NFL Rumors: Draft, Lamar Jackson, Maurice Hurst

Draft

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports offers a number of predictions for this year’s draft in his latest column.

• Regarding the Browns, La Canfora expects Cleveland to open the draft by selecting USC QB Sam Darnold No. 1 overall.
• La Canfora can’t see Wyoming QB Josh Allen getting past the Jets at No. 3 overall.
• N.C. State DE/OLB Bradley Chubb‘s floor is No. 6 overall, according to La Canfora and he believes the Browns may end up using their No. 4 overall pick on him.
• As for Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, La Canfora fully expects a team to trade up to get him with the Patriots, Bills and Cardinals being three teams to watch. La Canfora admits that it’s possible the Broncos grab him at No. 5 overall, even after signing Case Keenum in free agency.
• La Canfora reports that the Ravens are believed to be high on Oklahoma QB Mason Rudolph and it’s possible that he could end up being selected before Louisville QB Lamar Jackson in round one. In fact, La Canfora says Rudolph could end up being selected in the first half of the first-round.
• La Canfora fully expects the Panthers to take a defensive back in round one with Stanford S Justin Reid and Iowa CB Josh Jackson being two possibilities.
• La Canfora pegs Alabama LB Rashaan Evans as “perfect fit” for the Steelers.

Lamar Jackson

• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a league source, reports that one NFL team recently tried at least seven times to contact Louisville QB Lamar Jackson, but wasn’t able to reach him. According to Florio, this team still hadn’t heard back from Jackson as of Thursday.
• Last week, Mike Mayock said on the NFL Network that teams have had trouble setting up workouts and meetings with Jackson: “I’ve had several teams tell me they’re having trouble just getting to set up appointments to meet with him,” Mayock said, via NFL.com. “Not just work out, but appointments to meet with him, to put him up on the board, to work him out, to have dinner with him. And remember, and again I’m not taking a shot here at anybody, his mom is representing him, his mom has obviously his best interest at heart, but you’re doing the kid a disservice if NFL coaches and general managers are calling and you can’t even get an appointment set up.“
• The Ravens have scheduled a pre-draft visit with Louisville QB Lamar Jackson. (NFLTR)

Maurice Hurst

• Ian Rapoport reports that Michigan DL Maurice Hurst was not requested to return to the Combine for a medical recheck regarding the heart issue that was flagged a few months ago.
• While this is another good sign, Rapoport adds that it doesn’t mean he’ll be cleared by every team.
• Hurst was medically cleared to resume his football career a few weeks ago. (NFLTR)