COMBINE...THIS WEEK, Ladies and Gents

Football51

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Some draft notes from Tony Pauline.


-There’s a good possibility Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is still available when the third round begins. While teams like his film and cover skills the knee he injured last December has sent up serious red flags.
– After the most recent off the field incident the belief is Shane Ray will fall out of the first round, an opinion shared by many in his camp.
– There are a number of running back needy teams who my wait until the fourth round before drafting at the position as a result of the quality and depth available this year. David Cobb and Buck Allen have been brought to my attention as fourth round ball carriers teams believe will contribute as rookies. The other back who NFL decision makers feel will contribute right away as a late second/early third day pick is Duke Johnson. Presently I grade the Miami junior as a second round pick and feel he’ll immediately produce in the right system.
– One team that hopes Todd Gurley does not end up in the draft’s initial ten picks are the Miami Dolphins, who will quickly swipe up the ball carrier if he’s still available when they are called to the clock in round one.
– As of now there’s a very good chance the Cincinnati Bengals take an offensive tackle in round one. Word is the tackles they are debating for that pick include Jake Fisher and http://www.draftinsider.net/reports/2015/T/Cedric-Ogbuehi.
– Interesting note. Yesterday a source told me linebackerBenardrick McKinney spent an extensive amount of time the past few days talking with the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. I previously reported on the Bronocs interest in McKinney and late last week tweeted the Cowboys were able to get in a last minute workout with the junior. Today I’m told if Kevin Johnson is unavailable when the Cowboys are on the clock in round one they will strongly consider either McKinney or Eric Kendricks. I’ve heard so much chatter connecting the Cowboys and McKinney the past three weeks I’ve got to believe where there’s smoke there’s fire.
– Staying on the topic of linebackers I’m told Alonzo Highsmith, senior personal director for the Green Bay Packers, is pushing hard for Denzel Perryman at the bottom of round one. The team would then push Clay Matthews to the outside. The belief is Green Bay still values a cornerback with that first pick and I hear Eric Rowecontinues to be in the mix, but don’t dismiss Perryman.
– Don’t be surprised if tight end Wes Saxton is drafted much earlier than presently predicted. Teams love his speed and athleticism and feel the fourth round is not too early for his services.
– Another tight end I’m told is moving North on boards is Ben Koyack. Teams feel he was misused at Notre Dame and feel its just a matter of getting Koyack to play to his size/speed numbers.
 

Football51

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Joe Caporoso @TurnOnTheJets · Apr 27

http://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/04/26/inside-nfl-draft-coverage-espn-nfl-network-media-circus … #Jets #NFLDraft


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Superman55

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La'el Collins OT LSU being interviewed by police regarding the murder of 29 year old pregnant ex-girlfriend
 

Football51

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La'el Collins OT LSU being interviewed by police regarding the murder of 29 year old pregnant ex-girlfriend



Ian Rapoport @RapSheet · 9m9 minutes ago

Regarding http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12782074/lael-collins-sought-questioning-police-following-shooting-death-29-year-old-woman …, teams were informed that police want to question La’El Collins regarding paternal responsibility of a baby



Ian Rapoport @RapSheet · 9m9 minutes ago

The baby survived the murder of its mom & police want to talk to Collins. Teams were told he’s not a suspect, hasn’t had contact since Sept.

 

Superman55

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Amari Cooper - WR - Player
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Jaguars, Raiders, and Redskins are all "very open to moving down" in the first round of the draft.
Jacksonville, Oakland, and Washington sit in order at Nos. 3, 4, and 5. We're not sure who a team would be wanting to come up for, but it's likely a receiver like Amari Cooper, a pass rusher like Dante Fowler, or DL Leonard Williams.
Related: Jaguars, Raiders, Redskins
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
 

Superman55

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Bryce Petty met with Bills on Tuesday night

Posted by Josh Alper on April 29, 2015, 9:36 AM EDT
Bryce Petty
AP
The Bills kicked off their three-way quarterback competition along with their three-day minicamp on Tuesday, but they may still be interested in adding to the number of players vying for the job when the draft gets underway.

During a radio interview on Tuesday, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty revealed that he was meeting with members of the Bills organization in Dallas later that day as Buffalo made the most of the remaining hours before the draft. Petty knows that there’s a chance that the Bills may be showing interest publicly to mask their private plans, but hopes that isn’t the case.

“I’m hoping that any time they meet with you, it’s a level of interest,” Petty said, via 1660 ESPN in Texas. “You’re not going to talk to somebody you’re not interested in. I really think this is a level of interest that might be more so than others. But who knows? They only know what they’re thinking.”

