NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Eagles, Giants

Buccaneers

Even after a rookie season that would be generously termed disastrous, the Buccaneers didn’t give up on RB Ronald Jones. He rewarded their confidence by putting up over 1,000 total yards last season but the Buccaneers are still frequently connected to a running back in the draft. Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht said that shouldn’t be seen as reflective of Jones. 

“It doesn’t stop us from wanting to add to that group . . . but we have a lot of faith in Ronald, and in fact, we have more faith in him now that we ever have,” Licht said via JoeBucsFan.com. “But that’s another position, as you can tell [when] you look across the league, some of the better teams they have one, two or three guys that they can rely on in different roles in their offense.”

• Jordan Reid reports that Louisville OT Mekhi Becton recently had FaceTime meetings with the Jets, Browns, Chargers, and Buccaneers this week.

Eagles

• Mike Kaye of NJ.com mentions the Broncos as a speculative trade partner for the Eagles, despite on how things play out in the early part of round one.
• Kaye mentions that it’s possible Denver could consider moving back with a team like the Eagles to No. 21 overall and picking up some additional draft capital in the process while still having a shot at a solid receiver prospect.
• Based on the draft value chart, Kaye says the Eagles could offer the Broncos something like No. 21 and No. 53 overall for No. 15 and No. 95 overall.

Giants

• Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News says the Giants could still end up releasing OT Nate Solder before the start of the season to clear his salary from the books even if the cap savings would be minimal. 
• Leonard confirms Auburn DT Derrick Brown is still an option the Giants are considering in the first round. 
• Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com writes that the Giants are more likely to address the edge rusher position on day two or three of the draft.
• Rosenblatt lists Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos, Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa and Wisconsin’s Zack Baun as three potential options for New York at No. 36 overall.
• However, more likely options for New York could include Alabama’s Terrell Lewis, Michigan’s Josh Uche, Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara, Tennessee’s Darrell Taylor, Charlotte’s Alex Highsmith and Utah’s Bradlee Anae.
• If the Giants are to sign a free agent at some point, Rosenblatt mentions Jabaal Sheard as someone to keep an eye on, considering that he has ties to DC Patrick Graham and new HC Joe Judge.