NFL Notes: Draft, HC Candidates, Bears & Patriots

Draft

• Matt Miller of B/R spoke to a director of college scouting wonders why some have Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers in the Top 10: “You’re going to draft a safety with a lucky interception in the top 10? We get fired for mistakes like that.“
• After polling NFL scouts, Miller says that opinions of Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey are mixed, as some have him as a first-round pick while others view him more as a top-50 player.
• An NFL GM tells Adam Schefter that he expects the 2017 running back class to be one of the best in years. Schefter lists LSU’s Leonard Fournette, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, Texas’ D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara, Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel and Georgia’s Nick Chubb as the top running back prospects next year.

Head Coaching Candidates

• Conor Orr of NFL.com takes a look at the top head coaching candidates for next year. At the top of Orr’s list is Patriots OC Josh McDaniels with Lions DC Teryl Austin, Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan and Eagles DC Jim Schwartz rounding out the top four.

Bears

• According to Adam Schefter, word is the Bears QB Matt Barkley has played well enough to get a good look from the team during the final four games of the season.
• Schefter adds that at the very least, Barkley has a shot to prove he can be a solid backup quarterback.

Patriots

• Jeff Howe mentions that the Patriots are a strong candidate to either play in London or Mexico City next year.
• If the Patriots end up in London, Howe wonders if they could be matched up with the Buccaneers.
• Should they play in Mexico City, Howe says it could be against the Raiders.