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\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nApril 27<\/em><\/p>\n According to the NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero<\/a>, multiple scouts and coaches they talked to won\u2019t be shocked if Javonte Williams ends up going in the first round along with Najee Harris and Travis Etienne. They spoke to a high-ranking AFC executive who said, \u201cI love Javonte Williams, I think he\u2019s the best back in the draft.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Most have tied Harris to Pittsburgh and thought Etienne was a possibility to sneak into the first round as well, but few if any have thought Williams would join them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are teams in the back half of the first round starting with Miami at 18 but also the Jets, Steelers, and Bills that could be potential suitors for the three running backs.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 26<\/em><\/p>\n The Giants have a number of coaches on staff with recent experience in college, including HC Joe Judge (Alabama), DL coach Sean Spencer (Penn State), and defensive assistant Jeremy Pruitt (Tennessee).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n GM Dave Gettleman recently stated he\u2019s relying on their help because \u201cthey\u2019ve known these guys. They\u2019ve touched these guys, which we, unfortunately, haven\u2019t been able to do as much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This obviously increases the odds Gettleman drafts a player from those schools (Spencer specifically <\/span>recruited Micah Parsons<\/span><\/a> to Penn State). Those coaches will also have increased familiarity with players from their former conferences (Big Ten and SEC) and potentially others they encountered in the recruiting process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another connection worth mentioning: Pruitt (with Alabama at the time) was one of the primary recruiters for Jaelan Phillips.<\/span><\/p>\n According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Mike Mayock recently stated there have been \u201c<\/span>lively conversations<\/span><\/a>\u201d about how to handle players who opted out last season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This obviously implies some within the building would be against investing a first-round pick in those prospects. The Raiders do not appear to be alone in this sentiment. Steelers GM Kevin Colbert stated the Steelers will prefer players who played in 2020<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n If Jon Gruden, who has the final say, is among those who want to avoid the opt-outs, it would take these potential targets off the table for Las Vegas:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Multiple people including Ian Rapoport, Peter King, and Albert Breer are all reporting that the Falcons are \u201clistening\u201d to offers for the five-time All-Pro wide receiver mostly due in part to their salary cap issues. Because of those issues, it would make more sense for the Falcons to make the trade official until after June 1 but could start to put the framework of a deal together around the draft.<\/span><\/p>\n The asking price is considered to be a 1st or at worst a 2nd round pick so WR needy teams such as Baltimore, Green Bay, Tennessee, and New England are teams to keep an eye on if they don\u2019t address the position early in this draft. This could also open up the possibility for Atlanta to take LSU WR Ja\u2019Marr Chase at No. 4 if a trade for Jones is already in place.<\/span><\/p>\n According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the 49ers are closing in on their decision of which QB to take at No. 3 and, in fact, have narrowed it down to just two choices, Mac Jones or Trey Lance. Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network said he has been told that Kyle Shanahan is \u201cdriving the 49ers\u2019 process\u201d and it sounds like he has eliminated Justin Fields from consideration with under a week left until the draft. <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 25<\/em><\/p>\n When asked in an interview with NFL Network if he was lobbying for the Chargers to draft former Oregon teammate Penei Sewell, Herbert replied \u201cI\u2019m doing my best. He\u2019s an incredible player. Whenever you get a tackle like that in the draft, he can change your program. Always a big fan and I\u2019m an even bigger fan of the way he is off the field.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n There are rumblings that the Chargers are looking to move up in the draft which they almost certainly would have to do in order to be in a position to get Sewell. <\/span><\/p>\n According to <\/span>The Athletic\u2019s Ben Standig<\/span><\/a>, Washington \u201clikely gobbles up\u201d USC\u2019s Alijah Vera-Tucker if he falls to No. 19. Standig also mentions Virginia Tech LT Christian Darrisaw as a possible selection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Washington might be ready to throw in the towel on left tackle Geron Christian, who was a developmental project as a third-round pick in 2018. Vera-Tucker, who some view as a guard, could also be the long-term replacement for Brandon Scherff, who is likely to play on the franchise tag this season and may be on his way out after 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some mock drafts have thrown Stanford\u2019s Davis Mills into the first-round mix but the sixth quarterback off the board might actually be Florida\u2019s Kyle Trask.