NFL Notes: Draft, Eagles, Giants, Lions, & Steelers

Draft

• Tony Pauline reports that Boise State S Darian Thompson met with a half dozen teams this week including the Jets, Ravens, Bears and Colts.

Eagles

• Steelers owner president Art Rooney II told reporters that the Eagles have received permission to interview Steelers pro scout coordinator Brandon Hunt for their director of player personnel. (Ed Bouchette)

Giants

Jordan Raanan of NJ.com has put together a seven-point plan to fix the Giants this offseason.

• Raanan suggests restructuring the contracts of WR Victor Cruz and LT Will Beatty, which would include “substantial pay cuts” for the two players.
• From there, Raanan believes they should re-sign CB Prince Amukamara and DE Robert Ayers.
• The Giants will need some more defensive help and Raanan has Dolphins DE Olivier Vernon as this top target with Browns S Tashaun Gipson as another player worth considering.
• Other free agents who could make sense for New York, according to Raanan, include TE Marcedes Lewis, WR Mohamed Sanu and DT Henry Melton.
• Raanan would signed G Justin Pugh and DT Johnathan Hankins to extensions.
• As for the draft, Raanan thinks the Giants should target a middle linebacker such as Temple’s Tyler Matakavich, Arizona’s Scooby Wright, or Florida’s Antonio Morrison.

Lions

• Mike Garfolo and Alex Marvez are reporting that Giants director of football operations Matt Harriss is a candidate to join the Lions as head of salary cap and contracts.

Steelers

Steelers president Art Rooney II told reporters on Thursday that he hopes RB Le’Veon Bell‘s future “is here” in Pittsburgh, per Ed Bouchette.

Rooney added that Bell does not have anything to prove to them, even after his ACL injury when it comes time to discuss a contract extension.

“We’ve seen enough,” Rooney said, per Bouchette.

• Regarding the Steelers’ cap situation, Rooney said that it’s they should be “maybe a little better” in going after free agents this year. (Ed Bouchette)
• Rooney added that “We will have work to do” in regards to their cap situation, but called it a “manageable situation.” (Ed Bouchette)
• Rooney also mentioned that there are some players they’d like to extend this offseason.  (Ed Bouchette)
• Rooney said that QB Ben Roethlisberger‘s age isn’t a concern for them moving forward.(Ed Bouchette)