NFL Notes: Draft, Quarterbacks, 49ers, Panthers

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com forecasts the odds of each team drafting in the top 12 of selecting a quarterback this year.

1. Browns: 10%
2. 49ers: 20%
3. Bears: 35%
4. Jaguars: 15%
5. Titans: 0%
6. Jets: 40%
7. Chargers: %25
8. Panthers: 0%
9. Bengals: 2%
10. Bills: 60%
11. Saints: 25%
12. Browns: 70%

• While the 49ers could still use a long-term quarterback prospect, Jeremiah expects them to wait until next year to address the position.
• Jeremiah says he’s been hearing chatter about the Bears drafting a quarterback at No. 3 overall for some time now, despite signing Mike Glennon in free agency. Even so, Jeremiah would still be surprised to see them go this route.
• As for the Jets, Jeremiah mentions that their roster has a number of holes that need to be addressed, but he doesn’t think it would be a reach for them to take a quarterback at No. 6 overall and adds that UNC’s Mitch Trubisky would be the best scheme fit.
• Jeremiah believes Clemson’s Deshaun Watson would be the best scheme fit for the Chargers.
• The Bills have done extensive work on quarterbacks and Jeremiah thinks Mitch Trubisky would make “a lot of sense” for Buffalo.
• Jeremiah would be surprised if the Saints took any position other than a defensive player, but admits that Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes would be a fun project for Sean Payton.
• Multiple sources around the league have told Jeremiah that the Browns are “very intrigued” by Trubisky, whom he thinks would be a “no-brainer” for Cleveland at No. 12 overall.

49ers

• Nick Wagoner of ESPN writes that a deep and talented tight end class could tempt the 49ers this year.
• If the 49ers are able to trade back, which they’re reportedly interested in doing, Wagoner believes it’s possible they could consider taking Alabama TE O.J. Howard.
• Depending on who’s available to San Francisco on day two, Wagoner mentions Miami’s David Njoku, Mississippi’s Evan Engram, Ashland’s Adam Shaheen, South Alabama’s Gerald Everett, and Michigan’s Jake Butt could be worth considering.
• Wagoner also lists Clemson’s Jordan Leggett, Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges, and Iowa’s George Kittle as potential fits for the 49ers.

Panthers

• Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer writes that more observers believe the Panthers will end up selecting a running back at No. 8 overall.
• Person mentions that LSU’s Leonard Fournette would be tough to pass up if he’s available to Carolina by the time they’re on the clock, but Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey could also be intriguing considering the new dimension he would bring to their offense.
• A sleeper option to watch for the Panthers could be Coastal Carolina RB De’Angelo Henderson, according to Person.