandon Marshall for a fifth-round pick of their own. The St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles swapped quarterbacks and picks.
It’s the busy season in the NFL and every move seems to have a ripple effect of some sort on the 2015 NFL Draft. As we approach the first round on April 30, we’ll be collecting as many interesting news bits and rumors right here while trying to figure out just what it means.
Not every rumor or piece of news will be covered here. There’s just too much. We also have this handy NFL Draft page that will have news, mock drafts, scouting reports and more over the next several weeks. Now, on to the rumors:
Marcus Mariota rumors
April 29: The Browns apparently aren’t satisfied with their quarterback situation even after trading for Josh McCown and drafting Johnny Manziel in the first round last year. Cleveland has reportedly offered its No. 12 and 19 picks to the Titans, so the team could move to the No. 2 position and select Marcus Mariota, per ESPN’s Pat McManamon. That haul doesn’t seem like it would be enough to get the deal done, and another ESPN scribe, Paul Kuharsky quickly refuted the rumor that a trade offer was even made by the Browns.
April 29: There are a lot of reports of interest in Marcus Mariota, but that could be the Titans trying their best to sell the No. 2 pick to the highest bidder. Tennessee has been the team making the calls instead of receiving them in many cases, according to Jeff Darlington of NFL.com, and the talks involving the No. 2 pick have been “minimal.”
April 29: The Browns have two first-round picks and they could be interested in packaging those picks to move up. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Browns have spoken with most of the teams in the top 10, but he singled out Washington’s No. 5 selection, in particular, as one that Cleveland has discussed making an attempt to acquire.
April 27: Washington general manager Scot McCloughan said the team plans to exercise the fifth-year option of quarterback Robert Griffin III, keeping him with the team through 2016. The said, he also claimed that it doesn’t change Washington’s draft strategy when it comes to the No. 5 overall pick. McCloughan said that Washington would take a quarterback with the selection if a quarterback was the best player available.
April 23: There’s a ton of buzz around teams trying to trade up to get Mariota, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio adds another wrinkle to the rumor mill: a potential three-team trade between the Browns, Eagles and a team in the top five. He lays out a few scenarios where the Eagles would get Mariota, the Browns would get Sam Bradford and the other team would get a bunch of draft picks. Sounds interesting, at least.
April 23: The Chargers and Titans haven’t talked about a blockbuster trade involving Philip Rivers and there has been no contact between the teams, a source told U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken. While this silence certainly doesn’t rule anything out, the lack of contact to this point could make it difficult to pull off the blockbuster move in the next week before the draft.
April 22: Adam Schefter told a Philadelphia radio station on Wednesday that he thinks the scenario of the Eagles trading up for Marcus Mariota is “an option and a possibility.” He made that comment in response to a question about how the signing of Tim Tebow might impact the Eagles’ draft plans.
April 16: Jeff Fisher said the Rams would draft a quarterback this year, and the Rams are certainly doing their homework. They at least feel they have a shot at landing one of the top guys in the draft, considering they’re working out Marcus Mariota first and will also visit Jameis Winston, Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson and Brett Hundley.
April 15: The Eagles’ reported interest in Marcus Mariots doesn’t seem to be dwindling. Along with the Rams, Browns and Chargers, the Eagles have considered trading up in the draft to select the Heisman winner, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. It’s obvious that Chip Kelly is very fond of his former quarterback, so this persistent rumor should be of no surprise to fans in Philadelphia.
April 9: The Marcus Mariota rumors continue and there’s a ton of them. First, there’s some thought that, if Mariota makes it past the first six picks, he could wind up “doing an Aaron Rodgers” — falling to the middle of the first round or later. At that point, the Philadelphia Eagles would certainly be in play. But other than those, there’s also a lot of trade talk — the Cleveland Browns could be interested in trading up for Mariota, and there’s also the rumor that Philip Rivers could be part of a trade with the Tennessee Titans to get Mariota in San Diego. Apparently everyone is in on him at this point, though Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Heisman Trophy winner will be drafted with the second pick — either by the Titans or another team via a trade.
March 28: The Jets are sending the cavalry out to meet with Marcus Mariota and put him through the paces. Those going include head coach Todd Bowles, general manager Mike Maccagnan and a few coaches and executives. Six people in total, which is a big number. If Mariota is on the board at No. 6, don’t be surprised if the Jets take him.
