Draft Misc - Football Wiretap

Geno Smith Fires Agent, Thought He Should Have Gone 1st Overall

Nov 19, 2014 11:56 PM

Geno Smith has fired his agent four days after slipping into the second round in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Smith was selected by the New York Jets with the 39th overall pick.

Smith cannot hire another agent for five days.

According to the New York Daily News, Smith thought he should have been the top overall pick.

Liz Mullen/Sports Business Journal

Tags: New York Jets, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Lions Had Ziggy Ansah Rated 3rd On Draft Board

Oct 1, 2014 11:42 AM

The Detroit Lions selected defensive end Ziggy Ansah out of BYU with the fifth overall pick.

Ansah has only been playing football for three years and started less than one full season.

General manager Martin Mayhew said that the Lions had just two players rated higher than Ansah.

The Lions also selected Darius Slay early in the season round, another player they had given a first round grade on.

"I think he's high on a lot of boards," Mayhew said. "We felt like he was a guy we should definitely target and try to get in the second round."

Justin Rogers/MLive

Tags: Detroit Lions, Draft, Draft Misc

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Ravens Scouting More Small School Prospects To Gain Edge

Nov 27, 2014 6:12 AM

The Baltimore Ravens have increased their attention to scouting players from small schools in order to improve their edge in the NFL Draft.

“For a long time we didn’t draft any small school guys, or a very, very few,” Ravens Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta said. “In the last couple of years we have drafted more. I think one of the reasons is because we really draft best available player.”

The Ravens selected defensive tackle Brandon Williams out of Missouri Southern State with the 94th overall pick, while also taking players from Harvard, Colorado State-Pueblo and Elon in later rounds.

“I think scouting, in general, has gotten better across the league. It has forced us to adapt,” DeCosta said.

Ryan Mink/NFL.com

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Draft, Draft Misc

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Eagles Move Up To Draft Matt Barkley In 4th Round

Oct 13, 2014 12:50 AM

The Philadelphia Eagles moved up to draft Matt Barkley out of USC with a fourth round pick.

Chip Kelly has said that a mobile quarterback is not necessary to run his system.

"I believe that's an added bonus, not a precursor to what we do," said Kelly of a mobile quarterback.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders were also said to be interested in Barkley.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Jets Trying To Move Up To Draft Quarterback

May 17, 2014 11:01 PM

The New York Jets are trying to move up from the 39th overall pick to draft a quarterback, according to sources.

The Jets used their two first round picks on defensive players.

The Jets considered drafting Geno Smith at No. 13.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: New York Jets, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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2013 NFL Draft First Round Picks

Oct 6, 2014 9:52 PM

The NFL has converged on New York City for the first round of the 2013 draft. Without two sure-fire picks, as we saw last season with Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, there promises to be a lot of drama on Thursday night.

As the action unfolds, check out Jeff Risdon's Mock Draft and see how our expert's predictions matched up with the actual picks.

You can also chat with fellow NFL fans in our NFL Draft forum as the picks are announced.

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

3. Miami Dolphins (acquired from Oakland) - Dion Jordon, OLB, Oregon

4. Philadelphia Eagles -Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

5. Detroit Lions - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

6. Cleveland Browns - Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

7. Arizona Cardinals - Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina

8. St. Louis Rams (acquired from Buffalo) - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

9. New York Jets - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

10. Tennessee Titans - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama 

11. San Diego Chargers - D.J. Fluker, G, Alabama

12. Oakland Raiders (acquired from Miami) - D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

13. New York Jets - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

14. Carolina Panthers - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

15. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

16. St. Louis Rams - E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

18. San Francisco 49ers (from Cowboys) - Eric Reid, S, LSU

19. New York Giants - Justin Pugh, G, Syracuse

20. Chicago Bears - Kyle Long, G, Oregon

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

22. Atlanta Falcons (from Rams) - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

23. Minnesota Vikings - Sharrif Floyd, DT Florida

24. Indianapolis Colts - Bjoren Werner, DE, Florida State

25. Minnesota Vikings - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

26. Green Bay Packers - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

27. Houston Texans - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

28. Denver Broncos - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

29. Minnesota Vikings (from Patriots) - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

30. St. Louis Rams (from Falcons) - Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

31. Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers) - Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin

32. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Elam, S, Florida

Trades

The Oakland Raiders traded the third overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the 12th and 42nd overall selections.

The Buffalo Bills traded the eighth and 71st overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for the 16th, 46th, 78th and 222nd overall selections.

The 49ers traded the No. 31 and No. 74 pick to the Cowboys for the No. 18 pick.

The Falcons traded the No. 30 pick and a sixth rounder to the Rams to acquire No. 22 and a seventh rounder in 2015.

The Vikings have acquired the No. 29 pick from the Patriots for the No. 52, No. 83, No. 102 and No. 229 selections.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Draft, Draft Misc

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Chiefs Make Decision On Pick, Still Interested In Trade

Jul 16, 2014 1:17 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs have decided who they will pick with the No. 1 overall pick if they ultimately decide to keep it.

