NFL Notes: Johnny Manziel, Draft, Browns, Chargers

Johnny Manziel

• According to Jason Cole of B/R, the Saints aren’t expected to sign QB Johnny Manziel anytime soon, despite HC Sean Payton meeting with him during the Super Bowl.
• Cole points out that there are still too many issues for Manziel to work through before he could realistically think about returning to the NFL.
• Cole adds that Manziel needs to “work through his sense of privilege” if he’s going to lead a locker room at some point.

Draft

• Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is working out privately for the Browns on Thursday. (Mary Kay Cabot)
• The Jets are working out UNC QB Mitchell Trubisky on Thursday and recently worked out Deshaun Watson. (Brian Costello)
• Albert Breer writes that there will likely be a lot of talk about raw-but-gifted quarterbacks Davis Webb (Cal) and Pat Mahomes (Texas Tech) being redshirt candidates for teams with aging quarterback in the coming weeks.
• Ohio DE/OLB Tarell Basham met with the Texans and Cowboys on Wednesday and has received a lot of interest from the Patriots, Jaguars, Panthers, Saints and Bengals. (Tony Pauline)
• Jackson State OLB Javancy Jones has a pre-draft workout with the Colts today. (Zak Keefer)

Browns

• Albert Breer writes that the Browns’ top target at quarterback is likely still Jimmy Garoppolo. However, teams who have inquired about Garoppolo’s availability have reportedly left with the impression that the
• Patriots aren’t going to trade him.
  If Garoppolo isn’t an option for the Browns, they could look to the draft and target someone like UNC’s Mitch Trubisky.
• Breer isn’t ruling out the Browns and Hue Jackson pursuing a trade for Bengals backup QB A.J. McCarron.

Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers announced Thursday that they’ve hired LaDainian Tomlinson as Special Assistant to the owner of the team.

“L.T. is one of the most beloved and iconic Chargers of all time,” said Chairman Dean Spanos. “His active involvement in our fight for Los Angeles is vital, and he represents the very best of what it means to be a Charger on the field and in the community.” 

“I spent the most memorable and exciting years of my career as a Charger,” said Tomlinson. “Joining the franchise as it makes the move to Los Angeles, and helping to rally new and familiar Chargers fans alike, is an honor and a privilege. I’m looking forward to working alongside the Spanos family once again.”

Tomlinson’s responsibility will include helping to further develop fan engagement and community relations programs for the Chargers.