March 28: The Chargers are also working out Mariota. That’s an interesting development considering the Philip Rivers rumors. Washington is also bringing in Mariota for a visit.
March 17: There have been reports circulating that the Browns offered both the Rams and Eagles a first-round pick for quarterback Sam Bradford. If true, what does that mean about Cleveland’s intentions with the Nos. 12 and 19 picks in the first round? Add to it the speculation last year that Browns general manager Ray Farmer liked Marcus Mariota, and you wonder if Cleveland will make a play on draft weekend for the Heisman Trophy winner.
March 18: Remember that rumor about Washington possibly taking Marcus Mariota at No. 5 overall? Yeah, it was stupid. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports confirms as much. Washington is hoping a team trades ahead of them so a player drops. Who could be that player? Nebraska’s Randy Gregory or Clemson’s Vic Beasley make the most sense.
March 13: The “smart money” is on the Titans passing on a quarterback with the No. 2 pick, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. This is speculation, obviously, but maybe they really do like Zach Mettenberger.
The latest from the rumor mill
The Seahawks could trade Bruce Irvin to Atlanta
The move would re-unite Irvin with former Seattle defensive coordinator and new Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. Pro Football Talk reports Seattle could deal Irvin during the draft which would allow the Falcons — or any other trade partner — to exercise Irvin’s fifth-year option before the deadline.
Police questioning of La’el Collins to affect draft stock
Though he is not considered a suspect, La’el Collins’ involvement with the investigation of a shooting has NFL teams understandably concerned, according to The Advocate. The report states that at least one team has dropped him down their board.
Falcons covet Dante Fowler
A story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution suggests that the Falcons are highly likely to take an edge rusher with their top pick. In particular, the team covets Florida’s Dante Fowler. The team may have to trade up in order to acquire him, perhaps as high as the No. 3 overall pick.
Eagles trading Kendricks and/or Boykin?
April 29: According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, teams around the league believe that Eagles defenders Brandon Boykin and Mychal Kendricks are available for “the right price.” Both Boykin and Kendricks are entering the final year of their respective deals.
Bears moving Martellus Bennett?
April 29: The Bears are reportedly listening to trade offers for tight end Martellus Bennett, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bennett, who signed a four-year $ 20.4 million contract with the Bears in 2013, is also seeking a new deal in Chicago or somewhere else.
Dolphins, Rams and the 10th pick
April 29: The Dolphins and Rams might be perfect trade partners, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who hears that Miami is “very interested” in wide receiver DeVante Parker and that St. Louis is “willing” to move down from its No. 10 position.
Broncos eyeing Erving
April 29: The Broncos are leaning towards taking offensive lineman Cameron Erving if he is still available with the 28th pick, per KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Denver has multiple holes up front and the need to protect Peyton Manning is obviously a high priority, so this move makes a lot of sense for the Broncos.
Falcons moving up or down?
April 29: There is a lot of buzz surrounding what the Falcons might do with their No. 8 pick in the first round. The latest reports are that Atlanta would like to trade up for a pass rusher, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, which conflicts with earlier rumors Rapoport had been hearing about the Falcons actually trading down to pick an offensive lineman.
Red flags over Randy Gregory
April 29: The failed drug test at the combine by Randy Gregory is not the only concern that teams have about the pass rusher. While a handful of general managers view him as a potential top-5 pick, there are also dozens of NFL coaches and front office personnel who have serious questions about his “ability to handle the mental rigors of professional football,” according to NFL Media’s Albert Breer and Ian Rapoport.
Gurley going early
April 29: Georgia running back Todd Gurley has shot up many teams’ draft boards in recent days after a medical recheck revealed that his surgically repaired knee was nearly healed. While it has been rumored that he could be a top-10 pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears that one team even has Gurley as the No. 1 player on their board.
Bears love White
April 29: The Bears have a huge void in their receiver corps after trading away Brandon Marshall this winter, and there is a good chance that they’ll address that need with their first pick on Thursday. Chicago reportedly has talked with Kevin White about filling that hole, and the former West Virginia wide receiver said that if he’s still on the board at No. 7, he thinks the Bears will take him.
A new QB in New Orleans
April 29: Although the Saints have publicly said they are not interested in trading franchise signal caller Drew Brees, they are still open to taking another quarterback in this year’s draft. Saints GM Mickey Loomis told WWL Radio in New Orleans that, while he likes backup Ryan Griffin and does not anticipate Brees retiring in the near future, the team is “always looking to get a young quarterback in the program.”