The Bills’ first selection will be the 50th overall pick of the draft and Petty’s generally expected to be a second day pick, which could put him in play for Buffalo if they’re interested in adding to this summer’s quarterback free-for-all.
 

Superman55

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ESPN....lying...dont tell that to the ESPN followers around here...

Marcus Mariota - QB - Player
ESPN Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky denies a report that the Browns offered two first-round picks to Tennessee for the No. 2 overall pick.
Kuharsky reports the Browns haven't made an offer at all to the Titans. It's some ESPN-on-ESPN crime, as Kuharsky's co-worker, Browns reporter Pat McManamon, reported earlier Wednesday that Cleveland indeed made the offer. This doesn't mean the Browns aren't interested in coming up to No. 2. It's draft week. This is just the latest reminder to not believe everything you read.
Related: Browns, Titans
 

Superman55

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Jamies Winston attended both Mike Alstot and Derrick Brooks charity events in April. Spent a lot of time meeting with key businessmen in Tampa preparing for upcoming year.
 
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sg3

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Jamies Winston attended both Mike Alstot and Derrick Brooks charity events in April. Spent a lot of time meeting with key businessmen in Tampa preparing for upcoming year.
Great news

Go Tampa

Grab up the next great Ryan Leaf
 

Superman55

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Jaguars may be torn between Fowler and Cooper

Posted by Mike Florio on April 30, 2015, 8:42 AM EDT
Fowler
Getty Images
The second and final PFT mock draft of 2015 gives linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. to the Jaguars at No. 3. But it wasn’t as easy to put him in that spot as it was the first time around.

It’s believed by some that the Jaguars are torn between Fowler and receiver Amari Cooper. The thinking is that coach Gus Bradley wants Fowler, and that G.M. Dave Caldwell wants Cooper.

For the purposes of the mock draft, the tug-o-war was settled by giving the Jags the more precious commodity, allowing them to grab a guy at the more plentiful position of wideout at the top of round two. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen that way.

Either way, we’ll find out not long after we find out what happens at No. 2.

And if it indeed goes Jameis Winston at No. 1, Marcus Mariota at No. 2, and Cooper at No. 3, the Commissioner may indeed go hugless for upwards of an hour at the draft, since none of those guys is in Chicago.
 

Superman55

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Mickey Loomis: We may take QB, but don’t see Brees’s end on horizon

Posted by Josh Alper on April 30, 2015, 8:53 AM EDT
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AP
The Saints held a workout with Baylor QB Bryce Petty as part of their pre-draft due diligence and reportedly think he has the best arm in the draft, which has led to speculation that they could use the 31st pick of the first round to nab a potential successor to Drew Brees.

That would be a major shift for a team that has drafted just one quarterback since Brees arrived in town, but it wasn’t a shift that Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis ruled out on Wednesday. Loomis said there was no thought that Brees is close to the end of the line, but that the team was open to adding a quarterback.

“I think you’re always looking to get a young quarterback in the program,” Loomis said, via ESPN.com. “We’ve got one in Ryan Griffin that we like. And if an opportunity presents itself, hey, we may take another one here. But I don’t see the end for Drew Brees on the short-term horizon. At least I certainly hope not. But it does take time for these quarterbacks to develop. And we’re conscious of that. We evaluate the quarterbacks. And obviously if an opportunity presents itself to take one at the right time, we’re not afraid to do that.”

With five of the first 78 picks, the Saints will have plenty of options available to them over the next two days. Using one of those picks on a quarterback could make sense with Brees at 36, but the team may also opt for players they think will have a more immediate impact on the club in order to maximize the years that Brees has left.
 

Superman55

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Marcus Peters - DB - Player
SI's Peter King says Washington CB Marcus Peters is a strong candidate for the Chiefs at No. 18 overall.
Head coach Andy Reid visited Peters in his hometown of Oakland this week. Big Red was likely trying to get a handle on the prospect's character, as Peters was kicked off Washington's team and one personnel man said he has an "authority complex."
Related: Chiefs


Dante Fowler - DL - Player
NBC4's Dianna Marie Russini has been told the Redskins are "planning and hoping" to take Florida OLB Dante Fowler at No. 5 overall.
It's widely been assumed the Redskins and new GM Scot McCloughan want to trade back. But they also want an edge rusher to complement Ryan Kerrigan, and don't want to miss out on both Fowler and Clemson's Vic Beasley. SI's Peter King also said Monday he can't see the Redskins passing on Fowler at No. 5.
Related: Redskins


