Official Draft Rumors Thread

[Gator Mike]

Trying something new... let's see if we can keep track of at least some of the rumors that will bw sure to fly in the final days leading up to the draft.

This can be anything from "Player X is falling" to "The Jets really like Player Y" to "Player Z could end up a first round pick".

One rule, though... the rumor can't be from your cousin's best friend's ex-girlfriend. LEGITIMATE MEDIA SOURCES ONLY. What's a legitimate media source? For the purposes of this thread, the source must work for a written publication (Newspaper, magazine, etc.), radio station, or television station (Web sites for TV Stations - such as ESPN.com - are acceptable as well.) As much as I love the internet, please shy away from bloggers.

And include the link, or it didn't happen.

I'll get it started...

Rich Gosselin on some of the defensive players in this draft:

On Memphis DT Dontari Poe:
Gosselin : Underachiever. Second team All-Conference USA.

On North Carolina DE Quinton Coples:
Gosselin: Motor doesn’t always run. Julius Peppers ability, but you don’t always see it.

On LSU DT Michael Brockers:
Gosselin: 5.0 40 (yard dash). He’s strictly a run player. A dominating run player, but he’s strictly a run player. You’re not going to get a pass rush.

On Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox:
Gosselin: He’ll probably be the first one to go. I don’t think the Cowboys will see him. I think he’ll be gone by 10 or 11. He’s probably the best package right now.

Peter King Mock Draft:

... Jacksonville has a major hole at cornerback, and I hear the Jags like Gilmore a ton ... Seattle will take Ryan Tannehill if he's there at 12. Write it down ... When offensive line coach Russ Grimm sees DeCastro, he sees a young Russ Grimm: nasty, efficient, mistake-free ... I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas trade up to make sure it gets Barron, perhaps with Kansas City at 11 ... One coach used these words to me about Coples: "Gifted. Sporadic." ... I'd be stunned if Chicago doesn't fortify its perpetually patchwork offensive line, but I've been stunned before. Coach Lovie Smith had dinner with Wright at Baylor's pro day in March, and I hear he was impressed -- enough so to select Wright to go with Brandon Marshall, creating a suddenly formidable wideout corps for quarterback Jay Cutler ... But (Mercilus) is not as versatile as McClellin, whose stock is rising because he has the speed (a 4.6 40 at 260 pounds) to be an edge rusher and is a sure-enough tackler to play inside if needed ... Pittsburgh's got to stop treating its offensive line problems with stopgaps and take a tough guy like Zeitler, whom I've heard compared to Logan Mankins ... "On potential," one coach told me, "Brockers deserves to be a top 10 pick." ... Houston thinks that at 6-4 and 210 pounds (Rueben Randle will) be another matchup problem along the lines of Andre Johnson. What team has the corners to cover two wideouts 6-3 or taller? ... (Doug) Martin is the kind of versatile cold-weather back who would fit the Pack perfectly. "He's this draft's Ray Rice," one personnel man told me ... The Lions loved Silatolu when he visited them, and they probably can't wait until their second-round pick (54th) to get him ...

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

Oh, you mean incarceratedbob doesn't count? Well then...

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

https://twitter.com/#!/Softykjr/status/193880163589685248

Dave Softy Mahler ‏ @Softykjr
Rumor we heard from Jax about Sea mving up may not be a rumor. Heard from a source 2day #Seahawks may try and move up. To get Fletcher Cox.


Radio personality for KJRAM 950 in Seattle.

 

[Gator Mike]

FoxSports.com Mock Draft from Peter Schrager:

Someone I trust recently said (Justin) Blackmon will be “something between Hakeem Nicks and T.O.” ...

(Michael) Floyd’s been a rising prospect since the NFL Scouting Combine ...

(Fletcher Cox's) draft stock is on fire after a huge week at the combine and a sound pro day ...

This one may have everyone scratching their heads, but the guys I’m talking to say Adams is a man whose stock is on the rise. Yes, even with the news of a positive marijuana test at the combine. Adams has the most NFL-ready frame of all the offensive tackles in this draft and from what I’m hearing from a variety of scouts, there’s a lot to like about the Buckeye ...

