NFL Notes: Chad Kelly, Draft, Patriots, Titans

Chad Kelly

• According to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News, the agent for Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly said there is “no explanation” for his client’s rescinded invite to the NFL Combine. Kelly’s agent mentioned that the league actually booked travel arrangments and assigned a jersey number before rescinding his invite.
• Kelly’s representation went on to say that his client will still travel to Indianapolis until he receives an official word from the league on why they canceled his invite to the NFL combine, per Graham.
• Graham also reports that three NFL general managers expressed disappointment that Kelly will not be attending the combine and want the chance to interview him.

Draft

• Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst reports it has yet to be determined whether UCLA OLB Takkarist McKinley will undergo shoulder surgery after the NFL combine. However, Pauline’s sources expect McKinley to put up “sensational” numbers at the combine and to see him run a forty-yard dash time as low as 4.45 seconds. Additionally, he is expected to have a vertical leap of 37 inches and bench reps in the mid-20s, despite his shoulder injury.
• Pauline also believes Arkansas DL Jeremiah Ledbetter will have “eye-popping” numbers and is expected to run a 4.7 forty-yard dash time and complete bench reps in the mid-30s.
• Pauline hears that West Virginia WR Shelton Gibson could run his forty in the 4.30s range, making him a fast player worth keeping an eye on.
• Sources told Pauline that a trainer and physical therapist attended to USC CB Adoree Jackson‘s lower leg during a workout this week. It is worth mentioning that Jackson was carted off the field during the Rose Bowl with a serious ankle injury.

Patriots

• Although Mike Garafolo of NFL Network said there is nothing to report regarding a contract extension for Patriots WR Julian Edelman, he says it’s possible New England could discussing a new contract for him at some point this offseason, considering that he’s entering the final year of his deal.

Titans

Titans HC Mike Mularkey said QB Marcus Mariota is “on schedule” with his recovery from a fractured fibula and said the team will be “overly cautious” with him moving forward.

“I think we’re going to be really smart about how we handle him and probably be overly cautious,” said Mariota, via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.