NFL Draft Rumors: Vikings, Browns, Jets, Draft Visits

Vikings

Vikings new HC Mike Zimmer reportedly grilled Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel regarding his “flags” during a meeting that was held a day after Manziel’s Pro Day.

“We asked him all kinds of questions. We went to dinner with him the night after (his pro day). We talked to him at the combine. There are some flags that come up,” Zimmer told 104.9 The Horn, via 247sports.com. “All of the things that happened out in Los Angeles, the commercials and all that stuff. The position of quarterback in the NFL is such an important position and the reason these guys need to be a totally football-minded guy is the pressure of the position and being the face of an NFL team and doing everything right.

“That’s the thing you want to know about him: Will he be into work early every single day? Will be the last to leave? Will he be the guy that is working the hardest to get better?“

Mike Mayock of NFL.com has Manziel rated as his new No. 1 quarterback in his updated position rankings.

“At some point, you have to trust your gut. I think he has the ‘it factor’; he’s a playmaker,” Mayock said. “His arm is every bit as good as almost every quarterback in this draft, including Blake Bortles. I think he’s a better thrower than [Colin] Kaepernick or Russell Wilson were when they came out. And finally – and most importantly – I believe that he’s going to learn to win from within the pocket.“

Mayock added that; “This was the most different evaluation I have ever done and at the end of it, you just trust your gut.”

Browns

Fresno State QB Derek Carr told SiriusXM NFL Radio that his private workout with the Browns “went exactly how [he] wanted it to.”

“Everything went great. It went exactly how we wanted it to. Now we just wait till May and see how they’re feeling,” Carr said, via ESPNCleveland.com.

Carr mentioned that Browns new OC Kyle Shanahan conducted the workout. He would later have dinner with the Browns brass including: GM Ray Farmer, HC Mike Pettine, OC Kyle Shanahan, QB coach Dowell Loggains.

Previous reports mentioned that the Browns were high on Carr and could look to take him at No. 26 overall, rather than use their No. 4 overall selection on a quarterback. The Raiders are also believed to have interest in Carr as well, and would like to trade back in the first-round.

Jets

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets are “intrigued” by Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro.

According to Mehta, Amaro is scheduled to visit the Jets in the next few weeks. Mehta notes that GM John Idzik attended his Pro Day and believes Amaro could be a potential target for the Jets in the second round.

Amaro’s name has come up as being a potential first-round pick, so there is no guarantee the Jets would have a shot at him in the second round, especially with teams like the Patriots drafting in the late first round.

Draft Visits:

• Michigan LT Taylor Lewan worked out for the Falcons. (Gil Brandt)
• Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief and Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk visited Steelers today.
• FSU WR Kelvin Benjamin and EIU QB Jimmy Garoppolo will visit with the Ravens. (Baltimore Sun)
• Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas and Indiana WR Cody Latimer visited with the Bills.
• Ohio State CB Bradley Roby mentioned that he will be visiting with the Chargers, Steelers, Titans, Bills, and Jets, and three other teams (SiriusXM NFL Radio)
• Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews visited with the Titans on Monday. (Jim Wyatt)
• Wyoming QB Brett Smith will make an official visit to the Panthers. (Eric Edholm)
• Eastern Washington DE/OLB Anthony Larry will visit with the Patriots. (Tony Pauline)
• Sam Houston Sate RB Tim Flanders will visit the Saints. (Tony Pauline)
• Florida CB Jaylen Watkins will visit with the Eagles on Tuesday. (Tim McManus)
• Redman Football OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will take pre-draft visit with Packers. (Alex Marvez)
• Towson RB Terrance West mentioned that he will visit with the Titans, Ravens, Seahawks, Falcons, Cardinals and Vikings. (Aaron Wilson)