The Chiefs are keeping the decision a secret to give teams an opportunity to acquire the pick.

There is a growing sense that Eric Fisher could be the pick over Luke Joeckel, both of whom are left tackles.

Ed Werder/ESPN

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Lawrence Okoye Could Get Drafted Despite Never Putting On Helmet

Sep 17, 2014 4:27 PM

Lawrence Okoye has never put on a football helmet, but buzz is increasing that he could be a late-round selection in the NFL Draft.

Okoye competed for Great Britain in the discus in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Okoye is 6-foot-6 at 304 pounds with an explosive blend of athleticism and size.

"I have played rugby. I played the wing," Okoye said. "Which is probably comparable to playing wideout in football. I played against a lot of small, quick guys. And they used to test my feet, defensively, when I had to make open-field tackles and stuff."

Okoye's father, Lawrence Sr., was a defensive end at Nebraska.

Matt Barrows/Sacramento Bee

Tags: Draft, Draft Misc

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Steelers Likely To Use Mid-Round Pick On Running Back

Oct 31, 2014 1:28 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a huge need at running back and appear set to target one in the second or third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

"Lately there's been a lot of running backs in the second, third or fourth rounds," said NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, who worked for 29 years as the personnel man for the Dallas Cowboys. "Guys like Alfred Morris from [the Washington Redskins] was a late-round pick. As [colleges] go away from running the ball like we used to, we're finding more quarterbacks and receivers than developing running backs."

The Steelers have Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and Baron Batch on their depth chart at running back.

Ed Bouchette/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Raiders To Draft BPA At No. 3, Fill Needs In Later Rounds

Oct 31, 2014 9:45 AM

Reggie McKenzie plans to use the third overall pick on the best player available and use later round picks to fill needs.

The Oakland Raiders don't their second scheduled pick until No. 66 overall.

"I think you try and draft the best player, and fill that need down the line," McKenzie said.

The Raiders are seeking difference-makers above all else.

"I want to try and get someone here who can change the game," McKenzie said. "If it's a solid, versatile player vs. a difference maker? You take the difference maker."

Jerry McDonald/Oakland Tribune

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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Lions Looking For Stretch Receiver In Draft
The Lions spent a second rounder on Titus Young in 2011 and a third on Derrick Williams in 2009.

Dave Birkett/Detroit Free-Press

Steelers Considering Drafting Quarterback
The quarterback the Steelers would target is likely Tyler Bray.

Gerry Dulac/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tavon Austin Scores Seven On Wonderlic
Tavon Austin is one of the highest rated wide receivers ahead of the 2013 NFL Draft, but he scored an incredibly low seven on his Wonderlic.

Bob McGinn/Journal Sentinel

Falcons Reportedly Looking To Move Up In Draft
With holes at cornerback and defensive end, the Falcons are believed to be looking to trade up from the No. 30 pick.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

NFL Hopeful To Reenlist In Marines After Boston Attack
Brandon O'Brien has decided to forgo the NFL Draft in favor of reenlisting in the Marines.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Sources: Keenan Allen Was Red-Flagged For Drug Test
Allen's agent, J.T. Johnson, denied that his client has failed any drug test.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Browns, Raiders Could Look To Trade Down
Peter King of SI is reporting that the Raiders want to trade down to recoup the second-round pick that was sent to the Bengals in the 2011 Carson Palmer trade.

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Geno Smith Bringing Stedman Bailey To Draft
Geno Smith and Stedman Bailey were high school teammates and they went to West Virginia as a package deal.

Pro Football Talk

Patriots Could Draft Wide Receiver
The Patriots tried to sign Emmanuel Sanders, but the Steelers matched the team's offer sheet.

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

Jaguars Down To Two Candidates For No. 2 Pick
The popular guess is that Jacksonville is targeting pass rusher Dion Jordan or quarterback Geno Smith.

Kareem Copeland/NFL.com

Demetrius Harris Trading Basketball For NFL Draft
UW-Milwaukee's Demetrius Harris, having seen his basketball career end roughly a month ago, has decided to enter the NFL Draft.

Bob McGinn/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Dolphins Have 'Ammunition' To Trade Up
Looking to add talent on the offensive line, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland will try to do so at this month's draft.

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

Keenan Allen Clocks 4.71 In 40-Yard Dash
California wide receiver Keenan Allen has been hampered by a PCL injury throughout the draft process

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Patriots Likely To Draft Wide Receiver
Five wide receivers caught passes for the Patriots last season, but none of them are currently under contract with the club.

Pro Football Talk

Source: Cardinals To Work Out Barkley
The Cardinals are planning to hold a private workout Saturday at USC for Matt Barkley, according to an source.

ESPN.com

Geno Smith Visiting With Eagles
The former West Virginia quarterback met with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.

Kareem Copeland/NFL.com

Chiefs Down To Four Options For No. 1 Pick
No names were given, but Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel and West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith are likely on the list.

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

Scouting Director: Barkley Is Backup QB
Opinions on former USC quarterback Matt Barkley continue to vary.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com