Melvin Gordon - RB - Player
SI's Peter King is "definitely" buying Melvin Gordon to the Browns at No. 19 rumors.
King cites experience running in "lousy Midwestern weather" and a lack of confidence in their own passing game as reasons the Browns like Gordon. Of course, Cleveland would fill a bigger need by taking a wideout -- something they failed to do in last year's historic class. Their top-three receivers are currently Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins. Jordan Cameron signed with the Dolphins in free agency.
Related: Browns


Shane Ray - LB - Player
SI's Peter King says Missouri OLB/DE Shane Ray is "still drawing first-round interest."
Ray's stock has been complicated by both a foot injury and his Monday citation for marijuana possession. He'll likely enter the league in the first stage of substance-abuse program, meaning he'll be randomly tested. The Falcons, owners of the No. 8 overall pick, continue to be tied to Ray despite the risks.


Bryce Petty - QB - Player
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Saints see Baylor QB Bryce Petty as the best pure passer in the draft.
Bob McGinn of the Journal-Sentinel is one of the most plugged-in prospect/draft reporters around. He's mocked Petty to the Saints at No. 31 overall, the pick they acquired in the Jimmy Graham trade. If that happens, New Orleans would embark on an Aaron Rodgers/Brett Favre project as Drew Brees is 36 years old.
Related: Saints


Damarious Randall - DB - Player
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein hears it's "a possibility" that Arizona State FS Damarious Randall will be drafted ahead of Alabama SS Landon Collins on Thursday night.
Randall is an exciting-to-watch and natural-born playmaker with superior range and ball-stripping ability to Collins. Collins is a pure box safety who may be best suited for a dime linebacker-type role in the pros. Although Collins has the bigger name, Randall is very arguably the better NFL prospect.


Marcus Mariota - QB - Player
A league source tells Profootballtalk.com the Eagles are doing "all they can" to move up for Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.
The Eagles need to get from No. 2 to No. 20 overall. They have three picks in the top 85 and several young players available for trade, including DE Fletcher Cox, CB Brandon Boykin, and LB Mychal Kendricks. The Eagles are also believed to be willing to trade Sam Bradford. Considering how many valuable players they're open to flipping, Profootballtalk's Mike Florio believes the possibility of Philadelphia moving up for Mariota "doesn't seem all that unreasonable."
Related: Eagles, Titans


Nelson Agholor - WR - Player
An unnamed person who "has spoken with several league executives" told the Miami Herald that "some draftniks seem more enamored" with USC WR Nelson Agholor "than some teams."
This certainly may be the case, although it's worth noting that Bob McGinn's recent poll of NFL scouts rated Agholor as a top-four receiver in this year's draft class, behind only Amari Cooper, Kevin White, and DeVante Parker. Scouts are certainly on board with Agholor. It's possible some front offices are less on board, perhaps because Agholor lacks imposing size and speed.
Related: Dolphins
 

Superman55

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Todd Gurley - RB - Player
ESPN Cleveland says the Browns interest in Georgia RB Todd Gurley is "real."
SI's Peter King also linked the Browns to Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon in his Thursday column. Perhaps coach Mike Pettine isn't confident he can install a true ground-n-pound philosophy with Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell as his top-two backs. The Browns currently hold picks 12 and 19 in the first round.
Related: Browns


La'El Collins - T - Player
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, multiple teams believe LSU OL La'El Collins won't be drafted.
Collins, a first-round talent, is being questioned following the shooting death of a pregnant woman named Brittney Mills in Baton Rouge. He's not believed to be a suspect, but police want to talk to him to see if he can provide any information. Authorities believe Collins is the former girlfriend of Mills.
Source: ESPN Radio
 

Superman55

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Breshad Perriman - WR - Player
A source tells the Miami Herald the Dolphins are high on UCF WR Breshad Perriman.
It's been widely reported the Dolphins want Louisville WR DeVante Parker at No. 14 overall. But if he's not there, perhaps they settle for the speedy Perriman. The Browns, owners of pick No. 12 and 19, have also had contact with the son of ex-Lions WR Brett Perriman this week.
Related: Dolphins
 

Superman55

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Ereck Flowers - T - Player
SI's Peter King says there's a "love-fest" around the league for Miami T/G Ereck Flowers.
"He will not fail," one club official told King. "He is all ball. Don’t know if he’ll make many Pro Bowls, but he will play at a good level for years. To me, he’s a sure thing." Flowers has been linked heavily to the o-line needy Giants at No. 9 overall.
Related: Giants
Source: SI.com

