Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made it official on Tuesday, trading a fourth-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for TE Rob Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick. The future Hall-of-Fame tight end pounced at the opportunity to play with QB Tom Brady outside of New England and Tampa Bay couldn’t pass up on reuniting the duo.
“Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and he plays the game with the type of passion and desire that sets him apart,” Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said in a statement. “Rob has played his entire career alongside Tom Brady and their accomplishments speak for themselves. Together they have developed the type of chemistry on and off the field that is crucial to success. Rob combines elite-level skills as both a receiver and blocker but what really makes him special is the fact that he’s a proven winner who brings that championship mindset and work ethic.”
- NBC Sports’ JP Finlay says there’s nothing going on at the moment between the Redskins and Buccaneers for TE O.J. Howard, though that could change.
- ESPN’s Jenna Laine reports the Buccaneers are more inclined to draft an offensive tackle after the trade sending Howard to Washington for LT Trent Williams fell through. However, it’s unclear what the future holds for Howard.
- CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora adds the Buccaneers aren’t really talking with Washington for Williams anymore.
- ESPN’s Dan Graziano lists Buccaneers Howard as a potential veteran who could be traded during the draft.
- ESPN’s Ed Werder says that while Brady didn’t demand the Buccaneers trade for Gronkowski, he did mention the tight end would love to play in Tampa Bay.
- Gronkowski told reporters he didn’t have the “fire” to play last year and his body needed a rest. (Karen Guregian)
- Gronkowski says he weighs about 250 pounds now and played at around 260-265 pounds. (Michael Giardi)
- He added he definitely would have looked into returning if Brady was still in New England but he wasn’t sure about his decision last month when Brady signed with the Buccaneers. (Greg Auman)
- According to Mike Wells, the Buccaneers are among the teams high on FIU QB James Morgan.
Falcons
- According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Falcons have talked to teams in the top 10 picks about a big move up the board in round one.
- Rapoport mentions Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah and Florida CB C.J. Henderson as two players who could be targets for the Falcons.
- However, Rapoport mentions that the Falcons have done a lot of homework on the top offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft class and is something to at least keep an eye on.
Panthers
- The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue mentions there’s a high likelihood the Panthers try to trade back from No. 7 in the first round.
- The Athletic’s Joe Person thinks Panthers OT Taylor Moton is a candidate for a contract extension this year.
Saints
- Per Nick Underhill, Saints GM Mickey Loomis says the Saints are always in the market for a quarterback regardless of the situation or who is on the roster.
- Regarding the impact of the Panthers’ extension for RB Christian McCaffrey on negotiations for Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Loomis claims, “I haven’t really thought about that yet.” (Doug Mouton)
- TCU CB Jeff Gladney had a video interview with the Saints. (Aaron Wilson)
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