NFL Notes: Draft, Panthers, Saints

Draft

• Matt Miller of B/R writes that there are “rumblings” that Washington QB Jacob Eason could be selected early in the first round if there is a run on quarterbacks in the top 10. 
• Miller expects Eason to be the fourth or fifth quarterback to be drafted, while Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Herbert are “seeming to be locks” as top 10 selections. 
• Miller is told by NFL scouts that Georgia QB Jake Fromm is being regarded as a “top 50” draft pick. 
• As for Herbert, Miller mentions that he helped his draft stock more than any other player at the 2020 Senior Bowl after making an “obvious effort” to address his leadership concerns. One NFL scout called Herbert’s performance at the Senior Bowl the best “since Carson Wentz.” Miller believes Herbert could go between pick No. 3 – No. 7 overall.
• Miller also writes that Utah State QB Jordan Love had an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl and could go anywhere between the top 10 and the second round. 
• Miller has heard the Chargers, Colts, and Titans as the teams most connected to Love.

Panthers

• Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic expects the Panthers to re-sign CB James Bradberry, CB Ross Cockrell, S Tre Boston, and RB Christian McCaffrey this offseason. 
• Rodrigue notes that the Panthers will carry an $11.8 million cap hit in 2020 from LB Luke Kuechly’s decision to retire. Beyond that, former LT Matt Kalil’s will still count $9.8 million against Carolina’s cap and he hasn’t played for them since 2017.
• Rodrigue can see the Panthers re-signing WR Chris Hogan on a “low-dollar deal.” She also expects them to draft a receiver or two
• Rodrigue tossed out Jets WR Robby Anderson, Browns LB Joe Schobert, Chiefs DL Chris Jones, Texans DL D.J. Reader, and Colts LT Anthony Castonzo as speculative free agents that could make sense for the Panthers.
• As for draft options, Rodrigue suggests Auburn DT Derrick Brown, Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons or South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw for the Panthers at No. 7 overall. 

Saints

Saints GM Mickey Loomis said there are obvious “challenges” with the team’s roster in regards to re-signing some of their players in line for extensions. 

“There’s challenges when you’re not successful, and there’s challenges when you are successful,” Loomis said, via Mike Triplett of ESPN. “I prefer the latter.”

As for the Saints currently having $9.6 million in cap space this offseason, Loomis admitted that they have limitations, but there’s still“some maneuverability” for extensions. 

“There’s always a limit,” Loomis said. “We have limitations. It’s not hard and fixed, because we have some maneuverability, but we definitely have limitations.”