NFL Rumors: Baker Mayfield, Linebackers, Draft, Patriots

Baker Mayfield

• Lance Zierlein of NFL.com says he wouldn’t be shocked to see the Browns take Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall.
• However, should Cleveland pass on him, Zierlein says that most team’s he’s spoken with expect Mayfield to end up with the Jets.

Linebackers

• Interestingly enough, Zierlein believes there will be a race to get the top four linebackers — Tremaine Edmunds, Roquan Smith, Rashaan Evans, and Leighton Vander Esch — and it’s possible that one or two teams could trade up to secure one of them.
• Sources have told Zierlein that they think LSU DE/OLB Arden Key could end up being a day-three pick well all is said and done.

Draft

• Zierlein mentions OSU CB Denzel Ward as a player who could fall a bit in round one and possibly out of the top-10 picks.
• Zierlein expects Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey to be selected earlier than many have projected.
• At safety, Zierlein believes Stanford’s Justin Reid could be the third safety to come off the board behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James.
• As for some prospects on the rise, Zierlein mentions that Arkansas C Frank Ragnow, Nevada OL Austin Corbett, and Georgia LB Lorenzo Carter are all “flying up” draft boards.
• According to Zierlein, teams appear to be willing to wait to address the receiver position, which could result in just one receiver being taken on Thursday.
• If Josh Allen is on the board at No. 5 overall, Zierlein thinks the Broncos will try to trade down.

Patriots

• While there has been a lot of speculation about the Patriots possibly trading up for a quarterback in round one, Zierlein instead expects them to stay where they are and use the picks before turning their attention to the quarterback position on Day 2.