NFL Rumors: Jaylon Smith, Draft, Cowboys, Jets, & Packers

Jaylon Smith

• Ian Rapoport reports that Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith (knee, ankle) had a $5 million loss of value insurance policy.
• Rapoport adds that if Smith paid the premiums, he would receive this sum of money tax-free.
• Albert Breer mentions that a comparison for the kinda of nerve damage Smith sustained is the injury sustained by former South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore.

Draft

• Ian Rapoport mentions that more NFL people were gushing about Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil than any player on Friday. Some scouts even mentioned that they’ve “never seen a big man bend like that.”
• Tony Pauline is hearing that that Florida S Keanu Neal is getting some first-round grades and the Cardinals and Steelers have been mentioned as potential suitors for him.

Cowboys

• Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said earlier in the week that they would like to re-sign LB Rolando McClain and CB Morris Claiborne. (Dallas Morning News)
• Jones also indicated that CB Brandon Carr could be a potential cap casualty. (Dallas Morning News)

Jets

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Jets could consider using their franchise tag on DE Muhammad Wilkerson and then field trade offers for him in the coming weeks.

La Canfora mentions that the two sides have never been anywhere close on a long-term deal, and the possibility exists that another team could value Wilkerson more than the Jets do.

NFL executives have told La Canfora that they view Wilkerson as being worth a similar contract to the one signed by Bills DT Marcell Dareus last year.

However, the Jets have last year’s first-round pick Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson, who will also need a new contract in the coming years on their roster, so it could be different for them to retain Wilkerson at a market value contract.

In the end, La Canfora believes that the Jets should consider trading Wilkerson after tagging him if they done value him the way other clubs do.

For what it’s worth, La Canfora mentions the Raiders, Giants, and Jaguars are teams likely to have interest in Wilkerson.

Packers

• Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith said of the Packers: “I love them. Mike McCarthy, wow, that was a great meeting.” (Packer Report)
• Wisconsin OLB Joe Schobert confirmed that he has met with the Packers “a couple times.” (Acme Packing Company)