NFL Rumors: Jets, Lions, Patriots, & Rams

Jets

• Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson‘s agent Chad Wiestling said his client will be fully recovered from his broken fibula to start the 2016 season “for someone“, implying that Wilkerson could be playing somewhere other than New York next season.
• According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Jets LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson is on “slightly shaky ground” with the team since GM Mike Maccagnan said on Friday that Ferguson being on the opening day roster is a “fluid situation.” Maccagnan did say that he expects Ferguson to be on the Week 1 roster.
• In the end, Cimini thinks Ferguson will remain with the Jets, but will have to take a pay cut from his $14.1 million cap figure.
• While negotiations regarding a restructured deal have not taken place with Ferguson, Cimini thinks it has to happen at some point.
• Cimini believes the Giants would bring in Ferguson immediately if he gets released by the Jets.
• Cimini does not think the Jets would trade for Broncos LT Ryan Clady since they did not pursue LT Russell Okung in free agency. In addition, Clady’s remaining two years at $19.5 million on his contract is likely too much for the Jets.

Lions

• Michael Rothstein of ESPN labels the safety spot as a position of concern for Detroit since Rafael Bush and Tavon Wilson have yet to prove they can become quality starters.
• Rothstein considers Alabama RB Derrick Henry an interesting option for Detroit, but adds that it’s unlikely he’ll be available to the Lions in the second round.
• According to Rothstein, there is enough talent at the receiver position to wait and draft one in the second or third round. Instead, Rothstein would elect to draft an offensive tackle or defensive end with their first-round pick.
• Rothstein mentions Pittsburgh’s Tyler Boyd, Ohio State’s Braxton Miller, Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard and California’s Kenny Lawler as mid-round receivers Detroit could look at.
• However, Rothstein views Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell as an intriguing pick at No. 16 overall and believes he could be the best value at receiver in the draft.
• Baylor’s Corey Coleman, Notre Dame’s Will Fuller or TCU’s Josh Doctson are other receivers that Rothstein believes could be drafted in a best-player-available scenario.
• As for pursuing free agent DT Nick Fairley, Rothstein does not think it is logical for Detroit to bring him back due to the presence DT Haloti Ngata, DT Stefan Charles, DT Tyrunn Walker and DT Caraun Reid on their roster.
• Rothstein has nothing new to report regarding LB Stephen Tulloch‘s status with the team. Tulloch was informed by the Lions back in February that he would be cut once the 2016 league year started, but Detroit has yet to do so.
• Rothstein labels offensive tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle, wide receiver, cornerback and the interior line as positions to address for the team at this point in time. He also expects the Lions to draft a quarterback during the later rounds of the draft.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN does not think the addition of RB Donald Brown ends the possibility of the team re-signing free agent RB LeGarrette Blount.
• However, Reiss says that bringing back Blount centers on whether the team is confident in him fully returning to form from the season-ending hip injury he sustained last year.
• According to Reiss, Brown was signed to provide depth at the position, but he will ultimately have to compete for a roster spot.
• Reiss still expects the Patriots to draft a running back even if they decide to extend Blount.

Rams

• Nick Wagoner of ESPN points out that Quinton Coples will have the opportunity to play primarily as a 4-3 defensive end for the Rams after playing outside linebacker for the Jets.
• According to Wagoner, the addition of Coples will enable DE William Hayes to get more rest during games, which could help him reach his full potential.
• Wagoner considers it “far-fetched” for the Rams to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick to select North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz, given what it would cost them to move up the board that far.