NFL Draft Rumors: Elite Prospects, Browns, Eagles, Trent Richardson, Jaguars, Packers, Bills, Giants

Elite Prospects

Browns & Eagles

Reuben Frank of CSN Philly reports that Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles speaking with one another “all the time” because of the ties that exist between the two organisations. Frank adds that despite the constant communication between them, the chances are “slim to none” that the Eagles would trade up the #4 overall pick.

There’s been a lot of talk that the Eagles could move up for Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, but that would be an extreme measure take. As we mentioned previously, if the Jaguars are willing to shop #7, then it would advantageous for the Eagles to jump ahead of the Dolphins, assuming that they’re actually interested in Tannehill.

Whether drafting a QB is the right move for the Eagles is a different story.

Trent Richardson

ESPN’s Adam Schefter seems to think that the Browns are leaning towards Alabama RB Trent Richardson with the #4 overall pick.

Schefter does mention that things are always “subject to change” but it’s hard to argue against them taking a solid RB prospect that could end up becoming a Top 5 player in the league.

We have the Browns taking Justin Blackmon at #4 and then grabbing Doug Martin at #22 in our 2012 NFL Mock Draft. I’ll concede that Trent makes a lot of sense, especially if they can get Kendall Wright at #22, but there’s obviously no guarantees in the draft.

Jaguars

Sticking with Adam Schefter for moment, he also mentions that the Jacksonville Jaguars could end up taking WR with the #7 overall pick.

One of Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd should be available to them by the time they’re on the clock, but’s assuming that things don’t play out like the first-round of our recent Mock Draft.

Packers

Pro Football Weekly writes that it shouldn’t come as a “shock” if the Green Bay Packers target start looking for G T.J. Lang’s replacement in this year’s draft.

Lang has been a pretty solid guard across from Josh Sitton, but PFW mentions that the Packers are going to have a tough time paying both Lang and Sitton next year year.

Green Bay has 12 picks to work with so there’s no doubt that they’ll be looking for some interior offensive line help, especially when you consider that they have a 37-year-old center in Jeff Saturday.

Bills

Pro Football Weekly mentions that they’ve spoke with a “daily observer” who believes that the Bills will take a QB in the upcoming draft.

Alex Marvez of Fox Sports reported that Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins met with Bills head coach Chan Gailey and even spent time breaking down some film so there’s a chance that he could be a target for them in the second or third-rounds depending.

Giants

According to Peter King of SI.com, the New York Giants will not be selecting a TE in the first-round of this year’s draft.

“Not with Mike Pope on that staff,” tweets King. He also added that “[Pope] finds gems in rough.”

There’s been a lot of talk that TE was one position in particular that the Giants could look to address at the end of the first-round and Stanford TE Coby Fleener figured to be obvious candidate. The Giants have already brought in Martellus Bennett, who has been somewhat of an a under-appreciated player Dallas. New York has been great at getting production of guys like Bear Pascoe, Jake Ballard, and Kevin Boss, so there’s a chance that they could improve Bennett’s receiving ability next season.

Taking someone later in the draft figures to still be an option.

Draft Notes

• USC DE Nick Perry visited the Patriots. (Aaron Wilson)
• UNC LB  Zach Brown has visited with the Jets, Bears, Lions, Titans and worked out for the Ravens & Patriots (Aaron Wilson)
• Georgia TE Orson Charles has switched agents. (NFL.com)
• 49ers are expected to target a Safety at some point in the draft. (Pro Football Weekly) 
• Texas A&M RB Cyrus Gray worked out for Chiefs (Aaron Wilson)
• Stanford OT Jonathan Martin declined his invitation to attend the NFL draft (Aaron Wilson)
• Louisiana-Layefette CB  Dwight Bentley: “I’m getting a great vibe from teams. I’m hearing second or third round.” (Aaron Wilson)
• Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu has visited Bengals and worked out for both the Giants & Jets (Aaron Wilson)
• Georgia C Ben Jones will visit the Eagles and has already worked out for the Jets, Ravens, Chiefs, Eagles, Bengals, Rams, Falcons. (Aaron Wilson)
• Montana CB Trumaine Johnson will visit the Chiefs and Falcons. He’s already met with the Patriots, Vikings, Panthers, Dolphins, Colts, Eagles, Jets, Cardinals and worked out for the Bears, Bengals, Falcons. (Aaron Wilson)