Collins caught up in a murder investigation
April 29: LSU tackle La’el Collins was projected to be a first-round but his status is uncertain now after it was reported that police want to talk to him about a pregnant woman he knew that was recently murdered. Although Collins is not a suspect in the case, the situation has caused concern around the league in the days leading up to the draft. In fact, Peter King of MMQB.com is hearing that one team is reconsidering whether Collins will even be on their draft board. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added that Collins has decided to leave Chicago and head back to Louisiana to cooperate with police and hopefully prove his innocence, and he will no longer attend the draft Thursday night.
Shane Ray, future bargain
April 29: Shane Ray has done himself no favors by getting arrested on the Monday of draft week and many analysts have speculated that he could fall to the bottom of the first round. Ray essentially confirmed that rumor, telling Kevin Patra of NFL.com that teams drafting later in the first round have been “more in contact with him” than before.
Detroit wants to move down
April 29: The Lions are among several teams that are actively trying to trade down in the draft to get more picks, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. Detroit only has six picks right now, and none in the fourth round, so it would make sense for them to try to get a few more selections in the later rounds.
Peat to the Giants?
April 29: Slotting an offensive tackle to the Giants has been commonplace in mock drafts for months, but most have Brandon Scherff as the leading possibility to go No. 9. However, according to Draft Insider’s Tony Pauline, the offensive tackle that likely ends up in New York is Stanford’s Andrus Peat who “looks as though” he’ll end up being the Giants’ pick on Thursday. ESPN’s Dan Graziano has a slightly different opinion on the Giants first-round pick. He agrees that the team prefers an offensive lineman, but thinks they will select Miami’s Ereck Flowers.
Vikings want out of 11th
April 29: Vikings general manager Rick Spielman isn’t even trying to hide his intentions for Thursday night: He wants to trade out. At a press conference on Tuesday, Spielman said he is looking forward to trading out of the No. 11 selection to move down and acquire more picks.
Perriman the Eagles’ target?
April 29: The Eagles have been unpredictable so far in the 2015 offseason, but some NFL general managers think they have a clue who the team will pick in the draft. A report links the team to UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman, who is known primarily for his blazing speed, which gels with Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense.
Bills backup plans
April 29: With no first-round pick to work with, it would take a miracle for the Buffalo Bills to take Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota and address the team’s quarterback issues. Instead multiple members of the team’s front office had dinner with Baylor’s Bryce Petty on Tuesday night. Head coach Rex Ryan confirmed the Petty meeting and also told NFL.com on Wednesday that the team is “probably” not going to trade up to make a first-round pick.
April 27: Leonard Williams is probably the most talented player in this year’s draft, but the USC defensive lineman likely won’t end up on at least two teams in the top five. Washington general manager Scot McCloughan said that the team feels comfortable in its defensive front and that a trade could happen if Williams is still there at No. 5 overall. McCloughan has repeatedly expressed his desire to turn the seven picks Washington currently has into 10 picks, so some kind of trade seems likely. At No. 2 overall, the Tennessee Titans are in a great position to land Williams, but Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean doesn’t see that happening given Tennessee’s needs elsewhere.
April 27: There’s a ton of interest for wide receiver Breshad Perriman, and you can add the Browns to the list of interested teams. General manager Ray Farmer and other club officials flew to Orlando to have dinner with Perriman on Sunday night, according to Mark Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. That’s a pretty big commitment so close to the draft, meaning Perriman could be on track to go in the first round, given that Cleveland has two first-round picks.
April 27: The Falcons like to trade up — they found success doing it with Julio Jones and they could be targeting a trade up in the first round of this year’s draft as well. The team is considering trading up to try to land Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., who was recruited by Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at Florida.
April 27: The Dolphins “covet” running back Todd Gurley and hope he’s available to select with the No. 14 pick, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. Some think that might be too long to wait, though. Todd McShay of ESPN projected Gurley to go sixth overall in his latest mock draft. Gurley’s stock is through the roof in recent weeks — he’s essentially a sure thing to go in the first round.
April 27: Peter King of Sports Illustrated isn’t convinced that the Titans receive an offer big enough to give up the No. 2 pick and if the team doesn’t trade out, he thinks Tennessee will just keep Marcus Mariota for themselves. According to King, no team investigated Mariota during and after the 2014 college football season more than the Titans and they feel “very good” about his ability as a pocket passer.