Dante Fowler - DL - Player
The Associated Press' Mark Long reports the Jaguars "won't be" drafting Florida edge rusher Dante Fowler.
It's all Long had to say, so he may have some inside info, or he could just be throwing darts like the vast majority of everyone else. Edge rusher is probably Jacksonville's top need. If it's not looking at Fowler at No. 3, Vic Beasley could be the target. Leonard Williams and Amari Cooper could also be in play.
Related: Jaguars
 

Superman55

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Amari Cooper - WR - Player
Bleacher Report's Dan Pompei is "hearing" the Rams "could move up" for Alabama WR Amari Cooper.
In the same breath, Pompei said the Rams are also a "wildcard" to trade back in the draft. Nobody really has a handle on what St. Louis plans to do at No. 10 overall. The feeling is it would like a playmaker, but could happily settle for an offensive lineman if Cooper and Kevin White are off the board. Cooper has been linked to the Jaguars, Raiders, Bears, and Giants at picks 3, 4, 7, and 9.
Related: Rams
 

Superman55

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Washington still looking to trade down

Posted by Mike Florio on April 30, 2015, 9:45 AM EDT
McCloughan
AP
For weeks, it has been believed that new Washington G.M. Scot McCloughan would like to trade down from the fifth overall pick. At one point, it looked like the leverage could be quarterback Marcus Mariota.

With the likelihood increasing that Mariota will be wearing his new team’s hat and carrying around his new jersey by the time Washington is on the clock, McCloughan and company apparently will be selling the ability to pick someone else at No. 5.

As one league source explains it, the one guy Washington potentially would take at No. 5 is linebacker Dante Fowler, Jr. Even if Fowler slips past the first four picks, the thinking is that McCloughan wants to accumulate extra picks in the hopes of changing out more of the roster and/or acquiring depth on both lines of scrimmage.

The goal could be to slide down far enough to get more picks but to still have a realistic shot at linebacker Bud Dupree. With Jameis Winston and Mariota most likely to be the first two players gone and only two more picks to go before Washington is on the clock, McCloughan will be able to dangle Fowler, receiver Amari Cooper, and/or defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
 

Superman55

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Bryce Petty - QB - Player
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says Baylor QB Bryce Petty is flying up draft boards.
Rapsheet says there's a "real chance" Petty goes in Round 1. It shouldn't be a huge surprise, as quarterbacks typically gain steam closer to the draft and Petty has the physical tools to project as an NFL starter. He's already been linked to the Saints at No. 31 overall.


Marcus Mariota - QB - Player
The Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei reports "the chances are very good" the Titans stand pat and draft Marcus Mariota at No. 2 overall.
Pompei has been covering the NFL for decades and has a plugged-in track record. Titans beat writers also believe Mariota is very much in play for the team if it can't find a trade partner. Pompei confirms Tennessee "has been doing a lot of talking" with teams, but there's a good chance they ultimately stay put. In Bob McGinn's mock draft, he had the Titans selecting Mariota at No. 2.
Related: Titans

Marcus Mariota - QB - Player
Live at Titans headquarters, ESPN's Bob Holtzman confirmed on SportsCenter that the team is "open for business" at the No. 2 overall pick.
Holtzman believes the Titans will stand pat and take Marcus Mariota if they don't get an enticing-enough trade offer. But the Titans are very clearly trying to trade the pick. If they do get a compelling proposal, Holtzman hinted Tennessee would love to drop down a few spots and draft Amari Cooper.
Related: Titans


La'El Collins - T - Player
The police interview with LSU OL La'El Collins will not occur until after the draft.
It's not the news Collins' camp wanted to hear. He needs his name cleared as soon as possible to salvage his status as a surefire first-round pick. NFL Network's Albert Breer has "talked to several teams who won't touch him tonight as a result of it."


Amari Cooper - WR - Player
According to Profootballtalk.com, "it's believed by some" that the Jaguars are "torn" between Florida DE/LB Dante Fowler and Alabama WR Amari Cooper at the No. 3 overall pick.
Jaguars beat writer Mark Long tweeted Thursday that Jacksonville will not select Fowler at No. 3. Per PFT, "the thinking" is that Jags coach Gus Bradley wants Fowler, but GM Dave Caldwell prefers Cooper at No. 3. Caldwell, of course, has final say in the draft room. It's worth noting that USC DL Leonard Williams isn't considered to be in the mix for the Jags in this particular report.
Related: Jaguars
 
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