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Athletic\u2019s Bob McGinn<\/span><\/a> writes an annual draft series in which he pieces together rankings based on conversations with scouts and executives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n McGinn has a strong track record for predicting the order in which players come off the board. So it\u2019s notable that he places Trask just ahead of Mills on his quarterback list, indicating most of those he\u2019s spoken to have a similar opinion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 24<\/em><\/p>\n Miami has held multiple virtual meetings with the top running back prospects in this class (Travis Etienne, Najee Harris, and Javonte Williams), according to <\/span>Barry Jackson<\/span><\/a> of the Miami Herald.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clearly, Miami wants to add a running back, but because they own the No. 18 and No. 36 picks (in addition to No. 6), it\u2019s tough to gauge whether they have first-round interest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n GM Chris Grier has used his draft capital wisely in recent years, and most would argue a running back at No. 18 would be a poor investment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to <\/span>ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter<\/span><\/a>, the Ravens have met with former Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva and former Tennessee Titans tackle Dennis Kelly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Following the trade which sent Orlando Brown<\/strong> to the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore has an opening at right tackle and two first-round picks to potentially fill that void. However, these meetings with free agents appear to indicate the team would rather address that need with a veteran.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 23<\/em><\/p>\n Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network said on his recent\u00a0 \u201cMove the Sticks\u201d Podcast, that \u201cthere\u2019s a little buzz in league circles that the Patriots are doing a lot of homework on University of Florida Quarterback Kyle Trask.\u201d Many believe that the Patriots will be selecting a quarterback in this draft, so we will see if this is just due diligence in case they aren\u2019t able to get one of the top five available or if they are fine passing on one of them even if they fall.<\/span><\/p>\n Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that the Raiders have done \u201cextensive work\u201d on all of the top QB\u2019s in this draft and if one of them slides past No. 10, they could be a \u201cteam to watch\u201d to grab a QB and stash for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n April 22<\/em><\/p>\n According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis is \u201cone player that\u2019s pretty clearly put himself in a good position going into draft week.\u201d He goes on to add, \u201cI think he\u2019s got a real good shot to be the guy who turns people\u2019s heads with how high he goes. (Maybe even in the late teens).\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Davis already turned a few heads after his pro day where he ran a 4.37 40 yard dash, had a 42 inch vertical, 11 foot broad jump all at 6\u20193\u201d 234lbs. At the time people thought that might be enough to get him into the back end of the first round so late teens certainly would still be a bit of a surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n At his press conference, Raiders GM Mike Mayock declined to acknowledge right tackle is a need entering the draft, and instead praised Jaryd Jones-Smith, according to <\/span>The Athletic\u2019s Vic Tafur<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jones-Smith went undrafted in 2020 and played 14 snaps, all on special teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mayock\u2019s statement would have been slightly believable if he mentioned Brandon Parker, who started four games last year. Since he chose to mention the practice squad tackle, it virtually confirms they\u2019re hoping to add help in the draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Oklahoma State\u2019s Teven Jenkins and Virginia Tech\u2019s Christian Darrisaw look like first-round options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At a press conference on Thursday, new Broncos GM George Paton stated the team <\/span>has not made any calls<\/span><\/a> about moving up in the draft and they\u2019re confident to <\/span>stay at No. 9<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This appears to confirm an <\/span>earlier report<\/span><\/a> from Andrew Mason of DNVR Sports that Denver has not called the Atlanta Falcons about the No. 4 pick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is surprising because many teams make calls well before the draft just to gauge what it would cost to move up if they\u2019re even remotely considering the possibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s also unlikely they\u2019re lying because Atlanta would want other teams to know about the interest to drive up the price if there are multiple bidders, so we\u2019d probably hear contradicting reports if that were the case.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 21<\/em><\/p>\n Multiple injuries in high school and college are reportedly a red flag on Terrace Marshall Jr.