SB Nation presents: How the NFL Draft grew into a national spectacle
April 26: A couple of weeks ago, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht would not rule out trading the No. 1 pick. Although several teams have tried to find out what it would take for the Bucs to give up the top pick, Tampa Bay hasn’t received an offer it likes well enough to trade down, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports.
April 25: LSU cornerback Jalen Collins failed “multiple drug tests” over the course of his college career, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network. He’s been projected as a first-rounder but with this information, seeing where he ends up will be even more interesting. There isn’t a ton of tape on him since he started just 10 games at LSU, so teams could be cautious with him.
April 23: Missouri edge rusher Shane Ray insists he’s been told he won’t need foot surgery, but ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that some teams think otherwise. Mortensen says all teams know about the issue, and that “some team medical staffs do believe surgery may be necessary.” He also noted that some teams are in agreement with Ray. Needless to say, Ray will be hoping one of the latter teams is in a position to draft him
April 23: The Saints, who have two picks in the first round, will consider trading up if they think they can get Vic Beasley. Tony Pauline of Draftinsider.net hears that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan “loves Beasley’s pass rushing ability and potential in a 3-4.”
April 22: Todd McShay moved Todd Gurley up to the sixth overall pick in his latest mock draft, one of the more shocking developments with the draft only eight days away. This increasing interest in Gurley was also confirmed by Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who noted that NFL teams are really high on the running back after his medical recheck came back clean this week. Robinson thinks that Gurley could go in the 6-10 pick range, putting the Giants and Falcons in play for the the former Georgia running back.
April 20: Bills general manager Doug Whaley says the team will set realistic goals for moving up in this year’s draft, but with no first-round pick, he says that the lack of ammunition makes him “highly, highly doubt” the Bills will trade up as the team did a year ago to get Sammy Watkins. Buffalo’s first pick is No. 50 overall. The team is without a first- and fourth-round pick this year.
April 20: Running back Jay Ajayi is one of the most intriguing running backs in this year’s draft, but a number of teams have “red flagged” him over a knee injury he sustained early in his college career, according to Tony Pauline of Draft Insider. Ajayi is one of the more talented runners, but it will be interesting to see if he falls.
April 20: Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III said that general manager Scot McCloughan has assured him the team intends to maximize his potential by surrounding him with the best 10 guys they can. RG3’s feeling is that the team does not plan on using the No. 5 pick to draft a quarterback. .
April 19: Despite having a young group of running backs, the Browns are still looking closely at the position heading into the draft. Todd Gurley met with Cleveland earlier, and Melvin Gordon followed for a visit that reportedly went “very well.”
April 19: According to Adam Schefter, Jaelen Strong went through a series of tests on his wrists when he visited the Steelers Friday. The team doctors cleared him and he did not have to go through a medical recheck in Indianapolis. Todd Gurley, who tore his ACL last season, was one of the prospects who did get rechecked, and the doctors gave him the OK, per Ian Rapoport.
April 17: Arizona State wideout Jaelen Strong will not appear at the Combine medical rechecks this weekend because of a scheduling conflict.
April 16: The civil lawsuit that quarterback Jameis Winston is facing won’t affect the Buccaneers’ draft decision when it comes to the first overall pick, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. As you’re no doubt aware, Winston is a popular pick for Tampa Bay in mock drafts.
April 15: Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Cedric Ogbuehi and Tevin Coleman headlined the list of prospects participating in the Combine medical rechecks, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
April 15: Despite having already traded for Sam Bradford this winter, the Eagles haven’t been shy about showing interest in drafting a quarterback. The latest rumor has them linked to Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson, according to Denver-based radio host Benjamin Allbright. Grayson reportedly “excelled” during interviews with the Eagles and his former coach, Jim McElwain, worked with current Eagles vice president of player personnel Ed Marynowitz while at Alabama.
April 13: Peter King suggested that Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon wouldn’t get past the Baltimore Ravens at pick No. 26. Baltimore is in need of a long-term starter at the running back position and Gordon fits the bill. Maybe we’ll see a running back go in the first round after all.
April 13: Just about everyone thinks the Buccaneers will wind up taking Jameis Winston with the first overall pick, but Ron Jaworski of ESPN recently said his sources say the Buccaneers will take Marcus Mariota first overall. Jaworski says the shift is due to the coaches getting involved in the scouting and pre-draft process. Although we’re entering peak rumor time, Jaworski isn’t the only one thinking the Bucs will draft Mariota — or maybe even trade down.
