NFL Notes: Draft, Colts, Jaguars, Jets, Lions

Draft

• Matt Miller of B/R reports that Miami QB Brad Kaaya has meetings scheduled with the Vikings, Cardinals, Saints, Giants, Lions, Steelers, Cowboys, and Bears.
• According to Miller, Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes has scheduled meetings with the 49ers, Jets, Giants, Bills, Saints, Steelers, Browns, Redskins, Texans, and Chargers.

Colts

• Mike Wells of ESPN writes that the Colts’ top three priorities this offseason are the defensive line, linebacker, and cornerback.
• Regarding the Colts’ need at running back, Wells says that the Colts must find a player through the draft or free agency that could eventually replace RB Frank Gore, who is turning 34-years old.
• However, Wells thinks it would be “very, very surprising” to see Indianapolis draft a back within the first two rounds given their holes on defense.
• Wells names Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols, Wyoming’s Brian Hill, Texas’ D’Onta Foreman and BYU’s Jamaal Williams as late-round prospects that could intrigue the Colts.

Jaguars

• ESPN’s Michael DiRocco writes that cornerback is “likely” the Jaguars’ top priority this offseason after GM Dave Caldwell said that the offensive line and edge rusher are not the team’s No. 1 needs.
• Regardless, DiRocco expects the Jaguars to draft at least one offensive lineman and would be “very surprised” if Bengals impending free agent G Kevin Zeitler was not the team’s top target for their line.
• DiRocco does not think the Jaguars will draft a running back with the No. 4 overall pick and instead invest in a defensive lineman like Alabama DT Jonathan Allen, Stanford DE Solomon Thomas, or Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett if he falls to them.
• Mike Kaye of First Coast News would not be surprised to see the Jaguars attempt to re-sign some of their impending free agents prior to the March 9 start of free agency and mentions G Patrick Omameh as someone the team could sign to an extension.

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN views Saints WR Brandin Cooks, who is reportedly on the trade block, as an “ideal” fit for the Jets’ offense based on his playmaking ability and experience with Jets OC John Morton.
• If the Jets were to try and trade for Cooks, Cimini thinks they would have to offer more than just DE Sheldon Richardson in exchange for him since the Saints want a first-round pick or something equivalent to that, whereas Richardson’s value has diminished in recent years.
• Furthermore, Cimini does not think the Jets would want to commit the type of long-term money that Cooks wants in his next contract, which would make him one of the league’s highest-paid receivers.
• Cimini is also unsure about how Cooks’ attitude would translate to the quarterback-needy Jets, given that he was already upset in the Saints’ pass-heavy offense.

Lions

• While Michael Rothstein of ESPN believes Lions RB Ameer Abdullah has enough talent to become a high-level player in the NFL, he writes that Detroit must fix their run-blocking issues for him or any running back on their roster to be successful.