\u2019s scouting report and <\/span>The Athletic's Dane Brugler<\/span><\/a> stated he dropped Marshall in his rankings as a result.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This type of information is slowly leaking out following the medical testing which took place in early April in Indianapolis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Marshall has appeared in many first-round mock drafts this offseason, but in a deep receiver class he could slide into Day 2 due if teams have concerns about the injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pro Football Network\u2019s Tony Pauline<\/span><\/a> has reported the Cardinals covet Alabama CB Patrick Surtain, South Carolina CB Jayee Horn, and Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle in some order.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Those are logical targets for the Cardinals, but it\u2019s likely they\u2019re all off the board by pick No. 16. Assuming the team doesn\u2019t trade up, Pauline says the team is also high on Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Collins played primarily as an off-ball linebacker at Tulsa, but at 270 points he\u2019s built to play on the edge. With Chandler Jones<\/strong> in the final year of his contract, maybe Arizona sees Collins as a long-term replacement. <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 20<\/em><\/p>\n Some teams have a sixth-round grade or lower on Alabama center Landon Dickerson, according to <\/span>Pro Football Network\u2019s Tony Pauline<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is based on Dickerson\u2019s medical history (multiple ACL injuries) and likely indicates his recent medical recheck by NFL doctors did not go well.<\/span><\/p>\n This report comes just days after <\/span>NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein<\/span><\/a> stated his belief there will be no centers in the first round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network<\/a>, with eight days left until the NFL Draft, the Giants are having internal discussions about trading down. This comes on the heels of the report that the Cowboys picking one spot ahead of them are also open to trading down. We have officially reached rumor season but those two slots in the draft could become more valuable if a quarterback does start to fall in the draft, so it is the prudent thing to do for both teams to at least be willing to listen to calls. But as Rapoport noted, Giants GM Dave Gettleman has never traded down in the first round (or any other round) in eight drafts as a GM so it would most likely have to be an offer that is too good to pass up.<\/span><\/p>\n According to The Athletic's <\/span>Jon Machota<\/span><\/a>, Cowboys VP Stephen Jones stated the team has received calls about the 10th pick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s safe to say every team in the top 10 has \u201creceived calls\u201d so this isn\u2019t exactly news. But would Dallas consider moving down?<\/span><\/p>\n We assume Dallas is in the market for a cornerback (Alabama\u2019s Patrick Surtain and South Carolina\u2019s Jaycee Horn are potential targets at 10). We also know the New England Patriots are potentially interested in trading up for a quarterback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier this offseason it was also reported Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore was <\/span>believed to be available<\/span><\/a> via trade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Putting those puzzle pieces together creates a realistic scenario where the Patriots could move up to No. 10 to get their QB, while Dallas moves down and picks up a veteran cornerback.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 19<\/em><\/p>\n With the news that the Miami Dolphins have signed veteran offensive tackle D.J. Fluker, it may have taken offensive tackle off the board for the Dolphins with their first pick. Miami Dolphins reporter Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweeted \u201cFluker signing seemingly makes the chance of the Dolphins taking an offensive tackle with their first pick even more remote.\u201d This could tie into the earlier note that the Dolphins may be looking to trade back from No. 6 which makes more sense if they aren\u2019t considering a tackle there as it is starting to look more likely that Kyle Pitts and Ja\u2019Marr Chase could be off the board.<\/span><\/p>\n MMQB\u2019s Albert Breer<\/span><\/a> reported he has heard the Lions linked to Penn State LB Micah Parsons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we\u2019ve mentioned before, Parsons\u2019 character has been <\/span>flagged by teams<\/span><\/a> due to his role in the Penn State hazing scandal and a high school suspension for inciting a riot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some teams are likely willing to gamble on Parsons\u2019s elite talent but the Lions would be a surprising fit. In an interview with<\/span> Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm<\/span><\/a> last year, Holmes stated: \u201cI am so much focused on the intangible traits way more so than the physical traits\u2026 I\u2019ve learned so much as to why a player is or isn\u2019t successful in this league. It falls so much on the intangibles more than the physical.