 

[Gator Mike]

Chad Reuter's (NFL Network) Mock Draft

(Quentin) Coples' stock is dropping due to average 2011 tape ...

Albert Breer on Janoris Jenkins:

Yet, when it comes to the talented cornerback's NFL draft potential, it's the events following the troubled 23-year-old's departure from Gainesville that are likely to drive him out of the first round, according to a variety of executives, personnel directors and scouts across the league...

"It's not just his personal situation with the kids and different moms. This is a multiple offender of the drug policy in college, and it's not like there were no character concerns at North Alabama," said one AFC personnel executive. "He had multiple opportunities to get away from it. He didn't at Florida, and he went to North Alabama and he wasn't clean there.

"You just wish the situation at North Alabama was clean, that he had a rebirth, from a personal and football character standpoint. But it was more of the same." ...

"He's running with the wrong people," an NFC personnel executive said. "They gave him every chance in the world at Florida, and it didn't work. … And he gets to North Alabama, and he's still smoking because he's got this big-fish, little-pond thing going. I don't see him going in the first round, and a lot of teams have him off their board completely." ...

An AFC college scout made it simpler regarding Jenkins: "He's not a bad person. He just makes a lot of dumb, dumb mistakes. He just smokes and (has sex), and that's essentially what it is. … And there's just awful decision-making associated with that. I don't think he's a bad person. But he has a lot of soul-searching to do. I wouldn't touch him in the first round."...

"The problem is, at least my impression was, he doesn't see the error in his ways," said another AFC personnel director. "He came off like he doesn't see an issue with any of it. He doesn't think it's a big deal. And he thinks he's got it under control. … But Janoris' problems go far beyond the drug use. He's got four babies by three mamas, and he's not even in the league yet. That invites tons of problems and will make him a target when he gets into the league, too." ...

"Physically, he may be the best," said another AFC college scout. "It's either him or Claiborne. But if someone takes him in the first round, I'm telling you right now, I'm gonna think it's a dumb move. … I wouldn't touch him in the first round under any circumstance."

Speculation holds that either Cincinnati or New England, both of whom have multiple first-round picks and a history of taking chances on players with character concerns, could be the team that takes Jenkins.

 

[Gator Mike]

Jason LaCanfora's NFL Draft Buzz

Too much to quote. Read it all. The highlights?

• Tannehill goes no later than #11, and Cleveland is considering him at #4. Very unlikely he slips past the Dolphins.
• LaCanfora makes the case for the Rams throwing a major curveball and taking Fletcher Cox at #6.
• Depending on who you listen to, the Vikings will absolutely take Matt Kalil, or they don't like him.
• Pats are expected to trade one of their two first round picks.
• Jacksonville, Buffalo, and Arizona looking to move back. Philadelphia has explored both moving up and moving back.
• Dallas and Philly both like Michael Brockers.
• LaCanfora sees a late Round One run on offensive linemen.
• Vinny Curry is a later riser that could be in play as early as Dallas at #14.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Jason LaCanfora's NFL Draft Buzz

Too much to quote. Read it all. The highlights?

• Pats are expected to trade one of their two first round picks.

In other news, water is wet. , , ,

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill “is the likely choice” for the Dolphins at #8 overall. Salguero adds that ”every sign points to” Miami pairing Tannehill with his former head coach Mike Sherman.

Salguero mentions that the Dolphins could consider taking Mississippi DT Fletcher Cox as well.

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

NFL Draft Dish: Penn State DT Devon Still no longer first-round lock - NFL - Sporting News

Highlights:

-Devon Still no longer a first round lock. He doesn't make enough big plays.
-Along with Gilmore, Boykin and Hosley are also risers. One scout says Boykin is better then Jenkins even if he didn't have baggage.
-Mike Martin is rising. Possible 2nd or 3rd rounder
-A few other notes about later round picks.

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

https://twitter.com/#!/TomPelissero/statuses/194138908794175488

Tom Pelissero ‏ @TomPelissero

The more I talk to people in the league, the more I think there's something to the idea of #Vikings taking Morris Claiborne at No. 3.