April 12: With a visit from Jameis Winston set this week, the Jets are reportedly considering trading up from the sixth pick in the draft. Winston to the Bucs, though, could be a “done deal.”
April 12: As he rises up the draft boards, some think wide receiver Nelson Agholor could go before Jaelen Strong and Breshad Perriman because he has the chance to play right away in the NFL.
April 9: The Buccaneers are on the clock with the first overall pick, but will they keep it? General manager Jason Licht says that they’ll “leave that door open,” but at this point it’s hard to imagine another team giving up enough to make that trade. Aside from that top pick, Licht also said that the Buccaneers are looking to focus on the offensive line in the draft. Expect more than one rookie offensive lineman in Tampa Bay this year.
April 9: Many mock drafts have the Jacksonville Jaguars picking defensive lineman Dante Fowler with the No. 3 overall pick and who better to weigh in on this than Fowler himself. Fowler said that he would be “stunned” if he gets past the Jaguars at No. 3, lending an awful lot of credibility to the mocks and reports.
April 9: In that same vein, Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman recently said that the Houston Texans have expressed plenty of interest in him. Perryman says the Texans told him that they’re “really interested.” Perryman is expected to be drafted within the first three rounds of the draft, and Houston would certainly be a good fit.
April 9: Kevin White is one of the top receivers in the draft, and whatever team comes away with him will have had a productive first round. The latest rumors have the Miami Dolphins interested in trading up for White. He’s certainly a great fit for their offense and there could be teams interested in trading down. Washington could be one of those teams, and could be a good trade partner for the Dolphins.
April 9: Washington could also be a good trade partner for other teams, like the San Francisco 49ers. They wanted to trade up for Odell Beckham Jr. last year but couldn’t given they were picking at the back of the first round, but interest in Amari Cooper could get the team talking trade. San Francisco has shown interest in getting a game-changing receiver, and will need someone opposite Torrey Smith when Anquan Boldin likely walks in 2016.
SB Nation presents: Where Mariota ranks among quarterbacks in the draft
March 28: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had dinner with LSU cornerback Jalen Collins and defensive end Danielle Hunter. The Steelers will also have a visit with Randy Gregory. It’s safe to say there might be interest in a pass rusher, especially considering the struggles of Jarvis Jones.
March 28: ESPN’s Mel Kiper had a conference call this week and said he’s stick with Leonard Williams for the Tennessee Titans. You have to wonder, at this point, if the Titans are debating Williams and Marcus Mariota at No. 2.
March 28: Jeff Fisher says it’s the Rams’ “intention” to draft a quarterback. How highly is the issue. Could the Rams target a player like UCLA’s Brett Hundley or Baylor’s Bryce Petty in the second round?
March 28: Are the Falcons more willing to take a chance on character concern players?
March 27: Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker is scheduled to meet with the Ravens. Although nothing is guaranteed, chances are Parker will be off the board when Baltimore picks in the first round. But considering a division rival like the Browns could take Parker, he could let slip some weaknesses a team could exploit. It’s far-fetched, but most things in the NFL are.
March 27: Texas A&M Commerce wide receiver Ricky Collins will visit with the 49ers. This is something to keep in the back of your mind when undrafted free agents start to get signed.
March 26: Woof. Mel Kiper says quarterbacks Garrett Grayson and Bryce Petty are second-round picks.
March 26: The Cowboys are bringing UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks in for a private workout. Dallas lost Bruce Carter in free agency and Kendricks would be a nice replacement.
March 23: Iowa’s Carl Davis has workouts scheduled with the Bills and Panthers. That’s noteworthy because you can argue those teams don’t need a defensive lineman high in the draft.
March 23: By all accounts, Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson looked good during a personal pro day on Monday. He completed 70 of 74 passes, got out on the move, yadda yadda yadda. Grayson is a solid player. Don’t fall in love with a pro day.
March 23: Browns general manager Ray Farmer said a lot of things during the NFL owners meetings on Monday, but none more interesting than saying the signing of Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline won’t stop the team from going after a wide receiver in the first round. Depending how the draft plays out, Cleveland should have a shot at someone like DeVante Parker or Jaelen Strong in the first round.
