NFL Notes: Giants, Lions, Panthers, Saints, Vikings

Giants

• Dan Granziano mentions that there is at least a chance that the Giants could keep HC Tom Coughlin around for one more year and see if OC Ben McAdoo could take over for him.
• Graziano believes the Giants’ main issues right now are related to their offensive and defensive lines and would use their first-round pick to take the best available player at either spot.

Lions

• Michael Rothstein of ESPN doesn’t believe the Lions signing RB Ray Rice would be a good idea.

Panthers

• David Newton can see the Panthers bringing back LT Byron Bell next year as the right tackle for a reduced salary.
• Newton expects Carolina to use their first-round pick on an offensive tackle.

Saints

• Mike Triplett of ESPN doesn’t believe it’s an urgent priority for the Saints to draft a successor to QB Drew Brees yet, and especially in the first-round.
• Triplett expects Brees to keep his starting job until 2017 at the earliest.
• Triplett believes the Saints should prioritize finding another edge rusher or possibly a 4-3 outside linebacker similar to Lavonte David if possible.

Vikings

• Ben Goessling writes that it’s too early to give up on former first-round pick OT Matt Kalil and believes the Vikings feel the same way.
• The Vikings will face a decision whether or not to pick up Kalil’s fifth-year option next year, but Goessling mentions that Minnesota could pick it up and wait to make a decision at a later time given that it’s not guaranteed.
• Goessling doesn’t think moving Kalil to guard would be a good move either.
• According to Goessling, the Vikings believe Jerick McKinnon can be their primary running back in the future, but admits that they are likely to use multiple running backs.