Pelissero works for ESPN 1500 in Twin Cities, MN

 

[Thirdbasekid24]

https://twitter.com/#!/ArmandoSalguero/status/194160061134807040

Talked to Dolphins source this week who told me, "We don't give anyone much but one thing I can tell you is we're not taking Riley Reiff.

Miami Herald

 

[Gator Mike]

Peter King MMQB:

In a nutshell...

* Brockers is rising
* Tannehill may be falling (huh???)
* Jags REALLY want to move down
* Cowboys looking at DeCastro and Barron
* Pats liked what they saw from Shea McClellin in a private workout

...and more.

 

[BelichickFan]

There's no good way to put this - so I guess I should just come right out and say it.

No point in giving a link as it's a pay site but it's from here :

Scout.com: Ask the Insiders

Three times now the guy has referenced possible interest of the Patriots in Brandon Weeden.

As I said, there's no easy way to say that and, to me, no reasonable explanation other than to try to get someone to trade up to #27 for him or in front of #27 to push someone else down. Just passing it along, don't kill me, I hate it as much as anyone else.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There's no good way to put this - so I guess I should just come right out and say it.

No point in giving a link as it's a pay site but it's from here :

Scout.com: Ask the Insiders

Three times now the guy has referenced possible interest of the Patriots in Brandon Weeden.

As I said, there's no easy way to say that and, to me, no reasonable explanation other than to try to get someone to trade up to #27 for him or in front of #27 to push someone else down. Just passing it along, don't kill me, I hate it as much as anyone else.

First off: who is "the guy"?

Second: it darn well better be the world's most obvious smokescreen, because if the Patriots do draft Weeden, this'll be the scene outside Gillette:

 

[manxman2601]

There's no good way to put this - so I guess I should just come right out and say it.

No point in giving a link as it's a pay site but it's from here :

Scout.com: Ask the Insiders

Three times now the guy has referenced possible interest of the Patriots in Brandon Weeden.

As I said, there's no easy way to say that and, to me, no reasonable explanation other than to try to get someone to trade up to #27 for him or in front of #27 to push someone else down. Just passing it along, don't kill me, I hate it as much as anyone else.

OK, just playing devil's advocate here:

1. Weeden is a spread QB and McDaniels favours that system.

2. We're planning on trading Mallett and the Pats see Weeden as the best possible backup for Brady's later year (and riskier) years. Many draft pundits say that if it wasn't for his age, Weeden would be a first round lock.

3. By the time Brady's contract is due to finish, Weeden will still have 1-2 years on his rookie contract and will only be 31. Would be a perfect bridge to finding the real Brady successor - no reason to panic draft a QB.

4. Value. If Patriots saw value in Mallett in the upper third round and if they think Weeden is a better QB, then it makes sense that they'd have a second round grade on him.

Like I said, just playing Devil's advocate - I'm not promoting a Weeden pick at all.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'll copy and paste the last reference he has made. This is the third time he has, without giving any detail, referenced NE and Weeden. The last time he said NE was "sniffing around" Weeden.

I just tweeted him to see if he had anything more substantive but he's not the most active tweeter.

About that potential Weeden trade-up...
PROSECUTOR

About that potential Weeden trade-up...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lane, in response to a question you wrote:

"I have been noting for the past week or so that the Browns have been looking to obtain an additional first round selection. It would make sense if Heckert is locked on Weeden to make a move from #37 to secure him. I'm keeping an eye in those teams within 5-7 selections following the Browns #22 as the target area."

Because of Weeden's age nobody is going to draft him with the idea that he will sit for three years like Aaron Rodgers and then step in. The only teams that will draft Weeden are teams that need a QB to start this year or next at the latest, agreed?

That being said, why would the Browns need to move into the first round? Who is going to draft Weeden after the Browns pick at #22?

