NFL Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Ravens

Buccaneers

• According to CBS Sports Jason La Canfora, a well-connected NFL source expects the Buccaneers to sign QB Philip Rivers, as HC Bruce Arians will be able to recruit Rivers to Florida, where he’s already moved his family. 

Panthers

• The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue narrows down the list of options for the Panthers with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round to Auburn DT Derrick Brown, South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw, Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons and Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah.
• If the Panthers do consider a quarterback in the first round, Rodrigue writes that Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa is more believable as an option than Oregon QB Justin Herbert. 
• Rodrigue mocks Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene to the Panthers in the second round, with Clemson CB A.J. Terrell another option, as if Carolina loses James Bradberry as expected, corner becomes a screaming need. 
• Baylor DL James Lynch is a name to watch given his strong connections to new Panthers HC Matt Rhule, per Rodrigue. 
• According to CBS Sports Jason La Canfora, a well-connected NFL source expects the Panthers to sign Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. 
• He also believes the Panthers are still intent on trading away QB Cam Newton once he is healthy enough this spring. 
• However, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes it’s significant that Newton feels comfortable enough to throw at the team facility, based on what he’s put on his Instagram.

Ravens

• The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec writes that if the Ravens received an offer of a second-round pick for LB Matt Judon after tagging him, that would probably be enough for them to part ways.
• Zrebiec says the Ravens have already had talks with DT Justin Ellis, S Anthony Levine, LB Pernell McPhee and DE Jihad Ward about re-signing. 
• Zrebiec thinks the Ravens would be interested in potentially bringing back LB Josh Bynes, DT Domata Peko and S Brynden Trawick if the circumstances are right. 
• Zrebiec lists CB Jimmy Smith, DT Michael Pierce, LB Patrick Onwuasor, WR Chris Moore, OL Hroniss Grasu, WR Seth Roberts and KR De’Anthony Thomas as players who will either get more money elsewhere, will want to explore a change of scenery or simply won’t be priorities to bring back.