NFL Notes: Draft, Trent Cole, Falcons, Giants & Redskins

Draft

Draft Insider’s Tony Pauline discussed some of the prospects participating in the pro days at Purdue, Texas A&M and Mississippi State.

• Pauline calls Purdue DE Ryan Russell a sleeper who could end up being drafted earlier than presently anticipated.
• Purdue RB Akeem Hunt tested very positively in the 40 with a 4.37, and in the vertical jump.  Hunt is a dynamic athlete who is effective working on the perimeter of the field, and is dynamic in the return game.
• Texas A&M CB Deshazor Everett impressed with a 4.47 forty time, a 6.78 three-cone drill time, and a 38 inch vertical.  Pauline notes that he has met with the 49ers, Dolphins and Bears.
• Mississippi State due DE Preston Smith and ILB Benardrick McKinney worked out in both defensive end and linebacker drills.
• Pauline calls Mississippi State TE Malcolm Johnson the “surprise of the day“, and notes that he drew comparisons to TE Delanie Walker.

Trent Cole

• The Jets are expected to reach out to DE Trent Cole now that he is a free agent. (Jason La Canfora)
• Cole will likely sign with a team employing a 4-3 front. (Adam Caplan)

Falcons

• The Falcons are not expected to get in a bidding war for ILB David Harris, despite their interest in him. (Vaughn McClure)

Giants

• The Giants officially tendered exclusive rights free agent TE Larry Donnell. (Ralph Vacchiano)

Redskins

• The Redskins are interested in bringing RB Roy Helu Jr. back, but he will “absolutely” test the free agent market first. (Chris Russell)
• Russell calls it “50/50 at best” that Helu returns to Washington. (Chris Russell)
• The Redskins announced the signing of exclusive rights free agent S Duke Ihenacho.