Detroit - Stafford
Pitts - Ben
Denver - P. Manning
NYG - E. Manning
Houston - Schaub
Balt - Flacco
NE (two picks) Brady, Mallett
SF - Alex Smith
GB - Rodgers

I can't see any of those teams using their highest draft pick on a backup QB. In round 2 we have:

Indy - Luck
Rams - Bradford
Minny - Ponder
Tampa - Freeman
Cleveland - draft Weeden

Can you imagine any scenario where Weeden would NOT fall to #37?


LaneAdkins
OBR Browns Analyst
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Posted: Today 2:55 AM

Re: About that potential Weeden trade-up...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keep an eye on NE.

LA

 

[BelichickFan]

OK, just playing devil's advocate here:

1. Weeden is a spread QB and McDaniel's favours that system.

2. We're planning on trading Mallett and the Pats see Weeden as the best possible backup for Brady's later year (and riskier) years. Many draft pundits say that if it wasn't for his age, Weeden would be a first round lock.

3. By the time Brady's contract is due to finish, Weeden will still have 1-2 years on his rookie contract and will only be 31. Would be a perfect bridge to finding the real Brady successor - no reason to panic draft a QB.

4. Value. If Patriots saw value in Mallett in the upper third round and if they think Weeden is a better QB, then it makes sense that they'd have a second round grade on him.

Like I said, just playing Devil's advocate - I'm not promoting a Weeden pick at all.

Understood that you aren't arguing in favor so this isn't to pick on you -

Just makes no sense to me, even if they're down on Mallett (I haven't heard anything to that), or looking to trade him, they have Hoyer for this year and and shouldn't need to spend a #1 on a potential backup for 2013. More of a mid round pick would make more sense and they could probably re-sign Hoyer after this year, I doubt there'll be a big run on him as a starter around the league.

 

[manxman2601]

Understood that you aren't arguing in favor so this isn't to pick on you -

Just makes no sense to me, even if they're down on Mallett (I haven't heard anything to that), or looking to trade him, they have Hoyer for this year and and shouldn't need to spend a #1 on a potential backup for 2013. More of a mid round pick would make more sense and they could probably re-sign Hoyer after this year, I doubt there'll be a big run on him as a starter around the league.

We just don't know what's going on with the Patriots. are they down on Mallett or planning to trade him? Has Hoyer told them he's not returning in 2013? Has Brady said he's retiring when his current contract is up? Are the Patriots planning on moving on from Brady when his contract is up (don't want to be left in a Colts/Manning situation)?

If we trade Mallett, we could be left with no QB's on the roster in 2013 and possibly a declining Brady or two years away from being without a franchise QB. Now does it make more sense to wait and then panic draft a QB then like the Dolphins possibly this year, give up a bunch of picks like the Redskins or have someone in place, good enough to be a starting QB who can guide us through the years until there is good value in getting a franchise QB.

I have no doubt that the Patriots are planning for a Brady free future already. The QB position is just too important to bury one's head in the sand and deal with it at the time it happens. That route leads to the desperate Dolphins years.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Any supposed interest in Weeden from the Pats is almost certainly there to build up interest in their two picks late in the 1st round.

 

[BelichickFan]

We just don't know what's going on with the Patriots. are they down on Mallett or planning to trade him? Has Hoyer told them he's not returning in 2013? Has Brady said he's retiring when his current contract is up? Are the Patriots planning on moving on from Brady when his contract is up (don't want to be left in a Colts/Manning situation)?

If we trade Mallett, we could be left with no QB's on the roster in 2013 and possibly a declining Brady or two years away from being without a franchise QB. Now does it make more sense to wait and then panic draft a QB then like the Dolphins possibly this year, give up a bunch of picks like the Redskins or have someone in place, good enough to be a starting QB who can guide us through the years until there is good value in getting a franchise QB.

I have no doubt that the Patriots are planning for a Brady free future already. The QB position is just too important to bury one's head in the sand and deal with it at the time it happens. That route leads to the desperate Dolphins years.

The problem for me is even if Hoyer and Mallett are gone when Brady's contract expires that still leaves Weeded as a 32 year old (he turns 29 during this season) as a first time starter.

I guess if they love Weeden you can make the argument that still gives them a 4-5 year windown with him after Brady moves on in three years. Still seems weird and would definitely start a firestorm here