NFL Draft Rumors: Thursday 5/8

 

Here’s a running list of reports from Thursday regarding prospects visits, workouts and rumors:

2014 NFL Mock Draft

• There is still a chance that the Texans could trade out of No. 1 overall as trade talks are expected to once Houston is on the clock. (NFLTR)
• The Vikings could be the team to watch for QB Johnny Manziel. (Adam Schefter)
• FSU DT Timmy Jernigan could be an option for the Bears at No. 14 overall. (Adam Schefter)
• Names to keep an eye on for the Cowboys include: Anthony Barr, Aaron Donald, Zack Martin, Ryan Shazier, C.J Mosley, Odell Beckham Jr. (Todd Archer)
• North Carolina TE Eric Ebron was a name to keep on eye on tonight for the Steelers. (NFLTR)
• UCLA OLB Anthony Barr could be a contingency option for the Lions in the event that they don’t trade up for Clemson WR Sammy Watkins. (NFLTR)
• Jets could target a defensive player in the first round of the draft. (NFLTR)
• The Raiders “would not think twice about grabbing Mike Evans at No. 5.” (NFLTR)

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• Vikings‘ owners, coaches, scouts and evaluators are all meeting later today to discuss their plan if Johnny Manziel happens to be available to them at No. 8 overall. (NFLTR)
• There is a “whisper or two” that Raiders owner Mark Davis “really likes” Fresno State QB Derek Carr at No. 5 overall. (NFLTR)
• Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff mentioned that they are in “active discussions” with teams regarding a potential trade. (NFLTR)
• The Chargers have interest in Missouri DE Kony Ealy. (NFLTR)
• Chris Mortensen mentions that some people in the league believe USC WR Marqise Lee won’t get past the Packers at No. 21. (NFLTR)
• Steelers could be a team to watch regarding UNC TE Eric Ebron in the first round. (Tony Pauline)
• The Jaguars reportedly have “keen interest” in Texas A&M WR Mike Evans. (Jeff Darlington)

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• The Rams aren’t expected to draw much interest in the No. 2 overall pick if DE Jadeveon Clowney is no longer on the board. (Jim Thomas)
• “Signs are pointing to” OT Greg Robinson being the Rams pick at No. 2 overall. (Mike Florio)
• The Jaguars are “believed” to considering Khalil Mack, Sammy Watkins, Johnny Manziel, and possibly Blake Bortles. (Mike Florio)
• “All signs are pointing to” the Browns taking OT Jake Matthews. (Mike Florio)
• There’s a “whisper or two” that Raiders owner Mark Davis “really likes” QB Derek Carr at No. 5 overall.
• Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins are expected to be the Buccaneers pick if they’re available. (Mike Florio)
• Aaron Donald, Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel along with highest-rated CB are believed to be the Vikings targets. (Mike Florio)
• A team drafting in the top 10 has a higher grade on Mike Evans than Sammy Watkins. (Adam Schefter)

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• The 49ers and Ravens have been contact in recent days regarding a potential in round one. (NFLTR)
• The Jets have been in contact with the Titans about a potential trade up No. 11 overall. (NFLTR)
• Three of four teams are convinced that Johnny Manziel will be falling and could be available to the Cowboys. (Lance Zierlein)
• The Titans reportedly like Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier, but not at No. 11 overall. (Albert Breer)

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• NFL GMs expect the Rams to draft Jake Matthews at No. 2 in the event that they are unable to trade back. (NFLTR)
• The Jets continue to do a “lot of groundwork” on QB prospects who could be available in the late round one and early round two. (NFLTR)
• Majority of NFL executives expect the Jaguars to take WR Sammy Watkins over Khalil Mack. (Tony Pauline)
• “The feeling in the war room” is that the Steelers will take Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller. (Tony Pauline)
• There hasn’t been a lot of buzz regarding the Jets taking a cornerback at No. 18 overall.  (Tony Pauline)
• NFL GMs expect the Packers to take either Alabama LB C.J. Mosely or Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier. (NFLTR)
• There is a chance that the Packers could trade back and take a center like Colorado State’s Weston Richburg. (NFLTR)
• USC’s Marquise Lee and Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks are the two names that come up the most regarding the Eagles. (Tony Pauline)
• Ohio State CB Bradley Roby continues to come up as their first round target for the Bengals. (Tony Pauline)
• Colorado State C Weston Richburg and Boise State DE Demarcus Lawrence have come up as options for the Broncos. (Tony Pauline)
• Missouri DE Kony Ealy is expected to be drafted in the late first or early second round. (Adam Caplan)
  • Kony Ealy had pre-draft visits with the Cowboys, Titans, Patriots, Bears and Rams. (Adam Caplan)
• Three teams have told LSU QB Zach Mettenberger that they have him rated in the top-half of round two. (Aaron Wilson)

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• The Raiders are believed to have Blake Bortles as the No. 1 quarterback on their draft board. (Adam Caplan)
• The Buccaneers will not take Johnny Manziel at No. 7 overall. (NFLTR)
• The Cowboys may have Johnny Manziel as the top player on their draft board. (NFLTR)
• The Giants would consider drafting Johnny Manziel at No. 12 overall. (NFLTR)
• Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert “makes a lot of sense” for the Vikings due to his fit in Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme. (Adam Caplan)
• The Bills are “very serious” about drafting LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr at No. 9 overall. (NFLTR)
• The Chargers are hoping that one of their highest-rated CBs will be available to them at No. 25 overall. (NFLTR)

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• The Raiders are believed to prefer Mike Evans to Sammy Watkins. (NFLTR)
• The Dolphins reportedly have their eye on Notre Dame OL Zack Martin in a possible trade-up from No. 19 overall. (NFLTR)
• Auburn RB Tre Mason could be in play for the Titans in round two. (NFLTR)
• The Lions, Jets, Browns (from No. 26 overall), 49ers, Texans (from No. 33 overall) and the Falcons (from No. 37 overall) have inquired about trading up. (NFLTR)
• The Raiders, Buccaneers, Titans, Ravens, Dolphins and Patriots have all shown interest in doing so. (NFLTR)
• The Texans, Rams and Vikings can be added to the list of teams looking to trade down. (Albert Breer)

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• The Texans are reportedly asking price a 2014 first, second and third-round pick, as well as a 2015 first-round selection for No. 1 overall. (John McClain)
• Browns HC Mike Pettine mentioned that Johnny Manziel will be in the discussion at No. 4 overall. (Lindsay Jones)
• Rams informed QB Sam Bradford of the plans to leak interest in Johnny Manziel as a smokescreen. (NFLTR)
• LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr and Notre Dame’s Zach Martin are “hot names” who could go in the top 12. (John Clayton)
• Penn State WR Allen Robinson could sneak into first round. (Paul Domowich)
• Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller recently met with the Ravens. (Aaron Wilson)
• Virginia OT Morgan Moses visited the Ravens. (Aaron Wilson)