NFL Notes: Draft, Lions, Patriots

March 31, 2018

According to Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst, Western Kentucky TE Deon Yelder met with Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter following his Pro Day workout and also met with the Vikings, Bills, and Redskins.
Pauline mentions that Yelder is set to take official visits to the Chiefs and Titans.
Eagles, Chargers, Dolphins, Saints, Giants, Steelers and Ravens attended South Dakota State’s Pro Day to observe TE Dallas Goedert. (Tony Pauline)
49ers, Giants, Packers, Colts, Falcons, Bears and Lions attended the University of Connecticut’s Pro Day to observe LB Matt Oplinger and is also scheduled to have a private workout with the Saints. (Tony Pauline)
Central Michigan edge rusher Joe Ostman took an official-30 visit to the Rams’ headquarters last week and will take another official visit with the Raiders.
As for Arizona DB Dane Cruikshank, he has already worked out for the Texans and “several” other teams and has four official-30 visits on his schedule.
Pauline writes that Central Florida CB Mike Hughes is expected to be a top-45 pick in the draft and met with the Saints and Panthers on Thursday. Hughes is also set to take an official visit to the Panthers and is also scheduled to take official trips to the Bears, Eagles, Vikings, Packers, Bucs, and Chiefs.

Even after signing TEs Levine Toilolo and Luke Willson this offseason, Michael Rothstein expects the Lions to draft a tight end.
Detroit elected to sign veteran DT Sylvester Williams a few weeks ago, but Rothstein mentions that A’Shawn Robinson should still be looked at as a starter.
Rothstein adds that the signing of Williams was likely more about flexibility and shoring up the run defense than anything else after the departure of Haloti Ngata.
As for possibly signing free agent DT Johnathan Hankins, Rothstein says that once Detroit signed Williams, the possibility bringing in Hankins appeared to go away. While it may be considered unlikely for the Lions to sign Hankins, Rothstein adds that they still need an impact defensive lineman or two.

Mike Reiss writes that the more he thinks about the possibility of the Patriots signing QB Johnny Manziel, the more he wouldn’t be surprised if it happened.
Reiss says New England would, obviously, have to have a high comfort level with him off the field, considering his past.
However, Reiss mentions that there would be “limited risk” to signing Manziel, as long as they’re comfortable with his past. It would only require a minimum-level contract to sign him and they could bring him into camp as a No. 3 quarterback and see if there was something to work with.
Reiss believes the Patriots top-three priorities in terms of their roster are a franchise-caliber left tackle, an off-the-line linebacker who runs well and could factor on all three downs, and a developmental quarterback.