NFL Notes: Jabrill Peppers, Cowboys, Patriots, Redskins, Saints

Jabrill Peppers

• Dane Brugler has spoken to two NFL teams this week at the Combine who view Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers as a better offensive player than a defensive player.
• Brugler adds that he wouldn’t be a surprise if more teams agreed with these teams, as Peppers has special athletic traits and has displayed that with the ball in his hands.

Cowboys

• According to Brandon George, the Cowboys won’t be very active in NFL free agency this year and instead plan to sign a few of their own players.
• Although, George admits that Dallas may not even be able to do that, given their cap situation.

Patriots

• A league source tells Ben Volin that free agent DE Jabaal Sheard is still “sour” about the Patriots leaving him home for their game against the 49ers last season, which cost him a $62,500 roster bonus.
• Volin says that the Patriots are in the defensive end market now that Sheard and Chris Long are likely to be playing elsewhere next year.
• According to Volin, TE Martellus Bennett returning to the Patriots shouldn’t be ruled out.
• In regards to LB Dont’a Hightower, Volin says he is “certainly open” the possibility of re-signing with the Patriots but is waiting to see what kind of offers he receives in the coming days. Interestingly enough, an AFC executive tells Volin that he thinks Hightower may not get the same kind of contract Jamie Collins signed with the Browns, given that Collins has superior athleticism.

Redskins

Redskins free agent WR Pierre Garcon mentioned that he hasn’t even heard from Washington about a new contract.

“I haven’t heard anything from the Redskins, man,” Garcon said, via the Washington Post. “I have not heard anything at all. But everybody does strategic moves right before free agency, or right during free agency, so I couldn’t tell you what they’re up to. … I’m sure I’ll hear something from them. But yeah, I haven’t heard anything from them.”

We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.

Saints

• Nick Underhill reports that the Saints have hired Leigh Torrence as a defensive assistant.