NFL Notes: Draft, Ravens, Steelers

Draft

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports two of the more intriguing prospects at the Senior bowl are Alabama State OT Tytus Howard and UMass WR Andy Isabella. Howard, a converted QB and TE, will draw looks for his athleticism at 6-5, 322 pounds, while Isabella beat Browns first-round pick Denzel Ward in a state championship track race in high school. 
• Rapoport also says Penn State QB Trace McSorley did not break his foot in the bowl game, as was previously reported, and is fully healthy for the Senior Bowl. 
• Per Chase Goodbread, one coach said about Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow: “He looks like a banker. But over 20 years, he and Jadeveon Clowney might be the two best high school players I’ve ever seen in this state.” 
• According to Daniel Popper, West Virginia QB Will Grier said he did not play in the bowl game is because he tore ligaments in his ankle against Texas. 

Ravens

• Jeff Zrebiec of the Athletic believes Ravens WR John Brown will secure a decent contract from another team in free agency and move on, as opposed to returning to a run-based offense.
• Zrebiec says it’s likely CB Brandon Carr will return to the Ravens, unless he’s ready to retire from the NFL.
• As for veteran WR Michael Crabtree, Zrebiec fully expects the Ravens to release him in the coming months.
• Zrebiec thinks the Ravens will be able to trade QB Joe Flacco for a day-three draft pick.
• Ravens ILB C.J. Mosley is line to for a sizable raise and Zrebiec admits it could take Baltimore out of their financial comfort zone to keep him, but they prioritize keeping their own.
• Zrebiec considers CB Jimmy Smith to be a candidate to possibly take a pay cut this offseason, otherwise, he could end being released outright.
• Based on the Ravens’ history, Zrebiec thinks OLB Za’Darius Smith will end up departing in free agency, given the number of outside linebackers who have come and gone over the years.
• Zrebiec guesses the Ravens will re-sign veteran OLB Terrell Suggs to a one-year contract.
• There has been talk about S Eric Weddle possibly retiring, but Zrebiec thinks the team will determine that his value goes beyond interceptions and tackles and keep him for one more year.

Steelers

• According to Gerry Dulac, the news that Morgan Burnett would like to be released doesn’t come as a big surprise to the Steelers, given that the coaching staff was aware that he didn’t like his role on defense.
• Dulac explains that recurring injuries kept Burnett from competing with first-round pick Terrell Edmunds at strong safety and made it difficult for the Steelers to rely on him.
• According to Dulac, Pittsburgh liked using Burnett in his linebacker role, but they were hesitant to play him at either of the safety positions because they thought his recurring injuries impeded his ability to run.