NFL Notes: Draft, Patriots, Redskins, Vikings

Draft

• Ian Rapoport reports that the Titans worked out Miami TE David Njoku on Saturday.
• Georgia OL Tyler Catalina has been invited to the Falcons’ local pro day. (Vaughn McClure)

Patriots

Veteran DE Chris Long explained that his decision to move on from the Patriots this offseason had nothing to do with any bad blood with the team.

“It wasn’t any bad blood,” Long said this week, via ESPN.com. “Just football-wise, it was more about finding a positive, and the positive for me, the thing I enjoy the most is playing in a situation that allows me to be proud of what I put on the field every Sunday. Pretty quickly after the season I was able to be straight up with the coaches there, who I admire a lot, that I was probably going to look to go elsewhere.”

Overall, Long believes the Eagles are a good system fit for what he brings to the table.

“If you watch what I did in St. Louis for eight years, that was more like what we do here,” Long said. “So schematically there’s a big difference. I’m just lucky to find a place that I think I can at least compete to try to have a role.”

Redskins

• John Keim of ESPN believes the expectations are “low” right now in regards to the Redskins re-signing franchise QB Kirk Cousins, as they have waited “too long” to make an offer that would tempt Cousins.
• At this point, Keim says Cousins has more incentive to wait and see how his contract situation plays out with the Redskins.
• Given that signing Cousins to a long-term deal is low, Keim writes that Washington must consider selecting quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft. Although, he’s unsure if the team will draft one in the first three rounds.
• As for quarterbacks currently on the roster, Keim mentions that sixth-round QB Nate Sudfeld could eventually be a starter but still has a lot to prove.

Vikings

• Chris Tomasson reports that Vikings S Harrison Smith is expected to be fully recovered from offseason ankle surgery in time for training camp.