NFL Notes: Packers, Patriots, & Rams

Packers

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Packers GM Ted Thompson denied three high-ranking executives from interviewing for opportunities with other NFL teams last year.

The Lions reportedly had interest in Eliot Wolf for their GM position. Before that, Brian Gutekunst was prevented from interviews for a front-office job with the Eagles and Alonzo Highsmith was denied the opportunity to interview with the Redskins.

A source tells McGinn that Wolf was actually the Lions’ top choice for the GM job. “It was his job,” said McGinn’s source said. “He was their first choice.”

McGinn spoke with a friend of Wolf’s who think he would have accepted the job had it been offered.

“I don’t think Eliot would have turned it down,” said the friend of Wolf. “I think he would have liked the chance to interview for it, especially when he saw who got it. I think he’s a little (expletive), but he’s a good team guy.”

Scouts have told McGinn that they don’t expect Ted Thompson to retire any time soon.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN mentions that the Patriots have shown an “especially high” amount of interest in West Virginia RB Wendell Smallwood. Reiss believes Smallwood could be a similar back to Shane Vereen and should be available in the mid-to-late rounds.
• Reiss has Nebraska’s Alex Lewis on a short list of offensive tackles for the Patriots.
• As of now, the Patriots now have 76 players on their roster, and if they end up making all 11 of their draft picks, they would have just three rosters spots available to sign undrafted free agents.
• Reiss adds that one thing he’s come to expect from the Patriots is a draft day trade, as they’ve completed deals in 14 out of Bill Belichick’s 15 drafts.

Rams

• Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, citing multiple people with knowledge of the situation, reports that the NFL actually asked the Rams to keep their decision as to who will be the No. 1 pick quiet until the draft to ensure the drama of the pick.
• Farmer fully expects them to take Cal QB Jared Goff No. 1 overall.