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n According to Dan Graziano of ESPN<\/a>, Trey Lance is still under consideration for the 49ers at pick No. 3. He said he was told the 49ers will be extremely involved in his workout today and that Lance has been working out the past couple weeks with QB Coach John Beck at Kyle Shanahan\u2019s request. He does note that Beck also works with Justin Fields who, along with Mac Jones, is still under consideration for the 49ers at pick No. 3. So the 49ers, at least publicly, are still acting like a team that has not made a final decision on which QB they are taking. <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 18<\/em><\/p>\n Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer went on Fox Sports Radio with Jason McIntyre and stated \u201cthe latest I\u2019m hearing is the Bengals are targeting Ja\u2019Marr Chase, Joe Burrow\u2019s former teammate at LSU.\u201d Most believe Chase will be available to them at pick No. 5 so it will be interesting to see if they would indeed take him if Kyle Pitts and\/or Penei Sewell are still on the board but you can certainly understand the Bengals' interest in reuniting their franchise QB with his former teammate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Gerry Dulac, the Steelers are looking to address the running back position in the first or second round at the latest. He states, \u201c<\/span>The last step was changing the personnel, and it started with Conner, a three-year starter whose contract expired after the season. It will end on draft day. The Steelers appear to be content with Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland Jr. as backups, possibly even Kalen Ballage, who was signed in free agency. But they want a more dynamic feature back, a player who can put back in the offense a dimension that has been missing since the departure of Le\u2019Veon Bell. They will do that in the draft, most likely in the first round, no later than the second.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Although this would be terrible process for multiple reasons (like this<\/a>, or this<\/a>, or this<\/a>, or this<\/a>), if Dulac is right Pittsburgh may be the first team to draft a first-round running back in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n NFL.com\u2019s <\/span>Lance Zierlein<\/span><\/a> recently suggested Alabama center Landon Dickerson will not go in the first round, but at least three centers will land within the first 70 selections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Does this mean Zierlein knows the Pittsburgh Steelers are not considering Dickerson? Zierlein\u2019s father spent three seasons as Mike Tomlin\u2019s offensive line coach.<\/span><\/p>\n Pittsburgh appears to have a hole at center following the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey, which has led to much speculation Dickerson could be an option for them at the 24th pick.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 17<\/em><\/p>\n GM Martin Mayhew recently declined to address a question regarding the team\u2019s interest in a quarterback, according to <\/span>The Athletic\u2019s Ben Standig<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s a pretty good sign they\u2019re interested. Of course, sitting at No. 19, Mayhew knows he doesn\u2019t have full control over his ability to land one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mayhew also stated of the quarterbacks: \u201cAnytime you see a guy with limited time on the job, that is a concern for me with the quarterback position.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That describes North Dakota State\u2019s Trey Lance, the quarterback most likely to slide into a range where Washington could trade up. But perhaps he\u2019s just downplaying interest in Lance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t April 16<\/em><\/p>\nCOULD THREE RUNNING BACKS BE DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nNEW YORK GIANTS LEANING ON COLLEGE TIES<\/h3>\n
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS NOT INTERESTED IN OPT-OUTS?<\/h3>\n
\n
ATLANTA OPEN TO TRADING JULIO JONES?<\/h3>\n
49ers STILL UNDECIDED BETWEEN MAC JONES AND TREY LANCE?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nJUSTIN HERBERT LOBBYING FOR FORMER TEAMMATE PENEI SEWELL?<\/h3>\n
WASHINGTON INTERESTED IN OFFENSIVE TACKLES?<\/h3>\n
KYLE TRASK GOING HIGHER THAN EXPECTED?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nMIAMI DOLPHINS TARGETING A RUNNING BACK<\/h3>\n
BALTIMORE RAVENS MEETING TO FREE AGENT RIGHT TACKLES<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nPATRIOTS DOING THEIR HOMEWORK ON KYLE TRASK?<\/h3>\n
RAIDERS OPEN TO DRAFTING A QUARTERBACK IN THE FIRST ROUND?<\/h3>\n
JAMIN DAVIS GOING SOONER THAN EXPECTED?<\/h3>\n
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS RIGHT TACKLE SITUATION<\/h3>\n
DENVER BRONCOS NOT TRADING UP?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nLSU WR TERRACE MARSHALL JR. SLIDING DUE TO INJURY<\/h3>\n
ARIZONA CARDINALS DRAFT INSIGHT<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nLANDON DICKERSON SLIDING?<\/h3>\n
NEW YORK GIANTS OPEN TO TRADING DOWN?<\/h3>\n
DALLAS COWBOYS CONSIDERING TRADE DOWN?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nDOLPHINS NOT CONSIDERING OFFENSIVE TACKLE WITH FIRST PICK?<\/h3>\n
DOES MICAH PARSONS FIT WITH THE DETROIT LIONS?<\/h3>\n
49ers STILL UNDECIDED AT NO. 3?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nBENGALS TARGETING JA\u2019MARR CHASE?<\/h3>\n
PITTSBURGH TO TAKE A RUNNING BACK IN THE FIRST ROUND?<\/h3>\n
NO FIRST ROUND CENTER?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nWASHINGTON CONSIDERING A QB?<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\nPHILADELPHIA EAGLES MOVING INTO TOP 10?<\/h3>\n