NFL Notes: Draft, Colts, Eagles, Malcolm Jenkins

Draft

• The Jets are reportedly showing “strong interest” in Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes. (Tony Pauline)
• Tennessee DE Derek Barnett has an upcoming pre-draft visit scheduled with the Buccaneers. (Jenna Laine)
• Dane Brugler reports that Louisville pass rusher Devonte Fields has a private workout scheduled with the Bengals next week. (Katherine Terrell)

Colts

Colts GM Chris Ballard explained that the decision to trade Dwayne Allen was to allow others such as Jack Doyle and Erik Swoope take the next step in their development.

“Look, Dwayne Allen was a great pro and a good guy,” Ballard said, via the Indianapolis Star. “That was a really hard decision to make because he’s a great person. But sometimes to let a player take another step, you have to move on from a guy. And I think Swoope’s got a lot of talent. We’ll see. I thought we saw signs of progression last year that were exciting to see. He’s got to take another step. And we’ll see if he does it or not.”

The Colts obviously think highly of Doyle after re-signing him to a three-year, $19 million contract. However, Ballard made it clear that Swoope is someone worth watching in 2017.

“I think Swoope is really talented. I want to see Swoope get to his ceiling,” Ballard said. “He’s a very talented athlete and can be a mismatch player. The only way guys like that are going to ascend is by competing every day to get better. That’s the only way.”

• Field Yates reports that Colts QB Andrew Luck will receive a $14 million deferred signing bonus on Friday as part of his record $140 million contract.

Eagles

Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins, who was reportedly discussed in a potential trade for WR Brandin Cooks, said that he spoke with VP football operations Howie Roseman about the reports and was assured that they want him as a member of the team moving forward.

“His message was that they want me to be an Eagle,” Jenkins told Tim McManus. “They love what I’m doing on the field, they love what I’m doing in the community and they want me to be a big part of what they do from a long-term standpoint. But at the same time, if somebody is going to offer something ridiculously high for me that he thinks is in the best interest of the team then he would definitely consider, which he would with anybody. And I understand that. So that doesn’t give me any anxiety or any worry.”

Jenkins did, however, say that he believes he would have been traded if the price was right.

“Yeah,” Jenkins replied, “I don’t know how many players that don’t have a price. Whatever that price would be, I don’t know, but I’m not naive enough to think that if somebody put in an offer at the right price that I wouldn’t be a movable piece.

“I don’t think I’m an irreplaceable player, so the fact that there were conversations happening doesn’t bother me, doesn’t surprise me.”

In case you missed it, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reported that the Eagles offered the Saints Jenkins, a third- and fourth-round pick for Cooks. However, New Orleans was reportedly looking for a second-round pick and Jenkins back for Cooks.