NFL Draft Rumors: Derek Carr, Eric Ebron, Anthony Barr, Vikings, Cyrus Kouandijo

 

Derek Carr 

Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network reports that Fresno State QB Derek Carr has five workouts scheduled NFL teams.

According to Jeremiah, Carr will work out for the Titans, Browns, Raiders, Vikings and the Rams.

Carr is an intriguing quarterback in this year’s draft class given that there has been some buzz in recent weeks that the Browns and Raiders both like him more than some of the top-three prospects.

Eric Ebron

Mike Mayock of the NFL Network recently mentioned that athletically speaking, North Carolina TE Eric Ebron would be a top-10 pick in any draft.

“He’s athletic, he catches the ball easily, he’s a natural hands catcher,” Mayock said, via the NFL.com. “Everything I’ve seen about Ebron screams top 10 talent.”

Mayock added that Ebron “won’t make it past No. 15,” which is held by the Steelers.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper recently mentioned on the First Draft Podcast Ebron is a “no-brainer” pick for the Giants at No. 12 overall.

The Jets and Bills sent scouts to watch Ebron’s Pro Day earlier in the week.

Anthony Barr

UCLA OLB Anthony Barr told recently FOX Sports that he will meet with the Steelers, Cowboys, Titans and Vikings in the coming weeks.

“There have been a couple teams that have reached out,” Barr told FOX Sports. “I have a couple visits. I’m going to Pittsburgh. I was going to go to Detroit, but I met with their GM the day before the pro day, so I don’t know if they think it’s necessary. I’m also meeting with the Cowboys, Titans and Vikings. Those are the few that stand out the most right now.”

Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com previously reported that Barr will work out for the Falcons at the end of March.

Barr is considered to be one of the best edge players in this year’s draft class, however, not everyone is sold on him being a top-10 pick.

ESPN’s Todd McShay mentioned on the First Draft Podcast that he would “have a hard time” drafting Barr in the top 25 picks.

“Any team that spends a top 15 pick on Anthony Barr is going to be very disappointed by what it gets,” McShay said.

Vikings

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reported on Wednesday that the Vikings OC Norv Turner is “intrigued” by Clemson QB Tajh Boyd.

Boyd is widely considered to be a project at quarterback, but Turner has shown an ability to get a lot out of quarterbacks over the course of his career in the NFL. There is a chance that Boyd could be available as late as the third day of this year’s draft.

Minnesota re-signed QB Matt Cassel to a two-year, $10.5 million contract, but they have given every indication that they will add another quarterback during the draft, possibly at No. 8 overall.

Cyrus Kouandijo

CBSSports’s Jason La Confora reports that potential first-round pick OT Cyrus Kouandijo will not require a “post-combine” medical evaluation, and that his knee “is not an issue“.

Concerns regarding Kouandijo’s knee surfaced during the medical evaluations at the NFL combine when Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that “several” NFL teams failed Kouandjio after giving him a physical.

Those concerns, along with Kouandijo’s lackluster performance in the physical drills, has lead many to predict a draft-day slide for the Alabama product.  Kouandijo registered the slowest 40 time of all combine participants, at 5.59 seconds.

Despite La Confora’s report, teams may have a difficult time ignoring the red flags. Kouandijo has seemingly already been passed by four offensive tackles in the draft: Greg Robinson of Auburn, Jake Matthews of Texas A&M, Taylor Lewan of Michigan and Zack Martin of Notre Dame.

NFL Draft Notes: 

• Patriots HC Bill Belichick and his staff worked out Florida State WR Kelvin Benjamin on Wednesday. (Gil Brandt)
• Iowa TE C.J. Fiedorowicz has visits scheduled with the Buccaneers, Lions, Falcons and Patriots in the next month. (Chicago Football)
• Indiana WR Cody Latimer has visits lined up with the Panthers, Raiders, Eagles and Bills. (Tony Pauline)
• Falcons will work out Boston College QB Chase Rettig. (Tony Pauline)
• The Titans coaching staff worked out Louisville LB Preston Brown on Tuesday. (Tony Pauline)
• Patriots coaches worked out Michigan WR Jeremy Gallon Tuesday. (Christopher Price)
• Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk has pre-draft visits set up with the Steelers and Bills. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)