March 23: Why did Michigan’s Devin Funchess have a down 2014 season? Maybe it can be blamed on a serious toe injury.
March 23: Want a sleeper? Scouts told William & Mary defensive end Mike Reilly that he has a draftable grade.
March 22: The Carolina Panthers have workouts scheduled with cornerbacks Ronald Darby of Florida State and Trae Waynes of Michigan State. Carolina’s starters are Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere. They’re decent but not great, so this is something to keep in mind moving forward.
SB Nation presents: The five best cornerbacks of the draft
March 21: LSU cornerback Jalen Collins had surgery on his foot, according to Gil Brandt. The only way this should effect Collins is if teams have a similar grade on another corner who doesn’t have any injury issues.
March 19: Boise State running back Jay Ajayi had interviews with the Jaguars, 49ers, Vikings and Falcons after his pro day, according to NFL.com. The interesting team there is Minnesota, which is figuring out what to do with star back Adrian Peterson.
March 19: There is speculation about Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty being a second-round pick. Look, there has to be some third quarterback. Petty’s issues are deep ball accuracy and a deep injury history.
March 19: Don’t believe anything Chip Kelly says until May 3, the day after the draft. There is a report that the Eagles are still in the mix for Marcus Mariota.
March 19: The Cardinals are not only bringing in Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, but Indiana’s Tevin Coleman as well. Andre Ellington, Arizona’s lead running back, only averaged 3.3 yards per carry last season. Coleman has an individual workout day scheduled for April 15.
March 18: Strategy and the Cleveland Browns may seem like a foreign concept, but that’s where we’re at in the middle of March. The Browns could be avoiding big-name free agents, letting their top players walk and just signing released players on purpose. They’re eying compensatory picks in 2016, apparently. Considering the best comp picks you’ll get are at the end of the third round, this is a unique move.
March 18: There has been speculation that the Bears could go with a wide receiver at No. 7 overall. Amari Cooper is the name that gets brought up because the team’s wide receivers coach is Mike Groh, who held the same position at Alabama.
March 18: The Cowboys signed defensive end Greg Hardy to a one-year contract. This shouldn’t stop Dallas from taking an end high in the draft. It does, however, mean they don’t have force one in the first round.
March 18: Well, this is interesting. Gil Brandt of NFL media tweeted that Bills head coach Rex Ryan was working out Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty. Then Brandt – who is usually spot on with his sources – deleted the tweet. It’s no secret that the Bills need quarterbacks, and Petty will be their with the No. 50 overall pick, the team’s first selection in the draft.
March 17: The Lions are bringing in Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips for a visit. Don’t think the addition of Haloti Ngata is where Detroit is stopping up front on defense.
March 17: Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon has visits set up with the Cowboys and Cardinals. That should come as no surprise. The Cowboys need a running back after the departure of DeMarco Murray, and Darren McFadden shouldn’t be counted on to be the lead back. The Cardinals have Andre Ellington, but he ran for a disappointing 3.3 yards per carry. Both teams may be hoping on draft day that Gordon lasts that long in the first round.
March 17: The Buffalo Bills have signed tight end Charles Clay to a lucrative contract offer. Although the Miami Dolphins have five days to match the offer, it’s not expected. After the trade for running back LeSean McCoy and the signing of Clay, that eliminates Buffalo’s two biggest needs in the draft, which is important since they don’t have a first-round pick. That opens them up to offensive line or linebacker being the targets early.
March 17: The Chiefs may have interest in Toledo linebacker Junior Sylvestre. Everyone can connect the dots on teams and first round players. It’s these Day 3 sleepers that are the real fun. Sylvestre had a good pro day, running 4.45 and 4.52 40-yard dashes. Want another Mid-American Conference sleeper at linebacker? Bowling Green’s Gabe Martin ran a 4.63 and 4.66, had a 35.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-1 broad jump at his pro day.
March 17: What should the 49ers do at inside linebacker now that Chris Borland has retired? If San Francisco waits until the middle of the draft to fill the position, players like Ben Heeney of Kansas, Ramik Wilson of Georgia or Taiwan Jones of Michigan State would be nice fits.
March 16: The Packers have now lost cornerbacks Davon House and Tramon Williams in free agency. What should Green Bay do about it? The Packers have picks 30, 62 and 94 in the top 100 picks. It shouldn’t be a surprise if one of them is used on a corner.
SBNation.com – All Posts